Our story

Our Story goes beyond the Downderry and Seaton Village Hall; it encapsulates the lives and experiences of the incredible residents of two charming Cornish coastal villages in an area often referred to as 'The Forgotten Corner of Cornwall.'

Together, these ordinary yet extraordinary local people came together to fund and build a community hub that has been instrumental in bring people together. Its nurturing of connection and belonging has ensured its historical significance as a place to meet friends and make new ones continues. Our Village Hall has become a cherished setting for friends to gather and create lasting memories—stories shared between parents and their children, memories passed down through generations.

With unwavering commitment, our community has continually supported improvements to this vital space, and to date, has significantly contributed to the ‘Save Our Village Hall’ appeal. 

We envision a Village Hall that embodies warmth, safety, happiness and inclusivity, serving as a refuge for those seeking companionship and combating loneliness. A Village Hall that continues to host a diverse array of events and activities that enrich the lives of families and friends, not just today, but for generations to come. 

The Beginning 

There has been a community hub in Downderry since 1883, then known as the Downderry Working Men's Club (DWMC), it was one room and only available during the winter months.

The Royal Cornwall Gazette dated 11th September 1890 reported on a bazaar in aid of the fund to build the new Downderry Working Men’s Club. It was held in Mr Broad’s pavilion and opened by Mrs John Littleton. This two day event raised the sum of £101 9s 4d. 

In 1890 the Squire, John Littleton leased the land in the Centre of Downderry, on which the Village Hall now stands, to the community. John Abraham, the Secretary, secured the funding, skills and labour to build the hall which was designed by John Sansom, free of charge. 

The second stone was laid by Captain Brian Williams who was the President from its commencement and he spoke of the perfect harmony which had existed among the members since its formation. This historic event was witnessed by many of those who had given a donation and Mr A M Harding, the Treasurer, informed those present that the Building fund was about £200 and the estimate to complete was £300. 

After Brian Williams death in January 1933, the respect and affection with which he was held in the village is evident from the fact that so much effort was put into ensuring there was a permanent memorial to him in the hall. The memorial consists of a box with a glass door set into the wall behind which is a brass plaque in his memory. It is said that  some of his ashes where placed behind it, however, we can't find any records to confirm or deny this. Due to its position in the main hall on the west wall, it is hidden from every day view by the new stage curtains. However, his true memorial is the hall itself.

The actual date the new DWMC opened is still being debated as an article in the Royal Cornwall Gazette dated 1st October 1891 stated it was opened the previous Wednesday by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall (Earl Mount Edgcumbe) and that his lordship was accompanied by the Earl of St Germans. Then in the Royal Cornwall Gazette dated 26th April 1894 it stated that it was opened by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe the previous day and that the proceedings included a luncheon, tea and concert. We have boxes of paperwork still to go though, so hopefully somewhere within them, we will find the answer.

On the 11th January 1892 the Downderry Working Men’s Club and Reading Room was registered as a Working Men’s Club under the Friendly Societies Act 1875. Although it was still referred to at the Downderry Working Men’s Club (DWMC).

Over the Years

In the 1920s the village was growing and dances were held in the hall with music provided by a one string fiddle and piano. 

The freehold was purchased in the 1930s and electricity and central heating were installed. A stage was built in the main hall where the billiards table was positioned and this necessitated its removal to the newly excavated basement, where it still is today. The stage was used to put on Summer shows by holiday makers and touring companies.

In the second world war there was a military presence in Downderry including two military camps, a communication centre, home radar pylons and several bunkers looking out to sea. The DWMC was taken over by the military and when they put on social events, the villagers were invited.

Immediately postwar ladies were allowed membership and the stage in the main hall  was modified to allow for a full size Badminton Court.

The basement was enlarged in the early 1950’s and a second billiard table, three quarter size, was installed for the younger members. Then in 1954 television came to Downderry, membership fell and so did its finances which resulted in the removal of the second table. We believe the East extension was also built in this decade. It was built onto the existing garden wall with a single skinned concrete block wall to provide inside toilets and storage. It has a undercroft  beneath it that has no real foundations.

In the 1960s the coal boiler was removed, daily papers ceased along with Crib and Solo evenings and Bingo replaced Whist. To encourage more use of the hall, fruit machines were installed and the floor renovated.

On the 9th February 1990 the name was changed with the Friendly Societies to the Downderry and Seaton Workings Men’s Club and Village Hall. 

With the influx of new people to the village in the 1990s, they brought with them new ideas and skills and saw the first lady win a position in the annual snooker competition. The motto ‘The future is in your hands’ was introduced and the roof was replaced, paid for by donations and a grant.

