CROSSGATES Community Woodlands Committee was invited by one of their main local sponsors of the Taft Woodlands, Mr Duncan Collier, to a visit and tour of Goat Hill Quarry.

Colliers hope to expand the quarry project before turning it into a country park when the recovery of stone is complete.

This visit took place on Tuesday July 16 where the group enjoyed a very pleasant sunny stroll through this very neat, well set up site, where Duncan took the time to explain how many people the quarry employed, what the quarry produced, where the materials were transported to, and what the company in turn brought onto the site.

He expanded on the proposed expansion plans, currently submitted and under consideration by Fife Council for the quarry, and how the plan was to eventually restore and return the site into a country park for the enjoyment of the surrounding communities, although this is going to be some years away.

He was also keen to assure those present that the impact of the expansion on the communities surrounding the quarry would be minimal.

Those attending agreed that they were extremely impressed with the size of the workings but particularly the features within and around the quarry, how it was discreetly set back from public view, and also how all working areas and buildings were neatly set up within the site, with plenty signage to assist with managing the working areas and with a particular emphasis on health and safety.

At the end of the tour, the Chairman of the group, Mr George Beattie, presented Duncan with a copy of the Woodlands Group's “2020 fundraising calendar” which Duncan had also sponsored.

Mr Beattie said: "The committee would like to thank Duncan for his time, his hospitality and this enjoyable and informative tour of the quarry.

"These calendars can be obtained from committee members and at various outlets in the village of Crossgates, please check out the Crossgates Woodlands Facebook page for further information."

The calendars are £10 each and contain some lovely pictures of the main Woodland features as the year unfolds.