Muir of Ord Village Hall
Attribution: unknown or not recorded
Muir of Ord Village Hall
In 1891, Dr Bell of Scatwell, the County Councillor for the district, intimated that he was prepared to make a liberal donation towards the erection of a suitable public hall for the village. He felt there had been a great need for such an establishment to provide a place for entertainment and public meetings.
OPENING OF NEW HALL AT MUIR OF ORD GRAND EVENING CONCERT
ROSS-SHIRE JOURNAL , 10TH NOVEMBER 1893
On Friday, the new hall recently built at Muir of Ord was opened with a grand evening concert, at which the proceedings were enthusiastically and successfully conducted. The new hall, which is of thoroughly modern design, is a large and commodious building. The hall proper is estimated to seat 300 persons; while in the south wing there is a large ante-room, ladies cloak-room and lavatory, and gentlemen’s cloak-room and lavatory. The cost of erecting the building was about $477, and towards these public subscriptions have been received to the amount of £340 17s 9d, which includes a handsome donation of £85 given by Sir William J. Bell, L.L.D., of Scatwell, county councillor for the district.
The contractors for the work – who have all performed their parts with efficiency- were Messrs Tuach & MacLennan, masons; Messrs Ross & Coy., Strathpeffer, carpenters; and Messrs Ross & Coy., Dingwall, plumbers. The hall is to be used for all purposes, we understand, contemplate, when their finances permit of it, establishing a public reading -room in the large ante-room.
Attribution: not recorded or unknown
As we have indicated everything within the building is commodious and comfortable, and the touches of decoration by Mrs Mackenzie of Ord, Mr Munro, gardener, and Mt Cameron, draper, gave additional charm and cosiness to the appearance of the interior. The windows were tastefully draped, and the wall all round decorated with ivy and other creeping plants. Sir W.J. Bell presided, and the attendance was a large one.
Among Those Present
Among those present we observed – Sir W.J. Bell, L.L.D, of Scatwell and party; Mrs Mackenzie of Ord; Mrs Peile, Ord House; Miss Douglas, do; Colonel and Mrs MacLennan, Achnasoul; Mr Maclennnan, Ceylon; Mr A. and Misses Warrand, Ryefield; Captain Charles and Miss Stirling, Fairburn; Mr John Forbes, merchant and Misses Forbes, Muir of Ord; Mrs and Miss Smith, do; Mr William and Mrs Ross, The Post-Office; Miss Sinclair, Nairn; Rev. Mr Cameron, Arpafeelie; Mr Peter Fraser, Beauly; Mrs Henderson, Dingwall; Mr G. Chisholm, contractor, Conon; Mr Hugh Fraser, Tarradale Inn; Mr and Mrs Burns, Fairburn; Mr Macdonald, farmer, Urray’ Mr Beaton, farmer, Brae; Mr Jackson, Fairburn; Mr Chisholm, P.W. Inspector; Mr Maclennan, Mulbuie schoolhouse; Mr Mackenzie, Balvattie; Miss Henderson and Miss Macarthur, cookery teachers; Miss Mackintosh, Ord Distillery; Mr Davidson, do.; Mr Innes, manager, do.; Miss Chalmers, Fairburn; Miss Bissett, Muir of Ord; Miss Urquhart, Tain; Miss Maclennan, Highfield Cottage; Mr Macdonald, storekeeper; Mr Roerick Maclennan, carpenter; Mr Duncan Maclennan, blacksmith; Mr G. Mackintosh, merchant; Mr Reid, Balloan, and party; Mrs Macrae, Fairburn Mains, and party; Mrs Forbes, Station Hotel, and party, etc.
The programme
The programme, which was altogether of a very superior character, was as follows:-
Part I – Overture, “Le Diademe,” by Mrs Mackenzie of Ord (piano), Mr Davis (violin), and Bandmaster Tuff, Inverness (cornet); song, “Should he upbraid,” Mrs Munro, Strathpeffer; whistling, banjo accompaniment, Captain Barlow, Brae Lodge; song, “Enchanted Ground,” Miss Ross, Aisthrope, Inverness; “Husarenrit,” piano and violin, Mrs Mackenzie and Mr Davis; song “Boys of the Old Brigade,” Mr J.B. Rose of Roseholm; song, “The Mission of a Rose,” Miss Kate Fraser; song (comic), “Wait till the ‘bus Rolls bye,” Captain Barlow.
