LOCHGAIR villagers know time is running out for the village hall, built by locals early in the 1970s. A working group is exploring various options as the village badly needs a replacement hall for its popular Lunch Bunch, tai chi classes, plant sale, community council and church meetings. At a meeting of villagers, bright ideas for raising funds led to the idea of a social night combined with an auction of promises – offers of services and skills to go to the highest bidder.
The response has been amazing. Who would have thought a tiny village like Lochgair, where the average age is over 60, would have experts in sailing, canoeing, piano and guitar, plant propagation, dyeing and spinning, creation of sparkling Christmas decorations and tai chi, to name just a few.
These hidden talents in this tiny community and the generosity of folk with their offers of help to others has surpassed expectations – offers such as a guided tour of items of interest in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, a shopping trip to Waitrose in Helensburgh, or Christmas cards written and hand-delivered.