Spitfire Concert Party
Monday, 14 December 2009
Florence and Jessie with the photograph that stirred up the memories.
Turning back the clock more than 65 years, two residents at Methven House Care Home in Kirkcaldy have renewed a friendship first kindled when they helped bring a ray of sunshine into the dark days of the Second World War.
Florence Gibson, now 88, and Jessie Scott (91), were workmates in the former Barry's linoleum company offices in Kirkcaldy when they were "recruited" into the Spitfire Concert Party which aimed to raise money to help buy one of the famous fighter planes to help with the war effort.
"We did raise a lot of money," said Florence, "but unfortunately never enough for an actual Spitfire.
"But I do know that we gave a lot of people a lot of happiness at a time when there was not really an awful lot to smile about."
The concert party was formed by Adam Penman from the Dunnikier Arms Hotel and his friend and fellow local businessman Frank Carlo who owned the Rialto and Raith cinemas in Kirkcaldy.
"Adam's daughter Grace had a dancing school and also worked beside us," added Jessie (nee Peacock), "and it was a real honour to be invited to join the group as they were in considerable demand at the time.
"We were dancers," she continued, "but there were also singers, comics and a variety of musicians, all of whom gave the Spitfires a wide entertainment base."
Many of the male members of the troupe were retained fire service personnel and indeed the funds raised, although not enough to fund a Spitfire, were subsequently used to buy fire equipment, including a much-needed mobile canteen.
"Every show opened with 'Forget-Me-Not Lane' and as well as performing at a wide variety of venues across Fife, usually on Sundays, we also appeared regularly as far afield as Edinburgh and Glasgow," Florence (formerly Sprott) went on, "building up a considerable fan-base as the years went on.
"We all had a wonderful time, and hopefully we did brighten up people's lives at a time when it was greatly needed, but sadly all good things must come to an end and although the Spitfires continued to perform, both Jessie and I had to leave when we went into military service with the Army."
Jessie served in London and Edinburgh with the Royal Engineers, almost losing her life when a bomb struck as building as she walked past in London, while Florence joined the Gordon Highlanders, mainly in Aberdeen.
"After the war we did see each other again but time took its toll and we effectively lost touch," said Jessie, "although we did see each other occasionally as the years went by.
"But when I moved in to Methven House after a bad fall earlier this year I was delighted to find Florence who has been a resident for just over a year now. Meeting again brought back so many wonderful memories and although most of our old fellow Spitfires are no longer with us we do know of a few others who are still alive and it would be wonderful to have a reunion if there are any others out there who might like to get in touch with us.
"I believe, however, that we will be the last two dancing girls but I don't think," she went on with a smile, "that the time is right for a comeback."
But Florence and Jessie still like to entertain, being leading lights when the opportunity arises to perform for their fellow residents at the regular in-house concert parties at the home in Bennochy Road, Kirkcaldy.
"That's showbiz for you," said Florence with a final big laugh, "and once an entertainer, always an entertainer."