>We started off this phase of our redevelopment by saying to prospective contractors that they could get access to the Hall in late November 2010 and that we wanted it completed by 31 March 2011. At that time the deadline was because I thought that a VAT reclaim scheme might terminate but fortunately it has not. However the contractors did manage to get us back into the Hall that day so that yoga could move back in and the University Choir and Orchestra could perform at a concert that evening. What they did not manage to do was get the Hall properly cleaned because the blinds for the dormer windows were not delivered until that day.
I noticed tonight at elders that the property committee guys got the Montpellier Street curtains re-hung today so the beautiful view through from the street to the Saltire window is now hidden from time to time. Despite the contractors problems putting the cross in the wrong way we have a feature to be proud of that has been hidden since the false ceiling was put in. My most recent information is that this was before 1960 so if anyone can give us more precise details it will be appreciated.
The highland and ballroom dancers have all been enjoying the new floor while Bumps & Babes and Yoga have both commented on how warm the Hall was compared to the old one even if they had to give up the underfloor heating they had been enjoying for several months. We even got all of the chairs in the church back into the correct sequence once everyone understood how the seat numbering system works and where one finds the numbers (they are in the hymn book holders).
Several sections of stonework have been completed and the rest should be finished in May. The last item is to deal with drainage and that needs the scaffolding out of the way. The cleaned stone has attracted many favourable comments from those passing by and it is safer in that it reduces the chances of crumbling stone hitting anyone for some time to come. That was becoming a concern. It does not eliminate it as not all stonework has been done.
The first fundraising concert featuring the Gotherington Singers was well attended and everyone enjoyed themselves. I wish to publicly thank the Singers for their support. The next event is the Book Fair that will have taken place by the time you read this, then there is the quiz evening on 7th May. The last one was very enjoyable. In the meantime the Yoga group have held an extra session during their week off with the payments being donated to us. At the AGM we agreed to my recommendation that we need to raise at least £100,000 to finish paying for these repairs and avoid leaving ourselves with no reserves. The initial response has been good but I do wish to request all who read this to think of what they might be able to contribute in their own way. Donna and I will report on how we are progressing towards raising this amount as regularly as we can.David Black