Some cookies used are essential to providing a service while others help us improve your experience and provide us with insights into how the site is being used For more detailed information about the cookies we use, see our Cookies page Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security You may disable these by changing your browser settings but this may affect how the website functions We'd like to set Google Analytics cookies to help us to improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify anyone For more information on how these cookies work We'd like to allow Social Media cookies to provide a richer experience These cookies will allow us the ability to list Fife Council tweets and Facebook posts audio clips & Videos on some of our pages Our videos use Youtube's privacy-enhanced mode These cookies allow us to show relevant adverts to the content you are viewing They also provide the ability to deliver targeted online advertising across other platforms like Facebook News Centre Councillors in Levenmouth have agreed a series of mitigation actions to support tenants as improvement work to two blocks of high-rise flats in Methil progresses Fife Council is investing £7 million at Swan and Memorial Courts following recommendations made in a consultants’ report last year and a project update has been given to the Levenmouth Area Committee Improvements include internal fire stopping work to communal and tenanted areas in both blocks; the replacement of external wall insulation; the replacement of older kitchens and bathrooms; and the upgrade of existing heating systems to improved energy efficient and cost-effective electric heating systems tenants will inevitably face some disruption over a limited period the contractors on site will be working for a period of 18 months to two years causing more disturbance than a normal improvement project Area Committee members have now approved a range of measures to mitigate the disturbance for tenants spokesperson for Fife Council’s Housing and Building Services said: “Improving the fire safety of our tower blocks in Fife and the safety of our tenants and residents is paramount and it made perfect sense for us to take this opportunity while completing the cladding work to upgrade these tower blocks “We acknowledge there may be a short-term impact for tenants and that’s why we’ve brought forward these mitigating measures but the long-term benefits of this investment cannot be underestimated energy efficient affordable homes will not only improve the health and wellbeing of tenants and reduce fuel poverty within the blocks but this programme of works will also make a positive contribution to the Council’s refreshed Climate Plan and the Local Housing Strategy by improving the energy efficiency to the EESSH2/Net Zero standard.” The Council’s Tower Block Review Group (TBRG) has met on a regular basis since last September to guide and take forward the development of the programme of works for all the proposed improvements to the flats led by the Head of Housing with support from Building Services Corporate Health and Safety and Protective Services Consultation with council tenants has occurred mainly through tenant newsletters drop-in sessions arranged in tenants’ lounges; individual discussions with tenants and tenant visits to two show flats (one in Swan Court and one in Memorial Court) to discuss component replacement said: “This is a significant project to deliver what is a complete package of works and improvements to these blocks at Swan and Memorial Court “I’d just like to pay tribute to all the staff involved as the communication with tenants throughout has been second-to-none “This is a complex issue that has been dealt with in a very and the concierge staff have been a source of positive assurance for tenants that the works will be happening and that they will be kept up to date from start to finish.” Consultants commissioned by the Council to evaluate work by contractors carrying improvement works to fire stopping at Swan and Memorial Court in Methil made a series of recommendations which the local authority is acting swiftly upon as a precaution The consultants’ report suggested that the use of Phenolic Tile External Wall Insulation (EWI) coupled with a lack of fire breaks in the buildings although the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it has well established operational procedures in place which can implemented in the event of a fire to fully mitigate the risks identified by the consultants and reassure Council tenants Fife Council committed to taking pro-active steps and will remove the existing EWI and replace it with a mineral wool-based EWI system as soon as practicable and improve the energy efficiency of the blocks to the current Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing This will make the flats warmer and will cost less for tenants to run their heating Contact us Make a complaint Site map Social Media Accessibility Cookies Policy An exhibition of some of the works of Fife artist Jack Vettriano will be delayed after his sudden death at the weekend But the Affordable Arts Gallery show will be put on hold by a month out of respect for the 73-year-old Jack Vettriano was found dead at his apartment in Nice in the south of France on Saturday Gallery owner Ryan Mcphee said: “We will definitely still hold the exhibition but we have postponed it by a month “I was given the shocking news at the weekend just following Jack’s death “We are all shocked and upset but we will continue pretty much as planned He says the artist had become a family friend Ryan said the exhibition will show more than 70 limited editions of Jack’s work original works done under his actual name of Jack Hogan.” He added: “We will have a book of condolences at the exhibition and once the exhibition is finished we will decide the best place for it to be located “We want to offer as many people as possible the chance to sign and view it.” “It’s an honour to be able to go ahead and still hold this exhibition in his memory.” He added that Jack had not planned to visit the exhibition First Minister John Swinney was among those paying tribute to Jack He wrote on X: “I am very sorry to hear the news that Jack Vettriano has died “He made a unique and evocative contribution to artistic life in Scotland in such compelling style Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also hailed the “iconic” painter Jack Vettriano was an iconic Scottish artist “My thoughts are with his family and friends.” Comments are currently disabled as they require cookies and it appears you've opted out of cookies on this site. To participate in the conversation, please adjust your cookie preferences in order to enable comments The woman was left upset following the robbery in the Kirkland Drive area of Methil on Tuesday evening. The woman was approached by a man dressed in dark clothing in the Kirkland Drive area of Methil at around 10pm on Tuesday. Officers