The hall committee drew up ambitious plans to see it become a dual purpose venue - the focal point for local events and functions and also an arts centre for the area. The aim being to develop the hall into an arts centre for the eastern Borders, while at the same time providing an essential facility for the local events that make a village tick.
Much of the structural, upgrading and remodelling work is now complete, and funding for phase 3, which involves providing seating and equipment suitable for use as an arts centre, is now being sought. This phase is likely to cost around £76,000 and the committee are waiting to hear about applications made to the lottery People's Millions and Scottish Arts Council for the remaining £67,000.
Lack of a production unit, retractable seating, stage equipment, access platform and blackout blinds, however, is no obstacle to the committee in putting on theatrical and arts performances and their first foray into hosting an arts programme has been with the "Fringe at Coldingham" a unique opportunity for local residents to sample the Edinburgh Fringe in their own locality. The week long programme of shows were performed at the Edinburgh Fringe this year or in 2006 bringing four theatre companies to the village, a jazz quartet and a storyteller and the performances have been taking place in the village hall since August 24 and continue until tomorrow,August 31.
John Lamont MSP sent his warm congratulations to Coldingham Village Hall on the extensive refurbishment the hall has undergone and their success in hosting performers from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
John has also submitted a Motion to the Scottish Parliament, inviting other MSPs to join him in his congratulations, and urge greater support for village halls throughout Scotland. If sufficient members agree to this there will be a full debate on the matter in the Scottish Parliament.
Commenting, John said: "I was highly impressed with Coldingham Village Hall when I visited it during my recent surgery tour of this constituency. The Coldingham committee have done a tremendous job, first at raising the money, then carrying out the refurbishments and now by attracting an exciting line up from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Nothing could demonstrate more the vibrant energy that exists within Scotland's village halls.
"By submitting a Parliamentary motion at Holyrood, I have both congratulated the achievements of the Coldingham Hall and also called for greater support and protection of Scotland's village halls in general. We need to ensure an extension of the water rate relief scheme; we need to ensure more stability to voluntary sector grants, and we need to cut back so much of the unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy heaped on the shoulders of these voluntary bodies.
"I very much hope my fellow MSPs, particularly those serving the South of Scotland will agree with me on this matter, add their support to my Parliamentary motion, and then take this matter forward at a full debate in the Scottish Parliament."
James Urquhart from Coldingham who is co-ordinating the programme said: "We know that people in Berwickshire will welcome this opportunity to come to top quality performances. Of course we cannot recreate all of the wonderful insanity of the Edinburgh Fringe. But we can give people in this area more than a flavour of the range of talent that comes to Edinburgh"
Dave Jones who is leading the redevelopment programme explained that although there is still a shortfall in funding they are optimistic that a first class arts and performance venue can be created: "Now that we have obtained the funding for the complete remodelling of the hall and installation of modern heating at least audiences will no longer have to contend with arctic conditions."
James Urquhart agrees. "We can guarantee an enthusiastic audience to any visiting company. As for audience size who knows. Wondering how many people are going to turn up on the night is an essential part of the fringe experience"