There were celebrations in Symington village when Councillor Hywel Davies, the Convener of South Ayrshire Council’s Rural Communities Committee presented a cheque for £76,000 to John Nimmo who accepted it on behalf of Symington Community Projects Limited.  The funding will be used to help redevelop the church hall in Symington, which will be known as the Symington Community Hall.

Symington Community Projects Limited was formed by a group of local people who were determined to provide a community facility in their village.  The facility had to be one that could be used for a range of activities, by people of all ages and with appropriate facilities for those with disabilities.

After presenting the cheque Councillor Davies said: “This is a great day for the people of Symington.

“The Board members of the Symington Community Projects Limited are experienced in community activities and have a wide range of professions, and their skills are being put to good use in this project.”

“The lack of community facilities in Symington has been recognised as a concern by the Council, and this project clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when everyone works together.  Local people have raised over £100,000 towards the project by organising a variety of fundraising events and obtaining funding from a variety of sources, they are to be commended for all their hard work.”

In 2004 the Council decided that it would contribute to a funding package aimed at assisting Symington Community Projects Limited to develop a community facility.  The funding was conditional on the company assembling a funding package which, including the Council’s contribution, would meet the total cost of the project.

Symington Community Projects Limited has worked hard to attract external funding to meet the total cost of the £190,000 project that will be completed in two stages.  Stage one will involve major refurbishment of the main part of the existing building and the installation of disabled access and toilets. Stage two will involve improvements in the annexe to the existing building and hard landscaping around the building.

The Council has not undertaken public consultation on this project, however Symington Community Projects Limited has consulted local people and is aware of the activities and types of uses that the hall will be put to in the future.

John Nimmo of Symington Community Projects Limited said:  “This project is being driven by members of a small community who want to make a difference to the lives of people living in and around the village.

“I would like to thank the Council for their financial support and also for the advice and guidance that Councillors and Officers have given.”

Pictured within Symington Community Hall which is currently being extensively refurbished, and proudly displaying the cheque from South Ayrshire Council are (left to right) Alastair Sanderson, Minister of Symington Parish Church, Councillor Hywel Davies, Rural Communities Convener, John Nimmo, Symington Community Projects Limited and Margaret Davidson, Symington Community Projects Limited.

May 2006