CARDENDEN residents have been invited to take part in two ‘Have Your Say’ sessions as the first step to shaping the village's future for the next five years.

The sessions will be held in Auchterderran Church Hall on Saturday mornings, with lunch provided. The first will be on February 17, followed by the second event on March 17.

The sessions are part of a joint venture by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the Electoral Reform Society, who have launched a Reclaiming Coalfield Communities programme which aims to give local people a bigger say in decisions that affect their lives.

Lorna Bett, the Community Engagement Worker on the project, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Cardenden residents to have a real say in shaping their future.

“The programme will encourage people to ‘Act As If You Own The Place’ when considering projects and plans to make the town a better place to live work and play.

“It is really important that as many people as possible come along to these sessions, which we believe will be really enjoyable as well as giving those who take part a genuine sense of having contributed to their community.

“At the end of the day we will have a Five Year Community Action plan which truly reflects the views and aspirations of the people of Cardenden”.

In the meantime Lorna is holding a drop-in Open Day at The Corrie Centre, in Cardenden from 7pm to 9pm, on January 23, to which anyone who is interested is invited to attend and learn more about the project.

Cardenden also has its own Facebook page Reclaiming our Coalfield Communities - Cardenden District, which will carry updates and news of all the latest developments and enable those who want to take part to register their interest, or they can call Lorna on ? 07837-657-121.

Nicky Wilson, Scottish Trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust said: “We are delighted to be working with the Electoral Reform society to take our hugely successful Coalfields Community Futures programme to a new level".

Willie Sullivan, Scottish Director of the Electoral Reform Society said: “The ‘Act As If You Own The Place’ approach will take decision making closer the real experts, the local people who will be most affected.

“It will free them up to say what they really think would be good for their community without worrying what planners and other officials might think of their ideas”.

Reclaiming Coalfield Communities has won £40,000 backing from the Scottish Government Aspiring Communities Fund to run programmes, in Cardenden, Bo’ness and Dalmellington.