The Heylipol Community Trust was created to preserve Heylipol Church for use by the community. It is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). This means that we are an organization that can be trusted to make a positive contribution to society through our work together and to bring benefit to our community by achieving a set of charitable purposes.
As a SCIO, we are led by a board of charity trustees who are elected from and ultimately accountable to the members of Heylipol Community Trust. The board may also appoint co-opted charity trustees (not residents of Tiree) whose skills and experience contribute to the purpose and aims of the Trust.
Members are all residents of Tiree with an interest in making a difference in their community. Members support the aims of the charity, vote on decisions at member meetings and elect charity trustees from among the membership. Those who are not residents of Tiree but who support the purposes of the Trust may become associate members. These may may attend member meetings but are not eligible to vote.
Our vision for Heylipol Hub
The purpose of Heylipol Community Trust is to preserve the Heylipol church building as a vibrant community hub: a warm, multi-use, year-round space that sustainably supports worship, families, wellbeing, learning, creativity, culture and community life on the island of Tiree.
What we envision Heylipol Hub will provide (and what we are working toward):
- remaining open for the Church of Scotland congregation (or any church) to continue to meet
- soft play area for young children
- cafe area (self-serve tea and coffee and/or short daily sessions multiple days a week run by volunteers)
- year-round indoor space for people to informally gather
- public computers and a small community library
- community garden and well-designed outdoor garden and activity space (perhaps an outdoor
- venue for weddings, funerals, and community ceremonies
- solar generation supporting income and sustainability
- room hire for groups, meetings, classes
- Organised community groups; we have early community champions for ideas including a bowling green, community garden, drama, choir, Tiree Tots, and Dark Skies activities
The Story of Heylipol Church Building
Making Things Happen in 1895
Huge efforts were made by the local people of Tiree, who worked tirelessly to fundraise for the new building. They faithfully believed that
“However small the sum, if it is given with a willing heart, God will bless it.”
Many others donated in kind from their skills and specialisms, including Mr George Eadie of Glasgow who gifted lamps to the church with wrought iron frames and copper fronts.
Among the people recognised as carvers of important pieces was Seamus a’ Ghille of Balemartine. He was one of many who walked the distance to Argyll Lodge (now the Lodge Hotel) to learn from the craftsmen that Lady Victoria brought to the island.
Another was John Sinclair Campbell of Barrapol (grandfather of the Brown family) who was involved in creating the pews.
Gallery
