Scottish Borders Council has announced funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support a new Jim Clark Museum in Duns. The news coincides with the start of the new Formula 1 season this weekend.
The project will see the existing Jim Clark Room in Newtown Street, Duns expanded on the current site and enhanced to allow cars raced by Clark to be displayed, along with a wide range of trophies and other memorabilia
The Development funding award of £53,000 will be followed by a second stage application for £645,000 from the Council to the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Council has already committed £620,000 towards a new £1.6m museum celebrating the life and inspiration of the double Formula One World Champion, to open in 2018.
To support with the announcement a fund raising campaign was launched by the Trust to help raise £300,000 and a request for donations of memorabilia to the charity via their website www.jimclarktrust.com and www.justgiving.com/jimclarktrust.
Commenting on the announcement from Melbourne, Australia, at the start of the new Formula One season Hon President of the Jim Clark Trust, Sir Jackie Stewart said: “This is wonderful news. Jim Clark was a wonderful ambassador for sport and indeed for Scotland; it’s only right that there is a facility created in his honour which will justify all of the success and achievements of this great Scot”.
The news was welcomed by Patrons of the Trust including David Coulthard, Allan McNish, Dario Franchitti and Clive Chapman (son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman) endorsing plans for the museum which will focus heritage, education and inspiration.
Dario Franchitti commented: “This is really brilliant news for the current Jim Clark Room and is just reward for all the hard work from those involved with The Jim Clark Trust. The expansion and renovation of the Jim Clark Room in to an expanded new museum will allow Jim’s story to be told to a wider audience and continue to give him the recognition he so deserves.”
Doug Niven, cousin of Jim Clark and a Family Trustee said: “I am delighted with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. This is a hugely important milestone for the project which has been under starter’s orders since 2013. The award is a great encouragement for all those involved in the project who I would like to personally thank for their support and in particular Scottish Borders Council and the Duns community. Our attention must now turn to the challenge of fund raising and expanding the museum collection and we welcome the support of the general public and motor sport enthusiasts. The plans have received national and international interest, from US, Europe and Australia. We have a rare opportunity now to create something very special in Duns, a museum that features the cars in which he raced, attracting thousands of visitors from far and wide. Even to this day, at the start of a new Formula 1 season, Jim is remembered with great affection around the world as one of the greatest motor racing drivers of all time.”
Councillor Vicky Davidson, Executive Member for Culture, Sport, Youth and Communities and a Jim Clark Memorial Room trustee said: “This initial award is fantastic news and allows us to move to the next stage of more detailed planning for what will be a much enhanced museum celebrating the achievements of a uniquely inspirational racing driver.
“I’m also extremely pleased that SBC has again confirmed that it will invest over £600,000 towards the redevelopment of the Jim Clark Room, creating a visitor attraction in Duns town centre befitting the legacy and continuing international interest in the life of Jim Clark.”
The aim is for the new museum to open in 2018, the 50th anniversary of Jim Clark’s tragic death at Hockenheim in Germany at the age of just 32. He is still considered one of the greatest ever racing drivers, and has a record that has stood the test of time.
Lucy Casot, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland said: “We are delighted that, thanks to players of the National Lottery, we are able to give our initial approval to the development of this fascinating museum.
“A display of historic racing cars associated with one of motor racing’s greats is certain to attract new visitors to Duns and the Borders. We look forward to seeing the plans develop.”
Councillor Frances Renton, member of the Jim Clark Memorial Trust said: “I am delighted that this project has attracted initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and that the Council and trusts continue to work closely to achieve the aim of opening the improved museum in 2018. This will be a major boost for Duns and Berwickshire.”
Jim Clark won the Formula One championship in 1963, becoming the then youngest ever World Champion. He followed it up with victory again in 1965 and in the same year also won the prestigious Indianapolis 500 in America. He remains the only driver to have won both the Formula One and Indy 500 titles in the same year.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
