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The second Doyleston hall and its people 1939-2001
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TitleThe second Doyleston hall and its people 1939-2001
DescriptionIn 1939, New Zealand, after years of peace, was again at war and young men were signing up and heading overseas.
Many presentation socials were held for WW2 soldiers leaving or returning and they were usually presented with gold wristlet watches.
Lady Wigram attended the first Doyleston Red Cross meeting in 1939. Along with the Patriotic Committee, Country Women’s, and Red Cross Society, they all raised funds and sent food parcels to our soldiers. Doyleston
The Druids Lodge held many dances and a much-enjoyed ‘back to childhood’ function in 1940. All funds going to support our soldiers.
Doyleston Hockey and Basketball Clubs held dances, with a Victory Ball 1941.
W. Turner had started a Roller-Skating rink back in 1931. Before and after 1939, Ellesmere Technical Association ran dressmaking and leather evening classes.
The Doyleston School Committee promoted variety shows followed by dancing for the terpsichoreans.
Starting with a membership of 53 in 1925, the Doyleston Rifle Club stayed until 1941. At a South Island Herd Improvement dance, a prize of one quinea and half a quinea as second prize for the Monte Carlo was given.
Dances were held on weeknights, such were the weekend bookings. Just as much fun was had outside the Hall during dances!
A little snippet from the Hall Committee minutes, ‘Letter to be written to the CWI demanding an explanation about lending hall equipment’. They had not asked permission!
Doyleston Swimming and Doyleston Basketball (netball) Clubs held meetings, firstly by John Rennie and from 1945, Mrs. J. Goss and Mrs. M Leech, M. Turner, and Mrs. Gifford.
Local people became caretakers for the Hall, including Davy Welsh, Bill Bearman, and June Barton, all trying hard to disguise the smell in the toilets. The copper was used for hot water and dipped out with a jug to make the tea or wash dishes.
Dance Bands included Colin Campbell in 1933, Lambie’s, McKay’s and Heslops’ with Colin and Murray, and Edith and Jack Reid, to name a few. All were all popular.
In 1950, Table tennis -started by C. Mitchell- with Roy Jackman as Patron and the top players being: I. Tweedie, J. Opie, Ian Sunckell, Messrs Bisman, Gifford and Croy. The large Table Tennis lights caused fuses to blow.
In June 1976, the Ellesmere County Council requested the Hall have a Certificate of Registration. The small dedicated Hall Committee worked hard to keep the Hall in good condition with help from local volunteers but with many repairs needed and no money: the Committee as a whole resigned in November 1976 ‘due to pressure brought on us by council regulations.’
They resumed in October 1978 to investigate the legal history of the hall to establish ownership and the council requirements.
A licence was granted in 1979. Trustees were appointed in 1986. Hall upgrades and repairs continued with higher hall charges.
Line dancers and Table Tennis clubs were using the Hall until May 2000 when a car damaged the side wall.
At a meeting held on 10 October 2000, the fate of the Hall was sealed with a motion ‘That the Hall’s assets and proceeds from the capital sale be used on development of Osborne Park.’
An Old Time Dance was proposed and on 19 May 2001 the ‘Last Dance for the Doyleston Hall’ was held with great success.
Roy Batt the oldest resident ‘declared the Doyleston Hall closed’ during the evening.
This much favoured Hall had earned its rest.
Material from Papers Past and Minutes Books
Shona McCartin,
Doyleston Community Committee and Ellesmere Historical Society.
Date9 July 2020SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoyleston
DescriptionIn 1939, New Zealand, after years of peace, was again at war and young men were signing up and heading overseas. Many presentation socials were held for WW2 soldiers leaving or returning and they were usually presented with gold wristlet watches.
Lady Wigram attended the first Doyleston Red Cross meeting in 1939. Along with the Patriotic Committee, Country Women’s, and Red Cross Society, they all raised funds and sent food parcels to our soldiers. Doyleston
The Druids Lodge held many dances and a much-enjoyed ‘back to childhood’ function in 1940. All funds going to support our soldiers.
Doyleston Hockey and Basketball Clubs held dances, with a Victory Ball 1941.
W. Turner had started a Roller-Skating rink back in 1931. Before and after 1939, Ellesmere Technical Association ran dressmaking and leather evening classes.
The Doyleston School Committee promoted variety shows followed by dancing for the terpsichoreans.
Starting with a membership of 53 in 1925, the Doyleston Rifle Club stayed until 1941. At a South Island Herd Improvement dance, a prize of one quinea and half a quinea as second prize for the Monte Carlo was given.
Dances were held on weeknights, such were the weekend bookings. Just as much fun was had outside the Hall during dances!
A little snippet from the Hall Committee minutes, ‘Letter to be written to the CWI demanding an explanation about lending hall equipment’. They had not asked permission!
Doyleston Swimming and Doyleston Basketball (netball) Clubs held meetings, firstly by John Rennie and from 1945, Mrs. J. Goss and Mrs. M Leech, M. Turner, and Mrs. Gifford.
Local people became caretakers for the Hall, including Davy Welsh, Bill Bearman, and June Barton, all trying hard to disguise the smell in the toilets. The copper was used for hot water and dipped out with a jug to make the tea or wash dishes.
Dance Bands included Colin Campbell in 1933, Lambie’s, McKay’s and Heslops’ with Colin and Murray, and Edith and Jack Reid, to name a few. All were all popular.
In 1950, Table tennis -started by C. Mitchell- with Roy Jackman as Patron and the top players being: I. Tweedie, J. Opie, Ian Sunckell, Messrs Bisman, Gifford and Croy. The large Table Tennis lights caused fuses to blow.
In June 1976, the Ellesmere County Council requested the Hall have a Certificate of Registration. The small dedicated Hall Committee worked hard to keep the Hall in good condition with help from local volunteers but with many repairs needed and no money: the Committee as a whole resigned in November 1976 ‘due to pressure brought on us by council regulations.’
They resumed in October 1978 to investigate the legal history of the hall to establish ownership and the council requirements.
A licence was granted in 1979. Trustees were appointed in 1986. Hall upgrades and repairs continued with higher hall charges.
Line dancers and Table Tennis clubs were using the Hall until May 2000 when a car damaged the side wall.
At a meeting held on 10 October 2000, the fate of the Hall was sealed with a motion ‘That the Hall’s assets and proceeds from the capital sale be used on development of Osborne Park.’
An Old Time Dance was proposed and on 19 May 2001 the ‘Last Dance for the Doyleston Hall’ was held with great success.
Roy Batt the oldest resident ‘declared the Doyleston Hall closed’ during the evening.
This much favoured Hall had earned its rest.
Material from Papers Past and Minutes Books
Shona McCartin,
Doyleston Community Committee and Ellesmere Historical Society.
Date9 July 2020SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoylestonConnections
CollectionHistory of DoylestonOrganisationEllesmere Historical Society
OrganisationEllesmere Historical SocietyAttribution
Researched ByShona McCartinWritten ByShona McCartin
Written ByShona McCartinClick on the image to add
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The second Doyleston hall and its people 1939-2001 (9 July 2020). Selwyn Stories, accessed 15/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5304