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Post date: 07-May-2016 13:34:54
SALINE COMMUNITY CENTRE
Many residents will have seen and perhaps been worried by the Dunfermline Press report on the future of some community centres, including Saline. Fortunately, it confirms that closure is not a current option but, equally, we must ensure that facilities are not lost.
This matter was discussed at the April Community Council meeting and it was considered vital that the future of the community centre and the options for improvement should be examined. It was also felt that the roles of the other facilities such as the golf club, Steelend Club and Saline Church should be examined. We also need to look at ways to improve facilities at a time of increasing pressure on public finances.
The Community Council feels that it is essential that people contribute to the discussions and, equally important, take roles in driving forward change. To get things moving, it is proposed to hold a public meeting to look at all aspects of what is required and how to achieve improvement.
THE WEST FIFE VILLAGES EXHIBITION OF ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY
This popular annual event is fast approaching! Everyone living or, working, in the West Fife area is eligible to submit paintings, drawings or photographs. Bring them along to Saline Community Centre on Handing In Day, Friday 20 May, 2:00-7:00pm. Make sure your work is framed or, in the case of photographs, mounted.
Don't be shy as everyone has to start somewhere. This is an ideal exhibition for anyone just trying their hand at painting or photography.
You need to have a string or wire across the back of your picture so that we can hang it and it should also have a label securely attached to the back. The label should have your name, the title of your picture and, for drawings and paintings, the medium used to create it, ie water colour, oils, pen, pencil. If you want to offer your work for sale, please put the price on the label as well.
Entry is FREE (though, of course, donations are welcome).
The doors are open 10:00am-4:30pm.
There will be flowers and bugs for the younger children to make which sounds like lots of fun. Indeed, the whole event is designed to be enjoyed by visitors and exhibitors alike.
Please come along and support the wealth of talent this area has to offer.
KIRKLANDS GARDEN OPENING
On Sunday 22 May from 2:00 to 5:00pm we are opening our garden again under Scotland’s Garden Scheme. Entrance is £4.00 (children free). Our nominated charity is Saline Environmental Group. 40% of the entrance fee will go to the Environmental Group and 60% to Scotland’s Garden Scheme charities (Maggie’s, The Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland, The National Trust for Scotland’s Garden Community, Perennial (Gardener’s Royal Benevolent Society) ).
We will be opening at the same time as the second day of the West Fife Villages Exhibition of Art and Photography, making it a day out for the family – and you will have your choice of places to have a cup of tea or coffee and perhaps a cake or scone.
Kirklands is a two-acre garden on the side of Saline Glen. There is an ornamental walled garden with raised vegetable beds, a rockery with dwarf rhododendrons, a woodland garden awash with bluebells, herbaceous borders and a plant sales area.
See pictures in last issue, below.
ATTENTION ALL RESIDENTS!
Included in this month’s Bulletin is the Saline Horticultural and Industrial Show Schedule. Please keep this safe but if you misplace it then don’t worry you can find it on the community web site under the Horticultural Society section. The show is not just flowers and vegetables; there are lots of things you can enter from baking through to photography so why not enter something this year and, if you entered last year, then enter again and persuade a friend or family member to do the same. We look forward to seeing you in September.
116TH FIFE SCOUT GROUP
Several new members in all Sections joined following a successful recruitment drive in the Oakley School Campus during their recent open parents' day.
The Beavers have recently been enjoying some outdoor activities now that the lighter evenings are here. These have included pond dipping and bug hunting. They are now looking forward to another sleepover based on the Hogwart's Theme, and a trip to the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Earlier this month some of the Cubs attended the handing over of The Time Capsule to mark 100 years of Cub Scouting. This was manufactured by the staff of SGN. This capsule will be filled with current memorabilia, to be chosen by the Cubs later this year and buried, to be dug up and opened in 2116.
Two of the Cubs have moved up to the Scout Troop, one having gained the Chief Scout's Silver Award, the highest award a Cub can gain.
