2012-Jan

Page 1

ISSUE

01

THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Balmullo Newsletter Also online at www.issuu.com/balmullo

JANUARY 2012

In this issue Council Contacts

2

What’s On?

3

200 Club

3

John Normand

3

Announcements

5

Editorial

5

Dr. Kennedy

7

Bowling Club

9

Words of Wisdom

9

Gala

9

Balmullo Santa

9

S.W.R.I.

9

Balmullo School

11

Your Councillor

13

Address To A Haggis

15

Gardening Club

17

Garden Birds

19

Dr. Kennedy with Practice Manager, Marie Ferguson See Page 7


2

BALMULLO COMMUNITY COUNCIL Members

Councillors Alison Jeffrey alison@balmullo.net

Chairman: Zoë Sanders 1zoesanders@gmail.com

870674

John Normand

Vice-Chairman:

janormand1@gmail.com

John Docherty 871497 john.docherty1@mypostoffice.co.uk

Jim Taylor

871070

jimrtaylor@hotmail.co.uk

Treasurer: Andrew Falconer anfalconer@tiscali.co.uk

870496

Secretary: Raymond Crush raymondrita@btinternet.com

871400

Minute-Secretary:

Fife Councillors Maggie Taylor 01382 552718 cllr.margaret.taylor@fife.gov.uk Tim Brett 01382 330905 cllr.tim.brett@fife.gov.uk Ron Caird r.caird@tiscali.co.uk

Hannah Goldsack h.e.charnley@googlemail.com

01382 542414

Newsletter: Ina Cameron 870253 twaauldgoats@btinternet.com

Useful Contacts Burnside Hall Keeper

Lynn Murphy

870466

The Minister

Rev. Caroline Taylor

870038

Dog Warden Community Police

caro234@btinternet.com

0845 155 0022 P.C. Gavin Rae

0845 600 5702

RAF Aircraft Noise

839471

GALA Committee

http://balmullogala.weebly.com/index.html

Statements made or opinions expressed in this Newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of the Balmullo Community Council or any of its officers. Advert Prices Small Half Page Full Page

£5 £10 £20

You can rent advertising space on a month by month basis or on a longer term basis. The Balmullo Newsletter has a circulation of 700 and is hand delivered FREE of charge.

TO ALL ADVERTISERS – Please check your advert. If you would like to remove it or change it in any way, please let me know. Either by phone or email. My details are on page 2 of this newsletter - Ina Cameron.


3

WHAT’S ON?

26th

JANUARY 21st Burns Supper in Balmullo Inn, 6 for 6.30pm. Ticket entry only. 23rd Meeting in the School at 7pm to discuss changes to Village Park 29th Paths Group leaving Burnside Hall at 1pm FEBRUARY 9th Gardening Club winter talk in Burnside Hall at 7.30pm 13th Community Council Meeting in Burnside Hall at 7.30pm. All welcome 17th Bowling Club Prize Bingo. Eyes Down 7.30pm

Paths Group leaving Burnside Hall at 1pm MARCH 16th Bowling Club Prize Bingo. Eyes Down 7.30pm 25th Paths Group leaving Burnside Hall at 2pm APRIL 14th Bowling Club Opening of Green Dance. 8pm. Details in Newsletter.

Running an event? Let everyone know about it. Email twaauldgoats@btinternet.com

Balmullo Bowling Green Play outdoors in summer Indoors in winter Variety of competitions and friendly matches every week No experience required. All welcome to join. Call John on 01334 870196

200 CLUB JANUARY WINNERS £50 £20 £20 £20 £20 £20 £10 £10 £10 £10 £10

Mrs McKie, Park View Mrs Stockton, Main Road Mr Prophet, Park View Mr Farquhar, Park View Mrs Wilkins, Inchlaw Mr & Mrs Brands, Lomond Place Mrs Mitchell, Hillview Road Mrs McMurtrie, Mansfield Road Mrs Thomson, Hillview Road Ms Chalmers, Smithy Road Mrs Falconer, Inchlaw

How to Join? It's easy to join the 200 Club. Call or email Ina at twaauldgoats@btinternet.com or call 870253. It only costs £1 per entry per month, and you can enter as many times as you like. We are currently trying to raise money for various Balmullo community activities and projects.

