Ballater & crathie Community magazine - Ballater Community

Victoria and Albert MemorialHalls by Bell Macaulay2013 is shaping up to be the year when wefinally achieve major progress in our refurbishmentplans. As you know, the Albert Hall and adjoiningareas will be upgraded first, and we hope to dothis work when some of the regular groups takea break, to minimise disruption. We are close tofinalising the details, and we will keep you all fullyinformed as things progress.We have been fortunate to get through thewinter without too much interruption to bookings– and Spring is just around the corner!On the subject of bookings, there is anencouraging upward trend, bringing newclients, and with all areas being used morewhich is excellent news.Plans for a Learning Centre based in theBeaton Craigie Room have received a boost asfunds have been made available from AberdeenshireCouncil and the Cairngorms National ParkAuthority to help produce a business plan toensure viability of the centre, and a curriculumwhich will satisfy community and business needsfor training and leisure. All the current uses willfit very comfortably into this.Website – www.victoriaandalberthalls.co.ukthere is still much work to be done on this, withcalendar entries a priority, but we need to be surethat these are accurate before proceeding.Ongoing maintenance – as always wehave to keep sufficient funds to coverongoing maintenance of the building, and tocarry out repairs and work which helps the smoothrunning of the Halls. You may have noticed thatthe handles on both entrance doors have beenreplaced and it is now possible to gain entrywithout spraining wrists! Jack Coull has designedand supervised the construction of a trolley so we cannow store almost all of the chairs under the stageThe Oven ValetOven CleanersDoing the jobs you hate!Bringing the Sparkle back to your oven.Using Non Toxic,Non Caustic Products in Your HomeT: 01330 823079 M: 07920483233www.theovenvalet.com info@theovenvalet.com