2011-Feb

THE COMMUNITY

COUNCIL’S MONTHLY

NEWSLETTER

Balmullo Newsletter

In this issue

Council Contacts 2

What’s On? 3

200 Club 3

Announcements 5

Editorial 5

Balmullo School 7

Next Boxes 7

Head Gardener 9

Gardening Club 9

Gala Committee 9

Exhibition 9

Menzies Campbell 11

S.W.R.I. 11

Golf Society 13

Burns Club 13

Senior Citizens 13

Balmullo Small Ads 14

Pause for Thought 15

The Fife Show 15

Y.P.R. Group 17

Financial Matters 19

A Different January 21

The Quiz Results 23

02 ISSUE

FEBRUARY 2011

Main Street, Balmullo - Photo courtesy of Andrew Falconer

Members Chairman:

Zoë Sanders [email protected]

Vice-Chairman:

John Docherty 871497 [email protected]

Treasurer:

Andrew Falconer 870496 [email protected]

Secretary:

Raymond Crush 871400 [email protected]

Minute-Secretary:

Isobel Eccleston 870973 [email protected]

Newsletter:

Ina Cameron 870253 [email protected]

Councillors Peter Lomas 870848 [email protected]

Alison Jeffrey 870674 [email protected]

Irene McNair 870315 [email protected]

Fife Councillors

Maggie Taylor 01382 552718 [email protected]

Tim Brett 01382 330905 [email protected]

Ron Caird 01382 542414 [email protected]

Let us know your views Email us

[email protected]

BALMULLO COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Useful Contacts Burnside Hall Keeper Lynn Murphy 870466

The Minister Rev. Caroline Taylor 870038 [email protected]

Dog Warden 0845 155 0022

Community Police P.C. Gavin Rae 0845 600 5702

RAF Aircraft Noise 839471

Cost to Advertise:

Business Card £3

Quarter page advert £5 Half page advert £9 Full page advert £18

You can rent advertising space on a month by month basis or on a longer term basis. The Balmullo Newsletter has a circulation of 680 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 me know. Either by phone or email. My details are on page 2 of this newsletter - Ina Cameron.

Statements made or opinions expressed in this Newsletter do not

necessarily reflect the views of the Balmullo Community Council or any of its

officers.

2

WHAT’S ON? FEBRUARY

27th Church Service, 9.30am Burnside Hall 27th Paths Group walk. Leave Burnside Hall at 1pm. All welcome

MARCH 3rd WRI meeting in Burnside Hall. All ladies welcome 4th Bowling Club Race Evening at

7.30pm 10th Gardening Club Floral Art with Alyson Christie in Burnside Hall at

7.30pm. 11th Prize Bingo in Bowling Club. 7.30pm start. All welcome

13th Church Service in Burnside Hall at 9.30am. All welcome 14th 6.30pm in school meeting of the

Young People’s Group followed by Community Council Meeting in School at 7.30pm. All welcome

16th Burns Club AGM. All welcome 19th Cake & Candy, Burnside Hall 10 –2pm 19th 80’s Disco Balmullo Inn 8pm—1am

20th Church Service in Burnside Hall at 9.30am. All welcome 27th Church Service in Burnside Hall at

9.30am. All welcome 27th Paths Group walk. Leave Burnside Hall at 2pm. All welcome

APRIL 2nd Quizzieoke in Balmullo Inn at 7.30pm. Further details in Newsletter

7th WRI meeting n Burnside Hall, All ladies welcome 9th Bowing Club Opening Dance 8pm till

late. All welcome 10th Church Service in Burnside Hall at 9.30am. All welcome

11th Community Council Meeting in School at 7.30pm. All welcome

14th Gardening Club - tales from the Village Blacksmith, David

15th Bingo in the Bowling Club. Start 7.30pm. All welcome 17th Church Service in Burnside Hall at

9.30am. All welcome 20th Burns Club Billy Anderson Ceilidh 22nd Easter Friday

24th Easter Sunday Service Church Service in Burnside Hall at 9.30am. All welcome

24th Paths Group walk. Leave Burnside Hall at 1pm. All welcome MAY 12th WRI meeting in Burnside Hall. All

ladies welcome 29th Paths Group walk. Leave Burnside Hall at 2pm. All welcome

JUNE 2nd WRI meeting in Burnside Hall. All ladies welcome

11th Balmullo Gala Day. 17th Bowling Club BBQ supper dance. 8pm till late. All welcome

