Kincardine has four days to shape its future in the wake of the closure of Longannet power station.
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, the only charity dedicated to improving the quality of life in former mining communities, is co-funding the £40,000 cost of GoForthKincardine’s intensive public consultation initiative, which runs from Wednesday June 7 to Sunday June 11.
The trust appointed architect Oliver Chapman and a team of experts to lead the discussions and run events which includes walking tours of the village to help locals see their own area through fresh eyes.
Oliver said: “I urge Kincardine residents to grasp this opportunity with both hands.
“We have been overwhelmed by the commitment in time and energy many members of the Kincardine community have already given to the planning of these events.”
One of the highlights is a Pecha Kucha on Wednesday night, where a handful of people will tell a tale about the village and an idea for its future to an open audience – each speaker is only allowed three minutes and 10 images.
Peter McCaughey, the lead artist with the team, added: “We have already uncovered some fascinating facts about Kincardine and its past.”
At one time Kincardine had:
- The tallest chimney in Europe;
- The longest bridge span in Europe;
- The biggest ropery in Europe;
- The Tulliallan forest nursery produced seeds which were distributed and seeded nurseries all over the UK, and;
- More than 100 ships regularly berthed in the port – these ships distributed emigrants all over the world.
Peter added: “The scale and reach and ambition around Kincardine was enormous. “It’s time for the town to claim this history and to use it to change the future for the village.”
Scottish trustee Bob Young said: “This is a fabulous opportunity for Kincardine residents to have a really enjoyable time shaping their own future.
“At the end of it all Oliver and his team will turn the projects and proposals local people want to take forward into viable action plans, making it easier for them to attract funding to bring them to life.”
