KINGHORN’S HUBHappy 20th birthday to thecommunity centre - page 8

NEW FEATUREDo we have a new Rankin,

Rowling or Kelman in our midst?See page 5 to find out

RULE OF THREEHilary Payne meets Kinghorn’s

most recent arrivals - page 4

Issue 6 - September 2016Free publication

LOCHSIDE DEVELOPMENTS ― full story, pages 6-7

RESPECT THE WATERThe role of the Community

Safety Officer - page 3

20YEARS

OLD

Editorial

Thank you to the following for their ongoing support andsponsorship, without which our newsletter wouldn’t exist.

COMMON GOOD FUND

What a lot of interesting things we have going on here in Kinghorn! The summer has been full of events and the autumn shows signs of being the same. See the “What’s on” page for full breakdown...

In this issue we have the Community Centre’s 20th birthday, as well as The Minister’s Grass by Jim Chalmers and a poem by Isabel Coventry.We also have a young writers section so check out Max Roberts’ article on Kinghorn Scouts and Caitlin Hay’s visit to Orkney.

We’d like to have a letters page. Are there ideas or events that really get you going? What about the big increase in air traffic over us recently? Write to us about your views and - so long as they are not political - see them in print! Perhaps you’d like a nature section? Let us know.

If you could volunteer to deliver the Chronicle in your street or area please get in touch! We have no-one to deliver to Boswell Drive, Abden Court, Birrell’s Wynd and Church Walk. We particularly want to reach people in flats which are hard to get into except at certain times. If you are reading this and don’t usually get the Chronicle please contact us.

Please pass your copy on to someone who might like to read it once you are finished with it. Thanks for your continued support!

ADVERTISING COSTSFull page £160 • Half page £80Quarter page £40 • Mini ad £20

Please email contributions to: hilarypayne@btinternet.comDesign by Kinghorn Creative.

- Hilary Payne, Carolyn Keane, Lynette Gray, Alan Macilravie,Ritchie Feenie, Rosalind Moffat.

Kinghorn has a new, public-access defibrillator, which gives by far the best chance of saving life in the event of a cardiac arrest. It’s easy to use, even by people who have never seen one before. So it’s a huge life-saving initiative and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The machine, also known as an AED (automatic external defibrillator) is mounted on the front of the Health Centre at Rossland Place. It is designed to give a controlled electric shock if it detects that someone’s heart has stopped beating.

It’s a key step in the chain of survival. When someone’s heartstops, a 999 call will bring a fast response from theambulance service. However, the survival rate is typically about 2% without immediate life-saving support. If the 999 call is followed urgently by CPR and defibrillation, given on the spot before the ambulance arrives, then the survival rate can go up to about 40%. Time is of the essence. A delay of more than about 3 minutes is likely to lead to complications, even if the patient survives.

So the international authorities are encouraging members of the public to learn basic CPR and also have the confidence to use a public-access defibrillator should the need arise.

The defibrillator was funded in part by a very generous donation from the Black Rock Race, so it’s entirely appropriate for it to be located in the centre of Kinghorn. Local support, prompted by Burntisland First Aid Services Trust, is what enabled the purchase to be made.

The Trust’s Chairman, Alex MacDonald, explained that “Naturally, the best possible outcome is when someone on the spot knows how to perform CPR as well as using the defibrillator. So all of our classes include those topics and we welcome enquiries.”

The next public evening class in Burntisland will start in mid-September, but shorter classes are also run from time to time depending on demand. Enquiries are welcome and more information is available from www.bfast.org.uk.

SOW, GROW AND SELL ON HIGH STREET

Pop Up Plants is run by Suzanne Gilfeather, a local gardener who also grows a lot of her own plants.

“I have a lot of surplus plants sometimes and it's great to have a venue in Kinghorn where I can sell them... the yard at No. 10 High Street is ideal when it is available. I also have locally grown fruit and veg, wooden planters and free range eggs from Kinghorn hens!

It's basically me standing chatting about plants and gardens on the High Street which is not a bad job really! If the weather is agreeable, you’ll find me there on a Saturday morning from about 10am.”

