In The Beginning

This page contains the first chapter of 'The Book of Ellon' edited by Alex Inkson McConnochie which was writted by James H Brown the then, secretary of the Victoria Hall Management committee. It provides an accoount of the fund raising that was necessary to initiate the building programme and spans the period up to nearing completion.

EXCERPT FROM

THE BOOK OF ELLON

Edited By

ALEX. INKSON McCONNOCHIE

ELLON

THE VICTORIA HALL COMMITTEE

1901

The Ellon Victoria Hall

By James H. Brown

The movement for having a Public Hall in Ellon arose out of an advertise-ment inserted in the newspapers, in the autumn of 1896, by the local Volunteer Corps, who found it necessary to have a new armoury. About £230 had been previously raised by a Bazaar and was then lying in Bank.

This advertisement resulted in a fairly large and representative meeting, and some discussion arose as to whether this money belonged exclusively to the Volunteers, or whether a portion of it should be applied in the erection of a Public Hall. It was ultimately resolved, however, to let the Volunteers retain the amount already collected, and to build a Public Hall independent of this fund.

Accordingly, at a meeting of Committee held on 1st December, 1896, the following resolution was passed:-

The meeting had clearly in view the necessity which now exists for a suitable Hall, Library, and Reading Room in the Burgh, and the desirability of securing its erection at an early date. At the same time it was felt that no effort should be spared to raise funds for the erection of a structure, which, while sufficiently commodious and adapted to the actual requirements of the place, should be one of architectural merit and style, commensurate with the times and sufficient to secure it, at least, a prominent place among the modern buildings in and around the locality, to make it a memorial of the enterprise and prosperity of the Burgh of Ellon and its neighbourhood, and also in commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of Her Majesty’s reign.

Subscriptions

Two members of the Committee made preliminary calls on a few inhabitants of the Burgh to test the feeling, and thereafter districts were assigned to collectors. So hearty were the responses that it was resolved to make an immediate attempt to carry out the object in view. Mr. Gordon of Ellon intimated a handsome subscription and at the same time offered to give a site at the minimum feu-duty authorized by the entail of the estate of Ellon, with a deduction during his own life-time of 39 per cent.

The Volunteer Corps fell in with the general public movement in October, 1897, and subsequently handed over the amount in their hands on certain reasonable conditions, which will be found embodied in the Deed of Trust.

The Committee soon began "to see visions" of a Hall, but were not content "to dream dreams," being animated by:

"A wish (they mind its power)
A wish that to their latest hour
Will strongly heave the breast,
That they for poor auld Ellon’s sake
Some useful plan or book could make,
Or big a house at least

The subscriptions already promised were accordingly called in, and no fewer than 475 collecting cards issued, which soon swelled the amount in hand by £413. These cards went to all quarters of the globe, and, as the result shows, were heartily responded to.

It is interesting to state that Mrs. Milne’s, The Willows, subscrip-tion was the first money actually received for the fund and she has been a constant friend and supporter of the cause since its inception. Mr. Alexander Moir, of Waterton, brought in the first collecting card, twelve hours after its issue. The amount collected as at 18th June, 1901, was:-

Site and Name

A more favourable situation for showing the architectural features of the building from a distance might easily have been selected, but the site in Station Road was fixed upon mainly on account of its central position in the Burgh. It was originally proposed that the building should be called “Gordon Hall,” in tribute to the honourable family that has been so long associated with the district, but at the suggestion of Mr. Gordon himself it was finally decided that the “The Ellon Victoria Hall” should be the name.

On the 22nd June, 1897, in honour of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, a splendid local fete took place, consisting of a demonstration of the trades in the Burgh, having a procession starting from the Square, by Market Street, Bridge Street, Station Road and Commercial Road, halting on the return at the site of the Hall, where a large concourse of people had assembled to view the ceremony of cutting the first turf. In the unavoid-able absence of Mrs. Gordon of Ellon, this function was gracefully performed by Mrs. Woodman Smith. At the conclusion of the ceremony, she was presented with a silver spade bearing the following inscription:-

PRESENTED TO
Mrs, J. W. WOODMAN SMITH
ABERDEEN
ON THE
OCCASION OF THE
CEREMONY ON THE SITE OF
THE ELLON VICTORIA HALL
ON 22ND JUNE, 1897

