THE Local History project being run in Cowdenbeath has been getting great support from the people of the town.

A World War One love story, the Blue Brazil and the town Co-op and galas are among stories that have been captured for the heritage project all about the history of Cowdenbeath.

Over the second half of 2019 Fife-based arts group, Anim8s, has been uncovering some of the people, places and stories that have made the town what it is today.

The aim is to make up to 20 short films about key individuals, businesses and organisations, who have made a contribution to the life of the town known in its heyday as the Chicago of Fife. The films will be available to be viewed by locals and visitors using plaques placed at key spots around the town and on a specially designated website.

Anim8s has been asking our readers for their memories and memorabilia and the project team took in Cowdenbeath's home game with Queen's Park to get an insight into the Blue Brazil.

Anim8s Associate Artist, Martin Ayres ,said “Cowdenbeath is a unique town with a remarkable history and we’re keen to have local people tell its story.

"There are already a remarkable number of local historians who have given support and our aim is to work with them to tell some of the dramatic stories they have discovered and hopefully add a few findings of our own. "We’ve been doing some research of our own, have met with lots of individuals and groups including the Community Council and we’re now ready to ask the broader community for their help. We’re keen to hear from people who may have photos, films or old keepsakes that will add a much-needed visual element to our films”.

"The project has been going really well and we’ve had great support from the local community including the Community Council, The Civic Week Committee and Beath High School.

"We now have the bones of 16 short films about different aspects of the history of the town going as far back as the Donibristle Disaster of 1901. There are short films about the Blue Brazil, The No. 7 Pit, the Co-op Fire and the Cowdenbeath played in the rise and fall of the school belt.

"It’s been a real treat to be so involved in the project and to meet all kinds of people from the town who have some remarkable stories to tell. We’re not done yet though and we’ll be asking for more memories as we go along in the new year. A massive vote of thanks to those who’ve been involved so far!”

At Cowden's match with Queen's Park Times chief reporter, Jim Stark, was interviewed on how be combines covering the club's home games with also being the announcer!

Jim explained that it was in 2005 that then chairman Gordon McDougall asked him to fill in for a few weeks until the end of the season when David Sutherland had to move on from the position and he has being doing the job ever since!

Martin said it was one of many unusual tales the project had come across and he was hoping to hear of more over the next few months as the project is finalised.