As Chair of the Community Council, I am very pleased that we can distribute another copy of the Community Bulletin. Although many people use Facebook and other social media the Bulletin is still valued. Can I express my thanks to those who have provided articles for it or have been involved in its production and distribution.

At the time of the last Community Bulletin in August many of us were cautiously optimistic that our lives might return to something like ‘normal’ before the end of the year. Sadly, despite the efforts that most people have made to keep themselves and others safe, we find ourselves almost back to the beginning. However, we are at least in Tier 2 and statistical information by neighbourhoods in Fife shows that the number of cases per 100,000 population in Saline and Gowkhall (population 3400) is low. Earlier in the week it was ‘below 15’ but in the last two days has crept up to ‘between 15 and 29’. The comparable figure for some other communities, including Kelty, is ‘over 100’. The figure for Fife is 87.5. We should not be complacent and must adhere to the guidance from Scottish Government if we are to keep infections under control.

Can I also express my appreciation to those who are endeavouring to keep people’s spirits up and to maintain traditions in challenging circumstances. Halloween, Remembrance Day and even Christmas itself, people have found, or are developing, ways of celebrating safely. Others continue to remind us through photographs and stories how fortunate we are to live in Saline and Steelend. And my day wouldn’t be complete without the challenge of Campbell Brodie’s daily quiz on our Facebook page!

Stay safe.

David Chisholm

Chair, Saline and Steelend Community Council

FORMER HOTEL SITE

The partially completed housing development on the former hotel site on West Road has been an eyesore since the original developer abandoned the site some years ago. Finally, the site has been sold at auction. The new owner, Adiela Adnan, has already been in touch with the Community Council to discuss her intentions. Adiela will complete the half-finished property with a view to living in it herself but had wondered whether some other use, a shop perhaps, might be accommodated on the remainder of the site. This would require a fresh planning application and the Community Council advice to her was to simply get on and complete the three homes for which permission has already been granted. Adiela’s family has experience of working with Tesco, the Coop and Nisa to develop small supermarkets in communities like Saline and Steelend and is keen to identify a suitable location here.

HOUSING BEHIND THE GLEBE

After a period of inactivity, building work commenced on 14 September to provide foundations, drainage, sub-structure and private roads on property described as "Land to Northeast Of 14 North Road Saline and 1 Jim Hensman Place Saline". The value of the work is quoted as £1m on the building warrant application.

VACANT SITE ON MAIN STREET

As some of you will already have read on Facebook, Fife Council have agreed not to sell the vacant site on Main Street opposite the shop for development and are happy for it to transferred to community ownership. The school cleared the site of weeds and brambles several years ago and had hoped to make use of it for a growing space and outdoor classroom. They were disappointed when Fife Council said they couldn’t do so. Now an action group, headed up by the school Parents’ Council working with the pupils’ Junior Leadership Team and staff, will take the project forward. In the short term the land will be leased but in the long term the intention is to seek funding from the Scottish Land Fund to purchase it under the Scottish Government’s community asset transfer programme. Money will also have to be raised to landscape the space. Several people have already pledged their support and a Facebook group will be created to coordinate activity and keep everyone informed.

COMMUNITY PHARMACY

There is still no date for the NHS Board meeting that will determine whether Lisa Duncan can open her community pharmacy in Saline. The subject prompted a flurry of posts on Facebook with one or two people questioning its value. Filling prescriptions is one of the roles of a pharmacy, and by and large the Oakley Pharmacy meets this need. But the real opportunity for Saline and Steelend is to have the kind of community pharmacy envisaged by the Scottish Government where a much wider range of services can be delivered, including having a pharmacist qualified to provide consultations and to prescribe, making it less necessary to travel down to Oakley for non-urgent conditions.

POTHOLES

We are entering a period when there is a greater likelihood of damaging tyres and wheels in potholes that are difficult to see on wet, dark nights. A long thread on Facebook recently demonstrated the number of vehicles damaged by a single pothole on the road down to Oakley earlier this year. In very few cases were the owners compensated by Fife Council or their insurers. Cllr Mino Manekshaw has offered to help people with their claims but he is unable to do so unless specific conditions have been met and precise information about the incident is provided.

You must report the fault to the Council to guarantee that defects are assessed and prioritised. You should obtain a reference number. For a claim to be successful you must show that there was a reasonable probability that Fife Council knew of the defect and then failed to address it within the permitted time. You must provide date-stamped photos of the road defects with an identifiable location.

Potholes can be reported on 03451 550011.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL AGM

In normal times, the October meeting of the Community Council would include a short AGM to appoint office bearers and to fill vacancies. Unsurprisingly this isn’t happening and instead we will use a combination of this Bulletin, Facebook, telephone and email to conduct business.

The current Community Councillors are David Chisholm (Chair), Marie Crane (Treasurer), Donald Murdoch (Secretary), Jim Currie, Ken Wcislo, Alastair Hamilton, Irene Wardell and Jean Morris. The post of Vice-Chair is unfilled. There are three vacancies. If you would like to serve on the Community Council, please email sscdtmembers@btinternet.com or ring David Chisholm on 853168. The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 14 November. Community Councillors will ‘meet’ on Tuesday 18 November to consider applications and appoint officer bearers.

FORMER CHANGING ROOMS ON OAKLEY ROAD

Fife Council has finally accepted responsibility for dealing with the derelict changing rooms next to the skate park on Oakley Road. When the future of the building was first raised some years ago there was a possibility that it could be refurbished or moved to another location. A recent inspection suggests that neither option is any longer viable and that the structure will need to be dismantled and removed.

SPEEDING AND ROAD SAFETY

Concerns expressed on Facebook some weeks ago about traffic on Oakley Road ignoring the 20mph limit quickly escalated into a much broader discussion about speeding and road safety. Several people feel that physical traffic calming measures are necessary on the stretch of Oakley Road between the new homes and representations have been made to Fife Council. In the short-term, people would like to see the police enforcing the limits and making use of the Community Speedwatch volunteers who were trained several years ago. They have not replied to the email that was sent to them. In the meantime, PC Speedy has moved into Saline and has been shown to be useful in getting drivers to slow down. At the very least it sends out a signal about how we feel about speeding drivers and may get some to think about their driving behaviour. However, to be effective, he needs to be in different places on different days. He lives on Eastercraig Gardens and if you would like to deploy him please contact David Chisholm on 853168.

FIREWORK DISPLAY

Whilst it has been obvious for some time that a firework display at the Golf Club would not be permitted this year, there remained a possibility that it might be set off from a location visible from around the villages, on Saline Hill perhaps, and people could watch from their gardens or from the street. It has become clear that even this might breach the regulations. However, Chris Mason from Pyromancer is happy to come back as soon as circumstances permit.

SALINE & BLAIRINGONE PARISH CHURCH NEWS

Sunday Services have been held in the Church Hall since the end of August, observing all the requirements of social distancing, sanitizing, face masks etc. The Minister has conducted the whole service every second Sunday, being in Tulliallan on the other Sundays. On these occasions worship is conducted by an Elder with the hymns, sermon, and other items on screen. Those attending have found it a very helpful and encouraging experience. Numbers are limited but anyone wishing to attend is asked to contact Ann Easton on 01383 852885 on the previous Thursday evening between 6.30 and 8.30pm. Several members don't feel able to be in a larger group and continue to join online or using the CDs which are prepared and distributed each week. It is hoped to continue this service for the foreseeable future as it has enabled many people to join in worship who for various reasons have been unable to do so previously.

Remembrance Sunday (8 November)

We will not be able to hold the usual service at the War Memorial this year. However, groups and individuals are invited to place a wreath and spend a few minutes at the War Memorial any time between 10.00am and 4.00 pm on the Sunday. Please observe social distancing and consider others. It has also been agreed that the fencing round the Church could be decorated with poppies. Anyone who wishes is invited to bring their own symbols and be part of this Act of Remembrance.

Blythswood Care Christmas Boxes

This year 27 boxes and bags have been donated for children and adults and duly dispatched to the Blytheswood Care Charity for distribution to groups in Eastern Europe and central Africa with whom they have been in contact for several years. Thank you for all the donations which are very much appreciated.

Fabric Convener

The Kirk Session is seeking a volunteer to be Fabric Convener to take the lead in the responsibility for ensuring the buildings and contents are properly looked after and the associated records kept up to date. General administration or business skills and experience would be useful for this role but building related practical skills are not necessary. Some tasks are undertaken by volunteers from the congregation while suitable contractors are employed to undertake larger repair, maintenance and inspection tasks. For further information please contact the Session Clerk Ann Easton (01383 852885).

Christmas Celebrations

Like so much else this year, Christmas will be celebrated in different ways this year and much will depend on the restrictions in place at that time. Firm plans have still to be made but information will be publicised in various ways as soon as possible. The next Bulletin will not be available till next year and so we take this opportunity to wish all our readers a time of Peace, Joy and Hope and God's blessing at Christmas and in the New Year.

SALINE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Anna Bellot and Riley Gardener

Welcome to term 2! We are the new school captains for Saline primary school. We are really excited for this term because our Junior Leadership Team have lots of exciting things planned for the school.

Our new House and Vice Captains for the houses are:

Kinneddar: Amelie Christie (House) and Alicia Thompson (Vice). They will have a focus on raising money for charity. They have a Christmas jumper day in the making and they are planning on getting donations for the food bank. Look out for details on our school Facebook page!

Killernie: Katie Hayes (House) and Kali Beveridge (Vice). They will be focusing on recycling initiatives. They are planning on collecting batteries to send away to be recycled as well as collecting crisp packets to be sent away to be recycled (They did this last year too but had to pause collections due to COVID-19). They will be continuing with ensuring there are paper bins in classrooms to recycle paper.

Devonside: Eva Courtney (House) and Kelsi Flanagan (Vice). Their focus will be enterprise initiatives. They are working on the Christmas card shop, like they did last year. More details about how to purchase Christmas card bundles will be on our Facebook page so keep an eye out for it!

