New Lanark Village gets funding
POLITICIANS and campaigners have recently expressed fears that the endangered New Lanark World Heritage Village could go to the wall without financial support.
But much needed repairs to stabilise a crumbling wall at a historic site, which provides 160 local jobs, have been done thanks to a half million pound Historic Scotland cash injection.
Aileen Campbell, SNP MSP for South of Scotland, believes this is a welcome first step in the heritage village's upgrade.
She said: "People across Clydesdale and especially in New Lanark will be glad to see Historic Scotland taking their responsibilities seriously.
"The Heritage Village is a jewel in the area's crown, and has so much to offer visitors from across Scotland and the wider world, especially during the 2009 Year of Homecoming.
"I am happy to continue working with the villagers and the Conservation Trust to make sure New Lanark remains a world-class attraction."
News of the funding package was announced at a recent meeting of the New Lanark Housing Association.
Clydesdale North Councillor George Sutherland, who was at the meeting, added: "Everybody at the meeting was delighted with the standard of work to repair the wall, and I understand that the contractor has been allowed to remain on site and has started work to save the rest of the wall."
The Historic Scotland lifeline came about after MSP Campbell and Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, had called for swift action in the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Hume wants the Scottish Government to acknowledge New Lanark World Heritage Site as one of Scotland's top attraction sites.
He said: "The significance of the site can be best described in terms of its educational, historic and economic importance.
Not only does it provide educational resources for visiting schools and universities, but it is also an excellent tourist attraction and welcomes over 400,000 visitors each year — a huge economic boon for the area.
"Crucial to the ethos of the work behind the New Lanark Village, it is based on 18th century philanthropist, Robert Owen's, own principles that successful economic development can work hand in hand with workers' welfare and employment rights.
"I believe that the Scottish Government needs to outline measures to safeguard this world heritage site and I shall be seeking urgent assurances that Ministers will do all they can to do just that."
Arthur Bell, Chairman of the New Lanark Trust, added: "The Trust is grateful for all the interest shown by Jim Hume and other MSPs in this project.
"It is of world significance and cannot therefore be allowed to be classified as a 'world heritage site in danger'."
Culture Minister Linda Fabiani has insisted that the Scottish Government is fully committed to protecting all the country's World Heritage Sites.
She said: "I know concerns have been raised about a retaining wall in New Lanark and Historic Scotland is involved in ongoing discussions with New Lanark Trust about this.
''They have already provided grant aid of 86,000 towards the repair of the retaining wall that collapsed earlier this year and are awaiting information from New Lanark on costs for the repair of further sections of the wall.
"All the World Heritage Sites in Scotland have an important role to play in education, cultural tourism and events such as Homecoming 2009.
''I know the New Lanark Trust is considering several options in relation to Homecoming 2009.
"As historic and natural sites of international significance, World Heritage Sites are well placed to contribute to the Curriculum for Excellence.
"They inform not only our understanding of history but also have a role to play in the discussion of issues relating to global citizenship.
"The New Lanark Trust has a well established educational programme and I am pleased that they are already filtering the draft objectives into this."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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