The Big Picnic

Good afternoon!

Get ready for the best Big Picnic yet!

 Apologies for yet another email !! We just wanted to make sure everyone knows about The Big Picnic and a few people may have missed this.

This year’s celebration is happening on June 9th,  and we want YOU to be a part of it.

We know the notice is a bit shorter than usual. We apologize for that – we wanted to make sure our date didn’t clash with other great events like the town twinning project at the end of May and the railway opening at the start of June.

We also wanted to leave the week before free so people could enjoy those festivities.

Now, it’s all about the Big Picnic! Here’s how you can get involved:

• Spread the Word: Tell your friends, family, neighbours – everyone’s invited!
• Dust Off Your Picnic Basket:  Pack your favourite food and drinks.
• Join the Fun: We’ll have games, activities, and maybe even some music. Let us know if you’d like to bring a craft, game, or musical talent to share!
• Represent Your Group: If you’re part of a local organization, club, or group, this is a great chance to showcase what you do.

We’re also always looking for volunteers to help make the Big Picnic a success. If you’re interested in lending a hand, even for just a short while, please let us know!

More details about the Big Picnic are coming soon. In the meantime, mark your calendars and simply reply to this email if you plan on joining us!

Let’s make this year’s Big Picnic the biggest and best one yet!

Thank you again for everything you do!

Dear Community Members,

The Simpson Institute is hosting an open meeting tonight to discuss this highly valued community resource. Come along to the Hall from 6:30pm to join the chat.

As highlighted in our recent local place plan and community action plan, we are incredibly lucky to have fantastic community spaces like the many community halls, all maintained by dedicated volunteers.

These spaces make possible the many groups, interactions, and learning opportunities that make the Largo Area such a great place to live.

We know how much work goes on behind the scenes to keep our community vibrant. The Montrave Hall, Lundin Links is also looking for people to help in a variety of ways details below:

Also The Homelands Trust is currently in for a Movement For Good Award – increase their chances by voting here.

We know volunteers are the foundation of our amazing community. We’re exploring ways to better support them across all groups and organisations.

Stay tuned….

If you want me to include anything in the future please let me know!

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

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 🙂

Dear All,

I hope this message finds you well, today we give acknowledgement to the accomplishment and pride that Friends of Largo Bay must feel after yesterday’s monumental beach clean along Largo Bay.

Organising such an event starting from five distinct locations was no small feat, and the dedication and hard work of everyone involved have not gone unnoticed. Well done to a very dedicated team.

A significant aspect of their endeavour was not only to clear the beaches of litter but also to contribute valuable data to the Marine Conservation Society. The meticulous counting of every piece of plastic and polystyrene has provided critical insights into the types, quantities, and locations of coastal debris, enhancing the understanding and strategies for marine conservation.

Yesterday marked a significant milestone in the Great British Spring Clean, witnessing an absolutely epic turnout of 99 volunteers, among whom was David Spence from the Fife Street Champions, contributing immensely by aiding in the uplift of collected bags alongside Fife Coast and Countryside Trust.

Notably, local farmer David Russell played a pivotal role with his tractor, facilitating the removal of cumbersome items like tractor wheels, nets, ropes, heavy plastic, and creels.

This event also marked the groups inaugural attempt at litter surveying for the Marine Conservation Society, a venture met with success thanks to the dedication of our teams who meticulously identified even the smallest fragments for accurate allocation. Blessed with sunshine, the day was undeniably well spent across two productive hours.

Looking forward, they are excited to announce five more beach cleans scheduled for this year, revisiting the areas tackled yesterday.

These subsequent cleans will include another round of litter surveying, enhancing our contribution to building a comprehensive understanding of the challenges our shorelines face.

These efforts are crucial in assisting the Marine Conservation Society with the data necessary to influence policy decisions aimed at protecting our environment.

We encourage our community to stay engaged by checking for updates on the Facebook group – search Friends of Largo Bay, and to stay informed through their newsletters and emails, which can be subscribed to by contacting [email protected]

Let’s continue the collective effort: keep picking up litter and keep participating in these vital community actions.

Finally, thank you to wonderful local businesses: The Aurrie, Lower Largo,  The Cottage Window Cafe Silverburn, Lundie Coffee Company, Lundin Links and the Mirador Cafe, Elie for the Pickers’ Perks, adding a much-appreciated boost to our volunteers’ spirits.

The collective effort of everyone involved yesterday not only showcases the local commitment to environmental stewardship but also strengthens community bonds.

Together, so many have made a tangible difference in preserving the natural beauty of Largo Bay for future generations.

After todays chilly blast – Stay Warm and you’re welcome !

As we approach the conclusion of our Warm Welcome days, it’s with a note of gratitude and anticipation that we remind everyone we’re entering the final week of these cherished gatherings.

Tomorrow marks our last Simpson Institute Upper Largo Warm Welcome event, promising a special treat as Christopher Trotter will be delighting us with his homemade soup. We invite you to join us from 11 am at the Simpson Institute Upper Largo for this heart-warming occasion.

The warmth continues into the week with our Warm Wednesday event at the Largo Library and Community Hub. Starting at 11:30 am, it’s a perfect midweek uplift featuring Bingo, guaranteed to bring smiles and laughter. And to round off our Warm Welcome days, there is a Souper Sunday gathering at Durham Hall this Sunday.

We owe a tremendous thank you to all our generous volunteers and to those who’ve contributed, including Ewan Fraser and Fife Council, whose support has been invaluable. These events have been made all the richer thanks to your efforts and contributions.

We look forward to seeing you at these final gatherings, everyone is welcome !