2016 02 February Newsletter

Balmullo

Balmullo by Lynn Maccabe

Community Council Newsletter 2016, [issue two]

Online newsletter www.issuu.com/balmullo www.balmullo.com

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GOLDFINCH & BULLFINCH

ANDREW FALCONER 17cm long, with little risk of confusion with other finches.

Previous articles have covered 4 finches likely to be seen in gardens and this month I’m featuring the other 2 common species, both very colourful and easily identified.

The Goldfinch (Carduelis Carduelis) is one of the smaller finches at 12-13 cm long. Sexes are similar and adults are easily identified by their red, white & black head. “Gold” refers to the broad golden yellow wing-bar which is very distinctive in flight.

Young birds have a plain grey-white head. This photo was taken at my niger seed feeder. In winter, large flocks are sometimes seen feeding on stubble fields, often along with chaffinches, greenfinches, linnets and occasionally brambling.

Both sexes have a black cap, grey back and black wings with a broad white wing-bar.

One distinctive feature is the pure white rump, very obvious in flight.

Males have a pinkish-red body where females are greyish-buff. They are often seen in pairs or small groups and can be heard before being seen by a short, low, whistle. They frequent areas of mixed woodland and gardens with fruit trees.

Around Balmullo, I’ve seen them in Willie’s Wood, Quarry Road and at Burnside, by the hall access path.

The Bullfinch (Pyrrhula Pyrrhula) is seen most often in winter and is a larger, bulkier finch at 15(Photos courtesy of John Anderson, Crail).

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Balmullo

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

MEMBERS

Chairman Colin Finlay 870578 colinfinlay52@gmail.com

Secretary: Sue Smith 870221 secretary@balmullo.net

Treasurer & Newsletter Andrew Falconer 870496 anfalconer@tiscali.co.uk

Minute-Secretary: Ann Falconer 870496 anfalconer@tiscali.co.uk

Vice-Chairman: Alison Jeffrey 870674 alison@balmullo.net

Councillors: Ina Cameron

fife

councillors

John Normand janormand1@gmail.com Gwenyth Mitchell 870010 gwenyth@balmullo.net Peter Lomas 870848 pil77@btinternet.com

870253

twaauldgoats@btinternet.com

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

Useful Contacts Burnside Hall Keeper Lynn Murphy 870466 GALA Committee: 077 8033 5250 http://balmullogala.weebly.com Community Police Officers 101 PC’s Susie Martin & Ewan McIntosh Non Emergency Police Contact 101

Statements made or opinions expressed in this Newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views of the Balmullo Community Council or any of its officers.

Dog Warden 0345 155 0022 NHS24 111 M.P. Stephen Gethins 657765 M.S.P. Rod Campbell 844971 Doctors Surgery Balmullo 871164 Balmullo Primary School 659451 Bell Baxter High School 659459 Madras College 659402

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.

#Balmullo Life

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ANNOUNCEMENTS Fife Council has a statutory duty to administer and enforce the Blue Badge Scheme. Local Authorities may make a charge of not more than £20. Currently Fife Council makes no charge. As from 1st April 2016 Fife Council is implementing a £20 charge per badge. The charge will be applied to all Badges issued: new, renewals and reissues (lost, stolen or damaged). The majority of Badges issued are given for a 3 year period, so the charge equates to less than £7 per annum.

Flooding issues on the A914 have been ongoing for many years. Fife Council Transportation has written to the offending farmers on numerous occasions. The flooding at Pittormie Farm is particularly bad, but unfortunately the farmer in question is unapproachable. The problem appears to be a conduit in the farmer’s field which is not running to full capacity due to a blockage or diversion of the original water course. The two POINTS FROM THE SECRETARY’S EMAIL During the Guardbridge roadworks for the Pipeline both the Balmullo Inn and Bowling Club car parks will be available for general use, but people attending either venue will have priority.

BALMULLO COMMUNITY COUNCIL gullies and port holes in the wall on the opposite side of the road are regularly cleaned

by Fife Council but are not able to cope with the water coming from the field. Discussions are also taking place regarding flooding at Lucklawhill corner.

A complaint was received about footballs landing in gardens at Straiton Terrace during Fife Thistle AFC matches, and the possibility of damage being caused to property. We have since learnt that Fife Council have applied for planning permission to erect a 5 metre high fence along the full width of the football pitch on the Straiton Terrace boundary, which should solve the problem.

The next meeting is in Burnside Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 14th March 2016.

A copy of the Minutes will be available on the shelves at the Post Office.

