2017 November Newsletter

Balmullo Community Council Newsletter 2017, [issue six]

Cover Photo (Mike Withers): Andy Smith’s winning floral arrangement entry at the Autumn Flower Show, Balmullo.

Online newsletter www.issuu.com/balmullo

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BLUE AND GREAT TITS

ANDREW FALCONER

seed mixes. They are agile and acrobatic and often hang upsidedown.

The Great Tit (Parus Major) is 13.5 - 15 cm in length. Adult birds of both sexes are basically alike, having a glossy black head with big white cheek patches, moss-green back with blue-grey wing and a narrow white wingbar. The yellow underparts have a black central band which in males is broad and well-defined but in females is narrower and sometimes broken or indistinct.

When a pair is seen together this is an obvious difference.

Again, juveniles are similar to Most readers will be familiar with these 2 adults but all of the colours are duller, their common garden and woodland birds, but they cheek-patches are yellowish and don’t have a are the only birds resident in Balmullo not yet black border along the lower edge. featured in the newsletter. Both are regular visitors to bird feeders or bird tables and will They breed in all types of woodland, also parks use nestboxes. and gardens. Nests are made in a tree-hole or nestbox. They are bold and feisty at bird The Blue Tit (Cyanistes Caerulues) is 10.5 - 12 feeders, taking seeds, peanuts and suet, cm in length. Adults of both sexes are alike. sometimes from an outstretched hand (Try it They are very attractive with a black or dark when they have become regular visitors to blue eye stripe and small blue skull-cap on a your garden and are accustomed to human white face. The head is compressed into the presence). shoulders, giving a neckless appearance. The underparts are Photos courtesy of John Anderson, Crail. yellow and wings are blue-green.

Juvenile birds just fledged in spring or summer are similar to adults but all of the colours are duller – often seen in a family group.

They prefer deciduous or mixed woodland, large parks and gardens. They feed mainly on insects and seeds, but will readily go for fat balls, half-coconuts and peanuts on bird feeders as well as

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Balmullo Chairman Colin Finlay 870578 colinfinlay52@gmail.com Treasurer & Newsletter Andrew Falconer 870496 anfalconer@tiscali.co.uk Vice-Chairman: Alison Jeffrey 870674 alison@balmullo.net Secretary: Sue Smith 870221 secretary@balmullo.net Minute-Secretary:

John Normand janormand1@gmail.com Gwenyth Mitchell 870010 gwenyth@balmullo.net

Peter Lomas 870848 pil77@btinternet.com

fife

councillors

Jonny Tepp Phone 078 4091 9734 Email cllr.jonny.tepp@fife.gov.uk Tim Brett 01382 330905 cllr.tim.brett@fife.gov.uk Bill Connor 077 1866 8792 cllr.bill.connor@fife.gov.uk

CONTACTS

WHAT’S ON?

DECEMBER 6TH 7TH 11TH

BURNSIDE HALL COMMITTEE MEETING. 7.30 PM. SWI CHRISTMAS PARTY. BURNSIDE HALL. 7.00 PM. COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING. BURNSIDE HALL 7.30 PM. ALL WELCOME.

2018 JANUARY 2ND 8TH

Councillors: Ina Cameron 870253 twaauldgoats@btinternet.com

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

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SWI MEETING. MEMBERS’ FUN NIGHT. BURNSIDE HALL. 7.15 PM. COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING. BURNSIDE HALL 7.30 PM. ALL WELCOME. BALMULLO GALA CEILIDH. BURNSIDE HALL. 7.00-11.00 PM. ADULTS £10, CHILDREN £2.

RUNNING AN EVENT? EMAIL ANFALCONER@TISCALI.CO.UK

Have a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

From all of the Balmullo Community Council.

