Guidance Note for Users of St Michael’s Church Halls
General
• St Michael’s Halls form part of the church buildings. Please be sensitive to the fact that there may be other church events, services, or meetings going on at the same time.
• The Halls have a strict Health & Safety and Child Protection Policies which must be followed by hirers.
• Hirers of the Halls are responsible for managing their group or activity in such a way that ensures that everyone is safe. We recommend all hirers have their own insurance and that organisers of any activity involving children are CRB checked.
Halls and Rooms for hire - Summary
Main Hall (40x 40 feet/12x12 meters). Hire includes use of the kitchen.
Can be hired on an hourly basis for Term-Time Groups (eg Toddler groups, Dance, Keep Fit, After-School Activities etc) as well for Children’s Parties (Wednesday and Saturday afternoons 2-6pm) and also for one-off meetings.
John Bunyan Hall. (45 sq meters). Hire includes use of a small and very basic kitchen adjacent to it.
First Steps Nursery uses this hall during the day, so this hall is only available for after-school (4pm++) or evening classes. Can be hired on an hourly basis for Term-Time Groups or for one-off meetings
Musa Room Lounge
This is a small carpeted room off the Main Foyer and is sometimes available for small groups or meetings.
Hire Limitations
Anyone wanting to hire our halls are assessed first by the Halls Management Committee.
Regularly hirers are asked to sign a contract of hire, with strict terms and conditions.
Please note that we do not hire our Halls as follows:
• No Sunday or Bank Holiday Hire
• No Wedding Receptions
• No other spiritual groups including yoga classes.
• No other churches for services or teaching sessions.
• No evening social events/parties
• No smoking or alcohol is allowed anywhere in the halls.
Hire Prices 2007
Term-time groups are charged by the hour. A First Hour rate is charged and a cheaper follow-on hour.
Different rates apply according to the type of activity and which hall or room is hired. Please phone the church office to discuss this (8852 1205)
Children’s Parties are as follows: Wednesday afternoons: £85 & Saturday afternoons: £110
Main Hall (40x 40 feet/12x12 meters)
If you have booked the Main Hall please enter via the Foyer.
There are adult tables (x14) and chairs (100+) which you can use. If you use the large tables please ensure that after stacking them again in the table trolley, that the safety cord is put across the front of the tables to protect users. Please also ensure that you do not block the fire exits with any tables or chairs during your activity. There is a chair trolley to help you move chairs about safely. We recommend that you do not lift more than three stacked chairs at one time.
There are small children’s tables (x15) and small children’s chairs (x45)
Please make sure that soft shoes are worn for activity games.
You may use the kitchen directly off the Main Hall, which includes some crockery, hot water urn and kettle, cooker, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and tea towels. There is a folder with instructions for all the equipment by the microwave.
Please do not leave left over food or drink in the fridge. Other people do not use it.
You may have a small bouncy castle inside the main hall or on the lawn, but please check with us first in case it is being used by the church.
Toilet Facilities
There are Men’s and Ladies’ loos directly off the Main Foyer.
There is also a Loo for Disabled People which includes baby-changing facilities, again directly off the Main Hall.
John Bunyan Hall
Please enter this hall via the covered walkway. You may use the kitchen just off the John Bunyan Hall which includes a kettle, fridge and tea towels. The enclosed courtyard garden at the rear is not available unless specially agreed beforehand. There are loos available just off the main foyer (including a disabled loo and baby changing facilities). This room is used by First Steps Nursery every weekday. Please do not use the Nursery toys and equipment other than the tables and chairs. Thank you.
Musa Room
This room is generally for church use only, but occasionally may be used for small meetings, however it is intended to be a lounge area and no food or drinks should be taken into this room.
Heating
The heating is on an automatic timer, however if more heat is required in the Main Hall please press the red “extra hour” buttons on the two controllers that are situated by the door nearest the kitchen. The thermostats should only be set to the FINAL room temperature that you require as they do not affect the heaters’ output, only the desired room temperature. There are wall heaters in the other halls which are controlled by a nearby wall switch and then the control panel located on the front of them.
Church Lawn
Providing there is not a church service/event going on at the time of your booking (please check with the church office first), the church lawn is available to those who book the Main Hall (note: weddings get priority use of the lawn). It should be noted that the lawn is not a secure place for children as there is easy access to the street and that children will need to be closely supervised at all times.
Clearing up and breakages
Please leave the halls clean and tidy and generally as you would wish to find them. Our halls are very popular and although are cleaned daily, there may be another booking after you.
Cleaning materials including a dustpan and brush may be found in the kitchen or toilet areas. Please turn off any heaters and lights you have put on (the external lights come on automatically from dusk to dawn) and make sure that all the windows and doors are shut and locked.
Please report any breakages when you return the key.
Your Rubbish and Foxes
Please ensure you put all your rubbish in the big industrial blue bin outside the halls. If this is full, please DO NOT leave your rubbish next to the bin but take it home with you (whatever rubbish is left out is always torn to shreds by the local foxes and then distributed round the grounds - which is unpleasant for everyone). Please also take down any balloon or streamers. We often have evening meetings where these decorations are not appropriate.
Car Parking and Cator Estate Clamping
The church and its halls are on the private Cator Estate which employs a clamping company 24hrs a day. Please ensure that everyone coming to the party, parks in Pond Road (being careful not to park on the pavement) AND that they display a parking notice (given to all hirers, plus more are available from the Main Foyer).
There is limited space for activity and party organisers (only) to park in the driveway behind the halls.
Security
Please look after your valuables. We have a lot of “passing traffic” and unfortunately there have been incidences of theft on the premises while private events have been going on.
We hope you have an enjoyable event
St Michael and All Angels Church Halls Committee
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Blackheath Park
London SE3 9JL 020 8852 1205