Largs Community Trust restoring and improve eyesore sites in town

Volunteers from the Largs Community Development Trust have been doing their bit in all weathers to spruce up the town - and they have done it all with a smile upon their faces.

We recently reported on the band of enthusiastic volunteers getting together to help restore the Mackerston water fountain.

And this week, the team were back in action to tidy up an overgrown garden area in the Main Street which was full of weeds and become an eyesore.

Mackerston fountain project has been one of the success stories so far (Image: LCDT)

Despite the adverse weather that we have sadly come accustomed to this summer, the volunteers have not been deterred from doing their bit to give the town a late summertime boost come rain or shine. 

The town has been rallying thanks to the good positive work of the trust which has seen a new community garden area being built at Barrfields Park, while the play facility at Aubery has also been given a makeover this summer, as eyesore areas in the town have been targeted for renewal.

And the restoration of the water fountain was very much a symbol of hope for the future.

Brushing up on improvements: Community voluntieers have rallied round in rain or shine (Image: LCDT)

Wendy Low Thomson, who is one of the main volunteers, said: "We cleared the flowerbed next to The Blue Lagoon so this is just phase one and we have an action plan of what we want to achieve once we get more funding in, but we wanted do something in the meantime.

"We just wanted it tided up in time for the Viking Festival.

"It is the first thing people see when they get off the train and arrive in Largs and it was an eyesore.

"We don't want people to think that we don't take a pride in our town and this is why we have been involved in so many projects and looking to make a positive difference."

Digging the Scene: Volunteers were joined by community payback team in helping provide a boost to neglected area of Largs Main Street  (Image: LCDT)

And another helping hand came from the community payback team who also helped in the renewal works at the triangular planted area in Hyndman Green on Wednesday.

Wendy said: "The community payback team came and helped us - the boys were great and very keen on all community projects and we have them involved at Barrfields - and they are so good and they just want to help.

"I go to other places and see what other towns do and think why can we not have that. We live here and we want to be proud of our town and we should all be working together for that common purpose."

(Image: LCDT)

Cllr Alan Hill has given a warm welcome to the formation of the new Largs Community Development Trust.

He said, “I am delighted to see the establishment of a new development trust for the Largs area. This will be a fantastic addition to our town and is already embarking on some very interesting projects locally.

"Wendy Low Thomson and her Green Futures team have done some amazing work to get the Mackerston Fountain operational again and their new growing space at Barrfields is going to be a useful addition too.

(Image: Newsquest)

In the longer run, they are working on bigger community garden projects at both Holehouse Road and Douglas Park as well as other environmental projects throughout the town.”

The Development Trust is aiming to be an umbrella organisation under which various different groups and strands will operate.

Cllr Hill said: "This is an excellent way for the group to be structured and allows for loads of activity but also for the pooling of resources and sharing of efforts when this is required.

"I look forward to being able to work with them through the council and our Locality Partnership as they grow from strength to strength."

Aubery swing park boost with a fresh lick of paint is another of the projects which have been carried out to help revitalise areas of the town. 
Colourful look: Aubery swing park facility looks much better  (Image: Newsquest)