The Building

The Hall is situated on the south side of Station Road, on ground which formed part of the old public park. The frontage of the feu to the road is 180 feet, and the building is placed about 60 feet back and is two storeys in height. On the ground floor there are the following rooms, namely: Armoury, 24 ft. by 16 ft.; Committee Room, 33 ft. by 16 ft.; Library and Reading Room, 26 ft. by I2 ft.; and Ladies’ Room I4 ft. by I2 ft.; with rooms for the Hall Keeper, lavatories, storage, etc. On the upper floor there is the large hall measuring 82 ft. by 35 ft., with a gallery at one end, which has access from the main entrance corridor; at the other end is a raised platform. Beneath the platform, on an entresol floor, there are retiring rooms, etc., with access stair down from the main hall. The hall will have seating accommodation for about eight hundred persons.

The ceiling of the hall is 23 ft. high, and is richly panelled and moulded in plaster work. The windows are of muffled glass, those in the front elevation being made of leaded lights to special designs. Ample attention to ventilation has been provided by means of Boyle’s air inlets and extract ventilators, and the hall is heated by Perkins’ system of small bore pipes and coils.

The style of the building is Late Perpendicular or Tudor Gothic, and the front elevation presents the features of a large mullioned and panelled bay window with gable over, octagonal tower and an entrance porch with moulded and arched doorway. The side elevations are similar, but of a plainer description. The masonry of the building is red granite from Stirling Hill quarries. The front of the building will be finished with a handsome iron railing and stone base, with two entrance gates for a carriage-way, and the grounds will be laid out in an ornamental manner, probably with tennis and bowling greens, etc., as soon as circumstances will permit. The total cost of the building when completed will be about £2,800. The joint Architects are Mr. William Davidson, Ellon, and Messrs. Jenkins & Marr, Aberdeen.

The contractors were:-

The Hall will bear the following inscription:-

VICTORIA HALL
ERECTED FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
AND
TO COMMEMORATE
THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE RE1GN OF
HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY,
VICTORIA
QUEEN AND EPRESS,
1897

Building Foundation Stone

On Saturday, 1st September, 1900, the Foundation stone was laid by Mr. George McGregor, the Convener of the Committee from its start, whose public spirit, wise counsels, and unflagging zeal have ever stood it in good stead. According to arrangement the ceremony was a quiet one, and Mr. McGregor on this occasion proved himself a good mason.

In a cavity underneath the Stone were placed:-

• Copy Feu Disposition;
• Copy Deed of Trust (of which a copy follows);
• A Collecting Card;
• Copy of Bazaar Circular;
• List, giving names of Contractors;
• Aberdeen Journal and Aberdeen Free Press of 1st September;
• Besides a few current coins;

The Victoria Hall nearing completion in 1901

Note the absence of the clock tower which was completed in 1903 as a tribute to James H Brown following his death from a mountaineering accident (see Biographical Sketch)

Register of Deeds, etc..

