In order to build the village hall Mrs Betty Holmes M.B.E. (who was chairman of Old Basing Parish Council) changed the covenant on the ground adjacent to Oliver’s Battery.

The hall was designed by the local architect Derek Kearns and the projected cost was £80,000.  Villagers had to raise 25% of this, with the Government Department of Education & Science providing 50% and Basingstoke & Deane providing 25%.  Fund raising for the village contribution started in 1978.

The Village Hall Steering Committee formed the hall into a charitable trust.  The building of the hall started in 1980 and Mrs Betty Holmes M.B.E. opened the completed hall on the 5th June 1982, as shown in the picture on the left.  She also opened two further extensions in 1993 (new entrance) and 2003 (rear extension & Frank Goddard Room).

John Davie has kindly lent a photograph album that records the various stages of build from clearing the ground to the opening party.  We have made a picture archive from this which can be viewed here.