Deck the hall with rows of jolly good fun
Committee members work to ensure the venue thrives
Committee members are pulling out all the stops – including booking a 1920s-style jazz act – to ensure their village hall is a joint that is jumpin’.
Harlem swing band 52 Skidoo is the latest act booked to play Staintondale Village Hall.
The quarterly country market, jumble sales and a cheese and wine evening are also on the programme as the panel of residents come up with ideas to raise funds to keep the hall going.
“This is the only thing there is in the village apart from the post office/shop,” said chairman of the village hall committee Pauline Lloyd.
The nearest pubs are the Bryherstones and the Falcon I nn and the church i s only open in the summer – it has no heating and is too cold for winter services.
One of the most popular events is the quarterly country market set up by committee member Jean Guyler six years ago. It brings in most money.
Stallholders – selling everything from meat to pickles and cheese to fish – come from across the county. The next one is on Saturday March 28 from 1o.30am to 2.30pm.
“Everybody loves it,” said Jean. “It has a really good atmosphere. It has become a focus for the village where people come and have lunch,” she said.
Committee member Lisa Williams, who used to run an entertainments agency, has initiated a broader entertainment programme.
The Joint is Jumpin’ features 52 Skid00 who recreate the forgotten era of speakeasies, vaudeville and hot jazz.
Set in 1920s Harlem, classic tunes like Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Sing, Sing, Sing are woven into a story with characters, comedy, dance and poetry. It is on Thursday March 12 at 8pm.
The cheese and wine evening with the Dave Clegg Trio is on Saturday October 3.
Staintondale Village Hall was built in 1940 at a cost of £962.9d. It was the idea of Mr and Mrs Sturge and opened by Lord William Wordsworth.
Many locals paid £2/6s for a brick to finance the project.
As well as events, the village hall is home to a nursery group, table tennis night and a history group. It is also available for hire for wedding, anniversary and children’s parties.
Tickets for the Joint is Jumpin’ are available from Staintondale Post Office on Scarborough (01723) 870160.
Pauline Lloyd The village hall is all we have – the church is closed in winter
Jean Guyler The country market has a great atmosphere, everybody loves it, it’s now a place to meet up and have lunch