Merchistoun Hall. The home of Horndean Community Association... A living history. Estate Regeneration Investment Portfolio

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1 Merchistoun Hall The home of Horndean Community Association... A living history Estate Regeneration Investment Portfolio

2 Welcome to Merchistoun Hall The home of Horndean Community Association Horndean Community Association was formed in 1946 and its activities were limited without its own centre. When Merchistoun Hall came on the market again in the early 1950 s Admiral A.J.L.Murray who was the Secretary of the Association, urged HCA raise the price needed to purchase the Hall. Every house in the village was visited, and together with the villagers generous gifts or loans the 5,000 was raised. The centre was officially opened on the 31st January 1956 by the then Chairman of Hampshire County Council, Mr. Alan Lubbock. The Centre catered for all age groups and provided a wide range of activities. The Fetes became the highlight of the year, and were opened by such celebrities as Arthur English, Harry Secombe and Peter Sellars. Admiral Murray s portrait is currently in pride of place in the main hallway and will have pride of place in the new micro museum Today HCA is a nationally recognised and award winning community Association serving the parish and a much wider community The centre itself hosts 53 weekly and monthly groups, has rooms for hire and is a popular community, arts, corporate and function venue In addition to the activities and services it currently provides, HCA works in many partnerships: education, health and wellbeing, the arts, childcare, supporting the older person & employment supporting the 12,500 residents the Parish it serves. For more details on the vast range of services HCA offers visit Groups & activities on offer Events & services Community Theatre & preschool education Support programmes for the community Twitter & Facebook links Staffing volunteers

3 Horndean Community Association

4 Merchistoun Hall In the 1660s a yeoman called Richard Quallett died leaving in his Will a substantial farmhouse and holdings. The farm was known as Terrills, and is still there, behind Merchistoun Hall off of Murray Road. From 1669, the house became known as Qualletts Grove. and was inherited by John Franklin who, around 1745 commissioned the building of the present house in front of the original farmhouse. When he died, in 1752, the land, and house passed to his son Joseph who had enlarged the estate to 77 acres by The estate was then bought by a John Cross. During the early part of the 19th century Qualletts Grove became a popular residence for high ranking military officers and described as a desirable modern Villa, boasting some of the best mod cons of the day with a large hall (ideal for entertaining), bath with closet, good kitchen and four superior bedrooms with water closets. In 1836 Qualletts Grove was bought by the then Captain Charles Napier, who changed the name to Merchistoun Hall in honour of his distinguished family home. Sir Charles was descended from the ancient Earls of Lennox of Falkirk, Scotland. At Merchistoun Hall, Sir Charles and Lady Napier were followers of the Hambledon Hunt Sir Charles loved his gardens, and for twenty years had an accomplished head gardener, Henry Drover who was assisted by his son William. Henry specialised in chrysanthemums winning all the leading shows of the day. Merchistoun at that time had two entrance drives and lodges, one at the junction of the Portsmouth Road and Catherington Lane and the other towards where the The Colonial Bar is located. Sir Charles placed cannon balls from his victory at Acre on the pillars of the gates, and enjoyed racing his carriage and four from one to the other at speed. On his 72nd birthday Sir Charles was promoted to Admiral, and he died on the 6th November Whilst Merchistoun Hall experienced a quiet time in the early part of the 20th century, Horndean became the destination of weekend trippers and holiday makers. The arrival of the Horndean Light Railway in 1902 made it easy access for those seeking a day out in the pleasant rural woodland area. During the Second World War the house and grounds became the headquarters for 30 Corps an armoured unit of the Royal Artillery. The Army was billeted in the grounds. After 1945 it was used as a furniture store. During this time 37 acres were purchased by Petersfield Rural District Council for housing; Merchistoun Hall, the Gardeners Cottage and the walled garden remained... the rest (as they say) is history!

