A BRIEF HISTORY OF ASHWATER PARISH HALL
On the 23rd April 1904 the trustees of the Victory Tent Number 2473, a branch of the West Devon and North Cornwall District Number 120 of the Independent Order of Rechabites, Salford Unity Friendly Society purchased hereditaments comprising land and buildings for Fifty Pounds and Ten Shillings and established a Rechabite Hall. The Rechabites were part of the Friendly Societies movement formed by manual and skilled workers to provide against hard times for the mutual benefit of all members and their dependents. Friendly Societies can be traced back to 1555 and were given greater recognition by Act of Parliament in 1793. They thrived but ironically at their peak the Government introduced the 1911 National Insurance Act which had an effect on membership.
Contrary to popular belief, whilst generally organised by ‘God Fearing’ people they used their premises for both business and pleasure including beer drinking and sometimes as places of worship. At some period after purchase the building was used as stores by the Baptist Chapel Trustees and it may have been during that time covenants were imposed prohibiting sale and distribution of alcohol, which were not lifted until many years later.
On 12th April 1929 the Rechabite trustees by now again being in occupation of the building, acted upon a previous resolution and sold the premises for Two Hundred and Sixty Five Pounds to a group of twelve Ashwater Parishioners upon trust to use and occupy and to permit to be used and occupied as a Parish Hall and Institute.
In 1997 after over a century of sterling use the hall was finally reaching the end of its useful life as a community facility. Maintenance and modernisation were proving costly and in some aspects impossible to undertake. Consequently it was resolved that a new hall was needed and a site was donated by the late Jack Moon, a long-standing and respected member of the parish.
After more than 12 years of planning, design and fund-raising the Parish Hall Committee were awarded a substantial Big Lottery Fund Grant in June 2008. Additional money was still required and following further comprehensive fund raising, work commenced on the new site in two phases. The ground-works finished at the start of 2009 and construction of the main building began in June.
The builders Messrs Coyde & Co of Newton Abbot handed over the keys in December 2009 allowing the Trustees to take possession, on schedule and to sell the old hall for redevelopment. The main room in the building has been dedicated to the memory of Jack Moon and a further room has been named after another stalwart supporter of the project the late Devon County Councillor Des Shadrick.
The multi-purpose hall has an innovative ground source heating system and photovoltaic roof cells so that sustainable electricity consumption keeps the environmental footprint as small as possible. There is also a rain water harvesting system utilising the ample NW Devon rainfall!
Ashwater has a strong history of community engagement and provision of the new hall provides a vital centre for the residents of the village and wide spread local parish. Perhaps therefore, it is not surprising that this spirit backed by the donations pledged by parishioners when added to money secured through innumerable fund raising events and amounting to many thousands of pounds over the years helped to secure funding from the lottery and elsewhere.
Grant aid was obtained from the sale of Exeter Airport by Devon County Council, The Foundation for Sport and the Arts, Ashwater Parish Council, The 29th May 1961 Charity, the Community Development Foundation Grassroots Scheme, the Fitton Trust and The District Councillors Community Grants Scheme as well as the Big Lottery Fund. The Community Council for Devon and Torridge District Council also provided an element of match funding.
The hall is a community project signifying parish aspiration, dedication and achievement and is provided for your enjoyment.