Deopham Village Hall

Contents

Summary

Date	Event	Those involved
21/6/1944	Request for information about building a Hall	A.J. Askew, Clerk to Parish Council
3/7/1944	Inauguration of Village Hall Committee	Parish Meeting
Oct 1951	Drawings for new Hall prepared	T.A. Cross, Wood Farm, Wymondham
22/3/1954	Clerk asked to write to Norfolk Education Committee & the PCC as to the ownership of the old Church of England School	Parish Meeting
20/4/1954	The P.C.C. resolved to inquire into the ownership of the Hall – at the request of the Parish Council.	Parish Church Council
3/5/1955	Cheques received for £125	Diocesan Board of Finance
2/5/1956	New trustees appointed; PCC & trustees should meet to discuss amalgamation of Church Room & Village Hall	Parish meeting
10/5/1956	Strongly worded desire to make Church Hall into Village Hall	Village Hall Trustees
4/9/1956	Drawings for turning Church Hall into Village Hall	A.F. Scott & Sons, Architects & Surveyors, 23, Tombland, Norwich
10/6/1956	Discussion concerning conversion of Church Room	Trustees
7/8/1956	Messrs Scott to be approached to do drawings	Village Hall Trustees + Parish Church Council
8/10/1956	Plans in hand – cost circa £1000	Village Hall Trustees
18/3/1957	Another meeting needed to amalgamate Village Hall Fund with the Church House	Parish meeting
4/7/1960	Idea of Hall should be dropped	Village Hall Trustees at request of Mr A. Allen
14/7/1960	New trustees should be appointed; Mr Allen & Mr Johnson did not wish to seek re-election.	Parish Meeting
22/7/1960	First meeting of the new Village Playing Field Committee	Held at the Paddocks, Deopham Green

1944

On June 21^st1944 the Clerk of the Parish Council wrote to “The General Secretary” (of which organisation is not stated) as follows:

Dear Sir,
I am instructed by the Deopham Parish meeting to ask if you can give me any information relating to the building of a Village Hall.
The Parish has some surplus money & the feeling is for a Village Hall.
I should be glad if you could tell me if Grants of Money or Loans are available for that purpose, also for any available information you can give.
Will you also send me your book “Village Halls” Their Management & Construction Price 1/3.
I will forward the money on.

Yours faithfully,
M. J. Askew
Clerk, Deopham Parish Council.

“Village Halls: Their Construction and Management. Fourth Edition” was published in 1938 by the National Council of Social Service.

On July 3rd 1944 a Parish Meeting was held at which it was decided to float off a separate committee to follow up the establishment of a Village Hall. From this point onwards, the subject is not discussed by the Parish Council, only at the Parish Meetings.

A discussion took place relating to the proposed Village Hall & a letter was read from the Parish Council Advisory Committee informing the meeting that certain money grants were available for that purpose.

The initial Village Hall Committee was made up of the following “trustees” who were to serve a term of three years starting from the date of this meeting:

Mr. F. Woods
Mr. A. Allen
Mr. H. B. Coldham
Mr. F. B. Laws
Mrs. Mills
Miss M. Peacock
Mr. F. Hurrell

1951

This was clearly a busy year in moving the project forwards, even though ultimately nothing was achieved.
The Trustees’ meeting of January 25^th 1951 appointed Ronald Johnson as secretary following the resignation of Mr. F. Woods. Mr. Johnson was then …

… authorized to contact any likely sources of supply for a hut¹ similar to the larger of the two being erected at Gt. Ellingham. The price paid for that one being £166. That is without flooring or carting to site etc. The approx. measurements of the hut are 36 ft by 75 ft. We will need ¼ acre for the Hut and immediate vicinity, leaving 3¾ acres of the charity land. Mr. Standley is at present leasing the 4 acres and is to be approached re letting us have ¼ acre as and when we need it if prior to October and to give him the option of renting the remaining land after October from the Village Hall.

The next meeting took place at 13, Vicarage Road on July 26th 1951 in order “to discuss an estimate tendered by Mr. Seville of Hackford to erect a brick & asbestos hut for a Village Hall”.

