🧭 £3M Green Space Project Begins in Fife

Good morning, Fifers! It’s been a cold few days. I hope everyone has stayed warm! In Tuesday’s newsletter, we asked what you thought of the potential new parking charges at Lochore Meadows, and they were far from popular, with 70.5% of you saying you were not in favour of the proposals!

Here’s what’s coming your way today:

• £3M Green Space Project Begins in Fife

• Mossmorran Plant to Close

• 48 Events to See This Weekend

Let’s jump in, there’s plenty to talk about!

— Duncan

TODAY’S TOP STORY

🏭 Mossmorran Plant to Close

The Fife Ethylene Plant in Mossmorran is set to close in February, putting 179 directly employed jobs and 250 contractor positions at risk. Staff were told about the plans at a meeting on Tuesday morning, where details of financial packages and retraining and relocation support were discussed. There is a possibility of 50 staff transferring to the Fawley Petrochemical Complex, 480 miles away in Hampshire.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday evening, Business Minister Chris McDonald confirmed the UK government would not offer financial support to keep the plant open, saying there was no realistic business plan to support any investment. He revealed that ExxonMobil's chairman, Paul Greenwood, had told him the plant was inefficient and would need nearly £1bn of spending to make it profitable.

ExxonMobil said the closure reflected the challenges of operating in a policy environment that was "accelerating the exit of vital industries, domestic manufacturing, and the high-value jobs they provide." The company has been seeking a buyer for several months and plans to clean up and demolish the site once production ends.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged support for affected workers at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, though he did not provide specific details. The Scottish Government has announced it will expand the investment taskforce originally set up for Grangemouth to also consider the future of the Mossmorran site, with First Minister John Swinney promising to do "everything we can to support the workforce."

LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🪦 Routine safety inspections have begun at Kilrenny Cemetery, where Fife Council is assessing headstones and making any unstable memorials safe, with larger ones possibly fenced off until specialists inspect them.

• 🍰 Maria’s Baking Stories in Dunfermline has been named Best Cake Shop and Café 2025 in the LuxLife Magazine's Food and Drink Awards.

• 🌿 Fife College and The Verdancy Group have been named the UK’s top providers of sustainability skills, winning the prestigious Green Gown Award for their pioneering Net-Zero Retrofit Skills course.

• 🏛️ Dunfermline has formally welcomed the 35 members of its new City Assembly at a civic reception hosted by Provost Leishman, marking the launch of this landmark participatory democracy project.

• 🏒 Fife Flyers have signed former NHL forward David Booth, bringing 535 games of elite experience to the Kingdom as the club looks to strengthen its depleted roster.

• 🛳️ Fred. Olsen is offering one-night cruises to Rosyth next summer, with sailings from Newcastle on June 9th and from Rosyth on August 14th, giving passengers a chance to experience ocean cruising aboard the Balmoral.

• 🚌 Following the controversial Stagecoach consultation regarding their proposed route changes, the bus operator has now released their finalised tables.

• 🍔 Burger Island in Burntisland has been named as Best of Scotland at the 2025 British Burger Awards. Three Little Pigs (Falkirk), BlackHorn Burgers (St Andrews), and Saints Sizzle Classic Hamburgers  (St Andrews) were also in the running.

• 🚛 Fife Council is working to reduce the number of hire vehicles used for services, aiming to cut external hires by 16.4% in 2024/25, with a target of 150 vehicles.

• 🚌 Moffat and Williamson are introducing new and revised bus services across Fife from November 24th to fill gaps left by Stagecoach timetable changes. Full timetable available here.

FEATURE OF THE WEEK

🌳 £3M Green Space Project Begins in Fife

A major milestone has been reached in Levenmouth with construction now underway on the River Park. The ambitious project will transform the area known locally as "Doon the Dam" into a 4km green corridor connecting the new Leven Rail Station and Cameron Bridge Station.

Led by Green Action Trust, with Mackenzie Construction delivering the works, the River Park will feature new walking routes, pollinator meadows, blossom trees and enhanced wildlife habitats. The space will also support outdoor events, heritage walks and wellbeing activities, with plans for a future Green Skills Academy to provide skills development opportunities.

The project has secured impressive funding, including nearly £3 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £423,000 from NatureScot, alongside contributions from partners including SEPA, Fife Coast & Countryside Trust, Fife Council, Levenmouth Reconnected, Historic Environment Scotland and Diageo.

Construction will run from mid-November to Spring 2026, with some disruption expected as certain areas are fenced off for safety. However, access will remain as open as possible, and community activities including heritage walks, health walks and yoga sessions will continue throughout the project. [The Leven]

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WHAT’S ON IN FIFE?

