Stokenham Community History Group are celebrating the centenary of their parish hall.

The foundation stone was laid by Captain F J C Holdsworth in 1921.

The Kingsbridge Gazette reported "Sometime after the Armistice, the parishioners met to commemorate the deeds of their heroes. Those who had not returned from the War, those who had passed through unknown dangers, many to return home to their families and friends with scars and wounds and in broken health."

The coverage continued "The Victory Hall is to be a memorial to the splendid victory won by the British forces. There is no such place in the parish that acts as a counter attraction to the public house, or young people to loiter about the corners and lanes, frequently getting into mischief.’

The aim was to provide a place where men could meet to talk and enjoy playing games on long winter evenings and where dances (though there were objections), concerts, tea parties and more could  held in comfort.

The building cost £1000 but this had been kept down by hauling carried out without charge and the land and stone donated by Captain Holdsworth.

The work was carried out by Mr H Brooking and Mr L Clements who provided plans for the hall.

Local farmers carried out a great deal of work including drawing 300 loads of stone from the quarry and the roof timber was drawn free of charge from Kingsbridge by Mr T Symonds of Coleridge and Mr Prettejohn of Molescombe, 20 loads of sand were transported from Torcross. Mr Widger of Tuckwell also contributed sand from Lannacombe.

A fete was provided by the Doctor’s wife Mrs Todd and there were sports and competitions held in the field along with a jumble sale, a vegetable stall, teas and refreshments.

Captain Holdsworth, the Vicar and Mrs Todd were cheered.

Mr Johnson’s Orchestral Band played in the evening and this was followed by a whist drive and then a dance.

In the hundred years since, the hall has hosted numerous events and continues to be the heart of the village community.