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Teaching Excellence Awards The Editorial Team of Crail Matters would like to congratulate Professor Will Cresswell (School of Biology) who was recognised in the University Teaching Excellence Awards. He was nominated by his Head Of School with the award being presented by the Principal. All of this whilst providing us with a fascinating column each week. Well done, Will! Clearly, we are not alone in appreciating you!

Snippets from Crail Primary School CROSSING PATROL We are delighted to welcome Mr Danny McCulloch to our school team. Mr McCulloch has been appointed as School Crossing Patrol and he will be situated at the bottom of Bowling Green Place to cross families over the St Andrews Road. He will be on duty from 8.30am until 9.05am and in the afternoon from 2.50pm until 3.15pm. I am sure you will all make him feel very welcome.

EAST NEUK FIRST RESPONDERS We welcomed Gillian, Keith, Jenny and Susan from East Neuk First Responders to our school. The First Responders worked with our P6/7 class to teach them important lifesaving skills. Our children were then given a CPR kit on loan. Our children have been set the challenge to teach their families and friends how to save a life. A big thank you to the First Responders for visiting our school.

ASSEMBLIES Thank you to our P6/7 class who led our Assembly on 10.03.17. They shared their learning about Mary Queen of Scots with the rest of our school and their families. Their diary entries were very detailed and showed an understanding of what it must have been like for Mary and their trial was thought provoking. Well done everyone! You are all Successful Learners and Effective Contributors. Thank you to Mrs Mutch for all of your hard work and thank you also to our families for coming along to their Class Assembly. We received lots of positive feedback.

ROTARY QUIZ The annual Rotary Quiz took place at Crail Primary School on Tuesday 14th March at 6.30pm. 7 schools from our cluster took part and each team answered questions on lots of different subjects including Maths, Literacy, Sport and Natural History. Well done to our P7 team for representing our school and we are delighted to announce that we were 2nd overall. We are very proud of you all. Anstruther PS were the overall winners and will now represent our cluster at the next heat. We wish them lots of luck!

w/c 24 April 2017 No. 11

Incorporating About Crail Free

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BURNS RECITAL COMPETITION

Congratulations to two of our pupils who represented our school at the final of The Fife Burns Recital Competition at Auchmuty High School. One of our P5 pupils competed in the singing competition whilst one of our P7 pupils recited My Hoggie. Lots of pupils from schools across Fife took part and it was a great experience for both girls. Well done to you both, we are very proud of you!

GLEE

Well done to all of our children who represented our school at The Glee Heats in The Rothes Hall on Thursday 16th March. Six schools participated in the first Fife heat. All of the school’s sang Justin Timberlake’s ‘I’ve

Got The Feeling’ and then they were able to sing any other song. We chose ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ by Elton John and Kiki Dee.

Our children sang their hearts out and demonstrated a ‘Glee’ spirit. We were praised for our team work, including everyone, dance routines and the quality of our singing. We are so proud of everyone and I would like to thank Mrs Thomson, Mrs Noble and Sally Mills, a S6 pupil from The Waid Academy, for all of their hard work and creativity. You did us all proud and you are a credit to our school.

Thank you to all of our families for coming along to support us. We really appreciated it!

Royal Burgh of Crail and District

Community Council

FIFE COUNCIL ELECTIONS - PUBLIC MEETING

PROPSPECTIVE COUNCILLORS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO MEET CRAIL RESIDENTS ON

8.15 pm, MONDAY 24 APRIL

CRAIL TOWN HALL

TEA/COFFEE AVAILABLE AT 8.00PM

Opportunity To Ask Questions, Hear Your Prospective Councillors

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ROYAL BURGH OF CRAIL AND DISTRICT

