Published Date: Jun 20th, 2023
A special exhibition celebrating Glenrothes’ 75th birthday will open at the end of this month – showcasing the town's heritage, it's people, community spirit and businesses.
The Glenrothes 75 Years exhibition, which will run at the Kingdom Centre throughout July, August and September, will give locals and visitors alike a chance to look back at how the town has flourished from its inception back in 1948 to become the forward-facing, dynamic town it is today.
As well as looking at Glenrothes’ past, present and future, the role of community groups will also be to the fore with the launch of the inaugural Glenrothes Area Community Champion and Community Group Champion Awards.
These new accolades will not only pay tribute to the excellent work that goes on across the area and encourage more people to get involved, but will also aim to highlight the area’s perhaps previously unsung heroes who give up their own time to help and support others.
Displays will be up and running from June 30th, exactly 75 years to the day when the delegation order establishing Glenrothes as a new town was signed.
Running alongside, the Glenrothes and Area Heritage Centre will also put many of its fascinating exhibits in the Rothes Halls for all to see.
Councillor Craig Walker, convener of the Glenrothes Area Committee, said: "I'm delighted to see this exhibition coming together and the history of Glenrothes is fascinating so I'd urge everyone to get down and get involved with it.
"Anniversaries of towns are never just about the physical place though, it's about the people who make the place.
"I'm looking forward to working with local residents and groups and help them tell their own personal stories of living and working in this fantastic area."
Ian Wilkie, the managing director of Leviton Network Solutions who is part of the event’s steering committee, added: “We wanted an event that brings together different groups and this is a chance to educate, inform and involve people in the town in the celebrations.
“We want to use it as an opportunity to highlight the great work done by those community groups and let people know how they can get involved.”
What’s more, a new sculpture from Stan Bonnar is being created specifically to mark the town’s special milestone.
Stan’s original concrete hippos have been an attraction in the town since the 1970s.
Originally conceived as a giant sculpture, but scaled back for practical purposes, ‘The Disappearing Hippo’ reflects the important role public art has played in the town, whilst highlighting the plight of the creatures in the wild.
In keeping with the hippo theme, creative work from schools will go on display throughout the centre including local pupils’ stories imagining ‘How the hippos came to Glenrothes’.
Fife Council’s Economic Development Team, Town Centre Development Unit and Communities and Neighbourhood Service have been among the driving forces behind the anniversary celebrations, and nominations for the new Glenrothes Area Community Champion and Community Group Champion Awards will open soon.
More details on that will be available over the coming weeks so watch this space!
If you would like any more information or have any questions, please contact Janet.land@fife.gov.uk.
