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Post date: 09-Oct-2016 23:12:16
COMMUNITY BULLETIN DONATION APPEAL
Dear Community
Would you/your community group/business be willing to make a donation to keep the Saline and Steelend Community bulletin going for the next 12 months?
We need to raise just £1,280.
We have a dedicated team of over fifteen individuals currently involved in getting the bulletin to every household in our community, both online and/or as a paper copy, at a cost of only £128 per month. Launched nearly five years ago, and this is our 51st edition, it has become a reliable source of local information, activities and events.
Funding bodies will no longer provide on-going financial support for community bulletins such as ours. They are however happy to consider “communications costs” as an entry in a funding application. If you are applying to a funding body for a project, it would be great from the bulletin point of view if you would include such an entry in your application and let us know.
Our account balance, held by the Community Development Trust, has reached the point where we need to ask individuals/community groups/businesses for funding to continue with bulletin production. Each edition will be dedicated to the donors that helped to make it happen.
THANK YOU to those who, in the few days before going to print, have made pledges so far totalling £384 so we are well on our way.
There are currently funds in the account for one more paper bulletin which we will hold for the December edition to communicate Christmas activities.
The November edition will be an e-bulletin only so make sure you and others in your household sign up now by going to www.salinesteelend.org/home/Register to receive a monthly email link.
Please do pass on this appeal to anyone who might be interested in supporting us.
Yours hopefully,
Mark Baugh
Co-ordinator of the Saline & Steelend Communications Group
T: 01383 851059
SALINE AND STEELEND EXHIBITION OF ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY
There will be a meeting of the Exhibition organisers in the Saline Community Centre at 7.00 pm on Tuesday 25 October 2016. Anyone interested in this event is very welcome to come along.
Marylla Ferguson Exhibition Organiser
FRIENDS & NEIGHBOURS PROJECT
LANTERN WORKSHOP, PARADE & AUTUMN CELEBRATION:
SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER
A lantern making workshop will be held in Saline Community Centre on Saturday 29 October, 10am – 3pm. We'll be making large lanterns from willow – no experience or skill needed. All welcome, young and not so young. Children under 10 must be accompanied. Allow at least an hour to make a lantern so drop in any time up to 2pm. It's free!
In the evening there will be a parade with the willow lanterns from Saline Tile Mosaic (Glen entrance) up to Steelend Mosaic (playpark field). At the playpark field there will be more parading, drumming by Sambangra, other seasonal activities, and refreshments.
Meet at Saline Glen entrance at 6.30pm or, for anyone unable or unwilling to do the whole walk, join in along the way or at Steelend park for 7pm. Fancy dress welcome, Halloween-related or not, the more creative the better. Prizes for best fancy dress!
To Enter the Pumpkin Competition:
Carve or decorate a pumpkin and bring it along to the Community Centre on Sat 29 Oct, between 10am & 3pm. Pumpkins will be labelled and taken to the Steelend Mosaic for display. There is no need to put a tea light or candle in; we will provide battery LED lights so there will be no naked flames. Winners will be announced at the evening event; pumpkins can be collected at the end of the evening or from Saline Glen entrance the following day.
Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
The park is likely to be muddy so please wear appropriate footwear!
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.
SALINE & BLAIRINGONE PARISH CHURCH NEWS
Congregational meetings were held after morning services on Sunday 25 September at Saline & Blairingone and Tulliallan & Kincardine churches when it was decided to confirm the proposed linkage between the congregations with the Reverend Alec Shuttleworth as minister of the linked congregations. It is hoped this will come into effect by mid-November.
Traidcraft:
There will be Fairtrade goods on sale at the Traidcraft stall in the Church Hall after the service on Sunday 9 October, and at the Coffee Morning on Wednesday 12 October.
Sunday 30 October: The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be celebrated at the 10.30 am service.
Fund Raising for Restoration Fund:
SUPPER NIGHT with Italian Theme. Friday October 7 at 7.00pm in the Church Hall. Tickets are £10.
