10 Year Anniversary of the ‘New’ Village Hall at Norbury

Ten years ago, a quiet anticipation filled the air of Norbury, Shropshire and in the surrounding villages and hamlets. Locals awaited eagerly as preparations were made for a new chapter in community life – the construction of a new village hall. The builders arrived on site in late October 2014 to begin the transformation, with the new hall finally opening to the public in June 2015.

The decision to replace the old village hall (shown above), which had faithfully served the parishes of Ratlinghope, Wentnor, Myndtown and Norbury since 1951, was not taken lightly. Over time, the building had become difficult to maintain and costly to upgrade. After years of meticulous planning and dedicated fundraising efforts, the project received a significant boost from The Big Lottery Fund, which awarded a generous grant of £483,000. This marked a pivotal moment, as the local community were finally able to embark on creating the beautiful new village hall that stands proudly today.

The old hall, a repurposed Victorian tin-tabernacle with a rich history as The Mission Church in Corvedale Road, Craven Arms before it was relocated to Norbury, saw its final days in April 2015. Before it was dismantled, the community gathered for a poignant ‘Farewell to the Village Hall’ event, reminiscing about cherished memories and saying their goodbyes to this important local building.

However, this wasn’t the end of the road for Norbury’s beloved old hall. In a heartwarming twist, it found another new home just a stone’s throw away at Walcot Hall, where it continues to charm visitors as part of a new chapter in its existence.

A Rich History Preserved

Before the old hall building was erected in 1951, local events and meetings were held in various venues around the village, which included an old maltsters barn, the village school, and the pub. It was the arrival of a new Vicar in 1949, who surprised at the lack of a suitable function room, set about trying to find a location for a dedicated church hall.

Various sites around the village were considered – one which was next to the Sun Inn (and opposite the church) was deemed inappropriate due to the brawling that often broke out at the village dances after the pub turned out. Local objectors strongly felt that “the Church should not have a hand in leading the young folk into temptation offered by the close proximity of a hall to the village inn.” In the end it was a local farmer who finally came to the rescue and offered a small field on the outskirts of the village, where the new hall also now stands today.

The story of Norbury’s old village hall building is a testament to resilience and community spirit. Purchased in 1951 from Stokesay PCC for £100 (over £4000 in today’s money) which was loaned by a kindly parishioner, the hall originally served as The Mission Church in Craven Arms and came complete with a stained-glass window – sadly lost in a serious fire during the 1980s. Once acquired, the building was carefully dismantled and reassembled by a group of local volunteers. One of the hall’s most captivating tales lies in its relocation from Craven Arms to Norbury – painstakingly transported piece by piece by Dolly the horse in her yellow cart, a journey of 12 miles each way.

Continued local fund raising was required to eventually pay off the £100 loan, with Choir members and the Youth Club carol singing for 18 consecutive nights to raise money for essential fixtures and fittings. The hall’s inaugural event, ‘The Festival of Britain Fete’ in 1951, set the stage for decades of community gatherings, celebrations, and shared moments that defined its legacy in Norbury.

Looking Ahead

As the ‘new’ Norbury Village Hall looks forward to celebrating its 10th anniversary next year, it stands not just as a building but as a symbol of community strength and unity. With its modern amenities and welcoming spaces, it continues to host a variety of events, from local meetings, social groups and classes to birthday parties and other special occasions.

Note: We’ve been kindly given permission to share the photo of Dolly the horse (above) by a local resident for the purpose of this article.