26th Paths Group walk. Leave Burnside Hall at 2pm. All welcome 22nd Burns Club Music Evening

JULY

31st Paths Group walk. Leave Burnside Hall at 2pm. All welcome

AUGUST 28th Paths Group walk. Leave Burnside Hall at 2pm. All welcome

SEPTEMBER 24th Bowling Club Closing of the Green Dance. 8pm till late. All welcome OCTOBER

5th Burns Club Music & Poetry Evening NOVEMBER 25th Burns Club St Andrew’s Night Dance

DECEMBER 16th Bowling Club Xmas Dance. 8pm till late. All welcome

3

£50 Mrs Christie, Park View

£20 Mr Mathers, School Road

£20 Mrs Wardlaw, Park View £20 Mrs Crowe, Main Road £20 Mrs Colford, Clay Road £20 Mr & Mrs Alcock, Lucklawhill

£10 Mr Lorimer, Smithy Road £10 Mrs Munn, Park View £10 Mr Hain, David Wilson Park

£10 Mrs Aveling, Park View £10 Mr & Mrs Findlay, Pitcairn Drive

How to Join? It's easy to join the 200 Club.

Call or email Ina on 870253 or [email protected]. 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.

200 CLUB FEBRUARY WINNERS

Be a WINNER!!!

With our 200 club.

4

Opening Hours

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Wed 9 - 5

Thur 9 - 8

Fri 9 - 6

Sat 8 - 3

Sun Closed

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Any jobs

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Discounts for OAPs

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ANNOUNCEMENTS From the Community Council

Some people have been complaining about the grit still lying on the pavements. We know this is both unsightly and a nuisance but because we cannot guarantee that the bad

weather will not return it has been agreed by Fife Council to leave it for now. What some residents are doing is sweeping it up at their frontage and saving it in a pail or such ready

to use again if necessary. This seems sensible.

As you are all aware Dr Johnston is taking up a post in Australia. Anyone wishing to donate towards his going away are asked to please put cash or a cheque payable to

Balmullo Community Council in an envelope with your name and address and hand this to

any councillor (or post to Treasurer at 7 Inchlaw, Balmullo, KY16 0EA).

We will collate all donations and present Dr. Johnston with a suitable commemorative gift,

possibly at our next meeting on 14 March.

St Andrews’ residents have been offered free insulation or improvements to boilers from Scottish Hydro Electric free of charge. This service may now be passed on to residents of

Balmullo.

We are still pursuing an application for additional lighting on the pedestrian path at

Burnside Hall.

Balmullo residents will shortly receive another bin for cans and plastic. Mr Paul Doherty, from Fife Council, will come to our March Community Council meeting to explain. So

please come along to find out more.

If you have an appointment for Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline please be aware that the parking is very difficult and cars parked on the nearby streets are now being fined

by the police.

Our Young People’s Group have put in a power of work towards the possibility of a shelter

in the park for the use of the younger people in the village. Please come along to their

meeting on MONDAY 14th MARCH in the school and hear what they have to say.

Our next meeting is Monday 14th March. Please come and join us.

5

EDITORIAL Ina Cameron

Can I firstly say sorry the picture on last month’s newsletter was wrongly named Craigie Castle, it should have read Cruvie Castle, which is up near Straiton Farm. Thanks to all who come along and listen to the various issues we need to discuss, their

input is most valuable. We have notified Cllr Taylor of one or two major issues caused by the bad weather, if you know of any in our area please give us details. Because of the constant rain some of the paths for walking are very treacherous please take care when you are out and about.

FOR THE PRESENT PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL ARTICLES FOR THE NEWSLETTER ARE SENT DIRECTLY TO ME AT [email protected], [email protected] should not be used for the moment.

TO ALL ADVERTISERS

Realising that you may be having difficulty in getting your customers to pay quickly for work done we are also having cash problems where invoices remain unpaid. It would be helpful if you could alert our treasurer that you will be continuing to pay and that it is an

oversight which you will need to address as soon as you can.

6

Cynicus Picture Framing ‘

Quality Framing with a Personal Service’

Artwork, needlework, photographs, prints… you name it, we’ll frame it.

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Tel: 01382 552383 e-mail: [email protected]

Get the leg warmers out!!!

80’s & 90’s

DISCO

Saturday 19th March 8pm – 1am

Balmullo Inn

Tickets £6

For tickets contact Fiona on 07932161474 or

[email protected]

In aid of Balmullo Under 5 Playgroup

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BALMULLO PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWS Sarah Else

Spring is in the Air

It is great to see the first green shoots that herald the start of Spring, signs

surely of better weather and longer days.

