What's New?

Parish Council Domains Helper Service: Guidance now available on GOV.UK

Parish councils wishing to move over to a .gov.uk domain can now access guidance on the GOV.UK website. It's laid out in a step-by-step format, taking the reader all the way through the process, from getting council approval all the way through to choosing your Approved Registrar and what to do when you're set up.

Hosting the guidance on GOV.UK means that parish councils can access up-to-date information at any time. You don't have to attend a virtual session with the Parish Council Domains Helper Service team unless you want or need to, even the contact list for the Approved Registrars can be found there. It's a one-stop-shop for everything .gov.uk domain.

Any questions regarding the new GOV.UK guidance can be sent to parish-helper@domains.gov.uk.

The Big Lunch webinar

Join the Eden Project, the organisation behind The Big Lunch campaign, for a lunchtime webinar on Thursday 30 January at 12pm to explore how The Big Lunch can help councils of all levels support safer, healthier and more cohesive communities. Over 10 million people participated in 2024, with 95% reporting a positive impact on their community, and 71% saying it helped reduce loneliness (7.1m people).

The Big Lunch 2025 will take place on 7 – 8 May and can also complement VE Day 80 activities in May. As always, the key is communities coming together and local councils are being asked to promote or organise events to suit your annual programme. Hosted by Tracey Robbins, Head of Communities, and including examples of best practice from guest speakers, the webinar will share impact insights, practical tips, and free resources to support your town or parish to get involved.

Sign up now: https://events.more-human.co.uk/event/the-big-lunch-building-stronger-communities-together--with-eden-project-communities-events

VE Day 80 – 8th May 2025:A Shared Moment of Celebration

The 80th Anniversary of VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe and WWII as a whole on 8th May 1945. On Thursday 8th May 2025 town and parish councils are encouraged to undertake the lighting of Beacons and Lamp Lights of Peace at 9.30pm, the raising of a unique VE Day flag at 9am, to sing the hymn ' I vow to thee my Country' and, where possible, holding parties of celebration throughout the day in the streets, gardens at home, churches, villages, town halls, pubs, clubs, hotels and all manner of locations. For full information regarding this event please see the GUIDE