Author Carol Needham
Southrepps boasts a fine Village Hall. It sits in more than 6 acres purchased by the Parish council in 1921 with considerable fund-raising and help from the popular and philanthropic Rector Humphrey Barclay. The land with a further 64 acres of allotments had been rented for more than 50 years from the Buxton and Suffield estates. The area now includes a recreation ground with a football pitch. 2 children’s play areas, an adult outdoor gym, a Bowls Club and about 20 allotments. Generations of children walked up the footpath from Lower Street for games before the School had its own playing field in 1974.
There was no Village Hall until after the Second World War. Most village events took place in the Long Room at the back of the New Inn Public House (now Ham House.) In 1948, the Parish Council jointly with the British Legion purchased 2 ex RAF huts from RAF Watton for £75. Planning permission was granted for a temporary Sports Pavilion. These huts served the village well into the 1970s but they were deteriorating so badly that a group of villagers started fund-raising for a new purpose built Village Hall. The Chairman of the group was farmer Peter Tyler.
Through coffee mornings, jumble sales, fetes, and gymkhanas, the amazing sum of £23,000 was raised. The rest of the £60,000 was given by grants from the County and District Council. The old Hall was dismantled and work on the new Hall started in March 1984. The old Hall eventually found a home at the Air Museum at St Faiths in Norwich.
Inside the Old Village Hall
The new Hall was opened in September 1984 by Radio Norfolk Wally Webb. Sadly, Peter Tyler died before the Hall was finished.
The current Village Hall is 40 years old and still going strong. Over the years various groups have met there, WI, Drama Group, Country Dancing, Carpet Bowls and many others. Weekly the Southrepps Chorale rehearse there and a children’s Ballet group meet as well as a Ukulele Club and Pilates Group. Two Charity groups meet weekly. The Hall is also available for parties and weddings.https://www.southrepps.online/villagehall
The Hall is also now home to Southrepps History Hub.