A meeting of the Village Hall committee was held on 9th March. The main topic of discussion was the coming Blitz Party to be held in the hall on March 21st . Detailed plans were laid for this exciting event involving many of the residents who hold memories of the events during that terrible time in our history.
The committee reported the completion of the first part of the improvement to the pathway at the side of the hall. The hedge has been expertly laid by Brockhurst Woodcraft (Mr. Chris Fouracre) of Monks Kirby. The committee expressed their thanks for this work and are to discuss the repair of the wall in the near future.
On Saturday 21st March the Village Trust hosted one of the most imaginative and enjoyable events ever staged at the village hall.
The entertainment was styled as a Blitz Party taking its theme from the desperate days of the war when nearby Coventry suffered the full savagery of nightly bombing and the whole nation took its part in fighting for victory. Pictures and newspaper accounts of the war years adorned the walls and tables serving to remind those born later of the full horror and deprivation suffered at the time.
Included amongst the faded press cuttings was the account of the grim episode of 24th June 1940 when the direct hit of an enemy bomb destroyed Pailton school on the Lutterworth Road, never to be rebuilt.
The hall was filled to capacity by villagers and visitors all attracted by the exciting features of the event. Many had searched their wardrobes for once- familiar military uniforms as well as overalls worn by munitions workers even the functional attire which proudly distinguished the Womens Land Army, all of which all added a vivid touch of nostalgia to the occasion.
Equally appropriate was the programme of entertainment which included favourite wartime numbers ably sung by Liz West and Mike Hansford followed by an amusing monologue by Gene Lindon and a hilarious double act by Ann Bolton and Mary Martin. Alan Morton delighted the audience with his saxophone repertoire accompanied by Patricia Barnett on keyboard. Later in the evening the entertainment changed over to audience participation with a series of wartime songs led by entertainer Kim Jackson from Rugby resplendent in A.T.S. uniform. The community singing which followed rolled back the years to a time when the nation’s spirit was fortified by songs holding a special meaning, not least the concluding number which reminded us all that there would “always be an England”.
Alongside the lively enjoyment of the entertainment was an enticing array of wartime food based on simple meals shaped by scarcity and rationing. The tasty excellence of the menu gave a reminder of the ingenuity of the wartime housewives who sustained the nation during prolonged adversity.
A well equipped bar and grand raffle added further enjoyment to the evening.
The success and sheer enjoyment of the record attendance gave due testimony to the efforts and ingenuity of Lesley French and her Village Trust committee for staging what was one of the most memorable event of recent years.
The next social event on the village hall calendar will be the ensemble “Cavetina” who will provide an evening of musical entertainment on May 9th.
On Sunday 22nd March families gathered at Saint Denis Church for a Mothering Sunday service conducted by Zoe and Nigel Baxter assisted by Patricia Barnett who gave the address. The children of the congregation presented all the mothers with posies of daffodils carefully prepared beforehand. After the service coffee and simnel cake was served as a tastyconclusion to a happy family service. The worshippers then left for home in warm spring sunshine.