History & Now

At the end of 1907 the Reverend DR Barton and others thought the time had come for Fernhurst to have a village hall. A committee was formed and the build cost was estimated to be in the region of £800 (approximately £124,000 in 2023). The fundraising began.

Mr Owen Scripps Tudor offered the site and gave a subscription of £50 (approximately £8,000 in 2023) and with further donations from elsewhere the project was set in motion. Local builders were awarded a contract for £708 and Mrs Barton, the vicar’s wife, opened the Hall on the 22nd April 1909. In November of the same year Mr Tudor leased the land to the Trustees for 1,000 years.

Over the years the Hall has been the focus of many village activities and has also been used as a school canteen, a doctor and dentist’s surgery and the village library. Currently it houses the Parish Clerk’s office and the Archive room.

Since the early days fund raising has been important and has included the whist drives and dances of the 1920s to the Fernhurst Festival, organised in 1988 in support of the Village Hall Appeal Fund to the regular coffee mornings held in a Trustee’s home. Continuing with current plans for fundraising activities.

The fund raising has helped to finance many improvements over the years: in 1923 electricity and lavatories were installed; in 1941 the kitchen was added; 1981 saw a new frontage, toilets and meeting room; 1988 added an accessible toilet 1988. 2002 – 2006 saw a major £220,000 refurbishment which was made possible by the generosity of many agencies, local organisations and private individuals who gave grants and donations. 2009 saw the central heating boiler renewed and extensive improvements made to the under-stage area and car park. In 2014 all the chairs in the Hall were replaced. 2023 saw the focus switch to technology with a new projector

From the beginning the Village Hall has been run by a dedicated and energetic group of volunteers, many of whom represent village organisations. Their commitment and hard work ensure the continuing success of this vital village amenity.

The Village Hall is a registered charity: No. 285882