Skip to main content area
Working in partnership for the people of Herefordshire
Main Content Area
Nearly 60 years on, Hereford town hall’s centenary year provides an opportunity for a romantic couple to re-live the moment he proposed.
In the run-up to the town hall’s open days, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 August, the City Council has been asking people for their personal memories of the building.
Mrs Eva Cornford wrote to the City Council with her romantic tale and a plea to go back to the spot of the proposal, which is now normally roped off.
It was 1946, the couple had only known each other for three weeks and he had just been released from a Japanese prisoner of war camp. He proposed to her half way up the stairs to the balcony above the dance hall.
Eva and Don Cornford are well known faces in Hereford – they ran a dance school in the city for many years and still do volunteer work for Lifestyles charity.
“We’re only too happy to give this couple a chance to re-live their romantic moment. Theirs is one of many moving and interesting personal histories we’ve received since our plea for personal memories went out,” said Hereford Mayor, Cllr Polly Andrews.
“These personal histories will help give the open day exhibition another dimension - they’ll bring it to life for people.
“We’re still very keen to hear from people who have personal memories of the town hall, particularly anyone who has memories of either of the two world wars,” she added.
Anyone with an interesting story to tell should send it to Anne Double, the Mayor’s Secretary, Town Hall, St Owens Street, Hereford, HR1 2PJ.
The open days, on 21 and 22 August, commemorating the centenary year, run from 10am – 4pm. People will have the opportunity to explore many of the nooks and crannies of the town hall, which are normally out of bounds.
The centenary exhibition features many fascinating items including maps, old photographs and ceremonial records.
COUPLE RE-LIVE ROMANTIC MOMENT IN TOWN HALL
Nearly 60 years on, Hereford town hall’s centenary year provides an opportunity for a romantic couple to re-live the moment he proposed.
In the run-up to the town hall’s open days, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 August, the City Council has been asking people for their personal memories of the building.
Mrs Eva Cornford wrote to the City Council with her romantic tale and a plea to go back to the spot of the proposal, which is now normally roped off.
It was 1946, the couple had only known each other for three weeks and he had just been released from a Japanese prisoner of war camp. He proposed to her half way up the stairs to the balcony above the dance hall.
Eva and Don Cornford are well known faces in Hereford – they ran a dance school in the city for many years and still do volunteer work for Lifestyles charity.
“We’re only too happy to give this couple a chance to re-live their romantic moment. Theirs is one of many moving and interesting personal histories we’ve received since our plea for personal memories went out,” said Hereford Mayor, Cllr Polly Andrews.
“These personal histories will help give the open day exhibition another dimension - they’ll bring it to life for people.
“We’re still very keen to hear from people who have personal memories of the town hall, particularly anyone who has memories of either of the two world wars,” she added.
Anyone with an interesting story to tell should send it to Anne Double, the Mayor’s Secretary, Town Hall, St Owens Street, Hereford, HR1 2PJ.
The open days, on 21 and 22 August, commemorating the centenary year, run from 10am – 4pm. People will have the opportunity to explore many of the nooks and crannies of the town hall, which are normally out of bounds.
The centenary exhibition features many fascinating items including maps, old photographs and ceremonial records.