Meet our Trustees
————————————————————————————————————
Heather Coulson
_______________________________________________________________
Chris Holt
“I became a Trustee of the village hall because I live locally and, with young children, I really appreciate the value a high‑quality community space brings. From children’s parties to exercise classes and village events, the hall is an essential resource that Stroud is very lucky to have. Investing my time to support it feels worthwhile, helping ensure it remains a vibrant, viable asset for everyone in the community.”
_______________________________________________________________
Oliver Howe
“I moved into the village over 30 years ago and was based at New Buildings Farm as Farm Manager. My family were born and raised in the village and continue to live here today. I was an inaugural member of the Parish Council at its formation and served on the council for a number of years.
I was approached by the Village Hall Trustees to become a Hall Trustee when the hall building was first being planned. I was subsequently appointed Treasurer, responsible for all financial matters. I also serve on the Hall Management Committee, which looks after the day‑to‑day running of the hall, and act as Fire Safety Officer, as well as volunteering in the community garden.”
_______________________________________________________________
Charlie Rogers
“I have lived with my family in Stroud for over 40 years and been involved with the Village Hall for almost 30 years (25 as Chairman). As a Trustee I also sit on the Management Committee and am involved with the Social Committee too. I am also part of the gardening group and help out with mowing and keeping hedges tidy.
For so many years we were without a hall in Stroud, but I always remember how important the original hall was, as we used it for children’s parties and other social gatherings. It has been wonderful to see this new hall become an integral part of our community and also to work alongside a dedicated team (mostly volunteers), who help to keep it running.”
_______________________________________________________________
Chris Snow
Profile coming soon
_______________________________________________________________
Sally Wedley
Profile coming soon
_______________________________________________________________
Glen Wellstead
Profile coming soon
_______________________________________________________________
Kat Wooton
Profile coming soon
_______________________________________________________________
Become a Trustee
We welcome enquiries from anyone interested in joining our Board of Trustees. We are a friendly group and our meetings are relaxed and informal. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions:
Q. Will I be financially liable for the hall?
No. By becoming a Trustee you are not personally financially liable for the village hall.
Q. How much time does it require?
Trustees meet once every other month, which usually equates to four to six meetings per year. Meetings take place at the village hall and typically last a couple of hours.
Some Trustees also join the Management Committee, which is more involved in the day‑to‑day running of the hall. These meetings also take place every other month. However, there is no obligation to join the committee, and many Trustees simply attend the core Trustee meetings.
Q. What are my responsibilities?
The main duty of the Trustees is to ensure that the village hall is carrying out its purposes in the best interests of local people, managing its resources responsibly, and fulfilling all legal requirements. We work as a team, and no individual is expected to be an expert in charity legislation or to have previous Trustee experience — we are all learning together. Further information about the role of trustees can be found on the government website.
Q. What are the benefits of becoming a Trustee?
People get involved with the village hall for all sorts of reasons, as you can see from the profiles above. Without volunteer support, many community spaces like ours risk closing, which would be a huge loss to those who rely on the services and sense of connection they provide. From the variety of clubs and classes on offer, to the community garden and the events that bring people together, the hall is a real asset to village life.
Q. I’m interested in becoming a Trustee. What happens next?
We’re delighted that you’re thinking about joining us. The first step is to email the Hall Manager at [email protected]. They will put you in touch with one of our Trustees, who will be happy to chat and answer any questions you may have. We’ll also invite you to attend one of our Trustee meetings so you can get a feel for how we work and decide whether the role is right for you.