Before the fire a fundraising event took place to raise money for a new hall for the community as the original structure was beginning to erode due to heavy use over the years and was costing too much to maintain. The total cost for a new hall included a big estimation for the demolition of the old hall. The local bowls club made an appearance on the front page of local newspaper 'The Journal' inside of the hall wielding umbrellas – underlining the state of the hall – appealing for funds. Weeks later the hall suspiciously burned down at approximately 2:30 am on a Saturday night. A member of the Shilbottle parish said it was down to 'a possible electrical fault'.