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News and Events

The previous Community Council Pathways Group started the ball rolling by identifying all the pathways that exist within the village through investigation and consultation, many of them of great antiquity.  Mike Gilbert has listed, mapped and photographed all of them. Fife Council access officers have studied these and identified which ones need to be taken to community investigation, as many are already Rights of Way or are adopted roads, tracks and paths.  This includes a number of important routes that people use to get to some of the small beaches, shortcuts and historical ways in the village.  Fife Council is now investigating these to see if villagers want to make all or selected ones into Rights of Way, which will give a permanent protection to their status.  

Over 90 people came to the consultation and provided the access officers with a wealth of information and memories of the paths, which has now been collated and final proposals are prepared by the Access officers.

There is a great deal of information - maps, photographs and descriptions available through Mike Gilbert or the website.  The list and map available online are just a taster.

At present, the proposals are being compiled by the legal department of Fife Council after which time the proposals will come before the Kirkcaldy Area Committee for ratification.  There is no date yet set for ratification so please be patient.

Go to the “Planning” page for information on current planning applications.

Please note that, as a sitting Councillor, I offer no opinion on any planning application prior to it being considered at committee - available information is presented to keep you informed.

Ron Edwards

See a presentation by David Holdsworth on the damage to Pettycur Pier in 2010 and what may be done about it?

Good news:  since this presentation to the community council, Fife Council investigated the possibility of protecting the breach in the training wall at the back of the quay.  The quay is an historic monument so it was agreed to place large rock armour between the dressed protective training walls.  Then, should money come available or a community group come forward with a plan to put to Historic Scotland, new dressed masonry can be used to complete the job.  The rock was sourced to fit in with the masonry of the quayside and came from Aberdeenshire.  It’s a pretty pink and looks really nice and will certainly do the job, but it certainly is not the same as the grey masonry it sits amongst.

David Holdsworth had a big input into moving this project forward, much appreciated.

Coot Nest in May

Great Crested Grebe in May

Successful breeders, but pr editors, including the mink, take a lot of eggs and youngsters.

These are the results of a bird survey carried out by Danny Wallace and Ronnie Wallace on 3rd May 2011.

There appear to be 25 nests in use.  There were two broods of Mallards on the loch at the time (now 3).  There are also at least one pair of breeding Little Grebes in the area of the hide.  This suggests at least 28 breeding pairs.  There were four Tufted Ducks (1 female) on the loch at the time.  A more recent count identified 3 pairs of Tufted Ducks on the Loch though it is not known if any will breed here as their numbers fluctuate.
 
Predators on the Loch include a Mink located near the rocky point at the east side of the loch.  A small number of Gulls were present but did not display any predatory behaviour.  A Crow was paying particular attention to Coot nests along the roadside shore though it did not manage to take any eggs at this time.  A Grey Heron has also been seen on the Loch recently paying attention to Coot nests.
 
The Moorhen nest located in the bushes opposite the Water Wheel now has at least two chicks.  The Canada Goose has succeeded in laying at least one egg in the nest on the barley straw a raft.  It is unlikely that this egg will hatch and in any case there has been some unusual activity on  this nest since the survey that suggests possible predation.
 
The Mute Swan on an adjacent raft has also produced at least one egg and we are hopeful this will be a successful enterprise.  It may be quite unusual for a Swan to successfully breed on a raft.  I will make enquiries with the RSPB.
 
It is believed that the presence of a Mink on the loch will have a significant impact on the number of birds breeding here.  It may be the reason that the number of Great Crested Grebes and Moorhens particularly, is low.
 
Danny Wallace + Ronnie Morris

Note: if you come across mink traps please leave them alone, or tell the farm if mink are present.

Birdlife surveys on the loch.              by Danny Wallace and Ronnie Morris

The survey of 3rd May 2011 has since been supplemented by a further survey on 5th July 2011.

The later survey shows that numbers have not been sustained and that predation seems to have been sadly severe this year.

Invertiel development.

Many residents in Kinghorn have involved themselves in the campaign for the development of a supermarket at Invertiel.  I have written in to the Fife Free Press and this was printed on 7th July: “Deliberations on the Invertiel (Morrisons) planning application are finally over.  It has been a long haul, and is not yet quite over, but I would personally like to thank all the supporters and the objectors for their good humour, grit and forbearance.  For me, it is a shining example of people taking an enthusiastic and fully informed involvement in the democratic process.  This has not only been at this planning application stage but indeed in previously developing an “Invertiel Framework” through co-operation of planners and councillors.  And authorities have listened and taken all comment into account before making the final decision purely on planning grounds of the acceptability of Land Use proposals.  The proposals have been deemed to be good for the town as a whole, including the proper consideration of any potential effect on the Town Centre.  As an aside and sadly, this has not been the case with the massively unfortunate decision on the swimming pool location which will, in my opinion, do more harm to the town centre than anything else.

However,  I would remind everyone that, because the Invertiel decision is deemed contrary to the local plan and officer's recommendation, the decision will have to be referred to the Scottish Government to decide whether to call it in.  Whether or not it is "called in" will be based purely on the grounds for allowing the development.  Hopefully the consideration of ministers will be a formality, because I believe that procedures were properly applied and the grounds for the decision are robust.  Following on from that, there will be a detailed planning application from the developer, to meet the aspirations of the Invertiel Framework in order to ensure that it is a good and attractive development”.                                            

Ron Edwards

Kinghorn Artists Exhibition.

until 31st July, 10am-4pm in the Community Centre.

These photos are from this years exhibition.  Eleven local profession artists exhibit their paintings, glass and sculpture every year and it is always of incredible quality and presentation.  So get along to the Community Centre for an hour’s viewing and sample the cakes and a coffee a the cafe.

Cast your mouse over the photos for some more information.

Kinghorn Loch Users Group Fundraiser BBQ.

Friday 19th August, 6pm-9pm, Craigencalt Cottage.  KLUG manages well on the generosity of donations each year; barley straw from Banchory farm and the loan of a work boat to assist with maintenance of the loch.  However, it is necessary to fundraise to provide extras like the proposed Nesting Islands for the swans and helping raise money to publish the Bird Book this year.

Hence, the group has decided to hold a fundraiser BBQ, hopefully on a sunny Friday evening on 19th August.  Burgers, sausages and veggie alternatives and a drink will be available for a donation from adults. All friends are welcome to come and join us, but please let us know if you are coming so that we can judge catering.  It will undoubtedly be a good, social evening for all.

And why not follow it up by taking advantage of the various clubs by trying out kayaking or sailing at another time, bird watching or fishing or just helping with the more meanial tasks that are so important.  Do not forget our annual Come & Try Day in May each year.             Marilyn Edwards