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Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document April/May 2026 ISSUE 153 A celebration of life at Knockengorroch festival Consciousness, The Deltones, 3 Daft Monkeys, Zion Train, Elias Alexander and Dallahan - to name just a few! K nockengorroch Scotland's longest running greenfield festival - returns this May to the Carsphairn hills. Established in 1998 by the Holmes family, the 2026 festival will bring a special limited edition programme of international roots and dance music, environmental art installations, theatre, circus performance and workshops. This year, Knockengorroch will be dedicated to husband, father, committed festival founder, and key Knockengorrocher - the late Simon Holmes (1942-2025). Festival organiser Katch Holmes said: "Knockengorroch this year is a special edition, dedicated to Simon, who founded this festival in 1998. "Featuring a very special selection of incredible live and electronic acts, we’ll be combining and re-arranging stages to create magical new spaces to share, dance, and feel joy together. "This year we are planning the biggest party Knockengorrochstyle, as well as space to reflect and remember. It is going to be a very memorable and beautiful event- to which all are welcome!" There will of course be all the usual festival areas full of stalls, food and workshops as well as a new children’s area, the Clann Tent, which will house children’s activities and family workshops from local children’s providers during the day and a family friendly headset disco in the evening. Local ticket info on p4... Some of this year's live music acts include BCUC: Bantu Continua Uhuru A The event marked the seven-year anniversary of local community benefit funding organisation, the Glenkens & District Trust (GDT), which has been managing funds from Blackcraig and Windy Rig Wind Farms. Since first distributing community benefit monies in 2019, the fund has issued over £1.5 million, unlocking an estimated further £3.25 million further investment into the fund area. The event was a huge success, with over 75 people in attendance and almost fifty organisations represented. Present were invited guests including Emma Harper MSP, Francesca Vacca of the Scottish Government and Rob Davidson INSIDE THIS ISSUE Clatteringshaws observatory planning granted ...turn to p3 Remembering the horrors of foot-andmouth 25 years on ...turn to p7 Seven years supporting the communities of the Glenkens significant milestone in Glenkens community benefits was celebrated at the end of February. FREE Days out in and around the Glenkens ...turn to p16 from South of Scotland Enterprise, who were interested to learn about the 165 different projects that the fund has supported to date. Feedback was very positive, with attendees stating that they were impressed at the breadth and variety of the projects, the desire across the Glenkens to work collectively, and the fact that these funds have made such a difference for the whole community. Continued on p2... Bairn Banter's Forest Schools sessions ...turn to p19 Turn to p28 for local job vacancies... News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 2 CONTENTS Celebrating seven years of News p1-5 People p6-8 Environment p9-15 Community p16-21 History p22-24 Arts p25-26 Information p27-28 Transport p29 Events p30-31 the Glenkens & District Trust Continued from front page... There was unanimous agreement that it is important that decisions about funding are made by local people, who know the area and its needs best. Useful feedback about potential barriers for people applying to the fund was also received, which GDT will take into account as part of its ongoing fund review. One attendee commented: "I just want to add my heartfelt thanks to GDT and all its associates for everything they have achieved for our community. The dedication of the volunteers - not only in stewarding funds but bringing projects to life - has been truly extraordinary. "Over the course of the 25 years I have lived in the Glenkens, it has become a vibrant and inspiring example of how a community can work together towards a positive future, embracing diverse interests whilst delivering lasting benefit and a proud legacy for the people who live here." If you missed the event, videos and display material from the day can be found at www.glenkenstrust.org. uk/news-1 Pictured are stands and attendees at the GDT celebratory event A brand new playpark for New Galloway T hings are moving right along with New Galloway’s play park: the tenders are out for its design, and several companies have already visited the site to have a look around. By next month we hope to have a contractor, and then there is some final prep work to do before building begins - around August. We are now looking to create a steering group to take us through the final design phase. So, if you (or rather children with whom you are associated in some way!) are a regular play park user, or have views on how it might look, then please get in touch with me at john.muir@ling.org.uk This has all been made financially possible by contributions from Natural Power, Glenkens and District Trust, New Galloway Community Enterprises, New Galloway and Kells Community Council and Dumfries and Galloway Council. John Muir, LING Pictured is an initial interpretation of the playpark design Dalry Secondary School Dear Gazette... community consultation D &G Council's community consultation looking at potential future options for Dalry Secondary School is ongoing, with the online survey having closed on 27 March. Keep your eyes peeled for the next stage in this process, or to find out more get in touch with the council's Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing department. Morning! Hi, What a great edition of the Glenkens Gazette I'm reading at the moment. Not least the article reflecting Simon's life. I just wanted to say, my mum, who lives in Dumfries, loves when I bring her a copy of the Gazette. Thank you for another great issue. Best wishes, Christine She says it has so much more information and reading in it than any of the other papers in the area! All the best, Fiona Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 3 Planning permission granted for Clatteringshaws observatory P lans for the proposed new Scottish Dark Sky Observatory (SDSO) on the banks of Clatteringshaws Loch, outside New Galloway, are shaping up. SDSO trustees said: "We are delighted to announce that our application to Dumfries & Galloway Council for planning permission to redevelop and extend the former Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre complex has been granted. "This planning permission will now allow us to press ahead with plans to redevelop and extend the former Forestry & Land Scotland Clatteringshaws visitor centre, creating an astronomical observatory, planetarium and visitor centre in the heart of the internationally recognised Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park." Carsphairn village shop to reopen soon T he refurbishment of Carsphairn village shop and café is now nearing completion, and we are delighted to see the building really beginning to take shape after months of hard work. Over the winter, a tremendous amount of work has been carried out by a number of skilled tradespeople. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to David from David Mason Joinery and his team - Lee, Tommy and Adam - who have led and project managed the renovation work on site. Their efforts, along with the contributions from Gordon McAdam (plumbing), Derek McCrone (electrical), Rory Porteous (gas engineering), Dougie Nish (roofing), Howdens Kitchens, Iain from IM Handyman Services (for the decoration), David from Swept and Sootless, and MKM Building Supplies, have all helped transform the shop and café space. Many of the people involved in this project are local to Carsphairn and the surrounding area, and it has always been important to the Carsphairn Village Shop Ltd (CVSL) committee to use local trades and services wherever possible. We are also pleased to share that we have been awarded a further proportion of community benefit funding from Carsphairn Renewable Energy Fund Ltd (CREFL) to enable us to move into the next exciting phase of the project, recruiting staff to run the shop and café. There will be a full-time position available, with the opportunity for the successful candidate to rent the newly modernised adjoining three-bedroom house, which enjoys beautiful views over the Rhinns of Kells. In addition, zero hours contracts will also be available to help support the shop and café during busier periods and seasonal demand. Job advertisements will be appearing soon - if you know someone who may be interested, get in touch at carsphairnvsl@gmail.com The total amount of community benefit funding supporting this project has come directly from Fred. Olsen Renewables’ Windy Standard I & II Wind Farms and Vattenfall’s South Kyle Wind Farm. Without their support, the village shop and café may not have had such a promising future. The committee would like to thank everyone for their continued support and patience while the work has been taking place. We are very much looking forward to opening the doors and welcoming the community back into the shop and café in the very near future. Emily Wall - on behalf of the CVSL Committee Funding secured for CatStrand Young Creatives C atStrand Young Creatives is celebrating a fantastic boost this year, with new funding secured until 2027 to continue its creative work with children and young people across the Glenkens. Thanks to support from Glenkens & District Trust, the team will keep delivering Arts Award in local primary schools and strengthening the creative curriculum. The funding also allows for four community events for under‑12s, including an Easter celebration on 31 March, a Halloween event in October and a Christmas Grotto on 13 December. We’re also delighted to have secured another year of Youth Music Initiative funding, meaning the popular Saturday Music School can continue offering guitar, piano, keyboard and group singing lessons. Several young musicians have already released their debut tracks as part of this years YMI Stranded Cat Project and this success has inspired our newest project: DG Amplify. Launched in partnership with Up Yer Airts and DMC, it will support young artists to take their next steps in the music industry, kicking off with a huge networking event at the CatStrand and evening gig on 2 May. Alongside this, our regular weekly sessions - including DramaRama, Art Clubs, and Youth Players - continue to give young creatives a welcoming space to explore and develop their creative sides. To find out more visit www. csyoungcreatives.com or email catherine@catstrand.com Catherine Corfield, Young Creatives Programme Lead Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 4 A New Chapter at Lothlorien: Welcoming Local Visitors and Volunteers N estled in the peaceful rural landscape near the village of Corsock in Dumfries & Galloway, Lothlorien Therapeutic Community has been a sanctuary of healing and recovery for people experiencing mental health challenges for over four decades. Now, this long-established community is reaching out to invite a wider group of people to participate. It is inviting local people who experience mental health issues to benefit from its therapeutic approach in the gardens and woodlands, and socially at our community lunch. The community is also welcoming mid-week, day volunteers and helpers for oneoff projects. Lothlorien is a therapeutic community - a friendly, participative environment where people live and work together in supportive daily routines designed to enhance wellbeing and personal growth. Here, life isn’t centred on clinical therapy; instead, communal living, shared responsibilities and connection with nature are the heart of the approach. Residents, volunteers and staff come together to care for the 17 acres of organic gardens, woodlands and meadow, to prepare meals, and to take part in community activities that build confidence, self-esteem and a sense of purpose. What’s New: Welcoming the Wider Community Until recently, Lothlorien’s work has focused primarily on those living within the community. That’s now changing. With a new outreach vision taking shape, local people are invited to explore what Lothlorien has to offer through day visits or gardening groups for those who can be referred by their support workers. Local mental health practitioners are invited to experience Lothlorien for themselves on our open days to gain a better understanding of how the community works. Whilst nature-based activity sessions designed for wellbeing and connection are open to booking by any member of the public via our website. These activities draw on gardening, nature connection practices, social prescribing principles and other wellbeingcentred experiences, all set in the restorative rural environment that Lothlorien is known for. Whether you’re interested in mindful walks through woodland, getting your hands in the soil in the vegetable garden, or simply soaking up the peace of the countryside, there’s something for everyone. Volunteers Welcome Lothlorien is also seeking day volunteers who can help support its mid-week activities and contribute to community projects. Volunteering might include helping with gardening, or cooking, practical site tasks, or lending a hand with community events. These roles offer a meaningful way to support others while gaining your own sense of connection and purpose in a peaceful, supportive setting. Volunteers are a vital part of the community’s spirit. Lothlorien’s ethos emphasises shared participation and mutual respect - all volunteers and visitors are valued as contributors to the openness and warmth that define the community. Whether you can commit regularly or simply enjoy an occasional one-off project, your time and enthusiasm are appreciated. Get Involved If you’d like to volunteer, be referred to our services or find out more about what Lothlorien offers, please visit www.lothlorien.tc for details of upcoming activities, volunteering opportunities and open days. You can also get in touch directly with the team via email at lesley@lothlorien.tc or call 01644 440602 to discuss how you might get involved. Whether you’re seeking connection, a chance to help, or simply a restorative workshop in nature, Lothlorien invites you to be part of its next chapter in the Glenkens and beyond. Lesley Atkins Significantly reduced price tickets to Knockengorroch Festival for residents of the Glenkens - Carsphairn, Dalry, New Galloway and Balmaclellan - will be available from the CatStrand from April. • Adult [16 years +] Thu, Fri or Sat - £120; 11-15 years £65 • Adult [16 years +] Sun only - £60; 11-15 years £30 • Free on Sunday for children resident in Carsphairn parish and their parents/guardians. To take advantage of this offer, please email info@knockengorroch.org.uk with details (children under 11 years are always free) Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 5 A night to remember in Mossdale I t’s amazing how much talent there is around when you put out the call. This was very evident at Mossdale’s ‘Winter’s Tale’ evening which was held on Friday 6 March. The event was warmly resonant of traditional ceilidhs, when neighbours would gather together on winter’s evenings for songs, fiddle–playing and a good ‘crack’ together. For those who don’t know it, Mossdale is a tiny place right in the middle of Galloway, about four miles south of New Galloway and surrounded by all the wildness and beauty of the Glenkens. It is a community with a big heart that cares about its landscape and people. In fact, it is said that those who settle in Mossdale rarely leave the place. Over time it has become home, too, to writers, artists and other creative people seeking a share of the peace, tranquility , and inspiration it exudes. In consequence, the Mossdale Hall is a busy place with regular art sessions, yoga classes, soup lunches, permaculture courses, community landscaping and more. In an effort to celebrate all this, a wonderful evening of stories, music , film and wonderful home-cooked food (for Mossdale also happens to have some superb bakers and cooks among its population!) was enjoyed by everyone on Friday. We were thoroughly entertained by stories of mysterious happenings on Woodhall Loch, snow maidens from Japan and naughty accounts of Princess Cutie and her suitors! There were also two Mossdaleinspired films and marvellous performances of local musicians including music written by the greats. There were renditions of songs by Bruce Springstein, Richard Thompson and Mike Batt and the eventing was rounded off by a brilliant virtuoso performance with the full band’s backing of Sam Cooke’s 'Bring it on Home to Me' by Ringford’s very own soul singer, Mirla. What an evening! Thanks to everyone who joined in. All proceeds will go towards Hall funds to help keep this great resource going. Sheena McCurrach There will be a chance to try out Reflexology ‘tasters’ offered by Kath Peters and Susan Farish. Nutritionist, Lorna Willock will give a food talk. A spring seed sowing session will be led by Abi Mordin from Propagate and at the close of the day a guided meditation session will be led by Kirstie Templeton, offering everyone some moments to savour the benefits of the day, and simply enjoy stillness, connection and rest. Giving everyone for a moment to unwind, reflect on the day's events, and simply enjoy a few peaceful moments of stillness. Focusing on nutrition, gentle exercise, sowing and growing, reflexology and meditation, the wellbeing day hopes to encourage deeper connections to our bodies and nature. This event is supported by the Glenkens Community Shop and ticket sales will be donated to the Glenkens Community Centre to help with the ongoing renovation. Tickets can be purchased from Kath Peters at kattastic@hotmail. com Spring into life O n the back of the success of the Healthy Harvests event last September, there will be another wellbeing day on Saturday 11 April from 10am to 4pm at New Galloway Town Hall. ‘Spring into Life’ will celebrate the changing season, this time Spring will have our full attention. The event will provide people with an opportunity to dedicate some time to their wellbeing and consider how the changing season can affect how we feel. Taking time to focus on how Spring can have such a positive influence and impact on our physical and mental health, encouraging joy and maximising the full potential of this cheerful and blossoming season. Last year the wellbeing day was at the New Galloway Town Hall because the Glenkens Community Centre wasn’t ready due to renovations. This was an excellent space, and it worked very well, so we have decided to use this wonderful venue again. This food and wellbeing event will start with yoga led by Amy Fowler. Giving everyone the time to have a stretch and to focus on what they want to gain form the day ahead. 90 years of hydroelectricity M eet the innovators who moulded a landscape to harness water, bringing power to the Glenkens. In Scotland’s rich heritage of hydro-electricity, Galloway was the pioneer. When the hydroelectric scheme opened in 1936, it was one of the first in a new generation of major civil engineering infrastructure projects heralding landmark renewable energy schemes. And incredibly, it’s still going strong today. Join Bruce Keith at New Galloway Town Hall on Saturday 18 April as he brings this important episode in the Glenkens story to life. To find out more or book tickets visit www.glenkens. scot/cultural-glenkens Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Youth Correspondent page 6 Joshua Wells, aged 16, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Joshua talks about the CatStrand Youth Players. W hat do you get when you put together a young, ambitious job seeker ready for the best day of his life and his long-deceased father, who only wishes to make amends with his dear son? That is the exact question that the play Dead Dad Dog explores. John McKay uses a rollercoaster of amusing and poignant moments to show off a truly unique set of ideas and themes. For our entry into the SCDA One-Act Play Festival, the CatStrand Youth Players production team chose to tackle John McKay’s surreal comedy, Dead Dad Dog. Under the direction of Jo Jackson and with the help of Brian Edgar, we spent two months preparing this fast-paced piece for the competition stage. I took on the lead role of Eck, while my co-star, Dante, portrayed the ghost of my father, Willie. The play follows Eck, a young man in 1980s Edinburgh, who finds himself literally tethered to his dead father's ghost (Willie) on the most important day of his career. He has a high-stakes BBC interview and a long-awaited date, but his father’s ghost is about to crash both. The coupling of the two characters allows for a contrast between the modern (for the time) Eck and the more stuck-in-the-past Willie. This contrast is even more emphasised through an interesting gimmick. Throughout the play, the two characters must literally stick together to prevent a torturous stomach pain. This made it particularly challenging to perform, as we had to master the art of acting as if we were in horrible pain. We had to perfectly understand the distance Eck and Willie could travel before the agony kicks in. Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway Despite these challenges, we were able to enjoy our rehearsals and make the most of them. As the character of Eck, I was able to build his personality and make him my very own. Playing Eck was fun; I loved portraying his increasing frustration and anger toward his father, which made for some truly amusing moments on stage, made easy by Dante’s brilliant portrayal of Willie. While rehearsals were enjoyable, we knew we had to be competition-ready for the festival stage, where we’d be performing alongside some of the best local talent. After nearly two months of rehearsal, we were finally ready to perform our rendition of Dead Dad Dog. Being the night’s final play, the anticipation was massive. We got ourselves ready, running through our lines one last time while waiting for the intercom to finally announce our names. “Could the CatStrand Youth Players and their extremely huge set please come to the stage?” The irony of the announcer's joke wasn't lost on us. One notable comment about the play was our director’s (Jo) brave decision to use a completely minimalist set: just a single chair and a hidden box. This bold choice allowed the audience to focus entirely on the physical comedy and the emotional connection between the two characters, proving that sometimes, less really is more. This minimalist approach meant there was nowhere to hide, so we relied on sensory effects, such as talcum powder, to transform the empty stage into something supernatural. To make Willie look truly "dead," we layered his hair in talcum powder, which worked perfectly to create a brilliant, ghostly mushroom cloud every time he moved. This effect looked stunning under the spotlights, adding a magical, ethereal layer to the performance that the audience loved. Even though the dust filled the air, it added to the scene’s authentic atmosphere, and managing the slippery stage only made our physical comedy sharper and more energetic. Stepping out as the final act of the night, the nerves finally shifted into pure adrenaline. Although we didn’t win first place, performing with the CatStrand Youth Players was about more than just the competition; it was about the chemistry we built through every physical comedy mishap. Eck’s "best day ever" may have been a haunting disaster for him, but for me, it was a defining theatrical win that I’ll never forget. 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie Dante, Jo, Josh and Brian all set ready for the performance at the Fullarton Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople page 7 The day hell came to Parton Twenty-five years on: Remembering the horrors of the foot-and-mouth crisis Around ten years ago, when I was writing my book, which was based on a stolen horse and the last man hanged in Scotland for horse stealing, I joined the late Mary Smith’s writing class. One week she announced that our next week’s project was to be on "a life-changing event". I said to her that I had one, but was not sure that I was ready to write it yet. This April is the 25th anniversary of the horror of the A t the height of the foot-and-mouth outbreak which had engulfed the North of England and spread into Dumfries and Galloway, we were informed that a neighbour’s farm had been designated a suspected foot-andmouth holding. The rules were, that all animals on a suspect farm must be slaughtered and incinerated in situ. Neighbouring farms – contiguous holdings, they were called - were to have their cattle and sheep slaughtered too, as a sort of ‘fire-break’. This was us, our farm - how could this be? Incomprehension, then shock followed the news. We understood the reason that sheep should be culled; they range widely round a farm and could come in contact through the fence with neighbouring sheep. But our lovely cattle, bred on the farm, housed in three separate buildings, each half a mile from the other and far from the sheep; a perfect quarantine situation. They will be safe? foot-and-mouth disaster reaching the Glenkens. It was a horrendous time which affected all farmers, whether their stock was culled or not. It also affected accommodation providers and other businesses too. Parton and Crossmichael farmers felt that they had been sacrificed. Below is the account of the tragedy that I wrote for Mary Smith. John Nelson NO! The authorities insisted that as it was designated - one holding - they must all die. I contacted many officials that afternoon and into the night pleading for some commonsense. The cattle were isolated and free of the disease - why should they die? My argument fell on deaf ears. At six the following morning, the white coats arrived to do their grisly task. My wife Margaret, my two sons, Andrew and Peter, and myself might have left them to it, but we could not. We felt we had to ensure that they suffered as little as possible. Andrew supervised the ‘process’ in the cattle-sheds; with tears in his eyes, he watched as they shot the 150 cows and their new-born calves. One cow he had helped deliver her calf during the night, only to see that calf shot next morning. He knew this would happen but still had to assist her. babies, in a huge pile five feet high. The madness of it all! All the while Margaret watched from a distance, her three men with tears running down their faces, and she too descended into a pit of despair as she on her gums. Logically, grazing as they did on land isolated on three sides by the wide River Dee and on the fourth side by the main road, they could not have been infected, but logic had flown out the window with common sense and sanity. ...the ‘white coats’ caught the young lambs and held them for the vet... nearly 1,000 new-born lambs... and laid their bodies, as gently as babies, in a huge pile five feet high. Half a mile away Peter wept as he watched as they shot the 600 ewes. I too wept as I watched him cry. I wept too as the ‘white coats’ caught the young lambs and held them for the vet who gave each one of nearly 1,000 new-born lambs a lethal injection and laid their bodies, as gently as viewed the growing piles of dead. With only her black-andwhite spaniel for company, she realised that it was the only living animal left on the farm; but worse was to come! The bodies of all contiguous animals were normally transported by wagon to a huge burial pit near Lockerbie. This was the resting place of all the many thousands of ‘clean’ or non-infected animals. All our cattle were free of disease when examined as they were shot and similarly the sheep...except for one sheep in the last pen! This group had grazed among the blackthorn scrub by the river and one sheep had a few lesions Our vet who was supervising, regarded the symptoms as ‘doubtful’ and everything changed. Our ‘clean cull’ became a ‘suspected’ cull and all animals had to be incinerated on farm. The remainder of that day was characterised by argument. The man in charge insisted that the pyre be in the field in front of our house. I refused to allow it there. The field had tile drains which would allow disease, body fluids and unburnt diesel fuel to pollute the groundwater. Continued over the page... Top: lambs play the day before the cull. Left: diggers work beside mounds of dead animals GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Gazette Continued from previous page... The prevailing wind would take the vast pall of smoke into the farmhouse and in any case I felt that the public had seen enough of funeral pyres. I insisted they use a piece of rough ground out of sight of the road and with no tile drains. It was after many hours of argument, they finally conceded. At dawn two huge diggers proceeded to dig a trench 350 metres long a metre deep and two metres wide. This was filled with 280 tons of Colombian coal and enough beautiful planed timber to build several houses; the trench was then covered with railway sleepers and straw bales. The 350 cattle and fifteen hundred sheep were piled on this platform before being drenched with 100s of gallons of diesel fuel. As darkness fell on that second evening in Hell, the pyre was set alight. Two thousand animals burning, stiff black legs pointing skywards, mechanical digger buckets clanking as they stoked the fires, all silhouetted against the raging flames and vast palls of smoke. The memory of that horrific sight will never leave me. I can picture my son, Peter, his arm round his mother’s shoulder as we escaped from hell into the warm embrace of the kitchen. I wept often that day at the horror of it all and at the stupidity of it all. I wept too on subsequent days, at the ghostly silence, the l ca Lo nal Sustain Seaso abl h s e Fre @GallowayFoodHub gallowayfoodhub.org.uk hello@gallowayfoodhub.org.uk sight of the fields all round me, devoid of animals for the first time since the great ice retreated; at the odd charred limb being thrown on the embers; at the waste. I certainly wept three days later when officialdom announced the ‘scientific advice’ was that in future only sheep need be slaughtered. If that were done the cattle would be uninfected. Exactly my argument four days before! My neighbour’s farm proved free of foot-and-mouth and our suspect sheep proved negative. d Foo odfrom the Go Collection points: Across the Glenkens and beyond plus delivery options for the Glenkens The Great Foot and Mouth Plague of 2001 Innocent victims of bureaucratic bungling Perhaps the witch trials and persecution of the 16th century were like this, wellmeaning people swept along on a tide of fear and panic. This Oak tree was planted by the Nelson Family That most traumatic experience and its memories would come flooding back, unbidden, for the next ten years. Andrew read the plaque and commented; “you are still hurting! “ I could not trust my voice to reply. Like a train coming out of a tunnel, the memory could flare up and leave me sobbing. Fortunately time heals even raw mental wounds. Two years later we planted an oak tree on the pyre site, protected by a wrought iron railing; on that railing a plaque reads: On this site are buried the ashes of 350 cattle and 1600 sheep Shot on the 23rd April during Gordon McAdam Plumbing & Heating 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Visit our online shop to place your order page 8 07834 321 789 In memory of their animals Twenty-five years later we now have five grandchildren, ranging from 22 to the only boy aged 11. Their fun and laughter have helped our hearts heal! John Nelson, Parton Pictured: Top - information card given out to farmers at the time. Below left - the pyre of culled sheep and cattle. Below - Peter supports his mother Margaret as they escape the horrors of the day David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP Covering the Glenkens & further afield 07709 144 299 - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - Find me on Facebook Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment S pring brings new energy for nature restoration in the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere and there are exciting opportunities for Glenkens residents to get involved. In January the GSA Biosphere Partnership supported the launch of a new Nature Recovery Network for private landowners who are rewilding or simply managing their land in a nature-friendly way. Open to anyone with land in the UNESCO region, the group already has more than 50 members, ranging from retired hobbyists to small businesses with green space. The network aims to connect people for skills exchange and site visits, as well as knowledgesharing, friendship and moral support. There will also be opportunities in the future to access funding for nature-friendly improvements through making grant applications as a collective, thereby accessing finance that isn’t available to individuals. Anyone who would like to join or find out more is warmly invited to contact network coordinator Nicki Davey via nicki@salt-box. co.uk Some of last year’s nature conservation projects are page 9 Out and About in the Biosphere restarting now with the changing season. The Save Our Swifts (SOS) campaign, which featured on BBC Scotland in 2025, is looking for new members and volunteers as the birds return from their African wintering grounds. Swift numbers have declined so drastically in the last two decades that they are now a Red List species in the UK (the highest level of conservation concern) and continue to struggle with habitat loss, decreasing insect food sources, and increasingly frequent weather events that impact migration cycles. In positive news, this year Scotland made it a legal requirement for swift bricks to be included in new buildings, which will help mitigate habitat loss by providing nesting sites. Construction, architecture and renovation businesses, housing associations and regeneration trusts interested in supporting swift conservation can get in touch with the Biosphere’s Nature Recovery Officer, Antoine Lemaire (antoine@ gsabiosphere.org.uk). We can give support in how to best include biodiversity in the built environment, whether in new builds, renovations, or when carrying out building upgrades such as thermal insulation. And don’t forget: businesses making adjustments that benefit biodiversity are ideal candidates for the Biosphere Certification Mark scheme. This trademarked accreditation is still free to apply and open for applications all year round. Supported by the GSA Biosphere Partnership, the D&G Swift Network is continuing to support local swift colonies. They are carrying out surveys, awareness-raising activities and events, and actively seeking new members (they issue a monthly newsletter so please do join to keep up to date, whether or not you wish to be hands-on outdoors). Businesses can also become partners of the D&G Swift Network and support the group's activities, or cooperate with it to create habitat, provide nesting sites, or raise awareness online or through public engagement locally. Please contact dandgswifts@ gmail.com to express your interest in becoming a member. Anyone who spots swifts in the Glenkens (or anywhere else in the UNESCO Biosphere) is also encouraged to record this on one of the wildlife recording apps such as iNaturalist, alongside all the birds, bugs and plants that are emerging now. Citizen science supports nature in all its forms by providing valuable data to research and conservation projects, and in the long term helps track species distribution patterns. A short iNaturalist tutorial is available on the Biosphere’s YouTube channel with more information on how to support wildlife and habitats available at www.gsabiosphere.org.uk. To contact the Biosphere team with any enquiries, please email info@gsabiosphere.org.uk Pictured: Top - Antoine Lemaire, with a swift nest box. Above - a swift in flight. Far left - horsetails in Ken-Dee Marshes. Middle left - orange-tip butterfly on cuckoo flower. Left - snails enjoying a snack Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 10 sponsored by Growing Nature Networks in the Glenkens: What This Study Found J ust before I sat down to write this article I was walking from Moss Roddick down into Dalry, and stopped to watch a little flock of tits in the hedgerow. They weren’t just in it, though, they were moving along it, staying safe as they made their way through the farmland to the wooded village gardens. That hedgerow is a tiny fragment of a ‘habitat corridor’, a route between ecologically rich patches of woodland, wetland and grassland that helps wildlife move, thrive and adapt to climate change. Over the past few months I have been doing a feasibility study for Dalry Community Council, paid for by Inspiring Scotland’s Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund, on how the Glenkens could develop nature networks of valuable habitat linked together by corridors (see Gazette issue 150). The final report – just published on the Glenkens Hub (www. glenkens.scot/reports-resourcesarchive/establishing-naturenetworks-in-the-glenkens) sets out a practical starting point for a long-term, landscape-scale programme. Most of the land in the Glenkens is privately owned and managed for agriculture and forestry – unlike in some parts of Scotland, there is little large-scale community or public land ownership, and no major rewilding estates. This study therefore explored a “third way” for nature recovery: building nature networks gradually by identifying where ecological benefits could be achieved through practical, affordable changes in management, while continuing to support a productive, working landscape. I had conversations with farmers and foresters, as well as staff from environmental organisations, to understand their constraints and opportunities, and also did a lot of work with ecological data and habitat maps. From this, several habitat types emerged as priorities where a network approach could realistically work: broadleaved woodland, wet woodland, hedgerows, and habitats for pollinating insects. The report includes maps showing roughly where a woodland network might be developed through tree planting and protecting regeneration to connect some of the Glenkens’ existing amazing woods like Glenlee and the Aird of Kells. We hope that a first small section will be planted this autumn, thanks to the enthusiasm of a farmer and great support from Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands. Other habitats, in particular the very varied grassland and heathland typical of the Glenkens hills, are ecologically very important, but the network approach seems less suitable as a way of enhancing them. These would be an important focus of a future, more comprehensive, nature recovery programme. The study also highlights the importance of data collection, monitoring habitat change and carrying out ground surveys to plan networks. The community can make a huge contribution to this. Building on last year’s Land Notes Festival, Niki Inglis brought volunteers and experts together for training in ecological surveys as a citizen science project (see Niki’s article opposite) and we hope to do a lot more of this in future. We hope that we can take this work forward. At the time of writing we are waiting to hear whether the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust has been awarded funding from NatureScot’s Nature Restoration Fund to develop a landscape scale, holistic, nature recovery project for the Glenkens. Success would enable further development of the nature networks and citizen science activities, plus a great deal more! Steve Connelly Pictured: Top - Existing woodland corridor section in the North Glenkens (Photo: Steve Connelly). Above - North Glenkens; indicative map of broadleaved woodland corridors GAZETTEenvironment Glenkens Gazette page 11 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE Dog grooming table, brand new. Contact: 07810 473 730 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 FOR SALE Bosch Larder Fridge, perfect condition, £195. Contact: 07922 506 677 WANTED/OTHER Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Nonrunners/broken welcome. Contact: text/WhatsApp 07845 562 217 Shed clearances - any shed cleared, large or small. For further info or to arrange a visit contact: 07765 034 841 Local home-repair & maintenance - from small fixes to larger jobs, woodwork to electronics. Quality workmanship, flexible scheduling and fair pricing. Contact: Bruce on 07989 509 798 Monitoring and citizen science I t has been wonderful to work with so many people on this baseline monitoring project, coming together with a shared sense of community to participate in nature monitoring and contribute towards the vision of future land use in the Glenkens. Steven’s project (see article on the Eco Feature page opposite) highlighted some potential routes to developing nature networks or corridors connecting nature rich habitats in different parts of the Glenkens. Building on this, the participatory monitoring and community engagement of the Land Notes Festival, the next logical step was to explore the feasibility of creating a citizen science-based baseline monitoring programme. Citizen science refers to members of the public helping to collect data, in this case about the presence of nature and diversity of plants or animals in a particular area. It has many benefits such as enjoying an outdoor activity, learning about nature, engaging with others and the opportunity to contribute towards science locally. Gathering this data is important to help indicate whether there are changes to an environment over time, identify threats such as loss of habitat or species and help protect or enhance biodiversity. It can also help to track changes over time such as checking habitat improvements or conservation activities have the desired effect. With increased threats due to climate change and land use, it is more important than ever to gather data to understand or even help predict these changes and the impacts they may have on local wildlife. As this was a pilot project, three sites were identified to participate in the study initially, including Dalry School, Carsphairn Community Woodland (CCW) and New Galloway Community Garden (NCG). They hosted five events in total including the citizen science training, a school visit for all students and three monitoring events for the local communities. The monitoring events tested two different methods of gathering data. The first was to establish a habitat overview which focuses on a larger area capturing information such as tree locations, species and sizes as well as the number and type of different plants to gain an understanding of the overall diversity and help determine the type of habitat such as grassland or woodland. The second, known by ecologists as a quadrat, is a 1x1m square which is studied in detail to identify specific species using apps such as iNaturalist and local knowledge from the participants. It was quick and easy, on average around 30 minutes to identify more than 16 species of plants and animals, an excellent count considering the weather conditions in October and November. As well as conducting the citizen science events allowing local pilot sites to capture monitoring data and start recording a baseline, other tangible outcomes achieved during the project included digital habitat maps of the pilot sites, an ecological summary report which can be used as a template by other local communities and the Glenkens Monitoring Toolkit as a shared resource for future monitoring events across the region. Other ideas such as setting up Glenkens View Points and offline recording alternatives are already moving forward since the project completion with view points being established at both NCG and CCW, which will also host a whiteboard and notebook for those wishing to record observations by hand. Building on this, the report provides a guideline for growing citizen science capabilities, describes three different scenarios for establishing a citizen science network and outlines a roadmap with recommendations for moving forward with the continued development of the citizen science network. It recommends starting by raising awareness and engaging communities through activities such as the citizen science talks organised by the Glenkens Community Spaces Network. Eventually it is hoped that regular wide spread data collection, monitoring and recording by local citizen scientists across the region could contribute to the development of nature networks and inform local land use strategy. Actual field data gathered by local people could contribute towards filling data gaps, habitat mapping, recording wildlife and tracking environmental changes across the region. The volume of data collection and habitat mapping needed requires that many different groups, communities and landowners work together, uniting us all and inspiring a sense of collaboration towards nature recovery. To find out more or access the reports visit www.glenkens. scot/projects/glenkens-naturenetworks Niki Inglis Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 12 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 13 The Optimistic Environmentalist Examples of new products to tackle climate change (part one) L ast year, my husband Richard and I attended some of the Climate Action events in June. Here are some examples of what were being shown; I hope they inspire you to go in June this year or to get inventing yourself! 1) Evoco (www.evocoltd.com) This company use by-products and waste from agriculture, and some waste food, to make new polymers. They have launched a biobased foam that is 70 to 85% plant based. It has been introduced in the footwear market but will be used in, say, furniture and mattresses. They have projects with V-Day, a larger brand in the US; projects with Vans and Timberland; and a long standing project with a fashion company called Bared Footwear based out of Australia. They have also launched a biothermoplastic polyurethane, a plant-based leather alternative and an odour control material for shoes. The company aims to make materials as good or better than those they replace. They aim to increase a “detoxification effect” and reduce the CO2 from the waste they use, but they don't want these efforts to distract from satisfaction. They also work at adding value to what they call the bioeconomy, which adds value to jobs. Their calculations show that very soon these materials are cheaper than the alternative fossil fuel based ones. 2) Mimica (www.www. mimicalab.com) Between eight and 10% of global emissions comes from food waste throughout all parts of the chain including production, transportation, use (domestic or business) and disposal. In order to protect consumers, food expiry dates are currently set to the worst case scenario. Most food shelf life testing, if it's a chilled food, gets tested at eight degrees, whereas most peoples' fridges are at four degrees or colder. Estimates suggest 70% of the food that we waste in the UK is still perfectly edible. Around one third of the food we produce globally gets wasted if the carbon for this waste was a country, it would be the third largest producer of greenhouse gases in the world. Consider all the resources that went into producing that food, storage, transportation, breaking down if left to decay in landfill - producing methane. Over a 100 year timescale, methane gas is 28 times more potent than CO2 (source: www.ourworldindata.org/ greenhouse-gas-emissions) This company has made a label that goes on food packaging called Bump. It is temperature sensitive and contains a patented gel, which is calibrated or formulated specifically to have the same level of temperature sensitivity as a specific food. So, a label on beef is calibrated differently to that on milk. It gets activated and applied at the stage of packaging by the food manufacturer. The label will feel smooth when the food is fresh and good to eat and will feel bumpy when the food has spoiled. Solveiga Pakstaite, chief design officer and founder of Mimica, states: "What we're trying to do is not replace expiry dates, which is kind of what people might expect. We're actually working with food producers to help them print a longer date based on reasonable storage. "It will sense the storage temperatures and so for the one or two people who leave the supermarket and don't store it properly, it'll turn bumpy earlier for them only." In a trial with 33 households, using fruit juice, 97% of participants consumed juice up to six days longer than typical expiry guidance. It's super practical, simple, takes seconds, is mass producible and is supported by Climate KIC, the predecessor to the Undaunted programme, run by Imperial College. Denise MacDonald-Kiernan Family and friends coming to stay? N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) Call Fiona on 07789 903127 - 01644 420737 - www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Buggies now available for hire Licence no DG00824P VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 14 Photo of the Issue T his issue's winner is Jock the Peacock, taken by 16-year-old Kieran Jardine at Forkins, Dalry. Kieran wins two portions of mac 'n' cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "We absolutely love the peacock - he looks raging!" To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk David 07513 180 960 JOINERY & CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Renovation & Conversions New Builds Extensions Groundworks Roofing Kitchen Fitting Windows/Doors Interior Finishings Covering Dumfries & Galloway Reliable Tradesmen Check out our projects on our socials! D.Mason Joinery @d.mason_joinery d.mason.joinery@gmail.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 15 Land and living in the Glenkens D oes farming matter? This was a question posed by Minette Batters (former Chief executive of the National Farming Union) in her introduction to the recently published Farming Profitability Review. “Whether farming matters and how it is valued is fundamental to the future of A series of articles by Nikky Wilson farming across the UK,” she stated. In this series of articles, the Gazette will aim to show how working the land matters to all of us living here. We want to explore, through interviews with local farmers and landowners, some of the issues facing the people who work in agriculture and forestry in the Glenkens. These are the people who shape the landscape so many of us love. They have a big influence on our lives as the producers of the food and materials we need to survive and thrive. We want to give them a voice and learn from them directly what matters to them, what they love about their work and how they deal with some of the problems they face. Some articles in this series have extended versions available on the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Farming in Sri Lanka - a comparison with the Glenkens T his article was supposed to be the second in the series started in the last issue about land managers in the Glenkens. However, circumstances beyond my control – the US/Israeli war against Iran – have conspired against me. I’m writing this from Sri Lanka where I’ve been stranded after my flight home was cancelled, whilst my notes from my last interview are back in Dalry. So this piece is an alternative; reflections on farming systems in Sri Lanka and the contrasts and similarities with the Glenkens. We – Steve (my husband) and I - worked with small farmers in Sri Lanka over thirty years ago. After a long absence, we planned a holiday there and our itinerary included a return visit to the area we worked in. Sri Lanka is a country of climatic contrasts with lush tropical conditions in part of the island, hilly country with tea estates at high altitudes and arid lowlands in the north. The project we worked on back in the 1990s was located in the north eastern side of Sri Lanka, in what was described as the dry zone. It’s an area developed for commercial rice growing so irrigation is a major feature in the landscape: flat paddy fields with villages located on the edge of the irrigated land. Farming families were allocated two-and-ahalf acres of paddy land for cash cropping along with half an acre of what is called a ‘home garden’. This is a plot of unirrigated land in which people build their houses and grow fruit, vegetables, medicinal plants, coconuts (a staple in the Sri Lankan diet – you can’t make a curry without them!), trees for timber and flowers. Our work focused on helping farmers who had just moved into the irrigation scheme to develop their home garden from scratch in what was, for many of them, an unfamiliar environment – much hotter and drier than they were used to. In the thirty years since we worked there, the home gardens have developed tremendously and the area is now very lush and green with lots of tree cover. Whilst this landscape is very different from the Glenkens, during our visit we started to see how many similarities there were in the lives and economies of farmers in both countries. Here are some of our thoughts. Farm systems have been changing, with consolidation of land holdings occurring and the expansion of larger cash cropping farms. Along with this has come mechanisation; harvesting the rice used to be done by hand and is now regularly done by things that look remarkably like combine harvesters. This relates to a shortage of labour which has become very expensive. Farmers are also squeezed by the high cost of inputs and decreasing profit margins, problems which are made worse by the middlemen who sell the inputs and buy the crops. Farmers have responded by diversifying their income sources. It isn’t a touristy area so they don’t have self-catering cottages, but it does include producing ornamental fish and drying fruit for the export market. The population has also changed, with some farming families selling up and moving away from the area and being replaced by apparently wealthier families who earn their living elsewhere. (This was very evident but we didn’t get to the bottom of why it was happening.) Overarching all of this is climate change. We arrived in what should have been the dry season but in fact it rained heavily for several days, threatening the unharvested rice crop. People told us that unseasonable and extreme weather is becoming the new normal – flooding in many parts of the island hit the international news in December last year. In another similarity to the Glenkens, wildlife is a problem for farmers – in this case wild elephants. They come into the fields and home gardens and even break into people’s homes to steal rice and bananas. Finally, we understood from talking with farmers how little support they get from the government, and how they feel that agricultural policy is made by distant people who don’t understand farming! A typical home garden looks like this; usually the upper storey provides shade for lots of other plants to grow underneath. They often appear a bit chaotic and unplanned but the different layers fit together quite well. Women are often the head of the household and responsible for the home garden. Reflecting on all the changes we saw, and the pressures farmers are under here, we were surprised at how familiar this sounds to the situation of farmers in the Glenkens. Of course, living standards here are very different, with a sign of wealth being a motorbike or three-wheeler parked outside the house. We did come away feeling hopeful for the future of some farmers, but not all. Some are doing really well whilst others struggle with debt and poverty. So, next time you pick up a can of coconut milk, a bunch of bananas or a packet of rice, spare a thought for the farmers that produce them in what are often challenging conditions. Nikky Wilson (with input from Steve Connelly) A big thank you to our friend Chesha for lending us her computer to write the article on. Also to Kevin Peace from Dalry for the idea to write about our work in Sri Lanka. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 16 Days out in and around the Glenkens V isitors to the Glenkens sometimes find themselves looking for something interesting to do, especially if the weather is not quite as planned. Whether you have just yourselves, children, grandchildren or grandparents to entertain, hopefully there is something here for you. I have assumed two things firstly, that you have access to a car and enjoy (or don’t mind) driving, and secondly, that you can look up online or ask for more details on any of these suggestions, so it is just a list. Here are a few of my favourite day (or half-day) trips out within reach of the Glenkens: 1) Galloway Forest Park Murray's monument, Red Deer Range, Wild Goat Park, the Black Loch and Clatteringshaws Loch (soon also to host the Scottish Dark Skies Observatory - see p3). 2) Off the beaten track - Raiders' Road, Stroan Viaduct, the Otter Pool and Clatteringshaws Loch. 3) Scenic drive – New Galloway to Laurieston; turn right in the middle of Laurieston village and follow the single-track road to Gatehouse of Fleet (visit the Mill on the Fleet). 4) The Machars - from New Galloway, take the Queens Way past Newton Stewart to Wigtown (the region's Book Town), Bladnoch Distillery, Garlieston, Whithorn, Isle of Whithorn (there's a lovely walk around headland), St Ninian’s Cave, Port William (might need to be two trips if you want to do it all!). 5) Portpatrick - choose (or avoid) Liifeboat Day, local walks, Mull of Galloway experience. 6) Gardens - Castle Kennedy Gardens or Glenwhan Gardens or Logan Botanic Gardens 7) Hill walking - For the fit and experienced only (take a map and compass); Forrest Estate to Corserine, Meikle Millyea and Carlins Cairn or Cairnsmore of Fleet. 8) Easy hill walk – from Dalry Town Hall follow Southern Upland Way signs to the river, Earlston hydro power station and up Waterside Hill (take a camera). 9) Wanlockhead – Lead Mine, mining museum, preserved miners’ cottages, gold panning, narrow gauge railway, fossicking on spoil heaps, wild camping in Mennock Pass 10) Safe sandy beach Sandyhills (beware fast moving tides if you walk along the coast), drag a magnet through sand and ‘catch’ magnetite, see old salt pans, cheap beachside parking or Mossyard, sandy beach and great rock formations. from Wanlockhead there is the Gem Rock Museum in Creetown and the Gem Shop in Castle Douglas. 11) Largs - Nardini ice cream in Art Deco building, a variety of restaurants and short ferry to Cumbrae. 17) Kirkcudbright - art galleries, art centre, Broughton House, walk around St Mary’s Isle, excellent new eateries Swally & Scran and a new wine bar too. 12) Coast drive - from Ayr to Stranraer, Ayr town and beach, Burns Cottage in Alloway, Dunure harbour, Culzean Castle, Lendalfoot (you might see seals near the Varyag memorial). 13) Loch Doon - the castle that moved, osprey nest, Roundhouse Cafe, Ness Glen for walks, picnic sites beside loch, great caravan site. 14) Dark Sky Park – on a clear night, see the Milky Way from almost anywhere out of town (best on a moonless night in spring or autumn), a favourite spot is Clatteringshaws. 15) Local museums Carsphairn Heritage Centre, Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Dalbeattie, Stewartry Museum in Kirkcudbright, Newton Stewart, Stranraer, Dumfries and the Devils Porridge Museum near Annan. 16) Rocks and geology - apart 18) Entertaining children (some of these are temporarily closed, so check before you visit) - Mabie Farm Park, Cream o’ Galloway, Ernespie Farm Park, Heads of Ayr Farm Park, Dalscone Farm Fun. Galloway Activity Centre (also a recommendation for adults). 19) Historic sites - Sweetheart Abbey, Waterloo Monument, Lincluden Collegiate Church 20) Staying local – red kite feeding station near Laurieston, Pack Road walk and ruins of Polmaddy Village just north of Dalry, Holy Linn waterfall (signposted from the Dalry to Moniaive road). To find more things to do in the area visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot, D&G What's Going On (www.dgwgo.com) or put ‘Dumfries and Galloway days out’ into an internet search engine. Paul Goodwin LING community larder expands L ocal Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) is pleased to announce that we have received funding from Dumfries and Galloway Council to expand the work of our Community Larder. The larder was set up to alleviate our own food waste at New Galloway Town Hall; we run several food-related projects such as the Community Café and Hubbub, and did not want our leftovers to contribute to the millions of tonnes of food thrown out every year. This project quickly grew as we sought partnerships from local supermarkets who now donate to us some of their leftover stock destined for landfill. Packaged and tinned goods go straight to the Larder shelves, while fresh produce is made into delicious meals by our stellar kitchen team – these are then placed in the larder freezer for anyone to take. And the larder continues to grow! This new initiative, funded through D&G Council’s Poverty and Inequalities fund, will see us delivering three homemade frozen meals a week across the Glenkens to any individuals struggling to cook for themselves. This could be due to poverty, mental or physical health difficulties, or even just unsociable working hours that make having a hearty, sit- down meal that much more challenging. This project is only funded until September 2026 so we are keen to make the most of our funding. If you or someone you know might benefit from these meal deliveries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Community Inclusion Lead, John Muir, at john.muir@ling.org.uk. The Community Larder can be found in New Galloway Town Hall, immediately on the left as you enter through the side door. Dominique Pope, LING Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 17 Galloway Food Hub seasonal recipe R hubarb complements the pork chops in this dish perfectly, adding a touch of sharpness. Served with mixed grains, it's an easy midweek supper. Ingredients can be purchase from the Galloway Food Hub (swap grains for rice that we sell on the Hub and balsamic vinegar for Iren's amazing fruit vinegar!) - see ad on p8 for info on how to shop on the Hub. PORK CHOPS WITH RHUBARB Method: Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Ingredients: • In a small roasting tin, toss the rhubarb, onion wedges and garlic with the balsamic vinegar, a little olive oil and some seasoning. Roast in the oven for 20 mins. • 190g rhubarb cut into 5cm lengths • 1 red onion cut into wedges • 3 garlic cloves bashed with skin on • 1tbsp balsamic vinegar • olive oil for drizzling • 1 tbsp butter • 2 rosemary sprigs • 2 pork chops • 250g pouch mixed grains • 100ml chicken stock • parsley to serve • Meanwhile, melt the butter over a high heat and fry the rosemary. Add the pork and cook for 2 mins on each side until nicely browned, then remove from the heat. Take the roasting tin out of the oven and add the grains and chicken stock and mix together. Add the meat and the rosemary to the roasting tin, placing the chops on top. Roast for 10-12 mins further, or until the pork is cooked through. Serves 2 Prep: 10 mins Cook: 30 mins Serve each chop with a big spoonful of the grains, scattered with parsley. Recipe from BBC Good Food Loving living in the Glenkens T hose living in the Glenkens know that this is a vibrant, dynamic and brilliant place to live for people of all ages. The people, the scenery, the opportunities for outdoor living, and the range of jobs available, all contribute to making this a place that many can’t imagine leaving. The ‘Our Glenkens’ project is about celebrating the individual stories of those who live and work in the Glenkens. The project offers authentic, community voices which highlight what the Glenkens has to offer those considering relocating or returning to the area. Last year, with South of Scotland Enterprise support, we profiled 10 young people sharing their connection of what life in the Glenkens means for them. This year we have profiled 12 more, with support from Scottish Government Climate Engagement Fund. The short videos created through the project speak for themselves - you can find them all online www.glenkens.scot/ our-glenkens The project has been inspired by the work of Uist Beo, which showcases the stories, people and places of the Outer Hebrides. We were delighted to hear from them the difference that their community-led platform was making in promoting Uist as a lively, energetic and dynamic place to live. The Our Glenkens videos are part of our wider Genkens Community Action Plan (CAP) work to promote living and working in our rural area and to encourage repopulation. We are sharing these videos at a time when depopulation is a hot topic in Dumfries and Galloway, with the council have recently published reports on this topic by University of West of Scotland and CoDel consultants. These reports set out the causes, challenges and recommendations for action to address depopulation in our region. The Glenkens featured as a case study in the reports, as it is important that the lived experience of our rural communities is heard. Andrew McConnell, GCAT Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 18 SPRING GLENKENS STORY & GALLOWAY CONVERSATIONS: THE GALLOWAY HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME SAT 18 APR | 3:00PM | NEW GALLOWAY TOWN HALL CULTURAL GLENKENS SCHOOL LIAISON PROJECT RESTORING ELSPETH MCEWEN WED 6 MAY | 6:30PM | CATSTRAND GARROCH GLEN: LING & CULTURAL GLENKENS PICNIC, NATURE HUNT & HISTORY WALK SAT 16 MAY | 10:30AM TRANSPORT CATSTRAND | 11:00AM GARROCH GLEN THRIVING TOGETHER - TOWARDS A POSITIVE FUTURE THU 30 APR | 7:30PM | CATSTRAND GALLOWAY CONVERSATIONS: ELSPETH MCEWEN: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF AN ACCUSED WITCH SUN 31 MAY | 3:00PM | CATSTRAND HIGH ST, NEW GALLOWAY | 01644 420 374 | GCAT.SCOT/ARTS Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 19 Forest school sessions with Bairn Banter F amilies attending Bairn Banter have had a busy start to the new year, both at the Lagwyne Hall and within the woods at Heart of the Glen. January brought the group a Saturday filled with Scots poetry, tartan crafts and an exercise for the tastebuds, as the children prepared and sampled a platter of Scottishthemed foods. As February arrived, love filled the air of the Lagwyne Hall as Valentine's Day gave us plentiful crafting opportunities and heart-themed snacks. As we march our way into spring, we naturally find ourselves embracing the great outdoors and taking every opportunity to get our hands in the soil. The garden has the new addition of two dwarf apple trees, kindly donated by the Pollinators Project back in November. These will complement the range of plant species in this area and hopefully increase the biodiversity of the garden, encouraging more insects and producing some tasty fruits to enjoy on a Saturday. T They began by exploring winter and learning about the animals that live in the Antarctic. Using a globe, the children enjoyed finding and pointing out different places around the world, which sparked lots of great discussions and curiosity. This global exploration naturally led us into a space theme, which quickly became a favourite! The children loved learning about planets, stars, and rockets - especially the highlight of the topic: launching our very own rocket into space! This term, the children have also been learning about their bodies and what we need to eat to keep ourselves healthy. Through activities and discussions, the children explored healthy choices, different food groups, and how our bodies As we move into our second year of the project, we will look to seek funding for more tools to allow the children to get ‘hands on’ with their individual projects - for example, the introduction of wood whittling. Spaces for sessions are limited so please make sure to book - take a look on the Glenkens Hub for further information about session times (www.glenkens.scot), or visit the Bairn Banter Facebook page to book. Over the coming months, there will be a bounty of free activities for children within the Glenkens, as well as special events such as a trip to Culzean Castle, the upcoming annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday 4 April, and our sponsored animal -themed fundraising walk/toddle for the charity, Banardos. April marks a special milestone for Heart of the Glen’s Forest Learning Session, as we celebrate one whole year of these monthly collaborative sessions with Bairn Banter. Heading into May there are lots of exciting activities coming up. Bairn Banter has been invited to attend the nationally renowned, Carsphairn-based musical festival, Knockengorroch (see front page), and will also be present at the Carsphairn Show on Saturday 6 June. Support from Carsphairn Renewable Energy Fund Ltd (CREFL) has enabled Glenkens families to participate in a range Melissa Ade, Bairn Banter and Forest __Learning Sessions Coordinator Dalry School Nursery he children of Dalry Nursery have had a wonderfully busy and exciting term so far. of fun activities including willow weaving, bird nest making, tree conservation, campfire cooking, tool use, animal tracking, plant identification, den building and so much more! work. They really enjoyed finding out what helps us grow strong and stay active. We are now moving on to learning about Easter and spring, noticing the changes in nature, new life, and the traditions that come with this time of year. We are also getting ready for our annual Easter Bonnet Parade, a highlight of the term! We hope to raise lots of money to buy new resources for our outdoor play area, helping us continue to improve our active, creative, and imaginative outdoor learning experiences. If you have a child aged 3-5 and would like to enrol them at Dalry Nursery, send us an email on Gw12moorejulie3@glow.sch.uk Julie Moore, Dalry ELC Nursery Manager Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 20 Spring decluttering - a fresh start for your home and mind A s the days get longer and the light begins to return, many of us feel the urge to open the windows, clear out the dust of winter, and make our homes feel lighter again. Spring has always been the traditional time for a good clear-out, and for good reason. Decluttering at this time of year can make your home easier to manage, more enjoyable to live in, and even improve your wellbeing. Over the winter months it’s easy for things to build up. We spend more time indoors, cupboards get filled, paperwork piles grow, and before we know it the house can start to feel crowded. When our surroundings feel cluttered, it can affect how we feel too. Many people tell us they feel overwhelmed, stressed, or simply stuck when their home is full of things they don’t use or love. Decluttering isn’t about having a perfect house, and it certainly isn’t about throwing everything away! It’s about making your home work for the life you live now, not the life you lived ten years ago, or the one you aspire to live someday. When you clear out what you no longer need, the things you keep become easier to find, easier to look after, and much more enjoyable. If you’re not sure where to start, the key is to keep it simple and not try to do everything at once. Choose one small area – maybe a drawer, a cupboard, or a single shelf - and focus just on that. Take everything out, look at each item, and ask yourself three questions: Do I use it? Do I need it? Do I like it? If the answer is no to all three, it may be time to let it go. It also helps to have a plan for where things will go. Keep a box for charity donations, a bag for recycling, and a place for things that belong somewhere else in the house. Knowing what you will do with items makes decisions much easier. One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until they have a whole free day to declutter. In reality, small sessions done regularly work much better. Ten or fifteen minutes at a time is enough to make steady progress without feeling exhausted or discouraged. Spring decluttering doesn’t have to be dramatic. Even clearing one cupboard, sorting a pile of papers, or letting go of clothes you no longer wear can make a real difference. Each small step creates a little more space, a little more calm, and a home that feels ready for the new season. And that, after all, is what spring cleaning is really about - not perfection, but a fresh start. Mel Carruthers Mel Carruthers is the owner of Dumfries & Galloway’s home organising company, More Organised. Mel and her team have been helping clients declutter and organise their homes across the region since 2017 (see ad on p4 for further info). WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING TIMES OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.30pm MONDAY – FRIDAY Sat 8.30am-5pm Sun 8.30am-3pm 7.30am – 5.30pm POST8.30am OFFICE– 5pm SATURDAY Mon-Fri 10am to 3pm SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm Sat 9am to 12noon Sun closed LOCAL SUPPLIERS LOCAL SUPPLIERS DALMELLINGTON BUTCHERS DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY HENDERSON BUTCHERS RAMSAY OF CARLUKE BUTCHERS BUTCHERS UPPER TREATS DULLARG EGGS SWEET BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG CREAM O' GALLOWAY SWEETCAKES BAKERY GALLOWAY LODGE IRVINGS BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY COWS & CO CHEESE THE CRESS COMPANY CREAM O GALLOWAY BORDER BISCUITS GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES HAWKSTONE BREWERY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG IRVINGS BAKERY SULWATH BREWERY SCOTTISH GALLOWAY PASTA ...local delivery available... GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Glenkens Food Month 2026 ll organisations, businesses and interested individuals are welcome to join an open discussion on the future of Glenkens Food Month. A become a much loved and valued feature of our annual calendar. Glenkens Food Month started in 2019, initially led by New Galloway Community Enterprises and latterly by Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT). Taking place throughout September, it has The programme has evolved over the years, and provides an opportunity for local businesses to showcase their work as well as celebrating bringing people together through food. Many organisations and businesses participate each year, some linking existing events to the calendar and others creating new and exciting experiences for the local community and visitors. page 21 Areas of discussion will be: • What's gone well over the last seven years of Glenkens Food Month? • What could be improved or changed? • Shared aims and values what are we trying to achieve, and who for? We invite any groups and organisations, businesses, enterprises and interested individuals - those who have participated in past Food Months or otherwise - to come and share your views, experiences and ideas. This event is organised by Propagate and GCAT and will be held on Thursday 9 April at 6.30pm at the CatStrand New Galloway. Abi Mordin, Propagate Thriving Together - Towards a Positive Future T he future of our land is shaped not only by policies and plans, but by relationships the relationships between the people who live in a place and the organisations responsible for managing it. Across Scotland, communities are increasingly stepping forward with ideas, energy and a deep sense of care for the places around them. At the same time, public agencies are exploring new ways to work alongside communities to ensure that land is managed in ways that benefit everyone who values and uses it. What happens when these perspectives come together in a spirit of openness and collaboration? People from across the local area are invited to gather at the CatStrand for an evening designed to explore exactly that question. 'Thriving Together – Towards a Positive Future' will be a welcoming, ideasbased event where community members, land users and those interested in the future of local landscapes can share experiences, ask questions and explore new possibilities for partnership. photographer Ted Leeming, will highlight the inspiring story of Kilsture Forest Community Group, who have developed a proactive and constructive relationship with Forestry & Land Scotland. Their experience demonstrates how trust, dialogue and shared purpose can help unlock positive outcomes for communities and the landscapes they care about. The evening, organised by local Through open conversation, those attending will be invited to share their own experiences and ideas - exploring how communities and public agencies might work more effectively together, what barriers still exist, and what practical steps could help build stronger relationships in the Galloway District Lead Volunteer. The Cubs had written a story entitled A Haggis, and Chealsea kindly judged the competition. Elliot being the winner received a lovely little haggis, freshly caught on the Bennan Hill. It was a difficult task as all the stories were good. Cub Scouts started in 1916, and at that point they were called Wolf Cubs (see photo to the right of a Wolf Cub badge). The Cubs have a birthday challenge to try and complete 110 activities. We, as Cubs, will try our very best during 2026 to do that. Chelsea presented the Cubs with a birthday badge. We hope to have a stall at the Scottish Alternative Games in August, to raise funds for our group. We appeal to anyone who is spring cleaning shortly and who has any bric-a-brac, toys, children’s books, etc, to please keep us in mind – thank you! We may grumble about the dreich weather but let’s be thankful for black roads, shops open, and snowdrops in abundance showing off their lovely white petals, daffodils appearing to tell us spring is future. The aim is not simply discussion, but inspiration: identifying positive examples and practical solutions that could help shape a more collaborative and hopeful future for communities and the places they cherish. Insights from the evening will help inform practical recommendations for both communities and agencies, and will also contribute to Ted’s forthcoming 'Call to Action' for incoming MSPs following the 2026 Holyrood elections. Thriving Together – Towards a Positive Future will be held at the CatStrand on Thursday 30 April, at 7.30pm. Update from the Glenkens Scouts T he previous Gazette featured Pippin and Fred’s amazing fundraiser for Stepping Stones foodbank in Castle Douglas. What an achievement! Pippin and Fred are members of our Cub pack, and we are so proud of them. Our Scottish food tasting evening went down a treat. Lily started off proceedings when she recited the Selkirk Grace. We welcomed a visit from Chealsea Wilkinson, our newly-appointed around the corner, and hopefully the Cubs can take part in activities outdoors. Yours in Scouting, Heather and Hannah Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory Restoring Elspeth by Ros Ollin I received Restoring Elspeth recently from the author, Ros Ollin, and I read it in one sitting. Ros phoned me at Dalry Library two or three years ago to discuss the story of Elspeth McEwen. Ros had found me through my videos about Elspeth, and she wanted to talk about her for her book. It is a book of poems inspired by Elspeth’s tragic story as the last woman burned in Galloway as a witch. Elspeth lived near Cubbox, Balmaclellan, and died in Kirkcudbright at Silver Craigs, by execution. The fighting ministers of South West Scotland Y ou wouldn’t imagine nowadays that ministers of the church would elect to serve as combatant soldiers with all that entails, including the taking of human life. But in the Great War this was more common than you might think. The Scottish Ministers War Memorial in St Giles Cathedral, Edinburg,h records that fourteen Ordained Church of Scotland Minsters, six Ordained United Free Church Ministers and one Ordained Free Church Minister died as combatants during the First World War. Four of those listed came from overseas parishes, and of the seventeen who came from Scottish parishes, an amazing eight came from the South West of Scotland. Andrew Stewart was the minister of the United Free Church on the Isle of Whithorn and was commissioned into the Northumberland Fusiliers. On 18 September 1917, he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry but was killed in action at Ypres just two days later. There is a memorial plaque and font dedicated to him in his former church at the Isle of Whithorn. John Davis was the minister at Buittle, near Dalbeattie, and enlisted into the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private in 1916. He died on active service page 22 on 22nd July 1917 and is buried in Amara Cemetery, Iraq. Although some may regard medics to be non-combatants, they are trained to use firearms and expected to use them in defence of themselves and their patients. He is listed as a combatant on the St Giles memorial. There is a memorial plaque to him in his former church and also a gravestone type memorial which has been placed inside the grounds of a listed derelict church in Buittle church grounds. Herbert Dunn was the minister at Sheuchan Church, in Stranraer, and was commissioned into the Cameronians. He died as a 2nd Lieutenant on 25 October 1915 and is buried in Alexandria, Egypt. There is a plaque memorial to him in his former church which is now the High Church of Stranraer. Lieutenant Frank William Saunders was the minister of Anwoth Church, Gatehouse of Fleet, before he was commissioned into the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. He was 37 years old when he died on 1 August 1918 and was buried in a small churchyard in France. Anwoth church is now privately owned but we understand that it contains a memorial to him consisting of a brass plaque with a bust of him plus a frame with photographs, etc. Robert Gordon Millar from Dumfries was the minister of St Mary’s Church, Dumfries, when he was commissioned The poems are powerful and moving, giving you an emotional insight into Elspeth’s life and death, and I thoroughly recommend folk getting their hands on a copy (or pop into the library). Ros will be giving a talk about Elspeth and reading from her book at the CatStrand on 31 May - try to get along and see her then if you can! You can find out more about Elspeth on my YouTube channel, Galloway Retold. Angela Miller Angela is Librarian at Dalry Library and producer of Galloway Retold YouTube channel (see p24). For Dalry Library opening times see p31) into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as a 2nd Lieutenant. He died (leaving a widow) on 11 May 1917 Memorial in St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh from wounds received the previous yet to identify any memorials month and is to him apart from the main Ayr one of nearly eleven thousand Burgh memorial. British soldiers buried at Etaples cemetery in France. Like others Gavin Lang Pagan was the in this article, he is recorded minister at St George’s Church, on a number of memorials Edinburgh, but had previously including individual and parish been minister at St Columba’s memorials in his church, St Church, Largs. He served with Andrews University Roll of 15th Battalion Royal Scots and Honour, Dumfries memorial, the remnants of his Battalion Arbroath High School memorial combined with 16th (McCrae’s) and Arbroath and District Roll of Battalion. He was 44 years old Honour. when he was killed in action near Arras on 28 April 1917. There is Dugald McArthur, from a stained glass window memorial Ardrossan, was a 2nd Lieutenant to him in St Columba’s church. in the Black Watch and died on 21st April 1917. He was In the 21st century, we have previously the minister of New come to expect a more Ardrossan Parish Church where shepherding role of our men of there is a memorial window to the cloth in ministering to the him and other members of the sick and injured, consoling the church who fell during the First bereaved and giving spiritual World War. He is commemorated guidance. So it may come as on the Basra memorial in Iraq some surprise that, during the and in the Glasgow University Great War, the conscience of a Roll of Honour as well as church minister could often lead the main civic memorial in him on a more active path, to Ardrossan. take up arms against the enemy - especially in the South West of John Rankin Donald Smith was Scotland. the minister of Cathcart Street church, in Ayr, and served in the More detailed research could Royal Scots Fusiliers as a 2nd begin with two books: Sons of Lieutenant. He died at Ypres on the Manse Muster Roll (1915) and 31 July 1917 and is remembered Muster Roll of the Manse (1919), on the Menin Gate memorial. He both compiled by Duncan was only 33 years old when he Cameron. Paul Goodwin died leaving a widow. We have Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory Visiting Crossmichael Heritage Centre C rossmichael Heritage Centre is located in the Church Hall and the Old Hearse Hoose, both situated close to the village church. The main collections of material are held in the Church Hall and there is a smaller taster exhibition in the Hearse Hoose, including a Crossmichael time-line. The Church Hall archive is both analogue – in page 23 the form of wall- and floor-mounted displays, for example – and digital. Opening hours for the main Heritage display are every Wednesday 1.30-4.30pm from April until the end of October. The adjacent Hearse Hoose Timeline building is open Monday to Saturday from April to October. From time to time, we put on oneoff events and special exhibitions, and an additional feature of the Centre’s work is the ‘Living History’ strand – an ongoing oral and video history of the local community, patched together from interviews with residents and stitched into a ‘digital quilt’. For latest opening times visit www. Glenkens.scot/crossmichaelheritage-centre John Nelson The Romans display board showing an example of a Roman camp similar to the one at Glenlochar, Crossmichael, with creator of the display, Ed Hex, standing in front. Are you looking to plant some trees? We have grants available for small-scale native planting schemes. For full info, visit: www.dgwoodlands.org.uk Registered as a SCIO, no 052525 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 24 Galloway Retold with Angela Miller The story of Annie Hannah and Mary Timney I f you drive up to Carsfad, you will see two wee stone buildings on the left hand side of the road, and a layby on the right just before the turn off to Carsfad Power Station. The two wee stone buildings are all that remains of the Hannah family farm that used to be here. In the layby on the left, you will find an information board that tells you a little bit about Mary Timney, who used to live in a cottage at the Hannah farm, pretty much right by the side of the River Ken. The cottage no longer exists, just as most of the rest of the farm no longer exists. The reason why the farm and its cottages were abandoned? Well, it’s probably a bit more complicated in reality than this, but it was mostly to do with the actions of Mary Timney, and the dispute she had with Annie Hannah, her landlady. Living right next door to your landlady isn’t often the most comfortable thing, but for Annie and Mary, it ended up being entirely fatal. Mary was a young mother of four, married to an older man with a bad reputation. Annie was an older, single woman who lived at the farm with her brothers, where she spent most of her time caring for her elderly mother. When Annie’s mother passed away, Annie was left to deal with the farm’s tenants. Now, there’s some suggestion that Mary possibly thought Annie was having an affair with her husband, but that may just be idle gossip. But what is certain is that the two women did not get on. So when Annie Hannah was found lying, dying, in a pool of blood on her kitchen floor one day, the immediate finger of suspicion was pointed at Mary. And when, later that same day, poor Annie Hannah passed away in her bed in that same kitchen, Mary was promptly arrested. Mary was taken first to New Galloway police station (imagine that!) and then on to Kirkcudbright prison, while an investigation was conducted from the old Polharrow School, just around the corner from Carsfad. Now, it must be said, that all of the resulting evidence pointed to the fact that Mary was indeed the murderer. We cannot presume that she was innocent because of her protestations, but she was certainly considered guilty from the get-go by everyone in the area. In fact, the national press across the whole of the UK was fascinated with this rare woman-on-woman act of extreme violence. But when Mary stood in the dock at the High Court in Dumfries, and was handed a sentence of public hanging by hardline judge Lord Deas, the locals were horrified. Women were almost never hanged any more, and they certainly weren’t publicly hanged. Yet, in spite of much local protestation, Mary was indeed hanged outside the Old Prison on Buccleuch Street in Dumfries. On 29 April, 1862, Mary became the last woman in Scotland to be publicly hanged. Three of Mary’s children were taken into care and given new names. The fourth - her eldest daughter - was given a home with a female philanthropist in England who had been aghast at the treatment of Mary and her children. Mary’s eldest was made to give evidence against her mother at trial. Annie Hannah is buried beside her mother in Dalry Kirkyard. I have made two videos about Mary and Annie’s story, which you can find on my Galloway Retold YouTube channel. Angela Miller is the librarian at Dalry Library and a keen local historian. You can view her YouTube channel by searching YouTube or Google for 'Galloway Retold'. Newspaper Clipping Reporting on Mary's execution, on display in Dumfries Museum Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 25 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers on a journey into his world of writing, reading and general thoughts on life. O ne of my favourite books is Complete Stories by Flannery O’Connor, who was not an Irishman but an Irish-American woman from Georgia in the American deep south. Her stories are usually darkly comic, or tragic-comic, and they focus on racial and class prejudice, hypocrisy and self-deception, and religion. While provoking laughter, they are always deadly serious in intention. “All comic novels that are any good,” wrote O’Connor, “must be about matters of life and death.” O’Connor died of Lupus at the age of 39. She knew she was dying for most of her writing life, and her work and her characters are as haunted by death and the possibility of judgment as you would expect. In the short novel Wise Blood, her anti-hero Hazel Motes sees “Jesus move from tree to tree in the back of his mind.” Motes wears his dead mother’s glasses when he reads, though they stop him from seeing properly. He is not very bright, but he carries the burden of a burning, if perverted, moral sense. Like many or most of O’Connor’s characters, Motes is a case study of loneliness and destitution. He is orphaned, his brothers didn’t survive childhood, his family home has collapsed, even his home village has been abandoned. But this background hasn’t turned Motes into the hard-nosed cynic he believes himself to be. He has strong faith that the broken car he buys is a fine machine really. Advanced Massage Practitioner He can’t see the cynicism of the supposedly blind preacher he taunts, nor the worldliness of the young girl he wishes to seduce. Powered by his wounds and a righteous anger, he stands on the bonnet of his useless car to seek disciples for his Church Without Christ. “The only way to the truth is through blasphemy,” he preaches. He finds a potential friend in Enoch, another lonely, lost boy, another son to a cruel, now absent parent, and someone who provides another example of false religion. Propelled by his intuitions, which he understands as his “wise blood” talking to him, Enoch steals a mummified corpse from an exhibition, makes an altar for it under his bed, and tries to involve Motes in his madness. But the boys fail to connect. These two are typical O’Connor characters in that they are people who misinterpret themselves in moral terms. Her people tend to fall into two categories: those who think they’re good, but are in fact bad, and those who think they’re bad but are in fact good. Wise Blood was the novel that I picked up in London last month, but I do recommend the Complete Stories as a starting point. You can find Motes and Enoch in several stories there, alongside classics like A Good Man is Hard to Find and Everything That Rises Must Converge. The writing is bright, sharp and deep, and the shortness of the stories means it takes just half an hour to submerge yourself fully. We’re a small, dedicated local team offering professional laundry for holiday lets, hotels and private customers, always with a personal touch. Crisp. Clean. Consistent King Steet, Castle Douglas DG7 1DS 01556 288 008 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 26 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 27 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Michele Owen 07940 313 445 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 • Parton: Tom - 07835 821 976 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Contact Kate Bone on 07900 312425 9 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact hello@ gallowayfoodhub.org.uk or visit www. gallowayfoodhub.org.uk Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Crossmichael, 9.30am: 12, 19 & 26 Apr. 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 May Balmaclellan, 11.15am: 3 May Carsphairn, 11.15am: 12 Apr, 10 May Kells, 11.15am: 19 Apr, 17 & 31 May Dalry, 11.15am: 26 Apr, 24 May SPECIAL EVENTS: Thu 2 Apr, joint communion, 7pm, Kells Church. Friday 3 Apr, joint Good Friday service, 7pm, Crossmichael Church Hall. Sat 4 Apr, Spring Teas, 2pm, Dalry Church. Sun 5 Apr, early service, 9am, Dalry Church followed by breakfast & Easter Day service, 11.15am. For info contact Ian Knox on 07840 506 516 or i.knox29@btopenworld.com, or Irene McCreath on 07974 861927 or at irenemccreath.im@gmail.com SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP The Rev Dawn Matthew Sundays:10.30am, Holy Communion with refreshments after the service. Tuesdays: open for private prayer in a quiet space when the 'church is open' sign is outside. SPECIAL SERVICES: 2 April, Maundy Thursday, 6pm Eucharist. 3 April, Good Friday, 2pm Reflection. 5 April EASTER DAY, 10.30am. DIARY DATE: Saturday 2 May, Plant & Bake Sale, 10.30am to 12noon, in aid of Castle Douglas Hospital League of Friends. For further information please contact Christine Rankin, Vestry Secretary, on 07749 212 201 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation GLASS RECYCLING • Balmaclellan: beside the shop, Balmaclellan • Carsphairn: in lay-by on A713, south of village • Crossmichael: Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road • Dalry: playpark car park, Kirkland Street • New Galloway: Carson's Knowe car park • Kirkpatrick Durham: St David Street USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 28 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE You can now apply for a Garden Waste Collection Service permit at £40 per bin. for regular collections from March to November 2025. Apply online at www.dumgal.gov.uk/ wasterecycling or in person at a customer service centre such as Dalry Library. The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. Local Job Vacancies Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. GALLOWAY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT MINIBUS www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org DRIVERS phone: Jon 07841 512449 / Jason 07704 662925 APRIL - MAY 2026 WANTED email: gct@catstrand.com / gctadmin@catstrand.com 1-2THE daysGCT workGIG a week DEBUT OF BUS! 7 hours per day Galloway Community Transport in partnership CPC training provided with the CatStrand, successfully operated our Self-employed basis, £14 p/h first “Gig Bus” for the James Yorkston gig on 5th March, and we were happy to receive very positive feedback from the clients! We are looking to run this service again for future events, so please message us on 07841 512449 and let us know the events where THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE YOU would like to leave your car at home and enjoy a CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS stress-free evening! Contact Jon on 07841 512 449 or gct@catstrand.com Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997  01556 502263  MINIBUS DRIVING VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 deliver our services on the following route: NEW E-TRANSIT MINIBUS @ GCT! Thanks to funding from Plugged-in Communities, GCT will have received a new all electric Ford eTransit minibus by the time you read this! Featuring a wheelchair lift for increased accessibility, and a maximum seating capacity of 12 passengers, it promises to be a superb asset to GCT and the wider community. Wherever possible, this vehicle will be put to good use for local projects and community group trips. You should see it out and about around the Glenkens very soon! Pictures show the actual vehicle in production! GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway VETERINARY SURGERY ROAD We are lookingOAKWELL for drivers to help us CASTLE DOUGLAS VEHICLE HIRE FOR MEMBERS FOR vehicles APPOINTMENTS CALL We have for hire by community organisations. ranging from 4 seat capacity to 16 seats, including wheelchair accessibility 517 Kirkcudbright/Borgue/Brighouse Bay. This will be 1 - 2 days a week, For information about membership and terms and conditions of hire see the GCT website or phone: 07841 512449 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEtransport page 29 GALLOWAY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org email: gct@catstrand.com / gctadmin@catstrand.com phone: Jon 07841 512449 / Jason 07704 662925 APRIL - MAY 2026 DEBUT OF THE GCT GIG BUS! NEW E-TRANSIT MINIBUS @ GCT! Galloway Community Transport in partnership with the CatStrand, successfully operated our first “Gig Bus” for the James Yorkston gig on 5th March, and we were happy to receive very positive feedback from the clients! We are looking to run this service again for future events, so please message us on 07841 512449 and let us know the events where YOU would like to leave your car at home and enjoy a stress-free evening! Thanks to funding from Plugged-in Communities, GCT will have received a new all electric Ford eTransit minibus by the time you read this! Featuring a wheelchair lift for increased accessibility, and a maximum seating capacity of 12 passengers, it promises to be a superb asset to GCT and the wider community. Wherever possible, this vehicle will be put to good use for local projects and community group trips. You should see it out and about around the Glenkens very soon! Pictures show the actual vehicle in production! MINIBUS DRIVING We are looking for drivers to help us deliver our services on the following route: 517 Kirkcudbright/Borgue/Brighouse Bay. This will be 1 - 2 days a week, 7 hours per day. CPC training can be provided Our driving roles are offered on a self-employed basis and are paid at £14 per hour. For an informal discussion, please call Jon on 07841 512449 or email gct@catstrand.com VEHICLE HIRE FOR MEMBERS We have vehicles for hire by community organisations. ranging from 4 seat capacity to 16 seats, including wheelchair accessibility For information about membership and terms and conditions of hire see the GCT website or phone: 07841 512449 07704 662925 www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org REGULAR SERVICES We are modifying our regular shopping service at time of publication, please call for further updates: 07841 512449 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEevents WHAT'S ON page 30 April/May APRIL Sat 4, Bairn Banter's Easter Egg Hunt, Lagwyne Hall Garden, Carsphairn, 10.30am Thu 9, Food Month 2026 discussion/planning, 6.30pm, CatStrand, see p21 Sat 11, Spring into Life, 10am-4pm, New Galloway Town Hall, see p5 Sat 11, Glenkens Producers Market, Dalry Town Hall, 10am-1pm Sat 11, Community Litter-pick, 10am, meet New Galloway Town Hall Sun 12, A Home for Hamish, 3pm, CatStrand Tue 14, LKT Ranger Education (ages 5-8), see p12 Fri 17, Bloom; step dancing taster workshop, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 18, Glenkens Story: Galloway Hydro Scheme, 3pm, New Galloway Town Hall, see p5 Sat 18, Kae Sakura & Monika Smekot, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 19, The Audience: National Theatre Live, 4pm, CatStrand Tue 21, LKT Ranger Education (ages 8-12), see p12 Sat 25, Race Night, 7pm, New Galloway Town Hall Tue 30, LKT Youth Water Safety, see p12 MAY Wed 6, Dalry Film Club: Dark Water, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 8, Los Vega -Son Jarocho, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 9, Glenkens Producers Market, Dalry Town Hall, 10am-1pm Sat 16, Nature Hunt & History Walk, Garroch Glen, 10.30am pickup from CatStrand, see p18 Sat 16, Becci Wallace, 7:30pm, Catstrand Wed 20, My Darling Clemintine in concert, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 22, Sat 23, Sun 24, Mon 25, In Search of the Unattended Shadow: an installation by Jim Buchannan, 11am-4pm, CatStrand Thu 21-Sun 24, Knockengorroch Festival, Carsphairn, see front page Sat 23 12noon-1.30pm & Sun 24 1-2.30pm, Hand-Held Journeys: a workshop with Jim Bucchanan, New Galloway Town Hall Thu 28, THE BACCHAE: Company of Wolves, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 30, Macbeth Muet: La Fille Du Laitie, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 31, Galloway Conversations: Elspeth McEwan - the life and death of an accused witch, 3pm, CatStrand, see p18 Thu 30, Thriving Together Towards a Positive Future, 7.30pm, CatStrand, see p18 Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Bi-monthly, last Monday of the month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail.com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact crossmichaelcc@gmail.com or 07803 204 433 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEevents page 31 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Kettlebells Exercise Class, Tue, 6-7pm Art Explorers, Sat 10.15am, every other week during term-time Saturday Sketchers, Sat 11.15am, every other week during term-time Treble Makers, Sat, every other week during term-time For info contact Cat on 01644420 374 Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am-12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com New Galloway Town Hall Community Library, Saturdays only 10am-12pm Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Community Cafe, Mon, 12.30–2pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; Oct-Mar, 2.30pm) Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, Wedn & Fri, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making - Mon, 7-9pm Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Dance for Wellbeing, Mon, 2.30pm (adults) & 4pm (children) Social Dance, Mon, 7pm (beginners) & 8pm (improvers) Wet Felting Group, Tue, 10am Tai Chi, Tue, 3.30pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7pm (carpet bowls or table tennis) Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30pm Tuesday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@ gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10am Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30pm, all ages New Galloway History Group, Fri,10am (meets monthly) COMMUNITY LARDER - open whenever the Town Hall is open CatStrand, New Galloway Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am Social Dance Lessons, Tue, 7pm (beginners) & 8pm (improvers) Musical Misfits, Wed, 3.30pm, termtime Dramarama, Wed, 4.15pm, term-time Piano Lessons, 4–6.30pm, term-time Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Piano lessons, Sat from 9.30am, term time excl last Sat of the month Dance Steps, Sat 1pm, monthly during term time The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3pm Art Explorers, Sat, 10.15, fortnightly Saturday Sketchers, Sat, 11.15am, fortnightly Keyboard lessons, Sat, 12.30pm, termtime, excl last Sat of the month Guitar lessons, Sat 1pm, term-time, excl last Sat of the month Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–3pm drop-in For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Wee Wonders, Thu, 9-10am Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet. com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm, Tue 6-8pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Main St, Dalry - 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book at the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay 'n' Play, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Facebook Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Gentle Movement, Tue, 2pm Mossdale Village Hall Mossdale Painters, Wed, 9.30-11.30am Various Bumps, Babies & Beyond, every 2nd Mon, 10.30am, Kirkpatriack Durham Village Hall Learn to Play Bridge, Mon, 7-9pm, Lochinvar Hotel Keep Fit with Alex, 7.15-8.15pm, KPD Village Hall Strictly Get Dancing, Mon, 7pm, Galloway Activity Centre, Parton Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Glenkens Oil Painters, Wed, 10am, Corfield House Art Studio Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed 1.30-4.30pm & Hearse Hoose Mon-Sat, both Apr-Oct Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Thu, 1-3pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre Knockvennie Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gordon 07834 321 789 Mum & Baby Movement, Thu, 9.3011.30am, Laurieston Village Hall Crossmichael Youth Club, Fri, Crossmichael Memorial Hall For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette I teased the podcast topic in the last Galloway Retold section of the Gazette, but I no longer need to tease as you can go and check it out on YouTube or your favourite podcast listening app under the name Talking Galloway Podcast! page 32 This month’s issue sees Andy I myself talking about Galloway with Jo Jackson of Cultural Glenkens. We discuss her lifelong connections to Galloway, as well as her work at the CatStrand with the Cultural Glenkens project. We also discuss our own projects, and have two magazine sections to the show as well - Concerning Corepaths and Cultural Gleanings. These are segments that we would love viewer/listener input into, so if you have any events you’d like to let us know about, or any issues with walks or corepaths in the region, please let us know via our Facebook page, or email talkinggallowaypodcast@ protonmail.com We will be talking with some great guests in the future, covering walking, history, geography, landscape, working and living in Galloway as topics. It’s been a pretty hectic time getting the first issue together, but we have learned an invaluable amount in the process. With all of that learning in mind, we expect to have the podcast out once a month, which will hopefully still leave us both with plenty of time and energy for our own videos too. Look out for the next episode at the start of April! the National Lottery Heritage fund which helped us hire the community centre and cover costs, including the cost of recording the beautiful rendition of Bonnie Gallowa' that is our theme music, arranged by Anne Chaurand and played by Anne and Faith Hillier. Many thanks also to Blackie for recording and production and to the Glenkens Community Centre for the venue, and to the Glenkens Community Shop for funding for equipment. Angela Miller Below are two QR codes, one for the YouTube video and one for the audio version We would like to thank the CatStrand and the Genkens Community & Arts Trust for their support getting the podcast off the ground. Also thanks go to Free Valuation Events We are currently inviting entries for our busy programme of auctions in 2026. Pop along to one of our free valuation events held in our Dumfries saleroom every Wednesday from 9.30am - 12 noon to see what your items may fetch. No appointment necessary. The Auction Centre Irongray Road Dumfries DG2 0JE 01387 721635 dumfries@thomsonroddick.com www.thomsonroddick.com WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com JUNE/JULY COPY DEADLINE: 5 MAY The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not necessarily represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 153 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG-153 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2026 https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/686/GlenkensGazette152_cover.jpg a46967c90cd33886ee750c70e6217c94 https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/686/GlenkensGazette152.pdf 87c34e16116affebe972bf356b0c03af PDF Text Text pdftext_placeholder Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org email: gct@catstrand.com / gctadmin@catstrand.com phone: Jon 07841 512449 / Jason 07704 662925 FEBRUARY - MARCH 2026 INTRODUCING THE GCT GIG BUS! February/March 2026 - THURSDAY 5TH MARCH ISSUE 152 FIRST TRIP Planning submitted for loch-side observatory Galloway Community Transport are proud to be working in partnership with the CatStrand, by providing a sustainable transport option for people who can't drive / don't want to drive to selected live performances. The service will operate where there is most demand, so please select your pick up location when booking. Spaces are limited, so please book early! lans have been Pick up timings to be determined once passenger submitted to numbers and locations are finalised. FREE INSIDE THIS ISSUE New CatStrand Gig Bus ...turn to p5 P Dumfries & Galloway Council for James a brand Yorkston is a singer-songwriter and author from the East Neuk of Fife, Scotland and former Fence Collective member. Since signing to new observatory Domino on the banks of Records in 2001, James has released a steady flow of highly acclaimed albums, leading to him touring his music worldwide. Clatteringshaws Loch. The Trustees of the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory (SDSO) are delighted to announce that plans for a new astronomical facility have been submitted to Dumfries & Galloway Council. High density hydro Scan this QR code for tickets (for bus only, gig tickets ...turn to p14 available separately from CatStrand) If approved, the plans will allow a MINIBUS DRIVING Clatteringshaws Loch photographed by Marc Charron VEHICLE HIRE FOR MEMBERS conversion of the former Forestry We have vehicles for hire by community & Land Scotland Clatteringshaws organisations. ranging from 4 seat Forest’s ‘gold tier’ Dark Sky Park to include reception Visitor Centre,We near are New looking adapted for drivers toahelp us designation, awarded by the area, gift shop, exhibition/ Galloway, into an observatory capacity to 16 seats, including deliver our services onarea, theafollowing education simple café and International DarkSky Association and visitor centre. accessibility in 2009 and the first of its kind wheelchair in visitor WCs. This would be route: achieved through Europe. In turn, it is anticipated Fi McClelland, Manager of the the creation of two observation that increased visitor numbers, about membership and Scottish Dark Sky Observatory For information domes, each featuring a large ...turn to p17 particularly over the traditionally (SDSO), who have submitted 517 Kirkcudbright/Borgue/Brighouse telescope, along with a6 terms and conditions of hire see the GCT quieter winter months, will create “The aim is metre diameter, 360° digital Bay. This will bethe 1 -proposal, 2 dayssaid: a week, additional economic website benefits or phone: 07841 512449 to create a unique educational planetarium dome. for local communities and and tourism attraction that 7 hours per day. CPC training can 07704 662925 The existing building would be businesses.” Continued on p2... will capitalise on the Galloway Land and living in the Glenkens be provided Our driving roles are offered on a self-employed basis and are paid at £13 per hour. For an informal discussion, please call Jon on 07841 512449 or email gct@catstrand.com D www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org umfries & Galloway Council is carrying out a consultation REGULAR SERVICES We are modifying our regular shopping considering future service at time of publication, please call options for Dalry for further updates: 07841 512449 Secondary School. Stravaiging in the Part of this process is to gather feedback from the wider community; the more people from across the communities of the Glenkens who make their voices heard, the more likely the outcome will be along the lines of what the comunity wishes to see. Glenkens ...turn to 24 Turn to page 2 to find out when drop-in sessions are running and more about the consultation. News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 2 CONTENTS Stargazing in the Glenkens News p1-5 People p6-9 Environment p10-15 Community p16-23 History p24 Arts p25-26 Information p27-28 Transport p29 Events p30-31 Continued from front page... The SDSO completed their purchase of the Clatteringshaws site in November 2024, supported by funding from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE). Fi continued: “The site, which enjoys spectacular daytime views over adjacent Clatteringshaws Loch, very good accessibility and a ready-made large car park is widely regarded as an ideal home for the new astronomical facility, located as it is in the darkest part of the world-renowned Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park. "We are excited about taking the next steps with this project, and look forward to keeping Gazette readers updated with progress in the planning process.” Pictured are plans of the layout of the proposed Scottish Dark Sky Observatory at Clatteringshaws © ARPL Ltd Dalry Secondary School community consultation Continued from front page... Louise Rae, School Estate Specialist, with the Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing department of D&G Council, said: " The drop-in sessions will focus on community conversations around alternatives to closure. "Following this a public survey will be circulated which will take cognisance of conversations and suggestions put forward during the drop-in sessions. This will be electronic but we will ensure paper copies are also available. "For those that can’t attend the dropins, as well as those that do, this will be an opportunity to gather comments/ feedback from all. "We anticipate the public survey to run between 16 February and 27 March 2026. During this timeframe through colleagues in youth work we will also be capturing feedback from pupils. A report will ultimately go to Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee on 30 June 2026." Dalry School Parent Council is urging people get involved. Parent council chair, Anne McEwan, said: "As a Parent Council we are looking to ensure that all parents have their voices heard throughout the consultation process. "We support access to education within the Glenkens for statutory education which is what the parent forum has clearly expressed as a preference." COMMUNITY CONSULTATION DROP-IN SESSIONS: Thursday 5 February Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn, 12noon to 2pm Dalry Secondary School, 3pm to 6pm Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews Celebrating seven years of community funding J oin the Glenkens & District Trust to celebrate seven years of community benefit funding! A celebration event is being held at Dalry Town Hall on Thursday 26 February to take a look at the difference that the Glenkens & District Community Fund has made in supporting the hard work of volunteers and organisations over the last seven years. Over this period the fund has distributed over £1.5 million in grants, which has unlocked a further £3.25 million in investment into the area from other funders. The Glenkens & District Community Fund distributes funds provided by from Blackcraig and Windy Rig Wind Farms. Decisions on grant awards are made by the trustees of Glenkens & District Trust, who are individuals appointed by our local community councils and others drawn from across the fund area, all of whom give their time as volunteers. The fund is run in partnership with Foundation Scotland, an independent charity, which provides fund administration and grant management support. From funding science workshops page 3 for schoolchildren to fixing the roofs on village halls, helping local producers to find an outlet for their produce, or awarding financial grants for Glenkens residents to help them to gain work-related qualifications, the fund has had a huge impact on Glenkens communities and residents of all ages. All are invited to drop in between 4pm and 7.30pm to find out more about the huge range of projects and initiatives that have been supported or made possible by the Glenkens & District Community Fund. Light refreshments will be available. Becca Nelson Carsphairn SWI celebrates 90th anniversary O n 4 December 2025 members and friends of Carsphairn SWI gathered in Lagwyne Hall to celebrate the Institute’s 90th birthday. The hall looked resplendent with balloons, lights, streamers and Christmas trees added to the beautifully set tables. The evening encompassed both birthday and festive revelries. What a party it was! Friends from other Stewartry Institutes joined the celebration. Melissa Ade welcomed everyone, and Christine Whipp shared messages and cards from wellwishers within the Stewartry and further afield. Then everyone was invited to enjoy the buffet provided by members and friends, which was a real feast of variety, flavour and colour. Lots of laughter and catching up went on over the meal. Liquid refreshments including mulled festive drinks were served throughout. Melissa invited Mary McMorran, a well-known past member of Carsphairn SWI, to cut the 90th birthday cake after everyone had sung Happy Birthday. Tea and coffee were served along with the cake. The evening then took another welcome turn as Aaron Jones entertained everyone with vocals and guitar. Aaron played some traditional folk songs - some well-known and a couple less so. He talked about the origin of his music and included everyone by explaining the choruses and encouraging those present to join in. The atmosphere in the hall was poignant as people listened and took part. Aaron even played a Christmas favourite (the gathering's, rather than his, maybe?!). As the festivities drew to a natural close, Irene McCreath thanked everyone for being there on the evening and for taking part and contributing to the celebration. Everyone was gifted a coaster to remind them of the special birthday. As coats were put on and farewells were made, people reflected on what a memorable party it had been. Carsphairn SWI is vibrant and looking to the future with enthusiasm, commitment and excitement. Christine Whipp Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 4 150 years of New Galloway Town Hall I n November, Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) marked 150 years since the burgh’s town hall was expanded and enlarged with a grand old gala ball. Attendees were dressed to the nines, with a veritable rainbow of kilts and trews invading the dance floor in the upper hall. The night’s choreography was greatly enhanced by Sam Rushton’s social dance classes, which had been running in the lead-up to the event. Meanwhile in the Lower Hall, the tables were groaning under the weight of a generous spread provided by Sylvia, of Kitty’s Tearoom, next to which was a scratch bar expertly run by the new owners of the Kenmure Arms - Victoria, Polly, and Kate. The event was partly funded by New Galloway and Kells Community Council and Dumfries and Galloway Council and was attended by councillor Katie Hagmann, who delivered a speech reminding us of the role that the town hall has played in New Galloway’s history. Far from just providing a meeting place for local government, the building has housed religious worship, criminals and courts, and many personal, civic and cultural celebrations – to which we can now add our gala ball. Celebrating 150 years of this historic building came at a time where many are questioning the relevance of village and town halls, viewing them as outdated spatial challenges. Demonstrating how the function and role of such places can evolve together with the needs of the community while promoting civic engagement and pride is central to LING’s ethos. Our purpose is to ensure that community assets are preserved and maintained so that they can be loved by future generations, and to promote their integration into holistic regeneration plans to combat rural depopulation. At the heart of it all is people, and so we would like to thank the volunteers who freely gave their time and experience, bringing their best qualities to bear on organising and running this event with us. The biggest endorsement of the night came during clean-up on the following day, when our volunteers found the heel of a gentleman’s shoe in the upper hall. Presumably this was a result of its owner’s exertions on the dance floor, and so thick was the fog of joviality that its absence went unnoticed! Dominique Pope Dalry's Hogmanay ceilidh recently written by creative folk like our local historian Angela Miller. T he old tradition of celebrating Hogmanay in Dalry Town Hall as a village community was revived over ten years ago, and has now become a valued part of the community's calendar. Once again on 31 December people from Dalry and the Glenkens, family and friends, gathered to welcome in the New Year together. responsibility since she was a teenager, and is now a confident and accomplished leader. The dances were expertly called by Ian Buckley from Laurieston. Live entertainment was provided throughout the evening by an amazing array of local talent. But though the dances are big part of the evening, a traditional ceilidh also involves spontaneous participation from singers, poets and storytellers. Dalry is home to an eightpiece live ceilidh band, led by young fiddler Ellen Bielinski. Ellenn has shouldered this There were a variety of songs - traditional ones celebrating the Glenkens as well as ones We heard humorous readings of poems and tales, including one from the gifted pen of local writer Laura Rimmer, and the authentic voice of Dalry's own multi-talented shepherdess, Isobel Cuthbertson. Norman Ritchie provided the traditional tongue-in-cheek Hogmanay quiz, which focuses mainly on local knowledge. Then there was more dancing... and then the bells, with Auld Lang Syne to cheer us all into 2026. As usual all the entertainment was home-grown and provided free of charge. Donations were collected at the door for the upkeep of the town hall, which provides such a great venue for the occasion. As a now well-established Dalry resident, and as a musician, I find myself in charge of organising the event. I find this a privilege and a pleasure, and am appreciative of the strong support of some very helpful folks and exciting, stimulating local talent. Anne Chaurand Photograph of Hogmanay taken by Angella Miller Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 5 Thanks from the Glenkens Youth Group A fter the October holidays we relocated to the newly refurbished Community Centre in Dalry. We kicked off the term with a Hallowe’en party, decorating the space with ghosts and skeletons and ourselves with gruesome scars and wounds thanks to the expertise of Ellie and Sanna. Tesco in Castle Douglas very kindly donated towards our snacks and drinks. The lovely new kitchen room is a great space to relax and play board games, arts and crafts or to sit and catch up with friends. In the hall, we have managed to set up the snooker table, table tennis table and a badminton court at the same time which has proved great for the more energetic. In early December , four youngsters from the group helped to run the Community Café in Dalry Town Hall. They worked very hard all morning, setting out the cakes, taking orders and serving the teas and coffees raising money for the Paragon Music Charity. A huge thank you to Piri, Jasmine, Aiden and George. That same weekend a small number attended the Catstrand Youth Players Pantomine – Babes in the Wood. The performance was fantastic, well done to Izak and Caitlin and the rest of the players. We finished the term with a Christmas Party. We played games, music and enjoyed pizzas, cakes and mocktails, with another very kind donation, this time from the Co-Op in Castle Douglas. The umbrellas, flamingos and twizzle sticks created amazing hair creations!! In November, the group decided to apply to the Glenkens Community Charity Shop in Dalry to fund an outing in the New Year and we were once again delighted to hear that we had been awarded £600. We are planning to visit Bouldover in Dumfries, for a climbing experience in February. Finally, after Christmas, I received an email informing me that a resident of the Glenkens has very generously donated £150 to the Youth Group funds. We are so grateful to all of the above for their kind and invaluable donations to the group and as ever to the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust for their continuing support. THANK YOU! Sue Curtis, Youth Group Deliverer GALLOWAY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org email: gct@catstrand.com / gctadmin@catstrand.com CatStrand gig bus PamelaFEBRUARY - MARCH 2026 Young Trust ... new for 2026! HE GCT GIG BUS! Balmaclellan G update hone: Jon 07841 512449 / Jason 07704 662925 AY 5TH MARCH nsport are proud to be th the CatStrand, by nother milestone has been reached in ansport option for people the proposals for a small affordable nt to drive to selected live A housing development in Balmaclellan. Tender documents have now been issued for the build with a response date of 13 February. Once these responses here there is most demand, are received and analysed, funding will be sought, and up location when booking. if successful, it is envisaged that the build would start in October 2026. ase book early! As part of the process a drainage survey on the wider village rmined passenger areaonce has been carried out and this is available to anyone by contacting Alan Smith (alan.smith12345@btinternet.com). e finalised. The document is fairly technical in nature and details and can be made available via a sharepoint link. The survey wasauthor part-funded by the the Glenkens andNeuk District songwriter and from East Community Fund and would be invaluable to anyone Fencecontemplating Collectiveother member. Since signing to works in the village requiring new or mes has released aconnections. steady flow of highly amended drainage to him touring his music worldwide. alloway Community Transport is proud to be working in partnership with the CatStrand to provide a sustainable transport option for people who can't, or prefer not to, drive, for select performances. The service will operate where there is most demand, so please choose your pick-up location when booking. Spaces are limited, so book early! Pick-up timings to be determined once passenger numbers and locations are finalised. The first Gig Bus will be for the James Yorkston concert on Thursday 5 March. James Yorkston is a singersongwriter and author from the East Neuk of Fife, and a former Fence Collective member. Since signing to Domino Records in 2001, James has released a steady flow of highly acclaimed albums, leading to him touring his music worldwide. See p29 for booking info... Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Youth Correspondent page 6 Joshua Wells, aged 16, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Joshua talks about Balmaclellan Village Hall. 2 025 was a big year for everyone in Dumfries and Galloway, and a great year for people to attend events and celebrations. The Balmaclellan Village Hall has been a great example of an event-filled venue, holding events from January to December and seemingly never taking a moment to rest. Balmaclellan Village Hall has held its place as a centre-point of the village community for many years. The hall, being more than just a building, often organises and hosts events, celebrations, and gatherings for village residents and visitors to come together. Some key happenings have been the Bangers and Mash Night, the Yuletide Fayre, and the Glenkens Children’s Christmas Party, with each one providing a fun-filled experience for village hall visitors. On 15 November, guests were able to enjoy a sensational performance from a live band at the Bangers and Mash Night. As the name suggests, after the exciting performance, the 70 guests were able to grab an affordable bite to eat. They were given a generous helping of juicy sausages, rich and buttery mashed potatoes, and hearty mushy peas. Once full after a great meal, visitors were able to take part in an engaging quiz, testing their general knowledge in areas such as sport and entertainment. Alongside their admission to the quiz, participants were given a free raffle ticket. After many extra tickets were bought for a better chance of winning, the raffle quickly began. Winners were able to collect a brilliant prize (expertly displayed by me). Another well-attended event was the Yuletide Fayre on 29 November, where people could browse and buy a selection of unique gifts and crafts. Stalls filled the hall, allowing guests to peruse the varied selection on offer. While browsing, Christmas shoppers could buy a wide range of products, such as Christmas coasters and handmade tea cosies. Visitors were not limited to stall items; various tasty festive treats and drinks provided the perfect excuse to have a rest before continuing their shopping. To mark the final event of 2025, kids and adults alike were able to find enjoyment at the Glenkens Children’s Christmas Party. This annual tradition began with a great chance to try out circus skills. After this funfilled experience, it is safe to say that the Glenkens is home to some impressive hula hoopers and jugglers. Soon after, children could regain their energy by grabbing a plate of delicious food, such as refreshing melon and perfectly sized cheese pieces. Once the children’s bellies were full, adults could take part in a brilliant raffle with prizes for both kids and parents. One of the young visitors did an excellent job picking tickets from the raffle bucket. The fun didn’t end there, however, as the children played an exciting game of pass the parcel, with a tasty treat in every layer of wrapping. The moment everyone was waiting for was Santa. Spreading festive cheer, Santa met with 25 children to listen to their Christmas wishes and give out pre-Christmas gifts. The events held at Balmaclellan Village Hall throughout 2025 have shown just how important it is to the local community. From lively evenings with music and food to festive fairs and children’s parties, the hall has offered something for everyone. With strong attendance, plenty of laughs, and lots of community spirit on display, it is clear that the village hall continues to be at the heart of Balmaclellan, and locals will no doubt be looking forward to what events are still to come. GCAT festive farewells I n December the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust team and friends gathered at the Lochinvar Hotel to celebrate the contribution of three very special women at a triple leaving do. After many years at the heart of the CatStrand kitchen, Eileen Edgar has retired and is now enjoying a wellearned change of pace. Eileen was thanked for her warmth, dedication, and the huge contribution she has made over the years. Gill Warnock, who has played a vital part in strengthening GCAT’s systems and helping place the organisation on a solid financial footing, has moved on to a new role. Gill was thanked for her commitment, expertise, and support. Helen Keron, GCAT’s first Chief Executive, was thanked for her outstanding leadership and for everything she has done for GCAT and the Glenkens. We wish Eileen, Gill, and Helen every happiness and success in their next chapters, and we thank them for the lasting impact they have made on GCAT and our community. Andrew McConnell, GCAT Chief Executive Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople page 7 Happy first Valentine's Day to Andrew and Pia H ere is a heartwarming love story to celebrate the happiness of long-term Glenkens resident, Andrew Mellor, and his new wife Pia. Pia’s story: “We met on 24 December 2024, when I visited friends in Dalry. Then we met again a week later, at the Hogmanay Ceilidh in Dalry Town Hall, and then on a group walk up the Mulloch on January 1st. “Secret Valentine cards were not for us – on the second of January 2025 we exchanged email addresses before I returned to Sweden the next day. In August - 101,680 words later - we had our engagement party in Sweden. And in September, wedding celebrations in Dalry.” Andrew’s story: “The first time we met I thought that Pia was special – a year later I know that my first impression was spot on. It seems little short of a miracle that, at the age of 75 and ten years after the death of my wife Anne, fate should bring such a gift into my life. “There is no rule book to guide people of our age who fall in love. It wasn’t easy to summon up the courage to propose to Pia while sitting in an apple orchard on an island near Stockholm. What a relief when she said yes. I can’t imagine life without her by my side.” Top: Andrew and Pia at the engagement party in Sweden. Right: The happy couple out for a spin in Andrew's Morgan. Firewood logs & Wood Products for Sale From Carsphairn Community Woodland Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie A range of products are available from our community sawmill Contact us with your requirements ï Free local delivery ï Enquiries to: Tel: 07710 124 255 Carsphairn Community Woodland Limited is commi�ed to acquiring, developing and managing local woodlands in a sustainable and environmentally sound way for the long-term benefit of the local community. Website: www.carsphairn.org/CCWL Company Limited by Guarantee SC591976 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople page 8 In memory of Simon Holmes... runs he was made to do as punishment for various infractions. At school, Simon spent his entire time in the art rooms, painting, dancing on the tables to Fats Domino, trying to bend the rules. Just before his A-levels, after being spotted out with a girl from the local village, Simon was expelled — though he would later be smuggled back over a river in a canoe to see his many friends. From Bryanston Simon won a scholarship to Chelsea School of Art, where bequiffed and dressed like a beatnik he was quite the young blade. London in 1959 gave little impression of the swinging social revolution that was to arrive in a few years’ time —it was still the short-backand-sides London of the post-war years, and it wasn’t for Simon. S imon Holmes, who died in December, was one of the most extraordinary people to ever call this remote part of Scotland home. A bohemian Londoner who was a stalwart of the community council, a suburban lad who became quintessentially Gallovidian, an anarchist who loved the late Queen, his charisma and warmth will be remembered by all who ever met him — but his legacy will be felt for generations. Born in Buckinghamshire to an Airforce father who would leave while he was small, Simon might have been expected to have an ordinary suburban existence, but Simon was no ordinary man. Raised in the London suburb of Pinner, he was cheeky, talkative and had complete disregard for the rules. Simon was talk of the neighbourhood while still in short trousers, causing scandals playing cowboys and Indians with real bows and arrows (until another boy was shot in the arm). In Pinner he would meet friends who would last a lifetime, including my father John, who met him aged two and has never forgotten it. From his earliest years Simon had a great gift for art, painting lifelike portraits while at primary school. It was this, as well as his gift of the gab, that saw the famous public school Bryanston offer him an art scholarship in 1956. Bryanston was a pillar of progressive education, with no corporal punishment and a liberal ethos (for the 1950s)—but Simon rankled against all authority and would curse forever the early morning After about a year at art school a wanderlust set in that compelled him on a series of journeys that read like a mix of Kerouac’s On the Road and Rudyard Kipling’s Kim. Simon’s early journeys to the Middle East and North Africa, where he was soon joined by his younger brother Bill, were incredibly pioneering. This was still many years before the hippy trail and the Beatles in India, and two young penniless Brits setting out on a multi-year Odyssey to Algeria, Egypt, Arabia, Morocco, Turkey, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan was an extremely risky and exciting proposition. Simon and Bill travelled the East for years, learning Arabic, living hand to mouth and fully immersing themselves in the nomadic Bedouin communities that adopted them—sleeping in goat hair tents, wearing Bedouin clothes and partaking of the highly prized hashish of the region. It was at this time that Simon converted to Islam — more of a cultural conversion, for Simon, though a spiritual man, had no predilection for organized religion. These travels would continue until an ill-advised visit to Kuwait in 1966, when Bill and Simon, short of money as ever, attempted to sell a small piece of hashish to a man who turned out to be a police agent. The brothers would spend the next six months in a Kuwaiti jail. Simon related how, after having received a beating at the hands of the jailers, he and Bill were sent into a large communal cell full of people from all over the Arab world. “Now you are among friends,” the cellmates told them, and the kindness and benevolence they received from the fellow prisoners would remain with them forever. Eventually, the brothers were repatriated to Britain, where their arrival made the local papers in Pinner. This would not be the last of his great travels (he was in France a short while before his death), but his return to Britain did mark a huge turning point in Simon’s life, for it was then that he met Liz, who would go on to be his wife for almost 60 years. He first saw her, a strikingly beautiful Chinese girl, on Pinner High Street before talking to her at Baker Street station. They would marry in 1968, with Liz working as a teacher while Simon tried to earn a crust as an artist and journalist. Simon’s sense of adventure was unabated, and he and his brother Bill determined to recreate the Bedouin life in Britain, riding through the Scottish Highlands on horseback accompanied by two donkeys and living in tents as they had done in Arabia. It was then that they discovered Galloway, and Knockengorroch, the remote farmstead on the upper Deugh which was to become home for Simon and Bill for the rest of their lives. At the time, Simon and Bill recall Galloway’s bare and treeless landscape as being like something out of the central Asian steppes they had seen in Afghanistan. This was the beginning of the commercial forestry boom in Galloway, with huge swaths of sheep moor being given over to Sitka plantations. Continued over the page... Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople ...a life well lived... Simon was a benevolent man, and, alongside tyranny and injustice one of the few things he truly hated was the Sitka monoculture. Ironically though, it was this that allowed him to settle at Knockengorroch, a former sheep farm that was being sold off as the glen was planted with invasive spruce. The two brothers decided to settle permanently in 1970 (they would later be joined by their mother who bought a house in Carsphairn), but life was hard and money was short — the horses that had accompanied them to Galloway would earn their keep in the summers on the beaches at Maidens, giving pony rides to children. Bill took up dyking work (the ones on Cairnsmore of Carsphairn are his) before becoming the region’s finest landscape artist. Simon ran Knockengorroch as a smallholding, with sheep, cows, goats, geese, horses, and pigs. At one point the chippy in Dalmellington bought Knockengorroch potatoes for their chips. Yet while Knockengorroch never did take off as a working farm, it did succeed as a community. Over the years, Knockengorroch would attract a diverse cast of characters, some of whom go on to shape the area to this day. Robin Ade, the renowned fisherman, knew Simon from London. He would live at Knockengorrroch before going on to raise a large family in the area. Through Robin’s wife Aletta a wandering American would arrive, Louis Sarno, who would go on to lead an extraordinary life as the ‘White Pygmy,’ spending over 40 years living with the Ba’aka in the rainforests of the Central African Republic. Colin Self, one of Britian’s greatest living artists, would find huge inspiration at Knockengorroch, the work he created there was recently the highlight of a major retrospective at the Norwich Museum. Simon developed an almost mystical connection with the land and those that had lived on it before. It began to be a great dream of his to repopulate the glen, as it had been before the clearances, and to revive its hidden history. Fascinated by the ancient people in whose footsteps he was treading, in the 90s Simon began work on a reconstructed Iron Age longhouse. Built of wattle, turf and wood, it took more than a decade to construct, and and involved many enthusiastic volunteers. It is now a unique music venue where songs ancient and modern echo through the hills. But Simon’s dream of a new community at Knockengorroch would have to wait, as family life took over. A daughter, Katriona, would arrive, followed by a son, Robert. Liz would support the family by teaching at Carsphairn primary school (now sadly mothballed), while Simon would again turn to his brushes and easel to earn a living. For much of the 80s and 90s, the family would spend the summer traversing the country attending airshows. Perhaps due to his RAF father Simon was fascinated by aircraft (though he hated flying). He and Liz had a great time at Farnborough and other events, hobnobbing with airline executives and selling Simon’s oil paintings and prints of aircraft—Spitfires, Lancasters, Vulcans—from a display trailer hauled all the way from Knockengorroch. page 9 Festivals now seem ubiquitous, but in 1998 no one could have foreseen that thousands of revellers would make the trek down unknown tracks to party in the great natural amphitheatre on the Deugh. Knockengorroch immediately became a fixture of the Scottish live music scene, attracting acts from Desmond Dekker to the Orb, offering a mix of Gaelic folk, reggae and dance that keeps the crowds coming every May. Entering its 28th year it is now one of the longest running greenfield festivals in the whole of Scotland, if not the longest, and has attracted rave reviews (pardon the pun) even from the likes of the Daily Telegraph and Country Life. Then, in 1997, Simon’s dream of repopulating the glen suddenly became a reality, albeit temporarily. The festival became Simon’s last, and most successful, great project but he never stopped coming up with new ideas and lines of inquiry: he devoted huge energy researching place names and local history, rolling out facsimiles of Pont’s 16ht century map of Scotland, where Knockengorroch was first attested. Knockengorroch had always attracted new age travellers (some of whom remained in Galloway to become pillars of the community), but that spring some acquaintances arrived asking if they could use the farm as a basecamp for a “gathering” that would take place at the Clennoch, a beautiful glen on the upper Bow burn. Many years were spent composing passages for a great book of his travels which sadly he never managed to complete. He remained vigorous and passionate until the end. He died surrounded by his family — Liz, Katch, Robert and his beloved granddaughter Keita on whom he doted. He left unafraid of what comes next. This would be the Rainbow Gathering, a weeks-long, global event that takes place at a spot supposedly chosen at random each year. On the last night of the festival for each of the last 27 years, Simon would take to the stage to deliver a speech. Often funny, usually railing against injustice in the world, the speeches would always have a message about community, about coming together, and about the transcendent relationship between people and the land. No one other than Simon could have drawn thousands of people year after year (perhaps hundreds of thousands in total) to this beautiful, remote spot. It was his life’s work, and now it is his great legacy. William Dunbar For that summer, the meadows of Knockengorroch were covered in teepees and yurts, as a small town’s worth of international hippies made their way on foot up to the Clennoch. One year later, Simon, Liz, Katch and Robert would host the first Knockengorroch festival, bringing “people to the land, music to the hills” as Simon’s motto went. It was a huge success. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 10 sponsored by Lochhill Agroecological Farm: Growing food, community and a shared future in the Glenkens L ochhill Agroecological Farm sits just outside Crossmichael, overlooking the hills and water that shape life in the Glenkens. Over the past few years, the farm has been quietly growing into something more than a place that produces food. It has become a shared project – rooted in the land, shaped by community involvement, and focused on building a more resilient local food system. The land and steadings are leased from Richard and Jane Middleton, who initiated the project, looking ahead to the legacy they want to leave for the farm. They continue to be actively involved in the project. Set up as a Community Interest Company, Lochhill was created with a simple but ambitious aim: to farm in a way that works with nature, while feeding people locally and creating opportunities for learning, connection and meaningful work. Using agroecological principles, the farm focuses on building healthy soils, supporting biodiversity and producing food without reliance on chemical inputs. The story so far Work began in 2024, a year of rest for the farm while undertaking baseline surveys and audits. These helped the team understand the health of soil, ecosystems and biodiversity, and map out future potential. During 2025, Lochhill started to establish a productive, mixed ‘enterprise stacking’ system including a market garden, a small herd of Shetland cattle with plans for a cow with calf microdairy, and on-farm infrastructure to support learning. Despite the inevitable challenges of weather, funding and getting a new enterprise off the ground, the farm has achieved some significant milestones. A pilot programme of events and workshops in topics including lichens, dragonflies and permaculture helped to widen participation and put the project on the map. on fossil fuels and external inputs. A major recent milestone for Lochhill has been winning a place on the Royal Agricultural University’s Farm491 programme, a nationally recognised accelerator supporting innovative farming and food businesses. The award recognises Lochhill’s commitment to agroecological farming and its potential to deliver environmental, social and economic benefits in a rural context. Being selected for Farm491 brings not only funding, but access to specialist mentoring, peer learning and a UK-wide network – support that will help Lochhill strengthen its foundations and plan confidently for the future. Looking ahead Why agroecology? Agroecology is about more than how food is grown. It recognises that farming is connected to climate, wildlife, livelihoods and community wellbeing. At Lochhill, this means practices that improve soil health, protect water, encourage pollinators and birds, and reduce dependence It also means valuing people. The farm aims to be a welcoming, inclusive place where knowledge is shared, skills are built, and relationships matter as much as yields. During 2026, Lochhill will supply fresh, seasonal produce locally, contribute to local food initiatives, and provide volunteering and training opportunities for people of different ages and backgrounds. Fresh fruit and veg, cut flowers, milk and yoghurt will be available via the Galloway Food Hub and other local outlets. Perhaps most importantly, Lochhill is demonstrating that agroecological farming can work in the Glenkens – environmentally, socially and economically – when it is supported by community interest and collaboration. The next few years will be about deepening impact rather than simply expanding. Plans include increasing the amount of food grown for local supply, improving infrastructure to support year-round production, and developing more structured opportunities for training, volunteering and community events. Lochhill also plans to strengthen links with schools, community groups and other local organisations, making the farm a hub for learning about food, climate and land use. As pressure grows on rural communities – from climate change to rising costs – the farm sees its role as part of a wider movement towards local resilience. How you can get involved Lochhill Agroecological Farm is very much a community project, and there are lots of ways for local people to be part of it. Whether you’re interested in volunteering on the land, learning new skills, supporting local food, or simply staying connected with what’s happening, all involvement is welcome. There are regular opportunities to help out on the farm, take part in events, or support the project through word-of-mouth and local networks. We will be launching a membership scheme early in the Spring for you to pledge your support. If you are looking for space for your own land based enterprise then please get in touch – we are open to discussions and thinking about new ideas that will increase community benefit and local resilience. To find out more, keep an eye out for local notices, social media updates, or come along when the farm opens its gates to the public. As the farm continues to grow, one thing remains constant: Lochhill is about working together, cultivating hope, and proving that local food systems can be part of a thriving rural community. To find out more visit www. lochhillagroecological.farm or email lochhillfarm@proton.me Abi Mordin, Co-Founder Practical Permaculture workshop at Lochhill orchard GAZETTEenvironment Glenkens Gazette page 11 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE 4 antique mahogany/leather dining chairs; 3 OK but need some tlc, one needing repair. Contact: 07769 959 511. 