On 29th February 2012 a group of concerned citizens congragated in the Burgh Chambers to discuss what could be done to halt the decline of the much-loved Craigtoun Country Park. With the park under threat of closure by Fife Council, it fell to St Andrews Community Council and, in particular, Kyffin Roberts, to harness local support to ensure that did not happen. As a result of that meeting, a committee was formed, which later became The Friends of Craigtoun. Their mission: to secure the future of Craigtoun Country Park as an amenity for the people of St Andrews and visitors to the area. Their dream: to restore the park to its former glory. 12 years on, those sentiments are still at the heart of the Friends of Craigtoun and the work continues.
Hello, I’m Jan and I’m a volunteer for Friends of Craigtoun. I have been coming to St. Andrews on holiday with my family since I was a toddler and a highlight was always our visits to Craigtoun Park
Several years ago, I was advised to attend an NHS sponsored fitness class in Cupar as I had health problems and it was there that I met Tom, a volunteer at Craigtoun Country Park, and Kyff Roberts, who was the Chairman of the Friends of Craigtoun Country Park. I live just five minutes away from the Park in Strathkinness but had not visited the place in over 30 years.
When I heard that Craigtoun was in danger of closing and that a determined group of people were going to try and ensure that didn’t happen, I was only too glad to help in any way I could. Like many people in this area, I had known and loved Craigtoun all my life and the thought of losing this gem didn’t bear thinking about.
