BURGH HALL OPEN DAY, 2 MAY 2009
Reviving the Burgh Hall: Open Day, 2 May 2009
Opening its doors to the public for the first time in over 25 years, 2500 visitors packed into the Burgh Hall for a day of festivities and fun. The Open Day marked the completion of the first stage of the project which will restore the much-loved Burgh Hall to its former glory, making it a centre for local culture once again.
The day, which began with a fanfare of pipes and drums, was opened by Michael Russell MSP, Minister for Culture, who really got behind the restoration project, commenting, "So often these types of building are allowed to die and this would have been a tragedy. I salute this project's ambition. Its marvelous to see the building open again."
Local MP, Alan Reid, also addressed the crowd and said, "It's marvelous to see the Hall back at the heart of the community where it belongs." Jim Mather MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism offered his support by saying it was, "extremely refreshing to see efforts being made to save a building which would create opportunity and fresh ideas."
Stunning photographs from the renowned international photographer, Martin Parr, were exhibited within the Hall's ground floor gallery. Local artists' work was on view alongside a fine display of work from the Glasgow Boys. The day was full of performances in the Main Hall from folk bands to Satori Karate demonstrations, fiddler workshops to spinning wheels, Scottish Country dancing to fine arts and crafts. 250 school children entered the Art Competition with their artistic interpretations of the Burgh Hall.
The Burgh Hall was alive once again!