SIGNAGE

It's good to see that there is now signage on the scaffolding to let everyone know who is the Architect and who are the main Contractors and the sponsors:

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS WITH THE TOWN HALL - PRESS RELEASE: 210513

Repairs to Moffat Town Hall are progressing rapidly, and on time.  The latest changes have seen the installation of the new roof lights to the library:

and the new beam put in above the stage inside the Hall.

In addition the old and peeling paint is being removed and is revealing the sandstone underneath.

Little can be seen of the Hall at the moment, but it is 'business as usual',

The Trust is grateful for the patience and understanding being shown by users and staff of the Hall, recognising the improvements that are taking place.

Peter Beck-Samuels, Chair of the Trust said "We are really pleased with the progress taking place.  It is exciting to see the old building being brought back to a good state of repair.  There have been no major problems detected as we get into the details of the work, and Ashleighs have ensured that the Hall remains in use as far as possible."

The next phase includes re-plastering of the library roof.  This will mean closure of the library for the period 6th and 7th June to enable the work to take place with minimum disruption.

Signed,

Dr. Peter Beck-Samuels, Chairman

01683 221 456

peter@peterbeck-samuels.orangehome.co.uk

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY - 1st COME, 1st TO HELP on Tuesday 4th June 2013

As part of the redevelopment works, Moffat Library has to close whilst work takes place on the roof over that location.

We are looking for 4 volunteers to move books out of the library to a safe location for this period.  Those of you who would like to help with this important task towards the regeneration on Tuesday at the Library from 12.30 p.m. please phone Peter Beck-Samuels on 01683 221 456 or email peter@peterbeck-sanuels.orangehome.co.uk.

START OF ROAD TO REDEVELOPMENT

Back at the end of the 1990s, Moffat and District Community Initiative delivered a survey questionnaire to every household in the town, seeking views on what people felt was needed to be done to take the town into the 21st Century.  It wasn't until late 2001 that the Initiative was able to move from being a group of volunteers who regularly met round a table to being able to secure funding to have an office with someone working part-time.  This preamble is necessary in case it leaves you wondering!  The first item from the list that evolved from the survey was that walking in Moffat needed enhancing and so an Annual Walking Festival (that has become a sustainable event in the town's calendar) and various walk leaflets, etc. were initiated.

In 2003, work on another major request began - to introduce a project for the renovation of Moffat Town Hall.  For any of you reading this post and about to start your own public building redevelopment, probably the most important attribute is to have patience.  A large amount of research work was carried out by Moffat Initiative and it was in 2006 that it was decided that this project needed its own group.  Peter Beck-Samuels had recently joined the Board of Moffat Initiative and offered to lead such a group and so Moffat Town Hall Redevelopment Trust was born.  It has to be said here that it is unlikely the project would have progressed as it has without the work and leadership of Peter, for whom at times it has been a full time +++ occupation.

Here we are 7 years later with the very delightful sight of the Town Hall scaffolded and under green tarpaulin-type protection with workmen scurrying about.  Plus as you will have read in my blog the other day, real benefits from the redevelopment are already evident.   

So, readers just starting out on projects, when the going gets tough, remember the words of the Moffat Town Hall Trust blogger ..... have patience, patience, patience and you'll reach your destination in the end !

DISCOVERY OF A BEAUTIFULLY CARVED ORIGINAL SANDSTONE SIGN

Beneath what were discovered to be modern plastic signs saying "1827" and "Town Hall" the Builders found this beautifully carved sandstone sign on which can just be made out the word "BATHS".  This is from the building's original designation as the "Baths' Hall".  The Trust plans to have this sign renovated to be displayed in future.

Feedback from users of the Town Hall indicates that work undertaken/insulation installed is already making it feel a more naturally warm place, which is delightful news.  Also, the new double-glazed roof windows in the Library are making it a much lighter room.

From other photographs taken at Moffat Producers' Market on 12th May, you can see how, internally, the area of the stage has been "walled" off to allow the beam above it to be replaced  (already completed) and other remedial works to take place:

False wall is to the right of the windows

False wall is to the left of the pink wall

ROOF WORKS - Clearer Photographs

Further to the photograph previously uploaded, here's 2 clearer photographs showing the ongoing works to the roof, particularly the parts above the Library and the Corridor.  (Taken before the additional scaffolding/cladding was put in place!)

Community Liaison and Marketing Officer Post

The Town Hall Trust is seeking an individual for the above post.  Following is the Job Description:

 Summary of Post

This is a part-time short duration post, which is funded by the Moffat Town Hall Redevelopment Trust, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Dumfries and Galloway LEADER Programme. The purpose of the post is to facilitate the transition of responsibility for the operation of the community elements of Moffat Town Hall from Dumfries and Galloway Council to the community in the form of the Trust.

