People of Benarty stood shoulder to shoulder with politicians of all persuasions to pay tribute to Councillor Willie Clarke.
The Lochs councillor the last Communist councillor in Britain has spent the last 40 years representing the people of Benarty. And they repaid his years of unstinting support at a civic reception.
Attended by Fife Provost Jim Leishman, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, MP Lindsay Roy, Fife Council Leader Alex Rowley and councillors past and present, it was a mark of the esteem in which he is held that there was standing room only in Benarty Community Centre.
While the Provost pondered what would have happened if Willie had taken to the silver screen perhaps as ace agent Willie Bond in “Coalfinger” Mr Brown said there was surely only one role Braveheart.
“Throughout all the issues over the last 40 years Willie was there, he was there fighting for the people of this area,” he said.
Local community council chairman Stephen Nardone said it was a privilege to be part of such a special occasion.
“He always comes up with a different way of tackling a problem. Giving up is not an option,” he said. “We are very grateful.”
In paying tribute, Mr Rowley said it was a mark of his character that even when he was undergoing extensive medical treatment recently, his first thought was not of taking a step back but of still having a voice for the people of his ward.
Willie, who was with wife Betty and his family, himself said what drives and inspires him is dedicating himself to helping others.