Longer, warmer days encourage us to be out and about more in the space

within the village.

The young people of the village are keen to improve the outdoor facilities for themselves and

others and I was delighted to meet with the YPR and discuss their project through which they hope to fund and erect a shelter within the park. This ties in beautifully with the proposal to improve the sporting facilities through the provision of a MUGA, a proposal that has received the backing of the community council, park committee and hall committee as

well as other groups within the village. As we make further progress with this I will update

you through this newsletter.

As part of the ―bigger picture‖ the school is involved in the ―Get Set‖ programme and is

committed to exemplifying the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With regards to improving our school environment we will be holding another ―Day of Action‖ on Saturday 7th May from 12noon until around 5pm. If you have a little time to spare on this day to help clean, tidy and paint around the school grounds then we would

be delighted if you were able to come along and give even a ½ hour on the above afternoon.

Tea, coffee and hot chocolate provided. Bring a paintbrush!

Sarah Else - Head Teacher [email protected]

CLEANING NEST BOXES Jeremy Greenwood

It's a good idea to clean out nest boxes every winter because various parasites overwinter in the old nest, waiting for the birds to use the same box again so that they can infest the new

brood of chicks. To prevent people interfering with active nests, it is illegal to clean out ones boxes except between 1 August and 31 January. To be honest, however, one is un-likely to cause any disturbance as far north as we are if one does it during February; so, if you haven't done it yet, you have the choice of letting the fleas get at this spring's broods of

blue tits or of breaking the law!

New nest boxes Both the RSPB (www.rspb.org.uk) and the BTO (www.bto.org) are current-ly offering a free nest box to every new member. RSPB also sell boxes, as do other conser-vation organizations and specialist bird-food suppliers. Many of the boxes that one sees for

sale in places like garden centres are not well designed.

If you want to make a box and have lost the newsletter in which I wrote about this last year, the BTO website provides instructions. Go to the home-page and scroll through the

news items until you get to "Love in the Air"; click on more information. The instructions

are on the page that comes up.

The BTO also sells a comprehensive guide to making a whole variety of different nest boxes. You can order it on-line. Or, by following the links on the BTO website to Volunteer Sur-

veys and then Nest Record Scheme, you can find how to download a pdf of the guide for

free.

Nest box cameras Nest box cameras are now available at a moderate price (both BTO and RSPB sell them). They allow you to watch and record the action in your nest box on your

TV. I don't have one myself yet but I have seen them in action and they are a great way of

watching what your birds are up to – it's like your private Springwatch.

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Saturday 8am – 4pm – Sales

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Tel: 01382 552720 www.willisonmotors.co.uk

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PILATES CLASSES BALMULLO ~ CUPAR ~ ST ANDREWS

Classes in Burnside Hall Balmullo

Thursday 10 to 11am (running now) & Wednesday 8 to 9pm starting 6th April

FOR MORE INFO

PLEASE CALL CAROL ON 078 5554 4805

[email protected]

9

BALMULLO GALA COMMITTEE

A big thank you to everyone who came to the Gala AGM – some much needed new blood has been added to the Committee. However two of the new committee members gave email addresses which I think I have

taken down wrongly. Huge apologies for this to Jackie Corstorphine and Joyce Mckay this has been an error on my part – we absolutely do not want to lose any new committee members – I would be very grateful if you would email me on [email protected] and I will email you back with details of our next meeting and the minutes of the last one.

ONCE AGAIN HUGE APOLOGIES – MY FAULT COMPLETELY

NEW GALA MEMBERS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO US!!!!

THE HEAD GARDENER

February is here, but the weather is not much better so we hope by the end of the month it has improved. I am waiting for my seeds to arrive, but I have a few of last year’s seed left so I will sow

them and hope they will give me a start. The onion seeds need to be sown early (Kelsae) also tomatoes. When there is some sun just have a look round the garden and you will see nature does

not stop for bad weather. A lot of bulbs are through, there are a few snowdrops and aconites and the crocus are well up. There are also shrubs which give joy at this time of year Viburnum, Hamamelis, Mahonia,

Cornus and Daphne. I hope you have not lost too many plants this winter.

GARDENING CLUB Ali Macmillan

On Thursday February 10th we welcomed Dr Rex Brennan from the Scottish Crop

Research Institute (SCRI) to talk to the club about soft fruit for small gardens. The talk was well attended and gave an insight into the best varieties of grow-your-own, as well as giving an overview of the important role that SCRI has played in developing the Scottish

soft fruit market.

Next Talk: Floral Art with Alyson Christie

Thursday March 10th, 7.30pm, Burnside Hall, Balmullo

Alyson Christie stays in Balmullo and has been a regular visitor to the Gardening Club

over the last few years. Since Alyson's last talk she has completed her 'Demonstrator's Certificate', and now travels throughout Scotland. On March 10th she will be

demonstrating some fresh ideas in floral art.

CREATIVE STITCHES & HOBBYCRAFT

Creative Stitches & Hobbycraft in the S.E.C.C. Glasgow on Friday 4th March. There is a coach leaving Forgan Arts Centre, Newport at 9.00am. On the return journey it leaves the SECC at 3.30pm. There are seats still available at £20 per person (this includes entry).

Phone 01382 542247.

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11

YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT Since I was first elected as MP for North East Fife in1987 I have taken an interest in Defence. It seemed only sensible since RAF Leuchars played such an important part in the community, and since

then I have retained that interest making many friends from those who have served there. That experience has given an extra impetus to my involvement in the campaign for the retention of RAF Leuchars. But as I reflect on that long established interest it occurs to me that

one of the privileges of being an MP is the opportunity to have so many such experiences. In a constituency as varied as mine there are a remarkable range of activities which attract or even demand the attention of a local MP.

My attention to St. Andrews University dates from the date of my election as MP but is now more formalised in my capacity as Chancellor, a position which has no executive responsibility but carries with it the authority to confer degrees on graduating students and on individuals whom the University wishes to honour.

Farming and fishing were once the staple of the local economy and although they have changed a great deal in my 24 years as MP the chance to meet farmers and fishermen and to understand their love for the land and respect for the sea inspires admiration. To understand the East Neuk of Fife it is necessary to understand the different characters of

the villages which make it up, and the commitment of those who man the lifeboat and the legions who raise money for it. And there is the cricket at Freuchie and Falkland where the competition is fierce, the welcome warm, and the hospitality dangerously generous. There is serious rugby at Howe

of Fife and epic local derbies with Madras and Waid. Music abounds in North East Fife with light opera and festivals of the visual and performing arts almost every week of the summer. Newburgh, Newport, Balmullo and

Balmerino are part of the tapestry of history of North East Fife along with St. Andrews and Falkland. And always too, local pride and responsibility in the community with a well developed charitable conscience in places like Cupar and Collesie.

What in my point? It is simply this that the diverse range of life and work in North East Fife is demanding but rewarding for an MP. This is no one paced, single interest, monolithic constituency. All human life is here and I love it.

Menzies Campbell M.P. North East Fife [email protected] - www.mingcampbell.org.uk - 01334 656361

BALMULLO S.W.R.I. Ann Falconer President Mrs. Mary Campbell welcomed members and guests to the meeting on Thursday 3rd February, which was a party night following cancellation of the traditional Christmas

party due to snow.

All present tucked into a special buffet with a wide variety of festive dishes provided by the

members. Thank you to everyone for their efforts in making the meal so enjoyable.

Entertainment was provided by a local group, who gave humorous recitations, a selection of

songs and a piano solo. All of these were much appreciated by our members.

The competition - an Old Photograph, was won by Betty Gough. The evening was rounded

off with distribution of gifts for all.

The next meeting will be on Thursday 3rd March at 7.15 pm in Burnside Hall. Our speaker

for the evening will be Mr D. Pickard, who will give a talk entitled The Farmer’s Year.

Competitions will be a Wedge of Vegetable Quiche, a pair of Knitted Bootees and Flower of

the Month. We look forward to welcoming any new members.

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Quizzieoke

Balmullo Inn Saturday 2nd April 2011 at 7.30pm

Teams of up to 5 people - £10 per team

(Karaoke will be held in the bar after

so if that’s not your cup of tea worry not!!!)

