Causes handed chance to apply to trust for grant funding

Trustees of the Murray Library in Anstruther have revealed that grant funding is now available to local individuals or groups.

The trust was set up in 1908 by the executors of a local man, David Murray, who travelled to Australia and made his fortune.

On his death, his wish to provide benefit to his home town was carried out with the building of the Murray Library, which initially provided a library for the young men of the town to keep them out of the pubs.

However, this did not prove a success so a snooker hall was built behind the library building and housed billiard tables.

Over the years, many enjoyed the hall but gradually numbers playing snooker dwindled as pubs with similar facilities became popular.

Grants from the Heritage Lottery Townscape Heritage Initiative, Historic and Environment Scotland Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme, Fife Historic Buildings Trust, Fife Environmental Trust, European Rural Development Fund and Fife Council led to a total refurbishment of the building at a cost of nearly £1 million, and the trust, now a charity and company limited by guarantee, is in a position to hand out grants for education and recreation.

“Now that the front of the building houses the Murray Library Hostel, which is up and running, and the snooker halls have been converted into the Murray Studio business units, the trustees have a better idea of their available funds for such charitable purposes,” said Councillor Elizabeth Riches, chairwoman of the Murray Library.

Application forms can be obtained by emailing murraylibrary1908@gmail.com.