The Parish Room

The Parish Room, which stood in North End, c.1900

R H Clark postcard supplied by Ann Handscombe

North End, showing the dilapidated Parish Room in the distance. 1920s.

Bell's Postcard supplied by Ann Handscombe

The Parish Room was located in North End, not far from Holy Trinity Church. It was built by village subscription on land provided at a nominal rent by Christ’s College. The tiles were especially made for it by John George Mortlock.

Many social events were held in the Parish Room, such as a lecture on “Socialism and Mutual Help” in 1889, an “entertainment” in 1890 and a concert in 1891.

Inquests were also held there, including one in August 1896 into the death of Frederick Dilley, who was killed in an accident in Meldreth Station goods yard.

By 1942, the Parish Room was a ruin and was demolished just after the war. Beatrice Clay, in 1942, wrote, “It is unprofitable to dwell on the differences which conduced to this neglect and decay of what should have been a very useful building.”