Useful Contacts Burnside Hall Keeper Lynn Murphy 870466 GALA Committee 07780335250 http://balmullogala.weebly.com Community Police Officers 101 Peter Holmes & Ewan McIntosh Non Emergency Police 101 Dog Warden 0345 155 0022 NHS24 111 Rev. John Duncan 870038 jduncan@churchofscotland.org.uk

M.P. Stephen Gethins 657765 M.S.P. Willie Rennie 656361 Doctors @ Balmullo 871164 Balmullo Primary 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.

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

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CHRISTMAS SERVICES 2017

REV JOHN C DUNCAN MBE

Leuchars - St Athernase Parish Church - 11am - Christmas Day Monday 25 December 2017 Service of Christmas Carols Leuchars - St Athernase Parish Church - 11am Balmullo - Burnside Hall - 6.30pm - Family Service Family Service Leuchars - St Athernase Parish Church - 11.30pm Watchnight Service

BALMULLO BURNS CLUB

BILL DUFF

The Balmullo Burns Club has now finalised the next Burns Supper for Saturday 27 January 2018 in the Balmullo Inn. We have this year asked some locals to give the addresses and toasts and expect it will be an enjoyable evening.

The Club is continually looking for villagers who are interested in learning or furthering their knowledge in the life and poetry/philosophy of our national bard Robert Burns so if you would wish to see a continuation of the Club in Balmullo please contact the President or Chairman.

The committee are presently contacting the people who normally attend and there will be some tickets Finally the Club wishes everyone a Merry Christmas available to others. These will be available from either and a Happy New Year. the President David Wilson tel: 870306 or the Chairman Bill Duff tel: 870787.

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

SEPTEMBER WINNERS

OCTOBER WINNERS

NOVEMBER WINNERS

£50

Mrs Black, Inchlaw

£50

Mr Ross, Inchlaw

£50

Mr Noble, Hillview Road

£20 £20 £20 £20

Mrs Mitchell, Pitcairn Drive Mrs Land, Pitcairn Drive Mr Beaton, Mansfield Road Mrs Shoemaker, Mansfield Road Mrs Gray, Park View

£20

£20

£20 £20 £20 £20

Mrs Campbell, Hillview Road Mr Kirkaldy, Dunedin Park Mrs Christie, Park View Mrs Oswald, Hayston Park Mr Cairns, Greenacre

Mrs Thoms, Burnside Mr Goodwin, Pitcairn Drive Mrs Skinner, Smithy Road Mrs Dunstan, Hayston Park Mrs Page, Borthwick Drive

£10 £10 £10 £10 £10

Mr Tivendale, School Road Miss Hans, Lucklawhill Mrs Glen, Dunedin Park Mrs Nicholls, Pitcairn Drive Mrs White, Murray Court

Miss Mitchell, Pitcairn Drive Mr Gray, Anderson Drive Mrs Wood, Summerhill Mrs Christie, Main Road Mr & Mrs Anderson, Park View

£20 £10 £10 £10 £10 £10

£20 £20 £20 £20 £10 £10 £10 £10 £10

Mr Bennett, Murray Row Miss Smith, Murray Row Mr Petrie, Hayston Park Mr Thomson, Park View Mrs Ross, Park View

15 Main Street Leuchars 01334 848625 Mon Closed Tues 9-3 Wed 9-5 Thur 9-8 Fri 9-6 Sat 8-3 Sun Closed

Appointments not always necessary

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ANNOUNCEMENTS Electric Vehicle Charging Points – We would like to know if there is any demand for ECVP’s to be installed in Balmullo.

Drop-off bays for Leuchars Railway station – it’s proposed to accommodate 4 drop off spaces (20 mins limited waiting) and 2 disabled parking spaces, next to the motorcycle parking on the right-hand side (overlooking Station Road) within the new car park.

Get your bin calendar here! – In response to several requests from those who cannot print off the on-line version, we have printed the bin calendar which applies to Balmullo in the centrefold of this newsletter.

Balmullo Pharmacy – Dr. Frances Elliot, Medical Director NHS Fife, attended our November meeting.

