Bake Back Better

By Angela Clark

Bowling villagers are sharing ideas – and cakes – on how to tap into the positive community spirit when lockdown finally ends.

So far over 100 people – a third of the village – has responded positively to a local survey on how they would like to see their community grow and develop after lockdown.

The surveys were delivered by Noreen Shield’s 12-year-old daughter Heather Fleming, along with homemade cup cakes for each household.

Heather was already regularly baking and delivering cakes for people in the local area and a suggestion on Bowling’s Community WhatsApp group prompted the decision to share a survey with the buns.

Noreen said: “It's been about 10 years since we did a community survey as we have been trying for awhile to have regular activities and stuff at the hall and also trying to save it from closing.

"It was a great opportunity to hand the surveys out with the cakes.

"We thought about the pros and cons and social distancing and decided If Heather is putting the cakes out she'll need to put a wee note with them anyway, so we decided to use it to ask a few questions.”

Community Superstar

The Gavinburn School pupil has always been quite hands-on according to her mum and is keen to assist at events in the neighbourhood so she didn’t hesitate when asked to play her part.

Noreen added: “Heather has always helped out even at the gala days. She would help put up the gazebos and she's always been along at the Bowling hall community events.

"She also helps out at a wee Women's club in the hall that I attend and helps put up posters for events in the community.”

The survey asked if villagers would be interested in having a party in the local pub or community hall once restrictions are lifted.

And it asked what regular events local people would want to get involved in.

Some of the suggestions included weekly creative classes, fortnightly book and music clubs and even a monthly community cafe in Bowling Hall.

Hopefully the survey will encourage more community involvement and people will take advantage of what their area has to offer, in turn improving the opportunities available to young and old.