The Link Community Hub, Parish of Haslemere 

Whitwam AVI brings modern AV to historic Haslemere Community Hub

When introduced empathetically, digital connection can strengthen accessibility and enhance a church’s sense of community, marrying tradition with new ways of gathering that reflect the culture and needs of the people at its heart. The Parish of Haslemere in Surrey has long been a pillar of local life, preserving links to the past while nurturing connections among residents.

To build on this legacy, the former church school, a Grade II listed building adjacent to St Bartholomew’s Church, has been transformed into The Link Community Hub, a vibrant building with flexible spaces for events, classes and cultural activities. It also provides a home for Citizens Advice, Crossways Counselling, Hear Here, and other support services. Constructed in three main phases from 1860, its use was constrained by the historic layout, including a large central chimney stack. Today, it retains original features such as stone walls and traditional Y-tracery windows.

To enrich both heritage and community, Whitwam AVI was brought in to install a modern, yet discreet AV system. The space had been due a refurbishment for several years, with the parish seeking to create a more contemporary, welcoming community centre with easy-to-use technology. Having installed the AV system in St Bartholomew’s Church and supported it for a number of years, Whitwam AVI was well placed to assist the project team through the design and integration of the new technical services.

“The brief was to provide good-quality audio and video without creating a system that was too complicated or costly,” explains Andrew Pymm, Director at Whitwam AVI. “The challenge was integrating this into a century-old building while supporting a broad range of users, from church staff and volunteers to community groups and support services, with room for the system to scale as the building’s use develops.”

This variety shaped the AV brief from the start, with the main hall as the focus. The system needed to provide clear audio for speeches, presentations, and music for recitals and community gatherings, alongside secure networking to support community groups. The Hub is designed to accommodate weddings, parties, hobby groups, exercise classes, committee meetings, and clinics run by external organisations. The wider scope also included providing standalone network provision across the upstairs offices, meeting rooms and consultation spaces.

Equipment was chosen for its adaptability and straightforward operation, including an Epson EB-L530 laser projector with a Kramer fibre HDMI link, Ecler Aura power amplifiers, EV Evid C6.2 ceiling speakers, and Sennheiser EW-DX radio microphones.

A Yamaha MTX3 DSP and MCP1 wall controller allow users of all technical levels to operate the system with confidence. “Simplicity was a key driver behind the design,” explains Pymm. “Rather than overloading users with unnecessary control options, the Yamaha MCP1 provides the functions people actually need day to day. The wall controller offers straightforward, intuitive control, ensuring anyone can manage the audio effectively.”

Accessibility is enhanced through the assisted hearing Auri Auracast Bluetooth system, supporting both traditional hearing aids and newer devices. “Accessibility for all is a priority for us and we look forward to our users benefitting from the Auri Auracast system,” explains Andrew Culshaw, Project Leader, The Link Community Hub, Parish of Haslemere.

Because the building was undergoing a full refurbishment, Whitwam AVI was able to work in careful coordination with architects and builders to ensure heritage features were preserved. “With ceiling-embedded speakers, an unobtrusive wall-mounted control panel, and projection integrated discreetly into the space, the system has been installed in a way that respects and complements the building’s historic character,” adds Culshaw.

AV design was also aligned with other building systems, including lighting, mains, and communications, creating a seamless installation. “New wiring infrastructure was carefully routed around eaves, avoiding intrusive surface cabling and reducing the need to mount equipment on the newly reinstated lime-plastered walls,” explains Pymm. “This approach allowed the AV system to be built into the fabric of the refurbished space while preserving its traditional appearance.”

Although the church and The Link currently operate independently, the upgrade integrates a reliable UniFi WiFi and internet network across both buildings. This allows The Link to function as a standalone community space while providing the infrastructure to support live streaming from the church, office connectivity, guest networks and secure connections. It also provides a basis for future linking between the buildings, while leaving room for easy expansion into AV-over-IP or other technologies.

The completed system gives The Link a flexible technical foundation that supports both everyday community use and future development. It provides clear audio, high-quality projection, accessible listening support and managed connectivity, all within a discreet installation that respects the building’s heritage setting.

“The AV installation at The Link demonstrates how modern technology can be integrated into heritage architecture to create flexible, inclusive community spaces that are also adaptable for future developments,” concludes Pymm.

“From the initial site visits through to installation, Whitwam AVI worked collaboratively with our design and construction teams to deliver a system that truly supports our community space and meets our needs for the foreseeable future,” confirms Culshaw.
“We are delighted by the quality of the images produced by the Epson laser projector and its ease of use. We now have a simple, effective setup that enables us to confidently host meetings and events for our congregation and wider community.”

Credits: many thanks to Ron Lima for the images and to the architects, Thomas Ford & Partners.