CrailMatters

Crail The Jewel ofthe East Neuk

WC 25 January 2021 Issue No 192Free - donations welcome - suggested donation pound1

wwwcrailmatterscom

Crail Matters only works because you support it If you havenrsquot yet supported us thenplease consider doing so And if you have very many thanks Donations can be made

directly to our bank account (Crab Publishing) atSort Code 83-26-28Ac No 15518709

Would you like to help us produce Crail Matters We need willing hands to help with Editinglayout and production We also need local reporters If you would like to help please contact us

The Community Council emergency contact number 07376 531092 Call this number ifyou need COVID related shopping assistance or advice

Tonight is Burns NightBut not a normal Burns night - no Burns suppers thisyear no communal celebrations to commemorate hisbirth on 25 January 1759 But maybe we will this yearquietly celebrate in our socially isolated homesremembering better times and hoping for even bettertimes to come I doubt if any of us will be piping in thehaggis but we can say the Selkirk Grace

Some hae meat an canna eatAnd some wad eat that want itBut we hae meat and we can eatAnd sae the Lord be thankit

And maybe after wersquove had our haggis in memory ofthose better times lsquoWell tak a cup o kindness yetrsquo forlsquoShould auld acquaintance be forgot And neverbrought to mind Should auld acquaintance be forgotAnd auld lang synersquo

Although Burns lived in Edinburgh from 1786-88 itseems unlikely that Burns ever visited Crail but hecertainly knew of it - on page 2 we reproduce a songwhich he collected which was published in 1835 some40 years after his death in a collection of his works

2

This old song was probably collectedby Robert Burns It is reproduced inThe Works of Robert BurnsContaining His Life by John LockhartEsq Gilbert Burns ProfessorStewart and Others 1835 Of interestto Crailers on page 153 - ldquoThe personknown in Scottish song and tradition bythe epiacutethet Clerk Dishington was anotary who resided about the middle ofthe last century in Crail and acted asthe town - clerk of that ancient burgh Ihave been informed that he was aperson of great local celebrity in histime as an uncompromisinghumouristrdquo Clerk Dishington isreferred to in Register of the CollegiateChurch of Crail Fifeshire as adescendant of William de Dischingtonand possibly lived in the 1400rsquos ratherthan 1700rsquos as noted above Perhapsthe scholars in our readership can addto this ( around 1750) The tune SirJohn Malcolm can be found here(httpwwwfolktunefindercomtunes46761)

Unconventional Uses of HaggisWhile tradition dictates the eating ofHaggis Chappit Tatties and BashedNeeps on BurnsrsquoNight there are lotsof other ways you can use it JarvisPickle in Eyemouth for examplemake pies that contain standard (orvegetarian) haggis with neeps andsweet potato (which counts as one ofyour five a day unlike ordinarypotato) If you want something a bitmore exotic then the Dreel Tavern inAnstruther has been offering haggistacos on its takeaway menus andtherersquos haggis pakora too which youcan buy in some supermarkets If youdonrsquot want to stray too far from thetraditional though the BBC Foodwebsite has a collection of recipes ofvarying difficulty which mostly pairhaggis with at least one of thetraditional veg (httpswwwbbccoukfoodhaggis)

Generations of changeThinking of times past and the future we face there is a beautiful song by Matt Armourabout our part of Scotland and lifersquos changes sung in a Youtube recording by Joe Aitkenhttpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=AJ9HvbfnawIampab_channel=IanAnderson It maybring a tear to your eye but in the spirit of Burns it tells us about our world and about ourchanging relationship with it Burns spoke of and to the people of Scotland in theirlanguage A man to celebrate

3

Crail Village Shops opening times andhome delivery arrangementsBarnetts Bakery Mon - Sat 8am - 2pmPh01333 310205Co-op hours Mon - Sun 7am - 10pmPh01333 450309Dans Mon - Sun 7am - 10pm Ph 01333451818Greens (Temp Hours) Mon - Sat 9am -330pm Ph 01333 450010 Delivery daysTues Wed Fri Sat (call day before or by11am for your order)Penmans Mon Tues Thur - Sat 630am -3pm Wed 630am - 1230pm Ph01333450218 Give a call for delivery (East NeukSt Andrews amp surrounding areas)Pharmacy Mon Tues Thurs amp Fri 9am -1pm 2pm - 530pm Wed 9am - 1pmSaturday 9-100pm Ph01333 450402 Candelivery to those shielding There are no

shortages of meds Not giving Covid shotsThe Smoke Fired Whole Foods Shop(Lockdown hours) Mon - Sat 10a - 5pm Ifyou need to order please emailCrispinrainbowgmailcom They will letyou know when your order can be pickedupArdross 01333 331400infoardrossfarmcoukOrder amp Collect order by phone or emailby 4pm the day before collection The orderamp collect service costs pound2 Order will bepaid for over the phone the evening beforecollectionHome Delivery - place your order by phoneor email by 4pm the day before deliveryHome delivery costs pound450 Delivery daysfor Crail Tuesday - Saturday Order paid forover the phone the evening beforecollection

Learn Something New from the National Library of ScotlandThe National Library of Scotland (NLS) have a huge archive of material which they havebeen digitising and making available online This includes extensive collections of mapsfilms and data as well as books journals and newspapers They also have set up a dedicatedLearning Zone which is designed to help you find the subjects that you want to explorehttpswwwnlsuklearning-zone At the highest level this covers the topics ofbull Literature and languagebull Creativitybull Science and technologybull Historybull Politics and societybull and Geography and explorationWersquoll take the last topic Geography and Exploration as an example This is further dividedinto sub-sections covering the achievements of seven pioneering women from the 19th and20th centuries an exploration of maps using historical maps and the explorations ofShackleton (and Wordie) Scott and Livingstone Each of these is covered in some depthand itrsquos all relatively straightforward to use In addition many of the sections includedownloadable learning activities that map onto the Curriculum for ExcellenceItrsquos a mine of very useful and interesting resources catering for people of all ages You caneither dip in and out of the resources or carry out more detailed explorations to learn aboutyour chosen topics In an age where libraries have become undervalued by governments atall levels itrsquos good to know that places like the National Library for Scotland still existsand still has plenty to offerIn addition to the Learning Zone there are lots of other resources worth exploring too Thelibrary offers online talks and workshops (httpswwwnlsukevents) for example and youcan take a virtual field trip of the library to see what they have to offer when they re-open tothe public (httpswwwnlsukvirtual-field-trip)