Sheardrum: Sally Collins (House) and Beth Stewart (Vice). They will be working Health and Wellbeing improvements for the pupils in the school. They will be trying to reinforce the daily mile in the school, so everyone is staying healthy. They will be trying to get the tuck shop back in business and to get a week-long healthy tuck competition.

Sports Leaders: Savannah Mortimor (Sports Captain), Rory Stevenson (Sports Leader), Ryan Muir (Sports Leader) and Ryan Quinn (Sports Leader). They will be getting the toy trolley out on a Tuesday and Thursday. Because of the change in lunch times, they will have to put it out for the lower school as well as the upper school, but they have great plans in place.

We also have an art club run by Ava Mitchel, Robyn Smith and Katie Hynd. They take in six children a week to do art at lunch time. They are planning a “Dance-athon” for the children in the nursery and that also ties into organising the music outside for the school at lunchtimes.

Around the nursery and school, the classes have been doing lots of challenging work and have been learning lots of new things.

The nursery has had a focus on relationships amongst all the children, between them and the new staff and with our families. They have been learning about the changing seasons and wildlife. They have been working collaboratively with P5/6 on improving the garden and have enjoyed listening to the records that were donated on the record player and trying out new tunes on the organ that was donated. Thank you for these donations as they are enriching the nursery experiences.

Last term in Primary One, they were doing a lot of their daily phonics and this term they have been continuing that but have also been doing some adding and ordering numbers. They have been doing woodwork and cooking as well as sharing skills and have also been learning to form and make sentences.

In Primary Two and Three last term, they were doing a topic on Julia Donaldson and linking that with their literacy and writing. This term they are doing a topic on dinosaurs and have been doing subtraction in their maths.

Last term in Primary Three and Four, they were doing lots of work on Roald Dahl and were doing column addition and subtraction as well as place value and their four times tables. They were also learning about adjectives and how to do joined up writing and onomatopoeia. This term, their topic is the rain forest. They have been learning about report writing and debating, and in maths they have been doing multiplication and chimney sums.

In Primary Four and Five last term, they were reading George’s Marvellous Medicine and were learning about adjectives and adverbs. They were also learning how to do joined up writing and place value as well as column sums. This term their topic is natural disasters and they have been looking at connectives, openers and verbs, and learning about subtraction and multiplication.

Primary Five and Six last term were doing lots of learning about Syria and were doing diary entries and letters for their writing. They were also learning more about place value and decimals and have had a focus on their emotions as part of Health and Wellbeing. They have been working on co-operative learning through STEM activities and have been involved in making shelters for the nursery pupils in the nursery garden. This term they will have a focus on animals as a stimulus for their learning.

Lastly, in Primary 7 last term, our topic was the book Holes and we linked a lot of our literacy and writing with it; we did formal and informal writing as well as diary entries. We were looking at rounding and decimals; we also looked at the water cycle. This term our topic is WW2 and we have been looking at prefixes and the four operations.

If you want to follow along with what we are doing or how the events turn out, you can follow us on Twitter @SalinePS or look on our Facebook page.

Thank you, Anna and Riley.

Hi everyone, Mrs Perkins here! I am currently the acting Head Teacher at Saline Primary School and it is great that we are all back in school. It has not come without its challenges, but our school values will be more useful to us now more than ever. We are all definitely displaying Determination, Kindness, Innovation and Resilience during these difficult times #DKIR. We have lots of interesting learning happening in school and new and exciting projects on the horizon with the local community. We will keep you updated.

A quick update on our efforts to reduce traffic at the school: We have had visits from the Community Police and Parking Officials who are supporting us in our efforts to make the entrance and exit to and from Saline School a safe place. This year our nursery and school role has increased from 141 last session to 177 this session. This increase is great for the sustainability of our school and has increased staffing as a result. This of course has led to issues around parking. We have taken a number of positive steps as a school to try and alleviate this. I have requested that the lines are painted to clearly indicate the parking spaces at the bus turning circle. Sometimes this space is already full of cars at 8am when staff arrive but not to the full capacity of thirteen as indicated by the signage. Staff are trying to use the Community Centre carpark and a car park recommended to us in Easter Craig gardens. The Community Centre car park has very little lighting and is very dark in these winter evenings, so I am going to request additional lighting if possible. I have also requested that the yellow lines are painted outside the school and asked for clearer signage to indicate that there is a school in this area for traffic using the Oakley Road. Further to this, we are working with the children on our school travel plan and considering safe walking routes to and from school. We will continue to monitor all of this and would kindly ask for your continued support. Thank you!

As this is probably the final newsletter before the Christmas holidays I would like to wish the community of Saline Christmas wishes and good health from all the staff and children at Saline Primary School. Stay safe folks!

116TH FIFE SCOUT GROUP

At the beginning of October, the Beaver Colony held their first Face to Face meeting. This was held outdoors as a woodland walk and bug hunt. Despite the rain, all had and exciting and enjoyable time.

The Cub and Scout Sections have yet to hold their first Face to Face meetings. The Scouts have three planned meetings, a fishing trip, and day and night hikes.