5 Your Investment and how you can help us! The total cost of the project which includes a comprehensive education programme is 1.4 million in total. Below is a breakdown of the costs and anticipated income to date: Capital costs: Education Programme Costs: Capital works (extension and refurbishment) 710,000 Exhibition panels: 75,000 External landscaping 50,000 Exhibition design: 20,000 Building contract preliminaries (20%) 152,000 Materials and equipment 10,000 Contingency (design & construction risk (10%) 91,000 Events programme: 15,000 Professional fees for capital work (16.5%) 166,000 Activity plan: 15,000 Surveys 25,000 Staff costs 45,000 Project Manager 25,000 Inflation at 3% of capital costs: 30,000 Investment Packages: Sponsor... the total match-funding required in support of our application to Heritage Lottery Fund Sponsor... a specific area of the expenditure e.g. capital works, professional fees, landscaping, survey Sponsor... the whole education plan Sponsor... the education package in total or part of the pack e.g. Events programme, panels and design, activity plan

6 On completion of the project Your investment will help to ensure that Merchistoun Hall will Regenerate the estate back to a sense of its former being as a manor house Be able respect and appreciate its history and bring historic features back into community use as a community centre preserving an important landmark and part of Horndean s culture and historic heritage Restore and adapt the main house and also rebuild older and previously demolished buildings: Garage / Scullery / Glass house / walled garden. Remove modern temporary buildings which are beyond their serviceable life, detract from the historic setting and which are a health & safety risk requiring significant investment to maintain Develop a Micro-museum feature offering a rich pictorial and interactive facility to engage with the community, promoting and preserving the histories of the parish and the hall itself with interactive displays where groups and individuals will have the ability to showcase their own histories important to them and their groups and organisations Re-instate informal dining room / library (current kitchen) Return kitchen to its former home at the rear of the building Update the mechanical and electrical services throughout to provide appropriate modern lighting and heating to current standards that will be more efficient to run as part of the Association s commitment to ensuring the regeneration supports protecting the local environment Convert the former historic garage into new use as the preschool affording fully disabled access for children, parents and carers, free flow facility with direct access to their open air classroom and garden

7 Your investment will be instrumental in supporting the Association to: Community Learning programmes increasing availability of formal and informal education learning & skills gaining opportunities Develop opportunities for development of our Stepping Stones employment programme Extra space allowing HCA to serve a great number within our community increasing in infrastructure support for new housing developments coming on line Change attitudes and behaviours to reduce antisocial behaviour, with greater awareness, support from our community in breaking isolation, barriers to social interaction, improve heath and general wellbeing through increased activity programme and increased volunteering opportunities Fostering a strong and diverse community increasing collective participation and support for the asset. More people and a wider range of people will be actively encouraged to use the asset The development will help to make Horndean a better place to live, learn, work in and visit HCC Open for Business Plan supporting residents in the Parish. Developing existing, making new partnerships continuing to improve quality of life for our beneficiaries. Partnerships via: the Parish Plan, plans of other stakeholders, our own programmes and through the Business network working together supporting sustainable economic growth in the parish Development of our programme promoting health & wellbeing for our community supporting the outcomes of the Hants wellbeing board joint Health and wellbeing strategy East Hants community partnership sustainable strategy & East Hampshire District Local plan Joint Core Strategy

8 Your investment will be instrumental in supporting the Association to provide: Provide space for larger functions, meetings and events. Funds generated via such means support ongoing work of the charity enabling it to fulfil its obligations to serve the community. Respect the board of trustees legal responsibility to maintain in good order a grade II listed building. The space to accommodate the needs for more facilities and services for all of our Parish, including the elderly and the young people of the local community Increase use of MH by local schools and colleges, and other educational groups (formal and informal) Increase the support that trained specialist volunteers can give to the programme Fostering a strong and diverse community where more people will be actively encouraged to use the facilities at Merchistoun Hall Help to make Horndean a better place to live, learn, work in & visit -fostering an environment where people have a sense of place & belonging

9 We finish unashamedly proud of both the association and what it offers: Merchistoun Hall has been a lifeline for me Merchistoun Hall has been a big part of my life You change people s lives We have recommended the hall to everyone we know! Thank you for making our day so special We had a fabulous day at Merchistoun Hall Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Many of our guests said Merchistoun Hall was the best community centre they had ever seen Historic building with tonnes of atmosphere It was a perfect wedding in no small part to the people and the venue Cannot speak highly enough of Merchistoun Hall on all levels A superb well managed venue Faultless management and support

10 To find out more about how you can help make Merchistoun Hall a world class community facility then please contact us Merchistoun Hall The home of Horndean Community Association Registered Charity number Portsmouth Road Horndean Waterlooville Hampshire PO8 9LJ manager@merchistounhall.co.uk

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