I HAVE been working at Sudbury Conservative Club for over a year now, and have become very interested in its history, especially the Victoria Hall. I have been all over the building and seen the old dressing rooms in the basement. I have also seen above the suspended ceiling to the original roof and rafters of the hall and the excellent carvings at the top of the pillars, which are now hidden from view.
I have found out from members of the club and the centenary booklet that the club was opened in 1886 and that the Victoria Hall was opened in October, 1887. I have also found plans of the conversion of the Victoria Hall in 1978, from a theatre to the
hall that it is now.
I am very keen to learn more about the history of the club and the hall and wonder if any of your readers could help me with my quest.
I believe that the amateur dramatic society used to use the hall. Can anyone tell me what shows or plays they used to put on? Perhaps they may have copies of the programmes from that time. Did they perform at the hall when it was a theatre? Do they have any photographs of the original hall, together with the balcony? Have your readers any interesting stories about the hall? Were their ancestors members of the Conservative Club? Does anyone know if the building was a home to a family before changing use to the Conservative Club?
Are there any ladies who remember being allowed into the club for the first time in 1950 (when ladies were only permitted to enter by the back door to watch the smoking concert followed by the club’s annual dinner!)
I would be extremely grateful for any information, photographs, newsletters, newspaper cuttings etc that anyone can provide me with and also stories that they can tell me.
I look forward to hearing from you all.
BRENDA HOWE
4 Raleigh Road
Sudbury
The full article contains 337 words and appears in Suffolk Free Press newspaper.
