St Catherine's School take over of St James Church Parish Hall sees local groups leave while improvement works take place.

St James Parish Hall in Radnor Road, Twickenham has come under new management after 96 years as St James's Church was unable to afford upkeep of the hall.   

St Catherine's say it plans to make renovations to the hall to provide its students, local groups and partners with an improved space.

"We are in the process of taking over management of the Hall and have taken the opportunity to undertake health and safety and compliance improvements, including gas and electrical upgrades. This has needed a temporary cessation of use," says Jonathan Hughes, St Catherine's School Bursar & Clerk to the Governors, 

He continues: "Going forward we will actively be seeking community partners to use the Hall."

However Strawberry Hill Ballet School, who has used St James Parish Hall for nearly 40 years, argue that it was given little time to find an alternative location to carry out its classes. 

Thomas tells Twickenham Nub News: "I was so shocked and saddened to be given notice in June to leave St James' Hall and find new premises to run my business from by 22 July. 

"The Ballet School has been running from St James's Hall for 38 years and I understood that the hall was to be used by the local community of Strawberry Hill, It has been a very stressful time." 

Rachel Thomas from Strawberry Hill Ballet School (credit: Rachel Thomas).

Thomas says she has appealed for support from Strawberry Hill Residents' Association (SHRA), who have contacted the St James's Church asking for answers and a meeting involving local councillors for consultation and clarification of the future of Parish Hall.

Andrew Miller, Chair of SHRA admits: "It is deeply sad that Strawberry Hill will be losing these valuable local services, as well as the hall at the heart of the community."

Johneen McPherson, Headmistress of St Catherine's School responded saying: "St Catherine's School is pleased to now take on the St James Hall, having been approached by St James Parish with this proposal.

"We very much value our links with the Church and the local community and saw this as a chance to provide more space for our pupils in a way that is integrated with our neighbours.

"I am very surprised to see this detail about asking the Ballet School. It is the case that we are using the next month or two to complete refurbishments and improvements to the Hall which is both in accordance with regulatory compliance for this site and in order to look after this property for all who use it.

"Again, St James Parish helped to advise us about which works were needed. We believe that the local groups who use the Hall after this interlude will value the upgrades."

Hughes adds: "The approach to the Hall will be the same. 

"As noted by Mrs McPherson there are some upgrades underway to ensure we are compliant with relevant legislation. 

"Once completed we will welcome continued community access to the Hall. We were in touch with the Strawberry Hill Ballet last month. Rachel advised that she had found a premises for the Autumn Term. 

"She is interested in returning to the Hall in January and I expect this will happen."

Since initially getting in contact with Twickenham Nub News, Thomas has now been running classes at Twickenham Green Baptist Church.