Silver Lining.

Whilst these statistics make grim reading nationally, they are at least positive in the case of Fife.

"MORE THAN 100 people took their own lives in Tayside and Fife last year. The number of suicides fell in Dundee and Fife compared to 2006 ... Based on a three-year rolling average, the suicide rate in the city was 17.8 deaths for every 100,000 people—higher than the national average of 15.7 per 100,000 ... Fife saw a drop of 12 in its total to 40—the lowest annual total so far this decade—and its rate was 13.3 deaths per 100,000 people."

Still too many, but at least the numbers are going down.

The Battleaxe.

It's not many Fife women that would want to have that title, but not if you Gladiators' Shirley Webb.

"AS a Gladiator she takes on all contestants and lives up to her tough reputation as Battleaxe by pounding them into submission on the TV show. But Shirley Webb’s toughest opponent hospitalised her for a week and could have killed her if she hadn’t sought medical attention. Viral meningitis struck down the Sky One star and former Olympic hammer thrower and showed that the bug has no respect for age or health. Shirley (26), whose family come from Dunfermline, said, “It’s not as fast acting as bacterial meningitis but it can kill."

She's still a Fifer. Once a Fifer always a Fifer.

Educashun.

Carnegie is glad to see such major investment in Fife's schools, but as always the devil is in the detail. How many other projects aren't being undertaken or are left in the pipeline? But at least Fife's kids should get the benefit where the money is being spent.

"FIFE COUNCIL’S education committee has approved a £126 million plan to replace and refurbish some of the region’s schools. Over the next 10 years the Building Fife’s Future programme will see six new schools built and a further six refurbished as part of the council’s commitment to improving educational attainment and achievement for all. As well as a new primary in Dunfermline, the plans include a new secondary school for Kirkcaldy, and replacement schools for Burntisland Primary, Dunfermline High and Madras College, St Andrews, and either the replacement or refurbishment of Auchmuty High in Glenrothes. Extensive refurbishment works will also be carried out at the three Leven primary schools, Buckhaven High, St Andrew’s RC High in Kirkcaldy, and Woodmill High in Dunfermline."

Harry Who?

"The Liberal Democrats have announced their candidate for a forthcoming by-election next to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's seat in Fife. Harry Wills, former Chamber of Commerce Business Man of the Year, has been nominated by the party to contest the vacant Westminster seat of Glenrothes. The by-election was triggered by the death of Labour MP John MacDougall earlier this month."

Carnegie thinks it will still come down to a Labour versus SNP tussle. Harry has tried to get elected at least three times and failed every time. Fourth time unlucky?

Hole In One.

Carnegie thinks that most Fifers just want their local amenities run well and an assurance that they will be accessible when they want to use them and at a price they can afford. Whether they are council or privately owned, or indeed owned by a council established trust, probably isn't the critical issue.

"COUNCILLORS refused to rule out the sale of council-owned golf courses as they approved long-term plans for investment in Fife’s sports facilities. Members of the housing and communities committee formally agreed a proposed sports facilities strategy which will help shape how money should be spent on sports centres, swimming pools, pitches and other sporting venues across Fife over the next 10 years."

Strange to see Fife's Labour Councillors making such a big issue of keeping golf courses in public ownership. Strange issue to go to the barricades over.

Alright Jack.

Extremely generous gesture from artist Jack Vettriano.

"A retrospective sketch of one of Jack Vettriano's most iconic images has fetched a total of £39,650 at auction. The artist gifted The Singing Butler to the University of St Andrews after producing it while giving a one-hour masterclass to students in 2003. It went under the hammer at Sotheby's Scottish pictures sale at Gleneagles Hotel on Tuesday."

It's for charity folks.

Mr Messy.

Carnegie reads that the SNP Leader of Fife Council has been endorsed as the party's candidate for the Glenrothes by-election which could be held as late as 6 November in case a Labour defeat does damage to PM Gordon Brown's latest "relaunch."

"A COUNCIL leader was selected to fight the Glenrothes by-election for the Scottish National Party. Peter Grant, leader of Fife Council, had been widely expected to top the list for the party in the latest test for Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Labour Government."

Here's hoping he hits the campaign trail looking less scruffy that one of his previous Fife Council photographs as highlighted previously by Carnegie, but given some of the recent decisions taken by Fife Council he may have a harder time winning than he might have expected.

Location, Location, Location.

"The new £50 million extension at Kingsgate Shopping Centre in Dunfermline was unveiled at the weekend. A range of new retailers, led by anchor store Debenhams, opened their doors at 10am on Friday amid a fanfare of entertainment and music."

