View Full Version : Thurso town hall reopening
Mr P Cannop
01-Dec-08, 15:29
who was all at the reopening of the Thurso town hall today at 10am ??
wasnt there at 10am but just back from being there
the place is amazing, my wee girl loved it
we had a coffee and cake in the cafe aswell, reasonable price and was lovely
Mr P Cannop
01-Dec-08, 15:55
do they do hot food too ??
yes toasties
baked potatoes
panninis and soup
Mr P Cannop
01-Dec-08, 16:34
ok u know their number ??
no i dont but why would you need there number
u wouldnt have to book
thebigman
01-Dec-08, 17:14
Should be some details here Paul - http://www.caithnesshorizons.co.uk/Home6.aspx
wasnt there at 10am but just back from being there
the place is amazing, my wee girl loved it
we had a coffee and cake in the cafe aswell, reasonable price and was lovely
Do really need another cafe? What we needed was a community facility.
Paul Cariss said "We are delighted to finally be able to throw open the doors and give the Thurso Town Hall back to the people of Caithness."
Quite obviously iy has not been given back to the people of Caithness. It is a white elephant aimed at tourists to the county and maybe we will find that thw tourist impact will hardly justify taking away what could have been a great facility for the community.
I had a good look yesterday and the is all supervficial gloss with little to commend it to the local community. Desinged by people who are not local or aware of local needs and now run by someone with a south of England background. I am not against newcomers and new ideas but they must accept that easch area has its own identity which should be cultivated. Not cltivation here but rotivation in gardening terms of a facility that could have been developed to suit the population of Caithness.
Do really need another cafe? What we needed was a community facility.
Paul Cariss said "We are delighted to finally be able to throw open the doors and give the Thurso Town Hall back to the people of Caithness."
Quite obviously iy has not been given back to the people of Caithness. It is a white elephant aimed at tourists to the county and maybe we will find that thw tourist impact will hardly justify taking away what could have been a great facility for the community.
I had a good look yesterday and the is all supervficial gloss with little to commend it to the local community. Desinged by people who are not local or aware of local needs and now run by someone with a south of England background. I am not against newcomers and new ideas but they must accept that easch area has its own identity which should be cultivated. Not cltivation here but rotivation in gardening terms of a facility that could have been developed to suit the population of Caithness.
I don't know where this is from.I was there last night and it was great, really enjoyed it,and the local community will benefit from learning more about their own county.It is the sort of place you can take your friends to when they visit.There is nothing wrong with tourism either.I think you are being very cynical
I was there last night and it is wonderful what they have done, lots of local history and a great place to take friends and family and have a nice coffee while there in the cafe.
I have 3 paintings in there too, so please go and have a look! :)
I was there last night and it is wonderful what they have done, lots of local history and a great place to take friends and family and have a nice coffee while there in the cafe.
I have 3 paintings in there too, so please go and have a look! :)
i agree with everything u have said
are ur paintings in the cafe, as there is amazing paintings in there so well done to you :D
hiya,
I have 3 paintings in there, 1 in the cafe, 1 in the hallway leading to the cafe and 1 upstairs outside the door into the National Maritime exhibition... I am very proud to have them hanging in there! The other paintings are amazing.
Murdina Bug
02-Dec-08, 12:21
I am looking forward to my first visit, although I have been a sceptic of the project in the past I think it deserves a chance. I think the points raised about the total change of use are valid however - the venue has been taken in the direction that the new owners wanted, maybe not what local folks expected. I still think that a decent community venue with a large hall/stage and other rooms for rent is required and hope that something like that might happen at Viewfirth one day!
Pity the Caithness Horizons website isn't up to date - that really lets any business down.
I am looking forward to my first visit, although I have been a sceptic of the project in the past I think it deserves a chance. I think the points raised about the total change of use are valid however - the venue has been taken in the direction that the new owners wanted, maybe not what local folks expected. I still think that a decent community venue with a large hall/stage and other rooms for rent is required and hope that something like that might happen at Viewfirth one day!
Pity the Caithness Horizons website isn't up to date - that really lets any business down.
Had a second look this morning. My comments of yesterday still stand and my views pretty much in line with yours.
