Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER
LAG Members Area

Success Stories



Awards made in September 2011

Callendar Estate was awarded £10,000, the first successful application under our Forth Valley Sustainable Tourism Grant Scheme (see award made to STEP in April 2011, below). The grant will enable signage and orientation information to be designed and erected on new routes completed under the Estate's BeSpoke project. This project will benefit visitors, and will deliver local community benefit through residents of Hallglen and wider Falkirk being informed, educated and made welcome by the signage and information.
 
Gartmore Community Trust Ltd was awarded £22,186 to engage a design team to produce detailed plans for turning Gartmore Village Hall into a key Rural Arts Venue, in a phase by phase, staged approach. It includes community engagement in the phased designs, and the securing of all statutory permissions and consents, so that the first phase of capital build  (the subject of a successful LEADER application in February 2011) can start in 2012.

Slamannan Environmental Action Group was awarded £25,000 towards the Blinkbonny Play project - the creation of a playpark with wildlife and sensory garden, in conjunction with local groups and the adjacent Primary School.

Falkirk Council, in partnership with a Steering Group of local interests (which include Carronvale Tenants and Residents Assocaition, Denny Heritage Society and Communities Along The Carron Association) were awarded £36,000 towards the construction of a new pedestrian Dale Bridge, with access path and landscaping works on each side.


Awards made in July 2011
 
The Action Group were awarded £1,150 to employ sessional support workers to supervise and train young people at the Muiravonside Country Park Café in Hospitality and Catering training and development, and Menu delivery and development.
 
Awards made in June 2011
 
Communities Along The Carron Association (CATCA) was awarded £17,440 towards its CLEAR project - the recruitment and employment of a part-time Project Officer to support the volunteer management committee in their commitment to regenerate the River Carron, its communities, its wildlife and adjacent land.

The Barrwood Trust were awarded £19,750 to erect two composting toilet facilities (each with two cubicles), solar panels for low level lighting and ventilation, and access paths suitable for disabled users in the woodland campground at Barrwood Estate.

 
Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER LAG were awarded £10,000 to explore how communities, charities, enterprises and public sector bodies can establish local superfast broadband provision and make use of superfast broadband by conducting a Study Visit to a leading EU broadband nation.
 
The Ochil Allotment Association were awarded £5,956 to establish infrastructure for a new allotment site including perimeter fencing, native hedging, planting a community orchard, providing two water butts per plot, building a community shed and composting bays, and creating a car parking area.


Awards made in April 2011
 
RSPB Scotland as lead partner on behalf of the Inner Forth Landscape Partnership were awarded £30,093 to undertake a ‘Development Year’ to establish a Landscape Conservation Action Plan (LCAP). The LCAP will form the Partnership’s bid to the heritage Lottery Fund for a further 3 years of ‘Stage 2’ funding. If successful, this would result in a total of approx. £4m invested in the area with £2m coming from HLF. The ‘Development Year’ would include employing three staff (including a Community Engagement & Projects Officer); commissioning specific pieces of work including an interpretation study, wetland habitat surveys, archaeological investigations and historical reviews, and a landscape character assessment.
 
Stirling Enterprise Park Ltd (STEP) were awarded £15,000 to support applicants to apply to the newly formed Forth Valley Sustainable Tourism Business Grant Scheme. FVL LEADER have ring fenced £150,000 within the FVL LEADER budget to be distributed as grants of up to £10,000 to Tourism Businesses in the Forth Valley to assist them to develop environmentally sound enterprises (excluding accommodation and self catering) that can demonstrate community benefit.
 
Throsk Community Enteprises Ltd were awarded £22,050 in relation to the new Community Hub building: to extend the contract with the clerk of works, to complete building works, cover plant hire, installation of a fire hydrant, instaltion of a staircase to storage area and works in the kitchen to accommodate the staircase.


