The first initiative under our Love Neston fundraising campaign is to raise the funds to carry out vital repairs at Neston Civic Hall.

NCYC are currently operating Neston Civic Hall temporarily whilst discussing the conditions for a community asset transfer with the local authority. This fundraising campaign, initially started with the target of £240,122 to enable us to carry out repair work to the roof and heating system is now focusing on raising as much funds as possible which will be used as match funding when applying to capital funders. Funds raised will also be used to contribute to vital repair work needed to ensure the building remains safe and operational and continuous improvements can be made to increase its capacity for use.

https://www.ncyc.charity/post/update-neston-civic-hall

About

Neston Civic Hall is owned by Cheshire West and Chester Council, in 2021 NCYC took over the operation of the building, bringing a much loved community asset back to life having been closed for almost two years.

Since reopening we have seen many organisations and groups return to use the hall for their groups and events as well as bringing new activities and events to the area. However, we are continually facing maintenance issues, the roof remains unsuitable and leaks regularly, the running costs of the building are also high due to outdated heating systems and lack of insulation. We have a fantastic group of volunteers who work tirelessly carrying out smaller repairs and improving the internal appearance of this much loved community asset but to ensure the future of this historic building we need to carry out vital repairs.

Background

The building now known as Neston Civic Hall is an important community building located in the town of Neston in Cheshire. Built in 1902, it was an ambitious enterprise to provide Neston with a social centre, while advancing the Liberal cause and was so named the Liberal Club. In 1908 the club was renamed the Neston Institute and leased to the Congregational Union. Apart from the time when the building was given over to being an Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital during the First World War, Neston Civic Hall has been an important part of the local community. During its long history it has been well used as a venue for celebratory events such as wedding receptions and birthdays, as well as events and activities for the full spectrum of age ranges in the local area.

A number of big-name bands and performers have appeared on the stage at Neston Civic Hall. The event which has caused the greatest impact for historians of popular music, was in June 1960, when the ‘Silver Beatles’ made the first of their six appearances at what was then the Neston Institute. It was at a dance to conclude events following the historic, annual, Neston Female Friendly Society’s ‘Ladies Day’ Walk. The local newspaper reported their first performance on 2nd June 1960, as being by ‘The Beatles’ a name the group had not used previously. The group subsequently adopted this name in December of that year. Many years later, John Lennon is attributed as saying that the newspaper report of their performance on 2nd June was probably the very first review of The Beatles. It is speculated that the review of their appearance at Neston Institute may have prompted the subsequent use of the name by which they would become famous. Watch the video 'Where the Beatles got their name here - https://youtu.be/cgwWh1ovMqo?feature=shared (credit to James Chalmers, Geoff Wright and Sarah McGinty).

It is thought that The Neston Institute kept this name until the 1970s when it was renamed Neston Civic Hall.

The building had been closed for approx. 2 years before NCYC took on the lease, and since taking over we have seen majority of the organisations that used to use the hall return. Groups including Neston Flicks, Neston Players, Neston Flower Society, Hip and Harmony CIC and U3A (University for the Third Age) are all heavily supported locally and provide services to our key demographics. We also host other clubs and groups such as the model car club, dance classes and exercise classes and one-off events including comedy nights and bingo and private hire for birthday parties, wakes, etc.

Read the press release here - https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/venue-beatles-played-first-time-30365136?int_source=nba