Welcome to the Oval Community Centre, Stevenage
The Oval (Stevenage) Community Association is a Registered Charity that runs the Oval Community Centre in Stevenage.
CHARITY NUMBER 1145178
The Association employs staff to oversee the day to day running of the Centre.
Built in 1974 the Oval Community Centre is the largest community centre in Stevenage and we attract a varied range of users who offer services for all ages.
As well as hiring rooms for private functions we also hire out meeting rooms.
We welcome visitors to the Centre, where our team of friendly staff will help you with your enquiries.
We are situated within the Oval shopping area and share our building with All Saints Church.
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The Oval Community Centre runs regular family events throughout the year. To help support us please click on the on Amazon button below. Select us as your chosen charity, and Amazon will donate a percentage of the price of your eligible purchases to us, with no extra cost to yourself. As a charity every little helps. Thank you.
Hall / Rooms For Hire
Prices effective 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020
Main Hall
Meetings / Fitness - Monday to Saturday
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The main hall is currently available Monday - Friday daytimes & we are looking to fill it with a preschool or regular group looking for a few days each week.
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Monday - Friday
Upto 6pm
£23.90 per hour / £18.00 per hour charity rates*
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From 6pm
£30.40 per hour / £25.75 per hour charity rates*
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Saturday
9am - 6pm
£33.60 per hour / £27.90 per hour charity rates*
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From 6pm - Please contact us for more information.
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20 people plus 1 tutor for any physical / exercise class. For anything else please contact the office.
Room 3/4
Meetings / Fitness Room
Monday to Saturday
£13.60 per hour
£12.50 per hour - charity rates*
Maximum 8 people seated at tables plus 1 tutor. 12 people seated with no tables plus 1 tutor. 6 for exercise classes or anything not seated.
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Small kitchenette
Room 6
Meeting Rooms
Monday to Saturday
£12.25 per hour
£11.15 per hour - charity rates*
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Maximum 6 people seated at tables plus 1 tutor. 8 people seated with no tables plus 1 tutor. Not suitable for exercise classes.
Coffee Bar
Meeting Room
Monday to Saturday
£13.60 per hour
£12.50 per hour - charity rates*
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Maximum 10 people seated at tables plus 1 tutor. 12 people seated with no tables plus 1 tutor. Not suitable for exercise classes.
Youth Wing (Currently unavailable at this time)
Office / Fitness Room
Evenings and Weekends
Monday to Saturday
From £13.60 per hour
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Sundays
From £16.30 per hour
Maximum 20 people
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Main Hall - Functions (Currently suspended until further notice)
Fridays & Saturdays
£35.00 per hour
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Maximum 200 people or 130 people if fully seated
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Deposit - see FAQ’S
Cookers - see FAQ’s
Main Hall - Functions Sundays (Currently suspended until further notice)
Functions
£36.50 per hour
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Deposit - see FAQ’s
Cookers - see FAQ’s
Main Hall - Children's Party (Currently suspended until further notice)
Saturdays & school holidays
£24.50 per hour
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Maximum of 4 hours
Children’s parties must be finished by 4:30pm
Birth to 11 years old
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Deposit £25.00
Main Hall - Children's Party (Currently suspended until further notice)
Sundays
£28.70 per hour
Maximum of 4 hours
Birth to 11 years old
Deposit £50.00
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DUE TO THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES ACTIVITIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT SHORT NOTICE
Something for Everyone
Monday
9:00am - 2:00pm Jelly Tots Pre School & Nursery
6:00pm - 8:00pm Taekwon Do *Group restarts in January
Tuesday
We are currently looking to fill the hall on Tuesday evenings. Minimum 2 hour booking. If you have, or know of a group looking to start up, expand or move premises, please email us at for further details.
Wednesday
9:00am - 2:00pm Jelly Tots Pre School & Nursery
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9:20am onwards Foot Health with Tracy (appt necessary)
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7:00pm - 9:00pm Adult Ballet & Bollywood Dancing
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Thursday
6:00pm - 9:00pm Dogs Trust Dogs School (book direct) * Restarts in January
Friday
9:00am - 2:00pm Jelly Tots Pre School & Nursery
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6:45pm - 8:45pm Youth Connexions ages 14-17 (Youth Club/term time only) * Restarts in January
Saturday
UNFORTUNATELY ALL SERVICES BELOW ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED AT THIS TIME
Something for Everyone
Photocopying & Printing
A4 black & white - 20p
A4 colour - 40p
A3 black & white - 40p
A3 colour - 80p
Free computer use
Suitable for job searches / form filling etc.
