Historic Scotland (HS) is to be praised for coming to the rescue of the old Lennel Kirk, in the middle of Lennel Cemetery,which has been unused since 1705 and derelict for over 100 years. Greyness has always existed in determining today's ownership, whether it is the heritor – Lennel Estates – the Church of Scotland or the owner of the cemetery, SBC. HS is not bothered about this greyness as long as the Coldstream Community Trust is willing to repair it and manage it in the future. A £1,500 grant for a repairs feasibility study is the first step, the next step would be specifying the repairs bill and then repairing it. Indications from HS have been positive about later grants. A Consultant Architect has been appointed to carry out the first step.
The kirk is a Listed B building and hosts a morthouse, the headstone of a European philosopher (Patrick Brydone), a parish minister with a military decoration, the first minister to occupy Trafalgar House (Thomas Smith Goldie), the minister that saved the Bible Press in the late 1800s (Adam Thomson) and 5 yards away, on headstones, is mentioned a rugby internationalist (Veitch), a Newcastle United record-breaking (appearances) footballer (Lawrence) and a soldier who fought in the Charge of the Light Brigade (Purves). 50 yards away is the burial site of our ex-Prime Minister and a walk-it area overlooking the river Tweed. A large interpretation board could inform visitors.
HS may want to convert the kirk from Listed B status to an Ancient Scheduled Monument.
It great news!.