22 April 2008

CAITHNESS HORIZONS APPOINTS CENTRE MANAGER

 

The Board of Caithness Horizons has announced the appointment of Rebecca (Beki) Pope as the first manager of the new facility, which will be housed in the restored Thurso Town Hall.  Beki is currently deputy director of the popular and successful Camden Arts Centre in London and will move to Caithness to take up her post in June. 

Commenting on her appointment, Beki said: “It is a great privilege to become the first centre manager of this magnificent building and the facilities that it will house.  Having the opportunity to shape its future and contribute to its success is a huge challenge. 

“I very much look forward to living and working in such a stunning and inspiring part of the country.”

Caithness Horizons’ chairman, Paul Cariss said: “I am delighted that we have been able to attract a manager with Beki’s experience, energy and enthusiasm to give Caithness Horizons the best possible start when it opens later this year.  Moving to Caithness to take up the post in June, Beki can start preparations for the opening of the centre, including staff recruitment.”

As work progresses on the restoration of the Town Hall, a party of over 30 community representatives, funding providers and board members were given a tour of the interior of the building recently to see for themselves the improvements which have already been made to create a modern community and visitor centre.

Paul Cariss led the group, which included Highland Council vice-convener, Jean Urquhart, and representatives from the Caithness Horizons Board, Heritage Lottery Fund, HIE Caithness and Sutherland, Highland Council, North Highland Tourism, Caithness Arts, VisitScotland, Caithness Family History Society and members of the Caithness Horizons Collections Trust.

Paul Cariss continued: “Even though there is much work still to be done, the visitors were impressed by the quality and appearance of the restored areas, in particular the main hall and the gallery.” 

 
The false ceiling of the main hall has been removed, revealing the ornate windows set high in the walls and the original arched ceiling, creating a light and airy space which will house the main exhibition area of the museum.  The renovations also uncovered a stained glass window, depicting St Peter, which has been carefully restored. 

The Gallery – formerly a disused storeroom – is a glass-roofed hall on the first floor at the rear of the building, which will be available for community events and exhibitions. 

The restoration work, being undertaken by O’Brien Construction, is progressing well, with twenty or more people working continuously on site over recent months.  Construction is on schedule to be completed in the autumn.

Assessors from the Heritage Lottery Fund – major donors to the project – also visited the site and expressed their confidence in the progress made to date.

Further Information

Isabel Johnson, Tel: 01595 692465, E:

Notes to editor

The project is sponsored by the National Lottery (through the Heritage Lottery Fund), UKAEA, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, A&D Sutherland (Caithness Flagstone), Historic Scotland, European Union, Thurso Heritage Society, Castle of Mey, Highland 2007, Highland Council, HIE Caithness and Sutherland and Scottish Natural Heritage.