MEMBERS of Coalsnaughton Burns Club are hoping to reconnect with people in the community, to prevent it from being lost to the local area forever.

First set-up in 1946 at the bottom of the glen at Langour, it moved to the present building in the Main Street in the 1990s.

It is one of only two dedicated Burns clubs with its own premises in Scotland, however, membership has more than halved over the last few years.

According to Scott Doyle, secretary, the concern is that if there is no change the club “could be lost to the community forever”.

Events have been planned to show the venue is open to all and to make it “the centre of village life once again”.

Scott told the Advertiser: “We are looking to reconnect with the local community as membership has dwindled from over 100 members to approximately 40 over the last five years.

“This year membership is free to all new members to try to get people back using the club.

“On Saturday the 22nd of September we will have our inaugural Burns club family ceilidh in the Coalsnaughton Village Hall – we hope to make this an annual community event in Coalsnaughton.”

Efforts to encourage community involvement began with a charity day for Strathcarron Hospice earlier this month.

Scott said: “We had got lots of prizes from local businesses and we held a raffle – we raised over £400 for Strathcarron.

“People were watching the football during the day, the royal wedding, and there was a singer on later at night.”

The charity was selected as a beneficiary as it is a cause that resonates with many.

Scott added: “Most people in the local community within Clackmannanshire will have a friend or family member who has been treated at Strathcarron, or spent their final days there.”

The club, which is now the only licensed premises in Coalsnaughton, also hopes to take their appreciation for Burns out to local schools.

Scott said: “This year we intend to offer Burns recitation prizes to both Coalsnaughton and Tillicoultry primaries, as well as a Burns art competition at Alva Academy.

“As well as a small cash prize, winners will have the opportunity to recite their poems at the Burns club supper in February and the winning artworks will be displayed in the Burns club.”

He added: “We are open to suggestions on how we can help bring people in the local community back together and make the club the centre of village life once again.”

The club is now open Thursday 7pm-midnight, Friday 7pm-1am, Saturday 7pm-1am and Sunday 3pm-9pm, having had to reduce opening hours.