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About Hallmark

  Rural Community Council of Essex has launched this nationally recognised quality standards scheme for Village Hall and Community Building Members. Many of our halls in Essex are already operating to a high standard of administration and management. RCCE recognises that this scheme gives halls the confidence to know that their hall is well run against nationally set benchmarks and recognises the commitment and enthusiasm hall committees devote to running a community facility.

There are three levels to the Scheme, undertaken in sequence: Hallmark One checks charitable administration and management; Hallmark Two checks health and safety, security and licences; and Hallmark Three checks community involvement, social awareness and forward planning.

Once an application form is received, RCCE will arrange for two ‘Visitors’ to come to the hall and together with representatives from the committee, they will go through the Hallmark One checklist. ‘Visitors’ are either village hall committee members themselves or are volunteers who have worked with voluntary and community organisations.

The Hallmark Stages

Hallmark One

Assesses whether a hall is complying with the requirements of its charitable status. ‘Visitors’ look at hall meetings, trust deed, accounts, hiring, insurance and notices.

Hallmark Two

Assesses compliance with legislative issues. ‘Visitors’ look at health, safety, security and licences.

Hallmark Three

Examines the role of the hall in the community and how it interacts with its users and the wider community. ‘Visitors’ look at policies for hiring, finance, child safety, employment, marketing, trustee information packs, newsletters.

The Benefits of Hallmark

  • The knowledge and confidence that the hall committee is meeting nationally set standards of good management and charity administration
  • The opportunity to include on funding applications this known and recognised national standard. This will give funding bodies more confidence in the hall’s ability to deliver a project
  • Recognition by RCCE and ACRE of the dedication and work that the hall committee has given to provide a well managed and sustainable community facility

To apply for Hallmark One, please download the relevant documents :

Hallmark 1 Entry Form Aug 2008.pdf

VHMC Check list one August 2008.pdf

Hallmark committee docs for visit 1 4 08.pdf


If you have any queries or would like to discuss Hallmark, please contact Sue Sheppard, RCCE Village Halls and Community Buildings Adviser on tel: 01376 574330 or email Sue.Sheppard@essexrcc.org.uk

Halls that achieved Hallmark

Twenty one village halls & community buildings in Essex have achieved the Hallmark One Award:

  • STISTED VILLAGE HALL
  • BOREHAM VILLAGE HALL
  • GREAT WALTHAM HULTON HALL
  • COPFORD VILLAGE HALL
  • ASHDON VILLAGE HALL
  • EAST DONYLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE
  • BELCHAMP ST PAUL COMMUNITY HOUSE
  • GREAT TOTHAM VILLAGE HALL
  • DANBURY VILLAGE HALL
  • GREENSTEAD GREEN VILLAGE HALL
  • SOUTH GREEN MEMORIAL HALL
  • WEST BERGHOLT ORPEN HALL
  • RIDGEWELL VILLAGE HALL
  • WENDONS AMBO VILLAGE HALL
  • HELIONS BUMPSTEAD VILLAGE HALL
  • EAST HANNINGFIELD VILLAGE HALL
  • FOXEARTH VILLAGE HALL
  • BRIGHTLINGSEA COMMUNITY CENTRE
  • TIPPS CROSS REMEMBRANCE HALL
  • SHEERING VILLAGE HALL
  • GREAT BROMLEY VILLAGE HALL

Congratulations to all the halls that have achieved the Hallmark One Award! If you would like your hall assessed for Hallmark One please contact Sue Sheppard.