The village has many clubs and organisations, some of them going back

a long time, and others relatively new.

The Curling Club

The Curling Club is the oldest organisation which still exists in

Strathkinness, although it is more in name than in any other way that it now

is associated with the village. It was founded in 1868 with a membership

composed of men from the village and the farms around it. Its first patron

was Mr. John Whyte Melville and over the years it has had some of the finest

curlers in the country, including the late Rab Mitchell, who was the third

generation of his family to belong to the Club.

It is a long time since the old curling pond down by the burn was played

on; matches are now played mainly at the Kirkcaldy ice rink. There are

thirty-two regular members of the Strathkinness Curling Club, although many

of them now do not live in Strathkinness.

The Open Group

The Qpen Group is one of the newest organisations in the village. The

following information has been provided by Mrs. Cath Akerboom:

‘The Strathkinness Open Group was established in 1980 after the Mothers’

Group collapsed due to lack of members. In order to continue certain com-

mitments of the Mothers’ Group, the remaining members decided to form

another group. Invitations were sent out and those interested held a meeting

to decide what they should do and how often to meet. The decision was

made to call it the ‘Open Group’ as an indication of the welcome to all comers.

There is no committee as such, and all members, if present, are involved in

making the decisions. The group meets once a month in the, evening when a

speaker is usually invited to talk on a topical subject or on past times, or

alternatively a demonstration is arranged. Coffee is served after the talks,

giving an opportunity for discussion.

‘Besides the monthly meetings, there are other activities such as Cheese &

Wine evenings or a visit to the theatre, etc. The Grannies amd Aunties are

invited to an afternoon tea. This year we hope to entertain the Grandpas and

Uncles too.

‘We also have a Coffee Afternoon with Cake & Candy stalls, etc. to raise

funds, the money being contributed to various organisations such as the Church

Hall where the meetings are heid, the Senior Citizens’ Outing, the Playgroup

Christmas Party, and most important of all towards our adopted ward at

164