History
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Glusburn Institute was built in 1892 by local mill owner Sir John Horsfall and was added to and extended over the following twenty years. The final pieces – the Clock Tower and Dome, were completed in 1911, thereby completing the provision of a much needed community facility which comprised an auditorium with stage, dining and reading rooms, swimming baths and a Baptist Chapel. It bears similarities to the Institute built at Saltaire by Titus Salt. The purpose of the building is highlighted by the following statements:- 1892 – stated at the opening of the building. The building is to serve the social, religious and educational needs of the community. Sir John Horsfall, the founder, said "My only wish and hope is that the institution shall be the means of general improvement to the people of this and the surrounding villages and of raising them to a higher standard, morally, intellectually and spiritually." May – First service by the Baptist Association October 3rd – First educational lecture Professor Muir, Yorkshire College, Leeds spoke on Manures & feeding Stuffs to an audience of farmers. The first, of a course of eight lectures. October 8 th - Opening Ceremony Activities developed during these years were the Conversaziones (a kind of concert), Glusburn Institute Players, Glusburn Women's Institute, the Band of Hope, Pensioners Teas, Cross Hills & District Youth Club, Men's Choir, Young People's Fellowship, the Library and the Christmas Tree in the Main Hall. The Lower Ballroom (now a veterinary practice) was used for Old Tyme dancing and the Top Ballroom, the former chapel, was for Modern Dancing. 1897 Phase 2 Extension built to house upper floor Art Rooms and gym on lower floor. 1905 Phase 3 Extension for Bathing facilities 1908 Sir John Horsfall put the Institute into a trust which was managed by the Horsfall family. 1910 Phase 4 Clock Tower Dome completed and corner block 1911 Clock installed to mark coronation of George V 1920 Death of Founder Sir John Cousin Horsfall 1936 Annual Meeting when concern over the behaviour of members resulted in members having to be approved. 1948 Art Room converted to Baptist Chapel and organ moved from Main Hall. 1960's The downstairs rooms were used as the kitchen and dining areas for the staff working at Hayfields Mill and the Baptist Chapel, was in regular use. The rooms below the chapel were also used for the Sunday School.. The Main Hall was used by the Hayfield Mill Social Club. The swimming pool was used for hiring out to local groups at this time. 1970's The Horsfall family transferred the building into a charitable trust for the Glusburn residents. The Parish Council became the Custodian Trustees and a Management Committee was appointed. This had to be composed of more representative than elected members. The representatives came from the organisations using the building or who were active in the village. Stated in the Charity Commission Constitution: "The object of the Charity shall be the provision and maintenance of a village hall for the use of the inhabitants of Glusburn and the surrounding district without distinction of political, religious or other opinions, including use for meetings, lectures and classes and for other forms of recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the life for the said inhabitants." The Baptist Church and the rooms underneath were then sold to the West Yorkshire Baptist Association and were partitioned off from the main building. The Social Club ceased to function apart from running a weekly Bingo Session that was very popular. The kitchen on the ground floor was converted into a Playcentre and this ran 6 sessions a week. The swimming pool was closed because there was only access on three sides and this was no longer accepted for health & safety reasons. 1977 A gas heating boiler was installed and associated pipework put in place . This was to separate the heating system from the Mill where a supply of steam had provided the heating. 1979/80 A new secondary staircase was installed to provide emergency access from the stage area. This was required because of the blocking of the back exit to the Baptist Church. 1981 A new toilet block was built downstairs. The Glusburn Pantomimes were restarted. 1981 – A complete electrical rewiring was undertaken and a secondary lighting system installed to comply with IEE and the Fire Safety regulations. 1982 A lift was installed for those who could not otherwise access the Main Hall. It was built in the former Dumb Waiter shaft but it was not possible to make it large enough for a wheelchair. 1982 The former Bowling Green was tarmaced to be used as a car park. 1980's A large part of the income for the building at this time came from the pantomimes, the children's discos and the Bingo sessions. 1990 The South Craven Volunteer Bureau moved its office into the Directors' Dining Room. 1992 The centenary of the original building. A display of memorabilia was held and Winnie Harrison, a former headteacher of Glusburn School, wrote a booklet T'Institute describing the Institute activities that took place in her lifetime. 1992 The former swimming pool was completely refurbished to provide a multi purpose hall which can take indoor bowls. 1996 Phase 5 A fire staircase was built on the outside to provide a safe exit route from the Main Hall. A fly tower was built over the stage area, together with theatre standard rope suspension sets. The Fly Tower had to extend over the room at the back of the stage to comply with the listed building regulations. 2001 The Baptist Church was closed and the premises were bought by the Parish Council at the request of the Management Committee for £45,000. £30,000 from the Parish Council £15,000 from Glusburn Pantomime Fund 2001 Glusburn Playgroup closed due to lack of children. It had been badly affected by the opening of the nursery at Glusburn Primary School. The Toddler group remained. 2003 South Craven Community Action moved out to larger premises. 2003 Craven District Council designated the building to be one of three Arts venues in Craven and they commissioned a feasibility study. Public meeting on the future of Glusburn Institute. 2004 Chapel ground floor area leased to Ashlands Veterinary Practice for 15 years 2004 Part time Development Officer appointed for a fixed term of two years 2004 Refurbishment of the Baths Hall and extension and renovation of the kitchen area. 2005 Feasibility Study on the ‘Future of Glusburn Institute' published by John Niven Architects 2006 Stage D Report on the Development of Glusburn Institute. Planning Permission and Listed Building Permission granted for a new lift, a mezzanine floor in the former chapel and other minor works. Archives Available to View with Prior Arrangement
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