COWDENBEATH community activist, Alex Haddow, was disappointed when the town's gala had to cancelled in June due to the coronavirus crisis, because it was to be his last with him being involved in the organisation of the event.

But on Saturday he had his own mini parade to thank him on behalf of the community for his contribution to Cowdenbeath Civic Week from 1978 to 2020.

The Cowdenbeath Civic Week Committee surprised Alex with his own mini parade down his street to mark the end of an era and to thank him on behalf of the community for his contribution to Civic Week.

The day would not have been possible without the support of the committee's friends at Williamsons Haulage, the girls from Cowdenbeath Majorettes, Jamie the piper, volunteers in costume, and also Derek Johnstone and Lindsay Dobbie, who took photos and a video to record the special day.... one which Alex has said he will remember for a very long time to come.

Said a member of the Civic Week Committee: "I think it is the first time we've actually seen Alex speechless!

"And the biggest thanks has to go to Alex's wife Moira who was in on the big surprise from the start and who was tasked with actually trying to keep him in the house on Saturday for the visit!

"Alex was presented with his gifts by Shannon Sharp, who was our 2019 Gala Queen.

"We would like to wish Alex all the best and hope he enjoys more free time to spend with Moira and his family. BUT we do expect to see him on the CACA float at Cowdenbeath Children's Gala in 2021!"

(People in photos provided by Derek Johnstone are grouped together in families, under 12s and majorette baton distances between each other etc).