1983 Village Hall Diamond Jubilee

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Hallmark October 1983. Randall Evans (Chairman of the Village Hall Committee) looks back over the month of the Diamond Jubilee.

When I proposed that we celebrated in some way the fact that the Village Hall was 60 years old this year, I had no clear idea of how we might do this. However, it was taken up most enthusiastically by the Committee, and a sub-committee of Lily Barber, Ted Janes, John Hanna and Ernie Anderson was appointed to come forward with ideas. They produced the excellent programme of events for the whole of September, involving almost every organisation in the village, which was completed with the dance on the 1st October.

Very appropriately the celebrations opened with a combined church service in the hall on the first Sunday in September. The service, which was conducted by the Rev. Raymond Maynard J.P., vicar of St. John's was very well attended. The Lesson was read by the Rev. Roy Jackson, minister, Methodist Church, and an address given by Mr. David King, Baptist Church, Loosley Row.

Enthusiastic hymn singing was accompanied on the renovated village hall piano by Mrs. K. Stansfield, and we all enjoyed tea and cakes after the service.

On Tuesday the 6th September the 8Ist Club (Derby and Joan) opened their annual general meeting to visitors. I don't know how many other visitors there were, but I do know that I thoroughly enjoyed it. After the business part of the meeting we all became involved in a short "Quiz" organised by the W.I. which at times became hilarious. I shall never forget one question - "Who is the patron saint of shoe-makers?" The shouted answer from the. back - "Cobblers!"

The tea served by ladies of younger generations made O.A.P's feel like V.I.P's.

On the following Thursday, 8th September, I was the only male at the monthly meeting of the Women's Institute. I was fascinated by the cake icing demonstration, thoroughly enjoyed my tea and amazed by the talent displayed by the village ladies in the produce show.

I was down in the dumps on Sunday I1Ith September because weather washed out the cricket match between the village hall committee (past and present) and the sports club. It would have been fun to see some of the oldies perform. However, my heart was Lifted again and all my enthusiasm restored by the presentation to me as Chairman by Edwin Williams of a shield bearing the following inscription - "In recognition of sixty years service to the community by the Village Hall Committee. With thanks to all the public spirited people who have served thereon. Presented by the Lacey Green and Loosley Row Sports Club. September 1983."

The shield now hangs in a prominent position in the Entrance Hall. This presentation was made during the tea break of what I think was one of the best – functions ever run in the Hall. It was the "Diamond Jubilee Quiz" organised by the local W.I. on Wednesday 14th September. About twenty teams of 4 people each took’ part and an enthusiastic audience cheered them on.

Every organisation in the village was represented and most appropriately the winning team represented the Parish Council. The members were: Councillors E.W. Janes, B. Panter and D. White, together; with the clerk of the council G. Crombie.

On Sunday afternoon, 18th September, a "Treasure Hunt" by car started from the car park at 2 p.m. About 11 cars took part, averaging about 4 people per car, so some 40-50 villagers of all ages had a thoroughly enjoyable and instructive outing

The organisers of this affair, Gerald Smith and Les Hazel had put a lot of work into preparing the map and questions, and the only small criticism could be that we might have called it a treasure hunt for all ages. Some of the questions certainly puzzled me! And I was sitting in the Village Hall entrance!

This, like the "Quiz", could well become an annual event. The winning car contained the following: Phil Attridge (driver), Andy Hartley and his wife (nee Lorraine Attridge) and two children Katrina and Jessica. A bottle of sherry was the prize and every child who took part received a bag of sweets.

At the Horticultural Society's Bi-monthly meeting on Wednesday 21st September, a special competition was held for a flower arrangement contained within a 2ft cube and with a Jubilee theme. This competition and the whole evening were both open to the whole village. The winning exhibit was entered by Mrs. Lily Barber and consisted of a group of celebratory items with the centre piece an "iced" cake made completely of yellow centred white flowers with the figures 60 picked out in colour.

The following Friday, 23rd September, the annual St. John's Church Harvest Supper, held for the first time in the hall, was opened to the congregations of both Chapels and to villagers generally. The hall was packed and everyone enjoyed, not only an excellent meal prepared by an inter-denominational committee led by Mrs. E. Ward, but also a programme of entertainment given by members of the church choir and containing all the variety of talent one expects from this enthusiastic body.

During the evening the opportunity was taken by the village hall committee to present a crystal rose bowl to Mrs. Rene Sanders who has recently retired from the position of caretaker. She volunteered for this position when the hall was reopened four years ago and carried a heavy burden during the time the building was settling down.

No village celebration would be complete without a Jumble Sale and a super one was held in the hall on the afternoon of Saturday 24th September. I am not an habitue of such functions but this one intrigued me. All the mass of goods set out on tables round a hollow square with the sales ladies in-side worked superbly as forces could be moved to any hard-pressed point. The other thing I found fascinating was the number of teenaged girls setting themselves up for the winter. Does fashion follow the economy or are the two related? A profit of £112.43 was made for hall funds.

And so to the Grand Finale - the dance on Saturday evening 1st October, brought our celebrations to a successful and nostalgic conclusion. The hall was comfortably full – a happy mixture of "old" and "new" villagers and there was no doubt about the enjoyment as they danced to the music of Michael Moss and his band. And under the guiding hand of Ted Janes who acted as Master of Ceremonies.

The Grand Diamond Jubilee Draw which was organised by Lily Barber went very well and made a considerable profit.

Having attended every function during the month of celebrations, I am left with two very strong impressions, first that all the organisations in the village are thriving and healthy and secondly that the vastly enlarged population is slowly being welded into one community of which I am delighted to be a member . Perhaps the 60-year old hall has played it's part in both these things and hopefully it will continue to do so for many years yet.