Published: Wednesday, 1st July, 2009 11:37am
Call to save abandoned church
by Peter Swindon
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The council has been accused of neglecting an abandoned church in Lochgelly.
A recent survey of St Andrew"s in Lochgelly identified a significant area of dry rot.
The surveyor also noted that the roof is leaking and water is running down the walls.
Fife Council bought the building in 2005 to secure the town"s adjoining war memorial.
But councillor Mark Hood said poor management since then has thrown the historic structure"s future into doubt.
The Labour member for Lochgelly said, 'Given the latest survey of the church I have real concerns as to how well the council as custodians of the site are looking after this property.
'There is a real danger that the building will not be able to be redeveloped and given a new future in our town.
'The historical and architectural importance of this site to the people of Lochgelly should not be underestimated.
'The church holds a special place in the hearts of the town"s people and I am sure that they would be horrified to think that the building may not be a feature of the town in the future.'
He added, 'I am particularly frustrated by the failure of the council to maintain the ground around the building. The church sits in the centre of the town in a prominent site and should at the very least be kept clean and tidy.'
Councillor Hood has demanded answers from the council officers responsible for St Andrew"s.
Tom Nisbet, of the council"s asset management team, said plans are being drawn up.
'The focus of regeneration activity is moving to the area around Bank Street, including the former St Andrew"s Church and other nearby vacant premises.
'An updated plan that will guide a comprehensive programme of work is currently being worked on and should be available shortly.
'In the meantime, work will be undertaken to tidy up the land adjoining the church.'
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Harry Brown
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Jul 1 09 15:22
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About time something was donbe about this. the state of the grounds is shameful. How can the council complain about the state of soem peoples gardens with this in that state.
Andrew Davidson
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Jul 2 09 08:41
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very sad to read about the St Andrews church and it is about time something was done by the council.let the councillors look at the video of the opening of the war memorial to get an idea of what it means to the good people of Lochgelly
mad jim
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Jul 2 09 12:02
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more of the same rubbish from hood,moaning about the snp.
has this clown actually done anything for lochgelly
Mark Hood
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Jul 14 09 10:00
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I would like to say that I do not believe that the issue surrounding the future of St. Andrews church is a political one, it is simply an issue in the town that needs addressed. Nowhere in my press release did I criticise the SNP. Indeed I look forward to working with Iain Chisholm the elected SNP councillor for the town in addressing the issue. It’s important that as councillors that we put the interests of the communities we serve before party allegiances
james miller
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Jul 15 09 22:03
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never mind the flamin churches they are dead and gone what about keeping the parks clean and the gangs get somewhere to go keep them out the town
angry reader
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Jul 22 09 23:19
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This whole articial addresses an issue that is in the twon of Lochgelly regarding this church, i do agree that the grounds are a mess and they need a little care.
what i do not agree with is the comment made in reagreds to "the gangs" that need to be kept out of the town. by this i persume that you mean the young people.these a re not gangs these are young people who get the blame for every situation that happends in Lochgelly.
yes they do hang about in crowds and i understand that they can nbe intimidating, some people really need to get to know there people rather than constintly getting on at them.
it is unfair how these people are treated and maybe if this church was refurbished and changed into some youth facility the young people would have somewhere to call there own and have something to be proud off. after all everything else they do just gets slammed to the ground and they dont get praise for anything.
doreen miller
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Jul 29 09 21:50
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i dont no about the church but the council needs two take a walk done auchterderran rd and take a look at these trees they never get cutt back and dont get looked after i think its terrible and in the winter when the the leaves fall of no one cares its a mess come on council waken up and get something done about this or cutt them down
Jim Ferguson
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Jul 31 09 05:24
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I have read with interest the comments on St Andrews Church and other comments on youngsters (So called) Gangs.
First of all as someone from Lochgelly now based in Vietnam, I have over the years watched Lochgelly going from a thriving community to a run down village due to many factors, however St Andrews church has been a pillar of the town for many decades and should be revamped into a centre for people of all ages to use, when I was a youngster we had all the churches in town doing something for the kids, whilst we all had a wild streak in us, as we had things to do we ended up respecting life. Young people seem to be tarnished as villains when in fact it is a cry for help. Lets hope that the authorities get their act together and do something worthwhile with St Andrews. Also all you young people out their, show us old foggies how good you all are and get the town back to the way it was.
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