Plaque 1

Ladies Knitting Circle/Memorial Hall

Awarded a Blue Plaque in 2018

During the Second World War, ladies across the country set up knitting circles, with the slogan: ‘If you can knit – you can do your bit’, and they knitted comforts for the Army, Navy, Air Force & ARP (Air Raid Precautions) workers.

The Ladies’ Knitting Circle in Addingham (shown below in 1942) was a very committed group and as a result of their efforts over 500 articles were knitted, with every member of His Majesty's forces from Addingham being supplied with a pullover, scarf, balaclava, two or three pairs of socks and gloves/mittens. Even Russians on the Eastern Front benefited from their knitting and, at the same time, they were aiming to raise money for a memorial to the men and women of Addingham who had sacrificed so much for their homes and country.

After the war it was decided that the memorial should take the form of a village hall and the Primitive Methodist Chapel, which closed in about 1955, was available. After much more fund-raising, and with the help of generous bequests, the chapel was bought, converted, and has been developed over the years to provide the village with a popular meeting and social place for present and future generations. It is a fine tribute to the young men who gave their lives during the war, being ideally placed next to the War Memorial.

The Ladies Knitting Circle in 1942

The Primitive Methodist chapel, possibly 1955, before conversion to Memorial Hall