Clochan centre’s new chairwoman unveils vision to put it at the ‘heart of the community’
Approaching Clochan Community Centre, you could be forgiven for thinking that it was another old building now serving as a local hub.
True, it is an old building - a former school - but you don’t have to be inside long to appreciated the years of hard work that have transformed the building into one with facilities which out many a new build to shame.
It feels fresh and clean and has seen revamp and replacement work undertaken literally encompassing the floor to the roof, the latter being the latest of the centre committee’s big money improvement projects.
New committee chairwoman Christine Kennedy is leading the drive to tap into the huge potential of the centre and attract a wide range of groups, activities and functions through the door to mak eit the thriving heart of the community.
She said: “The main thing for us at the moment is trying to get folk back into the hall.
“We’ve lost a few groups and classes over the years and we want to reverse this.
“Covid didn’t help, that was something we all felt the after-effects of in different ways.
“One of the things we’re trying to push is hosting funeral teas. We’re just down the road from the crematorium and have excellent facilities. We’ve got a caterer who can come in and do these plus set up the tables and floorr arrangements.
“Our kitchen and hall is also available for functions of all different kinds.
“Over time we’ve lost a number of groups and classes who used to use the hall. We’re looking for folk to take on new classes, for example art or maybe dancing, that would be interested in renting the hall.
“We’ve got the carpets needed for indoor bowling and we’re trying to get a group running.
“Events like craft fairs would also be very welcome.”
The hall already boasts a number of regular events, including a popular coffee morning - featuring outstanding pancakes - every Tuesday from 10am to 12 noon and 1pm and a car boot sale every third Sunday of the month which runs over 9am-1pm.
As an experiment to judge public enthusiasm, Christine said that the next car boot sale will be held on Saturday, June 21 rather than the following day as would usually be the case.
She added: “People are more than welcome to hold their own car boot sales at Clochan Community Centre, we can easily accommodate that.”
A tour through the centre soon makes it plain just what it has to offer. A well-appointed kitchen sits adjacent to the coffee room with a main hall on the other side of the centre for events which require more space. A small meeting room is available for hire and there is ample storage space throughout the hall.
Freshy painted throughout, all of the toilets in the centre have been updated and redecorated.
Outside, the spacious car park also doubles as a walking football pitch along with kiddies’ play equipment.
Christine stressed how important having the centre is to the local community.
She continued: “The centre is very important and I’m urging people to support us and save the heart of their community.”
She went on to pay tribute to the work and commitment of her predecessor as committee chair, Gerry Millington who held the post of nine years. His wife, Lesley, remains in charge of hall bookings.
The team are also on the lookout for fresh faces to help drive the centre forward, with a whole host of roles available.
Anyone interested in helping out, or would like more information, is asked to give Lesley Millington a ring on 07748 054508 or email Clochanccbookings@gmail.com
For Clochan Community Centre news, events and updates, visit the facility’s Facebook page.
