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Joint Secretary/Chairperson’s Report: MMcD read this years’ annual report
I feel as if I say this every year, but a lot has been happening over the last year.
The ‘Medieval Kintyre Project’ continues to work towards the 2nd phase of works. Last year one of the micro-projects highlighted the removal of the stones at Kilchenzie Church prior to their restoration and we are pleased to announce that the West Kintyre Windfarm Trust had awarded KKCPA sufficient funds to cover the cost of the transportation and safe removal of the stones to our conservators’ storage facility. This will take place once the main project is fully funded.
Additionally, the report from the micro project on Killean has produced additional significant information. Krystyna Pytasz suggests that Killean may be far more important a building than previously thought, possibly a ‘lost Cathedral’. Further study of ancient texts and more detailed analysis of the structure is required to confirm these findings – but 1st impressions are very favourable.
We are currently in ongoing discussions with Argyll & Bute Council on producing a legally binding ‘Minute of Agreement’ or ‘Head of Terms’ which included Kilkivan Church in the documents. Previously KKCPA had signed a document in 2015 (which is still extant). There has been an almost 3 year delay in getting these essential documents agreed with the Council (for a variety of reasons, not all their fault, but…). Just last week we were able to send the Council Lawyers our version of the agreement for their comments – so, hopefully things can at last get moving. We cannot receive any of the anticipated funding from HES or NLHF without these documents.
On a less positive note, the gates at Kilchenzie remain padlocked, despite all the unstable stones now lying on the ground! We await an H&S assessment from A&B Council to rectify the matter. Nic Boyes, our specialist stone conservator, had quoted £33,000 for the re-erection and repair of all 27 fallen stones in Kilchenzie. This cannot be funded from the large grant project, but we are hopeful that we will find additional money through other means. Nic will be able to do this work alongside the work to the walls, as he explained; there is a lot of time waiting on walls drying out, he has the materials on site and the expertise to repair sandstone monuments – so it makes sense.
Killean church still has Heras fencing in situ, but it has been renewed, and on the advice of Krystyna, some additional fencing is to be put in place within the next week to the rear of the Largie Vault, as the roof slabs are lifting from the amount of root growth underneath them. Whilst we do not like the sight of the Heras fencing, it serves a dual purpose. It keeps the fragile buildings safe from overzealous visitors, but it also lets our funders know that there is still a sense of urgency required for repairs, consolidation, and conservation to these areas.
If I’m honest, I feel we are very nearly there (She says with fingers and toes firmly crossed!). HES have been very positive about funding this project all along and are still extremely keen for it to go ahead. Once they provide the funding; the National Lottery Heritage Fund can be approached and almost without fail match fund what HES offer. So, we’d have about 90-95% of the £1.2 million project funded. The additional money will hopefully come from groups such as the Pilgrim Trust (who have kept in touch with us since we first approached them 2 years ago – so they are also very keen to assist), and other similar funders.
We must not forget our local groups who continue to fund us year after year for these bite-sized pieces of the project. The West Kintyre Wind Farm Trust, West Kintyre Community Fund, FERN Cour Community Fund, amongst others. We are indebted to them for their continued support and generosity.
It all adds up, and don’t forget that Laggan Opportunity & Amenity Fund (LOAF), who have the interests of Kilkivan Church, are also applying to their local groups to bridge the shortfall too.
I look forward to the day I can write to you all with a start date for the project.
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