Doll Hall’s 90th anniversary to be celebrated with heritage walk, reminiscing and ceilidh
An East Sutherland crofting community is celebrating as its much-loved community hall reaches a milestone anniversary.
It is 90 years since the Doll Hall in Brora was built with the opening ceremony taking place on Friday, September 14, 1934.
Managers of the hall have organised an exciting programme of events on Saturday, September 28, to mark the anniversary.
Local historian and author Dr Nick Lindsay, chairman of Clyne Heritage Society, will lead a heritage walk from 12pm-2pm.
The walk will start from the hall and then take in the Doll as Dr Lindsay talks about the crofts, the people who lived in them and the stories of the place.
In the afternoon there will be an opportunity for people to share memories of life in the Doll in days gone by. The event, called ‘Doll Memories’ will run from 2.30pm.
A spokesperson for the hall said: ”Bring along your photos, objects and stories to help create a community timeline and exhibition. There will also be activities for children.”
And everyone is invited to celebrate at the Doll Hall 90th ceilidh with Strathair Ceilidh Band on Saturday evening from 7.30pm.
There will be ‘special guests’, a raffle, tea, coffee and homebaking. Donations to the raffle and homebaking would be appreciated.
The hall was constructed after young people in the Doll area became interested in dancing and entertainment.
The opening ceremony was performed by Mrs T. M. Hunter, Brora, and was followed by a concert and dance.
According to a report in the Northern Times of the time, the concert was “sustained by well-known Golspie and Brora artistes and Clyne SWRI with a play, ‘Mr Sampson’”.
Admission to the concert was 2/- and 1/3 and 6d for children.
Mrs Hunter was given a gold key as a memento of the occasion.