Awards made in February 2011 – Large Capital Projects

 
Cowie United Football Club & Stirling Council were awarded £84,108 to return the Berryhills Ash Park Football Pitch to a playable state that will provide Cowie United with access to all year round football pitch facilities within the village. The project will include tendering and project management; removal of existing lighting; removal of all blaes; replacement with grass pitch; installing ducting for future lighting; and installing additional drainage.
 
Gargunnock Community Trust were awarded £147,982 to refurbish the Gargunnock Community Centre. This will include work on the kitchen, joining the main hall with smaller hall, incorporating an acoustic partition; improve the upstairs offices to create two small office spaces to lease out, and other renovations to the building. This grant is conditional upon ownership of the Community Centre being transferred from Stirling Council to Gargunnock Community Trust.
 
Gartmore Community Trust Ltd were awarded £200,000 to engage a contractor to carry out extensive refurbishment and new build elements to Gartmore Village Hall. This LEADER project is to follow a separate Big Lottery funded pre-project which will engage a design team to progress the project design to the stage where planning permission and other statutory consents have been secured.


Awards made in December 2010

Strathblanefield Community Development Trust was awarded £37,125 towards developing community controlled allotments and a community garden for the benefit of local people.

The Rural Housing Service was awarded £11,487 towards a two year project inwhich a part-time Rural Housing Enabler will be employed to work with communities across the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, to progress community led solutions to local housing needs. A steering group to include representatives from the Rural Housing Service, the Park Authority, the Community Partnership, SRPBA, Rural Stirling Housing Association, Fyne Homes Housing Association, Stirling Council and Argyll & Bute Council is being established to manage the project. This project is also receiving funding from Argyll & the Islands LEADER, as it covers both areas (what is called a 'LEADER Action 2' project)


Awards made in September 2010

Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs (FOLLATT) Charity were awarded £13,709 for the first year of this project which will pilot raising funds from visitors to the National Park through voluntary contributions which will go to support local projects with environmental, wildlife and recreational impact. The project is also receiving funds from Argyll & the Islands LEADER, as it covers both areas (what is called a LEADER 'Action 2' project).

Carbeth Hutters' Community Company were awarded £4,120 to allow them to work with consultants to develop the vision and business plan for possible purchase of designated hutting sites and recreation areas. The process will include consultation with hutters and with other stakeholders in the area .

Trossachs Area Community Transport (TACT) were awarded £24,404 to assist them in developing new activities and services (identified by community consultation) in the Aberfoyle petrol station and shop newly acquired by the community.

Killin Youth Group were awarded £4,616 towards their one year project KYG - Widening the Experience. It will involve establishing a new youth group which will be a vehicle for young people to participate in community life; organising regular activities, fundraising and  widening experience through monthly visits away from the area.

Communities Along the Carron Association (CATCA) was awarded £18,000 towards a study which will consider the feasibility of establishing a comprehensive paths network along the 20 miles of the River Carron - to include biodiversity, heritage and links to local communities. The study will cover mapping, consultation, recommendation of preferred route, indicative costings and next steps. CATCA has established a steering group which includes Falkirk Council, Central Scotland Forest Trust, Sustrans and Paths for All to assist in managing the project.

Grounds for Learning (Learning through Landscapes Trust) was awarded £12,204 for the Fruit-full Schools Falkirk project. Working with three primary schools in Hallglen, Denny and Dunipace, the project will inspire and support children and the wider community to understand, enjoy and make practical steps to conserve local fruit-growing heritage. An orchard will be established in each of the schools, as well as links made with existing orchards and knowledge available locally. The design of this project incorporates learning from an earlier LEADER funded project led by Forth Environment Link (see Awards made in March 2009) which found that it is important to build local skills and confidence in maintaining orchards prior to their establishment. 
 

 
 
Tillicoultry Allotment Association was awarded £15,028 towards the costs of making the existing allotment site more accessible and more appealing to a wider spread of the local community, specifically less able-bodied and young people. The project includes installing a composting toilet, establishing a heritage orchard, building raised beds and suitable access.

