Overview
Berneray Community Hall has been a hub for our island for nearly 40 years. We've held weddings, film screenings, funerals and everything in between at the Hall. But the building is ageing and we need some help to cover the renovation costs.
We are aiming to raise £100,000 to replace the roof. This will be put towards materials, labour and any unforeseen costs. We are also applying for various grants and as a community will be holding lots of fundraising events.
Help us raise £100,000 to preserve this space which is at the heart of our community. Donations will also secure entries into our prize draw! (More details below)
The Hall
We're sure many of you have memories that were made in Berneray Community Hall. During Berneray Week the Hall serves as a hub for many different activities, including our quiz nights, treasure hunts, concerts and infamous dances. These are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, and those with connections to the island ensure their return visits coincide with the celebrations. Outside of tourist season, the Hall is somewhere for us to gather together when it's dark and wild outside, most notably at our annual Christmas dinner and ceilidh.
Enjoying local fare at a table top sale.
It also helps preserve traditions. A lot of Gaelic events have been held there over the years and many traditional tunes have been played.
An infamous Berneray Hall ceilidh.
Enjoying a dance after Christmas Dinner, 2016.
The Renovations
The roofing material of the Hall is now failing due to age and there are now several leaks. The life expectancy of the roof was 15-25 years and the building has now stood for nearly 40, so despite maintenance it needs major repairs. The roof has been an issue for a few years but lockdown meant all renovation plans were paused and the work is now critical. We are having to run dehumidifiers and heaters 24 hours a day in the winter to address the water ingress which is both costly and unsustainable.
As well as replacing the roof, we want to better insulate the Hall in order to heat it more sustainably and as part of our wider aim to provide a greener Hall for the future.
Trying to minimise damage by lifting carpet tiles and using tables to limit the warping of the swollen wooden floor.
Your Donations
All funds raised will help towards replacing the roof of the Hall. In addition, for every £10 you donate, you will receive one entry into our exciting prize draw, with prizes donated from across the local community.
The prize draw, carried out by Berneray Community Association, will be launched with this Crowdfunder and will be drawn when the fundraising appeal ends.
The terms and conditions of the prize draw are:
- £10 donation = 1 entry
- The more you donate, the more chances you will have of winning.
- Unlimited entries per person.
- You must have a UK address to receive prizes.
- If you would like to enter the draw for free or wish to pledge money without entering the draw, please write to H Turnbull, 13 Backhill, Berneray, HS6 5BD.
Prizes include:
- An original woollen Faroese blanket donated by Chrissie Macaskill
-£30 voucher donated by Langass Lodge
-2 bottles of Downpour Gin donated by North Uist Distillery
-Seasonal Bouquet donated by Wild About the Girl
-1 hour complimentary therapy session donated by Iris Steedman
-Book Binding Kit donated by Sollas Bookbinding
-3 Prints of Berneray by Barbara Hunter (Standing Stone, Roddy's Boat and Sea and Rock)
-£20 Voucher donated by the Hebridean Kitchen
- MORE PRIZES TO COME.
What more could you do to help us?
Please share this page to all your friends and family, we really need to reach out as far as possible to achieve our goal of a new roof for the hall and ensure that we can host events for many years to come.
We'd also love to see any photos you may have of events in or around Berneray Hall. Please share these with us (with permissions) and bring back happy memories.
The sandcastle competition - a staple at every Berneray week.
It's A Knockout on the machair - a favourite for all ages during Berneray Week.