The Village Halls Event at Mottistone Gardens on Sunday 22 March was a great success, with over 700 people attending to celebrate Village Halls Week 2026.
The day was helped massively by the glorious sunshine, which created a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout. In fact, it was so warm in the morning that many of the stalls were moved outside into the courtyard, allowing visitors to enjoy even more of the beautiful surroundings.
There was a fantastic mix of activities, entertainment and community stalls across the site. The event was opened with an energetic performance from FAT Samba, setting the tone for a lively and enjoyable day. Visitors were then treated to music from two fantastic community choirs, Melodic Choir and Bay Wailers, who both drew great crowds.
The Silent Moves Groove session proved especially popular, with many choir members and visitors joining in for a dance, adding to the fun and relaxed atmosphere. Meanwhile, a chair Pilates session on the lawn offered a more intimate and relaxed experience, bringing people together in a different way. The session sparked new conversations, connections and even the beginnings of potential collaborations.
Families enjoyed a range of creative activities, with the Wish Houses proving particularly popular with younger children. Many decorated their wooden houses with drawings of flowers and butterflies, and wrote thoughtful and touching messages about nature, often with help from their parents.
There were also opportunities to learn new skills and gain valuable knowledge. The Ambulance Training Service gave hands-on demonstrations showing people how to perform CPR, which was well received by visitors of all ages.
Our speakers and stallholders were busy throughout the day, engaging with visitors right up until it was time to pack up, highlighting the strong interest in the wide range of health, wellbeing and community activities on offer.
Throughout the day, visitors were able to meet a wide range of local organisations and community groups, showcasing the important role village halls play in supporting health, wellbeing and social connection.
A special thank you goes to the village hall committees who attended, set up displays and shared information about their work. Without these dedicated volunteers, many of the activities and opportunities that support health and wellbeing in our communities simply wouldn’t take place.
Huge thanks also go to the National Trust and their staff and volunteers, who worked hard to make the event such a success. The rangers were a real highlight, bringing along their sheep and even a child-sized jeep, creating a relaxed and memorable experience that many of the children who attended will remember for a long time. In particular, thanks to Denise Makin, Community Partnership Manager, who has worked closely with the CAIW team since the event began three years ago and has played a key role in shaping and delivering such a successful and well-loved event.
