The construction of the new memorial hall is nearly complete as the internal fit-out and decoration finishes, but the external paving is behind programme and so access to the hall will depend on that work being completed. Please look at our website to see the photographs which Scott Wishart is taking to show the progress of work going on at the new hall. The transfer to the new hall will take place in the first week July, following the Church Fair. We have been contacting all those who have equipment in the hall to arrange for transfer to the new hall and encourage the various clubs and societies to think about taking only what they need with them, as we would prefer to make arrangements to dispose of unwanted items from the old hall rather than shift them to the new hall. Barry Baker has keys and entry fobs for the new hall which will be issued shortly.

As previously reported, the formal opening ceremony will take place on 3rd September, with our MP, Tom Tugendhat, performing the opening ceremony followed by the rededication of the memorial by the Bishop of Rochester. Please let us know if you or someone you know has a relative named on the memorial, so that we can extend a formal invitation to attend.

We have already been contacted by several people and have met and talked to a number of close relatives with stories to tell about those whose names are on the memorial. Some of these will now be incorporated in the video section of the electronic display board which is being installed. There will be an exhibition which will run for a week about the war memorial, with information about those whose names are on it and also about the construction of the new hall and the moving of the war memorial. There will also be showings of the film of the ‘Battle of the Somme’ which we have been given permission to show by the Imperial War Museum. This will mean some disruption to the hiring of the hall during that period, so please check with Barry Baker if you have a regular booking.

At the end of the week of celebration there will be a formal dinner dance on 10th September. Please watch this space to find out when tickets for all these events will become available.

Sandy Mackay, Chairman of the Trustees