Successes and setbacks at the Memorial Hall: Can you help?

        Despite several setbacks, including an internal flood when the heating system went wrong, we are looking forward to autumn with a degree of optimism. However, if the optimism is to be sustained, we do need additional help. The community day, organised by Betty Hood attracted a lot of interest. Twelve local organisations came together to demonstrate what they had to offer. The weather smiled on us and, including some generous donations, we raised £461 for Hall funds. Our musical events were also popular. The “Shadows” concert enhanced the “sixties weekend” in the town and the “Night Owl” sequence dances continued to attract those wishing to keep healthy and active whilst enjoying a good social evening. The jazz festival was sold-out as usual and was very much enjoyed despite the aforementioned flood problem.

          The Memorial Hall and Tourist Information Centre report that tickets are already selling briskly for the Wartime weekend events. On the Friday evening, there will be a “Wartime Dance”, courtesy of Kirkbymoorside band, followed by a very full programme on Saturday 11th October when there will be a “British Restaurant and Soup kitchen”, where superb value home-cooked soup, sandwiches and cakes will be served from 10.00am until 3.00pm. In the evening we are presenting something entirely new to Pickering. The highly commended concert party “Miscellany”, who have been well received in many venues throughout Yorkshire, have been booked for the evening performance. The “Fantastic Forties” style entertainment features live music, comedy, sketches and, of course, the customary community singing. The performance will take place from 7.30pm, and there will be a licensed bar and raffle. Tickets for this event are £8, before the event, and £9 on the door. Anyone wishing to attend the concert should obtain their tickets early as we always have to turn people away on the Saturday evening.

          Although the Hall is now in a relatively good position compared with four years ago, there are still some serious concerns about the Hall’s long-term future.  Despite good publicity at the AGM we were again unable to attract new trustees and volunteers. Also, because some of our key volunteers have family commitments during late September and early October we are desperate for more people to help with the “Wartime Weekend”. In particular we need: raffle prizes, cakes, donations, AND most of all, new blood!  Anyone interested in taking part in or supporting any of the above events in any way, or who would like any information please contact the Hall any weekday morning between 9am and noon, phone 477522 or phone 477913 and speak with our secretary, Mal Danks.