In 1921, Hook Norton villagers bought a piece of land on which to erect a hall as a memorial to the Great War.
The Hook Norton War Memorial Hall is more than just a building; it’s a charity with the object of ‘improving the conditions of life for the inhabitants of Hook Norton and the surrounding area’, which provides a village hall for use by all of us.
For Facilities and Booking Information see the end of this page.
About the Friends
The Friends of Hook Norton War Memorial Hall was started in 2023 by existing users and we work closely with the trustee of the charity, Hook Norton Parish Council.
We have the aim of returning the War Memorial Hall to an asset valued by the village, by increasing the use of the hall for community events, raising funds to look after and improve it and to support the trustee to develop the Memorial Hall longer term in a way that the village wants.
Society changes and, particularly following Covid, use of the hall dropped off to the point where income from hiring it out wasn’t enough to cover the cost of maintaining it.
Of course, it’s not the only venue for hire in the village and each has its own character, benefits and drawbacks.
The War Memorial Hall is a traditional village hall but is by no means redundant.
The existing clubs and societies that have used it regularly over many years find it meets their needs and each would find it difficult or impossible to find another venue in the village that is suitable for their purposes.
In a changing and growing village we need to make the best of all the facilities we have and hope that all venues can be useful to our community.
Interested in joining the Friends?
If you are interested in becoming a Friend, want to support the Friends or just interested in what is going on with the Memorial Hall you can sign up to become a Friend and receive emails about what it happening, free of charge, by emailing us at friendsofhnwarmemorialhall@gmail.com, providing your name(s) and asking to be added to our mailing list.
Your email address will not be shared with third parties and you can unsubscribe at any time using the link on emails sent to members.
Want to know what’s going on at the War Memorial Hall?
You can keep up to date with what’s going on at the hall by going to and following Hook Norton War Memorial Hall Facebook page.
Donations/Support
We don’t charge to become a Friend. If you would like to make a donation to help to support the hall, no matter how small, please donate at Virgin Money, Friends of Hook Norton War Memorial Hall, sort code 82 11 07, account no. 10579879.
Coming along and enjoying some of our community events will also help to support the Hall’s future, as will holding your own events there.
Other Queries
For other queries we can be contacted at friendsofhnwarmemorialhall@gmail.com.
The history of the War Memorial Hall
If you would like to know more of the history of the Hook Norton War Memorial Hall and see some photo’s of how it was, please see the article by James Tobin about its 100th anniversary in 2022 on page 49 of the 2022 February edition of the Hook Norton Newsletter.
And also James’ article, The Last Picture Show at page 5 of the 2017 April edition of the Hook Norton Newsletter.
Facilities and Booking
Memorial Hall Floor Plan
Hook Norton War Memorial Hall is a traditional village hall. It provides a versatile, large, light and airy space with wooden flooring and is accessible on one level. It can accommodate up to 100 people standing or 80 seated and has male and female toilet facilities, including an accessible toilet. Seating and tables can be provided and there is a small kitchen with fridge, cooker and ample crockery and cutlery. In addition, there is a range of lighting, including mood and emergency lighting, with exits on three sides into a large garden with some seating.
Other features
Wi-fi and a hearing loop are available free. There is staging with curtains for plays, music etc. and the venue has a Public Entertainment License. The hall is in an accessible position on foot within the heart of the village but has on street parking, if needed.
Please note: It cannot be guaranteed that the venue is free of allergens, including traces of nuts.
How to Book the Hook Norton War Memorial Hall
The current booking cost is £15 an hour and existing bookings can be viewed at http://hnwmh.co.uk/
To book the War Memorial Hall, or to discuss your needs, please contact Rosemary Watts, rosemary.watts@hnpc.org.uk, call 07498 137088 (office hours only) or contact the Parish Council at parishcouncil@hnpc.org.uk.
Photo Gallery (click for larger versions)
