March 24 Diary

With its limited resources, our group tries to engage with as many sectors of the community as possible, this includes schools, community groups, and businesses. But over the past couple of years, COVID and the cost of living crisis have combined with ill health to inhibit our efforts to help local businesses reduce their single-use plastic consumption. We now have a new business lead and hope that over the next few months we’ll be able to start reaching out to local entrepreneurs again. We were delighted to provide Lynda at It’s Scent with advice on the most sustainable packaging for her cosmetics business, and she has since been accredited as a Plastic-Free Champion! If you own a local business, however small, and want to cut down on single-use plastics, do message us via our Facebook page or email us on plasticfreedalgetybay@ gmail.com. There are lots of small, simple measures businesses can take that won’t cost them anything, and may even save them money. We can also help you understand the single-use plastics ban that came into force last year and advise you about the most sustainable alternative solutions.

On average, people in Scotland consume more than double the level of resources thought to be sustainable. If we continue at this rate, many natural resources will be completely depleted within the next two or three decades. The Circular Economy Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament is a crucial piece of legislation that will shape Scotland’s efforts to move away from the linear economic model destroying our planet. We have responded to the public consultation on the Bill and are now collaborating with other environmental organisations in lobbying the Scottish Government to strengthen what is currently a very weak document. By the time you read this, we will have participated in a Circular Economy Fashion Show outside the Scottish Parliament, celebrating reuse and calling for a stronger Bill. Together with two of our fellow plasticfree communities, we created four fashion items for the show, made from the many plastic and e-waste items we find on our beach cleans, such as nurdles, applicators, and plastic bottles.

Our number one recommendation when trying to reduce single-use plastics and other disposable items is to look for ways of simply avoiding them altogether, rather than replacing them with an alternative that may be equally harmful to the environment.

Facebook: Plastic-Free Dalgety Bay

All our public meetings are held in The Kabin at 7pm on th e first Monday of the month. Our next public meeting is on:Monday 4th March 2024

If you would like to participate in a meeting, you should contact: secretary@dbhcc.org.uk

1. Attendees/Apologies/Declarations

AG welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Attendees: Cllr David Barratt (DB), Cllr Dave Dempsey (DD), Cllr Sarah Neale (SN), Anja G (AG), Stephen L (SL), Louise B (LB), Gina E (GE), Fiona B (FB), Peter F (PF), Philip L (PL), John R (JR), Matt C (MC), Louise G (LG), Dij M-D (DMD)

0 Members of the public

Apologies:

Cllr Patrick Brown (PB), Zack N (ZN)

Declarations:

PL for the Trust.

MC gave a brief introduction, he has lived in Dalgety Bay since 2007 after coming here from Reading. Vote was held on him becoming a Community Councillor, unanimously agreed that he should join. Everyone present introduced themselves to the meeting.

As there has been an election since she was last co-opted, DB asked if LG should be formally ratified as a co-opted member to advise on planning matters and to represent the community at Edinburgh Airport Noise Board. There was no objection and AG will ask ZN to send the necessary paperwork.

2. Police Report

This was not available at the time of the meeting. SN stated police did attend a Ward 6 meeting recently and they highlighted resource constraints impacting their ability to provide these updates. Future updates may not give statistics on crimes, instead focusing on themes they are working on.

SL highlighted antisocial behaviour on a motorbike, as picked up on Facebook. DB will email the police to update them on this issue, but pointed out that video evidence or a more detailed description of the bike or the driver would be useful to help them follow up on the complaint. FB highlighted that online reporting every time the issue occurs would also help Police.

3. Public Forum

None present.

4. Approval of Minutes and Accounts

AG shared printed versions of the accounts for approval. LB sent apologies at the last meeting which was not captured. DMD had written “South Queensferry car park” when he meant “North Queensferry”. Will be amended. Accounts and minutes proposed by GE, seconded by PL.

5.Correspondence and Local Issues

- Post Office / Vacant Shops at Regents Way Centre – SL highlighted that Dalgety Bay Post Office has been closed now for over a year and it was reported on social media that Aberdour will also be closing soon. As reported in a previous meeting, DD has chased up a Banking Hub but it was declined. DB has asked Fife Cultural Trust if the Library would be able to host a post office, as there is one in Ladybank Library. DB highlighted that as rents in the Tesco shops have been reduced for some units from in the region of £22k to £15k, this would categorise them as a small business and might be entitled to zero rates through funding from the Scottish Government. As Fife Council have recently assessed the rateable values, the properties would not be eligible for assessment for three more years, but he will continue to press the issue. SL commended Evoo for reopening as Solas Kitchen. SL asked AG for an update on the interest in a second pharmacy that was reported in a previous meeting, AG said that had now gone quiet. MC highlighted that both Barnardos shop have recently gone through consultation on being fit for the future and depending on the results of that assessment they might also relocate or close.