I was there last night and it is wonderful what they have done, lots of local history and a great place to take friends and family and have a nice coffee while there in the cafe.
I have 3 paintings in there too, so please go and have a look! :)
Bully for you - three paintings - for sale of course!! You have vested interest so maybe an unbiased view is best.
Second look this morning - my view has not changed. Good design and pretty on the surface but is it any real use to the majority of our Caithness population. Lot of money for what have got with other oriorities. You mentio education - schools could do with the money spent and I hope it is not at the expense of the swimming pools as they are said to be in danger due to shortage of cash in Highland council area.
Do really need another cafe? What we needed was a community facility.
Paul Cariss said "We are delighted to finally be able to throw open the doors and give the Thurso Town Hall back to the people of Caithness."
Quite obviously iy has not been given back to the people of Caithness. It is a white elephant aimed at tourists to the county and maybe we will find that thw tourist impact will hardly justify taking away what could have been a great facility for the community.
I had a good look yesterday and the is all supervficial gloss with little to commend it to the local community. Desinged by people who are not local or aware of local needs and now run by someone with a south of England background. I am not against newcomers and new ideas but they must accept that easch area has its own identity which should be cultivated. Not cltivation here but rotivation in gardening terms of a facility that could have been developed to suit the population of Caithness.
I Agree completely, even the Curator who has been appointed is from Argyll. Why did they not appoint a Curator from Caithness. I know of at least two Local people who applied, both of whom have all the necessary Qualifications and Experience but neither were even offered an Interview.
I strongly believe that since this was supposed to have been for the benefit for all the People within Caithness, ALL New Staff should have been recruited from Caithness specially since there are qualified personel within the county.
skinnydog
02-Dec-08, 15:21
Very disappointed to read in the paper that there is no large hall available for coffee mornings! Quote in the paper "A spokeswoman for Caithness Horizons said "for functions outside the capacity of Caithness Horizons there are other facilities in Thurso available for hire".
Great comment. Not. Great get out of jail card. How could they spend all that money on alleged community facilities and not have a hall big enough to stage a coffee morning. What a disgrace.
crashbandicoot1979
02-Dec-08, 15:29
Very disappointed to read in the paper that there is no large hall available for coffee mornings! Quote in the paper "A spokeswoman for Caithness Horizons said "for functions outside the capacity of Caithness Horizons there are other facilities in Thurso available for hire".
Great comment. Not. Great get out of jail card. How could they spend all that money on alleged community facilities and not have a hall big enough to stage a coffee morning. What a disgrace.
Totally agree. Haven't visited the place yet so can't comment on it in general but I'm really disappointed that they don't have a hall for fucntions such as coffee mornings.
Totally agree. Haven't visited the place yet so can't comment on it in general but I'm really disappointed that they don't have a hall for fucntions such as coffee mornings.
The coffee mornings were always a great way for local charities/causes to raise funds too. And at this time of the year especially, I miss the Arts & Craft sales that used to take place, where you could pic up some great gifts for folks. :(
I'm very surprised the hall facilities have gone completely, but I will confess to paying little attention to Caithness Horizons plans. Maybe many others are in the same boat as me - assumming that a Town Hall will always have a "town hall". :confused
This is a local town hall, for local people
We'll have no incomers here...
Apologies to League of Gentlemen/Edward & Tubbs
Buttercup
02-Dec-08, 16:20
Haven't been to see it yet but going by the previous posts ~ shame they have forgotten about their web-site. It seems a bit ironic that more-or-less the only events that have been using the Town Hall in the past will no longer be able to be held there. So how does that help the local community? :confused
Metalattakk
02-Dec-08, 16:37
Taken from today's P&J: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/965391
However, a spokeswoman for Caithness Horizons insisted there are public rooms available for hire at the hall. She said 100 people could be accommodated in the gallery area standing, or 90 seated, while the education room can hold 70 standing and 50 seated.
How big a room do you need for a coffee-morning or craft sale?
Taken from today's P&J: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/965391
How big a room do you need for a coffee-morning or craft sale?
exactly
thats big enough!
