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The Courier
6 days ago
- General
- The Courier
Tribute to 'honest and hardworking' Auchtermuchty firefighter and joiner Eddie Kotlewski MBE who's died at 71
Eddie Kotlewski, MBE, a respected Auchtermuchty businessman, retained firefighter, and joiner who dedicated his life to serving his community, has died suddenly at the age of 71 – just one day after celebrating his golden wedding anniversary with family. He passed away unexpectedly on April 21, having spent the previous day with his wife Helen, children and grandchildren for a special family gathering to mark 50 years of marriage. The joy of that occasion made the news of his death all the more shocking for those who knew and loved him. Eddie is perhaps best remembered in firefighting circles for leading a pioneering fire safety initiative in 1992. This followed the tragic death of an elderly resident in Auchtermuchty's first fire fatality in many years. He was deeply moved and convinced the loss could have been prevented by a simple smoke alarm, so he sprang into action. With the support of the firemaster John White – who also passed away recently – he launched a locally funded campaign to provide and install free smoke detectors in the homes of senior citizens across Auchtermuchty, Strathmiglo and Dunshalt. His efforts led to 837 homes being visited and 168 alarms fitted, well ahead of formal community fire safety programmes. Eddie was awarded the MBE in the 1997 New Year Honours, in recognition of his work. He received the honour from the Queen at Buckingham Palace – lightening the moment with his trademark humour by offering her a quote to repair the palace roof, which had been in the news that week. Her Majesty responded with a smile. Paying tribute to his dad, son Gavin, himself a Station Commander within the fire service, said: 'He was a quiet, honest hardworking man who provided for his family and was glad when they were happy. 'He was always on the go whether it was the joinery or the fire service and yet when he came into the house, he was pleased to see his sons and Helen. He was content at home.' Born on March 14 1954, at 9 High Road, Auchtermuchty, Eddie was the sixth of nine children born to Violet and Anthony Kotlewski. He attended school in Auchtermuchty before studying at Bell Baxter High School in Cupar. Teenage Eddie joined the Air Training Corps and won medals for boxing and rugby. He had a lifelong love for aviation and would often attend the Leuchars airshow. Eddie apprenticed with his father in construction when he left school, erecting garages and sheds. In 1972, aged just 18, he joined Fife Fire & Rescue Service as a retained firefighter – the same year he met Helen, who worked in the office. They married in Glenrothes on April 26 1975. The couple settled in 'Muchty where Eddie rebuilt the couple's first home on Cupar Road, then took on another project on the High Street. He later renovated an old warehouse into three homes for himself and his brothers, David and Fraser – all fellow firefighters. His construction company, Gleneden Construction Ltd, was founded in 1977, with Helen working alongside him in the office. As well as David, Fraser and Gavin serving at the same time in the fire service, Tony and Fraser also worked for him as joiners. He also employed neighbours and fellow firefighters, always ensuring cover at the fire station was maintained. Eddie had a remarkable memory for every building project he worked on. One day, he parked in a quiet field on the outskirts of Auchtermuchty, admiring the view. That land became Westbank – six bespoke houses built to capture that vista. He and Helen moved into the final one, No. 35, in 2001. He built a conservatory so they could enjoy the view each day. Eddie joined Fife Fire & Rescue Service as a retained firefighter at Auchtermuchty Fire Station on July 10 1972, aged 18. He served for 14.5 years before being promoted to Leading Firefighter on January 1 1987. On November 4 1989, he was promoted to Sub Officer, assuming command of the station. Morale and performance soared under his leadership. He was particularly skilled at staying calm under pressure and managing difficult incidents while supporting his team – both seasoned and new recruits alike. He lived with severe rheumatoid arthritis from 1991. Despite constant pain, he remained resilient and active. He was always thinking, solving problems, and quietly persevering. Eddie and Helen had two sons, Gavin and Jon who now have their own families. Being a grandad brought Eddie immense joy. Eddie was always a calm, content presence at home – a man who gave fully of himself and found happiness in quiet, steady things. He was also deeply interested in politics and current affairs, often listening to Talk Radio. In retirement, Eddie and Helen bought a home in Fort Myers, Florida which they had for 20 years. He bought a boat and was happiest on the water, watching hawks circle overhead and chatting with neighbours Cathy and Bill, who became close friends. He loved seeing wildlife – alligators, bears, and even a pair of panthers that once wandered past the house. Eddie also loved animals – especially his dogs. Muttley the dachshund became a family pet in an unconventional way: Eddie was working for a client who had a litter, and his 'fee' was one of the pups. Over time, Muttley became as much Violet and Anthony's dog as his own. Later came Ellie, who went everywhere in the van – once locking herself inside it, to Eddie's great amusement and frustration. Eddie had to break into his own van to get the dog out. In recent years, he enjoyed visits from Gavin's dog Ruby. Eddie could 'fix anything', and if he didn't know how, he'd find a way. He and Helen travelled widely – to China, where they dined with former Prime Minister Ted Heath through a mutual friend, to Mauritius, Canada, and on cruises across the Atlantic to New York before heading to Florida. Eddie is survived by wife Helen, sons Gavin and Jon and grand children Evan, Hamish, Lewis, Rhys, Maddy, Max, Rosie and Blair. He was also a dear brother and uncle.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New £17 million school was meant to open in September but work won't even start for months
