Gartly Community Association transform their Community Hall
In June 2022, Gartly Community Association was awarded £118,000 to fund renovation works to Gartly Hall that would provide for a modernised, fit for purpose and energy efficient local facility that can continue to host a range of community activities and events long into the future.
Gartly Community Association has long been custodians of the hall that is known locally as the Tin Hut. The building is nearly 100 years old and has been an iconic part of this rural community since it was first built.
The building has been the location for many ceilidhs, parties, weddings and events throughout its history. In early 2019 the committee agreed that the hall had seen better days and that it needed to be refurbished and made fit for the 21st century. Plans were drawn up for an extension and the association began the process of applying for permissions and costing out the work. The project was delayed due to the pandemic and then rising materials costs meant that the Association had to go back to the drawing board and review what was needed by the community and how they could meet that need in a cost effective and practical way. They changed their plans from an extension to a renovation of the existing building.
Lynn Rutter explained the impact of the pandemic on the project:
‘Everything was delayed, and we could not begin any work as lockdown and then the escalating cost of materials and lack of contractors meant we could not carry out our original plans. We were worried that a project of this size would be too much for a voluntary committee but found that our committee had the skills needed. It was certainly important to have a solid finance person to manage the invoices and budget and people who could understand the technical requirements to deliver the project and create a plan that meant we could meet the needs of the community in an affordable and practical way.”
The Association understood the importance of the hall as a hub for use during emergencies and as the only other public building in the area as the local primary school had closed. To take the hub out of action for an extended period of time was not an option as the community needed access to the hall for a range of activities and events, so the plan was developed to undertake any refurbishment whilst keeping the hall open for use as much as possible.
With this in mind the group applied to the Clashindarroch Community Fund for funds to upgrade the kitchen to meet current environmental health standards, create an accessible toilet, replace windows and insulate the building to increase energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint, upgrade the interior and paint both the interior and exterior of the premises.
The committee also wanted to ensure that they demonstrated value for money whilst using local contractors who understand the project and care about the work they do.
The project is now close to completion with the last remaining work – installing an accessible ramp – still remaining. The Association hope that this will be completed before December 2023 once planning permission has been confirmed.
Already, the community can see the benefit of the refurbishment and the community have been wholeheartedly positive about the project which has given a boost to the community and the committee.
“They were pleased that we didn't go for an extension and that we've kept the spirit of the hall. When we held the opening ceremony and invited all the tradespeople who had worked on the hall, we were also delighted that a lot of older people attended who remembered, and had been involved with the hall, over many years. We learnt that the hall is really more than a building to the local folk.”
The hall is becoming busier with a new toddler group using the hall each week and people keen to participate in coffee mornings and other events. Lynn commented ‘We want to keep the hall affordable and offer a place that all the community can use. Since we began the refurbishment of the hall, we have had many volunteers step forward to help, undertaking small tasks that make all the difference from looking after the outside and planting up flower displays, to helping out with our tea parties and community walks. We are sharing our learning with other villages and hope to be part of a network of village halls in the future.’
Plans for the future include developing the area outside the hall as a safe play space for children and somewhere to host outside events in the summer. They are looking to create a quiet seating area and improving the parking area. Discussions are also underway to create a container garden growing fruit and vegetables for the community to harvest. Increasing the events and activities in the hall is important too, with plans for a pop-up restaurant, film nights, coffee mornings and quiz nights or bingo. The Association also want to equip the hall as an emergency shelter for when power cuts or storms hit the area during the winter months.
Read more about the Vattenfall Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund