Funding gives green light for Lumphinnans community garden

Lumphinnans Tenants and Residents’ Association (TRA) is delighted to have secured funding to begin transforming a disused garage site into a community garden.

Coalfields Community Futures Programme, which supports community-led regeneration within ex-mining villages by encouraging active citizenship and building local democracy, has awarded the group £3,000 towards the redevelopment of a vacant lot at the end of Ochilview.

The land itself has been donated by Fife Housing Group and local Housing Officer Audrey Cameron has been involved with the TRA since its inception in February last year. She said:

"We’re always keen to support our tenants and other local residents who want to help make a difference in their community and are really thrilled at the success this group has had in the relatively short time since they formed.

"It just goes to show what can be accomplished when people are enthusiastic about helping to improve their local communities and work together to achieve a common goal."

Lumphinnans TRA Treasurer, Tracey McCann, explained how the association intends to spend the money. She said:

"This funding will enable us to buy a storage container and materials to build raised beds for planting flowers and vegetables.

"We hope that lots of local residents will get involved in this initiative and that it will help to grow community spirit, not only by giving families the opportunity to learn about gardening but also by encouraging everyone to take pride in our village."

The Lumphinnans Tenants and Residents’ Association works closely with a number of other local community groups and has also received support and guidance from local Councillor Darren Watt.