by Dave Brown
Ash Victoria Hall stands proudly on Ash Hill Road having served the community for over 125 years. Built to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. All parishes were encouraged to mark the event in 1897. Ash’s choice was between the Hall and a travelling nurse scheme (years of course before the NHS). Promoting the Hall was a local eccentric called James Payne. It was decided to go with the Hall and James Payne managed to persuade Dr Chester to contribute land and finances to build the Hall which was officially opened in 1898 with 300 people in the Main Hall. James Payne wrote a song of the Hall and later, when the Clock was installed a song of the clock. These are on display in the Main Hall. The side hall was built a little later and has been three spaces since then. The early years were quite difficult financially but the Hall survived offering spaces to a wide range of activities. During the First World War the ladies of the parish wrote letters to unattached men at the front. This was when charity work was started when events were held to support orphans. More information can be obtained from the Ash Museum website.
On site, at various times, has been a school, dentist and citizen’s advice bureau. When there was a flooding in the parish the then caretaker, Joyce Thornton, immediately offered up the Hall for those displaced. This is a theme running through the Hall throughout the Hall’s history. At the front of the Hall is the phrase ‘Deeds not words define man’s worth’. This is a variation of an old proverb but I like to think that this precise offering is down to James Payne.
For many years the Hall rolled along making ends meet but a couple of events resulted in a blossoming of bookings. The Parish Council, believing they owned the Hall, commissioned a survey which decided there was around £70,000 worth of work required. At this point some research was done and it was discovered the Hall was not in fact owned by APC but a trust of which APC was the guardian trustee. This survey galvanised the management committee, who are all unpaid volunteers, into fund raising and eventually all the necessary work was completed. However this prompted myself to start doing charity quizzes and then along came the clock issue which certainly gained local and national attention. As they say there is no such thing as bad publicity. The Hall is now home to 32 regular groups literally cradle to grave with Ash Childminders and several U3A groups. The only quiz that I have done for the Hall is one for the clock when the local community turned out in force and supplied many raffle prizes.
The Hall now embarks on a series of fund-raising events for local, national and one international charity. The challenge set for the year 2024 was to reach £10,000 during the year which was achieved in the first weekend in December. There are quizzes every three or four weeks a brass quintet recital and a gig from local band Out of The Shadows. The same target is in place for 2025 and starts with a quiz on Friday January 3rd when half the proceeds will go to the local food bank with the other half to sponsor a student who is attending Camp International in Borneo. Later in January (24th) the quiz is for Southwest Surrey Citizen’s Advice. A full list of quizzes and events can be viewed on the Bridges community board and outside Victoria Hall or by contacting me at chairman@ashvictoriahall.org.uk
Dave Brown
Chairman, Ash Victoria Hall
CHARITY EVENTS AT ASH VICTORIA HALL
Friday January 3rd 2025 – Quiz in aid of the local food bank and a local student attending Camp International.
Friday January 24th 2025 – Quiz in aid of South West Surrey Citizen’s Advice
Friday February 21st 2025 – Quiz in aid of British Heart Foundation
Friday March 21st 2025 – Quiz in aid of The Autism Trust
Friday April 11th 2025 – Quiz in aid of Mencap
Friday May 2nd 2025 –Quiz in aid of Parity (Farnborough)
Friday May 30th 2025 – Quiz in aid of Hand in Hand Ethiopia
Friday August 29th 2025 – Quiz in aid of Friends of Bell Piece
Saturday December 6th 2025 – Out of the Shadows gig
Quizzes are £5 per person and there will be a raffle with a 7.30 start. Information on all these events can be obtained by contacting Dave Brown at chairman@ashvictoriahall.org.uk