COMMUNITY power in Benarty has again come to the fore to eradicate the damage caused by the fireraisers which threatened to have the area's gala day cancelled.

The portable toilet block, set up in the car park at Lochore Meadows Country Park, was set alight and destroyed on the eve of the gala day in late June and while the toilets were destroyed, the car park was also severely damaged.

The Benarty Events Groups this week is pleased to announce that the damage that was done to the car parking area at Lochore Meadows has now been reinstated.

The damage was caused by vandals setting fire to the portable toilets that were hired in by the Group for the Gala and Pipe Band Competition.

When local man, Drew Mackie, who is contracts manager for Morrison Construction, heard about the damage caused he wasted no time in arranging for the damage to be repaired.

Events Group chairman, Eddie Easson, said: “When the incident happened there was a danger that without the toilets being replaced the gala was in jeopardy, but this where our fantastic community pulled together.

"After a series of phone calls words turned into action. Local businessmen, Ian Bruce and Keith McGregor, set about locating replacements and paid for them. John McIntyre, Kevin Payne and others organised the transportation. The next day Drew offered his company’s services and the day was saved.”

Eddie added: "There was also tremendous help from the staff at the Country Park staff in the immediate clean-up and again BEG are very grateful to these guys who have been a fantastic support over the years.

"Sadly the Meedies has seen a lot of wanton vandalism lately and enquiries are ongoing with the police and hopefully the perpetrators will be caught".

Last week the unique heating system at the Willie Clarke Centre was attacked by vandals who damaged the underwater pipe system which supplies water from the park loch for the system.

Park manager Ian Laing commented: "We were clearly disappointed when the damage was discovered and we continue to work with Police Scotland in their efforts to find the people responsible. However, having met Drew and his staff we were impressed not only with the quality of repair they carried out, but by the speed, efficiency and workmanship that was carried out by a team of really approachable staff."