Te Kaha was not the only facility to celebrate a milestone in Canterbury over ANZAC weekend. On a warm, autumnal day, it was heartening to pop into the Balcairn Hall to briefly share in the Centenary Celebrations of the hall.
The Balcairn Hall personifies rural New Zealand, as the central focus point for a small community, 15 minutes north of Rangiora by car. We chose to bike though, given the weather and time we had were favourable.
Those of you who have seen my posts before will note I love a good community hall. And the Balcairn Hall does not disappoint; it offers a space for an eclectic range of activities. Indoor bowls still thrives at the hall and there is a constant flow of visiting musicians playing intimate concerts.
Opened in 1926 after several years of fundraising, it nearly closed by the turn of the century. However the local community rallied around, formed an Incorporated Society and took over ownership of this important space. It continues to be regularly well used.
For me, its success lies in a few key factors: it is a flexible space, built to a level that suits community provision; the hall is used by multiple groups for a range of activities; it is community-led, allowing locals to determine the future direction of the hall; and there was a point where it was a "use it or lose it" mentality, the possibility of closing galvanising the locals together.
The centenary celebrations involved some indoor bowls, concerts, official welcomes, a newly released centenary book and much more (don't forget the obligatory coffee cart and bouncy castle).
These halls remain a critical element to small communities. A place to come together to celebrate, participate and mourn. It was also extra special to learn that my children's Great, Great, Great Grandfather donated the land where the hall is situated.