SWAP SHOP Friday 28 October at 7.00 pm in the Church Hall. (Clothes for all the family!)
Thank you to all who supported the recent Coffee Morning for Macmillan Cancer Charities, helping to raise £276.
SALINE BROWNIES AND RAINBOWS
Both the Brownies and Rainbows continue to flourish in the village. The Brownies are going on pack holiday in December.
Appeal
The rainbows are a group of 5 to 7 year olds and are in need of a female between 18 to 65 years old who is willing to commit to them on a weekly basis in term time. They meet on a Thursday evening from 5 to 6 in the Church Hall. Their leader Clair has already had to turn girls away due to the shortage of adults. She now has quite a waiting list. If you would like to know more, please telephone her on 850339.
Jane Coates
Carnock District Commissioner
COMMUNITY COUNCIL MATTERS
A good attendance at September's meeting covered a lot of ground with lively discussion, mainly on matters arising from August's meeting.
David Chisholm introduced the meeting by reading an e-mail from Tom Dodds. Tom referred to the good work done by the Community Council and praised Transportation's response to his concerns about traffic safety on the approaches to Saline from the west.
Carolyn Bell
Carolyn works for Fife Council's arms-length company Resource Efficient Solutions. She gave an interesting and informative talk on the Fife Environmental Partnership within which RES is working to reduce Fife's carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. She described a pilot project in Burntisland in preparing an Action Plan and suggested that updating our own Community Action Plan to address energy efficiency would help open up funding opportunities for a range of improvements to our community. She referred to the huge EU funds that were available for tackling climate change. Some may still be available post-Brexit while world-wide funds are likely to increase.
Following points from the floor about transport difficulties, she described several Fife community initiatives to address this whilst reducing carbon emissions. She had tried to attend the Community Council meeting by bus and appreciated the difficulties that residents experience!
Carolyn is writing the Fife Energy Plan which should be consulted on in 2017. This will be an important document and more details will be available in future Bulletins and on the Saline and Steelend web site.
A delegate attending the recent FEP Show drew attention to developments that are relevant to our community, particularly Fife Council's drive to improve its own energy efficiency. Council houses' energy efficiency levels are being improved, savings of £16m by 2020 are being made and income is being generated by the investment in wind turbines.
That Oakley Road Leak
Stewart Miller still continues to liaise with Scottish Water and Fife Council on our behalf regarding the water leaking from the road at the Oakley Road/Main Street junction. Scottish Water now accept that there is a water leak and are looking for a solution. Given the laying of a new supply to the Allanwater and Kingdom HA developments, many felt that the new pipe should be extended the whole length of Oakley Road. As part of the discussions, Fife Council was asked to clear the blocked road gulleys which do not help the situation.
Transportation Issues
Transportation has responded to George Duncan's claims and confirmed that no action is to be taken. The Community Council's view is that the works through High Steelend have been worthwhile and that, while some consider that the chicanes on West Road are ineffective, this matter should now be closed.
Several residents have complained about cars being damaged as a result of the drainage operations on Oakley Road. Transportation advise that the contractor is obliged to repair ongoing damage during the works and to reinstate the road and verges after completion. Transportation will continue to monitor the situation.
A number of residents were let down by the non-appearance of the 28 service on 24 September. A complaint to Fife Council resulted in Stagecoach claiming that the bus had earlier broken down in Culross en route to Falkirk but had continued back via Saline and Steelend. This might have been correct but most passengers had given up when it was 25 minutes late. This is a valuable service, subsidised by Fife Council, to which Stagecoach seems to allocate its most unreliable buses. Most passengers are aware of the regular buzzing from warning systems.
Transportation was contacted about the blank screens in Dunfermline Bus Station. Contrary to what some were told, this is due to the ending of a contract with an outside company. However, discussions are taking place with Transport Scotland about real time displays.
