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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!


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