The Village Halls Podcast: Recent Episodes
Johnny Thomson
A podcast for anyone involved in the running of Britain's 10,000 village, church and community and anyone interested in the vital community services they provide.
We pull together the most useful clips on the serious side of running a village, community, or church hall, from trustee governance to the practical safety steps that protect people and buildings. We share the moments that can save volunteers time, money, and stress, plus a few ideas that make halls warmer, more secure, and easier to run.
• trustees holding the hall in trust for the long term and sharing responsibility as a committee
• chairing meetings with calm authority and choosing not to win every small argument
• understanding why the hall and hirers each need appropriate insurance cover
• recognising personal responsibility and why trustee liability is a separate discussion
• defibrillators and the chain of survival that helps save lives
• keeping a current fire risk assessment and acting on significant findings
• checking specialist advice on floors and avoiding underinsurance through the average clause
• Legionella basics, how it spreads, and why stagnation and warmth increase risk
• spot heating as a cost-effective option for drafty halls in sporadic use
• safeguarding as everyone’s responsibility and sharing concerns early
• improving rural broadband and the real-world benefits for payments and access
• thinking like a burglar to improve deterrence and reduce temptation
• writing grant bids that stand out through personal stories rather than generic text
• moving bookings and invoicing online without needing to be a technical expert
Don't forget, entries for the Village Halls Inspiration Awards 2026 are open from now until the 31st of October.
So visit our website to find out more and get involved.
if there's a topic you'd like us to cover next, please do get in touch.
Your village hall can be fully insured and you can still be personally exposed. That is the uncomfortable truth we unpack with Helen Hall from Allied Westminster, as we go beyond buildings and contents into the parts of village hall insurance that really affect the volunteers making decisions every week.
We talk trustee and management liability in plain English: what it is, who it can protect, what sorts of governance or financial allegations can trigger it, and why internal committee disputes are not automatically “an insurance thing” but can become one. If you are newly joining a committee, we share the practical checks that reduce stress later, from reading the constitution and recent minutes to understanding your insurance arrangements, risk documents, and basic finances. We also cover the limits of protection, because policy terms, conditions, and exclusions matter, especially where dishonesty or deliberate acts are involved.
From there, we tackle the real world grey areas village halls face every day: when a volunteer starts to look like an employee, how employers’ liability can be triggered, and how to document volunteer roles without drowning in paperwork. We compare personal accident cover with liability claims, then move into events insurance, risk assessments for busy mixed indoor and outdoor events, and the tricky add ons like licensed alcohol and bouncy castles. We also touch on legal expenses cover, cash and transit, terrorism insurance, and the big renewal risk many committees miss: gradual changes in how the hall is used that should be declared as they happen.
If you want clearer governance, safer events, and fewer nasty surprises when a claim lands, press play, then subscribe, share with your committee, and leave us a review so more halls can find the guidance.
Who’s is Jackie Weaver
Pretty sure everyone knows the answer to that question. But if you've been living under a rock...
Video
I have been wanting to interview somebody in regards to chairing meetings for a long time. It was only when I was sitting doom scrolling on my phone that the video above reappeared for it's 5th Anniversary. I took a stab in the dark and contacted Jackie to ask for an interview. Thankfully she came back with a yes.
It was only as I watched her name appear on the podcast recording studio I began to wonder if this was actually the Jackie Weaver from the video or a random Jackie Weaver that happened to be on a village hall committee. Thankfully it was her.
It was a real joy to interview her for the Village Halls podcast. Whilst we talk about her life and what brought her to her work the podcast focuses on meeting management. We had plenty of laughs and the odd sidetracked story but essentially, it's a must listen if you're intae village halls.
What Can a Village Hall Learn from a Hackspace?
East Essex Hackspace wasn't one of the winners at this year's Village Halls Inspiration Awards — but it caught the judges' eye, and once you hear what they've built, you'll understand why.
Operating out of a former cricket pavilion in Essex, the Hackspace runs almost 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It's home to 3D printers, laser cutters, a jewellery workshop, a board game club, social nights, and a repair café where the whole point isn't just to fix your broken item — it's to teach you how to fix it yourself. They even built a battery-powered go-kart from scratch.
It's not a traditional village hall. But that's exactly why we wanted to talk to them.
In this episode, Marc Smith sits down with Tim from East Essex Hackspace to explore what happens when a community space refuses to think small. We talk about the membership model that keeps the doors open, the insurance questions nobody thinks to ask, and — crucially — which single idea from the Hackspace world any village hall could pick up and run with tomorrow.
If you're on a hall committee and you're looking for fresh thinking, this one's for you.
East Essex Hackspace was recognised by the judges of the Village Halls Inspiration Awards 2025. The awards return again this year.
Accidents, rebuilds, and the fine print no one wants to read can make hall insurance feel daunting. We bring clarity to the essentials that protect a community asset: what public liability actually covers, how to set the right limit, and why a hirer’s policy is not optional for commercial use. With Allied Westminster’s Helen Hall, we translate legalese into practical steps any trustee can follow, from choosing specialist buildings cover to avoiding underinsurance by using a proper RICS reinstatement valuation.
