In 1898 there was a Parochial lending library in the Old School Building. Although Cosgrove Church was powerful and active in those days it was not common for churches to be the community buildings they are today.

Sunday schools and various clubs came and went in this building. Once the new school opened in 1912 the old building was used for many years as a meeting room for youth groups. We know that there was a “Girls’ Friendly Society” which may have met there.

During both World Wars clubs and societies became more commonplace and during the Second World War Cosgrove identified the need for a permanent community meeting place for the village.

In 1945 a memorable fund raising event was held, to build a “Victory Hall” in Cosgrove.

The Victory Hall was built on Bridge Road in Cosgrove, the work starting shortly after the Second World War in 1946. It was intended as a general meeting place and village amenity for local people, needed because the previous community building, the Old School, was no longer suitable.

The land used was donated by Captain P Y Atkinson of the Priory, who was known for his philanthropic attitude towards the village and its people. The project was seen as a phoenix project reconstructing peaceful village life after the Second World War. It was built largely through voluntary labour by the people of Cosgrove.

A Public Hall for Cosgrove Village?  Generous Offers to Appeal

Cosgrove village is to have a Public Hall.  This was stated at a public meeting held in the Mission Hall on Friday last.  An appeal to the people of Cosgrove in the form of a printed leaflet stated: “or many years the lack of a public hall in Cosgrove has been a very great drawback to the social life of the village.  A committee has been formed with the object of obtaining a building when meetings, socials, dances, etc. can be held.  But without the co-operation of the community as a whole, progress will be extremely slow; so, with the hope of recruiting the interest of all concerned, this appeal is being circulated.”

We understand that captain PY Atkinson has generously offered the ground on which to build, and also offered £100, whilst two more residents, Miss Wells and Miss Balfour, have jointly promised a further £100.

All well connected with the village agree that such a hall is a necessity for the social life of the community, but a number of persons feel that the working committee should have been formed at a public meeting.

Victory Club, Cosgrove.  Donations Approaching £400

A number of generous donations have been received to the post-war project of building a Victory Club at Cosgrove.  Three cheques of £100 each have been donated by Captain and Mrs. P Y Atkinson, Miss Balfour and Miss Wells, Mr. and Mrs. G H Winterbottom.  Other donors and amounts are: Mrs. Heap £20, Mr. and Mrs. Davies £10, and Mrs. Elder £5.  The organizing committee, under the chairmanship of Norman Goodridge, have organized dances and competitions which have raised nearly £30.  The funds therefore, stands at over £350.  On Whit Monday a garden fete is to be held at Cosgrove Hall, organized by Mrs. Winterbottom, the proceeds being towards the fund.

Victory Club Cosgrove

The splendid sum of £36 was raised for the Victory Club Fund, Cosgrove by a jumble sale and auction held in the Mission Hall on Friday last.  The organized were Mrs. J. Henderson, Mrs. J Lovesey, Mrs. W. Clarke and Mrs. C. Harris, who are to be congratulated on a successful effort, especially as the collection of goods was made under the worst possible weather conditions.  The “Two Jacks” did excellent in auctioneering the goods and articles, and were well supported by a generous buyers.  Other helpers were Mr. N Goodridge, Mr C. Harris, Mrs. G Kightley, Mrs. M. Cummings, and Mrs. S. Johnson.  Special thanks to all who so generously supported the efforts and made possible the raising of so excellent a sum.

Queen of Albania Visits Cosgrove Hall

Several thousand people visited the spacious grounds of Cosgrove Hall, the home of Mr and Mrs G H Winterbottom on Whit-Monday, when the attractive young Queen of Albania, Queen Geraldine, accompanied by Princess Teri and Princess Danush, opened a garden fête in aid of Cosgrove’s Victory Hall Fund. Had it not been for half-an-hour’s heavy rain just at the appointed opening time, the attendance would have been much greater. As it was the number present must have been a record for a similar function held in this immediate locality.

