Celebrating Village Halls Week: Connecting Communities Across Berkshire

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Village Halls Week takes place this week and and this year it’s all about connecting communities to health and wellbeing. This annual campaign, led by our national network ACRE, shines a spotlight on the incredible role village halls play in supporting rural life across England, Wales and Scotland a national celebration of the vital role that village halls play in bringing communities together. Our social media platforms will this week highlight the many ways these much‑loved spaces support wellbeing, learning, connection, and giving. Across Berkshire, our local halls continue to shine as places where people feel welcome, supported, and part of something special.

Connection

The week began with a focus on Connecting — at the heart of every village hall. Whether it’s sharing a cuppa, meeting new neighbours, or catching up with old friends, village halls provide a warm and inclusive space for people of all ages.

Locally, regular activities such as Coffee Corner at Swallowfield Parish Hall (Wednesdays) and The Village Café at Beech Hill Memorial Hall (also Wednesday mornings) offer friendly drop‑ins that help reduce loneliness and strengthen community bonds.

Elsewhere, halls across the county host a huge variety of connecting activities, including:

  • Coffee mornings
  • Community choirs
  • Sewing and craft groups
  • Book clubs
  • Lunch clubs
  • Social drop‑ins
  • Gardening groups
  • Parent and toddler meet‑ups
  • Art circles and creative workshops

These activities remind us that village halls are not just buildings – they’re lifelines for community connection.

Being Active

Tuesday celebrated the theme of Being Active. Physical activity plays a vital role in supporting both mental and physical health, and village halls offer accessible ways to get moving. From yoga and dance to seated exercise and table tennis, there’s something suitable for everyone.

Locally, activities at our halls include classes from MOVEability, GeoDance, and All Stars Theatre Academy, providing fun and inclusive ways for people of all ages and abilities to stay active.

Keep Learning

Wednesday highlighted the importance of Keep Learning. Village halls provide opportunities to gain new skills, spark creativity, and build confidence. Many halls host craft workshops, language classes, tech‑help sessions, gardening clubs, and more.

We also celebrated an important local achievement: Hamstead Marshall Village Hall has been awarded Hallmark Level 1, recognising high standards in governance, safety, and community service. The hall is home to a diverse programme including:

  • Good Hope Farm workshops
  • Newbury Astronomical Society star‑gazing evenings
  • Dance and yoga classes
  • Gong meditation
  • Band practice
  • Private events and exhibitions

Their beautiful outdoor space also offers room for picnics and play – an added bonus for local families.

Giving Back

Thursday’s theme, Giving, celebrated the generosity that keeps village halls thriving. From volunteers who give their time to neighbours offering simple acts of kindness, village halls rely on people who care.

A special spotlight was placed on Twyford District Youth and Community Centre, which has recently expanded its offer for young people with new Wednesday Workshops for Years 7–13. With youth activities declining nationally in recent years, TDYC is bucking the trend – providing a safe, supportive, and fun environment where teenagers can connect with each other and with the wider community.
Learn more: https://www.tdyc.co.uk/youth-club

Taking Notice

Friday’s theme, Taking Notice, encourages us to pause, appreciate the present moment, and reconnect with the world around us. Village halls are ideal places to slow down and notice the small things that bring joy – whether it’s admiring local artwork on display, spotting seasonal changes in the hall’s outdoor spaces, or simply taking a mindful moment during a class or community group.
These quiet, reflective moments help support emotional wellbeing and remind us of the value of community spaces where everyone can feel grounded and at home.

Village Halls Week reminds us just how important these spaces are. They are hubs of friendship, wellbeing, learning, and community spirit. Whether you attend a regular group, volunteer, or simply pop in for a chat, you are part of what makes village halls so special.

Do you live or work in a rural or semi‑rural area of Berkshire? We want to hear from you!

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We are gathering feedback to better understand the needs, challenges, and priorities of rural communities across the county.

We’re exploring whether a Community Development Worker could make a meaningful difference in supporting local goals, strengthening services, and helping rural areas thrive.

To get a full picture of what’s needed, we’re hoping to collect responses from people across Berkshire’s villages and rural neighbourhoods.

🕒 The survey takes just 5 minutes, and your voice will directly influence how CCB plans future support and resources.
👉 Take part here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TD7BD6Y

Thank you for helping us build stronger, more connected rural communities across Berkshire.

