VISITING a relative in Lochgelly over the weekend, I was delighted to see all the new planters cheering the place up.

It was also really good to see volunteers of all ages rolling up their sleeves to improve the town for everyone. I

understand the work was organised and carried out by a new community group called Growing in Lochgelly. They all deserve a medal.

What a sad contrast with the public park though. I could not believe that the works are still not complete. It looked sad and abandoned. What a mess! It doesn't seem to be a priority for Fife Council or the Community Council.

Where have all the trees gone in Lochgelly? Has some mysterious disease killed them all and poisoned the ground? Just compare the town to Glenrothes, with its green verges and fluffy trees and bushes everywhere.

Of course Glenrothes is where Fife Council has its home. Still, it's hard not to feel that someone at Fife Council must have had it in for Lochgelly, and that for years nobody among our elected councillors has cared enough to put their backs into improving the town.

Perhaps more grassroots community action is the answer. I'm sure the energetic volunteers at Growing in Lochgelly could get things moving at the Public Park.

Is it time for Fife Council and the Lochgelly Community Council to step aside and hand the Public Park project over to the community?

PLANTER,

Edinburgh.

The Public Park Improvement Group is currently in the middle of a project which will see the park brought up to the standard the correspondent wishes to see.