For regular news updates and upcoming events, check out Suzanne’s popupplantskinghorn Facebook page.

E

ARLY RECOGNITION AND CARE

EARLY CPR

EARLY DEFIBRILLATION

EARLY ADVANCED CARE

In related news, Craigencalt Rural Community Trust have beenable to install a defibrillator in the courtyard of Craigencalt farm,

by the loch, with the help of the British Heart Foundation.

KINGHORN LOCH HOSTS ‘THE WOODIES’NEW RNLI COMMUNITY SAFETY OFFICER

Kinghorn RNLI Lifeboat Station welcomes Sylvia Hadley to the team as she takes on the role of volunteer Community Safety Officer.

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea, but it’s not limited to launching a lifeboat or providing lifeguards to save lives. The RNLI has recently launched its campaign with the aim of reducing drownings by half by 2024. Currently, there are approximately 170 fatal accidents around the coast of the UK and Ireland each year.

The role of Community Safety Officers is seen as key to achieving this aim and they carry this out by providing or arranging free education and advice, and facilitating other interventions through Community Lifesaving Plans. A Community Lifesaving Plan is aimed at reducing fatalities and serious incidents by targeting particular ‘at risk’ groups and areas with specifically targeted interventions, generally based on previous incidents and trends.

Sylvia said “The team has had a busy year so far with attendance at the Kinghorn RNLI Open Day, Helix Emergency Services day, the Kirkcaldy Beach games as well as many school talks and leisure club visits.

“Attending these events allows the team to have really good water safety conversations face to face with all ages of the public, but also alerts us to areas where we can provide additional advice and support to individuals and groups we wouldn’t otherwise hear about, and link them in with organisations or specialists that can help and advise them.

“Interventions can be simple or more complex. Some simple steps would be where we’ve passed out Respect the Water merchandise and information into pubs, restaurants and caravan parks that sit near water in our area. There are also plans to include water safety sessions in some of the Kids clubs on a caravan site at Kinghorn.

“An example of a more involved intervention would be the Burnside area in Kinghorn, where we were recently alerted to some potential water safety concerns. Following very positive liaison with site owner, Lovell Homes, they’ve now placed two Life Rings on the site and installed secure fencing around the area, in addition to inspecting the site regularly.

“We really want everyone to enjoy the water but also to recognise potential dangers and never underestimate its power. Always wearing a life jacket or buoyancy aid when on or near the water, having a means of calling for help, such as a VHF radio and understanding how to call for help are just some of the simple steps that we would encourage water users to take that allows them to enjoy the water safely.”

The lifeboat crew is happy to provide basic training on the use of VHF radios and checking lifejackets to local boat users. If you are interested in this initiative, please speak to one of the crew, or pop down to the station on a Sunday morning.

For more information, please go to www.rnli.org.uk/kinghorn

— Neil Chalmers

In their second year of sailing, Kinghorn Radio Sailing Club were pleased and honoured to be asked by the Scottish District of the Model Yachting Association to host the Championship affectionately known as 'The Woodies' at their home water, Kinghorn Loch. This venue is a naturally formed "kettle hole" loch approximately 380 metres diameter with an 80 metre south facing pier ideal for radio sailing.

Skippers from three corners of Scotland and one from south of the border (Birkenhead) gathered with their beautifully hand-crafted International One Metre wooden yachts to race for the championship quaich. With fourteen yachts the obvious choice for the race officer was a single fleet and after a 15 minute delay for an electrical fault with David Stewart's transmitter, the first race started at 10.15hrs. The racing conditions were overcast and cold, with a 6 to 8 mph east wind which was ideal for both venue and the largest #1 rigs.

RO Sandy Mackay set a windward-leeward course with a spreader mark at the windward end and a gate at the leeward end of the course. Only minor adjustments were required throughout the day to provide the most skilful and competitive racing yet seen at Kinghorn. Fifteen races were sailed with liberal rest period/time-outs between back-to-back races, allowing skippers ample time to recoup and repair minor breakages, stopping after race eight for a generous one-hour lunch break to enjoy the fare of the Barn at the Loch café.