Carnegie missed the opeing but could do with buying a new tie. A welcome boost for Dunfermline's shopping experience.

Raising A Stink.

Carnegie thinks that the powers that be should really get their proverbial fingers out and sort this problem for the sake of local residents and visitors alike. It really isn't good enough.

"CONCERNS have been raised that Aberdour may have lost an accolade it has held for the last nine years – due to drains overflowing with raw sewage in a village street. Black Sands had been a Seaside Award holder for nine years, achieving ‘excellent’ water quality since 2003, and ‘good’ water quality preceding that to 1999. However, last summer its award was removed after one of 10 water quality samples did not comply with European guidelines."

Peoples' Champion.

Heartfelt words from the PM Gordon Brown in the euology to the late Fife Labour MP John MacDougall.

"PRIME MINISTER Gordon Brown led the tributes yesterday at the funeral of Glenrothes MP John MacDougall, praising his friend as a “people’s champion.” The funeral of the Labour MP, who died last week from mesothelioma, an asbestos- related lung cancer, took place in Burntisland yesterday. Mr MacDougall (60), who is survived by his wife Cathy, son Scott, daughter Julie and mother Barbara, was laid to rest in the town’s cemetery following a service at a packed Erskine Church conducted by the Rev John Allan. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who was a close friend, was among a number of politicians who paid their respects. In his eulogy he told fellow mourners that they had lost a tireless fighter for social justice, an endlessly loyal champion of decent values and a great family man who had shown the greatest of courage, both politically and in facing his illness. He continued, “John MacDougall was a man who spoke up for Fife, lived a life of public service in Fife and was repeatedly elected and re-elected to represent Fife."

Vultures.

Given other events, Carnegie thinks this cartoon from the Edinburgh Evening News speaks volumes about Fife ... and Fife's PM Gordon Brown.

Eagle Eyed.

"A batch of white tailed sea eagles are being released from a secret location in Fife in a bid to reintroduce the species to the east of Scotland. The 15 birds of prey were collected as chicks from nests in Norway and raised in special aviaries. The birds will be radio tagged so their progress can be tracked."

Good to see that Fife is doing its bit for the natural environment.

Leuchars.

A date for Carnegie's diary next month.

"SOME 110 aircraft will take to the sky when RAF Leuchars hosts its annual airshow next month. Several different nations will be taking part in the extravaganza on September 13. Among the highlights will be the first display flight at Leuchars for 15 years by a Vulcan bomber."

Carnegie hopes to be there ... will you?

Troubled Waters.

So just when you thought it was a certainty that there would be a new road bridge over the Forth ....

"THE NEW chief engineer of the Forth Road Bridge has given the clearest indication yet that the corrosion threatening the structure's safety can be halted and repairs carried out to keep it open for 100 years. In a meeting with a campaign group opposed to a new Forth road crossing, Barry Colford, who took over as bridgemaster in February, said he was highly confident that cable drying, now under way at a cost of £10.3 million, would halt the decline in the strength of the bridge. He told the ForthRight Alliance: "Although the main cable has lost about a tenth of its strength since construction, we now have a high degree of confidence that the deterioration can be arrested by dehumidification." Last year's campaign for a replacement Forth road crossing was based on claims that corrosion might force early closure of the bridge."

Buried in the article is an admission that we won't know until 2012 how successful the dehumidifcation process has actually been. By which point if no steps have been taken to build a new bridge it will already be too late to avoid massive disruption to traffic travelling along the east of Scotland. If we don't need a new bridge then so be it, but relying on people who oppose a new bridge under any circumstances to call the shots on that decision would be a major mistake.

Sad News.

Carnegie was saddened to read of the death of Fife Labour MP John MacDougall.

"Scottish Labour MP John MacDougall has died after a long illness. The MP for the Fife town of Glenrothes had been battling mesothelioma, an incurable asbestos-related cancer of the lining of the lungs, for some time. His death will trigger a by-election in the seat, which neighbours Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency."

He will be missed and the reality is that there will be very fewer takers to bet that the Labour Party will hold onto his seat at the by-election.

Remember when Labour used to dominate Fife politics? Not any more. And probably the beginning of the end for PM Gordon Brown if he can't even hold a seat on his own "patch."

Ready For Business?

Carnegie thought that Fife's PM Gordon Brown was on holiday at the moment somewhere down south, but that didn't stop him popping up in Kirkcaldy to open a new building.

"Fife’s latest business development was hailed as a welcome boost for the Fife economy by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Mr Brown was in his Kirkcaldy constituency to perform the topping out ceremony at the new £3.5 million Evans Business Centre, which is expected to eventually create up to 200 jobs."