4

Stay connected with people and natureItrsquos easy to feel more lonely and isolated at themoment but there are many ways we can stayconnected to our loved ones nature and widercommunity safely Here are some tips to helpbrighten our shorter winter daysMorning light helps in shorter daysGetting out into the sunlight is important duringwinter Exposure to light keeps your body clockin check and is fundamental to good health Ithelps us to get a good nightrsquos sleep feelenergised while wersquore awake and feel healthyand happy overall Even on days when it iscloudy there is still sunlight so it still counts Ifyou canrsquot actually get out keep your curtainsopen clear the windowsills and look outDuring the shorter winter days get morning lightif you canSpend time in brightly lit spaces during the earlyhours Going out for a walk run or any otherexercise while the sun is still in the sky will helpkeep your bodyrsquos natural rhythm consistent overthe winterSome people really struggle with the winter Itsthought that the winter blues or SeasonalAffective Disorder (SAD) affects around 2million people in the UK NHS inform has somegreat tips on how to tackle the winter bluesWrap up and head out A 15-minute walk in thecold crisp winter air can have a dramatic effecton your dayWalk and get active outside listen to natureHere are some suggestions to get the most out ofyour walk1 Take a flask of your favourite hot drinkand a wee snack for the journey and rememberto take an umbrella too you might need it2 Try taking slow deep breaths and focuson your five senses what can you see what canyou hear what can you feel what can you tastewhat can you smell3 Listening to nature can help make usbetter listeners in our everyday life improvingour connections to others whilst also helping usto relax Try writing down what different noisesyou can hear Visit Nature Scot for more waysto connect with nature4 Embrace the cold weather Coldweather has been shown to increase our energylevels for hours afterwards Check these ideasfor safe and comfortable physical activityoutdoors from Actify5 Get the kids involved Check out ParentClub for fun games to try with children in

natureRemember itrsquos okay not to be okayItrsquos understandable if what is happening just nowis affecting how you feel The pandemic isaffecting all our lives and the lives of our lovedones and many of us are experiencing difficultfeelings and emotionsAn important thing to remember is that althoughthings might feel hard right now the situationwonrsquot last forever And there is help availableThe tips on clearyourheadscot are meant to helpyou look after your well-being but may workdifferently for different people Be kind toyourself and donrsquot strive too hard with an idea ifyou recognise that you are struggling with youremotions or if anything isnrsquot working for youright now You can always try again another dayThere is other support available too NHS informhas advice on different aspects of your emotionalhealth like dealing with low moods anger fearand stressAny time you start to feel overwhelmed itrsquosimportant to acknowledge your feelings andspeak to someone you trust That could be afriend a family member or your GP Or you mayfind it easier to call a helpline like NHS24(shortcode 111) Breathing Space (0800 83 8587) or the Samaritans (116 123) or text Shoutrsquos247 crisis text service on 85258If you have experienced mental health issuesbefore you might find that those difficulties havereappeared or worsened If yoursquore experiencinga mental health crisis and you already receivesupport phone your GP or care team first If youcanrsquot talk to them call 111 to speak to NHS24Coping with feelings of worry stress and fearThis is a unique situation and the uncertainty itbrings can sometimes be difficult You mightexperience physical reactions that are unusualfor you sweaty palms dizziness or a racingheartbeat These can be distressing and feel veryserious Phone NHS24 (shortcode 111) if youneed help However these could be signs of apanic attack Although they feel awful they arenormally harmlessNHS inform also has a range of self-help guidesthat use cognitive behavioural therapy and expertadvice to help you work through symptoms ofanxiety and depression or help you deal withpanic grief and trauma

5

Crail Conservation Volunteers we need you

As part of the environmental improvements and habitat creation that came about from the CrailCharrette we as a community now own several areas ofland On top of this Fife Council is also proposingcutting back (sorry about the pun) on its management ofamenity grassland areas throughout Crail If we are torealise the full wildlife potential of these areas we willneed some management and particularly grass cuttingand collecting of clippings to create wildflowermeadows But the best management solutions forwildlife are labour intensive and in many cases fairlyphysical Tasks like guiding a beam mower along theslopes of Roome Bay or Kilminning laying hedgesstrimming footpaths building dykes collecting andbaling grass clippings

So we need a team of active people to carry out thesemanagement solutions and this is where you mightcome into the picture How about donating a day a year(or more) to helping habitat management forbiodiversity We want to put together a team of peoplewho can give up a day or two of their time every yearthat we will properly train and equip and so create aculture within Crail of environmental action volunteersdoing something positive for the climate andbiodiversity emergency

Best of all it will help keep you fit as well as makingyou feel good about yourself and the local communityBetter to be green fit than just gym fit (think Poldark)

At this stage we are just looking to see how manyldquoperson daysrdquo we might have available so we can work out just how much management we mightbe able to do and what level of mechanization we might have to invest in (more people = lessmachinery)

Please contact Chris Broome (chrisbroome1331gmailcom) if you want to express an interest inhelping and how many days a year you might offer There is no obligation or commitment at thistime and nothing will ever be binding But we need to know how many of us in Crail are happy toroll their sleeves up and get physically working for wildlife

Cambo Snowdrop Shop

The snowdrop shop is now open to supply single and double snowdropssnowflakes aconites and wild garlic Follow this link for freshly dugbulbs

