Oldhamstocks, East Lothian – Construction has officially begun on a new village hall in Oldhamstocks, marking the culmination of many years of community ambition and planning. Fully funded by CWP Energy, the purpose-built facility will replace the former hall, which was recently demolished following a farewell celebration hosted by Oldhamstocks Community Association SCIO (OCA SCIO).
The new hall will provide a modern, accessible space for residents of Oldhamstocks and the surrounding area, designed to serve the community for generations to come. John McGregor, Chair of OCA SCIO, welcomed the milestone: “This is something the community has been working towards for over 13 years. We are delighted that CWP Energy has come on board as our sole funder to help us finally realise a fit-for-purpose village hall for Oldhamstocks.”
The previous village hall served the community for more than 70 years, hosting meetings, coffee mornings and countless local events. Reflecting on its legacy, OCA SCIO Secretary Lynn McGregor said:“The old hall was much loved and played a huge part in village life. The new hall will allow us to support even more groups and events for decades to come.”
Designed with sustainability and resilience at its core, the new facility will incorporate a roof full of solar panels, battery storage and a ground source heat pump. These measures will significantly reduce running costs and ensure the hall can operate as a warm, reliable community hub even during power cuts — a frequent challenge in rural areas.
CWP Energy has worked closely with East Lammermuir Community Council and Oldhamstocks Community Association for several years to support the project. Rob Fryer, Director of Civils and Business Development at CWP Energy, said: “We are very pleased to commit the funding for the Oldhamstocks Village Hall. It will be an integral part of the village and the wider community — a legacy project we are proud to support.”
The Ridge Foundations (TRF), a Dunbar-based charity and social enterprise, has been appointed as the main contractor. TRF specialises in traditional construction skills while supporting local employment, training and apprenticeships. Speaking at the farewell event, Gordon Auld of TRF said:
“This is exactly the kind of project we’re proud to be involved in, working alongside the community, OCA SCIO and CWP Energy to deliver such an important facility.”
With demolition complete and construction now underway, the new Oldhamstocks Village Hall represents a significant step forward for the community. Regular updates on progress will be shared by OCA SCIO via the Oldhamstocks community website.