This month (April) our Community Buildings Advisor, Kate Meads, attended Action with Communities in Rural England’s (ACRE) 2023 National Village Halls Conference in Leicestershire.

Together the network of English rural community councils employs village hall advisors who provide guidance, support, and advice to the people and volunteers that run England’s 10,000 + rural community buildings.

Kate said, “This annual conference is a key event in my diary as it provides such a unique opportunity for me to meet face-to-face with my counterparts across England.

We all have our own challenges to overcome, depending on which county we hail from but we all have so much in common that binds us together and makes sharing knowledge so key. It was fantastic to bounce ideas, solutions, challenges, and experiences off each other.

It is invaluable to feel part of a connected group working together for a common cause – supporting those crucial volunteers and people that keep our village halls open, safe, and valuable community assets for all to enjoy.”

The buzz and camaraderie at the event were amazing and allowed all 30 ACRE member delegates the opportunity to brush up on their technical knowledge of things like constitution structures and business plans. The focus was also on sharing good practices, learning about each other’s organisations, and identifying successful projects that can be replicated locally for the benefit of halls.

Apart from providing a fantastic networking opportunity Kate’s other highlights included hearing from Antonia Swinson, CEO of the Ethical Property Foundation about the amazing resources they have available to share.

Kate said, “I was interested, but not shocked, to hear that only 10% of Village Halls have a business plan. It is my ambition to arrange to provide training workshops in Autumn 2023 to help Berkshire’s community buildings create and develop plans for the future.”

“I further really enjoyed hearing from our counterparts in Northumberland – Community Action Northumberland – about the network of Warm Hubs they have successfully worked with volunteers to set up. Warm Hubs were created by CAN as places within the local community where people can be assured of finding a safe, warm and friendly environment in which to enjoy refreshments, social activity, information and advice and the company of other people. It was exciting to learn all about their Warm Hub Toolkit which CCB has now registered for. Together with our Project Development Manager, Maria, and the wider CCB team we will be looking to see if we can help form a network with specialised training and support to implement this in part of rural Berkshire – keep an eye out for more and get in touch for an informal chat.”

Thank you to Berkshire’s wonderful CVS’s for the information contained in this article – Wokingham & Bracknell inVOLve, Volunteer Centre West Berkshire, Slough CVS & Reading Voluntary Action.

National Churches Trust – Large Grants Programme

Grants are available to support the conservation and sustainable use of church buildings in the UK, focusing on larger and more complex projects with priority given to urgent structural repairs or the introduction of kitchens and accessible toilets. Application deadline: 4 July 2023. Click here for more info.

Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund (with Crowdfunding)

Grants are available for not-for-profit organisations in the UK that can raise their initial funding through a crowdfunding campaign for projects that protect and restore nature in their local communities. Application deadline : N/A. Click here for further details.

David Brownlow Charitable Trust

The David Brownlow Charitable Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the lives and wellbeing of individuals and communities where there is an element of disadvantage, through personal development such as education, the provision of new equipment, or the improvement and regeneration of their community.
The DBCF is a UK registered charity which supports causes across the UK, predominantly in Berkshire.
To ensure a worthwhile application process, please read through the below criteria before applying to the David Brownlow Charitable Foundation:
• Are you a Registered Charity, Voluntary Organisation, School or Amateur Sports Club?
• Does your organisation support individuals or a community where there is an element of disadvantage?
• We are particularly interested to hear from organisations which are based in Berkshire, UK.
If you fit these criteria, then please feel free to send us a brief outline of your organisation’s work to see if you can apply for a grant from the David Brownlow Charitable Foundation.

https://dbcf.com/who-we-are/
Deadline: The Trustees meet quarterly to consider applications.