5

Crail Conservation Volunteers we need you

As part of the environmental improvements and habitat creation that came about from the CrailCharrette we as a community now own several areas ofland On top of this Fife Council is also proposingcutting back (sorry about the pun) on its management ofamenity grassland areas throughout Crail If we are torealise the full wildlife potential of these areas we willneed some management and particularly grass cuttingand collecting of clippings to create wildflowermeadows But the best management solutions forwildlife are labour intensive and in many cases fairlyphysical Tasks like guiding a beam mower along theslopes of Roome Bay or Kilminning laying hedgesstrimming footpaths building dykes collecting andbaling grass clippings

So we need a team of active people to carry out thesemanagement solutions and this is where you mightcome into the picture How about donating a day a year(or more) to helping habitat management forbiodiversity We want to put together a team of peoplewho can give up a day or two of their time every yearthat we will properly train and equip and so create aculture within Crail of environmental action volunteersdoing something positive for the climate andbiodiversity emergency

Best of all it will help keep you fit as well as makingyou feel good about yourself and the local communityBetter to be green fit than just gym fit (think Poldark)

At this stage we are just looking to see how manyldquoperson daysrdquo we might have available so we can work out just how much management we mightbe able to do and what level of mechanization we might have to invest in (more people = lessmachinery)

Please contact Chris Broome (chrisbroome1331gmailcom) if you want to express an interest inhelping and how many days a year you might offer There is no obligation or commitment at thistime and nothing will ever be binding But we need to know how many of us in Crail are happy toroll their sleeves up and get physically working for wildlife

Cambo Snowdrop Shop

The snowdrop shop is now open to supply single and double snowdropssnowflakes aconites and wild garlic Follow this link for freshly dugbulbs

WILD CRAILWill Cresswell

Photography by John Anderson

I was out at lower Kilminning mid-morningfor an hour on the 19th It was incredibly stilland quiet with a very calm sea Quite unusualfor this time of year I could see the auks anddivers spread across the Forth as black dotsIt is not a good year for red-throated divers

around Crail but I could see quite a few thatmorning

Friday and Saturday of last week were coldbut sunny with hard frosts Perfect walkingweather with the sun just that little bit higherin the sky so it is not so blinding when youturn back to Crail from Fife Ness On FridayI was scoping out corn buntings at HillheadThere was a flock of 20-30 mixed in withabout 75 reed buntings and the usual (for thiswinter) many yellowhammers tree sparrows

and linnets There are still at least 14 Laplandbuntings in the stubbles but that visit mostwere in the middle field rather than thecoastal field by the ruined salmon bothy

On Saturday I walked the loop out from Crailto Balcomie and then back along the coastalpath The stubble fields were frozen so therewere no snipe or skylark in the big field byBalcomie Caravan Park but the flock ofabout 40 fieldfares is still there The fieldfaresare feeding in the stubble and then retreat tothe line of trees on the eastern edge of thecaravan park when disturbed (by thesparrowhawks that regularly hunt over thatfield for the snipe and skylark that will nowhave to make do with fieldfares) The mixed

flock of mostly linnets with some twite

mixed in was still around the asparagus fieldbetween Balcomie Castle and the golf courseThis field which has been waterlogged forthe last few weeks was also frozen that dayThe meadow pipits were congregating to feedon the ice of the frozen puddles in the

6

7

hollows Ice and snow acts like an insect trapSmall invertebrates hop or fly onto the ice andthen get too cold to move Their tiny darkshapes are easy to pick out against the icemaking it a good feeding area

The cold weather has been bringing inlandwater birds out to the coast at BalcomieInstead of the usual four or five teal there wasa flock of 30 Teals like very small ponds andthey freeze first so teal are the first duck tomove There was a dead mute swan on thebeach Maybe a bird flu victim butconsidering the circumstances perhaps morelikely a mute swan that left moving from aninland frozen lochan a bit too late At seathere were more goldeneyes and red-breastedmergansers to be seen and also my first long-tailed duck of the year As I scanned for seaduck I picked up an auk far out with a patchyblack and white look to it I could make out awhite patch on the back and the fact that Icould see its dark eye with white above andbelow it with a darker cap Two verycharacteristic features of a black guillemotThe other auks all have uniform blacklooking backs and heads ndash never showing

patchy white The mostly white face with adarkish small cap and obvious black eye arethe best features at a distance especiallywhen you have left your telescope at home Itseems likely that this black guillemot is thesame one that is being seen every week or sofrom Fife Ness or Balcomie this winter Theyare so common on the West Coast it seemsstrange that they are so uncommon hereThey could breed happily on the May Islandand even amongst the jumbled rocks ofKilminning coast Fife Ness was much thesame as last week ndash quite a few red-throateddivers some purple sandpiper and a couple ofearly gannets

Colin Morrison

8

Strange lsquoshiprsquo offshore

Look out to sea and you can see in variouschanging locations what is clearly anenormous ship with cranes ndash at night it is litup and very visible It is the Saipen 7000the worldrsquos third largest semi-submersiblecrane vessel It is a multipurpose offshoreoil platform installation vessel that is able toinstall very large oil production platformdecks (known as integrated decks) as well asthe decks supporting structures (known asjackets) using its two very large fullyrevolving cranes It is also able to supportthe offshore completion of the platform byproviding hotel and workshop facilities forlarge construction crews Theaccommodation is designed for 800 peoplecontains 30 triple cabins 335 double cabins35 singles and 5 suites The accommodationalso contains a large galley and mess roomsa hospital cinema and lounges andsaturation diving facilities also supportsubsea connection work The vessels sizeand semi-submersible form allows it tooperate in worse weather conditions thansmaller and conventionally shaped vessels

Wrote this last December upon having toput together an end of year review for myjob Instead of writing out a dull lsquowork-speakrsquo report I was inspired to create thefollowing poem In the end I didnrsquotimagine my boss or upper managementwould appreciate my efforts yet I think thefine people of the East Neuk may enjoy it

