History
Thruxton Memorial Hall, located in Hampshire, was originally built as a Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in 1817 and expanded in 1875 to include a Sunday School room.
The building was purchased in 1945 by Alfred Machin, dedicated to the memory of villagers lost in both World Wars, and fully refurbished in 2004 with National Lottery funding. In 2026 Test Valley Borough Council helped fund the kitchen refurbishment.
Key aspects of The Hall's history include:
Officially opened 17 September 1817 as a Weslyan Chapel with the support of landowner Harry Noyes Esq.. On 6 June 1875 the foundation stone for the Sunday school laid by Mr. John Preedy of Andover. The Sunday School building was opened 29 September 1875. The Hall's unique, extended structure served the Methodist community before its conversion into a secular community hub in 1945 when it was purchased for the village by Alfred Machin.
Memorial Dedication: In 1945, the building was purchased for the village and established as a memorial to honour those who died in the World Wars.
Modern Usage: Following a comprehensive 2004 refurbishment, The Hall acts as the primary community hub for Thruxton, hosting events like the Produce Show, community cafes, and local club meetings.
Village Archive: As of 2024, The Hall serves as the repository for the Thruxton Parish Archive, which collects documents, maps, and photographs regarding local history.
The Memorial Hall is a Grade II listed building.
List Entry Number: 1093209 Date first listed: 24-Oct-1984
Listing details from Historic England:
Assembly Hall, formerly a Methodist chapel. 1817 with rear extension of the late C19. Brick and slate. Symmetrical treatment of front and sides, of 2-storeyed appearance. Front (north) of 3 windows. Hipped roof behind a parapet, with a raised centre containing a (cement) panel, with stone coping and stone moulded cornice. Red brickwork in Flemish bond, with 3 equal full-height recesses with arched tops, arched openings, stone cills, stone plain 1st floor band within the recesses. Sashes. The doorway has reeded plasters, with simple caps, extended round the arched opening, which contains a decorative fanlight, above coupled 3- panelled doors. The side elevations of 3 bays have a similar treatment, with cambered arches, the upper openings now filled. At the rear a late C19 cross wing of lower height, projecting beyond the square shape of the old block, with a slate roof, round-headed small openings, and walls banded with blue brick patterns.
The Hall is managed as a registered charity by a group of Trustees.