Cookies

We use essential cookies to make our site work. We'd also like to set analytics cookies that help us make improvements by measuring how you use the site. These will be set only if you accept.

For more detailed information about the cookies we use, see our cookies page.

Essential Cookies

Essential cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. For example, the selections you make here about which cookies to accept are stored in a cookie.

You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.

Analytics Cookies

We'd like to set Google Analytics cookies to help us improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it. The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify you.

Third Party Cookies

Third party cookies are ones planted by other websites while using this site. This may occur (for example) where a Twitter or Facebook feed is embedded with a page. Selecting to turn these off will hide such content.

Committee News

MAWNAN MEMORIAL HALL – CHAIR OF TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT – APRIL 2023 TO
APRIL 2024

This year has been a positive and eventful one for Mawnan Memorial Hall. The Hall
celebrated its centenary with a celebration on June 16 th 2023 in which families, related to
those remembered on the two WWI and WW2 memorial boards were invited to hear
presentations from some of the groups using the Hall. Colonel Edward Bolitho, Lord
Lieutenant for Cornwall then unveiled the new centenary plaque which has now been
installed above the stage. Mawnan History Group curated a fascinating exhibition of photos
and artifacts relating to the Hall’s 100 year’s history. On Saturday 17 th June the Hall was
open to all for tea, cake, chat and a viewing of the exhibition. MMH trustees would like to
thank members of the History Group for arranging and setting up the exhibition.
This year saw the start of building work on the new Parish Office at the rear of the Hall. The
Parish Council have agreed to spend £35,000 on this project with MMH providing the
balance. Niall Murphy was successful in obtaining £7,500 of grant money from the Platinum
Jubilee Fund for village halls. Helford River Construction Ltd were appointed as builders and
work began in March 2024 on the demolition of the old store room and roof over the rear
lobby. A new office space and roof will be constructed with level access to the Rendlesham
Room and rear WC’s. The layout of the WC’s will be reconfigured and facilities updated.
When completed, this will result in a major facelift to a much neglected part of the building.
Our thanks to Rod Allday for bringing this project to life and to Niall for acquiring additional
funds.
Cornwall Council caused MMH trustees some concern this year with a proposal to build a
pavement along the eastern side of Sampys Hill and to put double yellow lines along each
side. This would have had a serious impact on parking and the future of the Hall. Cornwall
Council sent a member of its Highways staff to a Parish Council meeting in January 2024.
The meeting was attended by 70 members of the public who were very vocal in expressing
their opinions on this scheme. Cornwall Council have decided not to go ahead this year but
Mawnan Parish Council would like to pursue a discussion with them about an alternative
plan. Parking for the Hall still remains an issue for the future of the Hall.

The day to day use of the Hall seems to have returned to pre-Covid levels with one or
several groups using the Hall most days. Users include yoga and pilates classes, dance,
knitting, WI and Mawnan Wives, Film Club, Garden Club , children’s parties and Rainbows.
The weekly Post Office outreach session is an invaluable service for our village. Our thanks
to Ian Newman for keeping customers in order and to Brian Smith the postmaster. Lunch
Club continues, run by Riverside Services.

The Craft Market had yet another successful year in terms of visitor numbers and profits.
This event provides a major injection of funds. To ensure it’s future, the Craft Market
committee have invited new volunteers to join the committee or to help at the event. This
has been very encouraging with around 12 new people offering help. The plan for the Craft
Market 2024 will be several people shadowing members of the existing committee with a
view to taking over the event for 2025.
February 2024 saw the Panto Group’s highly entertaining Treasure Island. This is a huge
community activity involving many adults and children in rehearsals, performances, music,
lighting, sound, costumes. It also means that the Hall is in regular evening use from
September to February.
Thanks are due to Ian Newman for his sterling work in his dual roles of treasurer and
bookings clerk. Thanks also to Evie and Bonita Payne for their cleaning and caretaking
services, especially during preparation for the building works.
MMH trustees look forward to a year with the building improvements in place and the Hall
being able to continue in providing a vital hub for Mawnan residents to meet. There will be,
no doubt, discussions on future improvements to the Hall as we continue to make it a warm
and welcoming space into the next century.