2020a year like no other 2020 has beenbanned from the office a situation unseenby a tiny nemesis disguised in breathits Covid19 the spikey bringer of death

BoJorsquos letter explained the situationat home I built my workstationdonrsquot be visiting family nor friendbloody hell when will it end

distance indicators on the floorinternet shopping delivered to your doorclap for the nurses bang those pots andpanssanitise mask up and wash those hands

missing visits to my deal old mumthink this tier systems kinda dumbneed to give her a kiss and a hughave a cup of tea and pat the dug

day in day out with only ma copineit was extraordinary now its routinewersquoll look back and laugh so they sayjust keep it together - itrsquoll happen one day

Crail Resident

Travel Plans 2021

I have been in many places but Irsquove never been in Kahoots Apparently you canrsquot go aloneYou have to be in Kahoots with someoneIrsquove also never been in Cognito I hear no one recognises you thereI have however been in Sane They donrsquot have an airport you have to be driven there Ihave made several trips there thanks to my children friends family and workI would like to go to Conclusions but you have to jump and Irsquom not too much on physicalactivity anymoreI have also been to doubt Thatrsquos a sad place to go and I try not to visit too oftenIrsquove been in Flexible but only when it was very important to stand firmSometimes Irsquom in Capable and I go there more often as I get olderOne of my favourite places to be is in Suspense It really gets the adrenaline flowing andpumps up the old heart At my age I need all the stimuli I can getI may have been in Continent but I donrsquot remember what country I was in Itrsquos an agething They tell me it is very wet and damp there

9

Worship Resources

Most Holy Trinity Church on WestgateNorth Crail Refer to web site hereCrail Parish Church Last Sunday we had azoom service and we are using theselockdown days as a God - given opportunity tocome together in a new way in a live servicethrough the medium of computer audio andvideo link called ZOOM Many of you willhave heard of ZOOM and will know what itinvolves We are here to help others use it andif you just have a phone you can phone up alocal number and dial in for free (if you have apackage with free local calls with a duration ofone hour)If you would like help in accessing zoom onthe internet or with accessing the zoom phoneline do get in touch We will send out the zoomlink to all those already on our email lists andif you are not on their lists and would like toreceive it just let the Session Clerk knowSt Johnrsquos Episcopal Church MarygatePittenweem is closed for worship but isbroadcasting Sunday services conducted bythe Rev Steven Butler at 1030 Please checkbeforehand in case circumstances change Fordetails of the link required go to httpswwweastneukepiscopalcoukCoastline Community Church PittenweemIn order to comply with Scottish GovtRegulations CCC is closed until further noticeIn the meantime we will continue to provide aweekly Meditation Service on YouTube Thedetails of the Service and the YouTube linkAre available here httpwwwcoastlinecommunitychurchorgukFor urgent pastoral needs please contact 01333312041 pastor_cccbtinternetcomtions

APrayer from the Pastoral letter of the RightRev Ian Paton Bishop of St AndrewsDenkeld and Dunblane Scottish EpiscopalChurchGod of compassionbe close to those who are ill afraid or inisolation In their loneliness be theirconsolationin their anxiety be their hopein their darkness be their lightthrough him who is the Light of the nationsand the Glory of your peopleJesus Christ our LordOn this Epiphany journey may God gladdenour hearts with the good news of his kingdom

Bin CollectionWinter Regime Reminder

Fife Council are currently operating theirwinter regime for brown bins Blue binsare still collected every two weeks butbrown bins are only being collectedevery FOUR weeks Make sure youcheck the Fife Council bin collectioncalendar to find the next date for thecollection of your brown bins httpswwwfifegovukservicesbin-calendar

27 January Grey bin3 February Blue bin10 February Green bin17 February Brown and Blue bins

Changes to PostOffice van hoursThe post office buswill only be comingto Crail on aMONDAYANDTUESDAY 145pm -345pm until government restrictions arelifted

Amessage from ShellrsquosI hope you are all keeping safe and wellin these crazy times I just wanted to letyou all know I am doing a free deliveryservice around the East Neuk if anyonewould like anything from my shop andcan also post items out to you forcustomer living further afield Postagecost will be charged accordingly Fromcards and gifts to helium balloons whichcan be delivered in a gift box is a greatway of cheering someone up if they arehaving a lockdown birthday oranniversary Also quite a few jigsaws instock and lovely needle felting kits tobeat the boredom You can find me onShellrsquos facebook page where I will beposting regular updates of new stockarriving Alternatively please leave amessage on the shop answering machine(01333 450200) with your details and Iwill return your call Thank you all somuch for your continued support itrsquosvery much appreciated Keep safe andhopefully see you soonRochelle

7

hollows Ice and snow acts like an insect trapSmall invertebrates hop or fly onto the ice andthen get too cold to move Their tiny darkshapes are easy to pick out against the icemaking it a good feeding area

The cold weather has been bringing inlandwater birds out to the coast at BalcomieInstead of the usual four or five teal there wasa flock of 30 Teals like very small ponds andthey freeze first so teal are the first duck tomove There was a dead mute swan on thebeach Maybe a bird flu victim butconsidering the circumstances perhaps morelikely a mute swan that left moving from aninland frozen lochan a bit too late At seathere were more goldeneyes and red-breastedmergansers to be seen and also my first long-tailed duck of the year As I scanned for seaduck I picked up an auk far out with a patchyblack and white look to it I could make out awhite patch on the back and the fact that Icould see its dark eye with white above andbelow it with a darker cap Two verycharacteristic features of a black guillemotThe other auks all have uniform blacklooking backs and heads ndash never showing

patchy white The mostly white face with adarkish small cap and obvious black eye arethe best features at a distance especiallywhen you have left your telescope at home Itseems likely that this black guillemot is thesame one that is being seen every week or sofrom Fife Ness or Balcomie this winter Theyare so common on the West Coast it seemsstrange that they are so uncommon hereThey could breed happily on the May Islandand even amongst the jumbled rocks ofKilminning coast Fife Ness was much thesame as last week ndash quite a few red-throateddivers some purple sandpiper and a couple ofearly gannets

