The Glenkerie Fund: A Decade of Supporting Village Hall Regeneration

These village halls, serving as community hubs across rural locations, have received support that has helped maintain their role as essential gathering spaces for local residents.

In rural communities, village halls play a pivotal role in promoting health, social cohesion and quality of life through their diverse activities. However, many of these historic buildings require ongoing maintenance and improvements, from internal upgrades to external repairs and energy-efficient retrofitting. The voluntary committees managing these spaces often struggle to secure funding for essential repairs and maintenance.

Since its inception in 2014, the Glenkerie Fund has supported six village halls within its operational area. 14% of the Fund's total distributions - which is £124,281 - has been allocated to local village halls, marking a transformative decade for these rural community spaces.

The Fund's impact was immediate, with its first awards in 2014 supporting two village hall projects. Skirling Village Hall received £17,410 for upgrading their toilet facilities to ensure accessibility for all users, while Drumelzier Hall was awarded £2,000 to purchase folding furniture, enhancing the versatility of their space.

Kitchen facilities have also seen significant improvements through the Fund's support. Tweedsmuir and Stobo village halls collectively received £34,770 to modernise their kitchen areas, ensuring compliance with food hygiene regulations while creating opportunities for new revenue streams through enhanced facilities.

The challenge of managing running costs is a consistent and significant concern for volunteer groups who oversee these spaces. Beyond securing funding for repairs, these dedicated volunteers must also ensure monthly operating costs are covered to maintain community access. 

Addressing these challenges, Skirling and Tweedsmuir village halls (pictured) have received combined funding of £28,021 for sustainable improvements, including retrofitted lighting, mains water connections and heating systems. 

While these upgrades required substantial initial investment, they have resulted in significant long-term cost reductions.

Major structural repairs have also been supported. Broughton and Drumelzier village halls received combined funding totalling £12,080 for essential roof repairs and flashings to maintain weather resistance, while Drumelzier also secured support to resurface a sloping arch pathway, ensuring safe access for all visitors.

In 2024, the Fund once again demonstrated its support with funding for Coulter Village Hall (pictured) during a critical period. Following South Lanarkshire Council's decision to close the facility, Coulter Community Trust secured a light community asset transfer and lease agreement. 

Through careful planning and a comprehensive feasibility study, the Trust identified necessary improvements to rejuvenate the hall and expand its services. The Glenkerie Fund awarded £30,000 to support core running costs over three years, ensuring the hall's long-term sustainability and continued service to Coulter and surrounding communities.

The Fund's support has significantly reduced the financial burden on volunteer community groups who dedicate their time to maintaining these facilities. While managing these spaces can be challenging, volunteers agree that their efforts are worthwhile. The regeneration of village halls has proved essential in addressing rural population decline by providing vibrant, warm, and welcoming spaces that are versatile, accessible and affordable for local communities of all ages.

Village halls serve as catalysts for broader community collaboration, drawing people from neighbouring areas to work together on shared projects and provide mutual support. These organic partnerships strengthen local resilience and foster wider community cohesion – a fundamental aspect of sustaining vibrant rural communities.

This collaboration between neighbouring communities is commended by Lisa, a Glenkerie Panel and Broughton community member:

For the last four years, I have run the annual MacMillan Coffee Morning event for Broughton. While I hire the hall in Broughton, I have relied each year on borrowing equipment from Tweedsmuir, including their coffee machine, urns, soup pans and kettles. Tweedsmuir's hall is exceptionally well equipped, maintained and cared for, serving as a true community hub. It's wonderful how we can work together to deliver community events.

Village halls continue to serve as beacons of light at the heart of rural communities, offering social connections and gathering spaces. Through the Glenkerie Fund's significant support, these local halls and their dedicated volunteers can continue to provide thriving community hubs that flourish and serve their communities effectively.

The Glenkerie Windfarm Community Fund is provided by renewable energy company Nadara and administered by Foundation Scotland.