KVP Leaflet Leader 12_KVP Leaflet Spring 11 14/05/2012 15:13 Page 1

Kelvin Valley LEADER Leading the way to success

LEADER FACTFILE Helping communities Did you know? LEADER was launched in in 1991 but the Kelvin Valley was awarded its first to help themselves £500,000 in 2008 and has won further additions since then. How funding has revitalised the Kelvin Valley and helped OVER 95% of rural Scotland is covered by organisations serving the local population Leader Funding LEADER has been an amazing success pay the bills before getting the cash, OVER £50 MILLION of funding was story for the Kelvin Valley. It has helped has challenged the smaller community provided for rural communties between fund over 30 projects which have really organisations in particular. But they did 2007 - 2013 added value to local communities. it, and congratulations to all of them. 20 LEADER areas cover rural Scotland It has also been a story of how Congratulations also to the Kelvin including the Kelvin Valley Leader neighbouring councils, national Valley LEADER team who have steered agencies and local volunteers all came through a complex process with the KELVIN VALLEY LEADER covers the valley together to create Kelvin Valley minimum of hassle and the maximum from Lennoxtown to Banton with a LEADER. We then persuaded the of help to all of us. population of around 50,000 in towns and Government to fund us so we could This is the first time we have applied villages. support successful projects. for LEADER funding for our area. We It has also been good to see how got one of the smallest allocations in OVER 30 PROJECTS have been helped with many organisations have run projects. Scotland but we have spent it well. funding in the Kelvin Valley, see inside for Community organisations, agencies and Our next bid will go to the selected project profiles and full list. councils all have been involved. Government in a year or so. We have KELVIN VALLEY LEADER Action Group is And the range of projects has been now proved our capability and deserve made up of NLC, EDC, Agencies and incredible. From festivals to community a much bigger allocation in the next community organisations. halls, Roman wall to canal, bees to round. Let’s hope we get it. booklets, LEADER has helped us all. WE ARE NOW looking forward to the 2014 But LEADER is never a soft option. Paul Carter - 2020 funding bid. The need to get match funding and to & Villages Community Forum

Local history play at Basin by Twechar Youth Group and Hopscotch Theatre

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Project Profiles Some of the over 30 projects in the Kelvin Valley helped by more than £700,000 of LEADER funding

3. Scents and Sensitivities - 5. Artist in Residence Environmental This College led project, based Led by Waterways Trust at their Kirkintilloch campus, worked with Scotland and located at young people from and East the Auchinstarry Basin in the design and manufacture on the Forth and Clyde of interpretation and orientation panels for sites Canal this project had of cultural and natural heritage across the contributions from a Kelvin Valley. These were designed in wide range of funding collaboration with Friends of the Kelvin Valley partners, including LEADER. In recent years Park and Waterways Trust Scotland. the Basin has been developed and a marina, The resulting panels are remarkable and the facilities block and restaurant have emerged. collaborative artistic process involving young The Scents & Sensitivities project developed people produced benefits in terms of the remaining near-desolate section of the confidence and self esteem which they will Basin by providing sensory gardens, trails and take into their careers or future training. interpretation to help people appreciate the natural environment around the marina and local heritage. In addition the project offered 6. Kids and the Kelvin accredited training and employment which The Clyde River Foundation worked with 357 trained 3 young people in horticultural skills children from 14 primary schools from across 1. Kirkintilloch Canal which they will use to help develop and the Kelvin Valley to introduce them to practical maintain the garden and trail. conservation measures on the . Festival 2009 From attendance at a launch event at Glasgow Led by East Dunbartonshire Council, was Science Centre, to installing trout hatcheries supported with a significant contribution from within their classrooms and then to releasing the LEADER Programme. In line with the 4. Access to the Antonine the trout into their local rivers the children programme’s aim of encouraging tourism gained hands-on environmental awareness and activities within the Kelvin Valley this festival Wall/ Antonine Wall knowledge of their local river’s ecosystem. also capitalised on one of the most well known Feedback was overwhelmingly positive and the features of the area, the Forth & Clyde Canal. Improvements project introduced many children to their local The LEADER contribution funded a range of These two projects are linked by their natural environment for the first time. marketing and advertising activities which aspiration to capitalise on the most significant allowed the festival organisers to increase cultural feature of the Kelvin Valley, the visitor numbers and employ specialist staff to Antonine Wall. The World Heritage Site was plan and co-ordinate the delivery of a number the site of two separate but linked projects. The of events on the day. first, run by the Central Scotland Forest Trust engaged with the local community in exploring how they could share and benefit from their 2. Twechar Link Up Path proximity to the Wall. The second, led by North Delivered by Twechar Community Action, a Lanarkshire Council, led to physical access pathway linking both sides of the village was improvements such as gates and signage along created in the village of Twechar which the Antonine Wall, as well as marketing provided better and safer access for villagers to materials that illustrate the routes and key reach amenities in the village. points of interest. In creating the pathway a derelict area which was used for fly tipping and anti-social behaviour has also been transformed into a wildlife habitat. In addition the project engaged 23 local volunteers to do much of the work as well as providing accredited training to two young people in the construction of the pathway and biodiversity area and is a fabulous example of a local community effectively using LEADER to make a huge difference.

