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Post date: 03-Dec-2017 02:44:15
BUS SERVICES
Most people consider that the current Service 6 route is preferable to the old one. However, not enough people are using it and the service may again be under threat.
Some readers may be aware that Cllr Mino Manekshaw is proposing a system of smaller buses connecting into hubs on busier routes and he is now looking for people to contact him with all bus issues that affect them. He intends to use this information to build up a data base that he can use to argue the case for continued and better services.
This is an important issue so please make your views known about the problems you have experienced and any ideas for improvement.
Cllr Manekshaw can meet people by appointment and can be contacted at 03451 555555 extension 42230 or on-line via the link on Fife Direct.
CHURCH NEWS
Sunday Services during Advent will be held as usual in the Church at 9.30am on 10, 17 and 24 December.
Special Christmas Services are as follows:
Wednesday 20 December: 9.30 am, Saline Primary School Service in the Church.
Christmas Eve, Sunday 24th December: 6.30 pm, Family Service. 11.30 pm, Christmas Eve Service.
Monday 25 December: 10.00 am, Christmas Day Service.
A Family Party is being held on Sunday 17 December from 2.30-4.30 pm in the Church Hall
There will also be Carol Singing on Wednesday 20 December at 6.15 pm at the Golf Club (followed by mince pies and mulled wine or fruit juice).
There is an open invitation to take part in any of these events.
The Church Guild resumes meetings on Monday 8 January at 7.30 pm in the Church Hall with a Quiz Night.
The Walking Group continue their winter programme on Saturday 6 January with an easy walk (5 miles), The Pineapple and Dunmore.
All are welcome to take part in these activities and more information will be found on the church website. A Ceilidh Night is planned for the end of January and details will be publicised as soon as possible.
LINDA BOGUE
1957 – 2017
An Appreciation by Lorraine Dobie and Isla Newland
Linda was a big woman with a big heart and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her, whether as a neighbour or as an energetic member of the community of Saline and Steelend.
Her work as caretaker at both Steelend and Saline Community Centres brought her into contact with all the organisations that used them, and a generation grew up knowing Linda through attending mums and toddlers, after-school clubs and badminton. She also made sure that, after a bit of banter, teenagers ‘hanging around’ the Community Centre moved on without a fuss and before she applied her secret weapon, and roared ‘I know your mum!’ We probably shouldn’t say but she was always very accommodating with the Community Centre keys, so that you could open up early or stay later than the scheduled times!
Linda was also a Beaver leader in her younger days and it was lovely to see so many at the service in the Crematorium representing the Scouting family that she loved.
Linda loved the quiz night at the Golf Club, and latterly, when her health was failing, still managed to attend. Not long before she died, and the day after a visit to hospital, she was adamant she should get along as it was her turn to make up the questions!
When asked at Church coffee mornings ‘tea or coffee?’ she always replied ‘Irn Bru’ - her favourite tipple, as everyone in the village knew.
She will be sadly missed by the whole community, but leaves us with many happy memories. So let’s all raise a wee glass of Irn Bru to Linda!
SALINE & DISTRICT HERITAGE SOCIETY
Our last speaker event was well attended and we learnt a lot about the Wemyss Caves as well as enjoying Christmas wine and nibbles. Our next event is not until 17 January when there will be a talk on the real Burke and Hare, just the thing for a dark, winter's night. Further on, Derek Abbot will be doing a presentation on the Fife Coastal Path on 21 February.
Meanwhile, we would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Editor's Note
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
The Beaver Colony and Cub Pack joined with others from Dunfermline District to take part in the parade and switching on of the Festive Lights in Dunfermline.
On Saturday 25 November the Beavers joined with others from the District for their annual Christmas Party in Abbeyview Community Centre, where all had a great time.
At the end of October, Nathan from the Cub Pack was awarded the Chief Scout's Silver Award which is the highest Cub award. Well done Nathan! Nathan is now moving up to join the Scout Troop.
The chosen charity for this year's Carol Service is Fife Young Carers; the Pack held a fund raising event and raised over £54 in support of this.
