WESTBURY Town Council is considering a host of events as part of a week-long celebration of the anniversary of the laying of The Laverton’s foundation stone. The events will take place on the week starting on the 25th July.
Some of the ideas so far include a vintage cinema afternoon with tea and cake, a community meal (by Abraham’s Kitchen), screening of a children’s film, a quiz night, a Victorian craft session and an older residents’ disco.
Details for the events have not been finalised, but a meeting of the Laverton Trust will take place soon to discuss plans.
The grade II listed building of The Laverton was opened in 1873 by Abraham Laverton at a cost of £4,000, with the foundations being laid a year before this. The Laverton Institute was designed to provide a place for educational, religious, philanthropic, scientific and political purposes for the people of Westbury. Part of the building was set aside for an elementary school for boys.
Since 2003 Westbury Town Council has been the sole trustee of the building, and the Laverton regularly hosts town council meetings as well as being open for hire for parties, local club nights and conferences.
Abraham Laverton’s great-grandnephew, George William Laverton MBE, recently died at the age of 100. George was awarded an MBE for his charitable services in helping create the Rufiji Leprosy Trust in Tanzania. The full story of George can be found on page 7.
