24/06/04

Work on the new roadside lay-by is now complete as is the new path into the kirk along with all the gates and fencing as you can see from the photographs. We are now waiting for the stone mason to arrive to start work on stabilising the building. Once that is complete we can than put up a display board at the lay-by and signposts on some of the public roads.

I shall keep the website posted when this is all complete and public access can be given to the old kirk building.

Jamie Carruthers

09/09/03

We are at last in a position to move forward. The funding is all in place. The last pieces in planning permission have been filled in. Solway Heritage are putting out to tender on our behalf the access work - the creation of the parking area and the access path and fences. The collar of nettles surrounding the building is being killed. The specialist contractor who has been taken on to deal with the stonework had committed himself fully for this year's working season, but he will start the work in the spring, as soon as the weather allows access and suitable working conditions.

Progress has been slower than we had hoped, but we are immensely grateful to everyone who has given us their support, and we now aim to have the project completed by the middle of next summer.

Jamie Carruthers

25/4/03

KIRK PROJECT REACHES FUNDING TARGET

The Little Dalton Kirk Trust, which set itself to raise a minimum of £35,000 to stabilise and provide public access to the remains of this significant fifteenth century building, is delighted to report that it has reached its target.

Grants have been received or committed from the Lottery Heritage Fund, the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, the Barscobe Heritage Trust and Dumfries and Galloway Council, through the Upper Annandale and Eskdale Area Committee and a Listed Building grant. These total £32,700.

The balance has been raised through an appeal to members of the wider Carruthers family throughout the world.

Mr. Jamie Carruthers of Dormont, whose ancestors almost certainly built the kirk and certainly worshipped there until it was abandoned in 1633, said: "I am delighted that all the efforts which have gone into raising funds will allow this project, which has significant importance to the Carruthers family, to go ahead".

Mr. Michael Leybourne, Architect at Solway Heritage, who are managing the execution of the project, commented:
"We are very much looking forward to working on this project. It has been a long time coming to fruition, and we are delighted to be involved in it,"

Planning permission for the creation of a road-side parking area and for on-site explanatory signs is now being sought, and the Trust is hoping to find a slot in 2003 in the schedule of the specialist mason who will undertake the consolidatory work

This is exciting news for everyone involved, and the Trust is extremely grateful to all those who have supported the project.

For further information, please contact the Secretary of the Trust on +44(0)1387 840314 or at Holmains, Dalton, Lockerbie, DG11 IDS

Jamie Carruthers

17/01/03

The Trust has been making good progress in securing funds for the project. Some £2,800 has been received in donations and a grant of £2,500 has been awarded by Dumfries & Galloway Council Area Committee. The Barscobe Heritage Trust has promised £3,000, and Solway Heritage has promised £9,000 out of the Landfill Tax Credit scheme.