History of the Village Hall

The Langton Green Charitable Trust was created in 1895 by Miss Mary Watson who was a relative of Lord Baden-Powell the founder of the Scouting Movement. By means of a conveyance dated 22nd May 1895 Miss Watson gifted to the Reverend Stanley Arthur Varden (the then Vicar of Langton Green), a small complex of buildings including ‘Old Birchetts’ a wood framed tile hung building dating back to the 17th Century which still stands today and is Grade II listed.

As part of the Trust Deed, and in common with many such charitable acts of the period, Miss Watson stipulated that the buildings should be used for the good of the public and in the furtherance of the Church of England. Worthy sentiments but ultimately proving a hindrance to the subsequent trustees, as we shall see later.

In 1902 the then trustees erected ‘The Institute Building’ being of brick, steel and concrete. The building which for many years housed the library, saw service as a field kitchen during WW2, and, until recently, home to the Nursery School, the WI, and the Snooker Club amongst others.

After the Second World War a large wooden building was added to the complex to provide a hall for local events and sports clubs, this was named ‘The Watson Hall’ after our original benefactress.

In recent years the complex has needed a considerable amount of repair and although a full renovation was highly desirable no Grants could be obtained because of the non secular nature of Mary Watson’s original bequest. Clearly this state of affairs could not be allowed to continue and the Charities Commissioners were approached for their advice as the Trust is registered with them. The Commissioners proved very helpful and drew up a new scheme in the year 2000; the scheme was adopted and new trustees appointed at the first General Meeting 24th October 2000.

The new scheme removed the obstruction to obtaining grants and this in turn led to a review of the options for the present site. With the assistance of the Parish Council a survey was undertaken with a view to either rebuilding the Watson Hall complex in situ or building a new hall on the nearby Recreation Ground, which the Parish Council owns and where there is sufficient space for it to be erected without impacting the other sporting activity. All other possible sites in the village were investigated but, for a variety of reasons, were not suitable.

The Trustees decided on the second option and obtained Planning Permission for a New Village Hall on the Recreation Ground. They also received Planning Permission for the development of the Watson Hall site which funded the bulk of the new Hall. Additional funding was provided by Speldhurst Parish Council, TWBC, KCC, Langton Green Rural Society, and by fund raising in the Community.