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES GP Services Covering Crail The adoption of the Local Plan for Crail was discussed at recent Community Council meetings. It came as a surprise to many that provision of GP services was not an issue that comes within the planners remit. This is because GPs are “independent contractors”. This basically means they are seen as being self-employed, although in reality the vast majority of their work is for the local Health Board providing medical care for the population. Our local practice in Anstruther has been very helpful in providing information on how an increasing population in their catchment area might affect them. Currently, in common with every practice, they struggle to meet demands for appointments. Any increase in housing will inevitably make this worse. Currently there are 4.33 whole time equivalent doctors working in the practice. (Put simply two doctors working half time equals one whole time equivalent). They currently look after 6338 patients which equates to just under 1500 patients per GP. This is a smaller average than in the rest of Fife and Lothian. The practice does however, have a higher than average proportion of elderly patients, more than 25% over the age of 65. Unfortunately, with age comes infirmity and the older we get the more we consult our GP. Looking to the future, Dr Mitchell plans to reduce his hours of work in July prior to his retirement in December. Further ahead, Dr Hall will probably retire sometime in 2019. The practice is currently in the midst of recruiting a new partner to fill this imminent vacancy. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of trained GPs in Scotland as in the UK as a whole, resulting in a nationwide recruitment crisis. Finding replacement partners is a problem and Fife will not be immune from this. The practice will do their utmost to maintain continuity and we should all do our best to support them through this time of transition.

Public Meeting with Prospective Councilors

A meeting with prospective councillors has been arranged at 8.15pm on Monday 24 April in the Town Hall. This will follow the Community Council meeting, which will finish early at 8.00pm. Tea/coffee will be available from 8.00pm. All 7 prospective candidates have been invited to speak to residents, and we hope as many people as possible will take this opportunity to listen to the prospective candidates, and ask them questions. Polling to elect the 3 Councillors to represent the Electoral Ward of East Neuk and Landward will take place between the hours of 7am and 10pm on Thursday, 4th May, 2017.

Play Areas Over the years there have been a number of proposals to upgrade the play facilities in Crail. Whilst there is opposition in some quarters to adding to and making more modern the existing play areas, there is equally support to improve what we have and to add to it. We would like to hear what you think, especially if you are a parent or grandparent, have

responsibility for children, or have experience of using our existing facilities. We would even more love to hear from children!

Left on the Coastal Path at Kilminning – you can only wonder why?

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Prospective Councillors’ Statements.

Crail Matters approached each of the prospective Fife Council Councillors at the forthcoming election, and invited them to outline their policies and what distinctive contribution they hope to make as a County Councilor to the East Neuk in general to Crail in particular. Here are the responses we have received; one useful way to judge between them might be in terms of how they have focussed on local issues of concern to our community. Bill Porteous (Liberal Democrat): A recent press release from Willie Rennie referred to our Liberal Democrat Councillors being champions of the community and having a reputation for hard work all year round. I am sure you will have recognised this on many occasions over the years from our Lib Dem Councillors Elizabeth Riches and Donald Macgregor.The East Neuk and Landward has a strong tradition of liberal ideals as we have seen from Ming Campbell and others. On our visits to your doorsteps in Crail we have been encouraged by your positive responses but several issues requiring attention came up regularly from residents. - Consideration of a 20mph speed limit through CRAIL High Street. - More frequent and better timed intervals for local buses. - A lack of local police presence exacerbated by the SNP Government' s centralising of Scotland's police service into Edinburgh. - There was support and relief our children will at last have a New Waid Academy. - Concern was also expressed regarding lengthy waiting times to see local doctors. - Plans for further new housing worries some that the local infrastructure is not up to scratch. On a National level the Liberal Democrats want to prioritise Mental Health provision, consult over a change to an unfair Council Tax system and improve the provision of Education for all. My Own priorities include enhancing transport

to ensure children can get to Nurseries, Harbour Improvements and further improvements in Sports Facilities for all ages such as the MUGA in Crail and a recently opened one in St Monans. And to work with others to increase the usage of current sports facilities. I am a St Monans & Abercrombie Community Committee member. I am married, living and working in St Monans . We have two grown up children. I am a graduate of Dundee University. My working life - I have worked with small and medium sized businesses to encourage Apprenticeship training with targeted Central Government support and for the last 20 years as a specialist recruitment advisor within the U.K. and Middle East. I am the Chairman of Beautiful St Monans with a dedicated group of volunteers enhancing our village for both local people and visitors. John Docherty (SNP): At present, I represent you as one of the East Neuk and Landward Fife Councillors, I therefore have five years of experience of representing the good people of Crail, indeed I am the only candidate, standing here in this Ward, that has that experience. Over the past five years I believe that I have worked hard and to the best of my ability to effectively represent you, in fact I gave up my professional career in the NHS, to do so. I believe I have shown the highest level of commitment, recognising the role with which you entrusted me to have. Locally, I have been involved with the Community Council, assisting you and taking on tasks to improve the community in which you live and work. I had input into the Crail Town Hall Committee, where I used my Equality and Diversity experience to assist them with the installation of a wheelchair lift, I am proud to say that I was one of the first Councillors to be involved with the campaign to keep our Libraries open. Along with ten Community Councils, I am involved, as a Councillor, with a total of seventeen Groups/Committees/Organisations plus hold a surgery, monthly.

