10 10 430 https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/237/GlenkensGazette91.pdf aad1cea8eb8cb3206c49b9273d7debdf 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 91 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 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:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). 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 News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry December/January 2015-16 ISSUE 91 CATSTRAND HOME AND DRY AT LAST On Monday 5 October at 10am the CatStrand finally opened its doors again after almost nine months of renovations as a result of January’s devastating flood. The re-opening has been longawaited, but from day one locals and visitors alike have been flooding through the doors (if that is the right expression!) to welcome CatStrand back. The Visitors’ Book has been filling up with comments such as – “Absolutely wonderful to have CatStrand open again, I have missed you”, “So glad you are back and looking so good!”, “Wonderful to see you open again, I love coming here”, “This is a special place for me”, “Fabulous as always, FREE we’ll certainly be back”. Tourists have already visited from all over Britain and as far afield as Australia, as always the overwhelming message from these visitors is how lucky we are to have such a facility as CatStrand in a small community such as ours. These messages ‘Home & Dry’, the new CatStrand art installation. and comments are very gratifying and make the going whilst CatStrand has hard grind of the last nine months been closed and look forward to worthwhile. The CatStrand staff welcoming everyone back to the and board are very grateful to exciting Winter Season events. everyone in the community for Continued on p10... helping to keep the programme AMY UP FOR AWARD Amy Geddes (nee Mellor) has been nominated in the Music Tutor of the Year category of the Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative in the highly acclaimed MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards (2015). Amy grew up in Dalry and first developed her interest in traditional music from a young age. She says; “There was no TV in my house – this may have A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve contributed to my interest in music and books! I started Highland Dancing about the same time as I went to school, then began singing and was given a fiddle age 10. “I was lucky to live in the same village as Jo Miller (founder of the first Trad Music degree in Scotland at the then RSAMD) and her neighbour Tommy Edgar, who was leader of the Starry Nights Dance Band and – no less importantly – the dame in our local panto every year. [Tommy died recently and is greatly missed]. Jo would give me fiddle lessons in her holidays from university and Tommy would take me to dance and play fiddle at local events and in hospitals and residential homes. It was brilliant and I am quite convinced, better than TV. Continued on p9... www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 Chair with a View The Royal Burgh of New Galloway & Kells Community Council has seen a lot of change at the recent elections, and so it is important first to recognise the massive contribution of our retiring members. Between them Brian Edgar, Margaret Watson, Vic Macintosh and Jimmy McKenna put in an incredible 109 years of service on the community council, and their combined knowledge and enthusiasm will be sadly missed. As is often the way though, they all contribute hugely to the community in other ways as well, and so we will continue to see them around and about. But thank you all, your dedication is very much appreciated. Thank you as well to the other Councillors who served in this last term: George Scott, Lyndy Renwick and Julia Brown, all of whom did a great job on the Council. In their place, we welcome some new faces to the Community Council: Sharon Fishwick, Craig Millar, Emma Harnett, Ros Hill and Stuart Littlewood have all just joined and are already bringing new ideas and energy with them. Just the 26 years to go before you can stand down, guys! As we sit here in New Galloway, the issues that concern us are very similar to those that face us all in the Glenkens, which is why we as a community council will continue to be keen to work with the other CCs to present a united front to D&G Council on Glenkens issues. As Andi Holmes from Dalry CC mentioned in the last edition, the massive pylons proposed by Scottish Power are a very real concern that we must all feedback on regularly if we would like to see the energy company motivated at all by environmental and community concerns rather than their profit and shareholder returns. Wind farms (pros and cons thereof), crayfish depopulation and care for our older people are also some big issues that we see coming towards us. New Galloway seems to be at a tipping point, with the village shop up for sale and the town hall at risk of closure. If we lost both of those, it would have a real impact on our community life. But on the bright side, teams of local people are working hard on both these issues, and the community council is delighted to support these voluntary efforts to maintain and improve our village life. We are also delighted to see the CatStrand reopen after the flooding, again due to an enormous effort by the staff and volunteers from across the Glenkens. New Galloway and Kells Community Council wants to be representative of its ward. We will not use our influence with D&G Council to disproportionately represent our personal views as Councillors, but only those issues where there is wide community consensus. Therefore if a particular issue is of interest to you, do corner (or email) a Councillor and let them know your views. We must be sure we are representing the majority of the constituency before we take any stance. All recently-elected Councillors across the Glenkens will be listed in the next issue of the Gazette, and contact details are also on the D&G Council website. And lastly, it’s not too late to get involved - residents are welcome to attend any CC meeting of interest to them and the CC can co-opt new members at any point if all parties are willing. So do come along on the second Monday of the month at 7:30pm in NG town hall, or see our minutes posted at the town hall, and look out for our new Facebook page, coming soon! We’d very much like to hear from you. John Thom, Chair & Helen Keron, Vice-chair New Galloway & Kells Community Council NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR TOWN HALL Discussions between the new Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) committee and D&G Council have resulted in LING taking over dayto-day management of New Galloway Town Hall from the start of December. This is in place with a view to a short-term lease being put in place at the beginning of February. Members of the new committee elected at the beginning of November are already discussing how the town hall could work with Health & Social Care and other voluntary groups to provide a venue for activities and services linking to the ideas in the Draft Locality Plan. LING had already arranged for the ongoing monthly Hard of Hearing clinic and the May meeting of the Stewartry Diabetes Support Group to be held in the hall. The proposed revival of the Thursday Lunch Club at the beginning of the New Year could bring folk out of hibernation at this dark and chilly time of year, providing a warm sociable place to meet as well as forming the base for other activities and health and social care proposals. Opportunities for badminton, table-tennis and indoor bowls are all being put in place and even the possibility of new-age curling is being investigated. Look out for the posters or let me know if you are interested! These are just the start of some of the things that were asked for at last year’s Open Days. If there are any groups or activities you would like to start up, the hall is there to be hired. We will make sure that rates and arrangements are pinned up on the notice board. Otherwise just contact me; the aim is to bring the hall back to life for the community. I would like to thank all those who have been members of the LING management committee at various times over the past seven years but are unable for various reasons to continue. Thank you too to those who although unable to offer to be a committee member have offered moral support or help where possible. The new committee members are: Ros Hill, chairman; Craig Millar, vicechairman; Ann Glaister, secretary; Bob Glaister, treasurer; and Ray Bridgeman. Thank you all, Ros Hill 01644 420 632 ros.hill@rathanhouse.me.uk Glenkens Gazette page 3 Pace Quickens in Community Shop Bid November has been a month of hectic activity for New Galloway Community Enterprises Ltd (NGCE) as work continues to secure Big Lottery funding for the community shop project. Currently NGCE is finalising a bid for development funding which has meant a succession of meetings with professionals, council agencies and advisers to gather information and prepare estimates. Once development funding is in place the all-important business plan can be prepared which will underpin the Stage Two application to the Big Lottery Growing Community Assets Fund. A successful application would enable the community to buy the existing Hopkins shop and house and develop a community shop, self-catering tourist accommodation and low-rent office or workshop space. NGCE would like to thank Abbas Rest Thanks GLENKENS GIANTS? The recent coffee morning held in aid of Abbas Rest orphans raised the fantastic sum of £850. Various ideas are being thrown about to try to find a positive angle on the massive pylon upgrade which will have such an impact on the Glenkens. Just one of the ideas is to turn the pylons in key beauty spots/areas of high visibility into modern art installations, such as the ‘Giants’ which are due to be created in Iceland in 2017. What are your thoughts? Do you have some ideas? Let’s form a local group to put ideas forward and discuss with other ‘Giants’ created by Choi & Shine Architects, due to be erected in Iceland in 2017. community councils/groups around the region. Please contact andiholmes@hotmail.com or get in touch with the Gazette (details on back page). VOLUNTEER WITH GCAT Would you like to become more involved with the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) and its projects? GCAT is looking to recruit new Trustees/Directors as part of their strategy of renewal and sustainability. If you are interested in GCAT’s work with the CatStrand, the Glenkens Transport Initiative, Glenkens Children’s Club, the Glenkens Gazette, Connecting In Retirement or their extensive youth work, then do apply to everyone in the community who is assisting them and in particular Jim and Margaret Hopkins for their continuing patience and helpfulness. If you have financial, planning or development skills you could bring to this project or help in any other way the small group of volunteers running the project would love to hear from you - contact keronh@me.com NGCE is a community benefit cooperative company currently supported by more than 70 members of the New Galloway community. become a Trustee/Director. All residents of the Glenkens over 18 years old are welcome to apply, and we would particularly welcome applications from younger folk and people who live further away from the CatStrand. It is a voluntary role, with a base commitment of attending 12 evening meetings a year over a three-year term. In addition, we would hope that all Trustees/Directors would use their core skills or experiences to support the staff of GCAT with specific projects as they arise. We would like to thank all the people who supported us in so many ways, with donations towards the baking, raffle, bric-a-brac and bottle stalls, and also the generous money donations. We would also like to thank all the people who staffed the stalls and helped in the kitchen, waited on tables and provided transport as, without you, this would not have been possible. We were very pleased to once again welcome Jim Walsham, the treasurer for Abbas Rest, and also Madge Irving, a Trustee, who were able to answer our questions, and give us up-to-date information on the orphanages. Our thanks once again, Avril Brown & Barbara Colbenson Could you spare some time to support community projects at a strategic level? To apply, contact Alan Smith on 07769 680 938 before midJanuary. Successful applicants require to be elected at the AGM which will be held on 25 January 2016. Even if you don’t want to be involved at Board level, we are always keen to increase our pool of volunteers to assist in our retail operation, front of house or special projects that match your skills. Go on, get involved - it’s great fun and immensely rewarding. The GCAT Team Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by EVERYTHING listed in the Glenkens Freecycle section is FREE - you just need to contact the owner and go and pick it up! If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch with Sarah on 07727 127 997 or email glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk VARIOUS Titan oil tank, quantity of concrete kerbing. Contact: Tim, Newton Stewart, on 07748 677 452 6 double-glazed units, 2 single-glazed units in rotten frames, 4 triangles of frosted glass, 2 chains with padlocks (14” and 11” long), 3 door stops. Contact: Cynthia on 420 605 Scanner, with leads, disc, etc Microtek 3600. Contact: 460 516 2-seater bed settee, velour fabric, rose colour - good condition. TV stand, black/chrome - excellent condition. 2 single bed-heads, silver chrome frames - good condition. Contact: 450 265 Tall freezer, old but in working order. Contact: 430 380 Two single mattresses, excellent condition but no fire-resistant label. Contact: 430 380 Vick’s CleanAir air purifier, virtually unused. Contact: 430 380 GARDEN Wood chip, ideal for garden Support the Biosphere Charter The Glenkens Gazette has signed up to the support the aims of the Biosphere Charter. By signing up to the Charter and agreeing with the six principles of the Biosphere, the Gazette is demonstrating they are proud supporters of the Biosphere and want to play a part in promoting and developing the sustainability of the area. The greater the number of Biosphere supporters, the better the benefits will be. Biosphere is an international designation providing a badge associated with special places, the best environments and quality local products. Together we will make life better for people and for nature. The six Biosphere Principles are to: I. Help conserve the natural resources of the Biosphere. II. Support the economy to benefit people and nature. III. Promote cultural heritage and local products. IV. Contribute to health and wellbeing of the community. V. Develop knowledge, paths etc. Bring own bag to fill. Contact: 430 218 Do you need rotted horse manure for your garden? Come and collect with bags or trailer (New Galloway). Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 WANTED Old fabric, especially old t-shirts for CatStrand Saturday Art Club. Contact: Mary on 07967 959 511 Side-table; bookshelves. Contact: Mary on 07967 959 511 Chest of drawers; tin sheets. Contact: Simon on 07426 124 982 understanding and research. VI. Raise awareness of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. Are you a local business who would like to show your support of the Biosphere project in the Glenkens? Why not get in touch with Nic Coombey on nic@gsabiosphere.org.uk GIVE AS YOU SPEND THIS CHRISTMAS Raise money for some local charities this Christmas and throughout the year by donating with www.easyfundraising .org.uk Through this website you can purchase goods from the retailers you normally buy from, and they automatically add on a donation to the charity of your choice. Why not support local bodies like the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, or Glenkens Playgroup, or locally run charity Afghan Schools Trust? Or if you have a favourite charity you would like to support who are not already registered with the website, you can add them yourself. This is a great way to donate and help raise funds for your favourite charities at no extra cost to yourself – and what a way to make that hefty Christmas spend feel a little better! Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by GALLOWAY GLENS PROJECT There is plenty to celebrate in the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere as 2015 draws to an end. Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Countryside Service has been successful in securing funding of £185,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop a second stage application for the Galloway Glens project. The funding has been awarded through the Landscape Partnership programme to work with groups, organisations and agencies to develop projects for the Glenkens area. Much more needs to be done before the submission of the final application in 2017 however. The Heritage Lottery Fund has now set aside £2.9m towards the delivery of these projects over a five-year programme. The Galloway Glens project will enhance the natural, built and cultural heritage of the Ken/Dee Valley as well as helping to achieve the aims of the Biosphere designation by inspiring a positive future through the strengthening of connections: people with nature, local with global, future with past, individual with community and hope with reality. Early in the new year Dumfries and Galloway Council will be organising meetings to involve local groups in the development of this exciting project which will make a real difference to the area and the people that live there. Environmental art also has the ability to inspire and the Rosnes Benches are a good example and are set to become the focus of a Biosphere itinerary that features everything from alternative picnics to revealing special habitats. The benches provide an opportunity for people to experience the countryside at a different level. Once you are lying on one of the many benches scattered over 12 locations in the Galloway Forest Park you begin see the landscape from a different perspective and become more aware of the sounds and smells that surround you as well as experiencing the sky above. Things are looking up in the Dark Sky Park as the stars continue to fascinate many people. A recent initiative by the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere project has trained four new Biosphere Dark Sky Rangers in the art of communicating astronomy. Businesses such as hotels, B&Bs and campsites now have the opportunity to call on the skills of the self-employed History Brings in the Crowds There was a sell-out audience for the first lecture organised by The Glenkens Story history project at CatStrand in November. Writers and broadcasters Peter Aitchison and Andrew Cassels delivered a vivid account of the little-known lowland clearances, illustrated with dramatised reconstructions from contemporary records. The next lecture, by archaeologist Andrew Nicholson, takes place on 28 February. The Glenkens Story, which was launched in March, is also planning further field trips to historic sites in the Glenkens. Rosnes bench Biosphere Dark Sky Rangers to set up and run events and tell people about the wonders of the night sky. If you are a business in the area who would like to find out more about our new Biosphere Dark Sky Rangers email Marie McNulty, the new Biosphere Business Development Officer on: marie@gsabiosphere.or g.uk or visit the Biosphere website; www.gsabiosphere.org.uk Nic Coombey Glenkens Gazette page 6 CATSTRAND WELCOMES YOUTH TEAM The CatStrand is thrilled to welcome two new members of staff to the team. Dave Miller and Sara Lockwood have jointly taken on the role of Youth Arts Development Officer, each with their own specialist creative area. Sara says; “My role focuses on activities for 10-15 year olds with a remit to develop dance, visual arts and writing. “I am really looking forward to working with young people in the Glenkens and beyond in order to foster a greater love and skills development for these art forms. My background is in Modern and Contemporary Dance and Art History, and when I am not at the CatStrand I can be found dancing my way across Dumfries & Galloway in my role as a freelance dance artist, choreographer and teacher of Margaret Morris Movement”. Dave has recently been appointed to oversee the music, film and media elements of CatStrand’s youth arts programme. With a rich background in music, film and media, Dave graduated from University West of Scotland and has been working as a freelance audio engineer for the last 10 years. His professional achievements have led him into youth development work in recent years with the Scottish Music Centre and various other community learning organisations. Dave works for the mentoring project, Music Plus, and the youth touring project, Hit the Road, which takes young acts on short national tours. Dave is also a Prince’s Trust Youth Business Scotland volunteer. During his time at CatStrand, Dave plans to design a series of interactive workshops, Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Selling properties across Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries masterclasses and trips for young people interested in music, film or media. He looks forward to working on new arts news and reviews by young people. For the 16-25s he will construct a youth traineeship scheme focussing on skills for employment, portfolio or further education. So if you’re aged between 10 and 25, stop by the CatStrand and meet Sara and Dave and see what’s on offer, or keep an eye on the CatStrand Facebook page and website for-up-to date news and events. Left Dave Miller (© David Moses) & right Sara Lockwood ‘Smile Daddy’ Film on the Cards A film is set to be made from the book Smile Daddy I’m Dying by local man Robin Hood, about his daughter Alex. The book charts his journey to raise money to find a cure for the condition Alex was born with in 1989. Robin’s story is compelling, and also sad as his daughter died in 2008. Robin says; “Working Title Films approached me asking to make a film but they wanted full creative control on how the story was portrayed so I’ve decided to have the film professionally made myself. This way I can make sure that the story is told accurately.” Filming is set to start in late 2016 and may be filmed locally, but the logistics of a large-scale film production, says Robin, may not be possible in the Glenkens. But keep your eyes peeled because if the film is filmed locally, there may be some famous faces knocking about; Colin Firth has received a copy of the book and, if things pan out, may be set to play Robin in the film. Glenkens Gazette page 7 CatStrand Highlights There is still plenty to look forward to in the Winter Season... After the successful Home & Dry Festival, a busy November featured three films, the classic Brief Encounter, children’s film Two by Two and the story of the Skye Bridge anti-toll protestors Bridge Rising. Another double bill concert on 13 November featured the two distinct styles of Karine Polwart and Emma Pollock followed a week later by the young Dutch and British Ragazze Quartet. In December we can all look forward to the CatStrand Youth Players’ fifth annual pantomime, Babes in the Wood by Paul Reakes. The panto runs for three performances, Friday 4 and Saturday 5 December at 7.30pm plus a matinee performance on Sunday 6 at 2pm. Before Christmas we will also feature Opera Bohemia with the one-act festive opera Amahi & The Night Visitors on Friday 11 at 7.30pm and then on Saturday 19 at 4pm The Feral Choir make a return with their latest show Midwinter Turning. Both shows will continue where the panto left off in building the festive atmosphere as we rapidly approach Christmas and The Feral Choir ticket even includes mulled wine and mince pies! The dark evenings of January are sure to be brightened by the first cinema offering of 2016, The Second Best Marigold James Yorkston, Withered Hand & Pictish Trail Hotel. After the huge success of the first film, Judi the flood last time around, tickets Dench, Maggie Smith et al return are sure to be in great demand in another amusing Indian tale. so please book early to avoid disappointment. Blazin’ Fiddles will On 16 January we welcome also feature in the next season’s three of Scotland’s leading programme, date to be announced singer/songwriters to perform soon! Plenty to look forward to songs and share stories – James and do remember that tickets Yorkston, Withered Hand & Pictish can now be booked online at Trail. This is a chance to see this www.catstrand.com incredible trio perform together before they headline at Celtic If you need some ideas for your Connections 2016. Christmas shopping, why not come along to see some of the unique Finally on Friday 22 January, we gifts available from our renowned are delighted to present Jamie gift shop or consider giving Theatre Campbell & Simon Callaghan. Both Vouchers which can be used to very accomplished and acclaimed purchase tickets for CatStrand classical musicians in their own events or at most theatres right, Jamie on piano and Simon throughout the country. on violin will perform a programme featuring the music of Schuman, Merry Christmas and Happy New Faure and Poulenc. Year to everyone from the CatStrand Team Friday 5 February will herald the return of the CatStrand Burns Supper. Cancelled as a result of CATSTRAND YOUTH PLAYERS PANTOMIME Sherwood Forest comes to CatStrand as the Youth Players’ fifth annual pantomime tells the much loved tale of Babes in the Wood, brought to life by a collection of heroes, villains and madcap characters. The wicked Sheriff of Nottingham is planning some horrible deeds so that he can inherit the Babes’ fortune but luckily the Babes have our hero Robin Hood and his Merry Men on their side. Great fun for all the family; expect relentless jokes, sing-alongs, audience participation and of course, the unexpected! Zoe is a young ‘veteran’ of stage and screen, having taken part in all the Youth Players’ pantomimes and festival productions to date and recently starred in the CatStrand Young Film Makers’ production The Light Shed which won an award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Eilidh too is starring in her fifth pantomime and on screen has taken the lead role of Aggy Fishbone in the Young Film Makers’ trilogy of Hallowe’en horror films. She has also worked with professional actors in Life, Love & Liberty during the Burns Pageant in Dumfries. Georgiana shone in the Principal Girl role in last year’s production of Sinbad, and Arthur is looking forward to his third pantomime and to playing the nasty Sheriff. See the listings in the Diary secion on p18 for dates and times of performances. The Youth Players performing of Sinbad. Glenkens Gazette page 8 Photo of the Issue: Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel Competition judges Dave and Sue, from the Ken Bridge Hotel, chose Glenkens Sunset by John McBeth as this issue’s winner. “All entries were lovely but the richness of colours in John’s composition stand out so much we are not convinced he did not take this in the Caribbean!” Regards, Dave & Sue John wins a meal for two at the Ken Bridge Hotel’s renowned Sunday Carvery. W BONE WHB JEEPS THE GARAGE, DALRY PETROL & DIESEL SALES SERVICE & REPAIRS MOTs, TYRES, BATTERIES ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES OPEN 8.30AM - 6.00PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS - FUEL 24 HOURS SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY Tel: 01644 430208 Fax: 01644 430669 jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 9 New Galloway Golf Club New Galloway Golf club ended a very successful season with its annual prizegiving in the clubhouse. This was preceded by a Texas Scramble competition and followed by a fantastic buffet to which all those present AMY UP FOR AWARD Continued from front page... Amy cites as her career highlights getting the job as Traditional Musician in Residence for Clydesdale at the age of 21, accepting the invitation to be the first tutor and to work to help establish the hugely successful Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop and having her compositions recorded by other artists – notably Catriona MacDonald & Fyne Friday (AnnaWendy Stevenson, Nuala Kennedy, Kris Drever). When considering plans for the future, Amy has lots on the cards. She says: “More gigs, more teaching, more fun! You never know what is around the corner so it’s best to plan with enough space for the unexpected to fit in.” To find out more about Amy, visit http://amygeddes.co.uk or visit her on facebook or twitter. GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL � 01644 420234 � contributed and our president, Elspeth Thomas CBE, was on hand to give out the trophies. The winter progamme is now in place and following a very successful session of summer junior coaching, the club’s junior convener and vice captain, David Aitken, is taking these sessions through into the winter. It is also hoped to go back into the local schools and continue the good work started in the spring. Ian Brown SPALDING BOWLING CLUB Spalding held their annual presentation dinner at The Clachan Inn. President Peter Hamilton welcomed everyone and Valerie Russell presented the prizes. Pictured; Back Row (left to right) J McNally, G McAdam, A McFegan, J Peacock, G Dempster, I Murray; front row (left to right) V Russell, Ladies Champion A Hamilton, President P Hamilton, Gents Champion J Mc Beth, M Young. MINUTES SECRETARY REQUIRED Carsphairn Community Council require a minutes secretary for their meetings last Monday of each month [No meetings December & July] Meetings are held in Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn, 7pm, for approx 2 hours next meeting 29 Jan 2016 Negotiable fee + travel expenses For info call 460 662 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm 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 � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � Glenkens Gazette Energy Storage and Future Regeneration of the Glenkens Massive projects are being considered for an energy park, visitor centre and hybrid energy storage project located on available parts of the Chapelcross site and at other locations across Scotland. These have important long term implications for the Glenkens where some 5-10 years hence we could have our own energy storage scheme perhaps even combined with ownership of the local 11Kv grid and resulting cheaper, greener electricity. In order just to maximise the efficiency of Scotland’s current intermittent wind farm output it is estimated that over 1GW of energy storage capacity is required now to end the need for wasteful constraint payments to wind farm companies. Add to this the potential for predictable but still intermittent generation from tidal power in the Solway, domestic solar panels and larger solar farms, small scale hydro, biomass, etc. and one reaches a figure of a 5GW storage capacity requirement for Scotland by or not long after 2020. The Scottish Government is encouraging local communities to become more ambitious and more imaginative in coming up with proposals for community ownership of energy generation, storage and distribution. Communities are being encouraged to explore eligibility to receive Feed in Tariff (FiT) payments for energy generation projects up to 10MW. In our region Local Energy Scotland’s development worker Madeline Crawford is already working on such a scheme with a local community group in the Eastriggs area. When Blackcraig windfarm was proposed the Glenkens Sustainable Development Steering Group looked at the Energy4All model, using cooperative ownership structures with the opportunity for a wider community of interest to own shares. Blue Energy have bought Blackcraig from SSE. They are being asked to honour the spirit of what was agreed with SSE in relation to community ownership as well as community benefit. A so called ‘Bencom’, covering the corridor from the Glenkens northwards to Dalmellington, forming one of the 4 communities of interest with 10 MW of projects located at Chapelcross has been suggested. Lessons learned there could be applied to enhancing the future attractiveness of our area with new potential pumped hydro storage capacity proposed for Damellington and ideas for a major energy storage project near Glenlee 5 to 10 years hence. The announcement by Loreburn Housing Association that they have joined 35 other housing associations to become members of Our Power is great news for their tenants locally. We look forward to them being partners in joint efforts to bring renewable energy generation storage and distribution increasingly into community ownership. That raises the question of whether there should be an embargo on all construction of onshore windfarms larger than 5MW unless there is at least 51% community ownership. In the context of the debate over the national grid upgrade, due to take place about 8 to 10 years hence, these proposals, if implemented, would force a major rethink about whether there will then need to be a 400Kv connector across the Glenkens. Roland Chaplain, Balmaclellan, DG7 3QE, 01644 420 361, roland@glenkensbb.co.uk which will remain as part of CatStrand’s art collection. The weekend followed with two excellent and well-received concerts - first up was a double-bill featuring Ben Rogers, a Canadian singer-songwriter likened in the past to a young Johnny Cash, and up-and-coming Scottish folk roots duo The Jellyman’s Daughter. Sunday was the turn of classical music and CatStrand was very lucky to host The Templewood Ensemble, all the way from Norfolk and featuring Geoff Davidson (piano) and Evie Anderson (mezzo soprano) both from BBC Singers along with Keith Hobday on violin from Norfolk Sinfonia. After a well-earned break on the Monday night another sell out show took to the stage on Tuesday, a much anticipated return visit from Rapture Theatre with their latest play, The Last Yankee by Arthur Miller. The rest of the week featured the BAFTA award-winning film Amy telling the incredible story of the late Amy Winehouse in her own words, attracting an audience from a wide age-range, it was the first film shown using the new projector and cinema equipment. The annual Halloween Party was well attended on Saturday evening and featured the Premiere of Aggy & The Fishbones, the award-winning CatStrand Young Film Makers’ latest horror film and the final part of the Aggy Fishbone trilogy. The Festival was brought to a close in fine style as Ricky Ross launched his solo European Tour, The Lyric Book. Thirty years after Deacon Blue was formed, this was a unique opportunity to see a master songwriter present some of his most famous songs as they were first written, by him, sitting at a piano. A fantastic and fitting end to the Festival – after New Galloway became a ‘Raintown’ on 14 January, CatStrand was finally home and dry with ‘Dignity’ on 1 November! Home & Dry Continued from front page...The official opening was heralded by the appropriately named Home & Dry Festival. The Launch Party for Friends & Patrons was a fitting celebration to kick-start the festival, featuring the unveiling of the new ‘Home & Dry’ art installation which was funded by the D&G Regional Arts Fund and designed by Auchencairn artist John Crosby. Made from the old flood damaged floorboards from the auditorium, it depicts a flotilla of boats arriving safely ‘home and dry’ as they are swept over the boundary wall by a huge wave! A reminder of the flood but at the same time a fantastic and universally acclaimed addition to the CatStrand’s public art works! The party also saw the official opening of Hazel Campbell’s art exhibition which runs until the end of January and features a specially commissioned Glenkens painting page 10 Glenkens Gazette page 11 Emma’s Wild Eats: Winter The best time of the year for wild food with a fungal focus is undoubtedly the luxurious autumn prime of chanterelles and ceps. However, as it becomes more wintery, and even throughout the winter with a little persistence, there are plenty of delicious little surprises out there. Most recently we’ve been finding rosehips, hogweed seeds and elderberries, wood blewits, trooping funnel mushrooms and giant funnel mushrooms. These mushrooms are reasonably easy to identify, but it’s vitally important to be absolutely sure that you don’t collect lookalikes because these are very poisonous in some cases. To be sure about blewits you need to produce a spore print. The agony of watching mushrooms deteriorate in the fridge as you try in desperation to find some unquestionable evidence that they are what you hope they are is nothing compared to the agony of organs failing I’m sure! For us, the satisfaction in foraging is not in the eventual production of a free meal, although that does make us very happy; it’s in the moment that, after hours of damp disappointment and false starts, you stumble across a perfect ‘penny bun’ or a dream-like woodland scene scattered with neon-orange chanterelles. Our highlights of late autumn: • Rosehip jelly – everyone should try this. Its sweetness and slight acidity is perfect on a warm scone; but little will stimulate your appetite as much as the smell of this cooking. • Anything made with elderberries, especially a vinegar-syrup dressing. • Filling a jar with sloes and gin! • Hogweed seed, oat and honey cookies (I’m salivating). Over winter we hope to collect: • Shellfish • Rosehips (high in vitamin C) • Bulrush shoots • Wood sorrel Aileen McLeod MSP working for you across the South of Scotland Postal address: Unit 7 Loreburn Shopping Centre High Street, Dumfries, DG1 2BD Email: aileen.mcleod.msp@scottish.parliament.uk Tel: 01387 255 334 Please check www.aileenmcleod.org for regular surgery, constituency and parliamentary updates • Sorrel • Hairy bittercress • Chickweed • Dandelion Some mushrooms that may be found during winter: • Honey fungus • Velvet shank • Jelly ear • Winter chanterelle • Oyster mushrooms • Charcoal burner I hope this inspires! Emma Check out Emma’s blog to read more on her foraging adventures at www.emmaswild.co.uk Bargatton Sand & Gravel Supplying sand and gravel for all your farming needs, as well as households and businesses both large and small. We stock washed fine sand, coarse sand and gravels at competitive prices. For further details contact: James Mair - 07793 085 243 Email: loch.bargatton@live.co.uk Bargatton Quarry, Laurieston, Castle Douglas, DG7 2PS Open Monday to Friday Weekends by arrangement Delivery can be arranged - subject to quantity Glenkens Gazette page 12 Lots of Fun at Carsphairn Primary It was a wonderful first term back for all the boys and girls in Carsphairn. Firstly, we have been lucky to welcome a new P6 pupil named Kaelan Johnstone to our family at Carsphairn Primary School. Already he has been a valuable contributor to our Barkley’s Buddies Library team. We have moved and expanded our school library this year to create a more appropriate environment for reading and researching. We are excited about the Scottish Book Week launch of the Pupil Librarian Scheme which will allow pupils and parents to track online any books that they have signed out, see what books are available in all libraries across the cluster, and read and write book reviews. Special thanks must be given to Jane Banner for getting this set up. Our topic this term has been The Human Body, and we have used the opportunity to focus on the health of our own pupils – particularly looking at healthy eating. For the entire term we tracked what snack we were bringing in for playtime. We looked at our snacks, if a snack was brought in, and whether or not we would consider it a healthy snack. We found that roughly half the time no snack was brought to school, a quarter of the time pupils were bringing in a healthy snack and the final quarter was comprised of a snack Carsphairn pupils with Robin Ade learning about trout. deemed as unhealthy. our outdoor learning in a number The class had a very mature of different ways, our pupils had a discussion about what some of chance last term to go fishing at the challenges were in bringing a our local burn. School parent and healthy snack to school. As a result of this study, this term at Carsphairn fishing expert Robin Ade shared his expertise with the children, as we we are trialling a Healthy Tuck Shop learned several tricks of the trade. that will be prepared and paid for The children enjoyed finding worms by the school. Because we know for bait and even had the chance to that a healthy diet can have positive hold some brown trout that had been effects on children’s learning caught in the Water o’ Deugh. All and behaviour, we hope that this the pupils and staff greatly enjoyed measure will put our pupils in the their time on the riverbank and we position to make smart choices for look forward to next term’s outdoor their own health and success. learning sessions. Finally, as we continue to develop A DAHLICIOUS ALEX FERGUSSON DAY AT DALRY This September Dalry Primary was MSP FOR GALLOWAY & WEST DUMFRIES Holds regular advice surgeries at: Constituency Office, New Market Street, Castle Douglas, DG7 1HY on the 2nd Friday of every month from 5pm Telephone free on 0800 028 7260 for an appointment or to make any alternative arrangement. You can visit Alex’s website at: www.alexfergusson.org.uk or contact him by e-mail at: alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk full of BFGs, Oompa Loompas and other exciting Roald Dahl characters. The pupils and teachers all dressed up to raise funds for Roald Dahl’s Dahlicious Children’s Charity. The Primary raised an impressive £71 on the day. Well done everyone! Glenkens Gazette page 13 Adventures with Creatures that were Thought to be Extinct Professor Glen Chilton from James Cook University in Australia visited the pupils at Kells Primary and also the primary pupils at Dalry School. The presentation was titled ‘Adventures with Creatures that were Thought to be Extinct.’ Professor Glen told the pupils about his adventures all over the world looking for and studying animals like the black footed ferret in the western states of America and the iguana in Jamaica. The pupils especially enjoyed looking at his photographs of these creatures. He also took time to answer a range of questions from the Glen Chilton with Dalry Primary pupils. pupils on the creatures that featured in his presentation. The visit to the schools was kindly organised by the Stewartry Ornithologists Club who hold their monthly meeting at Kells Primary School. Schools Raise Funds The Pupils of Dalry and Kells schools have been hard at work fundraising this term. The pupils of Dalry School held a coffee morning in support of Macmillan Cancer Support. The morning was a great success with a total of £1140 being raised to support the work of Macmillan in the local area. The event organised by pupils from the Wednesday Activities Events Group and S2, was full of fun and games as well as delicious coffee and cake. A spokesperson for the group said that they were thrilled with the total raised and wanted to thank everyone who came out to support the event. The morning depended entirely upon the generous donations of pupils, parents and the wider community and we thank everyone involved. Pupils in P7 at Kells Primary raised £1060.73 by hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning at the Cross Keys Hotel in New Galloway. Pupils planned and advertised the coffee morning and served parents and friends of the school on the day. They also made collection tins for local businesses to collect donations for the charity. The pupils would like to thank everyone from the local community who supported the event. Dalry pupils wirh their donation. Kells pupils at the Cross Keys Hotel Glenkens Gazette A SAD AND LONELY MOOR page 14 The Story Of Old Mortality: Part II Robert Paterson had heard of these graves from the grandson of a witness to the terrible deed, and today he would ensure they were not forgotten. after WW1, the memory so terrible and the sacrifice so great, that he too had a desire to remember each man by name. Robert Paterson had taken the lease of a freestone or sandstone quarry in Dumfriesshire and had been successful, making headstones and selling them into Galloway, an area devoid of this easily cut and carved stone. As he visited more churchyards to the west, he became obsessed with marking the resting places of those murdered a century before by the Kings dragoons: Christians being slaughtered by Christians, on the orders of the King, during the terrible ‘Killing Times’ in Galloway. Robert was so determined to honour those Covenanter martyrs TAKEN AND INSTANT LY SHOT DEAD BY A PARTY OF CLAVER HOUSE FOR (on the reverse) MEMEN TOMORI HIS ADHERENCE TO SCOTLANDS REFORMATION CO VENANTS NATION AL AND SOLEMN LEAGUE 1682 He carefully removed the boulders and after digging a slot, lowered the two headstones into their places. Robert then said a short prayer Robert continued his obsession of over the graves before resting on commemorating the Covenanters a flat rock close to the thorn tree. until his death. He collapsed and He was instantly, deep in thought, died in 1801, in his late eighties, thinking of the scores of honest, near Bankend, south of Dumfries, loyal, country people, who were of while sourcing headstones nearby. no threat to the crown but were They were easily shipped from there murdered by the ruthless to Wigtownshire where he Lagg, Claverhouse or Bruce, planned to continue his so called gentlemen, under work. the orders of the crown; he After his death, several thought too, of the many statues were carved to hundreds banished to the honour him. The example plantations as indentured at Dumfries Museum was servants. carved by John Currie and Deep in thought, he did funded by a prize draw. The not hear the peewit cry as winner of the statue was it swooped and dived in a young Dumfries doctor, the bog below; he did not John Sinclair, who tragically hear the soft call of the died the next day. He had woodpigeon ‘cooo-cooo!’ in expressed the wish that on the ancient oak wood fifty his death the statue be given Old Mortality statue, Dumfries Museum. yards behind his rocky seat; to Dumfries but doubtlessly he was not even aware of that he would be gone from his did not expect his donation to go his grey mare nibbling the thorny family for weeks, sometimes years, quite so soon. branch above his head. at a time. His long suffering wife This tale is of a real character; Suddenly, Robert was roused from Elizabeth would send her eldest the place and martyrs, a fiction, his thoughts by the whistle of the son to find his father labouring on a During my research on Robert herd laddie chasing the sheep up remote hillside or wooded glen. Paterson for this piece, I noted from the in-bye field to the moor. He To be nearer to him she would that with Paterson’s increasing did this each night, and reversed the eventually move her family to distraction with Covenanters graves, process every morning. Robert could Balmaclellan where she kept a his apprentice Sandy Rae left the see the ewes and their lambs filter school in the parish to help feed her Dumfriesshire quarry and moved through the stone-built ‘lunky hole’ children. and set up business in Crossmichael in the dyke, flowing as steadily as The headstones that he carved – my village. Recently, a piece of sand through a timer. These lunkies were distinctive. Given the difficulty detective work and with an element were designed to let sheep pass, but of transporting and erecting a large of luck, I estimated where he might keep the cattle in the ‘in-bye’ below stone, he chose to use a smaller have been buried, should he have the hill dyke. slab. This meant a singular economy stayed on in the village. A likely Now alert, he untied his horse and of spacing when carving inscriptions. stone, a piece of wax and a stone using his recently vacated seat as An example from Crossmichael rubbing revealed this inscription:a mounting block, swung into the Parish is shown below: ‘SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF saddle before heading back the way ALEXANDER RAE Stonecutter Died he came, and his lodgings for the HERE LYES 17th Sept 1794 aged LXIV’ night. WILLIAM GRAHAM Could it have been ‘Old Mortality’ Why had Robert gone to such WHO MAKING HIS who carved the stone for his friend’s lengths, in a strange land, to ESCAPE FROM HIS grave? John Nelson, remember two strangers? MOTERS HOUSE Crossmichael Perhaps like us, one hundred years keen local & family historian WAS PURSUED Glenkens Gazette page 15 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN A GLENKENS YULE In SR Crocket’s short story, ‘The Packman’s Pool’, Gray Stiel tells his 12 year old nephew that “Christmas is a time when folk hae mair to eat than is guid for them”; especially in England, where “they hae a’ the siller they want”, enabling folk to acquire presents and grand gifts. Gray, a farm labourer in the wild Galloway hills, receives the greatest gift of all when he discovers that his shiftless, violent, blackmailing brother, whom he had intended to shoot, has already expired. The intended victim’s unaware son rejoices, in true Galwegian fashion, that Christmas or no Christmas, porridge is hard to beat. Most folk in the Glenkens would have had no truck with Christmas though clearly the formerly strict Cameronian Crockett gradually came to accept it. Many of us will remember when our fathers worked Christmas Day because it was not a holiday here until 1958. Christmas certainly did not begin in late August when the kids returned to school. The 12 days of Christmas, if noted at all, were known as Yule, which included Hogmanay and New Year. Yule was a solstice festival from time immemorial. The Romans called it Saturnalia and they celebrated 25 December as “the birthday of the unconquered sun”, or as we know it, the shortest day. 25 December was chosen as Christ’s birthday and so Saturnalia was christianised, but there is no scriptural authority for when he was born, which is why the Scots outlawed the festival at the Reformation. To those who annually bleat on about how Christmas is becoming less Christian and more Pagan we should point out that the wheel has come full circle. It was also a fire festival, sympathetic magic to hasten the return of the sun. In medieval times elected figures variously known as the Abbot of Unreason, the Lord of Misrule, the President of Fools or the Boy Bishop, presided over the ‘Daft Days’ of Christmas, a period of festival or carnival, a time of inversion when the normal mores and observances were suspended. The Boy Bishop was a distant cousin of St Nicholas whose day was 6 December. The Boy, elected by his schoolmates, sometimes had the right to suspend corporal punishment in schools for the duration. In this part of the world, in the nineteenth century, much the product of Coca-Cola advertising but he did not arrive in Scotland until well into the 20th century. King James VI greatly enjoyed Christmas dinner. He opted for a new dish brought into Britain from Mexico, namely turkey, which went well with the other American innovation of potatoes. Plum potage or porridge gave way to plum pudding, which was regarded as an English dish as were mince pies. The legendary English Christmas was created almost singlehandedly by Charles Dickens in his phenomenally successful short story, ‘A Christmas Carol’ and it gradually seeped over the border with other Christmas attributes. However the Scots reciprocated in traditional “bah, humbug” fashion by providing the definitive movie portrayal of Scrooge in the shape of Scottish actor Alastair Sim. Evergreens represented another form of sympathetic magic. Holly and ivy brought indoors were supposed to hasten outdoor growth though Scots regarded mistletoe as a dangerous and unlucky plant, rather than an all-healing growth. Galloway folk continued to favour Hogmanay and New Year’s Day, celebrated by guisers known as variously as the White Boys (the good guys) and the belzies (followers of the Beelzebub or the Devil). Glenkens doubtless followed the practice of first-footing, as farm foremen or grieves invaded the farmer’s bedroom bearing gifts of whisky and corn on 1 January. On the following Monday, ‘Auld Hansel Day’, the farmers would reciprocate, providing their workers with lavish breakfasts and a day of sports, dancing and drams. It would be great to hear from anyone who knows about any specific Glenkens Yule traditions. Wishing you all a braw Yule and mony o them! The 12 days of Christmas...were known as Yule, which included Hogmanay and New Year. school lessons were interrupted on Christmas Day while the children made a presentation to the teacher. A critic in 1531 wrote: “in the solemnite of Yule we worship the wame (belly) and nocht Christe”. After the Reformation in 1560 the presbyterians would protest to those who still celebrated: “You will say it is a brave holiday; I