SOUTH WOODFORD MEMORIAL HALL

Woodford Memorial Hall was built on the grounds of Woodford Hall, a substantial Georgian Mansion set back from the High Road which had been built in 1771. The Hall had been the home to several rich and influential people to include William Morris who lived there as a child between 1840 and 1847. Prior to the hall being pulled down in the late 1800s it was used as a Convalescent home for women and children and was supported by Catherine Gladstone the wife of the then Prime Minster William Gladstone who had been instrumental in raising the money to purchase the house in 1869 for this purpose.

Woodford Memorial Hall was built in 1902 with the majority of the money being donated by John Roberts.it was built in memory of his brother Thomas Roberts. John Roberts was a well known philanthropist (this means a person who looks out for the welfare of others and gives generous donations of money to good causes) within the Woodford Community. From the very beginning of his involvement in the project he was determined that the Hall would be built with the purpose of serving the community and from the Minutes of the Trustees meeting dated 7th February 1900 you can see that the people of Woodford also assisted to raise funds for the building which was to be for their benefit.

The building itself was built in the style of Arts and Craft Architecture which was an influential movement of the late 19th century which attempted to re-establish the skills of craftsmanship which was threatened by mass production and industrialisation.No sooner had the first part of the Hall been built and opened than John Roberts began pressing for the back of the Hall to be built.

Over the years it has been used for the following:

Public Meetings Billiard room Lectures Drama GroupsA concert venueThe Church Lads ParadeThe Boys ClubA Gymnasium ClubTenis courtsBadmintonDance ClubsMusic FestivalsRoller skating clubsTae kwandokaratePre school playgroup (that has been there for nearly 50 years!!!)The 9th woodford brownies (that I attend)and 1st woodford guidesWedding PartiesCelebration PartiesAntiques Fares