🧭 Fife's Puffins Are Saved!

Good morning, Fifers! That cold weather didn’t last long, and it looks like the heat is sticking around through the weekend. Perfect weather to get out on the water!

Here’s what else is coming your way today:

• 🦐 Fife Puffins Saved After Sandeel Ban Upheld

• 🌍 Afro-Caribbean Festival Coming to Fife

• 🎯 Career Help for Fife's Young Adult Carers

• 🏆 Fife’s Most Affordable Town for Families

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

— Duncan

TOP STORIES AROUND THE KINGDOM

🏆 Glenrothes Tops List of Most Popular Affordable Towns for Families

In a time when many are feeling the pressure of the rising cost of living, property site Zoopla looked into where families are finding the best balance between value and livability. The ranking was based on the number of views per Zoopla listing for a typical three-bed home in towns deemed affordable, with affordability measured by comparing average house prices to local earnings.

Glenrothes came out on top, with the average three-bed home priced at £136,900. But Fife wasn’t done there. Leven also made the cut, sliding into 8th place with an average three-bed home costing £164,600. We’ve been trying to keep how great Fife is under wraps, but it looks like the secret’s out. 👀

Here’s the full top 10:

1. Glenrothes, Scotland, £136,900

2. Llanelli, Wales, £170,600

3. Neath, Wales, £176,400

4. Port Talbot, Wales, £160,300

5. Wishaw, Scotland, £168,600

6. Maesteg, Wales, £142,200

7. Dartford, South East, £423,600

8. Leven, Scotland, £164,600

9. Larkhall, Scotland, £177,600

10. Swanley, South East, £444,900

🦐 Fife Puffins Saved After Sandeel Ban Upheld

Sandeels might be small, but they’re a huge deal for puffins and other seabirds that depend on them for food. With stocks dwindling, a UK-wide ban on commercial sandeel fishing was introduced in early 2024 to help restore the balance of our fragile marine ecosystem.

But not everyone was on board. EU officials challenged the ban, claiming it was discriminatory and disproportionate and could threaten the future of commercial sandeel fishing in Denmark, taking the case all the way to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague.

Luckily for Fife’s feathered residents, the court sided with the puffins! The UK can now uphold the ban, great news for the seabird colonies nesting on the Isle of May, just off the coast from Anstruther. A proper local win for wildlife. If you haven’t done so already, we really recommend a boat trip out to see them! 🛥️

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LOCAL HEADLINES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 🎤 Fife schoolboy Jimmy Suttie has secured a place in the national VoiceBox joke-telling final at the Scottish Parliament after winning the regional heat with his pun-filled ant joke.

• 🚨 A whistleblower has resigned from Fife Council after claiming his bullying allegations were dismissed, saying the council is “marking their own homework”.

• 🏕️ Plans have been submitted to build two new luxury glamping pods in Crossford, with developer Gregor Wylie proposing overnight stays, decking, bike storage, and parking on a garden plot near Lundin Road.

• ☕ A new £500,000 café and meeting hub at St Andrews Harbour has been approved, replacing a long-standing temporary structure, despite objections over its 130% size increase.

• 🏗️ Muir Homes has begun construction on 37 new homes in Dalgety Bay, with the Swordfish Drive development offering a mix of private and affordable housing, named in tribute to local WWII history

• 🏬 Preparatory work is set to begin on a £2.3m retail centre at Kirkcaldy’s Kingslaw Estate, featuring 10 retail units, a drive-thru, and 58 parking spaces as part of a wider £500m development.

• 🎓 A controversial plan to build 703 student beds at the former Madras College site in Kilrymont, St Andrews has been approved, sparking fears from residents and councillors that it could overwhelm the residential area.

• 🐾 Three sisters are opening the Salty Dog Beach Cafe at Elie Harbour this Friday, turning a lifelong dream into reality with a seaside takeaway serving coffee, food, and ice cream.

• 🔌 Public consultations are set for May 13–15 on a major new 530km subsea electricity link, Eastern Green Link 4, that will run from Kinghorn, Fife to Norfolk.

• 🎉 Pupils across Fife are celebrating wins at the Stemovators competition! Kirkcaldy North Primary was named STEM Club of the Year, with other schools recognised for projects in carbon capture, climate action, and engineering.

• 🐱 Mysterious cat stencils have appeared across Fife, sparking online speculation about their origin, with some linking them to a cryptic new cat on the block campaign.

