Massive congratulations to the Beer Festival Team for a fabulous event at the Village Hall over the weekend...great community spirit...well done to all who worked so hard to make it happen!
Helpston and Etton Village Hall
Welcome to Helpston and Etton Village Hall, a community venue designed to support local groups, organisations and residents. Whether you’re planning a class, running an activity, hosting a meeting or simply looking for a welcoming space to bring people together, we offer flexible facilities in the heart of the community.
Located at Helpston and Etton Village Hall, West Street, Helpston., Peterborough, PE6 7DU — Helpston and Etton Village Hall provides a range of well-equipped facilities suitable for everything from workshops and training sessions to celebrations and social gatherings. Our spaces are clean, bright and adaptable, with options that can be tailored to your specific needs.
Village Hall Update – Old School House, Glinton Road
Over the past few weeks, a number of residents have contacted us about the Old School House on Glinton Road, which has recently come onto the market. Some have asked whether it could be a possible alternative site for a new village hall.
Once we became aware of the listing, the Trustees arranged a viewing and agreed that it should be assessed alongside our other options, using the same criteria we’ve applied to all potential sites — including size, parking, road access, affordability, impact on neighbours and deliverability within five years.
There’s no doubt that the Old School House is a lovely historic building and, with significant renovation, could be very attractive. However, after careful consideration, we have decided not to take it forward.
Here’s why:
Cost – The asking price is £550,000. Renovation costs are estimated to be in the region of £650,000–£700,000. This level of investment is beyond what we could realistically secure in the timeframe required for an open market purchase.
Extent of works needed – The building has been vacant since 1966 and would require major repairs, including roof works, to prevent further deterioration.
Access issues – Following discussions with the City Council, we’ve been advised that the current vehicle access does not meet requirements for a public building and cannot be brought up to the necessary standard within the site’s constraints.
Size and flexibility – At around 200 square metres, the building is only slightly larger than our current hall and would not provide the modern, flexible space we’re aiming to create.
Proximity to neighbours – The building is very close to surrounding homes, which could create challenges around noise and activity.
Taking all of this into account, the Trustees feel it would not be a practical or financially responsible option to pursue.
We will therefore continue progressing our work towards purchasing land on Heath Road and look forward to sharing further updates with you soon.
As always, thank you for your interest, ideas and ongoing support — it really is appreciated.
If you have any comments or questions relating to this, please feel free to contact us via email at: helpstonvillagehall@gmail.com
Capacity:
100 people
Pricing: £9.00-£15.00 per hour
Our spacious Main Hall is ideal for a wide range of leisure, social and community activities, including parties, meetings, and events. Hire includes heating, lighting, tables, chairs, stage area, and full use of the kitchen facilities (2 fridges, range cooker and dishwasher), as well as crockery, utensils and equipment during your booking. Free Wifi access is also available
We offer flexible pricing with summer and winter rates for both regular and casual users, plus daily hire options.
All hirers are responsible for cleaning the hall after use.
Helpston Village Hall – Hiring Rates Village Hall (includes heat and light, as well as use of crockery, utensils and equipment)
Summer rate Apr – Sept Regular user £9.00 per hour Casual bookings (eg one off events, parties, meetings etc) £12.00 per hour Daily rate £100.00 per day
Winter rate Oct-Mar Regular users £12.00 per hour Casual bookings (eg one off events, parties, meetings etc) £15.00 per hour Daily rate £150.00 per day
Equipment (for use outside the Hall) Formica-topped tables £2.00 each (indoor use, within village only) Brown/Green chairs 20p each – green chairs only for internal use, or under cover. If used in a marquee and placed on grass the legs must be cleaned before returning to the hall.
Crockery During hire of hall No charge To hire, any quantity £10.00
FAQ’s
Your Questions Answered
Is the hall licensed to sell alcohol?
No, it is the responsibility of the hirer to arrange for a TENS (Temporary Event Notice) to be obtained through Peterborough City Council. The fee for this is £21.00 and we are only permitted to have 15 each calendar year.
Do I need to clear up and remove rubbish at the end of the hire period?
Yes. The hall provides cleaning equipment for users in the cleaner’s cupboard by the toilets (brooms, dustpan and brush, cleaning liquid, etc.) and there is also washing up liquid, surface cleaner and cloths in the kitchen. Please bring your own tea towels, even if you plan to use the dishwasher. The hall does not provide a hireable cleaning service.
Users are responsible for leaving the hall, toilets, kitchen (including appliances, crockery, etc.) and entrance hall in a clean and tidy condition. Please return crockery and cutlery, etc., to the shelves/cupboards where you found them. Rubbish can be disposed of in the bins provided outside. There are two bins, one for recycling and one for general waste. Once these are full all excess rubbish must be taken home by the hirer and not left stacked outside the village hall. The Village Hall are charged if incorrect types of rubbish are placed in the bins, and this may result in the hirer paying the charge, so please ensure that the correct bins are used.
Is there setting up or clearing up time included free of charge
Hirers are allowed 30 minutes free of charge for setting up or clearing up time. The hirer will need to pay for any additional time required, and should include extra time in their booking request.
Is there car parking provided?
The only parking available is on street parking outside the hall. Please be considerate to the residents in the surrounding area of the hall to ensure they can access their own properties at all times.
How do I pay for my booking?
Payment should please be made by BACS. All details are included in our online booking system on this website.
How many people can the hall hold?
We have a Premises Licence that allows us to have 100 in the hall at any one time. If you were holding a sit down meal the capacity is 64
Can I have my 18th birthday party in the hall?
We only permit under 21 parties to village residents.
Do you have any outside space?
No – unfortunately not
Working towards a new village hall
The questions & answers below were provided a little while ago, in response to questions from villagers relating to the project to provide a new village hal for Helpston. We hope they are still useful and informative. Please email us with any further comments or questions: helpstonvillagehall@gmail.co.uk
A new Hall for Helpston
Q: Why have discussions around a new village hall been conducted ‘in secret’
A: Discussions regarding the siting of a new village hall have been going on for over 20 years. During this time, some of the discussions have taken place in public such as at Parish Council meetings and others, such as the more recent ones, have been with local landowners. Many of these recent discussions with the local landowners were sensitive and concerned commercial conversations which they stipulated must not be in the public domain at that time.
Q: Why do we need to build a new Village Hall?
A: The lease has expired on the current land, and Milton Estates have informed us that they wish to have the land back, therefore the current Hall can no longer exist in its current place and is too old and dilapidated to be moved anywhere else.
Q: When did the lease expire?
A: It expired in March 2020 and was extended for a further 5 years to March 2025, which has now also expired. Milton have been generous in allowing us to remain on the site until we have a suitable new location
Q: Why did you not renew the lease?
A: The owners of Milton Estate (the Fitzwilliam family) who own the land, would like their land back and did not want to renew the lease. Instead, they offered us a five-year extension on the existing lease to March 2025 to give us time to locate a new site.
Q: Why do you not buy the current site and rebuild there?
A: The land has not been offered for sale to us, the site is too cramped for an upgrade facility and there in no space for car parking.
Q: If the Hall cannot stay in its current position, what options do we have?
A: To either build a new one somewhere else or have no Village Hall or community facility at all.
Q: Where might you build a new Hall?
A: All the land in and around the village was reviewed but only four sites were considered potentially viable. The owners of the four sites were approached but only two were interested in selling land – Heath Road site and one other, who subsequently withdrew their potential offer of land, leaving just the Heath Road site.
Q: How was suitability of any site considered?
A: Some factors immediately rule out a site. Such as the site is simply not for sale by the owner or it is too expensive (commercial development land) or it is too small (even though exact size requirement is yet to be established, some sites were simply too small to even start contemplating). Some sites have restrictive covenants related to gas mains and electricity lines crossing the site.
