The Fear Hall is the operating name of the J N Fear Institute and Endowment.  This a registered charity (No 304566) set up under the terms of the will of the late Mr John Fear..    

 

The Will under which the charity was set up requires that the Hall be used to benefit local people. It is let to a wide variety of organizations and groups with preference being given to community organizations and societies, who can apply to become Affiliated Members and receive discounted hire rates and the opportunity to take part in the management of the premises.  Public sector and charities are regular hirers as are small businesses such as dance schools.  The Will explicitly precludes letting to political organizations and it is the policy of the trustees not to let to users whose activities might be in direct competition with local businesses having premises nearby.

 

The Fear Hall is not part of any larger organization and only lets its rooms for hire: it does not operate or manage any activites itself.  It is a well-known venue within the town of Keynsham.  Although there are several other halls and sets of rooms for hire nearby, many affiliated organizations and other users have been customers for many years and there is no difficulty in attracting a sufficient number of hirers.  Other than maintaining the web-site, no marketing is necessary and the main operational activities are managing bookings and associated income, and cleaning & caretaking activities.

 

Physical activities, ie cleaning, repairs and maintenance, are carried out by paid professionals but all the administrative, management and finance roles involved in running the Hall are undertaken by volunteers, without whom we could not operate.  The key roles are Booking Secretary, Treasurer and Payroll Administrator.

 

The charity is run by five trustees, assisted by a Management Committee made up of the trustees, volunteers and represtentatives of member oragnaizatios.   

 

All financial surpluses are ploughed back into the maintenance and improvements of the hall and its facilities.  These improvements are maneged by volunteers.