It was agreed to lease the land known as the Bread Charity Land on a 99 years lease and to get it settled as soon as possible as Mr. Standley’s lease expires in October. The Hut in question will cost about £600 without the extras such as lights, lavatories & stage & floor. The proposed measurements being 60 ft x 19ft.
Mr Standley has offered to give the roof supports (steel) also sell us enough windows & doors at a reduced price. That is allowed for in the estimate of £600. The £600 is a rough estimate but near enough to work by. We propose to take 35 x 35 yds of the Charity land situated in the corner by the road & Vicarage, the existing hedge to be dug out completely and a fence of some description erected leaving In & Out entrances at each end.
All were in agreement that I get on with the details as far as possible with the hope of having this Hall ready for use by Xmas.

In October 1951 the drawings were issued by the architects, T.A. Cross; this building was intended to be constructed on the Rix Charity land, nowadays known as the playing fields, in the position where the Hut/Pavilion was subsequently built. The structure described in the January minutes was 36′ x 75′; the July dimensions were 19′ x 60′: the structure for which the drawings are shown below is 24′ x 59′.

1954

The annual Parish Meeting held on March 22^nd 1954 discussed the possible use of the “old school”:

The question of the ownership of the Old Church of England School was raised.
A discussion followed & it was resolved that the Clerk write to the Norfolk Education Committee & also the Deopham Church Council on the subject.

The question of the ownership of the Church Room was raised at the following Parish Church Council meeting on April 20^th 1954 when the vicar, the Rev. Gray, undertook to discuss the matter with the Solicitor.

1955

On May 5^th 1955, the Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance confirmed receipt of cheques to the value of £125 “as purchase money for the Deopham Hall & School House”. From this point on, the status of the Church Hall had changed.

1956

A Parish Meeting took place on May 2^nd 1956.
Firstly, it was identified that the three year terms of appointment for the Trustees of the Village Hall Fund had expired. A new committee was therefore appointed for the next three years “provided the fund is still existing” made up of the following persons:

Mr. W. A. Allen
Mr. H. B. Coldham
Mr. F. Hurrell
Mrs. C. Leverett
Mr. R. Hayes
Mr. W. Phoenix
Mrs. Barham

A long discussion took place as to the future of the Fund, & finally it was resolved that the Church Council should meet the Trustees to see if they could agree to amalgamate the Church Room & the Village Hall Fund & to have it legally made a Village Hall.
It was left to the two parties concerned to arrange their own meetings.

A meeting of the trustees took place just over a week after the above Parish Meeting – on May 10^th 1956, the subject being “taking over the Church Room as Village Hall”. Those present were:-

Mr. Allen (Chairman)
Mr. Phoenix
Mr. Coldham
Mr. Hurrell
Mrs. Leverett
Mrs. Barham
Mr. R. Johnson (Secretary)

We must insist on taking over the Church Room & Cottage lock, stock & barrel & deeds transferred legally to the Village.
It is suggested that Miss Lewis be invited to come to the joint Trustees & Church Council Meeting to explain any help that we could expect from the Education Authorities etc.

The joint meeting mentioned above took place on June 10th 1956. Those present were:

Rev. & Mrs. Gray
Mr. Allen
Mr. A Paul
Mr. Hurrell
Mr. Coldham
Mr. Hayes
Mrs. Leverett
Mrs. Barham
Miss Palmer
Miss Lewis (guest)

Miss Lewis was called upon to give us an [outline] of the aid we could expect in respect of the proposed purchase of the Church Room as a Village Hall.
With the alterations proposed we think £900 to £1000 would be around the cost; of this we can expect approximately one third grant as is at present being allowed at various other places …
In the event of our purchasing the Room for the Village it is usual for all the ownership to be invested in the Parish Council or the Charity Commissioner. The latter is the most popular.
A Management Committee has to be formed in the Village including a representative from all clubs etc in the Village, and no interference will be possible with the running of the Hall by the Parish Council – only in the event of a complaint being put before the Council by the Village by deputation etc.
The most important thing raised by Miss Lewis is the raising of more funds as we want at least two thirds of the total before we approach the Education Officer for a grant.
Meantime to get an architect to draw up the plans of the proposed alterations to the Church Room. Estimate of costs to submit to Miss Lewis as soon as available.
Do not involve any expense before the final plans and approval has been received from Education Officer etc. (architect’s fees excluded).

