Upton-by-Chester Local History Group

The Village Hall
was officially opened on 8 Dec 1928 - see programme of the ceremony & invitation. see also ..large images.

The original architects drawing - note symetry with entrance each side

An undated early photograph - occasion unknown but possibly WI.

Post-WW2 view showing the north side of the building.

From the WI1951 Upton History Scrapbook account....
The Village Hall stands as an outward expression of a strong community feeling allied to tremendous enthusiasm and hard work. The idea of building a village hall was first broached in about March, 1926. Sir Philip Grey-Egerton sold the site at the extremely low price of Ł20 "provided that it was used for the benefit of the Village." The site of a quarter of an acre adjoined the village school and was originally part of Dicksons' Nurseries.

The Vicar, Mr. Sparling, cut the first sod on 27th July, 1926, and the hall was opened by Lady Arthur Grosvenor on 8th December,1928. The Chairman, Mr. Beresford-Jones, stressed the importance of the event in the history of Upton. "The hall would provide a centre for those social and educational movements which were growing in the villages. There was at least one such Important movement, the Women's Institute, Mrs. Crompton President of the Women's Institute, said that the W.I. would probably use the hall more than anyone else.

"The hall will have accommodation for about 400 people and the floor is particularly for dancing. There is an imposing approach by means of a spacious vestibule and there are ladies' and gentlemen's retiring rooms. Tea rooms, with kitchen, are arranged on one side of the hall and there is a stage which will prove invaluable for musical and dramatic entertainment. From the architectural point of view, the building is the ideal village institute. Electric light is laid on and this will enable badminton to be played in the evening. “

Behind the scenes lay much hard work and nearly everyone in the Parish has contributed in one way or another to the raising of the funds. Social life in Upton will receive a rare fillip." (Quotation from the Crewe and Nantwich Observer).

The Memorial Garden in front of the Village Hall was a memorial to Miss Monica Sparling. It is a little paved garden, and surrounded by a coping, with a bird bath in the centre, and laid out among the rhododendrons by the flagstaff.

Notable events in the Hall over the years

Library notice from the 1965 WI scrapbook
In the post-WW2 years a local farmer who produced pig meat started a 'Pig Club' and held regular Saturday Night Dances. These featured fairly large dance bands and local residents recall that one such band featured a young Syd Lawrence.
For many years the Hall served as an assembly hall and gym for the school next door.
since its earliest days the Hall has been used for concerts and drama.
For many years before the formation of the Upton Drama Society - plays were performed by the Upton Church Choir. Featured here the production of 'Harvest Home' with
back row l to r
Joan Jones; Seth Jenkins (choir master); Jim Wheldon?; John Ross (organist); Lol Foden; Reg Furley; Frank Harvey; Rev Wheldon Williams; ? Howard; Ernie Llloyd; May Howard; ? Leech; John Ballance; ? Welsh; Nancy Turton.
front row l to r
Miss lowe?; Alix Joseph; Shiela Garston; Horace Ingham; Clive Foden; Kay Joseph;Constance Harvey; Alma(or Olive?)Welsh.

(other names mentioned in connection with these productions - Jean Roberts, Derek Chidley, Kathleen Joseph, Henry Barnett, Josephine Jones, Pat Arnold, Elizabeth Musgrave, Enid Hurd-Jones, Harry Rushton, Shiela Williams, Prudence Howard, Leslie Jones,
Mrs Harold Mitchell has been named as a producer

School Head Mr Hewitt was a leading light in getting the Hall - his school had previously taken on the role of the community centre - and the school stayed tightly connected with the Hall - PE / music / performances and parties all using the hall.
during WW2 - it served as a rest centre stocked with food and blankets.
during wartime afternoons the WVS ran camouflage netting workshops.
during wartime evenings it was blacked out and used socially welcoming the men from the local Ack-Ack batteries to their dances. Their boots added to the heavy wartime use of the floor and the original pine flooring was replaced with maple.
refurbished on various occasions - new heating was installed; the carpark asphalted and the walls painted (ladies doing the lower levels - men the upper)
immediately post-war the Hall served as an infant welfare clinic and was used by the library service.

On the occasion of the retirement of RW (Bill) Roberts after 30 years as secretary

Bill receiving envelope from Miss Hoole. Chairwoman Molly Bradbury and Treasurer Brian Constable seen between them.

Also shown - progressing up the stairs -
??(from the British Legion); Kay Joseph; Alan Bisson; Doris Pearce; Shiela Garston; Nancy Turton; Gwen Griffiths; Mary Thompson; Biddy Barnett.

From far right progressing inwards -
Hughie Pratt; Mr.Hewitt; John Ross; ??; Joan Jones

for list of past Village Hall Officials

visit the village hall's own website