THE VILLAGE HALL
	I had almost forgotten, as perhaps others had, that thirty years ago, September 16th 1971, the new Village Hall opened. It was the culmination of many years hard work by most of the village, young and old alike. It began in 1948 with Mrs Brett, then president of the W.I., calling a village meeting to discuss the Village Hall and form a fund-raising committee from village representatives and those of the village organisations. Work began at once to run a fete later that summer.  This set the pattern for years to come: fetes, carnivals, dances etc., being organised. At the time there was much enthusiasm as, not so long ago, a war had ended and now a “brave new world” was promised and this would be the village’s contribution. Money collected during the war-saving weeks went into the kitty.  Many dug deep into their pockets.  Those who couldn’t devoted their time and energy.   The Parish Council, under succeeding chairmen, gave its backing and help. Various venues were discussed but the desire for a new hall remained uppermost in people’s minds.  In spite of various fund-raising activities the “light at the end of the tunnel” appeared no nearer, and at times there was a certain despondency. At last, things changed.  The Parish Council sold the allotments, donating most of the money to Village Hall funds, the piece of land was purchased.  A report of this and the village struggle to have its own hall was seen by a Clacton builder who said “I will build you a hall with the money you have”.  Various formalities had to be ironed out which involved the Council chairman and others going to London.  The position of the proposed hall was moved and the Essex County Council insisted the asbestos roof should be brown in colour. The GLC made a handsome donation as it would benefit their previous tenants now moving into the new GLC bungalows where the allotments had been.  Many people donated equipment to the hall from a knife and cup to the stage etc. It was a great sadness when in 1994 the hall was badly damaged by fire but, as ever, was overcome.  Even greater are the stories of vandalism; perhaps in cases by people whose grandparents and parents had played a great part in the hall originally. Syd Bruce