Lincolnshire communities to come together to celebrate Village Halls Week 2026

The seven-day celebration in Lincolnshire, which comes as countless other local communities up and down the country join forces to mark Village Halls Week 2026, will see residents get together for a week of socialising, fundraising and awareness-building.

Now in its eighth year, Village Halls Week is the flagship campaign of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), a national charity that works to enhance the lives of people living and working outside of big towns and cities.

The 2026 instalment, which runs from Monday March 16 to Sunday March 22, is set to focus on health and wellbeing, and the pivotal role that community buildings, such as those in Lincolnshire play in helping rural communities connect to the people and services that make a real difference to everyday life.

Deborah Clarke, Rural Evidence and Village Halls Manager at ACRE, said: “Village Halls Week has been a permanent fixture on our country’s rural calendar for eight years now, and we’re certain that 2026 is going to be the

biggest and best celebration yet.

“Every year, hundreds – if not, thousands – of community groups from right across England pull out all the stops to stage a week of fun-filled events, and it’s humbling to see that residents in Lincolnshire have stepped up to the challenge yet again.

“Village Halls Week is all about bringing rural communities together, and it’s this sense of connection and togetherness that we aim to celebrate across the seven days, as we know that spending time with others, even just for 10 minutes over a cup of tea, can have significant benefits to a person’s overall physical and mental health.”

All events for Village Halls Week 2026 have been planned to align with the five steps to wellbeing – connecting, being active, taking notice, giving and continuing to learn, all of which have been recommended and approved by

experts within the NHS.

Some of the health and wellbeing-themed activities happening during Village Halls Week include:

- Monday March 16 at 6pm Franklin Hall Spilsby: Disco Dance & Fun

- Tuesday March 17 at 2pm South Hykeham Village Hall: Art Class

- Tuesday March 17 at 7pm Stixwould Village Hall: Yin Yoga

- Weds March 18 at 2pm Little Steeping Village Hall: Curling for all

- Thursday March 19 11am Skellingthorpe: Co-op wellbeing walk

- Saturday March 21 Scopwick Village Hall: Daffodil Walk & Coffee

- There are also a number of weekly, fortnightly or monthly wellbeing walks around the county supported by Lincolnshire Co-op

Kirk Thomson Village Hall Adviser for Lincolnshire YMCA said: “This annual fixture, which is looked forward to by so many across our area, has the power and ability to unite and reunite, and we know that when communities

are connected, people feel happier, healthier and much more engaged.

“While many may view village halls as an unassuming part of the fabric of rural life, we see the buildings as much more than just bricks and mortar, but as true community spaces that support and enrich people at every stage of their lives.”

Sponsorship for this year’s Village Halls Week has been generously supplied by Utility Aid, which provides energy help and advice to communities up and down the country, as well as Hallmaster, whose innovative venue booking system enables teams working in rural buildings to easily manage their calendars of events.

Further details about events happening across Lincolnshire you can contact your local village hall or community building. You can also find information on the Acre website – www.acre.org