Hellifield Institute - Hellifield's Village Hall

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History

Institute The building dates from 1864 and was built to function as both church and school for Helliﬁeld village. The schoolmaster's house was attached to the end of the building. Mrs Frances Stansﬁeld, wife of the Vicar of Coniston Cold, provided this village facility. She was a member of the Hamerton family of the original Helliﬁeld Peel.

From Monday to Friday , the building served as an Elementary School and on a Sunday it became the church and Sunday School. The Institute continued to fulﬁl these roles until the building of the present St Aiden’s Church and the primary school in the ﬁrst decade of the 20th century.

ln 1887 the ownership of the land, school and schoolhouse was transferred to the board of trustees for the sum of £500 with the site to be used for educational and charitable purposes, and ”as a school for the education of children and adults or children only of the labouring, manufacturing and other poor classes ”.

The running of the school was the responsibility of a Committee of Management. In 1972 the responsibility changed to a Committee of Trustees to run as a registered charity — the situation it is today.

After closing as a school in 1915, the Institute was used as a reading room and billiard room for men only. Later the village library was located there and in 1926 the Girls Friendly Society met in the Institute. What is now the Yorke Room, was turned into a kitchen to provide school meals for schools in the district. It was later used as a workshop by a local business.

In the 1980's the kitchen and toilets were built along with the conservatory linking all the rooms within the Institute. Major Yorke was invited to open the refurbished back room renamed the Yorke Room. It was at this time that the adjoining house was sold.

In recent years improvements have continued to be made to the building, including a new heating system, new windows, and a new roof, as well as investment in equipment and facilities to bring the Institute's facilities up to 21st century standards. As a result the building has evolved to the multi-purpose centre it is today. Still run by local people for the local community.

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News

Hellifield Village Hall Re-opening

The villge hall (Institute) is now open for bookings and we are pleased to welcome everyone back. Whilst the Government has relaxed Covid restrictions, they have advised that everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious. Please bear that in mind whilst in the village hall.

Feel free to wear a mask if this makes you and those around you feel safe
You are welcome to still use the hand santizer that has been provided
Please consider the proximity between you and others
It is still wise to open windows for extra ventilation
Whilst all the toilets have been made available please consider space when others are using the toilets at the same time
Cleaning surfaces after use is a good hygiene measure

For further information on the above and to make a room booking, please contact our booking secretaries Ken and Heather Leak on 0783 7727 268 or 0779 0042 206 or email stanier@aol.com.

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Upcoming Entertainment

Friday 8th October - CJ Smith Band
Thursday 11th November - Love and Spice
Friday 3rd December - Sue's Singers
Friday and Saturday 10th and 11th December - Village Hall Xmas Show

Full detail of all the above will be given nearer the time but please contact Karen Dunwoodie, tel: 01729 851070 or email kalydun@btinternet.com if you would like information on any of the above.

Alternatively, to enquire about making a booking please contact us:

via our Contact Form

For Your Information

Chairman's Report 2021 - may be viewed HERE.

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Coffee mornings

Coffee Mornings are held on most Saturday mornings from 10am to 11.30am, helping to raise funds for local charitable causes. See below, detail of those already booked. If you would like to book a coffee morning, please contact either Heather Leak on 0779 0042 206 or Ken Leak on 0783 7727 268 or via email stanier@aol.com.

4th September - St. Aidan's Church

11th September - Institute Trustees

18th September - Bentham Pet Rescue

2nd October - Institute Trustees

9th October - Leprosy Charity

16th October - Women's Institute

30th October - St. Aidan's Church

6th November - Methodist Church

13th November - Institute Trustees

27th November - Hellifield Herald Magazine

4th December - Institute Trustees

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