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I will ensure Crail has a strong voice on the issues that matter to us all such as education, roads, the local fishing and tourism industries. Elect me as your Councillor and I will continue that commitment to ensure our towns and villages get the attention, investment and care they deserve. Linda Holt (Conservative and Unionist): I have a track record in campaigning, and I’m standing to fight for the East Neuk at Fife Council so local needs are recognised and pledges delivered. Rural and coastal communities have been neglected in favour of larger towns. Locals know best what their communities need, and decisions should be taken as close as possible to those whom they affect.

Administratively, I want more budget decisions devolved to the North-East Fife Area Committee, with greater accessibility and public participation at council meetings and enhanced accountability for councillors. Neuk-wide, I want the budget for roads and pavements increased and a sustainable maintenance and upgrade plan created.

Like neighbouring communities, Crail has lost local shops and facilities in recent years, with those remaining under increasing pressure. Fife Council should develop a pro-active strategy to safeguard and grow local business infrastructure, addressing inadequate internet and mobile access, poor transport links and punitive business rates. Major housing development is planned for Crail, but we must ensure that existing services, including roads, are not overloaded, Crail’s character is enhanced and a mix of affordable units are provided.

My son finished Crail Primary last year, and I experienced the incredible job staff do given ever-increasing budgetary challenges. I would take every opportunity to fight for more support and resources, including restoring the recent £3million cut to Fife’s Education budget. Crail’s voluntary groups do essential community work, but like others in the Neuk,

they need much better support from Fife Council, with fewer bureaucratic obstacles.

Alisdair Gilbert (Liberal Democrat): I am standing in this election as I believe in supporting communities and protecting community hubs. There is a need to integrate and engage with all aspects of our community to ensure we develop a vibrant and varied society. I first got involved in local politics through being a member of the Community Council. I live and work in Fife with my wife, a secondary school teacher for Fife council, and two young boys. I recognize the financial situation facing local government which will remain challenging over the next 5 years. My commitment will be to ensure we provide high quality, locally accessible, cost effective services that work in conjunction with local communities. Some of the projects that I’d like to see progressed are:

• Continued investment in road improvements and public transport across Fife

• Provision of replacement care homes focusing on the one in Anstruther

• Building of the New Madras College which will service communities in the north of the East Neuk

• Monitor the use of the new Pupil Equity Fund and continue to support our schools ensuring all pupils go on to a positive outcome.

I have met many residents from East Neuk and Landward, I have listened to your views, I shall continue the work of Elizabeth and Donald who have worked hard for their communities for the past 27 years, and I will represent you on the Council where I will work to develop the traditional, distinctive community nature of East Neuk and Landward.

Rosalind Garton Scottish Labour Candidate East Neuk & Landward 2017 Learning for Living Adult Education Classes: Rosalind Garton has lived in East Fife for over 40 years, working as a lifelong learning tutor in Geology at the University of St. Andrews. She also runs her own business, giving an insight into business issues in the East Neuk. She is particularly concerned about the higher than average number of employees in NE Fife who earn less than the Living Wage, and about the need for more affordable housing in the East Neuk area. Rosalind is campaigning on the record of achievements already delivered and planned for 2017-22 by Labour-led Fife Council: * The new Waid Academy: part of FifeLabour’s investment in education, from early years support to new classroom assistants, protection of school transport, and closing the attainment gap; * The largest affordable house building programme in the UK, with high quality homes to tackle fuel poverty; * Increasing local employment, with investment in apprenticeships, developing Anstruther Marina, installing a new ice making machine at Pittenweem, and harbour dredging; * Investment in social care for the elderly and disabled – still free in Fife – and renewal of the Ladywalk Care Home. FifeLabour is the only party campaigning about the growing problem of holiday homes in the East Neuk and Landward area, a trend which threatens primary schools and businesses and makes it more difficult for local people to afford their own homes. Rosalind is concerned to see East Neuk and Landward thrive, with employment, great education and affordable housing for all.

