Trust grants for heritage work

A group set up to promote a Fife town’s heritage and community life has received an £85,000 boost.

Volunteers will establish a digital heritage archive and put on a number of community events as part of the programme being led by Cupar Development Trust.

Funding of £10,000 has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund, along with £8,500 from the National Lottery’s Awards For All and £40,000 from Fife LEADER.

Fife Council has also provided £26,800, part of it an extension grant from the town centre regeneration fund.

The lottery funding will allow the group to move forward on the development of a digital archive, which will make historic images and printed records available for use in websites, social media and apps.

Volunteers will also learn how to organise and run community events. The funds have paid for two members of staff to be involved, as well as covering office and related costs.

Fife Voluntary Action has licensed the use of a room in Volunteer House, Crossgate.

The trust is working with a number of local organisations, including Cupar Heritage, Association of Businesses in Cupar District, Fife Cultural Trust, Cupar District Local Tourist Association and Kilmaron School. They have formed a working group, receiving expert advice from heritage consultant Dr Mike Spearman of CMC Associates.