Many of the varying yacht designs showed good speed and when the skippers correctly picked the flams and lifts, some fine sails were recorded. I recall watching two such sails from Richard Ennos and Gordon Allison. Analysis of the score sheet shows the competitiveness. Six different skippers claiming first places and the top skippers sharing ten of the fifteen races.

Scorer Cathy Reid (Buchanness Radio Yacht Club) calculated and verified results of the first three and then presented the Championship Quaich to winner Ian Dundas, narrowly ahead of Steve Taylor, who was then closely followed by another club mate John Owens giving Aberdeen and Corbie's a clean sweep of the prizes.

Skippers were on their best behaviour when racing and the photos of the day show the intensity of the competition, combined with enjoyment and camaraderie created by the sport. Spectators were treated to a wonderful display of sailing - and entertained by the farm dog who never fails to turn up when there is someone to throw a stick!

Sincere thanks to the skippers and race team for a successful event.

— Sandy Mackay • Image courtesy of Donald Sinclair

THE TANEREEThe footpath leading

from St Leonard’s Laneto Balliol Street.

HELPING PRESERVEKINGHORN’S PLACENAMES

HELPING PRESERVEKINGHORN’S PLACENAMES

If you know of a local event you’d like included in issue 7 of The Chronicle, please call Hilary on 01592 890375, email hilarypayne@btinternet.com or enter your event details into the Community Diary at the Community Centre. Deadline for all submissions is Monday 31st October 2016. All events taking place between December 2016 and March 2017 are suitable for the next issue. Whether it’s a Mothers & Toddlers group, Guerilla Gardening or Extreme Ironing, we want to hear all about it!

WHAT ’S ON? SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2016DATE TIME EVENT VENUESEPTEMBER

Until 1st Oct 10-4pm Ian McLeod RSW Exhibition Station Gallery (Saturdays only)

03.09.16 10am CRCT Walking Festival* Binn Village

03.09.16 12-4pm Ecology Centre Summer Fun Day Ecology Centre

04.09.16 2pm CRCT Walking Festival* Old North Road

05.09.16 10am CRCT Walking Festival* Nordic Walking

05.09.16 1.30pm CRCT Walking Festival* Wildlife Walk

05.09.16 5pm CRCT Walking Festival* Medicinal and edible plants

06.09.16 10am CRCT Walking Festival* Kilrie, Puddledub & Dunearn

07.09.16 10-11am Bookbug Session for young children Kinghorn Library

07.09.16 10am CRCT Walking Festival* Kinghorn Circular

07.09.16 1.30pm CRCT Walking Festival* Burntisland Inner Heritage

07.09.16 6pm CRCT Walking Festival* Kilrie Woodland

08.09.16 10am CRCT Walking Festival* Kinghorn to Dysart

08.09.16 6pm CRCT Walking Festival* Rodanbraes, Storytelling

09.09.16 10am CRCT Walking Festival* Nordic Walking, Aberdour

09.09.16 1.30pm CRCT Walking Festival* Burntisland Outer Heritage

10.09.16 2-4pm Church Autumn Fayre Church Hall

10.09.16 10am CRCT Walking Festival* Auchtertool & Puddledub

11.09.16 10am CRCT Walking Festival* The Binn to Craigencalt

17-18.09 10-4pm Fife Open Studios Station Gallery

17.09.16 10-12 Messy Church Church Hall

18.09.16 11am Great British Beach Clean Harbour Beach

22.09.16 7.30pm Historical Society: Hugh Hoffman Community Centre “Vincenzo Lunardi” - pioneer balloonist, his memorable flight from Edinburgh to Fife

OCTOBER

05.10.16 10-11am Bookbug Session for young children Kinghorn Library

10-14.10 9-3pm Eco Adventures Holiday Club Ecology Centre (5-9 years)