Colin Morrison

8

Strange lsquoshiprsquo offshore

Look out to sea and you can see in variouschanging locations what is clearly anenormous ship with cranes ndash at night it is litup and very visible It is the Saipen 7000the worldrsquos third largest semi-submersiblecrane vessel It is a multipurpose offshoreoil platform installation vessel that is able toinstall very large oil production platformdecks (known as integrated decks) as well asthe decks supporting structures (known asjackets) using its two very large fullyrevolving cranes It is also able to supportthe offshore completion of the platform byproviding hotel and workshop facilities forlarge construction crews Theaccommodation is designed for 800 peoplecontains 30 triple cabins 335 double cabins35 singles and 5 suites The accommodationalso contains a large galley and mess roomsa hospital cinema and lounges andsaturation diving facilities also supportsubsea connection work The vessels sizeand semi-submersible form allows it tooperate in worse weather conditions thansmaller and conventionally shaped vessels

Wrote this last December upon having toput together an end of year review for myjob Instead of writing out a dull lsquowork-speakrsquo report I was inspired to create thefollowing poem In the end I didnrsquotimagine my boss or upper managementwould appreciate my efforts yet I think thefine people of the East Neuk may enjoy it

2020a year like no other 2020 has beenbanned from the office a situation unseenby a tiny nemesis disguised in breathits Covid19 the spikey bringer of death

BoJorsquos letter explained the situationat home I built my workstationdonrsquot be visiting family nor friendbloody hell when will it end

distance indicators on the floorinternet shopping delivered to your doorclap for the nurses bang those pots andpanssanitise mask up and wash those hands

missing visits to my deal old mumthink this tier systems kinda dumbneed to give her a kiss and a hughave a cup of tea and pat the dug

day in day out with only ma copineit was extraordinary now its routinewersquoll look back and laugh so they sayjust keep it together - itrsquoll happen one day

Crail Resident

Travel Plans 2021

I have been in many places but Irsquove never been in Kahoots Apparently you canrsquot go aloneYou have to be in Kahoots with someoneIrsquove also never been in Cognito I hear no one recognises you thereI have however been in Sane They donrsquot have an airport you have to be driven there Ihave made several trips there thanks to my children friends family and workI would like to go to Conclusions but you have to jump and Irsquom not too much on physicalactivity anymoreI have also been to doubt Thatrsquos a sad place to go and I try not to visit too oftenIrsquove been in Flexible but only when it was very important to stand firmSometimes Irsquom in Capable and I go there more often as I get olderOne of my favourite places to be is in Suspense It really gets the adrenaline flowing andpumps up the old heart At my age I need all the stimuli I can getI may have been in Continent but I donrsquot remember what country I was in Itrsquos an agething They tell me it is very wet and damp there

9

Worship Resources

Most Holy Trinity Church on WestgateNorth Crail Refer to web site hereCrail Parish Church Last Sunday we had azoom service and we are using theselockdown days as a God - given opportunity tocome together in a new way in a live servicethrough the medium of computer audio andvideo link called ZOOM Many of you willhave heard of ZOOM and will know what itinvolves We are here to help others use it andif you just have a phone you can phone up alocal number and dial in for free (if you have apackage with free local calls with a duration ofone hour)If you would like help in accessing zoom onthe internet or with accessing the zoom phoneline do get in touch We will send out the zoomlink to all those already on our email lists andif you are not on their lists and would like toreceive it just let the Session Clerk knowSt Johnrsquos Episcopal Church MarygatePittenweem is closed for worship but isbroadcasting Sunday services conducted bythe Rev Steven Butler at 1030 Please checkbeforehand in case circumstances change Fordetails of the link required go to httpswwweastneukepiscopalcoukCoastline Community Church PittenweemIn order to comply with Scottish GovtRegulations CCC is closed until further noticeIn the meantime we will continue to provide aweekly Meditation Service on YouTube Thedetails of the Service and the YouTube linkAre available here httpwwwcoastlinecommunitychurchorgukFor urgent pastoral needs please contact 01333312041 pastor_cccbtinternetcomtions

APrayer from the Pastoral letter of the RightRev Ian Paton Bishop of St AndrewsDenkeld and Dunblane Scottish EpiscopalChurchGod of compassionbe close to those who are ill afraid or inisolation In their loneliness be theirconsolationin their anxiety be their hopein their darkness be their lightthrough him who is the Light of the nationsand the Glory of your peopleJesus Christ our LordOn this Epiphany journey may God gladdenour hearts with the good news of his kingdom

Bin CollectionWinter Regime Reminder

Fife Council are currently operating theirwinter regime for brown bins Blue binsare still collected every two weeks butbrown bins are only being collectedevery FOUR weeks Make sure youcheck the Fife Council bin collectioncalendar to find the next date for thecollection of your brown bins httpswwwfifegovukservicesbin-calendar

27 January Grey bin3 February Blue bin10 February Green bin17 February Brown and Blue bins

Changes to PostOffice van hoursThe post office buswill only be comingto Crail on aMONDAYANDTUESDAY 145pm -345pm until government restrictions arelifted

Amessage from ShellrsquosI hope you are all keeping safe and wellin these crazy times I just wanted to letyou all know I am doing a free deliveryservice around the East Neuk if anyonewould like anything from my shop andcan also post items out to you forcustomer living further afield Postagecost will be charged accordingly Fromcards and gifts to helium balloons whichcan be delivered in a gift box is a greatway of cheering someone up if they arehaving a lockdown birthday oranniversary Also quite a few jigsaws instock and lovely needle felting kits tobeat the boredom You can find me onShellrsquos facebook page where I will beposting regular updates of new stockarriving Alternatively please leave amessage on the shop answering machine(01333 450200) with your details and Iwill return your call Thank you all somuch for your continued support itrsquosvery much appreciated Keep safe andhopefully see you soonRochelle