Please remember to double-check details with venues before travelling, as events can occasionally be cancelled or rescheduled at short notice, and some will require prebooked tickets.

📅 Friday, 21st November

Artisan Fridays Market - A lively weekly food market offering hot & cold food on Kirkcaldy High Street.
📁 Markets | 🕢 9am | 📍 Kirkcaldy High Street | 🎟️ Free

Creative Craft Club For Adults - Come and enjoy a regular Friday morning of creativity.
📁 Art | 🕢 10am | 📍 Letham Village Hall | 🎟️ £13.50

Stick Man - The award-winning stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s beloved tale.
📁 Stage | 🕢 10:30am & 1:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £16

Sparkle for CHAS - Add a little sparkle to your Friday and join us for a ladies’ lunch in the Winter Garden.
📁 Food | 🕢 12pm | 📍 The Old Course Hotel, St Andrews | 🎟️ £100

Festive Wild Cocktail Workshop - Afternoon, including a foraging walk, exploring and identifying edible plants, followed by cocktail mixing and tasting.
📁 Food & Drink | 🕢 2pm | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ £65.63

Love2Dance Annual Show 2025 - Amazingly talented pupils will inspire and delight you in this super entertaining variety dance show.
📁 Stage | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £18

Friday Night Slides - 1/10th scale Electric RWD Drift cars only, and must be running Buzz Break or DS Racing LF4 tyres.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Parkgate Community Centre, Rosyth | 🎟️ £5+

StAnza presents Hame-ish Live - A night out that feels like a night in. Join us for an evening of music and poetry in a friendly atmosphere.
📁 Stage | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ Free

Champagne v Sparkling Wine Masterclass & Buffet - A relaxed tasting sampling Champagne v sparkling wine with Rose Murray Brown MW followed by a buffet.
📁 Food & Drink | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Rufflets, St Andrews | 🎟️ £92.80

ELO Beatles and Beyond - Fronted by top sound-alike tributes to Jeff Lynne and Paul McCartney.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £28.60

Hugh Cornwell & Special Guests - Don’t miss this full-band show from legendary Stranglers frontman and songwriter Hugh Cornwell.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £32.50

The Polis - Blistering Set of Classic Police Singles, B-sides, and Live Arrangements one of the UK’s must-see Tribute Acts.
📁 Music | 🕢 8pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £13.70

📅 Saturday, 22nd November

Make a Recycled Tin Wreath - A fast and fun day creating a wreath out of old recycled biscuit tins.
📁 Art | 🕢 10am | 📍 Off The Rails Arthouse, Ladybank | 🎟️ £65

Christmas Needle Felting Workshop - Join us for a fun and creative session where you can learn the art of needle felting.
📁 Art | 🕢 10am | 📍 Falkland Estate | 🎟️ £18

Origami With Jess - Join me for a fun and festive workshop where you'll create your own origami Christmas gift bags and box!
📁 Art | 🕢 10am | 📍 Abbot House, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £27.80

Christmas Craft Fayre - Christmas gifts, woolens for sale, and stocking fillers for 50p. The Coffee Shop will be serving its baking and light lunches.
📁 Markets | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Fife Folk Museum | 🎟️ Free

Kirkcaldy Antiques Collectables and Retro Fair - The award-winning St Bryce cafe will be open.
📁 Markets | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 St Bryce Church, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £1

Christmas Craft & Gift Fayre - Discover unique handmade crafts and gifts perfect for your loved ones.
📁 Markets | 🕢 11am | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

Felted Fleece Rug Workshop - Learn how to make a sheep-friendly, vegetarian felted fleece rug.
📁 Art | 🕢 12:30pm | 📍 Forgan Arts Centre | 🎟️ £69

Live Band Fest - Epic lineup featuring House 51, The Young Cats, Definition, Descension & more.
📁 Music | 🕢 1:30pm | 📍 The Venue, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £9.05

Creative Writing Workshop - Join Ukrainian writer and co-curator of Unbroken Threads, Kateryna Ustiuhova, for a creative writing session inspired by the exhibition.
📁 Art | 🕢 2pm | 📍 St Andrews Heritage Museum | 🎟️ £5+

Carmina Gadelica: Side by Side - A concert of wit and wild imagination, with Mozart rediscovered amid some distinctively Scottish landscapes.
📁 Music | 🕢 3pm | 📍 Holy Trinity Church, St Andrews | 🎟️ £6+

Artists in Conversation: Lauren Gault and Desiree Coral - Conversation to celebrate the opening of Lauren Gault’s major new exhibition, bone stone voice alone at DCA.
📁 Talk | 🕢 3pm | 📍 St Andrews Botanic Garden | 🎟️ £3