Q: What criteria has been used in assessing whether a location might be suitable?
A: The Village Hall Committee used the following criteria when they were assessing land options
• Owners willing to sell
• Financially viable
• Large enough for a hall and car parking
• With reasonable access off a road with wide enough entry points
• Fairly central to the village so that people can access on foot
• Would not be dependent upon additional housing as part of the deal
• Would not act as an enabler to open other land for housing development
• Would minimize inconvenience to existing residents
Q: What about pieces of land that will be conditional on additional housing developments?
A: This is a contentious issue where there are many diverging opinions. The Village Hall Trust has historically not entertained sites that will enable housing developments which was in line with the Parish Council’s continued position against all new development sites at that time.
Q: Is there any land currently being considered?
A: Yes, it is an almost 5 acre site on Heath Road which has recently been offered for sale to the Village Hall Trust at a reasonable price. The whole site would be owned by, and for the villages, and we can confirm that it will guarantee there will never be housing development in that location.
This land will also secure a large area of green space to conserve for nature and for Community Gardens to be enjoyed by everyone
Q: Has a decision already been made on this site for a New Village Hall?
A: Recently the owners of the Heath Road site have confirmed that they are willing to offer the land to the Village Hall Trust and we are delighted to to have a confirmation of their intent. We aim to move forward with the purchase and to build a Hall on a small portion of the site which will of course be subject to support from the community, the Parish Council and the City Council.
Q: Will you definitely be able to build a new hall on this land?
A: This will be subject to planning permissions being given, and will be subject to full and open consultations with the residents of Helpston & Etton.
Q: How much is the new hall going to cost?
A: That really is dependent upon the design and the facilities we require. What we do know is that we have looked at other recently newly built halls in our region that have cost between £650,000 – £1.2 million – so we are anticipating that it will be somewhere within this range.
Q: Where are you going to get the money to build it?
A: There are several options available to communities such as Lottery funding, grants from businesses, Govt grants, commercial loans, or a ‘Public Works Loan’ which is a low interest government-funded loan, which would require the support of the Parish Council and the villages as a whole.
Q: When will it be built/finished?
A: If we are successful getting the land, we will have to apply for planning permission have a design agreed and apply for funding. We hope that the build will commence during 2026 at the earliest.
Q: What about the Scout Association Building – is that suitable or available?
A: The Scout Association Building is currently very well used by the Association four nights per week, and likely to become every weeknight soon, there is no available storage, limited toilet facilities and is overall a smaller space than the current Hall, with no parking.
Q: Could we consider using the John Clare School building as a joint-usage Hall?
No. the hall is already well used by the school. There would be problems with access during the school day, before and after school and in the holidays when activities are run. There would be issues with child safety and safeguarding. There is limited parking in the evenings and no parking during the day. The kitchens are set up for school use and must be operated under their standards. Toilet facilities are limited. There are no storage facilities other than for school use. Hiring is at a commercial rate and would also entail caretaking and cleaning fees.
Q: Could we use Botolphs Barn as a joint usage Hall?
A: Botolph’s Barn is a lovely but small facility with a capacity of a maximum 20 & 30 in the 2 rooms, with the upstairs room having no disabled access. Minimal parking and a shared driveway.
Q: Could the Church become a joint-usage Hall?
A: Church facilities have become more & more multi-purpose in recent years, and we have seen live events being held in Peterborough Cathedral, but there are several issues associated with using the Church as a community facility and restrictions which maybe insurmountable. Working with a Heritage & Diocesan Building will always present challenges and additional costs, which ultimately may mean it is unviable to share. Currently the Church has no toilet facilities and a kitchen which is unsuitable for any form of regular use.
Q: Will the villages be involved in consultation?
A: Yes, we encourage participation, and have already had responses from our initial interaction with the Village via the Survey (results are on the village hall website https://helpstonvillagehall.co.uk) and from our open weekends held in February 2025, there will be much more to come
Q: Who will make the decision about the location?