Books of Council and Session

At Edinburgh, the twenty-sixth day of January, One thousand, nine hundred, the Deed hereinafter engrossed was presented for registration in the Books of the Lords of Council and Session for preservation and is registered in the said Books as follows:- We, Arthur john Lewis Gordon, Esquire of Ellon, Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, present proprietor of the Estate of Ellon, in the County of Aberdeen, John Rae, Esquire of Auchterellon, present Provost of the Burgh of Ellon, George Ruxton, junior, Farmer, Balmacassie, present County Councillor for the Parish of Ellon, John Low Reid, Esquire of Cromley Bank, present Captain of B Company (Ellon) Second Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders, Donald Cameron, Teacher, residing in Ellon, nominee of the Ellon Mutual Improvement Association and James Hampton Brown, Bank Agent, George Marr, Doctor of Medicine, Andrew Fowler, Doctor of Medicine, and George McGregor, Chemist, all residing in Ellon, being the first or original Trustees for The Victoria Hall, Ellon, named and designed in the Feu Disposition constituting the Title of said Hall granted by the said Arthur John Lewis Gordon, in our favour as Trustees foresaid dated the eleventh day of January and recorded in the Division of the General Register of Sasines applicable to the County of Aberdeen on the twenty-sixth day of January both in the year nineteen hundred. Considering that the said Hall is being erected as a Public Hall for the Burgh and Parish of Ellon, partly by public subscription, and partly by grants from public bodies represented by Trustees, for whose use it has been agreed that certain portions of the building shall be at times specially set apart: Further considering that the funds in the hands of the Trustees may not admit of the Hall being built and completed without a certain sum being borrowed on the security of the buildings ; And now seeing that in order to provide for the future administration of the Hall, the election of new Trustees, the powers of Trustees, the use of the buildings, and the power to borrow, it is expedient and proper that we as original Trustees foresaid should grant these presents. Therefore we the said Arthur john Lewis Gordon, John Rae, George Ruxton junior, John Low Reid, Donald Cameron, James Hampton Brown, George Marr, Andrew Fowler and George McGregor, as original Trustees foresaid do hereby declare that the said Victoria Hall and whole other buildings erected upon the piece of ground described in the said Feu Disposition and all property acquired by us as Trustees foresaid in connection therewith are and shall be held in Trust always for the following uses, ends and purposes, vizt. (First) The Large Hall shall be used as a Public Hall for the Burgh and Parish of Ellon: The name shall be “The Victoria Hall, Ellon,” and it will bear an inscription that it is erected in commemoration of the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. {Second) The management of the Hall shall be vested in a body of Trustees, nine in number-four being Trustees ex officio, one a Trustee nominated by the Ellon Mutual Improvement Association, and four being Trustees elected as aftermentioned: The Trustees ex officio shall be the proprietor of the Estate of Ellon, the Provost of the Burgh of Ellon, the County Councillor for the Parish of Ellon and the Captain or Lieutenant of the Ellon Volunteer Rifle Corps as nominated by the Corps for the time being: The Elected Trustees shall hold office for life : The nominee of the Ellon Mutual Improvement Association shall be elected by that body annually and shall hold office for one year : The first four elected Trustees shall be the said James, Hampton Brown, Bank Agent, Ellon, George Marr, Doctor of Medicine, Ellon, Andrew Fowler, Doctor of Medicine, Ellon, and George McGregor, Chemist, Ellon; (Third) On the death or resignation of any one of the elected Trustees his place shall be filled up by a majority of the remaining Trustees in office at the time of such death or resignation at a meeting specially convened for that purpose: In the event of any of the ex officio Trustees declining to act or of the said Mutual Improvement Association failing to exercise their right of electing a Trustee, the remaining Trustees may by a majority till the vacancy in the Trusteeship for the remainder of the term of office of the ex officio Trustee so refusing to act, or for one year as the case may be : The Chairman shall at all meetings have a deliberative and also in cases of equality a casting vote. In the event of the said B Company, Ellon, ceasing to be a volunteer Company, and being replaced by a body of men raised by Government conscription, their right to elect a Trustee shall ipso facto cease and determine: the number of Trustees shall then be reduced to eight, and the Government. shall have no right or interest as coming in place of the said B Company ·or otherwise to the use of said Public Hall or any part thereof or to a representation upon the management thereof: (Fourth) The Trustees shall have and exercise the fullest powers of administration of the Hall buildings and all funds and property relating to the same in the hands of the Trustees, including without prejudice to the foregoing general powers, power to appoint a Secretary and Treasurer {who may be one of their own number) and a Hall Keeper and assistants and to pay them suitable remuneration, power to grant the use of the buildings or any part thereof free of charge, or to impose such charges for the use thereof or any part thereof (excepting in the cases provided for in section fifth hereof) as may seem to them reasonable : power to refuse the use of the Hall, or any part thereof to any meeting or body of persons, without reason assigned : and power (but only by a two thirds majority present at a meeting specially called by public advertisement for that purpose) to make over the Hall buildings to the Police Commissioners of the Burgh of Ellon or other public body as Trustees for the Public of the Burgh of Ellon and Parish of Ellon, and that upon such terms and conditions as shall seem to them, most desirable and best calculated to carry out the objects for which the Hall is erected : (Fifth) As regards the use of the rooms composing the Hall, it is declared that the said Hall and Committee Rooms shall he used, for such meetings of a public or private nature – political, religious, social or otherwise, as shall be approved of by the Trustees; One Room shall be appropriated exclusively to the use of the Ellon Company of the Second Volunteer Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders as an armoury: the said Company shall, except when the same is its use for other meetings, be entitled to use the large or other Hall for the purpose of drilling recruits on payment of two shillings and six pence per night and defraying all cost of fuel, light and cleaning: (Sixth) The Trustees shall have power to borrow on the security of the buildings and ground occupied by them a sum or sums not exceeding in all Two thousand pounds sterling and to grant Bonds and Dispositions in security in ordinary form containing power of sale or Debentures or other obligations therefore: All monies so borrowed shall be applied exclusively towards the construction or improve-ment of the Hall but the lenders thereof shall have no concern with the application thereof nor with the purposes of the Trust : And we consent to registration hereof for preservation. In Witness Whereof these presents written upon this and the preceding page of stamped paper by Andrew James Mitchell, Clerk to Messieurs Burnett and Reid, Law Agents and Conveyancers in Aberdeen, are subscribed by us the said parties hereto as follows, vizt., by us the said Arthur john Lewis Gordon, George Ruxton Junior, John Low Reid, Donald Cameron, James Hampton Brown, Andrew Fowler and George McGregor, all at Ellon aforesaid upon the eleventh day of January Nineteen hundred before these witnesses, Norman John Gordon Robertson, Clerk in the Office of the North of Scotland Bank Limited at Ellon and residing at Wateridgemuir Ellon, Aberdeenshire, and Thomas Mackie, Farmer’s son residing at Mains of Elrick, Auchnagatt, Aberdeenshire, by me the said John Rae also at Ellon aforesaid upon the twenty-second day of said month and year last above mentioned before these Witnesses – Charles Davidson Mathewson, Bank Apprentice, residing at Mains of Auchedly, Tarves, Aberdeenshire, and the said Thomas Mackie, and by me the said George Marr, at Aberdeen, upon the twenty-third day of said month and year last above mentioned before these witnesses Norah Marr, my daughter, presently residing with me at number seven Albert Street, Aberdeen, and the said Andrew James Mitchell. {Signed) Arthur J. L, Gordon, John Rae, Geo. Ruxton Jr., John L. Reid, Donald Cameron, James H. Brown, George Marr, A. Fowler, Geo, McGregor, C. D. Mathewson, Witness, Tom Mackie, Witness, Nor. J. G. Robertson, Witness, Tom Mackie, Witness, Norah Marr, Witness, A. j. Mitchell, Witness: Extracted from the Register of Deeds etc. in the Books of Council and Session on the thirteen preceding pages by me Keeper of said Register.

