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Balmullo
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MEMBERS
Chairman: Zoë Sanders 1zoesanders@gmail.com
Secretary: Sue Smith 870221 secretary@balmullo.net
Vice-Chairman: Alison Jeffrey 870674 alison@balmullo.net
Minute-Secretary: Ann Falconer 870496 anfalconer@tiscali.co.uk
Treasurer & Newsletter: Andrew Falconer 870496 anfalconer@tiscali.co.uk
Councillors: Ina Cameron 870253 twaauldgoats@btinternet.com
fife
councillors
Useful Contacts Burnside Hall Keeper Lynn Murphy Dog Warden
John Normand janormand1@gmail.com Gwenyth Mitchell 870010 gwenyth@balmullo.net Peter Lomas 870848 pil77@btinternet.com Colin Finlay
Maggie Taylor 07872 423841 cllr.margaret.taylor@fife.gov.uk Tim Brett 01382 330905 cllr.tim.brett@fife.gov.uk Bill Connor 077 1866 8792 cllr.bill.connor@fife.gov.uk
870466 0345 155 0022
GALA Committee: 077 8033 5250 http://balmullogala.weebly.com M.P. Sir Menzies Campbell 656361 M.S.P. Rod Campbell
844971
Non Emergency Police Contact
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Doctors Surgery Balmullo
871164
NHS24
111
Balmullo Primary School
659451
Bell Baxter High School
659459
Community Police Officer P.C. Gavin Rae 0845 600 5702
Statements made or opinions expressed in this Newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of the Balmullo Community Council or any of its officers.
870578
Advert Prices - Small £5, Half Page £10, Full Page £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 us know.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS Andrew Falconer had a meeting with Fergus Cumming, the Regional Operations Manager of Greenbelt, to raise the issues brought to the Council. This resulted in work taking place to cut back the bushes bordering the path from Inchlaw to Cuplahills Track and also face back the bushes growing over the grass verge along the Track. This contact will be maintained to cover any other issues raised with the Council. Stephen Melville has agreed to cut the grass verge regularly in future.
Drivers are reminded that parking outwith the marked bays at Leuchars Station car park or on yellow lines nearby, is liable to incur a fine. The car park extension is held up due to problems agreeing a price for the land and waiting to hear about a possible grant. It will happen in due course.
EDITORIAL The first issue for 2015 is fairly slim, as is often the case in January when there is less activity and events taking place. We do depend on articles and reports from our regular contributors and local politicians, with occasional bursts of news from the Primary School. I’m keeping my bird articles going as a regular feature as long as feedback is positive. If you’re not interested in them why not tell us about your hobby or passion – I’m sure there’s a large variety around the village and it’s really quite easy to put something together, possibly with
POINTS FROM THE SECRETARY’S EMAIL
BALMULLO COMMUNITY COUNCIL The B945 road will be closed between St. Michaels and Tayport from 28th January to 20th February. The Forestry Commission is planning improvements to the Tentsmuir access, parking and play area facilities over the next few years. The subject of Quarry Road was raised but we must yet again reiterate the direct warning made in the October issue – Quarry Road is unsafe and must not be used by vehicles. This unadopted road will not be repaired and is in a dangerous state. The next meeting is in Burnside Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 9th February. A copy of the Minutes will be available on the shelves at the Post Office.
ANDREW FALCONER a few photos for illustration. One such article could encourage others to try!
We are indebted to the local tradesmen and businesses who advertise regularly in the newsletter – without their support it would not be viable. I can personally endorse several of these advertisers who have done work for me over the years – invariably they are reliable and skilled craftsmen who charge reasonable rates and, being based locally, can give continuing support as required.
SUE SMITH
Letter of thanks has been received from Scottish Charity Air Ambulance to Balmullo Community Council for their donation of £97.30 collected at the Christmas Carol Concert. Head of Democratic Services in Fife has contacted us regarding the co-option of young people to Balmullo Community Council. They would like to invite people aged over 16 years from Bell Baxter High School, who are resident within the area of the Community Council, to express an interest in such an appointment. It was agreed at the meeting to agree to be part of this pilot project.
