Today’s Yorkshire Post reports the launch of our £3million fund to help rejuvenate England’s 10,000 village halls village halls and better connect rural communities across the country.
There’s more than 10,000 village halls across the country acting as vital hubs for communities to connect, collaborate and celebrate.
The funding forms part of the national commemoration of Armistice, with many halls built as memorials to those who lost their lives in the First World War.
The new scheme, which will help around 100 community building projects to get on site and start work, was opened by Rural Affairs Minister Lord Gardiner and Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Robert Jenrick at the Oxton Village Hall in Nottinghamshire.
Speaking at the launch, hosted by the Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire, Minister for Rural Affairs Lord Gardiner said:
Village halls are the cornerstone of our rural communities. They provide vital spaces and facilities for people across the country – from fitness and social activity through to healthcare and education.
I am delighted to launch officially this £3 million grant scheme for village halls, supporting these important hubs for our local communities.
Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Robert Jenrick said:
Village halls are the heart of rural communities. This £3 million will help ensure that people living in villages across the country will be able to enjoy these important assets for many years to come.
Many village halls were built as memorials to local people who lost their lives in the first world war and this funding is part of our national commemoration of the centenary of the armistice.
Grant applications will be assessed by a panel including Defra officials and Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) staff with extensive experience of halls and grant schemes.
The grant funding will be managed by ACRE on behalf of Defra and advice and support to potential applicants will be provided through the ACRE network. Applicants can apply for grants by following this link.