15.10.16 7.30pm Fish & Chip Evening for the Lifeboat Lifeboat house

18.10.16 10am-12 Mad Science@Hallowe’en Ecology Centre + 1-3pm (9-12 years)

20.10.16 10am-12 Natural Costume Making Ecology Centre + 1-3pm (5-12 years)

21-29.10 10-4pm Rotary Charity Shop Upper Library Hall, Burntisland

27.10.16 7.30pm Historical Society: Alan Stewart Community Centre “History of the Sea Cadets” with a focus on Fife

29.10 10-4pm Winter Exhibition Station Galleryto 17.12 (Saturdays only)

NOVEMBER

02.11.16 10-11am Bookbug Session for young children Kinghorn Library

04.11.16 6 / 7.15pm Magical Night in the Woods Ecology Centre

05.11.16 10-12 Kinghorn in Bloom shopping event Church Hall

11.11.16 7.30pm RNLI shopping event Kingswood Hotel

11.11.16 10-5pm Round The Horn various Kinghorn Studios

19.11.16 10-12 Messy Church Church Hall

24.11.16 7.30pm Historical Society: Diana Maxwell Community Centre “HMS Tarlair” WW1 defence of Aberdour

DECEMBER

07.12.16 10-11am Bookbug Session for young children Library

*

* Please see local CRCT posters for further details on Walking Festival.

NB Remember the Community Centre holds a diary of events to help planners prevent clashes of dates.

On April 26th this year, three sons were born to Gillian and Alan Johnston of Kinghorn. The story really starts when Gillian was 8 weeks pregnant and went for a scan. She noticed the operatives were smiling and laughing so asked “Why?”. The answer took her completely by surprise, “We can see three babies and are looking to see if there are any more!”. As there are no multiple births in either of their families it really was quite a shock.

Because there are risks involved in multiple birth deliveries, Gillian was due to go into hospital at 8 am on 26th April for a planned caesarean section but the boys thought otherwise. Gillian had hardly gone to sleep the night before when she was awake again and gradually realised that she was in labour. She and Allan drove to the hospital where by 2am she was having an emergency operation.

Kyle was born first at 2.18am. and weighed in at 4lbs 1 oz. Next came Callum at 2.19am. weighing 4lbs 7oz then Lewis at 2.20am who was 4lbs 5oz. The boys thrived and six weeks later weighed 7lbs 15oz, 8lbs 14oz and 8lbs 6 oz respectively! Kyle and Lewis are apparently identical - that is, twins - but Gillian and Allan think that Lewis and Callum look most like each other. (See below!)

I am sure most parents will be thinking “It was enough work and sleeplessness with one (or two) babies”. Can you imagine the time it takes to feed and change three? Then you have an hour off if you are lucky before starting again! There is no extra help provided for parents of multiple birth babies, they rely on family and friends and were very grateful for the ‘Food Ministry’ folk who bring meals ready to heat up to families with newborns. This is a brilliant scheme run by the church.

Gillian already has a son Rian who is 9 years old, and Allan has Scott (10) and Carly (9) so they are now a large family. Gillian’s obstetrician had an arrangement, with her approval, for the birth of the triplets to be filmed by the BBC but of course their unplanned arrival several hours early has meant that didn’t happen! The triplets, along with their family are to be seen around the village. I believe they attended the Black Rock Race in June, and you will recognise them by the special pram they are in.

— Hilary Payne

LIFELINESAn old harbour arm, leaning its elbowTwin furrows snake across the sandto the water’s edge, curving like ancient trackuntil they meet the buffers of the firth.But these are new,lifelines gouged in the momentum of urgencyas the lifeboat heads out on its mission.Their continuity is unseen, with nobroken water or tell-tale wake nowmarking the route, spelled out by thefirst frantic surge of foam. And yetwe know they are there, in that wide panoramaof sea and sky, pulled together by the longdark stitches of the horizon; presentin the arms of the crew, in the hands that reachto grasp and hold and save, bringing deliverancefrom the maw of an ever-hungry leviathan.

