Woodmead Halls
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Recent History
The Woodmead Halls now has a Solar Panelled Roof, a New Store, New Chairs and Tables, and a Keyboard for hire.
History
The site of the
Woodmead Halls is recorded as being the home of Lyme’s first Secondary
School when Mr Woodroffe obtained permission to build it just after the
end of the 1914-1918 war.
An immediate handicap was a shortage of
bricks with a minimum waiting list of two years. A solution was found by
dismantling an Officers Mess and Army Huts at Swanage and building a
wooden school which opened in 1923.
This served well for nine years
during which time it became the Lyme Grammar School. Seeking larger
accommodation, it was decided to move to a new School on the present site
in Uplyme Road, later to be called the Woodroffe School, if became
comprehensive.
The old school buildings became the Woodmead Halls
and served the community well, hosting social events and functions
providing the people of Lyme with a popular meeting place. For an
incredible 50 years it served the community until inadequate heating
precipitated in 1976 a desire for something better.
It took until
1982 to raise the money and build the basis of the present building, then
followed a full sized stage and extensions including a kitchen. The
present Chairman, Councillor Stan Williams, took over in the 80s and
pushed forward improvement after improvement. With the willing, physical
help of his committee progress has continued to the present day.
Description of the
halls
There is a choice of a large or small hall or
both can be combined so that the smaller hall, or room, could be used as a
separate bar. Both halls can be darkened during daylight.
The
large hall measures 17m (56ft) by 9m (30ft) metres and it is possible to
seat 200 people on comfortable chairs with plenty of tables for sit down
meals.
The small hall, or room, measures 8m (26ft) by 5.4m
(17.7ft) with a possibility of 30 people.
Full sized stage 13.7m
(45ft) by 7m (23ft) total - 5.5m (18ft) by 4.8m (15.7ft) performance area,
with backdrop and curtains, computerised stage lighting and an excellent
sound system. Two large dressing rooms with large illuminated
mirrors, each room 3.7m (12ft) by 2.8m (9ft)
Ladies and gentlemen's
toilets at the front and back of the hall and disabled toilets at the
front.
Extensive kitchen with modern cooking facilities, microwave,
double sink, refrigerator and ample work surfaces, including a centre room
island. Total size 6.4m (21ft) by 4.4m (14.4ft)
A Licensed bar which
serves both halls. An electronic keyboard is available for hire. Both
halls have very good lighting with lower level wall lighting in the main
hall. Both halls have a loop for the hard of hearing.
There is
plenty of parking outside the hall, but a charge is levied by the town
council.
If using a Satellite Navigator to find the
hall the post code is DT7 3PG
Registered Charity Number 288969