A fete in May 1945 to raise money for the rebuilding of the old village hall in Cosgrove was opened by Queen Geraldine of Albania, the beautiful young Hungarian who married King Zog. The six little children are dressed as bride and groom, and attendants. Robin Winterbottom presented a bouquet of dark red carnations bound with taffeta bows of black and red the Albanian colours. Left to right: Lady-in-waiting, Mrs Penelope Winterbottom, Queen Geraldine, a Princess. , Children: Sylvia Wickham, Brenda Goodridge, Pat Bushell, Pauline Pollard, Robin Winterbottom, Frances, daughter of Mr and Mrs Charles Sweeney.

Much hard work was put into the arrangements, in which Mrs Winterbottom played a large share, and it is gratifying that the large sum of at least £200 will go towards the fund for the erection of a village hall.

Queen Geraldine, who was a Hungarian Countess in her own right before her marriage to King Zog, made a charming picture in a nigger brown costume and hat to match.

Mr and Mrs Winterbottom’s house party included, together with the Queen and Princesses, the princess Royal of Albania (lady-in-waiting), His Excellency Martini, Court Minister, Professor Nushi, Sir Orme Rowan Hamilton, former Governor of Bermuda, and a former Lord Chief Justice, Capt. R D Boulton, Chief Constable of Northamptonshire, and Mrs Boulton, Capt. G Hovdenak, Royal Norwegian Navy, Mrs Margaret Sweeney, famous society beauty, and Capt, Edgerton, RN.

Picturesque Opening Ceremony

It was a picturesque setting for the opening ceremony which took place at the far end of the large lawn. A happy party of six children representing a wedding-party, with bride (Miss Frances Sweeney) and bridegroom (Master Robin Winterbottom, the adopted son of Mr and Mrs G H Winterbottom), and retinue, Pauline Pollard, Brenda Goodridge, Sylvia Wickham, and Pat Bushell, all four being Cosgrove children. They were prettily attired in white frocks. Following the opening ceremony Frances Sweeney handed to Her Majesty a bouquet of choice crimson carnations whilst Robin Winterbottom presented the Queen with a silver time-piece suitably inscribed, from Mr and Mrs Winterbottom. The young “maids” each handed Queen Geraldine a floral bouquet which Capt. Boulton auctioned and made good prices.

Cosgrove Church Over 1100 Years Old

Sir Orme Rowan Hamilton made an able chairman and before calling upon Her Majesty spoke of the kindness of the Queen in coming to Cosgrove, and for Mr and Mrs Winterbottom’s ever-readiness to assist in good causes for the community. The village of Cosgrove was very old, he said, the church having been built 1100 years ago. Referring to Queen Geraldine, he said he hoped the time would soon come when she would be welcomed to her own country, from which she had been driven by brutality and inhumanity.

Cosgrove – “One of England’s Loveliest Villages”

“This is one of England’s loveliest villages, and I have seen many lovely places in this island of yours”, said Queen Geraldine.

She went on to refer to the purpose of the fête – to raise funds for a village hall – and said every village needed a happy communal life and a place in which people could enjoy all kinds of simple and healthy pleasures.

“When you have your hall” she said, “I hope you will remember all that you sacrificed in this war to get it, and I hope you will enjoy there pleasures with your loved ones, for these have been long years of separation.”

Fancy Dress Awards

Left: Tony Lavington as Louis XIV

The Queen and Princesses judged those in fancy costume and made the following awards: Ladies – 1 Eileen Tapp, Old Stratford (Coal Black Mammy); men – 1 Mrs N C Boreham, Stony Stratford (Scarecrow); girls – 1 Joyce Pack, Cosgrove (Britannia); boys – 1 Tony Lavington, Cosgrove (Louis XIV).

Stallholders

The stalls and sideshows were supervised as follows: L Hill, R Williams, Miss Gladys Loughrey, Miss Cynthia Tompkins, Mr G Beasley, Mrs W Giles, Mrs D Davies, A Loughrey, Mrs J Kightley, Miss M Brown, F Andrews, Mrs Bailey (Wolverton); pony rides, John Laughrey and Robin Winterbottom; marionettes, Ernest Elliott. Mrs Winterbottom had charge of the general stall.

