Volunteers Key to Running and Upkeep of Worplesdon Memorial Hall

Published on: 18 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 21 Feb, 2019

By Jan Messinger

Worplesdon Parish Councillor

Worplesdon Memorial Hall, recreational ground and Sime gallery trustees are so grateful to local people and for the volunteering they do.

From left: Marjory Stewart, volunteer secretary of the trustees; Chris Ewbank, new chairman of trustees; and volunteer Dennis Stewart.

The hall will be 100 years old soon. It was built from a donation on land gifted to the village for the purpose in memory of those, who lost their lives in the First World War. 

The enchanting entrance gate has just had a make-over by volunteer Dennis Stewart, he is the husband of Marjory, the trust’s voluntary secretary.

He has cleaned the name plaques of those who died in the First and Second World Wars, repaired the pillars and entrance light above and painted all the iron works and sign above.

With the generous donation of stone plant pots from Dave Jenkins of Perry Hill Antiques, and Lyndon Weeks of Holly Lane landscapes, who has planted skimmia, japonica rubella, confusa, primula vulgaries and heuchera for all to enjoy as they walk past or come to use all the facilities on offer.

Volunteer Dennis Stewart has done a fantastic job on the entrance gates. He has now kindly started on the Sime gallery seat to make that look beautiful too.

The trustees are grateful to all those who have volunteered and have done something very special for the community.

The recreation grounds not only have a large children’s play area and tennis courts for hire provided by Worplesdon Parish Council, there is also an outdoor tennis club used daily and flood-lit for night time use.

Worplesdon football club and cricket club play regularly and use their excellent facilities in the pavilion.

The large hall and additional rooms are available to hire and we are fortunate to have a variety of things on offer for all as regular bookings, and we are always looking to offer more.

Maybe the facilities will meet your needs. Including for weddings and children’s parties. The main hall has recently been redecorated and there is a spacious new kitchen.

Many people forget we have our hidden gem in Worplesdon, The Sidney Sime art gallery.

The gallery houses a major collection of the fascinating and highly characteristic work of Sidney Sime (1865-1941), the famous artist, illustrator and caricaturist, who lived in the village.

We are delighted to say five volunteers are going to be researching and archiving for the gallery.

The gallery is run by volunteers: trustee Mary Broughton and curator Ann Philps. They can be contacted at enquiries@sidneysimegallery.org.uk  or phone on 01483 233869. 

We look forward to celebrating our 100 years very soon, please do get in contact via our website or 01483 232117 for more information.

Perhaps you would like to share pictures or memories for our centenary celebrations. Trustees can be contacted via enquiries@worplesdonmemorialtrustees.org.uk .

The centenary celebrations officially will be in 2022.

In the very near future the trustees invite you to Worplesdon Past, People and Places, a free illustrated talk by Geoff Burch, David Rose and Stephen Cranstone, on Sunday, March 3, from 3pm to 5pm in Worplesdon Memorial Hall. 

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