THE VILLAGE HALL, BELSTONE

The Village Hall, Belstone is a UK registered charity (number 300761) dedicated to maintaining and managing the village hall located in Belstone, Devon. The charity operates the hall for the benefit of the local community, providing a venue for various events and activities, and organizing fundraising events to support the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the facility[1].

Purpose and Activities

The main function of the charity is to preserve the village hall as a community asset. It offers spaces including a main hall, meeting room, bar, and kitchen for hire by local groups and residents. These facilities support a wide range of community activities, such as social gatherings, meetings, and recreational events. The charity actively organizes events within the hall to raise funds necessary for its upkeep and to enhance accessibility and comfort for all users[1][5].

One notable community initiative hosted at the hall is the Thursday Community Cafe, which operates from 10 am until noon, providing a warm and welcoming hub for residents of all ages and abilities. This cafe also supports activities like a Wild Swimming Group, fostering social interaction and community engagement[5].

Governance

The Village Hall is overseen by a committee comprising local residents and representatives from various community groups including the Parish Council, Cricket Club, Parish Church, Greener Belstone group, and the Youth Group. The committee members include:

• Chris Townshend – Chair
• Sally Fullwood – Secretary
• Sharon Cooper – Treasurer
• Theresa Weaver – Parish Council Representative
• Peter Hammond – Cricket Club Representative
• Jo Currie – Parish Church Representative
• Deborah Hosegood – Greener Belstone Representative
• Hugh Langworthy – Youth Group Representative
• Additional members: Peter Grubb, Rona Gundry (President), Tina Partridge, Arancha Louro Lopez, Robin Hill, and Kevin Vogan[2].

Facilities and Charges

The hall provides various rooms available for hire with structured charges:

Recent Developments

In 2023, the Village Hall received donations aimed at improving accessibility and comfort, including the installation of new heating panels. These enhancements contribute to making the hall a warm and safe environment, particularly during community events like the Thursday Cafe, which is valued by residents for fostering social connections[5].

Funding

The charity raises funds through hall hire fees and community events. Additionally, it benefits from external funding sources such as donations and support from fundraising initiatives. For example, players of the People’s Postcode Lottery contribute indirectly to the hall’s funding, as a portion of ticket proceeds supports local charities and good causes including community facilities like the Village Hall[5].

In summary, The Village Hall, Belstone operates as a charitable organization focused on maintaining a vital community resource, enabling social cohesion, and supporting a diverse range of local activities in Belstone village.

This article is based on information from the Charity Commission of England and Wales, and community sources related to The Village Hall, Belstone.

[1] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=300761&subId=0 [2] https://belstonevillage.net/village-hall/ [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/300761/contact-information [4] https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/the-village-hall-belstone-142836 [5] https://www.okehampton-today.co.uk/news/belstone-village-hall-receives-donation-to-improve-hall-accessibility-599892