SUE SMITH Scottish Office on the role of local government in the new powers obtained through the Scotland Bill.

Citizens’ Advice hold advice pop-up sessions on the 2nd and last Wednesday of each We have been sent up-to-date notes of the month in the Burgh Chambers, Queen Street, Tayport from 1.30 – 3.30 pm. The Job Club is new consultation process for planning.

We have received briefing notes from the held every Wednesday at the Dolphin Centre, Tayport from 2.00 - 4.00 pm.

BALMULLO COMMUNITY PHARMACY Raymond Kelly of Lomond Pharmacy has submitted a new application for a Community Pharmacy located in the surgery building at Pitcairn Drive. This follows the public consultation held last autumn. We were slightly disappointed that only 70 responses were received to the consultation, despite publicising it in the Newsletter and on notice boards around Balmullo. However, it is understandable that enthusiasm has been dampened following previous consultations and an unsuccessful application. There is no guarantee that this new

application will be any more successful, but pharmacy regulations have changed and the Pharmacy Practices Committee are more accountable. Balmullo Community Council is allowed to make a written submission in support of a new pharmacy and this has been discussed, agreed and submitted. We are also allowed to have a representative attend the PPC meeting, where the written submission can be formally presented and supported with backup and additional material. This will happen in due course.

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CLUB CARS Taxis

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LEUCHARS AND DISTRICT GARDENING AND CRAFTS CLUB BILL DUFF As I sit typing this listening to the wind howling Next month sees the resumption of our winter round the house and the rain battering the series of activities with Andy Smith giving a window and wondering when I'm going to get demonstration of floral art on Thursday 10 into the garden to prepare for the growing March in the Burnside Hall at 7.30 pm when season ahead I am thinking that maybe a hopefully the weather will be better but I'm polytunnel like other exhibitors is the answer sure Andy will give an evening which will to give a bit of protection but Gertrude and brighten us up no matter what.

Henry would probably have it out in the North Sea by now.

Then on 14 April we will have our annual Quiz night. Entrance to each ÂŁ2.50.

Also at this time of the year a few lines from Tam o' Shanter come to mind Our AGM will be held in the Burnside Hall on '' The wind blew as 'twad blaw its last 24 March 2016 at 7.30pm and we are still in The rattling showers rose on the blast: need of additional committee members to and help keep the Club and Shows going so if you That night a child might understand are interested in helping to maintain a The deil had business on his hand '' community event please come along, you Yes Burns comes to mind at many times. don't have to have green fingers, we're a friendly and helpful bunch.

I'm sure we will all catch up eventually and the club is pushing on with preparations of the Show Schedule and the Shows.

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FEBRUARY 200 CLUB DRAW WINNERS

£50 £20 £20 £20 £20 £20

Mr & Mrs Robertson, Dunedin Park

Ms Johnston, Pitcairn Drive Mrs Smith, Anderson Drive Mr Thomson, Park View Mrs Phillips, Mansfield Road Mr Land, Pitcairn Drive

How to Join Our 200 Club? - 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

£10 £10 £10 £10 £10

Mr Russell, Smithy Road Mrs Falconer, Inchlaw Mr Duncan, The Mount Miss McCallum, The Mount Mr Connal, School Road

can enter as many times as you like. We are currently trying to raise money for various Balmullo community activities and projects. -

GOOD LUCK!

WHAT’S ON? MARCH 3RD WRI MEETING. BURNSIDE HALL. 7.15 PM. 10TH GARDENING CLUB. FLORAL ART WITH ANDY SMITH. BURNSIDE HALL 7.30 PM. 14TH COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING. BURNSIDE HALL 7.30 PM. ALL WELCOME. 25TH BALMULLO BOWLING CLUB. PRIZE BINGO. EYES DOWN 7.30 PM. APRIL 6TH BURNSIDE HALL COMMITTEE MEETING. 7.30 PM. 7TH WRI MEETING. ABERNYTE ANTIQUES. BURNSIDE HALL. 7.15 PM. 11TH COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING. BURNSIDE HALL 7.30 PM. ALL WELCOME. 14TH GARDENING CLUB. QUIZ NIGHT. BURNSIDE HALL 7.30 PM.

RUNNING AN EVENT? EMAIL : ANFALCONER@TISCALI.CO.UK FORGAN ARTS CENTRE NEWS Forgan Arts Centre is delighted to announce the appointment of Alana Peden as their new Centre Co-ordinator. Alana is a successful local artist having graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art with a First class honours degree, where she was subsequently invited back as Designer in Residence. She has since exhibited her jewellery across the country. Alana is based in St Andrews where she also runs her own studio, creating porcelain and silver jewellery on commission.

