Owning and maintaining a historic property can be a big responsibility, with age and weathering affecting ageing stonework, roofs, timber, windows and guttering. But they’re an important and useful part of our heritage, and their preservation benefits everyone who appreciates our built environment.
East Ayrshire is home to a large number of such properties, many built during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, predominantly from local, Ballochmyle, sandstone, much of which has been subject to the forces of weather and time and is now the worse for wear.
Now, thanks to Galston’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), building owners can now access help and advice to restore their buildings sympathetically using appropriate materials and traditional methods. As part of this scheme, East Ayrshire Council’s CARS team are presenting a Homeowners Maintenance Advice Evening Seminar for homeowners in Galston at Galston Community Centre on Thursday 12 May from 6.00 – 9.00pm.
The three hour, free seminar will include sessions explaining the importance of using appropriate materials and methods, and will spotlight how to look after walls, roofs and windows. This will include question and answer sessions and for ten lucky house owners, a free buildings survey will also be on offer.
Councillor Jim Buchanan said: “We understand the difficulties faced by owners of older buildings as they age and need repair. Through our CARS initiatives we are doing all we can to support people to maintain and improve their buildings. This seminar will give any interested parties a great opportunity to learn more and access help available to make the most of our beautiful old buildings. Regeneration is about buildings but it’s also about people. By helping people keep their homes wind and watertight and helping restore older buildings we’re keeping our built landscape fit for purpose now and in the future.”
Venue: Galston Community Centre, 34 Orchard Street, Galston. KA4 8EN. Date / Time: Thursday 12th May 2016 from 6pm – 9pm.
To find out more about CARS projects please contact: Colin McKee, East Ayrshire Council. Tel: 01563 576790 email: colin.mckee@east- ayrshire.gov.uk