The Committee were as follows: Mr N Goodridge (Chairman), Mr J Hebson (Secretary), Mr L Giles (Treasurer). Messrs A Loughrey, G Beasley, H Cummings, P Lyman, P Whiting, S Bushell, E Hillyer, F Tustain and C Harris.

The Rhythm Aces played selections during the afternoon under the conductorship of Mr Douglas Dytham.

Mr F Andrews, of Stony Stratford, handed in the large sum of over £28, raised from his three games.

Cosgrove Victory Club and Hall Fund reaches £1000: Bazaar and Auction

“We shall make our “thousand runs” tonight,” said Mr. G H Winterbottom at Cosgrove Hall on Friday last, when a bazaar and auction was held there for the funds to erect a Victory Club and Hall in the village.

Mrs. Winterbottom is well known over a wide area of North Bucks and South Northants for her willingness at all times to open functions in connection with charitable, religious bodies, and most especially the Northampton General Hospital; but when she opened this bazaar it was a unique ceremony, being the first occasion she had done so in her own home.

Mr. and Mrs. Winterbottom’s kind gesture is to be commended, as they threw open the spacious drawing room and billiards room to all comers, and by 7.30 pm, the opening ceremony time, the rooms were packed, visitors coming from Stony Stratford, Wolverton, Hanslope, and many of the surrounding villages.

Already Raised £898 – First Anniversary of Fund

The opening ceremony was performed in the drawing room.  Mr. Jack Hebson, hon. Secretary of the Victory Club and Hall committee, told the audience that this Christmas was the first anniversary of the commencement to raise funds for a proposed village hall in Cosgrove.  On behalf of the committee he wished to thank the following generous donors:

Lieutenant Colonel P Y Atkinson, JP, for his gift of £100 and also the land on which to build the hall;

Mr. and Mrs. G H Winterbottom, £50 each;

Miss Wells £50

Miss Balfour £50;

Mrs. Heap £20;

Squadron Leader and Mrs. Davies £10;

Mr. and Mrs. C R Whiting, 20 guineas.

Their thanks were also due to the people of Cosgrove who had worked hard for all their efforts and given generously.

He wished to give special thanks to Mrs. Winterbottom for her outstanding effort in her grounds on Whit Monday, when Her Majesty the Queen of Albania opened the garden fete, from which the magnificent sum of £308 resulted.  They wished to thank Mrs. Winterbottom for her hard work, kindness, and generosity as well as personal discomfort in making the bazaar possible.  There total so far raised amounted to the large sum of £898.  The Secretary concluded with thanks to that evening’s stall holders, and Colonel L. Parratt, who was to conduct an auction of useful gifts.

Town Hall Idea Might Spread

Mr. F S Woollard, in welcoming the gathering, said that’s the idea to provide a village hall might spread, as neither Wolverton nor Stony Stratford had a town hall.  It looked as if Cosgrove was going to realise its ambition before its neighbouring towns; the idea might encourage those in the urban area.

Village Life Very Important

Mrs. Winterbottom, in declaring the bazaar open, said it was a great pleasure to have the unique honour of opening the function in her own house, and more pleasure because it was to raise funds for their village hall, which was a sadly needed want - a building where the people of Cosgrove could dance, hold concerts and wedding receptions, without having to make the long journey toStony Stratford and Wolverton.  “Village life is very important, and anything to bring the residents together should be encouraged and helped, and that is why I ask for your generous help tonight.  Make it your thanksgiving for all our blessings and a great victory,” appealed Mrs. Winterbottom.

Continuing, she said Xmas was near; it was the first Christmas so many children had really known, and there were many gifts on the stores which would make the children happy.  Mr. Hebson, the committee’s hard working Secretary, had told them of the large amount already raised, and she (Mrs. Winterbottom) hoped everyone presents that evening would be present when the hall was opened, when she promised them the best show in this neighbourhood for years.  She wished to thank her very kind friends for all the lovely gifts sent along, and the committee who had worked hard in order to make the bazar a success.

