COMMUNITY spirit and civic pride are alive and well in Helensburgh’s Kirkmichael estate as residents aim to boost the profile of the area and the people who live there.

A fun day on Sunday afternoon was the most high-profile evidence yet of efforts to put Kirkmichael back on the map since the formation of a new community group at the end of 2015.

A youth group and a ‘Meet and Eat’ initiative for the area’s older residents are two more examples of the Kirkmichael Community Development Group’s attempts to breathe new life into the area.

Paul Cowin, the KCDG’s treasurer, said: “The general aim is to bring back some community spirit to the area.

“People talk a lot about what it used to be like in the estate years ago and we’re just trying to involve as many people in the community as possible and give them new things to do.

“It’s been more successful than we ever hoped – I don’t think anyone expected there to be so much interest, but the people in the area have really got behind it and that can only be a good thing.”

The group’s meetings are regularly attended by local councillors, Police Scotland, the Argyll and Bute TSI and local housing associations, all of whom have thrown their support behind residents’ efforts.

“I’ve lived on the estate for nine years,” Paul continued.

“I used to be an accountant, and when I heard the group was looking for someone to help with the money side of things I was happy to come forward.

“I wasn’t sure if it would last very long – attempts to do something similar in the past haven’t always been successful – but it’s really caught people’s imagination and has already done a lot of good for the community.

“Kirkmichael has a bit of a bad reputation in the eyes of a few people, and at the beginning some people said ‘we’ve tried this before and it hasn’t worked’, but it’s done unbelievably well so far.”

Helensburgh councillor Aileen Morton said: “I’ve been attending the meetings of Kirkmichael Community Development Group for around a year now and it’s been great to see the progress made – by local residents determined to re-create the community spirit that was always a part of life in Kirkmichael.

“From fundraising events such as bingo and car washing to fun events such as rugby and DJ sessions, there is now lots going on in Kirkmichael with active communication through Facebook as well as local meetings and newsletters distributed to all households.

“Everyone involved is to be commended and I look forward to seeing this group continue to grow.

“I hope that local residents who have an interest in building up their local community will support the events that are now taking place, and maybe even consider coming along to the group’s meetings.”