The Village Hall, located in an attractive setting on the Sturminster side of the village, provides a fine location for meetings and events. It is used for various village functions and being combined with the cricket club, on match days in summer, forms a well-equipped pavilion. It is the clubhouse for Sturminster and Hinton Cricket Club.
It has a modern interior and the main room with an approximate area of 35 sq. metres can seat up to 45 (theatre style). Tables and chairs are available and there are male & female toilets. It has two changing rooms and a shower room. Easy wheelchair access exists as well as a disabled toilet. Electric radiators provide heating and a small kitchen equipped with glasses, china, cutlery and a refrigerator adjoins it. Ample car parking is available for up to 20 vehicles on a paved area and the windows look across the cricket field and to the beech avenue beyond.
The original building was constructed for just the cricket club between the wars. In 2003 it was felt that a modern fully equipped village hall would benefit the village and over a period of 7 months major improvement works were carried out by a team led by Chris Hardiman and Mary Andrews who at the time was Chairman of the Parish Council. Funding was obtained from various sources and the work was largely carried out to modern standards by a team of DIY villagers. It included an increase in area, provision of modern toilets, creation of a kitchen and new water and electrical systems as well as total redecoration.
It is available for hire during the day and evenings at an hourly cost, plus a coin meter for any electricity used. To arrange a booking please contact Jane Filbey, Telephone: 07513632550. Email address: janefilbey1964@gmail.com. The hire agreement booking form (download here for a copy) will also need to be completed and returned. In the past it has been used for meetings, children’s parties, small wedding receptions, exhibitions, illustrated talks, study groups and handicraft clubs.
In 2012, a stone seat was installed in a corner of the cricket field to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. It was funded by profits from the previous year’s Village Show. On 3rd June 2012 it was inaugurated by Mrs Valerie Pitt-Rivers, then Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, with a leading part played by the village’s oldest resident Mrs Hilda Douch aged 96. For photograph see Gallery.
Village Hall Bookings
Please find link to the current Village Hall Agreement required to complete a booking:
Hinton St Mary Village Hall Hire Agreement & HSE Oct 2023
Village Hall Charges currently remain the same – Villagers £5 per Hr and non-villagers £6 per Hr. Many thanks for supporting the Village Hall and we will continue to look after our village asset!
Village Hall Boules Pitches
Both Pitches are open free of charge for general villager use.
We will provide a small number of boules and a jack for general use to encourage villagers to try out. Please clean the boules before use and please leave them for others to use.
Hand sanitizer will be provided for general use, Stored in the large black GRIT storage box.
After your usage, please use the rake provided to level the pitch ready for the next players.
For any enquiries or queries relating to the Boules Pitches, please contact Nick Bartley on nickjbartley@gmail.com
Mark Steggles – V.H. Chairman
msteggs@gmail.com
07745247298