(Along the Fife Coastal Path)

“Sarah Brown will be joined by Kathy Lette, Arabella Weir, and Sandi and Debbie Toksvig on a five-day charity walk to raise money for girls’ education and safe schools.

The five have already started training for the 117-mile long Fife Coastal Path.

They will already have covered a few miles before they officially wave friends and supporters farewell at North Queensferry on the morning of Monday, July 30. They complete the walk at Newport on Tay on Friday, August 3.”

Sarah’s team of five tackles 117-mile charity walk for Theirworld

https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/about-us/news/fundraising-in-fife

Nearly 100 people assembled in the newly painted Upper Library.

2 out of 3 Fife Councillors, most Community Councillors, several people from the Shows and residents from all parts of the town discussed ‘the problem’ for over an hour.

The meeting was chaired by CC Chairman Alex MacDonald who did his best to make sure only one person talked at a time.

Towards the end he took a vote on several specific questions.

Those present almost unanimously wanted no parking on The Links at any time. A significant majority wanted an end to the present situation where Fife Council has sanctioned parking on the grass at the place used for the Highland Games – there will be no parking on the day of the games.

Fife Council is also restricting on-road parking on that day, though the notice makes no mention of where parking will be permitted –

Click to access c64_Burntisland(MarketDay)NWAATonline.pdf

There was general agreement that parking was a problem.

Increasing numbers of people are coming by car rather than public transport – especially at the moment with the unusual run of hot weather.

Various suggestions were made about sites where parking was possible, notably Forth Ports owned land including BiFab’s carpark.

Shuttle buses (common in other places hosting significant events) were suggested several times as was the idea that Fife Council had ‘no money’ even for signs to direct people to temporary carparks.

Fife Council was blamed for not adequately dealing with parking over many years.

It was agreed that visitors were essential for Burntisland and car use was inevitable and that most people were ‘unwilling to walk far’.

Encouraging Active Travel, and the fact that this was one of Fife Council’s policies was mentioned and also that Burntisland Station is not fully accessible.

The Showmen made it clear that they weren’t in favour of parking on The Links but were reluctantly managing the parking for Fife Council, to prevent a worse situation.

Various people questioned the legality of Fife Council’s actions in drawing up plans for parking, partly because it’s Burntisland Common Good land, but also whether correct procedures, including risks assessments, have been followed.

The meeting was valuable for airing views, suggesting options and getting a feeling for local opinion, but ended with unanswered questions and no certainties about short or long term ‘solutions’ to parking on The Links or elsewhere. Over to Fife Council…

Comments on Burntisland Public Facebook page.

https://www.change.org/p/jim-jopling-stop-the-links-being-used-as-a-overflow-car-park

“1/2 Huge volume of cars due to good weather and fair at Burntisland Links putting pressure on parking. We are looking for solutions but as a temporary measure we are allowing parking on the Links short term.”

“2/2 The Highland Games are coming soon and the surface is being managed and monitored to make sure it is not damaged. If there are any changes in the weather and any risk to the grass being damaged, parking will not be permitted on the Links.”

(Facebook message this afternoon)

“It is with great sadness that we have decided to close Potter About Cafe. Ill health and increased caring duties have caught up with us both and we find ourselves unable to continue.

We wanted to make Potter About a place where everyone is welcome. We are very thankful to have had such supportive, hardworking and dedicated staff. We are proud of the number of young people with a disability for whom we have been able to provide work experience and offer employment.

We are also aware of the support of our local community and our regular customers from further afield. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to you all for supporting our business, the Suspended Coffee Scheme, the Foodbank and for being part of the atmosphere, goodwill and community that is Potter About.

We hope you will continue to enjoy Potter About until we close; our last day of trading is Saturday the 28th of July.

Thank you everyone – we couldn’t have done it without you 😍.

https://www.facebook.com/Potter-About-Cafe-106272249436825/

FFP story.

Goats cheese and beetroot salad for lunch today.

“Royal Burgh of Burntisland Community Council
(Sunday evening)
Special Community Council Meeting
Thursday 5th July
7.00pm Burgh Chambers
To Discuss the Parking Of Cars
On The Links
Everyone Welcome”

https://en-gb.facebook.com/274034585958132/posts/special-community-council-meeting-thursday/2385641034797466/