Balsham Village Institute

History

In 1912 Ely Diocesan Trustees and the Rev’d Burrell (Rector) acquired the freehold of land on Church Lane, without charge, from Hanslip Long, for a building with building costs being raised by Burrell from the village. It was to provide a venue for meetings, church gatherings and any events requiring a large building for the use of all the village.

Management of the building was vested in the Parochial Church Council (PCC) but the village was growing and in 1988 improvement plans were proposed with possibly even a full rebuild. After much discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council (PC) would take a 35-year lease of the building on a minimal rent, and expiring 31st December 2023, with a Management Committee to administer the Institute on a day-to-day basis.

Considerable improvements have been made over this time through self-financing and with successful grants being awarded as well as assistance from the Parish, District and County Councils etc. These include suspended ceilings, central heating, double glazing, new flooring, roofing of small hall (‘green room’), internal and external decoration, new kitchen facilities, full surround sound AV equipment, free Wi-Fi/Broadband, and most recently new toilets for all users and LED lighting throughout.

The Institute has been self-financing on a day-to-day basis, but at the end of the 35-year lease the Parish Council decided that they did not wish to renew this lease and the overall responsibility for the building has reverted to the PCC.

The day-to-day management will continue very much as it has for the last 35 years, and as it is an independent charity, the current committee will continue to operate the building for the benefit of the whole parish.

Facilities

Centrally heated and double glazed, the building has a fully fitted kitchen with oven, 4 ring ceramic hob, microwave cooker and water heaters. Cutlery and crockery sufficient for 80 diners is provided.

Tables (both large and small) and chairs to seat up to 100 persons are available (maximum allowed capacity is 100). Folding doors in the hall allow it to be divided by users if needed.

A smaller back room (Green Room) can be used for small groups if required and also serves as material storage for regular users and will shortly house the Balsham Village Archive.

New toilet facilities were installed in 2022 with a fully specified disabled toilet and a standard unit with baby changing facilities.

The hall has a full AV system and hi-res projector plus large, motorised screen with connectivity for most media devices – the sound system can deliver full surround sound for Blu-Ray films – the disc player can accept CDs or DVDs. Fast, free Wi-Fi is also available throughout the building.

In the summer months the securely fenced grassy area to the rear of the building can be used for outdoor activities and has easy access to the adjacent children’s playground.

Although there are many regular users of the building there are times when it is vacant which can be booked for groups or singular events – please ask our secretary Ellen Campbell!
Bookings can be made through our email link: balshaminstitute@gmail.com

Rates

Hall hire rates are reviewed regularly and 2024 charges are shown below: