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A First for Winston Village Hall

18/01/2012

Winston Village Hall has become the first Village Hall in Teesdale, and only the third in County Durham, to achieve the Hallmark 1 Quality Standard.

‘Hallmark’ is a nationally recognised quality standard that Village Hall Management Committees can use to ensure that they are managing their hall effectively, in accordance with charitable status requirements; and that they are providing the best possible venue and facilities for the local community. 

Over the past few months the Winston Village Hall management committee have been working with Durham Rural Community Council (DRCC) to ensure that they had the right management policies and processes in place and perhaps the most challenging requirement was liaising with the Charity Commission to bring their original 1954 Trust Deed and constitution up to date.

Assessors from DRCC visited the hall in December 2011 and were impressed by the arrangements that are in place for the management of the hall and the quality of the facilities that are available.

The management committee members were thrilled when it was confirmed just before Christmas that they had reached the Hallmark 1 standard.  They are now working towards achieving Hallmark 2 which involves ensuring that all the legal and licensing requirements for a Village Hall are in place and that they are operating effectively. 

For more information about Winston Village Hall’s experience and approach please contact the Hall Secretary Annie Dolphin on 01325 730912, annie@thedolphin.me.uk.

For more information about Hallmark and the support that’s available in reaching the quality standard please contact Helen Brown, Durham Rural Community Council, on 01207 529621, Helen.Brown@durhamrcc.org.uk.