8

Strange lsquoshiprsquo offshore

Look out to sea and you can see in variouschanging locations what is clearly anenormous ship with cranes ndash at night it is litup and very visible It is the Saipen 7000the worldrsquos third largest semi-submersiblecrane vessel It is a multipurpose offshoreoil platform installation vessel that is able toinstall very large oil production platformdecks (known as integrated decks) as well asthe decks supporting structures (known asjackets) using its two very large fullyrevolving cranes It is also able to supportthe offshore completion of the platform byproviding hotel and workshop facilities forlarge construction crews Theaccommodation is designed for 800 peoplecontains 30 triple cabins 335 double cabins35 singles and 5 suites The accommodationalso contains a large galley and mess roomsa hospital cinema and lounges andsaturation diving facilities also supportsubsea connection work The vessels sizeand semi-submersible form allows it tooperate in worse weather conditions thansmaller and conventionally shaped vessels

Wrote this last December upon having toput together an end of year review for myjob Instead of writing out a dull lsquowork-speakrsquo report I was inspired to create thefollowing poem In the end I didnrsquotimagine my boss or upper managementwould appreciate my efforts yet I think thefine people of the East Neuk may enjoy it

2020a year like no other 2020 has beenbanned from the office a situation unseenby a tiny nemesis disguised in breathits Covid19 the spikey bringer of death

BoJorsquos letter explained the situationat home I built my workstationdonrsquot be visiting family nor friendbloody hell when will it end

distance indicators on the floorinternet shopping delivered to your doorclap for the nurses bang those pots andpanssanitise mask up and wash those hands

missing visits to my deal old mumthink this tier systems kinda dumbneed to give her a kiss and a hughave a cup of tea and pat the dug

day in day out with only ma copineit was extraordinary now its routinewersquoll look back and laugh so they sayjust keep it together - itrsquoll happen one day

Crail Resident

Travel Plans 2021

I have been in many places but Irsquove never been in Kahoots Apparently you canrsquot go aloneYou have to be in Kahoots with someoneIrsquove also never been in Cognito I hear no one recognises you thereI have however been in Sane They donrsquot have an airport you have to be driven there Ihave made several trips there thanks to my children friends family and workI would like to go to Conclusions but you have to jump and Irsquom not too much on physicalactivity anymoreI have also been to doubt Thatrsquos a sad place to go and I try not to visit too oftenIrsquove been in Flexible but only when it was very important to stand firmSometimes Irsquom in Capable and I go there more often as I get olderOne of my favourite places to be is in Suspense It really gets the adrenaline flowing andpumps up the old heart At my age I need all the stimuli I can getI may have been in Continent but I donrsquot remember what country I was in Itrsquos an agething They tell me it is very wet and damp there

9

Worship Resources

Most Holy Trinity Church on WestgateNorth Crail Refer to web site hereCrail Parish Church Last Sunday we had azoom service and we are using theselockdown days as a God - given opportunity tocome together in a new way in a live servicethrough the medium of computer audio andvideo link called ZOOM Many of you willhave heard of ZOOM and will know what itinvolves We are here to help others use it andif you just have a phone you can phone up alocal number and dial in for free (if you have apackage with free local calls with a duration ofone hour)If you would like help in accessing zoom onthe internet or with accessing the zoom phoneline do get in touch We will send out the zoomlink to all those already on our email lists andif you are not on their lists and would like toreceive it just let the Session Clerk knowSt Johnrsquos Episcopal Church MarygatePittenweem is closed for worship but isbroadcasting Sunday services conducted bythe Rev Steven Butler at 1030 Please checkbeforehand in case circumstances change Fordetails of the link required go to httpswwweastneukepiscopalcoukCoastline Community Church PittenweemIn order to comply with Scottish GovtRegulations CCC is closed until further noticeIn the meantime we will continue to provide aweekly Meditation Service on YouTube Thedetails of the Service and the YouTube linkAre available here httpwwwcoastlinecommunitychurchorgukFor urgent pastoral needs please contact 01333312041 pastor_cccbtinternetcomtions

APrayer from the Pastoral letter of the RightRev Ian Paton Bishop of St AndrewsDenkeld and Dunblane Scottish EpiscopalChurchGod of compassionbe close to those who are ill afraid or inisolation In their loneliness be theirconsolationin their anxiety be their hopein their darkness be their lightthrough him who is the Light of the nationsand the Glory of your peopleJesus Christ our LordOn this Epiphany journey may God gladdenour hearts with the good news of his kingdom

Bin CollectionWinter Regime Reminder

Fife Council are currently operating theirwinter regime for brown bins Blue binsare still collected every two weeks butbrown bins are only being collectedevery FOUR weeks Make sure youcheck the Fife Council bin collectioncalendar to find the next date for thecollection of your brown bins httpswwwfifegovukservicesbin-calendar

27 January Grey bin3 February Blue bin10 February Green bin17 February Brown and Blue bins

Changes to PostOffice van hoursThe post office buswill only be comingto Crail on aMONDAYANDTUESDAY 145pm -345pm until government restrictions arelifted

Amessage from ShellrsquosI hope you are all keeping safe and wellin these crazy times I just wanted to letyou all know I am doing a free deliveryservice around the East Neuk if anyonewould like anything from my shop andcan also post items out to you forcustomer living further afield Postagecost will be charged accordingly Fromcards and gifts to helium balloons whichcan be delivered in a gift box is a greatway of cheering someone up if they arehaving a lockdown birthday oranniversary Also quite a few jigsaws instock and lovely needle felting kits tobeat the boredom You can find me onShellrsquos facebook page where I will beposting regular updates of new stockarriving Alternatively please leave amessage on the shop answering machine(01333 450200) with your details and Iwill return your call Thank you all somuch for your continued support itrsquosvery much appreciated Keep safe andhopefully see you soonRochelle

