Funding bids hopes

Councillors and community councillors will meet in Lockerbie Town Hall tonight to agree to charges to the committee and discuss applications from groups in Lockerbie and Lochmaben.
Lockerbie Riding of the Marches and Gala Committee requested £2000 towards the gala and parade expenses for this year’s event, which took place in June.
The cost of the gala and parade reached £9000, but the overall cost of the gala events was £19,644.
Last year the common good committee awarded the gala £1400.
Lockerbie and District Music Society has submitted an application for £400.
A statement in papers circulated before the meeting said: “The applicant requests funding towards artists costs and fees for five concerts which will be held in the Queens Hotel, Lockerbie, and a one-day workshop in Annan Academy which aids pupils studying music at the school.
“The applicant states that 180 attendances were recorded in 2014 including pupils attending workshops.”
The total project cost is £5600 and the society holds balances of £2067 but says that these funds are committed to ongoing running costs.
Last year they were awarded £160.
The final application comes from Lochmaben Royal Burgh Pipe Band.
They are seeking £1500 towards the cost of kilts, which has an overall cost of £20,198.
An explanation in the papers said: “The applicant requests funding towards the cost of replacement uniforms for the whole band but in particular for new players joining the band since 2014.”
One complete uniform costs about £1000 and at the start of the year the band had a balance of £13,000 but say this money is used for general running costs and for contributions to the replacement uniforms and travel to attend competitions.
A statement from the author of the papers said: “This application does not demonstrate any direct benefit to the inhabitants of Lockerbie.”
See next week’s edition for details of awards made.