The History of WHVH

Just a little bit of history ....

The original Village Hall was built in 1924 when the land was donated by Lucy Theodora Roscoe of the historic Lovelace farmstead of Woodcote who was also a major contributor to the initial cost of building.  Ownership was transferred to West Horsley Parish Council and the Village Hall was run by their Social Sub-Committee.  An extension of what is now the Rubin Room was funded by the local Women's Institute as a library for the village a few years later and a second building, affectionately called "the Hut", was also constructed.

Parish Council meeting minutes of this era record the three coin-operated gas meters being opened (the kitchen, the hall heating and the Hut) and the "takings" being noted.

In 1962, a significant extension was funded by Sir Eric Bowater who lived at Dene Place, having moved the head office of his company to West Horsley during the Second World War.  This created the current Main Hall kitchen, the side alcove in the Main Hall and the front of house ladies' toilets.  Shortly afterwards, the Cedar Room was built to replace the Hut.  At this time, the running of the Halls was handed over to a Management Committee (a separate registered charity) with the Parish Council still retaining ultimate ownership.

A new boiler room and front of house gents' toilet was added to the Main Hall in the 1990s and the Lobby between the Main Hall, the Cedar Room and the Rubin Room was created in 2000 when all three rooms were connected.

Today, WHVH is still run by the West Horsley Village Hall Management Committee.  The following individuals, all volunteers, currently serve as Trustees on the Management Committee:

Frances King (Chairman)

Pam Martin (Vice-Chairman)

Elaine Best

Rhys Beynon

Judy Brewster

Sarah Christiansen

Andy Hook

Sue Hook

Roger Lindsay

Bob Spackman.

The day-to-day running of WHVH is taken care of by Kelane Henderson who is easily contacted by either e-mail or telephone.