Rockfield Centre celebrates first birthday

THE OBAN and Lorn community turned out in force to celebrate the first birthday of The Rockfield Centre since delivery of the keys to the site last year.

All ages enjoyed an ‘Arty’ afternoon tea with children’s activities combined with the project’s first art exhibition from local artists and makers.

Rhona Dougall, who heads up arts and culture at the centre, organised the celebrations whilst well-known artist and former head of art and design at Oban High School Val Hamilton put the exhibition together.

Gordon McNab, chairman of Oban Communities Trust which runs The Rockfield Centre, said: ‘A lot has been achieved in one year – the main building is now rot free, roof repairs have been carried out and we’ve had an input of more than 1,000 hours of voluntary work from the community. The building has been saved in the nick of time.

‘Our project manager Andrew Pinkerton continues to push plans for The Rockfield Centre forward with the design team Page and Park. Their design proposals and plans should be available for all to see shortly.’

Gordon added that the art exhibiton had brought together all ages and styles and showed the enormous talent which exists in the community. Further events are planned throughout the summer starting with the Festival of the Sea. The use of the community huts at the centre continues to grow by a wide range of groups.

And the birthday tea was honoured with a special guest – Parsley the famous wandering cat and tourism ambassador for Oban chose to drop in to check out the activities.

Parsley is well known in Oban and has become an iconic part of tourism in the town – accompanying visitors between attractions.

Owner Fiona Campbell Smith said: ‘Parsley now has his own Facebook site with more than 1,600 followers and is the self-appointed Minister for Cats Scotland in the new government… Parsley is delighted to be affiliated with Oban Communities Trust making The Rockfield Centre one of his regular destination visits and he thoroughly enjoyed the first birthday party.’

Right: from left, brothers Alexander, 5, and Archie Malloch, 9 and William Holland, 7, have the honour of cutting The Rockfield Centre’s first birthday cake. Above: Some of the crowd that visited The Rockfield Centre’s first Birthday celebration party.

Rhona Dougall, creative arts and culture manager of The Rockfield Centre and Val Hamilton, who organised the arts exhibition with centre mascots Rocky and Muriel.