During the 1940 post war years the hall was always busy, with the events and activities varying with Old Time and Modern dances, carnival queen elections, horticultural shows and much more. One of the highlights was the showing of cinema quality films. The one I can remember was “The Seventh Veil” starring James Mason, Ann Todd and Herbert Lom. The film had only been released in 1945 and was a a box office hit, so for it to be shown within a year or so in the hall at Mayfield was quite something. The hall was ‘packed to the rafters’, a large screen was set up on the stage and the whole show ran without a hitch. My lasting memory of the film was of James Mason slamming the piano lid down on Ann Todd’s fingers.
In 1949 there was another film show in the hall. The film was ‘shot’, using an 8mm camera, at Mayfield’s first carnival. This time the stars were the villagers and visitors enjoying the splendour of the Queen’s crowning ceremony and all the other attractions on offer.
On the night of the film there was once again a full house at the hall. I can’t recall much of the action other than feeling rather embarrassed at appearing, on the screen, aged thirteen, Maypole dancing. I was a member of a team of boys and girls from Mayfield school. We had been coached by Mrs Simister who taught us to dance using the polka step to keep in time, this certainly worked, the performance was ‘tangle free’. The film was very well received. Efforts have since been made to try to locate the reel of film but without success. Wouldn’t it be great if we could locate and borrow the film or have a copy made, we just might fill the hall for another showing?