|
|
|
|
|
Prepared by Margaret Coull for the Public Meeting on April 27th 2005. The Cowan Institute was opened on 22nd December 1894. It was the gift of the Cowan family in response to the wishes of Alexander Cowan to erect a building "for recreation and instruction, and the furtherance of all objects affecting the welfare of the Community". It was the community's duty to form the rules for the administration of the premises to the benefit of local people. The High Street site was chosen: two shops, Johnston the Baker (who moved to John Street) and Sharp's (a tailor and clothier who moved across the road), and ten houses stood on the site. Their leases had ended so no one suffered. Stone was brought by train from the Moat Quarry, Carlisle to Pomathorn Station and then transported by cart to the site. The foundation stone was laid on June 17th 1893 and the construction was in the hands of the local builder James Tait. A time capsule was placed in the foundations. (The foundation stone is to the west of the base of the clock tower but, since the alterations in 1962/3, can no longer be seen.) When completed, the Cowan Institute consisted of a large hall, able to hold around 600 people, a library, reading rooms, a gymnasium and rooms for other recreational purposes. In 1897 the Cowans denoted £1500 towards alterations and furnishings for the Institute. Membership was open to men and women over 16. Membership fees were charged and this allowed the right to consult the library (eventually stocked with 33,000 books) and use other facilities. In 1900, when many homes in Penicuik did not have their own baths, three baths were installed, being reserved for women on Mondays and Thursdays and men on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The cost was 2 pence if you brought your own towel and 3 pence otherwise. Over the years, the Institute was the venue for concerts, dances, flower shows, etc. It was the scene of many meetings, romances and then marriages. The Valleyfield Mill's Annual Social and Dance, when guests wore formal dress, was one of the highlights of the year. During both the 1914-18 and 1939-45 World Wars, it was requisitioned by the Army to house recruits after their initial training at Glencorse. Many other events have been marked there: Victory celebrations in 1945, and the Freedom of the Burgh of Penicuik being granted to the Royal Scots and the Northern Ireland Corps of Transport. In 1959, the Cowan Trust offered the Institute to Penicuik Burgh Council, together with a Trust fund of £2000. Council minutes initially described the offer: "Cowan Institute Finally, the minutes of a Special Meeting of Penicuik Town Council 28th March 1960 record: "Cowan Institute Borrowing consent was granted in June 1960. Following the discovery of dry rot, the building was closed in 1962/3 for refurbishment and conversion for use by Penicuik Town Council. The former billiard hall was partitioned and converted into the Burgh Court and the gymnasium modified to become a committee room and to provide space for witnesses. The original large galleried hall was divided into a Lower Hall and the galleries extended to make the floor of the upper Cowan Hall. The cost was £35000 and the local firm of James Tait was again the main contractor. The new Town Hall was opened on 16th March 1963. In his forward to the official Souvenir Brochure, Provost Alexander Livie wrote "... when, in the year 1959, the Cowan Trust kindly offered the Cowan Institute as a gift to the town, it was, on your behalf, readily accepted by the Town Council. ... it was agreed that the exterior architectural features of the Cowan Institute should be preserved and the whole interior be renovated and modernised to give Penicuik a complete and compact Civic Centre." "You, the ratepayers of Penicuik, are now the owners of a Civic Centre which adds dignity to our town. It has excellent facilities ... and resources for the social and recreational life of the community." In the Brochure's final message, the Convener of the Town Hall Management Committee, Dean of Guilds George Smith, wrote "My Committee hope that the new Town Hall can again become the focal point for the enjoyment of all, in their various pursuits of drama, dancing, athletics, Committee work and the like, and that no hand of the vandal will mar, or be allowed to mar, our first Town Hall ... ." After a century, the Cowan Institute needs refurbishment. If you would like to demonstrate a special commitment to these aims, becoming a Friend of the Cowan Institute is your way to help. In exchange for a fee of £5, you will also receive a copy of our annual report on activities over the year and the progress made in rejuvenating the Cowan Institute. Some of you may also have family members who have left Penicuik, perhaps now living abroad. Making them Friends of the Cowan Institute helps to maintain this link with 'home'. To become a Friend of the Cowan Institute, contact the Treasurer, Chairman or Secretary of the steering committee. There is more about the Cowan Institute, under Penicuik buildings. | ||||
