Published Date: May 29th, 2023
Local trainees have begun the rebuild of the traditional roundhouse on one of the islands at Lochore Meadows Country Park.
The building on Tod Island, which was used by Outdoor Education Fife for learning activities, was destroyed by fire in July 2022, but Fife Council Pre-Employment and Apprenticeships teams vowed to turn it into a skills development employability project and to involve local unemployed young people to build it back to its former glory.
This partnership project led by Fife Council Pre-Employment Programme and supported by Fife Council Outdoor Education and Rural Skills Scotland contributes to the sustainable development of Lochore Meadows to benefit future generations of young people.
Lynne Dair, Fife Council Employability Project Co-ordinator, said: "When I heard that the roundhouse on the island had been destroyed I realised what a loss it was for the local community and set about investigating how Fife Council Employability Team could help.
“Working alongside partners to initiate a plan to involve local young people in the restoration of a facility that would benefit future generations seemed like a great fit.
“I am absolutely delighted to see this project get off the ground with a lot of hard work from all involved."
That process is now well underway using a circular economy approach, with the bulk of the material needed for the project being sourced on site within the park and in the surrounding area.
A group of local young people taking part in Fife Council’s Access to Industry Meta Skills training programme have been working alongside partners in Rural Skills Scotland and Fife Coast and Countryside Trust to ensure that material harvesting and preparation was done in a way that has a positive impact on the local environment and ecosystem.
The trainees also got to grips with using traditional methods and hand tools, and have transported the materials in boatloads to the island which is no mean feat.
Councillor Altany Craik, Fife Council’s finance, economy and strategic planning spokesperson, said: “The roundhouse was integral to our outdoor learning activities and has been used by thousands of young people over the years, so it’s great to see the rebuild starting in earnest.
“This has been a brilliant example of partnership working in action with Fife Council's Pre-Employment Programme and Outdoor Education Teams as well as the management team at the park.
“Not only is it the project helping the trainees to develop new skills, it is helping them to develop as individuals and look forward to a career in the land-based sector.”
Thankfully the weather has largely been kind to all those involved in the project thus far, and everyone is looking forward to seeing the finished product later this year.
Darren Roe, Rural Skills Scotland supervisor, commented: “I am really impressed by the group of young people on the project they have really gelled together and got to grips with some very physical work.
“It’s great to see them now working as a team, supporting each other and playing to their strengths.”
Programme participant Lannie Kirk, 16, also described the harvesting process.
“It took a lot of time and effort but we have pushed through it,” she said.
“We had to first identify how and what way to cut down a tree, so we cut down hazel trees and we weaved with the hazel but before that, we had to process it.
“We also chopped down alder for the support beams and stripped the bark from them before we had to take all the processed hazel and the debarked alder onto the boat to be taken to the island.
“I’ve really enjoyed this – I think we all have.
“It has helped some of us learn a lot of new skills.”