RESIDENTS of Kinglassie and Crossgates have a unique chance to help shape their villages’ future after the Coalfields Regeneration Trust selected them as the latest participants in its highly acclaimed Coalfields Community Futures programme.

These two communities are following in the wake of the highlty successful Futures ventures in Cardenden and Benarty.

Kinglassie’s launch took place in the Mitchell Hall at 10.0am on Saturday when details of the Futures programme will be spelled out and those present will have the opportunity to volunteer for the Steering Group.

Working with the support of the CRT, the Steering Group will organise a household survey and conduct a series of interviews with local groups, youth organisations and the business community to find out how they would like to see the village develop.

The survey findings will be presented to a public meeting when local residents will be able to vote for their favourite projects to be included in a 5-Year Community Action plan and share in the CRT’s £20,000 participatory budget to get key priority projects off the ground.

Sheena McGowan, Treasurer of Kinglassie Community Council, said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for local people to have a real say in how this area develops over the next five years.

“We have a blank sheet of paper at this moment, and its really important that individuals and not just groups get involved in the process, so that our Community Action Plan is truly representative of everyone’s views”.

Crossgates is a step ahead of Kinglassie and have already held their open meeting, but are still looking for volunteers to join the steering group and would like to invite interested groups and individuals to go along to their first meeting on Wednesday 10th September, at 7pm, in Crossgates Bowling Club.

Nicky Wilson, Scottish Trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust said, “We are delighted to extend our Communities Futures programme into the heart of Fife and tap into the enthusiasm and community spirit of the people of Kinglassie and Crossgates.

“I am sure both areas will come up with some really exciting proposals when they get down to preparing their local Action Plans”.

The Futures programme in Cardenden has seen improvements to playparks and the general improvements to the landscape and in Benarty several initiatves have been adopted.