Taken from today's P&J: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/965391
However, a spokeswoman for Caithness Horizons insisted there are public rooms available for hire at the hall. She said 100 people could be accommodated in the gallery area standing, or 90 seated, while the education room can hold 70 standing and 50 seated.
How big a room do you need for a coffee-morning or craft sale?
Since the Town hall was used mostly by Local Charities for Fundraising and so the main use was for Coffee Mornings and Afternoons.
Do you really this that Caithness Horizons will hire out a Hall, even if it is big enough, for a Coffee Morning or Afternoon when they have their own Cafe serving Tea, Coffee and Cakes etc. I doubt this very much.
So it makes no difference if it is Big enough or not for a Coffee Morning as I do not think you will ever see one there.
Since the Town hall was used mostly by Local Charities for Fundraising and so the main use was for Coffee Mornings and Afternoons.
Do you really this that Caithness Horizons will hire out a Hall, even if it is big enough, for a Coffee Morning or Afternoon when they have their own Cafe serving Tea, Coffee and Cakes etc. I doubt this very much.
So it makes no difference if it is Big enough or not for a Coffee Morning as I do not think you will ever see one there.
the town hall has been closed for a while now whilst it was being redone so where did all these coffee mornings get held? scout hall, legion, bb hall there are plenty of places, people just wanna have a moan about something
the place is amazing well done to everyone involved!
Metalattakk
02-Dec-08, 17:29
Have you asked them, Kodiak?
Much like most of the people posting their indignation here, you don't really have a clue, do you?
Have you asked them, Kodiak?
Much like most of the people posting their indignation here, you don't really have a clue, do you?
Interesting that, as a matter of fact I do have a clue. No you can not hire the hall for a Coffee Morning or Afternoon for one simple reason. They do not have a Kitchen and it is quite hard to hold a Coffee Morning or Afternoon without a Kitchen.
Metalattakk
02-Dec-08, 18:18
Interesting that, as a matter of fact I do have a clue. No you can not hire the hall for a Coffee Morning or Afternoon for one simple reason. They do not have a Kitchen and it is quite hard to hold a Coffee Morning or Afternoon without a Kitchen.
How the hell can they run a cafe then? :roll:
Ash has a point though - where have these coffee-mornings been held in the year since the Town Hall closed down?
Like all of us, maybe it's time these charities moved with the times a wee bit.
How the hell can they run a cafe then? :roll:
I would have thought it was clear my meaning but just for you. They do not have a Kitchen that they hire out. They do have a Kitchen for their own Cafe but only for their own use.
Metalattakk
02-Dec-08, 18:58
So move with the times, then.
No one seems to have answered Ash's question yet - what did they do in the intervening time, when the Town Hall was out of commission?
so are there now public toilets back in the town centre or do you have to buy something in the cafe to use them?
Personally if I am out with a young child another toilet is far handier to me that another cafe.
so are there now public toilets back in the town centre or do you have to buy something in the cafe to use them?
Personally if I am out with a young child another toilet is far handier to me that another cafe.
we used the toilets when we went past later and we didnt have to buy anything
the cafe is in the back of the town hall, the toilets are before the cafe
oh well thats good news then, there is nothing more heartbreaking than a little one who just can't make it to the other toilets.
oldchemist
02-Dec-08, 20:06
OH and I had a quick look round today - we both enjoyed what struck us as a high quality effort. Can't comment on space available for public use though - didn't explore all the rooms & spaces:).
I can hardly believe the negative response this is getting, would you have rather nothing done?
It seems that there is no greater success in caithness than failure.
It is really quite pathetic and I'm rather embarrassed.As for the Priest, how much public funding has gone into churches over the years and how many of the community get the benefit? Maybe the coffee mornings should be held in the church, it would put it to good use.That would be one way of getting a congregation.
Would there be anywhere in the new town hall for say a show/gig?
I can't believe some of the comments on here and am surprised the entire thread has not been removed on racism and discrimination grounds. Why should the employees come from Caithness? The person deemed best for the job should get it regardless of where they were born.
Remember the state of the Town Hall before it was done up?
