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History of the Hall
‘BRINDLE INSTITUTE OPENED BY LORD CHESHAM’
Taken from the Preston Guardian, 18th August 1923
After much voluntary labour and generous enthusiasm on
the part of almost everyone in the locality, the new Parish
Institute at Brindle has been completed, and was formally
opened on Saturday afternoon by Lord Chesham, who owns over
3,000 acres in Brindle district, and who had given the site
on which the institute is placed. Beautifully situated,
the institute consists of a large hall (capable of seating
300 persons), a refreshment room and a billiard and reading
room. The interior of the building has been neatly decorated,
and its outside appearance befits its charming natural surroundings.
With its well-laid lawns in front, to be used as tennis
courts, the institute is an undoubted acquisition to the
buildings of the village, and a memorial to the self-sacrificing
efforts of many - including ex-Service men and local ladies
and gentlemen - who have had at heart the development of
a healthy social spirit in the Brindle area.
The building has cost £900, of which £650 has already
been raised. It is hoped, later, to lay out a bowling green
in addition to the tennis courts. Mr. T. Whitehead is president
of the Institute; Mr. R. Grime, chairman of committee; and
Mr. Robert Cooper is secretary. The officials have had the
loyal assistance of a representative committee on which
ladies have done invaluable work.
Mr. T. Whitehead, in calling upon Lord Chesham to open
the institute, briefly reviewed the history of the project,
which was started as the result of the men coming back from
the war – 135 out of 150 who went from Brindle were spared
- desiring to continue to fraternise with each other as
they had done in the trenches. A few of the men put their
heads together, and by degree funds were raised, and then
the ladies were asked to assist. Eventually they were justified
in making a start in the erection of the institute by purchasing
an Army hut. The efforts had been continued until that day,
and they had a beautiful building. A great amount of voluntary
work had been done, and Mr. Whitehead hoped that the institute
would be a blessing to all the inhabitants of the parish.
Lord Chesham had very kindly given the land for the institute.
There were no onerous conditions in the deed of gift. There
was only one condition - and it was a blessing – that no
intoxicating drink had to be allowed on the premises.
Lord Chesham said he was proud to be associated with
the village which had done its bit so well in the war. He
congratulated them on their institute, and declared that
it must be a record for an institute of that type to be
erected by voluntary subscriptions locally. He had nit expected
to see such a fine building. He had known of other institutes
for which there had been tremendous enthusiasm for at least
a week, and then the enthusiasm had petered out. In a number
of villages, institute buildings could be seen standing
idle and rotting. They must not let this happen in brindle.
His lordship felt sure it would not happen. They all had
a share in their institute, and they must not treat it as
a new toy, but continue to support it in the future as they
were doing today.
Mr. R. Grime, on behalf of the Institute Committee, received
the document of conveyance of the land from Lord Chesham,
and thanked his lordship for his gift and for his services
that day in opening the institute.
Mr. J. Gillibrand proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Whitehead,
as the president, for his assistance to the committee. Mr.
Rd. Hindle seconded.
Mr. T. Whitehead in reply, said he had received a message
from Mr. Robt. Hartley, who unfortunately was unable to
be present. If there had not been Mr. Hartley to assist
said Mr. Whitehead, then probably there would not have been
an institute today. There was no doubt that the present
debt owing on the building would be wiped out at an early
time.
The institute was situated on the spot which marked the
finishing post of the old racecourse.
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