Farningham Village Hall was officially opened on 30th April 1938 on land donated by Sir Irving Albery, a stockbroker and Member of Parliament for Gravesend. The hall is owned by Farningham Parish Council.
Designed by his daughter, Jessica Albery, one of the UK’s first professional women architects, the hall stands as a testament to her pioneering career. Jessica Albery lived most of her adult life in Farningham and played a significant role in the hall’s development. In 1968, she oversaw the construction of a side extension, which added two new rooms and a kitchen. Later, in 1982, she was responsible for the back extension, which provided the back room named in her honour and expanded the kitchen into a larger, more functional space.
Farningham Village Hall is a registered charity and operates as a non-profit organisation. According to the original Deed of Management, the hall’s purpose is to promote the “physical and mental recreation and social, moral, and intellectual development” of Farningham’s residents. This is achieved by offering a wide range of leisure and educational activities in a welcoming and relaxing environment. Today, the hall serves not only locals but also visitors from further afield.
Over the years, the hall has hosted numerous organisations, such as the Women’s Institute, Axstane Players, Guitar Club, and the Horticultural Society. It has also provided a venue for various activities, including pre-school playgroups, library services, dance classes, and fitness sessions.
In 1997, Market Meadow was acquired from the Albery family by the newly formed Market Meadow Association. Ownership was transferred to the hall in 2012, and the land is now vested in the Official Custodian for Charities.
