Elford Village Hall News
A Quarter of a Century of New Year’s Eve Celebrations
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New Year’s Eve 2025 saw yet another great Elford Village event.
Some 50 revelers gathered in the hall at 7pm immaculately dressed in dinner jackets and party frocks to see the new year arrive. The Hall was beautifully dressed as always whilst guests sat down to a variety of 3 course meals washed down with their own selection of beverage whilst listening to DJ Fox.
“Dancing” got off to an early start through to and beyond midnight, interrupted only by the traditional “ Old Lang Syne” as guests saw in the new Year.
Elford Village Hall has seen many new year celebrations over its 95 year history and certainly the last quarter of a century is no exception.(Photo 1939)
Following a very successful village millennium event in a local barn the following year it was decided to hold a village New Year’s Eve party in the Village Hall in 2000 (PHOTO).
The old Hall was brought to life by a huge ceiling drapes undiminished by the old orange plastic seats!(photo 2000)
Following on from that success 2001 saw a retro event with many tables slowly cooking on their original fondue sets rescued from a corner in their lofts !
That trilogy of parties was finalized in 2002 with a ‘film night’ themed event where Elford experienced more than their fair share of James Bond’s!(photo2001)
Celebrations were interrupted by the rebuild and then there was a very successful 1920s themed event in 2018 (photo) before Covid took its toll.
So it was indeed wonderful to see the old Elford tradition of getting together for New Year’s Eve revived this year.
There were many there that have attended over the years, sadly some no longer with us, but now many new and enthusiastic residents…………….. but one common thread runs through all these events …….. the organization, decoration and simple enthusiasm………of VANESSA OAKLEY…………. Is there anything she can’t do with some gold paper and ‘sticky back plastic’……………….. so with 25 years of greatful thanks to our creative director!!!!(Vannessa through the decades)
Honouring Two Decades of Dedication:
A Thank You to Adrian
It is with some sadness that we saw Adrian Viles step down as treasurer of Elford Village Hall at the recent BGM following 20+ years of dedicated service.
He came simply as an observer to the AGM held in 2003 and found himself immediately thrown into the deep end taking on the officers role of secretary which he very efficiently covered for some 5 years.
On Christine Corless’s resignation from the position of treasurer following the rebuild Adrian decided to change roles and has since run the village hall accounts with superb efficiency.
He would produce an amazingly accurate budget at the beginning of the financial year, monthly P & L and cash flow accounts and a final set of audited accounts at the end of the year.
He would often end a full night behind the bar at a Village Hall event by disappearing out of the door laden with bags of coins and notes to spend another few hours counting the takings.
If this was not enough he drew up the original and oversaw our health and safety policy and created our initial business plan.
A true gentleman in every sense many villagers may not even recognise him but we all owe a great debt of gratitude for his 20+ years of service to the running of Elford Village Hall
Adrian has agreed to stay on the committee for the time being to continue his wise counsel and in the meantime we welcome John Davis as our new treasurer.
Adrian was presented with a variety of gifts at the BGM by Chairman Greg Watkins in gratitude for all his hard work together with a scroll confirming his award of “Freeman of Elford Village Hall“ in recognition of his long service.