Good bye to the old building

Hello, Charlotte Flower here, and I will kick off the Blog

Today, the builders moved in.  This is a milestone that like so many others over the last few years passes with no great fanfare.  For many this is just a statement of fact.  For me though and others involved in this long campaign – it is momentous.  A day I have often not really allowed myself to imagine.

I missed the Open Doors on Saturday but was keen to go in and say ‘Goodbye and Good luck’ to the Old Birks.  I have this cinematic image in my head; closing the door on the old and opening it to the new!  Just like that!  If only life were that easy!

I am so glad I went in.  The building is empty now; all the paraphernalia that has drifted in over the years has been removed.  Just a quiet echoing expectant space.

With no one else there to disturb me, I embarked on something that I have tried a few times before to do – but never really managed.  But this morning it felt very real.  As I have seen the Architects plans so often, I can walk through the empty building and ‘know’ where the walls, doors, reception desk, etc are.  So I decided to ‘walk to my seat’; visualising the experience as I walked across the empty space.

So, walking from the front door and into the building, I visualised the reception desk and counter;  for a moment I wondered if I should go left towards where the ATM would be to pick up prebooked tickets, but then changed my mind and went straight to the counter.  I bought my ticket and then a cup of coffee; I took this into the café area and sat for a moment, enjoying the bustle and chatter of the café, looking out onto the Square watching the world go by.  Then, time to take my seat – I made my way to the auditorium; I climbed the steps to the back and found my seat.  Sitting back, I waited for the lights to dim, the chatter to still and the show to start.

This time, this whole imaginary experience felt almost tangible and real.  I don’t need to hold my breath and hope.  The builders (and I met the lovely Finlay this morning) are going to transform the building and every time I have a chance to walk through these doors over the next few months, our dream will be ever more close.

So, as we move forward, I hope you might find interest and pleasure in this blog, as we share our journey with you.  And please do join in.