Benenden Village Hall is an asset of the Benenden Village Trust (Registered Charity 1176351) and welcomes support and sponsorship from individuals and companies to help keep the hall an important part of daily life in the village.
We are a busy village hall and despite being a popular local venue for regular clubs, classes, events and parties with activities at the hall every day, the high running costs make the premises increasingly difficult to maintain, undertake repairs, and invest in improving the facilities for our hirers and users of the hall. The income from hire charges sadly does not cover the cost of running the hall.
Benenden Village Hall was officially opened in December 1977 and many of the fixture & fittings now need updating or replacement.
Recent projects that have been undertaken have included:
- Essential electrical work (February 2024).
- A new gas boiler for the heating in the main hall (September 2024).
- The addition of LED ambient lighting strips in the main hall (January 2025).
- New tablecloths (March 2025).
- Plumbing repairs (July 2025).
- Additional electrical sockets on main hall balcony (August 2025).
- Upgrading of external lighting to PIR LED Floodlights (September 2025).
- Roofing Repairs (October 2025).
- Improving Wi-Fi coverage throughtt the building (October 2025).
- Repairs to potholes in the car park (January 2026).
- Upgrading of internal lighting to LED lights with additional sensors and dimmer switches (April 2026).
- Repairs to leaking windows (April 2026).
- Improved backstage lighting (May 2026).
Our Sponsors
- Benenden Parish Council have helped with funding for the new heating boiler and the upgrading of our internal lighting.
- Benenden Players have helped with some of the repairs at the hall.
- South East Water have kindly updated the flushing system in one of the toilets as part of their water efficiency programme.
- Hole Park kindly supports the hall with the donation of a large Christmas tree each year.
- Local individuals have supported us with donations and sponsorship of some of the above projects.
Future Projects
A new working group has been established by Benenden Village Trust with a group of trustees looking at issues with the car park and parking at Benenden Village Hall. It is hoped that funding can be sought for new signage and resurfacing of the car park.
Other projects under consideration include:
- Replacement of the Velux windows & blinds in the main hall.
- Replacement of glazing in the small hall / meeting room.
- Replacement of glazing in the communal kitchen.
- Upgrading of the hall’s sound system.
- Provision of a water cooler in the communal lobby / foyer.
- New noticeboards in the communal lobby / foyer.
- New external community noticeboard.
- Improved CCTV & security.
- Painting & decorating.
Suggestions
Please let us know if you have any suggestions for fundraising or improvements to Benenden Village Hall, its facilities or equipment.
Funding
Benenden Village Trust has hosted several film nights at the hall which have been well supported. These have included ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ in December 2025, ‘The Italian Job’ in April 2025 and ‘Cassablanca’ in November 2024. These events have been well supported and helped raise much-needed funds.
Benenden Village Trust will be seeking external funding and grants for some of the above projects but opportunities are limited and success is not guaranteed.
If you, or your company, would like to support us with a donation, or sponsor one of our future projects, it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact the hall manager, John Betts, to discuss how you can help.
