Memorial Hall revamp is fitting tribute to war heroes

VOLUNTEERS and staff at Cleethorpes Memorial Hall are raising a glass to completion of the latest improvements.

And they are planning to raise another when a new bar is installed.

It will be last phase of the refurbishment of the hall, first built in 1960.

Looking ahead to the next 50 years, there are now new doors, central heating and curtains.

The venue, which can be hired for functions for about £300 a day, is looking immaculate thanks to a recent makeover.

Administration manager Pauline Cole told how the new doors cost £10,000, the central heating system was £42,000 and £2,000 for curtains.

The old paintwork was stripped down and the new paint job cost £5,000.

Pauline said: "It annoys me when people think we are owned and run by the council – we are not.

"This has all been achieved thanks to the hiring of the hall and donations."

The venue has a capacity of 500 in the main hall and 100 in the small hall at the rear.

The building is a memorial to all those from the resort who died in the Second World War.

The idea was originally proposed in the mid-1940s but it was not realised until nearly 20 years later, thanks to public subscription.

Pauline said she is looking for images of Cleethorpes to hang on the walls and will invite students from the Grimsby Institute to suggest ideas. The manager will be host and resident DJ at the wedding celebration of her nephew, Paul Robinson, and his bride Amy Davidson, there on Saturday.

The hall is unique in that it allows wedding reception organisers to bring along their own buffet.

She added: "We are proud of providing a service for the people of Cleethorpes.

"I think it is looking fabulous. We have had a lot of positive feedback.

"We are a not-for-profit charity and the hall is in use everyday."

The memorial to our local heroes, who were killed while serving in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, has become a focal point at the venue.

A stone is engraved with "They gave their today for our tomorrow."

It is a lasting tribute at Cleethorpes Memorial Hall, to Flight Lieutenant Andrew Smith, Sergeant Matthew Telford, Guardsman Jimmy Major, Trooper Robert Pearson and Marine Mathew Ford, all from our area who lost their lives.

The final phase of the refit will be the bar, which is adorned with posters of some of the acts who have performed in the hall, including Ken Dodd, Val Doonican, Little and Large, Max Bygraves, Vince Hill and the Batchelors.

Once funds permit, the bar could be extended.