Lopping Hall

Lopping Hall is being refurbished. Keep an eye on the windows for events.

A new lift for the disabled connecting the ground and first floors was inaugurated by Loughton’s Mayor, LRA Cllr Caroline Pond, in a private ceremony on October 28th. The lift has been paid for by the Hall’s Trustees with grant funding from the Grange Farm Trust and the District Council’s 2000 Chairman's charity. Much of the design work has been done by local architect Ron Heath. The foyer and stair areas of the Hall have also been redecorated and re-carpeted. This is Phase 1 of the upgrade works; the next three should see re-roofing, the w.c.s upgraded during early 2012 and the entrance remodelled later that year.

The Hall was opened to the public on 1 August 1884. It was built to compensate the residents of Loughton for the extinguishing - in the Epping Forest Act of 1878 - of their ancient right to lop timber in the forest.

A trust of local worthies was set up in 1881 to oversee the building and furnishing of the hall, which was intended to act as a social focus for the village. The building included large and small halls for public assemblies and performances, a library and reading rooms, and a dispensary. In 1901, the newly-formed Loughton Urban District Council built offices on the High Rd frontage, the ground floor serving as a bank. They (and from 1933, the Chigwell UDC) were there until 1935, when the town hall extension reverted to the Hall trustees. Early town directories and advertisements show that a wide range of public entertainment took place at the hall, ranging from brass bands to visiting operatic artistes, evangelical and temperance meetings and theatrical performances.

Today the hall is best known as the home of several local amateur dramatic companies, including Loughton Amateur Dramatic Society (LADS) (founded 1924) and West Essex Repertory Company, not to mention the Loughton Operatic Society (LOPS), which is one of the oldest arts organisations in Essex (founded 1894). A variety of other community groups also use the hall, ranging from children's ballet classes to lady masons, and a bar provides revenue income for the hall. Parts of the premises are let out for commercial functions, including a bank and a shop, and the hall is available for wedding receptions etc.

Lopping Hall is managed by the Loughton Lopping Endowment Fund, comprising six members elected annually by the parishioners of Loughton and various co-optees, including a representative from Loughton Town Council. Since 2006 they have been planning renovations and improvements, and these works are now underway.

[Thanks to LRA Cllr Stephen Pewsey for this information.]