If the support for Pode Hole WI’s recent Christmas fair is anything to go by, community support is strong in the village.
The group made about £700, which president Margaret Campbell says is more than they have ever made previously.
The money raised will be shared with the Over 60s group, which also meets at Bromley Memorial Hall each month.
Hall chairman Tina Rodgers says a number of groups use the hall, built in 1958 thanks to money left to the villages of Pode Hole and Pinchbeck by two brothers whose surname was Bromley.
Just over 50 years on, there are weekly ballroom and Latin dance lessons, weekly sewing and embroidery classes, occasional children’s parties, bird shows, wedding receptions and anniversary parties, as well as the Over 60s and the WI, whose 30 or so members meet every third Wednesday in the month.
Margaret says: “We need a new roof on the Bromley Hall and toilets for the disabled. We are hoping to have the roof lowered because that would save on the heating bills.”
Tina adds: “The hall is used regularly each evening in the week, but there are still some slots available for hire.
“We would like to see more use of the hall in the day time during the week. If anyone would like to hire the hall they should contact Mrs Pat Van Gemeren on 01775 722846.”
The other meeting point for the village is the Fisherman’s Arms pub, run by Sharna and Shaun O’Connor, which puts on special events for customers. Live band Noisy Vendors are performing on Saturday (9pm) and on Saturday, December 15 there is a quiz on a school theme (5pm) with ‘school dinners’, followed in the evening by duo Reins80D (9pm).
Sharna says cyclists meet at the pub in season, there is darts and pool, fish and chips on Fridays and Sunday lunches.
At the Post Office and shop, postmistress Rose Grant has started offering bed and breakfast accommodation to subsidise the business.
She says: “I am afraid my business would probably close if I didn’t have my bed and breakfast. Times aren’t very good for village shops.
“It’s mostly passing trade and my neighbours, and the bulk of my customers come from West Pinchbeck or surrounding villages. I suppose I am too close to Spalding.”
Rose’s bed and breakfast is popular with people working in the area or visiting friends and relatives at weekends.