Category: Village Hall

2020 Village Award Scheme – Update – May 2020

2020 Village Award Scheme
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Northamptonshire Action for Communities in Rural England

In this edition I had been hoping to announce the date when the NACRE judges would be visiting Nether Heyford to see our community in action. They were due to come in April or May. Sadly – for obvious reasons that will not now happen. At best, this year’s competition will be postponed until later in the year or, at worst, it will be cancelled. However, I would like to thank the many organisations who responded to my request for detailed information by sending in their completed questionnaires. Together they have helped to compile a vivid picture of our village community life in the early months of 2020.

If the judges eventually decide to cancel this year’s competition, I will ask the Prattler to publish our 500-word submission in a later edition so that you can see how fortunate we are to live in Nether Heyford.

Alwyne Wilson 01327 340803
alwyne76@gmail.com

 

Village Hall – News – May 2020

While the village hall is not presently being used by its usual groups and individuals (all much missed) it is nevertheless being put to an amazing use.

Every Wednesday a group of village volunteers are working together to receive large deliveries of food, sort, make up food parcels, then deliver them to local vulnerable people.

As a recipient of these regular food parcels I know how much this must mean to all of us who are in isolation, many lonely and no doubt anxious about this dreadful time we are all going through. On behalf of us all I want to say a huge THANKYOU to all our ‘angels’ by helping to make a bad time feel better. It is greatly appreciated.

Alwyne Wilson – 01327 340803

Chairman, Village Hall Management Committee

PS: Sorry about all the weeds around the hall – hopefully when this is over we’ll be able to gather a great team of volunteers to help us clear them (fingers crossed).

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The Story of Heyford (Extra): VH 60th Grand Opening: 7th May 1960

Nether Heyford Village Hall 60th Anniversary

Grand opening: 7th May 1960 

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Left to Right: Lieut.-Colonel C C S Genese, Miss L N D La Touche, Viscount Althorp, Major W Blaney, Viscountess Althorp, Mr R H Adams, Mrs M M Bartlett and Mr C E North.

Their children and grandchildren will owe them gratitude

‘A memorial to industry and good sense’. That is how Viscount Althorp described Lower Heyford’s new village hall when he declared it open on Saturday Afternoon. Not one penny, he said had been spent on labour costs since the first soil was turned by the villagers in 1958, apart from the short period when the roof was being erected by contractors. He mentioned the generous help from the Rural Community Council and the grant from the Ministry of Education. Village organisations he mentioned with gratitude were the Parish Council, Parochial Council, Methodist and Baptist Churches, British Legion, W.I., Darby & Joan, School managers and the local Athletic Club.

Viscount Althorp said he was sure the Hall would not become a passive venture –
this was most likely to happen when there was a lack of youth among the committee members. The children and grandchildren of those concerned in the building would owe them a great debt of gratitude. Viscount Althorp, accompanied by the Viscountess was introduced by Major W Blaney (president of the building committee) who said the opening was an outstanding day in the life and history of the village. The committee had been exceptionally good, and he mentioned especially Mr George Masters and Mr H Thorneycroft.

Mr Hugh Adams (committee member) gave a history of the building from the first decision (by the W.I. in 1933) to form a special building fund and praised the determination and loyalty of those who gave up their spare time to work on the hall. He also paid tribute to Major Blaney as chairman of the committee. The hall must now be utilized to the fullest extent he said. The building committee would hand over to a management committee.

Mrs M Bartlett, chairman of the executive committee of the Northamptonshire Rural Community Council, said the hall should be used for everybody in the village and supply the social needs of both the old and the young. She mentioned a conference to be held in the County Hall, Northampton next October at which representatives of all village halls in the county would meet. She paid tribute to the help give by Lt-Col Charles Genese (secretary of Northants Rural Community Council and Miss L N La Touche (HM Inspector, Ministry of education). Mr C North voiced thanks to the speakers and Major Blaney a comprehensive vote of thanks. Two visitors from London who attended the ceremony were Miss M Hann (Architect from the National Council of Social Services and Miss O Emerson-Price from the Ministry of Education.

An opening dance was held at the hall in the evening.

An article from the Mercury & Herald – Friday 13th May 1960

Published in The Prattler – May 2020

The Story of Heyford (Extra): VH 60th “Gentleman’s Smoking Club”

Friday 27th February 1987

A highly entertaining evening was enjoyed by a predominantly male audience. The noise level reached 7.3 on the RICHTER scale on occasions due to some of the younger members getting overexcited, too much beer probably.

