Help plea for iconic building
Appeal to fund hall work
Comrie’s most iconic building is in need of some help.
The White Church roof has begun to leak and, despite patching work, the advice is that a new roof will be needed.
The pandemic has not helped, for the community centre has been closed for over 500 days – curtailing its normal fundraising activities.
White Church manager Jaclyn Wilson explained: “We were closed for 522 days – obviously not earning any money in that time and we didn’t really qualify for any help either
“Even though there was a massive refurbishment in 2000 the roof was never touched.
“We have repairs and maintenance going on all the time, but through the pandemic we had to have the roof repaired quite a few times and the roofer has advised that it’s not in great shape.
“To fix it is going to cost a lot of money.” The former parish church was given to the village in 1965 when the Church of Scotland handed over the feu of the property to the people of Comrie to serve the area as a youth and community centre.
Many community groups enjoyed use of the halls for the next 30 years but little investment was made and, by 1995, it was no longer profitable to keep it open.
At a public meeting residents were told that due to financial constraints it would have to be closed and boarded-up.
Galvanised by the thought of losing an integral part of their village, a group of locals got together to see what could be done to save the White Church and a management committee was set up.
A full reconfiguration was needed to meet village needs in the 21st century and the community soon set about the enormous task of raising the £616,000 needed for the ambitious project.
Hard-working local volunteers secured grants and organised fundraising activities, and the extensive renovations to transform the former church into a modern community facility were completed for the Millennium.
And now Jaclyn and the White Church committee are hoping that the community will rally again.
She added: “For one area of the roof we could be talking £50,000 so we have decided to do bits at a time.
“I am also applying for funding from the Steinmeyer Legacy, the Gannochy Trust and some other award bodies.
“If we can get the community to come back and start booking us again that would be a start.
“I know it’s very difficult and a lot of people are apprehensive about coming back or don’t have the money just now but a little goes a long way.
“We have the Ruchil Hall and the Earn Suite that can be booked at the moment.
“It’s been a slow start after reopening and unfortunately we have lost a few groups.
“Thank you to everyone for their continued support and to all the groups that use us. Hopefully people’s confidence will grow and more will start coming back.”
The regular monthly fundraising quiz has restarted and Jaclyn also hopes to add in a games night and set up an online page for donations.
I know it’s very difficult and a lot of people are apprehensive about coming back or don’t have the money just now but a little goes a long way Jaclyn Wilson