Housing Needs Survey – Speen Residents

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We are carrying out a Housing Needs Survey on behalf of Speen Parish Council, and we are inviting all residents of the parish to take part.

The purpose of this survey is to gather accurate, up‑to‑date information about local housing needs. This insight is vital in helping the parish plan responsibly and ensure that any future housing reflects the true needs of the community.

Survey forms will be delivered to homes in Speen this week, and we strongly encourage all households to complete theirs. You can also complete the survey online here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SPEENHNS

All responses will be treated confidentially and used solely for assessing local housing need. Any personal information provided will be held securely by CCB in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations 2018 and will not be shared with any other organisation, including Speen Parish Council.

You can read CCB’s full Privacy Policy at http://www.ccberks.org.uk.

Thank you for helping us build a clear picture of Speen’s housing needs.

Community Spotlight: West Berkshire’s Moveability Classes in Action

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by Andrea Malcolm, Project Development Officer

I’ve recently had the pleasure of getting out and about to witness the incredible impact of Debbie Medlin’s Moveability classes firsthand. From cognitive challenges to cream cakes, here is my experience of how our local villages are staying active!


Chieveley Village Hall: Brains and Brawn
Last Thursday, I joined nearly 30 residents at Chieveley Village Hall for a session that was as vibrant as it was vigorous. I’ll admit, I expected a gentle sit-down, but Debbie’s expert choreography provided a true masterclass in inclusivity. It wasn’t just a physical workout for me; the clever movement sequences provided a brilliant cognitive challenge. I found that staying fit is just as much about brainpower as it is about balance!


Lambourn: The Perfect Recipe for Wellbeing
The energy continued on Friday when I visited the Lambourn group. I arrived with fresh cream cakes, which proved to be the ultimate motivator! While the exercises had us all working hard, the true magic happened during the social afterwards. For me, the post-class tea and chat is an invaluable lifeline, providing a deep sense of friendship and support that clearly benefits Lambourn and all its surrounding villages. I was felt so welcomed that I was even told I could come every week!

Debbie runs seated chair exercise classes at venues around West Berkshire. Available at Hermitage, Thatcham, Newbury, Lambourn and Chieveley.
For more information and to find your nearest class, visit: www.moveability.org.uk

From Oxfordshire to Berkshire: Celebrating Community-Led Housing Intiatives

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By Maria Kelly, Rural Housing Enabler

On Saturday 21st February I attended a meeting of the Oxfordshire Community Led Housing Group, hosted by Stonesfield Community Trust at the cosy White Horse Community Pub, Stonesfield.  Stonesfield Community Trust, established in 1983, it was one of the first Community Land Trusts in the UK.  It owns and manages affordable housing in the village for people with a local connection, and the White Horse pub.  The meeting was attended by representatives from several local Community Land Trusts (CLTs) and other community led housing organisations, all at different stages of the journey and facing different challenges and opportunities.

During the day we explored how groups can work better together to deliver a growing potential pipeline of community -led homes, particularly in rural areas where finding suitable land and traditional Housing Associations to develop homes can be difficult.  We took a walk around Stonesfield to look at some of the homes built and managed by the Trust, which blend seamlessly with the older architecture of the village. We looked at a new area in the heart of the village where a glove factory operated in the 1970s, which will soon be the site of three new affordable rented homes built by the Trust.  The new houses will be adjacent to the picturesque Stonesfield Church and Oxfordshire’s oldest gaol – a listed ‘lock up’ owned by the Blenheim estate! 

Thank you to Fiona Brown and Kay Sentance from Community First Oxfordshire for inviting me along, and to the CLTs attending for making me feel so welcome.

There are many ways that communities can own and lead on the development of community assets such as housing and facilities – just consider the amazing work of village hall trustees and parish councils. One of Berkshires few Community land Trusts is Windsor Ascot and Maidenhead CLT, (Home – Windsor Ascot Maidenhead Community Land Trust) which is being supported by CCB to take on affordable housing and other assets in the Royal Borough. Through freehold ownership, CLTs can ensure that housing and other assets are available to the community in perpetuity and cannot be sold off privately or otherwise lost. 

If you are interested in finding out more about Community Land Trusts, contact maria.kelly@ccberks.org.uk