Seaboard Centre in Balintore to hold dazzling auction to help meet soaring running costs
A HALL at the heart of its Easter Ross community aims to attract lots of interest for a charity auction that will help it meet soaring running costs.
And those attending the March 22 event hosted by the Seaboard Centre in Balintore will have a dazzling array of targets to bid on.
For centre stalwarts have rallied a magnificent local response with items ranging from a week’s stay in a luxury caravan to horse trekking, a laptop, Anta rug to pork and venison.
Unique items such as a hand-carved mirror are also up for grabs along with bottles of whisky and wine - and two hens!
Speaking about the importance of the facility ahead of the auction, for which there will be a preview event on Friday, March 21 from noon until 3pm, local activist and ward councillor, Maureen Ross, said: “The Seaboard Memorial Hall (Seaboard Centre), has been in existence since 1959, playing a major role in the social, educational, recreational and overall wellbeing of the Seaboard, Fearn and Nigg communities providing a plethora of services and activities to community and visitors.”
She described the new hall, opened in 2002, as “a welcoming, modern, adaptable building with excellent facilities having a transformational impact on the community”.
It has been credited with helping to improve social cohesion, reduce isolation and assist community regeneration.
Cllr Ross said: “Due to modern life being very busy it is vitally important that this sense of community is nurtured. That being said there is everything from a cup of tea in the café to exercise classes, art workshops, bowling, over-60’s clubs, music sessions, mother and toddler group and so much more.
“It also provides a venue for training, conferences, exhibitions, weddings, bouncy castle parties and family celebrations.”
Its board, aware of the importance of sustainability, sees income generation as a priority as many of the services provided generate either low or no income.
Initiatives such as the café, functions including weddings, concerts and exhibitions, are crucial and enable the centre to be a staffed and valued local employer. Without it, other services such as the local Post Officewould not be possible.
Rising costs have hit the centre as it has other Third Sector organisations, hence the need for fundraising over and above income generated from operations.
The charity auction aims to help meet core running costs and cashflow.
Cllr Ross said: “Over the past 25 years we have led successfully many community regeneration projects, improving facilities and establishing new visitor attractions in the Seaboard area.
“The Board recognised the need for visitor facilities due to the increase in NC500 visitors and have an annex which provides, toilet, shower, laundry facilities, waste disposal and fresh water supply.
“This was provided to ensure motorhomes/ campervan visitors had access to adequate waste facilities whilst managing a maintenance contract to maintain areas that have been improved to enhance visual amenity encouraging locals and visitors to walk along the seafront and engage with the area’s distinctive environment and history.”
The latest projects have been the creation of the John Ross Visitor Centre, children’s playpark and the new standing stones entrances into each of the villages.
Many of these projects have been supported by funders such Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Highland Council and inward investment from Korean partners.
People can register interest in any of the items being previewed on the Friday. There will be a silent auction from noon onwards on the Saturday with the main auction scheduled from 2pm to 4pm.
