wyllier
13th August 2007, 08:13
The organisers of next month's Merrick Forest Stages Rally in south-west Scotland have received a £5000 windfall to help towards the cost of constructing a central service area near Glentrool.
The money has been awarded through the Dumfries and Galloway Community Enterprise Regeneration Fund (CERF), and matches a contribution made from the rally's own funds.
Forestry Commission Scotland is transforming a former engineering depot at Glencaird into a hard-standing parking area for the rally cars and support vehicles.
It will be officially opened by the Environment Minister Michael Russell on September 1st - a week before the rally.
At other times of the year, the facility will be available for a range of outdoor activities – from mountain bike events to military exercises.
Welcoming the CERF funding, Merrick Rally Manager Allan Marshall thanked the local community for their support.
He went on: "We've been most encouraged by the backing we've received from the Cree Valley Community Council, Newton Stewart Business Association, Glentrool Residents Association and local Councillor Graham Nichol".
Mr Marshall added: "Hopefully the construction of this excellent facility will increase entries to the rally, which in turn will help boost the local economy".
The CERF scheme - which runs until the end of 2007 - includes contributions from Dumfries and Galloway Council and the European Regional Development Fund through the South of Scotland Objective 2 programme.
It was set up to support sustainable community-based projects which will bring demonstrable economic benefits to their local areas.
The Merrick Forest Stages Rally will start and finish in Newton Stewart on September 8th.
The event – organised jointly by Machars Car Club and the Scottish Sporting Car Club - is the penultimate round of the County Saab Scottish Championship.
It will also be a counter in the Brick & Steel Ecosse 205 Challenge, as well as the Beatsons Border Stages, and Palmerston Furniture Five of Clubs championships.
Further details can be found at http://www.merrickstages.co.uk
The money has been awarded through the Dumfries and Galloway Community Enterprise Regeneration Fund (CERF), and matches a contribution made from the rally's own funds.
Forestry Commission Scotland is transforming a former engineering depot at Glencaird into a hard-standing parking area for the rally cars and support vehicles.
It will be officially opened by the Environment Minister Michael Russell on September 1st - a week before the rally.
At other times of the year, the facility will be available for a range of outdoor activities – from mountain bike events to military exercises.
Welcoming the CERF funding, Merrick Rally Manager Allan Marshall thanked the local community for their support.
He went on: "We've been most encouraged by the backing we've received from the Cree Valley Community Council, Newton Stewart Business Association, Glentrool Residents Association and local Councillor Graham Nichol".
Mr Marshall added: "Hopefully the construction of this excellent facility will increase entries to the rally, which in turn will help boost the local economy".
The CERF scheme - which runs until the end of 2007 - includes contributions from Dumfries and Galloway Council and the European Regional Development Fund through the South of Scotland Objective 2 programme.
It was set up to support sustainable community-based projects which will bring demonstrable economic benefits to their local areas.
The Merrick Forest Stages Rally will start and finish in Newton Stewart on September 8th.
The event – organised jointly by Machars Car Club and the Scottish Sporting Car Club - is the penultimate round of the County Saab Scottish Championship.
It will also be a counter in the Brick & Steel Ecosse 205 Challenge, as well as the Beatsons Border Stages, and Palmerston Furniture Five of Clubs championships.
Further details can be found at http://www.merrickstages.co.uk