CHARITY CAR WASH to be held in village! Watch for dates and venue later

12

BALMULLO GOLF SOCIETY Peter Colford

February - Sunday saw the Golf Society dust off their clubs and venture out for the first outing of the year. After the snow that fell in November had cleared we missed both the December and January outings. Perhaps because of this or the late organisation the

numbers for this month were down from usual. However 11 players ventured out to Drumoig Golf Club for the first outing of the year, and despite the prediction of heavy rain we enjoyed a mostly dry round with only the one shower about half way round. Dave Goodwin put his new driver to good use winning by 7 points with Gordon Laing

leading the rest of the pack. Nearest the pin was the tricky 16th and was won by Barry Lewis. The yellow ball winners were Willie Rattray, Gordon Laing and Peter Colford. The Hidden Holes (2, 14 13) was won by Dave Goodwin and not surprisingly the Bandit of the Month was Dave Goodwin.

Next month on the 6th March we head to Crail to play the Craighead Course. Founded in 1786 the Crail Golfing Society is the seventh oldest golfing society in the world and a

bona fide jewel in the crown of Scottish golf. The Balcomie Course is recognised as a true classic although it’s sister course, Craighead Links, is by no means filler – it stands on merit alone. Notable features include wide, sweeping fairways, large expansive greens and sizeable

bunkers that are only too happy to provide a temporary home for your ball. Visitors are presented with a true test of Scottish links golf that isn’t easily forgotten.

BALMULLO BURNS CLUB Mary Smith

Burns Supper. David Wilson got the evening off to a good start by saying the Selkirk Grace followed by the piping in of the Haggis by Bill Duff with Poosie Nancy Isa Baxter carrying the chieftain of the pudding race, which was addressed with traditional vigour

by George Oliphant. We then enjoyed our Supper followed by The Immortal Memory given with great feeling and humour by Craig Rodger. The toast to the Lassies by Bill Duff and the reply given by Claire Barr caused much hilarity. The evening continued with dancing, singing and a modicum of whisky.

Balmullo School Competition. Again the standard was very high with 28 pupils taking part. Winners are as follows: George Spence Quaich – Jake Middleton the Cameron Rose Bowl – Sophie Land the Bob Munn Salver – Morgan Middleton.

Next Meeting: A.G.M. on Wednesday 16th March 2011 8pm Balmullo Inn

Club’s Future Events

Wednesday 16th March 2011 – Annual General Meeting Wednesday 20th April 2011 – Billy Anderson Ceilidh Wednesday 22nd June 2011 – Music Evening with Karen Hannah & Alan Small

Wednesday 5th October 2011 – Music & Poetry Evening with Bowhill Peoples Club Friday 25th November 2011 – St Andrew’s Night Dance to music of Neil Galloway Saturday 21st January 2012 – Annual Burns Supper All events held in lounge of the Balmullo Inn, Main Street, Balmullo. 7.30 for 8pm

SENIOR CITIZENS Val Phillips

The Senior Citizens AGM will be held at the Bowling Club on Sunday 13th March at 2.30pm. PLEASE COME ALONG AND SUPPORT YOUR CLUB. Look forward to seeing you all there.

13

14

Saturday 19th March

10am – 2pm

Craft Tables, Raffle, Face Painting,

Cake & Candy

Teas & Coffees

Burnside Hall

Balmullo

All proceeds in aid of

Balmullo Under 5’s

BALMULLO ADVERTS

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Call 870975 for more

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Support your Community by coming along to the monthly meetings. Have your say. Get involved. Make Balmullo change for the better. See you on the 14th March.

15

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT Caroline Taylor

―If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you . . .‖

These are the opening lines of Rudyard Kipling’s poem, ―If‖. It found its way into a collec-tion of one hundred favourite poems chosen by Classic FM listeners and published in 2009.

I’d like to add another thought: ―If I can keep a sense of optimism when the news is filled with doom and gloom . . .‖

That’s my aim for 2011, well, one of them. I try to list every day the things I’m grateful for – even apparently small things like a child from primary school shouting ―Hallo, Caroline!‖ across the street.

It’s surprising how therapeutic this can be – it certainly helps to put things in perspective. The late bishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador said this:

―We cannot do everything and there is a sense of liberation in realising that. This enables us to do something and to do it well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.‖

Caroline Taylor (parish minister)

Sign the Online Petition at

www.SaveRafLeuchars.org.uk

Although a LibDem petition, this has full cross-party support.

THE FIFE SHOW

Saturday May 21st 2011 at Kinloss Farm, Cupar.

Entertainment for all the family 9am to 5pm.

Adults £10; OAPs £5; Children under 14 Free, and parking is FREE.

Come along and enjoy, it is like a mini Highland show with stalls, animal

judging, horse jumping, ploughing, tractor sledge drag racing. Food

vendors are available as are the ever popular ice cream vans.

