Proud day as Catholic Hall is renamed

Walwyn Hall is dedicated at special ceremony

AROUND 100 guests attended the renaming ceremony of the former Lambourn Catholic Hall.

The chairman of the Church Guild, Eugene McEvoy, said “this is a proud day” as the Walwyn Hall was named in honour of the late, celebrated jockey and trainer Fulke Walwyn, on Sunday, April 24.

He and his wife Cath donated the land on which the Hall and Sacred Heart Church was built, back in 1952.

Mr Walwyn’s widow Cath, was greeted by a large crowd outside the hall where she cut the gold ribbon and unveiled the new sign.

Guests then sat down for a buffet meal and were entertained by videos of Fulke Walwyn’s racing career and speeches.

Among them were trainer Nicky Henderson, retired trainer Peter Walwyn, head lad Corky Brown and former jockey and assistant trainer Kevin Mooney.

They all enjoyed a video screening of an interview by the late Julian Wilson as Fulke Walwyn recounted his Hennessey memories.

Cheers rang out in the hall as Special Cargo’s memorable victory in the 1984 Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown was replayed.

This was followed by an entertaining speech by Kevin Mooney who rode for Fulke Walwyn, who recounted memories of his first day at Saxon House Stables.

He spoke about Fulke Walwyn’s natural gift for seeing something special in a horse, telling his audience how his employer would walk around the stables and often give a horse a prod in the belly.

Mr Mooney said: “Only Fulke knew what he was looking for,” before reminiscing how, after they had a big winner, it was back to the Malt Shovel in Upper Lambourn to discuss the race in great detail.

Following his speech, Mr Mooney invited Cath Walwyn to unveil a picture, which will hang in the hall, to commemorate the day.

The afternoon featured Pathe News footage of Fulke Walwyn schooling horses in Lambourn and also the 1936 Grand National, where he rode Reynoldstown to victory.

Mrs Walwyn said: “This has been a wonderful celebration and a fitting tribute which I am sure Fulke would have loved.”

The Baydon Road hall had fallen into disuse during the 1990s and was saved following a concerted fundraising campaign to renovate and refurbish it.

A Church Guild spokesman, Peter Leydon, said at the time: “It was clear that the Catholic Club, as it was called, holds a special place in the hearts of many people in the Valley of the Racehorse, with people remembering the fantastic dances held back in the good old days.”

The hall is now thriving again, and hosting numerous functions.

After the renaming ceremony, Mr McEvoy concluded: “I would like to thank everyone who has helped us to turn this hall into a wonderful facility.

“Our hope is that it is an asset to be used by all the community for many years to come.”