John (The Postie) Normand, would like to wish all his customers a very Happy New

Year and a huge THANK YOU for all the generous wishes, cards and gifts over the Festive period.


4

06/01/12 to 28/01/12

Spar Bacon Pepsi 2ltr Utterly Butterly Space Raiders 12pk Valencia Wines Glen Afton whisky 70cl

BOGOF Any 2 for £2 Only £1 Only £1.50 Only £3.99 Only £10.99


5

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Community Council

Thank you to all who came to our meeting on the 9 th. Hope you all had a happy time at New Year. The following points were discussed at the meeting. We are still looking into the issue of lighting for pedestrian access to Burnside Hall. A site visit has been arranged for sometime before the end of the month. Obviously funds are one of the main issues. The Community Speedwatch Sceme is still ongoing if you would like to add your name to those we already have. Police training will start during February. The potholes in Quarry Road have been “patched” as a temporary measure and unfortunately this means it is now being used as a rat run which will mean that in the near future it will possibly be as bad again. The landowners attached to the road are being sought by Fife Council. This may take several months but it is essential to get agreement of all of these before access can be restricted if necessary by gates or other means. It is a private road and needs to be kept useable for the landowners. Work has started on the Burnside to turn the grass area into parking which will ease the congestion in this street. Parking around Balmullo school is being looked at by the Police. Core path plans are about to be adopted as instructed by the Scottish Government. These ‘core paths’ systems will be available for recreation and everyday journeys by local people and visitors, providing opportunities for walking, cycling, horse riding and other activities of all ages and abilities. More details are available on-line. The power cuts were discussed and while it was accepted that longer cuts were understandable after the recent storm there was still concern about the number of short interruptions to the electricity supply. John Docherty has contacted Scottish Power and asked for a report explaining why Balmullo is so susceptible to cuts and what proposals they have to deal with the situation. He will keep up informed of the response. Raymond Crush has stated his intention to resign as Secretary at the February meeting and we are also losing our Minute Secretary as Hannah is moving from Balmullo. Volunteers to take on these critical responsibilities are urgently required. Our next meeting will be held in Burnside Hall on Monday 13th February – hope to see you there.

EDITORIAL

Ina Cameron

Hope everyone had an enjoyable end of year holiday although it did seem to be a bit quieter in the village this year. Maybe the cold kept everyone inside. The Community Council would like to extend thanks to Mrs Liz Johnston for supplying us again with the Christmas tree which always looked good when the lights were on at night. We are also very grateful to Mr & Mrs Stockton for allowing it into their garden and ensuring the power went on safely. Thanks also to Bill Donald for chopping it down and delivering it. Finally thanks to Andrew Falconer and David Pasley who had the task of setting it in the ground and wrapping all the lights securely in place, and hoping it didn’t blow away in the wind. I’m sorry we didn’t manage a fairy again this year!! Unfortunately the wind took it’s toll on occasion but it did not beat us. As you will have read in the Announcements we are desperately in need of two people to help us with the Secretarial side. We are duty bound to supply Minutes every month so although it is not a difficult job it is one that needs a bit of dedication. Also the job of Secretary needs someone who is willing to accept mail, open and check it and pass on items that need to be seen by the rest of the Council. Both these positions are not exactly time consuming, our last meeting started at 7.30pm and was over and done with by 8.40pm. It is a once a month situation. Please give it a thought. During the month I attended both the RAF Forum and the Police Forum. The RAF update as things stand at the moment, units will begin to move to RAF Lossiemouth 2013/2014 and flying will continue at Leuchars during 13/14. The fourth Typhoon Squadron would stand up at Leuchars as soon as possible but no later than the end of March 2013. The 2012 Air show is still being planned for 15th Sept 2012 and may include an element of Army supports/participation. we have been informed that the Army’s move into RAF Kinloss would now commence during the middle of 2012, earlier than previously announced. Come along and join our discussion on 13th February at 7.30pm.