She accepted that the treatment of the 3 applications

by Raymond Kelly for a new pharmacy at Pitcairn Surgery had been questionable and inconsistent, but unfortunately that was now history. In view of the

POINTS FROM THE SECRETARY’S EMAIL Santa’s sleigh is coming to Balmullo on Wednesday 6th December. Being run by Rotary Club of Cupar.

Universal Credit - If you need help in applying for Universal Credit Fife are running drop in sessions.

Details about them can be found on a poster on the Community Council shelf in the Spar or at www.fifedirect.org.uk/benefits Police in North East Fife are issuing a security warning to the public following a number of acquisitive crime offences in the region over the past month. Between Sunday 24th September and Monday 16th October, officers have received ten calls relating to housebreakings, theft from vehicles, vehicle thefts and attempted housebreakings. These incidents have occurred in Leuchars, Newport-on-Tay, Gauldry and Balmullo. Eight of these offences are currently being investigated, with two having been solved. Local officers are now urging residents and business owners to take appropriate security measures around the properties and vehicles to ensure they are not easy targets for criminals.

Sergeant Neil Johnston from St Andrews Police Station said: "Tackling acquisitive crime in all of its forms remains one of our top priorities in North East Fife and whenever these offences occur we will investigate thoroughly to bring those responsible to justice. Our communities have a vital part to play in preventing crime by taking simple steps to safeguard

BALMULLO COMMUNITY COUNCIL sustained objections by Leuchars Pharmacy to each application, the only way to make progress was to seek collaboration and agreement between the 2 pharmacists and the GP’s for some form of pharmaceutical services in Balmullo. Dr. Elliot responded to many questions and comments from the councillors and over 50 public attendees. She hopes that progress can be made early next year and will keep us informed of developments.

Potholes –The pothole near Thai Teak has been checked but is not actionable at present. However, it’s essential that we continue to report potholes using the on-line facility at Fife Direct, because Fife Council has then to take responsibility.

The next meeting is in Burnside Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 11th December.

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

SUE SMITH their homes, businesses and vehicles from would-be thieves. Home and commercial property owners should consider, where appropriate, motion-activated lighting, alarms and robust locking mechanisms, while also ensuring that these premises are secured appropriately when unoccupied. Motorists leaving their vehicles unattended should also ensure they lock all doors and close windows, while making sure valuables are either removed, or stored safely out of sight. A range of useful crime prevention advice can be found on our website at www.scotland.police.uk" Communication from PC 76 Ewan McIntosh At this time of year, given that the clocks have gone back, we do our upmost to promote general safety advice in respect to personal and home security. The initiative is called ‘Darker Nights’.

By taking a walk through communities we identify properties that are in complete darkness or apparently unoccupied and pop a card through their door giving general safety advice. We are trying to gain some support from community groups to carry this out to reach as wide and area as possible. We are hoping to promote this as a joint venture with our local press and I do firmly believe it’s a good way of promoting community safety in partnership

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BALMULLO SWI

JAN REDPATH

President Ann Falconer welcomed members, and a couple of new members, to our meeting on Thursday, 5th October, 2017. Our guests for the evening were Donald and Margaret Bradford, owners of Earthen Images, from Methil, who were introduced to the members.

Margaret explained that the business first started in 1990 when Donald, at that time unemployed, and two others started making their earthenware goods. The others left the business, and Donald continued with his work, later joined by Margaret.

As Margaret explained about the source of their clay, Stoke on Trent, and everything to do with the making, from the weighing of the clay, to the firing in the kiln, Donald sat down to create two animals, Moran, a Highland Cow, and one of the famous Methil Moggies. The creation of the animals, indeed all their goods, involves carefully weighed out clay, a specific blend of clay, which really holds its shape. The business has now expanded, with outlets all over Scotland and one in France!

Following the talk, members were given the opportunity to purchase some of the earthen images. Members and their guests thereafter enjoyed a delicious light supper, prepared and served by members.

