EASTER came early to Benarty at the end of last week as an initiative spearheaded by the members of Lodge Ballingry 1183 went into full swing.

Backed by Provost of Fife, Jim Leishman, and chairman of Cowdenbeath Area Committee and local councillor Willie Clarke, some 700 Easter Eggs were distributed to every primary school and nursery child in the villages of Glencraig, Crosshill, Lochore and Ballingry.

Provost Leishman was delighted to get involved in the big Benarty community event which saw him visit Dunmore Nursery and also Benarty and St Kenneth’s schools and nurseries.

The Lodge members have been thinking about trying to launch a series of community events which could reach all age groups and they went with the Easter Egg idea, and covering two schools and three nurseries it meant a fair bit of investment.

With Pete McGuire, Allan Conners, James Fotheringham and Kevin Sharp doing the organisation, all the hard work of themselves and the members of Lodge Ballingry came to fruition over Thursday and Friday of last week when the eggs were distributed to hundreds of happy children. Dunmore was first to be visited and the children at the Ballingry nursery were very pleased with their special visitors, then on Friday Benarty and St Kenneth’s were on the calling list.

And the children of both schools had a brilliant morning in the company of Provost Leishman, Councillor Clarke and Lodge members.

St Kenneth’s headteacher Fraser Gillan said, “This was a really welcome surprise for the children and it was tremendous to have such special visitors at our end of term assembly.

“To have such important people from the community at the school can help inspire the children towards becoming good citizens and play their part in building our school community. It has been an exiciting time here at St Kenneth’s, with our HMI report coming out and giving a very positive verdict on what is being achieved by the children and staff, and having this magnificent contribution of an Easter Egg for every child has put the icing on the cake.

“It has brought a nice Easter touch to us as the holiday break begins”.

While primary and nursery children were all visited moves were made to ensure that no child was forgotten in Benarty and efforts were being made to make sure that eggs were given to those with special needs and also those who are educated outwith the Benarty area.

Kevin Sharp explained that this was one of a number of ventures that Lodge Ballingry was planning, “We want to do more for people of all ages in the community.

“We want to make this an annual event and also ensure that we can give every child a selection box at Christmas time. Plus we have plans to create a sing-song type evening in our function hall which can raise funds for local organisations.” To fund their ideas a Sportsman’s Dinner is being held at Lochgelly Town Hall on Friday 16th May which will have a local and national flavour to the speakers’ list.

Added Kevin, “We have a few ideas in mind and if we can raise a significant sum at the dinner we can get things up and running over the next few months.

“There was a real feeling of Benarty community spirit with the events of Thursday and Friday and we want this to continue to develop.

“I cannot thank Jim Leishman and Willie Clarke enough for their support and also the school headteachers and staff for their backing and the children for welcoming us.” Pictures by Jim Payne, David Wardle and Jim Taylor.