The Things Tae Dae Social hub group put on a splendid show in front of a packed audience at Cumnock Town Hall last week.

The show was supported by local businesses to help the group get it going.

In partnership with East Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Leisure, the show was four weeks in the making and the participants were eager to get the show going after being disappointed last year because of Covid.

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The show went on stage the week after National Hate Crime week, and it focused on different types of hate crimes that are experienced throughout Scotland.

Maureen Preston from the hub said she was delighted with the performance from the group and she is eternally grateful to those who supported the running of the show.

She told the Chronicle: “It was amazing seeing everyone on stage and having a real go at it.

“We did this two years ago, but we’ve had a lot of new members since then, but they didn’t take long to get into the swing of things.

“I was keeping in touch with them all during lockdown and messaging them and things like that. And then when the restrictions eased we were able to get back out and then this show was the natural thing to come next.

“The aim of it was about showing the hate crimes that people face.

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“When you see everything that we’ve put together, it’s amazing and I know everyone who was involved feels the same way.

“It was a real team effort, from those who performed, to those who helped us get it all together in the first place.

“But we really couldn’t have done it without the support from the local businesses who have been amazing with us from the very start.

“There are too many people to thank them all individually, but they must know how much of an impact they’ve made in helping us do this”.

When the curtain went up and the crowd was unveiled, Maureen says she was glad and surprised to see that the pre-show nerves didn’t translate into the performance.

She added: “It would be unhealthy not t have nerves before something like that, and I know there were some of them a bit nervous about actually going on stage and performing.

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“But I kept telling them that the audience don’t actually know what you’re supposed to be saying, so if you get stuck then just wing it.

“I’m so proud of the effort that everyone put in and they all had amazing fun, which is what it’s all about”.

Things Tae Dae Social hub is a group based in Cumnock for adults with learning disabilities and runs every Monday and Thursday.