CARDENDEN has been entered into the Britain's Best Village competition.
The village's community council has lodged the entry and it is expected that the competition will be featured in a Channel 4 television programme.
The formal entry states: “Cardenden is a former mining village with a varied history, which is transforming itself into a vibrant rural community. It comprises of four smaller villages, Auchterderran, Bowhill, Cardenden and Dundonald which, over the years, have merged into one and is known locally as the ABCD village.
“Community spirit plays an important part in village life and there are numerous groups and clubs, covering all ages, participating in
generous fund-raising and enhancing the area. For example, the
Environment Group has created a Community Garden and ensures that the area is in bloom throughout the year, winning silver in the ‘Beautiful
Fife’ competition. They also enhance the village with a Christmas tree
and lights, some of which were designed by local school children.
“A five year Action Plan was drawn up, which is well on its way to
being completed. The Community Development Forum opened its own
Charity Shop in 2016 and profits from the shop will be used to help
local community groups.
“The surrounding countryside and woodland provide a great
attraction for both residents and visitors”.
It adds: “Coal has played a major part in recent times. The miners’ rows
were given street numbers, as in New York, and have now been replaced by modern housing. The former Bowhill Colliery site, with community
involvement, has been restored to form community woodland.
“The Community Forum is in the process of obtaining and demolishing
derelict buildings, which over the years have become an eyesore in the
village”.
The entry highlights that Scottish crime writer, Ian Rankin, was born and grew up in Cardenden, and has a local street named after him. The Illustrator, William McLaren, also lived in the village.
Also that local resident Alex Burns, MBE, founded the John Thomson
Tournament, an annual seven-a-side tournament for primary school kids in the Cardenden and Kinglassie areas, with the winners being
taken to Celtic Park for a guided tour and meeting with today’s
football players. There is an annual Village Fair held in August and Community Bonfire and a Fireworks Display held in November, both of which attract large crowds from surrounding areas.
The entry concludes: “The Forestry Commission encourages children and adults to become involved with the local woodland in Carden Den, which was also the site of an archaeological dig and Mediaeval Tower.
“The area has one of 16 Wildflower Meadows which was sown last year
in Fife, in partnership with ‘Get Fife Buzzing’. A proposed Community
Orchard and an allotment scheme is being planned. Ramblers frequent the surrounding woodlands and visitors attend at all the annual events. "The community is located, to the north, between the Lochore Regional Park and Lomond Hills Regional Park, which are linked with
numerous paths, attracting visitors to our area. More paths are
planned along with a Fife Pilgrim's Way, which will encourage visitors to come and see the attractions in the village.
“The woodland, to the south also attracts ramblers and this is linked through the local park to the community woodland in the central
part of the village, where most of the activities are held.”
Community Council secretary David Taylor said: “We think that the ABCD village community has a lot to be proud of and we should tell the story on a big stage.”
Community council chairman David Roy added: “There is a great deal to be positive about in the Cardenden area so why should we not enter the competition?”
There is a prize pot of £10,000 up for grabs.
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