Renovated community facility recognises Tristan da Cunha evacuee
30 October 2024
We have completed renovation works to St George's Hall in Calshot, which reopened to the public this week (Wednesday 30 October).
The renovations on the building, which is over 100 years old, have introduced a range of new features, including repairs and redecoration, restructured rooms that allow for a larger kitchen and main hall, cinema room, and an accessible toilet. New solar panels provide the hall with a renewable source of energy.
The outdoor area has been transformed into a versatile community space, with a community garden, skate ramp, all-weather shelter, goal posts, and a basketball net.
On Tuesday, 29 October 2024, we joined Fawley Parish Council to host a special showcase of the upgraded facilities, which included a tour of the renovated spaces, live demonstrations of the new amenities, and speeches by Cllr David Hawkins, Chairman of the Council; Cllr Dan Poole, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Safety, and Wellbeing; and Richard Knott, NFDC Strategic Director for Housing and Communities.
Cllr David Hawkins, Chairman of the Council, said: "You can all see the hall and grounds are transformed, and I am particularly thrilled local young people have somewhere warm, safe, and fun to come on a regular basis."
"It's pleasing that this has been a partnership approach from day one, with several NFDC teams, members, officers, Fawley Parish Council officers and members, Hampshire County Council public health, the youth club, 17 Port and Maritime Regiment in Marchwood, and community members all coming together to deliver the ideas, provide funding, and work on a refurbished hall that delivers what our residents need."
"I know it will be the beginning of much more activity and community participation for years to come."
Cllr Dan Poole, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Safety, and Wellbeing, said: "I'm so proud of what everyone involved has achieved with the refurbished hall. With the outdoor equipment and grounds improvements, to solar panels on the roof providing free electricity, and insulation which takes the energy performance of the building to a high B, accessible toilet, amazing kitchen space, reconfigured main space and finishing off the hall a new cinema room, it is now truly a modern facility."
The new cinema room was dedicated to Dora Tarrant, a 1961 evacuee from the Tristan Da Cunha Islands, who made a significant impact in the community. The room was officially opened by members of the Tarrant family, some of whom still live in the house Dora made home.
A speech was read on behalf of the family of Dora Tarrant, written by her granddaughter: "Having a room named after our beloved nan and mum, Dora, to have her legacy commemorated in this way is more than I could have ever dreamed, and I am truly humbled."
"My nan was a remarkable woman, a beacon of kindness, in a world that often forgets the importance of compassion. She taught me that true strength lies not only in the challenges we face but, in our resilience, to rise above them."
"Coming from humble beginnings, she showed me that regardless of where you start you have the power to create a life filled with love, joy and generosity. Her spirit was one of abundance not in material wealth but in the richness of character and heart. She inspired everyone around her to embrace their potential and lift others along the way."
"I can only hope to carry forward her legacy of kindness and resilience in my own life. As we gather here to honour her memory, let us remember that we all have the ability to make a difference in the lives of others, just as she did."
Every nearby resident was invited to a community event which took place on Wednesday, 30 October.
The community were invited to bring along a pumpkin to carve and learn recipes using them from New Forest Aquaponics CIC, who run The Waterside Food Project. Fawley Youth Life, Culture in Common, and the New Forest National Park Authority also joined the event to lead activities and showcase the opportunities and support available to the local community.
Fawley Parish Council will now continue to run the hall. You can find their contact details on their website: https://www.fawley-pc.gov.uk
More information:
The event on Tuesday 29 October was attended by New Forest District Council, Fawley Parish Council, New Forest district councillors, 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, The Crossings charity, members of the youth club, Culture in Common, and the family of Dora Tarrant.
A short video showcasing the two opening events can be found on New Forest District Council's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/OCqWr_lsI_k
Built in the 1910s, St George's Hall was used by the RAF as a chapel serving one of Britain's most important military airfields.
The project is part-funded by the UK Government through the Rural England Prosperity Fund, part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and the Contain Outbreak Management Fund.
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