Held via Teams
Present: M McDonald (Chair), V Nimmo (Minutes), G Lawson,
E. McTaggart, R Colville, K Pytasz, D Rennie
Welcome: M McDonald welcomed everyone to the meeting
Apologies K MacPhail
Minutes: Agreed with one change, under Chairperson’s report, 2 gravestones had been removed and re-laid, to be changed to moved and made safe.
Treasurer’s Report:
Interim grant of £3205 received from HLF in mid-December.
3 further invoices to be paid.
KP Professional fee – £875
Archaeological Monitoring – £3333.60
Nic Boyes Graveslab removal and conservation assessment report – £7244.38
This leaves us with a cash flow problem.
KP advised that final grant from HLF should be paid within the next 2 weeks.
KP to chase up HES for their payment, now that all work is complete.
Chairperson’s Report
MMcD advised that A&BC had been contacted re the removal of Heras fencing at Killean and the padlock on gate at Kilchenzie. MMcD feeling frustrated that communication with the Council appears to be one way at the moment. Despite our partner agreement, not being informed of what the Council are doing at the sites, particularly Kilchenzie.
DR advised to contact Nick Lowden by telephone, suggested that work at the graveyards is done as and when the workforce is available.
The undertaker has been in touch to advise of the family representative for the three plaques at Kilkivan, but no contact has been made with MMcD.
Council Update
Nothing to report – mandatory holidays may be explanation for lack of response form Council.
Update from K Pytasz
Emergency project work now completed, just awaiting final grant payment from HLF and full grant from HES.
Press Release required acknowledging the grants from HLF and HES, needs to be vetted by them before publication. Information plaques at each site with similar acknowledgment.
DR Nick Lowden and Tom Murphy should be advised of the completion of the emergency phase. Perhaps Nick Lowden could arrange for the signs/plaques to be put in place.
Press Release
Information required from KP explaining exactly what was done at Killean & Kilchenzie. On completion, to be sent to HES/HLF for approval.
Action Plan
Some minor alterations made. Draft 6 to be issued as pdf, with page numbers. Copy to be sent to Nick Lowden and Tom Murphy.
AOCB
RC pointed out that the ivy had not been cut back at Kilchenzie, now so thick that it could bring down wall. KP advised that ivy removal was part of the large project and stated that it was ok to trim the ivy, but not to cut roots or use poison. This would expose walls to erosion. Council workers need to be aware of this.
RC informed that recording of the gravestones at Kilchenzie had been done some years ago by John Friar/Fryer? Needs to be located.
RC not just 2 graveslabs at Kilchenzie laid flat but majority of stones, questioned whether there were plans to re-erect them. Could lead to bad publicity if not re-erected.
DR stones probably laid flat due to Health & Safety issue, MMcD to contact NL to find out what’s happening and suggest that a budget be included for this in 25/26.
VN/EMcT working with Jason McCallum to produce a short video on the removal of the slabs at Kilkivan. Waiting for Oliver Lewis to advise if we can get a licence to use a Canmore image of slabs.
EMcT questioned whether the images in Whites’ book from the 1930s could be used copyright free.
EMcT stated that it was an excellent report on the Kilkivan graveslabs from Nic Boyes.
Date of Next Meeting Wednesday 05–02-25 at 09.00am by Teams