Built for the community

Online art auction launched to raise funds for the Solomon Browne Memorial Hall, Mousehole.

Many years ago, a small dedicated group of people living in Mousehole formed a committee of Trustees to see if they could raise funds for converting the old Duck Street Store and pilchard pits into a community hall for the village. After many years they succeeded in getting a Lottery Grant of over £500,000, and the beautiful facility we know today was created. Simon Weston OBE and Ken Howard OBE RA became Patrons of the Hall in 2014. The Hall was officially opened in 2016 with a few representatives from all the groups in the village and others who had been involved in its early development. There was later a Royal opening by Prince Michael of Kent.

In normal times, explains Judy Joel, one of the Hall’s Trustees: “Much of the Hall’s income comes from hosting events. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on that income, but we don’t want to reduce our community outreach work when it is needed more than ever. In fact throughout the pandemic our dedicated staff – Tamsin (Community Manager), Sarah (Finance and operations Manager) and Donna (Events and Marketing) have worked tirelessly by delivering gifts of ‘Smile Bags’ to local people who were self-isolating,  or who were alone or frightened. They also ran a help-line, and administered grants to people in financial need and supported the local Covid-19 volunteers network.” As well as all that, they have worked  hard to support the community in Mousehole through a range of projects including developing a community garden with Mousehole School, and are running a summer school again this summer – offering 80 free places for children from low-income families. They also offer free IT support sessions. To help keep such projects running, the charity has decided to run an online art auction. Featuring more than 230 pieces of art, including a painting of Mousehole Harbour by Ken Howard OBE RA, there are also works from a number of other local artists, all of whom are donating at least 50% of the proceeds, and in some cases 100%!

“The funds we raise from the online art auction will help us to continue to reduce isolation and increase wellbeing in Mousehole,” says Judy – something that’s impossible to put a price on, but which unfortunately does require funds. To find out more about the auction, to place a bid, or to find out how you can help Solomon Browne Hall continue its vital work in the Mousehole community, be sure to visit the website.

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The Solomon Browne Memorial Hall is a superb venue – an amazing space that regularly hosts theatre groups, musicians, drama and dance groups and fitness classes. It is available for hire too, so if you’re planning an event and require a fabulously light and airy space in which to bring your idea to life, why not get in touch?

Solomon Browne Hall

01736 731040

www.solomonbrownehall.co.uk