Planning meeting for Centenary Celebrations for Hartington Village Hall

Planning meeting for Centenary Celebrations for Hartington Village Hall

Tuesday 10th September

Present: Liz Broomhead MBE, Carol Naylor, Janie Theaker, Keith Quine

Apologies: Rob Tenty, Andy Farmer, Malcolm Withers, Andy Papas, Stephen Trowbridge.

Summary notes:

  • Timing of celebrations: unanimous that events are focused in a short time span of a week or fortnight. Need to avoid late July, August and early September.
  • Target audience: objective is to attempt to involve as many as possible from the community.
  • Identification of core events: unanimous support for a ‘birthday ‘ community party. To be held on field behind war memorial if weather suitable with Hall as back up if needed. Based on past practice we would need to:
  1. Check we can have permission to use the field (LB)
  2. Come up with name for the ‘Birthday Party’ to be used consistently (CN)
  3. Prepare field i.e. cut grass and clear (KQ with volunteers)
  4. Gazebos and tables & chairs to be put up to provide shelter from sun ! (KQ and volunteers)
  5. Children’s activities to be planned and obtained (LB and volunteers)
  6. Families to bring picnic and drinks (CN to manage communications)
  7. Drinks bar – do we run a bar? To be discussed.
  8. Celebration cake(s) and cheeses ( LB to discuss cake(s) with Helen Harrison. Approach cheese shop to provide at cost cheese truckles?)
  9. Music ( DJ Rob to plan music through the ages but suitable for a party. Do we engage Warslow Silver Band? Would pose a problem if we use Hall. To be discussed further. Possibly have Band in Church on the following day? Need Adie Crowe to manage sound system)
  10. Individual invitations to families well in advance of event (CN to design, JT to manage distribution)
  11. Budget plan to be produced ( KQ will need to get support of Management Group but very probable that budget support will be secured)
  12. Build momentum and community awareness through regular briefings (CN)
  13. Birthday bags?
  14. Preferred date for ‘Birthday ‘ Party : Saturday 12th

Further ideas that have strong support  to happen in same period of time:

History exhibition: to be set up a few days before the ‘Birthday Party’ and to run a few days after in the Main Hall. To include certain documents and artefacts, but hopefully a digital production (Leon?) to add interest.

Regular Hall activity groups : invite to join in celebrations by holding their own celebrations, either separately or jointly e.g. Dance have a Summer party every year, Activities Club have a Summer Fuddle. Need to discuss further.

100 memories: involve as many as possible from community to present their memory of the Village Hall, cover the age spectrum, and place 100 in a Time Capsule.

100 Candles: involve school (25 on roll currently) in making a wish.

Potentially seek participation of Duke of Devonshire? (discuss with Richard Gregory)

Involve both Church and School

Post meeting idea: approach Whim Brewery regarding a celebration ale?

Other events discussed  but not to be badged as part of centenary celebrations but as standalone events:

  1. The Lovers Hi-Fi : discuss about having a ‘Fleetwood Mac Experience in June 2025 (RT/KQ/AF)
  2. Scottish Choir: plan to have a performance in St Giles Church on 3rd July 2025.
  3. Race Night – ST has offered to organise one.

We also discussed briefly whether any funds raised should simply contribute to the operational budget of the Village Hall (with age comes maintenance needs) or do we direct certain event profits to deserving community causes. To be discussed.

Date of next meeting: Tuesday 29th October 6.00pm in the Upper Bakehouse