The Building of the Community Centre

Hook Community Hall (as it was then called), was made possible by the provision of the site which now holds both the hall and Hartletts Park, as the result of major housing development in the early 1980s. The Parish Council formed a building committee and provided the bulk of the funding, with assistance from Hart District Council, Hampshire County Council and local fundraising.

Turning the first sod

On a foggy November afternoon in 1987, five members of the building committee – flanked by two representatives from Tarmac – turn the first sod for the hall’s construction.

From the left: A representative of Tarmac, Dave Strong, Paul Boswell, David Burke, Jane Bonnin, Sheila Girle and another representative of Tarmac.

Photo: Glynis Wilsdon.

 

Three views of the hall under construction

 

Photos: Jane Bonnin

 

 

 

 

The opening ceremony of Hook Community Hall: Saturday February 25th 1989

Left to right: Jim Wood, architect; John Morgan, Chairman of the Hook Village Community Association; Ceri Morgan (with flowers); Stella Potter, representing the building committee; Anne Pitcher MBE, who performed the opening ceremony; a representative from Tarmac, the builders; Dr Paul Boswell, Chairman of Hook Parish Council; David Tait of Madlin and Madison, who managed the project. Photo: Philip Bonnin

 

 

 

The Original Community Hall – taken in 1991

 

The original community hall comprised only the main hall, small hall, kitchen, toilets and changing rooms. Photo: Jane Bonnin

 

 

 

Later building projects

The Community Hall was  extended twice in the 1990s – once to add the squash courts to the rear (visible behind the left of the building) and again to add The Base Youth Centre and accommodation for the Football Club (subsequently used as the Parish Council Offices) below it on the right hand side.

It was then renamed Hook Community Centre

 

In 2014-2015 the building was gutted and refurbished.