Transformation of Snettisham's Memorial Pavilion begins

After years of fundraising building work starts on the much-loved community space.

It’s been 4 years since fundraising began to restore the Memorial Pavilion, and finally work’s begun - the roof has been taken off to be replaced. And what a poignant time of the year for it to happen, with Remembrance Day soon upon us.

Phase one of the build

Steve Sharp, who’s the architectural designer, says it’s brilliant to see, “It’s been a long time coming getting to this stage, we’re now starting to put the new roof on - a big thanks to every one who’s donated.”

The much loved building has been central to village life for over 70 years. Work started on it in 1949, to honour the 15 men from Snettisham that didn’t come back from World War Two.

The Pavilion being built

David Bocking was a teenager at the time and says some of the German soldiers helped with the build, “A few prisoners of war were involved, and us young lads we all carted the materials to the builders.” 

He says when it opened it was a ‘godsend’, “As children you had no where to play because there weren’t any grass fields anywhere as they’d all been ploughed up to grow food for the war. It was like Christmas had come in the middle of summer."

David Bocking with childhood friends John Hooks and Peter Jarred at this year's VJ Day 80th anniversary service at the Pavilion

Since being built, there hasn’t been any significant investment in it, the fundraising committee say apart from it no longer being fit for purpose there were asbestos tiles on the inner roof.

The Pavilion before work began

Peter Bradshaw, who's part of the committee, says “We’ve all worked really really hard to get to this point. It’s been quite a long haul so far, we’re in our fourth year now in fundraising - and it’s really lovely to see work’s started.”

I ask when it may be completed.  “We’re not setting an end goal, we have broken it down into 3 phases," Peter adds, "So this is phase one, which we’re hoping will be finished by the end of February. It’s very much watch this space.”

And what an effort for a small village to be making - so far around 450 thousand pounds has been raised - that's around 10 thousand a month. Impressive. In total 550 thousand is needed, one of the latest donations has been from Chris and Clare Tansley, who own Coastal vets in the village.

David Bocking accepting a cheque from Clare and Chris Tansley, with their son Max

Chris says, “It’s been a valuable amenity to the local community ever since it was built, my own children have used it, even I’ve used it, and being able to provide a space for ongoing generations I think is just such a fabulous thing to be able to do, and to be able to help put that into place, we’re really happy to do it.”

What the new Pavilion will look like

The new building will have more space, additional toilets, showers, better disabled access and more changing rooms. It’ll also be more environmentally friendly with plans for solar heating, ground-source heat pumps, LED lights and a low-use water system. The existing tiles will be re-used on the new roof and the most of the existing Carstone walls will be retained.

And - let’s not forget the reason the Pavilion was built in the first place to honour the 15 men. There are plans for a permanent exhibition, so the memory of them and their sacrifices live on.

Those involved in the project hope they are ‘building the future and honouring the past’.  Making sure people can enjoy the Pavilion, and all it adds to and enhances village life, for decades to come.

I have asked David before what a new lease of life for the pavilion would mean to him. Holding back tears he answered, “I can't put that into words because that’s in there,” putting his hand over his heart, “Very emotional. To me this place, the Pavilion, is a remembrance of those boys we lost. We’ve got to not forget them.”

Work will stop on the 11th of November for Remembrance Day.

For more information about the project or how to donate https://www.snettisham.org.uk/...