Glenfarg Community Centre Update

As most of you will know the Hall Committee has reorganised itself so that it is better able to carry out the exciting plans to create a Community Centre. This will bring together the existing Hall and the adjoining Schoolhouse as one building offering a variety of space for community use. In addition to the hired spaces, it is also planned to offer freshly made food from an artisan café during the day and to provide flexible space for all.

Ever since we bought The Schoolhouse in April 2019, the board of trustees has been busy behind the scenes getting prepared to start the refurbishment of the building. After a very successful Open Day in May 2019 we spent an evening with a host of volunteers removing old carpets from the Schoolhouse. Various fundraising activities took place in 2019 too including a Bingo Night, a Kiltwalk  and we received  funds from the fantastic Pantomime which happened just before lockdown. This money is going towards buying the extra bits we need for the centre before it opens. An architect, Matthew Cowan was hired to prepare building warrant drawings & proposed plans which were submitted to Perth & Kinross Council. These were given the go ahead in February 2020 & then COVID hit…and like so many other projects we are now in limbo waiting for a time when the builders can continue the work in a COVID safe environment.

This has not deterred some key outdoor activities - The large sycamore tree towards the garage end of the garden was felled by Treetec in October and the logs split and stacked into 4 potato boxes provided by Robert Doig at Old Fargie. This storage space has been doubled by using pallets donated by Davie Meldrum. We would like to thank Alistair, Robert & Christine Morton and the Glenfarg Scout Group, Colin Campbell and Isabel Nicholson for their help with the fire wood processing. The wood will be used in a stove to be fitted in the new café.

Along with the café, the building itself has rooms for hire to for a variety of clubs, a teenage hub, a lounge and an office workspace. It is hoped in the future to employ a centre manager & to offer breakfast & after school clubs.

While we wait to start the building work, we are looking for input from everyone now as to the garden around the Schoolhouse & what you would like to use the space for. We have a blank canvas at the moment and in this large garden we can imagine lots of functions…. This would be an ideal venue for fetes, weddings, BBQs, craft markets, classes etc. having a large grassy area which will incorporate the Hall garden & can be easily accessed from the car park. We are going to compile a Survey Monkey which will be promoted on the Glenfarg Grapevine Facebook page. We’d love you all to share your thoughts about The Schoolhouse garden.

The Schoolhouse is to be an integral part of our village which along with the adjoining hall will serve Glenfarg for years to come. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of our community being able to meet together and socialise. We are all missing this aspect of village life and are looking forward to when we can get together once again.

Gillian Forbes secretary@glenfargcommunitycentre.com