THE popular and successful event to celebrate the life and achievements of Jennie Lee returns to the Lochgelly Centre on Friday February 24 and Saturday February 25.

This year the event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the appointment of Lochgelly woman Jennie as the first ever Minister of State for the Arts in a British Government.

She took up that post on February 17 1967 and went on to found and establish the Open University.

Last year's Tea with Jennie Lee event was a major success involving various groups taking part and the organisers are hoping that the Friday and Saturday event will see people of all ages going along to enjoy the arts works on show, especially that being done by schoolchildren from several primaries.

The Friday event will run from approximately 10.45am to 2.30pm and will feature performances, displays and exhibitions by local schoolchildren.

The programme (details below) includes the premiere of a play – Jennie Lee’s Homework Project – written by the Area’s own Wullie Hershaw and performed by pupils from Benarty Primary School.

Other attractions include songs and poetry from Hill of Beath, Crossgates, Kelty, Denend, Lochgelly South and Kelty Primaries; a performance by Cowdenbeath Primary’s Ukulele Orchestra; and displays and exhibitions from Lumphinnans, Lochgelly West and Foulford Primaries.

It is hoped that parents, grandparents and other relatives and friends will attend to see the performance.

On the Saturday the Wullie Hershaw play will be performed again alongside one written and performed by the local branch of the Workers’ Educational Association (Scotland) – so there will be two premieres in one weekend.

These will be augmented by performances, a range of workshops – on coloured glass, song, fitness and art, displays and exhibitions including a chance to visit the Open University archive via the Lochgelly Centre’s computers. The programme will run from 2 to 5pm.

Entrance on both days is free with those attending on the Saturday being given a free cup of tea or coffee and a cake.

Programme Friday 24th – Local Schools

10:45 Performance Begins. 10:50 Welcome Speech. 10:55 Dan's Clip. Crossgates 11:05 Denend 11:10 Denend 11:15 Denend 11:20 Denend. 11:25. Cowdenbeath SCD. 11:30 Cowdenbeath SCD 11:35. Cowdenbeath Creative Dance 11:40. Cowdenbeath Ukulele Orchestra 11:45. Hill of Beath Coulters Candy Rendition 11:50. Hill of Beath Coulters Candy Rendition 11:55. Hill of Beath Coulters Candy Rendition 12:00. Benarty Play 13.00

Saturday 25th – For All

Cardboard City workshop - Classroom. Digital Work - Cosy Corner (space at bottom of ramp next to theatre entrance). Sports Hall - Police Formula 24 Car

Computer Suite - Open University. Suit and Pace - Roaming collecting stories from people about local area. Auditorium - Benarty Play - 2:30.