The Victoria Hall.
THE present building is an adaptation of the Working Men's Institute, which was built in 1866, chiefly owing to the efforts of the late Countess Waldegrave, and the late Baron Carlingford (then Mr. Chichester Fortescue) the latter having, in addition to taking an interest in the Building of the Hall, frequently lectured there on current topics. The present building was erected to commemorate the 6oth year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and the foundation stone was laid on June 22nd, 1897, by the Right Hon. Lord Carlingford, K.P. The enlargement cost about, £1,100, and the building comprises a Reading Room, well supplied with newspapers and periodicals, a Library of over 1,000 volumes, Billiard and Refreshment Rooms. In the upper part of the building is a Hall, 55 feet by 34 feet, which is used for Entertainments, Meetings, and Technical Instruction purposes. Extensive additions are being made to find accommodation for occasional Petty Sessions and Public Offices.
S. H. W.

(transcript supplied for indexing purposes)