Village Halls – The Heart of Rural Communities

Village halls have been at the heart of rural life for over a century, playing a vital role in helping the people of Britain rebuild their lives and creating a sense of social cohesion following the First World War. Rural communities, where the population was already significantly lower than other areas prior to the war, felt the loss of lives much more keenly than others. Some of the first village halls were created as a War Memorial to honour those who had lost their lives; however, they soon became an integral part of village life bringing communities together as they recovered from devastating losses.

In World War Two, village halls played a crucial role in creating a sense of joy during an uncertain time by regularly holding dances and hosting a variety of community events for families living in rural villages. These community hubs also served as headquarters to the local Home Guard and as emergency first aid points. Some village halls even served as shelters for over 338,000 soldiers who were evacuated from Dunkirk between 26th May 1940 and 4th June 1940.

Today, village halls act in a variety of ways hosting; toddler groups, coffee mornings, charity events, youth clubs and even wedding parties. With limited public transport to some rural areas, village halls can help residents access things such as MP Surgeries and outreach services without the need to make long trips into larger towns. Most village halls are run entirely by volunteers who manage all key areas such as bookings, insurance and cosmetic upkeep.

As time has gone on, village halls have continued to adapt so that they can continue to serve their community in the modern world. Wessex Internet are proud to provide Village Halls with fast fibre broadband for just £1 a month so that their important work can continue for many years to come.