PEOPLE from the communities of Kirkconnel and Kelloholm staged the first participatory budgeting event to be held in Dumfries and Galloway.

It was made possible by the funding of £20k received by Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Development Trust from the Scottish Government’s Community Choices Fund Called The Big Event, residents voted to decide on how the money should be spent, with 14 applications submitted by community organisations.

The criteria was that each project must support one or more of the priorities identified in the Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Community Action Plan 2014-2019.

These include improvements to indoor and outdoor facilities, increasing the range of activities and events, enhancing the appearance of the area and supporting community transport.

Successful projects were — Village Pridefor the enhancement of Kirkholm Cemetery: £2,500, Kirkconnel Miner’s Memorial Hall-for decorating and PA System: £2,250, Kirkconnel Parish Heritage Society-for repair of Paths and Walks: £2,500, Action for Children-Miners Movies for the development of a Community Cinema: £2,460, Men and their Children-MATCH, for activities and events: £2,500, BHC Kreative Korners for activities and events: £2,500, Upper Nithsdale Wheels Appeal for maintenance of Minibus: £2,000, Nith Valley Day Centre for a new laptop and printer: £450, Nith United Football Club for pitch enhancements: £2,500, Nifty Fifties Club: £340.

Development officer Rose Murdoch said: “I am absolutely delighted that the communities of Kirkconnel and Kelloholm have engaged in this new way of decision-making.

“All presentations were excellent and the community took the voting seriously, albeit in a relaxed and community spirited fashion.

“Events such as this do not just happen and it was thanks to a wide range of people and organisations that the Big Event was such a success.

“In particular Scottish Government for providing the funding; the Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Steering Group for organising the event; accordionist Matt Lammie and Lynette Turner’s Highland Dancers for providing entertainment; Oasis Events Team for providing the sound system and music; Rita Pagan at Poppy’s Tearoom for proving the cakes and refreshments; Jim Kyle for taking photographs; all applicants for engaging in the process and the community of Kirkconnel and Kelloholm for coming out to vote and participate in the process.”