- Pavement parking – SL highlighted successes in Edinburgh where pavement parking appears to have reduced since new laws were introduced on this issue. JR spoke from experience that legislation takes a long time to be implemented by

councils. DB stated Fife Council are in the process of assessing / consulting in which areas these rules will apply, whereas Edinburgh Council have just banned it everywhere, but it is a discretionary power and does not necessarily need to be implemented everywhere. Various Community Councillors echoed their concerns for access for vehicles like buses, fire engines and bin lorries, as well as for disabled pedestrians and parents with buggies. DB closed the section by saying a public consultation will follow in due course.

- Upgrade of coastal path for cycling – SL reminded the meeting about line markings, conditions of surfaces, and dangerous cycling on local routes. DB will get in touch with Fife Countryside Trust or Sustrans to investigate path issues near St. Bridget’s Kirk. PF stated his concerns at the speed of cyclists, and not using their bell to alert pedestrians to their presence.

- Bin moved to Moray Way South from Eastern Access Road – JR highlighted a lack of bins for dog walkers on Moray Way South and suggested one could be added at Frankfield and at the steps near the coastal path. DB shared news that Fife Council have completed a mapping exercise of where the bins are and if more are required. SN offered to get an update for the next meeting.

- Tree down at entrance from Steeple Crescent –GE, LB and FB highlighted a number of trees that have fallen in recent storms and have not been collected. DD will follow up.

6. Finance

FB is working with the bank to ensure signatories are up to date in order to allow annual grants from Fife Council to be sent.

7. Community Council

- Library Noticeboard – AG will follow up.

- Signage Update – £20k has been received by the Covid Recovery Fund, SL is also applying to Shell and Edinburgh Airport. Once the full balance has been secured, he will kick off the process of getting signage created. JR asked if Fife Council should oversee appointing the contractor, rather than the Community Council, and if they could then adopt the signs long term. This remains unclear based on emails he has exchanged with the council. DD asked JR to share the email exchange so he can follow up. SL will provide further updates once funding is completed.

- Airport Update – LG gave a full update. We now have a local property identified as a site for a

noise monitor and it should be installed shortly. The Noise Action Plan, updated every five years, is in a new cycle and a public consultation will be launched in August this year. Once a draft plan has been published, LG will share for review. Airspace Change Master Plan consultation runs until 10 March, link can be shared for anyone interested. If CAA approve the Master Plan, Edinburgh and Glasgow will launch their own consultations, which may not happen until the end of this year. The owner of Edinburgh Airport has been sold to Black Rock, however this is unlikely to impact the airspace change. A local resident has noticed that the number of flights over Dalgety Bay is continuing to increase, and on Flight Radar many seem to be going further north (inland). GE and FB gave anecdotal feedback supporting that. DD also attended meetings with the airport recently, and shared news that their Community Fund is set to be doubled and the airport are encouraging more staff to use their volunteer days. The meeting also reported the airport now has, they are having more passengers than precovid, and are investigating possibly introducing “pre-clearance” before entering the United States. MC also noted new flights to the Far East, and rumours of plans to increase passengers by 40% in the next ten years.

- The Diary – AG had a phone call with the printer who has cited staff sickness as a reason for interruptions to circulation, but this should improve shortly. They are working hard to get new distributers up to speed as soon as possible, and February has already started to be delivered.

- Timms Trophy – no nominations were received. The nomination process will roll over to 2024.

- Dalgety Bay in Bloom update – SN continues to work with Jim and can support with grant applications if required. Further updates to follow.

- Dalgety Community Trust update – Brian Johnstone and Phil Evans attended the admin meeting last week to give an update on progress. They will commence a community consultation when there are plans to share.

- Action Log (see below)

8. Councillors’ Reports

SN – is working with residents on Morlich Road and Morlich Crescent near Donibristle Primary as parking is blocking driveways and causing

collisions between cars and pedestrians. She has reached out to Parking Enforcement but they cannot support except at the bus stop. She is also investigating if double yellow lines can be painted, or if the school could put out cones at peak times, and if walking buses can be extended to all 5 days. DD and SN will both raise at Area Committee. DB said Fife Council had trialled no parking outside schools at peak times and will ask for the results.

PB – Provided an email update. Steeple Crescent/Longhill Park path is not adopted, but he is asking if repairs can be picked up anyway. Capital Programme this year is investing £4.5m in education, mainly on Inverkeithing High School Fife Licensing Board have approved Louie Browns outdoor seating area and he has asked for assurances that noise will not increase, which is one of the conditions.

DD – Funding for Clockluine Road junction has been pulled, so this will not happen in 2024/25. He will chase Fife Council for an update on the small parts of the fence at Ross Plantation which they are responsible. He does not have a list of bins which need covers to reduce seagulls, AG asked if Community Councillors could please collate a list of these to share. DD. He noted residents at Harbour Place have not yet reached out for a meeting, but he is happy to meet them should they approach him. DD felt that Fordell Bank planning committee reached the wrong decision - JR asked if there was a legal argument that could be pursued, he will share relevant information with DD who will follow up. DD has corresponded with the Chief Exec of Barratt regarding trees in Bluebell Woods but was put in touch with someone else – he continues to champion the issue. Wall at Moray Way continues to be monitored. Works opposite Cramond Place are ongoing. DD has been sent pictures of grass verges at Lade Braes and Forth Crescent which have been churned up from containers and diggers parking, and will ask if these can be reseeded. It is Area Roads planning time – DD will push for local areas to be improved (perhaps, for example, at Moray Way South).

DB – Has been pushing the council for an update on pedestrian access at Recycling Centre. This was previously assessed as costing just £30k,

THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE DIARY IS APRIL 2024

The closing date for receipt of all input for that issue is: MIDNIGHT ON 10th MARCH 2024

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but they now say extra staff will be required to safely escort pedestrians around the site - he disagrees. He has tried to table amendments on the issue, but agenda points and papers regarding it have been pulled, preventing further discussion. He will continue to push on this issue. Upholstered furniture can no longer be deposited at Cowdenbeath, Cupar, St Andrews or Dalgety Bay as fire retardant materials cannot be crushed and would there is not room for a separate skip. These would need to be taken to Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes or you can order a free bulky uplift. A report on the future of the Inverkeithing High School site was supposed to be presented in January but has been pulled - he will continue to apply pressure to ensure commitments on provision for sports in southwest Fife are upheld. Part of the sailing club has remained fenced off due to concerns around radiation – he is continuing to press SEPA and the MoD for an update and is requesting signage be installed to raise awareness of the issue. Dalgety Bay Primary “Park and Stride” has been implemented to encourage parents to walk their whole journey or to park at the church and walk the final distance to improve parking around the school. He will also ask the school if they can consider walking buses. DB has reported the pothole at Clocklunie Road but it is has not yet been fixed. Planning permission has been granted for a residential pod at the paddock behind Louie Browns associated with Donibristle Farm Cottage, an application has been made to divert the public path around the paddock in order to allow privacy for the pod and the existing cottage.

9. A.O.B

SL raised an issue on perceptions of community council funding.

FB highlighted Lade Braes lighting improvements have left gaps in the pavement – DB will follow up. SL asked for an update on the Dance School parking. He will reach out to SN who was liaising on this issue.

PF reiterated that the aircraft memorial at the railway station needs cleaned – AG will follow up.

Next meeting

Monday 4 March, 1 April and 6 May (all at 7pm) in the Kabin.

ADVERTISING MATTERS

please contact:

AVRIL, OKSANA or KIRSTY (Diary Adverts) Tel: 01383 620919 email: info@printingservicesfife.com or kirsty@printingservicesfife.com

COMMUNITY COUNCIL MATTERS

please email: secretary@dbhcc.org.uk

Copies of the Diary will also be available from the Library.

YOU’RE INVITED TO JOIN US FOR THIS SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY YEAR

The RNLI has been saving lives for 200 years and counting. Now, we’re counting on you. Join us to commemorate our remarkable history, celebrate today’s lifesavers, and inspire a new generation of supporters. Throughout 2024, there’ll be a warm welcome for you at events and activities spanning the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. However you choose to get involved, thank you. You are powering our lifesaving charity into its third century.

Watch our livestreams of special commemorative services giving thanks for the commitment and sacrifice of RNLI lifesavers for two centuries:

Westminster Abbey, Monday 4 March 2024

Glasgow Cathedral, Sunday 10 March 2024

York Cathedral, Saturday 20 April 2024

Llandaff Cathedral, Saturday 27 April. 2024

200 VOICES PODCAST

Hear stories of kindness, courage, and pride, all sharing how the RNLI’s lifesavers have made a difference. Listen to a new voice every day for 200 days.

RNLI 200 RETAIL RANGE

Special souvenirs carefully designed with our lifesaving heritage in mind, for you to treasure for generations to come. Find the collection online, and in RNLI shops.

STORM FORCE RESCUE GAME

This FREE game is packed with exciting rescue missions and water safety education. Each lifesaving scenario gives kids an interactive and fun way to learn. You can download the game to your Android or iOS device from March 2024.

As I write this, it’s extremely windy and wet, and I think of those at sea having to navigate their way through the swell. The Kinghorn lifeboat crew has been called out on 6 occasions so far in 2024. Please go the Kinghorn Lifeboat Facebook page to find details of the next fundraising events.

The Aberdour Branch of the RNLI is celebrating the 200th Birthday of the RNLI by hosting a concert by the Inverkeithing Community Big Band at Aberdour Church Hall, on Friday 15 March at 7.30pm. Tickets are £20, and will include drinks and nibbles. They will be available from 23 February from committee Chairman, Norman Niven. Please contact norman.niven@outlook.com should you wish to book, tickets will also be available from Willie’s Newsagent, Aberdour.

