New era for Movenis area
COMPUTER classes and community concerts are among the activities that are thriving at a rural community hall near Garvagh - thanks to a facelift from the Big Lottery Fund.
Movenis Area Community Association last week launched the refurbished Movenis Orange Hall, situated in the farming community of Garvagh and funded with a grant of 50,000 from the Big Lottery Fund's Improving Community Buildings programme.
The renovations to the hall, which was built 105 years, have made access easier for older and disabled people, increased the number of young people coming along, and improved the activities available for local people to enjoy.
A range of activities that are held in the hall every week, including pipe and drum classes and band practices, have seen their membership increase as a result of the refurbishment.
The hall's computer classes, which are held regularly for everyone from teenagers to the over 50's, are going from strength to strength since the renovations and the numbers continue to climb, and the first aid, food hygiene, community relations, and fundraising courses have also been well attended and more are planned.
George Irwin, 56, who regularly comes along to classes in the hall, said: "I was overwhelmed when I saw how our hall had been changed from a run down derelict building to an updated, modern venue.
"I love coming here to meet friends and help organise and take part in activities. The hall is the hub of our rural community and it's the only place locally that we can come along to have a bit of a laugh, take part in activities we enjoy and stimulate our minds."
A range of work has been carried out in the hall including the installation of a new toilet block and cloak room, the replacement of the floor, a brand new roof, a storeroom, brick replacement around the windows and doors, and general painting and repairing.
And the extensive refurbishment work has also ensured that special celebration nights such as community barbecues and social evenings held in the hall have gone very well and the group's St Patrick's Day event was attended by well over 100 people.
Hubert Gilmore, Secretary of Movenis Area Community Association, explained that the group plans to hold more activities in the future including child protection course and an over 50's club snfd a Halloween festival.
"This is a mainly rural, farming area about ten miles from Coleraine and the transport links are very poor," said Hugh.
"It's a lifeline for many older people in this rural community as it's the only place they can go to socialise and get out of the house. With this award from the Big Lottery Fund and the support and guidance of Coleraine Borough Council's Community development Department we now have a venue with the proper facilities and accessibility to run events and activities for local people to enjoy.
"Thanks to these improvements we now have a 21st century building where we intend to increase events & activities for all the inhabitants of our rural area. This refurbishment programme has made a major impact in our area and will attract more users to this venue and make a lasting difference for many years to come.
Breidge Gadd, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, said: "The Big Lottery Fund's Improving Community Buildings programme has helped make vital improvements to buildings and increase the range of activities that can be provided for local people.
"Movenis Area Community Association's refurbished Movenis Orange Hall will allow the group to hold a range of services that will bring people together and encourage them to get more involved in their local community."
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Weather for Coleraine
Saturday 04 February 2012
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Heavy rain
Temperature: 3 C to 10 C
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