CELEBRATIONS for the150th anniversary of Cottingley Town Hall Church and Community Centre will include refreshments at Victorian prices in a building hailed as the heart of the village.

The historic hall was officially opened on March 21, 1865 after local folk campaigned and fundraised to build it as a public asset on Town Hill.

Records say the opening festivities included a meeting of singing and prayer followed by a tea for 600 people. Adults were charged two shillings for refreshments including celery and buns and children half price.

Although the pioneering Sunday School, Day School and Mechanics Institute had all provided money for furnishings, it was the village community that gave its labour and weekly subscriptions to make the dream of a dedicated village hall a reality.

From its opening, the hall has been run by a Trust on behalf of the village and continues in its aims of providing a place for activities to improve mind and body, Christian fellowship, education and general interests.

Archives show how adults listened to talks on new inventions such as the typewriter or bicycle or attended advanced studies, including such highbrow subjects as Euclid.

Trustee Hilary Charnock said the hall would always be there for local people.

"We've had some rough times, but it's held in trust and is a vital part of the village," she said.

Gillian Stead has run Cottingley Pre-School for 23 years and said it owed its existence to the Town Hall.

"When St Michael's Church was demolished and we were made homeless, Cottingley Town Hall gave us a home.

"They welcomed us and supported us - it's a lovely building for the 26 children who attend each session before leaving to go onto the village primary school or elsewhere," she said.

Sheila Keating runs a drop in centre of elderly people and said how the hall was a social lifeline.

"For some people its the only time they get out, it's such a valuable building for us all.

"And it's a fantastic building - especially the clock which I think is beautiful."

One of the oldest organisations at the hall is the Women's Guild, said member Sheila Hartley.

"The guild has been there for 111 years and its so welcoming," Mrs Hartley said.

The 150th anniversary will be marked on Sunday, March 22 when at 2pm Reverend Robert Waddington will lead the thanksgiving, celebrating the past and looking to the future. Singing will be led by the village churches.

Trustee Mrs Charnock said roadworks scheduled to take place that weekend meant that alternative parking would be available at Cottingley Village Primary School and also at St Mary's R C Church.

And she said it would be rather like 150 years ago: "We'll be a little bit cut off and there won't be much traffic outside!" she said.