“At last we have a Parish Hall, the want of which has been felt for many years.” With these words the Vicar of Olveston the Rev J E Vernon began his description, in the Parish Magazine, of the opening of the Parish Hall in Tockington by her Grace the Duchess of Beaufort on October 31st 1901. The Duchess was presented with a bouquet of violets and lilies of the valley. After the Duchess had been thanked for opening the Hall the proceedings closed with a recital by the Bristol Cathedral Quartet. In the evening a Dance was held which was ‘largely attended’. Admission to the opening ceremony was by ticket priced at 2s 6d - the average wage for a working man then was about £1 per week.
The necessary funds for the building of the Hall were almost wholly provided by public subscription and the profits from a number of special events. Accounts rendered at November 1st 1901 indicated that the Hall with its outbuildings cost £549 to build. Four plots of land had been offered for the development but the final choice was a plot centrally located between the two villages of Olveston and Tockington.
The Hall was reckoned to accommodate 320 people (today the fire regulations limit total attendance to 150). The Hall soon became the venue for village flower shows, lectures, concerts, dances and evening classes on first aid. The Small Room - sometimes referred to as the Committee Room - was opened as a Reading and Recreation Room for men and youths over the age of 14. Smoking was allowed!