The Syder Foundation

Large Grants – The Foundation aims to award around eight grants per year, with a focus on regional charities located in Berkshire and the surrounding counties. Total large grants awarded annually will be between £300,000-400,000 with each grant at around the £50,000 level.
Small Grants – The Foundation sets aside around £100k per year from which small awards may be made, with a focus on regional charities located in Berkshire and specific surrounding counties (see below).
Should you have a project to bring to the Foundation’s attention, applications may be submitted via email (postal applications are accepted if you are unable to access email). Please note that requests for general running costs / core costs (including salaries) are unlikely to be funded. Details on the format for applications are below: please read this web page carefully.
There are no application deadlines; applications are assessed regularly. There is no need to get in touch to ask for the next meeting date.
Applications are accepted from Berkshire, Hampshire, and Wiltshire. Surrey, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire charities may also be supported. National charities are unlikely to be funded.
https://www.syderfoundation.org/
Deadline: Rolling

Wokingham United Charities 

Relief in need Grants are available for charities and community groups in our area of benefit, the Borough of Wokingham. We fund projects that provide innovative, sustainable and preventative solutions to issues in the Borough.

We have a particular interest in supporting charities/projects that break the cycle of poverty and relieve financial hardship with a preventative aspect. This work may include but is not limited to, supporting access to employment and further training, money management and debt advice, mental health and wellbeing.

To be eligible the organisation must: be a UK registered charity, not for profit organisation, a voluntary or community group, a social enterprise or community interest company; Provide evidence that the service/support takes place in our area of benefit or service users are predominantly residents of our area of benefit.

Wokingham United Charities – Home Deadline: Rolling

Mobbs Memorial Trust

Grants are available for charitable causes in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire that are within a 35-mile radius of St Giles Church, Stoke Poges .

The original Managing Trustees were Sir Noel Mobbs and his sons Richard, Eric and Gerald. Subsequent Trustees have included Sir Nigel Mobbs, Michael Mobbs and the current Trustees, Sandra Greenslade (Chair), Charles Mobbs, Christopher Mobbs, Alexander Mobbs and Will Greenslade. 

The Trust would prefer to support the following type of applications: One-off capital projects; Projects for the benefit of the public at large.   http://www.mobbsmemorialtrust.com/application-guidelines/  

Deadline: The Trustees meet quarterly to consider applications.

Englefield Charitable Trust

For more than 50 years the Englefield Charitable Trust has supported a broad range of charities and good causes in and around Berkshire, North Hampshire and other areas of interest to the Englefield Estate.

These have included young people, education, community, the arts, social welfare, conservation, heritage and armed forces veterans. It is an independent body, with its own board of Trustees. It receives many requests for help every year and the Trustees must make the difficult decision of selecting which projects to support.

Capital grants are preferred but revenue grants will be considered. Grants are generally between £500 and £5,000, and commitments are generally on a one-off basis rather than spread over a number of years.

https://www.englefieldestate.co.uk/community/englefield-charitable-trust

Gerald Palmer Eling Trust

The Trustees meet three times a year to consider applications for donations to charities.  Applications are generally considered where they meet all of the following criteria:

• The grant should relate to activities in West Berkshire or neighbouring counties;
• Grants for projects rather than general running costs are favoured;
• Grants should fit into one or more of the following categories: The advancement of the Christian religion and particularly the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches; Medical Research or facilities; Community or Education facilities and provision of support; Social and Welfare support and therapy.

Applications should be made in writing, including a copy of the most recent charity accounts. Send to: The Gerald Palmer Eling Trust, Eling Estate Office, Wellhouse Lane, Hermitage, Newbury, Berkshire, RG18 9UF.

https://www.elingestate.co.uk/charitable-works
  Deadline: Rolling

Shanly Foundation

The main philosophy of Shanly Foundation is to help local good causes. In particular we welcome applicants that are helping to improve the welfare and quality of life of those that are disadvantaged within the community.

Will support registered charities, particularly those that assist the physically and mentally disabled; The elderly and other members of the local communities that may be disadvantaged through no fault of their own; Organisations that help rehabilitate citizens back into local communities; Local sports and social clubs; Outdoor activity centres for young people and several other groups.