Police Report
PC Kevin Chandler advised that the Police received 21 calls between 30 August and 27 September. During this period, four crimes were recorded (breach of the peace, drink driving and two thefts) and a person has been charged in relation to two. Enquiries are ongoing regarding the other incidents.
Following the complaints about motorbikes riding through Saline and Steelend parks, one offender has been apprehended. Another was injured.
PC Chandler reminds everyone that incidents can be reported on Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111 and that all notable crimes are publicised via Twitter, Facebook and the Police Scotland website.
Planning Aid
Planning Aid has contacted the community to advise on the services it can provide free of charge to communities. They can provide free advice, training and help with community action plans. There may be scope for involvement in future events.
Planning Aid can also provide advice to individuals. Details of this and other help can be examined on their website.
Councillor’s Report
Much of Bobby Clelland's updates had been covered in other parts of the meeting but he still had some important news.
The big news is that the Scottish Government has agreed to contribute £2.7m to Fife Council and £2m to Clackmannanshire Council towards initiatives that would address the consequences of the closure of Longannet Power Station.
Bobby has visited the big wind turbine that appeared west of Saline and has established that it is in Clackmannanshire. Like the Community Council, he has no recollection of being consulted.
There has been no progress on the Blair House site. Fife Council's claim on the restoration bond is the subject of legal challenge.
Kingdom Housing Association Development
KHA has now been required to resubmit their planning application due to an obscure piece of planning legislation. The earliest that works can start is December but more likely to be in 2017. One piece of good news for residents is that the houses will be extremely energy efficient with significantly lower fuel bills.
Possible Community Acquisition of Saline Community Centre
Fife Council has finally provided some financial information that will assist the Community Council in deciding whether to pursue community management or ownership of Saline community centre. The figures provided by the Council show that the running costs, electricity, gas, rates, etc, are around £18k per annum, requiring a monthly income of around £1500 simply to maintain the status quo. Information on income from current activities provided previously showed it falls far short of what is required. More worryingly, the cost of backlog maintenance is £131k with a further £68k required for projected maintenance over the next ten years. However, it is possible that funding to repair and upgrade the building could be found. The introduction of new income-generating uses could cover running costs. The Community Council believes that if it can be shown that there is broad support for community acquisition funding should be sought for detailed a feasibility study and business plan.
HOT NEWS
Road Closures
The closure of Main Road, Steelend has undoubtedly caused some inconvenience but people seem to be accepting the situation. A big help has been the provision of shuttle buses and information sent out to Steelend residents. Big thanks are due to Cllrs Bobby Clelland and Helen Law who pressed for these actions.
Bobby has now been informed that the closure will be extended for another week beyond the Steelend turning circle, which may necessitate another shuttle. Unfortunately this is not the end of roadworks. Oakley Road was to be closed over 8 and 9 October for essential works; Cllr Clelland has now been informed that this has been postponed to possibly 15 and 16 October. The difficulties encountered by motorists past the Allanwater site show how difficult it is to repair roads like this so some tolerance must be shown. When more details are available, they will be circulated.
SALINE & DISTRICT HERITAGE SOCIETY
Saline & District Heritage Society's winter speaker events have begun and our first one was a fascinating insight into the world of early Scottish Photography. Lesley Ferguson took us on a journey back into the past when pioneering photographers captured images from around Scotland. There were two taken in Bridge Street, Saline with a strange looking pipe poking out of the corner of The Smiddy. Could it have been a water pipe, the one which has been flooding the playpark? Each photo told its own story, from the Rail Bridge being built (no other bridge in sight) to blackhouses on Barra. And, of course, Victorian portrait photos where the women look so scary to us today.
Our next speaker is on Wednesday 26 October, Sharon McCall on Louise Carnegie: the woman behind the man. Everyone welcome, tea and coffee is provided.
Our theme for next year's exhibition will be archaeology and we might be looking for volunteers to do a small dig in their garden. All sorts of undiscovered items await us; what will you find in your garden? Watch this space for more information.