6

CLUB CARS Taxis

01334

838555

479900

info@clubcars-standrews.com www.clubcars-standrews.com

Pitcairn Plumbing Services Plumbing, Installations. Maintenance and Repairs Bathrooms and Kitchens etc. No job too small Competitive prices and Free Estimates

Tel: 01334 870619 Mob: 07917 701411 E-mail: pitcairnplumbing@tiscali.co.uk


7

DOCTOR JOHN KENNEDY When I joined “Pitcairn practice” at Balmullo and Leuchars with Dr Ann Mitchell on 1st April 2011, I could scarcely have thought how quickly the first 9 months would fly in. I have been made to feel truly welcome by both the practice and the local community and it has been my pleasure to gradually get to know people and understand the different challenges they face. The pull of family, (My wife’s family come from Fife), and an interest in working in a smaller rural practice drew me to this area and I can honestly say I have been well looked after. It’s a great little team here at Balmullo and Leuchars and they have worked tirelessly to embrace a catalogue of changes we have had to make as we develop the practice. Dr Ann Mitchell and I are here most days and then on a Friday, Dr Jennifer Kennedy works in the practice, she is based in Dundee on a Monday and a Wednesday. I am also pleased to tell you that Dr Cathy Jackson from St Andrews University will be joining us on a Wednesday from mid January and these are all on-going appointments. Therefore there will be 2 full time and 2 part time doctors in the practice from this month. People are welcome to see the Doctor of their choice. We have been working on upgrading our IT system which was due to be fully updated last November, but this work will now be completed at the end of January 2012 to a safer, more up to date system which will be a really helpful improvement. (Please bear with us as we get it up and running and become adept at using it) Our appointment system has been updated to include space for “urgent on the day appointments” as well as “telephone appointments”. There is a practice email address: Fife-UHB.F21204Leuchars@nhs.net, which you can use to contact the practice but confidentiality issues currently prevent us from consulting by email. (It’s really helpful for us to have up to date home and mobile numbers for patients so we can readily get in touch, though we will only ever leave a message if you have given permission) We are working on a new website and once this is up and running, patients will be free to order their medications via the website. We are very keen to meet the needs of our local population and to this end, would strongly encourage feedback or ideas to the practice as this helps us to provide the service you require. We have recently welcomed a number of new patients who have previously travelled elsewhere for their medical care and our list remains very much open to anyone in our area who might like to receive their medical care from the practice. The practice has been through a challenging journey with the withdrawal of dispensing firstly from Leuchars and then Balmullo from April 2012. Many, many people tell us they don’t really understand why the Health board have been so insistent on stopping the dispensing service from Balmullo but certainly in general terms it has been the policy to move away from a dispensing service to pharmacy provision. I am aware that significant numbers of people in Balmullo would like a pharmacy but it is not yet clear whether such a pharmacy would be possible. The practice is however interested in the views/wishes and needs of the local population as to whether they truly need or desire a pharmacy in Balmullo. Were this to be the case, then the practice would feel duty bound to consider this very carefully. We may undertake a questionnaire and if so I would urge people to use it to express their views as fully as possible on the need and desirability of a small pharmacy at the Balmullo site. All that remains is for me to once again thank you for the welcome you have given me and for supporting this great little practice.


8

Plumbing & Heating A Comprehensive Service for Installation, Service & Repair of Plumbing, Heating, & Bathrooms

U.E.S. LTD Unit 4, Newark Road South, Eastfield, Glenrothes

Telephone 01592 773275

DEREK B CAMPBELL Motor Engineer SERVICING & M.O.T. REPAIRS Tel 870328 ‘Loanhead’ Balmullo St. Andrews KY16 0BQ

Colin Finlay Qualified Electrician Any jobs large or small Discounts for OAPs Balmullo 870578 Mobile 07828 547395

Appointments not always necessary

Mon Closed Tues 9-3 Wed 9-5 Thur 9-8 Fri 9-6 Sat 8-3 Sun Closed

15 Main Street Leuchars

MALCOLM KIRK PLASTERER & CERAMIC TILER

LIMESTONE, TRAVERTINE,

SLATE etc.

Office: 01334 829 246 Mobile: 07747 064 061


9

BOWLING CLUB

Val Phillips

There will be a Prize Bingo night on 17th February and 16th March. Eyes Down is 7.30pm for both events. On Saturday 14th April we will be having the Opening of the Green Dance with music by John Duncan. Time is 8pm to midnight, tickets £7 with Buffet. All welcome.