We dig into the real-world claims halls face—slips, trips, trailing cables, and car park hazards—and how simple housekeeping and clear responsibilities reduce risk. You’ll hear when employers’ liability becomes a legal must, even for volunteer-led halls, and how to make sure volunteers are protected. We also demystify hirers’ liability: when community users may be supported by the hall’s policy, when commercial hirers must show their own public liability, and how to write hire terms that stand up when things go wrong.
Inflatables and brought-in equipment often sit at the centre of disputes, so we share a checklist for permissions, supervision, proof of insurance, and weather limits that keeps everyone safe. We then turn to the unsung hero of resilience: business interruption. A fire or flood can stop bookings overnight; the right indemnity period and a plan for temporary venues can keep revenue flowing while repairs happen. Finally, we make the complex doable with three high-impact actions: update your policy to reflect current use, verify your rebuild cost with expert guidance, and tighten hire terms to match the risks you actually see.
If you run bookings, oversee a committee, or volunteer to keep the lights on, this guide will help you protect people, funds, and continuity. Subscribe for part two, share this with your fellow trustees, and leave a review telling us the insurance question you still want answered.
Fundraising shouldn’t feel like wading through fog. We sit down with Chris Rush, director at TJB Community, to cut through the noise and show a clear route from idea to funded project for village, community and church halls. If you’ve ever felt lost in a maze of grants and acronyms, this conversation gives you the map, the compass and the checkpoints.
Chris breaks down practical steps to build proof: village-wide surveys with comments, letters from user groups, meeting minutes that show the idea’s journey, and a social media trail that demonstrates real demand.
Whether you’re planning a new roof, safer flooring, or more inclusive activities, you’ll leave with a practical playbook: map the funders, prove the need, speak in your community’s voice and show clear impact. If you want help, Chris’s team works on a success basis and offers advice freely—because the goal is simple: keep vital halls open, active and welcoming.
Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share this with your committee, and leave a quick review so more halls can find it.
Awards are nice; impact is better. This special edition celebrates three village halls that turned practical ideas into lasting change, from digital access and inclusive design to heritage rescue and hot meals delivered with a welfare check.
If you run a hall or care about one, you’ll walk away with practical, repeatable ideas: make booking effortless, design for dignity, diversify income, and build programmes that connect generations. Enjoy the stories, borrow the tactics, and help your hall become the heart and soul of your place. Subscribe, share with your committee, and leave a review with the idea you’ll try first.
We unpack how village and community halls can manage changing risks, legal duties, and rural challenges with smart, simple practices. Daniel Noonan from Kent Fire and Rescue explains how a living fire risk assessment ties alarms, signage, training, hirer rules, and new tech into a clear plan.
• who the responsible person is under the Fire Safety Order
• why annual reviews and change-triggered reviews matter
• common hazards in rural halls and low water pressure
• what a risk assessment must include and record
• when alarms are needed, testing, and maintenance cycles
• signage, emergency lighting, and evacuation plans
• managing hirer risks and banning pyrotechnics
• keeping exits clear, bins away, and vegetation low
• training volunteers for evacuation and extinguisher competence
• integrating solar, EV chargers, and battery risks safely
• rules for charging e-scooters, e-bikes, and vapes
We trace how our village hall uncovered mislabelled “refunds,” challenged erratic post-fire electricity bills, and unlocked an £8,600 correction by fixing VAT status and metering. Calm persistence, clear records, and a smart meter turned chaos into £14 monthly bills and new capital repairs.
• the hall’s role as a community hub and user groups
• solar installation, electrical fire, and meter replacement timeline
• erratic billing pattern identified via printed statements
• misposted credits acting as charges
• supplier refusal to investigate due to “no debt”
• ombudsman requiring a deadlock letter
• VAT rate review from 20% to 5% and resulting refund
• smart meter install and final reconciliation
• practical steps to challenge bills with data
• reinvesting the refund into annex and shed repairs
The North Northumberland Village Halls Consortium demonstrates how 80 village halls work together to share knowledge, resources, and support across their rural communities. Their volunteer-led network provides crucial services like affordable PAT testing and trusted contractor recommendations, creating a sustainable model for village hall collaboration that has thrived for over 20 years.
• Nearly 80 village halls in North Northumberland working as a self-help group for over 20 years
• Consortium recently received funding through the Benefact Group's "Closer to You" initiative
• Members collectively manage approximately £22 million worth of property assets
• Shared contractor database helps halls find reliable service providers
• Volunteer-run PAT testing service keeps costs affordable (about £15 for small halls)
We dive into the world of energy efficiency for village and community halls with experts Andy Mitchell and Phil Strickland from 21 Degrees, exploring practical solutions to reduce carbon footprints and energy costs.