A gift from the committee, a flowering plant in basket, was handed Mrs Winterbottom by Master Robin Winterbottom.

In addition to the income previously given, the following psalms had been raised: Jumble sale by Mrs. W. Clarke, Mrs. H Harris, Mrs. J Hebson and Mrs. J Lovesey £36; Christmas draw run by the committee £20; village dances by the committee £34; bicycle draw £30; whist drives organized by Mrs. J. Johnson £42 16s 3d; Guides efforts Miss Luker and youth movement efforts (Mrs. M E Jelley) £24 9s; concert by the committee £13 10s; Women’s Institute £4 16s.

Brisk business was transacted at the stalls, the good things on the homemade sweet stall being quickly sold out, also the ice cream served by Master Robin Winterbottom.  In the drawing room there was stalls containing made issues and gifts of all kinds, those superintending being: Mrs. H C Clarke Stony Stratford, Mrs. I. Reiner, Miss Pamela Haig, a member of that well-known family of that name, Mrs. G H Winterbottom, Mrs. F S Woollard, and Mrs. G. Davis, wife of Squadron Leader Davis.  In the billiards room or the articles were made by Cosgrove residents and friends, and comprised a wide variety of children’s gifts and useful presents.  In charge were Mrs. G. Beasley, Mrs. H. Cummings, Miss Luker, Mrs. A Loughrey, Mrs. T Kightley, Mrs. Brockway, Mrs. L. Giles, Mrs. R. Davis, Mrs. J Hebson, and Mrs. J Lovesey.

Refreshments were served from the conservatory by Mrs. A. Whittaker, Mrs. W Castle, and Mrs. W. Clarke.  General assistance was given by Messrs. L. Giles (hon treasurer), P Lyman, A Cummings, A Loughrey, P Whiting, R Williams, F. Tustain, and Mr. S Bushell (chairman).  Colonel L Parratt, of Beachampton, conducted a sale of gifts in humorous manner and good prizes were made for poultry, eggs, cakes, and other articles and over £30 was realized.  The whole effort brought in about £115.

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A Committee was formed to manage the Hall which was opened in 1948.

The first Village Hall committee at Cosgrove, 1948. The ground for the hall was given by Capt. P.Y. Atkinson of the Priory. Back row, left to right: Arthur Loughrey, George Hickford, Bob Gallop, Dick Lavington, Fred Tustain, Tom Kightley. Front row: Harry Cummings, Reg Whiting, Frank Hillier, Jack Hebson, Joe Janes, Olive Johnson, Jack Johnson.

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Wolverton Express 12th November 1948

Temporary Hall for Cosgrove – Erection in New Year

A temporary village hall is to be erected at Cosgrove in the New Year at an approximate cost of £2000 by Messrs Betts and Faulkner, builders and contractors, of Stony Stratford. This welcome news was given at the fourth annual general meeting of the Victory Club and Hall, held in the Mission Hall on Tuesday 126^th October. Mr G H Winterbottom (president) and Mrs Winterbottom were present.

The financial position of the fund revealed it to be very strong, there being a balance in hand of £1295 12s 7d.

Mr J Hebson (hon secretary) voiced appreciation to Mrs A Loughrey and Mrs J Johnson for their efforts in raising £60 by means of whist drives during the past twelve months.

It was disclosed that Cosgrove and Naseby were the two fortunate villages to be granted a temporary hall out of the 78 applications in Northamptonshire.

Thanks were expressed to Mr G S Macwhirter (secretary of the County branch of the Rural Community Council) for his help and advice: also to Mrs Winterbottom, who has been responsible for raising more than half of the total income. Mrs Winterbottom informed the Secretary that she is organising a carnival ball at her home, Cosgrove Hall, to raise money with which to furnish the temporary hall. This generous gesture is appreciated by the Committee,

The site of the hall is in Bridge Row, opposite the Barge Inn, and the land has been given by Capt and Mrs P Y Atkinson of Cosgrove Priory. Sir John Brown, the architect, has drawn the plans. Capt Atkinson has been most helpful as regards legal matters and will represent the Parochial Church Council on the Hall Committee.

