Led by Bowden Village Committee and volunteers from the local community, the project focuses on the Pant Well as an iconic feature of village life for over 150 years. The project has two distinct elements – the restoration and conservation of the Pant Well, and a full programme of participatory learning activities centred on the Pant Well – Past, Present and Future.

Bowden Pant Well is an iconic monument standing centrally in Bowden Village - its significance derives from its central location and its survival as the first safe public drinking water supply in Bowden. Previous repairs and the impact of water damage have resulted in the Pant Well's deterioration which requires restoration of stonework, slates, cobbled surround and troughs to ensure its long term future.

The project also focuses on learning and community participation and includes:

• an exhibition on the Pant Well's past, present and future and links to other heritage aspects such as social history and the natural environment
• an interpretation panel for the Pant Well site
• a schools project linking to areas in the curriculum associated with the Victorian era and the natural environment;
• a time capsule reflecting Bowden in 2012/13
• a media project recording various elements of the restoration project
• a full set of materials for archiving, new leaflets on the Pant Well
• local walks around Bowden linking water courses to the Pant Well, and regular 'Pant Well Blethers' – interesting, relaxed and informal talks on the fascinating history of the monument.

The restoration work is planned to commence in Spring 2012, and the learning activities will continue throughout 2012-13 culminating in a public exhibition in autumn 2013.

The Heritage Lottery has provided the core funding for the project and further match funding has been secured from Scottish Borders Council’s Community Grant Scheme (£5000) and the Landfill Community Fund (£15000) administered by BCCF Environmental/ENTRUST.

Further contribution from Bowden Village Committee’s own funding has resulted in the project being fully resourced and able to commence. For over thirty years, small scale repairs to the Pant Well have been funded by Bowden Village Committee, but as the 150th anniversary approached the Village Committee felt it was fitting that the Pant Well re-established its central position in village life, and that its history and function be celebrated, recorded, and enjoyed by a wider range of residents and visitors alike.

Commenting on the award, Jim Doyle, Chairman of Bowden Village Committee said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund are confident the project will result in a fully restored Pant Well, and many opportunities for people to get together and enjoy learning new things about Bowden” “ We were so fortunate to have the support of Scottish Borders

Council’s External Grants Officer, Jean Robertson, who gave us guidance, advice and helped maintain our focus during the whole funding process”.

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland said: “This is an exciting project driven by the local residents of Bowden. It demonstrates how our heritage can be a living part of a community bringing people together to learn from and enjoy their shared identity. We are delighted to be giving this very worthwhile venture our full support.”

Notes to editors

BCCF Environmental is a Charitable Company that grew from an environmental group formed by the Community Councils in Berwickshire in 1999. It has five volunteer Directors who look after all the projects supported although from time to time employs administrative help.

As a registered Environmental Body, BCCF Environmental is able to guide other Scottish Borders groups through the process of having their projects approved by ENTRUST thus making them eligible to draw down monies from the Landfill Community Fund. The money that makes up this fund comes from the small percentage Landfill Operators are able to disburse from the Landfill Tax paid to the Government and can only be used for a limited range of projects.

Further information

Mr Jim Doyle, Chair of Bowden Village Committee on 01835 824 803 or on jim@kaloma.fsnet.co.uk or alternatively, Ms Andrea Beavon, Secretary, Bowden Village Committee, on 01835 824 790 or bowdenvc@hotmail.com