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Post date: 12-Oct-2015 21:39:57
David Quinney MBE 1945-2015
It came as a shock for Dave’s friends and neighbours when we learnt of his sudden death from pneumonia on 18 September.
Born in Dumbarton, Dave spent a good proportion of his working life with the Fire Service. During this period he was highly commended and honoured for his leadership during a big fire at the Scottish Tar Distillers at Falkirk that occurred in 1971. It was in 1997, however, when his voluntary work for the Fire Service Benevolent Fund was to see him awarded the MBE. This award was on the recommendation of his Fire Service colleagues. Recommendations from this source are by far the best. From 1990 Dave had also taken on voluntary work with the Royal Lifesaving Society where he undertook the training of lifeguards.
Retiring from the Fife Service in 2000 and moving to Saline, David occupied himself for the next 10 years as the janitor of Claremont Primary School, Alloa.
From a personal viewpoint, I got to know Dave as a fellow Community Councillor when he spent 3 years as the Saline & Steelend Community Council’s Secretary. A post always difficult to fill, Dave took on the job in a positive and enthusiastic manner. I well remember some of his scathing letters to Fife Council’s Transport Department concerning the poor state of some of the roads in and around Saline.
Visiting Dave over the last few years was always interesting and his knowledge and enthusiasm for steam ships, his collection of car models together with his wide interest in numerous subjects led to good conversations.
A well-attended funeral service was held for Dave at the Dunfermline crematorium on Friday 25 September. A fire engine and crew also put in an appearance.
On behalf of the Saline & Steelend Community Council, could I offer sincere condolences to Dave’s family on their sad loss.
John Crane
Dear Residents of Saline,
My name is Dorella and as a 3rd generation " Salinite " I think it would be fair to say that I hold Saline in high regard. I love the village, known as “The Paradise of Fife”, and its sense of community. I am very sad to see our “Paradise” spoiled by a few dog loving residents who do not clean up after their dog. I clean up after my dog. I bag it AND bin it. Please , please do the same to keep our village clean.
UNITED NATION CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE
The Community Council has been approached by Keep Scotland Beautiful to help them promote a survey that they are carrying out to give people an opportunity to get their voices heard in the run up to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris.
Further details and the survey are available in the newsletter (follow this link: Newsletter and toolkit )
COMMUNITY COUNCIL MATTERS
September's meeting had another good attendance covering an interesting agenda. Reports of some issues appear elsewhere in this Bulletin but other business covered the following.
Dave Quinney
David Chisholm announced the sad passing of Dave, former Community Council Secretary, and remarked on his considerable achievements, which many people in the community would be unaware of.
Kingdom Housing Association
Alan Henderson gave an update on progress. KHA has submitted its application for planning permission and hopes to start work in April 2016 and finish in summer 2017. Works will be completed as a single phase rather than the 2 phases originally anticipated. Homes to be built comprise of six one-bedroom cottages, twelve two-bed cottages, two amenity bungalows, twenty two three-bedroom houses and thirteen two-bedroom houses. Six of these will be Mid Market Rent, the rest will be Social Rent.
How Homes will be Allocated
Houses will be allocated according to those in need on the Fife Housing Register and further priority will be given to people in the local area who have the necessary points. KHA have advised that people who have ticked “KHA” in their application are automatically eligible if they have the necessary points. Others are advised to amend their application to include KHA. In the unlikely event that you have not registered with the Fife Housing Register, you are advised to do so. If you are unsure whether you ticked the box, please check.
KHA has also advised that people will be advised 3 months before houses are available to allow time to change tenancy. This does not apply to the amenity houses that are adapted to meet the tenant's specific needs.
Employment Opportunities
The community council has emphasised the priority to create local employment through the use of local companies. This development will be built by Campion Homes who are based in Dunfermline, meeting the necessary criteria. Nevertheless, the community council and Saline and Steelend Community Development Trust are keen to maximise opportunities for people in our area. KHA responded quickly to our request to confirm that their aims include, amongst others, creating apprenticeship opportunities and suggest that it would be beneficial for unemployed young people to work with their Fife Works project to allow them to compete more effectively for any opportunities from this and other projects. Fife Works works with unemployed people to give them the skills and training to increase these opportunities. Our representatives will be meeting KHA and further details will be made available in the Bulletin and on the Saline and Steelend web site.
Affordable Housing
The last Bulletin noted the community council's disappointment that affordable housing will not now be provided on the Allanwater site. To address this, the community council will be investigating other ways to meet this important community objective.
