We discuss the crucial yet often overlooked topic of village hall insurance and launch a new listener poll to shape future episodes on insurance topics that matter most to trustees and committee members.

• Insurance often becomes a priority only when something goes wrong
• Most trustees delegate insurance to one person with little collective oversight
• Insurance is a legal contract protecting your building, people, and finances
• New anonymous poll available at thevillagehallspodcast.com/facebook-polls
• Future episodes will explain most requested insurance topics in plain language
• Topics include buildings insurance, liability coverage, business interruption, and more
• Understanding insurance principles helps trustees ask better questions
• Village Halls Inspiration Awards 2025 entries open until 30th September
• £5,000 prize fund sponsored by Allied Westminster and Ecclesiastical
• Awards recognise grassroots action regardless of hall size or budget

https://thevillagehallspodcast.com/facebook-polls/

We explore spot heating technology with Joe Bristow from BN Thermic, diving into how this instant, energy-efficient solution can transform village halls by heating people directly rather than warming the air.

• Spot heating provides immediate warmth without needing to pre-heat spaces, making it perfect for sporadic hall usage
• Spot heating targets people and objects rather than air temperature, working even with doors open
• Installation can often utilise existing wiring, making it cost-effective for halls with limited budgets
• Advanced control systems include motion sensors that activate heaters only when spaces are occupied
• The technology creates a noticeable "curtain of warmth" that transforms user comfort in otherwise difficult-to-heat spaces
• Integration with battery storage and renewable energy sources supports net-zero carbon goals
• A hybrid approach combining spot heating with minimal background heating protects building fabric from damp

Entries for the Village Halls Inspiration Awards 2025 are now open until September 30th. Visit our website at villagehallspodcast.com to find out more and submit your hall for consideration.

We dive into the practical world of internet connectivity for village halls, exploring everything from 4G to Starlink, fiber to copper, sharing real-world experiences to help you make the best choice for your community space.

• Internet is now classified as a human right, yet many rural communities still struggle with speeds below 0.5 Mbps
• Community-led solutions like Hebnet CIC have successfully provided internet coverage across 600 square miles of Scotland's Highlands and Islands
• Starlink offers viable speeds but at a significant cost (approximately £75/month), making it suitable only where no alternatives exist
• 4G can provide excellent performance in low-population areas but may struggle during peak usage periods
• Village halls should aim for minimum 50 Mbps connections when planning to stream live events
• Hardwired access points are superior to mesh networks for reliable coverage throughout larger buildings
• Multiple WiFi networks from a single access point can separate secure payment systems from general public use
• Outdated routers can significantly limit connection speed regardless of your internet package