Ardwell Community Kirk is run by the Ardwell Church Trust, whose Trustees were appointed by Stoneykirk Parish in 2014. They are: Christopher Brewis, Aileen Brewis, Margaret Wright and Dr Gordon Baird.

Below is the Mission Statement of the Kirk and the Trust Document agreed with the Church of Scotland:

MISSION STATEMENT

Ardwell Community Kirk aims to promote:

the advancement of education
the advancement of religion
the advancement of citizenship or community development (including rural regeneration)
providing recreation facilities and organising recreational activities with the aim of improving the conditions of life for the people for whom the facilities or activities are mainly intended
the promotion of religious or racial harmony
the promotion of equality and diversity

Main activities

This is a community development project. It aims to continue to value the church building as a community centre. In the absence of this project the church would convert to a more commercial purpose, ceasing to be a community resource. These proposals promote community development (in particular rural regeneration) by perpetuating and developing the building as a focus for community activities.

Initially focusing on marriages, civil partnerships, renewal of vows, naming ceremonies, funerals, carol services it will aim to join all religious and cultural groups within the community setting. It promotes equality and diversity. It will provide a memorable setting for important family and community events, supplementing but not replacing traditional religious community facilities.

As the project develops it is expected that the venue will be seen as a backdrop for musical and theatrical events, and any event that fulfills a community social or cultural function will be considered.

Delivery of activities

These activities will be hosted within the church and the adjoining grounds. They will generally be structured in a traditional manner in keeping with the Edwardian setting. It is expected that partnerships with local artists and musicians will develop over time. Any organisation that promotes community and social cohesion will be encouraged. Many such arrangements already exist informally within the community, and the building and grounds will form a tangible declaration of the community intent. Good relationships exist with a number of agencies who can deliver on the ceremonies described above. The working committee have strong local connections, and good relationships with many local groups and individuals who can help deliver our successful project.

Providing benefit to the public

Allowing marriages between denominations can potentially reduce interdenominational conflict by creating a neutral but spiritually significant environment. It aims to support family values and social cohesion. The trust will work to develop good relationships and with a spirit of kindness and with cooperation promote religious harmony. The availability of a local venue for important family and community events will provide for those who have no strong religious views, or for whom there is conflict between denominations. The educational possibilities of art and music events will create greater interest in cultural aspects of our community, allowing local people to demonstrate and develop skills within the community, rather than having to travel elsewhere.

The use of the building for music and art will create a focus for the advancement of the arts, heritage, and culture. Any event that promotes social cohesion will be accommodated. It is envisaged that the project will form a centre for community activities. If the trust does not take over the building, the future of an historic and important local building which is valued by the community would become uncertain. Prior to the trust obtaining the building, there was considerable public unrest about the future of what most people regard as a flagship community asset. The hosting of marriages, civil partnerships in naming ceremonies will promote local family and community values. The outstanding aesthetics of the building will bring investment from outside the community. There will be commercial opportunities (catering, entertainers, photographers) for local businesses and individuals to benefit. The project will promote and regenerate interest in arts and music in this remote rural setting.

Link between activities and purposes

1. The advancement of education:

musical and theatrical events,
artistic events

2. The advancement of religion:

a venue for religious but nondenominational services
continued use by the Church of Scotland for specific denominational events such as Carol singing, harvest Thanksgiving and at the Minister's discretion,
Sunday religious services.

3. The advancement of citizenship or community development (including rural regeneration)

Any event that promotes social cohesion will be accommodated
The hosting of marriages, civil partnerships in naming ceremonies will promote local family and community values.
There will be commercial opportunities (catering, entertainers, photographers) for local businesses and individuals to benefit
The project will promote and regenerate interest in arts and music in this remote rural setting.

4. Providing recreation facilities and organising recreational activities with the aim of improving the conditions of life for the people for whom the facilities or activities are mainly intended

The availability of a local venue for important family and community events will provide for those who have no strong religious views, or for whom there is conflict between denominations.

5. The promotion of religious or racial harmony

This is central to the aspirations of the trust. It will attempt to build interdenominational bridges and a secular approach to family and social events.

6. The promotion of equality and diversity.

The reduced cost of the venue compared to commercial settings will widen the opportunities for family and social events.
Travel to distant venues for family and social gatherings creates a barrier to cultural engagement and the buildings new functions will support the development of locally based events.

Below is a copy of the Trust Document agreed with the Church of Scotland:

DECLARATION OF TRUST

By Christopher Brewis, Aileen Brewis, Margaret Wright and Dr Gordon Baird.

(hereinafter referred to as “the Trustees”)

______________________

WHEREAS the Church of Scotland (design) has decided to relinquish Ardwell Church as a place of Worship and WHEREAS Ardwell Estate of Ardwell House, by Stranraer, have elected not to exercise their right to resume possession of the Church Buildings and WHEREAS it has been decided that the said Church shall be used for the benefit of the Community; THERFORE the parties have agreed and do hereby agree as follows:-

1. The Trust shall be known as the Ardwell Church Trust (hereinafter referred to as “the Trust”).

2. OBJECTIVES

The object of the Trust is to enable Ardwell Church to continue to be used by the communities of Stoneykirk Parish, principally the Villages of Ardwell and Sandhead, following upon the decision of the Church to no longer hold services at the Church. As a most attractive and historic church in the Parish, the Committee and Trustees shall be committed to preserving the building so it can continue to be used by the community in the future. The building will serve as a focus for rural regeneration. As a non-denominational organisation it will promote religious or racial harmony and encourage equality and diversity regardless of race, gender or

social or religious background. The building will be used regularly for propagating the arts, music and culture of the area.

