The 'Our talking wall' monument has been officially opened at Saltcoats promenade.

Councillor Ronnie McNicol praised the initiative at its launch, and councillors, officials and local people involved in it all attended. The project sees the thoughts, hopes and views of local people etched into granite plaques and mounted on the wall.

Irvine Bay Regeneration Company worked with the local community and local schools to engage people in thinking about their memories, hopes and aspirations for the coast. Pupils from the local schools were involved in workshops about their favourite memories of the beach, as well as those of their parents and grandparents.

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There was street consultation on Dockhead Street and people were asked about their thoughts and hopes for the area. This resulted in hundreds of great quotes. A selection of these have been chosen to be etched on to these granite plaques which have become “Our talking wall”.

Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, said: “We hope that when people walk along this beautiful promenade, the wall will become alive and these quotes will bring a smile to our faces and help us to think of the good things about this area and the stunning beaches we have.”

‘Our talking wall’ is designed to link with the 'Talking images' mural at Ardrossan, where pupils at Ardrossan Academy and the local community have been working with artist Alison Thomas to create the mural at the site of the old St Peters School.

Both of the projects are designed to create iconic features on the seafront, and forms part of Irvine Bay’s strategy to develop a chain of ‘coastal beacons’ to highlight the wonderful waterfront of the area.

(GK)