During the summer holidays the scouts were given a different Zodiac Challenge to complete each week. Some of these were camping in various ways such as a virtual camp, in a den, off the ground, in a bivouac and under the stars. They also had to complete several tasks such as collecting firewood, lighting a fire, designing a flag, learning knots, making a model of a campsite out of Lego, making a route card, making bread on an open fire, painting stones, identifying four constellations and, the hardest one, survive 24 hours with no WiFi, phone or computer.

We have been informed that Carnock Community Centre will re-open on week beginning 26 October. It is hoped that shortly after we will be able to resume Face to Face indoor meetings. This is dependent on the relevant Risk Assessments being approved and in place. Meeting times will need to be altered to avoid Sections overlapping and to allow time for cleaning and sanitising of the Centre. Subject to confirmation, on Thursdays Cubs would run from 6.30 to 7.30 pm and Scouts from 8 to 9 pm. On Fridays, Beavers would run from 6 to 7pm. These times are provisional and will be confirmed prior to meetings recommencing.

Scout Christmas Post: The Central Organising Committee have decided not to run the Scout Christmas Post this year due to Covid-19 restrictions. It is hoped to provide this service for Christmas 2021.

Peter Philp, Group Scout Leader

01383 852612

116th Fife Scout Group

Registered Charity Number SC031132

SALINE AND DISTRICT HERITAGE SOCIETY

It has been a very different summer and autumn for us all and we hope everyone is keeping safe. At the Heritage Society we have been unable to open the museum and we will not be able to hold our winter speaker events. However, you can find out what we are up to through our Facebook page and Twitter account – our aim is to have a different theme each month and all comments and information are welcome. Tina would like people to give her stories and photos about children leaving Primary and moving to High School during Covid-19 to add to her archives.

Update on Killernie Castle: The Heritage Society had an excellent meeting with Shirley-Anne Sommerville MSP, Douglas Chapman MP and Alan Rutherford of Historic Environment Scotland (HES). The upshot is that an amendment to the current legislation to close the loophole (currently a building remains unprotected until it is scheduled) will be taken forward to the Scottish Government and HES, who must work within the current legislation, have tightened their procedures and staff training.

Meantime, if anyone needs to find out any information re the heritage of this area or has information to give us, please let us know and we will do our best to help.

2020 – A YEAR OF CHALLENGES FOR KNOCKHILL CIRCUIT

There is no doubt that 2020 will be a year to forget for everyone in the UK and for the rest of the world for that matter as the Coronavirus pandemic has caused untold hardship and misery for millions. Closer to home, Fife has been affected too as we all experienced the lockdown and are now gradually remerging to whatever the new normal will be for us all. Knockhill, usually a thriving, vibrant centre of motorsport activity all year round fell silent at the end of March and it was not until July before staff were allowed to return in preparation for a series of very limited events and activities, all behind closed doors. For a business that relies on spectators, to have events without any has been hard and with other activities limited, it has been a challenging season to keep the wheels turning. To host the British Touring Cars with some of the best racing in the world, but no one here to cheer on the stars, was a bit surreal for the Knockhill team. But looking forward, we, like everyone else, are hoping that the phased release by Scottish Government will contain and control the virus and allow us to return to our sporting calendar from the Spring of 2021 onwards.

For the next season we are hoping to return with our usual selection of top-quality events that attract 1000s from far afield. Whilst car and bike events are scheduled for April and May, it is not until mid-July before the Superbikes will once again grace the circuit (July 10/11) and the British Touring Cars will return on August 14/15. We very much hope that spectators will be allowed back in their usual droves, but we await Scottish Government updates like everyone else. In the meantime, our super range of driving experiences are on track and available for Christmas. If you wish to find out more about the range of cars and experiences available, check out www.knockhill.com and keep right up to speed with the latest daily news via the Knockhill social media platforms.

KINNEDDAR COLLIERY DISASTER

In about 1889 Kinneddar Colliery was opened on a site between Cowstrandburn and Kinneddar Park, now part of the restored Blair House Opencast Site.

The colliery appears to have been the cause of a fair number of fatalities with 23 miners lost in fourteen accidents between 1895 and 1914. It eventually closed in 1932. It was the scene of the worst mining disaster and Cllr Bobby Clelland as secretary of the West Fife Retired Miners Branch provided the following information on the disaster and the later Inquiry.

Descending into the dark shaft on a crisp morning just like any other day, none of the miners thought that this would be their last day. Never again would they see the smiles of their wives, their mothers or their children. But 31 May 1895 was not to be like every other day.

Kinneddar Colliery had three shafts with Number 3 being the ventilation shaft, with ventilation being created by an open fire known as a Cube at the bottom of the shaft. This caused air to be drawn around the workings and up the Number 3 shaft. Tragically, an additional fire was placed at the bottom of the shaft, which caused the timbers lining the shaft to ignite. Soon the shaft was ablaze along with the winding house at the top.

Most of the miners were withdrawn while attempts were made underground to defeat the fire by stopping off the tunnels and depriving the fire of oxygen. While the men were working to seal the tunnels, a reversal of air took place causing thick smoke and carbon monoxide to overcome those trying to overcome the fire. The miners had to withdraw and help each other to the surface.

