Women’s Hall: 2023 marks the hall’s centenary

Women’s Hall is 100 this year!

Perhaps, when you have been walking past 81 High Street, Billingshurst, you have wondered about the quaint building tucked away in its own grounds next to the children’s playground. It is, in fact, the Women’s Hall which, if you are a woman and resident of Billingshurst, actually belongs to you!

In 1923, sisters Edith and Ellen Beck very generously donated the land and the hall to the women of Billingshurst, giving them a safe space to meet. The Misses Beck, who were passionate about rights for women, stipulated that if ever the hall and land were sold, all women who lived within a seven-mile radius of the village would share the profits – but that was then! Expansion and inflation means it would not amount to much, these days!

In 1926 the sisters also gifted the Mothers’ Garden, which is a children’s playground next to the hall, with a selection of swings, slides and climbing frames, providing a space for children and their families to play together.

Managed by a group of Trustees and a caretaker, the Hall – which includes a stage, dressing/cloakrooms, a small meeting room and a fully functional modern kitchen – is available for a variety of uses in the community, and now, of course, is not just restricted to women! A sample of current hirers are Yoga, Karate, pre-school Music Bus, Billingshurst Dramatic Society and a breakfast and after-school club. In 2023 the Hall celebrates its centenary year and the Trustees are looking forward to welcoming as many of the community as possible to some of our planned events to mark this special year – keep an eye out for our regular articles and announcements in Village Tweet throughout the year. If you have never visited the Women’s Hall, we hope you will come and take the opportunity to become acquainted with this unique building and find out why people fall in love with it.

And if you have any anecdotes or memories of using the Hall, e.g. as a Brownie, at playschool, baby clinic, parties, etc we would love to hear from you. Please contact Lucy at ljfcooper@aol.com. Jane Chittenden, Chair of Trustees

The Women’s Hall. Photo: Billingshurst Dramatic Society

Ltd

Billingshurst based family business with over 20 years experience in the building trade. Full Refurbishments, Extensions, Conversions and Alterations, Oak framed garages/car ports/porches, Fully bespoke timber garden rooms/studios, Driveways, Patios, Kitchens, Carpentry and more… We pride ourselves on attention to detail and offering a personal service, keeping the client informed every step of the way.

07584 655585

mpshomeimprovements@gmail.com