Bridgend County Borough Council's cabinet has approved plans to go out to tender for a major new school development. The long-term plans are set to provide a replacement for Mynydd Cynffig Primary School in the village of Kenfig Hill. If given the go-ahead, they would see the demolition of the current school, as well as the neighbouring Air Training Corps facility, and Pwllygath allotment gardens. Developers say these would be cleared to make way for a new school which includes 420 primary and 75 nursery places. It would also include all-weather sports pitches, floodlighting and solar panels, with play areas and open space. READ MORE: 'I forgot my daughter's birthday – it led to the worst news I could have imagined' READ MORE: Hope, pride and then despair in a seaside town rocked by trauma and tragedy The latest discussions came at a council cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, May 13, where members heard a planning application for the proposals had already been handed in to the authority in November 2024. The original date for completion was expected to be this September, though this was described as no longer being achievable due to the scheme being "challenging". Members later agreed to approve a new target date of September 2027 for the school to open. Subject to permission, the new school will eventually be delivered in stages due to the relocation of the Pwllygath allotments and in order to keep the existing junior school open. An important part of the project would see the relocation of the allotments to a new site near the building, after a public backlash was seen when members were moved from their plots in 2023. Councillors also agreed to invite tender submissions for the construction of the replacement school with the outcome of the process to be reported back to cabinet in the coming months. Speaking at the meeting, officers said the plans could potentially go before the planning committee for a decision as soon as July, adding they were reasonably confident the new date could be achieved. The plan is just one of a number of school modernisation projects scheduled to take place in schools across Bridgend county borough which were pushed back to the 2025-26 financial year. These include plans to move Heronsbridge School from its location on Ewenny Road to a new £22m site about a mile away on Island Farm, as well as a potential £9.7m replacement school at Ysgol Bro Ogwr. There could also be other new sites built at Afon y Felin and Ysgol y Ferch o'r Sgêr. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Home plans for Stoke-on-Trent army reserve site set for approval
Plans to build 53 homes on the site of a former army reserve centre have been recommended for proposed development for the land on Stonor Street in Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, would consist of 14 houses and 39 the home of the Air Training Corps 235 Burslem squadron, the centre was demolished in 2021 after they moved to a neighbouring site.A planning application for the housing development, submitted by K P Parnell Building, will go before Stoke-on-Trent City Council's planning committee on Wednesday. As well as the homes, the scheme would include 46 parking spaces for the flats and two for each of the the application for approval, a report to the planning committee said the scheme represented an opportunity for "a high-quality and sustainable residential development". This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
10-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
'My support dog helped me succeed'
Wendy Martin from Castle Vale in Birmingham has been involved with the Air Training Corps for more than four decades, but due to ill health, had to step has limited mobility due to disc degeneration in the base of her spine and neck, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, and uses either wheelchairs, crutches or a walking frame discovering that two local squadrons were disability-friendly, she decided to get involved again by taking a pilot officer since passed the course, Ms Martin, 59, said her support dog Penny had helped her to succeed - and, she added, made her feel less invisible socially. Penny, a fox red Labrador, was trained by the national charity Support helps Ms Martin with many tasks, including dressing and undressing, picking up items, opening doors and fetching help."I wouldn't have been able to do it without Penny," she said. Ms Martin volunteers with 479 Rubery Squadron and Edgbaston-based St Paul's School for Girls Combined Cadet Force."[Penny] went everywhere with me," she said."We were in lessons throughout the week and she had a reserved seat in the officers' mess, so whenever we went for breakfast or an evening meal, she had her own 'reserved' sign on the table. "Everybody loved her."She added that Penny had helped her adapt to the environment where she stayed while training."She helped me get undressed of an evening and she helped to pull me up out of the bed, which is lower than mine at home."She also helped to get my shoes and socks off." The charity provides and trains assistance dogs to help autistic children and adults with epilepsy or physical has been helping Ms Martin for 18 of her previous dogs, Kevin, became her carer when her marriage said the dogs had also made her feel more involved socially after previously feeling "invisible" without a support dog by her side. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
