Page 32 - It's a Rum Life Book 3 "Ivy House Tales 1970 to 1984"

wonderful with full length “Georgian” small paned windows in every archway.
The committee were duly impressed; to see actual plans of the hall with windows
convinced them that all our combined ideas were a total change for the good.

The project included moving and improving the toilets and turning our little side room into a
proper kitchen which complied with the latest regulations and could be used for all kinds of
functions.
With my persuasion we chose a revolutionary drip feed diesel oil heating system for the
main hall. When installed, it looked like a huge oil drum behind a safety cage with tall
chimney disappearing though the ceiling above. It was very simple to run and provided the
hall with ample heat at low cost.
A new ceiling would provide extra insulation and prevented excessive heat loss and
estimates were obtained from local joinery firms for the unusual windows.

FUNDING
The cost was into thousands and nobody had any idea how we could find the money. I
think by this time I had taken over as secretary to the committee and began trying to
source funding.
The Hall was and still is a scheduled ancient building and permission had to be obtained
for the alterations. Fortunately, our ideas for improvement were accepted as good for the
building and the community as a whole.

Our local Lincolnshire County Council were splashing some money around at this time and
it just so happened that our Hall Project as a benefit to the community was just the kind of
idea they were looking for, over half the total cost was sourced from their funds.

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