Largo Bay

Dementia Friends Continue

Dementia Friends Continue

Hello All,

Firstly a reminder that our Dementia Friendly Training and awareness sessions will continue at the Simpson Institute from 2pm-3pm on Thursday the 17th of October – that’s this week ! Come along and find out more whether it affects someone in your family, you run a  group or you’re just interested in what you can do.

You can also learn more about becoming a Dementia Friend at https://www.dementiafriendsscotland.org

Please do come along to find out more about supporting those in the community, if not Thursday then keep an eye out for the final date..

Just reply if you want to get in touch.

Friends of Largo Bay Events

Join A Friendly Social Tomorrow – Wednesday

Join the group to learn more about what they have been up to lately, including their incredible hands on biodiversity projects and artistic goals, and just share a drink…

Everyone is welcome.  Sea you there 😉

Beach Clean – Help Us Clean Up

Green Products – Happy Planet – The Science Of Cleaning

We are excited to invite you to an inspiring event that The Friends of Largo Bay have helped to develop with the Largo Library and Community Hub’s fantastic and long-running Science Saturdays. This event is centered around the themes of clean waters, happy people, and sustainable living and it is also fab hands on fun.

Whip Up Your Own Green Goodies at Science Saturday! Adult and Children
Join us for engaging workshops where you’ll learn the secrets to keeping our rivers, seas, and homes sparkling clean with eco-friendly techniques and easy do it yourself products.

Discover easy swaps that promote a healthier home and planet!

Event Details:

  • Date: November 2nd
  • Times:
    • Kids: 1 PM – 2 PM (Free, must be accompanied by an adult)
    • Adults: 2:30 PM – 4 PM £2 ticket
  • Location: Largo Library and Community Hub, 7 Lundin Square, KY8 6BH

All materials will be provided, so you can dive right in and start making a difference!

Let’s team up and be the change-makers for our environment while enjoying some savings and a sparkling home 🙂 🌍✨

To Book Your Spot: www.ticketsource.co.uk/largo-library-community-hub.

They look forward to seeing you there! Don’t forget to book !

Also Don’t Forget to RSVP to this Event

If you want to learn more about the Pier Group’s work on this project and its challenges that has brought us to a crossroads, let us know as soon as possible.

As  usual, there are so many fantastic things happening across the community and unfortunately couldn’t share them all here now but do keep an eye out and we look forward to sharing more soon and keep us in touch with anything you would like us to communicate.

Upcoming Things For You !

Dear Community Members,

Here are a few things coming up – ( for the events below – I  have the information that people have sent to me so if you have something you would like me to share next time just drop me a line and use the whatson page on the Largoct.org.uk website as the more it’s used the better ! )

Community Garden News

Largo Church is thrilled to announce the completion of their new Community Garden!  They have six raised beds, and two are still available for local individuals or families interested in growing their own food. The beds are filled and ready for planting.

If you’re interested in a bed, or want to learn more about the Children’s Gardening & Nature Club and Youth Gardening Group, please fill out this short form: Community Garden (office.com). This is  a great asset for the community and the more it’s supported the better ! You can also email Fiona Ramsay who is leading on this and the Messy Church  on [email protected].

June Prep: Railway Opening & Business Listings

Business Boost: With the Levenmouth railway opening on June 2nd, now’s the perfect time for businesses and groups to update listings on Google Maps. Double-check your hours, contact details, and descriptions for accuracy.

Tourism Opportunities:

Contact Matt Pointon ([email protected]) to be added to the LLTA (Leven Local Tourism Association) mailing list.

Welcome to Fife have added a Levenmouth Events and Offers section to their what’s on section of the website this will be live throughout the month of June. If you have any special events on for the opening or if you would like to run any special offers over the month, please add through this link.

They will be creating a QR code and promoting at Waverley Station in Edinburgh to encourage people to visit Levenmouth. Submit your Fife events (welcometofife.com) If you want to go to Edinburgh to encourage people to take a trip to Levenmouth there is also a shout out for volunteers. Give Matt ( email above ) a shout to find out more.

 

All wider marketing will be directed through the Welcome to Fife website there is a recommendation that you take a few minutes to either add a business listing or update your business listing. If you have any difficulties in doing so please let Matt know.

Below are some of the things that Leven Community Council are organising for the day and I hear that the train bookings are now live through Scotrail too so go along and support them 🙂

Celebrating Volunteers!

Volunteers’ Week (June 3rd-9th) is approaching, and we want to shine a spotlight on all the amazing volunteers and what they do in the Largo area whether informal or formal – regular or adhoc for any groups at all.

