Communal Facilities

Parking

Unlike some other venues, there are no charges for using the car park.

There is ample free parking for use by persons visiting the hall with space for up to 60 vehicles, including designated disabled parking spaces next to the entrance.

The car park is a private car park owned and maintained by Benenden Village Trust for use by persons using trust facilities including the hall, recreation field and children’s play area in addition to the bowls club. However it is difficult to control and prevent others from using the car park. There is additional free parking in the village including around the nearby village green.

For large events (weather permitting), consideration may be given to using the recreation field for additional parking. This is strictly by arrangement only (additional charges may apply).

Please note that overnight parking is not permitted unless by prior arrangement.

The Kitchen

Both halls are served by a well-equipped communal kitchen with serving hatches and access from either hall.

The kitchen is equipped with a gas oven / hob, large domestic fridge, small freezer, plate warmer, dishwasher and microwave (800W). There is kettle for hirers to use and a water boiler that provides instant boiling water for hot drinks / cooking if needed for larger events. The kitchen has 3 sinks, with the hot water heated by a separate water heater. Caution: the hot water is very hot.

The kitchen is well stocked with crockery (cups, saucers, bowls & plates), pots & pans, teapots, coffee pot, cutlery, trays, chopping boards, cooking utensils, and glassware (jugs, tumblers, glasses) for hirers to use. There are also plastic plates, bowls, jugs and tumblers for children’s parties.

Unlike some other venues, there are no additional charges for using the kitchen for your event.

There are ample electrical sockets around the kitchen for operating electrical equipment. One of the sockets also has 2 USB ports for operating USB devices / charging mobile phones, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: Hirers are advised to bring their own knives for preparing food, cutting cakes & quiches, etc. as only cutlery knives are available at the hall.

Direct access to the kitchen from the car park is useful for caterers to set up without disturbing the event, or for providing drinks and snacks when the recreation field is also being used.

A basic first aid kit is located in the communal kitchen together with the accident reporting book. There is also a basic first aid kit in the Community Office (accessible during office hours).

The nearest defibrillator is located at Wheelwrights House on the village green in Benenden (TN17 4DJ).

Toilets

Male & female toilets, together with a gender-neutral / accessible toilet, can be accessed from the communal foyer / lobby at the hall. Hire of either hall includes use of these communal facilities.

Separate gender-neutral toilets are located adjacent to the changing rooms. These toilets are intended for use with the changing rooms.

To help reduce energy consumption, all toilets have LED lighting activated by sensors (set to 5 minutes). To help save water, the male toilet is fitted with a Cistermiser Infrared Control Valve for flushing the urinals.

Please Note: There are no public toilets at Benenden Village Hall. The hall’s toilets are for use by persons hiring / using the hall. A public toilet is located adjacent to the hall (behind the bus stop).

Baby Changing Facilities

‘Fold down’ baby changing units are available in both the female and accessible toilets.

Babies must not be left unattended whilst using the changing facilities and must be supervised at all times.

Pushchairs can be stored in the accessible toilet whilst attending an event, club or class.

It is hoped that a supply of baby changing items (disposable nappies, wipes, etc.) will be donated for hirers to use in the future together with sanitary products.

See: Sponsorship, Funding & Donations

Coat Hooks

There are coat hooks in the foyer for hanging up hats, coats & umbrella’s etc. These are situated in the corridor leading to the toilets.

A row of lower level coat hooks is also available for children to use.

Cleaning, Recycling & Rubbish

The hall is regularly cleaned and every effort is made to ensure that the halls and communal areas are clean before use. Any issues should be brought to the attention of the hall manager. Hirers are expected to clear the hall of any rubbish and replace tables and chairs after use and should factor this into the length of their booking. Cleaning equipment is available for use by hirers, if needed, and is stored in the cleaning cupboard in the communal foyer / lobby where spare toilet rolls and blue paper rolls are also stored.

Unlike many other venues, hirers are welcome to use Benenden Village Hall’s recycling and rubbish collection facilities at no additional cost. There are plenty of bins around the building for both general rubbish and recycling.

General Waste

Items of general waste, including glass, should be placed in the general waste bin in black bin bags.

Recycling (Dry Mixed Recycling)

Items to be recycled (not glass) should be clean, dry and placed loose (not in bin bags) in the recycling bin.

Items that can be recycled include:

Cardboard;
plastic bottles, pots, tubs & trays;
paper;
food tins & drink cans.

As Benenden Village Hall has no facilities for recycling glass, hirers are encouraged to take their empty glass bottles with them to be recycled.

Thank you.

Noticeboards

Regular hirers of the hall are welcome to use the noticeboards in the communal lobby to advertise and promote their activities.

Benenden Parish Council also has a noticeboard outside the Community Office at the hall. This noticeboard is used for promoting activities at the hall, local community events and parish council notices. Posters to be displayed in this noticeboard should be left at the community office.

Wi-Fi is available throughout the building for use by hirers and users of Benenden Village Hall. QR codes are displayed around the building for connecting to the Wi-Fi. The password is available on request but is also displayed on the inside of the cleaning cupboard door in the foyer / lobby.