― Isabel Coventry

Let me state here and now there is nothing wrong with the lawn at 17 Myre Crescent (The Manse). The Minister’s Grass or Kirk Glebe was a piece of ground within the Parish granted by the Church to the Minister as part of his income during his term of office.

I have come across this record of the Minister’s Grass administered by the Rev. Dr. Bowie, Kinghorn Parish Minister from 1849 to 1867. Dr. Bowie’s Glebe, believe it or not was the whole of the Kinghorn Braes! An area of approximately one acre, from Doo Dells Lane to Quarrel Brae and from the top path at Rosslands to the high water mark on the shore.

The statistical account of 1845 states that “There is a poor grass Glebe along the shore which is rented at £1-10/- annually” (£1.50 today). In 1864, Dr. Bowie rented the Braes to Mr. Lochty, a local farmer at an annual rent of 12 shillings (60p today).

The Rev. Jardine Dobbie succeeded Dr. Bowie in 1867–1908. During his term of office the Rev. Dobbie found it increasingly difficult to find tenants for the Glebe and the Braes became untended and overgrown.

Just before the first world war, Kinghorn Town Council built paths around the Braes and rented the lower part on the shore to travelling players, (Fred Collins and Jack Allison), thus taking over the Braes as we know it today. The last Kirk Glebe in Kinghorn was an area of three acres, part of the field which now houses the Walker Homes development. Sold in 1975. Hence the reason for the street names: Manse Road, Glebe Place and Templars Crescent.

― Jim Chalmers (ably assisted by technical assistant Ken Hunter)

THE MIN ISTER’S GRA SS

Kinghorn Scouts by Max Roberts

After taking part in both Beavers and Cubs, I joined the Kinghorn Scout group, otherwise known as the sixth Fife, age ten and a half.

I have only just moved on to Explorers (which is held in Burntisland) at the age of fourteen. I have never once regretted joining the Kinghorn Scout group and have enjoyed every bit of my time there. The leaders work well together to ensure that at the same time as having fun, you are also learning valuable skills and accomplishing sections of badges that you are working towards, in turn giving you a great sense of accomplishment when you receive these badges after completion. But it’s not all in the hall, they also intersperse it well with trips to such places as Kinghorn Loch for canoeing lessons and Fordell Firs to take part in activities such as archery, caving and many more. Not to mention the numerous camping trips you get to go on, to various campsites around Scotland, which have given me some of the best times and memories of my life. The leaders are very kind, helpful, are excellent at organising events and are always there if you need a hand. It takes place in the Kinghorn Church Hall every Tuesday night from seven till nine for a very reasonable price.

I would highly recommend that children between the ages of ten and fourteen check it out because it’s given me some of the best experiences of my life so far. They are always ready to welcome new members.

My summer holiday on Orkney by Caitlin Hay

This summer my family went to Orkney for our holiday. To get to Orkney we had to take a ferry to St Margaret’s Hope then drove to Kirkwall by crossing over the Churchill barriers. These barriers were to stop German submarines sinking British boats during WW2.

Orkney has loads to do, we visited lots of historical sites, including Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar. These are places that stone age people lived or met at. We alsowent to a proper archaeological dig at the Ness of Brodgar. It was really cool listening to the man tell us about the dig and what he thinks the buildings were used for.

We visited Hoy and went to the Scapa Flow Museum. The museum is part of the old Navy base at Lyness. It has displays of things from German boats that were sunk in Scapa Flow, as well as things from British boats including the propeller from HMS Hampshire that sunk near Orkney. I got to dress up as a WREN, my great Grandmother was a WREN in WW2 and she was posted to Orkney. She met my Great Grandad there as he was posted to Orkney with the Army.

On our last day we went to the Tomb of the Eagles on the South Ronaldsay. It was discovered by a farmer who was putting up fence posts after a storm. The tomb is a stone age burial chamber that you have to go in on your back on a thing that looks like a large skateboard. They had skulls inside one of the chambers. We saw the amazing Italian chapel as well. It was really beautiful. Orkney also has loads of fantastic cake shops, my favourite is chocolate cake from a tea shop in Kirkwall.