tell you it is a brave belly day”. The “singings of filthy carols” was banned. While some were prosecuted the monarch and many of the folk were not to be diverted. Indeed, a lot of people regarded the celebration of Yule as an act of political and social protest. Consequently, while covenanters frowned on the celebration, royalist supporters, notably episcopalians and catholics, notoriously indulged. Over time various ingredients were added to Christmas. St Nicholas, Santa Claus was dressed like a Russian merchant. Historically he was the 4th century Bishop of Myra who dropped silver into a poor girl’s stocking while she slept, though he would not dare do it now! In a sinister sort of a way he was a shape-shifter. As he appears to us now he is very Ted Cowan Glenkens Gazette page 16 FUNDRAISING BIKE RIDE Dalry man Ian Knox has completed a fundraising cycle from Balloch to Iona. Ian says; “10 of us signed up for this charity cycle organised by EMMS International to raise money for health projects in Nepal, India and Malawi. Each of us was tasked to raise around £900 in order to take part in the event.” The group set off from Balloch, at the foot of Loch Lomond, and followed the West Lomond cycle path all the way up the shore of the Loch to Tarbert. From there they took the road to Crianlarich, turning up to Tyndrum and on to Dalmally, Taynuilt across Glen Lonan into Oban. The journey continued on to Craignure, on the Isle of Mull, Salen and then to Fionaphort where they caught the ferry to the finish line at the Abbey on Iona. Ian says; “It was a very beautiful cycle enjoyed by all for good causes. A big thankyou to all who sponsored me for this event - the final total raised was £1021.21”. A CHILDHOOD DREAM The sight of a perfect tearoomlying empty was all the inspiration a Crossmichael woman needed to create her childhood dream... After seeing the cafe at Barstobrick sitting empty for over two years, Ahrlene Fuller set out on a journey which would fulfill a childhood dream to have her own tearoom; The Stickety Lickety Teahouse was born. The teahouse is situated at the Barstobrick Visitors Centre near Ringford where, this summer, Ahrlene and her staff have been welcoming visitors from all over the world. Indeed the teahouse has proved to be such a success that it will remain open during the winter months every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am till 4pm. “It would have been such a shame to shut down over the winter, and fortunately there is a whole range of events taking place in the adjoining arena including showjumping, dressage and carriage driving,” Ahrlene said. “Teahouse customers are able to sit inside in the warm and watch these fantastic sporting events through the large viewing windows which look right into the arena.” The teahouse is also taking bookings for Christmas lunches and will have its own Christmas shop with a range of festive goodies on sale. “Autumn and winter will be a truly lovely time to visit the Barstobrick estate with its lovely walks and trails and, at the end of your walk, the teahouse is waiting with a creamy hot chocolate, a warming latte or a soothing cup of tea,” said Ahrlene. “Dogs are also welcome inside the teahouse where we have beds and water bowls for them.” Find out more about the Stickety Lickety on their Facebook page or if you want to make a Christmas booking call Ahrlene on 01557 820 580. Glenkens Gazette page 17 Spotlight: Young Songwriters’ Open Mic An exciting new, open mic night for young performers will launch at the CatStrand on Wednesday 9 December. Spotlight will offer singers, songwriters and musicians between the ages of 12 and 25 the opportunity to come along and perform. This can be in the form of a solo performance or as part of a band or ensemble. The event is open to all genres and musical styles and will take place in the friendly and welcoming setting of CatStrand. Simply turn up with your instruments on-the-night to perform - you do not need to sign up in advance. Guest artists will feature and the evening’s host will be local songwriter Robert Shields. Robert is continually adding to his extensive songwriting career - most recently with band Finding Albert. The event is free of charge and friends and family are welcome to attend. The night will continue as a regular, monthly night throughout 2016, taking place on the first Wednesday of the month. Participants will also be given the opportunity to take part in a wider youth music programme Access All Areas which is built around a youth-led, independent record label. Learn from experienced, enthusiastic, tutors who will offer guidance, skills and expertise on a range of music-related activities including songwriting, performance, recording, music videos, photography CD artwork and promoting and marketing bands. Regular workshops and learning opportunities will be advertised throughout the year on the ‘Youth’ page of CatStrand’s website www.catstrand.com NEW GALLOWAY SWRI Chasing Butterflies with a Mouse or Putting Wildlife on the Map was the title of a talk given by Mark Pollitt from Dumfries & Galloway Environmental Resources Centre (DGERC) at the October meeting of the New Galloway Scottish Women’s Rural Institute. Mr Pollitt used a computer generated film to illustrate all the different forms of wildlife that may lurk in our gardens. He explained that any kind of information garden owners could collect on what they have New Galloway Golf Club in their own gardens would be of tremendous benefit when amassing information on the local wildlife of Dumfries & Galloway. How many rabbits, birds, amphibians, worms and snails, butterflies and moths show if the wildlife is increasing or becoming rarer, and what may cause such changes. Even creatures that we may consider abundant and common can change and show changes in the environment. Mr Pollitt also judged the member’s wildlife competition and tasted butterfly cakes to find this month’s winners. SWRI ART PROFICIENCY: Mrs Cath Monk was delighted to be presented with certificates for two 1st Class and one 2nd Class for her entries to the SWRI Proficiency Test in Art recently at the monthly Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? www.nggc.co.uk Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Buggies now available for hire Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 Founded 1902 - 01644 420737 VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Cath Monk with some of her entries. meeting of the New Galloway Scottish Rural Women’s Institute. The judges comments were as important to Cath as the certificates, which will hopefully help her to improve her art work in the future. Helen Bulluck FHB Fencing Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) Glenkens Gazette page 18 DECEMBER & JANUARY NOVEMBER Sat 28, Christmas Shopping Day, 11am–4pm, Free, Includes Mulled Wine & Mince Pies, CatStrand, New Galloway DECEMBER runs to Sun 2 Feb, Exhibition: Hazel Campbell, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 4, Youth Players Panto; Babes in the Wood, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway (see p7) Sat 5, Youth Players Panto; Babes in the Wood, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway (see p7) Sun 6, Youth Players Panto; Babes in the Wood, 2pm, CatStrand, New Galloway (see p7) Wed 9, Spotlight: Young Songwriters Open Mic, 7pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Thu 10, Stewartry Bird Watchers talk - Tanya and Edmund Hoare Our Disappearing Swifts, 7.30pm, Kells School, New Galloway, see p10 Fri 11, Opera Bohemia, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 19, The Feral Choir, 4pm, CatStrand, New Galloway JANUARY Sat 9, Film: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 16, James Yorkston, Withered Hand & Pictish Trail, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Thurs 21, SWANC: Landscape Ecology, 7.30pm, Ken Bridge Hotel Fri 22, Jamie Campbell & Simon Callaghan, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 31, Glenkens Acoustic Session, 2-4pm, CatStrand, New Galloway BALMACLELLAN COMMUNITY UPCOMING EVENTS Balmaclellan Children’s Christmas Party, Friday 11 December, 6pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall: Magic Monty and Santa will be there! All Primary and pre-school children from the Glenkens welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult and the Community Council would very much appreciate food donations - look out for posters. Balmaclellan Senior Citizen’s Christmas Lunch, Tuesday 15 December, The Ken Bridge Hotel: By invitation only; all qualifying persons will be sent an invitation inviting them to the lunch. Wright’s Shop & Post Office Licensed convenience store and newsagent stocking a range of local suppliers. - We would like to thank all our customers for their continued support and pass on best wishes for the Festive season Festive Season Opening Times: Christmas Eve: 7am - 5pm Christmas Day: closed Boxing Day: 8am - 2pm Hogmanay: 7am - 5pm 1st January: closed 2nd January: 8am - 4pm Normal Opening Times (both shop & PO): Monday to Friday: 7am – 6pm Saturday: 8am – 6pm Sunday: 8.30am – 4pm Christmas hampers made-to-order Tel: 01644 430 225 Traditional Country Pub & Dining *** Finalists for D&G Life Resteraunt of the Year *** New Winter Opening Hours (as of Dec 1st): Mon-Thurs: 12-2.30pm & 4.3011pm (kitchen open 12-2pm & 68.30pm) Fri-Sun: Midday-Midnight (kitchen open 12-2pm & 6-9pm, closing 8.30pm Sundays) Full time opening hours will resume at the end of February Christmas menu available from 1st - 24th December...book now! 01644 430241 mail@theclachaninn.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 19 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Margaret Morris Movement Adult Dance Class: Mon, 2.30-3.30pm, contact Sara on 01556 612854 Children’s Dance Class: Mon during term time, 3.45-4.45pm age 3-7, 4.30-5.30pm ages 8-15, Gentle Tai Chi: Wed, 10am, 60+, Sing it Out: Thurs, 11am -12pm Pilates: Thurs, 4.15-5.15pm & 5.306.30pm, Dalry Community Centre CatStrand Yukes: Thurs, 1pm – 3.30pm 60+ Saturday Art Club: 2nd Sat each month, 10am–12noon Zumbatomic: last Sat each month, 10-10.45am Catstrand Youth Players: Sun during term time, 2pm Glenkens Acoustic Sessions: last Sun of the month, 2-4pm Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, (contact Kath on 430 281): Glenkens Children’s Club: Mon & Fri, 10am-12noon Paint & Art: Mon, 1.30-4.30pm & Wed, 7-9pm Ballroom & Latin Dance Class: Mon, 7.15pm, for more info call Sam Rushton on 420 672 GCC Playgroup: Tues, Wed & Thurs, 9.10-11.40am, contact Sue on 07709 929 482 Good Neighbours’ Club: Tues, 2pm Kickback Martial Arts: Thurs, 7-9pm Thursday Craft Group: Thurs, 2-4pm Brownies: Wed, 5.30-6.45pm Guides: Tues during term-time, 6.15pm, contact: Kath 430 281 Various Locations: Ukelele Group: Mon, 11.15am, 60+, New Galloway Town Hall Glenkens Walking Group, Mon & Wed, 1.30pm, contact Gerry on 420 852 Mother & Toddlers: Tues, 9.4511.15am, New Galloway Town Hall Beavers: Tues, 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training: Tues & Wed, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Bowling for Beginners: Wed, 7pm, Spalding Bowling Club, Dalry (opposite The Garage) Wednesday Quiz Night: Wed, Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: 3rd Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall. Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING St Margaret’s Ladies’ Guild and Balmaclellan & Kells Guild are holding a Christmas Coffee Morning. This year it will be held on Wednesday 9 December in New Galloway Town Hall from 10.30am to 12noon. In addition to coffee, shortbread and mince pies there will be stalls, a tombola and a lucky dip. Please come along and support this joint venture. Community Christmas Service CHURCH TIMES Church and Children’s Party; 24th December, CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services - Balmaclellan 12noon: 1st. Carsphairn 10.30am: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Dalry 12noon: 2nd(Jan), 3rd, 4th(Jan). Kells 10.30am: 2nd, 3rd, 4th(Jan). Special Services/Events: 13th December, 10.30am: United Family Service, Kells Church; 13th December, 6.30pm: Carols by Candlelight in Carsphairn Church, with Glenkens Church Choir; 23rd December, 5 pm: Carsphairn 11.30pm: Watchnight Service, Balmaclellan Church; 25th December, 10.30am: Christmas Day Family Service, Dalry Church; 27th December, 10.30am: United Service, Carsphairn Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm 8.30pm, Cross Keys Hotel, New Galloway Stewartry Camera Club: Wed, 7.30pm, Ringford Village Hall, runs Wed 11 Sept till end Mar Zumba: Wed, 7.30-8.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, £4 Mossdale Painters: Wed, 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Carsphairn Post Office: Tues, 13pm, Lagwyne Hall Coffee & Craft Morning: Thurs, 9am-12noon, Lagwyne Hall D&G Hard of Hearing Group Dropin: 1st Friday each month, 10am12noon, New Galloway Town Hall. Scouts: Thurs, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut To hire the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) behind Dalry School call Sonja Tranter on 430 244 or Nicolette Wise on 430 218. Dalry Library Temporary Hours Tue: 12noon - 3.30pm Fri: 10am - 12noon & 1pm - 4.30pm There are 23 mobile library stops - to find out where and when please phone 430 234. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 20 GLENKENS CHILDREN’S CLUB The last few months at the Glenkens Children’s Clubs (GCC) have been very busy. We had a visit from Zoo Ed during which the children were able to get up-close and personal with all kinds of furry, scaly, slithery and spiky critters. All members of the educational menagerie having been rescued or re-homed which is great, and a wonderful time was had by all. During the school holidays, when GCC is at its busiest, there has been bushcraft (where fire-starting is always a winner), foraging (where both the kids and their accompanying adults had a great time learning about what’s edible out and about in the Glenkens), Zumba classes to get the blood pumping, fun visits from Susie Sweetpea and Magic Monty. A new activity on offer everyother Monday is structured play sessions. Currently we are enjoying Anne Etherington and her wonderful creative play/art/music and movement sessions. So whether you are a new parent in need of a cup of tea and a chat with other parents/carers in a relaxed atmosphere, or are looking for a safe space to let your preschooler let off steam, come along to one of the GCC sessions. The Dalry group runs on a Monday and Friday (10am-12pm) at the Glenkens Community Centre. The New Galloway group runs on a Tuesday (9.45-11.15am) at the CatStrand. Both groups are open throughout the holidays for children up to primary four. Dalry GCC Playgroup is run by professional play leaders, for ages 2-4, and runs on a Tues/ Weds/ Thurs from 9.10-11.40am. As with all community groups it is vital to have the support of parents and carers making use of the services on offer to ensure their survival. As the colder weather Children enjoying foraged finds. draws in, why not come and join us for a warm welcome and a chance to meet new friends and catch up with old ones? For further info get in touch at glenkenschildrensclub@gmail .com or visit us on Facebook. Many thanks go to the following for their continued support: Natural Power Consultants Ltd, Glenkens Community Shop and Big Lottery Communities and Families Fund. All GCC groups are Glenkens Community and Arts Trust affiliated projects. Glenkens Hair Studio Duke St, New Galloway (Tel: 420 616) Eileen wishes all of her customers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Please note that the salon will be closing down on 31st December 2015. Eileen will continue to offer a mobile hairdressing service as from 7th January 2016. Please call 07557 140 071 for appointments 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 FEB/MAR COPY DEADLINE: 5 MARCH Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050 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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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 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:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). 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 News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry February/March 2016 ISSUE 92 FREE STORM FRANK’S FLOOD HAVOC IN GLENKENS Storm Frank on 30 December 2015 brought the worst floods in living memory to the Glenkens, writes Andrew Mellor. Roads were blocked, houses, public buildings and fields were flooded, flood banks were swept away and those who woke to find an unprecedented torrent threatening themselves and their property were justifiably alarmed. The fact that the storm had been well forecast by the Met Office alerted residents and organisations to the possibility of damage. Vehicles and animals were moved to higher ground. But the cost of putting things right will surely run into seven figures. With floods becoming more frequent, this could leave a number of the worst affected properties without flood insurance in future. If and when this happens again, can we be sure that everything will done to protect life and property? As I stood watching the floods raging over the top of Earlstoun Dam as the storm surge was at its height, and felt the ground vibrate with the force of the water crashing over the top of the spillways that are designed to channel such floods safely away, I could only imagine how the residents of houses below the dam at Alangibbon felt as the torrent ravaged their gardens and lapped against their homes. It may be that Scottish Power, which controls the run-off into the Ken and Dee, could not have done anything more to lessen the impact of the flood but some Glenkens residents and farmers are concerned about how the warning system operates and about the way that decisions about opening the floodgates are being made. When the Galloway Power Scheme was built in the 1930s one of its claimed benefits was that the dams could be used to regulate the impact of floods. Continued on p2... DALRY HOGMANAY CEILIDH An informal hogmanay ceilidh was held in Dalry Town Hall, with great success. The party ran into to the wee small hours of January 2016, and was attended by revellers aged from just three weeks old tae 80+! People were very generous in providing a wide range of food to share, and contributing a total of £129.65 to the Town Hall Fund. Everyone also kindly donated many lovely raffle prizes and £90.70 was raised in aid of the Afghan Schools Trust, a local charity. Looking south along the A713 in Carsphairn © Robin Ade A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve Continued on p12... www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 FLOODING IN THE GLENKENS Continued from front page... In a paper written in 1938, Mr WJE Binnie, Vice-President of the Institution of Civil Engineers is quoted as questioning the management of “an exceptional flood” on 13 December 1936. He asked if Earlstoun Loch “had been drawn down at all or was the Loch already overflowing when the flood reached it?” 79 years on this is a key question that should once again be put to Scottish Power. Given that this was such a well-forecast storm, were the floodgates at Earlstoun opened before the run-off peak and, if not, why not? Andrew Mellor ScottishPower Denies Role in Flooding Paul Ferguson, Media Relations Manager for Scottish Power, says: “The flood levels experienced during Storm Frank across the Galloway Hydros in the rivers Deugh, Ken and Dee were the highest recorded since our records began in 1936...Our understanding is that the flood could have been a 1/150 year event. In advance, we were actively managing the scheme. The rainfall in November/December 2015 was above annual averages, so water levels were very high naturally. However, every attempt was made to release water from reservoirs through our generators and gates on our dams. Paul goes on to say: “Regarding ScottishPower’s operations of the scheme on 30 December, none of our actions either caused or exacerbated flooding. The flooding experienced was entirely natural and no storage water was being released from our reservoir at Loch Doon during the time that flooding was experienced in Carsphairn. “Our reservoirs actually act as a buffer to store water in the event of flooding, with water then being released in a controlled fashion after the peak passes. Indeed Clatteringshaws Loch held back the entire contents of the inflow from the Blackwater of Dee during this event. Had Clatteringshaws Dam not been there, the impact of flooding on Loch Ken and Castle Douglas could have been significantly higher.” Impact of Clear-felling on Flooding Another factor which is rising to the forefront of national discussions of flood issues is trees and their effect on flooding. As one of the most highly afforested regions in Scotland, yet with very little natural forest left, perhaps the effect on our land of commercial blanket forestry plantations and large-scale clearfelling should be considered. World Wildlife Fund Scotland’s paper ‘Slowing the Flow; A Natural Solution to Flooding Problems’ states: “Throughout the UK, old forest drains are exposed by forestry clear-felling. At present there are no guidelines on how forest managers should cope with the drains, which soon become active once tree cover is gone – speeding a greater flow of water into the river.” On the Forestry Commission’s website can be found a paper titled ‘The Role of Woodland in Flood Control: a Landscape Perspective’ by TR Nisbet and H Thomas. This study states: “Woodland management also exerts a marked impact on the ability of woodlands to reduce flood flows. Ground cultivation and drainage has the opposite effect of tending to speed-up the removal of water from a site. This is greatest for deep ploughing and intensive drainage, which can increase the density of surface water channels by 60 times or more. Research at Coalburn, in north England, showed that such ground treatments can increase peak flows by 20-30% and decrease the time to peak by about one third...” The paper goes on to say: “Felling is the most dramatic intervention with effects on both woodland water use and runoff pathways. Clearfelling usually leaves a bare site with minimal water use apart from the interception loss associated with brash residues. The increase in runoff and therefore greater contribution “Timber harvesting and extraction can have an even greater effect on flood generation.” to flood flows is likely to last for at least 10-15 years until the replanted trees close canopy once again. Timber harvesting and extraction can have an even greater effect on flood generation. Poor practice such as the use of inappropriate machines and excessive loads can cause severe ground damage, leading to rapid runoff from compacted soil and along wheel ruts.” Could the high proportion of trees in our area perhaps work to our advantage in the future? With changes to forestry practice perhaps commercial forestry could help mediate flooding in years to come, rather than exacerbate it. The road from the Ken Bridge to New Galloway © Leeming & Paterson.and suspension bridge, Dalry © David Bartholomew. Glenkens Gazette Geoff Monk of Laurieston is a professional meteorologist who runs the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS). He says: “There had been a huge amount of rain throughout November and December, so when we got that deluge on 30 December there was nowhere for it to go. This was the wettest December in over 30 years, measured in Laurieston.” Geoff reminds us, however, that it could have been much worse. He goes on to say: “Had that weather front on the 30th moved a little bit slower, meaning that another 20/30 milimitres of rain had fallen, it would have been a lot worse – doubly so. I was actually in Keswick at New Year and the flooding there was incredible. Rivers in some places in Snowdonia gouged out whole new routes for themselves when the original course got blocked by fallen trees and debris. So, in the grand scheme of things, we were actually quite lucky.” page 3 Carsphairn Shop Temporary Location Due to the flood on 30 December Carsphairn Village Shop and Tea Room will run temporarily from Lagwyne Hall. The Hall committee have kindly let us use the hall for the shop and to run a takeaway service until the shop is dried out and ready to re-open. Opening times are: Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm Saturday 9am-3pm Sunday - closed Thank you to everyone for all your help and support during this time. Lindsay Duncan, Carsphairn Village Shop LOCAL FLOOD RESPONSE The floods on 30 December made all the roads impassable into and out of the Glenkens villages. This made it impossible for the Council’s Road Department to get the appropriate signage in place. As a result Dalry Community Council is reviewing its Resilience Preparedness Plan which up till now has been more geared towards heavy snowfalls and wind damage and associated loss of power. They will be talking with Dumfries & Galloway Council over contingency plans for future flooding – points to be discussed include road closure signs, household protection, identifying a central communication point and a local shelter. Videos of the flood can found online. Search YouTube for Andrew Mellor Earlstoun Dam. There is also a video by Lizanne Henderson of flooding at Ken Bridge at www.facebook.com/ GlenkensStory GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL � 01644 420234 � CATSTRAND UPDATE Thankfully, CatStrand’s recently installed flood defences stood up well to the unprecedented flooding over the festive period. Inevitably, with standing water all around the building for several hours, some water did eventually penetrate into the building through the cedar cladding at the rear and every possible gap that it could find. However, with the help of the local Fire Service and a team of staff and volunteers, we were able to limit the level of water in the building and had time to remove everything off floors to a safe level. No stock or contents were lost and the underfloor heating and dehumidifiers were able to dry out the floors and some carpet tiles within a few days. We were able to fully reopen as planned after the festive break on 5 January. Given the severity of the flood damage around the Glenkens, the work on the burn completed by the council last year together with the new flood gates and other measures installed in the building certainly had a good test! They stood up well in these extreme circumstances, much to our relief. Nevertheless, we are continuing to work on further improvements to our flood prevention and protection in conjunction with The Scottish Flood Agency and Dumfries & Galloway Council. THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm 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 � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by EVERYTHING listed in the Glenkens Freecycle section is FREE - you just need to contact the owner and go and pick it up! If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch with Sarah on 07727 127 997 or email glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk VARIOUS 3 door stops. Contact: Cynthia on 420 605 Two single mattresses, excellent condition but no fire-resistant label. Contact: 430 380 Single divan bed and mattress with truckle bed and mattress under. Contact: 430 218 Folding bed with mattress suitable for occasional use for a child. Not suitable for adults. From smoke and pet free home. Contact: Trevor on 440 683. Poster in clipframe of illustrated alphabet. Call 430 218 5 litres of Vinyl Matt Paint – Colour ‘Silence’ (Dusky Green); 4 litres of Satinwood/Eggshell Paint – Colour ‘Silence’; 1 Overhead Projector; 1 Russell Hobbs Sandwich Toaster. Contact: CatStrand on 420 374 Brand new rubber-backed carpet underlay. Remaining roll measures 6.5 metres in length by 1.37 metres wide. Contact: Nigel on 460 545 WANTED Chest of drawers. Contact: Simon on 07426 124 982 Boys kilt, aged 4-5 , any Tartan style. Contact: Chrissy on 07824 810 305 “It is a great scheme - one man’s rubbish is another’s treasure!” - Cynthia. Why not find a happy new home for your unwanted items on the Glenkens Freecycle page? NEW GALLOWAY New Galloway Town Hall SHOP UPDATE In mid-December a detailed application was made to the Big Lottery ‘Growing Community Assets’ for development funding for the New Galloway community shop project. If successful, this money will cover the costs of architect’s plans for the shop, self-catering flats and workshops, development consultants’ fees for creating the business case and a local project manager to run the project, as well as administrative necessities such as tax advice and accountancy support. This work will create a business case and Stage 2 application to the Big Lottery by August this year for the full amount of money required. As the Gazette goes to print we await news on development funding, but the New Galloway Community Enterprises team remains optimistic. If we are successful, then we will be advertising shortly for the local jobs created as part of the project. We will also start a new membership drive, and would encourage as many New Galloway residents as possible to become members so that we can demonstrate to the Big Lottery the level of community support. Look out for posters locally about both these matters. Helen Keron, New Galloway Community Enterprises Ltd Update By the time you read this New Galloway Town Hall management should have transferred to Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) under a lease arrangement. Dumfries & Galloway will remain responsible for keeping the building wind and watertight and maintaining the heating system; the installation of a new boiler is imminent. Plans are underway for a revived lunch club. A survey which was done at the churches’ coffee morning and the Community Council Pensioners’ Christmas lunch showed much interest. This survey will now be continued doorto-door. We are following up discussions which took place at the various consultations on the Draft Locality Plan with a view to linking where appropriate with Health & Social services where services or activities can take place in the hall. The floor is ready to be taped for badminton. Table tennis and carpet bowls will also be available so watch out for starting dates. Look out, too, for regular tabletop sales which we hope will attract visitors, especially during the winter and spring. For more information please contact Ros Hill on 420632 or ros.hill@rathanhouse.me.uk Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by COASTAL FORAGING Foraging tutor and chef, Mark Williams of Galloway Wild Foods discusses some of the wild foods you can harvest for free around the Solway coast. Most wild habitats are crammed with tasty, health-giving wild foods if you know what to look for. Hedgerows are rich with vibrant herbs in the spring and drip with fruit in the autumn. Woods are good hunting grounds for shade-loving edible plants like wild garlic and wood sorrel and come alive with fungi in the autumn. But the greatest abundance of wild ingredients is found around our coast. This may seem surprising, as our shores take the brunt of hostile and salty winds. They are regularly pounded by storms and high tides can rip up all but the very deepest of roots. But the very hostility of the habitat has forced coastal plants into some ingenious adaptions. To resist wind and salt, many have become succulent – a fortuitous evolution for the human palate. Take sea beet for example – a coastal spinach that produces large, thick, glossy leaves all year round. It is the genetic origin of many cultivated crops including beetroot, sugar beet and chard, but tastes better and has a higher nutritional content than any of them. Where cultivated spinach disappears to virtually nothing when cooked, sea beet remains substantial and crunchy, with a rich iron flavour and salty tang. Look for it above the strand line on shingle beaches, clinging to sea cliffs and anchored to coastal defences. Where exposed shingle gives way to muddy estuaries more nutritious, gourmet treats can be found. Most people are aware of marsh samphire – another succulent plant that looks like a mini cactus - from its presence in fishmongers. Fewer are aware that there are areas around the UK coast where it grows in large quantities and can be responsibly harvested for pickling or as a mouthwatering accompaniment to lamb. Salt marshes boast even greater succulent delicacies like sea aster (a member of the daisy family esteemed by top chefs) and sea arrowgrass, which looks like ordinary grass, but has a strong and surprising kick of coriander. Do be aware that some coastal habitats, salt marshes in particular, can be important breeding grounds for birds and rare species; always forage sensitively and sustainably. Even below the high tide line there is a super-abunance of wild food resources for the mindful forager. Seaweed is perhaps the single largest relatively untapped food resource in the UK. Lost traditions of seaweed consumption in the UK are being revitalised by the esteem with which it is held in newly emerging eastern cuisines. Emerald green sea lettuce makes a vibrant addition to a stir-fry and laver is more or less the same species as the nori that you will find wrapped around sushi rolls. While you are trimming seaweed from the rocks, you can also keep your eye out for shellfish. Mussels, winkles and razor clams are plentiful in many areas, though foragers should keep a keen eye out for potential pollutants, avoid shellfish during their summer spawning period and be aware of legal restrictions (notably on the harvesting Marsh samphire © GallowayWild Foods.com of cockles). If all this weren’t enticing enough, the warming effect of the sea means even plants that aren’t specifically adapted for the coast can thrive in frostfree conditions. For the earliest, biggest, juiciest and tastiest blackberries and sloes - head for the coast! Never eat a wild plant unless you are 100% sure of its identity and edibility. To learn more about how to forage safely, legally and sustainably, visit www.galloway wildfoods.com GUIDED SPRING FORAYS Forest & Hedgerow Foraging Walk, Gatehouse of Fleet, Sat 5 March, 1– 5pm, £30 Adults, £15 Children Spring Coastal Foraging Walk, Near Gatehouse of Fleet, Sat 9 April, 4.30–8pm, £35 Adults, £20 Children Spring Coast & Woods Foraging Day with Wild Food Feast, Gatehouse of Fleet, Sat 7 May, 12noon– 8pm, £75 Adults, £40 Children BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL For full details & to book visit www.galloway wildfoods.com GLENKENS BIKE CLUB The recently formed Glenkens Bike Club was delighted to be awarded some very helpful funding from the Glenkens Community Shop to undertake a survey. The results of the survey will indicate interest in improving cycling skills among specific local groups, through ‘Bikeability’ training, ‘led’ group rides and the possibility to get a bike free - donated to the Mens’ Shed, Balmaclellan, and made roadworthy - for children who have outgrown their bikes. June Hay, acting Bike Club secretary, said they were very appreciative of the investment from the Community Shop in Dalry. (The shop is always worth a ‘pop-in’ to see what there is. It is open from 10am-3pm on weekdays and most Saturdays too, and is located on the Main Street in Dalry.) Riding a bike in the Glenkens is one of life’s many treats - other road users please look out for us! Give us cycle space. Glenkens Gazette page 6 Chair with a View Last October’s Community Council elections resulted in seven councillors being appointed onto Carsphairn Community Council – one more than previously. As glad as we are that Carsphairn Community Council can continue to represent our community in dealings with Dumfries & Galloway Council with a clear mandate, it always appears to be the same community-minded individuals that put themselves forward for what is time-consuming, often challenging (and certainly unpaid) work. In such a small community as Carsphairn, it is still proving extremely difficult, if not well nigh impossible, to attract new councillors, no doubt owing to the ever-increasing workload which can frequently interfere with our own lives and businesses. But it would be gratifying to see some new faces to help spread the load and maybe inject some fresh input to our community work. In past years it was blanket forestry operations which needed to be considered and responded to if possible. This has now been superseded by windfarms. No one surely would object to harnessing our natural resources to satisfy our energy needs, but the 550 or so wind turbines operational, submitted to planning or proposed in the Carsphairn area to date - will, in some cases, create unbroken conglomerations of turbines sited throughout unspoilt landscapes, including what appears to be encroachment into designated Regional Scenic Areas. As a Community Council we are finding it extremely difficult to keep up with and respond to the number of planning submissions to the regional council and the Scottish Government, with deadline response dates to be considered and huge tomes of windfarm information to attempt to wade through. Along with this issue are the giant pylons and the route they will take to carry this newly generated energy. Suffice to say that I believe many of us living in the Glenkens chose to make our lives here inspired by the beauty and peace of the area. Some of us have recently had both spoilt through the inevitable industrialisation of parts of Carsphairn parish as windfarm construction progresses. Many areas of the Glenkens were seriously affected by Storm Frank – Carsphairn was no exception (the flooding in Carsphairn even hit the national news). Nearly all the homes in the village were flooded and some of those living in outlying areas did not escape. North of the village, the spating Deugh and its tributaries seriously eroded banks, with residents losing not only land and parts of access roads but also at least two bridges which were completely swept away. I must commend our Resilience Group and individual members of the community for pulling together and giving many hours of their time to help flooded villagers. Over the New Year period immediately post-flooding, emails were sent to MSPs and D&GC councillors to alert them of the seriousness of the situation. The Community Council facilitated a public emergency flood meeting on 11 January to hear what support DGC can provide to flood victims. Most welcome was the news of a fund of £1,500 for residents whose homes were flooded and £3,000 for affected businesses. The Scottish Flood Forum also attended with useful information on a new government insurance scheme called Flood Re, operational from April 2016. This scheme is planned to make insurance affordable to all those at risk of flooding. Liz Holmes, Chair, Carsphairn CC Expanded Dalry Community Council Following last October’s first contested election in over 30 years, Dalry Community Council is now in the enviable position of having the full complement of 12 members. New councillors are as follows: Angie Bradford lived in the Glenkens until she was six years old and returned in 1994. After many years working for the Care Inspectorate she and her husband Ronnie run Brookford Bed & Breakfast in the village and help with their two grandchildren who also live in Dalry. Angie loves living in the Glenkens. She is a Trustee of the newly formed St John’s Town of Dalry Properties Trust and is keen to work with other organisations on environmental and educational projects that enhance the area whilst protecting the heritage and countryside. Lucy Brown is the youngest member: she was born and grew up in Dalry and has recently moved back having lived in Glasgow, the Highlands and Orkney in the interim. She currently works for an MSP and hopes to encourage other young people to become involved in their communities. “I’d like to see rural communities become viable places for young locals to live and work in – not just somewhere they are forced to leave,” she comments. Fiona Davidson has been living in Dalry for 20 years and this is her second stint on Dalry’s Community Council. She works as a teacher at Dunscore Primary School and prior to that worked at Moniaive Primary so she knows the area well. When she first moved to Dalry she was touched by people’s kindness when her husband was ill and was determined to give something back to the community. She is a keen walker and comments that “many people will no doubt recognise me through my dog Molly!” Morag Paterson has lived in the Glenkens for over 20 years and in the parish of Dalry for 15. With both her sons having been educated at Dalry School she has been involved with Friends of Dalry School over the years and is now looking forward to seeing what else she can do for community. Chair, Secretary and Treasurer remain Andi Holmes, Moira Jones and Gerald Bell respectively with Nicolette Wise taking over from Andrew Mellor as Vice-Chair who, along with Maggi Kaye, stepped down at the election after over 30 years clocked-up between them. Andi Holmes says: “We are very grateful for all the effort and work Andrew and Maggi put in over the years – their wisdom and insight will be missed.” Other councillors include Will Adam, Andrew Bielinski, Jim Reid and Pat Woodley. Helen Keron is a non-voting member, providing a useful link with the Glenkens Community Centre and New Galloway Community Council. Nicolette Wise Glenkens Gazette page 7 CatStrand Highlights The Winter Season events are now drawing to a close, but we were delighted with the success of the programme which heralded our return to CatStrand with many sell-out shows. I wanted to vary our music roster a little and I’m thrilled to be welcoming MOBOwinning jazz sensation Zoe Rahman who is taking time out from her tour with the legendary Courtney Pine to do a special concert at CatStrand. A Mercury Music Prize Nominee (and now panellist), she was a recent headliner at both Edinburgh International Jazz Festival and London Jazz Week. Classical fans will certainly enjoy the French-dominated Impressions of the Sea concert by the Hebrides Ensemble in March. Works by Debussy, Ravel, and Messiaen will feature alongside a work by the Japanese composer Takemitsu. Meanwhile, traditional music fans will be delighted that the world renowned Blazin’ Fiddles are coming to shake the CatStrand rafters in March. Tickets for this show, as we expected, are selling very fast so do not waste any time if you want to secure some. The Spring Season ends in spectacular fashion with a feast of music and drama which is our contribution to Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival. Our young events trainees will oversee their first programmed concert in May with Emma’s Imagination while the Juan Martin Flamenco Trio will headline our Spanish Tapas night on 23 May. We then have six plays in three days featuring dance, comedy, The Spring Season has now been launched and some of the highlights are outlined below. On 5 February we will see the return of CatStrand’s renowned Burns Night. This is closely followed on Friday 12 by the long awaited return of Sportinghouse Strings featuring the rich and unique blend of Tommy ‘Spats’ Langham on Guitar/Banjo along with Martin Litton on piano and Richard Vernon on Double Bass. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Later in February we’re launching the inaugural Words from the Glenkens Festival, a weekendlong celebration of literature and music comprising recitals, talks, workshops, a film, and a concert by Young Traditional Folk Musician of the Year, Robyn Stapleton. We’re also launching our first Documentary Film Season which will feature lesser-known but highly acclaimed films such as Bobby Fischer Against the World, The Possibilities Are Endless, Village at the End of the World, and Chasing Ice. Fans of film dramas will be able to see the See our Spring Season acclaimed re-makes of Far brochure and website for From the Madding Crowd and Macbeth, the latter programme details. Book of which will be shown on online at www.catstrand.com the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. or call 01644 420374. Hebrides Ensemble. poisonings and the Tour de France! Watch this space… I also hope we’ll see you at the launch of our new art exhibition by the amazingly talented wood sculptor Doug Cocker which will take place on the evening of 1 February at 7pm. If you are interested in coming along to the launch please call CatStrand in advance to ensure your place. Simon Davidson Creative Director, CatStrand As ever, we couldn’t do any of this without your support and we are so grateful for your help. These are tough times for arts organisations with funding being relentlessly squeezed and competition for dwindling resources increasing daily. We’re very lucky indeed to have the support of Creative Scotland for our arts programme, but even this is becoming reliant on us providing evidence of need. To this end, I have implored supporters of CatStrand and the wider community to help us by coming to watch a show. Many of you are already regular attendees of course, but I would ask you to consider coming along to a show you might not normally come to, be it a play or a film. If you can bring a friend along, even better! If we can continue to show that the community appreciates and utilises CatStrand, we stand a far greater chance of further developing our programmes over the longer term. CHOREOGRAPHIC SKILLS LAB The Choreographic Skills Lab sessions are where young people can learn and develop their skills in the art of choreography in order to create a better dance vocabulary. This involves elements such as exploring the fundamental choreography elements of shape, space, timing and dynamics. The end aim is that the young people can choreograph their own dances or choreograph them on other dancers bearing in mind not all people who choreograph want to perform in front of an audience - although a lot do. We would work towards dance performances at the CatStrand, and the long-term aim is to have a Youth Dance Performance Company facilitated by the CatStrand. Sara Lockwood, Youth Arts Development Officer, CatStrand Glenkens Gazette page 8 Photo of the Issue: Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel “Can you publish all the photos? We love them all and they are of such a good quality, it’s been very difficult to decide; the bullfinch and Highland cow are lovely individual studies, the adopted cat looks as though it has landed on its feet, and the snowdrops and the wild garlic are a lovely sign of spring. “The flooding photos are a wee bit close for comfort and there have been lots of those but the one we have chosen is a flood photo of the dam because it really does give a clear example of man versus nature. “In addition, on this photo we discovered an image on the rocks of a crouching cat showing great interest in the water - there will be two free childrens’ meals for the first picture with the outline of the cat perfectly copied, returned to the CatStrand (please mark for the attention of the Glenkens Gazette).” Regards, Dave & Sue Elizabeth Peacock wins a meal for two at the Ken Bridge Hotel’s renowned Sunday Carvery. Glenkens Transport Initiative Regular Bus Services Tuesdays Dalry to Newton Stewart Return Swimming and Shopping Outward Pickups: Dalry (Underhill) 1115, New Galloway 1120 (Fire Station) Return Pickups: Newton Stewart (ALDI Car Park) 1320, (Merrick Centre) 1330 Return Fare: £3.00 Return More information/booking phone Ann on 01644 460518 Wednesday Evenings Dalry to Castle Douglas (Tesco) Return (registered route) 1900 1905 1915 1925 1930 1937 1940 Outward Journey Depart Dalry (Underhill) New Galloway (CatStrand) Mossdale Lauriston Townhead of Greenlaw Castle Douglas (Market Street) Castle Douglas (Tesco) 2035 2037 2047 2050 2100 2110 2115 Return Journey Depart Castle Douglas (Tesco) Castle Douglas (Market Street) Townhead of Greenlaw Laurieston Mossdale New Galloway (CatStrand) Dalry (Underhill) Services & Excursions Feb-March 2016 Phone the CatStrand (01644 420374) or see Projects/ Bus Trips on the CatStrand website for more details and to book. Glenkens to Ayr & Back Saturday 27 February and Saturday 26 March Pickups: New Galloway (CatStrand) 0930, Dalry (Underhill) 0940, Carsphairn (Shop) 1000. Leaving Ayr 1500. Fare £3.50, Concessions £3.00 each way. Gretna Gateway & Houghton Hall Garden Centre Saturday 20 February Pickups: New Galloway (CatStrand) 0930; Dalry (Underhill) 0945, Crossmichael and Castle Douglas by arrangement. Dropoffs: Gretna 1100; Houghton Hall 1115. Leave Houghton Hall c.1400 to arrive Gretna for 1415. Leave Gretna 1515. Arrive Dalry 1630 Fare £7. Concessions £6. Hobby Crafts Exhibition SECC Glasgow Saturday 5 March Pickups: New Galloway (CatStrand) 0900, Dalry (Underhill) 0910, Carsphairn (Shop)0925. Fare £7. Concessions £6. Minibus Hire GTI has 8, 15 and 16 seat minibuses for hire. Hirers must be registered GTI user groups. For more information or to book email gti@catstrand.com or call 01644 420374. W BONE WHB JEEPS THE GARAGE, DALRY PETROL & DIESEL SALES SERVICE & REPAIRS MOTs, TYRES, BATTERIES ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES OPEN 8.30AM - 6.00PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS - FUEL 24 HOURS SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY Tel: 01644 430208 Fax: 01644 430669 jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 9 CATSTRAND YOUTH PLAYERS The fifth Youth Players Panto was a huge success, playing to three full houses at the beginning of December. Babes in the Wood by Paul Reakes was a brilliant script which was embraced by the young cast who all took to their roles with great enthusiasm and confidence entertaining the enthralled audiences with style. There were many compliments from audience members: “We thought that all the individual characters were acted with enthusiasm, humour and aplomb - everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves hugely and that really came across to the audience and created a fantastic atmosphere.” “The children rated it the highest out of all the pantomimes we’ve seen so far.” “Epic!! I liked the Sheriff of Nottingham, he was having fun being really bad.” Alex (aged 6). “It was the best. I liked the guards (Sheriff’s henchmen), even though they were really girls dressed up.” Jake (aged 4). “I absolutely loved the pantomime. I liked it best when the people were trying to teach one of the girls how to sing; it was really, really funny!” Laya, (aged 6). The main roles were played by Zoe Kirkpatrick (Robin Hood), Georgiana Grimwood (Maid Marian), Arthur Harfield (Sheriff of Nottingham), Eilidh Thomson (Nurse Nitwit) and Florrie Newbery & Charlotte Spernagel (Babes). Some of the young dancers from the Margaret Morris Movement class which meets regularly at CatStrand also performed in some of the chorus scenes and added greatly to the production. The Youth Players had little time to recover from the panto and have already moved on to their 2016 Festival plays which will be performed at the end of February in the first round of the Scottish Community Drama Association One Act Play national competition. Us And Them by David Campton is a popular play for ensemble youth groups and although it was written almost 40 years ago it is still every bit as relevant today as it was when it was first published. The other entry is Tell Me Another Story, Sing Me A Song by Jean Lenox Toddie, a witty look at mother/daughter relationships. The plays will be presented at The Fullarton in Castle Douglas on 26 and 27 February respectively, and will compete with five other youth teams for various trophies with the overall winner then representing Stewartry District at the West of Scotland Final at The Ryan Centre in Stranraer on Saturday 12 March. The cast are hoping that one of the teams will have the honour of attending the Western Final again after previously achieving 2nd place on each of their three previous appearances at the Finals in 2013, 2011 and 2010. Both plays will be presented again at CatStrand on Thursday 10 March at 7.30pm. Appeal for Help: Over the years a large amount of costumes have been accumulated and currently we are having a major sort out. They need to be moved from their current location by the end of January and we are appealing for help from someone who may have a spare room or space available to store them. All we ask is that it is dry and secure and accessible when we need to get costumes for productions. Once they are sorted, they will hopefully amount to three or four clothes rails and a few packing boxes. If anyone is willing to offer space please contact CatStrand on 420374. Brian Edgar CELEBRATING A DECADE Facelift for Library Dumfries & Galloway Council have confirmed that Dalry’s Library will be getting a facelift this spring in line with others in the region. The works include new double-glazed windows, re-wiring, new carpets, furniture and bookcases. The Council have been working with Dalry Community Council to ensure the new format, which will include the integration of ‘customer services’, works for everyone. In addition Dalry’s new defibrillator will be housed on the outside of the building ensuring easy access in an emergency. Isobel McBeth and Ruby Kirk celebrating 10 years with the Glenkens Walking Group. Glenkens Gazette page 10 CARSPHAIRN BURNS SUPPER Carsphairn welcomed a full house for their 47th annual Burns Supper. After the village experienced severe flooding earlier in the month, the turnout and support for the village was very much appreciated. Guests were welcomed by Chairman, Robert McTurk, to a traditional hot meal of haggis, neeps and tatties, followed by trifle. The meal was preceded by Andy McCartney piping in The Haggis, which was carried by Poosie Nancy for the evening, Amy Clark Kennedy. After an enthusiastic rendition of the ‘Address of the Haggis’ by Robert McTurk, the Rev David Bartholomew gave the Selkirk Grace. The Toast to ‘The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns’ was given by Ian McFadzean. Wylie McCulloch provided an entertaining Toast to ‘The Lassies’ which Irene McCreath ably replied to on behalf of The Lassies. Attendees were treated to a selection of Burns’ best loved works. Laura Luke beautifully sang ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ as well as “Highland Laddie”; Ian McFadzean gave a rendition of ‘Tam o’Shanter’; and Wylie McCulloch entertained with a performance of a tale about a church mouse. Another successful Carsphairn Burns Supper was rounded off with a Vote of Thanks, given by Hugh Clark Kennedy, to all who had contributed to the evening and the singing of Auld Lang Syne. DANCING THE DECADES A fantastic evening of community dance was held at the CatStrand which was very much enjoyed by the dancers and audience alike. Sam Rushton from New Galloway, an experienced dance instructor, choreographed a delightful romp through the music and dance styles of the last 11 decades, starting with a Charleston, through rock ‘n’ roll, disco and line dancing, and finishing with a very modern ‘street dance’. forty-five dancers from the Glenkens took part, most of whom had never danced in public before. The youngest participant was three and the oldest 76! It was a true community event, with Dalry Nursery pupils treating us to the ‘birdie song’ from the 80s and Kells Primary pupils performing a showstopping Ghostbusters routine and dancing to the recent musical hit Happy. The Margaret Morris dance group at the CatStrand did a fantastic ‘twist’ from the 60s, and the Ballroom & Latin group from Castle Douglas did a very classy medley to some wartime tunes. Young and old members of the New Galloway Zumba classes made up the rest of the dancers, giving it their all for a most entertaining night. The free event was was a full house, with over £300 raised by donations and a raffle on the night. This activity was funded by a Big Lottery grant obtained by Helen Keron through GCAT, but the dancers are all keen to stage the event annually, if possible, so the donations were very gratefully received towards the next performance. All of the dancers would like to thank the CatStrand staff and volunteers for their technical, practical and moral support, as well as the Nursery and Kells staff and parents for their support. But most thanks must be given to Sam, whose astonishing patience, attention to detail and sheer joy in the creativity of dance is an inspiration to us all. Keep dancing! Helen Keron Dance Classes Margaret Morris dance 1: 3-7yrs, term- time Mondays, 3.45-4.30pm, CatStrand, free. Margaret Morris dance 2: 8-16yrs, termtime Mondays, 4.30-5.15pm, CatStrand, free. Zumba: 11+, term-time Wednesdays, 7.308.