Hempstead Village Hall Management Commitee
There was possibly a small wooden chapel here in Saxon times, but the first evidence is a charter of William II in 1094, establishing a church at Gt. Sampford with a chapel of ease in Hempstead, with the tithes going to William the Conqueror's foundation, Battle Abbey. The only features remaining from this period are the font and the tomb of Dame Margerie de Basingge, who died in 1318.
The present building was begun circa 1330, so possibly Dame Margerie left money to rebuild in stone.
The church was consecrated on 8th January 1365, by Simon of Sudbury, then Bishop of London. (He later became Archbishop of Canterbury and was beheaded during the peasants' revolt in 1381. His head can still be seen in the vestry of St. Gregory's church in Sudbury.) He also consecrated the churchyard, to which only a parish church is entitled, so Hempstead was possibly the only church to enjoy the privileges of parish status from 1365 to 1977, when it was united with Radwinter and the diocese legalised the situation.
The church is mainly of the perpendicular style, with several alterations and modifications over the years. Around 1650, Eliab Harvey, brother of the famous Doctor William Harvey (discoverer of the circulation of the blood) excavated a crypt for the family coffins and built over it a chapel and schoolroom (now the vestry) and shortened and rebuilt the chancel in brick.
In 1882 the 15th century tower fell down rendering the church unusable until 1888, after a restoration programme had been completed. In 1933 the Harveian Society of London gave money for the rebuilding of the tower. When the rebuilding reached nave height, the money ran out and they were £1,000 short. When the tower was completed in 1960, it cost £14,000!!
In 1883 the Royal College of Physicians removed William Harvey's coffin from the crypt and placed it in a Carrara marble sarcophagus in the Harvey chapel, leaving 49 other members of the family in the crypt.
As a charity, all funds are generated through proceeds from renting the hall out to anyone wishing to hold a meeting or event. Full details of the hall size and charges are available on the following pages.
Enquiries | Facilities | About | Charity | Redevelopment
Hempstead Village Hall Management Committee
Hempstead Village Hall Management Committee (VHMC) is a charity, responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Village Hall and its surrounds, and the green open space to the rear, known as The Glebe.
As a charity, all funds are generated through proceeds from renting the hall out to anyone wishing to hold a meeting or event. Full details of the hall size and charges are available on the following pages.
In 1999 the Village Hall was refurbished and extended with the aid of grants from the National Lottery Charities Board, Essex County Council, Essex Environmental Trust, Uttlesford District Council and Hempstead Parish Council and now provides an up to date community hall with facilities for social and recreation activities. In November 2013 we opened a new patio area at the rear where the natural amphitheatre style is perfect for gatherings.
The patio proved so popular that in Autumn 2021 it was lifted and a new extended patio was laid across the whole rear of the hall, thanks in part to a grant from Uttlesford’s Community Project Scheme. A sun awning was also added above the patio doors thanks to a grant from the Rural Community Council of Essex, another outside light was fitted and electrical socket points were introduced allowing patio events to have lighting and equipment outside.
Whatever your interest, the facilities provided by Hempstead Village Hall can make your event a successful one whether it is for social or fund raising Events, adult or childrens’ parties, celebrations, wedding receptions, drama and musical performances, leisure, education, meetings or seminars.
The current committee comprises:
Julie Dalton
Bookings Secretary
Julie Pledger
Mark Dymond
Martyn Long
Claire Dittrich
David Boreham
Russ Wide
Diana Frost
Councillor, Newsletter Editor, Website
Enquiries
To speak to someone for general information or booking details please contact Booking Secretary, Mrs Julie Dalton email villagehallbookings@hempstead-essex.org.uk
Rates
All room bookings include the use of kitchen and all Village Hall owned equipment.
In addition the non-exclusive use of the Recreation Ground and patio at the rear of the Village Hall.
| Main Hall | Side/ Committee Room |
Main Hall and Side/Committee Room |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Affiliated | £11.00 per hour | £6.00 per hour | £17.00 per hour |
| Standard | £13.00 per hour | £7.00 per hour | £20.00 per hour |
(Affiliated - Any person or organisation that has an association with Hempstead Village)
Special Events
(Functions that require extensive setup or preparation, weddings, anniversaries, etc.)
48 hour hire - £350.00
Access to Main Hall, Side Room and Kitchen from Nominally midday prior to date of function to midday after date of function or By arrangement with Bookings Secretary.