Category: Village Hall

The Story of Heyford (Extra): VH 60th Memories from Tony Wright

Village Hall 60th Anniversary in 2020

On 25th August 2003, the team assembled under the leadership of Christine Metcalfe, the Village Hall Chairman. It was split into two groups, door and windows were fitted by Dave Juland, who was also the Foreman., Brian May, Ralph Faulkner and Hughie Taylor. Tea was made and served by Ray Metcalfe who was in trouble if late. Cladding and insulation was fitted by Jim Williamson and Tony Wright assisted by Sally Sargent. Everyone brought sandwiches for lunch apart from Ralph who went home for a cooked meal. Very welcome cakes were provided by Jean Spokes, Rene Gilkes, Mary Hyde and Maureen Wright.

The old cladding was removed, and insulation batts cut to size and fitted followed by the new cladding. Peter Perkin kindly left a trailer every morning and took away the rubbish at night. Joan Juland looked after the curtains. The working day was 9am to 5:30-6:00 pm Monday to Friday. By the end of the first week, seven windows had been fitted and clad. The second week saw the remaining windows fitted and the cladding completed. Beading was fitted around the windows on the inside and on the Friday, the job was finished when Joan Juland and Marion Williamson re-hung the curtains. All agreed it was a most satisfying project.

Tony Wright

Letter published in The Prattler – February 2020

 

The Story of Heyford (Extra): VH 60th Memories from Doreen Faulkner

Village Hall 60th Anniversary in 2020

In answer to your question about the 60th Anniversary of the Village Hall, I can tell you my late husband, Ralph Faulkner, was one of the many keen volunteers who built it. There was a lot of skilled workers in the building trade and those who weren’t worked hard doing the labouring. It wasn’t only men who worked; the ladies did their bit too. I remember Ralph’s sister, Eileen Boyes, made all the first lot of curtains on her little hand Singer sewing machine while I looked after her children. I can’t remember many of their names now, 60 years ago is quite a long time, but I can still remember them and how hard they all worked; men and women together. Unfortunately a lot of them are not with us anymore.

In later years Ralph was on the village hall committee and he still enjoyed doing small maintenance jobs on the hall. The last big job that I can remember was taking the old windows out and replacing them with double glazing, that was done voluntarily by Dave Juland, Ray Metcalfe, Jim Williamson, Ralph Faulkner and I’m sure there was someone else but I’m so sorry I can’t think who it was. Joan Juland and Chris Metcalfe went to the hall to make them cups of tea to keep them working. It is a hall to be proud of, myself and my family have had many happy hours in there. I hope the future generations in this village will continue to take care of it and enjoy using it, like us village people always have.

I am the last person to live in one of the ex council houses in Hillside Crescent since they were built in 1952.

Doreen Faulkner

Letter published in The Prattler – February 2020

 

2020 Village Award Scheme – Update – February 2020

2020 Village Award Scheme
northampton-ACRE-logo
Northamptonshire Action for Communities in Rural England

Nether Heyford’s Application

Following my mention of this in the October Prattler, in preparation for our application, I have been researching all that Nether Heyford has to offer to its community.

The results are staggering – in a village of 1750 people we have some 50 groups, organisations, activities and facilities all offering direct benefits, not only to our own people but to those of neighbouring villages.

But a list is not enough – I now need specific details of how all these benefits are offered and received. To this end, I am about to ask each group to help me by completing a brief questionnaire. As it’s going to take me some time to get around everyone, you may not hear from me immediately. When you do, I hope you will provide a picture of the all good work that you are doing.

The application deadline is tight – the end of February. In April or May the judges will visit our village to talk to groups and view the facilities. I do hope that, if invited, you will be willing to join a small group of Heyford people to meet the judges and help convince them what a marvelous community we have in our village. Awards will be announced in July.

In advance of your support, thank you.

Alwyne Wilson 01327 340803
(Village Awards Co-ordinator: self-volunteered)

 

Village Hall Events – The 60th Anniversary

2020 – The 60th Anniversary of Nether Heyford Village Hall

2020 Events:

Village Garage Sale – Sunday 19th April – Postponed to Sunday 20th September

Village Hall Fete – Saturday 20th June – Cancelled

Art Exhibition – Saturday 26th September

Anniversary Dance – Saturday 10th October

Yuletide Festival – TBC

Pantomime Cinderella – TBC – Late December (usually between
Boxing and Hogmanay.)

Alwyne Wilson – 01327 340803

Nether_Heyford_Village_Hall_Book_2019

Heyford Patchwork Group – November 2019

Heyford Patchwork Group

This active group is run by Carole Wood and Jane Rimell who are both very experienced patchwork and quilting tutors.

They run classes Tuesday mornings 10am to 12:45pm and Tuesday afternoons 1:15pm to 4pm although many people stay all day and bring a packed lunch. The cost is £10 per session and you can either work on a project of your choice with help from Carole and Jane or you can request tuition on a particular technique, the choice is yours.

We meet every Tuesday except June, July, August and December when we meet only on one Tuesday each month.

We would be delighted to welcome new members so if you are interested in joining and learning how to do patchwork or wish to learn some new techniques then please feel free to call in one Tuesday and have a look at what goes on or contact Carole on 07940 256400 or carole@churchstowemanor.com for more information.

Village Hall – News – November 2019

Pantomime
Tickets are selling well for ‘Dick Whittington’ to be presented in the Village Hall on
Sunday 29th December at 2pm. Prices are £9 for adults and £3 for accompanied
children up to age 11. They can be purchased from Richard: 01327 341 044 or
07801 862 140, or Alwyne: 01327 340 803.

Last year they sold out, leaving some people disappointed. Make sure you don’t
miss out this year. If you would like to donate a raffle prize, either for an adult or
child, ring Alwyne.

New Welcome Sign
Thanks to the efforts of Tom Dodd and Arthur Hanley, a splendid new decorated
and illuminated sign has been mounted in the entrance foyer.

Christmas Decorations
The village hall will be decorated on Sunday 17 November at 2.30pm in readiness
for this year’s seasonal festivities. If anyone fancies giving a hand, tea, coffee and
chocolate biscuits will be on tap.

Alwyne Wilson

Nether_Heyford_Village_Hall_Book_2019