Village Hall News - July 2025

The Village Hall Committee and friends joined together to organise the commemoration of the hall's centenary during the weekend of 7/8th June and given the wealth of positive comments, believe the effort to be worthwhile. Thank you to those of you who attended the opening event to hear Earl Bathurst talk about the initiatives to build community spaces following WW1 to enable parishioners to come together and re-engage socially. He asserted that this was equally important following the Covid shut down and that he hoped that successive committees will continue to enable the hall to serve the Communities of North Cerney and Neighbouring Parishes for another century. 

The information about and photographs of the men remembered on the WW1 Memorial Plaque was central to the event. John Ewbank put an extraordinary amount of time and effort into researching and creating this touching archive display which will be treasured by the village. Thank you to John and Denise.

Also, thanks to Robert Brown who spent two days sharing his extensive vintage photographs of North Cerney. It was interesting to locate the old cottages and their replacements as well as sharing memories of the people who lived there. 

Julius Giles displayed his remarkable military collection, we are thankful for his time in bringing them to the hall on Saturday.

Nav Stoton of Broadbridge Willow delighted us as she bent and twisted a bundle of willow which over the course of the day became an exquisitely crafted basket. We are grateful to her for donating it for auction in the evening; this raised a good sum for the hall's next project which is to repair the front wall. 

Thanks to all the others who brought displays; arranged the flowers; compiled the raffle prizes and the refreshment team who served food and cleared all-day Saturday and had run out by Sunday!   

Unfortunately, the outdoor events such as the children's activities and dog show were adversely affected by the rain, but Emms and Tina continued to stoically run the events. Those who participated enjoyed themselves.

Thank you also to bell ringers and the flower arrangers who abundently decorated All Saints Church; many visitors commentated on how pleased they were to have visted the beautiful, peaceful church. 

Susan Fellows, our local P.S.O called for back-up support when she attended to assist with safe crossing of the road as she was shocked at the speed in which the cars travelled and will endeavour to have a speed camera presence in the near future.   

We are really grateful to those of you who came to the hall, stayed for refreshments and donated so generously.  Also, to the Jeffreies' for the donation from their Yard sale takings.

The weekend was not planned as a fund-raising event; donations being sought to cover expenses. However, the generosity of the community has provided sufficient funding for the repairs and painting needed after the hall's old rotting windows with secondary glazing have been removed and replaced with eco friendly, triple glazed windows which replicate the old ones in a similar colour.

The committee is thrilled to announce that the Enovert Community Trust (local waste management service provider) has granted 90% of the costs of this project (£20,000 total) and the new windows and doors are due to be fitted at the beginning of August. The oak front door will remain! 

It is hoped that July will be a more restful period for the committee who continues in its appeal for new committee members. Anyone interested but not ready to commit is very welcome to attend (without obligation) our next committee meeting at 7.00pm on 8th July when, you can meet us and observe how we function. Please contact Kathy on 07881551820 to discuss.

The Village Hall Committee.