Christchurch's Permanent Commemoration of the Coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II
The 'Friends' group has been established to provide events at the hall and
for Members of the Friends to meet socially and also have a say in how the facility is managed.
Some interesting occasional talks are planned along with other social events during the year.
DHCA Trustees Barbara and Sara look forward to welcoming members
and to hearing your views on our facilities and events.
Attendees at our most recent talk on Georgian Christchurch by Julia Ratcliffe, were hugely entertained.
The Friends are planning further talks - so watch this space!
Tickets are usually priced at £5 (but join the Friends of Druitt Hall and enjoy the talk for just £3 ! )
Pay on the door - a place can be reserved for you by emailing the Friends on events@druitthall.org.uk
Previously in the Friends' series of talks were 'Lost Buildings of Christchurch' by local historian Mike Andrews,
and 'The House That Sat Down' by celebrated local author Alice May.
Bookings and billing services for the hall are handled via the HallMaster system.
Current availability of the main hall can be viewed here:
click on this logo
Through the efforts of DHCA's volunteers and supporters 2025 was another successful year with
average weekly lettings of approx 35hrs and footfall at around 18,000 persons over the year.
The time given by our volunteers allows our hire rates to be kept substantially
below what a true commercial cost would be. This is done as a service to our community.
Our lease is provided at a 'peppercorn rent' by Christchurch Town Council but the true rent we pay is
in the operation, maintainenance and improvement of the facility without subsidy from the public purse.
The wait for a promised extended lease by Christchurch Town Council is now in its 5th year.
However there has been progress!
After a review of procedure, Christchurch Town Council's Resources Committee considered options to extend
the lease, to licence operation of the hall to us or to take over the and occupy the building.
Their recommendation to Full Council in February 2026 was that a further lease should be allowed.
We are very grateful for the support shown for this by the public at that committee meeting and, indeed, for
the kind words of Councillors for our continuing work in keeping the facility available to the community.
The extended lease will allow us to apply for funding of ther improvements to this much-loved facility.
For example, we propose improvements to the heating, secondary glazing and renewal of the roof coverings.
It is a key and relevant aim to continue the improvement in the building's low environmental impact.
For example, refurbishment rather than replacement of the windows was both the cheaper option and avoided
substantial manufacturing emissions of CO2.
Improved insulation has raised the building's Energy Performance Rating from 'E' to 'C' - we intend to improve this further!