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Village hall conquered by plants 30 years ago finally set for demolition (though nature is still the winner)
The old Kingswood village hall and (below) how it looks inside
If the Triffids really did take over the world as John Wyndham envisaged in his classic novel, 30 years later it might look much like the building pictured above.
Since Kingswood village hall partially collapsed under the weight of heavy snow in 1983, the plants have moved in to take over.
Now though, planning permission has been given for the hall to be demolished and the use of the land changed. But this doesn’t mean a complete end to the plants’ hold on the site, as it will soon be used for allotments, around which many may continue to flourish.
Parish council chairman Ian Smith took on the project to make something of the hall following his retirement and is pleased the site is to be regenerated after all these years.
He said: “Nothing has been done since the hall and toilets collapsed under the excess snow.
“We are such a small village that we don’t really have enough people to run or use it as a hall.
“But there was nobody who was prepared to be an organiser to get something done with it.”
Until a few years ago much of the entire site was overgrown the plants, but a clear-up took place to leave just the old hall’s kitchen encased by ivy and blackberry plants.
It is hoped that around seven allotments can be set up in the Kingswood Lane site in time for next spring, once the demolition work has been carried out.
And Mr Smith is confident there will be plenty of demand in the village to make use of the reclaimed land.
He said: “Talking to people around the village, I think six people have shown an interest, so I don’t think it will be a problem letting them out.”
Parking for people visiting their allotments is to be introduced as part of the plans.
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Weather for Thame
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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