Kirkcaldy eyes up possible bid for UK Town Of Culture and £3million funding

It comes from the Lang Toun Partners which was set up to encourage investment and civic pride in the town. The group includes Greener Kirkcaldy, Adam Smith Global Foundation, Love Oor Lang Toun, The Kings Theatre, Linton Lane Centre, Every One Every Day Project, K107FM, Stellar Quines, Growing Kirkcaldy, Kirkcaldy Civic Society, Kirkcaldy Makes Music, Kirkcaldy Galleries, Adam Smith Theatre, and Fife College.

It has until March 31 to submit an expression of interest to bid for the title of UK Town of Culture 2028, and has the backing of Fife Council.

Towns shortlisted to progress to the next stage of the competition will each get £60,000 to support the development of a full application - and one town will ultimately be named UK Town of Culture 2028, scooping £3 million, while two other finalists will each receive £250,000.

A key part of the initial submission is to articulate the story of the town – reflecting its past, present and future, and setting out a vision for the years ahead.

Over the next few weeks, the Lang Toun Partners will host a series of workshops to gather the views and ideas of local people to help shape the town’s expression of interest.

People are invited to drop-in and join artist Gail Cadogan’s paper-making workshop this Saturday, February 28 at the Every One Every Day space in the Mercat Shopping Centre from 11:00am to 3:00pm at which they will make their own paper on which to capture the past, present and future stories of Kirkcaldy.

And artist Vanessa Gibson will be at Greener Kirkcaldy on Wednesday, March 11 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm inviting people to use drawing, collage and writing to collaborate on creating the pages of a community artist’s book responding to the themes.

Stellar Quines is also running closed performance workshops at Fife College and Linton Lane Youth Club working with children and young people to explore their experiences of the town and ideas for the future.

Lauren Brook from Greener Kirkcaldy said: “The Lang Toun Partners know that Kirkcaldy has a powerful story to tell.

"We want local people to help us define and share that story, ensuring it reflects the creativity, heritage and ambition of the town today and into the future.”

Andrew Walker, project manager, place and tourism Kirkcaldy at Fife Council said: “Entering this competition could bring real benefits to Kirkcaldy.

"If we are shortlisted, the £60,000 award would allow the Lang Toun Partners, the council, and the community to work together to create a strong cultural vision for the town. Kirkcaldy already has excellent cultural venues and organisations.

“And this process would help us build on what we have, strengthen our offer, and attract more visitors.”