PLANS for a new museum at Tundergarth based on the Lockerbie disaster and the area’s heritage are moving forward again — but without the involvement of an international organisation.
The Tundergarth Kirks Trust this week confirmed they have ‘parted ways’ with the Pan Am 103 Lockerbie Legacy Foundation, set up by American widow Victoria Cummock, as their ‘values no longer align’.
And the trust will now independently take forward their vision for a heritage and educational centre at the site.
It’s a new chapter and, as such, they are looking to engage a local architect and are ‘actively seeking’ seed funding for the project.
Trust chairperson Lori Mossop stressed it’s an exciting time. She said: “There’s lots going on, there are lots of people we are talking to and, r.e. grant funds, there are a lot of interested parties.
“We are really excited to be able to push forward.”
There’s a new website under development and the Remembrance Room at Tundergarth has been refreshed, with some of the computers and victims’ banners taken away.
“People might notice changes in the Remembrance Room as there are new information boards being installed,” said Lori.
Meanwhile, talks are taking place with many groups, including the Heritage Lottery, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Museums Galleries Scotland, while support has been expressed by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance and David Mundell MP.
Trust members continue to build closer links with Syracuse London and with Lockerbie Academy and the wider community, while being ‘mindful, sensitive and respectful’ of differing views locally.
Lori added: “We want to be really forward thinking with the museum and be contemporary while protecting the history of the site, it’s about blending them together.”
The timescales are also being worked out, but trustees describe it as a ‘medium term project’, and Lori added: “By the end of this year I would like to have something in place to be able to look at submitting a planning application.
“We want it to be in keeping with the buildings around Tundergarth, we do not want to create something that’s an eyesore.
“What it looks like, however, is not the main driving force. What it does internally is the most important thing and what purpose it serves is far more important.”
Keeping Tundergarth Kirk active and alive is another focus and they will continue to have services every second Sunday morning and to promote the building as an events space too.
“Our number one is advancement of religion in our constitution then education and heritage,” stressed Lori and fellow trustee Kirsty Boardman. “Those are the three missions we have as a trust and one does not work without the other.”
In addition, they always looking for new trustees and are keen to recruit someone with building or conservation experience.
Being open and transparent is another goal and Kirsty urged anyone interested in their work to get in touch via Facebook.
There are plans to hold more public information events in Lockerbie later this year, with residents urged to attend and give feedback.
Lori added: “We are really overwhelmed by the support we have had this year.”