We do not make awards to individuals, for research or for core costs. We also do not donate to military charities, single faith charities or animal welfare charities. Finally, we cannot accept your application if your organisation has been in existence for less than 12 months.

In 2021 grants under £1000 represented 7% of the total awards, between £1000 and £10,000 represented 70% and over £10,000 represented 23%.

https://www.shanlyfoundation.com/grants/who-can-apply/

Deadline: Rolling

The Earley Charity

The Earley Charity is one of the largest local grant-making charities in central southern England. Its object is the relief of need among elderly, disabled or poor people living in our area of benefit. The Charity’s terms of reference also make it possible for us to fund community, educational, informational, cultural, sporting, recreational and social initiatives.

The area of benefit of The Earley Charity is limited to Earley (Lower Earley and “old Earley”), the northern part of Shinfield, Winnersh, South Reading (including Whitley), East Reading (including Newtown), central Reading (as far west as the Reading West railway line), Sonning and lower Caversham. The Trustees are only able to consider applications from individuals living in the area of benefit and organisations working within the area.

The Charity makes grants to a wide range of local charitable, voluntary and community organisations working within our area of benefit. Applications should be for one-off non-recurrent funding for a specific purpose. Grants are normally in the range £500-£5,000. Larger grants may be made to organisations which the Trustees know well.

The Earley Charity : About Us Deadline: Rolling

Matthew Good Foundation – Grants for Good, next deadline 15 May 2023

Making a positive difference to communities, people & the environment, Grants for Good is the Foundation’s first fund that invites local charities, voluntary groups, or social enterprises that have an average annual income of less than £50,000 to apply for funding.

Every three months, they will share £10,000 between 5 shortlisted projects that have a positive impact on communities, people, or the environment. John Good Group employees will vote for the five shortlisted projects. These five charities will all receive a share of £10,000 – the more votes a cause receives, the bigger the donation. Following the vote, the project that receives the most votes will receive a grant of  £3,500, second place £2,500, third place £2,000 and fourth and fifth place will both receive £1,000. Further details here. Next deadline 15 May 2023.

Hubbub Community Fridge Grants

Last year the Community Fridge Network redistributed over 16 million meals’ worth of food, but fridges are about even more than sharing good food that would otherwise go to waste. They’re social spaces where anyone can meet their neighbours, learn some new skills or enjoy a community meal.

So far, we’ve supported 64 community fridges to set up food hub activities with thanks to the Rothschild Foundation, Starbucks Foundation and Co-op. Their activities are as varied as the groups themselves and are matched to the needs of local communities. We’ve seen growing workshops, recipe bags, cooking demos mixed with English language classes, budgeting support, and much more.

As well as sharing new skills and building confidence, feedback from groups has shown that food hub activities often have wider benefits too. People of all ages are coming together and connecting. In some cases the food hub activities have also been a way into other community activities like yoga and meetings with local councillors.

Community fridge groups can now apply for grant funds of £7,000 for new activities linked to one of four themes:

1) Skills – to give the community a chance to learn about sustainable, affordable, and heathy living through workshops, events, cookbooks, or how-to-guides.

2) Affordable food - to help increase access to local and affordable food through food cooperatives, food box schemes or food markets.

3) Community connection - to help communities to come together around shared food through community meals, coffee and chats, activities for young people, and recipe sharing.

4) Growing - to support community growing and increase the amount of food grown and shared locally through community gardens, greening projects and seed or plant sharing.   

The funding is available to community fridges that are already open and running. Community fridge groups can apply for funding now.

New funding to expand community fridges into food hubs (hubbub.org.uk) Deadline: Round 1 was launched on the 30th of March 2023. Applications will be accepted until midnight on the 8th of May.

Youth Investment Fund: Refurbishment Grants

Applications close on Friday 12th May. Grants are available to local not-for-profit groups to carry out smaller-scale refurbishments and improvements which will allow them
to expand or improve their youth service provision in England. We have two application routes: one for large, medium and small size buildings, extensions, and renovations over
£150,000 and one for smaller refurbishments below £150,000. Find out more here.

