2011 is a very big year for us as it is ten years since the refurbished Memorial Hall was opened. This was  a real achievement for the many people of Pickering, ably led by Bill McCall and his wife Angie, who worked so hard to ensure that our Town had one of the best, if not the best, community halls in Yorkshire. Ten years on the facilities on offer are still excellent and meet all legal requirements. The hall is well used by local groups and offers something to people of all ages. Unlike many community halls, it does not belong to the district council, but is owned by the people of Pickering. Lots of celebratory events are planned for this year and we are expecting tremendous support from local people for these events. 

          Perhaps the most prestigious of our celebrations will be a week long Art Exhibition to be staged during Spring Bank Holiday.  Angie McCall, a very well known and highly acclaimed local artist, has agreed to come out of retirement to organise this exhibition. This will be quite a coup for Pickering as the artists that have been invited to take part are all well regarded and represent a wide range of artistic styles. Art exhibitions are always extremely popular with local people and visitors as there is a strong artistic community in Pickering. As always, we need additional volunteers from within the community in order to make this event really successful. Anyone interested in giving a half day to help to staff the exhibition or serve the beverages and home-made baking that will form part of the attraction should contact Hall staff any weekday morning.

          Inspired by adult artists, the young people of Pickering are staging their own exhibition on the first weekend in April at the Hall. This is the idea of an aspiring young artist, Ruby D’Alquen, who is currently contacting schools and youth organisations and taking advice from local artist, Amanda Pickles, who has staged many successful events in the past. Again anyone wishing to offer assistance would be very welcome.

          Also, in the pipeline for this spring and summer are the “Night Owl” sequence dances, organised by Betty Hood, who has agreed to continue with this work despite the recent sad loss of her husband, Colin, a well known local character. He was a staunch supporter of the Hall and will be sadly missed.

          We are always extremely happy to hear from anyone interested in supporting us in any way. If you are able to do so, please contact the Hall any weekday morning between 9am and noon, (telephone 01751 477522)

 Mal Danks.