• Heat pumps can work effectively in any reasonably insulated building when properly designed and installed
• Understanding the difference between how boilers and heat pumps heat spaces is crucial for optimal efficiency
• Insulation fundamentally changes a building's physics, requiring careful consideration of moisture management
• Mechanical heat recovery ventilation systems improve air quality while maintaining energy efficiency
• EV charging points offer village halls an opportunity to provide valuable services to their communities
• Solar panels work even on cloudy days and can be integrated with EV chargers and battery storage
Entries are now open for the Village Halls Inspiration Awards 2025, celebrating the incredible work happening in village, community and church halls across the country. You can apply between the 1st of May and the 30th of September, so do consider putting your hall forward.
We discuss the crucial yet often overlooked topic of village hall insurance and launch a new listener poll to shape future episodes on insurance topics that matter most to trustees and committee members.
• Insurance often becomes a priority only when something goes wrong
• Most trustees delegate insurance to one person with little collective oversight
• Insurance is a legal contract protecting your building, people, and finances
• New anonymous poll available at thevillagehallspodcast.com/facebook-polls
• Future episodes will explain most requested insurance topics in plain language
• Topics include buildings insurance, liability coverage, business interruption, and more
• Understanding insurance principles helps trustees ask better questions
• Village Halls Inspiration Awards 2025 entries open until 30th September
• £5,000 prize fund sponsored by Allied Westminster and Ecclesiastical
• Awards recognise grassroots action regardless of hall size or budget
https://thevillagehallspodcast.com/facebook-polls/
We explore spot heating technology with Joe Bristow from BN Thermic, diving into how this instant, energy-efficient solution can transform village halls by heating people directly rather than warming the air.
• Spot heating provides immediate warmth without needing to pre-heat spaces, making it perfect for sporadic hall usage
• Spot heating targets people and objects rather than air temperature, working even with doors open
• Installation can often utilise existing wiring, making it cost-effective for halls with limited budgets
• Advanced control systems include motion sensors that activate heaters only when spaces are occupied
• The technology creates a noticeable "curtain of warmth" that transforms user comfort in otherwise difficult-to-heat spaces
• Integration with battery storage and renewable energy sources supports net-zero carbon goals
• A hybrid approach combining spot heating with minimal background heating protects building fabric from damp
Entries for the Village Halls Inspiration Awards 2025 are now open until September 30th. Visit our website at villagehallspodcast.com to find out more and submit your hall for consideration.
We dive into the practical world of internet connectivity for village halls, exploring everything from 4G to Starlink, fiber to copper, sharing real-world experiences to help you make the best choice for your community space.
• Internet is now classified as a human right, yet many rural communities still struggle with speeds below 0.5 Mbps
• Community-led solutions like Hebnet CIC have successfully provided internet coverage across 600 square miles of Scotland's Highlands and Islands
• Starlink offers viable speeds but at a significant cost (approximately £75/month), making it suitable only where no alternatives exist
• 4G can provide excellent performance in low-population areas but may struggle during peak usage periods
• Village halls should aim for minimum 50 Mbps connections when planning to stream live events
• Hardwired access points are superior to mesh networks for reliable coverage throughout larger buildings
• Multiple WiFi networks from a single access point can separate secure payment systems from general public use
• Outdated routers can significantly limit connection speed regardless of your internet package
The hidden dangers lurking in your village hall's water system could be putting your community at risk. Water safety expert Dee Thornton joins us to shed light on Legionnaire's disease - a potentially fatal lung infection caused by bacteria that thrive in stagnant water systems.
Dee expertly breaks down the perfect storm conditions that make village halls particularly vulnerable: infrequent usage leading to water stagnation, aging infrastructure, and the presence of nutrients like rust and limescale that feed bacteria growth. She explains why this matters so critically for community spaces that often serve vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.
What makes this episode essential listening for every trustee is the clear explanation of your legal responsibilities. As Dee reveals, the Health and Safety Executive has recently recruited 250 new inspectors specifically targeting compliance in areas including water safety. She demystifies the process of becoming compliant, walking through practical steps from risk assessments to temperature monitoring and system maintenance, all while emphasizing cost-effective solutions that won't break the bank for charitable organizations.
The conversation covers everything from understanding basic legal requirements to specific maintenance procedures for water tanks, calorifiers, and pipework. You'll learn about the crucial temperature parameters (hot water above 50°C, cold water below 20°C), proper cleaning protocols, and the importance of regular flushing and record-keeping. Dee even offers village halls access to free introductory presentations and affordable training options to help trustees get started on the path to compliance.
Don't miss this vital episode that could literally save lives in your community. Subscribe to The Village Halls Podcast for more essential guidance on managing and maintaining your community space.
The 2025 Village Halls Inspiration Awards are announced with a £5,000 prize fund to celebrate the beating hearts of rural communities across the UK. Marc Smith and Allied Westminster MD Gavin Mitchell discuss how these awards evolved from a photography competition to an initiative showcasing inspirational stories from village halls nationwide.
• Awards open from May 1st to September 30th, 2025
• Total prize fund of £5,000 (£2,500 first prize, £1,500 second prize, £1,000 third prize)
• Open to all village, community and memorial halls in rural parts of the UK
• Entries should be 600-800 words telling an inspiring story
• Judges looking for impactful, authentic stories that could inspire others
• Entries must have permission from the hall's governing body
Submit your entry through the Village Halls podcast website. If you have questions, leave a comment on the podcast page.
