Moorlands Village Hall
School Road, Bagnall

A Potted History of the Hall

The hall is on the site of the former Moorlands County Primary School (hence School Road) and the idea for a village hall came about in the months following a terrible fire on March 15th 1969, which completely destroyed all but the Headmaster's house.

The school originally opened on 28th April 1874 with 23 children on the register and by June the same year there were 101 children enrolled. As would be expected, the school proved to be a focal point for the communities with evening events being held to serve the local communities as well as providing the main education in the area. The sudden loss of the school after 95 years of its existence was a great shame for the community at the time.

Within a few weeks of the fire the gutted buildings were deemed unsafe and consequently demolished. A committee was formed to fight for a replacement for the school, but due to a variety of reasons this was finally decided against in October 1969.

In way of compensation for the community, the County Council offered the site on which to build a village hall along with grant aid to assist with the purchase of the Headmaster's house.

The front part of the now Village Hall is the original gritstone Headmaster's house which was renovated in 1975, with the larger hall being added over the next two years. The name 'Moorlands Village Hall' was chosen as, like the school did, it serves the communities of Light Oaks and Baddeley Edge, as well as Bagnall.

Despite needing some modernisation, the hall is an important community resource, now being run as a registered charity by a dedicated voluntary committee. The hall is used regularily by community groups and is also available for private hire for functions or events.

The village hall committee also organise the recently re-introduced annual fete and crowning of the Chestnut Queen. The fete is now normally held on the Father's Day Sunday in June.

Serving the communities of Bagnall, Light Oaks & Baddeley Edge.

Charity Registration Number: 500639