Our History

Yaxley Village Hall was opened on Tuesday 26^th November 1926, by Lord Henniker (the local landowner). The original building was a 60 foot long army hut as used since the First World War. Mr A B Sutton a local resident was the driving force behind the venture in providing a meeting place for all ages. The total cost, including associated ground works was £310, an amount that could have purchased two reasonably sized cottages at the time, and remembering a labourer’s wage would have been £1 a week. 

Initially, the hall was a great success but by 1929 there was a decline in receipts. However, the hard work put in by the villagers arranging many events and fetes saved the hall’s continuation. 

In September 1932 a treasure hunt organised by the hall committee and run in conjunction with the newly formed athletics club, caused uproar. The event was cancelled by order of the police after the local vicar, the Rev. R.C.Magee had said the event would distract parishioners from attending morning service as it had been organised on a Sunday. 

The Women’s Institute met on a regular basis in 1933 and a full-sized billiard table added to the popularity of the hall and provided a steady income. 

During the Second World War the hall continued as a centre point of the village. Yaxley’s children enjoyed a Christmas party in 1940. 

In 1953 a Christmas Fayre and jumble realised the princely sum of £13-14s-5d. 

Many of the events and various clubs have continued over the years. The Covid-19 pandemic curtailed activities for two years, between 2020 and 2022, but the hall continues to be a focal point for the people of Yaxley today.