Village Hall (formerly village school). Rebuilt in 1895 by the renowned and important Newbury architect and builder, James H. Money (1834-1918). The design and construction of the building is characteristic of the style of the architect and its features are of the period, which remains in evidence in the twenty first century.
One and a half storey. Half hipped tiled roof with an external chimney stack centrally located on the east (front) elevation. Red brick, Flemish bond brickwork. The two windows on the east elevation (front) are modern replacements. The large double height round arch window in the northern gable wall. The Foundation stone, located to the right of the main entrance, is dated 1895.
The original porch, with round arch opening, and decorative tile hanging in the upper part of the gable, was once open to the elements but has now been enclosed by a modern wooden door. The internal structure remains largely in the original design. The main hall rectangular in structure was designed to have two classrooms and the ceiling supports are still in evidence. The fireplace is in its original condition and is unused for safety reasons. The kitchen area adjacent to the entrance of the porch remains intact with original brick floor. Entrance to the main hall from inside the porch is via a large wooden door and is likely to be the original door of 1895.
Adjacent to the main entrance there is the original lead hand water pump which has been identified as of local importance under a separate listing. The village school Well is situated in front of the pump and was capped many years ago.
‘A village school was founded by the rector in Hamstead Marshall in the 1820s. Although National in character, the school was not formally allied to the National Society until the 1890s. Rebuilt in 1892, it continued to take between 20 and 30 children until falling rolls closed it in 1933, and it became the village hall. Records from 1897 are filed at the Berkshire Record Office’.
Source: www.berkshirefhs.org.uk/cms/Berkshire-Places/h-m1/html
The listing excludes the adjacent building known as ‘Hall Cottage’
Location
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