SORRY…… I thanked everyone in the December Newsletter for buying raffle tickets for the Senior Citizens’ Christmas party BUT I forgot to thank everyone who donated prizes towards it. My apologies and Thanks again. Val Phillips

WORDS OF WISDOM The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. (E.E. Cummings) Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die tomorrow. (James Dean) We are not retreating – we are advancing in another direction. (Gen. Douglas Macarthur)

THE BALMULLO GALA

Michael Grant

The Balmullo Gala would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and to thank you for the support we have received recently from the Village at the Fund Raisers in December. A special Thank You goes to The Balmullo Inn for providing us with a facility at the start of December for a charity car wash. This proved to be a great success and we were still washing cars in the dark! Additionally we would like to thank the Balmullo Bowling Club for the use of their facility where we held a Santa’s Grotto for the children, which again was well attended and thanks to everyone who attended these events. In the future we hope to have more events to entertain the village. If anyone wishes to be part of the Gala, then your contribution will always be welcome, see our Facebook page for more details.

JUST WHO WAS OUR SECRET SANTA? WELL, IT WAS PAUL MONTEATH. BALMULLO S.W.R.I.

Ann Falconer

President Mrs. Ann Falconer welcomed members to the first meeting of 2012 on Thursday 5th January. The meeting was a Murder Mystery Night, with committee members taking the parts of the suspects. Much hilarity ensued from the imaginative and outlandish costumes and the questioning of the suspects by Inspector Plod and members of the audience. In due course, the murderer Wilma Mackie was unmasked and everyone could then tuck into a very enjoyable supper. Competition winners: 3 Shortbread Fingers 1st Ann Falconer 2nd Grace Steven 3rd Jacqueline Stockton

Favourite Cup & Saucer 1st Wilma Mackie 2nd Grace Steven 3rd Betty Gough

Flower of the Month Wilma Mackie

The next meeting will be on Thursday 2rd February at 7.15 pm in Burnside Hall. Our speaker will be Mr T. Young, the Jeweller from Cupar, who will give a talk on Agates. Competitions will be a Piece of Jewellery, a Valentine Card (any craft) and Flower of the month. New members are always welcome.


10

Free Range Eggs, Duck Eggs, Frozen Fruit, Jams & Marmalade Frozen Rasps, Strawbs, Tayberry, Loganberry, Bramble, Red/ Green Goosies Worcesterberry Jostaberry White/Red/Blackcurrants Potatoes Wilja, Kerrs Pink, Rooster, Maris Piper, Kestrel Vegetables Fresh Veg everyday. Broccoli, Caulis, Carrots Neeps, Cabbages, Peas, Beans, Kale, Sprouts, Leeks………

We would like to wish all our customers a very happy New Year We Deliver free on a Friday Morning Balmullo, Dairsie, Guardbridge, Leuchars, Cupar & St Andrews Call Euan on 07949 995906 or 01334 870233 'Like our Page' on

Pittormie Fruit Farm

www.pittormiefruitfarm.co.uk


11

BALMULLO PRIMARY SCHOOL

Sarah Else

2012 A year for celebration! 2012 promises to be a great year with lots of opportunities for everyone to be involved in national and local celebrations. The Olympic Torch Relay, in May, will herald the start of the Olympic Games and will pass close to our village allowing us to be part of the celebrations. As a school, and a member of the Get Set Network, we will look to involve ourselves fully in this. We also hope that by summer our MUGA will be underway so that we can develop a range of sporting activities for all within the village. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June will also provide an opportunity for us to look more closely at how the world has changed and how it may look in the future. As part of this pupils will be asked to contribute information to a national website regarding their community. With regards to developing pupil awareness of their community we will be focussing upon this during our “Citizenship Week”, WC 6th February. During this we would like to get some of our pupils involved in the local community e.g. to clean up an area of ground. If you have any thoughts on what they could be involved in then please contact me at the school. We would also welcome anyone within the village who has an interest in sport or other activity to consider running an after school club for the pupils. If you would like to consider this then contact me directly. Meantime I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2012. Sarah Else - Head Teacher - balmullops.headteacher@fife.gov.uk

25th January 2012 is the 253rd birthday of Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland.

'Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled, Scots, wham Bruce has aften led, Welcome to your gory bed, Or to victory.'' - Robert Burns

Come along to your Community meeting in the Village Hall February 13th 2012 @ 7.30pm


12

JOHN STEVEN

WULLIE HORSBURGH

Plumbing and heating

FRESH Pittenweem Fish

CORGI REGISTERED

3 Tarvit Court Cupar Fife

In Balmullo every

WEDNESDAY

From 10am to 6pm Or place your orders by telephone

Phone

01333 310567 07751 974615

01334 653922

WILLIAMSONS TAXIS

Freephone 08000 858181 Airports ~ Contracts Full / Half Day Tours Distance No Object 4 ~ 6 ~ 7 ~ 8 Seaters

PROFESSIONAL SEAMSTRESS Dressmaking Alterations Repairs Lucklawhill Balmullo 077 7068 5159

WILLISON MOTORS QUEEN STREET TAYPORT

Free collection & delivery service from local and surrounding areas MOT Car Sales Servicing & Repairs MONDAY – FRIDAY 8am to 5.30pm Thursday Late night until 8pm Saturday 8am – 4pm – Sales MOT’s until 1pm

01334 476787 01334 839279 www.williamsonstaxi.co.uk

Tel: 01382 552720 www.willisonmotors.co.uk


13

YOUR COUNCILLOR

Tim Brett I am pleased to have an opportunity of providing an article for the newsletter following the piece in the last newsletter from Councillor Maggie Taylor. I have lived in the North East Fife area since 1985. My previous career was in the Health Service where I worked at Ninewells, Tayside Health Board and latterly as Director of Health Protection Scotland in Glasgow. I was first elected as a Councillor for the Newport and Wormit ward in 2003 and then was elected for the new Tay Bridgehead ward in 2007. I now work as a full time Councillor and work closely with my two colleagues. Maggie Taylor normally attends the Balmullo Community Council meeting as this clashes with the Newport and Wormit Community Council meeting on the same night.

I have however taken a particular interest in the issue of the dispensary at the surgery , the proposed path to Leuchars which unfortunately we have not been able to achieve at this time and was also very involved in the campaign to save RAF Leuchars earlier in the year. I am a member of the new Fife Defence Task Force that has been set up to monitor the changes at RAF Leuchars and also at Rosyth. I am also part of the group that is seeking to develop a multi use games area in the village next to the primary school. I also Chair the Eden Estuary Local Nature Reserve Advisory group which works with the Fife ranger service and local landowners to protect the estuary. I chair Fife Council’s Social Work and Health Committee and am a member of the NHS Fife Board where I am the Fife Council representative. This has allowed me to maintain my interest in health. I jointly chair a group called the Health and Social Care Partnership which works to integrate services between the Council and NHS Fife and this is increasingly important particularly in the area of care for older people where new approaches are needed to meet the needs of the increasing number of older people in our community. I am also a COSLA representative on a Ministerial Steering Group which is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, and which provides advice to her on community care matters across Scotland. As a senior Councillor and member of the joint Administration in Fife, I get involved in many other areas too and as everyone knows the Council, like all local authorities, faces significant challenges in continuing to provide high quality services with reducing resources. Capital funds have been reduced by 35% and savings of nearly £90m have to be found over the next three years. Despite that, I am pleased that we can point to improvement in school attainment, recycling rates, less crime and fewer accidents on our roads but there are many challenges ahead. When I am not working, my wife and I enjoy going to the theatre and to the cinema and we are both keen walkers. I completed my round of the Munros in 2004 and have also climbed Europe’s highest mountain, Mount Elbrus at 5642 metres in Russia. I am always happy to be contacted by local residents if they have issues that they feel I can assist them with on 01382 330905 or via email at cllr.tim.brett@fife.gov.uk .


14

If your PC/Laptop/MAC/ iPhone has a smashed screen, is slow, has a virus, or just doesn’t work just how you would like it to, then talk to us.

