Improvement works underway at ‘much-loved’ historic Horsham building

The multi-thousand pound project aims to provide a new kitchen, toilets and meeting room at Copsale Village Hall.

The Bar Lane building has served the area for more than 100 years.

Trustee and treasurer Michele Harrison said: “It’s very dear to the hearts of people in the areea.”

Work on the building was due to start earlier this year but was delayed because of the Covid pandemic and it’s now hoped the work will be finished by early next year.

In recent years, the hall has been popular with musicians for practise sessions and gigs and has been used for a range of events from wedding receptions and parties to popular monthly ‘bacon butties’ and ‘coffee pot’ fundraisers.

The hall was originally bought ‘second hand’ and was transported from Peckham Rye by train to West Grinstead - then moved by horse and cart to Copsale.

It was opened on January 1st 1907 as a working men’s club but later became known as the Club Room.

During the Second World War the hall was used by Armed Forces and at one time was a canteen for the Canadian Troops in the area.

After the war the management of the hall was taken over by a committee of local people who organised whist drives, socials and jumble sales.

The hall was also hired out for private functions and was used as a base for the Women’s Institute, county library and youth clubs.

Electricity was introduced in 1946, replacing oil lamps, and in 1950 a new room was added at the rear. Water was laid on in 1950 and brick toilets were built in 1985.

In 2015 the hall became a ‘Community Asset’ and two years later was registered as a charity and the trustees began fundraising for improvements.

Funding was applied for and granted by Biffa Award, the National Lottery Community Fund, Acre, a Sussex Community Grant and assistance from Horsham District Council and Nuthurst Parish Council.