Funding secures future of Cullen centre for local community
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CULLEN Community and Residential Centre (CCRC) is finally set to move into community ownership thanks to a grant of over £50,000.
Three Kings Cullen Association (TKCA) members have been celebrating a breakthrough award of £54,111 from the Scottish Land Fund which will allow them to purchase the centre and to continue to run it as a space for a large variety community activities.
It is one of a total of 21 projects to share in a total of £1,667,987 from the fund across the country.
One of those delighted with news of the funding was TKCA chairwoman Brenda Gifford.
She said: “All members of The Three Kings Cullen Association are delighted to have been awarded this funding from the Scottish Land Fund.
"This will finance the entire purchase of The Cullen Community and Residential Centre and secure its future in perpetuity for members of the local community and the wide and diverse range of our residential visitors.
"Ownership of the building and grounds will enable us to make fresh funding applications for transformational building improvements and development of exciting new community services and activities.”
There were congratulations from local Councillors Theresa Coull and Donald Gatt.
Councillor Coull said: "Congratulations in securing the funding to purchase your own building for community use.
"This is a really exciting opportunity for the Cullen community who will now feel secure in owning the community and residential centre and will be able to continue to hold all kinds of community events and activities. The Three Kings will also have the opportunity to carry out any upgrades as required and make the centre a very viable business for the town.
"The hard work of the Three Kings getting to this stage has now paid off and I would personally like to thank them for all their efforts as I am sure the whole of Cullen and surrounding area will too.
"It is a great achievement and a huge benefit for the town."
Councillor Gatt added: "I am delighted that The Three Kings Cullen Association has been successful in funding from the Scottish Land Fund.
"The people of Cullen have proved yet again their willingness to step up and preserve their local facilities, they deserve huge credit for all their hard work and I wish them every success in the future.”
The association was formed as a result of a grassroots swell of support for the future of the centre after it was threatened with closure by its current owners, Moray Council, as part of a round of budget cuts in 2017. Closure was scheduled for the following year if no community group had stepped forward to take on the running of the centre.
Now a Community Development Trust, the TKCA has been undertaking an ongoing programme of upgrades and improvements to the building, which they have been managing on a lease basis.
It has become home to a wide range of groups and events, including an art group and a Men's Shed.
The residential centre section of the facility sleeps up to 38, with two separate dormitories, each with 16 beds, as well as two group leader rooms, each with three beds.
A games hall adjoins the dormitories making the ideal meeting place for team building activities and games. Kitchen and dining facilities allow for self-catering, and lounge areas provides the space to relax and socialise.
Community groups and residential groups can both access the upstairs classrooms, as well as the downstairs social lounge and coffee lounge/kitchenette areas.
The building itself was originally the village school, constructed in 1876.
To find out more about CCRC, visit www.cullencrc.org.uk
The contribution made by the dedicated volunteers at TKCA and those like them across Scotland was lauded by Cabinet Secretary for Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham.
"Communities across the country are playing a pivotal role in helping create a fairer and greener Scotland as we respond to the coronavirus pandemic," she commented.
“The latest round of Scottish Land Fund grants – provided to 21 different community groups – will go towards projects that will provide locals with better access to green space, encourage wildlife and support community business. With this funding being awarded during Climate Week, I look forward to these projects seizing the opportunity to help our green recovery.”
John Watt, Scottish Land Fund Committee chairman said: "Groups from all across Scotland are making a real impact to their communities with a wide range of ambitious projects that deliver tangible benefits to the people who live there, and the Scottish Land Fund is delighted to be able to support them.”
The SLF is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.
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