Awards made in July 2010
 

Synergy Event Solutions was awarded £3,555.72 towards actively involving pupils from two local primary schools to promote healthy living in a new part of the ‘Scotfest’ Food Festival at Cochrane Hall and Park in Alva, Clackmannanshire in September 2010. School children will display and sell food that they have grown at school; professional chefs will cook healthy affordable food with the children’s produce; and take home recipe cards and marketing will be provided.

Throsk Community Enterprises Ltd was awarded £21,960 towards the costs of completing an enhanced building project including internal joinery work, plumbing and painting which came about as the result of installing a biomass boiler, under floor heating and additional insulation. 
 
Awards made in June 2010
  

Strathfillan Community Development Trust was awarded £6,250 towards contracting a consultant to help the community to produce a project specification for a cultural and heritage project within the village of Crianlarich. The consultant will organise site visits for the local working group and produce feasibility, marketing and business plans.

Shieldhill Youth / Community Hall Project was awarded £28,745 towards building a new Youth / Community Hall on a piece of land next to the swing park in the village.

Heart to Heart was awarded £26,346 towards recruiting and training a ‘Lifeguide’ Co-ordinator to develop a peer support network for young people affected by parents’ relationship breakdowns and to externally evaluate the effectiveness of the project.

Award made in May 2010
 

Central Scotland Forest Trust (CSFT) was awarded £3,750 towards increasing awareness amongst landowners and businesses about each other and the opportunities to diversify around / develop equestrian tourism in rural Falkirk and West Lothian. CSFT aim to create a network of people and businesses committed to working together to promote equestrian tourism and establish joint projects in the area.


Award made in March 2010


Thornhill Community Trust was awarded £5,781 towards updating their community action plan which will involve updating their profile (an audit of population, services & facilities within the community at the moment), undertaking a household survey, organising a community review and community meeting as well as the production of a Community Action Plan. 

Award made in February 2010
 

Camphill (Blair Drummond) Trust Ltd was awarded £120,000 towards the building of new In Touch and Craft workshop facilities.
 

Awards made in December 2009
 

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority was awarded £13,800 towards the Community Grant Programme element of Scottsland, the 200th anniversary celebration of the publication of Sir Walter Scott's poem Lady Of The Lake.
 

South Green Drive Tenants and Residents Association was awarded £13,908 towards the creation of a playpark and community garden in Airth.
 

Awards made in November 2009
 

Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER LAG was awarded £5,000 towards a research study on 'Sustainable toilet provision in rural locations' (aka. 'eco loos').

Falkirk Council was awarded £4,711.80 towards Phase 2 of the Communities Along The Carron project "From Aspiration to Action".
 

Award made in September 2009
 

Killin and Ardeonaig Community Development Trust (KAT) was awarded £25,011 to assist in the purchase and creation of a community Thrift Shop in Killin.
 

Award made in August 2009
 

The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority was awarded £3,969.87 towards various activities associated with Heritage Connections in the Park.

Awards made in June 2009
 

Scottish Native Woods was awarded £4,502.50 towards the community consultation and training phase of the Tay Western Catchments Project.

Mugdock Makkers were awarded £6,212.50 towards getting consultancy help with business planning and team building.

Drymen Church was awarded £38,000 to help with the building costs of re-modelling the church interior and creating an annex to provide modern purpose built, all week community facilities.

RSPB was awarded £30,000 to allow them to re-create salt marsh and saline lagoons in their demonstration Skinflats Tidal Exchange Project, STEP Forth.  The LEADER project finished in February 2011 and a review of the project can be found here

Awards made in March 2009
 

Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre Community Trust was awarded £24,481 to help them install an 'Eco Loo' at the top of  Balquhidder Glen.

The Scottish Agricultural College was awarded £2,275 to help them run a series of  events aimed at promoting the economic potential of farm woodlands.

Doune & Dunblane Fling was awarded £3,635 towards the costs of environmental activities at this years Fling.  This project is now complete.