AROUND FIFE

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

🎯 Fife's Young Adult Carers Benefit from Groundbreaking Employment Scheme

Over 150 young adult carers in Fife have taken part in a pioneering employability scheme designed to help them build their future beyond caring. Funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery and supported by Carers Trust, the project included workshops, CV-building sessions, and opportunities for young carers to connect with employers like the BBC, M&S, and SSE Energy.

Carson, a 23-year-old carer from Fife, praised the program for helping him recognise the value of his caregiving experience, now included on his CV as he applies for a BBC apprenticeship. The collaboration with local businesses and services in Fife is set to continue, helping more carers access jobs and education. [Carers Trust]

🌍 Afro-Caribbean Festival Coming to Pittencrieff Park

There are a lot of great festivals going on in Fife, from locally focused cultural ones such as the Aberdour Festival, to the brilliant Silverburn Festival, which is more music-focused. However, there is always room for more to keep us entertained. That’s why we were delighted to read in the Dunfermline Press that this summer, Fife’s first-ever Afro-Caribbean Festival will join in on the fun.

In particular, it will be held in Dunfermline’s Pittencrieff Park on July 5th. The festivities are set to begin early at 11am, with the day coming to a close at 6pm. Organised by Temitope Ajayi-Salami, who owns the AYT African-Caribbean grocery store in Dunfermline, the event promises an exciting mix of live music, cultural performances, and delicious local foods. Even better, it’s free to attend. To reserve your spot, head here.

@THEFIFEINSIDER

📍 Picture by Fife Insider | Location: Aberdour

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WHAT’S ON IN FIFE?

✨ Featured Event

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🎶 Live Music & Concerts

 📍 Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac – The ultimate tribute to one of rock and roll’s most remarkable groups.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕘 8:00pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £40

 📍 Straighten Out – Tribute band to The Stranglers.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕘 7:00pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £13.50

 📍 The Mersey Beatles – The world’s favourite Liverpool-born tribute to the Fab Four.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕘 7:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £28

 📍 James Low Sings – Plays guitar beautifully and sings like a buddy brit pop star.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕘 8:30pm | 📍 The Harbour Bar, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

 📍 Metal Fest – Killer lineup for a full day of metal.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕘 2:00pm | 📍 King’s Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £15

 📍 The Complete Stone Roses – Tribute band to The Stone Roses.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕘 7:00pm | 📍 PJ Molloys, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £17.60

 📍 Showaddywaddy – Formed in the 1970s, they have sold more than 20 million records and have toured the world.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕘 7:00pm | 📍 Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £26

📍 Dunfermline Strathspey & Reel Society Fiddler’s Rally – Join us for an evening of toe-tapping music.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £14

 📍 Bruach – A night of folk rock tunes and jars.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕘 8:30pm | 📍 The Wheatsheaf Inn, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Burn The Maps Semi-Acoustic Live – Leven’s alt-rock legends performing stripped-back versions of their hits and classic covers.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕗 8:30pm | 📍 The Harbour Bar, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

 📍 Open Mic – Showcase your talents at this under-21s event.
📅 Sun, 11th May | 🕘 3:00pm | 📍 King’s Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

🎭 Theatre & Stage

📍 VE Day Celebration with The Vintage Girls – Celebrate with a cabaret evening featuring The Vintage Girls.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕕 6:00pm | 📍 Earlsferry Town Hall, Earlsferry | 🎟️ £16.96

📍 The Man Who Left the Titanic – A gripping play exploring the legacy of J. Bruce Ismay, the man who left the doomed Titanic.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £16

📍 NBSD Showcase 2025 – Come see our fantastic dancers perform and display their talent in ballet, tap and street dance.
📅 Sun, 11th May | 🕧 2:30pm | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £25

🎬 Entertainment

📍 The Penguin Lessons – Poignant dramedy following an Englishman’s personal and political awakening after he adopts a penguin.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £8.50

📍 Anna’s Ceilidh for Berklee – Unforgettable night filled with performances from extraordinary musicians.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕢 7:00pm | 📍 Corn Exchange, Cupar | 🎟️ £15

📍 Scenic Railtour from Leven to Oban – Celebrate the reopening of Leven Station with a full-day rail adventure!
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕡 6:30am | 📍 Leven Station, Leven | 🎟️ £124

📍 Spring into Summer Guided Walk – Scenic 2.5-hour walk, with plenty of fascinating stops along the way. Suitable for most fitness levels.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Strathmiglo Village Hall, Strathmiglo | 🎟️ Donation

