🧭 Fife Leisure’s Year of Free Swimming!

Good morning, Fifers! And welcome to the 163 of you who have joined us in the past week.

Here’s what else is coming your way today:

• Fife’s Ice Hockey Revival

• Win Free Swimming Lessons with Fife Leisure

• 49 Events to See This Week

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

— Duncan

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🏒 Big Changes at the Fife Ice Arena

As we covered in last week’s newsletter, the takeover of the troubled Fife Flyers by a North American-based group has now been completed. While details were sparse at the time, the Flyers have since made a flurry of announcements, giving fans a clearer picture of what to expect heading into the new season. Here’s what’s new:

• New Coach, New Era: Canadian Jamie Russell has been named Head Coach and Associate GM. With experience across the NCAA, ECHL, Slovak Extraliga, and Italy’s Alps Hockey League, he’s teaming up with President & GM Max Birbraer to inject grit, energy, and a fresh start into the squad.

• A Familiar Face Returns: Veteran netminder Shane Owen is back! Already the club’s all-time appearance leader among non-homegrown players, Owen rejoins under his former ECHL coach, with promises of tighter structure and stronger support in goal.

• Season Tickets Now on Sale: The 2025/26 season ticket includes 33 home games (that’s 3 more than last year) and saves fans up to 20% vs. single-game prices. Adult tickets are £599, with big discounts for kids, students, and over-65s.

Never been to a Flyers game? Now’s the perfect time with real momentum building around the club and the guarantee of a unique night out. Let us know below if you’re planning to catch them in action this season!

🧭 Want to help keep Fife Insider going? Join Fife Insider+ to support us and enjoy extended event outlooks every Sunday, exclusive giveaways, and more!

LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🌳 Fife Council officially opened the £5m revamped Riverside Park in Glenrothes, featuring a £1m playpark, pump track, Disc Golf, upgraded paths, and over 4,000 trees, transforming it into a top town-centre destination.

• 📚 Sir Ian Rankin celebrated 20 years of his Creative Writing Scholarship at Fife College on June 11. He presented 2025 scholarships to Elise Hunter, Tomas Stuart, and Mia Munro, each receiving £600 and a signed copy of his latest book.

• 🕰️ Councillors have approved replacing St Mary’s Church, Leslie’s cracked 1870s cast‑iron clock faces with lighter aluminium‑and‑acrylic replicas. Work must start within three years.

• 🚢 HMS Venturer, the Royal Navy’s newest Type 31 frigate, made its maiden voyage on the Forth, being floated off a barge and towed past iconic bridges before returning to Rosyth for final fit-out and commissioning.

• 🎖️ Jennifer Gill, founder of Fife-based childhood cancer charity Love Oliver, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for her dedication since 2011. The charity, set up in memory of her son Oliver, funds research, provides support to oncology wards, and runs a shop in Glenrothes.

• 🅿️ There is a partial closure of 40 spaces planned at Ferrytoll Park and Ride from June 25 for 4 days to repaint lines and add disabled bays. Drivers must move cars by 6pm June 24 to avoid fines or towing.

• 🥃 John Picken, a 91-year-old resident of Leven Beach Care Home, has won a nationwide competition to have his painting featured on a limited-edition whisky label.

• ⚽ Kelty Hearts FC to get a new car park after Persimmon Homes gifted land next to New Central Park. The project aims to ease village traffic and improve access for fans and community events, backed by £250k from Fife Council.

• 🚗 Springfield Parish Church in Ceres has submitted a planning application to Fife Council to build a car park and improve access. The proposals include altering a wall to create vehicle and pedestrian entry points, installing gates, and putting up a notice board.

• 🌞 A new solar and battery project near Cupar could power 29,000 homes by 2027, with £1.3m in community funding planned. Construction may start in 2026 if approved.

• 💷 Kirkcaldy is set to receive up to £20 million from a £240 million UK government fund to regenerate its town centre, focusing on The Mercat shopping centre, seafront improvements, demolition of two eyesore car parks, and new leisure options.

AROUND FIFE

Each week, we highlight positive news stories, hidden gems, and local experiences to explore.

🏊‍♂️ Win a Year of Free Swim Lessons with Fife Sports & Leisure Trust!

Regular readers of The Fife Insider might remember a recent story revealing that almost 30% of P7 pupils in Fife can’t swim. While Fife Council confirmed it’s reviewing the issue, the reality for now is that many families are left relying on private lessons, an option that simply isn’t affordable for everyone.

With so many beautiful beaches and lochs on our doorstep, we believe this is a serious issue that needs urgent attention. That’s why we’re thrilled to see Fife Sports and Leisure Trust stepping up during Drowning Prevention Week (14–21 June). As part of its Learn to Swim programme, it’s delivering special water safety lessons that cover life-saving skills like floating, cold water survival, and the Water Safety Code.

