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 Cecil Reedman stood down due to ill health and was replaced as chairman by Cecil Kingscott, who had been the secretary since 1944.
The hall was completed a few months later and Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim returned for the formal opening on 19th July 1958. This was another well-attended event and was filmed by ATV News. Richard parked his car at Bothe Hall, where he had lunch with the chairman before the afternoon ceremony.
The original purpose of the hall was not forgotten and the Baptist minister, the Reverand H Brindley, unveiled the memorial in the presence of Richard Attenborough and Cecil Kingscott.
The Association’s annual meeting in 1959 was held in the hall which was already in daily use. The adjacent play park was about to be set up and the front path was lined with roses donated by C Gregory of Chilwell. The new president was Mr C M Tivey, with E Bunce and C H Readman as vice presidents, E Tivey as secretary and R Smith as treasurer.
The Hall is still serving the community, nearly 70 years later. It wasn’t until 2006 that Sawley had another war memorial.
The Sawley Community Association is now a registered charity. Its website is here.
The 50th Anniversary of the opening was marked in July 2008
