'What community is all about' – event marks Gartly Hall's £100k revamp
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GARTLY gathered to praise a massive regeneration of its community hall.
The well-attended Gartly Community Hall event saw the public, committee members and hall supporters thanking the tradespeople who made the project possible.
Attendees were also encouraged to share their ideas for how the hall should be used.
Ideas on the horizon after the Sunday (April 23) event include possible weddings, children's birthday parties, pop-up restaurants, new music events, choir sessions and community food-growing schemes.
The hall's great outdoor space was also a highlight of the event and locals suggested setting up a play area at the hall.
Plans have been laid down to approach Aberdeenshire Council about using play equipment from Gartly School.
The hall was officially opened by Lt Col Gordon McKen who gifted the hall a poster listing Gartly residents, many from long-lost crofts, who went off to the First World War and the many who did not return.
Gartly Community Association secretary Lynn Rutter said she was pleased that the tradespeople involved were given their moment of appreciation.
"They had worked well beyond the call of duty and you always feel you're pushing your luck a bit, so it was nice to be able to give something back," she said.
"It's not just about refurbishing it.
"It's about getting it used and getting some life into the community.
"And enabling people to have a resource on their doorstep that they can enjoy."
The festivities included a visit from the Huntly District Pipe Band.
Expecting a turnout of four pipers, the committee was pleasantly surprised when the entire band came en masse.
Ms Rutter said: "It really tested the acoustics – let's put it that way.
"It was great and I mean everyone just loves it, don't they?"
Guests from all ages came to the opening event and the revamp received rave reviews.
"It was lovely and you had people who were sort of well into their 80s and young toddlers all in the same space," Mr Rutter said.
"Which is what a community is all about, isn't it?
"There is a lot of excitement and a lot of interest that we've managed to preserve the core of the hall.
"The acoustics are still brilliant and we have kept the feel of it whilst giving it this fresh modern look.
"I'm very very pleased with the way it went and I think people were definitely very excited."
Also attending the event was Chris Lee from Foundation Scotland which provided £118,000 for the hall's renovation.
The next community event at Gartly Hall will be the first of a regular series of coffee mornings, to raise funds for the hall and local charities.
Taking place on May 20, between 10am and 12pm, the coffee morning hopes to generate cash for soft play maps for the Gartly toddlers group, which uses the hall.
A concert will take place on May 13 from Cornish singer-songwriter Sarah McQuaid.
The most important thing for people to know, Ms Rutter said, was that the hall is owned by the community.
She said: "We want to say, to everyone, that it is a community hall and a community space.
"The ideas for its use must come from the community and not just from a committee.
"We don't want people to feel like a small committee owns it – because we don't.
"We're just the custodians."
Enquiries about booking Gartly Community Hall can be sent to gartlyca.bookings@gmail.com.
