DUNFERMLINE Men's Shed have been awarded £1,500 as part of a community fund.

The group, which offers a community space for West Fife men to connect, converse and create, applied for a grant of £750 originally but has instead received double that as a part of the Arnold Clark Community Fund.

A spokesperson for the Dunfermline Men's Shed said: “This came completely out of the blue and was a terrific boost; we had budgeted £750 to buy a mobile bench and storage container but the people at Arnold Clark obviously thought that wasn’t enough.”

This money will allow the members to work on their projects in temporary accommodation while they look for a permanent location.

Currently, the group meets in the meeting room of the Steading in Pittencrieff Park every Wednesday between 2-4pm. The group has been speaking to the Carnegie Trust and Fife Council over the possibility of a permanent shed in the Steading.

The spokesperson continued: “We owe this possibility primarily to Councillor Helen Law. As a member of the Carnegie Trust, Cllr Law has steadfastly promoted the cause of having the Men’s Shed in the Glen. If we can make it happen, it will be a fitting tribute on her retirement as a councillor.”

Cllr Law, who represents Dunfermline North, told the Press: "The Men's Shed will be a great asset to men in Dunfermline. When I first met with Neil Lyndon and then, subsequently, other representatives from the group, the group were looking for a place to come together, to learn new skills and provide a valuable resource for men in the Dunfermline area.

"My first thoughts were to look for a place in the Glen. A place where there would be an opportunity to work on small projects which would help the participants to learn new skills and provide a safe space to socialise.

"The Glen provides an ideal opportunity to allow the group to come together and to work in partnership with the park staff and the Friends of Pittencrieff Park. The group were looking for a safe space where they can contribute to the environment they are in and have the tools and materials to work on.

"I am hopeful that a final decision can be made to accommodate the group in the Glen."

Gillian Taylor, CEO of the Carnegie Dunfermline and Hero Fund Trust, said: “A Men’s Shed in the Glen fits in with our ambition that Pittencrieff Park should become Scotland’s primary destination park for happiness, health, education and wellbeing.

"We are actively working with our Fife Council colleagues to secure a suitable location in the Steading buildings.”