By Isle of Wight Observer
The end of National Village Halls Week was marked with a fun-packed celebration at Mottistone gardens on Saturday.
Village halls from across the Island held events to support their local communities throughout the week. Many included coffee mornings, craft stalls and a variety of community information volunteers.
Sandy Ciccognani, of Community Action IW, said: “It was the second year we celebrated village halls and the volunteers who keep them going. We had a fantastic turnout with even more visitors than last year, when 700 came to support us.
“We had some great feedback, and people said it had made their year because they got information and support concerning the problems they face in their lives. It was also lovely to be able to support our volunteers in the community who put in so much and give up their spare time, but rarely get any recognition.”
Lord-Lieutenant, Susie Sheldon, and High Sheriff, Graham Biss, supported the event with the Fat Samba Band setting the mood.
There was an awards ceremony and cream tea for nominated volunteers, as well as belly dancing from the Pharoah Dancers, and African drumming from the Ventnor Drummers.
Abby Lemon entertained visitors with her piano playing and singing, and the Bay Wailers Choir also gave a performance. There was a variety of talks about bee-keeping, cactus-growing, jewellery-making, the importance of moving and its benefits, and the UNESCO biosphere, and how people can benefit from it.
Volunteers from a number of National Trust sites across the Island were represented at the event, as well as volunteers from a variety of village halls, including Porchfield, Havenstreet, Chale WI Hall, Rookley, Alverstone, Wellow, Yarmouth and Gurnard.
