Bid to breathe life into Buckhaven’s Bird Scheme

Tracy Young and Amanda Webster have launched the Bird Scheme Improvement Group, and are encouraging other residents to get involved.

The pair want to improve the scheme, with an initial aim of creating a sports pitch.

“I’ve got a son who is 16 and he likes basketball,” explained Ms Young, “but there is nowhere for him to go. There is a sports pitch but it’s derelict, and he just ended up coming back because he couldn’t play.

“I was walking to Leven one day and I saw the pitches in Mountfleurie, and it was mobbed with kids. Why not improve our area for the kids?

“I think there is a lot of potential for the pitch. I don’t know if it’s been used in a long time – I’ve never seen anyone use it.

“There is a park in the scheme but it’s mainly for young kids. There is nothing for older kids in the scheme.

“We want to improve the scheme where we can. There’s a lot of interest in it. Hopefully people will get behind the project and we can improve the scheme.”

Ms Young and Ms Webster contacted the Corra Foundation, which has supported various local groups, asking for advice about future funding grants.

They have also been helped by local councillor Ryan Smart, who set up a Facebook page.

He hopes that other folk living on the scheme will come forward with their ideas about how to improve the area.

“I live in the Bird scheme and was brought up in the Bird scheme,” he explained.

“As a local councillor I want to improve the area and will support any group that wants to help the community.

“But I’ve also got a second, interest because I’m a parent.”

While the group is still at an early stage, Cllr Smart hopes that other residents will show an interest and join up.

A meeting has been organised for next month – and locals are being invited to take part.

“We’re in the early stages so we want people in the area to come forward with their ideas about how to improve the scheme,” he said.

“We’re looking at holding a meeting on November 10 to get interested people together and decide on roles.

“We’ll start an action plan and apply for funding. We are at the start but I believe the group can achieve what its wants to achieve. It’s exciting.”

If you would like to learn more about the project, visit the group’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/BirdScheme.