Dunaverty hall is such an asset

Sir, I would like to take the opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has been involved in Southend finally having a new community hall suitable for the 21st century.

It was in August 1998 that I was asked to join the committee to bring a new hall to Southend. Little did I, or others, realise what a journey we would be on and how it would dominate our lives.

There have been tears, laughter and pulling of hair as we filled in forms, stormed Kilmory Castle, soaked in Conie Glen Burn for the duck race, made scarecrows, crafts, painted, baked and manned stalls for the Christmas fair.

Not forgetting the sponsored walks, concerts, Stars in your Eyes, teddy bears’ picnic, silent auction, mile of coins, car boot sales and many more events and fundraising done by the committee, their helpers and the general public who contributed to the cause.

There are so many people who have been involved locally, the wider community and those from further afield.

The original design team: CP Architects, Morham and Brotchie and John Peden, who supported and advised for many years.

The committee members – those who were there from the beginning, for example, David and Janet, those who were there at the end and, of course, those who have taken part over the years: Lorraine, Martin, Violet and Pat and those who are no longer with us, such as Trisha and Josephine.

It would not have happened without their input or without our builders, Ian Osborne and Robbie McEwan of McEwanOsborne, who built the magnificent hall.

It will be the envy of other communities in Kintyre, if not elsewhere.

Little did Ian know that when the committee asked for his advice around six years ago ... and I know how he feels.

We did it. Southend has a new Dunaverty Hall. We proved the Big Lottery wrong and that we could do it. Now Southend has a wonderful asset we can be proud of for the future. Susan Paterson, Southend.