MONIKIE MEMORIAL HALL : Rev W. D. CHISHOLM M.A.

Any Parish organisation reflects the changing social and economic conditions in which it finds itself.  In its 50 years of existence, Monikie Memorial Hall is no exception.

As its name suggests, it was conceived in the immediate post­war period.  It breathes the spirit of that time.  People's natural reaction was to build a land for heroes and to taste again the social joys of days of peace.  Thus clubs sprang up everywhere, Monikie Men's Club was founded in 1924, the local W.R.I. in 1927.  Against that background, the Memorial Hall was opened and dedicated on Sunday, 2nd October 1927.

Actually, it was on 23rd December 1918 - Christmas was not kept then as it is now - that Monikie Parish Council called a Public Meeting in the Waterworks Pavilion - still standing - "to consider what steps might be taken to welcome Monikie men returning from the War and to preserve and honour the memory of those who had fallen".  It was moved by John Nairn, ‘Lismore’, and unanimously agreed that a "Public Hall be erected as a Memorial of our returning and fallen heroes".  In addition, a Memorial Tablet with the names of the 27 fallen from the Parish was set up in 1920 in the Parish Church.  A Committee of ten ladies and ten gentlemen was proposed, including members of the Parish Council.  At the first meeting of that Committee held in the Board Room of the Lodge, at the Waterworks - the origin of the unusual name given to the smaller hall (the Board Room of the Memorial Hall was renamed the Margaret Irving room in 2000) - on 9th January 1919, certain readjustments having been made, its members consisted of: Chairman - J.W.A. Wilson, Pitairlie; Secretary - S.S. Low, Newbigging School; Treasurer - John Nairn, ‘Lismore’; T. Smith, Dodd; A. McIntyre, Denfind; W. Scott, Smithfield; W. Elder, ‘Roseneath’; A. Murdoch, Broomwell; J.H. Langlands, Cunmont; R. Henderson, ‘The Elms’; P. Grant, Monikie School; Mrs. Armit, The Manse; Mrs. Christie, Newlandhead; Mrs. Lawrence, Denfind; Mrs. Elder; Miss Petrie, Bankhead; Mrs. Scott; Miss Low; Miss Jane Kidd, ‘Gardenhurst’; and Miss Barbara Nairn, who was to serve as Secretary for many years.  Several changes of course took place before the completion of the building but the two prime movers in the whole enterprise, giving unstintingly of their time and energy were J.W.A. Wilson and John Nairn.  There followed nine years or so of planning and of holding money-raising functions and of supervising building operations.

The next main step was taken when on 5th March 1923 it was agreed to ask the Water Commissioners for ground at the corner of the clear water basin. "This ground", the Committee stated in a letter 2nd July 1923 "is situated almost in the centre of the Parish and is within easy access to all members of the community.  The building that we contemplate erecting, we trust, will enhance this site and we hope will ultimately improve the amenities to the South entrance of your Policies".  On 14th August 1923, the Water Commissioners, Lord Provost Spence, Convener Buist, Treasurer Johnston and Water Engineer George Baxter, with John Nairn representing the Hall Committee, granted the ground "not exceeding one acre”.  By Spring of 1924, £1,716 had been raised and the ground was being prepared.  In the triangle of ground thus obtained there was a group of two dozen or so fir trees, and, permission having been granted, the trees were cut down by Mr. McKenzie at 6s. a tree, the total coming to £9.9s.0d.  Mr. J.H. Langlands was appointed architect.

