Victoria

Up bright and early today, 0930.
Hey, for me that is early.
Down to bank, doctor's surgery, chemist, and car wash.
The sun is shining, and it is a beautiful but sharp, sunny day.
This is the Victoria Hall in Ellon, taken from behind the Esso petrol station.
The Victoria Hall was conceived in 1897 and completed in 1902. giving Ellon its first public facility which comprised not only a grand hall for events but also a public library, reading rooms and an armoury for the local Volunteer Corps.
It has been used by the British Legion, and now, among other things, it is used as a cinema about once a month. This is a recent, regular thing. I haven't been to one yet, but I dare say I will go in the not to distant future.

Probably the most prominent person involved in the promotion of the Hall and raising of funds necessary for the building work to commence, was James H Brown who wrote the first chapter of 'The Book of Ellon' an account of the Hall's conception has been reproduced and added to this web site.

In 1902, shortly after completion of the building work, Brown died during a mountaineering holiday in Switzerland. This clearly had a profound effect on the people of Ellon as was proclaimed by his close friend, Rev. James Coutts, minister of Ardallie, who edited a book titled 'In Memorandum, James H Brown' dedicated to him. This was published 1903 and the first chapter titled 'Biographical Sketch' written by the minister has also been reproduced on this web site.