WHILE councillors could not offer any help to the people who fear the history of Glencraig is to be lost, they were given a channel of hope by Committee Services manager Andrew Ferguson.

Benarty Community Council had submitted a question to Wednesday's meeting of Cowdenbeath Area Committee querying a map that had the been produced in connection with the new Fife Cycle Track, at Glencraig, that showed the boundary between Benarty and Lochgelly Community Council areas was the Loch Fitty Burn, some distance further north than they had believed it to be.

On behalf of the community council, Brian Menzies and Willie Clarke made an impassioned plea that the change in boundary had not been properly promoted through public consultation and that Area Committee investigate that all records have been uncovered relating this this matter and question why original documentation appears to be lost and work with Fife Council to ensure that all local boundaries are held on record in libraries.

Brian Menzies said: "Everyone in Benarty was amazed to see the map in connection with the Cycle Track place the boundary at the Loch Fitty Burn.

"The fact is that the boundary used to be much to the south, beyond Lochgelly High School, which rightly ensured Glencraig's place in Benarty.

"It basically means that this village, a key part in the development of the local mining industry and other aspects of local history, could be set to be consigned to be lost forever."

Former Area Committee chairman, Willie Clarke, said: "There is no questioning the history of Glencraig.

"It was created in the 1890s to house the miners coming to work in the recently sunk Glencraig Colliery and its history is well documented.

"But where this change in boundary comes from is a mystery. The fact is that South Glencraig might not today have the houses, businesses and facilities of when mining was alive but it is as much part of Benarty as North Glencraig.

"Maps do not make communities, communities make maps. Where is the record of the boundaries set when community councils were established, you would think that these cannot be lost."

Councillor Lea McLelland said: "I am 47 and I was always told that the boundary was the bridge at the bottom of the hill."

Councillor Ally Bain commented: "It looks to me that this boundary may have been changed under Dunfermline District Council's watch."

Committee chair, Councillor Linda Erskine said: "This is a serious matter and we have asked that as much information can be found on the issue as possible."

Committee Services Chief Andrew Ferguson said: "A full investigation has already taken place and there is no evidence that this issue was raised with Fife Council in the consultations on the scheme reviews in 2004 and 2010.

"In terms of a resolution of the issue, both community councils could, if they agree, seek a review of the current boundary, otherwise it would be a matter for either community council to raise independently when the scheme itself is next reviewed.

"So far as we are aware the relevant boundaries are held in local libraries. They can be assessed on FifeDirect. It should be noted that the retention schedule for record of this kind is ten years, and the previous District Council records are likely to have been destroyed."

After the meeting Willie Clarke said: "Benarty CC will not let the matter lie there".