John Godber Centre, Hucknall

The Centre can trace its history back over 110 years to 1905, when local born Rev. Canon John Godber, and Rev. Edward Roberts the vicar of St Mary Magdalene Church, proposed the building of a new church hall.

Canon Godber inherited significant wealth during his lifetime and much of this was shared through his generous giving within the community he called home. Promising to give £100 for every £50 raised by the people of Hucknall, he contributed the bulk of the cost of building the Centre and extending St Mary Magdalene Church, next door.

The land upon which the Centre is built stretches 100 feet wide between Ogle Street and West Street and was donated by his Grace, The Duke of Portland.

On Boxing Day 1905, a short service was held to mark the cutting of the first 'sod'. Canon Godber performed this ceremony with a commemorative spade of Ebony and Sterling Silver, presented to him by the 'People of Hucknall Torkard', as the town was then known. A display cabinet in the Centre reception remembers Canon Godber, tells more of his story and houses the actual spade used during the ceremony.

Sadly, Canon Godber never saw his dream realised as he passed away in July 1906, shortly before completion. In today's money, his life-long giving to the Hucknall community would run into many millions of pounds.

The John Godber Centre is owned by St Mary Magdalene Church and governed by the church council (http://www.johngodbercentre.co.uk/about-us/).

[Ashfield District Council; Hucknall Central Ward / Nottinghamshire County Council; Hucknall South Division / Sherwood Parliamentary Constituency].