2018 January Newsletter

Balmullo Community Council Newsletter 2018, [issue one]

Cover Photo (Mike Withers): Balmullo shot via the telescope @ MUSA St Andrews.

Online newsletter www.issuu.com/balmullo

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COAL TIT & LONG-TAILED TIT

ANDREW FALCONER

is 13 - 15 cm in length, including the tail (7 – 9). Sexes are alike. The head and underparts are basically whitish with a black band from the side of forehead along the side of the crown. There is light reddish-brown streaking along the flanks and the back is black with reddishbrown shoulder patches. The long, narrow tail is black with white edges. It is easier to recognise than describe, with no other similar woodland bird.

Another two woodland birds seen around Balmullo but not yet featured in the newsletter. Both are visitors to bird feeders or bird tables located near woodland.

The Coal Tit (Periparus ater) is 10 – 11.5 cm in length, slightly smaller than a Blue Tit. Adults of both sexes are alike. They have a glossy black head with large white cheek patches, a narrow white wing-bar and a shorter string of white sports along the top of the wing. A good identification feature is the oval white patch on the back of the head and neck (not shown in photograph). The back is blue-grey and the underparts are greyishbuff.

They are normally seen in deciduous or mixed woods, usually in small groups which move quickly through the trees, calling with a high-pitched “see see see”.

They will happily come to feeders like the group of seven at a peanut feeder photographed in my own garden. Their nests are intricate closed ovals of moss, held together with spiders’ webs and covered with bark or lichens, usually found in a tree branch fork.

They prefer coniferous woodland but readily come into gardens. They nest in tree-holes and often forage in treetops.

They feed mainly on insects and seeds, but will go for fat balls and peanuts on bird feeders as well as seed mixes.

The Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) is not closely related to the true “tits” (Great, Blue, Coal etc.). It

Photos courtesy of John Anderson, Crail.

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Balmullo Chairman Colin Finlay 870578 colinfinlay52@gmail.com

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

CONTACTS

WHAT’S ON?

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

FEBRUARY

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

8TH

Secretary: Sue Smith 870221 secretary@balmullo.net

7TH

12TH

MARCH 1ST

Minute-Secretary: Councillors: Ina Cameron 870253 twaauldgoats@btinternet.com 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

BURNSIDE HALL COMMITTEE MEETING. 7.30 PM. SWI MEETING. TALK BY FIREFIGHTER HILARY GREEN. BURNSIDE HALL. 7.15 PM. COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING. BURNSIDE HALL 7.30 PM. ALL WELCOME.

12TH 21ST

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

SWI MEETING. INTERINSTITUTE VISIT – CULTS SWI. BURNSIDE HALL. 7.15 PM. COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING. BURNSIDE HALL 7.30 PM. ALL WELCOME. BALMULLO BURNS CLUB AGM. BALMULLO INN. 8.00 PM.

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 4TH BURNSIDE HALL COMMITTEE Page £20. You can rent MEETING. 7.30 PM. advertising space on a month 5TH SWI MEETING. “SOLICITORS by month basis or on a longer FOR OLDER PEOPLE”. term basis. The Balmullo BURNSIDE HALL. 7.15 PM. 9TH COMMUNITY COUNCIL Newsletter has a circulation of MEETING. BURNSIDE HALL 700 and is hand delivered 7.30 PM. ALL WELCOME. FREE of charge. TO ALL 12TH LEUCHARS & DISTRICT GARDENING & CRAFTS CLUB. ADVERTISERS – Please check QUIZ NIGHT. BURNSIDE your advert. If you would like HALL 7.30 PM. to remove it or change it in any way, please let us know.

APRIL

RUNNING AN EVENT? EMAIL

ANFALCONER@TISCALI.CO.UK

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

VAT points A vat registered business can claim some vat back on the running costs even when they are part of the home; I.e. heating & lighting costs for the office.

Business telephone calls.

An appropriate proportion of house repairs or renovations, this could include a proportion of a loft conversion including architects fees etc.

A loft conversion turning 2 floors into 3 floors then a claim for 1/3rd would be acceptable. A garage converted into a workshop or office.

BUT the new space would need to be for the business where the premises are used as an office, production processes or storage. Not as a partial second home.

Farmers use farmhouses for numerous business activities so 70% business usage is accepted.

FINANCIAL ADVICE

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

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ARMY EXERCISE An exercise will take place at Leuchars Station during the period of 9 and 16 Feb 2018, which will include a small number of helicopters flying daily between the hours of 0900 and 1700 inclusive. It is anticipated that there will be minor noise disturbance to local residents as Leuchars Airfield will be utilised for helicopter arrival and departure.

Any noise complaints are to be directed to: MOD Low Flying

Complaints and Enquiries Unit, Email SWK-lowflying@mod.gov.uk. Or call 01780 417 558 Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm (excluding bank holidays).

