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Village Halls Domesday Book
A record of the good things village halls were doing to mark a century of rural community action
created this virtual ‘Domesday Book’ for village halls to record the work they are doing in 2021. The record is being used to make the case for sustained funding and support for village halls.
Featured Halls
Broadhempston Village Hall and Headlands Playing Fields
Devon
Our carbon-neutral village hall was opened in December 2015, on land acquired for community use by the parish council near the centre of this very active community of 800 residents. A parish-wide survey assessed the needs of all age groups and this resulted in a building with a 9m x 16.5m main sports/function hall with sprung beech floor, a large meeting room and a smaller meeting room. The hall has exceeded its 3-year business plan and caters for all ages, with a regular baby and toddler group, indoor sports and fitness sessions for all ages including a thriving badminton club and short-mat bowls. It’s also a great venue for lunches, parties, music events, meetings and courses. The 84 PV panels on the roof and a high standard of insulation means that the building overall costs nothing to heat and light - a tremendous benefit and which keeps our hire charges low. The trust also runs the sports field which has become a valuable asset during the various Covid-19 lockdowns for open-air exercise. A skate ramp has recently been built and we are now actively working on the creation of a MUGA on the existing tennis court. The local primary school makes considerable use of all facilities. Our village also has a thriving community shop and two popular pubs.
Buildwas Village Hall
Shropshire
Buildwas Village Hall has been part of the community in Buildwas since it was built in 1954. Over the years it has been available for the residents of Buildwas and local villages for family events and celebrations; village organisations (such as the village church) fund raising events and meetings; annual pantos by The Buildwas Players; music nights; our monthly community meals; and a weekly whist club. The hall is also used by our village Primary school for assemblies / productions / presentation evenings etc. The hall has been closed to general bookings during the COVID19 lockdown, but has been running a Meals on Wheels project since July 2020, delivering hot meals on weekday lunchtimes to elderly residents in Buildwas and neighbouring villages who otherwise can’t go shopping (or don’t have access to online shopping) as they are shielding. This has been funded by Shropshire Council, The National Lottery Community Fund, and the Co-op Emergency Food Fund. The committee are looking forward to the hall being fully open so village life can flourish once again.
Capheaton Village Hall
Northumberland
Built in 1921, originally as a reading room, library and meeting place the village halls usage has always reflected society at the time. From the 1930s to the 1970s it was an extremely popular weekend dance venue fondly remembered by many Northumbrians. More recently the hall has become host to Capheaton Village Tearoom, a national award winning venue that provides for local residents and the wider North Eastern area. Again, as a reflection of current society many of the the users of the hall are now cyclists, walkers and locals who come through the daytime with evening usage being much reduced. The hall has been there for the last 100 years as a meeting place for the community and providing a focal point for all that is good in our area.
Caryford Community Hall
Somerset
Opened in 1994 our Hall serves the communities of Ansford and Castle Cary. As soon as we can do so, we will resume an ambitious building programme to improve the building’s capacity and make it more versatile for the needs of the growing number of groups and individuals wanting to use it.
Copsale Village Hall
Sussex
The Copsale hall has been serving the community since 1907 and, with refurbishments in 2021, hopes to continue for another 100 years. Monthly bacon butties are very well supported and the hall has a busy diary for hire.
Cottenham Village Hall
Cambridgeshire
New in 2021
Fradswell Village Hall
Staffordshire
We are a vibrant community hub
at the heart of our tiny village of Fradswell (approx 170 residents).
We provide local opportunities
to meet, socialise,
learn, share
and shop.
Our village has no amenities other than our hall. We run regular coffee mornings, a monthly lunch club, a monthly community shop, cafe and repair shop, as well as a regular Pop-Up Bar night and various events.
We now have a number of what have become annual local ‘traditions’ which our community looks forward to every year.
Our annual Apple festival, ‘Frapfest’, at which we chop and press local apples, supplied by our community, using the extracted juice to make Fradswell cider, with the apple pulp going to local compost heaps and local pig food!
Our annual ‘Wassail’ event. A spectacular family evening of flaming torches, singing, banging of instruments and saucepans, all to Wassail and ‘wake up’ our community apple trees and encourage a good crop of apples later in the year for our cider!
Our free summer barbeque is always a popular evening, celebrating Fradswell community and our lovely village hall.
Throughout the 2020/21 pandemic, we have had a team of volunteers ready to help anyone needing shopping, prescriptions etc, or even just a chat. Our free weekly exercise class has continued to run online, via Zoom, keeping community together and healthy! We’ve also distributed Boredom Buster bags to many in our community struggling with isolation.
Our hope for the future is to keep our wonderful community engaged, welcoming, caring, sustainable and forward-looking -and as special a place to be, as it is now.
Glenridding Village Hall
Cumbria
Originally set up in 1913 as Reading Rooms for the village’s mining community, our Hall now offers a light and modern meeting place for local groups, wedding and birthday get togethers and music and theatre evenings. We have recently hosted fashion shows; our Big Breakfast; a Burns Supper; ceilidh evening; folk and modern music; theatre productions. And we have plans for 2021 and beyond.
Liverton Village
Yorkshire
Liverton Village Hall has won many awards for the initiatives and projects which have brought it to the heart of the community as well as surrounding villages and towns. We run regular events including Scarecrow Festival, Cider Festival, Murder Mystery and Comedy evenings. We organised Walks of Contentment and many mindful activities to ensure there is always something to look forward to in our lovely little part of North Yorkshire.
Maer Village Hall
Staffordshire
Maer Village Hall is nearly 100 years old and is the only community building in our very small, but hugely historic village. It has been a school, army hospital and working mens club in its time. It has had several refurbishment programmes including rennovation after a flood courtesy of the beast from the east a few years ago. This a new porch entrance and equipment paid by the Covid grant allowed to become Covid secure and open as often as we were allowed. During this last year it has never seemed more important in bringing the community together and despite restrictions the hall became a great focus for all the activities and events. We look forward to the time when we can open the doors fully and enjoy community activities again. ACRE and the work of the support officers has been invaluable for providing support and advice and helping us to keep in touch with all the other fabulous village halls of Stafforshire.
Morton Village Hall
Derbyshire
Built in 1690 the hall was completely refurbished in 2019 with grant support from Viridor Credits, Foundation Derbyshire, The Princes Trust. During 2020 all classes paused but the hall was converted into a Covid Community Hub proving much needed food and essential items for the community. Post covid planning is underway which includes a community cafe and digital workshops.
Red Gables Community Hall, Stowmarket
Suffolk
Former town library, extended and refurbished to serve as community space for all with gardens and parking
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