With the likely and very sad demise of Woolworths and the other shop across the road swinging between open and shut down, the revamped Town Hall must surely be a boost for this part of town. On one hand folk are saying we don't need more places selling coffee, on the other they're saying there are no facilities for running a Coffee Morning........
webmannie
02-Dec-08, 21:49
How many looked at the plans? Everything was there to see. Anybody know what is happening about Viewfirth?
How many looked at the plans? Everything was there to see. Anybody know what is happening about Viewfirth?
I believe the viewfirth site is still earmarked for housing.
thirsaloon
03-Dec-08, 00:05
The plans were more than accessible to the public. The plans appeared in the local press, they were hung up in the public library, available to download, leaflets were printed (with the plans on them) and distributed publicly, and the council service point for example had copies of them put in for anyone to help themselves. These plans all had what was going to be in each room clearly marked. To now start complaining about the rooms is a bit late!
Regarding the comment that Father John Allen gave“There are no public rooms….”
There are now three public rooms, the large back room of the Carnegie Library, a Gallery which was at one time two rooms and a corridor now knocked into one and a Audio/ Visual room. I fail to see how he can say that there are none!
Out of everyone I have spoken to the feedback has been more than positive. Most said they need to come back as there was so much to take in. That’s a good sign when repeat visits are being spoken of already. Plus there were bookings coming in to use these public rooms from local organisations before the venue opened, I would count that as another good sign!
The buildings were in an extremely poor state of upkeep and a lot worse than many will know. There was rot in both the wood and stonework, plaster was badly damaged throughout and in fact you could take your hand and break bits of easily in some areas. Dampness had saturated the walls and there was also flooding coming from underground and that’s just the start of it.
In defence of the staff who came from the south to work here it’s not giving a very good welcome to the county when comments are being made about them on here. I think we should keep in mind that most people who use this forum know more than one local who has left the county to work in the south, perhaps they are even related to them. Should we now be telling them to come back north instead?
I don’t see or hear anyone complaining about that!
Also in defence of the designers and the various specialists involved they listened, asked and learnt what information was available to use in the exhibits/ displays and room layouts. At no time was there ever an attitude that they were telling the people involved in the project about their county. I know of various people who worked with them and I have yet to hear any bad comments about their experiences.
The new layout might not please everyone; after all you can’t please all the people all the time. The buildings were seriously under threat but I would much rather see them being used than boarded up and falling into a worse state. The doors have only opened for Caithness Horizons, at least give it a chance to prove itself.
The plans were more than accessible to the public. The plans appeared in the local press, they were hung up in the public library, available to download, leaflets were printed (with the plans on them) and distributed publicly, and the council service point for example had copies of them put in for anyone to help themselves. These plans all had what was going to be in each room clearly marked. To now start complaining about the rooms is a bit late!
Regarding the comment that Father John Allen gave“There are no public rooms….”
There are now three public rooms, the large back room of the Carnegie Library, a Gallery which was at one time two rooms and a corridor now knocked into one and a Audio/ Visual room. I fail to see how he can say that there are none!
Out of everyone I have spoken to the feedback has been more than positive. Most said they need to come back as there was so much to take in. That’s a good sign when repeat visits are being spoken of already. Plus there were bookings coming in to use these public rooms from local organisations before the venue opened, I would count that as another good sign!
The buildings were in an extremely poor state of upkeep and a lot worse than many will know. There was rot in both the wood and stonework, plaster was badly damaged throughout and in fact you could take your hand and break bits of easily in some areas. Dampness had saturated the walls and there was also flooding coming from underground and that’s just the start of it.
In defence of the staff who came from the south to work here it’s not giving a very good welcome to the county when comments are being made about them on here. I think we should keep in mind that most people who use this forum know more than one local who has left the county to work in the south, perhaps they are even related to them. Should we now be telling them to come back north instead?
I don’t see or hear anyone complaining about that!
Also in defence of the designers and the various specialists involved they listened, asked and learnt what information was available to use in the exhibits/ displays and room layouts. At no time was there ever an attitude that they were telling the people involved in the project about their county. I know of various people who worked with them and I have yet to hear any bad comments about their experiences.