S u s a n B u d d Community Engagement and Support Officer

THANK YOU! We would like to thank everyone who made donations at the gate for flowers, fruit, vegetables etc since March, and to those who ordered Holly Wreaths in December. We were able to donate over £340 to charity at the end of 2017.

Kind regards, Jan & George

Schoolhouse, 8 School Road, Balmullo Fife. KY16 0BB

DECEMBER WINNERS

JANUARY WINNERS

HOW TO JOIN?

£50

Mrs Chalmers, Park View

£50

Mr Milne, Burnside

£20 £20 £20 £20 £20

Mrs McMutrie, Mansfield R. Mrs Brill, The Mount Mrs Fraser, Borthwick Plc. Mr Wiles, Greenacre Mrs Lawson, Mansfield Rd.

£20 £20

£10 £10 £10 £10 £10

Mr Eccleston, Inchlaw Mrs Page, Borthwick Place Mr Thirde, Mansfield Road Mrs Sauberlich, The Mount Mr Stewart, Pitcairn Drive

£20

Mr Nicholls, Pitcairn Drive Mr & Mrs Lee, Borthwick Place Mrs Buist, Lucklaw Road Mr & Mrs Mitchell, The Mount Mrs Mason, The Mount

£10 £10 £10 £10 £10

Miss Dingwall, Park View Mr Thaw, Pitcairn Drive Mrs Wilson, Park View Mrs Wann, Hayston Park Mr Comerford, Inchlaw

It's easy to join the 200 Club. Call o r e m a i l I n a a t twaauldgoats@btinternet.com or call 870253. It only costs £1 per entry per month, and you can enter as many times as you like.

We are currently trying to raise money for various Balmullo community activities and projects.

- GOOD LUCK!

£20 £20

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

Road Safety - building on the success of ‘Pop-Up Bob’ - the replica police officer holding a speed gun – ‘Pop-Up Bairns’ are the latest recruits to help keep children safe on the roads around schools.

Six cut-out child characters dressed in high-visibility uniforms will be deployed at Fife schools, as part of Operation Paramount, the Fife-wide road safety initiative, Each character is holding a school crossing lollipop with the key safety messages of ‘Watch your speed’, ‘Think before you park’, ‘Don’t park on the zig zags’.

Recycling – several people have asked for clarification on the current guidance on what can be put in the various recycling bins, particularly the green

POINTS FROM THE SECRETARY’S EMAIL Information from Ewan McIntosh, our community policeman. Balmullo Primary School is having a coffee morning on Wednesday 7th February from 10:30 11:30. They hope to have it on the 1st Wednesday of each month and the P7s will serve tea/coffee and biscuits to all that attend. They are hoping that it gets the older generation out and about to have a chat with the kids. Community police will also attend.

BALMULLO COMMUNITY COUNCIL

“plastics” one. Our Fife councillors will pursue this topic and we’ll publicise any information fed back from them.

Spar Shop & Post Office – the floor in the shop has been badly affected by wet rot and will need replaced with some urgency.

Temporary arrangements will be made to allow limited access when the repair work goes ahead.

The next meeting is in Burnside Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 12th February.

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

SUE SMITH

Balmullo except Lucklawhill. Councillor Jonny Tepp will follow this up.

G r o u p S u p p or t & F u n d in g P or t a l www.fifedirect.org.uk/community group support & funding This site allows you to access all levels of funding for community projects.

Details of winter gritting priorities are available online. Contact - www.fifedirect.org.uk/winter - all the news and information you’ll need and register for Composting bags have been delivered throughout alerts at www.fifedirect.org.uk/alerts

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CHURCH RECORDING IN ST. ATHERNASE

MARY REILLY

For over two years now the church recorders from Fife Decorative and Fine Arts Society have been working in St. Athernase in, it must be admitted, a leisurely and civilised manner. It has been a huge benefit to work on a Tuesday when the café is open and on many an occasion the hot soup at lunch time has been a life saver after a stint in the deep freeze of the church.

The recording team consisted of Kate Nightingale, Marjory Richardson, Irene Stephenson, Anna Malcolm and Mary Reilly all of whom brought different skills to the task. The leader of the team is Kate, who has the additional task of presenting the final version in the exact format demanded by the Arts Society and this is no easy job.

The purpose of all this work is to have a complete record of the interior of the church and all of its possessions as it stands in 2017. Eventually one copy will be given to the church, one will be lodged with the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, one with the British Library and one will be retained by the Arts Society. The objective is that scholars in the future will have access to this exact description.

The recording process is meticulous. Everything is classified into categories viz. woodwork, stonework, metalwork, memorials, glass, textiles and miscellaneous. Starting from the communion table in the apse, each object is then described on a ten point scale, namely appearance, material, markings, date, dimensions, manufacturer or retailer, donor and date of presentation to the church, inscriptions and finally references.

