Village hall

A village hall is a public building in a rural or suburban community which functions as a community centre without a religious affiliation.

In the United Kingdom, a village hall is a building which is owned by a local government council or independent trustees, and is run for the benefit of the local community. It is estimated that there are over 10,000 such village halls.^[1] Most were built in the first decade after World War I (1919-1929) as part of a programme led by the newly-formed National Council of Social Service.^[2]

Such a hall is typically used for a variety of public and private functions, such as:

• Parish council meetings
• Polling station for local and national elections
• Sports and exercise groups - badminton is typical
• Local drama productions
• Dances
• Jumble sales
• Private parties such as birthdays or wedding receptions

Village halls are generally run by committees, and if not already part of a local government body such as a parish council, then such committees are eligible for charitable status.^[3] They may have other names such as a Village Institute or Memorial Hall. In some localities a church hall or community centre provides similar functions.

Typically the hall will contain at least one large room, which may have a stage at one end for drama productions. There is often a kitchen for preparing food and toilets to one side. Larger halls may incorporate further smaller rooms to allow multiple simultaneous activities.^[4]

The word neuadd (IPA: /'neiæð/) is used to refer to village halls in Welsh-speaking parts of Wales, as in Neuadd Dyfi, the village hall in Aberdyfi.^[5]

In the United States, a village hall is the seat of government for villages. It functions much as a town hall or city hall.

• Church hall
• Community centre
• Function hall
• Local community
• Meeting house
• Moot hall
• Village Hall (TV series)

Action for village halls in England