Situation

The Parish of West Monkton is about two and a half miles East of Taunton and includes the villages of Bathpool, Monkton Heathfield, West Monkton, Goosenford and Gotton.
The Hall is located centrally in the village of Monkton Heathfield on the A3259, about three quarters of a mile from
the junction with the A38, and it opened in 1979.

History of the Hall

The Hall was founded in the 1940s as a memorial to the men of the parish who fell in the two world wars. It was originally known as the Victory Hall and was a war time Pre-fabricated hut. The hut was situated on the same plot of land as is the present Hall. The Victory Hall was officially opened in February1952.

In 1977 it was decided to mark the occasion of the HM Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee by replacing the hut with a modern brick built village hall. After a great deal of fundraising, which included many original ideas and hard work, especially in running a roadside café, which took advantage of the regular stream of holiday traffic which existed before the M5 was built.

The new Main Hall was opened in 1979 and is a registered charity, (No. 2-304670-1). It is detached and set back from the main road through the village. The site is fenced all around and the entrance can be closed with a pair of wrought iron gates. The gates were erected in commemoration of the HM Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee.

More recently we have succeeded in raising funds to build a new addition, known as the Heathfield Hall, which is self contained, but can also be opened up to be used in conjunction with the Main Hall building.

Accommodation

The accommodation comprises:

• ​​Main Hall - 17.1m x 9.4m, with a stage of 4.6m x 9.4m. The hall has a maple wood sprung floor. At one end of the main hall there is a permanent stage complete with lighting; curtains; and an amplification system with microphones. The hall has a high ceiling and the floor has white lining marked out for badminton.
• ​Heathfield Hall - 13.5m x 6.4m. The hall has a wooden sprung floor; its own kitchenette; separate toilets; underfloor heating; very good acoustics; and 50 fabric covered comfortable chairs.
• Schofield Room - 7.0m x 6.4m. 
• Full catering kitchen consisting of: cupboards housing 150 settings of crockery and cutlery; electric cooker with 6 hobs; large fridge/freezer; mobile catering hot cupboard; commercial microwave; commercial dishwasher; 4 stainless steel catering trolleys; and a 90 cup automatic refill water boiler. There is access from the main hall, from the corridor and outside.
• Well equipped cloakrooms, including disabled toilets.

The building is wheelchair accessible, and a hearing loop system is installed in the halls and the Schofield Room. A wheelchair is available for disabled or infirm people for movement within the Hall, or in and out from transport.

There is a free car park for some 70 cars on hard standing, and there is also a large grassed area at the back of the building, which is quite often used for summer events with side shows, etc.

The premises are eminently suitable for large functions such as conferences, public meetings, exhibitions, wedding receptions, family parties and dances.

​The building is an entirely NO SMOKING venue.

Licences

The Management Committee hold the following licences:-

• Public Entertainment Licence, covering music, singing and dancing.
• Performing Rights Society.
• Licence for serving Alcohol and to show Films

Permitted Capacities

Main Hall - Maximum numbers of persons:
Seated in rows – 290
Seated at tables – 120
Dancing and seated at tables – 150

​Schofield Room - Maximum numbers of persons:
Approximately 35 seated

​Heathfield Hall - Maximum numbers of persons:
60 closely seated

Equipment

198 chairs, 37 tables – 6ft x 2ft 3ins, 12 tables 2ft x 2ft.   Also 50 soft seated chairs in Heathfield Hall (Annexe).  Hirers will be responsible for setting out this equipment and returning it to the appropriate store.  The children’s equipment, inside and out, is private property and should not be used or interfered with by hirers who will be held responsible if damaged and charged accordingly.

Kitchen

The kitchen is equipped for catering for full hot meals.   It contains a large electric cooker, hot cupboard, hot water boiler for tea and coffee, dishwasher, microwave, double sink unit with constant hot water, wash hand basin, refrigerator, stainless steel trolleys and cooking utensils.   Meals can be served through the hatch into the main hall.  Small cooking appliances may NOT be used in the hall without prior permission.   The use of crockery and cutlery is included in the hire charge, but all breakages will be charged to the hirer.  Where drinking glasses, tablecloths or tea towels are required these must be supplied by the hirer.

Sound Equipment

The Hall has an amplification system with microphones for hire to any user of the hall by arrangement for a nominal fee. Privately owned or hired equipment may be used but the hirer must ensure that all electrical appliances are in safe working order and used in a safe way.   Hirers may install their own stage lighting at an additional charge subject to prior arrangements with the Booking Officer.   Such installation must be in accordance with electrical safety standards.

​In all cases hirers are to ensure that the output volume is not such as to cause annoyance to other hirers or neighbouring residents.