"I am really looking forward to joining the Forgan community and working to grow the centre to its full potential. This is an important time for Forgan Arts, as we pave a secure path for the centres future. Forgan Arts Centre offers an extensive programme of arts and crafts and is considered somewhat of a hidden gem. I signed up for a pottery class and completely fell in love with the place. A mere

stride from a stop of the local '99' bus route, it's easy to reach from both Fife and Tayside. I couldn't believe that it had been here waiting for me all of this time!"

Alana will be joining Forgan Arts Centre from Tuesday 16th February 2016, after 10 years in both management and charity fundraising for lifestyle brand White Stuff.

Forgan Arts Centre is rooted in the local community and strives to offer educational and cultural opportunities to people of all ages and abilities, in an environment that enriches wellbeing. The Centre offers classes and workshops for all ages in subjects such as pottery, dressmaking, photography, candle making and painting. Booking is open now for the spring season. You can book online at http://www.forganartscentre.co.uk/ bookings/4587291359 or contact the centre on 01382 542062

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OUR M.S.P. January has certainly been a wet month – the wettest in parts of the East of Scotland on record. Many constituents have raised issues in relation to flooding in particular, for which in many cases there are no simple solutions. Hopefully the rain will recede however and life can return to normal for those badly affected.

In Parliament as we move towards May’s election much attention is turning to the latter part of various pieces of legislation not all of it Government led.

A conservative member has successfully steered an Apologies Bill into law which aims to encourage a culture of saying sorry without fear of the legal consequences. Bills brought by backbenchers to abolish the not proven verdict and encourage organ donations have been less successful but in the case of the latter the Scottish Government has committed to undertaking a full consultation with a view to bringing forward legislation for “a soft opt out “ in the next Parliament if the Government is re-elected. The debate on this issue has been passionate and there is a clear desire to increase the number of organ donations.

I have taken the opportunity in Parliament to highlight a review of the New Medicine Drugs Fund, which provides access to new medicines particularly important for patients suffering rare and end of life conditions .Newspapers regularly highlight the difficulties experienced by many patients for whom access to such drugs can be life extending. Decisions on their approval can often be complex, particularly as these new drugs are often extremely expensive and I am pleased the Government has ordered a review to be carried out by the former Medical Director of NHS Fife, Dr. Brian Montgomery. In the interim however, the Scottish Medicines Consortium have recently

ROD CAMPBELL

approved five new drugs however including one new drug for the treatment of advanced breast cancer, which hopefully will benefit a significant number of sufferers.

Budget discussions continue in the Parliament and this year the budget remains controversial as always. There are certainly no easy options but I am pleased that the Government has provided £250 million to assist the integration of health and social care which is to take effect on the 1st April.

This is one area of Government spending that is clearly going to rise in the years ahead .It is essential that it is funded as fully as possible from the start if we are to improve the quality of care at home and free up valuable hospital beds.

But it has not been all work - I was lucky enough to attend the wedding of my Senior Constituency staff member last week. It was a good wedding despite the inevitable rain. I had a very enjoyable day but had to leave before the end. I said my goodbye to my staff member, the groom and then leant over to kiss the bride or so I thought. Unfortunately it was not the bride but a complete stranger. I won’t live that down!

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BALMULLO S.W.R.I.

ANN FALCONER

President Mrs. Ann Falconer welcomed After a few questions, Ann Falconer proposed members to our meeting on Thursday 4th a vote of thanks to Steven and James, warmly endorsed by all. An excellent supper with February. homemade sandwiches, cakes and biscuits Our guest speakers were Steven and James from Eden Mill in Guardbridge, which is a craft was then enjoyed. brewery and distillery – the first in Scotland. Competition winners: Paul Miller started the mill with a team of 4, Lavender bag which has grown to a team of 37 with 5  1st Ann Falconer brewers and distillers.  2nd Penny Wiles Steven explained the history of the mill, which  3rd Jan Redpath started on a small scale 3 years ago as a brewery, and gradually built up production to Favourite scarf 12 different beers. A year ago, they diversified  1st Elizabeth Hughes into distilling of gin and whisky. The gin has  2nd Rita Crush proved very popular, with 4 varieties – original,  3rd Linda Hamilton love, oak and golf. Samples of these gins were distributed for members to try with oak gin Flower of the month - Jan Redpath proving most popular. A specialty production was the 12 Gins of Christmas, which sold out. The next meeting will be an Open Meeting on The whisky was distilled as a single malt in Thursday 3rd March at 7.15 pm in Burnside 2015, is now being matured in oak casks and Hall and will be a talk entitled “2 Famous Fifers” given by our vice-president Mary Reilly. will be ready for sale in 2017.