Louise Beaton returns to discuss her new book "Halls for All," co-authored with David Clark, chronicling the 500-year evolution of village halls from exclusive reading rooms to vital community hubs.
• Village halls evolved from reading rooms and mechanics institutes that often excluded women until after WWI
• Women's Institutes became a driving force for more inclusive community spaces after the First World War
• Sir Henry Roo played a pivotal role in the 1920s, working with government to repurpose army huts as memorial halls
• COVID created challenges for some halls as organizations disbanded, but opportunities for others through community cafes and pop-up pubs
• Three key lessons for the future: continued need for ACRE advisory services, importance of long-term capital funding, and better regulatory frameworks
• Village halls collectively contribute approximately £178 million annually to the rural economy
• The book features remarkable stories of determination, including halls that fought government for rebuilding during WWII
• HRH Princess Royal contributed the foreword, recognising volunteers who often go unacknowledged
The book "Halls for All" is published on March 15th, available from all good bookshops (£16.99) or directly from Amberley Publishers (£15.29 plus postage). Some ACRE Network members will be selling copies at county events during National Village Halls Week.
Securing sustainable funding remains one of the greatest challenges for village halls across the UK. In this eye-opening conversation, we explore a straightforward path to financial support through the Movement for Good initiative by the Benefact Group.
Chris Pitt, Impact Group Director for the Benefact Group, reveals how their charitable program works through a refreshingly simple nomination process that anyone in your community can complete. What makes this opportunity especially valuable for village halls? The £1,000 grants come with no strings attached, allowing halls to address their most pressing needs—whether that's covering rising utility costs, funding repairs, or launching new community programs.
The partnership between Allied Westminster and Ecclesiastical (part of the Benefact Group) creates a natural avenue of support for village halls, as explained by Gavin Mitchell, Managing Director of Allied Westminster. Together, they're working to ensure these vital community hubs can thrive despite increasing financial pressures.
With nominations staying in the selection pool for multiple draws throughout the year, and the process taking just minutes to complete, this represents an accessible funding opportunity that every village hall should pursue. We discuss success stories from halls that have already benefited from the initiative, practical advice for increasing your chances of being selected, and additional resources available beyond the monetary grants.
Whether you're a committee member seeking to secure your hall's future or a community member wanting to support your local hub, this episode provides the knowledge and tools you need to take immediate action. Visit our website to access promotional templates you can use to rally your community behind your hall's nomination.
This episode uncovers the role of village hall trustees, delving into their responsibilities, the importance of governance, and how they can engage younger members of the community. Through dialogue with community expert Caro Hart, listeners learn about the journey of becoming a trustee, the collaborative nature of the role, and the joys and challenges associated with it.
• Exploring who can and cannot become a trustee
• Understanding the legal responsibilities of trustees
• The significance of governance in village halls
• Strategies for resolving disputes among trustees
• Encouraging younger community members to become involved
• Resources available for prospective trustees
In this episode of The Village Halls Podcast, host Marc Smith interviews Bernard Hammick, Managing Director of Hallmaster, a digital booking system tailored for village halls and community venues. Bernard shares his journey into the digital realm, which began in the late 1990s when he developed a website for his campsite to provide detailed information and facilitate email communications with customers. This experience led him to create websites for local businesses and, eventually, to develop a bespoke booking system for a village hall seeking an online solution for availability and reservations.
Recognising a broader need, Bernard expanded Hallmaster to serve various venues across the UK, emphasizing the importance of an online presence for village halls to secure regular income through direct bookings. He discusses the evolution of Hallmaster, highlighting its role in streamlining operations and enhancing accessibility for both administrators and patrons. The conversation underscores the necessity for community venues to embrace digital tools to remain relevant and efficient in today's technology-driven landscape.
This episode offers valuable insights for anyone involved in managing village halls or community spaces, illustrating how digital solutions like Hallmaster can transform venue management and community engagement.
For more information, you can visit the episode page:
Unlock the secrets to preserving the heart of your community as we uncover the art of floor maintenance in village halls with renowned experts Tim Derbyshire from Total Floor Care and Graham Hickman from Junckers. You'll learn why choosing hardwoods like oak and beech over softwoods can make all the difference in durability and sustainability. We dissect the vital construction principles for creating robust new floors, whether on concrete or joists, and share essential techniques to assess the refurbishing potential of existing surfaces—all crucial insights for those responsible for maintaining these important spaces.
Moving beyond the basics, this episode shines a light on the importance of specialist advice for maintaining and insuring the thousands of sprung wooden floors across the country. By consulting trusted professionals like Junckers-approved contractors, listeners will discover how these partnerships can prevent premature replacements and save valuable resources. With real-life examples, we illustrate the impact of informed decision-making and the role it plays in preserving both the structural integrity and budget of village halls.