SES plan 2
This is the plan that sets out the framework for future development in the Edinburgh City Region, including South Fife. It's main strategy change is that more of Edinburgh's housing needs should be met within the city boundary with developments in adjoining authorities being restricted to areas with good public transport links.
The Plan acknowledges that there is a great need for social and mid-market rent homes that is not being met, which is an important need in the West Fife Villages. It also stresses the need for communities to have adequate infrastructure, services and public transport.
The community council has discussed a response to the recent consultation and agreed to support the preferred options but suggested that housing in areas like Saline and Steelend should address the housing needs of local people rather than what best suited developer profits.
Further details on the submission are available within the community council minutes on the web site while more info on the Plan can be obtained from its web site (link on Saline and Steelend web site)
Fife Leader
“Leader” is a European grant scheme administered by Fife Council that can give awards to project that address deficiencies in communities like Saline and Steelend. Details of what will be eligible are not yet available to the community council but are likely to include works relevant to us. The council's funding team has a database of community groups throughout Fife and keeps them up to date on funding opportunities. The community council will be posting funding up dates on the web site but, if your group wants to be included on the council's circulation list, contact Patricia Galfskiy (patricia.galfskiy@fife.gov.uk)
Date of Next Meeting
Meetings continue to be well attended but there is plenty of room for more. There are many issues that affect our community or are opportunities to improve it. Everyone can have his or her say and meetings are informal so why not give it a try on Tuesday 27th October at 7.30 in Saline Community Centre
HAVE YOUR SAY
Avid Bulletin readers may recollect that David Chisholm attended a meeting with Planners to discuss community councils' concerns about service delivery. The meeting was notable for the large representation from the West Fife Villages and David has agreed to join a working party to look at ways of improving relations.
It may be coincidental but Fife Council has called for a review of Planning law to improve the system. The Scottish Government has recently announced that there will be a consultation on planning but a date has yet to be confirmed.
The council is now conducting a survey, “Your Place, Your Views”, which is a chance for people communities and businesses about the future of development planning. The results will help Fife Council respond to the national discussion and, importantly, will help the council improve its planning service.
It is important that we all submit our opinions. After all, if we don't comment, we can hardly complain if we get something we don't want.
Visit www.fifedirect.org.uk/yourplace to find out more and take part. Alternatively, if you prefer a hard copy or have any questions, contact Jenni Whittle, Lead Officer, Development Plan at 03451 555 555 ext 471680
SOLAR FARM FOR SALINE?
Given the past summer, people would be justified in thinking the last place for solar technology would be Saline. Well, they're wrong. An application has been submitted to Fife Council for the erection of a 5Mw solar farm on Muirmealing Farm (on the left hand side of the road leading to Dollar beyond the wind test mast)
The applicant proposes to erect 19,722 panels on 2.5m high poles. Each panel would be 1m x 0.8m. The application also seeks permission a number of ancillary buildings and security fence. Most of these are quite small except for the sub station for the grid connection that would be 3.529 x 4.79 x 5.35m.
No doubt this proposal will divide opinion and the community council would like feedback to enable a considered opinion to be passed to Fife Council. It is important that the community council reflects community opinion and it will be asking Fife Council to extend the period for consultation. It will also be investigating the possibility of the applicant's agent attending a community council meeting.
The application can be examined on Fife Direct and the reference number is 15/02993/FULL
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST COAL GASIFICATION
Earlier this year, Ian Holmes-Lewis reported on a meeting arranged by INEOS to outline their desire to frack in this area. However, the West Fife Villages are also under pressure for coal gasification. Fracking and UCG are currently subject to a Scottish Government moratorium, but proponents of both seem confident of support from ministers in the long term.
The community was invited by a group opposing gasification to participate in a demonstration of solidarity by forming a chain across the Forth Road Bridge at 2pm on Sunday 11th October. Campaigners came from throughout Scotland and other parts of the UK.
Further information can be obtained by emailing hoof4fof@hotmail.com or by visiting www.ourforth.org
Help.
