The Benarty Events Group (BEG) have been celebrating their 10th anniversary in what looks like being another busy, action-packed year.

BEG started in March of 2014 with the aim of bringing a range of different events to the Benarty area and now, a decade down the line, they are celebrating doing just that for their beloved community. 

All the events and activities have been made possible through generous donations and volunteer work by the public.

Chairman of the group, Eddie Easson, told the Times: "We have had some fantastic donations from members of the public, some big, some small. Size doesn’t mean anything to the group as each gift is treated with the same thanks and gratitude.

"BEG would like to thank everyone for their help these last 10 years. Without their help, these events wouldn’t be possible.”

At the first BEG meeting, a committee was formed, and three of the first committee are still involved - Eddie Easson, Shona McKenzie and Kevin Payne.

The group put together a plan of action knowing it would take years to get where they wanted to be. Like all groups in different areas, the biggest hurdle has been the funding to put on their events.

One of the founder members was the late Benarty councillor, Willie Clarke. One of Willie’s dreams was to bring a Pipe Band Competition to The Meadies and this was achieved in the group’s first year of existence.

The Pipe Band Competition is now a fixture in the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association calendar, and BEG have now incorporated a highland dancing competition into the event. There have been bands from all over the world who have come to compete.

The Annual Benarty Gala takes place every June and attracts massive crowds to Lochore Meadows Country Park. Each year the group try to make the gala better than the year before.

One core value for the group is making the gala free for all primary school and nursery children, and when tickets go on sale to the general public, BEG try to make them as affordable as possible.

Another part of The BEG plan was to have a music festival - and in 2017 Rockore was born.

The very first headliner was the legendary Dunfermline band Nazareth, and an impressive 1,600 music fans attended that first festival.

BEG has brought some fantastic bands to 'The Meadies', including Bob Geldolf’s Boomtown Rats, Wet Wet Wet, Big Country and QFX. The group have also encouraged young bands to come and perform.

Each Christmas the group take all the primary school children to The Alhambra Theatre for the pantomime.

The group also take the younger children to The Benarty Centre for Chaplin's Pantomime. The group have a Santa Parade and Christmas Fayre. BEG also put up the Christmas Lights in the Benarty area each year.

One of The Benarty Events Group's biggest on-going activities is the weekly Companion Club with an average attendance of 70 guests each session.

The group provide a light lunch for everyone along with entertainment and bingo. Attendees come from all the outlying villages and towns, including Lochgelly, Cowdenbeath, Kelty and Dunfermline. 

BEG also host a Companion Club Gala and has taken those who attend the club to a panto, organised a Burns Supper and even had a gala for them down at Lochore Meadows Country Park.

Every event thrown by the group has been made possible by the tireless volunteers who help out at every event.

Since the Benarty Events Group was founded, the group have spent over £1,000,000 on events in the Benarty area - from the Gala to the Companion Club, Pipe Band Competition, Christmas events and Rockore.

They also started a community lotto in 2016, and this has been a massive success throughout the years.

Eddie added: “As we prepare for another round of events this summer we look forward to meeting all the old faces, as well as the new faces.

"All we ask is for people to come and have a great time, whether it’s the Gala Pipe Band Competition or Rockore. We know you will."