'Saved' village hall work starts

An artist's impression of the new Glenfarg village hall

Work has started renovating a tiny Perthshire community's hall - more than 15 years later than first planned.

The Victorian building in Glenfarg is being upgraded at a cost of £350,000 to comply with health and safety rules.

Campaigners who worked to raise the money had claimed that without extensive redevelopment, the facility would be forced to close

A new extension is being added to accommodate the 30 or so groups which meet there.

There are also plans to use the old village school for education classes and as a wedding venue.

It's exciting to see the foundations for our new hall already going in, heralding a new era for the social heart of our community Pierette Melville Glenfarg Public Hall Association

The secretary of the Glenfarg Public Hall Association said the appeal had been boosted by another £32,150 in donations from private companies and charitable foundations.

Pierette Melville added: "Their kind donations, and all those we've received during our major fundraising drive, will help ensure we have a first-class venue for Glenfarg and the wider community for a range of clubs, learning programmes and private functions for many more generations to come.

"We are thrilled that work has now started on site. It's exciting to see the foundations for our new hall already going in, heralding a new era for the social heart of our community.

"With our fantastic new state-of-the-art kitchen, disabled access, dressing room and featured entrance we believe our new public hall can compete with the best of wedding venues throughout the Perth and Kinross area."