COVID-19 has brought terrible suffering with deaths and people being diagnosed, but it has made me think about other bad times in Lochgelly.

In February 1943, the first day I went to Lochgelly South Primary School, we had to try on Mickey Mouse Gas Masks.

We were then told there was going to be a trial run in case the sirens went off. The headteacher told us to sit and wait when the alarm went, because the pupils from the top class would be escorted to an air raid shelter.

Seventy-seven years later I am still very friendly with one of the girls responsible, Edna Fernie (nee Wands).

Another very bad day for Lochgelly, in March 1948, the quarter final of the Scottish Junior Cup, the Albert v Boness United, the favourites for the trophy. The approximate attendance was 11,500. Boness had six or seven Scottish Junior internationalists in their line-up including Paddy Buckley, who was provisionally signed for Aberdeen, and he opened the scoring.

Tommy Paterson equalised with one of the best goals ever scored at Gardiner’s Park. The visitors then went 3-1 up before the Albert were awarded a penalty. The man to take the penalty was my first football hero, Arthur Barnes, who lived three doors down from me in Grainger Street.

To every Albert fan this was a certainty to cut deficit to one goal. Arthur struck the post from the penalty spot. Bloody hell! The equivalent of something like that happening today would be Donald Trump talking sense or Dick Campbell without a Peaky Blinders’ bunnet.

For the first time in by 64 years with the Lochgelly Musical, the show has been cancelled. Maybe the name of the show, ‘Curtains’ had something to do with it!

Covid-19 has done something for me as far as Lochgelly Bowling Club is concerned. In 39 years this is the longest time I have gone undefeated!

May I give a a brilliant thanks and well done to all NHS, public service workers and suppliers and helpers of our local food banks.

To the people of Lochgelly and District, keep your heads up and keep smiling. We will get there.

BILL PAUL,

East Main Street,

Lochgelly.