The Anderson Hall is the property of the Newton Stewart Players Drama Club. Each year the drama club presents pantomimes and plays to the local community with great success. The Club has up to 30 adult members and up to 40 junior members ranging in age from 6 yrs to 17 yrs. The hall was for our personal use as a rehearsal area, set building rooms, costume and prop rooms and could be used to put on small performances in house. Over the last 2 decades, the hall has been targeted by vandalism. The Club decided as it has very little funds, to board up the windows to protect everyone who uses it inside, and fit new locks etc. This however had a knock on effect, giving the appearance that the hall had been vacated, encouraging break ins and the locals to complain at the eyesore that was the view to their property. Over time, the damage caused has allowed water ingress to most of the building, meaning the majority to be unusable, with collapsed ceilings and even the hall main electric supply exposed to the elements. A recent break in through our fire exit has caused so much damage we have had to replace it at yet another unexpected cost to the club. We have since tried to better the place. The town has recently lost its community centre, which is a loss of a usable space for the community. Our idea, convert the hall into a usable space for not only the drama club but for other community groups as well. The new hall would include space for other activities groups, parties, conferences, and rehearsals for ourselves. There are even plans to install office space above which could be rented to local businesses to provide a steady income to maintain the new look building!
Our main goal now has to be just to get the building secure, wind and watertight. All other things can wait until later, but we really need help to sort the roof, doors and windows. If we wait much longer we will have to vacate the building as it will no longer be safe for adults and children who use it.