A VILLAGE hall in Breamore is celebration an important milestone - its 100th anniversary.

Hulse Hall has been a pivotal part of village life since its creation in 1921, following the death of Sir Edward Hulse during the First Word War.

His mother, Lady Edith Hulse, built the hall in his memory and left it in trust to Breamore Parish Council.

Edward, who studied history at Balliol College, Oxford, joined the 1st Battalion Scots Guards and was sent to the Western Front. He was in charge of keeping the war diaries.

He was killed going to the rescue of his commanding officer.

Lady Hulse had said: "I know that in giving this Hall to the people of this village they will for all time maintain and use it for the promotion of Health, Happiness and Knowledge and will keep in their minds the spirit of self-sacrifice of him in whose memory it is built.”

Anthony Swift, event organiser and Breamore Parish Council member, said: "There was a time during the year we wondered if we would ever have a centenary celebration at all."

But now restrictions have eased the village was able to start celebrations with a 1920s tea party and bake off competition earlier this month, and a number of other events are planned.

"Coming out of lockdown I hope it is going to be a little return of normality and community spirit and doing things together," he added.

From September through to May 2022, Hulse Hall will host a speaker every month.

A Guiness World Record rower and environmentalist Dr Roz Savage MBE is among the speakers lined up to celebrate the centenary of Hulse Hall in Breamore. RNLI CEO Mark Dowie will also be giving a talk and there is another looking at the history

Anthony added: “These events are designed to immerse everyone in the story of Hulse Hall and beyond.

"There will be local speakers to talk about the diverse history of the New Forest and Hulse Hall as well as talks on the wider, global issues we face today including sustainability and the incredible work of the RNLI.

"We want to spark thought and reflection in people as well as encourage enjoyment of the hall and its facilities in the true spirit of Lady Hulse’s hopes when she gifted it to the village.”

The celebrations will also be marked in November by the planting of 30 silver birch, rowan and wild cherry trees at Rally Field, after a successful grant application to the Queen’s Green Canopy – a tree planting initiative to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

The centenary talks start on Friday September 24 at 7pm with a lecture from Dr Gale Pettifer on New Forest Commoning and Breamore.

Dr Pettifer said: “It is a real privilege to be asked to speak at the first lecture to mark Hulse Hall’s centenary.

"The New Forest has a fascinating history that many people are unaware of, and as a practising New Forest commoner, nothing gives me more pleasure than to talk to an audience about one of my life’s passions.”

Tickets for each talk are £5 per person and available online visit: ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/fordingbridge/hulse-hall-breamore

 

Get more Forest Journal news.

You can also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date.

Email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk with your comments, pictures, letters and news stories.