THE VILLAGE HALL - monument to voluntary labour

Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, February 1935

An important event was recorded this week when the village hall at Easton Royal was declared open, providing a new centre for social activities.

The need for a hall originated with the Women’s Institute, practically the only organisation responsible for social functions which until now have been held in the schoolroom which was not a convenient place. In early 1933, a parish meeting was held and an enthusiastic and unanimous vote passed to the effect that the village should build its own hall, giving its labour voluntarily to avoid too large a financial burden.

Mr WG Trowbridge generously donated a gift of land adjacent to the crossroads and a substantial cheque, followed up by donations from Mr J Cooper, Mr S Haines, Mr JS Haines and Mr and Mrs Hales. The nucleus of the money was raised by the Women’s Institute, in addition to a fete, whist drives and a concert.

A large amount of material in the form of a previous munitions hut was purchased via Mr Nichols of Pewsey from the Army on Salisbury Plain and plans for a suitable building drawn up. Ground levelling began at Easter 1933 and work continued so far as time and circumstances permitted.

Voluntary work was dependent on those involved putting in hours during the short space of time left after their normal working day, which meant that on a summer evening it was not possible to put in more than a couple of hours. Then came haymaking, the harvest, wet evenings intervened, with evenings when it was too dark and there were no lights. Gardens and allotments still had to receive attention and cricket, football and the other ordinary and necessary pursuits could not be entirely abandoned.

It was very fortunate that several expert workmen lived in the village as their assistance and skill, most willingly given, was invaluable. There have been others who are not so skilled in building, as it was not their trade and calling. who have given valuable assistance under the guidance of the experts.  If they were all to be mentioned it would mean that practically the whole of the men in the village would be on the list. Everyone lent a hand as and when possible, even the younger ones, down to the smallest dot of all, who worked with vigorous, if spasmodic energy.

But Mr Alec Choules was the person on whom the building of the hall largely depended. His good spirit, energy and immense capacity for doing everything and anything, kept the work going from start to finish. The village owes much to him and his efforts are appreciated. It is a great thing to know that throughout the whole of the work there has been no accident so there were no claims, despite the fact that every man was insured.

Built of wood with a galvanised roof, care has been taken in decorating the exterior to see that it in no way worries those who have the beauty of the countryside at heart. In the hall itself, a kitchen and ladies’ cloakroom are accommodated at one end behind the stage, while at the other end the gentlemen’s cloakroom consists of a small annexe.

Opportunity has been taken of electricity for the purposes of lighting and heating, so that in this respect the hall will be graded as one of the most modern in the whole district. A pleasing homely touch has been added by the ladies who have made curtains for all of the windows.

The hall is now vested in a body of Trustees who act on behalf of the parish by a deed trust which is duly enrolled with the Church Commissioners.

The opening ceremony was looked forward to as an important milestone in the village and although it was a wet evening, every seat in the hall was filled. While declaring the hall open, Lord Cardigan congratulated the people of Easton Royal on their achievement of a wonderfully fine piece of workmanship of which they were entitled to feel very proud.

The speechmaking over, the audience settled down to enjoy an excellent evening of entertainment, packed full of talent with a magician, comic acts. minstrel troupe and piano-accordion solos.

The hall will undoubtably continue to host many such occasions and give pleasure to villagers for years to come.

Exterior of new Village Hall 1935

Village Hall Party circa 1940s

Interior of the village hall