This was followed up on August 7^th 1956 with another joint meeting between the Village Hall trustees and the Church Council.

It was agreed that the Secretary should write to Messrs A.F. Scott re drawing up plans of proposed alterations to the Church Room if the Village purchase Room.
When plans are to hand, Secretary to approach three or 4 builders for estimate:
J. Cordy, A. Seville, Macrow & R. C. Carter.
Secretary to call a further meeting when plans of Room or rough proofs are to hand.
Mrs. Barham brought up the question of architect’s fees and the responsibility of paying same and suggested that the Church should bear the brunt. This idea was not unanimously approved.
Mr. W. Phoenix suggested that the money should and could be raised independent of Church or Hall funds.

Another month on and there is another meeting – on October 8^th 1956 – this appears to be just the Village Hall Trustees without any church representation.
Present:
Messrs Allen, Hayes, Hurrell, Phoenix
Mesdames Palmer & Barham

Further to the proposal of buying the Church Room & altering structure to enlarge the Room, plans have already been put in hand and have now preliminary plans to hand.
The plans do not meet with full approval, and the estimated cost is in the region of £1000.
Considering the condition of the Room and the expenditure, it does not seem a paying proposition.

In December 1956, plans were issued by architects A.F. Scott & Sons of proposed modifications to the old school room; these involved the construction of a flat-roofed extension on the road side of the hall. A new kitchen was built wrapping around the old school house, which at this time still belonged to the church (it was finally sold in October 1978).

1957

The next Parish Meeting took place on March 18^th 1957.
As in the previous year’s minute, there does not seem to be a very high expectation that the Village Hall Committee and the Parish Church Council would reach an agreement:

It was resolved to call another meeting relating to the amalgamation of the Village Hall Fund with the Church House. This matter is now in the hands of the trustees appointed at the last meeting – May 2^nd 1956.
It was resolved that should an agreement be arrived at on the matter of the above, that the Parish Council should hold the Deeds.

1960

A significant meeting of the Trustees was held on July 4^th 1960. This was held “at the instigation of Mr. Allen re Request made by Parish Council”.
Those present (and absent) were:

Present:
- Mr A Allen
- W. Phoenix
- Mrs Leverett
- Mrs Barham
Apologies
- Mr Coldham
- Mr Hayes
- F. Hurrell

Meeting of Trustees is to attempt to be in agreement on the future fate of the Village Hall proposal and or the money in hand.
It is unanimously agreed that the idea of a Village Hall be dropped, that the need for a Village Hall is now non existent, and it was suggested that the proposal be put to the next Parish Meeting that the money be devoted towards getting the Village a playing field.
The Parish Council Meeting will be asked to elect new Trustees & Secretary. Mr. A. Allen & Mr. Johnson do not wish to be in any way connected in the future [as] Trustees or Committee.
Fund stands at approx. £470.

Ten days later, the Parish Meeting held on July 14th 1960 finally sounded the death knell of the idea of a Village Hall for Deopham. Messrs Allen and Johnson stepped down from any further involvement, and a new committee was set up of the following members:

Mrs. Keetley
Mrs. Leverett
Mr. Hardy
Mr. Jones
Mrs. Barham
Mrs. Downes

A long discussion took place regarding the Deopham Village Hall Fund and it was finally decided to appoint new Trustees to deal with the matter, and that if necessary another Parish Meeting could be called by them. Mr. Allen and Mr. Johnson stated that they did not wish to seek reelection to serve as Trustees.

The story of the new committee can be read here.

Footnotes

The use of the word “hut” here is confusing. The size of the building and the inclusion of a stage indicate that this is a lot more than the structure known as the “Hut” in 2024. ↩︎

Navigation

Gralix Hall

Playing Field

Parish Council

Date	Change
20/2/25	Playing field link
19/6/24	Published