(Signed) J. A. CAMERON.

The Hall Committee

In order to allow the work to proceed without delay, the following ten gentlemen, in addition to the Hall Committee, placed £50 each at disposal, by loan or guarantee, a sum of £950 being thus at the command of the Committee:

• Mr. William Barron, Farmer, Meiklemill, Ellon
• Mr. Thomas Duguid, Merchant, Ellon
• Mr. Peter Duncan, Shoemaker, Ellon
• Mr. David Fraser, Postmaster, Ellon
• Mr. William Fyvie, Slater, Ellon
• Mr. Thomas Garland, Farmer, Ardlethen, Ellon
• Mr. John Keith of Tarty, Chapelhall, Ellon
• Mr. John Mackie, Blacksmith, Ardlethen, Ellon
• Mr. James McGillivray, Shoemaker, Ellon
• Mr. Edward Reid, New Inn, Ellon

The following are the members of the Hall Committee:

• Mr. George McGreger, Ellon
• Mr. William Coutts, Ellon
• Mr. William Davidson, Ellon
• Dr. Andrew Fowler, Ellon
• Mr. Robert Gordon, Ellon
• Dr. George Marr, Moungan, Ellon
• Mr. John L. Reid of Cromley Bank, Ellon
• Mr. George Ruxton, Jr., Balmacassie, Ellon
• Mr. James H. Brown, Ellon, Secretary

The Committee record, with regret, the loss by death of the following gentlemen, who took a deep interest in the scheme, and whose names will be found in the subscription sheets:

• Mr. Robert Bruce, Gowanlea, Ellon
• Mr. W. D. Brownie, Saddler, Ellon
• Mr. George Marr, Architect, Aberdeen
• Rev. N. K. McLeod, The Parsonage, Ellon
• Mr. George Ruxton, Senior, The Square, Ellon
• Mr. N. Reid, of Fechel, Ellon

The Bazaar

A Bazaar, that time honoured means of aiding good works, was found to be necessary. Its organisation was kindly undertaken by Mrs. Gordon of Ellon, with the result that it has every prospect et being a financial success. The following particulars are taken from the Bazaar Circular:-

