The unique village of Southwick is steeped in history. Nestling quietly at the foot of Portsdown Hill the privately owned village has acted host to Kings and Queens of England over the centuries.
The Southwick D-Day Memorial Hall was built with funds raised by the village during the summer of 1994, the 50th anniversary of D-Day. It commemorates all those who took part in the greatest seaborne invasion ever undertaken. The Hall was opened on 22nd June 1996 by Viscount Montgomery of Alamein CBE, son of Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery (Monty).
The plaque outside the Hall entrance reminds us of the sacrifice made by our forebears in the name of freedom, in June 1944.
Inside the Hall the two rooms are named after the key figures who made their headquarters at Southwick House at that time, US General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander and General Sir Bernard Montgomery, Commander of the Allied ground forces. Both ‘Ike’ and ‘Monty’ could be seen in the Golden Lion, next to the hall, enjoying a drink while adding the final details to the D-Day invasion plans.
These days in early June, the Southwick Revival group stage the weekend-long Southwick D-Day Village Revival event raising funds for SSAFA and village causes, including upgrading the Hall equipment and contributing to the children’s play facilities on the adjacent Recreation Ground. The D-Day Memorial Hall is transformed into the 1940’s tea-rooms for the duration of the Revival event.
With money raised from the last 3 years of the Revival, along with help from Government Grant Schemes we have had the ability to make many improvements to the hall.
In April 2019 a brand new commercial grade kitchen was installed as well as new heating/air conditioning and insulation, making the D-Day Memorial Hall amongst the best equipped facility of it’s kind. The Air Source heating system is the most efficient available which, together with the insulation of the whole roof area, has reduced our carbon footprint and made users much more comfortable, winter and summer.
In August 2017 all the original timber framed windows and doors were replaced with top of the range ‘Residence 9’ PVC double or triple glazing to improve heat and sound retention. Hygienic Dyson hand dryers were fitted to the bathrooms along with baby changing facilities in the disabled toilet.
New equipment purchased in 2016 includes the impressive audio visual system and induction (hearing) loop; in 2015 new comfortable chairs and an efficient commercial oven and cooker were added.
Members of the Hall organisation will support you though the planning process with multiple viewings and consultations to ensure your day goes as smoothly as possible.
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