Carnegie finds it ironic that PM Gordon Brown is opening a new business centre ... just as the UK economy is on the brink of entering the biggest economic recession in a generation. That's timing for you.

He's Georgeous.

"TWO of the best-known faces on television will be making personal appearances in Dunfermline next month as part of the inaugural Carnegie Festival, from 21st August to 7th September. Evan Davis, host of the popular Dragons’ Den series, will be joined in an interviewer role by Shireen Nanjiani, who was the main presenter of Scotland Today for nearly 20 years and is still one the best-known faces on television in Scotland. Evan will be in dialogue with fiesty MP George Galloway in a conversation on Saturday, 23rd August, at 7.30pm in the Carnegie Hall. Tickets, priced £5, are available from the Carnegie Hall box office."

Great to see that famous names are backing Carnegie's Festival. He might even buy a ticket.

You've Been ASBO-ed.

"FIFE was the Asbo capital of Scotland last year but police and councillors have stressed that the area is not out of control. During 2007-08, the highest number of adult anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) in the country were issued in Fife with 33. And since they were introduced in 2004 they’ve issued 123 adult Asbos – second only to North Lanarkshire."

Fife Council defends the Kingdom's position by saying it is not that Fife is worse than everywhere else ... it is just that they are making more use of the ASBO powers than other Councils.

Carnegie asks ... given all the anti-social behaviour that Fifers can attest to than happens every day, why have their only been 33 ASBOs issued? We could do with a lot more. Get your finger out Fife Council.

Fife Floods.

This came as a bit of a surprise to everyone.

"HOUSES AND roads across Fife were flooded when the region came under a deluge of torrential rain on Saturday night and early yesterday morning. Every firefighter on duty and staff from Fife Council’s transportation service were drafted into action to help householders fend off rising water. A total of 32 millimetres of rain was recorded at Leuchars from Saturday evening into the early hours of yesterday morning. Though the heavy rain affected parts of Perth and Kinross, Angus and Dundee, it was Fife that bore the brunt."

Crunch.

Not such good news for Fife.

"PLANS TO invest £6 million in a new manufacturing plant in Dalgety Bay have been held up by the credit crunch. Edinburgh-based firm GSI Corporation Ltd say potential investors had been holding back from making a commitment to the creation of a Fife production line because of the financial climate. However, the company’s managing director Neil Fraser said he was still confident an agreement could be made that would create 57 jobs in the west Fife town."

The credit crunch has well and truly reached Fife.

That's Death.

Another tragic insight into the problems affecting Fife society which so often are hidden away below the surface.

"New figures have revealed that drug deaths in Dundee went up by almost 50% in the last year despite an overall reduction in the Tayside area. Drug deaths in Fife also jumped up by almost 50% between 2006 and 2007, according to figures released today by the Registrar General for Scotland. Across the country, the number of drug-related deaths in 2007 was the highest ever recorded in Scotland and Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing today vowed to take action ... In Fife there were 28 (deaths) in 2007 compared with 19 in 2006. The annual average was nine from 1996 to 2000 compared to 19 between 2003 to 2007."

Government has been "taking action" for as more years as Carnegie can remember. They should get on with delivering solutions, instead of talking about them.

Fife Cut Off.

At least by train, because of severe flooding near Edinburgh Waverley station caused by unseasonal rain levels.

But that didn't make it any easier for Fifers to get to their jobs in or just visit Edinburgh.

Bucket anyone?

Fife's Finest?

Absolutely not. But at least now he is being investigated by his police colleagues and presumably won't be a police officer in Fife for much longer.

"A nightclub doorman who was headbutted by an off-duty policeman has hit out at the justice system after his attacker escaped going to court. Instead, Constable Samuel Johnston had to pay David Cantwell compensation of £250 and is still a serving officer in Fife. Mr Cantwell says he has been denied justice - but prosecutors say the case was handled in the manner laid down by the Scottish Parliament. Constable Samuel Johnston was on a night off in Edinburgh. His victim David Cantwell said: "Next minute whack, he headbutted me. It was totally unprovoked, there was no heated argument before it. The guy hadn't been thrown out, he hadn't been refused entry. He just suddenly took it upon himself to headbutt me."

Obviously, Fife's Police don't believe in reinforcing the "quality of life" ... beyond Fife.

Green With Envy.

A pat on the back for Fife. Other areas will be green with envy. Carnegie is off to the recycling point ...