Bazaar, in aid of the Building Fund of the Ellon Victoria Hall, to be held in the Hall on the occasion of Opening, on 4th September, 19O1 under the patronage of:-

• The Earl and Countess of Aberdeen
• The Countess of Erroll
• The Hon. Lady Hamilton Gordon
• Lady Gordon-Cathcart
• The Hon. Mrs. R. C. Boyle
• Sir James Reid, Bart., K.C.B., and
• The Hon. Lady Reid
• Lady Stewart, Banchory House
• Arthur J. L. Gordon, Esq., C.M.G., and
• Mrs. Gordon of Ellon
• T. R. Buchanan, Esq., and
• Mrs Buchanan
• Miss Buchan of Auchmacoy
• Mrs. Udny of Udny
• Mrs. Mackenzie of Foveran
• Mrs. Macdougall, Villa Letterewe, Cannes, France
• Mrs. Hay, Little Ythsie
• Mrs. Keith of Pitmedden
• Mrs. Murray, Glenburnie Park
• Mrs. Rae, Homebush, Ellon
• Mrs. Reid, The Chestnuts, Ellon
• Mrs. Reid, Hillhead, Ellon
• Mrs. Woodman Smith, Aberdeen

The Countess of Aberdeen has most kindly consented to open the Bazaar on Wednesday, 4th September, 1901; and on Thursday, 5th September, the Member of Parliament for East Aberdeenshire:- Mr. A. W. Maconachie has kindly signified his willingness to preside.

Bazaar Committee

• Mrs. Gordon of Ellon
• Mrs. Young, The Manse, Ellon
• Miss Brown, North of Scotland Bank House, Ellon
• Miss Pirie, Ashlea, Ellon
• Mrs. Marr, Moungan, Ellon
• Mr. James H. Brown, North of Scotland Bank, Ellon. Joint Secretary
• Mr. Donald Cameron, M.A., The Schoolhouse, Ellon. Joint Secretary

Receivers of Work

• Miss Bell, Ellon
• Mrs. Cameron, The Schoolhouse, Ellon
• Mrs. Coutts, The Manse, Ardallie
• Mrs. Cowie, Ythan Cottage, Ellon
• Mrs. Creighton, Springfield, Peterhead
• Mrs. Cruickshank, Hatton, Cruden
• Mrs. Fowler, Bank House, Auchnagatt
• Mrs. Gavin, The Schoolhouse, Drumwhindle
• Miss Keith, Pitmedden House
• Mrs. Leask, Bank House, Aberchirder
• Mrs. Macallan, Strathmore, Stonehaven
• Mrs. Mair, Kermuck, Ellon
• Mrs. Milne, The Willows, Ellon
• Miss Milne. Do., do
• Mrs. Milne, North Matale, Ceylon
• Mrs. Mowat, Viewmount, Stonehaven
• Miss Paul, Glenlogie, Ellon
• Miss Ritchie, Newburgh
• Mrs. Robertson, Wateridge Muir, Ellon
• Mrs. Ruxton, Ythan Lodge, Newburgh
• Mrs. Thomson, The Schoolhouse, Berefold
• Mrs. Wallace, Gowanlea, Ellon

Stalls and Stall Holders

Town Stall

Mrs. GORDON of Ellon and
Mrs. MARR, Moungan.

Assistants:- Mrs. Woodman Smith (to take Mrs. Gordon’s place); Miss Mair, Kermuck; Miss Marr, Moungan; and Miss Young, The Manse.

Miss BROWN, North of Scotland Bank House.

Assistants:- Mrs. Coutts, Manse of Ardallie; Mrs. Leask, Bank House, Aberchirder; Miss Macallan, Strathmore, Stonehaven; and Miss M. A. W. Will, Harbour View, Peterhead.

Mrs. ROBERT GORDON, Union Bank House.

Assistants- :Miss Cruickshank, Tarves, and Miss Robertson, Ellon.

Sweets and Cakes Stall

Miss PIRIE, Ashlea.

Misses MOIR, Ythan Craig.

Miss REID, Hillhead.

Assistants:-Misses Hay, Ythsi: Misses Mitchell, Logierieve; Misses Rae, Ellon, Miss Rae, Newburgh; and Miss Copland, Milton of Ardlethen.

