The opening of Champney Hall

 Windsor & Eton Express, 26 October 1912

VILLAGE HALL FOR HORTON.

MUNIFICENT GIFT BY MR. J. E. CHAMPNEY.

THE OPENING CEREMONY.

HEADMASTER OF ETON AND VILLAGE LIFE.

The value of a village hall cannot be over-estimated, but whilst this is generally recognised it is not the good fortune of all villages to possess such a building. Horton, until quite recently, was numbered amongst the unfortunate class, but now, through the splendid generosity of Mr. John Edward Champney, of Horton Cottage, Horton, the village has a hall. The opening ceremony, which took place on Tuesday evening, was, in the words of the Rector, a “red letter day” in the history of the village and the utmost enthusiasm prevailed. Headed by the Staines Band playing lively airs, the inhabitants assembled at Horton Cottage, with lighted lanterns, and paraded the village, finishing up at the new hall where the opening ceremony was performed by the Headmaster of Eton (Dr. Lyttelton). After a number of speeches had been delivered a display of fireworks was given in the Recreation Ground.

The Opening Ceremony.

The hall was crowded for the opening ceremony, and many persons had to stand. The Rector (the Rev. T. Read Davies) presided, and in opening the proceedings he said for many years past the people of Horton had been building castles in the air; they had been dreaming about a village hall, and the dream had at last come true. That evening was one of the most auspicious in the history of Horton, in fact he intended calling it a “red letter day.” As they knew, it was entirely owing to the kindness, thought and generosity of a friend to Horton [applause] that they were assembled there. Just over two years ago Mr. Champney saw that they were placed under considerable difficulties with regard to meetings in the parish, and he came to the rescue with a promise that he would help by building that hall [applause]. For that he thanked Mr. Champney from the bottom of his heart, on behalf of every resident in Horton [applause]. Before he made his kind promise he saw that the inhabitants were a little bit in earnest about getting a hall, for a piece of land had been bought close by. When alarmed as to the future of England as when they found out that the young men were drifting out of the villages into the towns. In the last fifty years something had made them think that living in the town was better than living in villages, but it was a complete mistake; but what was more when the young fellow went to London, and got married, what was the stock worth in three generations? They had lost all the health and strength of the village life. That had been going on, but he was inclined to think that it was stopping a little bit now. That was what made the present one appeal to anyone who had the welfare of the country at heart. By the building of that hall the village life of Horton had been enriched and made impossible for anyone to say that Horton was not a place where he would like to live. It would enliven the life and bring the young fellows together and arrest the temptations that they would be better in the towns. There was nothing better than village life [applause]. He did not believe that it was commonly known that when one of the very greatest men, imperialist and statesman — Cecil Rhodes — when asked what he thought to be the secret of that power which was the greatest power England had got, that of colonising, and he replied that it was the influence of the village church which had done it. He meant that there was in the villages lives things which brought people together, which taught them how to work with each other, and how to live side by side without quarrelling. That was the only way the wonderful doings of the manhood of England in times past could be explained [applause]. It was a grand thing to belong to a village which had got such a history as Horton had, and he hoped everyone was proud of what he could see been part of the village and proud of what he felt to be the hope of the future, which stared them in the face in the erection of that most beautiful building — full of hope and promise for the coming. The arrangements of the hall would no doubt be carried out by a committee of men, and in doing so they would be learning many valuable things. Upon those who undertook this work the prosperity of Horton would depend, and it was not only the village church in the future which was going to be the making of the place but the village hall, so it behoved all who had anything to do with its management to take the keenest interest in its welfare. If they saw that there was something wrong they ought to immediately set about putting it right and not rest on the fact that so and so had gone on for some years and there was no reason why it should not continue. In such an institution like that which had been provided

Note: The right-hand column of the original is partially cut off; the transcription above represents all legible text.

Memories of Horton (from Rosalind Willetts)

 Arthur Jacob Nature Reserve

There was a long high concrete wall to the south side of the Stanwell Road by the  Arthur Jacob nature reserve.  This meant the Stanwell road was always in the shade.  It was built to protect the public from the rifle range at Wraysbury.  The wall did not protect Dairy Farm in Coppermill Road from  stray bullets which was one reason why my great grandfather James Willatts, left Dairy Farm to farm in Wraysbury.

