Daily archives: January 1, 2026

This continues the story of the Sawley Memorial Hall from the earlier post – The Carnival is Over. In the early 1950s Cyril Reedman (1907-1998) was persuaded to become chairman of the Sawley Memorial Hall Committee. He was an experienced building contractor and negotiated a suitable site with the council.  The site was in fields next to Draycott Road, on what was to become a playing field, surrounded by a new 700-house estate.  It would be leased to the association for 30 years at a nominal rent of £1 a year. Originally the Committee envisaged a more ambitious building, estimated to cost £8,000 to build.  But when they applied for a grant, they were advised to try for something much more modest.  They opted for a pre-cast concrete building, with all-in cost, including heating and lighting of about £4,500. In 1955, at a public meeting in the Baptist Church Hall, the Memorial Hall Committee was renamed the Sawley Community Association.  The original constitution is here: Community Association Constitution. By August 1956 £2,600 had been raised, they had a provisional offer of £2,000 from the Ministry of Education and were seeking a loan of £1,500 from Long Eaton Council. In February 1958 […]