Makeover resurrects St Kieran’s hall
The sale of Campbeltown’s Red Cross hall has spurred the refurbishment of St Kieran’s own premises next door. In common with many town charities, St Kieran’s had held its own church coffee mornings in the Red Cross hall, which the national charity is attempting to sell. St Kieran’s hall, which has upstairs and downstairs rooms and a serviceable kitchen, was once the town’s Roman Catholic primary school but, since closing, had fallen into a state of disrepair. Pensioner Archie Wilson, who helped in the six-week refurbishment, said: ‘I remember the classrooms from those odd occasions when I went to school.’ The church’s priest, Father Tony Wood, said: ‘I am very grateful for all the work that has been done and how it has been completed. ‘The plaster was falling off the walls and the windows were black. We just have the toilets to complete and hope to install a new front door.’ Mr Wilson added: ‘Since Father Wood came to the town, a lot has been accomplished.’ Tommy McGrory said: ‘We have worked hard on the hall for six weeks. Parts of the ceiling needed plastering as well as painting.’ On the MOK Run weekend, the church had a good turnout for its first coffee morning in the hall. Town solicitor Christian Kane, of C and D McTaggarts, who did not attend, had a particularly successful morning winning raffle prizes, although he must have bought many strips of tickets. In addition, there was an auction of three items: an astronomer’s telescope (£50), a digital projector (£22) and a photograph by Sarah McDonald of a Loch Rannoch sunrise (£30). An agent’s board was erected on the Red Cross hall at least two weeks ago by Glasgow property firm Freeman Macleod. The property is not yet on the firm’s website and when the Courier called company director Alistair Macleod, he spoke about the property and said he had seen all the stories in the paper but refused to give any idea of a selling price. Freeman Macleod is also selling the Red Cross hall in Lochgilphead. It is on the firm’s website for offers over £45,000 or to let.