New chapter for Seaman's Hall in Nairn as Green Hive starts opening to the public
A NEW chapter is starting for a beloved historic Nairn building thanks to a local green charity's bid to turn it into a communty hub.
Eco-charity Green Hive were handed over the keys of Seaman's Victoria Hall in November last year after embarking on a £1.5m project to regenerate the site.
After carrying out the health and safety checks needed in the past weeks, they are now welcoming community groups and individuals who might want to use their space.
"Everybody is really excited about this next chapter for Green Hive," said Fiona Keir, who started her role as operations officer for Green Hive in December.
"Taking ownership of Seaman's Hall was a big step for the charity, and we are kind of at that point that is exciting – especially now that we are bringing our equipment here, it's really exciting for us to see it all come to life!"
Built in 1887, the Seaman’s Victoria Hall served many roles in the Fishertown community as a place of learning, recreation, weddings and was once the centre of the local Temperance movement.
In recent years, its principal use has been for indoor bowling and as a polling station for elections.
Now the spaces are available to rent for community groups and events, as well as becoming the space for some of Green Hive's activities and workshops.
Among these will be fabric and recycling workshops, their natter informal social meetings, litter pickup materials as well as the possibility to rent e-bikes and trikes which are available to rent.
"We see ourselves as custodians of the hall, which is very much for the community – that's how Green Hive works.
"Other than coming in for bowling or voting, not a lot of people have been able to be inside the hall, so there is a bit of disconnect in terms of people's connection with the Hall in comparison to its past – people used to get married here or have parties, it was such a central hub where people socialized – and this is what we want to bring back.
"At one of our recent Natter encounters, a lady in her 90s said that this was the first time that she had been in the hall since she was a girl and this was her school!
A more central location will offer more opportunities to engage with the community and offer a hub to young people.
She said: "Being here is great because it will allow us offer a space that is easier for people in Nairn to reach and hopefully this will encourage more people."
At the same time, the new space will allow Green Hive to further develop their plastic-recycling activities at their workshop in Balmakeith.
"We have a two-step vision for the hall – we are really at the first stages, to have the hall filled with people again and build the connections with the community.
"The long term vision is that we will be carrying out a wider restoration. We have got some fundraising to do before we can start."
The plans will involve a restoration of the inner spaces as well as the building of an extension allowing access from the river path.
Ms Keir said: "This is an amazing building and it's an amazing river, but there is no connection with the external environment at the moment, which is what we want to build.
"You can already see yourself out there, on a summer day!"
An open doors day will be hosted on February 28 in the afternoon to welcome the local community in the hall and showcase future possibilities.
For more information on the hall and hiring the spaces, visit: www.hub.greenhive.co.uk/services-2.