The Committee were not, however, without their critics.  A Public Meeting was held on 9th April 1924 at which a resolution was passed asking the Hall Committee to make public the first Minute and generally to report progress.  Led by T. Mackie, Downiebank and James Gray, Luckyslap, a petition was got up and letters passed between the parties.  The Committee were urged to look at an alternative site, namely one near the Railway Station (in Monikie Village).  Then, on 24th June 1924, another protest meeting was held in Monikie School, 130 parishioners attending with the Rev. Andrew Armit in the Chair.  'The Courier' (local newspaper) reported, perhaps with a touch of journalistic language, "Monikie is at present the scene of a minute but no less bitter sort of civil war, the bone of contention being the site for the proposed War Memorial Hall".  The feeling was that the public who had so generously supported the project should have an opportunity to be heard and that the question of the site should be reconsidered.  On the motion of J.M. Fairlie, Kirkton, seconded by T. Smith, Dodd, a committee was formed with James Johnston, Cunmont as chairman to present the views of the meeting to the Hall Committee.  And so on 24th July 1924, the Hall Committee did hold a public meeting to which 150 people came.  Mr. Wilson as chairman explained the position of his Committee and refused a vote for or against the site chosen.  The planning continued and began to bear fruit.

On 29th May 1925 Mr. Langlands, the architect was asked to get offers for erecting a building within the sum of £2,000.  At first, the total estimate was £3,871.  "The Committee felt greatly surprised that the lowest offer came to such a large sum".  Finally, a much modified plan was accepted: - Nicoll, mason £711; Walker and Son joiners £807; Fenwick, plumber £137; Nevay, plasterer £169; Hogg, slater £310; Donald and Smith, glaziers £60; J. Birrel painters; the foundations and drains having already been dug.  Miscellaneous costs, such as carting and the L.M.S. Railway freight charges, make interesting reading.  The stones, the gift of the Nairn family, the quarrymasters, were mainly got from what is now a pit occupied by a water system at the bottom of the Pitairlie Brae road on the west side, and carted up the hill to the site, the horses no doubt being refreshed every time at the water trough that used to be on the Denfind Cottage road where the ‘Hamewith’ wall is now.  Work progressed apace.

On a summer day 10th June 1927, the Committee met at the new building to assess progress.  How delighted they must have been at seeing their dreams coming towards fruition.  Indeed sundry small but important details had still to be seen to, like seating.  Sets of three and four folding, collapsible seats as in the Webster Hall, Arbroath were chosen at 7s.9d. a set plus 4s. for upholstery.  A kitchen and heating chamber, it was agreed, should be added to the plan.  At long last, the eagerly awaited day of opening drew near - Sunday 2nd October 1927.

The mood and spirit of the country were somewhat different from what they had been that Christmas nine years before.  The leading article in The Courier that week-end was significantly entitled "The Dole and Unemployment”.  Morale was low.  Disillusionment had overtaken the country.  The Army advertisement in the newspaper that week was perhaps read with a certain sense of bitterness by some - "Assured employment: good prospects: plenty of sport: free food; clothing. Private on joining 14s. a week rising to £1.1s.0d. in three years”. Times were hard and prices so different from our own day.

That Saturday, Birrell’s (shoe shop in Dundee) was selling men’s boots for 19s.9d. a pair.  The new 1928 11·9 hp. Morris Cowley car was on view at St. Roque’s Garage, costing £185.  A poor and belated harvest and rough weather did not help matters.  It was reckoned that not one third of the grain harvest had been gathered in, in Angus.  Only four wagons of potatoes were forward (for auction) on the Friday at Perth, at 75 to 80 shillings a ton.  Wheat at Arbroath was 42 to 45 shillings.

It was the Dundee ‘Fast’ (local holiday); a week-end of torrential rain and high winds.  Few people must have patronised the holiday excursions:  1 - the Sunday charabanc tour leaving Albert Square at 10.30 a.m. for Aberfeldy 13s.; the rail excursion to Whitley Bay; the Tay Steam Boat Company’s trip to Newburgh and Perth at 2s..  More likely on a wet Saturday, Dundee citizens preferred a visit to a place like the ‘La Scala’ Cinema to see Barry Langton in the silent film "The Strong Man”, or to the King’s Theatre to see “Charlie’s Aunt”, direct from London, 5s.9d. for a seat in the stalls.  At the bottom of Pitairlie Brae, on the road, there was flooding of three feet of water.