Even better, they’re launching a Water Safety Poster Competition to help spread the message. Children in the programme can enter by designing a water safety-themed poster, and the winner will receive a full year of FREE swimming lessons (49 sessions)! To enter, parents just need to snap a photo of their child with their completed poster and submit it via email or social media by 21 June. For full details on how to enter, click here.

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WHAT’S ON IN FIFE?

✨ Featured Event

Want to add an event? Use the button below. Want a Featured Event like above? Drop us a line at [email protected].

🎶 Live Music & Concerts

📍 Ned Evett - Master fretless guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter.
📅 Mon, 16th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £22

📍 Up Close With The Blues - An intimate smash hit show, giving an unforgettable soul-filled & fun night out.
📅 Tue, 17th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Mitchell's, St Andrews | 🎟️ £33.22

📍 Dave Kelly & Christine Collister - Duo drawing from their mutual love of classic rock, pop, country, jazz, and blues.
📅 Tue, 17th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Backstage at the Green, Kinross | 🎟️ £26.40

📍 The Pete Shaw Charity Show - The Fife Electronic Organ Society welcomes back the wonderful Pete Shaw.
📅 Wed, 18th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Salvation Army Community Church, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £10

📍 Silverburn Festival 2025 - Weekend music event surrounded by trees within the beautiful grounds of Silverburn Park.
📅 Fri, 20th - Sat, 21st June | 🕢 5:00pm (Fri) & 12:00pm (Sat) | 📍 Silverburn Park, Leven | 🎟️ £15-30

📍 H8teball - Night of metal music.
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £10

📍 Counterfeit 60s - Unforgettable evening of music and memories!
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £25

📍 Country Superstars - Johnny Memphis singing old and new country songs.
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Cupar Corn Exchange | 🎟️ £18

📍 Stevie Agnew - Scottish rock vocalist and guitarist from Dunfermline.
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

🎭 Theatre & Stage

📍 Balwearie High School presents Chicago! - Multiple-award winning show set in “Roaring Twenties” Chicago.
📅 Tue, 17th - Thu, 19th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £10

📍 Grado & Stephen Purdon: Shellsuits & Spandex - The duo share late tales from their careers in television, wrestling and panto, plus plenty of personal anecdotes.
📅 Tue, 17th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 St Andrews Town Hall | 🎟️ £25

📍 Rhod Gilbert & The Giant Grapefruit - But Rhod’s not bitter; he’s bouncing back and feeling remarkably zesty.📅 Wed, 18th June | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £35

📍 Wish You Were Here - Dark comedy exploring mental health, drugs, and homophobia in working class areas of Scotland.
📅 Thu, 19th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 King's Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £12

📍 Museum Lecture: Hannah Fleming - Fashioning an Identity on the Fairways: A history of the game and golfing dress.
📅 Thu, 19th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 The R&A World Golf Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ £10

📍 Leslie and the Civil War: The History and Weapons - Dr Bill Carr will take us through Leslie and the Civil War.
📅 Thu, 19th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Leslie Baptist Church | 🎟️ £2

📍 Limelight Carnegie Youth Theatre: Legally Blonde - Energetic and very pink performance of Legally Blonde.
📅 Thu, 19th - Sat, 21st June | 🕢 7:30pm (Thu-Sat) & 2:30pm (Sat) | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £18

📍 Swan Dance Academy 2025 - Annual dance show from the Swan Dance Academy.
📅 Fri, 20th - Sat, 21st June | 🕢 6:30pm | 📍 Lochgelly Centre | 🎟️ £15

📍 Le Vin herbé - Intimate opera offering a medieval reimagining of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde.
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £25

📍 Grado & Stephen Purdon: Shellsuits & Spandex - The duo share late tales from their careers in television, wrestling and panto, plus plenty of personal anecdotes.
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Baldridgeburn Community Centre | 🎟️ £25

🎬 Entertainment

📍 Lang Toun Fest 2025 - Culture, art, history, music, food, family-friendly activities, and community projects throughout June.
📅 Fri, 30th May - Sat, 5th July | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Varies

📍 Composted: A Festival of Biodegradable Ideas - Connecting gardeners, scientists, environmentalists, and everyone in the community in celebration of the life in our compost.
📅 Sat, 31st May - Sat, 26th July | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Cambo Country House and Estate | 🎟️ Varies

📍 Stock Car Summer Series - BRISCA F2s, Saloon Stock Cars, Stockrods, and ORCi Ministox battle it out on the track.
📅 Wed, 18th June | 🕢 6:00pm | 📍 Knockhill | 🎟️ £15

📍 National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire - As Blanche’s fragile world crumbles, she turns to her sister Stella for solace.
📅 Wed, 18th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Crail Community Hall | 🎟️ £14

📍 Summer Solstice Yoga Festival - Celebrate the longest days of the year by the sea with movement, music, and magic.
📅 Fri, 20th - Sun, 22nd June | 🕢 Varies | 📍 East Sands Leisure Centre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £20-70

📍 Scottish Supermoto Championship - Watch pitbikes, MiniGP bikes, and Supermotos.
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 East of Scotland Kart Club, Crail | 🎟️ Free