The Scouts are now gearing themselves up to enter the Gibb Bugle which is the District Camping Competition to be held in May. They are continuing to work to complete their Challenge Awards before the summer. Recently one of the Scouts moved up to the Explorers, having gained the Chief Scout's Gold Award.
Last month the Explorers took part in a District Wide Game where they had to see how far from Crossford they could get. This was to be accomplished in a day on a limited budget.
One member of our Unit managed to get the furthest. Well done!
Peter Philp
Group Scout Leader
01383 852612
116th Fife Scout Group
Registered Charity Number SC031132
RURAL CRAFT COURSES AT SHEARDRUM
Come and learn some traditional rural skills this summer at Sheardrum just outside Saline.
Greenwood Spoon Carving
Develop and practice the techniques of traditional spoon carving using an axe and knives to make spoons that are beautiful, useful and lovely to handle. A two day course on 25/26 June.
Learn to Scythe
Get enthused and confident with using a scythe efficiently and safely to cut grass, weeds, brambles, rushes or small scrub. Mowing is gentle, non-impact exercise suitable for all ages and works in small spaces, around trees and on slopes. No more ear defenders, visor, strimmer fumes or noise - just the sound of the birds and the swish of your blade. One day courses on 13 or 14 August.
See more about the tutor Steve Tomlin at https://stevetomlincrafts.wordpress.com/
To find out more contact Ali or Clare on 01383 852991 or email info@sheardrum.com.
FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS TILE PROJECT
You may notice two small walls being constructed in the next few weeks, one at Saline Glen entrance, the other near the play park at Steelend. These will form the base for the village mosaics, to be completed ready for an opening ceremony now scheduled for late June/Midsummer. Any more volunteers for help with the grouting please contact Liz on 851493
SALINE AND BLAIRINGONE PARISH CHURCH
Christian Aid Week, 15 -22 May Christian Aid grew out of the efforts of an army chaplain to mobilise help for refugees and those suffering the ravages of the aftermath of war in Europe 70 years ago. People from all the UK churches and none rallied round to help. The need to help is still there and Christian Aid, along with other agencies, is able to respond to emergency situations, and help people restore their lives in the longer term whether the problem is caused by war or natural disasters. Much work is also done in preventing problems arising. The focus this year is on Bangladesh where the effect of climate change is causing greatly increased flooding. Ingenious adaptations of housing and cultivation methods are proving effective - money raised will help put them into practice while meeting immediate needs at present.
Saline Church’s Christian Aid Day will be held on Wednesday 18 May 10.00am-2.00pm in the Church Hall. Refreshments, home baking, plants etc will be on sale. Donations (which can be Gift-Aided) can be handed in on the day or at Sunday services.
Swap Shop Hats, bags, scarves and jewellery. Proceeds for Church Restoration Fund. Friday 27 May, 7.30pm. Admission £3. Snacks provided (BOYB) Come and find a Bargain!
Church of Scotland General Assembly meets in Edinburgh 21-27 May. This is mainly a business meeting but on Sunday 22 May from 2.00-6.00pm there is a big celebration - HEART and SOUL - in Princes Street Gardens to which everyone is invited to see something of the breadth to the church's work as well as to meet friends and enjoy a variety of good music .
Sunday 29 May The service at 10.30 am will be conducted by the Rev Tom Johnston. As this will be his last service as Locum Minister, the congregation are invited to express their thanks for all his ministry here over recent years at a lunch after the service.
At present we are still looking for a minister for the linked parishes but Sunday services will continue as before under the direction of the Rev Andrew Morris (minister of Dunfermline East Church) who has been appointed Interim Moderator and who will also deal with any pastoral matters.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL MATTERS
Despite perishing weather a good number of brave souls attended what proved to be a lively community meeting with discussion of a number of key matters.
David Chisholm remarked on the great attendance at the presentations to John Crane and Jim Hensman and noted that feedback has been positive.
