About our Village Hall
Rowney Green Peace Memorial Hall, run by a team of volunteer trustees, is a charity and so accountable to the Charity Commission. The object of the charity is the provision and maintenance of the village hall for the use by the inhabitants of the area. Separate to the charitable objective, the trustees are also legally responsible for the upkeep of Rowney Green Park according to a 15- year lease agreement with Alvechurch Parish Council, that runs from 1st April 2022. (The lease can be found here and the Park group sub-committee terms of reference can be found here)
The trustees meet regularly throughout the year to discuss hall and village park business, and each year there is an Annual General Meeting. All Rowney Green residents over the age of 18 can attend and vote at the AGM. Following the AGM, the trustees’ elect a Chair, and specific trustee roles are allocated.
The trustees and roles for 25/26 are:
Mark Easter (Chair)
Andy Free (Treasurer)
Louise Croxton (Vice chair and grounds maintenance)
Sue Stevens (Hall cleaning oversight)
Karen Wilde (Communications)
Tony Wallis (Park subgroup Chair)
Nan Fellows (Trustee)
Chris Gollings (Trustee liaison with Community First organisation)
Gayle Stillwell (Trustee)
The trustees are also responsible for the Christmas Lights Up event. This has become increasingly popular as younger families move into the village. This is run by many volunteers each year. The trustees would like to thank the very many volunteers from the village for the support they receive in meeting the charitable objectives and the requirements of the hall & park.
The trustees are happy to talk to anyone about the work we do and the plans for the hall and park. They can be contacted on – RGPMHTrustees@outlook.com
Rowney Green Village Hall began life in 1920 when after the First World War, Mr. Albert Wheeler had the great foresight to purchase for Rowney Green a second-hand Army Hut. It arrived at Alvechurch by rail from Barnes, Middlesex, and was transported from Alvechurch Station by horse and cart.
Known as “Rowney Green Peace Memorial Hall”, it quickly became the focal point for life in the village with early groups including The Women’s Institute ; Men’s Club ; Children’s Club ; Tennis Club ; British Legion ; Social Club ; Cricket Club ; Shakespearean Society.
In 1945 fundraising was started to build a new village hall, but it took another 15 years before the new building was opened by Mr. Godfrey Baseley of the BBC in 1960. The new hall became the home for a further wide variety of groups including Circassian Circle ; Dancing club ; Handbell ringers ; Horticultural Society ; Rowney Green Players.
With the arrival of the new century the hall was in need of major refurbishment. With the help of large grants from The People’s Millions, The Big Lottery and Welcome to Our Future, the hall was re-opened in 2010.
Jim’s hopes for the refurbished hall became reality, with a new generation of villagers and young families bringing renewed energy and enthusiasm to the village.
This page records the centenary celebration of the village hall being the focal point for village life.
A competent group of volunteers – engineers and technicians, take responsibility for upgrading the facility and for maintaining its fabric, making Rowney Green Village Hall a leader in its class. Have a look at our image gallery
Non-commercial and non-profit making Community Groups (typically run by and/or on behalf of RG Village Residents), qualify for a discounted rate by contributing to the running of The Village Hall. Each Community Group can nominate a representative to attend Village Hall Management Meetings.
This link will take you to a more detailed account of the early life of Rowney Green Peace Hall