Work to restore the historic Port House in Jedburgh is now underway, securing this A-listed building for future generations to enjoy. With a grant of £18,075 from Fallago Environment Fund, the building will provide a community space for the people of Jedburgh and surrounding villages to enjoy. Completed in 1900, the Port House was one of the first buildings in the UK to use steel and the new material “plate glass” in an innovative style.
A 19th century Wilkinson fly, one of over 2000 objects at the new museum
A new museum dedicated to over two centuries of rod and line salmon fishing on the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders and created with the help of a £35,700 grant from Fallago Environment Fund, will open in Kelso on 4 September.
The techniques underlying modern rod and line salmon fishing were developed on the River Tweed and date back to the mid 18th century. The River Tweed Salmon Fishing Museum will use over 2,000 objects to tell the story of the Tweed’s role in a sport that is now enjoyed in salmon rivers across the globe and is estimated to be worth over £20 million to the Scottish Borders economy every year.
Fallago Environment Fund Chairman, Gareth Baird visited the Museum this week to check on progress.
Fallago Environment Fund Chairman, Gareth Baird (left), presents a cheque for £35,700 to Bill Quarry, trustee of the new museum
Work is due to start next month on the restoration of the 200-year-old Union Chain Bridge, which spans the River Tweed and connects Scotland and England. The Fund has awarded a grant of £50,000 to the project – the historic structure is the oldest vehicular suspension bridge in the world.
The conservation project is being undertaken by Friends of the Union Chain Bridge, Woodhorn Charitable Trust, Scottish Borders Council and Northumberland County Council.
Tweed Forum administers grants on behalf of the Fallago Environment Fund. For info on grant criteria and details on how to apply, see our Fund pages.
Borders projects supporting wellbeing and resilience, active lifestyles, disabled access and the implementation of social distancing measures are amongst 21 initiatives to share over £62,000 from the Fallago Environment Fund’s Covid-19 Recovery Grant Programme.
Other projects to receive funding include EPIC Peeblesshire (Exceptional Parents, Incredible Children), which has received £1,991 to purchase an electric cargo bike that can carry up to four children. The group comprises children with additional support needs and their parents and siblings, and the new bike will allow the children and their families to enjoy the many benefits of visiting parks and safe spaces.
The monies have been shared between charities and community groups, including Border Group Riding for the Disabled near Ancrum who have received £5,000 to create a path and hard surface parking area to allow children with complex needs and people in wheelchairs or with mobility issues to access a safe, calm area where they can watch the horses, socialise and exercise under supervision until they can return to riding.
Another project is Burnfoot Community Futures, Hawick which has received £4,700 to adapt its community garden to incorporate social distancing including access for the disabled. The grant will also fund planting and growing equipment as well as staffing to offer information and advice on growing food. Eyemouth Community Council will use their grant of £2,600 to widen two paths linking the town to the coastal path, encouraging their safe use for healthy exercise.
A full list of the grants awarded is available here.
Other grants of between £500 and £5,000 are currently still being assessed by The Bridge, which is administering the special Covid-19 fund.
The Fallago Environment Fund has launched a special £100,000 Covid-19 grant scheme to help Borders and Gifford residents recover from the impact of the coronavirus crisis and lockdown.
Grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available to voluntary and community groups in the Scottish Borders and Parish of Gifford for projects that improve quality of life and wellbeing and help to reduce the negative impact of social isolation for local residents.
The limited-lifetime Programme will be administered by The Bridge – a Scottish Borders community development charity, which can be contacted by emailing fallago@the-bridge.uk.net.
Delighted that the Fallago Environment Fund has been able to
help enrich the visitor experience at one of Scotland’s most important historic
houses – Thirlestane Castle – by providing a grant towards the refurbishment of
the family-friendly School Room Toy Museum. It offers a fascinating insight into
Thirlestane Castle’s history and we hope it will help to attract even more
visitors and Borderers alike to the Castle and surrounding area.
Thirlestane Castle in Lauder, Scottish Borders, has created a new toy museum which is due to open in March
Looking forward to the Borders Art Fair in Kelso from 13-15 March at the Borders Events Centre. This free three-day celebration of contemporary art benefits from funding from the Fallago Environment Fund and will feature the work of over 70 artists, galleries and collectives plus workshops, talks, a special Spotlight exhibition and more.
This is just one of many events supported by Fallago Environment Fund, which shares the benefits of the Fallago Rig Wind Farm in the Lammermuir Hills with projects across the Scottish Borders.
The Whiteadder: Historic Heart of the Lammermuirs project will be excavating at Bunkle Edge this week. To get involved in this Fallago Environment Fund-supported project, click here.
The latest Fallago Environment Fund newsletter is now available. Featuring a wide selection of projects, download now and find out how the Fund is supporting local communities and the natural, built and cultural heritage of the Scottish Borders. Pictured below is the opening of the new Jim Clark Motorsport Museum by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, one of the many projects featured.
