Future of Abington Village Hall hangs in the balance

A meeting was held in the Old Schoolhouse on Monday night to discuss the hall’s future with villagers.

Iain Mulholland, the council’s asset transfer adviser, led the meeting and was on hand to answer questions from the audience.

Two options were on the table for discussion – one of them being the council retaining the hall and it either being demolished or left to decay.

The other option is the council offering the building to the community through the process of asset transfer.

This would see the hall leased or sold to a local volunteer group who could then develop and manage the facility on behalf of local residents or demolish the building to use the land for the community’s benefit, such as establishing a community garden.

At Monday’s meeting, a relatively small venue, some 13 residents and two children were given the option. They were told a second meeting would also be arranged for those unable to attend that night.

One local said: “Any reduction in facilities has a disproportionate effect on residents. Losing halls can lead to the removal of the only meeting place where people can meet.”

Tom Little, the council’s head of communications and strategy, said: “Although the turnout was quite low, those who did attend were keen to explore possible opportunities.

“There will be another meeting to try to engage with more members of the local community.”