There is not a lot I can tell you about The Henley Hall, only that I grew up with it. It was always there during my younger days, and yet, maybe because I was too young, it was, or it always seemed to be closed. Today it seems to be a different story, I understand that the Hall is quite busy, in as much there is a Boot Sale there every Thursday, and if it is like the Boot Sales I have seen there will be many visitors to the hall. In my young man days, there was the dance held there occasionally on a Saturday night, quite handy for me living on Bradder Street. At the very least I could learn to dance properly, well I thought I could. I remember going to a football dance at the Henley Hall, where I won the first prize in the raffle, I won 40 Gold Flake Cigarettes, I believe it was a time when most people smoked. On my last visit to Mansfield the Hall looked nothing like the Henley Hall I remembered. Which prompted me to do a rough sketch of the hall as it was a few years ago. I believe the Hall belongs to Saint Mark’s Church so if it was built at the same time, it must be well over 100 years old. Also I recall seeing some connection with Wren, somewhere, which makes me wonder if there are any other Henley Halls!
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I have recently been reading the write up of the Funeral of the dear Revd. A.G. Henley. The work he put into his 52 years was phenomenal. The reason for my comment is, the mention of what was described as “The Iron Church” being used by a congregation of 4000 residents before the building of the then very new Saint Mark’s Church. The only iron church I knew and attended, was St. Aiden’s Church in the old brickyard. Made of Corrugated Iron. St. Aiden’s was always associated with St. Marks, and was always known as a daughter Church to St. Marks.
Hello Roy, thank you for your pleasing comments, I was probably there when your father played the drums. I do remember the Hawian Guitar coming into its own. Enjoyed many Saturday nights at the Henley Hall.Wow! Carl Bryan, used to play a lot of football with him on the old Hayfield. He like myself were one of the first to play in the Bradder Street team. I remember Terry a great artist painter, painting all round the walls of their front room in a Desert Scene. They also had one of the Air Raid Shelters right outside of the front door of their house. And of course, both Terry and Carl were fantastic Jivers, both dressing the part. I am sure that Carl will remember most of what has been written about Bradder Street on these pages. Roy, please give him my best regards, and upon my next visit to the old town, I’ll make an effort to meet up. Tell Carl we have lost a few of the old Gang on the way. Many thanks to you both. Alan
Loved reading about The Henley Hall Alan. My father used to play in the band on Saturday nights during the war. He played the drums in various bands but one I remember was The Phil Stanley Four. It was quiet a novelty because Phil played ,amongst other instruments, an Hawian Electric Guitar..very unusual in them days. I used to help carry my fathers drum kit .. we lived in Grove Street. Lots of soldiers came to the dance, mainly RASC who were billeted at the Drill hall on Bath St. By the way I’ve been asked to say, that Carl Bryan wishes to be remembered to you and says ” He’s still alive and kicking!”
More about the Henley Hall…. I came across this information relating to the Saint Marks Henley Memorial Hall…It is dedicated to the memory of the Revd. A. G. Henley, a former vicar of Saint Mark’s, who was drowned in tragic circumstances on the 5th of August 1904. It was opened on the 23rd of October 1909. by the Revd. Lowndes Day, Canon A.H. Prior of Saint Peter’s and the Revd. W Lilley of Saint John’s..
Take a look at http://www.stmarksmansfield.org.uk/hhmain.aspx to discover more about Henley Hall and the activities there today.
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