Issue 71 October 2018

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES?

The effects of the ‘Beast from the East’ earlier in the year made many people appreciate our vulnerability as a community and the value of having a ‘plan’ for how to deal with emergencies. As a consequence, a group has been formed to work with Fife Council to prepare a Community Resilience Plan.

Sadly, the house fire in which Gail Lamb tragically lost her life further served to remind us how dependent we on the emergency services. A well-attended meeting of the Community Council at the end of September addressed this issue. Representatives of the Fire Service were present to explain the level of service we can expect as a rural community and to participate in a discussion about how individually and collectively we can minimise the possibility of lives being lost in the future. It had previously been suggested that equipment that might help in tackling a fire before the appliances arrive could be kept in the village. The officers present said that it was not realistic to consider untrained people tackling a fire and there was the possibility that doing so could make a situation worse.

If a fire breaks out the most important thing is to dial 999, provide the address clearly, encourage occupants to evacuate the premises, and alert neighbours. In normal circumstances, an appliance should reach Saline and Steelend in around 20 minutes. The importance of avoiding fires starting in the first place was emphasised. Fire Prevention Officers are very happy to visit any home and advise on measures that might be taken. It was agreed that dealing with this kind of situation should be included in the Community Resilience Plan.

The meeting also addressed the issue of accidents and medical emergencies. Unfortunately the Ambulance Service had not responded to an invitation to attend the meeting. However, two members of Saline First Responders were present to explain the service they can provide. People at the meeting were surprised to learn that the Ambulance Service has very strict rules about the circumstances in which First Responders can be deployed, in particular they cannot attend to anyone under the age of 16. However, if a call is made using the GoodSam app, not only are the emergency services alerted but it will show the names of the three First Responders closest to the incident. They are able to attend to any emergency and assist until an ambulance arrives. Medical emergencies and accidents will also form part of the Community Resilience Plan.

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.

SALINE & BLAIRINGONE PARISH CHURCH NEWS

The Harvest Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday 7 October at 9.30am when the Church will be suitably decorated. There will be a Thanksgiving Offering which will be given to Christian Aid's work in response to recent Emergencies in different parts of the world.

Saline Primary School will be holding a Harvest Thanksgiving service in the Church on Thursday 4 October at 11.00am.

Remembrance Sunday, 11 November: The Sunday Service will be held as usual at 9.30 am. In recognition of the fact that this will be the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day in 1918, the service at the War Memorial will start at 10.55am and the Two Minutes’ Silence observed at 11.00am. Wreaths will then be laid at the War Memorial on behalf of the parish, and other groups and organisations. Tea and coffee will be available in the hall from 10.30am. It is planned to have the church bell rung from 10.30-10.55am to join in the national event. It is hoped to involve a variety of members of the community and that this will be a real community effort.

SALINE PRIMARY SCHOOL

It has been a quick and busy term with all of our new starts in nursery, Primary 1 and throughout the school settling in well to the Saline school routine. We are delighted to have appointed lots of our pupils into a variety of roles throughout the school. This follows jobs being advertised in the main school entrance, applications submitted and interviews held for certain posts, developing those skills for learning, life and work. The successful candidates are as follows:

School Captains - Mahathi A & Lewis B

Killernie House:

Captain - Ross C

Vice-Captain - Hadi S

Sheardrum House:

Captain - Ella F

Vice-Captain - to be appointed

Kinneddar House:

Captain - Ruth W

Vice-Captain - Archie V

Devonside House:

Captain - Leah M

Vice-Captain - Cameron G

Sports Ambassador - Nathan F

ICT Facilitators - Jack M, Findlay C, James C, Alex B, Harry W

Playleader - Calan C

Librarians - Katie H, Annabel S, Robert P, Callum D, Alys C

Our outdoor learning programme has been going well with all classes and nursery out and about around the village on a weekly basis. The P5-7s have also been involved in the conservation of the area opposite the shop as we have approached Fife Council about the possibility of this land becoming a community garden. We hope to pursue this further with support from the Community Council - fingers crossed! The Primary 7 children have also fine-tuned their cycling skills and have completed their Level 1 Bikeability training and will start Level 2 in due course. P6 will start their Level 1 in Term 2.

