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 The existing building was very outdated with few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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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In
1971 the following open invitation
was published:-
WEEK ST. MARY
PARISH HALL
APPEAL FUND
TO THE
PARISHIONERS,
EX-PARISHIONERS AND ALL WHO
HAVE AN
INTEREST IN OUR VILLAGE |
It is now 3 years
since a Parish Meeting formed our Committee and
entrusted to us the task of providing a Parish Hall
worthy of Week St. Mary. The Hall is to be round in
shape and of a very modern appearance, and one the
Committee Members feel the Village will be proud to own.
The Village so far has raised over
£3,750 since the project was first started and this,
together with the Grants from the Department of
Education and Science £7,238 and the County County
Council £1,800, on a total expenditure of £15,383. This
price includes everything, the Land, Solicitors' and
Architects' Fees, building the Hall and the equipment
needed for the light fittings, right down to the
doormats. This leaves us with approximately £2,600 to
raise. A start has now been made on the Hall, and
naturally the sooner it is built the sooner we will have
somewhere to hold again, the many activities which
usually take place in the Village.
We now appeal for funds, either as
gifts or as interest-free loans, which can be sent to
any Committee Member or direct to the National
Westminster Bank Ltd., Launceston, Cornwall.
Thank you for your support
Alfred Sandercock
Chairman:
Mr. A. Sandercock,
Clifton House, Week St. Mary, Holsworthy, Devon
Secretary:
Mrs. R. M. Orchard, Plymswood,
Week St. Mary, Holsworthy, Devon
Joint Treasurers:
Mrs. K. Uglow, Goscott,
Week St. Mary, Holsworthy, Devon
Mr. P. Gubbin, Brendon Barton,
North Petherwin, Launceston, Cornwall. |
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TIMETABLE ON OPENING DAY
2.30 pm Opening
Ceremony
by Alderman Foster
3.30pm - 6.30pm
High Tea in the Hall
4pm and 5pm
In the Marquee Punch & Judy shows
Sideshows and Stalls
along with H. Johns and his electric organ
7pm Concert in the hall by the
Whitstone Male Voice Choir and others
8pm Dance in the Hall (Admission 50p)
with the Texans Dance Band
Sunday 9th April at 8pm
Thanksgiving Service with St. Gennys Silver Band
Thursday 13th April
Bumper Whist Drive
Friday 14th April
Dance with Johnny Pett at 9pm - 1am
Saturday 15th April 2pm
Beagle Meet at The Green Inn |
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