There will also be a “Bring and Buy” stall.

Members are looking forward to their tour of the mill in May, as there will be no meeting Competitions will be 2 Slices of Tea Loaf, Your due to Burnside Hall being used for the Oldest Cookery Book and Flower of the Month.

We look forward to welcoming members, election. friends and guests.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

GERMAN APPLE CAKE

Ingredients 8 oz (225 g) plain flour 1 rounded teaspoon baking powder 4 oz (115 g) castor sugar 4 oz (115 g) block margarine (Stork) 1 small egg Filling and topping 1½ lbs cooking apples ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons castor sugar ½ oz (15 g) block margarine (Stork)

RITA CRUSH

Method 1.

Sieve flour and baking powder. Stir in sugar, rub in margarine, beat egg lightly, add to mixture and make into soft dough.

2.

Roll out two-thirds of dough to line a 9 inch fireproof plate.

3.

Slice apples, place in dish and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over apples. Cover with remaining dough. Make slits in pastry and place a knob of margarine on each.

Bake in centre of oven for 45-50 minutes at 360°C or 165-170°C fan. Sprinkle with a little sugar and serve hot or cold.

THANK YOU! I would like to thank everyone who sent beautiful get well cards and good wishes during my recent stay in hospital. I am at home now and feeling much better. It is nice to know that people are thinking about you.

Edna Millar, Lomond Place

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OPEN Mon to Fri 9.30am-5pm; Sat 9.30am-4pm

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OUR M.P. Reward for hardworking organisations I know there are many hardworking community groups and charities across was North East Fife who work very hard to improve the lives of everyone living here so I was really delighted to hear that four of them have been given a share of nearly £40,000 of Awards for All funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

STAR (Sibling Therapeutic Assessment Retreat), based at Flisk near Newburgh, promotes sibling contact within the care system. A grant of £10,000 will fund two different activities as well as cover the cost of developing an outdoor eating area.

I know STAR plays a fundamental role in bringing brothers and sisters together to share quality time and anything which helps this charity enhance that

time together is fantastic.

Cupar Development Trust, which aims to develop a town centre action plan by establishing a charrette, received a £10,000 grant while children at Newburgh Primary School are also set to benefit after the school's Parent Council received £10,000 to develop a new playground.

Plans to open a community cinema in the East Neuk have also been give a huge boost after Anstruther Improvements Association (AIA) received a £9960 grant.

All of these groups really deserve the grant funding they have been awarded.

Similarly, Duffus Bowling Club in Cupar, has also benefitted from grant funding from ASDA's carrier bag community grants benefit scheme.

The bowling club, which has over 200 members of all ages including a healthy junior membership, was awarded £1500.

Apology I'm pleased to say that I have now had acknowledgement from the Home Office that an error on their part was the blame for a Chernobyl orphan almost missing out on a dream trip to her host family in North East Fife.

Shortly before Christmas I was contacted by

STEPHEN GETHINS Yaroslava Naida's host family who had just heard the school girl's visa application had been turned down because UK authorities did not believe she had provided enough evidence that she was still at school.

This, as you will imagine, caused a great deal of upset for all parties involved. My office was also told the Immigration Service considered the 14year-old who has no income of her own, a 'flight risk'.

While she missed out on spending Christmas with her host family and taking part in all the special activities that she could never enjoy in Ukraine, intervention by my office resulted in a visa being granted before the end of the year. Yaroslava eventually arrived in Scotland on Hogmanay and I was delighted to meet her shortly afterwards.

I received a letter from the Immigration Service recently which stated her original visa should not have been denied.

As well as the upset for everyone involved, my own fears about this situation were also for the link between Chernobyl and Scotland and that future applications for children who are still suffering the on-going consequences of the nuclear disaster, may be jeopardised.

Surgeries If I can be of any assistance to anyone living in the Balmullo area please do not hesitate to get in touch. My next surgery takes place on Saturday, February 19 between 10am and 11am in Morrison's, St Andrews and the following one will be held in the constituency office in Cupar on Saturday, March 4 from 10am to 11am. If you would like to book an appointment to see me please call 01334 657765 or email stephen.gethins.mp@parliament.uk

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BALMULLO PRIMARY SCHOOL

Our new Playhouse has arrived! The children have been having great fun at playtimes.

“I love to play animal hospital” Carrie and Chrissie

Primary 3/2 We have had a huge response to The Back Pack Project. A representative from Mary’s Meals will be collecting the Back Packs next week. A big thanks to all those who donated from the village and beyond!

“Our new house has windows. It is so good. I like to talk to my friends in it” Elle “It’s a hide-out”.

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BALMULLO BURNS CLUB SUPPER

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ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1690-1708 Recently I was fortunate enough to have access to this volume which belongs to St Athernase Kirk. At first sight it might seem to be pretty dry reading, but to anyone who is interested in social history or the history of the area, there are real gems of information to be found. For example, there is an act anent (or concerning) students which outlines the qualities necessary in anyone acceptable for the ministry.

Young men, and of course only men were considered, had to provide proof of their piety, gravity, prudence, sobriety, orthodoxy and learning. They were also to provide proof of good behaviour and proficiency. This was by no means all. The General Assembly wanted assurances of their proficiency in Greek and Hebrew and recommended that they study other oriental languages especially ‘Chaldak and Syriak’. The list did not end here. They were to be familiar with the great controversies of religion and the controversies

MARY REILLY concerning the government and discipline of the church. One wonders how the church ever found any paragons to staff the parishes at all.

At the same time, there are directions on how to deal with witchcraft and some very severe comments on a minister in Aberdeen who was selling a book which was full of ‘errors of doctrine’.

At the very end of the book there is a definition of the beliefs of the church and then hand written pledges from the minister and elders, the first dated 1708, another dated 724 and a third with the date 1730. These signatures bring the past vividly to date and it seems that the writers are almost present when one reads these pages.

I like to think that I have paid a small part of my debt to the original owners of this volume by giving the calf binding a nice coat of leather polish.

CASTLE FURNITURE PROJECT BEFRIENDING SCHEME (CUPAR) As people become older many can, unfortu- social role and do not undertake any personal nately, experience isolation and loneliness care or domestic duties. perhaps as a result of bereavement, retirement, loss of mobility, illness or because fami- Our volunteer befrienders come from all walks lies are busy or move away from the local ar- of life and are all ages. They range from 18 to ea. This in turn can lead to loss of confidence, 70+ and include students, parents of young depression and general poor health which children, part time and full time workers while ultimately may contribute to older people leav- some are retired. Whatever your background ing their home and moving into residential or circumstances you can befriend if: accommodation.  You like talking to others Castle Befriending Project matches volunteer  You are able to listen befrienders on a one to one basis with elders You have a couple of hours each week/ in the community that have become socially fortnight that you'd enjoy spending with an isolated because of illness, disability or some older person d i f f ic u l t y o r c h a ng e o f c i r c u m stance. Befrienders visit regularly and may undertake activities such as a home visit, a trip out to local place of interest or to access local community facilities, or share hobbies and interests. Befrienders carry out a purely

If you feel that volunteering as a befriender with Castle is for you please contact us to find out more on 01334 654445 or use the link below for more detailed information: http://www.castlefurniture.org/projects/ befriending

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BALMULLO BURNS CLUB

BILL DUFF

The Balmullo Burns Club held its annual Burns The Chairman then gave a vote of thanks to all Supper on Saturday 30 January in the Balmullo the speakers, Poosie Nancy, the Piper, all the committee who had organised the Affair, the Inn. caterers for providing a delicious supper, Andrew The Chairman, David Wilson welcomed the and Ashley Crookson of the Inn and of course company, was pleased to see so many had come George Wilson and Bill Ewan who would be out on such a miserable evening and introduced the top table, President Mary Campbell, Tom providing the music for us to dance to later.

Green, Bob Stewart and Graeme Smart.

He then intimated we had lost a few good friends again this year and highlighted the passing of Robin Steven the husband of Grace who was the first Secretary of the Club. Both Robin and Grace have been staunch supporters of the Club and Robin will be sadly missed, our sympathy goes to Grace and the family and the Chairman asked the company to be upstanding for a minutes silence for absent friends. He then wished everyone well and hoped they would enjoy the evening with good speakers, good food, good company and dancing afterwards.

Mary Russell then proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman and committee on behalf of the company.

During the evening the lads on the committee gave a recitation of Broom Besums by Burns and Tom Green the Bard of Cupar Burns Club gave us a couple of his own poems.The evening continued with dancing and finished with the company singing The Star of Rabbie Burns and Auld Lang Syne. The Chairman thanked everyone for attending, hoped to see them all again next year and stated our AGM.would be in the Balmullo Inn on Wednesday 16 March at 8.00pm. Looking The Haggis was then brought to the top table by forward to a good turnout.

Poosie Nancy ( Maureen Turner ) preceeded by Balmullo Primary School's Burns competition. piper Bill Duff. Tom Green then addressed the On Friday 29 January committee members of the Haggis and cut it up wi' ready slight, John Burns Club attended the Primary School to judge Finlayson gave the Selkirk Grace and we all the primary 7 Burns competition. We enjoyed enjoyed a delicious Supper well prepared and listening to the children reciting the poems and served by our caterers east neuks COOKS. singing the songs of Burns all to a high standard After the interval the Immortal Memory was proposed by Bob Stewart who took us through Robert Burns life by refering to letters written by him and sent to him showing how friendships developed and lasted through his life and how he had been helped by these friends and had given help to others. He also told of the drama at the start and end of Burns' life, Rabbie was born during a storm and had to be quickly moved when the wind brought the chimney down into the room, and as he was being laid to rest Jean Armour was giving birth to his son.

Graeme Smart gave the Toast to the Lassies and as a chemistry engineer explained the chemical make up and workings of woman and how the lads could understand how this made the lassies the way they are. Claire Barr gave the reply in defence of women and perhaps the problem is the lads don't understand the lasses language that they are more than just ornaments and like Tam O' Shanter they should listen to the sage advice of their wives.

which made our decision difficult.

We were then treated to a lovely lunch with haggis neeps and tatties served by the children and along with the parents were entertained by the children to an afternoon of Scottish singing and dancing, with the highlight for some being an animated rendition of Matt McGinn's Red Yo-Yo as we remembered the original from the 1960's.

The afternoon finished with us presenting the trophies to the primary 7 winners.

The George Spence Quaich to Stewart Lennon.

The Cameron Rosebowl to Esmee Thoms.

The Bob Munn Salver to Eve Gill.

The Club congratulated the Head teacher, the teachers and all the children for putting on a quality display, thanked the cook for a lovely lunch and reminded all that like a puppy is not just for Christmas but for life Burns should not just be for 25 January but also for life.

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GROWING UP ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE I think back to those great memories of the 50's and 60's as I grew up in a little mining town in the West of Fife.

Getting up in the cold, frosty mornings, fern frost on the inside of the bedroom window, shivering, running through to dress in front of the fire, as quickly as possible, a bowl of porridge, a daily spoonful of Cod Liver Oil, toasting our bread on a long handled fork huddled up over the coal fire, then off to school. Our only source of heating, the coal would be brought into the house by coal faced men and dumped into the coal cupboard in the kitchen. Each morning the coal fire had to be cleaned out and lit and the ashes taken outside to the metal dustbin. The bin men had to collect the bins from our back door, carry them on their back to the dustbin cart to empty them then return them. It was essential that the chimney got swept twice a year and this was done by the local Chimney Sweep who would bring in his brushes, sacks, shovel and cloth and there was a great deal of soot to shovel up as there was no vacuum cleaner to collect it. Dusts of soot would settle everywhere and it would take Mum all day to do the clearing up. Extra warmth was gained from stone hot water bottles in bed and all the blankets and coats we had on top of our bed. Sunday night my only bath time, as I would be washed in the sink the rest of the week. Drying my wet hair would be in front of the fire then Mum would rag curl my hair using strips of an old pillow case and I would wake up with ringlets the next day.

Today most families do a big shopping trip once a week to the supermarket and get everything in one go. Back then my Mum used to do the five minute walk to the local shops every day, no supermarkets then, she would be laden with colourful plastic net message bags after buying portions of meat, fish, vegetables and bread from all separate small individual shops, whatever the weather, whatever else she had to do, and even if she didn't feel very well. Everyone knew each other and she would stop and chat for a few minutes to people she met on her trip to the shops and back. I particularly remember the biscuit counter in Woolworths, where the biscuits were displayed in open top clear plastic containers and Mum would buy broken biscuits cheap for the weekend. The cheese and butter were each cut with a wire from a large block and the butter patted into small blocks using a wooden paddle. The Co-op was a massive store and in most departments the Sales Assistant would place your cash with your co-op number, in a little steel money tube which was attached to a complex arrangement of wires going around the Store, through the ceilings and overhead, at a great speed, to reach the cash office. A Cashier would write the receipt, sort out the change and whiz it back down to you. Every quarter of the year, the Co-op would give their customers back a dividend, which was a certain amount back for every pound spent. Shops were all closed on a Sunday and Sunday School was the highlight of that day. I had to wear clothes that were described as 'Sunday Best' and I hated wearing my 'Sunday Best' shoes as I, somehow, always managed to scuff them! The Sunday School ran an outing to the seaside every summer and our double-decker bus would be covered in colourful

CHRISTINA JACK streamers hanging from the windows.

We had no fridge, only a cold storage larder with a stone shelf. Meat and fish would be stored on a cold tin plate and the bottle of milk sat in a bucket of cold water on the stone floor. A whistling kettle was always a permanent fixture on the gas cooker and the oven actually smelt of 'gas' and was sometimes very difficult to light. A man came to empty the gas meter of shillings and Mum got some back. Tea was made in a teapot using tea leaves and children would drink tea with their meals, cubed sugar was posh and coffee was Camp and came in a bottle. Mum, always dressed in a crimpoline dress and cross over floral pinnie, would cook fresh every day and I cou ldn't resist her apple pie or butterfly cakes from the Be-ro flour recipe book. When Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the dining table, and if I didn't like what she put on my plate, I was allowed to sit there until I did like it and I had to have permission to leave the table. Our only take-away treat was newspaper-wrapped fish and chips from the local fish and chip shop on a Friday. I would collect empty lemonade bottles to trade in at the corner shop for a little poke of sweeties, liquorice sticks that took ages to eat and a frozen Jubbly!

There were no wall to wall carpets, the rooms had a large rug with linoleum surround. We had a push and pull carpet sweeper and the Lino was always highly polished with Lavender furniture polish. Drawers and wardrobe shelves would be lined with newspaper and the wardrobe always had a strong smell of mothballs.

Monday was wash day and the whites would be boiled in the gas wash-boiler, shirts were then Robin starched and the laundry put through an Acme hand wringer then hung out on the line to dry. I remember the clothes stiff as boards being brought in off the line, as they would freeze on a cold winters day.

Little girls wore dresses back then and I remember practising handstands with my dress tucked into the elastic of my navy blue knickers. Mum would sit for hours at her Singer treadle sewing machine, pinning, cutting and creating my pretty dress ready to wear next day. She would hand embroider lovely floral designs on tablecloths, pillow slips, chair backs and cushion covers.

At Christmas I got one main present, a colouring book with Crayola crayons, a Rupert or Noddy Annual and a Christmas stocking filled with sweets, an orange and an apple. My bedroom was basic with just a few toys tucked under the bed. The bed had a coil spring base, great for kids trampolining, our heads would nearly hit the ceiling! A major source of transport were double-decker buses back then, with conductors who issued wee square bus tickets.

Our street, with no obstruction of parked cars, became one huge playground for the children of the neighbourhood and we enjoyed the freedom of playing outside until the street lights came on, playing rounders, skipping ropes, leap frog, made up games with a ball, hop scotch, hide and seek and snowball fights. The swing park was always chained up at night. Decisions were made by going 'eeny-meeny-miney-mo.'

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Boys preferred Meccano to Lego because of the movable parts. As a little girl, I would take old clothes to the rag and bone man with his horse and cart in exchange for a small toy, a yo-yo! Going to school in the 1950's was a completely different experience compared to now.

No chattering was allowed unless you happened to be asked a question from the teacher, you would put your hand up, stand up and respond. I remember Dad covering my new school books with unused wallpaper rolls, using sellotape to stick down the corners.

The books would double their width and looked so hideous and I prayed I didn't have the most unsightly pattern in the class. We had to fold our arms and lay our heads down on our desks and be still and quiet, to have a rest. Crates of small glass bottles of milk with foiled tops were delivered to the school daily and during the winter the crates would be positioned next to a radiator to thaw out and were warm by the time we got to drink them.

Children drank the milk directly from the bottle through a drinking straw and it tasted so different back then. Milk would also be delivered to our doorstep early morning and all newspapers were delivered by boys who had to get up at 6 a.m. every morning.

We didn't have a television in our house until I was about five years old. It would take about 10 minutes to warm up and was, of course, black and white, with just two channels. You had to walk over to the telly to turn the knobs on/off, to change the channel and the Test Card would appear before the start of the programmes. As a child, a great favourite of mine in the early fifties was, 'Andy Pandy' and his friends 'Teddy and Looby Loo.' All three lived in the same picnic basket and it always ended with the song, 'Time to go home, Time to go home, Andy is waving goodbye.' Gran's favourite was 'Dixon of Dock Green' starring Jack Warner as Constable George Dixon, who began with a salute and the saying, 'Good Evening All.' The telly station went off the air at exactly 10 p.m. after playing the national anthem.

