The Henfield Hall's 50th Anniversary

Henfield Hall’s 50^th Anniversary 1974 - 2024

For many years the old Assembly Rooms in Henfield High Street, built in 1885 and now home to three shops, provided the meeting place and functions rooms for the village. It served as Library, Parish Council Office, a supper room, a dance floor and temporary Post Office sorting office at Christmas.

Eric Whittome, Chairman of Henfield Parish Council during the 1960s, reported that there were “…difficulties in continuing to maintain the Assembly Rooms in the High Street due to rising costs”, so in 1966 a committee was formed to consider a new site for village rooms. It was decided to build the new village hall on Greenfields market garden, behind the George Hotel in the High Street.

The Planning committee started work in 1971 and fundraising began. The many societies that would be using the new hall made donations, and the then Henfield Tipnoak WI generously donated £2,000 for the kitchen.

Planning permission was granted in November 1972, and local building company R Vinall Ltd. commenced work in autumn 1973. The original estimated cost was £77,000. Building progressed into 1974 and was finally completed at a cost of £110,000.

The new Henfield Village Hall was formally opened on 16 November 1974 by Sir Peter Mursell MBE, former chairman of West Sussex County Council. There was a whole day of celebrations, including an exhibition of local clubs and groups, members of the Village Produce Association serving a Ploughman’s Lunch, and the WI serving afternoon tea. According to the Programme of Events, the bar opened at 11.45am – it’s interesting to think how many G&T’s will have been served since! Celebrations culminated in a ‘Concert by Candlelight’ performed by Seaford Silver Band, including Close Harmonies and a band with synthesizers, keyboard and drums.

In 1993 further expansion created additional space for the Parish Office and Museum, alongside an improved foyer. The Garden Room was added in 2000.

The Hall is home to the Henfield Parish Council offices, as well as the Henfield Museum. During some major renovations and redecoration in 2021 it was given a new lease of life with a spruce up to the foyer, garden room and main hall – including new furniture, furnishings, lighting and a fix to the leaky roof. Most of the hard work was done by a team of volunteers, including members of Henfield Theatre Company, with generous support from local businesses. It was the first village building in Henfield to install solar panels in 2022, helping to future-proof, cut costs and work towards carbon-neutrality.

Since 1974 the Henfield Hall has continued to be the Home of the community of Henfield and is now a registered charity. The Trustees administer the Hall as a CIO for the benefit of the residents of Henfield, Shermanbury and Woodmancote and work hard in their voluntary roles to keep the Hall in great condition and for future generations to enjoy.

The Henfield Hall is host to numerous successful Henfield Theatre Company productions and has been a venue for many parties, family events and village meetings over the years. Aside from this, it provides a regular meeting place for Henfield’s numerous and varied local clubs, groups and charities.

We’d like you to join us in saying ‘Happy Birthday’ to the Henfield Hall! It’s my privilege to extend an invitation to you all to celebrate with us on the exact date the Hall was opened 50 years ago; Saturday 16^th November, for the Henfield Hall Quiz Night. Please do consider the Hall for your next celebration and help keep this wonderful resource safe and well-used for the next 50 years.

www.henfieldhall.co.uk

Elaine Goodyear (on behalf of the Trustees)