Issue 76 April 2019

Post date: 30-Mar-2019 22:35:28

COMMUNITY COUNCIL MATTERS

Many of the regular attendees and some new folk gathered in Saline Community Centre for the March Community Council Meeting and engaged in discussion around a broad range of topics. In conveying his apologies, the Chair mentioned that Cllr Manekshaw was in Spain for follow up treatment on a detached retina that had been dealt with in a Barcelona hospital on Christmas Eve! The meeting wished him a speedy recovery.

North Road Play Park

There was broad agreement that the recently-opened play park on North Road is a huge hit with local children and their parents.

However, it was noted that whilst most users arrive on foot, bike or scooter, some people are coming by car. The section of North Road along from the play park is particularly narrow and visibility for drivers is poor, so anyone with a car is asked to park further away. More concerning, an item of drugs paraphernalia was found and disposed of, and a close eye will need to be kept on this.

Traffic and Road Safety

David has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, seeking his support for a review of the roads network across West Fife to establish appropriate speed limits for all roads through the area and to identify measures that might be introduced to restrict access for large vehicles to some smaller roads, except when making deliveries. People at the meeting again raised the issue of potholes, particularly the poor standard of patching which means that the problem reappears very quickly. It was suggested that if the Council invested more in carrying out high quality repairs they would pay out less in compensation to those whose vehicles were damaged. Attention was drawn to the solar-powered lights on the chicanes on the West Road, several of which are not working, and to the fact that Allanwater have still not painted the white markings on the speed bumps they have constructed on Oakley Road.

Street Naming

Several people have commented on the use of the abbreviation ‘Rev’ on the street sign for the new Kingdom Housing Association development off Oakley Road. It was felt that it should either be The Reverend Downie Wynd or just Downie Wynd. The matter has been taken up with Fife Council.

Possible Affordable Housing at Steelend

The Scottish Land Fund is not able to consider an application from the community to acquire the additional Council-owned land necessary to create access to the football ground site. They regard it as a matter between a potential developer and Fife Council and accept that, if a sale cannot be agreed, the development may not go ahead. They reject the argument that the community has a legitimate interest in facilitating development, the over-riding interest being affordable homes for local people.

Christmas Lights

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has said that it is not able to fund the rewiring of street lights to facilitate the attachment of Christmas lights. Other sources of funding are being sought.

Church Family Fun Day

This event has been confirmed for Saturday 25 May from 2.00pm in the Church grounds. It will be an opportunity to welcome new families to the village and will be supported by the Community Council.

Sponsorship

This edition of the Bulletin is kindly sponsored by Saline Environmental Group.

Mobility Scooter Access to the Golf Club

In response to requests from the Golf Club and Community Council, Fife Council is considering providing a new dropped kerb opposite the vehicle ramp.

Housing Development behind The Glebe

It was reported that some work to remove topsoil, involving a low-loader lorry and an excavator, had been carried out outside the defined working hours for the site, and in a manner that contravened other conditions imposed to protect the residential amenity of people living in The Glebe. Fife Council Planning Enforcement Officers had visited the site to assess the situation. It was noted too that during the excavation a drain had been damaged and raw sewage was draining into the burn. SEPA has been informed.

Community Pharmacy

The Health Board have finally announced a three-month consultation on Lisa Duncan’s proposal to open a community pharmacy in Saline. The questionnaire can be completed online at www.nhsfife.org or ring 01592 226413 to obtain a hard copy. Lisa intends to visit Saline and Steelend to meet local interest groups and distribute copies of the questionnaire. The announcement coincided with a second, Scotland-wide announcement about countering the chronic shortage of medical staff in hospitals and GP surgeries with a plan to develop community pharmacies into mini surgeries. This strengthens the case for developing Saline Community Centre as a community health and well-being hub. A representative of the Scottish Land Fund will be attending the next Community Development Trust meeting to discuss financial support for a detailed feasibility study and business plan.

Number 6 Bus Service

There was a lengthy discussion about the use of a mini-bus for the Number 6 service at some times of the day. Whilst it was agreed that the size of the bus is not an issue, and that there were no reported problems of it being overcrowded and people not being able to get on, there were concerns about accessibility for those with mobility problems and those with children in buggies. The absence of handles for getting off, combined with the greater distance to the kerb, the narrowness of the aisle, and the lack of space for shopping and luggage were all mentioned. It is understood that it is for a trial period and Stagecoach are seeking feedback. Community Council concerns will be conveyed to them.

