History
Robertsbridge Community Association Robertsbridge Village Hall and Community Centre
In 1971 a public meeting was held to decide whether the village should try to provide a new Community Hall. It was decided to try, and the Robertsbridge Community Association was asked to oversee the project and co-ordinate the fund raising, and a seemingly impossible task began.
After 17 years of fund raising, which included Annual Carnivals, Selling Firewood, Wastepaper collection, Coffee Mornings, Exhibitions, and very generous donation from Rother District Council, Salehurst and Robertsbridge Parish Council, and the purses of the villagers.
A major benefactor was Geofrey Dawes, who bequeathed a large sum to the building of the hall. Without which the fund raising may have carried on for a few more years.
Additional sponsorship was given over those 17 years by R N French Ltd, and The Motorcycle Shop. The final total cost of the build was £105000.00.
In 1983 there was a Parish Council Row, as reported by the local newspaper revolving around whether the treasurer of the Community Association, Cllr Robin King, should be part of the parish council discussions about the proposed grant. The political impasse was resolved by an impartial judge and proceedings went ahead with all councillors in attendance. The grant was approved, and all sides were satisfied that true democracy had been served.
The building was designed by the then village hall committee and the builder was John Crouch. Although a change was made from the original design to the one we see today.
The hall was finally opened by Rother District Council Chairman Roy Pulford and Mrs Gail Amies, Chair of the Robertsbridge Community Association. There was a second opening that evening with a special guest of Cr Brian Kentfield from the Rother Planning Committee. The hall was open all week for special events at no charge. Since then, the hall has gone from strength to strength.
The parcel of land acquired for the hall included a field to the east of the building which has been used for an Allotment and Junior Football Pitch, controlled, and monitored by the Community Association. The grass lawn the other side of the drive has been extended and feature trees planted.
The Hall had a major refurbishment in 2015 which included new Kitchen and Toilets, New Stage and refurbished Bar Area. In more recent times the hall floor has been re-laid with a light oak parquet.