THE last few weeks in Benarty has shown the old surrounding mining community honour its past history, heritage and culture with the highly successful gala parading their pipe bands, Highland dancers and the many community groups.

In the past the miners themselves paid in weekly through their wages to support these events though nowadays it is achieved through the work and funding of our local people and the fantastic work of our volunteers.

We are sure the whole Benarty community would join us in appreciation of the contribution these volunteers make as they work tirelessly before, during and after their big day.

Their time, so generously given, ensures and preserves the community culture so important to all of us and gives our people, especially youngsters, great memories of a Benarty Gala Day. Thank you every single one of you.

Benarty Gala 2018 attracted 8,000 people from Benarty, the surrounding communities and even further afield, all enjoying the fantastic weather at the Meedies and the many attractions the Events Group had secured.

An amazing family day, with something for every age group, to enjoy and all for the price of a £2 ticket which entitled everybody to their gala box and admission to all the rides. Can there be a better bargain than that?

Of course the Events Group works so hard to provide the funding and the Community Lottery is so important to that being achieved.

We would encourage everybody, if you can, to consider taking a lottery ticket or even giving some time to volunteer so ensuring we have fantastic gala days in the years ahead.

Benarty people in the the villages of Ballingry, Lochore, Crosshill and all of Glencraig are proud of the the area and rightly so.

You can try and change our community boundaries at Fife House but you will never change our history, heritage or culture. That belongs to us and is our's for ever.

BRIAN MENZIES AND WILLIE CLARKE,

on behalf of Beritage Heritage Group.