Hugh’s name is set to live on at centre
There are few if any in Dalmellington who did more to put the wee town on the map.
And when brass bandsman Hugh Johnstone MBE passed away in August following a car crash, it robbed Dalmellington of one of its greatest sons.
Now his name will live on forever as the old community centre passes from East Ayrshire Council control to town control.
The Hugh Johnstone Memorial Hall has been blessed and officially opened.
Hugh was 90 when he died of injuries sustained in a car crash in Patna.
He gave 76 years of his life to the Dalmellington Band as player, conductor, vice president , president, youth tutor and committee member as well as becoming Honorary Vice President of the Scottish Brass Band Association. Quite simply he was revered. He was awarded the MBE back in 1982 and for the past decade found a role he also loved - bringing on the youngsters in the Junior Band.
The great and the good assembled to watch his family open The Hugh Johnstone and unveil a plaque.
It reads: “Dedicated for a lifetime of service within the community. He taught many that effort rewarded success. He believed in our youth and supported them generously.
Dalmellington Community Association organised the celebration of Hugh’s life in an evening of stories and music.
Bert Ritchie, a lifelong friend, gave an amusing and moving tribute to the great man. Archie Hutchison, conducting the senior band, and Ian Taylor, with the youth band, provided some musical memories and chat about their experience of working with Hugh.
An exhibition covering Hugh’s life had been set up in the lesser hall and tea was provided by the ladies and friends of Dalmellington.
And as a man who had opened his fair share of fetes and community events, he would have been honoured by the turnout.
Long live the legend Hugh Johnstone! Wemyss Bay Holiday Park, Weymyss Bay, Rothsay PA18 6BA