“Mūsmājas” (The Hall, Priory Hill, Wolston, Coventry CV8 3FZ)

 

18 years had passed in exile when the Coventry branch of the Latvian Welfare Fund decided it would acquire a property, which they eventually bought in the village of Wolston, situated between Rugby and Coventry, on 20 June 1965, for £13,000. There were two buildings suitable for residential and housekeeping purposes in six acres of grounds. One of the buildings was rebuilt as a function room accommodating 150 people, a dining room, a bar and a library; the other was repurposed into rooms suitable for housing the elderly and space for young people’s activities. The redesigned property was inaugurated 20 August 1965.

In 1969-1970, a new function room with stage was built to accommodate 350 people, with a spacious bar and cloakroom. This new building was linked to the residential building and was formally opened on 16 May 1970. The larger spaces allowed for all the traditional activities (sports, national anniversaries, midsummer festivities) and became home to the folk dance group “Ritenītis”, and the mixed choir “Senatne”, a male voice choir, and church services.

The property was sold in January 2016.