Louise Beaton returns to discuss her new book “Halls for All,” co-authored with David Clark, chronicling the 500-year evolution of village halls from exclusive reading rooms to vital community hubs.
• Village halls evolved from reading rooms and mechanics institutes that often excluded women until after WWI
• Women’s Institutes became a driving force for more inclusive community spaces after the First World War
• Sir Henry Roo played a pivotal role in the 1920s, working with government to repurpose army huts as memorial halls
• COVID created challenges for some halls as organizations disbanded, but opportunities for others through community cafes and pop-up pubs
• Three key lessons for the future: continued need for ACRE advisory services, importance of long-term capital funding, and better regulatory frameworks
• Village halls collectively contribute approximately £178 million annually to the rural economy
• The book features remarkable stories of determination, including halls that fought government for rebuilding during WWII
• HRH Princess Royal contributed the foreword, recognising volunteers who often go unacknowledged
The book “Halls for All” is published on March 15th, available from all good bookshops (£16.99) or directly from Amberley Publishers (£15.29 plus postage). Some ACRE Network members will be selling copies at county events during National Village Halls Week.
