Lothian Hall stages ‘grand reopening’ with Burns Night celebration (January 2024)
Crailing & Nisbet Lothian Hall celebrated its grand reopening, following extensive renovations, with a Burns Night supper and ceilidh.
The Hall, in Crailing Village, is a former Free Church. Its original dark wood ‘ship keel’ ceiling has been uncovered and given a good clean. The floor in the main hall has been sanded and varnished, and the entire Hall has been redecorated.
Over 60 people gathered at the Burns Night event to celebrate the Hall’s revived splendour. They enjoyed a three-course meal, cooked and served by Hall committee members, and dancing to live music from Bedlam Ceilidh Band. Local piper Alan Henry piped in the haggis, carried by Hall committee chair Chris Howden, while Dr Alan Walker did a splendid address with recitations and anecdotes.
Hall committee chair, Chris Howden, said:
“Working with Borders Handyman Services, we removed the false ceiling to unveil the original above together with the original 1920s/30s pendant lights, all of which still work. Since the false ceiling was put up to control heating costs, the hall has received secondary glazing and now benefits from a new heating system which is much more economical. It was quite something to see the place full of music and dancing after the restoration.”
Local residents, retailers and other businesses all pitched in to help with the grand reopening, with donations towards the supper and a bumper haul of raffle prizes which raised over £400 for Hall funds
The first people to benefit from the improvements had attended a Wreath Making Class in December 2023 (see photos attached).
Further information on Lothian Hall events and initiatives can be found at:-
www.lothianhall.co.uk
www.facebook.com/groups/lothianhall
E: info@lothianhall.co.uk
