From the time it opened its doors back in 2017 Waid Community Campus has been not only an education centre but a community hub for the people of Anstruther and neighbouring villages of the East Neuk of Fife. 

Hosting Anstruther Library, a brand-new Community Café and Fife Council Customers Service Point, Waid Community Campus was always bustling. People of all ages used the space as a meeting point; families came to spend time with friends and kids could pick up books, play, eat together and borrow books to bring home; the café was lively at any time of the day and especially after school pick up; those with no access to PC’s, internet and printers used the services provided by the Library; Bookbug sessions for the youngest took place during school term and holidays; school and pre-school children would regularly come to the building with their teachers to visit the library and anyone needing to get help regarding Fife Council services could come and ask for advice at the desk.  

Two years ago, when the Covid pandemic started, these services stopped as no access to the Waid Campus was allowed. For 6 months now, Fife Council has told our community that the risk assessment in place prevented the re opening of the Library and Café. Today, the head of Customers and Online Services of Fife Council, Diarmuid Cotter admits: “There is no risk assessment for the library/cafe area in Waid. As we are not using the area there is no requirement.”  

After working really hard to find solutions we come to realise that we have been deceived. Fife Council has blatantly lied to our community. The reality is that they have used a non existing risk assessment as an excuse to keep the services shut.

At this point we feel we are left with no other option but to raise a public petition to gather support and come together to save our much valued open and welcoming community space within Waid Campus. 

We are counting on the people of Anstruther and neighbouring villages to demand Fife Council to reinstate with no further delay the following services as they were pre-pandemic: Anstruther Library, Community Café and Fife Council Customers Service Point at Waid Community Campus. Please sign this petition and share with your family and friends. Many thanks.