All Dorset Halls Newsletter

Having reached agreement with DCA over the terms of my departure today is my last day as Village Halls Adviser and I will shortly leave the post for others to take up looking after the support needs of the village halls of Dorset.

 I am delighted to announce that we have been able to award three more Hallmark certificates to village halls in Dorset. They are:

• St Leonards and St Ives Village Hall
• Lytchett Matraavers Village Hall
• Durweston Village Hall

All three were able to demonstrate that they are well run and truly deserving of the award. They join Leigh and West Moors in Dorset's 'Halls of Fame!'.

We have some more in the pipeline which I hope will increase the tally further. Have you considered Hallmark yet?

A reminder: Places must be booked before the 4th March 2011 so time is running out!

Dorford Centre, Dorchester, Friday 11 March 10.00 - 16.30 (registration 9.45) 

Dorford Centre, Dorchester, Friday 11 March 10.00 - 16.30 (registration 9.45) 

A FREE

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I suspect that the government spending review and the reduction in grants to local councils and other statutory bodies has not escaped your notice! It has been big news for some time now.

Tuesday 30th November 2010 - Frampton Village Hall

Our next BiteSize event is focusing on an issue that is having an increasing impact on halls; the cost of energy, primarily electricity costs. This is going to become even more pressing as British Gas announce 7% price increases for both gas and electricity for next year and other providers will surely have to follow.

What can you do about this?

Sadly, the annual capital grants programme that DCA has administered for Dorset County Council is being discontinued from the end of this financial year as part of the £48.5m of necessary savings the county have to make in the light of the public funding deficit. It is likely that West Dorset may follow, we have not heard anything from North Dorset.

How can we reduce energy costs?

Tuesday 30th November 2010 Frampton Village Hall

The BIG Lottery Fund is investing an additional £75 million specifically for rural and urban community-use buildings through its flagship programme, Reaching Communities.