THE people of Kelty have shown that they want to keep the Moray Institute as a key part of the village’s facilities.

Lochs councillor Alex Campbell (pictured) held a public meeting last Thursday to see if people would be interested in forming a Community Trust to take the issue forward.

When the new multi-million pound Kelty Community Centre opens next year many of the groups that are housed at the Moray Institue will move to the new facility.

So Councillor Campbell feared that people might turn their back on the Institute, which has been a key element of community life over many decades.

He held a meeting a few weeks ago which saw a packed hall hear how the Main Street facility could still be home to many organisations and activities and he followed that up by getting Development Trust Scotland’s Ian Cook address how a Trust organisation could make the Moray Institute still work for Kelty. More than 30 people attended to hear Mr Cook carry out a presentation regarding community ownership. Councillor Campbell was pleased the way things went, “I hosted the meeting and explained the full aim of what could be achieved.

“It became very clear that there are several people from the community more than willing to get involve, with a large mix of ages, which is highly encouraging. The next step is setting up a steering group early in August and we are going to visit a community who have carried out a similar project which has succeeded.

“So all in all things are moving ahead well and we will be holding a follow up meeting within the next few weeks.”