said the man tried to take her handbag and after a struggle, made off with it in the direction of Methilhaven Road. An investigation has been launched and anyone with information regarding the “upsetting” incident has been urged to get in touch. Detective sergeant Mark Millar said: “This was a very upsetting incident for the woman and we are keen to trace the man described or speak to anyone who knows who they are. “In addition, if you have private CCTV or were driving in the area around 10pm on Tuesday and have dash-cam that could assist officers, then please contact us. “Anyone who can help is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3787 of March 18, 2025, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.” STV News is now on WhatsAppGet all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Follow STV News on WhatsAppScan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country '+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text+' "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title+" "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text+" We use cookies to improve your experience of using our website Please let us know if you agree to the use of these cookies the Church of Scotland's ‘Talking Ministry' series will share a personal story from those serving in Christian ministry along with resources filled with questions prayers and reflections to help encourage reflection on how God might be calling you at this time Rev Gillian Paterson speaks about her role as minister of Wellesley Parish Church in Methil and we explore the theme: Why am I here Rev Gillian Paterson has been the parish minister of Wellesley Parish Church in Methil in Fife for the last 11 years she worked for 17 years as a stewardship consultant for the Church of Scotland I am the minister of Wellesley Parish Church in Methil which is the seventh most deprived parish in Scotland but actually also great joy because what I've discovered is it's a really hardworking congregation – people who give everything their all The thing I've learnt the most is about the generosity of people here People wouldn't imagine that if you were working in a deprived area – and finance is an issue for us – but the generosity of the people in the time their skills and their talents is what inspires me day by day The generosity of the people [in our parish] in their time but it's because I worry about the people who are living with what they're living with In my opinion I have one of the best congregations there is because they work so hard You're leading a team in a parish like this – you're not the one person doing everything as you can't possibly do that They're a good bunch – and a happy bunch as well There's a really high pastoral need and I do over 100 funerals a year We're still very much the parish church and we also do a lot of weddings Day to day it's about being with people and meeting their needs which might be conducting a service on a Sunday and mid-week or it might be attending poverty or foodbank meetings Our new project is setting up something called the Hope Chest clothing and starter packs for people in need along with selling things at very low prices to help a community that can't afford to pay a lot so I work with all ages which I particularly enjoy The last couple of years have been difficult as we're building a brand-new church centre here – we raised over £1.2 million to build it It's been incredible but we've had over a year of delays and there are still snagging issues so I'm involved in a lot of that at the moment It's where the working hard and generosity of the parish comes in – we raised more than half a million pounds directly by ourselves There's a lady who said at the start of the process ‘I'll make scones every week to sell' and she did that for eight years We've got loads of young people about the place too – we have a youth fellowship of 20 teenagers and they did things like car washing and a coffee morning The congregation also organised concerts and other fundraising events In 1993 I came to work in the Stewardship Department of the Church of Scotland I was a stewardship consultant for 17 years but the more involved I got the more I began to feel like I wanted to do more In my home congregation my minister was extremely encouraging of me and got me involved with worship and convening a committee All of which I can see now was preparing me for ministry We then had a series of bereavements in my family It was after a funeral that I felt God say to me ‘you could help somebody who is sitting where you are' In 2003 I went to an enquirers course and was greatly encouraged by people I met there – although everybody thought I was working at it I did a brilliant enquiry placement at Kinghorn where the minister Jim Reid gave me all sorts of tests and challenges without me realising it And by the time I got to the assessment conference I thought ‘this is the path for me' I originally applied for auxiliary ministry as I was going to carry on with stewardship but then we had another series of bereavements It was actually during my probation for my auxiliary placement when my support group said ‘after all the work you've been through and all that you've done why are you going for auxiliary ministry when you could be full-time helping people in a parish?' Lots of people ask why I'm still in Methil and I say it's because I love the people there At that time I was working with Wellesley and they were in a vacancy but I'd already said to them ‘no I'm going to be an auxiliary minister' and they said ‘don't worry we'll wait until you've done the extra training' which is when you know God has a sense of humour I was having a conversation with my ministries support officer and I was applying to Edinburgh University I finished off my degree to do the extra courses that I needed – I did it in one year which was a bit scary but I absolutely loved it which was just the best 15 months with Rev Richard Baxter as my supervisor He really put me out of my comfort zone and it prepared me for ministry in a deprived area which is where I felt God wanted me to be – that calling has never changed The biggest surprise is how much people still value the parish minister People tend to think the church is irrelevant these days and that we're in a secular society People will still turn to the minister and I get loads of phone calls where people are looking for support For me that's a real blessing as it means we are part of the community Test the call – either volunteer in your own congregation or another one or in a community project as you never know what journey you might be taken on and you'll surprise yourself Don't resist it – God has a way of prompting you Getting experience is the most important thing and don't get scared The biggest surprise is how much people still value the parish minister...that's a real blessing as it means we are part of the community Launching our appeal to raise the money to