Remembrance Sunday: services across Kirkcaldy district, Fife Flyers tribute and new exhibition
Communities across Fife will fall silent this weekend as they remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
This year, Remembrance Sunday falls on November 8 when towns and villages will pay their respects with services at war memorials and cenotaphs in their towns and villages.
On Wednesday, November 11, people will also join with those across the country to take part in a two minute silence at 11am to mark Armistice Day, the occasion which brought WWI to an end.
There are services and ceremonies at war memorials across the district this Sunday, with the biggest taking place at Kirkcaldy War Memorial.
Organised by the Kirkcaldy branch of the Royal British Legion (Scotland) (RBLS), it will bring together members of the armed forces with a host of dignitaries, politicians, and community groups, with many laying wraths at the foot of the memorial which contains the names of all who have given their lives for their country.
It begins with a parade which musters at the Town Square, and, led by Kirkcaldy Pipe Band, will make its way to the War Memorial gardens. Muster at the Town Square by 10:30am.
This year marks the 108th anniversary of the end of The Great War (WW1) and the 100th anniversary of the tragic battle of the Somme.
The ceremony will also be the first to feature the newly launched Garden of Remembrance where small crosses bearing the names of those who died in war have been planted adjacent to the memorial.
Launched with Poppyscotland – the first of its kind in the region – it joins the national garden of remembrance in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, and those in other Scottish cities.
In the gardens a number of metal figurines of soldiers have been placed to form a guard of honour, while this year will see the presence of several canons, also for the first time.
The service will see many local dignitaries, including politicians and senior personnel from the armed forces, join Colonel (Rtd) Jim Kinloch, Deputy Lieutenant of Fife, as they all pay their respects.
Captain Andrew Manley, of Kirkcaldy Salvation Army, will also lead with a prayer and a reading.
The gathering at the War Memorial is certain to draw another large crowd, with everyone falling silent at 11:00am.
It also forms part of a range of events and activities as the town honours its war heroes, and celebrates the service of so many from the Lang Toun.
> Veterans exhibition
A brand new exhibition which spotlights people who have served, and tells their stories, has opened in Kirkcaldy.
Veterans Here And Now is the work of Kirkcaldy photographer, Cath Ruane, and writer and author, Lisa May Young, and it takes place at the Adam Smith Global Foundation.
They have spent months profiling local veterans to tell their stories in words and images - they formed part of the legion’s display at Kirkcaldy Galleries.
They have now come together for the first time in this new exhibition which also features Cath’s photography from recent Remembrance Sunday gatherings in the Lang Toun as wll a items of memorabilia donated for the exhibition.
It runs until December 4 at the foundation’s premises at 1 Adam Smith Close
> Fife Flyers’ Remembrance Sunday
Fife Flyers will host a special Remembrance Sunday game against Cardiff Devils at Fife Ice Arena (5:00pm, face off)
Then tea will play in special poppy themed strips, while the club has given the RBLS a significant number of complimentary tickets to distribute to veterans and their families.
The Legion will lay a wreath before the game
A night to remember, reflect and pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served.
Keep an eye on our socials tomorrow as we reveal our special Remembrance Night jersey
Guests will include Colonel Kinloch, while the Legion will provide standard bearers for the puck drop, and bugler Danny Harrison of Dunfermline City Brass Band will perform the Last Post and after the minute’s silence, the Reveille. Kirkcaldy Pipe Band will also attend.
.> KUSI opens its doors
The KUSI Club in Kirkcaldy is opening its doors to all this Sunday as it holds an Armistice Day celebration.
One of Kirkcaldy’s last remaining members' social clubs, it first opened its doors in 1921, just three years after the end of the First World War at the Kirkcaldy United Services Institute, a meeting club for ex-servicemen.
President Bob Henderson said Remembrance Day was a special event in the club’s calendar.
“The club was founded for the assistance of veterans after the First World War in 1921, so we've continued this.
“The British Legion are the organisers, and we just attend along with everybody else. We lay a wreath, one of our veterans was in the Black Watch for 14 years, so he’ll lay it for us in memory of those who have gone before us.
“I don't go the parade now. I'm elderly and fairly disabled, but I used to go with my father, who'd been in the RAF for five and half years during the Second World War. I used to go on the parade in his memory.
"My mum was French so if it wasn’t for the war they wouldn’t have met. It’s funny the way things turn out.
The club’s doors on St Brycedale Avenue open at noon after the service in the Memorial Gardens and entertainment will start the afternoon with a performance from the Kirkcaldy and District Pipe Band.
Later entertainment will be provided by singers Aiesha Hunter and Steph Gilmour.
Bob said: “It’s an open day designed for people who have been on the parade, but anyone is welcome. We’ll have pies that have been donated from Stuart’s Bakers. The pipe band will play some tunes and occasionally get some young girls doing Highland dancing.
Bob says he’s hopeful that the open day could maybe attract some new members to the century-old club.
“Like all clubs we really have had a difficult time of it with things like electricity and gas, so it would be nice to get a few new members. We’re one of the last remaining social clubs in Kirkcaldy of our ilk. We’re still hanging in there!
“Sunday is an ideal opportunity for anyone to pop in, see what the club is like and see if they like it.”
> Remembrance Sunday Services
Dysart: service at Dysart War Memorial 10.45a.m. and then at Dysart St Clair Parish Church
East Wemyss: A service will take place at the War Memorial at the shore at 11am.
Glenrothes: Parade leaves from the Wetherspoons car park in Church Street at 10.30am for wreath laying at the war memorial with Jenny Gilruth MSP and Richard Baker MP, then on to St Columba’s Church.
Kirkcaldy Congregational Church: service starting at 10:30. Led by one of its Deacons, who is a Navy veteran himself.
Leslie: Congregate at 10.30am at Leslie Cross for a service at 10.45am. The parade will make its way to the War Memorial at Greenside. Refreshments afterwards at the Station Hotel.
Leven: Service at Polish War Memorial in the Festival Gardens on Saturday, November 7 at 11am.
Methil: Service in Wellesley Parish Church at 11.30am. At 5pm there is a Beacon Lighting Ceremony in Memorial Park.
Methilhill: Gather at the Legion Hall at 10.15am, the parade will leave at 10.30am for a Service of Remembrance and laying of wreaths at Methilhill Memorial Garden at 11am. Refreshments after back at the Legion Hall.
West Wemyss: Remembrance Day Service in West Wemyss Church followed by laying of wreaths at War memorial at 10.55am.