History of Holy Trinity Parish Hall

The site for the Parish Hall was purchased for £250 from Rev. William Hilton Simpson, who had inherited the land under the will of his uncle, George Stringer Simpson, in 1888. As the Settled Land Acts allowed him to sell parts of the estate, he agreed to transfer the parcel of land facing Church Street (with a rear boundary on Spring Street) to the parish. At the time the land was conveyed, the hall was already under construction, marking the beginning of a new community resource for the parish.

The hall was legally established by a Trust Deed enrolled in September 1906, which set out its purpose clearly:

the Parish Hall was to be used forever for the benefit of the inhabitants of Holy Trinity.

It was intended as a meeting place for parish groups, church societies, charitable activities, and a wide range of social and educational events.

From the start, the hall was designed to be a flexible community space. The Trustees were given the authority to allow its use for:

• Meetings and church groups
• Social events and dances
• Concerts and performances
• Bazaars and flower shows
• Classes, gymnasiums, and educational activities
• Charitable and public purposes connected with Holy Trinity

Any income from hiring the hall was to be used for repairs, insurance, improvements, and the general upkeep of the premises. Surplus funds, once essential costs were met, were to be used for the benefit of the parish.

The original Trustees were a mix of clergy and respected local residents:

• Joseph Charles Eyre Kidson, Vicar of Holy Trinity
• John Francis Grayling, Esquire
• Friend John Seale, Churchwarden
• Francis Austen Bensted, Auctioneer
• Thomas Evans Denson, Paper Manufacturer

The Trust Deed gave them responsibility for managing the building, setting rules for its use, maintaining accounts, and holding at least one official meeting each year. They were also empowered to appoint new Trustees as needed, ensuring continuity over time.

A later deed, enrolled in 1920, appointed additional Trustees to replace those who had stepped down or passed away. This demonstrated the continuing care and commitment shown by local residents in preserving the hall for future generations.

The foundations laid out in the 1906 and 1920 Trust Deeds have shaped the Parish Hall into the community asset it remains today. Created with the intention of serving the people of Holy Trinity, the hall has supported countless gatherings, celebrations, meetings, and charitable activities throughout its long history.

Still rooted in its original purpose, Holy Trinity Parish Hall stands as a testament to the dedication of the parishioners who built it, cared for it, and ensured it would remain a place for the community to come together for generations to come.