Beyond The Noticeboard

Some days at Great Wood Community Hall remind me what care really looks like in a community space. It isn’t the poster on the door, it’s the quiet work that keeps an old village hall feeling loved and ready. Our building was opened in 1855, so refurbishment is a constant companion. The stone needs patience and specialists. The ceilings are high enough to make you think twice before you fetch the l...

In this Village Hall Life video I share how donations and re-use work at Great Wood Community Hall and why they matter. There are no set prices; people give what they can and everything raised goes back into running a large village hall. We also collect “too good to go” items from local recycling centres so useful things get a second life, and we’re setting up a small Share Shed so residents can b...

In this Village Hall Life episode I share what really happens behind a single booking when a hall runs more than one space at once. At Great Wood Community Hall in Upper Tean we can hire the Main Hall, Meeting Room and Function Room at the same time. It looks simple on paper. In practice it takes clear roles and simple systems. Enquiries arrive by online form, mobile and Facebook Messenger. Our ca...

A straightforward look at how a busy village hall really runs: full rooms, unseen routines and the mix of costs, care and coordination that keep the doors open at Great Wood Community Hall. Honest, practical and people focused.

A short welcome to Village Hall Life. I set out what the series will cover and why, from the unseen tasks behind a busy village hall to the small, steady steps that keep doors open for the community.

Not all parish council work is visible, in fact, much of it happens quietly in the background. In this final episode of the A–Z of Parish Councils, I explain what “zero visibility” really means. From preparing risk assessments and writing grant applications, to chasing up repairs, reviewing planning applications, and attending outside meetings, a lot of what we do never makes a poster or a headlin...

Young people aren’t just the future of our villages, they’re part of our communities right now. In this episode of the A–Z of Parish Councils, I share how we support young people in Checkley Parish, from funding Tean Youth Club and working with schools, to giving children a direct role in projects like Jubilee Park signage. Their voices might not always be heard at meetings, but they’re part of th...

Not many parish council terms begin with X, so for this episode I’ve gone with Cross-Parish Work, and it’s a perfect fit. Collaboration is a huge part of what parish councils do. In this instalment of the A–Z of Parish Councils, I explain how working with neighbouring councils makes a difference, from joint highways meetings and combined planning responses, to shared clerks and joint committees. P...

Ever wondered which council deals with what? In this episode of my A–Z of Parish Councils, I explain the differences between parish, district, and county councils, and how they overlap in practice. From bins to benches, potholes to parks, I’ll break down who’s responsible, and why parish councils like ours are often the first place residents turn to when they need something sorted.

Volunteers are the heartbeat of parish life. From residents litter picking on daily walks, to children planting up village planters, to neighbours quietly tending community gardens, these acts of care keep our parish looking and feeling like home. In this episode, I share how we work with and celebrate volunteers, from schoolchildren to youth clubs, village halls, and individuals who give their ti...

Not everything in parish council life can wait for the next agenda. In this episode, I share what urgent matters look like in practice, from road collapses and blocked drains to the quick actions councillors sometimes have to take to keep people safe. Parish councils may usually work through meetings and votes, but when something can’t wait, we step in.

Parish councillors are unpaid volunteers who serve for four years at a time, before either standing for re-election or stepping aside for others to get involved. In this episode, I share what terms of office look like at Checkley Parish Council, how elections and co-options work, and what it means to take on roles like Chair and Vice Chair.

Sustainability is not just about planting trees. For parish councils, it is about making decisions today that still work for the community years from now. In this episode, I share how we at Checkley Parish Council think long-term, from managing green spaces and reducing costs to supporting environmental projects and local volunteers.

Parish councils are often misunderstood. We do not run everything locally, but we are responsible for more than people realise. In this episode, I share the key roles and responsibilities we take on at Checkley Parish Council, from managing green spaces and supporting youth work to funding village halls and responding to planning. It is about being the closest link to the community and making sure...

Parish councils aren’t just about meetings and minutes, a huge part of the work is answering everyday questions from residents. In this episode, I share how queries come in, what kinds of issues we deal with, and how parish councils act as the closest link between the community and local decision-making.

Planning is one of the biggest issues people ask about, but parish councils don’t make the final decision. In this episode, I explain how we fit into the process as a statutory consultee, what we look for in applications, and how residents’ concerns help shape our responses. From parking and drainage to protecting green space, parish councils play an important part in making sure proposals get pro...

Open spaces are more than just grass and benches, they’re where community life happens. In this episode, I share the role parish councils play in maintaining and protecting places like Jubilee Park, Wentlows Playing Area, Well Meadow Gardens, and Hollington Picnic Area. From safety checks to grant funding, events to everyday upkeep, it’s all part of what keeps these spaces welcoming and safe for e...

A Neighbourhood Plan is a legal document that helps shape how land is used in your area. In this episode, I explain how it’s written, who’s involved, and how it gives real power to local voices.

Meetings are where the decisions happen. In this episode, I share what parish council meetings are like, who can attend, and how they shape every action that follows.

Ever heard of a lengthsman? It’s a traditional term for someone who looks after parish-owned land. In this episode, I explain what our lengthsman does, what he doesn’t, and how we co-ordinate his work behind the scenes.

Keeping clear records is what makes local councils run smoothly and legally. In this episode, I explain what needs documenting, why it matters, and how it protects both councillors and communities.

Jubilee Park is one of our best-loved green spaces – but it doesn’t manage itself. In this episode, I share how parish councils care for public parks and why they matter so much to village life.

Inspections might not sound exciting, but they’re essential to keeping parks and public spaces safe. From play equipment to trees, this episode covers what gets checked, when, and why it matters.

Highways are one of the biggest sources of local frustration – but who’s actually responsible for fixing things like potholes, broken pavements or blocked drains? In this episode, I explain how parish councils work with county councils to raise issues, chase repairs, and push for change.

Grants can help a community project take off, or keep an important local service going. In this episode of the A–Z of Parish Councils, I’m breaking down how we give grants, how we apply for them, and how even small amounts of funding can lead to big changes on the ground. From bunting and benches to heritage trails and events, this is where the money comes from and where it goes.