Local communities to come together to celebrate Village Halls Week 2026
Village halls across Devon will open their doors and share stories and experiences next week as part of a week-long programme of national events that aim to shine a light on the enormous positive impact that community buildings have on the lives of people living in rural areas.
The seven-day celebration in Devon, which comes as countless other local communities up and down the country join forces to mark Village Halls Week 2026, will see residents get together for a joyous week of socialising, fundraising and awareness-building.
Now in its eighth year, Village Halls Week is the flagship campaign of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), which is the only national charity that works to enhance the lives of people living and working outside of big towns and cities.
The 2026 instalment, which runs from Monday 16 to Sunday 22 March, is set to focus on health and wellbeing, and the pivotal role that community buildings, such as those in Devon play in helping rural communities connect to the people and services that make a real difference to everyday life.
Deborah Clarke, Rural Evidence and Village Halls Manager at ACRE, said: “Village Halls Week has been a permanent fixture on our country’s rural calendar for eight years now, and we’re certain that 2026 is going to be the biggest and best celebration yet.
“Every year, hundreds – if not, thousands – of community groups from right across England pull out all the stops to stage a week of fun-filled events, and it’s humbling to see that residents in Devon have stepped up to the challenge yet again.
“Village Halls Week is all about bringing rural communities together, and it’s this sense of connection and togetherness that we aim to celebrate across the seven days, as we know that spending time with others, even just for 10 minutes over a cup of tea, can have significant benefits to a person’s overall physical and mental health.”
All events for Village Halls Week 2026 have been planned to align with the five steps to wellbeing – connecting, being active, taking notice, giving and continuing to learn, all of which have been recommended and approved by experts within the NHS.
Some of the Village Halls across Devon that will be promoting what they do during Village Halls Week include:
- Poughill Village Hall
- West Down Parish Hall
- Membury Village Hall
- Umborne Village Hall
- Sheepwash Village Hall
Julie Matthews, Project Manager at Devon Communities Together said: “We are delighted to be celebrating Village Halls Week once again.
“This annual fixture, which is looked forward to by so many across our area, has the power and ability to unite and reunite, and we know that when communities are connected, people feel happier, healthier and much more engaged.
“While many may view village halls as an unassuming part of the fabric of rural life, we see the buildings as much more than just bricks and mortar, but as true community spaces that support and enrich people at every stage of their lives.”
Sponsorship for this year’s Village Halls Week has been generously supplied by Utility Aid, which provides energy help and advice to communities up and down the country, as well as Hallmaster, whose innovative venue booking system enables teams working in rural buildings to easily manage their calendars of events.
Further details about the halls taking part in Devon can be viewed during the week on Devon Communities Together’s Facebook and Instagram channels, while more information on ACRE is available at www.acre.org.uk
