History of Building the Original Hall
The first meeting concerning building a village hall in Cockernhoe was on 1st June 1945 and was a public meeting held at Cockernhoe School. It was resolved to “proceed with the erection of a village hall to be called Cockernhoe & District War Memorial Hall as a tribute to the fighting forces living and fallen in this District and furthermore to appoint a Committee to establish the said Village Hall and to raise the funds which will be needed apart from those already in hand”.
At this first meeting a local landowner, Mr Demetriadi, “very kindly offered to give a substantial donation towards the cost of building the Hall”. The amount was never specified but it is believed to have been around £250, which would have paid for 12.5% of the cost of the hall in those days. In August 1945 it was recorded that the funds held by the committee amounted to £541, including the donation from Mr Demetriadi. In 1945 the type of hall envisaged was a good brick built building able to accommodate 150 persons and it was costed at £2,000. In the following period various fund raising events took place, including a public subscription, whereby a contribution envelope was given to every family. In July 1946 the village held a Fete at the Chase, which raised £68.2sh.10d. Admission to the Fete was by programme, costing 4d for adults and 2d for children. The Fete included a raffle, a Drawing competition, a Needlework competition, a Children’s fancy dress parade, home made cakes stall, white elephant stall, rifle shooting, darts, skittles, hidden treasure, ice cream (from Mr Fossey) and refreshments. There would be a car park charge of 1 shilling and a cycle parking charge of 3d. Fundraising continued, including Christmas draws and summer fetes. In May 1949 it was reported that the plans for the Village Hall had been granted Council and Planning approval. It was also noted that the shortage of timber and tiles for the roof was a problem and it was agreed to accept an asbestos alternative. By November 1952 the cost of the original design for the hall had increased substantially (from £2,000 to £4,350). The Committee abandoned the plans for a brick built hall and started to investigate a sectionalised building. In August 1954 a decision was taken to proceed with erecting the village hall based on voluntary labour, supply of a sectionalised hall from Blacknell of Farnborough, an overall cost of £2,535 on which a grant of £845 had been agreed with the Ministry of Education. The hall opened on 6th October 1956. Mrs Demetriadi performed the opening ceremony. |
Closure of Original Hall
In October 2006, 50 years after opening, the Hall was closed on safety grounds, following a visit by the building control surveyor of North Herts DC.
Over time the walls of the hall had bowed significantly under the weight of the roof and the effect of the weather. It was felt that there was a possibility of the structure collapsing in adverse weather conditions.
The insurance company also refused to insure the hall. Under these circumstances the committee acted in the only responsible way by closing the hall.
In truth the hall structure had reached the end of its’ useful life. The warped wood framed walls were uninsulated, being inadequate for both economic heating and restricting sound nuisance to neighbours.
The roof contained asbestos material, which is also beneficial to remove and ensure that this doesn’t become a future potential problem.
The surveyors for North Hertfordshire Homes also believed that the hall could not be re-furbished economically.
Building the New Hall
In January 2007 a new management committee was established and worked in conjunction with the Parish Council, District Council and County Council to progress the building of a new hall. The timing was fortunate in that North Hertfordshire Homes were planning to re-develop the upper end of Elmtree Avenue, Cockernhoe replacing 24 old homes with 34 new ones. In doing so they were obliged to pay a “roof tax” to improve facilities in the local community. North Hertfordshire Homes were able to increase their financial commitment and agreed to demolish the old hall and build a new one. The management committee worked with North Hertfordshire Homes in the layout of both the site and the new hall.
In conjunction with the building of the new hall the management committee secured grants of £14,000 for new equipment for the hall.
History of building the original HallThe first meeting concerning building a village hall in Cockernhoe was on 1st June 1945 and was a public meeting held at Cockernhoe School. It was resolved to “proceed with the erection of a village hall to be called Cockernhoe & District War Memorial Hall as a tribute to the fighting forces living and fallen in this District and furthermore to appoint a Committee to establish the said Village Hall and to raise the funds which will be needed apart from those already in hand”.
At this first meeting a local landowner, Mr Demetriadi, “very kindly offered to give a substantial donation towards the cost of building the Hall”. The amount was never specified but it is believed to have been around £250, which would have paid for 12.5% of the cost of the hall in those days.
In August 1945 it was recorded that the funds held by the committee amounted to £541, including the donation from Mr Demetriadi.
In 1945 the type of hall envisaged was a good brick built building able to accommodate 150 persons and it was costed at £2,000.
In the following period various fund raising events took place, including a public subscription, whereby a contribution envelope was given to every family.
In July 1946 the village held a Fete at the Chase, which raised £68.2sh.10d. Admission to the Fete was by programme, costing 4d for adults and 2d for children. The Fete included a raffle, a Drawing competition, a Needlework competition, a Children’s fancy dress parade, home made cakes stall, white elephant stall, rifle shooting, darts, skittles, hidden treasure, ice cream (from Mr Fossey) and refreshments. There would be a car park charge of 1 shilling and a cycle parking charge of 3d.
Fundraising continued, including Christmas draws and summer fetes.
In May 1949 it was reported that the plans for the Village Hall had been granted Council and Planning approval. It was also noted that the shortage of timber and tiles for the roof was a problem and it was agreed to accept an asbestos alternative.
By November 1952 the cost of the original design for the hall had increased substantially (from £2,000 to £4,350). The Committee abandoned the plans for a brick built hall and started to investigate a sectionalised building.
In August 1954 a decision was taken to proceed with erecting the village hall based on voluntary labour, supply of a sectionalised hall from Blacknell of Farnborough, an overall cost of £2,535 on which a grant of £845 had been agreed with the Ministry of Education.
The hall opened on 6th October 1956. Mrs Demetriadi performed the opening ceremony.