Important historic records that tell the story of Crail’s people over hundreds of years are set to be carefully restored, thanks to new funding support.

Members of North East Fife Area Committee has approved an £8,000 contribution from the Crail Common Good Fund to help repair and protect the unique “Sea Box” papers, held by Crail Museum and Heritage Centre.

The Sea Box archive dates back to 1634, when local sea captains created a fund to support sailors, their families and widows in times of need. The records provide a rare and detailed insight into the lives of people in Crail across the centuries, documenting who received support and why.

Crail Museum, which is run by volunteers, looks after more than 6,000 items linked to the area’s history. The Sea Box papers are among its most important collections. However, after spending many years stored in a bank vault, some of the documents are now fragile and in need of specialist conservation.

The funding will help cover the cost of repairing 55 of the most damaged items, as well as providing proper protective storage to ensure they are preserved for future generations. The project will be delivered by an experienced paper conservator and forms part of a wider funding package bringing together national funding, community fundraising and the museum’s own resources.

Area Convenor for North East Fife, Cllr Jonny Tepp, said:“This is a fantastic example of how local funding can make a real difference to protecting our shared heritage. The Sea Box records are incredibly special to Crail and give us a direct link to the people who lived and worked here hundreds of years ago.

By supporting this project, we’re helping to make sure these stories are not lost and can continue to be enjoyed and learned from by future generations.”

The work will not only safeguard the historic documents but also support the continued role of Crail Museum as an important community asset and visitor attraction, helping to share the town’s rich history with residents and visitors alike.