Community Development Fund sows seed for East Mainland show park makeover

A project to improve facilities at the East Mainland show ground park for year-round use by community groups and visitors has been given the chance to take root, thanks to an initial funding offer by Orkney Islands Council of a Community Development Fund grant (CDF).

The project put forward by the East Mainland Agricultural Society would see improvements including a show park pavilion, a permanent toilet block, interpretation panels, a wooden bird hide, parking spaces, and picnic benches installed at the East Mainland Show Park and surrounding area.

Today (6 February 2025), the Community Development Fund Sub-committee approved a contribution of up to 50% or £58,875 from the Community Development Fund towards estimated overall project costs of £117,750.

Pictured here is Norman Craigie from the East Mainland Agricultural Society, who was President when the project was instigated.

The East Mainland Agricultural Society has already received pledges of financial input from the Kirkwall and St Ola Community Council and Holm Community Council. It’s hoped the significant match funding from the CDF will help the Society secure the remaining funding required.

The new pavilion would offer a durable, inclusive space for community events including the East Mainland Agricultual Show, with convenient and accessible facilities for all attendees.

It will boost the sustainability of the show with potential to make the event more accessible  on ‘show day’ even during inclement weather and removing the costs and complications of bringing in temporary structures such as tents, marquees and portable toilets.

The bird hide and interpretation panels will offer a year round opportunity to educate the public, particularly pupils from local and neighbouring schools, about the history and biodiversity of the East Mainland.

These will be located in the north east corner of the show park, overlooking the saltmarsh and mudflats of the Bay of Suckquoy, with a wheelchair-accessible path leading from the parking area to the fully accessible bird hide. Picnic benches will make it an attractive place for people to come and sit. The Society has invited the schoolchildren to assist in developing the wildlife panels.

Other community groups also stand to benefit from the project. For example, St Andrews Drama Club, St Andrews Football Club, and the East Mainland Young Farmers Club have expressed support for the project, detailing their intention to use the proposed facilities, particularly for storage of props and equipment.

Convener of Orkney Islands Council, Graham Bevan, is Chair of the Community Development Fund Sub-committee: “Agricultural shows are a highlight for many in Orkney. They’re not just a display of farming prowess – they are a cornerstone of our community, offering rich social interaction and fundraising and business opportunities for the wider community as well – and are also huge contributors to social cohesion and wellbeing in the county.

“Those behind this project have worked hard to progress this project over many years and have also considered how this project can support other sporting and recreational activities – also huge contributors to social cohesion and wellbeing in the county.

“We wish the East Mainland Agricultural Society all the best for this ambitious project, which would render new facilities unique to the area. Specifically, we hope today’s decision to pledge support from the CDF will help the Society slide the final pieces of the funding puzzle into place, as CDF has proudly enabled for so many community led projects.”