I personally feel that I have now acquired a considerable knowledge of the church and of some of the former inhabitants of the parish. A particular favourite of mine is the Rev. Thomas Kettle, minister of St. Athernase from 1774 to 1808. He and his family

are commemorated on a marble slab in the south porch. He wrote the description of the parish for the Old Statistical Account of Scotland and one of his sons emigrated to Savannah in Georgia. A charming lady, Sherry Cortez from the Georgia Historical Society, was able to give me quite a lot of information about Alexander Kettle Young, his son, who seemed to have prospered in the United States as he sent back £500 for the poor of Leuchars. I assured Ms. Cortez of the warmest welcome should she ever come to Leuchars. I know that the congregation can be relied upon. This is only one aspect of the church that I have found out about as I have ferreted into the history of the church and the parish.

The whole team has engaged in some odd activities.

We have gazed up at the RAF banner through binoculars to ensure that all of the battle honours were recorded. I even suggested that we should use trigonometry to work out the size of the chandeliers and more difficult to reach objects. This suggestion fell on deaf ears when I admitted that I personally was incapable of this feat of mathematics.

It was a lucky chance that we were in the church when a professional team was engaged on the maintenance of the organ. Marjory was able to peer into the depths of the pipework which is normally hidden from view and so could add to her description. She has also done sterling work on the heating system which is in itself a survivor of a bygone age. I will not repeat the opinion of two members of the choir on the said heating system.

Kate is the expert on stonework and has at her fingertips the precise architectural terms which we must use. Though we have been going for a while, we have not yet finished and I hope that, having read what we have done to date, you will sympathise with our slow and ponderous progress.

SPECIAL FRUIT LOAF

EVELYN ERSKINE

Ingredients

1.

Place sugar, milk, margarine and sultanas in saucepan, melt over a low heat.

When margarine melted, bring to boil and add mixed spice.

2.

Mix well, leave to cool for approx. 15 minutes

3.

Add egg and flour. Mix in well.

4.

Place in lined 2 lb. loaf tin.

5.

Bake @ 180°C for 30-35 minutes or till cooked.

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APPEAL FOLLOWING SPATE OF BREAK-INS & THEFTS IN NORTH EAST FIFE Police in Fife are appealing for information following a series of housebreakings and thefts in the north of the Kingdom.

Between 22 December 2017 and 7 January 2018 a total of eighteen reports have been received of break -ins and thefts that have occurred in the Hazelton Walls, Balmerino, Wormit, Leuchars and Kirkton Barns areas.

Between Saturday 30 December and Wednesday 3 January a number of power tools were taken from the Kirkton Barns area and two quad bikes from the Leuchars area. Those responsible have forced entry to premises in predominately rural locations, however a number of the thefts occurred from insecure sheds, outbuildings and garages.

Sergeant Neil Johnston from St Andrews Police Station: “I would urge the public to secure their sheds, outbuildings and garages so that opportunistic

BALMULLO SWI

criminals can’t easily enter help themselves to their belongings. There are numerous inexpensive and effective measures people can take to secure their property and items of value should be stored securely out of sight.

I would ask that the public remain vigilant around their properties and report any suspicious activity to police immediately. Local policing teams are happy to provide a range of crime prevention advice, or alternatively you can visit our website at http:// www.scotland.police.uk.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact St Andrews Police Station via 101. Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thanks, Ewan

PC 76 Ewan McIntosh

JAN REDPATH

President Ann Falconer welcomed members and Winners announced. guest to our Christmas Party, on Thursday, 7th December, 2017.

3 X Crescent Moon Shaped Biscuits Penny Wiles Members enjoyed festive food and drinks, followed by entertainment in the form of a Christmas quiz, Artificial Flower – Any Description prepared by Katriona Addison, some poetry provided Jill Dhanjal

by Grace Steven and Clement C Moore's poem, ‘A Jan Redpath Visit from St Nicholas’, read by Mary Reilly. Santa Winnie Whyte then arrived, ably assisted by his wonderful little elf, Flower of the Month delivering gifts to all those present.

Gina Baird There followed a presentation to Margaret Vera Finlayson Williamson, of an Honorary Life Membership Jan Redpath Certificate and badge. The raffle was drawn, and members were informed of membership fees for next Our next meeting will be on Thursday, 1st February, year.

2018 at 7.15pm, when there will be a talk by Hilary President Ann Falconer welcomed all members, Green, on her work as a Firefighter. including two new members, to our first meeting of 2018, on Thursday, 4th January.

Competitions will be A knitted toy in red Members had lots of fun, playing several games of 2 x red velvet cupcakes Bingo, organised by Committee Members Evelyn Flower of the month Erskine and Jill Dhanjal. This was followed by a most informative talk on East Fife Riding for the Disabled, As always, new members will be made very welcome. by fellow member, Anne Sweeney.

There followed a delicious light supper, provided by tea hostess Penny Wiles, together with several helpers. The raffle was drawn, and Competition

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Colin Finlay

Any jobs Large or small Discounts for OAPs

Balmullo 870578 Mobile 07828 547395

Qualified Electrician

I am now available full-time.

CHIC O’HARE DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS

Over 40 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