Onward Community Fund

Applications close on Monday 15th May.
Got a great idea for a community project, but need a little help to get it off the ground? The Onward Community Fund aims to support local groups and projects. Underpinned by our mission to make a positive difference in the communities we serve, groups can bid for up to £2,500 for their neighbourhood. Projects should aim to address either work, food, green and/or digital inclusion. For this year’s fund, we are looking for projects that aim to support our people and communities that are facing increased challenges as a direct result of the cost-of-living crisis. Learn more.

Great Western Railway Customer & Community Improvement Fund

Applications close on Thursday 25th May. Grants are available for small and medium not-for-profit projects that have a community benefit or address an area of social need
across the GWR network and can be completed within one year. More info.

Community Business Trade Up Programme

Applications close on Monday 26th June. Do you lead an early-stage organisation which involves local people and meets local needs?
Do you want help and support to grow your organisation’s impact and develop its trading income? The Community Business Trade Up Programme is for early-stage community businesses that are planning to grow their trading. It is a free learning programme, supporting you to develop new skills and get support from other community businesses, plus a Match Trading grant of up to £5,000 which will challenge you to increase your trading. We want to support locally rooted community businesses to become stronger and more sustainable. Find out more.

Aviva Community Fund

The Aviva Community Fund helps local causes build stronger communities across the UK. We believe that by caring more about communities today, we can help them create a better future tomorrow.

And it’s about more than money – we also give causes access to volunteering and professional coaching opportunities, as well as tools and resources to help build their capabilities and achieve long-term sustainable success.

Successful applications will focus on one of our two key funding areas:

• Financial Wellbeing – helping people take control of their wellbeing by giving them the tools to be more financially independent and ready for anything
• Climate Action – promoting healthy, thriving communities by preventing, preparing for and protecting against the impacts of climate change.

All beneficiaries must be in the UK.

Homepage | Aviva Community Fund

Older People Grants

Applications accepted on a rolling basis. In this category we wish to fund preventative and early intervention programmes being delivered at the community level which allow older people to stay in their own homes and remain independent. We are particularly interested in seeking out programmes which show some creativity in improving the quality of life of older people.
Grants are valued up to £7,000. Learn more.

Energy Redress Scheme

Applications close on Thursday 25th May. Grants are available to charities in Great Britain for supporting energy consumers in vulnerable situations. There are also grants available to not-for-profit groups for projects that empower householders to reduce their carbon emissions and engage positively with the transition to net zero and for the development of innovative products/services related to energy. More info.

February Foundation

Applications accepted on a rolling basis. We make grants to a range of charities and charitable activities in accordance with our grant making policy which is set out in our annual report and accounts. We support project or core / capital costs. Please send us the details and budget of the proposed project, how many people would benefit, how those benefits might be measured, what the estimated cost of raising funds for the project is, and the full cost of raising voluntary income. Our median award is £5,000 and we are happy to part-fund projects. Find out more.

From brushing up on your maths skills to improving your IT skills for work, Sleep Matters training or Learn with Lego for parents, we have a range of courses on offer this term.

Some courses are free and those courses that have a cost are free for anyone who is in receipt of Universal Credit (work related), Employment Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, or are on low income and in receipt of Income Support. Please contact us with any queries around costs or eligibility via adulteducation@wokingham.gov.uk.

Apply Here

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Help with your maths

• Online on Zoom 
• Free
• Apply here

During the sessions you will refresh the basic maths skills which are used in everyday life and work including fractions, percentages and ratios. The course will help you assess your current skill level and identify further courses you could attend if you want to improve your maths skills further. Suitable for learners who have not gained a GCSE grade 4/C or above, or Functional Skills level 2. The sessions are part of the Multiply initiative and are free for learners who have lived in the UK for more than 3 years.