If you volunteer, tell us about your project, what you love about it or share a short quote on what you do .  We’ll include your stories in a special feature and  we look to widen our support for all those who keep things going in such a huge variety of ways.

Just reply to this email 🙂

Some Upcoming Events

Some Upcoming Events ( let me know what to include in the future ) There are posters at the bottom of this email and have a look here for further details:

Events – Largo Communities Together Largo Communities Together (largoct.org.uk)

  • Friends of Largo Bay Events (May):

    email [email protected] to get more information on any of these.

    • Science Saturday – May 11th Largo Library and Community Hub 2pm – Booking here: https://ticketsource.co.uk/largo-library-community-hub
    • Biodiversity Study Day ( Citizen Science, no experience needed, if you need support to participate let us know)- May 12th – meet at 10am at the Temple Car Park
    • Friends of Largo Bay Quiz Night – May 24th 7pm – Get in touch with The Aurrie or email [email protected] ( £12 a table, cash only BYOB)
    • Big Beach Clean Up – May 26th – 10am -12pm Massney Braes
  • Largo Twinning Events 17th -19th May( contact [email protected] for more information)
  • All In a Spring Evening Concert – Largo Parish Church 18th of May
  • Dementia Awareness Day: May 23rd 11am at the Paxton Centre (Resilience Group with the Alzheimer Society) – No booking needed.
  • Coffee Morning to support Christian Aid Sat 25th May 10am-12noon – The Stables, Upper Largo –  teas, coffees, home baking and car washing available.

Big Picnic Returns

We’re also excited about the upcoming Largo Area Big Picnic in June on the 9th and can’t wait to celebrate our incredible community so get ready for a day of community fun!

This annual event is a chance for residents, families, and visitors to come together, relax, and celebrate all things local. Bring your own picnic goodies, chairs or blankets, and enjoy a day of sunshine (we hope), laughter, and connection with your neighbours. This year will coincide with the end of volunteers week.

We’ll have games, crafts, activities, and maybe even some live music to keep the festive atmosphere going (If you would like to offer some music games fun or anything else please get in touch!! ) The Big Picnic is about enjoying the simple pleasures of your community and we will also have the emergency plan ready to roll soon too.

Let’s make this year the best one yet!

There will be a planning meeting coming up so keep an eye out for that if you want to get more involved.

Look forward to hearing from you ! Email: [email protected]

Some Things Coming Up

Hello Community,

We’re thrilled to share some  news and opportunities to get involved ( if you have something you want me to share on here in the future – just drop me a line).

Biodiversity Boost!

Thanks to ecologist and ranger Tony Wilson, The Friends of Largo Bay biodiversity monitoring group learned so much about Largo Bay’s unique environment. This knowledge fuels their exciting plans for long-term biodiversity monitoring.

Calling All Seaweed Sleuths!

Join  the biodiversity team on April 24th for the Great Seaweed Search! Whether you’re an expert or just curious, this is a wonderful experience with amazing people. We’re also working to improve water quality, a top priority for our community.

Search for Seaweed.  The teams latest project is on Wednesday 24th April at 08.30.

Be a Citizen Scientist and join to help data collection across the Uk

All volunteers welcome. Wrap up well and help understanding of the environment.

Meet at Temple Car Park.

Should take about 60-90 minutes then join the group for a coffee and breakfast at The Aurrie

Want to help? You are more than welcome.

Email the group at [email protected]  or just come along next week !

Leven Welcomes the Train!

The train line reopens on June 2nd, bringing exciting events to Leven!  Businesses and groups, get your events listed by emailing [email protected]. We will have our first simple discovery trail mapped out by then too – thanks for all your help on that !

Big Picnic Returns Soon !

Don’t miss the big community picnic on June 9th – email us to get involved! It will be a fun collaborative day so we want you there and fingers crossed the sun will shine.

Largo Library & Community Hub Update

The Hub’s AGM is coming soon! Members, mark your calendars for May 9th at 5:30 pm in the Library. Want to learn more? Email them directly. Largo Library & Community Hub (largolibraryfife.org.uk)

Community Plans in Action!

We’re pushing forward on our Community Action Plan and Local Place Plan proposals – stay tuned for updates!

Dementia Information Day

Join the Resilience Team’s Dementia Information Day on May 23rd, 11 am – 12:30 pm at the Paxton Centre. No booking needed!