On such a day, The Earl of Strathmore (and Kinghorne) was welcomed by the chairman, G.W. Neish at the entrance the new Hall.  The Earl had been at the Angus Ball in the Castle Halls, Forfar on the Friday night.  The Duke and Duchess of York (the Duke became King George VI) had been there too in that glittering company and that same lady, now The Queen Mother was invited to open the Hall's Jubilee Fête in 1977, but she declined.  Inside the Hall, heated by steam heaters, the oil lamps danced in the gloom and showed up the great display of Flanders Poppies on the platform.  Led by the organists and precentors of the three Monikie churches, J. Cameron, G. Duncan and Bruce Robertson, the gathering sang the hymn, “Lord, for all mankind we pray”.  The Earl said in his address that they were met to honour the memory of the men who had died and served to save them.  He felt sure those men who had died in the war, if they wished their sacrifice commemorated, would desire the memorial to take the form of something that would last and he congratulated the people of people of Monikie in their choice of a hall.  A small Parish of 1,100 souls had raised £2,000 and sent 120 men to the war.  He hoped the Hall would always serve as a reminder of that great sacrifice and act as an incentive to the coming generations.  The National Anthem was sung.  In the Service of Dedication following, the Old Hundredth Psalm was sung; and the Lesson read by Rev. Cecil Davidson, Newbigging Church.  The Earl unveiled the Memorial Tablet under which later a bracket was to be placed, the gift of Miss Cameron, ‘Innervar’.  The prayer of Dedication was taken by Rev. Armit, the Parish Minister.  The paraphrase, “0 God of Bethel” was sung, after which Rev. Quinton White, Craigton Church, pronounced the Benediction.  Bugler Angus Cameron sounded the ‘Last Post’.  Wreaths were then, laid at the tablet.  So ended a memorable occasion.  On Sunday 2nd October 1977, an act of Remembrance and Thanksgiving will be held, it is hoped, to mark the Jubilee of the Hall, led by the present Parish Minister.

We wonder what organisation had the honour of holding the first meeting in the new Hall, the first social, the first function.  It seems that very properly, the Hall Committee itself has the honour.  A week later, a Sale of Work was held and on the 14th, a Committee meeting.  At the time of the opening, the, Committee consisted of J.W.A. Wilson, John Nairn, Miss B. Nairn, Mr. & Mrs. McIntyre, Mrs. Wilson, Mr. & Mrs. Christie, Mr. & Mrs. Elder, J. Lawrence, J. Adam, P. Rennie, Miss Kidd and Mr. & Mrs. Scott.  Funds were still needed for the settlement of building costs and so various functions were held.  The first part-time caretaker was appointed - Peter Smith, ‘Limberhurst’.  In March 1930, £112 was received from the Monikie and District War Relief Committee as it was being wound up, also £147 from the Primrose League.  As a result of a Public Meeting held to consider and means of paying off the debt of £582, a Sale of Work was held at about the third anniversary, 4th October 1930, and brought in £410.

A Public Meeting on 27th September 1927 virtually marked the end of the long chapter of planning, erecting and paying-off the Memorial Hall.  Mr. Wilson who had acted as chairman for the whole period recounted the work of the Committee.  He reported that sums collected, with interest added, amounted to £3,564 and expenditure was £3,604.  He was cordially thanked, as was the Committee for "their long and strenuous labours”.  The Constitution was endorsed.

Alas, another war was looming, that was to have a profound effect on the Hall.  At its meeting on 18th December 1939, the Committee learned that the Hall was going to be 'commandeered by the Military”.  On 29th December a ‘Whist’ was held, the proceeds of £9.15s.4d. being divided  between the work parties in the Parish.  The Army did not seem to be in a hurry to take possession.  In May 1940 the usual Public Meeting was held, to be followed by two more Committee Meetings.  The last one was on 16th December 1940, 22 years almost to the day after the original meeting at the end of the Great War.  Then, the silence of war descends upon the minutes and activities of the Hall committee.

