The Community

The thriving village of East Hoathly and the hamlet of Halland boast an impressive array of businesses, clubs and societies. There are many village events and activities which depend upon the ongoing support from the community.

Please explore this website to discover what the village has to offer or what you have to offer the village – you might discover something new, interesting or worth getting involved with!

Carnival Society

Since 1918 the bonfire commemorations in the village have focused on remembering their war dead. At the end of hostilities in 1918 the village came together in an impromptu party on the corner in the centre of the village. A bonfire was built using the butcher's firewood intended for the next day in the slaughterhouse, and a fancy dress competition was held in the back of the Kings Head pub. To this day, the weekend of Remembrance sees East Hoathly and Halland Carnival Society carry blazing fire-banners and torches with visiting societies through the village in a series of processions. A two minute silence and short service of remembrance on the village corner precede the carrying of 34 individual poppies, one for each villager lost in the two world wars, to the bonfire sculpture where a fireworks display marks the end of evening.
You can read more about the bonfire sculptures on Keith Pettit's website.

Twinning Association

The villages of East Hoathly and Halland are twinned with the French town of Juziers. Pictured are the Mayor of Juziers and members of the twinning association on bicycles outside the Kings Head.

Village Show Society

From the show society website:

East Hoathly and Halland Village Show Society runs shows and other events through the seasons to enable local people to display their talents at growing, cooking and making.

"2015 is our 43rd season and the first full growing year at the village Garden Plots. These will enable many more villagers and families to grow things, for the table, for pleasure - and for showing. We hope that many more children will begin to find enjoyment in planting and harvesting, as well as crafts which they can then submit to the Shows - and perhaps win prizes.

The Village Show Society is pleased to sponsor the Community Plot, to help local residents in straitened circumstances and without access to a garden to grow and share fresh produce."

Sport

Below are a few pictures of just a few of the many sport events in the villages that include: cricket, football, bowls, tennis, stoolball, the Kings Head Canter and the golf society.
Please see the clubs & societies pages for contact details and any websites.

Drama

The United Benefice Dramatic Society (UBenDS) was formed in 1998 to bring together the parishes of Chiddingly and East Hoathly, which together make up the United Benefice, to perform musicals in each church. The shows include stage building for both cast and orchestra, and are performed amongst the pews.

There's more...

Other societies include the Preservation Society, The Foresters Golf Society and East Hoathly Morris (a link to whose hilarious YouTube video is here).

Click on 'Clubs & Societies' at the top of the page for detailed information on all of these and more.