2 x Safetots mesh bed guards. Bed rail size: 140cm(W) x 60cm(H) Colour: Natural. We bought two bed guards to fit our superking bed. We only used one so one is still new. Contact: 07525 745 826 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 WANTED/OTHER Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Nonrunners/broken welcome. Contact: text/WhatsApp 07845 562 217 Shed clearances - any shed cleared, large or small. For further info or to arrange a visit contact: 07765 034 841 Local home-repair & maintenance - from small fixes to larger jobs, woodwork to electronics. Quality workmanship, flexible scheduling and fair pricing. Contact: Bruce on 07989 509 798 "If place mirrors who we are, what does it reflect?" An exhibition by Ted Leeming T hroughout March and April, Ted Leeming will present new work from his ongoing project If Place Mirrors Who We Are, What Does It Reflect? at the the CatStrand, New Galloway. Readers of the Gazette may already be familiar with elements of the project through a series of articles written over the past two years, but this exhibition brings its ideas together for the first time in physical form. “The project has, in many ways, taken over my life,” Ted reflects. “Place - and all those who hold a stake in it - continues to leave me both awestruck and deeply unsettled. Alongside inspiring examples of positive futures sit tensions, competitions, and assumptions about land that we rarely pause to examine.” The exhibition draws together several strands of this enquiry, structured around three interlinked elements. The first presents a selection of observations from across the country, both rural and urban. Expansive aerial photographs are paired with more intimate, abstract studies, inviting viewers to shift scale and perspective between overview and detail, distance and immersion. The second element is a Charter of Rights for All Things, developed from an experimental and energising workshop held in Dumfries with Morag Paterson and Steve Connelly, and illustrated by Maia Thomas. Shaped by collective voices, the Charter asks what it might mean to extend ideas of care, agency, and responsibility to all users of any place, including the stewards, communities and non-human. The final piece takes a more forensic turn. Identical cotton y-fronts (about 50 in total) were buried for equal periods across a range of agricultural and forestry systems in the Glenkens, from native and organic to intensive and commercial. Their differing levels of biodegradation, alongside earthworm counts and other measures, are often used as indicators of soil health. But the results were not what one might expect, and complicate easy assumptions, and our relationship with the fascinating, unseen, communities beneath our feet. While these three elements differ radically in form, they are closely bound by a shared question: how do we better understand place, measure its health, and work together towards a positive future for all those who use it? working together might allow more hopeful futures to take root. Visitors will also be invited to contribute their own reflections, adding to the ongoing conversation the work seeks to provoke. Some questions being considered are: On 23 April, the exhibition will be accompanied by an open, interactive discussion exploring the challenges and opportunities we face in relation to place - why it matters, who it serves, and how • Can a pair of y-fronts indicate soil health? • How do we work together towards a positive future for all users of place? • If Place Mirrors Who We Are, What Does It Reflect? Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment H ello, I’m Rachael, and I’m really excited to have recently joined Loch Ken Trust (LKT) as Ranger Volunteer Coordinator. I’m someone who truly believes in the power of community - in people feeling welcomed, heard, and valued - and this role brings together so many things I care deeply about: nature, connection, inclusion, and meaningful volunteering. Being part of a place like Loch Ken, which holds so much natural beauty and community significance, feels incredibly special. Supporting and growing Volunteers Volunteers are at the heart of the Loch Ken Trust and supporting them is the most rewarding part of my role. I’m passionate about creating volunteering opportunities where people feel confident to get involved, supported to learn, and proud of the contribution they’re making - whether that’s their first time volunteering or they’ve been involved for years. In my role, I work closely with rangers, staff and partners to make sure volunteering is accessible, inclusive and genuinely enjoyable. My focus is on building strong relationships, nurturing confidence and helping people find a sense of belonging as part of the Loch Ken community. Key areas of focus include: • Coordinating ranger-led volunteer activities • Supporting conservation and site-based projects • Encouraging inclusive and accessible volunteering opportunities • Helping volunteers build skills, confidence, and a strong connection to Loch Ken I strongly believe that when people feel supported and valued, conservation outcomes thrive - and so do communities. Welcome to new Ranger Volunteer Coordinator About Loch Ken Trust Loch Ken Trust is a communityfocused charity created to ensure that local people are at the heart of decisions affecting the Loch Ken area. The Trust’s purpose is: “To promote the natural, cultural and recreational assets of the Loch Ken area, for the benefit of the public and to support sustainable local communities.” Loch Ken Trust is a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), charity number SC050211, approved by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) on 9 June 2020. Building on the work of the not always feel represented or included. Looking ahead I’m really looking forward to getting to know volunteers, rangers, trustees, and the wider community - listening, learning, and working together to support existing projects and shape future opportunities. For me, this role is about more than tasks or projects; it’s about people, connection, and creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. I’m excited to help strengthen volunteer pathways, champion inclusion, and play a part in ensuring Loch Ken is cared Loch Ken Advisory Management Committee, the Trust continues to develop a more inclusive, community-led approach to caring for this special place. Outside of work Outside of work, I’m a busy human juggling life, family and a love of community-led projects. I care deeply about people, fairness, and creating opportunities that support wellbeing and confidence, especially for those who may for with both environmental responsibility and community voice at its heart. Local volunteers wanted Local volunteers are needed to support the Loch Ken Trust rangers, protect nature and strengthen community safety. The Loch Ken Trust is inviting members of the local community to get involved by volunteering alongside its ranger team, helping to page 12 LOCH KEN TRUST RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 protect local environments, support community safety, and strengthen resilience across the area. The organisation is currently recruiting volunteers to assist with a wide range of outdoor and community-focused activities, including supporting ranger patrols, wildlife surveys, community events, water safety initiatives, and wider community resilience work. Volunteer opportunities are designed to be inclusive, flexible, and accessible, with no previous experience required. Full guidance and support are provided, and volunteers can choose how often they are involved. “Our volunteers play a vital role in everything we do,” said Loch Ken Trust manager Lindsay. She continued: "From helping our rangers on the ground to supporting community safety and engagement, volunteering is a chance to be part of something positive, local, and meaningful.” Volunteering offers the opportunity to: • Spend time outdoors and connect with nature • Meet new people and build confidence • Learn new skills and gain practical experience • Contribute to the safety, wellbeing, and resilience of the local community. “You don’t need specialist knowledge - just a willingness to get involved and work as part of a team. “Every contribution helps us do more for the places and people we care about," said Lindsay. The organisation is particularly keen to hear from people who enjoy being outdoors, want to give back locally, or are simply curious about trying something new. To find out more please contact LKT Ranger Volunteer Coordinator Rachael at rachael@lochken.org.uk or 07742 719 354. GAZETTEenvironment Glenkens Gazette page 13 The Optimistic Environmentalist Electric Cars - Part Six (final part) Planning your journey (continued from previous edition) There are various apps including Zapmap on your phone or computer which shows where chargers in the UK and some in Europe are, which companies run them and how many there are at each location. It also tells you how much they cost and in near realtime, if they are working or out of order. Although Zapmap has a paid-for service, their free-touse service is excellent! If you do a lot of long distance driving, Ionity have a subscription service that reduces their tariff from 79p/ kWh to 43p/kWh; both their network and subscription service discounts also extends across Europe. As the charger numbers are increasing every week (over 44,000 sites in the UK in November '25), planning just ahead of a long journey helps you see where your favourite and new chargers are. Be aware, as reliable and well maintained chargers and their companies become wellknown, they may occasionally have queues. Charge at less busy times if possible and overnight. Our favourites are Gridserve, Osprey, Chargeplace Scotland and Fastned nationally. You may find some local favourites at your regular haunts. Aim for locations where there are multiple chargers. Plan alternative sites or routes in case you want to stop earlier or there is an unexpected traffic jam. Don't automatically use the motorway chargers as in-line with other motorway costs, they are expensive. Instead, drive just off the motorway to a supermarket or pub. Historically, to use each charger operator, you had to sign on with your personal details to get their app. Now, more and more chargers, especially DC rapid and ultra-rapid devices, have a contactless tap to pay facility like any other shopping. To reduce multiple apps for pay-by-app systems, join either Zapmap or Electroverse systems that link to multiple providers for you. New and secondhand EVs In the UK, more than 1 in 4 sales of new cars are EVs. Many new EVs are now priced comparatively to the ICE equivalent and there are a number now which are cheaper. eg BYD Dolphin Surf and Dacia Spring. Like any new technology including ICE models, the more that are sold, the cheaper it will be. Manufacturers are coming through with cheaper models; the multi-award-winning Renault 5; the Citroën ë-C3 at around £18,500 (£500 cheaper than the petrol equivalent with the government EV car grant); a variety of well-built sizes and types from Volkswagen Audi Group; and if money is no object, the spaceship-like Mercedes EQS. Around 95% of us buy secondhand rather than brand new cars. As new EV sales rise, the secondhand market also rises. The secondhand market is being boosted by good quality three year old ex-fleet cars. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) there has been a 46% increase in second-hand EV sales between the 2024 and 2025. Think about how much driving you will do in a day; what physical access you need; boot space, etc. For instance, many older generation EVs are used on the islands because they don't need to cover many miles; you might want newer facilities. N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME The future EVs are more energy intensive to make at the moment but long term studies show that within a few months, they are cheaper than ICE cars due to lower energy and maintenance costs. As designs of all parts of the EV improve, the amount of energy and materials for its production will reduce. Thus as shown in recent trends, EVs become more than competitive with ICE cars. Recycling methods are being developed all the time to recover more materials and minerals from the vehicles. The need for more recycling and easier to get at or less harmful materials to people or the environment then feeds back into improved designs of components and vehicles. Note, whilst this series has been about cars, electric minibuses, buses and even trucks are now available. Denise MacDonald-Kiernan GAZETTEenvironment Glenkens Gazette page 14 High density hydro: a potential for Glenkens renewable energy? T he Ken Valley has hosted renewable energy production since the Galloway Water Power Company was incorporated in 1929. Peak generating capacity is 110MW and electricity is exported through the National Grid. Nowadays wind, not water, drives most renewable energy production in SW Scotland. 200m wind turbines that individually generate up to 7MW are planned all over the SW, but as we can see daily, the existing turbines are often not turning, so why do we need more? uphill when demand (and price) is low and letting it flow back down through the turbines to regenerate power when demand is high. New lithium battery storage farms are reported in the news every week, but oldfashioned pumped hydro still provides most energy storage globally. For example the Cruachan dam is 400 meters above Loch Awe; the upper reservoir holds 4Mt of water that generates up to 440 MW of power. Such pumped hydro is limited by (i) lack of suitable sites, (ii) environmental impacts and (iii) construction costs, but perhaps all three limitations can be alleviated by using a fluid much denser than water. Turbines stop turning if the wind is too weak or too strong, or if there is insufficient grid capacity to distribute the power or other generators are meeting the immediate demand. A startup company called RheEnergise has succesfully built and run a 500kW high density hydro (HDH) demonstrator near Plymouth using century old engineering plus their innovative fluid that is 2.5 times denser than water. They expect storage costs to be 50% less than batteries at eight-hour duration. Because the engineering is very well known and is proven to last a long time, it can be constructed almost anywhere in the world to meet the huge demand for energy storage arising from intermittent renewable energy generation. When I first read about RheEnergise in 2021, I looked at the Glenkens map and realised that potential HDH sites were plentiful (vertical drop >120m, room for upper and lower reservoirs). Also that this type of energy storage might help local communities to gain more from the development of renewable energy than they do under the current 'extractive' model of electricity production and distribution. If HDH can help provide a stable reliable local energy supply at a competitive price then it could help to attract small to medium enterprises in sectors such as IT, high quality intensive crop production - you name it. Maybe the local history of renewable energy production can be steered in a way that attracts new workplaces and people to this beautiful area. Keith Brander Maintaining the balance between intermittent supply and variable demand would be easier if electricity could be stored cheaply. Water has been harnessed for energy storage since 1929 (starting with Ludington power station on Lake Michigan), using cheap electricity to pump water l ca Lo asonal Sustaina h Se ble s e Fr gallowayfoodhub.org.uk hello@gallowayfoodhub.org.uk Plumbing & Heating 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Visit our online shop to place your order @GallowayFoodHub Gordon McAdam d Foo odfrom the Go Collection points: Across the Glenkens and beyond plus delivery options for the Glenkens 07834 321 789 David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP Covering the Glenkens & further afield 07709 144 299 - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - Find me on Facebook Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 15 Land and living in the Glenkens A series of articles by Nikky Wilson D oes farming matter? This was a question posed by Minette Batters (former Chief executive of the National Farming Union) in her introduction to the recently published Farming Profitability Review. “Whether farming matters and how it is valued is fundamental to the future of farming across the UK,” she stated. In this series of articles, the Gazette will aim to show how working the land matters to all of us living here. We want to explore, through interviews with local farmers and landowners, some of the issues facing the people who work in agriculture and forestry in the Glenkens. These are the people who shape the landscape so many of us love. They have a big influence on our lives as the producers of the food and materials we need to survive and thrive. We want to give them a voice and learn from them directly what matters to them, what they love about their work and how they deal with some of the problems they face. You can visit the Glenkens Hub at www. glenkens.scot for the extended version of the articles in this series... An interview with Balmaclellan farmer, Robin Jardine Describing himself as a traditional farmer living in modern times, Robin Jardine is a 'well kent' figure in the Glenkens farming community. Born at Upper Hardland Farm, on the road between Balmaclellan and Bogue, Robin has lived and worked here all his life. This is a family business. My great granny came here 100 years ago and bought the land. My grandfather took it on and was particularly fond of the working horses. I inherited it from my father and it’s now my son who runs the farm; I just do a bit of tinkering now. Today we farm over 1000 acres, some of which is rented, the rest we own. As a child, I went first to Balmaclellan school and then to Dalry. But I didn’t much like it and learnt more outside school than in. I used to work on the farm after school with my father and sometimes even do contract work with him. It was hard physical work – sometimes hoeing turnips and tatties – but I liked it and I loved having my own dog. The way we farm has changed a great deal over time. At one time all the Glenkens farms used to have dairy cattle and sold their milk to the Milk Marketing Board. In the 1930s the family here had 13 cows and 125 ewes; that’s what sustained them. The cows were dual purpose, reared for both dairy and beef. Nowadays there is no dairy and no Milk Marketing Board; we have a herd of 100 beef cattle and 1,500 ewes. In my lifetime the biggest change has been from traditional haymaking to making silage to feed the livestock during the winter months. That has been a huge labour saving practice as you don’t have to wait for the grass to be dry to cut and store it. So we’re no longer dependent on dry weather to make it. There is no such thing as a typical day at work on the farm; it depends on the season. Right now I’m mucking out and feeding cows in the sheds as they’re taken indoors for the winter months. From February onwards the spring calves and lambs start arriving and it can be full on, with not much sleep. I love this time of year – all the new life appearing but sometimes you’re dealing with both life and death in the same moment; a difficult labour can kill the mother. I’ve learnt a lot of techniques over the years to keep cows (and calves) alive when they are calving - pouring cold water in their ear or putting straw up their nostrils anything to shock them and make them take a breath! In spite of running a business producing livestock, I sometimes have had soft spots for particular animals but I try not to get attached – they’re not pets. The dogs are different, however – I love working with them. Then on to summer, which is mostly about managing the stock and moving it around. There’s also the job of shearing the sheep; that’s done for welfare reasons only these days; in my lifetime the wool has never had much value. In the autumn the lambs and suckler calves are sold at market, mostly in Castle Douglas. I hate taking the calves off their mothers at this time; some of the older cows know what’s coming and they don’t like it either. We also sell some sheep for breeding. The sales are a great social event! After they finish it’s a time to relax and enjoy yourself, to catch up with people you might not have seen earlier in the year, compare prices for livestock and have great conversations. But sadly the sales these days are quicker and there aren’t so many people around afterwards; it used to take me fifteen minutes to get a drink in the Market Inn after a sale – I’d be too busy talking to people on the way to the bar! There were some great characters and we used to have a bit of fun together! The Glenkens Show is another event I enjoy; it brings the community together, it’s a very sociable occasion. And it’s a chance to show off the stock you’ve bred during the year. I’m always looking to improve my stock – that’s the way of a farmer. Farming is a challenge; every year is different and it will always be difficult...and not only because of the weather. We have to go along with the government’s subsidy regime – we can’t change that – and the bureaucracy that is part of the job now is annoying. Also, I feel that now there is interference in the countryside from people who don’t understand farming and don’t ask us what we want; it feels like so many decisions are imposed on us. But I still think there’s a future for farmers; people need to eat and, if we keep on planting up farmland with trees, then there’ll be less land for growing food. Top: Robin (left) as a teenager, with his dog and friends. Far left: Robin with his winning Limousin heifer - they came first at the 1997 Glenkens Show. Left: Robin with Ben ("one of the best dogs ever") on Corserine some time in the 1990s , helping gather the ewes on the Garroch Estate. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 16 Galloway Riding for the Disabled A t the Galloway Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), we love to ramp up the festive cheer in the run-up to Christmas. This year was no exception, with our riders enjoying wrapping up the year with a fun-filled, playful session. Afterwards, each of our riders received a Christmas present, and riders were also awarded certificates for their improvement in riding. We cant wait to get back to the fun after our winter beak! Galloway RDA runs every Wednesday during school term time from 10am to 2pm at Gelston Castle. For more information or if you would like to get involved with volunteering for the group, please contact Judy on 07786 196 532 or email gallowayrda@ gmail.com Hollie, Spreading the Christmas cheer - twins Reuben and Logan with Simba and Rocket, our adorable miniature Shetland ponies who are brothers too, with volunteers Elsie (left) and Katy. Secretary, Galloway RDA Glenkens Cub Scouts chit chat T he Cubs enjoyed a very spooky Halloween party, with all the usual games that go with it. Fancy dress results were: 1st place to Lily, who came as an alien; 2nd to Elliot, a monkey; 3rd to Fred, a ghost. Mr and Mrs Briggs gave our group a substantial sum of money raised from the sale of a plant stall they organise throughout the summer. We would like to thank you again for thinking about us and we will certainly put the donation to good use. We have three milestone birthdays in Scouting during 2026. The Squirrels are five, Beavers are 40 and the Cubs are 110 years old! New Galloway’s annual Remembrance Day service once again brought the community together in a moving tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom. The Glenkens Cub Scout pack were represented by Thomas, Elliot, Siena and Pippin, who were the flag bearers. Their participation was both symbolic but also demonstrated how Remembrance continues to resonate with the younger generation by taking part and learning about the symbolism of the poppy and the sacrifices made. Our aim is to encourage the youngsters to think about the past and their role in shaping a peaceful future. We then joined the Reverend Dawn and the congregation of St Margaret’s Church for a short service, where Ewan and Innes Pippin and Fred go potty to raise funds D uring 2025 Pippin (9) and Fred (7) have made and decorated hundreds of ceramic brooches. They have sold the brooches at pottery events across the UK and from our workshop outside Corsock, raising an incredible £1,271.14 over the course of the year. It has been amazing. The support that they have had has been phenomenal so thank you to everyone who has encouraged them and bought their small offerings. Thank you also to the wonderful staff at Tesco Castle Douglas who made the task of spending that money very much easier with their packing of boxes and helping us load the van before we delivered it along the road to Steppingstones. We are at once proud of them and at the same time in despair of some of the dreadful situations in our world. What the children have done and shown here is a small thing, but if everyone can do a small thing, big changes can happen. We can make a difference. Hannah and Doug Fitch Pictured are Pippin and Fred with Tesco's Laura Hall helped with the collection. A visit to the CatStrand panto was enjoyed by all. Could we please give a big shout out to the wonderful cast, stage crew, costume makers, those in charge of the music and the scenery, front of house and directors who produced ‘Babes in the Wood’. Well done! We finished off the year with a Christmas party, and now look forward to 2026 and what this year brings us. Yours in Scouting. Heather and Hannah Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 17 Galloway Food Hub seasonal recipe T his is a hearty seasonal side dish, serving six, and incredibly simple to make! Ingredients can be purchase from the Galloway Food Hub - see further info and QR code on p14. BRAISED CABBAGE WITH BACON Braised cabbage is elevated to new heights of deliciousness - cooked in wine and cream with salty bacon. Use bright Savoy cabbage, or even substitute with cavolo nero kale! Ingredients • 1 Savoy cabbage, cored and shredded • 110g/4oz smoked streaky bacon, de-rinded and chopped • 55g/2oz butter • 85ml/3fl oz dry white wine • 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley • 2 tsp fennel seeds • 2 tbsp crème fraîche • salt and freshly ground pepper Method 1. Melt the butter in a large pan. Add the bacon and cook for 3-4 minutes. 2. Add the cabbage and mix all together. Add the wine and season well. Cover and cook gently for 10 minutes until the cabbage is tender. 3. Stir in the fennel seeds, parsley and crème fraîche and serve. Taken from: Braised cabbage with bacon recipe - BBC Food Consultation report for Carsphairn Primary David 07513 180 960 F ollowing a consultation in 2025, Dumfries and Galloway Council have published the results on the proposal to discontinue education at Carsphairn Primary School and Nursery. The school has been mothballed since 2019 and a new community group Carsphairn Learning and Development Committee (CLaDC) have been working with the Council to enable the community to take ownership of the school and bring it back into use. The 26-page report outlines the reasons for the Council’s recommendation that the school be permanently closed from 27 April 2026 and includes the Council’s undertaking to transfer the ownership of the building to the community in a timely manner. The final decision will be made by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee at their meeting on Tuesday 17 February 2026. A copy of the full report is available to read at Dalry Library (open Tue 2-5pm and Fri 12noon5pm), or you can view it online via the News section of the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens. scot JOINERY & CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Renovation & Conversions New Builds Extensions Groundworks Roofing Kitchen Fitting Windows/Doors Interior Finishings Covering Dumfries & Galloway Reliable Tradesmen Check out our projects on our socials! D.Mason Joinery @d.mason_joinery d.mason.joinery@gmail.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 18 Naturally Smart: Bringing global learning home to the Glenkens I came with my wife Eithne to the Glenkens in 2019 and we renovated the old keeper’s house at Hensol, drawn by the landscape and by a sense that this was a place where long-term, careful thinking could genuinely take root. After many years working internationally, the move marked a return to something slower and more grounded. Living here has gradually shaped not only how I live, but the kind of work I now feel is most useful and timely. My background is in sustainable education and systems thinking. I was formerly Professor of Sustainable Education in London and remain International Consultant to the Beijing Sustainable Development Committee, China. Alongside this formal work, much of my learning has come from working directly with indigenous communities around the world, particularly in the Australian outback and across remote regions of China and Asia. These experiences were not academic exercises; they were about learning how people observe land, make collective decisions, and design ways of living that endure under difficult conditions. Training in permaculture with Bill Mollison in the 1980s reinforced a simple but powerful principle, that good design begins by paying attention to what is already present. Throughout my life, these insights have guided and informed my work. What is happening now feels like those ideas coming home and being slowly, carefully implemented here in the Glenkens. That is the basis of Naturally Smart, a programme inspired by permaculture and systems thinking. It is a place-based learning project focused on ecological intelligence, understanding how natural systems function and what they can teach us about resilience, balance, and wellbeing. Rather than formal teaching, the work is experiential and participatory. It follows a pattern of enquiry used by cultures worldwide and shaped by my own learning with desert communities in Australia: observing first, listening deeply, reflecting together, and acting carefully. Last summer, we ran a weeklong immersive event called Listening to the Land. The programme brought people together to spend extended time observing, walking, reflecting, and working with the local landscape. It was fully booked and has already sold out again for this year, confirming a strong appetite for deeper, slower forms of engagement with land and place. Building on this, I have structured a series of one-day Members of Beijing Sustainable Development Committee working with Paul on a redesign using Naturally Smart at the farm at Hua Dao Chendhu gatherings to run throughout the year at the equinoxes and solstices. with seasonal rhythms, and engage thoughtfully with the land and with one another. The Turning Year recognises moments of seasonal transition that have long been recognised across cultures as times to pause, take stock, and recalibrate. The oneday gatherings offer a more accessible way for people to take part, while still following the same underlying pattern of enquiry and attention. Alongside these events, I will be using the Naturally Smart permaculture programme at Mossdale Village Hall over the coming months, working with the local community to design and develop a village-level resilience plan. This work will focus on practical questions around environment, resources, and wellbeing, grounded in local knowledge and collective thinking. Sessions will be simple and inclusive. They may include structured walks, shared observation, conversation, practical exercises, and moments of quiet reflection, with a simple lunch shared together in the middle of the day. No prior experience or specialist knowledge is required. The intention is to create space for people to slow down, reconnect People can get involved by registering for and attending events, taking part in community sessions, or following the emerging project online at www. naturallysmart.world. At its heart, Naturally Smart is about paying attention; to land, to seasons, and to each other and seeing what becomes possible when we do. Paul Clarke Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 19 My journey through technology continued: from electric cars to heart monitors A t the end of August I bought my new 2023 Vauxhall Combo electric car. I absolutely loved it and I couldn’t find one single fault with it. Being the saloon version of a van it gave me height when driving, also making it easier for me to get in and out of. The Combo was also very spacious, comfortable, and lovely to drive, as well as handling excellently. Ironically, on 24 September I crashed my new car into a tree at St Johns of Dalry; an eyewitness stated that I hit the tree head-on, causing the back end to leave the ground. In turn the cab roof made contact with the tree before turning over three times in the road. I remember nothing of this except ending up on my side, still with my seatbelt on, in my seat, just hanging there with some guy kicking my windscreen in. It says something for the car that I only suffered minor injuries; two broken ribs and a bloody nose. All there was under the bonnet was a radiator, and a couple of boxes maybe for fan and some sort of cooling/heating system. Because of that, Vauxhall, and I assume other e-car makers, have completely re-designed and reinforced the front end of the car; a life saver. Apparently I had collapsed over the wheel; the cardiologist is still investigating what went wrong. One theory is that my heart skipped a couple of beats - I suffer from atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) - which deprived me of oxygen for a second or two, causing me to blackout. So, here I am with more new-to-me technology; I now have a monitor implant in my chest, which sounds dramatic but it isn’t really. The fitting of this device is a simple 10-minute minor operation. Under local anaesthetic an incision is made of about 5mm, and then the monitor is injected. It is about 3.5cm long by 2 or 3mm in diameter, and sits just below the top layer of skin. There is a battery inside the monitor which lasts for three years. This means that I am now in a loop to the D&G Royal Infirmary Heart Monitoring Department (Clinical Physiology Department) 24/7. I also have an app on my Celebrating Our Glenkens L ast summer, we profiled some young people from across the Glenkens, showcasing what an inspiring place it is to live and work - for people of all ages. Over the winter months, we've been gathering more stories from young people, this time showcasing how their lifestyles contribute towards sustainable living in the Glenkens. Whether it is repurposing old buildings, buying local, reducing our energy use, living off-grid, working in renewables or the environmental sector, you'll be impressed how the young people of the Glenkens are doing their bit for NetZero. We have been working on this project with Uist Beò, who are also profiling and celebrating life on Uist - challenging perceptions of depopulation, unemployment and an ageing demographic in rural and isolated communities. Keep an eye out for further collaborative working. Follow 'Our Glenkens' on social media to catch the latest reels and find out more - with thanks to funding from The Scottish Government’s Climate Engagement Fund. Andrew McConnell, GCAT Chief Executive mobile so we can contact eachother immediately if anything is wrong, saving on hospital visits. I would like to thank all the people who came to my assistance that day when I crashed the car. I do know that one of you was a doctor, and I think there was a member of the Mountain Rescue Team, although I am not sure, but thank you again all of you. Barry Bryan-Dixon Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 20 Vital support for community projects A n £18,000 award has been secured to continue the support for vital Glenkens community projects. This significant investment is made possible through an agreement between Glenkens & District Trust (GDT) and Carsphairn Renewable Energy Fund Limited (CREFL). Since 2023, CREFL has given 25% of its Windy Rig Wind Farm community benefit funds to the Trust, specifically to facilitate cross-area projects, support cross-community working, and assist groups planning collaborative initiatives. The intention is for funding to be made available annually. The £18,000 award will be used to maintain two important roles in the area: the Glenkens Community Spaces Network Facilitator and the Hub Digital Editor, ensuring continuity of services that have been pivotal to building more connected communities across the wider Glenkens area. The Glenkens Community Spaces Network (GCSN) brings voluntary committees together for peer support and partnership working. The GCSN has been well received by the voluntary committees, as well as aligning with the Glenkens & District Community Action Plan priorities for a ‘Connected and Asset Rich Community.’ The Glenkens Hub serves as a free digital 'shop-front' for living and working in the Glenkens. The platform has achieved significant outcomes including: • Bringing communities together through shared calendar events and regular activities • Enhancing community resilience through access to key information • Strengthening sustainability of local groups and businesses with dedicated webpages and promotional support • Providing permanent storage for community resources and the Galloway Glens archive • Promoting community development initiatives such as Local Place Plans Fiona Smith, Chair of Glenkens & District Trust said: "“This innovative agreement with CREFL gave us more funds to support community-wide projects and we are very grateful to them for facilitating this. "These two projects have rapidly become critical across the wider Glenkens, and we are delighted to give them some certainty in regard to ongoing funding.” CREFL said: “We are thrilled to be able to support such valuable cross-community projects, enabling a joinedup vision for the Glenkens to continue to build, supporting each of our communities in working together going forward. "This Glenkens-wide partnership working approach is an excellent demonstration of how our communities can work together to really maximise outcomes from community benefit monies.” WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING TIMES OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.30pm MONDAY – FRIDAY Sat 8.30am-5pm Sun 8.30am-3pm 7.30am – 5.30pm POST8.30am OFFICE– 5pm SATURDAY Mon-Fri 10am to 3pm SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm Sat 9am to 12noon Sun closed LOCAL SUPPLIERS LOCAL SUPPLIERS DALMELLINGTON BUTCHERS DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY HENDERSON BUTCHERS RAMSAY OF CARLUKE BUTCHERS BUTCHERS UPPER TREATS DULLARG EGGS SWEET BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG CREAM O' GALLOWAY SWEETCAKES BAKERY GALLOWAY LODGE IRVINGS BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY COWS & CO CHEESE THE CRESS COMPANY CREAM O GALLOWAY BORDER BISCUITS GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES HAWKSTONE BREWERY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG IRVINGS BAKERY SULWATH BREWERY SCOTTISH GALLOWAY PASTA ...local delivery available... GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 21 Cultural Glenkens oral history and digital archive project launch O ver the last few months, we have been working with individuals and communities within the Glenkens to source and record some of the local voices. The aim is to gather the remembered stories and histories embedded in our beautiful and unique part of the region. We have also been delighted with the generosity of the folk of the Glenkens in contributing historic and memorable photographs and records, capturing a historic way of life for the archive. The aim of the project is to archive these important articles, recorded voices, photographs and documents for safe keeping and make them available to all who have an interest and curiosity about the Glenkens; I hope that people may find out more about the region than they already know and perhaps even make personal connections with the heritage, culture and history of the area. This is an ongoing mission, where we hope to build and add to the quality and quantity of the archive over the time of the Cultural Glenkens Project. If you have a story to tell or photographs and/or documents you would like to contribute to the archive, please get in touch with me, Jo Jackson, Project Lead Cultural Glenkens, I would be very happy to hear from you. The archive can be accessed through the Glenkens Archive (www.tinyurl.com/cgcollection). I wish to thank Gail Challis, for her invaluable work and help with setting up the archive on the Glenkens Hub, and to all the contributors to the archive to date, whether through their memories, photographs and records of the unique Glenkens. This project was made possible with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to The National Lottery Players. Jo Jackson, Project Lead Cultural Glenkens jo@catstrand.com 01644 420374 Galloway Glens legacy continues T he Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership scheme came to an end in September 2023 after a fantastic five years. The legacy of the project can be seen in many wonderful ways, including a suite of new footpaths across the area and renewed community buildings and assets. However, its legacy can also be found in the constructive and collaborative spirit of communities working together across the Glenkens. It was a Dumfries and Galloway Council Environment Team project and administered more than £6 million of funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund and other funds, supported by the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere over its five-year duration. To further its legacy, the Galloway Glens Scheme is operating a scheme of small maintenance grants to ensure that legacy Galloway Glensfunded projects can continue to deliver great outcomes for the communities they serve. £45,000 was available and is being spent in annual rounds over three years. The first round in 2024 saw awards totalling £15,000 made to nine excellent projects. In November 2025, a further competitive round was oversubscribed and nine projects were supported. These are: • Loch Ken Trust – towards the 2026 Seasonal Ranger and Junior Ranger Scheme • Crossmichael Heritage Group - contribution to operational costs • Castle Douglas Men’s Shed – contribution to operational costs • Propagate - towards Nature Celebration Workshops and Events • Crossmichael Community Council - woodland maintenance and equipment • Galloway Fisheries Trust - towards Loch Ken fish monitoring • Glenkens Community Spaces Network (via GCAT) contribution towards Year of Sustainability Events • Robin Ade (via GCAT) completing the second 'Brown Trout: From the Glenkens to Afghanistan' video • Glenkens Community & Arts Trust – contribution towards Glenkens Gazette and the Glenkens Hub Awards varied from £2,400 to £950. The Galloway Glens Legacy Fund will re-open for the third and final round in September 2026. Andrew McConnell, GCAT Chief Executive Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 22 New Galloway Local Place Plan consultation F ollowing a year of consultation and writing led by New Galloway & Kells Community Council, the draft Local Place Plan is now ready for its final consultation, which will run until Tuesday 24 February 2026. Residents' responses to two rounds of questionnaires, three drop-in sessions at two town halls, a stand at the Alternative Games and feedback on various drafts, have all been taken into account in the final consultation draft. The plan aims to articulate the aspirations of New Galloway and Kells residents for the future of the community council area, to highlight which facilities, amenities and places are most important to residents, and make suggestions for improvements. You can view and comment on the consultation draft on the Glenkens Hub at www. glenkens.scot/local-placeplans/new-galloway-andkells-local-place-plan If you would like to comment on the draft plan, please email comments to kellslpp@yahoo.com or complete the form linked from the Glenkens Hub page. The closing date for comments is Tuesday 24 February 2026. BUSINESS in the SPOTLIGHT I run classes at the Catstrand on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9.30am, and we have around 25 regulars coming to the classes. Not only is everyone getting stronger, fitter and more mobile by coming along, it’s also lovely and sociable, and often ends with a coffee in the cafe. A my Fowler runs yoga classes in the Glenkens and has recently expanded to have her own space in Castle Douglas too. Below is a bit about Amy and her business, Root & Rise. I moved to the Glenkens nine years ago to live with my husband, Liam, who was born and raised here. When I moved here from Edinburgh, it was quite an adjustment at the time. Now I absolutely love living here, and I wouldn’t be anywhere else. A lot of that is down to the people - it’s one of the friendliest communities I lived in, everyone is genuine and down to earth, and you get to know people of all generations. We have two small kids and I feel like we’re giving them the best start in life living here. I’m lucky because I’ve been teaching yoga in the area as long as I’ve lived here, and it’s been a great way to meet like-minded people. What I find is that when people first come to the class, they worry they’re not strong, fit or flexible enough and won’t be able to keep up. However, absolutely anyone can try it and improve their mobility very quickly, if they mentally commit, and decide they’re going to show up regularly and give it a shot. People come along who’ve had knee or hip replacements, are in injury recovery, or who start off feeling very stiff indeed, and they find relief from pain and improved mobility within just a few sessions. And people always impress me with how strong they are! In 2025 I took a big leap to open my own yoga studio in Castle Douglas, called Root & Rise. I secured a lease on an old jewellery shop on King Street, directly next door to Designs shop and cafe, and my husband and I got to work refurbishing it. We've installed infrared heaters, repainted and added lots of beautiful, air-purifying plants, creating a lovely, cosy space for yoga, mindfulness and movement sessions. The studio has been open a month at the time of going to print, and has already welcomed 90 new clients. I’ve teamed up with three other teachers, including mindfulness teacher Kirstie Templeton who also lives in the Glenkens. We are aiming for the team tol continue to expand further over the next couple of months. Root & Rise is a non-profit organisation, and we’ll be applying for funding over the course of the coming year to offer subsidised yoga for those who genuinely can’t afford classes. In chatting to people, it’s becoming clear that many people are finally seeing yoga as a way to address all sorts of health issues, and that people are prioritising their health more and more. When people look after their mental and physical health, everyone in their life benefits, and so does the wider community, as people gain the confidence to bring their own light and gifts into the world. That’s the magic of yoga and why I love sharing it. CatStrand Yoga sessions can be booked by contacting Amy on 07733 111 466, and for bookings at Root & Rise visit www.root-andrise.org.uk/classes to book. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 23 Carsphairn Burns supper 2026 O n a chilly January evening in Carsphairn, visitors from near and far congregated together in the warm embrace of the beautifully decorated Lagwyne Hall to celebrate the life of our Scottish bard, Robert Burns. Carsphairn Burns Club Chairman, Robert McTurk, welcomed everyone to their annual 55th Burns Supper and invited James Wallace (senior) to begin the meal with the Selkirk Grace. A delicious three-course meal was once again, prepared and served by the staff from the local catering company, Caterbirds. Progressing on, Robert introduced Bruce McKenzie from the top table, who provided a compassionate and informative account of Robert Burn’s Immortal Memory. He also provided us with a musical ‘treat’ from a song played on his guitar. As the night’s entertainment commenced, the room all stood to their feet to welcome the prepared haggis, with the sound of the young piper, Robbie Logan from Penpont who captivated the room with his rich sounds from the bagpipes. He was closely accompanied by Melissa Ade, who proudly carried the dressed haggis around the room and towards the top table of speakers. Upon arrival to the top table, James Wallace (Junior) held the audience’s attention with a theatrical and gripping ‘Address to the Haggis’. The evening’s exemplary entertainment continued with Jim White, providing the audience with an uproarious, yet wholehearted toast to the lassies. In response, Christine Whipp, gave an equally humourous and witty reply to the laddies. The Lagwyne Hall was rich with musical treats on that evening, as another local musician Ryan Fergusson, filled the building with harmonic tunes from his accordion. With homemade shortbread served alongside teas/coffee, guests sat comfortably full whilst listening to Robert McTurk’s recitation of A Cotter's Saturday Night. As the evening drew to a close for another year, Hugh Clark Kennedy issued a heartfelt vote of thanks. He thanked the speakers, guests, Caterbirds, and a special thanks went to the dedicated committee of hall volunteers who organised an evening of memorable entertainment, excellent food and a welcoming atmosphere for guests to come together in celebration of our Scottish icon. Everyone joined hands for the final song of Auld Lang Syne before departing ways until next year. Melissa Ade, Lagwyne Hall, Correspondence Secretary CatStrand panto: Babes in the Wood he CatStrand Players’ panto for 2025 was the tale of Babes in the Wood, with the play written by Paul Reakes. T for Josh and he certainly rose to it in terrific style! charmingly portrayed by Sophie Roberts. His hapless guards, Mole (Rosie Spernagel) and Wart (Daniel Blaylock) didn’t really like working for the Sheriff and were constantly plotting to get away from him. The much-anticipated annual event certainly didn’t disappoint, with lots of laughter and audience participation across the four full house performances. The hero of the piece is the bold Robin Hood aided by his Merry Men. Robin was played with real 'Principal Boy' panache by Ella Campbell and of course won the hand of the Maid Marian, The Merry Men were central to much of the comedy, Little John (Izak Entwistle), Friar Tuck (Finlay McGhie) and Will Scarlett (Dante Newbery) were an excellent ensemble and their antics raised many laughs and helped to drive the story along. In the title roles of ‘The Babes’ were debutants Rowan Lockerbie as Billie and Marla Campbell as Millie. Nurse Nitwit was the traditional panto dame role and was played with great aplomb by Liam McQueen grasping every comedy opportunity in the script and adding many more of his own! The chief baddie in the story is of course the Sheriff of Nottingham and he was played by Josh Wells, having played mainly comedy roles in previous years this was a new challenge The nasty Sheriff recruited the local witch Nausea Nightshade (Caitlin Jones) to help with his evil plans. Caitlin brought the enthusiastic, money-grabbing witch to life but her bold plans to poison the Babes and then to conjure up a fierce Demon, a role embraced with great enthusiasm by Cat Campbell, were thwarted with the help of the Ghost (Laura Edington) and of course, Robin and his Merry Men aided by the timely return from the Crusades of King Richard (also played by Dante Newbery). Thanks to Cat Cambell, Jo Jackson, Claudia Wood and Fraser Kemp for all the other bits and pieces that made the production possible. Huge thanks also to everyone who came along to support the panto. Next, CatStrand Players are looking forward to the One Act Festival with our entry Dead Dad Dog, a comedy by John McKay, on stage at The Fullarton Theatre, Castle Douglas, on Saturday 28 February. Brian Edgar Dame Nitwit at the tonic again; photo by Ian Biggar Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 24 Galloway Retold with Angela Miller Stravaiging in the Glenkens F or the last few months I’ve been working with Jo from the CatStrand and Andy Kaye, of the YouTube channel Stravaiging, on some exciting Cultural Glenkens projects. Andy and I did a talk together at the CatStrand, which you can now see on both of our YouTube channels. The talk covers three walks in the Glenkens that between them will take you from Carsphairn to Mossdale, with an excursion around Waterside Hill in-between. While Andy mostly covers the routes and the practicality of walking them, I cover the history you will walk through on your way. centuries before we invented the car. There’s so much history to cover in those walks - too much to fit into one wee article - but I’ll give you a brief rundown, to tempt you into watching the video of the talk! We then pass the site of the Pilgrim Stones that were carved by people travelling to Whithorn and Saint Ninian’s Cave, heading down into Polmaddy village, which used to cater to all of those weary travellers and was also the site of an escapade of Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Independence. We start in Carsphairn with it’s unusual founding story, then head out of the village to Bardennoch Hill, past the War Memorial and then Cairn Avel, the prehistoric burial mound on the side of the hill there. The views over to Woodhead are so good from there, and I give a brief history of the Woodhead lead mines, before we head up onto the Pack Road properly, which was used by pedlars, pilgrims and smugglers over the The next walk takes us around Waterside Hill, encompassing the Galloway Hydro Scheme and it’s history in the talk, but also following in the footsteps of Adam Forester from Midtown, Dalry, to the Witches' Score (see Issue 145 of the Gazette for the story of Adam Forester on BBC Landward). We also encounter the terrible Witch of Hanniston and the Grey Lady of Glenlee on this walk, so it does take a bit of a supernatural bent! The last walk begins at the CatStrand in New Galloway, a building with some history to it. We go out past the golf course then onto the track that winds its way along the side of the Bennan Hill, past Kenmure Castle. There’s the history of the forestry itself to be encountered here, but also, of course, a brief history of Kenmure Castle. As we rise up high above Loch Ken, you get an amazing view of the Loch and on all the way past Screel to the coast, and one of the things you can see clearly from up there is the islands in the loch. They might be beautiful, but at least one of them has a very dark history that I touch on in the talk. Finally, we continue along the forestry track until we get down to the Raider’s Road, which gave me an opportunity to talk about local author SR Crockett, and then to the railway viaduct at Loch Stroan, where I finished off the talk with the subject of the old Portpatrick Line. As you can see, even a brief description covers a lot of history! If you want to know more, I definitely suggest you get yourself onto YouTube and have a watch. And that brings me to a bit of an announcement! Andy and I are about to start a podcast called Talking Galloway, where we will be exploring everything we can about Galloway, and talking to guests who live in, work in or simply have a deep love of our beautiful part of the world. We’re aiming to have the first episode out soon, but I recommend you follow either me or Andy on Facebook (we both have Facebook pages – Stravaiging With Andy and Galloway Retold respectively) to know exactly when it’s coming out. Our first guest will be Jo from the CatStrand. Angela Miller is the librarian at Dalry Library and a keen local historian. You can view her YouTube channel by searching YouTube or Google for 'Galloway Retold'. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 25 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers on a journey into his world of writing, reading and general thoughts on life. F or months I’ve been writing a book to deadline, and that means I’ve been so busy that I’ve only had time to read off-topic books while on planes and in airports. But now the deadline has been met, and suddenly it feels that I have endless reading time, though in fact I’m still very busy. What to do with the sudden sense of temporal space? For a start, immerse myself in The Morning Star, by Karl Ove Knausgard. Which is to immerse myself in characters, in other lives. Arne, whose wife is manic, and who seems by contrast reasonable, by his own narration, until we notice he’s swigging whisky as he drives. Katharine, a church minister suffering a marital discord which is at first inexplicable. She performs a funeral service for a man with no mourners who she’s sure she bumped into just a few hours before she sees his corpse. Iseline, overweight, selfconscious, wanting to be touched. “I am the Lord,” says a stranger in Burger King, pushing his fingers through her hair. She feels like she’s been filled with warm oil. Emil drops an infant in his care on the floor head-first, and fails to tell anyone what has happened. Solveig witnesses a dead man revive on the operating table. Jostein, a drunken, unrestrained journalist condemned to the arts page, and a vast ego, is energised by news of a gruesome murder. (This character is large, Trump-like, comically vulgar, like a Martin Amis anti-hero.) Turid is Jostein’s unfortunate wife, a nurse at a psychiatric institution overflapped one night by a bird wearing a human face. Egil Stray, the drop-out son of a shipping magnate seen first through Arne’s eyes, but now through his own. It is always a revelation to move beyond someone’s judgment of a person into that person’s own perspective, to inhabit their life from within. Knausgard’s writing produces that powerful interiority. It is Egil, a man fascinated by spiritual discourse, who informs us (we the reader) that the morning star is a strangely ambivalent symbol in the Bible, representing at one point Jesus, at another point Lucifer. And this is significant because the only immediately apparent connection between all the diverse characters named above is that all are living in and around Bergen, Norway when a new, implausibly bright star rises in the sky. Some of the most successful literary formulations mix realism – the focus on the psychological and social texture of real life – with something else. Hence magical realism, mixing realism with fable or fairytale. And hence, in a very different, perhaps more Scandinavian way, Knausgard’s novel, with its vision of reality as kind of magical, kind of not, not definable as either one or the other. Somewhere unpinned-down, not on any map, somewhere between the mystical and the mundane. Which is what reality feels like. It’s good reading: a reflection of the real in all its strange wonder… It’s a long novel but I’ve read it quickly. It’s the first in a series of six. I’ll be busy through the spring. Advanced Massage Practitioner £7.00per night per dog Glenkens Gazette EST. 2007 GAZETTEarts page 26 CatStrand HIGHLIGHTS NIALL MCCABE SAT 21 FEB 7:30PM SOULFUL IRISH ISLAND SONGWRITER CAPTIVATING AUDIENCES WORLDWIDE WITH HIS ACCLAIMED ALBUM RITUALS. JAMES YORKSTON THU 5 MAR 7:30PM ACCLAIMED SINGER-SONGWRITER AND AUTHOR FROM THE EAST NEUK OF FIFE. SCOTTISH COMEDY COLLECTIVE HEADLINE: JAY LAFFERTY SAT 14 MAR 8:00PM FOUR COMEDY PROS. ONE STAGE. BIG LAUGHS. NO HOLDING BACK. AFTER ALL: SOLÈNE WEINACHTER FRI 20 MAR 7:30PM | DALRY TOWN HALL A CELEBRATION OF OUR VULNERABLE AND COURAGEOUS EXISTENCE USING DANCE, THEATRE, STORYTELLING AND COMEDY. THE LIGHTNING RIDGE: CATHERINE WHEELS SAT 21 MAR 2:00PM | DALRY TOWN HALL A BEAUTIFUL, BITTERSWEET STORY ABOUT HOLDING ONTO HOPE AND DARING TO BELIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE. . HIGH ST, NEW GALLOWAY 01644 420 374 GCAT.SCOT Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 27 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Michele Owen 07940 313 445 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 • Parton: Tom - 07835 821 976 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact hello@ gallowayfoodhub.org.uk or visit www. gallowayfoodhub.org.uk Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Galloway Dee Parish: All Sundays from 1st Feb through to 29th March 9.30am Crossmichael Church Hall Balmaclellan, 11am1 Feb & 1 Mar Carsphairn, 11.15am: 8 Feb & 8 Mar Kells, 11am: 15 Feb & 15 Mar Dalry, 11am: 22 Feb, 22 Mar & 29 Mar SPECIAL EVENTS: First week in April is Easter. Thu 2 Apr, joint communion, Kells, 7pm. Friday 3 Apr, joint Good Friday service, 7pm, Crossmichael Church Hall. Sunday 5 Apr, early service, 9am, Dalry Church followed by breakfast & Easter Day service, 11am. World Day of Prayer, Friday 6 Mar, Kells Church, time TBC. For info contact Ian Knox on 07840 506 516 or i.knox29@btopenworld.com, or Irene McCreath on 07974 861927 or at irenemccreath.im@gmail.com SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP The Rev Dawn Matthew Sundays:10.30am, Holy Communion with refreshments after the service. Tuesdays: open for private prayer in a quiet space when the 'church is open' sign is outside. Wednesdays: 7.30-8pm, evening prayers via Zoom shared with All Saints’ Challoch. Please contact Dawn for the link. SPECIAL SERVICES: 18 February, 6pm, Ash Wednesday; 29 March, 10.30am, Palm Sunday. Please see noticeboard outside the church for Easter services nearer the time. For further information please contact Christine Rankin, Vestry Secretary, on 01644 420 235 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 28 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE You can now apply for a Garden Waste Collection Service permit at £40 per bin. for regular collections from March to November 2025. Apply online at www.dumgal.gov.uk/ wasterecycling or in person at a customer service centre such as Dalry Library. The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Family and friends coming to stay? (price per issue incl VAT) Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) SMALL: www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Call Fiona on 07789 903127 6cm x 6cm, £50 Licence no DG00824P 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEtransport page 29 GALLOWAY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org email: gct@catstrand.com / gctadmin@catstrand.com phone: Jon 07841 512449 / Jason 07704 662925 FEBRUARY - MARCH 2026 INTRODUCING THE GCT GIG BUS! FIRST TRIP - THURSDAY 5TH MARCH Galloway Community Transport are proud to be working in partnership with the CatStrand, by providing a sustainable transport option for people who can't drive / don't want to drive to selected live performances. The service will operate where there is most demand, so please select your pick up location when booking. Spaces are limited, so please book early! Pick up timings to be determined once passenger numbers and locations are finalised. James Yorkston is a singer-songwriter and author from the East Neuk of Fife, Scotland and former Fence Collective member. Since signing to Domino Records in 2001, James has released a steady flow of highly acclaimed albums, leading to him touring his music worldwide. Scan this QR code for tickets (for bus only, gig tickets available separately from CatStrand) MINIBUS DRIVING We are looking for drivers to help us deliver our services on the following route: 517 Kirkcudbright/Borgue/Brighouse Bay. This will be 1 - 2 days a week, 7 hours per day. CPC training can be provided Our driving roles are offered on a self-employed basis and are paid at £13 per hour. For an informal discussion, please call Jon on 07841 512449 or email gct@catstrand.com VEHICLE HIRE FOR MEMBERS We have vehicles for hire by community organisations. ranging from 4 seat capacity to 16 seats, including wheelchair accessibility For information about membership and terms and conditions of hire see the GCT website or phone: 07841 512449 07704 662925 www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org REGULAR SERVICES We are modifying our regular shopping service at time of publication, please call for further updates: 07841 512449 GAZETTEevents Glenkens Gazette WHAT'S ON page 30 February/March FEBRUARY Sun 1, Community Wassail at Dalry Library Micro-orchard, 2-4pm, see p18 Thurs 5, Dalry Secondary School consultation drop-in sessions, 12noon to 2pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn and 3-6pm, Dalry Secondary School, see front page Thu 5, Auntie Empire: Disaster Plan, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 6, Song Share, 7.30-10.30pm, Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry Fri 6, Absolute Classics Reimagined: Hugo Eedle & Simon Callaghan, 6.30pm, CatStrand Sat 7, Galloway Conversations: Margaret Morris-Celebrating a life in Creativity, 2.30pm, The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Sat 7, Race Night, 7.30pm, Corsock Village Hall Sat 7, CatStrand Burns Supper, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 8, Dance for Creative Wellbeing, 1.30pm, CatStrand Wed 11, Floral Art, 2-6pm, Balmaghie Public Hall, Laurieston Wed 11, Dalry Film Club: A River Runs Through It, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 13, Horse Race Night Gala Fundraiser, 6.30-9.30pm, The Thistle Inn, Crossmichael Fri 13, Quiz Night, 7.15pm, Balmaghie Public Hall, Laurieston Sat 14, Glenkens Producers Market Dates, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 14, Mixtape Dance Night, 8-11pm, Dalry Town Hall Tue 17, The Winter Sky - a talk by Alistair Scobie7pm, Mossdale Village Hall Sat 21, Niall McCabe, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 21, Gathering for Painting in Mossdale with Patti Leino10am-4pm, Mossdale Village Hall, see p18 Sun 22, Glenkens Song Day Workshop, 10am, CatStrand Sun 22, Glenkens Song and Word Concert, 7.pm, CatStrand Wed 25, Dalry Film Club: Mission Impossible. The Final Reckoning, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 26, Galloway Songwriters: Bruce McKenzie & Alan McClure, 7.30pm, CatStrand Thu 26, Celebrate 7 Years of the Glenkens & District Trust, 4-7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p3 Thu 12, The Scottish Ornithologists' Club Talk, 2.30-4.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall MARCH March & April, Ted Leeming exhibition: If Place Mirrors Who We Are, What Does It Reflect?, CatStrand, New Galloway, see p11 Sun 1, NT Live: Hamlet, 4.30pm, CatStrand Thu 5, James Yorkston, 7.30pm, CatStrand (Gig Bus available - see p29) Sat 7, The Flames - Performance, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 14, Scottish Comedy Collective: Jay Lafferty, Cubby, Graham Mackie & Kenny Sinclair, 8pm, CatStrand Sat 14, Glenkens Producers Market Dates, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 20, AFTER ALL: Solène Weinachter, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 21, Turning of The Year: Spring Equinox, 10am-3.30pm, THE BARN, Hensol Estate, see p18 Sat 21, Permaculture Workshop - design a herb bed10am-1pm, Lothlorien, Corsock Sat 21, Lightning Ridge - Catherine Wheels, 2pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 27, Wave Blues Band Return, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 28, Gathering for Painting in Mossdale with Patti Leino10am-4pm, Mossdale Village Hall, see p18 Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact crossmichaelcc@gmail.com or 07803 204 433 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEevents page 31 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Exercise Class, Tue, 6-7pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am-12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Saturdays only 10am-12pm Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; Oct-Mar, 2.30pm) Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, Wedn & Fri, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making - Mon, 7-9pm Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@ gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10am CatStrand, New Galloway Art Ambassadors, Tue, 4.30pm, 1st Tue of the month Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am Social Dance Lessons, Tue, 7pm (beginners) & 8pm (improvers) Dramarama, Wed, 4.15pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps 1-3pm, last Sat of the month Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat biweekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.30am Musical Misfits, Sat, bi-weekly, 10am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Dalry Library Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16yrs) Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3pm Art Explorers, Sat, 10.15, fortnightly Saturday Sketchers, Sat, 11.15am, fortnightly Guitar lessons, Sat Piano lessons, Sat Keyboard lessons, Sat For info contact Cat on 01644420 374 Main St, Dalry - 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book at the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Facebook New Galloway Town Hall Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Dance for Wellbeing (adults), Mon 2.30pm Community Cafe, Mon, 12.30–2pm Wet Felting Group, Tue 10m-12:30pm Tai Chi, Tue, 3.30pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–3pm, drop-in Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-9pm, all ages For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Wee Wonders, Thu, 9-10am Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet. com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm, Tue 6-8pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Gentle Movement, Tue, 2pm Mossdale Village Hall Mossdale Painters, Wed, 9.30-11.30am Yoga, Fri, 2.15pm Various Bumps, Babies & Beyond, every 2nd Mon, 10.30am, Kirkpatriack Durham Village Hall Learn to Play Bridge, Mon, 7-9pm, Lochinvar Hotel Keep Fit with Alex, 7.15-8.15pm, KPD Village Hall Strictly Get Dancing, Mon, 7pm, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Glenkens Oil Painters, Wed, 10am, Corfield House Art Studio Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed 2-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Thu, 1-3pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gordon 07834 321 789 Mum & Baby Movement, Thu, 9.3011.30am, Laurieston Village Hall Crossmichael Youth Club, Fri, Crossmichael Memorial Hall For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 32 Photo of the Issue T his issue's winner is Kenmure Castle Grounds, taken by James McSorley aged 10 from New Galloway. James wins two portions of mac 'n' cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "Well done James, you're clearly a talented ­budding photographer - we'd love to see more of your photos - keep snapping!" To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com APR/MAY COPY DEADLINE: 5 MAR The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not necessarily represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 152 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG-152 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2026 https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/643/GlenkensGazette151_cover.jpg 2e7691b2d8081c68214caf7a739638e8 https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/643/GlenkensGazette151.pdf bae9a4238a7ec9d9e4f96433126f6259 PDF Text Text pdftext_placeholder Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document December/January 2025-26 ISSUE 151 Glenkens welcomes new cardiac responder group A new 10-strong Community Cardiac Responder Group has been set up in the Glenkens. as part of CARe Zone - a strategy by the Scottish Ambulance Service, Dumfries and Galloway Council and NHS Dumfries & Galloway to enhance community readiness for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The aim of the volunteer group is to respond to out of hospital cardiac arrests in the vital first few minutes before an ambulance crew arrives. Lindsay Stewart, Loch Ken Trust Manager and the Glenkens group founder, said: “We are delighted to see the launch of the Glenkens Community Cardiac Responder Groups were first introduced in the Grampian region and have proven highly effective. The launch of the Glenkens group comes Community Cardiac Responders group. “There has been a great show of support from members of the community, and we would like to thank everyone who has come forward and volunteered to be a part of this, helping to build resilience in our remote and rural communities." FREE INSIDE THIS ISSUE GAZETTE FESTIVE READERS OFFERS Turn to p23 for a selection of seasonal offers, ranging from locally roasted coffee to a free duvet clean and dry! Continued on p12... Community Action Plan refresh ...turn to p3 Glenkens Community Cardiac Responder Group with Paige Fletcher, Cardiac Responder Development Lead, Scottish Ambulance Service Skills fair highlights range of local employment opportunities E mployers from a range of sectors active locally, nationally and internationally, as well as organisations linked to local training opportunities, attended an event at Dalry School in September. Continued on p5... Galloway Food Hub seasonal recipe ...turn to p17 Bus cuts isolate rural communities ...turn to p21 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 2 CONTENTS Glenkens Halloween fun News: p1-5 People: p6-8 Environment: p9-15 Community: p16-22 Festive Offers: p23-26 G roups across the Glenkens pulled out the stops this year to offer children and families a truly spooktacular Halloween. Dalry Parent Council organised an excellent event in the newly refurbished Glenkens Community Centre. The venue was packed out with creepy characters as children and their accompanying adults enjoyed a fun-filled family event with games, dancing and snacks. Arts: p31-33 Amy Clark-Kennedy, a member of Dalry Parent Council who was involved in organising the event, said: "The party was a real team effort, gratefully funded through the successful fundraising raffle held at Dalry School in the summer. Information: p34-37 "Thanks go to everyone who helped out and who came along on the night!" History: p27-30 Events: p38-39 At Lagwyne Hall in Carsphairn, Bairn Banter's haunting Halloween party offered families from across the Glenkens the chance to enjoy a frightfully fun evening at Bairn Banter’s Halloween party, held on Saturday 1 November. The hall was packed with a selection of spooky visitors, from mini ghosts, ghouls, witches and warlocks, to dragons and even dainty princesses. Melissa Ade, Bairn Banter organiser, said: "This annual event held by Bairn Banter was supported by the fundraising efforts from the Carsphairn community bake sale, which was held as part of the Glenkens Food Month back in September. "With thanks to the kind donations and support from the community, funds raised enabled the purchase of more decorations, materials for the games, disco equipment and also a fantastic Halloween feast. All inclusive playpark for New Galloway P lans are underway to redevelop New Galloway’s playpark, with Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) taking the lead in partnership with New Galloway and Kells Community Council. The Scottish Government has provided funding to make the park more accessible for all, with the aim that work will be completed within this financial year. Children at Kells Primary School have helped design the park, which will have a 'Dark Sky' stargazing theme, linking us to Galloway Forest Park – one of the world’s first International Dark Sky parks! In terms of fundraising, a new 25-year maintenance agreement with Dumfries and Galloway Council will ensure that the park remains cared for and welcoming for generations to come. Happily, over £110,000 has already been raised, but less happily - with groundwork and equipment costs being as high as they are - each piece of equipment alone costs over £10,000. We are currently in the final stages of additional fund-seeking, looking at as many local sources as possible before entering the final procurement phase and finalising all the details. As this is a community space, we welcome any and all suggestions, comments, or things to consider for the playpark from the community, so please do email info@ling.org.uk with any of the above. Otherwise, watch this space John Muir, LING Community Inclusion Lead "On behalf of the Bairn Banter family, we would like to thank you all for your continued support for our much-loved children’s group." Top - the mummy game at the Glenkens Community Centre. Above - the remains from the mummy game at Lagwyne Hall N ovember saw the New Galloway Town Hall once again resound to the ring of joyful voices and lively music with the Bodega Social, this time with the theme of Palestine and raising funds for the charity Medical Aid for Palestine (MAP). The event was a sell out with 170 tickets sold, and the figure raised so far is over £2,000 - fundraising t-shirts are available to purchase until 15 December at www.bodegasocial.co.uk A key element to the evening was the wonderfully inclusive and intergenerational element that is so often seen at Glenkens events. To keep up to date with future events follow Insta @ thebodegasocialclub, Fb @bodega social, or visit the website (url above). Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 3 Healthy living with Healthy Harvests T he Healthy Harvests event in September was part of the ‘Glenken’s Food Month’, with its overall aim to take time out to celebrate the changing season and to provide people with an opportunity to dedicate some time to their wellbeing. We wanted to run it at the Glenkens community centre but unfortunately it wasn’t ready due to renovations so at the last minute we were very lucky to be able to hire the New Galloway Town Hall, which was an excellent space for this event. The day offered strategies to enhance lifestyle choices that influence overall wellness through focusing on nutrition, gentle exercise, creativity and complimentary therapy. This food and wellbeing event got off to a great ‘starter’ with yoga led by Amy Fowler. This gave everyone the time to have a stretch and to focus on what they wanted to gain form the day ahead. There was a chance to try out the complimentary therapy of reflexology and ‘tasters’ were also offered with some of the participants enjoying some sole love. nutritionist Lorna Willock, who focussed on how to supplement diet with healthy alternatives to caffeine and refined sugar, as well the nutritional benefits of protein and much more. Together with the talk a healthy lunch was provided with a choice of three delicious soups, sourdough bread from the Earth’s Crust bakery, and a choice of salads that everyone helped to create. One participant said: “I learned so much about herbal teas, plants and simple foods that can really support wellbeing. It inspired me to make small changes in my daily routine that I know will make a big difference in how I feel.” Following lunch, people tapped into their creativity during an engaging and informative sketching session led by Abi Mordin from Propagate. The focus was on wild plants like nettles, mullein and lavender, exploring both their visual qualities and their health benefits. The 'dessert' at the close of the day was a guided meditation session led by Kirstie Templeton. This experience gathered everyone for a moment to unwind, reflect and simply enjoy a few peaceful moments of stillness. The ‘main course’ was a food talk by local The day was a huge success, and feedback he Glenkens and District Community Action Plan (CAP) was published in 2020, after 18 months of community engagement work. T a first draft proposal which will then go out for detailed community review. In 2023, the Glenkens Land Use Vison was adopted as an addendum to the CAP, in light of the rapid change in the landscapes around us. To begin this process, the Glenkens and District Community Benefit Fund has provided funds for the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) to engage a local researcher to pull together all the local inputs that are available, from Local Place Plans to land use maps to regional strategies. Local nutritionist Lorna Willock giving a talk on food and healthy eating at the event was that people really enjoyed it. One participant said they really felt a powerful connection to the guided meditation, stating: “I loved the meditation – it was the first time I smiled during mindfulness, hugged myself, and truly saw myself with the same kindness I give to my child. For the first time, I could say ‘you’re doing ok’ and actually feel the love.” We were able to put this on thanks to funding from the Glenkens Community Shop, and from this event we raised £160 which will go to the Glenkens Community Centre. Kath Peters Taking a fresh look at the Glenkens Community Action Plan Now, the Community Action Plan Steering Group (CAPSG) has determined that it is time to update and refresh the CAP, to ensure that it continues to express our community priorities for 2026 and beyond. The CAPSG is very aware that the communities of the Glenkens have been 'engaged with' many times over the last few years, and so is determined not to add to the consultation fatigue by coming to the communities with a blank sheet of paper. Instead, they will build on the information contained in our Glenkens Local Place Plans and other community work in order to create Nothing will be set in stone at this point, but it is hoped that having a sensible starting point will be easier for people to engage with, and constructively feed back on, than starting from scratch. Becca Nelson will be taking up this role, and one of her first tasks will be to reach out to local organisations to see how the new CAP could better support them in their strategic aspirations. We want everyone to be able to see their priorities reflected in the new CAP. The work that Becca collates over the winter will then feed into a tender for a next-stage researcher, who will draw all the inputs together to create a first-draft Glenkens Community Action Plan. This will then go out for review by the whole community, feedback will be incorporated, and we would hope to have a final issue of the CAP in summer 2026. The existing Community Action Plan and Land Use Vision have proved invaluable over the last few years in getting regional and national organisations to take our priorities and ambitions seriously. We look forward to seeing what the community wants and needs from the second iteration of this important community resource. Robert McTurk, Chair, CAPSG GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 4 Get involved with GCAT H ere at the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT), volunteers are core to what we do. Some of them cheer up our garden, a lot steward at events, our Galloway Community Transport Patient Transport drivers are invaluable. One volunteer even volunteers to coordinate the other volunteers! But there's a big group of volunteers that don't often get seen. They are our board members (also known as directors or trustees), and their contribution is critical to assuring our current path and future success. We'll be calling for new board members at our AGM on 26 January, so if you live in the Glenkens or surroundings and have a keen interest in the wide and varied impact that GCAT has on our communities, do get in touch for a chat. We're looking for people who can commit to quarterly meetings where they will provide assurance on the work the staff team is doing and determine the strategic direction looking forward. If you've got a background in finance, strategy or community development, then we'd particularly love to hear from you - but we're also looking for people who are committed to helping the Glenkens be all that it can be, no matter what your life experience (or age) is. Drop me a note on andrew@ catstrand.com and myself and Peter Fryer, Chair of GCAT, will be happy to have a chat about the role of GCAT Board Member any time. Andrew McConnell, GCAT Executive Manager Dalry first community to receive gold award D alry Community Resilience Group has been presented with a Gold Award by Dumfries and Galloway council. This is the first gold award to be given by the council and follows a number of activities including an exercise which took place in Dalry in March (see p12 of Issue 147 of the Gazette for more on this). Pictured are members of the Dalry Community Resilience Group with their award Thank you for the music... D alry's Mixtape Dance Night is back! Running on the second Saturday of the month October and November’s playlist got people shimmying, twisting and getting up to get down. The eclectic mix chosen brought smiles to people’s faces, and the amazing lights helped folk get their tail feathers a-shaking. and Moniaive, as well as the Dalry locals. If you fancy a bit of a shindig, why not come along to the next one! Dates for your diary are December 13, January 10, February 14 for a Valentine's Day boogie, and March 14. The event runs from 8pm to 11pm at Dalry Town Hall, and is £5 at the door on entry – all money goes to cover the cost of the hall and the sound system. The poster to the left was designed by the talented Maya Baker, aged 14. Below are revellers at November's Mixtape session People came from New Galloway, Balmaclellan, Auchencairn, Crocketford Dear Gazette Team, To everyone involved, can I pass on our congratulations on you publishing the 150th bi-monthly edition of the Glenkens Gazette, on its 25th anniversary. I am well aware that, while it may be fun to put together the first issue of something and think idly about a second or third, it requires a lot of hard work and genuine commitment to keep any volunteerdependent publication going, issue after issue, year after year. To celebrate a quarter century of uninterrupted publication is a remarkable achievement. It shows not just your own tenacity but also the support you must have earned from readers and the local businesses which advertise in the Gazette’s pages. Well done! Best regards from south west Edinburgh, Paul Fisher Cockburn, Editor, C&B News www.candbnews.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 5 Local skills and jobs fair success Continued from front page... Organisations attending had a chance to engage with school pupils and young people, as well as adults looking for a change of career direction. This was the first Glenkens Skills and Jobs Fair to be held, and the event saw 27 representatives of 19 different organisations set up their display stands in the school hall. Sectors represented included renewables, construction, infrastructure, civil engineering, market gardening, forestry, hospitality, home care, childcare and the environment. Organisations offering employability support were also on hand to offer career and skills guidance, including Skills Development Scotland, DGWorks, Developing the Young Workforce and the Better Lives Partnership. Representatives of the Glenkens and District Education Fund and the Carsphairn Renewable Energy Fund Ltd attended to share details about their education grant scheme, where local people can apply for a grant of up to £1,000 for training fees related to employability. We were delighted with the turnout on the day; almost 60 attendees aged from school age upwards visited the skills fair. Whilst around a fifth of attendees said that their reason for attending was to plan further study, 35% wanted to find out about career paths in the Glenkens, and 21% of responses were from people looking for apprenticeship or graduate opportunities. Attendees were positive, with all those who completed the feedback form saying that they were able to find the information that they were looking for at the fair. One attendee commented: "The event was buzzing. I never realised there were so many opportunities in the local area." Exhibitors also found the event useful, referring to the value both of the interactions with the attendees and the opportunities to network with other employers and organisations active in the area. One commented: "Yesterday's event was a powerful reminder of the impact that community-led initiatives can have to allow local communities and pupils to consider a career within their own localities and to improve employment opportunities." Another exhibitor fed back after the event that they were confident that they would be able to offer a role to one of the attendees who they had talked to on the day. There was strong support for future events, perhaps annual, from both attendees and exhibitors. All of the stallholders carried out a brief video interview on the day, and these are now held on the Glenkens Hub website, so if you were unable to attend the skills and jobs fair but would like to find out more about the opportunities available in the area, please visit www.glenkens. scot/local-employers-and-support which contains links to all of the employers’ websites and more information. The fair was funded using a grant from DGWorks Local Employability Partnership, and was organised by Becca Nelson for the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust working with Dalry Secondary School and the school's Parent Council, and the Glenkens District Trust CAP Steering Group. Many thanks to all those who were involved in making the fair such a success. Becca Nelson There's currently a wonderful touring exhibition at two venues - Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries, and Kirkcudbright Galleries. The artist is William Gillies RSA (1898-1973), who was Head of Drawing and Painting, then Principal, at Edinburgh College of Art until 1966. Sutter Watt RSW. William Gillies' Modernism & Nation W illiam Gillies' exhibition Modernism and Nation is a must-see for art lovers. William Gillies is described as an exciting colourist and his paintings are full of light and poetry. He brought a particular Scottish sensibility to bear on ideas of European modernism, experimenting for instance with the multiple viewpoint; that is, the notion that our vision isn't fixed like a photo, but shifts around according to how we move in the world. And his loose, deceptively careless-looking brush strokes were considered quite radical back in the day. The portraits, still-lifes and landscapes of Gillies have been immensely influential to subsequent generations, notably the Galloway artists John Maxwell RSA and Archie Archie, I know, felt that Gillies understood the experience of ex-servicemen coming into art school with a great deal on their young shoulders. Recent research on Gillies, in a new book by Andrew McPherson, reveals a depth of complexity behind the beautiful paintings. This exhibition is a lovely opportunity to reflect on the man and his work. The tour is organised by the Royal Scottish Academy with support from Museums Galleries Scotland, and runs until 11 January 2026. Patti Leino Pictured is Winter Landscape by William Gillies (1933), courtesy of The Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Youth Correspondent page 6 Joshua Wells, aged 16, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Joshua discusses 'Kentucky'. O pening the letter left me shocked. It was sent from the Dumfrieshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society (DGNHAS). The organisation had been running a youth writing competition, which I decided to participate in. However, as I had submitted my piece many months before, I thought that there was no chance I could have won. Reading further, I quickly found out I won. Not long after, I would be officially awarded £250 and a certificate displaying my name and the title of my work. perception from what you would have seen only in the early 1900s: “The ‘Ivy Cottage’, as it was once known, was a single-story building, probably built with stone and whitewashed to give it a nice finish. It stood proud in between the slender trees and large bushes. " A small black door stood off-centre, with two windows on each side, in contrast to the empty rectangle that remains today. It stood with a thatched roof, which was typical of its time, as it was a practical roof design.” Within the essay, I spoke about the environment and atmosphere of the location: “Where the house used to stand, all that is left is a rectangular rock foundation that reaches just above your ankle. Moss and twigs both call the resting place of the house home. The site is flanked by two towering chestnut trees, one a horse chestnut, and the other a sweet chestnut, while a rhododendron stands in the background, with the engraved bench sitting snugly in between. In the photograph I worked from, these towering chestnut trees were barely more than saplings, giving an idea of the age of the plot where they stand.” This description holds a different Another main research topic of the village as a whole was the population fluctuation: But why is the title Ivy Cottage: The poem, the history, the mystery, namely the 'mystery' section? The idea of a mystery was that of the nickname ‘Kentucky’. I spoke about this in the essay: This time last year, I waited in anticipation after writing an essay on a local historic spot. Titled Ivy Cottage: The poem, the history, the mystery, the essay explained the story behind the little plot of land known as ‘Kentucky’. Kentucky, which modestly secludes itself along a well-used road, can be found sitting at the T-junction at the end of the road branching from Balmaclellan. "Fashion obviously also meant a lot to the residents, as there were five tailors and three dressmakers. Unlike modern Balmaclellan, the roads were cared for with two road makers working in the village. Balmaclellan also had a mole catcher, Thomas Shearman, meaning that most likely, moles were a nuisance to the inhabitants.” “The village’s population has fluctuated through the recent years; in 1755, there were 534 residents, in 1841, 1134 residents; however, now in 2024, around 130.” As I read further, however, I found I had won. Not long after, I would be awarded the sum of £250 and a physical certificate displaying my name and the title of my written piece of work. The work detailed past residents, including the subject of a wellknown poem entitled Sarah Rae. records of 1841, Daniel McMichael, most likely a resident of the tiny village, was the local innkeeper. Believed to have been burned down in 1916, Ivy Cottage left no legacy but the ankle-high wall. No sign of a chimney to warm after a long winter's day. No glass from the window pane to look through. No wooden door to enter. Not only did I research the architecture, but I also investigated the long history of inhabitants within the humble house. These residents included James Welsh, Elizabeth Mcnea, and Sarah Rae. Sarah Rae was the subject of a locally renowned poem by Reverend George Murray: In yonder cottage, by the stream That wanders through the moor, Lives Sarah Rae: Ah! weak of mind, Most feeble, old, and poor. While I focused on Ivy Cottage, I also researched the history of the village itself, namely, the odd variety of occupations: “At the time of the humble Ivy Cottage, the village was bustling with people and had numerous occupations. "For example, according to the census There are “various theories on why the site was called Kentucky, two theories being that it was derived after a song called ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ and that people emigrated and returned from America. "However, after reading two books naming Scots who emigrated to the USA, I could not find any evidence that anyone from Balmaclellan moved to the USA and returned.” The essay, compiling months of research, was submitted in autumn 2024. I waited nearly three months for the result of my work. One day, unexpectedly, I was handed an unassuming letter. Upon opening this letter, I found out I won. I was left shocked. Watch this space for an upcoming project funded by the Galloway Glens Legacy Fund, supported by the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust. If you would like to read Ivy Cottage: The poem, the history, the mystery, visit the Glenkens Hub Archive at www. glenkens.scot/glenkens_archive and use the title of the piece in the search bar. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Alison's aquabike update I t’s been an exciting few months building up to the World Aquabike Championships, in Wollongong Australia. After months of hard work I was delighted to make it to race day and finish 6th in the world and the top British athlete in the 25–29 age group. The event itself was an incredible experience - lining up alongside some of the best athletes in the world was both nerve-wracking and inspiring. I’m immensely proud of my performance and grateful for the journey that got me there. Every hour of training, every early morning, and the unwavering support from so many people truly paid off. After a short break postcompetition, winter training is now underway. The season continues next year with multiple events across the UK, before heading to Spain for the European Sprint Championships in Tarragona in June and the World Aquabike Championships in Pontevedra in September. My goal is to build on this year’s result and move ever closer to that coveted podium position. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way - my family, friends, training partners, and everyone in the Glenkens community who has cheered me on. Your encouragement means so much, and I hope I’ve made the community proud. T Finlay Carson our local MSP came to officially reopen the building and we welcomed our main funders, Scottish Power Energy Networks to see the transformation. Alongside the energy efficiency project, we also undertook major work to dig up the floor underneath the toilets as a leak had corroded the steel supports to the point that only a tiny slither was holding up the floor. Many of you will remember we only had one functioning toilet for several years as a result. Now Far left and far right are representatives from Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN), and in the centre are Sarah McCusker, project manager and DCPT Trustee, and MSP Finlay Carson WJ Anderson Agriculture, and Sharon’s Bakes - whose support made it possible for me to compete at this level. Thanks also to the Stewartry Sports Council for their generous funding. It’s been an amazing experience so far, and I’m more motivated than ever to keep improving and see what the next season brings. Alison Pringle, Crossmichael A special thank you also goes to my sponsors Natural Power, Threave Rural, Ian Bendall Funeral Directors, JLN Engineering, Ark Vet Centre, Renovations completed at Glenkens Community Centre he Glenkens Community Centre has had a very transformative year, with over £150,000 invested in giving the century-old building a glow-up and making it more energy efficient. page 7 the floor has been rebuilt and we have two working toilets. South of Scotland Enterprise granted us £5,000 to refurbish our kitchen space. Now we have new carpets, new oven and hob, sink and taps as well as urns and lots of cooking utensils and pots and pans for our user groups. Whilst many of the features are new, we have done our best to reuse and repurpose where possible to minimise the impact of the project. Panelling taken from the main kitchen has been reused in the front entrance way and to restore a rotten recess, left over vinyl was used as the flooring for the front office. We also managed to reuse our kitchen units and disabled toilet and sink. Our hopes for the future are to fundraise for redeveloping the main hall to insulate it. Now the rest of the centre has been painted it’s looking like it needs some TLC. The Glenkens Community Centre is now open for bookings and whilst we have welcomed back some of our previous user groups, we’d like to encourage new bookings. The centre is a great, affordable space for groups to meet and socialise, big events, badminton, birthday parties, etc. If you would like to book our wonderful space, please contact Michele on dcptbookings@gmail.com As part of the Glenkens Pollinator Project, we have planted two apple trees in the garden. In 2026 we will be working towards developing the community centre garden and would love volunteers to support us. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates. The Dalry Community Properties Trust (DCPT) which owns the Glenkens Community Centre recently had our AGM. We reelected our five previous trustees and welcomed two new trustees. We have an exciting year ahead with the community asset transfer of the mixed used games area (MUGA) nearly complete. We have secured over £40,000 to begin the first phase of refurbishment to install a new surface. This redevelopment of the MUGA will be a major benefit to the wider community of the Glenkens, providing a safe, well lit, and suitable playing ground for many sports including tennis, five a side football, basketball and also for children learning to ride bikes, etc. We would like to thank all our user groups, neighbours, volunteers, builders and funders for their support during the last year. Sarah McCusker, DCPT Trustee Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople page 8 A goodbye and a hello for GCAT A s I write this in early November, I have just completed the first week of my handover of my role to Andrew McConnell. So a week of very mixed emotions - the reality that I am leaving this amazing organisation is setting in, but at the same time, I am getting more and more excited about what Andrew is going to bring to GCAT and to the Glenkens communities. It has reinforced my view that this is exactly the right time to be going, and I can't wait to see what direction he takes it in. I know he'll be extremely well supported by the amazing staff and freelancers who make GCAT what it is, plus the astonishing volunteers who we couldn't survive without. From the sometimes unseen task of being on the Board, the Community Action Plan Steering Group or all of our sub-committees, to the frontof-house and bar stewards who make CatStrand the vibrant place it is, your I f my first week in post is anything to go by, the experience ahead at Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) is going to be filled with variation, dedication, collaboration and inspiration. I've already seen the commitment and passion with which the team at GCAT undertake their jobs and I have been impressed with the positive energy and enthusiasm for the creative support has meant the world to me over the last four years and made a huge difference. There have been some real challenges over that time, from the eternal worry of flooding to existential concerns about the funding landscape, but we have worked our way through them with the unstinting support of many many people. We now find ourselves (I hope!) adding real value to the Glenkens communities from a position of well-organised sustainability. Whether that's through the amazing Arts and Youth Arts opportunities on your doorstep, the services of Galloway Community Transport, the much-loved Glenkens Gazette and now Glenkens Hub, the everwelcoming CatStrand cafe and bar, the Glenkens Youth Group, the Glenkens Men's Shed, the Glenkens Community Spaces Network the list goes on and on. I'm so delighted that funders and supporters are now really hearing the stories of our communities and supporting us in meeting our ambitions. Special mention of course to the Glenkens Community Benefit Fund which, through activities of the organisation. The esteem in which the organisation is held was evident to me at the Third Sector D&G Comm/Unity Conference, where I was introduced to countless people expressing how crucial the work of GCAT is (as well frequent reminders that there are big shoes to fill in following Helen!). I'm mindful of the responsibility of stewardship as I take on this role; not just to those who have grafted so hard over so many years in getting us to this place but more importantly, the responsibility of ensuring we serve the communities of the future as well as GCAT has served them in the past. The issues we discuss today the Glenkens and District Trust and Foundation Scotland, is expertly administering the Glenkens wind farm community benefit funds to deliver real value straight back into our communities. But I hope I've also added value in my wider advocacy for the ambitions and challenges of rural living. I have tried to be a voice for the Glenkens and beyond at a regional and national level, helping our voice get heard and at least be part of the conversation. The key message for me to Dumfries, Holyrood and developers is that this is our home, where we live, work and play. It is not just somewhere to come for a holiday or to extract energy or timber from. We need to re-balance that relationship, somehow. So on that note, I will be staying in the Glenkens, because there's no better way to spend an evening than around rural depopulation, youth engagement in the arts, provision of education in rural communities, land use changes and reform will all bear further impact on the Glenkens. As the public sector continues to recede, the role of arts and community development has never been more important. The work of GCAT is all about ensuring that the Glenkens continues to punch above its weight and mitigating impacts on our communities through the initiatives it delivers. The strength, success and good-standing of GCAT today is in no small part down to the efforts of Helen in her tenure as its first Chief Executive. Her energy and positivity has raised the profile of the ferrying teenagers backwards and forwards to Castle Douglas. But also because I genuinely couldn't think of a better community to call my home. I still don't know what the future holds for me workwise - I am very much hoping something becomes clear over the next few months! But my home will always be in the Glenkens. Thank you for all your support over the last four years and keep on being the Glenkens! See you around, Helen Glenkens and championed the causes to help make it a great place to live, work and socialise. Her tenacity and advocacy has held authority to account with polite determination and integrity to ensure the Glenkens gets its share. Whilst the challenges continue, it is thanks to Helen that GCAT and the Glenkens are very well placed to meet them. On behalf of the Board and staff of GCAT, I thank Helen for her distinguished service to the Glenkens and am comforted in knowing that she will never be far away thank you Helen. Andrew McConnell, GCAT Chief Executive Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 9 The Optimistic Environmentalist Electric Cars - Part Five Charging We charge at home as much as we can, using either our solar or overnight cheap rate electricity. Many electricity suppliers charge less for EV owners. Occasionally, if we charge when out eg on a long journey, we only charge what we really need; public charging is more expensive because the electricity attracts 20% VAT rather than 5% at home. Additionally, owners and operators of rapid chargers, eg at motorway services, have to pay 'standing' and 'capacity' charges for each site. In many cases, this has increased by tens of thousands of pounds per year before they even supply any electricity. OFGEM and governments are considering changes to the latter costs, due to be implemented through 2026/27. There are different types of chargers giving out different speeds - see the RAC's www. rac.co.uk/drive/electriccars/charging/electric-carcharging-how-it-worksand-how-much-it-costs for detailed information. Range The WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure) is used to measure vehicle efficiency - how far the car will travel with its fuel, known as 'range' for EVs. In the real world, these claims for ICE or EVs are never achieved. The claim for our last diesel car was 83mpg; in practice, for seven years, it was nearer Are you looking to plant trees this winter? We have grants available for small-scale native planting schemes. For full info, visit: www.dgwoodlands.org.uk Registered as a SCIO, no 052525 55mpg. For our EV, the WLPT is 235 miles. In our experience, the 'real world' range is about 210 miles in mild weather and 180 in the winter. We do open the windows a bit, but we use our air conditioning all the time and the heating sometimes, including for the front seats; thus, as with ICE cars, this will affect fuel consumption and the distance you can travel. Most of our journeys are local, the longest regular one being the 48 mile round trip to Dumfries plus that to venues there. Thus, we typically only charge once a week, costing £2-3. For reference, a full charge from 0% to 100% (which you wouldn't do just as you wouldn't totally empty a petrol tank) would cost about £4, ie about 2p per mile. Additionally, our electricity supplier occasionally gives us free charging sessions. We go to Yorkshire a couple of times a year; typically charging overnight to 100% which gets us there. Longer journeys, eg to the West Country whilst towing our trailer, involve stopping to charge during toilet and eating breaks, which we would have done for family and dogs anyway. Planning your journey It's estimated that most people only use their car 5% of the time (equivalent to 8.4 hours per week) as it's parked up when they are sleeping, eating, working, shopping etc. People tend to get into a routine. Around 60% of the popultion has off-street parking so can charge cheaply at home and many can now charge at work. Schemes exist to allow sharing of a neighbour's charging point if you don't have one, and some councils have been experimenting with lamppost or edge-ofpavement charging. There's still more to do to ensure that those without driveways are not disadvantaged but this work is underway. Records suggest that in 2000, there were 13,107 petrol stations in the UK. Today, this has fallen to just under 8,400 and continues to decline. By contrast, in September 2025 there were over 43,500 locations containing 120,000 public charging connectors. These figures are growing rapidly. This doesn't include home chargers; whilst there's no central register of these, it's estimated at around one million. Denise MacDonald-Kiernan Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 10 sponsored by Citizen science in the Glenkens T he first citizen science training event was held at Dalry Town Hall in October. It started with a presentation from SWSEIC support officer Malcolm Haddow and covered different species and habitats in the Glenkens, what signs to look for and how to accurately record a wildlife sighting. It was interesting to learn that animal tracks, scat, pellets, feathers, hair and even roadkill are valuable signs to record and can contribute towards a better understanding of the health or condition of the natural environment. The talk was followed by a stroll out to the surrounding area to observe nature and practice recording on iNaturalist. Even though it was quite a wet, windy autumn day, participants managed to find examples of mushroom and other fungi, flowers, plants and insects. After a short break, the group ventured to Dalry school garden for a mapping exercise, guided by GSA Biosphere nature recover officer Antoine Lemaire. This involved identifying plants and measuring trees, hedges and water habitats. Malcolm also demonstrated how to set up moth light traps to catch insects. The data was recorded on a paper map which will be translated to a digital format, contributing to a more detailed understanding of the area. In future, this type of data can help to detect changes in climate or land use, and inform decisions on planning, development or conservation. The next day the moth traps were collected from the garden for an event at Dalry school. The primary school students enjoyed drawing different habitats for animals before unveiling several moths and insects caught in the traps the night before. The secondary school presentation went into more detail on the various species Glenkens is important for such as willow tit, great crested newt, musk beetle (aromia moschata) and large heath butterfly, before opening their moth trap. To find out more or to get involved you can visit the new webpage on nature networks at www.glenkens.scot/projects/ glenkens-nature-networks and look out for more citizen science events on the Glenkens Hub events listings - www.glenkens. scot/calendar Niki Inglis Stewartry Birdwatchers upcoming talks T he Stewartry Birdwatchers winter season got off to a flying start. Ian Bainbridge gave the most interesting and mind-blowing talk about the migrations of some of the waders which nest in the arctic and fly south to winter in warmer parts of the world. Researchers have fitted solar powered miniature satellite transmitters, weighing only five grams, to a number of eastern bar-tailed godwits, waders a bit smaller than the curlew which nest in Alaska. The results have shown the longest known nonstop trans-oceanic migration. In September the godwits feed constantly to build up fat reserves before their amazing 11,000 km (7,000 miles) non-stop flight directly across the central Pacific Ocean to New Zealand. During this extraordinary feat of endurance, their flight muscles enlarge and their digestive organs shrink. They can maintain speeds from 25 to 50mph and can adjust their altitude from near sea-level to over 13,000 feet (4km). After this flight of eight to 10 days (there is even a record of one Godwit taking 11 days) they arrive in New Zealand exhausted, with their fat reserves almost gone. After spending months in New Zealand the godwits then have to feed up to put on fat for their return journey to Alaska in March, which is by a different route. This flight includes a stopover in China to feed on the mud flats of the Yellow Sea, so that they arrive in Alaska in good condition to breed in May. It is no wonder that the researchers have been astounded by what they have learnt from the satellite transmitters. Stewartry Birdwatchers are the local branch of the Scottish Ornithologists' Club. At our meetings we welcome non-members of all ages who are interested in wildlife and the countryside. The talks are not overly scientific, and are hopefully always interesting and enjoyable. About halfway through any meeting we have a break for coffee/tea with time for a chat and a chance to talk to the speaker. Our meetings are held in Balmaclellan's well-appointed village hall in the afternoons at 2.30pm. The next talk is on Thursday 15 January, where two speakers will tell of their recent birdwatching holidays abroad. Photograph of black-tailed godwits taken by Maisie Welsh. These look almost identical to bar-tailed godwits and many birdwatchers have difficulty in telling them apart. Jeremy Brock made an adventurous solo month-long exploration by car of the far southwest of Morocco and ended his trip in the Atlas Mountains. The second speaker, Pete Robinson, had his first experience of African birds in The Gambia where he had to come to grips with so many new and exotic species. On 12 February, Andrew Turney will speak on the rise of swift conservation in Dumfries and Galloway. Sadly swift numbers have declined drastically. Loss of nesting sites as buildings are renovated, fewer insects for them to feed on and climate change have all been put forward as reasons for this decline. Keen volunteers throughout the UK are erecting nest boxes and encouraging builders to insert special hollowed out bricks in all new buildings. Joan Howie, Secretary, Stewartry Birdwatchers Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 11 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE 4 antique mahogany/leather dining chairs; 3 OK but need some tlc, one needing repair. Contact: 07769 959 511. 2 x Safetots mesh bed guards. Bed rail size: 140cm(W) x 60cm(H) Colour: Natural. We bought two bed guards to fit our superking bed. We only used one so one is still new. Contact: 07525 745 826 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 WANTED/OTHER Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Nonrunners/broken welcome. Contact: text/WhatsApp 07845 562 217 Shed clearances - any shed cleared, large or small. For further info or to arrange a visit contact: 07765 034 841 Local home-repair & maintenance - from small fixes to larger jobs, woodwork to electronics. 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Contact: Bruce on 07989 509 798 N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING TIMES OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.30pm MONDAY – FRIDAY Sat 8.30am-5pm Sun 8.30am-3pm 7.30am – 5.30pm POST8.30am OFFICE– 5pm SATURDAY Mon-Fri 10am to 3pm SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm Sat 9am to 12noon Sun closed LOCAL SUPPLIERS LOCAL SUPPLIERS DALMELLINGTON BUTCHERS DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY HENDERSON BUTCHERS RAMSAY OF CARLUKE BUTCHERS BUTCHERS UPPER TREATS DULLARG EGGS SWEET BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG CREAM O' GALLOWAY SWEETCAKES BAKERY GALLOWAY LODGE IRVINGS BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY COWS & CO CHEESE THE CRESS COMPANY CREAM O GALLOWAY BORDER BISCUITS GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES HAWKSTONE BREWERY MITCHELLS & VEG IRVINGSFRUIT BAKERY SULWATH BREWERY SCOTTISH GALLOWAY PASTA ...local delivery available... GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment Meeting the Glenkens Cardiac First Responders Continued from front page... Lindsay Stewart, Loch Ken Trust Manager and the Glenkens group founder, continued: "I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the Scottish Ambulance Service for their invaluable support in helping to establish the group and for providing the training that has made this possible.” Paige Fletcher, SAS Cardiac Responder Development Lead, said: “It was a privilege to meet and train such a dedicated group of volunteers, who are committed to making a real difference. “Their enthusiasm and willingness to give their time to support this is truly inspiring. By helping to build resilience for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and increasing the chances of survival in remote and rural areas, this group will have a lasting and meaningful impact on their community.” You can find out more about Derek Wooff Ian Smith Having retired and moved to Crossmichael, I was keen to get involved with a worthwhile local community project. Hi, I’m Ian Smith, 67 and have lived in Crossmichael for the last 13 years. Since leaving school I have spent 16 years at sea in the Merchant Navy and 30 years as a Fire Officer. By being part of the cardiac responder team, I have made new friends and colleagues as well as having the opportunity to help in a positive way in an emergency. Jane Wooff Having always lived and worked in a rural area, I have been aware of the challenge for emergency services to respond promptly due to the geography of the area . I was interested in being involved when I heard about the development of a team to assist people until the ambulance arrives. Joining the team has resulted in fun times as we are all keen to learn and maintain. Bob Peace Whilst I am able to help other people, I will do my best and offer that help. In return I hope that others will help me when I am no longer able. Five years of my Fire Service took me to the Western Isles where I quickly embraced the island attitude of mucking in no matter the situation or what service agency you represented. The area I now live in has a rising sense of mucking in, and if I can help by volunteering as a cardiac responder to assist somebody in their hour of need, I will once again have achieved my goal of helping others. Lindsay Stewart It is great to see the launch of this group, and I am pleased to be volunteering myself as a community cardiac responder. I am very keen to help in our communities and build resilience in our rural area. If our volunteers can arrive on scene in the early moments following a cardiac arrest, this could be vital to the patient’s chances of survival. Being in this group is really rewarding, and I have met lots of amazing people. I would encourage anyone interested in helping in their community to get involved. page 12 LOCH KEN TRUST RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 our Cardiac Community Responders and how you can become one: www. scottishambulance.com/ your-community/communityfirst-responders/communitycardiac-responders Below are a few words from each of the Glenkens Community Cardiac Responders volunteers... Attica Wheeler I have lived in Dumfries and Galloway since 2008 and am married with two children. I work full time in healthcare and have done so for 30 years. I travel 42 miles daily from home so have come across numerous emergencies over the years that have needed assistance. Those first few minutes can mean someone lives or dies and multiple lives are impacted. This voluntary role means I can support the local community further and enhance the incredible role provided by Scottish Ambulance Service. Leanne Pumpr This group is something we were often asked for by the community during our resilience work, and it is great to see the Glenkens Community Cardiac Responders Group form. This will have tremendous impact in the Glenkens communities, and I am pleased to be a part of this lifesaving initiative. For further information contact Lindsay Stewart at lindsay@lochken.org.uk or in the event of a suspected cardiac arrest call 999 and the nearest responders will be alerted (the group is set up and linked with the Scottish Ambulance Service). Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 13 Kendoon to Tongland Reinforcement project pylons vs undergrounding - a personal experience A s a farmer with both pylons and underground high voltage lines on our land, as well as low voltage overhead lines, we have perhaps a rather unique perspective on the presence and build of these facilities. There has been a lot of publicity and furore about the Kendoon to Tongland Reinforcement (KTR) project, and a lot of folk not happy about the prospect of the proposed new pylon line. This project is the continuation of the upgrade that happened a few years ago, from Cumnock to Carsphairn. There has been talk that undergrounding a line isn’t such a big thing; after all, Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) has undergrounded a section of the Gatehouse line, and it didn’t cause much disruption. However, the cable buried near Gatehouse was only a single circuit 11kv low voltage distribution line. The KTR line is a 12 cable double circuit 132kv high voltage transmission line; a different beast entirely. Most of the lines being undergrounded across the country are low voltage, unlike the proposed KTR line, which is high voltage. The following link is to a National Grid technical document about some of the issues of undergrounding high voltage transmission lines. It is clearly written, with not too much jargon, and well worth a look to get a better understanding of the 'hows' and 'whys' of underground cable construction - www. tinyurl.com/undergroundingHVlines On a similar note of available information, SPEN has surveyed for a potential underground route just as they have for the overhead line route and a preferred option has been set. Details can be found at www. spenergynetworks.co.uk/userfiles/file/KTR_ Undergrounding_Study_Appendix_2.pdf So, to some of the differences between overhead construction and underground cable construction... Overhead construction requires four concrete pillars to base each tower (pylon) on, then there is the tower itself and then there are the cables. This all requires a haul road to each tower, although sometimes several towers can be done from the same haul road. These roads can be 'fitted around' the local landscape, eg they avoid crossing larger burns and rivers. So there are concrete lorries, then later lorries delivering the towers and cables. The towers arrive like giant Meccano sets for building on site. There were three towers on a single lorry when delivered to our farm. In comparison, the underground cable requires a haul road along much of its length, which means it may have to cross bigger burns and rivers or at least be built fairly close up to the edges of these burns and rivers. Two trenches are then excavated, deep enough to hold six ducts each (which is what the cables run through), each duct has to be a set distance from all the other ducts, and the top ducts have to be a set depth below the soil surface. Much of this soil excavated has to be removed from site, which means a lot of lorry journeys. The soil is replaced by cementbound sand to hold the ducts in the right place. This cement-bound sand has to be hauled in so a lot more lorry moves. Then the ducts need to be hauled in and the cables themselves too. There are also a number of concrete junction bunkers to be constructed (every 500 to 1000 metres), so there are more concrete lorry moves needed for these too. The large number of lorry moves has been cited as a cause for concern regarding overhead construction, but will actually be far worse with underground construction. According to the National Grid, the amount of spoil removed when excavating for a double circuit underground system is up to 14 times what is excavated for an overhead line. That’s a lot of extra lorry moves. As mentioned, the haul road for an underground line needs to follow the majority of the length of the line as lorries need access to pretty much every metre of trench. This means crossing burns and rivers that can be avoided by an overhead line haul road. By definition the cables, and therefore the trench, also needs to cross these burns and rivers. On SPEN’s website are diagrams and descriptions of how they would go about crossing these waterways either by building cable bridges, by burrowing underneath them, or by temporarily diverting the watercourse. As you can imagine, that is no small task whatever method chosen. Between the trenches and any watercourse crossing, there is serious disruption to the ecology of the soil and to the hydrology of the soil along the whole length. With the overhead line, there is disruption to the surface where the haul road is and to the areas where the towers are based, but that is hardly comparable to digging two large trenches of around 1.2 metres wide at the base and a minimum of 1.5 metres deep, as well as a haul road. Electricity cables generate heat. In an overhead line, this dissipates readily into the air. However, with underground lines this heat is dissipated into the surrounding soil, though the use of cement-bound sand helps to control this somewhat. This heat dissipation changes the ecology of the soil, and where these cables pass through, eg peat, the heat can cause the peat to dry out with the obvious effects on its ability to store carbon. On our farm the underground line passes through peat and this drying effect can be seen where the fence erected has now fallen over as the peat has dried (see photo). A similar effect is also seen on the drystone wall crossing the cable route. Both drying of the peat and raised temperature of the soil has knock-on effects on soil structure, soil biology and the flora growing on the land. There are other effects on the environment, including the visual landscape which folk perhaps overlook. Wherever the underground line has to come above ground, eg to enter a substation, a 'sealing end compound' is needed (see photo for the one on our farm). If KTR is to be underground in it’s entirety, this existing compound would need to be extended, and there would be at least two others built, as detailed in the SPEN study referred to earlier in this article. And then there would be the actual construction disruption – did you know the preferred route for the underground line follows the A713? The cables will actually be buried in the road for a large part of the route – for example between Boat Knowe, just south of Dalry, to Townhead of Greenlaw, the cables will be buried in the road bed for the majority of the route (21.19km) with diversions when crossing smaller burns. The estimated duration of this work is 105 weeks. Given our previous experiences, that is likely to be conservative. Some of that time will be for the section from Townhead of Greenlaw to Tongland, but I would think we can all expect to have traffic lights and single lane traffic for over two years when travelling between Dalry and Castle Douglas. If the whole route is UG, the length of road affected and time taken will obviously be longer. The old pylon line has to go; it is well beyond its expected lifespan. This is just a reflection on one of the potential replacements and what it might mean for us locally. I’m not sure many folk have thought much past “let's not have the pylons”. Might be worth thinking about what the alternative would be beyond the visual aspect. A local farmer Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment Tracking landscape changes Y ou might have noticed some unusual wooden QR codes appearing on signposts and interpretation boards around the Glenkens. These are part of the 'Participatory Monitoring of Landscape Change' project - a collaboration between Glenkens Community & Arts Trust and Dalry Community Council, supported by NatureScot funding over the past three years. The idea is simple: anyone passing by - whether on a daily walk or a one-off visit - can scan a QR code, take a quick photo, and upload it to the Glenkens Hub image repository. There’s also space to add words alongside the images - anything from factual observations to creative responses like poems or short stories. Over time, these contributions will build into a living archive, page 14 capturing how our local landscapes evolve and change over the coming decades. You’ll find the wooden QR codes along the Donald Watson Trail, the Polmaddie Pack Road, the New Galloway path near the Ken Bridge, on Forrest Estate, and also by the new bench on Waterside Hill. A huge thank you to Joe Seed for creating the beautiful wooden QR plaques that help connect people, place and story, and to all the partners that have given permission for them to be installed. Morag Paterson accompanied by the tree dispersal day. the newly renovated Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry. The trees had arrived on the Friday, delivered from Perthshire by the Orchardwoman herself, Lynsey Payne. An excited crowd gathered to help plant two apple and one plum tree, and to see which trees they had been allocated. Abi from Propagate gave a demonstration on best to plant the trees – with lots of compost and mulch! One happy recipient said: “All the trees are now safely planted and make me smile when I see them.” Glenkens Pollinators' dispersed orchard R eaders may have heard about the Glenkens Pollinators project in the last issue of the Gazette. Happy tree planters at Dalry Library We had the ambitious aim to distribute 130 fruit and nut trees across the Glenkens. The trees were to be planted in community spaces and gardens throughout the area. Since May, a growing group of orchard enthusiasts has been connecting through workshops and online events, offering to provide a home to one or more trees. Name the Place Phase one of the project has now concluded, with a community micro-orchard planting at Dalry Library on Saturday 8 November, I n each issue a photograph will be taken somewhere in the Glenkens by local photographer Ted Leeming, and readers can have a go at guessing where it is. The answer can be found on p21, with a bit of information and food for thought about that location. Local orchards expert Becky helped hand out the fruit and nut trees to over 40 people. The trees were on their way to Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael and Laurieston – and everywhere else in between. Sarah collected some trees for Bairn Banter which were planted that morning at the Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Other trees found a home in the garden at In total there were 40 apple trees of various varieties, 10 pear trees, 22 plum, five cherry and five walnuts. Thanks to Scottish Power Energy Networks Biodiversity Fund for supporting the project, Dalry Community Council for having the idea, and Propagate for making it happen. We are now delighted to share that thanks to the Galloway Glens Legacy Fund, there will be more Pollinator and Nature Connections coming over the next year. Expect to see orchard care and pruning workshops, Wassail events and more. Abi Mordin, Propagate Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment L ocal businesses and event organisers planning ahead for 2026 are encouraged to explore the accreditation schemes available through the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership, all of which are still entirely free to join. The Biosphere Certification Mark is open to businesses located within the UNESCO region. Many applicants are growers or food/ drink producers, as well as artists, tour guides, wellness businesses and other types of micro-enterprise. Launched in 2019, the scheme assesses businesses using the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as a measure of achievement with a focus on small steps, locally-focused approaches that support community, education, and the natural heritage of the UNESCO Biosphere. Waste reduction, carbon cutting, and energy saving activities will also score a lot of points. The process of applying for certification brings one-to-one business development support and sustainability advice, including the expertise of the Biosphere’s Nature Recovery team for farms and any business with outdoor space. Those achieving the Certification Mark get a free online listing in the Sustainable Business Directory on gsabiosphere.org.uk, ‘welcome’ posts on social media reaching thousands of followers, and the opportunity to be part of national and international press and marketing campaigns including Scotland’s UNESCO Trail. Awardees are also able to use the trademarked Certification Mark logo on products and in digital marketing. page 15 Out and About in the Biosphere Another accreditation, the Sustainable Event Charter, is aimed at organisers running fairs, festivals and sports, with signatories in 2025 including Spring Fling, the Stove Network’s Wild Goose Festival, and Knockengorroch World Music & Arts Festival at Carsphairn. As with the Certification Mark scheme, no event is considered too big or too small; any organiser with a goal of incorporating positive environmental and community impacts is warmly encouraged to apply. Site visits and sustainability advice are available from Biosphere officers while charter events benefit from additional publicity through the Biosphere’s Facebook and Instagram feeds, and its popular monthly e-newsletter. Organisers can also take advantage of free hard copy marketing materials: visitor guides, wildlife leaflets, and leisure itineraries that can be distributed to attendees. Residents of the Glenkens and further afield who are not running a business or public event have a range of options for supporting the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership and getting involved in the charity’s activity programme. Those who want to know (and do) more about the climate and nature crises can sign up as Biosphere Proud Supporters, a no-cost network centring shared goals and knowledge-exchange that has its own calendar of information and networking events. Rosie Gray at Galloway Flowers (Balmaclellan), one of more than 60 Biosphere Certification Mark awardees The charity also runs a volunteer programme with opportunities to join the Biosphere team at cultural and community events in D&G and Ayrshire particularly through spring and summer, a great option for those looking to boost a CV with public engagement experience. Tamara Fulcher is Communications & Marketing lead for the GSA Biosphere Partnership, and says: “We’re still extremely proud that we’re able to target our programme at a hyper-local level and support small, independent and start-up businesses and events through these accreditation schemes, at no cost to those taking part. “In 2026 we want to create even more value for those getting involved, with more joint networkers for Proud Supporters and accredited businesses, and useful in- person workshops on topics like business for biodiversity and ‘Green Stories’ training that can help businesses share their journeys with customers and feel more confident in their marketing. "This in addition to our usual networkers and group visits which we run to help build social connections as well as professional partnerships. The UNESCO Biosphere has a vibrant and diverse enterprise landscape and we want to support the energy and imagination of everyone who’s striving to raise visibility and achieve their sustainability goals.” More information about the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership’s accreditation schemes, volunteer programme, and Proud Supporter network is available at www.gsabiosphere.org.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity About a house M y house (Craig Rotchell) sits in the middle of the gloriously named Saint John’s Town of Dalry. I bought it in 2007 with my late wife Betty; and a marvellous home it has been, hosting family and friends for visits in the summer months and at Christmas. For many years after we moved in, it was referred to as ‘Miss Gibson’s house’ by locals, after a former owner. Little did I know then, that Miss Gibson and I would share an interest in writing letters and articles for publication. To say the house is quirky would be an understatement. It sits in the middle of a village, and yet has three stories; and with no attic, it is unique. Original deeds have not survived, so I have no idea of its age, but it was standing when the first Ordnance Survey map was surveyed in 1849, so I am guessing around about two centuries old. Over the years, I have noted a few hints about its past. For example, there is a blockedoff doorway on Main Street, but there is no missing house number, so this must have been blocked off before the houses were numbered. There is a larder, under the stairs, with cornicing. No-one puts cornicing under the stairs, so the stairs have been moved at some time. Old maps show wells in the back garden, and this must pre-date the public water supply. I have dug up various artefacts in the garden, including clay pipes. Old photographs show that windows have been added and a chimney stack removed, but the charm and versatility of this old building remain. You can even find evidence of the removal of iron railings in World War Two for the war effort. It is now a very different house internally from what the first owners would have known. I wonder if the original builders could have envisaged the page 16 running water, mains sewage, electricity, central heating, fitted carpets and all the rest of our modern paraphernalia. Times move on, and I will be sorry to leave the house and garden, garage, my summerhouse (sitooterie) and all the memories of my friends and family, as well as those of my Ukrainian guests who shared this home for a most of a year. I only hope that Craig Rotchell finds the new owners it deserves. Of the seventeen houses I have lived in, this will always be ‘home’. Paul Goodwin Corsock craft fair Dalry's Fountain of Remembrance S unday 7 December sees the annual extravaganza that is Corsock Craft Fair. Held in Corsock Village Hall, the event celebrates some of the great creative talent from within Corsock and from further across the region. The organisers, Doug Fitch, Amanda Simmons and Hannah McAndrew, all makers themselves, try to ensure that there is a wide variety of crafts and skills represented to give customers choice and be fair to the exhibitors too. This year there will be new faces including coppice crafts from Jenny Stephenson, upcycled cheery hats from Alison Tutcher and marbelled papers by Mavi Hamali. Alongside them will be some returners including exquisite jewellery by Balmaclellan-based Natalie Vardey, funky pants from Vicki Pitts of Auchencairn, and Jo Gallant with her bright applique cushions and scarves. The fair is open from 11am till 3pm, and entry is £1 which includes tea, coffee and a huge selection of delicious homemade cakes. Come along to shop local and join the festive fair fun! Hannah McAndrew Pictured are some creations by Martha Schofield Art, who will be bringing along a variety of her beautiful illustrations, notebooks, greetings cards, bookmarks and original drawings and paintings H aving contributed towards the poppies in Kirkcudbright and Castle Douglas last year, Hilda and I came up with the idea of decorating the fountain for remembrance this year. Initially thinking perhaps we might fill the hanging baskets with poppies, having seen similar elsewhere. However, we got many more than that and the 'Fountain of Remembrance' was born! Hopefully we will be able to keep the poppies and maybe add to them in years to come. The poppies were crocheted and knitted by members of the community and the Glenkens Craft Group, as well as some friends of the village from further afield. We are glad they have been well received by the community. Sarah McAdam Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 17 Galloway Food Hub seasonal recipe T his recipe is from Kylie, one of the Galloway Food Hub's regenerative farmers, who provides customers with many different cuts of beef from her farm, Barnbarroch Organic. BEEF SHORT RIBS IN RED WINE SAUCE Beef short ribs are the absolute best cut of beef for slow cooking; they are tender and succulent, with the meat just falling apart. Cooked long and slow in a rich red wine sauce, these beef ribs are easy enough for midweek, and most definitely impressive enough for company. Ingredients: 5-6 beef short ribs* 1.5 tsp of salt & pepper* 2 Tbsp olive oil* 3 garlic cloves* crushed 1 large onion* chopped 2 celery* ribs chopped 2 carrots* chopped 2 Tbsp tomato paste 500 ml dry red wine 500 ml beef stock/broth 2 bay leaves* 2 sprigs of thyme* (optional) *all these ingredients can be bought through the Galloway Food Hub (subject to availability) Method: 1.Preheat oven to 160°C/325°F. 4. Turn heat down to medium. Add onion and garlic into the same pot and cook for 2 minutes. 5. Add carrot and celery, cook for 5 minutes until carrot is softened and sweet. 6. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. 2. Sprinkle beef all over with salt and pepper. 7. Add wine, broth, thyme and bay leaves. Stir until tomato paste is dissolved. 3. Heat oil in a large ovenproof pot over high heat. Add half the ribs and brown aggressively all over (~5–7 min in total). Remove and repeat with remaining ribs, then remove. 9. Cover with lid and transfer to oven for 3 hours, or until the meat can easily be pried apart with forks. 8. Return beef into liquid, arranging them so they are submerged. 10. Remove beef carefully, keeping the meat on the bone. Cover to keep warm. 11. Strain all liquid in the pot, pressing juices out of the onion, carrot etc. (Optional – can skip if you don't mind chunky sauce) Return sauce into pot, bring to simmer and stir. Adjust as necessary – simmer to reduce/thicken, add water to thin, season with salt and pepper if needed. 