King Edward Hall

 

How many wonder,
As they pass the Hall,
Know that four and twenty years
Went past
Until, at last
An idea became reality.

Gift of money, gifts or grounds
So Burt and Norman
For two thousand pounds
Could build to Mr. Tower’s plan.

Nineteen eleven
Had just begun
The Hall was opened with a song.
An epic poem
Music and tea.
At last the Hall
Had come to be,
Titled with a regal name.

Soon came the war
The Hall as hospital
Where wounded soldiers
Gazed across the peaceful pond.
Another war
Canadians were at the door
To welcome
With laughter, games and fun
Lindfield’s and others’ young
Hiding from the city’s bombs.

Wars over
Lindfield had its Hall again
For meetings and displays,
Clubs and plans for village life
And celebration days.

So many bless the day
Now a hundred years away,
When King Edward Hall
Opened up its doors
To villagers’ applause
For all it is
For all it does
Now a part
Of Lindfield’s living heart.

Anthony Baird, 2010