Dig First Sod on Hall Site

On Sunday afternoon the whole site at Cosgrove was the scene of enthusiastic activity, with male members of the community busily engaged on preliminary arrangements for the erection of the hall.  In the presence of many villagers and friends Mr. and Mrs. Winterbottom removed the first sod on the Hall site.  The company included the Hon Major Fermor-Hesketh and Mrs. Hesketh, Lord Hesketh of Easton Neston, Towcester, Mr. Kenneth Macwhirter, Captain Hyde Upward, Mr. F S Woollard JP and Mrs. Woollard, and Mr. and Mrs. E D Lawrence, of Stony Stratford.  Mr. and Mrs. Winterbottom left for their future home at Sunningdale, Berkshire on Monday last.

On the site of the future Cosgrove Church Hall, Mr and Mrs G. H. Winterbottom turn the first sod before their departure to live at Sunningdale.
Behind them are seen the new owners of Cosgrove Hall, Major the Hon John and Mrs Fermor Hesketh and Lord Hesketh.

TEMPORARY VILLAGE HALLS ON LOAN

…..the National Council of Social Service and the Ministry of Education had agreed to issue two standard huts to be used as temporary village halls for Cosgrove and Naseby. In the case of Cosgrove he said that the building had actually started.

Saturday was “Red Letter Day” for Cosgrove - Opening of Victory Club and Hall

Saturday last was a red letter day for the residents of Cosgrove, as a five year dream came true when Captain P Y Atkinson of the Priory declared open a spacious Victory Club and Hall, the first brick and mortar building to be erected since the war under the auspices of the Northamptonshire Rural Community Council.  The initial cost is in the vicinity of £2000 which is mainly provided for by the Community Council, and the hall is loaned Cosgrove at a nominal rent of 5s per week.  It is described as a temporary building, but speakers thought it would be standing for many years.

The building is situate on a plot of ground generously given by Captain P Y and Mrs. Atkinson, in Bridge Row, and there is space for other amenities.  There are two pathway entrances constructed of concrete which was the work of the organising committee.  The overall dimensions of the hall are 68 feet by 24 feet, with the main hall 54 feet long by 24 feet.  The erection by Messrs. Betts and Faulkner of Stony Stratford was a speedy one, the work having been started in March last.  Amenities of the hall comprise a stage, electric light, double exit doors to each side of the hall, ladies and gentlemen’s cloakrooms, electric clock given by Mr. C Eglesfield, bath and three showers, central heating with overhead pipes, kitchen and committee room.  All the electrical work was carried out by the staff of H H Lampitt, Wolverton.

The idea of starting a fund for a village hall was conceived following the cessation of the home guard, and during the five years that efforts are being made the large sum of £1450 has been raised towards that total.  Mrs. G H Winterbottom formerly of Cosgrove Hall, and now of Sunningdale, and the late Mr. Winterbottom gave generously and were instrumental in raising a substantial amount.  It was unfortunate that they were not present to see the project brought to our most successful conclusion.

Villagers Respond Invitation

Cosgrove is indebted to the Community Council for the interest it has taken, and especially to its Secretary, Mr. Kenneth Macwhirter, for assistance by way of the information he has continually provided for the Cosgrove Committee.  All villagers were invited to the opening ceremony and they responded in a large number.

Great Day for the Life of the Village

Mr F. Hillyer, chairman of the Hall committee, presided at the opening ceremony, supported by Captain P Y and Mrs. Atkinson, Mr. Manningham Buller, MP for the Division, Hon. John Fermor-Hesketh, Cosgrove Hall, Mr. K Macwhirter, Mr. J Hebson Hall Secretary Mr. J. Jones Hall treasurer and Mr. W N Montgomery JP CC Deanshanger.  The Rev. J S Benson, Rector of Cosgrove, and his wife, were present.

