Kenmore Kirk

​

1. Q - What is the Kenmore Kirk Trust, and who is on it?
   A - This is a charitable trust empowered to take ownership and management of the kirk. Being a charity brings benefits but also responsibilities and regulation. The Trust is focussed entirely on the Kirk and ensuring it benefits the community. Trust members are made up of the original purchasing team plus additional members of the community who have enthusiastically contributed their time and skills.
   
   Trust Board
   
   Chair: Joan Denton-Thompson, Fearnan
   Olive Munro, Acharn
   Garth Menzies, Fearnan
   Stuart Arnott, Kenmore
   Colin Morton, Kenmore
   
   The board has a constitution which is published on its website, (www.kenmorekirk.org) and will look to recruit more members to widen its skill sets. In the longer term, it will look at adopting a membership charity model.
    

2. Q- Can I become a trustee?
   A- We welcome notes of interest as trustee or volunteer, especially if you bring new skills to the fore.
    

3. Q- Why did the community offer to buy it?
   A- The community made clear through our consultation exercise that it wished to retain the church as a secular community asset, to restore it to its former glory, and protect it for the future.
    

4. Q- How much did it cost?
   A- We purchased the kirk at its valuation price of £80,000.
    

5. Q - Where did the money come from?
   A - We received funds from the SSE Griffin and Calliachar Community Fund for the purchase, immediate costs, and appointment of a part-time project manager.
    

6. Q- Will the Kirk be open to the public?
   A- Yes, we know there is a great deal of interest in the building from visitors and local people and have re-opened our doors for the first time for almost a year.
    

7. Q- What happens to the graveyard?
   A- The graveyard and land outside the path up the walls is owned and maintained by Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) and that will not change. The community now also owns the lych gate, path and the grass area surrounding the kirk.
    

8. Q -Can we improve the looks of the Kirk?
   A -Yes, making good and safe the external walls and stonework is a priority. As part of that work we intend to re-paint the walls, tower louvres and hopefully restore the clock.
    

9. Q - Will the bells and organ still work?
   A - Yes, there is only a single bell but it remains in situ and in good working order (we tested it the day we took ownership). The organ is unique and we need to consider what its future might be so that it is properly protected and used.
    

10. Q- What happened to the fittings and fixtures, and other items, in the church?
    A- The fittings and fixtures, including memorials, belonged to the Church of Scotland General Trustees. Some items have been moved to other locations. Items such as war memorials will remain in the kirk and access will always be allowed to these.
     

11. Q- Is the building in good shape?
    A- Generally it is in good condition but it is an old building that will require constant maintenance and new services such as heating systems installed. It would need substantial work should we decide to turn it into a more flexible community space.
     

12. Q- What would we use the building for?
    A- We had many suggestions during the community consultation and we need to look at these in more detail. We will be keen to hear other ideas too. We certainly hope to continue to host weddings, funerals and other celebrations and events.
     

13. Q- Is the building listed?
    A- Yes, it is classed as Category B listed which could restrict options for what we can do with the building.
     

14. Q- Why are there CCTV cameras in the kirk?
    A- It was a condition of our insurance policy that these were installed to allow us to open the doors to visitors.
     

15. Q- What happens next?
    A- The board of trustees will continue to meet to consider things such as priority external works to make the building look good, additional consultation with the community, further fundraising, and legal and other considerations. A project plan will be developed as a priority. 
     

16. Q- How do I see the consultation survey results?
    A- You can find the online survey and further info on the new Kenmore Kirk website: kenmorekirk.org
     

17. Q- How do I find out more about the process?
    A- The feasibility report and other materials are available on the Kenmore Kirk website. The kirk Trust will also soon launch its own website and social media channels. 
     

18. Q- How are you going to fund all of this work?
    A- We still have some funds remaining from our SSE award and have already received some donations and pledges of funding.
     

19. Q- Will you be seeking further financial donations? 
    A- Yes, the ongoing maintenance and adaption of the building will need more funds. Any offers of assistance, whether in your time, kind or in money, will be most gratefully received.
     

20. Q- If I wanted to make a financial contribution, or to offer help, how would I go about this?
    A- That’s very kind. Please contact admin@kenmorekirk.org
     

21. Q-Will you be making changes inside the building?
    A- Once we have established what we would like to do then we will need to satisfy the requirements for a category B listed building as that may restrict our options.
     

22. Q- Will you remove the pews?
    A- No decision has been taken yet on that.
     

23. Q-Will there be an opportunity for the community to have a say?
    A- We expect to have further consultation once our plans develop, but don’t know yet what form that might take.