9

Worship Resources

Most Holy Trinity Church on WestgateNorth Crail Refer to web site hereCrail Parish Church Last Sunday we had azoom service and we are using theselockdown days as a God - given opportunity tocome together in a new way in a live servicethrough the medium of computer audio andvideo link called ZOOM Many of you willhave heard of ZOOM and will know what itinvolves We are here to help others use it andif you just have a phone you can phone up alocal number and dial in for free (if you have apackage with free local calls with a duration ofone hour)If you would like help in accessing zoom onthe internet or with accessing the zoom phoneline do get in touch We will send out the zoomlink to all those already on our email lists andif you are not on their lists and would like toreceive it just let the Session Clerk knowSt Johnrsquos Episcopal Church MarygatePittenweem is closed for worship but isbroadcasting Sunday services conducted bythe Rev Steven Butler at 1030 Please checkbeforehand in case circumstances change Fordetails of the link required go to httpswwweastneukepiscopalcoukCoastline Community Church PittenweemIn order to comply with Scottish GovtRegulations CCC is closed until further noticeIn the meantime we will continue to provide aweekly Meditation Service on YouTube Thedetails of the Service and the YouTube linkAre available here httpwwwcoastlinecommunitychurchorgukFor urgent pastoral needs please contact 01333312041 pastor_cccbtinternetcomtions

APrayer from the Pastoral letter of the RightRev Ian Paton Bishop of St AndrewsDenkeld and Dunblane Scottish EpiscopalChurchGod of compassionbe close to those who are ill afraid or inisolation In their loneliness be theirconsolationin their anxiety be their hopein their darkness be their lightthrough him who is the Light of the nationsand the Glory of your peopleJesus Christ our LordOn this Epiphany journey may God gladdenour hearts with the good news of his kingdom

Bin CollectionWinter Regime Reminder

Fife Council are currently operating theirwinter regime for brown bins Blue binsare still collected every two weeks butbrown bins are only being collectedevery FOUR weeks Make sure youcheck the Fife Council bin collectioncalendar to find the next date for thecollection of your brown bins httpswwwfifegovukservicesbin-calendar

27 January Grey bin3 February Blue bin10 February Green bin17 February Brown and Blue bins

Changes to PostOffice van hoursThe post office buswill only be comingto Crail on aMONDAYANDTUESDAY 145pm -345pm until government restrictions arelifted

Amessage from ShellrsquosI hope you are all keeping safe and wellin these crazy times I just wanted to letyou all know I am doing a free deliveryservice around the East Neuk if anyonewould like anything from my shop andcan also post items out to you forcustomer living further afield Postagecost will be charged accordingly Fromcards and gifts to helium balloons whichcan be delivered in a gift box is a greatway of cheering someone up if they arehaving a lockdown birthday oranniversary Also quite a few jigsaws instock and lovely needle felting kits tobeat the boredom You can find me onShellrsquos facebook page where I will beposting regular updates of new stockarriving Alternatively please leave amessage on the shop answering machine(01333 450200) with your details and Iwill return your call Thank you all somuch for your continued support itrsquosvery much appreciated Keep safe andhopefully see you soonRochelle

10

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Podcasts

In a recent episode of The Infinite Monkey Cage podcast (ldquoIn Praise of Fliesrdquo) theymentioned that bees can learn to play football Whoknew (The story was on the BBC web site a whileago httpswwwbbccoukbbcthreearticle1942bcd3-b142-4a04-9b1c-eba6a99fbd6c)At this point you may be asking ldquoWhat on earth is apodcastrdquo Essentially itrsquos just a series of spoken wordfiles that you can (automatically) download to yourdevice (phone tablet computer) and then listen to atyour convenience Many podcasts are divided intoseries that run for a number of weeks Some are radioshows but the podcast versions have the added bonusthat they arenrsquot limited by the radio showrsquos durationSo for example if a radio show lasts 30 minutes thepodcast version can include some of the bits that were edited outSigning up for a podcast is very easy (and free) smartphones normally come with apodcast app installed You just open up the app and then search for the podcast you wantThere are podcasts on just about any subject you care to think of and they cover fiction aswell as non-fiction You can listen to single episodes by searching for them but if you signup for a particular podcast every time a new episode becomes available it shouldautomatically appear on your deviceSome of our favourite podcasts includebull The Infinite Monkey Cage a light-hearted science-based panel show chaired by ProfessorBrian Cox and comedian Robin Ince (Also a BBC radio show)bull The Byline Times Podcast the Byline Times is an independently published monthlynewspaper funded by its subscribers The podcast is edited and anchored by AdrianGoldberg who used to work for BBC Radio 5 Livebull The Verb a podcast about language in all its various forms (poetry stories etc) hosted bypoet Ian McMillan and featuring a selection of guests talking about a particular theme(Also a BBC radio show)bull Classic Scottish Albums an occasional series in which Davie Scott talks to band membersabout the making of some classic Scottish music albumsbull The Scottish Fisheries Museum an occasional series covering a range of issues to do withfishing and the oceans as they relate to a particular theme (eg there was a recent seriescalled Herring Tales)If you decide that yoursquove had enough of a particular podcast it only takes a few clicks tounsubscribe Also if you donrsquot listen to a podcast for some time the app will automaticallystop downloading any new episodes to your device until you start listening againAnd if yoursquore still not convinced the recent BBC programme The Truth About ImprovingYour Mental Health showed that listening to podcasts while you exercise can improve yourmental health and well as your physical health

Even we know this ones a robin

RSPBrsquos Big Garden Birdwatch 29-31 January

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birdsrsquo annualBig Garden Birdwatch takes place this coming weekend(29-31 January) Itrsquos easy to sign up and take part in theworldrsquos largest wildlife survey all from the comfort ofyour own home You simply spend an hour counting thebirds you see in your garden and submit the numbers tothe RSPB If yoursquore a bit unsure about naming the birdsthat you see the RSPB provides some useful help Fulldetails can be found on the RSPBrsquos site httpswwwrspborgukget-involvedactivitiesbirdwatch

