Kirkintilloch Townhall Preservation Trust
Patron Sir Charles Gray CBE, FRSA, FEIS, JP
Listed as a building of special architectural or historic interest Kirkintilloch Town Hall was paid for mainly by public subscription. It was opened in 1906 and closed by East Dunbartonshire Council in June 2004. The closure was despite a petition of over 2,000 names collected by the late Cathie Haugh and friends and presented to the Council by John Lyons M.P. calling for the Hall to be kept in public use.
The Kirkintilloch Town Hall Preservation Trust is a registered charity established to preserve the Hall and restore it for community use. The Trust now has over 250 members including some in Canada, the USA and South Africa who pay either £1 or £2 per year (£4 for a family) and receive regular newsletters giving up to date information on progress.
The Trust’s original Options Appraisal was funded by Architectural Heritage and llyods TSB to whom we are most grateful. We are indebted to our Architect Sue Thornley, our Business Planner John Black of CEiS and to the Kirkintilloch Herald for their continued support. We are also grateful for the entertainers who performed at out two fund raising events – Pat Friel and Graham Gass whose Town Hall Song will be on sale shortly as a cd.
For the future both Architectural Heritage and the Big Lottery are considering our funding for the next stage of their process. We also hope to get help from Historic Scotland and are applying for STV’s Million Pound Give Away which is auditioning in September.
At a local level Kirkintilloch Players have promised to donate the income from their next production in May to the Trust and the Ladies and Male Voice Choirswill be doing the same from their October Concert.
The Antiquarians Society have their book on the history of the Town Hall available to buy.
Our fund raising sub committee is on the look out for new members to help with the present campaign to Buy a Brick for the Town Hall at the cost of £10. This is a nice way to have yourself or a loved one remembered, your name will be displayed on a board in the Town Hall and will be entered into a book.
Meanwhile, anyone with development or management experience is urgently needed to help with the Trust. If you would like to be involved or to help please contact:
Dr Geoff Allan 0141 776 1145 or Pam McGaughrin 0141 578 3708