Dulnain Bridge Village Hall's future secured thanks to National Lottery grant

A mini lottery windfall has helped to ensure that the only community venue in Dulnain Bridge will continue to be available for residents and other users more than 125 years after it opened.

Committee members had warned that the future of the village hall could be in doubt come late summer because of issues with on-going daily running costs exacerbated by the Covid pandemic.

But they have been successful in attaining £6,750 from the National Lottery Community Fund designed to provide a lifeline to weather the current cost of living storm.

The money is part of a new £11m package of grants with a whopping 324 organisations benefitting with many of the causes supporting people and organisations facing tough times.

“We’ve been awarded £6750,” celebrated Claire Anne McFadden, treasurer of the hall trust. “Those funds are two-fold.

"The first is £4000 towards electricity costs which threatened closure at the end of our financial year on July 31.

"Our surplus funds would have been wiped out by our fuel bills as hall usage, therefore income, had been badly affected by the effects of less social activities during and following the Covid pandemic.

“Instead, we have been able to stay open. This award has created breathing space for the trustees to devise and implement a new business and fundraising strategy.”

The trust has already attracted new activity: “We have also been able to ensure that our bowling club holds on to its venue which is crucial to its existence as a recreational club and as a competitor in the league.”

The balance of £2750 has been awarded to improve the kitchen facilities and hallway.

Ms McFadden explained: "This will further enhance our ability to attract new business in the months and years ahead.”

She said the hall’s closure would have been ‘catastrophic’ for the villagers as it is the only community and public space in Dulnain Bridge.

Ms McFadden added: “This may not be a huge sum for some organisations but it has provided a great foundation for us to ensure our hall, opened in 1896, and community-owned, stays open."

The hall has played a central role in Dulnain Bridge life ever since its opening, hosting a huge variety of community events.

These have included the village's own Hoolie, summer barbecues, yoga, pilates, bowling league, church services, public information events, birthday celebrations, children’s Christmas party, funeral teas, art and craft activities and quiz nights.

The venue is also an NHS emergency resilience centre.

Kate Still, Scotland Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund said: “Our funding continues to support people who are facing tough times and who are having to make difficult choices on a day-to-day basis.

“This latest round of awards will ensure that, in times of crisis, there are places where people can to go to for help, often when they feel that there’s nowhere else to turn."

She added: “National Lottery players can be very proud that they are supporting this vital work making a real difference to so many.”

The community fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk

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