The Reading Room was built on the site of the old village pound and opened in 1904 as a gift to the parish from Rev. John Martyr Ward to commemorate his thirty-five years as rector. Its purpose was for the “recreation, amusements and for generally elevating the out-of-work hours of those resident in the parish”.
A newspaper report of the time describes the building: “The hall is plainly built of red bricks, having a tiled roof, and one thing noticeable concerning it is that no effort has been spared in making it a well-lighted building, the windows being nicely adapted for daylight illumination. The floor is made of well-laid wood blocks. Right round the room there runs a stained wainscot and the ceiling is match boarded with wood of the same stain. Artificial light when necessary will be furnished by a couple of powerful brass hanging lamps, kindly presented by Mrs Ward.”
When it was first built it seems to have been for member’s only, and was open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 7.0pm to 10.0pm. Newspapers and magazines were provided, and later a billiard table was added which attracted a younger crowd.
The Reading Room became a Charitable Trust in 1976, and was registered with the Charity Commission the following year. Its objects are to provide “a reading room and village hall for the inhabitants of the parish of Gressenhall without distinction of political, religious or other opinions including use for meetings, lectures and classes and other forms of recreation and leisure-time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life of the said inhabitants.”
Reading Room Talks 2024
March 1st ‘Blickling – A Treasured Estate’ Megan Dennis
April 19th ‘Continuing to Make the Rounds: Workhouse nursing and healthcare’ Helen Bainbridge
Sunday September 22nd at 2.30 ‘Old Needlework Tools and Sewing Machines’ Joy Evitt
October 11th ‘Crime and Punishment in Walsingham’ Scilla Landale
November 22nd ‘Winter at Holkham’ Andy Bloomfield
All talks are held in the Reading Room at 7.30pm except as indicated. Tickets cost £5 from Gressenhall Shop or 01362 860835