Game and Poultry Stall

Mrs. RUXTON, The Square

Assistants:- Miss Ruxton, Ellon; and Miss E. A. M. Thomson, Aberdeen.

Mrs. G. RUXTON, Balmacassie.

Mrs. COUTTS, The Square.

Assistants:- Misses Coutts.

Mrs. PATTERSON, The Square.

Mrs. KEITH, Chapelhall.

Assistants: - Miss Robertson, Auchterellon; Miss Massie, Torry; and Misses Keith, Chapelhall.

Refreshment Stall

Mrs. DUGUID, Park Villa.

Assistants: - Miss Cowieson; Miss A. Duguid; Miss Forbes; Miss Moir; and Miss L. Robertson.

Mrs. DUNCAN, Old Bank House.

Assistants:- Miss Duncan; Miss Mackie, Logierieve; Miss Marr, Denhead; Miss Irvine, Cookney; and Miss Milne, Ellon.

Mrs. REID, New Inn.

Assistants:- Miss Ritchie, Newburgh, and Miss Milne, Aboyne.

Country Stall

Mrs. GARLAND, Ardlethen.

Assistants:- Miss Garland; Miss Katie Garland; and ·Miss Ethel Garland.

Miss BARRON, Meiklemill.

Assistants:- Miss Lawson, Mossnook; and Miss Annie M. P. Barron, Meiklemill.

Mrs. MITCHELL, Hayhillock.

Assistants:- Miss Smith, Strichen; Miss Anderson, Cotton Lodge, Woodside; and Miss France, Aberdeen.

Mrs. HASLEWOOD, The Parsonage.

Assistants:- Miss Mary Jamieson; Miss Sanders; and. Miss Adcock.

Mrs. L. REID, Cromley Bank.

Flower Stall

Mrs. FOWLER, Arnha.

Assistant:- Miss B. Mair, Kermuck.

Mrs. CAIRNS, The Schoolhouse, Esslemont.

Assistants:- Mrs. Fraser, Post Office; Mrs. W. D. Kirton, Ellon; and Miss Wilken, Broomfield.

Mrs. and the Misses SMITH Gareta Hill.

Mrs. FYVIE, Ashlea.

Assistants:- Mrs. Marr, Aberdeen; and Mrs. Christie, Dyce

Artisan Stall

Mr. DAVID FRASER, Post Office.

Mr. GEORGE AULD, Station Road.

Assistants:- Miss Birdie Ruxton, Balmacassie; Miss. Murray, The Square ; Miss Thomson, Auchterellon Bakery; Miss Marr, Station Road; and Mr. J. V. Patterson, The Square.

Amusements Committee

• Mr. ANDREW CAIRNS, Convenor
• Miss BELL
• Miss MOGREOOR. A
• Miss M. J. ROBERTSON
• Rev. J. A. CAMPBELL
• Mr. W. LITTLEJOHN
• Mr. G. F. MOIR

Art Exhibition and Curio Museum

Misses JANET and MARY J ROBERTSON

Band Committee

• Mr. JAMES WHITELY Convenor
• Mr. A. LAWRIE
• Mr. JONN LAWRIE
• Mr. J. NEILSON

Mr. Andrew Carnegie

Well aware of this noted philanthropist’s generosity in assisting those who do something for themselves, especially in education, the erection of Halls, providing Libraries, etc., the Committee laid the position of matters before him, and ultimately were gratified by the receipt of the following letter:-

The Hall Committee now look forward with pleasure to their approaching dissolution as a public body, when the Hall will fall under the charge of Trustees in terms of the Constitution. The Committee have worked together in the most harmonious manner and have received support and encouragement on every hand.

Ellon will soon he placed in possession of a Public Hall which, both for size and equipment, will be an example even to larger burghs. The promoters of the scheme entertain not the slightest doubt that the community will be benefited in many ways by the handsome building which is now receiving its finishing touches. The Large Hall will enable the inhabitants to witness many entertainments which otherwise would pass by Ellon, while the Reading Room and Library will always be open. May the latter become a popular resort and as educative as the subscribers have good reason to anticipate! Rome was not built in a day, but time is on our side, and the Hall Committee entertain no doubt that their labours will be crowned with the success which has been their goal – the advancement and the improvement of both "young" and "old" Ellon.

The above account of the emergence of the Victoria Hall by James H Brown is the first of 15 chapters in The Book of Ellon. The following are the titles and contributors of the following 14: