Short Histories of Freystrop Village Hall and the Playing Field

The Hall

The location of the current hall was previously a cottage, yard, garden and outbuildings. The owners of Little Milford Estate sold this for £65 in 1922. A wooden shed replaced the buildings on the site becoming The Institute (more commonly "The'tute" or "The Hut").

The constitution of 9 December 1922 states:

"To be used for the purposes of physical and mental learning and recreation, and social, moral and intellectual development through the medium of reading and recreation rooms, library lectures, classes, recreations and entertainments or otherwise as may be found expedient for the benefit of the inhabitants of the parish of Freystrop and its immediate vicinity without distinction of sex or of political,religious or other opinions subject to the provisions of those present."

The parishoners raised funds for the purchase of the shed.

In 1955 the ownership of the land was transfered to the Parish Trustees for the sum of £15. Two years later and a more permanent building had replaced The Hut but the original floor remained, propped up on oil drums.

Substantial re-works were completed in 1985 largely giving the hall its current look. In 2019 a new heating system was installed.

A more complete history, with anecdotes, can be found in the Freystrop & Folk book

The Playing Field

Prior to 1969 special events were held on any field that a farmer was willing to open up for the community. A part of the current field was used for many years until a decision was made to purchase an additional area to site a rugby pitch.

Freystrop had a flourishing cricket team in 1953 but matches were played in a field across the road. Llangwm Rugby Football Club leased the rugby pitch for more than 10 years and laid a cricket square bringing the cricketers to the north side of Targate Road.

In July 1988 the swings of the play area arrived. They remain in use.

A more complete history, with anecdotes, can be found in the Freystrop & Folk book