Fundraising

Jubilee Hall, except possibly for the twenty years of its life has always needed to maintain its fabric. Until the 1960s it was the Parish Council that was responsible for its upkeep, although when major work was carried out a wealthy sponsor was usually found! In the mid 1960s the Jubilee Hall became a registered charity, this being the only way that it could obtain a grant to pay for the cost of installing a central heating system. In more recent years it has been a mixture of local fund raising and grants that has maintained the Jubilee Hall in good condition. Winsham people are generous, but nevertheless it places a great strain on the ingenuity of the Management Committee to keep the flow of contributions vital to its upkeep coming in.

The Jubilee Hall financial situation is a constant struggle for the Management Committee. In the second decade of the 21st century, any building that dates from 1887 is liable to have some problems, and despite the major renovation in 2006 there are always tasks remaining to be done. A vigorous fund raising policy, linked to occasional applications to 'Awards for All', has achieved a great deal. In addition the Jubilee Hall lottery makes a regular contribution to funds.

Jubilee Hall Lottery
The Jubilee Hall Lottery was started in the 1980s by Janet Smart, as part of a fund raising initiative to support the  building of an extension to the Jubilee Hall, to accommodate a committee room and a kitchen. There was a draw each month for three small cash prizes. Participation cost £5pa.

In 2006, the idea was developed. Ticket price was increased to £10 and their sale was heavily promoted within the parish. The prize structure was also revised to make winning more worthwhile, and a special prize was added to the December draw. It was also possible to buy the tickets 'over the counter' at Winsham Shop and Post Office, which also helped in the Lottery's growth in popularity. In 2018/9 the number of tickets sold reached 200, providing additional revenue of some £1400.

Below is the index to the many fund raising events staged in the new Millennium.

2016 'Bollywood'

On Saturday evening 5th March there was a record attendance at a Jubilee Hall Themed Supper. 73 people sat down to an incredible supper in a hall transformed!

2015 Winsham Abbey

28th February 2015: The theme was based around the popular TV series 'Downton Abbey'. Based on the life of an aristocratic family at the beginning of the 20th Century. Less well attended than usual, the event still raised over £400.

2014 'Let It Snow'

We may only have won a single Gold Medal at Sochi, but that did not deter Winsham's snow sports enthusiasts turning up for a good night out at the Jubilee Hall on Saturday night, 22nd February.

The Hall was transformed into Après-Ski Cafe for the evening. The food was fantastic, the music controversial! The new projector was used to provide a background of Alpine scenery (pictures provided by Hannah Jacobsen). The evening also had drama, as the Winsham Mountain Rescue team entered the hall with a badly injured resident, retrieved from the dangerous rocks surrounding Court Farm Close. A St. Bernard dog also played a part in the rescue. The victim recovered well, and was later seen tucking into her dinner!

2013 Spanish Night

27th July 2013: The TV series 'Footballer's Wives' and the potential to serve good Spanish food, provided the opportunity to raise over £500 to support Jubilee Hall expenses.

2012 Red Carpet Film Night

The Red Carpet Film Night was every bit the success that people have come to expect. These regular fundraising events play an important part in providing the funds that keep the hall properly maintained and equipped. Nearly 50 people had tickets, raising some £500 for important maintenance work that is being planned for next year.

A superb meal was served, cooked by Kate Langridge, Gill Spence, Brian Turner, Karen Hodgson, Liz Earl, Stewart & Paula Bramley Ball, Dori Beeston and Sarah Gleadell; this plus good company, plenty of drink, music from the genre and some lively entertainment made for a good time for all.

The photos below were taken by Annie Dent and John Sullivan:

2012 Chinese New Year

Over 50 people gathered to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Superb food, lots of booze, convivial company and an electric choice of music made it a great evening! Children from Winsham School contributed the incredible Dragon Mask and decoration that put the finishing touch to a transformed Jubilee Hall.

2011 Caribbean Night

2010 'The Night of the Godfather' Themed Supper

What an evening! Some 60+ would-be members of the Mafiosi arrived at the Jubilee Hall gathering of The Family.

It is true that not many had come from Sicily (or New York for that matter), but it was the thought that counts. The men were frisked for weapons before being allowed to enter by ‘Scarface Colin’ the notorious Winsham Hit-man and his henchman ‘Tommy-Gun’ Turner. The ladies avoided such treatment, but those carrying violin cases were asked to open them for inspection and subsequent confiscation.

It was a wonderful occasion of brotherhood, and after much talk, to the gentle accompaniment of soft piano music, all sat down to a superb supper of Lasagne, followed by a wide assortment of sinful puddings. Tea was drunk throughout, as nobody disagreed with the sentiments of Prohibition-especially as there was so much money to be made out of it. There followed music and dancing, all invoking nostalgic memories of old Italy. It carried on until far into the night (about 11.30pm).

Apart from being a very good night out, the Jubilee Hall made about £600, so everybody was happy.

2009 Moroccan Night Themed Supper

Saturday 31st October: An exotic evening with a Moroccan theme. Prize for individual or couple acclaimed as the most authentically Moroccan, but dressing up not obligatory!

Tickets £11 including supper. Bring your own wine and glasses.

2009 Greek Night

The fundraising Greek night was a great success-a sell-out, with 69 guests. To a background of ionic columns, amphora, the Greek flag, Sytarki music, and a lot of laughter , large quantities of kleftiko, taramasalata, humus, kavlaki and wine were consumed. There followed (inevitably), the Greek dancing, under the expert instruction of Colin 'el Greco' Langridge. The party broke up-I understand at about 1.00am, having made about £800 for the Hall's maintenance and improvement fund. Seeing is believing-now look at the pictures...

2006 Jubilee Jamboree

In 2006 a concert party call Jubilee Jamboree was presented at the Jubilee Hall, just six weeks before the hall was to close for six months for the renovations.

2005-2008 Midsummer Picnic Parties

In the summers of 2005 through to 2008, a midsummer party was held in the beautiful grounds of Leigh House.

2005 Christmas Musical Evening at Leigh House

When the seriousness of the Jubilee Hall's structural problems became known in 2005, and the realisation of how much the work would cost - some £120,000 - a programme of fund raising events, managed by Sarah Gleadell, and supported by the rest of the Management Committee, was planned and implemented. Many were centred around Leigh House, thanks to the wonderful support of David Holmes and Clifford Lee. The first of these events, held at the end of 2005 was a Christmas entertainment of music and readings.