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CARRION CROW AND RAVEN
ANDREW FALCONER
Three members of the Crow family (or Corvids) are common around Balmullo – Rook, Jackdaw and Carrion Crow. In recent years, however, the largest corvid, Raven, is being seen more frequently as its range expands from the North and West Highlands. The Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) is one of the most common birds in Britain. It is 44-51 cm long with a wingspan of 84-100 cm. Both sexes are alike with all-black glossy plumage and a stout bill. They are common visitors to Balmullo gardens, fields and park, usually in pairs or small groups (unlike Rooks which gather to feed in large groups). The call is a typically harsh and loud croak or “caw”.
The Raven (Corvus corax) is a very much larger bird, with length 54-67 cm. and wingspan 115-130 cm. Typically this makes it slightly bigger than a Buzzard. Apart from size, the best way to identify a Raven is from its diamond or wedgeshaped tail (a Carrion Crow’s has a rounded rear edge). Again both sexes are alike with all-black glossy plumage and a very heavy bill. In the Balmullo area it is most often to be seen soaring over Lucklaw Hill, although I have had a family group of 5 flying over my house in early Summer. The call is a loud & very deep “cronk”, quite distinctive with experience. Photographs courtesy of John Anderson, Crail
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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
Community Police Officers PC’s Susie Martin & Norrie Hill
Bell Baxter High School
659459
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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 One of our new Community Police Officers, PC Susie Martin, attended our March meeting. She explained about the new arrangements and said that either she, or her colleague PC Norrie Hill, expect to attend every second BCC meeting. This will give councillors and public attendees the opportunity to ask questions or raise issues directly with our local police. While most drivers are respecting double yellow lines, there is still some inconsiderate parking around the Primary School, particularly opposite the end of Park View. Cars parked opposite a junction restrict access and cause a hazard and this is clearly banned in the Highway Code. The police will be monitoring this area so take note! It appears that the proposed changes to the Post Office service and opening times, within the Spar shop, have been shelved and are unlikely to go ahead.
BALMULLO COMMUNITY COUNCIL We are hopeful that there will soon be progress on redeveloping Park Cottage on School Road. In the meantime please ensure children don’t enter this dangerous building. From 1 April, Tay Road Bridge control can be contacted on the new number of 01382 433044 and this change will provide a new quicker system of dealing with calls. Callers can report emergencies or breakdowns, get up-to-date traffic information and speak directly to staff faster than before. The next meeting is in Burnside Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 13th April.
A copy of the Minutes will be available on the shelves at the Post Office.
POINTS FROM THE SECRETARY’S EMAIL Kingdom FM Local Hero Awards 2015 will be held at the Rothes Halls on Friday 28th August. Nominations for the 2015 Local Hero Awards are open until May 1st at 5pm. Categories are: Best Visitor Attraction in Fife, Best Neighbour. Fundraiser of the Year, Employee of the Year, Best School, Services to the Arts and Music, Sports Person of the Year, Volunteering Award, Child of Achievement, Student of the Year, Carer Award, Best Community Group or Initiative, New Business Start Up, PROVOST AWARD for Services to the
EDITORIAL
SUE SMITH Community. The transition of the Glenrothes Police Control Room and Service Centre to Edinburgh was expected to take place on Tuesday 17 March. Electric Blanket Testing will be available FREE at Corn Exchange, Cupar on Tuesday 24 March from 10:00 - 14:00, also at Victory Memorial Hall, St Andrews, on Thursday 21 May from 10:00 - 14:00 and at 1 Kinbrae Park Gardens, Newport, on Wednesday 29 April from 10:00 - 13:00.
ANDREW FALCONER
We’re delighted to be able to feature a selection of paintings from Balmullo Primary School children on the subject of Spring, on the front cover and inside back cover. It was very hard to pick out those featured and well done to every child who made a poster. It really does feel more like Spring now, with all the bulbs coming through in our floral tubs and baskets and even having the best sunshine total for February in the whole of the UK (well officially at Leuchars, with its weather station).
Balmullo Community Council, like most other institutions. Our finances are fairly sound but we cannot take this for granted e.g. we receive a small “floral enhancement grant” from Fife Council, but this has been reducing each year and may stop soon, due to the squeeze on budgets. That is one of the reasons we depend on the 200 Club to provide additional funds for the newsletter, floral displays and special grants for deserving causes (usually projects for younger residents). So again, many thanks to members and, if you’re not a member, why not! £1 a month is not a lot to ask for – see the March 31 is the end of the financial year for draw results for information on joining.
#BalmulloLife
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THE 200 CLUB DRAW - THIS MONTHS WINNERS £50 £20 £20 £20 £20 £20
Mrs Gudgin, Anderson Drive Mr & Mrs Mitchell, The Mount Mr Sturrock, Pitcairn Drive Miss Gray, School Road Mrs Muir, Park View Mrs Wann, Hayston Park
£10 £10 £10 £10 £10
Mrs Pattie, Inchlaw Mrs Shoobridge, Lucklaw Road Miss Smith, Murray Row Mrs Watson, Cynicus Place Mrs Erskine, School Road
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
WHAT’S ON? MARCH 20th Prize Bingo Evening. Bowling Club. 1930 All welcome. APRIL 1st Burnside Hall Committee Meeting. 1930 2nd WRI Meeting Burnside Hall. 1915 4th Easter Fayre – British Heart Foundation Burnside Hall 1000 - 1300 9th Gardening Club Winter Talk. Quiz Night – teams welcome. Burnside Hall 1930.
13th
Community Council meeting. Burnside 1930. All welcome.
MAY 7th WRI Meeting Visit to Fife Folk museum, Ceres 11th Community Council meeting. Burnside Hall 1930 All welcome. RUNNING AN EVENT? EMAIL ANFALCONER@TISCALI.CO.UK
RECIPIE OF THE MONTH - MARZETTI ANN FALCONER This recipe is for a tasty pasta dish which Method serves 3 - 4 people. It can be used as a standCook pasta until just softened (al alone snack or part of a main course, served 1. dente). with vegetables. 2. Brown mince and onion until well Ingredients cooked. 1 lb steak mince Add both tins of soup and marjoram, 1 large onion, chopped stirring well. 1 tin Campbell’s condensed cream of Simmer for 15 minutes. mushroom soup 3. Add pasta and mushrooms. Simmer 1 tin Campbell’s condensed cream of tomato for 5 minutes. soup 4. Add cheddar cheese. Simmer for 1 2 teaspoons marjoram minute. 8 oz / 225 g pasta (fusilli or penne) 4 oz / 115 g mushrooms, chopped 4 oz / 115 g cheddar cheese, grated
Each month, we try to feature a recipe which has been tried and tested by the contributor - several from WRI members including many from my wife. We would be delighted to hear from any "cooks" or "bakers" who would be happy to pass on one of their favourites to other Balmullo residents. Send your recipe by e-mail to anfalconer@tiscali.co.uk or just drop in a handwritten copy to 7 Inchlaw. Ed.
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Balmullo needs you! 13th April 2015 @ 1930 Burnside hall
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FIFE PILGRIM WAY
Ambitious plans to create a spectacular walking route across the Kingdom – the Fife Pilgrim Way – are currently being consulted on. The route follows in the footsteps of pilgrims who throughout history have journeyed from Culross Abbey and the quay at North Queensferry to St Andrews via Dunfermline. Following an inland route, the Fife Pilgrim Way will take in existing rights of way, paths, tracks and the core path network as well as some new sections of path to offer a variety of walking opportunities for both residents and visitors to Fife. It will link the regions historic sites of pilgrimage with its award-winning natural beauty, passing landmarks such as Dunfermline Abbey, Markinch, The Waterless Way and Ceres, before ending in front of the grand ruins of St Andrews Cathedral. In the millennium year, five major pilgrimages were held in Europe involving thousands of people. Recognising Fife’s extensive pilgrim heritage, one of these was from St Andrews to Edinburgh . This hugely successful four day pilgrim walk involving thousands of people, highlighted the area’s extensive pilgrim heritage and a strong desire for a pilgrim route through Fife.
JOHN MURRAY
developing a viable pilgrim route that would draw together many of the isolated features of pilgrimage through Fife into a historically authentic long distance walking trail. Simon Phillips, Business Manager, Fife Coast & Countryside Trust who are leading the project, said: “We are excited and optimistic that if we can secure the funding and support required to deliver this project, it will bring significant economic benefits for the region and attract many new visitors to Fife. It will be a major challenge for the partners to secure the funding required to implement the route, its signage, interpretation and promotion. We also need to be aware of the costs associated with maintaining a path of this length and hope that local communities and businesses will support us to help to make this path a reality” There will be a further consultation in the near future for local businesses and interested communities to find out how they get involved.
For further information on the Fife Pilgrim Way proposals or consultation events, please contact Simon Hill, Fife Coast & Countryside Trust on 03451 555555 ext Since then, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust 4 5 0 6 9 3 o r e m a i l in partnership with Fife Council, Fife simon.hill@fifecountryside.co.uk Tourism Partnership, the Scottish Pilgrims Routes Forum and Scotways have been GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY – BRIAN & EVE NEWLYN – 3RD APRIL 2015
Brain and Eve Newlyn of 18 Park View grandparents. Have a really lovely day were married in Brechin on 3rd April Mum and Dad – Claire and Mike xxx 1965. Brian, originally from Didcot in Oxfordshire, and Eve (nee Leitch) from Brechin met whilst serving in the RAF. They moved to Balmullo about 35 years We will be happy to feature other very ago and are loving and much loved special anniversaries and birthdays - Ed parents, grandparents and great-
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Balmullo needs you! 13th April 2015 @ 1930 Burnside hall
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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YOUR MEMBER OF SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
ROD CAMPBELL
In just 8 weeks time, North East Fife will have its first, new MP in 28 years. Since his election in 1987, Sir Menzies Campbell has successfully defended his seat in Westminster over the course of 5 General Elections. When he announced his intention to retire from front-line politics at this election I wrote that he has been an outstanding public servant and has made a valuable contribution to the constituency. In spite of the fact that he will be retiring from the Westminster benches, I am certain that he will remain active in public life, not least through his role with the University of St Andrews. I wish him the very best for the future. I also remarked, upon Sir Menzies’ decision to retire, that he was a strong political opponent. 5 victories in successive General Elections are testament to that. He was also, clearly, a good campaigner. This cannot be said of all individuals seeking political office, however, as in recent years negative campaigning has become prevalent in politics across the globe. Negative campaigning has become the focus for a number of political researchers, particularly in the United States where campaigns are awash with negative television adverts, promotional leaflets and messages. One such researcher, Richard Lau of Rutgers University, commented that election campaigns in the United States had become “increasingly mean-spirited” and that the “pervasive negativism” was having a negative impact on democracy by “undermining citizens’ positive feelings about elections … and Government… and thereby demobilising potential voters”.
In 2010 the UK Labour and Conservative Parties traded negative billboard posters, all of which captured the attention of the electorate and users of social media. In 2015, some Parties have already been accused of leading a negative campaign, The Times newspaper is telling the Labour Party that negative campaigning works whilst the Conservative’s back-benchers, and even Government Ministers and the Prime Minister himself, are demanding a more positive campaign than the one offered by their campaign chief, Lynton Crosby. The mind boggles.
Following the long referendum campaign, it became clear that people felt engaged by a positive message – whether they agreed with it or not. I believe that is one reason that led to At a UK-Level, we have unfortunately seen an voter turnout being as high as it was. People increase in negative campaigning in recent years. were offered something that they could engage Dr Lau suggests that whilst memories of these with. campaigns penetrate people’s minds they can I hope to see more of that develop over the next put off a lot of potential voters. Other studies 8 weeks, before the General Election, and suggest otherwise but evidence of declining beyond. I, for one, would be disappointed if all turnout at General Elections perhaps indicates future election campaigns relied simply on that the former is the case. negative tactics and messages.
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LEUCHARS AND DISTRICT GARDENING AND CRAFTS CLUB
BILL DUFF
At this time of the year most of us are thinking brought back by popular demand after last about getting out in the garden but the year's enjoyable evening. weather usually stops us from doing anything As last year this will be a general knowledge else but thinking about it! quiz for teams of 4 or more depending on So our March talk by Green Thumb was a very numbers attending but if you can't make up a interesting and informative talk on how lawns team come along and we will get teams made should be looked after throughout the seasons. up on the night. From feeding and weeding to pest control we The quiz has been made up by a couple who were taken through their annual lawn care are experienced in organising and running proceedure, passing on tips here and there for successful quiz nights so we are looking ourselves, and they explained that Green forward to another enjoyable evening. Thumb being a national organisation with franchises they are kept up to date with all the There will be an interval approximately half way through to get your breath back when a latest methods of maintenance. glass of wine or fruit juice with nibbles will be Grass is probably the most abused plant in the served. We're getting some good prizes garden and as they explained lawn care can including some"specials" so even if you 're on be looked on as a chore and they provide a your own come along for a fun evening. Entry range of maintenance programmes which they will be the usual ÂŁ2.50 per person. plan to start advertising in the newsletter again. Our next evening will be a Quiz Night on 9 April. This looks like being an annual event
BALMULLO S.W.R.I.
ANN FALCONER
President Ann Falconer welcomed everyone to the the normal meeting cannot take place at the Hall meeting on Thursday 5th March. due to the General Election. Our guest speaker for the evening was Mrs Wynne Competition winners: Harley, Chairman of the Trustees of Fife Folk Museum in Ceres. The museum holds many 2 Girdle Scones 1st Wilma Mackie thousands of individual items on display, or in 2nd Jacqueline Stockton storage, all of which have been donated. 2014 was a very important year as the museum was 3rd Grace Steven extended giving room for many more exhibits, a Article from a Bygone Era larger tearoom and better facilities for disabled visitors. Wynne illustrated her talk with slides 1st Evelyn Erskine showing all of the stages of the extension and the 2nd Jan Redpath new display facilities with 2 new glass cabinets providing an area of controlled temperature and 3rd Wilma Mackie humidity for ancient artefacts. Flower of the month Katriona Addison The museum opens for the season on 1st April 2015 and is open daily, staffed by over 40 volunteers. The next meeting will be on Thursday 2nd April at 7.15 pm in Burnside Hall, when the speaker will be Visitors are also welcome at the Hatters & Co. Tearoom and Eatery on the ground floor of the Mrs Jill Pattie who will give a talk and demonstration on Decorated Glass. Competitions renovated Museum. The Tearoom looks out over the Ceres Burn and provides tea, coffee, and much will be 3 Easter Biscuits, a Tea Cosy (yellow-green more. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed Wynne’s talk theme) and Flower of the month. and Grace Steven gave a vote of thanks. We are As always, new members will be very welcome. paying a group visit to the museum on May 7th, as
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SPRING BY BALMULLO PRIMARY SCHOOL