Everyone is delighted to have been shortlisted in the Arts & Culture category of the Provost's Civic Pride Award. 

The nomination was submitted by Joanne Kelly, a frequent visitor to West Kilbride and its creative community, who has been inspired by the transformation in the town.

Here is some of what Joanne has to say about us:

"West Kilbride Community Initiative has played a pro-active role in the cultural and economic regeneration of West Kilbride.

The Initiative has, through a series of projects and activities, promoted West Kilbride as a focal point for art and craft in Scotland.  Creation of the 'Craft Town Scotland' brand has been instrumental in establishing West Kilbride at local, national and international level, as a place where the arts and crafts are nurtured to such an extent, and with such passion, that they pull their weight, not only on a cultural plane, but on an economic one.

The 'jewel in the crown' of Craft Town Scotland will be The Barony Centre.  The old Barony Church has been renovated and extended to form an exhibition, education and events venue.  The soon-to-open centre will perform many functions, including that of being the Initiative's distinctive and very beautiful home on West Kilbride's Main Street.  The centre will provide much-needed employment, both in terms of centre staff and the externally-operated cafe.  Activities planned will include art and craft classes for the general public, education programmes, and work experience for students, and training of centre volunteers.  Moreover, the centre will provide flexible exhibition space for local and touring exhibitions and a retail area where art and craft items and Craft Town Scotland branded goods will be on sale.

Initiative staff and volunteers, who have already been the recipients of several prestigious awards, have worked tirelessly in pursuing their goals and, yes, their dreams for a better West Kilbride, through substantive and lasting projects which engage the local community and attract visitors from home and abroad.

The economic and community regeneration befefits to West Kilbride have been considerable...Importantly, the Initiative has been successful in garnering funding from a diverse range of soures, to help cover not only ongoing costs, but to invest for the future.

West Kilbride Community Initiative Limited has helped put West Kilbride back on the map, and I therefore recommend them wholeheartedly for the Arts & Culture Award.

Well done to all!"

Please see the following link to North Ayrshire Council's website, where you can vote for West Kilbride online, or see the local papers for details.

http://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/Provost/provostcivicprideawards.aspx