Saint Ninian’s Hall Development
Project Description
Saint Ninian’s Hall Development, Isle of Whithorn. 2014 was a momentous year for the Isle of Whithorn community, culminating in the completion of a journey that began nearly 10 years ago when the community first had the idea of owning and running their own village hall. The future of the village hall, dating from the late 1920s, had in recent years looked uncertain due to local authority financial cut backs. In 2005,on behalf of the community, Isle Futures a community regeneration charity embarked on a long and somewhat protracted process of taking over the management of the building. In 2013 this developed further to taking full community ownership of the village hall, public toilets and the village green. During this period the efforts of the community were recognised with many awards as the facilities were improved including the establishment of a licensed public cinema, the most southerly in Scotland. Isle Futures contention was the Isle community and surrounding communities needed a place, open at their convenience, where they could meet socially. In 2012 Isle Futures raised a project to redevelop the village hall and incorporate a new annexe. It was based on extensive research undertaken within the community with the objective of bringing together differing generations in a safe, social environment, and engender a strong sense of local pride and self-worth. The village has long been a popular tourist attraction, with many visitors coming back year in, year out to enjoy the picturesque scenery and relaxing lifestyle of this part of Scotland. One aspect of the village life which had been missing for many years has been a ‘tearoom’. From observing tourist traffic over recent years, more and more visitors had been coming into the area, but without the facilities, leave without adding to the local economy. A retail aspect of the plan was considered equally important, as a proactive step to ensure the continuity of a village shop and post office. Providing local businesses with an outlet for arts, crafts and gifts was also a major consideration. In addition, much-needed employment opportunities would be created from this new development. On 1st October 2014, the new development opened to the public. Finally the community had a wonderful range of facilities – the refurbished, ‘fit-for-purpose’ original hall, an upgraded kitchenette and conference room, and the new annexe incorporating a reception area, tearoom with a catering kitchen, shop and display area and new conveniences with a 24-hour public toilet. The success of the project has been down to team working, encompassing proposals and details of the tearoom and kitchen provision, the audio visual and IT requirements, decoration finishes, job descriptions and employment of 9 staff and seeking to ‘future proof’ the building. It has been challenging and involved a substantial number of people within the community, in addition to members the Isle Futures Board. We are proud to have brought to fruition this whole project known as Saint Ninian’s.