The Arthur Jacob nature reserve was named after the Arthur Jacob who was county Councillor for  Horton and Wraysbury and did much for the area.  He died  perhaps in the 1970s 

The Five  Bells:   

The  church had five bells up until the 1890s.  The church owned the Five Bell Public House and when it came to renew the lease it asked for a premium of £60. This was used to pay for the sixth bell which has a lengthy inscription for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

In the 1950s the bells were unringable. In 1960 my father E Christie Willatts spearheaded the restoration of the tower,  This involved having a concrete ring installed to support the bell  frame.  The bell frame was renewed and the bells rehung.  The turret was dismantled to about half way down and then rebuilt.  The clock face was repainted blue.  The simple wind vane arrow and  cardinal points was removed by the Rector The Revd T.D Prentis for repair, but it never was repaired or returned.

St Michael's West door

The west door of the church which may well be 15thC in age  - I have not examined it for many years  - was last used for the wedding c 1922 of   Dora Brown to Herbert Wiggins.  Dora Brown's father ran the village shop. In the 1940s and 50s it was run by her brother.  Herbert Wiggins was a  market gardener who lived halfway up the Colnbrook road, by the Halfway House PH, both farmhouse and pub and cottages behind were lost to the  Q M reservoir. The Browns retired to the house Osmington on the village Green.  Some of the Victorian stained glass from the farmhouse was brought down and installed in it. Dora lived there after the farmhouse was demolished.

The bombing of cottages in Park Lane in 1941.  

This was random dropping of bombs by returning German aircraft. The cottages in question were just over the stream at the far end of the lane.  Turn right at the end by the pair of cottages, go along the track for c 100  yards over the bridge and there was the site of the bombed cottages. At the time there were young evacuee boys living there - described by my father as the  sweetest boys you  could find.    Many years later he ensured that their names were on the village war memorial.

Champney Hall & playing field

 During the war and well into the 1950s there were Nissan huts on what is now the Recreation Ground next to the Champney Hall.  They were lived in in the 1950s.  The field behind was the place of the village sports for the Coronation.  I have the programme still.

Mr and Mrs Champney's home

Mr Champney and his wife Margaret  lived in the 18thC house enlarged in Edwardian times opposite the Green at the corner of Park lane.   After the death of his wife it became the Margaret Champney Nursing home.  From  1952 to c 1980 it was a home for retired gardeners run by the  Gardeners Royal Benevolent Fund. 

Some random comments.  Rosalind

  Out of interest I have an 1868 six inch map revised in the 1880s of Horton and Heathrow.   Very different then  when my great grandparents were farming Dairy Farm

1. Stanwell Road.  There was a long high concrete wall to the south side of the Stanwell Road by the  Arthur Jacob nature reserve.  THis meant the Stanwell road was always in the shade.  it was built to protect the public from the rifle range at Wraysbury.  The wall did not protect Dairy Farm in Coppermill Road from   stray bullets which was one reason why my great grandfather James Willatts, left Dairy Farm to farm in Wraysbury.
The Arthur Jacob nature reserve was named after the Arthur Jacob who was County Councillor for  Horton and Wraysbury and did much for the area.  He    died  perhaps in the 1970s 

2, The Five  Bells:   The  church had    five bells up until the 1890s.  The church owned the Five Bell PH and when it came to renew the lease it asked for a premium of £60. This was used to pay for the sixth bell which has a lengthy  inscription for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

In the 1950s the bells were unringable. In 1960 my father E Christie Willatts spearheaded the restoration of the tower,  This involved having a concrete ring installed to support the bell  frame.  The bell frame was renewed and the bells rehung.  The    turret was dismantled to about half way down and then rebuilt.  The clock face was repainted blue.  The simple wind vane arrow and  cardinal points was removed by the Rector  The Revd T.D Prentis for repair, but it never was repaired or returned.

