Opening in 2021 as a new cultural and heritage attraction, City Hall will tell the tale of Scotland through the prism of Perth, a hub at the centre of the nation’s history.
With redevelopment work about to commence, Culture Perth & Kinross are calling on people, not just from the region, but from further afield as well, to share their own personal recollections and memorabilia of the City Hall. Did you see a favourite band there and keep a poster or the tickets? Sandie Shaw, The Who, The Tremeloes and Nazareth are just a few of the famous names that performed in the City Hall over the years.
Retired Perth photographer Louis Flood says his strongest memories of recording political life at the City Hall are ‘listening for a pin to drop while Thatcher and Scargill held the floor – and George Galloway in his pomp was quite something!’
As for his younger days Louis recalls, ‘my pal Mike and I went to our first gig there around 1972 – Sensational Alex Harvey Band followed soon after by Nazareth and the Lindisfarne spin-off Jack the Lad. We were far too cool to attend Bay City Rollers the same summer. Our own band played the Lesser Hall a couple of times along with other local groups, but the best night there was watching the appalling anarchist punks, Crass. They had their followers with them and the atmosphere was toxic. We made our excuses and left before the Polis and ambulances arrived! Happy days!’
If you have photographic images, memorabilia or a great story you would like to contribute to the new exhibition called Collective Memories, please get in touch via email or in person at Perth Museum & Art Gallery.
Paul Adair, curator of the Collective Memories exhibition said ‘The Museum and Archives have some fascinating photographs, plans and documents relating to Perth City Hall and its predecessor on the same site. The City Hall has been a part of Perth life for nearly a century and we would love people to contribute their own personal memories to the project.”
Collective Memories will be on display from 18 December 2018 at Perth Museum & Art Gallery although submissions will still be accepted after this date, with all appropriate material included in a crowdsourced digital touring version starting in October 2019 and exhibiting at all community campuses in Perth and Kinross into 2021. From a night of Scottish dancing to donating a pint of blood, a collection of ticket stubs or a recording of a great story, Culture Perth & Kinross want it all. Collective Memories and the touring exhibition should be a true reflection of the many different things City Hall has meant to different people throughout its lifetime.
Culture Perth & Kinross is also looking for local people who want to play a crucial part in this new and exciting cultural venture to become City Hall Champions. Champions will have many opportunities to be involved in various aspects of the City Hall project, from supporting events to assisting Culture Perth & Kinross in the delivery element of the City Hall Community Participation Plan. The Champions’ enthusiasm will be the spark that will ignite the next few years of public engagement.
Being a Champion is for anyone (young or old) who wants to learn new skills, meet new people and be involved in the City Hall project from the start.
The City Hall and the land it stands on has always been a meeting place: this is your space, your City Hall. Get involved!
To read about City Hall Champions click here.
To a view full role description click here.
If you are interested in sending in submissions for the exhibition or becoming a Champion please download the submission and application forms from the links above. If you require further information email [email protected] or phone 01738 783414.