Annual Report 2023
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The Rebuild Project was initiated in April 2022 to provide a new Hall fit for purpose and will continue to be a fitting memorial for the sixteen men of Wistaston who lost their lives during the Second World War.
The project made excellent progress in 2023, working on surveys of both our site and the community, initiating talks with our chosen architect and undertaking a formal options appraisal to choose the most appropriate option for rebuilding the Hall. 
​The project name was changed from New Build to Rebuild on 6th November 2023 to make it clear the objective is to rebuild an existing asset rather than build a new asset. This is important for funding applications where rebuilds but not new builds are supported.  
Rebuild Project Team
The Rebuild core project team consists of 6 Hall Trustees, Diane-Heather Edge-Robinson, Bill Heath, Bob Squirrell, Judy Gratton, Diane Houston and Anne Vetter. The team usually meet bi-monthly.
Stephen Wright, grant application expert, continues to be employed to advise on The National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF) application.
​David Price joined the team on 9th January 2023. David has considerable experience in the building industry and his knowledge has proved a valuable addition to the team’s skillset.
​The team continue to be assisted by the charity Cheshire Community Action (CCA), which provides an advisory service for village and community halls in Cheshire and is part of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE).
Topographical Survey
The first task for 2023 was to conduct a Topographical Survey of our site to accurately measure the land and levels. The survey was completed by Gregg Scott from G.J.S Site Engineering Services on 4th March 2023. David Price produced A3 copies of the drawings which have been used extensively over the year in our discussions with Hall users and other groups. 
Community Consultation Questionnaire
To provide evidence of need for the rebuilding of the Hall, a Community Consultation Questionnaire was opened early in March 2023 and closed at the end of April 2023, with a fabulous response. 386 households answered the call to give their views on the need for the rebuilding of the Memorial Hall. Drop-in sessions were also held on the 1st, 15th and 22nd April to answer questions and let everyone know how the project was developing.  17 letters of support have been received from organisations that currently use the Hall.
Design
In June the Trustees gave approval to hire Nantwich architect Bower Edleston to draw up the plans for the Hall. Bower Edleston has considerable experience of village hall builds being involved in the new village hall builds at Worleston, Warmingham, Audlem and Hough village hall extension/refurbishment project. On 23rd August we had a first on site meeting with our Architect Clive Tucker. To progress further next year the project team will produce a design brief once which option to go with is approved by the Trustees. 
Options Appraisal - Choosing the Most Appropriate Option to Rebuild Hall
From May 2023 the Rebuild project has focussed on evaluating the range of alternatives for how the project can be delivered in terms of financial and practical viability. The National Lottery Community Fund guidelines for how to do this is being followed which is a 4 Stage process. 
​Stage 1, to determine the options available was completed in May. A total of 9 options were identified including one to demolish the Hall and not rebuild. Whether any of these options are feasible depends on a range of factors, the land ownership arrangements, funding available, location, accessibility, the timing and scale of the project. Meetings around options were held with Wistaston Memorial Hall Bowling Club(21st July), Wistaston Sports and Leisure Association (26th July)and Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club (21st August). A meeting with Wistaston Church Lane Academy was requested in November. By end of 2023 only 3 options are considered feasible. These are:
  • To Build on the existing footprint of the Hall and car park.
  • To Move one or more Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club courts to the Wistaston Church Lane Academy utilising the additional space to build a larger Hall and provide more car parking spaces
  • To Reallocate the way the site is apportioned between Hall, Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club and Wistaston Memorial Hall Bowling Club allowing the architect to look at the whole site and make best use of the space for all parties. 
​In September we moved on to Stage 2 of the process which involves gathering information about the advantages and disadvantages of each option. To determine costs for each option on 9th October the project agreed a Pricing Matrix to identify all the items to be costed including demolition, rebuild, loss of income during rebuild and running costs for each option. Work on Stage 2 continued to end of year. 
Communications
Updates on the project are provided via the Rebuild page on the Wistaston Memorial Hall and Community Centre website together with The Roundabout magazine distributed to all households in Wistaston.
Finances
Project expenditure for 2023 was £927.06. The topographical survey cost £750 and the balance of £177.06 was incurred on the Community Consultation Questionnaire. Thank you to everyone involved in the project who have volunteered their time in 2023 and to CCA for producing the Community Consultation Questionnaire and providing analysis of the results free of charge. 
Plans for 2024
  1. Complete Stage 2, 3 and 4 of Options Appraisal to agree the most appropriate option
  2. Produce Design Brief
  3. Provide Design Brief to Bower Edleston and Trustees to agree plans for rebuilding the Hall
  4. Bower Edleston to obtain outline planning permission from Cheshire East Planning
  5. Write The National Lottery Community Fund Stage 1 Application
  6. Subject to obtaining outline planning permission from Cheshire East submit Stage 1 application to The National Lottery Community Fund
Other Rebuild Project Reports
Annual Report for 2022
​Annual Report for 2024 up to 30th September 2024
​Rebuild Project Background
​Rebuild Project Latest News
​Information regarding the progression of the project will be published on the website and in local communications.
If you would be interested in being involved in  the Rebuild project, we would love to hear from you.  Contact us at [email protected]