The Old Village Hall

HOME PAGE

VILLAGE HALL

THE OLD VILLAGE HALL

Stratton's old Village Hall served the local community for over a hundred years in a wide variety of ways. The building now overlooks the village
green, recognizable as an old institution because of the traditional large stone framed windows & inscription mounted in the wall. It was built next to the Rectory and was sited in the main street of the village.

The old Village Hall started life on the 19th April 1898 when a plot of land was purchased from Alfred Pope by the Salisbury Diocesan Board of Finance. A building was financed by Mrs Emily Frances de Satgé in memory of her mother, the Hon. Jane Frances Ashley. The building was intended as a Church of England Sunday School and as a Parish Institute Reading Room and Library. Rules and regulations were set by a committee of management, the Vicar and Churchwardens.
Other activities were allowed for the benefit of inhabitants of the parish as long as they did not include alcohol, intoxicating drink or liquor sold on the premises. The building was called the Ashley Memorial Institute.

In correspondence of 1899, the architect inferred that the builders left much to be desired. One letter states that the builder had disappeared and that the building was in danger of falling down. Apparently the roof was too heavy for the supporting walls and external buttresses had to be quickly erected.
This problem is difficult to judge as the building is still standing. Roof arches, a very well sprung wooden floor and a small stage with a proscenium arch were its main attributes.

Events are not fully recorded of use in the early years, but a receipt book now in the Dorset History Centre shows that weekly whist drives were held and an early flower show was held before World War II. Parish Council meetings were held there and in the Stratton Parish photographic archive events such as wedding parties, wedding anniversaries and harvest suppers are recorded.

Harvest Supper 1974

© Stratton Parish Council 2007