Report on the Upper Hall Upgrade

After many months of deliberation we can now report that the Upper Hall upgrade and associated works is about to start. Roger Dodd, Chartered Surveyor, who was appointed by the Congregational Board to lead the project has prepared the plans, obtained the necessary permissions, prices etc and advises that the project should start early April 2008. He anticipates that the project internally should be completed by the end of July – so we will have to accept disruption over this period.The internal works will provide us with

  • new double glazed windows,
  • new internal wall finishing,
  • new floor,
  • new lighting,
  • extra power points,
  • new double doors through to the bottom hall,
  • new storage cupboards,
  • new floor covering in the Upper Hall,
  • decoration
  • and most importantly new heating.

The heating will be from a centrally located wall mounted gas boiler which will feed radiators in the Upper and Lower Halls, Kitchen, Small meeting room and the Toilets.

Externally we will be applying a decorative coating to the badly eroded stonework on the Kirk Brae elevation yet retaining the present window appearance. Where the stonework is not so badly eroded the pointing will be cut out and re-applied, this is basically in the recessed area over the small meeting room and the adjacent cupboard. The entrance area leading up to the East door will be lifted and re-laid forming a level access with the Vestibule floor. The completion date for these external works is in reality controlled by the weather but Roger is hopefully they will be completed shortly after the internal finish – we will be posting a programme within the Church for all to see.It has been agreed with the General Trustees that the works will be funded from the income generated by the sale of the Stable Block.

We hope these works will provide the Church with a warm, appealing  environment for all.