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During
March 1968 a few parishioners held a meeting with a view to rousing enough
interest to build a new parish hall. The existing building was very
outdated with few modern amenities - we all remember the limited
facilities! It was perceived that within a short while the building
would become unusable by virtue of being condemned for such public use.
A committee of 14 was convened. This eventually rose to 22 as various
bodies elected representatives to join the committee.
After approaching various landowners the current location was acquired
from Mr. Donald Sandercock,
along with a suitable parking area.
There was a small fund of some £200 in the bank, raised for such a
venture before WW II but left unused due to lack of local support.
In May 1971, Mr. Arthur Cleave, of Bude, was asked to cut the first turf
and a second was cut on behalf of Mr. Smale who was too unwell to perform
that task but gave a contribution of £100 towards the fund.
|
Mr Dennis laying the Foundation
Stone |
Alderman Foster opening
the Hall with Alfred Sandercock (Chairman Parish Council) Reg Burden
(District Council) John Rogers (Parish Council) & Rev Simpson |
In May
1971, Mr. Arthur Cleave, of Bude, was asked to cut the first turf and a
second was cut on behalf of Mr. Smale who was too unwell to perform that
task but gave a contribution of £100 towards the fund.
The
following July there was a large crowd at the site of the new parish hall
to see the foundation stone being laid by Mr. Walter Dennis, of Launceston.
Mr Metters (architect) presented a silver trowel to Mr Dennis with which
to lay the stone.
Bricks
were auctioned and after being signed by the purchasers were cemented into
place by two bricklayers.
Altogether
the cost of the project was in the region of £15,000 including all
associated costs such as professional fees, curtains, furniture and
plants. Cornwall County Council and the Department of Education and
Science together gave grants in excess of £9,000 towards the project,
leaving the remainder to be raised by the villagers.
Fund-raising
was forever evident throughout the village with a variety of activities:
Whist Drives, film shows in the Methodist schoolroom, fancy-dress
activities such as a pram race created much amusement and, more
importantly, money!
A
10-mile sponsored walk took place with participants ranging in age from
7yrs to 73yrs. The route was from Week St. Mary to Marhamchurch and back
to the village via Titson and Hannaford's Mill - first man home was Graham
Orchard with Roy Cobbledick second. Over £450 was raised at this event.
A
successful 'Banger Race' held near Langdon by kind permission of Mr.
Ellis, helped to contribute to the funds.
Gala
Day at Plymswood was a major fund-raising event culminating with a real
'barn' dance, raising several hundred pounds for the appeal.
On the
3rd Gala Day (1970) a fancy dress parade for the under-11's was
held and winners were: 1st Prize 'Off to the Moon' Stephen
Martin, 2nd Prize 'Cornish Pixie' Teressa Edwards and 3rd
'Mrs Mop' Rachael Horrell.
Saturday
8th April 1972, at 2.30pm the new parish hall was opened by
Alderman K. Foster, Chairman of Cornwall County Council. It was allegedly
a bright sunny day with a chill wind. A good crowd was there to hear the
Alderman praise the villagers for their efforts and emphasise how important
it was to have a place of meeting in such an isolated village.
He further added that he was sorry to hear that the school may soon
be closed with the pupils having to travel to nearby Jacobstow. (See: Village
School). In excess of 400 people sat down to a tea in the new
Hall that afternoon.
During
the afternoon a peal of 5,040 changes in Plain Bob Major was undertaken at
the parish church and a special thanksgiving service occurred on the
following Sunday, conducted by the Rev T. Simpson.
By the
time the hall was open only a small amount had to be found, some £850
which was soon realised by future events.
During
the first few months of use of the new parish hall the bookings were
encouraging. The doctor used it for a surgery; there were skittles teams
using it; social functions and outside interests helped to swell the
coffers to cover the running costs. |
