Tucked away between and behind the houses on Station Road is this delightful building, the Village Hall. I was unable to discover its history or anything about it at the time, as it doesn't appear to be a Listed Building. Fortunately, a gentleman from the Newton Poppleford History Group kindly sent me some information; the rest is a little architectural detective work of my own.
The main body of the building was thought to have been constructed using bricks that came from the site of the old silk mill, which was demolished just before the turn of the 19th century, and the front of the building was added later and paid for by a wealthy local; the iron work came from the local blacksmith who was situated next door.
The frontage is in the Arts & Craft style of the Edwardian era, although if it was added much later it may be the Revived style of the 1930s. However, the features appear to fit the former style more accurately, with its prominent front gables, mock timber, long row of mullion windows with diamond panes and protruding window frame. The door is wide and recessed beneath a porch. The upper storey is jettisoned on brackets to emulate a Tudor building.
Looking at the side reveals the difference between the front and the rest of the building. It's interesting to see the contrast between the varying materials of the stone rubble steps, white painted pebble dash and bright red bricks.
As shown in the photos above and below; the rear section, with its lovely red brick. Not only the fabric of the building, but the style itself is altogether different. Although the silk mill was situated elsewhere, the only remains being the field where it stood, it looks as if it may have been rebuilt in a similar fashion to the mill. The frontage possibly added later. I really like the rounded windows, especially the long one.
Although a story is beginning to reveal itself, it's still a bit of a conundrum, but that's what I love about buildings that have developed and changed over time. :)
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