The Scout Troop held their first winter camp at the beginning of November to be followed by a second at the beginning of December. On 30 November, five Scouts were presented with their Chief Scout's Gold Award, having now completed all of their Challenges. Well done to John, Cameron, Thomas, John and Alex.
Mid November saw the Explorer Unit taking part in an all-night event at Falkirk's Laserquest, returning home tired but happy. Since then, as part of their Community Service, they have been delivering Scout Post flyers.
Last meetings for this term for Scouts and Explorers is likely to be Thursday 14 December which is hoped to be a trip to Bowlplex. The Beavers are planning to finish on Friday 22 December with a party.
All meetings will resume in the first week of the new school term, Thu/Fri 11/12 Jan 2018.
Please remember the last date for collection of the Scout Christmas Post is Tuesday 12 December at 5.00pm.
It is anticipated that deliveries will commence on Saturday 16 Dec.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Peter Philp
Group Scout Leader
116th Fife Scout Group
Registered Charity Number SC031132
Telephone: 01383 852612
SALINE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP
Christmas Tree Recycling on Saturday 6 January
Instead of taking your Christmas tree to the Council tip, we will uplift your tree (for free) and chip it. The chips will be recycled to local gardeners. Anyone who would like the chips please contact Joe Crawford on 07886075169. To have your tree uplifted, simply place it outside the house/in the front garden on Saturday morning 6 January before 11.00am. Real trees only, thanks!
By now we will have had our first Star Walk event. We are planning to hold a series of talks and events over the next few months. These will include the Marine Conservation Society, Bumble Bee Society, snowdrop trial, recording wildlife with Fife Nature Record, and a bat talk/monitoring session. So keep a watch out for dates and times and we hope to see you at the events that interest you.
HIGHLAND DANCING
The following pupils of Elizabeth Thomson's Highland Dancing classes recently achieved the following grades at UKA examinations:
• Robyn Smith - Pre-Bronze & Beginners Fling
• Carmen Thomson - Bronze Highland & Intro Lilt
• Katie Bath, Katie Birks and Hayden Thomson all gained Gold & Juvenile Award Silver Lilt and Flora
• Leah Thomson - Laurel & Annual Award, Silver Bar Hornpipe & Jig, Gold Highland Laddie, Sc Measure, Earl of Errol, Village Maid, 1st Gold Thistle Flora, Lilt & Barracks Johnnie.
Well done everyone!
Classes are in the Church Session Room on Tuesdays at 4.00-5.00 pm and 5.30 pm, and on Thursdays at 6.30-8.00 pm.
New pupils are welcome. Call Betty on 01383 852610.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL MATTERS
Despite one of the coldest nights of the year and treacherous pavements, there was a reasonable attendance at the November meeting.
David Chisholm started by paying tribute to Linda Bogue who died recently. He referred to how helpful Linda had been and to himself personally. Others had their own recollections and it was agreed that Linda epitomised what is good about our community. David had written to the family on the Community Council's behalf while it had also been represented at the well-attended funeral.
The first piece of good news was that Saline Church has now been awarded a grant that will enable works to start. Watch the Bulletin for more details.
Street Naming
As mentioned in the September Bulletin, the Community Council felt that the family of the Rev Sandy Downie should be informed of the decision. The Rev Downie's son, Dr Sandy Downie, said that the family was delighted that people had remembered his father with affection. It is hoped that in due course an event can be organised in connection with the naming of the street.
Playpark Group
Tenders for the North Road works have come in under budget and additional works are planned. This necessitates some re-tendering and discussion with funders but should not unduly hold up the project.
People who have been interested and participated in the group's activities will remember that plans were also prepared for improvements to the Steelend and Upper Kinneddar playparks. Given the current state of the Steelend Park, it was felt that it should be a priority. The meeting noted that Steelend Residents Association will be canvassing local opinion in early 2018.
A vital contributor to the North Road improvements is Fife Leader. This is an initiative funded by the Scottish Government and EU to improve Fife's rural communities with an emphasis on projects with community benefit. An important recent piece of news is that Fife Leader's maximum grant rate has been increased to 80%. However, all spend on approved projects must be completed by the end of 2019 so time is short. If you have a project in mind, contact Fife Leader staff in Fife House. They are very approachable.
