For much of its history, Somerton had no true centre for village life. Meetings were held wherever space could be found — in barns, in the Railway Tavern, or in a modest reading room tucked down Church Street. There was no single place that belonged to everyone.
It was during the long incumbency of the Reverend Barnes, who served the parish for over four decades, that this began to change. Through negotiation and persistence, a plot was obtained and funds raised for a simple wooden hall, set on brick pillars. The building itself was modest, but its significance was not. For the first time, Somerton had a place of its own.
The Barnes Memorial Hall was built in 1924. The Hall became the centre of the Somerton social scene, and over the years hosted many memorable events, group meetings, gatherings and historical occasions.
Origins of the Village Hall
By John Webb
The sale of the village in 1919 would appear to have been the catalyst for the Rector to set about leaving a lasting memorial to his work in the parish — which, judging by the church records, spanned forty-six years. During his incumbency it was obvious to the Rector that there was no dedicated meeting place available for the villagers. Short of using a spare barn on one of the farms, the Railway Tavern in Water Street, or the Reading Room that had been constructed down the lane by number three Church Street, no Village Hall or dedicated meeting place was available or envisaged for the community.
The hall was supported and sponsored by the Barnes family, whose contribution to village life extended far beyond the church itself. It was cared for by figures who became part of village memory: Granny Baylis, Aunt Jenny, and later Aunt Vi — known to most as Miss Plumb — who looked after it for nearly forty years.
In December 2008, the Big Lottery Fund granted the trustees of the hall £311,000 to rebuild the hall for the use of the village. In May 2010 the work was finally complete and the new hall was officially opened at a ceremony attended by many villagers, past and present.