LEADER Grants Awarded To Projects In Rural Tayside

Grants amounting to £81,290 have been awarded by the Rural Tayside LEADER* Local Action Group to three projects in Rural Tayside, bringing the total grant awarded to £ 2,517,122 and the number of projects supported to 120 since the programme started in 2008.

Grants were awarded to:

Strathmore Vintage Vehicle Club (SVVC)- £26,014 to extend the display, storage and workshop area at their premises to accommodate the growing collection of donated heritage and vintage artefacts, and further workshop space. SVVC is a group of enthusiastic and committed volunteers who are playing an increasing role in promoting interest in vintage vehicles and local tourism.

Aberuthven Hall- £29,120 to upgrade the Aberuthven Village Hall and to develop its use. The project will have a very positive effect locally, in terms of developing local capacity by generating new activity to revitalise the hall.

Glen Isla Hall Committee - £26,156 to redesign and refit the kitchen and upgrade the lighting and sprung floor in the main hall. The upgrading works will help to underpin the future sustainability of the hall as a community focus and venue for new activity.

The Rural Tayside LEADER programme runs until December 2013 but has now committed all available grant funds. However, some funding may become available throughout the rest of this year and any constituted community groups, business networks, trusts or voluntary sectors organisations are encouraged to contact the LEADER Programme co-ordinator Rita Callander, T: 01307 473239 to discuss ideas for small local projects which would help develop new opportunities or assets in their area. More information is also available at www.ruraltaysideleader.com.

*LEADER is an acronym: Liaison Entre Actions de Developpement de l'Economie Rurale (Links between actions for the development of the rural economy).LEADER is part of the Scottish Rural development programme and focuses on supporting small scale, innovative community driven projects that tackle local development objectives and benefit the community. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and the European Commission. Match funding comes from the public and private sector and community groups.