I think Norm can grab this little topic and put it on the new web site as it is very much linked to Errwood Hall.
How many times have we all driven past Fernilee Village Hall? Loads.
Mrs Curious seems very much attached to Long Hill so in her case it will probably be many thousands.
The land on which it stands was sold to the village by the Grimshawe family of Errwood Hall for £5 and then the family immediately donated £5 towards the cost of the project.
It was originally named, ‘The Fernilee Young Men's Club’ and it was built with the bricks from the gunpowder mill now beneath the waters of Fernilee Reservoir.
As this is going to be as boring as all the other stuff I put on I will spare you the agony of reading it all in one go and do it in a series of three as usual.
But if you want to join in (very doubtful) feel free; Norm can grab the bits he needs.
Who knows maybe Mr Parabuild will provide us with an up to date photo of the building.
Thank you David.
R. S-S
High Peak News
11 December 1926
FERNILEE VILLAGE HALL
Parishioners Build Own Recreation Room
On the left hand side of the road from Whaley Bridge to Buxton, approximately a mile from Whaley, and just past the old toll-bar house, has arisen during the last six months or so, a single storey building of grey brick. It has crept up and up, layer by layer, but so slowly yet surely until now it has reached completion, and bears on the wall facing the road a stone inscribed "Fernilee Village Hall, 1926." The passing stranger, passing not too quickly, may wonder justifiably at this building, and wonder still more on reading the inscription, for on both sides of the road, within a mile, are not more than ten or twelve houses, a public house, a chapel, a cemetery, and a school. But in this small hamlet beat hearts inspired by progress patience and unselfish endeavour. The Fernilee Village Hall has been built by the unselfish hands accompanying these hearts. No bricklayer at so much an hour and so many bricks a day has erected this Hall; it has been erected by the men and lads of the village, inspired by the glory of achievement, and not by hope of reward. These workers have sacrificed many a summer evening, many a Saturday afternoon, to this purpose, and the building, apart from the roof and possibly other small but important portions, is the product of "amateur," but careful workmanship. The land was bought for a "fiver," and the "fiver" given back; the same generous helper gave the bricks for the good of the cause. Surely, in these prosaic days, a romantic genesis for the Fernilee Village Hall !
The opening ceremony was performed by two sisters, Mrs Gosselin and Mrs Preston, of Errwood Hall, on Saturday afternoon. The whole of the small parish and many more besides, turned out for the great event, which was of so comprehensive a nature that it embraced the formal opening, a tea, a concert, and a dance ! Thanks to all this jollification and the generosity of various people in the locality, the Hall was free of debt before the strike of midnight, and the total raised, including subscriptions, proceeds from the tea, concert, dance, etc., now stands in the neighbourhood of £100.
The names of the members of the committee who had the satisfaction of seeing the coronation of their work on Saturday are worthy of recording. The committee comprises: Messrs T. Pearson (chairman), J.H. Collier (hon. secretary), Albert Warren (hon. treasurer), J. Raven, H. Warren, W. Hill, T. Wardle, F. Bagshaw, P. Renshaw, James Lomas, J. Clayton, H. Lupton, E. Bates and F. Heapey. The trustees are Messrs T. Pearson, A. Warrren and E. Bates.
A large crowd assembled outside the Hall to see the formal opening. Mr Pearson, who presided over the ceremony, handed to Mrs Gosselin the key, with which she unlocked the door, and declared the Hall open. Thereupon Mrs Gosselin and Mrs Preston were escorted to the platform within, and the general public trooped into the building.