Burning Old Sofas and Mattresses

Several occurrences of people burning old sofas and mattresses were reported to the meeting. Whilst it was acknowledged that in rural areas people have bonfires to dispose of garden waste, etc, it was agreed that these should not be used to dispose of items containing toxic chemicals as they can affect people’s health. The guidance issued by Fife Public Protection Team is that if it produces black smoke you are committing an offence. The telephone number for reporting such matters is 03451 555550. It was recognised that the Council charge a fee to take away large items and it was suggested that anyone unable to pay who had something big to dispose of should advertise the fact on the villages’ Facebook page. It was thought there were a number of people who would be willing to pick stuff up and take it to the dump as an act of neighbourliness.

Dog Nuisance

Dog fouling has been an on-going issue for a while but recently several Saline residents have reported dogs that have been left shut in barking continuously throughout the day. The matter has been reported to the authorities but dog owners should be asked to ensure that their pets are not a nuisance to others.

Housing Development on the Solsgirth Colliery Site

It was noted that an Edinburgh-based practice, EMA Architects, are carrying out a PAN (Proposal of Application Notice) consultation for a housing development of between 50 and 100 homes on the former Solsgirth Colliery site out towards Dollar. This precedes a possible planning application and is intended to establish what the issues are. Although the site is in Clackmannanshire, people in Saline and Steelend will have the opportunity to attend a consultation event in Saline Primary School at 2.30pm on Wednesday 24 April. In discussion at the meeting it was acknowledged that there will be impact on the infrastructure, services and amenities of our part of Fife and residents are encouraged to attend to make their feelings known.

STOLEN MOTORCROSS BIKE

My motocross bike was stolen on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, 19/20 March. CCTV from Steelend Club is being looked at and a couple of witnesses say that they saw a white Vauxhall Vivaro driving round Steelend on Tuesday night. If anyone has seen anything suspicious on Monday 18 or Tuesday 19, please let me or the police know. Perhaps something may have been captured on cameras on a house. The thieves may have passed through Saline, Upper Steelend or the golf club area. A registration plate would be of great help.

Thank you,

Dale Hynd

There are over 25 volunteers involved in getting the Bulletin to your computer or door every month, and the printing costs each month are up to £258.75. We are very grateful for all the donations we receive towards our costs. Remember – the Bulletin is free to every house in the community.

KIRKLANDS GARDEN OPENS AGAIN

Kirklands Garden, Bridge Street, Saline will once again open (for the twenty-sixth year) for charity on Sunday May 26 from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Entrance fee is £5.00, children free.

The garden is about two acres including a woodland garden, a walled garden, and herbaceous borders. In May the bluebells are in flower and so are the meconopsis (blue poppies), tulips and rhododendrons and many, many other plants.

Delicious cream teas will be served in the marquee and there will be a plant stall with plants raised in the garden so you know that they’ll survive in our part of Fife!

If any village group would like a presence during the opening, either with a stall or leaflets, we would love you to be involved and we’re always looking for helpers. Please call 01383 852737 or 07787115477 or e-mail: gill@i-comment360.com. Check out our Facebook page for Kirklands House and Garden, Saline http://tinyurl.com/Kirklands-Facebook

Please come along and support good causes.

60% of the takings will go to Saline Environmental Group who carry out sterling work around Saline and Steelend to improve our local environment. The other 40% goes to Scotland Garden Scheme charities (Maggie’s, Perennial, Qnis, NTS).

NORTH ROAD PLAY PARK OPENS

There were big smiles on the faces of local children in Saline this week as the community enjoyed the opening of a new play area in the village.

Funded through community fundraising, Fife Council, Fife Environment Trust and LEADER grants, the play area is the result of local people coming together and working to create a better environment for local children.

Nicola from the Saline and Steelend Play Park Project commented: "It's been a long road, over three years of work, but it's all worth it to see the kids playing and having fun. In that time we've had prize bingo, family BBQs, speed dating style fundraising and an actual mountain to climb! The community have been 100% behind us with our local fundraising; we owe them many thanks. Also a huge thank you to Fife Environment Trust, Fife Leader, and Fife Council for their generous contributions and help along the way. Thanks also to Saline and Steelend Community Council for their advice and support. Lastly, thanks in memory of Donna Chesby, our biggest supporter. The money from her funeral was what really kicked this all off and got us started. We couldn't have done it without you all."

