Collaton St Mary

Parish Rooms

Situated near to the church and opposite the new Primary School, is the Parish Rooms building.   Although used daily by the Collaton St Mary Community Playgroup, the Parish Rooms building is owned and managed by the Parish Rooms Committee which comprises people from the local community.

The Parish Rooms are available for hire for a variety of functions and further details are available.

History

Building work commenced on the Parish Room in 1911 on land and with stone that was given by Mr W.M. Singer.  It was completed in 1912. A large proportion of the building work was funded by a generous donation from Mr W.Whitley.

The building consisted of downstairs, a billiard room belonging to the Men's Club (this was the room on the left) and a reading room (the room new rented by the school for use as a classroom); upstairs was a Concert Hall to seat (surprisingly) 180 people.  The upstairs Hall has always been in constant use, with dances, parties and concert shows.   Fancy dress shows were held, that attracted people from a wide area.

Collaton primary school started to use the rooms during the second World War when their numbers were increased by many evacuee children, who arrived from Plymouth, London and Bristol.  The lower room to the right continued to be rented by the school and the hall above used for assembly, P.E. and school meals, until the relocation to the new school building in 2001.

The hall and lower rooms are rented by the pre-school Playgroup during the day.

The Parish Rooms still play an important part in village life, with several clubs and societies meeting there on a regular basis.  Events such as Whist Drives,  Skittles evenings and Bingo are held, as well as special events for private groups or the school. The Rooms are available for hire for a variety of events.

The Parish Rooms are also the home base for the Collaton Horticultural Society, which was formed after the War. The Society holds monthly talks, with trips throughout the Summer to Gardens and places of horticultural interest. Each year in August the Society holds its Annual Show attracting local exhibitors.