Balmullo Bowling Club 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 870196
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THE 200 CLUB DRAW - THIS MONTHS WINNERS £50 £20 £20 £20 £20 £20
Mrs Newlyn, Park View Mrs Jones, The Mount Mr Tivendale, School Road Mrs Kirk, Lucklaw Road Mr Black, Park View Mrs Dora, Anderson Drive
£10 £10 £10 £10 £10
Mrs O'Connor. School Road Mrs Withers, Borthwick Place Mrs Robertson, Dunedin Park Mr Gray, Anderson Drive Mrs Grant, Hayston Park
How to Join Our 200 Club? - It's easy to join the enter as many times as you like. We are currently 200 Club. Ca ll or e ma il I na at trying to raise money for various Balmullo twaauldgoats@btinternet.com or call 870253. It community activities and projects. GOOD LUCK! only costs £1 per entry per month, and you can
CAN YOU HELP OUR 200 CLUB? We have recently lost 2 collectors who have been forced to give up so we desperately need volunteers to collect monthly contributions. However many residents pay larger amounts to allow less frequent collection so the task is not onerous. Please consider if you could help! WHAT’S ON? JANUARY 30th Carpet Bowling & Games. Bowling Club. 7.30 pm. Young & old welcome. 31st Balmullo Burns Club Burns Supper. Balmullo Inn. 6.00 pm. FEBRUARY 4th Burnside Hall Committee Meeting. 7.30 pm. 5th WRI Meeting - OPEN. Stephen Melville Eco-houses. Burnside Hall. 7.15 pm. 9th Community Council meeting. Burnside Hall 7.30 pm. All welcome. 12th Gardening Club Winter Talk. History of Jute in Dundee. Burnside Hall 7.30 pm. 20th Prize Bingo Evening. Bowling Club. 7.30 pm. All welcome. BALMULLO BURNS CLUB A Guid New Year tae ane an' a’, an' mony may ye see, frae the Burns Club. This year's Burns Supper has been arranged for Saturday 31 January with a good variety of speakers who will give entertaining talks on both Rabbie's life and writings. The Haggis will receive its usual address and praise, then enjoyed by the company and thereafter we will be given a dialogue on the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns followed by a toast to the Lassies
MARCH 5th WRI Meeting. Talk on Ceres Fife Folk Museum. Burnside Hall. 7.15 pm. 9th Community Council meeting. Burnside Hall 7.30 pm. All welcome. 12th Gardening Club Winter Talk. Green Thumb on lawn care . Burnside Hall 7.30 pm. 20th Prize Bingo Evening. Bowling Club. 7.30 pm. All welcome. RUNNING AN EVENT? EMAIL ANFALCONER@TISCALI.CO.UK
BILL DUFF and a reply. The evening will continue with a dance to Scottish music. This will be our 35th annual event and promises to be a friendly and pleasant evening as usual. There are still some tickets available. The cost being £16.00 and are available from the Chairman David Wilson at the Smiddy tel : 870306 the Secretary Bill Duff 1B Smithy Road tel : 870787 or any of the committee.
Help shape the future of Balmullo in 2015 and beyond. Join our Community Council.
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KEVIN MALONEY
W&J HORSBURGH
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Colin Finlay Qualified Electrician Any jobs large or small Discounts for OAPs Balmullo 870578 Mobile 07828 547395
DEREK B CAMPBELL Motor Engineer SERVICING & M.O.T. REPAIRS Tel 870328 ‘Loanhead’ Balmullo St. Andrews KY16 0BQ
Mob: 077 0731 5932
Appointments not always necessary Mon Closed Tues 9-3 Wed 9-5 Thur 9-8 Fri 9-6 Sat 8-3 Sun Closed
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YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT "As I write this, the inhabitants of Paris are still reeling from the worst terrorist atrocities to take place on French soil for more than forty years. The attacks on the Charlie H e b d o magazine and k o s h e r supermarket have left people across the world struggling to come to terms with the brutality of the perpetrators and their twisted, misguided motivation. The primary responsibility of any government is to protect the lives and liberty of its citizens. In the modern world of cyber terrorism and suicide bombings, fulfilling this responsibility to protect requires a sophisticated and professional response. No part of this response is more important than intelligence gathering. In the United Kingdom this is provided by MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. These are among the best in the world. They are active on our behalf twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Their personal lives are restricted by the nature of their work and their lives are often at risk. At any one time, MI5 are conducting several hundred operations in their efforts to prevent acts of terrorism. Remember too that intelligence gathering focuses not only on the safety of citizens but on organised crime and cyber threats, thus protecting our businesses and large institutions from economic espionage and cyber attack. The United Kingdom spends approximately £2 billion per annum on its three intelligence services. Given the pressures these services are under and the sheer scope of the challenges they face, I am sympathetic
SIR MENZIES CAMPBELL
to the argument that they should have their funding increased. In the last twelve months I have received a number of letters and emails from constituents who are concerned that increasing the powers of the security services may lead to an unacceptably high level of intrusion into people’s lives, particularly online. There is a need for the police and intelligence agencies to have the necessary tools to protect the citizens of the United Kingdom, but there must also be safeguards in place to ensure the use of these tools is always necessary, appropriate and proportionate. I am a member of the House of Common’s Intelligence and Security Committee. We regularly receive briefings from the security services about the threats facing the United Kingdom. When carrying out inquiries we also take evidence from those groups who are concerned about the erosion of privacy and personal freedom. Our task is to find a balance between the two. It is a difficult but not impossible task, and in today’s heightened awareness of the risk it is all the more important we succeed."
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YOUR MEMBER OF SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
ROD CAMPBELL the year just beginning, but it is fair to say that there will be plenty to report on, particularly in North East Fife. 2015 is Scotland’s year of food and drink, and North East Fife is well placed to benefit from this. In this area, you are never too far from an excellent purveyor of food and drink, and there are new merchants popping up, all the time. Kingsbarns, for example, is home to a brewery again, for the first time in decades, and is going into production. St Andrews is home to another BBC Masterchef finalist, Jamie Scott, only this time he was also the winner. I am sure the Adamson, where the chef is based, will be doing even more roaring trade than before, following the announcement of his victory on 23 December.
The Open Championship will also return to the home of golf, St Andrews, this year. This represents an excellent opportunity for the area, with vast numbers of tourists from throughout Scotland, the UK and the world descending to take in the magnificent Old Course and, of course, the surrounding area.
If there is one thing that January can almost always guarantee, it is poor weather. It’s never enjoyable to start the New Year, or end the old one, with stormy weather but the howling winds and torrential rain (or snowfall, in some areas) have, mercifully, not affected North East Fife as badly they may otherwise have done – nor as As for politics, the General Election is 114 days badly as they have in previous years! away (at time of publication) and, for those The New Year always provides an opportunity interested, it has been 116 days since the to reflect but, more importantly, to look independence referendum took place. It won’t forward. In my article last January, I looked be long before households throughout the forward to what 2014 had in store. Despite the constituency receive another flurry of leaflets, passing of time, the memory of 2014 as a more doorstep visits and phonecalls from every momentous year for Scotland will remain with us political Party contesting this seat however, and I for a long time to come. Between the Ryder Cup for one am looking forward to what will be a and Commonwealth Games, the Year of very exciting contest not just locally, but Homecoming and independence referendum, throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK.
the eyes of the World feel upon our country, and There is plenty to look forward to this year. watched. There will no doubt be challenges, in the months Whilst the World’s media may have long since to come, but I am looking forward to what can packed up their belongings and returned to hopefully be a good, and prosperous, year for report on news on their own shores, 2015 will everyone. offer another exciting year in politics and sport, amongst other things. It would be silly to draw a comparison between the year just passed and
Roderick Campbell MSP.
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BALMULLO S.W.R.I.
ANN FALCONER
President Mrs. Ann Falconer welcomed everyone, 3 decorated cup cakes - Katriona Addison including 2 new members, to the first meeting of 2015 on Thursday 8th January and wished all a Flower of the month – Mary Campbell happy and healthy new year. The next meeting will be on Thursday 5th The meeting took the form of a Beetle Drive fun February at 7.15 pm in Burnside Hall, when the night for members. After much hilarity and speaker will be local farmer Stephen Melville. throwing of dice, the eventual winners were Evelyn Stephen’s main subject will be “Ecohouses”, based Erskine and new member Jill Dhanjal. Everyone on his experience in designing and building the log enjoyed our usual supper organised by tea hostess cabins at Cuplahills, but the talk may also include Rita Crush, which provided an opportunity to current farming topics. This meeting will be open catch up with festive season news. After going to all interested residents and many of the through institute business, the evening was members’ husbands are coming along. rounded off with our usual raffle and awarding of prizes. Competitions will be a Favourite Bracelet, Oven Gloves or Mitts with a yellow-green theme and Competition winners: Flower of the month. Members are reminded that Favourite mug or cup & saucer some subscriptions are still outstanding. New - 1st Jan Redpath members are always welcome. - 2nd Mary Farmer - 3rd Elizabeth Hughes
LEUCHARS AND DISTRICT GARDENING AND CRAFTS CLUB A Happy New Year to everyone from the Gardening and Crafts Club, although personally January 1st to me is ( if you excuse the pun ) the bean counters New Year. I prefer the Winter Solstice when the Earth stands still, not the Sun, and tilts back again giving us longer days of sunshine, as the start of a new fresh year and a time to plan ahead, although looking out the window I think I'll sit by the fire with a good book.
BILL DUFF
timings, etc. and soon will be looking at next winter's programme of talks, yes, it's a continuous process.
We always leave January blank in our series of winter talks in case of bad weather and will start again on Thursday 12 February with a presentation on the History of Jute in Dundee which I'm sure will be a very interesting and informative talk. The talk starts at 7.30 pm. in the Burnside Hall, entrance £2.50 per person With this in mind the committee has been with the usual refreshment of either a glass of getting together in small groups to set out this wine or fruit juice. year's show schedules and decide on judges,
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Ingredients
LENTIL & SMOKED BACON SOUP
Method
100g (4 oz) smoked back bacon, finely 1. Soak the lentils overnight if possible, or a chopped few hours at least. 2 tbsp olive oil 2. Fry the bacon in the olive oil for 2 minutes 2 medium onions, finely chopped until the fat starts to run 2 medium carrots, diced 3. Add the chopped onions, carrots and garlic. 4 cloves of garlic, sliced Sweat for 5 minutes then add the lentils, 140g Puy (or green) lentils chopped tomatoes, stock and thyme. 1 tin chopped tomatoes 4. Bring to the boil and simmer for 45 1 litre chicken stock minutes. 1 small bunch of thyme (use powdered) 5. Season and part liquidise with hand whisk.
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IN PRAISE OF IVY
This is the season when ivy comes into its own, providing lively green to the trees and hedges on which it is growing, which would otherwise be leafless and dark. For centuries, probably long before Christianity, this winter liveliness led our ancestors to use ivy (and holly) for yule-tide decoration. Of course, some people don’t like ivy, assuming that it is a parasite like mistletoe, sending tentacles deep into the trees on which it grows and removing nutrients. It doesn’t actually do this. The masses of short aerial roots that ivy shoots produce are simply used for clinging on: they do not penetrate the bark. The only significant problem arises when ivy is growing well on a tree that is becoming decrepit through age or disease, for then the extra wind-resistance of the ivy makes it more likely that the tree will be toppled by winter winds. Similarly, ivy rarely damages sound walls built with cement mortar but it can be a danger for old walls with soft lime mortar because the damp in the old mortar stimulates the plant to produce proper
JEREMY GREENWOOD
roots that grow into the depths of the wall and may eventually bring it down. The virtues of ivy outweigh these occasional problems. Thick clumps provide welcome nighttime roosts for birds and even a thin cover on a wall will provide winter shelter for smaller life – insects, spiders, woodlice, etc. Furthermore, ivy provides food for wildlife as well. When you pass a clump in autumn you may not notice its inconspicuous flowers but if the day is warm you cannot fail to see the clouds of insects, even late bees, buzzing around it, for those modest flowers provide one of the few nectar sources available at that season. And in the depths of winter ivy flowers are often the only source of nectar for the few insects brave enough to venture out on warm days. The black berries that follow the flowers provide food for birds throughout the winter, long after they have eaten most of the autumn berries. Sparing the ivy on our trees and walls is a cheap way of feeding the birds.
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GREENFINCH & SISKIN
ANDREW FALCONER Many of you will be feeding garden birds at this time of year and two similar species often seen, but tricky to distinguish, are members of t h e f i n c h f a m i ly Greenfinch and Siskin. Both prefer nuts & seeds from hanging feeders rather than food on the ground.
The Greenfinch (Chloris Chloris) at 14-16 cm. long is very similar in size to Chaffinch and Sparrow. The photo shows an adult male bird, distinguished by the bright yellow edges of its wings, yellowish-green breast and grey-green upperparts. The female is duller, more greyish, with some faint streaks. Both have a stout, pale pink bill. Numbers have declined in recent years, partly due to disease and it’s uncommon now to have more than one at a time on my feeders. These two finches are the only small, generally green, birds that you are likely to see in your garden. The Yellowhammer has a yellow head but is larger and more streaked. The Siskin (Carduelis Spinus) at 11-12½ cm. long, is much smaller and neater than the Greenfinch. It is found mainly in birch, alder and coniferous woodland but will come to garden feeders in late winter or early spring. Again the photo shows and adult male with distinct black cap and dark wings with contrasting yellowish wing bars. The rump is bright yellow but the flanks are pale with darker streaks. The female is generally duller and has a greygreen, not black, cap. In contrast to the Greenfinch, the tail is short and the bill is long and pointed.