Community Action Plan and Community Centre
No progress has been made on raising funds for the fees that are essential to enable the community to make decisions on the future of the Community Centre. However, the Community Council has been made aware of a very successful initiative in Twechar and is investigating the possibility of organising a visit. Details will be published when available.
The Glebe
Discussion of the issues here took up most of the meeting, reflecting the concerns about the proposals. The general view was that it is accepted that five houses will be built but there remains concerns over access, particularly as an additional garage has been proposed. The view is that the two proposals should be considered together.
Many felt that matters could have been improved if the applicant had been more open about their intentions, while Fife Council procedures were seen as less than transparent.
Traffic and Road Safety
More vehicles have left the road west of Saline but Fife Council has yet to establish a cause. The Community Council remains concerned that even more serious accidents will occur if action is not taken.
Another accident has occurred at Redcraigs crossroads, this time involving three vehicles. Many felt that the Give Way sign from Dunfermline should be replaced with a Stop sign in view of the poor visibility on the Kelty side. The Changed Priorities sign was also seen as confusing although it now appears to have been removed.
There was a degree of concern about roads and pavements being inadequately gritted recently, and that some grit bins needing filled. If your local bin needs filled, contact Fife Council.
Mothers and Toddlers Group
There was concern that this important group could fold due to lack of income.
This is an important resource for both mothers and children. It is a useful way for both to meet new people and be more aware of what is going on. It is especially useful for new residents. The current group are nice, welcoming people so why not give it a go? Details are available at the back of the Bulletin.
Walking The Wizard
The workshop to create willow lanterns in Steelend Club was successful and was followed by a well-attended walk from Saline to Steelend and catering in the Club. As such, another event is being planned for 2018.
One of our new residents, Drew McCulloch, is a professional songwriter and has written a song based on the legend of the Wizard of Saline. He is hoping to record it with the children in our primary school. This would be an exciting event for the children and an opportunity to raise money for the school.
Welcome progress has been made over the past couple of years by the Playpark Group, with enthusiastic participation at their events. This has, however, highlighted the loss of popular things like Bonfire Night and Saline Gala. The younger members at the Community Council (yes, there are some!) felt that there was scope to resurrect these events. Watch this space.
Santa Run
One of our popular events that hasn't disappeared is the Santa Run organised by the Playground Group. This will be held on 17 December. Please support it and be generous with the donations
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 30 January 2018 in Saline Community Centre. This will also be the AGM. Everyone is welcome and it is a chance to raise issues that concern you or your ideas for improvements. Why not give it a go? All comments are taken seriously.
SALINE & DISTRICT RURAL
The Rural have confirmed their 2018 syllabus:
• February - Scarf Design with Beth
• March - Demonstration of German Baking with Marianne
• April - Visit to Cherry Tree Lodge
• May - Craft demonstration from Buttons and Blethers
• June - Outing for afternoon tea, venue tbc
• September - Crafting with Christine
• October - Visit from Poppy Scotland
• November - Business Meeting
• December - Christmas meal, venue tbc
We look forward to welcoming any ladies who would like to come along.
SALINE GOLF CLUB
Golf membership is now available for £60, giving full membership up until 31 March.
The Qzine festive fare menu is available until 23 March; booking essential. On Hogmanay the fantastic HASHTAG will be playing; tickets are £10. The Ladies’ Room has been refurbished, thanks to fundraising events including a prize bingo night and a vintage bus trip over the new Queensferry Crossing.
As a result of the fundraising effort, the Golf Club to be able to provide an eco-toilet in Kanombe village, Mramba parish in Uganda through a scheme called toilet twinning. The club would like to thank everyone involved in making these improvements possible.
Season's Greetings
The Bulletin staff of Jacquie, Mark, Ian and all of our wonderful distributors would like to wish our readers a peaceful Yule and Christmas, and a joyful New Year ahead.
ADULT BADMINTON
Game’ adult bodies needed for Badminton in Saline Community Centre on Mondays at 7.45pm, and Wednesdays at 1.30 pm and 7.30 pm. No experience needed and racquets are supplied!
Call Betty Thomson on 01383 852610.
FOLKLORE IN THE MAKING?
