19th Century

The Hall building was originally a barn, which became the National Village School in 1820.

In 1858 the building became the Infant School after the opening of a new village school opposite. In 1875 the infant school moved to the Main School and in 1876 the old school reopened as the Village Reading Room on February 14th 1876.

The rules were as follows

  1. All subscribers of 1s quarterly shall be entitled to the use of the Reading Room and be considered as members.
  2. Any parishioner of Etton, not a member, shall be allowed to use the room on payment of 2d a week.
  3. Every member shall have the privilege of introducing a stranger or non-parishioner for one night.
  4. The rector or his Curate shall be permitted to hold a meeting or service in the room on giving 24 hours notice.
  5. No gambling whatsoever shall be allowed.
  6. Any member entering the Reading Room in a state of intoxication or guilty of swearing and using profane language shall be fined 6d and on his refusal to pay that fine or on repetition of the offence, he shall cease to be a member.
  7. No one shall retain possession of a newspaper more than twenty minutes if wanted by another member.
  8. No one under 14years of age can be admitted as a member of the Reading Room.

In 1895 the building was completely refurbished as reported in the local newspaper:

The most important part of the work has been the creation of an entirely new roof. The roof is covered with flat red tiles and boarded on the inside with varnished pine boards which gives a very handsome appearance to the rooms. A brick wall divides the building into two rooms, measuring inside 28ft by 15ft and 14ft by 15 ft respectively. The smaller room has been much improved by the insertion of a bay window, the gift of Mrs Grimston of Etton, High Hall

20th Century

During the Second World War the building was used as the local Air Raid warden’s post for the warden, two firemen and a home guard.

After this the Hall was used as the Young Men’s Club, the rules of which are on the wall of the present hall. A billiards room was on one side and the reading room on the other.

The Hall eventually fell into disuse. A Village Hall Committee, originally formed in 1942, bought the Hall from the church in 1970 for £250. A Governance Document was produced at the same time as the conveyance document. The hall was vested with the Charity Commissioners. Villagers refurbished and altered the old hall. The dividing wall and bay window were removed and the entrance door relocated. An extension to provide a kitchen, toilets and storeroom was built in 1974 and the hall was reopened as the Village Hall with active community use.

21st Century

The Hall continued in use with maintenance and fundraising by villagers but by 2000 it was less well supported. A village meeting was called to discuss its future. The villagers wished the Hall to be kept open and additional volunteer committee members came forward. Fund-raising, maintenance and improvement continued to be done by volunteers. Charitable status for the Village Hall was applied for and granted in 2006.

Subsequently, Grants were obtained to purchase furniture and equipment for the hall.

The need for more substantial refurbishment, beyond volunteer and the existing financial resources became apparent. After consultation with the villagers via questionnaires and with the support of HWRCC, the Trustees developed a Business Plan, sought funding to embark upon energy efficiency measures, a new kitchen and accessible toilet facilities.

Grants and fund-raising enabled major refurbishment to be undertaken and completed by 2007.