The hall, in constant use as a village hall and social centre, was built by public subscription in memory of the Countess of Chichester, widow of the fourth Earl.

 

The foundation stone was laid by Sir Squire Bancroft, the actor-manager, and the building was officially opened on June 10th, 1914.

The clock, erected in 1897 to celebrate the jubilee of Queen Victoria, originally hung over the Gough Coffee Tavern near by.

 

It was moved to the Chichester Hall in 1913 and renovated by public subscription in 1981

In the matter of the Charity called The Chichester Memorial Hall, at Sandgate, in the County of Kent, regulated by a Scheme of the Charity Commissioners of the 19th June 1990; and In the matter of the Charities Act 1960.

 

THE CHARITY COMMISSIONERS FOR ENGLAND AND WALES HEREBY ORDER that the following Scheme be approved and established:-

 

S C H E M E: Sub-clause (1) of clause 3 of the above-mentioned Scheme of the 19th June 1990 shall have effect as if immediately after the words "area of the former Urban District of Sandgate" there were inserted the words "and the area of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Sandgate as constituted on the 1st February 1918". Sealed by Order of the Commissioners this 4th day of March 1991.

 

Fronting the Chichester Hall the Jubilee Clock celebrates Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Initially, it adorned the Gough coffee Tavern and Soldiers' Institute nearby, named after John Bartholomew Gough (b.1917). He was a local boy who emigrated to the USA, became a reformed alcoholic and a world famous temperance orator. The Freemasons' Hall and an antique shop now occupy the site.

 

The clock was later moved to the Village Hall, built in memory of the Countess of Chichester (of Enbrook). Here, Sir Squire Bancroft, famous actor/manager, laid the foundation stone in 1913.

 

As you enter, a memorial plaque recounts the

heroism of L/Cpl William Cotter, awarded a

posthumous VC in 1916.

 

This man’s actions in the face of the enemy

were so outstanding that he was awarded the

highest decoration for valour in the field of

battle, the Victoria Cross.