Part II – “Caliph of Bagdad, “ Mrs Mackenzie, Mr davis, and Mr Tuff; sing, “The Stage of Life,” Mr J.B. Rose’ song “Wearing o’ the Green,” Miss Kate Fraser; song, “Leila,” Mrs Munro; violin (Scotch), Mrs Davis; song, “My Native Highland Home,” Miss Ross; song (comic), “Joshuosh,” Captain Barlow.
The opening overture
The opening overture and other instrumental selections were quite a treat. At the piano Mrs Mackenzie of Ord performed her part with a sympathetic gracefulness and efficiency which it would be difficult to excel, while Mr Davis, who appeared on frequent occasions, contributed in his masterly and finished in style some difficult and popular renderings. Of the vocalists Mrs Munro was the first to appear, and she was warmly received. Her first effort was cordially appreciated, but she simply acknowledged the enthusiastic encore which she received. In the second par6 her song, “Leila,” was a peculiarly difficult one, but the artiste had in it opportunity of displaying some of her finest characteristics, and her rendering on this occasion was justly considered the feature of the evening. She was loudly encored, and responded with “The Zuyder Zee.”
Captain Barlow supplied the comic element, and he was twice recalled, giving as encores, “Nostrums,” in the first part, and “On the Steamboat” in the second. Miss Fraser sung exceptionally well, and was a marked favourite. She was recalled, and gave “Will ye no come back again?” Miss Ross, who sang in a sweet clear voice, was warmly encored in the first part, and repeated the last verse. For his rendering of the “Boys of the Old Brigade,” Mr J.R. Rose was recalled, when he sang the “Powder Monkey.”
Sir W.J. Bell
Sir W.J. Bell, rising at the close of the programme, said – Ladies and gentlemen, most of you possibly have experience the difference between the article advertised and the article supplied (Laughter), the latter does not always reach that high excellence which you are led to suppose it will when you read the advertisement, (Hear, hear, and laughter). There are, however, exceptions to the rule. We have advertised this concert this evening as a grand one, and I claim we have supplied you with the article advertised. (Applause).
Possibly many of you will regret with me that time will not permit of our having many of the items over again –(applause) – but all good things must come to an end, and the time has now arrived when but is necessary for me to inflict on you a few remarks appertaining to our gathering here this evening. (Applause). These speeches of chairmen at the termination of pleasant evenings, are, I know, very wearying. (Laughter). I have often experienced that myself, and often wondered why it was necessary to have chairmen. (Laughter). This is a great reforming age – it is an age of abolition. For anyone who disagrees with you, the thing is to abolish him – (laughter) – and when the time arrives for you to abolish chairmen, the chairmen will not mourn their loss. (Renewed laughter.) Now you know why we have held this concert. You are aware that it is for the purpose of inaugurating what, I am sure, we all hope will be a most successful career for this new public hall of Muir of Ord. (Applause.)
Attribution: not recorded or unknown
The history of the enterprise can be briefly related. Nearly – possibly exactly, to be correct – two years ago a public meeting was held of the inhabitants of this parish at which it was unanimously decided that a public hall was a necessity for the district, and a committee was forthwith appointed to promote and carry out the scheme. The first requirement was a sire, and the committee received an offer – a very generous offer – from Captain Mackenzie of Ord of the present site- (applause)- at a “peppercorn” rent and it was gladly accepted. (Applause).
The next step was the appeal for subscriptions, committee the committee made with a considerable amount of success, (Applause). The total expenses of the hall, including extras, amount to £477. The total receipts amount, at the present time, to £340 17s 9d, thus leaving a deficit of £136 2s 3d. Part of this we hope to wipe off by the proceeds of this evening’s concert, and I am sure that in a comparatively short time the remaining deficit will be forthcoming. (Applause). Now I may say that the success of this undertaking, especially the financial side of it, has been in a great measure owing to the honorary secretary, Mr Cameron, and the honorary treasurer, Mr Ross, both of whom have displayed great energy and perseverance in the matter. (Applause).