The new layout might not please everyone; after all you can’t please all the people all the time. The buildings were seriously under threat but I would much rather see them being used than boarded up and falling into a worse state. The doors have only opened for Caithness Horizons, at least give it a chance to prove itself.
Well done, and well said, you cannot please all of the people at the same time, I hope it does well
Good points well made Thirsaloon!
Do really need another cafe? What we needed was a community facility.
Paul Cariss said "We are delighted to finally be able to throw open the doors and give the Thurso Town Hall back to the people of Caithness."
Quite obviously iy has not been given back to the people of Caithness. It is a white elephant aimed at tourists to the county and maybe we will find that thw tourist impact will hardly justify taking away what could have been a great facility for the community.
I had a good look yesterday and the is all supervficial gloss with little to commend it to the local community. Desinged by people who are not local or aware of local needs and now run by someone with a south of England background. I am not against newcomers and new ideas but they must accept that easch area has its own identity which should be cultivated. Not cltivation here but rotivation in gardening terms of a facility that could have been developed to suit the population of Caithness.
I have a lot of sympathy with the above comments.
I had a look around yesterday and was really impressed. I shall certainly be going back, probably again and again. There's plenty there for locals too but locals will have to get their fingers out and use the place. The management will need to be innovative in their attempts to generate interest.
Time will tell whether cattachs fears are justified or not.
I can't believe some of the comments on here and am surprised the entire thread has not been removed on racism and discrimination grounds. Why should the employees come from Caithness? The person deemed best for the job should get it regardless of where they were born.
Remember the state of the Town Hall before it was done up?
The employees should be chosen on the basis of their suitability, not whether they come from Caithness or not, but equally people shouldn't assume that if someone has worked in a 'big' venue elsewhere that they are necessarily better for the job. Likewise, you can't assume that local history enthusiasts are qualified historians or curators unless they have the proper qualifications and experience.
I can't wait to see the town hall. I was sceptical about the changes but can see it would have fallen to pieces if something wasn't done.
pinotnoir
03-Dec-08, 10:18
The Town Hall sounds great.
What we need now is an equally great Community Centre, over to our councillors...
I had a good look at the Pictish stones in the entrance hall. I've seen the Ulbster stone often enough. What vandal gave permission for someone to carve The Ulbster Stone across the top of the stone?
the town hall has been closed for a while now whilst it was being redone so where did all these coffee mornings get held? scout hall, legion, bb hall there are plenty of places, people just wanna have a moan about something
the place is amazing well done to everyone involved!
Coffee mornings have removed to the Legion while the town hall was shut. Tried to book something weeks and weeks ago but it's booked up for months ahead on a Saturday morning.
I had a good look at the Pictish stones in the entrance hall. I've seen the Ulbster stone often enough. What vandal gave permission for someone to carve The Ulbster Stone across the top of the stone?
I've just been informed that the stone was probably carved with the inscription in the 19th century. Previously it had been up against a wall and hadnt been noticed.
thirsaloon
03-Dec-08, 13:20
I've just been informed that the stone was probably carved with the inscription in the 19th century. Previously it had been up against a wall and hadnt been noticed.
A little bit of information regarding the Ulbster Stone - it was said to have been unearthed in 1770 in the graveyard at St. Martins Chapel, Ulbster. It was then moved to the large conical mound (also used for a flagpole) at the front of Thurso Castle.
It was noticed however that the stone was suffering from the weather and it was removed into storage. Eventually it was passed on to Thurso Museum so the public could see it and has since remained. It is unknown as to who carved in gothic letters “The Ulbster Stone” but it was done sometime in the 1800s. Some unfortunate vandalism of the time!
The lettering has always been known about though; although it was kept near to a wall in the museum it was still easily seen. When both the Skinnet and Ulbster stones went for conservation work new carvings were found on both.
You're apology is waited Gleeber!
Apoligise for what? For asking a question. Bile yer hied ;)
Theres a lot of old Caithness heritage been pulled to bits in Thurso over the years long beforew Viefirth even. Maybe the museum should get a bit of the Thurso castle that was used to form a pool below the legion. Lovely carved Caithness stone.
I thought the timing wasnt good for changing the paving outside the hall but I'm sure you know that.
