Ever wondered what that funny, odd little building is on Bridge Road, Coalville? Is it a church? Is it a school?
The building on Bridge Road is lovingly known by those that know it, as Coalville Adult School Hall.
Built in 1906 by William Moss, a brick layer by trade, who later set up as a master builder and whose father George Moss founded a building company in Loughborough known as William Moss and Son. William’s son Walter was married to Mrs Annie Moss who was the President of the Coalville Women’s Adult School along with Mr B B Drewett, the President of the Coalville Men’s Adult School. The Adult School movement 
was set up to assist with the instruction of reading, writing and bible studies within the community.
The building has been through two wars, many celebrations, wedding receptions, dance classes, floral groups, weekly bingo and jubilee celebrations. The building, nowadays, is home to many community groups; Coalville Drama Group, Leicester Jujitsu and Cheeky Monkeys preschool nursey. The venue is available for private hire by individuals, groups and societies within the community.
The building is lovingly looked after by a group of Trustees, a team of 13 people, who refurbished many parts of the property inside and out in between Covid lockdowns.
Phase 1: Saw focus on the hall, foyer, outside areas, cellar and loft spaces.
The main hall houses the stage area used predominantly by the Coalville Drama Group, this area has also had a clear out, clean and tidy.
The Trustees drew up a project plan, which outlined the actions required in Phase 1; from washing the dust off 30-year-old curtains to sanding and varnishing the original wood flooring. Painting the walls and panelling from floor to ceiling, a huge task! The wooden doors that open to welcome in the public have been stripped of the layers of paint that had been applied over the years, lovingly sanded and restored to compliment the foyer area crowned with fabulous lighting and a chandelier to enhance the entranceway.
The cellar, which was prone to flooding has been cleared and had a new pump fitted. The outside areas have been weeded and cleared of rubbish, so our groups have a crisp, clean environment to carry out their activities.
Coalville Drama Group was established at the hall in 1951 and make use of the halls expansive loft spaces to store furniture, costumes and props used in their quarterly performances. The loft spaces have been reinforced, had additional lighting installed and all the props and costumes have been tidied, cleaned and itemised for ease of use.
Phase 2: Saw the refurbishment of the middle room, with the age-old floorboards being prepared and the new flooring laid. Tastefully decorated, the middle room is now a perfect space to house our pop-up café / bar area.
Our application for an alcohol licence was approved and our bar area now serves a range of drinks and confectionary during intervals of the Coalville Drama Groups performances, a mulled wine with a mince pie at our Christmas Fair, as well as other events held at the hall.
The kitchen, toilet and back-room refurbishment are still scheduled to be done. The redecoration is carried out in keeping with the character of the building to retain its charm and historical features.
The Trustees are proposing to display, in the café / bar area, the history of the building with photographs and anecdotes from across the years. Moving a cupboard that has been in situ for many years has uncovered old treasures from the halls history as a lending library and church.