Updates from March
David Chisholm submitted the Community Council's concerns about the proposed remembrance garden south of Saline Golf Club. This reflected the views expressed at the March meeting to Fife Council. He had also contacted the applicant to get clarification on points raised about access and doubts over the visibility. The applicant had been unable to respond.
Broadband
Cara Hilton MSP had been contacted again by BT who advised the projected timescale for superfast broadband. Ms Hilton remains aware of our community's suspicion of BT statements and has committed to taking action where required. Her reply can be examined on the community web site as soon as a copy has been provided to our webmaster for uploading.
Police Report
PC Kevin Chandler reported that the Police had received 31 calls in April, four of which were classified as crimes (two thefts, breach of the peace, assault) Complaints about speeding continue to be received and action is being considered.
There have been complaints about young people using an outhouse at the school with safety implications. This has been raised with the head teacher and the building is being secured.
Complaints continue to be received about the garage using the community centre car park to store vehicles. This is a civil matter that the police cannot act on. Similarly, untaxed vehicles should be reported to the DVLA
Treasurer's Report
The 2015/16 accounts have been audited, which will enable this year's grant to be applied for. There is a slight underspend carried over as there was no Saline Gala last year.
It was noted that £1520 had been collected at Donna Chesby's funeral, a great reflection of her popularity. This is to be used towards better play facilities and will be held by the Community Council until the Play Park Group has opened a bank account.
Councillors' Reports
Cllr Kate Stewart advised that the Play Park Group had sought clarification on the contribution towards play facilities required from Allanwater. This is being checked. David Chisholm said that he too had contacted a planning officer who had confirmed that there was a requirement but that he would have to check on the details.
Kate has received the customary stonewalling response from Stagecoach about bus services but had been contacted by Linda Moyes who had suggested an involvement with the Bus Users Group.
Cllr Bobby Clelland advised that the drains in the North Road play area had been cleared, which will hopefully resolve the problems.
Fife Council has established an Integrated Facilities Group to review the use of halls and community centres. As reported in the Dunfermline Press, Saline Community Centre has been identified as a possible Community Trust run facility. This is covered elsewhere in this Bulletin.
As the company holding the bond for restoration of the Blair House Opencast Site has not co-operated, Fife Council has now instigated legal action. There are limited funds left in the Blair House Trust and it will possibly be wound up. At Comrie Colliery the company is in administration but work is continuing and a restoration bond is in place. The Environmental Trust will continue to award grants and a trustee meeting is likely to take place.
The Glebe
Planning permission in principle for four houses to the rear of The Glebe was granted despite objections from individuals and the Community Council. A subsequent application to increase the density was refused as Fife Council considered that more than four houses would not be in keeping with the character of the surrounding area.
In September 2015 an application was submitted for outline consent for nine houses on a slightly larger site and the applicant claimed that this was necessary to increase the economic viability. The Community Council disputed the applicant’s claim that the site was a gap site and expressed concern about the impact of the access from The Glebe. Locals also pointed out that the new site was around 7% larger but had a density increase of 125%. This application was withdrawn as the access did not meet Transportation's requirements.
A new application was submitted in December 2015 and seventeen objections were submitted along with the Community Council confirming its continued concerns. In addition, 77 households in the North Road area signed a petition against the development. Despite this, the planning officer recommended conditional approval, which was only made available to the public on 21 April for a meeting on the 27h.
The petition and reasons for concern had been posted to councillors prior to the recommendation becoming known. Concerns/objections were;
• this site is not a “gap” but an opportunistic backlands or piggy back development
• the access road is at odds with Fife Council’s “place making” principles
• density and character is not in keeping with adjacent properties
• the access road design is not practicable
• compromised road safety at The Glebe/North Road junction
• possible drainage and flooding issues
• residential amenity
A number of councillors from the Planning Committee visited the site, which was welcomed by residents as it highlighted factors not easily gleaned from the committee report. At the committee meeting, councillors examined all aspects of the proposal and concluded that the application should be refused because of housing density and being contrary to guidelines in the Local Plan.
Councillors are to be congratulated for making what must have been a difficult decision but, no doubt, this saga will continue. Watch this space.
