The Village Hall
In 1922 the Crombie family, owners of Culter Estate, donated a site used then as a builders yard on North Deeside Road to the ex-servicemen of Peterculter. This was to build a Recreation Hall for them after returning from the first World War. A group of ex-servicemen including the local schoolmaster, doctor, customs officer, plumber, farmer, the manager of Culter Paper Mill and others agreed to form a committee and act as trustees for work to commence.
Blasting of rock was carried out for levelling purposes until neighbours complained of flying rocks and this work had to cease. The result of this can be seen to this day. The hall protrudes quite an appreciable distance to the front of the building line of the adjoining properties.
A wooden building used as part of an army camp at Bucksburn was offered and the difficult task of dismantling it and transporting it to Culter and then reassembling it was done. The "Culter Recreation and Ex-servicemen's Club" opened it doors offering the men somewhere to meet, play billiards, cards and dominoes.
Dances and concerts were held there and parties organised for the children. Roller Skating was started and Culter had a very successful roller hockey team.
In 1947 it was felt that the administration of the hall should not be restricted to ex-servicemen so a new constitution was adopted. The "Culter and District Community Association" was formed as a charitable and voluntary organisation to operate Culter Village Hall. The hall was now owned by all residents of Peterculter.
In 1954, the building at the rear of the Hall was built at a cost of £540 to house two full size billiard tables. For many years it was well used by the male residents of Culter but sadly the popularity of billiards and snooker waned. The tables were sold in 1971. This room was later occupied by the playgroup.
In the 50's there were three dramatic groups in the village all staging plays in the hall. It is noted that considerable financial support was given to the hall from these groups.
Also in the 50's movies came to the village. The Glenn Cinema showed the latest films on a Thursday and Saturday evenings and for the children a show on a Saturday morning. The projection box can still be seen at the rear of the main hall. Sadly these ceased in 1961 and the hall faced a dramatic drop in income. Then bingo started on a Thursday and Saturday evening. Records show over 300 people attending in the early 70's.There were also the weekly "Roups" auction sales. These were held firstly by Mr Adams and then the Leslie family. The roups were very popular with all who attended and was a valuable source of income to the hall.
1986 saw the hall change dramatically. The committee worked hard to gain a capital grant to refurbish the toilets build a store room and link corridor to the Playgroup room, add an additional toilet to the playgroup and build a new lounge area and disabled toilet. This was at a total cost of £130,000. To receive the grant, 25% of that total had to be raised by the hall committee and hall user groups.
In 1997 it became obvious that the roof fitted with asbestos corrugated sheets was in serious need of repair at a cost of £50,000. The committee applied for a lottery grant and received £25,000. The balance was once again raised within our community. On any day up to 100 residents will use the hall.
Blasting of rock was carried out for levelling purposes until neighbours complained of flying rocks and this work had to cease. The result of this can be seen to this day. The hall protrudes quite an appreciable distance to the front of the building line of the adjoining properties.
A wooden building used as part of an army camp at Bucksburn was offered and the difficult task of dismantling it and transporting it to Culter and then reassembling it was done. The "Culter Recreation and Ex-servicemen's Club" opened it doors offering the men somewhere to meet, play billiards, cards and dominoes.
Dances and concerts were held there and parties organised for the children. Roller Skating was started and Culter had a very successful roller hockey team.
In 1947 it was felt that the administration of the hall should not be restricted to ex-servicemen so a new constitution was adopted. The "Culter and District Community Association" was formed as a charitable and voluntary organisation to operate Culter Village Hall. The hall was now owned by all residents of Peterculter.
In 1954, the building at the rear of the Hall was built at a cost of £540 to house two full size billiard tables. For many years it was well used by the male residents of Culter but sadly the popularity of billiards and snooker waned. The tables were sold in 1971. This room was later occupied by the playgroup.
In the 50's there were three dramatic groups in the village all staging plays in the hall. It is noted that considerable financial support was given to the hall from these groups.
Also in the 50's movies came to the village. The Glenn Cinema showed the latest films on a Thursday and Saturday evenings and for the children a show on a Saturday morning. The projection box can still be seen at the rear of the main hall. Sadly these ceased in 1961 and the hall faced a dramatic drop in income. Then bingo started on a Thursday and Saturday evening. Records show over 300 people attending in the early 70's.There were also the weekly "Roups" auction sales. These were held firstly by Mr Adams and then the Leslie family. The roups were very popular with all who attended and was a valuable source of income to the hall.
1986 saw the hall change dramatically. The committee worked hard to gain a capital grant to refurbish the toilets build a store room and link corridor to the Playgroup room, add an additional toilet to the playgroup and build a new lounge area and disabled toilet. This was at a total cost of £130,000. To receive the grant, 25% of that total had to be raised by the hall committee and hall user groups.
In 1997 it became obvious that the roof fitted with asbestos corrugated sheets was in serious need of repair at a cost of £50,000. The committee applied for a lottery grant and received £25,000. The balance was once again raised within our community. On any day up to 100 residents will use the hall.