Thank you for your continuing support. Keep safe and well. www.rnli.org.uk

Dalgety Bay Bowling Club

2024 BOWLING SEASON

Here’s hoping the weather will start warming and drying up as we all look forward to the opening of our green on Saturday 6 April (weather permitting!).

As is the norm, coaching for adult beginners and juniors will start early in the new season. If you haven’t thought about playing bowls and would like to give it a try, our Come & Try Open Day will be held on Saturday 4 May so please look out for this.

A reminder that fees for the forthcoming season are due on 1 April. These are £130 for Full members, £10 for Associate members, and £10 for Junior members. Our associate membership is currently fully subscribed, however we do have a waiting list.

SOCIAL EVENTS

Upcoming social events for your diary for March 2024 are as follows:

Saturday 4 March – Quiz Night.

Thursday 7 & 21 March – Thursday evening Bingo, eyes down for 8.00pm.

Every Friday of March – Social Night.

Saturday 18 March – Jackpot Bingo.

Please follow our Facebook page for regular updates on what’s going on:

www.facebook.com/DalgetyBayBowlingClub

CHARITY

The Committee has chosen Dalgety Bay Day Care Centre (SC016093) as this year’s charity. Part of the income from our annual Race Night and all of the income from our Charity Day will be provided to this worthwhile local charity.

CLUBHOUSE HIRE

Did you know that our clubhouse is available to hire for private functions? Further information is available on the club’s website or from the Club Secretary.

If you would like any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact our Club Secretary Linda Pearson –secdbbc@yahoo.com

Dalgety Bay Macular Support Group

The Macular Society has established a support group that meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 10.30am in Louie Brown’s Dalgety Bay, with the aim of showing the range of aids and help available to those with impaired vision.

Anyone affected by central vision loss is welcome to come along with a friend or family. The next two meetings are on 13 March and 10 April.

The February meeting hosted VisionAid’s sales manager for Scotland, Daniel McGravie. VisionAid Technologies is a family owned and run business, and over the years it has grown to become one of the largest specialist low-vision and blindness product suppliers in the UK.

In March, Pam Tait of Dunfermline Sound the Talking Newspaper, will be giving a talk, followed in the months ahead by representatives of Sporting Memories and the Macular Society.

Do you have, or know someone who has, Macular Degeneration? If so, please contact Judith on 07780 221300 for further information.

Your Thoughts?

If you have any thoughts on this month’s Diary, or would like to submit an article concerning the community, please email thediaryeditor@gmail.com

part of All Souls Fife

We are part of the All Souls Fife group of Episcopal churches – St Columba’s in Aberdour, St Peter’s in Inverkeithing, and St Fillan’s in Burntisland.

We hold a traditional sung communion service here at St Columba’s Church in Aberdour at 11am every Sunday to which you are welcome. A reminder that Easter Day, the most important date in the church calendar, is on Sunday 31 March. We would be delighted to see you in church at 11am to celebrate with us.

We are sorry to announce that our Minister Revd Dean Norby is going to retire in August this year. He has been with us for ten years and we have benefitted enormously from his prayerful approach to the needs of all three churches. We wish him and his family all the best for the remaining months that he is with us, and thereafter.

We are still collecting clothes, shoes, bags, and belts which are recycled and sent abroad. If you have any offerings and can bring them to church prior to our Sunday service, this would be ideal.

We continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Palestine, and Sudan, for those still affected by other natural and man-made disasters, and for all seafarers who bring us 90% of what we have in our homes, who are away from their families for long periods of time and are often working under difficult conditions. Please remember them too.

We wish all our readers and worshippers a very happy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year.

Jeremy Hawkings

Telephone 01383 410 442 jeremy.hawkings@sky.com

We continue to pray for the health and safety of our community in these times.

The Breakfast Club met on Saturday 13th January at Ale and Pate in Dalgety Bay. We were certainly not disappointed by the food, which was excellent, as was the service! There was also good company and chat, and it was very lovely to get together again for breakfast.

On Friday 29 March at 2.30pm, there will be a Communion Service in the Church for Good Friday. Although a solemn occasion, it is a vantage from which to look forward to the momentous occasion of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Our Easter Sunday Service on 31 March at 11.00am in the Church will be celebrating Christ’s resurrection and it’s significance for all of us.

Ladies’ Meeting

The Craft and Much More meetings have now resumed in the Kabin on Wednesdays from 1.00pm to 3.00pm.

Bible Study Home Group

Thursdays at 10.30am in Dunfermline.

Sunday Service

Our Sunday service takes place at Cornerstone Church at 11.00am. On the first Sunday of each month, the service includes Communion and we meet only once on a Sunday.

