Last updated 22:00, Thursday, 03 July 2008

THERE was standing room only as Maryport people turned out to say goodbye to the town’s Civic Hall.

While there were some tears, the final concert last Friday night was mainly a rousing celebration of local talent, led by Chrissie Patterson’s Civic Hall group.

The singers were joined by the Flimby Male Voice Choir, Rumney Greaves Dancers and the Netherhall School Cheerleaders.

Dearham Brass Band, which was to have played, pulled out at the last moment and was replaced by big band Music Masters, featuring Cockermouth’s Billy Bowman and players from Copeland.

The concert was sold out before it began and the tradition of door sales had to be abandoned.

The climax saw all artists back on stage with singer Paul Muir leading the cast and audience into singing Goodbye, with everyone waving glow sticks in a darkened hall.

Chrissie Patterson, Cumbria’s Woman of the Year, who has raised thousands of pounds during 31 years of concerts, tried to thank the audience but, in the end, the emotion of the moment was too great and the final words were left to Allerdale council’s events manager Paul Sherwin.

He offered a vote of thanks to the hall itself which had served Maryport for 74 years, to the tens of thousands of artists who had performed there and to the millions of people who had gone through its doors to be entertained.

Mr Sherwin presented Mrs Patterson with a large bouquet of flowers.

Allerdale mayor Allan Caine presented a bouquet to hall manager Margaret Craig and then the curtain fell for the last time.

The concert raised £1,350 for West Cumbria Hospice at Home and Maryport and District nurses.

Mrs Patterson this week paid tribute to everyone who had helped over the years, including pianist Marie Byrne, backstage and technical workers, and the manager.

She also thanked a tourist, visiting Maryport, who strolled in and played the grand piano before Friday’s concert and during the interval.

The hall is to be auctioned off this month.

Dearham Band has apologised for failing to turn up to a concert marking the end of the Civic Hall in Maryport last Friday night.

The band was supposed to be appearing twice and was listed in the programme.

Band spokesman Laurie Price, said band members only found out two weeks ago that they were to play at the concert despite organiser, Chrissie Patterson, inviting them about four months ago.

They had been unable to gather enough members in time.

Mrs Patterson, 84, spent a sleepless night after receiving a call from organisers at 10pm on Wednesday.“I didn’t know what to do. I was shocked,” she said.She and hall manager, Margaret Craig, with the help of Cockermouth’s Bill Bowman managed to get Mr Bowman’s big band to play instead, with members travelling from as far away as Seascale. Mr Bowman said many had only one day’s notice.

Mr Price said the Dearham Band was grateful to the public for its support at local concerts.