Aultbea Community Hub gives thanks for funding to secure church site for multiple users in Wester Ross community
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A WESTER Ross group has secured funds to make a local church a wider community hub.
Aultbea Community Hub has funding to complete the purchase of the Aultbea Church of Scotland site with an award from the Scottish Land Fund and National Lottery Community Fund.
The Aultbea Church of Scotland was seen as an ideal facility for intimate and small audience shows and events for the communities in and around Loch Ewe providing new capabilities and addressing old restrictions.
It ensures current activities – including the Royal Mail sorting office, community groups, and community cinema and cafe – can continue in their own facility. Church services will be able to continue and the popular Men’s Shed will also have long-term security.
£140,000 has been raised since 2022 which allows the Hub to not only purchase the building but also continue with its development/refurbishment plans and provide upgrades and equipment.
Trustees paid tribute to the enthusiasm, support and encouragement of the local community and the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Land Fund, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the SLCVO as well as the Scottish Government.
Sandra Holmes, head of community assets at Highland & Islands Enterprise said: “These projects...will help retain the population, attract visitors and create jobs. Ownership will give community groups greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come.”
Roger Kendall, treasurer and trustee, said: “We are extremely grateful to be awarded this grant as it enables us to retain a significant local building in community ownership. We can now turn our attention to long-term plans to re-purpose and modernise this underused building, whilst also giving security of tenure to Aultbea Men’s Shed and the Royal Mail Sorting Office but still allowing the continuation of church services.
“This Hub can become a unique meeting place in a repurposed building in our community for the foreseeable future”.
Stuart Smith, Minister of Aultbea Church of Scotland, said: "We are delighted to see the future of this treasured building secured for the local community as well as the congregation, and are deeply indebted to the Aultbea Community Hub trustees for their enthusiasm, commitment, vision and support."
The trustees look forward to working together with local people and groups to help develop a wider range of facilities for the benefit of everyone in the area.
Trustees are already working on plans to update and improve the building, with new facilities and energy conservation measures.
You can find out more and keep up to date with progress via the Aultbea Community Hub website at https://www.aultbeahub.org.uk/
