A north-east community who fought to save their village hall from closure have raised £3,500 to keep the venture going.
At the end of last year, Lumsden Hall was running at a loss and only two groups were using the facility on a regular basis.
Now the facility is used for a host of events such as regular film nights, weekly exercise classes, bingo sessions, fish and chip nights, indoor bowls and an over-50s group.
Volunteer Caroline McGunnigle, who contacted the Press and Journal to appeal for people to start using the hall, has helped set up the three weekly exercise classes and the film events at the hall.
She said: “It is absolutely great that the hall is being used again and all the events we have held have been well supported.
“The hall has been used more in the last few months than it has been in ages.
“It has brought back a sense of community and people stay after events to catch up with each other.”
Lumsden Community Association had struggled to meet the monthly running costs of £300-£400 and an extraordinary meeting was held at the beginning of December to inform locals that the hall might have to close.
Later that month, Aberdeenshire councillors unanimously agreed to give a £1,000 grant to Lumsden Hall and a group of volunteers organised a Hogmanay event that raised £1,300.
Julie MacGregor, secretary of the community association, said the focus was on keeping the hall going and using any profits to revamp the facility.
“We are hoping that the first year will be the most onerous because we are just finding our way and things should become easier after that.
“There will be four major events each season and around 75 people came to our recent Easter Eggstravaganza event.
“We are reviving the summer gathering which has not happened for a number of years.
“On Saturday, June 28, there will be games during the day and a dance with a live band at night.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed for the weather and we really want to put on something for all ages.”