Official Twinning Ceremony:  Celebrate the special bond between our communities with this ceremony organised by the Largo Area Community Council, local residents, and organisations between the 17th and 19th of May stay tuned for more…

Calling all writers! The Largo Links newsletter wants your stories, articles, and photographs for their next edition. Submit your work by the 1st of May!

Want to know more or ask questions – just drop me a line…

We Want You To Help Out

Calling Largo Bay Nature Enthusiasts!

The Friends of Largo Bay are revving up their biodiversity project and would love your involvement!

Back in January, there was a call for volunteers to explore the bay’s biodiversity.

Since then, project leads have been brainstorming and drawing inspiration from other coastal areas.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Drop-in Session at the Railway Inn!

Join a casual meet-up at the Railway Inn on Tuesday & Wednesday, April 2nd & 3rd (6:30-7:30pm). That’s tonight & tomorrow evening 🙂

See the attached poster for details!

What to expect:

  • Community Chat & Recruitment: Discuss the project, meet fellow nature enthusiasts, and potentially join the team!
  • Marine Expertise Wanted! The project is especially looking for volunteers with marine biology knowledge to share their expertise.
  • Species ID Days & New Areas: Plans for further species identification days are in the works, potentially focusing on the west side towards the harbor (thanks, Gail!).
  • Data Update: Data collected through Epicollect will be submitted to the Fife Nature Records Centre. Some entries may require editing for accuracy before submission. (https://five.epicollect.net/project/my-profile/data)
  • Seagrass Training & Monitoring: Project leads will be attending seagrass training and share the knowledge with the group. A big thanks to Niall and Lou for their continued interest in monitoring this important habitat!
  • Citizen Science Opportunities: The group might participate in the Marine Conservation Society’s Big Seaweed Search, as data for our region is scarce. (https://www.mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/citizen-science/big-seaweed-search/)

Collaboration is Key!

The project aims to leverage support and expertise from other organizations. Efforts to collaborate with NatureScot (who funded equipment) and explore transect work options will continue.

Your Input Matters!

This is a community-led project, so your thoughts and suggestions are valuable!

See you at the Railway Inn, no obligation just come along and find out more!

On Behalf of The Friends of Largo Bay

Also, enjoy this article from Welcome To Fife – Shared by Matt Pointon Levenmmouth Tourism Project Manager:

Welcome to Fife : 14 reasons to take the train to Levenmouth in 2024

We Are Studying The Species Of Largo Bay

Just a note from the biodiversity monitoring group of Friends of Largo Bay

Are you interested in marine biology, marine science, citizen science projects, snorkeling, diving, natural history, seagrass/kelp?

If so, the Friends of Largo Bay are inviting you to join them in exploring Largo Bay!

They are looking for people who are interested in helping them explore the bay especially if you have prior experience but also if you are just curious and want to get involved!

There will be a meeting at The Railway Inn on Tuesday, April 2nd and Wednesday, April 3rd from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

Email: [email protected]

Or just come along 🙂

Community Clean Up

We are on the cusp of a momentous occasion – the Largo Bay Clean, a large-scale and ambitious effort aimed at not only beautifying our beloved coastlines but also making a meaningful impact on national environmental policies.

This initiative is a pivotal component of our Great British Beach Clean and aligns with the objectives set forth in the Largo Communities Together Place Plan. Our goals are twofold:

1. To uphold the pristine condition of our beaches, reinforcing our commitment to environmental stewardship.

2. To contribute our litter collection data to the Marine Conservation Society’s Database, thereby influencing National Policy on marine conservation.

Your participation is crucial.

We have designated five key areas for cleanup this coming Sunday This role not only involves hands-on effort in the cleanup but also entails contributing to a larger database that aids in policy formation.

The areas targeted for this initiative are:

– The Temple

– Silverburn

– Dumbarnie

– Lundin Golf Club

– Cocklemill Burn/Ruddon Point

Your registration can be confirmed via email at : [email protected]

Warm Welcomes

We are immensely grateful for the enthusiastic participation and invaluable contributions from our community members during the Warm Welcome sessions.

These gatherings have not only served as a platform for sharing insights and ideas but have also significantly strengthened our community bonds. As these sessions draw to a close, we wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved and to our sponsors including Ewan Fraser, the cooks, the volunteers and all the generous donations !

Your active engagement and presence have been pivotal . While we may be concluding this series of Warm Welcome events, we look forward to continuing our journey together, building on the solid foundation of collaboration and mutual support established during these gatherings.

-Final Warm Welcome Sessions: Join us at the Simpson Institute, Upper Largo, next Tuesday from 11 am and at the Largo Library and Community Hub from 11:30 am with added bingo.

