Fife Herald: August 11th 2006:

BADER GARDEN COULD HOST CUPAR MUSEUM

A CUPAR museum could be included in redevelopment plans for the town's Douglas Bader Memorial Garden. Andrew Gold, project manager of the Douglas Bader Community Garden Group, said that artefacts collected by Cupar Heritage Arts and Leisure (HAL) could be exhibited within the garden's proposed community building.
"I realise that plans for a museum in Cupar are in the early stages, but it's something we may look into," he said.
"However, we need to be sure that a museum would be sustainable and so I think Fife Council would have to come on board and back the idea for it to work.
"We would not be interested in something which will only have backing for a couple of years, it has to be long-term."
The HAL society's call for a museum to be established in Cupar has been backed by local councillors Loretta Mordi and Margaret Kennedy.
Councillor Mordi said she and Councillor Kennedy would welcome the development of a museum in Cupar and would help HAL in any way they could.
"I think that it could be of mutual benefit to both groups to have a museum based at the Douglas Bader garden," she said.
"Once HAL are clearer on what they want to achieve we will sit down with them and help them find out what service can help them.
"We want to encourage people to take a pride in their heritage and Fife Council should help facilitate this."
Gavin Grant, Fife Council museums east curator, said the council would be willing to advise HAL in their efforts to set up a museum.
"There is a limited amount of money for museums in Fife and we would have to assess it if they were to apply for a grant.
"There are a lot of issues we can help them with and I would hope to meet with them at some point," he said.
The community building is part of a £1.28 million project to redevelop the memorial garden and will contain an auditorium for shows.
Plans are also being discussed which may see the inclusion of changing rooms for Cupar Cricket Club and facilities for Cupar Tennis Club.
The two sports clubs have signed an agreement with the Bader group with a view to submitting an application to SportScotland for funding.
Voluntary Organisations North East Fife VONEFhave also signed an agreement, which could lead to the construction of custom-built offices for the charity within the building.

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