Prodcuing Cultural Projects
My Community
Introduction
What's my community? When I was first asked this question, I did not really understand it if I'm honest and I did not really think I was a part of any communities but through the process of doing this blog I have found that not only am I just part of one community but several. What is my community? Well now I have an answer – its Levenmouth, it is me supporting small businesses, its college/university, it works, friends and family. Throughout, this blog I hope to share more in depth what my community is? What is I love about it? And how I am a part of it. I will also be looking in to how my community has developed over the years and how it has benefited from the Community Empowerment Act (2015)
Levenmouth
This is the area in which I am from and grew up in. Levenmouth consists of several towns such as Methil, Leven, Kennoway, Windygates, Coaltown of Wemyss, Balcurvie, Drumeldrie, Buckhaven, Lundin Links, Upper Largo and Lower Largo. Levenmouth as a community keeps a public Facebook page to update everyone what is going on in the area and help people also get involved in stuff going on such as recently, we all fundraised for the Bonfire Night in Buckhaven. This was not going to go ahead at first due to shortage of money but once word was out, we came together as a community and managed to raise thousands for the event and for next year's one also. Levenmouth use to just consist of the 3 towns Leven, Methil and Buckhaven but over the years has grown. Though the area is quite poor following the shutdown of the rail link in 1969 in recent years due the Community Empowerment Act 2015, members of the community have been able to buy over land and buildings in the area, that was previously left derelict. Examples of these are the Kino Cinema in Leven and in Glenrothes, Colliers Coffee Shop, Jax Gym, Silverburn Park, Buns and Shakes. These are just to name a few. If we look at the Act, we can see that people have utilised Part 4 of the Act Communities Right to Buy Land (2015). Also, in recent years due to Part 10 – Participation in Public Decision Making and Part 2 – Community Planning, Levenmouth as a community where able to come together and make the decision to put back on our Rail Link. This plans where unveiled in 2021 one the plans to have the Leven Rail link open in Spring 2024. Works are currently underway as we speak. With this being put in place the area has had a boost in economy as a result and we are now seeing new business opening in the area and this is creating more jobs as well as giving Levenmouth back its sense of the old glory days back to us all.
Colliers Coffee Rosters
I decided to look into this one as I am a customer here myself and believe in supporting Small Businesses. They got their name from the old name for coal miners, with them being based in Leven coal miners use to be the heart of our community and what Levenmouth was built around and known for. So, this is a way to pay homage to them. It is owned by Scott Harwood; he opened his doors April of this year. When you walk into the shop you will see Coffee, Treats and Art available to buy, in collaboration with other small businesses such as The Bubble Bar Cupar and Cakehead and local artists. You can tell the coffee is made with love as well as great skill as they are a part of the Specialty Coffee Association. They source all their coffee from Local Suppliers and they make all their own syrups in house. Even though it might not be a Starbucks but this shop is all about the community and you can tell this is at the heart of the operation and in everything that they do.
Buckhind Palyers
This theatre group was started up in 2019 by local director Rachel-Jane Morrison. From Buckhaven herself and a love of all things theatre she decided to create this group with the aims to provide young children - all the way to adulthood - with opportunities in theatre arts, as well as experience in doing not just acting but also lighting, props making, set design, script writing and directing. Even though Buckhaven does have a theatre it no longer runs any drama groups and without this the community was lacking something for the young people to then learn and take part in theatre. They performed there first panto Aladdin 2019 – which I myself was a part of being the makeup artist – it was a great success with the local community and they even had to add on an additional show in order to meet the publics demand. With 2020 brining in lockdown, they did go on pause for a wee while there but are now back and have additional groups for various age ranges and are back to putting on Pantos with this year being Cinderella and the Glass Baffy. Its important to have these sorts of services in the community as it encourages the community to come together, offers young people a look in to the world of creative arts and brings the community some fun shows that they can easily access and watch locally rather than spending more time and money on a place like Edinburgh Playhouse.
College
for me a big community that I am a part of is the Fife College Community and now the Queen Margret University. I have been studying makeup artistry for the past 5 years. Starting at level 5 and then working my way up to an HND level. Through doing these courses I have been able to create a community with others in my class as we all share a common interest. This being all things makeup. This allows us to all sit and chat about products, trends, techniques etc. It’s a great thing to have as we then outside the classroom work together on projects and support each other on social media. Its also nice to speak with people who get it. Who are going through the same things as you are as you’re in the same class, who like the same things, who you can discuss your plans and goals with and understand how exciting these things are for you. Though from the outside the makeup community seems rather competitive (and it is to some degree) but its also like a family where everyone knows each other and supports each other’s work and achievements. I love that I now have this community and especially now that some us are now doing a BA Creative Enterprises course together, as we have each other to talk to and support each other throughout the year.
Work - Kilconquhar Castle Estate
When first asked the question what my community is I did not consider my place of work though now upon reflection I can see that is a community and one that I am a big part of. I work their part time when I am at college and full time in the holidays. They have always been really good at working around my schedule. Specifically, I work in the housekeeping department and I clean these massive villas (not saying I’m the best but my manager has heavily implied that I am). We have several groups chats a that we all talk on for different things and we go on staff nights out and have birthday parties in the Lindsey Room (in the Castle). We also celebrate each other’s and achievements and help each other out if anyone needs it. At the start and the end of every shift we all come together and discuss our lives, our work and our days. We also all love to have a laugh and do the occasional prank. For me this is great community to have as it allows me to socialise with others and create friendships. It is also a family run business and you feel that sense of family in every department.
References
Community empowerment (Scotland) act 2015 (no date) Legislation.gov.uk. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2015/6/contents/enacted (Accessed: 03 October 2023).
Harwood, S. (no date) Log into Facebook, Facebook. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/collierscoffee (Accessed: 03 October 2023).
Levenmouth Rail Link plans unveiled (no date) Levenmouth rail link plans unveiled | Transport Scotland. Available at: https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/levenmouth-rail-link-plans-unveiled/ (Accessed: 03 October 2023).
Morrison, R. (no date) About, Buckhind Players. Available at: https://www.buckhindplayers.com/about (Accessed: 03 October 2023).
Our Fife - Creating a successful, confident and fairer Fife (2023) Our Fife - creating a successful, confident and Fairer Fife, Our Fife - Creating a successful, confident and fairer Fife. Available at: https://our.fife.scot/ (Accessed: 03 October 2023).
Welcome to kilconquhar (no date) Welcome to Kilconquhar. Available at: https://www.kilconquharcastle.co.uk/ (Accessed: 03 October 2023).