Help to steer the future of Blantyre

A fantastic free family fun day is set to take place in Blantyre next month.

Organised by Coalfields Regeneration Trust, people of all ages will be delighted when they see what’s coming to town on Sunday, February 10.

The exciting fun day invites residents to come along and vote for local organisations and projects bidding for a funding share of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust’s £20,000 participatory budget. It’s a great opportunity for everybody to have a real say in shaping Blantyre’s future, say the organisers.

While teenagers and adults do that, younger kids can take part in many free fun activities and enjoy live entertainment with free food and drink.

Activities to look out for on the day include face painting, arts and crafts, music and live acts. It promises to be a great family afternoon out.

This fun day follows on from the recent ‘Big Blether’ event held in the town, where the community went along to express which aspects of Blantyre could be improved upon.

A steering group will use feedback from the day to form a five-year community action plan and allocate the CRT’S participatory budget to priority projects.

The event takes place on Sunday, February 10, in the sports hall at Blantyre Leisure Centre, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.

Bob Young, Scottish trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “Our Coalfields Community Futures programme is already making a huge difference in over 40 former mining areas, and I am confident it will have an equally positive effect in Blantyre.

“I wish the local steering group and everyone involved in the family fun day every success, and urge Blantyre residents to take full advantage of this chance to vote for the changes they want to see happen locally over the next five years.”