Anyone remember the basic valve radio? The morning favourites were 'Housewife's Choice' and 'Music While You Work.' The most popular afternoon soap opera 'The Archers' ran for 15 minutes and is now the longest running radio broadcast in the world as it can still be listened to on Radio Four and recently celebrated 65 years. Sunday's highlight was the 'Billy Cotton Band Show.'

A trip to the cinema was very different too. Saturday morning matinee for 'the minors' (kids only) and with black and white films. The usherette would seat us in the cinema with her torch and if we missed the first part of the film, we would remain seated until it came round again.

We never had a telephone in the house. It was a common sight to see people line up waiting to use the nearest phone box which held a set of local telephone directories and a coin box where you inserted enough pennies to cover the call. When we did eventually get a rotary dial phone in the house, it was on a party line and before you could dial, you had to listen and make sure people you didn't know weren't already using the line. You sometimes had to go through the Operator at the local Exchange and she would connect you to your number.

Into the sixties, my first job was a typist, my fingers would tap away all day on the old style manual typewriter. I can still hear the 'ding' sound at the end of a row. Back then, I had to type up with four or five carbon copies and that meant if you made a mistake you had to erase them all one by one. I often ended up covered in carbon. These were the days when you worked where you wanted to work as jobs were plentiful. As I grew into a teenager I remember thinking I was the bees knees, going to work with my wicker-work basket with a sprig of Lily of the Valley stuck on it, wearing my black and white Mary Quant PVC dress and white Gogo boots and before the invention of the mini skirts and cream Ecru tights, my little garter belt held up my nylon stockings. I remember subtly touching my suspender straps through my clothes at work to make sure they were still attached and I once lost a button having to replace it with a coin to repair it. Sleeping in my hard brushed rollers, how did I do this? Pink plastic picks held them in place.

Saturday night out was the Ballroom with its resident band, my favourite dance the Twist but this meant hours of a complete beauty regime beforehand, my wash with Pears soap, Oil of Ulay, I still can't bring myself to call it by its new name, my face plastered in Max Factor Pan Stick make-up, cream rouge, blue eye shadow, black cake mascara applied from a little block and brush which you had to spit on the block and black eyeliner flicked out at the corners and my favourite Mary Quant No 1 pale pink lipstick. My rollers would be uncovered from their transparent chiffon head scarf and my hair frenziedly back combed into a beehive, sprayed by a thick cloud of BelAir perfumed hair lacquer until my hair was as hard as a brick. I would give my gran and her friendly neighbours a home Toni perm which came with curlers and papers and after having endured through the smell, they would mirror their tight little curls, happy to dress up for their weekly game of club bingo. Winkle picker pointed shoes for the Teddy boys paired with pink or lime green socks and a generous dollop of Brylcreem on their hair, Brut aftershave, the men didn't get off easy either.

In the mid 60's, while rock and roll was still the most popular music, the real break through in music came when the Beatles began to top the charts. I saved my pocket money to buy a Dansette record player. “Are you a Mod or a Rocker?� was quite a common question at School, College or the Workplace. Mods and Rockers were two rival tribes who believed in different values, music and fashion. I was a 'mod' who followed the world's first supermodel Twiggy, a clean cut well dressed look. We would meet on a Friday for lunch at the pub, our social gathering place which was always packed and the thing which stands out in my mind is how many people smoked, it was like a Fog! Poorer days but happy days, there was a greater trust and neighbourliness. These lovely days are all gone forever but I'm so glad I lived in that special time frame. Do you have fond memories perhaps you'd like to share?

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MONTEATHS Accountants & Tax Consultants APPOINTMENTS: MORNING, AFTERNOON or EVENING OUR OFFICE, YOUR HOME or PREMISES TAX HUMOUR - (is there such a thing?)

HMRC have published their top ten failed excuses for lodging Tax Returns- here are some. “ My tax papers were left in the shed and the rat ate them” “My husband ran over my laptop” “I’ve always relied on my sister to complete my Tax Returns but we have fallen out” “ I had a cold which took a long time to go” (Must be a woman)

Back to serious stuff.

If you haven’t managed to pay all of your 31st Jan tax bill yet, then pay what you can by 24th Feb. It will take 3 days to clear then HMRC have a 5% surcharge for whatever is outstanding on 28th Feb. State Pension Those who have already reached state pension age or will do so by 5th April have their state pension computed by existing rules.

It doesn’t matter if you defer till later.

Those who reach state pension age after 5th April or maybe years ahead should get a STATE PENSION FORECAST to see if they will get the new full pension or whether it would be efficient to “buy back” some years.

The new “£153 weekly” won’t happen for many for a while.

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