Caring for a much-used building
KITCHEN MAKEOVER – 2024
In the summer we completed a kitchen makeover and extended the long life of the existing facilities. We thank our trustees did much of the work and David Ayres Flooring and PM Bines Ltd for their installations and attention to detail.
REPAIRS TO STONE PLINTH - 2023
Paul (alias Sid) Bloomfield and his brother Pete repaired the stone plinth upon which the hall sits. Paul first worked on the Hall in the 1980s when he carved the “Holt Reading Room 1873” tablet. Paul and Pete are a great asset, having worked on numerous prestigious projects, including Salisbury and Wells Cathedrals.
REPAIRING THE FLAT ROOF – 2024
The flat roof on the skittle alley – a 70s addition – was failing, causing rain water damage. After unsatisfactory temporary repairs the trustees released £20,000 – carefully accumulated for such eventualities – to make enduring improvements, including introducing a 6 degree slope and an EPDM membrane with drip trims and new sealing to the stonework. (EPDM is a synthetic rubber membrane which isn't damaged by ultraviolet rays and is incredibly long-lasting.)
Enjoying a much-loved hall
41st Annual Holt Flower and Produce Show Sept 2024
The 41st Holt Flower and Produce Show once again attracted the best and most beautiful of locally grown produce in friendly competition, the crowds fueled by a roaring trade in tea and cake. Well done to all those who entered and congratulations to all the winners!
Carrivick Sisters – February 2025
Charlotte and Laura Carrivick played to an enraptured full house at the Village Hall, on the second night of a UK tour and 7 years since they last played here. A suite of instruments – banjo, mandolin, 200-year-old violin, and a converted Serenader for Laura to play lap style for the opening numbers – delivered a depth and range of sound from American and instrumental blue grass to English folk. It’s a sound both authentic and original, even unique, in a set combining their own and traditional compositions. In the Odstock Churchyard, Sally in the Woods and War Games were from their 2022 album 'Illustrated Short Stories’ are moving and engaging – 'Lee should have hanged but he framed his father in law’ would be solemn but for the sisters’ lightness of touch and sense of fun. Laura’s vocal on War Games – My darling boy, My only son, was accompanied by Charlotte’s bluegrass banjo: ‘We are, said Laura, ‘too cheerful for some folk audiences’.
Since their first gig here Laura has moved to Holt and Charlotte to Corsham. We are lucky to have such talent.
The Water Thieves – November 2024
Sarah, Sophy and Simon played a raucous and occasionally comical set from the early American songbook to an enthusiastic Holt audience. A sensitive rendition of that great song of the Depression – Buddy can you spare me a Dime? – was book-ended by the upbeat doo-wop of the Ink Spots and the Boswell Sisters. Sarah and Sophy’s harmonies carried the tunes for 20s and 30s jazz-vocal classics – not easy to do – with a light touch that paid homage to the earliest recordings – songs that were an antidote to hard times.
Laid on top of accomplished musicianship, Sophy introduced a touch of absurdity to the evening with her washboard and cymbal combo, adding a thimble-fingered jazz-skiffle beat to Simon’s acoustic guitar. The audience loved it; more so when Sophy introduced her carpenter’s saw, bent and bowed and, after some howling, generating a recognisably musical accompaniment to Sarah’s voice. Novelty and finesse, and, after a earlier date for the gig was lost, a happy audience.