📍 Garden Shed Floral Workshops & Garden Tour – Explore the walled garden, learn sustainable growing techniques, and create your own seasonal flower arrangement.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕥 10:30am | 📍 Balgove Larder, St Andrews | 🎟️ £45.95

📍 Spring Farm Walk – A leisurely 1.5-hour stroll through the beautiful spring farms at Ardross Farm.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕚 11:00am | 📍 Ardross Farm, Elie | 🎟️ £16.96

📍 Randolph Wemyss Hospital – A talk about Randolph Wemyss Hospital discussing the hospital’s survival pre-NHS.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕢 1:00pm | 📍 Methil Heritage Centre, Methil | 🎟️ Free

📍 PM Groove – Daytime clubbing experience with tunes from Vasco Theviking and Hithut Sound System.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕒 3:00pm | 📍 Dalgety Bay Sailing Club, Dalgety Bay | 🎟️ £10

📍 Jack Dee: Small World – Join Jack as he guides you through his varied life and career with his customary charm.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕢 8:00pm | 📍 Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline | 🎟️ £30

📍 Fife Race for Life: 3K, 5K, 10K & Pretty Muddy – Join thousands at Beveridge Park for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.
📅 Sun, 11th May | 🕥 10:30am | 📍 Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Varies

📍 VE Day Anniversary Event – WWII-style street party at Craigtoun with live music, wartime memorabilia, and home baking.
📅 Sun, 11th May | 🕛 12:00pm | 📍 Craigtoun Country Park, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

📍 Write ON at Kirkcaldy Galleries – A friendly creative writing group for amateur writers! Join for prompts, exercises, and inspiration from the Galleries’ collection.
📅 Sun, 11th May | 🕧 1:00pm | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Unfold Pregnancy Yoga – Luxurious and relaxing experience for Mummies-to-be, featuring yoga, breathing techniques, and guided relaxation.
📅 Mon, 12th May | 🕧 11:00am | 📍 Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Scotland Beneath the Surface
📅 Mon, 12th May | 🕧 7:00pm | 📍 Fife Folk Museum, Ceres | 🎟️ £3

📍 Lochore Walking Festival – Join the first-ever Lochore Walking Festival for a week of free, guided walks across Fife.
📅 Mon, 12th – Sun, 18th May | 🕙 Programme | 📍 Fife | 🎟️ Free

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Kids

📍 You Choose – An interactive musical show for all the family.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕢 1:30pm | 📍 Byre Theatre, St Andrews | 🎟️ £14

📍 The McDougalls: Pirate Adventure – Brand-new swashbuckling sing-along adventure the whole family will love.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕢 2:00pm | 📍 Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ £13

📍 Pixie Picnic – A magical afternoon of fairy-themed crafts & activities, followed by a Solar Cinema screening and picnic.
📅 Sun, 11th May | 🕢 2:30pm | 📍 St Andrews Botanic Garden, St Andrews | 🎟️ £6

📍 Bookbug at Rothes Halls – Enjoy free, fun, and friendly sessions for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers! Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Mon, 12th May | 🕑 10:30am | 📍 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes | 🎟️ Free

📍 Bookbug’s Big Bedtime Party – Enjoy free, fun, and friendly sessions for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers! Sing, rhyme, and share stories with your little ones.
📅 Mon, 12th May | 🕑 1:30pm | 📍 Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

🥗 Food & Drink

📍 Foraging for Real Beginners – A family-friendly foraging walk exploring edible plants in Aberdour.
📅 Sun, 11th May | 🕥 10:30am | 📍 Dovecot Park, Aberdour | 🎟️ £25

🛒 Markets

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

📍 Balgove Night Market – Stock up on fresh local produce.
📅 Fri, 9th May | 🕘 5:00pm | 📍 Balgove Larder Farm Shop, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

📍 St Andrews Market – Discover fresh produce, handmade crafts, and local Scottish goods.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕘 10:00am | 📍 St Andrews Town Hall, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

📍 Bowhouse Market – A celebration of the best food, drink, and craft producers from Fife and beyond! Enjoy street food, artisan stalls, and local makers.
📅 Sat, 10th & Sun, 11th May | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Bowhouse, St Monans | 🎟️ Free