A good appetite was worked up by the time the food was served which consisted of pork pie, cheese, roll & pickle. Some people were lucky enough to have marshmallow for dessert. Over £300 was raised.

Reprinted from The Prattler May 1987 Edition

Village Hall – Events Update – April 2020

Village Hall Fete
It is with great regret, due to uncertain times, the events committee has had to postpone the Fete this summer and has provisionally set a new date 5th June 2021 (provisional)

Garage Sale
The garage Sale has been postponed until later in the year and a provisional date of September 20th 2020 has been proposed. Those who have paid will get a full refund. The current list of applicants will be kept on file.

We will keep you up to date with dates and events in the Prattler.

Keep safe

Pat Paterson nhvhevents@gmail.com

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Nether Heyford Garage Sale – NOW Spring 2021

UPDATE – POSTPONED UNTIL SPRING 2021

Nether Heyford Village Hall are pleased to announce the return of the popular Village Garage Sale in 2020.  Sunday 19th April 2020 – 10am – 4pm

BUYERS: The village hall is the place for buyers to start at 10am, when doors open and the map of all the registered garages is available.

Refreshments & maps available in the village hall throughout the day from 10am to 4pm.

SELLERS: It costs only £7.50 to register your garage on the map. Please contact either Eve or Patricia before the closing date of Sunday 5th April.

Eve Matthews, 19 Watery Lane, 07540 599904 ematthews@sky.com

Patricia Paterson, 1A Watery Lane, 01327 340992 NHVHevents@gmail.com

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Nether Heyford Village Hall on Google Maps

Village Hall website: www.netherheyfordvillagehall.org

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Village Hall Exhibition – Request for memories – March 2020

Village Hall Exhibition

As part of the Village Hall 60th Birthday celebrations, we are holding an exhibition of its history. If anyone has any memories to share, photos etc, we would love to see them. Please send to heyford_prattler@yahoo.co.uk or contact Sue Boutle, Sunrise Cottage, 15 The Green.

Thanks in anticipation, Sue Boutle

Nether Heyford Village Hall celebrates its 60th Anniversary next year

“It is the 60th anniversary of our village hall in 2020 and we would like to commemorate it by publishing memories of its existence in our village, particularly if you have resided here for 60 years plus. ”    
The Prattler is helping the Village Hall compile personal accounts, list volunteers who have worked on the hall, gather some photographs, memories and stories; ahead of celebrating their 60th anniversary next year.
  • Do you have a story to tell about its history ?
  • Were you a volunteer who helped out with any of the work ? Perhaps you had a relative who did ?
  • What are your memories of events at the village hall ?
  • Do you have any old photographs of the village hall or events there ?

The Prattler would love to hear from you via email heyford_prattler@yahoo.co.uk or comment on this article below.

If you know any residents who would like to participate but are not online, please send us their contact details via email and once we have a list of participants we may visit for personal interviews during the Autumn.

Village Hall – News – March 2020

In line with the aims of the original founders and builders 60 years ago, the current management committee continues to work hard to maintain the condition and facilities of the village hall for the benefit of all its users. For example:

New Storage Container
This has now been ordered and will be delivered in the next few weeks. In the meantime, the area to the left-hand side of the hall has now been prepared to form a firm base. Once constructed, the new container will provide additional longer-term storage for large and heavy items, thereby releasing space for more cupboards for use by the growing number of regular users of the hall.

Redecoration
In due course the hall will be redecorated in time for a succession of special events planned for this year. We face a challenge in finding the right time to do this, because the hall is now almost continually booked (a victim of its own success).

Kitchen
In the meantime, this is now being comprehensively cleaned and sorted, with the exception of locked cupboards used by other groups.

Outside
Shortly, another working group will tackle the weeds and moss around the hall – made far worse by the recent heavy rains. This will not only improve its appearance but also ensure safer walking on the paths.

Future plans
In addition to managing and maintaining the hall, management committee members are now organising several events such as the biennial Garage Sale in April and the Village Hall Fete in June, and are seeking a good DJ for the Anniversary Dance in October (know anyone?).

Some are also involved with a group of other village folk in gathering information for an historical exhibition covering the hall’s 60 years.

Busy but rewarding times.

Alwyne Wilson – 01327 340803

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