The west door of the church  (this may well be 15thC in age  - I have not examined it for many years)  This was last used for the wedding c 1922 of   Dora Brown to Herbert Wiggins.  Dora Brown's father  ran the village shop. In the 1940s and   50s it was run by her brother.  Herbert Wiggins was a  market gardener who lived halfway up the Colnbrook road, by the Halfway House PH, both farmhouse and pub and cottages behind were lost to the  Q M reservoir. The Browns retired to the house Osmington on the village Green.  Some of the Victorian stained glass from the farmhouse was brought   down and installed in it. Dora lived there after the farmhouse was demolished.

The    bombing of Park Lane in 1941.  THis was random dropping of bombs by   returning German aircraft. The cottages in question were just over the stream at the far end of the lane.  Turn right at the end by the pair of cottages, go along the   track for c 100  yards over the bridge and there was the site of the bombed cottages. At the time there were young evacuee boys living there - described by my father as the  sweetest boys you  could find.    Many years later he ensured that their names were on the village war memorial.

During the war and well into the 1950s there were nissen huts on what is now the Recreation Ground next to the Champney Hall.  They were lived in in the 1950s.
The field behind was the place of the village sports for the Coronation.  I have the programme still.

Champney and his wife Margaret  lived in the 18thC house enlarged in Edwardian times opposite the Green at the corner of Park lane.   After the death of his wife it became the Margaret Champney Nursing home.  From  1952 t0 c 1980 it was a home for retired gardeners run by the  Gardeners Royal Benevolent Fund. 

 

On Saturday, 15 Jun 2024 at 20:47, Rosalind wrote:

You will by now have found the cast iron Cross I left at the church porch on Friday morning.. I found the array of crosses on the railings impressive, mostly from the 1890s.  This brings the number up to a dozen, which seems right  for my memories  of them in the churchyard in the 1950s.  What a lovely thing   for  them to have been found and restored.  They are special to Horton, and made in Horton.  I cannot recall any in Wraysbury churchyard.

I was most impressed by the size of the Tree of Heaven.  it is really large now.  It is of course now 50 years old.  I attach a note about this tree for the archives.

  While thinking of the churchyard I doubt if anyone now remembers the circumstances of the death of   Alan Shanks,  aged 9, whose marble gravestone with white marble angel ( it seemed smaller on Friday)   is up against the churchyard wall to the road.  It is still tended, but not with fresh flowers.  Alan lived in one of the row of cottages  just round the bend at the station end of Coppermill Road near Wraysbury Mill.   He was playing in a ditch nearby  when he cut his knee   on a piece of rusting metal.  The doctor in Wraysbury stitched up the wound.  But he developed  tetanus/sepsis and died.   At the time, mid 50s,  no one was really aware of tetanus.  Alan's death has made   me very aware of it and its dangers.

St Michael’s Churchyard, Horton

Tree of Heaven  (Ailanthus glandulosa)

The Tree of Heaven in the churchyard was planted in 1973 by Lady Janet  Young of the  Department of the Environment.  The D of E was having a campaign to plant trees, under the slogan Plant a  tree in seventy three. Lady Young was a cousin of Christie Willatts. He was a senior civil servant there (retired in 1973)

Plant a tree in 73;    Plant some more in 74

(Keep them alive in 75; chop them for sticks in 76).

In a storm in 1971 the great yew tree on the east side of the churchyard path fell down.  It was much bigger than the other yew tree alongside it and its branches swept densely to the ground.  Christie wanted to replace it with a specimen tree and was advised to have a Tree of Heaven (which he thought a suitable name for a churchyard). He was advised that this would be fast growing and resistant to pollution from overhead aircraft. He even travelled to Bath to see a specimen Tree of Heaven there in St James’s Square.

In time both the ashes of his wife Edna d. 1979 and himself d. 2000 were strewn at the foot of this tree.