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Horticultural Society AGM will be held on Monday 24 October 7.30 pm in the Community Centre. We would welcome anyone interested to come along and make any contributions and suggestions to take the Society forward with new ideas.
116TH FIFE SCOUT GROUP
Recently the Beaver Colony held a fun day at Fordell Firs and which was deemed a great success. The bug hunt with a neighbouring Colony was also a great success and was concluded with a delivery of chips from the local chip shop. The fun events at the Annual District Sports Day were held at Pitreavie Sports Stadium and we were blessed with a good dry sunny afternoon which ensured everyone had good time.
The Cub Pack took part in the Mowgli Shield competition at the Nine Acres Campsite and this was enjoyed by all. The evening walk in Devilla Forest was held on a fine dry evening, enabling the good turnout to really enjoy themselves. Unfortunately the planned trip to the RSPB event at Vane Farm did not happen due to overbooking.
None of the Scouts or Explorers was available to take part in the District Sports, one of the few years that the Group has not been represented.
The Scouts are now getting on with their camping programme and will soon be embarking on their winter camping.
The Explorer Unit’s next activity is a District-held wide game in and around Dunfermline titled ‘AYE-SPY!’
Peter Philp
Group Scout Leader
01383 852612
116th Fife Scout Group
Registered Charity Number SC031132
SALINE GOLF CLUB
The Golf Club currently has a reduced membership fee of £100 or £150 for a couple which allows golf up to 31/3/17. They no longer have Sky but do have BT Sport.
As of 29 August, the Golf Club has changed their opening hours:
Monday 2.30 - 1
Tuesday 6 - 10
Wednesday 2.30 - 10
Thursday 2.30 - 12
Friday 2.30 - 12
Saturday 11 - 12pm
Sunday 12.30 – 10
There are live acts on in October with all tickets £3.00.
Saturday 8: traditional and contemporary music by Broch
Saturday 29: duo Side By Side
Saturday 15 October is a quiz night with an 8.30pm start.
UN-NEIGHBOURLY?
Among the many benefits of living in Saline and Steelend is the strong sense of community and easy access to the hillsides, woods and forests that surround us. Consequently it is disappointing that the police have become involved in an issue about access to one particular field.
Earlier this year, a couple who moved to the village several years ago entered into a formal tenancy agreement with the owner of the 14-acre field immediately adjacent to their house on Main Street so that they can graze horses on it. The owner of the land has planning permission for eight houses but is happy to have the land rented out until he is ready to start development. The field is popular with dog-walkers and it seems that one or two of them feel that their use and enjoyment of it has been compromised and have indulged in acts of mild harassment and petty vandalism. Only one acre of the field immediately adjacent to their house has been fenced off and the couple are happy to have people walking across the remainder. Consequently it is hard to understand why anyone should feel aggrieved and sad that they behave in the way they have. Can they not show a little more tolerance and respect for other peoples’ rights?
Chair, Saline and Steelend Community Council
PUTTING THE (STREET) RECORD STRAIGHT
Since the business of naming a street in Saline after Sir Walter Scott seems to have taken on a life of its own, even reaching the Daily Mail and the Courier, maybe I can set the record a bit straighter than it is now.
Scott’s writing being terminally long-winded and crashingly dull isn’t the issue. Nor is the fact that, yes, he wrote the first popular fiction in Scotland with common people as central characters (but suitably humble common people). His local “connection” consisted of nothing more than a couple of short visits to a friend who lived in Nether Kinneddar House – hardly a strong link. I wasn’t, by the way, recommending Annie S. Swan as an alternative; just making the point that she actually lived for some time at Bandrum.