12. Place beef on serving plate, spoon over sauce. Serve! Pet blessing service Glenkens Scouts S t Margaret’s Episcopal Church in New Galloway held a pet blessing service in October to mark the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. Priest-in-charge, Rev Dawn Matthew, blessed nine dogs and a cat (an e-puss-copalian), with the latter choosing to be represented by a photo. Lay Worship Leader, Dominique Pope, spoke about nature being a mirror of God and of how the unconditional love of our animal companions can deepen our own capacity to love one another, and to delight in the beauty of the world around us. Thankfully all the animals were wellbehaved – as well as their owners! St Margaret’s holds a morning service every Sunday at 10.30am, and everyone is most welcome to join. Dominique Pope T he Glenkens Cub Scout pack are delighted to welcome Jacob, Cormack, Angul and Marla, who have recently joined. Cubs are thriving, with the youngsters enjoying a learning journey through growth, creativity and achieving badges, as well as having fun. We as a group have been looking at all sections of the Scout family Squirrels, Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorers - and how we are part of a very large world-wide organisation. With help from parents, the Cubs went on to make a family tree. At the pack meeting, they created a clan shield for their family. Finally, we looked at details of a family from records made in 1891, who lived in Scalehill, near Lazonby, and had four children. Their dress was very different from ours. Father was a farmer and they had a domestic servant, as well as a farm servant. On a local census, we found interesting facts under the name of Johstone; the jobs were a weaver, housekeeper, servant, laundress, journeyman and nailmaker. We are working on our naturalist activity badge. Bug hunting was popular, with a few colours of snails found, as well as ants and slaters. Hamish found a newt. The Cubs had a proper container each and after we had a closer look with a magnifying glass at the beasties, we carefully returned them to their habitat. We are looking forward to our halloween party and the CatStrand panto, and the Cubs are attending the Remembrance Day service in New Galloway. The group would like to wish everyone in the Glenkens and beyond a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Stay safe! Yours in Scouting, Heather and Hannah Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity The Lochinvar Hotel page 18 An Interview with Sam Sherwin L ocated on Main Street, at the entrance to St John’s Town of Dalry, the Lochinvar Hotel is a tall, striking building. Its origins date back to the 1700s when it came into being as a coaching inn, serving travellers on the road between Castle Douglas and Ayr. In more modern times, it has been offering hospitality to many different visitors to the Glenkens – walkers, cyclists, shooters and angling clubs as well as general tourists and workers on local infrastructure projects. But it’s much more than that: it’s a great resource for locals in the area too. So I went to talk to the proprietor, Sam Sherwin, to find out more about his role in running the hotel. Originally from Nottingham, an interest in mountain biking first brought Sam to the Glenkens over 16 years ago. “I’d previously been running a golf club but the business grew too big and I came to Kirkcudbright for a year’s ‘sabbatical’ and decided that I liked the area and wanted to stay here. So when I spotted that the Lochinvar was up for sale, I bought it. "This is my 15th year here and I’m happy I made that decision; there are lots of challenges to running a hotel in a relatively remote area like this (finding staff for one!) but the pace of life is great and, as a small business, I can control the volume of activity. What’s important to me is providing a good service for guests and having contact with my customers but also treating my staff well. "I don’t make vast profits but I’m not interested in that; once I recover from a scheduled knee operation, I’ll find time to get back on my mountain bike!” The Lochinvar offers B&B to staying guests as well as evening meals to anyone who walks through the doors. Open seven days a week in the summer and six during winter months (closed on Sundays from October to March), Sam cooks and serves excellent bar food from a wide ranging menu. “There’s all the usual stuff – burgers, pizza, fish and chips and pies – but also plenty of choice for those with particular dietary needs. I’m self-taught as a cook, but I’ve got 30 years of experience in this business. "And I’m happy to say I’ve taken on a new chef who will bring new ideas for our menu, I’m sure. I want to keep the old favourites but we’ll add more variety to what’s on offer.” A sign of the popularity of the Lochinvar is that it doesn’t have its own website. “I don’t need one,” Sam told me, “We’re well enough established and I get lots of regular visitors, both for work and recreation.” When asked how he survived during Covid, he said, “We kept going during that time. We were lucky to have essential workers based here – we had to adapt and serve meals in their rooms. But it meant I got lots of jobs done on the building! Now the main challenge we face, apart from staffing (but we have a good team at the moment!) is the weather...but I’m not complaining about that!” When asked how he wants people to think of the hotel, Sam replied, “I want local people to see the Lochinvar as a community resource that is friendly and relaxed. We offer food and drink at reasonable prices, with a take-away menu too, and the bar is a place where you can drop in and expect a warm welcome. "We’ve got our regulars, including the Glenkens Bridge Club on Monday nights and the monthly Open Mic music sessions on Sunday afternoons, but we’re happy to cater for casual diners and drinkers as well. What’s best about this place is that I can keep the business at a level which is manageable for me and my team and still provide a good service to customers. "And I’m proud of the fact that, in spite of the late nights and early mornings the job demands, I’ve never been late in serving breakfast to guests!” That’s quite an achievement in the hospitality trade. For all those regulars, the Lochinvar Hotel will be open until the week before Christmas, closing for two weeks on Sunday 21 December and reopening on Monday 5 January. “It’s good to give staff a holiday at this time,” said Sam, “and I’ll enjoy a rest too!” For bookings, the Lochinvar Hotel can be contacted on 01644 430 107. Nikky Wilson Celebrate Burns Supper at Lagwyne Hall A s the festive time of year continues to resound across the Glenkens, and indeed the rest of Scotland, we would like to warmly invite you to attend the Lagwyne Hall’s 55th Burns Supper on 16 January 2026, in celebration of the Scottish bard, Robert Burns. Casting a fond memory back to our previous year’s cultural event, the dedicated team of hall volunteers organised a joyous evening filled with exuberant entertainment accompanied by a delicious three course meal, professionally cooked and served by local catering company, Caterbirds. Speakers such as Alec Ross, Graham Bell, James Wallace, Fiona Durham and our very own event chairman, Robert McTurk, took to the stage and had the audience captivated with “a highly gripping” sequence of speeches which left some of the audience "with tears of laughter”. This year, we will be celebrating the Lagwyne Hall’s 55th annual Burns Supper fundraising event and we are delighted to announce that tickets are now on sale. Offering a well-stocked bar, splendid traditional food, excellent entertainment and fabulous company, please join us to raise a glass ‘tae a haggis!’ Tickets cost £30 each and can be booked by emailing lagwynehallbooking@gmail. com or directly through members of the Lagwyne Hall committee (we advice you to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment). Melissa Ade, Correspondence Secretary, Lagwyne Hall Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 19 My journey through technology I have just bought a new car; well, a nearly-new car. I wanted a work horse to carry timber and the like to and fro, and also for day-to-day locally. “I have just the car for you, a Vauxhall Combo EV, just down your street," said the sales guy. What? Me driving an electric car? Scaaary! But I have to admit, I actually like the car and it set me thinking about the fast and furious changes in technology that have occurred through my 83 years... I was born in the early war years in the East End of London, then moved to Essex where I was brought up and educated. My very first experience of new technology was during the war, the V1 flying bomb (the 'doodle bug') which was the first cruise missile. There are three factories and a timber yard in Chelmsford - Marconi Radar and Communications, Crompton’s Electrical Engineering, Hoffman’s Ball Bearings, and of course Foreman’s who supplied the wood to make the Mosquito Bomber. So Chelmsford was a prime target. Doodle bugs flying over our house was a daily occurrence, sometimes two or three a day. I used to stand and watch them fly overhead fascinated by the sound they made. It was like an old motorcycle engine then wait for the engine to stop when it would drop like a brick. Until one day the engine cut out directly over my head and it landed about two hundred yards from our house in the allotment. There was a loud explosion, the ground shook, I screamed and ran indoors for hugs and reassurance. During and after the war, we used to gather around the radio. That was our entertainment; Winston Churchill’s speeches, workers Playtime, Billy Cotton, Archie Andrews and more. When I was eleven the Queens Coronation happened, so everyone went out and bought or rented a TV set special for the occasion. It was wonderful - we could see it as it happened, sitting in our front room. Amazing! It did change my life style slightly, staying in more to watch TV. Like most wartime children, I loved aeroplanes, especially the Spitfire. I used to watch thousand bomber raids grouping over Chelmsford before the set off for Germany - Lancasters, Mosquitos, different types of American aircraft. We used to watch dog fights overhead too - very exciting! I saw the development of the Meteor, Vulcan, Valiant and Victor (V Bombers) and stealth bombers, and the hovercraft, which could travel on land or water, riding on a cushion of air - a wonderful machine. In 1956 I left school and started work at Marconi, as a trainee draughtsman. It was my job to make any modifications to the designers' drawings, working on outside broadcast vehicles and their equipment, and later on the development of colour TV. We did try to transmit a colour programme through the blackand-white TV network, but it failed. All we got was the snowy effect and a loud shhhhhhh-ing noise, so back to the drawing board it was. We had to start from scratch on a colour TV and it’s necessary equipment, then and only then on colour outside broadcast vehicles. It amazes me that even to this day, they design the equipment to fit in the vehicle and not the other way round. We used anything from Transit vans to 40foot articulated lorries. In May 1959 I contracted meningitis and lost all my education, along with my job. So I joined the army, and they gave me back almost all of my education and a brilliant 22-year career as a Combat Medic, as I believe we are called now, for which I shall be for ever grateful. My very first posting was to 47 Guided Weapon Regiment in West Germany, which was the very first missile regiment in the British Army. We used the MGM 5 corporal tactical ballistic nuclear missile. It was 50 feet long and had a range of 75 miles, with a dual chemical fuel system, and it took men in space suits 24 hours to fuel the missile on the launch pad. We used to shoot six missiles over two weeks, from South Uist, but they were unreliable. One or two of the six would miss-fire by not lifting off and boiling like a kettle istead, explode, lift-off come off radar beam, and go berserk. One did this and careered all over South Uist at a height of about 50 feet - luckily it ploughed straight into a hillside. We also had one that launched, came off beam at several hundred feet over the sea and exploded. They were made obsolete in 1964. Since then we have the cruise missile, anti-missile missiles, drones (unmanned aircraft), the space station, and the space shuttle. In between time, the first man to orbit the earth in space, Uri Gagarin, first men on the moon, Neil Armstrong and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin, I remember watching it live on TV. Dr Christian Barnard performed the first heart transplant in the world, smallpox was eradicated, worldwide polio cases reduced by 99%. New medical equipment has come on the scene - MRI scanning, defibrillators. Defibrillators are now a common site in most communities; in the old days it was cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - chest compressions and artificial ventilation (mouth-to-mouth or oxygen). If we wanted to check the heartbeat, we placed a finger over a blood vessel and counted the beats. Today they place a gizmo on your finger that not only reads your pulse rate, but also your temperature and how much oxygen is in your blood. There must also be other advances that I don’t know about. Our communication systems worldwide have changed out of all recognition. We can make phonecalls worldwide, send text messages and emails and get a reply in seconds. We can bank on line; transfer money, pay our bills and more as long as we have the right app. And that is just scratching the surface... We also have robots working in car factories, lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners and cars that can drive themselves. I wonder what will be next? Barry Bryan-Dixon Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 20 Glenkens and District Trust looks towards the future G lenkens & District Trust (GDT) reflects on seven years of success as it strengthens its governance and plans for expansion. GDT is embarking on a significant period of transition as it seeks a new Chair and strengthens its governance arrangements to manage increasing community benefit payments from renewable energy developments. The current chair, Fiona Smith, who has served in the role for seven years, will step down next November as her term of office concludes under the organisation's constitution. The recruitment process for her successor is now underway, marking a pivotal moment for the community-owned and led organisation. Since taking on responsibility for distributing community benefit monies from the Blackcraig Wind Farm in 2018, GDT has awarded over £1.5 million to local organisations and individuals. Working in partnership with fund distributing charity Foundation Scotland, GDT manages annual payments of £264,500 from Blackcraig. strong financial experience. Its remit has expanded significantly in recent years. In addition to the above GDT now receives approximately £60,100 annually from Windy Rig Wind Farm and has signed an agreement with Red Rock Power to receive community benefit payments from Benbrack Wind Farm from late summer 2026, adding a further £110,000 per annum to its funds. The organisation is also embarking on a comprehensive review to learn from past successes and prepare for future challenges. It is also in positive discussions with other developers in the area in relation to future funding arrangements. "Community benefit monies have made a real and tangible difference to our area," Fiona said. "We appreciate the support of our donors and the continued enthusiasm of all our community groups. The availability of these funds makes a real difference to the communities we love and demonstrates the value of placebased decision making." To ensure the organisation remains fit for purpose as it manages growing funds, trustees have recently conducted a detailed governance review. As part of strengthening arrangements, GDT is seeking a further independent trustee with GDT’s strategy aligns with priority themes identified in local Community Action Plans, following Scottish Government Good Practice Principles for community benefit. Through open grantmaking, commissioning, and targeted awards, GDT works to maximise outcomes for residents whilst maintaining transparent communication about all activities. Three trustees actively participate in the Glenkens & District Community Action Plan Steering Group and GDT has provided funding for a review of the action plan itself. Fiona Smith expressed confidence in the transition ahead: "We have strong governance arrangements in place as well as support from Foundation Scotland that will ensure a smooth transition and deal with the exciting future. "I have, personally, gained so much from leading this organisation and have got so much more back than I have put in. Yes, it has been time consuming and, at times, demanding but the rewards are absolutely worth the effort and I am sure my successor will be on a similar journey." If you would like to find out more about the Chair role or have financial experience and are interested in becoming an independent trustee, you can email info@glenkenstrust.org. uk or go to our website www. glenkenstrust.org.uk to find out more. Pictured is a GDT-funded Galloway Fisheries Trust climate resilience project involving tree planting around streams in the upper Urr area OurGlenkens project extended T he Glenkens Commnity & Arts Trust is extending its OurGlenkens social media channels with more short videos spotlighting some of the many amazing people living and working in the Glenkens. This time, the focus is on people aged under 35 (ish!) living sustainable or low impact lifestyles. We've got some great case studies already lined up, but it's not too late to get involved if you would like to be featured. Our professional videographer will come to you and create an uplifting, purely positive oneminute example of how we can all contribute in our own way towards improving the environment or mitigating the climate crisis. This time, the project is funded by the Scottish Government's Climate Engagement fund, and filming will be happening in December and January. If you'd like to get involved or find out more, contact Becca Nelson on becca.glenkens.anf@ gmail.com Do have a look on www.glenkens. scot/our-glenkens for examples of previous videos showcasing some of our amazing young Glenkens residents. You can follow @ourglenkens on Fb, Insta or TikTok, or visit www. glenkens.scot/our-glenkens Pictured is Melissa Ade with her off-grid glamping site, as featured on OurGlenkens Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 21 Cutting off our rural communities E arlier this year the 520 bus, which ran from Castle Douglas to Dalmellington, changed its route, now finishing in Carsphairn. There is now no bus connection between the Glenkens and East Ayrshire. For those without a car, the bus was not just convenience, but necessity. Many in Carsphairn and surrounding areas are now stranded without this vital connection, unable to access healthcare services, basic supplies and connection with Ayrshire and further north. The impact goes beyond welfare issues, it also affects the economy and tourism. The A713, the main artery through SW Scotland has been severed. There is now no way to travel the ‘Galloway Tourist Route to Ayr’ by public transport! Despite petitions and objections from local residents and community councils on both sides of the border, SWestrans, public transport providers for SW Scotland, have refused to reinstate the service, stating the reasons for cessation being a combination of low use of the service and absence of bus subsidy funding. Their advice was that the community should contact Galloway Community Transport to see if they could help, effectively telling us that we should sort it out ourselves. This is an unacceptable response based on a numbers game, completely dismissing the wider ramifications of cutting off this part of the country from a public transport service. Carsphairn is an area of Scotland which, over the last 50 years, has seen 80% of its land re-purposed for renewable energy production - namely commercial forestry plantations and wind farms. We are more than punching our weight in what we provide Scotland and the whole of the UK. Part of the price is low population. Dubbed the new ‘goldrush’, the land is worth premium prices that only large companies can afford. Even if they could, many people do not wish to live in proximity of wind farms due to the impact on views and the noise. Commercial plantations destroy biodiversity and the landscape. Both cause dangerous disruption on small country roads. It becomes a vicious cycle where less people and less biodiversity mean a stronger case for more energy developments. Even with community benefit funds and some farmers receiving muchneeded income from hosting turbines, it is local residents who bear the brunt of multi-million pound investments. Surely it is not too much to expect a public bus service? Again a vicious circle, low numbers justify pulling the bus, resulting in lower numbers using or needing a bus, effectively eventually killing what life this small The service linking East Ayrshire and community has Galloway has been running for over 100 years, left. ensuring a connection between the regions, The Scottish and that Carsphairn residents are able to Government access their closest amenities. This vital purports to support public transport service has now been cut; rural Scottish pictured is the Carsphairn to Dalmellington communities, bus from back in the 1920s, courtesy of the stating that Carsphairn Heritage Archive. they are fundamental and short sighted. We need, to wellbeing, indeed deserve, support for this economy, environment, and vulnerable community. We need cultural identity, and offer it for fairness and wellbeing, but solutions to global challenges we also need it for economy and like climate change. Despite this, tourism. we are still seeing declining rural populations – not just buses, South West Scotland is a beautiful schools are also being closed. The region with much to offer yet push is towards centralisation still largely under-recognised – everyone living in urban/town nationally – why cut it and its conurbations. people off still further? This is an issue much wider than Katch Holmes how many people use that bus. You can sign the petition to SWestrans’ original decision and reinstate the 520 bus at www. subsequent dismissive response change.org/p/reinstate-the-520to objections is ill-considered bus-route-to-aid-our-community all attendees must now be registered before attending. Drop-ins are no longer permitted thank you for understanding that the safety of our young people is our top priority. We're currently full, but we've opened a waiting list for those who'd like to join. A registration form must be completed before attending your first session. If your child has been coming to our Monday meet-ups since August, their spot is confirmed and they're already on the register. For info or to join the waiting list, please contact Sue at glenkensyouth@gmail.com If you would like to volunteer Changes to the Glenkens Youth Group W e're thrilled to see more young people joining us since our return after the summer break! To keep everyone safe and ensure we follow our safeguarding policy, we've made an important change: Name the place (from page 14) Site Name: Knowetop Lochs Location: On the road to/from Corsock Do you ever drive by somewhere and wonder what’s on the other side of the hedge? That was my first understanding of Knowetop Lochs. Why was there a car parked in the lay-by in the middle of nowhere. Eventually I had to know and with it discovered a gem that I return to regularly just for the pleasure of walking amounts the regenerating moss, around the two lochans and listening to the whispers in the trees and foliage of this small nature reserve. with the youth group, please get in touch - whether you're a young person looking for experience or a parent happy to help out, we'd love to see you just email Sue. And remember - we're back at the newly refurbished Glenkens Community Centre in Dalry! Highly recommended for recharging and relaxation (‘good’ shoes advised). Did you know..? The reserve highlights, aside from its inherent beauty, include a variety of dragonflies and damselflies, scotch argus and otters. If you love butterflies go in summer, summer and autumn for the dragons. And May to September for the flowering plants. I just go because it’s delightful! Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 22 Response to the council budget proposals D Government to mitigate rural depopulation. Although the consultation is now closed, final decisions are still to be made by our elected members, and so we thought it might be useful to highlight the Glenkens Community Action Plan Steering Group’s (CAPSG) response to the proposals for your consideration. The full response can be found on the Glenkens Hub www. glenkens.scot under Reports and Resources, but it includes: &G Council (DGC) consulted on its 2026/27 budget between 17 October and 23 November 2025. The consultation indicates that DGC is considering cuts which will have a disproportionate impact on rural communities across the region, through cuts to education and through cuts to lifeline services which directly support our young people, communities and vulnerable people. This is entirely contradictory to the stated positions and policy of the Council and the Scottish The real longer-term impact on Dumfries and Galloway’s economic and wellbeing prosperity has not been sufficiently considered, and greater savings which would have lesser impact seem not to have been considered. • The proposals don’t seem to contain any reductions of senior management positions within the Council to reflect the proposed reduced service provision. • The proposals don’t seem to be informed by research into rural depopulation that the Council itself commissioned to inform important policy decisions. • 69% of the proposed cuts in monetary terms are aimed at children and young people. This would only accelerate the decline of young families living and working in rural communities. conditions worsen. • The proposals include wide cuts to ASN children and students, which disadvantages both them and mainstream students. Why are we targeting the most vulnerable in our communities? • Proposals to de-fund Citizens Advice and direct support payments to children also seem to target the most vulnerable in our communities. • Why are only rural schools included in the proposal for closure? The 4 Dumfries high schools are no more than a ten minute drive from each other and are currently running at <40% capacity between them. • Patient Transport funding is at risk. Without this modest funding that pays for the fuel as volunteers take people to appointments, appointments will be missed and health We know that we cannot create the thriving, sustainable communities we know we can be without holistic, coherent support at a strategic level from our regional partners such as Dumfries and Galloway Council. It is well past time for change, and the Glenkens stands ready to partner with the Council to pilot innovative and transformational ideas such as Education and Learning Hubs, demand-responsive community transport and more. There is a way to do more with less and it is to make bold decisions based on objective evidence and then re-design the public sector as an enabling service towards enacting those decisions in partnership with communities - not preserving old ways of working that no longer fit. Glenkens Community Action Plan Steering Group (CAPSG) Firewood logs & Wood Products for Sale From Carsphairn Community Woodland A range of products are available from our community sawmill Contact us with your requirements ï Free local delivery ï Enquiries to: Tel: 07710 124 255 Carsphairn Community Woodland Limited is commi�ed to acquiring, developing and managing local woodlands in a sustainable and environmentally sound way for the long-term benefit of the local community. Website: www.carsphairn.org/CCWL Company Limited by Guarantee SC591976 Glenkens Gazette page 23 Over the next few pages of the Gazette we have gathered an eclectic mix of local businesses/artisans who are offering a selection of special Gazette reader offers over the festive season. We hope you enjoy finding out about some of the amazing people we have living and working in our wee neck of the woods! Dark Skies coffee J acob Brooks lives outside Mossdale and has just begun an exciting new venture; here he tells us a bit about it - and offers an exciting opportunity for Gazette readers to get involved! My background began in biodynamic farming and growing - learning how to work with the rhythms of the land and the seasons. I spent years cheffing, on and off, which deepened my respect for good ingredients and sustainable practice. These days, my focus is on forestry and trees, managing woodlands and using what I harvest in practical, sustainable ways - whether that’s heating, cooking, or roasting coffee. It’s all part of the same cycle of working with nature rather than against it. Dark Skies Coffee is a simple idea — to roast coffee in a natural way, using what’s around me here in southwest Scotland. I use fallen or sustainably cut wood to fuel the roaster - mostly oak and beech. The process takes longer than using gas or electric heat and demands more attention. It also can't be automated, and it gives the beans a depth that’s worth the effort. The green beans come from small farms that are organic, biodynamic, or regenerative. I like knowing where they’re from and that the soil they grow in is being cared for. The aim is to make something that feels honest - coffee that connects the person drinking it to the land and the elements that shaped it. Roasting over fire is unpredictable. You learn to read the flame, listen for the cracks, smell the change in the beans. It’s work that keeps you close to the process... a bit of a meditation really. We also plant native trees, partly to give back what we use, but also because it feels right that the same landscape providing the wood should be renewed by it. The business is in its infancy really and i am still focused on the product being as near to perfect as I can get it. I have been stocking some beans in the New Galloway shop, but is genuinely different; slowgrown, full of flavour and with a higher nutritional profile to commercially farmed beef. T im Ruge is based at Galrinnies Farm, outside Balmaclellan, and recently brought to life a vision for sustainable local meat that he has been forming for some time. For the last two and a half years I’ve farmed Riggit Galloways, a rare cattle breed that is native to this area. They are small, hardy animals that suit our hills well, they live outside all year round and are 100% grass fed. Over time I realised that the beef they produce I realised that when we sold the Riggits through the livestock mart, all that unique quality got lost - the meat is mixed into the general supply chain and there is no connection left between the animal, the land, and the person eating it. That didn’t sit well with me which led me to the creation of NativeGrazers. The ethos of the company is to reestablish that lost connection between land and food, by selling beef directly to local people who value good food and want to know where their meat comes from. By selling beef directly, we can make sure the animals are respected, the land is looked after, and will be looking at expanding and starting subscriptions in the near future. Reader Offer: Jacob is in the final stages of the testing phase of his coffee, working on the perfect range of roasts. In order to help refine the final product, he is offering the first five Gazette readers to correctly answer the question below and send the answer in to jacob@ darkskiescoffee.net three packs of Dark Skies coffee to try, and give feedback on. Question: What kind of natural heat source is used to roast Dark Skies Coffee? the customer receives something real and traceable and not anonymous supermarket beef. We are now open for pre-orders, offering a range of cuts and meat boxes through our website, with local delivery and collection options. Reader Offer: The first three Gazette readers to send in the correct answer to the question below win a free 500g pack of mince - submit your answers on the 'contact' page at www.nativegrazers.co.uk Question: What diet do our cattle grow on? Glenkens Gazette generated by a round of Strip the Willow. What can psychology offer to this sometimes bleak situation? Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has become so popular in the last 30 years that most people will have heard of it. The main model, the ‘hot cross bun’ and often-used thought records, might lead people to think it’s only a matter of ‘mind over mood’, but I would argue that the real physical environment is hugely important to how we feel. v H ow do you feel when the nights start to get darker, and the temperature starts to drop? Some people love the winter; the cosy nights in by the fire! But there’s no doubt, that objectively speaking, life is harder in winter, even in modern times. We have drastically less hours of light to do things in, so our energy and productivity can drop. We are less likely to go out for an evening stroll, less likely to go to social events. So there can be an element of isolation that comes along in winter, especially for those living alone or as single parents. The pressure of soaring fuel costs, can worry even the most layed-back of sorts. Although keeping warm is not a new challenge. I often wonder if the intricate Scottish reels and complicated ceilidh dances were born out of this need to survive the winters - literally, dance or die! We certainly know the heat which can be For example, the winter environment has a direct effect on our physical body, like lower vitamin D and lack of light, which can lower mood. The weather impacts our behaviour; doing less, or less social interactions, also lowering mood. With higher living costs, it’s more likely our thoughts will wander to worry or stress; lack of cash might lead us to do less and isolation might lead to low mood. Pretty depressing indeed! The beauty of this model, however, is that everything affects everything else. It all interacts! So accepting that the winter environment is likely to have an impact on us, we can then consider what we can change or do that will help or counteract page 24 some of these effects and lift our mood again. We can try to keep physically active by going out walking anyway, wrapped up warmly or joining an indoor activity group. We can arrange regular social meet ups in people’s houses, keeping contacts going and heating only one place instead of several. We can attend evening events, including ceilidhs and dance nights, ecouraging friends to go, sharing lifts. We can also keep a wee eye on those pesky negative thoughts. When we feel low, we see the world through dark tinted glasses; when we’re anxious, we imagine the worst. So noticing this, catching the thought and looking for a more helpful one, can help us to feel brighter or calmer. We can also try to practice self compassion. The inner critic always gets us down, telling us we should have gone out for a walk, we should have gone to the gym! Imagine the opposite character, your Ideal Compassionate Other. They understand how the rain put you off, how hard a Scottish winter can be, and won’t judge you for your understandable lack of energy. They will encourage, forgive, support and wish you well - all the way to the spring! Dr Ally Baker, Clinical Psychologist For more information and free meditation resources visit www.atherapeuticspace.com Reader Offer: The first Gazette reader to send in the correct answer to the question below wins a free session with Ally at A Therepeutic Space, in Moniaive. Submit your answers to Ally at drbaker@ atherapeuticspace.com Question: Which type of therapy is alluded to in this article? Demijohn at Glenlair D emijohn was founded in Edinburgh in 2004 by Angus and Frances Ferguson, and is now based at Glenlair Steading, on the edge of the Glenkens. They source unusual, delicious artisan liqueurs, spirits, oils and vinegars from around the UK and Europe and sell them in a wide range of refillable glass bottles. "With great excitement we are pleased to share the launch of a new product as part of our larger Christmas gift collection, our Demijohn Christmas Goody Bag." said Angus Ferguson, owner of Demijohn. The new Demijohn Christmas Goody Bag is a jute shopping bag filled with some favourite festive food and drink Demijohn products, all beautifully wrapped as individual gifts. Angus said: “We love Christmas as a family, especially when there is lots of wonderful food and drink including a tot of sloe gin on Christmas Day. Our new Demijohn Christmas Goody Bag was created to help make everyone’s seasonal gathering of family and friends equally special; it is a bag full of the best edible Christmas gifts ever!” There are five Demijohn stores, the newest and largest of which is located at Glenlair Steading, on the edge of the Glenkens, towards Castle Douglas. There's good news for Christmas shoppers planning a visit to Glenlair Steading in December, with longer opening hours and a Christmas shopping event on Saturday 6 December which mixes Christmas shopping with mulled drinks, mince pies and Christmas carols. To find out more visit www.demijohn.co.uk/ products/christmas-at-demijohn-sat-6thdec-2025 Reader Offer: The first Gazette reader to email the correct answer to the question below wins a Demijohn Christmas Goody Bag. Get in touch through the contact page at angus.ferguson@demijohn.co.uk to submit your entry. Question: What year was Demijohn founded? The Waterfront Café Glenkens Gazette T here is a special spot right here at home where the coffee is strong, the lunches are hearty, and the view reminds you how lucky we are to live in the Glenkens. Tucked right on the shores of Loch Ken, the café at the Galloway Activity Centre offers a cosy place to relax, refuel and enjoy the beauty on our doorstep. Early morning walkers, cyclists or families heading out on adventures - or anyone simply searching for a good cuppa - will feel right at home. Freshly brewed coffee comes with a friendly smile, and warm page 25 paninis, indulgent waffles and homemade treats are ready to enjoy whether you are taking a break from outdoor fun or meeting friends for a catch-up. The team knows just how long the winter can feel, especially when daylight is short and many local options close for the season. To give the community a welcoming place to gather, the Waterfront Café has decided to stay open throughout the colder months, for as long as locals keep popping by. So do stop in - a hearty lunch and a change of scenery can lift spirits more than we realise. The view does plenty of the talking. Loch Ken glimmers through every window, and wildlife drifts past with the hills forming a quiet, stunning backdrop that makes any visit feel a little calmer and brighter. The café is open seven days a week from 8.30am till 4pm. A limited menu is served Monday to Thursday, with the full menu available Friday through Sunday. Whether you are planning a day out or just fancy a peaceful place for a hot drink, this little Lochside gem is ready to welcome you. Rachel, Manager, Waterfront Café Reader Offer: The first Gazette reader to email the correct answer to the question below wins a £30 voucher to use in the Waterfront Café. Get in touch through the contact page at www.lochken.co.uk to submit your entry. Question: When you hop on a Galloway Activity Centre boat tour, what might you spot gliding gracefully across Loch Ken? a) Red Kites and swans b) Dolphins and penguins c) Sheep wearing lifejackets Christmas at Barwhillanty A s the festive season draws near, Barwhillanty is hosting a series of events to celebrate this special season. Saturday 13 December: Christmas Opera in the House Immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas with an enchanting evening of music at Barwhillanty House. The event will commence at 6.30pm, with the performance starting at 7.30pm, set within the elegantly decorated drawing room. Enjoy a repertoire of traditional carols, beloved opera, and classical masterpieces, performed by Scottish artists: Claudia Wood (Soprano), Christian Scneeberger (Baritone), and Ailsa Aitkenhead (Pianist). This festive musical gathering promises to be the perfect finale to the year. Tickets are priced at £24 for adults and £19 for those under 26. Wednesday 17 December: Look Up! Stars, Comets and Meteor Showers This event will run from 5-7.30pm in the walled garden; an evening dedicated to the wonders of the night sky. Enjoy hot drinks and homemade soup as we celebrate dark skies and anticipate the peak of the year's most spectacular meteor shower. Guided by our Dark Sky Ranger, Matthew, you will have the chance to spot comets, the Milky Way, Jupiter and her moons, a variety of constellations, and perhaps even catch sight of an Aurora! from 3.30-4.30pm. Gather at the pavilion for an hour of festive cheer, complete with sparkling lights, mulled wine, and a selection of favourite carols led by members of Castle Douglas’ SongWave Choir. Even if it’s cloudy weather, Matthew will share his extensive knowledge of astronomy, including tips on navigating and telling time by the stars. This outdoor event is suitable for ages 12 and above, and please dress warmly. Tickets are priced at £19 per person. Audience participation is warmly encouraged, ensuring a joyful start to Christmas week. Admission is priced at £4 per head and £3 for children aged 12 to 16. Minimum age for attendance is 8. Monday 22 December: Carols in the Walled Garden Reader Offer: There are two free tickets available for Carols in the Walled Garden on 22 December for the first Gazette readers to email Anna.Nelson@ barwhillantyestate.co.uk Get into the Christmas spirit with family and friends with this event, which runs To find out more about these events visit www.barwhillantyestate.co.uk Glenkens Gazette D ynamic Domestic: Where cleaning is more than just a job, it’s a passion. A trusted name for homeowners seeking high-quality, professional cleaning with a personal touch, the company is setting new standards for domestic cleaning in the region. Offering a customer-centred approach ensuring that every client feels like a priority, with cleaning plans that are flexible and customised to suit individual requirements. Founded by Victoria Birch, who grew up in the Glenkens and now lives in New Galloway, her vision is more than just a cleaning company it’s a reflection of local values and a commitment to community, Victoria has carved a niche for her business offering a high quality cleaning solution with a twist, the stylish Fiat 500’s have become synonymous with the company, easily recognisable with their bold branding on the regions roads. The company’s staff is known for being punctual, polite and respectful of clients’ privacy, with clients appreciating the work D alry's Clachan Inn has recently been placed within the 100 best pubs in the UK by the Good Food Guide. The Good Food Guide (www. thegoodfoodguide.co.uk/restaurant/theclachan-inn) says: Halfway up the Southern Upland Way, alongside the Galloway Forest park, the Clachan is in a world of its own. Get off the M74 and turn left at Gretna Green. A whitewashed village inn with slate floors, antique panelling and a bar festooned with dried hops, it runs to a template that will have your metropolitan friends turning green with envy. The bothy takes the overspill from the main dining area – and there is nearly always overspill, so popular is the locally sourced, smartly presented cooking. A game-season starter might partner life balance that Victoria provides to her team, all members are fully trained, carefully vetted to ensure jobs are completed to the highest standards, each cleaner is not only skilled in professional cleaning techniques but dedicated to delivering service with integrity and professionalism. Additionally as the regions demand for top tier Holiday Accommodation has grown so has the teams understanding of these individual enterprise’s needs, offering a service which streamlines handling linen services, restocking essentials and reporting maintenance issues directly to owners and letting agents. page 26 In an ever-changing world, Dynamic Domestic has proven that some things like a clean home and excellent customer service never go out of style. Whether you need a one-time cleaning service, regular maintenance, or deep cleaning expertise for more than a decade Dynamic Domestic has proven its self a respected local brand. Reader Offer: Victoria is offering three lucky Gazette readers the chance to refresh their stored winter duvets with a free wash and dry at the laundrette in Castle Douglas, with collection and drop-off (Glenkens residents only). Get in touch; the first three to email the answer to the quesiton below win - admin@ dynamicdomestic.co.uk Question: Where is company owner Victoria Birch from? Victoria and her teams hard work has paid off with both local and National Recognition, winning Three Best Rated Cleaning Services Dumfries and Galloway four years consecutively, Best Employer 2023 Domestic Cleaning Industry Awards, Trusted Trader, Living Wage Employer. Gelston partridge with pickled pear, golden raisins and a hash brown done in duck fat, or look to potted shrimps with pickles of kohlrabi and cucumber. Loin of the local venison goes into a labour-intensive main course with a pie of the braised shank, with fondant swede and red cabbage for company, while the marine option might team monkfish and mussels against a backdrop of celeriac, 'nduja, black olives and samphire. At the end, there might be buttermilk panna cotta with rhubarb and gingerbread, or a platter of Scottish cheeses with oatcakes and chutney. The short wine list is founded on a bedrock of seven wines by the glass, from £3.25. Warmth: Very Good Strength of recommendation: Very Good Overall Rating: Good Uniqueness: Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Good Deliciousness: Good Reader Offer: The Clachan Inn are offering a special festive Gazette reader discount for anyone who would like to book a meal in December - call 01644 430 241. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 27 Galloway Retold with Angela Miller Stroanfreggan iron age hill fort I haven’t really told you much about the process of filming before. Normally I like to give you some historic background to a video in these wee columns but my latest video is a bit different, so I want to talk a bit about that this time. We are very lucky in the Glenkens to be surrounded by History. There’s crumbling castles, abandoned villages, ruined mines and so many hidden spots where you can stumble over tall kinds of traces of our past. What doesn’t happen often in the Glenkens is a proper, scientific examination of one of these places, but thanks to the Carsphairn Heritage Initiative and AOC archaeology, that has just recently happened at Stroanfreggan Iron Age Hill Fort. It was a four week dig, looking to get some confirmation of the Fort’s age, size and level of occupation, taking place over the end of September and beginning of October. It was an opportunity I couldn’t let slip past, so I arranged for us to go up to make a film about the dig. Cathy MacIver, the project manager for AOC archaeology, suggested that we go up in the second last week of the dig, when it would be well progressed. The last week they would be filling back in, because the site is a scheduled monument, and would have to be left in as close to the same condition as it was found in. I was really excited, I’ve never done a film like this for my channel before. I found myself checking the long term forecast every day for the best part of a month, praying that the wet, windy autumnal weather we were having would give us enough of a break to get my not very weatherproof camera and our not very windproof drone out to film. By the Friday before we were due to go up the heavens opened with some of the heaviest rain I have ever seen and I was beginning to despair. Luck was with us though, and the week we’d picked out for filming brightened up, and the winds died down. Stroanfreggan overlooks the Water of Ken not very far above the High Bridge of Ken and Kendoon Loch, with the Carsphairn to Moniaive road running right by it. It’s not a particularly high hill, but it’s got great views of the whole of the surrounding country, and it has some pretty steep sides. We had the bright idea of filming me walking up to meet Cathy at the dig with the drone, so I set off up the hill at a fair steg, wanting to look fit for the camera. By the time I got to the top though, I was huffing and puffing so much I had to stop and catch my breath before I could actually speak to anyone. Thankfully, with a bit of editing magic, you won’t see that in the video. The weather held for the day, and Cathy gave us a brilliant tour of the site, and we got all of our b-roll and drone footage, then scuttled off home to review it and write the bits of script I’d need for our second day of filming, when I’d do the Intro and conclusion to the video. The weather kept playing nice for us and the second day went well. Everything was looking set for a great wee film! Now, one thing I have learned over the years of making films is that everything that can go wrong probably will. We had some issues with the mics, which we solved with editing and captions, and then our usual editing programme completely failed and we had to learn an entirely new one. That used up all of the rest of October, but it did get us a finished video. The new one works well though, so we finally managed to get the new film together and onto my YouTube Channel. It’s called, quite simply, Stroanfreggan Iron Age Hill Fort, and if you hop onto YouTube and look for ‘Galloway Retold’, you’ll know you have the right one because you’ll see me in my red jacket! Angela Miller is the librarian at Dalry Library and a keen local historian. You can view her YouTube channel by searching YouTube or Google for 'Galloway Retold'. Photo of the Issue T his issue's winner is Freiya Macadam with a lovely snap of one of the squirrels which frequent her window feeder. Freiya wins two portions of mac 'n' cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "What an amazing treat - to have squirrels coming up so close! Such a lovley photo of such a beautiful creature." To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 28 Stroanfreggan community dig update T he exciting archaeological dig at Stroanfreggan has now come to an end. This project, undertaken by the Carsphairn Heritage Initiative, has proved to be really interesting and gave many members of the Glenkens community a rare opportunity to partake in an ancient excavation on their doorstep. Contracted in to manage the daily digging were AOC Archaeology, a very experienced team who did a fantastic job on site. The first week brought perfectly calm, sunny and dry weather, although this was to change dramatically on the second week when storm Amy hit and turned the dry dirt into slippery mud. Despite any climatic challenges the four metre wide stone outer walls of the fortress were dug out from beneath the ground, along with edges of other stone structures and the complex walls making up a large burial cairn below the fort site. Along with the many daily volunteers who came along to get involved, there were also visits from Carsphairn childrens group Bairn Banter, Dalry Secondary School and various history groups. We eagerly await the findings to be sorted and analysed in various laboratories, before being explained and presented by the AOC team. The first stage of this will be in a presentation at the Catstrand on 10 December, followed next year by a static exhibition in the Carsphairn Heritage Centre which will be open on weekends to the public. We look forward to seeing you at one of these public events, if The Loch Doon spitfire F lying Officer Frantisek Hekl first flew a Spitfire on the 24 October 1941. The following day, Saturday 25 October at 10.25am, he took off from Heathfield airfield in Ayr in Spitfire P7540 for his second and final flight. Frantisek made his way south to Loch Doon on a familiarisation sortie and flew low and fast over the loch. He made a banking turn to the right, but his starboard wingtip struck the surface of the water and he spun in in an explosion of water. Eye witness reports that the only trace of anything was an oily slick on the water. After radio contact was lost with the aircraft, a Hawker Hurricane aircraft was dispatched with F/ Lt Tomas Vybiril at the controls and sent to Loch Doon to look for the lost aircraft and pilot. Sadly, nothing was sighted apart from a flying boot and a glove bearing the name of the pilot which confirmed his identity. He was 26 years old. Nothing more was ever found of Frantisek Hekl and he still lies in the quiet waters of Loch Doon. He was decorated with the Czech War Cross and the Polish Virtuti medal. Fast forward to 7 September 2025. After almost 80 years, and a lot of hard work and dedication from so many people and organisations, a memorial was unveiled for Frantisek Hekl beside Loch Doon. The Czech government were outstanding you have any questions please just get in touch via email at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Ben Ade, Carsphairn Heritage Initiative Pictured are pupils fro m Dalry Secondary School braving the weather to help with the dig and without them, this would never have come to fruition. I can only thank them so much on behalf of everyone involved from the UK, and together we now have a beautiful memorial which will stand beside Loch Doon forever. This will hopefully make sure that for many generations to come, people will be aware that young men and women gave up so much so that we could live as we do today. Please never forget them. In 1982, the remains of Spitfire P7540 were recovered from Loch Doon and taken to Dumfries and David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP Galloway Aviation Museum for restoration. After more than 30 years, Spitfire P7540 is now fully restored and can be seen at our museum. She sits in her own building and the full story of Frantisek Hekl and his Spitfire P7540, can be relived and wondered by all. Please come along to our museum, there is so much to see and learn - we cater to people of all ages. John Hilsley Dumfries Aviation Museum Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory Corseglass school T he book, History of Education in the Stewartry by J A Russell, published in 1951, states: "The Glenkens is the most clearly marked division the entire Stewartry in the seventeenth century and stood for a ‘Glenkens Presbytery’. "Considering the geographical isolation from which it suffered - and to a more limited extent still suffers - the Glenkens Parishes have a record in education which, if not second to none, is decidedly better than of most areas." The mention of the Glenkens being remote accurately reflects Glenkens inhabitants' views today. Geographical location cannot be changed. This rurality has has a direct impact on NHS services, purchasing food, entertainment (including bowling/golf/ CatStrand/and all the necessary clubs running locally in village halls), education, fuel, local trades/business of all kinds; the list is endless. I, personally, thank my lucky stars daily that all of these services are still available, enabling people to stay in the Glenkens, as well as helping to attract new people to our exceptional part of Southern Scotland. The book continues: "...these small schools are largely inadequate to serve so large and extensive parishes and can only accommodate pupils within a three mile radius. Hence, such as are further distant hire young lads into their families that have been bred at public school, to teach their children English and Arithmetic, which they can do for £4 or £5 a year. When four or five families lie continuous, they hire a teacher among them for £5 to £6 and by this means all the children are taught to read and write." At one point the Glenkens contained 22 small schools. The first school in the Glenkens was in the Parish of Dary, created in 1668, and it was a free grammar school (and so not a parish school), a mere two years after the Pentland Rising. Built "through a hansom mortification, got away to a real flying start...It cannot be claimed that pre-1696 educational record of the Stewartry is at all impressive. Only in Kirkcudbright (the sole burgh town, tiny New Galloway apart) Dalry and Minnigaff were there schools established beyond all cavil. "It (Dalry Free Grammer School) flourished exceedingly, so in that other fateful year, 1696, the historic ‘clachan’ found itself in a unique position – with a school ready to take the place of a parochial establishment, and without feed of any kind being involved towards its maintenance." However, by the end of the 17th Century, a review by the Presbytery found that Dalry had no parish school, and so Smeaton Bridge and Corseglass Schools were built for the north of the parish – a salary of £51 6s and 6d being divided between the two teachers. The school at Smeaton Bridge was the first to fall by the wayside, with Corseglass school roll increasing greatly and ultimately could boast 48 pupils. However, depopulation inevitably took its toll on this wee school. If anyone is interested in reading further regarding all small schools in the Glenkens, Anna Campbell has written a book titled Glenkens Schools Over the Centuries. The ruin of Corseglass school is situated on the road running between the B7000 and the A702, running past Lochinvar reservoir. There was, until very recently, a sign stating the name of the school. However, in storm Agnes on 27 September 2023, this sign disappeared. I felt strongly that this ‘pile of stones’ at the side of the road required to be marked in some way, to ensure that this piece of history page 29 was not forgotten, and so ensued a labour of love. It took well over a year of asking local land owners if they knew who owned the land the ruin sat on, in order to get permission to erect a sign. Finally, I was able to get help from a friend to point me in the correct direction – Scottish Woodlands Ltd - who sought permission from the owner on my behalf. I never did discover who owned such a beautiful spot. After getting a rough cost for a sign came the search for funding. Here the Glenkens Community Shop stepped up, and I also approached The Galloway Association of Glasgow, who very kindly thought this a worthwhile endeavour. It seems to be an easy task to choose a few words to reflect the life and times that this building held and what it meant to the community. However, I found it very difficult to choose a selection of the entries from the School Log Book (contained within Anna Campbell’s book). Drawing on my own extensive experience working in a school, I went with the ones that easily reflected the antics that happen in schools all over the land, and continue to this day. There are, of course, many more mentions of Corseglass in other books, and the building was also used for dances and music long after it ceased being a school. I scoured signage for historic buildings all around to get a ‘feel’ for the kind of thing both written and how the actual signs were built, beginning to decide exactly what I knew I wanted. All the staff at Border Signs & Graphics, from the lady in the office who could tell me what all the materials were made of and what would last the longest, to the workshop and artwork specialists involved throughout the process, were super to work with and smoothed the process enormously. Finally, I received the email letting me know I could collect said sign. I had persuaded my husband to do the erecting for me, to save on further costs. My thought of choosing a sunny day and taking the dog and picnic up to Corseglass proved fruitless; on the day I chose the clegs were out in force, and we were bitten to pieces and had to grin and bear it as best we could and beat a hasty retreat when finished! Jennie Harvie Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 30 Galloway rifle volunteers in the Glenkens A series of crises in Anglo-French relations from the 1830s through to 1858 gave rise to increasing fears that Britain could be invaded easily by the French and that the small British Army was inadequate to resist. Despite the fact that few regular soldiers or Commanders agreed, influential figures such as Wellington, Tennyson, the Duke of Cambridge and the Times leading an increasingly strident press campaign led to public pressure to increase the number of soldiers available to fight the French when they arrived. The Earl of Derby’s Government had to bow to popular pressure and to increase the number of soldiers but they refused to allocate any extra resources or to raise taxes. The volunteers would satisfy public opinion and cost the government virtually nothing. Each unit was to be largely selffunded and each volunteer was responsible for their uniform and weapon initially. A Rifle Volunteer Corps would be accepted if they had a rifle range of at least 200 yards, a safe store for weapons and a uniform. A tidal wave of patriotism and a desire to both defend the local area along with a sense of duty swept the country. Nationally over 800 rifle corps were founded within two years. The Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser and the Galloway Gazette would ensure that Galloway knew its patriotic duty. In August 1859, at a crowded meeting at New Galloway Town Hall, proposals to begin to raise money and to form a company of rifle volunteers were proposed by Provost Muir and accepted. Throughout Glenkens money was raised by public subscription. Within a few months over £100 had been raised and over 30 men enrolled into the company which was accepted by Queen Victoria as the 3rd Kirkcudbright Rifle Volunteers. Their first Captain, Wellwood Maxwell of Glenlee, was shortly succeeded by John Gordon Maitland of Kenmure Castle. The 3rd KRV also started life with detachments at Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Laurieston, Mossdale and Parton. Each company in the Galloway Rifle Volunteers (GRV) was free to have differences in uniform and the New Galloway Company was a little more independent than other, medium grey rather than dark grey. They fell into line with most of the other Stewartry companies in 1863 when changing to green like the Rifle Brigade. At this time the 3rd KRV had around 56 effective volunteers who attended drill, shooting practice and an Annual Review/Camp. To encourage excellence, many Captains and also landowners donated cash and other prizes for achievement. From 1880, the Glenkens company was reorganised as ‘E’ Company of the Galloway Rifle Volunteer Corps. The GRV had a reputation for good shooting and often outshot regular battalions and E Company [New Galloway] was one of the better shooters inside the GRV. In Glenkens there were four areas used as ranges - Airie Farm, Slogarie, Crue Farm in Laurieston and Waterside Hill in Dalry. New Galloway Volunteers drilled in the Town Hall and Dalry Volunteers in a hut at Garplefoot. Numbers held up well in Glenkens and across the region. The GRV was a popular unit and very well supported by local people. The introduction of the Territorial Army from 1908 brought an end to a proud chapter in the history of our local communities. A need was identified and local men rose to the occasion. Bruce Smith Illustration of uniform styles from the book Records of the Scottish Volunteer Force, 1859-1908 by Major General JM Grierson Milestone reached on Windy Standard III Wind Farm construction F Advertisement red. Olsen Renewables has reached a significant construction milestone on their Windy Standard III Wind Farm project with the first pouring of concrete for the turbine foundations. The Fred. Olsen Renewables development, first consented in 2021, will be capable of generating 87.6 megawatts of renewable energy and deliver a community benefit fund of over £400,000 per annum to the surrounding communities. Eirik Brandsdal, project manager at Fred. Olsen Renewables said: “We are delighted with the progress of the project and to have reached this is a major milestone for Windy Standard III.” Elliot Bidmead, project manager for Jones Bros, is excited that the project is on schedule. “Reaching and completing the first foundation pour is always a significant milestone on our wind farm developments. “It is the culmination of weeks of tireless work by our highly skilled and well-organised team, which is already focused on making further progress in the forthcoming weeks and months.” The pouring of concrete for turbine foundations follows the completion of ground investigation, access track construction, and associated crane hardstand construction, to allow for turbine delivery and erection. First power generation from the wind farm is expected in winter 2026. If you have any questions, please do get in touch with the team – we are happy to help! You can email us at communities@fredolsen.com or call 07435 763 900. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 31 It's panto time again - oh yes it is! T he CatStrand Youth Players have been rehearsing since September and are really looking forward to staging their fourteenth annual pantomime, ‘Babes in the Wood’, from 5–7 December. The script is written by our favourite, tried and tested playwright Paul Reakes who has written all but two of the fourteen CatStrand pantos so far. A memorable collection of characters brings the enjoyable tale to life as the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham plans horrible deeds including robbing the poor and poisoning his nieces (the babes) so that he can inherit their fortune. However, Robin Hood and his Merry Men have other ideas, not least to rescue Maid Marian from the clutches of the Sheriff despite various attempts to interfere by the wicked witch Nausea Nightshade egged on by the Sheriff. Meanwhile the babes’ nanny, Nurse Nitwit and the Sheriff’s hapless guards Mole and Wart provide plenty of laughs along the way as the story reaches the obligatory happy ending! The cast features Ella Campbell as Robin Hood, Josh Wells as the Sheriff and Liam McQueen as Nurse Nitwit. This much anticipated annual event usually sells out all four shows quickly but if you haven’t got your tickets yet, you might still be lucky enough to grab a few. After panto we will start work on our one act play entries for the 2026 drama festival season, and we are always looking for new members of all ages. Under 18s can take part in the Youth Festival and over 18s in the Open Festival. If you would like to be involved, please let us know as soon as you can – phone CatStrand 01644 420 374 or email info@ catstrand.com to register your interest. David 07513 180 960 JOINERY & CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Renovation & Conversions New Builds Extensions Groundworks Roofing Kitchen Fitting Windows/Doors Interior Finishings Covering Dumfries & Galloway Reliable Tradesmen Check out our projects on our socials! D.Mason Joinery @d.mason_joinery d.mason.joinery@gmail.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 32 Pilgrim's Chronicles I n this edition, we will introduce a series of fictional pieces by an author with a love of the Glenkens; they write under the pen name Runa and is fond of "long walks, hot drinks, and conversations with moss". Dear friend, It has been a while since I last wrote to you. Today, however, I felt this was a task not to be delayed any longer. My perambulations have recently led me to pass through a place locally known as the Glenkens, in Southwest Scotland. These names are of little value to us, yet they still provide a transitory reference to the reality of place. In the Glenkens there are remarkably vibrant little woodlands. I am particularly fond of one such grove, which I call the Happy Forest because my impression is that the creatures that live there have little fear of one another, and most remarkably, appear largely untroubled by the presence of humans. Such places, as you may well understand, offer much appreciated respite for pilgrims such as us. Today I went there again to witness the quiet splendour of the end of summer, when the heat that was and the cool that is to come have come together in balmy balance. The air was moist, the scents rich and mildly intoxicating and the light had a subtle golden quality. This is the time of year when Natura displays an BUY A RUG FOR CHRISTMAS Handmade traditional Afghan rugs raising funds for schools in Afghanistan through local Glenkens charity, the Afghan Schools Trust. Contact Robin on 07952 280 902 or email robinade@hotmail.com Pilgrim’s Chronicles are a series of letters from one traveller to another, tracing threads of love, belonging and strangeness discovered during journeys across the planet. Each letter offers a window into encounters both ordinary and extraordinary, weaving personal reflection with the landscapes, cultures, and creatures met along the way. The series seeks to evoke the intimate and contemplative experiences of wandering, capturing the delicate balance between the familiar and the unfamiliar, and the inner revelations that travel can bring. abundance of fruits, colours, essences, before it makes a closing bow and withdraws into the netherworlds. field of awareness, so I had to witness them as well. What is the life animating these other creatures? We pilgrims are witnesses, which as you know means more than observing this and that. I thought of the first time I heard the eagle’s cry, a display of might that filled the sky and my heart with awe. And another time when, sleeping outside in the savannah, the wild lion’s roar woke me up, an expression of force that registered in my marrow. As I sit in the forest, I know I am part of its consciousness. The forest knows itself through me and I am voluntarily joining its unfolding by simply being present. My life testifies to it. I was in this state of communion with the life of the forest when I was shaken - we all were - by an explosive roar coming from the sky. I looked up. First I didn’t see anything, but I guessed what the source was - the loud and powerful engine of a military jet. The sound faded but shortly after, there was another eruption, as seemingly from nowhere. More followed. My eyes sought to track the planes. In the speed of their passing I could see them: dark, small, sleek, with sharp angles and narrow wings. I wondered when they would stop. Their consecutive appearance was saturating the space. Flying at low altitude, from multiple directions, they were now part of our Now, in the Happy Forest, I tuned into these humans that were piloting the aircraft. Clearly, they felt themselves powerful. Partly by holding a strong engine that allows them to fly, fast and strong. It is the human predator claiming the sky through its engineering prowess, by means of the machine. But there is more. Their sense of power comes from being part of something greater. Their souls are hooked to a wider grid, whether they know it or not. Soldiers are made to feel great, beyond their unclaimed fears, in return for their alignment to the warlords, and their invisible allies. Oh the rush for death’s glory in the life of humans… Still, how to reconcile the claim for war in the golden, round beauty of a late summer in the Galloway forest? It brings to mind that fine distinction between power and potency… These are the musings I can confide to you as your fellow pilgrim, assigned to this planet. I miss your company but I understand it is still not time for us to be together. Meanwhile, I am doing what you have suggested and am writing these things, even as I feel that we pilgrims can only ever write in the sand. And I imagine your reply: yes, but the sea keeps all the records. With the turning light, in loving regard, Rūna Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 33 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers on a journey into his world of writing, reading and general thoughts on life. T he Sky Wept Fire I’ve written here before about the ISIS Prisons Museum (https://prisons. museum/en/isis ). Now we’ve launched another website dedicated to documenting the prisons of the Assad regime (www.prisons.museum/ en/syria). Both websites have an ‘articles’ section which displays accounts of imprisonment under various other political detention systems around the world, from Iran to Guantanamo Bay. It is interesting to see how the tools of torture and technology of abuse are often very similar even in regimes which are supposedly ideologically very different. Such horrors cross borders more easily than people. It was in this context that I contacted Mikail Eldin. As a partisan journalist with Chechen independence fighters, he was captured and very brutally interrogated by the Russians before being transferred to an almost equally brutal filtration camp. I asked him to write an account of his imprisonment for the Prisons Museum. He did so – in Russian – and I ‘translated’ it, though I speak no Russian and can’t even read the alphabet, using Google Translate. There were a couple of places in the text where I needed clarification, but basically, the new technology has rendered the job of translator obsolete. Which is somewhat frightening, I think – but that’s another story. I was so impressed by Mikail’s article that I decided to read his book, The Sky Wept Fire, which was translated not by AI but by Anna Gunin, who had put me in touch with him. Mikail was detained during the first Chechen independence war (19941996), but he witnessed the second war too (1999-2009). War is, of course, much better experienced vicariously. “It is only possible to write beautifully about war if you have never witnessed it from within,” Mikail writes. I think I disagree, because he has managed to do it. I do agree, however, when he writes, “This is not a seductive story of war for the adventurous or the romantic.” It’s a determinedly unromantic, unsentimental account of terrible events and behaviour, but also of the contrary trend, of selfsacrifice and brotherhood. The writing often slips into second person, that is, Mikail often addresses himself as ‘you’, like this: “You sever yourself from the past and reject the future…” Not much writing does this, and I always like the effect when it does. (Mohsin Hamid’s novel How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia does it really effectively, because it’s in part a satire of the self-help genre.) I asked Mikail why he’d chosen the second person, and he responded, “It was very difficult psychologically to describe these events. So I unconsciously began writing this way, distancing myself from them. But in the end, it turned out well.” Chechen political and cultural background, and landscapes and cityscapes, and the details of battle, and physical pain and relief. But its treatment of the psychological aspect is the most engaging. This is a raw but also subtle account of the ravages of imperialism, and also of the stark beauties of mountainous Chechnya, a place to visit in an alternate dimension, if it were only free. The book describes Advanced Massage Practitioner £7.00per night per dog Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 34 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 35 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Michele Owen 07940 313 445 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 • Parton: Tom - 07835 821 976 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Crossmichael (Church Hall), 9.30am: Dec 7; Dec 14, Dec 21, Dec 28, Jan 4, Jan 11, Jan 18, Jan 25 Balmaclellan, 11am: Dec 7, Dec 25, Jan 4 Carsphairn, 11.15am: Dec 14, Dec 28, Jan 11 Kells, 11am: Dec 21, Sep 21, Jan 18 Dalry, 11am: Dec 24, Dec 28, Jan 25 SPECIAL EVENTS - Dec 23, 5pm, Community Service & party, Carsphairn Church; Dec 24, 11.30pm, Watchnight Service, Dalry Church; Dec 25, 10am, Christmas Day Family Service, Balmaclellan Church For further info contact Ian Knox on 07840 506 516 or at i.knox29@btopenworld.com, or Irene McCreath on 07974 861927 or at irenemccreath.im@gmail.com SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP The Rev Dawn Matthew Sundays:10.30am, Holy Communion with refreshments after the service. Tuesdays: 10-12noon, come for private prayers or to chat with Dawn when the ‘church is open’ sign is outside. Wednesdays: 7.30-8pm, evening prayers via Zoom shared with All Saints’ Challoch. Please contact Dawn for the link. SPECIAL SERVICES - 7 Dec, NG Christmas Lights & Carols, arriving at the church around 5pm. 19 Dec, 4pm, ‘Blue Christmas’ – a quiet service for those struggling with the hoho-ho of Christmas. 21 Dec, 4pm, Community Carol Service. 24 Dec, 4pm, Family Nativity; come dressed as your favourite nativity character! 25 Dec, 10.30am, Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion. For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 36 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE You can now apply for a Garden Waste Collection Service permit at £40 per bin. for regular collections from March to November 2025. Apply online at www.dumgal.gov.uk/ wasterecycling or in person at a customer service centre such as Dalry Library. The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Family and friends coming to stay? (price per issue incl VAT) Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) SMALL: www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Call Fiona on 07789 903127 6cm x 6cm, £50 Licence no DG00824P 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 37 GALLOWAY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org email: gct@catstrand.com / gctadmin@catstrand.com phone: Jon 07841 512449 / Jason 07704 662925 DECEMBER 2025 - JANUARY 2026 CHRISTMAS EXCURSION TUESDAY 9th DECEMBER: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TRIP TO CALEDONIA PARK & CARLISLE Join us for a Christmas shopping day out, travelling in our comfortable heated excursion minibus. We will call at Gretna Caledonia Park and then Carlisle for shopping. TICKETS: £18 BUS FARE. BOOK HERE: https://tinyurl.com/ywnkset8 Itinerary: 0845 Dalry Underhill 0850 Balmaclellan The Smiddy 0855 New Galloway CatStrand 0915 Crossmichael Shop 0940 Kirkcudbright Harbour Square 1005 Castle Douglas Market Hill 1020 Dalbeattie (opposite Esso Station) 1130 Arrive Gretna Caledonia Park 1330 Depart Gretna for Carlisle 1630 Depart Carlisle for return journey home MINIBUS DRIVING We are looking for drivers to help us deliver our services on the following routes: 517 Kirkcudbright/Borgue/Brighouse Bay. This will be 1 - 2 days a week, 7 hours per day. CPC training can be provided Bridge of Dee/Castle Douglas School Service (term time only) - 4 hours per day (2 hours morning, 2 hours afternoon) Both roles are offered on a self-employed basis and are paid at £13 per hour. For an informal discussion, please call Jon on 07841 512449 or email gct@catstrand.com VEHICLE HIRE FOR MEMBERS We have vehicles for hire by community organisations. ranging from 4 seat capacity to 16 seats, including wheelchair accessibility For information about membership and terms and conditions of hire see the GCT website or phone 07841 512449 / 07704 662925 www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org REGULAR SERVICES We are modifying our regular shopping service at time of publication, please call for further updates: 07841 512449 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEevents WHAT'S ON page 38 December/January DECEMBER Thu 4, Galloway Conversations: The Highways and Byways and Stories of the Glenkens, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 5, CatStrand Players Panto: Babes in the Wood, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 6, Christmas Craft Fair, Mossdale Village Hall , 11am-3pm Sat 6, Dragon Boat Party Night & Supper, 7.30-11pm. Dalry Town Hall, tickets £20, contact info@dragonboatsonlochken. co.uk or 0751 431 7578 Sat 6, CatStrand Players Panto: Babes in the Wood, 3pm, CatStrand Sat 6, CatStrand Players Panto: Babes in the Wood, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 7, Christmas Lights On Walk Down, 4.30pm, New Galloway Golf Club Sun 7, CatStrand Players Panto: Babes in the Wood, 2pm, CatStrand Sun 7, Corsock Craft Fair, 11am-3pm, see p16 Sun 7, Christmas Lights On Walk Down, New Galloway Town Hall Tue 9, GCT Bus Trip: Christmas Shopping, see p37 Tue 9, GCT Bus Trip: Christmas Shopping - Carlisle, see p37 Sat 13, Mixtape Dance Night, Dec 13, 8-11pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 13, Christmas Opera, 7.30pm, Barwhillanty Estate, see back page Sat 13, Glenkens Producers Market, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Wed 17, Look Up! Stars, Comets & Meteor Showers, 5pm, Barwhillanty Estate, see back page Fri 19, New Galloway & Kells’ Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch, 1pm, New Galloway Town Hall Fri 19, New Galloway and Kells’ Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch, New Galloway Town Hall Mon 22, Carols in the Garden, 3.30pm, Barwhillanty Estate, see back page Wed 31, Hogmanay Ceilidh, 8pm, New Galloway Town Hall JANUARY Until 11 January, William Gillies exhibition, see p3 Sat 10, Sat 13, Mixtape Dance Night, Dec 13, 8-11pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 15, Stewartry Birdwatchers, Balmaclellan Village Hall, 2.30pm, see p10 Fri 16, Carsphairn Burns Supper, see p18 Mon 26, GCAT AGM, CatStrand, see p2 Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact crossmichaelcc@gmail.com or 07803 204 433 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEevents page 39 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Exercise Class, Tue, 6-7pm Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3pm Zumba, Fri, 6.30-7.30pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am-12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; Oct-Mar, 2.30pm) Soup & Sandwich, Sat, 12noon-2pm, Oct-Mar Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, Wedn & Fri, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making - Mon, 7-9pm Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@ gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10am CatStrand, New Galloway Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat biweekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.30am Musical Misfits, Sat, bi-weekly, 10am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16yrs) Art Explorers, Sat, 10.30am, fortnightly New Galloway Town Hall Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Dance for Wellbeing (adults), Mon 2.30pm Community Cafe, Mon, 12.30–2pm Wet Felting Group, Tue 10m-12:30pm Tai Chi, Tue, 3.30pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–3pm, drop-in Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-9pm, all ages For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Wee Wonders, Thu, 9-10am Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet. com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm, Tue 6-8pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Main St, Dalry - 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book at the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Facebook Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Gentle Movement, Tue, 2pm Mossdale Village Hall Mossdale Painters, Wed, 9.30-11.30am Yoga, Fri, 2.15pm Various Bumps, Babies & Beyond, every 2nd Mon, 10.30am, Kirkpatriack Durham Village Hall Learn to Play Bridge, Mon, 7-9pm, Lochinvar Hotel Keep Fit with Alex, 7.15-8.15pm, KPD Village Hall Strictly Get Dancing, Mon, 7pm, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Glenkens Oil Painters, Wed, 10am, Corfield House Art Studio Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed 2-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Thu, 1-3pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 Mum & Baby MovementThu, 9.3011.30am, Laurieston Village Hall Crossmichael Youth Club, Fri, Crossmichael Memorial Hall For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette Building for the future T he Kenmure Arms Hotel, in the heart of New Galloway, is being given a new lease of life thanks to the passion, skill and determination of three women. Kate, Polly and Victoria are committed to restoring it as a thriving hub for locals and visitors alike. The trio received the keys in September 2025, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Kenmure Arms. They are currently working on Stage One of their plan: making the building wind and water tight; safeguarding it from the elements and laying strong foundations for the restoration ahead. This essential phase includes working closely with an architect and ensuring the best use of the space, whilst protecting the building’s structure, respect its heritage and create a page 40 sustainable path forward. Each of the three partners brings distinct expertise and energy to the project. Kate, with her background in property development and property law, provides professional oversight and strategic guidance. Her legal and commercial experience ensures that every step, from planning approvals to contracts, is handled correctly, allowing the project to progress with confidence and clarity. Kate, Victoria and Polly in the Kenmure Arms, excited Polly, who runs multiple choirs and to be working on Stage One of the refurbishment works in education, brings creativity, organisation and community engagement to the table. Her phases will include refurbishing the experience leading groups and interiors, restoring guest accommodation, inspiring collaboration helps shape the re-establishing dining and social spaces Kenmure Arms as more than just a hotel; it and developing opportunities for local will also be a welcoming venue that reflects employment. the spirit of the local area. Victoria, who lives in New Galloway, runs local cleaning company Dynamic Domestic. Along with an extensive background in hospitality, she combines local knowledge with hands-on operational expertise, ensuring that the hotel’s atmosphere and guest experience will reflect both warmth and quality. Victoria's attention to detail and understanding of service standards will be key to creating a beautifully run and community-focused establishment. While the restoration work is still in its early stages, the energy surrounding the Kenmure Arms project is palpable. The team’s immediate focus on structural integrity reflects their belief that true restoration begins with care and patience. Once the building is secure, later WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk A key part of the long-term vision is to create hospitality apprenticeships for young people in the area - the team hopes to offer handson learning and employment opportunities that help develop valuable skills while supporting the local economy. The Kenmure Arms will not only be a place to stay, it will be a place that nurtures growth, opportunity and community pride. For Kate, Polly and Victoria, the restoration of the Kenmure Arms represents far more than a property project. It is a shared mission to revive a cherished community landmark, celebrate local heritage, and create lasting opportunities for connection and employment in the Glenkens. Their complementary skills, from Kate’s professional expertise to Polly’s community leadership and Victoria’s local hospitality experience, form the perfect foundation for success. Together, they are breathing new life into the Kenmure Arms, ensuring it stands strong once more at the heart of New Galloway: a symbol of resilience, opportunity, and pride in place. In February 2026, the team will host an exhibition celebrating the building’s history, alongside a fundraising event to support the next stage of restoration. The exhibition will showcase the Kenmure Arms’ fascinating past and its importance to the local community, while inviting residents and visitors alike to play a part in shaping its future. You can follow the teams progress on Facebook and the team can be contacted at: hello@ kenmurearmshotel.co.uk Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com FEB/MAR COPY DEADLINE: 5 JAN The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not necessarily represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 151 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG-151 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/614/GlenkensGazette150_cover.jpg fd95f80db22a753d9063b8f86d16b9ef https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/614/GlenkensGazette150.pdf d3ea126527c23d4700280b7e3d859b58 PDF Text Text pdftext_placeholder Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Glenkens Gazette page 2 CONTENTS Twenty-five years of the Gazette 25th Anniversary: p2-11 News: p12-15 Community: p16-21 Environment: p22-27 People: p28-29 Arts: p30-31 History: p32 Information: p33-37 Events: p38-39 Glenkens Gazette T his edition of the Gazette marks our 25th anniversary, and also the 150th issue. For a little community newsletter that started as a few sides of A4 printed on a home printer, this is a pretty big achievement. From p12 Gazette usual content resumes, perhaps with a little foray here and there into the past... We hope you enjoy reading this issue, and reminiscing, as much as we've enjoyed W Currently holding all the Gazette back issues and Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership documents, the Archive will eventually also be a repository for photographs, recordings and documents from projects and organisations across the Glenkens. You can browse the latest items, have a look at collated collections or visit The Gazette Team Credit for this success goes to the amazing, active, vibrant communities of the Glenkens and the people who work so hard to ensure they survive, and thrive. Included on the following pages are the very first edition of the Gazette in full (including this issue's front cover), followed by some thenand-now reminiscences and entertaining anecdotes and photos spanning the last 25 years of life in the Glenkens. Glenkens Archive launches for Gazette anniversary e're delighted to be able to say that the Glenkens Archive is now live, just in time for the Gazette's 150th edition and 25th anniversary! putting it together. Also, please do come along to our anniversary celebration on Thursday 27 November at 7pm in the CatStrand - we'd love to see you! online exhibitions where more context is given about items. There is also a map where records pertaining to a specific location can be found. It's easy to search inside records and to give you a taste, why not try our fun Headlines Quiz to the right! To search for the headlines, visit the Glenkens Archive using the QR code here, or visit www.glenkens. scot/glenkens_archive Use the search bar at the top of each page to find which issue the following headlines came from. Try using the Advanced Search if you get stuck or have a look through the Gazette collection for inspiration. The first person to email the Gazette with correct answers wins a £30 voucher for the CatStrand. Good luck! 1) New Surgery to Open 2) CatStrand Home and Dry At Last 3) A Concert on the Loch 4) Fond Farewell to Gazette Founder 5) Red Alert Pictured here are some members of the Gazette Steering Group, past and present Glenkens Gazette page 8 Glenkens Gazette page 9 Glenkens Gazette page 10 The evolution of the bus: GTI to GCT P ictured above left is the photo from the front page of Issue 12 of the Gazette, back in 2002, showing the first Glenkens Transport Initiative (GTI) minibus with Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) facilities manager and founder Board member, Brian Edgar, GCAT founder patron, Cathy Agnew, local councillor George Prentice and visiting author Pete McCarthy. In the photo on the right we tried to capture the same shot, 23 years on, with Brian and Cathy (Brian still in post at the CatStrand, of course!) plus Jon Betts, Glenkens Community Transport (GCT) manager, and Jason Wilding, GCT operations coordinator. GTI is now GCT, and the bus pictured is one of their most modern vehicles, a low-emission diesel 16-seater, purchased with support from generous private donors. When the original photo was taken, what was then GTI had one vehicle, no staff (volunteer drivers only) and covered the Glenkens. Today GCT has six vehicles, including two eVehicles, three part-time members of staff, and covers an area from Carsphairn to Kirkcudbright, Newton Stewart and west Dumfries, providing minibus hire to members, Patient Transport, school services and registered routes. It has a large roster of volunteer minibus and Patient Transport drivers. A huge "thank you" goes out to all the volunteer drivers over the years; we wouldn't be at this point, 25 years on, without you! Thanks also to the many funders, Dumfries & Galloway Council Transport department and SWESTrans who have supported us over the years. The GCT Team Natural Power celebrates 30th birthday N atural Power is currently celebrating its 30th birthday, in perfect timing with the Gazette’s 25th birthday. Natural Power moved into the area in 1999, when the first of the team moved into the Forrest Estate offices while we consented and built The Green House, which remains our international head office until this day although it is now four times its original size. The team could not move in straight away , however, as the foot-and-mouth epidemic was in full swing, and we did not want any of our contractors or staff to assist its spread. Since then, the office has grown from 10 employees to over 80 today (peaking at just over 100 around 2015 ). We have been proud to be an early sponsor of the Gazette, and have been happy to support its important role in telling the story of our local communities . Well done and good luck for the next 25 years! Jeremy Sainsbury, Director, NaturalPower Below left: Early days at The Green House. Below right: Stuart Hall and Ted Leeming, founders of Natural Power, pay The Green House a visit, 25 years on Glenkens Gazette page 11 K nockengorroch festival has been running since 1998, bringing roots and dance music from Scotland and across the globe to the Carsphairn hills. The festival congratulates Glenkens Gazette for reaching this milestone. Included below is a photo from back in the early years of the festival; a bit of a change from today's event! Kells Primary School 'Millenium Photograph', submitted by Heather McIntosh. Festival producer, Katch Holmes, said: "We've grown from a couple of hundred people in the field to become one of Scotland’s best-loved and most established music festivals, bringing artists and creatives from across the world to our extraordinary corner of Scotland." 1st 1st Glenkens Glenkens Cubs Cub Pack wishwould the Glenkens like to wish gazette the Glenkens gazette a happy 25th anniversary and a happy 25th anniversary and 150th edition! 150th edition of the wonderful local paper! P ictured here is Matthew Newton, founder of the Glenkens Gazette and former owner of Wright's Shop in Dalry. Despite having moved to pastures new over a decade ago, Matthew is still an avid Gazette reader and often sends in words of support and appreciation. Picutred above left is Matthew in his shop in Dalry for the fifth anniversary edition of the Gazette, and above right is photo of him now up in Aberdeen, where he and his family moved to in 2013. B elow left is a photograph from Loch Ken at 7am 25 years ago, renewing Cub Scout Promise with the Reverend David Bartholomew conducting a short service. That year we also attended the Millenium Camp, with Cubs from all over Dumfries & Galloway. There was a giant buffet stretching the length of the field, and the highlight for the youngsters was when a helicopter flew right down the field above us. Below is a photograph of today's Cub Scout group, with leaders Heather and Hannah in the back row. Yours in Scouting, Heather Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 12 A new chapter for Carsphairn village shop O ver the past year Carsphairn Village Shop Committee (CVSL) has been working hard to secure the future of our much-loved shop and café. Following two community surveys, it became clear that residents wanted a model that was both sustainable and supportive of local needs. After listening carefully and weighing up the options, the committee is delighted to share that the shop and café will soon be run by employed staff rather than an independent business. This is a big step forward for the community. Employing staff ensures consistent opening hours, a reliable service and the chance to offer a wider range of household essentials and café food. Just as importantly it means creating local jobs, something that benefits not only those employed but also the wider community. The shop will continue to be a place where people can meet, connect and support each other, but with the added reassurance of long term stability. Bringing this vision to life would not have been possible without the generous support of funders. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Carsphairn Renewable Energy Fund Ltd (CREFL) and the National Lottery Community Fund, whose grants are enabling us to carry out essential renovation and modernisation works. Thanks to their backing, both the shop premises and the adjoining three bedroom property are being brought up to date. These improvements will make the building more accessible and welcoming for everyone. The refurbishment project is already underway and the results are beginning to take shape thanks to David Mason Joinery of Balmaclellan. Once complete, the shop will not only be better equipped to serve daily needs but will also provide a brighter, more comfortable café space for meeting friends, enjoying a coffee and welcoming visitors to our beautiful part of the world. We know how important it is to have a shop at the heart of Carsphairn. It’s more than just a place to buy groceries, it’s a hub where a small community can thrive. By choosing to run the shop with employees, we are taking steps to ensure this hub remains strong and resilient for Name the Place I n each issue a photograph will be taken somewhere in the Glenkens by local photographer Ted Leeming and readers have to guess where it is. The answer can be found on p28, with a bit of information and food for thought about that location. The photograph shows Helen Lawrence outside the adjoining property of Carsphairn shop circa 1940, courtesy of Carsphairn Heritage Initiative Archives years to come. Looking ahead, our goal is to open the shop and café doors during the winter period. While there is still plenty of work to complete, the committee is excited about this next chapter. We are confident the renewed shop will bring a sense of pride to the village and offer a service that reflects the needs and hopes expressed in the community surveys. Finally, we would like to thank all of you, the residents of Carsphairn and surrounding areas, for your patience, encouragement and ongoing support. Every idea shared, every volunteer hour given and every survey response has helped guide us to this point. Together, we are not only preserving a vital service but also investing in a stronger, more connected future for our community. We look forward to welcoming you back very soon, to shop, to chat, and to celebrate this exciting new chapter for Carsphairn village shop. Emily Wall GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette Flavours of the Glenkens: page 13 A month-long feast of community, creativity and local food T his year marked the seventh Glenkens Food Month, and it’s been another brilliant year of community groups and local businesses pulling out all the stops to co-create a diverse, interesting, and fun programme. Things kicked off with the Popup Café at Balmaclellan Village Hall, organised by Cupboard of Joy. over 15 different mushrooms. All the food on the menu was either surplus – rediverted from potential food waste, or donated by local producers. The hall was jam-packed, and funds were raised for local community pantries and foodbanks. At time of writing, we’ve still got a few events to go... That certainly set the bar high! Other events included the Famous Fungal Forage with local mycologist Emma, who took a group on an adventure to a secret location. Together they found and identified New Galloway Community Shop opening its doors for an evening of local food tasters, inviting people to hear how the shop supports local businesses while offering a true taste of Galloway. The annual Carsphairn Community Market is returning, this time partnering with Bairn Banter to increase the fun! Local crafts and produce, home baking, tea and cake, plus games and laughter will all help the day go with a swing. The Thistle Inn in Crossmichael have contributed several events to the programme, including a special charcuterie night – guaranteed to be a big hit, thoroughly enjoyed by all, with delicious flavours, good company, and plenty of smiles all round. Other highlights at The Thistle include a Greek night with local chef Nikos, which will round off Food Month in style at the end of the month. Thanks to everyone who contributed an event this year! Glenkens Food Month 2025 has been coordinated by Abi from Propagate, on behalf of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, and was funded by the Glenkens & District Community Fund through the Glenkens & District Trust and Foundation Scotland. Abi Mordin, Glenkens Food Month Co-ordinator Housing news and free logs P lanning permission for the new development of two flats and one house on the old filling station site in Balmaclellan has now been granted. roots will not be compromised. However, a tree surgeon’s report has expressed concern about its size and situation: it is quite top heavy, on a slope and leaning towards houses and the road, and the storms we are now experiencing are a worry. The Pamela Young Trust (PYT) trustees are delighted to have the go-ahead but it is still early days. Over the next few months, the plans will be put out to tender, and once that has been done there will be a lot of work behind the scenes applying for funding for the project. The recommendation is that it is pollarded once the leaves have fallen. As it has a TPO, permission has been sought and granted for this. It may look a bit strange initially but it is necessary for the tree’s long-term health. New growth in the spring will quickly emerge and it will continue to give pleasure to everyone in the village. One aspect of the development concerns the large beech tree on the north end of the site. It is an old and beautiful tree, with a TPO (tree preservation order) and great care has been taken with the architectural plans to ensure that the Alan Smith, Chair of the PYT, said: “Many trees were lost in the Glenkens during Storm Eowyn earlier this year and we were nervous about this tree before the report came in from the tree surgeons. "So we feel sure that pollarding is the right thing to do to preserve it for many more years. When the work has finished there will of course be lots of logs, wood chip etc and these will be left on site – please folks, help yourselves!” Nicolette Wise, PYT Trustee GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette Balmaclellan's pop-up cafe W e were shocked when we found out how many people we served across the day at the pop-up cafe at Balmaclellan Village Hall. With over 130 visitors, I think we can safely say this was a success. The event was set up to support three organisations - Balmaclellan Village Hall, Glenkens Community Larder and Stepping Stones Community Larder and Food Bank. People came from all over Dumfries and Galloway to have a taste of the wonderful food and meet up with friends. There was a variety of foods, all homemade by volunteers, from a plethora of local food suppliers, including Torr Organic Dairy, Galloway Farmhouse cheese, and locally grown fruits. There was food from toast to mac and cheese to meat and potato pie, and then there were the desserts... rhubarb crisp and apple pie, to name just a couple. Not only that, the sales table had even more delights to choose from, such as chocolate courgette cake and apple turnover meringues. There was such a buzz in the hall, and at one point, people were queuing out of the hall to get a table. Once they got Murphy's Army Purple Poppy campaign W ith Remembrance Day approaching, we will be thinking about those who served in the past conflicts and those who still serve, both human and animal. page 14 in, and they were seated, they were looked after by the many volunteers who helped run the day. Everyone, from the volunteers to the visitors, had such a good time; it was an excellent start to the Glenkens Food Month (even if it was in August!). Joshua Wells This photo, taken during World War 1, is of the Royal Field Artillary on Salisbury Plain, where my grandad was stationed before being shipped off to France. The image reminds us of the horrors faced by men, women and animals, both in the past and today. Murphy’s Army works to support the various charities that provide a safe, comfortable retirement for animals that have served not just in the military, but also in the fire service, prison service, border force, police service, etc, by making grants available to help with their care. You can find out more and donate online at www.theyalsoserved.org, or if you would like to make a bank transfer, the details are: Murphy’s Army, account number 03967034, sort code 20-78-42 and please quote Murphy’s Army Purple Poppy Campaign as a reference. Sue Wiseman Mixtape party nights return to Dalry M ixtape dance night returns to Dalry Town Hall on Saturday 11 October. The night will run from 8-11pm, and entry is £5 cash on the door. Come along for a proper shindig and a chance to shake your tail feathers to an eclectic mix of dance music that is selected by you. The idea is that people choose their favourite dance tunes from any era or genre and they’re put together in a playlist. To choose a tune or two, get in touch with on the Mixtape WhatsApp group by messaging me on 07811 957 578. The Mixtape nights following this will be 8 November and 13 December Kath Peters GAZETTEnews Kendoon to Tongland Reinforcement Project Glenkens Gazette G alloway Without Pylons (GWP) is a local action group set up to voice concerns over the impact on our area of the erection of the proposed Kendoon to Tongland Reinforcement Project - 118 huge pylons over 32.5km between Glenlee and Tongland. This project has been proposed by Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN), who are owned by the Spanish energy conglomerate Iberdrola, and cuts through the Galloway Forest Park close to major tourist attractions such as the Queensway Crossing, Raiders Road, Loch Stroan, the Otter Pool, the Red Kite Trail, Kennick Burn (and the ancient beech avenue), the Bennan, Slogarie and Laurieston Forests, and Barstobrick visitor/riding centre. SPEN applied for a 132kV overhead pylon line (OHL) from Kendoon to Tongland. Dumfries and Galloway Council objected page 15 to their planning application so the application went to a public inquiry. Biosphere, RSPB, Scottish Forestry and many other businesses and institutions. GWP want the section between Glenlee and Tongland undergrounded and argue that the extra cost this would incur should be spent to preserve the environment, wildlife and the local tourist industry. GWP raised £26,000 to pay for legal representation at the Public Inquiry on 7 February, at which the reporters' recommendation was "consent should not be granted under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989". The reasons were: SPEN state “it is acknowledged by SPEN that the underground option is, in each case, technically feasible and, on balance, environmentally preferable having regard to landscape and visual as well as forestry impacts”. Undergrounding takes place all over the world and has been done in the UK in many areas of outstanding natural beauty. We believe that the Galloway Forest Park, the second most visited attraction in Dumfries & Galloway, should be awarded the extra funds that could be made available. The Scottish Government received almost 1,000 objections with not a single representation of support. GWP is supported by 23 Community Councils, Finlay Carson MSP, Emma Harper MSP, Colin Smyth MSP, Oliver Mundell MSP, the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire (a) Landscape and visual amenity: We conclude that there are a number of significant residual effects which cannot be mitigated. (b) Forestry: We conclude that there are a number of significant residual effects which cannot be mitigated. (c) We conclude that there are a number of significant residual effects which cannot be mitigated, in relation to groundwater and cultural heritage. On 14 February, the Scottish Government overturned the decision of the Public Inquiry and said: "There are significant adverse environmental impacts which will arise. Scottish Ministers consider these to be acceptable in consideration of the need for and benefits of the proposed development, which are significant considerations that strongly support the decision to grant consent for the applications". GWP's only course of action was a Judicial Review (JR). A petition was lodged against the Scottish Ministers and SP Transmission plc as the interested party. This petition was successful and the JR was allowed to go ahead. So far we have raised £12,000 from the local community. We are being charged an extremely reasonable rate but still need to raise another £10,000 through the crowdfunding campaign, so that the JR can go ahead and pay the legal team which includes a high profile KC. The JR is to take place at the end of September, so we will update you as to the outcome in the next edition of the Gazette. Paul Swift, Galloway Without Pylons Carsphairn's fundraising bake sale C arsphairn Community Council and local children’s group Bairn Banter jointly hosted a bake sale event on Saturday 20 September. Funds raised will help support the annual children’s halloween party taking place next month. The relaxed café-style environment and extensive bric-a-brac sales table ran alongside the regular children’s stay-and-play session at the Lagwyne Hall. There were also tables offering locally-grown vegetables, produce, preserves, eggs and a wide selection of beautifully handcrafted cards for visitors to browse after their tea and cake. The organisers said: “We would like to say a heartfelt 'thank you' to everyone who came together to support this wonderful community event. Thanks to all the helpers, volunteers and stall-holders. There were so many contributions of baked goods, soup, sweet treats and produce, which were very much enjoyed by all who attended. "We are delighted to announce that the grand total raised from the combined sales table and tea/cake sales came to a tremendous £385.67!” Melissa Ade from Bairn Banter added: “This will make a huge difference to our upcoming children's halloween party which takes place on 1 November at the Lagwyne Hall. "The party is open to all children, but we do ask that they are supervised by an adult during this spooktacular event!” See poster on p33 for details of the children's halloween party. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 16 Search for a new Glenkens minister... T here have been many challenges and changes within our churches over recent times. Our churches are now joined under one minister, with those of Crossmichael, Parton and Balmaghie and the grouping is referred to as Galloway Dee Parish Church linked with Glenkens Parish Church. Glenkens Parish was formed through a union of the four parishes of Balmaclellan, Kells, Dalry and Carsphairn. Galloway Dee Parish was formed from the three parishes of Crossmichael, Parton and Balmaghie. On 1 January 2025, the two new parishes were linked. We now share a locum minister (Rev Judith Huggett) and an Interim Moderator (Rev Val Ott). Glenkens Parish Church has been without a permanent minister since the retiral of Rev Dr David Bartholomew and Galloway Dee even longer, since the sad death of Rev Sally Russell. But now exciting times are ahead as we start the formal search for a new minister. The charge is now listed on the Church of Scotland website Vacant Charges section and we await applications. A nomination committee of nine people has been elected from the two congregations, which we have given the nickname of the “NomCom”. This group is tasked with receiving applications and informal queries, which will hopefully lead Pictured is the interior of Carsphairn to being able Church courtesy of the Carsphairn Archive to interview candidates and also to hear Obviously, the work of the them preach elsewhere. NomCom is confidential but When this committee has we will do our very best in found the person they think seeking the right person for best suited to our area, they the area and the people in our will invite them to preach here community. as “sole nominee” and at that Irene McCreath, Session Clerk, point the congregations will Glenkens Parish Church be able to have their say. Carsphairn Primary School consultation T This little fellow was being mobbed by about 50 house martins outside my house a couple of days ago, so much so that he crashed into our window. After a minute or two of being stunned he soon recovered and flew away, but was again seen off by the house martins! The photos were taken at my house in the Glenkens. Mo Smith at Old Crummypark here is a copy of the current consultation paper regarding the formal closure of Carsphairn Primary School, and the response form for anyone wishing to give feedback, at Dalry Library. "If anyone wants to see the consultation and fill out a response, they can pop into the library," says Angela, librarian at Dalry Library. You can also respond to the econsultation online at www. tinyurl.com/carsphairn-school-september25 The consultation ends at 5pm on 29 October. Raising money for the Scottish Air Ambulance T he St Margaret’s Guild held a most successful raffle at this year’s Alternative Games in New Galloway, with all proceeds going to the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance. The Guild were grateful for all the prizes that were generously given by members of the congregation, as well as the main prize of a food and wine hamper kindly donated by Bill and Val Chalmers from their shop in Dalry. Mindful of the number of children present at the Games, we also had a ‘Guess My Name’ competition for a soft toy – the jury was out on whether the toy was a cow or a bull until the draw when we learned that the winning name was Belle! Christine Rankin, St Margaret’s Guild President, said: "We were delighted to have raised just over £290 for the SCAA which is Scotland’s only charity air ambulance and is funded entirely by members of the public, enabling SCAA to respond to timecritical accidents and emergences throughout Scotland’. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 17 A seat with a view on Waterside Hill A s part of the ‘Woodlands Plus’ project, Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands has been working with Dalry Community Council and the wider local community to add access improvements along the Southern Upland Way on Waterside Hill. Thanks to funding from Glenkens & District Trust, and with the support of Scottish Woodlands and Earlstoun Estate, new information boards have been ordered and a new picnic bench has been installed near the summit, giving views southwards down the valley and looking north into the Galloway Hills. This recent partnership work formed part of discussion on the Waterside Hill Walk, part of the Land Notes festival (see p20 for more). The walk was led by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands and Dalry Community Council, and included tantalising mentions of other attractions arriving on the hill in coming months… Laura Mcnabb Summer of fun for Glenkens Youth Group I n early summer we were delighted to hear that the youth group had been awarded funding from the Dumfries and Galloway Summer of Play Fund. We were delighted with the news, which enabled a group of sixteen youngsters to enjoy a fantastic day trip to Belfast in July. We set off from the CatStrand in a minibus and one car, arriving at the ferry terminal in Cairnryan in plenty time to board the Dodds of Troon coach. The ferry was very busy that day and we had quite a wait until we could board. However, we were soon able to relax and enjoy the sail over to Ireland. For many this was their first experience of a ferry trip and a first visit to Ireland. We spent the journey exploring the ship and trying to identify landmarks and various sea creatures – mainly jellyfish! On arrival at Belfast we boarded the coach again and made our way to the Titanic Experience benefitting from the knowledge and banter from the Tour Guide. The Exhibition Centre was amazing, with numerous displays, models and visual effects including a cable-car ride which immersed you in the shipbuilding world at the time of the disaster. Before boarding the ferry home, we had time in Belfast City to visit the Titanic Memorial Gardens, scanning the names of those who were lost in the disaster and wondering if we were related to any. A short shopping trip was enjoyed by some of the group and some bargain purchases were worn home. On the ferry back we all enjoyed a meal together, chatted about our day and watched an amazing sunset over Ireland. What a brilliant day. A few weeks later, in August, once again we were very grateful to be able to have another exciting excursion, this time a little closer to home. We spent an afternoon at the Galloway Activity Centre with funding received from the Glenkens Community Shop. Twelve youngsters took part in two chosen activities - archery or the water slide park for the first half of the afternoon, and then a whole group battle in the Laser Quest woods! It was great to have the opportunity to catch-up again as the summer holidays can be quite isolating for some in our rural area. Again we had lovely weather, great fun, and thanks to very generous donations, a chance to make special memories. Sue Curtis, Youth Group Deliverer Glenkens Youth Group's termtime weekly meet-ups are core funded by the Glenkens & District Community Benefit Fund and are therefore free to all attend for all P7 - S3s in the Glenkens. To find out more, email glenkensyouth@gmail.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity they’ll be sown to provide the next round of provenance saplings. There are still areas of replanting to be done so seedlings will come in useful then. Firewood and sawn timber T here’s been a lot happening over the summer at Muirdrochwood! Open dayA huge thank you to everyone who came and volunteered at the Woodland open day in August. There was wonderful baking, pony walks, stalls, banner making, children’s activities by Bairn Banter, alpacas and a fantastic BBQ. The event was really well attended, and many thanks to everyone who came out to support us. We hope to get some more community events going soon, as well as more regular volunteer days again. Watch this space... Tree planting Thanks to our forestry funding grant, the first round of tree planting of locally-grown hardwood is complete. The saplings in the poly-crub have all come on nicely – most have been re-potted and are quickly outgrowing their home. Andy has been busy harvesting seeds from the woodland and Glenkens Cub Scout update T Firewood season is upon us again and logs are flying off the shelves. The team have been very busy harvesting and processing this year’s supply. So, there’s plenty of wood ready to keep you all toasty this winter - get in touch with Davey on 07710124 255 if you would like to place an order. And there’s sawn timber available from the community sawmill too. Rural Skills Centre The long-awaited Rural Skills Centre is now under construction - phase one is complete and we hope to begin phase two of the build soon. Pop down to the woodland to check it out, or page 18 play on the swings, walk along the mossy paths and spot some wildlife! Pre-apprenticeships This month we said farewell to our most recent pre-apprentice – he has gone on to find local employment and we wish him all the best in his new job. We hope to be on the lookout for a new pre-apprentice soon, but are waiting for funding to be released. New development worker Welcome to Harriet Whitty, who has taken over from Alison Macleod as Development Officer for the Woodland (see CCT article on page opposite). Harriet is employed by Carsphairn Community Trust thanks to funding from Carsphairn Renewable Energy Fund Ltd (CREFL). The CCW Team MESSAGE FROM A LONG-DISTANCE GAZETTE READER I saw your lost Croc listed in last issue's Freecycle section... Found it on the creek bank behind my house. It floated a long way! Unless it was picked up by a dog... still a long walk for a dog. Didn't see any teeth marks on it though. Come and get it when you can. Jamie, New York State, USA he Glenkens Cub Scout Pack would like to thank everyone who donated to our Alternative Games stall and to those who purchased items. S We raised an amazing £127.32 for our funds. What a lovely happy atmosphere the Games team created – thank you for a fun day! The event will run from 10.30am to 12noon with coffee, shortbread, mince pies, a raffle, and a stall with home baking. Nicolette Wise CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING t Margaret’s Guild and Glenkens Churches Guild are holding their annual Christmas Coffee Morning on Wednesday 3 December in New Galloway Town Hall. Photo of the Issue T his issue's winner is Melissa Ade, with her photo Winter Donkeys. Melissa wins two portions of mac 'n' cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "The donkeys win by a nose...or maybe an ear!" To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Winning photos will be added to the Gallery on the Glenkens Hub - www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 19 Pop along to the Glenkens community shop T he Glenkens community shop, referred to locally as the charity shop, continues to go from strength to strength. The shop is very well supported by locals, people from the wider community and visitors to the area. We currently have 20 volunteers working in the shop, seven of whom are trustees. A broad range of items is generously donated. Stock is rotated regularly, and there is always something different for customers to buy. We offer a low-cost way of buying clothing, books, footwear and an extensive array of exciting miscellaneous items. Like many charity shops, there are certain items we can’t accept for safety, hygiene and legal reasons eg electrical goods, large items such as furniture, and clothes that are dirty, stained or ripped. We can only accept goods that are clean and fit for purpose to ensure they are in the best condition for their next owner. The shop storage area is small, so there is a limit of four bags of donated items per household at any one time. Regrettably, volunteers may have to refuse donations owing to the above-mentioned reasons. Any profits generated through the shop go back into the community through our grant scheme. We have two grant allocations over the course of the year, in June and December. Volunteer opportunities are available to anyone over the age of 16 – there’s no upper age limit. Wages are a chocolate biscuit and a cup of tea. The shop is not only about buying and donating. We aim to offer a safe, friendly and warm space where anyone is welcome to pop in for a chat and a bit of company, and on occasions a cup of tea or coffee. During the summer there are additional evening openings which are posted on the shop Facebook page @ Glenkens community shop (Charity shop) The shop entrance and shop floor are accessible to all. Do pop in and have a browse, and a chat if you fancy - we look forward to seeing you! Noreen Bell SHOP OPENING TIMES Monday: 10am-1pm Wednesday: 10am-4pm Friday: 10am-4pm Saturday: 10am-4pm An update from Carsphairn Community Trust W elcome to Harriet Whitty, our new Development Officer for the Trust. Harriet has recently moved to the Carsphairn community from Parton with her family and we are delighted to be able to offer her local employment, thanks to funding from Carsphairn Renewable Energy Fund Ltd (CREFL). (any recommendations of local charities are welcome). The Trust are busy preparing the 2026 annual Carsphairn calendar, to be released November. It will be distributed free of charge to all residential properties in the Carsphairn area. The Social Mondays will be up and running again in October, so pop in and for a games, a chat and a bite to eat in the Lagwyne Hall. Surplus calendars will be sold to raise money for a local charity Faux casino night T hank you to everyone who attended the Faux Casino Night in Lagwyne Hall. This was one of a number of community events run by Carsphairn Community Trust. It was lovely to see so many people come out to spend time together with neighbours and friends. The trust has enjoyed continuing to run social nights including Play Your Cards Right, Bullseye and a mock-casino night, which have all been well supported. Watch this space for upcoming social evenings (see article below for the latest Faux Casino Night). The Trust has recently acquired a new property which we are pleased to announce is now tenanted to a family, who we would like to welcome to the community! Carsphairn Community Trust The human fruit machine went down well (with both adults and the children being great fruit selectors). Well done to the winners who managed to keep some chips at the end of the evening too. An idea for the next social evening was made as a curry-and-quiz, and a Halloween-themed event was also requested, so Bryan Cockburn needs to get planning! Catherine Ann Pictured is the human fruit machine, a popular choice of activity on the night Glenkens Gazette D ue to local residents allowing their dogs to foul on the Dalry School playing field, parents would like to ask dog owners to please avoid taking their dogs into the school grounds. GAZETTEcommunity Parents' plea to Dalry dog owners One parent said: "If people absolutely have to take their dog onto the school playing field, please could we request that they are kept on a lead and that owners clean up after them." Another parent added: "There are serious health risks for children coming into contact with dog mess, and the playing field is used for all ages - from Nursery right up to Secondary. "Children don't just walk on the grass - they kick balls which then get picked up, dive onto the grass, sit down to chat and picnic on nice days, and the wee ones will roll around on the ground, playing. Our kids are coming home with dog poo on their clothes and shoes on a daily basis at the moment, which is a really concerning situation." It was also commented that there is often dog mess on the pavement outside the school. Wee Mixtape disco party O n Saturday 18 October at 4.30pm, Dalry Town Hall will be hosting a family-friendly, kids-oriented afternoon disco. You might be aware of the local Mixtape nights, run by Kath Peters, which takes over Dalry Town Hall with the aid of a PA, Smoke Machine and a whole bunch of Disco lights. How it works is folk attending join a WhatsApp group and submit a tune or two in advance, which Kath compiles into the nights playlist (see article on p14). page 20 Wee Mixtape was inspired when Kath got together with Baby Loves Disco, a Londonbased organisation which runs clubbing events for parents and their kids, and offered to run a family-friendly version of the Mixtape events. Wee Mixtape was born! To get involved, join the WhatsApp group and submit your tunes at www.tinyurl.com/ weemixtape, and you can book tickets at https://tinyurl.com/ weetickets Peter Renwick Family and friends coming to stay? N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) James wonders what it might have been - is it historically significant perhaps? It looks like there are marks carved into it. Was it an iron age club? Or a sign of some kind perhaps? If anyone has any thoughts on this, or would like to take a closer look at the stone, please get in touch with us here at the Gazette at glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk Eileen Campbell Call Fiona on 07789 903127 - 01644 420737 - www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Buggies now available for hire Licence no DG00824P VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME J ames Brander, 14, found this interesting stone in the Image Pool by Stroanfreggan Schoolhouse, where he was on holiday with his family. To arrange a visit in the comfort of your own home please contact 07515 168 963 or empathyfoothealth@gmail.com GAZETTEcommunity Glenkens Gazette page 21 Carsphairn Place Plan officially approved C arsphairn's Local Place Plan was one of three adpoted by Dumfries and Galloway Council's Stewarty Area Committee meeting on 17 September. Councillor Lowe (vice-chair) commended the local place plans and wanted the community groups to know their hard work and resilience had been noted. 2035 and will be included in Dumfries & Galloway's third Local Development Plan. Carsphairn Community Council and the LPP working group would like to thank everyone who submitted their views and ideas and who contributed to the production of the plan. You can read the plan and how the community council hope it will support community aspirations at www.glenkens.scot/localplace-plans/carsphairn-localplace-plan or scan the QR code here: The plan was drawn up by the community to help support Carsphairn's aims to create a thriving, multigenerational society and to give the area a statutory voice in land use decisions. The Local Place Plan covers the coming decade until David 07513 180 960 JOINERY & CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Renovation & Conversions New Builds Extensions Groundworks Roofing Kitchen Fitting Windows/Doors Interior Finishings Covering Dumfries & Galloway Reliable Tradesmen We change lives! Come and help us. Your journey starts here! Check out our projects on our socials! D.Mason Joinery Volunteer with us @d.mason_joinery d.mason.joinery@gmail.com dagcas.org • 0300 303 4321 • info@dagcas.org Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service is a Company Limited by Guarantee No: SC179254. Scottish Charity No: SC027107 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 22 Inaugural Glenkens Land Notes Festival T he inaugural Glenkens Land Notes Festival took place from 13 to 18 August, blessed with sunny skies and soaring temperatures. Across six lively days there were 15 events, as well as banner-making workshops and creative sessions at community gatherings in the run-up. Kerry Morrison and Morag Paterson, together with Jo Jackson from Cultural Glenkens, led bannermaking activities at the Dalry Farmers Market, the Alternative Games, the Upper Urr Environment Trust, the Loch Ken Fun Day and the Carsphairn Community Woodland open day. They also worked with the Balmaclellan Sewing Group, the Dalry Library Summer Craft Group, and the Dalry Pollinators project, while supporting others with materials costs. In total, 30 amazing banners were created, showcasing all the elements of our landscapes that are important to us. The Land Notes programme was wide-ranging and imaginative, moving fluidly between reflection and creativity, indoors and under open skies. Topics included Treasured Places, River Stories, Mapping and Formative nature experiences. There was also a dazzling programme of music and performance from CatStrand Arts, with a much-enjoyed Ceilidh and Mixtape night at Dalry Town Hall drawing large crowds. Over the course of the festival, almost 550 people took part, with many more joining in through bannermaking. On the Sunday, numerous local community groups came together for a finale parade and picnic. Led by local piper Ollie Rigg, participants processed around Dalry School playing field, enjoying sweeping views before settling into a shaded picnic accompanied by music and song from local performers. Kerry, Morag and Jo would like to offer a huge thank you to everyone who got involved - whether by leading, volunteering, creating banners, performing, or simply showing up and joining the celebrations. The first Glenkens Land Notes Festival wove together creativity, community and a deep connection to place, setting a joyful precedent for the years ahead. A huge thank you as well to the funders that made it possible – the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Creative Scotland, NatureScot and Inspriring Scotland. It was a brilliant partnership project between CatStrand Arts and Dalry Community Council and we hope to do it again one day! Morag Paterson & Kerry Morrison Top - Anne Errington performing watery tales from around the world Above - Build Your Own Nature Reserve, Cuckoostone New Galloway's community garden L ast year, Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) secured a piece of unused land in New Galloway’s park to make way for our community garden. Since then, trees were planted – thanks to a grant from D&G Woodlands – and we erected an impressive pergola with help from some capable local craftsmen. Regular garden days with multi-talented volunteers as well as many community donations have transformed a derelict area into a burgeoning garden. Although only six months have passed, the transformation is visible and has been welcomed by the community. At the heart of it are our volunteers who generously watered the young plants through several heat waves; who lovingly built benches, potting tables, cane stands and ingenious water collection systems; and who diligently weed, plant, paint, and donate, bringing life and colour to the garden. The community garden is a place to share, whether that’s time, work, a cup of tea, a chat, or knowledge. It is based on permaculture principles, the methods of which are not widely known but are so easy to replicate at home – and we learn all about these techniques and more from experienced gardeners in the community. You may not have heard of huegelbeds or lasagne beds but having self-sustaining beds is invaluable when time is limited. Children from Kells Primary School have been visiting monthly, learning hands-on about growing potatoes, pollinators, planting trees and more. And their favourite activity? Wait for it… digging! The garden is a great space for any community group, the Biosphere and Propagate both having held workshops there as well as a permaculture design group and a bat box building session. If you would like to be part of the community garden, you can be notified about our regular garden days by checking our Facebook page @ngcommunitygarden where you can also find a link to our WhatsApp group. Also, if you have any gardening tools gathering dust in your shed or spare plants or seeds you would like to donate, please do get in touch! We invite you to come along to the garden, have a rest on a bench, and enjoy nature at its best... Bianca Leder, Community Garden Co-Ordinator Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 23 Get pollinating with fruit and nut trees P ropagate is leading on an exciting project for Dalry Community Council that will see around 130 fruit and nut trees planted in people’s gardens and community spaces all across the Glenkens. Scottish Power Energy Networks have provided this funding to create a network of pollinators across the area, boosting biodiversity and habitats through extra planting. You can read about the link of this project with the Glenkens Nature Networks project and our future plans (article below), but it’s got off to a great start. We took part in this year’s Land Notes Festival parade, working with local creative Sarah McCusker to make a banner and various parade props during a session held in Dalry Library. Following this, Malcolm from SWSEIC led a Pollinator ID workshop in New Galloway Community Garden. This was attended by 12 people who learned all about the diverse range of these tiny but mighty garden friends. An information session was then held online on 9 September for those looking to take some trees to plant. We welcomed NatureScot's Pollinator Strategy Manager, who shared an insightful presentation on the national context for pollinators. Also present was Lynsey Payne, who co-runs Appletreeman in Perthshire – the source of the fruit and nut trees for our project. Lynsey gave a visual tour of the nursery and how she produces the trees. This is a fantastic project that is making a real difference on-theground in the Glenkens, and we look forward to seeing it develop over the coming months and years. Abi Mordin, Propagate Find out more at www.glenkens. scot/projects/glenkenspollinators-project Local birds in words and song J oin us on Sunday 2 November to enjoy your local birds on a walk around Dalry starting at 10.30am at Dalry Town Hall. The Glenkens is home to many birds which locals and visitors may not be aware of. A guided walk with local experts will hopefully open participants eyes to what can be seen and heard. Following the walk there will be music in the town hall at 11.30pm. Bird song is a great stimulant for music-making, and hearing Peter Cowdrey of Planet Birdsong, Jo Miller, a Dalry-born Scottish musician, and Dalry resident Andrew Bielinski will give listeners a quite different perspective on birds from the norm. Listening to what Glenkens artist and bird expert Donald Watson (1918-2005) said in his writing, and what others have written about him, will bring his words nearer to people, as will listening to extracts from the biographical essays about him written by those who knew him well. There will also be an opportunity to view some of Donald’s paintings, and to purchase cards and posters of his work and copies of the recently published book about him. Roger Crofts Are you looking to plant trees this winter? We have grants available for small-scale native planting schemes. For full info, visit: www.dgwoodlands.org.uk Registered as a SCIO, no 052525 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 24 sponsored by Building nature networks in the Glenkens D o you want to play a part in helping nature in the Glenkens? Dalry Community Council (DCC) has received Inspiring Scotland money to explore the possibility of establishing Nature Networks in the Glenkens. Supported by the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust (GCAT), the Land Use subcommittee and the GSA Biosphere, some really interesting work is going on about how we could improve the connectivity of habitats around Dalry and beyond to better support our wildlife. The work will also include opportunities for members of the community to learn how to monitor changes in biodiversity and land use around them. In a separate project, DCC has received funding from SP Energy Networks (SPEN) for a Glenkens Pollinators Project, which will see around 130 fruit and nut trees planted in people’s gardens and community spaces right across the Glenkens. So what are Nature Networks? Nature Networks are corridors and ‘steppingstones’ of wildlife-friendly habitats that connect existing nature-rich areas. They are important to help nature cope with land use change and the climate crisis, and also provide a network of easily accessible natural spaces for the local community. Barriers and Opportunities Sponsored Page The project’s first ‘strand’ builds directly on the work done by the Glenkens communities in the past few years on Land Use, captured in the Land Use Vision: www.glenkens.scot/ land-use. The big goal is to establish Nature Networks in the Glenkens over the next few years; the first step is to see if this is possible. This work is being led by Steve Connelly, a land use and planning consultant based in Dalry, who will be having conversations with landowners, farmers and community groups between now and Christmas. By the end of the year, we’d love to have a small group of people ready to start a pilot on the ground when further funding is hopefully secured next year. It would be great to also have a larger group of land managers and communities who are interested in doing more work to develop Nature Networks, and by then we should have a good scientific understanding of where the opportunities are to make the most difference with the smallest interventions. It could be as simple as planting a short ‘corridor’ of trees and scrubby vegetation along a field edge – a Glenkens Pollinators: The Dispersed Orchard ‘hedgehog highway’ – to link existing Fruit and Nut Tree Locations woodlands. Or reducing grazing pressure on grassland in the spring to allowAllscarce plants items to flower and seed before allowing cattle in to graze. Or planting fruit trees to create a network of food sources for pollinating insects – of which more below! If you are interested in talking about possibilities on your land, please email Steve Connelly at stephen.connellyy@gmail.com. Monitoring and Citizen Science The second strand will focus on nature monitoring and citizen science. Niki Inglis, an engineer and sustainability consultant based in Carsphairn, is leading this work and said: "This is an exciting opportunity for members of the community to get involved in citizen science and help record the impacts of our changing world on nature and biodiversity." A handful of locations across the Glenkens have been selected as pilot sites for nature monitoring this year, from forestry and agriculture such as Carsphairn Community Woodland (CCW) to local public spaces such as New Galloway Community Garden; all habitats are valuable to wildlife and biodiversity. We hope to hear from other communities, networks or sites which may be interested in getting involved. Volunteers from the pilot sites will be attending a citizen science training on 2nd October in Dalry, led by Malcolm Haddow from South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre (SWSEIC). They will learn best practices and record their observations on apps such as iNaturalist. Places are available for members of the public to join the training – spaces are FREE but limited so please get in touch with Niki soon to reserve your place. Partnering with the Glenkens Community Spaces Network (GCSN), we are also looking at ways to embed Citizen Science in our communities, starting with a series of citizen science talks at Halls across the Glenkens - more details to follow as the programme develops. Keep up to date with all of this and more at the Glenkens Hub www.glenkens.scot. Please also get in touch on Niki.Inglis@protonmail. com if you know of a community, network or site which might like to get involved or if you have any questions. Glenkens Pollinators Project: The Dispersed Orchard The Glenkens Pollinators Project is already well underway. Led by Abi Mordin from Propagate on behalf of DCC, the project plans to get around 130 fruit and nut trees planted across the Glenkens. This will create a nature network and pollinator corridor - boosting biodiversity while also providing a source of healthy food for humans. There was a fabulous response to the call for sites, with over 40 people nominating areas from their own gardens to community spaces. The map here shows the spread of the ‘dispersed orchard’ and already we can see some great pathways and clusters emerging. The next step for the Pollinator Project is to hold a community planting day and hand out the trees! This will probably be on 8 November at Dalry Library, where we will create a new micro-orchard. There will be a demonstration on how to plant, stake and protect your trees, plus a host of fruit and nut themed activities. Details will be confirmed on the Glenkens Hub. Going forward, the Pollinators Project is joining forces with Glenkens Nature Networks to increase impact – we’ll be encouraging recipients of fruit and nut trees to get involved in the Citizen Science project and record biodiversity quite literally on their doorstep. So it’s an exciting time for the Glenkens as we work across communities and organisations for the benefit of our wildlife and environment. Watch this space for more! Niki Inglis and Steve Connelly (See article on p23 for more on the Glenkens Pollinators Project.) Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 25 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE Ikea child’s extendable single bed; height 80cm; length 132 - 200cm; width 90cm; wooden frame. Collection from Dalry. Contact: 07870 771 424 20 chairs with arms, free to collect from Mossdale Village Hall. Surplus to requirements. Contact: 07538 821764 Seagrass matting, made up from squares, 3ft x 6ft. Not new but still useful. Contact: Sue, Dalry, on 07563 718 011 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 Double/single bunk bed, double at the bottom, single on top, metal frame. Contact: 07727 127 997 Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Non-runners/broken welcome. Contact: text/WhatsApp 07845 562 217 FOR SALE & OFFERS Shed clearances - any shed cleared, large or small; get in touch for further info or to arrange a visit. Contact: 07765 034 841 LABRADOODLE PUPPIES Ready mid-November, male and female, black and brown. Home-reared on a farm outside Carsphairn/Dalry. Used to other dogs, cats, hens, etc. Well handled by children and socialised. £800 each - £100 deposit WANTED Call 07512 593 851 LOST: Camouflage print Croc (clog-type shoe) lost in the river at the High Bridge of Ken. Has likely floated downstream...if found, please contact Sarah on 07727 127 997 Garden bench. Contact: 07727 127 997 WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING TIMES OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.30pm MONDAY – FRIDAY Sat 8.30am-5pm Sun 8.30am-3pm 7.30am – 5.30pm POST8.30am OFFICE– 5pm SATURDAY Mon-Fri 10am to 3pm SUNDAY – 3pm Sat 9am8.30am to 12.30pm Sun closed SUPPLIERS LOCAL SUPPLIERS DALMELLINGTON BUTCHERS DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY HENDERSON BUTCHERS BUTCHERS SWEET TREATS BAKERY UPPER DULLARG EGGS GLENKENS HONEY CREAM O' FRUIT GALLOWAY MITCHELLS & VEG GALLOWAY LODGE SWEETCAKES BAKERY IRVINGS BAKERY GLENKENS COMPANY COWS &HONEY CO CHEESE THE CRESS COMPANY CREAM O GALLOWAY BORDER BISCUITS GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES HAWKSTONE BREWERY IRVINGSFRUIT BAKERY MITCHELLS & VEG SULWATH BREWERY SCOTTISH GALLOWAY PASTA ...local delivery available... GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 26 The Optimistic Environmentalist Battery Health (continued) O ur car battery is one of the most common at this time - lithium with nickel, manganese and cobalt (NMC). Here are someways to maintain your battery health: 1) Don't use rapid chargers too often; this has been shown to be detrimental to battery life, just like red-lining your combustion engine. This is one of the reasons why mobile phone batteries tend to degrade relatively quickly. Your vehicle's battery management system (BMS) takes care of battery temperature and charge rates etc to help maximise battery life and efficiency. However, limiting rapid charging to only when you need to will reduce stress to your battery and budget. 2) Keep the battery between 20% and 80% most of the time. This doesn't mean that if you charge to 100% (like we do before we go on a long journey) and end a journey with 5%, you are damaging your battery. Electric Cars - Part Four Just try not to leave the battery for days at those extremes. Interestingly, recent iPhone and Android devices allow you to limit the charge on your mobile device for exactly this reason. 3) Conversely, charge to 100% periodically; this allows all the individual cells to equalise their charge level, known as 'cell balancing'. It only occurs if you are AC charging, eg at home or a public AC charger. Once the charge reaches 100%, let the vehicle stop the charge itself (another hidden feature of the BMS). Advice and opinions vary on how frequently you should do this, but once a month is often suggested. Don't stress about this, just do it occasionally - preferably before a reasonable length journey so you are not leaving the car stood for days above 80%. 4) Taking power from and adding to the car battery regularly has been shown to prolong battery life. Don't worry, you will soon get into a routine. Other battery chemistries Lithium iron phosphate £7.00per night per dog The Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam has Europe's largest energy storage system (LFP) and sodium based chemistries, are now rapidly coming onto the market. guarantee on your last combustion engine? BYD's Blade batteries are set to be very popular - they have been shown not to catch fire if squashed, folded, hammered or stabbed. When your battery's storage capacity is too low for your car, usually below 80%, you could use it at home or sell it. Check out the best way to treat your battery. Whatever type is used, the data suggests that the battery will outlive the bodywork of the car. Of course, there will always be rare failures as there have always been some combustion engine failures, but with EV battery guarantees of seven years upwards, this should not be a worry. After all, how long was the Old car batteries Companies use these batteries for homes, eg for backup power or to make use of off-peak electricity, build into large scale grid storage systems or to rent out to businesses for specific projects or events. Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam (pictured) has 148 used Nissan Leaf batteries permanently installed for this purpose. More uses are being developed all the time. Denise MacDonald-Kiernan T GAZETTEenvironment Loch Ken Trust Family Fun Day he sun shone for The Loch Ken Trust Family Fun Day 2025, with local and national organisations gathering to promote water safety during the summer holidays. The event is now in its third year and saw many locals and visitors head out to enjoy a day of family fun on the shores of beautiful Loch Ken, whilst learning how to stay safe on and around the water. The day showcased a host of rescue demonstrations and activities for all with the chance to meet the local branches of the emergency services and the Loch Ken community ranger service. Galloway Activity Centre were on-hand for mini water safety sessions and rafted canoe trips which were open to all. New for this year was the inaugural Loch Ken Stone Skimming Championships, which will also run as an annual event. page 27 LOCH KEN TRUST RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 It was great to see so many people out to enjoy a day by the Loch and learn about water safety. The Trust would like to thank everyone involved in making the day such a success. Plans are already underway for 2026 -watch this space for details. Lindsay Stewart, Manager, Loch Ken Trust Sponsored Page Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Gazette page 28 A new Chief Executive for GCAT A fter a diligent recruitment process, the Board of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) is delighted to announce that they have appointed Andrew McConnell as the new Chief Executive of GCAT. Andrew will lead GCAT into its next chapter, building on the last 24 years of delivering high quality arts and community development. Andrew grew up on a farm in the Machars and attended the Douglas Ewart High School before leaving to study Architecture at Strathclyde University in Glasgow. He brings 20 years of experience of the built heritage and charitable sector, having experience as an architect in private practice; a conservation officer with Glasgow City Council; a project development officer and then Director with Glasgow Building Preservation Trust. In 2021, Andrew joined the National Lottery Heritage Fund as Senior Investment Manager, looking after large complex capital projects (including the National Galleries in Edinburgh, Citizens Theatre in Glasgow and the Galloway Glens scheme) and organisational resilience projects. Andrew returned to Galloway in 2023 and is slowly renovating a house in Wigtown. Since November last year he has been supporting the Wigtown Festival Company as Interim Chief Executive. He will be starting in post in early November, and will be carrying out an extended handover with Helen Keron before she leaves in early December for pastures as yet unknown! Andrew is very much looking forward to joining the staff, freelancers and volunteers who make GCAT and the Glenkens such an amazing place to live, and will be out and about as much as possible after he starts. Helen Keron said: "I am delighted with this appointment and feel that Andrew is exactly the right person to take GCAT and CatStrand into its next chapter. Name the place MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 everything we've achieved so far and to support him in taking the next important steps for GCAT and the Glenkens." We look forward to introducing Andrew to the GCAT and wider team as soon as possible - and do say hello if you see him around! "I'm looking forward to working with him to build on (from page 4) Site Name: Woodhead lead mines Location: Carsphairn parish The only constant is change. Today, the upper Glenkens are best known for their conifer plantations, farmland, and open moor. Yet in 1838, lead was discovered in those very Andrew in the Galloway hills hills, and by the 1850s more than 300 people had brought the landscape to life. The lead rush lasted little more than three decades before fading, and the land returned once again to farming. Traces of the old workings can still be found if you follow the track at Garryhorn Farm. The GCAT Board The final house there was abandoned in 1954. Did you know..? We’re all familiar with some of lead’s traditional uses: in building materials such as windows, roofing, and pipes, and in household goods like pewter or to refine glass. But did you know it was once used in cosmetics, and even as a sweetener in wine - despite its toxic nature? Some lessons, it seems, take us a long time to learn. Amber Dunlop-Pajo Advanced Massage Practitioner Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Youth Correspondent page 29 Joshua Wells, aged 16, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Joshua discusses the Balmaclellan Boy Scouts. T his metal plaque was found in Balmaclellan Village Shop roughly three years ago and coming across it once again, I decided to write an article about it. Reading the historic message on the plaque, you may be left confused - just as I was - because in the present day there are no Balmacellan Boy Scouts in the village. The closest Scout group is in New Galloway; the Glenkens Scouts Group. To fully understand the mystery of this local youth group, we must first picture the history of the Scouts and their practices. It’s 1907 Britain or, more specifically, Brownsea Island, and an experimental group was set up by Robert Baden-Powell. Twenty boys took part in this groundbreaking experiment, which tested Baden-Powell's ideas on youth training and outdoor activities. Not long after what some would call the 'Scouts beta test' in 1908, Robert Baden-Powell published a book titled Scouting for Boys. In the same year, the first Scout patrols began to emerge, and the movement officially became recognised. The Scout movement quickly gained publicity and in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was officially founded. Twelve years later, the ‘World Organisation of the Scout Movement’ (or WOSM for short) was established, today bringing together 176 national scout organisations. Back in Britain, after the Second World War, Scouts were seen as brilliant contributors to the nation because of their war efforts, which included stretcher-bearing and working as coastguards. This helped raise their national reputation, increasing local demand. That demand probably led to the formation of a Balmaclellan scout group. However, the Balmaclellan Boy Scouts weren’t the only facilities for young people in the village. A school, often recalled by locals, offered education to the children of Balmaclellan, running for 200 years, from 1781-1981. At the start of its run as a school, it was a private school. In 1795, Edward Murdoch created a Mortification Fund for the parish school, donating £500. That sum bought land, which then produced an annual salary of £36 for the teacher. Due to the fund, students no longer had to pay to go to Balmaclellan School, because according to the fund’s rules, the teacher could not accept any extra fees from students. After doing some research on Memories of the Glenkens, a Facebook page on the history of the Glenkens area, I found that there used to be a coal fire within the school before the school was improved and provided with central heating. Around this time the school would have had an outdoor toilet. However, some schools were not so lucky as to have a fireplace inside the school; instead, according to another comment on Facebook, many children used to keep baked potatoes in their pockets to keep warm on cold winter days. However, getting back to the point, a member of the village, and a local customer of the shop, recalled a great celebration of the late Queen Elizabeth the Second's coronation. Large bonfires were lit one by one from Parton to Balmacelallen to New Galloway and so on and so forth, like a long chain, uniting all of the citizens of Dumfries and Galloway to celebrate. Official meeting minutes, from much before the coronation of the Queen, from 1914, shows the decrease in members of the Balmaclellan Boy Scouts. Towards the end, meetings were organised with no-one showing up, for example on 9 March 1914, seemingly no-one attended the Scouts meeting. At the end of the historic notebook, the last meeting’s minutes only recorded two people showing up. The decreasing numbers were most likely due to young patriotic boys believing it is the right thing to fight for their country even though they were too young to enter. Unfortunately, the reality of this is that the boys never came back from the war, and never saw their family again. In the same book, multiple pages were titled Nature Notes, where all the natural beauty seen would be written down. Things were noted such as when the wild strawberries were out or blooming Scottish thistles; even snowfall was noted down in November. Around the same time, on the 19 August 1914, the Balmaclellan School log book shows that two Boy Scouts who attended the Balmaclellan School, most likely being part of the Balmaclellan Boy Scouts, went away to Carsphairn on duty. Not only has the village changed in the educational sense, but also according to a local who came into the shop, allotments for the houses opposite could be found, where an out-of-commission water pump stands today, at the crossroad in the middle of the village just by the shop. These allotments are also a plausible place for the Boy Scouts' coronation tree to have been planted, as it is in the heart of the village for all locals and even visitors to see. The tree, however, could have also been planted at the Balmaclellan school, this is because the most likely case is that members of the Balmaclellan Boy Scouts were also in the Balmacellan School. Another believable place for this tree to be is by Balmaclellan Village Hall. As with photos of the hall without trees as evidence, it is clear that the trees found there now, have not been there for too long. This makes it easier to believe that a tree could have been planted there in 1953. With no evidence to help or any knowledge of a commemorative tree, it seems that the mystery of this historic plaque may never be solved. However, if any local history buffs have any knowledge of this plaque or even any history on the Balmaclellan Boy Scouts, don't hesitate to get in touch. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 30 Turning to art in a time of strife W hile innocent children are being killed in Gaza and Ukraine, it feels as if we’re helpless to make any sense of today’s world. But local composer Geoff Davidson and writer Larry Winger have teamed up to present a story for today that has resonated down the ages, from the Torah to the Old Testament. A story that seems to have been a warning from a wise people to succeeding generations. The life of the biblical David is such a salutary story. The trope of the underdog and the bully, as we might rephrase the David and Goliath interaction, is so engrained in our own culture that almost automatically we cheer when the tables are turned. But how do we feel when that very underdog arrives in power and exhibits an overweening hubris that cannot be constrained? Conflicted, certainly. The God Stone, a retelling of David’s story, in song, explores unexpected avenues of compassion, before considering betrayal. It’s highly likely that we’re familiar with the romance of King David and Bathsheba, but perhaps that familiarity does not extend to the subterfuge David may have used to eliminate her husband Uriah from the scene. Confronted by the prophet over his actions, David incriminates himself, as he understands the error of his ways. The concert musical developed by these local friends is, they hope, not only a compelling story in itself, but also a powerful metaphor for our times. The event is premiering at the CatStrand in New Galloway on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November. There is a cast of seven soloists, including guests Nia Howe as Bathsheba and Elliot Hunter as the adult David, Nicola Junor as the prophetess Neviah, Robert Lind as King Saul, Mariella Petrucci as the boy David, Neil Webster as Uriah and Davy Brown as the prophet Samuel. There is also a chorus of some twenty local singers, conducted by Geoff Davidson. The concert promises to be a revelation of the simple power of story, and an operatic treatment of a salient issue for today. Larry Winger, New Galloway Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 31 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers on a journey into his world of writing, reading and general thoughts on life. “ Last night, I saw the Machine rise up again. It stood on the prow like a door opened against the vastness of a sky that was already carrying the scent of land.” the weather, and the people in the city streets, are described in lush, luxurious, extended sentences which don’t disrupt but tug the reader on in their flow. That’s the opening line of Explosion in a Cathedral by Alejo Carpentier, a French Cuban, who wrote the book in Spanish in the 1950s. The Machine is the guillotine, the mechanism of forced progress and regress, carried across the ocean from the Old World to the New. He prompts the young people to travel across the Caribbean to San Domingo. They experience the aftermath of a slave uprising in Haiti. (This reminds me of two more excellent books, the novel All Souls Rising by Madison Smartt Bell, and Black Jacobins by the Trinidadian historian CLR James). As the novel opens, Carlos, Sophia and Esteban, a brother and sister and their sickly cousin, all orphans, are living in a huge rambling home in late eighteenth century Havana. The house is piled with the exotic objects bought and sold by the company they have inherited from their father. Then Victor Hugues, a French merchant older than the orphans, arrives on the scene with the force of the age. He cures Esteban with modern science, -hints at the secrets of Freemasonry, and preaches the ideals of the French Revolution. Esteban ends up accompanying Hugues all the way to France itself, and lives in a Paris which is by government and then is sent back to the Caribbean, this time to Guadeloupe, and to rule. Esteban accompanies him, but now watches through a critical eye. Hugues implements the directives The of the day with unswerving guillotine to consistency, however inconsistent gets work. God is the directives. banished, They construct their own New World wonderland in this labyrinth of things and thoughts. All the furniture and fabric, along with paintings and books, food and drink, vegetation and architecture, the sea and turns something like Tehran in 1979 or Phnom Penh in 1975, though with many more bottles of wine. As the revolution (or counter-revolution) progresses, “the Day of the Trees of Liberty gave way to the Day of the Scaffolds.” Hugues rises within the then brought back as the Great Architect, who soon dissolves back into the traditional God of the Catholic church. Before too long slavery is reestablished, in a great deal of blood. “To think that more than a million men died to destroy what’s been restored today,” says somebody. Hugues implements the directives of the day with unswerving consistency, however inconsistent the directives. But Esteban and Sofia are not made cynical by the cynicism of others. They end their lives fighting for their revolutionary ideals. This is a novel of capital cities and sea ports, of continents and the voyages between them. The blurb on my copy calls it a “swashbuckling magical realist masterpiece,” but I think that’s sales talk. There’s no Marquez-style magic here, only plenty of reality delivered in baroque and sumptuous prose. GAZETTEhistory Glenkens Gazette page 32 Galloway Retold with Angela Miller Carsphairn village and its surrounds I ’ve lived in every village in the Glenkens apart from Balmaclellan over the years, and each village has different charms of its own, but Carsphairn has a lot of memories for me. Unfortunately, I didn’t really get to understand the past of the village until much more recently, and I wish I had known about it all sooner, because it’s got a pretty fascinating past. I’ve done three videos in and around the village, but there are other stories to be dug up there. (Quite literally at Stroanfeggan! Check out the dig that’s going on there on the Glenkens Hub, and see the article on the back page of this issue of the Gazette). My favourite story about Carsphairn has to be the story of how it came to be a parish. What is now Carsphairn parish now was made from parts of Dalry Parish and Kells Parish. In the mid-1600s, more and more people were living in the area, and in and around Polmaddie too. This lead to an issue when it came to the matter of burials. Imagine for a second what it would be like to move your dead relative by horse and cart from Carsphairn to Dalry Kirk, or from Polmaddie to Kells? How long would it take? What might that be like in bad weather? If you thought about that very hard, you’ve probably come to the conclusion that it’s not something you’d like to have to do! Well, neither did the folk of Carsphairn, Polmaddie and the surrounding areas. So they began to bury their dead in the local fields instead. Once word got out about this it was, unsurprisingly, deemed unacceptable, and Carsphairn parish was duly incorporated. It’s a pretty gnarly reason to get your own church! Another area of interest around Carsphairn is, of course, that the Green Well of Scotland is situated there too. This is a very odd wee place, with some odd associated stories too, including the tale of a gold coin forger who threw all of his equipment into the well to avoid being caught. The well is supposedly bottomless, but since that can’t actually be true, there could be a wealth of weird and wonderful things (and some much less savoury things too) at the bottom... But, the single most fascinating place in Carsphairn parish, for me, is Woodhead mine. Just over a mile off the A713, along a very easy-going track, the remains of the lead mines really take you back in time. The old school and bits of the workers' cottages that remain are eerie, and it’s easy to imagine life going on around them when you stand in the doorway and look out over the wee glen at Woodhead. Looking out through the doorway of one of the old workers' cottages at Woodhead lead mines David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP The old chimney still stands, which is an impressive sight, and parts of the forge and area where the ore was cleaned are still there too, making it quite easy to picture the industry going on back in the day there. Lead was discovered in the hills in 1838, and Col McAdam Cathcart, the landowner, moved very quickly to build the mine and the village at Woodhead. Inspired by the philanthropy of the time, he built a school and a library there too, ensuring the workers had access to education to further themselves. The school had as many as 46 pupils in the 1840s, and had a good reputation. Unfortunately though, the lead didn’t last very long, and by the turn of the 20th century it was mostly unworkable. The last people left Woodhead in 1925. You can find three videos covering these topics on my channel, Galloway Retold, as well as extensive information about it on the Carsphairn Heritage Initiative website, and in the Carsphairn Heritage Centre there too, which is always worth a wee visit! Angela Miller is the librarian at Dalry Library and a keen local historian. You can view her YouTube channel by searching YouTube or Google for 'Galloway Retold'. Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 33 Glenkens Gazette EST. 2007 GAZETTEinformation page 34 CatStrand AUTUMN HIGHLIGHTS AN TOBAR AND MULL THEATRE: NIGHT WAKING THU 16 OCT 7:30PM CIRQULATION ENSEMBLE PRESENTS JOURNEY SAT 25 OCT 2:00PM DALRY TOWN HALL SMITH & MCCLENNAN SAT 25 OCT 7:30PM GEOFF DAVIDSON'S THE GOD STONE SAT 1 NOV 7:30PM & SUN 2 NOV 2:00PM ÒRAN THU 6 NOV 7:30PM DALAHAN FRI 21 NOV 7:30PM HIGH ST, NEW GALLOWAY 01644 420 374 GCAT.SCOT Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 35 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Michele Owen 07940 313 445 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 • Parton: Tom - 07835 821 976 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • McQueens Dairies: 0330 555 5588 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact hello@ gallowayfoodhub.org.uk Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Crossmichael (Church Hall), 9.30am: Oct 5, 12, 19 (communion), 26; Nov 2, 9 (Remembrance), 16, 23, 30 Balmaclellan, 11am: Oct 5, Nov 2 Carsphairn, 11.15am: Oct 12, Rembrance; Nov 9, 10.30am Kells, 11am: Oct 19 (communion), Nov 16 Dalry, 11am: Oct 26, Nov 23, Nov 30, Rembrance; Nov 9, 12noon SPECIAL EVENTS - Rembrance; Nov 9, 2pm at Parton War Memorial. New Galloway service details to the right. For further info contact Ian Knox on 07840 506 516 or at i.knox29@btopenworld.com, or Irene McCreath on 07974 861927 or at irenemccreath.im@gmail.com SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP The Rev Dawn Matthew Sundays:10.30am, Holy Communion, refreshments after. Tuesdays: 10-12noon, come for private prayers or to chat with Dawn when the ‘church is open’ sign is outside. Wednesdays: 7.30-8pm, evening prayers via Zoom shared with All Saints’ Challoch. Please contact Dawn for the link. SPECIAL SERVICES - Pet Blessing Service (outdoor), 4pm, Sunday 5 Oct. Whole community invited to bring their pets along – bring a photo if you can’t bring your pet! Remembrance, 9 November, joint service with Church of Scotland, 10.50am, New Galloway War Memorial followed by service at St Margaret’s. For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Carsphairn, in layby on A713 • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 36 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE You can now apply for a Garden Waste Collection Service permit at £40 per bin. for regular collections from March to November 2025. Apply online at www.dumgal.gov.uk/ wasterecycling or in person at a customer service centre such as Dalry Library. The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 GALLOWAY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT WEDNESDAY ROUTE SUMMER BUS TIMETABLE Outward Kendoon 18:00 Dalry 18:20 Balmaclellan 18:25 New Galloway 18:30 Mossdale 18:42 Laurieston 18:52 Ringford 19:07 Castle Douglas Tesco 19:20 Castle Douglas Aldi 19:25 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Return Castle Douglas Aldi 20:25 Castle Douglas Tesco 20:30 Ringford 20:43 Laurieston 20:58 Mossdale 21:08 New Galloway 21:20 Balmaclellan 21:25 Dalry 21:30 Kendoon 21:50 GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 37 GALLOWAY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org email: gct@catstrand.com / gctadmin@catstrand.com phone: Jon 07841 512449 / Jason 07704 662925 OCTOBER 2025 - NOVEMBER 2025 UPCOMING EXCURSIONS FRIDAY 17/10: THE WICKER MAN FILMING LOCATIONS TOUR Join us for a ride out to Whithorn, Kirkcudbright & Gatehouse for a guided tour of locations used in the cult 1973 folk horror movie The Wicker Man. The film itself is being shown at the CatStrand, New Galloway, in the evening @ 7.30pm For price and further details email: gct@catstrand.com SATURDAY 25/10: THE CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW @ THE SEC This excursion offers the choice of either spending the day in Glasgow shopping, enjoying the restaurants or visiting the Museums; or immersing yourself in the Creative Craft Show at the SEC. Bus fare: £19.00 / see our website for details and ticket link TUESDAY 09/12: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TRIP TO CALEDONIA PARK & CARLISLE Join us for a Christmas shopping day out, travelling in our comfortable heated excursion minibus. We will call at Gretna Caledonia Park and then Carlisle for shopping. For price and further details email: gct@catstrand.com MINIBUS DRIVING We are looking for drivers to help us deliver our 517 service in the Kirkcudbright/Borgue area, paid on a self-employed basis. This will be 1 - 2 days a week. For a discussion about the role, please call Jon on 07841 512449 or email gct@catstrand.com PATIENT TRANSPORT We also urgently need drivers with their own cars for our patient transport service. Our volunteer patient transport drivers receive a generous mileage reimbursement and the satisfaction of providing a vital service to vulnerable people in our communities. Interested? Email: gct@catstrand.com Phone: 07841 512449 / 07704 662925 VEHICLE HIRE FOR MEMBERS We have vehicles for hire by community organisations. ranging from 4 seat capacity to 16 seats, including wheelchair accessibility For information about membership and terms and conditions of hire see the GCT website or phone 07841 512449 / 07704 662925 www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org REGULAR SERVICES Please see the Gazette’s Info page for details of our regular timetabled routes Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEevents WHAT'S ON page 38 October/November OCTOBER Wed 1, Galloway Shorts Film Festival Skill Sharing Session, 6.30pm, CatStrand Wed 1, Dalry Film Club: A Complete Unknown, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 3, Stroanfreggan Dig Open Day, 11am & 12noon, see back page Sat 4, SWSARF Archaeological Symposium: Wigtownshire Early Prehistory, 2.30pm, CatStrand Sun 5, NT Live: Inter Alia, 4pm, CatStrand Tue 7, Hercules The Bear by Tenterhooks Theatre, 6.30pm, CatStrand Thu 9, Ken Words: Writers’ Cafés, 7pm, The Smiddy Thu 9, Martin Simpson presents Skydancers, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 11, Glenkens Story: A Talk on Viscount Kenmure and the Kenmure Burial Aisle, 3pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 11, Voices from Gaza, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 11, Mixtape Dance Nights, 8pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 11, Bairn Banter's Buffet & Boogie Family Disco, 4-6pm, Lagwyne Hall, see p33 Wed 15, SIMEON WALKER: Pianist & Composer, 7.30pm, CatStrand Thu 16, An Tobar & Mull Theatre: Night Waking, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 17, Deer of Dark Waters Field & Picnic Trip, 11am, CatStrand Fri 17, Corpse Bride, 4.30pm, CatStrand Fri 17, The Wicker Man, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 18, Wee Mixtape: Family Dance Party, 4.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Sun 19, Galloway Song Sessions with Kate Howard,10am, CatStrand Sun 19, Trad Folk Music Skills Session, 1pm, The Smiddy Wed 22, Dalry Film Club: Small Things Like These 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 24, Wild Goose Ceilidh with Shore Road, 7pm, NG Town Hall Sat 25, GCT Bus Trip: Creative Craft Show, see p37 Sat 25, Cirqulation Ensemble presents JOURNEY, 2pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 25, Smith & McClennan, 7.30pm, CatStrand Wed 29, A Wolf Shall Devour The Sun, 7.30pm, CatStrand Thu 30, Heritage Spooky Halloween Trail, 7pm, NG Park Town Hall Wed 12, Remembering Glenkens Heroes, 5.30pm, CatStrand Thu 13, Ken Words: Writers’ Cafés, 7pm, CatStrand Sat 15, 150th Anniversary Gala Ball, NG Town Hall Wed 19, Dalry Film Club: The Brutalist, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 21, Dalahan, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 22, Galloway Conversations: The Paddy Line, 3pm, CatStrand Sun 23, Galloway Song Sessions with Kate Howard, 10am, CatStrand Thu 27, Glenkens Gazette 25th Anniversary Celebration, 7pm, CatStrand, see p2 NOVEMBER DECEMBER Sat 1, Bairn Banter Halloween Party, 10.30am, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Sat 1, Festive Craft Fair, NG Town Hall Sat 1, The God Stone, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 2, Birds of the Glenkens, 11.30am, Dalry Town Hall, see p23 Sun 2, The God Stone, 2pm, CatStrand Mon 3, Beginners Social Dancing in the Glenkens, 7pm, NG Town Hall Mon 3, Improvers Social Dancing in the Glenkens, 8pm, NG Town Hall Wed 5, Galloway Shorts Film Festival Skill Sharing Session, 6.30pm, CatStrand Wed 5, Dalry Film Club: Mr Burton, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 6, Òran, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 8, Mixtape Dance Nights, 8pm, Dalry Mon 1, Beginners Social Dancing in the Glenkens, 7pm, NG Town Hall Mon 1, Improvers Social Dancing in the Glenkens, 8pm, NG Town Hall Wed 3, Galloway Shorts Film Festival Skill Sharing Session, 6.30pm, CatStrand Wed 3, Dalry Film Club: The Apprentice , 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Wed 3, Church Guilds Christmas Coffee Morning, 10.30am-12noon, NG Town Hall, see p18 Thu 4, Galloway Conversations: The Highways and Byways and Stories of the Glenkens, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 5 (7.30pm), Sat 6 (3pm & 7.30pm) & Sun 7 (2pm), CatStrand Players Panto: Babes in the Wood, 3pm, CatStrand Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact balmaghieccsec@ gmail.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact crossmichaelcc@gmail.com or 07803 204 433 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEevents page 39 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Exercise Class, Tue, 6-7pm Zumba, Fri, 6.30-7.30pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am-12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, monthly on a Thu, Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; OctMar, 2.30pm) Soup & Sandwich, Sat, 12noon-2pm, Oct-Mar Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, Wedn & Fri, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making - Mon, 7-9pm Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@ gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10am CatStrand, New Galloway Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat biweekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.30am Musical Misfits, Sat, bi-weekly, 10am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3pm Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16yrs) Art Explorers, Sat, 10.30am, fortnightly New Galloway Town Hall Community Cafe, Mon12.30-2pm Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Dance for Wellbeing (adults), Mon 2.30pm Wet Felting, Tue, 10am-12.30pm Tai Chi, Tue, 3:30pm-4:30pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–3pm, drop-in Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-9pm, all ages Community Larder, open whenever the town hall is open For further info email info@ling.org.uk or phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre GROUPS WILL RETURN ONCE REFURBISHMENT ON THE CENTRE IS COMPLETE Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Monday: 10am-1pm Wednesday: 10am-4pm Friday: 10-4pm Saturday: 10-4pm Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Song Share, 1st Fri each month, 7.3010.30pm Mossdale Village Hall Mossdale Painters, Wed, 9.30-11.30am Yoga, Fri, 2.15pm Various Bumps, Babies & Beyond, every 2nd Mon, 10.30am, Kirkpatriack Durham Village Hall Learn to Play Bridge, Mon, 7-9pm, Lochinvar Hotel Keep Fit with Alex, 7.15-8.15pm, KPD Village Hall Strictly Get Dancing, Mon, 7pm, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Glenkens Oil Painters, Wed, 10am, Corfield House Art Studio Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed 2-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Thu, 1-3pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 Mum & Baby MovementThu, 9.3011.30am, Laurieston Village Hall Crossmichael Youth Club, Fri, Crossmichael Memorial Hall Dalry Library Main St, Dalry - 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book at the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Facebook For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 40 Archaeological dig gets underway C arsphairn Heritage Initiative (CHI) are excited to report that this long-awaited excavation has actually started! construction of this enigmatic hill-fort (variously estimated previously as dating from the Iron Age to the medieval period). to see the progress for themselves - see poster to the right for details. CHI and AOC would like to invite any locals interested to come along on the three open days Michael Ansell, Carsphairn Heritage Initiative The volunteers and professional archaeologists from AOC Archaeology were fortunate to have a nice calm dry day to start. In the photograph here, they are removing the grass turf from one of the trenches to be opened up. This trench will hopefully yield evidence as to the date of With Encouragement Comes Empowerment EMBARK ON YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY WITH PATHWAYS Now is the time to turn your business dreams into reality with Pathways. We’re here to guide your journey, build your resilience and connect you with a supportive community. Pathways supports women and individuals from underrepresented groups across the South of Scotland, from those with a dream of starting a business but no clear idea yet, to those with a firm vision of what they want to achieve. Delivered by WHAT YOU’LL GAIN: Empowering Financial Support: Access up to £1,000 in grants for start-up costs like marketing, equipment and accredited training. Personal Coaching: Work with dedicated coaches who understand your journey. Community & Connection: Join a supportive network of like-minded peers. Ready to get started? Take the first step toward your future today! Contact us to begin your journey. Available in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders southofscotlandenterprise.com/pathways Firewood logs & Wood Products for Sale From Carsphairn Community Woodland A range of products are available from our community sawmill Contact us with your requirements ï Free local delivery ï Enquiries to: Tel: 07710 124 255 Carsphairn Community Woodland Limited is commi�ed to acquiring, developing and managing local woodlands in a sustainable and environmentally sound way for the long-term benefit of the local community. Website: www.carsphairn.org/CCWL WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Company Limited by Guarantee SC591976 Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com DEC/JAN COPY DEADLINE: 5 NOV The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not necessarily represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 150 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade 25 years anniversary edition. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG-150 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/593/GlenkensGazette149_cover.jpg fc4d8856acd94c16954a00fa5777bbae https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/593/GlenkensGazette149.pdf dc3d2eec6c20a072993d183612ed8deb Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document August/September 2025 ISSUE 149 Stroanfreggan fort archaeology project C arsphairn Heritage Initiative, in conjunction with the Glenkens Story, have launched the Stroanfreggan Community Archaeological Research Project (SCARP). This is a new project investigating the ancient sites of Stroanfreggan fort and the nearby Smittons Bridge kerbed cairn. The sites will be excavated in September and October 2025 with AOC Archaeology, and you are invited to help on the excavation. FREE INSIDE THIS ISSUE New benches at community woodland ...turn to p5 Continued in the History section on p23... All new Glenkens Land Notes Festival ...turn to p8 Conjectural part reconstruction as to how Stroanfreggan fort may have appeared, created by Fearrann Alba Skills and jobs fair showcasing Glenkens-based opportunities T his September will see the rollout of a local skills and jobs fair, designed to boost awareness of employment and training opportunities in the Glenkens. There is a broadly held opinion that rural areas only offer employment opportunities in a very limited range of sectors; however, we know that this is not the case for us! opportunities will have the chance to talk with employers from a range of sectors about Glenkens-based careers, qualifications and relevant skills training. On 30 September, Dalry High School will host a 'Skills and Jobs Fair' where young people (P6 and over), career changers and people looking for new The idea of the event is to raise awareness of the careers, qualifications and relevant skills training available on our doorstep. Continued on p2... Glenkens Food Month is our annual celebration of all things food across the Glenkens, now in its seventh year and bigger and better than ever! Throughout September there will be a whole raft of exciting events and activities - keep your eyes peeled for the programme in local shops, and visit the Glenkens Hub for up-todate info www.glenkens. scot/glenkens-foodmonth-2025 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 2 CONTENTS Exploring employment and News: p2-5 People: p6-7 Environment: p8-15 Community: p16-21 History: p22-23 Arts: p24 Business: p25 Information: p26-29 Events: p30-31 training in the Glenkens Continued from front page... Land use change, the advent of remote working, and changes to the forestry and renewables sector have all had an effect on the availability of roles in rural Scotland, potentially increasing opportunities to access careers in new sectors. The Skills and Jobs Fair aims to offer support and advice to those considering setting up as self-employed, as well as highlighting avenues of local employment. It will be a great chance to come and see the opportunities in the area, whether you're taking your first steps into employment, are considering a career change, or looking to expand your local business. The Glenkens Communities and Arts Trust is organising the Fair in partnership with Could you give a young person the opportunity to build their skills and stay in our beautiful region? Call for Organisations: 50% FUNDING FOR AN INTERN’S WAGES Unlock your potential by engaging a young person aged 16-25 in your business for 6 months Funding available from now until end 2027 Who Can Apply: Any business based in The Glenkens To find out more contact: [before mid August 2025] Jo Jackson Project Lead Cultural Glenkens jo@catstrand.com 01644 420374 the Glenkens Community Action Plan Steering Group, Dalry Schools Parent Council and Dalry Secondary School, and the project has been made possible thanks to funding from DG Works. Save the date: 30 September, 4-6pm, Dalry School Hall For more information visit www.glenkens. scot/communityevents/skills-and-jobsfair Becca Nelson Pictured is Phoenix Lord, one of the young people to benefit from Carsphairn Community Woodland's pre-apprenticeship scheme EMPLOYERS/LOCAL BUSINESSES If you would like to have a table at the fair, or have any questions, please contact Becca Nelson at GCATProjects@gmail.com Glenkens Cub Scouts T he Cubs went that extra mile with an amazing display for their Easter egg competition. Presented were a Formula 1 track, racing cars and a stand full of spectators (eggs), football pitch which resembled Queen of the South, a well kitted-out gym, lambs, a garden with a nest in the bushes, ninjas, and much more. Christine Rankin, chairperson for the Galloway District Scout Council, judged the eggs and couldn’t believe the high standard of entries. After this event I had a fall, and have been out of action since. I would like to thank all who sent good wishes, cards and flowers - I am now on the road to a full recovery We are hoping to have our fundraising stall at the Alternative Games on 3 August, in New Galloway Park at 2pm. Please come and say hello! Pack meetings will resume on 3 September in the Scout Hall, New Galloway, from 6.15-7.30pm. If you are between eight and 10 years old and would like to try Cubs, please come along and you will be made most welcome. We have a very strong Cub Pack and are keen to let the youngsters aged 10½ to 14 continue their Scouting, but we have no leaders for this group. If you are interested please call me on 01644 420 375 or get in touch with Hannah at mcandrew.hannah@yahoo.co.uk We are also looking for Beaver leaders, which entails working with ages six to eight. If you can help, do let us know – I’m sure there is someone in the Glenkens who would be interested! Have a good summer holiday, stay safe and have fun. Yours in Scouting, Heather Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 3 Clatteringshaws CAMpRA AIRE status T he car park next to Clatteringshaws Loch visitor centre - soon to be the location of the new Scottish Dark Skies Observatory - has been granted Campaign for Real AIRES (CAMpRA) 'AIRE' status. only stay if they can access fresh water and facilities for black and grey waste disposal every few days. Here in the UK there are not enough facilities for selfcontained motorhome and campervan stopovers, so CAMpRA co-ordinates a central source of information on how towns and small businesses can apply for AIRE designation to provide simple overnight parking and waste points and thereby benefit from this year-round revenue stream. CAMpRA's aims are to promote the year-round recreational use of motorhomes and campervans through the provision of AIRES in order to: • encourage mental and physical wellbeing of motorcaravan owners • support the UK tourism industry • encourage spending in the local economy • enable motorcaravan owners to enjoy local shops, cafes, bars, The term aire comes from the French word for 'area', and is used in this context to describe a motorhome stopover site. Alison's aquabike update T I kicked off the season at the British Age Group Aquabike Championships in Burghley, where I was pleased to come away with a fifth place finish in a very competitive field. With this being the first race of the season there were certainly plenty of lessons learned. Shortly after, I raced the Outlaw Nottingham Sprint Triathlon, securing third place and earning my qualification spot for the 2026 European Age Group Championships. One of the highlights so far was taking 2nd place at the Deva Triathlon Aquabike in Chester, which also confirmed my Fi McClelland, business and operations manager for the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory which is soon to be situated on the banks of the loch, said: "The AIRE at Clatteringshaws Loch already benefitted from a black and grey disposal unit and has a large and level car park with great views over the water. "We knew that Forestry and Land Scotland previously operated overnight motorhome parking there, and at a number of other locations within the Galloway Forest Park, under their 'Stay the Night' scheme, so it seemed like a natural move to continue to offer the amenity at Clatteringshaws." Europe has long realised the benefits to tourism achieved by encouraging motorhome and campervan visits, but they can ime has flown by; it’s been a busy and exciting first half of the season for me, with plenty of racing, driving, training, and some great results that I’m proud to share with the local community. restaurants, etc CAMpRA works in association with 'Search For Sites' and 'AIREStop' - two online resources which provide an easy way to identify the locations of, the services available at and a booking platform for fully registered AIRES qualification for the 2026 World Age Group Championships. Swimming being my favoured event has meant I’ve also been keeping up my open water racing, and was thrilled to finish as the 1st overall female at the Coniston 3km Open Water Swim. In addition to racing, I recently took part in a warm weather training camp in Majorca with my swim club, Dumfries ASC, which was a fantastic opportunity to focus on endurance and consistency. Over the nine days, I managed around 60km of swimming, plus plenty of bike and run sessions to round it out. Though the hot weather was tough it gave a really good indicator to how i might cope with racing in Australia. With the first half of the season now behind me, I’m back into a tough training block as I prepare for what’s ahead - representing Team GB at the World Age Group Aquabike Championships in Australia later this year. Outside of all the fun training and racing I have also been working hard with friends to do various fundraising events. We managed to visit Tesco in Castle Douglas, and I got to speak to so many lovely people. We have also had a local coffee morning which was so well supported. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me so far your encouragement means the world. Next on the calendar is a Prize Bingo Night on Friday 22 August at Threave Rovers Social Club. Doors open at 6.15pm, with eyes down for 7pm, and I’d love to see you there! I would also like to shout out a massive "thank you" to Stewartry Sports Council, who I am delighted to say are supporting me this year. As well as that to my sponsors; Natural Power, Ian Bendall Funeral Directors, Threave Rural, JLN Engineering, Sharon's Bakes and Ark Vet Centre. Alison Pringle Far left: biking at Outlaw Sprint triathlon. Left: the finish at Coniston GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 4 The Great Corsock Show approaches M ake sure to mark Saturday 23 August in your diary as this is the day of the Great Corsock Show! be dropped off on the Friday night or on Saturday morning until 10.45am, when the doors are sealed for the judging to take place. At 1pm the ribbon is cut and all are welcome to assess the entries, enjoy the café, BBQ and bottle stall. This Galloway institution is now approaching its 20th year, with this year is shaping up to be a bumper event... Last year’s Judge’s Challenge category (‘Cake Containing a Vegetable’) was so wildly popular that his has been incorporated into the regular running order. Show programmes are in local shops, or available online including on the Glenkens Hub (www.glenkens.scot). Entries can This year’s Judge’s Challenge is ‘An Individual Cheesecake’, with ‘Local Wildlife’ the photography theme. At 2.30pm awards prizes will be presented, with time then for the famously feisty and competitive auction. All welcome! Do come along to experience first-hand the most lemon curdin’-veg growin’-traybakemakin’-craft knittin’-scarecrow stuffin’ action that is possible on a single day in Galloway… Nb This year’s event will not be televised. Laurie McNabb m mu n it y R e si l nc Certificate of Recognition 2025 ti on Bronze Award e R e c o g ni This is an excellent start on efforts to ensure our little village has a cohesive response to any issues. o ie C arsphairn community has received the D&G Council Bronze Award for its resilience efforts. C Carsphairn lands Success for Our resilience award Glenkens project Presented to Carsphairn Community Resilience Group Congratulations! For achieving bronze status as recognised by Dumfries and Galloway Council Thank you for the time, commitment and care you have given to community resilience. Your efforts play an important role in empowering your local community to prepare for, respond to and recover from civil emergencies Signature Becky Robson Cathy Cockburn Name the Place I n each issue a photograph will be taken somewhere in the Glenkens by local photographer Ted Leeming and readers have to guess where it is. The answer can be found on p17, with a bit of information and food for thought about that location. T he Glenkens Community & Arts Trust's 'Our Glenkens' project - a series of short videos highlighting some of the amazing young people living and working in the Glenkens - has received another boost. Funding from the Scottish Government's Climate Engagement Fund will be used to create more reels, this time highlighting work on climate change in the Glenkens. More details to follow, but this is another vote of confidence in the innovative work so many in our communities are carrying out, and more investment into our area. Follow @ourglenkens on FB, Insta or TikTok, or visit glenkens.scot/our-glenkens Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 5 Local artists featured in Earth Photo world exhibition L ocal artists Morag Paterson and Ted Leeming have been selected for the prestigious Earth Photo world exhibition. Their work, chosen from over 1,500 entries worldwide, will be showcased at various venues across the UK, including Forestry England sites and National Trust properties, until Spring 2026. Ted and Morag travelled down to London for the exhibition launch and awards ceremony and were treated to a fascinating presentation from polar photographer Martin Hartley. Morag Paterson is working with forester Andrew Macqueen on a collaborative project, Curious Conversations, and the selected series focuses on airborne forest life or ‘aerobiome’ in Crofthead forest. They laid out specially prepared ‘settle plates’ in the forest and then watched the collected fungal spores and bacteria grow. The photographs were taken at Ascus Labs in Edinburgh. Curious Conversations is funded by EcoArt Charity and Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands. Ted Leeming's pieces in the exhibition, On Food, examines global food system complexities, and form part of his portfolio submission exploring urban and rural land use across Scotland. sustainability, balance, and consumption, his compelling imagery invites viewers to consider the environmental and social implications of how we use and manage land. The Earth Photo World Exhibition is currently on display at the Royal Geographical Society in London until 20 August 2025. Highlighting issues such as Additionally, selected works activities over the last year. This has included the establishment of paths and wildlife scrapes, planting of trees with school groups and community events. But there was nowhere to sit… The new benches are made from larch, Douglas fir and oak, all sourced from within Dumfries & Galloway, and provide a new focus for visitors to enjoy the views around the site. The benches were 50% funded by Glenkens & District Trust as part of the ‘Woodlands Plus’ project, and 50% by EJD Forestry and Foresight Group. The unveiling ceremony included performances by Helmut Lemke, with his Ode to the Midge and a Navaho-inspired piece. Next up for Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland is the installation of signage and a car park. In the meantime, the site is open to all visitors; it is located just by the River Urr, off the Corsock to Moniaive road (What Three Words: lofts/ plausible/bends) - a perfect spot to go for a seat. For more visit www.uuet.co.uk McNabb Laurie are being exhibited at Forestry England sites and National Trust properties across the UK, including Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire, and Basildon Park in Berkshire. These exhibitions offer a unique opportunity to engage with art that addresses pressing environmental issues. New benches unveiled at community woodland T here are three new benches at the Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland, crafted by Auchencairn’s Phil Daube and inspired by the local landscape. The Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland is a bit special - it is the first time part of a commercial woodland creation scheme has been leased to the community. Foresight Group, the owners, have leased the four hectare site to Upper Urr Environment Trust, unleashing a range of community Advanced Massage Practitioner Sienna Laurie goes head over heels for one of the new Glaisters benches Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople page 6 Glenkens Youth Correspondent Joshua Wells, aged 16, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Joshua discusses summer holidays. T he time for sunny weather and clear skies (well not so much for Dumfries and Galloway) has once again come around. Summer holidays...relaxing, having barbecues or even going abroad. In Dumfries and Galloway, school summer holidays are about seven weeks long. However, if you think that's long, you may be shocked to hear about the length of summer holidays in Iceland. In Iceland, summer holidays can be over 13 weeks long, although it is reasonable to say that their summer holidays may be a bit different to ours. Historically, our tradition of a long school holiday stems from the need for rural parents to have their kids help on the farm, during the harvest season. However, these school holidays became more important after 1872, when the Education (Scotland) Act was passed, as the act made it compulsory for kids ages five to13 to go to school. Helping on the farm was so common at the time that a two-week holiday was held in the 1930s, known as the ‘tattie holidays’, which continues today, with children getting two weeks off in October. This is often now used as a lastminute getaway before the weather gets too bad. With agriculture becoming a bit less ingrained within today's culture, and farms becoming more mechanised, children did not have to help out as much. People often spend their summer holidays going abroad, or staying home and doing local activities. For example, this year the CatStrand ran Arts Award Explore for those aged eight to 11, and for those aged from 12 to 18, an Arts Award Bronze. The CatStrand are giving young people the opportunity to go to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a brilliant showcase of people's talents on stage or on the streets. There is also a trip to the amazing Sky Arts Studio in Glasgow, showing young people the real versions of what they might see on TV. At the end of the Arts Award week, those who participated get to present their work. Unsurprisingly, I'll be doing this by writing a critique on one of the plays at the Edinburgh fringe. Some people also choose to go to the Galloway Activity Centre, where you are able to take part in archery, do some laser-tag, or even go on the ‘Wobbly Water Park’ on Loch Ken. And for those who want a more relaxing event, you may be interested in Youth Work’s ‘Amazing Summer Roadshow 2025’, where you are able to take part in gaming, sports, crafts and music. Or at New Galloway Town Hall you can get involved in their community gardens. So, whilst many people across Dumfries and Galloway won't be taking part in the longstanding tradition of farming over the summer break, there is a lot to keep locals and as well as visitors occupied during the holiday season. Changing times at GCAT I t wasn't an easy decision to make, but I know it's the right time for me to move on from my role at the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT). I've had a great three-anda-half years here, enduring the arduous five-minute commute and the live music accompaniments to our work in the back office. But with the support of the whole team, from staff to freelancers to volunteers to board members, we've made huge strides over the last few years, and the organisation is now the most stable it's ever been. With multi-year funding sourced for most of our key projects and a clear strategic vision of our work in arts and community development, I'm hoping that leading GCAT into its next chapter will be a really attractive proposition for my replacement. GCAT and CatStrand were never going to be something that I could just walk away from, so that's why we've agreed an extended timeline. I'm planning to be in place until the board appoints a new person and they start, so that we can do an in-person handover for a few weeks. After that - who knows? It's quite exciting for me personally, not knowing what I'll be doing in the New Year... Who knows? I'm not going anywhere just yet, but I would like to thank all the many members of the Glenkens communities who make it such a special place to live and work. I really think it's astonishing Helen Keron, Peter Renwick (CatStrand how much Creative Director) and Brian expertise and Edgar (GCAT Facilities Manager) effort people outside the CatStrand are prepared to bring to bear on making life Look out for the board's better for all of us. And if announcement of my GCAT is better able now to successor in the next edition! support you in your efforts, Helen Keron, then I will count that as a job GCAT Chief Executive well done! Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople page 7 Evolution of a Glenkens Archive W e are excited to announce the creation of a new online Glenkens Archive which will encompass the existing Glenkens Gazette archive, along with a wider aspect of historical information from across the Glenkens. The Glenkens Gazette archive was created in 2021 by Oli Sturm, with input from Paul Goodwin, who uploaded all the pdf files of past Gazettes, and David Bartholomew, who had a complete archive Gazettes, right back to the first edition. Oli says: " We moved to the area around eight years ago, and a few months before then we visited the property we were about to purchase and picked up a Gazette in the Post Office in Dalry. It seemed a great idea to learn a bit about the area and the community we were going to move to. "After moving in, the Gazette was a source of more local information and we were surprised to be neighbours to Sarah - Gazette editor! The idea of a searchable archive was born when I became more curious about the Glenkens and wanted to easily find past issues on topics I wanted to look into." Considering the new Glenkens Archive project, Oli continues: "I’m looking forward to seeing the new archive that will make it even easier to discover the region and its past. It’s great that the Glenkens Gazette has played such an important role in this area and I am happy that I was able to add a little bit to the success story." Gail Challis, Glenkens Hub editor and creator of the new Glenkens online archive, says: "I'm excited to show everyone the new Glenkens Archive which will build on the brilliant work Oli has done for the Gazette. The new archive will be able to host documents, images and recordings from Glenkens organisations as well as an interactive map. It will be Happy golden wedding anniversary! going live this autumn - keep an eye on the Gazette and Glenkens Hub for updates!" Glenkens Gazette & Hub Team T hank you Val Edwards for all you have done over the years. For raising two children who are now exceptional adults, and for being there for me through the good and bad times. with much love from Nick xxx £7.00per night per dog 2 hearing aids, charger & 5 year warranty from £1,500 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 8 Inaugural Glenkens festival of land T he Glenkens Land Notes festival will be a community celebration of place, creativity and connection - a vibrant and joyful celebration of our relationships with land and place. The festival will offer a chance to reflect on the land that surrounds us - not just in terms of ownership or use, but in terms of meaning, memory, belonging and future care. Across the weekend, the Glenkens will host a rich mix of events that speak to this connection: music and talks, hands-on workshops that invite creativity and craft, walks that explore the land on foot and in thought, and talks that open up space for listening and dialogue. And of course, no celebration would be complete without a ceilidh. One of the most exciting and visible parts of the festival is the invitation for individuals and community groups to create banners. These banners can celebrate place, honour local stories, express hopes, or simply mark a personal or communal connection to land or place, however small or complex that may be. food under a canopy of colour, accompanied by a local piper. You don’t need to be an artist to make one. The banners are for everyone, whether you’re already deeply engaged with land, cultural or environmental connections or just starting to think about what land means to you. Whether you’re a farmer, a student, a parent, a walker, a neighbour or someone who’s never really thought about land much at all - this festival is for you. In the weeks leading up to the festival, people are encouraged to display their banners in windows, gardens, public spaces or community halls—turning the Glenkens into a patchwork of voices and visions. Then, during the festival weekend, the banners will be gathered for a collective parade and picnic—a joyful comingtogether to walk, talk, and share At its heart, Land Notes is about making space: for expression, for listening, for connection and for new perspectives. It invites us to step outside of the usual frames of land as property, policy or problem, and into a more playful, personal and communal relationship with it. Kerry and Morag, the cocurators behind the festival, along with the creative team at the CatStrand, and Dalry Community Council, bring years of experience working with communities, art, ecology and place. Their vision for Land Notes is rooted in care, inclusion and curiosity - asking not just how land is used, but how it is felt, shared, shaped and honoured. Kerry Morrison making Land Notes banners at the Dalry Farmers Market So come along. Make a banner. Hang it up. Bring it to the parade. Join the music, the walk, the talk, the making, the dancing. Let’s celebrate what land means when it becomes not just a backdrop, but a living part of the story we all share. Land Notes is made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players and supported by Creative Scotland, Nature Scot, Inspiring Scotland and DGArts. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 9 The Optimistic Environmentalist Electric Cars - Part Three Common myths that we have not had to worry about (continued)... 3) EVs are not reliable: As with any piece of technology, some are not perfectly made. Remember, all new technology and manufacturing techniques improve as time goes on. One of our friends had problems with her secondhand EV, and after 18 months of trying to find out what was wrong because the car was not holding its charge, she was recommended a wellthought-of EV garage. It turns out her original garage had been the real problem and her car works well now! As with the transition from horses to motor vehicles, there are many changes and improvements to go through, but bringing in clean energy to people's homes to reduce costs and climate change demands makes this transition important to work through as quickly as we can. In fact though, EVs are much more reliable than you may think. An RAC report from January found “EVs are just as reliable for drivers who have traditional vehicles over a long period of time.” 4) EVs are so heavy that they damage the roads and car parks: Generally, cars are bigger and heavier now due to modern safety features and our demand for space and comfort. EVs are heavier proportionately because of their batteries, but the difference is not that much and certainly not as great as has been publicised. After all, they don't have engines or fuel to carry. Newer designs and technology are also meaning that battery capacity is improving so battery sizes are reducing. Regardless, there are heavier ICE cars eg large SUVs and pick-ups, than most EVs. Also, be reassured, car parks are designed to hold large numbers of big cars and vans, so don't worry. 5) EV batteries use materials like lithium and cobalt: As for ICE cars, materials need to be dug up for EVs. However, they do not need the mining and transporting for oil that ICE cars require which they then burn - once. There is some confusion around rare earth materials – batteries do not use, and never have used, rare earth minerals. Some EV batteries do use EV chassis cutaway cobalt but ICE vehicles have always used cobalt – it is used to remove sulphur from petrol and diesel. Lithium and often cobalt, can also be found in the batteries of laptops, smartphones, watches and cordless power tools. EV designers and recyclers are constantly improving what and how materials are used and cobalt is being phased out of the latest EV battery technologies. Estimates show that 85-95% of materials can now be reclaimed from batteries and reused again. The companies that exist to do this though, have found that EV batteries are going for longer than expected so have been having troubles sourcing them. Family and friends coming to stay? N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) This is a measurement of how much power a battery holds now compared to what it had when first made. A battery health test tells you how much charge it can hold and, depending on the type of tests, how the different packs in the battery are performing. Our car is two-and-a-half years old and has done 27,000 miles without any perceptible change in the battery state of health, and thus, range. Battery technology and life is improving all the time MG have just announced in some countries, although not the UK yet, that batteries in some of their vehicles will have an unlimited mileage, lifetime warranty. Denise MacDonald-Kiernan Eileen Campbell Call Fiona on 07789 903127 - 01644 420737 - www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Buggies now available for hire Licence no DG00824P VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Battery health To arrange a visit in the comfort of your own home please contact 07515 168 963 or empathyfoothealth@gmail.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 10 sponsored by Living with bees L iving with Bees was an exposition at The Byre, Corriedoo, by artists Kerry Morrison and Helmut Lemke. The aim was an exploration and sharing about the natural life of free-living bees and the ways we can support feral and wild honeybee colonies. Kerry and Helmut began practising natural beekeeping in 2010. Natural beekeeping is about providing hives (or nests) that allow the bees to go about their business in a near natural way, with low or no intervention from a beekeeper. It allows the bees to live their natural life cycles and be the primary beneficiaries of what they produce: honey, wax, propolis, pollen, royal jelly and venom, which are all essential for the health and wellbeing of honeybees. Over the years, Helmut and Kerry have been continually learning about the lives and health of honeybees, through observing the colonies in their garden and reading the ever-growing literature that is now available about natural beekeeping and free-living bees. This research is evidencing that supporting bees to live in a near-natural way enables them to thrive and manage diseases and pests without chemicals or human interference. Living With Bees brought together Kerry and Helmut’s understanding and knowledge as honeybee observers and nest providers alongside reference books, drawings, photographs, installations, film and live sound streamed from outside a hive, creating a buzz through the whole of The Byre. Many interesting conversations were had with visitors to the exhibition, and the tree trunk hive generated a lot of interest. A tree trunk hive, which is a hollowed-out log on stilts, provides a near natural nest cavity for free-flying bees. Honeybees are forest dwellers and, ideally, they would build their nests in cavities in veteran trees. By having a tree trunk hive you are proving a nesting place in the absence of big old trees with cavities. Given the interest generated, Kerry and Helmut are now planning a workshop in the autumn to make tree trunk hives for different locations across Galloway. The Byre, at Corridoo forest, is Kerry and Helmut’s studio. Pictured are Kerry and Helmut at the Living with Bees exhibition in The Byre, Corriedoo, photographed by Kate Foster GLENKENS ORAL HISTORIES Are you looking to plant trees this winter? We have grants available for small-scale native planting schemes. For full info, visit: www.dgwoodlands.org.uk Registered as a SCIO, no 052525 Have you a tale to tell or an ear to listen? Calling for volunteers to recall their stories and recorders to record those memories. To be uploaded onto a digital archive for present and future generations to enjoy To get involved or find out more - jo@catstrand.com | 01644 420374 We look forward to hearing from you! Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 11 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE 20 chairs with arms, free to collect from Mossdale Village Hall. Surplus to requirements. Contact: 07538 821764 Seagrass matting, made up from squares, 3ft x 6ft. Not new but still useful. Contact: Sue, Dalry, on 07563 718 011 Central heating radiator. White. H72cm, W54cm, D11cm. Contact: 01644 420267 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 Double/single bunk bed, double at the bottom, single on top, metal frame. Contact: 07727 127 997 WANTED LOST: Camouflage print Croc (clog-type shoe) lost in the river at the High Bridge of Ken. Has likely floated downstream...if found, please contact Sarah on 07727 127 997 Garden bench. Contact: 07727 127 997 Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Non-runners/broken welcome. Contact: text/WhatsApp 07845 562 217 FOR SALE & OFFERS PONY AND RIDER RELATED ITEMS. Saddle rack, bridle work (all leather) bits, stirrups, leathers, crupper, Cashel bareback rubber saddle, rug, travel boots, etc. All small cob size (Fell). Ladies size 10 clothing, some brand new. Riding/hunting/in-hand showing. Boots, spurs. Any reasonable offer. Ring me for full details and to arrange to come round for a browse (and a cuppa). Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 (please note I do not have the internet) Shed clearances - any shed cleared, large or small; get in touch for further info or to arrange a visit. Contact: 07765 034 841 WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING TIMES OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.30pm MONDAY – FRIDAY Sat 8.30am-5pm Sun 8.30am-3pm 7.30am – 5.30pm POST8.30am OFFICE– 5pm SATURDAY Mon-Fri 10am to 3pm SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm Sat 9am to 12noon Sun closed LOCAL SUPPLIERS LOCAL SUPPLIERS DALMELLINGTON BUTCHERS DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY HENDERSON BUTCHERS RAMSAY OF CARLUKE BUTCHERS BUTCHERS UPPER TREATS DULLARG EGGS SWEET BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG CREAM O' GALLOWAY SWEETCAKES BAKERY GALLOWAY LODGE IRVINGS BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY COWS & CO CHEESE THE CRESS COMPANY CREAM O GALLOWAY BORDER BISCUITS GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES HAWKSTONE BREWERY MITCHELLS & VEG IRVINGSFRUIT BAKERY SULWATH BREWERY SCOTTISH GALLOWAY PASTA ...local delivery available... GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment Loch Ken Family Fun Day The Loch Ken Trust is excited to be holding our annual Loch Ken Family Fun Day on Tuesday 12 August, from 11am-3pm, at Parton (in the field next to Loch Ken Holiday Park). There will be loads to do for all ages, including rescue demonstrations, kids’ activities and crafts, free rafted canoe trips, mini water safety sessions, a wild swimming group, and a chance to meet local branches of the emergency services. There will be local caterers Ballards Butchers and Glen Urr Ice Cream. Glenkens Cardiac Responders Group Loch Ken Trust are launching the Glenkens Community Cardiac Responders Group. Community Cardiac Responders are members of What's on over summer with the Loch Ken Trust the community trained and supported by the Scottish Ambulance Service to respond to Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests, on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service, as a first response to provide life-saving CPR and defibrillation to build resilience in our rural communities. If you are interested, please get in touch. No previous experience is required as all training will be provided by Scottish Ambulance Service. Requirements • Must be 18+ • Full Driving Licence • PVG Disclosure (Assistance Provided) • One days local training with Scottish Ambulance ServiceFriday 29 August. If you are interested, please get in touch for further details at Lindsay@lochken.org.uk page 12 LOCH KEN TRUST RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 Joint patrols with Community Police Police Scotland have embarked on joint patrols with Loch Ken Trust Ranger Service in a bid to put a stop to irresponsible behaviour. The purpose of these joint patrols is to ensure that persons visiting Loch Ken for whatever purpose are aware of their rights and responsibilities afforded under the Land Reform Scotland Act 2003 and adhere to the guidance provided in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Any persons who are not acting responsibly not only spoil the enjoyment of the area for other visitors, but put themselves and others at risk, and can be prosecuted accordingly. Our Head Ranger Leanne Pumpr urges everyone to act responsibly and follow the guidance by not lighting any fires during restricted periods. LOCH KEN FAMILY FUN DAY Tuesday 12th August 2025 11am-3pm Field next to Loch Ken Holiday Park, Parton Free entry and open to all Emergency Services Rescue Demonstrations First aid and safey advice Kayaking Demonstrations Wild Swimming Demonstrations Kids Activities and crafts Water Safety Obstacle Course Facepainting All children must be accompanied by an adult.For further information please contact Lindsay@lochken.org.uk Constable Lucinda Copland and Head Ranger Leanne Pumpr on a water patrol on Loch Ken “Our key objective is to educate and promote responsible access and ‘leave no trace’ to all who visit Loch Ken. It is great to be working in partnership with the community police so we can make sure all those enjoying Loch Ken have a positive experience.” A spokesperson from Police Scotland stated: "Police Officers will be carrying out regular patrols of the Loch Ken area, both independently and with local Rangers, as well as other popular tourist sites throughout the summer. Should they find persons acting irresponsibly, be under no illusion that appropriate action will be taken against those who are identified as having done so.” With the Summer holidays and peak visitor season in full swing, the joint patrols will continue. It is hoped that this presence will inform the public on responsible access and discourage any irresponsible behaviour. Lindsay Stewart, Manager, Loch Ken Trust Could you be a Loch Ken Volunteer Ranger? Get in touch with Lindsay at lindsay@lochken.org.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 13 New community orchard for Balmaclellan F ollowing the redevelopment of the Smiddy and the Men’s Shed in Balmaclellan, there are now further plans to help the village become a more attractive and vibrant place to live. A full planning application has been submitted by Pamela Young Trust for the building of three new-build properties on the old filling station site and a decision on that is imminent. In addition, any visitor or resident can't have failed to notice the excellent work that has been done both internally and externally at the village hall. A lovely new outdoor space has been created and this is both a great place for people to sit and relax, as well as presenting an attractive introduction to the village. Just down from the hall, a building plot has been on the market for a long time and it has got progressively more unkempt. This has now been purchased by Alan and Fiona Smith, with the intention of creating a community orchard which will be available for anyone to access and use. Alan commented that he and Fiona and had noticed that this site had remained un-sold for a very long time and it was starting to spoil the look of the village, so took the decision to buy it. Without a clear vision for its use, and with no intention to build a house, the site itself ultimately supplied the answer. There are currently two lovely mature apple trees, so it seemed obvious that these should be retained, added to and a community orchard created for the use of everyone in the village. Initially the site is just being tidied up and made stock proof until a planting scheme has been decided on. Thanks go to Robin Jardine for assisting with the fencing to the rear of the orchard. Volunteers may be required in due course! Alan Smith Photograph of the orchard plot taken by Anita Garnham Stewartry Birdwatchers upcoming talks S tewartry Birdwatchers meetings will again be held in the comfortable and well-appointed Balmaclellan Village Hall. Their programme begins on the evening of Thursday 11 September, at 7.30pm, when Ian Bainbridge will give his talk, 'The East Atlantic Flyway for Coastal Birds'. Ian will explain that in the autumn and winter, the UK is visited by many migrant waders and wildfowl and how they depend on specific places and habitat which need to be conserved to protect these species. All are very welcome to come along to our meetings. Stewartry Birdwatchers are a branch of the Scottish Ornithologists' Club and our talks are in no way scientific, but hopefully are always interesting and enjoyable. Halfway through any meeting we break for refreshments with time to chat, pass on any news and have a word with the speaker. The afternoon meetings begin on 9 October, with a talk by Teresa Frost about waterbirds and their monitoring. Teresa is responsible for managing the monthly Water Bird Surveys and the Goose and Swan counts which are both carried out by many volunteers throughout the UK. The amazing rediscovery of the Madagascar pochard and the concerted effort to give this unique duck a chance of survival is the subject of the talk by Glyn Young on the 13 November. Glyn, who has worked with some of the world's rarest birds, failed to find the duck in 1989 and did not see it until 17 years later. 'New Zealand - a Hotbed of Endemics, Fighting for Survival' will be the last talk for 2025, on 4 December. This is an account of a trip to New Zealand in 2019 when the speaker, Sarah Wood, travelled from North Island to Stewart Island in the south, in search of the country's very special birdlife and how it fares under the onslaught of invasive species. Joan Howie Pictured are two species of waders which winter on the U.K. shores, photographed by Maisie Welsh Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 14 Exploring place planning in Dalry A new research project led by Lucy Jenner is shedding light on how people in Dalry and surrounding areas engage with land use and local place planning. , a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, Lucy, a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh, worked in collaboration with the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere to research environmental land use changes - how our landscapes are evolving and how communities are responding. One key aim of the project was to understand how residents interact with local place planning initiatives, particularly in relation to Dalry’s Local Place Plan, and whether these efforts help people better understand land use in their area. To explore this, two similar surveys were shared within Dalry and the wider Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. It reached a diverse range of groups, including local yoga classes, gardening clubs, readers of the Glenkens Gazette, and subscribers to the Biosphere newsletter. Lucy and her team also visited Dalry in person to gather responses directly from the community. In total, 98 people took part in the survey (a map of the survey responses is included here). The results were both insightful and encouraging. A significant 78% of respondents said they think about land use change either frequently or more than once a week. Nearly 80% expressed concern or strong concern about land use in their area. These figures highlight just how important this issue is to local people. thought about land use. This is powerful evidence that involving communities in planning and decision-making can genuinely shift perspectives and deepen understanding. The research is currently being written up, and Lucy is keen to hear from anyone who would like to learn more or get involved in future work. You can reach her at l.jenner-1@sms.ed.ac.uk. These findings support a growing body of research suggesting that when communities are given the tools and opportunities to engage with land use data and planning, it can lead to a stronger sense of empowerment and connection to place. A big thank you goes out to everyone who took part in the survey and supported the project. And congratulations to the lucky respondent who won the £25 voucher to the Clachan Inn! Lucy Jenner Below is a map of survey responses Even more striking, 93% of respondents said they wanted more information about land use changes and planning in their communities. This shows a clear appetite for greater transparency and communication around how land is managed and developed. When it came to Dalry’s Local Place Plan, the findings were particularly promising. Among those who had been involved in developing the plan, 57% said it had changed the way they Photo of the Issue T his issue's winner is Kirsteen Currie, with a photo of a small loch that she and her family affectionately term Giant's Foot Loch. Kirsteen wins two portions of mac 'n' cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "This is just such a lovely photo...with the heron, the lilly pads and the rhododendrons...very mystical!" To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment S ummer this year has had a ‘green health’ focus for the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire (GSA) Biosphere Partnership. The charity works in collaborative projects that build closer connections between people and nature, and the team strives to support accessible outdoor experiences, especially those that centre wellbeing and community. page 15 Out and About in the Biosphere one of the GSA Biosphere Partnership’s launch series of Green Health Workshops (Colmonell, Whithorn, Glentrool, Girvan and Ochiltree were also in the summer calendar). The concept behind the workshop is to bring local people for a sociable event, providing a safe space for discussing barriers no requirement to be overtly physical! The GSA Biosphere Partnership aims for its Green Health initiative to help break down some of these barriers, create new social connections, and share the vast array of opportunities available in the UNESCO region. Green Health Workshops typically include an indoor session where people can exchange ...it’s not just about hiking in the wilderness or running upland trails... Green health is the umbrella term for nature-based activities that improve mental and physical wellness. It is increasingly being integrated into health and care plans through ‘green prescribing’, meaning that more and more GPs are proactively identifying and signposting green health activities that would work well for their patients. Health authorities and third sector partners are likewise establishing ‘green gyms’ and running digital marketing campaigns to promote local outdoor activities. Raised awareness of the immense positive impacts that nature can bring have led to the development of blue health initiatives as well, describing activities connected with rivers, lochs and the sea. Here in the Glenkens, New Galloway was the venue for to participation and an opportunity to find out more about activity groups operating locally, many of which are very small collectives run by volunteers and don’t have the capacity to advertise as extensively as they might wish. "Spend more time outdoors" may seem to be a simple instruction but there are often significant barriers to fulfilling this goal. Whether or not there is an existing health condition (which may impact energy, mobility, or ability to travel), other factors may include lack of free time, difficulty accessing information, or untenable transport and equipment costs. Confidence can also be a big issue, especially for those without family members or friends to join in as companions or offer support in other ways. Green health has an encouragingly expansive coverage; it’s not just about hiking in the wilderness or running upland trails, but in fact includes gardening, tai chi in the park, and much more – experiences and ideas, plus a gentle outdoor activity in local green space. This often incorporates nature recording using the iNaturalist mobile phone app, which the Biosphere team promotes far and wide as one of the most inclusive and accessible ways to spend more time outdoors with the added advantage of learning new skills – eg, how to ID a wonderfully varied population of bugs! The app actively supports the wildlife and habitats of the UNESCO Biosphere as all records submitted are added to a global database to be used by scientists, researchers and conservationists working on projects ranging from protecting pollinator flight paths to ameliorating roadkill hotspots. All the GSA Biosphere Partnership’s upcoming events, including Green Health Workshops, are advertised on their social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and BlueSky – follow #gsabiosphere) and most are bookable on the organisation’s Eventbrite page. All are free to attend though donations are warmly welcomed. The GSA Biosphere Partnership is a registered Scottish charity (SC044137) and has recently launched a JustGiving page to make it easier for supporters to donate (www.justgiving. com/gsabiosphere). Every contribution helps keep the Biosphere’s activity programme, educational resources, community/business workshops, Carbon Literacy training and accreditation schemes free of charge and accessible to all. More information about other ways to get involved such as the Proud Supporter scheme and Biosphere Certification Mark for business and social enterprise, is available at www. gsabiosphere.org.uk Top: Signage for one of the New Galloway walks. Above: Broadbar clover sawfly on a buttercup. Far left: Learning iNaturalist in New Galloway woods. Left: Green Health Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 16 A busy year for Glenkens Youth Group T he summer term has flown and we are now at the end of our third Glenkens Youth Group year. It was lovely to welcome a few more to the group, with sixteen now on the register. We continued to meet in Balmaclellan Village Hall, making good use of the excellent kitchen facilities with baking always a favourite activity. The lovely garden area led to impromptu circle chats under the trees and games of tig. With the remainder of our donation from the Glenkens Charity Shop, we bought a folding snooker table. This has been a great success and some very competitive games have been played! On wetter evenings, equally competitive games of Cluedo took place with enthusiastic use of accents to match the characters. Great fun! We even had a trial take place with a judge, jury and the accused (our youth assistant, Izak). Thankfully his driving license was returned following the verdict! We had a very successful and enjoyable outing to Threave Bowmen at the Castle Douglas Rugby Ground in April. We were shown the basics of archery and were supported by volunteers from the club, taking turns to aim at different targets including trying to burst balloons. Thank you very much to Threave Bowmen for a great evening. Finally, after two cancellations due to the high wind speeds, we had an amazing session with the Loch Ken Dragon Boats. Earlier in the term, Evelyn, one of the trained helms, visited us at the hall and showed us how to hold and use the paddle, respond to instructions from the helm. The boat was ready in the loch for us when we arrived, so after a short reminder and a warm up, we were paired up with a buddy and boarded the boat. We had a lovely, memorable time on the Loch, paddling in time to the drum (or trying to!) looking out for wildlife and joining in with the singing. The youngsters were praised for their coordinated paddling and infectious enthusiasm and energy. Thank you very much to the helms and helpers from Loch Ken Dragon Boats. Young people from the Glenkens Youth Group participating in the Loch Ken dragonboats trip We have a fantastic trip planned to the Titanic Exhibition in Belfast in July, funded by the Dumfries and Galloway Amazing Summer Fund, and a day of activities at Galloway Activity Centre in August, once again made possible due to a donation from the Glenkens Charity Shop. We are very grateful to both funders. Thank you. In August we plan to return to the Glenkens Community Centre in Dalry as our venue. We have been very happy at Balmaclellan, and made to feel very welcome, however as most of our youngsters live in or around Dalry, it makes travelling to the group more viable for them. Many thanks to Izak Entwistle for his help and support throughout the year and also to Julian Watson for volunteering his time to support us. Finally we hope you all have a lovely summer and look forward to more adventures in the Autumn. Sue Curtis, Glenkens Youth Group Deliverer Glenkens Youth Group is open to all P7 – S3s in the Glenkens who would like to meet on a Monday evening (7-8:30) for relaxed fun and chat. Contact glenkensyouth@gmail.com for more information. With grateful thanks to the Glenkens and District Community Fund for a further two years of core funding which allows GCAT to keep the Glenkens Youth Group running and free of charge for our young people. Community volunteers I sought in Corsock area C orsock and Kirkpatrick Durham Community Council are updating their Emergency Resilience Plan and are looking for volunteers. Residents are sought from the Corsock, Kirkpatrick Durham, Knockvennie and Old Bridge of Urr areas to volunteer to be on a contact list to assist in extreme weather events/ emergencies. There is no commitment required to volunteer, just a willingness to help in the community if you are able. No specialist skills are required! It could be something as simple as checking on neighbours. Could you help? There is an online survey that can be filled in www. surveymonkey.com/r/ K76JWQD or email Lindsay@lochken.org.uk When the resilience plan is complete, a final copy will be lodged with Dumfries and Galloway’s Resilience Team as added assurance. There has been a great response so far - many thanks for any information submitted. Lindsay Stewart want to thank you very much for printing my notice regarding my great grandfather's lemonade bottles in the Gazette. I am now the proud owner of one of these bottles and it's a strange, but satisfying, feeling holding something that my ancestor handled over 100 years ago. Thank you again for your help in this matter. Gordon McJannet GAZETTEcommunity LING's Annual Hedgehog greeting cards Glenkens Gazette page 17 General Meeting L L ocal Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) held its AGM in June, and we managed to break our own record for number of attendees. While all AGMs are special, this one marked the end of Ann and Bob Glaister’s tenure as trustees after an impressive 10-year stint. By way of thanks, they were gifted a blue plaque which will soon be put up in the hall. A highlight of the evening was having John Muir present us with a five-year plan which had its inception in various community consultations. Over the next five years LING aims to honour the past, connecting people to place through heritage, as well as celebrating the present through bringing people together in shared spaces, and building the future with the creation of sustainable, resilient places for all. Throughout this process we hope to feed into existing work such as the Community Action Plan, and work alongside developing projects such as New Galloway’s Local Place Plan. It’s certainly an exciting time to be at LING during this period of transition – and in New Galloway more broadly. It seems changes are ever afoot! Dominique Pope ocal artist Sue Wiseman is creating hand made greetings cards featuring her hedgehog cartoon drawings. Sue says: "Each one is drawn individually, with a theme suited to the recipient. They are a standard C6 size, with envelope, and will cost about £4, £3 of which will be donated to Carsphairn Wildlife Rescue." To order call Sue on 07563 718 011. Name the place (from page 4) Site Name: Stroanfreggan Bowling Hut Location: Carsphairn parish You can’t miss this true jewel of history if you travel the road from Carsphairn to Moniaive. Steeped in the culture of a 'once was' rural community, the vestiges and remains of which are still visible across the surrounding hillsides and glens, the hall has lain sadly empty on the road opposite the old schoolhouse since the 1990’s. A peek through the window still excites the MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 imagination as to what not so long ago once was, and it takes little imagination to hear the sound of a ceilidh raging deep into the night, or of a fiercely competitive bowling competition, the ‘green’ still lying the length of the corrugated structure. This centre of a community that once thrived now lies In a state of sad decay. Let’s hope a level of restoration will be possible in the near future to arrest its decline and ensure its presence as a reminder for future generations. Did you know..? Rural depopulation in our region is nothing new. The 18th century bore witness to the lowland clearances (and the consequent Levellers rising in resistance to the changes) as Scotland’s lands were first ‘enclosed’ towards today’s structure of ownership. With the 20th century came urbanisation and mechanisation of the countryside both in agriculture and forestry, and with them further migration of the young towards urban opportunity. Since 2000 the population has seen a 50% increase in people over the age of 75, while the 25-44 age group has declined by over 25%. Ideas to reverse this decline are always welcomed, so why not discuss opportunities for the future over a pint and let us know? Amber Dunlop-Pajo Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 18 Second year for Glenlair Feastival N ow in its second year, Glenlair Feastival has been recognised by Scotland Starts Here as one of South West Scotland’s most important and influential events of 2025. Sponsored by Demijohn, Scotland’s awardwinning liquid deli, Glenlair Feastival is a music, food and drink festival which will take place at Glenlair Steading, near Castle Douglas, on Sat 16 August, from 10am to 10pm, with overnight camping on offer. Unique to Scotland, this boutique familyfriendly festival is all about highlighting littleknown Scottish musical talent, as well as the very best of local food and drink. The musical line-up will include artists such as The Aberlady Sessions from East Lothian and local Dumfries band Pedro & the Pirates, with additional performances from a number of emerging Dumfries & Galloway young musicians, sponsored by Up Yer Airts. Demijohn’s flagship store at Glenlair Steading will be open for tastings of their unique range of handmade, sustainable food and drink. Hungry festival goers will be able to enjoy a selection of other local artisan food producers such as Earth’s Crust Bakery WIN TICKETS WITH OUR GAZETTE READER OFFER! from Castle Douglas and Swally & Scran from Kirkcudbright, as well as some dangerously drinkable creations from the now famous Demijohn cocktail bar. Would you like to go along to the Glenlair Feastival and see what it's all about - for free? Angus Ferguson, owner of Demijohn, said: “As we celebrate 21 years of Demijohn this year, our festival theme has to be 'Forever Young!' We are hugely pleased that Glenlair Feastival has been recognised as a benefit to our rural local economy. Our aim is to bring visitors from all over the world to enjoy Galloway and our small festival helps us to do that.” For the chance to win a ticket for entry and camping worth £45, email event organiser Angus Ferguson at angus.ferguson@demijohn.co.uk - the first two callers to quote that they saw the article in the Gazette will win tickets! Tickets start at £25 and are on sale now at www.demijohn.co.uk/products/glenlairfeastival-sat-16-august-2025 Cultural Glenkens launch C ultural Glenkens is an exciting new place-based, people-led CatStrand Arts project which will focus on furthering exising successful initiatives, as well as creating a range of brand new ones. L aunched in June and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the initiative is designed to foster engagement and understanding of the culture, landscape and heritage of the Glenkens, supporting and developing a variety of locally-led projects. There are several exciting initiatives already underway; in the CatStrand Arts September events guide there will be details on how to engage with new one-off heritage events as well as getting involved with the existing grassroots heritage projects - The Glenkens Story, Dalry Film Club, Ken Words, CatStrand Singers, Watson Birds, Write On and Galloway Folk Sessions. Keep your eye open for the Cultural Glenkens listings in the current CatStrand Arts Events Guide for the wealth of cultural and heritage events on offer. There’s a ceilidh dance interspersed with Galloway songs, poetry and stories on Friday October 24 at New Galloway Town Hall. A collaboration between Cultural Glenkens and Watson Birds will be taking place on Saturday 2 November at Dalry Town Hall, celebrating the birdlife of the Glenkens through words, music, song, art and readings. We’re also planning a ‘Remembering Our Heroes’ event to coincide with Remembrance Day, an evening of poetry, song and stories to celebrate the beautiful Glenkens, and a halloween heritage trail to take place in New Galloway Park. There will also be an exciting chance to explore Galloway songs and your singing voice during four monthly singing sessions at the CatStrand. Watch out for the dates and times for these wonderful happenings! Cultural Glenkens are keen to hear from all of the Glenkens communities regarding memories and stories from the past. As well as the telling of these tales, we are looking for volunteers to record these important memories. This will be the central part of our Oral History Project, which aims to record and digitise these precious memories and store them on a digital archive. We are also looking for any images and/ or text from Glenkens past to keep safe and house on the Cultural Glenkens Digital Archive. Please do get in touch if you feel you can help with either of these projects (contact details below). There’s a full overview of the whole Cultural Glenkens project on www.gcat.scot/culturalglenkens, which you might find interesting. I am greatly looking forward to the experiences and opportunities the next three years brings to us all. Jo Jackson, Project Lead Cultural Glenkens, jo@catstrand.com 01644 420 374 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 19 Support for Community Action Plan projects A s the Glenkens continues its work on the Community Action Plan, two new important roles have been filled through the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT). Becca Nelson has been appointed as the Glenkens Community Activities Consultant, complementing her existing work with the Glenkens Community Spaces Network. This is a National Lottery 'Awards for All'-funded role, and will enable Becca to support the amazing town and village hall committees across the Glenkens. She will be available to support the creation of new and enhanced activity programmes in any and all of our halls. Abi Mordin has been appointed as the Glenkens Food Month Coordinator for the seventh Glenkens Food Month. Building on the great work done by New Galloway Community Enterprises in starting this tradition, Abi has now stepped forward to take her turn at coordinating it. Abi will be known to many of you for her passion around local food through her work with Propagate and the Galloway Food Hub. She's looking forward to working with community groups and food businesses to support our local infrastructure through a diverse and accessible programme of events this year. Welcome Becca and Abi! Helen Keron, Chief Exec, Glenkens Community and Arts Trust Pictured is Abi in her element, discussing local food Glenkens transport survey results T he Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) and Glenkens Hub have been collecting information about public transport in the area. This has been done through a short survey, and the information gathered will be sent to Dumfries & Galloway Council on a quarterly basis. Below are some of the responses received so far. The survey can be found at www.glenkens.scot/publictransport-feedback Please help us present a case for improving the service by recording the issues you have encountered with our local buses. All information is anonymous thank you for your help! Gail Challis, Glenkens Hub Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 20 Galloway Riding for Bumper the Disabled lunch success for the lifeboats A fter a period when we struggled to attract volunteers, I am happy to say we have recruited several enthusiastic and capable people to help our riders. We are always keen to have more join us and at the present time we have vacancies for riders with either physical or behavioural problems. Our photo shows our volunteers enjoying the 'thank you' lunch we arranged at Rosava's in Castle Douglas, as a small reward for all their efforts. We meet every Wednesday morning during term time, and if anyone requires further information please contact me on 01644-450 201 or gallowayrda@gmail.com Susan Cooper (Chair) T he Glenkens Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) fundraising group were delighted with the success of their coffee morning, held at Dalry Town Hall in June. Glenkens folk have always been loyal supporters of the RNLI, but this year they surpassed themselves with just over £1,000 raised. With the building of the new lifeboat station in Kirkcudbright now underway these funds will be put to good use. The committee would like to thank all who helped on the day, as well as everyone at Dalry Town Hall who were so helpful in setting everything up and taking it down again afterwards. The hall has been quite transformed in recent years; it is now a light and airy space, and an ideal venue for a coffee morning! As well as a range of RNLI souvenirs for sale, the cake stall and raffle also proved popular, and extra tables were needed to accommodate all those wanting to enjoy a cup of coffee and some delicious home-baking. Nicolette Wise Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 21 How the Glenkens could help a refugee family find a home C ommunities in the Glenkens are no strangers to pulling together. responsibility to those in need. Whether it’s keeping vital services going, standing by neighbours through illness, or backing local projects, this is a part of the country where community still means something. And right now, there’s a quiet but powerful way that spirit could find new action, by starting a Community Sponsorship group to welcome a refugee family. One of the most overlooked benefits of Community Sponsorship is what it does for the people who get involved. Groups often form through shared values, but it’s the process of welcoming someone new that builds relationships across divides. You meet people you wouldn’t otherwise meet. You learn alongside each other. And you make connections that stretch beyond your usual circles. Community Sponsorship is a UK-wide scheme that enables ordinary people to offer extraordinary support. Local people form a group, find housing, raise funds, and help a refugee family settle into their new life. It’s not a top-down programme or government placement; every decision is made locally, shaped by what’s possible in your community. It’s already happening in cities, towns, and villages across the UK, from Edinburgh and Glasgow to remote parts of the Highlands and Islands. But so far, not in the Glenkens. The nearest group is in Carlisle. That means a family who might benefit from the warmth and steadiness of this community, who might thrive here, won’t have that chance unless someone steps forward. Why it matters here Strengthening community from within Reset offers a full suite of free training and resources to anyone involved in Community Sponsorship. These include practical sessions on navigating the UK’s housing and education systems, trauma-informed approaches, working with interpreters, safeguarding, and supporting wellbeing. Many of these skills are useful far beyond Sponsorship, whether you're involved in local services, volunteering, or simply want to be a better neighbour. And you don’t need to be a professional, just someone willing to learn and contribute. It’s not a top-down programme or government placement; every decision is made locally, shaped by what’s possible in your community. Like many rural areas, the Glenkens is facing challenges. Local schools, GP surgeries and services are under pressure, not only because of demand, but because fewer people are here to staff or sustain them. Welcoming a refugee family won’t solve all of that, but it could be one meaningful part of a broader renewal. Families arriving through Community Sponsorship are motivated to work, contribute, and build a future. They bring skills, and determination, and most of all, they want to be part of a place. A new family means children in the local school. It might mean a parent volunteering at the community centre, training for local jobs, or eventually launching a small business. But it also means something deeper: it’s a chance to act on values many of us share, hospitality, compassion, and What it takes To welcome a family through Community Sponsorship, a group of local people comes together to support them during their first year in the UK. That includes helping them access healthcare and benefits, registering with schools, navigating shops and services, and, perhaps most important, offering friendship and belonging. The group also needs to raise a modest amount (usually around £9,000) and identify suitable housing, typically a private rental that’s affordable and available for at least two years. Beyond that, people bring whatever they can. Some might help with English practice, others with lifts to appointments, or introductions to local groups and networks. It’s a team effort, and no one needs to do everything. Faith groups often play a vital role, offering meeting spaces or helping raise funds. But groups can form through any connection, friends, neighbours, colleagues, local clubs or mutual interests. This isn’t about charity. It’s about dignity, welcome, and the idea that even a small community can offer something powerful: a place of safety and the start of something new. A quiet commitment There’s a long tradition in rural Scotland of doing the right thing quietly. Of noticing when help is needed and stepping in. Community Sponsorship fits that spirit. It just needs people willing to say: we’ve got room here, for one more family, for a fresh start, for hope. If that sounds like something you along with a few people you know might want to explore, Reset can help. We’re a charity that supports new Community Sponsorship groups from day one: helping you understand what’s involved, building a plan, training and supporting you, basically walking alongside you all the way through. This area has already shown leadership on so many issues like renewable energy, local resilience, community ownership. Welcoming a refugee family could be the next step. A small act with lasting impact. Find out more by watching the animation we made with Cognitive Media on our website www.resetuk.org Sarah Wishart, Reset This article is part of a Scottish Beacon initiative, a collaborative network of independent local news publications across Scotland working together to get community voices heard. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 22 The pilgrim route through Chapelyard N orth of Dalry, and just to the west of Mackilston farmhouse, the 1853 six-inch Ordnance Survey map marks a place called Chapelyard. The accompanying Ordnance Survey Name Book describes Chapelyard as "the ruins of some cottages on the farm of Mackilston". It goes on "the authorities here quoted say that it is handed down by tradition that these ruins are upon the site or near to where a chapel once stood, but no information respecting the chapel can be obtained in the locality’. Nearby is the place name Minister’s Moss, recording a place where the parish minister in past times had the right to cut peats. This adds weight to the idea that in earlier times the land in the vicinity belonged to the church. Over twenty years ago, I had a brief wander around Chapelyard with my metal detector, but found nothing more than a few buttons, worn Georgian halfpennies and shotgun cartridges. But having invested in a better detector, I returned there in 2021 with Andrew Mellor. That day we didn’t find a lot, but I did turn up a mysterious fragment of a silver coin that we didn’t recognise. Our curiosity was aroused and in the following weeks we returned a number of times, joined by our detectorist friends John Wykes and Tom Carlyle, and systematically covered the area around Chapelyard and the ruin of Cleughhead cottage. We were surprised to unearth five silver pennies of Edward I, all from the Chapelyard side of the Cleugh Burn, as well as a number of artefacts of probable late medieval age. In addition Andrew found a silver coin of Robert III (c1400) down the hill near Nether Cleugh farm, and John a coin of Henry III (c1250) about half a kilometre to the south of this. These are coins we have never found anywhere else in the Glenkens. I should highlight that to find so many Edward silver pennies at one place in the Glenkens is unprecedented. We have never found more than solitary examples at other places in the Glenkens. It indicates that Chapelyard was a place that saw a lot of passing human traffic around 1300. The story took an even more remarkable twist when Ian Knox of Dalry’s nephew Carl Savage, who is a coin expert working for the National Museum of Scotland, identified my coin fragment to be part of an Arabic silver dirham. These were imported into Britain during the Viking age and used as silver bullion, at times being cut up for smaller units of currency. But the particularly notable fact about my fragment is that it is of a coin from the Abbasid Caliphate (754-833 AD), meaning that it came from the early Viking era and is the first example of such a coin to be found in Scotland. These have been found in England, but all Arabic dirhams previously found in Scotland originated from later Samanid mints (895-942 AD) and came to Britain through different trade networks. What does all this mean? The old maps provide further clues which would seem to support the existence of an early chapel at Chapelyard. Just down the burn from Chapelyard, near to the High Carsphairn road, the first OS map marks a knoll called Knockrosh. It was likely there was a cross here at some point – either wooden or stone - acting as a way marker for people travelling up or down the valley. They would then know to turn off there and head up the burn to find the chapel, which would not have been visible from the main road. The early Blaeu map marks a place just north of Chapelyard called Pilgrymleyis. The Blaeu map is very inaccurate regarding the relationship between places, but you can find Pilgrymleyis on the first six inch OS map under the name ‘Leys’ just to the NE of Mackilston hill. The name suggests a resting place for pilgrims. These pieces of evidence suggest that Chapelyard lay on the pilgrim route down to Whithorn; and the fragment of a coin from the early Viking era suggests that the chapel was already there at an early date, well before the Galloway hoard was buried down the valley at Balmaghie. A little to the north, at Stroanfreggan, a large standing cross reportedly once stood on a knoll near to the old Stroanfreggan Bowling Hut (see Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. [1912], p258). At the time of the Reformation, when what were perceived to be Catholic images were often destroyed, the cross was knocked down and broken into at least two pieces which were cast into a pool in the nearby burn – hence the name Image Pool. These were later fished out of the burn and one large fragment of the cross was erected in the grounds of Hastings Hall in Moniaive, where it still stands. The three-metre-long larger fragment at one time served as a garden bench at Manquhill, but has now disappeared. This cross probably dates to the early 8th century, from the same time as the Ruthwell cross, when the kings of Northumbria extended their reign over southwest Scotland, and is evidence for an important gathering place for worship there in the heart of the hills. This year’s archaeological dig over Stroanfreggan hillfort, which may date to the same period, is therefore very timely. A Community Archaeology Project took place at Chapelyard in June 2022 under the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership, delivered by Rathmell Archaeology; curiously it provided no solid evidence for activity in the medieval period. However, metal detecting finds indicate that such activity definitely took place (this report can be viewed under the 'Reports and Resources Archive' under the 'Resources' tab at www.glenkens.scot). David Bartholomew Top: 1853 OS map showing Chapelyard Middle: 1662 Blaeu map showing Pilgrymleyis Above: Arabic silver dirham found at Chapelyard Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 23 Galloway Retold with Angela Miller Elspeth McEwen F or many, many years, the name Elspeth McEwen was little more than a footnote in the history of the Glenkens. The names of those accused of witchcraft were only really kept in kirk records and court documents, and they were certainly not on the lips of most folk who lived since those times, not until very recently. Interest in those women and men accused of the archaic ‘crime’ of witchcraft began to resurge in the last 20 years or so, and historians began to dust off those old documents, commencing the hunt for those forgotten names, and the forgotten lives of the people attached to them. She is often also called Elspeth McGown or MacGowan, but she is clearly the same person through all of those various spellings in the records of what happened to her. Historians like Glenkens historian Lizanne Henderson began to uncover the stories of the accused and the trials that all too often ended in death sentences. In brief, Elspeth McEwen was an elderly woman who lived alone at Cubbox near Balmaclellan. In the late 1690’s, as the witch panics were starting to fade, Elspeth was accused of Witchcraft by her neighbours. I remember attending Lizanne’s lecture on local witches at the CatStrand. That’s when I first heard the name Elspeth McEwen, among others. Now it’s worth noting that Elspeth’s name is written with a variety of spellings, as many names were before spelling was as standardised as it is now. On top of the Mulloch, the 'Bloody Brae' referred to in the beadle's testament incriminating Elspeth McEwen In many parts of Scotland, this might already have been met with scepticism, but Dalry minister, William Boyd, had her brought for questioning at the Kirk Session. Along the way, as they came over the Mulloch to Dalry (the roads were quite different then) the beadle who brought Elspeth to Dalry on his horse, claimed she made the horse sweat blood as they went up the steep brae, referred to afterwards as the 'Bloody Brae’. His story was used alongside the testimony of her neighbours, to send her to the Tolbooth in Kirkcudbright for imprisonment. Elspeth had not confessed, so a confession was sought from her. She stayed in the tolbooth for over two years, before she confessed, was tried and then was strangled and burned at Silvercraigs in Kirkcudbright. Elspeth was one of the last Join the archaeological dig at Stroanfreggan Continued from front page... Stroanfreggan, probably Sròn a' Chreagain as its original Scots Gaelic name, meaning ‘nose of the rocky place' (which describes the location perfectly), hosts the enigmatic hill-fort on boundary of Carsphairn and Dalry parishes. Following support from the landowner, Historic Environment Scotland and the Carsphairn Renewable Energy Fund, an excavation overseen by AOC Archaeology will take place in September and October 2025. As the excavation will also open a trench in the (potentially bronze-age) kerb cairn at the foot of the sròn, the fun (work!) will be readily accessible to most people interested in coming along to see what's happening. For further information and importantly, as the project relies on volunteers for the dig, to sign up as a volunteer visit www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/stroanfregganarchaeological-researchproject-volunteering-tickets women in Scotland to be executed for Witchcraft. She has been on my mind a great deal again lately, as I have been talking to Jo Jackson at Cultural Glenkens about her, and because I have also been speaking with the poet Ros Ollin, who is about to publish a book of poems telling Elspeth’s story. Ros will be speaking about Elspeth and reading some of her poems at the Kirkcudbright Fringe this year, on Friday 5 September at 10am. You can also check out the two videos about Elspeth on my Galloway Retold YouTube channel, to get a more detailed history of her death, as well as more of a sense of who she might have been in life. Angela Miller is the librarian at Dalry Library and a keen local historian. You can view her YouTube channel by searching YouTube or Google for 'Galloway Retold'. Stroanfreggan Community Archaeological Research excavation Project (SCARP) 23:09.25 - 17.10.25 Open daily 3pm-5pm Introduction to the excavation project July 27th, 15:00 to 17:00 at the CatStrand, New Galloway. Come along to the CatStrand to hear from Cathy MacIver, AOC Archaeology about the fort the excavation project and how you can join in on the dig! Michael Ansell The TV programme ‘Digging for Britain’ will record some of the project, and although too late for the current session, will be kept for broadcast in the future. Tickets are free for this event and can be booked at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/catstrand/t-ojgexdp or on 01644 420 374 or in person at the CatStrand, New Galloway. As the excavation will also open a trench in the (potentially bronze age) kerb cairn at the foot of the sròn, the fun (work!) will be readily accessible to most people. GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 24 Campestral exhibition O n Friday 20 June I attended an exhibition opening from local artist Vanessa (Ness) Johnston BA (Hons) in The Maclaurin Gallery, in Rozelle House Museum and Galleries in Ayr. Ness has been studying art for eight years, inspired by visiting a local art group in St John’s Town of Dalry and being prompted by a member of the group to go to college to study art. Eight years later, after working her way through an HNC to MA, she delivered an exhibition titled Campestral, a word derived from Latin meaning 'of a field', drawing inspiration from not only the art of indigenous peoples in Mexico, but also the local area of Dumfries and Galloway, in which she resides and works. heavily on inspiration from the techniques and stories of indigenous peoples from Mexico, finding links and personal connections between their mediums and aesthetic choices, incorporating abstraction, collage, printmaking and a use of vibrant colour to expand her work to fit her vision of rural life. Ness discusses these inspirations in her artist statement: “My surroundings of fields and the forest, it’s sounds, sights and smells, and the wildlife of both the rare and the everyday such as crows and ravens have inspired these works. Yet I wanted to find a way to tell my story of rural life through my art, but I wanted to do this by travelling beyond myself.” Frequent motifs in her work include animals, birds, trees and the Galloway countryside, shown through an abstract lens, skewed in various different ways to provide something fresh. To “travel beyond”, she drew Watson book launch T he launch of a new book about local bird artist Donald Watson was held in Dalry Town Hall. Watson Birds Patrons Dame Barbara Kelly, the Duke of Buccleuch and Richard Agnew joined Chirs Rollie, Roger Crofts and others. Copies of the book are available for purchase at the CatStrand shop or online at www.whittlespublishing.com Ness said: “The works presented here are very much ‘of my place’, formed form my creative conversations with the landforms, wind, rain and the heavens of Galloway. I hope you enjoy them.” Vanessa Johnson at the Campestral exhibition launch Vanessa is currently finishing her final studies and will be graduating as a Master of Art (MA) in July 2025. Kaelan Johnston Fish Wish I must go down to the sea again, with a rod and a line and bait, With a restless slap on a clinker hull of a tide that will not wait. To seek the flounder, pollack, sprats, the herrings with their roes in, The brill and ling to bring ashore at the long day's closing. I must go back in time again to make a nice fish meal, With coley, whiting, thornback, skate, monkfish or conger eel. A fishmonger with 30 different types that we could choose, And *rock and chips on a Friday night wrapped in the Evening News by Sue Wiseman * rock was a term for 'rock salmon' or dogfish Excerpt from the RNLI publication All About Fish: The Healthy Dish, 1986 David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 GAZETTEbusiness Glenkens Gazette page 25 BUSINESS in the SPOTLIGHT W e’re Brandecosse, a small family business proudly based in St John’s Town of Dalry. We specialise in high-quality walking boots, footwear, and workwear – built to last and designed for people who value craftsmanship. We believe in doing things properly: quality over quantity, always. And for us, there’s no better place to live and work than this corner of Scotland we call home. The Glenkens has been our home for nearly 30 years, and it’s shaped everything we do. The landscape is not only where we live – it’s where our boots are tested, refined, and worn. followed by Hunter, at the Gates Rubber Factory in Dumfries. After a time spent as a consultant for rubber footwear production around the world, the opportunity arose to create something of our own – a collection of country boots that combined Italian craftsmanship with Scottish practicality especially curated for the fieldsports community. And so, Brandecosse was born. In 2021, we moved into our current home – the old bank building just across the road from where it all began. From here, we now welcome and ship to customers from across the country (and beyond). Fast forward to today, and Brandecosse has well and truly grown arms and legs. Jane and Mark’s sons, Ben and Josh, have now joined the business. What began as a small country boot brand has grown into the hiking and outdoor living markets, while continuing to earn a reputation for 'bombproof' footwear among the hunting community. Our work has also taken us further afield, forging strong ties with international brands who share our values. Through our brand development work, we’ve partnered closely with two Kiwi icons - Swanndri Clothing and Skellerup Footwear - both with rich farming heritage and a commitment to making gear that lasts. Visit us Being based in the Glenkens means we’re surrounded by endless inspiration whether that be those who work in the outdoors or the brutal yet beautiful landscape. While our office in Dalry is very much a functioning office, our kettle is always on and our boot room always has a space for you to find your next trusty pair. Brandecosse was founded in 2008 by our directors, Jane and Mark Trueman. At the time, our entire operation ran from a very cosy shed behind Wright’s (then Newton’s) shop in Dalry. Whether you walk your four-legged pals doon the Ken or are in quick pursuit of your tea in the Galloway hills, we have something for you. Pictured are Brandecosse founders Jane and Mark Trueman outside their premises in The Old Bank on Dalry's Main Street Mark brought with him a wealth of experience from his years at Dunlop, David 07513 180 960 JOINERY & CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Renovation & Conversions New Builds Extensions Groundworks Roofing Kitchen Fitting Windows/Doors Interior Finishings Covering Dumfries & Galloway Reliable Tradesmen We change lives! Come and help us. Your journey starts here! Check out our projects on our socials! D.Mason Joinery Volunteer with us @d.mason_joinery d.mason.joinery@gmail.com dagcas.org • 0300 303 4321 • info@dagcas.org Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service is a Company Limited by Guarantee No: SC179254. Scottish Charity No: SC027107 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 26 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 27 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Michele Owen 07940 313 445 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 • Parton: Tom - 07835 821 976 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Crossmichael (Church Hall), 9.30am: Aug 3 (Crossmichael Church); Aug 10, Aug 17, Aug 24, Aug 31, Sep 7, Sep 14, Sep 21, Sep 28, Balmaclellan, 11am: Aug 3, Sep 7, Carsphairn, 11.15am: Aug 10, Aug 31, Sep 14 Kells, 11am: Aug 17, Sep 21, Dalry, 11am: Aug 24, Sep 28 (Harvest Festival) SPECIAL EVENTS - Aug 3, 2pm, Guild Stall at The Scottish Alternative Games, New Galloway For further info contact Ian Knox on 07840 506 516 or at i.knox29@btopenworld.com, or Irene McCreath on 07974 861927 or at irenemccreath.im@gmail.com SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP The Rev Dawn Matthew Sundays:10.30am, Holy Communion with refreshments after the service. Tuesdays: 10-12noon, come for private prayers or to chat with Dawn when the ‘church is open’ sign is outside. Wednesdays: 7.30-8pm, evening prayers via Zoom shared with All Saints’ Challoch. Please contact Dawn for the link. SPECIAL SERVICES - Harvest Festival, 10.30am, Sunday 21 September – all welcome! For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 28 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE You can now apply for a Garden Waste Collection Service permit at £40 per bin. for regular collections from March to November 2025. Apply online at www.dumgal.gov.uk/ wasterecycling or in person at a customer service centre such as Dalry Library. The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 GALLOWAY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT WEDNESDAY ROUTE SUMMER BUS TIMETABLE Outward Kendoon 18:00 Dalry 18:20 Balmaclellan 18:25 New Galloway 18:30 Mossdale 18:42 Laurieston 18:52 Ringford 19:07 Castle Douglas Tesco 19:20 Castle Douglas Aldi 19:25 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Return Castle Douglas Aldi 20:25 Castle Douglas Tesco 20:30 Ringford 20:43 Laurieston 20:58 Mossdale 21:08 New Galloway 21:20 Balmaclellan 21:25 Dalry 21:30 Kendoon 21:50 GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 29 GALLOWAY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org email: gct@catstrand.com / gctadmin@catstrand.com phone: Jon 07841 512449 / Jason 07704 662925 AUGUST 2025 - SEPTEMBER 2025 MINIBUS DRIVING We are looking for drivers to help us deliver our 517 service in the Kirkcudbright/Borgue area, paid on a self-employed basis. This will be 1 - 2 days a week. For a discussion about the role, please call Jon on 07841 512449 or email gct@catstrand.com PATIENT TRANSPORT We also urgently need drivers with their own cars for our patient transport service. Our volunteer patient transport drivers receive a generous mileage reimbursement and the satisfaction of providing a vital service to vulnerable people in our communities. Interested? Email: gct@catstrand.com Phone: 07841 512449 / 07704 662925 VEHICLE HIRE FOR MEMBERS We have vehicles for hire by community organisations. ranging from 4 seat capacity to 16 seats, including wheelchair accessibility For information about membership and terms and conditions of hire see the GCT website or phone 07841 512449 / 07704 662925 www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org REGULAR SERVICES Please see the Gazette’s Info page for details of our regular timetabled routes Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEevents WHAT'S ON page 30 August/September AUGUST Sat 2, Crossmichael Graveyard Tours, 1.30–5pm, Crossmichael Heritage Centre in the Church Hall Sun 3, Scottish Alternative Games, New Galloway Park, see back page Fri 8, Glenkens Pollinators Project banner making workshop, drop-in 12noon-5pm, Dalry Library Sun 10, Carsphairn Community Woodland Forest Wildlife Family Fun Day, 11am-3pm, along the B729 between Carsphairn and Dalry (DG7 3TD) Tue 12, Loch Ken Family Fun Day, 11am3pm, Parton, see p12 Wed 13 to Mon 18, Land Notes: Glenkens Festival of Land, see p18 Thu 14, Ken Words Writers’ Café, 7pm, CatStrand, New Galloway SEPTEMBER September, Glenkens Food Month, see front page September & October, Stroanfreggan Community Archaeological Research Project Dig, see front page & p23 Fri 15 to Sun 17, Land Notes Festival, CatStrand and Dalry Town Hall, see p10 Sat 6, Bat Box Building, 1pm-4pm, New Galloway Community Garden Sat 16, Glenlair Feastival, 10am-10pm, Glenlair Steading, see p18 Thu 11, Stewartry Birdwatchers Talk: Ian Bainbridge - The East Atlantic Flyway for Coastal Birds, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall, see p13 Thu 21, GCT Bus Trip: Dumfries House and Gardens, see p29 Sat 23, Great Corsock Show, see p4 Sun 24, Pollinator ID Workshop, 2-4pm, New Galloway Community Garden, contact abi@propagate.org.uk Fri 29, Glenkens Community Cardiac Responders Group training with Scottish Ambulance Service, see p12 Sat 30, 12.30-9pm, Crossmichael Gala Day, see left Fri 12, Practical Permaculture Workshop, 10am-4pm, Lochhill Agroecological Farm, contact abi@propagate.org.uk Fri 12, Cheese & Wine Evening, New Galloway Town Hall Mon 22, Defibrillator Training, 6:30-9pm, New Galloway Town Hall Tue 30, Dalry High School Skills and Jobs Fair, see front page & p2 BUS ROUTE CHANGES Dumfries & Galloway Council and SWestrans have issued an update on bus services effective from Thursday 7 August. There are many changes to timetables and service destinations, including the removal of part of the 520 service between Carsphairn and Dalmellington, for example. Please check to see if your service is affected here: https://www. dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk/roads-transport-parking/public-transport/busferry-timetables. Users can also contact the council on: 030 33 33 3000 or find paper copies of timetables in local libraries. Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact crossmichaelcc@gmail.com or 07803 204 433 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEevents page 31 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Exercise Class, Tue, 6-7pm Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3pm Zumba, Fri, 6.30-7.30pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am-12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; Oct-Mar, 2.30pm) Soup & Sandwich, Sat, 12noon-2pm, Oct-Mar Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, Wedn & Fri, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making - Mon, 7-9pm Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@ gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10am CatStrand, New Galloway Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat biweekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.30am Musical Misfits, Sat, bi-weekly, 10am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16yrs) Art Explorers, Sat, 10.30am, fortnightly New Galloway Town Hall Wet Felting Group, Tue 10m-12:30pm Community Larder, Mon 9am–4pm; Tue 10.30am-12noon; Thu 9.30am–4pm, (side door open for access) Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Dance for Wellbeing (adults), Mon 2.30pm Creative Movement for Children, 4pm LING Community Cafe, Mon, 12.30– 2pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–3pm, drop-in Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-9pm, all ages For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Wee Wonders, Thu, 9-10am Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet. com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm, Tue 6-8pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Main St, Dalry - 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book at the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Facebook Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Song Share, 1st Fri each month, 7.3010.30pm Mossdale Village Hall Mossdale Painters, Wed, 9.30-11.30am Yoga, Fri, 2.15pm Various Bumps, Babies & Beyond, every 2nd Mon, 10.30am, Kirkpatriack Durham Village Hall Learn to Play Bridge, Mon, 7-9pm, Lochinvar Hotel Keep Fit with Alex, 7.15-8.15pm, KPD Village Hall Strictly Get Dancing, Mon, 7pm, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Glenkens Oil Painters, Wed, 10am, Corfield House Art Studio Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed 2-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Thu, 1-3pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 Mum & Baby MovementThu, 9.3011.30am, Laurieston Village Hall Crossmichael Youth Club, Fri, Crossmichael Memorial Hall For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 32 Chasing the sun through Carsphairn C hase the Sun North cycle race came through Carsphairn, with roughly 350 riders streaming through the village. The event starts in Whitley Bay in the early morning, with participants ‘chasing the sun’ all the way to Ayr on the summer solstice - so cycling coast-to-coast. A number of our community groups joined forces to provide a safe rest space and, food and drink to riders and supporters. Lagwyne Village Hall Committee, and Carsphairn Village Shop Ltd, worked as a team to organise and execute a great day of fundraising for the village hall. Some of the children had created a rhyme they chanted loudly and along with a freshly made bacon butty to show what was on offer in the hall, it encouraged the riders to stop and make use of Lagwyne Hall's facilities. Using the Chase the Sun tracking app, organisers and volunteers kept a close eye on the riders progress. It became a finely tuned system of frying eggs and bacon, buttering bread rolls, and preparing drinks just in time for groups of weary cyclists to roll in and refuel! As the evening progressed and the number of cyclists dwindled, a small team of volunteers stayed behind to clean up. But when news came in that the last four riders were still tackling the long stretch down the B729, the group agreed - the hall doors would remain open. When the final riders arrived, they were warmly WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk welcomed, offered refreshments, and sent on their way with cheers and well wishes as the sun dipped behind the Rhinns of Kells. The organisers would like to thank everyone who contributed before, during Chase the Sun cyclists enjoying a pit stop at and after the Carsphairn's Lagwyne Hall, photo by Sarah McCusker event for making the day such a the backdrop of one of the most success. From beautiful corners of Scotland. sandwich-makers to cheering Here’s to next year’s ride - and children, every role made a more sunshine to chase. difference. Emily Wall It was a true celebration of community spirit, set against Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com OCT/NOV COPY DEADLINE: 5 SEP The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not necessarily represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 149 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG-149 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/592/GlenkensGazette148.pdf 24fe6d85c412f0a94a5c65cebe7fc5a2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 148 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document June/July 2025 ISSUE 148 Alison heads down under for World Championships L ate last year, Crossmichael's Alison Pringle secured a place to represent Great Britain in the Aquabike World Championships. This was achieved through qualification to join the GB World Age-Group Aquabike Team, with whom she will head to Wollongong, Australia, in October 2025 for the World Championships. For those unfamiliar with the term, 'aquabike' is a multisport event that combines swimming and cycling. While it includes one discipline less than a typical triathlon, it is by no means less demanding. The journey to qualifying for the world championships didn’t happen overnight. As a former junior swimmer, Alison stepped away from the sport for five years while studying at university and settling into work life. FREE INSIDE THIS ISSUE Crossmichael Gala Day is back! ...turn to p5 When the Covid pandemic began, she took up open water swimming with the local group in Crossmichael, and later joined the Masters Club at Dumfries Amateur Swimming Club. Preventing wildfires "I started competing in the water again in 2023 and quickly rediscovered my love for the sport," said Alison. "A good friend then encouraged me to try triathlon - and, as they say, the rest is history." ...turn to pages 6 & 7 Continued on p4... Young voices bring the Glenkens to life O ur Glenkens is an exciting new project designed to highlight the voices of young people around the Glenkens. It showcases nine residents, each of whom share their personal connection to the area and what life in the Glenkens means to them. Their stories mark the first step in an ongoing initiative to celebrate rural work, life and community in this active and beautiful part of the world. Celebrating our special places with brand new Land Notes Festival ...turn to p10 The project is being run by the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust (GCAT) and is part of GCAT’s broader work delivering the Glenkens Community Action Plan. It responds directly to the pressing issue of rural depopulation by showcasing the contribution young adults are making across the Glenkens. Continued on page 4... What the Scottish Census tells us about the Glenkens ...turn to p21 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 2 CONTENTS The High Bridge wagtail A News: p2-5 People: p6 Environment: p7-11 Business: p12-14 Community: p15-21 History: p22 Arts: p23-26 Information: p27-29 Events: p30-31 number of readers have sent in photos of the High Bridge wagtail. For the last couple of years, if you have driven across the High Bridge of Ken (on the B7000 'high road' between Carsphairn and Dalry), you may have come across this unusual bird yourself. During spring and early summer, the High Bridge wagtail can frequently be found landing on the wing mirrors of cars as they drive across the bridge, and holding on admirably as they build up speed! Does anyone have any idea what he's up to? Is he looking for a mate, and hopefully chases his reflection? Or perhaps he has a nest and is seeing off rivals...or just having fun, car-surfing! Let us know if you have any ideas - glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Glenkens Scouts go potty for Mother's Day T here have been lots of exciting things happening at our Pack meetings. theatre with guidance from Julian. The group were given a talk regarding the dangers of not using tools properly and having adult supervision at all times. Steph, ably assisted by Elliot, made pancakes to celebrate Shrove Tuesday. We learned about measuring accurately and the correct use of various tools, which we did in twos for safety reasons. We had lots of yummy fillings to choose from, and the pancakes were delicious - well done both. We started our DIY activity badge and built a puppet While this was taking place, the youngsters chose an animal puppet to sew. After Easter they will make scenery, write scripts and perform sketches to the Pack. Bagheera (Hannah McAndrew) has a workshop locally and is a renowned international potter with a great number of accolades under her belt. She has been a Cub Scout Leader in the Glenkens Pack for a good number of years. Bagheera brought in clay for the Cubs to make a flower pot for Mother’s Day. The Cubs decorated the pots using potters’ utensils, which took up the entire Pack meeting. I have never known the Cubs being so focussed. Bagheera explained that she would take the pots away to fire them in the kiln. When the pots returned, the Cubs filled the pots with compost and planted beautiful primulas. We hope the mums enjoyed the gift - they were certainly made with love. We are so lucky to have such talented Leaders in our midst. Thank you all! Yours in Scouting, Akela (Heather) GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 3 Plans progress for Balmaclellan affordable housing development T he Pamela Young Trust is pleased to report that their planning application for the old filling station site in the centre of Balmaclellan has now been lodged with Dumfries and Galloway Council. 1 the plans can do so via Dumfries and Galloway Council’s planning register, reference 25/0638/FUL carried out by South of Scotland Community Housing highlighted a major shortage of affordable homes in the area. 3 at www.eaccess.dumgal.gov. uk/online-applications The trust’s core charitable The plans are for three energyobjective has always been to efficient properties with low provide affordable housing in running costs - one family Cottage Flat the Glenkens. home (three bedrooms) and two cottage flats (two The trustees also recognise bedrooms). the importance of having low 5 Alan Smith, Chair of the Pamela Young Trust, said: “We are delighted to have now lodged the plans for our Balmaclellan site but we are still a long way from starting to build. 6 7 8 9 4 The Pamela Young House Trust purchased the site several years ago after a Housing Needs and Demand Assessment 1 3 2 5 6 Cottage Flat 7 8 carbon, energy efficient homes in order to help address fuel poverty and mitigate against climate change. "The next step is to find funding for a contaminated land survey – we had carried one out in 2014 but as part of the new planning process this needs to be refreshed”. Anyone interested in viewing Key 9 4 House 2 RL + 108629 RL + 107488 Hedgehogs at Carsphairn Wildlife Rescue Key 1 Site Elevation 1 1 : 200 C arsphairn Wildlife Rescue are asking if anyone has any tapas/baking cheese dishes they no longer need. that was chewed up by a German Shepherd dog and glued back together. Jigsaw, now recovered, Site Section A and is nearly ready now to be 3 released back into freedom. 2 Site Elevation 2 1 : 200 1 : 200 Pictured to the right is a rather disgruntled Crossy, being put in her release box then into a pen for the first time. 1015 It didn't put her off coming out in the evening for her dinner though. She is now well settled into her new home and ready to Cottage Flat - Section through first floor access 5 go to a release site. 1:59 1 : 200 6 FGL + 100560 1:59 Cottage Flat - Section FGL + 100985 FGL + 102700 FFL + 100285 1:21 1 : 200 7 1 : 200 It has been a busy couple of weeks in releasing hogs back to the wild, but also helping the Crossy weighed just 319g when poorly ones that haven't done she was found in September, and so well over the winter and are now weighs more than double now coming in to be treated. at 700g. One example was on Saturday front steps She has also developed a 9bitHouse of - Section through someone brought in a hog who an attitude, which will stand her had been lying out on some in good stead and we think she'll one's lawn for two days, and do ok when she goes back into which they had then picked it up the wild. and taken to the vets. The poor 1 : 200 FGL + 100985 FFL + 101000 1550 FGL + 100560 These kinds of dishes are an ideal shape and height for the hedgehogs to feed from. House - Section through parking access 8 If you've been following Carsphair Wildlife Rescue's stories on Facebook, you might remember Jigsaw, the baby hog 1 : 200 980 1:21 1 : 200 FFL + 101000 FGL + 100240 FGL + 100985 980 1:21 Cottage Flat - Section through first floor access 7 1 : 200 2375 Crossy was picked up by the school bus driver in Crossmichael, who was waiting at some temporary lights and noticed a small "dead " hedgehog in the gutter. Luckily she moved a leg so he got out picked her Cottage Flat - Section 6 House - Section through parking access 8 up, wrapped her up, and put her in the glove compartment for warmth. FFL + 100285 2375 FGL + 100270 Site Section B 2210 1 : 200 FGL + 102700 4 1550 Site Section A 1 : 200 5 1 : 200 FFL + 101000 FFL + 101000 FFL + 100285 FGL + 100270 Site Section B Neighbouring property is currently undergoing works. roof is shown provisionally based on planning drawings. 1015 1315 1 : 200 1315 3 4 1 : 200 FFL + 101000 FFL + 100285 8 Site Elevation 1 8 Site Elevation 2 RL + 108629 RL + 107488 1 2 FGL + 100985 Cottage Flat - Section through ground floor access 1 : 200 9 House - Section through front steps thing had severe fly strike . 1 : 200 No hedgehog will ever sunbathe - if you see one out during day, there is always something wrong. This one sadly didn't make it. To contact Carsphairn Wildlife Rescue you can email thecockburns@hotmail.com Catherine Ann Cockburn 0 Cott 1:2 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 4 Alison puts Crossmichael on the map Continued from front page... But choosing to pursue multisport events hasn’t been an easy journey for Alison. It involves long days and often multiple training sessions, which have to fit around full-time work. Alison said: "It’s taken a lot of commitment and self-discipline to get to where I am today though I will admit that summer training is far easier than training through the winter. " Last year marked my first attempt at Aquabike, and I entered one of the three British Age-Group qualifiers. This turned out to be a great decision as I managed to finish second, and secured one of the sought-after qualification slots." Alison feels that representing Great Britain - and Crossmichael - on the global stage is a tremendous honour. However, being part of the Age-Group team also comes with challenges. Athletes are expected to fully self-fund their participation, including travel, accommodation, kit, and race costs. "Because of this," said Alison, "the Crossmichael community has come together to support me by helping to organise several fundraising events to make this opportunity possible." Alison will be documenting her journey preparation over the coming months and sharing her progress through social media, and also regular updates in the Glenkens Gazette. If anyone is curious about Aquabike or would like advice on getting started, Alison would be happy to talk them through what's involved. She continues: "I hope my journey might inspire others to give multisport events a try. Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far!" If you would like to help Alison through sponsorship or a donation, the QR code to the right will take you to her JustGiving page - every little helps! Pictured is Alison at the British Aquabike championships in May 2025 Our Glenkens, Your Glenkens project Continued from front page... Drawing inspiration and support from the Uist-based community development organisation CoDeL, and their successful Uist Beò project, the aim is to shift the narrative away from decline and towards opportunity – showing that young people can and do thrive in rural places. Helen Keron, GCAT Chief Executive, said: “It’s been so great to be able to bring this fantastic project to life. Thanks very much to South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) for the support that’s made it possible. "We’ve worked with a great team of people from Uist Beò and across the Glenkens to showcase some amazing young people who are making their lives here." Uist Beò, now in its fourth year, shares authentic stories of island life and reaches tens of thousands of people each month. It has contributed to more young people choosing to move or return to Uist than other Scottish islands. Our Glenkens follows in these footsteps by extending the Glenkens Hub website and launching new social media platforms that celebrate the rewards of rural living for all ages. This first phase of the project has been supported by SOSE, aligning with their ambition to drive inclusive growth throughout the region. This funding enabled the creation of engaging new content and a dedicated web page featuring young working people from the Glenkens resources that will also feed into wider regional research on effective strategies to combat depopulation. Russel Griggs OBE, Chair of SOSE, said: “It is vital we allow young people who want to stay and work in the south of Scotland to do so, rather than moving elsewhere. "That is why this project by the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust is so important, letting us hear first-hand what young people think the opportunities are of living in a rural area such as the Glenkens.” You can explore the stories and meet the young people of Our Glenkens at www.glenkens. scot/our-glenkens or follow the journey on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok @OurGlenkens. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 5 Crossmichael Gala is back with a splash G et ready for a fantastic day out as the Crossmichael Gala Day makes its much-anticipated return since 2019. On Saturday 30 August the beautiful field beside Crossmichael Marina will become a hive of activity for the whole family. This year’s Gala promises an action-packed day, starting at 12.30pm and running into the evening, right up to 9pm, full of entertainment, activities, and community spirit with something for everyone. The festivities kick off with a children’s fancy dress competition and walking parade leaving Crossmichael Primary School at 12.30pm, winding its way down to the main event area by the water. From there, attendees will be treated to an exciting line-up that includes live bands, food stalls, a licensed bar, laser tag, a dog show, bouncy castle (for the wee ones!), face painting, viking encampment with mock battles and kids' 'Shield Wall', the ever-popular Red Barrows, children's sports competitions and much more! This year’s gala also proudly features the Crossmichael Flower Show, adding a floral flourish to the day’s attractions. Behind the scenes the dedicated team of organisers have worked tirelessly to rejuvinate this much-loved annual event and bring it all together. Special thanks go to Graham, Kyle, Michelle, Anne-Marie, Amanda, Fiona, John, Jim, Keith, Lyn, Ed, Grant, Angelique, Steph, Dawn, Jeff, Caroline, Laura, Natalie, William, Cindy, Lindsay, Caroline and Caireen and many others, whose hard work in Kendoon to Tongland Reinforcement Project progress update T he Gazette wanted to make sure readers are kept in the loop regarding the progress of the proposed Kendoon to Tongland (KTR) pylon line. Paul Swift, spokesperson for the group Galloway Without Pylons, has confirmed that a petition was presented to the Scottish Government on 14 May and they are now waiting to see if a Judicial Review can go ahead. More details will follow in the next edition of the Gazette. raising funds and sense of community spirit are at the heart of the Crossmichael Gala Day. makes this community so special. All activities are free! We look forward to seeing you there. Whether you’re a local or just visiting the area, come along for a day of music, laughter, and unforgettable memories in one of the region’s most scenic settings. The Crossmichael Gala Day is truly a celebration of what Crossmichael Gala Committee Pictured are some of the hardworking team of event organisers with a backdrop of Crossmichael Marina GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Gazette Glenkens Youth Correspondent page 6 Joshua Wells, aged 15, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Joshua discusses wildfires. S ummer is understandably some people's favourite season. The birds are out chirping, the trees are as green as can be, and most obviously, the sun is gleaming down with full power. It is, from some perspectives, perfect. However, with all these amazing pros, summer has to include some cons. Recently, one of these disadvantages of summer has made itself known in our humble region of Dumfries and Galloway: wildfires. Wildfires have become more and more common over recent years, and there are many causes for this, such as the everyday barbecue. Yes, something as usual as having a summer barbecue can have harsh effects on our surroundings. Any remaining heat from the barbecue or any smouldering embers can set the (increasing amounts of) dry plants alight. Something as simple as a lit cigarette being thrown on the floor can also have shocking consequences, and even very locally, campers’ bonfires, on any flammable spot, not being put out properly, have been causing horrible wildfires spanning Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire. Every year, people camp beside Loch Ken, leaving lit fires that need to be extinguished by others. These wildfires and our local wildlife do have a horrible relationship. Birds are killed, the trees that some animals call home are burnt black, and the harsh smoke blocks natural sunlight from hitting the ground for little creatures to enjoy. And if the disastrous effect on nature does not convince you to fight against the unforgiving wildfires, the economic consequences may change your mind. Wildfires cost millions to put out and sometimes even more, due to the costs of vehicles, machinery, repairs, and pay for firefighters. For example, in the famous case of the Los Angeles wildfires, it cost the government $135 billion. Not too long ago, I participated in the Loch Ken Ranger Service’s ‘sausage sizzle’ where you were able to be shown how to “build a fire, cook your tea and safely leave no trace". We were shown how to extinguish a fire by pouring water over it until it was cold. According to Leanne Pumpr, head ranger with the Loch Ken Trust: “Loch Ken Trust ranger service received guidance from Scottish Fire & Rescue Service on the level of risk of wildfires. This year, this region has already experienced a wildfire, which has had a devastating impact on the land and the wildlife within it. "Wildfires pose a risk to life, property and wildlife. As Rangers, we continue to educate on campfire safety, we place 'No Campfire' signs around the loch when the risk is high, and we urge members of the public to act responsibly when accessing our beautiful environment. "This time of year, our landscape is particularly vulnerable after a long dry spell, and spring is just about to bloom; vegetation becomes tinder. Let's together protect our environment for all of us and all those to come in future years.” Dumfries and Galloway has been hit catastrophically by the shock of wildfires highlighted by a BBC website which states, “in Galloway Forest Park, an estimated 65 sq km burnt, nearly a quarter of the UK total for the period from 2 to 8 April” and it is only going to get worse unless we stay diligent against wildfires. A new face for the CatStrand Arts team C atStrand would like to welcome Alia NelsonRiggott to the team. Alia will be joining the CatStrand Arts team as the Visual Arts & Events Intern for three days a week, contributing to both our Touring Arts and Young Creatives programmes. Her post is funded by the Holywood Trust, and she is the latest in a long line of young people that we have been able to offer great employment experiences to thanks to their support. One of Alia's first jobs will be to convene the Glenkens Gig Forum, a way for younger people (under 35) to add to the CatStrand Arts programme. There are still a few places on the Forum, if you'd like to join in too - call the CatStrand on 01644 420 374. In the mean time, we can't wait to see the creativity and fresh perspectives that she brings. Welcome Alia! CatStrand Arts Team Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment Preventing wildfires D umfries and Galloway has seen prolonged sunny weather for weeks now, with temperatures reaching 24°C. Although residents are making the most of this unusual weather and enjoying the early summer, the effect the heat as well as the lack of rain is having on the land is increasingly worrying. Stewart Gibson, head of the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team, has been called out to many of the recent wildfires. He explained that wildfires have become more prevalent in the last 15 years due to the hotter spring and summer weather. Due to these spells of dry weather “more and more people are coming outdoors and having barbecues or camp fires, and due to the weather outside being so warm and dry, fire spreads more easily,” Stewart reported. Most wildfires are started by mistake and once they spread, they are very difficult to stop. Muirburning can also be a cause of wildfires as they can easily get out of control, which is why strict regulation has been issued to farmers looking to do this traditional method of land management. The main contributor to the spread of wildfires is the wind, which is a factor that is impossible to control. The local Mountain Rescue Team urges the public to be alert to smoke and not to assume that it’s been reported - the sooner it gets flagged up, the quicker it is to get it under control. Glenkens resident John Innes reported a large campfire was lit by wild campers on the banks of Loch Ken in May, which T he Loch Ken Trust Community Ranger Service have been working tirelessly carrying out extended patrols around Loch Ken during the extreme wildfire warnings. We have had to extinguish multiple campfires, and our Rangers are working hard to advise and educate visitors page 7 LOCH KEN TRUST RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 he felt was dangerous due to the extremely dry weather. John urges responsible fire practice by highlighting that it is important campers are educated and aware of wildfire risks when doing such activities. Wildfires not only have a considerable impact on the environment and natural habitats, but also social and economic impact. A moorland or forest The crew of Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R199 evacuate fire can take a large campers as wildfire rages © HMCG R199 - Prestwick number of fire fighters days to control, which reduces their availability to deal weather, as well as fully extinguishing with other life-threatening situations cigarettes, picking up litter and removing like motor collisions or house fires. Paul glass from direct sunlight and picking up Munro, from Forestry and Land Scotland any broken glass you see lying about. (FLS), highlighted that Scotland’s forests “At this time of year, we typically have are an ideal environment for wildfires. a large volume of dead, bone-dry FLS suggests members of the public call vegetation across the countryside, which 999 if you spot a wildfire, and follow the provides all the ingredients for fire to Scottish Outdoor Access Code's advice. take hold and spread.” Paul Munro went on to say that when they are made aware of any wildfires, they call the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and assist them by providing “local knowledge on the lay of the land, access routes, and potentially calling in helicopter support if required”. The SFRS are currently urging the public to avoid lighting fires outdoors across all of Scotland during this period of hot dry and locals on the risks of fires during the warnings, liaising with landowners, Community Police and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). On some occasions this advice has been met with hostility, with some members of the public not understanding the risks associated with lighting a fire during the extreme dry weather and not complying with the guidance. So as the Glenkens basks in this unusually long spell of sunshine, our communities must confront the growing threat posed by wildfires. From damaging our beautiful landscapes to societal consequences and strain on emergency services, authorities urge everyone to take these preventive measures seriously. Georgiana Grimwood One camp fire on the shores of Loch Ken was so large and out of control, SFRS had to be called in to extinguish it. As a Ranger Service, we educate through our schools based ranger-led programme, and each year we hold an annual cookout event to educate on responsible access and how to protect the environment. We would urge everyone to act responsibly and not light ANY fires during restricted periods. GAZETTEenvironment Galloway National Park discussion continues Glenkens Gazette W e are getting in touch in response to the article A Galloway National Park: considering the pros and cons which was published in the last edition of the Glenkens Gazette, as there are a few points we would like to address. The ‘No Galloway National Park’ Facebook page was started by the two of us on the evening of 22 July after hearing the announcement that Galloway had been chosen to be a potential National park. Within 36 hours, five hundred likeminded people had joined. It was definitely not, as suggested, ‘organised’ or ‘pre-arranged’; page 8 chaotic would be a better description. Two weeks later we held our first public meeting in Gatehouse, which was full to overflowing. had to prepare and with their claimed level of public support. Where are all the banners showing support for this wonderful idea? At the end of the meeting, we asked for donations to help cover the cost of the hall hire and collected nearly £2,000, with a promise of a further £1,000 from a local haulier, funding which enabled us to buy our first lot of banners. The article stated that leaflets appeared in every household the next day, which is untrue; the first 70,000 leaflets were purchased on 28 November 2024, four months after the announcement that Galloway was to be considered as Scotland’s next National Park. All the ‘No’ campaign banners, which are widespread across the region, were either purchased directly from us or purchased privately using the logo provided by us. The logo itself was donated by a local graphic artist free of charge; she also provided, for free, artwork for the leaflets and posters we subsequently produced. The article asks, in relation to the presence of ‘No’ campaign banners, where is the ‘Yes’ campaign? This is good question, given the seven years they The money for this, and for subsequent purchases/ distribution costs, came from donations via our Facebook page, as well as the small profit we made from the sale of banners and car stickers. Donations have come from people from all walks of life and, of course, include farmers. The Ferret piece referred to in the article claimed we were being ‘bank rolled’ by wealthy farmers. The term ‘bankrolling’ implies that there is an anonymous donor directing the campaign behind the scenes, and we wish to make it absolutely clear that this is far from reality. The ‘No Galloway National Park’ campaign are calling for an independent review of existing parks before a new park is considered, a view shared by the petitions committee in Holyrood. We also called for a local referendum, which was supported by Dumfries and Galloway Council. One thing we would agree with the authors of the article on is that NatureScot’s consultation process has been deeply flawed. The fact that NatureScot have commissioned the Scottish Development Community Centre to carry out a review of their consultation process seems to reflect that they recognise that mistakes have certainly been made. Denise Brownlee & Liz Hitschmann, No Galloway National Park campaign Dalry biodiversity project D alry Community Council is delighted to announce the launch of a new biodiversity project. This initiative is supported by a small grant from SP Energy Name the Place I n each issue a photograph will be taken somewhere in the Glenkens by local photographer Ted Leeming and readers have to guess where it is. The answer can be found on p17, with a bit of information and food for thought about that location. Networks, and is being run in partnership with Abi Mordin of Propagate. Running throughout 2025 the project will focus on supporting pollinators by giving out fruit and nut trees to local residents. These trees will not only provide tasty harvests in years to come, but they'll also help create better habitats for bees, butterflies and other important wildlife. Look out for more information in the coming months! If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to get in touch with Abi on abi@propagate.org.uk Dalry Community Council Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 9 The Optimistic Environmentalist Electric cars - Part Two TEETHING TROUBLES At first, Richard found driving the car strange - you don't have gears and don't normally need to brake. The car stops accelerating and slows to a halt with regenerative braking (commonly referred to as 'regen' braking), unless you use the brake to decelerate more quickly than the regen provides. This is similar to engine braking in a combustion-engine vehicle, but is stronger and can usually be set by the driver. The difference though, is that regen braking converts the energy of the car decelerating into electrical energy to put power back into the battery. By the time he had had a test drive, like most EV drivers, he was in love with them, finding them easier to drive, and has never wanted to change back. Squeaking rear brakes Sometimes when we had been parked up for a while: not a general EV thing and certainly not the mythical brake wear (see Part 1 in the last issue of the Gazette) – ironically, you need to actively brake occasionally to stop brakes squeaking through lack of use! Our squeak was resolved by the garage. Back door not opening from inside This was found to be a disconnected mechanical linkage in the door, which can happen on all types of cars, and again, the garage resolved it. Charging at home Once set up to how we wanted it, our home charger was reliable. After about a year though, it developed a fault which was quickly resolved by the manufacturer fitting a replacement, under warranty. We have a Zappi charger from Myenergi. This allows us to charge the car when and how we want to, eg overnight, using surplus solar generation, etc. As with an ICE car, you will get to know your particular charging needs; what you will need and when there are cheap or green (ie comes from a renewable source) times from your energy provider. COMMON MYTHS THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD TO WORRY ABOUT 1) Electric cars/batteries bursting into flames An Australian database, www.evfiresafe. com, have verified a total of just 511 EV battery fires globally between 2010 and June 2024. The latest International Energy Agency data shows there are now more than 40 million EVs on the road. By contrast, UK government statistics show that there were an astonishing 6,840 accidental (ie not started deliberately) passenger car fires in England in the 2023/24 financial year alone. 2) EVs are so quiet no-one hears them Being quiet used to be a selling-point; Rolls Royces would "quietly purr". As a number of people I know are blind, as I am myself, I can reassure you that this is not a problem. Since July 2019, in the UK all new EVs (and hybrids) have needed to produce a sound when going at under 12 miles per-hour. Over that speed, they make plenty of noise naturally with the sound of tyres to not need anything added. When we've driven in quiet Family and friends coming to stay? N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) areas, people walking their dogs look behind them when they hear us coming in plenty of time to move. I think that many people are not used to hearing the noise, rather than that it cannot be heard, which will change as the numbers of EVs on the roads increases. We do, however, agree that it is harder to hear them in heavy traffic because diesel and petrol engines are noisier. But they can still be heard though when you are near enough to get out of their way. Denise MacDonald-Kiernan Eileen Campbell Call Fiona on 07789 903127 - 01644 420737 - www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Buggies now available for hire Licence no DG00824P VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME An example of a Myenergi 'Zappi' EV charger To arrange a visit in the comfort of your own home please contact 07515 168 963 or empathyfoothealth@gmail.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 10 sponsored by Celebrating our special places D o you have a treasured place in the Glenkens landscape, somewhere that is special to you? is experiencing rapid land use change, Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT), Dalry Town Hall and the CatStrand are working together to try a new approach that amplifies our connections with land and place. Land Notes Festival is a new festival of art, live music, talks, poetry, film, and events celebrating our cultural richness, land connection, intangible heritage, and treasured landscapes. The festival will explore how we are connected to our landscape and why this landscape is valuable to us. Places do not have to be officially designated to be valued and protected; a single tree may hold huge significance, or a view be treasured. Recognising that the Glenkens There are so many examples of treasured spaces, significant for us both as individuals and communities. Let's celebrate the importance of these often overlooked places, illustrating how we are rooted in, and connected to, our Glenkens natural environment. Land Notes Festival will run from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 August at the CatStrand and Dalry Town Hall. To find out more, or to get involved, please contact Kerry at glenkenslandnotes@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub seasonal recipes CARBONARA-STYLE PASTA G alloway Scottish Pasta is made in the heart of the Glenkens, in New Galloway. It uses traditional methods, such as bronze dies and slow drying, combined with the addition of Scottish organic oats. The resulting pasta has a unique taste and a texture that is ideal for sauces such as this to cling to. All the ingredients for this recipe are available from the Galloway Food Hub, where they are sourced either from local suppliers (within a 30-mile radius of the Glenkens) or they are organically certified goods. This is a recipe for carbonara-style pasta, made with bacon and eggs, and it is enough to serve four. Ingredients - 320g Galloway Pasta Gemellioati - 4 eggs - 4 slices of back bacon, chopped finely - 160g hard cheese, such as Ethical Dairy Laganory, grated - 50g unsalted butter - freshly ground black pepper Method • Put a large pan of water on to boil and cook the pasta according to the instructions • While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large frying pan on a medium heat (it needs to be a large pan as you will add the cooked pasta later) • Add the bacon to the melted butter and fry until crisp, then lower the heat • Whisk the eggs in a bowl and add half of the cheese and pepper to taste • When the pasta is cooked, remove from the water with a slotted spoon and add to the bacon; keep the water as you may need some of it it later • Remove pan from heat and add the egg and cheese mixture, stirring constantly so that the egg coats everything but doesn’t scramble; add a little pasta water if the mix seems too dry • Serve with the remaining cheese on top and freshly ground black pepper to taste; perfect accompanied by a mixed green salad Andrew, Galloway Scottish Pasta RHUBARB AND GINGER CORDIAL A deliciously refreshing drink for warm spring and summer evenings... This recipe makes over 500ml of cordial. Mix it with three parts water, sparkling water or tonic to one part cordial. You can also add a shot or two to your favourite gin, add some tonic and have a delicious summer cocktail! Garnish with a sprig of mint to complete your beverage. Ingredients • 500g rhubarb roughly chopped into around 1cm pieces • 20g fresh ginger roughly chopped – no need to peel, or 1tsp ground ginger • 300ml water • 280g runny honey or caster sugar Method • Place all the ingredients into a saucepan • Bring to the boil then simmer for around 30 minutes, until the rhubarb is soft • Place a sieve lined with muslin over a bowl and pour the rhubarb mixture into the sieve; you can do this without the muslin but you will get a cloudier cordial • Leave the mixture to strain for an hour or so, then remove the sieve with the remaining pulp. • Pour the cordial into a sterilised bottle and store in the fridge and use within four weeks. Beth Webb, Cree Valley Herbs Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 11 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE WANTED Steam cleaner, quite old but hardly used, and a large fan. Collection from Mossdale. Contact: 07842 629 118 Garden bench. Contact: 07727 127 997 Single divan bed base with headboard. Contact: Anita on 07547 301 321 Rabbit hutch and all rabbit-related bits to go with it (indoor hutch, litter tray, water bottle, some food and hay and treats). Contact: 07727 127 997 Ladies gardening gloves, very strong leather. Small size. Blackcurrant bush cuttings, rooted. Black peppermint; will dig as required. Contact: Sue, Dalry, on 07563 718 011 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Non-runners/broken welcome. Contact: 07845 562 217 FOR SALE & OFFERS PONY AND RIDER RELATED ITEMS. Saddle rack, bridle work (all leather) bits, stirrups, leathers, crupper, Cashel bareback rubber saddle, rug, travel boots, etc. All small cob size (Fell). Ladies size 10 clothing, some brand new. Riding/hunting/in-hand showing. Boots, spurs. Any reasonable offer. Ring me for full details and to arrange to come round for a browse (and a cuppa). Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 (please note I do not have the internet) Shed clearances - any shed cleared, large or small; get in touch for further info or to arrange a visit. Contact: 07765 034 841 WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING TIMES OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.30pm MONDAY – FRIDAY Sat 8.30am-5pm Sun 8.30am-3pm 7.30am – 5.30pm POST8.30am OFFICE– 5pm SATURDAY Mon-Fri 10am to 3pm SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm Sat 9am to 12noon Sun closed LOCAL SUPPLIERS LOCAL SUPPLIERS DALMELLINGTON BUTCHERS DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY HENDERSON BUTCHERS RAMSAY OF CARLUKE BUTCHERS BUTCHERS UPPER TREATS DULLARG EGGS SWEET BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG CREAM O' GALLOWAY SWEETCAKES BAKERY GALLOWAY LODGE IRVINGS BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY COWS & CO CHEESE THE CRESS COMPANY CREAM O GALLOWAY BORDER BISCUITS GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES HAWKSTONE BREWERY MITCHELLS & VEG IRVINGSFRUIT BAKERY SULWATH BREWERY SCOTTISH GALLOWAY PASTA ...local delivery available... GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE GAZETTEbusiness Glenkens Gazette page 12 BUSINESS in the SPOTLIGHT O riginally from Kirkcubright, I moved to the Glenkens after meeting my wife, Katie, who is from the area. provide a quality, reliable service and build a well respected business. Katie works as a ruminant nutritionist for a local agricultural firm. We bought our first property here and got the bug for renovations. Fast forward seven years and we are now on our second project home (the forever home) on the hidden road, Balmaclellan. We now have a little boy and are expecting our second child within the next month! What inspired your business, and what do you enjoy most about it? I felt ready to go self-employed in 2018 after gaining 11 years of experience in the trade. I have always loved carpentry and enjoy the challenge of project managing different jobs. I was driven to I'm proud of how the business has grown over the years, I started out on my own and now employ three fulltime workers, who all live within the Stewatry and are each a credit to the company. I've always wanted to be able to pass on the craftmanship/skill and get young people involved in the trade. I'm therefore thrilled to say one of the team is an apprentice and I would like to be able to keep offering apprenticeships in the future. I love meeting and working with lots of different people. It's amazing being able to make customer's visions become a reality. I love that no project is the same and I get the pleasure of working on several different and exciting projects. David with his wife Katie and their son, at their home on the Hidden Road Are you happy you chose to live in the Glenkens? I genuinely feel that the Glenkens is an amazing place to live and work. I feel it has the best countryside - a complete hidden gem - and feel so lucky to be able to raise a family here. The Glenkens has a brilliant community and I'm passionate about using and promoting local business to ensure our area thrives. To find out more about David's business, or to get in touch, see contact details in the ad below. David 07513 180 960 JOINERY & CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Renovation & Conversions New Builds Extensions Groundworks Roofing Kitchen Fitting Windows/Doors Interior Finishings Covering Dumfries & Galloway Reliable Tradesmen We change lives! Come and help us. Your journey starts here! Check out our projects on our socials! D.Mason Joinery Volunteer with us @d.mason_joinery d.mason.joinery@gmail.com dagcas.org • 0300 303 4321 • info@dagcas.org Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service is a Company Limited by Guarantee No: SC179254. Scottish Charity No: SC027107 GAZETTEbusiness Glenkens Gazette A recipe for success D alry's AA Rosette rated restaurant, the Clachan Inn, is a favourite eaterie amongst Glenkens locals and visitors alike due to the superb quality food on offer combined with a cosy, lively atmosphere. The establishment has ecently welcomed two new chefs to the kitchen. Craig Little and Matthew Gillies are already making waves, with regulars being impressed with new dishes like the venison kofta puri bread, served with salad, curry aioli, hazelnut dukkha and fries. who are good natured, and there is mutual respect.” Phil expressed that he has been impressed with both Craig and Matthew’s skill and genuine interest in preparing food from source to plate. Both of the new chefs discussed their journeys with regard to their culinary careers. Craig said that while working in the Co-op in Castle Douglas, he mentioned to a restaurant owner who was buying produce that it would look eye-catching on a plate. He was offered a job then and there, and has stayed in the industry ever since. Craig said that he “loves the lifestyle” and the work, which was similarly mentioned by Clachan head chef Phil, who said that Craig has a good eye for detail, which is one of the aspects that stood out to him. Craig described working at the Clachan as energetic, “dichotomy of eternal frustration and blue skies", highlighting the highs and lows of his experience so far. He positively described working as a chef at the Clachan as “more blue skies than frustration” which comically highlights the positivity surrounding his experience. Phil explained that Matthew's previous experience was impressive and that he has strong skills in working with whole fish and also meat butchery, which stood out to him. When asked what makes the Clachan stand out from other venues in the local dining scene, Phil highlighted that simplicity is key and “trying to source as much as possible locally” is important to him. Some key ingredients of recent dishes have been free range rarebreed pork from Dundrennen, as well as Monkfish brought in by boat to Kirkcudbright. These choices for produce show the care and passion for not only creating seasonal dishes using local produce, but also care for their customers and their dining experience. ...simplicity is key and “trying to source as much as possible locally”... Previously Craig worked in a few local restaurants, and Matthew worked at restaurants on Islay, both at similar Rosettelevel establishments. Their previous experience and fresh ideas are having certainly a positive impact on the Clachan kitchen. Head chef Phil said: “I think the main reason things work well is that, in a hospitality setting, you're generally working with people with similar ideas, saying that “it’s great to work somewhere where people care, and where they share recipes and ideas”. He also commented that the energy in the kitchen is "brilliant", as it shows real passion for the food and commitment to customer satisfaction. Matthew described his culinary career as a page 13 After a short period of uncertainty with staffing in the kitchen, which resulted in cutbacks regarding larger Top: Lamb loin, potato terrine, lamb fat beetroot, salsify, carrot purée & burnt shallot main course. Above: buttermilk pana cotta, garden rhubarb and gingerbread desert tables, the Clachan has now returned to normal working order, which has been positively received by customers who have expressed their satisfaction with the quality of food and the overall experience. Georgiana Grimwood 2 hearing aids, charger & 5 year warranty from £1,500 GAZETTEbusiness Glenkens Gazette page 14 YOUR LO C A L F O OTWE A R SPE C I A LI STS WALKING HIKING HUNTING Scan Me sales@brandecosse.com www.brandecosse.com 01644 430151 THE OLD BANK ST JOHN’S TOWN OF DALRY SAMPLE SALE UP TO 60% OFF Discover unbeatable deals at our pop-up outlet store, where you can save up to 60% on a wide range of men’s and women’s outdoor wear. From shirts and jumpers to jackets, find the perfect gear to take on Spring - at even better prices! Brandecosse, The Old Bank, St John’s of Dalry, DG7 3UW Office Hours: 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 15 Fundraising for Glenkens schools C hildren at Dalry and Kells primaries have been hard at work raising funds to support school trips and other activities. KELLS SPONSORED WALK The Pupil Council at Kells Primary suggested a sponsored walk to raise money for new things for the school. On 13 May, children and staff set out to walk six miles in six hours. We actually walked almost eight miles! Harriet said: "I really enjoyed being outdoors!" Artem said: " We don't do sponsored walks in Ukraine." Marla said: "At the end I was exhausted! I just really enjoyed getting outdoors and exercising and it was fun to stop at the park for a break!" Amy said: "We saw a frog and a lowflying helicopter and a horse." The children at Kells want to say a big "thank you" to everyone who has already sponsored us. Teacher Erin Welsh said: "The pupils absolutely excelled, walking 7.8 miles in the allotted time and 24 degree weather! We are so proud of them!" Through their sponsorship forms, the children raised an incredible £900! If you would like to support Kells' fundraising activities, scan the QR code to the left to donate. DALRY P7 CYCLE-A-THON On Monday 12 May all the P7s did a cycle-athon. We were cycling for the entire day to raise money for the P7 hoodies and the Edinburgh trip. We have a report from the P7s saying that they thought it was really fun . If you want to donate, visit www. gofundme.com/f/tour-de-dalryscycleathon or scan the QR code above. Please donate because it would be a great help and if you have already donated, thank you for helping! by Finn and Unti, P7 The importance of volunteering A re you someone who can help us to change lives for the better? Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service (D&G CAS) is facing unprecedented demand for its services and is looking to recruit more local volunteers, to help continue changing lives. Sonya Fitzsimon, Volunteer Coordinator, explains: “The costof-living crisis has significantly increased the demand for our services, while volunteering is declining. "As a charity, volunteers are our lifeblood and we need people from all across the region.” Volunteering is evolving Volunteering with D&G CAS offers something for everyone, regardless of age (although volunteers must be over 16). Whether you're looking to stay active in retirement, are a young person wishing to gain some experience for your CV or are a working-age individual who would like to dedicate some time to a good cause, we have a place for you. Jake, a young volunteer in the Dumfries bureau, says: “This is a service that helps regular people and I’m glad to be a part of that. I help to support advisers who are making a real difference to people’s lives. Volunteering with D&G CAS has helped me develop my skills with a view to gaining a job in future. A lot of the skills you get from working with the CAS can be applied to other work, and it helps you gain an understanding of how a workplace works, especially for younger people.” Sonya adds: “Young people looking for work experience can enhance their CVs and anyone keen to learn new skills can benefit greatly by volunteering with us. "We are specifically looking for new volunteer advisers and triagers, for which full training is provided. In addition, we offer a wide range of other roles and are keen to ensure we have volunteers for our outreach services across the region.” Join us and make a difference! Visit the ‘Volunteering’ page at www.dagcas.org, call Sonya on 0300 303 4321, or email sonya. fitzsimon@dagcas.org to learn more about how you can get involved. Pictured is Jake Cherry, a young volunteer at Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service Glenkens Gazette M y name is Gordon McJannet and I live in Cumnock, Ayrshire. My great grandfather, James McJannet, had a sweet shop in New Galloway, in the early 1900s. He sold homemade lemonade, and I'm trying to find one of his lemonade bottles. If anybody in the New Galloway area has one, I wonder if they would get in touch with me? My number is 07768 913 160. Thank you, Gordon GAZETTEcommunity page 16 Keeping New Galloway clean I n April, Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) teamed up with New Galloway & Kells Community Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council, and New Galloway Community Shop to help tidy up our little burgh. This was part of a nationwide campaign led by Keep Scotland Beautiful, who themselves hold out a vision for a clean, green, and sustainable Scotland. Volunteers listened to local feedback collected via the Shop about New Galloway’s litter hot-spots and headed out in teams to target those areas. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, our streets and green space are looking much better already! The LING Team Play your cards right T hank you to all who attended Bryan's Saturday night 'play your cards right' night at Lagwyne Hall in May. An excellent time was had by everyone and lots of lovely prizes were won! Catherine Ann Cockburn Photo of the Issue T his issue's winner is Kirsteen Curry with a striking photo of Mossroddich Loch. Kirsteen wins two portions of mac 'n' cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "Blue skies and blue water...what could say summer in the Glenkens better than that!" To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 17 Having a dabble at Balmaclellan Village Hall H eld as part of Village Hall Week, Balmaclellan Village Hall's 'Dabble Day' in March proved to be a success. The event provided an opportunity for people to spend time together being creative, with the chance to try out making pincushions, noticeboards and pottery painting. People could pop in or spend all day, with a delicious lunch also on offer. We hope to hold another soon! Help us give Balmaclellan Village Hall a bright future! Balmaclellan Village Hall is an accessible community space complete with kitchen, library and office area that hosts everything from exercise classes to afternoon teas, the local agricultural show ceilidh to children’s Christmas parties. It also provides a warm, safe place in an emergency, and is a key part of the Balmaclellan community resilience plan. We have recently upgraded the heating and insulation, thanks to the Community Led Local Development fund. The community garden outside also provides outdoor seating in a beautiful setting, perfect for picnics and reading in the sunshine. To help secure ongoing activities and future potential of the hall, we are looking for people to become members of the Balmaclellan Village Hall Trust. By becoming a member you are showing support for the hall and the work that the committee puts into its upkeep and management (but you do not have to get involved in the running or other volunteering). Good membership numbers help secure funding for building maintenance, resources and community events. Becoming a member is free – you will be kept up to date with hall news and can also attend and vote at our annual general meeting. To get involved, email balmachallsec@gmail.com or Name the place (from page 8) Site Name: The Old Road Bridge Location: Clatteringshaws Tucked along the Queensway, halfway between New Galloway and Newton Stewart, the old bridge stands in quiet MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 pick up a paper form at the hall or Balmaclellan Stores. If you would like to book Balmaclellan Village Hall, for oneoff events or regular activities, you can use our new online booking system. Follow the link on our Balmaclellan Village Hall Facebook page, or email balmachallsec@gmail.com A treat for bird lovers at Balmaclellan Village Hall Many may know that the hall has a community library. We boast a collection of about 3,000 books, including an extensive collection (over 100 books) on birds. We were lucky enough to be gifted a number of books collected by Sandy Gordon, a well-known amateur ornithologist and leading expert on Scotland’s golden eagles. He lived his later years in Crocketford and the family, repose beside its modern successor. Rivers once carved formidable barriers across the land, but here, the worn stones whisper of a time when this crossing pulsed with life - a vital thread stitching Galloway’s rugged southwest to the wider world beyond. Now, cloaked in heather and ferns, the bridge slumbers like a retired sentinel, its knowing of our library, offered them to us. These books are available to borrow, and the range is amazing. If you are going anywhere in the world, we have books to tell you about the bird life of that country or region, as well, of course, as a collection about Scottish birds. If you are walking the Donald Watson tour, perhaps you might like to borrow a book to help with your identification? The library is open from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays, or feel free to drop an email to Julia or Lynn at the emails below for a private viewing outside these hours julia.higgins55@outlook.com or btllynnstewart1@icloud.com Balmaclellan Village Hall Committee arches a testament to slower, steadier days. Did you know..? In medieval times, Galloway’s riches - fertile fields, forests, and bustling ports - flowed eastward in a steady stream of trade and hoofbeats. Cattle from these hills were driven the long road to the Falkirk Tryst, Scotland’s great cattle market, before journeying on to feed Edinburgh’s hungry streets. Centuries later, the legacy endures. Amber Dunlop-Pajo Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 18 Scottish Alternative Games 2025 N ow one of the longestrunning annual events in the area, the Scottish Alternative Games will take place on Sunday 3 August in New Galloway Park. The popular event was founded in 1977 at Parton and this year marks 25 years since it moved up the valley to Scotland’s smallest Royal Burgh, and in two years' time the event will celebrate its 50th anniversary! The longevity of the quirky event is a reflection of its enduring popularity, and ability to deliver a good old-fashioned family day out with a difference. This year will, of course, see the World Gird 'n’ Cleek Championship along with all the other wellloved events like the Tossin’ the Sheaf, Hurlin’ the Curlin’ Stane, Tractor Pull and Snail Racing, with a few other new additions too. Be sure to put the date in your diary, and if anybody would like to come along to the event with a stall, please get in touch as soon as you can via our Facebook page or by email to bjedgar19@gmail.com The Alternative Games Committee Mens' Monday coffee E very Monday at New Galloway Town Hall, Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) hosts a Men’s Coffee Morning. This is a place for men to get together with the aim to improve wellbeing, reduce loneliness, and combat social isolation. Conversation covers a bewildering range of topics, supplemented by occasional guest speakers. There are also group outings to places like Bladnoch Distillery and, most recently, the Devil’s Porridge Museum. If you fancy joining them – they are a friendly bunch! – then do come and join them on Mondays, 9.30-11am at New Galloway Town Hall. Captured on camera Left: A photo of the Earlstoun oak, taken by Andrew Mellor. Andrew said: "Walking along the road down to the castle, past the devastation caused by the January storm, I was surprised and delighted to find this historic relic still standing." Right: The right plant in the right place - at the doctor’s surgery door! Photograph by Nicky Cruickshank Litter picking M y husband and I went litter picking on a 300-yard stretch of road along the A713 north of Dalry. We collected all this litter, including bottles and cans of alcohol, and even a can of petrol, in an area which is currently under a wild fire warning. I'm totally disgusted and saddened by this, and think it's time somebody spoke up. Jackie Dennison The 2024 Gird 'n' Cleek World Championship final in action Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 19 The true weight of dry stone walls I f you've spent time in the catchment area of the Glenkens Gazette, you will likely be aware of the sheer quantity of dry stone work all around you. It is there wherever you go and wherever you look. The 'stane' dykes that line the roads and fields seem to present themselves as part of the natural landscape and may therefore become invisible in some manner. That which has always been present in memory perception is rarely questioned, for it seems axiomatic and obvious – in this case a pleasant, practical and peaceful backdrop to the Scottish countryside. Is it though..? Popular understanding has it that most of the dry stone dykes we see today came about after the clearances of the 1700s and1800s. The hills and glens were cleared of forests to make way for large-scale landholdings and animal farming. Stone dykes began to proliferate, marking the boundaries of fields and keeping livestock in manageable, controlled areas. The land was also cleared of human beings! The folk who had been resident for generations were brutally turfed out of their smallholdings and sent off to the dismal factories of the 'industrial revolution' or else to the 'new' continents of America and Australia. A deeply-embedded culture was ripped out of rural Scotland just as surely as trees are ripped out of the ground in modern-day forestry, leaving gaping wounds across a landscape where once life thrived. The clearances were a massive traumatic blow to the collective psyche of Scotland. The Highland clearances were brutal. The Lowland clearances which included the Glenkens, were equally brutal. Some historians maintain that they were even worse. Such deep trauma does not go unmarked or unnoticed by the land itself, even though humans themselves may think they have moved on. Boundaries divide and exclude the 'other'. Beneath the tens of thousands of miles of dry stone dykes found across Scotland lies a sadness - a heaviness that goes beyond just a property of large stones. What was once an integral part of 'self' was brutally 'othered'. The loss is profound and goes way beyond what words can express. I love working with naked dry stone. I love the gypsy way of life: travelling with dog and van, rebuilding stone dykes and otherwise rearranging stone in beautiful far-away-and-over-thehill locations. I get totally lost in the stone zone. I love observing and interacting with the different styles of stone wall as they match local materials available at the time of building. I love how stone wears its history transparently on its sleeve, easily deconstructed by observing what remains and how it was put together. But something always reminds me of what was taken away. There remains a vein of sadness, heartbreak and loss echoing the experience of forced expulsion which the land and the stone have not forgotten. I get a real buzz serving and adding to the tradition of stone but at the same time I am acutely aware of the ghosts of those who within a few generations had their way of life extinguished and replaced by tree-less sheep fields and endless walled boundaries. Arjun Gupta FANCY A SUMMER RESEARCH PROJECT? I f you're at school in S4, S5 or S6 and would like a summer holiday project offering a prize of £250 for the winner, look no further! The local Antiquarian Society are running a 'Young Researcher' competition. They want to get youngsters interested in the local heritage of D&G. The idea is that students entering the competition will write an original piece of work on any topic relating to the human history or natural environment of D&G. For example, you could research the career of a local historical figure, the history of a significant local building/monument, or a study – perhaps a census – of local wildlife. Articles should contain between 1,500 and 2,500 words and may contain images, appropriately captioned. The winner will receive a prize of £250 and their paper will be published on the society’s website. This is great publicity for anyone wishing to go on to university as if you get a prize, or take part in the competition, you can add it to your university entry form. The competition runs from 1 June 2025, with the deadline for entries being 31 October, timing which ensures that examination studies are not affected. Full details of the competition, including the registration form and terms & conditions, are available under the 'about' tab at www.dgnhas.org.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 20 St Margaret's bumper plant and bake sale T his year’s plant and bake sale, run by the St Margaret’s Guild, raised just over £700 for the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA). The SCAA is Scotland’s only charity air ambulance and is funded entirely by donations, enabling them to respond to time-critical accident and emergencies throughout Scotland. Many in the Glenkens community look forward to this annual event, and were not deterred by the rain on the last Saturday in April. Sales of plants were brisk, and the home baking stall had sold out by the end of the morning. Many people stayed to enjoy tea or coffee and cakes, but this was held inside the church due to the weather. The plant stall contained a variety of flower and vegetable seedlings, as well as plants and perennials, all from local gardens and this year the Guild was particularly grateful to Dalbeattie Garden Centre and Ernespie Farm who generously donated lots of colourful annuals which undoubtedly helped boost sales. The homemade cakes and biscuits on the baking stall are always popular and this year there was a huge variety on offer, including Norwegian rhubarb cake, Victoria sponges, gingerbread, carrot cake, rock cakes, flapjacks, chocolate muffins and granary bread and, of course, the always-popular tablet and fresh fruit scones. Christine Rankin, president of St Margaret’s Guild, said: “We are very grateful to all who supported this event, and to those who helped on the day. "Being a rural area, we are all conscious of the vital service provided by the SCAA and we’re delighted to have raised such a significant sum for the charity”. Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 21 What does the Scottish Census tells us about the Glenkens? H ow many people live in the Glenkens? Where were they born? What do they do for a living? Has this changed over the past twenty years? People may remember completing a Census form just over three years ago. The total Scottish population figure of 5,436,600 was released in 2023, and now detailed local data is (fairly!) easy to access. I’ve brought together some figures for the Glenkens, and compared them to the 2001 Census. They are a snapshot of what the area was like on Sunday 20 March 2022. That’s already three years ago: since then people have moved in and out of the area, been born, died, changed jobs. But it’s the best picture we have, and it will inform government planning for the area. There is no official boundary for the Glenkens. I started with the eight community council areas covered by the Gazette, but their boundaries have changed over the years, and aren’t used in the census. So I’ve used the ‘civil parishes’ which are fairly constant for each census, and are mainly the same as the community council areas. But I’ve left Crossmichael out altogether (sorry!), because it includes part of Castle Douglas and has more people than Parton, Carsphairn, Balmaclellan, Kells and Dalry put together. Who lives in the Glenkens? In 2022 there were 3302 people in the seven civil parishes that I’ve looked at here. This is a 3% decline since 2001 (when it was 3403), but there has been no change at all since 2011. People tend to think of rural depopulation as a problem, but across the Glenkens as a whole the population is not shrinking fast. However, this hides some big variations between parishes. Over the 20 years the population fell by over 10% in Kells, Balmaclellan, Dalry and Parton; in contrast Kirkpatrick Durham, Carsphairn and Balmaghie have all grown significantly. What is happening is that as a community we are getting older. The number of young people (below age 25) has dropped by about a quarter (24%) and ‘working aged’ adults by 9%, but there are 43% more people aged 65 and over. sectors haven’t changed in 20 years. People may be surprised to see that agriculture and forestry are still the biggest employers, with one in six of the total workforce (16%), though this is a substantial decrease since 2001 (22%). Health and social work has stayed in second place, but has closed the gap with land-based work: up from 11% to 14%. The third category is a mixed bag of wholesale, retail, and repair work, and has fallen slightly, from 11% to 10% of the workforce. The big change, though, is how many of us are retired. This more than doubled between the censuses, from one in six (13%) to over a quarter of the total population (28%). How qualified are we? Another big change has been the increase in the level of educational qualifications. In 2001 only 18% had a Level 4 (Higher National Diploma or Certificate, Scottish Vocational Qualification or equivalent) or degree qualification. By 2022 41% had at least Level 4, with almost a third (32%) having an undergraduate degree. How well are we? As the population has got older there are, unsurprisingly, more health issues. Just over one in four (26%) have a long term disability or illness which limits The top three employment sectors haven’t changed in 20 years...agriculture and forestry are still the biggest employers... Where do we come from? The majority of people (55%) in the Glenkens were born in Scotland, and a third (33%) can speak, read and/or write in Scots. Well over a third (37%) are from England; nearly one in 10 (9%) comes from outside the UK. This has changed quite a bit since 2001. At that time two thirds (67%) were Scotland-born, just over a quarter (28%) from England, and only one in 20 (5%) came from outside the UK. What do we do? The top three employment their daily activities, up from one in five in 2001 (20%). On the positive side, we feel better: overall self reported ‘general health’ is high, and has risen very slightly from 91% to 92% of people saying their health is “fine” or better. So what has changed? The big changes are that as a community we are more qualified, older, and more of us have retired. Smaller but still significant changes are that there are slightly fewer of us, we are less Scottish and more ethnically diverse, and more likely to be disabled. Tantalisingly what we can’t tell is how these things are related, though some of the links (e.g. between age and disability) are fairly obvious. What struck me, though, was how small many of the changes have been: mainly only a few percent in either direction when averaged out across the Glenkens. I was really surprised by the steadiness of the total population, and that agriculture and forestry still topped the employment ranking. What about you? Do these figures reflect what you thought about Glenkens people? If you want to know more, and delve into the separate parish figures, go to www. scotlandscensus.gov.uk/searchthe-census#/search-by Steve Connelly Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 22 Galloway Retold with Angela Miller The Dalarran standing stone T he lone standing stone at Dalarran field, by the Ken Bridge on the A713, is a familiar landmark to all of us here in the Glenkens. The common story recounted about it, as told in Dr Robert Trotter’s Galloway Gossip, is that there was a battle in the field during which a king was killed, and the stone is his memorial. When I was a child newly moved to the area, it was probably the first story I heard about the Glenkens, so it was a story that stayed with me. It was, in fact, the first video that I recorded for my wee channel, Galloway Retold, and is also used for my logo (pictured to the right), and that was when I started to discover some interesting things about the story itself. In the end, I actually made two videos about the standing stone and its subject. For a long time it was believed that this ill-fated king haunted the area around the field on horseback, in full battle regalia, with a huge sword on his back. During one particular encounter with this ghost, a young man and his sister followed it all the way way to Fintloch, on the Kirk Road out of New Galloway, where the apparition disappeared over a stone slab in the ground. According to Dr Trotter, Lady Ashburton of Glenlee had the stone lifted. Inside lay a body in full battle regalia laid to rest with a huge sword, but it all crumbled to dust as soon as the outside air touched it...pretty unsettling stuff! Whether that particular tale is true or not, there have been a number of axe-heads, arrowheads and even the odd sword found when Dalarran field has been ploughed. Ted Cowan, I’m told, thought it was likely the stone marked a market site, which would explain the items found in the field too. Since the name Dalarran literally means ‘Bread Field’ in Gaelic, maybe Ted’s assessment is closer to the mark. Still, it’s exciting to imagine an ancient battle taking place right here in the heart of the Glenkens, with unsettled ghosts still walking the battle-ground. You can find both of the videos regarding the story on my Youtube Channel, Galloway Retold. They are called ‘Is a Scottish King buried under this stone?’ And ‘The Ghostly Horseman of Dalarran’. Have I tickled your interest..? Angela Miller is the librarian at Dalry Library and a keen local historian. You can view her YouTube channel by searching YouTube or Google for 'Galloway Retold'. VJ Day: The official end of World War 2 N ow that we have celebrated the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day, 8 May 1945), can I wave a flag for VJ Day (Victory in Japan Day) on 15 August, the day which marks the official end of World War 2. Many Glenkens men fought in Burma and I note in my father’s diary and letters home from that time, that they were still fighting bravely while those at home celebrated VE Day. He (John Nelson) joined the Kirkcudbright battery of the Royal Artillery. After a period manning guns near Clacton during the Battle of Britain, they were posted ‘overseas’. My father’s regiment embarked from Greenock in early 1942 sailing West, before the zigzagging convoy turned and headed south for the Cape. His notes recall leaving the Clyde, heading, he thought, for the North African Desert, stopping at Freetown and then Durban en route to refuel. As they left Durban, Singapore fell to the Japanese and his ship ‘Strathmore,’ which was much faster than the others, was ordered off alone without escort and headed towards Bombay. He recalls a morning on deck with a dozen Glenkens boys, including his good friend JD Bell, as well as ‘Cheery’ McQueen, Jock Little, and many other local names - Gallacher, Jardine, McMinn, McDowall, Patterson and McMath. After landing at Bombay and unloading all their guns and equipment (now painted jungle colours over the previous desert camouflage paint) they loaded men and machines onto a train and set off for Deolali and on to Ranchi. Then followed three years of desperate fighting against a ruthless foe in appalling jungle conditions. During that time, when given leave, my father went to stay with Jim McCrae, who managed several coal mines in India. Jim, who came from Sanquhar, had been the last manager of Carsphairn and Creetown mines. In mid-1944 father was posted to the Mountain Artillery, 5th Indian Division. When VE Day was announced, the Division were involved in fierce fighting around Meiktila. Around this time (mid-May) the monsoon started and a Castle Douglas lad, Clark Corson (whose family owned Corsons bakers in CD) drowned in a flooded paddy field while trying to save some of his men. We cannot imagine the heartache felt daily by the mothers and wives of those still facing almost certain death in Japanese slave camps, while their neighbours laughed and danced at the joys of peace at last. After the horrendous battle of Kohima, the allies changed tactics and managed to turn the tide and push the enemy back. However, it would be another John Nelson on the left, with two of his regiment on shore leave in Cape Town three months, with heavy losses on both sides, before VJ Day was announced. Little wonder that those fighting in India and Burma nicknamed themselves ‘The Forgotten Army’. So let’s not forget them on the 15th August! John Nelson GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 23 My muses take care of me O nce in a long time, something comes along that moves you in a way that you can’t fully explain, yet you feel compelled to talk about it. Recently, for us, this something was My Muses Take Care of Me, a contemporary dance performance devised by choreographer Fleur Darkin, in collaboration with sculptor Claire-Rose Barbier. We saw this performance at the CatStrand as part of the Move South programme 'Immersive Dance Theatre In Galloway’, a dynamic programme of performances and participatory events featuring some of Scotland’s most exciting touring dance companies. We went to this event because we were excited to have the opportunity to go and see an international acclaimed dance ensemble right here in New Galloway. There were just six in the audience, including us. How few of us there were but how precious and exhilarating the experience. Dance, song, spoken word, and sculpture were integrated and choreographed to enchant and guide us through a liminal space of imagination and movement. The singer danced, the sculptor sang, the dancers became the sculptures, the sculptures became the dance. The attention to detail in the choreography was inspirational. The whole performance was punctuated by little moments where your focus was taken to the toes or an elbow, then back to the whole body and the bodies together on the stage. Little moments like when they tugged at their ear lobes. These micro moments flowed into sequences of accomplished dance; the kind of movements that only a trained and agile body can execute. Merging words, live chanson singing, and sculpture, My Muses Take Care of Me poetically layered intrigue with flickers of narrative. It was abstract, yet at the same time it was familiar. We were watching human bodies doing extraordinary and sometimes quite ordinary things in ways that made them extraordinary. My Muses Take Care of Me was an experience that had us all smiling and totally engrossed. Transfixed. After the performance we six made our way to the bar, buzzing and talking with excitement about what we’d just seen and experienced. The performers joined us. They commented on how engaged we all were and that it was a delight to perform in front of such a rapt audience. On a personal level, it hadn’t mattered to us that there were only six in the audience because each of us had a captivating experience. At the same time, it’s such a shame that an exceptional performance was experienced by so few. Through 'Move South', the CatStrand invited us to experience some of the most innovative work being produced in Scotland. It was made possible by support from Creative Scotland Strategic Touring Fund and, to make it accessible, the tickets were priced as ‘pay what you feel’. Move South Immersive Dance Theatre in Galloway is a partnership project between CatStrand and Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival. It was the first of what they hope will be an annual event. We hope so too. Kerry Morrison, local resident, and Rachel Newsome, visiting Writer in Residence Photographs by Claire-Rose Barbier David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 24 Successful season on stage comes to a close C atStrand Players brought their festival season to a close at The Beacon Theatre in Greenock in early April with a brilliant performance of ‘It’s Only Make Believe’ by Mark Rees. Against strong competition from all over the west of Scotland, the team were placed third overall and were delighted to also be awarded the trophy for ‘Best Stage Presentation’. The adjudicator praised the confident and mature performances from the actors, James Wallace and Rose Benson. He said they performed with much energy and enthusiasm and the clear enjoyment of the actors was infectious, as demonstrated by the justified response from the audience. In the end, the scores were very close but third place meant that the play just missed out on an appearance at the Scottish Final, with Kirkintilloch Players and 88 Theatre progressing to represent the Western Division. As reported in the last Gazette, the Youth Players team also missed out by a whisker on another Scottish Final appearance, when they finished in second place at their Western Final at Dunlop in March. However, both teams can look back with great satisfaction and pride at their productions this year, each of them competing at a very high standard against the other winning teams from around the Western Division. After a well earned summer break, panto rehearsals will start on Sunday 7 September, anyone aged 10+ who would like to take part welcome to come along to CatStrand at 2pm on that day. Friday 5, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December. The much anticipated annual panto will be on stage on Brian Edgar Pictured, left to right, are Jo Jackson, Fraser Kemp and James Wallace with the Youth Players' well-earned trophies New Cultural Glenkens project C atStrand Arts is excited to announce a major milestone in its artistic and heritage programme. CatStrand has long been home to many volunteer-led projects of the highest quality, like The Glenkens Story, Watson Birds, Ken Words, Write On, The CatStrand Singers, Dalry Film Club and Clachan Folk. These projects have added significantly to the culture and heritage of the Glenkens over many years now, and we are keen to provide even better support. We are therefore delighted to announce National Lottery Heritage Fund support for a new three-year project called Cultural Glenkens. Building on the work of the Galloway Glens project, Cultural Glenkens will not only support existing and new volunteer heritage projects, but also create an Oral History archive for the Glenkens and run a series of talks and events designed to bring our heritage to life. The Heritage Lottery understands that heritage can only thrive in sustainable communities, and so the project will also create five six-month internships to support our young people. The project includes funding for a new role of Cultural Glenkens Project Lead, and after a full recruitment process, Jo Jackson has been appointed to this position. Many of you will know Jo from her work on 'Together in the Glenkens', and we are excited to see her bring her energy and enthusiasm for community heritage to this role. She will start in early June and will look forward to getting out and about in this new four day per week role shortly after then. Jo Jackson, newly-appointed Jo will be Cultural Glenkens Project Lead supported by a small Cultural Glenkens Steering Group. This group of volunteers will meet about every two months to support and guide the project as it evolves over the three years - do get in touch at peter@catstrand.com if you would like to find out more about this role. This funding means that all three strands of the CatStrand Artistic Vision are now multi-year funded, for the first time ever in CatStrand's history. CatStrand Touring Arts is supported by Creative Scotland to March 2028; CatStrand Young Creatives is supported by The Holywood Trust until March 2027 and Cultural Glenkens is supported by the Heritage Lottery until April 2028. We look forward to using these unprecedented levels of security to carry on delivering great art, heritage and culture in the heart of the Glenkens. And please join us in welcoming Jo! Peter Renwick, CatStrand Creative Director GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 25 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers on a journey into his world of writing, reading and general thoughts on life. I went to Syria armed with books. On the way we spent most of the night in Antalya airport (southern Turkey) so I drank bad coffee and read Han Kang’s novel The Vegetarian, about a woman who stops eating meat, and eventually stops eating everything. This is a story about trauma, how the pain inflicted by others is turned on the self, and it was relevant to my destination in ways I won’t write about here. We arrived in Beirut, then took a taxi to Damascus, a city which tells two different stories. The centre never slipped regime control, so remains intact. The suburbs were controlled by the opposition, so were bombed by various powers with various weapons. Today they are rubble, mile after mile of it. I hope whoever ends up in charge of rebuilding – if Syria is permitted to rebuild – reads the book I read on the rooftop with breakfast: Marwa Sabouni’s The Battle for Home. Sabouni, an architect, argues (perhaps questionably) that the failure of the built environment was one of factors which led to war. relations of trade and friendship. Churches faced mosques, and shared public space (fountains, benches, trees) was as important as private. But when newcomers arrived from usually more monocultural villages, and were settled in “concrete barracks with no shared place to belong to,” conflict arose. Sabouni’s is an interesting and elegant little book, whether you agree or not with its conclusions. I was too busy talking and eating to do much more reading in Syria, but on the journey home I read Hassan Blasim’s Sololand. I have loved Blasim’s writing since his first story collection, The Madman of Freedom Square. In fact, I once described him (in the Guardian) as being the greatest living writer of Arabic fiction. illustrate the political and social dysfunction that force people to flee places like Iraq (Blasim is Iraqi), and one depicts the political and social dysfunction they encounter in their countries of supposed refuge (Blasim has lived in Finland since 2004). Nevertheless, the overwhelming atmosphere, for now at least, is one of enthusiastic optimism... Sabouni describes how the architecture of Old Homs engineered community, concretely interweaving I recommend Madman before the rest of his work for its treatment of war with the tools of surrealism and dark humour, but Sololand is also very worth reading. Two of its three stories A million and a half refugees have returned to Syria since the old regime fell, despite not having houses to live in. God knows the country has enormous challenges to overcome after 14 years of war and over half a century of dictatorship. There is grinding poverty, sectarian tension, and foreign states are circling like vultures (in a restaurant one night we heard a huge bang – the Israelis were bombing nearby). Nevertheless, the overwhelming atmosphere, for now at least, is one of enthusiastic optimism, and if you ignore for a moment the warplanes and unruly militias, it’s easy to see why. Books hitherto banned are sold publically, and for the first time in several generations, everyone’s talking politics freely, without fear of arrest. Glenkens Gazette EST. 2007 GAZETTEarts page 26 CatStrand SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS BILLY KAY & ROBYN STAPLETON BORN IN KYLE - A LOVE LETTER TAE AN AYRSHIRE CHILDHOOD. OUTLIERS - BOO HEWERDINE & JENNY STURGEON JOINED BY MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST GRANT ANDERSON. RANT A POWERHOUSE QUARTET OF SCOTLAND’S FINEST FIDDLERS. RANT BLENDS RICH EXPANSIVE SOUND WITH THE FIERY SPIRIT OF TRADITION. WAVE BLUES BAND GET YOUR MOJO WORKING WITH THE SOULFUL, ELECTRIFYING RHYTHMS OF SOUTH WEST SCOTLAND’S FIVE-PIECE WAVE BLUES BAND. FRED MACAULAY NO PODCAST – LIVE! SCOTLAND’S BELOVED STAND-UP STAR FRED MACAULAY HITS THE ROAD AGAIN IN 2025 FOR A NATIONWIDE TOUR. HIGH ST, NEW GALLOWAY 01644 420 374 GCAT.SCOT Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 27 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Michele Owen 07940 313 445 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Parton: Tom - 07835 821 976 • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Crossmichael: 1 Jun, 9.30am; 8 Jun, 9.30am; 15 Jun, 9.30am; 22 Jun, 9.30am; 29 Jun, 9.30am; 6 Jul, 9.30am; 13 Jul, 9.30am; 20 Jul, 9.30am; 27 Jul, 9.30am Balmaclellan: 1 Jun, 11am; 6 Jul, 11am Carsphairn: 8 Jun, 11.15am; 13 Jul, 11.15am Kells: 15 Jun, 11am; 29 Jun, 11am; 20 Jul, 11am Dalry: 22 Jun, 11am; 27 Jul, 11am For further info contact Ian Knox on 07840 506 516 or at i.knox29@btopenworld.com, or Irene McCreath on 07974 861927 or at irenemccreath. im@gmail.com SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP The Rev Dawn Matthew Sundays:10.30am, Holy Communion with refreshments after the service. Tuesdays: 10am-12noon, look for the ‘church is open’ sign and pop in for private prayer or to chat with Dawn. Wednesdays: 7.30-8pm, evening prayers via Zoom shared with our sister church, All Saints’ Challoch. Please contact Dawn for link. SPECIAL SERVICES - June & July: Sundays @4 – an informal service with music, readings and prayer: 8 June & 13 July For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 28 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE You can now apply for a Garden Waste Collection Service permit at £40 per bin. for regular collections from March to November 2025. Apply online at www.dumgal.gov.uk/ wasterecycling or in person at a customer service centre such as Dalry Library. The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Advanced Massage Practitioner (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 29 GALLOWAY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org email: gct@catstrand.com / gctadmin@catstrand.com phone: Jon 07841 512449 / Jason 07704 662925 JUNE 2025 - JULY 2025 REGULAR SERVICES EXCURSIONS We are pleased to announce a revision to our GK2 service. From Wednesday 2nd April the service will run in the evening, until the October daylight saving time change, when it will revert to a daytime winter timetable.The ‘summer’ times are as below: GK2 Glenkens > Castle Douglas Every Wednesday (Registered Route) Outward 1800 1820 1825 1830 1842 1852 1907 1920 1925 Kendoon Dalry (Underhill) Balmaclellan New Galloway Mossdale Laurieston Ringford Castle Douglas Tesco Castle Douglas ALDI Return 2150 2130 2125 2120 2108 2058 2043 2030 2025 Booking not required MINIBUS DRIVING Minibus drivers are needed to do volunteer and paid driving for our wide range of member community groups, as well as for our contracted school services. MiDAS training will be provided. Not got a D1 on your licence? Not a problem, we have a couple of buses that do not require D1. Ask us for more details. PATIENT TRANSPORT We also urgently need drivers with their own cars for our patient transport service. Our volunteer patient transport drivers receive a generous mileage reimbursement and the satisfaction of providing a vital service to vulnerable people in our communities. Interested? Email: gct@catstrand.com Phone: 07841 512449 / 07704 662925 Save the date!... we have added another excursion on 21st August to Dumfries House. Please keep checking our website for further details (and the next Gazette edition!) MEMBERSHIP HIRE We have 3 x 16 seat buses, a 15 seat, an 8 seat minibus and a fully wheelchair accessible electric car available (and minibus) for hire by community organisations. For information about membership and terms and conditions of hire see the GCT website or phone 07841 512449 / 07704 662925 www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEevents WHAT'S ON page 30 June/July/August JUNE Runs until Sept, Bairn Banter Forest Learning Sessions, last Sat of the month, see below for booking details From Sun 1, Antiquarian Society 'Young Researcher' Competition, deadline for entries 31 Oct, see p19 Every Thursday, Summer Sports, 6pm, New Galloway Park Sun 1, Clachan Folk Session with the Ruby Warblers, 6pm, The Clachan Inn Mon 2, Community Engagement Day with D&G Community Safety Team, 10am-10.45, Heritage Centre Car Park, Carsphairn; 11am-12.15, Main St, Dalry; 12.45-1.30pm, near CatStrand, New Galloway, (see right for info) Mon 2, Art Ambassadors, art session for young people aged 12+, 4.30-5.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 4, Dalry Film Club: Gladiator II, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Dalry Town Hall Thu 5, Firelight Trio, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 20, Outliers: Boo Hewerdine & Jenny Sturgeon, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 6, The Old Paddy Line: Bar Night Talk, 8pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 20, LING AGM, 7pm, New Galloway Town Hall Sat 7, Carsphairn Show, The Crofts, Carsphairn Sat 21, SongWave: What do the Tall Trees Say? 4pm, New Galloway Town Hall Sun 8, National Theatre Live 2025: A Streetcar Named Desire, 4pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 28, RANT, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 8, GCT Bus Trip: Wigtownshire Garden Tour, see p29 Sat 28, Picnic in the Park, all day, New Galloway Park Thu 12, Ken Words Writers’ Café, 7pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 28, RNLI Fundraising Coffee Morning, Dalry Town Hall Sat 14, Billy Kay and Robyn Stapleton: Born in Kyle – A Love Letter tae an Ayrshire Childhood, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway JULY Wed 18, Dalry Film Club: Conclave, 7pm, Thu 10, Ken Words Writers’ Café, 7pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 19, Wave Blues Band, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 25, Fish and Chips social, evening, New Galloway Town Hall AUGUST Sun 3, Scottish Alternative Games, New Galloway Park, see p18 Thu 14, Ken Words Writers’ Café, 7pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 30, 12.30-9pm, Crossmichael Gala Day, see p5 Fri 15 to Sun 17, Land Notes Festival, CatStrand and Dalry Town Hall, see p10 Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact richardandjane@phonecoop.coop or 01556 670 691 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEevents page 31 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Exercise Class, Tue, 6-7pm Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3pm Zumba, Fri, 6.30-7.30pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am-12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; Oct-Mar, 2.30pm) Soup & Sandwich, Sat, 12noon-2pm, Oct-Mar Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, Wedn & Fri, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making - Mon, 7-9pm Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@ gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10am CatStrand, New Galloway Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat biweekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.30am Musical Misfits, Sat, bi-weekly, 10am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16yrs) Art Explorers, Sat, 10.30am, fortnightly New Galloway Town Hall Community Larder, side door open for access Mon 9am–4pm; Tue 7-9pm; Wed 6.30–8pm; Thu 9.30am–4pm Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Dance for Wellbeing (adults), Mon 2.30pm Creative Movement for Children, 4pm LING Community Cafe, Mon, 12.30– 2pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–3pm, drop-in Martial Arts, Thu, 7.30pm For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Wee Wonders, Thu, 9-10am Clachan Crafters, Thu, 2pm, 07500 861 041 Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet. com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm, Tue 6-8pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Main St, Dalry - 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book at the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Facebook Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Song Share, 1st Fri each month, 7.3010.30pm Mossdale Village Hall Mossdale Painters, Wed, 9.30-11.30am Yoga, Fri, 2.15pm Soup Saturday, last Sat each month, 1-3pm Various Bumps, Babies & Beyond, every 2nd Mon, 10.30am, Kirkpatriack Durham Village Hall Learn to Play Bridge, Mon, 7-9pm, Lochinvar Hotel Keep Fit with Alex, 7.15-8.15pm, KPD Village Hall Strictly Get Dancing, Mon, 7pm, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Glenkens Oil Painters, Wed, 10am, Corfield House Art Studio Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed 2-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Thu, 1-3pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 Mum & Baby MovementThu, 9.3011.30am, Laurieston Village Hall Crossmichael Youth Club, Fri, Crossmichael Memorial Hall For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 32 Carsphairn kids group goes from strength to strength O ver the past few months, families from across the Glenkens and further afield have been enjoying a range of events and activities with the Carsphairnbased children’s group, Bairn Banter. From visits from the local police and fire service, to Easter activities to growing their own veg and forest adventures, the volunteer-led group continues to grow, offering a continually expanding range of new and exciting free activities to children across the Glenkens and beyond. The group welcomed the Glenkens' community police officer to a morning session. PC Coupland spoke about how the police can help us in an emergency and the importance of road safety. Sparked by the children’s interest, they investigated other emergency services in the Glenkens, inviting the New Galloway Fire Station team to visit the group. Bairn Banter hosted its annual Easter egg hunt at the Lagwyne Hall, where the children enjoyed lots of fun activities including a very special visit from the Easter Bunny herself! As a keen supporter of this annual event, the renewable energy company Vattenfall gifted each child a large chocolate egg. Carol MacInnes from Vattenfall attended the event with a virtual reality headset which the older children and adults could try on, with a short film, in which kids experienced going up a wind turbine. The gorgeous weather we've been having has enabled lots of outdoor play in our newly-fenced children’s garden, with thanks to the Lagwyne Hall committee for Children at Bairn Banter enjoying the new climbing frame their support with the project. Children and parents have expressed a keen interest in growing more vegetables and flowers (following on from our 'Seed to Soup Spoon' project last year). We have also received a kind donation of tree stumps from a local resident, which have provided fun as seats, tables and habitats for insects and beasties in our garden. Bairn Banter has also recently teamed up with Dalry ELC to raise funds for an outdoor climbing frame. The Nursery/ ELC previously owned a climbing frame (which was no longer used by the children) and it was agreed that it would make the perfect addition to the Carsphairn children's garden instead. A sum of £200 was agreed as a contribution to Dalry ELC to go towards the costs for much-needed resources. This figure has now been raised, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk and Bairn Banter would like to thank everyone who generously contributed. Any additional funds that have been raised over and above the target have been divided between both settings to further benefit children of the Glenkens. Heading into summer, Bairn Banter have been enjoying Forest School sessions with Melissa Ade, who recently qualified as a Forest School leader. On the last Saturday of each month, for a block of six months, children and parents are welcome to Forest Scools sessions. To book a place at these sessions email bairnbanter@outlook.com (booking is essential as spaces are limited). If you have a wee one in the Glenkens, come along and join Bairn Banter on a Saturday morning in Carsphairn's Lagwyne Hall - all ages of children are welcome; we'd love to see you! Melissa Ade Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com AUG/SEP COPY DEADLINE: 5 JULY The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 148 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG-148 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/302/GlenkensGazette147.pdf 26d486ec60261e4dcda224283ce46416 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 147 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document April/May 2025 ISSUE 147 Former Dalry student cooks Land and up culinary excellence Life in the FREE INSIDE THIS ISSUE A ward-winning chef and former Dalry Secondary student Fraser Cameron, currently head chef at the Globe Inn, Dumfries, has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Roux Scholarship 2025. Fraser impressed the judges of the highly acclaimed culinary competition with an inspiring, cutting-edge recipe. His creation included mussels, gurnard, dulse seaweed and parsnips, and it dazzled the judges. This acknowledgement of Fraser's talents as a chef will come as no surprise to many of his dedicated followers, as he has a strong reputation for creating a ‘delightful’, ‘amazing’, and ‘superb’ culinary experience at The Globe Inn. With Fraser's leadership, the Globe has secured a Michelin listing for 2025, landed the accolade of Dumfries & Galloway Life Restaurant of the Year, and was crowned the Best Eating Experience at VisitScotland's Thistle Awards. Glenkens ...turn to p20 for our 8-page special Being selected as a finalist for the Roux Fraser Cameron in his kitchen in The Globe Inn Scholarship 2025 is an ultimate Glenkens, Fraser thoroughly achievement enjoyed his time at Dalry for many aspiring top chefs, as Secondary School and it is known for identifying the commented that “it was a very best culinary talent. Fraser was close-knit group of students “honoured and excited” and when I was there, and I thought described being selected as “a it gave me a very good grounding dream come true”. for heading out into the world”. Looking back at life in the ...turn to p6 Continued on p4... Joshua's award-winning writing J oshua doesn’t usually have articles written about him - he is the one writing them as the Gazette youth correspondent (see p8 of this edition). Joshua (centre) with his winning certificate along with Castle Douglas and Dalry Schools Head Teacher, Stephen Foster (left), and representatives of the Dumfries and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society Public Transport Feedback - new way to have your say! However, the Gazette wanted to include an article in this edition celebrating Joshua's achievement in winning a local poetry award. Continued on p5... HUGH FOSS 13TH MAY 1902 –23RD DEC 1971 Unsung hero: the Hugh Foss story ...turn to p32 Youth band Rhelm rocking the Glenkens ...turn to p36 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 2 A period of security for arts, culture and youth I t seems like not long ago that CatStrand was facing genuine uncertainty about whether it would still be able to manage to run an arts programme. However thanks to some very positive recent funding outcomes we're now entering a period where CatStrand Arts has never had such security. Last year, funding body Creative Scotland were actively broadcasting that there was not enough in the pot, and they would be forced to make unpleasant decisions and the Scottish Government seemed unable to back statements about the value of culture with practical action. Our continued support was far from certain. However, at the eleventh hour, the Scottish Government's culture secretary, Angus Robertson, was able to back his good words with commitments that gave Creative Scotland a solid working budget. As a result, Creative Scotland were able to invest in the CatStrand and we have received a funding commitment until 2028. We can’t say how grateful we are for the support and concern people have shown over the past 18 months, and we hope to repay this by delivering the eclectic programme of live music, theatre, dance and comedy that people have come to expect. And the good news doesn’t stop there! CatStrand Young Creatives has secured a two-year commitment from the Holywood Trust, as well as ongoing support from the Youth Music Initiative Cultural Glenkens is our place-based programme, supporting locally driven projects. Some examples include The Glenkens Story, Ken Words, Write On and Watson Birds. We've been aware for some time that this area of work would benenfit from more investment of time and resources than we have had available. So we’re delighted to announce that we have received a new three-year commitment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to really push forward this area of work. The fund will support: • Four days a week for a Cultural Glenkens Project Lead role • A programme of internships for young people • Oral history recordings • A programme of in-person and online talks The past couple of years have been far from easy, but we can now look forward confidently to making sure we're in a good position come 2028. Peter Renwick, CatStrand Creative Director Kendoon to Tongland Reinforcement Project A s many readers I'm sure are aware, the decision on the Kendoon to Tongland 132kV Reinforcement Project came out on Valentine's Day. Galloway Without Pylons (GWP) won the Public Inquiry battle, but we lost the war. The Reporter's recommendation was to refuse consent but the Scottish Ministers have overruled and have granted consent. This decision is patently irrational and unfair but it looks like the UK governments are set to overturn the recommendations of reporters in pursuit of net zero. The fact that Scotland produces only 0.1% of global CO2 emmissions makes this decision even more irrational. I was extremely angry after reading the Scottish Government’s reasoning for granting consent: "But in this particular instance ministers have decided that the benefits of protecting the security of electricity supply for around 30,000 residents and providing low carbon energy to the network means that consent should be granted to this application." GWP has never objected regarding the need to upgrade the existing line. The above would be fulfilled if the line was underground or re-routed to follow the existing line. In fact, the following is in the very first paragraph of GWP’s representation back in January 2021: "We accept that the line needs to be updated, but the use of 118 overhead pylons, up to 35m in height, is opposed by many local groups including those concerned with: forestry protection, business, tourism, wildlife conservation, and the protection of historic sites.” The problem we have is the Scottish Government’s policy of 'low carbon energy' and their obsession with exporting electricity to England. If the line is underground, wind farm and solar connections could only be made at the start or finish of the underground line, ie at Glenlee or Tongland, where there is a power station facilitating connection. It is obvious that with wind farm and solar applications coming in thick and fast, connections in between Glenlee and Tongland will be required. This is why I believe the chances of getting the line underground from Glenlee to Tongland is now impossible, and that our only hope would be to get the project to follow the existing overhead line route and to underground the very short section around Loch Ken, where there is an environmental concern. Paul Swift Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews Galloway's newest childminder serving the Glenkens J acqueline Madeley is the newest childminder in Dumfries and Galloway after setting up her brandnew business with support provided by the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future. Offering all-day care for eight children in Bridge of Dee, Jaqueline's service spans the whole week, including before and after school. “I found it hard to find a job that worked around my child and my own childcare needs. With my son, Charlie, starting school, I thought it was the perfect time to start childminding because it works around him as well as me. I can drop him off at school and pick him up and not stress about being late to another job. I also knew I could provide a nurturing, home-from-home environment that parents would want their children to be in.” Jackie also found it difficult to find childcare during the holidays and knew this would potentially become more difficult with her son now in primary school. “I was struggling to find childcare in the holidays so I thought "I was struggling to find childcare in the holidays so I thought childminding would enable me to be there for my son while also help other families locally who need childcare." Having worked at a local nursery for nearly 10 years, Jaqueline decided she needed a job that worked around her son starting school. She loved working with children and childminding provided the perfect opportunity to combine her childcare skills and knowledge with her own family circumstances. childminding would enable me to be there for my son while also help other families locally who need childcare. This was one of my biggest worries when working, so I knew it would be the same for other parents.” The Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future (PSCF) is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA). The programme provides support such as a minimum £750 start up grant, free training and one-to-one support to help get started. Jackie had a dedicated Workforce Officer, Claire, who was there to support her through all stages of the application process right up to registration and beyond. “I feel really supported by SCMA. When I decided I’d like to find out more about childminding, I filled in the online enquiry form, and one of the team got back to me really quickly, and from then on, I knew I could pick up the phone and speak to the same person throughout the whole process.” SCMA’s workforce officers provide personalised oneto-one support for candidates to ensure the application process is as fair and straightforward as possible. “I’m dyslexic and I sometimes find it hard to put information down on paper, but I was able to send over anything I had written as part of my application to Claire, and she looked over it for me. She let me know if anything needed to be reworked and was always really encouraging and made me feel like I could do it!” Jackie's childminding provides vital wrap-around care for working parents. “Parents are struggling to find childcare while they work, especially after school. I’ve chosen to provide childcare from 8:00am to 5:30pm so parents can work and not worry about childcare. I’m flexible with these times too if required. I love that I can be there for my community and provide a vital service!” Jackie is loving her new career and is enjoying getting to know her 'mindees', and the freedom childminding gives her and Charlie. She’d recommend childminding to anyone looking for a role where they can be their own boss whilst contributing to children’s learning and development. page 3 “Childminding is so worthwhile. I love that I can plan our days around what the children are interested in and that I can choose the hours I work. To anyone who is passionate about working with children – go for it! We need more childminders in the area.” To find out more about the support provided by the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future and how to become a childminder in Dumfries and Galloway, visit www.childminding.org/ getstarted Funding was awarded by the Glenkens and District Community Fund (via Foundation Scotland) in November 2022 to support the recruitment, training and support of five new childminders within the Glenkens and district area to allow parents to more easily take up paid work. As the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future heads into its second year, SCMA continues to use this funding and to work with the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) and Dumfries and Galloway Council to recruit childminders in Glenkens. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 4 Home-grown culinary talent Continued from front page... Frasers' first job was as a kitchen porter at the Ken Bridge Hotel, and he recounted that the environment created there is what drew him into the industry. Fraser said: “I think the community has supported me really well while I was learning my craft...even after I moved away, there was still resounding support”. As with all routes through life, you will meet bumps and hurdles. Fraser said: “I think there was also a part of me that always wanted to prove the naysayers wrong...which spurred me on to succeed!” has taken me all over the world through working and competing at the highest level... Hard work, dedication and passion has driven Fraser to be where he is now, he commented that working in the industry is “difficult and hard, but what you put into it, you get back out. Hospitality Fraser encourages aspiring young chefs in the Glenkens area to “go for it, 100%! There is something for everyone in this industry”. Chef Fraser's visit to Dalry Secondary P "I absolutely adore this industry, so it feels like I have never really 'worked' a day in my life!” spell in Australia promoting Galloway beef. Fraser is currently working at the Globe Inn, the famous inn frequented by Rabbie Burns, in Dumfries. The pupils were shown how to prepare, cook and present Michelinstandard food, using high quality local food. The dishes Fraser created, from the Globe Inn menu, used a wide range of ingredients including crab, quail eggs, Guinea fowl, venison and fillet steak. Fraser told pupils how he has travelled all over the world, including a three-month Eileen Campbell To arrange a visit in the comfort of your own home please contact 07515 168 963 or empathyfoothealth@gmail.com Georgiana Grimwood See article below for Fraser's visit to Dalry School... He also encourages young folk upils at Dalry Secondary School enjoyed an inspirational cookery demonstration from Scotland's Young Chef of the Year (both in 2021 and 2022) and former pupil Fraser Cameron. Fraser started working, at the age of 14, in local hotels. In 2014 was awarded the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship and commenced work at Andrew Fairlie’s Michelin Two Star kitchen at the Gleneagles Hotel. He then moved on the Martin Wishart’s The Honours in Edinburgh and then on to a position as Sous Chef at Paul Kitching’s Michelin Star Restaurant 21212. in the area, whether you want to work in front-ofhouse or in the kitchen, to get in touch with The Globe Inn for work experience. This is a fabulous opportunity to get a look into the hospitality industry, as well as to get some useful skills and experience under your belt to help progress you in your future career. He has competed in many competitions including the IKA Culinary Olympics 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany, where his team won two silver medals. Pupils were also introduced to fresh truffles, which can cost as much as £165 for 100g. The highlight of the demonstration was the tasting; students and staff got to taste all seven dishes. Without exception everyone thought the dishes were delicious and a completely different dining experience. Fraser explained that every member of staff, from kitchen porter to front-ofhouse staff and chefs, are all key to the success of a restaurant. He also talked about the career opportunities within the hospitality industry (see article above for more on this). Fraser's visit was inspirational, and provided plenty of food for thought... Lorraine Gillies Top: Fraser giving a demonstration to students in the Home Economics room at Dalry Secondary School - there aren't many schools that can boast a view like that! Above: One of Fraser's culinary creations which pupils and teachers were lucky enough to have the chance to taste. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette Researching Kentucky Continued from front page... Joshua was presented with a certificate and a prize of £250 by three members of the Dumfries and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society. The representatives congratulated Joshua on his fantastic piece of writing, and gave him great feedback on his winning entry, which was titled Ivy Cottage: The Poem, The History, The Mystery. He was told that the judging panel were very impressed with the interesting and readable content and format of the project, which left the reader inspired to find out more. Last summer, Joshua wrote about a small piece of land in the village of Balmaclellan, called Kentucky, that he had extensively researched. This piece of land, with a bench and some large trees, mostly goes unnoticed. When we looked at the area, we could see there was once a building on it, and when Joshua saw the competition, that required an original piece of research of around 2,500 words, he saw it as an opportunity, and it paid off. page 5 He found that there was a link between this spot and Reverend George Murray, author of a poem about Sarah Rae who once lived in the house. He even took the opportunity to visit Cruck Cottage, in Torthorwald, just outside Dumfries, and another similar building that Alexander Murray once lived on the way to Newton Stewart. It’s hoped that this will be part of a bigger piece of work in the village - so watch this space! Jackie Wells 150th anniversary of Carsphairn society C arsphairn Pastoral & Horticultural Society was founded in Carsphairn in 1875 to promote the agricultural produce of the parish, and to encourage competition within the growers and the livestock breeders. Sheep breeding is the main agricultural activity of the area and an annual show is held every year in the village on the first Saturday in June. Carsphairn Show is considered one of the most prestigious shows at which to win a red ticket in the Blackface Sheep Breed. This year is the 150th anniversary of the Society being established and the committee are looking forward to putting on the 132nd show on Saturday 7 June at the Crofts, Carsphairn, by kind permission of Messrs McMorran. The show marks the start of the agricultural show season in Dumfries & Galloway. With judging starting from 10am, there are both confined and open classes in the Blackface Sheep section and also open classes for Commercial, Mule, Bluefaced Leicester and Any Other Breed Native and Continental Sheep. There is also a dog trial in the adjacent field, and from midday there are collie dog, young handlers, pets and dog classes for anyone to enter. Thank you C arsphairn Hedgehog Rescue would like to say a big “thank you” to everyone who supported their fundraiser. Special thanks go to all the wonderful bakers, all the people who purchased the produce and were so generous with their donations, and especially to Jayne, who organised the event - fabulous £661 was raised! Entries for all sections are taken on the day. There are children's sports in the afternoon as well as a bouncy castle, and an activities tent run by Carsphairn stayand-play children's group, Bairn Banter. In the Lagwyne Hall there are sections for baking, preserves, handicrafts, flowers, plants, walking sticks and a children's section all entries welcome. There will be food stalls and bar facilities provided on the show field. Carsphairn Show is run by the Carsphairn Pastoral & Horticultural Society with the help of their generous sponsors. For information or to enter, email carsphairnshow@ btinternet.com or visit www.carsphairn. org/carsphairn-show Photographs from previous years' shows are of blackface sheep and the trophy table Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews Have your say on public transport in the Glenkens page 6 G lenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) and the Glenkens Hub are collecting information about public transport in the area. This information will be submitted to the regional transport agencies on a quarterly basis in order to keep them informed on local feedback on our public transport services. Please help us present a case for improving the service by recording the issues you have encountered with our local buses. All information is anonymous. Thank you for your help! The Glenkens Hub Team Name the Place I n each issue a photograph will be taken somewhere in the Glenkens by local photographer Ted Leeming and readers have to guess where it is. The answer can be found on p33, with a bit of information and food for thought about that location. GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Gazette In memory of Jackson Pringle J ackson Pringle sadly died following a car accident on the A75 near Gretna on 16 December 2024. Castle Douglas. For the next 10 years he rented land at Arndarroch and Blackmark and had 500 ewes of his own. His funeral took place in Carsphairn on 9 January, with around 200 mourners. Jackson was a keen carpet bowler, playing at Stroanfreggan Club, where he was also the hall keeper. He took up green bowling when he moved to Castle Douglas and travelled frequently for club evenings. Jackson was born at Forebush, Dalry, on 7 June 1941. The family moved to Stroanpatrick farm when he was two and he went to school at Stroanfreggan and then Dalry Secondary School. Jackson was a friendly and sociable man, well-respected in the local community and always ready to help neighbours. He is survived by his wife, Doreen, two sons and five grandchildren. He left school at 15 to start working as a shepherd at Stroanpatrick, where he worked for the Dickies. On retiring in 2006, after 50 years at Stroanpatrick, he and his wife Doreen moved to page 7 Pictured above are Jackson and wife Doreen, and to the right a commemorative wreath hung at the Stroanfreggan bowling hut Our Friend Kenny Our friend Kenny was five foot six in his shoes, He was a lovely chap through and through, When he came to Men's Shed he brightened up our day, A lot of banter and pulling of leg on the way. Kenny’s generosity and caring heart, His sense of humour and cheeky smile set him apart, We were like a band of brothers, Kenny was always thinking of others. Building turning drilling and sanding, Kenny was our helping hand, No job was too big or too small, He was really on the ball. Making a brew and cutting the cake, and eating peanuts, For goodness sake, Eating them ten to the dozen with ease, Spluttering and sharing them with everyone during a sneeze. We will miss you Kenny old friend, Our thoughts and love for you will never end, You left us too soon my friend, Enjoy your rest in peace. by Barry Bryan-Dixon Keyboard player wanted W at Christmas and Easter. A modest honorarium of £30 per service is offered. Geoff is an exceptional professional musician who, as well as playing at services, has led the choir and written highly successful original musical works. We recognise that he will be impossible to replace so we hope to find someone just to play at our services in Dalry, Kells and Balmaclellan. If, like me, you have nonmusical fingers but know of someone who may be interested please tell them about this notice. Geoff’s last service will be on the 30 March, so ideally we would need someone to be available from 6 April. ith the retirement of Geoff Davidson, Glenkens Parish is seeking to recruit a keyboard player to accompany hymn singing at our services. The services are about 50 minutes long and there are three services each month, with a few extras This could be an opportunity for a young person to further develop their skills, or for an older person to make use of those youthful piano lessons. If you are interested, please call Ian Knox, our session clerk, on 07840 506 516. Music has always been a central part of Christian worship. Please help us to continue that tradition in the Glenkens. Andrew Mellor Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Youth Correspondent page 8 Joshua Wells, aged 15, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Joshua talks about the D&G Youth Council. I n January I joined the Dumfries and Galloway Youth Council, for the ward of Dee and Glenkens, halfway through the two-year election cycle. If you are not aware of the youth council, it is a way of allowing young peoples' voices to be heard within our region. It gives young people the opportunity to make decisions to help fellow young Dumfries and Galloway inhabitants. I found out about the youth council from a friend of mine. There had been a change and they were looking for new ward councillors. I was really excited to hear about the opportunity because I felt that it would give me the skills I would like for when I left school and would help me make a difference for other young people in my local area. I couldn’t just be a ward councillor, I had to complete some training. The training session, which took place over two days at The Bridge in Dumfries, with around 15 of us attending, would have us meeting various council officers and even the fascinating John Loughton. John Loughton is a self-described “global youth leader, social entrepreneur, campaigner and leadership speaker,” and has clearly shown he is a global leader through reaching almost a million young people with his work, according to UWS (University of the West of Scotland). In this experience of a lifetime training, I was not only able to share my opinions but also develop both my debating skills and my public speaking skills (where I was told I speak like a politician). I was also able to meet people from all over the region, with varied beliefs, lifestyles, outlooks, age groups, and most importantly experiences, allowing us to get a clear and balanced vision of young people’s ideas in Dumfries and Galloway. I was also able to attend a thought-provoking council meeting where we were able to have a conversation with one of the councillors for our ward, John Denerley, the first deaf councillor in Dumfries and Galloway. I previously met him at an award ceremony I had attended the week before, where he presented me with an award for my attendance at a youth camp. He asked about our views and our ideas for Dee and Glenkens, including improving bike paths and tactics to prevent bullying. In just a few months, stepping into the role of a Youth Ward Councillor has been an incredibly eye-opening and rewarding experience. I highly encourage young people between the ages of 12 and 25 to give it a go, especially if you feel that adults aren't paying enough attention to young people's ideas. As a youth councillor, you'll have a chance to make your voice heard. If you are a young person from Dee and Glenkens and you have any views to share with me, just get in touch, and we can have a chat at joshua.welsyc@ gmail.com (See front page article on Joshua's literary award) Glenkens Cub Scouts T o finish off our Pet Care activity badge we held a pet show, ably judged by Robert Little, who was very thorough and tactful. A big "thank you" to all the parents who helped the youngsters with their dogs, and a duck brought in by Cole. The cats were too shy to make an appearance but Lily and Pippin showed their pets instead with photographs, drawings and stories. Hamish described his goldfish. All of the pets were well behaved. Hannah was worried we might have a brawl, but luckily this wasn't the case. Freya brought in Patch, a Jack Russell terrier. Patch had an array of rosettes, presented on a cushion. Brodie showed Snoop, the cockapoo. Elliot’s dog, Buster, was a collie-cross-kelpie. Caitlin brought in photographs of her Jack Russell and chihuahua, and Charlotte had a video of her shitzu. Thanks go to Robert for judging, and well done Cubs. We had a Scottish food tasting in January. Charlotte recited The Selkirk Grace, before we all tucked into balls of haggis, Upper Dullarg egg sandwiches, Lockerbie cheese, oatcakes, shortbread, tablet and much more. To finish, the Cubs organised entertainment for the Leaders, with singing, poetry and dancing. Fundraiser We are hoping to have a table at the Alternative Games on 3 August. If you are spring cleaning and have bric-a-brac, unwanted gifts, toys, games, jigsaws, childrens books, tablet, jams, etc, please keep us in mind. You can leave items at the Scout Hall, New Galloway, on a Wednesday evening between 6.15pm and 7.30pm until 18 June, and thereafter ring Heather on 01644 420 375. We would like to welcome on board Julian Watson, who has joined us as an occasional helper, and Felix, Sienna and Thomas who have joined the Cubs. Thomas is following in his dad’s footsteps… Yours in Scouting, Heather and Hannah Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 9 Tentative steps towards a positive future for Glenkens educaiton S ince December 2023, when the Education Department announced plans to mothball Dalry Secondary, work has been ongoing to try and ensure Glenkens children are able to continue to be educated in their community. There have been various meetings and discussions of potential ways forward, trying to think outside the box in order to find a futureproof solution. The Glenkens Community Action Plan Steering Group (CAPSG) and members of Dalry Parent Council have been actively working with Dalry school management team, D&G council's education department and local councillors to try to find a way forward. The issue of rural education has also broadened out to a region-wide discussion since the potential figure of 25 pupils to trigger mothballing of a school was mooted in the Council's Budget Consultation as a potential option. consideration of the role of schools in our rural communities, especially with regard to the key issue of rural depopulation. Here in the Glenkens, the results of the December 2023 survey of Dalry school parents with regard to what they wanted from their school showed strong support for an all-through-school model at Dalry, from Nursery to S4 (or up to S6 ideally), with an onsite head teacher. This preference was echoed in the October 2024 Review of Rural Education in the Glenkens report, commissioned by the Glenkens & District Trust, which highlighted a strong community desire for an education ‘hub’ in the Glenkens. Recent discussions have resulted in what seems to be a shared vision by all parties of an education hub serving both primary and secondary age pupils, with potential also for pre-school and post-school learning opportunites. Further discussion and community consultation needs to be had in order to try to establish an achievable AI generated image of a rural school campus - a potential future for education in the Glenkens? secure future for the school, and trust within the parent forum. One model which has been discussed is an all-through school catering for children aged 2-15, with the secondary school operating as a ‘middle school.’ There may be potential for the current primary school building to be repurposed for community use, potentially as a community college campus, if the secondary building seems like it would provide a better learning environment (access to resources for all pupils of subject-specific areas such as music, woodwork, art, HE and science). ... a shared vision...an education hub serving both primary and secondary age pupils, with potential also for pre-school and post-school learning opportunites. This did not go through in the end, but it has prompted a united front of small schools across the region under the umbrella of the Wee Schools Matter campaign. This group is lobbying for acknowledgement of the urban-centric perspecitive of the Education Department, and the need for more community-based solution that would satisfy immediate, medium-term, and long-term needs. Some thoughts so far are... The immediate priority is ensuring the wellbeing and educational needs of current Dalry Secondary pupils. Medium-term plans would hope to bridge the current situation while a future plan is built, hoping to increase numbers and build resilience through the reassurance of a In this model, S1 and S2 students would benefit from a combination of general education and subject-specific teaching, focusing attention on these often 'lost years' of early secondary education. In the longer-term, the goal would be to extend the allthrough model back up to S4, or potentially even to S5 and S6, if student numbers justified this. A key part of this vision includes vocational learning opportunities through a Glenkens community college, ensuring sustainability and growth for education in the area. In order to take positive steps in creating a sustainable model for education in the Glenkens, feedback from parents, pupils, and the community is essential. Please keep your eyes peeled for updates and potential surveys going out for community input over the coming months, both in the Gazette and on the Glenkens Hub (www.glenkens. scot), or to get in touch with Dalry Schools Parent Council directly, contact Parent Council chair Stewart Gibson, on dalrypcchair@gmail.com Sarah Ade Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 10 Glenkens Primaries Partnership update Our Robert Burns school trip I n January the P4/5/6/7s of Dalry went to Alloway in Ayrshire to see the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. The first thing we did was to go into a classroom where we learnt about Robert Burns' life. Then we dressed up in the clothes that people wore in the 17th century, and we went outside into the cottage that Robert Burns was born in. We explored the cottage, and there was a farm where we learnt about how they made butter. Then we went on a walk and learned about the story of Tam o' Shanter. There were statues of animals that Robert Burns talked about in his poems. On the way to the museum, we went to the Burns National Heritage Park, and we saw the Burns monument. Next, we went to the museum where we listened to different poems and there were lots of interesting pictures. by Caitlin, Annie and Magnus Our term 3 topic A t school our topic was general elections. We made our own parties and had a debate. Our parties were called Education for Scotland; The Peace Tribe; The Scottish Oaks; The Planet Savers and The Purple Triceratops. We also made our own manifestos and posters saying why people should vote for a certain party. On the day of the election all the parties got to present their manifestos in front of the pupils and adults. We also had a debate with all of the other parties and asked them questions like: “Why should you be elected, where will you get the money from and what will you do to improve this?”. Education For Scotland (EFS) said they would help Scotland with its education, working with schools across Scotland. K ells Primary p5-7 organised their bi-annual Burns Supper. Over 80 people attended and were treated to entertainment and food organised and prepared by the whole school. Thank you to everyone who supported it and the many organisers who helped make it possible. Erin Welsh The Peace Tribe said that they would help the homeless by giving them food and water and recruiting more police officers. The purple triceratops said that they would protect all the local wildlife and everything that lives there. The Scottish Oaks said they would plant more trees, protect nature and fund schools across Scotland. The Planet Savers said that they would recycle water and will build huts with beds, food and water for homeless people. The entire school voted in the ballot box and the winners were The Purple Triceratops. As a prize, they got to have an afternoon tea in the staff room with Mrs Murray. by Amelia and Mahala Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 11 The Optimistic Environmentalist Electric cars - Part One J ust over two years ago, we (my husband Richard and I) bought an electric car. This was partly an environmental choice and partly the economics - the running costs are so much cheaper. We needed an estate car as with my wheelchair, a hoist and two large Labradors, boot space is really important. We also wanted a car that could tow - at the time, many electric vehicles (EVs) had not been approved for towing, many more have now though. Therefore, we chose an MG5 (NB, not the MG4 in the picture). The price of this compared favourably with a similarly specified petrol Ford Focus Estate. We decided to write a series for this column to explain about electric cars as a result. The range of EVs have been improving and car manufacturers in their designs have been assessing the weight of the battery with the range; obviously, if a battery is bigger it can hold more energy which should give more range, but the extra weight uses up more energy when driving. There are new designs and materials for batteries and they are improving in efficiency all the time. Manufacturer's claims for mileage per gallon in an internal combustion engine (ICE) car are not what you get in the real world use. Likewise, when looking at the range for an EV, the quoted manufacturer's range (WLTP) is normally further than the 'real world' range. Also, remember, the temperature affects this a bit - you get a few more miles in the summer for your energy compared to the colder weather depending on how much air conditioning or heating you use. Running costs For an ICE vehicle, you will be familiar with miles per gallon (mpg). Obviously, EVs don't use gallons, they use electrical energy measured in kilowatthours (kWh) and, in the UK at least, we tend to measure EV energy consumption in miles per kWh. There is an excellent website www.ev-database.org/ uk that shows the energy consumption, range - both manufacturer specified and what to expect in reality, towing capacity etc. of EVs. A comparison ICE vehicle: if fuel is £1.40 per litre and there are 4.546 litres per gallon, then it costs £6.36 per gallon. So, if your car does 50mpg that equates to 12.7p (£6.364÷50) per mile. plugs, timing belts/chains and so on. EV: the calculations are simpler: if you are charging off-peak at 7p per kWh (like we are with Octopus for EV drivers) and your vehicle does 3 miles per kWh, this equates to 2.3p (7p÷3) per mile. Thus, servicing costs are generally cheaper. EV's use regenerative braking most of the time - the electric motor slows the car down and puts energy back into the battery rather than the car's brakes. Thus, as described in Faircharge's, freely available, Little book of EV Myths (www. faircharge.co.uk/little-bookof-ev-myths), brake usage and care means that they last a lot longer than on an ICE vehicle. In reality, it will cost fractionally more than this because the car's onboard charging circuitry will consume some energy whilst charging. Servicing do's and don'ts All vehicles require servicing and EVs are no exception. Obviously, EVs don't have an engine so lack many consumables - oil and oil filters, engine air filters, spark Family and friends coming to stay? N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) Call Fiona on 07789 903127 - 01644 420737 - www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Buggies now available for hire Licence no DG00824P VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Contrary to some myths, tyre wear tends to be similar to any car of that size or weight; it crucially depends on how the car is driven. Denise MacDonald-Kiernan Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment A Resilience test event staged in Dalry page 12 LOCH KEN TRUST RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 pilot resilience test event was staged in Dalry on 5 March. This was organised by the Loch Ken Trust, Dalry Community Council’s resilience team, the Dumfries and Galloway Climate Hub (DGCH), and the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, with support from D&G Council’s resilience team. Light rain throughout the exercise added a touch of realism. The staged scenario included a car that had swerved to avoid a falling branch in a storm colliding with a telegraph pole, causing pedestrian, passenger and driver casualties. The exercise began shortly after 11am on Throughgate, which was closed for the next hour while the scene played out. The mock casualties were three adults (one of whom, played by a casualty simulator dummy, was not breathing), a shaken-up child and a dog. Members of the local resilience team took charge of the scene, administered first aid and called on passers-by and spectators to assist where necessary, including fetching the defibrillator from the town hall. After about twenty minutes, the emergency services arrived on scene and took over. The exercise ended with a demonstration of capabilities by the Fire & Rescue Service. At the debrief, Jenna Cains, from DGCH, said: “We created a scenario with similarities to the issues faced by the community during storm Éowyn, which left parts of the area without power for several days. More such weather events can be expected with changing climate, and the Climate Hub encourage all communities in Dumfries and Galloway to have up to date resilience plans," a message seconded by the D&G Council Resilience Team itself. Loch Ken Trust's resilience work is funded by the National Lottery Awards for All Community Fund and Drax Group, owners of the Galloway Hydro Scheme. The Climate Ready Glenkens project involves supporting all Glenkens communities with resilience planning. Head Ranger Leanne Pumpr said: “With extreme weather events on the increase, it is so important that our communities are prepared and know how best they can support themselves until wider help arrives. It was great to see so many members of the community come along and get involved with the test event. A huge 'thank you' to Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Council Community Resilience and all our fantastic volunteers who made this event a success.” The test event had a wider message about considering vulnerable people in your community, as well as what local resources can be called upon following an extreme weather event. In the days following, ITV News ran an excellent segment on the event using real life weather damage footage from Dumfries and Galloway from this January. The D&G Climate Hub is funded by Scottish Government’s Let’s Do Net Zero strategy. Paul Goodwin Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment T he Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere (GSAB) Partnership tends to reflect the UNESCO region more widely: ramping up the energy in spring and buzzing with life through summer! That being said, the organisation has had an incredibly busy autumn/winter 2024-25 promoting Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear, the social enterprise making and selling luxury knitted outerwear using locally-sourced fleece. Several designs sold out in the first production run and a new batch of finest grade Biosphere Blackface wool is now being scoured and spun for the next collection. Sustainably produced and hand-finished, you can follow the progress of the brand and its designs at www. merrickscotland.com Since the Biosphere’s last feature in the Glenkens Gazette, Carsphairn has been announced as a designated ‘Biosphere Community’, the fourteenth village to join the scheme. Biosphere Communities have an especially close relationship with the GSA Biosphere Partnership, being provided with additional support to develop sustainable living projects, improve green space for biodiversity, and undertake community-led tourism initiatives. In April Biosphere officers will be supporting Carsphairn’s Local Place Plan (LPP) event at Lagwyne Hall, a drop-in session for residents to comment on the draft LPP for Carsphairn. The Biosphere will be present to look at treasured landscapes, bringing maps that show wildlife and habitats, historic sites, and land use changes over time, inviting people to contribute their local knowledge to ensure the final LPP fully encompasses everything that is important and cherished. Another Biosphere Community, page 13 Out and About in the Biosphere St John’s Town of Dalry, will be the venue for the next Biosphere Guide Training Course on 27 and 28 April. This free course is designed to help small guiding start-ups, supporting local people to develop tour-based visitor experiences that share the magic of the UNESCO Biosphere. Biosphere Guides can use a bespoke logo incorporating the sundew motif and are promoted through the GSAB Partnership’s marketing channels when their business is ready to launch, including being listed in an online directory of experience providers which is also platformed by VisitScotland and the South of Scotland Destination Alliance. The two-day course at Dalry Town Hall will examine what it takes to create a memorable, meaningful guided tour, including audience outreach, building itineraries, and interpreting natural and cultural sites. In June the Biosphere team will be back in Dalry to run a Green Health workshop at the community centre. This is part of the organisation’s commitment to supporting nature connections for mental and physical health, and will introduce the vast range of Green Health activities and ways to get involved locally. The workshop aims to inspire people to spend more time outdoors and to speak to their own health practitioners about Green Health, Blue Health (activity connected with rivers and the sea), and social prescribing, and how these can be incorporated into treatment and wellness plans. As many readers will know, the GSA Biosphere hosts the D&G Climate Hub, which covers the whole of Dumfries & Galloway. Climate Officers and the Biosphere team deliver Carbon Literacy training, a bookable course exploring our carbon footprints and achievable ways to reduce them at home and at work. Part of a rolling programme of lifelong learning available to anyone in the UNESCO Biosphere, Carbon Literacy is internationally-recognised accredited training and a great way to boost a CV, with so many employers now recognising the value in embedding this knowledge among their staff. Faith Hillier, the GSAB Partnership’s Community Officer, works on a range of community and education initiatives in the Glenkens and the rest of SW Scotland’s vast UNESCO region – the largest Biosphere in the whole of the UK. Right: Faith Hillier at Carsphairn Community Woodland. Below: Biosphere Guides training at Kirroughtree “The Glenkens has always been very engaged with creating a better future for nature and more sustainable, connected communities, and the GSAB Partnership is delighted to be able to support this,” Faith says. “We have built a great learning and training offer which is available free of charge to maximise accessibility. "Especially at this time of year we’re excited to be getting out and about more often and we welcome approaches from community or interest groups that feel assistance from the Biosphere could give them additional resources or an operational boost.” More information about the GSAB Partnership’s current projects including Biosphere Guide Training, Green Health, and Carbon Literacy training is available at www.gsabiosphere. org.uk, or by email request to info@gsabiosphere.org.uk. To keep in touch on social platforms, follow #gsabiosphere Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 14 sponsored by The Glenkens Community Centre is getting glow up T he Glenkens Community Centre in Dalry has received over £160,000 to improve the thermal efficiency of the building. Funded by Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) and South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), the building will get a low carbon makeover. This will provide electricity through solar panels paired with battery storage, heat through air-to-air heat pumps, warmth through wall and loft insulation, double glazed windows, and energy consumption reduced through efficient lighting. The Glenkens Community Centre is opposite the school in Dalry and has a large hall suitable for sports, parties, large meetings and events. There is a open kitchen/meeting space which is used by Good Neighbours, art and craft groups and meetings. The back room is a large, bright space currently home to the Galloway Food Hub. There is also a small office room at the front of the building. The Dalry Community Properties Trust (DCPT) was established in 2015 and purchased the Glenkens Community Centre from the council. This is the first significant funding it has received since then. Work began at the beginning of March with Cool & Easy and Parc Construction appointed to undertake the work on the building. They took no time to rip out the damp, mouldy lath-andplaster, exposing the stonework behind. This also exposed rotten woodwork around the existing windows which had been allowing rainwater into the centre. The walls will be framed out and insulated with new membrane and plasterboard on top. This will improve the building’s ability to retain heat, meaning we can have cosier spaces for our user groups to enjoy. Scaffolding went up to allow the installation of 34 445W solar panels on the roof. At the same time we conducted a roof survey to allow us to identify areas of water ingress that need to be resolved before the new insulation is installed. The work is phased to allow the Galloway Food Hub to continue to operate from the community centre, and they have moved into the main hall for the duration of the first phase. We’re grateful for our existing groups for their patience during this phase of renovation, and those who have had to find temporary homes whilst we undertake the work. It will be worth it! We have also received a further grant from SOSE to allow us to upgrade our main group space in the kitchen area. We will be able to refresh the units, buy new appliances and have fully stocked cupboards for hosting larger groups. We expect work to be completed by the middle of May, and look forward to welcoming user groups back to our new and improved spaces. We are also excited to host events for the wider community in partnership with the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere and Dumfries and Galloway Climate Hub, showcasing the amazing retrofit of our wonderful community centre. This project has been made possible thanks to the countless hours and dedication of our collection of amazing members, trustees, neighbours and supporters. The work will allow us to continue to serve the community with a warm, affordable space to meet, party, work, socialise and create for many years to come. Sarah McCusker Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 15 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE FOR SALE & OFFERS Single divan bed base with headboard. Contact: Anita on 07547 301 321 PONY AND RIDER RELATED ITEMS. Saddle rack, bridle work (all leather) bits, stirrups, leathers, crupper, Cashel bareback rubber saddle, rug, travel boots, etc. All small cob size (Fell). Ladies size 10 clothing, some brand new. Riding/hunting/in-hand showing. Boots, spurs. Any reasonable offer. Ring me for full details and to arrange to come round for a browse (and a cuppa). Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 (please note I do not have the internet) Rabbit hutch and all rabbit-related bits to go with it (indoor hutch, litter tray, water bottle, some food and hay and treats). Contact: 07727 127 997 Ladies gardening gloves, very strong leather. Small size. Blackcurrant bush cuttings, rooted. Black peppermint; will dig as required. Contact: Sue, Dalry, on 07563 718 011 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 Shed clearances - any shed cleared, large or small; get in touch to for further info or to arrange a visit. Contact: 07765 034 841 WANTED Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Non-runners/broken welcome. Contact: 07845 562 217 WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING TIMES OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.30pm MONDAY – FRIDAY Sat 8.30am-5pm Sun 8.30am-3pm 7.30am – 5.30pm POST8.30am OFFICE– 5pm SATURDAY Mon-Fri 10am to 3pm SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm Sat 9am to 12noon Sun closed LOCAL SUPPLIERS LOCAL SUPPLIERS DALMELLINGTON BUTCHERS DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY HENDERSON BUTCHERS RAMSAY OF CARLUKE BUTCHERS BUTCHERS UPPER TREATS DULLARG EGGS SWEET BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG CREAM O' GALLOWAY SWEETCAKES BAKERY GALLOWAY LODGE IRVINGS BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY COWS & CO CHEESE THE CRESS COMPANY CREAM O GALLOWAY BORDER BISCUITS GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES HAWKSTONE BREWERY MITCHELLS & VEG IRVINGSFRUIT BAKERY SULWATH BREWERY SCOTTISH GALLOWAY PASTA ...local delivery available... GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Galloway Food Hub seasonal recipe T he Ethical Dairy's Rainton Tomme cheese achieved celebrity status back in 2023 when it featured on James Martin's Saturday Morning on ITV. page 16 The dish created on the programme was tartiflette. You can see he has Carrick, Laganory, Fleet Valley Blue and half a Tomme on the board in the picture. JAMES MARTIN'S ETHICAL DAIRY TARTIFLETTE RECIPE Ingredients: · 500g cooked waxy potatoes, cooled and sliced in half · 125g lardons · 2 finely sliced red onion · 3 crushed garlic · 120ml double cream · 500g Tomme cheese · Salt and pepper Method: Advertisement 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C 2. In an ovenproof pan, add a splash of oil and sauté the onions, garlic and lardons, with thyme, and season. Then add the cream, potatoes and give it a big stir, then top with the cheese. 3. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour, and leave to cool for five minutes, then serve. AN UPDATE FROM WINDY STANDARD F red. Olsen Renewables moves forward with construction of Windy Standard III Wind Farm. Leading independent renewable energy generator, Fred. Olsen Renewables, has announced that it is driving forward with the expansion of Windy Standard Wind Farm in Dumfries and Galloway, following the investment decision to deliver Windy Standard III. Windy Standard Wind Farm, located north-east of Carsphairn, is Scotland’s first consented wind farm. The addition of Windy Standard III, which was consented in 2021, will bring forward an additional 20 turbines– delivering 87.6MW of green electricity, enough to power the equivalent of 131, 286 UK homes annually. Work on the site began in early March, with tree felling of commercial forestry, followed by site set up by main contractor, Jones Brothers Civil Engineering Ltd, who are preparing the site for the installation of the turbines. Fred. Olsen Renewables always seeks to employ local servies through the construction and operation of their wind farms and encourages any of the local supply chain to get in contact. The turbines will be supplied and installed by ENERCON with the first components due to be delivered to the site in April 2026 and installation works will start in the second quarter of that year. Having been operational for over 25 years, Windy Standard Wind Farm has made a significant contribution to the local economy – delivering over £186 million of contracts with Scottish businesses, 116 construction jobs (FTE) and 73 operational and maintenance jobs (FTE). To date, Windy Standard Wind Farm has delivered £4.1m funding for the local community. This has helped to support a number of local projects, including New Cumnock Development Trust and helping to deliver a Local Energy Discount Scheme (LED scheme) in Carsphairn. Operational since 2018, the LED scheme has provided over £127,000 in direct payments, helping to address the challenge of energy costs, helping the fuel poor and minimising fuel poverty. The combination of Windy Standard I, II and III will deliver over £15m in community benefit funding over the lifetime of the project. It is anticipated that Windy Standard III will be commissioned in December 2026. Once operational the Windy Standard complex will deliver 87.6MW of electricity combined. Further information can be found at www. windystandardwindfarm.com If you have any questions, please do get in touch with the team – we are happy to help! You can email us at communities@fredolsen.com or call 07435 763 900. