The Village Hall Advisory Service(VHAS) assists village hall committees throughout Wiltshire and Swindon by providing a comprehensive information, advice and support service.

The service provides advice on charitable status and legal requirements, committee procedures and village hall management, financial planning and fund raising, design, layout and usage of village halls. It also provides an insurance scheme for member village halls and playing fields.

Click here for further information on the Village Hall Insurance Scheme.

The Village Hall Adviser administers the County Village Hall Grant Scheme on behalf of Wiltshire Council, advising on the need for schemes and evaluates and co-ordinates the applications. 

Grants are available for major capital projects, to help with the purchase of sites and buildings, expenditure on new buildings, improvements and extensions, the initial purchase of equipment and furniture and relevant professional fees. A major capital project is one costing more than £5,000.

Examples of recent successful projects include:

• The New Hall at Enford
• New entrance hall, heating system etc at Bishopstone.

The VHAS also supports the development of The Wiltshire Village Halls Association which exists to promote village halls throughout Wiltshire and Swindon.

Through newsletters, conferences, training events and the Best Cared For and Managed Village Hall Competition, the Association provides the opportunity to meet members of halls throughout the county and;

• provides a platform for all members of village hall committees on which they can develop and maintain co-operation between themselves, funding bodies, statutory organisations and other agencies.
• facilitates the exchange of ideas and views enabling members to share common interests and present a common view to other agencies. 
• encourages good practice of village hall management by providing advice and support.
  
  Follow this link to download the end of year progress report - October 2009. (PDF File - 300kb)