West Road
The Council’s transportation team had responded swiftly to the concerns raised by West Road resident Tom Dodds at the March Community Council meeting and have been monitoring traffic speeds and driver behaviour with a view to introducing additional road safety measures to those adopted at Upper Steelend. Vehicle speeds had also been monitored through Steelend where residents complain the 40mph limit is being ignored by many drivers.
Date of Next Meeting
Meetings continue to be well attended and are covering more issues relevant to people in our communities. The community council and Saline and Steelend Community Development Trust can take positive action to make our community better for all but need more people to contribute. Why not give it a try? Meetings are informal so why not come along on Tuesday 31 May 2016 at 7.30pm in Saline Community Centre.
WANTED: LIFTERS AND SHIFTERS
If you are fit and able bodied then we need your help.
I need names of some volunteers who can help with the set up and tear down of the saline art show held in May and the Horticultural Show held in September each year.
We need your muscle on the Thursday evening before each show for about two hours and again in the Sunday late afternoon after the show, again for about two hours to help move and set up, and take down the stands etc.
If you are willing to give us some of your valuable time for any of these events then please get in touch with Sheila Travers by email on mikesheila@ildica.com or telephone 852249 or, alternatively, Gareth Turner Gareth.turner@parexel.com or telephone 852887.
Once we have a list of names we can then get in touch closer to each event to firm up the arrangements with you individually.
FIFE STAGECOACH BUSES
A meeting is being organised between Fife Council and Fife Stagecoach to discuss the ongoing issues about bus times and connections to other places; the Bus Users group will be facilitating this meeting to help us try to resolve these issues. We are aware that, for instance, the Saline bus sometimes arrives at Dunfermline Bus Station a minute or so after a connecting bus has left and that students trying to get to Fife College, Kirkcaldy have difficulty getting there on time, again because of poor connections; likewise, with people trying to get to the doctors by bus and the fact there is not a bus at 8.30am.
If you have had similar problems, could you please email me with the following details by Monday 16 May: the Saline bus number, time scheduled to leave Saline, the time of the connection you were trying to get to, time having to wait for another bus, anything else you think is relevant as well as the impact such poor bus service is having on your day-to-day life.
These issues will then be taken to the meeting for discussion and we will do our best to find a solution.
Linda Moyes, telephone 07840759384, lm57.moyes@gmail.com
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!
The museum will be opening on Saturday 11 June to coincide with events in the village. The normal hours of opening for the summer are:
Sunday: 11:30am -1pm
Tuesday: 6pm- 8pm
Wednesday: 10am- 12noon
The subject for the museum this year is Games, Sports and Pastimes and we have been gathering information from a number of groups and organisations in the district. There is still room for more so anybody with information (and photos) about groups or people who have taken part in sports would be very welcome. We’d like to have artefacts to support the information so look out the trophies and medals you’ve saved in that drawer or cupboard!
We are also gathering children’s games which might bring back memories or totally bamboozle the young visitors. So far I’ve a gird and cleat, marbles and a few board games. It would be fun to be able to demonstrate early computer games; so if anyone is safely hoarding old games and players we’d love to borrow them.
As always we are still looking for photos of the village to add to the folders started for last year’s museum topic of Houses and Shops in the area.
If you want any more information or want to talk about possible contributions please contact Tina Chapman, Kandy Cottage, North Road, Saline, telephone 852235 or on tinachapman1@msn.com.
SALINE AND STEELEND HERITAGE SOCIETY
Our winter speaker events have all been well attended with talks ranging from The Weaving and Woollen Industry to a very popular A Night with Burns. We end the season with a talk on Wednesday 25 May by Mary Walsh, curator of Dunfermline Abbey. We will also be holding our AGM on the same evening (don't worry, we will keep it short and sweet), 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Admission is £1 for members and £2 for non-members. The £5 annual membership of the society will be due in May and we welcome both current members and new ones.
A date for your diary - following on from our successful Open Day last June, the one day the sun actually decided to shine, we intend to hold another one on Saturday 11 June, 11:00am-2:00pm, in the Church Hall and old graveyard which will coincide with the opening of this year's exhibition. Please look out for further details nearer the time.
CAN YOU SPARE A LITTLE TIME TO DELIVER THE BULLETIN?
Dear Community - yes you, we would really appreciate it if you would help us out delivering the monthly bulletin ten times a year to your neighbours. It is a vital role that delivers relevant news affecting us all.
If you live near to or in Eastercraig Gardens (72 copies), I would love to hear from you.
Mark Baugh (Coordinator of the Communications Group), telephone 851059 or email marklbaugh@aol.co.uk
GOOD SAMARITAN FIRST AID CENTRE
Hilary Warnock is an experienced nurse and First Aider, and has been co-ordinating the Scottish Ambulance Service Saline First Responders since 2011. Her First Aid Centre has recently been approved to offer Ofqual Regulated Qualifications accredited by Qualsafe Awards. She is passionate about teaching first aid, whether it's through invitations to talk to various groups, supporting communities to place Public Access Defibrillators, providing First Aid Event Cover through the Responder team or now by providing formal First Aid Courses.
Having experience of shift patterns and working constraints, she understands that some workplaces may prefer First Aid training on-site which allows her to ensure tailor-made solutions to first aid concerns. Throughout her courses she always ensures her candidates benefit from the course content and structure but most of all that they have fun whilst dealing with a subject which can, at times, be a difficult one!
Contact Hilary on mobile 07999 503676, email hj@goodsamaritan999.co.uk or through her website hjwarnock1.wix.com/goodsamaritan
A CALL TO ARMS OVER BROADBAND SPEED
How is your broadband speed?
Since moving here five years ago I have noticed a steady decline in service. I used to get 1.8Mb; now it is often between 0.3Mb and 0.8Mb. BT quote a minimum guaranteed bb speed and if it drops below that then they will allocate resources to increase it. Last year mine was 1Mb - this week I was told that my minimum guaranteed speed is now 0.225Mb and that on this occasion they would try to rectify the slow speed.
You may be aware that two green fibre optic cabinets have been installed in the village over two years ago and they have yet to be switched on despite a number of lapsed switch on dates quoted by BT. I think it is time to bang our drums – the old way of communicating that we may have to fall back on if we don’t, and rock their boat of complacency. I suggest we form an organised group so that, united we stand, we can gather evidence on speeds and business/personal impact and - most importantly - the cost of wasted time and missed opportunities the current level of service is creating. Then we can start formally approaching MPs and Fife Council etc to change the status quo and get BT to take up their social responsibilities of serving rural communities.
Is there anyone in our community that has technical knowledge of telecoms infrastructure? If so, please get in touch.
Is your bb speed causing you bother/frustration? Would you like to see it improved? If so, get in touch.
Do you rely on your broadband service to carry out commercial activities from home? Or do you know anyone in our community who does? Again, please do get in touch.
Many less-able folk are relying on the internet more and more for social connection and to improve their own well-being. If you are one of those people, get in touch.
Wishing you the best of everything - including bb speed
Mark Baugh (Co-ordinator, Saline & Steelend Communications Group) Get in touch: marklbaugh@aol.co.uk
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT
This Act received Royal Assent on 24 July 2015.
It has three main objectives;
• strengthening community planning to give communities more say in how public services are planned and provided
• extending community right to buy or to have greater control over assets
• new rights enabling communities to identify needs and to identify action to be taken.
These are called Participation Requests.
The legislation provides a process for communities to request to work alongside public sector bodies to improve outcomes and sets out duties on how public service authorities deal with such requests. The Scottish Community Development Centre has produced a briefing paper that describes the system in more detail. You will be able to examine ths on the Saline and Steelend community web site as soon as a copy has been provided to our webmaster for uploading.
WASTE NEWSPAPER NEEDED
Do you have a stack of non-shiny newspaper you would like out of the way? We would like to collect it to help in firing a biomass burner. Many thanks in advance, Mark T: 851059
FUNDS FOR LOW CARBON TRAINING IN SMALL BUSINESSES
The Low Carbon Skills Fund, from Skills Development Scotland, enables employers to access up to £5,000 worth of funding to undertake training and to support sustainable development and growth.
The fund gives any Scottish business with fewer than 100 employees the opportunity to apply for up to £5,000 towards employee training costs in areas such as renewable energy and low carbon technologies, energy efficiency, waste management and reuse, and reducing carbon in supply and energy management.
To ensure that more businesses can access the fund, and to provide greater flexibility with claims, the rules and application process have been updated for 2016-17.
Find out more at https://www.ourskillsforce.co.uk/funding-and-support/low-carbon-skills-fund/
Health and Social Care Partnership publish full Strategic Plan
The final full Strategic Plan for Fife (2016-19) and Summary Report are now available. Visit the Publications Section of www.fifehealthandsocialcare.org.
A message has been distributed to all the stakeholders who were previously contacted as part of the consultation process as courtesy.
Due to the size of the documents, a small quantity of the full Strategic Report has been printed and are available on request.
Please contact Ingrid Tjeransen (ingridtjeransen@nhs.net) or Susan Stewart (susanstewart2@nhs.net) or call 03451 55 55 55 extension 401453.
Regards
Sandy Riddell
Director, Health and Social Care Partnership
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS:
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.
Yoga
Saline Church Hall, every second Tuesday from 10th May, please ring 851855 for details
Rainbows
Every Thursday 5.00pm-6.00pm
Saline Church Hall
Brownies
Every Thursday 6.00pm-7.30pm
Saline Church Hall
116th Fife Scout Group
Beaver Colony
Every Friday, 6.00pm-7.30pm
Cub Pack
Every Thursday, 6.30pm-8.00pm
Scout Troop
Every Thursday, 7.30pm-9.00pm
Explorer Unit
Every Thursday, 7.30pm-9.00pm
Carnock Community Centre, Camps Road, Carnock. Open to both boys & girls
Community Council Meeting
31 May, 7.30pm
Saline Community Centre
Highland Dancing Classes
Tuesdays 4.00pm-5.00pm
Thursdays 6.30pm-8.00pm
Saline Church Session Room
Adult Badminton
Mondays 7.45pm
Wednesday 1.30pm and 7.30pm
Saline Community Centre
Saline Smilers (Toddler Group)
Tuesdays 9.30am-11.30am during school terms
Saline Community Centre
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
Fitness with Lesley Halstead
Thursday mornings, 10.00 am
Saline Community Centre
Line Dance Classes
Monday 10.00am - 11.00am
Friday 10.00am - 11.00am
Saline Community Centre
Saline & Blairingone Parish Church
Christian Aid Week: 15-21 May
Swap Shop: 18 May, 10.00am-2.00pm, £3.
Afternoon Craft Group
Every second Tuesday from 8 March
2pm-4pm, Saline Church Hall
Country Dancing
Mondays, 7.00pm
Saline Community Centre
Shieldbank Coffee Shop, North Road, Saline
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 9.30am-.00
Coffee/Tea/Cakes/Lunch or Afternoon Tea
Vegetarians, Vegans and Coeliacs catered for
Meeting Place available for local clubs/groups
Venue available for Birthday Parties and Evening Functions
Home Baking can be ordered and carried out
Please let us know if you need transport.
Shieldbank Riding & Vaulting Club
Riding Lessons Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays,
Saturdays and Sundays all year
Equestrian Vaulting for children and young people (gymnastics on horseback)
Shieldbank Spring Dressage Competition, Monday, 23 May 6.00- 9.00 pm
Shieldbank Junior & Senior Riding Club Competition, Monday, 6 June 2.00-7.00 pm
Have you always wanted to learn to ride? Why not give us a call to
arrange a short free trial ride - just to see if you would like to take up
riding or vaulting regularly. Tel: 01383 852874
www.shieldbank.co.uk
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