MAKING THE KELVIN VALLEY A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY KVP Leaflet Leader 12_KVP Leaflet Spring 11 14/05/2012 15:13 Page 3

Promoted as a popular tourist destination, the raised profile of the area will also benefit the local tourism sector economy. 11. Twechar Solar PVs In its drive for economic, social and environmental sustainability Twechar Action Group explored a number of options for reducing their CO2 emissions and fuel costs for the Twechar Healthy Living and Enterprise Centre (THLEC). After implementing a range of initiatives including an energy audit and exploring a number of options they approached LEADER and gained support for the installation of an array of solar panels on their roof. The successful installation of these means they have contributed to the future sustainability of the centre and identified a source of funding for the wide range of activities they undertake. 7. Walkers are Welcome 12. The Banton Multi- This project, led by the volunteer Friends of Community Centre. The much used and valued Kelvin Valley Park, organised the hosting in local hall is the focus of most community Sports Court Kilsyth of a ‘Walkers are Welcome’ conference activities in the village; however, deterioration Replacing the old ‘ash park’ with a new multi- for ramblers and walkers from throughout the in the condition of the floor and doors had led sports court for the village kids has been the UK. In addition the project group co-ordinated to the use of the hall being jeopardised. Using dream of Banton & Kelvinhead Community the design, purchase and installation of signs LEADER funding the volunteer group co- Action for several years. With support from and interpretive panels throughout the path ordinated the replacement of the floor and LEADER, North Lanarkshire Council, network of the Kelvin Valley. doors to a high standard to ensure the hall Amalgamated Quarries and a great deal of The project successfully raised the profile of the remains a key feature of village activity. community fund-raising, the sports court is Kelvin Valley as a destination for walkers and now a reality and is much used by the village improved access and interpretation for both children and the local school. visitors and residents. 10. Construction of Footpaths BAYCB participants receive in and around Replica their certificates 8. Explore Lennoxtown & Medieval Fortified Village The Clanranald Trust for Scotland is Campsies constructing a replica 12th century motte and This community driven project from the bailey fortified village in the Carron Valley Lennoxtown Initiative led to the production of Forest, to be called Duncarron, which will publicity leaflets and marketing material for the incorporate “living history” inside. local path network and a number of finger With the support of LEADER the Trust posts being installed on key paths in the area. completed the footpath network necessary for The project built on extensive community visitor access to and within Duncarron. With engagement within the Lennoxtown, Clachan the support of local community groups and a of Campsie and broader Campsie Fells area, number of volunteer helpers the work included excavating the footpaths, consolidating required upfill material and laying a finished 9. Replacement of surface. Campsie Memorial Hall This development will be used as the physical Wooden Floor base for the Trust and through participation of Through the transfer of Rural Priorities funding school children, students and the general to LEADER a number of community facilities public will create a unique opportunity for have been enhanced. An excellent example of promoting Scottish heritage & culture through these is this project, led by interaction and education.