YPR GROUP UPDATE

Hello, and sorry for the long wait for an update. Since we feel most of the younger people don’t look at the newsletter, we have decided not to continue with a regular, monthly page. However, we hope the information we put in here can be passed on to the young people by the reader. Since November, we have been focussing on our plan to install a youth shelter – somewhere for young people to hang out and keep sheltered from the elements. Many people are in support for this idea to be realised, however the concern of many is that as soon as it is put up it will be vandalised. Lewis has worked hard on contacting different companies RE: youth shelters. Our favourite, if installed sooner rather than later, will be the first of its kind in use and so Balmullo will gain prestige for this. This particular shelter comes with solar lights and is vandal-proof, which shall hopefully ease the worries of those we have talked to about such a project. Our next step is to secure funding. This is what we are currently working on and we are looking at a variety of possible sources, including Awards for All, Tay FM and local businesses. We have various forms to fill out and we hope we can achieve enough funding to purchase this shelter. We have also spoken to the Parks Committee who have said they would be happy for such a shelter to be placed within the park grounds. This will also allow links with the Balmullo Primary School MUGA project, which is hoped to be constructed in the park. The shelter & MUGA could complement each other and would be an ideal focal point for the young people in the village. We are taking a role with the MUGA project as it develops. On top of this, we are now a fully established part of the Community Council. All three of us are now seated on the table during the monthly meetings. All in all, we have been working productively to try and achieve this idea by the end of the year. Our main task at the minute is to continue gaining support for the project. We do have a support sheet available, which residents can sign. A location for this is still TBC. We also would like to hear any other ideas from the young people, so we can start on other projects that could prove beneficial to the village. In the spring we are hoping to create a link with the pupils at Balmullo School by launching a “Design a YPR Group logo” competition. We would really appreciate if you could pass some of this information on to any young person in your household, as we are sure our projects are really going to benefit the young people of the village. We would like to extend a warm invitation for everyone to see our group in action & to give your opinions on our projects at our monthly meetings. Please feel free to join us at 6.30pm on Monday 14th March 2011 at Balmullo Primary School. Finally, remember we have various ways of being contacted. Our Email is [email protected] and you can find us on Facebook by searching for “Balmullo YPR Group”. We are also in the process of establishing a Twitter account – watch this space! Thank you for taking the time to read about our group and we hope to see as many of you as possible at our meeting on March 14th.

From your YPRs,

Cameron,

Danielle &

Lewis

(left) - A youth shelter similar to the one

we hope to establish in the village

17

19

FINANCIAL MATTERS Fergus D Burns

It is fully expected that half a million public sector jobs will be lost during 2011, plus many other jobs in other industries.

This may well effect you or someone close to you and I wanted to explain your rights should you be made redundant and what payments you may be entitled to. Next month, I will explain what happens if your employer goes bust, your rights should this happen and list what organisations can help you. What redundancy pay-outs are you entitled to?

There are three main types of pay-out you can expect:

Notice of termination. Your employer should give proper notice of termination.

If there is nothing in your contract, the minimum is a week for each complete year (up to a maximum of 12 weeks). Yet your employer may give you pay in lieu of notice, or simply pay you for the period without you attending.

Holiday pay. If you have accrued but not used holiday days, you are entitled to

be paid for these (or given the option to use them in your final weeks)

Redundancy pay-out. A redundancy pay-out is effectively compensation for

your loss of work and the first £30,000 is tax free. PLEASE NOTE - Many firms have their own policies which are much more generous than the legal minimum, so the first step is to check your contract or staff handbook and see what it says. If it's not specified then it will usually follow the legal minimum.

Minimum Statutory Redundancy Payments After two years with your employer, you'll qualify for a minimum statutory redundancy payment. If you've worked there less than this you've no right to any recompense. For those who have at least 24 months' continuous service, your entitlement depends

on your age and longevity at the company.

Under 22. Half a week's pay for each full year of continuous service

Aged 22-40. A week's pay per year of continuous service

Over 41. A week and a half's pay for each year of service

However before you start adding it up, it's based on a maximum weeks pay of £380,

so if you earn more than £19,760 a year then it is capped at this figure!! Plus it isn't the age you are now that counts, but the age during each year you've been in your job, an example is given below:- John has worked for his employer for 10 years and earns £300 per week, he is now 43 and redundant. He worked for eight years under the age of 41 and 2 years over the

age of 41, so he will get two years at a week and a half and eight years at a week which equates to eleven weeks x £300 = £3,300.00 of redundancy payment.

20

Independent estate agent

Property letting and management

If you are thinking of

selling ~ letting ~ buying ~ renting

Then contact Ian Goddard on 01382 540451

Email: [email protected] Website: www.igpfife.co.uk

IAN GODDARD PROPERTIES

15 High Street + Newport-on-Tay

Fife DD6 8AB

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.igpfife.co.uk

21

A DIFFERENT JANUARY David Shepherd

Leaving behind the snow and ice of

Borthwick Place in mid January, we set off for our other house in my wife’s homeland of Sri Lanka. Our suitcases were laden with gifts and

goods for assorted relatives and charities to the extent that, while packing, an ever increasing pile of our own clothes and belongings had

to be removed from the cases and left on the bedroom floor to make room. School books, pens, dictionaries and chocolates were much more

important than our clothes and shoes! After about twenty hours of travelling

through the air conditioned, relative calm of airports and aircraft, you are suddenly propelled into the heat and bustle of Sri Lanka. Your senses are almost overwhelmed with heat, sun, smells, noise, colours, coconut palms, exotic vegetation and chaotic traffic. Everywhere too – the locals’ broad

smiles! Fife immediately seems like a distant memory. My wife Rani had called in numerous favours owed by various nephews and nieces so that we were met at the airport and transported to our Sri Lankan home via fruit stalls and

shops. We arrived laden with fresh bananas, mangos, pineapples, jack fruits and other necessities (gin, tonic, limes...). After opening up the house, more relatives arrived and spent a few days, under Rani’s supervision, cleaning, repairing, gardening, painting, etc. until, finally everything was to her satisfaction. She even had me up on the roof attempting

to repair a leak! I’m always amazed at the speed the garden plants grow. Throw a cutting into a corner and next year, it’s a tree. Maintenance is very important out there. Leave something un-attended and, if the heat and humidity doesn’t get it, then the ants will!

No sooner had we settled in than we had to leave on a one week’s trip down the coast to a wedding near Galle. Galle was one of the worst hit areas of the Tsunami and we subsequently sent a lot of funds, raised in and around St Andrews, to help rebuild a village

nearby. We still visit the primary school there when we can. We were to attend a wedding of the daughter of Sri Lankan friends to her American fiancé. It was an exotic three day affair, with the beach and the sea always present. It’s the first

wedding I’ve attended that involved an elephant!, which climbed into the hotel garden, with it’s Mahout handler, from the beach for a photo shoot with the Bride and Groom. The wedding was also attended by a lot of their American friends and relatives, from LA and Hawaii as well as Japan and China. Along with the Sri Lankans (and one Scot!) it was a

very cosmopolitan and entertaining mix. Soon, it was time to head back and after a few hot busy days in the capital, Colombo, it was time for me to head to the airport and make the long journey home while my wife has

stayed on for another month. Standing in a freezing, windswept Edinburgh airport, late at night, waiting for the park and ride bus, it did not quite have the appeal and excitement of our arrival at the other end two

weeks before. Still – it’s good to be home and I don’t need to worry about sunburn and biting insects for a while!

22

DazLyn Motorshine

Mobile Valeting

We come to you whether it’s the Home Workplace or even the Golf Course, All water and electrics are on board our vehicle.

Cars Vans Caravans Conservatories

From a Mini Valet to a Full Showroom Finish including Sanitisation, Bacteria, and Virus Elimination system. (Certificate can be provided to confirm this treatment).

Gift Vouchers Available

Tel Daz on 07733 116631 www.dazlynmotorshinevaleting.co.uk

Find us on FACEBOOK and Yell.com

KEVIN MALONEY

FOR ALL YOUR DECORATION NEEDS

01334 870241 OR 07941 545052

LAST MONTHS QUIZ RESULTS It was a bit disappointing to get only 10 replies from a village of over 600 houses, - that really tells you something! 0 S is Z - squared is zero. (I accepted sum is zero)