– Souper Sunday: An informal get-together on Sunday, the 31st, at the Durham Hall following the service. Enjoy soup and engaging conversations.

Paths For Everyone

We really want to push ahead with making the area more walkable, and wheelable for everyone firstly we are focusing on the pathways between Upper and Lower Largo and between New Gilston and Woodside as these are affecting many peoples quality of lives

Your stories and testimonials about the current conditions of these pathways and their impact on your daily life are invaluable to our advocacy efforts.

We are putting together a collection of stories we would love your input: please send us your images or stories that highlight the urgency for improvement in good, safe pleasant walkways specifically at these key spots but also anywhere that impacts you. This will really help us build a strong case.

Your involvement is instrumental in driving positive change within our community and beyond.

Thank you for your support and dedication.

We look forward to seeing you at the Largo Bay Clean and our community events.

Email your pathway Story to [email protected]

Our Beach Clean Goals

This year we have two objectives for our Great British Beach Clean

1) to comply with the aim in our Largo Communities Together Place Plan to keep our beaches pristine.
2) to feed the results of our Litter Collection into the Marine Conservation Society’s Database to influence National Policy.

We have 5 areas targeted for the 24th and you can sign up to input information to the data base and become a Citizen Scientist.

Here’s the link for the 5 areas along the bay-
THE TEMPLE: https://www.mcsuk.org/beach-cleans/friends-of-largo-bay-great-british-spring-clean-2024-24-03-2024/?fbclid=IwAR2OqLEjtGVZD9x2bor4Vq52Pda-SgXr04xAvBQnwbzZ09zUk5yvr-2iKQI

SILVERBURN: https://www.mcsuk.org/beach-cleans/friends-of-largo-bay-the-great-british-spring-clean-2024-24-03-2024/?fbclid=IwAR3DRIbR_uk2U9JDnB2DYTOuLPHsqkApVV2C-9fYKcP64FAqR-VBMJZpBjg

DUMBARNIE: https://www.mcsuk.org/beach-cleans/friends-of-largo-bay-the-great-british-spring-clean-2024-24-03-2024–2/?fbclid=IwAR3ShIqZeHEWYfPHYq9rbTQmFIw3o-7QiEhj6AAIBkjVziojI03b2pBJCCQ

LUNDIN GOLF CLUB: https://www.mcsuk.org/beach-cleans/friends-of-largo-bay-the-great-british-spring-clean-2024-24-03-2024–3/?fbclid=IwAR0zqaQFQ13Rg_VkUihYc77jt6TBxeHSZjG32oFINhrGi0CK7B2plq6C8dg

COCKLEMILL BURN/ RUDDON POINT: https://www.mcsuk.org/beach-cleans/friends-of-largo-bay-the-great-british-spring-clean-2024-24-03-2024–4/?fbclid=IwAR18B26mQUkVKlYyX6RGD8ZGfeQ4yegEa-VpaRlrkAYfrdfHTGzHWVsReBk

Please check out the area you wish to clean and also remember to register at : [email protected]

#citizenscience #beachcleanup #GreatBritishSpringClean #familyfriendlyevent #volunteersneeded # Friends of Largo Bay

Local Place Plan and Community Action Plan Overview

Below is a copy of the booklet sent to every household at the beginning of March.

Whaley Good Science Saturday

On Saturday the 9th of March the volunteers of Friends of Largo Bay delivered a Science Saturday session at Largo Library and Community Hub on Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises.

They say Every Day is a Learning Day – certainly is when it is fact collecting and checking. A BIG shout out to our team of very enthusiastic and motivated volunteers who give freely of their time to plan and deliver.

We were too busy running around mythbusting and fact finding and watching very cool videos to take photos. Extras were left in the Largo Library and Community Hub, 7 Lundin Square so feel free to pick one up.

Did you know that the Sei Whale Sinks… rather than dive? Now you do… We also know why a seal is not a Cetacean and that the Orca is in fact a dolphin. Feel free to join in with other facts you would like to share.

The point of the session was to inform our young scientists and accompanying adults just what Cetaceans are right there on our very own doorstep – hidden depths indeed.
We had a fun information pack to give out at the end of the session so they can carry on their own enquiry at home.

Next up is our session on Spring Flowers on May 18th. More information to come…

( Thanks to Carol Duff for this update)

Community Update and Call to Action:

 

Our Warm Welcome Tuesdays and Warm Wednesdays events will be continuing until the end of March. Join us at 11 am on Tuesday mornings in Upper Largo, and from 11:30 am at the Largo Library and Community Hub. If transport is needed to either location, please do not hesitate to let us know. Many thanks to all the incredible people who have helped and all our attendees and the sponsors for this who included local Ewan Fraser. It has been a great way to gather and get to know people and we hope to build on it year by year.

