History of the Hall
1974 Survey
In July 1974 a Public Meeting was held when a
resolution was proposed that a working party be set up
to investigate the possible development of the
Institute. A survey was carried out around the village.
Later in the year the results of the survey were
discussed with 97 replies being received, giving
following results...
At the same meeting it was considered approaching the
Ministry of Defence to ascertain availability of any
surplus Nissan huts to be used as a hall.
At another Public Meeting, held this time in March
1975, just eight members of the public joined five of
the Trustees; it was agreed that there was not
sufficient enthusiasm for the project to go ahead. Mr.
Eddie Ambrose, active in all aspects of village life for
many years as Parish Councillor, Churchwarden and
Trustee of the Institute, "expressed his regrets at the
lack of enthusiasm shown in view of the wonderful
history of the Institute".
However certain villagers led again by the determined
Mr. Ambrose failed to give up on the project. In August
1978, at a Public Meeting attended by 9 Trustees and 72
members of the public support of local residents was
canvassed. A motion by Eddie Ambrose "Do we need a new
Village Hall" was proposed - being decided by a vote of
45 for and 19 against. The meeting concluded by
proceeding with a renewed enthusiasm in investigating
the possibility of erecting a new hall.
Debate continued until March 1981 when the Village
Hall Study Group reported to another Public Meeting. The
discussion involved details of the proposed site,
erection, costs; the type of building, the running costs
and anticipated income. The motion proposed by Mr.
Harold Ward (a local farmer) "that the buildings be
purchased and the work commence" was carried by a vote
of 59 for with 10 members of the public against. At the
same meeting a Village Hall Construction Committee was
formed with Messrs. D. Darbyshire, Mr. J.A. Raine, Mr.
J.. Charnock, Mrs. M. Charnock, Mr. Gardiner, Mr. J.
Cranshaw, Mr. H. Ward, Mrs. Ward, Mr. E. Eccles, Mr. D.
Eccles, Miss J. Wilmer and Mr. R. Massey being elected.
Some £11,000 was raised by the local community, as
follows...
...and went towards the purchase of two wooden huts
from Stanley Grange, near Hoghton having seen service
since before the War as part of a Lancashire
Constabulary training facility.
Brindle Village Hall, 1983
Work commenced in July 1981 and the building
officially opened on 3rd July, 1982.
Like the original Parish Institute back in the
1920's, tennis courts were added to the site in 1984
courtesy of Chorley Borough Council.
The Village Hall, as it became known, had its ups and
downs reflecting the many social and economic changes
over the last twenty years. In 1996 it was agreed to
look at replacing the ageing hall and a bid for funding
to the National Lottery Charities Board was made in
1999; sadly it was turned down. Whilst efforts continued
to place the hall on a sound footing, both financially
and structurally, the millennium saw renewed enthusiasm
from the Management Committee to replace the building
once and for all.
The Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations, 2002
Reflecting its desire to become the focal point of
the community once again, the hall was renamed Brindle
Community Hall in 2000. Another survey about that time
saw increased community involvement and enthusiasm for a
new building; this was reflected in greater usage of the
hall as new groups began to use the hall on a regular
basis, and numbers increased at many of the social
events held during the year.
After another approach for Lottery funding in 2002
was declined, the hall Management Committee and many
villagers decided to take the matter into their own
hands and a campaign to raise the money locally got
under way in earnest at the start of 2003.
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