Monday 22 September 2014 saw the official opening of the Homelands Trust-Fife's site in Lundin Links. The facility, which is for the use of people affected by disability, includes four accessible hoilday cottages and a drop-in centre named The Paxton Centre. The whole site has been built within the grounds of what was once a large villa named Homelands built in the mid-19th century, probably very soon after the arrival of the railway in Lundin Links in 1857. Homelands was purchased by Robert Carswell Paxton in 1908, and it remained under the ownership of the Paxton family until the death of the last family member, Isabel Paxton, at the age of 88 in 1993. All members of the Paxton family made major contributions to the local area in a variety of ways - being actively involved in community activities, supporting wartime efforts and seeking to improve the lives of those in need. In fact, I would like to share more detail on the lives of Isabel, and her sisters Jessie and Margaret, in forthcoming posts.
This week marks the end of a long journey, however, in transforming this long-established site into a state-of-the-art facility for those affected by a range of disabling conditions. As Menzies Campbell (who opened the site on Monday) said "the generosity of Miss Paxton" combined with the "determination of the local community" makes this a "remarkable" achievement. This facility will no doubt be enjoyed by many for a long time to come and it's the future which is most important now. However, it is fitting that the Paxton name is remembered and that a sense of the past remains - both in terms of the beautiful grounds with its mature trees and by the way that elements of the old Homelands house have been incorporated into a porch close to the entrance. Below is a photograph of the porch, alongside an old image of Homelands with its corresponding window detail.
This week marks the end of a long journey, however, in transforming this long-established site into a state-of-the-art facility for those affected by a range of disabling conditions. As Menzies Campbell (who opened the site on Monday) said "the generosity of Miss Paxton" combined with the "determination of the local community" makes this a "remarkable" achievement. This facility will no doubt be enjoyed by many for a long time to come and it's the future which is most important now. However, it is fitting that the Paxton name is remembered and that a sense of the past remains - both in terms of the beautiful grounds with its mature trees and by the way that elements of the old Homelands house have been incorporated into a porch close to the entrance. Below is a photograph of the porch, alongside an old image of Homelands with its corresponding window detail.
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