<p>To provide growing spaces around Largs for people who live and work in Largs to grow their own&nbsp;food&nbsp;in a community environment. The project has secured land in two locations in Largs which will be transformed into much wanted and needed community growing areas. We expect to have access to at least one of the large growing areas by the New Year so the land can be made ready for the next growing season. With this is mind we want to make the gardens accessible and usable spaces for all and are seeking funding for raised beds&nbsp;requiring little or no upkeep and maintenance by their users once in place. The project&#39;s main outcomes are hoped to include supporting families grow fruit and vegetables for themselves and using surpluses to support the wider community through the food bank, a community larder or other community groups in the current cost of living crisis and for the future.</p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We want to extend the paved area in Cumbrae Community Garden to make a number of raised beds more accessible to users of wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walking aids. </span></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>We would like to continue to offer Tai-Chi classes to people living with Dementia in our local Community. Funding a qualified Tai-Chi Instructor and hiring an appropriate Hall, to undertake the classes for the local Community. Research Studies showed that in people with mild cognitive impairment Tai-Chi slowed the progression to Dementia more than other types of exercise and improved cognitive function in a comparable fashion to other types of exercise or cognitive training. Tai-chi is a safe effective activity that improves physical balance and emotional wellbeing in older adults.</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The newly created Skelmorlie Community Garden space is looking beautiful. We would like to install a little library for book sharing in the community, to increase use of the garden.</span></span></span></p>

<p>A group of volunteers took over the care of flower beds, signage, upkeep of paths, upgrading of fencing, the creation&nbsp;of fairy paths, bug hotel at Douglas Park in Largs.In May 2020&nbsp;no flowers or plants were visible in the park. Within a few weeks all previous flowerbeds were opened and new bulbs, plants installed. An &#39;adopt a flower bed scheme&#39; was launched and individuals, local businesses, local groups like the Foccrs, Largs Youth Theatre, Largs Flower Club and the Nazarene Church had adopted and taken over the care of the beds along with the support of&nbsp;&nbsp;a group of committee members and friends. The gardens at Douglas Park have been transformed and paving work upgraded, the firechip to all the paths was renewed and painting of fencing, benches and metal surrounds also took place. However we need to continue our upgrading and maintenance to ensure the park continues to bloom.</p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Installation of replacement electrical system&nbsp;for Yuletide lights in&nbsp;Ritchie Street and Main Street West Kilbride Ayrshire. Work is required&nbsp;because the existing&nbsp;electrical system which has been in place for many years no longer complies with current electrical regulations as recently intimated by NAC Building Services.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">New/replacement connections need to be provided from a number of premises in the village and the external wall cabling needs to be replaced as it is over 25&nbsp;years old. Without this work taking place there will no longer be street lighting motifs for Yuletide activities in West Kilbride much to the detriment of community wellbeing.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">If this project doesn&#39;t go ahead there will be no Yuletide street lights this year in West Kilbride for the first time in over 25 years.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">West Kilbride Village Gala is an annual event that has been running for over 60 years and provides an opportunity to bring the community of West Kilbride together.&nbsp;We hire in a variety of fun equipment and rides and offer reduced cost wristbands for unlimited use to ensure that these are accessible to all regardless of financial situation.&nbsp; The Gala provides the people of West Kilbride with an opportunity to socialise and enjoy themselves, promoting community cohesion, health and wellbeing&nbsp;and tackling social isolation.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">In addition to the fun equipment and rides there are a range of stalls e.g., tea room, bbq, bottle stall, cake and candy, bric-a-brac, hook a duck and lucky dip and much more.&nbsp; These activities take place in two large marquees, which require to be stored throughout the year.&nbsp; We are seeking funding to purchase storage cages&nbsp;for the marquees (which are also used by other community groups), storage boxes and ground mats.&nbsp; As the storage cages are on wheels this will allow easier transport of the marquees.</span></span></p>