History

In 1929 there was a proposal to build a British Legion Club and a Village Hall in Compton. Mary Watts, George Watts wife, donated £50 (worth over £2,200 to-day), in the hope that some day a Village Hall would be built.

The Village Hall is a well maintained traditional hall with several regular hirers and a long list of occasional hirers.

It is a charitable organisation for the benefit of those inside and outside the Parish of Compton

In 2014 the Hall was completely redecorated for its 80th anniversary.

It is run by an enthusiastic Management Committee, comprising a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Bookings Secretary, as well as representatives of the Village Organisations.The Committee meets six times a year to ensure the smooth running and good maintenance of the Hall.

The Hall meets all the current Health and Safety Legislation and has a full premises licence and three Personal Licence Holders.

It has Public Liability Insurance and holds a PRS/PPL Licence.

In 1931 a committee was formed in a further attempt to raise enough money to proceed with the building of a Village Hall. A board of trustees was established to look after Mary Watt’s £50 and to oversee a fund raising programme. A fete at Eastbury Manor raised £463, Mr Princep (a friend of Mary Watts) whose sister lived in Compton and his two nieces, donated £400 and wiith the help of other donations the fund reached £1,432 0s 11d.

The building of the Hall was completed in 1934, the foundation stone was laid by Mary Watts and declared open by Celia Lady Boston of Monkshatch on 25th October.

Records from 1963, show the Village Hall was being used by 13 different organisations that existed in the village namely:

The Scouts, the Women’s Institute, the Sports Club, the Mother’s Union, Almsgate Tenants Association, the British Legion, the Women’s British Legion,the Parochial Church Council, the (newly built) Congregational Church, the Parish Council, the School Representative, the Horticultural Society and the Youth Club.

Clearly Compton was a vibrant village proud of its activities and full of spirit.

There is a large main hall (approx 14m x 8m) which will accommodate approximately 80 -100 people seated or around 200 standing. It has a solid wooden floor and is attractively decorated by overhead or dimmer-controlled wall lights.There is also a good size stage with curtains.

Behind the stage there is a Committee Room, ideal for meetings of between 10 and 15 people. The kitchen is equipped with china and crockery for 80 and has a small fridge and oven. There is a convenient bar area off the kitchen with counter access to the Main Hall.