Riccarton Parish Church
21 OLD STREET KILMARNOCK, KA1 4DX

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Buchanan Centre

In the middle of the last century the Buchanan sisters set up a Trust, which stated that the interest from the capital sum be devoted to certain projects and the residue had to be divided among ministers of Riccarton and Kilmarnock. One half of this residue was to be given to the minister of Riccarton. This sum was sufficient to distribute coal and groceries among the needy, and amounted to little more than one hundred pounds. In the process of time all the other projects disappeared and the total interest was divided among the ministers. This amounted to two thousand pounds per year in the case of the Riccarton minister. The Trust stated that the money be used for charitable and benevolent purposes. The problem arose of how to distribute such a sum in small amounts, such as coal, etc., and added to this was the government directive that any such gifts be deducted from government help.

The minister of Riccarton at that time had a glebe which had been used as a tennis court and clubhouse but was now derelict.

Such a piece of ground seemed ideal for experiment and it was decided to supplement pensioners' incomes with meals at cost price. The Trust's statement of "charitable and benevolent" purposes, could be interpreted (according to the Trust's lawyer) by the minister as 'anything that helps anybody'.

Two second hand prefabs were purchased and voluntary labour erected these. An executive committee was formed for administration. The prefabs consisted of a kitchen, a dining room and a room for a Playgroup. The first day six people turned up, and they were served by eight voluntary helpers. This was the beginning of a massive development.