A brief history
Sunhill House
Sunhill House was built around 1855 for Peter Llewellyn, a wealthy metal merchant.
The architect was John Norton of London and it is likely to have been one of his earliest works. His work also included Elvedon Hall, Suffolk, and the rebuilding of Tyntesfield, North Somerset.
In 1869, the building of a new road revealed silver coins from an early Roman emperor, pottery and two human skeletons, leaving historians to believe that Sunhill House probably stood on the site of an old Roman villa.
Following the death of Peter Llewellyn, the House passed through the hands of the Cox family, Charles Greaves, Henry Basil Martin, Courtney Warner MP and Mr Peel Laws.
However, the new century saw the arrival of Joseph Henry Woodington, a well know boot manufacturer who lived there until his death in 1943.
Clevedon Community Association
In response to public demand, the Clevedon Community Association (CCA) was formed in 1947 by Lord Teignmouth and town residents when the population was only 7,000. Sunhill House opened as a Community Centre in 1949 after being purchased by Clevedon Urban District Council for £7,225. Nowadays the house is owned by North Somerset Council and leased by the CCA for a peppercorn rent. The gardens (Sunhill Park) are not included in the lease and are maintained by North Somerset Council.
The building has never been completely converted for use as a Community Centre, with alterations having been more of an ad-hoc nature in response to changing needs and regulations. On the ground floor there are three rooms, two meeting rooms seating 30 and 50 people respectively while the third is Squirrels Restaurant. There are four meeting rooms on the first and second floors with differing capacities, which unfortunately continue to be inaccessible to those with physical disabilities. Attempts have been made to obtain a grant for the installation of a lift but, so far, without success. North Somerset Council is responsible for repairs to the exterior of Sunhill House but the interior is the sole responsibility of the CCA.
The Princes Hall / Theatre, comprising a fully equipped stage with sound, lighting and seating 250, was added in 1962 at a cost of £18,000 raised by public subscription. The Jubilee Lounge was added in 1976 and was financed by a grant of £45,000 raised by means of a ‘Penny Rate’ by Clevedon Town Council.
The Community Association is a registered charity and relies heavily on room and hall hire charges. Over 2,000 people can use the centre in any one week. But despite these numbers we constantly need to seek ways to increase income and membership to help finance ongoing essential improvements. The CCA is managed by an Executive Committee, the majority of whom are also actively involved in groups or organisations that regularly use the Community Centre. The Association is very grateful for grants from Clevedon Town Council and gifts from other organisations, charitable bodies and individuals. These enable improvements to be made to keep up with the numerous legislative requirements and also help maintain the infrastructure of the ageing Sunhill House.