"JUST A few years ago, Fife had the unenviable record of being one Scotland’s worst local authorities in terms of recycling. Indeed, in 2002, the region managed to recycle or compost just 2% of the household and commercial waste and was firmly entrenched among the country’s poorest performing councils. But that was then and this is now and yesterday the local authority was ecstatic after topping the 50% recycling figure for the first time. Figures for June reveal that 11,764 tonnes, or 50.2%, of rubbish was diverted from landfill in that month, making it the best-ever monthly performance by the council."

Kidding Around.

Not all of Fife's kids cause problems, but it appears that more and more of them are finding themselves in trouble.

"THE number of crimes committed by children in Fife has soared over the past year, bringing the total to around 11 classrooms full. A total of 275 recorded charges were made against individuals under 10-years-old last year, while the year before the number totalled 239 - 15 per cent less.The catalogue of crimes committed by children include vandalism, breach of the peace and shoplifting, while the under-10s involved were reprimanded by warning letters, referrals to Sacro - an agency to reduce offending - or the social work department."

It would never have happened in Carnegie's day. Here's hoping they learned the lesson and turned over a new leaf.

Very Festival.

Well done to Aberdour for keeping one of its traditions going for 25 years.

"ABERDOUR celebrated the start of their 25th anniversary festival at the weekend, with beautiful summer weather. The sun stayed out and crowds lined the streets on Saturday for the parade and crowning of the royal family."

Carnegie hopes you had a great one.

Lassie Comes Home.

"A LONG-LOST dog has made an amazing homecoming to his Rosyth family – 15 months after going walkabout. James Paul (51), of Hilton Road, couldn’t believe it when his family hound, Spud, started barking to get into the house last week. The last James had seen of the labrador/Staffordshire bull terrier cross was when he was playing in the back garden last April. But it seems that, wherever Spud disappeared to, there was no place like home and he decided to come back."

Fife has its own Lassie. Or should that be Littlest Hobo?

Good Leuchars.

Good news for the North part of Fife.

"The future of RAF Leuchars, in Fife, has been secured for the next 40 years, the base commander has said. Air Commodore Clive Bairsto, also said up to £100m would be invested there over the next decade. RAF Leuchars, along with Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, will accommodate the RAF's new Eurofighter, which will start to replace the Tornado in 2010."

Sham Shame.

"The Post Office was accused of “ripping the heart” out of local communities in Fife after it was revealed that not one of the 15 post offices earmarked for closure in the kingdom had been reprieved. Following a six-week consultation exercise, it was confirmed that none had been dropped from the list announced in May and shutters will start to go up in September. Closing are Dalbeath Crescent, Cowdenbeath; Main Street, Halbeath; Main Street, Torryburn; Transy, Dunfermline; Denbeath; Dundonald Park, Cardenden; North Street, Glenrothes; Glencraig, Crosshill; Main Street, Hillend; Blackhall Square, Kelty; Pathhead, Kirkcaldy; Main Street, Lower Largo; Newton of Falkland; Scoonie, Leven; and Westport, Cupar."

Not so good news for Fife's post offices, for those that run them and the Fifers that rely on them, but Carnegie would agree that it seemed from day one that the Post Office was intent on closing them, irrespective of what anyone said.

One more thing to remember next polling day?

Confused?

Carnegie reads that, "THE option of a brand-new sports and leisure centre for Dunfermline was never seriously considered by Fife Council, senior Labour politicians have claimed. Councillor Willie Sullivan and MSP John Park are unhappy with the way the local authority arrived at giving the go-ahead for a multi-million pound facelift for the Carnegie Centre, now more than 100 years old. They have been putting a series of questions on the issue to council officers in recent months and say it is now obvious that the decision to refurbish was taken before any consultation took place."

Er ... but hang on ... wasn't Fife Council controlled by Labour at the time the decisions were taken to proceed with the current project in October 2006? That means that Labour politicians, who admittedly weren't around at the time because they hadn't been elected, are criticising their Labour colleagues who controlled the Council at the time for the decisions they took. Confused? Carnegie is. This story has more to do with electioneering for the next UK General Election that anything else.

Follow The Leader.

So with the nominations for the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Labour Group in the Scottish Parliament closing earlier today, it would appear that four of Fife's five Labour MSPs all share the same opinion and have nominated Iain Gray MSP for leadership of the Labour Party.

Such near unanimity in the opinions of Fife's Labour politicians is very rarely achieved. Fife List MSP Claire Baker MSP even managed to agree with her hubby Richard Baker who also nominated Mr Gray.

Kirkcaldy MSP Marilyn Livingstone doesn't seem to support anyone, with views very split on who should be Deputy Leader with some of Fife's finest namely John Park and Ms. Baker, also not nominating or supporting anyone at this stage.