An early 20th century hall and institute, probably part of the general attempt at this time to revive rural communities by providing such community buildings. It is a memorial to Edith Bankes, wife of John Eldon Bankes, of Soughton Hall.A civic building with Arts and Crafts influence. It has a symmetrical plan; a single range with lower aligned ranges to the front and rear, with further low ranges at right angles to the latter.
It is constructed of red brick with steeply pitched slate roofs, a plinth and a moulded eaves cornice. There is a prominent domed bell cupola to centre of the main range. There are small-pane wooden windows either under the eaves or with brick hoodmoulds, and with decorative tile sills. The entrance is to the south gable end of the front range, and comprises a round-arched doorcase of moulded brick, containing double-panelled doors within a square stone surround inscribed 'The Edith Bankes Memorial Institute'. Above is an overlight fronted by iron bars in a geometrical design. The entrance is flanked by small 4-pane windows, and there is a tall vent in gable apex with horizontal tiles at intervals.
The west side of the front range has 2 windows, 4-pane to left and 2-light 4-pane to right, while the east side has a symmetrical arrangement. The sides of the main range are 5-window, each window separated by a slightly curved brick buttress. The central 3 windows are tall and are carried up above the eaves under hipped gablets. Each is 2-light with horizontal glazing bars and small panes. These are flanked by 2-light 4-pane windows. The low projecting ranges at right angles to the rear range each have a 2-light 4-pane window to the gable end. The west range has a brick ridge stack and a wooden door with traceried glazed panel to the right of the front. The east range has a similar door and a 3-light 4-pane window to the right. Behind these ranges, the rear range has a gabled dormer to the west side, but the rest was not visible at time of inspection.
(Source; CAdw listing database) S Fielding RCAHMW 03/08/2005
