Competition for book which looks at Crossgates life and mining

Author Kevin Guthrie has written the book to examine the tales of Coaledge, Crossgates and Fordell, three small communities that developed from the jobs that mining brought to the Crossgates area.

As Kevin remembers: "The village of Fordell was synonymous with coal.

"Its distinctive diamond paned houses were home to generations of miners and their families.

"For centuries the pits they worked were owned by the Henderson family, part of the sprawling Fordell Estate which extended as far south as the Forth of Forth.

"Coaledge and Fordell are now quiet hamlets, almost entirely rebuilt. This book is a potted history of the area, also encompassing the neighbouring communities of Mossgreen and Crossgates.

"It concerns the colourful and often innovative Hendersons, the hardworking miners who often paid for the pursuit of the 'Black Diamonds' with their lives, the tragedy brought to the area by the Great War; and at the centre of the story, a much loved public house, The Coaledge Tavern, which provides a link to a world now gone for ever."

The book costs £15 and can be delivered locally or posted out with an additional charge. To order simply email Fordellbook@outlook.com or send a message to the Coaledge Tavern Facebook page.

All profits from Coal and Community will go to the Coaledge Quizzers, a group who raise money for good causes in the Crossgates area, and the Captain Seath Memorial Fund, which provides key support to armed forces veterans.

To win one of the the books tell us the name of the family which owned the Fordell pits and send you entry to the Times Office, 17 Bank Street, Lochgelly, KY5 9QQ by Monday January 28.

Answer..................................

Name...................................

Address................................

............................................

Tel.......................................

...........................................