National Lottery £10k cash paves way for Findochty Town Hall
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IT was a case of 'tar' very much for Findochty Town Hall Committee when they received a £10,000 grant to revamp the facility's car park.
The award, from the National Lottery Community Fund, is the perfect culmination to a long-standing fund-raising campaign by the dedicated team of volunteers who have run the hall since 2018.
Trustee Sandy Innes said: "This is a huge boost for us and we're very grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for this generous grant.
"Since we took over the running of the hall from the council the car park has been an issue, with it being in a poor state of repair.
"It has broken up in different areas where we're down to the gravel and has been a major concern for some time.
"The £10,000 award will allow us to completely repair and resurface the whole car park.
"In addition to this, we're going to put in disabled parking bays near the front entrance to the hall and also marking out the rest of the car park into bays, which will allow us to maximise the parking available.
"The improvement works are programmed for March 21-23, weather permitting."
The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Chair, Kate Still, commented: “National Lottery funding can make amazing things happen in local communities across the country.
"This project delivered by Findochty Town Hall, is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others. National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work and to help communities thrive.”
For more information on the National Lottery Community Fund, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TNLCommunityFundScotland or follow them on Twitter at @TNLComFundScot
With most Covid restrictions set to be ditched on March 21 in Scotland, things are looking up for the hall after a torrid two years of the pandemic.
Mr Innes said: "Like many places the omicron variant hit us hard over the festive season, with three major functions cancelled as a result.
"However, things are really looking up for the rest of the year.
"We recently formed a training room in the rear of the hall building, which has been used quite a lot recently.
"The table tennis club has started up again and Toni is back doing her Insanity classes.
"We're looking forward to welcoming back the pop-up café from March 31. This was initially brought in to help combat isolation caused by the pandemic but it has also proved a good fund-raising activity for the hall.
"Bookings in general are picking up, with the likes of birthday parties, and we're looking forward to the return of the gala, including the gala dance.
"Later in the year, in November, we've got the over-60s party."
Mr Innes added that the hall was set to host a fund-raising brunch on Saturday, March 5, from 9.30am to noon, with just £3 buying a filled roll along with a cup of tea or coffee.
For more news and updates about Findochty Town Hall, follow their Facebook page.