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, £4 Zumba Gold: 16+, term-time Fridays, 1011am, CatStrand, £4 Exercise to Music: 16+, term-time Mondays, 10-11am, CatStrand, £4 Ballroom & Latin: 16+, Monday 7.30pm, Castle Douglas Primary school, £6.50/5 Dancers getting ready for the Charleston. Glenkens Gazette Emma’s Wild Eats Shellfish & Wild Garlic (Ramsons) We’re very fortunate in Galloway that wild food is plentiful. Even in the middle of winter there is an appetitestimulating array of seaweed, shellfish and winter greens including wild garlic (a muchloved wild ingredient). The general rule with shellfish is to gather them in months with an ‘R’. This limits us to the winter months when the shellfish are less likely to have accumulated bacteria or algae that could be toxic. Another reason for this is that shellfish usually spawn during the summer months. They are less plump, and less delicious whilst spawning. Therefore, this is the ideal time to take a trip down to one of our wonderfully clean beaches (far from any ‘outlets’), and take a bucket to fill with as many delicious fresh mussels and winkles as you can eat, just by lifting them from the rocks. Clams and ‘spoot’ (razor) clams are well worth the effort with a little more planning. These are all really quick and easy to cook and combine beautifully with the first fresh shoots of wild garlic, a splash of white wine and some crusty bread to make a meal to rival any other. Ensure that you identify your wild garlic correctly and get picking! Even the biggest British culinary websites now have numerous recipes for wild garlic. I would highly recommend wild garlic pesto (with nettles/ground elder/sea radish/whatever you like), pickled wild garlic flower buds, tempura garlic flowers and our favourite fermented wild garlic, which adds the most amazing flavour to a huge range of dishes and will just about tide you over until the next year’s fresh shoots emerge. What a great way to spend a day at the weekend! As a footnote, even with limitless Aileen McLeod MSP working for you across the South of Scotland Postal address: Unit 7 Loreburn Shopping Centre High Street, Dumfries, DG1 2BD Email: aileen.mcleod.msp@scottish.parliament.uk Tel: 01387 255 334 Please check www.aileenmcleod.org for regular surgery, constituency and parliamentary updates page 11 determination and enthusiasm, we couldn’t transform limpets into something enjoyable to eat. I found a suggestion to puree them with olive oil in an attempt to make them acceptable, which results in something I can only liken to a pureed shoe sole that tastes slightly fishy so, unless driven by starvation, you might leave limpets to go about their rubbery, intertidal business... Emma The first wee shoots of wild garlic. Check out Emma’s blog to read more on her foraging adventures at www.emmaswild.co.uk Bargatton Sand & Gravel Supplying sand and gravel for all your farming needs, as well as households and businesses both large and small. We stock washed fine sand, coarse sand and gravels at competitive prices. For further details contact: James Mair - 07793 085 243 Email: loch.bargatton@live.co.uk Bargatton Quarry, Laurieston, Castle Douglas, DG7 2PS Open Monday to Friday Weekends by arrangement Delivery can be arranged - subject to quantity Glenkens Gazette SONGS OF SEPARATION Cairn Chorus would like to say a massive thank you to the fantastic audience who braved the cold and ice to attend the Dalry performance of Hoary Frost and Fleecy Snow. After an autumn/winter term of pushing our boundaries (not to mention our voices!) into the realms of songs such as Schedryk, the Ukranian independence anthem, a raucous shapenote version of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, the serene spanish lullaby A la Nanita and all manner of arrangements of well known carols (mostly involving sheep!), our fabulous musical director, Kate Howard, is preparing to lead us into our next challenge. And what a challenge we have in store for 2016... In a one-off performance during the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival in May, Cairn Chorus will join with the highly acclaimed Songs of Separation (SoS) project in an evening of reflections on the parting of ways. Songs of Separation brings together ten prolific female traditional singers and musicians from Scotland and England to celebrate similarities and differences in their musical, linguistic and cultural heritage. Set in the context of a post- page 12 referendum world, the project aimed to prompt new thinking about the issue of separation in all our lives. Rehearsals are every Thursday from 7.30–9.30pm. We learn by ear and music is also provided, but reading music is not essential and we don’t ask you to endure any painful auditions...just come along and join us! For further info contact Anna Tagg on 01848 200 768 or annabirkett65@ hotmail.com or visit www.cairnchorus.co.uk DALRY CEILIDH Continued from front page... There was great impromptu music and singing provided by lots of local folk, and many dancers had fun birling their way through the reels, sets and jigs. Some of the young and young-at-heart participated in games of galloping musical chairs and dancing musical statues, to the amused delight of observers. We had party poppers at midnight, and the big crowd that had stayed belted out an energetic Auld Lang Syne. All-in-all, it was a brilliant start tae the New Year! During the course of the night over 70 people attended, with over 60 staying for the bells. “It was a lovely informal night like a big party in someone’s house and we had fun dancing!” said Kath Peace. Organisers Anne Charaund, Angela Miller, and Nichola Finch would like to thank everyone for coming along and making it such a lovely evening. We have had a lot of positive feedback and we hope to be able to do this again for 2016. Nichola Finch Ceilidh dancers © Kathryn Peace. Glenkens Gazette page 13 Glenkens Schools - Where Everyone is a Winner! Over the last term young people from the Glenkens have been out and about taking part in a wide range of activities that have helped them build confidence, determination and aspiration. Here is a little of what pupils have been doing... A group of P6 to S2 students took part in a triathlon event in Kirkcudbright. Classes benefitted from visits by authors as part of the Wigtown book festival and S4 students returned to Wigtown to meet with the author Max Arthur, having used several of his Forgotten Voices in their Remembrance service in November. Students from all secondary years have competed in a regional table tennis competition; all performed well and Emily Wallace in S4 returned as the girls regional under-18s winner. Seven S3 students represented Dalry School at the Rotary Peace Conference in the Easterbrook Hall; they will now benefit from additional training in school and want to use their new collaborative skills to review the Secondary Dress Code; they will be seeking the views of parents/carers. Primary pupils celebrated the writing of Roald Dhal with a ‘Dahlicious dressup day’ and associated literacy activity. Emily Biggar in S3 continues to grow in skill and confidence with her sailing outside school, now competing at national level. Lewis Winder in S3 has also been busy out of school with a successful run with his rally driving. Primary coffee mornings raised over £2,000 for Macmillan and the shoebox appeal was responded to positively. The Nursery class raised money for Children in Need with a cake sale and non-uniform day. Diwali was explored thoroughly by Dalry Primary through food, music, art and social subjects. A Glenkens primary cluster team competed in Stewartry Sportshall Athletics and came third. A Dalry Primary soccer 7s team took part in a regional competition at Queen of the South Arena. S1 pupils read with the primary pupils as part of the ‘Scottish Book Trust’ Reciprocal reading project. Alex Fergusson visited primary classes to talk about the Scottish parliament prior to the P6/7 residential visit to Edinburgh in February. In November Professor Glen Chilton from James Cook University in Australia visited the primary pupils at Kells and Dalry. The presentation was titled Adventures with Creatures that were Thought to be Extinct. The SSPCA visited Kells to highlight Dalry Primary Christmas concert. the importance of looking after pets during the winter period. Pupils donated blankets and pillow cases for the SSPCA winter campaign. Feis Rois visited all primary schools and as a consequence tin whistling featured at the Kells Christmas concert and in the Church service at the end of term. Kells upper class welcomed ‘Annie’s Aiders’- developing more First Aid knowledge in the community. M&M Productions came to Dalry and other schools and childcare groups from the communities joined us for an entertaining production of Jack and the Beanstalk which helped improve confidence and aspiration for pupils own productions later. Secondary students provided sound and lighting for the Dalry Primary Christmas extravaganza as well as performing in the second part of the evening. Primary Christmas productions took place in Carsphairn, Kells and Dalry, bringing lively events to each of the communities. Christmas fairs and musical cafes run by primaries in conjunction with their communities, were warm and welcoming events. Traditional and contemporary dance skills were much in evidence at the secondary ‘Snowball’ as well as improbably high heels on the shoes of some of the dancers! Christmas Parties were enjoyed at all three Primary schools. The Christmas Service provided focus for the Christmas season and again young people from all cluster schools contributed through music and readings. We were also privileged to have Brian Edgar join us to read his late father’s poem The Bonny Glenkens in recognition of the huge contribution that Tommy Edgar made to the Glenkens schools during his lifetime. After School Clubs: There have been Active & Achieving sessions for cluster P17 pupils, organised by Active Schools, badminton at Dalry for upper primary pupils in Dalry, table tennis for Kells upper primary pupils and football coaching was delivered by SFA coach for infant pupils in the cluster. A Technology Club was run for primary and secondary pupils in the cluster, multi-sports sessions were organised by Active Schools at Kells for P15 pupils, Sam Rushton has been teaching the nursery and interested primary pupils dance routines which were performed at the CatStrand in January as part of Dance the Decades show. The competence and confidence of every individual is being encouraged at a pace appropriate for them. As a consequence, they achieve more than they first thought they could and are steadily raising their aspirations and level of achievement. The beauty of our small schools is that no child is left out and encouragement to excel can be targeted and focussed. Everyone is a winner and our communities should be very proud of their young people. Jenny Smith, Head, Glenkens Cluster Glenkens Gazette page 14 The Kenmure Estate Evictions: 1749 The early 1700s was a time of unrest and uncertainty in the countryside. It was the time of the ‘Levellers’, and the new enclosure dykes being thrown down by bands of dispossessed tenants. The landlords were attempting to improve their estates by creating better, viable farms and at the same time appropriating the common lands to themselves, dispossessing the ordinary cottars and people off their crofts and common grazings. This was taking place against the backdrop of political uncertainty and the two Jacobite Rebellions. It is said that it was only after the ’45, when Scotland settled down and began to modernise and make progress with building roads that general commerce steadily improved. It must have been a shock to the tenants in the various parishes in the Glenkens when John Gordon of Kenmure gave his precept of notice of eviction. We do not know whether they were unsatisfactory tenants in some way or other, or had not paid their rents, or if it was just a means of reorganising his estate. There must have been a great deal of to-ing and fro-ing, bargaining and pleading. People were forced onto the road without anywhere to go if they had no relatives to take them in. Some, in time, became common vagrants or tramps unable ever to improve their position in life. In this particular instance we do not know if this precept was carried out. “John Gordon of Kenmore Heritable Proprietor of the Lands and others under Written To My Officers and Servants in that Part Conjunctly and Severally Constitute It is my will and I Command you that incontinent This my precept seen ye Post at Least f(orty) Days before the Term of Whitsunday next to come and Lawfully Warn and Charge Personally or at In Dwelling Places and on the Lands of their Respective Possessions the Persons after named Viz: James Wilson and George Wilson his son Possessors Come and Leave the same Void and (...) That my tennants and others in my Name may then Enter To the Peaceable Possession Thereof Certify such of them as shall Continue to Possess after the said Term. That they shall be Holden and Reputed Possessors and Prosecuted for the same with all Rigour and Sicklike that ye Post upon a Lords Day forty days proceeding the said Form To the respective Parish Churches of Corsmichael Balmaclellan and K(ells) and (Dalry) within which Parishes the said Lands Ly and there at dismissing the Congregation forenoone Service openly Read or Cause to be Read this my Precept of Warning in Presence of the Parishioners convened for the Time And Leave Copies upon the most Patent Door of each of the said Churc(hes) of Corsmichael Balmaclellan Kells and Dalry and that ye Use The Haile ....ant Order Perscribed Acts of Parliment anent Warning Tennants which to do I Counssell to you Conjunctly and Severally as Such is my full Power by this my Precept of Warning. In Witness whereof I have Subscribed These Present. Written by Duncan Smith Clerk to John Dalyell Esquire Collector of the Customs at Kirkcudbright a(t) Greenlaw this Sixteenth Day of March One Thousand Seven Hundred and forty Nine Years Before These Winesses The said John Dalyell and Duncan Smith.” The Kenmure Precept of evictions was found in a bundle of papers sold at auction in the Mitchell Library in Glasgow many years ago by a friend. As I was looking at them I spotted the precept. I asked my friend if I could borrow it and have it copied. I did so and had another copy done, which I donated to Dumfries and Galloway Family History Society, of which I am a member. Unfortunately the original papers sold at auction were lost in a fire some years later. “...to flitt and Remove Themselves Their W(hole) Famillys and Servants Cottars Subtennants Goods and Gear...” of the Lands of Little Mains of Greenlaw Robert McCon(chie) in Kilnotrie William Williamson in Balgennan James Blair and William Beck Possessors of (R....) all in the Parish of Crossmichael Grisell Carson and Andrew Carson Possessors of Martinston in the Parish of Balmaclellan John Milar in Lancroft and Samual McLellan and John Gaw in Bankhead Agnes Wilson Relict of John Miller and Rosie McCourt(ie) Relict of William Miller Both in Crarghead (Craighead) and Mary McCartney in Kilnlull Croft All possessors of Parks of the Mains of Kenmore and John Bryce and James Turner Possessors of Part of Acchie and Isable Davidon in Boathouse of New Galloway Possessor of said Boatcroft and Part of Holms of Kenmore Alexander McNaught in Bogues in the Parish of Dalry John McNaught possessor of a House and Soums Grass in Overtoun. All to flitt and Remove Themselves Their W(hole) Famillys and Servants Cottars Subtennants Goods and Gear furth and from the said Lands of their Respective Possessions at the Term of Whitesunday next to Contributed by Bill Blyth of Blowplain Glenkens Gazette page 15 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN WORDS FROM THE GLENKENS The CatStrand has announced a Glenkens Literary Festival over the weekend of 20/ 21 February, a most welcome initiative. This column has frequently celebrated the remarkable number of writers and poets who had, and continue to have, Glenkens associations. A Glenkens writer may be defined as a person born in, resident in, or writing about ‘the glen’. The following brief discussion will be restricted to writers who are deceased, hopefully to avoid upsetting any of our current scrievers. We should not speak ill of the dead but it is unforgivable to forget to mention one of the living! It is difficult to find much Glenkens writing before the 17th century. John MacClure (died 1652) born at Blawquhairn, is celebrated as an early pioneer of British midwifery and pediatrics. Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar wrote eloquently in support of Scotland’s first experiment in colonisation (1622), when Cape Breton in Nova Scotia was renamed New Galloway. Samuel Rutherford of Anwoth, one of the intellectuals giants behind the Covenanting Revolution, wrote ‘Heavenly Speech and Glorious departure of John Viscount Kenmure’ (1649), in which, as if dying were not hard enough, Kenmure is haunted by past sins which potentially deny him salvation despite the promise of God’s grace. The quantity of religious writing produced in the glen was formidable. Many pamphlets, petitions, protests and testimonials were to emanate from the glen before the covenanting movement fragmented, supplying vast amounts of material for our greatest novelist, born at Little Duchrae, S. R. Crockett (died 1914), whose name attracted well over 100 people to the Catstrand conference in 2014. The greatest local writer of the 18th century has to be Robert Heron of New Galloway, an enlightened polymath who wrote on many different subjects including science, zoology, history, geography, poetry and politics while contributing to the 3rd edition of Encyclopedia Britannica and translating books from several languages. He was training for the ministry before he devoted his short life to literature, perhaps because, as a contemporary reported, when he spoke he sounded like a heron swallowing an eel! He was educated at home by his father, Bailie John Heron, a weaver by trade. Another pupil cum apprentice was John Lowe, son of a gardener on the Kenmure estate, who became a teacher and poet famed for After his death his sister Anna wrote a poetic obituary for his gravestone and a much longer lament. Isabella Trotter of the Dalshangan dynasty penned a prose memorial while her brother Robert composed a poetic lament, as did John Gordon Barbour of Bogue: Keen o’er yon Rhynns the winds are blowing, In lone Glenlee’s wild woods ‘tis snowing, With murmur sad the Ken is flowing, The rock, the dale bear winter’s guise’. William Gillespie’s brother, David, was also a poet and songwriter. An alcoholic adventure led to his shunning by the Kirk and a rather sad career as an itinerant preacher. There are many tales recounting his eccentricities but some of his songs were very popular, such as ‘Mary Coldstream’. David had a sister, Anna Lockhart Gillespie who also wrote verse, which often relates how the promise of youth is unrealised. She had a chequered career as a teacher while as a poet she seems fixated on pain, disappointment and death. A contemporary pessimist was Isabella Trotter who was born at Viewfield. When her spendthrift father died the entire property was sold by roup, a heart-breaking event which she memorialised. She studied hard at Kells, Balmaclellan Free School and Dumfries Academy to become a teacher though she never quite realised the niche she sought. In her case, like many of her gender, sound native intelligence and a good education did not guarantee success as a single woman. Her words from the Glenkens constitute her memorial. There are many other writers who could be mentioned. Come along in February and make the acquaintance of some of them. We look forward to seeing you there. For tickets and other information contact the CatStrand. Ted Cowan ... whom genius nursed Even on the mountain wild, beside the stream Of lone Palnure ... ‘Mary’s Dream’ before he emigrated to America where he eventually died of drink and disappointment. Alexander Murray was another, who from the wilds of Minnigaff attained the post of Professor of Oriental Languages at Edinburgh. His ‘History of the European Languages’ was published after his early death, mourned by Rev. William Gillespie of Kells as one ...whom genius nursed Even on the mountain wild, beside the stream Of lone Palnure... Gillespie succeeded his own father, John, as minister of Kells; he was educated at Kells parish school and Edinburgh University. Of his deceased father he wrote, ‘his best lesson was his dying scene’. After our recent floods readers may appreciate an extract from William’s ‘Ellen’, The moon shone in fits, And the tempests were roaring, The storm spirit shrieked, And the fierce rain was pouring. Glenkens Gazette page 16 More on the Great War In the Oct/Nov issue of the Glenkens Gazette, we told the story of six Glenkens men who had all lost their lives within 48 hours of each other at the battle of Loos. Follow-up research has unearthed photos of four of the six - all were killed although George Hamilton was initially reported as missing. If anyone knows of the existence of photos of the other two: Robert McGaw and Archie Mair, please contact Paul Goodwin (memorials@paulgoodwin.me.uk) HOARDS TO DISCOVER The next history lecture staged by The Glenkens Story project features Andrew Nicholson, Dumfries & Galloway Archaeologist, who will speak on ‘Hoards to Discover: The Archaeology of the Ken Valley’. From prehistoric cairns through Roman forts to medieval castles, the Ken valley contains a wealth of archaeology. Andrew’s talk will expand to include the recently discovered Galloway Viking hoard, a find proving to be of international significance. He will also address opportunities for local people to become involved in archaeological research. New Galloway Golf Club The lecture, at 2.30pm on Sunday 28 February, will be held in CatStrand. Tickets cost £5. The last Glenkens Story lecture sold out, so book early and don’t miss this amazing insight into Galloway’s past. A thousand-year-old pectoral cross, one of the amazing objects from the recently discovered Galloway Hoard. Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? www.nggc.co.uk Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Buggies now available for hire Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 Founded 1902 - 01644 420737 VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk so that these men are not forgotten. Paul Goodwin New Galloway Rural The December meeting was held at the Kenmure Arms Hotel where members enjoyed a Christmas meal, beautifully cooked and presented by Mrs Liz Brannock and her staff. After the meal members walked up the road to the CatStrand to enjoy the CatStrand Youth Players presentation of the classic tale of Babes in the Wood, a story of Robin Hood and his Merry Men in the forest of Sherwood. FHB Fencing Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) Glenkens Gazette page 17 GHANA WEDDING FOR AMY Although Amy Geddes (nee Mellor) narrowly missed out on the award for Music Tutor of the Year (as featured in the last Gazette) she says it was an honour to be nominated and thanks all this in the Glenkens who voted for her. However, she would like to thank all those in the Glenkens who voted for her and says that it was an honour to be nominated. Amy now has other things on her mind. Just before Christmas, in a traditional ceremony in Ghana, she married her sweetheart, Adie Baku, who is a professional dancer with the Akrowa Dance and Drum Troupe. Amy’s Dad, Andrew Mellor, discovered (to his surprise) at the end of a ceremony which was conducted by the local elders and village chief that it was his duty as father of the bride to pronounce the couple ‘man and wife’. Amy is now back in Scotland preparing for performances at Celtic Connections and elsewhere. She hopes that Adie will be able to join her very soon once visa formalities are sorted out. Amy’s father, Andrew, goes on to say that 2015 was a difficult year for his family following the death of his wife, Anne, in April. But he says that he can’t wait for Adie and Amy to bring their special mix of music and dance to the Glenkens as a thank you for all the love and support gifted by friends and neighbours during Anne’s illness and after her passing. Adie and Amy during the wedding ceremony. DOGS’ CHRISTMAS Real Dog Training Scotland had its fancy dress Christmas party at Dalry Town Hall, which was well attended with everybody in good spirits. The cake had been won by Eric earlier on in the year at Dunmuir Vets charity day, half of the cake had been eaten by club members at the training evenings earlier in the year. We decided to keep the other half and reinstate the cake, Poppy Appeal Paul and Betty Goodwin would like to thank all of those who helped with the 2015 Poppy Scotland appeal. The total raised from Dalry was £457.25. Well done everyone! Regards, Paul Goodwin decorated for the Christmas party, so the cake was certainly enjoyed by many people. Thank you to Margaret Schoffield for donating the sausages-and-gravy bones, and Jessica Nash for being Santa’s little helper with the games. The party games were enjoyed by well behaved dogs and their owners. The evening raised £105 which was donated to Dumfries & Galloway Canine Rescue. If your New Years Resolution is to train your dog, look up our website www.realdogtraining scotland.co.uk Eric Broadhurst, Real Dog Training Scotland Wright’s Shop & Post Office Dalry Licensed convenience store and newsagent stocking a range of local suppliers including Corsons and Irvings Bakers, Ballards and Dalmellington Country Butchers and Mitchells Fruit and Veg. Opening Times (both shop & PO): Monday to Friday: 7am – 6pm Saturday: 8am – 6pm Sunday: 8.30am – 4pm Tel: 01644 430 225 Glenkens Gazette page 18 FEBRUARY & MARCH FEBRUARY Mon 1 - May 31, Exhibition: Doug Cocker, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 3, Spotlight: Young Open Stage, 7pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 5, CatStrand Burns Supper, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Mon 8, Re-Kindling Creativity Art Course, 10am-12noon, Dalry Community Centre (To book a place please contact Brian Jones at the CatStrand on 01644 420 374 or brian@catstrand.com) Wed 10, Open Stage, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 12, The Sportinghouse Strings, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 13, Film: Far from the Maddening Crowd, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 17, New Galloway SWRI, 3pm,, New Galloway Town Hall Thu 18, Japanese Haiku Poetry Workshop with Tony Bonning, 11am & 2pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 19, Gallery Visit: Gracefield (ages 10-15), bus departs 9.30am from CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 20 & Sun 21, Words from the Glenkens: A Celebration of Literature and Music, 11am, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 24, Film: Bobby Fischer Against the World, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 28, The Glenkens Story: Hoards to Discover: The Archaeology of the Ken Valley, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway MARCH CatStrand, New Galloway Tue 8, Asylon Theatre Presents: Fraxi: Queen of the Forest, 1pm & 3pm (with workshops) Thu 10, CatStrand Youth Players: Two Plays, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 16, New Galloway SWRI, 3pm,, New Galloway Town Hall Sat 19, Blazin’ Fiddles, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 30, Film: The Village at the End of the World, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway APRIL Fri 4, The Hebrides Ensemble: Impressions of the Sea, 7.30pm, Fri 1, Zoe Rahman Trio with Gene Calderazzo & and Alec Dankworth, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Tue 5 - Fri 8, Easter Sci-Fi Filmmaking Projects, ages 8 – 25, CatStrand, New Galloway ALEX FERGUSSON MSP FOR GALLOWAY & WEST DUMFRIES Holds regular advice surgeries at: Constituency Office, New Market Street, Castle Douglas, DG7 1HY on the 2nd Friday of every month from 5pm Telephone free on 0800 028 7260 for an appointment or to make any alternative arrangement. You can visit Alex’s website at: www.alexfergusson.org.uk or contact him by e-mail at: alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Selling properties across Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries Glenkens Gazette page 19 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Margaret Morris dance 1: 3-7yrs, term-time Mondays, 3.45-4.30pm Margaret Morris dance 2: 8-16yrs, term-time Mondays, 4.30-5.15pm Access All Areas Youth Arts Making Music: Mon 7-9pm Gentle Tai Chi: Wed, 10am, 60+ Glenkens Writing Group: First Wed each month 3-5pm Sing it Out: Thurs, 11am -12pm Pilates: Thurs, 4.15-5.15pm & 5.306.30pm, Dalry Community Centre CatStrand Yukes: Thurs, 1pm – 3.30pm 60+ Choreographic Skills Lab: Thurs (term-time), 7 - 8.30pm ages 12-18 Zumba Gold: Fridays (term-time), 10-11am, CatStrand, 16+ Saturday Art Club: twice a month, 10am–12noon, to book call 420 374 Zumba Kids: last Sat of the month (term-time), 10-10.45am Catstrand Youth Players: Sun during term time, 2pm Glenkens Acoustic Sessions: last Sun of the month, 2-4pm Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, (contact Kath on 430 281): Glenkens Children’s Club: Mon & Fri, 10am-12noon Paint & Art: Mon, 1.30-4.30pm & Wed, 7-9pm Ballroom & Latin Dance Class: Mon, 7.15pm, for more info call Sam Rushton on 420 672 GCC Playgroup: Tues, Wed & Thurs, 9.10-11.40am, contact Sue on 07709 929 482 Good Neighbours’ Club: Tues, 2pm Kickback Martial Arts: Thurs, 7-9pm Thursday Craft Group: Thurs, 2-4pm Brownies: Wed, 5.30-6.45pm Guides: Tues during term-time, 6.15pm, contact: Kath 430 281 Various Locations: Ukelele Group: Mon, 11.15am, 60+, New Galloway Town Hall Glenkens Walking Group, Mon & Wed, 1.30pm, contact Gerry on 420 852 Ballroom & Latin Dance: Mon, 7.30pm, Castle Douglas Primary School Mother & Toddlers: Tues, 9.4511.15am, New Galloway Town Hall Carsphairn Post Office: Tues, 13pm, Lagwyne Hall Beavers: Tues, 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training: Tues & Wed, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Bowling for Beginners: Wed, 7pm, Spalding Bowling Club, Dalry (opposite The Garage) Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: 3rd Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall. Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. Churches in Dalry Church. 18 Mar, CHURCH TIMES B&K 7pm: Dalry Church Family Night, Dalry CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services - Balmaclellan 12noon: 1st. Carsphairn 10.30am: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Dalry 12noon: 3rd, 4th. Dalry 10.30am: 2nd(Mar). Kells 10.30am: 2nd(Feb), 3rd, 4th. Special Services/Events: 14 Feb, 10.30 am: United Family Service for Dalry and B&K Churches in Kells Church. 26 Feb, 7pm: Beetle Drive, Dalry Town Hall. 4 Mar, 7pm: World Day of Prayer Service, St Margaret’s Church. 7 Mar, 7.30pm: Fellowship Dinner at Kenbridge Hotel with David Bowman. 13 Mar, 10.30am: United Family Service for Dalry and Town Hall. 25 Mar, 7.30pm: Good Friday Service, Carsphairn Church. 27 Mar, 7am: Dawn Service, Balmaclellan War Memorial, followed by breakfast in hall. Communion Services: 28 Feb, 10.30am, Kells Church. 20 Mar, 10.15am, Carsphairn Church. 20 Mar, 12 noon, Dalry Church. SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm Wednesday Quiz Night: Wed, 8.30pm, Cross Keys Hotel, New Galloway Stewartry Camera Club: Wed, 7.30pm, Ringford Village Hall, runs Wed 11 Sept till end Mar Zumba: Wed, 7.30-8.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, 11+ Mossdale Painters: Wed, 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Coffee & Craft Morning: Thurs, 9am-12noon, Lagwyne Hall Youth Writing Group: Thurs (during term time), 3.30-5pm, ages 10-15, Dalry School D&G Hard of Hearing Group Dropin: 1st Friday each month, 10am12noon, New Galloway Town Hall. Scouts: Thurs, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut To hire the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) behind Dalry School call Sonja Tranter on 430 244 or Nicolette Wise on 430 218. Dalry Library Temporary Hours Tue: 12noon - 3.30pm Fri: 10am - 12noon & 1pm - 4.30pm There are 23 mobile library stops - to find out where and when please phone 430 234. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 20 CATSTRAND SINGERS’ SUCCESSFUL ROADTRIP Last autumn, on a rare sunny morning, a group of folk set off on the Glenkens Community Bus to entertain the good people of Kirkpatrick Durham with their songs. The Catstrand Singers, a singing group that has been going for about four years, was proud to be asked to the Bothy Coffee Morning, and a good time was had by all: the audience were very generous with cake and coffee, and the singers experienced their first ever performance outwith the Glenkens. The singing group is led by Nicola Black who arranges songs from around the world, and spanning different styles, to suit the range of voices, from top soprano to the lower tones often (but not always) associated with the men. It’s a happy, informal group, where the social aspect is as important as the music, and anyone is welcome to come and join in – there are no auditions, no ‘solo performances’ to worry about, and no age limit. If you’d be interested in coming along and giving it a go, the group meets at the Catstrand every Thursday morning between 11am and 12 noon, followed by coffee in the cafe. There is a weekly fee, but no-one asks how much you’re putting in the pot – the suggested amount is between £2 and £4. You will find a warm welcome with The Catstrand Singers! The CatStrand Singers NEW GALLOWAY FIRE STATION NEEDS YOU! The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are recruiting firefighters for New Galloway Fire Station. This exciting opportunity is open to all people who live and or work within 5-10 minutes of the station, are over 18, have a reasonable level of health and fitness. The role of a community firefighter is extremely diverse and you will receive training to attend fires, road traffic collisions, flooding incidents and many more types of emergency. Firefighters also get involved with their community through providing life saving ‘Home Fire Safety Checks’ and providing community safety information through station and outside visits. For further information, Jake McGaw is in charge at New Galloway Fire Station, or call 01387 252 222 and speak to Station Manager Joe Shepherd. Applications can be made at www.myjobscotland.gov.uk from 1 February to 21 February. A BIG THANK YOU The Glenkens Gazette would like to thank Glenkens Community Shop, Dalry, for their generous grant towards Gazette running costs. Without this kind of support the Gazette would not be able to continue. Since its inception in 2012, the Glenkens Community Shop has put over £20,000 back into the community through their grant scheme. If you are based in the Glenkens and have a project that could do with a little support to either get it off the ground or to allow it to continue or to grow, pop into the Glenkens Community Shop and pick up a grant application form. Forms for the next round of funding will be available from 4 June and applications should be submitted by 9 July. 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 APRIL/MAY COPY DEADLINE: 5 MARCH Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050 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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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 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:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). 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 News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry April/May 2016 ISSUE 93 FREE DRAMA TRIUMPH FOR CATSTRAND DUO CatStrand’s Youth Players have taken top place in the Stewarty drama festival. Zoe Kirkpatrick and Eilidh Thomson starred as mother and daughter, portraying their developing relationship over 40 years, in the two-hander Tell Me Another Story, Sing Me A Song by Jean Lenox Toddie. Adjudicator Margaret Tomlinson, awarding them top place with a score of 88%, said: “The two actors created totally believable, likeable characters in this delightful portrayal of a mother-daughter relationship – the audience’s attention was caught and held throughout.” This year the Stewartry District Scottish Community Drama Association festival at the Fullarton Theatre had to be spread over two weekends to accommodate the large number of entries - the largest district festival in Scotland. CatStrand Youth Players also entered Us And Them by David Campton, a popular play for a 17strong cast written 40 years ago but Eilidh Thomson (left) and Zoe Kirkpatrick with their trophy. just as relevant today as then. The the settlers become suspicious of play portrays the problems that can develop between what is going on ‘over the wall’. Continued on p10... two neighbouring territories when NEW GLENKENS UPRISING SAVES HISTORY A local history lecture has sparked a new ‘Glenkens Uprising’ to bring a vital history book back into print. When Peter Aitchison and Andrew Cassell gave a talk on their book, The Lowland Clearances, at an event organised by local history project, The Glenkens Story, many in the capacity CatStrand audience expected to be able to buy their book. However Professor Ted Cowan, who originally coined the phrase ‘Lowland Clearances’, explained that no copies were on sale because it was out of print and Birlinn the publisher was refusing to reprint it. Next day Lucy Brown from Dalry and Castle Douglasbased historian Alistair Livingston started an online petition calling on Birlinn to reprint the book. The petition rapidly attracted hundreds of signatures including historians Tom Devine and Neil Davidson and MSPs Mike Russell, Joan McAlpine and John Finnie. Finally, Birlinn yielded to the A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve Alistair Livingston and Lucy Brown. pressure and the first copies of the 2016 reprint were dispatched in February. Continued on p4... www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 ANNIE WINSTANLEY BIG It is with joy that we LOTTERY remember Annie Winstanley who sadly passed away on BACKS 4 March 2016. SHOP The campaign to save New Galloway’s only shop from closing has won first stage development funding from the Big Lottery. This is a major step towards creating a community shop and self-catering tourist flats within the existing Hopkins’ shop and house. The award is enabling New Galloway Community Enterprises Ltd (NGCE) to undertake the detailed research and development work for a second stage bid to the Big Lottery. This would provide funds to buy and refurbish the property and support the early stages of the new business. NGCE is working with locally-based consultants Creetown Initiative and architect Marc Henklemann of Kirkcudbright to submit the funding bid in the summer. Helen Keron, chair of NGCE, says: “We would like to thank everyone in New Galloway who has supported the bid so far. Your support was vital in convincing the Big Lottery what there was a real need to secure the shop. We know that the competition for second stage funding will be fierce so we will continue to need your support to demonstrate that New Galloway has the will and ability to back the project.” You can follow developments by watching out for posters in the village, viewing the progress file in Hopkins Shop or on Facebook - ‘New Galloway Community Shop and Enterprises’. THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm 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 � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � A warm and heartfelt person, Annie was involved in the community from the moment she and her husband, Simon, arrived in the Glenkens in 1983. She was quick to smile, and quick to offer help and support to those arround her. Over the years Annie had been involved in too many community projects and activities to mention, one of them being the singing group Damsel Jam of which she was a member for many years, and most recently volunteering at Glenkens Community Shop where she brightened anyone’s day who happened to pop in when she was there. What I remember best about Annie was her readiness to laugh, and her enthusiasm and zest for life. She seemed always prepared at a moment’s notice to share a joke, enjoy the moment, and say yes to whatever life had to offer. Annie will be missed by her family and her many, many friends, and will remain in the hearts and minds of so many around the Glenkens, Galloway and beyond. If anyone would like to make a donation in memory of Annie, please donate to the Glenkens Community Shop, Main Street, Dalry. Sarah Ade LING’s One-year Deal for Town Hall Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) has taken on a oneyear agreement with D&G Council for the management of the Town Hall from the start of February. D&G will remain responsible for keeping the building wind and water tight and services such as the heating system. We are working on increasing the use and setting up events and activities that were suggested in our Open Day survey a couple of years ago. We have received a small grant from the Integrated Health Fund to enable a six-month pilot extended lunch club which will be starting after Easter. The first of regular indoor car boot sales was held at the end of February, carpet bowls have started and table tennis will be available later this month. A pop-up weekend museum is being investigated to the summer. Anyone willing to volunteer please contact Craig on 07926 044 062. This is also the new number for making bookings for the hall. We look forward to seeing you, Ros Hill, LING Chairman GLENKENS CANDIDATE FOR HOLYROOD ELECTIONS Andrew Metcalf, who lives near Carsphairn with his wife Jane, will be the Scottish Liberal Democrats candidate in the Scottish Parliament election which takes place in May. Andrew said: “Since coming to Galloway nine years ago, I have been made very welcome by local people. I would welcome the opportunity to now represent the area in Edinburgh.” Glenkens Gazette page 3 THE FUTURE OF OUR SCHOOLS An open meeting for parents of pupils in all the Glenkens schools - Carsphairn, Dalry and Kells - was held on 21 March to meet with representatives of Dumfries & Galloway Education Department and discuss their proposed changes to education provision in the Glenkens. A large turnout of concerned parents from all the local schools, as well as people from the wider community, ensured a lively evening of discussion and debate. Dr Gillian Brydson, Head of Education, reported that falling school rolls and changing demographics are an ongoing problem for the provision of education across the whole region, not just the Glenkens, particularly in light of the millions of pounds worth of savings the council needs to make in the forthcoming years. The Education Department see their role as to provide the best possible outcomes for Glenkens pupils; to provide strong support for transition from early stage to senior phase and to provide a coherent curriculum and a stable and sustainable future for education provision. However, concerns about how Curriculum for Excellence can fit into an S1-S4 school when the split would more realistically come after S3, and the difficulties in staff recruitment in a school with low pupil numbers coupled with budget restraints, pose problems. Their proposals for the Glenkens are to recruit a new head teacher for the three primary schools in the Glenkens to start in August and to link Dalry Secondary to Castle Douglas High School. This would involve a depute teacher in Dalry who would be part of the overall management team based at Castle Douglas. Dalry Parent Council Chair, Andrea Ramsay, asked for small groups to discuss the implications of the proposals and then report back their findings to the meeting. This was then followed by a question-andanswer session. The overall feel from parents was that the Glenkens schools already provided an excellent education for their children and that the current model of an overall head teacher either save money or be better for pupils. The answer given was that by pooling resources with Castle Douglas, more choice could be offered to pupils. However, a further concern was that having a depute in Dalry under a head teacher in Castle Douglas would not be a partnership but a hierarchical structure with less power afforded to Dalry when it came to resources. The timescale was also of concern as parent councils would need to consult with their parent bodies and examine all the implications. Lastly, comments from the community highlighted that when talking about costs it was important to look at the wider picture: the money spent per pupil in Dalry Secondary may be higher than elsewhere in the region but this is money well spent. Pupils from the Glenkens are well-educated, responsible and successful individuals, everything that Curriculum for Excellence aims for, and become responsible hard-working adults who give back to the community and cost the state nothing – the Glenkens is not an inner city with the associated costs of high crime and social service intervention. As the impact of any changes to the schools within the cluster would have far-reaching effects for all the villages, the Community Councils are also involved in the process. If parents have further questions they wish to raise about their child’s future education they are urged to contact their parent council who can ensure that all concerns reach the education authority. Pupils from the Glenkens are welleducated, responsible and successful individuals, everything that Curriculum for Excellence aims for... for the Glenkens Primaries and the Secondary worked well. Many felt that Dalry Secondary should continue to offer education certainly up to S4, possibly to S6. There was little understanding as to how only offering S1-S3 education could Our Schools: A Personal Perspective Coming away from the schools meeting on 21 March, I felt reassured in the strength of our Glenkens communities. What the education department need to understand is that we are aware of the evolving demands of modern education, and of the necessity to adapt to the changing times, and we are happy to do this - but only if we feel those measures will benefit us and our children. We are proud of our identity. Proud of our highly successful schools which produce consistently great results. We appreciate and understand the value of our autonomy, and the assets our schools posess which make ours a unique learning environment. Our strong sense of community gives our children a secure and confident start in life – from which they take flight into the world-atlarge fully equipped, but also often coming home to roost, the sign of a healthy and thriving community. We give them roots. It is suggested that Dalry secondary should become a satelite school to Castle Douglas so that we can share resources and create partnerships but why does that have to involve losing our autonomy? Just because a concept is new doesn’t mean we should throw away the old without any thought for what it has provided for us. And at the end of the day, shouldn’t it be our choice, as a community, rather than a choice imposed on us because it’s what the powers-that-be think is the best for us? In the Glenkens we have a history of fighting for the things we feel are important – schools, shops, libraries – we don’t just jump on the latest bandwaggon at the risk of losing our our valuable community assets. We know we won’t ever get them back. We thoroughly consider the pros and cons. And make an informed choice. After all, we’re pretty well educated. Our schools have seen to that. Sarah Ade (editor and parent) Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by EVERYTHING listed in the Glenkens Freecycle section is FREE - you just need to contact the owner and go and pick it up! If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch with Sarah on 07727 127 997 or email glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk VARIOUS Upright piano in good working order. Steel frame. All notes & pedals work but would benefit from re-tuning after moving. It will take several people to lift it into a van or similar. From smoke and pet free home. Collection from Mochrum near Knockvennie. Contact: Trevor on 440 683 Toaster. Kenwood. Fully functional. Contact: 460 516 Ink cartridges for Canon Pixma iP4500 etc. Contact: 460 516 Bags of Polystyrene Loosefill and also some air pocket filling. Perhaps useful for packaging artworks, etc. Contact: Ruth on 460 516 Small red IKEA table, 55cm square, 45cm high. Slight scratch on top. Contact: 430 218 Woven jute rug, natural colour with Greek key design in black, 70” x 47”, may be useful for conservatory or doggie area. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 Rotted horse manure for the garden, New Galloway area, collect with bags or trailer. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 WANTED Boys bikes ages 5/6 and 8/9. Contact: Mary on 07967 959 511 Chest of drawers. Contact: Simon on 07426 124 982 Boys kilt, aged 4-5 , any Tartan style. Contact: Chrissy on 07824 810 305 Guinea-pig run. Contact: Sarah on 07727 127 997 LOWLAND CLEARANCES BOOK Continued from front page... The book describes how, long before the well-known Highland Clearances, there had been an uprising in Galloway against the first of the Lowland Clearances in 1724. Although forgotten now, from Berwickshire to Aberdeenshire and from Galloway to Renfrewshire, thousands of people were cleared from the Scottish lowlands by improving landowners and had to emigrate or find work in factories and mines. Peter Aitchison, co-author of the book, says he was amazed by the response: “Andy Cassell and I were pleased to be invited by our former BBC colleague Mike Brown to lecture to The Glenkens Story project. We were stunned when the event sold out, and delighted at the response of a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable audience. “Despite our own efforts the book had been out of print for some time but that didn’t deter these latter-day radicals who launched an incredible online petition and very vocal campaign to have the volume reprinted. Andy and I are massively grateful to all those who pressured Birlinn into doing this. The public appetite for the story of what happened in lowland parts more than 250 years ago is seen by sales which propelled the reprint into the best-selling charts, at one time reaching the number three positions for Scottish books. It is amazing what people-power can achieve, and all thanks to a chance invitation to talk to a wonderful local history group.” Alistair Livingston says: “I am very pleased that the ‘Lowland Clearances’ is back in print. The next challenge is to make sure it stays in print so that this important part of history is remembered. The best way to do that is to order a copy.” drawn, it’s the ideas that count! There will be a small prize in vouchers for each age group - 12 and under, 13-17 and 18 upwards - and the overall winner will have their idea turned into the logo. Entry details: The final logo will have to work in both colour and black and white, and be clear enough to use on large and small scales. Entries can be in any medium, and can include letters or just an image. Please submit entries by 1 May to Hopkins shop or New Galloway Post Office with your name, contact number and age on the back. Entries will be judged anonymously and the final logo will be copyright of NGCE Ltd. For info please contact Mary Smith on 07967 959 511 or maryzair@gmail.com PHOTOGRAPHERS & GRAPHIC DESIGNERS! Logo Competition ATTENTION YOUNG WRITERS, New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE) Ltd is holding a competition to find a winning idea for a logo for the proposed New Galloway Community Shop and self-catering flats. The second stage of the bid to secure full funding from the Big Lottery is now underway (see p2) and we’re looking for a great design that will represent the bid and may even be used on the shop front itself. Open to all in the Glenkens, here’s an excellent opportunity to get creative and get doodling - entries don’t have to be wonderfully We are looking for budding young contributors to create a youth section within the Glenkens Gazette. If you would like to share writing, review a show, film or album, conduct your own interviews or showcase your art or photography then get in touch. All abilities and interests, open to all under 25. Please email davem@catstrand.com to submit work or for further details. Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by Dumfries & Galloway’s Wild Spring Festival runs from 25 March to 10 April and boasts many opportunities in and around the Glenkens to experience the unique wildlife and nature of our little corner of Galloway. Some of the activities on offer throughout the region include opportunities to make feeders for birds, squirrels and butterflies, to watch feeding badgers and red kites and to forage for wild food under the watchful eye of Scotland’s only professional wild-food forager, Mark Williams. Whether you wish to watch wildlife on foot, bike or canoe, and whenever you wish to watch it - dawn, daytime, dusk or dark - there’s something for you in the programme. Some of the activities on offer in and around the Glenkens are: Wilderness Kayak Trip: runs between 25 March and 10 April, 10am to 5pm. Explore Loch Ken in a kayak and see Greenland white-fronted and Icelandic greylag geese as well as many other species of birds and other animals such as deer and otters. Meet at the Galloway Activity Centre, Loch Ken. Cost: £17.50. Min age: 8. Contact: 01556 502011, gac@lochken.co.uk Booking is essential. Open Day at Red Kite Feeding Station: 2 April, 1-4pm. Free entry to the red kite feeding station at Laurieston. Meet: Bellymack Hill Farm, Kite Feeding Station, Laurieston. Contact: 01556 670464, calum.murray@rspb.org.uk Wild Spring at Parton: 5 April, 10:30am to 12noon. Join the RSPB to discover wild animals, plants and red kites. Find out how we have helped give these a home here and enjoy impressive springtime views over Loch Ken and River Dee. Kids can take part in a Scavenger Hunt. Meet: Loch Ken Holiday Park, Parton, Castle Douglas. Cost: RSPB members £3; non-members £4; children half price. Contact: Calum Murray, 01556 670464, calum.murray@rspb.org.uk Spring & Kites at Ken-Dee: 7 April, 10am to 12noon. Discover the sounds and signs of spring at this reserve. With red kites overhead and nesting lapwings in the fields, fragrant flowers and buds in the glades and singing woodland birds in chorus. Kids can take part in a Scavenger Hunt. Meet: RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes Reserve, Mains of Duchrae, Castle Douglas. Cost: Adult £4, Child £2, RSPB members half price. Minimum Age: 6. Contact: Calum Murray, 01556 670464, calum.murray@rspb.org.uk Booking is essential. Night-time Guided Mountain Bike Ride: 8 April, 810pm. The evening starts at Galloway Activity Centre at 6.30pm where we’ll meet and get kitted-out with bikes, helmets and lighting. After a short powerboat ride across the loch to the forest at the other, side we’ll guide you on a gentle off-road forest ride up to the Otter pool in the heart of the Galloway Forest Park. Price is £15 and includes equipment. Meet: Galloway Activity Centre, Loch Ken. Cost: £15. Minimum Age: 8. Contact: 01556 502011, gac@lochken.co.uk Booking is essential. Galloway Glens Landscape from the Parton Viewpoint: 9 April, 2-4pm. Come for a short walk through some of the landscape that is included in the £2.9 million Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Project. Find out what the project is all about, how it could transform the local area and how you can get involved. This will be a short walk but is quite steep and could be muddy so come prepared. Meet: Boat o’ Rhone layby, NX685704, DG7 3NE, Contact: Tom Henry, 07702 250958. Booking is essential. Hands-On Day at Knowetop Lochs: 10 April, 10: 30am to 3.30pm. Get involved with practical conservation work at Knowetop Lochs. Activities will include peat depth measurement and sampling, sapling removal, habitat creation. Join in for the day or just an hour - bring wellies, gloves and old clothes or simply come and meet the Reserves Conservation Team and watch them at work! Meet: Scottish Wildlife Trust Knowetop Lochs, Reserve, five miles west of Corsock on A712. This event is free. Contact: swtgalloway@gmail.com To find out more about the Wild Spring Festival visit www.wildseasons.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 6 Chair with a View Balmaclellan Community Council has submitted a considered objection to South West Woodlands planning application for Rigg of Airee. Small issues arising since New Year have included how to care for communal areas such as Kentucky and the Jubilee seat that have been neglected in recent years. A regular volunteers’ day might be one way to do this and to help care for the hall. Look out for notices in the shop. Storm damage to the Jubilee Walk map also needs to be repaired. An exciting development in the area is the fact that Blue Energy started construction of Black Craig wind farm in January. The 23 turbines are due to be commissioned sometime between March and October 2017. Approximately a year after that Blue Energy will be starting to pay out the Community Benefit Fund. This is a sum of £265,000 per annum for 25 years. Such a sum would do a lot for the local community and provide a legacy for future generations if properly managed. At a recent meeting of the Glenkens and District Community Councils it was agreed to encourage discussion and participation in all our communities with regard to setting up an appropriate organisation to receive and manage funds for the benefit of the community. Community Councils of the Glenkens participated in setting up the Glenkens & District Trust in 2015 and the Trust is currently applying for a Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) grant in order to survey the needs, desires and ideas of the community. Balmaclellan Community Council is inviting all residents of Balmaclellan parish to contribute their thoughts and ideas either by attending a Community Council meeting or emailing Anita Garnham or Alan Rumble at balmaclellancc@gmail.com and by participation in the survey when it comes out. There could be at least two years before disbursement of the monies so there is plenty of time for extensive thought and discussion. Community Council meetings are normally held on the last Monday of every month (excluding July and December) in the village hall, from 7.30-9pm. Meetings are open to all although voting rights are restricted to members of the council. Balmaclellan Community Council Members of Balmaclellan Community Council from November 2015: Alan Rumble (chair), Kay Bird (secretary), Jim Kirkpatrick (hall keeper), Robin Jardine, Tom Hudson, Anita Garnham, Alison Chapman, Roland Chaplain, Anna Blyth. The responsibilities of treasurer will be undertaken by SCVS (Scottish Council for Voluntary Service). THE GALLERY AT LAURIESTON SPRING SHOW Phil and family at the recently opened Gallery at Laurieston are delighted to announce the latest show at the gallery. Incorporating some of the best local artisans, the Gallery’s Spring Show 2016 really does have something for everyone. You’d be very welcome to come along and spend some time enjoying the variety of works on show. Situated in the old Laurie Arms Inn, the new gallery provides an open, airy, light and welcoming space which aims to highlight the glories of Galloway and the rich talent that resides here. Please visit our ‘Gallery at Laurieston’ Trip Advisor page to read the thoughts of recent visitors. Among the artists and makers taking part in the Spring Show are Jo Gallant with her lively, warm and rich textiles; pottery by worldrenowned potter team Fitch & McAndrew; Aberdonian Elaine Lindsay and her amazing corn and straw creations (Elaine has created work for highprofile spaces such as The Saatchi Gallery in London); contemporary screenprints by Sarah Stewart and the #windowstills project by Val Macadam and Laura Hudson Mackay. Come view their work on the metaphoric quality of windows. And finally there is work by artist Phil McMenemy whose journey in the arts continues alongside his ongoing love affair with Galloway. The Gallery situated in Laurieston village, outside Castle Douglas, and is open most weekdays and every Sunday. Please feel free to contact Phil on 01644 450 235 to plan your trip. Phil McMenemy Glenkens Gazette page 7 CatStrand Highlights Keep your eyes peeled on the CatStrand this spring for a host of not-to-be missed performances. April 1 sees the Zoe Rahman Trio take the stage. Zoe is a world-class pianist and has firmly established herself as one of the brightest stars on the contemporary jazz scene. On 16 April The Railsplitters will perform, fresh off the success of their first album. Having taken first place in Rockygrass’ Best See our Spring Season brochure and website for programme details. Book online at www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420374. New Band Competition, they have been busy touring and we’re lucky to catch them. On 7 May there is comedy with The Croft & Pearce Show, described by Alistair McGowan as: “Sketch comedy at its very best”. Following hot on its heels is a performance by talented musician Emma Gillespie on 23 May. With her melancholic brand of acoustic folk-pop, Emma became an overnight success after winning the first series of Sky 1’s antidote to The X Factor, Must Be the Music. Rounding off the month on 23 May is the Juan Martin Flamenco Trio. A truly awe-inspiring flamenco guitarist, Emma Gillespie Juan is accompanied by flamenco dancer Carmen Moncada and singer Antonio Aparecida. Along with these stellar performances are films, exhibitions and a wide variety of workshops and community events - why not pop along, enjoy a cuppa in the CatStrand Cafe and see what’s going on? SONGWRITING, MUSIC PRODUCTION & MORE Songwriting workshop with Emma Gillespie: Whether you’re a beginner and just want to get started or need a little help knocking your songs into shape, this interactive workshop will help you develop your songwriting skills! Emma has an extensive writing and performance background from busking on the streets of Glasgow to winning Sky One show ‘Must Be The Music’ as ‘Emma’s Imagination’. Alongside Emma, we’ll be looking at developing confidence in your songwriting, storytelling GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway through song, breaking through writer’s block and publishing and opportunities as a writer. The workshop is free of charge for those aged 14-25 and takes place on Monday 11 April from 6-8pm. You don’t need to book, simply turn up on the night. For further details, please contact davem@catstrand.com Stranded Cat Records: Young artists have been working on their singles in time for release this summer. As part of a youth record label project at CatStrand, participants have the opportunity to write, record and release a two- track single alongside experienced tutors. There are two places left on the project and you can find the application by hitting ‘youth’ then ‘stranded cat records’ at www.catstrand.com All of this takes place on a Monday evening. CatStrand’s youth music traineeship scheme: If you’d like to join the team at CatStrand for a ten-week training programme in areas such as music production, tech for the stage or events management then please contact davem@catstrand.com for a place. W BONE THE GARAGE, DALRY OPEN 8.30AM - 6PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS - FUEL 24 HOURS - MOT CENTRE FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY � 01644 420234 � Tel: 01644 430 208 Fax: 01644 430 669 jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 8 RED SQUIRREL GROUP REMOVES 400 GREYS IN FIRST YEAR A volunteer group from Glenkens dedicated to protecting the future of Scotland’s iconic red squirrels successfully removed over 400 grey squirrels from the area in its first year. The Glenkens Red Squirrel Group (GKRSG) aims to conserve reds by controlling numbers of non-native grey squirrels and protecting the native red squirrel in the Glenkens. The new group is among a growing number in south Scotland affiliated to the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels project. The red squirrel is the UK’s only native squirrel. Numbers have declined rapidly since the introduction of grey squirrels from North America in the 19th Century. Greys have replaced the native reds in much of the UK because they compete for food and habitat, and transmit the deadly squirrelpox virus. Since 1952, 95% of red squirrels in England and Wales have been wiped out. Today, 75% of the UK’s remaining population is found in Scotland. In addition to carrying squirrel pox, the larger greys are able to tolerate tannins which enable them to eat unripe hazelnuts and acorns, eating them before red squirrels get the chance. Greys also devalue Scottish timber crops by 25% due to bark stripping. Reducing grey numbers will also assist our songbird population as greys consume eggs and young birds. Red Squirrel by Alison Wallace. Project Officer for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels in the Southwest, Kate new members. Bob Peace, treasurer Thomson, said: “Our project has of GKRSG, says: “Everyone is shown that red squirrels can survive welcome. Not only do we need more in the presence of the disease if grey grey squirrel controllers but also squirrel populations are kept to a people to help attend local events minimum.” or assist with fundraising. However Brian, a volunteer grey if you are willing to help control the squirrel controller for the group, greys, we will provide training acknowledges the controversial The group asks the public to report nature of the task: “It is undoubtedly any squirrel sightings – red or grey an emotive issue, the killing of any – online at: animal, and some may disagree with http://scottishsquirrels.org.uk/ it. But if we want the red squirrel to squirrel-sightings survive in the Glenkens someone has For further information visit to undertake this task.” the Glenkens Red Squirrel Group The group are on the lookout for Facebook page. Brian Fishwick Glenkens Transport Initiative Regular Bus Services Tuesdays Dalry to Newton Stewart Return Swimming and Shopping Outward Pickups: Dalry (Underhill) 1115, New Galloway 1120 (Fire Station) Return Pickups: Newton Stewart (ALDI Car Park) 1320, (Merrick Centre) 1330 Return Fare: £3.00 Return More information/booking phone Ann on 01644 460518 Wednesday Evenings Dalry to Castle Douglas (Tesco) Return (registered route) 1900 1905 1915 1925 1930 1937 1940 Outward Journey Depart Dalry (Underhill) New Galloway (CatStrand) Mossdale Lauriston Townhead of Greenlaw Castle Douglas (Market Street) Castle Douglas (Tesco) 2035 2037 2047 2050 2100 2110 2115 Return Journey Depart Castle Douglas (Tesco) Castle Douglas (Market Street) Townhead of Greenlaw Laurieston Mossdale New Galloway (CatStrand) Dalry (Underhill) Services & Excursions April-May 2016 Phone the CatStrand (01644 420374) or see the GTI website (http://catstrand.wix.com/glenkenstransport) for more details and to book. Glenkens to Ayr & Back Saturday April 30 and Saturday May 28 Pickups: New Galloway (CatStrand) 0930, Dalry (Underhill) 0940, Carsphairn (Shop) 1000. Leaving Ayr 1500. Fare £3.50, Concessions £3.00 each way. Drumlanrig Castle Thursday 7 April Pickups: New Galloway (CatStrand) 0930; Dalry (Underhill) 0940, Fare £6. Concessions £5. Glenwhan Gardens Wednesday 20 April Pickups: Dalry (Underhill) 0930, New Galloway (CatStrand) 0940, Fare £6. Concessions £5. Culzean Castle Thursday 26 May Pickups: New Galloway (CatStrand) 0930; Dalry (Underhill) 0940, Carsphairn (Shop) 1000 Fare £6. Concessions £5. Minibus Hire GTI has 8, 15 and 16 seat minibuses for hire. Hirers must be registered GTI user groups. For more information or to book email gti@catstrand.com or call 01644 420374. Glenkens Gazette page 9 DUMFRIES...EDINBURGH...THE WORLD: DALRY SCHOOL COMPETES This term has seen students from Dalry School compete in several events leading to broader experiences, as well as individual and group success. Three pupils travelled to Edinburgh for the National Table Tennis finals held at Bathgate. Being part of a big competition is a resilience-building experience and playing with the best in Scotland has been stimulating. A team of two travelled to Dumfries Academy for the first round of the Procurator Fiscals’ Public Speaking competition in February. Speaking on the theme ‘What it means to be a refugee in Scotland’, Aidan Taylor (S2) and Mia Walker (S3) spoke for nearly five minutes each in a great team effort. They had some very encouraging feedback and made it through to the next round, beating the two Dumfries Academy teams. They are busy preparing for their next outing. Cross country running has been a much more pleasurable experience this year as the weather has been kinder. the CatStrand and Libby Ritchie Consequently 19 secondary joined them as independent students competed in the witnesses, making sure that regional cross country event, everything was as it should be. which this year was held at Libby and Mary Dougan Kirroughtree. The responsibility volunteered as our markers for and compassion of three of our the quiz. The school was very young people shone through as grateful to these volunteers who they realised a fellow runner was made the event possible. We in serious trouble and stopped to learned lot about the verification help. We understand that the girl of official world records and it had in fact broken her ankle. wasn’t as easy as first thought. A world record was set behind On World Book Day it was closed doors on Monday announced that the bid 22 February 2016. Secondary was successful and Dalry School pupils at Dalry School took part helped achieve a record which in a world record attempt to hold will be included in the 2017 the World’s Biggest Simultaneous edition of the Guinness Book of Book Quiz. World Records. At 2pm exactly, they sat down in teams with independent witnesses to take part in the UK-wide event. The bid was part of the World Book Day activities. Pupils had to be counted in, take part in mixed-age teams and do their best to answer six rounds of questions on books. Dalry working towards the world record for World’s Alex Fergusson Biggest Simultaneous Book Quiz. MSP, Brian Edgar from AN INSPIRATIONAL MAN “What’s the next thing that’s gonna kill us?” Who do you think said this? Han Solo? Doctor Who? Well you’re wrong. This is something I heard the astronaut Chris Hadfield say during his recent talk at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. This was the thought that was constantly going through his head during his time on the International Space Station. Pretty mind-blowing, huh? In fact, mind-blowing is the word to describe Colonel Chris Hadfield’s entire lecture. Colonel Hadfield is an amazing and inspirational person who had to deal with some seriously dangerous emergencies during his time on the ISS. For example, one time Houston were going to update the ISS’s system, but when it was update time the ISS stopped working and went pitch black. The crew, including Chris Hadfield, lost contact with Earth. Then the ISS started rolling out of control. Working as a team, the crew rebooted the ISS’s system using an old floppy disk (ask your parents). The crew manually controlled the ISS and tilted the antennae towards Earth. They managed to send out an SOS saying to call NASA. After telling the audience many outstanding stories like this, Colonel Hadfield talked about how you can apply these lessons to your own life. How you can work with others to solve problems. How you can keep calm under pressure. How you can persevere. During his lecture in Edinburgh, Colonel Hadfield also said that everyone should try imagining a perfect next 10 years. When he saw the moon landing as a kid he thought, “I wanna go to space.” But at that time Canada had no space agency, no astronauts and not even any sort of ground control. “But the impossible is possible,” says Chris. That’s one inspirational guy. He makes you imagine a future without limits. by Cosmas Green, age 10 Glenkens Gazette page 10 Community Police Advice on Beating Local Crime As an introduction, I am the Stewartry Crime Reduction Officer based at Castle Douglas Police Station. I have been in the Police service for approaching 29 years and been a resident in New Galloway for the last 20 years. The Glenkens area as a whole has a generally very low crime rate, with only sporadic opportunistic-type offences being reported throughout the year. There are occasions when targeted incidents occur, such as a number of recent break-ins to residential properties, or fuel thefts. However, thankfully these types of offences are few. I provided details to Dalry community council of recent matters including a break-in at a detached bungalow on the outskirts of Dalry. This happened whilst the occupant was away from the property for a prolonged period. (This was very similar to the recent spate of breakins reported across the region where cash and jewellery was targeted.) To reduce the opportunity of future housebreakings I would advise residents to consider taking the following actions: • Try to make your premises look occupied when they are not at home and if leaving properties vacant for long periods of time • Use timer switches to control internal lighting during the hours of darkness • Ensure that any mail delivered is collected and not left in view within hall/porch ways • Notify neighbours that you are away and when you expect to return. Ask them to report anything suspicious. • Review the current location of valuables within your home (don’t be predictable, such as keeping jewellery in a bedside drawer) • A neighbour’s car parked on the driveway or outside can assist to give the appearance that the property is occupied • In any case, neighbours and village residents are asked to report any suspicious persons or vehicles to the police straight away (call 999 in an emergency or 101 in less urgent cases). More recently there has been an increase in doorstep ‘cold-calling’ traders within the area. People offering roofing-type work have called at residential properties and obtained agreements to carry out PC Simon Kennedy repair/cleaning work. This was reported to police who are looking into the circumstances. In the meantime can I remind residents of the dangers of ‘doorstep crime’, especially rogue traders who usually cold-call, offering to make repairs or carry out work on the house, garden or driveway. Often they charge inflated prices for shoddy or even completely unnecessary work. Police do not recommend dealing with any coldcallers for property maintenance and repairs and advise people to contact Dumfries & Galloway council for details of accredited trusted traders for the area. PC Simon Kennedy Stewartry Crime Reduction Officer Youth Players Guild Dates Continued from front page...The young cast, several appearing in their first competition, were praised by the adjudicator for the way they clearly changed mood depending on the scenes and how they interacted with everyone else on stage. She particularly praised the two ‘recorders’ who effectively narrated the storyline and spoke clearly and with conviction throughout. She also noted the simple colourful costumes and the well-planned and motivated movement, particularly in the ‘impressive’ fight scene. A fortnight later at Stranraer, Zoe and Eilidh again staged their play along with the five other district representatives in the Western Division Festival. Once again their performance was flawless. The audience certainly appreciated the play and left the adjudicator in no doubt as to which play was their favourite! Unfortunately, whilst it was all very close in the final shake-up, the festival winners were Thistle Players from Greenock who will now represent the Western Division at the Scottish Finals in Glasgow. This was CatStrand Youth Players’ fourth appearance at the Western Finals and there is no doubt that each appearance has further enhanced their growing reputation in Scottish Youth Drama. Back to 1930 When planning their annual fundraising event, the Glenkens Royal National Lifeboat Institute committee did some research into the early days of the committee. The Ladies Lifeboat Guild, as it was then known, was formed in late 1930 with the first sale in July 1931 at which ten pounds and six shillings was raised - equivalent to approximately £475 today! This year’s coffee evening will therefore be the 85th such event held here in the Glenkens for the benefit of the lifeboats. Glenkens folk have always been generous supporters of the RNLI and the committee hope that this year will be no exception - please join us on Thursday 19 May, 7pm, at Dalry Town Hall. Glenkens Gazette page 11 Emma’s Wild Eats It’s finally Spring the time of the year when there is really no need to buy any salad greens! Here are some of the easiest and best pickable greens on offer: Dandelion flowers/leaves - young flowers raw or tempura-battered are great. The small leaves are tastiest but any can be eaten, raw or cooked. Bramble shoots - these surprisingly tasty young leaves (whilst tiny, thorns are still soft and can be rubbed off) have an interesting flavour straight off the plant, and can be steamed or added to a stir fry. Daisy leaf - one of my favourite garden surprises. Few people realise these tiny leaves are edible and have a warm, unusual flavour. Gorse flower - sweet, with the flavour of coconut, these can be eaten fresh or used to make a syrup to sweeten drinks or dressings. Hawthorn leaves - try the leaves in a salad whilst they are young and tender. Sweet violet - being common makes these very easy to use regularly. The flowers and little heartshaped leaves look beautiful in a salad. Hairy bittercress - a very tasty small plant to nibble on. It grows in attractive rosettes and leaves vary from green to purple in colour. Wood sorrel – sprinkle these magical delicate leaves and flowers on a salad for a tasty, lemony flavour. Don’t be tempted to eat them by the bucket-full as too much can cause stomach upset. Sheep sorrel – the spear-shaped leaves have a pleasant lemony flavour, like a tart apple, and are a great addition to salads, soups, cakes and sorbets. All the sorrels contain oxalic acid (as do many common everyday foodstuffs) and should be avoided by people prone to kidney stones. Ground elder - maybe the best of all garden ‘weeds’. With a parsley-like flavour, these are the basis to most of our spring and summer salads. From the shore: Sea beet - the new glossy leaves of this plant are extremely nourishing and delicious and are best raw or delicately cooked. Aileen McLeod MSP working for you across the South of Scotland Postal address: Unit 7 Loreburn Shopping Centre High Street, Dumfries, DG1 2BD Email: aileen.mcleod.msp@scottish.parliament.uk Tel: 01387 255 334 Please check www.aileenmcleod.org for regular surgery, constituency and parliamentary updates Young gorse flowers. Sea radish - with a distinctive form and flavour, this is a tasty, abundant and substantial plant to use for fermented greens or include in various recipes. The leaves, flowers and young seed pods can all be eaten. Sea kale - this plant is striking and delicious. Leaves, flower buds, flowers and seed pods can all be eaten. It is unfortunately less common, so if you do stumble across one try to leave some so it can continue to grow and reproduce. I have assumed the ability to identify these plants, but please be sure not to pick anything unless you have no doubt over what it is. Happy spring foraging! Emma Check out Emma’s blog: www.emmaswild.co.uk Bargatton Sand & Gravel Supplying sand and gravel for all your farming needs, as well as households and businesses both large and small. We stock washed fine sand, coarse sand and gravels at competitive prices. For further details contact: James Mair - 07793 085 243 Email: loch.bargatton@live.co.uk Bargatton Quarry, Laurieston, Castle Douglas, DG7 2PS Open Monday to Friday Weekends by arrangement Delivery can be arranged - subject to quantity Glenkens Gazette page 12 Over 30 Walks Feature in Festival The Glenkens will once again be playing host to walkers from across the country this May as those attending Newton Stewart Walking Festival enjoy the area. The week-long event, which runs from 6 to 12 May, is now in its 14th year and the festival programme includes over 30 all-day walks and other events, including several in the Glenkens. Walkers of a range of abilities will be able to enjoy the Glenkens during the festival. One of the easier routes starts from the old railway station in Mossdale and follows the ‘Paddy Line’ to picturesque Loch Stroan before heading along an old route towards Slogarie, and then on to Laurieston to finish at Bellymack Farm. The festival also features the ‘Cairnsmore Trilogy’, giving visitors the chance to climb three of Galloway’s Cairnsmore hills. These include Cairnsmore of Dee overlooking Clatteringshaws, and Cairnsmore of Carsphairn. For those looking for a really challenging day out in the hills, the Rhinns of Kells features in a couple of routes. One focuses on the southern Kells Exploring evidence of man’s activities in the past in the Glenkens during last year’s Newton Stewart and includes a climb to Walking Festival © Joan Mitchell. the top of Corserine (814 metres high) via North Glenkens for the help and support Gairy Top. The second is what the we have received over the years. festival organisers call the WalkFest We have several guides who help challenge – a 24-kilometre (around us each year from the area, such 15 miles) route from Forrest Lodge as Bob Peace of Galloway Mountain to Kirriereoch north of Glentrool. Rescue Team, and we are delighted The route, which includes 1,600 to work with Glenkens Community metres of ascent, takes in Galloway’s Transport who provide us with highest hills including Corserine and minibuses.” Merrick (843 metres high). The full festival programme is Joan Mitchell, chair of the festival available online at www.newton committee, said: “We are delighted stewartwalkfest.com or look out for to once again be featuring several the brochures. Alternatively call the routes in the Glenkens. Although WalkFest booking line on based in Newton Stewart, we work 01671 404 500. Joan Mitchell, Chair, to promote walking opportunities Newton Stewart Walking Festival across Galloway. We are very Committee grateful to the people of the FUNDING FOR GLENS PROJECT Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme and the Biosphere stride ahead. Following the announcement from the Heritage Lottery Fund of development funding for the Galloway Glens project, Dumfries & Galloway Council have been laying the foundations for this multi-million pound investment in the area. The first step has been to commission technical studies and recruit full-time staff. McNabb Laurie has been appointed as the Galloway Glens development officer but will already be known to some of you as the Dumfries & Galloway Council wind farms contributions officer. McNabb will be switching roles in April and is keen to involve local people at the early stages of the scheme. He says: “I am really excited about the opportunities the Galloway Glens project offers to the people and heritage of the Ken-Dee valley and I am looking forward to working with local communities to develop the project over the coming months”. The offer of support from the Heritage Lottery Fund has is a significant achievement for the Glenkens area but there is still much to be done. Biosphere Progress The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere team have recently completed the Natural Heritage Management Plan to provide information on the status, conservation and requirements of High Focus Habitats and Species within the Biosphere. The next step was to agree actions and targets with input from a wide range of individuals and organisations who have an interest in Natural Heritage across the Biosphere. The event took place at the CatStrand and provided the Biosphere team with lots of information to help develop future work. One of the actions was to gain better knowledge of where the priority habitats are located in the Biosphere area. Whorled caraway is a special plant in southwest Scotland and is often found in one of our priority habitats - purple-moor grass/rush pasture. The feathery leaves of whorled caraway are just emerging now in wetlands or wet pasture. It looks a little like yarrow from a distance, but is unusual in that its leaves form whorls right around the stem and it can be seen amongst rushes in the summer, with its distinctive white flower head. If you find whorled caraway please let us know as we want to find out how widespread this habitat is. Email location details and a photo to wendy@gsabiosphere.org.uk Whorled caraway shoots. Glenkens Gazette page 13 SHORT STORY WRITING CHALLENGE The Youth Writing Group has completed its first challenge focusing on short story writing. The project began in January with a study of The Raiders by Samuel Rutherford Crockett. Cally Phillips of the Galloway Raiders very kindly supported the project’s research by creating a section on the website called ‘Young Raiders’ which the young writers could access to find out more about the book and also about Crockett himself. Locally-based writer Margaret Elphinstone has also been supporting the project and ran a workshop on creating an effective setting. Using some of the themes explored in The Raiders, members of the Youth Writing Group set about creating their own short stories which were then displayed at CatStrand over the weekend of the Literature Festival. The Youth Writing Group was set up with the help of Mrs Nurse (Dalry Literature Co-ordinator) and is always looking to increase its membership. The group meets each Thursday from 3.30-5pm in the library at Dalry School. Please come along and join us! Sara Lockwood, CatStrand Youth Arts Officer Two young writers received tokens for their efforts. Here are extracts from their stories. Katie’s Story by Evie Prince: As I ran towards the Margaret Elphinstone presents tokens to giant otter statue, through the Dalry pupils Caitlin Blackett and Evie Prince. dark I spotted a pair of eyes watch me. I stopped so suddenly, I nearly turn and flee towards the hills behind, fell flat on my face. I got my pistol plunging over fences, stumbling out and crept towards the bushes. I through the long grasses. They have heard something crack. I readied my our best beer from the pub down the gun, and aimed. Suddenly someone road. We have to catch them! They ran out from under the cover of the are headed to the passage between bushes. I shot at him and he fell the hills, where are they going? As down, crying as he went. I cautiously the green hills loom above us and the stepped towards him, I didn’t know cold blue shadows cloak around us if he had a weapon. A sudden crack Carsphairn looks like a statue far in rang out from the rocks, and I felt the distance. The moon is climbing a hot, searing pain shoot in my leg. high in the sky and is the only light I cried out in horror as I saw one that leads us. Its pale shape hangs of them running towards one of my above the village of shadows and friends. darkness like a model. If anyone is The Smuggler Hunt by looking out of their window right now Caitlin Blackett: As we run they will think we are crazy. We are towards the field of sheep behind the losing them, they are disappearing, old school we see three pale figures and fast. Photo of the Issue Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel Competition judges Dave and Sue from the Ken Bridge Hotel chose Spring Bulbs by Nicolette Wise as this issue’s winner, saying: “As always, all entries were wonderful, but the photograph of the crocuses is a lovely sign of spring.” Nicolette wins a meal for two at the Ken Bridge Hotel’s renowned Sunday Carvery. Glenkens Gazette page 14 BALMACLELLAN AMATEUR CONCERT 1878 To the right is an example of the entertainment provided by talented locals in the Glenkens in the 19th Century. The Balmaclellan Amateur Concert of 1878 certainly had a full line-up and there are a few familiar local family names in the list of artists. I’m not sure where these concerts would have been held in Balmaclellan so if anyone has any information on this, please do let the Gazette know. As a boy I remember attending concerts in Balmaclellan Village Hall from the mid-1950s through to the 1960s. It was a very good talented and hilarious show with local farmers including Tommy Murray of Torwilkie, Bob Shankland of Low Hardland and Donald Clark of Cassenvey as well as many others. They were all very good entertainers and very funny. Bill Blythe, Blowplain Official - it was the wettest winter ever... When destructive floods hit the Glenkens this winter many people reported flooding exceeding all past experience. Statistical confirmation has come with publication of record rainfall figures for the Stewartry. Met Office figures for December, January and February show over a metre of rain fell on the area. The figure of 1025 mm is 60% more than the average figure for the three months of 645mm. Allangibbon during the December flood by Nicolette Wise. ALEX FERGUSSON MSP FOR GALLOWAY & WEST DUMFRIES Holds regular advice surgeries at: Constituency Office, New Market Street, Castle Douglas, DG7 1HY on the 2nd Friday of every month from 5pm Telephone free on 0800 028 7260 for an appointment or to make any alternative arrangement. You can visit Alex’s website at: www.alexfergusson.org.uk or contact him by e-mail at: alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Selling properties across Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries Glenkens Gazette page 15 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN VIKING GALLOWAY The recent exciting discovery of the Balmaghie Hoard, and the excellent talk at the CatStrand by Dumfries & Galloway Archaeologist Andrew Nicolson, have prompted several Glenkensians to ask me whether I have changed my views on Viking Galloway which I published, I am shocked to note, 25 years ago. The occasion was a conference at Gatehouse. Peter Hill’s thorough excavation of Whithorn was coming to an end to be published in his magnificent book of 1997, which reported undoubted finds of Viking artifacts, leading some to identify a Viking town at Whithorn. At that time it was conventional in Scottish History books to hatch maps of Galloway, along with those of Shetland, Orkney, Caithness and the Hebrides, as ‘Viking’. The point of my contribution was to argue that in fact there was very little evidence of a Viking presence in Galloway and to highlight the sheer inventiveness of local historians and others in this regard. The aim was to diss historians rather than archaeologists because the former created breathtakingly outrageous bricks out of tiny amounts of straw. As Robert De Bruce Trotter of the Dalshangan clan perceptively noted: ‘A great Gallawa author yince remarked, yt the authentic traditions o’ the country wus ey reliable – whun true. Deed! Tae my wey of thinking, they’re joost havers; some bigger leer nor or’nar joost maks them up an tells them, an some fules believes them and tells them again, an maybe improves them a wee, an than they get inta books’. There are no recorded Viking attacks on Galloway. Orkneyinga Saga states that Earl Thorfinn the Mighty of Orkney briefly visited Gaddgedlar where Scotland and England meet. A reference in Njals Saga to Hvitsborg has, for no good reason, been identified as Whithorn. There are very few Viking place-names in Galloway especially in comparison with Cumbria on the other side of the Solway. On this slender and tremulous basis PH McKerlie asserted that Thorfinn ruled over Galloway, entrusting administration to one Earl Malcolm, at Cruggleton Castle, which he spuriously claimed was built by Vikings. As it happens excavation of the castle-site showed no sign of Viking levels. Wentworth Huyshe added Christianity and accepting worship of the pagan gods. The Danes (an antiquated generic term for all Scandinavians) won a battle somewhere between Castle Douglas and Crossmichael. When they later faced defeat the leader of the Danes, Ronald fled to Galloway where he established his headquarters at Craig Ronald on the shores of Loch Grannoch, this otherwise unrecorded historical event being suggested by the place-name. Needless to say there is not a shred of evidence to back up these claims for the very good reason that absolutely none exists. Knowingly or otherwise these writers created an historical template that completely misled some archaeologists who tried to match their finds to the bogus history. The Balmaghie Hoard is hugely significant but from what little is known so far, obsessed with secrecy as the authorities appear to be, it is likely to have been deposited by transients. As Andrew Nicolson suggests, the hoarders could have been following the old Roman road, west to east, or following the ancient track north or south through the Glenkens. We must await with great interest the archaeological reports. But beware Glenkensians! The treasure is about to be plundered again by modern Vikings masquerading as bureaucrats and administrators in the Nation’s capital. Resistance may be futile but it is also necessary. My original article ‘The Vikings in Galloway A Review of the Evidence’ appears in Galloway Land and Lordship, edited by Richard Oram and Geoffrey Stell (Edinburgh, 1991). Most of my arguments still seem relevant but you can judge for yourselves. Ted Cowan The treasure is about to be plundered again by modern Vikings masquerading as bureaucrats... that Wigtown became their chief naval arsenal. They were actually the allies and protectors of the Galwegians for centuries during which time Galloway constituted ‘the real headquarters for practical offensive purposes of the Norse power’! The highly respected WG Collingwood suggested that when King Harald Finehair of Norway attacked the Isle of Man, resident Vikings fled into Galloway, though Harald’s expedition never happened. John F Robertson’s Story of Galloway, probably one of the more influential 20th century books on the province, added more lard to the mince. He wrote, according to Irish chronicles of the time, known to him but to nobody else, that the Galwegians made their peace with the Vikings by renouncing Wright’s Shop & Post Office Dalry Licensed convenience store and newsagent stocking a range of local suppliers including Corsons and Irvings Bakers, Ballards and Dalmellington Country Butchers and Mitchells Fruit and Veg. Opening Times (both shop & PO): Monday to Friday: 7am – 6pm Saturday: 8am – 6pm Sunday: 8.30am – 4pm Tel: 01644 430 225 Glenkens Gazette page 16 Who Do We Think We Were? Today’s Glenkens inhabitants come from all sorts of places and backgrounds, far and near. Everyone has a story to tell - wherever you’re from, whatever your age, and however long you’ve lived here. Now the Glenkens Gazette is launching a regular feature to celebrate who we all are and where we come from. After all, we are all shaping what will be the 21st century history of the Glenkens. Our first memoir is written by Gerry Cinderby of New Galloway with his memories of the Forest of Dean. We look forward to printing a mixture of memories, from those whose early days were in the Glenkens and from more recent arrivals from other places. So why not send us your memoir of where you come from? Please send your contribution - of no more than 500 words - by email to margaret.elphinstone@ dircon.co.uk or hand in a copy at CatStrand marked ‘Glenkens Gazette - WDWTWW’ FADING MEMORIES OF A MINING COMMUNITY by Gerry Cinderby A coal seam, sometimes barely two foot thick buried deep beneath an ancient Royal Oak Forest, cropping out in hillsides where a Freeminer might freely dig the rock hard, shiny black, fiercely burning coal. Miners summoned by the pit hooter, trudging many miles to shaft and New Galloway Golf Club more below, festooned with helmets, carbide lamps, bait tins and flasks of sweet tea. “Don’t let boy go down the dippo mother, tis filthy hot and black as hell down there.” Pit black miners trudging wearily back home still stooping from hours in a collier’s squat, hewing coal by pick and shovel from thin seams for butty boys to haul. Now smoking Woodbines and coughing up the phlegmy coal dust, savouring the cool fresh air. Easing aching bones in a tin bath in front of parlour fire, family gathered round to swap the tales of day’s events: Boy fell down in lane and cut his knee, Mrs B down road seen too close to baker’s boy, no better than she ought to be. Empty belly times when coal price was low with wages cut or worse, ‘money in the office window’ meant laid off, weakest first to go. Dole if you were lucky, time for animals and veggies; is the chicken better than the eggs ? Dare we kill a sheep we graze on Common land? When will the pig be fat enough to kill? How will we pay the doctor’s bill? Disaster at Waterloo pit, miners break into disused flooded tunnel, many missing. But old miners know old shafts and tunnels, find a way to abandoned shaft where mates wait to haul them out. Chapels full of grateful wives thanking for their men’s deliverance. The men stay home relying on their mates and providence. The rock above creaks and groans, testing props and beams until one gives way and rocks fill the tramway. Nobody killed or injured this time thank God. Then came the war and Coal was King, young and old drafted in, Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? www.nggc.co.uk Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Buggies now available for hire Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 Founded 1902 - 01644 420737 VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Gerry Cinderby ‘Bevin Boys’ from distant towns, fresh genes to mix with inbred blood. Pit head baths, canteens for bait, changing rooms and overhauls, bus to work and home again, the NUM for workers’ rights, the NCB for stateowned mines. Afterwards when war was done and labour scarce, machines not suited to thin seams so mines were closed. Nowt left now but hidden spoil heaps cloaked by firs. Proud names like Waterloo, Trafalgar, New Fancy, Strip and At It, Small Profit, passed into folklore. Familiar greetings; “How bist thee ow Butt?” answered “I be alright mind” now lost from use. Miners’ cottages repaired and sold to those who may never know the years of toil and sweat spent mining iron ore and later coal. Tourists now enjoy a tranquil scene of forest glades and gushing streams bearing watery memories from deep below. No need for mothers now to send their boys down the deep dark dippo! FHB Fencing Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) Glenkens Gazette 100 Years On... One hundred years ago the Great War was grinding on and still taking its toll. Following the heavy losses at Loos in September of 1915, more men from the Glenkens would fall in battle before the end of that year. David John Coltart, originally of Glenburn, Dalry was killed in action at the Dardanelles. His officer, Second Lieutenant Mylne, wrote: “I am more grieved than I can say about his death, as he was one of our best men, and had made himself very popular.” David is remembered on the Dalry and Thornhill memorials. James Tait of Knocksting, Dalry, was also killed. His body was not found and he is remembered on the Loos memorial and the memorials in Dalry and Moniaive. James’ brother page 17 New Book Notice: Glenkens Peter would be awarded a DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal) in 1916 and go on to survive the war. John Milroy of Carsphairn was reported missing in action at the age of 44. His father (Peter) was the local police constable in Carsphairn and John was one of six brothers who served in the war. John is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and the Carsphairn memorial. Alexander Clement of Ivy Cottage had been the first Dalry man to enlist at the outbreak of war. He would be the seventeenth and final Glenkens man to be killed. Alec was only 20 years old when he died on the hospital ship Devonlea from a gunshot wound received at Gallipoli, and was buried at sea. He is remembered on the Helles memorial and on the Dalry memorial. resident, Dr Lizanne Henderson, lecturer in cultural history at the University of Glasgow’s Dumfries campus, has just published her 382-page study Witchcraft and Folk Belief in the Age of Enlightenment: Scotland, 1670-1740 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016). She includes in-depth discussion of the Glenkens witches, Jonet McMuldritche of Airds, and Elspeth McEwen of Balmaclellan, the latter described as a woman of ‘superior education’. The book also contains a substantial case study of witch belief in Dumfries and Galloway. Lizanne writes: “Both Jonet McMuldritche and Elspeth McEwen’s houses were situated within a few miles from where I now reside in Galloway. Like Jonet, I have been known to challenge male authority and, like Elspeth, I could be described as a woman of ‘superior education’. I think of them often when passing their former abodes. It is their lives, and others like them, that this book attempts to shed some light upon, asking why such people, my one time neighbours, were so feared and despised at the dawn of Scotland’s Age of Enlightenment”. JIMMY’S CENTURY New Galloway CELEBRATIONS Golf Club Jimmy Mitchell, of Carson’s Knowe, New Galloway, celebrated his 100th birthday this February. The photograph shows him receiving his card from the Queen, presented by Richard Agnew on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant of the Stewartry, and also flowers and card from Dumfries & Galloway Council being presented by Councillor George Prentice. Jimmy also received gifts and cards from Kells and New Galloway Community Council. With Spring just around the corner, New Galloway Golf Club is looking forward to the opening day of the new season at the end of March. In readiness for the new season, the club has been hard at work refurbishing the clubhouse and carrying out winter work on the course. In an exciting development, the club has now set up a Golf Academy which is intended to offer coaching to anyone in the Glenkens who wishes to try the game of golf. Anyone interested can obtain information on the academy by using the link, Golf Academy, at www.nggc.uk The club’s junior coaching programme is also set to resume in April when we will be offering coaching to youngsters both at the club and in the local schools. Glenkens Gazette page 18 APRIL & MAY APRIL end March to mid-May, The Gallery at Laurieston: Spring Show runs between 25 March & 10 April, Wilderness Kayak Trip, 10am5pm, Galloway Activity Centre, Loch Ken, see p5 Fri 1, Zoe Rahman Trio, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 2, Open Day at Red Kite Feeding Station, 1-4pm, Bellymack Hill Farm, Laurieston, see p5 Sun 2, Poetry Reading: Sheila MacKenzie, 2.30pm, St Ninian’s Church Hall, New Galloway Tue 5, Wild Spring at Parton, 10.30am-12noon, Loch Ken Holiday Park, Parton, see p5 Thurs 7, Spring & Kites at KenDee, 10am-12noon, RSPB Ken-Dee Marshes Reserve, Mains of Duchrae, see p5 Thu 7, GTI Bus Trip: Drumlanrig Castle, see p8 Fri 8, Night-time Guided Mountain Bike Ride, 8-10pm, Galloway Activity Centre, Loch Ken, see p5 Sat 9, Galloway Glens Landscape from the Parton Viewpoint, 2-4pm, Loch Ken Holiday Park, see p5 Sat 9, Wigtown Book Festival: Writer’s Gathering, County Buildings, Wigtown, 9.30am-4.30pm Sun 10, Hands-On Day at Knowetop Lochs, 10.30am-3.30pm, Scottish Wildlife Trust Knowetop Lochs Reserve, five miles west of Corsock on A712, see p5 Mon 11, Songwriting with Emma Gillespie, 6-8pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 16, Spalding Bowling Club, green opening, 2pm, bowling green, Dalry (driveway opposite The Garage) Sat 16, The Railsplitters, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Thu 26, Puppet State Theatre Company: Leaf and Niggle by JRR Tolkein, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 20, GTI Bus Trip: Glenwhan Gardens, see p8 Sat 23, FILM: Macbeth [15], 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 27, FILM: The Possibilities Are Endless [12], 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Thu 26, GTI Bus Trip: Culzean Castle, see p8 Sat 30, GTI Bus Trip: Glenkens to Ayr & Back, see p8 MAY Fri 6–Thu 12, Newton Stewart Walking Festival, see p12 Sat 7, The Croft & Pearce Show, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 20, Emma Gillespie, Plus Special Guests, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Mon 23, Juan Martin Flamenco Trio, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 25, FILM: Chasing Ice [12], Thu 26-Sun 29, World Ceilidh Festival, Knockengorroch Farm, Carsphairn, see back page Fri 27, Cultural Connections: The Banker Who Cared, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 28, Scottish Dance Theatre: Innocence, 2pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 28, GTI Bus Trip: Glenkens to Ayr & Back, see p8 Sat 28, Robert Burns: Rough Cut, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 29, 2Magpies Theatre : Litvinenko project, 3pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 29, 2Magpies Theatre : Ventoux, 5pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wigtown Poetry Competition: Scotland’s National Booktown is again celebrating the art of poetry writing with its international competition, now in its tenth year. With a main prize of £1500 and £250 for category winners, poets can submit multiple entries with their work. The closing date for the competition is Friday 27 May 2016 and further details of how to enter and the fee structure for submissions can be found at www.wigtownbookfestival.com PLANT SALE - CREAM TEAS – CAKE STALL Balmaclellan & Kells Church are holding their annual Plant Sale with cream teas and a cake stall in Balmaclellan Village Hall on Saturday 28 May from 2-4 pm. The cost will be £2.50 per person and proceeds are in aid of church funds. A&B Welding & Fabrication Carsphairn Village Shop & Tea Room - temporary location - Lagwyne Hall ANDREW SINCLAIR 21 TOWNHEAD CRESCENT ST JOHN’S TOWN OF DALRY CASTLE DOUGLAS DG7 3UR 01644 430 332 / 07896 168 724 andyandbevsinclair@yahoo.co.uk Opening times are: Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm Saturday 9am-3pm Sunday - closed Glenkens Gazette page 19 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Margaret Morris dance 1: 3-7yrs, term-time Mondays, 3.45-4.30pm Margaret Morris dance 2: 8-16yrs, term-time Mondays, 4.30-5.15pm Access All Areas Youth Arts - Making Music: Please phone CatStrand to book session. Gentle Tai Chi: Wed, 10am, 60+ Glenkens Writing Group: First Wed each month 3-5pm Sing it Out: Thurs, 11am -12pm Pilates: Thurs, 4.15-5.15pm & 5.306.30pm CatStrand Ukes: Thurs, 1pm – 3.30pm 60+ Choreographic Skills Lab: Thurs (term-time), 7 - 8.30pm ages 12-18 Zumba Gold: Fridays (term-time), 10-11am, CatStrand, 16+ Saturday Art Club: twice a month, 10am–12noon, to book call 420 374 Zumba Kids: last Sat of the month (term-time), 10-10.45am Catstrand Youth Players: Sun during term time, 2pm Glenkens Acoustic Sessions: last Sun of the month, 2-4pm Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, (contact Kath on 430 281): Glenkens Children’s Club: Mon & Fri, 10am-12noon Paint & Art: Mon, 1.30-4.30pm & Wed, 7-9pm Ballroom & Latin Dance Class: Mon, 7.15pm, for more info call Sam Rushton on 420 672 GCC Playgroup: Tues, Wed & Thurs, 9.10-11.40am, contact Sue on 07709 929 482 Good Neighbours’ Club: Tues, 2pm Kickback Martial Arts: Thurs, 7-9pm Thursday Craft Group: Thurs, 2-4pm Brownies: Wed, 5.30-6.45pm Guides: Tues during term-time, 6.15pm, contact: Kath 430 281 Various Locations: Glenkens Walking Group, Mon & Wed, 1.30pm, contact Gerry on 420 852 Ballroom & Latin Dance: Mon, 7.30pm, Castle Douglas Primary School Mother & Toddlers: Tues, 9.4511.15am, New Galloway Town Hall Carsphairn Post Office: Tues, 13pm, Lagwyne Hall Beavers: Tues, 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training: Tues & Thurs, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Wednesday Quiz Night: Wed, 8.30pm, Cross Keys Hotel, New Galloway Stewartry Camera Club: Wed, Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: 3rd Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall. Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. United Family Service, CHURCH TIMES 10.30am, Dalry Church. 31 May, 10.30am, CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services - Balmaclellan 12noon: 1st. Carsphairn 10.30am: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th(May). Dalry (April) 12noon: 3rd, 4th. Dalry (May) 10.30am: 2nd. Dalry (May) 9am: 1st, 3rd, 4th. Kells 10.30am: 2nd(Apr), 3rd, 4th. Special Services/Events: 10 Apr, 10.30am, United Family Service, Kells Church. 22 Apr, 7.30pm, Quiz Night, Dalry Town Hall. 8 May, United Service with Choir, Kells Church Communion Service: 1 May, 12noon, Balmaclellan Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm 7.30pm, Ringford Village Hall, runs Wed 11 Sept till end Mar Zumba: Wed, 7.30-8.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, 11+ Mossdale Painters: Wed, 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Coffee & Craft Morning: Thurs, 9am-12noon, Lagwyne Hall Youth Writing Group: Thurs (during term time), 3.30-5pm, ages 10-15, Dalry School Scouts: Thurs, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut D&G Hard of Hearing Group Dropin: 1st Friday each month, 10am12noon, New Galloway Town Hall Gentle Tai Chi: Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall To hire the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) behind Dalry School call Sonja Tranter on 430 244 or Nicolette Wise on 430 218. Dalry Library Temporary Hours Tue: 12noon - 3.30pm Fri: 10am - 12noon & 1pm - 4.30pm There are 23 mobile library stops - to find out where and when please phone 430 234. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 20 GLENKENS TICKET RATES FOR WORLD CEILIDH REVELLERS This year’s World Ceilidh - Glenkens’ own international roots music festival – is fast approaching and festival organisers are excited to announce what’s on this year. Situated on a remote farm in the hills behind Carsphairn, Knockengorroch’s World Ceilidh Festival is an experience not to be missed. Organiser Liz Holmes said: “We feel it’s a really special experience to listen to live bands, often who have travelled from quite far flung parts of the world, in the surroundings of the beautiful mountains of the Southern Uplands.” Some of the music which will be ringing out over the hills this May are Scottish ensembles Skerryvore and Niteworks, Awry, Auntie Flo, and Optimo plus many more Scottish artists, Black Uhuru all the way from Jamaica, and, closer to home, Castle Douglas’ own Dangleberries. .As always there is so much more than music on offer, with dance, spoken word, comedy and theatre, arts, music and environmental workshops as well as visual arts and light installations, session areas, open fires, a kids area, real ales, global goods stalls, delicious local food and drink, fire shows, a sauna, a healing area and more... To welcome those from afar and celebrate the movement of life across this planet the World Ceilidh 2016 has a theme of migration and journeying. Whether seasonal or permanent, migration in 2016 continues and festival-goers are encouraged to get creative and celebrate journeys of all types. 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 JUNE/JULY COPY DEADLINE: 5 MAY The festival runs from Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 May 2016. To book advance tickets visit www.knockengorroch.org.uk Special discount on tickets for Glenkens residents! 10% off advance ticket prices at the rate current at time of application for residents of New Galloway, Balmaclellan, St Johns Town of Dalry and Carsphairn. Email info@knocken gorroch.org.uk for how to apply. Sunday afternoon ceilidh Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050 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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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 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:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). 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 News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry June/July 2016 ISSUE 94 FREE COMMUNITY COUNCILS AXED BY ‘DRACONIAN’ REGION Thirty-seven community councils, elected only last October, have been dissolved by Dumfries & Galloway Council. The suppressed councils include three of the four councils in the Glenkens - New Galloway & Kells, Dalry, and Carsphairn. Only Balmaclellan has escaped the purge. Andi Holmes, Chair of Dalry Community Council until its dissolution in April, described the region’s decision as ‘draconian’. He gave this reaction to the Gazette: Our community councils have been silenced without warning, trial or appeal, writes Andi Holmes. Where else in the democratic world can one authority play judge, jury and executioner of another elected body without accountability, and in such a draconian way? How this came to be is not straightforward. To be fair to Dumfries and Galloway Council, they did not light the match that started this, but they did provide plenty of kindling. This travesty of justice began back in 2012 with Dumfries and Galloway’s Fourth Periodic Review, which included the amended scheme for the establishment of all our community councils. There followed through 2013 three public consultations where community councils could comment on the proposed amendments, which they did. However, the critical ‘three month clause’, by which time amended constitutions had to be adopted, was apparently slipped in after the public consultation phase ended hardly democratic! The reasons why so many community councils came to be dissolved are many and varied. In Dalry for instance, our constitution was adopted on November 2 last year, within the required short time frame, however we did it at the ‘wrong type’ of meeting. This was a mere procedural error for which we have now been summarily dissolved. It should also be noted that there was a pronounced lack of promised support from Dumfries and Galloway Council during this whole exercise. Continued on page 10... Kells School putting their support behind the New Galloway community shop bid - see story on p4. A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette CAN YOU HELP SAVE OUR PLAYGROUP? In August 2013, Glenkens parents obtained funds from the Big Lottery Families & Communities Fund to re-start Playgroup after council cuts meant it was forced to close. To date, GCC Playgroup has operated through the support of this fund, but this is now closed and without further funding GCC Playgroup will close after the current school year. GCC Playgroup is the only childcare provision for two-yearolds for 13 miles, and has a track record of providing fun, safe and creative play for children aged two and three in the Glenkens. Typical activities include messy play, baking, outdoors exploring, dens and climbing frames as well as trips out-and-about locally. page 2 In the Autumn of 2015, GCC Playgroup was awarded very good marks by the Care Inspectorate (4 and 5 from a 6point scale, which translates as ‘good’ and ‘very good’). GCC Playgroup’s successes are most clearly evidenced by the growing track record of GCC Playgroup children enjoying a walk in the woods. well-rounded, independent Likewise, in some cases Playgroup children entering school. Less provided the first real respite from obvious, but equally important, are full-time care for two years. GCC the benefits to parents. Playgroup Childrens Club comprises two has allowed at least three parents elements: a stay-and-play sessions ...the fund is now closed and without further funding GCC Playgroup will close after the current school year. to start micro-businesses, while others undertake home-based employment, which simply would not have been possible otherwise. for all babies, toddlers and preschoolers in the area, and a fullystaffed Playgroup for children from aged two. Both groups fulfill an otherwise unmet need in the Glenkens. If anyone reading this can help with funding our Playgoup, please get in touch with GCC Playgroup chair Sarah Parry on 07810 256 299 or sarah.parry@ed.ac.uk £2.3 Million Film Deal Rejected to Stay True to Scottish Roots The film planned for production later this year to tell the story of ‘butterfly girl’ Alex Hood won’t go ahead as planned. Based on the book written by father Robin, Smile Daddy I’m Dying, the film was set to recount Alex’s life with the tragic condition of epidermolysis bullosa (eb) from which she sadly died in 2008, aged 19. Robin says: “I turned down an offer of £2.3 million to turn my book into a film as they wanted to change the story to an English version. Although I was born in England, I have lived in Scotland for most of my life and this was not acceptable. “Alex was born in Dumfries and her ashes are scattered here on Loch Ken. The local communities of the Glenkens were so supportive of our family, even when we had just moved here. And the Scottish people have been so generous. To take the story to England would be hypocritical.” Robin Hood spend over 20 years fundraising to find a cure for eb, and in the process set a precident in Scotland for the Debra charity – which at that time, in 1994, had only one outlet in the world. During the time Robin worked with the charity he travelled the globe, showing other countries how to replicate the charity model he had set up in Scotland. There are now 53 Debras worldwide and over £30 million has been raised to date. When asked if that is the film off the cards now, Robin says definitely not. There are plans afoot for a Scottishmade film in the near future, but perhaps not the November 2016 start date originally anticipated. Robin says: “If the English version were the only way the film could be made then I’d say no, the film won’t go ahead. But that isn’t the case – I’m sure the film can be made, but it’s got to be made in a way I’m comfortable with, Alex’s mother is comfortable with, her brother is comfortable with. Scotland is going to get the credit for the support they have given.” Glenkens Gazette page 3 BADEN-POWELL AWARD FOR 1ST GLENKENS GUIDE UNIT 1st Glenkens Guide Unit were pleased to host a special gathering of invited friends and family to celebrate the fact that two guides, Annabelle Mc Adam and Cara Ramsay, were to be presented with their Baden-Powell Awards. For the past year the two girls have been working towards this prestigious award, which is the highest available to a guide. Each girl took their own pathway to the award, and had to complete a selection of challenges which called upon extra dedication and enthusiasm over and above their weekly guiding commitment. Only a relatively small number of guides manage to achieve this distinction in any one year, and we congratulate them both on their success. Cara and Annabelle put on a show of the work they did to meet the challenges, and each made a very effective speech about their Guide age group is 10 to 14 years, guiding experiences. The unit and enquiries can be made to Mrs also kept their guests entertained Peace (01644430281) or to Mrs with some campfire songs, before McAdam (01644430393), or by being presented with their badges going on-line to Join Us on the and certificates by Girguiding Girlguiding UK website. Stewarty’s County Commissioner, Mrs Barbara Murray. Cara was also presented with her International Neckerchief, as a gift from the guides, to say ‘well done!’. We are proud to say that she has been selected to represent Girlguiding Scotland at an International Jamboree in Finland later this year. Guests then enjoyed a lovely buffet organised by the unit, and Cara and Annabelle cut into a beautiful cake, specially made and decorated by their Young Leader, Kimberly McAdam. Our guide unit meets every Tuesday evening in Glenkens Community Centre, and new members would be Cara Ramsay and Annabelle McAdam with County made especially welcome. Commissioner Mrs Barbara Murray. AFRICA COMES TO THE GLENKENS The Clachan Fair on Saturday 11 June will feature a free performance by the Akrowa Dance Ensemble - a cultural drumming and dance group from Ghana. They will present a rich repertoire of traditional West African pieces told through song, music & movement. Andrew Mellor from Dalry is particularly pleased that the group will be performing in Dalry because his daughter, Amy, was married to one of the group’s performers, Adie Baako, in Ghana last December. “Whatever the Scottish weather throws at us on the day,” he said, “I know that Adie and his colleagues will raise the temperature by bringing us the warmth, colour and joy of Africa. An Akrowa performance is spellbinding, exhausting and exhilarating all at once.” After the performance in Dalry at 1pm Akrowa will be holding dance and drumming workshops at the Catstrand. Book now! Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by EVERYTHING listed in the Glenkens Freecycle section is FREE - you just need to contact the owner and go and pick it up! If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch with Sarah on 07727 127 997 or email glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk VARIOUS Slimline water butt with stand and tap but no lid. Contact: 07563 718 011 2 x 3 foot fish tanks with sand, 1 x 2foot fish tanks with sand. Contact: 420 679 Upright piano in good working order. Steel frame. All notes & pedals work but would benefit from re-tuning after moving. It will take several people to lift it into a van or similar. From smoke and pet free home. Collection from Mochrum near Knockvennie. Contact: Trevor on 440 683 Folding bed with mattress suitable for occasional use for a child. Not suitable for adults. From smoke and pet free home. Collection from Mochrum near Knockvennie. Contact: Trevor on 440 683 Small garden chairs, one hardwood, two metal. Contact: Annikki on 460 640 WANTED Old bicycle, ladies or gents, any condition. Contact: Roger on 01557 330 887 Practical artistic polymath with no garden/shed space offering quality labour and plenty of laughter in exchange for use of garden/shed space. Contact: Roger on 01557 330 887 HOUSE TO LET Very desirable secluded 3-bedroom country cottage between Parton & Corsock, 10 miles North of Castle Douglas, on wooded hillside in very quiet location, half-mile up track and with fantastic views. Would suit professional couple or retired, not suitable for children. Non smokers only. Possibly one well behaved pet. Rent £595 pcm. Contact: 07932 159 520 or trevprocter@aol.co.uk SHOP PLANS TAKE SHAPE The children of Kells primary school were among the first to be consulted on the forthcoming bid for Big Lottery funding to create a community shop and hub in New Galloway. They were full of ideas and questions. Visiting the shop is clearly an important feature of village life for most of them. Several of them were among the CatStrand young Saturday artists who produced the campaign banner which you can expect to see at future events. Our project manager Helen Keron and members of the shop team will be visiting other groups over the coming weeks and there will be general open sessions in the Town Hall - watch out for posters. Previous surveys have clearly demonstrated an overwhelming wish to keep a shop in the village but we are now gathering details of needs - and ideas to meet them which would create not just a shop but a social well-being hub offering services ranging from laundry to collective fuel purchasing. To succeed in our Big Lottery bid we need to demonstrate the multiple ways a thriving shop and hub could serve the village and improve the quality of life in the long term. We are gathering evidence too of the negative impact on a village when it loses the final shop ranging from increased loneliness to reduced house prices. If you have experienced this situation elsewhere, we would like to hear from you. New Galloway Community Enterprises Ltd (NGCE), the community benefit co-operative planning to buy Hopkins’ Shop and house, has now lodged a planning application for the development of the shop and the creation of two self-catering flats above it. These will be targeted particularly at the tourists who come here for outdoor pursuits - walking, a great debt to Jim and Margaret Hopkins and Marie McClurg for their patience and helpfulness. We are also finalising a comprehensive business plan describing how our proposals will work in practice. The 70-page grant application will be submitted to the Big Lottery in July and they will make their decision in November or December. If successful, the grant will allow us to purchase and renovate the shop and house, allowing a community shop and all the other community benefits to start in earnest in Spring 2017. NGCE has some 80 shareholders whom we had to recruit in a rush over one weekend to meet an earlier deadline in the process. We know that many others want to be involved so look for news of a relaunched share offer shortly. A share offer is a way for everyone in the community to be involved in the community shop project - you can purchase one or several £10 shares, and this social investment will ensure you are part of this community endeavour. NGCE will soon be one year old and will be holding its first AGM in the summer. If you want further information, or if your organisation or group would like to contribute ideas or discuss the plans, email ngcommunityshop @gmail.com or call 07789 693 698. A share offer is a way for everyone in the community to be involved in the community shop project... cycling, fishing, bird watching, golfing, star-gazing - or just to enjoy the scenery. For that reason the proposed plans include drying areas for boots and clothes, just in case it ever rains, and safer storage for bikes and other equipment. It is hoped promoting tourism will bring trade to the shop and other local businesses and generate employment opportunities. Preparing the plans has involved a succession of site visits by numerous professionals and agencies and as ever we owe Mike Brown, Chair NGCE Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by Dalry Primary has been working hard on their school garden, with the gardening club planning a full overhaul of the school beds. Children and grown-up helpers filling beds with fresh topsoil. Seeds have been planted, the greenhouse is up, docorations are being created to brighten up the out-side of the school and plans are underway for some floral magic... The vegetable beds in the school garden have been replenished with lots of nutrientrich horse manure and good topsoil. Everything has been weeded and watered. Seeds have been planted, seedlings nurtured and planters filled. The children have been working so hard, enthused by the wiggling worms, hard digging and the growth, they are already seeing in the garden. A big shout-out goes out to the wider community for anyone with a green thumb who has a few free hours a week to help out with the Gardening Club. It runs on a Tuesday lunchtime and a Thursday afternoon – if you would like to get involved please contact Mrs Devlin at gw08officedalry Beds nicely filled and tatties ready to be planted. Glenkens Gazette Successful Fundraiser Marie Curie St Margaret’s Church Ladies Guild held a Plant and Bake Sale in aid of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance. A wealth of plants, shrubs and flower and vegetable seedlings were displayed in the garden area outside the church in New Galloway and the fine weather allowed visitors to enjoy a cup of tea outside in the sun as well as inside the delightful Arts and Craft interior where a tremendous array of cakes baked by guild members proved very popular. Christine Rankin, the Guild President, comments: “we are very grateful for all who helped us raise a total of £570 for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance. The floods at the end of last year which cut off so many of us in the Glenkens served as a reminder of what an important charity this is, particularly in rural areas, and we are delighted to have been able to help them.” Scout Jumble Thanks The leaders of the Glenkens Cub Scout Pack and Beaver Colony would like to thank the group committee, parents and Friends of Scouting for all the hard work and helping us to raise an amazing £1,226 at our jumble sale. This would certainly not happen but for the kind folk of the Glenkens and beyond who donate to the annual sale and will keep us afloat for another year. We would also like to thank the people from near and far who came along and supported us by purchasing goods on both Saturday and Sunday. This is a very special year for the Cub Scouts as they celebrate their Centenary year and Beavers are also celebrating their 30th birthday. Lots of exciting activities are planned including a district camp at High Barbuchany Centre, Newton Stewart, at the end of May and a visit to the cinema to watch The Jungle Book on which Cubs are based. The group are currently looking for a new Scout Leader and Assistant Scout Leaders (Scouts are age 10 and a half to age 14), or leaders for an Explorer Scout unit (Explorers are age 13 and a half to age 18). It will provide access to interesting and exciting activities for both adults and youngsters alike. Please get in touch (01644 420 375) if you would like more information or to have a chat with any of our leaders. Again a heartfelt thanks to you all for your continued support, it is much appreciated. Heather McIntosh A LOVE OF CYCLING IN THE GLENKENS A questionnaire was circulated to identify how many bicycles are in our community and who wants to ride a bike. The findings were that 95 families in the Glenkens with children at school own bikes - and more often than not, several bikes! There was an overwhelming interest in cycling among the children who responded. Winners of the questionnaire prize draw were: Carsphairn - Hanna Ade-Macrae, Kells - Lewis Barclay and Dalry - Rhys Ferguson, who each won a £10 token for the Catstrand. Lucky them! So what next? Refresh your cycling skills? Any age , any ability...contact June if you want to rehearse basic cycling skills at junehay@glenkensbb.co.uk page 6 Great Daffodil Appeal 2016 Thanks to the generosity of the communities and participating outlets in New Galloway and Dalry, just over £150 was raised for Marie Curie Cancer Care during this year’s Daffodil Appeal. This is a 50 per cent increase on last year’s total and it will go towards much needed practical nursing care for terminally ill people in our area. Marie Curie nursing services are totally free to patients and their families and the Daffodil Campaign is a vital part of fundraising for the charity. Our communities have generously supported the charity since 1996. Countertop cans will be available for any donations throughout the year, for which, once again, many thanks. Glenkens Community Shop Thanks The Glenkens Community Shop would like to send thanks to the family, friends and colleagues of Annie Winstanley who, instead of flowers, donated a total of £1,000 to our charity. We are very thankful for such generosity. Although it will never, of course, replace a good friend, it will enable us to do more for our community. Shirley McNaught, Manager, Glenkens Community Shop Glenkens Gazette page 7 CatStrand Highlights The exciting Summer Season gets underway at CatStrand on 4 June with a visit from the fantastic Unthanks. Fresh from playing at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in May they make their CatStrand debut with their full five-piece band. The band have a diverse army of notable fans including the likes of Dawn French, Elvis Costello and Ewan McGregor and their appearance at CatStrand certainly promises to launch the new season of events in fine style. Other musical highlights include Dumfries & Galloway’s own Claire Hastings and her band on Friday 17 June. Claire of course was BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2015 and we are delighted to be welcoming her back to CatStrand for the first time since she won the prestigious award. July sees the long awaited visit of Orkney band Saltfishforty on Saturday 9, then an American double bill on Wednesday 20 July featuring Hillfolk Noir from Idaho and 10 String Symphony from Nashville before the much anticipated appearance of Dean Owens and the Whisky Hearts on Thursday 28 brings the month to a close. Dean has been described as “Scotland’s most engaging and haunting singer-songwriter” and the Whisky Hearts feature Dalry’s own Amy Geddes on fiddle. Away from music, on Saturday 11 June we welcome Ghanaian dance group Akrowa who will be performing in Dalry at the Clachan Fair and then holding workshops at CatStrand. Fred MacAulay returns for his third visit on Sunday 17 July, one of Scotland’s best loved and funniest comedians he is on tour with his new solo show Life and we cannot wait to welcome him Unthanks See our latest brochure or visit our website for programme details. Book online at www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420374. back to CatStrand again for what is sure to be another full house. The cinema screenings include the blockbusters Spectre (12) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (12) showing on 16 June and 14 July respectively, and also the beginning of the Scottish Perspectives Season with Where You’re Meant To Be (15) on 29 June and The Wicker Man: Final Cut (15) on 27 July. There are many more fabulous events throughout August and September too - for full details take a look at our Summer programme, or why not call into the CatStrand, view our latest art exhibition by Leo Blamire and enjoy a relaxing coffee in the café while we book your tickets for you. The CatStrand Team was CatStrand Youth Players’ first ever entry into the SCDA Festival in 2009, the current generation of young actors are looking forward to putting their own stamp on the production and entertaining their 2016 audience! The second play is a modern play by popular Canadian playwright Bradley Hayward, ‘Outside the Box’ is described as a ‘dramedy’ and as the description suggests mixes some comedy moments with some poignant scenes too. Thinking outside the box is not always easy, especially when the world requires you to live on the inside. Exhausted from cramming into corners where they do not fit, six teenagers turn things inside out by inviting others to see things from a whole new perspective. On the outside, balloons change colour, brooms become dance partners and kites fly without a string. Step outside and see for yourself! After the summer holidays, the season starts again with rehearsals for the annual pantomime to be staged as usual in early December. The summer won’t see everyone idle though, far from it in fact, as work continues on the brand new script being created by the Dalry School Writing Group. A modern take on Macbeth, it is hoped to hold the World Premier performance later in the year – watch this space! The Youth Players are also looking forward to a trip to watch the SCDA Scottish Youth Final at Eastwood Park Theatre in Giffnock on 18th June and as usual there is a full programme of youth arts events and workshops to keep everyone busy throughout the school holidays. CatStrand Youth Players After the excitement and tension of the SCDA Youth Festival, the Youth Players have settled back into rehearsals for their next show at CatStrand to be staged just before the end of term on Sunday 26 June. Appropriately, ‘We’ll Be Home Tomorrow’ by Wayne Denfhy is a humorous story about the typical family summer holiday. Starting as the kids break up for the holiday and then fast-forwarding through the hectic summer before they are all back to school again wondering where the time went!! This cleverly written, fast moving short play Glenkens Gazette page 8 What’s SUP This Summer? Learning a new skill is often near the top of any good bucket list. So why not tick this item off your list this summer and head down to Loch Ken Waterski & Wakeboard School? Based at Loch Ken Marina, just above Parton, the watersports centre offers water-skiing, wakeboarding and new for 2016 Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) a craze that is currently sweeping the waterways of the world. “We cater for young, old, complete beginners and seasoned pros,” says manager Roddy Clarke. “There’s something for everyone here, whether you’re a complete thrill-seeker or would just like a nice day out with the family.” The water sports centre has been open since the summer of 1999 when Roddy, a past pupil from Laurieston Primary School and former Scottish Water Ski Champion, set the ski school up. “Since this time the school has been taking people out from May to September, helping people enjoy themselves and learn new skills,” says Roddy. “I learnt as a young child. I was basically thrown into a Loch with two oversized skis attached to my feet and told to hold on at the end of a rope - it was a bit ‘sink or swim’. Thankfully things have moved on a lot since then. All beginners receive a land lesson and Roddy Clarke taking a spin round Loch Ken. start off on a training bar. You don’t even sports equipment can be provided by need to have a wetsuit, we have all the the centre, both for rental and sale. So equipment here for our clients to use, drop in and see us! You may even be free of charge.” lucky enough to see one of the current Boat driving advice and tuition is champions based at Loch Ken out also available and a full range of water training. Emma Cook Two lucky Glenkens Gazette readers can win a ‘come and try’ session at the Loch Ken Waterski & Wakeboard School worth £22 each! Just answer the question: on which page of this issue’s magazine will you find two award-winning local lassies? SPALDING BOWLING LOCAL CLUB OPENS FOR 2016 AUTHOR Sheila MacKenzie presented her recently published book Greece 2013 and Other Poems at an opening at the Ken Bridge Hotel. Spalding Bowling Club opened for the new season with Valerie Russell throwing the first Jack (pictured above). President Peter Hamilton welcomed everyone, then after tea and biscuits (and a snow shower!) 26 played in the first sweep of 2016. THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm 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 � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � Wright’s Shop & Post Office Dalry Licensed convenience store and newsagent stocking a range of local suppliers including Corsons and Irvings Bakers, Ballards and Dalmellington Country Butchers and Mitchells Fruit and Veg. Opening Times (both shop & PO): Monday to Friday: 7am – 6pm Saturday: 8am – 6pm Sunday: 8.30am – 4pm Tel: 01644 430 225 Although Sheila has lived in the Glenkens for over twenty years, her initial inspiration did not come from this beautiful area but from the sight of a broken statue of a kouros on a hillside on the Greek island of Naxos. Sheila had wanted to visit Greece since she was a teenager but only achieved this ambition in 2015 when, making up for lost time, she travelled there three times. The book, however, is not limited to poems about Greece, and features poems covering a variety of subjects including the Glenkens. Sheila would like to acknowledge the contribution of Leo Blamire to the presentation and design of the book. Anyone interested in following up this article will find copies of Greece 2015 and Other Poems for sale at the Catstrand. Glenkens Gazette page 9 EDINBURGH RESIDENTIAL Primary six and seven pupils from the Glenkens visited Edinburgh for a residential trip. On the first day the pupils from Carsphairn, Dalry and Kells visited Edinburgh Castle and the Camera Obscura. After dinner, they went on an organised ghost walk and were told a number of stories about life in the city hundreds of years ago. Day two began with walk around Arthur’s Seat. The group then walked to the Scottish Parliament to meet Alex Fergusson MSP for a guided tour. After lunch in one of the committee rooms, we visited the National Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street. On the last day we visited Dynamic Earth before returning home. The visit ended by watching a film on stars in the 360 degree show dome at Dynamic Earth.’ Zane Gray, Depute Head Teacher, Kells Primary School Outdoor Wellbeing The amazing weather over the last few weeks has given Glenkens pupils of all ages the opportunity to enjoy being out and about whilst undertaking a wide range of activities. Some of our primary students have been working intensively on their swimming during May and it has been great to see their progress. Dalry primary has been undertaking the Daily Mile which has been vigorously encouraged across Scotland. Pupils and staff have been able to exercise and chat at a suitable point in their day, which has been shown to boost energy and concentration levels overall. The Gardening Clubs in the Glenkens’ schools benefit from the enthusiasm and generosity of volunteers and rely on the community to respect the open nature of our school sites to ensure that the efforts of volunteers and pupils come to fruition later in the year (see the Eco Feature on p5). Over the Easter vacation seven outdoor gym stations were installed on the school field as a result of generous bequests by two former residents of Dalry. The outdoor gym is for pupil use during the school day and community use at other times. As the S4 are working their way through the exam season, we believe that the views of the beautiful Glenkens through their exam-room windows and the opportunity to be out-and-about in between, can be of benefit and we wish them well in their efforts. S3 are off on work experience and as ever we are grateful to employers for giving young people such wonderful opportunities to taste the ‘World of Work’. Health and wellbeing remain central to the success of our young people and we continue to seek opportunities to enhance it. Jenny Smith, Headteacher , Dalry School Carsphairn Primary Once again the summer term has been a very busy one for the boys and girls at Carsphairn Primary. As usual, we have been taking our learning beyond the four walls of the school to support what we have been learning in class. In RME, we have kicked off our Buddhism topic with a trip to Samye Ling Temple in Dumfries. In technology, Mr Murray from the secondary at Dalry has invited us to use the woodworking room where we have designed and built outdoor signs. Finally, we are back doing our outdoor learning this term. We have been looking at how we use the world around us, and the children have been looking at the school grounds and preparing it so that we can take more of our daily classwork outside – because outdoor learning doesn’t always have to include a trip to the forest! We wanted to do something special for our P7 pupils to end the year before they went down the road to Dalry Secondary. We have had a particularly strong year group this year, with Grace Temple, Sarah McCreath and Hana Ade MacRae all earning the highest level of ‘Honours Reader’ on the Accelerated Reader Programme used across the cluster. As such, for our end of term trip this year we are doing a very ambitious trip paddling down the Ken. We will be using canoes to paddle from our layin point, likely at the Kenbridge, and paddling right the way down to the Galloway Activity Centre, where we will have a barbeque for dinner and spend the night in Mongolian yurts! After what is likely to be a restful night sleep and a hardy breakfast, we will return to our canoes and continue Carsphairn school pupils having lunch outside. down the river for the next day. We are hoping for wonderful weather, and on behalf of all staff at the school I would like to thank all the pupils for another wonderful year! Walker McKenna, Teacher, Carsphairn Primary Glenkens Gazette page 10 Hats Off for New Galloway SWRI Members of New Galloway SWI enjoyed a lovely talk given by Miss Linda Adams on Flair in Your Hair with Hats & Fascinators from Flairs in Castle Douglas. It was a lovely afternoon with Miss Adams giving members a glimpse into the feminine world of ladies headwear for those special occasions. Feathers have been used for selfadornment since early times, and are dyed to suit the colour needed. Abbaca Straw is a good base and again can come in many colours, combining the two and attached to a hat or headband, suddenly a beautiful creation appears like magic. Goose, chicken, ostrich and peacock feathers are used. These can be changed by use of curling tongues, split and trimmed to give a different appearance. Ribbons and beads can be added. Woven straw can be shaped and twisted to make flower shapes. Headwear is then assembled with stitching or hot glue. Silk flowers and floristry accessories can be used. Some hats need to be made on a special mould, which makes the hat expensive. There are many occasions ladies need a special hat, after family weddings, christenings, and birthdays, Ascot is well known for its “Ladies Days” when a lady cannot be seen without some amazing creation on her head. Royalty are famous for their hats, particularly Princess Eugenie who wore a very high creation, and then sold it on ebay to raise a vast amount of money for charity! Secretary Helen Bullock gave the vote of thanks for such a lovely talk on a subject close to ladies hearts – or heads! Helen Bullock LOCAL INITIATIVES IN NEW GALLOWAY It has been a busy time since we took over management of New Galloway town hall. from D&G Sports & Leisure hasn’t happened due to their restrictions. We’ll look at this again in the autumn. Zumba with Sam continues on Wednesday evenings. The Look-in, Linger and Lunches have started with the soup and pudding lunch provided by Love to Eat duo Dawn and Helen. With the lunches paid by those attending the hall costs are paid by LING and a grant from the Integrated Health Fund to enable a 6 month pilot. The first lunch which took place before writing this was well received and the quality of the food much praised. These lunches are open to all so come along! Table Top Sales will continue and the summer Pop-up Museum is in progresso. D&G Council has been busy working on various aspects of the fabric of the building dealing with damp on the south end and the installation of a new boiler. The Hall has been hired for birthday and other parties and the Richters from Dalbeattie are due to perform on Saturday 21st May. The Women’s Institute hld their monthly meetings on Wednesday afternoons. Keep a look out in the usual places for what’s happening. Continued from front page... proportionate and appropriately regulated, not at the whim of D&G Council. Andi Holmes Councils to be in, so Council staff have been working to ensure these groups can be re-established at the earliest opportunity. By-elections will be held on 7 July 2016 and 34 of these communities have applied to be re-established. The remaining communities are considering next steps or planning to apply for re-establishment in the near future. Prior to this, one Community Council was already considering establishing themselves as a Community Group rather than a formal Community Council, and they have now confirmed they wish to do so. We will now be in contact with the Community Councils to advise them of the process which will now be followed. A notice of election to seek nominations in the affected communities will be placed in the local press in the coming weeks. Tuesday evenings has seen the start of a sports evening of indoor bowls in the Lesser Hall and Table Tennis in the Main Hall. Unfortunately our Table Tennis table we had acquired through Freecycle a few years ago had become warped and saucer shaped! However, Kells School has come to the rescue with passing on a very sturdy surplus table. Unfortunately the badminton which was to be set up with help If the Council had done its job properly, this unfortunate situation might never have occurred. Most of the affected community councils are now in the process of getting reestablished with elections scheduled for July 7. A full inquiry now needs to be made into how this disaster was allowed to happen in the first place, and those responsible held to account for their actions. But most importantly, legislation needs to be enacted to ensure that this can never happen again. Community councils should have to account for their actions like anyone else, but any sanctions should be fair, (Former Chair, Dalry Community Council) The Gazette asked D&G council to comment. This is their response: Community Councils play a vital role in our local communities across a range of issues. We recognise the time that individuals devote voluntarily to service their communities. During April we confirmed, following legal advice, that 37 Community Councils had dissolved themselves for failing to properly adopt constitutions. This followed a complaint by a member of the public and was not a position we wanted Community Glenkens Gazette page 11 Emma’s Wild Eats Coming into the summer season there are too many wild foods to list, so I can’t resist focusing on one of the many amazing fungi that we are lucky enough to have growing around us. I thought it might be useful to give some tips for identification, but please don’t trust just me - use a few sources of information to help you, and make sure only to pick mushrooms if you are in no doubt about what they are. Let’s’ talk about chanterelles, whose main season is summer to late autumn. Chanterelles tend to grow in dappled sunlight under birch, although they will grow in most woodland, usually under deciduous trees, and tend to grow in small groups, over larger areas. If you find an orange mushroom under conifers be instantly suspicious as it is likely to be a false chanterelle. Some state that false chanterelles are poisonous (as they have been known to have a hallucinogenic effect) whilst others say they will do you no harm. Thankfully the chanterelle is one of the most distinctive mushrooms and once you have your ‘eye in’ can be spotted from quite some distance! The false chanterelle is smaller, paler, has true gills (tightly packed and even) and usually has a much more even, round mushroomy shape. Google for plenty of images and consult books and you’ll soon get the idea. CHANTERELLE: Colour: Bright egg-yolk-yellow Smell: Fragrant, apricot-like, distinctive and very useful in identification Cap: 3–10cm across. The cap margin is lobed and wavy, particularly in older specimens and similarly becomes more depressed at the centre and paler in colour as they age Stem: Narrower at the base Gills: Decurrent, vein-like gills that extend down the stem somewhat and do not stop abruptly at the stem. These are the same colour as the rest of the fungus and are often described as looking like combed plasticine Chanterelles Texture: Firm and rubbery, until cooked at which point they take on the most satisfying meatiness Flavour: I can’t do it justice! Gently fried for about 10 minutes, first at a high temperature to cook off the water, they will shrink and produce an incredible flavour. At this point add a bit of butter to brown slightly and use your imagination; make risotto, creamy sauce or stick them in the freezer for later - but don’t miss out on trying them. Happy summer foraging! Emma Check out Emma’s blog: www.emmaswild.co.uk Bargatton Sand & Gravel Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Selling properties across Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries Supplying sand and gravel for all your farming needs, as well as households and businesses both large and small. We stock washed fine sand, coarse sand and gravels at competitive prices. For further details contact: James Mair - 07793 085 243 Email: loch.bargatton@live.co.uk Bargatton Quarry, Laurieston, Castle Douglas, DG7 2PS Open Monday to Friday Weekends by arrangement Delivery can be arranged - subject to quantity Glenkens Gazette ARNDARROCH OPEN GARDEN Arndarroch Garden will one again be opened by D&G Canine Rescue Centre on 17 June, with a few changes since last year’s open day. Some changes have taken place since last Open Day, with many trees being felled to give more light into the woodland planted in 2000. Shade tolerating perennials and shrubs have been added to make a woodland garden. The whole garden is wildlife friendly and this includes the numerous rabbits. Many birds find nesting places in the trees and shrubs while some are helped by unusual nest ‘boxes’. Garden waste material is used in the woodland to provide homes for many mammals and countless smaller creatures. Peregrine Falcons and Red Kites often circle over the garden. There is a good collection of herbaceous perennials, trees and shrubs, some rare , and many seats are available with views over Loch Kendoon and the hills beyond. Entrance to the garden is £3.50 with school-age children free. Teas are £2.50, and there will be a plant stall and small craft exhibition. The garden is open from 2pm-5pm, and dogs on leads are welcome. The two charities benefitting from the day are D&G Canine Rescue Centre (60%) and Carsphairn Church Benevolent Fund (40%). Arndarroch is on the B7000, five miles from Dalry or Carsphairn. page 12 YOUTH REPORTERS WANTED Want to be a youth reporter? Into art and design? Fancy a go at photography? Want the chance to interview a band or review a favourite film? We are looking for budding young contributors to create a youth section within the Glenkens Gazette. All abilities and interests - open to all under 25. Please get in touch with Dave at the CatStrand on davem@catstrand.com Photo of the Issue Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel Competition judges Dave and Sue from the Ken Bridge Hotel chose Garroch Bluebells by John McBeth as this issue’s winner, saying: “Super photos once more but the photo of the Garroch bluebells is, I think, the best simply because it is a beautiful sign of the season...” John wins a meal for two at the Ken Bridge Hotel’s renowned Sunday Carvery. GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway W BONE THE GARAGE, DALRY OPEN 8.30AM - 6PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS - FUEL 24 HOURS - MOT CENTRE FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY � 01644 420234 � Tel: 01644 430 208 Fax: 01644 430 669 jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 13 Updates on the War: 100 Years On The months of April and May 1916 would see a further four names to be added to the war dead of the Glenkens. Alex McCheyne of High Street, New Galloway, was killed at the age of just 19. He had been serving at Hulloch in France with 7th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders, when he was killed by a shell splinter. Alex was the youngest of five brothers in the Army with a sixth serving in the Navy. By the end of the war, the family would receive the news of the deaths of three more