It was not until 6th June 1946 that the Committee were able to meet again in the Board Room.  Miss B. Nairn retired from the office of secretary and warm appreciation was expressed of her long years of service.  Rev. W. Fleming was appointed Chairman and J. Keir was elected Secretary. Facing them were the difficult tasks of rehabilitating the Hall and financial compensation.  In the end, the latter proved to be disappointment to the Committee, amounting to £188 in rental and £400 for damage.  The Committee realised that the priorities lay in heating, lighting and flooring, as well as general repair work, and they instituted in due course a Campaign Fund, mainly to bring electricity into the Hall, and to establish an emergency fund.  This special effort realised a total of about £1,200, £1,000 of which came from a fête held on 16th June 1951 in a Denfind field.  In 1977, a fête is also being held in another field at Denfind, to mark the Jubilee of the Hall.

Another important matter considered by the Committee in the immediate post-war years was the provision of a Memorial for the parishioners who had lost their lives in the 1939-45 War.  Various ideas were put forward: a Garden of Remembrance round the Hall: a Memorial Arch and Garden at the Hall: a Memorial Playing Field behind the Hall, but in the end, a Memorial Tablet was erected in Monikie Parish Kirk with 8 names on it, and a baptismal font in oak in Newbigging Church with 4 names on it (here).

The first Remembrance Service was held in November 1949, conducted by the two Ministers, Rev. A. Burt and Rev. W. Fleming.  These were continued by Rev. W.D. Chisholm (the writer), the last one being in 1971 to mark the Jubilee of the Royal British Legion.  Annually, the Hall Trustees generously provide an Earl Haig Poppy Wreath for use in the Church, thereafter being laid below the Memorial Plaque in the Hall.

Over the years, the work of the Hall has continued to serve the community. Regular events have included the Horticultural Society Shows, fêtes, concerts, socials, whist drives and dances run on behalf of Parish bodies, while organisations have made use of it like the W.R.I. and the Women’s Guild, the Men’s Club, the Senior Citizens' Friendly Club, the Young Wives, the Badminton Club, the Youth Club, and the Playgroup.  Various people have filled the position of Chairman, some for longer, some for shorter periods of time.  They have included Rev. William Fleming, A.D. Murray, C. Binnie, Denfind, A.D. Porter, ‘Roseneath’, A. Taylor, Newbigging Schoolhouse, Rev. W.D. Chisholm (the writer), J. Nairn, G. Murdoch, ‘Laws Lodge’, R. Grassie, Newbigging Schoolhouse, Mrs. Foreman, ‘Broomwell Cottage’, Mrs. Margaret Irving, ‘The Cottage’, and the present chairman, D. McArthur, Affleck Gardens.  Many parishioners have served the Hall and for long periods, like Miss Ethel Rennie (with over 30 years), the longest-serving member, John Nairn, ‘Bona Vista’, as Treasurer, Mrs. Muir, ‘Alma Cottage’ as Secretary.  In the of hall keepers, notable were the 19 years given by John Muir, an Orcadian who himself gained the Military Medal in the Great War.

In the 1970’s with the coming of the (first) new housing estate to Monikie Village, the fortunes of the Hall have risen and with increased bookings, some much needed improvements have been made like the renewal of the heating plant, lighting and kitchen facilities, as well as redecoration.  Inevitably, the Parish and its people have changed and are changing in these times of rapid social change.  So too, the service given by the Hall and the use made of it by the people have changed and will not remain static.

In Jubilee Year 1977, the Committee consisted of D. McArthur, Chairman, Mrs. Irving, Secretary, D.M. Whyte, Treasurer, Miss Ethel Rennie, Mrs. Keir, Mrs. A.D. Nicoll, Mrs. Cameron, Mrs. Muir, A. Cant, J. Kennedy, A. Mitchell.

In 1977, a whole generation has now reached adulthood without any personal recollection of either World War, a generation that finds it difficult to enter into the aspirations of those who built the Hall as a Memorial.  Only a handful of those serving in the 1914-18 War are still with us, men like John Muir, John Linn, ‘Greenford’, and William Boath, Panmure Estate.  With the passage of time, the feeling for Remembrance is likely to diminish.  A sense of thankfulness will always remain, we would hope however, and for the future those who follow on will surely work for Peace and seek to use the Monikie Memorial Hall in fresh ways of service to the Parish.

W.D.Chisholm,1977.
(A little editing by the Webmaster, 2002.)