THREE long-standing committee members of Crossgar War Memorial Community Hall have been praised for their “decades of voluntary work” as they step down from their roles, which the chairperson hopes will give rise to “new blood” in the busy village hall.
Between them, Susan Scott, Helen Graham and Jim Brownlee have devoted over a century to the running of Crossgar’s main public hall.
Their countless hours of voluntary work over the last four decades have been pivotal in keeping the doors of Crossgar’s only community hall open to the public.
Chairperson, Ann Patterson, said: “On behalf of the hall committee, we want to thank Jim, Susan and Helen for all their hard work during their many years on our committee as members and officer bearers. They have been valued members of our small but busy team during both our most testing and flourishing of times.
“Along with some remaining members, they played a major role in overseeing the major expansion of our centre from two halls to three in 2014, followed by a new car park.
“We have relied on each of them in many unique ways.
“Jim has been faithful in arranging repairs for the hall, checking and ordering oil, and setting out the chairs for our concerts.
“Susan has been meticulous in keeping our records and in earlier times, catering at our monthly dances.
“Helen has been diligent in looking after the hall bookings, which entailed dealing with daily callers to her door, and has been remarkable in selling tickets for our annual country concerts.
“We will miss them very much, but we hope they will have a more peaceful time, now that they don’t have to worry about the hall so much, although Helen will remain a trustee.”
Cllr Callum Bowsie remarked: “I want to add my deepest appreciation and gratitude to Helen, Susan and Jim for their lifetime of service to the Crossgar community.
“It can be so easy to overlook the extent of voluntary work required in running a community hall.
“In the absence of any council facility in a village of over 2,000 people, these local residents, without any fuss, have just got on with the daily chores of maintaining a public hall for decades.
“In an age when committed committee members are hard to come by, these individuals devoted the vast majority of their adult lives to enhancing this vital community facility and its cherished role as the village’s only war memorial.
“The three of them have asked me to pass on their appreciation for the kind words and gifts from the hall management committee.
“They shared with me just how much they have thoroughly enjoyed their time in the hall over the years and all the concerts, dances and bazaars they have been involved in.”
The hall celebrates its 75th anniversary next year, and with over 10,000 annual hall users, the chairperson says that the hall is currently busier than ever.
“Crossgar War Memorial Community Hall is now looking for new committee members to help look after this vital community facility into the next 75 years,” Ann added.
