Upper Tockington Road, Tockington, Bristol BS32 4LQ, T: 07780 515317 enquiries@olvestonparishhall.co.uk
Upper Tockington Road, Tockington, Bristol BS32 4LQ, T: 07780 515317 enquiries@olvestonparishhall.co.uk
After serving the community well for over a hundred years the hall was in need of a complete refurbishment, building and repairs. This was major work both to plan and to finance. In 2011 the Parish hall had a new build extension and total refurbishment - inside and out. Nothing escaped the builders and decorators - from a purpose built extension to house the ever popular pre-school group to the new look ladies loos. It is now 'fit for purpose'. The regeneration of the hall took several years to plan and a year for the work to be done. It was formally opened in May 2011 by MP Steve Webb and the Reverend Roly Bain.
Through the 1950s the hall interior was decorated with stuffed animal heads shot by the 'Salmon' family during their safaris, a far cry from today’s more conservative tastes! It wasn't until the mid 1960s that flush toilets were added when a mains sewerage system was linked to the hall. This came with work to create a new entrance door, reception area and corridor to the side of the main hall, creating access to the new toilets.
In 1977 the Silver Jubilee was marked with the addition of a side room extension to the main hall which was named the Jubilee Room. This gave much needed extra space to the main hall area.
The King's coronation was marked with the commission of a memorial lantern which was placed outside, over the double doors of the front entrance. This lantern is still in use today.
Admission to the opening ceremony was by ticket priced at 2s 6d - the average wage for a working man then was about £1 per week. Despite the cost the Hall was full which meant an audience of about 300. The Vicar addressed the assembled throng with a potted history of the Hall's evolution and construction. Four plots of land had been offered for the development, one of which was in Haw Lane, but the final choice was a plot which belonged to Colonel Henry Salmon, largely because of its central location - between the two villages.
The necessary funds were almost wholly provided by public subscription and the profits from a number of special events. Mr Rylands of The Down House at Old Down provided the design and supervised the Hall's construction. The building work was carried out by Mr Pitcher and his son (the great, great grandfather of Gavin Pritcher). The team of builders won high praise for the quality of their work and for completing the project a month early.
After the Duchess had been thanked for opening the Hall the proceedings closed with a recital by the Bristol Cathedral Quartet. In the evening a Dance was held which was 'largely attended'.
Accounts rendered at November 1st 1901 indicated that the Hall with its outbuildings cost £549 to build, fixtures and fittings cost a further £81 - including 12 long seats, 240 chairs, paraffin suspended lighting and bucket toilets.
The seating was reckoned to accommodate 320 people. The figure of 320 sounds high but it must be remembered that the only venues for entertainment and bazaars, etc, before the building of the Parish Hall were the National School Hall and the Friends Meeting House.
The Hall soon became the venue for village flower shows, lectures, concerts, dances and evening classes on first aid. The long running annual Sale of Work organised by Miss Parry in aid of Bristol Children's hospital moved to the Hall after a 17 year run at the Friends Meeting House.
The Small Room - sometimes referred to as the Committee Room - was opened as Reading and Recreation Room for men and youths over the age of 14. Smoking was allowed.