Norfolk's village halls are struggling due to rules and regulations and lack of cash, the chairman of the county's village hall association says. The Norfolk Association of Village Halls is 25 years old this year and due to hold its annual conference on March 14.
Bill Barker, chairman of the Norfolk Association of Village Halls fears a lot of
halls are struggling due to rules and regulations and lack of cash.
The Norfolk Association of Village Halls is 25 years old this year and due to hold its annual conference on March 14.
'Finance is the main problem and it is affecting everyone, ' he said. 'There are very few grants and those there are are difficult to apply for. The rules and regulations coming in are a bit of a worry as well.'
The disability discrimination act meant many halls had to spend reserves on upgrading access and toilet facilities.
Meeting health and safety regulations was now a big worry, he said.
He said the days of building a hall with a couple of five-gallon drums with a board across and volunteer labour were gone.
The annual conference of the NAVH is at the Copeman Centre in Briston on Saturday, March 14.
It starts at 10am and will be followed by the annual general meeting after lunch.
*Contact 01953 860369 for more information.
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