The raffle was then drawn and Competition Winners announced, see table below.

Addison, Gina Baird, Jill Dhanjal, Evelyn Erskine, Elizabeth Hughes, Jan Redpath, Mary Reilly and Penny Wiles.

Members and guests enjoyed a delicious light supper, prepared and served by the Committee. The raffle was then drawn followed by the presentation of the Annual Trophies.

Trophy winners :MOST POINTS – Gina Baird JOAN GRAY TROPHY – Gina Baird INA BROWN QUAICH – Linda Hamilton RUNNER UP TROPHY – Penny Wiles FLOWER OF THE MONTH – Gina Baird Our final meeting of the year will be our Christmas Party on Thursday, 7th December, 2017 at 7pm.

President Ann Falconer welcomed members to our business meeting/AGM on Thursday, 2nd November, 2017. We welcomed three members from Creich SWI, two of whom who assisted with business matters, whilst the third, Gerta Hans, provided entertainment.

Gerta Hans showed members how to make small gift boxes using old birthday/Christmas cards, and also another box using a template.

Gerta concluded her entertainment with a ‘craft’ anagram quiz.

Following the entertainment, the new committee was announced, with Ann Falconer elected as President. Other committee members elected There will be no competitions.

Competition Winners : - w e r e Katriona Two filled vol-au-vents 1.

Gina Baird 2.

Wilma Mackie 3.

Penny Wiles 4.

Photo of yourself with a previous hairstyle 1.

Helen Atkinson 2.

Winnie Whyte 3.

Penny Wiles

Flower of the Month 1.

Gina Baird 2.

Mary Campbell 3.

Cathy McVey

As always, new members will be made very welcome.

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AUTUMN FLOWER SHOW L oc a l t r op h y winners : The George Gay Memorial Cup : Best Exhibit overall Childrens Section : Aaron Lee, Balmullo The Johnstone Cup : Best Exhibit C h i l d r e n s M i n i a t u r e Garden : Aaron Lee The LDGCC Cup : Best Exhibit Children ages 6 yrs. and under : Kyle Bell, Balmullo The LDGCC Cup : Best Exhibit Children ages 7 to The Leuchars and District Gardening and Crafts Club 9 yrs. : Nathan Lee, Balmullo held their Autumn Flower Show in the Burnside Hall The Ian Paterson Trophy : Best Exhibit Children 10 to Balmullo on Saturday 28 October.

12 yrs. : Aaron Lee Entries were up this year throughout the show and Other sucessful local exhibitors were : the committee were especially delighted to see a resurgence in the Honey section with an increase of Vegetables : Bill Duff. exhibitors from 2 to11.

Pot Plants : Colin Finlay, Fran Sauberlich, Gwenyth Mitchell, Alison Jeffrey.

The judges and committee were pleased with the Novice : Gwenyth Mitchell, Gethyn Burgess, Jill Nicoll, standard of the exhibits and again this year we had a Yvonne Bishop. good turnout from the public who were treated to Floral Art : Ann Duff, Andy Smith. beautiful displays of chrysanthemums, vegetables, pot Industrial : Yvonne Bishop, Jill Nicoll, Colin Finlay. plants, floral art, industrial, WRI, honey, and childrens Children : Kyle Bell, Sophie Bell. exhibits. Also this year we had a larger amount of Honey : Bill Duff, Colin Finlay, Ann Duff. raffle prizes kindly donated.

SWI : Balmullo SWI. The Chairman thanked all who had worked hard to make the Show the success it always is, the committee who work away throughout the year and run the show on the day, the occasional helpers who set up and dismantle the staging, the admin team who take entries and record the results, the catering and the cake and candy sales teams, and all our sponsors who generously donate money and raffle prizes. She then introduced our local Minister the Rev. John Duncan who presented the trophies, and commented on his surprise at the standard of the exhibits.