The particular objection is that, in 1820, there was considerable industrial unrest in central Scotland because artisans and miners were striking and demonstrating for a rise in wages after the inflation resulting from the Napoleonic wars had reduced them to near-starvation. The government had in fact ordered their wages to be raised, but the employers just ignored this. So, fearing that the civil unrest (some of it whipped up by government agents so that they could identify the ringleaders) might slide into all-out revolution (thus threatening, of course, the exceptional prosperity and privilege of Scott and his like), Scott set about recruiting a militia from his own estate workers and those of his neighbours, to be loaned out to local authorities to put these impudent, dangerous “revolutionaries” back in their place. Well, if marching and demonstrating because you’re on starvation wages makes you a revolutionary… And this, remember, was at a time when a miner who got fed up of his work and conditions couldn’t just up and leave. If he did, law officers could be sent after him to drag him back. In effect the miner was a slave, and his family too.
Scott was quoted as asking his fellow landowners to "…appeal at this crisis to the good sense and loyalty of the lower orders... All you have to do is sound the men, and mark down those who seem zealous. They will perhaps have to fight with the pitmen and colliers… for defence of their firesides, for those literal blackguards are got beyond the management of their own people." Note that “lower orders”; no need to guess how Scott regarded the working poor.
It doesn’t take a genius to connect all this to more recent events. In 1984 (as many of you know) I was teaching in Queen Anne, and I saw some of the dreadful effects of that terrible year on the children of miners from this and other villages. As we now know, sometimes completely illegal methods were used by the authorities against striking miners who were trying desperately to save their industry – an industry whose history, in these parts, goes back centuries. In 1820, twenty or so of the identified leaders of the strikes and demonstrations were transported to Australia. In 1984, some miners snatched by police on picket lines when they were breaking no law got prison sentences and a record. Apart from the severity of the consequences, spot the difference.
At the end of it, all the pits – around here, some of the most productive in Britain, never mind Scotland – were closed, a national industry was killed off, and a close-knit working community of men who took intense pride in mastering difficult, dangerous work was wiped out of existence – but certainly not memory. In this context, putting Scott’s name on a street in this village is in my view thoroughly offensive: how would we react if it were to be Thatcher Close, or MacGregor Avenue? Wrong-headed is absolutely the politest way I can describe it.
Colin Stuart
David Chisholm
All contributions for inclusion in the Bulletin are welcome and can be submitted to Jacquie Clapperton on salineandsteelend@btinternet.com or by telephoning 852367.
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS:
Steelend Miners’ Club
One Sunday per month (look out for posters with dates), 2.00-4.00 pm: Children’s Club, entry £1. Come and join in the table tennis, pool, arts & crafts, and much more.
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
BT Sport TV and free wi-fi. Associate membership £10 per annum, £4 concessions
Q’zine Catering: also available for all functions.
Saturday 8 October: Broch, tickets £3.00
Saturday 15 October: Quiz Night, 08.30 pm
Saturday 29 October: Side By Side, tickets £3.00
Yoga
Saline church hall, 3pm - 4.15 every second Tuesday from 11th October Cost £5. Wear loose, comfortable clothing, and bring a blanket and some warm socks.
Please contact Rose on 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
25 October, 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 & Steelend Heritage Society
Sharon McCall:
Louise Carnegie: The Woman Behind The Man
26 October, 7.00 pm, talk starts at 7.30 pm.
Admission £1 members/£2 non-members.
Saline & Blairingone Parish Church
Harvest Thanksgiving Service:
2 October, 10.30 am
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
30 October
Italian Supper Night:
Friday 7 October, 7.00 pm, Church Hall. Tickets are £10.
Swap Shop:
Friday 28 October, 7.00 pm, Church Hall.
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-6pm
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 on Wednesdays - Sundays all year
Tuition in Small Groups or One to One
Child & Adult Beginners
Adults Coming Back to Riding
Summer Holiday Courses
Pony Days
Equestrian Vaulting for Children & Young People
Follow us on Facebook: Shieldbank Riding & Vaulting Club
Tel: 01383 852 874
This Community Bulletin is produced by Saline and Steelend Communications Group
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