Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Kirsty Paterson

Falkirk orchestra's anniversary concert overshadowed by fear over future of Town Hall

Falkirk Tryst Orchestra will play its 20th anniversary concert soon in Falkirk Town Hall - but the celebration will be overshadowed by fears over the future of the venue they call home.

The orchestra is one of several arts groups who were rocked by the news from Falkirk Council that FTH could close at the end of the year to be demolished alongside the adjoining Municipal Buildings.

President John Paterson said: "The concert will take place in Falkirk Town Hall which has been our home for the 20 years of our existence.

Read more: Fury from local dance and theatre groups over plans to close Falkirk Town Hall for good

"Unfortunately, if the decision to close the town hall is confirmed at the council meeting on Wednesday, the orchestra, along with many other organisations in the town, will be made homeless. It seems likely that this will be the last ever performance in the place we all love so much."

Falkirk councillors will decide tomorrow (Wednesday) whether the building should close for good after hearing a report that separating it from the municipal buildings would cost millions and would take a year to do.

Despite that, the town hall would still not be "fit for purpose" and keeping it would prevent the land being sold to help fund a replacement.

Falkirk Council has pledged that a new town hall will be built but after years of wrangling there is still no agreement on what that will look like and local groups are furious there was no consultation over the plans to close it so soon.

Undaunted, the orchestra is planning to put on a "very enjoyable" programme for the evening, which will include well known themes from stage musicals and films as well as other popular classical pieces.

It will also include a piece by local composer Archibald Smith and a world premier performance of a piece written especially for the orchestra and for Falkirk called "The Taming of the Kelpie" by David Hughes and Michael Graham.

Mr Paterson added: "It will be a wonderful evening and a very emotional one for all the members of the orchestra and many of the audience members."

Tickets, priced £14 (accompanied children free) are available from the Box Office at Falkirk Stadium on 01324 506850.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.