About Us

The Hall Trustees

The hall is run by a Management Committee of Trustees, who are responsible for maintaining the fabric of the building and for ensuring that it continues to serve the needs of the community.

Office Name Representing Since
Chair Stephen Walmsley Community Council 2006
Vice-Chair Sarah Walmsley Keep Fit 1991
Treasurer Robert Symberlist Elected 1999
Secretary (Admin) Vicki James Youth Club 2003
Secretary (Social) Jo Eagle Elected 2007
  Pauline Bevan Elected 2003
  Mary Beynon Pitton Chapel 1976
  Gill Evans Elected 2007
  John Furneaux Elected 2001
  Judith Harry Elected 2003
  Jeff Higgins Elected 2010
  Marian Potts Elected 2010
  Sam Shaw Wednesday Club 2003
  Sarah Stevens Elected 2008
  Jenny Venables St Mary's Church 1999

Rhossili Village Hall became a registered charity in February 1973. The Trustees include representatives nominated by each of the groups that use the hall regularly, including the Community Council, plus others elected annually by the local community. The Trustees undertake the work on a voluntary basis.

There are four sub-Committees that are tasked to meet as and when required to discuss detail and make recommendations to the Trustees:

  • The Building sub-Committee focuses on the development and maintenance of the facilities;
  • The Bunkhouse sub-Committee focuses on the management and running of the Bunkhouse;
  • The Marketing sub-Committee focuses on promoting the Bunkhouse and Hall;
  • The Social sub-Committee focuses on the planning and delivery of community events held at the hall.

The membership of the sub-Committees is not restricted to the Trustees. All local residents are very welcome to contribute to planning events and promoting and maintaining the facilites through one of these teams.


The Hall Administrator

The Trustees employ a part-time permanent Hall Administrator, Josephine Higgins, based at the Hall Office. Jo is responsible for processing all bookings for the Bunkhouse, Meeting Room and Hall, and submitting a monthly summary report of activity to the Trustees. Booking enquiries are submitted via the online form which automatically sends Jo an email message containing the booking details. Jo also coordinates the staff who 'Meet & Greet' Bunkhouse guests and the staff who Clean the premises.


About the Hall

Before the hall was built, there was a smaller hall just a stone's throw away within what is now the confines of Ship Farm (then 'The Ship' inn). Edgar Evans, who perished along with Captain Scott while striving to reach the South Pole, was born in Rhossili and was married in this earlier building.

The current hall was built in 1924 in Middleton, on land between St Mary's Church in Rhossili and the Chapel in Pitton; to serve the whole community. The original project was undertaken by four farmers and a butcher, who became the first Trustees and whose descendants still live in the area and use the hall today, plus an agent of the Penmaen Estate on whose land the "Public Hall" was constructed:

  • George Beynon, Farmer, Ship Cottage, Middleton, Rhossili
  • George Austin Button, Farmer, Pitton, Rhossili
  • Samuel Richards, Farmer, Bay Farm, Rhossili
  • George Thomas, Farmer, Worms Head Cottage, Rhossili
  • Martin Tucker, Butcher, Pitton Cross, Rhossili
  • Hopkin Llewellyn Prichard, Agent, Penmaen Estate

Apart from the main hall, there was an ante-room at the southern end, which later served as a kitchen and meeting room. Over the years, the building was extended twice, mainly to provide toilet and storage facilities. The Trustees took out a bank loan to fund an extension in the 1960s.

In the 1980s the land occupied by the hall was acquired by the Trustees.

During the late 1990s it became clear that the facilities were in need of a major facelift and, more importantly, would have to be modified to meet the new disability legislation (the Disability Discrimination Acts of 1995 and 2005) to enable equal access by all.

In 1999-2000 three reports were published highlighting the need for improved facilities in the village and recommending actions. The last of these reports was the Community Appraisal questionnaire, which had a 70% return. The results of this invaluable survey provided the direction and underpinned the actions taken subsequently by the Trustees.

In 2003 a development project was started to construct a separate building linked to the hall, which would not only meet the needs of the new legislation, but also meet the changing needs of the community and ensure the future sustainability of the facilities. This would be achieved through the provision of bunkhouse accommodation for visitors. Information about the project, which is now in its 5th year (third phase) and is nearing completion, can be found on the development page.

The extended community of Rhossili includes the hamlets of Middleton, Pitton, Pitton Cross, Pilton Green and Pylewell; around 120 properties that stretch east from Rhossili towards Scurlage. There are approximately 220 adults on the Electoral Register and 60 young people in the village. It is still a strong farming community, but also includes a number of professional people who work mainly in Swansea, plus a number of lively retired people.

If you are a Rhossili resident and are interested in helping to build and maintain a lively community, perhaps because you have skills which may benefit the community, please contact us. You will be very welcome.

If you have further information about the history of the Hall, events, photos, stories, please contact us!