Success for Berkshire Village Halls: Funding Secured for Community Improvements

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We are delighted to announce that three Berkshire village halls have been awarded grants from the Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund.

The successful halls are:

Bradfield Village Hall
Midgham Village Hall
Arborfield Village Hall


These grants will be used to make much-needed improvements to the halls, helping to ensure they remain warm, accessible, and well-equipped spaces for their communities.

Kate Meads, Community Buildings Advisor at CCB, said:
“We’re delighted to be supporting Village Hall Charities in enhancing these valuable community assets. Thanks to this funding, the halls will be more comfortable, easier to access, and better suited to the needs of local residents.”

The Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund is distributed by DEFRA through ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England), and aims to support the long-term sustainability of rural community buildings.

Trustee Reactions
The news has been met with enthusiasm and gratitude from the halls’ trustees:

“Woohoo!! We’re over the moon. Thank you SO much for the big part you played in this. We’ll invite you to our Open Day (tentatively early November).” – Eva

“The level of detail in the feedback we received was truly impressive. Your support and expertise are much appreciated.” – Nigel

“A huge thank you for the support, advice, and guidance you provided while we were putting the grant application together. A great example of teamwork—and as we all know, teamwork makes the dream work!” – Jon

“Thank you both for all your help. Looking forward to seeing the work done!” – Paul

CCB looks forward to seeing the transformation of these halls and sharing updates as the improvement works progress.

For more information about the Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund click here.

Ways to celebrate 80th anniversary of VE Day in Berkshire

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VE Day 80: Celebrating Peace and Remembering Sacrifice Across Berkshire

Thursday 8 May 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day – a significant moment in our nation’s history. This anniversary offers us the opportunity to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served and endured during the Second World War, and to reflect on the peace that followed.

Communities across Berkshire are holding commemorative events throughout early May to mark the occasion. From military flypasts and family-friendly picnics to beacon lighting ceremonies and historical performances, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

Key Events Across Berkshire

Military Flypast – Monday 5 May
A major military flypast will take place on Bank Holiday Monday, with aircraft flying over parts of Berkshire including Reading, Bracknell, Windsor, Slough, and Maidenhead, as part of a national route towards Buckingham Palace.

Family Picnic and Trail at Shaw House – Sunday 11 May
Time: 11am–3pm | Free entry, no booking required
Families can enjoy a special VE Day-themed trail, where children collect a ration card and search for clues to earn free sweet rations. There will also be craft activities, access to the historic house and exhibitions, and a display highlighting Shaw House’s role during WWII. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic, and the café will be open for light refreshments.
Location: Shaw House, Newbury

Finchampstead VE Day Celebration – Thursday 8 May
Time: 7pm–9pm | Free, no booking required
St James Church will host an evening of celebration, featuring live music, the lighting of a beacon, celebration cake and bubbly. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic.
Location: St James Church, Church Lane, Finchampstead, RG40 4LU

Wokingham Town Hall – Thursday 8 May
Time: 10.30am–2pm
Join the Wokingham Poppy Appeal, Barkham Hookers, and Elusive Brewing at Market Place for a community celebration, including military vehicles, crafts, and poppy displays. At 11am, the Town Mayor will lay a commemorative wreath inside the Town Hall.

VE Day at Riseley – Saturday 10 May
Time: 12 noon–6pm | Free entry
A vibrant day of celebration including live music, face painting, a tug-of-war, craft stalls, a barbecue, tombola, and a cake competition. Bring your own picnic, gazebo and seating.
Location: Riseley Recreation Ground

Foxley Fields, Binfield – Thursday 8 May
A full day of commemorative activities will include:

  • 9am: Flag raising
  • 6.30pm: Military parade
  • Evening: Garden games, food and drink, live music
  • 9.30pm: Lighting of the beacon

Bracknell Library Events

  • Saturday 10 May, 10am–11.30am: Free eco-craft event for children
  • Monday 12 May, 10.30am–11.30am: Historian Ray Smith presents “Glenn Miller and the Role of Music in WWII”

West Berkshire Museum & New Era Players Performances
Performances at West Berkshire Museum on 7 and 8 May will include wartime songs, stories, and anecdotes. The shows will also be staged at New Era Theatre on 9 and 10 May.

Newbury VE Day Celebrations – Thursday 8 May

  • 11am: Service at the War Memorial
  • Midday: Celebratory lunch (booking required)
  • Evening: Beacon lighting at Victoria Park

We encourage residents to attend these events and take part in remembering a pivotal moment in history, while celebrating the strength and resilience of our communities.

Village and Community Halls: Your Essential Guide to Building Surveys

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Volunteers managing over 10,000 rural community halls across England are now receiving expert guidance to help them commission the right type of building survey.

This valuable resource was developed by ACTion with Communities in Cumbria, who, through their work with rural halls across the region, discovered a gap in knowledge among funders, surveyors, and village hall committees. There was often confusion around the specifics of what’s required when commissioning and carrying out surveys on village halls and similar community spaces.

The guide has been expertly crafted by Ben Stagg, Director of Stagg Architects, who also authored ACRE’s Net Zero Design Guide in 2024.

The comprehensive guidance takes hall committees step-by-step through the process of obtaining a building survey, explaining the various types of surveys available, and offering advice on how to engage with a surveyor. A dedicated section for surveyors provides useful insights that committees can share when commissioning their own surveys. There’s also an in-depth chapter focusing on energy surveys, ensuring your hall can be both sustainable and efficient.

Why Surveys Matter

Surveys play a crucial role in maintaining the condition of your hall and ensuring that any alterations or improvements are both appropriate and beneficial. They not only provide an accurate description of the current state of the building but also help identify areas for improvement and assess potential recommendations for future work.

Julie Minns, Member of Parliament for Carlisle and North Cumbria, commented:

“This guide is absolutely invaluable. Community buildings are essential hubs for local people across the country, and particularly so in rural areas where isolation—both social and geographical—can be a significant challenge. The diverse range of activities taking place in community centres across North Cumbria demonstrates just how crucial resources like this guide from ACRE are.”

Support from the National Lottery Community Fund

The guide has been made possible thanks to the support of the National Lottery Community Fund, through their Northumberland, Durham and Cumbria Community Places initiative. The Fund has long been committed to supporting projects that enhance local community spaces.

The National Lottery Community Fund provides grants to hundreds of village halls each year. Duncan Nicholson, Regional Head of Funding for the North East and Cumbria, said:

“Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, we’re able to support the vital and innovative work carried out by projects like this. Communities across Northumberland, Durham, and Cumbria will continue to benefit from well-maintained, accessible community venues that are not only fit for purpose today, but are also safeguarded for future generations.”

Download the Guide

To access the full guide, click here.