WESTBURY Town Council is hosting a week of free events for all residents, from Monday 1st August, to mark 150 years of The Laverton in Bratton Road.
With something for all ages, there will be a film night, an afternoon tea dance, a craft session for children, a special lunch hosted by Abraham’s Kitchen including a film and magician for children, a breakfast meeting where businesses can meet the mayor, and a quiz night. The events are free, but everyone who wishes to attend is asked to register.
At the beginning of next month, it will be 150 years since the foundation stone for The Laverton building was laid by Abraham Laverton, who generously funded the development of the now grade II listed building, which has been the home of the Westbury Town Council since 2003.
When setting up The Laverton charity, Abraham Laverton described his aim for “the provision and maintenance of a community centre for the use of the inhabitants of Westbury without distinction of political, religious or other opinions, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.”
Today, The Laverton remains a community venue for the town and its hall and rooms can be hired for private use.
In describing the 150th year celebrations, town clerk Deborah Urch said,“We have tried to cater for all ages with a wide variety of events planned that we hope the residents of Westbury will attend and take the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful building which was built for the benefit of our community.”
The 150th anniversary events will be held at The Laverton on the following dates:-
Monday 1st August: The week will start with a showing of the popular film ‘Belfast’, written and directed by Kenneth Branagh. The film received seven Academy Award nominations and six nominations at the British Academy Film Awards, winning the Outstanding British Film award.
Tuesday 2nd August: Local businesses are invited to meet the mayor, cllr Sheila Kimmins, and council officers at a business breakfast meeting where tea, coffee and bacon or sausage baps will be served from 9am. This is a great opportunity to do some networking before the working day starts.
Wednesday 3rd August: Abraham’s Kitchen will be hosting a ‘Lunch at The Laverton’ from 12pm to 3pm. The town council say, “Join us for a ploughman’s lunch and meet some new friends. There will also be a popular film and a magician to keep the children entertained.”
Thursday 4th August: The town council will be hosting a craft session for children up to the age of 12 from 9.30am to 12.30pm. In keeping with the Victorian theme, the children will be making crafts based on Victorian toys; cup and ball toys, spinners, and pop-up puppets, but with the modern twist of using materials from today.
Friday 5th August: A quiz night will end the working week at 7pm. The town council say, “Come along with teams of four to six and test your knowledge and skills at this event. You do not need to be Einstein, but you do need a sense of humour and a willingness to have some fun! On your own? No problem as you can join in with other guests to make up a team.”
Saturday 6th August: Swinging Cymbals Dance Events are hosting an afternoon tea dance from 2pm to 4.30pm. The dance is a 50/50 mix of ballroom and Latin American sequence dances, all set to carefully selected music, with a mid-dance break for tea/coffee and home-made cake. All levels of dancers are welcomed, including singles and beginners.
The town council say they are delighted to make all these events free of charge, but ask that residents register for these events. Further information can be found on the town council website www.westburytowncouncil.gov.uk or by calling the town council offices on 01373 822232.