1 F O the C N – flew over the cuckoo’s nest 1 E in a H A – electron in a hydrogen atom 2 G of V – gentlemen of Verona 2 L on a B – legs on a biped 3 B M – blind mice 3 L on a T – legs on a tripod 3 M in a B – men in a boat 4 S in the O C – strokes in the Otto cycle 4 P of the M – phases of the moon 7 C of the R – colours of the rainbow 8 S on an O – sides on an octagon 12 D of C – days of Christmas. (I accepted disciples of Christ) 12 V in a C B – volts in a car battery 14 L in a S – lines in a sonnet 15 P in a R U T – players in a rugby union team 16 O in a P – ounces in a pound 24 B B in a P – blackbirds baked in a pie (I know, the correct words are four & twenty blackbirds baked in a pie) 24 H from T – hours from Tulsa 25 Y M for a S W – years married for a silver wedding 30 D H S – days hath September 32 D F, F P of W – degrees Fahrenheit freezing point of water 40 W – winks 50 W to L Y L – ways to leave your lover 88 K on a P K – keys on a piano keyboard 90 D in a R A – degrees in a right angle 180 H S in D – high score in darts 240 O P in a P – old pennies in a pound 20 H and 12 P in a B – hexagons & pentagons in a Buckminster-fullerene (ball) The winner is Mr Harris, with only 2 errors. (4 S and 14 L, Very well done.

23

MONTEATHS

Accountants and Tax Consultants

APPOINTMENTS: MORNING, AFTERNOON or EVENING OUR OFFICE, YOUR HOME or PREMISES

VAT FLAT RATE SCEME (FRS)

If turnover (vat incl) is under £150k then you can apply to use this scheme. Once “in” turnover can rise

to £230k before you have to leave. Continue to charge vat on sales but instead of

working out the vat on your expenses each quarter just hand over a fixed % (somewhere between 4%- 14.5%) of your gross to the VAT man- A 5 min job, thereby saving time and money. You can still claim

back the vat on large capital items. Disadvantage: the vat percentage is geared to equate

with a “ normal” vat bill plus your book-keepers/accountant’s fee for vat work and the accountant will

have more to do when the accounts are to be prepared.

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 : [email protected]

24

Balmullo Bowling Green Play outdoors in summer

Indoors in winter

Variety of competitions and friendly matches

every week

No experience required. All welcome to join.

Call Irene on 01334 870315

26

Mobile Library

Every 2nd Monday

Lucklaw Road (2.20pm) &

Hayston Park (2.50pm)

Please use the Van

as often as possible.

DEREK B CAMPBELL

Motor Engineer

SERVICING

&

M.O.T. REPAIRS

Tel 870328

‘Loanhead’ Balmullo

St. Andrews KY16 0BQ

Andy

Smith Painter &

Decorator

All aspects of interior

and exterior

decoration

completed to a high

standard

Competitive prices

and free estimates

Balmullo

07768

527442

GALA DAY

11TH JUNE

27

WANT TO WIN? £50

£20

£10

For just £1 per month any of these prizes could be yours.

Join the 200 club today!

For info call 870253

BALMULLO

JOHN STEVEN

Plumbing and

heating

CORGI REGISTERED

3 Tarvit Court Cupar

Fife

Phone

01334 653922

Your Balmullo Your Newsletter

S. GUNBY ELECTRICAL

ALL TYPES OF ELECTRICAL WORK

UNDERTAKEN

Fast and Reliable Service

Call us on 01334 657333

28

CHIC O’HARE DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS

Over 20 years experience Prompt reliable service

NEWPORT-ON-TAY TEL 01382 541702

MOBILE 07802 538284

29

From 18/02/2011 To 11/03/2011

Frijj milkshakes Buy 1 get 1 free Spar 4 roll toilet tissue Buy 2 for £2.50

Pot noodles Buy 2 for £1.50 Coca cola 2ltr Buy 2 for £2.80 Echo Falls Red/White/Rose

Buy 2 for £8 Stella pint cans Buy 4 for £5.00

30

M B

C T

M B

C T

MARK BAYNE

CERAMIC TILING & PLASTERING

ALL ASPECTS OF FLOOR & WALL TILING UNDERTAKEN

Skim Coat Plastering

Tel: 01334 870565 Mob: 07821 086189

JOHNSTONE PLUMBING, HEATING & GAS SERVICES

Fast and reliable service

Emergency Call-Outs

MILLBANK, 28 SCHOOL ROAD, BALMULLO TEL/FAX: 01334 870691 MOB: 07966 937842

EMAIL: [email protected]

207782

31

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: [email protected]

CLUB CARS Taxis

01334

838555 479900 [email protected] www.clubcars-standrews.com

Bill Donald Services Flooring Ltd

Out of this world!

E mail [email protected]

Phone 01334 870815

Mobile 0797 442 1236

Some say, on another planet... Cosmic!

2011-Feb

Documents

Transcript of 2011-Feb