A: Whilst The Village Hall Trust have confirmed their intent to move ahead with the purchase of the land in the Heath Road location following positive feedback from the recent open weekend, ultimately approval to build a Hall there will depend upon the support of residents of the two villages and the City Council to whom a planning application would be made.
Q: How will you communicate progress?
A: We will continue to regularly update questions & answers (FAQ’s) on the Village Hall website and will always try to answer any feedback which you have raised.
We can be contacted easily either via our village hall email address: helpstonvillagehall@gmail.com or social media outlets, such as our Facebook page (link below):
The Village Hall Website will post updates to questions & answers and any other news items which we will also update via Facebook, and news items in the Village Tribune
Q: Have you considered the Neighbourhood Plan?
The current Neighbourhood Plan is an important document and underlines the key principals of what we want our villages to look like now and into the future. The
Neighbourhood Plan, created by a working group on behalf of the village, gives residents a much greater say in how they want the villages to be for future generations; including how new development is integrated and what it should look like.
The provision of a new village hall to enhance community facilities is supported in principle in this plan.
Our Neighbourhood Plan mentions the village hall in several areas:
Policy A2 a) The development of community amenities such as those set out in Policy C10 of this Plan will be supported in principle.
Focus C 3.37 The lack of parking for facilities is a recognised problem in the village with Woodgate often restricted to one way traffic flow due to visitors parking on the road (John Clare Cottage and the Bluebell pub being located on this road).
3.38 The local Village Hall is also recognised to be at the end of its useful life having been constructed as a prefab in 1916. Proposals to replace and/or relocate the hall are widely supported by the community.
3.42. The Neighbourhood Plan therefore recognises that if new amenities are to be built, or existing ones improved sites may need to be made available outside the Village Envelope. For specific amenities, identified during consultation, support for development outside the Village Envelope is given.
Policy C
C4 Community Facilities and Parking for Existing Amenities
1. Planning applications that enhance existing community facilities or provide new
community facilities are supported in principle.
1. Reasonable new parking provision for existing amenities in is also supported where
this is in accordance with other policies within this plan.
C5 New Village Hall
Development for a new village hall is supported provided the applicant can demonstrate, through a proportionate consultation exercise, that there is community support for the development and that neighbouring residents have been consulted and any planning concerns raised have be mitigated to the satisfaction of Peterborough City Council.
C 10
The Neighbourhood Plan supports development outside, but adjacent, to the Village Envelope for the following amenities:
• New Village Hall
Q: What is the purpose of the The Helpston & Etton Village Hall Trust?
Our Objectives: At the heart of our mission lies a commitment to enhance the lives of residents in Helpston, Etton, and the surrounding area. We operate under the following charitable objectives:
• Community Inclusivity: Without discrimination, we strive to provide recreational facilities and leisure-time opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds and circumstances. Whether it be due to age, disability, financial hardship, or other factors, our doors are open to all.
• Volunteerism: We heavily rely on the generosity and dedication of volunteers. If you have a few hours to spare and wish to contribute to our cause, we warmly invite you to join our volunteer team.
• Our Charitable Aim: Through a diverse range of activities and services, we aim to enrich the lives of our residents by:
o Combatting Isolation: By fostering a sense of belonging and connection, we seek to alleviate rural isolation and strengthen community bonds.
o Promoting Well-being: We prioritise the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of our community members, providing access to resources and activities that promote health and happiness.
o Supporting Local Businesses: We provide essential facilities that enable local businesses to thrive and grow, contributing to the economic vitality of our area.
o Affordability: Our commitment to providing cost-effective facilities ensures that our services remain accessible to all members of our community.
