OFFICIAL:
Hello?
WOMAN:
Oh, hello. I wanted to enquire about hiring a room in the Village Hall, for the evening of September the first.
OFFICIAL:
Let me just see ... Yes, we have both rooms available that evening. Theres our Main Hall - thats got seating for 200 people. Or theres the Charlton Room ...
WOMAN:
Sorry?
OFFICIAL:
The Charlton Room - C-H-A-R L-T-O-N. Thats got seating for up to one hundred.
WOMAN:
Well, were organising a dinner to raise money for a charity, and were hoping for at least 150 people, so I think well go for the Main Hall. How much would that cost?
OFFICIAL:
Let's see. You wanted it for the evening of September 1st?
WOMAN:
Yes, thats a Saturday.
OFFICIAL:
So from six pm to midnight that'd be £115 - thats the weekend price, its £75 on weekdays.
WOMAN:
Thats all right.
OFFICIAL:
And I have to tell you theres also a deposit of £250, which is returnable of course as Iona as there's no damage. But we do insist that this is paid in cash, we don'ttake cards for that. You can pay the actual rent of the room however you likethough - cash, credit card, cheque ...
WOMAN:
Oh, well I suppose that's OK. So does the charge include use of tables and chairs and so on?
OFFICIAL:
Oh, yes.
WOMAN:
And what about parking?
OFFICIAL:
Yeah, that's all included. The only thing that isn't included is ... you said you were organising a dinner?
WOMAN:
Yeah.
OFFICIAL:
Well, youll have to pay extra for the kitchen if you want to use that, its £25. Its got very good facilities - good quality cookers and fridges and so on.
WOMAN:
OK, well I suppose thats all right. We can cover the cost in our entry charges.
OFFICIAL:
Right. So Ill make a note of that. Now there are just one or two things you need to think about before the event. For example, youll have to see about getting alicence if youre planning to have any music during the meal.
WOMAN:
Oh, really?
OFFICIAL:
Its quite straightforward, Ill give you the details later on. And about a week or ten days before your event youll need to contact the caretaker, thats Mr Evans, tomake the arrangements for entry - hell sort that out with you.
WOMAN:
And do I give him the payment as well?
OFFICIAL:
No, you do that directly with me.
WOMAN:
Right. Now is there anything I need to know about what happens during the event?
OFFICIAL:
Well, as youll be aware, of course the building is no smoking throughout.
WOMAN:
Of course.
OFFICIAL:
Now, are you having a band?
WOMAN:
Yes.
OFFICIAL:
Well, theyll have a lot of equipment, so rather than using the front door they should park their van round the back and use the stage door there. You can open thatfrom inside but dont forget to lock it at the end.
WOMAN:
OK.
OFFICIAL:
And talking of bands, Im sure l dont need to tel! you this, but you must make sure that no one fiddles about with the black box by the fire door - that's a system thatcuts in when the volume reaches a certain level. It's a legal requirement.
WOMAN:
Sure. Anyway, we want people to be able to talk to one another so we dont want anything too loud. Oh, that reminds me, well be having speeches - are there anymicrophones available?
OFFICIAL:
Yeah. Just let the caretaker know, hell get those for you. Right, now when the event is over we do ask that the premises are left in good condition. So theres a locked cupboard and youll be informed of the code you need to open that. Its gotall the cleaning equipment, brushes and detergent and so on.
WOMAN:
Right. So what do we need to do after everyones gone? Sweep the floors I suppose?
OFFICIAL:
Well, actually they have to be washed, not just swept. Then youll be provided with black plastic bags, so all the rubbish must be collected up and left outside thedoor.
WOMAN:
Of course. Well make sure everythings left tidy. Oh. and I forgot to ask. I presume we can have decorations in the room?
OFFICIAL:
Yes, but You must take them down afterwards.
WOMAN:
Sure.
OFFICIAL:
And the chairs and tables should be stacked up neatly at the back of the room
WOMAN:
I'll make sure Ive got a few people to help me.