August 2012

Did anyone notice if summer was in early or mid-July, or is it still to come?  I’m not sure, but just a bit of it was when the Village Hall Summer Fair took place.  Sunshine (well nearly), outdoor stalls and games and some good old brass band music made it seem like summer, and teas and cakes indoors (it didn’t rain really), completed the package!  A big thanks to everyone who supported the fair, it did help our fund raising effort and hopefully everyone enjoyed it. August is the month when many people go away on holiday, so we don’t have many events organised.  However, late in the month, as the school holidays begin to seem longer and longer, we offer respite for parents.  Renata Warden is hoping to hold her postponed Painting Day for children on the 20^th August.  Being towards the end of the holiday period, parents will no doubt be grateful for something to divert the children!  Probably lasting from 10 o’clock to mid-day, there will be a modest charge (£2 per child).  Children should bring aprons, things could get creative (and messy)!  Remember, we have scheduled a return of the close harmony singers ‘Pieces of Eight’ for the 22^nd September and a talk and demonstration with Suzanne Gill, Bespoke Milliner, (ladies hats) for the 25^th September. On 13^th October we plan a Ceilidh (is that spelt correctly?) and on October 28^th, a performance by the Swinton Brass Band is lined up.  The date for the Christmas Fayre has had to be changed so as not to compete with other local events and will now be on 25^th November.  Watch out for news of a pantomime date in late December.  We’re pleased to be hosting an increasing number of private events.  Feedback so far is that our Village Hall is one of the best and is more and more often the chosen place.  This is great, it provides a lovely venue for a party.  If you wish to book the hall for your special event, please don’t hesitate to contact Chris Pickles or email bookings@gillingeastvillagehall.org. You can find the price list for private bookings and the conditions of hire on our newly refreshed website.  All dates for bookings are listed so if you lose the Parish Magazine you can look there to see what’s on.  Also in a new section, the history of the hall refurbishment is presented in pictures along with some photos of activities/events taking place in the hall.  Look at the Jubilee celebration picture, you’re probably on it!

 How the years fly by!  Depending on when this magazine pops through your letterbox, we’ll just have held another Annual General Meeting (for 2012) ….or it will be imminent!  If this reaches you before 4 October, please come along to hear our report back on the year, or if it doesn’t, you either know all about us (because you came to the meeting) or you don’t (because you didn’t)!  Are you confused?  I am!  Either way this meeting is important to enable you to keep an eye on what we’re doing on your behalf with the Village Hall.  If it isn’t what you want, then tell us, even if you missed the AGM.  This issue of News in the Parish Magazine also marks an anniversary for me.  It’s three years since I started writing these gritty informative articles!  There’s not much to report in respect of changes to the Hall.  If you haven’t noticed we’ve stopped digging the floors up and knocking the plaster off!  There’s still work to do however, and we continue to look for funding to finish off the Hall.  Meanwhile, it’s certainly available for use!  Just to remind you, the next committee-organised event on the programme is the Ceilidh.  Arranged for the 13^th of October this promises to be a ‘wild’ night!  We expect lots of dancing, chatting and (since there will be a bar on the evening) a little convivial drinking.  The Ampleforth Ceilidh Band are well–known and we expect them to keep us on our toes! Tickets are £10 including a glass of wine.  The Swinton & District Excelsior Brass Band have booked the Hall at 1430 (doors open at 1400) on Sunday 28^th October for a concert celebrating 30 years of the Ryedale Centre, with profits in aid of the National Trust. Tickets (£8 each including afternoon tea) are available from the organiser on 01653 696638 or from myself 01439 788478 (Stephen Hill at Bag End).  Come along and get a bit of Sunday afternoon oompah!  The Cuppa Club should be restarting and we hope to hold some whist drives/quizzes/beetle drives soon,….which should it be?  November’s events include the exciting opportunity to vote in the Hall, and the Christmas Fayre on the 25^th.  Then it’s time to start counting the shopping days to Christmas and the Christmas Pantomime. 
Remember, the Hall is available for private bookings or for your own arranged events.  Don’t we need to have a few ‘societies’ in Gilling, …. photography, stamps, gardening, etc etc?  Perhaps we can help you to get these started.

November 2012