Provost’s Chair is put on show
Newly-restored antique in Strathearn Artspace
Crieff’s newly-restored 19th Century Provost’s Chair is on display in Strathearn Artspace as debate continues around its future.
The chair’s leather work has been reupholstered and the woodwork polished following a £ 600 refurbishment funded by two anonymous benefactors.
The antique is the centrepiece of a set of 14 solid- oak, leather- backed chairs originally used by the former Burgh Council and now in the care of Crieff Community Council.
They all require refurbishment and community councillors are planning a fundraising drive to raise the funds needed to restore them to their former glory – estimated at between anywhere from £4000-7000.
The Provost’s Chair has been on temporary display in the Artspace since the start of Crieff Arts Festival last month while the rest of the set remains in storage in the basement of the old town hall.
Strathearn councillor Ann Cowan said she was delighted to see the chair looking “so splendid” following its refurbishment by Comrie upholsterer Ashley Harding and Crieff ’s Mariano and Joseph Ottolini, who did the woodwork.
She said: “The leather work on it has been done to a very high standard, as has the re-polishing of the woodwork.
“I would like to add my thanks to Jean Ann Scott Miller for all the hard work she has put into achieving this.
“Crieff now has the ownership of a unique antique, one to be proud of.”
Ownership of the set was transferred to the community council by the Crieff Common Good Fund Committee (CCGFC) last December on the understanding they are maintained, refurbished and accessible to the local community through either future use or display.
Former community councillor Jean Ann Scott Miller wants to see the full set revamped and eventually used in the old town hall.
She said: “My hope is that fundraising will now be progressed so the whole set can gradually be restored and kept together for use by the community in the town hall once it has been refurbished.”
However, local historian Ian Hamilton questions whether the town hall is the best venue for the chairs given its access issues for people with disabilities and also highlights the feasibility and timescale of raising the necessary restoration funds.
He said: “I think the community council may be in danger of inheriting a poisoned chalice with this issue given the many other important matters they have to address and the chairs may just end up languishing in the basement.”
In July Mr Hamilton, chair of Strathearn Archaeological and Historical Society, wrote to the five councillors who make up the CCGFC in July detailing his concerns about the chairs and is awaiting their response.
Meanwhile, the newlyelected chair of Crieff Community Council Marnie Gauld said members remain committed to the restoration of the chairs and fundraising plans include a crowdfunding venture and bingo tea.
She believes the town hall would be an ideal venue for the chairs to be housed and used by local people.
“Following community consultation last year, the community wanted the chairs to be kept as a working set in the town centre and that is what we will be working towards,” she said.
“The upper floor of the town hall – the town clock – is the historic home of the set of chairs which I, as a member of the public, would like to see used for community groups.
“I think it’s pretty special we have the complete set and they will be useful in the town clock for meetings, talks or other relevant activity. It would be great to have a heritage hub there.”
She added: “The next chairs I’m hoping to have refurbished are the two Baillie Magistrate chairs with the rosette carving on the back and then the councillor chairs – two by two, as funds allow.”
• The Provost ’s Chair was one of several issues discussed at Monday’s Crieff Community Council meeting.
Later in the evening, the wide- ranging debate was adjourned part-way through the agenda following a heated exchange in relation to Crieff Community Garden.
Crieff now has a unique antique, one to be proud of