30-year search for permanent home ends as Cullen Heritage Centre officially opened
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THREE decades of searching for a permanent home has finally come to an end for Cullen, Deskford and Portknockie Heritage Group (CDPHG).
The group's new home on the ground floor of the former town hall was formally unveiled on Wednesday, September 14 by the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson in what was an afternoon of celebrations for the group.
It marked something of a full circle for the group, which held its first meeting in what was then known as the Memorial Hall in 1991 after being formed by Len Hall.
Speaking after the ribbon cutting ceremony, which he described as a "huge pleasure and privilege", Mr Simpson reflected on the importance of history and heritage.
He said: "It's fantastic to see this centre open.
"It's so important that the heritage of an area is preserved. The present is built on the past and the future is built on the present.
"This facility will allow the group to gather more information and bring it all together."
Mr Simpson went on to say that the important role history has to play in the life of individuals and communities was further brought home by a visit to Buckie to lay flowers in memory of the Queen. There he bumped into a lady who recalled Her Majesty's visit to the town in 1961. As she recounted her memories of the royal visit, her "eyes lit up".
He was also presented with honorary life membership of the CDPHG.
It was a proud moment for heritage group president Brenda Wood, who opened her address by paying tribute to Charles Milne, who owns the adjacent Seafield Arms Hotel and the former town hall building in which the heritage centre is situated. Without his help and support, she said "we wouldn't be standing here at all".
Mrs Wood continued: "The Memorial Hall is of special significance to the people of Cullen at where, in 1991, the first meeting of the heritage group took place, so we've come full circle.
"We have to thank also all the people who've worked so hard to bring us to where we are today; to Jim McKay who worked so hard to secure us funding and the rest of the people who worked so hard, sometimes doing really dirty jobs.
"We've a very good committee and also a group of five who worked together so willingly – to them I say a big 'thank you'.
"To all the professional workmen who worked through the pandemic to get us here today, also a big 'thank you'.
"I'm sure if Len Hall, who's the man who started this all off, in 1990 when he was asked to form a group, was here today would be so proud that this day has come to fruition and of all the members over the years who have worked so hard towards having our own premises.
"Since our quiet opening in May we've had almost 2000 visitors who've left very kind and lovely comments about the centre and our members who were on duty. We've also received many new artefacts since we opened which we are very grateful for."
Mrs Wood later went on to recount the story of one visitor, a lady from Stirling, who was so taken with the heritage centre that she presented the group with a treasured family heirloom in the shape of a beautiful christening robe. As the last in her family line, she felt that the centre was the most appropriate place for the garment. Among those down the years christened in the robe was an RAF navigator who was captured by the Japanese during World War II and was part of the slave labour force used to build the Burma railway.
There was a pleasant surprise for Mr Milne when he was presented by heritage group member Jim McKay with honorary life membership of CDPHG for his help and support. Mr McKay also handed Mr Milne with a framed bill from 1862 – not long after the hotel's name was changed to the Seafield Arms – for stabling horses.
Mr Milne commented: "It was a lot of years in the making with the Seafield Arms and the town hall – when we came into Cullen we decided from the start that the community had an important part to play in it all.
"The heritage centre is important to everybody. It's good that there's a place where visitors to the town can go into and take a step back in time.
"This is about far more than a heritage centre, it's about the whole community."
A special commemorative cake was cut by John Rennie, believed to be the only surviving original member of the heritage group.
The hall had previously been used by the group for their popular summer exhibitions, which drew visitors from across the globe.
A transformation has been wrought on the former hall, changing it into a light and open area featuring snapshots from various eras in local history. In addition to the main display room there is a reading room and a display of items from the former Episcopalian Church in Cullen, St Mary's, which was built in 1905. The church was later to close down, with various items from the church, including the font, transferred to St John's Episocal Church in Portsoy.
When this church in turn shut, the items were gifted to the CDPHG.
The heritage group had its origins back in 1990 when the Management Committee of Cullen Community Education Centre decided to record the heritage of Cullen and the surrounding area.
Len Hall was asked to start the group through the Community Service Council (CSC). This he did but after some time CSC decided to no longer support the group. Mr Hall decided it was too important a group to stop so Cullen, Deskford and Portknockie Heritage Group was born.
Over the years the group have been looking for premises to hold and display their artefacts. When Mr Milne bought the Seafield Arms Hotel and the town hall in 2017 the group were fortunate enough to acquire the entire bottom floor of this now beautiful building.
The group with over 50 members and growing have regular meetings on the first Monday of every month in the Hall Kirk, Seafield Place, Cullen from September till May.
The heritage centre is due to remain open until mid-October, after which it will operate on reduced hours Friday-Sunday until January, when it will close. The group will then use the time until it reopens in May to refresh the displays from the large amount of artefacts they have in storage.
Keep up to date with heritage group news by following their Facebook page.