build our church centre was a definite highlight A second highlight has been the numerous families that I've helped and supported in times of bereavement – it is my greatest privilege One that's to come is I'm conducting my daughter's wedding at the end of April and I'm really excited about that At different times in our life we will experience significant change and sometimes we have little control over the circumstances that might arise Sometimes it can lead us to ask questions about what God might have planned for our lives As God's people we trust and believe we are in God's care but it doesn't mean we can't ask searching questions Keeping trusting that God is still active in the world even if we have a healthy dose of doubt in the midst can show an active and questioning faith which is consistent with so many individual stories in the Bible which God prepared in advance for us to do Despite our belief that ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.' Hebrews 13:8 so too we ask questions of ourselves to gain a better understanding of who we are There's always so much to learn about ourselves and our faith If we understand that God's presence is with us then in our questions might we also be ready for God's invitation to a new direction and opportunity to walk a different path that God would speak to us about a new shape our lives will take in the days ahead We have been made for more than the everyday grind We have something to offer to the story which is still to be written for our communities God has a plan for how he will use our lives for his glory It might be easy to be overwhelmed by possibility or discouraged by our own limitations That's why we take time to reflect on the lessons learned by us and the things quietly spoken by God He doesn't look to us for our great ability What have I learned about myself throughout this last year What have I learned about my faith in this last year What has God been showing me and saying to me about his work in the world and my part in it There are two great days in a person's life – the day we are born and the day we discover why Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal And the covenant which I have made on earth If you would like to consider how God might be calling you to serve at this time you may want to discuss further with your minister or be in touch with your Presbytery to explore local opportunities If you are interested in exploring a call to the recognised ministries of the Church, you can find more information on our vocations page and can contact ministry@churchofscotland.org.uk for a Discernment Conversation with one of the Recruitment Team Contact us Smoke was seen billowing into the sky as firefighters tackled burning tyres near a former shop in Methil Emergency services were called to a stack of tyres on fire near the old newsagents on the Fife town’s Herriot Crescent on Sunday afternoon The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said the fire had impacted a nearby shed An eyewitness said the fire appeared to have taken hold behind the old shop and has damaged a fence and charred a shed in a neighbouring garden Police remained on the scene after firefighters had left A SFRS spokesperson said: “We were called to a fire near Laird Avenue in Methil at about 1.35pm which has impacted the shed off a neighbouring property “We sent two appliances from Methil and Kirkcaldy.” The crash has resulted in two casualties, with one taken to hospital and an air ambulance called to assist the other, SFRS said. Emergency crews raced to the crash in Den Walk which happened at around 9.15am on Saturday September 21. One casualty has been taken to hospital by ambulance and an air ambulance has been called to assist the other, Scottish Fire and Rescue have confirmed. The driver of the van was cut out of the vehicle by fire crews. The street is currently closed between Kirkland Road and Selkirk Street, with people urged to avoid the area. A statement from Police Scotland read: “Den Walk in Methil is closed between Kirkland Road and Selkirk Street due to a serious road crash. “We were called to the collision involving a lorry and a van around 9.15am on Saturday September 21 2024. “Emergency services are in attendance and people are being asked to avoid the area.” A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called to a collision between a van and a HGV on Den Walk, Methil at 9.21am on Saturday. “Crews from Methil and Kirkcaldy attended and extricated the van driver from the vehicle. “There are two casualties, one was taken to hospital by ambulance and the air ambulance has been requested.” Two men have been charged after police carried out a drugs raid at a Methil flat Officers executed a warrant at a property on Whyte Rose Terrace on Friday morning A visible police presence remains at the scene as they continue to search the address One local man said police in white suits were seen entering the property at around 2pm He said: “The police have been here since Friday morning “There were two officers in white suits entering the address on Sunday afternoon “I saw another uniformed officer standing on the stairwell to the flat.” A spokeswoman for Police Scotland confirmed two 52-year-old men are expected to appear Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Monday a drugs search warrant was executed at a premises in Whyte Rose Terrace in Methil “Two men aged 52 have been arrested and charged “They are expected to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Monday A Fife flat is set to go to auction with a starting price of just £10,000 The one-bedroom home is on High Street in Methil It will go under the hammer later this month and is described as a “prime buy-to-let investment property” a hallway leads to an open-plan living room with a small kitchen just off it The flat is completed by a bedroom and a bathroom Future Property Auctions says the home is capable of bringing in up to £400 per month in rent It says the flat has “huge yield potential” in a “super rental location” The flat goes under the hammer on April 24 Around 180 jobs have been guaranteed for two years at a Fife shipyard after a deal to buy debt-laden Harland and Wolff was officially confirmed Spanish state-owned engineering firm Navantia will buy all four Harland & Wolff sites As part of the deal, Navantia had to promise 90% of the workforce at the Fife site would have their jobs and conditions protected for up to two years There are around 200 members of staff currently employed at the Methil yard which has supported generations of families in the area with skilled work Scottish Secretary Ian Murray visited the docks on Thursday He said the “work pipeline” was now in place which could lead not just to jobs being saved but “hundreds” more being created Speculation on Methil yard’s future had grown since September after Harland and Wolff was placed in administration with debts of around £160 million The exact sum paid by Navantia for the four shipyards has not been disclosed, but it is understood to stand at close to £70m. Ministers refused a loan plea from Harland and Wolff after it was forced into a restructure maintaining a “market solution” was the best way to secure the yards’ future While the news was broadly welcomed by unions GMB warned the recent history of Methil yard has been one of squander The union wants the engineering excellence on offer in Methil to turn the site into one that thrives rather than one that merely “survives” said: “The priority now is to ensure the future of these yards is not just secure but sustainable “The workforce in Scotland has endured too many false dawns and deserves certainty “These yards are full of engineering excellence experience and potential and should be thriving not just surviving “If operations like this do not have a long-term profitable place in Scotland’s industrial landscape supporting good jobs and local communities then Scotland is doing something very wrong “The recent history of these yards has been one of squandered opportunities and that must end.” Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray told The Courier: “It is the best Christmas present the workforce here could have got “Because of the world class workforce and potential here “The workers I have spoken with here are very excited to show what they can do “We said there would be a market solution (to securing the four yards) Navantia is a private company which is partly owned by the Spanish government “We could not justify the export guarantee the yards wanted and that was the right thing to do at the time “The Scotland Office worked very closely with the Department of Trade to make sure all four yards stayed together with that market solution “The potential for this yard is huge And hopefully today (Thursday) is the starting point of realising that “There were two large policy specifications was that the yards stayed together and the workforce was protected And 90% of the workforce is now protected for two years it is now about the potential and the upskilling of people and how many will need to work here to fulfil the potential of Methil yard “It’s not just been about saving that 90% but how we build on that number and how many hundreds we can get in here “Methil is a fantastic yard to look at fabrication and a fantastic yard to look at off-shore wind We need to make sure we have all of these things working together “And we could end up in a situation in 18 months time where there’s a capacity issue and the workforce here is delighted about the announcement and very keen to get on and show what they can do.” Several trees on Methil’s main route have been yarn bombed by guerilla knitters have also added some festive cheer to along Methilhaven Road But there is a serious message behind the fun The yarn-bombing is the work of a group of women called Knit Together they are supporting the ongoing campaign to save trees threatened by a planned active travel route Fife Council provoked an outcry earlier this year when it emerged dozens of trees would be chopped down to make way for the cycling and walking paths to the new Leven railway station And they were forced back to the drawing board when 1,300 people signed a petition against the move Officers later confirmed four mature species would be saved thanks to an amended design the revised plan has not yet been revealed He said: “We are still waiting for the revised plans to be made public “We were hoping for a public consultation by now “Detailed consultation is something our community desperately needs with these projects “What is most concerning is we still have no information about the plans for the Buckhaven end of Methilhaven Road and what impact the route may have on the trees there.” Cameron said the yarn bombers received lots of community support “It was a great afternoon – lots of thumbs up and car horns going,” he said “We really hope it will continue to raise awareness and urge people to think about the value of our local trees.” Fife Council confirmed the public consultation is still due to go ahead but has been held up by funding delays Service manager Mark Dewar said: “We appreciate the community’s concerns we have been able to slightly amend the design to retain the four mature trees “We are working to schedule the planned consultation in the coming months.” Mr Dewar added that active travel route plans are still being developed including the extension along Methilhaven Road “We will share designs with the community for feedback as part of the design process,” he said A person has been taken to hospital after an incident on a Methil street Emergency services were called to Kirkland Gardens just before noon on Friday Two ambulances and two police vehicles attended the scene The injured person was taken to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 11.41am to attend an incident on Kirkland Gardens “Two ambulances were dispatched to the scene and one patient was transported to Victoria Hospital.” Police Scotland has been approached for comment A 39-year-old man has been taken to hospital and a 54-year-old man charged after armed police were called to a “disturbance” in Methil Officers were called to flats at Swan Court shortly after 11pm on Sunday with at least five police vehicles in attendance An ambulance and two Scottish Ambulance Service incident response vehicles were also spotted at the scene A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11.05pm on Sunday we were called to a report of a disturbance in Swan Court “Emergency services attended and one man was taken to hospital for treatment and was later released “A 54-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection and is due to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Monday.” A 30-year-old woman has been taken to hospital after an attack in Methil Police were called to the Methilhaven Road area of the town shortly after 7pm on Friday The woman was taken to Victoria Hospital for treatment A 34-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and will appear in court on Monday A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “At about 7.20pm on Friday we were called to a report of an assault at premises in Methilhaven Road “Officers attended and a 30-year-old woman was taken to Victoria Hospital for treatment “A 34-year-old man was arrested in connection and is due to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Monday December 16.” Police are investigating a deliberate fire at a flat in Methil Emergency services were called to a property on the town’s High Street at around 11.50pm on Friday Firefighters remained at the scene for nearly an hour Police confirmed nobody was injured in the blaze and that it is being treated as “wilful” A spokesperson said: “We were called to a report of a fire in the High Street area of Methil around 12am on Saturday “Emergency services attended and the fire was put out by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service “The fire is being treated as wilful and enquiries are ongoing.” A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We got the call at 23.52pm to a fire within a property on High Street in Methil “We extinguished the fire and made the area safe and the last appliance left at 12.43am.” A Fife mum was overwhelmed by the response after asking for a photograph of an iconic Methil crane for her son Ashley Cramb had appealed on behalf of Ollie who is “absolutely crazy” about the Titanic The seven-year-old was desperate to get a picture of a Harland & Wolff crane in its Methil shipyard after returning from the Titanic Belfast Museum Ollie had been taken with the giant Harland & Wolff cranes that still dominate Belfast’s shipyard The ill-fated Titanic was built at the company’s Belfast shipyard between 1908 and 1911 But OIlie hadn’t realised there was also a Harland & Wolff shipyard much closer to home Ashley said: “Ollie is a bundle full of knowledge and he impressed quite a few employees there by asking questions “He pointed out the area where the Britannic and the Olympic [the Titanic’s sister ships] were built “But he didn’t know that Harland & Wolff also had a base in his hometown.” Ashley took Ollie to the energy park in the town to show him the company’s complex They also wanted a peek at the shipyard’s own yellow crane But it proved difficult to get a good vantage point for a photograph However, Ollie was delighted when he could add a picture of Harland & Wolff’s Methil crane to his scrapbook Workers passed on a photograph of the crane to Ashley The company also presented the Titanic enthusiast with a goodie bag and hard helmet key rings and detailed brochure about the company and the services it offers Ashley told The Courier that her son is set on becoming a shipbuilder now Maybe next year he will want to be an astronaut “I can’t thank everybody enough and he is over the moon “He has been wearing his hard hat all the time “It was Lesley Hughes who reached out about the goodie bag and told her bosses “And they are planning to get him down to Harland & Wolff in February for a walk around and a picture next to the crane “It’s great that Ollie can add pictures of the Methil shipyard to his Harland & Wolff scrapbook for him to remember when he gets older.” At least 180 jobs were saved at the yard in December when Spanish state-owned firm Navantia confirmed it would buy all four Harland & Wolff sites Harland & Wolff was placed in administration in September last year A Methil woman has called for action to be taken to tackle anti-social behaviour by youths in the town after her car was targeted Four windows were smashed and the tyres were slashed of Samantha Jane Jamieson’s Volkswagen Golf The incident happened while the vehicle was parked on Ossian Crescent in the early hours of Saturday morning Samantha told The Courier that youths were seen “running away” after the damage occurred The 47-year-old had been using the vehicle to learn how to drive A driving license and the car would allow her to take her autistic eight-year-old on days out and on trips to see lifeboats She said: “My son can’t go on public transport so using the car was going to allow me to take him out “I’m worried I won’t be able to get an insurance payout for the damage “Witnesses have said they saw four youths running away down the street “They are terrorising the town and their parents should be fined “They are causing issues at the (Leven) bus station at Sainsbury’s and on the High Street “And they now seem to be going into the housing schemes as well “There is no respect for their elders and they are just sticking their finger up at the police and social work.” while her husband has arthritis and uses a “mobility car” She had woken on Saturday with the plan of taking her son on a trip to Angus And it was her son who first noticed the damage when they left her husband’s house She added: “I had been hoping to take my son to Arbroath on Saturday morning to see that part of the world “But when he spotted the car he was distraught “He is freaked out and he doesn’t cope well with routines being changed “He is just a little boy with an obsession for lifeboats “All the widows but two had been smashed and the car is not going to be worth the value it was.” A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9am on Saturday officers received a report of damage to a car on Ossian Crescent Vandals have forced the closure of a £100,000 playpark installed in Methil just seven months ago Children will be deprived of a place to play for several days after paint was splattered over equipment and matting in Oakvale Road And Fife Council faces a hefty clean-up bill as a result Angry councillor John O’Brien described Sunday night’s attack as mindless “Residents fought for years to get the play area upgraded for the kids,” he said “I’m totally disgusted and disappointed this has happened “The vandals apparently took a pot of paint from someone’s garden and went up to the park and started throwing it around.” Fife Council’s Levenmouth community manager David Paterson also condemned the vandalism He said: “Antisocial behaviour like this is a blight on our communities “Local families have been deprived of a place to play and the council is left with a bill to clean it up money that would be better spent elsewhere “We’ve arranged for a cleaning team to inspect the damage and remove as much of the paint as they can “We hope to reopen the park within the next few days.” Mr Paterson urged anyone with information to call police on 101 A spokesperson said: “At around 9.15pm on Sunday September 8, we received a report of vandalism to a playpark on Oakvale Road, Methil “Enquiries are at an early stage.” Fears have been raised over the future of a Methil yard as owners Harland and Wolff teeter towards administration after running out of money Belfast-based Harland and Wolff declared themselves insolvent on Monday after days of mounting speculation regarding the company’s cash-flow difficulties The Titanic shipbuilder employs around 200 workers in Fife and also operates the former BiFab yard on the Isle of Lewis It is understood external investors are interested in taking on the yards owned by Harland and Wolff But unions have warned the yards must not be “cherry-picked” by private investors The Labour government rejected a £200 million financial support pleas from the troubled ship-builder after they applied for a loan guarantee. It secured an agreement last month to extend a loan facility with existing lenders by £19.5m to £109.3m All four yards owned by Harland and Wolff will continue to trade throughout any administration process as these are regarded as “other companies” within the group Harland and Wolff is was working with administration company Teneo They said they were “insolvent on a balance sheet basis” and contingency planning was underway Russell Downs is a restructuring expert brought in to help the company He said: “The group faces a very challenging time given the overhang of significant historic losses and its failure to secure long term financing “Good progress has been made to test the market for investor appetite “The board has reluctantly concluded the company’s own future as an AIM-listed company will likely come to an end in the near future but the core operations undertaken by the four yards… will continue to trade as usual “It is important to recognise this is extremely difficult news for the company’s staff directly affected and will impact many others within group “We will work to support our staff through this transition “Unfortunately, extremely difficult decisions have had to be taken to preserve the future of our four yards. “This will clearly be very unwelcome news for shareholders who have shown significant commitment to the business over the last five years the senior management and rest of the team are committed to deliver the best outcome for the four yards and communities they serve to ensure their continued operation into the long term under new ownership.” Scottish and UK governments were involved from the beginning to secure the future of the yards He said: “There is serious interest from other firms looking to take on the yards “These yards are of strategic importance to the UK “Securing the key role of the Methil yard is vital for Fife and Scotland if we are going to fulfil our ambitions to expand our renewables sector and become a leader in green energy “Unions are right to highlight the strategic importance of these yards and this is why this process must be a priority for both UK and Scottish Ministers “When we have more details about the preferred options for the future of the yards it is vital all stakeholders are involved and the process moving forward recognises their importance not only to the defence sector but the wider renewable and marine sectors too.” STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “Last week we warned Grangemouth would happen again if workers and our industry were still at the beck and call of private interests “The Methil and Arnish yards should be a hub for renewables but once again corporate mismanagement and a market-led approach to energy has failed workers and communities in Scotland “It is now crucial the Scottish and UK Government act together to ensure that the yards are retained if we are to generate renewable energy jobs in Scotland.” Tenants in two Fife tower blocks where fire-risk cladding is being stripped are to share £250,000 compensation Fife Council says people living in Swan Court and Memorial Court in Methil face significant disruption during the £4.5 million of work And it has set aside £1,500 for each household to make up for the disturbance Councillors are being asked to agree the payouts at a meeting of Levenmouth area committee on Wednesday They are part of a package of measures for tenants The council announced last September that cladding would be removed from the Methil blocks as a precaution. It followed the discovery that the type of cladding used there – coupled with a lack of fire breaks – could put tenants at higher risk None of Fife’s other tower blocks in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline are affected Work to strip the external wall insulation (EWI) began earlier this month And internal firestopping work is due to begin in September New kitchens and bathrooms are also being fitted at the same time to avoid disturbing tenants again later 156 households are affected by the issue – with 78 in each block Fife Council housing chief John Mills says: “There will be a significant level of disruption for tenants during the programme of works “The contractors will be working for a period of 18 months to two years causing more disturbance than a normal improvement project.” The action in Methil was described as purely precautionary when it was revealed last year The cladding is not the same as that used in Grenfell Tower, which was banned following the 2016 disaster Mr Mills said: “The risk posed by the existing EWI may be higher with the lack of external fire breaks “Therefore we’re keen to fully mitigate these risks as soon as possible.” The £1,500 will be paid in three instalments – one when works start in September The final payment is due in June 2026 when work is expected to finish A woman was robbed of her handbag while walking her dog in a Fife town The woman was walking in Kirkland Drive in Methil at around 10pm on Tuesday when she was approached by a man dressed in dark clothing made off with it in the direction of Methilhaven Road Detective Sergeant Mark Millar said: “This was a very upsetting incident for the woman and we are keen to trace the man described or speak to anyone who knows who they are if you have private CCTV or were driving in the area around 10pm on Tuesday and have dash-cam that could assist officers Methil and District Pipe Band have been crowned European Pipe Band Champions – and now they have their sights set on the World Championships in Glasgow Methil-raised piper and well-known singer songwriter Cammy Barnes who recently took over the running of the band from his dad said winning the grade 3B category at the European Pipe Band Championships in Perth on Sunday was “pretty huge” for the Methil community – especially as the band mainly comprises local youngsters It’s the first time the Methil band have been crowned European champions since 2012 said: “We put a lot of work into it and it’s very good for us We were so excited when we managed to win it” said he was “absolutely delighted” when the band got announced as European champions after months of hard work “Winning with my pals was just the best!” he added Cammy, who became a household name when he appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2023 explained how he and multiple world champion piper Craig Brown recently returned to the band to teach and “give back” to the band that taught them Cammy has taken over from his dad Robert who recently got a BEM (British Empire Medal) from the King for his contribution to bagpipes and the local community While Cammy – also known as Fife’s singing barber – has experienced everything from performing at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to starring in Black Watch and performing with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers he says seeing the Methil youngsters celebrate their victory was “up there with one of the best achievements” Cammy told The Courier: “The Euros were held in Perth on Sunday just past and to be honest the last three weeks since me and Craig came on board with the band we’ve been really really grafting and the kids have been practising like hell it’s up there with one of the best achievements  I think I’ve ever had – especially being the band I grew up in Seeing all the kids faces when they announced Methil as the European champions Cammy describes Methil as a “really really strong community band” Learning to play and being in the band keeps kids off the street” But it’s also a great investment in their future lives He added: “Bagpipes is a trade – when they are older they can go and teach pipes And they are getting to see a bit of the world playing them as well It’s a cool thing and it’s pretty cool for the area as well.” The World Pipe Band Championships take place on Glasgow Green on August 16 and 17 Emergency services remain at the scene following the crash in Methil around 9.20am on Thursday morning. Emergency services were called to Methil Brae in Methil following reports of a collision at around 9.20am on Thursday morning. The road was cordoned off and a number of fire appliances and an ambulance remain at the scene. An individual was taken to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy following the incident. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9.20am on Thursday, November 14, 2024 we were called to a two vehicle crash on Methil Brae in Methil. Emergency services are at the scene.” A Scottish Ambulance Services spokesperson said: “We received a call at 9.19am to attend a two-car road traffic collision on Den Walk, Methil. We dispatched two ambulances to the scene. One patient was transported to Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy.” The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has been contacted for comment. A burnt-out car has been left abandoned off a public walking path in Methil Firefighters were called to a field off Poplar Road The car was left on its side having come off the public walking path adjacent to the new railway line The fire has destroyed the vehicle with images taken by The Courier showing the extent of damage inside A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called to a car fire in a field off Poplar Road at 11.05pm on Tuesday “We sent one pump and it arrived at 11.19pm and left at 12.31am “Crews used one main jet at the scene.” Police Scotland has been contacted for more information Four people have been charged after a drugs raid in Methil Police descended on a property in the Shepherds Park area of the town on Friday at around 9.30am were charged in connection with drug offences A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9.30am on Friday October 25 2024 officers executed a warrant at a property in the Shepherds Park area of Methil were charged in connection with drug offences and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.” The event at the artist's Methil hometown was orginally due to begin the day after his death was announced. Vettriano was a self-taught artist whose most famous work became the UK’s best-selling art print and set a Scottish record when it was auctioned in 2004. The artist was found dead at his apartment in Nice, in the south of France, on Saturday, March 1. An exhibition of some of the works of the artist’s works was due to be held in his Methil hometown the day after his death was announced. However, the Affordable Arts Gallery show was put on hold by a month out of respect for the 73-year-old, and will now open from March 4, running through to October 28. The artist died in France at the age of 73 on Saturday. Vettriano left school at 15 to become a mining engineer but took up painting after a girlfriend gave him a box of watercolours for his 21st birthday. The self-taught artist drew inspiration from works at Kirkcaldy Galleries, studying paintings from artists such as Samuel Peploe and William McTaggart so intently that he feared arousing the suspicions of gallery staff. His breakthrough came in 1998 when he submitted two paintings to the Royal Scottish Academy’s annual show and both sold on the first day, inspiring him to become a full-time artist. His 1992 painting The Singing Butler is among his most famed works. It shows an elegant couple dancing on a storm-swept beach accompanied by their butler and maid, becoming a best-selling image in Britain. It is understood there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the 73-year-old painter. His publicist said in a statement: “Jack Vettriano’s passing marks the end of an era for contemporary Scottish art. “His evocative and timeless works will continue to captivate and inspire future generations.” Home > News > Warning to cat owners after suspected poisonings in Methil Two young cats from the same family have tragically died due to suspected antifreeze poison in the last few weeks The latest incident was Saturday 17 August when a poorly cat in the area was taken to the vets and his bloods showed signs of toxity  Sadly he didn’t respond to treatment and was put to sleep to stop further suffering This was only just nine days after his sister was rushed to the vet displaying symptoms of poisoning and also had to be euthanised.  said: “Most people are unaware of the danger to pets from antifreeze poisoning Eating the smallest amount can cause kidney failure and death “These cats showed symptoms of lacking co-ordination Most vets associate these symptoms with poisoning.  “We would urge all pet owners to be vigilant in the High street area “If your pet shows any signs that they may have been poisoned with the intent of deliberately harming animals is a crime and is enforceable by law “The family has been devastated by the death of their beloved pets and are fearful for the other cats in the area “If anyone has any information about these incidents or that toxic substances are being deliberately used against animals then we would urge them to contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.” Help us promote events like this by sharing this page It costs us £63,000 every day to continue the work that animals across Scotland depend on Our work is only possible because of the generosity of people like you Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a Scottish Charity: SC006467 and a Private Limited Company: SC201401 KY11 8RY "Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" and “Scottish SPCA” are registered trademarks of the Scottish SPCA This website is copyright © Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Fife singing sensation Cammy Barnes reveals his favourite things about his hometown of Methil The very first experience of Brannigan’s in Leven I quite enjoy the K&K chippy near my house my mum used to give my 50p to go and get a cone of chips from there but I would say the East Dock again just for the atmosphere It’s going very well which is making me nervous because there have to be some hurdles somewhere We’re playing every single festival in Scotland which is exciting And next year it’s going to be even bigger Cammy Barnes plays the River Stage at TRNSMT 2024 on Friday July 12. Check out our interview with Cammy to find out what inspired his track, Guiding Light A 33-year-old man has been taken to hospital after a late-night assault in Methil Officers were called to Wellesley Road in the Fife town around 10.30pm on Friday A video posted on social