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Information on hiring our premises
Our premises are often hired
for musical events, sports and educational activities, meetings, sales of work and exhibitions.
Water
Lane URC is an ideal venue for concerts, presentations and lectures. The Church holds up to 300 people
including the gallery. The pulpit, altar table, lectern and front pews can be removed to reveal a large raised dais and performance area
suitable for seating, staging, dramatic presentations or recitals. We welcome musicians who will enjoy playing our fine
English organ installed by William Hill and renovated by Hill, Norman and Beard. The sanctuary has a good sympathetic
acoustic and we have installed a sound system and hearing loop. The Welcoming Area and Vestry are suitable for smaller
meetings, refreshments or break-out areas. Other facilities include a modern kitchenette and accessible toilets. For
more details and hire charges contact the lettings secretary.
The Church Hall a short distance from the Church is also available for
private bookings. It comprises a large main hall with stage, fitted kitchen and toilets, A number of rooms
of varying sizes suitable for a variety of activities, training, exams, meetings or committees are also available. Contact
the lettings secretary for more information and availability. Hiring rates are competitively set.
| Water Lane URC |
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| The exterior of the Church from Water Lane |
OUR FACILITIES
The Church
The Church has a large sanctuary with pews on ground
and balcony levels suitable for seating 300 or more people. The raised dais area to the front of the church can be cleared
of furniture to create a large performance space. The size of this area can be increased further by the removal of some pews,
if required. The dais area would also be suitable as an area for a panel for public or private meetings, talks or conferences.
There is a fine organ that can be used for musical performances. A sound system is also provided for the amplification of
speech and sound. The Church also has installed a loop system for the hard of hearing.
The entrance area of the
Church, known as the Welcoming Area, is separated from the sanctuary by a glass screen and provides another venue suitable
for smaller meetings, breakout groups or as a refreshments area served by the adjacent kitchenette. The Vestry adjacent to
this area provides a private area suitable for meetings, discussions groups or changing rooms.
The Church is well
provided for in terms of modern toilets for both abled and less abled individuals.
| The Sanctuary |
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| The interior of the Church |
| The Sanctuary |
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| A view inside the Church looking from the altar area towards the front doors |
| The Sanctuary |
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| A view of the organ |
The Welcoming Area The modern entrance area (9m
x 9m approx) of the Church provides a tranquil environment for meetings, discussion groups or presentations. The Welcoming
Area is separated from the sanctuary by a glass screen creating a light airy and attractive space. The Church Kitchen (7m
x 1.5m approx) can be found off the Welcoming Area as can the toilets. The Church is well provided for in terms of modern
toilet facilities with five toilets in their own lockable rooms including an accessible toilet and baby changing facility.
| The Welcoming Area |
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| A view of The Welcoming Area between the front doors and sanctuary |
| The Welcoming Area |
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| The Welcoming Area |
| Church Kitchen |
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| Church Kitchen area |
The Vestry The Vestry (10m x 3m approx) is a good size modern room off the Welcoming Area.
It is located at the front of the Church with windows looking over the Church Garden to Water Lane. It is ideal for small
groups, interviews, or one-to-one consultations.
| The Vestry |
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| The Vestry |
First Floor Balcony The balcony at the first floor
level is open to the sanctuary but could be used as a breakout are for a number of small groups or for an activity that is
not affected by noise coming from downstairs and vice versa. The sound desk facilities are located on this level and can be
used by prior arrangement to amplify sound throughout the Church or to record sound.
| The Balcony |
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| A view showing the balcony area |
Second Floor Balcony The second floor balcony is not open
to the public for health and safety reasons.
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| Church Hall |
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| The exterior of the Church Hall from Water Lane |
The
Church Hall
The high vaulted ceiling main hall (14m x 9.5m approx with 2.3m clearance under a 2m wide balcony) has
a wood floor with level access to all main areas. The Hall is a good venue for activities such as badminton, yoga, aerobics,
keep fit and young children's activities, birthday parties and other celebrations. There is a creche
area (4.5m x 6m approx) with a separate low level toilet and sink and a baby changing platform available adjacent
to the Hall.
There is a stage area suitable for dramatic performances. There are rooms (Beginners'
room and the Creche) accessible to either side of the stage suitable for changing, moving props and waiting performers.
The
kitchen facilities are are suitable for the prepartion of refreshments and meals. The kitchen (9m x 1.5m approx) is equipped
with fridge, cooker, hot-water boiler, small dishwasher and microwave oven. Food and drink can then be supplied to the Hall area via the adjacent servery area
(3m x 1.5m approx) There is also a plentiful supply of cups, saucers, plates and cutlery
and a wide range of kitchenware is available you may, of course, bring your own.
There are plenty of folding table and stackable
chairs. Two types of table are available: square tables around which four people can sit, and long tables which seat eight.
The Hall has a generous provision of Ladies and Gents Toilets
with room for changing and hanging of clothes. Also off the Hall is an accessible toilet this separate facility also includes baby
changing facilities.
Click here to download a floor plan of the Church Hall
| Main Hall |
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| Main Hall and Stage from the Servery |
| Main Hall |
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| Main Hall from the Stage end showing the servery area adjacent to the kitchen |
| Accessible Toilet off Main Hall |
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| Main Hall Accessible Toilet and Baby Changing Facility |
| Main Hall Kitchen |
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| Main Hall Kitchen |
| Main Hall Kitchen |
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| Main Hall Kitchen |
| Creche off Main Hall |
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| Creche off Main Hall (showing door to junior toilet and baby change area) |
| Creche toilet and baby change area |
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| Creche toilet showing low level appliances |
Rooms
The New Room - The New Room (9m x 6m approx) is a large light airy space. This room can be used independently
of other activities in the main hall with access by means of an external metal staircase. A toilet and small kitchenette
(1.5m x 1.5m approx) for the preperation of teas and coffee is located in the nearby corridor and is shared with The
Palour. This room is regularly used by music group for toddlers. A piano is located in this room.
| New Room |
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| New Room at First Floor Level |
| New Room |
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| New Room at First Floor Level |
| External Access to New Room and Palour |
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| External Access to New Room and Palour |
The Lounge - The Lounge (7m x 4.5m approx) makes an ideal large meeting or committee room
also suitable for small discussion, activity, light music or craft groups.
| The Lounge |
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| The Lounge set out for a committee meeting |
| External Access to the Lounge |
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| External access by metal staircase to The Lounge from the rear of the building |
The Parlour - The Parlour (6m x 4.5m approx) is another well proportioned meeting or activity
room. This room shares a toilet and the small kitchenette with The New Room.
| The Parlour |
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| The Parlour |
| Parlour and New Room small kitchen area |
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| Small kitchen area adjacent to The Parlour and New Room |
The Beginners' Room - The Beginners' Room (7m
x 4.5m approx) is another well proportioned room accessed off the main hall or via a separate side door. This room also gives
access to the left hand side of the stage for performances. This room can also be accessed from outside independently
of the Hall.
| The Beginners' Room |
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| The Beginners' Room (also showing access door to stage left) |
The Creche - As mentioned earlier, The Creche (6m
x 4.5m approx) is accessed from the main hall and is well stocked with toys and games for young children. The room has it's
own baby changing and toilet facilities suitable for small children. This room also provides access to the right of the stage
for performances.
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