The UK’s last Communist councillor could have a visitor centre named after him in recognition of 40 years of public service.
Willie Clarke could give his name to the new £1 million centre to be built at Lochore Meadows Country Park.
Mr Clarke, who retired from Fife Council last year, already boasts the rare honour of holding the Freedom of Fife.
The latest accolade which is to be proposed this week, would be in tribute to his tireless work in the communities around Cowdenbeath, including his efforts to enhance the park.
Mr Clarke, joined the Community Party soon after beginning work in the pits at the age of 14, and continued to represent the party long after it disappeared from public life elsewhere in the UK.
Councillor Alex Campbell, who represents the same Lochs ward he did, told The Courier: “We are all pleased that Willie has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to Fife by getting the Fife Medal but local residents wanted to make sure that there was recognition in his local community for the work that Willie has done.
“It was felt, given Willie’s support for the Meadows, that naming the new visitor centre would be a fitting tribute.
“Willie has been working over recent years with us to ensure that funding for a new centre was secured, but this is just the end of 40 years of work that ensured that Lochore Meadows was a great asset for our community.”
Mr Campbell’s motion on Wednesday to the council’s Cowdenbeath area committee, which Mr Clarke chaired, will suggest the council consults the community and Fife Coast and Countryside Trust on a suitable title.
It will be seconded by Cllr Mary Lockhart, who was elected to The Lochs when Mr Clarke stood down.
She said: “I have known Willie for many years and it has been a great honour to follow in his footsteps.
“Willie has always been closely associated with the park and has worked hard to make the park what it is today.
“Naming the new visitor centre after Willie seems the right thing to do.”
Mr Clarke, only the third recipient of the Freedom of Fife after Sir Jimmy Shand and the Black Watch, said he would be “delighted” to have the centre named after him.
Demolition of the park’s existing centre is due to begin on November 15, with its replacement to open in May next year.