Honey Classes

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St Andrews at dawn

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THE BALMULLO 200 CLUB The Balmullo 200 Club was set up to provide income for the Community Council, partly to support the Newsletter but also to raise funds for various community activities or projects, such as floral displays and special grants to schoolchildren.

Almost 700 copies of the Newsletter are distributed free each month, but our income from the 200 Club averages just over £400, so there is obvious scope for more recipients of the Newsletter to join and contribute just £1 per month. Either call Ina at 870253 or e-mail her at twaauldgoats@btinternet.com.

Community Councillor Ina Cameron seeks new members each month – see the little note beside the list of monthly prize winners. At present, we pay out £200 in prizes each month, representing almost 50% of the income.

We would also like to hear from anyone who is willing to become a 200 Club collector from established members. This takes only 2 – 3 hours each month and collection recording sheets will be provided. For those of you, who are current members, please conHowever, if we could increase the income significant- sider paying in larger amounts (as many do already) to ly, we would not only increase the prize money but, reduce the number of collector visits needed each more importantly, we could fund full colour printing year. for the Newsletter on a more frequent basis.

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS Ingredients 1.

Sift flour and baking powder.

Stir in salt and sugar.

2.

Mix together egg, milk and oil. Add to flour mix.

3.

Add blueberries and mix quickly (it will be quite lumpy – don’t worry!)

4.

Spoon into muffin cases.

5.

Bake @ 190°C for approximately 20 minutes.

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Colin Finlay Qualified Electrician

Any jobs Large or small Discounts for OAPs Balmullo 870578

Mobile 07828 547395 A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all of my Customers.

I am now available full-time.

CHIC O’HARE DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS

Over 35 years experience Prompt reliable service NEWPORT-ON-TAY TEL 01382 541702 MOBILE 07802 538284

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A J INNES Painter & Decorator

Pains Of Labour No Time? Too Busy?

FREE ESTIMATES INTERNAL & EXTERNAL VERY HIGH STANDARD EVERYTIME

Help Is At Hand.

Gardens, Garages, Maintenance Clearing, Removal Anything Considered.

Call Andy on 079 2040 3412 or 01382 782684

Reasonable Rates

andyinnes1986@gmail.com

Call Jake On 079 6978 0956

JOHN STEVEN

WILLISON MOTORS

Plumbing and heating CORGI REGISTERED

QUEEN STREET - TAYPORT Free collection & delivery service from local and surrounding areas MOT Car Sales Servicing & Repairs

MONDAY – FRIDAY 8am to 5.30pm

3 Tarvit Court - Cupar - Fife

Saturday 9am – 3pm Sales MOT’s until 1pm

Phone 01334 653922

www.willisonmotors.co.uk

Hate Ironing?

Problem Solved

No Time To Do It?

Call Me Aileen on 07814 618402

Don't Get Steamed Up

Tel: 01382 552720

£10 per hour WILLIAMSONS TAXIS Freephone 08000 858181 Airports ~ Contracts Full / Half Day Tours Distance No Object 4 ~ 6 ~ 7 ~ 8 Seaters 01334 476787 01334 839279 www.williamsonstaxi.co.uk

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W&J HORSBURGH FRESH Pittenweem Fish In Balmullo every

WEDNESDAY

From 10am to 4pm Or place your orders by telephone 01333 310567 07751 974615 07528 301092

DEREK B CAMPBELL Motor Engineer

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

SERVICING & M.O.T. REPAIRS Tel 870328 ‘Loanhead’ Balmullo St. Andrews KY16 0BQ

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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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: lqm24@icloud.com

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CLUB CARS Taxis

01334

838555

479900

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

JOHNSTONE PLUMBING, HEATING & GAS SERVICES www.johnstoneplumbers.co.uk

Fast and reliable service Emergency Call-Outs 207782

MILLBANK, 28 SCHOOL ROAD, BALMULLO TEL/FAX: 01334 870691

MOB: 07966 937842

EMAIL: info@johnstoneplumbers.co.uk

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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