65 representatives from a range of Suffolk’s venues attended Community Action Suffolk’s Village Halls and Community Buildings conference on 2 November 2017 at the Blackbourne Centre, Elmswell.
It was the perfect opportunity to network, attend practical workshops and listen to informative key note speakers. Delegates heard from keynote speakers including Deborah Clarke (Rural Evidence Manager at ACRE), Liz Brownsell (Senior Associate Charities and Social Enterprise at Birketts) and members of The Hub, telling the story of converting a run-down WWI hut into a modern, community-led village hall.
The conference also provided delegates with the opportunity to discuss their specific needs with professional trades and services:
- Suffolk Community Foundation
- Mid Suffolk & Babergh District Councils
- Suffolk Pro Help
- Quick Test
- HAGS
- Tensor PLC
- Realise Futures
- Roger Hyde Flooring
Jon Eaton, CAS’s VCSE Localities Team Leader, said:
“Thank you to all involved in the planning, preparation and delivery of the Suffolk Village Halls & Community Buildings Conference. Early feedback has been positive and there is genuine interest to set up a Suffolk based focus group from network representatives to assist in the annual conference delivery at suitable Community Buildings within Suffolk.”
Attendees agreed that the conference was beneficial:
“The event was well worth attending, early discussions with one of the market place contractors could potentially save our hall significant money.”
“The information available today has been fantastic. The funding and governance support has given us so many positive actions to take back to our committee”
View photos from the conference here.
You may be interested in: Discounted “Electrical Safety Testing” course for village halls: 30 November 2017