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News and Reviews
Bishopswood Village Hall is a registered charity and was built in 2000 as a millenium project partly, funded with a grant from the Big Lottery Fund. We rely on a small band of committed volunteers to run the hall and raise the funds necessary for the upkeep. The emphasis is always on 'community events', social events that bring the community together. We are always on the lookout for volunteers, if you can help us in anyway - bake a batch of cakes for the Tea Dances, help put tables up, gardening, or even have a few ideas for fundraising events - we would love to hear from you. You don't need to be a committee member to take part or volunteer, everyone is welcome - you'll find it's a rewarding experience. Scroll down the page for just some of the things we've achieved and the events we've held, and the fun we've had. Then get in touch via the 'contacts' page and be part of it. We are very pleased to report that due to a very generous donation from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for the Channel Islands we have been able to purchase a glasswasher for use in the kiosk/bar area. With the increasing number of people attending our lunches and other functions this will prove extremely useful.
With the Village Hall regularly catering for up to 120 people for Sunday Lunch, 40 - 50 for the monthly breakfast (run by All Saints Church), and the increase in party and wedding receptions being held there - the committee decided that although the kitchen refit was almost complete (just a bit of decorating left to do) - what we really need now is a dishwasher! Obviously it would have to be a commercial model, which don't come cheap...more fundraising was needed. Well if you hadn't already heard - the Panto has been hailed a great success. The Village Hall hosted John Morley's Sleeping Beauty. Copied below are our Directors Notes regarding the Panto and includes 'thanks' to the relevant people. Welcome to the Village Hall’s first pantomime, and thank you very much for supporting us. Sleeping Beauty, with its famous sylvan interlude, seemed a very appropriate opening show for a village called Bishopswood. We’ve chosen an excellent script so sit back and enjoy the jokes; join in with the songs; cheer on our heroes; help them find the Vulture; and most of all keep your eyes and ears open so you can help save the Princess from the Wicked Witch and her curses! Our intention was always that this should be a community enterprise above all else, but we could not have dared hope that so many people would join us and give their expertise and energy so freely. There is a list of thanks below, but it isn’t possible there to name everyone who has given us ideas, lent a hand (or a prop), or has come and given us time and encouragement: for all of you here’s a very special ‘Thank you’ from myself, Heather and all the cast – we have greatly valued your support. Our especial thanks go to: · The Village Hall Committee for letting us go ahead with this mad venture and ensuring it really did happen · All the other users of the Hall who have been so tolerant of our needs, and especially the Captain and members of the Indoor Bowls Club · Richard Worrall and the Bare Bones theatre company for loan of the staging · Sam Hatch for generously allowing us the use of his scaffolding · Conquest Theatre, the County Costume Store; the Courtyard Theatre; and Iris Price at the Larruperz Costume Store who all helped supply us with costumes · The 1st Goodrich Brownies, Sandra Board, Barbara Waters, the other leaders, parents and all those who have worked with The Brownies · Monica, Lyn and all at Wyeside Stores for managing the ticket sales and for providing us with much other support · The backstage team and cast members who have worked tirelessly to put together the set, props, sound, lighting and special effects. · The front of house team who are providing refreshments and taking care of you in the Hall today. David Emerson, March 2010 The kitchen re-fit is complete - and we hope it didn't cause any disruption to our hirers.
The kitchen in the Village Hall is undergoing a face lift. Over the next few months we will gradually be changing the equipment - adding a warming cupboard, a larder fridge and a large six ring, double oven. Please be patient - we shall do our best to keep any distruption to a minimum. Most of the work will be undertaken when the hall is not in use. You may find that crockery and cutlery have been temporarily moved into the kiosk. We are very grateful to the volunteers who are undertaking this task - and look forward to using the new facilities.