sons making the Kells parish War Memorial one of only a few to list four brothers. William Martin of Pomona Terrace, New Galloway, died of wounds in hospital at Rouen. He was 24 years old and was serving with 1st Battalion the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. The eldest son of Hugh and Janet (Coltart) Martin, he is commemorated on the Kells parish War Memorial. Richard Baird of Shirmers, Balmaclellan, was reported Missing in Action at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Richard had enlisted into the 7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, and was29 years old when he was reported missing. His parents were Thomas and Robina (Craig) Baird. Richard is remembered on the Loos memorial and Balmaclellan parish War Memorial. Adam Byers of Kells parish was killed by a trench mortar whilst on a wiring patrol near Hulloch at the age of 27. He was serving with 7th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders. When researching soldiers killed in WW1, sometimes you get lucky and find more information from newspaper items, service records and Battalion War Diaries. Such is the case with Adam Byers. He was the son of a shepherd, born at Burnhead in Kells Parish and was the oldest son of William and Sarah Byers. At the outbreak of war his family was living in Craigenbay near Clatteringshaws having previously lived at Glenshimmeroch near Lochinvar. Adam himself was a gamekeeper at Dunveoch farm in the Garroch Glen. His father had died previously so he left behind a widowed mother, younger brother and two sisters when he enlisted just six weeks from the start of the war. His surviving service record tells us much of the detail of the man including the fact that he was once reprimanded for appearing for guard duty without having shaved – a minor offence even by the strict standards of the day. One day in September 1915 at the battle of Loos, over 500 men of the Battalion were killed, wounded or missing in a single day (over half the men). Adam Byers survived. It was ironic therefore that on 28 May 1916, he was the only man from his Bn who was killed. Like many others, his body was never found so he has no grave, but he is remembered on the Loos memorial and Kells parish War Memorial. Paul Goodwin “I only advertise in the Gazette, and from that one ad I’ve gained plenty of new customers as well as many regular clients.” J Mair, Bargatton Quarry Glenkens Gazette page 14 A CATTLE SHED FOR A HOME: An Important Judgement on the Poor Laws in 1845 An interesting journey back into our local history comes from a report published in The Scotsman in 1845 which gives us a glimpse of the truly desperate poverty that burdened people in previous times. It follows the case of the sad situation of Janet and Mary Halliday, two elderly sisters both in their 80s who were the daughters of a respectable farmer but, for reasons of extreme age (for that time) and their infirmities, were at last forced to ask for support from the Parish of Balmaclellan. The generous Heritors and Kirk Session of that parish granted them a cattle shed to live in and peats to burn, and the pittance of £3 a year each, or two pence a day, for food and any other necessities. Thankfully, after their case was brought in front of the Supreme Court in June 1844, the judges said this was too little and ordered that the parish increase the allowance. The parish refused to do this and proposed instead to board the two women as paupers. The women, New Galloway Golf Club however, declined to submit to this and offered to take 3s and 6d allowance instead. Interestingly, the Court, after much discussion, refused to allow this, seeing it as unsafe given the Heritors had been convicted of starving them previously on 2d a day and so did not trust them the duty of care. Their Lordships instead fixed the allowance at sixpence a day each as a more convenient arrangement and more conducive to the comfort of the elderly ladies. The parish stated in their defence that their objection and refusal to increase the allowance had not been so much as not to make fair allowance, but was because the giving of more money would come to be known by others receiving similar help but of a lesser sum, and that they would then immediately claim the same increase. They had hoped to avoid this by offering lodgings and provisions in kind to the women. In addition to these concerns, the parish raised that the order of the Court to pay the money to the women was problematic as it was at risk of being party consumed by “an imbecile idiotic nephew” (sic) who lived with the two women (presumably in the cattle shed). They had hoped that removing the two women into lodgings would take them away from the nephew. The Court agreed and made the following arrangements; that the Parish, having secured the services of Margaret Brown, Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? www.nggc.co.uk Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Buggies now available for hire Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 Founded 1902 - 01644 420737 VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME A&B Welding & Fabrication ANDREW SINCLAIR 21 TOWNHEAD CRESCENT ST JOHN’S TOWN OF DALRY CASTLE DOUGLAS DG7 3UR 01644 430 332 / 07896 168 724 andyandbevsinclair@yahoo.co.uk www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk a respectable widow of fifty five years of age, should request that she take charge of the ladies and minister to their necessities as they were now both in a state as to render such a charge absolutely necessary. Meal, potatoes and milk would be supplied from time to time in such quantities as the “paupers” should require. Fuel and clothing would also be provided for them as well as tea and sugar, and animal food and cordials, if the condition of the paupers should render animal feed and cordials necessary. Mr Murdoch of Drumwhirn and Mr Joseph Black, and Mr Bell, tenant of Hardland, were appointed by the Kirk Session of Balmaclellan to see that the ladies were attended to as per the Court’s instructions. The medical certificate shared with the Court stated that the examination of Janet and Mary Halliday had found them to be in a very infirm and weak state with one of them being confined to the bed and the other moving about with great difficulty and assisted by two staves (sticks). Such were the hardships of the weak and the vulnerable at that time. Two extremely elderly and infirm ladies forced by their parish to live in a cattle shed and starved on a pittance a day, before the Supreme Court was asked to consider their plight and ordered an improvement to their lot. contributed by Bill Blyth, Blowplain FHB Fencing Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) Glenkens Gazette page 15 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN The Glenkens Gordons O young Lochinvar is come out of the west, Through all the wide Border his steed was the best; And save his good broadsword he weapons had none, He rode all unarm’d, and he rode all alone. So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war, There never was knight like the young Lochinvar. Many more folk are familiar with the Gordons of Lochinvar through Walter Scott’s poem rather than from history books. It is generally agreed that it deals in fiction rather than fact. The first recorded Scottish Gordon, Richard by name, appears in the late twelfth-century at Gordon in Roxburghshire. The origins of the family are obscure but they may be English. A descendant, Sir Adam Gordon, was part of the embassy which took the famous ‘Declaration of Arbroath’, which many regard as Scotland’s declaration of independence, to the pope at Avignon in 1320. As a reward for his services he was granted Strathbogie by Robert Bruce, so introducing the ‘Northern Gordons’ to Aberdeenshire where they were to play a notable role in Scottish history. drystane dykes’. The Statistical Account of the 1790s mentions ‘the remains of an old building with bridges’. Did this refer to causeways? Bridges, we suspect, were a later addition. The Survey of 1911 found an island measuring 60 feet by 50 feet with ‘a few indications of walling’ and the possible remains of a circular tower ten feet in diameter, at one time owned by the ancient Lords of Galloway. Strategically the location does not make sense as a fortification. On the other hand the place was prestigious enough for the Gordons to use it as a title. It seems to have had some function which now completely eludes us, though several castles of native Welsh princes similarly strike me as having been built in the wrong place; a possible parallel? Over the years the chiefs of the name were involved in many feuds. Sir Alexander Gordon married Janet Kennedy who later became one of several mistresses of James IV, by whom she to Loch Ken, ‘fornentis Kenmure’. Sixty men tried to resist but the castle was taken. An English spy reported that Moray tried to persuade Gordon to cooperate with him ‘to save his house and forget the past’ but he refused. He had allegedly believed that his estates were so remote that no one could penetrate his bounds. He was wrong and his castle was burnt and partially demolished. Nonetheless he remained loyal to Mary to the end. He became Warden of the West March, surviving until 1604, the year after the Union of the Crowns under James VI. If any of our Gordons inspired the Young Lochinvar of Scott’s poem it was probably the last mentioned Sir John (1548-1604), a man ruinously devoted to his young queen, who suffered greatly for his loyalty and who wrongly believed that in his fine castle deep in the Galloway Forest, he was untouchable, faithful in love but sadly dauntable in war. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the location of ‘Dawhernyn’? This was probably transcribed by someone with very little knowledge of the district. Worse he may only have heard the name mentioned and seriously misunderstood. The gratuitous information that it was ‘barbarously callit’ suggests that the language was Gaelic. Were there other ‘holms’ in 1568 that have since been lost or forgotten? For example was there once a Holm of Blawquhairn? Can we make Dalarran out of Dawhernyn? Could Moray have first gone to Dalarran and then to Dalry before attacking Kenmure? What do you think? Suggestions welcome! Over the years the chiefs of the name were involved in many feuds. Sir Adam conferred half of the lands of Glenkens, previously acquired from the Maxwells, upon his second son, William who also received the keeping of the New Forest of Glenkens from the future Robert II. It was not until 1403 that we have definite indications that the Gordons moved west as allies of the Douglases to take possession of Kenmure. The Fourth Earl of Douglas also granted them Shirmers and ‘other lands in the barony of Balmaclellan’ as well as the keepership of the New Forest and the bailiedom of Earlston. William de Gordon acquired the style, ‘of Lochinvar’ in 1450 but there is no hard evidence that they actually resided there and indeed if Kenmure Castle was at their disposal, why would they have done so? There are indications of some kind of structure on the loch’s island, probably originally a crannog, described by Alexander Trotter as ‘a bit booroch o’ had a son, James Stewart. He was thus a half brother of James V, with whom the Lochinvars worked closely, improving their fortunes. James Gordon of Lochinvar was killed at the battle of Pinkie in 1547. Sir John Gordon became justiciar of the Stewartry in 1548. He hosted Mary Queen of Scots at Kenmure in 1563 and sat on the assize which examined the evidence for Bothwell’s part in the murder of Darnley. Scandalously Bothwell was acquitted. After Mary was deposed, imprisoned and forced to seek refuge in England, her half-brother, the Regent James, Earl of Moray was intent upon attacking her supporters. He led a force into ‘ane valley callit barbarously the Holm of Dawhernyn’, in hopes of engaging Lochinvar. He marched to Dalry and then Ted Cowan Kenmure Castle from Francis Grose’s book ‘Antiquities of Scotland’ dated 1791. Glenkens Gazette page 16 Who Do We Think We Were? This month’s contribution comes from Hilda McAdam who grew up in Dalry. No doubt Hilda’s reminiscences will trigger more memories from others. Whether you grew up here or have arrived in the Glenkens from elsewhere, please send in your 500 words of reminiscence so that we get a spread of places, times and individual experiences. If you live here now, you are part of our C21 history. Please send your contribution - of no more than 500 words - by email to margaret.elphinstone@ dircon.co.uk or hand in a copy at CatStrand marked ‘Glenkens Gazette - WDWTWW’ The next Gazette will feature Avril Bridgeman’s memories of Show Day in New Galloway. DALRY MEMORIES by Hilda McAdam In my younger days in Dalry one thing that sticks out in my mind is that before Easter Mum would sit for hours knitting my sister and me new twin sets, and we were taken to get Clarks’ sandals to have some new to wear for Easter Sunday. On ‘Dog Hunt Day’ (Sheep Dog Trials Day) every year new boots were purchased for us to wear in the winter. On Sundays we were always at Sunday School in the morning and had family walks in the afternoon. Our Summer outings from Sunday School were greatly looked forward to. I remember one year going to Barlaes, then we progressed and went to Sandyhills or Sandgreen. Races were held with Mr. Mullo Weir, our minister, taking part in them all. When he met the children AND their Mummies he would insist on giving them a kiss. He had Pan Drops loose in his pockets to which he would treat you. When he turned away you had to wipe fluff off the sweets. One favourite walk was to Allangibbon Bridge. We went through the gate just past the bridge and down to the river’s edge where there was a big stone called ‘Nick Me Nubs’. This stone to our young imaginations could be a cooker, a sink, etc. We went on into the wood across from Barskeoch, where we found ‘The Wishing Tree’. Many a happy hour was spent there. Another family walk was up the Mulloch Hill. We used to have a competition to see who could find the first ‘peesie”’(peewit/lapwing) nest (there were plenty of them in those days). We also tried to be the first person to find the only clump of white heather which grew near the top. In October we gathered rose-hips to take to school where they were sent away to make rose-hip syrup. We only got a few pennies for them – but money was very much appreciated. When we were very young most of the families stayed at Underhill. In the evenings everyone was out playing, not only the children but the parents as well. We played Hide-andSeek, Kick-the-Can, Rounders, etc. In Dumfries with new sandals, with wee sister Margaret on the right. We all made our own fun. Another vivid memory is getting our milk delivered by horse and cart by Mr. James Edgar and then Tommy Edgar. One day Roger the horse was startled at the very top of the village, outside Greyrigg. The poor horse bolted, milk and milk bottles came hurling off the back of the cart all the way down Main Street and ended up stuck in the seat at the Town Hall gates. Fortunately the only damage done that day was a small bump on the Fountain. Everybody in the village helped each other. I remember regularly going for messages for Mrs Stewart who lived in Rose Cottage and for Miss Kerr who lived a few doors down. I still have a small silver spoon given to me by Miss Kerr for being her ‘message girl’. SULPHUR & TREACLE Friday night was the night for a proper wash, not a top and tail kind. The warm water that was kept from the weekly wash in a big iron copper would be pailed into the round tub (bine) which had been made from a whiskey barrell that had been halved. This was now used to wash the clothes when filled with the warm water along with the metal wash board. The wash-house became our bathroom on a Friday night, and one by one (there were seven of us) would make our way back and forth, either wrapped in a big plaid or towels. Once ready for bed, with our hair still damp, and smelling of carbollic, Mam would sit herself on a low stool and spread an old pair of navy blue knickers on her lap. Why it had to be an old pair of knickers I don’t know. With the ‘nit-comb’ in hand we would all in turn kneel down before these knickers, and the combing began. Then it would be over to Dad where he would be standing with a big soup spoon at the ready. What was being offered us was something that had been mixed during the nit-hunt, as if it was an award we had just earned, and once again it was one by one, only this time we all stood in a row. The spoon went into this jar, and when it emerged it was filled to the brim. “Right, open up,” came the command, and this spoon with the sulphur-and-treacle went in. “YUK!” The taste was still in our mouths in the mornings, but the good thing was none of us ever caught the dreaded impetigo, or ‘itch’... by W Thom Glenkens Gazette page 17 HISTORY IN Old Mine on the Garple THE HILLS Old Covenanters stories speak of seeking refuge in a cave along the Garple Burn in the vicinity of the present Holme House. “You’re standing on the remains of an Bronze Age ring cairn,” explains archaeologist Andrew Nicholson (far right) to members of a history field trip on Bardennoch Hill near Carsphairn. There’s not much to see of the original circular burial structure but, he explains, “most of the stones have been re-used in the dry stane dyke behind me!”. The trip, organised by The Glenkens Story project, followed their “Hoards to Discover” lecture when Andrew, who is D&G regional archaeologist, thrilled a capacity CatStrand audience with tales of discoveries in the Glenkens, culminating in last year’s find of Viking treasure at Balmaghie. Bardennoch Hill is a rich source of historical remains and Andrew led the party on a strenuous tour of sites ranging from prehistoric long cairns to mediaeval field systems and carved stones marking the ancient track which took pilgrims, including Robert the Bruce, via Carsphairn and Polmaddie to St Ninian’s shrine at Whithorn. The group even found, and recorded, a stone with cup and ring marks near Cairn Avel which doesn’t appear in existing surveys. The Glenkens Story is organising further field trips to local war memorials (21 May) and to Covenanting sites (3 September). If you want to be added to The Glenkens Story mailing list for information on events email theglenkensstory@gmail.com Pictured below: One of several stones with carved crosses which once marked the pilgrim way. The carvings have weathered within living memory and the stones, now fallen, are not easy to find, especially since the Ordnance Survey map is inaccurate! This is a dramatic and little-known corner of the Glenkens, with the Garple Burn occupying a deep wooded ravine before it emerges onto the valley floor and enters the River Ken. A few years ago I searched for this cave and failed to find it. However, at the beginning of last year I managed to locate it. I quickly realised it was actually an old mine adit, a horizontal passageway at right angles to the river. I had a head torch with me and, after wading through water for the first stretch, I found the passage became dry owing to a slight upward incline. It is not quite straight, but has a few minor bends in it before coming to an abrupt end. Later measurement with the help of the family showed it to be nearly 30 metres long. I was puzzled as to what was mined - there was no sign of mineralisation, other than perhaps iron mineralisation. I later found a beautifully crafted iron chisel on the floor of the adit with my metal detector, as well as iron artefacts. I wondered if it could have been an Iron Age or medieval iron mine, and thought it could indeed have been the hideout of the Covenanters. However in January this year John Pickin, formerly of Stranraer museum and an expert on old mines, came to view it and offer his opinion on its age. He noticed blast holes in the roof of the passage that we’d somehow missed which showed that it couldn’t have been there at the time of the Covenanters. We now think it was an exploratory adit put in during the 1840s after the discovery of the Woodhead lead mine at Carsphairn - there are records of exploratory activity further up the Garple Burn. So perhaps we are still looking for the Covenanters’ hideout – unless there was a small cave here before that the miners extended further back into the hillside. David Bartholomew Glenkens Gazette page 18 JUNE & JULY MAY Sat 28 May, Scottish Dance Theatre: Innocence, 2pm, CatStrand Sat 28, Robert Burns: Rough Cut, 7.30pm, CatStrand, see p7 Sun 29, Litvinenko Project, 3pm, CatStrand, see p7 Sun 29, Ventoux, 5pm, CatStrand, see p7 Cosmetics, Skin Care, Health & Sports Nutritional Products all products are botanically-based, vegan, gluten & cruelty free To try before you buy, host an Arbonne Party, or for advice please contact your local Arbonne Independent Consultant, Katy Caie, on 07756 506 496 or visit http://catrionacaie.arbonne.com 20% off for new customers! Just quote GKARBONNE Arbonne Independent Consultant JUNE Sat 4, The Unthanks, 7.30pm, CatStrand, see p7 Sat 11, Akrowa, 1pm, see p3 Sun 12, Jazz in the Village: Millar & Spencer, 6.30pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn, see ad below Thu 16, Film: Spectre, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 17, Arndarroch Open Garden, 2pm, see p12 Fri 17, The Claire Hastings Band, 7.30pm, CatStrand Tues 28, The Light Field, 7pm, CatStrand Wed 29, Film: Where You’re Meant to Be, 7.30pm, CatStrand JULY Sat 9, Saltfishforty, 8pm, CatStrand Thu 14, Film: Star Wars- The Force Awakens, 7.30pm, CatStrand Carsphairn Village Shop & Tea Room - temporary location - Lagwyne Hall re-opening in usual location in June; date tbc Glenkens Gazette page 19 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Margaret Morris dance 1: 3-7yrs, term-time Mondays, 3.45-4.30pm Margaret Morris dance 2: 8-16yrs, term-time Mondays, 4.30-5.15pm Access All Areas Youth Arts - Making Music: Please phone CatStrand to book session. Gentle Tai Chi: Wed, 10am, 60+ Glenkens Writing Group: First Wed each month 3-5pm Sing it Out: Thurs, 11am -12pm Pilates: Thurs, 4.15-5.15pm & 5.306.30pm CatStrand Ukes: Thurs, 1pm – 3.30pm 60+ Choreographic Skills Lab: Thurs (term-time), 7 - 8.30pm ages 12-18 Zumba Gold: Fridays (term-time), 10-11am, CatStrand, 16+ Saturday Art Club: twice a month, 10am–12noon, to book call 420 374 Zumba Kids: last Sat of the month (term-time), 10-10.45am Catstrand Youth Players: Sun during term time, 2pm Glenkens Acoustic Sessions: last Sun of the month, 2-4pm Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, (contact Kath on 430 281): Glenkens Children’s Club: Mon & Fri, 10am-12noon Paint & Art: Mon, 1.30-4.30pm & Wed, 7-9pm Ballroom & Latin Dance Class: Mon, 7.15pm, for more info call Sam Rushton on 420 672 GCC Playgroup: Tues, Wed & Thurs, 9.10-11.40am, contact Sue on 07709 929 482 Good Neighbours’ Club: Tues, 2pm Kickback Martial Arts: Thurs, 7-9pm Thursday Craft Group: Thurs, 2-4pm Brownies: Wed, 5.30-6.45pm Guides: Tues during term-time, 6.15pm, contact: Kath 430 281 Various Locations: Ballroom & Latin Dance: Mon, 7.30pm, Castle Douglas Primary School Mother & Toddlers: Tues, 9.4511.15am, New Galloway Town Hall Carsphairn Post Office: Tues, 13pm, Lagwyne Hall Beavers: Tues, 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training: Tues & Thurs, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Wednesday Quiz Night: Wed, 8.30pm, Cross Keys Hotel, New Galloway Stewartry Camera Club: Wed, 7.30pm, Ringford Village Hall, runs Wed 11 Sept till end Mar Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: 3rd Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall. Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. Conventicle, 3pm, Dalry CHURCH TIMES June, churchyard. 31 July, United Service CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services - Balmaclellan 12noon: 1st. Carsphairn 10.30am: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Dalry 9am: 1st, 2nd(Jul), 3rd, 4th. Dalry 10.30am: 5th(Jul). Kells 10.30am: 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Special Services/Events: 5 June, Clachan Fair Songs of Praise with Sanquhar & District Silver Band, 6pm, Newfield Green. 12 June, United Family Service (Kells/ Dalry), 10.30am, Kells Church. 19 with Choir, 10.30am, Dalry Church. Communion Service: 3 July, Carsphairn Church (using central table), 10.15am. SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm Zumba: Wed, 7.30-8.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, 11+ Mossdale Painters: Wed, 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Coffee & Craft Morning: Thurs, 9am-12noon, Lagwyne Hall Youth Writing Group: Thurs (during term time), 3.30-5pm, ages 10-15, Dalry School Scouts: Thurs, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut D&G Hard of Hearing Group Dropin: 1st Friday each month, 10am12noon, New Galloway Town Hall Gentle Tai Chi: Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall To hire the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) behind Dalry School call Sonja Tranter on 430 244 or Nicolette Wise on 430 218. Dalry Library Temporary Hours Tue: 12noon - 3.30pm Fri: 10am - 12noon & 1pm - 4.30pm There are 23 mobile library stops - to find out where and when please phone 430 234. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 20 CORSOCK BOY’S BUSINESS VENTURE GOES GLOBAL United Bricks was established in Corsock, but has quickly become a global enterprise. Realising that LEGO didn’t have a military-themed range, 16-year-old Callum Winspear decided to make his own. He quickly realised that like-minded LEGO enthusiasts were also looking for similar figures and what started as a hobby in 2013 grew into a full-time job when Callum left Dalry school in 2015. Since then United Bricks has invested in a special state-of-theart UV printer which gives them the ability to print onto almost any 3D object in a durable, high quality finish. United Bricks design and print on LEGO components, specialising in military history. Some of their current ranges include World War One and Two, American Revolutionary War, and Anglo-Zulu War. The company produces thousands of printed minifigures every month for contracts worldwide, and has a global re-seller network that includes North America, Asia and Europe. The company now has a team of graphic designers and will soon be taking on further staff to help keep up with increasing demand. United Bricks recently won the award for ‘Most Promising New Business in Dumfries & Galloway’ at the Chamber of Commerce Awards 2016 - quite an achievement for a newbie. The company is growing so fast it has now moved into its own office premises, situated in Corsock, and has invested in a brand new website which has just been launched, showcasing all their new products 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 AUG/SEPT COPY DEADLINE: 5 JULY United Bricks founder Callum Winspear. and features. Along with this, they attend LEGO conventions throughout the UK every year, meeting new fans and engaging in the LEGO community. United Bricks has achieved so much in their first year of business - watch this space! To find out more about United Bricks visit www.united-bricks.com or follow them on facebook or twitter. Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050 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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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 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:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). 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 News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry August/September 2016 ISSUE 95 FREE SHOP REOPENING HERALDS VILLAGE REVIVAL There can be no more visible – and welcome – sign of the recovery of Carsphairn from the devastating floods at the end of last year than the reopening of the village shop on Wednesday, 13 July. A preview of the new-look shop was given to local residents at a wine and hors d’oeuvres party on the eve of opening its doors for business once again. For the preceding six months, the shop had been running a restricted service from the village hall – selling a reduced product range and limited hot and cold takeaway food – while the shop premises were completely gutted and reinstated after the flood. But now the remodelled premises boast extended lines ranging from the basic food Lindsay Duncan in the new open-plan shop and tearooms. necessities and fresh fruit and Paul Smith and Lindsay Duncan, vegetables to local crafts and who run the shop, have been gifts. A new addition to the choice delighted with the response from is specialist produce from local the community to their reopening. suppliers. Continued on p3... MUSIC FESTIVAL IN DALRY Get your glad rags and September for Dalry’s very own answer to dancing shoes on this the festival season... Festival logo designed by Dalry Secondary pupil Kelsie Marshall. FoDSFest 2k16 is a fundraising Music and Arts Festival being held at Dalry School Field on Saturday 3 September from 3-9pm. A special invitation goes to all current and ex-Dalry School pupils to come along - it’s a fantastic opportunity to meet old friends, share stories and celebrate together. The event will showcase an exciting, eclectic mix of many different genres of music, arts, performers, crafts and food. The event will feature Scottish acoustic folk and ukuleles, right through to rock and hip-hop, photography to handmade bags and gymnastics to kids’ workshops. A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve FoDSFest is being organised by Dalry School’s fundraising committee - Friends of Dalry School (FoDS) in aid of Dalry Nursery, Primary and Secondary School. It will celebrate and mark the 50th and 85th anniversaries respectively of the secondary and primary schools. Mrs Jenna Devlin, Dalry Primary Class Teacher and FoDS Chairperson, said: “The FoDS committee decided a few months ago to celebrate the anniversaries with a bang, and what better way than a festival! FoDSFest will undoubtedly raise the profile of our fantastic wee school, showcasing the amazing talents of some of our alumni and bringing together our community in one spectacular event.” Continued on p2... www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 PETER MARSDEN: 1946-2016 It is hard to believe that Peter and Jean Marsden only moved to New Galloway just over ten years ago. His untimely death in May has robbed the community of an active and well-liked man whose ‘can do’ attitude has helped many over the years. Brian Edgar, General Manager of the CatStrand said: “Peter was a loyal supporter and friend of the CatStrand, not only when enjoying many of our classes and events but also during the difficult times when the building was flooded.” John Repath, Rector at St Margaret’s Church, comments on how quickly the Marsdens became an integral part of the congregation with Peter taking on the role of Treasurer, “an office he accepted readily and which he fulfilled diligently bringing us gently into the occasional vagaries of the electronic age”. He will be much missed. FoDSFEST 2k16 Continued from front page... The organising committee feel incredibly lucky to have secured so much talent, particularly the headline act, Scope, a local D&G Hip-Hop artist who recently played a set at T in the Park. “We will have three stages packed with local talent, and our acoustic tent has a carefully selected association; Annie’s Acoustic Area.” said Mrs Devlin. “This is named after a very special local lady, Annie Winstanley, who gave so much of her time to the school and is sorely missed by many.” The acoustic area, alongside groups and artists, will also offer ‘open mic’ sessions for budding artists to have a go - so make sure to bring your musical instruments. Don’t worry though if you have never been to a festival before. FoDSFest is for everyone, young and not-so-young, and the youngat-heart. FoDSFest tickets: Full Pass (13 yrs+): £8. Each Full Pass will admit 1 free child (12yrs and under). Any additional children are £3 each. All children 12 yeaars and under must be accompanied by an adult. Please remember this is a family-friendly event and is STRICTLY ALCOHOL AND SMOKE FREE. Anyone consuming alcohol or smoking on the field will be asked to leave. Tickets will be on sale from 10am Saturday 30 July look out for our posters and updates on our Facebook page ‘FoDSFest 2k16’ for info on how to get your hands on them. Be quick, tickets are limited! A huge “thank you” goes out to the many supportive people without whom FoDSFest could not happen. Thank you to all the bands, performers and artists who have agreed to help out and perform for free, especially to The Jack Duster Band, Sal Campbell and Eden Festival for their immense support. Also a huge thank you goes to the amazing FoDS Committee who have worked tirelessly to bring this all together. You are amazing! Please come along and support our incredible school and make this a double birthday party to remember. If you have any questions or enquiries please get in touch with the FoDSFest team, email us at contactus@fodsfest.com or via our Facebook Page ‘FoDSFest 2k16’. GLENKENS MEN’S SHED 100TH BIOSPHERE SUPPORTER Glenkens Men’s Shed signed up to the Biosphere Charter and became the 100th Proud Supporter of the Biosphere. Based in a building loaned to the group by the owner, the former Smiddy in Balmaclellan has been transformed into a series of wellequipped workshops which have already generated interest from men and women who wish to get practical. It is a place of leisure where people come together to share skills and the activities already range from porridge spurtles to repairing a boat, building a chair to creating a lifesize gorilla – the only restriction seems to be your imagination. The CatStrand’s Brian Jones is delighted to have signed the Biosphere Charter and said: “Our Men’s Shed is a place which contributes to many of the Biosphere principles. It provides a knowledge hub which recycles tools and materials as well as contributing to the wellbeing of the community. Using local resources we are exploring the potential to become a Social Enterprise which will help support the local economy.” Glenkens Gazette CARSPHAIRN COMMUNITY SHOP REOPENS Continued from front page... “When the floods hit, everyone rallied round to help us relocate to the village hall and likewise when we moved back into the shop,” said Lindsay. “Many of the fittings in the kitchen, tearooms and shop are brand new, reflecting a fresh start to our business all over again. Our reopening marks a new dawn for the community which was so badly hit in the floods on 30 December last year.” The size of the tearooms has been doubled to create a light, airy space to page 3 sit and have a hearty breakfast or just a cup of tea and a cake.Lindsay went on: “The tearooms are now a much nicer place in which to enjoy a chat and coffee with friends, whether locals or tourists. It’s now the community hub that has been lacking in Carsphairn since the pub closed many years ago. There’s really no other place to meet up in the village.” The extended tearooms are complemented by an outdoor garden Diners enjoying the shop’s new tearooms. in Carsphairn which are still at the rear where visitors and undergoing repair after the floods, the residents can while away the hours in a shop reopening is seen as heralding a picturesque setting. fresh start for the village. “We are able to take group bookings “It’s great that the village has its and small coach parties and we are now shop and tearooms back,” said Karen planning to put on afternoon teas on Sundays,” Lindsay added. “The business Hall, owner of The Knowe bed and breakfast. “Well done to all those is already showing a vast improvement involved and thanks to Lindsay and in turnover. Paul and I are thrilled. Paul for keeping things going in the “We would like to thank members of village hall over this difficult period. the past and present shop committee “Onwards and upwards!” for their help and support during what Thanks to additional funding from has been a very difficult time and Foundation Scotland and Carsphairn also the hall management committee Renewable Energy Fund Limited for the use of their facilities while the (CREFL), further improvements have shop was being refurbished.” been made to the interior and future Although there are many properties flood resistance of the shop premises. Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by EVERYTHING listed in the Glenkens Freecycle section is FREE - you just need to contact the owner and go and pick it up! If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch with Sarah on 07727 127 997 or email glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk VARIOUS Upright piano in good working order. Steel frame. All notes & pedals work but would benefit from re-tuning after moving. It will take several people to lift it into a van or similar. From smoke and pet free home. Collection from Mochrum near Knockvennie. Contact: Trevor on 440 683 Folding bed with mattress suitable for occasional use for a child. Not suitable for adults. From smoke and pet free home. Collection from Mochrum near Knockvennie. Contact: Trevor on 440 683 Baby’s high chair. IKEA Antelop. White. Detatchable legs. Good condition. Contact: 07766 686 402 Paddling Pool. Approx 4ft diameter and 15inch. Solid sides. Contact: 07766 686 402 Various unwanted furniture; tables, chairs, chest of drawers and other small household items. Contact: 450 679 or cathamonk@gmail.com to get some macro shots of insects and flowers, etc,” said Duncan. “Down along by my local burn at Glenlee I noticed a very tiny beetle perched on a fence post and thought I must try get a shot of it. Being so small it was not going to be easy. However, I do like a challenge when it comes to my photography! So I took several shots and then went on the hunt for more beasties.” At this point Duncan had no idea how special this little guy would turn out to be. “I came home, processed the image and posted the shot on a local wildlife page. The lady who runs the site then contacted me and advised me that it was a very rare rhinoceros beetle and I should report it to the Dumfries & Galloway Environmental Resource centre.” An interesting fact about rhinoceros beetles is that they are apparently the strongest animals on the planet, proportionally, they can lift up to 850 times their own weight. To put this into perspective, if a human of average height and weight had the strength of the rhinoceros beetle, it would be able to lift a 65 ton object! Duncan McNaught has been a photographer for over 20 years, and specialises in landscapes, flora and fauna, and all things natural. To take a look at more of Duncan’s photos, visit www.dmcnaughtphotography.com WANTED Kenwood Mixer wanted. Any age - ‘Chef’ model if possible (not hand mixer). Contact: 430 373 Exercise bike wanted. Contact: 07920 066 167 Has anyone got a piece of corrugated clear plastic? Minimum 3ft x3ft... Contact: 420 634 Rare Rhinoceros Beetle Photographed in Glenkens Local photographer Duncan McNaught caught this little critter on camera by his home in Glenlee. He was later informed by the Dumfries & Galloway Environmental Resources Centre that this is only the fourth ever recorded in the whole of the region. “This particular day I was out with my camera looking Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by GALLOWAY GLENS OPPORTUNITIES Groups and individuals in the Glenkens have until September 2 to lodge ideas for projects to be funded by the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership scheme (GGLP). project, McNabb Laurie, the GGLP’s development officer, explained that initial development funding has been received from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) allowing a number of specialist studies to be commissioned. These include a heritage skills audit, and an exploration of ways of addressing species loss and challenges to biodiversity. Another study is exploring natural flood Previous editions of the Gazette management opportunities in the have highlighted that the GGLP has area, “reconnecting rivers with their provisionally secured £2.7million river beds.” from the Heritage Lottery Fund to be These specialist studies will inform spent on projects from Carsphairn, the list of projects to be supported through the Glenkens and down to but the GGLP is also keen to hear Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright suggestions directly from individual bay. The projects must ‘connect and local groups. Initial ideas already people with their heritage’ and received from the Glenkens include encourage sustainable communities. proposals to reconnect and advertise At a recent meeting of The heritage footpaths, publicity initiatives Glenkens Story local history to highlight what the natural landscape has to offer and innovative uses of community buildings to display and engage visitors in the heritage of the area. McNabb made it clear that he welcomes project proposals from any individual or group, contributions to be received an a single sheet application form by September 2. The meeting identified a number We stock washed fine sand, coarse sand and of concerns. These included: who gravels at competitive prices. would co-ordinate numerous local For further details contact: proposals into a James Mair - 07793 085 243 coherent plan for the Glenkens; who Email: loch.bargatton@live.co.uk would administer Bargatton Quarry, Laurieston, Castle Douglas, DG7 2PS any grant if awarded and who would supply maintenance funding for projects in the longer Delivery can be arranged - subject to quantity term. A critical factor identified Bargatton Sand & Gravel Supplying sand and gravel for all your farming needs, as well as households and businesses both large and small. Open Monday to Friday Weekends by arrangement Galloway Glens Partnership Scheme project area. by the meeting is the requirement that any funding from the HLF must be supported by matching funding supplied by the applicant. It is one thing for large organisations such as the Forestry Commission and the National Trust to source other funds - though already some proposals depending on matching funding from EU agencies could be in doubt - but this could be a major obstacle for smaller groups. While volunteer effort could count as ‘funding in kind’ it was pointed out that volunteers were already in short supply in the Glenkens. McNabb has acknowledged these concerns and is keen to work with groups to overcome them, stressing that the scheme was not restricted to the more professional, national organisations. Throughout the summer a series of free events will be held to illustrate the range of projects that could potentially be supported. These will be advertised though a number of media outlets and on the scheme’s new website, www.gallowayglens.org, which also gives an overview of the background to the GGLP and what it is trying to achieve. McNabb Laurie, the Scheme’s development officer is keen to meet as many potentially interested groups as possible. Contact him through mcn abb.laurie@dumgal.gov.uk or 07825 721 659. To keep up to date with Scheme’s progress and learn more about events taking place visit the website, sign up for the newsletter or follow GallowayGlens on twitter and Facebook. Glenkens Gazette PLAY FOR ALL AGES IN NEW GALLOWAY TOWN HALL A historic trophy, last used by the New Galloway Bowling Club, is back in use. The silver cup has been presented to Tom Carlyle, winner of the Town Hall Indoor Bowling league organised by Ray Bridgeman of LING (Local Initiatives in New Galloway). The bowls had been donated by a Kilmarnock Church group which no longer needed them. Table tennis is also available and we are trying out ‘New Age Kurling’. If Tuesday evenings don’t suit but you would like to play at other times, just get a group together and book the hall by telephoning 07926 044 062 and leaving a message. The weekly LING Lunches which started off in May have been a great success with numbers between 12 page 6 and 28 attending. Look in any time between 11am and 2pm. The times fit in well with the buses to and from Carsphairn, Dalry and Tom Carlyle with the silver cup. Balmaclellan but if other transport is needed, please contact us. During July and the first week of August, Early Years Scotland are running Messy Play sessions for Under Fives. Coming soon – a regular Stewartry Care Footcare Clinic. Look out for the summer New Galloway Story pop-up museum and other events, and look out too for LING at the Alternative Games weekend! Rosalind Hill NEW GALLOWAY GOLF CLUB New Galloway Golf Club is having a super year - the course is in superb condition and visitor numbers are up for the first time in years. The club recently held its Captain’s Day which was well attended and everyone enjoyed the competition and social event which followed. The winner on the day and recipient of the Jack McQueen Quaich was young Scott Jamieson. The club’s junior coaching programme, which is being delivered both on the course and in the local schools, continues to attract a healthy number of local youngsters thanks to the hard work of the junior convenor and his coaches. The club’s academy is now well in place and anyone interested in giving the sport of golf a try can take advantage of this by contacting the club for details. Ian Brown RJ McCulloch is a family run plumbing, heating and renewables company that is a trusted provider of affordable heating solutions. At RJ McCulloch we embody the concepts of quality, technical skills and customer satisfaction. Our aim is to provide our customers with a no-nonsense and reliable service for many years to come. From a rural cottage to a country estate, we can design and install a heating system to suit your needs. Our highly experienced installation and service engineers are fully qualified in all areas of Gas, Oil, LPG, Biomass, Heat pumps and Solar Thermal. RJ McCulloch recently installed a Mitsubishi Ecodan heat pump for Gary and Liz at St John’s Town Of Dalry to replace their electric storage heaters and hot water immersion system. They are now experiencing reduced fuel costs, more efficient central heating and hot water and also benefiting from the renewable heat incentive available to home owners and businesses alike installing renewable technology. Please feel free to contact Ross for advice relating to any Plumbing or Heating queries you may have. Happy owners of a new Eco Dan boiler, Gary and Liz, with Ross McCulloch. Glenkens Gazette page 7 CatStrand Highlights You can expect all kinds of fun and frivolity this summer at CatStrand, with performances ranging from live music with local band Not Guilty at the Alternative Games Launch Night Party on Friday 5 August to Charioteer Theatre & Teatro Milano bringing in the Autumn Season on Friday 30 September. Kris Drever, described by BBC Music as “completely infectious”, will hit the stage on Thursday 25 August, performing a collection of semi-biographical songs from his latest album If Wishes Were Horses. My Sweet Patootie rolls in on Thursday 1 September with a mix of contemporary roots and ragtime, tight vocal harmonies, guitar and fiddle. “Two parts exemplary musicianship, one part vaudeville comedy” says Driftwood Magazine about their show. Friday 16 September sees Dance Ihayami presenting Silent Space, Scotland’s classical Indian dance company’s latest work. Silent Space has been described as “classical Indian dance at its most beautiful” by The Skinny. My Sweet Patootie These are just a few tasters of what’s on this summer and into autumn - why not come along and see what’s on offer for yourself? The CatStrand Team See our latest brochure or visit our website for programme details. Book online at www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420374. Planning Permission for Shop Project Efforts to save New Galloway’s last remaining general store have cleared another hurdle. New Galloway Community Enterprises Ltd have secured planning permission for the conversion of the existing shop, house and outbuildings into the proposed community shop and selfcatering tourist flats. Meanwhile work is reaching completion on the grant application to purchase the property, complete the renovation and contribute to the first few years of operation. This will be submitted to the Big Lottery’s “Growing Community Assets” fund in the course of August and a result is expected by the end of the year. Included in the extremely detailed 90-page submission are the results of the latest survey of local opinion gathered at meetings and events throughout the village. The evidence of popular support generated from this and earlier surveys greatly strengthens our application. The evidence of popular support generated from this and earlier surveys greatly strengthens our application and is much A HEALING VISIT FROM DOWN UNDER An Evangelist healer from Brisbane, Australia, will visit Dalry in August to give a series of healing sessions. David and Heidi Bartholomew have invited the well-known Australian healing evangelist John Mellor to conduct meetings in Dalry Church on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 August. John became involved in the healing ministry while working as a missionary among the Aborigines in Australia and now travels the globe with his wife Julie conducting meetings. He is already well-known in many parts of Scotland, but this will be his first visit to Galloway. Both meetings will be at 4pm and could extend well into the evening. When David and Heidi invited him to come to Dalry they assumed that he would be conducting other meetings in Scotland during the same visit, but in fact these will be the only Scottish meetings during his coming tour. Already the meetings in Dalry are attracting national - and even international - interest, and it is expected that there may be quite a few visitors coming specifically for the workshops to the Glenkens over that weekend. To find out more visit www.johnmellor.org Glenkens Gazette Health and Wellbeing at the Heart of Education page 8 The summer term has had a focus on the fundamental aspects of Health and Wellbeing woven into other aspects of curriculum. All our school sites have enviable outdoor spaces that it is easy to take for granted, but they are still being actively enhanced. In Carsphairn Primary the pupils have explored facets of biology, ecology and technology in their introduction to fishing. Their PE curriculum followed by their sports day set them up to be fit for their endof-year activity which involved a mini canoe expedition on Loch Ken with a night under canvas to ensure that they all went home tired! Learning in the context of the Glenkens is a rich experience. Kells Primary pupils p1-5 have visited the beach at the Dhoon to follow up on their classroom learning on the Ocean Life topic whilst the senior class visited the Samye Ling Buddhist monastery – exploring different aspects of wellbeing. Kells pupils were joined by friends and family for their sports day which was a fiercely contested event yet displayed encouragement and good humour in bucket loads. The weather was very kind and a few minutes after the event concluded, a dramatic rain event hit the valley whilst Kells pupils looked on from inside the building. Dalry Primary has been completing the Daily Mile over the summer Pupils at the start line of the Race for Life. term and they have consequently been improving their stamina. The opportunity for ‘walk and talk’ on a daily basis is good for wellbeing on many levels and it is something everyone can do in their daily lives if we make time for it. It is good physically and good for us mentally. We hope they will continue with their families in the future. The Daily Mile on the Queen’s birthday had a celebratory feel and performances on Sports Day were enhanced. The sports were excellent and many friends and family joined us for the nursery sports in the morning as well as the primary finals in the afternoon. Dalry pupils competed vigorously in the A section of the Paul Jones competition and did the Glenkens proud in terms of effort and sportsmanship. Galloway Activity Centre hosted Dalry and Kells pupils for a day’s activity, stretching individuals both wet and dry! The Race for Life held on the school field was something Mrs Devlin championed and the nursery and primary students stepped up to the mark in a big way. Their wholehearted participation and the amazing generosity of the Glenkens community raised a staggering sum for Cancer Research - in excess of £1,480 - with contributions still coming in at the end of term. We thank pupils, staff and the community for their efforts. Healthy, happy children learn well, so that must be at the heart of what we do. Jenny Smith, Headteacher, Glenkens Cluster GLENKENS TOUGH MUDDERS Seven of the Glenkens’ premium athletes took on the Scottish Tough Mudder at Drumlanrig Castle to raise funds for Help for Heroes. The 