Fifers recognised in Queen's New Year's Honours list

Two Fifers have been awarded British Empire Medals (BEM) for hard work in their local communities over the years.

David Adamson from Burntisland has been recognised for his services to athletics and to the town’s community.#

John Gilfillan from Cardenden has been honoured for his services to bereaved people and to the community in Benarty.

David, 83, is the honorary chieftain of Burntisland Highland Games and his association with the annual event goes back nearly 70 years when he first started helping out the committee by setting out the track and seating.

He has also helped with the management of the Games.

Over 30 years ago David was advised that the Burntisland Games - the second oldest Games in the world - were in danger of folding due to a lack of committee members and declining athlete participation.

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He was immediately asked to be vice chieftain and canvassed support from local people to participate in the Games committee, and for volunteers to staff the event.

David gained local sponsorship to ensure the financial viability of the event and canvassed international competitors inviting them to participate.

This led to its standing as one of the main Games on the official calendar.

He was chieftain for a 12 year period and as honorary chieftain, has opened the games for the last two years.

David himself was also a competitor in athletics events at Highland Games throughout Scotland and was a co-founder of the Burntisland Youth Athletics Club.

He has also been a Boys' Brigade Leader, developing youth interest in athletics.

On receiving the accolade, he said: “I was shocked when I found out I had been given the award and didn’t believe it! This brings it all back the things that I have done over the years. It’s more than an honour.”

Meanwhile, John Gilfillan, 66, is the director of John Gilfillan Funeral Directors which has offices in Lochgelly and Cardenden.

In his communities there are many families living in poverty.

This means at times, as a local undertaker, John has been approached, on behalf of the families of ex-servicemen who did not have the means, or whose families did not have money, to pay for a funeral service.

He has provided the services for those ex-servicemen, either free, or at a significantly reduced cost, without compromising on quality. He has never made this public knowledge.

John, who became a funeral director after a career in the Black Watch, has conducted the funerals of thousands throughout these last 26 and a half years and also been asked to manage the funerals of soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As well as being kept busy with work, he also organises and performs at the annual Burn’s Night celebrations, free of charge, for local elderly and volunteers at the annual Benarty Children's Gala day.

He donates regularly to local clubs including the Sportsman's Brunch, Lochgelly Golf Club and the Summer Drive and High Tea for senior citizens, bowling and football clubs.

Although tinged with sadness, at the end of which has been a difficult year, John said: “I am extremely proud and honoured to accept the award on behalf of the communities I serve.”

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