KINCARDINE residents have been called on to actively shape the future of their village with the beginning of this week's Charrette consultation.

Honouring the area's rich past will form part of the exercise, as will the ongoing regeneration efforts sparked by the closure of Longannet Power Station.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) is co-funding the £40,000 cost of Go Forth Kincardine's intensive public consultation, set up to give locals a voice during the process.

Launching today (Wednesday), the initiative will host a range of events until Sunday, June 11, with the community centre serving as its base throughout.

The CRT-appointed architect Oliver Chapman and a team of experts will lead the discussions and have arrange for walking tours of the village to help residents see their own area through fresh eyes.

Mr Chapman said: "I urge Kincardine residents to grasp this opportunity with both hands.

"We have been overwhelmed by the commitment in time and energy many members of the Kincardine community have already given to the planning of these events.

"One of the highlights is a 'Pecha Kucha' on Wednesday night, where a handful of people will tell a tale about the village and an idea for its future to an open audience. Each speaker is only allowed three minutes and 10 images."

In March, the trust won Scottish Government backing to hold their Charrette in the town, and conduct two months of research since.

Peter McCaughey, the lead artist with the team, added: "We have already uncovered some fascinating facts about Kincardine and its past.

"At one time Kincardine had the tallest chimney in Europe; the longest bridge span in Europe, and the biggest ropery in Europe.

"The Tulliallan forest nursery produced seeds that were distributed and seeded nurseries all over the UK, and 100-plus ships regularly berthed in the port, ships that distributed emigrants all over the world.

"The scale and reach and ambition around Kincardine was enormous. It's time for the town to claim this history and to use it to change the future for the village."

The CRT is the only charity dedicated to improving the quality of life in former mining communities such as Kincardine.

Bob Young, Scottish trustee, said: "This is a fabulous opportunity for Kincardine residents to have a really enjoyable time shaping their own future.

"At the end of it all Oliver and his team will turn the projects and proposals local people want to take forward into viable action plans, making it easier for them to attract funding to bring them to life."

Full details of the Go Forth Kincardine programme, on June 7, 8, 9, and 11 are available on the Go Forth Kincardine Facebook page, or call Gary Porter of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust on 01259 272 127.