Discover the secrets behind the extraordinary transformation of Great Whittington Village Hall with insights from Philip Hinchcliffe. This episode promises to reveal how a once cold and underused school building became a bustling, eco-friendly community hub. Philip shares the challenges they overcame, including raising funds for solar panels and a heat pump, which not only modernised the hall but also brought the community together like never before. Learn how this inspiring project turned the hall into a vibrant space, now hosting National Theatre Live productions and serving as an essential emergency hub.
The podcast focuses on Ellingham Village Hall and its journey from being an outdated, underused space to a vibrant community hub. The guests, Chris Stevenson and Gustav McLeod, share how they led the Village Hall Committee through extensive fundraising efforts, overcoming challenges like rising construction costs, opposition to demolishing the old hall, and navigating a tight budget. Key moments include:
- Community Support & Feedback: Despite some initial resistance, around 88% of the community supported the hall's rebuild, which was driven by surveys and in-person consultations.
- Fundraising & Partnerships: The team secured significant funds, notably from the National Lottery and local trusts, including creative fundraising efforts like crowdfunding and donations from community members.
- Construction Phases: The project was done in phases due to rising costs, with the team adjusting plans as needed. This incremental approach helped them gain additional funding, including for sustainable features like solar panels.
- Post-construction Success: The hall is now a thriving venue for a range of community events such as toddlers’ groups, art clubs, parties, and weddings. It’s also a "warm hub" in emergencies, providing shelter and power during extreme weather.
- Future Plans: The team is working on further improvements, such as expanding storage space to accommodate growing community needs.
The podcast highlights teamwork, resilience, and the importance of a strong community spirit in bringing the project to life.
In today's episode, we’re talking about the North Moreton Village Hall, winners of the Village Halls Inspirational Awards 2024. We’re joined by Jo Nickless, who played a key role in their success. North Moreton stood out for their innovative approach, reaching out to the village digitally and receiving an overwhelming response from the community. Tune in to hear their inspiring story and how they brought their village together through technology.
In this episode of the Village Halls Podcast, Marc Smith introduces himself as the new host, taking over from Johnny, who has been the voice of the show since 2021. The episode reflects on the journey of the podcast, highlighting memorable moments, inspiring stories, and the important role village halls play in communities across the UK. Marc and Johnny discuss the impact the podcast has had on listeners and the unique insights gained from conversations with unsung heroes who keep village life vibrant. Tune in for an engaging conversation that honours the past while looking forward to the future of this vital community podcast.
Johnny and Gavin are back after several months away to announce the three winners of our 2023 Village Halls Inspiration Awards. Judging was incredibly challenging, but we managed to finally whittle all the entries we received down to three, and here are the winners of £1,000, £1,500 and £2,500 of vital funding for 2024...
Worminghall Village Hall in Buckinghamshire has attracted more than 20 volunteers and an enviable number of visitors thanks to a community business it's developed. Linda Hughes, who has entered their project into our Village Halls Inspiration Awards this year, tells us all about it...
You can now enter our Village Halls Inspiration Awards on line, with the chance of winning either £1,000, £1,500 or £2,500 in funding for your hall, courtesy of our show sponsors Allied Westminster. So what are you waiting for? Start thinking about who you know in your community, or what great work you've done that is inspirational, and simply tell us all about it...
Has your village, church or community hall delivered or achieved something that could inspire others around the country? If so, you could receive £1,000, £1,500 or even £2,500 in this year's Village Halls Inspiration Awards. Find out more...
There are many unsung heroes in villages across the UK and for this episode we celebrate with one of them, Joan Maxfield, our very first Unsung Hero Award winner. We also hear from Daphne Gwilliam, who nominated Joan for her award, and Simon Bland who led the judging...
How can you encourage young people to get involved at your Village hall? For this episode, Johnny is joined by Sue Lees and Netty Firman from the Stafforshire village of Grindon, who nominated 26 year-old Hannah Blissett for our Young Person’s Award last year. Hannah explains why she's so passionate about her village hall and community. Could someone like Hannah help your hall?
Internet connections in outlying villages are not often the best, but is having a super-fast network always a good thing? Our latest guest is Marc Smith, who is majorly responsible for an unbelievably fast connection being available in his remote village and elsewhere on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Marc tells us how he and the community achieved this, and how there's also a bit of a downside.
Sharing old stories can often create a sense of belonging for those who live in small rural villages. Stuart Plant, Chairman of Middleton & Aislaby Village Hall joins us to talk about a book and a digital memory bank designed to preserve the past for future generations...
We look back at a few of our episodes from Season 2 and 2022, covering everything from community businesses to fancy-dress frivolity. Enjoy our round up of the year. Thanks to all of our guests who joined us in 2022 and special thanks to all of you who listened in. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year everyone and see you in '23.
It's the one you've all been waiting for! Who are the winners of this year's Wonderful Villages Awards? Our judges have reached their decisions and Johnny is joined by two of the panel, Simon Bland from Rauceby Village Hall and Gavin Mitchell from Allied Westminster, to announce which five halls are to receive £1,000 in funding...
Almost a quarter of adults in the UK say they’ll be keeping their heating turned off this winter because of rising energy prices. So what can halls do to help? Lizzie Kingston from Framlingham Unitarian Meeting House tells us how they, together with a group of halls in Suffolk, are providing a warm welcome to those in need this winter...
