The ribbon was cut and people flooded back inside Scone ’s Robert Douglas Memorial Institute (RDMI)in an emotional event on Monday.
The last 17 months have been dismal for the village’s central community facility which as a registered charity is totally reliant on generating income through hall hire, events and donations.
To encourage bookings and use of the halls to blossom again, the hire fees are being slashed by 25 per cent.
The facility has been a hub for the local community for decades playing host to parties, concerts and fundraisers.
A day to celebrate the halls being back in service after a long time closed saw the hall management committee inviting local senior citizen Isobel McCallum to cut the ribbon.
Isobel spent part of her school days having lessons in RDMI before the RDM Primary School opened in 1936.
The daughter of one of the committee members, Orla Hood was tasked with presenting Isobel with flowers in a gesture of thanks.
Karen Donaldson, trustee of the Douglas Foundation and secretary of the Robert Douglas Memorial Institute recounted the memorable occasion this week: “The residents of Scone came out in force on Monday when the Robert Douglas Memorial Institute re-opened.
“The halls, which closed for only the second time since they were opened on 21 February 1940, closed due to the pandemic in March 2020. We only opened briefly as the collection point for over £2500 of donations for the food bank in December 2020.
“The other time was for election day on May 6 this year.
“Resident of Scone, Mrs Isobel McCallum, was delighted to cut the ribbon and Orla handed over some flowers to her.
“Then approximately 50 people, many of them representatives of the various clubs and groups that use the halls, then filed inside for a socially-distanced coffee morning.
“For many it was the first time they had met up together for 17 months and there was a great atmosphere in the halls and outside where some tables had also been set up.
“For some who have moved to the village since the pandemic, it was their first opportunity to meet up with fellow villagers and see the halls. I think they were all impressed with what the village facility has to offer.
“The RDMI Management Committee, who are all volunteers, have worked tirelessly throughout the closure to ensure that the halls were maintained and improved and ready to welcome everyone back.
“There have been several bookings so far and the hall is proving popular for a variety of events including birthdays, keep fit and children’s activities with hopefully more to follow.”
RDMI hosts a variety of groups and clubs in the halls including Highland dancing for children, country dancing for adults, Whist, Bridge, carpet bowls, table tennis, Scone 50+ and Scone Seniors.
Karen explained that prices for hire have gone down by 25 per cent as an incentive and the £10 membership fee has been waived.
“We realise that many groups and clubs are struggling for funds and if we can do something to help out, then we are only too happy to do it.”
A craft fair is planned at RDMI on Sunday, November 7 and anyone interested in booking a table for £15, or in any of the activities at the halls, can email contact@rdminstitute.co.uk
Plans are already in place to have a village celebration next year for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Many of the village groups and organisations have been contacted and agreed to be involved. It is hoped a vibrant village planning committee can be formed.
Minute books show that in 1953 Scone residents came together to celebrate the Queen’s coronation, with the focal points being the RDMI and the Park.
Sixty years on, Karen and the others on the committee are keen to replicate “that great event”.
The cherry trees that stand around the boundary of the institute, which were lit up last year for the first time, are going strong and were planted to as a village gesture commemorate the coronation.
