Help Save Dunoon Burgh Hall

Timeline

DBH Timeline

1887
Annual Supper for the Poor of the Town

The Annual Supper for the Poor of the Town is held in the Burgh Hall on New Year’s Eve by the Good Templar Legion. The Parish Church Sabbath School Soiree is also held at the Burgh Hall.

Literary Society request prompts laughter

The Literary Society request a reduction of rent for their use of the Commissioners’ Room in the Burgh Buildings. The reduced sum of 4 shillings per night was refused on the basis that ‘it is poor enough if 20 or 30 gentlemen cannot pay two pence or three pence per…
Read More

Concerns about the cost of gas

The cost of gas in the office of Mr Hunter, the Burgh Treasurer, ‘who was inclined to go out of the building leaving the gas burning’ was discussed by the Police Commissioners.

Women’s Jubilee Arrangements Discussed

Ladies of the district meet in the lesser Burgh Hall to consider the arrangements for the Women’s Jubilee offering to Queen Victoria.

Freemasons suggest a rent reduction

The Police Commissioners inquire about meeting in the room occupied by the Freemasons. It is suggested that the Freemasons’ rent be reduced to £10 per annum. The Freemasons themselves suggest £6, on the basis that they had been Burgh Hall tenants for the last twelve years

1886
A School Christmas Concert & New Year Revelry

Dunoon Public School Seniors hold a Christmas concert. ‘The Burgh Hall was densely filled, pupils on a platform extended into the Hall’ and at New Year, at the annual Highland Ball, ‘dancing started at 9 o’clock until the early hours.

A Hall-keeper is appointed

A Hall-keeper is appointed for the Burgh Buildings. 20 applications were received and Mr Thomas Thomson, Slater, was appointed.

1885
James Duncan of Benmore receives thanks

At a meeting of the Police Commissioners, James Duncan Esq of Benmore was thanked for opening up his picture gallery and for his ‘great kindness and generous liberality to Dunoon and its numerous visitors.’

Lamplighters are working efficiently

Minutes of a Police Commissioners’ meeting in the Burgh Hall note that: ‘Three lamplighters returned to the Burgh Hall after performing their work within a short time of each other, showing that their districts had been correctly allocated.’

1882
Needlework Exhibition reported in the Cowal Watchman

An exhibition of needlework takes place in the Lesser Burgh Hall, a room on the building’s ground floor (now The Colm Docherty Gallery), as reported in the Cowal Watchman.