A GREEN-fingered community group is set to bloom thanks to a funding boost from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

Grow West Fife (GWF) plans to branch out and expand its activities after landing the £2,900 grant.

Based in the walled garden of Blair Castle in Culross, the group was formed at the beginning of lockdown to return a neglected space to its former kitchen garden role.

The initial group of 10 like-minded individuals grew crops of items including lettuce, tomatoes, courgettes and beans which were distributed to communal pantries in High Valleyfield, Kincardine and Oakley on a weekly basis.

Since then, it has launched a grow-your-own initiative and distributed grow-bags, compost and potato sets to 100 low income families in the West Fife villages.

A polytunnel has been installed to improve yield while 50 raised bed kits have been distributed to low income families for growing their own produce. More raised beds have also been created at the Blair Castle garden for use by those without any outdoor space of their own.

Now boasting around 80 volunteer members, GWF hosts weekly lunch clubs/warm spaces in their newly constructed ‘garden shed’. Future plans include renovating a derelict greenhouse, installing toilet facilities and opening a repair shop where people can be shown how to repair items that would otherwise become landfill.

Work has already started on refurbishing a workshop space, which thanks to the grant from the CRT, will be equipped with workbenches, wood and metalwork lathes and a bandsaw.

Nicky Wilson, chair of Coalfield Regeneration Trustees for Scotland, said: “Grow West Fife is a fantastic example of the positive impact that community groups can have in our former coalfields.

"We are pleased to be able to play our part in ensuring Grow West Fife continues to go from strength to strength.”