Happy 1st Anniversary to our hall.

Getting the keys….

Since opening our doors a year ago, our community hall has become a bustling hub of activity and a cherished gathering place for residents of all ages. It’s been a remarkable first year, filled with memories, milestones, and moments that have truly brought our community closer together. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from the past year….

The Grand Opening on Midsummer’s Day.

Over the past year the hall has hosted a wide array of events that have brought joy and excitement to our village.  The grand opening ceremony on Midsummer’s Day was a fabulous event and provided a great opportunity to thank all the volunteers, local businesses, charities and organizations that generously contributed their time, resources, and expertise to create the hall.  It was wonderful to see Pearl Wall in attendance, who donated the land in memory of Doris Knowler.  The field will always be known as ‘Doris’ pitch’ in recognition of her love of the game of football. We hope we have done Pearl and Doris proud over the past year.

Other events included a terrific Halloween Walkabout, a Trash & Treasure sale, an Autumn Wellness workshop, Quiz night, Christmas Wreath workshops and our Spring Fayre.  Most recently we were honoured to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day with music from Miss Holliday & The Swingtones and a fish and chip supper.  At 9.15pm we joined the nation in playing the Last Post and lighting the Painters Forstal beacon.  It was a fabulous event and was a fitting tribute to one of the most significant military operations in history.

Putting the Tea in Community.

As well as being a place to gather, celebrate and unite, our hall is also about improving the lives of our community and offering support and solidarity.  One of the first groups to start at the hall was our weekly Communi-Tea & Biscuits afternoons, a group designed to get people in the local community together to chat, laugh, offer support and, of course, enjoy a nice cup of tea.  It’s about embracing the power of being together.  Once a month it also incorporates a Police Surgery drop-in session with the local Police Constable, providing an opportunity for local residents to raise any concerns and also find out what is being done to tackle the issues that matter to the local community. 

Our hall has become the go-to venue for a diverse range of regular activities.  From fitness classes and mindfulness sessions to camera clubs, sewing workshops and dance classes, there’s been something for everyone.  Our most recent group is the fantastic Canasta Club, offering friendship and laughter while playing the classic card game. And in September we are excited to announce the opening of a lovely new preschool, providing a safe and engaging space for our youngest residents to play and socialize.  There is more information about the preschool here.

Celebrate!!!!

The community hall has also been the perfect setting for special celebrations, including birthday parties, anniversaries, and family reunions. It’s been heartwarming to see the hall filled with laughter, love, and the joyous sounds of people coming together to celebrate life’s special moments.

Loving our countryside.

Last autumn we planted around 400 different shrubs and trees to line the edges of ‘Doris’ Pitch’.  The assortment includes rowan, dogwood, silver birch, hawthorn, wild cherry, crab apple and hazel.  In a few years these will mature into a beautiful hedgerow that will not only be visually appealing but will also contribute to the biodiversity of our local countryside for generations to come.

As we celebrate this milestone, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible support and participation from our community. The success of our hall is a testament to the spirit and dedication of our residents, who have embraced this space and made it their own.  As a thank you to everyone who has contributed to making our community hall a success we are hosting a special evening on Saturday 29th June to meet with the trustees and celebrate the hall’s successful first year. There are more details here.

Here’s to many more years of shared memories and community spirit!

Stay connected with us for updates on upcoming events and activities by following our social media pages.

Happy Anniversary to our community hall!