Holme on Spalding Moor Village Hall

History

After a public meeting convened by Rev. Canon Robinson in November in 1913, it was decided to

have a Village Hall in Holme on Spalding Moor. They formed a Committee and visited other village

halls. They decided on a budget of £450 with the carting of all materials free, and fund raising

started. Then war broke out in 1914 and plans were put on hold.

In 1918 it was decided to raise funds for a War Memorial and a War Memorial Institute Committee

was formed for both projects. In August 1919 they decided to scale back plans due to cost and a

suitable wooden hut was located in Beverley. In December 1919 the hut was brought and placed in

what is now the Village Hall car park. The cost was £400. It would always be known as “T’Institute”

The Grand Opening took place on 7 April 1920.

T'Institute became the centre of social activity in the village, including dances, concerts, whist drives

and teas, billiards, lectures, etc. During this time the Institute Committee took over the running of

Holme Feast and Sports. In 1930 and 31 during the school refurbishments, it was used as a

classroom for some of the pupils.

In 1933 it was proposed by Dr M Hutchinson that a fund for a permanent building be started. During

WW2 airmen and soldiers poured into the village and the building, apart for the Billiard Room, had

been commandeered for the use of the Army, although they allowed local functions to carry on.

There lots of dances for both the troops and the local population.

In February 1944, the smallholding of 9 acres on which the building stood was purchased for £790.

In 1946 the committee honoured its first and only secretary, Samson Feather with a gold watch on

his 75 birthday. Samson Feather had been the headmaster of Holme school. A planning sub-

committee was formed in 1951. Again they visited other halls and Mr Colin Rowntreee FRIBA of

York was appointed as Architect and plans submitted to the Architect of the Ministry of Education

for a grant, plus other funds raised. In February 1956 there was a meeting of 12 skilled trade

workers and it was decided that all the labour would be voluntary. About 100 volunteers were

involved. On 1 June 1957 the foundation stone was laid by Mrs F Jibson, President of the

Committee.

The New Hall was opened by Professor Norman Feather FRS, on Saturday 12 December 1959. The

car park was filled with people attending the opening.