OVER 60 people turned out to Dalmellington’s first Reclaiming Our Coalfields Communities initiative meeting.

The issues which face Dalmellington’s future were discussed including areas of concern and opportunities to make the town a better place to live, work and visit.

Elaine Stewart, the Coalfield Regeneration Trust’s (CRT) community engagement officer in Dalmellington, said: “We were really pleased that so many people gave up their Saturday morning to get involved in planning the community’s future.

“There was a great mix of established community groups and their supporters and lots of fresh faces, and people who might not normally get involved in this type of exercise.”

A follow up event is planned for Saturday, March 24 in the Scout Hall on Main Street. The CRT hope to “flesh out” potential projects for inclusion in an action plan for the area.

They have also made £20,000 available for a participatory budgeting event which will help get these projects off the ground.

Willie Sullivan, the Electoral Reform Society’s Scottish Director added: This is a great example of a local community doing rather than telling.