Crail Parish Church of Scotland (Charity registered in Scotland SC 001601)

Intimations Sunday 23rd April

Welcome to our Service Readings: NT: Acts 2: 14a, 22-32 & 1 Peter 1: 3-9, Gospel: St John 20: 19-31 Sponsor forms are now available for Mandy Guthrie's Half Marathon in aid of Church funds which she runs on the 28th May. They can be found in the Butcher, the Chemist, The Golf Hotel, at the back of the Church and in the Hall. Mandy would like to thank everyone who has already sponsored her. Any items for the next issue of the Karail which will be out in June can be sent to Heather at (heatheraird@btinternet.com) and are needed by the 19th May. Intimations to be in by Thursday noon to Lisa 450035, Joan Forrest or email to(intimations@crailchurch.co.uk) Minister: Revd Dr Ann Allison tel 451986 or email (AAllison@churchofscotland.org.uk)

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Easter Coffee Morning

This past Easter, Crail Parish church held the yearly Easter Saturday Coffee Morning. The Art Club’s beautiful works decorated the walls of the Kirk Hall. Tables were decorated with lovely Easter themed decorations. The door opened promptly at 10:00am welcoming their guests. The Kirk Hall was filled with over 80 people enjoying the coffee morn with fresh baked goods and freshly made coffee and tea. There was a large raffle with a cake made by Heather Aird as the Grand Prize (The Rabbit cake pictured above) which was won by Ann Mayes. Anne stated when she bought her tickets she would win the Grand Prize. She also told the room that she would take the cake along to Miss Christina Ross at Ladywalk. The lovely cake was shared with the Ladywalk residents on the landing.

Guests eagerly bought the baked goods which were made and donated by many talented residents of Crail. The Easter Coffee Morning raised 543.00 for Church funds. The Kirk Hall committee wishes to thank everyone who participated Saturday to make the Easter Coffee Morning a great success.

Please visit their Facebook page (Crail Parish Church) to see the latest activities in the Parish Church.

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Lost and Found

Bracelet/Arm Band found on Roome Bay. Silverplated. If you lost this item or you know who the item belongs to, please email Crailmatters@gmail.com.

Hopefully,

we can return to owner.

Christmas decoration from town Christmas Tree 2016. Found on the ground this week. The bell is gold, pink and white with initials on the back. Please contact

Crailmatters@gmail.com if this belongs to you or you know the owner. We know a wee one would enjoy having the bell returned.

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WILD CRAIL

Will Cresswell,

with Photographs by John Anderson Week ending April 21st Spring migration season has been progressing these last two weeks. There are still pink-footed geese passing Crail and Fife Ness, heading north in flocks of a few tens each time. On the 8th April I had a flock of 18 whooper swans doing the same, passing Fife Ness majestically, heading towards Aberdeen. As a counterpoint I saw my first swallow of the summer, conveniently over my garden after spending all morning looking for one at Balcomie and Fife Ness. A male powering along, following the coast and singing happily as it went by. This and a chiff-chaff singing below the doocote at Roome Bay were my only summer migrants that day, although the pair of shelducks back again, quacking around the bays north of Balcomie were definitely another sign of summer being around the corner. A cycle through the farms of Sypsies, Troustie, and Third Part (i.e. all the farms two fields north of the Crail to Anstruther road) on April 9th turned up quite a few corn buntings. More systematic counts will follow in May but at the moment it is looking good. I came back along the coastal path. Another swallow hawking over the sheep flock down at Caiplie caves and a female wheatear – the first of the year – on a wall just as I got back to Crail. Things picked up the following week, with sandwich terns passing by in small numbers from about April 12th. I caught up with first two of the year on the 15th at Balcomie Beach despite the wind shifting northerly: my last were fishing in the much warmer surf of Senegal in October. The two at Balcomie will likely have spent the winter on the coast of West Africa and will now spend the next six months with us in the North Sea. There was a chiff-chaff singing incongruously from brambles at

Saucehope on my way back from Balcomie: although they are early migrants, the majority will pass through well after the first birds through Crail, On the 13th there was a handsome male northern wheatear at Balcomie, feeding on the rocky shore and a bit further on my first whimbrel of the year, launching itself up with its lovely seven note whistle to tell me instantly that this wasn’t just another curlew. Despite these two further migrants, I think it is safe to say that this spring has not turned into an early one, and most migrants are still to come.

