The new Wyre Community & Heritage Centre opened in Spring 2023, it not only serves as a community space for the island's residents, but it also celebrates Wyre's rich heritage.
The new centre replaced the original timber building that had been a canteen in Stronsay in the 1930s for herring workers, before being re-purposed for militray use during World War II, and then finally acquired by the Wyre community in the 1950s. It was clad with concrete blocks and served as the community hall for 70 years.
Funding for the new building was secured before NILPS began and although it was a rocky road due to covid-19 delays which led to increased costs and other complications, the centre was successfully completed and then NILPS funding supported new heritage displays to be researched, designed, printed and installed. Some photographs below show the centre opening in April 2023 and the new natural heritage interpretation panels. The unveiling of the new panels was carried out by Bryan Milner from Rousay (representing Rousay, Egilsay & Wyre Heritage group who led and delivered the projects) and Wyre's youngest resident at the time, Rognvald (Ronnie) Flaws, a grandson of author Margaret Flaws whose memories of the island are threaded through the information in new panels on Wyre's more recent past.
Here's a link to further information about Wyre Community & Heritage Centre | Orkney.com
