Stockport Sunday School, Recreation Hall, and Gymnasium,

 S.S.S. PROPOSALS. NEW RECREATION HALL AND PLAYING FIELDS - The authorities of the Stockport Sunday School have decided on the fulfilment of what has been a long-felt need, viz., the provision of a recreation-room on the plot of ground adjoining the Centenary Hall, and fronting London Square. 'The scheme which is to cost something in the neighbourhood of £4,000 is for the erection of a hall, which will provide gymnasium accommodation, and a room for parties, socials and general entertainments. These functions at the present time are a source of embarrassment to the school, because of the necessity for moving furniture, cleaning, etc., in order to prepare for the Sunday services. This inconvenience will be obviated with the provision of a building solely for recreational purposes. It is also proposed to re-decorate the Centenary Hall—a process which has not been carried out since 1914. The Committee have also in hand a scheme for the purchase of land for playing fields at Heaviley at a cost of about £700. This will adjoin the existing playing fields, which have been presented to the school by Mr Henry Ward, and his sister. [Stockport Advertiser and Guardian 1 April 1927 page 3]

The Recreation Hall Foundation Stone was Inscribed: This foundation stone was laid 6th August 1927, by Miss Annie Robinson, daughter of Mr. F. R. Robinson, J.P., Senior Trustee. Potts and Hennings, architects. Daniel Eadie & Co., building contractors. [Stockport County Express - Thursday 11 August 1927 Page 11

 THE NEW RECREATION HALL OPENING CEREMONY - It appropriate that the Stockport Sunday School should regain its royal patron age at a time when its latest scheme development the provision of Recreation for its members nearing completion The new hall which has been erected on a vacant plot of land at the corner of London Place and London Square and adjoining the Sunday School will be formally opened on Saturday 12 May by Lady Sheffield who, it will be remembered, opened the Centenary Hall The Mayor (Mr J Preston JP) will preside and dedicatory prayer will be said the Rev C G Calthrop MA Rector St Mary’s A dance will be held in the new hall in the evening. 

The foundation stone was laid August last by Miss Annie Robinson the daughter Mr F R Robinson JP the senior trustee of the School The new hall has been erected to design of Messrs Potts and Hennings of Manchester who were the architects for the Centenary Hall. It has built throughout by Messrs Daniel Eadie and Co Limited of Stockport. The greatest thought and care have gone to the design and construction the building and in every way it will prove extremely suitable for purposes for which it has been built.

RECREATIONAL CENTRE The hall to form recreational for the members of the school and will be used by them entirely No outside body will be allowed to hire it for their functions. It is a substantial building of brick its exterior of plain not unpleasing design. Outside and inside the best material and workmanship have been applied to construction and its appearance is symbolic of the air of solidarity and sturdy usefulness which is keynote of the life of the school. It is of one storey and has a large room giving a floor space of 51 feet by 39 feet with a well-equipped stage at one end and the main entrance with crush hall and adjoining cloak rooms at the other The floor space is estimated to seat an audience of 400 and to accommodate about half this number of dancers The hall will be used chiefly for dances, socials, whist drives and concerts, operettas and dramatic performances by the younger children The principal dramatic productions will continue to be held the Centenary Hall which alone has room to accommodate the great audiences which the School’s Dramatic Society attracts The hall will also be available for use as a gymnasium and shackles have been attached to one of the roof girders for the attachment of ropes, rings and other apparatus The floor itself is of maple and has been very carefully laid. It will bear a very high polish will make it admirably suited for dancing 

STAGE EQUIPMENT - The stage which is apart from and does not occupy any of the 3000 square feet of floor space mentioned above is permanent structure measuring about 30 feet by 12 feet and is excellently equipped for dramatic and musical performances with a lighting system controlled from one switchboard and dressing rooms underneath. The hall will be illuminated by three slung electric lights and number of small lights on each side This work has been carried out Messrs McClure and Whitfield There are ventilating panes in alternate windows and an electric fan at one end of the room The building will be heated by radiators connected with the heating apparatus in the school The interior walls are panelled in three-ply wood the windows rising above the panelling Besides the main entrance there are two emergency doors which open into the yard between hall and the school crush hall and cloak-rooms the other end of the building will entered Place A carriage way and space to park about twelve cars divide the main school buildings from the new structure. The crush has tiled floor and walls. The whole scheme including the hall, the playing fields at Heaviley the renovation and decoration of the whole of the school is estimated to cost £6,000. [Stockport Advertiser and Guardian Friday 27 April 1928 page 11].

Reference    Stockport Advertiser and Guardian – 1 April 1927 page 3
Reference    Stockport County Express - Thursday 11 August 1927 page 11 – foundation stone
Reference    Stockport Advertiser and Guardian - Friday 12 August 1927 page 3 - foundation stone
Reference    Stockport Advertiser and Guardian - Friday 27 April 1928 page 11