Hall

 

I’ve spent the afternoon playing with bits of paper, this was after I photographed the village telephone box which the TCA is renovating into an information centre, book swap and noticeboard.

I am Sat on the stage of the Memorial Hall in silence with only the ghosts of villagers past for company.
The hall has its own distinctive smell. 
Slightly musty, of polish, and wood floors and old doors, and sunlight trapped inside an airless huge room by long windows framed with old fashioned curtains.
I love the smell of the Hall.

It reminds me of all of the above , as well as the Flower Show and of long, tired but happy days in Summer when the tiny cream painted side windows were forced to be opened by the sheer numbers of people in the hall.
I cut photos out and pinned them to the noticeboards and remembered and was almost done when the Velvet Voiced Linda, buoyant Briget and Nick arrived to help set up
Then the ghosts disappeared as the chatter of the modern day villagers filled the space with echoes.




29 comments:

  1. Traveller7:55 pm

    Does the hall have a defib? My village installed a defib in the adopted phone box.

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    1. We do , it’s on the side of the memorial hall

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  2. Only one thing to say - Write that bloody book! xx

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  3. I believe the ghosts of people passed are happy that you know the importance of The Memorial Hall get togethers x πŸ°πŸŒΊπŸ†

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    1. I’d like to think so dear Flis …

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  4. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend an afternoon!

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  5. Barbara Anne8:57 pm

    Once a gain, an eloquent story wonderfully told by JG, storyteller most excellent!

    Hugs!

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  6. Anonymous9:50 pm

    How can you afford all of these jaunts and complain constantly about money

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    1. Oh do fuck off ..it’s non of anyone’s business

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    2. Who the hell are you to care... I seriously don't know why you bother Anon following John, you are such a downer. Maybe you need a life of your own, now there's a thought... go get one and stop being a miserable a**hole.

      Jo in Auckland

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  7. The Hall carries lots of history with strong feelings of nostalgia. I would think, like you, many villagers feel the same. The opening signals bright new beginnings for the Hall. The community will benefit greatly.

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  8. Some say focus on the ones near us now. I find it charming and healthy that you spend time remembering the ones no longer around...after all they were a part of cherished times that shaped us into who we are becoming -Mary

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  9. When I was a lad, forced to attend the Presbyterian church, I was entranced by the smell of the place with all its polished wood. I can almost still conjure it up today after reading your post about the Memorial Hall.

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  10. Sounds like a scene from "Under Milkwood".

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  11. How big is that telephone booth? I'm curious about it being transformed into all the things you say it will be.

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    1. Anonymous12:37 pm

      It’s bigger inside than outside.
      —The Doctor

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  12. We recently had a nearby Phone Box totally restored. The very next day the 'spray brigade' had totally covered it again in squiggles.

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  13. Some places when empty have such a strong atmosphere. Of people and times long gone and you can really feel it when you are alone there. Sometimes when you suddenly find yourself alone, while walking with a tour around a historical attraction you pause and feel it. It happened to me strongly at Herculaneum in Italy as it was a very quiet day there.

    I can just feel your empty village hall from your description.

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  14. Anonymous8:05 am

    I'm with Happy Hooker...write your book! You've transported me... I can just smell the hall and feel the atmosphere from over here in the Midlands...old wood and polish....And cannot wait to see photos of Rome. Beautiful city.Louise X

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  15. Beautifully described and sounds like a beautiful time spent.

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  16. Beautiful evocative writing John.

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  17. weaver11:05 am

    Lovely post John, beautifully written. I am back - shattered but now unscathed after the horrible scam.

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  18. Memories, ghosts, immortality - aren't they all related?

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  19. Beautiful evocative writing John. I can see it and smell it.

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  20. Such evocative writing; I can smell the country halls that I entered maybe 42/43 years ago for country dancing and girl guides. They smelt exactly as you described after being locked up for a number of months between terms. At school particularly my Math's room; that also smelt the same every term. Those ghosts are real today as when they were real yesterday. Thanks for the memories. Hope the meeting was a success.

    Jo in Auckland

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I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes