History: The tenacity of a community making light of difficulty

BY ROBYN PARKES

In October 1936, a public meeting was held to consider purchasing the old Foxhill School building to be used as a hall. This came about because a new school for Foxhill was to be built which left the old building surplus to requirements.

The sale was approved in November, but it was not until May 1938 that it was complete.

Through a newly-formed hall committee, plans were developed to raise funds for the purchase and renovation of the old building.

Fundraising began with a social and a sports and gala day held on 21 and 24 July, 1937. The gala day was full of some good old-fashioned events. The school children’s copper trail competition, Foxhill vs Belgrove, was won by Belgrove with a lead of 3s 4d. A wheelbarrow race from Belgrove to the school was won by Mr R. Jellyman and a married couple’s race and bicycle race for over 40-year-olds brought much amusement. A fancy-dress football match, Forestry vs Foxhill, ended in a victory for Foxhill. The costumes slowed the game up a little, especially that of the Michelin rubber man.

Wakefield Citizens’ Band attended to provide a selection of musical items and afternoon tea was had with tables daintily laid out with refreshments. The sum estimated for the sale and alterations/repairs was around £350 and £180 had been raised by September. A second sports event helped to swell the funds considerably.

Mr Reg Best’s dog, dressed as a Plunket baby, wheeled in a pushcart and drinking out of a baby’s bottle, won the best dressed dog event. The hop, step and jump was won by Gilbert Nesbitt, the long jump by Harold Nesbitt, the 12in underhand chop by L. Hahn and the sawing 18in log competition by F. Higgins and Nesbitt. The Foxhill Colts defeated Spooners in the tug of war and the final event was a nail-driving competition for ladies.

Dances and concerts at Dovedale and Wakefield were held in September and October with members of the Scottish Society, Walter Black and Begg’s accordion band providing entertainment.

Many willing workers donated their time and the old floor was removed, new concrete piles put in to replace the decayed wooden ones, new joist and bearers and a new heart matai floor was planed, sandpapered and polished to make a first class dance floor. The porch was refloored with wood to make a supper room along with a ladies and gentlemans cloak room and a library, all equipped with electric light. With still more work to do, another £120 was required to finish it off. A new piano was purchased for the first social and dance in the hall in mid-June 1938.

In September, a new stage of 20ft by 12ft was started along with another addition, an additional dressing room, repairs and painting. Logs for timber were donated by Claude Hollis and Leslie Higgins and a working bee of Foxhill residents helped to fell and get the logs out.

However, more funds were needed so a debate in October was organised with two subjects — “Should bachelors be taxed?” and “Is broadcasting of Parliament in the best interests of the country?”, along with a further sports day and evening dance. By October 1938 the hall was almost complete.

When the project was first considered residents voiced that it was beyond the capacity of the district to complete, but a strong committee and the tenacity of a community made light of the difficulties and the process of raising funds became a source of enjoyment and bringing people together.