Improvements to Burngreen Park, Kilsyth

New floor at Queenzieburn Community Centre

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OVER 30 PROJECTS HELPED: VIEWPOINT

KILSYTH INTERNATIONAL ANTONINE WALL ACCESS CARNIVAL 2010: IMPROVEMENTS: Access and Community based festival featuring a interpretation forthe World Heritage Site Take me to your diverse range of performers of music, dance, theatre, and comedy from around BURNGREEN RECREATION GROUND: LEADER - Funding the world. Improvements to a community area in Kilsyth KIRKINTILLOCH CANAL FESTIVAL 2009: and the future This two day festival attracted visitors from ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: around Scotland to celebrate and enjoy boat INEVITABLY many of us are looking forward Community groups from the KV working trips, performances and other attractions. with an artist to the next Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) which will run from SCENTS & SENSITIVITIES – 2014-2020 with the hope that there will be EMPLOYABILITY: WALKERS ARE WELCOME: Pathway Provided accredited training to young signage and support for the national further opportunities for the Kelvin Valley. people in horticulture and landscaping at conference in Kilsyth While future funding is not guaranteed Auchenstarry Marina. there are good indications that LEADER has ARTIST IN RESIDENCE II – THE VITAL enhanced its reputation as a fund which can TOGETHER THROUGH TRANSPORT: SPARK: Professional artist working with provide effective support to rural Community transport scheme for senior community groups to produce panels communities in Scotland and will be part of citizens, East Dunbartonshire depicting the heritage and culture of the KV the future rural development programme. LINK UP PATH: Provision of a new path in CANAL ATTRACTIONS: New marketing Issues related to the level of funding, the village of Twechar material for the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival coverage of areas and how the funding is 2010 managed will all be discussed between the SCENTS & SENSITIVITIES – EU and member states in the coming 18 ENVIRONMENTAL: Enhancing the visitor KV BEES: Support for Bee Keeping in the months and these will be complex experience at Auchenstarry Marina Kelvin Valley negotiations. It is heartening to report that FOOTPATHS IN AND AROUND REPLICA the Scottish Government has begun TWECHAR OUTDOOR PURSUIT CENTRE: MEDIEVAL FORTIFIED VILLAGE: discussions with stakeholders across the Feasibility Study for Twechar Youth Group Providing path network at Duncarron Fort country. Our initial views are that we hope for a ACCESS TO THE ANTONINE WALL: KIDS AND THE KELVIN: Conservation of smooth transition from this programme Community consultation on access to the their local rivers involving over 200 children World Heritage Site. period to the next, a clearer application BANTON SPORTS AREA: structure for applicants within the wider BE ALL YOU CAN BE: Training and support Modern multi-use games area for use by the SRDP and that some consideration is given for young people not in training, education local community to the very tight financial restrictions that or employment. face the public sector and community DISABLED TOILETS: Improved facilities groups for the foreseeable future. COLZIUM CLOCK HOUSE THEATRE: for the Campsie Memorial Hall Options appraisal for the listed Colzium From a Kelvin Valley LEADER perspective Clock Theatre QUEENZIEBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE we look forward to working with all our FLOOR REPLACEMENT: stakeholders to maximise any future funding CAMPSIE FELLS MARKETING New flooring that will allow a number of opportunities that emerge in the next PROJECT: Production of marketing new activities at the hub of the local programme and to bring the best rural material for the area community development programme possible to local communities. EXPLORING THE KELVIN VALLEY: TWECHAR SOLAR PV'S: Support for community based newsletter Paul Kane Installation of sustainable technology in and guidebook which provides invaluable North Lanarkshire Council, Leader Team. Twechar Healthy Living Centre information on local activities. For further information contact Paul at telephone 01698 302842 RECAP: Recycling service for rural areas BANTON COMMUNITY HALL IMPROVEMENTS: Improvements to SILVERBIRCH COMMUNITY GARDEN: windows and doors of community hall. Creation of Greenspace and training area near Milton of Campsie HEALTH AND HERITAGE: Guided walks, booklet, signage and seating. EXPLORE LENNOXTOWN & THE CAMPSIES: Creation of marketing material CROY SPORTS HUB: Community use for local area room.

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