History

A probably Edwardian village institute (post-dating 1903 Ordance Survey, but probably pre-dating the First World War). The small settlement at Van had sprung up in association with the development of lead mining in the area.

Exterior

Single-storey institute. Main range with 2 outer gabled wings advanced to front. Weather-boarded on a brick plinth under a corrugated steel roof. Truncated lateral brick stack to centre of main range, with triangular pediment beneath the eaves; the stack is replaced by a steel cupola to ridge. Detail includes moulded boarded eaves, those to the gables projecting and bracketed. Moulded wooden small-pane windows, either single-lights with transoms or cross-windows. Entrance to gable end of L wing; moulded wooden door case with cornice supported on scrolled brackets, beneath which is a sign reading 'Village Institute'. Inset half-glazed panelled double doors with overlight; boarded canted reveals and quarry tile floor. Single-light windows flanking entrance. Against the L-return of the wing is a large 9-pane window, R of which is a shallow lean-to with small lights, probably late-C20, To the main range are 2 cross-windows to the L of the stack, and 1 cross-window and 2 single lights R of the stack. R wing has half-glazed panelled door to L-return and a cross-window flanked by side lights to gable end. Small gabled block against R-return. The rear wall appears to have been rebuilt in red brick, but the detail was not seen.

Interior

Interior not seen.

Reasons for Listing

Listed as a scarce example of an early C20 village institute which retains strong character, notwithstanding the renewal of some detail.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q29505807

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1968)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)