Prayer Meeting

The weekly prayer meeting takes place in Dunfermline on Tuesday evenings at 7.00pm.

For further details regarding any of the above, please contact the church office telephone at:

The Dalgety Bay and Hillend Gala team are delighted to announce that, after a public vote, you chose the theme of Music Festivals! So, on Saturday 8 June, we would like to invite you to come along and celebrate Gala Fest.

Don’t worry if you can’t wait until June, there are plenty of exciting Gala activities taking place over the next few months, including:

All children who live, or go to school, in Dalgety Bay or Hillend, are invited to enter the annual poster competition and apply to be part of the Gala Royal Party. All the details are on the Gala Facebook page, closing date is Friday 15 March.

Join our popular Car Treasure Hunt on Sunday 17 March.

For more details about any of the Gala activities and events, visit the Gala Facebook page at Dalgety Bay & Hillend Gala.

Dalgety Bay Folk Club

It is hard to believe that it was two years ago that Dalgety Bay Folk Club returned home and set up camp at Hugo’s Bar and Pavilion. The opening gig of the new incarnation featured the ever popular Edinburgh based duo of The Sorries, and once again on Friday 15 March at 8.00pm, they will be royally entertaining us all once more.

The Sorries are Douglas Kay and Martin Philip, who share duties on vocals, guitar, and bodhran. The duo sing, play, and banter their way through their shows. They perform a selection of well-loved tunes, as well as a number of satirical comedy songs, which cast a sardonic eye on the political and public life of present-day Scotland.

Advance notice of the following gig, this time on Friday 19 April. Once again, we are pleased to welcome The Mad Ferret Band, who are known on the Scottish music scene for their hard-hitting blend of traditional and contemporary folk music. Their lively, energetic performances are packed with blisteringly fast mandolin solos, tight vocal harmonies, driving Cajun beats, and earth-moving guitar sounds. The duo features Chris Woods on mandolin, guitar, and vocals, and Sandy Stirton on guitar, cajon, and vocals.

Entry for both events are by prepaid tickets priced £5 for members and £10 for non-members. These can also be reserved on the night, and will be priced at £6 for members and £12 for non-members. Tickets can be obtained by contacting db01folkclub@gmail.com via email or through the website at www.dbfolkclub.co.uk

As always, the Folk Club meet at Hugo’s Pavilion Regents Way Dalgety Bay, where a selection of freshly cooked food is available pre-gig, together with a wide choice of beers, wines, and spirits, so why not make a night of it?

The Mad Ferret Band

The Sorries

Not the advertised Madeira by Fergus Cumming, but a talk by Dick Alderson about the Global Wildlife problem and on the Ecosystem Engineered by Animals and how, because of the depletion of wildlife in our world, nature has suffered. Did you know that because wildlife groups are decreasing, the UK is one of the most depleted countries in wildlife? Areas have been set aside for nature which is all good, but wildlife is still decreasing; we must do what we can to reverse this decline. When did you last hear a cuckoo? Swallows, house martins, and swifts have declined in numbers. Have you heard a grasshopper recently? Recent generations have become used to what they see in nature as normal and they do not realise what we have lost over time.

Natural grasslands have almost all been lost to agriculture and farmland. The big animals who would spread seeds on their feet and by the process of waste from eating can no longer roam freely, so the growth of wildflowers are more restricted. Furthermore, the insects to help in this process have declined. Only now do farmers plant strips of wildflower around their fields and this has helped with rewilding.

In Dalgety Bay, the Dalgety Bay Community Woodland Group (DBCWG) manage three woodlands: Bathing House Wood, Hopeward Wood, and Crow Wood. With careful management and the planting of

areas of wildflower, ecosystems are being re-established! Hedgehogs have returned, birds that have not been seen for a while are back, and insects that help pollinate have returned. If you haven’t taken a walk along the coastal path in Dalgety Bay, do so this summer so you can see the wildflower and experience the joy of being in the outdoors; the joy of nature.

Next month, we have a talk about Greenhouse Gardening from Jim Williams of the National Vegetable Society. This will take place on 1st March 2024.

Dalgety Bay Horticultural Society (DBHS) holds meetings on the first Friday of each month at 7:30pm in Dalgety Bay Community Centre. You are welcome to come along to our meetings, and who knows, you may be convinced to join us! Alternatively, go to our website at www.dbhs.org, click on downloads, then membership form, fill it in, then send it back. Membership is priced at a good value of £5.

If you think you may be interested in joining, please phone Michael Gourlay on 07949 505456 (new number). He will give you all the information you require.

Michael Gourlay Chairman DBHS

What a busy January and February it’s been, with villagers from age 9 to 90 enjoying a trip to see Jock and the Beanstalk at Dalgety Bay church. The children (and the pensioners) really loved their day out to the pantomime and we would like to thank the Dalgety Bay Players for putting on such a great show!

