Elgin Town Hall lit up red last night in a show of solidarity with live venues across the country.

The colourful gesture was in support of the #WeMakeEvents campaign which is calling for more financial support for the entertainment sector and the people who work in it.

Hundreds of venues the length and breadth of the UK took part.

Donnie Squair is one of the dedicated team of volunteers who transformed the fortunes of Elgin Town Hall after taking control of the building from Moray Council two years ago.

However the past six months have been tough for everyone.

Donnie said: “We’ve had to reschedule some shows twice already – and there’s little sign that things are going to get back normal any time soon

“You speak to the promoters and you can hear in their voices how upset they are.

“Some sound as though they’re virtually in tears.

“Many of their acts have young families and it’s been months since they’ve been able to work.

“Similarly, there are all the behind-the-scenes, such as the lighting and sound engineers.

“They’re freelance and they’ve had virtually no work since March. It’s a desperate situation for them.”

Though the town hall has not been able to welcome live acts, it’s been far from redundant these past six months.

In fact, it’s been at the heart of the community.

For a long time it was the site where supplies were dropped off for Moray Food Plus.

The food bank’s volunteers would then use the venue for making up parcels that could be delivered to those in need.

In addition, it was used as a base by the Army and the ambulance service on the occasions when a mobile Covid-19 testing unit was set up directly outside.

The town hall also remains the venue for deliveries for PPE three times a week.

Another regular user is the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service which holds clinics there for donors.

Meanwhile, every Friday the building’s main hall is used as a prayer room by Moray’s muslim population in order that they can social distance properly while praying.

The University of the Third Age conducts French lessons, while at the other end of the scale Elgin’s Youth Café now meets there at weekends.

Then there are karate lessons and line dancing classes.

In fact, the list of uses to which the building is still being put goes on and on.

Donnie says: “I think we’re all proud to be associated with a venue where so much is taking place.

“We’re all now looking forward so much to when the town hall can stage live events again for people in Moray – although it’s increasingly looking as though that might not happen before the Spring.”

The equipment donated to light up Elgin Town Hall last night was donated by Callum Martin, a freelance sound and lighting engineer who used to work regularly at Eden Court and the Ironworks in Inverness.

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