Kettins community project comes together for another brick in the hall

Members of the public are being asked to sponsor a brick in the latest fundraising initiative for a new parish hall in Kettins.

The idea is the brainchild of the Kettins Parish Hall (KPH) committee.

The committee - which includes representatives from Kettins Primary School and its parent teacher association, Ardler, Kettins and Meigle Church and Guild, Kettins AFC, Kettins Parish Community Council and Kettins Indoor Bowling Club - is a registered charity with the sole aim of providing a new parish hall and associated facilities at Lindsay Park in the village.

The vision is that the new hall will reinvigorate community spirit within the parish and give people of all ages a welcoming place to meet, socialise and take part in sport and other activities.

The project first came about when Kettins AFC identified that their existing changing rooms, a post-war prefab, were beyond economical repair.

Following initial discussions it became apparent that there was local support for a new modern facility in the village and after a period of consultation the committee was formed in 2013.

Since then, the committee has purchased the site with the assistance of a £25,000 grant from the Scottish Land Fund and planning consent for the proposals has been obtained.

An initial phase of work comprising fencing the site, forming a temporary car park and the establishment of a new school garden has been completed and a professionally prepared business plan which demonstrates that the completed project is financially sustainable is in place.

The next phase of the project involves the construction of the hall, associated car parking and external work and improvements to the football pitch.

The committee is currently in the process of making applications to potential funding organisations including the latest Big Lottery funding scheme but believes that local fundraising efforts such as the ‘sponsor a brick campaign’ are equally important.

Bricks can be bought for £25 for a small brick, £75 for a large single brick, £300 for a business brick or £1,000 for a foundation brick and can be bought in your own name, or that of your family or business or in memory of a loved one.

Brick sponsors’ names will be displayed on a piece of artwork in the new hall foyer.

Launching the campaign, Russell Miller, chair of the committee, said: “I am absolutely delighted to launch the ‘sponsor a brick’ campaign which will enable all those with a past, present or future interest in the village of Kettins to sponsor a brick and forever be remembered for their contribution towards the funding for the construction of our new parish hall.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring a brick should either get in touch with any of the committee members or can find out more through the website at www.kettins.org.

Alternatively, email andy.robb@blueyonder. co.uk or telephone the chairman, Russell Miller, on 07753 426208.