MORE than £100,000 has been awarded to a wide range of local groups from the Musselburgh Common Good Fund.

A total of £74,101 had already been paid out to recipients including local schools, churches and air cadets.

A further £48,500 has just been allocated and East Lothian Council is in the process of making payments to the organisations as the financial year 2018-19 comes to an end on March 31.

Projects which received funding this financial year included £170,000 to replace ladders at historic Fisherrow Harbour, a Common Good Fund property.

Councillor Stuart Currie, Musselburgh ward member and chairman of the Common Good Fund committee, said: “Over the past year the Musselburgh Common Good Fund has been able to help many groups and organisations in the town.

“It is difficult to highlight individual projects but I’ve been particularly pleased that we have endured the biggest investment in the harbour for many years, as well as stepping up to help The Hollies when times were tough.

“From the mural on High Street to lighting up bridges, the Common Good Fund has made a difference and we can, must and will do more in the years ahead.”

Recipients included: Musselburgh Grammar School for a mural project, £1,750, plus £960 for additional work; New Year Sprint at Musselburgh Racecourse, £3,000; Musselburgh Honest Toun’s Association for the Lewisvale Park family fun day, £8,000; Musselburgh Museum and Heritage Group, Musselburgh Golf Exhibition, £3,000; St Michael’s Church Kirk Session, repair work to the church, £20,000; 297 Squadron, flight simulator, £2,750; Tutti Orchestra start-up, £1,000; Musselburgh Congregation Church, window repairs, £4,721; Musselburgh’s fireworks display, £18,000; Hollies Day Centre for the elderly, operational costs, £10,000; Stoneyhill Playgroup, planters, mud kitchen, safety mats and story area mats, £920; extensive rebuilding and replacement of external fencing, Musselburgh Athletic Football Club, £10,000; Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council to repair clock faces on former church in the High Street, now occupied by Astrosat, £10,000; Campie Primary School Parent Council for playground improvements including grass, £9,500; New Year Sprint, January 2020, £3,000; Our Lady of Loretto Youth Players, £5,000 to support a production; Musselburgh Honest Toun’s Association, £9,500 for family fun day at Lewisvale Park, July 27, 2019; Fisherrow Harbour and Seafront Association, start-up costs for stationery, website and to support local event to promote activities, £1,500.

Common Good Funds in Scotland originated in the 15th century and are the assets and income of some former burghs. They represent a substantial portfolio of land, property and investments and, by law, continue to exist for the common good of the inhabitants of the former burghs.

East Lothian Council administers the assets of the Common Good Fund and the committee, which makes decisions on grants, consists of the town’s four councillors Stuart Currie, Andy Forrest, John Williamson and Katie Mackie.