LOCHGELLY is very much Going Forward after Monday night's disbursement of cheques to the successful organisations who are committed to making Fife Council's initiative work.

A total of £28,000 was handed out to seven projects who were voted by the people of the town as those that should receive financial backing.

Lochgelly Going Forward is all about the people of the former mining burgh coming up with ideas which can enhance the town and generally make things better.

Over 300 people attended the open day which was held at the Town Hall, on a truly awful day weather wise.

The seven successful projects who received their cheques on Monday night at a ceremony held at Ore Valley Business Centre were, Lochgelly South Primary PTA, £7000 for playground improvements; Lochgelly Heritage Group £6500 to purchase story boards as part of a plan to create a heritage trail; Growing in Lochgelly Environment Group, £1500 for additional planters and floral arrangements on the town's streets; Lochgelly West Primary Parent Council £8000 for playground improvements; the 33rd Lochgelly Scouts, £2800 to help purchase camping equipment; Lochgelly Community Christmas Light Group £1200 to help with storage and maintenance of the town's festive lights; and £1000 for Lochgelly and Benarty St Serf's Church to help with a kitchen refurbishment project at the Main Street kirk.

There were other projects which were highly thought of at the open day but did not get enough votes to qualify for the financial boost from the £28,000 pot provided by the council.

Fife Council's Margaret King said that it was a highly successful venture and the next stage would be to draw up a Lochgelly Action Plan from the information received at the open day.

She told the Times: "There was no doubt that among the main topics raised on the day were the problems experienced with the need for a new health centre in the town.

"But there were a host of other ideas proposed that should be part of the Action Plan.

"We hope to get the first draft ready for early in the new hyear and once it is complete we will be able to finalise it then put it to another open day."

Fife Council Provost, Jim Leishman, himself a Lochgelly man, was a prominent figure at the open day and described himself as proud to be able to take part in something that was going to make a real difference to the town.