Mr. MacWhirter said it was not only a great day for the life of Cosgrove, but in the life of the Rural Community Council, because it was the first village hall to be built of bricks and mortar in Northamptonshire since the war.  That was not saying so much for the Rural Community Council as it was for the people of Cosgrove and the Hall Committee. Theirs was a community that had raised just over £1400 towards the building of a permanent hall, and the scheme of providing a temporary hall enabled them to retain a lot of the money towards a permanent hall, and was giving them a hall in which to raise more money.  He was quite sure that we the existing costs a permanent all would cost not less than £6000.

Erected in Record Time Thanks to Builders

They were able to have that hall not only because the committee had worked hard but because as soon as the starting date was fixed they could go ahead because of the generosity of Captain Atkinson in offering them the site upon which the hall now stood.  P Mr. Mcwhirter, could not conclude without giving words of praise to the builders Messrs. Betts and Faulkner of Stony Stratford.

“You are lucky in having a firm of builders which has taken an interest in village life for the wellbeing of the village people.  There has been no delay.  There are other halls being built in other parts of the country, but I think this one has been built in record time, and all because of the interest that the members of the firm had taken in the project” said the speaker.

“This is Cosgrove’s Village Hall for so long as you need a hall of this kind and until you can build a permanent one as you can visualise” he concluded.

Everyone’s Happy Day

Captain PY Atkinson began “This is a very happy day for me and a happy day for everyone in Cosgrove.” He recounted how, following the lay down of arms by the Home Guard, he was asked to give his support to the projects of commencing a fund for a village hall.  He felt that the day was an historical one in the life of Cosgrove and that some record should be kept of it, because something had been accomplished that had been needed for a very long time.  It was a magnificent hall, with all the necessary facilities.  Captain Atkinson records that Mr. Goodridge was the chairman of the first committee; then they were told that Mr. Macwhirter and his council would come forward and help, which gave them renewed vigour, and organizing went on wonderfully.

Combined Operations

Later arrangements were handed over to what he would term “Combined Operations”, the ladies being brought in and many other people came on the job under the able management of Mr. Hillyer.  Many times he had seen chaps in their shirtsleeves working hard on the job and it was a credit to them, and he was sure the village was grateful to them.  Cosgrove could live and be merry now in their own hall, said Captain Atkinson in declaring the hall opened.  Mrs. Atkinson was handed a floral gift by Sheila Brown.

Wished Hall Like it in Every Village

Mr. Manningham Buller in congratulating all concerned on the achievement, said Cosgrove was a fortunate village and he only wished there was a Hall like it in every village in the Daventry and Towcester division, then the life of village people would be improved.

Major John Fermor-Hesketh the Hall president, he said he was present when the first sod was cut and it was marvellous that the Hall had been erected in such a short time.  It was a magnificent building.

Mr. Jack Henson, Hall Secretary, said he had waited five years for that day.  He wished to thank Mr. Macwhirter and his counsel for the great assistance given them, and to Mr. Betts for his interest.

Mr. Hillyer, in concluding the happy ceremony, called for the support of the village in enabling the committee to run the organisation successfully.  He thanked all present for their cooperation.

All the schoolchildren of the village that city provided by the committee and friends.  Mrs. J. Johnson was assisted by willing helpers in the tea arrangements.  In the evening there was a film show, and a concert by Mr. Leo Bostock, Mr J. Poole, Mr T. Clarke and the “Odd spots”, Ron Green and Jim Chaytor.  Dancing concluded a most successful event with music by the Night Riders band of Newport Pagnell.

Gifts included - 10 chairs and cream tea pot (Mrs. Bushell); mirror for gentlemen’s cloakroom (Mr. E J Wickins); electric time piece for main hall (Mr. C Eglesfield); armchair for chairman (Mrs. Brown in memory of her son killed in the war); electric iron (H H Lampitt, Wolverton); and flag and pole by Messrs. Betts and Faulkner, Stony Stratford.

The Hall Committee comprises Messrs. F. Hillyer (chairman), J Hebson (Secretary), J. Jones (treasurer), P Whiting, A Tompkins, A Cummings, S Bushell, H Smith, B Gallop, F. Tustain, G Hickford, D Lavington, C Harris, Mr. and Mrs. J. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. A Loughrey, and Mr. and Mrs. T Kightley.