The post holder will be expected to work with the Trust to promote the more effective engagement of local groups to take advantage of the community spaces within the Town Hall. The post will involve liaison with Council staff employed at the Town Hall to ensure the efficient and effective management of the resource. The Trust has identified that the upgrading of the building could lead to the creation of new commercial opportunities particularly relating to the use of the building as a wedding venue and possibly day or half day conferences. The post holder would be expected to set the groundwork for developing these opportunities. The transfer of the building from the Council to the Trust has generated considerable local interest. Part of the remit of the post holder will be to set up opportunities to engage local people as volunteers and create formal policies relating to the use of volunteers.

The post is for two/three days a week for the duration of 28 weeks commencing in June 2013 through to the end of December 2013.

The post holder will be engaged on a self employed basis on a fixed term contract and would be expected to commit for the duration of the contract. The working arrangements will be flexible. Although the post holder will be expected to maintain a high profile at the Town Hall and will be expected to liaise with the public there, the shortage of accommodation may mean that the post holder may have to operate from home or from the offices of Moffat Initiative for some of the time. From time to time some evening or weekend work may be required.

Background

The community, in the form of the Trust, has recently taken over responsibility for the management and operation of the community aspects of the Town Hall. The Trust, which was constituted in 2008 was formed to protect the long-term future of the building which is an important component of Moffat’s heritage. The Trust is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. It has secured the funding to enable the exterior of building to be repaired to a high standard. The repair contract is ongoing and will result in the stabilisation of the building, its reroofing and the replacement of a beam, thus enabling the stage to be brought back into use. In addition, there will be repairs to the stonework, new paving at the front and some redecoration of the front of the building. The works are due for completion in October 2013.

Moffat Town Hall was built in 1827 and was constructed as a bath house and assembly room as part of Moffat’s development as a spa town. When it ceased to operate as a spa hall it was taken over by the Moffat Town Council and ultimately passed to Dumfries and Galloway Council.

As part of the partnership arrangements with the Council, the local authority will continue to occupy part of the building in order to provide customer services and library facilities. Other Council services are provided on an occasional or peripatetic basis. The relationship between the Council and the Trust is governed by a series of formal agreements between the parties.

Moffat Town Hall has been described as “the beating heart of Moffat”. Because of its location and accessibility it is used by a number of community groups. Local organisations are able to hire the main hall, a reception/meeting room and kitchen facilities on an hourly or sessional basis for community or commercial events. These include concerts, plays, shows, coffee mornings, meeting and a whole host of miscellaneous uses. At the present time a commercial market operates on Fridays and there is a producers’ market once a month on a Sunday. This mix of uses provides the Trust with a projected net income from lets of about £12k per annum. There is a commitment on the Trust to save £5k per annum to cover the maintenance of the exterior of the building

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Opportunities for the Postholder

There is tremendous scope for the post holder to stimulate the increased uses of the community spaces within the building, particularly as the Trust plans to upgrade the facilities in the building, starting with the upgrade of the kitchen, which is due to be carried out during August 2013. The funds are in place to enable this work to be carried out. A number of people have volunteered to work with the Trust to carry out tasks such as redecorating the public spaces. The post holder will be expected to work with community groups and volunteers to set up a user group which will feed ideas to the Trust for the further improvement of the facilities and the community ambiance. It is the Trust’s intention to engage volunteers to carry out tasks such as the redecoration of the building. Our aim is to create a “happening” place.

It is envisaged that during the first few months of the contract the postholder will concentrate on engaging with local groups to encourage the increased use of the building. In the latter part of the contract it is anticipated that the emphasis will shift towards deveolping and realising opportunities of a more commercial nature.

There are small budgets for the providing resources for volunteers (£2,000) and for marketing expenses (£2,000).

In the longer term both the Council and the Trust would like to re-organise some of the space within the building to create a one stop shop delivering an integrated range of services to the community.

Financial Management & Reporting

The post holder will be responsible to the Board of Trustees, specifically reporting in person to the Chairman of the Management Committee on a regular basis and providing a progress report to each monthly Board Meeting.

The post holder will ensure that time sheets, financial and other records are kept, sufficient to meet the requirements of the Trust and funders, such as the Council and Dumfries and Galloway LEADER programme.

Interviews

Shortisted candidates will be invited for interview during the week beginning 3 June.

More cladding and scaffolding!

This week additional scaffolding and protective covering has been added to the Town Hall.  It's great to see ongoing progress!