Woods Ware China at the Serving Hatch

The village hall stool with the steps attached Brings nearer those bits that are out of reach, Provides a spot for the worker to rest And ponder the floor’s need of a good bleach The blue vinyl top has battered edges But the chrome legs and hinges still give shine, It’s the sturdiest tool in the kitchen Its inventor among the divine. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08D4SJWRZ/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

It is probably quite a well-known fact that during World War Two, Womens’ Institutes came into their own in terms of food provision for their villages and towns. Jams and chutneys were produced in record amounts by women in the spare moments between other essential war work. Apparently, approximately 4,700 tonnes of jam was made throughout the conflict. Village halls were often the headquarters of the production lines. You can imagine the sort of person who would be in charge, can’t you…the school mistress, the doctor’s wife or the parish clerk’s wife? Or how about the local bobby? Rosedale Abbey, a tiny village near Pickering on the North Yorkshire Moors, was flying against stereotypes in 1945. There, the village policeman was in charge of jam production and was, according to the Food Ministry Liaison Officer, “Adept in the processes.” I imagine that the jam making centre was housed in this lovely little building here: I delight in the Yorkshire Post’s handling o...

In January 1930, Mountfield Women’s Institute (Sussex) held an interesting meeting at the local village hall. Mrs Egerton presided over a debate entitled “Married Life v Single” I was very disappointed to read that married life took an easy victory, with the single status receiving a paltry two votes. A sign of how difficult it must have been to be single in those days, where one was typecast as sad, lonely and having missed the boat. Strange that this was such a predominant view so soon after the end of the Great War - a time when many had lost husbands, fiancés and boyfriends and when women outnumbered men. The unmarried must have felt disillusioned with life. The freedom of a single status that we take for granted today just did not exist then, we really have come a long way. I would definitely vote single and I know many other women who would too. On a lighter note, Mrs Pike won the competition for the 6 best plain buns. “The meeting terminated with the singing of...

  In January 1935, the Western Daily Press reported on an interesting phenomenon at the village hall in Vobster, Somerset. Leading members of society decided to put on a one-act play for the locals. Those taking part included: Princess Priscilla Bibesco (pictured), the Earl of Oxford, Mark Bonham Carter, Laura Bonham Carter and Raymond Bonham Carter. The Countess of Oxford was stage manager. Princess Priscilla It seems that Helena wasn’t blazing a wholly new trail in her family history when she took to movie stardom. if Wikipedia is to be believed, Raymond was Helena's father and Laura and Mark her aunt and uncle. At the close of the performance, the Rector of Vobster (sounds like a Wilde play himself) called for cheers, which “were heartily given.” However, the private opinions of the audience were not recorded. Click here to see my book of short stories inspired by Lady Astor's niece

As reported in the Cheshire Observer, January 1930. Two gentlemen, whom I shall merely refer to as Syd and Fred, had a memorable game of billiards one evening at Manley Village Hall. Fred had decided to play despite dizzy spells caused by high blood pressure. The game had been in progress for 15 minutes and Fred moved to the far side of the table. After a shot by Syd, Fred declared that “I can’t pot that!” and dropped down dead on the spot. Fred was a retired licenced victualler seller, originally from Manchester. There are worse ways, and places, to go.

In 1937, Rugeley Girls’ Friendly Society got their priorities right. They knew that what their parish hall needed most of all was tea urns. Two of them. So they set about rectifying this terrible lack of facilities. In order to raise the funds needed for this vital equipment, they held a supper and social. The supper comprised of roast beef and vegetables, which does sound more like a dinner than a supper to me. I bet the Andrews Liver Salts were brought out of several cupboards that night. But never mind. Eighty people and their friends benefited from the beautiful serving skills of Miss Degg, Miss Williscroft and Mrs Done. Mr Done provided the entertainment at the piano, assisted by Mr Harvey and Mr Samuels. Despite their best efforts it wasn’t quite enough for the two urns though. Shame. Search Amazon.co.uk for Sarah Miller Walters to see my books

Don’t we all enjoy a bit of amateur drama down at the village hall? One of the pioneers of this community activity was L du Garde Peach. You might have heard of him as the writer of the Ladybird ‘Adventure from History’ series – but before he got this gig he was much better known as a radio playwright and amateur drama champion, running his own respected theatre in his home village of Great Hucklow in Derbyshire. I’ve produced a new book about his life and work…here’s the blurb: L du Garde Peach is perhaps best known today for his authorship of the Ladybird 'Adventure from History' books. These children's books dating from the 1950s and 1960s are iconic among a generation who were introduced to British history through the beautifully illustrated pages. However, Peach is now often viewed as a dinosaur from an age that historians might rather forget. He is pigeon-holed as one of the entitled, jingoistic types that ruled the British establishment in the 20th century....