JUNE means one thing in the Benarty area, Pipe Band and Gala time and once again it is the Benarty Events Group who will be organising these.

This year these highly successful events will both be held over the same weekend with The Pipe Band competition on Saturday June 23 and the Gala taking place the next day.

As always, a great deal of planning is going into both events in order to continue the fantastic days of the past few years.

The Pipe Band competition is already attracting bands of all grades from all over Scotland along with a junior band all the way from Queensland, Australia, the Scots PGC College Pipe Band. All bands will be warmly welcomed to The Meedies.

Many bands will be treating The Benarty Pipe Band competition as a warm up for The European Championships in Forres the following week. World Champions Inverary & District Pipe Band have already confirmed along with fellow Grade One Band Scottish Power.

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association who, organise all the bands, continue to be impressed with The Meedies setting and the work that is put in by Benarty Events Group.

Sadly the group lost two major people in the two months leading up to these forthcoming events. Allan Shields, the group’s pipe band man, and Michael O’Hare, group chairman, put in a lot of work in the past years.

BEG would like to thank Allan and Michael for all sterling work in the past and wish him well for the future.

Said BEG'S Eddie Easson: "The Pipe Band competition attracts visitors from all over Scotland and our survey last year saw people from the East, West and North of Scotland. There were also visitors from Edinburgh and he borders.

"Six weeks before this year’s competition The R.S.P.B.A. confirmed that 20 bands have already confirmed with others showing an interest.

"The next day is Gala Day and once again it will be a great day with a mixture of old and new. The Gala brings the community together for the day. Last year there were over 6,000 people at the gala, who all enjoyed a fantastic day".

The day starts with the gala parade, which leaves from Benarty Centre, in Ballingry, then makes its way to Lochore Meadows Country Park for a fun filled day of entertainment.

Last year the parade was massive with Pipe and Brass bands, floats, dancers, custom cars and vintage motor bikes to name a few.

This year’s parade will once again be organised by group member James Fotheringham.

Every year BEG strive to make the gala as cheap possible for everyone that attends. Gala tickets are priced at £2, and all ticket holders will receive a gala box and a rides wristband.

Tickets can be purchased from various outlets in the Benarty area including Benarty Community Shop, Benarty Centre, Domestic Bliss, Lochore Institute and Costcutters.

The Benarty Events Group was formed five years ago with the sole purpose of providing events in the Benarty area for the young and old.

Added Eddie: "Last year we had the inaugural Rockore music festival at Lochore Meadows Country Park. "Nearly 2,000 people attended the festival and vowed to return this year. Plans for this year’s Rockore are well underway, with Clare Grogan’s Altered Images being headline act and with all support acts named.

"There are few areas if any that can say they have a Pipe Band Competition and Music Festival in their village. "The Benarty area have this and it is all down to the support of the Benarty community who dig deep every week to take part in our lottery draw and BEG for their organisation.

"The money raised from this draw goes towards paying for the Gala, Pipe Band Competition, Rockore and Santa Parade and festivities for all. The group give the Benarty children the chance to go to a theatre and see a Panto. Loads of children never get that chance.

"Sadly the Benarty Events Group receive very little in the way of grants, this year, however, they will receive £1,000 towards the Gala and £500.00 towards the Pipe Band Competition from the Cowdenbeath Area Committee. The group are thankful the donation. "Thanks also goes to the local councillors and Fife Council locality team for this along with many thanks to all the local businesses, groups, individuals and housing associations for their kind donations and continued support.

"The Benarty Events Group hopes that everyone will come down to The Meedies and enjoy these events and look forward to seeing you over the summer. Team work makes dreams work!!!"