INTRODUCING A NEW FEATURE: young writers of Kinghorn

Exciting Plans forEco-Burial SiteProgress

Peter Lindow from KinghornCommunity Land Association writesabout an fascinating �rst for Scotland

There is a lot of progress with the 10 acres of land owned by the community of Kinghorn. We have previously reported on the establishment of the orchard, funded by a grant from Tesco's Bags of Help and planted by some 80 local volunteers back in March.

All the planting is now well-established with the heritage apple trees growing well. There will be the planting of more fruit trees in the autumn.

Meanwhile, we have gone further with plans for the field beside the former tannery including an eco-cemetery, celebration viewpoint and ‘columbarium’.

“What is a columbarium?”, I hear you ask.

Well, it is to be a memorial repository for the ashes of passed-away loved ones. We hope to have about 400 sealed niches, and will include family vaults that can be bought at a reasonable cost to cover running expenses. There is only one other in the UK and this will be the first in Scotland.

Several architects were invited to submit proposals and three were shortlisted for interview. Simpson and Brown, a well-established Edinburgh firm, were selected. They provided exciting interpretations of the tender brief, and a willingness to work with local companies and volunteers to design and build a noteworthy building that responds to Kinghorn and becomes a part of our Royal Burgh.

The design proposals will be on display for public comment and feedback during September and we urge you to give us your input at this early stage. We hope to apply for planning permission soon after. The columbarium is conceived as an Iron Age barrow - a hollow mound with passages within it, with a central walled area somewhat like a broch, and a path that leads from the higher celebration platform.

The Pet LadyDog Walking – Pet TransportCat Care - Small Animal Care

Puppy and Kitten Visits

Telephone: 01592 890849Mobile: 07740 335876

mairi@thepetlady.org.ukwww.thepetlady.org.uk

:ThePetLadyFife

empower people to use herbal remedies and learn about the plants that grow where they live. The herbs that we sell and grow are therefore herbs that are native to the UK, that have naturalised here or are herbs that people commonly grow in their gardens and are already familiar with. This hopefully encourages people to use what they can find in their locale rather than importing more exotic herbs and so reducing our impact on our environment.

The garden is a wonderful place to spend time and everyone is welcome to attend our open days on the last Sunday of each month: 12-5pm (12-3pm during winter months).

For information of upcoming workshops, herb study groups and markets, please see my website: www.solarripe.eu.The plants and I look forward to meeting you!

— simone melanie

GETTING HERBAL AT CRAIGENCALTSolar Ripe Herbal Teas and Remedies was started in 2013 by myself, simone melanie, and since 2014 I have been growing a Medicine Garden at Craigencalt Farm.

The herb garden is already a year and a half old, which is hard to believe, and the plants have had a season to put down their roots and become established in the medicine wheel. I am now looking to create new beds for a range of mints and more marigolds and comfrey, which love the soil, and the bees love them in return. With the poly-tunnel up, 2016 will be the first year we are able to run workshops, and I am looking forward to introducing people to some of my favourite plants, which include Mugwort, Comfrey and Yarrow.

The herbs I grow and sell are all organic. This is incredibly important for me as plants are our healers and I believewe should respect them and not pollute them or theirenvironments. Another important aspect of what I do is to

We envisage tranquillity and a sense of place that takes advantage of sunlight at the equinoxes and grassed landforms. There are many considerations of safety and security that have to be considered, as well as practicality, cost and fundraising.

There is a lot happening, so please watch out for news of progress and give it your support.

If you enjoyed this article - and would like to take a stake in Kinghorn’s future - why not become a member of Kinghorn Community Land Association? Membership helps everyone to keep in touch and it shows your support for KCLA’s work on behalf of the community. More information here:

www.kcla.org.uk/joinus.html

To see our full range ofOrganic Herbal products

including Nettle & PeppermintTea and Comfrey Ointment,visit solarripe.eu or come

and meet us at our Open Dayor one of our markets.

We look forward to seeing you!

Email: herbs@solarripe.eu @solarripe

Images courtesy of Simpson and Brown, illustrating how the columbarium could look.

