Centenary ofhall markedby exhibition

The display of family and community memorabilia and photographs took place on Sunday, April 29,to mark the building's centenary.

Parish councillor and organiser Susie Peters said people were still keen to be indoors to find out more about the hall's past in spite of the sunny weather.

'We had a steady stream of visitors between 11am and 4pm. Being open for five hours worked well because it spread people out, which enabled them to see all the exhibits without it being a crush.

'Even over the lunchtime visitors continued to arrive but, as we expected, most people came during the afternoon when there were performances on the stage by children from two local schools.'

Children from Eastergate Primary School performed a customed re-enactment of life leading up to the year when the hall was built. Other children took part in the '˜At Home with the Lion' art competition.

A dance routine choreographed by students from St Philip Howard Catholic High School was based on a scene from one of the 100-year-old painted wall panels in the Barnham Road hall.

Pupils at the school had also created a stunning textile display and a table setting complete with typical food from the period.

Entry to the exhibition was by donation to the St Wilfrid's Hospice support group for the villages, Beadys, which received 458.

Sales of the booklet, The Parish Hall Adventure, written for the exhibition by Cllr Mrs Peters, raised another 345 for the hospice.

Copies of the limited edition book are now on sale at the parish offices, by Barnham railway station, for people who were unable to attend the exhibition.

It is hoped the remaining sales will take the total raised for the hospice to 1,000.