Meet The Village Hall Team
Alison HenthornChairperson & Trustee
Alison has lived in Helpston for around 20 years, and is currently occupying her third house in the Village….having been something of a ‘roamer' before settling in Helpston in 2003, originally from Manchester, via an earlier stop in Peterborough and homes in Kent, Alison is now happily retired after a career in HR for various Publishing & Media Companies. Currently studying for an RHS Horticulture Diploma, so when not revising! Alison spends as much time as she can outside tending her and other people’s gardens. Having recently rejoined the Village Hall Committee, she is keen to contribute whatever she can to the future of the Village Hall, not only for her own family, including grown children and her Grandchildren who now attend John Clare Primary School, but also for the village community as a whole, she really enjoys being part of what she believes is a wonderful village family.Pictured above Alison & Ernie
Laurence PikeCommittee Member & Trustee
Laurence (Lol to those that know him) and Dianne moved into the village in 2017 from Werrington. Laurence hails from Letchworth and Arlesey originally and moved to Werrington in 2014. They both love the village and its surroundings. Laurence is retired, but keeps himself occupied with a spot of fishing in his tuk-tuk and doing odd jobs.
They are both members of Helpston Carpet Bowls Club, and Dianne loves to paint. Pictured above - Laurence
Helen Morton Trustee & Etton Village Representative
Helen has lived in Etton for 23 years and is the Etton representative on the village hall committee. She has strong links with Helpston as her children attended John Clare School and has many firm friends in the village. Helen values being part of village life, and a sense of community is very important to her. Pictured above Helen & her daughter
Kate Hinchliff, Trustee & Helpston Parochial Church Representative Kate has been in the village for 39 years, having relocated with her family from Bristol. She worked as a social worker for the City Council until her retirement. She now uses the Village Hall weekly for a Chi Tai class and monthly at the Helpston Belles group. Helpston is very important to her and her now grown children, who went to the John Clare Primary School and Arthur Mellows Village College. She is very pleased to be able to serve on the Village Hall Committee as the Church's representative. Pictured above on right - Kate HInchliffe
Caryn Thompson Committee Member & Representative of Good Neighbours Group
Caryn has lived in Helpston since 2001 with her husband, Tim. They have both recently retired and enjoy village life and all that Helpston has to offer. POictured above Caryn Thompson
Eric Siecker New Village Hall Project Team Member
I have lived in Helpston for the past 10 years and have spent time on the Parish Council as well as being one of the organisers of the Helpston Beer Festival, and in his spare time is a keen fisherman Pictured above Eric & Fish!
Andrew Strand - Treasurer & Trustee
Andrew moved to the village with his wife and children in 2019, previously living in Peterborough. Recently retired, Andrew now has more time to dedicate to the community. Pictured above Andrew Strand
Alex Langford Pollard - Committee Member & Trustee
Alex joined the village hall team as a Trustee in 2025 shortly after he moved to the village with his family from Peterborough and is an active member of the group with a keen interest in the development of a new village hall
Helen Farmer - Secretary
Helen moved to the village with her husband and children in 2017, previously living in Stilton. Their daughter wanted to attend Arthur Mellows for her Sixth Form, so they started to look at the surrounding villages. They loved Helpston so much that they decided to move here and were lucky enough to be able to build their own house. Locals and neighbours were very welcoming, and they settled quickly and have been very happy in Helpston for the last 10 years. Helen’s husband Mark has now retired, and she is starting to wind down her long career in the MedTech industry. Now Helen has more time, she wants to be able to spend some of that time as a hobby florist and contribute more to the village. She is particularly passionate about the village hall as she believes the building of a new hall is vital for the future of our community. Pictured above Helen Farmer
Janet Cullinan - Booking Secretary
Local Helpston resident Janet is the newest recruit to the team having taken on the role of Booking Secretary in March 2026, and has faced the task of taking the booking system into the 21st Century with a new online booking system which Janet hopes will ease and simplify the booking process for customers old & new....welcome to the team Janet
Document Library
Helpston & Etton Village Hall Governing Document https://helpstonvillagehall.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Foundation_CIO_model_-Helpston-and-Etton-Village-HallFinalVsn.pdf
