TRUSTEES at Tundergarth Kirk are celebrating a double helping of good news.
They have now completed the community asset transfer process with Dumfries and Galloway Council and are the official owners of the Remembrance Room and 1771 Old Kirk Ruins.
Lori Carnochan, chair of Tundergarth Kirks Trust, said: “This is a momentous day for all of us trustees and we’d like to thank everyone who’s helped us to get over the line (finally)!
“Huge thanks must go to our partners, the Pan Am 103 Lockerbie Legacy Foundation, for their continued support in helping us to secure, maintain and enhance our sacred sites.”
The trust already occupied both sites and have been developing the contents of the memorial room and clearing undergrowth on the listed ruins.
And they have plans to develop the latter into a heritage and legacy museum, where visitors can learn about the history of the site and the surrounding areas, as well as the December 1988 bombing.
Lori added: “As trustees, we will continue to work hard to ensure these iconic and historic sites are kept well maintained.
“We’d like to thank Dumfries and Galloway Council for entrusting us with these sacred sites, and we vow to care for them and ensure they are in good order for generations to come.
“We have some really exciting plans for the sites, as well as some new events for the church, and we will share these details in due course.”
Also this week, they found out they have been shortlisted for the Open for Visitors Award for the National Churches Trust Awards 2024.
“The judges said it was an incredibly competitive category and so we feel very proud to have made the shortlist,” said Lori.
“We are always looking at ways to welcome more visitors to the church, and want to re-iterate that we are open to all! We are fully inclusive and everyone is welcome to attend the church for religious and non-religious events. When you visit, make sure to pop by the Remembrance Room too.”
