At last, we have a new coat of white stone paint on the front of our building!
This latest feature is but a symbol of a long and sometimes frustrating series of works which have spanned some 3 years or more.
Earlier this year, we were able to report the successful award of a grant from Windmill Funds which has provided the basis for a campaign to seek funding for our Kitchen Project. Funds will also be required to meet an extensive programme of expenditure necessary to ensure that the fabric of the Reading Rooms never again deteriorates to the extent to which the present committee has had to face.
Our extant research on further grant sources quickly revealed that the grant scene has changed in recent years. Some traditionally important Trusts have changed their policies. In particular, Brexit appears to have impacted upon the availability of the European Structured Funds which had been a primary fund source for Leader Funds.
One factor stands out – Charitable Status has become an important requirement from many grant sources. The Reading Room, together with the Mitchell Trust is currently studying the complications which we face on this subject. We are being helped by George Craig, a practising solicitor who lives in the village, to whom we are very grateful.
In a lighter vein, we are very pleased that the’ Kippen Cuppa’ has been launched, providing an opportunity for people to gather on a Thursday afternoon for a cup of tea and a social chat.
The Children’s Library also operates on the same day of the week, enabling children and mothers to meet in the cosy atmosphere of the upper rooms.
Both of these functions fit well into a general policy of social recreation and education, set out in our Trust Deed created in 1934 – not quite as outmoded as one might have expected!
Kippen Heritage has successfully moved into their new quarters upstairs and has taken charge of the superb collection of archives compiled over many years by Winnie Dunlop. The village owes a huge debt to Winnie for this monumental work, and the Heritage Committee, under the steady hand of Margaret Diamond, has expressed it satisfaction in being able to take on its custody in a pleasant environment.
As reported elsewhere in this edition of The Wee Vine, the County Archaeologist, Murray Cook has completed a draft of his formal report on a successful first dig at Keir Hill of Dasher. Displays of the dig and its results are to be seen on the walls in the Reading Room, presented by Irene Chapman.
The committee continues its work in preparing the Reading Rooms for service in connection with the Risk and Resilience plan for the village of Kippen and outlying areas.
Kippen Reading Rooms have long been a facility for the village. We have a great variety of users but we remain keen to encourage new initiatives and to listen to new ideas.
Finally, our all important Jumble Sale takes place on Saturday, 26th October – all contributions are welcome.
Jeremy Gaywood
The Wee Vine 