11

A subsidized hard copy version of Crail Matters is available delivered to your house forpeople who have difficulty in accessing the digital issue through age or infirmity Pleasecontact us (or a member of the Editorial Team) if you feel you fall into this category This isa service dependent on volunteers to deliver and at the moment only available in Crail

The Royal Burgh of Crail and DistrictCommunity Council Notes

Next virtual meeting 25 January 2021 715pm(Contact crailcommunitycouncilgmailcom for joining instructions

Participants will be required to confirm their identity)

AGENDA

Welcome

Apologies

Minutes of meeting held on November 30 2020

Action Summary1 Vacant building rates paid ActionCllrBP2 Recycling Stickers ndash Cllr BP3 Dangerous bollards ndash Cllr LH4 Rewilding consultationrepresentation ndash DJ5 Drains at Kirkmay Rd ndash Cllr BP6 Signs at Kirkmay Rd and West Endndash Cllr JD

Chairmanrsquos Report

Treasurerrsquos Report

Secretaryrsquos Report

Update Crail Partnership

Common Good Applications ndash VictoriaGardens amp Bowling Club

Floodlighting MUGAamp Skatepark

Fife Councilors Reports

AOCB

First Snowdrops - Denburn WoodGordon Baxter

Material for inclusion in Crail Matters should be sent to crailmattersgmailcom and received on Thursday500pm before publication Any views expressed in Letters to the Editor are those of the author and not ofCrail Matters We reserve the right to edit copy for length and style Submission does not guarantee inclusioncopy Crab Publishing 2020 Editorial Team Julie Middleton Isla Reid Valencia Sowry Max Taylor GordonBaxter

AdvertCopy Submission to Crail Matters

The Editors are happy to accept material for publication ina variety of formats but we prefer doc jpg and pdf copyWe would urge anyone submitting material to have regardto efficient use of space - we cannot guarantee to publishin original format large adverts designed as posters We

reserve the right to edit material

Crail Community PartnershipCrail Community Partnership invite allmembers of the Community to join An

application form can be found herehttps

crailmatterscomfileswordpresscom201907membership-form-shortpdf

12

The Crail SeagullYou know that I fly around a lot even in lockdown - probably notallowed as we are all meant to lsquostay localrsquo but hey - what is localWell one of the things Irsquove noticed of late are people who I donrsquotrecognise walking around Are they visitors Are visitors allowedLocal presumably means local in Crail - not sure about this but itdoesnrsquot seem right given the number of vulnerable people there are in

Crail

Well a bit of me is shocked and a bit of me israther envious My cousin sent me this snap ofhim on holiday with his pals He asked if Iwanted to go along with him but didnt say thatthere would be as many going It may be warmand sunny there but no way are they sociallydistant from each other He better not come tosee me at Fluke Dub when he returns I wantto remain safe and Im not sure if we gulls areimmune from the virus Im taking no chances

Being something of a pilot myself (well I flya around lot) Irsquove not noticed much aircraft

activity lately There seem to be very fewairplanes visible high up and not many RAFplanes around Have any planes been landingat Crail airfield lately Over the years Irsquoveseen the odd light aircraft and Irsquove alwayswondered why they were there - Irsquom surethere is a perfectly good reason of course

Crail Food Festival AGM 27th January 2021 730pm onZoom

Crail Food Festival will have its AGM on Wednesday 27th January2021 at 730pm This meeting will be held on Zoom and everybodyis welcome to join in Joining instructions can be found below andyou should register via this link We look forward to lsquoseeingrsquo youtherehttpswwweventbritecouke2021-agm-crail-food-festival-tickets-134128803863

Material for inclusion in Crail Matters should be sent to crailmattersgmailcom and received on Thursday500pm before publication Any views expressed in Letters to the Editor are those of the author and not ofCrail Matters We reserve the right to edit copy for length and style Submission does not guarantee inclusioncopy Crab Publishing 2020 Editorial Team Julie Middleton Isla Reid Valencia Sowry Max Taylor GordonBaxter

AdvertCopy Submission to Crail Matters

The Editors are happy to accept material for publication ina variety of formats but we prefer doc jpg and pdf copyWe would urge anyone submitting material to have regardto efficient use of space - we cannot guarantee to publishin original format large adverts designed as posters We

reserve the right to edit material

Crail Community PartnershipCrail Community Partnership invite allmembers of the Community to join An

application form can be found herehttps

crailmatterscomfileswordpresscom201907membership-form-shortpdf

12

The Crail SeagullYou know that I fly around a lot even in lockdown - probably notallowed as we are all meant to lsquostay localrsquo but hey - what is localWell one of the things Irsquove noticed of late are people who I donrsquotrecognise walking around Are they visitors Are visitors allowedLocal presumably means local in Crail - not sure about this but itdoesnrsquot seem right given the number of vulnerable people there are in

Crail

Well a bit of me is shocked and a bit of me israther envious My cousin sent me this snap ofhim on holiday with his pals He asked if Iwanted to go along with him but didnt say thatthere would be as many going It may be warmand sunny there but no way are they sociallydistant from each other He better not come tosee me at Fluke Dub when he returns I wantto remain safe and Im not sure if we gulls areimmune from the virus Im taking no chances

Being something of a pilot myself (well I flya around lot) Irsquove not noticed much aircraft

activity lately There seem to be very fewairplanes visible high up and not many RAFplanes around Have any planes been landingat Crail airfield lately Over the years Irsquoveseen the odd light aircraft and Irsquove alwayswondered why they were there - Irsquom surethere is a perfectly good reason of course

Crail Food Festival AGM 27th January 2021 730pm onZoom

Crail Food Festival will have its AGM on Wednesday 27th January2021 at 730pm This meeting will be held on Zoom and everybodyis welcome to join in Joining instructions can be found below andyou should register via this link We look forward to lsquoseeingrsquo youtherehttpswwweventbritecouke2021-agm-crail-food-festival-tickets-134128803863