“Cupar is getting a Big Tidy Up because that’s what the community asked for”, says Tony Miklinski, Chair of Cupar Development Trust (CDT). Tony adds: “We recently held extensive public consultations for the Cupar and Country Action Plan and Cupar Youth Charette, and making the town look cleaner and smarter was one of the top priorities.  The hope is that we will make the town more attractive to residents, shoppers and visitors and raise expectations and standards across the piece.”

CDT are getting lots of help from other organisations including the Bruce Charitable Trust who have donated over £1,000 towards expenses.  And Fife Council staff have been fully involved in the planning of the various elements.

They have offered significant amounts of time and expertise in the weeks leading up to the Big Tidy weekend on 9th September. Fife Council staff and the Community Payback Team have pledged to help by jet washing bus stops, bins, pavements and road signage – as well as cutting back foliage, spraying weedkiller, replacing dead trees and helping to repair and varnish benches and planters.

Fife Council’s Street Cleansing Team will also be using their brand new multipurpose sweeping machines to give the roads and pavements a deep clean.  “Fife Council could not have been more helpful” says Tony, adding: “We even have hopes of cleaning up the blocked gutters and vegetation that blight the town centre skyline.”

The whole community …

Tony explains that the Big Tidy team is keen to involve the whole community in the project. He explains: “We are also seeking volunteers from the community to help with simple tasks – such as litter picking, weeding, tidying and replanting planters, scrubbing hard to reach areas and possibly varnishing some street planters.”

Anyone wanting to volunteer would be asked to help with a “relaxed two hour work session” with refreshments provided at the end in the Castlehill Community Centre.

Big fun …

Tony says that all of those involved want the Big Tidy to be “fun and sociable and inclusive for all ages“.  To that end, volunteers will be working in teams on the mornings of Tuesday 10th and Friday 13th – meeting at the Castlehill Community Centre – and working from 0945am onwards.

For those who are tied up during the day, CDT plans an evening litter pick in Haugh Park on Wednesday 11th from 1830: volunteers are asked to meet at this time at the bandstand.

Information evening …

For anyone interested in volunteering, there will be a public information meeting on the evening of Thursday 25th July – starting at 1900 in the Castlehill Community Centre.  Volunteers interested in helping with the Big Cupar Tidy, but who are unable to attend the meeting on the July evening are asked to get in touch with Mrs Anja Armstrong of CDT via this email link. 

Tony concludes: “Our aim is to improve the lives of the Cupar community. This is a great opportunity to make a visible difference to our town … so please give us a hand!”

 

 

Thanks for reading.