Farewell to the Old Langwathby Village Hall: Closing a 20‑Year Chapter

Friday 25th September 2026 marks the end of an era — my final class in the old Langwathby Village Hall. It’s hard to believe that I’ve spent two decades teaching in that building, watching myself change, and watching hundreds of people pass through its doors for a workout, a laugh, and a stretch.

I still remember the very beginning: teaching in the little room with just four or five people as part of adult education. I was pregnant with Norman at the time — and he turned 20 recently, which really brings home just how long this hall has been part of my life. Those early sessions were small but a start. I had no idea then how many stories, friendships and memories would grow from those first few classes.

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Over the years, life happened — babies, a burst appendix, and COVID. People have come and gone, each leaving their own mark. Some stayed for a session or two, but others stayed for years. One incredible lady kept attending until she was 99, always arriving with a smile and a determination that inspired everyone around her. And in the early days, I had a regular who always wore a skirt to class — something you definitely don’t see anymore, but it still makes me smile when I think about it.

Although we’re saying goodbye to the old hall, we’re not saying goodbye to the Langwathby community. While the building is being demolished, classes will continue at Hunsonby Community Centre, giving us a fresh space and a new chapter — but with the same friendly faces, the same energy, and the same commitment to making fitness welcoming for everyone.

Twenty years is a long time to spend in one hall. It’s been a privilege, a joy, and occasionally a challenge — but always worth it. Thank you to everyone who has stepped through those doors.