Craven Lane Hall, Southam, Warwickshire

Craven Lane Hall is a wooden, tin-roofed hut located in the town of Southam, Warwickshire. It started life in Belgium where it was used to billet soldiers during the First World War. At the end of the war it was bought by at auction by the Old Comrades group to be used as a recreation space for ex-servicemen. The hut became an Infant Welfare Hut during the Second World War. Children were taken there to be weighed, inoculated and receive their dose of cod liver oil. The hut fulfilled this role in the local community until the 1970s. Since then, the hut has been used as venue for the weekly table-top market, as teaching space for dance classes, and as a venue for parties and community activities. In 2007 the hall came on the market and it was purchased by the Heart of England Community Foundation thanks to the donation of an anonymous benefactor so that it could be used for the benefit of the people of Southam and District. Funding is currently being sough from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore and refurbish the hall, so that it can be used all year round. The hall is available for hire for parties and other community events and activities.The day to day run of the hall is the responsibility of the Craven Lane Hall Management Committee, composed of local volunteers.