Skip to main content

They Live in Hope


I recently had the pleasure of running an event at Hathersage Memorial Hall, positioned in the Hope Valley, Derbyshire. It rained continuously and I had forgotten to bring that item of clothing deemed essential wear for the Hope Valley – the cagoule – so I didn’t do an external photo. Thank Google for this one.



It’s rather lovely, despite the pay and display in front and the railway line behind with its intermittent hooting. And it’s just as nice inside – old radiators, wooden floors, intriguing blocked up door frames and this stage complete with painted on curtain swags.  

In 1934, Sheffield Independent newspaper described a performance of ‘The Ghost Train’ by Hathersage Community Players – possibly on this very stage.  They were commended for their depiction of a passing train which involved “ingenious lighting effects, two gramophones, loud speakers and many other gadgets.” Apparently it was all very splendid and elicited roars of laughter. Sounds idyllic.

But the Memorial Hall itself was not in an ideal situation at that point in time. It had first opened in 1929, with locals paying £650 for purchase and refurbishment. Two years before the rip-roaring stage production described above, the Derbyshire Times newspaper had reported a worrying little snippet:

“Heavy rain on Saturday prevented many from attending the dance at Hathersage Memorial Hall consequently this event which was organised towards clearing off the debt on the building fund resulted in a financial loss.”

Oh dear. It must have been raining hard to keep even seasoned Hathersagonians at home…or was it something else that kept them away? Was this just the official line? Was there some sort of feud going on? An intriguing thought.

Happily, the Sheffield Independent printed this very brief report in 1936:

“Hathersage Memorial Hall is now free from debt, it was stated at the annual meeting last night. Mr P Wardrobe presided.”

This is worth reading merely to discover the existence of a man blessed with a name bearing such comic potential. But I am genuinely glad it’s still there to shelter the community activities of a damp Hope Valley.

                     

Top up my running away fund by downloading one of my books!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Curious Case of the Whitminster Village Hall Thief

This article is copied from The Illustrated Police News, 14 February 1935: Judge Thanked "Thank you very much, sir, I've got off very light." Remarked John Moore, 76, when sentenced by Mr Justice Hawke at Gloucester Assizes to six months imprisonment on charges of breaking into Whitminster Village Hall and stealing articles valued at 4 shillings and 6 pence. There was a term of 344 days remaining of a previous sentence, and Moore was told that he would have to serve that time.  P.S. (Police Sergeant) Howkins revealed that since 1904 Moore had been continually in and out of prison. Since that time he had been sentenced seven times to penal servitude, involving in all 23 years.  In addition, he was in 1927 sentenced to four years imprisonment and had served further sentences most of them in respect of house breaking. Moore's last sentence was three year's penal servitude.  Moore handed in a statement to the judge, beginning "I most respectfully wish t...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Ode to the Village Hall

I hope that some of my own poems that I have published on this blog have raised a smile of recognition. But I’m not the first to write poetry inspired by village halls. Back in 1936, the Warwick Advertiser published an article about a Mr Smith, who had written a poem about the village hall at Hatton. This was so well received by friends and family, that he had 401 copies printed, and he sold them for a pound apiece. The profits were divided between the church fund and the working men’s club fund. Hatton Village Hall - the charming inspiration Happily for us, the Warwick Advertiser saw fit to publish Mr Smith’s acrostic: T his grand village hall which can scare be surpassed H as been built by one to remember those passed E ver thoughtful of others, kind friend of us all V ery ready to help and obey duty’s call I n summer or winter, in sunshine or rain L ending a hand without seeking to gain L ooking after the sick and helping the weak A nd a kind cheery s...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Story of a Harvest Tea, 1945

Extract from “The Countryman” journal, Spring 1946 At the end of the casual workers’ season last year we had as usual our harvest tea. The “boughten” cakes must have been fairly good; and the bread and butter was helped down by some home-made preserves and potted meat.   Although it was a poor spread, things being as they are in the food line, our guests seemed to understand and enjoyed it…for decorations there were flags, and the words on a rather faded portrait flag stood out, “God bless Queen Victoria.” After the tea Harriet recited “The Boy Stood on the Burning Deck” and “Dare to be a Daniel”, and sang “The Bells of Aberdovey” and “Don’t Hang My Harry; You’ll Break His Poor Mother’s Heart.”   During the applause the board placed on apple boxes for a seat collapsed. There was a bit of a mix-up and it was agreed that Polly, who weighs 15 stone, should have a box to herself. Up to this time young Tommy had had 10 cups of tea and 15 cakes, and Jim had dropped...
Post a Comment
Read more