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Report on Activities for the Year Past from Ann

 

This has been a good year for the hall. 

 

Toilets-the changes to the operation of the public toilets have proved profitable. The increased cleaning has paid for itself in the substantial increase in money raised by the ‘honesty box’. We have also received some donations from coach companies who use the toilets on a regular basis. We will continue to make reprentations to all of these companies in the hope that those who use the toilets most will see the need to support our efforts. 

 

Bank Account-a new one has been set up which will allow us to keep the toilet money separate from general hall money.

 

Hall clubs/events-the hall continues to be well used by local groups and clubs. This year a new Pickle Ball club started which is on twice  a week with othergroups continuing on a weekly basis. The committee room is also used for various meetings.

All the hall facilities continue to be used by wedding parties both local and worldwide. The stage facilities, lights and changing room have attracted performers from further afield and we hope that such events will continue to be attracted to our hall. 

 

Fundraising-Various events have taken place throughout the year to raise funds for the hall and for funds for other organistaions: ceilidh in August last year, table sale in April, and whists throughout the winter as well as fundraisers for Kinlochshiel Shinty Club, Dornie Community Trust and other organisations.

 

Defibrillator Training -took place for hall committee mamnbers and for other local people who wanted to become more confident in the use of the defibrillator which is sited outside the main door.

 

PAT testing-has been completed. Some more information notices have been displayed in the kitchen by Lynne.

 

Solar Panels- A successful bid was made for grant funding for Solar Panels and Battery Storage. The solar panel installation is scheduled to take place the week beginning the 4th August. All classes/ events can go ahead as normal during this period. Further plans are in hand for updating or replacing internal electrical controls in an effort to reduce expenditure on electricity which has continued to be a serious concern this year.

Mark Crowe met with Ann, Shona & Lewis on 20th May to discuss a wide range of matters regarding hall improvements, energy improvement upgrades and parking issues. The first step is to put together a list of tasks in order of priority.

 

SSE-The issues mentioned last year with SSE continue. Inaccurate readings used by SSE and subsequent billing have caused our treasurer no end of problems. New meters to replace the current ‘Off Peak’ meters should have been installed by now but we have no date yet for this to be done. However, an email has now been received apologising for the delay stating that it is not staraightforward owing to there being 5 meters but are hoping to resolve this as quickly as possible.

 

Parking-The problems we have discussed so often with parking and inconsiderate driving both in the car park and on the main road continue. Discussion has been held with Dornie Community Council and Highland Council but no results so far.

 

However Shona did add to this point that she had brought these matters up with Mark Crowe (previously employed in the Roads Department). The volume of traffic is impacting on hall users and he recommended new signage for the hall and exclusion on coaches using the car park. This will be discussed at theCommunity Council who will push for this. Shona also mentioned about ‘Active Travel’ with a cycle shelter being sited in the carpark. The funding for this closes on the 21/6/25.

 

We are set for the installation of the solar panels and and have begun investigating the way forward with the other electrical matters mentioned above.

Ann concluded her report by saying that generally it has been a good year with a committed group on the committee and she also wished to thank Lewis for his valuable work. She said that everyone has worked well together and achieved significant progress. A detailed list of work needing done is required to give priorities and directions for the new committee.