Frank Sharp and his son Thomas had been working in a cross cut between the shafts and crawled out to Number 2 shaft bottom. With the thick smoke, they failed to see that the gates to the shaft were open and fell to their deaths a further 60 feet further down the shaft to the bottom.

Of those who had made it safely to the surface, seven had been so badly exposed to smoke and carbon monoxide poisoning that they died in Dunfermline Cottage Hospital the next day.

An Inquiry was held in Dunfermline Sheriff Court House from July to December 1895 and, while it gave some recommendations, it found that no-one was to blame for the disaster.

The following list shows the true cost of coal that needs to be remembered:

• Frank Sharp from Comrie, aged 60, left a widow and two young children

• Thomas Sharp from Comrie, aged 22, left a widow and two young children

• John Hunter from Comrie, aged 30, was unmarried

• Thomas Hunter from Comrie, aged 32, left a widow and nine children

• George Ramage from Store Row, Oakley, aged 30, left a widow and four young children

• George Bell from Store Row, Oakley, left a widow and four children

• Alexander Sharp from Store Row, Oakley, aged 41, left a widow and nine children

• William McKenna from Torryburn, aged 42, left a widow and three young children

• Alexander Thomson from Wilsontown, Carstairs, aged 31, left a widow and three young children.

For some time, the late John Crane, ex Chair of our Community Council, and Cllr Clelland battled for a monument to be erected to commemorate the disaster. This has now been provided thanks to Robin Caldow of the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust and all those involved in the restoration of the site for donating the memorial stone in time for the 125th anniversary of the disaster. Sadly, due to Covid-19 restrictions, it was not possible to hold an unveiling of the stone in May this year.

David Chisholm, Chair of the Community Council, commented “commemoration of this disaster reminds us of how cheap life was in mining communities in the nineteenth century. This disaster left eight women and 36 children to face an uncertain future with little or no support other than from the community. We must also not forget the many other miners who lost their lives in local collieries nor those who had lives spoiled or ended by mining related illness. Thanks are due to those who campaigned for this memorial and to the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust for their help”

John Crane's book Of Cabbages and Kings provides more information on local mining as well as local heritage and characters. Copies priced at £5 are available from Mrs Crane (telephone 852698) or Barry Doyle of Saline and District Heritage Society (email doylebarry@hotmail.co.uk) Proceeds go to help the work of the Heritage Society

BLAIR HOUSE OPENCAST SITE RESTORATION

Work to restore the former opencast site has finally been completed by the Scottish Mines Restoration Trust (SMRT) following the liquidation of the developers. Fife Council then had a long battle to release an insurance company to release the bond for its restoration. It is to the council's credit that it held its position, eventually winning its case in the High Court but unfortunately, the bond was insufficient to restore the site to the condition required by the planning consent. This coincided with a rapid demise of the coal industry while the closure of Longannet Power Station probably made it inevitable that extraction of coal was unviable.

The Scottish Government realised that a number of rural communities were going to be very badly hit by the collapse of the coal industry and set up SMRT. Fergus Ewing, Scottish Government Cabinet Minister, was instrumental in this and assisted by Russel Griggs who became and is still the Trust's chair. They set up a series of meetings involving successor companies to establish a basis for dealing with redundant sites, not just those that had active and sustainable markets. That process led to further meetings with local authorities and agreements being made to advance various issues such as restoration, employment, environment and Health and Safety management, utilising bond monies wherever possible working jointly to secure the required funding. That process started in earnest in 2013 and by 2014 Mines Restoration Limited (MRL) had been set up as the wholly owned and property arm of SMRT. MRL's remit was to develop alternative restoration strategies where there were insufficient bond monies (the case in each site taken over by MRL). Community input and support was viewed as essential by SMRT and several consultation events were held. Importantly, initial proposals were adapted to reflect comments made by the community. MRL was delighted with such co-operation. The community representatives on the Liaison Committee were Dougie Arneil from Cowstrandburn and John Bonnar. John unfortunately died before he could see the site finished. He was well-known in this community and will be sadly missed by many.

To date, MRL has all but restored or remediated the eight sites they acquired with only four months remaining on a major site in Ayrshire. Within their seven operational years, MRL has enabled direct employment opportunities for over 120 personnel with another 20 or so indirectly by various specialist firms who assisted with such as design, ecology and health and safety.

MRL hopes to conclude all operations by July 2021. In the event of a surplus in trading occurs, this money will be passed back to SMRT to be disbursed to support community activity linked to the charitable aims of the Trust. The Community Council and Community Development Trust will be submitting proposals following discussions with local groups. Anyone interested should check on the SMRT web site for details of its aims. Hopefully, more details can be available in the next Bulletin.