Your Community Centre is 20 years old!

Twenty years ago in September 1996 many years of planning and serious fundraising came to fruition when Kinghorn Community Centre was finally opened. A large fundraising committee, some of whose members are still involved in the running of the centre, toiled away at raising money and negotiating with Fife Council and later with Fife Region, under the enthusiastic and eternally optimistic chairmanship of Charlie Toye.

They raised a huge sum of money to show the Council that they were capable of doing so and to prove that Kinghorn could support such a project. Some of the money was diverted from projects which failed to get off the ground, but most of it was raised by Kinghorn people in Kinghorn itself.

At first only two rooms and the Library were available in what had been the primary school but then the sports hall and the link with the old building which now forms the entrance and café were added. This ‘Class A’ sports hall allows for three badminton courts, one tennis court, one basketball court and a five-a-side pitch. The space is ideal for parties and functions – all this AND a café!

Fife Region looks after repairs and gives the centre a small grant but the current committee deals with services costs, redecoration and pays café staff etc. When interviewed Mary Tulloch, one of the original group who is very much still involved said “I just love the buzz when I go into the centre and there are kids playing sport, rooms filled with people talking, and parents in the café relaxing while they wait”.

Margaret McKay - who is centre manager - feels that the Community Centre is the friendly hub of the community, there for all the groups who use the building and willing to help them in a practical way. An example of this is that the centre staff counts the Kinghorn Chronicle into bundles to be taken out to all the delivery volunteers. They also set up rooms for meetings and will provide catering as well.

Dave Smith, who has also been involved for a long time, said that the key objective of opening the centre for the benefit of local young people has widened to embrace all age groups with Toddlers and pensioners rubbing along together with all ages in between.

There was sadness in the group that the youth club, once the best attended club of its kind in Fife, had had to close due to a combination of staff shortages, the withdrawal of funding and insurance costs.

The management committee have a policy of keeping the centre in good decorative order and looking well cared for, they feel that way users will respect the premises.

No report on this important part of Kinghorn would be quite complete without an honourable mention of the reproductions of the Elgin Marbles in the octagonal room, once the school staffroom. Visitors can be given a tour of the building on request and view these bas-relief images for themselves, providing the rooms are not being used. No one we spoke to knew exactly how the Elgin Marble facsimiles came to be in the school but it would certainly be fascinating to find out!

Costs are met from hall rents, the grant and the profit from the café along with the only fundraising, the 50/50 club. It would be good if everyone in Kinghorn became a member of the 50/50 club which is such an easy way to support the facility – pick up a form at the centre!

For the future this centre needs people in their 30s and 40s to get involved in the way the original committee did to keep this precious asset going for everyone in Kinghorn.

― Hilary Payne

Bob Crewes, who was the original vice chairman and is nowthe current chairman, said “Over the 20 years of operationwe have had a small but effective Management Committeewhich has met all the challenges presented. We havealso been lucky with the friendly quality of staff thatprovide the service to our patrons. Not only do theywork hard they are also continually looking for wayswe can improve this service. We would like toencourage anyone who wishes to get involved in theongoing operation to come along to one of ourcommittee meetings and, if interested, become amember as new ideas are always welcome”.

Hilary Payne takes a look at the evolution of Kinghorn’s hub, as well as the unsung heroes who keep the wheels turning

20YEARS

OLD

That was one of Kinghorn Primary School's P7 project topics this past year and got me thinking - with this being Olympics year - of a Scottish Athlete, Eric Liddell, who inspired many at the time when he won the 1924 Olympic Gold medal for the 400m race. His story was told in the film ‘Chariots of Fire’ but that was only half the tale; in a new book ‘For the Glory’ by Duncan Hamilton (ask Trish in the Library if it's in stock!), his whole life story to and beyond the Olympics is told, in particular his Missionary work in China and his imprisonment by the Japanese during the Second World War. All of which was inspired by his Christian faith.

