Long Serving Member Leaves Role

Article written by: Laura Pearson

After almost 20 years as a member of South Dunfermline Community Council, 95-year-old Marion Knapman has decided to step down, explaining that “there have been times over the years I felt I might stand down but we were struggling to get members so I stayed. The community council seems to be in a healthy place just now and it is the right time for me to step back.”

Marion joined in June 2006, after Cllr Tony Martin encouraged her to become a member to share her good ideas and perspective as a new resident in the Pitcorthie area. She has now lived here for 32 years and values the community spirit in the area: “You can walk down the street and people say hello to you. I often sit in my garden and when people go past they stop to talk.”

Many people knew she was a member of the community council and would often come to her with their issues or concerns which she would then raise at the council meetings on their behalf. 

Being on the community council was important to Marion. She enjoyed getting things done and making improvements for the local area, but remembers “we always had fun as well as getting through the business.” She was an integral part of the development of many initiatives that are still going, including the flower arrangements, the book case on Pitcorthie Drive and the Young at Heart Club.

On hearing of Marion’s decision, Fife Council commented: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Marion for all her hard work and dedication.”

Marion will continue to hear about the work of the community council through her daughter Mhairi Divertie who is currently the group’s treasurer. We’re sure that Mhairi will also feedback many of Marion’s ideas and opinions too. 

The current South Dunfermline Community Council team wish to sincerely thank Marion for her valuable work over the years, and we hope we can take the community council forward in a way she will be pleased with.