We had our first Hub meeting of the year where we started planning for our next event - an Easter egg hunt for the village children. It is being planned for Easter Sunday (31st of March). Keep an eye on our Facebook page for further updates.

The final remedial works on our new play park have been completed, with the flying fox now safely re-sited. We are hoping to have some news soon on the official opening so watch this space!

We will continue to advertise everything through our Facebook page, Dalgety Bay and Hillend Diary, and the notice board next to the post box. Please watch the notice board for the most up-todate information.

All residents and anyone with an interest in the village please join our Facebook page - The Hillend Hub - Our Community Page.

Trees in Dalgety Bay

Almost all the trees in Dalgety Bay are privately owned. Almost all of those in “public” spaces such as Longhill Park are owned by housebuilders; either those who built the nearby houses or some successor firm. Chief among those is Barratt Homes, but this piece is not a particular criticism of Barratt.

The law around trees is a bit vague and unhelpful. Where a tree (either branches or roots) extends into another’s land, that other party is entitled to cut back the encroaching material provided it’s offered back to the tree owner, and provided the cutting back doesn’t endanger the tree. However, any such work is at a cost to the neighbour: the tree owner isn’t obliged to pay.

Planning law ensures a right to light. A planning application deemed to block light to a property will be refused, but a tree that grows to block light isn’t covered by any law. Where the law does apply is around negligence. A tree owner is liable if the tree causes damage that its owner was or ought to have been able to predict. In practice, this means that dead, diseased, or damaged trees need to be dealt with, but a healthy tree that happens to fall over is effectively an act of God.

For a number of years, I’ve been fielding queries from constituents about trees in Dalgety Bay. Most of these concern gardens and houses in perpetual darkness, or worries that a tree might fall on a house or a (grand)child. Many have involved Barratt trees, simply because they own more.

Recently, I’ve established contact with someone in Barratt who has engaged far more than any of their predecessors. I’ve promised not to reveal their contact details as I don’t want them to disengage as others did previously. To their credit, they’ve sent a tree surgeon to a number of specific locations and has authorised (and paid for) some work but that’s been largely restricted to the legal liability for immediately dangerous trees as described above.

This is good and better than anything that went before, but it’s become clear that it isn’t a solution. In an attempt to move things along, I wrote to the Chief Executive of the Barratt group but that resulted in a referral back to the contact I already have and a restatement of the legal position. I’ll try that route again but I don’t hold out much hope. Housebuilders exist to build houses and have little incentive to do work in areas where the houses are decades old.

Which brings me to the point of this piece – the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013. I’ve been reluctant to go there because this Act doesn’t have a good reputation and because, when it was introduced in Fife, Fife Council chose to impose a fee which now stands at £400 + VAT. I objected at the time – there’s no fee for reporting a pothole or flytipping – but I lost.

For more information on this, please visit: https://www.fife. gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/162407/High-HedgesGuidance.pdf

The Act defines a ‘high hedge’ as a hedge being formed wholly or mainly by a row of two or more trees or shrubs; rising to a height of more than 2 metres above ground level; and forming a barrier to light (unless gaps in the hedge significantly reduce its overall effect as a barrier to light at heights of more than 2 metres above ground level). There are obvious examples of hedges along the north side of Longhill Park, though the gaps would rule out seeing that side as a single hedge.

I’m highlighting this now for a number of reasons. First, I’m running out of ideas for taking this forward but I’ve also established that it’s possible for a group to make an application, thus spreading the cost.

If you’re interested in taking this further, I’ll be happy to assist as best I can. I can be contacted by emails at cllr.dave.dempsey@ fife.gov.uk, by call or message to 07585 112996 or via Facebook.

Cllr Dave Dempsey

The Yoga

Susannah from The Yoga has been teaching yoga in the area for around 20 years. It started with pregnancy yoga, and then general classes and postnatal/birth work. Currently, Susannah runs a mixed class and a pregnancy class in Inverkeithing, and an online class on Wednesdays. COVID taught many of us that being ‘at home’ and not travelling was a better way to expand our practice, while for others it underlined the need for in person classes.

So what makes Susannah’s classes unique? Susannah is a very experienced teacher, and is a tutor on the Yoga Scotland Teacher Training Course. Susannah likes classes to have a well-balanced range of movements which involve flexibility, strength and stability. Her classes offer a soft but strong approach where movements are relaxed and steady, involving deeper stabilising mechanisms within the body. Another vital component is that her classes help you to learn from your body’s wisdom. Often we try to work out conundrums with our heads, and yet when we trust our bodies it can show us the way with ease. In practice, this means little pauses to reflect on sensation, time to settle into the present moment. Classes leave you calmer, more energised, and feeling more like yourself.

