Plans to modernise the Community Hall are now underway……
During 2026 Pocklington Community Trust is undertaking a programme of work to refurbish and enhance the community hall, in order to extend the properties operational life, create a more welcoming and inclusive space that will support a wider range of activities, and also ensure the building becomes more environmentally and financially sustainable.
The first project to be completed is the DIFEY funded creation of a baby changing area and upgrade of the foyer lighting with new energy efficient LED lights. In addition to thanking the external funder, the trustees would also like to thank SDM Joinery for delivering the project at short notice and working out of hours, to allow the busy hall to continue operating. Feedback from hirers regarding the enhancements has been very positive.
The YOR4Good funded project to replace the rotten single glazed sash and casement windows in the community hall and toilets, with new double glazed units, is the second project to be completed in February. The new Accoya window frames are guaranteed for fifty years. The double glazed windows will improve the thermal efficiency of the building and significantly reduce heating costs. The energy savings from the project will ensure payback on the initial investment in less than ten years. Match funding for the project has been provided by Pocklington Community Trust and Pocklington Town Council. The trustees would also like to thank Ryedale Joinery for their professional delivery of the project. The community hall was closed for three days during installation.
Other upcoming projects include decorating the community hall and toilets, upgrading the lighting in the toilets with energy efficient LED lighting, renewing the community hall kitchen and installing new signage on the front elevation of the building. Once funding is secured, the Trust also needs to replace the felted flat roof of the community hall (which is starting to fail) with an insulated GRP roof that will be capable of supporting solar panels.
In other Burnby Hall news, the charity has purchased a further two pre-owned Wilkhahn folding meeting tables and twenty four pre-owned Burgess leather stackable meeting chairs. This is in anticipation of opening up meeting spaces within the old hall later this year. The Trust will also be taking delivery in March of ten new Go-Pak folding tables and table carrier for use in the community hall. These tables will replace the dilapidated small tables currently located in the community hall foyer. Both furniture purchases are funded from the charity’s recent community donations appeal.
