Tea break: Julie Milne from Scalpay Community Centre
In our regular feature, we join a local for a tea break and find out how they spend their time - and their time off. This issue we welcome Julie, the new manager at the new-look Scalpay Community Centre, to chat about what’s happening there.
What’s your story so far?
I worked in retail pharmacy for around 12 years, most recently as a Pharmacy Manager with Boots. Earlier this year I made quite a big change, leaving my job and moving to Scalpay. When the opportunity came up to work at Scalpay Community Centre, it felt like an exciting chance to do something completely different and become part of the community here.
What is your role?
I’m the Events and Development Manager. It’s a bit of everything really! I look after bookings, events, social media and run An Cala Café. I work on different ideas for how we can use the centre and get more people through the doors.
What have your favourite moments been?
Probably seeing the centre come to life and people using and enjoying it. Getting the Café open was a big one, especially seeing how well people have supported it. We’ve had some great events already too, and having the First Minister, John Swinney visit us was a highlight!
What are you looking forward to?
Getting more events and activities going and seeing the centre get busier. There’s so much we can do with the space, so I’m excited to try out new ideas and see what the community would like us to offer.
Who is the hall for?
It really is for everyone. We want people to feel like it’s their community centre and somewhere they can come along to events, join a group, use the café or hire a space themselves. If anyone has something they’d like to see happening at the centre, we’d love to hear from them.
What is your favourite Harris place?
It has to be Eilean Glas Lighthouse on Scalpay. I love the walk out to it, and
it’s just such a beautiful spot. The scenery is amazing and I think it’s one
of those places you never really get tired of visiting.
What do you do with your free time?
I love a night out with my friends or going out for a coffee. Since moving to Scalpay, I’ve also enjoyed having more time to cook, try new recipes and experiment with meals.
Tea break: what are you having?
A flat white from An Cala and a piece of our home baking – preferably a Victoria
sponge!
Anything else?
I’d just say come in and see us! Whether it’s popping into the Café, coming along to an event, joining a group or bringing us an idea for something you’d like to see, we want people to use the centre and make it their own.
Comments