Rosalind Willatts June 2024

Champney Hall and Recreation Ground

 A potted history of Champney Hall and the Recreation Ground

1905  Land Purchase. (Of what is now Champney Hall and the Recreation Ground) 

In 6th June 1905 the land was sold by the executors for the estate of General Owen Williams.  It formed Lot 14 in the sale of 1,215 acres within Horton.  The lot was purchases together with Lot 18 (Horton Cottage) by Mr. John Edward Champney, a benevolent Quaker who lived in the cottage till his death in 1929

1909   Purchased by Public Subscription (Site for a Village Hall) 
Lot 14 formed two parcels of land.  The plot to the east was purchased for a nominal amount from Mr. Champney about 1909.  Funds being raised by public subscription for the site of a Village Hall  

Circa 1910/11 
Mr. Champney observed that despite considerable effort fundraising to cover building cost was progressing slowly. He also observed that the children of the village were making full recreational use of the ground. He and his wife therefore decided that they would donate the second parcel of land within Lot 14 and would also build on it a Village Hall.

22nd October 1913 -  Opening of a Village Hall.
An extract from the press report of the Opening of the Hall on 22nd October 1913 states the 
Rector said . . ."for many years past the people of Horton have been dreaming about a village hall..... Mr. Champney came to the rescue with a promise that he would build that hall, before he made that promise he saw that the people of Horton were in earnest in trying to raise funds."

Mr. Champney stated that he “made that promise because he did not wish to spoil the enjoyment he had observed by those using the area as a recreation ground"

(Note: Local memories state that Mrs. Champney made the curtains herself and personally donated the full sized snooker table that used to be in the rear hall.  The rear hall was apparently an after-thought built some months later  We understand that Mrs Champney took the view that the men needed a place of their own away from the children.)

Local resident Joan Mildenhall wrote (in October 1986)

The Champney Hall was built on land owned by Mr Champney and paid for him only for the men and boys of the village at first, and later shared by everyone. Mr Champney thought that the women and girls should stay at home! 

Christie Willetts wrote this for a Village Fete programme:

Horton was exceptionally fortunate that it was acquired by Mr John H Champney, a very benevolent gentleman. He realised that village life could be greatly enriched if there were a village hall and in 1911 he joined with the rector of Horton and Mr Cunningham, of Horton Manor, acting as trustees to buy (for £85) the present recreation ground as a site for a village hall. Mr Champney soon felt it would be better to leave that field, of about an acre, as a recreation ground and he generously promised to build a hall on adjacent ground. This he promptly did.

For more documents see end of this article

Death of Mr. Champney 1929
In his will dated 13th November 1926 Mr. Champney left an endowment of £1,200 to the YMCA to cover maintenance, upkeep and improvement of the hall

Notes made in 1980 by a parish Councillor state that "The Parish Council at the time used the School House and their view was the Village Hall was for the 'workers recreation and social welfare'.

A copy of his will is available from the Gov probate search service.  The link is https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#calendar and the cost (at the time of writing) was £1.50.  To complete the form you will need the following information (folio 742):

(Note: Verbal history states that the reason the hall was donated to the YMCA was because Mr. &. Mrs. Champney were Quakers and had a disagreement with the Vicar because he spend a considerable time in the local 'public houses' when he should have been administering to his flock).

Horton Cottage
Title records also show that in his will Mr. Champney also instructed that his dwelling known then as Horton Cottage be used as a "Home of Rest" Later known as the "Gardeners Home" which in the 1970 became offices for Lloyds Bank with Dawn Redwood Close being built on the orchard to the rear.  The original but extended building being demolished and rebuilt in 2003/4 .  The Caretakers cottage is now known as “Freshfield”.

Champney Hall 1913 to 1974
Information gained shows that the hall was well used by the community, it also served as the sports hall and dining room for the village school, a doctors clinic and baby clinic.  These all closing together with the village school about 1974.   This loss of community provision appears to be the result of the change in local authority from Buckinghamshire to Berkshire.

1970/73 Files
Files held by Bucks Education Dept relating to the transfer from Bucks to Berks County Council, indicate that the hall did not meet current education requirements and was in need of considerable internal and external repair.

1975 - 1980
Records show that during these years a small committee of residents continued to manage the hall but although the hall was still well used, it was not covering running costs and funds to upgrade were difficult to obtain.  A number of public appeals were made with little or no response or interest from the village as a whole.

Early 1980
Betty Marlow, Barbara Hearne and others with young children applied to start a number of clubs for children/ young people in the hall.  Legislation having moved forward prior to starting they were required to obtained a Fire Officers report.  Unfortunately the Fire officer declared the hall a fire risk and instructed instant closure for public events (excluding meetings)

As the Hall was legally held by the YMCA they had to be consulted.  Although the hall had always been locally managed, the YMCA instructed that a new committee be formed and an improvement plan put in place.

New Management members were appointed: Richard Tillyer, Betty Marlow, and Clive & Barbara Hearne alongside previous members David Bartram, Bob Spennywyn, Michael Ardley and June Lucas.

During the next two/four years over 40K was raised through loans and grant aid allowing the hall to redesigned and upgraded. Through the efforts of Richard Tillyer national companies also contributed manpower or materials.

1985 YMCA changes - Proposal to Sell
Unfortunately in 1985, due to a change within the charitable structure of the YMCA, the custodianship of holding the hall in trust fell outside their charitable remit and an application was made to sell the hall.  The local committee after much discussion with the YMCA agreed to go to the Charity Commission to see if a compromise could be reached.

1987/88.
Over the next two years suggestions and possible charity schemes were discussed and rejected, but a solution was found on 12th November 1988

1989   New Charity Scheme
On the 4th January 1989 a scheme was sealed by the Charity Commission where 5 residents of Horton (Richard Tillyer, Betty Marlow, Clive Hearne, Bob Spennewyn and David Bartram) became the managing trustees for one year.  They also committed that at the end of that year a full management committee would be established.  All five provided personal financial guarantees thus accepting a considerable personal financial liability to ensure Horton retained a Village hall.  

1990   Full Charity Scheme established.

(a) The Parish Council by formal resolution would act a Custodian Trustees and underwrite any losses.
(b) A Committee of Managing Trustees as detailed within the scheme was established.

1991 to 2016.

Since 1991 Managing Trustees have come and gone, some were very committed and others helped as and when they could.  Through their collective efforts the hall is currently well maintained and covers its running costs.  Two of the original trustees still remain and have been supported since 1993 by Freda Bovington.  During this time Samantha Beldom took on cleaning, then bookings and then invoicing responsibilities.

Trustees for Life
A public meeting in 2000 wished to recognise the dedication of the remain two trustee and  passing a resolution to amend Clause 7 of the Charity Scheme and appointed Mrs Betty Marlow and Mr Richard Tillyer as Trustees for Life.

Betty Marlow prepared this above potted history of Champney Hall on the halls 101st birthday to ensure that its history is not lost

2016 and forwards
Sadly Betty Marlow died in 2016.  Without the commitment of Samantha Beldom the day-to-day running of the hall would not work as smoothly as it does. A new committee was established comprising of the original stalwarts Richard Tillyer and Freda Bovingdon, plus Stuart Ingar, Samantha Beldom and Benta Hickley.  If anyone is interested in joining the committee or can offer any assistance please do not hesitate to email ChampneyHall@gmail.com 

What is the Future?
Village life has also changed, legislation for public buildings has become complicated and expensive, and the original social needs for the hall have declined.

Unfortunately Champney Hall never has nor never will be able to complete with its near neighbours.  To remain financially viable Champney Hall does not have the income to pay full time caretakers or repair companies.  It will always need "can do" volunteers and they are very hard to find. If you can attend a meeting every few months, or have the time or commitment to be on call 24/7, or anything between, please let us know.  

2020 and forwards

Stuart Inger has put in a huge amount of work ensuring the fire detection system and the electrical systems is up to date and ensuring regular inspections are carried out as well as running the accounts and ensuring bills are paid etc.  He moved out of the village early 2021 and therefore left the Committee.  Sadly Richard Tillyer passed away in 2024.  

As of spring 2024 there is a committee of the following: Jayne (Chair), Benta (Clerk), Carly (Treasurer), Daveena and John (Facilities and statutory inspections),  Sam (Bookings) and Freda.  Regular hirers are also invited to committee meetings.   The committee aims to meet about 4 times a year

The Committee volunteers can be contacted by email: ChampneyHall@Gmail.com

In the news

Newspaper articles regarding the opening of the hall: Click on the image to enlarge.  Unfortunately they are poor quality