The dynamic plans to revitalise Falkirk town centre have been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £50,000.

The project by Falkirk Council centres on the historic Falkirk Old and St Modan's Parish where, with the help of the Scottish Government's Town Centres Regeneration Funds, the aim is to enhance the historic churchyard and adjoining shopping streets, improving the vibrancy and enjoyment of the town centre and its historic core to shoppers and visitors to the town.

The HLF-Your Heritage award will be used for conservation and training for young people for work experience on heritage design and craft work in restoration of the churchyard metal railings as well as stone conservation and carving.

The grant award will be delivered in partnership with Education Services, Forth Valley College and the Council's contractor JKF (Group Ltd). Included in the project area are the church graveyard and connections with Upper Newmarket Street, Kirk Wynd and the High Street. The main contract works are well underway with positive comments being received despite significant disturbance.

A public information event will be held Tuesday, September 14 between 3.30pm and 7.00 pm at Falkirk Old and St Modan's Church to learn more about the project and the Heritage Lottery Fund grant award.

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Falkirk Council, which won £2 million in regeneration funding, from the Scottish Government has worked closely with the church, local Councillors, Falkirk Local History Society and Falkirk Business Improvement District (BID) and the HLF to develop the project.

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: "In today's climate, the Heritage Lottery Fund recognises that equipping people with practical skills is not only essential for them to secure future employment but also plays a critical role in supporting economic growth. We are delighted to be able to invest in the future of these young people and in doing so breath new life into Falkirk's historic town centre.

"As part of our strategic plan, Falkirk is a development priority area for the Heritage Lottery Fund. We are working with lots of local groups to make sure that they make the most of the heritage lottery grants available to them. We are delighted that projects such as this are now happening, and welcome organisations with other ideas to come and speak to us."

Councillor Adrian Mahoney, Convener of Economic Strategy and Development, welcomed news of the Heritage Lottery award: "This is the first large grant award we have received since the Falkirk Council area became a "priority" area for Heritage Lottery funding. It's a great boost to an exciting and dynamic project which will give a vital new focus to the town centre and offer a unique conservation experience to the young people from Falkirk High and training opportunity in partnership with Forth Valley College and our contractor."

As well as restoration work in the church grounds including the tomb of Sir John de Graeme, the project will make the area safer, more accessible and attractive and to improve links to the High Steet and Newmarket Street with improvements including: quality surfacing, lighting and street furniture; planting and shrub removal in the graveyard; site and area visitor interpretation at the church and; new bus stops at Newmarket Street.

(GK/KMcA)