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity A Galloway National Park: considering the pros and cons T he Earthy Book Group is a small group of local women with shared concerns about the natural environment and our place in it. Recently we discussed the consultation on proposals for a National Park in Dumfries & Galloway against the backdrop of a very vocal and well-financed ‘No’ campaign. Inspired by the debating club recently formed by some Castle Douglas High School students, we arbitrarily divided ourselves into 'Yes' and 'No' teams, and prepared our own debate on the National Park under the headings of Social, Economic, Environmental and Political. Gathered around our mugs of coffee, our debate developed into a collaborative discussion, beginning with a presentation from the ‘Yes’ team on the social/economic status quo in our region. Here is an overview of the 'Yes' team's outcomes: • Not only is our region bottom of the Scottish income league, wages here are lower than in other comparable rural areas; much work is low skilled and seasonal • Our Gross Value Added (GVA) is 18% lower than the Scottish average • Child poverty sits at 26%,and a ‘poverty related attainment gap’ exists • Population decline, marked by an increasing proportion of older people, leads to the closure of local schools and the hollowing out of small communities - "Young people", says a local poet, "are our greatest export" • Affordable housing falls far short of demand; it is more expensive to build social housing in D&G than anywhere else in Scotland • We have a higher proportion (2.42%) of long term empty houses than the Scottish average (1.7%) • Holiday rentals are especially lucrative in a region where the local authority are seen to take a ‘lenient’ approach to short term rental regulations The ‘Yes’ team suggested that the joined-up structure offered by a National Park and its ability to leverage new funding, could add value and support broad change: • New education, training and employment opportunities to address poverty • Create a year round tourist industry based around small scale holiday accommodation, eg glamping • Develop the environmental protection sector, offering long term and sustainable employment • Improve access to housing, especially for young people, through more effective management of the holiday rental sector, and addressing blocks to the provision of affordable housing • Through these measures, and greater involvement of local people, build capacity, strengthen communities, and keep schools, and other services local There is clear evidence (from NatureScot) that the other Scottish National Parks have delivered, and continue to strengthen their action, on all these fronts. To counter the argument that a number of agencies already exist in the region, and that the addition of a further layer of bureaucracy is unnecessary, we looked at the very different functions of these organisations: • The Southern Ayrshire and Galloway Biosphere is a collective of community based projects with no planning or decision making authority • The Galloway International Dark Skies Park has a mainly educational remit • Forestry and Land Scotland is responsible for economically sustainable forestry, enhancing the environment and the development of leisure access to the forests An overarching body such as the Galloway National Park would have powers not available to these projects. The ‘No’ team had questions as to how the Park would actually work and whether it would have sufficient funds. Certain projects might attract funding initially but this would have to be ongoing. Some of the objections to the National Park were set out. Here is an overview of the 'No' team's outcomes: • The establishment of a National Park could undermine the qualities of natural beauty and local community that make this area so special in the first place • The proposal was exacerbating division in the local community · D&G is not a suitable area being both inhabited and cultivated • The National Park will not deliver much needed improvements to infrastructure and services, eg transport networks, education, health and social care • There was lived experience of the negative impact of increased visitors during lockdown; experience of the two existing National Parks page 17 shows that visitors do not always follow advice so camping rights have had to be withdrawn Research from the ‘Yes’ team into the politics behind the consultation uncovered lesser known aspects of the ‘No’ campaign: From the day the National Park was officially announced, it was clear that the 'No' campaign had a well-funded, highly organised publicity campaign that was set in train immediately. Leaflets appeared in every household the next day, huge posters bordered every highway, meetings were instantly organised. Many, including ourselves, were confused by the insistent messages and dismayed by the escalating divisions splitting our communities. There was obviously a lot of money, not to say prepared planning, behind all this. But whose? And why? An investigative article by Rob Edwards in The Ferret (Dec 19 2024 - www.theferret.scot/ landowner-backing-national-park-campaign) lays out where the money comes from and the close family connections between the Jack family, who own multiple estates in Galloway, and the company Media House International, the PR agents for this campaign. Media House International first gained a high profile with their unsuccessful campaign to prevent the repeal of Section 28 in 2003. Edwards cites Action to Protect Rural Scotland, who have faced opposition from Media House, and lost, over the proposed deposit return scheme. Kat Jones, of APRS, analyses tactics for suppressing initiatives (www.aprs. scot/news/environmental-campaigning-in-theage-of-misinformation) - "Find a group that already feels vulnerable and make them feel more threatened", for example, small farmers, business owners, would-be home-owners, people who want to live and work here in tolerable conditions, those who already feel threatened by current rural policies. It appears their fears are being utilised by secretive private interests to stymie the debate before it has begun. We were left wondering where the ‘Yes’ campaign was. For example, there was no equivalent to the very professional leaflets provided by the ‘No’ campaign to support their cause. Finally, we looked at the consultation process itself. The lack of clear information around the proposals precluded an informed view while the questions were narrow and focused on specific areas of detail. Preparing the debate had been tough homework but subsequently we felt better informed and more engaged. It got us talking to other people. It helped us to clarify our own view and, in some cases, had the effect of changing our minds on the issue. Frances Hlanze, Leonie Ewing, Margaret Elphinstone, Margaret Glencross, Rose Ardron Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 18 A NEW COMMUNITY GARDEN February saw the inaugural shovels hit the dirt in LING’s latest outdoors project - with over 40 trees planted in one day! The opportunity to share land Volunteers from across the and resources to grow food Glenkens came to pitch in as sustainably, and learn together we started work on our new community garden with a tree- about ecology is most welcome planting day! in light of the climate crisis and the food insecurity that it may Over 40 trees were planted, bring. many courtesy of Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands’ treeMore broadly, the garden is a planting fund along with some space that encourages community donations. generosity and friendship The garden is a permaculture already our volunteers have design, full of native plants and received tuition on gardening vegetation from fruit trees to best practice while planting! And this is just the beginning... path-lining elders. We hope that the garden will grow into a space for everyone: jam-makers on the hunt for berries, bird-watchers seeking out tranquillity, or aspiring horticulturalists who may not have a garden of their own. One of our purposes here at LING is to preserve and restore spaces of social and environmental significance. And so we hope that the garden can serve as a key asset for New Galloway. of a thriving New Galloway at changes afoot... our Volunteer Event in March. HIRE THE HALL! The town hall is available for parties, conferences, receptions and more! You can book via our website, or feel free to get in touch with any queries. Volunteers and staff at LING have been working hard to increase our resilience and strengthen our vision, resulting in a new five-year plan. At a time when so many are struggling with the rising cost of living, the need for open and inclusive community spaces is more apparent than ever. Like many charities, LING couldn’t function without the network of generosity that exist in our area, so local voices are essential in building organisations that can serve their communities long into the future. We re-affirmed our core vision LING will help this vision by: Maintaining and improving public spaces and facilities Providing recreational activities for everyone Preserving historic or architecturally important buildings To keep up with LING, you can follow us - or request a membership form and you’ll receive our monthly updates! newgallowaytownhall.com info@ling.org.uk 07749 249 781 localinitiativesinnewgalloway local_initiatives_in_ng Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Crookmakers club showcase their skills C astle Douglas crookmakers, who meet on a Monday evening at Balmaclellan Men's Shed, held their annual show in the page 19 King's Arms hotel. The winning crook overall was made from cow horn by Des Hadnett. Prize winners with tutor Andrew Carson. Shirley Thomson Pictured are prize winners with tutor Andrew Carson St Margaret's plant and bake sale S t Margaret’s Guild has for many years now organised a plant and bake sale to raise funds for a local charity – an event that many in the community look forward to. This year the sale will be held outside St Margaret’s Church on Saturday 26 April, from 10am to 12noon, and all profits will be donated to the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance. The plant stall will contain a variety of flower and vegetable seedlings, as well as plants and perennials, all from local gardens. The homemade cakes and biscuits on the baking stall are always popular – last year everything was sold by 11.30am, so don’t wait till the last minute. And in addition to the sales tables, teas/coffees and cake will be served, outside if the weather is warm and sunny, or inside if not! The baking table and plant table at last year's plant and bake sale Life and land in the Glenkens Glenkens Gazette page 20 A t the Gazette, we are always looking for new ways to reflect and amplify voices within our communities. In light of this, and thanks to funding from NatureScot, we comissioned local young journalist Ross Sanderson to delve into life in the Glenkens and condense his interpretation into the following eight-page feature. We hope you enjoy this fresh and vibrant vision reflecting the beauty and magic, as well as the trials and tribulations, of living in our very special part of the world. A s we turn the page to this special edition of the Glenkens Gazette, we invite you to embark on a journey through the heart and soul of our beautiful community. Born from the rolling hills, serene landscapes and thriving communities of the Glenkens, the pages that follow are devoted to capturing the essence of life here - our shared triumphs, tribulations, and everything in between. The Glenkens is a tapestry woven with the threads of our unique stories, and in this special edition, you will find reflections on both the highs and lows that define our experience. From the breathtaking beauty and biodiversity of our natural surroundings to the warmth of human connections, this issue shines a light on what makes our community truly special. You’ll find a carefully curated collection of stories, portraits, and reflections that encapsulate our life here. We want to celebrate our shared history, acknowledge our struggles, and look toward the future with determination and unity. Every article is a reminder that while challenges may arise, there are always stories of hope and the indomitable spirit of our area waiting to be told. We encourage you to reflect on your own experiences in the Glenkens. What moments have shaped your story? How can we continue to celebrate what makes our community unique while addressing the challenges we face? How can we ensure that the land that we are living on allows communities, wildlife and local economies to thrive? This is an open invitation to engage, connect, and share in the diverse narratives that compose the rich mosaic of our lives here. If you would like to get involved with projects or groups in the Glenkens, please visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot where you will find information and contact details. N Glenkens estled Gazette in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway, the Glenkens is known for its landscapes, rich history, and environmental diversity. Life here offers a serene lifestyle wrapped in natural beauty. The rolling hills, lush forests, and shimmering lochs create a unique backdrop that transforms with each season. The slower pace of life encourages mindfulness, prioritising of both mental and physical well-being, and residents often find profound satisfaction in their connection to the land and to each other. Those who live in the area have nature on their doorsteps and know just how peaceful and fulfilling it can be. Traditional and new job opportunities allow people to make their life here. appeal, the cost of living and finding suitable accommodation can be a significant issue. For younger families and newcomers to the area especially, it can be hard to establish roots. The absence of accessible childcare options is another pressing worry. This situation often impacts working families, limiting job opportunities and requiring parents to prioritise and compromise. Similarly, the educational landscape in the Glenkens can be challenging. While our local schools offer a tight-knit, nurturing environment appreciated by many, limited resources and smaller school rolls can hinder some opportunities that larger urban schools can afford. residents and future generations canpage 21 navigate the complexities of rural living together. That togetherness is embodied by the many active community groups and organisations, one of which is the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT). GCAT was created in response to the devastating Foot and Mouth epidemic of 1998 and since then has consistently delivered high-quality arts and community development work across the Glenkens and beyond. By supporting activities that are essential to the quality of life of the people and the environment, GCAT strives to make the Glenkens an excellent place to live for residents of all ages. This is done both through providing high quality arts at the CatStrand arts centre, but also by playing a core community development role, evolved in response to local needs and led by supporting delivery of the Glenkens & district Community Action Plan. The spirit of collaboration means that the struggles of rural life are met with determination, resourcefulness, and support. Rural living, however, is not without its unique set of challenges and at times this may seem a bit daunting. Limited public transport is one of the primary challenges to life in the Glenkens, and our remoteness can make accessing essential services a significant hurdle. With the only public transport being buses, and bus services being infrequent and often unreliable, many people are dependent on private vehicles. For some, the nearest grocery store or medical facility may be over ten miles away, necessitating careful planning and reliance on neighbours and friends. Housing also presents challenges of its own. While the breathtaking landscapes and charming homes offer a romantic Employment opportunities are similarly constrained. Many of us seek work in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, or a flourishing variety of creative industries. Yet the demand for high quality, nonseasonal jobs currently outstrips the available positions, leading to a struggle for economic stability. Young adults in particular may look elsewhere for work, which can contribute to a slow population decline and a reduced sense of community vitality. While these issues, mentioned one after another in this way, can make for scary reading, the light at the end of the tunnel shines bright and the community here in the Glenkens thrives on resilience and camaraderie. The spirit of collaboration means that the struggles of rural life are met with determination, resourcefulness, and support. Local initiatives and shared gatherings foster a strong sense of belonging, ensuring that both current Life in the Glenkens may present its share of challenges but, ultimately, emerges as a testament to the resilience of rural living. With the strength of community collaboration and an unwavering commitment to improvement, residents continue to cultivate a joyful and fulfilling life amidst the scenic beauty of this remarkable area. There are many opportunities ahead, both in community work and in the local economy, and it is by continuing to work together that we will make the most of them. Pictured below centre is last year's Carsphairn Show © Christopher J Caygill. To the left is a view of Woodhead leadmines, Carsphairn, and below right is the New Galloway link path, both courtesy of the Glenkens Hub Photo Gallery Glenkens Gazette page 22 Case Study: Living in the Glenkens T en miles east of Carsphairn, deep in the Ken Valley, lies a place that perfectly captures rural living. Twisting through the glen, the road immerses you in natural beauty, a changing landscape that never fails to inspire. No matter the weather, you can’t help but smile as you take that solitary moment to appreciate what beholds you. For most, it’s a fleeting moment, but for Melissa and Ben Ade, it’s home. They moved into their current house in 2011, but their hearts have always been in the Glenkens, from childhood, and have always brought them back to their roots. “We spent six months traveling around Morocco, Spain and Portugal, living in a Land Rover, but when we came back we had a very refreshed perspective on the area,” explained Ben. “We had a huge appreciation for the Glenkens and for our home. We are very lucky here.” Appreciation for the area prompted the couple to stay and to raise a family, with the vision of giving their children the same treasured experiences that they hold dear. “I have fond memories of just being free as a child,” remembers Melissa. “The burn, the hills, the mud. That is all I’ve ever hoped for my children, to be able to express themselves in nature and their environment.” “When it comes to rural living, the positives far outweigh the negatives. You could move to a city and have a lot on your doorstep but you also won’t get what we have here or be able to raise a family in such a good community. Everyone in the Glenkens as a whole just looks after each other. "I have family down in Leeds and they don’t know their neighbours two doors up, whereas we know everybody locally and if anyone new ever comes into the area we are quick to introduce ourselves.” New people moving into the area is something that is becoming more and more of a rarity, due to the challenges of rural living that can be seen on the surface when one considers relocating. As Ben says, however, if you dig a little deeper, solutions to those concerns are all around. “People often use work as a reason not to live here but if you look at things in another way, there are unlimited possibilities for you, especially if you are self-employed. Showing a bit of entrepreneurship can go a long way. Ben and Melissa with their three children outside the shepherd's hut they let out to holiday makers We ourselves have thought of ways to diversify income and have built traditional shepherd’s huts to be let out as holiday homes.” “Alongside that, Melissa has also recently qualified as a forest school practitioner so we will be able to open that same area up for children to explore. This will give us the chance to teach them some rural skills such as woodworking, mechanical engineering and baking. "Big industries do a lot to provide people in the region with jobs but the opportunities to make something for yourself here are endless.” Demonstrating their entrepreneurial spirit, Melissa and Ben have a website for their self-catering holiday business and forest school sessions: www. HeartoftheGlen.com. Ben is the author of two travel books about their adventures abroad titled “I have fond memories of just being free as a child...The burn, the hills, the mud..." Travels with a Tiny Tortoise and Notes from El Ahouli, which are both available to purchase online. Housing and transport are two other hurdles that people worry about but, as can be seen across the whole of the Glenkens, communities come together to create initiatives that work for the sole purpose of bettering the lives of the locals. Time and time again, the Glenkens will provide answers to rural living problems. “There are houses available to rent and buy, and while you might earn more in a city, life here is much cheaper. You have the space and the help of the local community to build a life.” Their own home was once in a boggy field. Now, it’s off-grid, powered by solar, with water from a mountain spring and woodburning stoves for heat. “We may be off-grid but one thing for sure is that people are trying to make a positive difference. We have our own challenges, on a personal level, but we love it here. It’s not all about the money or the easiness of things for us. We’re happy and healthy and really, that's all that matters.” Glenkens Gazette page 23 T he Glenkens & District Community Action Plan, published in September 2020, is a model for economic and social regeneration. It aims to make the area a connected, resilient, and carbon-neutral place where people like Melissa and Ben want to live, work, raise families, and grow old. It will be somewhere that other places in Scotland will look to for inspiration. For any community to thrive, its people must feel heard and, most importantly, understood. Residents often express concerns about limited access to essential services, employment opportunities, and infrastructure. While common in rural areas, these issues can lead to isolation. The Glenkens Community Action Plan (CAP) seeks to change this narrative by promoting active participation among its people and seeing their priorities actively delivered. In order to do this, the action plan targets four key themes to implement local initiatives and combat rural challenges. Things that have been achieved over the last three years specifically because the communities suggested them in the action plan include: 1. A Connected Community The Glenkens Hub, launched in April 2023, provides an easy-to-use website and social media channel to amplify community voices. It hosts an events calendar, local job opportunities and loads of information about Education, Land Use and much more: www.glenkens.scot. The Glenkens Youth Group provides a safe and undirected space for young people (P7 – S3) to hang out. The free Monday evening sessions are very youthled, with activities such as cooking, craft making and instrument learning. They also run summer holiday programme, which last year included bee-keeping, water sports and a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe. All of the above are now GCAT projects, although the Youth Group was pioneered by Local Initiatives in New Galloway before handing over to GCAT. 2. An Asset-Rich Community Support for Local Place Planning (LLP) has been essential in making certain that the voices of our communities are heard at a regional level. With the support of GCAT through NatureScot and SOSE, Dalry Community Council volunteers have created an exemplar Local Place Plan which has a parish-wide focus on the issues affecting them. Their LPP was the first in the region to have a clear focus on land use and the environment in its considerations, as well as village-related priorities. Crossmichael, New Galloway & Kells, Carsphairn, and Balmaclellan are now developing their own LPPs with support from GCAT. Most of our Town and Village Hall are run by teams of amazing volunteers, and they have been re-doubling their efforts over the last few years, ensuring that their buildings are fit for modern rural living and meeting the needs of their communities. They are supported in this by the Glenkens Community Asset Network, which takes some of the legwork out of managing these assets. 3. An Economically Flourishing Community One of the most important assets to the Community Action Plan is the focus on building community wealth. The Glenkens interprets Community Wealth Building (CWB) in its widest sense and sees it as critical to thriving and sustainable communities. It is not just about monetary benefits from wind farms or other developments – rather, it is about working in partnership with those organisations who create wealth from or within the area to ensure that some of that wealth supports the communities hosting the organisations. The Galloway Food Hub, Propagate and the Pamela Young Trust are all examples of community responses that are working to create a more sustainable and vibrant Glenkens for us all. 4. A Carbon Neutral Community The Loch Ken Trust Ranger Service focuses on ecological protection, responsible camping and water safety, combining their educational messages with fun activities such as cook-outs and water activities to reach as many people as possible. Many village and town halls have secured funding for carbon footprint reductions. The CatStrand recently cut 10 tonnes of carbon emissions annually by replacing their oil boiler with solar panels and air source heat pumps. These are just a few examples of how the Community Action Plan is shaping and supporting the Glenkens. By resourcing the community and working together, local solutions are emerging to problems that many remote-rural communities face. Accountability, partnership working, and delivery are key. To achieve this, the Glenkens has organised itself perhaps uniquely: • GCAT is a delivery organisation, both delivering Community Action Plan projects and supporting the many other local organisations that are working on CAP priorities too. • The CAP Steering Group is a group of volunteers from across the Glenkens who keep the CAP relevant and assess progress against the communities’ priorities. They are planning to refresh the CAP later this year, using the Local Place Plans as valuable inputs. • The Glenkens and District Trust is our local funding body, which administers our wind farm community benefit funds through the Glenkens and District Community Fund, supported by Foundation Scotland. Their funding strategy is aligned very heavily with the Community Action Plan, meaning that they can confidently fund projects and activities that they know the Glenkens communities value. Between them, these three organisations are working hard to support the communities of the Glenkens to achieve their ambitions. They lobby regionally and nationally for solutions to those problems we can’t fix ourselves and for regional and national agencies to see the value of working with local place-based organisations to achieve their shared outcomes. While community empowerment is historically and currently strong in the Glenkens, strategic local and regional partnerships remain essential in continuing to combat rural depopulation and support healthy landscapes and communities. Pictured is the village sign coming into New Galloway courtesy of the Glenkens Hub photo gallery Glenkens Gazette page 24 Case Study: The Galloway Food Hub L ife in Dalry is usually relaxed and peaceful; unless, of course, you happen to visit on a Galloway Food Hub packing day... Every second Friday, the village comes to life and is filled with customers, box packers, food drivers and volunteers, all coming together to help the social enterprise tick. The Galloway Food Hub (GFH), born from an idea in the Glenkens Community Action Plan, was set up to give better access to local food in rural communities by creating a hyper-local supply chain. “A scoping study showed people wanted better access to local food, and an online marketplace was the best way to do that,” says GFH Coordinator Lesley Atkins. Launched as a pilot in 2021, the Glenkens Food Hub was started by Propagate with 11 producers and 20 customers, operating every three weeks. Now, it serves over 100 customers fortnightly with 33 suppliers, expanding beyond the Glenkens to the wider Galloway region. We’ve even had to change the name, as we’ve expanded out of the Glenkens” “Seventy-five percent of our food is locally produced, with the rest being certified organic from Scotland and beyond,” Lesley explains. “We have 13 collection points across Dumfries & Galloway, plus home delivery in the Glenkens.” Lesley now champions a network of growers, farmers and makers of ecologically produced good food across the Galloway region. She helps them to build a workable, online food hub to create a circular economy around food in the local community. Ordering is simple: customers browse all the suppliers online between midday Friday and midday Tuesday, place a single order, and collect from a chosen point. Much like any communityrun organisation, however, it takes people like Lesley and the Food Hub team to dedicate time and effort into giving back to their community. What can be seen time and time again in the Glenkens is the willingness that local people have for community wealth building, and the more people committed to helping create positive change, the better. where we offer homegrown fruit and veg. People can just ring us up to say they will have an extra three cucumbers next week, for example, and we’ll put them on the website to sell for them.” “There’s so much that people can do to help if they would like to. They can come on a Thursday or a Friday to prep boxes or deliver. As a Community Interest Company, the Food Hub strives to benefit the people of the Glenkens and invites anyone to join them on the journey. Free membership is open to anyone based in Dumfries & Galloway with an interest in GFH. "We usually do the whole thing with two members of staff and about four or five volunteers. Help with marketing and handing out leaflets is always appreciated, as is taking photos for Facebook and Instagram. It's a great social network and we couldn’t do it without the volunteers.” Whether a customer, a supporter, a business or an organisation, if you are interested in the work that is done and would like to join a group of people who are passionate about real food, produced sustainably from the land around us, the opportunity is there. As a Community Interest Company, the Food Hub is driven by a passion for sustainable, locally produced food. Membership is free to anyone in Dumfries & Galloway who wants to support its mission. “For me, it was a great way to meet people after moving here,” says Lesley. “It’s about making good food accessible while building a healthier, more connected community.” “The other thing we do offer for keen gardeners, if they are growing fruit and veg in their own gardens without chemical intervention, is that they can sell their surplus through the food hub. We have a profile called Galloway Growers For any community to thrive and continue to grow, its people need to feel heard and, most importantly, understood. The Galloway Food Hub is a perfect example of something so positive being created in the Glenkens by doing just that. It also needs a funder that understands its community. The Glenkens and District Trust was able to fund the Galloway Food Hub through its early days because it knew it was a community priority. Funding ingenuity and passion that breeds an economically flourishing community. To find out more visit the website at gallowayfoodhub.org.uk or Facebook and Instagram @ gallowayfoodhub Glenkens Gazette The Glenkens Land Use Vision developed in 2023 in response to the rapid rate of land use change in the area, set in the context of the Glenkens at that time. Let's take a look at some of the key elements of the Vison: “We are a forested area, a farming area, an energy generation area. We are a watery area, given life by our rivers and lochs. Our natural environment is so special that we are part of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Our landscapes attract visitors from all over the world. We are a peaty area and our soil stores some of Scotland’s best carbon. It is our home, where we work, live and play. All of these land uses are intertwined and affected by influences within and outwith our control. We are an organised and coherent community which has sought and achieved balance in land use over many years through partnership working and effective engagement. However, the speed and intent of land use change in the Glenkens is overwhelming and the lack of power to effect change is daunting. The disconnect between policy intent and local realities has led to disengagement in some and huge frustration in others.” Land use in the Glenkens - whether forestry, farming, wind farms, housing or business - has been on many people’s minds for some time now. In late 2022, the Glenkens was selected as a focus area for the South of Scotland Regional Land Use Partnership pilot project, led by the Social Enterprise Academy. This resulted in the Glenkens Land Use Vision, adopted as part of the Glenkens Community Action Plan in summer 2023. At its core, the Vision champions one simple principle: Everyone who takes value from our land returns value to it. The Glenkens could be an exemplar of sustainable land use practice in building resilience for climate, biodiversity and communities. To try and achieve this, the Land Use Vision has three sections of recommended actions: page 25 needs 1) Local Action • Updating of the D&G Forestry and Woodland Strategy (2014) and Local Biodiversity Action Plan (2009) • Embody best practice in land use for biodiversity protection and climate adaptation • Involving community representatives as strategic partners in land-use policy reviews • Ensure inclusive collaboration among landowners, stakeholders and communities • Ensuring meaningful local participation in land-use decisions, in line with Scottish Land Commission guidelines • Develop a public database of environmental data for the Glenkens to create baseline land use mapping and encourage enhanced biodiversity In pursuit of this, and thanks largely to support from NatureScot which has allowed GCAT to support the volunteers working on this topic, various studies and plans have been made. A 2024 feasibility study on a Glenkens Land Use Forum concluded that a network - rather than a formal forum - would be the best model for collaboration. Another study recommended the creation of a Glenkens Festival of Land to promote community engagement with the topic, which GCAT has secured funding to deliver in 2025. 2) Regional Action The South of Scotland needs a clear Land Use Framework and Local Development Plan that accounts for cumulative impacts and environmental sensitivity. Instead of relying on high-capacity communities to drive action, structured regional or national mechanisms should identify and address issues systematically. Key priorities include: • A Communities Representative on the Regional Land Use Framework (RLUF) Advisory Group to advocate for local 3) National Action Scotland must establish robust mechanisms nationally that value and amplify rural voices. Communities should not just be consulted but empowered to shape policies, regardless of their volunteer capacity. Urgent priorities include: • Clarifying roles, responsibilities, and accountability across public land-use bodies • Implementing holistic subsidy schemes for agriculture and forestry that recognise the link between climate, biodiversity, and economic sustainability • Shifting financial structures toward positive environmental impacts rather than reinforcing unsustainable practices The true seat of power in the land-use sector is opaque. No single public body holds full accountability for land use decisions. Best practice guidelines are not always followed, and community interests lack protection. For the Glenkens, the call for sustainable and balanced land use resonates deeply. These frameworks and policies are not merely bureaucratic jargon; they are essential tools for preserving the beauty and biodiversity of our beloved environment. Glenkens Gazette Case Study: The Upper Urr Environmental Trust T hough some challenges and hardships of life here have been highlighted in this special edition, one constant has remained clear - the Glenkens is a stunning part of the world. While that may be easy for anyone to see, it is not as easy to understand what needs to be done to keep it that way. For those of us who cherish the beauty and biodiversity of the natural world, the importance of taking action to protect our local environments cannot be overstated. willing to put his hand up and be heard when it comes to our local environment. “A lot of forestry was going on in the area when I joined the community council, so I wanted to see if anything could be done to make it work better for our communities. "Forestry is important but there has to be balance. Well-managed woodlands are a real asset, but the commercial forests that we see that you can’t actually walk in and where not a lot lives are really changing our landscape, and our biodiversity.” By definition, "forestry is the science and practice of managing forests and woodlands, encompassing planting, nurturing, harvesting, and conserving trees for human and environmental benefits." page 26 as possible for the benefit of the environment and for people. Joe says: “We have events coming up which are all about engaging with the local landscape creatively, so keep an eye out for those on our Facebook page. “There is a really good sense of community here and people of all ages, living nearby and in surrounding areas have given time and effort to make this a really lovely community site which is brilliant and a great thing for kids to take part in. “Environmentally, biodiversity is the most important focus for me,” adds Joe. “Working with the developers (Foresight Sustainable Forestry) to get peatland restored and the riparian planting plans we have discussed over the line will be the biggest wins for the area. "It’s...something that can be managed by the community for the community, and that’s a really good example of partnership working with developers.” Only by acknowledging the significance of biodiversity, nurturing our connection to nature, promoting environmental education, and engaging with our communities can we make a meaningful impact on our surroundings. In order to do just that, the Upper Urr Environmental Trust (UUET), founded in 2020 with a board of three volunteer trustees all living within the Corsock area, was set up with the vision to improve the habitat, environment and ecology in the Upper Urr valley. UUET chair, Joe Seed, has a centurieslong family tie to the area. He is The Upper Urr valley is home to some important habitats and species. Survey work from 2020 highlighted the surprising diversity of the area, with just one portion of land having nearly 150 species of plants and more than 40 species of birds - several of which are on the red list. “It’s inspiring to know that the area is so rich in wildlife,” adds Joe’s partner, local designer Martha Schofield. The UUET was set up to take a lead in making a positive change in the area, protecting habitat as much “It’s good to be working with Foresight to secure the site as a nature reserve which otherwise would have been abandoned as it’s unsuitable for commercial growing.” There are seven acres in community management, and in this area the paths will be maintained, benches will be installed, and many native broadleaf trees have already been planted. Joe continues: “It’s just somewhere nice to go and spend some time, something that can be managed by the community for the community, and that’s a really good example of partnership working with developers.” Glenkens Gazette page 27 A s we bring this special edition of the Glenkens Gazette to a close, I want to take a moment to personally reflect on the vibrant community that unites us all. This issue has been dedicated to exploring the heart and soul of our area, showcasing the stories that illustrate our shared experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Throughout these pages, we have ventured into the lives of our neighbours, discovering their passions and the many ways they contribute to the fabric of our community and the conservation of our lands. Each story is a thread woven into the larger tapestry of the Glenkens. It's essential to recognise that these connections, however small, carry significant meaning and ultimately foster a sense of belonging among us. We have also taken time to highlight various initiatives and events that make this not just a place to live but a place to thrive – for wildlife, for businesses and for people. And there are many many more that we didn’t have space for here. In light of the challenges that may arise from time to time, be they economic, environmental, or social, it’s important to remember that we are not alone. The Glenkens is filled with individuals and groups ready to lend a helping hand, share solutions, and collaborate for a brighter future. It is this spirit of togetherness that sets our community apart, transforming obstacles into opportunities. I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this edition - writers, photographers, and all those who generously shared their time and stories. It’s your passion for life here that makes this edition resonate with authenticity and love. Further reading: the bigger picture Glenkens Hub resources: Other websites: Community Action Plan – Overview, Steering Group Meeting Reports and Annual Reports (www.glenkens.scot/reports-resources-archive/ community-action-plan) The Glenkens Hub - www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Land Use Vision – 2023 Vision and follow-up reports (www.glenkens.scot/land-use) Local Place Planning – Updates and the completed Dalry Local Place Plan (www.glenkens. scot/local-place-plans) The Glenkens and District Trust - www. glenkenstrust.org.uk Galloway Food Hub - www.gallowayfoodhub.org.uk Heart of the Glen - www.heartoftheglen.com Upper Urr Environmental Trust - www.uuet.co.uk This Gazette special feature was written by Ross Sanderson. Originally from Edinburgh, Ross is a 26-year-old professional journalist who now lives and works in the Glenkens. After graduating from university in 2020, he spent time working in both Zambia and Spain before returning home and settling here. This feature has been made possible through funding from NatureScot many thanks to them for their support of our communities' work. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 28 Rhelm rock the Glenkens music scene H ave you heard of Rhelm? If not, where have you been?! Rhelm are an up-and-coming indie/rock band who have been playing live for two years now, despite members only being 15 years old. They began their career at the CatStrand, playing their first ever live gig at the 2023 Battle the Bands competition where they blew the judges away, securing the top prize that year to perform at Knockengorroch Festival (see p28 for more on Knockengorroch). Since then, the band have gone on to play at numerous events and venues around Dumfries and Galloway, including Castle Douglas and Dalbeatie civic days, Kirkcudbright Fringe, YouthBeatz, Music at the Multiverse and The Hidden Gem Festival in Dumfries. Rhelm are fronted by former New Galloway resident, Megan Oliver, who is also a long-standing member of CatStrand Youth Players (see CatStrand Players article on p35), playing the baddie in last year’s pantomime. The rest of the band are made up of Eilidh Rutherford and Lucy Eddyshaw on guitars, Ross D’Arcy on bass and Harrison Ansbro on drums. The band, based in Castle Douglas, began their career playing upbeat rock/ indie covers from various decades, and have gone on to write and produce their own original material. Having been given the amazing opportunity to be part of the CatStrand Creatives 'Stranded Cat' recordings programme, Rhelm are just about to release their debut single Sleep, recorded at Circa16 professional recording studio in Dumfries. Watch out for details very soon! This year, the band are continuing to write new songs and have been Youth group golf sessions W e are so lucky to have a golf course in the Glenkens, and in such a beautiful setting. This March, Dave Aitken from New Galloway Golf Club very kindly offered local youngsters attending the Glenkens Youth Group the opportunity of some free taster sessions. We were delighted with the turnout; the chilly weather did not deter the enthusiasm and fun that was had. We started by accepted on the Geez A Choon project run by Up Yer Airts, to work with industry professionals. Alongside studying for their Nat5 exams, they will be playing at numerous events and festivals across the area with their performance calendar filling up. To keep up-to-date with Rhelm’s adventures you can follow them on Facebook and instagram @rhelm.official and don’t forget to listen out for their brand new single, Sleep! Ian Oliver Pictured is Rhelm photographed by Nicola Rutherford learning about the different golf clubs and how and when to use them. Following this, the group took part in a putting competition and practised 'driving' into the net. During the final session, participants were let loose on the course, under the watchful eye and careful guidance of Dave. Hopefully some of the young people who came along will continue to play, taking advantage of the fantastic resource we have on our doorstep! Thank you so much to Dave for his time, patience and expertise. Sue Curtis, Glenkens Youth Group Lead Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Launch of Donald Watson book page 29 T here will be an event at Dalry Town Hall in April to launch a new book of the work of local bird artist Donald Watson. Join Chris Rollie and Roger Crofts at 2pm on Friday 25 April for a talk and refreshments at Dalry Town Hall. Copies of the book will be available for purchase £17.99, as well as cards and posters of Donald Watson's work. Second Sundays A re you looking for an informal and relaxed place to find some spiritual renewal? On the second Sunday of every month, at 4pm, St Margaret’s Church in New Galloway will be hosting a short service based around music, readings and quiet reflection. At the first one in March soon after the start of Lent, we listened to some thoughtful and absorbing sonnets about the temptations of Jesus interspersed with restful and fitting music. We all have busy lives and often forget to look after ourselves – the idea of this service is to provide a time of calm reflection and peace, refreshing us for the week ahead. All are welcome; you don’t have to be a member of a church to join us. The next sessions will be on 13 April and 11 May. Nicolette Wise Celebrate Music, Land, Community in the hills of South West Scotland » 22-25 MAY 2025 African Head Charge | Dub Pistols Elephant Sessions | Rokia Koné Kinnaris Quintet | Moxie | Omega Nebula The Fontanas | Gasper Nali Kate Young | State of Satta | Formidable Vegetable Samson Sounds | Bunty | Girobabies Mungo’s Hi Fi Sound System General Levy, Serial Killaz & Euphonique Legends of Moving Shadow ft. EZ Rollers & Richie Vandal (Kaotik) | Ben Pest (DJ Set) Ixindamix | Katch Pyro | Simply Dread | DJM aka Dan the Hat Kornelia | Morphamish | Isa Gordon & Harry Gorski Brown AND MANY MORE ACTS… vISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION Plus! workshops, dance, theatre, sessions, healing area, kids area, fire shows, stalls, real ales, camping, fresh air… » www.knockengorroch.org.uk » Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 30 Important information if you electric heating or an off-peak tariff I ncluded here is an article by Citizens Advice, outlining the situation of changes to any meters or devices run on a radio teleswitch meter. You might have been told by your electricity supplier you need to have your radio teleswitch (RTS) or dynamically teleswitched (DTS) electricity meter replaced. This is because the radio frequency it uses to switch between peak and off-peak rates is being switched off. The radio frequency is expected to be switched off on 30 June 2025. Ofgem, the energy regulator, currently expects all RTS and DTS meters to be replaced by this date. Check if you need to replace your meter You might not know if you have a radio teleswitch (RTS) or dynamically teleswitched (DTS) meter. You might have one if: • Your house is heated using electricity • You have electric storage and water heaters • You get cheaper energy at different times of day, for example if you have a peak and offpeak rate for electricity Your teleswitch might be in the same box as your meter or in a separate box. If it's in a separate box it will usually be black. Check the box, it might have ‘radio teleswitch’ or ‘radio telemeter’ printed on it (see examples to the right). If you’re not sure if you have an RTS or DTS meter, contact your electricity supplier to check if your meter needs replacing. Getting your meter replaced If you’ve been contacted by your electricity supplier they should have told you how and when your meter is being replaced. Your electricity supplier should recommend a tariff that will work in a similar way to what you have now, for example Economy 7. If you also have a gas meter and you want your supplier to replace it, ask your supplier. You don’t have to have your gas meter changed if you don’t want to. If your gas and electricity supplier are the same, your supplier might be able to change both your meters to smart meters at the same time. If you don’t replace your RTS or DTS meter Your electric heating might stop working as you expect. For example your hot water might be left on permanently or your storage heaters might use electricity at a more expensive time. Your supplier won’t know when you’re using your electricity, so you might be charged the wrong amount. For example, you could be charged a peak rate for electricity you use during your off peak hours. Other heating options You might be able to get help with the cost of a new storage heater or heat pump, or getting connected to the gas grid and getting central heating. For further information or help with this process, contact D&G Citizens Advice on 0300 303 4321 or email info@dagcas.org or you can call Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 196 8660 or visit www.energyadvice.scot Photo of the Issue T his issue's winner is Kirsteen Curry with a gorgeous snap of Clatteringshaws. Kirsteen wins two portions of mac 'n' cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "I love this photo Clatteringshaws is my favourite spot in Galloway!" To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk GAZETTEhistory Glenkens Gazette page 31 Galloway Retold with Angela Miller St John's Seat and Joseph Train A t the top of the village of Dalry, where the road splits between the road that curves round into Townhead Crescent and the road to Moniaive, there’s a small stone chair, carved from a single piece of rock. Local legend tells us that it is St John’s Seat, where the saint sat and rested after his very long journey from Galilee. And if you dig a wee bit deeper, you discover some fairly astonishing claims about John the Baptist and his time in Dalry. It was claimed that John the Baptist came to Dalry after he was beheaded in Galilee - which in itself is a pretty astonishing feat. Supposedly his head was reattached with a gold collar. Not only that, but he actually married into the Gordon Family and is buried in the Kenmure aisle, complete with gold collar. Now, I wouldn’t go rushing to dig up the Kenmure aisle to see if the bones of the saint can be found there, but the story did lead a local antiquarian by the name of Joseph Train to make an attempt to steal St John’s seat. Joseph Train is a fascinating character. Not only was he an antiquarian, but he was, by trade, a gauger or exciseman, just like Robert Burns, although he was a little after Robert’s time. He used his role in excise as a means to get his hands on things for his collection, and, indeed, to impress and help his friend Sir Walter Scott. It’s known that he passed a dossier of documents pertaining to the capture of the ship, the Rosamund, in the Solway by MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 the excise, including Robert Burns, to Sir Walter. This prompted Sir Walter to try and discover what had become of two small cannons from the ship that Robert had purchased (excisemen always got first dibs on assets taken by customs) and tried to send to France for the revolution. Sir Walter discovered that they had reached no further than Dover, where they were seized. Joseph also gave the Torrs pony cap to Sir Walter - an iron age Celtic art styled cap for a pony complete with horns that was discovered in a peat bog at Torrs Loch near Castle Douglas, among other notable things. Anyway, Joseph was in Dalry and happened to overhear a conversation about the seat and its origins, in the tavern that used to stand where the seat is now. He resolved to take it for Sir Walter’s collection, so returned with a pony and trap to take it away. Since it’s still there, you can see he wasn’t successful, and you can hear the full story of that in my wee video on the subject! There is also a video that goes into more detail about Mr Train himself, if I’ve tickled your interest. Angela Miller is the librarian at Dalry Library and a keen local historian. You can view her YouTube channel by searching YouTube or Google for 'Galloway Retold'. Amber Dunlop-Pajo Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 32 The Hugh Foss story: an enigma variation O n Thursday 8 May 2025, Dalry Town Hall will celebrate the life and work of an unsung local hero - Hugh Rose Foss. Hugh was born in Kobe, Japan, in 1902, and went on to become a Cryptanalyst at Bletchley Park, working alongside his betterknown codebreaker Alan Turing. He then became Head of Section responsible for the breaking of Japanese naval codes. One of five children and son of a missionary, Hugh went to Marlborough College and then graduated from Christ’s College Cambridge in1924. That same year he would join the Government Code and Cipher School where he learnt two models of enigma machine, the large non-reciprocal typing B Model and the small Index C mode 1. In 1927 he was given a small reciprocal machine to examine and wrote a paper The Reciprocal Enigma on solving the nonplugboard enigma. In 1934 Foss and Oliver Strachey broke the Japanese naval attaché cipher. On the 8 May 1940 Foss became the first person to break a days worth of German enigma codes deciphering by the method of Banburismus. To honour this achievement, the 8 May would forever be known as Foss Day. Hugh left his work at GCHQ in 1953 and retired to the delightful village of St John’s Town of Dalry in South West Scotland to pursue his other passion of Scottish country dancing. Indeed he went on to publish a number of volumes on the subject to critical acclaim. He passed away in 1971 and was laid to rest alongside his beloved wife Alison in the village churchyard. His son and daughter-in -law still reside in the village. In his honour, the Scottish Dance Movement are holding their annual celebration at Dalry Town Hall on the 8 May 2025 and the general public are invited to attend an exhibition between 3pm and 5pm. There will also be a performance of a dance Hugh dedicated to his daughter-in-law, entitled Miss Fleming’s Jig. Dumfries and Galloway seems to have fallen into HUGH FOSS the strange habit of not wishing 13TH MAY 1902 –23RD DEC 1971 to celebrate its unsung heroes, and we at Dalry helped to shorten the war and Town Hall wish save countless lives. to try and reverse that trend. Where better to start than with Gary Blissett, Chair, the work of a man who, with Dalry Town Hall Committee others at Bletchley, probably Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 33 Screenings for April and May T here's an exciting season ahead at Dalry Film Club... Films start at 7.30pm, with doors opening at 7pm for tea, cake and a bit of chat. Tickets are available on the door or you can get them ahead of time to secure your place through the CatStrand (cards accepted) - either call 01644 420 234 or visit www. gcat.scot The Critic (15) Wednesday 9 April Set in 1930s London, The Critic revolves around a feared theatre critic named Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen), a newspaper owner (Mark Strong) who wants to get rid of the critic, and an actress (Gemma Arterton) who has been devastated by his excoriating theatrical reviews. The critic's determination to survive ensures that the other characters are caught in a web of blackmail, deceit and murder. Thelma (12A) Wednesday 30 April Thelma, a 93 year old, is conned by telephone into losing $10,000. Her immediate family wonder whether it is finally time she went into a home. But Thelma has other ideas. Aided by a friend who has a two-seater scooter, Thelma decides to cross Los Angeles and get her money back from the swindler. Paddington In Peru (PG) Wednesday 14 May Paddington Bear has been living with the Brown family in London for many years now, but he still feels the tug of his Peruvian roots. Hearing that his Aunt Lucy, now living in the Home for Retired Bears, has been missing him terribly, Paddington and the Browns set off to Darkest Peru, only to discover on arrival that Aunt Lucy has disappeared. So off they go into the Amazon to find her, accompanied by a boat captain, David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) and his daughter Gina. What could possibly go wrong? Gladiator II (15) Wednesday 4 June After his North African home is conquered by the tyrannical twin emperors who now lead Rome, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum as a gladiator under the control of Macrinus (Denzel Washington). He must look to his past to find strength to return the glory of Rome to its people. Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 34 Above us the sky... W e may sometimes forget the sky, but in my case, not for long. Readers may know we are in a Dark Sky Park and they may even know about Dalry’s claim as a bird town (Donald Watson and all that). But the sky (our big sky) has so much more to offer than that. Birds – I have seen over twenty species of birds in my own back garden in Dalry. If, like me, you’re no expert then you can identify birds by their sounds using a free app for your phone, like Merlin. Although you probably won’t need it for the more obvious birds like geese, blackbirds and red kites. Aircraft - The Glenkens is in a low flying training area, so you are likely to see RAF and Army aircraft from time to time. This is in addition to the airliners and private aircraft. If you like to see what the aircraft are, where they are from and where they are going, the phone app Flight Radar 24 can tell you lots. Low flying aircraft may not appear on the app but you can probably identify military transport aircraft (such as C130 Hercules) and helicopters by their sound alone. Clouds – There is significant variety in the type of clouds we get. A bit of observation of cloud types (and wind direction) will give some understanding of the weather. If you want to know more about clouds, try the website of the Cloud Appreciation Society. Dusk – Dusk (or dawn) brings its own special light to sunsets and sunrises and provides excellent opportunities for photography. It’s also the best time to see bats. Night Sky – The night sky is, of course, the chance to see stars and planets. I like to use an app on my phone called Sky Map to tell me what that bright star is that I am looking at. In summer nights, you can also catch site of rare noctilucent clouds. Space Weather – I like to keep an eye out for Northern Lights. I use the app Aurorawatch UK to alert me when I might see the spectacle. If you have a night mode on your phone’s camera, this is the best way to see the Northern Lights rather than just the naked eye. You can also find out when the next meteor shower is due by going to the site www.spaceweather.com Satellites – Finally, you may have an interest is seeing satellites (or the International Space Station) pass overhead. A great many satellites can be seen with the naked eye if you know where and when to look. The Heavens Above website www.heavens-above.com is a great way to be warned that something is about to go over, or to find out what it was that you have just seen. Just remember to set your location for accurate information. Paul Goodwin Name the place (from page 6) As spring brings new beginnings, here’s a little nod to the sheer beauty of winter in our amazing Glenkens. We are truly blessed with some amazing scenery. Here on Cairnsmore of Carsphairn you look west towards an icing sugar dusting of snow on the tops of the epic Rhins of Kells, the fields of Carsphairn an oasis of green between. Did You Know? Apparently, our magnificent hills once reached to the heights of the mighty Himalayas, before erosion and time slowly ground them down. Just 12,000 years ago (a breath in geological time) this location would have been under up to a kilometre of ice! The evidence of these truly monumental geological events remain all around us, barely disguised by a thin coat of soil and vegetation. Dear Gazette, Just a very quick "thank you" for another great issue of the Gazette. I think I can imagine the hard work and time that you must put in for every edition fantastic effort! All the best, Matthew (Matthew Newton founded the Glenkens Gazette back in 2000 and is still a regular reader, despite having left the Glenkens in 2013) GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette Move South C atStrand along with Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival are proud to be showcasing Move South: Immersive Dance Theatre In Galloway, a dynamic programme of performances and participatory events featuring some of Scotland’s most exciting touring dance companies. Taking place between the 2 and 12 April, the show will feature performances by Bodies of Water (BOW Collective), A Journey of Flight (Kathryn Gordon) and My Muses Take Care of Me (Fleur Darkin), in addition to a series of workshops and engagement opportunities led by the visiting artists and Paragon Music. Move South 2025 features: Wed 2 - Fri 4 April - Paragon Music are running fun, sociable and fully accessible sessions for young people and family members, exploring live music and dance, joined by the BOW Collective on the Friday. Fri 4 April - Paper Planes is a relaxed workshop which features mindfulness activities and paper plane making, forming a mini installation during A Journey of Flight. Sat 5 & Sun 6 April: A Journey of Flight (Kathryn Gordon) is a dreamlike and intimate immersive performance inspired by the migration of birds, exploring the themes of departure, nostalgia, and the essence of flight. Sat 5 & Sun 6 April: Kathryn Gordon and Jorja Follina will guide participants through two movement sessions, exploring flight and suspension in the body, and delving into our hopes and dreams for the future. A short curtainraiser will be created for A journey of flight on the Sunday. The sessions are open to all ages and abilities. page 35 Sat 5 Apr: Bodies of Water (The BOW Collective) is a unique performance experience, exploring and celebrating transformative elements that connect all living things. A playful, multi-sensory performance experience weaving together movement, choreography, water, objects and sound. Fri 11 Apr: My Muses Take Care of Me (Fleur Darkin) is a dynamic conversation between bodies and wild sculptural pieces by French visual artist Claire-Rose Barbier. Drawing on themes of ancient feminine power, armoury and the presence of nature, the company carry audiences on a journey through life, death, love and regeneration. Move South: Immersive Dance Theatre In Galloway has been made possible by support from Creative Scotland. Festival success for CatStrand Players C atStrand Players and Youth Players enjoyed great success with their entries at this year’s SCDA One Act Play Festival at The Fullarton in Castle Douglas. In the Youth Festival, CatStrand Youth Players won First Prize with their production of ‘Gossip’ by Brian Hampton. They were also awarded the ‘Best Moment of Theatre’ and ‘Best Stage Presentation’. The play was directed by Catherine Campbell and the cast of ten were praised by the adjudicator for their excellent ensemble work. The main roles were played by Ella Campbell, Ben Hodson, Megan Oliver, Josh Wells, Sanna Gilbert and Liam McQueen with excellent support from the ensemble cast of Izak Entwistle, Alice Oliver, Io Heyes and Ellie Harnett. The cast and crew were delighted to be representing Stewartry District once again at the West of Scotland Youth Final in Dunlop on 30 March and will be aiming to achieve a second appearance at the Scottish Youth Final to be held in St Andrews in June. In the Open Festival, CatStrand Players also lifted three trophies, finishing in Second Place overall and winning ‘Best Moment of Theatre’ and ‘Audience Choice’. Their comedy two-hander ‘Its Only Make Believe’ by Mark Rees was directed by Jo Jackson and starred Rose Benson and James Wallace. The adjudicator was particularly impressed with the characterisations and comedy timing and the audience were certainly entertained throughout. They also go on to represent the district, together with first placed 88 Theatre, at the Open Western Final at The Beacon Theatre in Greenock on 4 April. They will be competing with the six qualifiers from the other districts for the chance to compete at the Scottish Final in Kirkcaldy in May. This is the fourth consecutive year that CatStrand plays have gone forward to the Western Finals in both the Youth and Open categories, a great achievement. Both plays were performed at CatStrand on 21 March in preparation for the Western Final appearances. Once the festival season is over, 2025 Christmas Panto plans will be announced – watch this space! Brian Edgar Pictured are the cast of 'Gossip' with director Cat Campbell, after winning the 2nd Place trophy at the SCDA West of Scotland Final in Dunlop GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 36 Knockengorroch Festival is 27 years old S cotland’s longest-running greenfield music festival has announced the full lineup for their 27th year. This year's festival will run from Thursday 22 to Monday 26 May, and includes sets from Mungo’s Hi-Fi, The Dub Pistols, Elephant Sessions, Rokia Koné, Moving Shadow, and many more, welcoming back long-time favourite acts, and exciting new artists, from Scotland, the UK, and internationally. This year, the festival will embody and explore the chosen theme of SURVIVAL - the survival of live music festivals, community, language, culture, and biodiversity. Addressing both the overall global creative landscape and Knockengorroch’s character personally as a unique eco-conscious music festival, Knockengorroch Festival 2025 will share its passion for a present – and future - full of resistance, staying power, resilience, regeneration, and new beginnings. In a post-pandemic and climate crisis landscape, music events across the UK are undergoing increasing challenges something Knockengorroch Festival is not afraid to highlight, not least through its recent partnership with fellow Celtic festival Green Gathering in Wales. scene, set to showcase a unique blend of polyrhythmic outernational sounds on the Knockengorroch stage this May. Hailing from Australia with seven records under their belt, ecological-family-funkswing band Formidable Vegetable will also join the official festival line up this May. four-piece band Elephant Sessions. Combining the fiddle, bass, mandolin, and drums, Elephant Sessions will bring a progressive blend of intricate tunes to the Carsphairn hills this Spring as part of their 2025 tour. Workshops, free to all ticket holders, cover a wide range of subjects and creative activities including music, song, dance, and traditional skills such as green woodworking, blacksmithing, stone carving and pottery. Knockengorroch’s original handson approach to festival creation has inspired the formation of The silent disco is ever popular with families as is the Tigtri many of Scotland’s past and kids tent, which provides fun activities for the young ones with current music festivals... Knockengorroch’s original hands-on approach to festival creation has inspired the formation of many of Scotland’s past and current music festivals, to the benefit of Scotland’s music industry and to Scottish musicians. A celebration of the legendary Moving Shadow Records, a special takeover brings together two of the label’s defining forces: EZ Rollers and Richie (of JMJ & Richie). Amongst this year’s performers and making her Knockengorroch solo debut is one of Mali’s leading female artists and musical force to be reckoned with, Rokia Koné - the Rose of Bamako. From the city of Mzuzu in northern Malawi, don’t miss celebrated musician Gasper Nali bringing his unique one-man- band act to Scotland to share the beauty of the Babatoni instrument with audiences. Psychedelic dub ensemble African Head Charge have decades of experience in the Returning to Knockengorroch festival are The Dub Pistols - one of the few remaining working class bands whose illustrious career spans decades, still carrying the flame of reggae-driven sound system music, mixed with ska and rocksteady through to Soul II Soul, grime, dubstep, and beyond for a reggae-breaksgangster-jungle mashup. a Sunday afternoon procession. The Highlands bring us award-winning In addition theatre, performance poetry, storytelling and talks take place in the various venues around site. The festival also offers a sauna and a healing zone down by the river. Free hot showers, a yurt village (see website for yurt hire), global arts and crafts shopping stalls and an irresistible array of food caterers from different parts of the world are also on offer. LOCAL TICKETS Reduced ticket prices are available for residents of Carsphairn, Dalry, New Galloway and Balmaclellan. These tickets can be purchased from the CatStrand (01644 420 374) in person from the week beginning 14 April; please bring a utility bill or some form of proof of residence. Standard tickets can be purchased at www. knockengorroch.org.uk/tickets Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 37 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers on a journey into his world of writing, reading and general thoughts on life. I like science fiction because it reminds me of the deep incomprehensibility in which we revolve – a source of awe and wonder – and I generally prefer sci-fi books to films, because it’s the big ideas rather than the big actions that excite me. Not surprising, therefore, that I was excited by Samantha Harvey’s Orbital, which you may already have heard of, because it won last year’s Booker Prize. In this short novel set more or less in the present, a team of British, American, Italian, Japanese and Russian astronauts are living at close quarters in a space station orbiting at 250 miles above the earth. The earth may be the novel’s major character, the focus of attention and a subject so complex that endless description fails to define it. It is “the naked startling earth … fluid and lustrous … blue and cloudscudded and improbably soft.” At dusk it’s “a bruising of azure and purple and green.” It contains “thick embroidered urban tapestries” and is “contoured and landscaped by want.” If you like geography, or just poring over maps, you’ll like this book. It provides a poetry of turning continents, of deserts turning to ice caps turning to forests turning to sea. The vast spatial conception of our home is refreshing in this age of attempted (and futile) retreat into tiny bordered spaces. Like an engaging science book, Orbital is packed with mindexpanding facts. And, bringing together art and science, it’s given me a new word – imagineered – suitable for the age. It’s not very plotdriven, but coheres around personalities and ideas. Its major theme is perspective, and constant change in perspective. The chapters are a series of meditations on the environment, the heart, borders, belief, and of course time. Universal Time – an arbitrary measure. survived through them – by walking regularly in nature. The Japanese astronaut’s mother dies 250 miles below, offering further fuel for contemplation. There’s a spirituality to the book that will work for materialists as much as for the religious. The continuous shifts in perspective may by implication give you some distance on your local problems, which are always inevitably temporary. Taking the same walk every day, even in an urban park or along a canal bank overlooked by tower blocks, teaches you viscerally that everything is constantly changing. It provides a poetry of turning continents, of deserts turning to ice caps turning to forests turning to sea. The astronauts transit the earth every 90 minutes – 16 orbits a day. That means that each day “takes their twentyfour hours and throws sixteen days and nights at them in return.” Because “space shreds time to pieces” they go by Coordinated In miserable stretches of my life I’ve become less miserable – or at least, I’ve Trees are in bud or unfurling their leaves or losing them. The sun is lower every day, decreasingly present, until the year turns and it climbs daily higher, and the darkness diminishes. Remembering the summer in winter is a useful activity, and vice versa, for the only thing constant is change. And now in the Glenkens, spring is here at last! At least for now... Glenkens Gazette EST. 2007 GAZETTEarts page 38 CatStrand SPRING HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE - DR. STRANGELOVE SEVEN-TIME BAFTA WINNER STEVE COOGAN TAKES ON FOUR ROLES IN DR. STRANGELOVE. THE NORDIC FIDDLERS BLOC "PURE FIDDLE DOESN’T GET BETTER THAN THE NORDIC FIDDLERS BLOC." – FOLKWORLD BILL DRUMMOND PRESENTS VOICES FROM THE GALLOVERSE – LIVE A HEAR HARD INTERVENTION & PERFORMANCE BY THE PENKILN BURN PLAYERS. IMAGE CREDIT TRACEY MOBERLY. CARA DILLON AWARD-WINNING IRISH FOLK SINGER AND RENOWNED MUSICIAN. TOUKI BLENDING TRADITIONAL SENEGALESE SOUNDS WITH CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL INFLUENCES. HIGH ST, NEW GALLOWAY 01644 420 374 GCAT.SCOT Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 39 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Michele Owen 07940 313 445 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Parton: Tom - 07835 821 976 • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Balmaclellan: 6 Apr, 4 May (communion service), 1 Jun; 11am Carsphairn: 13 Apr, 11 May; 11.15am Kells: 20 Apr, 11am, Easter service Dalry: 18 Apr, 7pm, Good Friday service; 27 Apr, 18 May, 25 May; 11am Special service: Easter communion service, Thu 17 Apr, 7pm, Crossmichael Church Hall. Early Easter Day service, Sun 20 Apr, 8.30am, Crossmichael Church Hall. Easter service, Sun 20, 10am, Crossmichael Church Hall. Spring Teas, May 3, Dalry Session House For further info contact Rev Pam Bellis on 07751 379 249 or pam@bellisconsultancy.co.uk SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP The Rev Dawn Matthew Sundays:10.30am, Holy Communion with refreshments after the service. Tuesdays: 10am-12noon, look for the ‘church is open’ sign and pop in for private prayer or to chat with Dawn. Wednesdays: 7.30-8pm, evening prayers via Zoom shared with our sister church, All Saints’ Challoch. Please contact Dawn for the link. SPECIAL SERVICES: Sunday @4: 13 April. Maundy Thursday: 17 April, 6pm, Holy Communion. Good Friday: 18 April, 2pm, Service of Reflection. EASTER DAY: 20 April, 10.30am, Holy Communion. Sunday @4: 11 May. Ascension Day: 29 May, 12 noon, Holy Communion For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 40 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies SEE AD ON PAGE 16... Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE You can now apply for a Garden Waste Collection Service permit at £40 per bin. for regular collections from March to November 2025. Apply online at www.dumgal.gov.uk/ wasterecycling or in person at a customer service centre such as Dalry Library. The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Advanced Massage Practitioner (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 41 GALLOWAY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org email: gct@catstrand.com / gctadmin@catstrand.com phone: Jon 07841 512449 / Jason 07704 662925 APRIL 2025 - MAY 2025 REGULAR SERVICES We are pleased to announce a revision to our GK2 service. From Wednesday 2nd April the service will run in the evening, until the October daylight saving time change, when it will revert to a daytime winter timetable.The ‘summer’ times are as below: EXCURSIONS GK2 Glenkens > Castle Douglas Every Wednesday (Registered Route) Outward 1800 1820 1825 1830 1842 1852 1907 1920 1925 Kendoon Dalry (Underhill) Balmaclellan New Galloway Mossdale Laurieston Ringford Castle Douglas Tesco Castle Douglas ALDI Return 2150 2130 2125 2120 2108 2058 2043 2030 2025 Booking not required MINIBUS DRIVING Minibus drivers are needed to do volunteer and paid driving for our wide range of member community groups, as well as for our contracted school services. MiDAS training will be provided. Not got a D1 on your licence? Not a problem, we have a couple of buses that do not require D1. Ask us for more details. PATIENT TRANSPORT We also urgently need drivers with their own cars for our patient transport service. Our volunteer patient transport drivers receive a generous mileage reimbursement and the satisfaction of providing a vital service to vulnerable people in our communities. Interested? Email: gct@catstrand.com Phone: 07841 512449 / 07704 662925 2025 EXCURSIONS We will be running our successful Gardens of Excellence programme again this year. First one detailed above, more to come! MEMBERSHIP HIRE We have 3 x 16 seat buses, a 15 seat, an 8 seat minibus and a fully wheelchair accessible electric car available (and minibus) for hire by community organisations. For information about membership and terms and conditions of hire see the GCT website or phone 07841 512449 / 07704 662925 www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation WHAT'S ON page 42 April/May APRIL Fri 4, Move South: Paragon Music X BOW Collective, 10:30am, CatStrand Fri 4, Move South: Paragon Music X BOW Collective sharing, 2pm, CatStrand Care of Me, 7:30pm, CatStrand Sat 12, Glenkens Producers Market, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 18, CatStrand Bar Night, 6-10pm, CatStrand Sat 19, Bairn Banter Easter Egg Hunt, 10.30am, Carsphairn School Playground MAY Sat 3, HotTrod Theatre Company- El Duglas, 7.30pm, CatStrand Mon 5, The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 19, Crossmichael Gala 10am-3pm Thu 8, Ken Words: Writers’ Cafés, 7pm, CatStrand Fri 4, Patrick Monahan: The Talkinator, 7:30pm, CatStrand Sun 23, National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove, 2pm, CatStrand Thu 8, 3-5pm, Celebration of Hugh Foss, Dalry Town Hall, see p32 Sat 5, Carsphairn Community Woodland Volunteer Day, 10am-5pm, Muirdrochwood Forest, Carsphairn Fri 25, Book Launch- Donald WatsonBird Artist & Writer, 2pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 5, Move South: Bodies of Water, 2pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 25, Landscape with Figures II, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 5, Move South: A Journey of Flight – Kathryn Gordon,5pm, CatStrand Fri 25, Donald Watson book launch, 2pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p29 Sat 5, Move South: Bodies of Water, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 26, Plant & Bake Sale, 10am12noon, St Margaret's Church, New Galloway, see p19 Fri 4, Move South: Paper Planes, 4-6pm, CatStrand Cafe Sun 6, Move South- Movement Sessions, 1pm, CatStrand Sun 6, Move South: A Journey of Flight – Kathryn Gordon,6pm, CatStrand Tue 8 (start of 4-week course), Wet Felting Course for Beginners, 10.30am12.30pm, to book call Ginny Shipway on 07486 362 379 10:30 12:30 Wed 9, Dalry Film Club: The Critic, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p33 Thu 10, Ken Words: Writers’ Cafés, 7pm, CatStrand Sat 10, Bill Drummond presents: Voices From The Galloverse – Live, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 11, Cara Dillon, 7.30pm, CatStrand Wed 14, Dalry Film Club: Paddington In Peru, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p33 Thu 22-Mon 26, Knockengorroch Festival, see p28 Thu 22, Touki, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 30, Drawing LIFE, 2pm, The Smiddy Sat 26, Forest Learning Session, 9am3pm, booking on 07979 492 791 Fri 30, KT Producing presents- LIFE, 7.30pm, Catstrand Sun 27, What next for The Glenkens Story? 2-4pm, CatStrand JUNE Sun 27 & Mon 28, Biosphere Guide Training Course, Dalry, see p13 Sun 27, Glass fusing workshop, 12.303.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall, book through the What's On section of the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Wed 30, Dalry Film Club: Thelma, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p33 Fri 11, Move South: My Muses Take Sun 1, Clachan Folk Session with the Ruby Warblers, 6pm, The Clachan Inn Wed 4, Dalry Film Club: Gladiator II, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p33 Sat 7, Carsphairn Show, The Crofts, Carsphairn, see p5 Sun 8, GCT Excursion: The Machars Gardens, see p41 Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact richardandjane@phonecoop.coop or 01556 670 691 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 43 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Exercise Class, Tue, 6-7pm Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3pm Zumba, Fri, 6.30-7.30pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am-12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; Oct-Mar, 2.30pm) Soup & Sandwich, Sat, 12noon-2pm, Oct-Mar Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, Wedn & Fri, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making - Mon, 7-9pm Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@ gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10am CatStrand, New Galloway Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat biweekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.30am Musical Misfits, Sat, bi-weekly, 10am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16yrs) Art Explorers, Sat, 10.30am, fortnightly New Galloway Town Hall Community Larder, side door open for access Mon 9am–4pm; Tue 7-9pm; Wed 6.30–8pm; Thu 9.30am–4pm Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Dance for Wellbeing (adults), Mon 2.30pm Creative Movement for Children, 4pm LING Community Cafe, Mon, 12.30– 2pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–3pm, drop-in Martial Arts, Thu, 7.30pm For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Wee Wonders, Thu, 9-10am Clachan Crafters, Thu, 2pm, 07500 861 041 Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet. com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm, Tue 6-8pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Main St, Dalry - 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book at the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Facebook Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Song Share, 1st Fri each month, 7.3010.30pm Mossdale Village Hall Mossdale Painters, Wed, 9.30-11.30am Yoga, Fri, 2.15pm Soup Saturday, last Sat each month, 1-3pm Various Bumps, Babies & Beyond, every 2nd Mon, 10.30am, Kirkpatriack Durham Village Hall Learn to Play Bridge, Mon, 7-9pm, Lochinvar Hotel Keep Fit with Alex, 7.15-8.15pm, KPD Village Hall Strictly Get Dancing, Mon, 7pm, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Glenkens Oil Painters, Wed, 10am, Corfield House Art Studio Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed 2-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Thu, 1-3pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 Mum & Baby MovementThu, 9.3011.30am, Laurieston Village Hall Crossmichael Youth Club, Fri, Crossmichael Memorial Hall For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 44 Duncan McNaught lands second place in photography awards N ew Galloway's Duncan McNaught is no stranger to photography awards, having landed a number of accolades over the last few years. Duncan won the Royal Society of Biology competition in 2017, got 2nd place in the Botanical category of the Scottish Nature Photography Awards 2017, 1st in the Dumfries & Galloway Life Awards Visual Artist category 2018, 1st place in the Botanical section of the Scottish Nature Photography Awards 2019, 1st place in the Botanical category of the Scottish Nature Photography awards 2022, and last but not least, commended in the Sony World Photography awards 2017. However, it's been a few years since he's entered the Scottish Nature Photography Awards, so he was thrilled to find out he'd won second place in the 2024 competition's Botanical section. "I only entered two images this year and ended up with a second place in the Botanical section, so I'm well chuffed!" said Duncan. "The image Birch in the Mist was a particularly difficult one to take; I'd say almost impossible if it wasn't for the thick mist that morning. "The tree grows in the walled garden at Kenmure Castle, with lots of clutter and distraction in the background. Luckily that morning the mist was particularly thick and made hiding distracting elements much easier. This shot was taken in full colour, but that morning everything was changed to monochrome. It was quite ethereal to be out in." To see more of Duncan's photographs visit the Gallery section of the Glenkens Hub at www. glenkens.scot/glenkens-gallery The Scottish Nature Photography Awards runs each year with several categories including botanical, landscape and abstract. The competition is open to photographers from anywhere in the world. Pictured is Duncan's _winning entry, Birch in the Mist WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com JUNE/JULY COPY DEADLINE: 5 MAY The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 147 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_147 https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/299/GlenkensGazette146.pdf 5ef312296258a11e1276ff8dc1d10577 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 146 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document February/March 2025 ISSUE 146 Fabulous fundraising for Castle Douglas foodbank T wo local children embarked on an admirable, and very successful, festive fundraising journey in December, raising money for the Castle Douglas-based foodbank, Stepping Stones. Pippin and Fred, aged seven and eight, who are the children of local potters Hannah and Doug Fitch, spent their free time in 2024 making small ceramic brooches at their parents' pottery workshop. Once they were ready, these were sold alongside their parents' wares at craft fairs and shows across the region. Last year the children also made brooches to sell, and raised an incredible £841, but this year they almost doubled that figure with an astounding £1,600 raised. Having raised the funds, the children spent three hours in Tesco the week before Christmas buying food and necessities to stock the foodbank over the festive period. The siblings then delivered the food to Stepping Stones Foodbank in a van packed to the roof. T This means the CatStrand Touring Arts programme is assured until 2028; unprecedented support in INSIDE THIS ISSUE Become a member of the Galloway Food Hub ...turn to p6 Pippin and Fred in their van full of supplies, on the way to Stepping Stones Foodbank Mum Hannah said: "Tesco staff were very helpful, and even gave the children a sweet treat to keep their energy levels up during the mammoth shop. you despair, that such a thing is so very much needed in our wonderful region, but to teach the children that their relatively small efforts can have such an impact is a lovely lesson." "The children have worked so hard making all their brooches and the people who have bought them have been so very generous. It can make The Gazette would like to congratulate Pippin and Fred on their incredible achievement, and for setting such an inspiring example to us all. CatStrand Art’s 17-year history. key component of the Glenkens economy. Thank you to everyone who has supported CatStrand Arts over the years – you are a big part of this success.” A secure future for CatStrand Arts he Glenkens Community and Arts Trust (GCAT) is delighted to have been awarded three years of funding from Creative Scotland. FREE Peter Renwick, Creative Director of CatStrand Arts, said: “We are over the moon to have been fully supported by Creative Scotland’s Multi Year Fund. This will allow us to continue our work with national, regional and local artists to deliver outstanding Touring Arts programmes for the communities of the Glenkens. "We are hugely grateful for this support, which secures CatStrand both as a cultural Hub of the highest calibre and as a Helen Keron, Chief Exec of GCAT, said "This award is a testament to the ambition we have for CatStrand and our long track record of excellent delivery. "It means that we are going to be able to carry on making a huge difference to the people of the Glenkens and beyond into the long term, which is fantastic.” Loch Ken Trust Ranger wins award ...turn to p12 A successful year of community investment ...turn to p18 Ten years of the Glenkens Story ...turn to p25 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 2 Get involved in the Kells community place plan I f you live in Kells parish and care about the area we live in and wish to have a say in the way it evolves over the next 10 years, it's important that you read this article. Local place plans are being created in all the parishes of Dumfries and Galloway, including all the Glenkens communities. They will inform the way the Council develops and prioritises services and investment in our communities and form the background to spatial and planning policy. It is often said that local people do not have a voice; well, this is our chance for our voice to be heard and our local knowledge to be incorporated into the future plans for our area. What is the process? 1) To gather people's thoughts about the area, what makes it special to them and what they think works well, as well as where there is room for improvement. Kells Community Council has created a questionnaire. If you have not already filled one in, they are available at www.tinyurl.com/NGK-LPP1 For those who do not like computers, there are printed copies available at New Galloway Community Shop, the CatStrand and, if you are rural, there will be one included with this copy of the Gazette. 2) We need your responses by 21 February so that we can collate all of your input. There will be a feedback session during March (on a date yet to be set) which will be publicised nearer the time. This will allow you to see how the first draft of the plan is evolving and how all the information gathered will feed into the process of finalising it. For paper copies, the questionnaire lists places where there are boxes to return your copy. 3) A final version will be produced in April which needs to be submitted to D&G Council in May so that they can incorporate it into their regional plan in June. Why is this important? This process allows all of us, for the first time, to have a voice in the things that directly impact our communities. Our feeling of place is integral to our overall wellbeing, and having a say in how the area evolves to ensure a wellbalanced community which looks after the old, but creates sustainable jobs and futures for the young, is vital. There is change all around us. It covers all the traditional industries and land uses as well as the infrastructure we rely on for our daily lives. Agriculture, tourism, energy, forestry and our care sector, large businesses like Natural Power and any organisations which focus on our natural capital [the value of the natural world, including the living and non-living parts of ecosystems] are all areas where sustainable long-term employment can be encouraged. How do we realise these benefits without losing the essence of what we love? Landscape, biodiversity and land use are all key to our futures. Striking the right balance is crucial to a successful plan. Education, sports, housing and transport are all critical, together with the infrastructure of roads, communications and energy networks which create the backbone for our community wellbeing. Planning for flooding, resilience and extreme weather events are in need of a rethink. Linking our Kells plan to the other Glenkens plans on the larger issues listed above will make it easier to engage with developers, infrastructure providers and the Council in the way we create a coherent future for the Glenkens that fits the needs, and aligns with our local plan. We've created a Local Place Plan team to take this forward, chaired by Anna Lawrence and with members including John Muir, Dominique Pope, Lois Aitkenhead and Jeremy Sainsbury, ably supported by GCAT through Becca Nelson. If you treasure what we already have and want to influence the way our special environment evolves over the next 10 years, please complete the questionnaire and help us produce the best plan possible for Kells. To get in touch, call 07770 935 559 or email Jeremys@naturalpower.com Jeremy Sainsbury, Chair, Royal Burgh of New Galloway & Kells Parish Community Council LACE thanks for supporting plant purchases F ollowing on from the article in the last Gazette about Carol's plant stall, thanks go out to all the residents of New Galloway and the Glenkens... All the Life After Cancer Essex (LACE) members would like to thank you and the community for the wonderful donation of £630 through the purchase of plants from Carol's street stall in New Galloway. You can now look at your newly bought and matured plants and relate them to all the good you will have provided. As a charity close to the hearts of local residents Bill and Carol, LACE is a not-for- profit Community Interest Company, providing comfort to those affected by cancer throughout Essex. Your donations have gone towards walks in RHS Gardens, pottery classes, mindfulness courses, and other support for those going through cancer treatment or who are on the road to recovery. Steve Hammond, LACE Committee, and members Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 3 Mixtape party night in Dalry Town Hall T he first Mixtape party night was a dance-tastic success at Dalry Town Hall, with people shaking their tail-feathers to a variety of floor-fillers. People said: “It was great to have a space to dance like no-one is watching," and “it was a great night, great music and great company”. The idea behind this community dance night is that people request their favourite dance track that they just love to boogie to. It’s then added into a playlist that is played on the night. The tunes can be from any style, genre or era, creating an eclectic mix of music from pop to punk, indie to soul, rock to reggae and much more. This event will run every second Saturday of the month from, October to March, so some dates for your diary for the next ones coming up are Saturday 8 February and Saturday 8 March, from 8-11pm. If you would like to select a tune you can join the Mixtape Party Night WhatsApp group, then add the title and artist of one or two tunes to be played on the night. But you don’t have to request a tune to come along - everyone and anyone is invited, and there’s no entry fee, but cash donations are welcome, which go to cover the cost of hall hire, electricity and the hire of the sound system. Kath Peters Community Action Plan annual report published T he Community Action Plan Steering Group has published its Annual Report into delivery of the Glenkens and District Community Action Plan over 2024. The report gives updates on progress made in delivering the priorities of the Glenkens communities, as set out in the Community Action Plan (CAP) and can be found on the Glenkens Hub, under the Resouces tab, at www.glenkens.scot Great progress has been made by many Glenkens charitable organisations on these priorities, despite the cost-of-living crisis and a restricted funding landscape. In addition, the CAP Steering Group has been strongly advocating for the rural voice to be heard at regional and national levels – working to alleviate some of the challenges our communities face at a systemic, upstream level, rather than just intervening to mitigate the symptoms. The CAP's goal is for the Glenkens and district to be a "connected, resilient and carbon-neutral place, where people will want to live, to work, to bring up their families, and to grow old. It will be somewhere that other places in Scotland will look to for inspiration." The CAP is now more than four years old, and so the CAP Steering Group intends to Revellers dancing the night away at December's Mixtape Party Night use the current Local Place Planning process as the basis for a refresh of the CAP in the second half of 2025. There will be many opportunities to contribute to what the current priorities and needs of the Glenkens are then. A bit more about the CAP Steering Group... The Glenkens & District Community Action Plan Steering Group is supported by the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) and comprises volunteers from diverse backgrounds and experiences across the Glenkens communities. Their role is to ensure delivery of the CAP priorities, to respond to arising themes that impact the CAP goal, and to keep the CAP relevant. All information, including meeting reports, can be found on the Glenkens Hub under the Community/Community Groups tab at www.glenkens.scot The Steering Group was pleased to welcome two new members after the call for members last year, Robert McTurk and Jennifer Harvie, who will be known to many as long-term Glenkens residents and will be bringing their experience and expertise to bear on CAP delivery this year. In turn, Bob Glaister and Barney Fryer are stepping down, having been on the steering group since 2021. Many thanks are due to both of them for their wise insights and thoughtful contributions. The CAP Steering Group is still open to interest from more new members, and also for members specific to the Education and Learning and Land Use sub-committees. If you'd like to find out more about any of these voluntary roles, contact Helen Keron on helen@catstrand.com before 17 February. Helen Keron HOUSE TO LET 1 BEDROOM Wylie's Brae, New Galloway large bedroom, bathroom, livingroom, kitchen For further information contact Alistair on 07783 869 686 or smithalistair355@gmail.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews Decarbonising CatStrand I t's an exciting time for CatStrand at the moment. Over the Christmas break, we removed our oil boiler and oil tank and replaced them with solar panels on the cafe roof, as well as installing battery storage and two air-source heat pumps. This means that CatStrand now produces no carbon emissions in its heating requirements, which will remove nearly 10 tonnes of emissions annually. Of course, the solar panels won't be able to meet all of our energy demands in the winter, so we will draw electricity from the grid then to charge the batteries and power the heating, but we will maintain our 'renewables only' electricity contract to ensure that we are not just passing the emissions on. Those of you with long memories will recall that CatStrand was an early adopter of sustainable heating solutions, installing a wood pellet boiler on opening in 2007. However, it did not survive the 2017 flood and the only practicable solution at the time was to install an oil boiler. It is therefore excellent news all round that we are now able to make this significant step forward towards our net zero ambitions. Also part of this project was the upgrade of all of our lighting to LED fittings, including the 17-year-old power-hungry ones in the auditorium. This will reduce our overall energy need significantly. All this work has been made possible by funding from CARES through Local Energy Scotland and the Community Led Local Development (CLLD) ScotGov fund, administered by the D&G Local Action Group and Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway. Many thanks to them for the capital investment that is letting us make this step change in our emissions. page 4 Many thanks as well to John Crallan, who has again volunteered significant amounts of time in support of CatStrand and the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT). His technical expertise and due diligence has made this project a reality, along with support from Dave Stewart, another long-term supporter of the CatStrand. The panels and batteries have been installed by Smartly Energy and the Air Source Heat Pumps by Stewart Temperature Solutions, who all worked most diligently through the January cold snap to get it all up and running. To celebrate this milestone, CatStrand is hosting a public event on 9 February, in partnership with the Biosphere Climate Hub. We know that we are not the only ones working hard to decarbonise public buildings, and so this will be a Glenkens-wide celebration of net zero work done across the whole area. It will include a chance to hear from GCAT, Local Initiatives in New Galloway and Dalry Town Hall about their experiences of upgrading their community spaces, plus music from folk/ country singer-songwriter Sarah Jane Scouten and local food. This will all be followed by a screening of 'Living Proof', an evocative exploration of Scotland’s complex relationship to the climate crisis explored through archive film. To book your free ticket for this event, visit www.gcat.scot - do come along if you can - see p13 for more! Celebrating the Bard at Lagwyne Hall C arsphairn's 54th fundraising Burns Supper in Lagwyne Hall was a resoundng success, proving itself yet again to be one of the most popular Suppers around. Castle Douglasbased catering company, Caterbirds, provided a delicious meal. The evening’s entertainment began with Ryan Fergusson and his accordion accompanying Melissa Ade, dressed as Poosie Nancy, in the celebratory parade of the haggis. James Wallace presented a gripping Address to the Haggis and also a beautifully sung rendition of the Burns song, Green Grow The Rashes. The evening’s exemplary entertainment continued with Alec Ross capturing the full room’s attention with his recitation of The Immortal Memory. Local vet, Graham Bell, then had us all in tears of laughter with his Toast to the Lassies, followed shortly after by Fiona Durham’s witty Reply to the Toast. And of course a Carsphairn Burns Supper wouldn't be complete without Robert McTurk's legendary theatrical recitation of Tam o’ Shanter, with his trusty hobbyhorse mare, Meg, at his side. The evening drew to a close as Christine Whipp gave a heartfelt vote of thanks to those present on behalf of the Lagwyne Hall committee, for whom this annual event raises funds. Then hands were joined in friendship and voices raised in song for Auld Lang Syne before everyone went their separate ways, looking forward to coming together again in celebration of The Bard next year. Melissa Ade Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 5 Wonky Burns Night brings a twist to tradition at New Galloway Town Hall O n Saturday 25 January, New Galloway Town Hall hosted a unique twist on the traditional Burns Night celebration. Despite Storm Eowyn’s aftermath causing some uncertainty, the Bodega Social crew pushed ahead, turning the event into a sell-out! Rather than the usual haggis and recitations, the evening featured creative Burns-inspired cocktails and Scottish-themed Sichuanese food, including haggis gyoza and pickled neeps. Ben Wild, one of the event organizers, shared, “We had 165 ticket holders and our wonderful volunteer crew. The food was a hit, though we’ll need to make more next time! was another highlight, with everyone from babies to teenagers joining in the fun. The night began with an informal traditional music session, featuring fiddles, guitars, and drums. Wonky Burns Night showed that celebrations don’t always have to follow tradition. By embracing the untraditional, it honoured Robert Burns in a fresh, exciting way. Keep an eye out for Bodega Social’s next event, and if you're heading to Eden Festival, check out their Bodega Lounge! This laid-back vibe continued as the atmosphere built, with Edinburgh-based folktronica band Yoko Pono getting everyone on their feet. The event’s layout allowed guests to enjoy DJ sets and a chill-out area downstairs when they wanted a break from dancing. A standout feature of Bodega Social events is their ability to transform venues. This event, like others in village halls across Galloway, was unrecognizable with themed bars, clever lighting, and unique décor. The inclusive, intergenerational crowd MP and MSPs visit the Glenkens T he Community Action Plan (CAP) Steering Group was very happy to meet with John Cooper MP and MSPs Finlay Carson and Colin Smyth in the Glenkens last month. John came along to find out more about the Glenkens Community Action Plan and how the Glenkens is organising itself through the Glenkens and District Trust (GDT), the CAP Steering Group and the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust to ensure that the priorities in the CAP are delivered for our communities. He was very complimentary about our processes and delivery and indeed suggested that we should be telling more people about our successes and challenges. Finlay and Colin came the following week to discuss the GDT-commissioned report into rural education in the Glenkens and the wider challenges of depopulation in rural Dumfries and Galloway. They saw a clear link between a good educational provision being available to a rural area and the sustainability of those communities, and committed to continuing to work at Scottish Government level to advocate for the specific needs of rural communities. Thanks to all three for their time, ideas and support - it's important that our national representatives hear directly from their communities like this. Helen Keron Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 6 Become a member of Galloway Food Hub G alloway Food Hub, our online marketplace for quality locally produced food, is looking for members. The Galloway Food Hub, founded in 2022, has now become a Community Interest Company (CIC). This means anyone interested in sourcing good local food can now become a member. Members may be customers, suppliers or simply interested in the project. Membership - which is completely free - is open to any individual or organisation in Galloway or to anyone with an interest in local food. Lesley Atkins, co-ordinator of the Galloway Food Hub, says: “Membership allows you to have a say in how the hub is run. We only ask that members tell people about the food hub and its benefits and do whatever they can to promote us positively.” They work as packers or delivery drivers or assist with the many other tasks involved in running a growing and thriving business. Members can also be elected to the food hub’s nine-member management board.” Lesley stresses that the hub is open to all: “You can shop at the Galloway Food Hub whether you are a member or not, and you can be a member without buying from the shop. You can find out more about the producers and produce by visiting our website www.gallowayfoodhub.org.uk.” The online shop opens every second Friday for four days. During that time, you can place your order, pay for it online, and then either collect it or have it delivered the following Friday. Collection points include the Glenkens Community Centre in Dalry, next to the village hall in Corsock, or home delivery in the main villages of the Glenkens. Members can also opt in to receive a newsletter, and can attend the annual general meeting and take part in policy discussions. Three-quarters of the produce available is sourced from 33 small suppliers within a 35mile radius of the Glenkens. All products meet high climate, welfare and food safety standards. A quarter of the produce is sourced from further afield and is organically certified with high ethical principles. “There are volunteering opportunities for members who want to share their skills and become more involved,” explains Lesley. “We have an enthusiastic team of volunteers. The Galloway Food Hub aspires to make high quality local food affordable for everyone in the area. This is a challenge to achieve in today’s marketplace, but discounts can be made Tamsin, Gail and Lesley spreading the word about the Galloway Food Hub available to those who would like to support the hub but simply cannot afford to, through the 'Fair Food for All' scheme. Please get in touch if you’d like to know more by emailing lesley@ gallowayfoodhub.org.uk Since its establishment in 2022 as a project of Propagate, the food hub has grown rapidly, with sales in December breaking all previous records. Now that it is operating independently, as a CIC, Lesley and the organising team hope as many people as possible will become members. “Membership shows that the community value the food hub and appreciate its efforts to provide local food and support the small food producers in our region,” says Lesley. Visit www.gallowayfoodhub.org. uk to complete the membership application form, or you can call Lesley on 07587 122 151 to obtain a paper copy of the form. The Galloway Food Hub vision is to make local, sustainable, nourishing food available to everyone in Dumfries and Galloway. Your membership can help to achieve this. Margaret Elphinstone Name the Place I n each issue a photograph will be taken somewhere in the Glenkens by local photographer Ted Leeming and readers have to guess where it is. The answer can be found on p25, with a bit of information and food for thought about that location. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette A year in the life... W hat a year 2024 was for all of us here in the Glenkens - some very challenging times but some great achievements as well. I do think this is just an amazing community to live and work in, and I take my hat off to all the hundreds of volunteers, local business people and community workers who make it what it is. Looking back at the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) over 2024, we put on an amazing Touring Arts programme. Despite the continuing uncertainty over funding, we managed to present a packed programme consisting of over 110 events of the highest quality. At the time of writing, we're waiting anxiously for news of our threeyear Creative Scotland settlement - the fund is heavily oversubscribed but I've got to assume that our amazing track record will stand us in good stead. CatStrand Young Creatives also had a fantastic year, bringing amazing opportunities to our young people. We now know that Young Creatives is assured until at least March 2027 thanks to core funding from the Holywood Trust, plus YouthLink and (hopefully!) Creative Scotland's Youth Music Initiative, all of which is a huge testament to the work of all concerned. The third strand of our Artistic Vision is Cultural Glenkens, which provided a rich programme of Glenkens-focused events throughout 2024. We are still hoping to amplify this strand through support from the Heritage Lottery – decision in March. Aside from the Arts, our support of the Glenkens communities through the Community Action Plan (CAP) continues at full steam. Our core CAP projects are delivering well: Galloway Community Transport (GCT) had a fantastic year, particularly on fleet replacement thanks to generous private donations and matched funding. They will of course continue providing school bus services, registered routes, patient transport, member hire and excursions. The Glenkens Gazette and Glenkens Hub continue to go from strength to strength and we're looking forward to creating some special editions in 2025, thanks to NatureScot support. The Glenkens Hub (www. glenkens.scot) is an invaluable font of information, from Glenkens events to news to reports and photo archives. You can also follow the Hub on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates on life in the Glenkens. funding from the Glenkens and District Community Fund. The CatStrand cafe and bar continues to provide a welcoming space for all in the Glenkens. This winter, we were pleased to be able to offer free soup and hot drink combos to allow people to linger in our warm spaces over the winter months, thanks to the Council's 'Tackling Poverty Initiative', which continues through February. And talking of warm spaces, we have completed a major capital upgrade to decarbonise our heating system more detail on that elsewhere. A great result! As well as these projects, the Community Action Plan (CAP) Steering Group continued to work behind the scenes in 2024 to ensure that the CAP priorities are delivered and that the CAP stays relevant and useful. I know that they have very much appreciated the work of many Glenkens organisations on delivering CAP-related projects, such as Propagate and the Galloway Food Hub, the Pamela Young Trust and community housing, and the Loch Ken Trust and their resilience work, as well as many others. There have also been some very interesting emerging themes over the last year. A fit-for-purpose Education and Learning provision underpins the CAP Vision of a thriving Glenkens and so the CAP Steering Group has been working with the Council's Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Directorate to try and come up with more creative solutions to remote-rural education. The work is ongoing and is challenging but important! Likewise, work continues on the topic of Land Use to try and ensure that the Glenkens benefits from a joined-up approach that balances food production, sustainable tourism, biodiversity, climate mitigation, energy production and productive forestry. Again, challenging but important! I don't think there's one person who doesn't go above and beyond in pursuit of their efforts on behalf of the Glenkens... Brilliantly, funding from the Glenkens and District Community Fund through Foundation Scotland means that the Hub is assured throughout 2025. The Glenkens Community Spaces Network continues to do a great job supporting the many volunteers of the town and village halls. We hope you find it useful to have a paid resource supporting your volunteer efforts, thanks again to the Glenkens and District Community Fund. We've also secured funding from Awards for All to allow Jo Jackson to bring her Together in the Glenkens experience to bear in supporting village halls to put on more, or different, activity programmes. These are all part of GCAT's aim to support our communities to do what they need, rather than doing it ourselves. The Glenkens Youth Group continues to provide a relaxed space for P7 - S3s to chill out in after a great year in the Glenkens Community Centre in Dalry, they're temporarily relocating to Balmaclellan Village Hall while the community centre is being upgraded, but they'll still all have an excellent time. All welcome, and quite free - thanks again to page 7 Thanks as ever to all the many volunteers who give up their time to advocate for the Glenkens at a regional and national level - not always widely seen, but much appreciated. We were very pleased to be able to support Dalry Community Council with the creation of their excellent Local Place Plan, which also resulted in a Glenkens template that is now being rolled out to many other Glenkens community councils. These plans should provide an important community voice looking forward, so hats off to all concerned for their work on this. All of this work on all these fronts is underpinned by the excellent work of the GCAT staff, volunteers and key deliverers. I don't think there's one person who doesn't go above and beyond in pursuit of their efforts on behalf of the Glenkens, so thank you to them all. Also a massive thank you to our Board and Audit & Finance Committee members who work so hard behind the scenes to ensure that GCAT is a well-managed and sustainable organisation with a clear strategic vision. This was recognised last year by the Glenkens and District Trust designating GCAT as the key anchor organisation for the Glenkens, which came with much-appreciated core funding from the wind farm funds. This was especially valued as the extremely challenging funding landscape meant that we had to re-organise to reduce core costs last Autumn. This was a difficult time for many staff, but I very much appreciated their commitment to the ongoing sustainability of GCAT and CatStrand, and I am optimistic that it puts us in a really strong position for 2025 and beyond. If you'd like to find out more about our plans for the future, do come along to our AGM, this year on the 24 February at 7pm in the CatStrand. All are welcome, and it might not even be too late to join the GCAT Board if you'd like to be part of all this - do get in touch to find out more. Helen Keron, GCAT Chief Executive helen@catstrand.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Youth Correspondent page 8 Joshua Wells, aged 15, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Joshua discusses the CatStrand Christmas panto. A s we took our bows, a round of applause marked the end of our amazing journey that we had. The CatStrand panto was sure to bring enjoyment to any panto fan, young or old, man or woman. The chosen script for the 2024 play was slightly unorthodox compared to other pantos the CatStrand Youth Players have performed. The story that we were going to perform was the wonderous tale of King Arthur. If you don't know the story of King Arthur, it's the legendary tale of the wonderous blade in the stone called Excalibur, and whoever pulls the sword from the stone will be crowned King of Britain. Morgana, an evil sorceress, challenges Arthur in a jousting competition. Many men from all over the country rushed to pull the mighty blade from the stone, however, no one could pull Excalibur from the stone it was trapped in until one young boy called Arthur stepped up to give it a go. After Arthur’s courageous knight, Lancelot, wins the great competition, Morgana plots to kill King Arthur in many ways, casting a spell to get Lancelot to kill Arthur and then attempting to use a fierce dragon to end Arthur’s reign. All of these plans fail, and the panto ends happily, just as any panto does. To many this boy looked like just any other boy, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Arthur gripped the humungous handle with his tiny hands and pulled the blade out, shocking many and crowning him king. The panto takes place 30 years after the events of the original tale. Arthur's right to the throne is threatened after his cousin WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING TIMES OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.30pm MONDAY – FRIDAY Sat 8.30am-5pm Sun 8.30am-3pm 7.30am – 5.30pm POST8.30am OFFICE– 5pm SATURDAY Mon-Fri 10am to 3pm SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm Sat 9am to 12noon Sun closed LOCAL SUPPLIERS LOCAL SUPPLIERS DALMELLINGTON BUTCHERS DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY HENDERSON BUTCHERS RAMSAY OF CARLUKE BUTCHERS BUTCHERS UPPER TREATS DULLARG EGGS SWEET BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG CREAM O' GALLOWAY SWEETCAKES BAKERY GALLOWAY LODGE IRVINGS BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY COWS & CO CHEESE THE CRESS COMPANY CREAM O GALLOWAY BORDER BISCUITS GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES HAWKSTONE BREWERY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG IRVINGS BAKERY SULWATH BREWERY SCOTTISH GALLOWAY PASTA ...local delivery available... GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE We started the rehearsals for the panto just after the summer. For a few weeks, we read our scripts to give Brian and Cat an idea of who would be best for each character. After the weeks of hoping and wondering which character we would get, one day I came in and Brian asked if we could all sit down. Wondering what was going on, I waited patiently, watching Brian write in his notebook. After what felt like hours, Brian flipped open the cover of the notebook he had been jotting stuff into and told us our roles. The wait was over, and I was given the role of King Arthur. After being given our roles, we had to perfect the show for the deadline, which would be sooner than I thought. I spent hours in my room flipping each page of my script, making sure that I knew each and every word of my lines, and still it didn't feel like enough. We rehearsed every week, ironing out any mistakes and making it the best we could. The panto weekend had finally arrived, and excitement with a sprinkle of nerves emanated through the air. After many rehearsals, costume fittings, and preparation, it was time to actually perform the play to a whole audience of people. Everyone was full of energy, ready to give an unforgettable performance to the crowd. All the hard work had led up to this weekend. After four shows, and hearing comments from many audience members, I can happily say that the show was brilliant and fun for both the audience and the cast (even though I had to wear makeup). (See panto article on p27...) Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 9 Dalry Secondary School visiting Glasgow and water polo S 1-4 pupils had a lovely festive day out in Glasgow before Christmas. First stop was the Christmas market in George Square, where they enjoyed seeing (and eating) Polish sausages sizzling on hot coals amid fairground rides for the bravest. Lena writes: “The fairground was exciting and busy. Some went on the 'drop tower' and we (me and Piri) told them not to lose their shoes – it looked terrifying!” Then it was time for a Spanish tapas lunch... "The food in Café Andaluz was AMAZING!! I had some haddock bites. I ate far too much!” writes Piri. “I would definitely go again!” says Eleanor. After the delicious Spanish food, it was time for the next cultural experience, at the Theatre Royale. “The Nutcracker ballet was beautiful and very elegant,” and “the clowns during The Nutcracker were also good,” were some of the comments, and Lena concludes, “It was actually all amazing!”. Thanks to English teacher Miss Bellwood for organising the trip. Wet Wednesday Fun Swimming is the theme for Wednesday Afternoon Activities this term for the S1-S3 year groups. As well as being our music teacher, Mrs St Joseph is also a qualified swimming instructor, and has started taking pupils to Kirkcudbright Pool for swimming lessons and other aquatic activities, including water polo. As well as being great fun, this is also a great opportunity to improve skills and increase confidence in the water. Dalry Primary School update with all the children excelling in their roles. The children showed great innovation and engineering skills as well as navigating tricky group work scenarios. and for primary pupils to work alongside the secondary pupils, who manned the raffle and bake stall. The Christmas Fayre, where we invited members of the community in and raise money for the school, was a great success. It was lovely to see the community come together Thank you to all who attended and who offered help on the day, as well as families who baked treats and donated them to sell at the bake stall. The Christmas show was also a great success, The Dalry children did excellently, showing fabulous team work and sportsmanship, narrowly missing out in a place in the semi-final. D alry P4-7 class have focused on STEM activities this term, including a k-nex challenge and using Capla blocks to work together to build the tallest tower. Four children who won the Dalry heat of the floor curling competition got to represent the school at a Stewartry event at Dalbeattie, where every school in the Stewartry attended. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 10 Kells Primary School activities O ur fabulous Parent Council organised and funded a community event with a bonfire, melted marshmallows, hotdogs and soup. Some parents also set up a temporary tattoo station. It was great to see families and friends of the school come together at this event. Thank you to the Parent Council for organising. Some of the other events and activities we've been up to are a farm trip for the P1-4 children to Littleton Farm, Maths and Literacy learning, singing for LING Christmas Lunches and a P5-7 World War II Day. MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 Amber Dunlop-Pajo Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 11 The Optimistic Environmentalist Reducing your home energy bills - Part Nine Generating income Make the most of your home by sharing with a friend or renting out a room (www.gov.uk/rentroom-in-your-home/the-rent-aroom-scheme). This way, you can share energy and technology costs, have company, do deals for parents/ children/house-sitting, have help with your physical or childcare needs, and get some income. Generating income from the increasing number of electric vehicle users and charge, Osprey (www. ospreycharging.co.uk) will lease the land from you, organise and fund EV charger installation, and then advertise it as available to electric car users. Other ways to generate income Make warm dressing-gowns, body-warmers and throws with microwaveable heat pads or draft excluders, heavy curtains or water tank jackets that you can sell locally or on the internet to help people to insulate their parts of their stay as you can; many people will be very knowledgeable and it could backfire if you are not clear what they will get. No accommodation is perfect so be honest about what you have done and what you haven't or ask for ideas. If you have a private pension or money to invest, think about environmentally responsible companies. The Pension and Lifetime Savings Association estimates that UK pension a) You can rent out your EV charger to other electric car owners. If you sign up to Cocharger (www. co-charger.com) for instance, they will manage the charging mechanism and pay you any money generated. b) If you have land with road access that is enough for at least two cars to park Traditional work is thus developing too so it is just as important that builders, plumbers, electricians and so forth keep up-to-date as well. Our local area is struggling to meet demand so be brave and don't assume you have to leave the area! The future Be creative, whether it's technology, work practices or processes, the world is changing rapidly. It's easier to get finance for things that make environmental and economic sense. Many companies are looking for positive change so it is important that we all give it a go. Use your creativity to help them change for the better or invent something! People plug in their car to your outside charging point or garage and use an app on their phone to pay so generally, you don't need to do anything. Companies like Cocharger provide a map app for customers so you don't need to advertise and you stay in control of when your charger is available. You only make a small amount of money at a time, but as electric car numbers are growing, particularly among neighbours and visitors, this will become more popular. or to move your skills across to a new field, and whatever your age group, gender, etc, insulation, solar, ground and air source heat pumps, and other environmental technologies are growing rapidly, alongside their support services. properties – please check the appropriate regulations first. funds invest around £1 trillion in the UK alone. If you have a holiday let, hotel or bed and breakfast, advertise your green credentials to generate custom. This is your money so encourage your pension provider to invest responsibly. Make sure though, that you have addressed as many If you are looking for a career, think green. Whether you are going to train or retrain, Family and friends coming to stay? N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) Call Fiona on 07789 903127 - 01644 420737 - www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Buggies now available for hire Licence no DG00824P VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME This series was to give you a snapshot of some possibilities to get you started on your journey to reduce home energy useage. To find out more, websites like www. energysavingtrust.org. uk and YouTube channels such as www.youtube. com/justhaveathink and www.youtube.com/user/ fullychargedshow (which has a companion podcast too) have some great ideas. Denise MacDonald-Kiernan Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment L och Ken Trust head ranger, Leanne Pumpr, has been awarded the prestigious Margaret Fraser Award for the best article of the year in the Scottish Countryside Rangers Association SCRAmble magazine. The award is presented each year and was judged by Ann McKillop of the Scottish Countryside Ranger Association. Ann said: “The article that stayed with me during my deliberations highlighted good practice, practical problem solving and a holistic approach to site management. From involving the police, delivering educational messages, speaking to visitors on site and just getting out there and talking about poo!” The Scottish Countryside Ranger’s Association (SCRA) is the professional membership for countryside rangers and associated countryside professionals in Scotland. The award was presented by Kate Elliot, chair of the SCRA, who visited to present Leanne with her certificate and trophy. Leanne won the award for her article titled Rural Crime which featured in the Autumn 2023 edition. You can read SCRAmble magazine online at www.scra-online.co.uk Leanne said: “I am surprised and thrilled 'Best article' wins head ranger top award page 12 LOCH KEN TRUST RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 to receive this award. Working to prevent rural crime is a something I feel passionate about, and I am delighted to receive such praise for my article. I also suffer from dyslexia, so to achieve this is really special.” Climate Ready Glenkens With extreme weather events happening more and more frequently, and three named storms in the UK already this season, Loch Ken Trust are pleased to announce that we have received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund for resilience work in the Glenkens. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK. The funding received will see the Loch Ken Trust Ranger Service working with communities in the Glenkens on resilience planning. IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL DALRY RESIDENTS On Wednesday 5th March there will be a resilience test event on the Throughgate between 11am-approx 12 noon. This will be a staged emergency made to look like a real emergency. Please do not be alarmed or call the emergency services. There will be no vehicle access through the Throughgate during this time but foot access will be possible. This event is being held by the Loch Ken Trust with support from D&G Council, the emergency services & D&G Climate Hub, as part of Dalry CC’s resilience preparations. For further information email sjtdalrycc@gmail.com The Climate Ready Glenkens project will also involve a mock scenario test event in March, a resilience conference, extended ranger rural watch patrols in the communities, and the creation of a store of shared community resilience resources. The increase in both frequency and severity of extreme weather events in recent years Leanne Pumpr (left) receiving her award from chair of the SCRA Kate Elliot has coincided with a steady reduction in resources and capacity to address issues related to these events. This situation hits remote rural communities especially hard. Leanne said: “ We are very excited to be able to continue our resilience work in the Glenkens and are looking forward to working with the communities. We would love members of the community to get involved and think about practical ways they can prepare for extreme weather events. "We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to support our communities to be prepared for the challenges to come.” Storm Bert recently caused significant disruption across the region with heavy rain, high winds and snow causing travel chaos and power outages, and most recently Storm Eowyn with record-breaking wind speeds and widespread power cuts. With these events predicted to happen more and more in the future, it is vital that our communities, especially in remote rural areas, have robust plans in place. Lindsay Stewart Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment Celebrating Energy Transition C ommunity buildings across the Glenkens have made significant strides in improving energy efficiency and reducing their carbon footprint over the last few years. In 2023, GCAT commissioned a report from Natural Power Consultants, titled Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation in the Glenkens – Community Buildings, which assessed energy use and outlined practical measures to enhance sustainability across 11 of our public buildings. Due in part to this and thanks to much volunteer effort, substantial improvements have been made to many Glenkens halls, including better insulation, the installation of air source heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage - page 13 reducing both energy costs and environmental impact. On 9 February we are planning an event to celebrate these achievements across the whole of the Glenkens, offering a chance to hear directly from those managing community spaces about their experiences. Presentations will be given by CatStrand, New Galloway Town Hall and Dalry Town Hall on their recent historic building upgrades. There will be a chance to chat further over a bowl of ‘zero waste soup’ with ingredients sourced from LING Larder. This will be followed by a powered-down acoustic candle lit performance by award-winning Canadian folk and country artist, Sarah Jane Scouten. Stay with us afterward for a screening of Living Proof – A Climate Story, Emily Munro’s powerful portrayal of industrial change in Scotland through archival footage. These events are presented by CatStrand Arts, in partnership with the D&G Climate Hub and take place at 2pm Sunday 9 Feb Musician Sarah Jane Scouten, who will be performing an acoustic set at the event at CatStrand, New Galloway, and is followed by a screening of Living Proof-A Climate Story at 5pm. Free tickets can be booked from CatStrand 01644 420 374 or gcat.scot/arts Peter Renwick, CatStrand Creative Director Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 14 sponsored by United Nations Climate Change Conference Roland Chaplain reports on the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference and examines the changes needed to combat the climate situation, culminating in a call to action for COP30 in 2025. I must start any feedback report on COP29 by stating what a huge privilege it was to have been one of the 10 online participants supporting Royal Meteorological Society CEO, Professor Liz Bentley, at the conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November last year. This is the first time that there has been a facility enabling observers to digitally move between meetings, enabling 3,000 digital attendees from across the globe. Those online ranged from nongovernmental organisations such as youth groups, indigenous peoples and research organisations, and although there is still a long way to go before NGOs and wider civic society have significant influence over outcomes, it is a vital first step to show that it is possible. Much of the COP process is very technical and full of legal language to ensure nations comply with the agreements. To make the proceedings accessible to more people, throughout the fortnight I summarised what I was hearing at the press conferences, highlighting some of the discussions taking place and recording representations from those most affected right now by the climate crisis. You can read the summaries at www. glenkens.scot/glenkens-news/cop30-call-toaction LOOKING AHEAD TO COP30 IN BRAZIL NEXT YEAR This is the really important one, coming 10 years after the Paris Agreement, the legally binding international treaty to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels. In response to calls from civic society and youth groups in Brazil, the Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula), has called for this to be the first ever truly 'People’s COP’. It is essential for tackling the climate and nature crises that COP30 is structured in a way which redistributes the balance of power and includes meaningful online participation from citizens' assemblies, community groups and other nongovernmental organisations. THE ROUTE TO MAKING IT HAPPEN This article is a call to everyone to recognise the inter-connectedness of all the causes and solutions to the present climate and biodiversity crises. Scotland is a microcosm of the global problems of human beings' relationship with the surface of our planet. The extreme concentration of the ownership of land into so few hands in Scotland typifies the global problem of legal systems that evolved to benefit the already wealthy and powerful, at the expense of the exploited. For meaningful online participation at the forthcoming COP30, work would need to begin immediately in order to build the framework with the widest possible public buy in through citizens assemblies, organised down to the most local and inclusive of level. Let's hope that the year-long process that culminates in COP30 in November 2025 in Brazil will see all of us go far beyond what any had previously thought possible to address the root cause of our present predicament. Galloway Food Hub seasonal recipe T his is a delicious, versatile and fuss-free way to celebrate winter vegetables. It uses only one tray and is oven baked. You can mix and match the veg with whatever you have to hand; celeriac and beetroot also work very well in this dish (the aim is to have around 800g of veg). The blue cheese here pairs well with the sweet root vegetables, but if it’s not to your liking, switch it out with a cheddar-style cheese. WINTER VEGETABLE FRITTATA 2 carrots 1 large leek 3 parsnips 1 small squash 8 eggs 3 cloves of garlic, crushed 1 tbsp fresh rosemary (or 1tsp dried) 1 tbsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried) 50g blue cheese, crumbled Salt and pepper to season Pre-heat the oven to 180°C / gas mark 4 Peel and roughly chop the carrots, parsnips and squash into chunks of about 1-2cm. Slice the leek into thin discs. Ingredients Place the veg in a deep baking tray around 20-30cm in size. Drizzle over the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 3 tbsp olive oil Place in the oven and bake for 40 minutes, Serves 4-6 stirring the veg halfway through cooking. While the veg is cooking, beat the eggs in a measuring jug along with the garlic, rosemary and thyme. Remove the veg from the oven, pour over the eggy mixture and sprinkle over the cheese. Return the tray to the oven and cook for another 10-15 minutes until the egg is set. Allow the frittata to cool slightly in the tray and serve warm. The frittata can be made ahead of time as it will keep well in the fridge for up to three days. It’s a great meal to make at the start of the week so you have some veg filled, readyto-go lunches for the next few days. All of the ingredients in this recipe can be purchased from the Galloway Food Hub (www. gallowayfoodhub.org.uk). Recipe and photos by Beth Webb, chef and grower from Cree Valley Herbs - you can find more of Beth's recipes at www. creevalleyherbs.co.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 15 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE WANTED Pair of upholstered bar stool chairs, (light wood, with red, removable covers), IKEA. Good condition. Contact: 07748 631820 Victorian/Edwardian tiles. Standard 6” square, the kind used in entrance lobby or fireplace. Not modern reproductions as they are a different thickness. Wanted for random tiling project - they don’t have to match. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 Toshiba TV, 26" screen with remote control. Contact: 07974 026380 Rabbit hutch and all rabbit-related bits to go with it (indoor hutch, litter tray, water bottle, some food and hay and treats). Contact: 07727 127 997 Lakeland food dehydrator. Electric. Good for apples, mushrooms, peppers, etc. Almost new. Contact: 07563 718 011 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 Metal bunk bed frame, double bottom, single top. Contact: 07952 280 902 Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Non-runners/broken welcome. Contact: 07845 562 217 FOR SALE & OFFERS Rolson bike rack (for tow bar), carries two adult or three children's bikes, v. good condition, £15. Contact: 07967 959 511 Habitat fold-away desk, ideal for homework or WFH, very good condition, £15. Contact: 07967 959 511 Shed clearances - any shed cleared, large or small; get in touch to for further info or to arrange a visit. Contact: 07765 034 841 Are you looking to plant trees this winter? We have grants available for small-scale native planting schemes. For full info, visit: www.dgwoodlands.org.uk Registered as a SCIO, no 052525 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 16 New lease of life for Corsock's 'Auld Village Garage' A local businessman plans to put the abandoned Corsock garage back on the map. Corsock garage has lain empty and abandoned for nearly 30 years, but now Corsock based businessman John Carolan has plans to turn it into a destination craft centre. John said: ‘My wife and I moved to Corsock only last summer with plans to take life a bit easier now we are of a certain age! "However, out walking the dog one morning I saw the 'For Sale' sign and just knew I could create a business out of the old garage. I put in a fair offer and just a few weeks later the deeds were mine. "It is in a terrible state, last used for donkeys years ago. It will clean up though; some hard graft and lots of repairs and we will soon have it presentable." Soon to be named 'The Auld Village Garage - Corsock', the sort of wares that John believes would be at home there are garden ornaments, hanging baskets, bedding plants, garden furniture, chainsaw carvings, outdoor lamps and pottery. But it doesn’t stop there and John suggests there are plenty of ‘crafty people’ with more ideas who he hopes would become involved. Local craftspeople will be offered space to exhibit and sell their stock at very reasonable rates and are invited to get in touch to find out more. "The A712 that runs through Corsock isn’t exactly a busy thoroughfare but, with good marketing, I am confident we can attract locals and tourists to stop by", says John. "I have spent much of my life building businesses - for instance, our other key business is Pet Flaps UK started less than four years ago and we are now the biggest installer and supplier of cat flaps and dog doors in the UK." John believes that the old garage has great potential and hopes to put Corsock firmly on the map as a destination rather than just a place to drive through. If anyone would like to find out more or get involved with this project they can email TheAuldVillageGarage@mail. com or call John on 07934 158 726. Hat-trick of wins for competitor Valerie G lenkens resident Valerie Russell, who frequently enters competitions run by the Dumfries-based OG Competitions, is now on her third win. Company director, Mo Sabur, said: "Valerie has been lucky enough to win on two previous occasions with OG Competitions, £150 cash and £200 cash. On this occasion Valerie won a Ninja Perfect Temperature Kettle which was supplied to us by Wilsons in Dumfries, where we get all our Ninja and Shark products. I'd like to thank Valerie for entering our competitions and for the support she has shown us, not only by entering but also on social media." Mo goes on to give a bit of background to the OG Competitions story: Eileen Campbell To arrange a visit in the comfort of your own home please contact 07515 168 963 or empathyfoothealth@gmail.com I have a full time job working as an electrician at sea and work away for weeks and weeks at a time. My two daughters were my inspiration for starting OG Competitions in May 2024. Leaving the house for weeks on end was and still is becoming harder. This spurred me on to start my little venture, have some fun and create as many local winners as possible. As well as becoming a successful business, one of our aims is to help the region as much as possible, through charitable donations and promoting local business. In 9-10 months of business, we have donated £4,611 to local charities and good causes. I've always wanted to support local business as much as possible as my parents had a business in Dumfries. Our competitons are aimed at bringing people from outside the region to the area; for example, we run competitions for local holiday lodges and short stays in our area. Working with a number of local businesses helps to showcase what our area has to offer and to help promote Dumfries and Galloway. If you're a local business and would like to get involved, or Valerie Russell receiving her prize from Mo Sabur of OG Competitions if you'd like to enter one of the prize draws, you can visit www.ogcompetitions.co.uk or get in touch with Mo directly on 07943 088 928. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 17 Glenkens Community Spaces Network T he Glenkens Community Spaces Network (GCSN) meets every other month. The network provides a forum for volunteers managing village halls and community centres across the area to come together and share successes, problems and ideas for collective working. I've been in post as GCSN facilitator since November 2022 and am delighted that the Glenkens & District Community Fund has now awarded Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) a further year's funding for this project, securing the future of GCSN until the end of 2025. In remote-rural communities like we have in the Glenkens, community spaces play a vital role in supporting residents to socialise, learn, enjoy music, crafts and sports, and provide a safe environment should home evacuations be necessary in cases of severe weather. It's a pleasure to be able to support the many committed volunteers in this work. There were many positives in 2024 for GCSN members, with a number of venues securing funding to improve energy efficiency or completing works in this area. The Dalry Community Properties Trust was also successful in applying for the asset transfer of the Multi-Use Games Area (also known as the MUGA) beside Dalry School into community ownership. Some venues also took part in resilience planning work through a project funded by the National Centre for Resilience and led by the Loch Ken Trust. Although there were many positives, some management committees did face challenges, such as significant issues with the fabric of their buildings. It's a really challenging time at the moment and the committees are doing a great job. The GCSN always welcomes new members - if you are involved in running a community building in the Glenkens and are not yet a member, please get in touch (becca.glenkens.anf@gmail.com). I would like to extend a huge "thank you" to each of the hardworking volunteers who give their time to keep the doors open throughout the year at our town and village halls and community centres. We will be celebrating their work during Village Halls Week in March. I am also delighted to be working alongside Jo Jackson in her newly created role as Community Activity Adviser! GCAT has secured funding from Awards for All (National Lottery) for this new one day per week role, created to provide extra support and guidance for activity programmes throughout the community spaces of the Glenkens. Jo will be able to use her experience gleaned over the past two years through GCAT's Connecting in Communities and Together in the Glenkens projects to support the amazing volunteers of our town and village halls in their ambitions to have a lively and well-attended space within their community. She will work with any interested committee to ascertain what activities would best serve their community, create an action plan and do a certain amount of the leg work. In this role, as for the GCSN facilitator, GCAT is hoping that providing a modest amount of paid support will relieve the load on our volunteers and perhaps result in renewed activity programmes across the Glenkens. Jo has been in touch with GCSN members about the support she can offer, but if you would like to get in touch with her directly, you can email jo@catstrand.com for any further enquiries. Here's to a productive 2025! Becca Nelson, GCSN Facilitator and Jo Jackson, Community Activity Adviser Clanjam kids sessions Cost of living advice day W e’re thrilled to announce that ClanJam is expanding to a brand-new location. Join us at the CatStrand during February and March for magical mornings of music, stories, and community fun! Thanks to the support of CatStrand Young Creatives, Holywood Trust and Youth Music Initiative, sessions will be held at the CatStrand, New Galloway, at 11am on the last Friday of the month (28 Feb and 28 Mar). Expect lots of smiles, laughter and, of course, music-making. Whether you’re a seasoned ClanJam regular or new to the fun, we can’t wait to see you there - let’s make some noise in New Galloway! (Clanjam sessions also run at 10am each Monday at Kirkcudbright Community Centre.) Amey Turner T here will be a Cost Of Living Advice Day on Thursday 27 February from 2-6pm at the CatStrand, New Galloway. GCAT (Galloway Community and Arts Trust) has secured funding from the Dumfries and Galloway Council Tackling Poverty and Inequalities (TPI) fund to host this informational session. It will be a free drop-in advice afternoon, where there will be plenty of advice and guidance available from relevant parties, to help us tackle the rising cost of living with information about where to go to get further support. All are most welcome, we look forward to seeing you on 27 February. For any further information please contact jo@catstrand.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 18 Glenkens & District Trust marks successful year of community investment T he Glenkens & District Trust (GDT) distributed more than £200,000 in 2024 to 15 local organisations, marking another successful year of supporting Glenkens communities. "We have distributed over £1.3 million to local organisations to date," said Fiona Smith, chair of GDT. "These funds make a real difference to the communities we love and are a clear demonstration of the value of place-based decision making." This year, GDT has focused on strengthening local community ‘anchor’ organisations. Fiona Smith explained: “We identified anchor organisations as groups that both deliver their own services and help other local groups succeed. These organisations are vital because they build capacity across communities and bring additional funding into the Glenkens, supporting our wider community network.” Two key organisations, Glenkens Lens (CoDeL), shows that quality education is critical for ensuring rural communities thrive. The study found many examples of communities in Scotland and further afield finding innovative and cost-effective ways to provide education. Theona Morrison, director at CoDeL, said: "This research confirmed the critical role that education plays in sustaining rural populations. The Glaisters Bridge project outside Corsock is one of the projects to benefit from GDT funding during 2024 Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) and Moniaive Initiative, were identified and will receive funding to provide some stability in a turbulent funding landscape, ensuring the benefits these of defining and identifying anchor organisations gave us the confidence to work with GCAT and Moniaive Initiative and we hope this funding strengthens their core operations.” This year, GDT has focused on strengthening local community ‘anchor’ organisations. organisations bring are secured for the wider community. Fiona Smith added: “Our process GDT funding has supported several significant local projects including the Galloway Food Hub which connects communities with sustainable, locallyproduced food. GDT has also supported protection of the area’s natural heritage through Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands project, ‘Woodlands Plus'. This project enhances the natural environment while making sure the woodlands benefit the surrounding communities. This is done through a mixture of employment opportunities and providing a positive visitor experience by improving pathways and providing high quality crafted seating. In response to challenges within rural education, GDT commissioned research to examine how other communities are addressing similar challenges. The research, by Community Development "Combined with the passion and deep understanding of education we found within local communities, and with the Council's priority to tackle depopulation, there is a real opportunity to develop education provision in the Glenkens that is innovative and transformational." Meanwhile, GDT’s Education and Training Fund helped 27 residents access professional and vocational training opportunities and further and higher education courses by covering travel, equipment and accommodation costs. Other highlights from the year include: • Supporting five local early learning centres with modest awards to benefit children’s early learning experiences • Providing small grants to every community council in the area for local projects Looking ahead, GDT expects additional funding from new wind farm developments in the area, potentially including Benbrack Wind Farm from 2026, which will help support more community projects. If you are interested in supporting GDT, you can become an associate member to stay informed without trustee responsibilities; apply at www. glenkenstrust.org.uk/getinvolved GDT’s spring round for grant applications closes on Wednesday 12 March and people can visit www.glenkens. org/funding to find out more about how to apply. