HomeVillage Hall & Park history
Village Hall & Park history
How a recreation ground bought in 1958 and a village hall charity from 1971 became Fivehead Village Hall and the recreation ground the village uses today.
Two old charities and a new one
For most of their lives the Village Hall and the recreation ground belonged to two separate village charities, one for the Village Hall and one for the recreation ground. Both were run by local volunteers, and over the years their work grew closer together.
In 2023 a new charity, now Fivehead Village Hall & Park, was set up as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) so that one modern organisation could look after both places. Its trustees now run the Village Hall and the recreation ground for everyone in Fivehead and Swell.
A timeline
From Fifhide in the Domesday Book to the Village Hall and Park today.
Fifhide in the Domesday Book
Fivehead appears in the Domesday Book as Fifhide, named after the five hides of land that made up the manor.
The hedges on the tithe map
The hedges that still surround the recreation ground follow boundaries already shown on the village tithe map of around 1840.
Ridgeway
Ridgeway, the first part of today's recreation ground, is bought for the village, for recreation. It later becomes the site of a sports pavilion.
Three bungalows on Stowey Road
A corner of the recreation ground is sold, and three bungalows are built beside Stowey Road. That sale explains the shape of the north-east boundary today.
A village hall charity
The Fivehead Village Hall charity is set up to hold the village hall in trust for the village. At that time the village hall stood on the old school site.
Stroud's Piece joins the recreation ground
A second plot, Stroud's Piece, is added. The hedge between the two comes out, and the recreation ground takes its present shape.
A scheme for the recreation ground
The Charity Commission makes a scheme for the recreation ground charity, setting out how the recreation ground is held and used for recreation.
A new Village Hall
The old village hall at the school site is sold, and the present Village Hall is built on Stowey Road, where the pavilion once stood, with a car park and new drainage. A power cable that crossed the football pitch is moved underground.
Refurbished inside
The Village Hall is refurbished inside, giving the light, modern rooms used for celebrations, classes and clubs today.
One charity for both
Fivehead Village Hall & Park is registered as a charitable incorporated organisation, to run the Village Hall and the recreation ground together.
The play area closes
On 13 August 2025 the play area closes because the equipment needs significant repairs. The village starts raising money to reopen the play area.
A new chapter
The Village Hall hosts the summer fête and a Pride Summer Fête for two local SEND schools, and on 7 October new trustees are appointed.
The recreation ground
The recreation ground brings together two historic plots, Ridgeway and Stroud's Piece. It is held in trust so that it stays in use for recreation for the village.
The old boundary hedges are part of a wildlife corridor that links to the grounds of Fivehead Court. Several of the mature trees in the southern hedge were planted in memory of former trustees.
Do you know more about the history of the Village Hall or the recreation ground? We would love to hear from you.
Photos appeal
Do you have old photos of the Village Hall or the Park?
Fêtes, matches, parties and events, or the old village hall at the school. If we use your photo on this website, we will credit you by name on our photo credits page.