“Dedication, hard work and a clear vision for the future” have led to the group which runs Parson Drove Village Hall reaching a level of nationally-recognised accreditation.
The trustees of Parson Drove Amenities Group are celebrating having achieved Hallmark 1 accreditation – a quality standards scheme for village halls and community facilities which is run in the county by Cambridgeshire ACRE.
A spokesman said: “The visitors who carried out the accreditation inspection were impressed with the dedication of the trustees and the considerable amount of work they have completed over recent years to ensure their two facilities continue to be well used and loved by their local community.
“The trustees have a clear vision for the future to continue to improve their facilities.
“The benefits of the scheme for village halls include formal recognition that the community facility has embedded good practice and procedures, giving residents and hirers confidence that their valuable community venue is being well managed and run by the trustees.
“There are three levels to the Hallmark scheme and it is hoped the trustees of Parson Drove Village Hall will soon go on to achieve the next two levels.”
Kirsten Bennett, chief executive of Cambridgeshire ACRE, said: “This accreditation is confirmation of the hard work and dedication of the management committee and supporters of the village hall.
“I wish them every success as they progress through the next two levels of the scheme.”
Alan Killingworth, chairman of the trustees, said: “I wish to thank all committee members for their support and confidence over the last 10 years.
“It has been the continuity of commitment that has contributed towards the success of achieving this award.
“We look forward to applying for the next two stages of the Hallmark accreditation process.”
Cambridgeshire ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) is a rural development charity that works throughout the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area enabling people to take positive action to enhance their rural communities.
The history of Parson Drove
The area was originally farmed by the Romans, who left evidence of their presence in several places throughout Parson Drove and the surrounding parish.
Samuel Pepys wrote about Parson Drove in his diaries in 1663, describing it as a “heathen place” where he stayed and apparently had his horse stolen.
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