Our Memorial Hall was established to give thanks to residents who returned from two World Wars and to honour those who didn’t. Full details of the history of how the hall was established are posted on the village web site at
www.hampsthwaite.org.uk/memorialhall/.
Given the purpose for which the hall was established, we are particularly motivated in 2025 to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. Our programme begins 27th – 29th March with performances of Dad’s Army (tickets £10 each available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/thehampsthwaiteplayers) followed by a WW2 Exhibition in Memorial Hall throughout April leading up to Café René with Vera Lynn in our Community Library on May 8th. Also on VE-Day 2025, our Parish Church of St Thomas a’Becket, will host afternoon tea/coffee cake and Prosecco in the church garden, with music from the era provided by Ashville College, and at 1600 hrs, the Last Post, a minute’s silence and Reveille will be observed. On Friday 9th May there will be an evening concert in the church, given by Voces Seraphorum, with songs (again from the era) and the opportunity to ‘singalong’.
Our main celebrations will take place on Saturday 10th May as follows:
1230hrs – 1630hrs – Joiners Garden: Family Picnic and games with music by Spa Town Ukes (see https://www.harrogatespatownukes.org/)
1500hrs – Joiners Garden: Winston Churchill – speech
1900hrs – 1130hrs – Memorial Hall: 40s Dance Party with The Sultans of Swing Big Band (see https://www.thesultansofswing.co.uk/) and Swing Dance Leeds (https://swingdanceleeds.com/) with catering by The Hogfather and bar by Queens Head (tickets £15 inc. supper from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hampsthwaite-memorial-hall).