Our efforts to celebrate our heritage, culture, and identity are underway. We are currently mapping out the intriguing and interesting features for heritage trails using our initial engagements as a starting point. While this process will take some time as we carefully consider all themes, access and needs. And we would love your input.

Some ideas we initially gathered are below.

We will follow up with some public meets, we are going to bring some ideas along to the Warm Welcomes next week and broaden it out to everyone as we go…

An initial trail will come from Leven to link up with the new railway and will be supported by Welcome Levenmouth.

We are also planning for our  annual Big Picnic at the beginning of June, which will coinciding with the Levenmouth Railway opening. We encourage all community groups across Levenmouth to participate in activities during that week. Are you going to get involved? Let us know what your requirements are!

The latest edition of Largo Links has been distributed or is on its way to every household in the area. This issue includes summarised information on the local place plan and community action plan in a booklet insert, providing valuable insights into our collective vision for the future,  so many great things is already underway by various groups and individuals but it is also good to have a framework for actions to help guide what we support. We have been asked by the Development Trust Association of Scotland to share our Local Place Plan experience later on this month in Edinburgh as so many communities are keen to have their say on local development.

Progress on crucial projects such as beach wheelchairs and Changing Places Toilets is ongoing, and there has been a huge amount of work done already by several very committed people. We appreciate your patience and support as we work to enhance accessibility in our community and we will need your help once things are going to help with all the maintenance. Many people are currently unable to access one of the most popular features in the area due to access issues, and it will be  amazing to offer better access to everyone.

Our biodiversity/coastal group  Friends of Largo Bay is diligently working on data collection regarding litter and organising a biodiversity walk for next month. ( more on that soon)

Friends of Largo Bay also invite you to join them for our first beach clean of the year, The Great British Spring Clean.

Last year, they removed an impressive 2 tonnes of detritus from the beach thanks to local Farmer Bill Clarke too for his help, and are eager to surpass that achievement together this time. We need your help !!

Here are the muster points for the beach clean:

A: Silverburn car park

B: Lundin Golf Club car park

C: Temple car park

D: Dumbarnie Nature Reserve

E: Ruddons Point at Cocklemill Burn, accessed through Elie Holiday Park.

Please email [email protected] with your preferred location and the number of volunteers in your party. Sign up now 🙂

We have a limited number of litter pickers available for younger volunteers, so please let us know if they are required.

As a token of appreciation, several local businesses have generously offered discounts on the day of the beach clean:

– The Cottage Window Cafe, Silverburn Park, Leven

– The Aurrie, Lower Largo

– Lundin Coffee Co., Lundin Links

– The Mirador Cafe, Elie Holiday Park at Shell Bay.

We are immensely grateful for their support.

(The Science Saturday on Whales and Dolphins has completely booked out ! Great result 🙂 They will have a whaley good time tomorrow)

Lundin Mill Primary School Updates

The Lundin Mill P7’s are organising and hosting a Spring Fayre on the 22nd March in order to raise much needed funds towards their end of year celebration and their leavers hoodies.

The children have asked if there is anyone in our generous community who would kindly donate any raffle prizes or tombola goodies. Any help would be greatly appreciated and one of us is happy to collect. Alternatively, if you’d prefer, any items/prizes can be dropped off at the Lundin Mill school office. As ever, thank you for your continued support.

Also a great update: As some of you may have seen, Lundin Mill Primary has started a Walking Bus in the mornings in an attempt to ease up on traffic/congestion at drop off and thus keeping our kids safer and our residents happier (and it also promotes active travel to school!). They leave from the corner of Crescent Road and Emsdorf every morning at 8:45 a.m. and  have had a really good amount of children sign up and they really enjoy it. Look out for us in our fab hi viz next time you’re in the area!

Also there is still time to get in to see the 50th anniversary of Lundin Mill displays:  Due to the success of the 50th anniversary celebration Lundin Mill Primary will extend their open days tomorrow and next week, finishing on Thursday 14th March. The school will be open to visitors from 10am to 6pm so please come along and have a look at the lovely displays the children have worked hard at creating.

Please note any under 16s should be accompanied by an adult

Also: We are also looking for  help with fundraising – if you have the skills and time we would love to hear from you – email [email protected]

Huge thanks again for all the support and input ! Please get in touch with anything at all [email protected]