So it finally happened. The image in the post below is of the exact moment that the scissors cut through the blue ribbon (to match the roof?) and the New Hall was opened in a physical sense. A few minutes later Major Trotter did his stuff again and declared the Hall officially open at the end of his speech from the top table. The other main speech was by the Chairman of the Hall Trustees and it was a pleasure for Huttonian who has sat through so many dreary stultifying speech ridden diplomat infested occasions to have people brief and to the point. And the food was of the usual high standard from the caterers based throughout the season at Paxton House. And as if Someone up there really approved of the whole occasion the sun shone brightly not only lighting up the roof but the great and the good of Hutton and environs who were privileged to be invited for this event.I apologise for some of the images of backs and profiles. I saw no sign of an official photographer or of the press. So if the Berwickshire would like one of my images they will find me very reasonable


One of our more elderly (ie older than Huttonian,much) villagers having asked if I had enjoyed myself said rather sharply that she was surprised to see me there.Why? I wonder. Surprised I was invited? Surprised I had turned up deserting a principled stand about something? The roof? The great wall of Hutton? But talking about principle, the Chairman of the Trustees in mentioning that there had been a bit of sotte voce agro about whom was invited and whom was not, went out of his way to assure those lucky enough to be there that they were on the list as having contributed something to the new hall-fund raising, function supporting, whatever.I am not sure that is the point, and I noticed amongst the inter alios a few characters who had not been involved in any way in the campaign for a new hall. A few who had gone no where near Hall functions and whom I had met for the first time today,others who had been dead against it. Grateful as I am to have been invited to a very well organised and good spirited occasion it should not have been beyond the wit of man (as also embracing woman) to have concocted an event open to all-sheep and goats alike.

Huttonian hates to say it but the opening (all invited) of the Paxton extended hall three years back might have made a model to imitate. But on this occasion, at least, the appropriate person was asked to do the honours.Even in the absence of HRH  ¶ 6:58 PM