The site has now been transferred to Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) who will be implementing the proposals agreed during the consultations. An unfortunate consequence of the shortage of bond money and the ownership of land outside the site is that the core path between Cowstrandburn and Kinneddar Park has not been upgraded as hoped for. This is a vital link for those in Kinneddar Park and Cowstrandburn who suffered most during operations on the site but also is an important component in the proposed circuit that would link the four main settlements. Consequently, achieving this objective should be a priority. FLS is keen to work with the community to enhance people's enjoyment of their land but the community also has a role in helping to raise funds. Further discussions will take place once the current Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Community Council Chair, David Chisholm, commented “it is disappointing that the site has not been restored as originally proposed but Mines Restoration Limited has done a great job with limited resources. It is important now that we work with Forestry and Land Scotland to enhance enjoyment of the site”.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING

Several people have raised the lack of electric vehicle charging points in Saline and Steelend. David Chisholm, Community Council Chair, contacted Fife Council who advise that two x 22kWh chargers are to be located in the Oakley Community Centre car park. Saline is in line for two x 22kWh chargers in the car park next to the bus turning circle when funds are available. This would involve the loss of three parking spaces as allowance has to be made for disabled access. Some folks have suggested alternatives of the Community Centre car park and the area next to the skate park on Oakley Road. These suggestions have been passed on to Transportation.

At present use of chargers in Fife is free but tariffs are to be introduced on 16 November. Charges are a £1.60 connection fee and then 15p per kWh. The connection fee must be paid each time a charger is used. To access the Fife network, you need to register with Charge Place Scotland as they co-ordinate the entire Scottish network on behalf of Transport Scotland. This gives access to over 1,000 charging points. It is advised to check their web site at https://chargeplacescotland.org/

Some additional information has been obtained from a local Nissan Leaf owner. EVs are normally charged to 80% of battery capacity as the extra 20% takes much longer to charge. A Leaf has 60kWh battery so to charge from 10% to 80% at 22kWh would take around two hours. The normal range of a Leaf is around 200 miles, which is reduced in cold weather and heavy use of things like aircon.

EVs can be charged from a 13amp socket but takes a long time. General advice is that you are best to invest in a home charger to save charging costs. Government grants are available, and more information can be obtained on the HomeCharge Scotland and Energy Saving Trust web sites. This is a one-off grant, so advice is to go for the highest capacity as possible as grants to upgrade later will not be available.

The Government also offers grants towards the car's purchase plus interest-free loans. Check the Greener Scotland web site for more information.

GRASSLANDS CONSULTATION

Many people will be aware from media reports that Fife Council is considering changing the maintenance of some grassed areas to enhance biodiversity. Some people obviously suspect that this is a money-saving exercise, but the Council says that it is to enhance local habitats. The only site proposed for Saline and Steelend is the West Road Park. This is actually an important archaeological site and the Saline and District Heritage Society has been advised of the proposal.

The consultation documents should be accessed on www.fife.gov.uk .

USE THEM OR LOSE THEM

Saline Golf Club and Steelend Club are valuable community facilities that proved their worth in difficult times such as the last couple of years' bad winters. Both have suffered with the Covid-19 restrictions, Steelend Club particularly.

The Golf Club was useful through the lockdown by providing takeaways and, since the relaxation, has been open for meals. Alcohol can be served only with meals and only until 8pm. Meals are tremendous value and the club is scrupulous in making sure that people can visit with confidence. Why not give it a try?

Steelend Club is the only venue that we have that can cater for bigger celebrations like birthday or anniversary parties and events like Steelend Gala. The restrictions have hit them badly so why not take out membership now and help out?

TEST AND PROTECT SCAMS

You will NEVER be asked for payment or bank details. If you are, hang up immediately. If you feel any suspicion when you receive a Test and Protect call, ask the Contact Tracer for the switchboard contact number which should be given as 01592 643 355 extension 29121. You can then hang up, dial the number yourself and ask to be reconnected with the Contact Tracer who has been dealing with you.

INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE WHO WITH A VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

Braille copies of Scottish Government Test and Protect information materials relating to the current coronavirus situation can be obtained from the RNIB website. Test and Protect information is also available in audio and large-print format, as well as other languages and formats, from the Scottish Government website.

GREEN DEAL SCAMS

Are you thinking about making your home more energy efficient this year? If so, get information from trusted sources rather than from cold callers, pop-up ads online or leaflets through the door. There are a lot of #GreenDealScams – avoid them by knowing where to turn for advice. HomeEnergyScot offer free advice on 0808 808 2282. Check out Trading Standards short videos about energy scams.

EVERYDAY COMPUTER SKILLS

LEAD Scotland (Linking Education And Disability) have a new Open University course designed with and for disabled learners. Digital skills are now indispensable in a society that increasingly depends on computers. This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to get started in this digital world. People with different abilities and skills can explore and adapt the course content. https://www.lead.org.uk/everyday-computer-skills/

IMPROVING ACCESS TO INFORMATION The Outside the Box Community Connections booklet gives hints and tips about strengthening social connections and practical information about connecting to the internet, Zoom Video Calling and connecting with neighbours. Find it at https://otbds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/4634635_A4_3.pdf

FREEDOM PROGRAMME AND TOOLKIT FOR LIFE ONLINE.

