A New Way to Support Our Village Hall: Introducing the Meldreth Village Hall 100 Club
If you’ve ever used Meldreth Village Hall—for a birthday party, fitness class, committee meeting, polling day wander, or simply to shelter from a surprise British downpour—you’ll know it’s one of the beating hearts of village life.
What you may not know is that keeping a hall warm, watertight, functional, and future‑proof isn’t cheap. Roof tiles get tired. Heating systems develop “quirks.” Paint ages faster than the committee. And improvements that make the hall more accessible and welcoming all cost money. Securing grants for projects is becoming increasingly difficult, with intense competition, many demands on limited funds, complex criteria, and lengthy applications making the process time‑consuming and often unsuccessful for community projects such as the Village Hall
To help safeguard the hall for future generations, the Village Hall Committee is launching a brand‑new fundraising initiative: The Meldreth Village Hall 100 Club! Think of it as a fun, low‑effort way to support the hall—and have the chance to win a monthly cash prize. Not bad for something that costs less than a coffee shop habit.
What Exactly Is a 100 Club?
The idea is delightfully simple: You buy one or more numbered shares, each at £60 per year (via standing order) and every month a draw is held. Money from subscriptions gets split between cash prizes and vital hall funds, with a typical 50/50 split going to winners and the hall respectively. One ticket is the equivalent of just £5 a month, this is less than your average “”decaf venti, sugar free hazelnut ,sugar free vanilla, toffee nut , extra hot, no foam, light whip soy latte with pumpkin spice sprinkles” from Starbucks. (Yes, that really is a drink order!)
The 100club is a tried‑and‑tested method used by community groups across the country. And it’s legal, too—properly registered as a Small Society Lottery under the Gambling Act 2005.
How the Meldreth Village Hall 100 Club Will Work
- Membership: Anyone aged 16+ can join, and you’re welcome to hold more than one share (though sadly, it won’t increase your luck—just your chances).
- Payment: You pay annually by setting up a standing order.
- The Draw: Held monthly by at least two committee members—no blindfolds or spinning bingo cages required, but both remain optional.
- Prizes: A percentage (up to 50%) of the monthly income will be paid out in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes.
- Notifications: Winners get contacted by phone or email, and the winning numbers will be posted on the Village Hall noticeboard, website, and/or social media.
Simple. Transparent. Fun. And every penny left after the prizes goes straight back into keeping our hall alive and well.
Why Join?
Because it’s one of the easiest, most cheerful ways you can support your community.Funds raised will help cover essential costs like:
- repairs and maintenance,
- energy bills,
- upgrades and refurbishment,
- new equipment.
And if the club reaches 100 members paying £60 a year that could generate £3,000 a year for the hall—money that makes a real difference to what the hall can offer.
Plus, you get the monthly thrill of finding out whether Lady Luck has decided you deserve a treat.
Sounds Good—How Do I Join?
Just complete the Membership Form, you can download here, request it via email from chair@meldrethvillagehall.co.uk, cut out the form in the magazine or copy the form and return it to the Chair, by email or drop it off at MVH Trust, 87 High Street, Meldreth SG8 6LB.
You will then need to set up a standing order using the bank account details below and that’s it—you’re in the draw!
Your details will be stored securely and only used to administer the 100 Club, in line with GDPR.
A Final Word
The Meldreth Village Hall 100 Club is a small idea with a big impact. It strengthens community spirit, keeps a cherished asset running smoothly, and adds a sprinkle of monthly excitement.
Whether you’re a fitness fanatic, quiz‑night devotee, toddler‑group wrangler, or occasional tea‑and‑cake visitor, the hall is here for all of us—and the 100 Club is your chance to help keep it thriving.