Entries have now closed for our Wonderful Villages Awards, so what happens next? Johnny is joined by Gavin from Allied Westminster and Finn the dog, to keep village halls up and down the country up-to-speed with when and how our five winners of £1,000 each will be announced...
Energy costs have gone through the roof recently and this has presented a big challenge to community buildings up and down the country. However, one village hall has thought of a great idea that not only improves the efficiency of their heating system, but also makes it easier and more comfortable for anyone organising events there. Nick Cole from Shustoke explains how it all works...
Losing someone close to you is never easy. However, when people come together to celebrate their life and remember them fondly it can help to ease some of the pain. Last year, the village hall in Croft-on-Tees became the centre-point of an event to remember a much loved member of their community who had sadly passed away far too early in life. One of the group who brought the entire village together was Richard Coates, who tells the sad but inspirational story of what happened.
Sadly, some village halls are no longer the big attraction they once were. So how can things be turned around? Andrew Ayers is a committee member at Irby & Bratoft Village Hall, where in the space of just a few years, the hall and village community have been thoroughly revitalised. Andrew openly discussed what he believes is the secret to any successful community hub...
Time is running out for the chance to win £1,000 for your village, church or community hall. The Wonderful Villages Awards programme recognises the incredible contribution village halls and other rural community buildings make across five categories. For this episode we briefly take you through these different categories and how to enter. This is a fantastic opportunity for your hall to gain recognition, share your achievements and stories and, of course, receive some funds to keep it all going. Good luck everyone!
Are you worried by news that rural crime is on the increase? Security expert (and heatwave dog-sitter) Dave Reynolds from RiskSTOP, looks at whether things really are getting worse out there. Plus... the kind of things you can do to keep your community building a lot more safe and secure. Think like a burglar folks!
You may not realise it, but there are well over 1,000 mysterious objects hidden near village halls across the country, with lots of people looking for them. For this episode, Jackie O'Halloran talks about the treasure hunting activity known as geocaching and why she started hiding them around halls in the UK. Is there one near you?
Putting on a live performance or an artistic event is a great way for village and community halls to draw people in. But where do you find the talent? Thankfully, there is help out there and for this episode we're joined by Holly Lombardo and Stephie Jessop from the National Rural Touring Forum, who explain how halls in rural communities can put on unique and wonderful events that cannot be matched by the big city venues.
One way of tackling climate change is for us all to switch to more sustainable forms of transport. Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular, but they need a widespread charging infrastructure if they’re ever going to become truly mainstream. For this episode, Dr Darren Handley, Head of Infrastucture Grants at the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles at the Department for Transport, talks about how the switch to EVs is progressing. Darren also explains what grants are available for village and community halls to support this change by bringing charging points to rural communities.
We all need someone we can turn to for a bit of advice and support every now and then, and village halls are no exception. Our guest for this episode is Janet Clark, one of a network of village halls advisors across the country. Janet explains the kind of support that's available to those running community buildings and chats about some of the big challenges village halls are currently facing.
Village halls up and down the country have been organising events to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. So for this episode, we visited Chorleywood War Memorial Hall for a special Afternoon Tea Party, which entertained the locals and raised money to support an influx of Ukrainian refugees. As well as meeting and chatting with several residents, we spoke to a Ukrainian family sheltering here in the UK and there was some great entertainment too, from the Chorleywood Orchestra and the Chiltern Choir. Here’s what we encountered on our little trip out…
Keeping up with what's going on around us is really important and we often need someone who is keen to pass on useful local news and information. Doug Allen, a trustee of Topcliffe and Asenby Village Hall, talks about the different ways he keeps his community informed about anything from 'royal scarecrows' to 'despicable criminal activity'...
Fundraising is never easy, but one UK company has come up with really simple way of bringing a bit of extra income to village, church and community halls, while also supporting charities and helping the environment. Our guest, Alexandra Holmes from ASTCO, explains how it all works...
Beer, boats, costumes and occasional skulduggery... Only in Britain could this kind of bonkers bedlam take place each year. Tracy Watson from Noss Mayo joins us to 'unshroud the mystery' behind a photo she sent us of something called 'The Beer Race'. An episode you will not want to miss...
There are few places better than your local village hall for exercising, especially if you're not getting any younger! Nesta Shephard, despite being in her seventies, still takes 6 fitness and pilates classes a week and and is passionate about exercise for all kinds of reasons. 'Pilates Nesta' talks to us about how she battled back from debilitating health, the era of leg-warmers & headbands and how she believes halls are the perfect place for staying fit and healthy, provided everything is run properly of course...
So how would you like not one, not two, but FIVE opportunities to receive £1,000 for your village, church or community hall? Well, here’s your chance! Today we've launched an Awards programme for village halls and other rural community buildings, to recognise the incredible contribution you all make across a variety of categories. And for this episode we take you through the five categories of what we’re calling The Wonderful Villages Awards. Listen in to find out what we're looking for and how to enter. This is a fantastic opportunity for your hall to gain recognition, share your achievements and stories and... of course, receive some funds to keep it all going. Good luck everyone!
