INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day 2018 marked the hundredth year of Women having the vote and the women of Lochgelly decided this was most definitely something they wanted to celebrate.

A group made up of local women met every second Monday from December to discuss ideas and bring together a timetable of events.

From March 5 through March 10 there were various activities planned to run in the Lochgelly Centre such as Tai-Chi, Zumba, Rag-Rugging and Ceilidh Fun.

However, due to the ‘Beast from the East’ some of the activities had to be postponed due to the snow – but have been rearranged to take place during Adult Learning Week in June. Fortunately the planned Afternoon Tea still took place in the Lochgelly Centre. This was a really great event which saw 55 women join together over some tea, cakes, sausage rolls, sandwiches and home made tablet, to celebrate International Women’s Day in a fun yet informative way.

The highlight of the day was a brief input from Sheila McCallum Perry – whose grandmother’s sister, Jenny McCallum was a suffragette –all the women who attended found it very informative and couldn’t wait to ask Sheila questions as the day progressed.

Sheila felt that the group of women all worked very hard and were committed to making the celebrations memorable for Lochgelly, and should be proud of what they collectively achieved.

Nicole Wilkie, one of the members of the group, said: “I was on placement from Dundee University and I was fortunate enough to work with the Women of Lochgelly to make this occasion one to be remembered.

“You could clearly see how much Lochgelly meant to them, both in the past, present and future – and the sense of community spirit is something Lochgelly should be proud of!”

Lochgelly Community Education Worker, Lorraine Mullen said: “It was truly a real community effort and thanks must go to the Lochgelly Centre for use of the hall as well as supplying the teas and coffees. Thanks also to Gingerbread for their homemade sausage rolls, Granny June for supplying the delicious tablet; and also to Benarty Centre for the kind use of their tables, Mairi Fowkes and Chris Burns and finally to Cllr Linda Erskine for her support both prior to and at the event”. Proceeds from ticket sales and donations on the day amounted to £140 which was donated to Fife Women’s Aid.

If you are interested finding out more about Adult Learning opportunities in Lochgelly please contact: Lorraine Mullen, Community Education Worker, Lochgelly Centre. Tel: 01592 583471 or email lorraine.mullen@fife.gov.uk