West Fife Villages' Community Forum and Community Projects Group have provided the opportunity for local people to be involved in discussion about issues affecting this part of Fife. But over recent years attendance has diminished and it has fallen to a small number of individuals to keep the meetings going. Some villages no longer attend the meetings and in one or two places the Community Council is no longer functioning. In Saline and Steelend we are indebted to Jim Hensman, Donald Murdoch and John and Marie Crane for their dedication in representing us at these meetings. However, at the recent AGM Jim, John and Marie stood down from their involvement in the Community Forum. Donald Campbell from Kincardine CC has taken over as Chair and Robert Thompson from Limekilns is Treasurer. The next meeting is 26 November at 7.00pm in Kincardine. It was also agreed that in future the Forum will meet quarterly rather than monthly and the locations will move between the villages. The Community Projects Group is also struggling to get people to attend but will continue under John Crane’s chairmanship for the time being.
Support for local Volunteers
At the recent Community Council meeting Jacquie Mellon, herself a local resident, explained her role as volunteer support worker with Fife Voluntary Action. Jacquie spoke about the difficulties that local groups often have in getting organised and building up the volunteer base.
If you are small group starting up or an established group that is looking to grow you can contact Jacquie on 01383 732136 or email her at jacquie@fifevoluntaryaction.org.uk
Success for Upper Steelend residents
People living along the B914 at Upper Steelend are delighted that Fife Council Transportation Department have accepted their arguments for measures to reduce traffic speeds and encourage safer driving. Despite shrinking Council budgets money has been found to provide double white lines to discourage overtaking where it is not safe to do so and marker bollards at track and driveway access points. There will also be additional advisory boards at bends and a sign announcing ‘Upper Steelend’ although the suggestion at Community Council that the village should revert to its earlier name of ‘High Steelend’ prompted an animated discussion!
However, there are several other places around the parish where there are traffic and road safety issues and the Lead Officer from Transportation who has overseen the introduction of the measures at Upper Steelend has agreed to attend a meeting at the beginning of November with representatives of the different communities to listen to their concerns and to discuss measures that might be introduced if funding becomes available. These include the Oakley Road, both the double bends and the section past Kinneddar Park; the West Road; Main Street Steelend; and last but not least the parking and congestion on Oakley Road opposite the school and around the corner on Main Street outside the shop and garage.
Community Acquisition of Saline Glen
Last month we announced that Saline and Steelend Community Development Trust had been successful in its bid to the Big Lottery Investing Ideas Fund for £5000 to appoint a consultant to carry out a feasibility study into the possible community acquisition of Saline Glen. We are pleased to report that following a competitive tendering process Duncan Bryden Associates has been appointed to carry out this work which will start shortly and be completed in early November. Renewable energy consultants Locogen will work as part of their team and examine the viability of a micro-hydro scheme on the Burn.
Saline and Steelend Horticultural Society
The society has been in existence for over 100 years now and has hosted 85 successful shows. Why not over 100 shows as well? This was mainly due to the disruption of the 1st and 2nd world wars.
This well established community event relies on you, the exhibitors, the visitors and the organisers, to stage the event and bring along entries; which for 85 events you (the community) have not disappointed. The show caters for a wide range of interests, it not just Flowers and Vegetables as those of you who visit the show, held on the first weekend of September, will know. If you paint, take Photographs, bake, and make jam or pickle, like sewing or flower arranging and more; there is a class for you to enter something. There are also lots of classes specifically for children of all ages.
The schedule (listings of all the classes) will be final for 2016 in March and as well as being distributed in the bulletin it will also be posted on the community web site. So why not make a note to self; “Must enter something in the 2016 Saline show”. Take part and having some fun.
The AGM will be held on Tuesday 20th October 2015 7.30 pm in the Saline Community centre, why don’t you come along, we would welcome some new faces. We do need to consider the future, how should the show evolve to provide continual interest? Who is willing to help with specific tasks in preparation for the show each year? You may have some ideas and so we would like to hear from you.
I promise this, if you come to the AGM you won’t be asked to join the committee or committed in any other way. You may wish to volunteer or you might simply want to meet, greet and find out a bit more. So please come along on Tuesday October 20th at 07.30 pm community centre. The meeting will last about an hour.
I look forward to meeting you
Regards,
Gareth Turner – society chairman.
The Editor reserves the right to refuse, edit or factually correct all items submitted for publication. All views expressed in this Bulletin are purely those of the author of the item concerned and are not necessarily those of the Editor or of the Communications Group as a whole.
116th Fife Scout Group
All Sections have been working hard towards their respective awards. Recently the Group attended the Dunfermline Scout District Sports, though we did not win any trophies all had a very enjoyable afternoon in brilliant sunshine. Just before we break up for the Autumn holiday several of the new members will be invested into the World Wide Family of Scouting. Events planned for the future are the Christmas outings for all Sections, which are now well inhand.
The Cubs are having an Activity Evening at Fordell Firs at the start of the new term. The scouts will be continuing with their camping programme which will continue through the winter.
We will shortly be starting the Scout Christmas Post, please look out for details in the November issue of the Bulletin. Also we are running a Webb Ivory catalogue for Christmas Gifts etc.
Peter Philp T: 852612
Church News
Thank you to everyone who supported the recent CHARITY COFFEE MORNING. There was a good turn out and we were able to send a donation of £230 to the MacMillan Cancer Charities.
The church was beautifully decorated for the HARVEST THANKSGIVING service on 2nd October. A special Thanksgiving offering was taken for 'WATERAID' and donation envelopes can still be handed in on the next two Sundays.
There will be a ' TRAIDCRAFT' Stall in the Church Hall after the service on SUNDAY 11th OCTOBER and at the Coffee Morning on WEDNESDAY 14th October.
A Service of HOLY COMMUNION will be celebrated on 25th October at 10.30 am. The service on 8th November will include a short ACT OF REMEMBRANCE at the War Memorial in the Church grounds.
Heritage Society
The winter speaker events are underway with an extra event on Wednesday 14th October, 7 for 7.30pm in the Church hall, when our American friends, Susan Murray and Jean Coker will be giving a talk on 'Saline from Medieval to Early Modern: 1400-1650'. This will complement the book Susan has published on Saline Wills and Testaments and should be really interesting.
Other dates are (all Wednesdays, 7 for 7.30pm)
28th October - Graeme Cruickshank on 'The Battle of Dunnichen' (f you don't recognise the name, then come along to find out where it is)
25th November - Stephanie Blackdean on 'St Kilda'.
27th January - Kevin Thompson on ' A Night with Burns'.
24th February - Ian Tennant on 'Early Flight in Scotland'.
30th March - Susan Mowatt on 'The poor in Dunfermline'.
27th April - John Burrell on 'The Orkney Islands'.
25th May - Mary Walsh, curator of Dunfermline Abbey (and AGM).
Annual Membership is only £5, speaker events £1 for members and £2 for non-members.
Saline Environmental Group
The Environmental Group will be planting bulbs at various locations around the village on Saturday 17th October. If you'd like to lend a hand, meet at the Glen entrance at 10am – some equipment will be available, but bring a trowel/gardening gloves if you have them.
As mentioned in the last bulletin, we are trying to identify any trees in and around Saline & Steelend which may be eligible for tree preservation orders – giving them statutory protection from being felled or damaged by any new development. If you are aware of any particularly notable trees, please contact Joe Crawford joe.crawfordtreesurgery@gmail.com or call 07886075169
Our Sponsor
This edition of the Bulletin is being sponsored by the Comrie Colliery Environmental Trust
All contributions for inclusion in the Bulletin are welcome and can be submitted to Jacquie Clapperton on salineandsteelend@btinternet.com or by telephoning 852367.
Other Meetings & Events:
NEW!
Yoga class
every second Tuesday at Saline church hall 3 - 4.15 from 13/10/15,
£5 a session.
All shapes and ages (from 16 upwards) welcome.
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a blanket and a yoga mat if you can.
Ring Rose on for further details
Steelend Miners’ Club
Zumba: Mondays, 7.00pm-8.00pm
Zumba Toning: Wednesdays, 7.00pm-7.45pm
Sambangra Drumming Group Tuesdays, 7.00pm-8.30pm, £2
Saline Golf Club
First Saturday of each month: Family Night, 5-7pm
Tuesdays: Bingo Night, 7.30pm
Thursdays: Quiz Night, 8.30pm, entry £1/person
Sky TV and free wi-fi. Associate membership £10 per annum, £4 concessions
Q’zine Catering: also available for all functions.
Craft and Chatter
Thursdays 10.00am-12.00noon
Last Friday of month 7.00pm-9.00pm
Shieldbank Coffee Shop
Sambangra Drumming Group
Tuesdays, 7.00pm-8.30pm, £2
Steelend Club
Line Dance Classes
Monday 10.00am - 11.00am
Friday 10.00am - 11.00am
Saline Community Centre
Afternoon Craft Group
Every second Tuesday from 8 September
2pm-4pm, Saline Church Hall
This Community Bulletin is produced by Saline and Steelend Communications Group
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