THE WILLIAM BLAKE MEMORIAL HALL
A Short History
The village hall building known as the William Blake Memorial Hall was built in 1911 in Ham Hill stone. It incorporated the Old Market House and replaced The Old Fire Engine House and two old cottages that were bought by the sons of William Blake, a prominent local landowner, for the new facility.
In modern terms it was effectively a redevelopment of what was already in place. The Old Market House, which was built in 1843, was a single storey building with open arcades for use as a market.
The new ‘fire engine house’ was accommodated in the new William Blake Memorial Hall and the horse drawn fire engine continued to be housed there until 1951 when Somerset County Council decided it was surplus to requirements.
At the apex of the roof is a bell turret housing the fire bell, used to sound the alarm to summon the firemen when the fire engine was called out.
On the outside of the building is a stone carving of the Coat of Arms of the Blake family and a date stone of 1911.
The main hall is upstairs and below is a range of rooms designed and used originally as a Liberal Club.
In its history the hall has also been a centre for evacuees during the Second World War, a dance hall, a cinema, a library and a schools meal service.
The William Blake Memorial Hall is a dominant building right in the centre of the village of South Petherton in Somerset, England.
As such it is also the centre of many of the activities that go to make up village life, continuing to be the venue for many varied activities.
The William Blake Memorial Hall is situated in the centre of South Petherton, where St James Street meets Market Square. In South Petherton it is normally just referred to as the ‘Blake Hall’. On the ground floor is the popular South Petherton Sports and Social Club, with the ‘Village Hall’ facilities on the first floor. A stair lift is available for those who might find the stairs to be a little difficult.
There are many groups that meet regularly in the Blake Hall including Art Group, Brownies, Keep Fit, Line Dancing, Over Sixty Club, Tea Dancing and WI. The Blake Hall is also available for private bookings.
The Blake Hall has a capacity for 200 seated closely, 85 seated at tables, 170 dancing, 102 dancing and seated at tables.
The Facilities:
1. Main Hall - 10 x 10.5 metres
2. A stage - 7.5 x 3.3 metres
3. A kitchen with an oven, hob and fridge
4. Recently refurbished toilet facilities, including disabled
5. A bar area and full Public Entertainment Licence
6. Amplified Public Address System
7. A separate Committee Room, suitable for meetings for up to twelve people.
The Cost:
Main Hall, including use of kitchen facilities - £8 per hour
Committee Room - £4 per hour
(Special rates available for regular bookings)
To Book:
Contact Lucy Davey, the Bookings Secretary on 01460 240762 (or if she
is not available Janet Churchill, the Blake Hall Secretary, on 01460 249070)
The Officers are:
Chairman - Mrs Jenny Derbyshire 01460 240330
Vice Chairman - Mr Reg Beale 01460 241753
Secretary - Mrs Janet Churchill 01460 249070
Treasurer - Mrs Sharon Blake 01460 242124
Bookings Secretary - Mrs Lucy Davey 0773 866 1673
The Blake Hall is a registered charity managed by the William Blake Memorial Hall Management Committee, which comprises of two representatives from the Parish Council and representatives from the Art Group, the Over Sixty Club and the WI.