A modest hall with a long memory.
The Institute has stood at the centre of village life here for more than a hundred years. Looked after by generations of local trustees, it exists for one simple reason — to be a useful, welcoming room for anyone in our community who needs one.
Our Beginnings
Greenodd and Pennybridge Institute was established in the early years of the twentieth century by villagers who wanted a shared space that did not belong to any one household, church or employer. It was paid for, built, and furnished by the community itself — and that ownership by the village remains its defining character today.
Over the decades the hall has hosted whist drives, wartime fundraising suppers, parish council meetings, school plays, harvest suppers, wedding receptions, funeral teas, youth clubs and countless quiet committee meetings. Each generation has put something into it, and each has taken something away.
Our Charitable Mission
The Institute is a registered charity (No. 220389) on the Register of Charities for England and Wales. Our charitable aim, very simply, is to provide accommodation for local functions — a hall where our community can meet, celebrate, learn and organise, at a cost that is accessible to everyone.
We are a non-profit. Every pound of hire income goes back into the hall — heating, lighting, repairs, insurance, cleaning and small improvements. We do not pay our trustees; they give their time freely out of love for the village.
Our guiding principles
- A hall for everyone. We welcome individuals, families, clubs and charitable groups on equal terms, without regard to background or belief.
- Fair and simple rates. Our charges are kept as modest as we reasonably can, especially for regular local clubs and classes.
- Care of our building. The Institute is entrusted to our generation; we look after it so that it will still be here for the next.
- Transparent governance. We report annually to the Charity Commission and to the village community.
- Partnership. We gladly work alongside the parish council, local schools and neighbouring village halls whenever we can.
Our Trustees & Volunteers
The Institute is managed by a small committee of volunteer trustees drawn from Greenodd, Penny Bridge and surrounding settlements. Trustees meet regularly through the year to oversee bookings, maintenance and finances. Alongside them, a wider circle of volunteers helps with cleaning rotas, small repairs, events and the occasional extra pair of hands.
If you are local to us and would like to help with the hall in any capacity — from joining the committee to offering a few hours of practical assistance — we would genuinely love to hear from you.
Where We Are
The hall is located in Greenodd, a village at the southern edge of the Lake District in Cumbria, within easy reach of Penny Bridge, Ulverston and the surrounding valleys of the Furness peninsula. It is served by a car park and is on a level site with accessible entry.
Getting involved
Whether you want to book the hall, join a regular group, volunteer your time, or simply say hello — write to us. We reply to every genuine email.