A million thanks …

by

Cupar Development Trust‘s Annual Lecture heard from Fiona Stenke, Project Officer at Fife Historic Buildings Trust. Chair of CDT, David Kirk, introduced Fiona at the members’ gathering (5th December 2019), and invited her to give the Annual Lecture.

Fiona highlighted the achievements of the Cupar CARS/THI conservation project (which she’d managed), that resulted in 7.8 million investment in the town centre, reflecting Cupar’s superb architectural heritage.

Fife Historic Buildings Trust worked in partnership with Fife Council to deliver the five-year programme (2014 to 2019), designed to breathe new life into Cupar’s historic town centre. The project was generously funded by Historic Environment Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Fiona’s lecture encompassed the positive results of the renovation building work carried out under the project – with before and after images – and the extensive impacts identified in the final evaluation. A short video can be viewed via this link…

The key elements over the five years were:

  • The disused Burgh Chambers were repaired and adapted to create a high-quality holiday let apartment (featured on a recent CuparNow Blog).
  • Part of the County Buildings was refurbished and converted into social housing.
  • A Building Repair Grant Scheme helped property owners to repair and conserve the historic fabric and traditional appearance of their buildings.
  • Acknowledging Cupar’s great network of closes and wynds, works were carried out at Steele’s Close and Speedie’s Close to enhance their historic character.

CDT Chair, David Kirk, listens to Fiona Stenke’s lecture featuring images on some of the outstanding work that has helped to restore and renovate properties in the town centre.

 

And many Cupar people may not have known of the training provided during the scheme, including visits to Bell Baxter High School: traditional building skills are essential to look after Cupar’s built heritage for the future. An ambitious training scheme underpinned the whole programme to promote good practice in looking after historic properties, focusing on traditional skills training for contractors, apprentices, young people and local residents.

The CARS/THI schemes coincided with other welcome initiatives in the town, including Cupar Heritage’s involvement in CDT’s Classic Cupar projects, and the CuparNow blogs. Board member, Des Montgomery, gave the vote of thanks.

 

Cupar Development Trust is a Company Limited by Guarantee (SC522831).

Thank you for reading!

 

 

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