The History of Whitmore Village Hall – A Legacy Since 1959
Whitmore Village Hall, also known as Whitmore and District Village Hall, has been a vital part of community life in Whitmore, Staffordshire since 1959. From its origins as a repurposed RAF building to the modern, multi-use event space it is today, the hall has proudly supported generations of Whitmore community gatherings, public events, and local functions.
Humble Beginnings – Inspired by the Queen’s Coronation
In 1953, following Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation, nearby villages hosted celebratory events. This inspired residents of Whitmore and Baldwins Gate to begin fundraising for a hall of their own.
Events included garden parties, coffee mornings, whist drives, and jumble sales. The community rallied together with dedication and vision.
A Hall from the Forest – The Move from the RAF to Whitmore
In 1957, an RAF mess hut and cinema building was discovered at an airfield in Needwood Forest, near Burton-on-Trent. The structure was purchased, disassembled, transported by lorry, and rebuilt on the current site of Whitmore Village Hall.
- The original hall opened on 13th June 1959.
- Half of the funding was raised locally; the remainder came from grants by Staffordshire County Council and the Ministry of Education.
- Total cost at opening: £5,478.
- Remaining balance was gradually repaid by 1962.
Ongoing Improvements – The 1977 Silver Jubilee Extension
As the years passed, the building required updates. A major extension was completed in 1977 to coincide with the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. This upgrade provided more space for Whitmore Village Hall events and better amenities for guests.
Vision for the Future – From Replacement to Renovation
In the late 1990s, then-Chairman Richard Stevens proposed a complete review of the hall's facilities. Though initial plans aimed for a total rebuild costing £570,000, funding was not approved. A new approach was adopted to renovate the hall in carefully planned stages.
Modernising Whitmore Village Hall – A Phased Transformation
Phase 1: Kitchen, Annexe, Bar and Information Centre
- Completed in time for the Hall’s 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance on 20th June 2009.
- Cost: £65,000 | Grants received: over £41,000.
- Included new kitchen, bar area, and annexe.
- These facilities support a wide range of Whitmore Village Hall rentals and venue hire events.
Phase 2: Toilets and Disabled Access
- Completed in March 2010.
- Cost: £29,000 | Grants: £18,000 (including £10,000 from Lottery Awards for All).
- Upgraded toilets, enhanced disabled access, and improved usability for Whitmore Village Hall bookings.
Phase 3: New Entrance, Meeting Room & Foyer
- Completed in 2013, 60 years after the Queen’s Coronation.
- Cost: £126,000.
- Added a new foyer, disabled toilet, extra storage, and a new meeting room.
- Opened officially by the then Member of Parliament, Sir Bill Cash and the Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
- This expansion allowed the hall to serve both Whitmore local meetings and larger community events simultaneously.
Thank You to Our Supporters and Community
The success of Whitmore Village Hall’s transformation would not have been possible without:
- Staffordshire County Council, Newcastle Borough Council, Whitmore Parish Council.
- Charitable organisations including the Garfield Weston Foundation, Staffordshire Community Foundation, and the Bishop Stamer Fund.
- Local supporters of the "Buy a Brick" campaign.
- The late Mr Don Lawton, our long-serving Secretary, whose commitment made it all possible.
We are also grateful for support from Soapbox, the Community Council for Staffordshire, and the many volunteers who worked behind the scenes to secure funding and keep the project on track.
Looking Ahead – The Future of Whitmore Village Hall
With a modern and well-equipped building, Whitmore Village Hall continues to be a welcoming place for cultural events, public hire, and social gatherings for the wider community. Our vision remains rooted in serving future generations as the heart of Whitmore Village community life.
©Copyright. All rights reserved.
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.