Parish History

Village Hall

Facts about the village Hall (presented by Tony Shattock and Lyz Lyddon)

In 1974 the Ruishton P.T.A. was formed & out of this
came the suggestion from parents, Tony Shattock and Brian Ward that a village
hall was needed.

It was proposed by Tony Shattock, Brian Wood and Liz
Lyddon canvas the villagers to ask their opinion – the result was a resounding
Yes and a fact finding committee under the chairmanship of Mr Maurice Bryant
(an ex parish councillor and villager) was formed. This committee consisted of
Mr Brian Elliott (sec), Mr Shattock, Mr Ward, Mrs Cave, Mrs Kiddell, Mike Silk,
Mr & Mrs Cann & Mrs Lyddon.

The facts from this committee were then presented to the
parish council at an open meeting in the old village school.

1975 a new village hall fund raising committee was
established under the chairmanship of Mr John Agg. The committee were Tony
Shattock, Brian Ward, Brian Elliott, Mrs Cave, Mrs Kiddell, Mr Kennard, Peter
Mason, Liz Lyddon, Julia and Ron Cann, and Mike Silk.

25^th march 1975 Mr Frost (District councillor)
informed the committee a 75% grant could be obtained and should be applied for
without delay.

After many discussions regarding possible locations, including
the old school and Mrs Jelks field, the place decided for the site, was the
area connected to the playing fields.  This
would be a 30 year lease starting 1^st April 1979 for £5,000, where £600
would need to be raised by the villagers.

Everyone (almost without exception) helped to raise the
money:-

1. Mr
   Shattock had a barometer put in the then village shop to show our progress.
2. Mr
   shattock had introduced the village draw – still going today
3. Mr
   Elliott suggested ‘May Day’ celebrations
4. Mrs
   Cave had dances, raffles & bingo
5. Mrs
   Janet Fowler introduced evenings of songs at the opera
6. The
   committee organised an annual fund raising event at the new school, combination
   of car boot stalls and second hand stalls(Mr Spurrier)
7. Refreshment
   van on main road by Mrs Lyddon and everybody helped.

1^st November 1978 Planning permission was granted

£7,500 had already been raised by the village Feb 1979

The village hall was officially opened on 15^th
December 1979

Old maps of Ruishton