IT’S THE START OF A NEW ERA
Facility will be‘fit for the 21st century’
There were celebrations as work to replace the Guide Hut in Blairgowrie finally got under way last week – some six years since the building was first declared unfit for use.
The first phase of the work, which is expected to take between four to five months to complete, will see the demolition of the existing building on Emma Street and the erection of a new facility in the same place.
The Guide Hut was closed in 2016 after the 98 year-old building was declared beyond economical repair.
A dedicated fundraising committee was set up to ensure that a replacement building – thought to cost in the region of £250,000 – could be built.
Chair Vicky Anderson said: “This hut was built two years before the Queen – who was the patron of the Girlguiding Association – was born and demolition work started just days after her funeral. It’s fair to say they both had a good life.
“The building was past its best and it is time for it to be replaced with an energy- efficient building that’s fit for the 21st century and the next 100 years of Girlguiding in the area.”
Members of the Rotary Club of Blairgowrie donated £7500 to the appeal for funds.
We are very grateful to the Rotary for this donation which has helped us get started with the building work
Vicky Anderson
There were celebrations last week as work to replace the Guide Hut in Blairgowrie finally got under way – some six years since the building was first declared unfit for use.
The first phase of the work, which is expected to take between four to five months to complete, will see the demolition of the existing building on Emma Street and the erection of a new wind and watertight building in the same place.
Efforts to raise £80,000 to finish the interior of the building are ongoing while the initial phase of work is being carried out.
The Guide Hut was closed in 2016 after the 98-year-old building was declared beyond economical repair.
A dedicated fundraising committee was set up to ensure that a replacement building – thought to cost in the region of £250,000 – could be built.
The chair and treasurer of the fundraising committee is Vicky Anderson who was at the Guide Hut on Thursday last week along with colleagues from the Girlguiding Association and members of the Rotary Club of Blairgowrie who donated £7500 to the appeal for funds, enabling the work to get started.
Vicky told the Blairie: “We are very grateful to the Rotary for this donation which has helped us get started with the building work, and to all the other donors who have supported us so far.
“This hut was built two years before the Queen – who was the patron of the Girlguiding Association – was born and demolition work started just days after her funeral. It’s fair to say they both had a good life.
“The building was past its best and it is time for it to be replaced with an energy-efficient building that’s fit for the 21st century and the next 100 years of Girlguiding in the area.
“We currently have over 100 girls in our units and are looking forward to seeing us all back together again in our new home.”
The group received planning permission and a building warrant for a replacement hut in 2020.
The new building will be energyefficient and located on the same footprint as the old hut.
And as well as being used by the local Girlguiding Association units, it will also be available for other community groups to use.
In the past, the hall has been used for yoga, kickboxing, Highland dancing, country dancing, dog training classes, sewing and knitting bees during the war, and as a base for the former Scrap Happy
Theatre Co, Scouts skiing at Glenshee and soldiers billeted for army exercises.
Bob Ellis is president of the Rotary Club of Blairgowrie.
He said: “When we heard that the Guide Hut in Blairgowrie had been condemned, the Rotary felt that it would be nice to do something to help them achieve their goal of providing a new facility for the community.
“We asked one of our Rotarians, retired businessman Colin Stewart, to help with this project and he has been at the forefront of Rotary’s involvement in what is a very worthwhile cause.
“We are therefore delighted to be able to hand over a cheque for £7500 to help them get going with the work on the replacement hut which will benefit youngsters in Blairgowrie and the wider Strathmore area.
“As president of the Rotary Club in Blairgowrie I am indebted to the group for the support we have provided to the Girlguiding Association and wish them all the best for the rest of the project.”
Blairgowrie and Glens Conservative councillor Caroline Shiers has also been involved in the fundraising efforts.
She said: “Thank you to the Rotary Club of Blairgowrie for coming in behind the project to redevelop the Guide Hut.
“As someone who benefited so much personally from the Girlguiding Association, I have been delighted to be a member of the committee behind this project.
“Girl Guides instilled in me so many skills which I know have been of benefit to me throughout my life and I am glad to be able to work with other volunteers to give a wee bit back which will hopefully benefit many generations to come.
“The Rotary Club members have been so enthusiastic in their support and really have partnered with us in this project.
“We still have funds to raise to see the project completed and would really value the support of any other individuals or groups who would like to join with us in delivering a state-of-the-art facility which will benefit many children and young people as well as providing an additional community facility which I am sure will be much used.”
The next two fundraising events in support of the new hut are a bingo night at Rattray Bowling Club on Saturday, October 29, at 7.30pm and a craft and coffee morning in Blairgowrie Town Hall on Saturday, November 12 from 10.30am to 2pm.
Donations towards the new Guide Hut can also be made online at https://localgiving.org/girlguiding-blairgowrieand-rattray-district. Alternatively, email guidehutblairgowrie@gmail.com to arrange an offline donation.