Community projects share £23,000 council cash boost

12.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 12th Jun 2009

A number of organisations across East Lothian will share council funding of £23,070 to support a range of events or activities that benefit the wellbeing of individuals and communities.

The largest single award for £7,500 to the National Trust for Scotland will enable the Inveresk Lodge Garden to remain open over the course of the year ahead. A further £7,000 has been awarded to the Musselburgh International Hickory Challenge to be held in September as part of the county's Homecoming celebrations and which is attracting golfers from Scotland, elsewhere in the UK, the USA and Europe.

The Dunbar Traditional Music Festival, Musselburgh Art Club and Elphinstone Miners Welfare, Social and Charitable Club all received grants to support their running costs.

Cllr. Stuart Currie, Cabinet spokesperson for Community Services, said:

"Today's announcement brings the total amount awarded this financial year, in community wellbeing partnership grants to organisations across East Lothian, to £750,000. Thanks to prudent financial management of this fund we were able to respond quickly to a request for support from the National Trust for Scotland regarding Inveresk Lodge Garden. This popular visitor attraction will remain open this year and we are working with the NTS to seek a more permanent solution to guarantee the garden's future."