A fund to build a Village Hall was started in 1935. £900 was raised locally.
In August 1939 everything was ready for building to start on a Hall costing £2300 – grants of £1400 had been approved.
A lease had been agreed for part of the Recreation Ground in Dyers Lane, where the Children’s Play Area now stands, and this was going to be the site of a Village Hall.
(Area marked in green was going to be the site of new Village Hall )
The Second World War and post-war restrictions prevented any further progress.
Funding evaporated and instead of being able to build a new Village Hall, the Wolston Brandon and Bretford Village Hall Committee had to try to find another solution.
In May 1952, Dr George Campbell, Chairman of the Wolston Brandon and Bretford Village Hall Fund had preliminary discussions with Mr P C Chater, Secretary of the Loyal Equity Lodge No. 2565.
The Loyal Equity Lodge, part of the Independent Order Of Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity Friendly Society, owned the Odd Fellows Hall on Main Street.
The Trustees put the matter before the Lodge and after a lengthy discussion the members authorised them to negotiate the sale of the Odd Fellows Hall. The deciding factor was the use to which it would be put, thereby adding materially to the community life of the village.
In July 1952, the offer to purchase for £2500 had to be rejected because the grants that had been available from the Ministry of Education and from the County Council were withdrawn.
In February 1954 the Trustees of the Loyal Equity Lodge offered the Hall, together with a piece of land at the rear extending to approximately 60 feet, for the sum of £1500.
At a public meeting held on 23rd February 1954 the purchase was approved.
| Founding members of the Brandon and Wolston Village Hall Fund committee were: |
Dr George Campbell (Chairman) Mr Julian Hoare (Secretary) Mr Bernard Page (Treasurer) Revd. David Wingate Mr Thomas Corfield Mr H J Haywood Mrs Ivy Matthews Miss Constance Teasdale Mr Humphrey Addison Mr A. E. Rollason Mr William Snell |
Rosedale, Main Street Priory Hill Warwick Road The Vicarage Main Street Fosse Farm Brook Street Main Street River Bend, Bretford Avondale Road, Brandon
Vicarage Farm, Bretford Turn |