Dunlop and District Community wins “Delivering Community Regeneration” Award!
Kevin Brown, Convener, said:
“Dunlop and District Community Company was formed in 2002, and has successfully managed Dunlop Village Hall since 2006 when it agreed a 25 year lease of the building from East Ayrshire Council. It is staffed entirely by a group of very dedicated volunteers.
In 2004, a new Board of Directors was appointed and over the next 2 years the Company raised £500,000 to renovate and upgrade the Village Hall to include a café extension, new kitchen, improved toilet facilities and disabled access. Planned activity over the next year includes roof and guttering repairs.
The Village Hall is the focal point of village life for Dunlop and surrounding rural communities and is the venue for a wide range of activities for all ages, including: Aerobics, Art Classes, Pilates, Youth Club, Drama Group, Knitting Group, Taekwondo, Out of School Care and a Community Cinema as well as concerts and other social events.
The Community Company receives some funding from the Council but is working towards becoming financially sustainable, with the majority of running costs financed from hall lets, income from the community cafe and various fund raising events including Christmas Fairs and concerts. It serves as an inspiring and impressive example of what a rural community can do to better the lives of all of its residents.”
