THE coronavirus crisis has brought with it some real blows for voluntary groups in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area.

Every summer sees some amazing gala days in the area, almost a hark back to the days when each community was built around the coal industry.

However, currently the virus situation has seen the cancellation of Cowdenbeath and Benarty galas, which were set down for second half of June.

It has also led to the cancellation of the Benarty Pipe Band Competition.

The Benarty Events Group puts a lot of effort and funds into both these events and it has been a massive disappointment to the hard working volunteers to have to take these decisions.

Rockore, the third major summer event BEG organise, a music festival which brings more than 3,000 people to Lochore Meadows Country Park, is still on though and is set to take place in late August.

Cowdenbeath Gala provides the longest parade in Fife but due to the uncertainty over when the viral crisis is going to recede, the Civic Week Committee had to take the decision to postpone the event.

Currently Kelty, Crossgates and Lochgelly Galas are still on with their organisers keeping a weather eye on how the coronavirus situation is developing. Kelty is set down for June 27 and Crossgates for July 4, with Lochgelly in late August.

Hopefully the stringent measures being taken by the UK and Scottish Governments will see the virus issue recede in the not too distant future and life will get back to some sort of normality and these fantastic community days will be able to take place.

Meanwhile while the enforced cancellations have been blows for the volunteers in Cowdenbeath and Benarty, hopefully their resolve will not be in any way reduced and they will be starting on preparation for their 2021 summer community events already.