History of the Memorial Hall

Thurnby Memorial Hall was opened on 1st May 1926 as a permanent memorial to the men of the village of Thurnby who gave their lives for their country in the First World War. Charles Bennion, who purchased Bradgate Park for the people of Leicestershire and lived at Thurnby Grange, donated £500 towards the building and the residents raised the balance of the money needed.

​In addition to being a social centre for local community groups to meet, the Hall was to provide a much-needed extra classroom and dining room for the village school. A board of Trustees was formed and it was agreed that the school would pay £50 per year rent for the use of the back and main halls.

​Over the years, the hall has hosted village celebrations and parties, as well as a wide variety of community groups. By 1981 it was decided that new toilets and an additional room were needed and the local Royal British Legion group donated £600, in memory of all those who had died in the two World Wars. This room was to be known as the British Legion room.

In 2000, the County Council gave St Luke’s School a grant to build a new school hall, kitchen and classrooms. Once this was completed, the school no longer needed the use of the Hall and the ties were severed after 75 years.

In recent years, the Trustees, with the help of grants, have undertaken a complete renovation of the Hall. The British Legion room is now a fully equipped commercial kitchen and the top room, with the support of Footloose Stage School, is now a dance studio.

​Both of the downstairs halls have also been redecorated and the cedar floors refurbished, with new stage curtains and blinds fitted. The electrics have been completely upgraded and LED lighting installed. In 2021, the ladies and men’s toilets have also been refurbished and redecorated, a hearing loop installed in the main hall and new security lighting and cameras fitted to the front of the building.

As the Memorial Hall approaches its centenary, the current Trustees are committed to continuing to provide a welcoming meeting place for the local community as envisaged by those first Trustees.