AN amazing piece of research has given Cowdenbeath Rotary Club's present day members the chance to a look back half a century.
Current member, past president Malcolm Slora, came across a booklet created in 1973 to mark its 50th anniversary and at Thursday's meeting he was able to give the members of 2026 a look back to the people who did a lot of work for the community of the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area in that era.
It also contained a photograph of the members, who were part of the business community of the area, and also officials of Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly town councils, and members of the medical profession.
Malcolm reminded members that the club had celebrated its centenary two years ago and he found it interesting to locate the booklet of the special day in 1953 which was kept by Lochgelly hairdresser, and long time club member, Arthur Nevay.
He said: “Arthur was someone who enjoyed compiling historical facts about the club and played his part in recording what happened in 1973.
“The picture was taken outside Beath Junior High School, in Stenhouse Street, after an event which marked the half century and Arthur continued to keep a note of the work of the club right up to shortly before he died.”
The booklet included information on the work of the club in the 50th anniversary year and also over the previous years.
It was noted that the rotarians had played a lead role in assisting the 'Friends of Lynebank Hospital' organisation to create an occupational therapy department at the facility; while at Lochgelly North School the members had assured that there would be a Christmas party and gifts would be provided for the children.
And the booklet stressed in 1973: “Even in our welfare state there remain people who are deprived and in need, and often those with the greatest need are hard to find as they do not clamour for assistance.
"The club has an 'ear' in the information service and facts are collected in order to find out what could be of assistance.”
At that time the club purchased a caravan, and a place for it at a seaside resort, where local people could have a much needed break which otherwise they would not have been able to afford!].
Current club president, Craig Bennet, said that it was really interesting to find out what the club members did then to help their community and there was no doubt that they worked hard then to achieve a lot.
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