11-mile ‘extreme’ obstacle course included crawling under barbed wire, plunging into ice-cold pools of water, scaling four-metre-high barriers, and waist-high mud-filled trenches, to name but a few of the challenges faced. The novice ‘Mudders’ had such a great time they’re already signed up for next year! Glenkens Gazette page 9 Glenkens Guides’ Beamish Trip Girls and leaders from 1st Glenkens Guide Unit enjoyed a weekend away in Northumberland. Thanks go to a very generous grant from Cashback For Communities and extra fundraising done by the guide unit over the past year. On Saturday 11 June the guides visited Carlisle and went tenpin bowling, and then visited Talkin Tarn Country Park for an interesting walk and some outdoor activities. Their overnight accommodation was in Edmundbyers Youth Hostel. This was also a new experience for most of the group. The main purpose of the outing was to visit Beamish Open Air Museum, which the girls were able to explore during a sixhour visit on Sunday 12 June. This was such a very interesting and informative day, and being able to wander at will, in and out of different houses and shops, visiting a drift mine, a railway, a farm, an old hall, and a small town area was amazing. In many places volunteers and staff were dressed in period costume and going about their daily activities, such as baking in a kitchen in the pit village, lace making in the front parlour at the home of the dentist in the town, serving behind the counters in the shops of the small town to mention just a few. Choosing sweets made at 1st Glenkens Guide Unit on their trip. the confectioners in town, and eating chips cooked the oldfashioned way and served in newspaper were certainly popular choices! Getting around the site was made more interesting because you can use the vintage buses and trams. Being a guide can be a very interesting and worthwhile thing, especially as girls are encouraged to choose their own activities and to be responsible for carrying them out. The idea for this outing came from the girls themselves, and leaders helped them to find a way of fulfilling their wish. Our unit will start meeting again after the holidays on Tuesday 6 September, and if there are any girls out there who would like to join us please contact Mrs Peace on 430 281 or Mrs McAdam 430 393. Guides are aged 10 to 14 years, Brownies are aged 7 to 11 years, and Rainbows are aged 5 to 7 years. Kathryn Peace Glenkens Gazette page 10 SPALDING BOWLING CLUB Spalding Bowling Club held their Open Triples on Saturday June 25. After a very successful day, Kate Bone presented the cup on behalf of the sponsors - W Bone, Clachan Inn & Jake Jordan - to the winning triple Donald Johnstone, Brian Bryden and Carole McMillan (Gretna). Runners-up were John McNally, Sandy Harvie and Steve Davie (Spalding). Photograph includes those listed above along with club president Peter Hamilton. Beaten semi-finalist were Stuart Gilmore, Jim Thomson, Jackson Pringle (Castle Douglas) and Peter Hamilton, Ian Murray, Andy Kirkpatrick (Spalding). Valerie Russell MATTHEW’S ADVENTURES Gazette founder, Matthew Newton, former owner of Newton’s Shop in Dalry (now Wright’s Shop) has been cycling the globe. Matthew says: “Hi Sarah. No local news but I can tell you it’s 32°+ here in Sri Lanka. I’m travelling by bike, mostly in the north - check out Jaffna on Google maps. I continue to read online. You do a fantastic job. I can’t believe the Community Councils are being done away with shame on the D&G Council. Best regards, Matthew” To find out more about what he’s up to, take a look at Matthew’s fb page! Glenkens Gazette Emma’s Wild Eats August/September The Boletus edulis, known as the porcini mushroom in Italy and the cep in France, is more familiar to us here in the UK as the ‘penny bun’ - and when you see one you’ll know why. The cap is quite convincingly like a baked bun, complete with floured top. The texture of the flesh is firm and satisfying, not slimy, and the flavour is disgusting. Alright, it’s delicious, but please don’t pick them all! Boletes are the group of mushrooms with pores rather than gills (the underside of the mushroom looks like a sponge), and these include a lot of really good edible species that are relatively easy to identify, none better than the ‘penny bun’. Key identifying features: • Pale – chestnut brown cap, with a fine white rim and rounded shape, matt when dry. Grow to over 20 cm diameter, but you usually find them at around 10 cm. • Pores rather than gills, whitecream and hard when young, darkening and becoming more spongy as the mushroom ages. • Almost white to pale tan, very rotund, bulbous stipe (stem), with distinctive white net-like reticulation. This does not stain blue when cut as many other Boletes do, some very suddenly and quite magically. • The overall shape is a good aid to identification as few other mushrooms are quite as sturdy. • As usual, companion species and location are helpful. Ceps often grow in the same areas as fly agaric mushrooms (the classic red and white spotted toadstools of fairytale fame) and always around trees, often spruce. It would be possible to confuse the bitter bolete (tylopilus felleus) with the cep, but it has a dark network on its stipe (which is more elongated) and a pink tinge to the gills. Although not poisonous, it tastes very bitter and unpleasant. If you’re unsure if it’s one or the other, you can taste a tiny piece of the flesh to check. It’s really worth researching the other boletes to be sure which you can eat; none are deadly but some can make you very sick. Even less perfect boletes are great dried and powdered to use as stock. Following a couple of simple rules can ensure that you pick the right boletes: Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Selling properties across Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries page 11 A classic example of a ‘penny bun’ • Don’t pick it if it has bright red or yellow pores. • Don’t pick it if it stains blue when you cut the flesh. Unfortunately this rules out quite a few edibles too, but it’s a good basic guide. However, as always, don’t trust just me - consult at least three guides and be 100% sure of what you pick before you eat it. Emma Check out Emma’s blog: www.emmaswild.co.uk The Galloway Glens website has now been launched... www.gallowayglens.org Visit us for informa�on about the Scheme, the �mescales involved, to sign up for our newsle�er and for details of the series of FREE events being held over the summer. Please also follow us on twi�er and facebook! Glenkens Gazette page 12 JANET’S KNITTING JOURNEY IN PRINT Knit 1 Bike 1: 818 miles, 21 workshops and a lot of cake – and now a book... You may recall reading about Janet’s proposed Knit 1 Bike 1 project in the Spring 2015 Issue of the Gazette. In this edition, Janet gives an update, having completed her cycle journey, written a book about the experience and having also finished some of the associated art work. So what is Knit 1 Bike 1? It is essentially an art project, which began because textile artist Janet Renouf-Miller of Create With Fibre, loves both knitting and cycling. So she set off from Dalmellington at the end of June 2015 on a tenweek cycling and knitting journey round Scotland. She delivered 21 mini workshops on the way and cycled 818 miles, going where the workshops took her. She came home via the Glenkens and spent her final night at Hawkrigg caravan site between Dalry and Carsphairn. Not only that, but Janet knitted and crocheted what she saw on the way. In fact she is still knitting and Cosmetics, Skin Care, Health & Sports Nutritional Products all products are botanically-based, vegan, gluten & cruelty free To try before you buy, host an Arbonne Party, or for advice please contact your local Arbonne Independent Consultant, Katy Caie, on 07756 506 496 or visit http://catrionacaie.arbonne.com 20% off for new customers! Just quote GKARBONNE Arbonne Independent Consultant GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway crocheting the things she saw and when all the work is finished, it will form an exhibition, the first showing of which will be at the Borders Textile Tower House in Hawick and it will then tour, including a visit to the Glenkens. Janet has crocheted things like the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which was featured in the Sunday Janet Renouf-Miller with the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Post, the Isle of Mull Ferry, contains over 140 photographs. a cooked breakfast, worms, It has been described as a ‘page midges and much more. She was turner’. Maggie of Carsphairn said: interviewed on Radio Scotland by “Got a bone to pick with you... it’s both the Janice Forsyth Show and 11.50pm and I’m now on page 107. the Kaye Adams Show and the Struggling to put it down!” story of the trip was recounted in a You can purchase a copy on number of local newspapers around Janet’s website Scotland. www.createwithfibre.co.uk The Knit 1 Bike 1 book is a lighthearted account of the trip and Wright’s Shop & Post Office Dalry Licensed convenience store and newsagent stocking a range of local suppliers including Corsons and Irvings Bakers, Ballards and Dalmellington Country Butchers and Mitchells Fruit and Veg. Opening Times (both shop & PO): Monday to Friday: 7am – 6pm Saturday: 8am – 6pm Sunday: 8.30am – 4pm Tel: 01644 430 225 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm 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 � 01556 502263 � VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS W BONE THE GARAGE, DALRY OPEN 8.30AM - 6PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS - FUEL 24 HOURS - MOT CENTRE FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY � 01644 420234 � Tel: 01644 430 208 Fax: 01644 430 669 jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 13 Brass is Back by Popular Request Dunaskin Doon Band is returning to Carsphairn and this time as national competition finalists. After an absence of five years, on Saturday 20 August the band will perform its third summer concert in the village. On this occasion, however, they will be back as 2016 National Brass Band Championship finalists, having qualified at the Scottish regional championships in Perth in March. The Ayrshire band will be competing against bands across the UK at Cheltenham in September to bring back the national title. The Carsphairn concert will be held in the church and will start at 7.30pm with refreshments served during the interval. Donations at the door will go towards the church fabric fund. Photo of the Issue Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel Competition judges Dave and Sue from the Ken Bridge Hotel chose Clatteringshaws Silhouette by Eric Broadhurst as this issue’s winner. “We were really impressed with the photo of Kenmure Castle by Marylin Lothian - it was nice to see a different view, from above - but the winner this issue is the striking shot of Clatteringshaws Loch.” Eric wins a meal for two at the Ken Bridge Hotel’s renowned Sunday Carvery. Sunday Glenkens Gazette page 14 Air Crashes Around Loch Doon Following an article last year about the air crashes on Corserine, I thought that readers might be interested in the air crashes around Loch Doon. Although two of the three crashes in this area were wartime crashes, the third was within memory of many residents, being a fatal crash in 1975. On 24 October 1941, Spitfire mark IIA serial P7540 left RAF Ayr (Heathfield) on a training flight. It was reported that the pilot made a low pass over Loch Doon but as he banked away, a wing caught the surface which caused the aircraft to crash into the loch. The pilot was F/O Frantisek Hekl of 312 Czech Squadron RAF. Although the RAF searched for the aircraft and pilot at the time, no trace was found. In 1977 a serious search for the aircraft began by members of the Dumfries Sub-Aqua club and other clubs working with the Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum. It would take five years before the aircraft was finally located and recovered by experts operating under a RAF licence. The search involved 567 dives by 109 individual divers. The aircraft has been partially restored and is now on display together with documentation including a photograph of the pilot at the Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum. On 18 March 1944, Hurricane mark IV serial LD564 was on a navigation exercise (NAVEX) from RAF Ayr (Heathfield) piloted by F/O Roswell Murray MacTavish of 439 (Tiger) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force. The aircraft was flying at 3,300 feet when, for reasons that have not been discovered, it descended steeply through clouds and impacted the ground, killing the pilot. F/O MacTavish was 24 years old and came from Vancouver, British Columbia. He is buried in Ayr Cemetery. Remains of the aircraft can still be seen in a firebreak in the forest. On 28 September 1975, Piper Cherokee serial GBATP was flying over the Glenkens with the pilot and three passengers on board. The plane was en route from Prestwick to Blackpool when it struck high ground at Bow Hill, Carsphairn, killing all on board. A plaque commemorating the crash is fixed to a rock at this very remote site. If you visit any of these sites, please be aware of the Protection of Military Remains Act, which makes it an offence to remove any wreckage from military crash sites without a licence. The Piper Cherokee crash site is the only one with a memorial. Paul Goodwin Map with crash sites marked. War Updates: June & July 1916 June 1916 was a relatively quiet month in terms of the war but we still saw the tragic death of Alex Nielson from Dalry. Having emigrated to Canada in 1914, Nielson was serving with the Canadians at the time of his death. As his mother was living in Dalbeattie, his name appears on the Dalbeattie as well as the Dalry war memorials. The battle of the Somme commenced on 1 July with tremendous loss of life on both sides on the first day of battle. By good fortune the men of the Glenkens all survived that first day, but their luck didn’t last and deaths were reported in July from all four Glenkens parishes. On 9 July Alfred Tait of Dalry was killed by the explosion of an enemy mine at Hulloch and is commemorated on the Loos memorial. Joseph McCulloch of Main Street, Dalry, was also killed in July at the age of just 19. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial. It is clear from the dates he served that he lied about his age and was underage when he enlisted and also when he went overseas in January 1915. Robert McWhirter of Old Glenlee, New Galloway, was killed on 19 July at 20 years of age. Prior to enlistment he had been a shepherd at Bennan Farm, New Galloway Station. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial. George Counter of the Salutation Hotel, Carsphairn, was another July death with no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial. Alexander McAdam was born in Balmaclellan (the grandson of the local schoolmaster) and served his apprenticeship as a painter in Dumfries before moving to Edinburgh. He was 30 years old when he was killed on 21 July and is remembered on the Dumfries war memorial and the St Michael’s church memorial in Dumfries as well as on the Balmaclellan memorial. He was also listed on the (now lost) Dumfries Painters’ memorial which was unveiled in the Globe Hotel, Dumfries. James Good of Dalry was killed on 30 July and, with no known grave, is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial. Paul Goodwin Glenkens Gazette page 15 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN What’s in a Name? I am most grateful to all of you who responded to my last contribution wherein I requested suggestions about the location of the place-name, Holm of Dawhernyn. Although I have been up to the head of Water of Ken several times I completely forgot about the Holm of Dalquhairn. Mea culpa! Apologies to all concerned for my doititness! I should have cast my net wider, which is the responsibility of all good historians. My search for the name was too narrow and restrictive. A holm, as you will know, describes an extent of low ground beside a river, sometimes rendered as howm or haugh. The word derives from Old Norse holmr meaning a small island, a word that passed into Scots via Middle English, ‘holme’. In the past, such sites were greatly valued by farmers. John Gillespie, minister of Kells, perceptively described the holm at the head of Loch Ken as ‘perhaps one of the richest spots in Scotland’, because it was inundated several times in winter and spring. ‘Like the Nile it leaves behind it the salts, oils, and fat earths’ carried down by the river, so that ‘many acres produce 300 stone of natural hay and the arable is fertile in proportion’. The downside was that if the Lammas Spate hit at the end of July or beginning of August, as it often did, crops could be destroyed. In view of our own recent experiences with flooding here in Glenkens it is interesting to note that the reporters in the Old Statistical Account for the parishes of Dalry and Crossmichael stated that ‘in some places, earthen banks or mounds have been erected, are erecting, or may be erected with advantage’, but by whom, unfortunately, is not recorded. There are actually two Dalquairns, Upper and Nether, doubtless at one time a ferme toun with a not insignificant population. Dalquhairn is covenanters in the seventeenth-century. He also notes the Whigs’ Hole on Altry Hill, a hiding place used by the ‘suffering bleeding remnant’, trying to avoid state persecution. North of Dalquhairn at the head of the glen is The Lorg: hill, burn, cottage and bridge. Could the name be associated with Gaelic lorg, which means both a shepherd’s staff and a footprint? Nearby place-names provide a guide to the local fauna. Hawk’s Craig, Corby (crow) Craig, two Glede (kite) Craigs, Cow Knowe, Hare Cleugh and Ewe Hill. The ‘what’ in Alwhat Hill refers to wildcats as does Dalwhat to the east. There must be a story behind the intriguing ‘Sour Snout’ the nose-shaped part of Altry Hill. Back in the day the place would not have seemed as remote as it does now since it linked Nithsdale and the Glenkens. Now, when the glen feels like a place of the past, it is salutary to note the presence of the wind farm on Windy Standard, surely a current (and contentious) symbol of modernity. At the south end of the glen the Forestry Commission recently spent £1.2 million pioneering a new method of strengthening the road for previously destructive timber traffic. Readers’ comments are always welcome. Sincere thanks to Linda Murtough, Michael Ansell, Peter, Suzie and Roddy Seed, David Bartholomew and Chris Rollie for their information and suggestions. Ted Cowan Could the name be associated with Gaelic lorg, which means both a shepherd’s staff and a footprint? locally pronounced Dawhurn, which is quite close to the sixteenth-century spelling: Dawhernyn. Dal is Gaelic for field or place, while the second element refers to the cairn, south of the farms. There are different types of cairn. Those on hilltops invite visitors to heighten them by placing a stone on the pile - “a chuckie for the cairn”. Some are on the open moor as waymarkers. This cairn is a prehistoric grave, where a flat bronze axehead was found. Rev David Bartholomew points out that the road beyond Dalquhairn leads to Sanquhar and thus would have provided an entry to the Glenkens for The Earl of Moray in 1568, or for government dragoons hunting Holm of Dalquhairn, Water o’ Ken © Lizanne Henderson, Padeapix Glenkens Gazette page 16 Who Do We Think We Were? Avril Bridgeman was born and brought up in New Galloway, and returned here after many years living in the Midlands and then Kilmarnock. She has fond memories of the annual Glenkens Show, then held in New Galloway. Whether you too grew up here or have arrived in the Glenkens from elsewhere, please send in your 500 words of reminiscence. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are - if you live here, you are part of Glenkens history. Please send your contribution - of no more than 500 words - by email to margaret.elphinstone@dircon.co .uk or hand in a copy at CatStrand marked ‘Glenkens Gazette WDWTWW’ The next Gazette will have a memoir by Margaret Pringle of Dalry, who grew up in Edinburgh. THE SHOW DAY I jumped out of bed and throwing the skylight wide I could hear the bleating and braying of the animals as they were herded into their pens in the park and the back park. The show day had already begun! As an only child growing up in New Galloway, I loved the day of the Glenkens Show when it seemed to me that the whole place came alive with farmers and friends meeting and greeting, laughing, chatting and New Galloway Golf Club shaking hands. After breakfast I ran to the park to meet my friends and admire the animals, spruced and groomed by their owners in the hope of a prized rosette. The air was filled with the country smells of horses, cattle, sheep, straw and sawdust as the judges poked and The man at the front of the photo is John Ewart of prodded the creatures Glenlee Mains, my Dad’s uncle. I can’t name the others. checking for the Maybe someone else will remember! qualities required for a champion beast. The and trailers, I was preparing for horses were my personal favourites. excitement of another kind. My Mum made a huge pot of broth After tea, the hum of the generator in case of visitors and filled the tins drew me to ‘The Shows’, the funfair with tasty home baked treats. At on the old washing green, now the lunchtime my Dad regaled us with car park by the burn near Carson’s his experiences of the morning in the Knowe. park while the hotels did a good trade Faces aglow in the brightly coloured in lunches and liquid refreshments. lights we attempted to roll saved up The street buzzed with activity. pennies, win a goldfish or coconut or In the afternoon I would pop into we rode on the swingboats. The air my Uncle Wullie John Milligan’s shop hung sickly sweet with candy floss (now Williamson and Henry) to and toffee apples. choose a treat from his wide display All too soon it was time to head of sweeties – maybe a lucky bag, home at the end of a tiring day in the a Tobermoray tattie or a stick of fresh air. rhubarb rock. Auntie Ella was busy in As I lay in bed, I could hear the the tearoom upstairs. revellers in the Town Hall at the Show Next stop was the Reading Room dance. The sprung floor, famed as one (now Torr Cottage) which housed the of the best in the region, bounced to floral entries as well as produce. I the rhythm of Uncle Tommy’s ‘Starry held my breath in anticipation that I Nights’ band. myself had been lucky enough to win When the music eventually stopped a prize for my ‘Garden in a saucer’ and the hotel bars emptied, the or my painstakingly handwritten revellers shouted their final farewells, National Anthem. sometimes in song, I fell asleep a Back in the park while the very contented wee lassie. successful beasts were proudly After all, it would be only a year till paraded round the ring before we could do it all over again. being herded home in their floats Avril Bridgeman Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? www.nggc.co.uk Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Buggies now available for hire Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 Founded 1902 - 01644 420737 VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk FHB Fencing Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) Glenkens Gazette BATTLE OF THE SOMME CENTENARY In line with other events nationally on 1 July, acts of remembrance were held at the War Memorials in Balmaclellan, Dalry and New Galloway to commemorate the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916. At 7.30am on July 1, 1916 the battle was launched with three blows page 17 on a whistle. The fighting continued for five months with over 1 million soldiers from both sides killed. Exactly 100 years later, at 7.30am, the local men who died in the battle were remembered with thoughts and prayers. One of those attending reported that: “the dead were remembered, albeit in a very quiet way which perhaps they would have preferred to the noise and horror of the Somme”. This photograph of a rainbow behind the New Galloway War Memorial was taken on the same day just after 8.30pm. Remembered in the Glenkens Scotland’s only civic memorial to ordinary soldiers who died in the Crimean War was the first stop on the latest history field trip undertaken by The Glenkens Story project. A tour of the war memorials in two of the Glenkens parishes started at Balmaclellan where the party were shown the simple red sandstone monument to five local men who died in the 19th century conflict with Russia, immortalised in The Charge of the Light Brigade. Paul Goodwin of the Scottish Military History Group, who led the trip, explained that sometimes family memorials recorded officers lost in the war (there is one at Balmaclellan) and there were regimental memorials around the A&B Welding & Fabrication ANDREW SINCLAIR 21 TOWNHEAD CRESCENT ST JOHN’S TOWN OF DALRY CASTLE DOUGLAS DG7 3UR 01644 430 332 / 07896 168 724 andyandbevsinclair@yahoo.co.uk country, but Balmaclellan was one of only five communities in Britain which had marked the loss of their own ordinary soldiers. Members of the field trip saw no fewer than 18 memorials at six locations across the parishes of Kells and Balmaclellan. The visit included St Margaret’s Church in New Galloway which houses numerous memorials including the plaque commemorating James Faed, the 15-year-old midshipman (and son of the landscape artist) who died after the sinking of HMS Goliath at Gallipoli. A relative of the dead sailor still sometimes attends the church on Armistice Sunday. The New Galloway civic memorial includes the names of the four McCheyne brothers, a rare but far from unique instance of such a loss in one family. It also, unusually for a First World War memorial, includes the name of a nurse, Jane Nodwell, who died from illness acquired while nursing wounded soldiers. Paul explained that each locality made up its own rules on who could be included. In some places such a case would have been excluded. Kells parish obviously displayed a more inclusive spirit, as did Balmaclellan where the memorial bears the name of one soldier who died from his injuries five years after the First World War ended. Some of the participants were viewing the names of their own relatives. Avril Bridgeman of New Galloway told the group about her two great uncles, the McGaw brothers, whose name appears on the Kells memorial. The Glenkens Story is an informal group of local history enthusiasts. Our next Field Trip will be a full-day event on Saturday 3 September when Dr David Bartholomew will lead a tour of Covenanting sites in the Glenkens. To learn more of this and our activities email theglenkensstory@gmail.com or call 07766 686402. Mike Brown Glenkens Gazette page 18 AUGUST & SEPTEMBER AUGUST Fri 4, The Scottish Alternative Games LAUNCH NIGHT PARTY with Not Guilty, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Thu 18, FILM: Steve, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 20, Dunaskin Doon Band, 7.30pm, Carsphairn Church Thu 25, Kris Drever, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 27 & Sun 28, Healing Workshops, 4pm, Dalry Church Wed 31, FILM: Sunset Song, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway SEPTEMBER Tue 13, Slava Sidorenko, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Thu 1, My Sweet Patootie, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Thu 15, FILM: Youth, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 3, FoDSFest2k16, Music & Arts Festival, 3-9pm, Dalry School Field Fri 16, Dance Ihayami: Silent Space, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 3, Glenkens Story Field Trip; tour of the key Covenanting sites in the Glenken, 10am-4.30pm, starts at Dalry, contact theglenkensstory@ gmail.com Mon 5, Dalry CC EGM, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 9, Stranded Cat Records Showcase & Single Launch, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 23, Son Al Son, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 28, FILM: Under the Skin, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 30, Charioteer Theatre & Teatro Milano Present: A Bench on the Road, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway DALRY PHOTOS WANTED The Dalry Town Hall committee is looking for submissions of photographs of Dalry. Please send in views of Dalry and the surrounding area for a Dalry Town Hall Christmas Card Photo Competition. Entries must in by the end of September. Please get in touch for further information: Noreen Bell, 01644 420730. “I only advertise in the Gazette, and from that one ad I’ve gained plenty of new customers as well as many regular clients.” J Mair, Bargatton Quarry Glenkens Agricultural Society Annual Show Saturday 13th August Mains of Kenmure, New Galloway VOLUNTEERS WANTED for GLENKENS COMMUNITY SHOP We’d love to have some new people on board to help support us at the Shop - please pop in if you are interested. - 34 Main Street, Dalry - Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Poultry, Horses, Show Jumping, Fancy Dress Pony, Pets & Dogs, Crookmaking, Refreshments, Schedules from Fiona McIntyre: 01387 261 812 or fiona_mcintyre@hotmail.co.uk Apollo5 Returns to the Glenkens Summer Concert Saturday 20 August Dalry Town Hall 7.30pm Ticket at the door £8 (accompanied children free) Glenkens Gazette page 19 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Margaret Morris dance 1: 3-7yrs, term-time Mondays, 3.45-4.30pm Margaret Morris dance 2: 816yrs, term-time Mondays, 4.305.15pm Access All Areas Youth Arts - Making Music: Please phone CatStrand to book session. Gentle Tai Chi: Wed, 10am, 60+ Glenkens Writing Group: First Wed each month 3-5pm Sing it Out: Thurs, 11am -12pm CatStrand Ukes: Thurs, 1pm – 3.30pm 60+ Choreographic Skills Lab: Thurs (term-time), 7 - 8.30pm ages 12-18 Zumba Gold: Fridays (term-time), 10-11am, CatStrand, 16+ Saturday Art Club: twice a month, 10am–12noon, to book call 420 374 Catstrand Youth Players: Sun during term time, 2pm Glenkens Acoustic Sessions: last Sun of the month, 2-4pm Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, (contact Kath on 430 281): Paint & Art: Mon, 1.30-4.30pm & Wed, 7-9pm GCC Playgroup: Tues, Wed & Thurs, 9.10-11.40am, contact Sue on 07709 929 482 Guides: Tues during term-time, 6.15pm, contact: Kath 430 281 Good Neighbours’ Club: Tues, 2pm Brownies: Wed, 5.30-6.45pm Kickback Martial Arts: Thurs, 79pm Thursday Craft Group: Thurs, 24pm Glenkens Children’s Club: Fri, 10am-12noon New Galloway Town Hall: LING Lunches: Tues, 11am-2pm Indoor Sports: Tues, 7-9pm (from September) Zumba: Wed, 7.30-8.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, 11+ Hard of Hearing Drop-in: First Fri each month, 10am-12noon Various Locations: Ballroom & Latin Dance: Mon, 7.30pm, Castle Douglas Primary School Carsphairn Post Office: Tues, 13pm, Lagwyne Hall Beavers: Tues, 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training: Tues & Thurs, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: 4th Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall. Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. 25 Sept, 12noon, Harvest CHURCH TIMES Dalry. Thanksgiving, Dalry Church, CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services - Balmaclellan 12noon: 1st. Carsphairn 10.30am: 1st, 2nd(Aug), 3rd, 4th. Dalry 9am: 1st, 2nd(Aug), 3rd, 4th(Aug). Dalry 10.30am: 2nd(Sept). Dalry 12noon(Sept). Kells 10.30am: 2nd(Aug), 3rd, 4th. Special Services/Events: 11 Sept, 10.30am, United Family Service, Dalry Church, followed by BBQ and children’s games at the Manse, followed by Harvest Lunch in Dalry Town Hall. Communion Service: 28 Aug, 10.30am, Kells Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm 670 Wednesday Quiz Night: Wed, 8.30pm, Cross Keys Hotel, New Galloway Stewartry Camera Club: Wed, 7.30pm, Ringford Village Hall, runs Wed 11 Sept till end Mar Mossdale Painters: Wed, 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Coffee & Craft Morning: Thurs, 9am-12noon, Lagwyne Hall Youth Writing Group: Thurs (during term time), 3.30-5pm, ages 10-15, Dalry School Scouts: Thurs, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Gentle Tai Chi: Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall To hire the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) behind Dalry School call Sonja Tranter on 430 244 or Nicolette Wise on 430 218. Dalry Library Temporary Hours Tue: 12noon - 3.30pm Fri: 10am - 12noon & 1pm - 4.30pm There are 23 mobile library stops - to find out where and when please phone 430 234. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 20 COMMUNITY COUNCILS LOCAL CONTACTS: REINSTATED Following their highly controversial dissolution, three local community councils Carsphairn, Dalry and New Galloway & Kells are active once again. The three Community Councils, along with many others across the region, were dissolved earlier this year, creating a huge outcry. After following due procedure, the nominated Councillors were re-elected as of July 7, 2016. Unfortunately, as it will take considerable time to change the overly bureaucratic and ‘draconian’ rules of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Amended Scheme, Community Councillors will be forced to re-adopt the very scheme that put them out of business in the first place or face Balmaclellan dissolution again! Kay Bird - kaybird15@btinternet.com This is the kind of Carsphairn farce that if turned into a comedy, people Anna Clark Kennedy - carsphairncc@gmail.com wouldn’t believe. The Dalry lack of forethought by Moira Jones sjtdalrycc@gmail.com D&G Council staff in writing ‘the scheme’, New Galloway & Kells and subsequent lack Craig Millar - craig_millar@talk21.com of obligatory support from the Stewarty business can inevitably be a bit ‘dry’, Area Framework Team in particular, but usually there are interesting and are almost slap-stick. worthy projects desperately in need Whilst not seeing the funny side of volunteer support like community of this ‘comedy of errors’, Glenkens resilience. Ultimately it is all about Community Councillors seem to be making your community a better place made of sterner stuff. By the time to live, work and play. this edition of the Glenkens Gazette So why not try something is available, all Community Councils different this year, go along to should be up and running again, doing their best for the residents of our area. your local Community Council meeting and see if there’s Community Council meetings are something you fancy getting open to everyone to attend and get involved with what is happening in involved in? Andi Holmes, your area. Some of the everyday Community Councillor for Dalry 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 OCT/NOV COPY DEADLINE: 5 SEPTEMBER Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050 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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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 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:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). 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 News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry October/November 2016 ISSUE 96 FREE GLENKENS CHILDREN’S CLUB LIVES TO PLAY ANOTHER TERM Childcare provision for under-threes in the Glenkens has been resucitated - for now - through a variety of very welcome support ranging from grants to fundraising activities. groups to continue, hopefully until Easter, includes £5,000 from WestSound’s Cash for Kids and £1,700 from local business Natural Power Consultants Ltd, as well as grants from the Glenkens Community Shop and funds raised by St Margaret’s Ladies’ Guild and the FoDSFEST Tea Tent. The group is very grateful for all the help and support it has received, and The figure which is allowing the would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all involved. If the Playgroup is forced to close, families in the north of the Glenkens would face round-trip journeys of over 50 miles to the nearest provision in the Stewartry, as well as the future of the Glenkens Community Centre being at risk with GCC Playgroup having a visit from a PC Lindsey Tait during the GCC and playgroup as its biggest users. From 2012 to 2014, GCC primarily relied on the Big Lottery’s Community & Families Fund which has now closed. In October the group will find out whether the Council’s Area Committee fund will provide support of any kind. The group has re-applied after being denied funding in August, despite there still being £40k left in the Area Committee pot at that time. Continued on Youth writers Review inside their ‘People Who Help Us’ theme. GAZETTE EXCLUSIVE! Interview with Outlander star Sam Heughan, Glenkens-born actor turned Hollywood heart-throb due to his role as dashing warrior Jamie Fraser in the hit TV series. See p3... A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 Carsphairn Flood Mitigation Update A further public meeting has been held to advance possible mitigation measures and solutions to the serious flooding experienced by Carsphairn over recent years. The meeting, chaired by local councillor and MSP Finlay Carson, was a follow-up to an initial meeting in January this year. Representatives from Kaya Consulting, SEPA, Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Power and Dumfries & Galloway Council attended the meeting as well as Richard Arkless MP, with approximately 40 members of the Carsphairn community to hear of the latest developments on this issue. It was concluded that mitigation measures involving direct defenses seem to be the most effective means to prevent the village being flooded. Met Office data shows that rainfall has increased steadily over the years, completely saturating catchments prior to floods last year (evidenced by flow gauges in nearby rivers). In order to reach this conclusion, other areas were also researched. Land use and particularly afforestation and deforestation were studied to see if they were factors. Modern forestry practices and recent guidance now considers the potential flood risk. However, around Carsphairn the forestry is long established, consequently the effect is difficult to quantify. River morphology was studied – changes are minimal except for a degree of sediment movement but no real change. Sediment Deposition – the effectiveness of dredging was researched and would result in limited improvements with most areas still being affected. Suggested solutions centred on: • The installation of a walled flood defence - an 850m long wall/embankment along the West side of the A713; a 350 to 400m long wall/embankment round the southern perimeter of the village and a widened/relocated Green Head Strand downstream of the A713 • Flood warning - although there is a gauge at Bridgend upstream of Carsphairn, the close proximity of this to the village means that it is not suitable to provide a flood warning with sufficient lead-in time. The Council will continue barriers/air-vent covers/nonreturn valves to prevent sewage backflow. Some more work needs to be undertaken by Kaya using new survey data to ensure that there are no negative impacts or, if there are, that these too can be managed. Dumfries & Galloway Council will progress with landowner engagement and design works to endeavour to install temporary measures before winter. Work of this nature will be funded by Dumfries and Galloway Council. Scottish Government funding for a future scheme has not been identified yet as Carsphairn was not eligible as it was not in a Potentially Vulnerable Area. Dumfries and Galloway Council will continue to develop a permanent scheme and use every opportunity to lobby for funding assuming a costeffective scheme (where benefits exceed the costs – known as a ‘positive benefit-cost ratio’) can be achieved. Carsphairn Community Council hope to show that Carsphairn should be in a Potentially Vulnerable Area, and is hopeful that finally positive action may be taken to respond to the flooding which was devastating for those whose homes were badly flooded and who lost land. The time factor is important - the community is anxious that proposed measures should be actioned before the onset of winter. Liz Holmes, Chair, Carsphairn Community Council It was concluded that mitigation measures involving direct defenses seem to be the most effective means to prevent the village being flooded. GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway to engage with SEPA as to how predicted rainfall patterns can be used to improve warnings to partner agencies. • Property level protection - pumps for underfloor areas/ W BONE THE GARAGE, DALRY OPEN 8.30AM - 6PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS - FUEL 24 HOURS - MOT CENTRE FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY � 01644 420234 � Tel: 01644 430 208 Fax: 01644 430 669 jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 3 CELEBRITY INTERVIEW: SAM HEUGHAN The A-list Hollywood actor, best-known for his iconic Scots role in Outlander, tells the Gazette about his Glenkens childhood and how he made it to where he is today. Do you think being born in the Glenkens has formed you as a person in any particular way? I feel very fortunate being born and raised in the Glenkens. The freedom of the countryside plus the close community were instrumental in my upbringing. I was surprised to find it was not the case in other places when I moved away from the area. The outdoor activities, fresh produce and safe environment were an ideal start in life. When did you decide you’d like to be an actor? I guess I knew from a young age I wanted to be involved but didn’t know how. Touring theatre companies which came to Galloway and school trips to Glasgow Citizens Theatre and Edinburgh Lyceum helped capture my imagination. But it wasn’t until I moved to Edinburgh and joined a youth theatre that I really began to get into acting. I guess an overactive imagination helped. The forest and hills of Galloway were where I played out great battles in my mind. What subjects did you take at school and what school/s did you go to? I went to Kells primary until we moved to Edinburgh for secondary school. I felt it gave me a strong academic understanding, plus introduced me to music and the poetry of Robert Burns, which I’d later realise I really enjoyed. The school had great teachers and really felt like an extended family. Village life means you know everyone in your class, if not whole school. The school also had an sporting emphasis which led to joining the Cub Scouts, another great community and introduction to outdoor adventures. What are your favourite things so far about the work you do? The show is a great advert for Scotland. I’m very proud to show our country to the rest of the world. I fight for it to remain authentic and I know all the cast and crew’s hard work and dedication gives it the heart. We have been lucky to travel all over the world, regularly attending conventions and other events. Our nominations to the Golden Globes and other award ceremonies mean we get to rub shoulders with a lot of my idols. It’s brought great opportunity too; I feel very lucky. What are the worst things so far about the work you do? The show has gathered great success but with that comes the loss of some privacy. I really enjoy anonymity and at times it is difficult, but our fans are so lovely that it outweighs the negative. The show has taken over our lives. We shoot 11 months a year and around 14 hours a day with travel, and sometimes more. It’s to earth. I get most star-struck by sports people. Hollywood has become very familiar: I’ve spent a lot of time there now over the years. There are cool parts, with a relaxed lifestyle, but also a lot of madness. It’s great to dip in and out - I have fun there. What advice would you give to young people in the Glenkens about following their dreams and aspirations? I went to youth theatre for a couple of years. I failed on my first attempt to get into drama school, but committed to it as a career and worked on student productions, etc, to get experience. Then I did three years’ studying before becoming a ‘professional’. I worked on stage/ tv and film of varying degrees (plus various bar work/office jobs to support myself) for 15 years before I landed Outlander. I guess what I’m getting at is that it takes dedication, hard work and a little luck. It has to be all you want to do; no back-up plan. Find a local youth theatre (I’m a patron of Youth Theatre Arts), see as much film/theatre as you can. Dream big - and believe in yourself! “I feel very fortunate being born and raised in the Glenkens.” a marathon for sure! What’s it like meeting and working with all the people most of us only see on the big screen? I’m lucky to have met some really great people. You realise everyone is the same, and actually most are really down Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by EVERYTHING listed in the Glenkens Freecycle section is FREE - you just need to contact the owner and go and pick it up! If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch with Sarah on 07727 127 997 or email glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk VARIOUS ‘Large Black’ sow, free to good home. Contact: 07727 127 997 Tag-a-long bike extension, adds extra seat and wheel for children to ride behind, bit rusty but works. Contact: 07967 959 511 Disability scooter, fairly old, electric, small, with charger. Still works bit needs some TLC. Great for getting round the shops. Has bar attached to use with hoist to lift into the car. Contact: Maggi on 07752 292 138 Strimmer, with line, battery, charger, etc. Contact: 460 516 Upright piano in good working order. Steel frame. All notes & pedals work but would benefit from re-tuning after moving. It will take several people to lift it into a van or similar. From smoke and pet free home. Collection from Mochrum near Knockvennie. Contact: Trevor on 440 683 Folding bed with mattress suitable for occasional use for a child. Not suitable for adults. From smoke and pet free home. Collection from Mochrum near Knockvennie. Contact: Trevor on 440 683 Robust red tricycle - suitable for outdoor use by 3/5-yearold. Contact: 07766 686 402 WANTED Table to use as desk, any condition. Contact: 07967 959 511 Kenwood Mixer wanted. Any age - ‘Chef’ model if possible (not hand mixer). Contact: 430 373 Exercise bike wanted. Contact: 07920 066 167 Clear plastic corrugated sheet, min 3ft x3ft. Contact: 420 634 Paddling Pool. Approx 4ft diameter and 15inch. Solid sides. Contact: 07766 686 402 Various unwanted furniture; tables, chairs, chest of drawers and other small household items. Contact: 450 679 or cathamonk@gmail.com Shop Campaign Bids for Big Lottery Support An application has been submitted to the Big Lottery’s Growing Community Assets fund for a grant to save New Galloway’s last shop from closure. If successful, the award will enable New Galloway Community Enterprises Ltd (NGCE) to buy Hopkins shop and house, convert the property to a community hub containing a community shop and two tourist self-catering flats, and provide tapered financial support over the initial years of operation. The proposal includes funding for a Community Engagement Officer to foster the wellbeing and economy of New Galloway, based on the community hub. NGCE secured a Big Lottery development grant in February and, in a hectic six months since then, architect’s plans have been produced, planning permission obtained, and a comprehensive business plan produced including measures to strengthen community resilience. A 103page application form was submitted by the end-of-August deadline. The outcome of the bid is expected around the turn of the year. NGCE is a Community Benefit company registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. The NGCE board of eight volunteers and Project Officer Helen Keron would like to acknowledge the invaluable support of Jim and Margaret Hopkins and all the people in New Galloway who have contributed to surveys, provided many positive ideas and offered much encouragement. If you want to hear more about our plans for the shop and community hub, come to New Galloway Town Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 29 September when we will describe what happens next if we are successful in our bid. Mike Brown, Chair, NGCE Ltd Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by If you are interested in birds and other branches of natural history, why not come along to some of the Stewartry Birdwatchers’ meetings? This small friendly group of enthusiasts started their 41st programme of talks in their long-established venue of Kells School, New Galloway. The first talk was given by Brian Morrell, manager of the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust’s Caerlaverock Reserve. Brian is Dumfries born-and-bred with a life-long interest in birds. He highlighted some key species - Barnacle Geese, Whooper Swans and Ospreys - and gave an update of the current situation regarding migratory arrivals. He certainly got our 41st session off to a ‘flying’ start... Throughout the year the more active members of the Stewartry group visit interesting locations on the coast as well as inland. In the summer, places such as the Mennock Pass for the elusive ring ouzel, or woodlands for small birds such as migratory warblers. In winter, the trip across to Loch Ryan is well worth the journey to see the rare brent geese and various species of divers and grebes, whilst visits to various locations on the Solway coast offer sightings of numerous species of waders. On Thursday 13 October Andy Howard, a professional wildlife photographer and guide from Inverness, will be giving a talk. Thursday 10 November sees the unexpected return of popular film-maker Gordon Yates. A few years ago Gordon decided that, after some thirty years of travelling to Dumfries & Galloway every February to show his films, he was retiring. His latest film is based on three visits to Iceland and features the great northern diver and other birds, as well as flowers and spectacular scenery. Another popular speaker returns on 15 December; Angus Hogg, a retired Ayrshire schoolteacher, will give a presentation entitled Birding on the Edge: the Uists. All are welcome at these meetings which are held monthly on Thursdays at 7.30pm in Kells School. These entertaining evenings are very suitable for children too. Joan Howie Glenkens Tree Surgeons Professional Tree work * Tree removal * Pruning * Crown reductions * Pollarding * Felling * Hedge cutting Covering Dumfries & Galloway The Glenkens - Moniaive - Glencairn area www.glenkenstreesurgeons.co.uk Richard Kirsch 07932 577840 rjbk@hotmail.com Fully Qualified & Insured - 15 years’ experience Glenkens Gazette page 6 GLENKENS CHILDREN’S CLUB UPDATE Continued from front page... Glenkens Children’s Club (GCC) is a voluntary organisation under the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) umbrella, created after D&G Council funding cuts in 2012 resulted in the closure of the existing playgroup. The group runs both parent-andtoddler sessions (Chidren’s Club) and staffed sessions (Playgroup). GCC are extremely grateful to the huge fundraising effort which has been put in by parents and local supporters, and is optimistic that this time the application to the Stewartry Area Fund will be successful, and hopefully other funding opportunities will arise to carry the group through another year at least. Children’s Club runs on Friday mornings from 10am to 12noon, and is a parent run baby-and-toddler session with fun activities, healthy snacks, health visitor visits for the little ones and peer breast feeding support. The group runs both during term time and over the school holidays. Playgroup is a term-time only Care Inspectorate registered facility and runs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9.4511.45am, and is a staffed session where parents can leave children to play. All GCC sessions run in the Glenkens Community Centre, Kirkland Street, Dalry. For further info, please visit the GCC Facebook page or website glenkensgcc.wordpress.com RECENT GCC FUNDRAISERS: At the Alternative Games in August, St Margaret’s Ladies’ Guild raised £308 at their tombola stall for the Glenkens Children’s Club. Treasurer Jean Marsden said: “We always like to support local groups at the Alternative Games and this year was our most successful ever and we hope this will help the Glenkens wee ones by allowing their Children’s Club to stay open.” FoDSFEST kindly offered a space in Annie’s Acoustic tent where GCC ran a fundraising ‘Tea in the Park’ cream teas stall, which raised over £300. Thanks to FoDSFEST, and to all the amazing volunteers who manned the stall, donated scones, helped create signage and organise things, as well as a massive thank you to Roan’s Dairy who donated the milk and Galloway Flowers for the beautiful bouquets which adorned the tables. RJ McCulloch is a family run