Provost of Fife, councillor Jim Leishman, welcomed over 70 learners, friends and family to this year’s West Fife villages celebration and family fun day event, which recognises the learners’ hard work. Councillor Bobby Clelland, chair of the south west area committee, presented the learners with their hard earned certificates.

Linda Brodie from Kincardine was named as Learner of the Year and was presented with the trophy by last year’s winner, Natalie McLeod. Linda was awarded the title after being nominated by fellow learners.

Shirley Melville, Community Learning and Development Team Leader for south west Fife, said: “Linda has been a fantastic inspiration to her fellow learners and volunteers and I’d like to congratulate her on her thoroughly deserved achievement. Linda played a very active role, from organising REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene for community members to taking part in a community focus group organising learning courses in the West Fife Villages.

“Linda also attended the 2012 Learners Conference so she can take course ideas forward to continue to support the Local Learning Group with learning programmes in the West Fife Villages. Well Done Linda!”

Provost of Fife, Councillor Jim Leishman said: “It’s brilliant to see so many people grabbing a second chance at learning; it just shows that learning doesn’t stop when you leave school! It’s also heartening to see the obvious positive impact it has had on the learners, their families and the community.”

Councillor Bobby Clelland added his congratulations to Linda and the other learners. He said: “Lifelong learning is about giving everybody the chance to continue learning, whether for formal qualifications, to develop a personal interest or hobby, to learn new skills, to brush up on old skills, or just for fun. I’m very pleased to be a part of this event and to present the learners with their certificates. I wish them all the very best for the future.”

Learners were presented with certificates in communication, numeracy and Information Technology in partnership with Carnegie College as part of the Core Skills Flex programme that runs in High Valleyfield Learning Centre. Other certificates were presented to learners for first aid, food hygiene, GOALS- confidence building and motivation, oot & aboot outdoor education, fit for it cooking and exercise programme, baby memory books, jewellery plus, big plus and much more!

If you are interested in developing new skills or would like to learn something new visit www.fifedirect.org.uk/lifelonglearningor call Linda Judge on 08451 55 55 55 ext 47 18 60.