Senior executives of the major funding organisations recently visited the cinema after an invitation from Mike Russell, MSP and Jane Mayo, Chairman of CCB, for a presentation by the team working on The Centenary Project.

Just under 40 people were welcomed to the historic building by David Mayo, Project Manager for the forthcoming work. Jane then set the scene by describing how The Picture House was conceived and then built nearly one hundred years ago. The importance of the building in the world of cinema, where few original buildings survive, was stressed and a brief outline of what is proposed was described.

Martin Hadlington, Conservation Architect and Design Team Leader, then led the audience through the planned designs for the work. One of the important features of his designs was the inclusion of renewable energy in the form of photovoltaic panels on the rear roof and a wood pellet boiler for heating. The expected costs were then highlighted before Jane outlined the hoped for grants from the various funding agencies.



Mike Russell then summed up the meeting where he underlined the importance of achieving a successful outcome to the project with the help of all those present. After a buffet lunch of local food, there was an opportunity for tours of the buildings and closer inspection of the plans laid out on display.