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Learn with Lego

• 20 April, Thursday 10am to 12pm, Ambleside Children’s Centre
• Free
• Apply here

Learn how to use Lego with your children for more than building! Explore basic maths and gain confidence in using bricks to help you child count and measure, and explore mathematical problems of symmetry and patterns. This course is aimed at parents / carers of pre-schoolers and infant school aged children as part of the Multiply initiative.

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Introduction to being a Teaching Assistant and Working in Schools

• 20 April to 25 May, Thursdays 12.45pm to 2.45pm, Ambleside Centre, Woodley
• £45 – free to those on jobseeking benefits or a low income
• Apply here

Find out more about different roles available in schools and gain an understanding of how to apply for roles. Explore your own strengths and weaknesses in your transferable skills and build your confidence to apply for roles in schools.

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IT Skills for Work

• 27 April to 25 May, Thursdays 10.15am to 12.45pm, Wokingham Library
• £30 – free to those on jobseeking benefits or a low income
• Apply here

Refresh or learn new IT skills, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint to help you at work or on your job-seeking journey. Learners will practice file management and by the end of the course you will be able to use simple documents, email attachments and feel more confident with their IT skills.

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Excel for Work 

• 27 April to 25 May, Thursdays 2.00pm to 4.00pm, Wokingham Library
• £30 – free to those on jobseeking benefits or a low income
• Apply here

Know how to create everyday formulas. Learn techniques for summarising and sorting data for easier understanding. This course is a progression on from the Excel for Beginners course. 

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Sleep Matters

• 15 May, Monday 9.45am to 2.15pm, Arborfield Green Community Centre
• Free course
• Apply here

This workshop is for parents, carers and practitioners with an interest in sleep difficulties in children and young people with SEND. The session will cover sleep issues, triggers and sleep associations as well as sleep strategies, tips and ideas to best support children/young people or family members. The course will be run by ASD Family Help.

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English for Speakers of Other Languages

• Online on Zoom or classroom based – classes run through the week in different locations and different times
• Free
• Apply here for an assessment

Improve your English in a small, supportive group, with a choice of online or classroom learning. Build your confidence in speaking, writing, reading and listening and explore helpful topics such as health, work and education. We have a number of classes running, and will assess new learner’s current level of English with an easy online assessment tool, before offering a place in an appropriate class. 

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Eligibility

You need to:

Live or work within the Wokingham Borough, or have a child attending a Wokingham school,

• AND be over 19 years old (as of 31st August 2022)
• AND have ordinarily been resident in the UK or EEA for at least 3 years. If you are an EEA National, you need to have obtained either pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

All Ukrainian adults and their family members supported through the Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme are immediately eligible for courses and are exempt from the 3-year residency requirement.

Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa holders in the UK, are eligible to apply for courses without having to be a resident for three years for courses ending before 31/05/23.

There are a number of other exemptions including those for some asylum seekers or refugees. Please email us or call 0778 5314 603 if you wish to discuss any exemptions further.

If you’re parish/town council or local community is holding a celebratory event in Berkshire for your neighbourhood we would LOVE to hear about it so we can help spread the word.

Below are some fantastic community celebratory events that we’re aware of but we’re sure there’s more out there. If you’d like to add yours to the list do get in touch with us at Gemma.Pearce@ccberks.org.uk

West Berkshire

West Ilsley Sunday 7th May – There will be a special service in church to celebrate the accession of King Charles III,
followed by refreshments.
Coronation Village Picnic
Sunday 7th May from 12.30pm
West Ilsley recreation ground
All villagers and guests are invited to attend a BYO picnic on the recreation ground (cricket pitch), from 12.30pm on Sunday 7th May. To encourage a prompt start, a glass of meaningful Pimm’s will be offered to those arriving on time. A long banquet table and chairs will be laid out and a marquee, in case of inclement weather (guaranteed).
An exhibition village cricket game will follow lunch, with the cricket pavilion open throughout, providing further entertainment and merriment into the afternoon.

Aldermaston; The Coronation of King Charles III Aldermaston’s Big Picnic
Everyone is invited to come and celebrate. Come and be part of this special day
Venue: The field at Meadow Brook, Frouds Lane.Date & Time: Sunday 7 May 2023 12 noon – 5pm
Dress like royalty. Bring your picnic, rug, table, chairs and gazebo
Celebration Cake for all to share. Games and Activities

Thatcham

Celebratory tea party at Thatcham Town Cricket Ground on the 7^th of May.

Mortimer Celebrates King Charles III Coronation. The residents of Mortimer, and the surrounding villages, are invited to come together, to watch and celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.

Location And Opening Times; Saturday 06 May, Mortimer Fairground, 10.30am – 11pm
Please note: opening times and running orders are subject to change without warning. All changes will be shown at the Information Tent onsite.

FREE Family Fun Day
Hosted by Mortimer Village Partnership (MVP) and Mortimer Music Live (MML), entrance to the event will be free of charge to all.Family Picnic
Coronation Live Streamed on Big Screens
Children’s Activities including Crown Making
Fun Fair
Street Market
Children’s Fancy Dress Parade
Coronation Cake Decorating Competition
Food Concessions and a Licenced Bar
Evening Live Music and Firework Display

Our Green Pledge
BYOG – Bring Your Own (Plastic) Glasses

This year’s event will have a licenced bar selling wine, beer, cider and prosecco. One of the ways to help keep this celebration a free to attend event, was the decision not to invest in new plastic glasses. Therefore, we need everyone who attends to bring their own (plastic) glasses – BYOG!

Whether you dig out your old pink picnic wear, reuse a plastic glass purchased from a previous event, such as Burghfest, last year’s Jubilee event or even further afield from a festival such as Latitude. Anything goes!

We will have a small supply of unused plastic glasses left over from previous local events which anyone who doesn’t bring their own plastic glasses may be able to use. However, you will be charged slightly more for your drink if we have to use on of our “new” plastic glasses.

Please refrain from bringing any glass containers onto the Fairground for safety reasons.

Purley on Thames

Yattendon: Yattendon Big Coronation LunchJoin them in the village to celebrate the new King! Prizes for the best dressed table or astonishing headgear… you’ve got to be in it to win it! Please see Eugene in the shop for more details

Burghfield; Sunday 7th May from 12pm onwards:

We are celebrating the King’s Coronation with a PICNIC IN THE PARK 

With the King’s Coronation approaching, Burghfield Parish Council are pleased to announce their participation in the ‘Coronation Big Lunch’.

Come along to the Common Rec on Sunday 7th May with your picnic baskets, blankets and wonderful faces to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles with friends, families and neighbours!

Kingsclere: Kingsclere Coronation Party, The Fieldgate Centre, Newbury, 6th May 2023, 3pm – 11pm. Find out more:https://www.kingsclere-pc.org.uk/community/kingsclere-parish-council-5041/coronation/

Big Coronation Party at the Fieldgate Centre, Saturday from 3pm till late
Jubilee Lamp Switch-on, Friday at sunset
Coronation Congas to the Fieldgate Centre party
Downs walk and Big Lunch Picnic, Sunday
St Mary’s Service of Celebration for all, Sunday

Shaw cum Donnington;

Shaw-cum-Donnington Parish Council are organising a community event on Monday 8 May at the Donnington Recreation Ground from noon to 4pm.  Local people are encouraged to bring food to share for a picnic, and there will be a plant stall, vintage cars, Kennet Radio, activities for children, a bouncy castle, the WI cake stall and free tea and coffee.  There is also a children’s competition to draw the king, and the winners will be announced after the National Anthem at 3pm.

Wokingham Borough

Twyford:

Twyford Youth Centre invites you to walk, jog or run and get blasted with colour along your choice of 1km, 2km or 3km (1, 2 or 3 laps of the King George Recreation Ground) on Monday 8th May 2023 to celebrate the Coronation. 

Their Coronation Colour Run is part of ‘The Big Help Out’ providing our young people with a volunteering opportunity to help raise funds for Twyford Youth Centre.

Tickets are £7.50. Register online at tdyc.co.uk

Woodley; Coronation Picnic In The Park. Sunday 7th May – 2.00-5.00pm – Free event. Woodford Park Memorial Ground

Come along and celebrate the Coronation of King Charles 111.  Bring your family, friends, and picnic and join Woodley Council for a free afternoon of fun!  Live Band, Circus Skills, Entertainers.  300 Free Ice Creams – first come first served.

Hurst; Monday 8th May. Coronation Cream Tea. 2:00pm – 4:00pm. St.Nicholas Church
To celebrate the King’s Coronation St Nicholas will be holding a cream tea afternoon in a marquee in the Church grounds. Cream teas, cakes, prosecco and icecreams will be served from 2pm to 4pm. Kids crafts also available to entertain the children whilst you enjoy your tea, scones and fizz! Each cream tea comes with unlimited hot drinks or why not add a little glass of fizz to celebrate the occasion.
https://www.achurchnearyou.com/stnicholashurst/
https://www.facebook.com/events/569831361951950/

Others

Kings Coronation, Milestone Centre, Caversham, 6th May 2023, 11am. Click here for details,

The King’s Coronation/Newbury Spring Festival, St Nicolas Church, Newbury, 6th May 2023, 10am. FREE Event. Click here for details.

The Golden Festival of Food and Music, South Hill Park, Bracknell, 7th at 12 noon – 8th May 2023 6pm. Click here for details.

An initiative between Utility Aid and Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) which has sought to understand and address the energy concerns of England’s 10,000+ village halls has been recognised as an outstanding project where a business has worked with a charity to help its end beneficiaries.

Energy prices have soared over the past year creating significant financial pressures on many organisations, not least the humble village hall. These are buildings run almost entirely by volunteers for the benefit of the local rural community, providing what is often the only space for clubs, events and even local services. But their aged construction and not-for-profit modus operandi left them vulnerable to the energy crisis.

In response to growing concerns, ACRE asked Utility Aid to support a survey of village halls which asked management committees about their use of energy, the impact of rising prices and the support they need to become more energy efficient. Nearly 900 responses were received demonstrating the scale of the challenge with 1 in 10 halls claiming to spend over half of their income on heating and electricity. The information helped ACRE make the case for greater financial support and specialist advice to be made available to village halls whilst Utility Aid made contact with groups that said they would welcome advice managing their energy usage.

The Business Charity Awards 2023, hosted by Third Sector, provides recognition of what this project has achieved. To date, 148 rural community buildings have been supported to move to new energy tariffs giving them greater budgetary certainty. The government has introduced an energy bills discount scheme for non-domestic consumers. And ACRE is now administering a £3 million grant fund for village hall improvements, to which 64% of applications submitted have been concerned with increasing energy efficiency.

Speaking on behalf of Utility Aid, William Campbell, Commercial Director said, “We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award alongside some really big players such as ITV, OVO Partnership, and the John Lewis Partnership. Our ongoing corporate relationship with ACRE has enabled us to reach out and support village halls in a more targeted and informed way. It’s also spurred on new commercial offerings such as our remote Discovery Document Service which is virtually connecting customers with expert in-house assessors who can make recommendations for reducing energy consumption and starting a Net Zero journey.”

Deborah Clarke, ACRE’s Village Halls Manager said, “Working in partnership with Utility Aid has not only increased our capacity to put the energy concerns of village halls on the radar of policymakers, but it has also added value to our Village Halls Advice and Information Service, operated across England by members of the ACRE Network. Helping management committees save energy whilst contributing to Net Zero is one of our top concerns and we will continue doing everything we can as a charity to make this happen.”

‘Helping England’s rural village halls respond to the energy crisis’ is nominated for the award of ‘Best Project’ along with other entrants such as a televised concert held to raise funds for humanitarian relief in Ukraine and a partnership that’s produced online resources to support parents in laying the foundations for a healthy, happy family life. An awards night is being held in London on Wednesday 10 May 2023 to announce the winners.