THE eagerly anticipated opening of Gargrave Village Hall happened with great aplomb on February 14, 1959, in front of hundreds of guests.

A report in the Craven Herald the following week described how people from the surrounding district and ‘from all walks of life’ crowded into the hall to witness the official opening by Colonel JC Preston, of Kettlewell.

Indeed not one dissenting voice could be heard as people looked around the brand new building which was lauded as one of the best designed in the country.

Such was the popularity of the occasion that local police had to be on hand to control the traffic while inside the stewards of the committee rushed round to try and seat everyone.

It was a very serious affair, which began with a key turning ceremony at the front door before the official party took their places on the stage.

There was then a short service by Methodist minister Reverend G Grice.

Chairman of the Trustees, TA Garnett said said it was ‘another great day for Gargrave’.

“It does not seem very long since that we were all gathered together to receive our new cricket pavilion with its wonderful amenities.

“And now, today, we are being presented with this most modern and beautiful village hall, “ he said.

The report stated: “This latest give was also a result of the generosity of Mrs Coulthurst, through the Coulthurst Trust. The work and thought that had been put into that wonderful building made it possible for people of all ages in the village to have the opportunity and the place to enjoy their leisure.”

The hall was to be handed over to four trustees initially and then to the management committee of the village institute

Colonel Preston asked everyone to look after their new hall. He said fair wear and tear was one thing but vandalism was quite another and implored everyone to stop both children and people from outside the village from doing damage to the hall.

A vote of thanks was given to Mrs Coulthurst and Col Preston by John Turner, chairman of the management committee.

He thanked the public for their warm support and asked for those who were not members to join in the near future.

During the few weeks before the opening over 100 new members had joined, he commented.

As the day progressed and people were able to view the new premises for themselves they noted the facilities and equipment. The public was told by Mr Turner that if anyone thought these were not being used to their best or full advantage, then the committee would be pleased top hear from them.

The committee also welcomed the Dramatic Society into association and Mr Turner mentioned the formation of a tennis section and use of the billiards and table tennis tables.

He hoped there would be no grumbles from the younger generation about dancing facilities as that was one aspect which had very definitely been taken care of.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mrs Coulthurst thanked the architects and contractors and workmen who had helped in any way with the construction of the ha;; and wanted them to remember the ‘the reward for a thing well done, is to have done it’

She said most people were enjoying more leisure than ever before in the history of the country and it was there most important to provide suitable and wholesome recreation.

She said many people were under the impression that the advent of the welfare state would obviate ay need for voluntary, social work, boys and girls’ clubs, youth clubs and so on and said that was not the case at all.

She said the teenagers and men and women in their early 20s were the people they must cater for.

She felt sure they would appreciate and take care of their new , up-to-date and comfortable meeting place.

She then handed over the hall from the Coulthurst Trust to the trustees and presented Colonel Preston with a cigarette box as a memento of the occasion.

The event ended with a St Valentine’s Day dance with the attendance of more than 600 people.

Fast forward to 2019 and Gargrave Village Hall committee were tasked with organising a 60th anniversary event.

Gargrave and Malhamdale community library who began the proceedings with the showing of a 1959 classic comedy film.

The management committee of Gargrave Village Hall then staged the first of their events the following day with a coffee morning and a display of Gargrave Village Hall memorabilia.

Special thanks were extended to members of Craven Old wheels who arrived with some of their 1950s vehicles.

The talented Swing City Big band came along on the Saturday evening of February 16 to entertain a capacity audience.

It was a nostalgic event in the knowledge that a similar dance band had opened the very first proceedings on the opening night on February 14, 1959.

There was further nostalgia to enjoy on the Sunday to round up a busy weekend of nostalgia with entertainment from vintage singer Hattie Bee who sang a selection of songs from the 1950s.

The Swingcats dancers, made up of couple Tom and Ellie, then proceeded to wow the audience with their display of swing ,jive and rock and roll steps. Homemade afternoon tea was on the menu thanks to the hard work of the kitchen staff. All the events were well attended and everyone was thanked for their involvement.