Callander Development Trust were awarded £50,000 to help with the construction of a new bridge at Bracklinn Falls.  This project is now complete so to read a review of this project click here

The Waterways Trust was awarded £62,161 towards developing volunteer and employability placements for disadvantaged young people.  The project was subsequently withdrawn by the applicant.

Clackmannanshire & Stirling Environment Trust received £1,244 to help them run a series of community action days aimed at tackling the threat posed by Himalayan Balsam.  This project is now complete so to read a review of the project click here

The Helensburgh and District Access Forum was awarded £13,213 to complete and promote a 'missing link' piece of path near Balloch.  This project did not go ahead due to the permission of the land owner not forthcoming (despite the land agent initially indicating this was in place).

Forth Environment Link was awarded £16,040 towards an orchard regeneration project which will operate across the whole of the Forth Valley and Lomond area.  This project is now complete, so to read the final report on this project click here
 

Awards made in December 2008

Callander Community Development Trust  was awarded £4,950 towards the detailed design of the restoration of the St Kessogs building into a culture and events centre.  This project is now complete and a copy of the business plan is available here

The Fieldfare Trust was offered a conditional award towards the development of inclusive outdoor access networks.

Logie Old Graveyard Group was offered a conditional award towards the conservation of the Old Kirk and Kirkyard at Logie.

Central Scotland Forest Trust was awarded £35,900 towards the Topps Wood Community Education Project.

The Gartmore Association was awarded £10,000 towards phase one of the Village Hall Development project.
 

Awards made in October 2008
 

Throsk Community Enterprises was awarded £84,755 towards the development of the Throsk Hub, a new community facility for the area. Central Scotland Forest Trust was awarded £15,000 towards commissioning a development study on Safe Routes to School for the new Denny High School.

The Clanranald Trust was awarded £18,205 towards the erection of a visitor centre and exhibition at the replica 12th century motte and bailey fort they are building in the Carron Valley ForestDunblane Development Trust was awarded £43,500 towards the technical costs of its plans to secure a community owned asset on Dunblane High StreetFallin Community Enterprises was awarded £60,000 towards the development of the Polmaise Re-use CentreMugdock Country Park was awarded £60,000 towards developing the visitor facilities at CraigendScottish Natural Heritage was awarded £49,700 towards the Flanders Moss Viewing Tower 

Awards made in June 2008
 

The Barr Wood Trust was awarded £5,600 towards the conversion of a disused swimming pool into a caving facility.
To read a short review of the completed project written by The Barr Wood Trust, click here.

Dunblane Development Trust was awarded £5,000 toward community consultation on a High Street property, and to explore preferred uses.

Drymen Community Developmemnt Trust was awarded £10,000 to go toward using consultants to undertake community consultation, option appraisal, costings preparation and a final landscape scheme for Drymen Square.

McLaren Community Leisure Centre (Trading) Ltd was awarded £16,875 toward the purchase of new equipment and fixings to enable the conversion of the indoor bowling hall to a multi-use flexi-space.

Falkirk Council was awarded £10,000 to employ consultants to engage with the various communities along the River Carron, with a view to the river link being central to community regeneration.

Lomond 4Bs Journey Association was awarded £18,500 (plus £14,800 from Argyll & the Islands LEADER) toward a pilot weekend bus service from Balloch to Tarbet, linking Bus, Bikes, Boots and Boats.                                 Awards made in April 2008

CVS Clackmannanshire was awarded £19,000 towards their Learning for Living project which will take a community engagement method out to rural communities and will pilot the use of an Open Green Map resource.
A report on the completed Clackmannanshire Green Map Initiative, written by CVS Clacks (March 2010) can be read here , and the results of a questionnaire survey here.

Callander Jazz and Blues Festival Ltd was awarded £2,900 towards extending their annual festival to new lochside venues outwith Callander.

Callander Estate was awarded £12,400 towards the production of a feasibility study and outline business plan for a proposed Callander Countryside Activity Centre near Falkirk.

 
 

 


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