On the 28th February 2014 the DWMC became an Unincorporated Charitable Association and changed its name to the Downderry and Seaton Village Hall.

In July 2019 the The Village Hall became the Cornwall Community Resilience Network Building in this area. So if there is an emergency the Village Hall could be used to provide a warm place to stay and hot food and drinks.

2020 Onwards

On the 23rd March 2020 the Village Hall fell silent and the doors were double locked when the country went into lockdown due to the COVID Pandemic. It was a difficult time with many suffering from isolation and loneliness with neighbours and friends helping each other as much as was possible. The Village Hall was reopened on 15th December 2020 with social distancing in place and a few Fundraising Events were held before the second lockdown was announced and it was again closed from 5th January 2021 until 18th May 2021. Regular Fundraising Events, such as Coffee Mornings, Little Breakfast and Bingo started again and were well supported, especially by those for whom the isolation had been the most difficult. In July 2021 Village Hall Groups were reinstated and regular hall hirers returned. 

Following a grant from Cornwall Council, a donation from a local business and money previously raised at Fundraising Events, in 2022 a ceiling mounted projector and remote controlled projector that lowers over the stage were installed. The nearest cinema is over 17 miles away, so the introduction of Film Nights was well supported, the first being Mama Mia on the 6th August. A wide range of films have since been shown including musicals, comedies and dramas. 

With the nearest theatre many miles away, our themed show nights, at which local talented residents give their time to entertain their family and friends, theatre productions, including our annual panto, and Summer play are very popular. See 2025 Past Events, 2024 Events and 2023 Events for more photos and read about the events.

The Village Hall building had been held in Trust by three named people who had previously been Committee Members. On 30th May 2024 the proprietorship was transferred to The Trustees of the Downderry and Seaton Village Hall.

The Trustees don’t just organise events in the Village Hall they also put up the bunting around the village, organise the annual Downderry Beach BBQ to watch the end of the Seaton to Downderry Raft Race. Then each year following the Act of Remembrance in the Downderry Memorial Garden, people are invited back to the Village Hall for refreshments, free of charge. Any donations received on the day are sent to the Royal British Legion and so far we have raised over £1,000.

Shortly after the Village shop closed in September 2023 the Village Hall started holding a monthly Producers Market to support local producers and give the community the opportunity to purchase fresh locally produced food and drink.

The VE Day 80th anniversary in 2025 was celebrated in the Village Hall and included the raising of the official VE Day flag, Afternoon Tea with film clips and entertainment, later a Film Show and the lighting of the 'Lamp Light of Peace' and joining in with the nation, to sing 'I Vow To Thee My Country' while watching Colin Thackery.  See 2025 Past Events for more photos and read more about the day.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the Drama Group, in September 2025 they will start rehearsals of Jack and the Beanstalk which will be directed by one of the founding members and who is also a Trustee of the Village Hall, Marian Candy.

Becoming a Registered Charity

At the Special Members meeting in August 2024 it was agreed to apply for the Village Hall to become a registered charity. The Trustees saved over £6,000 by submitting our application to become a registered charity to the Charity Commission ourselves rather than engaging a solicitor. The Downderry and Seaton Village Hall became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with wider membership (number 1210090), on 18th September 2024. It was very important to us that our members continued to have a say in the future of the Village Hall.

Save our Village Hall Appeal

The main hall is still in good condition, although a little damp in places. The main hall toilets and storeroom are in the East extension and the kitchen is at the back of the building. It is these areas that need to be replaced as there are no real foundations in the extension and the kitchen roof is coming away from the main building and starting to let in water. Replacing these will ensure the Village Hall continues to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all who use it now and in the future.

Although we have been told it would be cheaper and easier to demolish the Village Hall and rebuild, this is not an option. We can't lose our heritage and this amazing buildings historical significance as a place to meet friends and make new ones. The new design was drawn up after several public consultations with the community and hall users. 

This design incorporates a larger kitchen, a dedicated drinks servery area for functions, new toilets, increased storage, better accessibility (disabled toilet & fire escape), aesthetic improvements and improved thermal characteristics which will reduce general running costs.

The ‘Save our Village Hall’ appeal was launched in November 2024 and has already raised a significant amount of money.

And Finally

When the Downderry Working Men’s Club celebrated its 100 years anniversary in 1990 an article was written and the closing paragraph is as relevant today as it was then, ‘Let us finish by being mindful of our predecessors. They conceived and brought into being a large hall when the village was small. If the hall did not exist we would today be working desperately to build one. As a token of respect for their ideas we must maintain the same effort towards the bicentennial in 2090.’