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Deliberately designed to reflect the small village population
rather than to accommodate a full-sized badminton court, the
hall is nevertheless fully equipped with a wide range of sporting
and recreational equipment. Regular weekly events include
yoga, table tennis, indoor football and children's fun nights.
It also has its own stage, PA and lighting systems for the
many arts events promoted there.
In recent years the hall has hosted many musical events, including
classical, blues, jazz, rock and of course a fine selection
of traditional music in the programme. These combined with
regular theatrical productions for adults and children and
a variety of dances and other children's events have seen
Glenuig Hall become one of the busiest in the highlands for
promoting artistic, cultural and community events.
Many ask how a small village with an adult population of only
35, situated in one of the more remote parts of Lochaber,
can continue to host such a variety of events.
The nucleus of the hall committee has a long history of promoting
concerts dating back to before the Glenuig Music Festivals
began. With the opening of the new hall this interest in the
arts continued.
Funding from the Scottish Arts Council and Highland Council
Cultural & Leisure Services, the commitment of the local
community and the enthusiasm of audiences who travel from
throughout Lochaber (and often beyond) enable this dedicated
band of volunteers to continue promoting a varied programme
of events to suit all tastes.
Glenuig Hall is also coming into increased demand as a venue
for weddings and other functions. With a number of excellent
caterers in the neighbourhood a full menu of first class venue,
music, food and accommodation can all be obtained locally.
The hall is also much used for meetings, being ideally situated
in the centre of west Lochaber, equally accessible from Ardnamurchan,
Mallaig and Fort William.
Fundraising
Eleven years of the Glenuig Games and Music Festival provided
the bulk of the community's contribution to the new hall.
Other fundraising events were staged, including barn dances
at a local farm steadings, prize draws, raffles and plastic
duck races down the River Nevis. In eleven years the local
community raised £33,000 for the new hall. Grant aid
for the building of the hall came from the Scottish Office
Education Department, Highland Regional Council, Lochaber
District Council, Lochaber Limited and Leader. The hall was
also equipped through funding from the Foundation for Sports
& the Arts, Lloyds TSB Foundation, The Rank Foundation,
Gannochy Trust, Tudor Trust and the Carnegie UK Trust. The
BBC Beechgrove Garden Hit Squad did a marvellous job of landscaping
and planting the hall grounds.
While the GCA committee are happy to (and often do) advise
others interested in building new halls, it should be noted
that the advent of the National Lottery has created many changes
in the funding available for such projects.
Design of the hall
The design and layout of the hall was discussed at length
within the community before a local architect was presented
with draft plans from which to work. The community felt it
did not require a hall large enough to accommodate a full
size badminton court, as it was felt that this would be unsuitable
for a small community and would not be aesthetically pleasing.
Other organisations in similar situations thinking of building
a new hall are urged to think carefully before giving way
to the badminton lobby.
It was decided that the building required several small rooms
for activities that did not require the large space provided
by the main hall. With hindsight, we could have done with
more storage space for chairs, tables, staging and sports
equipment and those building new halls are cautioned to consider
this in their planning.
We also felt it important from past experience that the bar
area be separate from the main hall. This prevents those who
prefer to spend all night standing at the bar from distracting
those who wish to listen to whatever music or other event
is taking place in the main hall. We also adopted a policy
of banning smoking in the main hall, and this has helped us
maintain a pleasant atmosphere in the auditorium.
The running of the hall
Glenuig Hall opened officially on 1st April 1995, since when
it has been in constant use. Regular evening activities include
table tennis, karate, yoga, a youth club and Moidart Local
History Group meetings. Wednesday nights are kept free for
younger children to come along and use any of the facilities
they wish free of charge. The Social Inclusion Partnership
have arranged for one of the rooms to be used as a drop-in
centre by local youngsters who now have their own key (to
this room only).
The hall is often used for dances, weddings and other functions,
and for conferences, meetings and seminars. There is a Doctor's
surgery once a week, and the Highland Council keep the hall
toilets open to the public in the summer months.
Glenuig Community Association use the hall for a year-round
programme of the performing arts with funding from the Highland
Council Cultural & Leisure Services and the Scottish Arts
Council. More details on how this is operated can be supplied
on request (please send a donation to cover printing and postage).
Running costs of the hall are met largely from the hire of
the hall to various user groups; many of who gain their own
revenue from operating bars at GCA sponsored events. We also
have a small regular income from the sales of tapes and CDs
of a recording we made of the Tenth Glenuig
Music Festival.
Enquiries
Glenuig Hall is an ideal venue for parties, weddings, meetings
and all types of functions. Contact us through the details
below to find out about our competitive rates and the other
services we can offer you. We are happy to refer you to local
caterers and musicians as required and our enthusiastic management
committee will offer help and advice to ensure your event
runs smoothly.
We often send out newsletters and flyers providing news of
coming events in Glenuig Hall. If you would like regular information
(by email or in the post) alerting you to coming events you
may not want to miss please give us a call, write to us or
email us at GCA@glenuig.org.uk
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Enquiries about Glenuig Hall should be addressed to Glenuig
Community Association, Glenuig Hall, Glenuig, Lochailort PH38
4NG, Tel/fax 01687 470214, or by contacting Eoghan Carmichael
on 01687 470267. E-mail GCA@glenuig.org.uk
Information about forthcoming events can be found on our
Events Page.
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