Saturday last was a “red letter” day for Cosgrove, as a five year dream came true when Captain P Y Atkinson of the Priory declared open a spacious Victory Club and Hall, the first brick-mortar building to be erected since the war under the auspices of the Northamptonshire  Rural Community Council. The initial cost is in the vicinity of £2000 which is mainly provided for by the Community Council and the hall is loaned to Cosgrove at the nominal rent of 5s per week. It is described as a temporary building, but speakers thought it would be standing for many years.

The building is situate on a plot of ground generously given by Captain PY and Mrs Atkinson, and there is space for other amenities. There are entrances constructed of concrete which was the work of the organising committee. The overall dimensions of the hall are: 68 feet by 24 feet with the main hall 54 feet long by 24 feet. The erection, by Messrs Betts and Faulkner, of Stony Stratford, was a speedy one, the work having been started in March last. Amenities of the hall comprise a stage, electric light, double exit doors to each side of the hall, ladies and gentlemen’s cloakrooms, electric clock (given by Mr C Eglesfield), bath and three showers, central heating with overhead pipes, kitchen and committee room. All the electrical work was carried out by the staff of H H Lampitt, Wolverton.

The idea of starting a fund for a Village Hall was conceived following the cessation of the Home Guard, and during the five years that efforts have been made, the large sum of £1,450 has been raised. Toward that total Mrs G H Winterbottom, formerly of Cosgrove Hall and now of Sunningdale, and the late Mr Winterbottom gave generously and were instrumental in raising a substantial amount. It was unfortunate that they were not present to see the project brought to a most successful conclusion.

Villagers Respond to Invitation

Cosgrove is indebted to the Community Council for the interest it has taken and especially to its secretary, Mr Kenneth McWhirter, for assistance by way of information he has continually provided for the Cosgrove Committee. All the villagers were invited to the opening ceremony and they responded in a large number.

Great Day for the Life of the Village

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Victory Club & Hall, Cosgrove.

A GRAND DARTS TOURNAMENT

To be held in the above Hall on

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1950,

Commencing 6.30 a.m.

FERMOR HESKETH CUP and 15 Guineas in Prizes.

Cup be presented by Major The Hon. John Fermor-Hesketh. Team of Four Players. Entrance Fee 10s. per Team. Closing Date Wednesday, August 9. Send Entries to J Hebson, 7, Yardley-road. Cosgrove. Wolverton, Bucks Rules sent on request.

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Families booked the Victory Hall for parties. This is Tony Lavington's birthday party in 1951.

The following article recalling the Victory Hall appeared in the Old Mail in 1988:

“On Saturday July 30^th 1949 the Victory Hall was officially opened, amid great celebrations. Present at the opening were Sir Reginald Manningham-Buller, MP for the area, and his wife, Captain Atkinson of The Priory, who had given the land, Major Hesketh, the Hall president, and of course, the Hall Committee (Chairman Mr Hillyer) and many of the villagers.

A party for the children of the village of Cosgrove at the opening of the first Village Hall, c.1949. Aren't they spellbound watching the magic lantern show! The rear of the group includes Jim Holman, Dolly Williams, Mrs Nora Horton, Vera Stewart, Susan Coles, Tony Lavington, Sylvia Wickham, Louie Gascoigne, Jessie Stewart, Sheila Brown, Rosemary Hebson. The front includes Jo Hebson, Ivor Hickford, Carol Prater, Pauline Bushell, Julie Longman, Jill Tustain, Jill Hebson, Sue Tustain and June Smith.

All the children sat down to a tea party organised by Mrs O Johnson and helpers, and this was followed by a film show, concert, and dancing.

It was built by Messrs Betts and Faulkner of Stony Stratford, aided by much voluntary labour including Mr Dick Lavington, Mr Joe Jones, Mr A Laughrey, Mr J Johnson, Mr J Hebson and Mr G Beasley. The first sod was turned by Mr and Mrs Winterbottom of Cosgrove Hall in January 1949. They had been active in the fundraising and had held a garden party at the Hall attended by Queen Geraldine of Albania, which raised £200.

Left to right: Jack Johnson, Howard Smith Jack Hebson, Mr. & Mrs. Winterbottom, Sid Bushell, Robin Winterbottom (boy) Mr. & Mrs. Winterbottom turning the first sod for the Victory Hall in January 1949. How many faces do you recognise?

Old age pensioners in Cosrove Victory Hall, c.1949. Back row, left to right: Sam Williams, ?, Bert Gascoine, ?, Bob Pettifer, Ernie Lambert, ?,. Middle row: Mr. Hinton, Mrs Hinton, Mrs Valentine, Mr Valentine, Joe Castle, Mrs Castle, ?, Mrs Bushell. Front row: Mrs Pettifer, Mrs Eglesfield snr, ?, Frank Hillyer, Mrs Hillyer, Mercy Clark, ?, Mrs Alderton, Mr Alderton.

A new Village Hall was needed by the late 1980s. It was planned to be built alongside the original Victory Hall, to enable the Victory Hall to continue in use whilst the new hall was built.

The Victory Hall before demolition.

THE VICTORY HALL 1949 - 1991 On Saturday, July 30th, 1949, the Victory Hall, Cosgrove was officially opened amid great celebrations. At the opening were Sir Reginald Manning-Buller, M.P. Captain Atkinson of the Priory, who had given the land, Major Hesketh, the Hall a, the Hall Committee (chairman Mr Hillyer) and many of the villagers. All the children sat down to a tea-party organised by Mrs O. Johnson and helpers, followed by a film-show, concert and dancing. The Union Jack was flown from the Hall Roof. The Hall was built as a temporary structure whilst funds were raised for a more permanent building, for which planning permission had been sought in 1948. Over the 5 years up to 1949 £1400 had been raised. It was funded by a 100% grant from the National Council of Social Services and rented to Cosgrove at 5/- a wk. The builders were Messrs Betts & Faulkner of Stony Stratford, aided by volunteer labourers including Mr Dick Lavington, Mr Joe Jones, Mr A Laughrey, Mr J. Johnson, Mr J. Hebson and Mr G. Beasley.  The first sod was turned by Mr & Mrs Winterbottom of Cosgove in January 1949. They had been active in the fund raising and had held a garden party at the Hall attended by Queen Geraldine of Albania. The Victory Hall served the village well for over 40 years until the spring of 1991.

A BBC Northampton Live Broadcast
24th May 1993

Bob Entwistle

The building of the new village hall is recorded from contemporaneous articles in the village newsletter – the Old Mail.

January 1st 1988

A Contract was placed with Newport Pagnell Construction in early October for the construction of the new Village Hall and construction commenced on site on 15^th October.

We are pleased to report that progress, as you can see, is currently to programme and it is hoped that the construction will be weathertight by Christmas and completion is scheduled for May 1991.

A number of fundraising activities are scheduled, the first of which will be a Christmas evening with Mulled Wine, Carols, Tombola, Raffle and Blue Peter Stall, on Wednesday 19^th December at 7.30 pm.

                                                                                                Peter Sadler and Richard Thomas

The sun almost broke through the clouds for the official opening of the New Village Hall on Saturday 8th June 1991. At least it didn’t rain whilst the speeches were made in front of the Hall. Mr Richard Thomas, Chairman of the Management Committee, welcomed the following official guests: Mr and Mrs H Wreschner, (Chairman of SNDC), Councillor Ford, Chairman of Community Services Committee, Mrs S Baker, District Councillor, Mr R Hall, Assistant Environmental Health and Housing Officer, Mr J Corbey, Architect, and Mr Deane and his staff from Newport Pagnell Construction, builders of the Hall.

Mr B Compton, Chairman of the Trustees, spoke, giving a brief history of the events during the past six years leading to the building of the new Hall. He gave thanks to all the organisations and people who had contributed to the fundraising.

Typically, for Cosgrove, by the following year this invitation appeared :