I posed the question to the end of session service at Balwearie High School "Who inspires you?" and, in particular, which teacher? For me it was Jack McLellan, Principal Teacher of History at Larkhall Academy who stirred a lifelong interest in History (he also wrote a History of Larkhall which makes interesting reading).

Two historic figures with connection to Kinghorn I find intriging: Bishop David de Bernham who between 1240-1251 consecrated or reconsecrated over 100 Churches in his Diocese between Nigg (south of Aberdeen) and Berwick on Tweed (I've walked that coast in the past few years and seen many of those Churches or the ruins of them).

Kinghorn Kirk was reconsecrated in 1243. Just 60 years later Parson Baldred Bissett of Kinghorn was sent to Rome, to the Pope, to plead Scotland's independence from England and much of his argumentation found its way into the Declaration of Arbroath of 1320. As my friend and neighbour, Jim Chalmers shows in his article, we have a lot of History in our Royal Burgh. Isn't it time that we capitalised on it and found a permanent home to display artefacts and enthuse interest?

Post ScriptThe vote on the Church's Buildings was narrowly split between two options: using the Church Hall alone and the status quo of using and maintaining both the Halls and the Church. Too close to move decisively at the moment. We will be continuing to explore our use and development of our Buildings and would value the thoughts and suggestions of the Community.

― Jim Reid

Who Inspires You?

KINGHORN CHRONICLE / ISSUE 6 11

Farm Shop & CaféOPEN 10AM – 4PM EVERY DAY

Hope to see you soonCraigencalt Farm, Kinghorn, KY3 9YG

@TheLochFarmShopLike us on

TheBarnatTheLoch

Telephone: 07496 738970

KINGHORN PARISH CHURCH

AUTUMN FAYRESaturday 10th September2-4pm in the church halls · £2.50

Lots of stalls - Auction - Tea and cake

Please come along and support us!

No need to trek to the other side of Kirkcaldy for your hardware needs!WATCH BATTERIES FITTED FROM £3.99

ELECTRICAL GOODS, SMALL APPLIANCES, TOOLS, IRONMONGERY, PAINTS,GLUES & ADHESIVE TAPES, GARDENING TOOLS & SUPPLIES, MIRRORS,BATTERIES, LIGHTS & LIGHTING, LIGHTBULBS, FUSES, KITCHENWARE,

UTENSILS, GLASSWARE, PICTURES & FRAMES, PET SUPPLIES

Just some of our range

TELEPHONE07541 040 150

237 High Street - Burntisland

M.A. HARDWAREIRONMONGERY • DIY • ELECTRICALHOUSEHOLD GOODS & GARDENING

We’re here for you! Offering a comprehensiverange of tools, hardware and ironmongery

Autumn at the Kingswood Hotel

CONSERVATORY CANMORE SUITE OR

For private parties up to 50 guests.

ALEXANDER FUNCTION SUITE Wedding Receptions and/or

ceremonies or private parties for 40 – 250 guests.

All Inclusive WeddingPackages from £2400

Restaurant Open Every DayFor Lunch 12-12.45pm & Evening Meals 5-8.45pm

Coffee and home baking daily 10am to 4.30pm

High Tea £13.50Saturday 3.00pm-6.00pm Sunday 3.00pm-7.00pm

(Cake Buffet now on Saturdays also)

Sunday @ The KingswoodCarvery available 12.00-8.30pm

including High Tea Cake Buffet 3.00pm-7.00pm

Carvery Night Last Thursday of Each MonthCurry Night First Friday of Each Month

Christmas Menus Available Now

LADIES SHOPPING EVENTFUNDRAISING IN AID OF RNLI - KINGHORNFriday 11th November 2016 • 6.30pm – 9.30pm

Tickets £10 including Prosecco & canapésMore than just a shopping event!(All proceeds from Ticket Sales to RNLI Kinghorn)

The Kingswood Hotel Kinghorn Road nr BurntislandTel 01592 872329 - enquries@kingswoodhotel.co.uk

Wedding Fayre4th Sept 2016

WeddingOpen Day

18th Sept 201611am to 3pm