Fife Council's Community Manager Alastair Mutch welcomed the efforts of everyone involved and added: "This is a fantastic example of people coming together, working with the council, and making a difference to their local area. Congratulations to all those involved - it's great to see efforts like this paying off for the benefit of the whole community."

GET SPRING CLEANING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY

Fife communities are being asked to take part in the national Spring Clean 2019 of Fife’s Coastal Path. Keep Scotland Beautiful’s national campaign is aiming to get as many community groups, businesses, schools, individuals and other organisation working together to clean-up Scotland.

Fife Council, along with Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, are in full support of Spring Clean 2019 and are encouraging locals to get involved and organise their own clean-ups along the 117 miles of Fife Coastal Path and beaches. The clean-ups will tackle the problems of illegal dumping, land-based and marine litter which are an eyesore and can be dangerous to people, wildlife and pets.

Groups are provided with skips, litter-pickers, bags, gloves and liability insurance so they can carry out the clean-up safely, and they give their time, energy and enthusiasm to improve their local environment.

To coincide with Keep Scotland Beautiful’s national campaign, the coastal path community clean-up will take place throughout April and May 2019.

To find out if there’s a clean-up happening near you or to organise your own clean-up please go to http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ for more information.

Perhaps there are some areas around Saline that could be cleaned up?

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS:

Saline Golf Club

We have free Wi-Fi and BT Sports.

Food available throughout the year:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 11.00am-2.30pm

Wednesday: 11.00am-2.30pm

Thursday: 11.00am-8.00pm

Friday: 11.00am-2.30pm

Saturday: 10.00am-2.30pm

Sunday: 12.00noon-4.00pm

Golf Memberships available.

Junior Golf Membership only £10 per year.

Social Membership only £10 per year.

Bingo every Monday, 7.30pm start.

Quiz night every Thursday at 8.30pm. £1 entry.

Steelend Miners Club

Sunday 28 April: Little Mix Magic

(a great family show),

3.00pm.

Tickets are £10.

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

Highland Dancing Classes

Tuesdays 4.00pm-5.00pm, Thursdays 6.30pm-8.00pm. Tel Betty on 852610

Sambangra Drumming Group - Tuesdays, 7.00pm-8.30pm, £2

Steelend Club

Shieldbank Coffee Shop

North Road, Saline, Fife, KY12 9LN

Everyone welcome for hot and cold drinks, savory toasties, baguettes, cheese tarts, scones, carrot cake etc.

Open Tuesdays – Sundays from 9.30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Craft Group every Thursday morning 10 – 12.

Photography every Friday evening from 7.30 – 9 p.m.

Tel: 07792 759583

Shieldbank Riding & Vaulting Club

North Road, Saline, Fife, KY12 9LN

Everyone welcome (4 yrs plus) for learning to ride horses and ponies.

Regular lessons plus special day courses in the Spring Holidays.

Equestrian Vaulting lessons for 5-18 yr olds.

Please call to book: 01383 852874

Adult Badminton

Mondays 7.45pm

Wednesday 1.30pm and 7.45pm

Saline Community Centre. T: 852610

Craft and Chatter

Thursdays 10.00am-12.00noon

Last Friday of month 7.00pm-9.00pm

Shieldbank Coffee Shop

Saline & Blairingone Parish Church

Afternoon Craft Group

Every second Tuesday. Everyone is invited to join with any sewing, knitting or craft - and enjoy the blether! 2pm-4pm, Saline Church Hall.

Saline & Steelend Rural

5 June, 7:30pm

Demonstration of cake decorating

Saline Community Centre

Saline & Blairingone Parish Church

Sunday 14 April, Songs of Praise for Palm Sunday, Oakley Parish Church, 6.30pm

Wednesday 17 April, Stations of the Cross, Culross Abbey, 7.00pm

Thursday 18 April, Service of Holy Communion, Tulliallan & Kincardine Church, 7.00pm

Friday 19 April, Tenebrae Candle Service, Saline Parish Church, 7.00pm

Sunday 21 April, Easter Service, Saline Parish Church, 9.30am. Family Breakfast/Brunch, Saline Church Hall, 10.30am.

This Community Bulletin is produced by Saline and Steelend Communications Group