£12,500 funding saves Fifer's world famous collection of vintage cameras
The Jim Matthew Camera Collection Trust is working to buy the collection of 3,000 cameras amassed by Jim Matthew over several decades, prior to his death in 2017, and to display it as a tourist attraction in St Monans.
He bought cameras from around the world and stored the collection in a former Salvation Army Hall in the village, which the Trust aims to purchase and renovate.
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Hide AdCouncillors on Fife's North East Area Committee have agreed to donate £12,500 from the St Monans Common Good Fund to the cause. In all, the Trust is seeking £30,000 from donors to turn the hall into a museum for tourists and photography enthusiasts to visit.
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Paul Vaughan, the council's head of communities and neighbourhoods, noted: "The collection will augment and build upon the reputation of the East Neuk of Fife as a destination for modern photographers.
"It is anticipated that this will result in wider benefits to the local economy of St. Monans and surrounding areas."
In the long term it is anticipated that the museum will offer workshops and travelling exhibitions, as well as work experience for those with an interest in museum curation.
Local councillors gave the funding bid their unanimous backing.
Councillor Linda Holt (Independent, East Neuk and Landward) said: "I support this very strongly. There has been immense interest in this across the world - I really feel we should be supporting this."