Many village halls host cafes, shops, markets, post offices and all kinds of other community businesses. Some have even taken over their local pubs! So this got us thinking… Just how easy is it to start a community business? And what support is out there to help village halls, or anyone else for that matter, get one up and running? Our latest guest Hannah Barrett, Senior Project Manager with the Plunkett Foundation, has the answers and all kinds of support. So if you’re interested in starting a new community business, listen in today.
Love it or hate it, we all now very much depend on being online. But are our village, church and community halls making enough of their websites? Our guest for this episode, Mark Harris, Chair of Bowerhill Village Hall, explains how being online has attracted those in their community and beyond, and talks about a recent website makeover that’s taking them to the next level.
Village, church and community halls often rely heavily on rental income from those using their buildings to provide services and activities to the community. So if, for some reason, those services or activities suddenly stop, halls can find themselves in a bit of a financial pickle. Finbar Murphy is Chair of Cookham Dean Village Hall in Berkshire, which lost a key tenant just over two years ago. Thankfully, they responded with an idea that’s not only kept everything going for the hall, but is helping local residents and businesses and has even spread to another community nearby. Finbar joins us for a Village Halls Week special episode to explains how it all works...
Welcome to Season 2 of our podcast. For our first episode of 2022 we announce the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th prize winners of our Wonderful Villages Photo Competition and reveal some of our plans for this year, including a brand new and exciting opportunity to receive recognition and support for you and your village, church or community hall.
Since we launched our podcast in January 2021 we've had all kinds of guests on the show who have surprised us, enlightened us and inspired us. So, for our last episode of the year, we thought we'd look back at some of the highlights of Season One, reliving a few special moments. It's almost Christmas, so put your feet up, grab a cuppa and relax while listening in to some of our best bits. All the very best everyone and thank you for being part of our listening community. See you in 2022!
It’s time to announce the village hall and photographer that won first prize in our Allied Westminster sponsored 2021 ‘Wonderful Villages’ photo competition.
The winning image captures everything about community spirit and togetherness and the incredible service that village, church and community halls provide. This episode features the winning hall and photographer and also explains what’s happening with 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th places. Listen in and discover our winner. There is also a video version of this episode you can access on the Photo Competition page of our website.
There's few things more important than food! But have we lost this idea of people coming together to grow and provide food for themselves and others around them? Well, certainly not in South Milford in North Yorkshire, where my guest Nadia Lindsay and other villagers have developed what's known as an 'Incredible Edible' group - an 'off-the-shelf' project with online support that's spreading rapidly across many parts of the UK. Listen in and find out more. Perhaps you could start your own Incredible Edible group in your community?
Knocking down your village hall and starting again is a bold move. However, the community in Aberforth in West Wales has spoken and it would like a brand new £1m plus 'hub' that's fit for the 21st century. Trustee and project officer Sue Lewis tells us about their plans, the challenges they're facing and covers some of the key lessons-learned so far. Essential listening, if you too think your community building needs bringing up-to-date.
Behind every village there are often intriguing stories to uncover. Peter Power, a trustee of Emery Down and Bank Village Hall, joins us to talk about all kinds of local connections from Alice in Wonderland to a notorious snake-catcher! He also paints an inspiring picture of contrast between village life, past and present and major historical events. His fascinating tales demonstrate how life goes on and the kind of joy that can be felt from being "a caretaker between generations past and generations to come."
Volunteering within your community can be hugely rewarding. But let's be honest, it can also mean there's sometimes a little too much to cope with. And with lockdowns and opening-up and everything else we've all been through recently, it can even become overwhelming at times. Our guest, stress and well-being expert Dave Algeo, offers useful self-help and advice that can be passed on to others. Listen in as Dave entertains with memories of children's madcap TV show Crackerjack and some odd vegetable metaphors to get some of his ideas over. Are you carrying too many cabbages?
Village hall trustee Steve Barnes recalls the incredible community spirit that kept the villagers of Downe going during the worst moments of the pandemic. His heart-warming tales of care and contribution, in an unusual rural location, are a strong reminder that communities everywhere matter. Listen in and feel a little bit better about the world!
Fiona Sinnott is a former TV and theatre actor who starred in shows such as Jupiter Moon, The Tudors and Les Miserables. Fiona recently moved to the beautiful village of Bennington in Hertfordshire and immersed herself in village hall activity, soon becoming part of the committee. She talks to us about what it's like being the 'newbie' in the village and how this post-lockdown period is a real opportunity for village, church and community halls to attract new people of all ages and skills to their communities.
When it works, insurance helps communities build back their village, community and church halls if something bad happens. However, as our guest Will Molland reveals, there is a big problem affecting 4 out of every 5 community buildings which can mean your insurance won't payout anything like the amount to cover a claim. Find out more, including how to fix this problem, by listening in today.
Some people make health and safety sound complicated. However, our guest Teresa Budworth explains how it doesn't have to be the burdensome and bureaucratic thing it's often made out to be. Teresa also reveals why dressing up as a sugar-cube in a village hall can be a dangerous thing! Listen in and find out more!
