To speak of the Jubilee Hall, Rothbury, as a single entity is to a certain extent misleading, since the dominant building, which is now situated at the junction of Bridge Street and Front Street, has seen several reincarnations.
A small library was established at the East end of the long room in what was, in 1850, the Black Bull Pub.
In 1864 a new library was situated at the north end of Dovecote Yard (Dove Cot Close). Provision was also made for the storage of the local hearse and the Rothbury Fire-engine on the ground floor. The influx of workers into the locality prompted by the development of Cragside by Lord Armstrong, the arrival of the North British Railway line and the consolidation of Rothbury as a rural market town led to the addition of a Reading Room to what was more accurately termed " The Mechanics Institute".
The Jubilee (50 years) of Queen Victoria's reign provided further impetus for public expressions of loyalty and devotion. However, whilst the Queen's Jubilee provided the stimulus for the initial development, the structure was enlarged and modified in 1897 and 1909.
The building we see today is largely an extension and re-build following the disastrous fire in July 1939 and the reconstitution of the pitched roof between c.1962 and 1989.
The history of Jubilee Hall encapsulates the social history of the local community. The Reverend C.G.V. Harcourt established the Mechanics Institute and Library in 1850 and who also provided an initial stock of 295 volumes, intended to facilitate "the acquirement of useful knowledge". During the year of the Queen's Jubilee (1887) it was proposed to erect a lecture hall and a recreation room as a permanent commemoration. A committee, with the Reverend A.C. Medd as President, was formed to develop the project.

Whilst it cannot be proved, a Cinema's presence led indirectly to the biggest disaster encountered by the Jubilee Hall whereby the remains of a cigarette led to a fire on Sunday July 9th 1939.
According to the North Mail and Newcastle Journal smoke was seen coming out of the building at 2.30am. The Police were soon on the scene and attempts were made to get fire brigades from Morpeth, Ashington and Alnwick. By 4pm. the Morpeth volunteer force arrived to find the building blazing furiously and threatening the adjacent Post Office. It was reported that the Postmaster's wife remained at her switchboard throughout the fire. The brigade ran their hoses from the river whilst villagers tried to stem the blaze with their totally inadequate equipment, namely a hose and hydrant. Mr. Goldsworthy of the Queen's Head Hotel took his fire extinguisher to the scene but remarked, "There was nothing I could do. The fire was inside the building at that time and we could not get into it. We are in the middle of Coquetdale and yet there seems to be no fire protection at all for us here".

Whilst the first floor of the Library - until recently part of the caretaker's accommodation - was occupied by books, an old relic was stored on the ground floor i.e. the Rothbury Fire Engine (1788). fire engine
In the 18th century most of Rothbury's houses were covered in thatch and fires were commonplace. During the night of December 11th 1738 a fire destroyed property and merchandise and a further blaze on October 10th 1781 consumed 16 houses and a brewery. Prompted by these events Mr. George Farquhar (1788) "presented to the town and parish of Rothbury, a fine engine, under the care and control of the Rector and Church Wardens".

In terms of audience appeal and sheer numbers the Cinema in the main hall was clearly the most popular service to the local community. Originating from a silent/lantern show in 1902 the peak period of 1937/50 saw three separate programmes e.g. Monday and Tuesday: Wednesday and Thursday: Two showings on a Saturday evening and an occasional matinee on Saturdays. (Precedent was sometimes given to Saturday night dances).
The Cinema Projection Box was constructed in 1925 and completed at a cost of £ 13 .5s Od.
The popularity of the Cinema was characterised by the momentous events when Hollywood came to Rothbury. The M.G.M. Picture Company filmed most of the screenplay of their production entitled "Moonlight Sonata" in Cragside and in 1936 held a farewell dance in the Jubilee Hall to thank the local population for their co-operation and interest.
Present day residents of Rothbury may recognise themselves and/or relatives in the related photograph opposite.

Whit Carnivals were a popular annual event and the photograph c.1930 shows Lord Armstrong accompanied by his wife and Dr. Hedley crowning Mr. Willy Bell as King and Bobby Green as a rather mature Queen. The proceeds (£200) from this particular Carnival were donated to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

The story of the Jubilee Hall is very positive and the structure has provided a focus for a host of successful community activities, which have made the Hall an integral part of Rothbury life.