Over 30 years experience. Fast, friendly & local We come to you! FOR SALES, ADVICE AND HELP, IN PLAIN ENGLISH. CALL MIKE ON

078 8865 6065


15

Address to a Haggis by Robert Burns The Poem

The Translation

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o' the puddin-race! Aboon them a' ye tak your place, Painch, tripe, or thairm: Weel are ye wordy o' a grace As lang's my arm.

Fair is your honest happy face Great chieftain of the pudding race Above them all you take your place Stomach, tripe or guts Well are you worthy of a grace As long as my arm

The groaning trencher there ye fill, Your hurdies like a distant hill, Your pin wad help to mend a mill In time o' need, While thro' your pores the dews distil Like amber bead.

The groaning platter there you fill Your buttocks like a distant hill Your skewer would help to repair a mill In time of need While through your pores the juices emerge Like amber beads

His knife see rustic Labour dight, An' cut you up wi' ready sleight, Trenching your gushing entrails bright, Like ony ditch; And then, O what a glorious sight, Warm-reekin, rich!

His knife having seen hard labour wipes And cuts you up with great skill Digging into your gushing insides bright Like any ditch And then oh what a glorious sight Warm steaming, rich

Then, horn for horn, they stretch an' strive: Deil tak the hindmost! on they drive, Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve, Are bent lyke drums; Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive, "Bethankit!" 'hums.

Then spoon for spoon They stretch and strive Devil take the last man, on they drive Until all their well swollen bellies Are bent like drums Then, the old gent most likely to rift (burp) Be thanked, mumbles

Is there that owre his French ragout Or olio that wad staw a sow, Or fricassee wad mak her spew Wi' perfect sconner, Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view On sic a dinner?

Is there that over his French Ragout Or olio that would sicken a pig Or fricassee would make her vomit With perfect disgust Looks down with a sneering scornful opinion On such a dinner

Poor devil! see him ower his trash, As feckless as a wither'd rash, His spindle shank, a guid whip-lash, His nieve a nit; Thro' bloody flood or field to dash, O how unfit!

Poor devil, see him over his trash As week as a withered rush (reed) His spindle-shank a good whiplash His clenched fist.the size of a nut. Through a bloody flood and battle field to dash Oh how unfit

But mark the Rustic, haggis fed, The trembling earth resounds his tread. Clap in his walie nieve a blade, He'll mak it whissle; An' legs an' arms, an' heads will sned, Like taps o' thrissle.

But take note of the strong haggis fed Scot The trembling earth resounds his tread Clasped in his large fist a blade He'll make it whistle And legs and arms and heads he will cut off Like the tops of thistles

Ye Pow'rs wha mak mankind your care, And dish them out their bill o' fare, Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware That jaups in luggies; But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer, Gie her a haggis!

You powers who make mankind your care And dish them out their meals Old Scotland wants no watery food That splashes in dishes But if you wish her grateful prayer Give her a haggis!


