Kirkcaldy Galleries & War Memorial in Fife Scotland

Quite often we don't appreciate what we have on our own doorstep. I know I am guilty of that, so have decided to rectify that!

One of these is our local Library Art Gallery and War Memorial in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland.

It is known as Kirkcaldy Galleries

And today we shall be having a whirl round...

Kirkcaldy Galleries has a library, museum, art gallery, local & family history room, cafe, gift shop and children's areas - all within one beautiful building.

I thought it was Fife council that ran the Galleries, but it is actually a Fife charity set up by Fife council I believe.

Kirkcaldy Galleries opened in June 2013. This was after there was a hefty £2.5 million refurbishment undertaken by Fife Council.

It is located in the centre of town between the train station and bus station. When the sun is shining like it was, then it really is a perfect place to sit, unwind and watch the world go by.

I won't dwell too much on the grounds, there was a Beautiful Scotland contest which was being judged either last week or the week before.

It did mean I saw some sunflowers, for some reason the parks in Kirkcaldy this year have been having sunflowers in their flower beds.

Me thinks someone at the council got a good deal on them!

They deserve a whole post to themselves as they were bonnie!

This historic museum was first opened in 1925 as part of the town's War Memorial, with the library extension being added in 1928.

I actually find it quite worrying that so many of the younger generations are blissfully unaware of the great wars.

The millions of deaths that occured to keep our freedom.

But I shall not dwell on that... suffice to say I love this bench which captures the essence of it all.

The original memorial was erected to commerate the fallen from the Great War the first world war.

A lone poppy wreath takes pride of place above the Remembrance plinth.

You can tell by the size of the writing on the wall plaques just how many people died in this small town.

And there were thousands of similar towns all over Europe.

Whoever in the wildest imagination would think 20 years after the War to end all wars there would be another World War.

But there was and more needless loss of life was felt all around the world.

Freedom means being able to sit in your park, thanks to our ancestors this is possible.

But for how much longer.

We seem intent on ignoring history and doing our best to have a third World War.

Like all buildings now, you have to have a car park and this is pretty handy as it is right beside the train station too!

But it is up this end that you gain entrance to the building.

The writing indiciating that yes this is the Public Library.

I don't know about you, but here it is now a case with so many public amenities ...

Use it or Lose

So whenever we can we try to use public facilities.

Yes the cafe is open, actually it is also a good meeting point for people. They often come for a weekly sandwich and bowl of soup with their neighbour or friend and catch up on life!

The entrance is inviting enough.

To the right are the children's play areas and library and to the left is ....

... the cafe. It is bright and airy with windows overlooking the gardens. A bonnie place to have a cuppa!

If you are a library member then you can book the computers and I believe they have printing facilities as well...

Again another example of Use it or lose it

I think they do some hot food, but I have only had a coffee when I have been waiting for Mrs T.

The Galleries are on a couple of levels, and they seem to have 4 exhibitions on at any one time.

I think this one is a semi permanent exhibition as it has an origianal turnstile from Raith Rovers the local football team. I have squeezed myself my fair shaire of those over the years I can tell you!

We have King Charles on the throne now but it is his predecessor Charles 1 who proclaimed Kirkcaldy as a Royal Burgh.

I did learn that a building we walk past on the High Street is actually a Coptic Orthodox Church.

I tell you, you learn something new everyday when you use Hive!

There you go, one two three and four exhibitions, I thought so!

The unearthed one is up the stairs, well no time for that today, maybe in a few weeks I shall be back and see what it is all about!

These were all on the ground floor, there is a basement where the loos are!

No... I am not taking you there....

I will however leave with one shot of the most gorgeous and colourful flower beds I have seen.

All images and ramblings are from me, the mad Scotsman TengoLoTodo unless otherwise stated..

DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND DO IT OFTEN

HASTE YE BACK

@tengolotodo August 12th 2024 (Aug 7 Premium 1 VR)

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