WillowWarbler

SandwichTern

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The wind was a light south-easterly overnight on the 18th after some stronger southerly winds during the day. Sufficient to push a lot of seabirds close in to Crail in the evening. A steady stream of gannets, kittiwakes, fulmars and common gulls passing with the first puffins of the season further out. In the morning there was a willow warbler singing from the Denburn sheep field – the first of the year and about a week earlier than usual. There were also some chiff-chaffs singing from odd garden locations suggesting they came in during the previous night as well. There were more arrivals on the 20th April: a steady stream of barn swallows and the first house martin of the year at Boarhills. I went to the May Island in the afternoon. The first time I have been in April. Usually I go late May or

June when the seabird breeding season is in full swing and the island can be full of thousands of puffins. This trip it was just hundreds. Still really nice and impressive, particularly for anyone who hasn’t seen puffins before, but most of the puffins were either underground on newly laid eggs or still out at sea improving their body condition for their stint at incubation and the coming frenzy when they have to work constantly to feed their chick. If you haven’t been to the May Island yet, then make it this year. You won’t regret it – puffins alone make it worthwhile and it is almost magical as you approach the island and start to glimpse puffins at a distance or flying by, then you realise you are surrounded by them, and when you land they really are everywhere, shooting past

your head, waddling along like penguins, or popping out of burrows. Then there are all the other birds to see – guillemots and razorbills (even more penguin like – yet surprisingly aerobatic in the updraughts of the big cliffs on the west side of the island), kittiwakes, shags and later in the season terns (just a bit too early for terns on the 20th unfortunately). Everywhere you look there is a little natural history story: female eiders trying not to be noticed as they incubate by the paths while the too conspicuous males, their job done, try to find late females to bother down on the shore; great black-backed gulls on the prowl for an unwary puffin (hundreds get eaten a season, but then there are 96,000 puffins there…); newly arrived willow warblers feeding on the short turf like pipits because there are so few bushes on the island; razorbills in pairs, in synchronised slow wing beat display flights, confirming their pair bond and commitment before their lay their egg for the season. The two hours or so on the island before the boat goes back to Anstruther flash by. And on the journey back there are always the gannets – in fantastic close flybys – to enjoy. Any trip to the May Island in spring or autumn might turn up a rarity as well. I failed to connect up with a common redstart that had been seen earlier – still, we get those in Crail and it’s a likely species this week. The rarest bird on the island was actually a common buzzard. This could have been a Scandinavian migrant off course or just a chancer from Fife out on a day trip just like me. Exciting for the warden who might only see one or two buzzards on the island every year, less so for a visitor from Crail. Rarity is always relative.

Shag

Puffin

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Letter from America

Alex Fleming, Washington DC Many of you baby boomers will remember the political satire of “That was the week, that was” from the 1960s. It introduced us to the talents of David Frost, Bernard Levin and Millicent Martin among others. Some would say that it was part of a golden age for political satire. There were doubtless subsequent phases in the UK when political satire came to the fore although my knowledge of post-1980s Britain is a little shaky. The Spitting Image portrayal of Mrs. Thatcher springs immediately to mind however. Private Eye of course has been a constant thorn in politicians’ sides over the years. In the US meanwhile there were similar phases when the political satirists had a field day. The most obvious one was the Richard Nixon era Watergate scandal that provided continuous fuel for the satirists as it unfolded. Then there was the spicy antics of Bill Clinton with Monica Lewinsky in the White House that was tailor-made for satirists. After that the rather bumbling George W. Bush became a constant satirical target. Some are now asking whether the arrival of Donald Trump at the White House heralds the start of a new golden age for transatlantic political satire. The initial signs are good. British satirist, Ian Hislop, says that he feels

“very lucky that Trump is going to provide most of the jokes for the foreseeable future”. Trump is almost a perfect target with his offhand manner, his ill-advised tweets and ad lib comments that often reflect a poor grasp of the facts. But he has also surrounded himself with people who have become merciless targets of the US satirists.

