As you may all be aware, the Crawford Village Hall has been identified for closure as part of South Lanarkshire’s savings plans.

Fortunately, Lyndsey Devaney was aware that this was a possibility and in her role as Community Development Officer, she set up an Open Meeting for everyone from Crawford, Elvanfoot and Daer to hear about what might happen and to plan accordingly.

At that open meeting and in subsequent conversations people were asked if they would like to form a New Group and whether they would like to take an active role / non active role in developing and taking forward proposals, and also if anyone would like to be considered for election as office bearers.

That initial meeting was held in the Village Hall on 1st February 2024. It was followed up with a further meeting on 15th February 2024, when 19 people attended.

At that meeting several things were agreed:

• A formal group was required to take forward the work on saving the Village Hall.
• Whilst this would be the First Prioroty for the group, its larger remit and purposes would include rural regeneration, community development, health and wellbeing initiatives, all for the benefit of local people …. All issues that have come to light as part of the Community Survey, which shall Create the Community Action Plan
• The group would be called CEDAR, for Crawford, Elvanfoot and Daer Action Resource.
• An election of office bearers would be carried out swiftly.

The elected office bearers are:

• Chair : Daniel Jones
• Vice Chair : Vacancy
• Treasurer: Vacancy
• Secretary: Morag Ritchie