The Saje Scotland Freedom Programme supports women who have experienced domestic abuse to fully recognise their abusive experience and understand the impact on their life. The Toolkit for Life is for graduates of the Freedom Programme to learn tools to improve confidence, self-esteem, boundaries and assertiveness. Saje is also offering phone and email support during office hours. For more information on how the programmes are running online call: 07909 482279 or email: info@sajescotland.org

MENTAL HEALTH

Sam’s Café is open at Linton Lane Centre, Kirkcaldy after easing of lockdown restrictions, to anyone over 16 between 3pm-10pm on a Wednesday, Friday, crisis support, emotional wellbeing and mental health support.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS:

Currently all meetings and events are listed in the main body of the Bulletin, due to the current Covid-19 situation.

Whistlebowers' Champion — 05-Aug-2019 16:37:49

Free Sanitary Products — 24-Jun-2019 16:21:31

Issue 78 June/July 2019 — 02-Jun-2019 00:53:04

KINCARDINE BRIDGE TRAFFIC DELAYS — 29-May-2019 14:27:51

Stagecoach Service Alterations — 15-May-2019 14:49:48

Issue 77 May 2019 — 07-May-2019 15:10:09

DUNFERMLINE TO ALLOA RAIL LINE — 01-May-2019 11:49:11

Issue 76 April 2019 — 30-Mar-2019 22:35:28

Issue 75 - March 2019 — 06-Mar-2019 00:39:19

Issue 74 February 2019 — 04-Feb-2019 20:40:07

Issue 73 December 2018 - January 2019 — 04-Dec-2018 01:43:50

Issue 72 November 2018 — 07-Nov-2018 03:17:15

Fireworks at Saline Golf Club — 24-Oct-2018 16:13:10

Issue 71 October 2018 — 02-Oct-2018 21:45:36

Gritting Bin Removals — 20-Sep-2018 17:13:02

Update on the recent fire — 20-Sep-2018 14:38:36

Temporary Road Closure — 11-Sep-2018 01:15:34

Issue 70 September 2018 — 03-Sep-2018 23:00:44

Bandrum Fete — 18-Aug-2018 04:02:58

Temporary Parking Restrictions — 17-Aug-2018 12:55:02

Horticultural Show — 17-Aug-2018 12:46:29

Touring Car event at Knockhill — 13-Aug-2018 14:53:18

Temporary Road Closures — 07-Aug-2018 02:48:07

Temporary Canvassers — 07-Aug-2018 02:40:03

Issue 69 August 2018 — 06-Aug-2018 23:28:05

Vulnerable premises — 08-Jul-2018 14:45:35

Road Closure — 08-Jul-2018 14:37:45

Democracy Matters — 07-Jun-2018 12:08:18

Issue 68 June/July 2018 — 04-Jun-2018 22:26:47

FORTH VALLEY ART BEAT — 24-May-2018 14:26:46

Important: — 21-May-2018 22:53:52

JIM HENSMAN — 21-May-2018 22:41:55

Secondary Catchment Areas: — 29-Apr-2018 23:45:05

Issue 67 May 2018 — 29-Apr-2018 23:34:27

Senior Carers Respite Fife — 06-Apr-2018 14:20:09

Issue 66 April 2018 — 31-Mar-2018 00:41:24

Issue 65 March 2018 — 08-Mar-2018 16:17:28

Dementia and the Outdoors — 14-Feb-2018 19:06:39

Adult Protection — 11-Feb-2018 20:43:56

Early Masonic minute books... — 07-Feb-2018 16:18:03

Issue 64 February 2018 — 03-Feb-2018 23:42:07

Loch Leven Walkathon — 22-Jan-2018 19:14:10

Monthly Meditation — 20-Jan-2018 19:16:20

Community Cops seek sponsorship — 20-Dec-2017 14:36:20

Amey advise of essential bridge works — 19-Dec-2017 12:52:33

Issue 63 December 2017/January 2018 — 03-Dec-2017 02:44:15

Issue 62 November 2017 — 05-Nov-2017 01:36:11

BLAIR HOUSE SITE TO BE RESTORED — 30-Oct-2017 22:30:15

Your Bus, Your Say — 18-Oct-2017 14:12:24

Issue 61 October 2017 — 30-Sep-2017 18:58:43

Festival of Fife 30th sep — 21-Sep-2017 16:23:49

Issue 60 September 2017 — 10-Sep-2017 17:44:59

Issue 59 July/August 2017 — 06-Jul-2017 00:10:53

Saline Horticultural Show — 13-Jun-2017 16:52:15

Issue 58 June 2017 — 09-Jun-2017 01:09:55

Kirklands House and Garden — 15-May-2017 13:43:11

Issue 57 May 2017 — 04-May-2017 16:54:07

Empty Homes Officers — 02-May-2017 15:31:32