Our guest for this episode is TV and radio presenter Pam Rhodes, best known for the BBC’s Songs of Praise and for her many interviews with celebrities such as Sir Ian McKellen, Dolly Parton and Marcel Marceau. Pam talks about her career and a trilogy of books she's written about Hope Hall, the centre of a fictional community packed with all kinds of intriguing and hilarious characters. Pam explains how the books represent all kinds of unsung heroes and wonderful people she's met over the years. Listen to the end and discover how you can win one of three copies of the first two books in the Hope Hall series.
In Northumberland, more than 75 different village halls have come together, sharing ideas, resources and benefiting both practically and financially from an innovative and collective approach. Our guest George Courtice, a trustee of Middleton & Todridge Village Hall in Northumberland, tells us how it all works and discusses some of the big issues that rural communities are currently facing.
In 2014, Joseph Rogers stumbled across a special kind of medieval building that awakened an enduring passion and literally changed his life. Now an author of several books, Joe's research into 'Tithe Barns' has revealed all kinds of modern day uses for these fascinating structures, including village and community halls. Could you help him find more of these hidden gems?
"It takes a whole village to raise a child." For this episode we're joined by NSPCC senior consultant Shirley Maginley who explains responsibilities around child protection and safeguarding, including DBS checks and other aspects of good practice. Tune in and discover more about how to provide a safe place for children in and around your community building.
As many as 3.7 million adults in the UK say they feel lonely or isolated. For this episode, we're joined by Amy Chambers of Leicestershire and Rutland RCC, who dispels a few of the myths around loneliness and explains some of the innovative ways they've been tackling the issue and getting village halls involved.
How would you like to win up to £1,000 for your village hall and £500 for yourself? Listen in to this special podcast episode for details of our 2021 Wonderful Villages Photo Competition. Our guest is Gavin Mitchell, Managing Director of competition sponsors Allied Westminster, who helps to explain the kind of photos we're looking for and some of the rules around the competition, as well as how to enter. So tune in, get snapping and win some vital funds for your local community, and for you too! #wonderfulvillages2021
There's been a huge digital revolution over the past 20 to 30 years and while many are comfortable with that, others can find it confusing and even terrifying. Digital advocate Bernard Hammick of Hallmaster, joins us to talk about how village halls have been adapting to the digital world and what kind of benefits this can bring.
As well as bringing communities together, village halls can help improve people’s health and wellbeing. Our guest Sian Highnam, talks about a new friendship garden in Fontmell Magna in North Dorset, which the village hall has developed in partnership with the local medical practice. It’s all part of a broader drive within the NHS to rollout something called ‘social prescribing’, which offers a more holistic approach to health. Could your village hall become a social prescribing partner too?
Renovating a heritage property is a major task at the best of times. But when that property is also the centre of an English village community and you're trying to manage the project from over 600 miles away in Germany... well that seems impossible. Our guest, Jane Crofts describes how she and her sister Joanne have worked together for 8 years to bring the village hall in Wellow, Nottinghamshire back to life from afar. And now she can't even get home!
Food is every community's most basic need and when your nearest supplies are around 15 miles 'down a twisty single-track road,' stocking up can be tricky at the best of times. Hermione Lamond, who helps run a village hall and its small shop on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, tells an inspiring story of how she's kept the villagers of Elgol supplied through the pandemic, by switching to a whole new way of feeding the locals.
Our guest Alan Roe tells a fascinating story about the village of Bubbenhall, where in the 1980s a former Japanese prisoner of war led an unlikely coup, took over leadership of a neglected village hall and built a brand new one for the community. With his tale of fortitude, sadness and lasting legacy, Alan provides an intriguing insight into British village life and history.
Several village halls have been playing a part in Britain’s unprecedented vaccination programme. For this episode, Teresa Killeen who heads up a fantastic group of volunteers connected to Ticehurst Hall in East Sussex, gives us a ‘behind the scenes’ on how 1,000 elderly and vulnerable people have been receiving their jab each week. She describes the challenges they’ve all faced and discusses how they’ve been coping with the attention, from visits by TV crews to mentions at the PM’s briefing. Please listen in to this uplifting story of true community spirit.
Our guest for this episode is Simon Bland, who has worked for many years in the voluntary and charitable sectors and is Chairman of his local Village Hall. We talk about the challenges his Hall has faced throughout the Covid-19 crisis and how he and his fellow trustees have coped, both practically and emotionally in such difficult times. And on a positive note, Simon offers advice and a strong sense of hope around opening up for communities once again...
For this special episode to mark Village Halls Week 2021, our guest Louise Beaton OBE talks about the history behind village and community halls. She also covers some of the important events through time that halls have played a key part in, including more recently, as well as what the future might hold. Please subscribe and join our listening community today.
This episode is your introduction to The Village Halls Podcast, featuring your host Johnny Thomson. Johnny explains what this new podcast is about and who it's for. Listen in and discover what we've got coming soon and ways you can subscribe. Join our listening community today.