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 19 Busy times at the Glenkens Youth group T he Glenkens Youth Group meet on a Monday evening from 7-8.30pm during school term time. Our usual venue is the Glenkens Community Centre in Dalry – a great space that provides us with a café/kitchen area, a large hall and space outside. We were all delighted to hear that the community centre is to undertake some renovations soon. We have therefore relocated to Balmaclellan Village Hall for a couple of months - same day and time. Most Mondays we are a group of around twelve, ranging in age from P7 to S3. As we have youngsters attending Dalry, Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright schools, and with some attendees living as far apart as Parton and Moniaive, the meetings provide a great opportunity to meet up with friends and make new ones in a safe and informal space. The group is led by the youngsters themselves and can vary from week to week. The main focus is to have fun, socialise and provide opportunities to share ideas and skills. The enthusiasm and amazing talent of the youngsters is the driving force of the group. Within minutes of the first arriving on a dark Monday evening, the centre comes alive, full of noise, laughter and an urgency to share news with each other. We have had music nights with guitars, recorders, drums and spoons and plenty of singing. Baking and cooking is always popular with the youngsters! With the ingredients provided, they are very happy to be left alone to follow a recipe or even create their own. A great evening in the autumn, led by Dave and Marion Briggs, produced delicious apple turnovers. We had great fun carving pumpkins and painting masks at our Halloween party and more recently a karaoke sing-along at our Christmas party. A huge "thank you" goes to Castle Douglas Tesco and the Co-op for their very generous donations towards those events. Our fire-lighting skills were put into practice in November, when a perfect evening was spent round the fire pit , toasting marshmallows and singing along to Izak’s guitar. With Christmas presents in mind, we spent a couple of evenings, under the expert guidance of Helen Ramage, creating some stunning mosaic coasters. We were very pleased with the results – thank you Helen! The evenings are often spent playing board games, table tennis or badminton in the hall. Following a chat about how to make better use of the hall, we decided to apply for funding to enable us to buy more equipment and fund an outing in the spring term. In December we were delighted to be awarded £500 by the Glenkens Community Charity Shop. Thank you very much – we will enjoy spending it on new resources, and an outing. New members (aged between P7 and S3) are always welcome. For more information please contact Sue at glenkensyouth@ gmail.com We look forward to the spring term, lighter nights and more fun and games! Thank you to our funders, youngsters and all who have supported our fantastic group. The Glenkens Youth Group is a Glenkens Community & Arts Trust project and is core-funded by the Glenkens and District Community Fund, administered by Foundation Scotland. Thanks to them all for allowing us to create this wonderful opportunity for our young people. Sue Curtis, Youth Group Deliverer Galloway Glens leaving a lasting legacy T he Galloway Glens Scheme came to an end in September 2023 after a fantastic five years supporting the communities of the Ken/Dee valley. The legacy of the Galloway Glens can be seen in many concrete ways, such as the Watson Birds Trail, a suite of new footpaths across the whole area or in renewed community buildings and assets. However, it also supported communities in many other ways and made a very real difference to the lives of many people who live here. To further its legacy, the Galloway Glens Scheme is operating small maintenance grants to ensure that legacy Galloway Glensfunded projects can continue to deliver great outcomes for the communities they serve. £45,000 is available and will be spent in annual rounds over the next three years. The first round closed at the end of 2024, and awards totalling £15,000 were made to nine excellent projects including water safety on Loch Ken, suporting Local Initiatives in New Galloway in maintaining footpaths and Balmaclellan Heritage Trust in investigations into a historic local site. The Galloway Glens Legacy Fund will re-open for the second round in September 2025. For further information please email enquiries.helen@catstrand.com Helen Keron, GCAT Chief Executive (GCAT provides secretariat services to the Legacy fund on behalf of the Galloway Glens) Water safety training at Loch Ken, supported by the Galloway Glens Legacy Scheme Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 20 Creating a better future for Galloway a Glenkens conversation on the proposed national park H ere is a conversation between two regular Gazette contributors with regard to the proposed Galloway National Park, offering interesting thought-provoking views from both sides of the fence. approve a National Park Plan. That is years off. Would overriding government priorities, such as renewable energy generation and transmission or afforestation, or support to farmers, be allowed? That’s unprecedented as this would be a government body, appointed by ministers and funded from Edinburgh despite what the minister claims. Ted Leeming: The National Park Act has the scope to implement an innovative, efficient, wellstructured (the right people on the board is essential) National Roger Crofts: Roger Crofts: Government funding isn’t always used well. Priorities don’t reflect our problems. Let’s turn that round; why not demand more community benefit from wind farm owners, create more local jobs through existing agencies like Forestry and Land Scotland, Nature Scot and support the GSA Biosphere effectively? Cheaper and more effective than more bureaucracy in another body with insufficient local accountability. Ted Leeming: I disagree that National Park priorities like sustainable There is need for action on many fronts - skilled jobs for locals, better roads, improved access to care health services, higher educational attainment, more affordable housing, improved futures for farmers. That’s for existing bodies to deliver. The implication that once established a National Park will solve everything and provide the necessary funding is way off beam. Ted Leeming: Roger is correct. But with £10million a year and the legal ability to co-ordinate and collaborate across agencies and communities to deliver a Park Plan, it could, with the right governance, help tackle a wide range of issues that we face. Roger Crofts: The Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament forestry, should pay community benefits towards a just transition. Roger Crofts: We now have polarisation, which is unusual for our area. Adding a referendum will just exacerbate the conflict. We need calmness as a basis for respectful and open discussions with those who understand what would make a difference to their lives and livelihoods. In the 12 months left before the 2026 parliamentary elections decisions will be out of our hands. Government should support us to produce our solutions; invite a respected neutral person to bring all parties together to determine solutions, actions and resources needed for all of our pressing issues now! Ted Leeming: Park, created, in the words of cabinet secretary Mairi Gougeon, “…for the people of Galloway, by the people”. The latest Government policy guidance has a presumption against wind farms in National Parks, and after 25 years there are none. And as a statutory consultee in what would be a ‘sensitive area’, the assessment bar for commercial forestry would be higher. T he consultation survey for the proposed Galloway National Park runs until 14 February. If you would like to submit your view, you can find the survey (either a short 'summary' communities, natural and cultural heritage and responsible use of natural resources are not very real and current. The GSA Biosphere, SOSE, FLS and Nature Scot and others are all essential partners in delivering a co-ordinated vision, but they don’t carry a national designation and statutory powers of a National Park, backed by an act of parliament. I think other commercial entities, including version or a longer one) at www. newnationalparkgalloway. commonplace.is and click on the 'Consultation Surveys' tab. Once the consultation phase has closed, the third and final phase of the reporting process is for NatureScot to analyse the responses received and advise Ministers, taking account of the views expressed. This will be done Working together towards a collective vision is crucial and should start today, with or without a National Park. Referenda divide; getting the governance and priorities right, with the right people, is essential and no Park would secure my support unless it was thus. We will only know what is being proposed when the next round of consultation comes out later this year. I still have concerns, but until then, for the above reasons, I give it my qualified support. Working together towards a collective vision is crucial and should start today, with or without a park, and I would happily sit with others to create that vision. between February and April, after which the Scottish Government will decide whether or not to proceed with the designation of a National Park in Galloway. If the Government decides to proceed, it will consult further on the development of a Designation Order, which would take place over the course of the next year. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 21 Balmaclellan village hall O ur annual Glenkens Children’s Christmas Party was a great success with over 30 children in attendance. Santa came along and everyone got to learn some festive circus skills with Spinning Jenny’s Shenanigans – these went down a storm, with the grown-ups joining in too! Two hampers were raffled as well as some children’s toys and wine, raising over £50 for the Balmaclellan Village Hall. Christmas afternoon tea was fully booked and cake and mince pies enjoyed by over 40 people along with a free raffle. Our next afternoon tea in February is also full, but there are a few spaces left for March, so get booking. You can book by emailing wellsjackie@gmail.com or popping into Balmaclellan shop. We are pleased to have received funding from the Community Led Local Development Programme for new heaters and insulation, which will further improve the comfort and upkeep of the hall – work will start in January. Balmaclellan Village Hall continues to be home to a variety of activities and groups - keep an eye out for a new weekly Stretch and Balance class with D&G Council on Mondays at 12.45pm - no need to book, just turn up (payment by donation). And if you enjoy sewing, or would like to have a go, come along to the Sew Special sessions, starting in January and running again in February. Limited spaces are available - please email julia. higgins55@outlook.com to book. Meanwhile, the Community Library is open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings; Soup and Sandwiches is on Saturdays; Glenkens Crafters on Wednesday mornings; the Stewartry Birdwatchers is on Thursday afternoons monthly, and Make Do and Mend fortnightly. Further details can be found at Balmaclellan Store, on our Balmaclellan Village Hall Facebook page and on the Glenkens Hub website at www. glenkens.scot and hall bookings can now be made easily through hallbookingonline.com/ balmaclellan A huge thanks to everyone who volunteered over the festive season to make our Christmas events happen. We are always he children of Carsphairn parish eagerly awaited a special visit from Santa as the village began their Christmas festivities. As part of the annual festive tradition, the community came together in the 200-year-old Carsphairn Parish Church to enjoy a fun twist on the usual church service, kindly provided by Maggie Phillips on behalf After the carols had been sung, the congregation ‘strolled’ along to the local hall, to enjoy a delicious tea of sandwiches and cakes provided by the wonderful volunteers and members of the community. The evening was filled with laughter, fun and many happy memories as the games took Glenkens Cub Scouts I n the run-up to Christmas the Cub Scouts took part in an Advent challenge. They made cards with Bagheera, wrapped a gift wearing oven gloves, wrapped a book in pairs with one arm each tied behind their backs. We played the A to Z game, naming Christmas words and lots more. We thoroughly enjoyed the CatStrand Panto, ‘King Arthur’. The cast were amazing, each and every one of them; we shouldn’t have favourites but we did love Smoulder, the baby dragon. The cast were a credit to the directing team. Well done all! (See article on p27...) Balmaclellan Village Hall Committee (wellsjackie@gmail.com) Santa's visit to Carsphairn of the absent minister, as well as fundraising for the Save the Children charity. T looking for help with setting up, planning events and lots of other things that keep the hall going strong - if you are interested in helping in any way in 2025, please get in touch! Pippin who is a member of our group and her little brother Fred have been making brooches in their parents’ workshop and selling them at craft fairs. They have surpassed their total during 2024 by raising £1,600 to help Stepping Stones Larder and Foodbank in Castle Douglas. They don’t just make the brooches, but they then also enquire what is most needed at a hold. Children’s ears soon began to listen carefully for the distant ringing of bells outside the hall, as the special man in red arrived to deliver each child under 12 a unique present (with help from his four reindeer and an elf or two!) Many thanks to CREFL for funding the Christmas gifts and the bakers and volunteers who made the party such fun. Melissa Ade the food bank and go to Tesco and do a huge shop. Pippin is keeping her Cub Scout Promise by to ‘help other people’ and part of her Cub Scout Law ‘a Cub Scout thinks of others before themselves’. Amazing children! (see front page article). If you are eight to ten years old and would like to come and try Cubs, we meet on a Wednesday from 6.15-7.30pm at the Scout Hut in New Galloway. Yours in Scouting, Heather and Hannah Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 22 A history of Spalding Bowling Club D alry's Spalding Bowling Club was founded in 1912 and offers outdoor lawn bowling. The club is a bit tucked away, not directly visible from the road, but you’ll find the entrance on Ayr Road, just before you reach St John’s Town Services. There’s plenty of parking, a small clubhouse, toilets, and seating for both players and spectators. Anyone can join the club, not just locals, and visitors are always welcome. The main goal is to get more people involved in bowling and bring the community together for some fun and social time. You don’t need to be a member to come try it out! Lawn bowling is a sport for everyone—it’s a friendly and fun environment where there are no age, gender, or ability restrictions. Plus, it’s great for your fitness, coordination, mental wellbeing, and it helps you connect with others. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just for retirees - many players on the Scottish National Team are under 40, and there are even under 18 and under 25 teams. The club is a Community Amateur Sports Club and a member of Bowls Scotland. During the bowling season (April to September), we hold regular games 2-3 times a week, plus various competitions for members. We also have sweep nights on Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm. Members can play informal games any other time. Coaching is available, and you can borrow lawn bowls equipment. All you need to bring is a pair of flat or low-tread shoes or trainers! Sweep games cost £1.50 per session. Membership for the 2025 season is £60, with a 50% discount for first-time members. We also have certified coaches for kids. The club is run by volunteers and stays afloat through competitions and local grants. We are particularly grateful to the Glenkens & District Community Fund for helping us purchase new equipment, and the Glenkens Community Shop for ongoing support. We’re always appreciative of any help with maintaining the green, clubhouse, and grounds. The 2025 season will open on Saturday 26 April at 2pm (weather permitting). Feel free to come along, join in a casual game, and enjoy some refreshments. Also, don’t miss our Family Fun Day on Saturday 31 May - more details will be coming soon, so keep an eye out and come try bowling with us! For more information you can contact Fiona Ramsay at 07500 554 751 or Sharon Fishwick at 07968 526 322, or email spaldingbc@btinternet.com Fiona Ramsay Photo of the Issue T his issue has two winners - Paul Goodwin and Richard Nash. Paul Goodwin's photograph, titled 'Northern lights above Craig Rotchell, Dalry', and Richard Nash's triple/ quadruple rainbow pic titled 'The CatStrand - our Glenkens pot of gold'. Both Paul and Richard win two portions of mac 'n' cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "We just can't decide this issue between the amazing quadruple rainbow and the incredible shot of the Northern lights, so we're going to give a prize to both!" To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity GAZETTEcommunity page 23 LING helps promote rural regeneration in areas of social and economic deprivation throughout New Galloway and Kells. We do this by maintaining and improving public amenities, preserving buildings which are of historic or architectural importance, and providing recreational facilities for the public - and especially for those who, by reason of age, infirmity, disability, or social and economic circumstances have need of them. community consultation Shaping the future of New Galloway... Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) held a consultation on 18 January in collaboration with the Local Place Planning steering group and the Community Council. We invited residents to bring their ideas and feedback on upcoming local projects . The event took place at New Galloway Town Hall and gave the community a valuable opportunity to help determine the future of our area. Local Place Planning Document Attendees contributed to New Galloway’s Local Place Plan, which is currently being developed by a steering group. This included discussing priorities in matters such as housing, green spaces, and public amenities and facilities. Community Garden LING then welcomed thoughts on our newly proposed community garden and its design. Everyone came up with ideas about how the garden can become a vibrant and inclusive space for everyone, reflecting the needs and aspirations of the area. Developing an Inclusive Play Park As well as a community garden, LING is in partnership with the community council to create an inclusive play park, focusing on accessibility and ensuring it meets the needs of children and families of all ages and abilities. This was the town hall's first major public consultation since its refurbishment, making it a significant milestone in the effort to establish the building as a central hub for community engagement and collaboration. It highlighted the hall's potential to facilitate important public discussions that in turn lend a voice to anyone interested in the future of the burgh. It was also a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together and think creatively about the needs of New Galloway and the feedback collected during the event will play a key role in advancing these important local projects. For those who missed the event, an online survey is available to ensure that everyone can share their views. For more information or to access the survey, contact John Muir at john.muir@ling.org.uk. John Muir CHRISTMAS REVIEW We know that Christmas feels like a lifetime ago, but it would be remiss of us not to mention all that went on for LING over the festive period! Over 30 volunteers were involved in our Christmas events, from producing and delivering the annual New Galloway and Kells Christmas brochure, to serving various food and drinks, to decorating the Town Hall and much, much more. We started with our Christmas lights walkdown where we were led by our stalwart piper from New Galloway Golf Club to St Margaret’s church at the other end of the burgh. Many mince pies and shortbread biscuits were consumed and the hot chocolate and mulled wine went down a treat if the 120 happy faces in the church were anything to go by! Our second annual senior citizens’ Christmas lunch came next, supported by Drax and our own Community Council. This year we had around 60 lunchers, ably catered for by Jackie Povall of Fabby Cakes! To keep our attendees entertained between courses we had our Christmas raffle draw with generous prizes donated by local businesses, as well as the dulcet tones of the children from Kells School who came to sing for us. FINANCE AND OPERATIONS The Finance and Operations team successfully implemented aBobnew financial Glaister is now one of the longest standing LING trustees, having got caught up management 'accidentally', as hesoftware, always says, back in 2015. With a background in education, streamlining processes teaching first in Kelso, he had moved to a role and improving efficiency. as staff tutor in the Open University, with the whole of Scotland as team his patch,for in 1971. Kudos to the Ultimately he became their hard workDean in of the Faculty of Education based down in Milton Keynes. He retired at theaend of 2004, having been ensuring smooth widowed and having moved back to Scotland. transition. MEET THE TRUSTEES His links with New Galloway go back to his student days when his mother retired here to Snowdrop Cottage from Sunderland, where he had been brought up. Some of his memories of that time include working behind the bar in the Kenmure Arms and learning to serve pink gins. Those were the days! Although the cottage was sold after his mother's death, he and his new wife, Ann, were delighted to be able to buy it back and have now settled in New Galloway permanently. LING has been fortunate to have his skilled and kindly support over so many years! YOUR VOICE MATTERS! This year we hosted our first Christmas craft fair at the Town Hall and were amazed by the number of talented artisans living in the Glenkens. It is definitely an event we would like to repeat this year! The Board of Trustees would like to thank everyone who has helped with our events - as well as all the people who attended them! It’s not just at Christmas that people help, of course, but it brings home how many are engaged with making things work. We do live in a most lovely and generous community. Ann Glaister newgallowaytownhall.com info@ling.org.uk 07749 249 781 localinitiativesinnewgalloway local_initiatives_in_ng Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 24 Looking after an elderly tree in Dalry S ome readers of the Glenkens Gazette may have noticed a huge copper beech in a back garden on Main Street, Dalry, as it is visible in the village and from the surrounding hills. It is likely to have been planted in the 1850s when what is now 45 Main Street was built as a single-storey stone house (later converted to two storeys in the 1890s). Owners need to take care of their tree and make sure that it does not create risks for neighbours. This is a little story of how this copper beech has been cared for to give it a new lease of life. Copper beeches (fagus sylvatica f. purpurea) have an expected lifespan of some 250 years, so the Dalry tree has another 70 years or more to go. However, there is some decay in the base of part of the trunk which might weaken it, although the main legs are very sturdy. So it was sensible in this situation to get expert advice on what to do. Richard Kirsch, of Glenkens Tree Surgeons, is just such a person. He advised that the tree had plenty of life left in it, thank goodness, so felling was not even contemplated. However, the size and weight of the canopy, reaching a height of around a hundred feet, was placing a great deal of stress on the lower trunk. Richard proposed that pollarding it was the best approach to Carsphairn's festive dinner and community concert C arsphairn Community Council organised their excellent annual seniors' festive dinner and community concert in the Lagwyne Hall. The event has been running for 10 years now since, being resurrected in 2014. A delicious freshly cooked three-course meal was served, accompaied by the musical talents of Greg Lawson and Pete Garnett. The muic was of a very high calibre, and described as "mesmerising" and "mind-blowing" by guests. The event remains an excellent social get-together for the more mature members of the community, as well as welcoming in the wider community for an evening of music after the meal. A raffle raised £120 for Carsphairn children’s Christmas party. secure the tree's future. This meant taking out the canopy and reducing the length of the upper limbs, which is what has been done. Now neighbours have maybe lost the top of this wonderful tree but be assured that it will begin to grow as soon a springs arrives this year as Richard left many growth points with young twigs which will readily sprout. So, a long standing feature of our village has been given a new lease of life, for us and succeeding generations all to enjoy. Roger Crofts Dear Gazette Editorial Team, You do an amazing job with the Gazette, galvanising and gathering all of this material thank you. What a fantastic area is The Glenkens for its friendly folk, great community spirit and splendid countryside. All the best, Roger GAZETTEhistory Glenkens Gazette page 25 History group making history The Glenkens Story - 10 years on T he Glenkens Story local history group will mark 10 years of exploring the area’s heritage with an afternoon of celebration on Sunday 23 March. The most spectacular ongoing local history story over the last decade has been the unwrapping, literally, of the ‘Galloway Hoard’ which had been unearthed in a field near Balmaghie Kirk the year before the group was set up. David Bartholomew, one of our most active members and contributors, was with the detectorists who made the discovery. We will start our celebration afternoon with the latest research on the find when Dr Adrián Maldonado, Galloway Hoard Researcher at National Museums Scotland, delivers the keynote lecture: 'The Galloway Hoard – What’s New and What’s Next'. The Glenkens Story began with a drop-in event in Dalry in March 2015. Numerous enthusiasts set up stalls and poster boards presenting their interests ranging from farm buildings to war graves and place names to bygone village shops. Simultaneously, a rolling series of mini-lectures demonstrated the varied historical passions to be found in the Glenkens with contributions from Michael Ansell, David Bartholomew, Bill Blyth, Anna Campbell, Ted Cowan, Paul Goodwin and Lizanne Henderson among others. More than 150 local people dropped in during the course of the day. Mike Brown, one of the original organisers, will provide an illustrated review of the 10 years which followed with highlights from some of the 30 events - lectures, conferences, field trips and seminars which the Glenkens Story has staged since 2015. For a number of years, the late Professor Ted Cowan (Emeritus, University of Glasgow) contributed a regular and very popular local history column in the Glenkens Gazette. Dr Lizanne Henderson will discuss 'Writing the Glenkens Story' in recognition of the work and passion that went into these articles, as well as future plans for their wider dissemination. Other contributors will include Jo Miller who curated the exhibition 'Music-making in the Glenkens’ and Michael Ansell who will present a smorgasbord of possible future events, offering the opportunity for anyone interested to become involved in shaping our programme. Sparkling drinks and tasty fare will be served to complete the celebrations. Tickets are available from the CatStrand - www.gcat. scot or 01644 420 374. The Glenkens Story is grateful for CatStrand’s invaluable support Name the place (from page 6) Site Name -The Greenhouse, Natural Power Consultants HQ Location - Forrest Estate Dalry Description -Natural Power initially moved into their sustainable office in 2001. Built using timber grown and milled on Forrest Estate where ever possible, the initial phase seated 30 people. With two additional phases since, it can now seat over 120 staff (of over 500 employed by the company globally). The sustainable building is kept warm by underfloor heating from a heat pump linked to a series of eight, 100m+ deep bore holes. A suite of kennels alongside the main building means that staff can bring their dogs to work, along with a gym for staff on site. Services provided from the office include industry leading renewable energy consultancy, from planning through to over the last 10 years and to the Dalry Community Charity Shop for its support of the celebrations. Pictured: Above - Dr Adrián Maldonado, Galloway Hoard Researcher at National Museums Scotland who will give the keynote lecture at the celebration. Photo © National Museums Scotland. Left - A gold-mounted rock crystal jar and a set of three gold-socketed mounts found in the lidded vessel within the Galloway Hoard, deposited c AD 900. Photo © National Museums Scotland operations for large scale, grid connected energy generation, renewable energy project construction services, a global due diligence department and a geotechnical site investigation core drilling business which in itself employs over 40 people. The office has its own generator to ensure uninterrupted service to clients should there be a grid outage. Interesting fact - A newly refurbished on site control centre (with a backup site in Dumfries) manages over a quarter of the UK’s operational onshore wind farms that’s 5% of UK’s total electricity supply - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 26 Poetry for the climate and biodiversity W hat is the role of poetry and the poet in a climate and biodiversity crisis? Robert Burns is celebrated for his profound understanding and appreciation of nature. His evocative poems captured the essence of the natural world in his time, depicting its beauty, power, and the deep connection it shares with humanity. In 2025 the natural world is in a perilous state, and we need many perspectives. What can language do? On the heels of Burns Night, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival and D&G Climate Hub in collaboration with Bakehouse Community Arts welcome two contemporary performance poets to the Glenkens. Tawona Sitholé and Genevieve Carver will share their work and discuss with us their take on our eternal connection in the present; the fragile state we are living through, how we can respond, how we might be in best service of nature during a climate crisis. These events will blend performance and conversation. On Saturday 8 February from 2–4pm, we welcome Genevieve Carver to the CatStrand, a writer and poet with special interests in nature writing and interdisciplinary collaboration. The poems integrate poetic and scientific processes, data about animal life histories and first-hand encounters with ecological fieldwork, giving voice to the non-human in surprising and original ways. In addition to the text, Genevieve collaborated with composer Lucie Treacher to create the EP Hydrophonica, blending spoken word and music with underwater field recordings of bottlenose dolphins. She won the Moth Nature Writing Prize for this work, of which judge Max Porter said: "It’s such an interesting and surprising hybrid, which manages to be deeply funny and very sad at the same time, an unusual feat in both science writing and poetry.” Genevieve is currently a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Aberdeen. Sarah Thomas, Climate Officer (West), D&G Climate Hub, GSAB UNESCO Biosphere (07425 370 895) Firewood logs & Wood Products for Sale From Carsphairn Community Woodland A range of products are available from our community sawmill Contact us with your requirements ï Free local delivery ï Enquiries to: Tel: 07710 124 255 Carsphairn Community Woodland Limited is commi�ed to acquiring, developing and managing local woodlands in a sustainable and environmentally sound way for the long-term benefit of the local community. Website: www.carsphairn.org/CCWL Company Limited by Guarantee SC591976 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts King Arthur triumphs T he thirteenth CatStrand pantomime was certainly a huge success once again and despite the stormy weather, played to four full houses over the first weekend of December. The well known legend of King Arthur isn’t a regular panto subject but our favourite writer, Paul Reakes, has written a wonderful script based on the famous story – with a degree of poetic licence thrown in. The title role of the bumbling King Arthur was brilliantly played by Josh Wells, hitting every comedy moment in the script and many more besides (see Josh's article on p8). He was aided and abetted by the bossy Queen Guinevere, played with tremendous style by Ruby Harfield. Ruby had the audience in the palm of her hand throughout and raised the roof with her solo songs. The Royal Boudoir scene with the King and Queen must surely rank as one of the funniest and most memorable CatStrand panto scenes ever (pictured below). The ‘principal boy’ of the tale was of course the bold Sir Lancelot, played in true thighslapping panto fashion by Rosie Spernagel, with Sophie Roberts as her charming ‘principal girl’, Olivia. The comedy duo of Squire Squirt and Sally the Castle Cook were played with great aplomb by Liam McQueen and Alice Oliver. In their first major panto roles, they certainly took the stage by storm and had the audience in stitches every time they appeared. Squirt’s new friend, Smoulder the Baby Dragon, became the Royal Pet and was very cutely brought to life by Marie Dobbin. Marie deserves a special mention as the late arrival of the dragon costume meant that she didn’t have any rehearsal time at all with the costume until the opening night! Of course, it wouldn’t be Camelot without a Merlin, and Rose Benson made the challenging role her very own. Rose admirably delivered the clever rhyming lines perfectly, with a few ad-libs here and there too, whilst at the same time battling to retain some order and keep the story on track. Merlin’s most troublesome problems were mainly caused by the ‘baddies’, ably led by Megan Oliver as the evil Morgana, with her son Mordred (Izak Entwistle) and daughter Mordreda (Io Heyes). The nasty threesome page 27 excelled in their task of terrorising the ‘goodies’ and the audience, but of course got their comeuppance in the end thanks to Smoulder’s firebreathing Mummy appearing and ‘frying’ them! Musical interludes were provided during the show by the Camelot Strolling Player, Ella Campbell, who even composed a song especially for the opening scene. Daniel Blaylock was the Royal Page, with the special task of looking after Excalibur and the multi-tasking chorus members, Keira Hawker, Caitlin Jones, Frankie Gordon and Jess King appeared variously as courtiers, ghouls, messengers and villagers. The panto was directed by Brian Edgar assisted by Jo Jackson. The fabulous set was designed by Cat Campbell together with the young people in the ‘Behind the Scenes’ crew. The huge task of costuming the show was led by Sue Lindsay and the excellent sound and lighting plot was designed and operated by Jim Ranyard. Another great show and we’d like to thank everyone for coming along and supporting us and also all those who kindly sponsored some of the costs or helped in an way to get the show on stage! We can’t wait for the next panto but we’ve already turned our attention to the One Act Festival and have started rehearsals for our two entries, ‘It’s Only Make Believe’ by Mark Rees in the Open Festival and ‘Gossip’ by Brian Hampton in the Youth Festival. They are both on stage at The Fullarton on 28 February and will be performed at CatStrand shortly after that. Brian Edgar GAZETTEarts Songs for the turning of the year Glenkens Gazette Winter Sundays Past Getting dressed under the bedclothes Net curtains stuck to ice, inside windows Dad lighting the fire with a gas poker Holding a sheet of newspaper up to help the fire draw Porridge for breakfast with plenty of sugar Milk - solid on doorstep, pushing up cap like a frozen fountain Sunday school Making snowmen with wet woollen gloves Chilblains Dinner at midday Steak and kidney pudding or toad in the hole, rarely a roast Spotted dick and golden syrup for afters Put on best clothes for visiting An aunt with fire tartan legs and shiny toilet paper Nan with the outside loo, newspaper squares hanging on string, put salt down after you flush Dripping on toast for tea Sunday Night at the London Palladium in Black and White Off to bed, no more coal going on the fire Squabbling siblings push to stand on the spot on lino that was heated by hot water pipes Wincyette pyjamas and dressing gown in bed Heavy coats on top of the eiderdown page 28 Snow. Snow came, quiet as thieves After lead, left the church roof Blank for birds to scribble Their secret language. Wind erased paths, Swept grass, mixed leaves Into drifts, came again Left new depths, wind played A different game of sweep and pile. Frost joined the play Added sparkle, furred twigs, Fragile beauty gone in a breath, As more snow fell. Anne Micklethwaite by Paul Goodwin Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 29 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers on a journey into his world of writing, reading and general thoughts on life. S ince the offensive began which liberated Syria after almost 14 years of struggle, I’ve been stuck to the computer screen or the telephone receiver, talking to Syrians, gobbling news updates, reading analysis, watching videos, listening to testimony. Though the stuff I’m looking at is fascinating, informative, and important, the internet medium through which most of it is delivered, in tiny bytesized bleeps, is congealing my brain. I can feel it. I can feel the stupefying effect. I become addicted to those bleeps, those info-nuggets, and rapidly grow so sick on them that I can only function in bleeptime. My brain not only congeals but shrinks and hardens, and soon it won’t stretch far enough to think complex thoughts or feel balanced emotions. This may explain quite a bit of what’s happening in our societies. There’s a book by Nicholas Carr called The Shallows: How the Internet is Changing the Way We Think, Read and Remember, which uses solid research to demonstrate that we learn less and think less flexibly when we are presented information online and in multimedia format as opposed to on the written page. I, in any case, am pulling myself back from the Twitter brink. I am hauling myself from the maw of the cyber abyss. I am returning to reading novels. To be specific, I am returning to a novel by Tim Winton – a writer who is, according at least to my limited knowledge of Australian writing, that country’s greatest novelist. Peter Carey notwithstanding. I read Winton’s Breath a few years ago. That’s a story about surfing, sex and death, and it’s really very good. But now I’m reading Cloudstreet, which is about a huge rackety house in Perth (the antipodean Perth, of course) inhabited by two large rackety families, the Pickles and the Lambs. Water is always important in Winton’s novels. The mystery of a boy called Fish is at the centre of this one. Fish is a particularly intelligent boy, but is caught up in the nets during a fishing David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP expedition and nearly dies. His parents, “Biblebashers”, rush to declare the miracle of his survival in public, but slowly and quietly lose their religion afterwards, when they realize that Fish after his drowning is slow and different, and persistently wishes to return to the waves. The novel is about time passing like a river, and historical flux, from World War Two to the mid nineteensixties, and drunkenness, anorexia, gambling, envy, and love. Like the best novels, it’s an entire world all of its own, complex and complete. I am soon smoothly immersed in the flow of the story, even with net-addled brain. The focus streams from one character to another in easily digestible episodes. Reading a high quality novel is a mental yoga workout. After some hours of it, my brain is no longer brittle, but well-stretched, and four or five dimensional. It contains space for nuance, contradiction, and changethrough-time. As for the changes underway in Syria, soon it will be time to go and see them actually happening, not cut up into bytes, not meditated by the screen. Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 30 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 31 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Michele Owen 07940 313 445 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Parton: Tom - 07835 821 976 • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Balmaclellan: 2 Feb, 2 Mar, 6 Apr, 11am Carsphairn: 9 Feb, 9 Mar, 13 Apr, 11.15am Kells: 16 Feb, 16 Mar, 11am Dalry: 23 Feb, 23 Mar, 11am, Holy Communion SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP The Rev Dawn Matthew Sundays:10.30am, Holy Communion with refreshments after the service. Tuesdays: 10am-12noon, look for the ‘church is open’ sign and pop in for private prayer or to chat with Dawn. Thursdays: 7.30-8pm, evening prayers via Zoom shared with our sister church, All Saints’ Challoch. Please contact Dawn for the link. Special service: Dalry School Easter service, Thursday 27 March, 2pm, Dalry Church SPECIAL SERVICES: Wednesday 5 March, 6pm, Ash Wednesday communion service. Sunday 30 March, 10.30am, Mothering Sunday communion service For further information contact Rev Pam Bellis on 07751 379 249 or pam@ bellisconsultancy.co.uk For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 32 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies SEE AD ON PAGE 16... Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE You can now apply for a Garden Waste Collection Service permit at £40 per bin. for regular collections from March to November 2025. Apply online at www.dumgal.gov.uk/ wasterecycling or in person at a customer service centre such as Dalry Library. The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Advanced Massage Practitioner (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 33 GAZETTEinformation Glenkens Gazette WHAT'S ON page 34 February/March FEBRUARY Thu 13, Ken Words Writers' Café, 7pm, The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Tournament, 6-9pm, Thistle Inn, Crossmichael Thu 13, Boo Hewerdine & Brooks Williams, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 8, GCT excursion: creative craft show, Glasgow, see p33 Wed 5, Hannah Read, Cahalen Morrison and Michael Starkey, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 15, Make Some Noise music session, 10.15am, The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Sat 8, Permaculture Workshop at Lothlorien, 10am-1pm, Lothlorien, Corsock Sun 16, The Vintage Ensemble concert, 2.30pm, Kirkpatrick Durham Church Sat 8, Glenkens Producers Market, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Mon 17, Dalry Town Hall Management Meeting, 7pm Sat 8, Mixtape Party Night, 8-11pm, Dalry Town Hall Wed 19, Dumfries Mobile Fish & Chips in New Galloway, 5.15-11.55pm, Smithy Car Park, New Galloway (see Facebook @ DumfriesMobileFishAndChips) Wed 12, GDT’s spring round for grant applications closes; visit www.glenkens. org/funding info, see p8 Wed 5, Carsphairn Village Shop Ltd AGM, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall Thu 6, Haggis Drive in aid of Crossmichael Primary, 6pm, Crossmichael Primary School Sat 8, Sew Special Saturday, 10am-4pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Sat 8, Glenkens Producers Market, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 8, When it Burns - with Genevieve Carver, 2pm, CatStrand Sat 8, Glenkens Agricultural Show Ceilidh, 7pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Sat 8, Mixtape Party Night, 8pm, Dalry Town Hall Sun 9, SongWave Singing Workshop, 10am-3pm, New Galloway Town Hall Sun 9, Celebrating the Energy Transition in the Glenkens, 2-5pm, CatStrand Sun 9, Film: Living Proof A Climate Story, 5pm, CatStrand Mon 10, Parton Village Hall Coffee Morning, 10.30am-12noon Tue 11, Lagwyne Hall AGM 2025, 7pm Tue 11, Charlie Hooper-Williams: What if you could see music? 7.30pm, CatStrand Wed 12, Talk - The Port Road Line,1.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Wed 19, Herak/Bulatkin Quartet- feat Paul Towndrow, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 23, National Theatre Live 2025 The Importance of Being Earnest, 3pm, CatStrand Thu 13, Ken Words Writers' Café, 7-9pm, CatStrand Sat 15, Sew Special Saturday, 10am4pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Mon 24, GCAT AGM, 7pm, CatStrand Sun 23, The Glenkens Story - a time for celebration, 9am-5pm, CatStrand, see p25 Thu 27, Cost Of Living Advice Day, 2-6pm, CatStrand Fri 28, ClanJam Family Music Making, 11am-12noon, CatStrand Fri 28, ClanJam Family Music Making, 11am-12noon, CatStrand APRIL MARCH Sat 1, Dalry Community Café, 10am1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 1, Carsphairn Community Woodland Volunteer Day, 10am-3pm Wed 5, Resilience Test Event: staged emergency, 11am-12noon, Throughgate, Dalry, see p12 Sat 19, Bairn Banter Easter Egg Hunt, 10.30am, Carsphairn School Playground Sat 1, Crossmichael Open Darts Tournament, 1-7pm, Thistle Inn, Crossmichael Sun 2, Crossmichael Domino Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact richardandjane@phonecoop.coop or 01556 670 691 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 35 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Exercise Class, Tue, 6-7pm Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3pm Zumba, Fri, 6.30-7.30pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am-12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; Oct-Mar, 2.30pm) Soup & Sandwich, Sat, 12noon-2pm, Oct-Mar Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, Wedn & Fri, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making - Mon, 7-9pm Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@ gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10am CatStrand, New Galloway Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat biweekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.30am Musical Misfits, Sat, bi-weekly, 10am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16yrs) Art Explorers, Sat, 10.30am, fortnightly New Galloway Town Hall Community Larder, side door open for access Mon 9am–4.30pm; Tue 7-9pm; Wed 6.30–8pm; Thu 9.30am–6pm Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Dance for Wellbeing (adults), Mon 2.30pm Creative Movement for Children, 4pm LING Community Cafe, Tue, 12.30–2pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–5.30pm, drop-in Martial Arts, Thu, 7.30pm Babies & Toddlers, Fri, 10am For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Wee Wonders, Thu, 9-10am Clachan Crafters, Thu, 2pm, 07500 861 041 Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet. com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm, Tue 6-8pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Main St, Dalry - 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book at the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Facebook Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Song Share, 1st Fri each month, 7.3010.30pm Mossdale Village Hall Mossdale Painters, Wed, 9.30-11.30am Yoga, Fri, 2.15pm Soup Saturday, last Sat each month, 1-3pm Various Bumps, Babies & Beyond, every 2nd Mon, 10.30am, Kirkpatriack Durham Village Hall Learn to Play Bridge, Mon, 7-9pm, Lochinvar Hotel Keep Fit with Alex, 7.15-8.15pm, KPD Village Hall Strictly Get Dancing, Mon, 7pm, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Glenkens Oil Painters, Wed, 10am, Corfield House Art Studio Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed 2-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Thu, 1-3pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 Mum & Baby MovementThu, 9.3011.30am, Laurieston Village Hall Crossmichael Youth Club, Fri, Crossmichael Memorial Hall For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 36 Élite Consultancy Summary of Report for New Era Clearance Commission Historical overview Current policy can be traced back to early industrial development and modernisation. By the early twenty-first century it was evident that traditional rural societies were obsolete in the post-industrial world. Economic and social control is key to advanced urbanisation. External corporate ownership of rural areas is synonymous with increased production, affordable infrastructures and control of dissident elements among the masses, particularly sections of the population who have proved themselves economically unsuccessful within advanced global financial structures. Proposed policies Recommendations are based on trends that were already under way by the 2020s. These trends originally appeared to be initiated by governments with uninformed attitudes to rural requirements, eg sale of social housing. It has since become apparent that such policies are deliberate, based upon sound principles of social, political and economic control. These policies will limit central government financial outlay in a world in which surplus marginal populations are an ever-increasing drain upon entitled communities. We identify the following policies to achieve the desired outcomes: • Removal of farming practices which are out of alignment with modern requirements. Family farms, local growers and traditional hill farming practices to be discouraged by lack of government incentive, reduced access to land, and closed markets. • Marginal agricultural land to be replaced by forestry policies implemented by corporations outwith the area. Government incentives for such projects will ensure that vast tracts of land are owned by such external corporations. These bodies must be authorised to remain anonymous and therefore unaccountable to local institutions. • These forestry policies offer the additional advantage of making agricultural land non-viable for several generations, long enough to break the stranglehold of local interest and residual traditional sentiment. • To dismantle infrastructure in terms of housing, education, health, social services and communications, thereby disincentivising local populations from stubbornly staying put. As well as being expensive to maintain, rural populations tend to have obstructionist opinions about biodiversity, environmental conservation and quality of life. These can seriously impact economic growth, including essential measures such as sufficient profit incentives for company directors. • To replace permanent populations through advanced policies for second home ownership. This eliminates protest, as locals, particularly younger people, cease to exist as inconvenient barriers to economic development. Holiday accommodation requires little expensive infrastructure, especially when marketed as ‘wilderness experience’, ie no villages, shops, pubs, schools, roads etc. Consumers will naturally accept arboreal monocultures as the wilderness they crave, whereas indigenous populations have proved far more intransigent. • To encourage financially capable residents to amass multiple estates. The richer they become, the fewer they will be, and therefore even less service provision will be necessary. Such residents can afford their own infrastructure, police their own boundaries, educate their children elsewhere, and supply themselves by drone when there are no public roads. • To root out with due vigilance any stubborn elements who fail to conform. We understand many have taken to caves in the hills, and meet in large secret gatherings in defiance of the law. Apparently it’s an old habit. Full Report 999 pages, 10 years, untold millions. The Élite Consultancy is a subsidiary of Imalritejac Enterprises (Lichtenstein) Inc. MNE WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com APR/MAY COPY DEADLINE: 5 MAR The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 146 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_146 https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/292/GlenkensGazette145.pdf 7c3ebbc0d54cb1a5727e4eda3959a952 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 145 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document December 2024/Janary 2025 ISSUE 145 Dalry featured on seasonal special of BBC Landward S ome may have spotted Dalry librarian, Angela Miller, on TV when she featured on a Halloween special of the BBC Landward programme. FREE INSIDE THIS ISSUE Gazette joins Indie News Forum in Glasgow The topic was the local Glenkens story of Adam Forrester and Lucky Hare, and how this tale was likely the inspiration behind Robert Burns' famous poem, Tam o’ Shanter. ...turn to p3 Angela hosts the YouTube channel Galloway Retold, and had been contacted by the TV show as a result of their team having seen her video 'St John's Town of Dalry and the Witches Sabbat'. Pictured is Angela Miller with Landward presenter Dougie Vipond by Dalry kirkyard © BBC Continued in the History section on p25... Wright's shop awarded best independent retailer in Galloway A new era for the Glenkens Medical Practice ...turn to p7 C ongratulations go to Bill and Val from Wright’s grocery shop in Dalry as winners of the Best Independent Retailer of the Year at the Dumfries & Galloway Life Awards 2024. "When we were first nominated, we were really pleased," said Val. "But we didn’t think we would win. It feels great to have that recognition from our customers; that they notice and appreciate what we do to provide a service for everyone." Bill added: "When we bought the village shop and moved here two-and-a-half years ago, we had no idea what lay ahead. We wanted a better life and innocently thought that owning a business like this would be straightforward! Val, Bill and Tibo at Wright's shop proudly display their D&G Life award for Best Independent Retailer "Little did we know how much hard work it takes to keep a shop like this going. We’ll never get rich doing this job and we haven’t had a holiday in all the time we’ve been here, but we love making a difference and helping people." Continued on p7... Moving forward with Glenkens education ...turn to p9 Readers' thoughts on the proposed Galloway National Park ...turn to p17-21 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry GAZETTEnews Mystery of New Galloway's phantom gorillas Glenkens Gazette page 2 T his year Halloween night in the Glenkens was marked by the appearance of a trio of gorillas loose in New Galloway. Seeming to originate from the McGaw household, there is speculation that perhaps the creatures had been hiding out after escaping from a zoo or exotic animal collection. As children made their way through the village guising, the gorillas followed in what generally seemed to be a friendly manner. However, sometimes things took a more sinister turn with the hairy apes egging each other on; in one instance they were seen chasing terrified teens out of the village in the Mossdale direction. One child said: “At first I was scared but then I gave them sweets and they were friendly,” while another young person had had sweets given to them by the curious creatures. The mystery continues as, after Halloween, the trio of apes seem to have vanished into thin air. Could they perhaps have been just Halloween phantoms? Spooky fun with Bairn Banter C hildren from across the Glenkens joined Carsphairn's Bairn Banter for a haunting Halloween party. Taking a Halloween twist on the usual party games, there was wrap the ‘mummy’, musical statues, the 'hanging donut game' (which even the adults couldn’t resist) and a tricky to beat piñata. There were also a range of Halloween-themed activities such as gruesome sensory play, a spooky soft play area, face painting, ‘dookin’ for apples, pumpkin bowling, black cat hoopla, and a buffet-style feast laid on for everyone. Bairn Banter founder, Melissa Ade, commented: “It was wonderful to see so many children and adults dressed up in their spooky gear to come together and celebrate with us here in Carsphairn... thank you to everyone who came along and to the very helpful parents whose help and support made this such a spook-tacular event!" Funds raised at the Carsphairn Community Market in September helped to support this fun, free party for local families to enjoy. Fundraising and fun with Friends of Dalry School F riends of Dalry School (FoDS) once again held a fun-filled Halloween party for the children of the Glenkens. Dalry Town Hall was filled with spooky characters having a ball, dancing and participating in all kinds of games. There were also hotdogs and snacks on offer for all, and a goody-bag to take away that children could use for guising. Emily Wall, one of the key organisers, said: "Around 80 children turned out, and through donations on the door and towards face painting, a fabulous £172 was raised for FoDS. "Special thanks go to the Glenkens Community Shop for their donation of decorations, Mike for DJ-ing and organising the lights and Sarah for facepainting - and so many other people who helped in all kinds of ways which I don't have room to name here; you know who you are - thank you!" FoDS is a charity which raises money to support Dalry school, both the primary and the secondary. They are members of the Easy Fundraising scheme, which enables a donation to be made each time you shop online with hundreds of well-known high street brands. Through this scheme you can sign up and raise money for the school without having to spend a penny - visit www. easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ fodalry to find out more. On another fundraising note, FoDS has had some Christmas trees donated from the local Christmas tree farm outside Dalry, Fir Forestry. If you’d like to buy one please drop into the primary school – at the time of going to print there were five smallish trees left, selling for £30 each. Grab a festive bargain and support your local school! Friends of Dalry School Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 3 Gazette joins Indie News Forum in Glasgow T his October Gazette editor, Sarah Ade, attended the two-day Indie News Forum in Glasgow. The Forum was run by the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF) and held at Glasgow Caledonian University. Around 50 independent news providers attended, from as far afield as South Devon, Shetland and every point in between. The aim of the event was to forge connections and share ideas with other independent local news outlets, gaining insights into how other publications operate. Friday involved talks by industry experts such as spokespeople from the BBC’s Local Democracy Reporting scheme, Ofcom and philanthropist David Graham who has put £100,000 forward to created the Tenacious Journalist Awards, aiming to spark original journalism that "makes a difference". Along with other members of the Scottish Beacon journalism collaborative, the Gazette is applying to the award with a topic of ‘No Going Back’, focusing on how the sell-off of land leaves Scotland’s communities short, how corporate ‘land grabbing’ is irrevocably changing Scotland’s communities and how the renewables sector takes from Scotland’s communities and leaves too little behind. On Saturday, the floor was opened up to participants who discussed questions like: How do we encourage people to value journalism? How do we make it pay? How can we raise core funding? How do we stay sane as solo operators? "All in all it was a highly informative, engaging weekend with lots of useful networking. It was incredibly interesting to meet so many other hyper-local news editors and teams, and to A few of the attendees at the Indie News Forum in Glasgow, October 20204 hear about the similarities, and the differences, in how people get their message out there," said Sarah. "One thing which struck a note for me was speaking with a journalism student from Venezuela who is currently studying in Edinburgh. She talked about how independent news in her country is censored, and it made me realise how lucky we are to have independent news outlets and how much we take for granted with regard to free speech. "Our grassroots news sources are so undervalued here in the UK, and yet so vital to our local communities and getting people's voices out who may otherwise go unheard." Coming Soon: The Bodega Social's Wonky Burns Night at New Galloway Town Hall G alloway is rich in nature, culture and great folk of all types. Sometimes, though, it takes a trip to the big city to find that winning combination of funky, diverse live music, delicious cocktails and tasty food which come together to make a top night out on the town. A year ago this thought brought together a bunch of friends from Laurieston village and Laurieston Hall. Over some smokey chips and even smokier mescal we imagined our perfect night out, and planned how to make it happen on our doorstep. Luckily, the group came with a whole host of skills. Meredith (long-time event and festival organiser), Tom (DJ with the Desiato Crew and steward of the most colourful PA this side the Tweed), Ewan (bar/cocktail supremo), Willie (graphic design demi-god and member of Samson Sounds), Rosie (Queen of the craft and decor), Larissa (rock solid organiser and top cook), and Ben (bringer of the world food flavours and spreadsheet whizz). The first theme was Latin. The great psychedelic cumbia band Los Chicanos were booked, tacos were made, margarita recipes trialled and our first night packed-out, sold-out and rocked-out Laurieston Village Hall. The Latino vibe also helped our group get a name; something to reflect the friendly, diverse DIY scene we’re creating...the Bodega Social was born. Now a year-and-a-half in, we've run top gigs in Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston and Moniaive with African, Caribbean and America themes. Not to mention building and hosting our own cabaret cocktail bar, ‘The Bodega’, at the Eden music festival (we’ll be back there next year, come find us!). We take no profit, but the nights mean hard working bands get a gig and village halls get a solid booking. Any extra money we make has been ploughed back into expanding our collection of colourful decor and elaborate plans for exciting bands and events to come. Our nights couldn’t happen without an amazing crew of volunteers and without all of you for coming along for a dance! It’s the love we get back that makes the many hours of work worth it. Some comments from revellers at past events are: "hHge thank you for another fantastic evening"; "Crazy fun, what amazing food and music!"; "You transformed our village hall! It’s never been so lively" and "So great to see everyone out looking so joyous". Our next event is a Bodegastyle Burns night; we’ll be transforming New Galloway Town Hall with our usual funk, and welcoming the amazing Yoko Pwno to rock the joint with their renowned folktronica. Join us on Saturday 25 January in New Galloway Town Hall - tickets available now from www. bodegasocial.co.uk The Bodega Social Crew Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 4 Glenkens charity raising funds for schools in Afghanistan T he Afghan Schools Trust is a Glenkens-based charity founded in 2002 by Robin Ade and the late Godfrey Smith. Set up initially to support education in the remote Afghan province of Nuristan, the Trust has developed over the years and provided support in a variety of ways. It has built schools, funded teachers, organised women’s health programmes, trained teaching staff and health workers, set up women’s centres, initiated exchange programmes for educating Afghan girls in Scotland, funded wells for drinking water, vital repairs to a bridge to a remote community and more. Today the charity channels funding direct from grassroots donors in Scotland and the wider UK to projects in Afghanistan. No admin costs are taken – the only thing money is spent on is accountant’s fees and printing an annual newsletter to keep people up to date with the trust’s work. "The situation in Afghanistan remains difficult and many are struggling to earn a living, with hunger being a key ongoing issue," said Afghan Schools Trust chair, Robin Ade. He continued: "Due lack of funds it has been impossible to provide wages for the teachers so instead we have funded, for three years in a row, the planting of wheat which the community has overseen and then is given to teachers as their wages. "We recently opened a new Turkman secondary school in the north of the country for girls, which currently has around 70 pupils. The Taliban are still trying to work out a national curriculum for older girls." What are the plans for the future? "Going forward, we will continue to support the Arsari Turkman school, which teaches around 400 students, both boys and girls," said Robin. "We also support education of women in Lal through our Women’s Centre. The facility is currently unable to open but education continues in homes and mosques for the 50-60 students. How can you support the charity? For the last two years the charity has sold handmade Afghan carpets. The schools' administrator and his family, along with the majority of families of children attending the Asari Turkman school, are from a traditional carpet-making community. In order to support the local economy, the Trust has bought carpets, providing a vital income stream to local families while offering high quality handmade rugs at very competitive prices here in Scotland while raising much-needed funds for the Trust. If you would like to buy a carpet, please get in touch - you can view the carpets on the 'Afghan Schools' Facebook page, or arrange a visit to see them in Carsphairn; we have had a new shipment come in recently so have beautiful new designs in larger rugs. Contact Robin on 07952 280 902 or email trustee Sarah Ade on sarah.ade@gmail.com or, to view the latest newsletter at www. afghanschools.org Name the Place I n each issue a photograph will be taken somewhere in the Glenkens by local photographer Ted Leeming and readers have to guess where it is. The answer can be found on p24, with a bit of information and food for thought about that location. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 5 Pamela Young Trust housing update T he Pamela Young Trust (PYT) is a charity providing affordable housing in the Glenkens. Over the past few years, the Trust has been working on expanding in a sustainable way in order to help address the housing shortage in the area. previous one but the way it is set up does reflect the requirements of the modern funding environment. There is plenty of legal paperwork to get it all set up but it should be noted that there will be no change for any of the PYT tenants. The first step has been to change their structure to a SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) and this has now been approved by OSCR, the Scottish Charity Regulator. Following a recruitment campaign for a volunteer to join the PYT Board, the trust is now in the process of assuming a new trustee. Allan McMillan, BSc, MRICS, is Managing Partner at GM Thomson & Co, chartered surveyors, valuers and land and estate agents. The new constitution is not markedly different from the Allan comes from a local farming family, and is born and bred in the Glenkens. Alan Smith, PYT chair, says: "We feel Allan’s skill set is a good fit for us, adding to the abilities of the existing trustees - Steve Davie, Nicolette Wise and myself. We are delighted that he is joining us." Lastly, the Trust is excited to report that the proposed Balmaclellan project has moved to the next stage. Collective Architecture, the firm of architects who drew up the plans for the development, have now been instructed to take the plans to RIBA Stage 3. They estimate that, if all goes to plan, the planning permission application should be determined by July next year. The PYT still needs to source additional funding for the project and it is hoped that becoming a SCIO will help with funding applications. Learn bridge at Dalry community cafe D alry Community Cafe hosted a special fundraiser for Cancer Research as part of the Festival of Bridge. The community event was part of the Scottish Bridge Union's week of fundraising which aims to raise funds whilst also raising awareness of the game of bridge. In excess of £300 was donated which was a great achievement. The Community Cafe is an important part of our community and tables will continue to be available at the monthly event to play bridge, alongside other residents enjoying the usual friendly chat and refreshments. Building on this enthusiasm, we hope you will join us for a beginners course starting on Monday 2 December and running weekly. It will be held at the Lochinvar Hotel from 7 -9pm, initially playing 'minibridge' before progressing on to bidding skills in the New Year, once we are all up to speed with the jargon and other parts of the game. To find out more, please email Rosie at rosiemoffat@btinternet.com or call Rebecca on 07979 150 671. Rebecca Arnold Dalry Community Cafe Festival of Bridge fundraising session for Cancer Research Carsphairn becomes a Biosphere Commmunity Biosphere Communities benefit from a close working relationship with the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire (GSA) Biosphere Partnership and are supported to develop community-led tourism, nature and heritage projects, and low carbon living ideas. C arsphairn joins Dalry as the second designated ‘Biosphere Community’ in the Glenkens. They are also promoted internationally as part of Scotland’s UNESCO Trail, the award-winning collaboration between Biospheres, World Heritage Sites, Creative Cities, and Global Geoparks. The programme for Biosphere Communities includes developing walking trails, adventure itineraries, and outdoor interpretation for landmarks and historic sites. Events led by the Biosphere team range from ecology walks and wildlife recording to workshops for local enterprise. The support available for community-led tourism builds on international attention drawn by features in National Geographic Traveller, Rough Guides, Lonely Planet and Wanderlust magazine, all of which acclaimed the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere as a must-see destination in 2024. Faith Hillier, the Biosphere’s Community Officer, said: “We have already created some fantastic connections with people who live and work in and around Carsphairn and are particularly proud to showcase the area’s local history. "Carsphairn has a fascinating past rooted in agriculture and industry which is still being actively explored by the Carsphairn Heritage Initiative. This is one of a wonderful variety of volunteer-run organisations and for a small village with one main street Carsphairn hosts an incredible calendar of events, not least the internationally renowned Knockengorroch Festival of music and arts. We are delighted to be working with so many residents and community groups and look forward to making the most of our partnership with Carsphairn in the months and years to come.” To find out more about the GSA Biosphere visit www. gsabiosphere.org.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 6 Busy times at New Galloway Golf Club N ew Galloway Golf Club celebrated an excellent season when it held its annual prize presentation. in playing on such a well-kept course. A highlight of the year was Captain’s Day, which raised over £2,000 split between the Army Benevolent Society and the club. Members will be looking forward to the 2025 Captain's Day and hoping the weather is as good. Prizes were awarded after a social game of golf. Gill Warnock was this years Ladies Club Champion and Sandy Harvie the Gents Club Champion. Phil Lancaster won the Coronation Cup whilst his father won the Captains Trophy. The Memorial Bench which was erected by Guy Pumpr has been appreciated by all who have played on the course. The bench is in memory of our longstanding greenkeeper, Brian Porteous, who sadly died in 2023 and is dearly missed by all who knew him. Visitor numbers were up on previous years; even though the weather was not particularly good, the course has been in superb condition thanks to the work of the green staff. Visitors have reiterated their pleasure Social membership has been very successful this year, with residents of New Galloway attending on a Saturday evening for a quiet drink, a game of bingo or quiz evening. There is also a group using the clubhouse to Memorial bench in memory of greenkeeper Brian Porteous play bridge on a Wednesday, which has proved very popular. Winter membership is available from January to the end of March - just contact the Club Secretary on 01644 420737. Individual coaching can also be arranged. Why not come and try golf out; you never know, you might like it! Or what about membership for a friend or family member as a Christmas gift? Jeff Sutcliffe, Club Secretary Glenkens Get involved with GCAT! Community & A t the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT), volunteers are a core underpinning of what we do. Some of them cheer up our garden, a lot steward at events, our Galloway Community Transport (GCT) Patient Transport drivers are invaluable, and one volunteer even volunteers to coordinate the other volunteers. But there's a big group of volunteers that don't often get seen. They are our board members (also known as directors or trustees), and their contribution is critical to assuring our current path and future success. We'll be calling for new board members at our AGM on 27 January, so if you live in the Glenkens or surrounding area and have a keen interest in the wide and varied impact that GCAT has on our communities, do get in touch for a chat. We're looking for people who can commit to quarterly meetings where they will provide assurance on the work the staff team is doing and determine the strategic direction looking forward. If you've got a background in strategy or community development, then we'd particularly love to hear from you - but we're also looking for people who are committed to helping the Glenkens be all that it can be, no matter what your life experience (or age) is. Drop me a note on helen@ catstrand.com and myself and Peter Fryer, chair of GCAT, will be Arts Trust AGM 27 January 2025 7pm for 7:30 start at the CatStrand Come along for a glass of wine and to hear how the year went and future plans. All welcome! happy to have a chat about the role of a GCAT board member any time. Helen Keron, GCAT Executive Manager Get cosy at the CatStrand café A s the colder months approach, CatStrand is delighted to be able to offer some support for people struggling with bills over the winter. Thanks to D&G Council's Tackling Poverty Initiative, we 're offering a free ‘winter warmer’ to people who want to come and spend some time in a warm and welcoming space, but can't always afford to eat out. Throughout December, January and February (while funding lasts) head over to the CatStrand for a free bowl of soup and filled roll between 11.30am and 2pm, Tuesday to Saturday. CatStrand will also be hosting a Cost of Living Advice Day in January, signposting all the support that is out there, so look out for details of that. Over the winter months the CatStrand is open 11am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday, closing from Friday 20 December to Tuesday 7 January for the Christmas break. However, some planned electrical work may delay the opening by a few days, so please check the website for updates. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 7 Galloway's best independent retailer Continued from front page... "We have won some very loyal customers who always come to us first – that feels very satisfying. People living here have embraced us and made us feel welcome, for which we're very grateful," said Bill. "There are a lot of perhaps less wellknown skills needed to run a shop in a rural area like the Glenkens. The shop is a hub of the community, so you’re not just a shop keeper; you’re a sounding board, sometimes an adviser and a bit of a social worker as well as a manager of staff. And we have to stay neutral about anything contentious. "So don’t ask me about wind farms or the National Park - I’m not going to give you a view! And at times we end up doing some unusual things to keep customers happy; for instance, as the first shop after Portpatrick for walkers on the Southern Upland Way, I’ve cut a pack of babywipes in half for a walker who didn’t want to carry the extra weight!’ continue doing what we do well for people, we’d like a better work-life balance. So that’s what we’re aiming for – a bit more time off." Bill added jokingly: "And, as in the quote from Jaws, for all those customers who shop locally, 'we’re going to need a bigger fridge!’" One thing both Bill and Val feel sad about is that, because they work long hours, they haven’t yet had time to explore the Glenkens, or go to local events. "We start early and we’re usually in bed by 8pm," said Val. "So we don’t have a lot of energy at the end of each day. At least Tibo, our Cockapoo, needs a daily walk so that gets us out a wee bit." Bill and Val would like to wish all their customers a happy and prosperous festive season. The shop will be open throughout, except on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, when they’ll be taking a well earned rest. When asked what their plans are for the future, Val said: "Although we want to As one customer delighted that the award brings the recognition they deserve for contributing so much to our village, I’m sure everyone will join me in wishing them a happy holiday period! Nikky Wilson A new era begins at the Glenkens Medical Practice D r Robbie Grieve hasetired after 20 years at the Glenkens Medical Practice. He has been a fantastic colleague, a popular and excellent doctor and remains a very good friend. Dr Grieve qualified at the University of Edinburgh in 1989 and is a fifth generation ‘Dr Grieve’. After working in a number hospitals and practices across the country, he joined us in New Galloway in 2004. He will be very much missed and I would like to take this opportunity to say a very grateful "thank you" to Dr Grieve, from myself and on behalf of the practice and the local community, for his dedication and service and we all wish him well in his retirement. As well as saying farewell to Dr Grieve, the practice has welcomed a new member of the team, Dr David Svolkinas. David is a knowledgeable and good-humoured doctor who wanted to work in a rural setting. The Glenkens appears to be an ideal fit for him. ‘Dr David’ qualified as a pharmacist at Liverpool John Moores University in 2011 and after a few years working as a community pharmacist embarked on a career change. He undertook his medical training at the University of Glasgow and qualified in 2019. David worked in hospitals in the west of Scotland and undertook his GP training at a practice in Paisley before relocating to Dumfries and Galloway earlier this year. We are all very happy to have him on board and wish him well for the future at the practice. Mrs Kelly Lamont has also joined the practice on a permanent basis as our Advanced Practitioner. Kelly has a background and wealth of experience from Community Nursing. She undertook her Advanced Practice training through the University of Cumbria with a two-year placement at the Glenkens Medical Practice and qualified this year. Advanced Practitioners are experienced health care professionals who manage complete clinical care for patients. Kelly can diagnose, prescribe and refer patients in a similar way to a GP. She is a valuable asset to the team. Glenkens Medical Practice welcomes new practice partner, Dr David Svolkinas, and advanced practitioner Kelly Lamont (photographs by Samantha Hunter) So, we have been fortunate in recruiting two new, excellent colleagues, particularly when set against the challenges with GP recruitment which are widely experienced. Alongside our relatively new Practice Nurse, Linzi Knowles, and our dedicated receptiondispensary staff, I am proud of the team we have assembled here. The practice could not ask for a more sound footing on which to continue to provide our services to the Glenkens for future years. Dr Bernard Jones, Principal GP, Glenkens Medical Practice To find out more about the Practice you can visit www. glenkensmedicalpractice.co.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople page 8 Glenkens Youth Correspondent Joshua Wells, aged 15, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Joshua discusses the Galloway Levellers. A couple of months ago I went to the Fullarton to watch a performance about the Galloway Levellers called '1724'. It could easily engage any audience and was thoughtprovoking, had brilliant acting and really brought this monumental series of events to life. But I'm not writing this to talk about how great the play was, I am more interested in writing about the crazy legend of the Levellers that holds a place in the history of Dumfries and Galloway. In the 1700s, many local landowners were interested in removing tenants from their land to make space for cattle, putting profit above the wellbeing of another human being. This obviously aggravated the tenants, who began to revolt and literally tore down dykes. The demolition of these dykes allowed the cattle that replaced these tenants to escape. Tactics became more reckless and violent. After a while, the Levellers began to level every dyke they came across, whether it was owned by the landowner who evicted them or not. The Levellers allegedly also slaughtered nearly 200 cattle. The Levellers seemed to be just a nuisance to landowners in the beginning, as the landowners could just build the dykes again. However, with multiple dykes being destroyed every day and cows being killed, landowners began to put guards out to ensure their dykes were safe from destruction. The Galloway Levellers grew to such numbers as 1,000-2,000 people, which is between two and four times the current population of New Galloway. They had armies of armed tenants marching to level the dykes that marked the borders of the land they once lived on. Even tenants’ children took part in the destruction of dykes in Galloway. One of the few dykes that remained was that of Robert Johnston from Kelton. The reason these dykes were saved from destruction was that the minister reassured tenants that there would be no eviction taking place. After years of revolting with no change, the leaders of the Galloway Levellers were taken to court, where they were found guilty and fined or sentenced to imprisonment or being sent to the colonies. As we say we are going to tear down walls in our society metaphorically, these rebellious groups of men women and children alike tore down walls in their society literally. Even though they did not see success, the Levellers most definitely made a great impact on the history of Dumfries and Galloway, considering we are still interested in them to the extent that we make plays about them. WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING TIMES OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.30pm MONDAY – FRIDAY Sat 8.30am-5pm Sun 8.30am-3pm 7.30am – 5.30pm POST8.30am OFFICE– 5pm SATURDAY Mon-Fri 10am to 3pm SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm Sat 9am to 12noon Sun closed * closed xmas day & boxing day * LOCAL SUPPLIERS LOCAL SUPPLIERS Transform your workflow - hire a virtual assistant today! Are you overwhelmed with tasks and need more time to focus on what really matters? 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POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 9 Moving forward in education discussions I t finally feels like real progress is finally being made with regard to finding a constructive way forward for Glenkens education. This comes after months of work from community groups and individuals across the Glenkens – years for some parents and members of the community. What is so encouraging is that the conversation has grown to more than (although of course including) the future of Dalry Secondary - it is the acknowledgement that a highquality, accessible educational offering is key to thriving rural communities and their ability to attract and retain families. Over the past couple of months the Glenkens & District Community Action Plan Steering Group (CAPSG) and the Dalry School Parent Council have met with Gillian Brydson, Executive Director of Education Skills and Community Wellbeing (E,S&CW) at Dumfries & Galloway Council. At the Parent Council meeting, Stephen Foster, the new head teacher for Dalry Secondary and Castle Douglas High School, was also present. Discussions were constructive and focused on creating the best outcomes for current students whilst also planning for the future. Stephen will be working over the course of this academic year on consulting and planning on possible options, including that of an all-through school running Nursery to S3. (A summary of these meetings can be found on the Glenkens Hub 'Education and Learning' page at www.glenkens.scot/educationand-learning). Compromise is a natural and necessary part of any process where there is more than one perspective at play and no outcome will be a perfect fit for everyone. However, for the first time it really feels like the community is ‘at the table’ with regard to decisions being made on the future of our schools. Much effort continues to be put in both from the communities of the Glenkens and the E,S&CW department to find outcomes that are achievable and that work effectively for our young people and our community, both now and going forward (to keep up to date with how things are progressing visit the Glenkens Hub Education & Learning page). communities are vibrant and thriving” as the school roll criteria will of course be mostly relevant to rural primary schools. In light of the changing situation of Glenkens education, highlighted by the plight of Dalry Secondary, the Glenkens & District Trust (GDT) commissioned a report into 'innovative models of rural education'. This is now published and it is hoped will help guide current and future plans with regard to rural education. As an aside, and looking as we do through our rural lens, it is interesting to note that none of the cost-saving options reference three of the Dumfries high Do have a look at the budget consultation if you can - it affects us all and the more rural voices which can be raised, the less urban-centric the outcomes will be (we hope). Another Council initiative coming soon is a report into the causes of rural depopulation – the CAPSG have been advocating for the Glenkens to be case study and/or key partner in this work. Most of the work being done in support of the Glenkens and District Community Action Plan could be boiled down to mitigating rural depopulation, so we will continue to follow this work with interest and will report back. ...for the first time it really feels like the community is ‘at the table’ with regard to decisions being made... There will be an online event to discuss the report and ask questions of the authors – keep an eye on social media, the Glenkens Hub and posters for more information. Expanding upon the topic of Glenkens education, something that has grown out of these discussions is an exciting prospect of a broader education and skills offering being initiated in terms of lifelong learning linked to local need. The CAPSG, through the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, is pursuing the fledgling idea of a 16+ learning campus in the Glenkens (which would work closely with the new Carsphairn Community Woodland’s Rural Skills Centre as well as other partners), offering skills key to industry and employment in the region, such as renewables, forestry, agriculture, social care and hospitality. This is an extremely ambitious idea but it is hoped that, with the right partners in place, it could be realised - watch this space! In yet more education-related news, D&G Council's budget consultation, www.dumgal.gov. uk/budget, is live now and will run until Friday 6 December. Suggested education-related money saving options which are worth noting include cutting the Additional Support Needs (ASN) support in classrooms by 50% and mothballing all schools with a roll of less than 25 – changes which, if implemented, could have huge ramifications for our rural areas. These sweeping proposals seem to be at odds with the Council's 2023-2028 Vision that “rural schools which are situated no more than a 10 minute drive from each other and all of which have huge recent or ongoing capital investment programmes, plus annual running costs in the £millions, yet run at an average 57% capacity between them (December 2023 figures). The recent D&G Council's School Model Consultation outcomes stated that a school functioning below 60% capacity was not sustainable. So why is it only our small rural schools that face this scrutiny and a constant risk of closure? We feel proud that the Glenkens, with our strong community voice, united organisations and our willingness to work together and look to the future, seems to be ahead of the game with regard to issues facing rural areas; we just need to keep beating our drum and make sure that we are both heard and listened to. Sarah Ade & Helen Keron GAZETTEeducation Glenkens Gazette page 10 What's happening at Dalry Secondary Pupil Council All of the young people at Dalry contribute to class discussions and set their own agenda, with chosen representatives Piri, Lena, Archie J, Eleanor and Rosa planning to meet with the Head Teacher on a monthly basis. Youth Awards Nominations for the Youth Awards 2024 are now open! This night promises to celebrate the achievements and effort of local Youth Groups and Individuals from across Dumfries and Galloway. Youth Work Services are looking for nominations for 11 categories and should really highlight individuals or groups that are recognised for their efforts within their communities and outstanding achievements. If you would like to put forward a nomination, click on the link below. If you want more information about the nomination categories, please see the attached guidance document. www.dgyouthawards. wpcomstaging.com/nominate Wednesday afternoons Wednesday afternoons sees Dalry S1-3 learners working towards achieving their Dynamic Youth Awards with youth worker Victoria Townsend. They contributed their ideas and came up with tan exciting schedule of activities that they have been enjoying over autumn, from outdoor skills such as camp craft, fire building and T survival tips to creative cooking in the form of 'Ready, Steady, Cook' team challenges and creating their own 'fakeaway' meals; so much tastier and healthier than boring old 'takeaways'! Dalry Secondary School is now a RRSA Bronze: Rights Committed School Watch this space as the school starts its journey towards Silver. You can visit the website RRSA for more information. Using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a guide, the school will be working to embed the school values of Respect, Responsibility and Equality in all aspects of school life, to ensure that everyone is valued and respected. Exciting visits Pupils enjoyed welcoming award-winning chef Fraser Cameron, who is head chef at The Globe Inn in Dumfries. Fraser is a former pupil of Dalry School, and first discovered his his term we enjoyed going outside and learning outdoor / camping skills. we would pack for our "trip". The youth worker Vicky showed us what was inside a survival kit - there was lots of cool stuff like flints for lighting a fire. We had great fun setting up tents in groups, although our tent was on a slope. We enjoyed it very much. Luckily the sun was shining... On sheets of paper we had to plan for what Piri Whitty (S2) love of cooking in the Home Economics department. As well as inspiring students with a unique and exciting cooking demonstration, Fraser talked about his own pathway to becoming a top chef. Young people are looking forward to a festive trip to Glasgow on 19 December, which includes visits to the Christmas market, a Spanish tapas restaurant and culminating in a performance of 'The Nutcracker' ballet at the Theatre Royal. Youth Group A fter school on a Monday evening a selection of different people go to youth group. The youth worker, Sue, waits there for us with the latest fantastic activity. The last one before the holidays was making apple turnovers with experts, and if you don't want to make an apple turnover there is a selection of board games, friends to play with, and drawings to do. It's wonderfully fun and definitely brilliant. Lena Whitty (S3) MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 Amber Dunlop-Pajo Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 11 The Optimistic Environmentalist Reducing your home energy bills - Part Eight Examples of energy-efficient technology Space heating continued Infra-red heaters radiate the heat down or towards people or surfaces rather than inefficiently heating the air around them. Thus, they are placed on the ceiling or the walls. They can be used in small areas, large open spaces like hotel reception areas, or outside. Herschel, for instance, try to make them fit into the environment, so as well as flat panel heaters, they make mirrors and picture frame heaters. They even make a candelabra heater, called the halo, often sold to churches. Having a number of these around the church which can be turned on separately means that the infra-red heating is focused depending upon the size of that day's congregation. They also manufacture some heaters in the UK from British steel and Welsh insulation that are designed so that the component materials are easily recyclable. Unlike other technologies, any electrician can fit these as they don't need any extra skills. Most of the radiators, though, can be fitted by anyone as they just need plugging in and/or hanging up. Herschel provides up to a ten-year warranty and no maintenance is necessary, and components like heating elements, are easily changed. Portable bidirectional heat-pumps that you can move around the house to where you want. They can generate hot or cold air so it can be used in the winter and summer. They output more energy than they use so are very efficient. We have one and I'm afraid it is noisy but when you are bathing in your favourite temperature, you can forgive it. It is quite heavy so you may not want to keep carrying it up and downstairs, but it's on wheels for easier movement on the same level. For water heating Mixergy hot water cylinders – these are very efficient because unlike traditional water cylinders which heat the same amount of water whenever they work, the Mixergy tanks heat the amount of water you need, when you need it. For instance, usually it heats a small amount of water for people, to wash their hands after the toilet or to wash up, etc. However, it can be set to heat a larger amount for a bath, say. You can have these set at different times throughout the day so you can set it to suit your lifestyle as Family and friends coming to stay? N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) Call Fiona on 07789 903127 - 01644 420737 - www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Buggies now available for hire Licence no DG00824P VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME well as for low-priced electricity tariffs, saving you money. The new Mixergy Cuboid works with a solar diverter and contains a heat pump so that with its ergonomic shape that enables it to fit into a cupboard, efficiently converting energy into hot water at higher temperatures than would be needed for space heating. Similarly, Qvantum makes a 6kw heat pump which heats water to 70°C. This is exciting because it can fit under a sink. Current and future changes • Current eco building materials eg straw are enhanced by new materials to reduce carbon input into buildings like recycled bricks and blocks reducing use of new concrete which accounts for 8% of the world's carbon emissions • New battery designs and materials like sodium help to meet the growing demand for a variety of needs • Policies and incentives like the boiler upgrade scheme and electricity producers' low-cost EV tariffs will be encouraging people to change their behaviours and tastes (see Part 9 next issue for income generation) Denise MacDonald-Kiernan Advertisement Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 12 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment Hanging out with the Bats in Crossmichael Community Woodland Loch Ken Trust was delighted to be involved with Crossmichael Primary School's first ever Bat Walk, held in Crossmichael Community Woodland. The event was organised by pupils at the school from ‘Livingstone House’. To start things off we played a fun game of ‘Bat and Moth’, a blindfold game representing the bat’s echolocation, before heading into the woodland with bat detectors to hear the bats hunting for their prey: moths and midgies! "Amazing fun – it was a good walk, good exercise and it was interesting to hear the bats and use the bat detectors; I have never used one before." The weather was extremely kind and there was a great show of local wildlife. We saw, and heard, a range of bats including some of the less common soprano pipistrelles, as well as a hedgehog, two deer and at least one owl calling out in the dark. It was a fun evening with lots of laughter, full of information and discoveries. Hanging out with bats and a wild goose chase... page 13 LOCH KEN TRUST RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 The event was very popular, with over ten families - 40 people in total - attending. Head Ranger Leanne Pumpr said: “It was fantastic to see so many families outdoors enjoying nature." We hope to be involved with other community events planned throughout the year. Some comments from attendees were: “I liked it, it was really, really fun. My favourite part was learning how bats communicate, it’s so cool!” and “The best part was seeing a bat. I have walked in the woods with my family before but never in the dark!” A huge "thank you" to Mrs Stevens and Mrs Glover for inviting us to support with this event. Wild Goose Festival Event We were also excited to host our first ever Wild Goose Above: Greenland white-fronted geese flying overhead, photographed by Gavin Chambers Below: Crossmichael Primary School's Bat Walk Festival event, a talk by Jack Barton from the local RSPB, on Greenland white-fronted geese. Loch Ken is home to a small population of Greenland white-fronted geese, one of only a handful that winter in Scotland. The event was well-attended and Jack Barton gave a fascinating insight into the amazing journey of this endangered species to winter in Galloway, and the work being done to help support and protect the species. With the 2024 season ending, it has been nice to reflect on a successful year for the Loch Ken Trust ranger service. As always, if you are interested in any of our work you can get in touch to find out how you can get involved by emailing office@lochken.org.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 14 sponsored by Decarbonising CatStrand I t's an exciting time at CatStrand as we take the next steps on our environmental action plan. Thanks to funding from Local Energy Scotland through CARES and the Community Led Local Development Fund from the Scottish Government, we are about to replace our oil boiler with a carbon neutral alternative. Installation will include the replacement of our existing oil boiler with air source heat pumps and solar PV panels mounted on the cafe extension roof to generate electricity for the new pumps, plus a battery storage system and a new smart heating controller. The CatStrand is eminently suitable for these modifications, which were highlighted in a 2023 Natural Power feasibility report, as it already has underfloor heating, is well insulated and is often open to the public. The report calculated that the work will remove nearly 10 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, which is excellent news for us all. We will also be replacing the nearly 20-year old light fittings throughout the CatStrand building with new energy efficient versions, including the very power-hungry ones in the T he Gazette asked Lesley at the Galloway Food Hub if their producers might offer a recipe each issue, linked to seasonal local produce. Here is the first in what we hope will be a regular feature - a recipe for a perhaps slightly unusual brussels-sproutcentred festive treat. A auditorium - so that's going to make a big difference as well. On top of the support from funders, two key volunteers have helped hugely with this project: John Crallan and Dave Stewart. They are both well-versed in delivering extremely highquality capital projects for the CatStrand, and we are most grateful for the huge amounts of work they have put in, enabling this project to become a reality. Thanks as well to the planning department of D&G Council for their sensible approach to such important upgrades. The installation is planned to start in early January, and will result in some days without heating, so we may need to shut the cafe and public spaces briefly at that point, but we will post updates about that as the timetable becomes clear. We’re planning an event, supported by the D&G Climate Hub, to celebrate this energy use moving close to Net Zero. Expect talks, entertainment, and food - keep an eye on on our social media channels for details. Here's looking forward to an emission-free CatStrand in 2025! Helen Keron, GCAT Executive Manager Galloway Food Hub Christmas canapé seasonal treat to tempt the taste buds of even the most adamant sprout nay-sayer! minutes, depending on size All the ingredients can be found on the Galloway Food Hub (except the cocktail sticks). • Top the sprouts with a mini slice of Fleet Valley Blue and return to oven for a further few minutes until the cheese starts the melt Ingredients • As many sprouts as you’d need for your guests; allow at least 2-3 sprouts per person • Block of Ethical Dairy Fleet Valley Blue (or Laganory if you prefer a non-blue), cut into sprout sized mini slices • Pack of Low Auldgirth streaky bacon, cooked and cut into sprout-sized pieces • Jar of Glenkens and Dee Runny Honey (optional) Pack of cocktail sticks. Method • Pre-heat oven to 1800C • Parboil the sprouts for 2-3 • remove from water/steamer and halve • Coat sprout halves in a little oil, place on a baking tray flat side up and roast for 10-15 minutes, till starting to crisp at the edges • Remove from oven and, taking care to handle if very hot, top with a pre-cooked slice of bacon and skewer with a cocktail stick • Drizzle with a thin stream of runny honey for a salty, sweet and savoury sensation. • Serve warm (you can keep these warm in a low oven for 10-15 minutes before bringing them out) Thank you to Low Auldgirth for the recipe idea. We hope you enjoy your sprouts! See ad on p11 for how to order from the Galloway Good Hub... Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 15 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE Siemens IQ500 dishwasher. A few years old but works well (just doesn't fit our new kitchen). Contact: 07748 631 820 Kids bike, suitable for child learning to ride a bike – maybe 4-6 years old. Blue, nearly new (a bit dusty from being stored in the shed). Contact: 07727 127 997 Lakeland food dehydrator. Electric. Good for apples, mushrooms, peppers, etc. Almost new. Contact: 07563 718 011 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 Metal bunk bed frame, double bottom, single top. Contact: 07952 280 902 Pair of upholstered bar stool chairs, (light wood, with red, removable covers), IKEA. Good condition. Contact: 07748 631820 Toshiba TV, 26" screen with remote control. Contact 07974 026380 32” Samsung TV. Contact: 07908 195 942 Rabbit hutch and all rabbitrelated bits to go with it (indoor hutch, litter tray, water bottle, some food and hay and treats. Contact: 07727 127 997 WANTED Victorian/Edwardian tiles. Standard 6” square, the kind used in entrance lobby or fireplace. Not modern reproductions as they are a different thickness. Wanted for random tiling project - they don’t have to match. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Nonrunners/broken welcome. Contact: 07845 562 217 FOR SALE & OFFERS Shed clearances - any shed cleared, large or small; get in touch to for further info or to arrange a visit. Contact: 07765 034 841 Are you looking to plant trees this winter? We have grants available for small-scale native planting schemes. For full info, visit: www.dgwoodlands.org.uk Registered as a SCIO, no 052525 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 16 Lothlorien nature connection project L othlorien is a residential therapeutic community for people experiencing mental health difficulties and is situated near the village of Corsock. for developing complementary projects on the Lothlorien site to offer access to day visitors and the wider community for both green social prescribing activities and nature-based events. Set in seventeen acres of woodlands, gardens and meadows, it has been a quiet sanctuary for healing for over four decades. Built in 1974 by the Haughton family, it has been run since 1989 by the Rokpa Trust, an international charity founded by Dr Akong Tulku Rinpoche of Samye Ling Tibetan Centre in Dumfriesshire. Inspired by the enthusiasm highlighted in this study, Lothlorien has secured funding to bring these ideas to life. In September, Lesley Atkins started her new role as Lothlorien outreach coordinator and aims to help foster connections between the community and local groups. Buddhist values of compassion and tolerance are the basis of our approach however we are not a religious community and are open to all. A recent study, commissioned by Lothlorien and conducted by Propagate, revealed a clear case The activities envisaged are not limited to mental health support, but cover a broad range of nature connection, food growing and wellbeing - which can have educational, social and therapeutic outcomes. For Lothlorien’s vibrant community of residents, volunteers, and staff, this new chapter is an opportunity to broaden their connections and support network, whilst also welcoming others in, to benefit from their tried and trusted therapeutic methods. I nterested in land use in your area? Enter a five-minute online survey for a chance to win a £25 voucher for the Clachan Inn, Dalry. Hello, my name is Lucy Jenner and I am a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh working with Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. My research focuses on environmental land use change. Whilst many local community groups working in mental health may already be in contact with Lothlorien, if you work in this area and are interested in connecting, please reach out to Lesley. Nature-based practitioners are also welcome to get in touch should they wish to enquire about running outdoor workshops in this beautiful, peaceful space. Together a unique, communitycentred approach can be created to provide healing and prevention that goes beyond I am conducting a survey to explore how residents in and around the Glenkens engage with local place planning and land use. Your insights are valuable and will contribute to a research project focused on different approaches to accessing data and information about land use. As spring approaches, Lothlorien is preparing to host open days, to which groups and potential partners can experience firsthand the transformative power of nature and all this community has to offer. To find out more about the open days or to discuss how you might get involved in the community, please get in touch at lesley@ lothlorien.tc. You can also follow Lothlorien on Facebook or Instagram or visit www.lothlorien. tc for more information. voucher for the Clachan Inn. Please use the link below or scan the QR code to take part. Thank you! Lucy Jenner This survey is anonymous and will take approximately five minutes to complete. Participants will be entered into a competition to win a £25 Eileen Campbell HOUSE TO LET 1 BEDROOM Wylie's Brae, New Galloway large bedroom, bathroom, livingroom, kitchen To arrange a visit in the comfort of your own home please contact 07515 168 963 or empathyfoothealth@gmail.com traditional therapy. For further information contact Alistair on 07783 869 686 or smithalistair355@gmail.com HOUSEKEEPER & CARETAKER VACANCY Seeking a housekeeper and caretaker/site manager for a family home in Galloway. Ideal for a couple. Duties include cleaning, laundry, bed-making, security and maintenance of the property, driving and dog walking/sitting. Some weekend work. Two part-time roles plus 2.5 bedroom flat and garage in stable block. Apply by email to Mrs Ingall at corsockhouse@gmail.com explaining how you would fulfill the role and attaching CVs. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 17 Considering the Galloway National Park proposal for the Glenkens A t the Gazette we work hard to ensure that we don't shy away from issues impacting the people living within the communities of the Glenkens, however delicate they may be to navigate. Currently, the issue of the moment, on the tip of many tongues, is the proposed Galloway National Park. In light of this we felt that in the spirit of sparking discussion, debate and participation in the consultation process regarding this proposal, we would print a selection of readers' submissions on the topic. These submissions range in perspective and will likely inspire strong feelings in some, whether it's agreement or outrage. The Gazette, as always, endeavours to ensure we take no stance on issues which may polarise our communities, and aims always to facilitate discussion in the hope of unifying rather than fragmenting our communities. Sometimes reading about a topic from a perspective which doesn't necessarily gel with our own can in itself be a catalyst to introspection, potentially inspiring research and broadening knowledge bases. So we hope you enjoy the articles and information you will find on the following pages, and that it inspires thought and provokes discussion. In light of the ongoing consultation, it's important that as many people as possible who wish to be involved make sure their voices are heard at the consultation stage; please make sure that you have your say - nobody knows our area as well as you, the people who live here, and your opinions are valuable and vital to getting the best outcome for the Glenkens. General information from the NatureScot consultation hub H ere are a few key statements from the NatureScot information hub for the Galloway National Park proposal. What are National Parks and what do they do? The ground rules for all of Scotland’s National Parks are provided by the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000. This states the four aims of Scottish National Parks as: communities. The term National Park is used throughout the world to describe protected areas of land or water of outstanding national significance. The title means different things to different people, but all National Parks have some key features in common: • To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area. • They are areas of land or water which are of the very highest value to the nation for their scenery and wildlife, and often for their cultural heritage too. • To promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area. • They are managed in a way that safeguards their special qualities for the long term. • To promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public. • They are usually highly attractive places to visit, and they provide opportunities for people to enjoy them. • To promote sustainable economic and social development of the area’s Scotland’s first two National Parks have performed well as models of sustainable Why is a new National Park being proposed? development, delivering conservation alongside rural economic development and recreation. The Scottish Government considers the time is now right to establish at least one further National Park. It also wants to see all our National Parks contribute more to tackling climate change and protecting and restoring nature, whilst supporting the local economy, creating jobs and opportunities for local businesses and attracting investment. Further information can be found at on the 'Consultation Surveys' page at www. newnationalparkgalloway. commonplace.is, considering questions such as: Would a third National Park be similar to the current ones? What a new National Park Authority could do? What would be the make-up of a National Park Board? What difference could a National Park make? On the 'Further Information' page, there are some of the most commonly cited pros and cons listed and NatureScot's response. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment A Galloway National Park? T he proposers of a national park in Galloway claim that its establishment will result in a better future for people, communities, economy, culture and the environment in the area. Is this likely? What are the real issues that need to be addressed during this consultation? Who is best placed to provide the solutions we need? How can the friction and concern in our communities be minimised? And what’s the hurry? All these are legitimate questions to be put in dialogue with NatureScot, the official statutory Reporter on the proposals. And remember, it is just a proposal and our views as communities and individuals in the Glenkens really matter. What are the real issues in our area? It is obvious that availability and cost of housing, jobs for young people, continuation of locally provided schools education, access to the vital services that people need, especially health and welfare, as well as continuing concerns about the extent of commercial afforestation and wind farms, and the future of farming, and the lack of effective consultation are all issues concerning us. What do we expect government bodies to be doing about them? In the Glenkens a lot of thinking has been done and action taken about our futures, more than in most rural areas in Scotland. We want to build on these excellent local initiatives, but it needs adequate resources to bring benefits locally. Dumfries and Galloway Council is responsible for social services, transport, education, housing and more. How can it be more effective in addressing our needs and concerns? For example, we should expect them to work with the NHS for the care services, with Loreburn Housing Association for the provision of affordable homes and with further and higher education providers for training and skills development of locals. deal on state owned land, for example on Cairnsmore of Fleet and in the Galloway Forest Park, respectively to improve the natural environment and promote community interest, so what more is needed? And why can’t the agriculture support regime be tweaked to help local farmers more in looking after the land as well as producing the elections to the Scottish Parliament to be held in May 2026. To achieve this it plans to update the basic national parks legislation approved in 2000 and to have the Designation Order for the new park approved by the parliament before the elections. All of this is very worrying to many of us in the area. From my experience of establishing national parks around the world, rushing creates disputes and disagreements within communities that can take many years to repair. Many people are asking why the rush to complete the consultation on these far ranging proposals. There is a relatively new government agency, South of Scotland Enterprise (SoSE), with its broad remit to support not just the economy but to play a formative role on social provision and environmental care. They should be challenged to do more given their sizeable budget and remit. The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere with its locally appointed Partnership Board has passed the 10 year test from UNESCO. However, it is struggling to find guaranteed long-term support to continue and expand its activities. Surely, the Scottish Government directly, or as currently via SoSE, should be helping with the modest sums that are needed for its work. NatureScot and Forest and Land Scotland are doing a great food? Do we really need another government body? Put this way, there is already activity and the potential for more to address our area’s problems. So do we really need a separate agency? Even the government group who scrutinised the proposals by the Galloway National Park Association questioned the duplication and confusion that would occur with another authority being established. Furthermore, that group questioned the role of a national park authority compared with the clear mandates that existing bodies should have. All fair questions which need to be addressed. Who would be in charge? page 18 Is there another way forward? Yes, there is another way. In the early 1990s, the government in Edinburgh agreed to the establishment of working parties for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and for the Cairngorms. This allowed time for debate, sharing of common concerns, gradual resolution of disagreements and identifying the most appropriate solutions. A similar approach could be undertaken in Galloway bringing together the government bodies locally and regionally and nationally – the Council, SoSE, NatureScot, Scottish Forestry, Forest and Land Scotland and the Biosphere Partnership, and most importantly the local interests around this large area, to carefully identify what the issues are and the options for moving forward. A national park authority established under an Act of the Scottish Parliament would be a government agency without independence of action as its terms of reference, strategies and funding would all be determined by the Scottish Government. A concerted approach like this would put the communities and the people of the area at the heart of the matter. It is worth a try. Actions and resources to help resolve them are needed, but a single new agency is hardly going to solve then all. Although some of its members would be locally elected, the First Minister would appoint others. Is this what the area needs? Roger was CEO for Scottish Natural Heritage leading on the establishment of Scotland’s two National Parks, chair for Europe of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas 2000-2008, chair of the Durban Accord World Parks Congress 2003 and a recipient of the Fred M Packard International Parks Merit Award 2016 What’s the rush? Many people are asking why the rush to complete the consultation on these far ranging proposals. The answer is simple. The Scottish Government has decided it wishes to establish a new national park before Roger Crofts, Dalry Pictured is the view over Dalry from the Mulloch Hill by Roger Crofts Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 19 Finding the best solution for Galloway G alloway faces an existential crisis. A trio of demographic, economic and environmental decline risks turning this jewel of Scotland into little more than a giant power generating facility accompanied by plantations of cheap wood. border in Ayrshire the former mining towns are depressed and forgotten, offering little economic incentives for people to build lives. The factors driving this decline are many, but fundamentally it comes down to economics and plantation forestry and energy production to tourism and regenerative agriculture - and the increased employment such industries bring. This is the sort of economy many people want to see: a diversity of permanent and temporary Major changes are needed, and - perhaps - one such major change would be the establishment of a national park. Population loss has been a problem for decades, but only appears to be getting worse. National Records Scotland estimate that the population of Dumfries and Galloway declined by 0.4% year-on-year from 2022 to 2023. In terms of age structure, the region is increasingly a retirement home, with the population of over 75s growing by a relative 49.3 percent since the turn of the century, versus a 25.2 percent decline for those aged 25 to 44. Indeed, it’s with primary schools like that in Carsphairn being 'mothballed', and even successful secondary schools like Dalry under threat or forced to offer reduced programmes, it’s no wonder that the critical 25-44 age group - those who want to have children and raise them in the area - have left in droves. Such difficulties are especially pronounced in remote areas like the Glenkens, while across the against these global interests working hand in glove with national lawmakers. Galloway’s 'forests' destroy peat bogs in the name of carbon capture, obstruct ancient paths, clog up natural springs and turn ecologically diverse hills and moors into monoculture agricultural deserts. Carsphairn Parish is the most afforested area in the entire UK - almost all of it Sitka, planted dense and harvested by clear felling (rather than continuous cover like they use in Germany). Wind farms, offering owner corporations untold riches, march across the hills, diminishing potential tourism. This has to stop, or it will ruin Galloway forever and drive out its remaining population. William walking the Rhinns of Kells between Carlin's Cairn and Corserine politics: when the only jobs are in forestry and wind farms, and most of them are temporary, there is just not enough keeping communities together. jobs, many opportunities to start a business, that help young people and families make their lives in the area. When the population starts to decline, an already distant government has still less incentive to invest in the area, and school closure starts to become inevitable. A vicious circle that is hard to break. As we all know, Galloway is beautiful, a treasure of Scotland and the world. Yet because of its remoteness, low population, and the structure of land ownership, its hills and glens are being slowly ruined by vast nonnative Sitka spruce plantations. A national park could provide the way out. By providing a realignment of the area from Community councils, representing a few hundred people each, are powerless A national park, with a board partially elected by local people who understand these problems, would be a step in the right direction. I know a national park is not a panacea that will solve the interlinked crises facing Galloway, and I understand that there are concerns about congestion on our fragile, single track roads, about house prices, and about the overdevelopment of key sites, but I firmly believe that a park is the best chance we have to preserve both Galloway's people and nature for the future. William Dunbar, Carsphairn Considering Cairngorms National Park Feedback from an Evening with Cairngorms National Park CEO by Ted Leeming I t was great to have at least 150 courteous local people listen to the experiences of Grant Moir, CEO of Cairngorms NP (CNP), and his responses to questions. The following are my summary (as convener of the meeting) of his thoughts, in no particular order, which can be debated in the coming months. different and needs to address local issues. Overview He felt a unique strength of a National Park is that it can give focus to strategies and campaigns to deliver focused objectives, often otherwise performed in a more siloed environment. Board Composition and Governance The CNP has 19 Board members, most of whom live locally. Twenty percent are elected from permanent residents in the regions invested in the CNP. (In the Galloway consultation, it is suggested that the Board should have 12 or 15 members, with 33% elected from the local population and another third nominated by the Regional Councils). He was clear that the CNP is autonomous and has very little Government input on a day-today basis. He stated that every NP is When the CNP was approved, it spent some two years developing the National Park Plan (NP Plan), which decided, following an extensive consultation with the local people, the future strategy for the Park. The NP Plan is delivered by the CNP staff and is updated every five years. He noted that Scottish National Parks are very different from their neighbours south of the border. Continued over the page... Glenkens Gazette Continued from previous page... Community Engagement He emphasised that working with the community should be core to all thinking in any NP. He said that, as with any entity, the CNP is an ongoing project; they don’t always get it right but seek to work with the local communities to address problems as they arise. We should know how successful they have been when their community satisfaction survey on the CNP is published in January. Economic Impact and Job Creation He noted the CNP brings an additional £400 million a year into the local economy. On jobs, he explained that they have brought new jobs to the area GAZETTEcommunity and work with local businesses to offer apprenticeships. Tourism The CNP actively encourages visitors across the year to minimise summer pressures and provide an extended ‘season’. They do not seek to increase summer visitors but focus on the 'shoulder' months to help yearround employment. Some 50 full-time and 80 volunteer rangers help manage the pressures, acknowledging that seasonal rangers are taken on for the summer period when pressures are at their height. They have introduced various measures to address tourism pressures, including facilities and strategies to draw people around the Park to reduce pressures on honeypot locations. They are working on public transport options to help reduce car numbers but recognise more needs to be done. Planning The CNP ‘calls in’ some 8% of planning applications when it becomes the decision-making body. Otherwise, the Regional Councils retain authority in this area. Most of the ‘called in’ applications are approved (94.7% according to LINK). page 20 Housing He recognised that housing was complex and that prices within and outside NPs have risen dramatically. On second homes, he noted that this was a matter for the Regional Councils and could be discouraged through rates within and outwith NPs. On affordable housing, he said that the latest CNP Plan targets delivering 75% of new housing as affordable, primarily to accommodate the local workforce. He noted that the CNP seeks to promote economic development, citing examples of infrastructure, services and business projects delivered over the years. It is a statutory consultee on forestry applications. Traffic and Access On traffic, he noted that this was not within the gift of the CNP but that they worked with the relevant authorities to deliver solutions. However, the CNP is responsible for recreational access. form of a growing chorus of quiet voices simply delivering urgently needed change. Inspirational land managers, interest communities and individuals working on anything from their back gardens to landscape scale projects, proactively striving to deliver a solution based future rooted in sharing and are real whether we agree with them or not. Journeying towards a positive future S ometimes, a journey leads you down paths never contemplated when you first set out. Such paths, however, though challenging and at times daunting, often hold the most significant rewards. Since I last wrote, my adventure has unexpectedly shifted from exploring land use issues on the bike and with my camera to listening to the voices of others. I have even become drawn into the vortex that is the proposed Galloway National Park. My project's aim has always been to explore our various rapidly changing land use types and how they balance - or otherwise; biodiversity, community, climate, society, and commercial needs. My method initially involved a series of immersive cycles around Scotland, including Galloway, capturing examples through the lens of my camera. Without any prior intent, somewhere down the line this has led to running two workshops (so far) to gather insights and wisdoms from others. Before the first workshop I asked the question “‘What three words describe land use in Scotland today?” and from the 70 odd replies I produced the accompanying word cloud. The workshops then focused around the theme of "Who has rights to live, grow, and pass through any given place?", with the idea to develop a collaborative ‘toolkit’ that can be shared with any person or entity exploring land use. We are still considering the feedback, but my immediate thoughts following the responses from the first workshop consolidated into a 'Charter of Rights' for all global life. Quite a revelation! But what I have I discovered from all this? Over the past months, I keep returning to two core threads, the first being that, as a nation, we have 'improved', commoditised and industrialised many of our landscapes, often at the expense of our climate and the myriad beings with whom we share this planet. And of 'shadows' that drive individual agendas with little apparent consideration of the whole. The word cloud suggests I may not alone in this thinking. My second thread provides a glimmer of hope, in the We must play our role as the community in offering solutions-based thinking and work together to agree the strategies to address the very real issues already facing us, with or without a National Park, including housing, tourism, jobs, infrastructure, an ageing population and increasingly fewer of our young staying in the area. There must be a way these could be agreed before any final go-ahead for a Park is given, so everyone knows what they are getting. There will always be compromises, for nothing comes for free, but doing nothing also has a cost. interconnectedness. As these voices grow in number they are becoming louder, harder to ignore, and increasingly united in wisdom, encouragement and evidence. I am pondering where this leaves my thinking regarding the proposed National Park. I am still asking ‘if’ and ‘how’ rather than ‘yes’ or ‘no’. I believe we need to start listening to each other's concerns, for they As I ponder these thoughts, I realise they rather uncannily mirror my thinking on the bike. Instead of arriving at a destination, however, I merely find myself at the next turning, which leaves me both anxious and hopeful about what lies ahead. But as Martin Luther King Jr once famously said, "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." Ted Leeming Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 21 Turning a blind eye to biodiversity loss J ust how does the Scottish Government’s commitment to planting 45,000 acres of forest each year between now and 2050 work to mitigate the biodiversity crisis? How does planting single species monoculture forest using a non-native, highly invasive tree like Sitka spruce (in the south of Scotland 85% of all trees planted over the last decade were conifers) support our environment and our ecosystems? These genetically manipulated trees smother out all other forms of plant life, ‘invade’ peatland areas and acidify our waterways to the extent our burns are left “devoid of life” (Galloway Fisheries Trust, GFT) as electro-fishing surveys frequently record. These forests also decimate ground nesting bird populations of “international conservation importance” (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, RSPB). First among these birds is the Eurasian curlew who, along with its other curlew cousins (two species of which are already extinct), were recently described as “the most threatened group of birds on the planet” by one of largest conservation charities in the world, Birdlife International. In the UK the eminent conservationist Derek Ratcliffe estimated 5,000 breeding pairs of curlew were lost from the south of Scotland due to the afforestation of the Galloway and Border hills – “in addition many more pairs were lost on surrounding farmland due to forest edge effect”. Yet the Scottish Government pays millions of pounds of taxpayers money to the forest/ tax avoidance industry to destroy thousands of acres of breeding habitat every year of this bird dubbed “the panda of UK conservation”. Derek Ratcliffe, described as Britain’s finest field naturalist and the man at the forefront of the creation of the Nature Conservation Review (the bible of UK conservation) did much of his fieldwork on the hills around Lochinvar in the Glenkens, an area he loved and frequently visited, and an area he considered had the greatest population density of curlew he’d ever come across. Ironically, the last significant area of open land around Lochinvar that hasn’t been decimated by plantation forestry (yet), and an area still used by curlews, is under imminent threat of afforestation by yet another Sitka plantation at Duchrae farm, Dalry. The really ironic part is Derek Ratcliffe was an instrumental figure in the setting up of Nature Conservancy, the body that after W e hope you have found these articles interesting and thought provoking. You can find out much more about the proposal at the NatureScot info hub (www. devolution became Scottish Natural Heritage and which has subsequently been rebranded as NatureScot. Yet this supposed public body that Ratcliffe did so much to bring into creation under the terms of an agreement/ gagging order which it was forced by government to sign with Scottish An eroded water course runing through a Sitka Forestry spruce plantation outside Dalry - nothing but moss - is now grows in the dim undercanopy and there is an essentially eerie silence and noticeable lack of birdsong forbidden to comment on or raise an objection third of Galloway is the very to any forest plantation forestry that has so project unless the land has a much poisoned our hills and specific designation such as SSSI left our burns and rivers “devoid status. of life” on which NatureScot is How can this toothless, gagged forbidden to comment upon, and neutered organisation it would seem this role will that can neither speak up require of NatureScot, a pretty for the Glenkens’ curlews or amazing ability to ‘look the other comment on forestry matters way’. Perhaps they’ll just add a be trusted to run an impartial blindfold to their consultation consultation process on the kitbag! Jim Ramsay, Dalry proposed Galloway National Park? Considering at least a newnationalparkgalloway. commonplace.is ) and by attending the consultations dates of those can be found on the info hub, along with proposed boundaries, etc. Whatever your views are, the main thing to get them heard by filling in the survey, which is open until 14 February 2025. And please remember - let's keep the conversation about this important topic civil, constructive and respectful of differing views. We've achieved so much in the Glenkens over the years by working together - we don't want to lose all that over one contentious issue. The Glenkens Gazette, Glenkens Hub and Glenkens Community & Arts Trust do not have a view for or against the National Park proposal. We are, however, committed to helping our communities find the information they need to make up their own mind. To support this, we host an information page on the Hub and are publishing articles in the Gazette periodically. If you have any questions about the proposal do get in touch and we will see if we can find the right people for an answer! Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity SEASONS GREETINGS TO EVERYONE AND THEIR DOGS Advertisement An update from Border Collie Rescue at Corsock We progress... The extent and speed, as always, is dependent on funds and available volunteers. We always need more of both! We have set up security around the yard so dogs can run free (but not too free) and there is double height stock fence around the exercise paddock and the assessment paddock. Sheep we keep for working dog assessments are doing well and as a side-line also mowing the grass for us! We are working on a small scale at the moment. ’Steady away’ as they say in Yorkshire but we are talking to architects and builders about developing some of the outbuildings to provide a wider range of accommodation for dogs with different needs. A big project – did we say volunteers needed? The facility at Corsock is not intended for re-homing with people coming to look at and take away dogs. It’s for dogs we take in from Scotland to come through for various assessments, particularly around livestock, and also for recovery after surgery, trauma or behavioural problems. Somewhere they can have fun and peace and quiet! It’s working well. No sound of fireworks here for the sound sensitive. There is nothing like a quiet environment to allow a hyped-up dog to relax or an injured one to recover. The process we use has proved to be healing for many years. Then, when ready, dogs go south of the border, mainly to Yorkshire but also to foster homes in other parts of the country for further assessment before matches to new homes are made . We have also finished moving up our library of books on Border Collies, shepherds, sheep husbandry and care and animal welfare. We have some rare and interesting books on a range of subjects. Fresh hay – come on girls, form an orderly queue and let’s hope this year Santa doesn’t leave anything else behind... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. Our thanks to the volunteers and supporters who have helped at Corsock. May 2025 be a good year for everyone and their dogs. Border Collie Rescue. Reg’ charity SC040796 and 1128983 www.bordercollierescue.org page 22 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 23 ...People,Places and Outdoor Spaces... What is a community larder? H ave you heard about the larder yet? Have you been to see it? You may wonder what it is all about... All change for LING Lunches L ING Lunches has been a part of the New Galloway community for some time, and we thought it was time for an update... We now have a new name – the name Community Cafe lets everyone know it's open for all, whether Glenkens resident, visitor to the area, or passer-by. We also have a new day, moving to Monday instead of Tuesday means that there is somewhere open for a meal when the CatStrand is closed for the day. Lunches are served from 12.30pm until 2pm Finally, we also have a new menu! A new, more varied menu is being introduced, with different soups, mains and desserts each week. Follow the LING Facebook page to see what's on offer, or pop by and see the poster outside New Galloway Town Hall. There'll be a special Christmas -themed lunch on Monday 16 Dec - we hope you'll join us! In September Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) opened the Glenkens’ first Community Larder in the Town Hall. Helping the climate and reducing waste is at the heart of our idea of a place where the community will share with each other what is not needed to stop waste going into landfill. One of the larder’s users is Catrin who shared her experience: “I went to visit the Community Larder on Thursday. I took frozen fresh tomatoes and bread rolls from the freezer and made 18 potions of roasted tomato and lentil soup and eight portions of bread and butter pudding. I also made croutons for the soup and breadcrumbs to top pasta bakes. The total cost for making all this was less than £7. I am very pleased with it!” Catrin also volunteers and bakes crumbles and other bakes, even making jams for the community larder. Do you like cooking, baking? Or do you have excess fruit eg fruit trees you cannot pick yourself? If so, we would love to hear from you! Any fresh food donations are currently being cooked and baked into delicious meals to be shared with the community during our Thursday Hubbub lunches as well as being made available in the community freezer. No time to cook healthy meals? Can’t be bothered cooking? Always eating ready meals? Forgot to get stuff in? Like to try new food you have never tasted? Just fancy some nice food? Or, like Catrin, want to pick up some ingredients that would otherwise be going to waste and make something yourself? It’s not like a food bank; the idea is that this is for everyone to share! The larder is from the community, for the community. It will only work if we use it both ways. So do, please, donate spares and surpluses, but also please help yourself to some of what’s on offer. Give and take! We would love to hear from you so please be in touch with what you would like to see and eat from the larder. We are open Mon 9am–4pm, Tue 7-9pm, Wed 6.30-8pm, Thu 9.30am-6pm Your Hubbub Team Welcoming a new Trustee M any Glenkens residents may Carol Salsbury, at least by sight. Carol is pictured here celebrating her win at our recent Cheese & Wine event – a red squirrel going by the unlikely name of Rosemary! We are delighted that Carol has agreed to be co-opted onto the LING Board, bringing, as she does, a wide range of skills – along with great enthusiasm and good cheer. Below is her personal statement for the Board. I have lived in New Galloway since 1998, and feel privileged to call it home. The community spirit I find here is second to none, and I want to be able to contribute in whatever way I'm able. Before moving to Scotland, I lived in Nottingham with my family, now grown with families of their own. I was a teacher of Religious Education (I have also collaborated in writing a series of RE textbooks), was responsible for Personal & Social Education, and operated as School Counsellor. On being made redundant, I helped to set up and run a city centre restaurant and discovered my true passion – cooking and presenting my food to others. Due to several dietary restrictions in my children, I undertook extensive personal research in nutrition, something that I continue to this day. I feel that LING is in the best position to make sure our residents are catered for in every sense of the word, and would welcome the opportunity to aid the delivery of the many and varied ways that this is achieved. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Carsphairn Burns night C arsphairn will host its annual Burns Supper on Friday 17 January 2025. This cultural event has taken place within the village’s iconic hall for 54 years and is wellattended by visitors from both near and far. Last year’s attendees enjoyed a splendid evening of fine foods brought to us by page 24 the local catering company Caterbirds, accompanied by some renowned entertainment from local speakers. There is also a wellstocked bar to help you raise a glass ‘tae a haggis!’ Book your tickets now to save disappointment by emailing lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com An update from the Glenkens scouts A fter the summer holiday we ran the Cub Scout disability activity badge alongside the Paralympics. The activities we tried included making a sandwich using one hand. Hamish ended up with quite a lot of butter on his. We also tried foot and mouth painting, with good results. A parent helper gave a talk on her work; she helps other people with different disabilities. We held discussion groups on physical disabilities, deaf and sight awareness. Our Halloween party was full of fun; the Cubs were dressed up. First prize went to Elliot, Second to Dylan and Third to Pippin. We then played all the usual party games. Dylan and his dad brought in two fantastic cakes they had made – the Cubs weren’t long demolishing them. We wish Freya all the best in her role at a Glasgow Panto – she is playing a monkey in The Wizard of Oz – and also Caitlin, who is in the choir at the CatStrand panto, King Arthur. Good luck to both. The Cubs are looking forward to visiting the CatStrand panto. The Cub Scout Pack will be attending the Remembrance Day parade and church service at St Margaret’s, New Galloway. We have been learning about ‘From Flax to Flight’, the importance of seed. Scouts started in 1907 and seven years later, when the First World War broke out, the skills the youngsters learned through their activities and badge programme were tested like never before. They were called upon to help in many areas on the Home Front, including coast watching, carrying messages and working on the land. During the war, the need for help increased. Many Scouts converted their traditional summer break into assisting local farmers. Farmers were asked to grow flax, a plant vital to the war effort. Flax is also known as linseed, and is a flowering plant cultivated as a food and a fibre crop. As a fibre crop, flax fibres are used to produce linen which was then stretched and treated with chemicals and used to construct the wings of fighter planes. We are so proud of Hannah and Doug, who have recently had two of their pieces of pottery in no other than the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, where they are now on display. What a wonderful accolade, and so well deserved. Congratulations! The Cub Scout Pack and Leaders would like to wish everyone in the Glenkens a happy Christmas and a good New Year. Yours in Scouting, Heather Name the place (from page 4) Site Name - Balmaclellan Location - The Glenkens Description - Nestled in the heart of the Galloway Hills, Balmaclellan is a charming village that embodies the serene beauty and rich history of Scotland.” The village is rich in local culture and traditions that reflect deep historical roots. Known for its strong connections to the Covenanter movement, it has several historical sites commemorating this period, including the Parish Church and the grave of Robert Paterson, commemorated by Sir Walter Scott as "Old Mortality". Paterson dedicated much of his life to restoring maintaining the graves of Covenanters, who in the 17th century played a crucial role during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, aligning with the English Parliament against the Royalists. Their commitment to Presbyterianism led to severe persecution, especially during the reigns of Charles I and Charles II. Many Covenanters faced imprisonment, torture, and execution for their beliefs. The churchyard also contains the only civic Crimean War Memorial in Scotland, honouring five soldiers who died in that war. With the Smiddy, a Men’s Shed, community hall and shop, the village lies at the core of Glenkens identity. Interesting fact - A statue of ‘Old Mortality' is also carved into the Scott Monument in Edinburgh. Whilst fairly easy to grow and tolerant to the Galloway climate, watering can present a few problems during dry spells. Fortunately it has not been necessary this year. Sue Wiseman GAZETTEhistory Glenkens Gazette Robert Burns and the tale of Adam Forrester Continued from front page... "It was a bit of a whirlwind!" said Angela. "I was contacted on the Tuesday about doing the filming on Friday that week. "It wouldn't have been possible without the support of my colleagues at D & G Libraries, and Laura and Phil at the Clachan Inn for the use of the bar for some of the filming, so a big thank you to them!" Angela will be featuring a Glenkens story in each upcoming edition of the Gazette, taken from her Galloway Retold YouTube channel. The first of these is included here, and is the tale of Adam Forrester which featured on the BBC Landward Halloween Special (to watch the show, visit BBC iPlayer, and look for Episode 20). If you were lucky enough to be at Dalry Secondary during David Brown’s tenure as English teacher at the school, you will probably recall comparing and contrasting the story of Adam Forrester with that of Tam o' Shanter. Mr Brown would also take his English classes on a walk over to see the Witch's Score, on the far side of Waterside Hill, a very effective tool for encouraging students to remember the story. For those unfamiliar with the tale, let me recount it for you... Adam was the farmer at Knocksheen some time in the late 1600s. He had a great fondness for the inn keeper of the Inn in Midtown at that time, who went by the name Lucky Hare (which might be a little bit of a clue..) and frequented her Inn regularly. One evening, Lucky Hare slipped out early, while he continued drinking quite heavily until it was time for the inn doors to close for the night. Hopping on the back of his faithful (and tolerant) steed, Adam made his way down through the kirkyard towards the old ford in the River Ken. However, on his way past the kirk he stopped to peer into the windows, as they were blazing with light and the sound of music and revelry was pouring out into the night. As he looked in, Adam spotted Lucky Hare among the revellers, dancing with the Devil himself. So shocked was he that he forgot all caution and shouted in through the Kirk window, "You'll no' deny this the morn, Lucky Hare!" As his words rung out, the music stopped and the kirk was plunged into darkness. With howls and screeches, the erstwhile revellers from inside the Kirk came flooding out to tackle the intruder. Adam was chased over the ford, then up the side of Waterside Hill. The poor horse (whose name I haven’t been able to find) was blown by the time Adam got over the summit, heading for Knocksheen, and Adam had to make a desperate choice. Leaping off his horse's back, he took out his sword and cut a circle around them both, declaring by God Almighty that the witches would not cross it which they could not. Lucky Hare is said to have got a hand onto the back haunches of the horse, leaving a white print on it that remained for the rest of its life, but no further damage was done to either man or horse, and when the dawn came, the witches were forced to leave Adam. This story was passed on to Robert Burns by the doctor in New Galloway, Dr Trotter, who was the famous Muir Doctor and also a keen antiquarian. Most likely this story was told when he made his visit to Kenmure Castle. Not being terribly familiar with the area, Robert made the decision to transpose the tale to Alloway in Ayrshire, an area he knew far better as it was where he grew up. Now, interestingly, according to David Bartholomew, author of The Covenanters of the Glenkens and former Glenkens Church of Scotland minister, Grierson of Lagg stabled horses in the Dalry kirk during the Covenanting times, and he was referred to often as ‘the Devil’ by locals. It’s not inconceivable that he might page 25 have thrown parties in the Kirk, out of sheer disrespect to the Presbyterian locals. Dalry was also famed at the time not only for its history of 'witches’, like the Witch of Hanniston, and the Witch of Drouth (a hamlet that used to exist near Lochinvar) but also for hosting Witches Sabbats, so there is definitely plenty of opportunity for Adam’s tale to have more than a wee grain of truth in it. The fact that the Forrester grave is actually placed where he would have been peering in the window of the old kirk also gives a wee bit more credence to the veracity of the tale. It is clear that the folk of Dalry still believed in the power of witches until comparatively late on, as Elspeth McEwen of Cubbox was sent by the kirk session of Dalry to the Tolbooth in Kirkcudbright as a witch, becoming one of the last women in Scotland to be executed for this ‘crime’ two years later, in 1698. Angela Miller is the librarian at Dalry Library and a keen local historian. You can view her YouTube channel by searching YouTube or Google for 'Galloway Retold'. Dalry kirkyard headstone repairs R eaders will remember the previous features on the Carson, Mather and Keenlyside headstones in Dalry kirkyard. Attached is a picture of the cleaned Mathers headstone that stands proudly opposite the church entrance door. This has been another great project brought to completion, especially as family came forward having read earlier articles about the headstone in the Gazette. The small cross is the repaired Keenlyside infant grave which is on the path that leads to the suspension bridge. This wee grave has been adopted now by a member of the community and bulbs have been planted for the spring. The Gazette reached out to local amateur historian and regular Gazette contributor, Paul Goodwin, to see if he could find out a bit more information about this grave. Paul said: "Jacob and Rebecca Keenlyside lived on Main St, Dalry, in 1921, and were the grandparents of the infant in question. "Their son, Tom Hall Keenlyside, was the father of the child and in 1911 was living with his mother in Blyth, Northumberland. Tom married the child's mother, Eva W Keenlyside (nee Robertson), in Pickering in 1918." Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 26 CatStrand nominated venue of the year C atStrand has been nominated as Venue of the Year, in the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards. It's great to be recognised, it says a lot about the warm welcome CatStrand audiences give to artists performing here that we have been considered in the same category as some much bigger venues. The winner will be announced at the end of November, after this edition of the Gazette has gone to print, so keep your eyes peeled on the next issue for an update! Along with 281 other Scottish cultural organisations, we are still waiting on the result of Creative Scotland’s Multi Year Fund. Our future ability to sustain a live arts programme is very much dependent on this decision. This decision has been delayed from October until the end of January, to allow for more certainty on the national funding available. The good news is that the delay is primarily to allow the Scottish Government time to meet its public promises to put more money into the system. The bad news is that there is still no certainty over the funds available to Creative Scotland to distribute, and so no certainty about the decisions they will make with this funding. In light of this, although we expect and hope for positive news, there is no real certainly over the future programme until at least the end of January. We have applied to the Creative Scotland Open Fund for some additional funding to tide us over to April 25, and we will shortly be re-applying to the Heritage Lottery for some more support for our amazing Cultural Glenkens projects, but we will have to wait and see with those as well. They're all very oversubscribed. Despite the funding challenges, 2024 has been a very successful year for CatStrand Arts. We've maintained ticket sales, matching the best we have on record, and have presented a solid mix of live music, theatre, touring work and representation of regional artists. We’ve got some excellent December concerts lined up: Mercury nominated jazz pianist Fergus McCreadie returns with an international quartet on 1 December and there are festive frolics from two foremost folkies, Anna Massie and Hannah Rarity, on 13 December. We hope to see you at some of these events - thanks very much to everyone for your support through 2024 and here's to a successful 2025! Firewood logs & Wood Products for Sale From Carsphairn Community Woodland A range of products are available from our community sawmill Contact us with your requirements ï Free local delivery ï Enquiries to: Tel: 07710 124 255 Carsphairn Community Woodland Limited is commi�ed to acquiring, developing and managing local woodlands in a sustainable and environmentally sound way for the long-term benefit of the local community. Website: www.carsphairn.org/CCWL Company Limited by Guarantee SC591976 GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 27 News from the CatStrand Young Creatives C atStrand Young Creatives (CYC) has had a great few months, and we're excited to be able to share lots of good news with you. We were delighted to be nominated by supporters as both Culture Champions and Community Project at the D&G Life Awards. While we didn't win, it was an honour to be in the company of so many amazing projects from across the region, and a huge "thank you" to the people who nominated us. Some really excellent news is that the Holywood Trust has renewed their support of us, meaning that we will definitely be able to carry on the Young Creatives work until at least March 2027. This is fantastic news and we are so appreciative of all their support - it's so exciting to know we will be able to continue supporting our young people into the future. The Holywood Trust primarily supports young people aged over 12, so you will see that reflected in the programme, but it does mean lots of opportunities coming up for young people looking to make their career in the Arts watch this space! We held our annual Musical Showcase in November, expertly hosted by CatStrand intern Ella Campbell. As ever, it was a fantastic evening highlighting the breadth and depth of talent in our young people. The performers from our Make Some Noise inclusive music sessions with Paragon were a particular highlight, and it was just great to see the older performers growing in confidence and skills. Some of them have been on the CatStrand Young Creatives stages since they were little, so to see the whole age range represented was fantastic. Creative Scotland supports our music lessons through their Youth Music Initiative, and you can see it is really paying off. Speaking of the CYC stage, we're very much looking forward to the Youth Players Christmas panto in early December - hope Paragon performing at the CYC Musical Showcase you've already got your tickets. It's always a highlight of the CatStrand year - oh yes it is! Thanks as ever to all the funders, deliverers, volunteers, families and of course the young people who make CatStrand Young Creatives what it is. Cat Campbell, Young Creatives Project Lead Young writers' short story competition Y oung writers in Dumfries and Galloway are again being given the opportunity to show their talent by entering a short story competition. The competition, which is running for the second year, is one of the events for young writers and readers linked to the annual Kirkcudbright Book Week which runs between 3 and 9 March 2025. Entries close on February 10, 2025, and entrants between the ages of nine and 15 are asked to provide examples of 'flash fiction', a style of short fiction writing. The competition is being run jointly by book week organisers the Kirkcudbright Book Week Society and Kirkcudbright Library, which is operated by Dumfries and Galloway Council. There is no entry fee. The judges are Lesley Garbutt, of Kirkcudbright Library, and crime writer John Dean, both of whom are on the Society's committee. John said: “We ran the inaugural competition for young writers last year and were impressed by the enthusiasm and energy with which the stories were told. Combined with the terrific imagination and skills which the entrants displayed, judging the stories was a sheer delight. I suspect that this year’s competition will be the same.” You can read the rules and conditions, and more about Flash Fiction, at the Book Week website at www.kirkcudbrightbookweek.org Invitation to Screen Your Work Galloway Shorts is a celebration of films made by amateur and emerging filmmakers, hosted by CatStrand and Dalry Film Club. It will be a chance to see work by others and meet other filmmakers. Galloway Shorts welcomes participants of all ages and levels of experience. Regrettably, there is no financial incentive to take part. Films can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make them, but should fit within the time limits set out below. Submissions are invited from any filmmaker aged 12+ in the following categories: Drama (5-10 mins), Documentary (3-5 mins), Digital Animation (1-4 mins), Stop Animation (1-2 mins). Deadline to Register Interest: January 6th, 2025. Films should be sent by: February 20th, 2025 Galloway Shorts Screenings will take place on 19 March 2025 at Dalry Town Hall See gcat.scot/Galloway-shorts/ for full details and the registration form. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 28 Songs for the turning of the year G lenkens audiences are in for a treat as SongWave Community Choir brings their winter concert series, 'Wassail! Songs for the Turning of the Year' to local venues. Led by musical director Kate Howard, SongWave is a Castle Douglas based community choir which is known for its joyous acapella renditions of a varied repertoire of songs. This winter, the choir will focus on the Wassail, which is the Anglo-Saxon word to wish someone good health. The group will perform carols from around the British Isles and through the centuries. From a 14th Century Hogmanay song 'Hagman Heigh' from West Yorkshire to Sheffield pub carols; a rediscovered bell carol from Barnsley to luck visiting songs from Somerset, SongWave offers good cheer and plenty of good luck for the year ahead. “We're looking forward to bringing Wassail! to the Stewartry," said the choir's chairperson, Jo Gallant. "The choir has been working hard to prepare for these concerts, and we're excited to share our passion for singing with the local community”. Performances in and around the Glenkens and district are Kirkpatrick Durham Village Hall on Saturday 14 December at 4pm and New Galloway Town Hall on Sunday 15 December at 4pm. SongWave presents Wassail! Songs from down the ages to celebrate the turning of the year, led by musical director Kate Howard. Friday 13th December 2024 Twynholm Village Hall 7.00 pm Saturday 14th December 2024 Kirkpatrick Durham Village Hall 4.00 pm Sunday 15th December 2024 New Galloway Town Hall 4.00 pm To find out more and book tickets please visit songwavechoir.org.uk. Tickets are £10, or £5 for those aged under 26, with refreshments being served in the interval. Don’t miss this unforgettable musical experience that celebrates songs marking the turning of the year. Tickets: £10, £5 under 26s, including refreshments, from www.songwavechoir.org.uk 07747 623036 Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 29 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers through some of his favourite books. In this edition Robin takes a look at some Palestinian writing... I t isn’t surprising that the Palestinian people have an enormously rich culture, given that they’ve inhabited the fertile and welltravelled bridge between Africa, Asia and Europe since long before human history began. Inheritors of three religions, and of Canaanite, Aramaic, Israelite, and Arab civilizations (among others), their culture is manifested in embroidery, jokes and oral history, music and dance, films, poetry and novels. I immersed myself in all of these forms during two visits to Palestine – once to teach a writing workshop at al-Najah University in Nablus, and once with the Palestine Festival of Literature, or Palfest. Michael Palin was with me on that one. He and I and a group of other writers went for a beautiful (surrounded by rolling hills and olive trees) and frightening (surrounded too by checkpoints, watchtowers and soldiers) walk with Raja Shehadeh, author of Palestinian Walks. A lawyer, human rights activist, and prize-winning writer, Raja has produced a string of works of creative non-fiction, which I highly recommend. I also recommend Minor Detail by Adania Shibli, which I’ve just finished reading. It’s a novella of two parts. The first is narrated by an Israeli officer stationed in the Naqab desert shortly after the Nakba, or Catastrophe, of 1948, when Palestinian society was razed and uprooted to make way for the new Jewish State. He and his troops are stationed there to apprehend ‘infiltrators’. They come across a Bedouin family, and kill the men. Then, after a period of indecision, they rape and kill the surviving young woman. The officer, meanwhile, is tormented by a spider’s bite, which provokes him to repeated Lady Macbeth-style washing around the edges of the wound. In his narration, what is left unsaid and unexamined is as impactful as what he chooses to notice. The second part of the novella is narrated by a woman who appears to stand at some point on the autism scale. Fascinated by the date of the crime, exactly 25 years before her birth, she David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP borrows a car with a registration plate that allows her to travel beyond the West Bank, and journeys in search of further information to the scene of the crime. As she drives, the reader learns a great deal about maps and boundaries, about the architecture of oppression and the geography of domination. Further connections than the crime itself link the two parts of the story – spiders, barking dogs, the smell of petrol – and these collapse time, creating a sense of eternal recurrence for those trapped in the nightmarish web. The end of the story is abrupt and unexpected. Adania Shibli’s curt, forensically precise, emotionally devastating prose is reminiscent of JM Coetzee at his best. For a larger novel, I recommend British-Palestinian writer Isabella Hamad’s highly accomplished The Parisian. (Isabella has also written a more recent book – Enter Ghost – which I haven’t yet read.) Poetry fans should look for work by the late Mahmoud Darwish, called ‘the national poet of Palestine’, and by the contemporary young poet Mosab Abu Toha, recently escaped from Gaza. Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 30 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 31 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Michele Owen 07940 313 445 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Parton: Tom - 07835 821 976 • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Balmaclellan: 1 Dec (11am service and also the vote on the new Union and Linkage), 5 Jan, 2 Feb - 11am Carsphairn: 8 Dec (morning worship & communion), 25 Dec (Christmas day service), 12 Jan, 9 Feb - 11am Kells: 8 Dec (6.30pm Carols by Candlelight), 15 Dec, 24 Dec (11.30pm Watchnight service), 19 Jan - 11am Dalry: 29 Dec (songs of praise), 26 Jan - 11am For further information contact Rev Pam Bellis on 07751 379 249 or pam@ bellisconsultancy.co.uk SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP The Rev Dawn Matthew Sundays:10.30am, Holy Communion with refreshments after the service. Tuesdays: 10am-12noon, look for the ‘church is open’ sign and pop in for private prayer or to chat with Dawn. Thursdays: 7.30-8pm, evening prayers via Zoom shared with our sister church, All Saints’ Challoch. Please contact Dawn for the link. CHRISTMAS SERVICES: Sun 22 Dec, 4pm, Community Carol Service followed by mulled wine and mince pies. Tue 24 Dec, 4-4.30pm, Family Nativity: come dressed as your favourite nativity character and hear the Christmas story told in rhyme! Wed 25 Dec, 10.30am, Christmas Day service with Holy Communion. For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 32 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies SEE AD ON PAGE 16... Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE You can now apply for a Garden Waste Collection Service permit at £40 per bin. for regular collections from March to November 2025. Apply online at www.dumgal.gov.uk/ wasterecycling or in person at a customer service centre such as Dalry Library. The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Advanced Massage Practitioner (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 33 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation WHAT'S ON page 34 December/January DECEMBER The Food Hub is running weekly throughout December, (see ad on p7 for QR code to shop). Galloway National Park consultation open until 14 February - www. newnationalparkgalloway.commonplace.is Sun 1, New Galloway Christmas Lights-on with mince pies and mulled wine, walk down from golf club car park to CatStrand New Galloway Town Hall Tue 10, GCT Bus Trip: Christmas Shopping, 8.45am-8.45pm, see p33 Wed 11, Make Do and Mend, 7-9pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Wed 11, POSTPONED National Theatre Live Prima Facie, CatStrand Fri 13, Hannah Rarity & Anna Massie, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 13, Quiz Night, 7-9pm, Balmaghie Public Hall Sun 1, Fergus McCreadie: From Scotland to Italy to Lithuania, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 14, Glenkens Children’s Christmas Party, 2-4.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Mon 2, Beginners Bridge Class starts, runs weekly, 7-9pm, Lochinvar Hotel Sat 14, Christmas Family Bingo, 4-5.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Wed 4, Joint Guild Christmas Coffee Morning, 10.30am-12noon, Dalry Town Hall Sat 14, Wassail! Songs for the Turning of the Year, 4-6pm, New Galloway Town Hall Wed 4, Film: Billy Connolly Big Banana Feet , 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 14, Mix Tape Dance Night, 8-11pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 5, Carsphairn SWI, 7.30pm, Lagwyne Hall Sun 15, Christmas Quiz, 6-9pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 6 & Sat 7 at 7.30pm, Sat 7 & Sun 8 at 3pm, CatStrand Players Panto: King Arthur, CatStrand Fri 6, New Galloway & Kells Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch, 12noon, New Galloway Town Hall Sat 7, Kirkpatrick Durham Christmas Fair, 10am-4pm, KPD Village Hall Sat 7, Carsphairn Community Woodland volunteer day, 10am-3pm, Muirdrochwood forest Mon 16, Community Café Christmas-themed lunch, 12noon-2pm, New Galloway Town Hall Tue 17, Carsphairn Music Concert, 8-10pm, Lagwyne Hall Wed 15, Film: The Holdovers, 7-9.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 17, Carsphairn Burns Supper, 7-11pm, Lagwyne Hall Sat 18, Community Garden Consultation, 12noon-3pm, New Galloway Town Hall Sat 18, Family Bingo, 4-5.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, all ages welcome. Sat 25, Bodega Social’s Wonky Burns Night, New Galloway Town Hall, see p3 Mon 27, GCAT AGM, 7pm, CatStrand Sat 1 Feb, CatStrand Burns Supper, 7.30pm, CatStrand HOUSE TO LET AND CARETAKER VACANCY - see p14 for details Sun 19, National Theatre Live: Nye, 3pm, CatStrand Sat 21, Christmas Carols at Barwhillanty, 6.3010pm, Barwhillanty Estate, Parton Tue 31, Community Hogmanay Ceilidh, 7pm12.30am, New Galloway Town Hall Sat 7, Mossdale Xmas Craft Fair, 11am-3pm, Mossdale Village Hall JANUARY Sun 8, Christmas Craft Fair, 11am-2.30pm, Sat 11, Risto’s Pop-up Restaurant – A Finnish Smorgasbord Feast, NG Town Hall Wed 18, Film: Wonka, 7-9.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 7, Dalry Community Café, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 7, Dragon Boats fundraising Party Night & Supper, 7.30-11pm, Dalry Town Hall CatStrand for a free bowl of soup and filled roll between 11.30am and 2pm, Tuesday to Saturday. See p6 Throughout December, January and February (while funding lasts) head over to the Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact richardandjane@phonecoop.coop or 01556 670 691 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 35 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Exercise Class, Tue, 6-7pm Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3pm Zumba, Fri, 6.30-7.30pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am-12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; Oct-Mar, 2.30pm) Soup & Sandwich, Sat, 12noon-2pm, Oct-Mar Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, Wedn & Fri, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making - Mon, 7-9pm Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@ gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10am CatStrand, New Galloway Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat biweekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.30am Musical Misfits, Sat, bi-weekly, 10am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16yrs) Art Explorers, Sat, 10.30am, fortnightly New Galloway Town Hall Community Larder, side door open for access Mon 9am–4.30pm; Tue 7-9pm; Wed 6.30–8pm; Thu 9.30am–6pm Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Dance for Wellbeing (adults), Mon 2.30pm Creative Movement for Children, 4pm LING Community Cafe, Tue, 12.30–2pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–5.30pm, drop-in Martial Arts, Thu, 7.30pm Babies & Toddlers, Fri, 10am For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Wee Wonders, Thu, 9-10am Clachan Crafters, Thu, 2pm, 07500 861 041 Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet. com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm, Tue 6-8pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Main St, Dalry - 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book at the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Facebook Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Song Share, 1st Fri each month, 7.3010.30pm Mossdale Village Hall Mossdale Painters, Wed, 9.30-11.30am Yoga, Fri, 2.15pm Soup Saturday, last Sat each month, 1-3pm Various Bumps, Babies & Beyond, every 2nd Mon, 10.30am, Kirkpatriack Durham Village Hall Learn to Play Bridge, Mon, 7-9pm, Lochinvar Hotel Keep Fit with Alex, 7.15-8.15pm, KPD Village Hall Strictly Get Dancing, Mon, 7pm, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Glenkens Oil Painters, Wed, 10am, Corfield House Art Studio Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed 2-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Thu, 1-3pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 Mum & Baby MovementThu, 9.3011.30am, Laurieston Village Hall Crossmichael Youth Club, Fri, Crossmichael Memorial Hall For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 36 Community membership model for Galloway Food Hub T he Galloway Food Hub, which gives people the on-line opportunity to buy local produce from local farmers, growers and producers, is set to become a membership organisation. In its first thirty months of operation the Food Hub has grown rapidly and boasts widespread support. Food Hub co-ordinator Lesley said: “We feel very supported by our customers and producers who tell us they love what we do. They appreciate the connection to farmers, growers and makers who produce food in a nature- friendly way in our region. Offering membership to our customers, producers, and anyone else who wants to support us, will allow them to have a say in how we run. We hope to have the membership scheme in place in January 2025 when we’ll be inviting people to join.” The Galloway Food Hub started as a project of Propagate (Scotland), a Community Interest Company (CIC) to fulfil a need in the local Glenkens economy for a hyper-local online marketplace, connecting communities to local producers. Now the Food Hub has branched out on their own to become incorporated as an independent CIC, limited by guarantee. The previous steering committee is now a board of nine directors, comprised of producers, customers, volunteers and staff members. The connection to Propagate remains strong. If you want to find out more about the Food Hub, or start to purchase the range of delicious, ethically produced, mostly locally sourced produce then visit www.gallowayfoodhub. org.uk, email hello@ gallowayfoodhub.org.uk or call Lesley on 07587 122 151. The Food Hub is running weekly throughout December - order one week Food Hub volunteers modelling some of the local veg on offer for collection or delivery the next. The last order window before Christmas is 13-17 December for collection on Friday the 20 December. Taking a break over Christmas and the New Year, the Food Hub reopens on its usual fortnightly cycle from the 10 January with the first collection date being Friday 17 January 2025 (see ad on p7 for QR code to shop). Photo of the Issue Sponsored by This issue’s winner is Jackie Wells with a stunning shot of the Northern Lights photographed from Balmaclellan church Jackie wins two portions of mac 'n' cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "We just really love the Northern Lights!" To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com FEB/MAR COPY DEADLINE: 5 JAN The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. 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For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document October/November 2024 A focus on ISSUE 144 FREE INSIDE THIS ISSUE T he Glenkens has traditionally been a farming area, so a focus on, and understanding of, local food production is a familiar field. However, in recent years there has been a real upsurge of interest in growing and producing food locally. The value in terms of the health benefits as well as impact on the environment of locally produced food is widely acknowledged. The Glenkens has had a producers' market for some surge of interest in local food. years now, which is a great success, and with the creation of the Glenkens Food Hub (now the Galloway Food Hub) in 2021 and Glenkens Food Month, which was started by New Galloway Community Enterprises in 2019, there is a wealth of enthusiasm for that which is grown or made in our neck of the woods. This year has seen a massive Glenkens Food Month offers myriad local food-connected events, activities and projects for all ages, from the Glenkens Gardeners to Bairn Banter's Seed-to-Soup-Spoon project and the creation of a permaculture garden at Dalry School. 'New Scots' at the CatStrand ...turn to p3 All in all, there's no shortage of fresh, local food on the table! For more on local food turn to pages 18 and 19 at the centre of this issue... Scottish Alternative Games Glenkens Men's Shed turns 10 ...turn to p5 T he renowned Scottish Alternative Games, held each July in New Galloway, was another roaring success, with crowds attending to compete for prestigious world champion status. The usual quirky events were enjoyed, especially the everpopular snail racing, and the threatened rain held off until late in the afternoon, just as the events were coming to an end. Congratulations go to Alexander McKenna for reclaiming the Gird ‘n’ Cleek World Championship title for the fourth time. He last held the title in 2018, but this year, against fierce competition from Ralph Spernagel, he won the final once again. Alexander’s triumph has equalled the record of four title wins also Carsphairn Community Woodland takes on new pre-apprentice ...turn to page 10 held by two of the Games' other repeat champions, Jayde Devlin and Neil Armstrong. Can he manage a fifth year...? Huge thanks to everyone who came along to support the Games and to everyone who helped to organise and run everything on the day. See you all next year! Brian Edgar Pictured are Gird 'n’ Cleek World Champion, Alexander McKenna (centre) with, left to right, Brian Edgar (commentator), Ralph Spernagel (2nd place), Benny Seed (3rd place) and Ollie Rigg (Games piper), photographed by Hayley Edgar Questions on the proposed Galloway National Park ...turn to page 21 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 2 A glorious day at the Glenkens Show A nother excellent event was hosted by the Glenkens Agricultural Society with their annual Glenkens Show. The number of entries in the livestock and horse classes were a credit to all involved, putting the show firmly in the spotlight for not only the number of entries but also the standard of stock shown. A couple of rain showers soon passed and allowed the judging to get by without any of the usual weather-related problems. In the cattle section, a total of 55 animals went forward; the sheep section saw 227 animals, alongside 22 goats. Some highlights in the sheep section included classes of 23 mule ewe lambs, 17 crossing bluefaced Leicester ewe lambs and 16 blackface ewe lambs. The show committee would like to express a heartfelt thanks to all the exhibitors who took the time to come along and show. The conclusion of the day saw the judging of the Champion of Champions take place, whereby the winning animal from each section goes up against each other to be crowned the overall winner. This year’s judge was Mr Donald Smith of the Lowes Farm, Corsock. A local man, Donald has attended a grand total of 71 Glenkens Shows and was very impressed with the line-up of livestock. He found his champion in the Clydesdale winner, a two-year-old filly, Holmhead Apple Blossom, who is out of a homebred mare, Holmhead Molly, and by Single Limited Edition. The filly is owned by William Gemmell, Holmhead of Boreland, Kirkcowan, and was shown on the day by his niece, Arlene McKie. This horse was champion at Glenkens Show last year and also champion at this year's Stranraer and Stewartry Shows. Taking the reserve spot was a blackface ewe lamb belonging to R Jardine & Son, Upper Hardland, Balmaclellan. She was out of a homebred ewe and by a Dudlees-bred tup bought from Kirkmabreck. The overall beef winner was from Miss Jodie Caig, Tarbreoch, Kirkpatrick Durham. Finally, thank you to all the show sponsors and trade stands who support the show. Judith Cowie Top: Champion of Champions, Holmhead Apple Blossom with, left to right, Donald Smith (judge), William Gemmell (owner) and Arlene McKie (William's niece). Left: Judging of the bluefaced Leicester ewe lamb class with judge William Barrowman Corsock Show unfazed by soggy summer E xhibitors and visitors came from far and wide to attend the Great Corsock Show, a vital fixture in the Stewartry’s event calendar. Concerns had been raised over the poor growing weather this summer, but entrants turned out to make the show a success across all 57 categories. The show was opened to the public at 1pm, with the ribbon cut by Jane Ingall, village resident and long-term show stalwart. Visitors were welcome to tour the categories, eat at the BBQ, take part in the bottle stall and enjoy some home baking. At 2.30pm, the cups and prizes were awarded, the remaining produce was auctioned off and then the raffle took place. Judi Shaw, a member of the organising committee, said: “This year, due to poor growing conditions and unpredictable weather, we felt there wouldn’t be many entries for the show. We were very wrong! "Folks rose to the challenge and supported the Great Corsock Show making it a huge success. It was wonderful to see people of all ages coming together and having fun. The standard of entries continues to exceed expectations. It's hard work but worth it. Now we can look forward to doing it all again in 2025!” Funds raised will go to a variety of local good causes. McNabb Laurie Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 3 New Galloway's fundraising plant stall A milestone has been passed this year as New Galloway’s ‘Navrig’ cottage plant stall raises a recordbreaking £650 for charity.” Over the last five years the stall, run by Carol Salsbury, has typically raised from £200 to £400 for different local charities. This year, the story is more personal with the money going to LACE (Life after Cancer Essex). Bill and Carol’s daughter, Joanne Hammond, founded LACE five years ago when she thought she was clear of cancer. The aim was to set up a walkand-talk group for cancer survivors who needed solidarity. When Joanna’s cancer returned, this time diagnosed as terminal, she continued to work tirelessly for LACE, re-naming it ‘Lives Affected by Cancer Essex’. LACE became a Community Interest Company so that her husband Steve could continue the work after her death. Jo did so much for her expanding group that members nominated her for an MBE. Steve received the letter of confirmation from the palace five months after Jo’s death. Jo’s pioneering work has meant so much to many people, and still continues, supported entirely by funds raised by its members. Previous Navrig plant sales have been in aid of local charities but Bill and Carol wanted to participate in LACE’s work, despite the fact that they are unable to take part in fundraising activities down south. They are delighted by this year’s success - £650 will keep LACE going until Christmas. Carol didn’t let Jo’s husband Steve know just how much the stall had raised until he unfurled the cheque. The Navrig plant stall began in a small way when Carol had a few spare plants and sold them outside her house to raise money. New Galloway Town Hall, New Galloway shop and other local initiatives have benefitted in their turn. Carol never grew flowers until a few years ago, but now she says she’s "an obsessive flower gardener". All the plants in her garden are friendly to pollinators Bill and Carol presenting the cheque for funds raised at the Navrig plant stall to Steve, who runs the charity LACE and she’ll only buy plants for the stall if they’re good for bees. Much The Navrig plant stall is now part of our of her stock comes local scene, operating from April through from dividing her perennials, with some to August. For those who’ve spotted it bought-in baby plants come from bargainand not yet bought, you’ll have another bin sales. Carol often chats to buyers and chance next year. Supportive of important passers-by to explain the gardening ethos causes near and far, the plant stall is also behind the plant stall. an asset to our community in its own right, She said: “I’d like to thank everyone who providing affordable, locally-grown plants, purchased flowers from the stall; they’ve so the thanks go both ways. contributed to something really important Margaret Elphinstone and close to our hearts.” Book Week Scotland at the CatStrand New Scots: Old and New Connections T he CatStrand will take part in a special event in next month’s Book Week to celebrate writers who have made Scotland their home after being forced out of their native countries. Thanks to a successful bid for Book Week Scotland funding, CatStrand will be hosting two distinguished writers on Saturday 23 November for a 'New Scots: Old and New Connections' event. Sawsan Al-Areeqe is a Yemeni poet and film-maker who received an international Artist Protection Fund Fellowship hosted by the University of Glasgow. She has received international acclaim for her poetry, in Arabic and English, and her filmmaking has brought her numerous awards. Iyad Hayatleh is a Palestinian poet and translator. He was born and grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria and has lived in Glasgow since 2000. He describes his poetry as discussing “themes of exile and identity, torn between the many places I call home and the struggle to build up a new mixed identity of cultural diversity.” The writers will speak about the journeys which have brought them to Scotland and will read from their work. It is also planned to hold a workshop event where the guest speakers will work with members of local writing groups including WriteOn and Ken Words. Keep an eye on the Glenkens Hub and the CatStrand website for further details of this exciting venture. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 4 Call to reinstate the Clachan Fair T he Clachan Fair was a much-loved local event, bringing the communities of the Glenkens together in a weeklong celebration. Since 1977, the fair had run on a biannual basis, offering events and activities over the course of a week with the main celebration being on 'parade day' when stalls lined the streets and various events and activities were organised in celebration of the village and surrounding area. The parade included a variety of floats from across the Glenkens - the special float to carry the Clachan Fair Lad and Lass (a much-coveted local title among Glenkens teens) was provided from Crossmichael and the fire engine from New Galloway Fire Station was brought out. As can be seen from the programme to the right, the fair played a significant role in uniting the community and giving a strong element of community cohesion, with all of the Glenkens schools being involved, as well as other local organisations, clubs and members of the community. Andrew Metcalf, one of the last members of the Clachan Fair committee, is reaching out to anyone who would like to reestablish this traditional event, which sadly folded due to internal politics some years ago. He said: "I would like the fair to continue; there is still time to get it underway for June next year, if someone was keen and started organising things now. "There is a significant sum in the kitty - not just a few hundred, but enough to reconstruct the fair. Please get in touch if you feel you can rally a group of folk together to get this excellent, and much missed, local event going again!" If you, or a group you're involved with, would like to bring back the Clachan Fair please get in touch with Andrew at am460249@yahoo.com Pictured is the 2013 Clachan Fair programme along with some photographs from, left to right, the 2011, 2016 and 2013 fairs Name the Place I n each issue a photograph will be taken somewhere in the Glenkens by local photographer Ted Leeming and readers have to guess where it is. The answer can be found on p23, with a bit of information and food for thought about that location. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 5 Summer at New Galloway golf course T he summer (oh... did we have one?!) has been very busy at New Galloway Golf Club. The green staff have worked extremely hard during the summer in keeping the course in excellent condition, even though the weather has been challenging. We are pleased to say that visitor numbers are well up on the previous few years, which is obviously good for the finances of the club. The junior coaching sessions were run during July were wellattended and we hope to have a budding professional golfer from the group. A quiz night proved popular, with over 34 people taking part. The club also held a coffee morning and secondhand sale in September which was well attended by members, friends and residents, for which the club is particularly grateful. Over £400 was raised which will go towards improvements to the clubhouse. The number of social members is growing; the bar is open every Saturday evening and once a month it is proposed to have a quiz night or other entertainment. Memberships, both social and full, are still available as well as coaching for both juniors and adults. For further information please contact the club secretary on 01644 420 737. Jeff Sutcliffe A moment of sunshine for the fundraising coffee morning and secondhand sale Glenkens Men's Shed celebrates ten years G lenkens Men’s Shed, the first 'Shed' in Dumfries & Galloway, celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Started by Brian Jones in the forerunner to the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust's hugely successful Connecting In Communities project, the Shed went on to become a constituted group and has gone from strength to strength. From its humble beginnings in the empty old agricultural workshop attached, at that time, to the derelict Smiddy (that turned out well too), it has gone on to be one of the best equipped and most diverse Sheds in the UK. The Shedders are forever indebted to Alan Smith, former chair of the Glenkens Communty & Arts Trust (GCAT), for the continuing use of his premises. Without his generosity there would be no Shed, so cheers Alan, we owe you! Since its initial seed funding the Shed has been self-funded, raising money through grants, donations, subscriptions and sale of works. We’re also grateful to Tesco, the Co-op, Age Scotland, LEADER, the Galloway Association of Glasgow, GCAT, the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership, Glenkens Community Shop, Balmaclellan Community Council and a myriad of other benefactors and donors who’ve all supported us on our journey. Men’s Sheds were established to “combat loneliness and isolation in the elderly male population” but ours has expanded and proudly diversified. We are both accessible and open to all adults, irrespective of gender, and indeed some of our sub-groups have more women than men! Apart from our open sessions for woodwork, metalwork and project work, we also host a stick-making group and an art group. The Shed has also supported numerous groups and individuals through work to make or repair items needed; from pine marten boxes to bench renovations, PAT testing to fixing bikes, water sampling equipment, planters and fairy houses...the list goes on! In parallel to the renovation of the Smiddy, the Shed itself also underwent a transformation. It now sports a new roof, external cladding, solar panels, battery storage, electric heaters, a mezzanine floor and even electric vehicle charging points in the tarmac carpark outside the building - so the space is pretty much unrecognisable from its 2014 origins. The Shed is affiliated to the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association to which we pay a fee of £20 a year, and so is free to join for members. We will be hosting an open day on Tuesday 19 November - which coincidentally also happens to be International Men’s Day - from 10am to 1pm. Why not pop in and see for yourself what goes on? You’ll be more than welcome and the kettle will be on. Or if you just can’t wait that long? Feel free to drop in at one of our weekly sessions for a cuppa and a chat (opening times below). In keeping with the overall Men’s Sheds ethos, there’s no requirement to take part in any specific activities at the Shed, just turn up for a brew, a biscuit and a banter - many do! But if you have something to make, mend or upcycle, you’ll find all the tools you need, and plenty of experienced Shedders to help and guide you if needed - come on in, you’re very welcome. To get in touch you can email mensshed@btinternet.com or simply pop in. Chris Jowsey OPENING TIMES ARE: General Sessions - Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making Group - Monday 7-9pm Art Group - Thursday, 2-4pm Glenkens Men's Shed attending ShedFest - an annual event by the UK Men's Sheds Association (UKMSA) that celebrates and connects Men's Sheds across the UK. Pictured with some winning exhibits are John and Michelle Fagan, Tom Leach, Ali Stewart, Brian Jones and Chris Jowsey Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 6 Britain's first rock 'n' roll show is back SIX FIVE SPECIAL Britain’s first Rock n Roll show  Vintage film clips & photo’s Dance, Dance, Dance or you can watch films on the screen T he Six Five Special, Britain’s first rockand-roll TV show, is back on the tracks and touring the South of Scotland. Come along to New Galloway Town Hall on Friday, 18 October at 7.30pm and watch the full story of this groundbreaking show. The Six Five Special started on the BBC in 1957, but it nearly didn’t happen. This is the story of behind the scenes at the BBC plus film clips of the show live on stage in 2015 and interviews with the stars from the TV show. After watching, there will be music from the 1950/60s, with films of the times, so you can sit and listen to the music and watch the films or you can put on your dancing shoes and rock 'n' roll the night away! Entry on the door with a donation bucket with funds raised being split between Prostate Scotland and the New Galloway Town Hall. Alan McLellan Glenkens parish churches harvest lunch Friday 18th October at 7.30pm New Galloway Town Hall T Entry on the night, Donation bucket Proceeds to Prostateparish Scotland & the Town12 Hall October, from 2pm he Glenkens onwards. The church 07562398253 churchesContact will celebrate will be open for people to come and visit, talk to the season with a harvest church members, study the thanksgiving lunch open unusual communion table to all. and just generally have a look around in an informal On Sunday, 13 October, the four parishes of the Glenkens will come together for a harvest setting. Tea and biscuits and thanksgiving service at Carsphairn Parish will be provided and, again, all are welcome. Church, at 11am, followed by a 'Soup & Sweet' lunch at Lagwyne Hall, with anyone For further details please who wishes welcome to attend. contact Irene McCreath on 07974 861 927. Carsphairn Church will also be hosting an open afternoon the day before, on Saturday, H yper-local online community news collaborative The Scottish Beacon (of which the Glenkens Gazette is a member) believes in the power of community-driven solutions and aims to amplify these stories to show that a greener, fairer Scotland is possible – and already taking shape. And they have a brand new project in the pipeline on the heels of their successful Citizens Agenda project, which asked people to define the issues Collaborative reporting that mattered most to them in the run-up to the General Election. Climate change and green energy were the top two issues that emerged across the board. Through a partnership with Local Storytelling Exchange, a UK-based organisation dedicated to showcasing the stories of the green transition, Scottish Beacon members will participate in bringing attention to local actions that are shaping Scotland’s future, offering inspiration and practical examples of how progress is being made. Over 100 days, Scottish Beacon members aim to collectively publish more than 50 stories that highlight community solutions that are already making a difference. Some initial stories being shared include the Gazette's article on Kendoon's new solar defibrillator, along with contributions from other Beacon members across the country... Keep your eyes peeled for more over the coming months! Visit https://www. scottishbeacon.com to find out more and read articles from other hyper-local publications across Scotland. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Pedalling to the Black Sea J ust before Covid Heidi and I had about five days in Vienna with Heidi’s parents and our two boys, and one day we took a boat down the Danube to Bratislava. We saw people enjoying cycling along cycle paths on the riverbank and thought it might be fun to come back and have a cycling holiday in the area when I retired. In March last year, Heidi had been browsing on the internet and she turned to me and asked, ‘How about it if, rather than just having a cycling holiday in the Vienna area, we were to cycle the Eurovelo 6?’ She went on to explain that the Eurovelo 6 was a long-distance cycle route from the mouth of the Loire on the Atlantic coast to the Black Sea. She knew I am always up for an adventure and the idea immediately caught my imagination. Within a fortnight, Heidi had purchased cycling guides covering most of the route and had acquired a solar panel to go on the back of her bike so that we could charge our mobile phones! She began making detailed plans for the journey. And so it came about that in April this year, after leaving our dog with Heidi’s parents in Wiltshire, we took a ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo and then local trains down to St Nazaire. We then cycled across the large, arched suspension bridge over the Loire to get to our first campsite on the south side of the river. The next day (13 April) we started out from the beach on the Atlantic coast and began heading east. Our expedition was beginning and we tried not to think too much about the distance that lay ahead. There were doubts about whether we had been a bit too ambitious in what we had taken on. We planned to cycle 40 to 50 miles a day – mostly camping overnight but with the option of a B&B or hotel if we felt we needed a little more comfort or refuge from the weather. It had been a challenge deciding what to take and what not to take, and we both ended up with about 25 kg in our panniers. There weren’t many things that we could have done without, but we were certainly well loaded! We met some challenges as we cycled up the Loire – flooding near the river and frosty mornings which made us seek refuge in Airbnbs. We cycled over 800 miles through France before reaching the Rhine near Basle. We then followed the Rhine up to Lake Constance through Germany and Switzerland, before heading north to the Danube at Tuttlingen. After that we were never far from the Danube as we traversed another seven countries. The western part of Eurovelo 6 has many cycle paths and in other parts tends to follow quiet country roads, though it does also pass through cities. Particularly in France and Germany there are many more bicycles on the road than here in the UK, and they put us to shame in the way they treat cyclists with thoughtfulness and respect. After Austria, we entered Eastern Europe when we reached Bratislava in Slovakia. In many ways I found the second half of the trip the most interesting. There were far fewer cyclists, especially once we got past Budapest, and we had more of a sense of being adventurers off the beaten track. There were some cycle tracks, but also many quiet roads to follow as we made our way through Slovakia, Hungary and on into Croatia and Serbia. We only had two nights in Croatia and, after passing through Vukovar, which was flattened in the Balkan conflict, we spent the second night in Ilok at a B&B in a block of flats. The owner had had to run for her life with all the inhabitants of the town, which was surrounded by Serbian territory on three sides, and she and her husband got back home seven years later to find their flat gutted. But I was presented with a cold beer on arrival and she gave us a wonderful breakfast in the morning. I had always felt a bit ambivalent about passing through Serbia on account of the Balkan conflict and the fact that it was the only country that we were passing through that wasn’t a member of the EU; and that feeling was heightened as we crossed over into Serbia the next morning. But I have to say that Serbia was one of the highlights of the trip. We found the people most hospitable. We spent quite a bit of time traversing Serbia, as we kept to the south side of the river as it passed through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge. After that we stayed on the south side of the river and continued on into Bulgaria, as we had been advised that the roads on the Romanian side were flat and boring and very busy. Bulgaria was more scenic, though also more hilly. At that point the temperature was climbing above 30 degrees C every day and there was a lack of campsites, so we ended up staying in hotels and B&Bs instead. At the end, we had two days cycling through Romania to reach Constanta on the Black Sea, which we reached on 16 June. There we had a few days to get our bicycles boxed and arrange a taxi to the airport for our flight back to Luton. I've often found that some of the most rewarding experiences page 7 in life come when you step a bit beyond your comfort zone. Cycling across Europe through ten countries carrying all you need on your bicycle might seem a little daunting. But any long journey is best accomplished one step at a time, or by focussing on one day at a time. That way it becomes more attainable. I was fortunate at nearly 68 that I had good enough health to consider taking on such a challenge and I was keen to grasp the opportunity while it was still there. I am also fortunate to have a wife who was up for such an adventure and willing to live out of cycle panniers and in a small tent for several months. Heidi was really the brains behind the trip. She excels at meticulous planning, poring over maps, working out realistic mileages for each day and the availability of suitable campsites or accommodation. Also her technical skills in bicycle maintenance are far ahead of mine. The trip couldn't have happened without her! We cycled 2,883 miles across Europe. When I think back on all the hills climbed and countries traversed I have a kaleidoscope of memories of chateaux and cathedrals and ruined Roman cities, of precious encounters with some lovely people and beautiful scenery to enjoy all along the way. And it was remarkable how few days we ended up cycling in the rain! We have a treasure of experiences to look back on for the rest of our days. David Bartholomew Pictured above are David and Heidi upon arrival at the Black Sea and to the left, Schloss Werenwag above the Donautal gorge in Germany Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Youth Correspondent page 8 Joshua Wells, aged 15, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Josh describes the Glenkens Youth Group summer holiday trip to the Galloway Activity Centre. O n 11 July the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) youth group ran a trip to the Galloway Activity Centre. To eliminate a player you must shoot one of the sensors on a player’s head; if the player gets hit 10 times they are out until the next round. The arena contains multiple wooden barriers, blocking you from gunfire, and a wooden castle in the middle provided to us for free. We spent an hour in the lovely Waterfront Cafe. to get the hang of it and started getting closer and closer to the bullseye. Following this appetising lunch, we were taken to the archery ground. Once we arrived, we were taught how to hold a bow, Finally, we went to our last activity, 'the wobbly waterpark'. We suited-up in our wetsuits, pulled on our buoyancy aids, and strapped on our helmets. Once we got to the dock, we jumped off and swam towards the first inflatable, which had a slide on both sides. The next one that we swam to was a large slide - it was less steep than the last but was just as fun. The last one we got to go on was a trampoline connected to a very hard obstacle course. Even though it was hard to jump on the trampoline, due to the amount of water contained inside it, it was still ridiculously fun. The trip was completely free, thanks to funding from the Glenkens & District Community Fund and Dumfries & Galloway Council's 'Amazing Summer' fund. It allowed and allowed young people from across the Glenkens, from P7 to S3, to participate in activities such as laser tag, archery and the ‘wobbly waterpark'. To start the day, I had to arrive at the CatStrand at 10am so we would get to the activity centre for 10.15am. Getting there early let us have more time for each activity. People could have also been picked up at Dalry, making it easier for people who are just a bit too far from New Galloway. Once we arrived, we had the plan for the day explained to us. After this, we were taken straight to laser tag (an hourand-a-half activity), put into two teams of seven (blues and reds) and given out guns. The guns were connected, with a wire, to headbands, with three sensors on each one. which blocks you from getting shot from all sides. Even though I was not very good at it, I found it fun. After that action-packed activity we collected our lunch, which consisted of a roll, crisps and a chocolate bar, all of which were how to aim and what to and what not to do. Once we had learned how to use the bows, we started shooting. Just like laser tag, I was bad at archery, but I still enjoyed it. At the start of the session I couldn't even hit the target, but after a couple of tries, I started This terrific trip allowed younger people to get some once-ina-lifetime experiences and allowed for any family from any background to get their children a good trip for the summer, as it was free and very accessible. If this trip was held again, I would recommend to everyone to try to get their spot. Pictured are young people on the Glenkens Youth Group trip on the 'wobbly waterpark' at the Galloway Activity Centre photograph courtesy of Beata, Glenkens Youth Group lead GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Gazette page 9 CatStrand's new youth intern E lla Campbell, the CatStrand's new youth intern, tells the Gazette a bit about herself and why she's so excited to take on the role. Hi, my name is Ella Campbell and I’m a 16 year-old girl living in Dalry. Many of my achievements have been thanks to the CatStrand. When I moved here from Leeds three years ago, I was worried I would lose my love for drama and music, as it is a small area, but my passion has only expanded since I moved here. During my time at the CatStrand, I have been given many incredible opportunities from the team. I gained a Saltire certificate for doing 20 hours of volunteering whilst helping with the 6-10 yearold drama group when I was 14, which I really enjoyed doing. I also had my first ever gig when I was 14. This was the first ever time that I got to sing my own lyrics in front of an audience which opened up more opportunities like working with Dumfries Music Collectives, who kindly helped me to start a songwriting mentorship with Sarah Jane Scouten, who is the nicest lady to work with on my music ever, and I would love to do that again. I also got to perform at Youth Beatz with Dumfries Music Collectives (DMC) in 2023 and 2024, which was a joy and I loved it, mostly because of how kind the people who work at DMC are, and I will always take any opportunity that they give me. I also do the CatStrand Youth Players pantomimes which are an annual thing that Brian Edgar does, and the pantomimes are only expanding and getting bigger and better each year. Last year I was lucky enough to get to play Cinderella and I got to write a song for the pantomime too, and perform it. I am now starting my new internship at the CatStrand as Youth Music Coordinator, which I applied to because I just know it will be amazing to work with more young people and share my ideas. Thank you for reading this and see you at the CatStrand! Best wishes, Ella :) Another new face at LING L Active Schools and Community Sport Officer, and Stewartry Rugby Club, where he holds the position of director of rugby. A resident of New Galloway, John brings over a decade of experience in community engagement, volunteer management, and the development of health and wellbeing programmes. In his new role, John looks forward to working with the LING trustees and local volunteers to drive the trust’s project work forward, fostering stronger connections within the community and enhancing access to health and wellbeing activities. ocal Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) have welcomed a new member onto their team - John Muir, who will has taken on the role of Community Inclusion Leader. He has worked extensively with local organisations, including Dumfries and Galloway Council where he served as an MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 John has successfully collaborated with external stakeholders such as NHS Social Health teams, local businesses, and charities to deliver impactful community programmes. He is particularly passionate about mental health initiatives and has worked on projects that promote inclusion and wellbeing. If you would like to get in touch with John, you can contact him at john.muir@ling.org.uk Amber Dunlop-Pajo Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople page 10 Carsphairn Community Woodland welcomes their third pre-apprentice C arsphairn resident Shaun McClune is the newest forestry pre-apprentice to benefit from the training scheme offered at Carsphairn Community Woodland (CCW). Shaun has started a six month contract with the CCW team and will be working in a whole variety of woodland jobs, with access to a range of certificated training opportunities. He is the third pre-apprentice to train with CCW, under the supervision of Andy, our community forest supervisor. Both his predecessors completed their training successfully and moved on to positive destinations. With previous experience of planting with his uncle (who pointed out the opportunity for the pre-apprentice programme to Shaun when he saw it advertised), Shaun says he is enjoying the role so far and appreciates the emphasis that CCW puts on providing opportunities for younger people as he has found employment options limited in the rural areas he has always lived in. He's hopeful that the training provided by CCW will provide a foundation for a career in forestry. Shaun brought his two younger brothers to help with tree planting at our recent volunteer day, which resulted in a good number of young trees in the ground at Muirdrochwood. Shaun’s role is funded thanks to support from Glenkens & District Community Fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, and is part of the 'Woodlands Plus' project managed by McNabb Laurie through his role with Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands. Alison McLeod, CCW Development Officer McNabb Laurie of D&G Woodlands, visited the woodland to meet with Shaun Are you looking to plant trees this winter? We have grants available for small-scale native planting schemes. For full info, visit: www.dgwoodlands.org.uk Registered as a SCIO, no 052525 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 11 Positive momentum as local education discussions continue T alks on education have progressed after last issue’s well-received Education and Learning event. Hosted by the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT), the event was set up in support of the Community Action Plan (CAP) to have people think differently about education in the Glenkens. As a direct result of this event, members of the CAP Steering Group and Stewart Gibson, chair of Dalry Schools Parent Council, met with Gillian Brydson, Executive Director of the regional council's Education Skills & Community Wellbeing Department, in late July. It was an honest but productive meeting about the challenges of rural education, and came out with a commitment to working constructively and pro-actively together to achieve the best outcomes for our young people. You can find the full note of the meeting on the 'Education and Learning' page of the Glenkens Hub www.glenkens.scot, but the key actions were for Gillian and the Dalry School Parent Council to continue the conversation about what education provision for children aged two to sixteen in the Glenkens could look like, and for the CAP Steering Group, through GCAT, to pursue conversations about a 16+ 'Skills Campus' in the Glenkens. This is very ambitious and would be very hard to achieve but with the right partners on board, the Glenkens is a great place for such a facility. We are in the centre of the region, we have decades of work on land-based industry coming into the area, whether agriculture, wind or forestry, and of course we are a very committed community, dedicated to putting things in place to ensure our local economy and people can thrive. While it is a long journey ahead, there is a commitment and a degree of momentum now that is very encouraging and will AI-generated rendition of an eco-build learning campus in the Glenkens hopefully be fostered on both sides. More updates to come so watch this space! Helen Keron, Executive Manager, GCAT Our Glenkens primary schools Clockwise from top left: At Dalry Nursery this term have been baking biscuits, looking at bugs and visiting Dalry library enjoy Bookbug sessions. The Kells P5/6/7 class have been creating games to help them develop their mental maths strategies and researching WW2. Children in the P1/2/3 class at Dalry enjoyed collecting apples for the Soup Social event. The P1-5 pupils at Kells have set up a cafe to learn about money. In the P4/5/6/7 class at Dalry they are learning about 'Incredible Inventions'. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 12 All change for Glenkens schools T his academic year sees a complete reshuffle for our local schools with a new acting head teacher for the Glenkens Primaries Partnership of Kells and Dalry, as well as a new head teacher for both Dalry Secondary and Castle Douglas High School. We spoke to Stephen and Brogan to learn a little about them and heir new roles: Stephen Foster, Head Teacher, Dalry Secondary What brought you and your family to the Glenkens? My family and I were excited to move to the area because of the rural experience offered that is different to the experience of living in Ayrshire for most of my life. We wanted to buy a house with character and renovate it whist feeling part of a community. the community spirit, the friendliness of people and how welcome we have been made to feel. My experiences with the pupils and parents in school and outside of school have been so positive. It is now the norm to see people that we know when we are out and about and it is great to chat and mix with the community. We had wanted to move to the area when I first started teaching but circumstances didn't align to allow us to do so. We were excited to move into the Glenkins area nearly five years ago. The learning curve has been steep but in addition to teaching I have learnt new skills such as roofing, joinery, plumbing and brick laying that I have had to employ within my house. Where/what were you teaching before taking the post as Head at Dalry/CD? I came into teaching after a career in ASDA and my first permanent job was at the Douglas Ewart. I then worked in a number of authorities before returning to Dumfries and Galloway when I started at Dalbeattie High school. This is when we permanently relocated. What do you guys like most about it? Last year I was the acting Headteacher at the first school I worked which felt like a full circle when I returned to the I have been impressed with Douglas Ewart. The opportunity then arose to apply to be Head teacher at schools I was already part of the community with and I jumped at the chance of a permanent post. What are your aspirations for the post; are there any key changes/improvements you plan to make? My aspiration as a Head Teacher is for my schools to be the difference for my pupils. I believe the strength of the positive relationships that we have with our pupils gives them the platform to be successful and it is very important to me that their voices are heard. I am excited to grow my school community to reach their potential in partnership with my staff, pupils and my parents and carers. And for the Secondary, how does the next term look - any key topics, trips, partnership Brogan Murray, Acting Head Teacher, Glenkens Primaries Partnership Hi, I am Mrs Brogan Murray, the current Acting Head Teacher of Dalry Primary and Nursery and Kells Primary School. I have really enjoyed joining the Glenkens partnership and getting to know the communities a bit better. I grew up in the Stewartry so have many links to the area already. I received a warm welcome from children, staff, and families, which was great. This year we will be focusing on improving our school community further, by improving communication between home and school and aiming to raise attainment and engagement in Numeracy and Literacy. If any parents or members of the community working, etc coming up? I am currently working on engaging with our wider community to secure partnerships that will be of benefit to my pupils. I would request that local businesses please make contact with the school so that we can explore mutually beneficial ways to support each other and develop our communities. My door is always open. To get in touch you can call the school office on 01644 430 259 or email Stephen at gw12fosterstephen@ea.dumgal. sch.uk would like to get in touch, please call the school office on 01644 430 105 and I'd be happy to meet with you, or you can email me at gw12murraybrogan@ea.dumgal.sch.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 13 A look back over summer on the loch A s the Summer comes to an end, the Loch Ken Trust's seasonal ranger, Jason Wilding, reflects on the 2024 season. Well, as the summer starts to fade away, two less minutes every day, kids of all ages have all gone back to school, work, back to the normal daily grind. For those that live and work around Loch Ken we are left with a little breathing space; quieter roads, parking space on the lay-bys, fewer tents and tourists. The small hope of an Indian summer still exists - just a few more days of sunshine to enjoy the beautiful outdoors before autumn really kicks in. We can’t claim it’s been a summer of any great note, just a few nice days here and there. The season has been quiet in comparison to previous years on visitor numbers; factors to consider are weather and the rise in cost of living. The Loch Ken Trust Ranger Service has carried out over 200 patrols this season, along with launching our Volunteer Scheme. We can proudly say we’ve run a series of successful events over the year, starting with the Loch Ken 'meet the ranger service' event in March, our Youth Water Safety Awareness Programme at the Galloway Activity Centre (recognised nationally as an example of best practice), a Ranger Education Programme for local primary schools, collaborating with Propagate on a Bio Blitz (where people work together to identify as many species of wildlife as possible in a given area within a set time frame) at Lochhill Farm, Crossmichael, our highly successful Loch Ken Family Fun Day, where the weather was fantastic, and our Ranger Cookout, a part of the fantastic Glenkens Food Month. We must thank everyone who has supported the ranger service over the spring and summer by giving their time, energy, experience and enthusiasm to help keep the visitors and residents safe, the loch clean and the wildlife and habitats protected for future summers to come. For the ranger service, as our visitor management focus lessens, we are moving towards our autumn and winter work programmes and, with the invaluable help of our volunteers, hope to be working on more ecological themes, considering how external factors are likely to affect the wildlife, plant life and aquatic life in and around the Loch. LOCH KEN TRUST RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 we can look back on some of the stunning views of Loch Ken we have captured over the past few months. More of that in the future - for now in this little breathing space Helping young people to stay safe on the water O ur Youth Water Safety Awareness Programme draws to a close for 2024, with the final sessions being held this October before the water temperatures start to cool. To date over 200 young people have received this free training, learning vital skills for keeping safe on the water and also how to paddle board. We would like to thank our funders, the Holywood Trust, Drax Group UK and Dumfries & Galloway Area Committee Youth Fund for supporting the programme, without whom this would not be possible. The demand for these sessions has far exceeded our expectations and we are grateful to have been able to provide sessions to each of our local high schools and various organisations and groups. We would like to thank the fantastic team at the Galloway Activity Centre and everyone involved in the programme. We are proud to be promoting the Water Safety Code to young people in our region. SAVE THE DATE The Loch Ken Trust AGM will be held on Tuesday 12 November at 7pm in the Smiddy, Balmaclellan. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 14 sponsored by Observations from the saddle T he overwhelming sensation as as I continue my cycle rides exploring Scotland's rapidly changing landscapes, is that the more I see the less I know. I am becoming the ignorant observer. But as I meander through our incredible and varied countryside, it is slowly dawning on me that a lack of knowledge is not always the weakness one might imagine, but that perhaps it is something to embrace. This might seem at odds with a societal norm where expertise and science are held in the highest esteem, but allow me a moment to indulge my thesis before concluding I’ve simply spent too long in the saddle! My reasoning goes something like this... On this trip I am often travelling through unknown environments for the first time, seeing through fresh eyes and witnessing as an observer, rather than a participant. It’s the same sensation you get when arriving on a plane or stepping off a train in a new country. For those special first few hours everywhere you look, and everything you witness, is somehow exaggerated and enhanced, as if seeing with heightened awareness. A few days later, those elements which initially enchanted are simply subsumed into the background, however hard you look. They become the familiar, the normal, the "how it is". But is the accepted norm always right? On the bike, I have no option but to experience using a range of senses that most often lie dormant, or at best repressed, when cosseted in the blurred cocoon of a car, train or bus. From your seat, as in a movie, you are detached from and pass through the landscape, rather than exploring from within. By literally smelling the land (not always pleasant!), tasting the air, and feeling the wind on my cheeks (or hopefully my back), cycling connects me to my surroundings, with each new bend re-stimulating and invigorating, inviting investigation. I remain constantly free of the burden of familiarity and the accustomed, where things "just are", and find myself questioning rather than accepting. By way of example, whilst cycling through a horrendously hagged peat bog, horribly eroded through overgrazing for decades, I asked a local expert why it was like that. Her reply was that folk simply state "it’s always been thus", as though the devastation was not only how things have always been, but why nothing needs doing about it now. There are endless examples of the depletion of our lands, some of which are openly visible, while you have to learn to spot others even though the damage might be greater. There are many shades of green. I am yet to fully rationalise where this slow contemplation of place leaves me, but as I transition between different land uses and management approaches, I am left with a overwhelming sense that our land and seas are becoming increasingly commoditised and commercialised. Siloed and simplified. Managed from behind a desk by an accountant’s spreadsheet. Neat. Each individual modification incrementally small, but together resulting in generational changes that quickly become the accepted norm. The "how it is". I cannot simply undo these feelings. They don’t just resolve themselves. But when I see inspirational exemplars of positive future thinking (of which there are an every increasing number), it allows me to question. As the pedals keep turning and I continue my descent into ignorance, I will be exploring these and other themes in a visual talk of my cycles to date, together with a workshop, at the CatStrand on 9 November. I don’t offer answers, for they lie within the hands of others, but together we might provoke a conversation or two. Ted Leeming Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 15 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 Floor tiles, approx 65 cream coloured tiles, 31cm x 45cm. Free to uplift. Contact: 07709 929 482 Metal bunk bed frame, double bottom, single top. Contact: 07952 280 902 Separate fridge and freezer, kitchen waste bin - self closing, electric kettle, ottoman storage for bedding, pick axe, sledge hammer. Contact: 07952 507 108 or 01644 420 852 WANTED Comfortable swivel chair, black, a little worn in places but very serviceable. Contact: 01644 460 516 2 x two-roll wall-hanging commercial toilet roll dispensers by Kimberley Clark, grey colour, we also have spare toilet rolls Contact: lesleyblissett52@gmail.com or 07710 525 927 10 litres Greenox AdBlue for diesel engines. Contact: 01644 420 834 Delonghi microwave, free to a good home, although donation to New Galloway Town Hall appreciated. Contact: info@ling.org.uk or 07749 249 781 Single electric under blanket, VGC, washable, VHS videos, approx 130, vinyl LPs and singles from 60s, 70s and 80s, around 100 in total. Collect from Carsphairn. Contact: 07909 652713 Old heavy mountain-style bike with new tyres, chain and seat, Apollo brand. Single mattress, hardly used. Contact: 07901 207 179 Big long fold up table (similar to those used at craft fairs). Contact: 07749 087 699 Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Nonrunners/broken welcome. Contact: 07845 562 217 Pre-loved field shelter. Happy to dismantle on collection. Contact: 07745 775 480 FOR SALE 2017 iMac 21.5”, donation to GCAT of £150 ono would be appreciated, contact finance@catstrand.com for info V-Fit Tornado rowing machine, very good condition, £150 ono. Contact: 07521 902 567 Shed clearances - any shed cleared, large or small; get in touch to for further info or to arrange a visit. Contact: 07765 034 841 Apply to the Galloway Glens legacy scheme T he Galloway Glens Scheme came to an end in September 2023 after a fantastic five years supporting the communities of the Ken/ Dee valley. The legacy of the Galloway Glens can be seen in many concrete ways, such as the Watson Birds Trail, a suite of new footpaths across the area and in revitalised community buildings and assets. However, it also supported communities in many other ways and made a very real difference to the lives of the people who live here. It was a Dumfries and Galloway Council Environment Team project, administering more than £6 million of National Lottery Heritage Funding and other funds over the five years, supported by the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. To further this legacy, the Galloway Glens Scheme is offering small maintenance grants to ensure that legacy Galloway Glensfunded projects can continue to deliver great outcomes for the communities they serve. £45,000 is available to be spent over the next three years, with the first round closing for applications on the 4 November. Applications can be made for revenue or capital funding, and the amount requested should be under £5,000 and proportional to the size of the initial Galloway Glens funding. This legacy funding is intended to extend delivery of the outcomes of projects originally funded, and this will be the main criteria for assessment. The application process is being managed by the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT), one of the key Galloway Glens legacy partners. Applications and enquiries should therefore be sent to Helen Keron, GCAT Executive Manager, at helen@catstrand. com Details about the application process can be found on the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens. scot/galloway-glenslegacy-fund Ed Forrest, GSA Biosphere director and member of the Galloway Glens legacy fund steering group, said: “Galloway Glens was an incredible five years of place-based activity that brought together communities, agencies and local organisations around a common theme of protecting, enhancing and understanding our unique natural and cultural heritage. Whilst the project itself may now be over, this funding offers an opportunity to ensure the legacy lives on by revisiting activities that created some of the shared memories and ensuring the upkeep of the infrastructure that was created.” Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 16 The Optimistic Environmentalist Reducing your home energy bills - Part Seven: Examples of energy-efficient technology Passive technology or housing This is where energy is not used to maintain heating or lighting; for instance, insulation helps to maintain a comfortable temperature in buildings; stove fans move heat around a room for a more consistent temperature. We have sun tunnels in our garage that passively carry light from the outside in; this works surprisingly well. These are good for rooms without windows, north-facing, etc. Technologies for generating space heating and hot water (a) Electric combination ('combi') boilers are a traditional way of space and water heating in your house. Just like gas or oil combiboilers, you can set either water or heating when needed and are fairly efficient. The downside with electric combi-boilers is they can use electricity at peak times and may be costly to run. In contrast, Tepeo's zero emission boiler (ZEB) can easily be installed just like a gas or oil boiler but uses electricity at off-peak times to charge up a 'heat battery' to supply heating during the day. (b) Air-source or ground-source heat pumps for water and heating (ASHP/GSHP). These take heat from the air or ground and use it in your house or building so the running costs are minimal. They work well in the right circumstances but may need widerbore water pipes or larger radiators so may be more cost effective as part of a refurbishment rather than an add-on unless you have some funding. They can also be harder to install in some buildings, eg some flats, although this is improving. If you want to heat a single flat, a subset of rooms in a building, or a building that is not used often, you might be better to use an alternative efficient heating systems (see ideas further on in this article). For maximum efficiency, heat pumps work at lower temperatures than boilers and are really good at maintaining a fairly constant temperature. People are uncomfortable when the temperature in a building goes up and down; keeping it consistent increases comfort. Some people that have heat pumps have small additional heating equipment for particular rooms, situations, relatives or visitors. Heat pumps are currently expensive to buy and install but costs are reducing, eg Octopus Energy have designed a lower cost pump which they install themselves. Specific technologies Different technologies can fit into your lifestyle. For instance, you can have separate heating and water systems so that if one breaks, the other still works. If you live in a room, bedsit, part of a building or a building that is difficult to install bigger systems into, you have a limited budget or rent your accommodation, you can get different pieces of technology to suit you. (a) High heat retention storage (HHRS) heaters. These are particularly efficient and thus economic storage heaters. Traditional storage heaters often leaked heat during the day and ran out in the evening when heat is needed. As the name suggests, HHRS heaters are very well insulated, minimise heat losses, and often have thermostats and timers so you can have the heat level you want, when you want it. Some also have 'landlord' settings so that the temperature cannot be pushed up too high accidentally or by a non-bill payer, eg in holiday accommodation. As advised in Part Five of this series, contact the Energy Saving Trust and Dumfries & Galloway Council for advice for loans and grants. Denise MacDonald-Kiernan (see Part 8 for more technology) Family and friends coming to stay? N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) Call Fiona on 07789 903127 - 01644 420737 - www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Buggies now available for hire Licence no DG00824P VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Top: Sun tunnel external Above: Sun tunnel in a windowless garage Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment The Garroch walled garden T he Garroch Walled Garden is one of the Glenkens' hidden gems. Nestled within the ancient oak woodlands of the Garroch Estate, the garden is a unique and special place. It has been brought back to life by a group of local volunteer gardeners. The project to restore the walled garden, under the support of Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING), began in 2018. It was made possible by five years of funding from the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership and the dedication of the volunteer gardeners known as the Garroch Garden Group. In its heyday during the 1920s (or thereabouts) the Garroch Walled Garden would have been the envy of any modernday grower. Garden produce was sent by train from New Galloway station (in Mossdale) to Covent Garden in London. The original garden plans show that the southfacing wall of the garden was covered in heated greenhouses which were used to grow fruits such as melons and even peaches! Plans like this are of course a little ambitious, and the Garroch Garden Group has sought to adopt a light-touch approach that has ultimately page 17 bountiful crop. Several fruit bushes such as blackcurrants, raspberries and blueberries have also been planted. The group garden organically without the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilisers and we encourage wildlife around the garden with abundant wildflower areas, log piles and nest boxes. Jack Barton, from New Galloway, joined the Garroch Garden Group in 2022 with his partner Katy and has since become group coordinator. “When I discovered the walled garden it quickly became one for a small annual fee of £25, which goes towards buying communal tools and plants, etc. “We are very keen to welcome new members to the group who enjoy gardening and good company,” says Jack. “You do not need to have a garden plot to be a member of the group - some members come to help out with other garden tasks. On the third Saturday of each month we hold a garden get-together. We have a picnic and work on various tasks around the garden such as pruning, planting and repairs. These get-togethers are a chance to make new friends and contribute to a fantastic local project which keeps the garden a place for everyone to enjoy.” On the third Saturday of each month we hold a garden get-together. We have a picnic and work on various tasks around the garden such as pruning, planting and repairs. When the project first began, the garden was overgrown, wild and drastically in need of some care. One of the first steps was for the landowner Nick RoperCaldbeck, to let his pigs into the garden to help break up some of the vegetation and loosen the soil in the area where the vegetable plots now are. The gardeners were then able to get to work designing and building the vegetable beds, a large polytunnel and a small greenhouse. There are now approximately 10 plots where a large variety of flowers, vegetables and herbs are grown. created a lovely, peaceful atmosphere in the garden. The centerpiece of the garden is the long pergola, planted with twenty-four roses and climbers, which put on a fabulous display during the summer months. of my favourite places to spend time," says Jack. "On a sunny summer’s day the garden is bursting with flowers, bees and butterflies and it is always such a peaceful and relaxed environment in which to unwind.” All around the garden are a selection of apple trees, some of which are very old but still hang heavy with apples in the autumn. The garden has its own apple press, allowing us to make the most of the The Garroch Garden Group has now become a small group of people growing flowers and vegetables together in a convivial and beautiful environment. Plots of various sizes can be rented For more information about joining the group please contact Jack Barton on 07530 529 192 or jhbarton97@gmail.com A focus on food Dalry School permaculture garden Glenkens Gazette O ver the summer a group of Permaculture Design students, as part of a course run by Propagate, developed page 18 a plan to revitalise the Dalry School garden. Propagate is a community interest company specialising in local, community and sustainable food projects. The Permaculture Design course in Galloway is a collaboration between Propagate and permaculture educator, Lusi Alderslowe, who is author of the book Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share in Education: the Children in Permaculture Manual. The group’s brief from the Dalry Schools Parent Council was to design a food growing and maintenance plan for the garden that would best make use of the polytunnel and raised beds already situated in the garden. The group were also asked to develop ideas for how the wider garden space could best be used for outdoor learning. The detailed design, pictured here, includes plans for a flexible annual food-growing calendar that can be adapted to the needs of the school. It includes suggestions for soil improvement, composting and planting for biodiversity and pollinators. There are also ideas for creating spaces within the garden for Bairn Banter seed to spoon T he Carsphairn children’s group, Bairn Banter have had a very productive and hands-on learning experience focusing on producing their own food for free. Children and parents began the garden project in the beginning of the year, when they took responsibility for a section of disused ground beside the village hall and looked into purchasing a raised bed and bags of compost (funded by Blackcraig Windfarm Fund through Carsphairn Community Council). This then allowed the children to begin sowing pea, carrot and cabbage seeds, plus onion sets and donated potato tubers. Each Saturday the reflection, play and outdoor learning. The next step is to consult children, teachers and parents to gauge wider needs and aspirations for the garden. These findings will feed into a working action plan to be taken forward by the school's Parent Council. With a renewed focus on the garden, our hope is to create a vibrant, productive outdoor place for the children to call their own and look after. This will be a safe space for children of all needs and sensitivities to play, learn and grow, and be nurtured by nature. If you would like to get involved please either call the school office on 01644 420 259 or email the Parent Council at dalrypcchair@gmail.com group of children and parents would carefully tend to the micro-vegetable-patch by weeding, thinning and watering to ensure the best plant growth throughout the spring and early summer months. The children engaged in a wealth of learning opportunities from bughunting, colour-matching, plant identification, soil structures and overall soil care and plant welfare. Come harvest time, the children were thrilled to be able to savour the fruits of their labour, feasting on the tasty peas and strawberries picked fresh from the plants. The group also dug up some of the plants so they could share the produce amongst families, to take home for them to enjoy. The children collectively decided that they would like to make some soup from their garden veg, so parents helped the children to make this happen. Vegetables were dug up or picked, washed and then prepped ready for the pot. And it was certainly worth it, as it was the “most delicious soup that I have ever tasted,” according to one happy Bairn Banter attendee (aged four). Melissa Ade, Bairn Banter in the Glenkens Glenkens Gazette page 19 G lenkens Food Month showcased a feast of local foodie events and activities over the month of September. There were community Pop Up Burger BBQ’s across all the Glenkens communities, an Open Bar Night at the CatStrand with Brian Edgar shaking up storm of local gin cocktails. Carsphairn Community Market was well attended with loads of local produce, home made preserves, fresh vegetables, home baking, plants and crafts, on offer, and the Ukrainian and Syrian Buffet at Dalry Town Hall was fully booked with an incredible 67 diners enjoying a wide variety of delicious, colourful dishes. The Famous Fungal Forage was also a sell-out event, taking place on the Garroch Estate, and the Feast and a Film at the Glenkens Community Centre saw a packed- out room enjoying incredibly cooked Galloway Food Hub produce before settling down to watch Rooted, a film produced by Propagate, featuring many of our local producers. A big thank you goes out to Dumfries and Galloway Council who provided the funding to coordinate and organise this year’s Food Month. Jo Jackson, Glenkens Food Month Coordinator, GCAT Carsphairn Community Market A s part of the Glenkens Food month, Carsphairn held their annual community market in Lagwyne Hall. The event took place in collaboration with the local children’s group Bairn Banter and hosted a wide selection of stalls from Carsphairn and beyond. There were local producers of fruit and vegetables, honey, jams/preserves, skilled crafters, fundraising stalls, baked goods, a mini leather workshop, a brica-brac table, information stalls and exotic hand-made rugs. To accompany the exclusive shopping experience, a wide variety of delicious refreshments were available to buy and enjoy within the popup café/lounge area or outside at picnic tables in the garden area. Proceeds from the Bairn Banter fundraising table and the tea/ coffee and cake sales came to a fantastic total of £168.16. This will go towards the annual children's Halloween party which will take place on Saturday 2 November from 10-11.45am (all children welcome!). “We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who made this fun community event such a great success, and to all those who helped us to raise funds for the children’s Halloween party,” said Bairn Banter organiser, Melissa Ade. Famous fungal forage T his year's much-loved fungal forage took place in the Garroch Estate woodland, by kind permission of Nick Roper Caldbeck. Under the guidance of Emma from Balmaclellan, we meandered through different habitats finding and identifying all sorts of wonderful mushrooms edible and non-edible alike! Some attendees had opportunities to share their knowledge and everyone went home wiser. A fabulous day, thanks to all who took part. Abi Mordin Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Scouting in the Glenkens B eing involved in Scouting develops skills for life, builds confidence, offers new challenges and the opportunity to experience adventurous activities. Youngsters from six years of age can join a Beaver Colony, moving up to Cubs at eight years of age and then into Scouts from 10½. A very active Cub Scout Pack has been running in New Galloway for many years under the expert Leadership of Heather McIntosh and ably assisted by Hannah Fitch. Sadly, there currently is no Beaver Colony or Scout Troop in the Glenkens. This means youngsters are not getting an introduction to Scouting in their early years. In addition, those attending and enjoying Cubs who would like to continue in the Scouting movement, taking advantage of the benefits and skills developed as part of Scouting, cannot continue do so. The nearest Scout Troops are in Castle Douglas and Minigaff, both of which have waiting lists, even if participants could arrange to travel the distance. Adults are urgently required to become involved so that a Beaver Colony and especially a Scout Troop can be reestablished. All training and support will be given to anyone willing to come along and give it a go. There is a purpose-built scout hut in New Galloway, owned and maintained by Glenkens Scout Committee. Whether you're able to offer occasional help or a regular commitment, please do get in touch. We want young people to have the chance to dream big, give it a go, and build skills for life. But it’s not just the young people who benefit from Scouts. Volunteering is good for boosting your wellbeing, developing CV-friendly skills, making friends and building memories. If you want to support young people or if you’re more comfortable planning an adventure from the sidelines, we’ve got space for you. Our purpose and method Scouts actively engages and supports young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. In partnership with adults, young people take part in fun indoor and outdoor activities. They learn by doing, by sharing in spiritual reflection and by taking responsibility. They make choices, undertake new and challenging activities, and they page 20 live their Scout Promise. For further information or to get involved please contact Christine Rankin at dalgowantraining@ aol.com or 07749 212 201/01644 4202 59, or Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375. You can also find further information at www. scouts.org.uk/volunteer Christine Rankin Pictures are of Scouting trips and camps, to illustrate the potential opportunities Glenkens Cub Pack Forty years in T he Glenkens Cubs have been on holiday over the summer but have still been busy. Alba received the Thomas Ferguson Cup at Carsphairn Show for gaining the most points in the juvenile class. Freya played her part in the violin concert. The Jardine family were successful at the Stewartry Show, showing sheep, and Cole won a prize at the Corsock Show for his entry of eggs. Pippin helped plant trees at Glaisers, Corsock, and won a cup at the Great Corsock Show for her miniature garden. Well done all! We had a sales table at the Scottish Alternative Games and raised £90.43. Thank you to those who bought and to thos e who donated, especially Agnes, who made delicious tablet for us; it just flew off the table. Agnes has been a supporter of Scouting for many years and we thank her for her kindness. A great deal of work goes into the Games and we thank Brian and his team for making the day so special each year. Changes in Scouting during 2024 have left us looking for one Trustee and one young person to join our team. If you would be interested, please get in touch with eitherHeather (01644 420 375) or Hannah (mcandrew. hannah@yahoo.co.uk). Yours in Scouting, Heather and Hannah the Glenkens N ew Galloway resident, Robin Hood, who is experienced with fundraising in the charity sector, is offering to give talks to local groups on how to initiate a successful fundraising campaign. Robin said: "I am offering to give an informal talk about my life in the Glenkens over the last 40 years, the challenges I have faced, my ups and downs including the birth of my daughter, Alex in 1989 and a near-fatal car crash that changed my life in 1992. Also how the wonderful people of Dumfries and Galloway have supported my family and helped me raise millions of pounds for two different charities." The talk, which he has titled '40 years in the Glenkens', would be free and Robin asks for a time slot of at least 45 minutes. If you feel your group or club may benefit from one of Robin's talks you can contact him at robin150656@gmail.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 21 Questions about the proposed Galloway National Park W ith some pretty strong opinions quickly forming on the proposed Galloway National Park, I thought I might carry out a little research to help me make up my own mind, noting that as I write this I have yet to decide my position. Whilst still in the early days of information gathering, my initial findings suggest that, above all else, not all National Parks (NPs) are the same. The way they are structured and run varies significantly and is unique to the attributes of each and the communities that lie therein. Here’s a few initial discoveries as I continue my search. On tourism, the Northumberland NP, with about 1.2 million visitors a year is very different from the Lake District NP with 22 million. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs has 4.1 million (with 150 volunteer rangers) whilst the Cairngorms NP has 2.1 million visitors a year (with 14 full time and up to seven additional seasonal rangers). Tourism generated £300m into the local Cairngorm economy in 2019, up 30% since 2009. On housing, a report due shortly concludes that having NP status has not inflated house prices in the Cairngorms NP compared to outside (prices have, however, risen through the Covid years both inside and out). A recent article shows that raising rates on second homes in Wales makes them less attractive. But to make this happen does not require National Park status, any local authority can deliver this. with 40% allocated by the local authorities and the remainder centrally. Does this mean 50% could be locally elected? And who decides? Could a NP in Galloway be structured and run by the people, for the people, the land and our future? Once elected, one of the first duties of the Board (over 18-24 months) would be to consult locally to understand what locals want from their park. This would form the basis from which a National Park Plan is written before being authorised by the Minister, after which all Governments advisors and bodies are required to help deliver that plan. The extent to which local opinion influences the Plan I am yet to determine. I am having to seriously ask myself if the additional funding for a national park would benefit the long term sustainability of our communities. As an example, the Cairngorms National Park has a budget of £16.2 million for 2024, of which 41% is for staff costs (Cairngorms total budget is for 2024 is nearer £28 million according to one report). To give this local context, over five years the Galloway Glens Park. These must be contrasted with what happens within our communities if we do not. developing voluntary partnership approaches for the greater benefit of all? Before I decide which is better (not just for my own interests but for those of the wider community), it would be useful to know whether a Galloway National Park would be… • A park that thinks towards the future and not just today or yesterday? • A park run by and with local people, supported by experts in their various fields? • A park that improves the potential of real job opportunities and training, allowing our young to remain in, and return to, our amazing local area? • A park that can protect against house inflation, help deliver for known housing shortages and protect against ‘second home syndrome’? • A park that delivers a yearround sustainable tourism strategy, with infrastructure, services and management in place from day one to protect and enhance our unique local environments? • A park without ‘ivory towers’, where the staff are embedded in, and part of, the community? ...right now I am neither yes or no, but asking “what” and “how”? On how a National Park is run, the Act of Parliament states a minimum 20% of Board members must be locally elected, Landscape Partnership delivered some 40 community led projects on £1 million a year. I hear some saying that the money should be given to existing entities, and to this I simply ask if this is possible, how, who is looking into this and why hasn’t this already happened? I want to hear these alternatives as I am sure others do. I know that there will be costs, compromises and consequences if we get a transport? • A park with a truly sustainable transport policy, focussed towards public and low carbon • A park that recognises local uniqueness, for both land and sea? • A park that incentivises new thinking and innovation, without being afraid to fail? • A park with soft borders and sensible buffer zones? • A park that recognises all elements of our landscape, The formal consultation on the National Park starts in November and continues until January 2025. I look forward to finding answers in the coming months that will allow me to decide one way or the other. As such, right now I am neither yes or no, but asking “what” and “how”? I am hoping to arrange an open meeting with Grant Moir, chief executive of the Cairngorms National Park, on 20 November. If any readers have questions they would like me to ask, please email them to me at tedleeming@ me.com and I will try to include them. Or please feel free to come along. Ted Leeming, Dalry resident Don't take anyone else's word for it - do your own research. Here are few pointers to get you started: Galloway National Park information hub and consultation portal run by Nature Scot - www. newnationalparkgalloway. commonplace.is A new report has just been published looking at the socioeconomic benefits of NPs for Scotland through asessment of the two existing NPs, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs and the Cairngorms, over the last two decades - this can be found at www.scotlink.org Scottish Government info on National Parks - www.gov. scot/policies/landscape-andoutdoor-access/national-parks The Glenkens Gazette, Glenkens Hub and Glenkens Community & Arts Trust do not have a view for or against the National Park proposal. We are, however, committed to helping our communities find the information they need to make up their own mind. To support this, we host an information page on the Hub and will be publishing articles in the Gazette periodically. If you have any questions about the proposal do get in touch and we will see if we can find the right people for an answer! Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 22 New Galloway community larder launch ' From the community, for the community,’ is Local Initiatives in New Galloway’s (LING) focus on helping reduce food waste and make healthy food more accessible. At the community larder launch, visitors were introduced to the community freezer, filled with freshly cooked takeaways of soups, mains, breads, puddings and cakes. People were also shown the larder shelves stocked with dried food donations and homemade jams, chutneys, etc. As intended, most people did not leave empty-handed! The community larder is open for anyone to pop in, browse and help themselves on Mondays from 9-11.30am, Tuesdays from 11am-3pm, and Thursdays from 9am-6pm. Everything is free, but of course donations are always welcome. The idea of the larder grew out of the initial concept of offering a warm space with some tea, cake and a chance to socialise. Since last September, our hub hosts have been creating sit-in lunches and tea-time takeaways, making use of food donations and some low-budget staples. Recipes demonstrating how meals can be made from surplus or foraged food are available in the larder. People drop in on Thursdays to ‘Hubbub’, as it has come to be known, sometimes bringing a donation, and often stay around for a chat over coffee or to share some lunch. The larder was the next step, bringing it all together. We are using food, not only from individual donations of unwanted cupboard staples, etc, but also donations from New Galloway Community Shop, local businesses like Galloway Pasta, the Ethical Dairy, the Galloway Food Hub and even the Castle Douglas Food Bank. Our own Garroch Estate Walled Garden project also offers a source of donations of fruit and vegetables at times of plenty and growers there are keen to support the community larder. Things have already begun evolving beyond the larder to the creation of essentially a sharing hub that goes beyond food. A popular feature at Hubbub is the sharing table, where you bring any unwanted items for others to take away, and in turn take what you like from what others have brought. We’ve had all kinds of things, from children’s toys to a microwave oven. Visitors can also take, borrow, share or swap a book from the bookshelves in the lesser hall, which are stocked up with a large variety of books – always fun to browse and already being used regularly. The Town Hall is also a Period Dignity Building, with a range of free period products available. We are always looking for donations or ideas for sharing in whatever form possible - be it your time to help out, unwanted food or other items or even a monetary donation. Every little helps to make this project a lasting one - for everyone. Support from D&G Council has enabled our Hub Hosts to gradually put in place all that has been needed to open up the doors of the community larder. Thanks to a very successful book sale and coffee morning in January, with a generously supported raffle, we were able to buy our community freezer. This fundraiser was made possible entirely through volunteer input; volunteers have been a very important part of what has helped this project to grow and to thrive. A small grant from the council’s Climate Hub fund, administered by the Biosphere, will be enabling us to begin an outdoor venture. We plan to make a small-scale and resources into one place. It includes links to the official consultation being carried out by NatureScot - www.glenkens.scot/ galloway-national-park-proposal. W Crossmichael Community web pages e've made a few new additions to the website to help readers keep up-to-date with what's going on in our communities. the news to help readers keep up with developments in local education. At the bottom of the page there is also a resource section for extra-curricular activities, life-long learning, courses and jobs - www. glenkens.scot/education-andlearning. Education & Learning page To help promote discussion about the new National Park proposal, we've set up a new page to help gather information As well as details of our local schools, the page now includes education reports, current consultations, and education in Galloway National Park page We're delighted to have been able to provide a new home for Crossmichael community's web site - www.glenkens.scot/ Crossmichael. Please get in touch if you'd like to add to your community's general information page (www.glenkens.scot/ glenkens-communities) or to create further pages for your community as Crossmichael have done. Community Spaces Google Calendars If you've set up a Google contribution to New Galloway’s outdoor spaces, adding to the work that has already been done by others. At the crossroads, there are already flowers and a plant table. There are raised herb beds. There is a walled-off patch of grass, owned and mown regularly by the council, at the foot of Wylie’s Brae. Our plan is to develop these as attractive community spaces, improving biodiversity. We are again very lucky for so many donations - of seeds, cuttings, plants, and of course of skills too. In particular, we will be working to engage children and young people in this, enriching their understanding of the importance of holding onto traditional methods of growing, harvesting, and feeding ourselves. So why not join the revolution! Help us, help your community, and help the climate by reducing food waste. Through using food that would otherwise end up in land-fill to sustain our communities, both in body and soul, seems like a perfect solution for these trying times when the cost of living is rising ever higher. So let's share - our time, our resources, our skills; the more people who make use of the larder, and whatever else is on offer, the more successful the project will be. And the more our community will thrive. If you would like to know more or get involved please email info@ling.org.uk Ann Glaister Calendar to help with booking your village/town community space, we can include this in your page on the Hub. Have a look at Glenkens Community Centre and Parton Village Hall's pages - www. glenkens.scot/community-spaces Hosting Community Council Minutes Glenkens Community Councils are very welcome to distribute their meeting minutes and agenda via the Glenkens Hub. We'll add the minutes to your Community Council page, and add the agenda to the meeting's calendar entry. Please get in touch if you'd like to know more about any of the above at glenkenshub@hotmail. com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Afternoon tea anyone? B almaclellan Village Hall comes alive with events like our afternoon tea. This event has become a cherished tradition, bringing together residents and visitors alike for an afternoon of socialising, delicious treats, and a taste of local hospitality. This modest yet well-loved venue serves as the focal point for many community events. The hall is a cozy haven where locals and visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the simple pleasures of good company and homemade food. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with tables adorned with white tablecloths and vases filled with freshly picked flowers from our wonderfully kept garden. The village hall is renowned for its spread of homemade goodies, lovingly prepared by local bakers. The selection typically includes an array of sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and a variety of cakes that would rival any professional spread. The scones, in particular, are a highlight; still warm from the oven, and accompanied by generous dollops of cream and jam, they are a favourite among attendees. The cakes, ranging from light Victoria sponges to rich chocolate, are not only delicious but also beautifully presented, showcasing the bakers' attention to detail and passion for their craft. A community affair is what sets the Balmaclellan Village Hall page 23 afternoon tea apart - a sense of community that pervades the event. It is not just about the food - it is about the people. The event is organised and run entirely by volunteers, many of whom have been involved for years. Their dedication is evident in every aspect of the afternoon, from the careful planning to the warm service provided to guests. The afternoon tea is also an opportunity for the community to come together and to do some fundraising, with the proceeds going towards the upkeep of the village hall. This adds a sense of purpose to the gathering, reminding everyone of the importance of contributing to the collective wellbeing of the village. A tradition worth preserving In an age where modern life often feels rushed and impersonal, the Balmaclellan Village Hall afternoon tea stands as a testament to the enduring value of community and tradition. It is a celebration of the simple joys of life - good food, good company, and the pleasure of being part of a fantastic community. Afternoon tea is held on the first Tuesday of the month - please call to book a place 07828 185 289. Jackie Wells Alternative Games tombola Name the A s in past years, the St Margaret’s Guild held a tombola stall at the Scottish Alternative Games in New Galloway in August. This year the Guild voted to send any money raised to the CatStrand Young Creatives programme – this includes a wide variety of activities that are offered to young people, such as art, drama, dance, singing or music lessons for piano, violin, ukulele or guitar. The weather on the day looked less than promising but luckily the rain held off for most of the afternoon and the park was packed with people, locals and visitors alike. Despite the attractions of gird 'n' cleek, snail racing and the tractor pull, we were mobbed people really do love a tombola! Several people came round again and again, and it was non-stop until the prizes ran out. The best moment was when a little girl, who had set her heart What's the story? W ell we can’t quite offer you Oasis in New Galloway but we ‘definitely maybe’ have the next best thing. Do you play an instrument but struggle to find a Noel or Liam to share your passion? Why not give the Glenkens Ukulele Group a try! If you play (or would like to play) ukulele, that’s great, but we would also welcome a bit of guitar, harmonica, percussion or anyone who can sing. We’re a mixed bunch of ages and musical influences and we don’t take ourselves too seriously, so as the autumn comes around, why not join us; ‘some might say’ you’ll even enjoy it! on a Paddington bear she had spotted on the stall, won it with the first ticket her mother bought – the joy on her face was wonderful. Many thanks to everyone for their generosity in donating the large and varied selection of prizes. We are delighted to report that £250 was raised for the CatStrand Young Creatives. Linda and Nicolette, St Margaret’s Guild See article on front page for more on the Alternative Games... It’s fine just to rock up to New Galloway Town Hall on a Wednesday evening from 6.308pm, or you can get in touch on jason.wilding@gmail.com or 07969 379 762 Also if you’re a passing musician, whether camping nearby or on a world tour feel free to ‘be here now’ and drop in for a jam. Jason Wilding place (from page 4) Site Name - Whether Hill Wind Farm Location - Between Carsphairn and Moniaive Description - Whether Hill was the second commercial wind farm in the Glenkens after Windy Standard, its neighbour to the northwest. Windy Standard was the first wind farm to receive planning consent in Scotland, ahead of Hagshaw Hill in Lanarkshire, which was the first to be constructed way back in 1995. Consisting of 14 turbines and with an installed capacity of 18.2MW, the Whether Hill site has been operational since 2007 and is owned by Scottish Power. Interesting fact - In 2022, 78% of Scotland's electricity came from wind energy (the figure was zero in 1995), with 113% from combined renewables including hydro, making the country a net exporter of renewable energy. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory The Reverend James Mather page 24 I n previous editions of the Gazette readers might remember our feature on the three headstones in Dalry Kirkyard. Articles spoke about how the Carson headstone was restored by relatives from Tasmania, and the latest, on the Reverend James Mather (located opposite the entrance to the Kirk), describing how ancestors got involved after the Gazette article and have generously contributed to its repair. The final stage for the Rev Mathers headstone is that it is being cleaned later this month, and there will be a follow-up story on this in the next edition of the Gazette. I n March 2024 my husband Stanley and I visited the grave of the Reverend James Mather, the great-great uncle of my husband, brother of his great grandfather William, in Dalry kirkyard. At that point we had no idea that a benefactor was making efforts to have the now unstable headstone preserved. My husband last saw it in 2011 whilst walking the Southern Upland Way. We mentioned our visit to friends who were holidaying with us in Gatehouse of Fleet at the time. On a more recent visit they saw a copy of the Glenkens Gazette and pointed out the article on the Dalry kirkyard headstone repairs to us. We are so pleased to read about the repairs and will be visiting in early October to see the finished work. James Mather was born in Eaglesham, Renfrewshire, in 1839, the eldest of six children of William Mather, a farmer, and his wife Marion Carswell. He was ordained at Langbank in 1867 and shortly afterwards he married his first cousin, Henrietta Monteith Mather. They had two sons and two daughters, but sadly the girls had intellectual disabilities, probably inherited. The death of Henrietta, in 1877, left him with four young children to raise and he left the ministry in 1882 and moved to Lasswade for their education. His mother Marion, by now a widow, came to live with her son until her death aged 94 in 1902. In 1885 James re-entered the ministry and was called to St John's Town of Dalry. He was the minister of St John's United Presbyterian Church, later the United Free Church, of Dalry for 22 years from 1885 to 1907. farming with his uncle. The boy, William, fell through the ice and disappeared; father William fell into the same hole trying to rescue him and then James also fell in a few yards away trying to help them both. James struggled desperately for some time and rescuers tried to help him, but all three drowned. William's wife had three young children and was pregnant at the time. The baby, who was born four weeks later, was my husband's grandfather, also named William. Six months later the Reverend James married his housekeeper, Agnes Nivison, but five years on she died of a brain tumour, leaving him with his two disabled daughters and his elderly mother. At some point his elder son William went to farm in Alberta, Canada. Less than two years later tragedy struck. On Christmas eve 1887 there was an ice-skating accident on a reservoir near his brother William's farm in Ayrshire. William had bought skates for his 11-year-old son William and for the Rev James's 18-year-old son James, who was learning The Reverend James was very active, enjoying walking and climbing. An intrepid traveller, climbing Mont Blanc without a guide, cruising to Norway with three friends, touring Europe and visiting the USA and Canada for five months, where he climbed in the Rockies. He also violence, military occupation and persecution. Tickets are available online at www.gcat.scot or by calling 01644 420 374. walked the whole coast of Arran, 63 miles, in 20 hours. He loved the countryside and wrote two volumes of poems, many of which extolled its beauties. Other poems described his travels, his friends and acquaintances, his horses and so on. They make interesting reading as an insight into his life, but I would not describe them as great poetry. The new church in Dalry was completed in 1901, free of debt. He was well thought of in the parish and was presented with several generous gifts on his retirement to Castle Douglas in June 1907, but he only survived another nine months, dying of heart failure on 1 March 1908. After that his two daughters moved to the care of the Crichton Royal Institution in Dumfries, where Henrietta died in 1922 and Marion in 1935. Margaret Franklin Persecution, families and feuds T he Glenkens in Covenanting times – persecution, families and feuds is the subject of the next Glenkens Story event on Saturday 30 November. The Glenkens were at the heart of the 17th century conflict between supporters of the Crown and Covenanters battling for religious freedom when the people endured decades of Following publication of his book The Covenanters of the Glenkens last year, the Rev Dr David Bartholomew has continued to research the subject, focusing on the people and families involved. In his talk he will describe the impact of the conflict on the people of both sides, on those who changed sides, and the feuds which festered on for generations between and within families. The talk will be held at the CatStrand, New Galloway, at 3pm on Saturday 30 November. There is also a Glenkens Story event on 9 November, titled The Woodlands of Galloway. In a full-day event we hope to explore how our woodlands have developed and how humans have related to them and used them - and how we may want to see them in future. Mike Brown The covenanter memorial in Dalry Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEads page 25 Firewood logs & Wood Products for Sale From Carsphairn Community Woodland A range of products are available from our community sawmill Contact us with your requirements ï Free local delivery ï Freiya, from Carsphairn, sent in this snap of her cat Butterbean who just can't wait to get her paws on the latest issue when it comes through the door... Enquiries to: Tel: 07710 124 255 Carsphairn Community Woodland Limited is commi�ed to acquiring, developing and managing local woodlands in a sustainable and environmentally sound way for the long-term benefit of the local community. 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The idea was to turn the games into photography games, asking residents of Dundeugh to participate. Dundeugh is a small community set in the forest of the Glenkens with just fourteen houses, built a number of years ago to house Forestry Commission workers. I have been carrying out research for two years on the rise and fall of rural communities. One of the key areas I focussed on was looking at ways to unite residents, creating a sense of community, in small villages and scattered communities where residents must, often unwillingly, face change due to cutbacks and how this can affect the people that reside in that area. The age range of the participants in the art project was between 60 and 70 years, which is where rural isolation can have a significant impact on people's mental wellbeing. Dundeugh residents involved were Anne Dobbing, Margaret Anderson, Andrew Johnston and Mora Macbeth; as a collective they are The Dundeugh Artists. I decided that it was important to undertake the project as a group, to bring people together outside, and connect humans and the environment. Working alongside each other, outdoors, using the materials that nature has to offer us in these beautiful surroundings was key to the outcomes. With the connection of rural life and the environment, it was important to include a video, which was created by Kaelan Johnston, a Dundeughbased film student of a slightly younger demographic. Kaelan's film looked at rural sustainability, linking to our project, and this was shown alongside the artworks at an exhibition at the CatStrand in New Galloway. This video included interviews with local artist and historian, Robin Ade; local farmer and estate worker, Joe Wray; and local student and pasta maker, Sophie Tulloch. Showing the interviews with local people alongside the art created a tangible connection Dundeugh Community Artists, left to right, Anne Dobbing, Margaret Anderson, Andrew Johnston and Mora Macbeth between people and place. If you would like to view Kaelan's film, you can find it at www.tinyurl.com/ ruralsustainability. I would like to thank CatStrand and their team for making the project possible by displaying the final results and hosting the local artist workshops. Without their help, we would not have had the chance to showcase the The Mossdale painters E very Wednesday morning, a lively group of folk arrive at Mossdale Village Hall, get themselves a mug of coffee, and chat amiably as they sort out the various materials they will be using over the next couple of hours. producing art, in its many and various forms. There's some who love watercolour, some who prefer pastels, or inks, textures as well as colours. Every person is encouraged, regardless of experience, and there's always someone around the table willing to offer tips, if asked. The emphasis is not necessarily on producing perfect 'works of art', but rather on enjoying the opportunity to experiment, to play, to have fun. And we do. They are folk from all over the Glenkens, with different backgrounds, and a fair range of ages. We welcome additions to the group, whether they have been painting for years, or have never picked up a paintbrush - the ability to draw is not necessary, as the The one thing they all have in common is a love of wealth of ideas, materials, and techniques will give everyone the opportunity to express themselves. If you're intrigued, or even just mildly curious, please feel free to drop in for a coffee and chat, and see what kind of things we do. Our new 'term' begins Wednesday 11th September, and runs until 11 December. You'll be very welcome. If you don’t have transport, a lift may be possible. For further details contact Carol Salsbury at mothermalarky@hotmail. co.uk or 07785 277 708. group's work to the public, which was a key part, offering a real sense of worth to the work as the artists gained a huge amount from seeing and hearing about people's reaction to the works. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase art by people who have never before had the chance to express themselves through this medium, and it was a real success. Vanessa Johnston BA(Hons) Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 28 CatStrand Young Creatives 2024 T he CatStrand Young Creatives summer programme recently concluded, leaving a trail of inspiration and creative energy in its wake. The programme, designed to engage and nurture young talents in various artistic disciplines by providing fun and engaging activities, proved a real hit with our Glenkens young people. The workshops catered to a diverse range of interests and age groups. For the under-12s, activities included sessions on storytelling, drama, flower pressing, eco art, needle felting, dance and animation. Meanwhile, older young people delved into more specialised workshops such as music technology, where they learned to use industrystandard equipment like Logic Pro to produce their own tracks from scratch. There were also painting and textile workshops designed to give them new skills and confidence in different art mediums. One of the highlights of the programme was a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We watched the musical Legally Blonde and immersed ourselves in the vibrant festival atmosphere. Despite some unfavorable weather conditions, the experience was memorable for all involved. Noteworthy success stories emerged from the programme, including the collaboration with young musician Josh White, a talented singer and songwriter, and a five-piece band RHELM. Through the Young Creatives ‘Stranded Cat’ project, they worked alongside professional artist and tutor to develop their music, culminating in plans to record their debut album in the studio in the coming months. The programme bid farewell to Fiona Edgar as she heads of to University in September. Fiona has been a fantastic intern who contributed significantly to the Youth Music Initiative project. She will be missed but we wish her all the best. Ella Campbell will be the next intern – welcome Ella! The CatStrand Young Creatives 2024 summer programme not only offered a platform for budding talents to thrive but also facilitated valuable experiences and connections that will resonate with participants for years to come. Thanks as ever to our funders, The Holywood Trust and Creative Scotland for their support, and here’s to next summer! Catherine Corfield, CatStrand Young Creatives Project Lead Glenkens Jazz Weekend J azz is back! And not just in the Glenkens, either. With the 2023 Mercury Music Prize going to jazz ensemble Ezra Collective, and Dumfries boy, Liam Shortall, being nominated for the 2024 Mercury Music prize for his group corto.alto, jazz is well and truly on the comeback trail. The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow "explores jazz in the broadest possible terms", and so it proved at the 2024 Dark Skies Jazz Weekender, held at the CatStrand, where several of its alumni performed to appreciative audiences. Friday night saw the visit of the five-piece, Modern Vikings. Led by composer and drummer Stephen Henderson, and featuring Jazz royalty Fergus McCreadie on piano, and Konrad Wisziewski on saxophone, Modern Vikings played with a sensuous commitment to melody, together with the added urgency of grooves redolent of the American jazz tradition. The sheer volume of sheet music everywhere, especially on Fergus McCreaddie's piano, was testament to just how hard these guys work at their craft. Their new album, Tales of the Scald, is a must-listen. Saturday was party night, as Glasgow singer Kitti came to the CatSrand. Winner of the 2020 and 2022 Scottish Jazz Awards Best Vocalist, Kitti put on Composer and drummer Stephen Henderson with a fulsome The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow display of her vocal dexterity, vibraphonist Miro Herak, from through a range of jazz, soul and Slovakia, but now resident in RnB bangers, nearly all penned The Hague, Netherlands. This by herself. The unerring ability trio tour the globe, matching to sound like Janis Joplin and up with local rhythm sections then Aretha Franklin in the same in each locality, to unearth new breath, never mind the same sonic pleasures. Their ability to song, had the crowd roaring for take simple melodies, twist and more. Kitti and her band built warp them out of shape before to a stunning encore, saving the bringing them all back together best of the show right at the again, was simply magical. end, leaving the audience utterly My guests from London, both thrilled. committed classical music Sunday night saw innovative and buffs, were dragged along to talented globetrotters, Atlantic each evening, but thanked Road Trip. A trio from Scotland, me for doing so.afterwards! Chicago and The Hague, they "I had no idea music could consist of Scottish composer be so interesting in so many and saxophone player Paul different ways", was the agreed Towndrow, a member of verdict, as the curtain came Scotland’s flagship jazz down on another stunning orchestra, the Scotland National and successful Dark Skies Jazz Jazz Orchestra, Trumpeter Chad Weekender. McCullough from Chicago, and Anthony Bird GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 29 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers through some of his favourite books. In this edition, however, Robin discusses a little of his current work with the newly-created ISIS Prisons Museum... I n 2017, as soon as ISIS retreated from its positions in Syria and Iraq, a small group of local journalists entered all the buildings which the organisation had used as prisons. They were looking for their colleagues who, like tens of thousands of other people, had disappeared into these dark sites. They never found them, but they did find over 70,000 documents. And the buildings themselves were documents leaving clues as to the fates of the missing, not least because prisoners had sometimes scratched their names on the walls. ISIS had repurposed every conceivable kind of building as a prison: family homes, churches, a secondary school, a gym, a shopping centre, a sports stadium. When the team explored these structures, they found some bomb-damaged and at risk of collapse. Others were being reclaimed by their owners, and restored. The buildings provided evidence of crimes committed, and this evidence was about to disappear. So the team filmed every inch of every room. Then it tracked down survivors of these prisons, and filmed hundreds of hours of interviews. These included ‘security’ prisoners, people ISIS considered a military or political threat. But many other people who had nothing to do with politics or fighting were detained and tortured for their personal behavior – for smoking cigarettes, for example, or wearing tight trousers. Based on the 360 degree photography and the witness interviews, the journalists built virtual 3D tours of every prison. These are crime scene reconstructions to be used in war crimes trials, and also by the general public. On October 11th they will be available for view on the internet. Look up the ISIS Prisons Museum after that launch date. The website will publish special investigations too. These cover topics ranging from the ISIS massacre of the Shaitat tribe, and its genocide of the Yazidis, to the destruction of Old Mosul’s David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP architectural heritage. And the IPM is gathering a library of accounts written by former detainees in a variety of prison systems, from Moscow to Guantanamo Bay. Because ISIS didn’t arrive from nowhere. Its terror came as part of a cycle of oppression and social breakdown in the region and globally. Its surveillance, detention and torture techniques are intimately linked to those of the Baathist regimes in Syria and Iraq, and even to American prisons like Abu Ghraib. Specific forms of abuse can be traced back from ISIS to Assad to the East German Stasi to the Nazis… These horrors cross ideological borders very easily. I’m the chief English editor of the project. That’s why I keep writing here that my work reading is grim. I edit traumatic texts, and read reports of abuse, and write to bring darkness to light. And as background I read endless books about ISIS specifically and prisons in general. Including recently Foucault’s Discipline and Punish (more readable and less academic than expected) and Tahir Hamut Izgil’s Waiting to be Arrested at Night: A Uyghur Poet’s Memoir of China’s Genocide. But I’m going to line up some comical, light-hearted books to balance things out, I swear… Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Glenkens Gazette EST. 2007 GAZETTEarts page 30 CatStrand AUTUMN JOHN MCCUSKER TRIO “ONE OF THE UK’S MOST GIFTED AND VERSATILE MUSICIANS IN ANY GENRE” - THE GUARDIAN SIMON THOUMIRE AND DAVE MILLIGAN A MIXTURE OF REELS, JIGS, STRATHSPEYS AND AIRS MAINLY FROM THE SCOTTISH TRADITION. KRIS DREVER DREVER’S SOUND IS ROOTED IN THE EARTHY AND HYPNOTIC RHYTHMS OF MUCH OLDER MUSIC. HELD ON THE HIGH WIRE BALANCING URGENCY, REFLECTION, HUMOUR AND WONDER WITH MYSHKIN'S HAUNTING FOLK/JAZZ MUSIC. ROB HERON & THE TEA PAD ORCHESTRA TRAMPLING OVER GENRE BOUNDARIES INCLUDING ROCKABILLY, BLUES, COUNTRY, SWING AND SOUL. High St, New Galloway 01644 420 374 GCAT.SCOT Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 31 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Graham West 01644 430 503 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 • Parton: Tom 07835821976 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Balmaclellan: Oct 6, Nov 3, Dec 1 - 11am Carsphairn: Oct 13, Harvest Festival & Lunch, 11am. Nov 10, Remembrance Sunday, 10.30am, Dalry 12 noon Kells: Oct 20, Nov 17 - 11am Dalry: Oct 27, Nov 24 - 11am. Nov 10, Remembrance Sunday, 12noonRemembrance Sunday, 10 Nov: joint service with St Margaret's Church - see right For further information contact Rev Pam Bellis on 07751 379 249 or pam@bellisconsultancy.co.uk SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP The Revd Dawn Matthew Sundays at 10.30am: Holy Communion with refreshments after the service Tuesdays from 10am-12noon and Thursdays from 2-4pm: the church will be open for visitors or private prayer. Look for the ‘church is open’ sign on the road outside. Thursdays from 7.30-8pm: evening prayers via Zoom shared with our sister church, All Saints' Challoch. Please contact Dawn for the link Remembrance Sunday, 10 November: joint service with Church of Scotland, 10.55am at the New Galloway War Memorial followed service at St Margaret's Church. For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 32 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Advanced Massage Practitioner (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 33 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation WHAT'S ON page 34 October/November OCTOBER Tue 1, Cooking for Health & Wellbeing (runs every Tue), 6.30-8pm, Glenkens Community Centre Wed 2, LKT Ranger Group meeting, 6.308.30pm, The Crannog, Lochside Park, Castle Douglas Wed 2, GSA Biosphere Sense of Place workshop, 6.30-8pm, New Galloway (NG) Town Hall Thu 3, UP: Visible Fictions, 7.30-9pm, CatStrand Fri 4, Galloway SangStreams, 7.30-9.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 4, Kells School coffee morning, NG Town Hall Sat 5, Café Bridge, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 5, CCW Volunteer Day, 10am-3pm, Muirdrochwood, Carsphairn Mon 7, Coffee Morning, 10.30am-12noon, Parton Village Hall Wed 9, Dalry Film Club: Napoleon (Cert 15), 8-10pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 10, Batsűkh Dorj - Workshop, 2pm, CatStrand Thu 10, Batsükh Dorj & Johanni Curtet, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 11, LING AGM , 7– 7.30pm, NG Town Hall Fri 11, Cheese & Wine, 7.30–10pm, NG Town Hall Sat 12, GCT excursion: Dawick Botanic Gardens, see p33 Sat 12, Bob’s Bingo, 4–5.30pm, NG Town Hall Sat 12, Glenkens Producers' Market, 10am1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 12, Lady Maisery, 7.30-9pm, CatStrand Sun 13, Glenkens Churches Harvest Lunch, 11am, Carsphairn Parish Church then Lagwyne Hall, see p6 Mon 14, Dalry Town Hall Management Meetin, 7-9pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 17, Carsphairn SWI: Hands-on Crafting, 7.30pm, Lagwyne Hall Fri 18, Six-five Special, 7.30-10.30pm, NG Town Hall Sat 19, Glenkens Crafters Stash Busting Sale, 10am-2.30pm, Balmaclellan Hall Sat 19, John McCusker Trio, 7.30-9pm, CatStrand Fri 15, 70s/80s Half 'n' Half DISCO, 7.30-10pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 26, Simon Thoumire & Dave Milligan7.309pm, CatStrand Oct 26, Pop-up Pub, 7pm, Balmaclellan Hall Wed 30, Dalry Film Club: Poor Things, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 30, FoDS Kids Halloween Party, Dalry location tbc NOVEMBER Fri 1, Botanical Casting Workshop, 6-9pm, £55, Balmaclellan Hall Sat 2, CCW Volunteer Day, 10am-3pm, Muirdrochwood, Carsphairn Sat 2, Bairn Banter Halloween Party, 1011.45am, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Mon 4, Galloway Glens legacy scheme applications closes, see p15 Nov 5, Afternoon Tea, Balmaclellan Hall, see p23 Tue 5, Kris Drever, 7.30-9pm, CatStrand Thu 7, LT Lief, 7.30-9pm, CatStrand Sat 9, Glenkens Producers' Market , 10am1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 9, Exploring Land Use Change Workshop, 2-5pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 9, Exploring Land Use Change Talk, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 9, Sew Special Saturday, book ahead julia.higgins55@outlook.com Sat 9, Glenkens Story: The Woodlands of Galloway, CatStrand Mon 11, Dalry Town Hall Management Meeting, 7-9pm, Dalry Town Hall Tue 12, Loch Ken Trust AGM, 7pm, The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Thu 14, Anthony Fidler: Heart Touch Workshop, The Smiddy, Balmaclellan, £90, email to book – lucy@lothlorien.tc Thu 14, Family History & Heritage, 7-9pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Fri 15, Rebecca Carson & Anne Chaurand: Flute & Guitar Recital, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 16, Bob’s Bingo, 4–5.30pm, NG Town Hall Sat 16, Evie Ladin & Sophie Wellington, 7.30pm, CatStrand Tue 19, Men’s Shed Open Day , 10am- 1pm, Glenkens Men’s Shed, Balmaclellan, see p5 Wed 20, Dalry Film Club: Dune Part 2, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 21, Carsphairn SWI: Wreath Making, 7.30pm, Lagwyne Hall Sat 23, Risto’s Pop-up Restaurant – A Finnish Smorgasbord Feast, NG Town Hall Sat 23, Book Week Scotland - New Scots: Old and New Connections, 1pm, CatStrand Sun 24, Held on the High Wire, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 24 & Sat 30 Nov & Sun 1 Dec, Make Your Own Christmas Wreath Workshop, Galloway Flowers, Balmaclellan, 01644 420 407 Sun 24, Wreaths & Rushes workshop, 11am3pm, Corsock Village Hall Sat 30, The Glenkens Story: The Glenkens in Covenanting times – persecution, families and feuds, 3pm, CatStrand Sat 30, Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 30, Yuletide Fair, Balmaclellan Village Hall Sat 30, St Andrew’s Day ‘The Motte’ pop-up pub, Balmaclellan Village Hall Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact richardandjane@phonecoop.coop or 01556 670 691 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 35 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Exercise Class, Tue, 6-7pm Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3pm Zumba, Fri, 6.30-7.30pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am-12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; Oct-Mar, 2.30pm) Soup & Sandwich, Sat, 12noon-2pm, OctMar Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, Wedn & Fri, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making - Mon, 7-9pm Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@ gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10am CatStrand, New Galloway Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat biweekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.30am Musical Misfits, Sat, bi-weekly, 10am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10 yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16 yrs) Art Explorers, Sat, 10.30am-1.15pm, fortnightly New Galloway Town Hall Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Dance for Wellbeing (adults), Mon 2.303.30pm Modern Dance (children), 4-5pm LING Lunches, Tue, 12.30–2pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30-8pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–5.30pm, drop-in Martial Arts, Thu, 7.30-9pm Babies & Toddlers, Fri, 10-11am For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Clachan Crafters, Thu, 2pm, 07500 861 041 Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet.com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play With Your Child, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Fb Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Song Share, 1st Fri each month, 7.3010.30pm Mossdale Village Hall Mossdale Painters, Wed, 9.30-11.30am Yoga, Fri, 2.15pm Soup Saturday, last Sat each month, 1-3pm Various Bumps, Babies & Beyond, every 2nd Mon, 10.30am, Kirkpatriack Durham Village Hall Strictly Get Dancing, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton, Mon, 7pm Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed 2-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Crossmichael Church Hall, Thu, 1-3pm Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre, Parton Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona Ramsay on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 Baby & Toddler Group, Thu, 9.3011.30am, Balmaghie Public Hall, Laurieston Crossmichael Youth Club, Fri, Crossmichael Memorial Hall Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm Tue 6-8pm Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Main St, Dalry, Tel: 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book in the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 36 Dung Beetles Won't Vote For You Dear Politicians I need your help. This is an emergency. Please listen to my concerns and take action. That’s what you’re employed to do. To whom else can I turn? I want you to represent me. I want you to represent every constituent you have, including the ones who arrived yesterday after their dangerous and terrible journeys. In fact listen to them the most. They know what it’s already like out there - what it’s going to be like here if no one acts. Ask them what they went through after their village had no more water. Ask them what it was like when their crops failed and their flocks starved. Ask what it’s like to live in a world where there’s no more food. Ask how it was when fires or floods swept away their homes. Ask them how they started walking, who they carried, and who died along the way. Ask who violated them and tried to kill them on their journey. Ask them a lot about the bombs, the raiding parties. Find out what the soldiers did. These are your constituents. They can tell you where we’re headed. you’ll get more simple honest answers from them than you will from all your colleagues in the corridors of wealth. I live in a country, which you represent, whose fertile land is being sold off to foreign investors as part of a carbon-offset hoax. Why are you allowing this to happen even as our climate inexorably changes? How can we adapt in time if you don’t do anything? In your constituencies ordinary people can’t find a home to live in, local schools for their children, or get work that is crying out to be done. As people leave the land generations of knowledge leaves with them. What are we going to eat when global markets collapse? This is an emergency. Who will lead us through it, if not you? I’m writing on behalf of those who have no voices that you can hear: the ones who are wholly innocent, who have never colluded with any of humanity’s disastrous mistakes. I’m speaking of all the other living beings who live here too. How many species inhabit your constituencies, do you think? They were here long before you. Trillions? Zillions - you haven’t even heeded the ones creating the soil under your feet right now. We can’t live for a day without them - how can you possibly ignore your responsibility to care for them? I’m asking you to think about the children. They’ll be here long after you’ve gone, if they survive the coming times. Ask them what kind of world they want. Would they like to have food, water, shelter? Would they like to find a living here? Would they even like to learn and grow in peace? I think Dung beetles won’t vote for you; bees won’t promote you; worms won’t donate to your party funds, but without them, we’re dead. Yours truly a concerned citizen MNE Photo of the Issue Sponsored by This issue’s winner is Joe Ade with this late summer shot of 'tiny hammocks'. Joe wins two portions of mac 'n' cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "Since we're on holiday at the moment, the thought of lazing in the sun in a hammock really appealed...I hope those spiders are soaking up some much needed sunshine!" To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com DEC/JAN COPY DEADLINE: 5 NOV The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 144 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_144 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2024 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade