Poringland Village Hall

I was reading an article concerning Poringland Village when there was a reference to the Tin Hut. Then another article was referring to the Green Hut. In the text, both references were derogatory and to me irksome. I would like to tell you the history of this old lady, Poringland Village Hall.

Looking through old Minute Books, they are full of history of the hall and the activities of the village use, names of people, now seen as road names, streets and Poringland descendants. The village hall was a part of everyone`s life, if the walls could talk we would not need to watch Eastenders or listen to The Archers.............

The land was given by Mrs. Birkbeck (she lived at The White House in Upgate, currently the Chapel of Our Lady of the Annunciation). The hall was an old army hut from Langley Park; (this reputedly paid for by parishioners from the village). A resolution was passed that the Hall should be in the hands of the Trusteeship of the Rector and Churchwardens and six Trustees, dated 6th January 1919. Letting the Hall to parishioners was 10/- (50p) and with caretaker an extra 2/6. Outsiders £1.00 + 2/6.

In 1939 an extension to the hall was built, it took two years to decide, a lot of upset between parishioners and legal wrangles with right of ways and access from The Footpath as it was a private road. A bank loan had to be obtained to pay for erection of the hall - £89.10/- (£45.00 loan). The small hall became The Mens Club Room with billiard table. Times have not changed fifty years later with the proposal and erection of a new Village Hall.

The very small hall had been used as a Doctors surgery during the Second World War, the school used the village hall for additional school activities - cooking and wood working classes. Parishioners used to stay in the hall during air raids.

After the war in 1945 the Village Hall went under new management; the Rector and Churchwardens (2) remained the Trustees of Poringland Village Hall but the management and maintenance was to be conducted by a committee elected by the parishioners of Poringland, hence the birth of Poringland Village Hall Management Committee.

Reading through the Minutes over the years, the same things come up over and over again, trying to find funds to maintain, repair and improve the village hall. The amount of alterations and improvements the hall has had, it must be very sturdy to withstand them all. The V.H.M.C. has had similar complaints over the decades as far back as the 40s complaints of vandalism, graffiti and illicit drinking!

The Youth Club was formed in 1970, over the years they were praised in their helpfulness in giving voluntary help to decorate the hall, also complaints of noise from discothèques and damage to the hall were received. The Playgroup started in the hall in 1974 and the Poringland Players.

When you see Poringland Village Hall please think of it affectionately as The Green Hut a grand old lady who has and is always there as a landmark and central point to Poringland Village.

Angela Beard