A great time was had by all at the Bishopswood Christmas Social on 13th December. A superb buffet supper, the Christmas Draw and some great live music provided by local musicians. The evening ended with everyone up and dancing and singing along to to some 'rocking' Christmas songs - Rockin around the Christmas Tree, Santa Claus is coming to Town to name just two. Thanks to all who helped make the night such a success. Over 100 people enjoyed a Christmas Lunch on Sunday 21st December. Roast Turkey and all the trimmings followed by Christmas Pudding, mince pies and cream all for £6.00 per person. There was even a free glass or two of wine curtesy of the Village Hall Committee. The Village Hall Committee and friends did a wonderful job, the hall was decorated, tables laid with flowers, crackers and fine style. The food (as usual) was superb! Well, sadly Bishopswood did not win the regional or national title in the Calor Village of the Year Competition. But we can all be very proud of achieving the Herefordshire 2007 title. A lot of effort by a lot of people in the community went into winning this title. Well done to everyone involved - it shows what a fantastic community we live in and what we can achieve when we all work together. Now - a little recognition wouldn't go amiss - any ideas how to get some signs welcoming people to 'Calors Herefodshire Village of the Year 2007' ?? Rumour has it that Bishopswood may still be in with a chance to win the Regional and National heats of the Calor Village of The Year Competition. Monica and Chris have been invited to the awards ceremony at the Guildhall in London on 2nd December. Watch this space................ 'Out with the old' - and in with some brand new tables at the Village Hall. We have been getting concerned about the state of the old tables for a while now, the edges are getting chipped and damaged and they are looking generaly tired and worn - we can't complain - they have been in almost constant use since the hall was opened in 2000. We are, however, anxious to keep the standard of the Village Hall at it's usual high level and so took the decision to replace them.
The weather was good to us over the Bank Holiday weekend in August. The Songs of Praise service on Sunday was well attended and held outside the Village Hall. We then moved inside for some delicious Cream Teas and the chance to socialise. On Monday festivities started off with family fun and games - Go Karts, Bowling, face painting and the chance throw wet sponges at Don Bent, who kindly volunteered (?) to go into the stocks. The Duck Race set of in fast moving water from Kerne Bridge later in the afternoon. First duck past the winning post at the canoe launch was owned by Barbara Salter The day culminated with a Barbeque of kebabs, chicken and sausages accompanied by salads and side dishes and finishing with a superb selection of home made desserts. Proceeds from this event will be shared equally between Bishopswood Village Hall and All Saints Church - many thanks to all those who helped throughout the weekend.
'Another success' was the overall opinion last Sunday when Bishopswood Village Hall hosted it's second Community Lunch. More than 60 people from Bishopswood and the surrounding area enjoyed a superb lunch of Roast Pork with all the trimmings followed by a choice of delightful desserts. Thanks must again go to the army of volunteers who helped out, and very special thanks to the ladies in the kitchen who again prepared such a wonderful meal. The next community lunch at Bishopswood is planned for Sunday 26th October.
Prizes for the best outfits went to Jill Pitkeathley and Don Bent, and there was a special prize for the two young gangsters who turned up - complete with machine guns!
The annual Coffee Evening jointly organised by the Village Hall and Bishopswood WI was voted a great success last week. The audience were treated to superb singing from the Drybrook and District Male Voice Choir. The evening included some talented trumpet playing, and a member of the choir had us all giggling with a few jokes and humerous tales. Light refreshments were available and an enjoyable evening was had by all.
Another stage in the ongoing task of keeping the Village Hall 'up to scratch' is under way. Workmen have begun resurfacing the carpark. We are grateful to the workmen who are doing their best to keep disruption to a minimum, and are looking forward to seeing the parking bays marked out in the near furture.
