Uki School of Arts - The Heart of the Community

The Heart of the Community

The Uki Mechanics' Institute, built in 1904, is the oldest standing building in Uki. It was constructed on a reserve for travelling stock with materials donated by local farmers and timber cut by local saw-millers.

The Uki School of Arts was added in 1911 on adjacent land. Its frame consists of several species of hardwood timber donated by local landowners. In 1915, the dedication was changed from School of Arts to Literary Institute. In 1924, the two halls were joined together, and the façade was added to the front of the small Hall.

For over a century, this building has served as the centre for social, religious, and educational activities in Uki. It housed a library and reading room that operated during WW1, supplementing the Uki school's resources. Locals could read books, newspapers, and farming gazettes here. In 1923, the fine for an overdue library book was 3 pence!

Skating, Music, and Merriment

In 1914, roller skating was held every Friday night, though this stopped two years later due to damage to the wooden floor. Nellie O'Sullivan remembered hearing people skating in the Hall at night from her home in Blacksmiths Lane. Roller skating briefly resumed during WW2.

Ella Mitchell shared this amusing story about a local musician:

"There was one chap who used to always come down here and bring his violin. It was out of tune, of course, poor old chap, he thought he could play. When he'd get to the door, the door-keeper'd look at him and he'd say "Orchestra" and he'd have his violin case and he'd walk straight in and he didn't have to pay. The musicians said that they had a job to keep him away from the microphone at the end when they played "God Save the King"."

The Hall was initially lit by kerosene lamps, then gas lights, before electricity was installed in November 1948 at the cost of £42/2/6.