Hook Books
Launched in January and run on the third Thursday each month in Hall 4 of the Elizabeth Hall, Hook Books is growing from strength to strength.
We soon realised that we needed not only book cases, the cost of which is being funded out of a Hook Parish Council grant, but also trolley dollies with stackable crates so they can easily be wheeled into a hall cupboard. This means they are tidy and our volunteers won’t have to cope with awkward boxes. Thankfully Jonathan Glen has come to our rescue, through his HCC devolved budget, to help fund them.
The versatile bookcases and crates will enable us to be fully mobile to move from room to room. This will be really helpful in school holidays when we will expand into a larger room so that extra children can come along. Make a date parents to come and see us at the Elizabeth Hall on Thursday 18th April from 2pm to 4pm.
We already have lots of super books, we have a supply source, plus lots of promises of more from villagers. We are majoring on paperback fiction and, because so many people have requested them, children’s books as well.
We have decided not to have reference or table top books because they don’t move so quickly and we want to keep refreshing the books we have.
As we don’t want to get into the bureaucracy of library ‘membership’, lending and retrieving, we charge a nominal 50p a book, so if you want to keep it you can, or you can re-donate. Any books that stay too long will be recycled.
Please spread the word amongst villagers. Come along and support Hook Books on the 3rd Thursday of the month. If you would like to help please let HVH know by emailing enquiries@hookvillagehalls.org.uk.
March is Quiz Night
Halls 1 and 4 in the Elizabeth Hall have been booked for the HVH bi-annual Quiz Night on Saturday 23rd March. Please can our regular quizzers make a note of the change of venue and that the evening will start at 7pm. Growing in popularity you can usually pitch yourself against 10 other teams. Entry is just £12 per team, no more than 6 members per team, with the winning team walking away with a cash prize. If you are unable to make up a team please email enquiries@hookvillagehalls.org.uk to let us know and we will see whether any teams need extra members.
Free Half Term Fun for Hook Children
The Community Centre buzzed on Wednesday 20th February when we held our regular half term fun. Safari Pete sessions were sold out weeks beforehand but there was still plenty to do in the main hall for everyone.
It was thanks to grants from Hook Parish Council and Jonathan Glen’s Hampshire CC devolved budget that Hook Village Halls were able to put on a mainly free event.
The day saw talks and demonstrations by Safari Pete, Special Branch who helped children to make snails, fish and bird feeders out of willow and Mill Cottage Farm from Alton brought a selection of their small animals for children to see and talk about. These core visitors were supported by local charities and organisations, like Hart Rangers, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hook in Bloom, and the Woodland Trust.
Valentine’s Ceilidh
Hook danced the evening away and had a whale or a time at our first Valentine’s Ceilidh – a social event with Scottish or Irish folk music and singing, traditional dancing, and storytelling.
Hosted by Jonathan and Sharon Glen the evening was full of good food from Whitewater Catering, fun and laughter. Most revellers chose to eat the traditional haggis, which was brought into the hall and ceremoniously addressed by two Scots.
In addition to all the fun, over £130 was raised in the raffle for a new defibrillator.
What else is planned by the Hook Village Halls Team?
During 2019 we will hold 2 quiz nights, the children’s Halloween party, we will cater for extra children for the Santa’s Tea Parties, monthly visits for Hook Books and Hook Painting and Hook Village Halls will be a partner, along with Hook In Bloom and Hook Allotments, in hosting the very popular Hook Village Flower & Produce Show on Sunday 8th September in Hook Community Centre.
Hook Flower and Produce Show this year will consist of the traditional village flower and produce show, will help fundraise through Hook In Bloom for future shows, and host the presentation of the Hook In Bloom competition and winners of the show. This year one of Hook In Bloom’s great supporters, County Councillor Jonathan Glen, has agreed to award the prizes.
Tesco and Hortus Loci Plant Centre are both on board to continue their sponsorship.
Get Involved
Here’s an opportunity to get more involved more in your village – become a member of the HVHCA team of directors.
The day to day running of the halls is managed by John Watson, supported by his experienced team of part time staff, and guided by a team of villagers who are volunteer trustees/directors.
The management of Hook Village Halls Charitable Association is governed by its constitution drawn up under charity law and under regulations of the Charity Commission.
Being a trustee/director is a rewarding and fulfilling role so if you would like to get involved please contact John Watson on 01256 764000 or email john.watson@hookvillagehalls.org.uk.