📍 Meet Darren Shan - Meet Darren Shan to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his international bestselling book Cirque due Freak.
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 12:00pm | 📍 Waterstones, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £7.99

📍 St Andrews Heritage Tour - Discover hidden gems, stories, and secrets by exploring St Andrews Castle, Cathedral, and more.
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 2:00pm | 📍 St Andrews War Memorial | 🎟️ £10

📍 Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning - The latest Mission Impossible from Tom Cruise.
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £8.50

📍 Dark & Haunting Tales - Meetings with the devil, ghostly stage coaches, accused witches, and body snatchers.
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Abbot House, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £20.21

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Kids

📍 Burntisland Fairground - Rides, stalls, and attractions lining the town’s seafront.
📅 Sat, 31st May - Sun, 24th August | 🕢 1:00pm | 📍 The Links, Burntisland | 🎟️ Varies

📍 Kids' Den: Lego Club - Learn skills, meet people, have fun as you construct, create and chill out!
📅 Tue, 17th June | 🕢 3:15pm | 📍 Cadham Library, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £2

📍 Bookbug - Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Wed, 18th June | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ Free

📍 Bookbug - Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Wed, 18th June | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 Burntisland Library | 🎟️ Free

📍 Kids' Den: Lego Club - Learn skills, meet people, have fun as you construct, create and chill out!
📅 Thu, 19th June | 🕢 3:30pm | 📍 Kelty Library | 🎟️ £2

📍 Abbey Kids - Creative group for children and their carers.
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 4:00pm | 📍 Dunfermline Abbey Church Hall | 🎟️ Free

🥗 Food & Drink

📍 Scottish Tapas & Tales - Enjoy a taste of Scottish traditional food while listening to tales of Scotland from local storytellers.
📅 Thu, 19th June | 🕢 12:30pm & 1:30pm | 📍 The Canmore House Bar and Restaurant, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £25

📍 Woodmill Supper Club - Chef-hosted dining experience set in a cosy countryside cottage just outside Lindores.
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Clare Cottage, Woodmill Farm | 🎟️ £65

🛒 Markets

📍 Artisan Fridays Market - A lively weekly food market offering hot & cold food on Kirkcaldy High Street.
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 9:00am | 📍 Kirkcaldy High Street | 🎟️ Free

🎨 Exhibitions

📍 Unearthed - Step back in time to discover how Scotland was formed and explore prehistoric creatures.
📅 Sat, 8th February - Sat, 27th September | 🕢 10:30am | 📍 St Andrews Museum | 🎟️ Free

📍 Jack Vettriano Exhibition 2025 - Collection of Jack Vettriano prints, including rare and sold-out pieces.
📅 Tue, 4th March - Tue, 28th October | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Affordable Arts, Methil | 🎟️ Free

📍 Cupar Museum and Heritage Centre – Explore Cupar’s rich history with locally focused exhibitions.
📅 Wed, 16th April – Fri, 31st October | 🕒 2pm (Wed, Fri & Sun) | 📍 Cupar Railway Station, Cupar | 🎟️ 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

📍 The Wonder Store - Exhibition showcasing artworks by various renowned artists.
📅 Fri, 2nd May - Sat, 27th Jun | 🕢 Varies | 📍 Methil Heritage Centre | 🎟️ Free

📍 Rewrite the Future - Explore how today's choices can shape a fairer, more sustainable tomorrow.
📅 Sat, 31st May - Sun, 28th September | 🕢 9:45am | 📍 Wardlaw Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

📍 Treasures from the Forth - Showcasing unique mosaics made with wonderful sea glass and ancient sea pottery washed ashore.
📅 Thu, 5th - Sun, 29th Jun | 🕢 10:00am (Thu-Mon) | 📍 The Ecology Centre, Kinghorn | 🎟️ Free

🧶 Arts & Crafts

📍 Dreel Crafters - All skill levels welcome for knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, embroidery and more.
📅 Tue, 17th & Thu, 19th June | 🕢 7:00pm (Tue) & 2:00pm (Thu) | 📍 Dreel Halls, Anstruther | 🎟️ £3

📍 Make Your Own Soap Workshop - Come and make your own beautiful soap on this workshop run by Celtic Cauldron Soapery.
📅 Thu, 19th June | 🕢 12:00pm | 📍 Anderson Hall, Leslie | 🎟️ £35

📍 Sparkle & Pour Candle Workshop - Candle making, Prosecco, and 15% off jewellery.
📅 Thu, 19th June | 🕢 5:30pm | 📍 Eloise Jewellery, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £35

📍 Botanical Art Workshop - Join Mira Caie Artist at Teasses Estate in June for botanically inspired mixed media workshop.
📅 Fri, 20th June | 🕢 10:00am | 📍 Teasses Estate | 🎟️ £45

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THANKS FOR READING

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Cheers,

Duncan

Got an event or news you want to feature? Or perhaps you’d like to promote your business to readers in Fife? Get in touch with us at [email protected] - let’s make it happen!