“I feel like I’ve had a full body massage, only better”

“Helped me reach places that classes haven’t quite reached”

“I enjoyed stretching out and forgetting everything else”

Pregnancy yoga is the ideal way to bring the body into harmony with the transformation of pregnancy. Pregnancy yoga is not just about physical exercise; it’s a holistic approach to nurturing both the body and the mind during this special time. Through gentle stretches, mindful breathing techniques, and relaxation practices, pregnancy yoga supports the physical changes of pregnancy while fostering a deep connection between mother and baby. Susannah’s pregnancy yoga and birth breathing has helped hundreds of expecting mothers. You can read quotes about her classes and the birth stories of women from her classes on her website: www.theyoga.co.uk

Susannah’s grandmother Connie Dennison also taught yoga in the area from the 1970s. She learnt yoga in the 1950s in Australia and became a keen exponent. She taught into her 100th year and for a very short while, was the oldest known yoga teacher in the world! Connie’s stoic yoga kept her in fine fettle through her 60s to 90s. She died when she was 103, and no doubt there are still some of you out there that remember her.

Susannah has completed over 2 years of specialised pregnancy yoga training with YogaBirth. She has trained with The British Wheel of Yoga, and The Inner Yoga Trust. She has written and illustrated ‘Yoga and Breathing for Pregnancy and Birth‘ and has done additional courses on Trauma, Postnatal yoga, and Baby massage.

New members are very welcome, and while classes are by the block, if the class doesn’t suit you just let Susannah know at the end of your first class and the remainder will be refunded.

Pregnancy Class – Tuesdays, Inverkeithing 6.30pm

General Class – Tuesdays, Inverkeithing 7.30pm

Online General Class – Wednesdays 7.30pm

Helping you feel better, naturally!

www.theyoga.co.uk

Hillend Camera Club

The last period has seen the club finalising our entry for the Scottish Print Championships that will be judged in Dunblane, with 100 other clubs taking part. The club managed to enter 47 prints and is hoping for some good scores! A selection of entries is shown here.

As we enter the fourth year of the club, we are concentrating on our monthly theme of Macro Photography, i.e. photographing small objects. A photoshoot took place on Dalgety Bay beach below St Bridget’s Kirk in the rain and the small group who braved the weather enjoyed the experience. Macro Photography has also been supported with a workshop at the Hillend Tavern and online publications, including a video on focus stacking by Peter Stanford. Members also demonstrated at the Hillend Tavern using gizmos to better photograph macros with multiple images that are then stacked (merged) in software packages such as Photoshop and Gimp2. Some macro images are shown below including the beach outing, it’s not easy but produced pleasing results.

Our Summer Adventure, a team competition set to a specific brief, was judged recently. The brief was arranged by Andrew Walker, with some help from others, and the competition was judged by Drew Gibb who remarked on the high standard. Thanks to both Andrew and Drew, as well as all 16 members who entered the competition. The winning team of three was the purple team consisting of Kathy Hadow, Allison O’Neil, and William Poncelet - well done to everyone! The winning team received certificates for their achievements and are pictured below shooting at Linlithgow:

Beach Macro

Beach Macro

Tabletop Macro

Creative Macro

Catherine Wheel

Wetland Goose

This year’s Winter Adventure competition started in February and will be judged at the start of April. This will use a fixed brief and includes locations in North Queensferry, Limekilns, and Culross.

We are also about to run a supported competition using smartphones. Strict rules have been agreed and photographers will use a specific piece of software called “Snapseed” to process the images taken on their phones, and the competition will be judged by a ballot of all members in March. This is the first time we have used smartphones and something that a few of our members requested. The month has been dedicated to those that want to capture images this way. It will be interesting to see the results given the limitations of photographing in this way, this will probably suit beginners who haven’t yet developed the skills to compete with our more advanced members.

The club still has room for more members who can join for a taster of three weeks by signing up to our Facebook page. https://www. facebook.com/groups/hillendcc.

The club runs all year round and is open to anyone from novice to expert. We are affiliated with the Scottish Photographic Federation (SPF). We cater for wide range of skills to support the experts, and to those who just want to learn or take better shots on their phones.

Hillend Camera Club is the official Photographic Association for the Dalgety Bay, Aberdour, and Inverkeithing areas. Joining details, enrolment forms, and our syllabus can be found on the Club’s website www.hillendcc.org.

We have a range of equipment. including cameras. that members can borrow and hope this year to give members a chance to gain a qualification with the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. Our best photographers will also have the opportunity to enter an international competition or work towards an international artistic award.

The club can be contacted by email - hillendcameraclub@btinternet. com. More information is available from our website, or by popping into our fortnightly meetings at the Hillend Tavern.

Seeing Blue

DALGETY BAY LADIES PROBUS CLUB

The February meeting of the Dalgety Bay Ladies Probus Club was different to our normal meetings where we usually have a speaker. This month, one of our members Margaret Haynes, and fellow musicians the “Sunshine” group, came along to entertain us with a variety of Scottish songs. They certainly put a spring into our steps and brightened up a cold winter’s day!