The other morning while out walking the dogs, I was following one of my usual tree lined tracks that runs out through farm land with a scattering of small coppices, about a mile from the village. It was a somewhat dull and murky morning with daylight just breaking. The dogs were ahead and off their leads doing their usual nosing about and showing no signs of being particularly interested in anything. As I walked along in a semi dream-like state, I thought I saw a flicker of moment in my peripheral vision to my left. It was not the dogs as they were well ahead of me. It could have been nothing, or a bird, or perhaps a squirrel. The movement I thought I saw was perhaps 20m away, I stopped and looked in that direction and, yes, I saw a flicker of movement again beside a tree, low, at ground level and still at perhaps 20m away. I watched and waited and saw nothing again, just imagination or a falling leaf or just a bird. I walked on, regaining my pace and enjoying the walk.
I normally take the same route each morning for the dog walk, it saves having to make any decisions so early in the day. So the next day as we approached the area where I thought I saw the movement the previous day, I slowed and scanned the area, this time keeping the dogs close so as not to disturb anything that might be about. Of course I didn’t expect to see anything given the movement was quite possibly imagination fuelled by low light and a coppice of creepy trees. But yes I did again see something move in more or less the same place and it was real, I was convinced, I was also convinced it was not a falling leaf or a bird so what was it? It was unusual enough to have caught my attention the first time and again this time. The movement was not quick, but slowish although I could still not see what was moving or had moved. There was no sound, well nothing unusual to be heard, just the breeze in the trees and the sound of water from a hill stream as it clatters over some rocks then through a pipe under the track.
I looked again and watched (and for some reason holding my breath); yes, movement in the same place and this time a glimpse of something strange. A sort of stick like thing, perhaps it was a stick moving in the breeze, caught up on something making it swung about perhaps.
I left the track and moved through the trees towards the point I had seen the movement and I saw a small stick like creature looking at me. It was about 20cm high and sort of human-like; well, it had what looked like arms held up and two legs. I stared in amazement having seen nothing like this ever before. I as I got a little closer the thing simply disappeared before my very eyes, vanished; it didn’t run away, it just sort of dissolved. Well, as you can imagine, I was convinced I had seen this yet I could not believe it and so decided the light, the early hours, and creepy trees were causing me to simply see things that were not really there. I returned to the track, finished my walk and returned home. I tried to forget all about it and didn’t slow down and look again for several days; perhaps a week or more passed but I could not forget what I thought I had seen and so curiosity got the better of me.
The following morning, I fitted a telephoto lens to my camera and took it with me on our morning walk. As I neared the place where I had seen my stick creature, I put the dogs on their leads and kept them close. I raised my camera and looked through the lens, scanning the bases of the trees looking for movement or signs of this stick creature. There it was!
Well, there were in fact two, one a little smaller than the other, looking in my direction again with arms held up. The light was poor and the shutter speed was slow, making for potentially blurry shots. I pressed the trigger and got a couple of shots and then, as before, these things simply melted away, disappeared, no sign.
I scrolled back through the last two images hoping for something to prove I was not going loopy. To my sheer amazement there were two very grainy images of this small stick like creature, it seems I had captured one of the two that I had seen so now I could go home and examine the image in more detail.
Here is the picture I took.
Since taking this picture I have not seen these creatures again, although of course I do continue to look. They say the camera never lies and I’m convinced this is what I saw.
I suggest we all keep a look out as it’s quite possible these wee folks have moved on and they could be in your garden right now.
G Turner, Nov 2017
Surviving Christmas & New Year
Sometimes people find that the Christmas and New Year period is really hard.
Everyone else seems to be having a great time but you're feeling worried or finding it hard to cope. It can be difficult to deal with extra stress and keep yourself well when other people are drinking and having parties. Often the places where you get support at other times of the year have shut up for the holidays. Well, you're not alone. Lots of people find the holiday period difficult. So Fife Council have put together this handy guide to surviving Christmas and New Year.
