From the Darlington & Stockton Times of October 8, 1921

IN Sadberge, “a commodious building, which was formerly a guardroom at Ripon Camp, has been converted at a cost of £500 into a village institute, which will serve as the Sadberge war memorial”, the D&S Times reported 100 years ago.

Alderman JW Pennyman, of Ormesby Hall in Middlesbrough, performed the opening as he had given land at the western entrance of the village for the site. He said his family had been connected with Sadberge for 250 years, and he thought the memorial most appropriate.

“The one place a village should have was a centre for well conducted amusement, and sometimes instruction,” he said. “He laid great stress upon innocent amusement, and would say to young people: ‘Dance, amuse yourselves, and enjoy yourselves, and it will do you all the good in the world’.”

He unveiled a plaque which went at the back of the stage and contained the names of 60 villagers who had gone to war, including 13 who had not come back.

The hall was demolished after our picture of it was taken in 1972, and we don’t know what became of the memorial board.