Ode to the Old Green Hut

By Rita Croft

Do you remember the old green hut?
It creaked and it rattled, was tumbledown but
Inside that old hall its rough, wooden floor
There were dances and meetings and parties galore

How well I remember those stalls piled with jumble
Through which many people would forage and fumble
“Oh look, here’s a coat, and it’s priced half a crown
And there, just behind it, a child’s dressing gown
And look, what a bargain , a nice wedding hat.
It’s priced only sixpence. I think I’ll buy that”
And old-fashioned dresses hung proudly from rails
Such were the scenes at those old jumble sales

The old, creaky stage wasn’t showy or grand
Yet often, upon it there sat a dance band
Who cared, if, outside it was freezing or raining?
The music was lively and so entertaining
And lasses and lads from streets all around
Would prance and would dance to its hypnotic sound
And then came December with school Christmas plays
That stage was a blessing in dozens of ways

There were Sunday School parties and great social nights
Bazaars, special meetings - so many delights
The list just continues - perhaps you know more
Of the old Church Hall’s secrets and memories galore

It creaked and it rattled, was tumbledown but
We had so much fun in that old, green tin hut

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