Sultan of Oman pays for hall repairs

THE Sultan and Prime Minister of Oman has donated funds to the Wargrave Heritage Trust for the refurbishment of Woodclyffe Hall.

Haitham bin Tariq paid for urgent work and substantial repairs to the site in High Street, including refurbishment of the kitchen and toilet facilities and retiling of the roof.

The hall, which is a Grade II listed building, was built 125 years ago after it was gifted by Harriette Smithe, a village benefactor.

It came about after Peter Halman, secretary of the trust, met the sultans of Oman at Wargrave Manor after visiting its estate manager to request permission to use the gates on the Wargrave Christmas card.

He said: “Out of courtesy, I thought I would approach the manor. When I got there, there were two gentlemen there from the more senior Omani people.

“I was asked about the heritage trust and what we do and they wanted to know how we operate.

“I went away and made a proposal to them on Woodclyffe Hall, which is badly in need of repair.

“They told us that his majesty had agreed to make a major donation so that the hall can be refurbished.”

During the First World War, the venue was used as a recovery hospital for wounded soldiers.

Trustees said the hall had begun to show its age and that “urgent attention” was needed for its repairs.

Mr Halman said tiles on the roof are “starting to slip” which could pose a danger so it would need to be stripped.

He said: “That’s the major cost item and the job really has to be done.

“Thanks to the Omanis, we believe that the donation is sufficient to also refurbish the kitchen and toilets and do decorating.

“The equipment in the kitchen is old and needs properly refurbishing so food can be served safely and properly.”

Works are also set to include internal structural changes to accommodate a disabled toilet as well as replacement of the current toilets and basins.

Heritage trust chairman, Neil Pitcher, said: “We are rightly proud of this architectural gem and are delighted to receive such a generous donation to help return the hall to its former glory.”