The Adult Support & Protection Committee in partnership with Fife Council Community & Neighbourhoods Team are distributing the ‘Surviving Christmas and New Year’ information throughout the Kingdom. It is downloadable as a 28 page Booklet, a shorter Fold Out, an Easy Read version using Photosymbols, a plain text booklet, and plain text foldout. at: www.fifedirect.org.uk/adultprotection
PROGRESS MADE TOWARDS OAKLEY PATH PROPOSALS
Saline & Steelend Community Development Trust (SSCDT) recently submitted an expression of interest in Fife Leader funding towards building a path to the Comrie Colliery access road.
Fife Leader is a partnership between Fife Council and the European Union whose aim is to provide funding towards projects that benefit Fife's rural communities including this area. The Playpark group has already been successful in securing Fife Leader and Fife Environment Trust funding for the new North Road playpark.
Fife Leader's Local Advisory Group has now agreed that SSCDT should now submit a formal application for funding for the path that would open up the Forestry Commission's Muirside Estate to everyone in our community. SSCDT has also liaised with Oakley & Comrie Community Council about continuing the path to the White Gates while restoration of Comrie Colliery will reinstate a route to Blairhall. These would give people here the opportunity to connect to the wider paths network, a priority in the Saline and Steelend Community Action Plan.
As indicated above, Fife Leader requires that SSCDT demonstrates community support. The community consultation prior to the Community Action Plan indicated that the lack of paths for walking, cycling and riding was a concern and that a path to Oakley was a priority. Several local groups have already provided letters indicating how the path will contribute to their objectives but Fife Leader has suggested that the bid would be helped by letters of support from individuals.
Accordingly, the form of words below has been prepared and SSCDT would ask everyone to copy and print, or write it out on a sheet of paper, sign it, and return it to the envelopes in the village shop or church.
Alternatively, email David Chisholm at david.chisholm47@btinternet.com or Donald Murdoch at djmurdoch47@btinternet.com.
Additional comments would be especially appreciated.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
I am/We are pleased to note the possibility of an improved path over the Muirside Estate and confirm that I/we support Saline and Steelend Community Development Trust's proposals
Signed: …………………………………………
Address: ……………………………………….
Comments:
Thanks
This edition of the Bulletin is kindly
sponsored by Bandrum Nursing Home
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS:
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.
Carol Singing on Wednesday 20 December at 6.15 pm (followed by mince pies and mulled wine or fruit juice).
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 January 2018, 7.30pm
Saline Community Centre
Highland Dancing Classes
Tuesdays 4.00pm-5.00pm
Thursdays 6.30pm-8.00pm
Tel Betty on 852610
Adult Badminton
Mondays 7.45pm
Wednesday 1.30pm and 7.30pm
Saline CC T: 852610
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
Saline & Steelend Heritage Society
Wednesday 17 January, 7.00pm for 7.30pm, Saline Church Hall
Sambangra Drumming Group
Tuesdays, 7.00pm-8.30pm, £2
Steelend Club
Saline & Blairingone Parish Church
Wednesday 20 December: 9.30 am, Saline Primary School Service in the Church.
Christmas Eve, Sunday 24th December: 6.30 pm, Family Service. 11.30 pm, Christmas Eve Service.
Monday 25 December: 10.00 am, Christmas Day Service.
Family Party: Sunday 17 December, 2.30-4.30 pm, Church Hall
Afternoon Craft Group
Every second Tuesday from 5 September. Everyone is invited to join with any sewing, knitting or craft - and enjoy the blether! 2pm-4pm, Saline Church Hall.
Saline & District Rural
Wednesday 7 March
Saline Community Centre 7:30 pm
German Baking with Marianne
All ladies welcome.
Shieldbank Riding & Vaulting Club, North Road, Saline, Fife KY12 9LN
Telephone: 01383 852874 Website: www.shieldbank.co.uk Also on Facebook.
Riding lessons for children and adults of all ages and stages.
Vaulting (gymnastics on horseback) instruction for 5-20 year olds.
Everyone welcome.
Vouchers available as Christmas presents!
Just call or email to book.
Shieldbank Coffee Shop
Telephone: 01383 852621 Also on Facebook.
Open Tuesdays to Sundays 9.30 am- 6.00 pm.
Craft Group meet here on Thursday mornings 10.00 am until lunchtime.
New: Group for Amateur Photographers meet on Friday evenings at 7.30 pm.
This Community Bulletin is produced by Saline and Steelend Communications Group
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