The MPA Charitable Foundation has supported the Henley-in-Arden Guild Hall Roof Appeal 2023/24 with a donation of £1,980, sponsoring three square meters of new tiles for the roof. The donation goes towards helping save the iconic and much-loved local building from falling into disrepair.

Henley-in-Arden Guild Hall Roof Appeal 2023/24 was launched in October 2023 and is a year-long fundraising drive to raise £120,000 to replace the roof of the 600-year-old building.

Phil McGovern, Director at MPA, said: “We are passionate about Henley-in Arden as a beautiful place to live and work. The Guild Hall is the jewel in the crown of our historic High Street and so we’re very keen to support the appeal to repair the roof. I think the MPA Charitable Foundation donation will cover approximately three square meters of tiles on the roof, so there’s a way to go, but with everyone getting behind the campaign, it can make a real difference.”

In an open letter to the community, John Latham Honorary Burgess and Trustee on behalf of the Henley Guild Hall Trust Roof Appeal explains the need for the major restoration: “The Guild Hall is a timber framed daub and wattle construction built in 1448, nearly 600 years old. Of course, buildings of that age need ongoing care and renovation which has happened, thanks to the hard work of the Guild Hall Trust and the Court Leet. But, every 50 years or so, the roof needs replacing – the big one! That time is now.”

With very old buildings of this nature, a major project like a roof replacement might reveal other structural problems, so well as encouraging individual and business donations from those keen to protect the Henley’s future posterity, the Trustees are on a mission to secure grant funding and raise funds through a series of events and activities.

Fundraising events to date have included a concert in December by the Midland Youth Jazz, an Arts4 All event in April and most recently a Classic Car Show in May. Upcoming events include a Lodders Barn event in the summer and a “Raise the Roof” Concert later in the year.

Interested businesses and individuals are able to sponsor a tile at £11 each, which includes the cost of the tile and the fixing of it. A graphic in the Guild Hall will record the progress of the appeal and the name of supporters.

To get involved visit: https://www.henleygh.co.uk/.

Photo credit: henleygh.co.uk