There was Rob Lester on the keyboard; Malcolm Adamson and Helen Miller playing guitars; Winnie Wood treating us with the flute; and Margaret Haynes leading the vocals.

We were all encouraged to join in with the various Scottish songs they had chosen to sing for us, the words of which were portrayed on the projector screen – so no excuses for not singing!

We had an excellent wide variety of songs, some serious, and some light hearted. We sang a couple of songs written by Rabbie Burns (since it wasn’t too long since Burns Day), all the way through to If it Wisnae Fur Yer Wellies - Billy Connolly would have been delighted with our rendition of this! The Skye Boat Song and These are my Mountains were some of the others which delighted our ladies and brought back happy memories.

Pam Anthony gave the vote of thanks.

DALGETY BAY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB

The Dalgety Bay Men’s Probus Club provides fellowship, friendship, and fun for retired and semi-retired men in the area.

We meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 10:00am in The Compass in Dalgety Bay. Coffee and cake are served between 10am and 10:30am to enable members to circulate and chat with friends before settling down to hear the programmed talk. These are augmented with either an activity or a talk which is usually scheduled for the third Tuesday of the month.

Our badminton, bowls, golf, and photography (Digipix) interest groups also hold regular meetings throughout the year.

A range of speakers has been organised for March to August 2024.

Further information regarding the club’s activities can be found on our website

https://www.dalgetybayprobus.club

5th March 2024

A talk on ‘The Beatles v The Beach Boys’ by Ivy Partridge

19th March 2024

Peter Franklin discusses his career

2nd April 2024

A talk entitled ‘Dead and Buried’ by Charlie Guy

16th April 2024

The club’s Annual General Meeting

7th May 2024

A talk entitled ‘Our Inspirational Jak – Resulting in Team Jak’ by Allison Barr

4th June 2024

A talk on ‘The Beatles v The Beach Boys’ by Ivy Partridge

2nd July 2024

The club’s Summer Lunch

6th August 2024

An informal session for coffee and cake

DONIBRISTLE LADIES PROBUS CLUB

Despite the terrible weather, we had a great turn out at our January meeting. Our guest speaker was Tim O’Brien, who is a Tour Guide and Visitor Assistant on the Royal Yacht Britannia. Tim’s passion for his work was evident. His research into the history of the Royal Yachts going back 400 years was enlightening and he had lots of interesting and comical stories to tell; what a great way to start our Probus year! Tim has also written a book “Tales on Britannia” and it’s well worth a read.

We meet at 10am on the third Wednesday of the month at Dalgety Bay Community Centre. We have a variety of activities including interesting speakers, performers, and crafters, who all come along to entertain us each month. For more information, please contact Barbara Holton via the following:

secretarydonibristleprobus@gmail.com

www.inverkeithingmedicalgroup.scot.nhs.uk

The focus of this article is a reminder of some of the monitoring and screening tests available to patients from the Practice. Although we send reminders out, we find patients often do not respond, perhaps because they are unsure of the need.

Cervical screening is offered to anyone with a cervix aged between 25 and 64 years and is done at the Practice. The cervical screening test (also known as a smear test) takes a sample of cells from the cervix (neck of the womb), and checks it for human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer; around six women in Scotland are diagnosed with cervical cancer every week.

The Practice’s health checks cover patients on long term chronic diseases as well as those taking certain medications - these monitoring checks are initiated by the Practice.

The main checks for respiratory conditions are Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Both are annual checks at the Practice at the minimum. Cardiovascular checks are recommended for anyone with the following:

Type 2 Diabetes – six-monthly blood and BP checks with a full review annually. Type 1 diabetics are reviewed in the hospital diabetic department, all diabetic patients should also have an eye check (retinopathy) and foot check (neuropathy) to ensure their diabetic condition is not causing any problems.

Chronic Kidney Disease, Heart Failure, Post Stroke Monitoring - these are all annual checks that require a blood test, BP check, and review with one of our Practice nurses.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) - this would consist of a blood test and BP check every 18 months if stable.

Patients taking certain medications for Arthritis - The medication, commonly known as DMARDs, consists of Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, Azathioprine and Leflunomide. These drugs are provided by specialists in hospitals, with the Practice then being asked to perform regular blood checks to check drug toxicity and adjust medication if required.

All patients in any of the categories of health mentioned above are strongly recommended to take up the offer of the screening and monitoring checks when offered.

Finally, an unrelated but important piece of information. This is a reminder that the Practice phones will be diverted to the Out of Hours service for the Easter period of Friday 29th March and Monday 1st April. We will be open for some pre-booked routine appointments only, urgent medical care will be covered by the Out of Hours service during this time.

Regards,

Andy Thompson Practice Manager