A brief history of the hall
The Hall was opened in November 1971 and the Kent & Sussex Courier reported thus: “Built by the Community for the Community, it’s successful completion is a tribute to the enthusiastic efforts of local people”
The Drill Hall preceded it but, in 1968, investigations and
surveys were undertaken to replace the old structure. The Parish Council formed
a Committee comprising Messrs
Coleman, Ash, Toy, Langdon-Down, Barton and Simmonds with Mr Holder as financial director.
The design was by Mr Simmonds, plans approved in 1969 and an appeal to raise £30,000 launched in 1970. With donations great and small from Villagers totalling £18,000 and a grant of £10,000 from the Department of Education and Science work was given the green light. Despite the shortfall in funds, John Jarvis and Son were instructed to proceed in January 1970, although the gap was closed with grants from KCC and the Tonbridge Rural District Council.
Coleman, Ash, Toy, Langdon-Down, Barton and Simmonds with Mr Holder as financial director.
The design was by Mr Simmonds, plans approved in 1969 and an appeal to raise £30,000 launched in 1970. With donations great and small from Villagers totalling £18,000 and a grant of £10,000 from the Department of Education and Science work was given the green light. Despite the shortfall in funds, John Jarvis and Son were instructed to proceed in January 1970, although the gap was closed with grants from KCC and the Tonbridge Rural District Council.
The new structure was somewhat larger than the old and incorporated the Library (now the Dance Studio), the Social Club (now the Jubilee) and the clinic (now the Green Room).
In 1979, the first floor was doubled in size and the larger of the two rooms was dedicated to Mrs Margery Finzi who had died the previous year at the age of 81. Mrs Finzi was a very prominent villager who had founded the Youth Club and was also actively involved in the organisation of the Darby and Joan Club.
Many improvements have been made at the Hall in subsequent years and more are planned including double glazing for the whole building. We are getting there by degrees.
Following a spate of intrusion and vandalism in the years to 2012, which had also occurred in the rest of the Village, a smart security entrance and intercom system were installed and this gave managers and users alike, a greater sense of comfort and security.
In 2012, we had the pleasure of dedicating the main hall to Jim England. When asked for his reaction after attending the dedication he said “Very nice but a bit of fuss about nothing” Jim died 18 months later but, he is very fondly remembered for his unstinting efforts in our community. The list of credits is long but they include starting Short Mat Bowls, Short Tennis, service in the Social Club, provision of meals for senior citizens and assistance with inter-village knock-out competitions and the Hildenborough Road Races.
Drill Hall
A wooden structure clad in corrugated iron , measuring 50 feet by 20 feet, was erected in the late summer of 1902. It is believed to have been presented to the Village by Mr G W Johnson and was to be used as Drill Hall and Gymnasium for the Boys Brigade and Sergeant King’s Hildenborough Squad of the Tonbridge Company of Volunteers.
It was the main hub for social activity in the Village until it’s demise and gave way to the Village Hall when more space was required for such activity.
In the early days the Village Players staged a series of dramatic performances; the first being “The Miser’s Bargain”, which was written, produced and performed by Villagers. Incredibly the National Press reported on the performance the following day in January 1904 and it also made headlines in Europe and North America. More recently the Masque Players operated for a number of years.
A kitchen and laundry were added in 1923 as a “thank you” to those who served and whose lives were saved in World War 1. Girls between 12 and 14 years from the school across the road were given instruction in Domestic Economy by a KCC teacher in the extension.
Ownership of the Drill Hall was formally transferred to the Parish Council in 1949.
In 1979, the first floor was doubled in size and the larger of the two rooms was dedicated to Mrs Margery Finzi who had died the previous year at the age of 81. Mrs Finzi was a very prominent villager who had founded the Youth Club and was also actively involved in the organisation of the Darby and Joan Club.
Many improvements have been made at the Hall in subsequent years and more are planned including double glazing for the whole building. We are getting there by degrees.
Following a spate of intrusion and vandalism in the years to 2012, which had also occurred in the rest of the Village, a smart security entrance and intercom system were installed and this gave managers and users alike, a greater sense of comfort and security.
In 2012, we had the pleasure of dedicating the main hall to Jim England. When asked for his reaction after attending the dedication he said “Very nice but a bit of fuss about nothing” Jim died 18 months later but, he is very fondly remembered for his unstinting efforts in our community. The list of credits is long but they include starting Short Mat Bowls, Short Tennis, service in the Social Club, provision of meals for senior citizens and assistance with inter-village knock-out competitions and the Hildenborough Road Races.
Drill Hall
A wooden structure clad in corrugated iron , measuring 50 feet by 20 feet, was erected in the late summer of 1902. It is believed to have been presented to the Village by Mr G W Johnson and was to be used as Drill Hall and Gymnasium for the Boys Brigade and Sergeant King’s Hildenborough Squad of the Tonbridge Company of Volunteers.
It was the main hub for social activity in the Village until it’s demise and gave way to the Village Hall when more space was required for such activity.
In the early days the Village Players staged a series of dramatic performances; the first being “The Miser’s Bargain”, which was written, produced and performed by Villagers. Incredibly the National Press reported on the performance the following day in January 1904 and it also made headlines in Europe and North America. More recently the Masque Players operated for a number of years.
A kitchen and laundry were added in 1923 as a “thank you” to those who served and whose lives were saved in World War 1. Girls between 12 and 14 years from the school across the road were given instruction in Domestic Economy by a KCC teacher in the extension.
Ownership of the Drill Hall was formally transferred to the Parish Council in 1949.