Search is now on for Holy Grail

Jul 31 2009 by Lorraine Howard, Irvine Herald

ARCHAEOLOGISTS are to be drafted in to help search for the Holy Grail in Kilwinning.

Irvine Bay Regeneration met local firm Rathmell Archaeology to finalise a plan for Lotto cash.

The regeneration outfit are so convinced the town could harbour treasurer and important artefacts that they have pledged to match the lottery money.

It could mean the grounds of the ancient Abbey Church and Tower will become the new heart of the town centre with a working archaeological dig going ahead next year.

And while Irvine Bay had planned to carry out a dig somewhere in the town as part of the regeneration plan, the evidence from Masonic historian AJ Morton, revealed last week in the Irvine Herald, has pushed them to change their bid for the grant with the Holy Grail firmly at the forefront of the plans and the dig.

Kilwinning could take over from Rosslyn Chapel in the tourist stakes as new evidence suggests it could be the final resting place of the Holy Grail, the last cup used by Christ at the Last Supper.

And now, all the stops are being pulled out by Irvine Bay to use this information to turn the town centre around and re-brand Kilwinning as one of the most historical towns in Scotland.

James Ledgerwood of Irvine Bay said: “When we started looking at Kilwinning we couldn’t believe the history attached to the town and the importance of the Abbey.

“The town’s preservation society had approached us and I have spoken to Jim Miller at length about the grounds and the history of Kilwinning and we put a feasibility study together.

“Now, with the latest findings from Mr Morton we thought it was the right time to speak to Thomas Rees at Rathmell Archaeology here in Kilwinning and re-think our submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

“We have now finalised our bid and if successful, Irvine Bay will match fund that money, it would make such a great impact on the town and the number of visitors being drawn to the town centre, we hope this dig could hold the key to turning Kilwinning around.

“If all goes well, we should be able to make an announcement in November and could start work early next year.”

Thomas Rees of Rathmell Archaeology said: “The project is very exciting and is driven by the commitment of Irvine Bay to supporting a Community Archaeological Project, as they outlined in their Kilwinning Town Regeneration Plan.

“We have been commissioned by Irvine Bay to complete a feasibility study on the delivery of the CAP; this has involved liaison with the core interested parties and potential funders to craft a project that meets their needs while still delivering a package that lives up to the expectations of the Regeneration Plan.

“So far all has gone very well with the Kilwinning and District Preservation Society being active in taking the leadership role in the project and the hope is for the Kilwinning & District Preservation Society to be able to deliver, with professional archaeological support, a 2 year Community Archaeological Project looking at the origins and development of the abbey and the burgh.”

Meanwhile, Kilwinning Masons are about to publish their entire archive history in a calf-skin bound limited edition book.

Only 250 will be printed costing buyers £2000 an issue.

David Wilson of the Mother Lodge said: “We decided that it was a good opportunity to collate all of our letters and documents and keep them together, some clubs have lost documents after fires or floods and we wanted to make sure that didn’t happen to the Mother Lodge.

“We were approached by a Glasgow publisher who was keen to work on the project and now, there will only be 250 available to buy.

“We have had a lot of interest from America, Canada and Australia and it really is a wonderful collection of work.”

As for the Holy Grail being in Kilwinning and the role of the Knight Templars, the Mother Lodge is still keeping quiet about it.

Next week, we look at the history and role the Freemasons have played in the town and possible venues where the Knights Templar took refuge and hid ancient artefacts.