Health & Social Care Roadshow — 20-Apr-2017 16:02:30

Issue 56 April 2017 — 20-Apr-2017 03:38:08

Police Public Consultation — 24-Feb-2017 21:55:22

MINING HERITAGE WEEKEND — 15-Feb-2017 18:40:42

Issue 54 February 2017 — 10-Feb-2017 03:41:00

Employment Opportunity — 09-Jan-2017 00:35:44

PATH TAKES A STEP FORWARD? — 12-Dec-2016 17:30:46

Issue 53 December 2016 - January 2017 — 11-Dec-2016 22:21:05

November 2016 — 07-Nov-2016 02:19:19

Lantern Parade 29th Octoer — 23-Oct-2016 20:00:51

Have a say now in future planning — 20-Oct-2016 02:40:11

Issue 51 October 2016 — 09-Oct-2016 23:12:16

Repairs to Steelend Main Rd — 18-Sep-2016 15:45:33

Vacancy - local job — 15-Sep-2016 16:50:51

Issue 50 September 2016 — 08-Sep-2016 15:44:29

Issue 49 July/August 2016 — 07-Jul-2016 01:21:19

Issue 48 June 2016 — 10-Jun-2016 00:04:06

Issue 47 May 2016 — 07-May-2016 13:34:54

Kirklands Garden open — 13-Apr-2016 18:40:49

Issue 46 April 2016 — 08-Apr-2016 20:27:42

Issue 45 March 2016 — 03-Mar-2016 03:44:27

February stop press — 10-Feb-2016 16:33:03

Issue 44 February 2016 — 09-Feb-2016 02:12:36

Community Mapping Project, etc. — 14-Jan-2016 17:10:28

Issue 43 December 2015 - January 2016 — 12-Dec-2015 02:38:13

Issue 42 November 2015 — 07-Nov-2015 03:13:07

Issue 41 October 2015 — 12-Oct-2015 21:39:57

Issue 40 September 2015 — 28-Aug-2015 02:18:28

Issue 39 July-August 2015 — 09-Jul-2015 04:18:56

Issue 38 June 2015 — 06-Jun-2015 18:49:46

Issue 37 May 2015 — 06-May-2015 03:33:33

Extra — 17-Apr-2015 01:16:05

Issue 36 April 2015 — 08-Apr-2015 22:11:48

Issue 35 March 2015 — 17-Mar-2015 00:08:03

Issue 34 - February 2015 — 05-Feb-2015 23:47:15

Issue 33 December 2014-January 2015 — 03-Dec-2014 23:53:56

Issue 32 November 2014 — 06-Nov-2014 05:27:04

Issue 31 - October 2014 — 08-Oct-2014 14:56:46

Oakley Road Affordable Housing Project — 23-Sep-2014 23:31:17

Bus Timetables — 16-Sep-2014 02:40:44

Issue 14 September 2014 — 11-Sep-2014 03:22:00

Blair House News — 12-Aug-2014 21:51:18

Issue 29 August 2014 — 07-Aug-2014 03:18:59

Environmental Group notice: — 04-Aug-2014 02:44:25

Issue 28, July 2014 — 03-Jul-2014 01:16:08

Issue 27 June 2014 — 05-Jun-2014 01:30:56

Important News about local buses: — 28-May-2014 21:11:28

FORTH VALLEY OPEN STUDIOS — 20-May-2014 16:58:45

Issue 26, May 2014 — 12-May-2014 21:53:06

Issue 25a SPECIAL EDITION — 08-Apr-2014 00:35:39

Issue 25, April 2014 — 03-Apr-2014 00:15:12

Issue 24, March 2014 — 07-Mar-2014 14:29:54

Issue 23 - February 2014 — 10-Feb-2014 00:56:36

Issue 22 - December 2013-January 2014 — 05-Dec-2013 00:09:10

Issue 21 NOVEMBER 2013 — 12-Nov-2013 00:11:42

Issue 20 - October 2013 — 30-Sep-2013 20:31:55

Issue 19, September 2013 — 12-Sep-2013 17:16:42

Issue 18 August 2013 — 07-Aug-2013 23:54:50

Issue 17 July 2013 — 04-Jul-2013 02:16:03

Issue 16 June 2013 — 06-Jun-2013 17:43:20

Issue 15 May 2013 — 08-May-2013 01:20:27

Concerns over opencast mine scars. — 18-Apr-2013 16:30:42

Issue 14 April 2013 — 16-Apr-2013 23:27:23

Fife - Moth Trapping in Devilla Forest, — 21-Mar-2013 23:24:54

Issue 13 March 2013 — 12-Mar-2013 15:38:36

Issue 12 January 2013 — 17-Jan-2013 20:45:26

Issue 11 November 2012 — 14-Nov-2012 01:46:38

Co-Editor Needed — 01-Nov-2012 15:32:00

Issue 10 September/October 2012 — 05-Oct-2012 20:29:54

Issue 9 August 2012 — 06-Sep-2012 16:33:21

Village Activities — 31-Aug-2012 00:36:41

Issue 8 June 2012 — 02-Jul-2012 17:05:57

ISSUE 7 May 2012 — 21-May-2012 19:39:41

Copy deadlines — 21-May-2012 00:02:36

SALINE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP — 21-May-2012 00:00:19

Communications Group — 20-May-2012 23:58:46

Saline First Responders — 04-May-2012 22:33:03