Apart from that though it's no bad. ;)
thirsaloon
03-Dec-08, 19:09
Apoligise for what? For asking a question. Bile yer hied ;)
Theres a lot of old Caithness heritage been pulled to bits in Thurso over the years long beforew Viefirth even. Maybe the museum should get a bit of the Thurso castle that was used to form a pool below the legion. Lovely carved Caithness stone.
I thought the timing wasnt good for changing the paving outside the hall but I'm sure you know that.
Apart from that though it's no bad. ;)
Totally agree with you gleeber! It was unfortunate that there was a delay in the Council getting the paving sorted, one of those things. As you said there has been lots of heritage lost, far too much perhaps there can now be a fresh attempt at preserving what we can before it is lost forever.
Hi Thirsaloon. I saw your picture on the org in amongst the good and the great of caithness. There's no show withoot punch they say.
Do you know anything about a broch that may have been in Gillock Park up until the 40s?
Dog-eared
07-Dec-08, 15:34
Town Hall floor plans here -http://www.caithnesshorizons.co.uk/ARTISTSIMPRESSIONSFLOORLAYOUTS.aspx
Or just go along and find out yourself, folks !!
was in there yesterday, so the kids could go and see santa, and my god what a difference, cant wait to get the time to have a proper look round, well worth the money they spent on it.
Some facts for the negative posts earlier in this post.
Thurso Town Hall was about to shut its doors for ever All the rooms apart for the band room were out of use due to the DDA regs.
The Museum was in doubt if it would continue as well due to the apathy of younger "locals" who were not supporting the THS. artefacts were deteriorating and would start to be lost forever.
The days of community centres such as the Town Hall and Assembly Rooms are in difficulty due to their antiquated and inadequate facilties such as lack of changing, showers DDA access etc etc.
I doubt if anyone here could make a business case out to refurbish the Town hall and Carnegie building so that it could be used for Coffess mornings the odd gig and some playgroup or martial art use. who would give £4m for this sort of use?? answers on the back of a stamp I think.
Therefore you have got a new type of community building that not only acts as a meeting place but provides a much needed venue and museum for toursits and education purposes. How often do you same locals complain that there is nothing for the tourists or vsitors to go to so they just hop on th boat to Orkney. Now you have a top facility that will not only draw visitors to the town centre but may act as pointer to other attractions in the county encouraging more to stay or come back for a better look.
So stop your whinging and get and use the building even if its a quick look in just to visit the toilets.
I have never hear such a negative and quiet frankly pathetic bunch of whining critics.
Well that was a good post until yer last very much uncalled for PS
What great memories........Dances. Buses from Wick to thurso and oh boy what great nights none of this modern razz a matazzz... ND ARTY RUBBISH JUST PLAIN GOOD OLD DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY. and hopefully got home on time before midnight on a Saturday night...........otherwise well........whT A ROW AND NO DRINK IN THEM DAYS, nor drugs.... just good fun
What great memories........Dances. Buses from Wick to thurso and oh boy what great nights none of this modern razz a matazzz... ND ARTY RUBBISH JUST PLAIN GOOD OLD DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY. and hopefully got home on time before midnight on a Saturday night...........otherwise well........whT A ROW AND NO DRINK IN THEM DAYS, nor drugs.... just good fun
Totally agree with you there catran. Brings back a lot of memories.;)
hiya,
I have 3 paintings in there, 1 in the cafe, 1 in the hallway leading to the cafe and 1 upstairs outside the door into the National Maritime exhibition... I am very proud to have them hanging in there! The other paintings are amazing.
definitely will go there to see your paintings.you all make me like to go and have a good look around asap!
Well that was a good post until yer last very much uncalled for PS
Yes you were quiet right I have removed the PS It was in frustration at the pathetic comments earlier
I went in on Saturday and had a quick look round. Was very impressed-it's practically unrecognisable! Had a scone,butter and jam with a coffee. Very good price. I will certainly be going back to get a better look,and will be taking all my visitors there as well.
Yes you were quiet right I have removed the PS It was in frustration at the pathetic comments earlier
Thank you! :)
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