We are also fortunate to have a music teacher visit the school on a Monday and have had a good uptake in learning the violin. This will be complimented with a music teacher coming in Term 2 as part of the Youth Music Initiative. I did notice in some old school pictures that Saline school used to have a samba drumming band. If anyone could point us in the right direction to get this up and running again we would love to hear from you! Are there any other musicians that would like to share their skills with us?

Talking about the old school pictures; we are trying to create a timeline for boxes of pictures that have been uncovered. Hopefully we can have an open event next term to invite the community into the school to help us. More details to follow.

Term 2 is already shaping up to be a busy one with P5-7 getting involved in WW1 and WW2 Remembrance events and learning about the role of Saline residents in these difficult periods in time. We are always interested in hearing about local stories so if you have any to pass on, please get in touch with the school office. P3/4 have also started an exciting enterprise initiative with Cafe Fresh in Dunfermline and will be creating their own sweet treat that will be sold in the cafe. Details are at the initial planning stages at the moment but more details will follow. The P6 pupils will be visiting Field Studies Centre Kindrogan in November as part of their residential experiences so I will look forward to sharing this with you in the next newsletter.

Lots to look forward to!

Alexis Perkins

SCAM ALERT 1

Steelend's Jean Morris got a huge shock last week when she received a message purporting to be from HMRC. When she called the contact number, she was threatened with bailiffs, freezing of her assets and a visit to arrest her from the Police if she didn't pay £3000 in back taxes by 5pm. Fortunately, Jean's not that daft and suspected a scam, especially when the aggressive caller didn't know what HMRC stood for. Nevertheless she had endured a traumatic experience. She contacted HMRC who confirmed that they would have contacted her by post and would have been polite if they did phone. Police officers also confirmed that they knew of the scam and had received a number of calls.

This is a particularly nasty crime and some people could be terrified into coughing up. It is a warning to everyone to be aware of such calls. If you receive a call saying that you owe money, do not give out your bank details. HMRC and financial organisations will not ask you for details over the phone. As Jean did, phone whoever you allegedly owe money to double check. Also inform the police who already have the scammers' phone number.

These apologies for human beings target vulnerable people. Please ensure that anyone you know who is vulnerable is warned of this and other scams.

116th FIFE SCOUT GROUP

We have had a large number of children join the Beaver Colony at the start of the new term, such that we have now reached our maximum permitted number. This should ease after the October holiday when several are due to move up to the Cub Pack. In September, the Beavers held their ‘Chip Shop’ walk to the local chippy for a welcome snack of chips before returning to the hall. In the meantime, the Beavers are continuing to work on the Hike, and Emergency Aid Activity Badges.

On a brighter note we have now recruited, subject to the usual Disclosure Checks, an Assistant Leader to support Jackie, our Beaver Leader.

The Cub Pack held their belated summer outing in September as a fun day, full of activities at Fordell Firs. By the time you read this, the Cubs will have had a visit to the Kelpies to try their hand at night-time photography as the concluding part of the Photographer Activity Badge They are also continuing to work on the Collector and Cyclist Activity Badges. Work is also progressing on the Outdoor, Team Leader and Team Work Challenge Awards.

Since the holidays the Scout Troop have recruited two new members and two have moved up from the Cub Pack. The Troop are now embarking on an exciting programme of activities with JOTA (Jamboree on the Air) camp scheduled for October. JOTA is accomplished by communicating with other Scout Groups throughout the world by means of local amateur radio clubs and their short wave radios. Meanwhile, they are continuing to work on the World Challenge Award.

The Explorer Unit recently helped at the Oakley Gala by running the Burger and Hot Dog stall. They have also provided regular support to the Beaver Colony. The Explorers are now working on their Physical and Environmental Challenge Awards.

Though the Beaver Colony has now reached full capacity, there are still places available in the Cub Pack, Scout Troop and Explorer Unit.

In general, preparations are now well in hand for the Scout Christmas Post. Please see our article in the November issue of the Bulletin for further details.

Peter Philp

One positive aspect is that a number of younger people have expressed an interest in Speedwatch and will be contacted by one of the Saline Team. Remember that voluntary action like this can only be really successful if there is a bigger pool of volunteers. Please consider signing up.

New Community Council Members