Kitchen upgrade

Kitchen upgrade progress, June 2025

The kitchen redevelopment is moving ahead well. The builders moved in on the 18th May, and quickly demolished the wall between the old kitchen and the old office. (Ruth’s office is now in the former meeting room). By the end of week 1, the demolition (internal wall) and rebuilding work was completed, and the plumbers and electricians were movng ahead with their wires and pipes!

Next, the joiners came in to tidy up the new hatch, doorway and box in pipes. They have done a great job of retaining most of the cupboard in the corridor, lowering its top to provide a serving hatch (for further use, once that area is converted into a social space). Last week, the plasterers and painters took over, and the whole new space is looking great.

This week, the new flooring will be laid, and then the sinks, worktables and storage units will be installed. We hope the new kitchen will be ready for us before the end of June.

All this has been possible, thanks to everyone’s fund-raising efforts over the last few months (£13,000 raised) and grants from Scottish Borders Council (£8,000) and the National Churches Trust (£15,000), and to the brilliant work of MEH Builders and Joiners and their sub-contractors.

Thanks also to Gill and Phil Boyes, who helped in the design and sourcing of quality commercial kitchen fittings.