Opening of Portpatrick Harbour Community Hub
The official opening and naming ceremony of the refurbished and restyled harbour sheds in Portpatrick
this weekend (24/08/2019) attracted more than six hundred people, who enjoyed an afternoon of food, events and glorious sunshine on the harbourside.
The Lord Lieutenant of Wigtown, Mr John Ross CBE performed the unveiling of the newly named Portpatrick Harbour Community Hub,, which includes a Harbour Master's office, mariner's drying facility, community workshop and a large multi-purpose room. This main area, called "The Seafarer's Haven" , is fitted out with multimedia facilities, ten wall mounted monitors, overhead projector, educational fish tanks and items relating to the centuries old history of the harbour. A heritage and educational facility by day the room will also be available for meeting, leisure and educational purposes by groups and schools, as well as providing wide scope for community use An emergency generator and newly purchased defibrillator go towards allowing the Hub to be utilised as an emergency response centre in times of need.
The Portpatrick Harbour Community Benefit Society is behind the refurbishment, much of which has been funded by grants. The Society saved the harbour four years ago with a community share issue and has gradually been renovating the area.
Mr Ross said: "This is now a marvellous amenity for the Portpatrick and wider communities to enjoy, as well as offering facilities for visiting sailors. The Society must be congratulated for their efforts in the planning and provision of this Hub and in gaining the funding. It has been carried out to such a high standard that all those involved will be proud to say they played a part in it for years to come. It will surely attract more visitors and leisure craft to Portpatrick. It is a tremendous example of a facility being secured for the community and then vastly improved"
The Society Chairman, Calum Currie, said "It was an incredible afternoon. The turn out of people was beyond our expectations, hundreds and hundreds. It was a true family event with fun for the kids and adults, who we treated to a free barbecue and over three hundred burgers were devoured, as well as teas,coffee, cakes and ice creams, much of which was kindly donated by local businesses The wonderful reaction by people, especially the local community, to the Hub was amazing. I think a lot of people were shocked by the transformation. There was enormous praise for the facilities, especially the educational and heritage aspects. I think people appreciate the fact it is there for all to use and in so many ways I must thank Dumfries and Galloway Leader for their valuable funding and the people and businesses of Portpatrick, for their support. Also many thanks to the large contribution made by Portpatrick Community Council, the Portpatrick RNLI and Coastguard, who are all fully supportive of all the Society's efforts It is four years ago since the Society saved the harbour, secured other pieces of land, including the public toilets and in that time has carried out major improvement works. The harbour and the surrounding area is now in a very sustainable position and a credit to Portpatrick and Dumfries and Galloway Once again it has been made a highly attractive destination harbour for leisure craft"
The renovation of the harbour buildings on Portpatrick harbour was fully funded by the Dumfries & Galloway Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG). The FLAG awarded this project European Maritime & Fisheries Fund and Scottish Government funding as they were keen to support the Portpatrick Community Harbour Benefit Society develop an asset that would serve the local community, harbour users and visiting boats.