Freswick Hall secures National Lottery grant
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FRESWICK Hall has been awarded a grant of £3110 in the latest round of funding from National Lottery Awards for All.
The money will go towards the upgrading of the hall's toilets and is part of an ongoing refurbishment programme at the community facility.
Freswick Hall committee treasurer Isobel Ham said being awarded the grant was "brilliant" news and she hoped that the completion of the renovation work in the toilet and lobby area would help bring them additional bookings.
The money will go towards the costs of insulating the extension housing the toilets and lobby, rearranging the present layout to create disabled facilities and a baby changing station, putting in non-slip flooring and replacing the fire door.
Mrs Ham explained that renovation work started at the hall around four years ago with the kitchen being revamped last year thanks to funding from Foundation Scotland, the Caithness and North Sutherland Fund and Leader. Electrics were upgraded earlier this year.
Mrs Ham said: "We are hoping that by having hot water in the toilets and a state-of-the-art kitchen the hall will be more appealing. We also hope to get the main hall done before too long."
Freswick Hall is used regularly by local groups as well as a venue for parties, with an annual haggis supper being the main fundraiser. A scone and pancake night was held to show off the new kitchen and this Friday (September 13) a coffee evening will be held in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support from 7-9pm.
The funding, announced on September 4, saw groups from across Scotland sharing in a bumper package of National Lottery grants totalling £952,883.
A total of 136 community groups picked up awards from National Lottery Awards for All – a quick and simple way to access small National Lottery grants of between £300 and £10,000.
Among the other groups in the Highlands receiving an award was the Morning Call base in Inverness which has been providing a free daily telephone call service to isolated and lonely elderly people across the area for more than 30 years.
The charity received £10,000 which will allow it to employ its first paid member of staff to help co-ordinate services and meet demand.
