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The Herald Scotland

This isn't just about preserving buildings; it's about restoring hope

The handover moment on Wednesday morning went largely unheralded, save for a host of civic panjandrums; Iona from STV and me, your most humble messenger. The most important group of all though, were all here: 100 or so people from the Campsie community who had pledged not to let this old Kirk perish amidst hope that it may yet enkindle an era of much-needed civic renewal in their village. Among them was 94-year-old Willie Ralston, who was baptised at the Campsie High Kirk in November, 1930. Read More: The import of this moment will also come to resonate in communities across the land. This was a landmark treaty – the first of its kind - signifying a new chapter in Scotland's relationship with its own people and their stewardship of their public buildings and the land bequeathed to them by several generations of their own families. The Campsie High Kirk ranks among the most majestic and important ruins in this part of West Central Scotland. It sits atop the raised cemetery in the middle of the town where most of Lennoxtown's departed souls now rest. Beyond it lie the Campsie Hills which form the gateway to the Trossachs. You'd be blessed indeed to secure your eternal rest beneath these pastures. And besides: David Hamilton is one of the UJK's most important – but under-appreciated architects whose genius helped shape Glasgow's Georgian majesty. Last year, The Herald revealed that a local community group, Friends of Campsie High Kirk, had successfully applied to acquire the ruin from the Crown, represented by King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer (KILTR). On Wednesday, John Logue, Crown Agent and Chief Executive of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, formally transferred ownership of the A-listed High Kirk to the community. A ceremonial key to mark the event was presented to the local provost, Gillian Renwick, representing the community of Lennoxtown. Simply to have reached this stage is a small miracle in itself. The Friends group had come together barely two years ago, a handful of local people united by their affection of the old High Kirk and a growing alarm about its impending fate. They had chosen their moment well, though. It had come just as the Crown was developing its ambitious Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme, whereby many other hallowed community buildings may be handed back to the people whose forbears had built them and used them. The Friends of the High Kirk believe that this place can be first restored and then used as a community arts and events hub which would spark authentic regeneration in a small town that's been left reeling by the departure of several old industries. Even as their plans emerged from the drawing board, the decrepitude of its once thriving Main Street has continued with the departure of the local Post Office. That followed the closure of several pubs, the local family butcher and a number of family-run shops. In a town which occupies the bottom reaches of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, the restoration of the High Kirk and its future use as a Community arts and civic space is vital. Campsie High Kirk (Image: Gordon Terris) Sympathy and sentiment alone though, wouldn't have been sufficient to enable the transfer of the Kirk. The community needed to meet a high bar set around levels of future viability and purpose to the community. The potential to do all of this: the repairs (especially to the roof) the clearing of trees and stabilising the old stones, while retaining the integrity of David Hamilton's architecture was crucial. Usually, it takes a lot of time and effort to disturb the serpentine nexus of pathways that lead to funding and support for community projects. Unless you have the cash and influence to be received in Holyrood or to persuade cash-strapped Councils that your project is beneficial to the people, then you're facing an uphill battle. Craig Brooks, Chair of Friends of Campsie High Kirk, has used every lever at his disposal to cause the necessary ripples. Thus far, they've been backed by East Dunbartonshire Council, a host of local community groups and support agencies and now, crucially, the King's man in Scotland. As the architects charged with restoring this place outlined their five-phase plan on Wednesday it became clear that several serious challenges lie ahead. Around £3m is required to effect the repairs and re-setting necessary for a space to be created for community events. Replacing the roof with a glass canopy and restoring the old clock tower to its former grandeur will take a few million more. In the absence of any rich benefactor, the next five years will see a massive fund-raising effort that must, at least, involve the entire community. 'It'll be worth it, though,' says Mr Brooks. 'Few other towns in Scotland have an architectural jewel like this sitting in the middle of their high street. And fewer still have the backdrop of the Campsie Hills or the imprint that makes this place one of Scotland's most historically important sites stretching back to the activity of the Romans and centuries before them.' One of the main challenges which could make a crucial difference is to secure VAT relief from the UK's labyrinthine tax regime. Capital works are taxed at 20%, even when those works – such as this one – are demonstrably beneficial to the public and administered by a charity solely comprised of volunteers. Charity exemptions are denied for projects with sustainable income models. 'In effect,' says Craig Brooks, 'the system demands that the Friends of Campsie High Kirk prove they are financially self-sustaining and then penalises them for doing so.' He cites an article in this month's edition of Scottish Field by Peter Burman, the former Director of Conservation and Property Services for the National Trust for Scotland. In it, Mr Burman shows how VAT treatment of historic buildings is a false economy and how taxation is actively destabilising charitable regeneration work. 'How do you feel about fundraising for an additional 20% just to pay a tax bill,' he asks. As usual, it's disadvantaged communities which face discrimination in this tax-trap. 'Many of the buildings affected lie in deprived or 'regenerative-priority areas'. It means that the very communities who are being encouraged to lead renewal are penalised at the point of delivery.' For now though, the local people are celebrating their crucial first victory in the battle to restore their beloved old kirk to its former glory. Michelle Haswell, Secretary of the Friends of Campsie High Kirk was raised in Lennoxtown and still lives in the shadow of the old church. 'The High Kirk is part of our identity and to lose it would have been like losing a loved one. It's intrinsic to who we are and still lives in our childhood memories. It's such a majestic building and a great deal of community pride is invested in it. 'I recall watching a documentary about the Singer factory in Clydebank and the sense of loss felt by the community when the old Singer clock tower was dismantled in 1963. They felt that a piece of them had disappeared too. We feel the same about our beloved High Kirk. For the first time though, we feel that we can save it and you can already see that the wider Campsie community is becoming more invested in the campaign.' Of all the speeches which marked the ceremonial transfer, perhaps the words of John Logue, the Crown Agent were the most poignant as he effectively signalled the King's assent for this old Kirk to be given back to the people. 'So let me say, without reservation, how delighted I am that this once abandoned kirk can now thrive in the hands of those who cherish it most,' said Mr Logue. 'What you've done here isn't just about preserving bricks and mortar; it's about restoring hope; creating opportunity and reclaiming a shared space for generations to come.'