The sun shone on Bishopswood on Tuesday 22nd April as the Judges arrived for their visit for the 2007/8 Calor Village of the Year® for England competition. They were shown presentations and displays illustrating the fantastic communty spirit that exists in the village. The WI were on hand with cream teas and coffee for all those who had turned up to show their support, and after a short break for refreshments the judges were taken on a tour of the village. Stopping first at the Post Office and general store, a central point for communication within the village, displaying posters and selling tickets for forthcoming events. A short detour round Wyeside mobile home park, then on to All Saints Church to meet parishoners and hear about their plans for improving the church. There were displays including video of recent events - the Easter Bunny at the Village Hall and the annual duck race and bar-b-que. After a short stop at Bishopswood House where the judges took a moment to admire the magnifcent views and take in some fresh air, they returned to the Village Hall. They were pleased to see many people had remained at the hall, catching up with friends and enjoyong the refreshments, and thanked everyone for a wonderful afternoon. We don't have long to wait, the winning villages will be contacted in early May, The five England regional winners will be judged between July 7th & 9th. The following email was received from Ruth Pascoe - one of the Judges on Tuesday. "On behalf of Anne and myself, I just want to thank you for making us so welcome last week. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know your village and it was a real pleasure to meet some of the residents. The obvious enthusiasm we saw was especially pleasing and we really envied you living in such a lovely part of the country! Please pass on our thanks to everyone who had worked so hard to make it such a success.,"
(photos to be added asap)
Superb background music was provided by Hadyn on piano (in between enjoying his own lunch).
All had a thoroughly delightful time thanks to the army of volunteers who made it possible, and a special thanks to the ladies in the kitchen who prepared such a wonderful meal.
The Easter Bunny had a hard time choosing the two winners - and anounced that everyone had done very well and should all get a lollipop for their efforts. She danced with the children and then handed out Easter Eggs.
Mums, Dads and grandparents relaxed with hot cross buns, tea and coffee while the fun carried on.
This has become a regular event in the Village Hall calendar - thanks to all the volunteers who make so enjoyable.
Supper consisted of dishes typical of the time – Prawn Cocktail. Chicken and Chips and of course Black Forest Gateaux. Prizes in the draw included a bottle of Blue Nun libfraumilch - a real ‘blast from the past’. Many people turned up in costume and the prize for the best outfit went to Wakefield Turner who won a fab lava lamp! There were items of memorabilia on show – books, vinyl singles (remember those?) and a few photos. There was music throughout the evening from The Beatles, A group of
Grounds Landscaping Project The grounds surrounding Bishopswood Village Hall are undergoing a face-lift. The committee have employed Work began a few weeks ago – the weeds have already been sprayed on numerous occasions with weed killer, and after the final spraying in September the embankments will be cleared by hand in October – ready for the planting to take place in October and November. The area is not pretty at the moment – we were warned it would look worse before it gets any better! The area to the rear end of the hall will be cleared and tarmac laid, making it easier for vehicles to turn when loading and unloading through the rear door into the main hall. The Village Hall is a splendid facility that is well used, and the committee work tirelessly to raise funds for its upkeep and improvement. We have been helped with generous donations from Bishopswood Womens' Institute, and the Walford Parish Residents' Association, with funds from the proceeds of the book ‘A History of Walford and Bishopswood’. This is probably our largest project since the hall was built in 2000, and committee members have a number of fundraising ideas to keep the funds coming in. When fully complete, the scheme should greatly enhance the ambience and attractiveness of the hall, and help towards continuing to make Bishopswood Village Hall a very desirable setting for a variety of functions.
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The turnout may have been disappointing, but the costumes - fantastic. Everyone who attended the 20's night made a great effort - from flappers to gangsters. We enjoyed a 20's style buffet supper, with canapies, smorgasbord and delicate sandwiches followed by scones, strawberries and cream, courtesy of the ladies on the committee. 
The bar served cocktails and some gentle background music provided by Fiona Taylor on the piano completed the evening. The hall and tables were decorated in true 20's fashion by Derene & Bill Cansdale.
On Sunday 6th April Bishopswood held a community lunch hosted at the village hall. The event was attended by in excess of eighty villagers and their guests, who enjoyed a roast beef dinner followed by an assortment of desserts.
The afternoon was completed with a raffle.
On Easter Sunday about 30 children (they didn't stand still long enough to be counted!) enjoyed fun and games with the Easter Bunny. They iced cakes, painted eggs, had faces painted and, after a great time creating hats - took part in the Easter Bonnet/cap competition. 
On February 16th Bishopswood Village Hall went back in time with a 60’s theme night. 
© Bishopswood Village hall 2006-2011
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