Historic Cury Village Hall Set for Major Roof and Solar Upgrade

Closure as Work Begins Next Week

The Cury Village Hall Committee has announced that long-awaited work to replace the building’s roof and install solar panels with a battery back-up system will begin next week.

To allow the improvements to take place, Cury Village Hall will temporarily close to the public. The committee said the exact duration of the closure will depend on progress but added that they will “endeavour to keep all apprised of the latest developments.”

Preserving Character While Modernising

The new roof panels have been carefully chosen to maintain the character of the historic, though unlisted, building. A local professional will install the new roof and carry out any necessary interior repairs, while a specialist contractor has been commissioned to safely remove the existing sheeting, much of which contains asbestos.

Sustainability and Emergency Preparedness

The installation of a solar array will enable Cury Village Hall to operate more sustainably and reduce its climate impact. With the addition of modern battery storage and a back-up system, the Hall will also be able to function during periods when mains power is unavailable.

As a designated emergency shelter for Cury, with facilities to provide hot food, warmth, power, and internet access, the committee said this represents “an important step forward not just for our Hall but for our entire community.”

Funded Through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The funding was allocated via Cornwall Council’s Community Levelling Up Programme, which forms part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme.

A total of £50,000 has been awarded to the project through the Community Levelling Up Programme.

A Century of Service to Cury

Cury Village Hall quietly celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021 during pandemic restrictions. The building itself dates back even further, originally constructed during the First World War as a mess hut for the Royal Naval Air Station Mullion at Bonython.

The hut was later dismantled, transported to Cury, and reassembled in its current position. The roof has been replaced at least once before, with various sheets repaired or renewed over the years. However, the committee said it had become increasingly clear that a full replacement was essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of the building, its charity, and the vital services it provides to the parish of Cury and beyond.