£250,000 Grant Secured for Yorkshire Dales Hub
The Upper Wharfedale Community Hall has secured funding to add a new kitchen and accessible toilet — meaning more weddings, more coffee mornings, and yes, more cake.
12 June 2024
News & Updates from Village Community Hubs
What's happening across England's rural communities? From village hall renovations to parish pub takeovers — we bring you the stories that matter. (And yes, there's always cake involved.)
Latest Updates
1,247 hubs. 98.3% satisfaction. Zero corporate jargon. Here's what's new in the world of rural community ownership.
We don't do press releases — we do real stories about real people making real differences in their communities. (Though we'll admit to the occasional pun about "raising the roof" when a new hall opens.)
Parish Pub Saved in Somerset
When The King's Head in Wedmore faced closure, 247 locals chipped in to buy it. Now it's serving pints and profits back to the community. (The profits part is new.)
5 June 2024
New Arts Programme for Rural Youth
Our pilot programme in Devon has brought drama, music, and circus skills to 14 villages — proving that rural doesn't mean remote from culture.
28 May 2024
Success Stories
From near-derelict buildings to thriving community assets — these are the stories that keep us going. (And occasionally make us cry happy tears.)
Every hub has a story. Some involve decades of fundraising. Others feature dramatic last-minute rescues. All involve people who refused to let their community lose its heart.
The Hall That Wouldn't Die
When the roof collapsed at St Mary's Village Hall, most people wrote it off. But not the locals of Little Baddow. Three years, 17 grant applications, and 4,287 volunteer hours later — they reopened with a ceilidh that lasted till dawn.
"We didn't save a building. We saved our village." — Margaret, 78, committee chair
The Pub That Came Back from the Dead
The Red Lion in Great Totham had been closed for 18 months when the parish council stepped in. They raised £320,000 in six weeks — including £50,000 from a single anonymous donor. (Rumour has it it was the local farmer who'd been driving to the next village for his Sunday roast.)
Now serving: 12 local ales, 3 community groups, and endless hope
1,247
Active hubs supported
£12.8m
Funding secured for communities
98.3%
Community satisfaction rate
42,000
Volunteer hours last year
Upcoming Events
From workshops to webinars — here's where you can meet us, learn from us, or just have a good chat. (We always bring biscuits.)
Community Ownership Workshop
Learn how to take over your local pub, shop, or hall. We'll cover funding, governance, and how to convince your neighbours that yes, this is actually possible.
15 July 2024 | Online | Free
Register nowRural Social Infrastructure Conference
Two days of talks, workshops, and networking for anyone passionate about rural communities. (Warning: may contain excessive enthusiasm for village halls.)
3-4 September 2024 | Birmingham | £45
Book ticketsOpen Hub Tour: Devon
Visit three community-owned hubs in one day. See how they did it, ask all your questions, and enjoy some very local cream teas.
22 August 2024 | Devon | £15
Join the tourFunding Webinar: Top Tips
Our funding expert shares the secrets to successful grant applications. (Spoiler: it's not about the forms — it's about the story.)
5 September 2024 | Online | Free
Save your spotNewsletter: The Rural Roundup
Monthly stories, funding opportunities, and the occasional rant about rural broadband. (We said occasional. It's more like monthly.)
No spam. No jargon. Just real stories about real communities doing extraordinary things. (And yes, we'll tell you when the next funding deadline is.)
Ready to make your mark?
Whether you're saving a pub, renovating a hall, or just want to get involved — we're here to help. (And we promise not to use the word "empower.")
Every community hub started with someone saying "what if?" What if we could save this place? What if we could make it better? What if we could bring our village back to life?
Your "what if" moment is waiting.