Love2Dance Annual Show 2025 - Amazingly talented pupils will inspire and delight you in this super entertaining variety dance show.
📁 Stage | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £18

MOJO Live and Premium Whisky Tasting - A special gig from Mojo and an exclusive whisky experience with Mojo singer/bandleader Felipe!
📁 Music & Drink | 🕢 6pm | 📍 Humpback Recording, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £10+

Fife Strathspey and Reel Society Annual Ceilidh - Come and join us and swing your kilt to a wee Gay Gordons, some lively Reels and Jigs and gentle recovery Airs.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Montrave Hall, Lundin Links | 🎟️ £6+

W2 - U2 tribute band.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £13.75

The Chain - Fleetwood Mac Tribute
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Styx, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £11.25

Snowgoose - Folk rock and West Coast psychedelia five piece Snowgoose perform live with support from GULP.
📁 Music | 🕢 7pm | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ £25.08

Burt Bacharach - Join our three singers and members of the Razz Big Band for an evening celebrating one of the world’s greatest songwriters.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £18

Jason Byrne: Head in the Clouds - It’s laughter at its highest, as we watch Jason pull magic from his cloudy head down onto the stage.
📁 Comedy | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £28.50

2025 Presentation Evening - 2025 end-of-season presentation night plus buffet, DJ, and bar.
📁 Sport | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Lochgelly Raceway | 🎟️ £27.50

Barry Steele the Roy Orbison Story - A thrilling live celebration of Roy Orbison and the Traveling Wilburys.
📁 Music | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £28.50

Forgan's St Andrews Ceilidh - Head to Forgan’s and experience one of our unforgettable ceilidhs.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 10pm | 📍 Forgans St Andrews | 🎟️ £5

📅 Sunday, 23rd November

Lego Play Day - Open throughout the day for families to get creative with Lego.
📁 Family | 🕢 10am | 📍 The R&A World Golf Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

Culross Community Market - Enjoy a fantastic day of local shopping, delicious food, and live music.
📁 Markets | 🕢 12pm | 📍 Culross Green | 🎟️ Free

Champagne Picnic Brunch Series - Step into the Winter Garden and let the festive feeling take over. Our Champagne Picnic Brunch returns, but with a seasonal twist.
📁 Food | 🕢 12pm | 📍 The Old Course Hotel, St Andrews | 🎟️ £70

Out Of The Blue - An evening celebrating the music of Joni Mitchell, exploring her most loved album Blue, and other favourites from her extensive songbook.
📁 Music | 🕢 1pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £27.50

Pilgrim of Hope - A Comedy about Life, Death, Air Fryers and one man's search for Hope.
📁 Theatre | 🕢 2:30pm | 📍 St Paul's RC Church, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £5+

ASDS Winter Extravaganza - Featuring all our fantastic ASDS Students.
📁 Stage | 🕢 3pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £21.95

The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland - Afternoon of colour, celebration and musical joy.
📁 Music | 🕢 3pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £18

November Ceilidh - Brighten up the cooler and darker days with some fun Ceilidh dancing.
📁 Entertainment | 🕢 4pm | 📍 Culross Stables | 🎟️ Donation

🎉 Multi-Day Events & Exhibitions

Santa’s Grotto - Santa's Grotto is always one of our most popular experiences at Dobbies Dunfermline, and this year it's even more magical!
📅 Sun, 23rd November - Wed, 24th December | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Dobbies, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £14+

Collecting the Contemporary: Scottish Art at Kirkcaldy Galleries - This display features works by modern and contemporary painters who were inspired by Scotland.
📅 Fri, 31st January - Wed, 31st December | 🕢 10am | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries | 🎟️ Free

Jack Vettriano Exhibition 2025 - Collection of Jack Vettriano prints, including rare and sold-out pieces.
📅 Tue, 4th March - Thu, 15th January 2026 | 🕢 10am | 📍 Affordable Arts, Methil | 🎟️ Free

From These Parts: Scotland, Art and Identity - Special preview evening filled with live music, drinks, and creative activities.
📅 Sat, 18th October - Sun, 15th February 2026 | 🕢 10am | 📍 Wardlaw Museum | 🎟️ Free

Unveiling the Madonna - Discover the story behind the Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist, the oldest painting in our art collection.
📅 Sat, 8th November - Sat, 7th March 2026 | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 St Andrews Museum | 🎟️ Free

Bunker Shots: Stories of Golf and Conflict - Surprising connections between golf and conflict, including the impact on golfers and their equipment.
📅 Fri, 18th April - Tue, 31st March 2026 | 🕢 9:15am | 📍 The R&A World Golf Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ £17.50

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THANKS FOR READING

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Cheers,

Duncan