The Trustees of Barthol Chapel Community Hub are delighted to announce that our bid to the Scottish Land Fund has been successful. We have been awarded £100,465 to acquire the kirk so it can continue to be used and further developed as a community hub.
The money will pay the purchase price and associated costs, as well as covering the cost of a part-time Development Officer who we will seek to appoint as soon as possible to help take the initiative forward.
The Hub is your space and resource. It can be used for a wide variety of activities, bringing people together and meeting the needs of local folk. We are going to have a Garden Party on 13 September to mark 150 years of Barthol Chapel Kirk and celebrate its continuation as a community hub. At the event you will be able to find out more about the planned development and ways to be involved.
Thanks to the Scottish Land Fund for its support. We still have a way to go with our fundraising to turn the building into a warm and inviting multi use space, but with continued support from our wonderful community we are confident it will happen.
Here is the official press release from the Scottish Land Fund."Barthol Chapel Community Hub has received £100,465 from the Scottish Land Fund to acquire the former church near Tarves in Aberdeenshire, which it will then develop into a flexible, multi-use community space for venue hire, sports activities and life events. In addition, there will be a community cafe, and the group will host exhibitions and concerts in the space.
Jonathan Boughey, Chair, Barthol Chapel Community Hub, said: “We are thrilled that the Scottish Land Fund are supporting our acquisition of the Old Kirk in Barthol Chapel. This building has been a landmark in the community for 150 years and community ownership will allow us to transform it into a hub that enables us to grow and develop the range of activities taking place, respond to local needs and create a welcoming multi-use space for all.”
The grants are amongst 10 totalling £1,453,569 announced today by the Scottish Land Fund.
Sandra Holmes, head of community assets at HIE, said, “The successful projects announced today across Scotland are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities. All these projects will help retain population, attract visitors and create jobs. Ownership will give community groups greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”
The Scottish Land Fund reopened to applications in April 2021. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade."