Kirkcowan Hall Constitution ( PDF )
Who runs it?
The Board: We are a voluntary Board of Trustees who run Kirkcowan Hall as a registered charity (SC 047563). As of March 2025, the current Board consists of Chairperson (Alix Smith), Treasurer (Mary Harkness), Secretary (Mary Mackenzie) and 5 other members of the community who either represent Hall user groups or are simply interested in helping to keep the Hall open.
Membership: Any resident within the Parish boundary can become a Member of KVH, this gives voting rights at the AGM, and shows support for the continued survival and improvement of the village hall.
From time to time we also ask for volunteers to help with particular events or tasks when needed.
Membership does not entail any financial responsibility. It is free and simple to become a member – forms are available in the Post Office, or email the Secretary at: kirkcowanhall@gmail.com
Why do we run it?
The Board was formed in 2017 in response to Dumfries & Galloway Council’s programme to stop managing village halls with public money and encourage communities to run the facilities themselves. A public meeting was held, and the community of Kirkcowan was strongly in favour of taking over the Hall and managing it themselves.
When we took over the management of the Hall it was underused, but with the hard work and effort of the Board and other volunteers, the Hall became a vibrant and well-used resource at the heart of the community. We currently lease the Hall from Dumfries & Galloway Council, which remains responsible for exterior maintenance of the building. The focus for this year is for the Board to gain ownership of the Hall by means of a Community Asset Transfer, for which purpose an application was submitted in July 2025. The complete process, if approved by D&GC in March 2026, and dependent on conditions of transfer, may take some time to complete.
Aims & Purposes
Our charitable purpose is: The provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended.
Our charitable aim is: To further or benefit the residents of Kirkcowan parish and the neighbourhood, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents.
What can the Hall be used for?
As well as the regular user groups, such as Tai Chi, Carpet Bowls, Badminton, Bingo, Rainbows and Knitting Group, the large Main Hall or smaller Supper Room & adjacent kitchen can accommodate a wide range of functions, events and activities. These have included school concerts, public consultations and elections, meetings, coffee mornings, exhibitions, funeral teas, birthday parties and weddings.
The Hall Board also began a number of initiatives to raise the profile of the Hall and involve the whole community, by holding an annual Open Show, and a Christmas Extravaganza (a free to attend event to thank the community for their support).
Private Hire
The Hall is available for private hire, to individuals, groups, businesses, charities, etc.
Either call into the Post Office, or email kirkcowanhall@gmail.com to check availability, maximum permitted numbers, and request a booking form.
Fees for hire:
General hire & Charities: Main Hall £15 per hour; Supper Room £10 per hour
Commercial rates: Main Hall £30 per hour; Supper Room £20 per hour.
A deposit of £75 will be required if the hire is for evening events where alcohol is being served.
Terms & Conditions for the Hire of Kirkcowan Hall: Ts & Cs (PDF)
The Future?
Refurbishment / Renovation – Many facilities in the Hall are past their best. The kitchen and toilets, upgraded in the 60’s and barely touched since (except for cleaning!) are particularly in need of renovation, and the heating system is inefficient and expensive to run.
In 2019, Kilgallioch Community Benefit Fund provided a grant for an architect to draw up an Options Appraisal for the future of the Hall. A public meeting was held to gauge opinions and preferences of the community, at which 4 options were presented:
1. Leave the whole structure as is but refurbish the interior
2. Keep & refurbish the main hall, but demolish and rebuild the back of the building
3. Knock down the entire building and build a new facility from scratch
4. Leave the hall as it is, mend and make do
70% of the community and 100% of the Board were in favour of Option 2. The cost of this project was estimated to be around £900K, to be met largely by windfarm funds.
2026 – 7 years later, and following the disruption caused by the pandemic, changes to social & working lives, as well as construction price increases, the Board is reassessing current needs, practicalities and priorities in consultation with the local population.
The aim remains to create a modern community facility, attractive, adaptable, energy-efficient and fit for purpose now and into the future, to ensure that Kirkcowan Hall is a resource to be proud of for generations to come.