'We need you!' plea in bid to keep Portknockie hall open
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PORTKNOCKIE residents are being urged to step forward and help keep the village’s McBoyle Hall in community hands.
The lease on the hall, which is run by Portknockie Community Association (PCA), only has a few years to go and it is imperative that action is taken now to secure its future.
PCA chairman John Going explained: “The lease on the hall is held by the council and it’s due to run out by 2025.
“By then we either need to get a new lease or take over ownership of the McBoyle Hall through a Community Asset Transfer.
“We need a new constitution and to become a SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation). One of the stipulations of this is we need to have at least 20 members so that the village as a whole has a say in what happens with the hall.
“It doesn’t cost anything and members can come along to meetings and have their say.
“Basically, if we don’t get at least 20 members then the hall shuts, it’s that simple.”
While the hall has been closed for most of the last 18 months due to the two lockdowns and other Covid restrictions, normality is creeping back in again as various groups spin back up again.
Mr Going continued: “The McBoyle is well used by a lot of different groups.
“For example, we have line dancing, table tennis, Slimming World and bowls groups using the hall.
“We’ve also done a lot of work to the building. Solar panels have been added and we’ve installed air pump heating. We’re also in the throes of having internet put in.
“We do need younger people to come forward and join in the running of the PCA. The group needs fresh ideas.
“If you join you don’t need to serve on the committee.”
Anyone interested in become a member should contact one of the PCA committee members – Mr Going, Anne Barnes or Laura Ritchie.
The PCA was set up in 2000 and is run by a group of dedicated, public-spirited volunteers.
The prime function of the PCA is to manage and maintain the McBoyle Hall. This involves keeping the building smart, clean, safe, serviceable, and in good order. Primarily, the building has a large hall, a small (snug) room, and a well-equipped kitchen, all of which are regularly used by residents and community groups.
In addition to managing the hall, the PCA holds a number of fund-raising events throughout the year as well as planting and maintaining the hanging baskets and summer flower displays, keeping the Millennium Gardens spick and span, and the organising and setting up of the Christmas displays.
