THE community spirit of Cowdenbeath has ensured that the 2016 gala will go ahead and it will have some special attractions.

The horrendous weather of the end of November saw the Cowdenbeath Civic Week Committee's plans for a spectacular opening to the festive season wrecked and it cost them thousands of pounds.

And Cowdenbeath Rotary Club heard on Thursday that things were a little bleak at that time.

Guest speaker was Civic Week Committee treasurer, Alex Haddow, who said: "We decided to do something different for the switch-on of the Christmas lights last November but we hadn't bargained on Storm Desmond.

"Our Winter Wonderland idea looked good and it was going to provide entertainment all afternoon and evening before and after the switch-on but then the weather struck.

"Gale force winds and driving rain saw our plans under pressure and as things got worse the evening events were cancelled and then the horrific overnight weather meant that the Sunday activities had to be cancelled.

"It all meant that the money we were taking in was minimal and all in all we suffered a huge loss running to several thousand pounds."

Alex said that the heads were down on the new Civic Week Committee, which had come together in 2013 after the death of long time secretary Mary Maxwell.

But he added: "We were fortunate that the new volunteers who stepped forward to take on the organisation of Civic Week after Mary's death took stock and decided to battle on.

"And with the amazing support of the people of the town we have been able to raise the funds to make the 2016 Gala Parade happen with some special features."

He said that a classic example of that was the efforts of one of the ladies who works in Bayne's the bakers who held a sponsored walk and raised £750.

Added Alex: "That was a magnificent effort and there have been others which has seen our funds replenished and ready to back the 2016 gala parade.

"We are all ready for Saturday June 18 and hopefully the weather will be really kind to us.

"The one thing we do need though is parade marshalls. We need around 30 people to walk the parade from Woodend to the park and ensure that everything runs smoothly.

"If anyone is able to help us with that and take part in stewarding the parade if they should just get in touch with myself, secretary Claire Morgan or any member of the Civic Week Committee. We would be delighted to hear from you."

Rotary club members will be volunteering to take part in marshalling the parade.

Civic Week will start on Saturday June 11 and end with the gala day parade on June 18 and in between there is a packed programme running throughout the week.