Four Cambridgeshire Village Halls Achieve National Hallmark Quality Standard
Village hall volunteers across Cambridgeshire recognised for strong governance and community leadership
Four village halls across Cambridgeshire have achieved or renewed the nationally recognised Hallmark 1 Quality Standard during March and April, recognising the commitment of local volunteers to strong governance, sustainability and community leadership.
Gorefield Community Hall (Fenland), Colne Village Hall (Huntingdonshire), Fordham Victoria Hall (East Cambridgeshire) and West Wratting Village Hall (South Cambridgeshire) have each successfully completed the Hallmark process, with certificates presented during May through the scheme delivered locally by Cambridgeshire ACRE.
The Hallmark scheme supports village halls and community buildings to demonstrate good practice in governance, finance, health and safety and day-to-day management, helping trustees run safe, welcoming and sustainable community spaces.
Together, these achievements highlight the important role volunteers continue to play in maintaining community buildings at the heart of village life. Behind each award is a committee giving significant time and expertise to manage finances, meet legal responsibilities and ensure their hall remains open and accessible for local people.
At Gorefield Community Hall, trustees successfully retained the Hallmark 1 standard and achieved full compliance across all requirements, demonstrating strong governance and financial management.
Colne Village Hall achieved the award following continued investment in the building, including energy-efficient heating, upgraded lighting and refurbishment work to improve the space for community use.
At Fordham Victoria Hall, trustees were recognised for the practical steps they have taken to strengthen governance and secure the long-term future of the hall through ongoing improvements and successful fundraising.
Meanwhile, West Wratting Village Hall was recognised for continuing a strong tradition of volunteer stewardship and maintaining its important role within the local community.
Hayley Neal, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire ACRE, said:
“These achievements show the real strength of village halls across Cambridgeshire. Volunteers are doing an outstanding job, often behind the scenes, to make sure their halls are well run, inclusive and ready to meet the needs of their communities.
“The Hallmark scheme recognises good practice and strong governance, but it is also a way of celebrating the people who make this possible. Village halls continue to play a vital role in rural communities and these awards reflect the dedication and care local trustees put into keeping these important spaces thriving.”
Trustees involved in the scheme spoke positively about the process, describing Hallmark as an opportunity to step back, review how their charity is managed and build confidence for the future. Several halls highlighted the pride volunteers feel in maintaining welcoming spaces that continue to support a wide range of activities and events for their communities.
A spokesperson for Fordham Victoria Hall trustees said:
“This has been a really positive process for our committee. Hallmark gave us the chance to step back and look at how we run the hall, and to make administrative improvements where needed.
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together over the past year. The support from Cambridgeshire ACRE has been invaluable, helping us build confidence and make sure we are managing the hall in the best possible way for our community.”
Cambridgeshire ACRE supports village halls across the county through advice, training and quality standards such as Hallmark, helping trustees feel confident in managing their buildings and sustaining them for future generations.
