Latest News Updates
(last updated 29th August 2025)
Welcome to Grindon Parish Hall
Stay updated on the latest news and happenings at the hall and discover exciting events for the whole family!
From events, social gatherings and functions to children's parties, we offer a versatile space for all occasions.
Experience the charm of our historic village hall and make your next event truly unforgettable at Grindon Parish Hall.
Free School Holiday Activities
Trustees held a number of free school holiday activities during the summer break.
These sessions included:
- Bouncy Castle, Ball pit and soft play
- Children's party with disco, craft sessions, games and face painting
- A fantastic role play in a purpose built 'little city for little people' - courtesy of Little City UK
Trustees will try and secure funding to hold events in future school holidays
Grindon Parish Hall awarded 5-star Food Hygiene certification
Trustees are delighted to announce securing the highest rating for
Food Hygiene following the recent inspection of the hall and food handling
processes.
The rating reflects the hard work of trustees, volunteers and all
our users, who all take pride in ensuring the hall is kept clean
and hygienic before and after each event.
The award is testament to the ongoing commitment of Trustees and
Volunteers in ensuring the highest quality standards at the hall.
Could you be a Trustee?
The CIO is interested to hear from individuals who may be interested in joining
the Board of Trustees.
The board meets four times a year.
No specific expertise is required, candidates should have an interest in
helping make the best of our beautiful parish hall and in supporting our local
community.
Interested?
Please contact for an informal discussion.
Annual Report 2024/25 and Annual General Meeting
Trustees led their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 1st July 2025 at Grindon Parish Hall.
Trustees responded to questions regarding our performance in 2024/25 and our Annual Report for 2024/25 (see below).
Trustees would value any feedback for hall users, residents or interested parties and would be delighted to hear any suggestions or ideas for the future.
A copy of the minutes can be accessed here.
Hire Charges for 2024/25
At the Trustee meeting in January 2025 Trustees approved to retain Hall Hire Fees at their current levels.
It is now 4 years since Hall Hire Fees were increased.
Trustees specifically wished NOT to increase charges as a thankyou to all our users for their patronage of the Hall and their support in providing excellent activities, groups and events for our Community.
Following feedback Trustees have decided that, with immediate effect, all party bookings in the future will be charged for the full hall hire, rather than just the main hall hire.
This is purely driven by the inability to rent other parts of the hall to other users while a party is being held.
Existing bookings will be honored at the price quoted at the time.
Trustees hope users will understand the reason for this change, and believe at £15 per hour the hire rates still provide excellent value for money.
Strategy for 2024/25
Trustees approved the Strategy for 2025/26 at its January 2025 meeting.
The Strategy is aimed at Safeguarding the Future of the hall for current and future users.
The strategy to Safeguard the Future will have two key strands:
- Investing in the Fabric of the Building; and
- Investing in the Community
This provides a strong alignment to the two core charitable purposes of the CIO and has been a successful themed approach in securing the grants received in 2024/25.
The Strategy will be discussed further with users, residents, volunteers and outlined at the CIO's Annual General Meeting.
Further feedback is welcome, to ensure the hall continues to best meet the needs of the community
The Strategy can be accessed by clicking the button below.
Investing in the Hall
Trustees have secured funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.
Funding of £19,100 has enabled the following improvement works to the hall:
- The purchase of a large external store to enable items stored in the small meeting room to be relocated enabling the room to be used more widely.
- The installation of wall buffers and redecoration of the small meeting room to enable it to be used more widely
- The installation of an access ramp to the side entrance of the small meeting room to improve accessibility
- The replacement of facias and soffitts and gutters where needed.
- The installation of wall buffers to the main room to protect them from damage
- Purchase of a smart TV for newly decorated room, replacing the one damaged by the storage of items against it
- Funding to enable a 'youth club' to be established and operated from the hall
- Funding to enable a 'safe / warm community space' to be established and operated from the hall
- Funding to enable some school holiday activities
- Works to repair, sand and varnish wooden floor
- The repair of external render and external repaint
Trustees also secured funding to enable the installation of solar panels (and battery storage).
Trustees would like to thank several organisations for providing grant funding to enable this investment in the hall which will benefit all our users.
Funders (and amounts awarded) are:
- Northern Powergrid - £4000
- County Durham Community Foundation (Banks Renewable Fund) - £3000
- Tees Valley Community Foundation - £2500
- Grindon & Thorpe Thewles Parish Council - £1000.