Church Green Fund Boost

Monday February 10 2014

A church in north Glasgow is set to help its surrounding community flourish after receiving a grant to embark on an exciting environmental project.

Tron St Mary’s – which sits across from the Red Road flats in Balornock – has received over £200,000 from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund to provide the church and parish with the opportunity to undergo an environmentally friendly regeneration. Jean Slimmon, the Session Clerk of the church, said: “This is truly fantastic news for the church and the surrounding area. There’s a lot of work to be done but it’s a challenge we are all very excited about.

“This isn’t simply about the church itself but about the people who live in the parish. This is a great church with people who contribute so much for the community.”

The grant will see a full-time project co-ordinator employed who will help manage an array of state-of-the art eco-innovations. There will be a community growing project in the church grounds and wider area with a community share of up to 30 local gardens. The potential of developing the grounds at the site of demolished flats at Red Road is being explored.

The church, which was the setting for a scene in Ken Loach’s award-winning movie The Angel’s Share, will become more energy efficient with double glazing, insulation and new energy efficient lighting controls.

Community course on growing and cooking will be held, and fuel poverty will be tackled through home surveys, leading to energy saving improvements.

Adrian Shaw, climate change officer for the Church of Scotland, said: “It’s great news to see churches taking advantage of the Climate Challenge Fund, particularly a congregation like Tron St Mary who are tackling climate change and fuel poverty, and promoting community development. “As part of this project Tron St Mary will become an eco-congregation and will be able to share their growing expertise and confidence with others. We celebrate their success.”

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