Kincardine residents have a double date with destiny on Thursday June 8.
Like the rest the country they will head for the polling station in their local community centre to cast their votes in Theresa May’s snap general election.
But many of them will be back at Kincardine Community Centre during the day to play their part in deciding their village’s future.
Go Forth Kincardine is organising an intensive programme of events, discussions and workshops, focused on how the Fife village can be improved and how to cushion the economic blow of the closure of Longannet power station.
Local resident Lesley Gavin said: “We didn’t plan it to happen this way, but is really good that we are focusing on two big decisions at the same time.
“It means we can cast our votes in the general election and have our say in shaping our future locally, all at the same time.”
Fellow resident Janice McLaughlin said: “A lot of money has been spent in improving Kincardine, but it’s all been a bit piecemeal and I feel we will have more impact if we come up with a strategic plan.”
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, the only charity dedicated to improving the quality of life in former mining communities, is co-funding the £40,000 cost of Go Forth Kincardine along with Fife Council and the Scottish Government.
The trust appointed architect Oliver Chapman and his team of experts to lead the discussions and conduct walking tours of the village to help locals see their own area through fresh eyes.
Oliver said: “We are getting a lot of buy-in from community groups, local organisations and councils, as well as all age groups in Kincardine, from schoolchildren to pensioners.
“We are confident that the fact this is all coinciding with the general election will focus everyone’s mind on coming up with great ideas”.
Nicky Wilson, Scottish trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “Oliver and his team will help local people choose their favourite projects and express them as action plans, which will make it easier to access funding to turn their dreams into realities.”
