The heart of rural life: celebrating Village Halls Week

The heart of rural life: celebrating Village Halls Week

It was a privilege to speak at this year's Village Halls Week event — and the conversations we had reinforced just how vital these spaces are to communities across Lancashire and Fylde.

10,000+ village halls across England

80% of Lancashire's land is rural

Volunteer-run: the majority are charity-managed

Village halls are one of the largest networks of community-owned buildings in England. The majority are run by volunteer committees and local charities — a quiet, extraordinary act of civic commitment happening week in, week out across the country.

These spaces do far more than host events. They tackle loneliness and social isolation, support health and wellbeing groups, provide activities for young people, and give communities a place to make decisions about their own futures.

Why this matters more in rural Lancashire

With around 80% of Lancashire's land classified as rural, community buildings here aren't simply convenient — they are often the only local hub available. Where services and transport links are limited, a village hall or community centre can be the thread that holds a community together.

"The thing that really stayed with me from the conversation was how much people value these spaces — and how urgently we need to protect and invest in them."

What this means for Fylde

Here in Fylde, we are fortunate to have a rich network of community centres, libraries and day centres. Through our work with Reform, we are actively looking at how to invest in, improve and future-proof these spaces — ensuring they remain fit for purpose and accessible to everyone who relies on them.

Supporting strong, resilient communities is a priority for Lancashire County Council. That means working alongside parish and town councils, empowering local volunteers, and joining up services so that support reaches people where they already are.

A thank you to volunteers

Village Halls Week is also an opportunity to recognise the people who make all of this possible. If you give your time to help run a community space — a village hall, a community centre, a local hub — thank you. What you do genuinely matters, and it does not go unnoticed.