The Trust shall ensure that enough funds are raised each year to provide and maintain the church for the use of the community. As well as services in the church such as weddings and funerals the Trustees shall make the church available for wider community uses such as musical recitals and concerts. While not necessarily of a religious nature all events would be respectful of the nature and character of the building and nothing shall be done to cause offence to former parishioners and the general public.

3. MEMBERSHIP

The Trust will consist of a maximum of four Trustees along with a Committee of up to six people. The Committee will be elected annually and Trustees will be appointed every three years. The Trustees shall appoint a secretary who will not be a Trustee and decide the period and arrangements under which the office is to be held. The Committee and Trustees will elect a chairman, who will be a member of the Committee but not a Trustee. The Trustees shall hold such property together with such additions in trust for such purposes only as are within the meaning of the charitable purposes in terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (hereinafter referred to as the “2005 Act”) as amended or superseded from time to time which are also regarded as charitable purposes in relation to the then prevailing tax legislation.

4. ADMINISTRATION

(a) The Trustees and Committee may meet as often as they think fit (but not less than twice a year) for the despatch of business; may adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit and may determine the quorum necessary for the transaction of business.

(b) Trustees shall be given notice of every meeting by the Secretary at least fourteen clear days before the date of the meeting.

(c) Every Notice of Meeting shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and the business to be discussed.

(d) Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes and in the case of an equality of votes the Chairman of that meeting shall have a second and casting vote.

(e) Proper Minutes shall be kept by the Secretary, and entered in the books provided for the purpose, of all resolutions, decisions and proceedings, and any such Minutes signed by the Chairman at the next meeting shall be conclusive evidence of the matters stated in such minutes. Minutes of every meeting shall be circulated within fourteen days afterwards but the provisions of this sub-clause may be dispensed with by the vote of the majority of the Trustees at a meeting for the purposes of that meeting only.

(f) The Trustees may from time to time by deed or deeds revocable or irrevocable supplement or alter or amend the provisions and objects of the Trust to the extent as may in the opinion of the Trustees be necessary to facilitate the better application of the Trust Funds, the better administration of the Trust and the more effectual execution of the Trust; PROVIDED ALWAYS that the purposes and objects of the Trust shall always be within the spirit of the existing purposes and objects and nothing in the clause shall authorise or be deemed to authorise any application of any part of the Trust Funds or the income thereof for any purpose which is not a specific charitable purpose in law.

(g) In the professed execution of the Trust and powers thereof no Trustee acting in good faith shall be liable for a breach of trust arising from a mistake, omission, neglect or act of management attributable to him or her in good faith or from any other loss or damage that may arise or be occasioned by the destruction or deterioration of or damage to or by the failure or depreciation in the value of any of the assets comprising the Trust Fund or for the mis-application of the Trust Fund except in the case of their own conscious wrongdoing; provided always that no trust or power shall be exercised in such manner that the capital or income of the Trust Fund or any part thereof shall be held, paid or applied otherwise than for charitable purposes.

5. TRUSTEES DUTIES

(a) Act in the interests of the Charity. The Trustees should not put the interests of any other Charity in which they are involved before their own interests or those of any other person.

(b) Operate in a manner consistent with the Charity’s purpose. Trustees should carry out their duties in accordance with their governing document.

(c) Act with due care and diligence. Trustees should take care of their Charity’s affairs as is reasonable to expect of someone who is managing the affairs of another person.

(d) Ensure that the Charity complies with the provision of the 2005 Act and other relevant legislation.

6. FINANCIAL RECORD KEEPING

The Trustees shall, at all times, ensure compliance with Section 44 of the 2005 Act and shall in particular:-

(a) Keep proper accounting records.

(b) Prepare a Statement of Account including a Report on its activities at the end of each financial year.

(d) Send a copy of the Accounts along with the Annual Return to OSCR.

(e) Accounting records must be kept by the Trust for a minimum of six years from the end of the financial year in which they were made.

7. TRUSTEES’ POWERS

The Trustees shall in addition to all the powers, privileges and immunities conferred and which may be conferred by law or statute upon gratuitous Trustees in Scotland have the following powers:-

1. To organise or to join or to concur in the organisation and to advertise and pay the expenses including the fees of consultants of any appeal for contributions to the Trust Fund and charge the Trust Fund with all such expenses as also the expenses of the formation, administration or disposal of the Trust Fund.

2. To appoint and remunerate such secretaries, officers, clerks, advisers, factors, law agents, accountants and others, but not their own number, as the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable for attaining or carrying out the objects of the Trust;

3. To retain any property or investments of whatsoever nature from time to time comprising the Trust Fund in their existing state or condition so long as the Trustees think fit, with the power at any time of their sole discretion to sell feu or lease the same or any part thereof, to invest or lay out the net proceeds of any such sale and other monies comprising the Trust Fund in such stocks, funds and shares as shall from time to time be authorised by law for investment by Trustees and in heritable and real property to borrow on the security thereof to such an extent as Trustees shall from time be permitted by law, provided always that the Trustees shall at no time permit the liabilities of the Trust to exceed its assets;

4. To decide whether any monies or investments or other assets coming into their hand are to be treated as capital or income before they came into their hands and to dispense with apportionments of all kinds;

5. To make all claims for recovery of income tax and credit the Trust Fund with all such income tax recovered;

6. To nominate and appoint any of their number or the Secretary to the Trustees or any nominees appointed by the Trustees in whose names or name any of the assets of the Trust Fund shall be held with authority and power to such nominees to execute all conveyances, transfers, mandates and relative deeds on behalf of the Trustees.

8. RISK REVIEW

The Trustees must review the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have established systems to mitigate the risks identified.

9. PUBLIC BENEFIT

In considering the operation, achievement and performance and finances of the charity, the Trustees must satisfy themselves that public benefit has been provided in accordance with the 2005 Act and guidance provided by OSCR: IN WITNESS WHEREOF