Victoria Hall Click here to go back to A-Z page
 Victoria Hall in 2012 - the bunting was for queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee!
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In 1897 the Grange Urban District Council were able to buy a plot of land at the point where Main Street becomes Station Street from a James Jopson. This plot contained Laurel House (an old established lodging house) and a bakery, gardens and grocer’s shop - which jutted out into the road (a photo of the shop can be seen in Victoria Hall), and behind this was. These were all demolished, thereby removing a bottleneck, and the hall built with a slightly curved front.
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1891 - Before Victoria Hall - you can see how the older buildings jutted out into the road.
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1913 - After Victoria Hall.
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Looking down Main Street in the nineteenth century.
The gate is where Victoria Hall begins now, and the building behind the tree has gone completely.
The name was originally going to be Jubilee Hall, to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee – apparently when Grange Urban District Council announced this, the audience applauded. But when it did open, in the year of the jubilee, it was actually called Victoria Hall. I don’t know why this was changed, as Victoria didn't die until three-weeks after it was officially opened.
It was officially opened on 1 January 1901 by Miss Wakefield.
The current police office was originally the London, City & Midland Bank – the original entrance can still be identified (on the left).
Early guide books said things like “The whole is a commendable structure, possessing beauty and an air of comfort throughout and reflecting credit on all concerned in its erection.”
For a description, the “Pocket Guide to Grange” from 1917 onwards can’t really be bettered: “The Council offices are in an imposing building of somewhat free design in the very centre of the place. The Victoria Hall, which was built by subscription nd belongs to the ratepayers, stands behind the public offices, and is a large lofty room, capable of seating about 500 people. There is a good sized stage, with foot-lights, proscenium, ante-rooms, and all the usual conveniences for dramatic and other entertainments. The Council chamber is a well-proportioned room on the first floor facing the street, and is handsomely furnished, the chairs and table being the gift of Mr Porritt. There are also surveyor’s office, committee room and clerk’s office. The hall behind is a very handsome building with decorated ceiling, ornamental stained-glass skylights, balcony and well-designed roof, and one cannot help being struck with the beauty, excellence, and general air of comfort prevailing through the building.”
**Since writing the above, Pat Rowland of the Cartmel Peninsula Local History Society has produced an excellent history of the Hall - this can be seen here. www.cplhs.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/victoria-hall-grange-v2.pdf
It was officially opened on 1 January 1901 by Miss Wakefield.
The current police office was originally the London, City & Midland Bank – the original entrance can still be identified (on the left).
Early guide books said things like “The whole is a commendable structure, possessing beauty and an air of comfort throughout and reflecting credit on all concerned in its erection.”
For a description, the “Pocket Guide to Grange” from 1917 onwards can’t really be bettered: “The Council offices are in an imposing building of somewhat free design in the very centre of the place. The Victoria Hall, which was built by subscription nd belongs to the ratepayers, stands behind the public offices, and is a large lofty room, capable of seating about 500 people. There is a good sized stage, with foot-lights, proscenium, ante-rooms, and all the usual conveniences for dramatic and other entertainments. The Council chamber is a well-proportioned room on the first floor facing the street, and is handsomely furnished, the chairs and table being the gift of Mr Porritt. There are also surveyor’s office, committee room and clerk’s office. The hall behind is a very handsome building with decorated ceiling, ornamental stained-glass skylights, balcony and well-designed roof, and one cannot help being struck with the beauty, excellence, and general air of comfort prevailing through the building.”
**Since writing the above, Pat Rowland of the Cartmel Peninsula Local History Society has produced an excellent history of the Hall - this can be seen here. www.cplhs.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/victoria-hall-grange-v2.pdf
Colour Scheme for the main hall from the 1960s
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Colour for the Council Chamber - 1960s
A collection of the original drawings for the building - prepared by John Hutton, of Kendal - May 1898 
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Grange Amateurs. The work that went into the stage set must have been enormous. The chairs are rather more comfortable now!
Playbill from 1929
