Wistaston Memorial Hall & Community Centre

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston, Cheshire

Wistaston Memorial Hall & Community Centre - seventy years in existence - built in memory of sixteen Wistaston heroes

South Cheshire ‘George Formby’ Ukulele Society, Crewe Movie Makers and Wistaston Young Drama Group presented an event celebrating 70 years of Wistaston Memorial Hall & Community Centre on the evening of Tuesday 26th March 2019 at the Wistaston Memorial Hall & Community Centre, Church Lane, Wistaston. 

The event took place on the 70th anniversary date of the Hall, which was officially opened on Saturday 26th March 1949.

The event was ‘A Night of Entertainment’ celebrating the Hall’s 70 years among the community and included live music, drama and two short films about the Hall.

Michael Ravenscroft was the Master of Ceremonies. 

Isobel Carrahar introduced two short films produced by members of Crewe Movie Makers. The first film was edited by Isobel herself in association with John White (Chairman, Wistaston Memorial Hall Committee). Isobel used the seventeen years of research by John, in relation to the sixteen men from Wistaston who died in the Second World War, to produce a moving and fitting tribute to their bravery. The Memorial Hall was built in memory of sixteen men from Wistaston who died in the Second World War; the plaque above the main entrance shows their names. We will always remember them.

The second film - ‘A Community Focal Point’ - was edited by Frank Nicklin and showed, via videos and photographs, the range of groups and societies which have used the Hall throughout the year and in years past. It is a well-used, popular and important centre of the community, and has been so for seventy years.

The programme also included an impressive performance by Wistaston Young Drama Group entitled ‘All the world’s a stage’. Des Redfern sang and played his mandolin. Tony Brindley sang superbly under the title ‘Croon a Tune’. Arthur Newton encouraged audience participation as he played his accordion with a ‘Sing-along’. The evening of entertainment was completed by seventeen members of the South Cheshire ‘George Formby’ Ukulele Society with a ‘Finale’.

There were also refreshments during the interval and a prize raffle.

Diane Edge-Robinson, the Hall’s Vice Chairman, took to the stage at the end of the evening to thank everyone for supporting the 70 years celebration event. So many people had put in so much effort to make this a resounding success. What a wonderful evening to celebrate a special anniversary - a most successful community event.

Over 130 people were in attendance and the event raised over £600, which will go towards the ongoing upkeep of the Hall.

Further Wistaston 2019 events include:

-Thursday 28th March (7:30pm) – Wistaston Memorial Hall & Community Centre AGM.

-Saturday 15th June – Wistaston Village Fete - Wistaston Church Lane Academy, Church Lane, Wistaston.

-Sunday 23rd June (7:30pm) – Concert by the South Cheshire Orchestra.

-Saturday 7th September – Model Boat and Duck Race - Joey the Swan Recreation ground, Wistaston.

-Thursday 10th October – Concert by Crewe Concert Band.

-Tuesday 22nd October – Annual Hall Quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

-Sunday 10th November (3pm) – Service of Remembrance.