media showed at least three police vehicles and an ambulance at the scene A man was subsequently taken to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy to be treated There are no further details of his condition Police Scotland have confirmed an investigation has been launched to trace the men responsible A spokesperson for the force said: “Around 10.40pm on Friday we were called to a report of a 33-year-old man assaulted in Wellesley Road “Inquiries are ongoing to trace the men responsible and officers are following a positive line of inquiry.” Contact us on 01851 705743 oremail info@welovestornoway.com Subscribe to our favourite national magazine here GMB Scotland is warning that Harland & Wolff must not sacrifice the Arnish and Methil fabrications for the company to stay afloat and with Harland & Wolff’s future hanging in the balance the union is demanding reassurances that they won’t be axed to save the company’s sites in Belfast and Devon The plea comes as the Arnish yard’s parent company conclude a strategic review of the business in the wake of the UK government’s refusal to underwrite a multi-million loan It also follows Harland & Wolff lauding recent plans to switch its two Scottish sites into fabrication hubs for the renewable energy sector said Harland & Wolff’s interim executive chair could not give any reassurances about the Scottish yards when she met with him last week Ms Gilmour called on the Scottish and UK governments to engage with Harland & Wolff she said the company’s “apparent lack of interest” in discussing financial assistance should “raise a red flag.” Read our favouritelocal magazine on-line Get our news on your inbox! Suscribe x MercoPress, en Español Montevideo, May 6th 2025 - 04:23 UTC A UK Government-backed deal will see Spanish shipbuilding subsidiary Navantia UK buy out Harland and Wolff securing the future of all four yards in the UK The buy-out saves the jobs of 350 skilled workers at the company’s sites in Methil The deal represents a major investment into the UK’s industrial base from Navantia UK and will provide opportunities for future naval work at Harland & Wolff’s shipyards across the country Scottish Secretary Ian Murray visited Harland and Wolff’s site at Methil in Fife He said: “This deal will save hundreds of skilled Scottish jobs bringing a vital lifeline to communities on Lewis and in Methil Navantia’s investment will not only secure the future of all four UK yards but also encourage future support for UK shipbuilding and fabrication - a vital cornerstone of our defense and clean energy sectors “Our Plan for Change is fixing the foundations as we face up to the worst economic and industrial inheritance since the Second World War and by helping facilitate deals like this one we are breathing new life into key sectors sustaining skilled jobs and delivering long-term economic growth to improve living standards right across the UK “Scotland has a proud industrial past the workers of Fife and Lewis can look forward to a bright industrial future.” Commenting for this story is now closed.If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page Membership Medals, Prizes & Awards STEM Student Ambassador Scholarships Tide Turners – The Young Innovators’ Digest Professional Membership Membership Fees Professional Registration Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Membership – Corporate Partner Advertise with RINA Maritime Directory by | 5th February 2025 | The Naval Architect - News Navantia UK will build three ships for the RFA with integration and delivery taking place at Harland & Wolff’s Belfast shipyard Navantia UK has confirmed plans to invest in Harland & Wolff following its acquisition of the company’s facilities in Belfast senior leadership from Navantia and its British subsidiary visited Harland & Wolff’s Belfast shipyard “Today marks the beginning of our shared journey…we are not just combining two companies we are building a formidable team,” said Navantia chairman Ricardo Domínguez when he visited the Belfast yard an industry consortium led by Navantia UK was awarded a £1.6 billion contract by the UK Ministry of Defence to deliver the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Team Resolute – which also included naval architects BMT – was due to design and build three FSS ships to enter service by 2032 The plan at the time was that the majority of the ships’ production would take place in the UK with blocks and modules constructed in Belfast and Appledore Components were due to be delivered by Harland & Wolff’s facilities in Methil and Arnish with other blocks fabricated by Navantia in Spain Speaking to the workforce in Belfast shortly after the acquisition Domínguez announced that Navantia UK will resume and expand the investment and recapitalisation plan intended for Harland & Wolff with integration and delivery taking place at the Belfast yard The new FSS ships will replace the vessels Fort Austin and Fort Rosalie – both now sold to Egypt – and Fort Victoria The FSS programme sees shipbuilding return to Belfast; the RFA vessels will be the first to be built at the Harland & Wolff yard since the ro-ro Anvil Point was launched in 2002 apart from the investment needed in Belfast for the FSS programme it intends to invest in “cutting-edge facilities technology and training” for the other facilities underpinned by a business plan that will “integrate the facilities into the UK’s industrial and defence ecosystem” Northern Ireland economy minister Conor Murphy said he would continue to work with the company to discuss future plans for the Belfast yard to scale up operations and ensure its long-term sustainability Royal Navy regional commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland said the Royal Navy and RFA are delighted that Navantia UK has entered the UK shipbuilding market The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult reports that it has selected nine UK companies for its 2025 Launch Academy technology acceleration programme created to provide "wraparound support" to innovative companies working in the offshore wind segment , Largest suction sail installation completed Bound4blue has completed the installation of the world’s largest suction sails with four 26m-high eSAILs being fitted to Atlantic Orchard Chartered by Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) and owned by Wisby Tankers of Sweden Madeira Island’s Regional Agency for the Development of Research Technology and Innovation (ARDITI) has ordered two Autosub Long Range-branded AUVs from the UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) to aid its research and ocean scientific activities off the coast of.. Benetti’s Livorno yacht factory has delivered the first model in the builder’s B.Now 67 series an aluminium superstructure and a maximum draught of.. All pages on this website are the copyright © of The Royal Institution of Naval Architects Registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales No