FLATS PLAN FOR FORMER DANCE HALL

The Ministry of Defence wants to build six flats and a new hall for Number 2 Seaford Platoon, Sussex Army Cadet Force, which currently uses the building for training and meetings.

Kay Turvey, chairman of Seaford Museum has researched some of the hall's history. She said: 'The Queen's Hall was built for Queen Victoria's Jubilee '“ her 60th. It was built by public subscription as a meeting place for the people of

Seaford and a drill hall for the Seaford volunteers at the time when local areas raised their own platoons. There is a list of subscribers in the museum. There was only a small mortgage left on the hall and it was used up until the war and then at some stage during the war, the Army administered it and took over the little remaining mortgage.'

The hall has been used for a variety of functions since it was built, including a concert hall for the Seaford Choral Society back in 1929. The building has been falling into disrepair and is now on the Buildings at Risk register compiled by Lewes District Council.

Seaford town councillor Bob Brown said: 'An application has been put forward to redevelop the drill hall. It has been under threat for a long time. The MoD has an awful lot of arrears and maintenance but with this application they have tried to dispose of it in a way which answers the need for a continuing drill hall in Seaford.'

Some people in the town were unhappy with the way the MoD had let it become so shabby but not everyone wanted to see it knocked down and were sad to learn of the hall's potential fate.

Ron Ellis, of Broad Street, said: 'There is amazing history behind this hut. During the war years it was very well used. There were lovely social events '“ musicals, dances, theatres and so on. It was lovely to stand outside and watch everyone arrive in their evening dresses and full military regalia.

Instead of closing the windows to the music as we do with today's disco music, we used to open the windows to listen to the wonderful military bands. This was all happening from 1945 when the war was over. It would be very sad if it got knocked down.'