Some of the funniest satire is on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. If you have not done so already do check out Alec Baldwin’s portrayal of Trump on You Tube. Whatever the political future brings in the US it is certain that sharp-witted satirists will keep us well entertained through it all.

Crail Matters Short Story Award

Crail Matters has established a Short Story Award and Prize to encourage creative writing in Crail and the East Neuk in general; if this initiative is successful, we hope it will be offered on a regular basis. The award will consist of a cash prize of £50 and a certificate. In addition, selected entries will be published in Crail Matters, and may also be included in a collected anthology which may be published as an ebook by Crab Publishing. The Editorial decision in all matters is final. Stories can be on any theme or subject but must be original and written in English, and should not be longer than 3,000 words. They must also be for adult or young adult readers; non-fiction and fiction written for children under 13 years is not eligible. Entrants must be 16 years or over. Work should be submitted by 9 June 2017 to crailmat- ters@gmail.com. Authors should be resident within the East Neuk, or be able to demonstrate significant association with the area. See issue 9 for Conditions for entry, or visit www.crabpublishing.co.uk

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It is the that time of year ......... calling for all

Volunteers (New and returning) to help make the Crail Festival a great success!!!!

Everyone who are interested in volunteering please contact: Jill Bueckardt

01333 450644

Or

jillianbueckardt@gmail.com

Come, Join the fun and the team !!!!!

2017

Crail Museum and Heritage

Centre.

Coffee Morning for Crail Museum

10.00am Sat 24th June Legion Hall

Crail Community Choir

The Choir will meet in the Kirk Hall on

Monday 24 April at 7.30 pm.

Everyone will be made very welcome and there is no obligation to attend every week.

Material for inclusion in Crail Matters should be sent to crailmatters@gmail.com and received on Friday midday

before publication. We reserve the right to edit copy. © Crab Publishing 2017: Editorial team this week Graham Anderson, Julie Middleton, Isla Reid, Valencia

Sowry, Max Taylor, John Wilson.

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Funding Crail Matters The Editorial Team wish to thank those readers and advertisers who have very generously made donations to Crail Matters. We continue to depend on your support to maintain what we hope is an interesting and useful Newsletter. To donate, please make cheques payable to ‘Crab Publishing’, or please contact us for the necessary details to make a bank transfer.

The Crail Seagull

An eye on our world

IwashavingarestatDenburnrecently–itwasactuallyovertheEasterweekend–andInoticedhow some cars stop at the new trafficmarkings and others didn’t. So, I started to lookmorecarefully.AsfarasIcouldsee,mostcarsapproachedthenewsigns(frombothdirections)fairlyslowly,butsomedon’tslowupatall.Andoddlyenough,theywerenearlyalwaysSUV’s,oftenwithoneelderlymaledriver.AndI’venoticedasimilarthingwhencarsturnintotheSauchopeCaravanPark road – the large SUV’s speeddown the road. Is there something odd about thekindofdriverthesecarsattract?My sneaky littlemouse friend fromNethergate tellsme that the Community Trust is at lasthavinganAGM.Itseemstobesomethingofasecret;Ican’tfindanynoticeofit,butIamreliablyinformed(bymylittlefriend)thatitisintheLegionHallat2.30onSundayApril30th.Iwon’tbothergoing(andtheywouldn’tletaseagullinanyway),butitshouldbeinteresting.Let’shopesomeonetellsuswhat’sgoingon.

Did you know that it was recently Unicorn Day? People from allover Scotland have been searching for Unicorns, and I noticedpeopleinCraillookingaround.Andhaveyouseenourslately?Wellit’sonthemastheadofCrailMattersofcourse,but just looknexttimeyouareinMarketgatetoseetherealthing.Andyoumightjustseemethere.I hear from another friend in Nethergate (a rather attractivedormouse)thatsomeofmydistantbrothersandsistersarebeinga

nuisance.I’vetriedtospeaktothem,buttheyarearoughlotfromAnstruther,andjustignoreme.EvenIthinksomethingneedstobedonetogetridofthem!I’mjustnotsurewhat.