Our Story
About the Hall
Over seventy years of bringing the village together.
A village institution
Westbrook Village Hall was built in 1952, funded entirely by donations from villagers and local businesses. The land was gifted by the Westbrook Estate, and much of the labour was provided by volunteers. The official opening, performed by the parish council chairman, was attended by nearly every household in the village. It was, by all accounts, a proud day for a small community that had decided to build something for itself.
For decades, the hall served as the venue for everything from parish council meetings to wedding receptions, from jumble sales to Christmas pantomimes. The kitchen was added in 1968, the car park was paved in 1985, and a new roof went on in 2003 after a particularly ambitious fundraising campaign that involved a sponsored walk, a barn dance, and a great deal of cake.
In 2018, the hall received a major refurbishment thanks to a generous grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. The work included new flooring, improved heating, disabled access throughout, and a complete modernisation of the kitchen and toilet facilities. Solar panels were added in 2022. Today, the hall is busier than ever -- used by dozens of groups and individuals every week, and still managed entirely by volunteers.
Key Milestones
Charitable Status
Westbrook Village Hall is a registered charity (No. 1087452) and is managed by a committee of trustees elected at the Annual General Meeting.
The Committee
All volunteers. All locals. All doing it because they care about the village.
Geoffrey Barton
Chair
Geoff has lived in Westbrook for over thirty years and has been on the committee since 2010.
Margaret Holloway
Secretary
Margaret keeps everything running behind the scenes and has been secretary since 2016.
Peter Whitfield
Treasurer
Peter manages the hall finances and oversees all grant applications and accounts.
Rachel Oakes
Booking Secretary
Rachel handles all booking enquiries and manages the hall diary. The first point of contact for hire.
Ian Blackwell
Maintenance Lead
Ian keeps the building in shape. If something breaks, he fixes it -- usually the same day.
Our Values
Community First
Everything we do is for the people of Westbrook and the surrounding villages. The hall belongs to the community.
All Welcome
Whether you have lived here for decades or are new to the area, there is always a warm welcome at the hall.
Seventy Years Strong
Three generations have grown up with this hall. It is as much a part of the village as the church or the pub.
Location & Directions
Westbrook Village Hall
Church Lane
Westbrook, Gloucestershire
GL7 3PH
Parking: Free car park with 20 spaces on site. Additional roadside parking on Church Lane.
Bus: Nearest stop is Westbrook Green (route 606, Cirencester to Cheltenham). Five-minute walk from the hall.
