Lincoln Drill Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Drill, Lincoln |
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| Lincoln | |
Broadgate frontage
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 The Drill, Lincoln
Location within Lincolnshire
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| Coordinates | 53°13′47″N 0°32′15″W / 53.2298°N 0.5375°W |
| Type | Drill Hall |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Lincoln College Group |
| Operator | Lincoln College Group |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1890 |
| Built for | War Office |
| Architect | Henry Goddard |
| In use | 1890–1999 |
The Drill, once known as Lincoln Drill Hall, is a cool place in Lincoln, England. It used to be a military training hall, but now it's a busy community center. You can watch live music, funny comedy shows, pantomimes, and even wrestling there! The Lincoln College Group takes care of it now. After a big makeover, it opened its doors again on December 11, 2021.
Contents
A Look Back: The Drill's History
The Drill building was designed by architects Goddard and Son. It was built for a group of local soldiers called the 1st Lincolnshire Rifle Volunteers. A kind person named Joseph Ruston, who used to be a Member of Parliament for Lincoln, helped pay for it.
Early Days and Military Use
The Drill opened in 1890. Even though it was built for military training, people also used it for community events and parties from the very beginning. The 1st Lincolnshire Rifle Volunteers later became the 4th Battalion of the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment.
In August 1914, at the start of World War I, these soldiers gathered at The Drill. From there, they went to fight on the Western Front. After World War II, the 4th Battalion joined with another group to form the 4th/6th Battalion in 1950.
Famous Visitors and Reopening
Over the years, many different shows and events took place at The Drill. One of the most famous was a concert by The Rolling Stones on New Year's Eve, 1963! The very next day, they appeared on the famous TV show Top of the Pops.
The building continued to be used for military training for many years. However, it started to get old and run down. It finally closed in 1999. But people in Lincoln really missed it! So, after four years, it reopened thanks to a big renovation project. Local company Lindum Construction did the main work.
In 2020, The Drill closed again for a short time. But the Lincoln College Group stepped in to save it! They gave the building a huge update and makeover in late 2021. It reopened in December with a series of fun pantomime shows. The Drill building, along with its nearby clubhouse, is a special historic building known as a Grade II Listed Building.
What You Can Do at The Drill
The main hall at The Drill can hold about 500 people. Many famous bands have played there, like Buzzcocks, The Damned, Stiff Little Fingers, and Iron Maiden. It's also hosted funny comedians such as Russell Howard and Marcus Brigstocke.
Food, Drinks, and Fun Events
The Drill also has a cozy cafe area where you can sit and relax. There's also a restaurant called The Limelight. Each year, The Drill hosts the Lincoln Beer Festival, which is a popular event.
Lincoln now has a newer, bigger music venue called the Engine Shed. This means that very famous bands often play there. Because of this, The Drill has become the top spot for exciting new bands from all over the United Kingdom when they visit Lincoln.
More Than Just Music
Besides bands, The Drill offers lots of other cool things to do. You can see theatre shows, listen to authors talk about books, watch films, and enjoy classical music. There are also comedy nights, workshops, and business meetings.
One really special event is The Butterfly Club. This is a much-loved club night especially for people with learning disabilities and physical impairments. It provides a fun and welcoming party experience for everyone.
Images for kids
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The Drill, Lincoln, Free School Lane
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The bar and cafe area of the revamped venue, pictured in spring 2022
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The Box Office at The Drill, Lincoln