📍 Two Day Stock Car Event – Three major championships, including the National Hot Rod European and 1300 Stock Car British Championship.
📅 Sat, 10th (5:00pm) & Sun, 11th May (12:00pm) | 🕙 5:00pm (Sat) & 12:00pm (Sun) | 📍 HRP Lochgelly Raceway, Lochgelly | 🎟️ £22

📍 Dunfermline City Artisan Market – Explore handmade crafts, local produce, and delicious treats from talented artisans.
📅 Sun, 11th May | 🕚 11:00am | 📍 St Catherine's Wynd, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Culross Community Market – Enjoy a fantastic day of local shopping, delicious food, and live music in the historic village of Culross.
📅 Sun, 11th May | 🕛 12:00pm | 📍 Culross Green, Culross | 🎟️ Free

🎨 Exhibitions

📍 Unearthed – Step back in time to discover how Scotland was formed, explore prehistoric creatures, and uncover treasures from Fife’s past.
📅 Sat, 8th February – Sat, 27th September | 🕒 10:30am | 📍 St Andrews Museum, St Andrews | 🎟️ Free

📍 Jack Vettriano Exhibition 2025 – A stunning collection of Jack Vettriano prints, including rare and sold-out pieces, at Affordable Arts!
📅 Tue, 4th March – Tue, 28th October | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Affordable Arts, Methil | 🎟️ Free

📍 Hag: Knowledge, Power & Alchemy through Craft – An inspiring exhibition celebrating the creativity, strength, and mastery of 13 Scottish women craft artists.
📅 Sat, 8th March – Sun, 8th June | 🕙 Various times | 📍 Carnegie Library & Galleries, Dunfermline | 🎟️ Free

📍 Cupar Museum and Heritage Centre – Explore Cupar’s rich history with exhibitions celebrating 250 years of Cupar Curling Club, a newly restored portrait of Charles Lees, famous creative locals, and the story of an 1870s dress that made its way to New Zealand.
📅 Wed, 16th April – Fri, 31st October | 🕒 2pm (Wed, Fri & Sun) | 📍 Cupar Railway Station, Cupar | 🎟️ Free

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

📍 Fife Flyers British Championship 40th Anniversary Exhibition – Relive the dramatic victory of the 1985 British Champions with memorabilia, photos, and more.
📅 Wed, 30th April - Sun, 8th June | 🕘 10am (Mon - Sat) & 12pm (Sun) | 📍 Kirkcaldy Galleries, Kirkcaldy | 🎟️ Free

📍 Yolandé Kenny: Watercolours of Our Beautiful Fife Coast – Watercolours capturing the charm of Fife's coastline, from local wildlife to the ebb and flow of coastal life.
📅 Tue, 29th Apr – Wed, 28th May | 🕒 10am (Mon - Sat) & 11am (Sun) | 📍 The Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther | 🎟️ Free

📍 The Wonder Store – An exhibition curated by Robert & David Mach, inspired by the old Wonder Store in Methil, showcasing artworks by various renowned artists.
📅 Fri, 2nd May - Sat, 27th Jun | 🕚 Varies | 📍 Methil Heritage Centre, Methil | 🎟️ Free

🧶 Arts & Crafts

📍 Jane McCurley Howie: The Cloud Collection – Intricate designs created using gel pens, with each drawing depicting a scene of beauty and resilience.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕘 10:00am | 📍 Lochgelly Centre, Lochgelly | 🎟️ Free

📍 Spring Flowers in Watercolour with Jenny Matthews RSW – One-day watercolour workshop focused on capturing the beauty of spring flowers.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕒 10:00am | 📍 Off The Rails Arthouse, Ladybank | 🎟️ £65

📍 Beginners Blue: A Journey of Discovery into Indigo – Dive into the world of Indigo dyeing in this hands-on workshop.
📅 Sat, 10th May | 🕙 10:00am | 📍 Heartfelt Studio, Newburgh | 🎟️ £70

📍 Angel Wings Mixed Media Workshop – Design your own angel wings on canvas using mixed media, positive affirmations, and plenty of personal flair.
📅 Sun, 11th May | 🕜 1:30pm | 📍 Deborah Cameron Creative Artist Studio, Glenrothes | 🎟️ £68

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SPORTS

Fixtures

⚽ East Fife vs Edinburgh City
📅 Sat, 10 May | 🕒 15:00 | 🏆 League 1 Playoffs Semi-final

Results

No recent results.

THANKS FOR READING

Thanks for reading Fife Insider today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who can’t play chess.

Cheers,

Duncan

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