Charity No 12900029

We have the pleasure of announcing that Ridgewood Hall in Uckfield have just passed their Level One Hallmark Award. We are really proud of the management committee, chaired by Karen Bedwell, who have worked really hard getting their paper work in order to ensure that they are compliant and meet these standards.

Pleased with the result, Karen commented "The Hallmark Level 1 award has allowed our Management Committee to consolidate and organise the legal paperwork required to run a village hall in the 21st Century and show hall users and fund raisers that we a committed in making the Village hall as important in our community today as it has been in the past".

We look forward to presenting the committee with their certificate very soon. Thank you to our volunteer assessors, Alan West from Ringmer Village Hall and Duncan Sanders from Groombridge Village Hall for giving up their time.

Hallmark is a Quality Assurance scheme specifically designed for Village Halls which provides 3 levels of award, each Hall may be rated from Level 1 to Level 3.

The scheme seeks to:

1. Reward and establish good practice

2. Encourage improvement in established customs and procedures

3. Gain recognition for obtaining good standards in the management of your hall

The Hallmark process

Halls wishing to apply are provided with a checklist and when they feel that they meet the requirements of the scheme they can apply to have peer assessor(s) visit the hall and provide an advisory report against the standards set out for the proposed Level of award.

The Hallmark Certificate is valid for 3 years. Some insurers now provide a discount on premiums to halls that hold Hallmark in recognition of good practice.

How to apply

To apply to join the Hallmark process, applicants must complete the application form located here. Once completed, please return it to villagehalls@ruralsussex.org.uk

A charge is made to cover administration costs, currently £75 for each of the levels being assessed + travel for the assessors + VAT.

If you have any questions regarding the process then please contact us on villagehalls@ruralsussex.org.uk