Hornby Village Institute

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Hornby Institute is a listed building designed by the firm of Lancaster architects, Austin and Paley. It was erected and completed in 1916.

The then Lord of the Manor, Colonel Foster had a son approaching his 21st birthday. As a gift to him and to the village men, the stone-built structure was provided. It was essentially a men's institute since it boasted a reading room for Hornby and District men and a billiard room for the men of the village.

At its official opening, Colonel Foster played the vicar, the Rev. Williamson at billiards – and lost, though he made the highest break. The upstairs room as it was always called, was intended for dancing and whist-drives to which women were invited. The reading room today is the social lounge, open to males and females. The billiard room is now the snooker room but in all else stays as it was. The upstairs room is now the multi-purpose Foster Suite and the kitchens have been modernised.

Extensions were deemed necessary after the second World War. In 1956 plans were made for a bigger dance hall, a stage for plays and concerts, changing rooms and a coffee-bar area. Approximately £12,000 was required for the work. Led by the then Hornby Castle incumbent, Sir Harold Parkinson, the village raised the money in a relatively short time. The new extensions were built, the older part was given a face-lift and the premises re-opened for business. Sir Harold then matched the money raised by investing a similar sum with the Charity Commissioners. Hornby Institute became a listed charity and Hornby Village Trust was formed to administer the premises. The 1956 area is now the Parkinson Suite.

In 2006 the National Lottery provided funds for further improvements. Because the building has heritage status the application made for extensions and refurbishment, including modern essentials such as disabled access, needed to maintain suitable heritage standards. The building had become somewhat shabby and inefficient to run but above all it lacked even the basic resources needed in a modern community centre. There is now a Wenning room overlooking the river and a Boarshead room looking towards the hill behind. There is a bar and an IT suite.

Coordinates: 54.108844° N 2.635253° W