Good news from Ryhall Village Hall 

We aim to be re-open the hall on Monday 21st June 2021, assuming that government guidelines do not alter. Full details below. 

We are also starting to schedule future events for this year. We are in talks to have the comedy Holmes and Watson: The Farewell Tour staged at the hall on Friday 8th October, 2021, again subject to guidelines. Full details below. 

We can re-open having received guidance from agencies who deal specifically with village halls. A thorough Risk Assessment has been carried out. 

The building has been made Covid-19 safe with several changes, namely, automatic hand sanitisers at entrance/exits, floor markings (for exercise classes to maintain social distancing), signage throughout, a strict one-way system and NHS Track and Trace QR posters. The hall will also always need to be well ventilated during classes. 

As we approach 21st June, it is possible some of these restrictions will no longer apply. However, bearing in mind the current set-up, the hall committee ask organisations and groups who have used the hall in the past to contact us with their plans regarding the hall and when they think their return is likely. This is important as, if possible, we want to provide all former users with their previous bookings days / times. If these are no longer needed we can offer the slots to other clients. 

Hall users are asked to contact the management secretary Anne Virgin by email at anne.virgin@btopenworld.com to confirm any booking as soon as possible. 

In the meantime, the committee thank everyone for their patience. The constantly changing situation makes managing the hall extremely challenging, but we aim to do our best to ensure everyone will be able to safely access it at the earliest opportunity. One positive outcome of this long closure is that we have been able to arrange to have a new wooden floor fitted in the main hall. A silver lining indeed. 

HOLMES AND WATSON: THE FAREWELL TOUR 

This comedy features Julian Finnigan and Dominic Goodwin as the famous detective duo. Dominic, has appeared at Ryhall twice before in The Wind in the Willows and Up Frankie! Both productions were outstanding and we are delighted to welcome him back. 

Dominic says: “It’s a very funny piece, which has played to good crowds over the years. As we come out of these awful pandemic days people have a need to laugh; in fact I think that’s more vital now than ever.” 

The theme is classic: Holmes and Watson are brought to life by Julian Finnigan and Dominic Goodwin as they re-enact one of the detectives’ most baffling unrecorded cases – The Case of the Prime Minister, the Floozie and the Lummock Rock Lighthouse! 

The reviews have been brilliant: 

“Finnigan excels as the straight man Holmes while Goodwin’s Watson is sheer comic excellence. A truly magnificent production guided through the hands of two masters of stage comedy.” Broadway Baby 

“This two-man little gem is totally and delightfully, utterly bonkers. This little production is so funny it should come with a Government health warning.”Northern Echo 

We’ll have more details on times and ticket prices soon. 

FLAGPOLE: 

23rd March was the anniversary of the Covid 19 lockdown and we flew the Union flag at half mast in memory of all those who have sadly passed. 

On 27th March Betty Edwards completed her fantastic walk raising funds for the church. In true village community style lots of people lined her route to cheer her through her final circuit. Well done to Betty for raising over £4000 for the church and we raised the Union flag in celebration of this in conjunction with the Union flag flying in memory of Ernest Pacey. 

3rd – 5th April the Easter flag was flown. 

8th April the Union flag was flown at half mast for the funeral of Mark Douglas. Our condolences to his family and friends on their loss. 

9th April the Union flag was flown at half mast following the news that HRH Prince Philip had sadly passed at Windsor Castle that morning. The Union flag remained lit at half mast until after his funeral on Saturday 17th April. We have donated £50 in his memory to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. 

21st April the Union flag was flown in celebration of the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

22nd April the 40th Birthday flag was flown for Mark Sutton in celebration of his 

special day. Many Happy Returns Mark. 

23rd April the St George’s flag was flow in celebration of St George’s Day. 

25th April the New Zealand flag was flown in celebration of Anzac Day/New Zealand Day. 

The flags we currently hold are: Golden Wedding, 60th Wedding, Just Married, It’s a Boy/Girl, Happy Birthday (plain) plus 90th, 70th, 60th, 40th, 21st, 18th, Merry Christmas, New Year, School and Happy Retirement. If we can help you to celebrate a special occasion by flying one of our lovely flags, for a small donation towards the upkeep of the pretty flagpole garden and the purchases of flags, please feel free to contact us and we can arrange for the relevant flag to be flown for you on the day or as near to the day as possible. 

If you would like the Union Flag flown at half mast for the passing of a local resident on the day of their funeral please do contact us and we would be more than happy to do this for you. Contact Val 

Lofthouse 01780 754451; Patti Welby 01780 482915; Maureen 

Pettener 01780 753930; Sarah Markwell-Cook 07904 190049.