WHAT A GLORIOUS WEEKEND at the Centenary of Hixon Memorial Hall, when the village came together to celebrate 100 years of events and memories. The weekend began on Saturday 8th August with the opening of the History Exhibition which focused on the life and eventful times of the Hall. Running from 10-00am until 5-00pm, this was extremely well attended with a constant stream of people throughout the day. It was lovely that people didn’t just walk in, have a quick look around and then carry on with their busy day, instead they stayed and studied the photographs, paperwork and displays and shared their own memories Sunday 8th was the big day. Once again, the History Exhibition was open and running through the day, welcoming more people from the village. At I-00pm the official ceremony began, with a loud and informative address given by our very own Town Crier. The inside of the Hall was busy with the exhibition, with free tea, coffee and cake served by the willing helpers from Stowe Women’s Institute. Outside of the Hall there was the timeless sound of the 24 piece Penkhull Brass Band, with stands and displays of a range of clubs and organisations associated with the Hall. These included Hixon and Area Community First Responders, Lowland Rescue, Hex Ltd, Hixon Community Association, The Scouts, Wellington Fields Allotments, Hixon Green and Clean, The Luncheon Club and the two lovely ponies from the Mobile Wellbeing Sanctuary! Fortunately, we had applied for a road closure at the front of the hall which enabled us to display some classic English family cars from the 1920s and 30s which reflected the time when the hall was built in 1926. The Brass band played until 1-45pm, at which point our honoured guests took their seats, facing the front of the Hall, ready for the unveiling of the new Commemorative Stone by Lord Harlech, Jasset Ormsby-Gore, who is the great grandson of Capt. The Hon. W.G.A.Ormsby-Gore, MP for Stafford at the time, who laid the foundation stone. The other honoured guests also included Sir Gavin Williamson MP, John Martin, the great grandson of Wilmot Martin, who with his touring concert parties raised money towards the building of the Hall and John Chell, whose family have been involved with the Hall since the early days. We also welcomed The Mayor and Mayoress of Stafford Mr & Mrs Winnington - and very possibly the most important of all: Mrs Betty Astle who at a very sprightly 103 years old, was just 3 years old when the hall was built! It was then time for the speeches. First was Lord Harlech, who had very kindly given up a day of his family holiday to be with us and who then unveiled the commemorative stone. He was followed by Sir Gavin, who opened with a witty remark, referring to the difference in sartorial elegance between the House of Lords and the House of Commons - Lord Harlech was immaculately dressed in his blazer of the Coldstream Guards, (which he refused to remove on one of the hottest days of the year), and the more relaxed style of Sir Gavin’s no jacket and open-necked shirt! Then it was time for the band to strike up again, until we heard word that fast approaching was a fly- past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, in the shape of a 1942 Dakota. People rushed outside from the exhibition and joined those already outside and stood in awe at the honour of having this aircraft fly over us. It was an appropriate finishing touch to such a magnificent occasion for the Hall and the supportive community it serves. A day to remember! 

On Behalf of Hixon Memorial Hall, thank you to all the organisers, the people who took part on the day and our great community. 

Mark Farrington