Open Invitation to Sunday Centennial Events

The Centennial is upon us, in fact it is only 5 days away. We are looking forward to an exciting and fun weekend celebrating the 100th birthday of our hall.

 

In response to community requests we have changed the format for Sunday’s activities from the original plan.

 

There will now be NO cost to attend the activities on Sunday. Lunch will now be a community pot luck lunch, it will not be catered.

 

Members of the wider Mt Bruce community are all welcome to join us on Sunday for the service and or lunch, see the displays, buy some memorabilia and order your copy of our book on the history of the hall. No registration required, just arrive and join in. Church and dedication service starts at 10am (daylight saving time), Lunch will be about 12:30.

There's a great article in this weeks Wairarapa Midweek page 14 about Maurice Hunt and the commemoration at the hall on Sunday.

Recent Newspaper Advertisement

We placed the following advert in our local papers recently...

Bagpipes at the Wedding.

What local wedding would be complete without a tune or two from the bagpipes?
Pictured are Les Trass and Len Barnes playing at the wedding of  Darragh and Neta Weston's Wedding at the hall 23 November 1956.

Thanks Robyn Weston for the photo.

Dancing at the Hall

The grand Saturday night opening of the hall was an auspicious event.  Music was played by M. Myers. The dance schedule read: waltz, lancers, schlottische, waltz, quadrilles, M. two step, D. Alberts, maxina, hoyland, barn dance, veletta. The "D.Alberts" probably refers to "d'Albert" a Scottish dancer and composer and "hoyland" may refer to "hiyland" or "highland".

Dancing has been a popular activity at the Mt Bruce Hall since it opened and has continued over the years. Some of the current locals attended dance classes in preparation for the Centennial and have "learnt" or "refreshed" the following tradition dances; old-time waltz, fox trot, maxina, veletta, oslo waltz, gay gordons and military two-step. The videos below feature some versions that are similar to those that were taught in the class.

 
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  Dances for Mt Bruce Hall Centennial

Many variations and styles of each dance evolved over the years and around the world. This other playlist shows other traditional, old-time or folk dances with many being distinctly different to those taught in NZ today. Contact Hayden if you come across others that could be added. Apologies in advance for quality and those advertisements.

 
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  Old Time Dancing

Some senior locals remember other hall dances featuring the "broom dance" and the "chair dance" among others. Many other dance styles have come and gone over the years but with the right music the old favourites magically appear.

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Theme Party - Shipwrecked 2014

We're not just about celebrating the past - this event is yet to happen - although it is likely to be yet another fond memory at our Centennial weekend.

Tickets available - details on the poster above.
Please share and support!

Dance Bands

In the 1930's up to the 1960's Saturday night dances were a regular feature in many rural hall though out New Zealand. One popular group who regularly performed at the Mt Bruce Hall was the "Jack Barnes Rhythm Boys".

George Hessell, Maurice Hunt, Bill Ashworth, Clary Jackson, Cril Minifee and Jack Barnes in 1939.

 

 

 

The group evolved over the years and below is Jack Barnes performing with a different line-up in the Mt Bruce Hall.

Mt Bruce Hall musicians 1964. L to R Jack Barnes, Keith Hunt, Russell George and Hilda Lowe

100 Years Ago Today

On 10th July 1914 a meeting of settlers was called and a committee formed to proceed with the building of a hall. Three months later, the Mount Bruce Hall was built and opened!

The Mt Bruce Hall in the 1920's. Note the metalled road now State Highway 2.