Portmahomack village hall heating grants curb fears over closure
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A community hall in a close-knit Easter Ross village has avoided closure after receiving over £24,000 in grants to install an essential new heating system.
The future of Carnegie Hall in Portmahomack, near Tain, had been left in doubt after its existing ground-source heating system had broken down and was deemed beyond economical repair.
The hall committee's only option was to replace the entire system and upon recommendation, they opted to raise funds for a new air-source system at a cost of £31,000.
Now, thanks to funding from SSE, and CARES – a fund administered by Local Energy Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government – the hall committee has been able to proceed with the installation, securing the future of the "vital" local resource.
Carol Summers, chairperson of the Carnegie Hall committee, said: "Before we secured the funding from CARES and SSE, we were genuinely worried about the future of the hall. Most of our local halls and community spaces are facing challenges just to remain open.
"In this current climate with more and more isolation and loneliness in our communities, it is vital that local halls remain open. Portmahomack Hall is a vital resource for all in our community. Every week it is used by our youngest members with our baby and toddler group and also some of our most senior members too, and everyone in between.
"We just want to have a warm, cosy hall again. Our hall is a much needed and much used local resource. We have regular local groups that meet in the hall every week day and evening."
The committee were left to raise funds of around £6000 to cover the full cost of the project, and have done so by holding local events and accepting donations.
Ms Summers added: "To date we have had very generous local donations from individuals and also funds from the Randan music festival which was held in Portmahomack in July.
"We also had a very generous donation from a local man's 80th birthday party too – Donald Urquhart – who asked for no presents, just donations to the hall heating funds!
"This left a total of £4200 short-fall to cover and to raise funds to do this, we have set up a JustGiving account. We have been blown away by everyone's generosity. So far, our page has raised over £1000."
Carnegie Hall is very much part of Portmahomack's close-knit community and with the festive season now approaching, the hall promises to feature heavily in local events and celebrations, as the venue for the Christmas fayre, carol concert and switching on of the lights
The hall is also home to the village's hogmanay get together, new year concert and new year dance.
As the only local space in the village, the hall is also hired out for local parties, family get-togethers, funeral teas, and next month it will host a local wedding.
People wishing to donate to the hall fund can do so at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/CarnegieHallHeating.
