THE closure of Carnival Hall (which was built in 1964), the possible loss of the Barn meeting hall at Viables Craft Centre (used as such since 1972), and the more recent news that the museum may be moved from the Town Hall (having been there since 1983), has brought the subject of local meeting places into focus.

Over the centuries, the town has gained – and lost – a multitude of halls and meeting places where the populace have assembled for all sorts of functions and events.

As far back as the 16th century there was a Mote Hall in the centre of the town, where the townsfolk could meet to sort out their various problems, and the officials sat to govern over the town.

Built in 1511, the Mote Hall (Mote is an Anglo-Saxon word for “to meet”) was burned down in 1656 during a conflagration through that part of Basingstoke. Another building was constructed the following year. Then, in 1983, this was replaced by a Town Hall which still stands today.

Halls come in various forms, such as drill halls used by military groups. Of the three known ones, two are still standing – at Goat Lane, built in 1913, and in Penrith Road, built in 1914. The third was erected at the top of Sarum Hill in 1884, which was converted into a dance hall in 1925, then the Plaza cinema in 1931. It closed down in 1954, was converted into a furniture store, then demolished in 1981. A neighbouring Masonic hall, built in 1885, was also pulled down at the same time.

Meeting halls and rooms have always been associated with churches, and the two Methodist Church buildings – at Church Street, and Sarum Hill, in the 1960s and 1970s – are two of those which have been lost.

The original Moose Hall, or Baptist Hall as it was earlier known, stood in upper Church Street, next to the present Gazette office, with the hall having been built in 1867. It was demolished in 1979, and a new Moose Hall was built just off the Churchill Way.

Another church hall was the Eastrop Parochial Hall in Goat Lane, which belonged to St Mary’s Church. The hall was built in 1907 and demolished in the 1960s.

May Place Hall, belonging to the United Reformed Church in London Street, was built in 1906. In 1977, its function as a church meeting place ceased, and it was used as offices.

Two mission halls have also gone – one in May Street, which belonged to St Michael’s Church, and the Methodist meeting place on the corner of George Street and Deep Lane.

In Winchester Road, near Winton Square, was Brinkletts Hall, where the Basingstoke Youth Club took place from 1940 until its closure and demolition in the 1980s.

Political groups also needed meeting rooms, and the Conservative Club originally had its building in lower Church Street, while the Liberal Club was above two shops in upper Wote Street. Both were demolished in the mid-1960s’ mass clearance of the area.

The Labour Club had a wooden hall at the rear of Essex Road, and in the era of rock-and-roll it was often used to hold dances, until 1961, when a fire destroyed the building.

The present meeting places in town are now a mixture of old and new. The most ancient must be Church Cottage, dating back to the 16th century, which is next to St Michael’s Church, while All Saints Church Hall is just over a century old.

Most of the new ones are due to the construction of the many housing estates and the replacement of other town centre halls, such as the British Legion building in New Road.

Halls come and go, but the public will always need them. People like to gather to converse and participate in various functions. Remove that opportunity and the public will protest.