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Community Halls

Every community hall in Kent is unique. Each has its own character, policy or practice, rules and uses. Each provides an important resource for the local community it serves. New legislation and changes in community life mean that the business of managing a community hall is becoming increasingly complex and demanding.

We provide a specialist comprehensive advice and information service to the volunteers who run and manage community halls to help them meet these challenges. Community hall committees that participate in our membership receive regular newsletters and magazines and attend our training events, seminars and conferences at reduced rates. Membership also allows access to one-to-one support from our Halls Advisor.

Click here to request a request a membership pack.

We offer advice on:

• Charitable Status
• Design & Build
• Fund Raising
• Good Practice
• Grant Aid & Loans
• Improvements to Premises
• Insurance
• Legal Advice
• Licensing
• Management Issues
• Trust Deeds and Constitutions

We have a number of low cost information sheets for sale on different aspects of managing or developing community halls.

For more information on the services we provide to community halls contact Jenny Bradbury on 01303 813790.

Music Licensing

Do you run a community building where recorded music is played?  If so, please read the notice.

Village Hall Publications

Village hall publications are now available via email - Click here for the publication list.  Publications 1-41 are available free of charge to members but there is a charge for non members.  If you would like to request some copies please contact Becky on 01303 813790.

Hallmark Scheme

The Hallmark scheme promotes the delivery of effective and well-managed village halls through a quality standards scheme which is backed up by a system of peer visitors.

If you are interested in applying for the hallmark scheme for your hall, please download our leaflet in pdf format here or contact Becky Williams. Click on the logo below to go to the Hallmark page for more information on the scheme and a list of the halls in Kent that have received accreditation.

Fire Safety Folder

Order your copy here. At only £12.50 plus P & P can you afford not to?

For more information please use our enquiry form.

Useful information for Community Halls can also be found on the DEFRA website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/living/halls.htm

 

Make It Cheaper!

Rural Kent is now working with independent energy advice company "Make it Cheaper" who specialise in seeking out the best energy supply contracts for businesses. "Businesses" includes Community Halls, charities as well as local shops, churches and parish offices. Find out more on our special Make it Cheaper page.

 

Village Hall of the Year

2011 saw the first Village Hall of the Year competition sponsored by Norris & Fisher (Insurance Brokers) Ltd and Avalon Software.

 

Winners of the inaugural Award were Chartham Village Hall. The Judges said -

“Chartham Village Hall is an excellent facility – it is very bright, clean and attractive, and is well used by many groups within its sizeable local community.  It is ideally located, next to an open green and near to the train station. The trustees are very hardworking and committed to the hall and the local community. The hall appears to work well with other local community facilities, such as the pavilion, working men’s club hall, school and other halls within the village.  The hall makes good use of local volunteers.  Some of the activities run at the hall include Bingo, Farmers Market, Gardeners Club, Over 50’s, Slimming World, Mothers and Toddlers Group, Parish Council meetings, Youth club, Cyber Café, Extreme dance and Chartham W.I.  Weddings and funerals are also held here.  The Community Warden also resides at the hall.  The hall has lots of car parking.”

The full List of Awards is shown below and more comments on the other winners can be found in the Winter 2011 edition of Oast to Coast.

Winner	Runner Up
Chartham VH	Phoenix Centre, Sandwich
Highly Commended	Commended
Lenham Community Centre	Elham VH
Sellindge VH	Headcorn VH
Rolvenden VH	Lyminge VH
Plaxtol VH	Langley VH