Mr Ross, I know, has devoted his time and considerable amount of work to it- (applause) – and I am certain we could not possibly have found any gentleman- or any lady even – (laughter) – to so successfully fill the office of honorary secretary as he has done – (applause) – and we are very greatly indebted to these gentlemen for the labour, energy, and interest they have displayed in the matter. (Applause). When the day had arrived that the committee should consider the most appropriate way the hall should be opened, they came to the decision that a concert would be best. (Applause). To whom should they appeal for help for this but Mrs Mackenzie of Ord? – (applause) – and I may say that to Mrs Mackenzie of Ord the success of this concert has been materially due. (Applause). At the same time I wish to take the opportunity of expressing, on behalf of the committee, our grateful thanks to Captain and Mrs Mackenzie of Ord for the kind interest and support they have given to the scheme since its very birth. (Applause). Now we come to the performers. (Applause). The performers must know how deeply grateful we are to them, not only for the services they have rendered, but for the pleasant and enjoyable entertainment they have given us this evening (Applause). It is possible that some may have given greater pleasure than the others – as to this I cannot discriminate. All we can do is to express our thanks to them, and this I will do in the form of a motion which I will ask you to pass unanimously. (Applause). The motion will be – “That we tender a vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who so kindly contributed to our entertainment this evening.” (Loud applause). I was going to ask now for the “yeas,” but you have given them already, and I now ask for the “noes.” If there are none I declare the motion unanimously carried. (applause).
Rev. Angus Cameron, Arpafeelie
Rev. Angus Cameron, Arpafeelie, moved a hearty vote of thanks to their excellent Chairman. (Applause). They were all delighted with the excellent speech Sir William had delivered to them, but if he would be allowed to say so, he omitted to make any mention of the services which he rendered himself towards the building of the hall. He (the speaker) was led to understand that at the public meeting referred to by Sir William, he was the prime mover himself, and to show his interest in the work, he promised £70 towards the building fund, which he later supplemented by a cheque for £10 – in all £85. (Applause). There was another gentleman whose praises were in all the churches of the district, if he might so speak, and that was Mr Stirling of Fairburn, who generously subscribed £50. The rest of the work was done by an excellent committee, with Messrs Ross and Cameron at the head, and he was sure these gentlemen were excellent beggars. (loud laughter). He remembered when the imitable Professor Blackie was raising funds for a Celtic chair in the Edinburgh University, he gave the palm for begging to the Free Church, but remarked that he himself came second – (laughter)- but he (Mr Cameron) thought after the Free Church, Mr Ross and Mr Cameron came second. (Laughter). They were very much indebted to them for what they had done, and they were specially indebted to their chairman for the interest he had taken in that end of the parish since he came amongst them. (Applause). They had elected him to the County Council, but if he considered that an honour, he did not. (Laughter).
The County Council
The County Council was the curse of the country. (Laughter and dissent). What had they done? They thought they were to get everything done; they thought they were to get new roads and ever so many things, but they had now found out that they could get nothing without paying for it. (laughter). If they had left these matters in the hands of the old Commissioners, they would be done quite as well. However, that had nothing to do with the concert, (Hear, Hear and laughter). Personally, he was very pleased to see the hall completed, and he hoped they would unite heartily in promoting one another’s interests morally, socially and intellectually. (Applause). After paying a high compliment to Mrs Mackenzie of Ord for her practical interest in all local movements of a beneficial character, Mrs Cameron asked the audience to give three hearty cheers for Sir W.J. Bell, and these were given right lustily.
Sir William thanked the audience for their enthusiastic vote of thanks, and Mr Cameron for his complimentary remarks. There were, however, certain utterances of Mr Cameron’s with which he did not quite agree, but they would adjourn the discussion till a future date – (laughter) – and he would ask Mrs Mackenzie and the artistes to lead off “God save the Queen.”
The proceedings of the first entertainment in the new hall then terminated, and if this successful one is a fore-taste of what is to follow, many excellent entertainments are in store for the district.
The accompaniments, it should be mentioned, were all played with taste and efficiency by Mrs Mackenzie of Ord, Mr Davies also accompanying on the violin on one or two occasions.
Attribution: not recorded or unknown
