News release issued by Angus Council 19 March 2010
on behalf of Rural Tayside LEADER Local Action Group
Tayside Groups Benefit From Local Grant Funding
A diverse range of local groups and projects have benefited from the latest round of funding approved by the Rural Tayside LEADER Local Action Group (LAG). The group approved new grants totalling £100,000, bringing the total grant committed, for 59 projects, to £665,000.
They include funding for a community music project in Kirriemuir; the creation of a visitor centre facility within Glenshee Pottery; the purchase of a portable video booth to help gather opinions on issues from people living in rural Angus; and the setting up a Kinross-shire music festival.
The Kirriemuir music project will receive a grant of £23,464 towards the upgrade and lease of a building in central Kirriemuir to allow local music group DD8 to expand their range of activities and encourage wider involvement from the community. The project will provide a music rehearsal space, equipment, a recording studio and music lessons for a variety of instruments and levels of ability.
£9,500 has been awarded to Kinross-shire Local Events Organisation (KLEO) towards funding a music festival in November 2010 and November 2011. The inaugural festival will involve newcomers, local bands and musicians and other well-known bands. Music workshops will also be held during the week.
The Glenshee Tourist Association receives a grant of £7,814.33 towards building a visitor centre facility within the Glenshee Pottery. The centre will include a tv and dvd to screen local images, as well as space for graphic panels and display shelves. Outdoor picnic benches and signage will complete the project
The portable video booth project receives a grant of £5,000 towards the purchase of specialised equipment to enable Angus Council and its community planning partnership to record interviews in any language, including sign language for better community engagement. The council plans to use the equipment in particular with young people, migrant workers, members of Angus Gold and rural communities.
Other grants announced are:
- £15,969 to Tayside Biodiversity partnership for a series of events including wildlife photography and youth theatre
- £14,432 to Comrie Development Trust to organise a low carbon festival at Cultybraggan, and for work with local organisations to promote a low carbon agenda.
- £9,500 to Angus Mountain Bike Trail Association to undertake a feasibility study with a view to developing a trail centre on Forestry Commission land in Glen Isla.
- £14,125 to Esk Rivers and Fisheries Trust on behalf of River South Esk Catchment Partnership to appoint a coordinator to help implement the Catchment Management Plan and undertake the first stage of a programme to eradicate invasive weeds.
The Rural Tayside LEADER LAG encourages constituted community groups, business networks, trusts and voluntary sectors organisations to convert their ideas into local action and to make an application for LEADER* funding .
The LAG is currently interested in recruiting new members from community organisations across Tayside to help run the programme and allocate funding. For more information about the LAG and/or how to apply for funding, contact Rita Callander (01307 473239) or Jennie Fredriksson (01307 473305) or visit www.ruraltaysideleader.com