Meet Me at the Village Hall (2026)
Super 8mm, / stereo / 08:20 mins
Meet Me at the Village Hall developed from research undertaken in the Hall-Carpenter Archives at London School of Economics, an extensive collection documenting the development of gay activism in Britain. Here, du Vergier uncovered a rich collection of newsletters published by the Campaign for Homosexual Equality Hastings Group (CHASTE), later renamed the 1066 Gay Community Organisation, spanning the years 1974–1989. These documents reveal a network of vital queer gathering spaces in and around Hastings that provided safety, social support, and a foundation for political organising during a time of widespread discrimination and social tension.
Shot on Super 8mm to evoke a nostalgic visual texture, Meet Me At The Village Hall revisits these sites as they stand today, many transformed or vanished, yet still resonant with memory. Layered over the images are the voices of present-day LGBTQIA+ activists who read from the original CHASTE and 1066 newsletters. Their readings bridge past and present, offering glimpses into the community events, support networks, and quiet acts of defiance that unfolded within these spaces.
Sound by Elena Colombi.