Croxley Green and WWI - Community Club 3rd October 2018 (extra night 14th November)
(© Posters designed by Ben Whitley) Poster advertising the event
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(© Posters designed by Ben Whitley) Due to the over whelming success the event was repeated on the 14th November
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Programme for the nights events
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An original WW1 battle filmed by Geoffrey Malins, a cinematographer, from a trench near the village of Beaumont–Hamel, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916 had come to light. Daniel Brant, producer for the 8000ft Media Company, collaborated with film maker director Ross Barnwell and Andy Robertshaw historian, to reconstruct this film using up to date technology and actors.
Ben Whitley, on behalf of the Community Club agreed to purchase the cinematic license to show the film. We were later to discover that many Croxley Green men had fought at The Somme.
A committee of residents representing local organisations was formed to decide how best to use the opportunity of the film but adding other elements to reflect the involvement of the village more directly during WW1.
It was decided to hold a special evening in the Community Centre on 3rd October. This would be advertised as a free event and pre-booking would be essential as the Community Club’s capacity was limited to just over one hundred guests. The committee was initially worried that it might be over-ambitious, but within an amazingly short time all seats were taken and a waiting list had to be set up.
The Centre’s main hall was hung with bunting decorated with poppies knitted or crocheted by local people. A display of mixed WW1 memorabilia, including weapons, was arranged by Derek and Colin Wallington plus a 14-panel photo exhibition by Margaret Pomfret. A booklet based on the 1911 Census, produced by Julia Matheson, representing the village just before the war started, was available for sale. A well supported raffle was also very popular, with donated prizes from the community.
The evening opened with films. A slide presentation, by Luke Bennett, gave information, including photographs, that had been discovered about the local men who were part of the WW1 conflict. Lynn Withington related her involvement in researching and preparing the spreadsheet detailing over 400 men that had a connection with the village during the war, many of whom had fought in some of the famous battles. Margaret Pomfret presented slides which showed images of the village that the soldiers had left behind.
During the intervals free refreshments were prepared by Vanessa and Tony Monroe accompanied by music from the World War Two era. Barry Grant oversaw the evening of events.
Such was the success of this first evening, and so large was the number of those on the waiting list, that it was decided to repeat the programme on 14th November.
Local residents who also assisted included David Tait, Mandy Grant, Joan Zanelli, Rose Hanscomb, Alex Charlton, Ryan Bennett and staff of the Community Club.
Ben Whitley, on behalf of the Community Club agreed to purchase the cinematic license to show the film. We were later to discover that many Croxley Green men had fought at The Somme.
A committee of residents representing local organisations was formed to decide how best to use the opportunity of the film but adding other elements to reflect the involvement of the village more directly during WW1.
It was decided to hold a special evening in the Community Centre on 3rd October. This would be advertised as a free event and pre-booking would be essential as the Community Club’s capacity was limited to just over one hundred guests. The committee was initially worried that it might be over-ambitious, but within an amazingly short time all seats were taken and a waiting list had to be set up.
The Centre’s main hall was hung with bunting decorated with poppies knitted or crocheted by local people. A display of mixed WW1 memorabilia, including weapons, was arranged by Derek and Colin Wallington plus a 14-panel photo exhibition by Margaret Pomfret. A booklet based on the 1911 Census, produced by Julia Matheson, representing the village just before the war started, was available for sale. A well supported raffle was also very popular, with donated prizes from the community.
The evening opened with films. A slide presentation, by Luke Bennett, gave information, including photographs, that had been discovered about the local men who were part of the WW1 conflict. Lynn Withington related her involvement in researching and preparing the spreadsheet detailing over 400 men that had a connection with the village during the war, many of whom had fought in some of the famous battles. Margaret Pomfret presented slides which showed images of the village that the soldiers had left behind.
During the intervals free refreshments were prepared by Vanessa and Tony Monroe accompanied by music from the World War Two era. Barry Grant oversaw the evening of events.
Such was the success of this first evening, and so large was the number of those on the waiting list, that it was decided to repeat the programme on 14th November.
Local residents who also assisted included David Tait, Mandy Grant, Joan Zanelli, Rose Hanscomb, Alex Charlton, Ryan Bennett and staff of the Community Club.
(© CGHP) Booklet that accompanied the event
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(© CGHP) Booklet that accompanied the event
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(© CGHP) Booklet that accompanied the event
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(© CGHP) Booklet that accompanied the event
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(© CGHP) Booklet that accompanied the event
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(© CGHP) Booklet that accompanied the event
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(© CGHP) Booklet that accompanied the event
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(© CGHP) Booklet that accompanied the event
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(© CGHP) Booklet that accompanied the event
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(© CGHP) Booklet that accompanied the event
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(© CGHP) Booklet that accompanied the event
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(© CGHP) Booklet that accompanied the event
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(Above Booklet - Researched by Julia Matheson, photographs Margaret Pomfret, design and layout Ben Whitley)
(© loaned by Ben Whiteley)
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(© loaned by Ben Whiteley) The Community Club is filled to capacity for each event
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(© loaned by Ben Whiteley) 'Barry Grant (left) introduced the evening's event and Luke Bennett (right) gave a talk regarding Croxley Green's soldiers and their WW1 experiences
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(© loaned by Ben Whiteley) Margaret Pomfret shows images of village life during WW1
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