• Tuesday, 15 September 2009 09:47
• Last Updated Tuesday, 15 September 2009 10:11
• Written by Administrator

150^th Anniversary Celebrations of the Dalry Town Hall

5th November 1857. "The want of a public hall having been long felt by the inhabitants of St Johnstown of Dalry: on the occasion of the dinner which took place on the 15th October 1857 after the Fair held that day, a large sum was subscribed by the gentlemen present towards the erection of a suitable building."

On 2^nd September 1859, a dinner was held in Dalry Town Hall to celebrate it's completion. The Hall was built with public subscription, the decision having been made two years earlier after the Clachan Fair. It cost £298, and was built by Samuel Sibbard of Dalry, with stones from Waterside Farm.

This year, being the 150^th anniversary of the opening of the hall, Dalry Heritage Group decided there should be some commemoration events. A dinner was an obvious choice, and was naturally held on 2^nd September.

There were 42 men at the original one, but this time 62 people attended, and in spite of a slight problem with the power, those attending enjoyed an excellent meal, with a little extra help of the Clachan Inn, to whom grateful thanks are due.

Dalry's oldest residents, Isobel Wood and William Semple, cut a special memorial cake, toasts were proposed to the Queen, by Lord Sinclair, all War Veterans by Councillor George Prentice, the Town Hall by Maggi Kaye and the Heritage Group by Dr David Devereux. Afterward guests were entertained by Nat Little, Tommy Edgar and George McKinnell with songs and music.

A great time was had by all on both occassions.