Culture | Posted on October 1st, 2025 | return to news

Holt to celebrate 140 years of community

Holt has two village halls which are both celebrating significant anniversaries this year, with an event on 5 October.

Holt village is celebrating a joint birthday on Sunday 5 October with its two publicly available halls enjoying significant anniversaries this year.

The two halls, which face each other on opposite sides of the main road through Holt, are forming a partnership for their joint festivity.

Holt Village Hall is marking its 50^th anniversary. Originally built around 1840 as a school for the village of Holt, the school was closed in 1973 when St James CE School was built at Gaunt’s Common. The building was constructed on Bankes Estate land, and as such the hall and the village green are managed by the National Trust, from whom the trustees now rent the village hall.

Meanwhile, Holt Parish Hall will celebrate 90 years, having been built in 1935. On 5 October of that year, Sir Richard Glyn opened it officially. Amongst many other organisations, Holt Parish Hall is today the home of Holt Parish Council.

Following that opening ceremony in 1935, a social event was held during which the local choir members performed sword dancing.

Therefore, this year a social event is being held too, and whilst swords will be absent this time, a similar celebration is being planned on Sunday 5 October.

A group of locals have organised an afternoon and evening of activities.

All ages will be able to experience hopscotch, lucky dip, history of Holt talks, and a cutting of an anniversary cake in the Parish Hall at 3.15pm. All will be accompanied by period music. An array of patisserie will be on offer too throughout the day.

Funds raised will contribute to the ongoing maintenance of the two halls.