NOSTALGIA: 90 years of memories at Kennet Valley Hall

Here is just some of its rich history, with photos and warm memories shared about the hall which still thrives to this day.

In 1931 FRANK Swanton of Overton donated a parcel of land which was formerly part of South Overton Farm. This land would then go on to become Kennet Valley Hall, which was officially opened on September 4 that same year.

In the ‘village scrapbook’ compiled by the Women’s Institute, they wrote: “The opening ceremony was performed by the Right Honourable J.H.Whitely, a former speaker of the House of Commons and vice-president of the National Council of Social Service. Fourteen organisations banded themselves together as sponsors and a committee of management comprises a representative nominated by each of these organisations.”

The total cost of building the hall was £475 and the inaugural meeting was held on November 11, 1931.

Inside of the old Kennet Valley Hall

During WWII the hall was used as classrooms to help the local school who had seen an influx in pupils because of the evacuees. At the time the club also held regular Mothers Union and Women’s Institute meetings, as well as a boy’s club loosely based on the scouts.

Ron Emberlin and Eileen Hamilton, who were both born in West Overton in the mid 1930s, recalled their experiences as teenagers during the later stages of WWII.

Ron Emberlin said: "One of the first memories I have of the hall was going there as a family to be issued with our gas masks where to my dismay I was issued with a Mickey Mouse one as they thought I was too small for a normal size one.

"For a while it was used as a school, as the local schools could not cope with the influx of evacuees.

"The Home Guard used it as their headquarters where they paraded, usually on a Sunday morning, watched by most of the local children.

"The Women`s Institute and Mother`s Union also held regular meetings there and dances and whist drives were also held.

"When the war was over the locals welcomed the forces home with a meal and concert. Myself and three friends were looking through the windows when we were spotted by one of the guests who came out and instead of telling us to go away, as we thought, they said that we could go in and watch -  providing we stayed at the back and kept quiet.

"For the boys there was a club which was loosely based on the scouts, and for the older people there was a club where they could play billiards, table tennis and darts in a league, but unfortunately it was eventually killed off by the coming of television."

Mrs Hamilton shared many of the same memories and also recalls there were regular Whist Drives, where the MC was Bert Peck. The Dance Music was provided by Mr Ben James.

One of her main recollections were the various wedding receptions that took place at the old KVH, including her own. She shared a photo of her niece`s wedding.

By pure coincidence it appears that the three venues that housed the various social and games activities of the local villages were all abandoned between 1972 and 74. Firstly, the Scout Hut was demolished in 1974 to make way for the bungalow named Ardcaien.

In 1968 plans were drawn up to refurbish the building, add a new extension and upgrade the heating. The budget was calculated at £1105. To put this in perspective the hall`s annual income identified in the 1972 accounts was £100.45. Lettings for that year amounted to £51. The same accounts stated that hall hire rates would be increased to: 75p for regular meetings, £1.50 for evening meetings and £3.50 for weddings.

Building the new roof

Despite the necessary grants being negotiated and confirmed during 1971/2, as a result of an inspection by the county surveyor, the building was subsequently condemned.

By August 1973 Mr Roger Swanton, son of Frank Swanton, had offered the present site to the hall committee. Of a £32,000 bill, around £24,000 was raised through local and government grants.

Further funds were raised from the sale of the old site for £4350, and the remainder came from fund-raising events held over the years – gymkhanas, fetes, barbecues, dances etc. The most ambitious project was a three-day event held in 1976 – on one of the very few wet weekends in that hot summer! The highlight of the outdoor activities was a parachute drop by the Red Devils in the presence of Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader.

The new building was opened on Saturday, September 4, 1976 by Mrs Frank Swanton. The inaugural dance in the evening was distinguished by the fact that The Autocrats band specially reformed to play.

The period from 1976 until the early 2000s can arguably be recognised as the most successful period, as a community asset, in the hall's history.

West Overton resident Jean Clements said: "The formation of the Kennet Valley Amateur Dramatic Society was the result of a conversation that Jennifer Edwards and myself had in the Who`da Thought It one evening. 

"We were talking about Amateur Dramatics and decided that we should see if anyone would be interested in putting on a Panto in the Kennet Valley Hall.  We called our first meeting in the summer of 1980 and much to our surprise there was a great deal of interest, so much so that we were able to put on our first Pantomime in January 1981 this being Cinderella."

Variety shows and concerts were also held.

In the year 2000 the Hall was chosen as the venue for the official loading of the Millennium capsule. During the previous year local residents had been invited to write down their memories which would then be placed in the capsule and kept in the St Michael`s church tower, only to be opened in 2200.

Since then the hall has undergone many changes and investment.

As all these upgrades have been taking place the hall has been rapidly increasing in popularity. Whilst traditional community events have continued to be popular such as Easter and Christmas bingo and the annual pantomime, the hall becomes an increasingly popular venue for children's parties, weddings and interest groups such as the Embroiderers Guild, U3A and  the National Trust.

Not forgetting the KV Cricket Club who have adopted the hall as their cricket pavilion, and the Kennet Valley Primary School who use the hall as their base for most of their PE curriculum and parent related events. This is due in no small way to having a large recreation ground as part of the Hall complex. What foresight the KVH Committee of 1974 had in choosing such a perfect location for our hall.

2020/21 will become synonymous with the horrors of Covid 19 throughout the world. Society is already changing as a result, but whatever the changes, KVH will continue to be, both a unique local amenity, and a highly popular venue for social and cultural activities throughout North East Wiltshire.