Printing of documents is available - see prices above
Please check with the office for available times as these vary daily due to diary bookings in the coffee bar area
Laminating
50p per A4 sheet
£1 per A3 sheet
Jumble Sales
We have regular fortnightly jumble sales in the foyer area. Please check with the office or see the posters inside and on the window notice board for times and dates
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Good quality jumble items always gratefully accepted. No videos or electrical items please
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All proceeds from our jumble sales go back into the running of our Centre
Books Jigsaws DVDS & Games For Sale
Good quality secondhand books for sale 30p per paperback and 60p per hardback
Jigsaws 50p each or swap for 25p each
DVD’s 60p each
Games from 50p each
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All good quality donations gratefully received
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All proceeds go back into the running of our Centre
Secondhand Clothes / Shoes For Sale
See our clothing rails in our foyer area. A good selection of adult and children’s clothes for sale from 50p per item
Shoes for sale - individually priced
Food Bank
There is a large brown bin in the foyer area for donations
Stevenage Community Food Bank has been set up to provide a safety net for Stevenage residents who find themselves in sudden financial crisis
Donating just one can of food can make a difference
Advertising
Have a local event/group to advertise? Why not pop a poster, no larger than A4 into the Centre
Advertising boards within the Centre with a variety of subjects
Unfortunately the following groups are currently suspended at this time
Collectively Crafty
Bring your own crafts to enjoy whilst chatting with new friends over a hot drink.
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No need to book, just turn up on the weeks you are free.
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9:15am - 11:15am and fortnightly we have a longer session 9:15am - 1:15pm.
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£1.50 (incl. a hot drink) / short session
£4.00 (incl. a hot drink) / long session
Messy Monsters
Under 5’s Baby & Toddler Group
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Wednesdays 9:30am - 11:15am
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Join us for our messy play sessions (term time only). A weekly craft or messy play activity, designated baby area, music & bubbles and most importantly cuppa & biscuit for the Messy Monsters grown ups.
Mums to be are more than welcome to join us before your Messy Monster adventure begins.
Oval Signing Circle / BSL
British sign language / BSL - free group
Suitable for all ages
These sessions are facilitated by invis-Ability on a charitable basis
No need to book - just turn up
Free tea/coffee/biscuits
Contact Details for Groups
Barnardos Family Centre
Open daily Mon-Fri but hours vary so please call direct
0330 123 4043
Foot Health Professional
Tracy Hayward MAFHP MCFHP
07754 746 807
Appointments necessary
Registered member of the Br
Dogs Trust Dogs School
01582 807524
Jelly Tots Pre-School & Nursery
07591 924595
All Saints Church
Anglican Vicar and Methodist Authorised Minister
Rev’d Pete Orion - 07837 387412
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Church Wardens and Stewards
Mr Norman Kiddle - 01438 215578
Mr Peter Dron - 01438 723263
Hertfordshire Hearing Advisory Service
01707324582
Frequently Asked Questions
What Would You Like To Know?
How can I volunteer at Oval Community Centre?
We are often looking for volunteers to help with our events etc. Please contact the Office Manager for further details.
Is my deposit refundable?
Yes your security deposit is refundable providing that all our terms and conditions have been adhered to.
Is my deposit deducted from my hall hire?
No - your deposit is a security deposit and is totally separate to your hall hire payment.
How much deposit do I pay for functions?
Saturdays
Functions 6 hours and under £100.00*
Functions 7 hours up to 12 hours £200.00*
Functions 12 hours and over £250.00
*£250.00 deposit for 12th - 18th birthday parties
Sundays
Functions 4 hours and under £50.00
Functions 5 hours and up to 7 hours £100.00
Functions 7 hours and over £200.00
Bookings are not complete until a deposit and all completed/signed paperwork has been received
Are the cookers included in my hire?
No - there is an additional charge of £30.00 for the use of cookers for catering.
If you are just warming a very small amount of food please speak to the office
What is the main hall capacity?
We allow a maximum of 200 people in our main hall. However, if you are catering for a sit down meal then then maximum is 130 people. This allows ample space for all tables and chairs.
Do you allow bouncy castles?
Yes - please make sure these are no higher than 15ft.
These must be delivered and collected within your booked hours.
How can I pay?
Bank Transfer - The Co-operative Bank, sort code 08-92-99, account number 65545542. If using this method please quote your invoice number or date of booking
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Terms & Conditions of Hire
These are handed to you/ emailed to you upon booking. Please read them carefully.
You could forfeit your deposit if the Terms and Conditions are not adhered to.
Charity Rates
Proof of this will be required
When can I use your free computer service?
Times vary depending on our diary bookings. It is best to check with the office on a regular basis.
Office Opening Hours
Come and visit us
Due to the current situation our office hours are reduced and vary. We are checking emails Monday - Friday and this is the best and quickest way to contact us at this time.
Contact Us
The Oval Community Centre, Vardon Rd, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 5RD
01438 359404