16


17

LEUCHARS & DISTRICT GARDENING & CRAFT CLUB

Leslie Bisset

The deep and abiding severe frost, and knee-threatening amounts of snow of December 2010, which straddled the Hogmanay period, disrupted the Club’s evening activities with the cancellation of the scheduled December talk by Sarah from Let’s Eat. The first three talks of 2011 in February, March and April – Soft Fruit by Rex Brennan; Floral Art with Alyson Christie, after which Ann and Bill Duff’s long and invaluable contribution to the Club was marked with a presentation; and Tales from the Village Blacksmith by David Wilson attracted appreciative, sizeable audiences A fund-raising innovation, the Coffee Morning in late May and two very successful Flower and Craft Shows, all of which were well supported, were followed by the first two talks of the 20112012. In October the inimitable Willie Duncan gave an interesting, illuminating insight into his career in horticulture, including some useful gardening tips, in an enjoyable event entitled An Evening with Willie Duncan. In November the audience was treated to a slide show demonstrating wild-life photography by Margaret Coull of St Andrews an indomitable woman who, having overcome a serious illness, travelled to India and Madgascar in search of natural landscapes and their wild inhabitants. The Club’s year ended on a high in December with the Alyson and Andy Show, a demonstration of Floral Art which was at once inspirational, instructive and entertaining. Again, despite roof-lifting gale force winds, the Balmullo folk showed their smeddum in a well-attended event. For 2012, the Club has lined up evening talks from February to May with the Water Birds on 9ths February; with his superb photographs and depth of knowledge this illuminated talk by Andrew Falconer will be one to savour. 8th March will be the annual Craft Evening with local talents well to the fore; whilst that superb grower, Graeme Butler from Rumblingbridge will deliver a Powerpoint-assisted talk on the use and cultivation of alpine plants – a must for anyone with a small garden. The final talk of the series will Herbs and their use, by Silvia Wilson a director of Scotherbs based at Longforgan, one of the largest growers of culinary herbs in the U.K. On June 2, there will a Coffee Morning in the Burnside Hall, with an even bigger variety of crafts and products on show. In all the Club’s activities it has been generously supported by the audiences, competitors and sponsors to whom the Committee gives heartfelt thanks. At the A.G.M. in November three members of the Committee said goodbye. Katriona Redpath, Secretary and now very busy with young David; Doreen Hopkins a long-serving member whose contributions were always trenchant and helpful; and, lastly, Len Smith, Secretary, Membership Secretary and master of the computer. His patience, his meticulous administrative skills and his eminently sensible suggestions will be much missed. As a result the present Committee is desperately in need of people with computer skills and a modicum of spare time, particularly before and during the Shows. Those interested would be welcomed. Ideally, someone who could deal with the IT side of the administration of the Club’s activities would be a dream come true. Those who think they can help should contact the Chairperson, Gwenyth Mitchell at gwenyth@balmullo.net.

LEUCHARS & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

Gwenyth Mitchell

Leuchars and District Gardening and Craft Club are holding their fourth Winter Talk on the 9th February 2012 in Burnside Hall at 7.30pm. Local Bird Watcher Andrew Falconer will be giving a talk entitled "Water Birds". He will be looking at the habitat at various lochs and coastal areas of East Fife, along with a selection of photos and sound recordings. Andrew, being both dedicated and enthusiastic is an excellent speaker, you will not be disappointed. This talk is a MUST for your diary. Members free. Non Members £2 including refreshments.


18

Angels

Alternative Therapies Workshops Reiki at all levels (Taught to suit the individual with Reiki Master Annmarie) Stress Management (Take control of stress and receive your own stress profile)

Treatments Reiki Indian Head Massage Angel Readings Facials Therapeutic Face and Hand Massage Pamper Parties Angel Parties Bridal Packages Email: angelstherapies@me.com

01334 880584 - 07597 351310 - 07923 198606

Prices from ÂŁ15 to ÂŁ40 for 1hr treatment Concession/Student Rates available

Reiki Master Annmarie Local Treatment Room Mobile Service Available


19

GARDEN BIRDS: HYGIENE & HOUSE-KEEPING

Jeremy Greenwood

Following on from Andrew Falconer’s advice on feeding garden birds in last month’s newsletter, I thought that it would be useful to discuss associated issues of hygiene and to think about housekeeping jobs ready for next year’s breeding season. Hygiene - Greenfinches and chaffinches have suffered in recent years from outbreaks of a disease (trichomoniasis (1.Not the same as trichomoniasis in humans, though caused by a related singlecelled organism.)) associated with poor hygiene around feeding stations in gardens. There is little that can be done for a sick bird: prevention is much better than cure. It has two key elements. First, Location. Do not crowd your bird-feeders together but spread them across the garden, so that the feeding birds and their droppings are not concentrated all in one place. And move the feeders around, so that contaminated areas have an opportunity to rest”. Second, Hygiene. The simplest step is to place your feeders, if possible, above areas that you can dig over, so that the droppings and waste food are buried. In addition, feeders should be cleaned periodically to remove both the remains of old food and any droppings – scrape and brush them, wash with warm water and treat with disinfectant. Reputable suppliers of feeders and food for garden birds also sell scrapers, brushes and appropriate disinfectants. The websites of the British Trust for Ornithology and the RSPB provide further information and (of course!) opportunities to buy relevant products – the BTO’s feeders are even treated with FeedSafe antibacterial coating to reduce problems (www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw; www.rspb.org.uk/ advice/helpingbirds/feeding). House-keeping - Don’t forget to clean out your nest-boxes, to reduce the transmission of fleas and other pests from last summer to next year’s birds. Do it before 31 January to remain within the law. Hose Martin nests - I would love to have House Martins nesting on my house but I know that some people find them a nuisance. To discourage them, knock the nests down during the winter – it is illegal to do so after the birds return from their winter quarters in Africa. Note that I say “discourage”: they will probably just rebuild in the same place but they are perhaps less likely to do so if the nests have been removed than to repair nests that remain from last year.

LEUCHARS QUALITY MEATS 24 Main Street, Leuchars Quality Scotch Beef Pork : Chicken : Lamb Also a selection of Steak Pies Individual Pies : Cold Meats : Eggs & Bacon Orders will be made up on request for collection: at 24 Main Street Leuchars KY16 0HN Tel: 01334 839213 Email: wmcgreg@hotmail.co.uk


20


21


22

DazLyn Motorshine Mobile Valeting We come to you whether it’s the Home Workplace or even the Golf Course, All water and electrics are on board our vehicle.

Cars Vans Caravans Conservatories From a Mini Valet to a Full Showroom Finish including Sanitisation, Bacteria, and Virus Elimination system. (Certificate can be provided to confirm this treatment).

Gift Vouchers Available Tel Daz on 07733 116631 www.dazlynmotorshinevaleting.co.uk Find us on FACEBOOK and Yell.com


23


24

MONTEATHS Accountants and Tax Consultants APPOINTMENTS: MORNING, AFTERNOON or EVENING OUR OFFICE, YOUR HOME or PREMISES

BAD NEWS For those that don’t submit their Tax Return by 31 January there is a £100 penalty. – No discount any more. The penalties continue at £10 per day from 1 May for 90 days. Possible total £1000. Also there is interest on late paid tax and a surcharge of 5% of whatever is outstanding at 28 February and more after 6 months. Lodging the Tax Return and paying tax are separate matters. If you don’t have the funds to settle your tax bill by 31 January it is possible to arrange for payment by instalment.

PENSION TAKING TIME? I pose the question – Should you delay taking your private pension until retirement or should you take the benefits now. Deferring might not be advantageous.

FINANCIAL ADVICE WE HELP - WE SAVE YOU MONEY FULL ACCOUNTANCY AND COMPLETE TAXATION SERVICES WWW.MONTEATHS.COM Cairnfield, 14 School Road, Balmullo, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 0BD Tel 01334 870343 - Fax 01334 871004 E mail : morag@monteaths.com


25

Mobile Library Every 2nd Monday Lucklaw Road (2.00pm) & Hayston Park (2.40pm)

Please use the Van as often as possible.

KEVIN MALONEY FOR ALL YOUR DECORATION NEEDS 01334 870241 OR 07941 545052

Collect your own eggs with a Hen Keeping Starter Kit

BALMULLO COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU

Easyclean Plastic hen coops starting from ÂŁ170, hens, feed and health packs All supplied locally with ongoing support

Hens-Made-Easy 01334 870637 / 07942004487 www.henkeepingfife.co.uk

13th February - 7.30pm Burnside Hall


26

CHIC O’HARE DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS Over 35 years experience Prompt reliable service NEWPORT-ON-TAY TEL 01382 541702 MOBILE 07802 538284

S. GUNBY ELECTRICAL ALL TYPES OF ELECTRICAL WORK UNDERTAKEN

Fast and Reliable Service Call us on 07980 934516 or leave a message on 01334 657333


27

JOHNSTONE PLUMBING, HEATING & GAS SERVICES

Fast and reliable service Emergency Call-Outs 207782

MILLBANK, 28 SCHOOL ROAD, BALMULLO TEL/FAX: 01334 870691 MOB: 07966 937842 EMAIL: johnstoneplumber@aol.com

M B

MARK BAYNE

M B C T

C T

CERAMIC TILING & PLASTERING ALL ASPECTS OF FLOOR & WALL TILING UNDERTAKEN Skim Coat Plastering Tel: 01334 870565

Mob: 07821 086189


Bill Donald Services Flooring Ltd Out of this world! E mail bill.donald@btinternet.com

01334 870815 Mobile 0797 442 1236 Phone

Some say, on another planet...

Cosmic!


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.