NEXT year's Cowdenbeath Civic Week and Gala may be scrapped unless volunteers step forward.

One of the main events in the town's calendar, it attracts thousands of people from across Fife every year and the parades and floats on Gala Day are always family favourites.

There are now fears that, unless locals put their hands up and volunteer, the event will not take place in 2022.

Cowdenbeath Cllr Darren Watt, said: “These are main events in the calendar and if they are unable to go ahead, it would be absolutely devastating. 
“I would urge anyone that wants to make a difference to their community to volunteer.”

A lack of volunteers on the Cowdenbeath Civic Week Committee has already resulted in the annual Christmas lights switch-on event being scrapped this year.

Cowdenbeath Community Council provided an update on Monday night, stating that while the lights would be switched on this Sunday, no formal event will take place.

A spokesperson said: "The process for organising the Christmas Lights has changed this year. The contract between Fife Council and the company who managed the Cowdenbeath lighting arrangements came to an end. Following discussions with Fife Council, Cowdenbeath Community Council agreed to take responsibility for the Christmas Lighting, hoping to work with Cowdenbeath Civic Week Committee.

"Sadly, Civic Week Committee who organise the Christmas switch-on (and the Children’s Christmas Party) are unable to do these events this year as they do not have enough volunteers. A big disappointment for all concerned.

"The Community Council has had to take a different approach as there is not the same level of funding available. We now have had to purchase lights and pay to have them installed. This means that the Christmas lights will be different this year."

"The Community Council are grateful to the 4-Winds Trust who approved their application for funding towards some Christmas lights and to local firm MAR scaffolding who have kindly agreed to donate scaffold for our Merry Christmas Cowdenbeath sign in the Green Square.

"The Community Council are also hoping that Fife Council can get the Winter Lighting working on the trees at the entrance to Morrisons, Stenhouse Street and the Leisure Centre. This lighting will greatly help to light up our town."