plumbing, heating and renewables company that is a trusted provider of affordable heating solutions. At RJ McCulloch we embody the concepts of quality, technical skills and customer satisfaction. Our aim is to provide our customers with a no-nonsense and reliable service for many years to come. From a rural cottage to a country estate, we can design and install a heating system to suit your needs. Our highly experienced installation and service engineers are fully qualified in all areas of Gas, Oil, LPG, Biomass, Heat pumps and Solar Thermal. RJ McCulloch recently installed a Mitsubishi Ecodan heat pump for Gary and Liz at St John’s Town Of Dalry to replace their electric storage heaters and hot water immersion system. They are now experiencing reduced fuel costs, more efficient central heating and hot water and also benefiting from the renewable heat incentive available to home owners and businesses alike installing renewable technology. Please feel free to contact Ross for advice relating to any Plumbing or Heating queries you may have. Happy owners of a new Eco Dan boiler, Gary and Liz, with Ross McCulloch. Glenkens Gazette page 7 CatStrand Highlights October and November are jam-packed with hot stuff at the CatStrand, keeping us toasty as we move into the colder months of autumn and into winter. Glenkens for an eerily poignant and superstitiously timely presentation on witch belief in Galloway on Sunday 23 October. And finishing off the The top-class choices of film, month, on Monday music and theatre performances 31 October is start off with traditional tunes the return of from the highly acclaimed RANT the CatStrand on Sunday 2 October. Described Halloween Party Last year’s Halloween lantern parade at the as: “An irresistible journey from 6-8pm. CatStrand Halloween Party. through reels, strathspeys and Into November, a delight... by turns droll, jigs,” the BBC Radio 2 Folk we have the Alasdair Roberts pungent and lovely.” And Awards nominees are set to Trio on Friday 18 for some finishing off the month, the have feet tapping. Glasgow-based guitar and CatStrand Christmas Shopping Come and join us for the talk vocal sounds. The Observer Day will run from 10.30am to The Glenkens Story: Witch states: “His twisting melodies 4pm on Saturday 26 November, Belief in Galloway and the and cryptic imagery remain with an array of local crafts, art, foods and goodies perfect for See our latest brochure or visit our website for programme those Christmas stockings. details. Book online at www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420374. The CatStrand Team Visit our website for all informa�on about the scheme and up to date developments: www.gallowayglens.org Please also follow us on twi�er and facebook! Glenkens Gazette page 8 Finnjamboree 2016 Cara Ramsay tells us about her Girlguiding trip to Finland. My trip to Roihu Finnjamboree 2016 was a real adventure! I spent the first two days of my trip in Helsinki before heading to camp. While we were in Helsinki we visited Suomenlinna, an old sea fortress on a island, which had beautiful views and old buildings. We also visited the theme park which was great fun, the market which sold lots of yummy-looking fresh fruit, the ‘Church in the Rock’, and we took a sightseeing tour bus around the city. Our leaders also treated us to a yummy meal at The Hard Rock Cafe before we headed to camp. Camp was located twoand-a-half hours away from Helsinki, out in the countryside with masses of forests and lakes surrounding it. When we arrived at camp we were confronted with lots of boy and girls scouts of all different nationalities all setting up their campsites, building massive gateways into their camp units, tying up hammocks in the trees and some even building treehouses and bridges! At camp we slept in two big round tents with 10 of us in each. We shared our camp unit with a group of Finnish scouts who were really friendly and were happy to help us with anything. During camp we had five different ceremonies: Opening, Evening Prayer, Sub-Camp Night, Mid Camp and Closing Ceremony. I really enjoyed these ceremonies. Each ceremony would have amazing singers and dancers which got all 18,000 young people up singing and dancing together. The atmosphere at them was what I loved most, from the minute we began to march to the main stage - scouts from lots of different nationalities, all dressed up smart in their uniforms, sang and chanted and waved their countries’ flag. During the day at camp, my age group took part in lots of different themed programmes. My favourite was the craft one where I made a pretty copper Cara in her Senior Section Uniform, ready for her flight out to Finland. necklace and printed a t-shirt with the Roihu logo. I also enjoyed the water activities, and the business one where we had to make up our own business and make products which our business could sell. While I was away it was International Day so to celebrate this every country got a chance to do something. We teamed up with a group of Scottish scouts and put on our kilts and held a ceilidh where we taught scouts Scottish ceilidh dances. I enjoyed that and made friends with scouts from different countries. While I was there I got some really nice badges to add to my camp blanket and some scout neckies too. I tried lots of interesting new foods, some I don’t think I could even tell you what it was! I would like to thank everyone involved in helping fund this trip - it was an adventure of a lifetime! Cara Ramsay Carsphairn Shop & Tearooms Opening Times: Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 7am-5pm; Wed 7am-3pm, Sat 8am-4pm, Sun 10am-3pm (closed Sundays from November to March) - Fresh and modern look Shop & Tearoom - local produce & gi�s - DCUK, Galloway Candles & more - sea�ng 24 indoors & 18 outdoors Bookings welcome! Tel: 01644 460 568 Glenkens Gazette page 9 NEW GALLERY FOR COUNTRY STORE The Country Store at Camling, Penpont, was started in the 1980s in a small building in the Camling farm steading by Jim and Anne Campbell. The original idea was to sell a few bags of calf milk to the customers who were buying calves from them which they brought up from Cheshire. The few bags of calf milk grew into other animal feeds, and another small building was made into a shop selling overalls, wellies and other goods required in the countryside. From there a new shed was built incorporating a shop area. With the help of our hard-working staff and loyal customers, the business grew and grew, and another shed had to be built. In 2013 Jim and Anne were approached by Harbro who were interested in the business. As Jim wasn’t getting any younger the decision was made to sell the business to Harbro. He was asked to stay on as manager which he was pleased to do. Harbro has 18 stores throughout Scotland from Shetland in the North to Camling in the South. They have manufacturing mills throughout Scotland, and their animal feed is of the highest quality and well respected by farmers throughout the UK. All the Harbro stores sell a full range of products for the general public as well as farmers, including leisure clothing for ladies and gents, gardening goods, garden furniture, animal health products, household goods, pet foods and bird foods. Camling store employs six local staff who serve customers from Carlisle to the Mull of Galloway. The latest idea for the store was an art gallery for local artists. Lauren Wyllie, who has been employed in the store for the past eight years, is a very talented artist and her work is the first to be displayed in the gallery for the Bargatton Sand & Gravel Supplying sand and gravel for all your farming needs, as well as households and businesses both large and small. We stock washed fine sand, coarse sand and gravels at competitive prices. For further details contact: James Mair - 07793 085 243 Email: loch.bargatton@live.co.uk Bargatton Quarry, Laurieston, Castle Douglas, DG7 2PS Open Monday to Friday Weekends by arrangement Delivery can be arranged - subject to quantity month of August. There are at least six local artists interested in using our gallery to display their work, and exhibitions will change on a monthly basis. For further information about the shop and gallery, visit www.harbro.co.uk or take a look at the ad on the back page of this issue of the Glenkens Gazette. Some of the artwork from the current exhibition by Lauren Wyllie. Richard Arkless MP Dumfries & Galloway Constituency Richard operates an open-door policy please just pop in to either office at any time during opening hours. Constituency Office Dumfries Unit 7, High Street, Loreburne Shopping Centre, Dumfries, DG1 2BD Tel: 01387 265698 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm Constituency Office Stranraer 36-38 Charlotte Street, Stranraer, DG9 7EF Tel: 01776 705800 Mon/Tue/Thurs/Fri 10am-2pm Email: richard.arkless.mp@parliament.uk www.richardarkless.scot Glenkens Gazette page 10 SCOTTISH ALTERNATIVE GAMES 2016 Rain has been the main threat to the Games in recent years but this time wind presented the challenge as organisers battled to assemble tents throughout the morning. The challenge was met however and the promise of a dry afternoon attracted the largest crowd for several years to New Galloway for the 2016 Games. Some of the Gird ‘n’ Cleek classes required extra heats to accommodate the large number of entrants and resulted in some keen competition. After an excellent final and great competition throughout the afternoon, the World Championship was claimed by New Galloway lass Kelsie Marshall. The Tractor Pull attracted plenty of entrants and this year there was a new event for juniors - the Quad Bike Pull. It attracted the biggest queue of the day in the arena as the youngsters showed off their strength. Strong gusty wind presented another challenge in the Tossin’ the Sheaf competition but it didn’t prevent some impressive heights being reached. The Snail Racing proved a great success again, and there was an impressive turnout of vehicles lined up for the Classic Car Show. Another new event this year was the Alternative Run, and archery returned to the Games for the first time for several years with Threave Bowmen Archery Club giving everyone the chance to try their hand at the ancient skill. Musical entertainment was in the capable hands of Lockerbie & District Pipe Band who opened the Games and then played again later in the afternoon and the CatStrand Ukelele Band who played various sessions under the shelter of the old oak tree beside the beer tent. The weekend itself was given a resounding musical start on Friday evening when the popular band ‘Not Guilty’ made a long awaited return to New Galloway and played at CatStrand and then Saturday evening was the turn of Alternative Curling at the Town Hall when everyone was able to try out New Age Curling, essentially curling without ice. The unique formula of the Alternative Games, first organised in 1977 by the late Mungo Bryson, never ceases to produce smiles all round. With families returning year after year from all over Britain to join locals in taking part, this popular event can look forward to its 40th anniversary in 2017 with confidence and a sense of pride. Glenkens Gazette page 11 New Routes to Help You Make Sense of the Biosphere Look out for the recently published Explore the Biosphere leaflets in venues across the region. Three routes have been developed which we feel demonstrate how the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere designation helps make connections between conservation, learning and development. Giving a flavour of all aspects of the Biosphere, the three routes are based around the natural assets provided by rivers and lochs at Loch Doon and Carrick Forest Drive; Loch Trool and the Cree Valley; and Loch Ken and the River Dee. The itineraries feature businesses and organisations that value the natural assets found in south west Scotland, and have shown their aspiration to be proud supporters of the Biosphere by agreeing to the six principles of the Biosphere Charter. Each route identifies places that demonstrate the role of the Biosphere to improve our lives by strengthening connections between individuals and communities, business and environment, people and nature or science and art. The leaflets include a range of of us. Rain captured in our Galloway Hills gives us much more than drinking water; it creates habitats that support a wide range of wildlife and provides resources for energy production, agriculture, education, tourism and recreation. The rivers radiating out from the Galloway Hills define the area of the UNESCO Biosphere and as well as connecting the uplands with the sea, they help to link people with nature. But the Biosphere is as much about a way of living as a place to visit so the itineraries provide a guide to help explore the area, not just to discover nature and landscapes but also to discover communities and initiatives that support the Biosphere concepts of conservation, learning and development. Find out more about the Biosphere Charter and the new Biosphere itineraries by visiting the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere website at www.gsabiosphere.org.uk ...strengthening connections between individuals and communities, business and environment, people and nature or science and art. attractions that focus on special qualities of the Biosphere; wildlife and natural beauty, heritage and culture, inspiration, tranquillity, local produce and most importantly recreation and enjoyment. The leaflets also focus on the water that is essential to life for all Glenkens Gazette page 12 DALRY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY Dalry School would like to thank those members of the community who were able to celebrate the birthdays of the buildings either by attending the assembly on 30 August, or by braving the rain to attend the FoDsfest on 3 September. Community support and involvement is crucial to schools and in Dalry we are fortunate to have both. The Cowan Murdoch Memorial Gym (pictured) is there for all to use and we hope that healthy, happy and achieving is now accessible for all. Sustainable Living Trip Pupils from S1 to S3 travelled from Dalry to the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley to look at the technologies of the Industrial Revolution and how they can relate to us today. Exploring the site gave a fascinating insight into what life was like 100 years ago. The evening of the first day was spent at the Swan Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon where we watched Cymbeline and were blown away by the interpretation of Shakespeare’s play in the 400th anniversary there was the challenge of trying year. Spending a night in a big to pronounce the Welsh names. country house which is now a Arriving in the dark and rain Youth hostel gave a flavour of into the Ecolodge that gave international community living. us shelter for the night was On the next morning the group different and the cloudy day travelled to Bath to look at meant no showers, as the sun the use Romans made of the had not been out enough to heat geothermal springs over 2000 the water. Lighting the stove years ago - amazing. early the next morning remedied Travelling further south that and the day was spent to Cornwall took us to looking at how the accumulation the Eden Project where of lots of small changes in the the accommodation was way we live could result in a prefabricated ‘snooze’ boxes set carbon neutral Britain. into containers. Being on site for The challenge now we have the Eden Project in the morning returned is to put all we learned meant that we had the site to into practice and to live as lightly ourselves for several hours and as possible on the planet Earth. allowed us to meander through Jenny Smith, the zones, experiencing what the Headteacher, Mediterranean and rain forest Dalry School environments really feel like. Flowers, insects, crops and building styles were all experienced in the space of a few hours. Moving on from the south west over into south Wales brought changes in accents and road signs. All The Cowan Murdoch Memorial Gym, situated in the the way up to playing field behind the school and open to the public out Machynlleth of school hours. FISHY FUN FOR DALRY NURSERY The Nursery have been back in session for a few weeks now, and the children have been busy learning about The Rainbow Fish. We have made a beautiful rainbow fish collage and now we are planning to take a trip on the Glenkens Transport Initiative minibus to Castle Douglas to go and buy our own goldfish. We also ordered the ‘Big Book’ of the Rainbow Fish from Dalry Library and the children visited the library to go and collect it, stopping to have a story with librarian Angela while we were there. David, Dalry school janitor, has been helping the Nursery children to set up a ‘BiOrb’ fish tank where our new fish will live and we are all very excited! Keep a look out in the December/January issue of the Gazette for our next adventure... Sabine Haynes, Nursery Teacher Nursery children on their visit to Dalry Library. Glenkens Gazette page 13 FoDSFest, Dalry’s first music and arts festival, took place on Saturday 3rd September - members of the Youth Writing Group review some of the highlights... FoDSFest: The Big Picture FoDSFest was organised as a fundraiser for Dalry School, and also to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the secondary and 85th anniversary of primary. For all ages, the festival was a community event showcasing local talent and included singing, dancing, ‘Tea in the Park’, ice cream, craft tent, kids zone, gymnastics show and tuck shop. Scope All about art The art tent at FoDSFest 2k16 attracted lots of young aspiring artists with its colourful exterior. Inside the tent there were mugs to paint and a storytelling session with local storyteller Anne Errington. But the fun wasn’t just on the inside, outside there was rain painting, which took advantage of the fact that it was raining, hard. At the end, one little boy was so covered in paint that he looked like a living work of art. Kid’s Zone Words: Sarah McCreath Pics: Fraser McCormick Terrific tuck shop In the little wooden shelter behind the school, there was a tuck shop selling glow sticks and 50p mixes, there were also big balloons and UV glow face and body paint. At the end of the day, while Scope was performing, everyone was waving their glow sticks in the air, and the balloons were flying everywhere. Glenkens Gazette Dalry School wasn't the only cause page 14to benefit from FoDSFest - Glenkens Children's Club and Playgroup raised over 300 pounds at their Tea in the Park tent, and Afghan Schools raised 50 pounds in the craft tent. FoDSFest was the brainchild of primary 3/4 teacher Jenna Devlin. Rachel caught up with her the week after the festival.... R: How long did it take to plan FoDSFest 2k16? Mrs D: It took nine weeks to plan FoDSFest, we started just before the school holidays. R: Would you like for FoDSFest to happen again? Mrs D: I would love to have another FoDSFest and lots of people have been asking for it to be an annual event. R: How easy or hard was it to plan? Mrs D: It was very hard to plan but I had a lot of help, at home and from the fantastic FoDS committee. R: How were you able to get everyone to play? Mrs D: We were able to get Scope to play at FoDSFest because the make-up artist for my sister’s wedding is Scope’s partner and the rest were not busy at the time of the event. R: How much did FoDSFest raise? Mrs D: At the moment it looks like FoDSFest raised in excess of 1,000 pounds for the school, this will benefit all children from Nursery right through to Secondary pupils. R: What was your favourite part? Mrs D: I love music so my favourite part of it was the live bands. R: If you could change anything what would it be? Mrs D: The only thing I would change is the weather and have sunshine instead of pouring rain! The amount of people that came to support FoDSFest on such a miserable day was incredible though. R: If you could have one person perform who would it be? Mrs D: It would be hard to choose but having Adele to perform would be fantastic. Mrs. Devlin would like to say a huge thank you to FoDS committee for helping. She would also like to say thank you to Eden festival and everyone else for helping to make FoDSFest happen. Rachel McCreath Logo by Kelsie Marshall FoDSFest sheep Glenkens Gazette page 15 Live Music At FoDSFest there were lots of music tents. One of the few performers I saw was called Mirren Thomson and she was in a band called Newton’s First Law, a punk pop band. My personal favourite was called Scope, a rapper. He played a lot of songs including ‘House in the Jungle’. At the very end Scope did some songs for people to join in too. He was so loud that everyone could hear him all the way from the other side of FoDSFest There was also a silent disco at FoDSFest. If you don’t know, a silent disco is basically a disco with headphones. Mrs Nash was one of the people running that tent. I didn’t spend much time in there myself but I know a lot of people enjoyed it. Mirren Thomson / Newton's First Law Kim Wheeler Blue and Friends Grace Temple Live music pictures courtesy of Matthew Turnbull Entertainment and Fraser McCormick Limerance There was lots going on at FoDSFest that we haven’t been able to include here... If you’re under 25 and interested in writing reviews, interviews or photography or if there’s anything else you’d like to contribute to the gazette let us know! Glenkens Gazette page 16 ediths.co.uk Arts and Crafts tent The arts and crafts tent showcased local craft, photography, charities and new enterprises such as Full Flex Audio, a local independent record label. Arran MacDonald-Kiernan interviewed stall holder Jade McCubbing, who has recently set up a business selling crafts and vintage table wear: When Jade McCubbing was young she made cards for everyone for no reason at all, just for kindness. She got a sewing machine when she was twelve. She taught herself through youtube how to crochet, designed a pattern for a pokéball and she also makes a range of special shelves for Minecraft and Lego figures. “I use loads of techniques like crochet, sewing and hand print and I work on up-cycled furniture and customised items. “When I get enough money I will have a shop - I have wanted a shop of my own since I was a child. I turned my bedroom into a shop when I was young. “I enjoy making girls things but I want to make more things for boys and more varied products following trends. “At FoDSFest the sales covered the cost and I made some on top, so I’m very pleased.” Jade says this for kids and adults alike: “Go for it. The internet is a fantastic way to learn new things - youtube is accessible to everyone these days.” Free tickets for under 18s with the Youth Access Scheme call 01644 420374 or visit catstrand. com to see what’s on Call 01644 420374 or email saral@catstrand.com Glenkens Gazette page 17 BALMACLELLAN REGENERATION Residents of Balmaclellan are excited about the prospect of improving the centre of their village which at present looks quite forlorn with an area of derelict land and dilapidated buildings. Balmaclellan Community Council has been awarded a grant by Big Lottery: Investing in Ideas in order to investigate ways of regenerating the village. The award is to encourage community engagement, investigate the feasibility of ideas put forward and create sustainability. The services of the Stewartry Council of Voluntary Service (SCVS) have been engaged and, by the end of September, a questionnaire will be sent to every household within the parish to find out the views of Balmaclellan residents. There will be public meetings for people to air their views and find out what others are thinking, and the children will also be consulted through the schools. The community would then be in a position to apply for further funding to develop these ideas which could include the development of the derelict land and dilapidated buildings in the village. A charity to be known as Balmaclellan Regeneration will be set up to organise and administer the project, and a website will disseminate news and give feedback during the project. So it’s all go in Balmaclellan and it is hoped that within a few years the village will once more have a thriving centre, making the village more attractive to current and future residents as well as tourists and visitors. HAGGIS HUNT doug@car2nist.plus.com Cosmetics, Skin Care, Health & Sports Nutritional Products all products are botanically-based, vegan, gluten & cruelty free To try before you buy, host an Arbonne Party, or for advice please contact your local Arbonne Independent Consultant, Katy Caie, on 07756 506 496 or visit http://catrionacaie.arbonne.com 20% off for new customers! Just quote GKARBONNE Arbonne Independent Consultant Chlidren took part in a haggis hunt after Church of Scotland congregations had a united family service in Dalry. Wright’s Shop & Post Office Dalry Licensed convenience store and newsagent stocking a range of local suppliers including Corsons and Irvings Bakers, Ballards and Dalmellington Country Butchers and Mitchells Fruit and Veg. Opening Times (both shop & PO): Monday to Friday: 7am – 6pm Saturday: 8am – 6pm Sunday: 8.30am – 4pm Tel: 01644 430 225 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm 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 � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � Glenkens Gazette page 18 Charismatic Australian ‘MiracleWorker’ Visits Dalry to Heal the Sick A Personal View by Edmund Wise What puts the ‘St John’ into St John’s Town of Dalry? If your answer was the archaic saint then think again - this August an Australian evangelist and international ‘healer’, John Mellor, visited Dalry. His enormous social media presence says it all; YouTube videos show him ‘curing’ people with every ailment under the dreich sky, from cerebral palsy to infertility, through the power of prayer. Mellor, who will soon be the subject of a BBC documentary, has an increasingly large and dedicated following and is currently touring the UK, Switzerland, New Zealand and Australia with his wife Julie. They were invited by David Bartholomew and his wife Heidi to Dalry, the couple having been fans of his for more than five years. To his detractors he is a showman and fraudster, lulling vulnerable people into a false sense of hope. In the USA, ‘televangelists’ have earned sour reputations for similar practices. But to his supporters, John is different; he doesn’t require money and doesn’t demand a religious conversion, noted by the presence of a Muslim in the audience. All he demands is that we rid ourselves of our critical faculties and believe in God’s power to heal us. His niche popularity was keenly felt in Dalry. On both Saturday and Sunday, followers from Leeds, Glasgow and Newcastle came to be healed. “A significant number of people came from places outside of this area,” said David, acknowledging the disparity in the audience between locals and outsiders. “Some local people made it clear that they didn’t want to go.” Julie Mellor said that what attracts these people is his humility. Having originally begun as a missionary to the aboriginal peoples of Australia, he now flies all over the world to wherever there is demand for his healing. His humility can be keenly felt in his statements: “I have allowed the blind to see”. John’s abilities, he claims, have even prompted doctors to refer patients to him. However, he doesn’t perform miracles in hospitals, apparently due to medical protocol. This might be wise for the international health community: “Sometimes, peoples’ illnesses are a result of generational curses or witchcraft,” said John. But you needn’t be cynical because, according to Julie, her husband’s miracles have been noted by newspapers such as News of the World and The Sun. The event took place in two halves, the first of which could be surmised as a sales-pitch; John called up various ‘witnesses’ of his healing-powers from the audience. One such example was a young woman from Leeds who, after failing to fall pregnant for many years, went to John two years ago. He prayed for her and, low and behold, within 18 months she had a baby on the way. Another woman had a series of back and neck injuries from a car crash some years ago; after John prayed for her, she felt better. John then proceeded to call up members of the audience to give it a go, culminating in an out-oftown Asian woman falling down and weeping for the best part of 15 minutes, overcome by John’s enigmatic and rather overwhelming presence - or the love of God. Many, however, were reluctant to show such enthusiasm. A young man from Glasgow, suffering from irritable bowel syndrome and depression, was pressed by John as to whether he “felt better” upon being prayed for. Admitting that he felt slightly better, John couldn’t take lukewarm for an answer. “Has the pain completely gone?” “Um... well, no. Not really.” “Do you feel better, though?” “Well, yeah. I guess I do feel a bit better, yeah.” Some locals argued that he was putting words in peoples’ mouths. David Bartholomew acknowledged that: “It did sometimes feel that way.” Though Julie kindly informed the audience that healing can take up to 30 minutes, even a day or more, to kick in, so not to worry if nothing manifested immediately. Many locals were impressed by John’s work. Eddie Millar has suffered from great pains over many years, stating afterwards; “I’m able to move in a way I haven’t been able to before.” Rob, a local man, said that after suffering from a knee injury for 15 years, said he was able to move it for the first time. A local woman, who wished to remain anonymous, praised John’s work as “incredible”. Hail the new Saint John of Dalry...? JENNY’S Mobile Hairdresser • Home Visits • Nursing Homes & Residential • The Elderly & Disabled NVQ Level 3 Hairdressing, NVQ Level 4 Social Care Call Jenny on 07554 009 624 Glenkens Gazette page 19 ANCIENT RITES AND CUSTOMS OF THE GLENKENS: THE HOLE CEREMONY The origins of this ancient festival are lost in the mists of time. Each year around Beltane (the spring festival which coincides with the start of the tourist season along with its influx of cars, caravans, camper waggons, bikes, motorcycles and tour coaches), the Hole Ceremony takes place and continues throughout the summer in various locations across the region. The exact location of each ceremony is a closely guarded secret right up until the last minute when a group of participants (mostly strong youngish males) arrive and don the traditional, colourful costume consisting of heavy boots, bright yellow or orange jacket and shiny yellow head gear (this representing the sun). Selecting a suitable spot on the tarmac they begin erecting gaily coloured barriers, tapes and cones and, at each end of the site, they place triangular artwork depicting a man having difficulty opening an umbrella (representing rain, of which we occasionally have a little in this area). After a few more decorative touches, including pretty blue circles with white arrows on them (to represent the sky and the four winds) have been artistically placed, the final embellishment arrives. Two poles, not unlike maypoles, are borned in and erected one each end of the site along with the umbrella man. Each one is topped by an enchanting array of ever-changing coloured lights; green, amber, red and amber and back to green again. Finally, when all is in place and a long line of vehicles is assembled on either side, the age-old tradition of DIGGING THE HOLE begins. This can take several days as there are frequent stops to perform the Tea Ceremony. Mugs are brought out and a toast is drunk to the Hole Deity. Passers-by stop to admire the hole, offer advice and chat and everyone adopts the traditional stance of hands-inpockets or leaning-on-shovel, depending on which role they are playing in the festivities. Car and lorry drivers who have been waiting around watching the lovley coloured lights wind down their windows and engage in light-hearted, pantomimestyle banter with the participants each indicating that the other is a) educationally challenged or b) should go forth and multiply (I have not used the exact words for fear of infringing copyright). After a few days of fun and enjoyment the hole is filled in and the whole (excuse the pun) entourage moves on to a new hitherto secret location to delight yet another community. If you are lucky you may encounter a hole with a picturesque little redand-white striped tent perched above it into which only the initiated are allowed. While its true significance is unclear, some believe it to be a shrine to the Great God Telecom. How the exact sites are chosen is shrouded in mystery; perhaps it is related to ley lines, forces of energy, ...indicating that the other is a) educationally challenged or b) should go forth and multiply... A&B Welding & Fabrication ANDREW SINCLAIR 21 TOWNHEAD CRESCENT ST JOHN’S TOWN OF DALRY CASTLE DOUGLAS DG7 3UR 01644 430 332 / 07896 168 724 andyandbevsinclair@yahoo.co.uk alignment with the sun or stars, or sticking a pin into a map with eyes closed. Of all the recent Hole Ceremonies, most entrancing was the one held in New Galloway outside the CatStrand. How lovely that it was held so close to our own Community Arts Centre, and what a delight to visitors to the tea shop sitting outside in the sunshine enjoying their tea and cakes to have such a grandstand view. They were able to tap their feet to the energetic rhythm of the pneumatic drill and inhale the enticing aroma of the diesel generator. Another at the junction of the Ken Bridge and the A713 encouraged timber lorry drivers turning right off the bridge to join in a game of ‘betyou-can’t-get-that-vehicle-round-thistight-corner-without-backing-up-atleast-twice’. What fun they had. Long may we preserve these delightful old folk traditions which enrich our otherwise wearisome lives here in the countryside. Sue Wiseman, observer of wildlife, folk customs and life in general Glenkens Gazette page 20 Photo of the Issue Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel Competition judges Dave and Sue from the Ken Bridge Hotel chose Loch Doon Beltie by Sara McNeill as this issue’s winner. “Once again difficult to choose!! We feel the Belted Galloway is the winner this time.” Sara wins a meal for two at the Ken Bridge Hotel’s renowned Sunday Carvery. POLITICS AND POSTBOXES For many hundreds, if not thousands, of years the messengers of Kings and Emperors have carried some personal correspondence in addition to their official duties but it was not until 1516 (500 years ago this year) that a formal mail system was established in Britain. in mainland Britain was erected in Carlisle in 1855 and others were erected across the country in the following years. Since the early days of post boxes, they have mostly featured the royal cypher of the reigning monarch as shown on the accompanying photo of a rare surviving Victorian box in Midtown, Dalry or the George VI box from New Galloway. When the present queen ascended the throne in 1952 this presented a problem because a number of people with (shall we say) strong views on the subject asserted that she was not Queen Elizabeth II but was in fact the first Queen Elizabeth of Scotland. Several post boxes were But there were no post poxes (or pillar boxes) until hundreds of years later. Without postage stamps there was no simple way to prepay postage, and letters had to be handed in at Post Office counters. That all changed in 1840 when postage stamps (initially with the Penny Black) were introduced. James Chalmers of Dundee is often held to be the inventor of the postage stamp. The first pillar box attacked in 1952 over the use of the Queen’s regnal number (II) with one in Edinburgh being damaged by an explosive device. The compromise solution is that Scottish post boxes now bear the Scottish Crown instead of the Royal Cypher and this may well continue when the Duke of Rothesay (Prince Charles) ascends the throne with whatever name he eventually chooses. It is believed that he is unlikely to become King Charles III because of the associations with Charles I and II; his grandfather ‘Bertie’ took the name George, becoming King George VI. Politics and the post have always been intertwined, whether it is about privatisation or the attempted renaming of Royal Mail to ‘Consignia’ – who can remember that fiasco? But one puzzle remains; why is the recently erected post box opposite Dalry Police Station missing its crown? Was it forgotten? Removed by some ne’er do well? Or removed by someone with strong republican views? Paul Goodwin Youth Players Christmas Panto The CatStrand Youth Players’ sixth annual pantomime will be presented on Thursday 1, Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December. The 2016 show is Little Red Riding Hood by Paul Reakes and includes some twists to the traditional story; all the expected characters make an appearance but be prepared for a few surprises along the way! Tickets were in great demand last year, with three sell-out shows, so please book early to avoid disappointment. Call the CatStrand Box Office on 01644 420 374 or book online at www.catstrand.com Glenkens Gazette page 21 ABBAS REST COFFEE MORNING Our annual coffee morning in aid of Abbas Rest orphans will take place on Saturday 15 October in Dalry Town Hall, from 10am to 12noon. We do hope that you will once again support this event. Funds are still badly needed as repairs to old buildings at Chiringa are needed and, owing to the problems with the water supply there, a borehole will probably be needed in the future. The one at Muona has made life easier both at the Centre and for all the surrounding local families. None of these things would have been possible without funds raised by coffee mornings and other fundraising events. We would be very grateful for any donations towards the raffle, bottle, cake and bric-a-brac stalls, or cash donations, as well as any help you can give on the stalls or in the kitchen. We look forward to seeing you - for further info please contact Avril Brown on 430 526 or Barbara Colbenson on 430 090. On the Covenanter trail: members of The Glenkens Story history group gather beneath what remains of the Earlston Oak where Covenanter Alexander Gordon hid from the pursuing Government dragoons. The group’s latest field trip, led by David Bartholomew, visited several Covenanter sites including the Holy Linn and Dalry Kirk. The next Glenkens Story event is a talk at CatStrand on Sunday 23 October by Lizanne Henderson on Witch Belief in Galloway & the Glenkens. For more information on the group’s activities email theglenkensstory@gmail.com Children at the Abbas Rest orphanage. 350th Anniversary of Glenkens Uprising On November 13, 1666, in the midst of the Covenanting persecution, there was a clash in St John’s Town of Dalry. Four Covenanters attempted to rescue an old man being tortured by Government soldiers. One soldier was shot. The incident escalated rapidly and ended with a rebel Covenanter army marching on Edinburgh, only to be crushed in the hills outside the Capital at Rullion Green. For this reason the revolt has gone down in history as the “Pentland Uprising” but the story actually starts in Dalry. 350 years later, on 13 November 2016, that story will be told again in Dalry by The Glenkens Story history group. The Rev David Bartholomew will describe the circumstances prevailing in the Glenkens when the event occurred and its escalation into full-blown revolt. Professor Ted Cowan will outline the impact of the uprising on the history and politics of Scotland, an impact still felt to this day. The event will be held at 2.30pm in Dalry Kirk. Admission free. CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING St Margaret’s Ladies’ Guild and Balmaclellan & Kells Guild are holding a Christmas Coffee Morning. This year it will be held on Wednesday 7 December in New Galloway Town Hall from 10.30am to 12noon. In addition to coffee, shortbread and mince pies there will be stalls, a tombola and a lucky dip. Please come along and support this joint venture. Glenkens Gazette page 22 Who Do We Think We Were? This month features Margaret Pringle, now living in Dalry, who grew up in Edinburgh. You can see her at the Sunday School picnic she describes in the photo to the left, kneeling among the other children, in the centre of the group, wearing a rather smart jacket. The Sunday School picnic will no doubt evoke memories among many readers. If you are inspired to write 500 words of your own reminiscences on any topic, please send them to WDWTWW at CatStrand, or email to margaret. elphinstone@dircon.co.uk. Next month’s piece will be by Gene Pick from Balmaclellan, writing about life in Ullapool just after the war. MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD I was ten years of age when the war started. I remember what life was like before that. Entertainment was provided by the radio, or wireless as it was known, cinema, and theatre. As children we used to go to the cinema matinee on Saturday and watched mainly Westerns, which were very exciting and noisy, but I remember watching King Kong which was a bit scary. Once a year we were taken to the Kings Theatre to see the Christmas pantomime, a special treat. Most deliveries were made by horse and cart. The LNER railway stables were multistorey, the horses walking from one level to the next up wide ramps. At the top end of Leith Walk, near London Road, there was a big water trough. It was there that, if a New Galloway Golf Club Sunday School picnic, near Edinburgh, 1938. Margaret Pringle is the young girl in the smart dark jacket in the centre of the picture. horse had pulled a heavy load from the docks, the waiting Clydesdale would be hitched in tandem to help pull the load further up the hill. St Cuthbert’s Co-op delivered milk by horse cart and I would go down with an empty bottle and a token which I exchanged for a full bottle. I always took the horse a piece of bread or a carrot. Public transport was provided by trams and there were not many private cars in the streets. Telephones were used in businesses but there were few privately owned. At school we played communal games in the playground, such as skipping with a long rope held by two who would turn it whilst chanting a rhyme. The participants running in singly to skip and then out followed by the next in line. Other games were tig (tag), hide-and-seek, kick-the-can and peevers (hopscotch). At home we played board games - ludo or monopoly - cards, and listened to the wireless. Without the distractions of modern IT we had time to think, to talk face to face, and to play outside. At the weekend in the summer, Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? www.nggc.co.uk Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Buggies now available for hire Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 Founded 1902 - 01644 420737 VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk our parents would take us to play in the park whilst they would sit at the bandstand listening to the brass band. The Sunday School picnic was a highlight of the summer. We would all troop up to the local railway station where, amidst great excitement, we would travel a few miles out of town, get off at some small country station and walk to a field set aside for the occasion. We would dash off to explore and let off steam, with dire warnings not to fall in cow pats. Mothers would settle down to unpack the food and relax, just in time for our return with ravenous appetites. We didn’t drink cool drinks except on high days and holidays, when Irn Bru and lemonade were rare treats. After lunch we would have the races, a hundred yards, sack race, egg-andspoon, three-legged and then played rounders. I remember one occasion in particular when, having stood too close behind my brother who was batting, I received a glancing blow on my eyebrow which resulted in much blood and consternation, but fortunately not much damage. Margaret Pringle FHB Fencing Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) Glenkens Gazette page 23 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN THE GLENKENS COTTON KINGS Most of us are familiar with such famous engineers from the 18th and 19th centuries as James Watt, George Stevenson, William Murdoch, Thomas Telford and John Rennie who designed the Ken Bridge. Much less well-known, and hitherto virtually ignored or forgotten in their native glen, is a remarkable collection of individuals who are the subject of a most welcome new publication by William D Kennedy. Readers will probably be relieved to be assured that he has self-confessedly not produced a scholarly work, laden with footnotes, but an accessible story of four families from the Glenkens who made a crucial and massive contribution to the Manchester cotton trade. The family of William Cannan (1743-1825) rented Shiel farm on the Glenlee estate. William’s sister, Mary (d. 1768) married James McConnel (1729-1809) of Hannastoun; their son was also James McConnel. The Murrays, Adam (1767-1818) and George (1761-1855) lived in New Galloway. John Kennedy (1769-1855) was the third son and fifth child of Robert Kennedy of Knocknalling (1730-1771) and his wife Margaret Alexander (1728-1801). As John records in his ‘Early Recollections’, Knocknalling was a small estate north of Dalry purchased by his grandfather, described as a shopkeeper in New Galloway and a baillie of the burgh. Grandpa had the reputation of settling disputes by advising the parties to sort out matter over a pint of his ale. ‘Tak a pint an agree’ apparently became a local proverb. John’s father had attended Edinburgh University and could presumably be considered genteel but he suffered from depression and a lack of finance. Margaret Alexander told her sons that ‘to work and learn a trade was the way to become independent . . . that with some mechanical skill we should find employment in every part of the world’, advice with which thousands of Scots could, and would, agree in the Age of Enlightenment, the great era of enquiry, discovery and learning in which Scots played such a prominent part. All of these young Glenkensians were similarly affected. William Cannan apprenticed as a joiner in Kells and in 1772 sailed to Whitehaven and Liverpool fetching up in Chowbent outside Manchester, where he practiced as a joiner and machine maker. He soon took a business partner who was also from Glenkens, James Smith from Skeoch establishing the company of Cannan & Smith. The Murray brothers followed serving apprenticeships of £70 million. When cotton was king, the Manchester kings of cotton were from the Glenkens! However they did a lot of business in Glasgow and Paisley as well. All of these families also intermarried. Most of them kept in touch with their Galloway roots. John Kennedy succeeded to Knocknalling when his brother, David, who married Margaret of Dalshangan, died. He also acquired the farms of Blawquhairn, Mains of Earlston and Midpark of Milton, which he renamed Milton Park, remodeling the house. He endowed Polharrow school. He planned a cotton mill at what the author, seemingly reflecting contemporary usage, consistently names Arngibbon Bridge, where he also built a joiner’s shop and a smithy. Amidst all this success it would have been easy for the author to appear unduly triumphalist but to his credit he notes the downside of cotton as well: the creation of dark satanic mills, temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees, tyrannical managers and last but certainly not least, unemployment due to mechanisation so politicising the workforce. His title is not helpful since it does not convey what the book is about, a rich treasure trove of historical information about Galloway and Manchester, the men and their wives who linked the two places, including the speeches and pamphlets of John Kennedy, and the superb illustrations throughout, very many in colour. The sketches by John Kennedy Cannan of members of the family are particularly appealing. There is a great deal of information about the Glenkens in this book, some of it quite difficult to retrieve. An index would have helped. But there is no reason why the author should do all the work! William Kennedy is to be congratulated on his achievement, which will prove of great value and interest to many and which is most deserving of a wide audience. The book, priced at £35, can be ordered online through Amazon. ...four families from the Glenkens who made a crucial and massive contribution to the Manchester cotton trade. seven years to become A&G Murray. James McConnel, Cannan’s nephew walked from New Galloway to Chowbent. Another recruit was John Kennedy and probably his younger brother James. All trained as artisans in the cotton industry, specialising in the improvement of machinery to improve output, designing new equipment and manufacturing their own fabrics. In 1809 A&G Murray was the largest operation in Manchester with McConnel & Kennedy coming second. Their entrepreneurial skills were outstanding. They kept pace with an industry experiencing phenomenal expansion while endlessly improving technology. There is good evidence in this excellent study that many other folk from the Glenkens found employment in Lancashire, women as well as men. The companies survived the crash that came about on the outbreak of the American Civil War, which is estimated to have cost the industry Ted Cowan Glenkens Gazette page 24 CORSEGLASS SCHOOL With Dalry School having just celebrated its 50th anniversary of the secondary and 85th of the primary, the Gazette will take a look at some of the Dalry parish schools past and present. The first is Corseglass school, the ruin of which is situated along the Lochinvar road. The school was set up to provide education to the children of the hill farmers and shepherds of the area north and north east of the parish that could not easily get to the Dalry Free School. Even with such a school closer to the children it served, we have records of small children walking up to four miles over the hills along sheep paths, falling into flooded brooks and getting soaked to the skin by rain before repeating the ordeal at the end of school. Their education and a nice warm coal and peat fire was their reward. Our first reference is from 1844 when the Rev George Paterson reported that there were 12 pupils at the school with the Master’s salary of perhaps £20 per year. The Dumfries and Galloway Standard of 27 October 1858 informs us that Grants were being awarded to a number of schools in Dumfriesshire and the Stewartry to allow them to award School Prizes in July 1859. Corseglass was mentioned as one of them. The School Log Book from 1873, the beginning of local authority control of the Public, rather than Parish, School still exists. A weekly summary of events was to be provided by the Headteacher and the amount of information recorded varied considerably from teacher to teacher. However, we have the complete set right up to the closure in 1929. Anna Campbell in her book, Glenkens Schools Over The Centuries, extracted a few. In the 1881 Ordnance Gazetteer it was described as having been built they collected 7 shillings [35p] to buy for 37 children. We do have evidence tobacco and cigarettes for the soldiers that there once were as many as Christmas gift boxes. Both of these 48 children squeezed into the tiny commodities were highly prized and schoolhouse. appreciated by the soldiers. Dry feet We do have a reasonably complete kept trench foot at bay and prevented list of the Masters at the school, a great deal of pain and the risk of with an odd piece of detail on some amputation. Tobacco helped the men from the Presbytery and Educational get through the tedious routines records from Russell. One particularly of the trenches and to bear the interesting entry is: “...Mr John discomforts of hunger and cold with Guthrie, who was appointed in 1874 greater fortitude. The 7 shillings and was in office for about sixteen raised would have provided about 30 years… He became latterly the victim packets of fags. An impressive effort of hallucinations and had to be for such a tiny school. dismissed.” The School closed in 1929 and it is The Annual HMI Report of 1900 worth recording the last entry from praised the children for their Friday 10 May: “My appointment as educational progress but commented Head Teacher terminates today with on the great problem for schools like the closing of Corseglass School… Corseglass - irregular attendance due The pupils of this school are being to bad weather and the distance that conveyed by moter to Dalry School.” many children had to walk to and The school has long since gone but from school. the ruined walls are still visible today In January 1915 the Dalry School - pictured above. Board complained to the Parish Bruce Smith Council about the problems of flooding on the road outside the School. The Council proposed no action. In April of the same year the flooding was worse and pupils were prevented from attending. The School Board were rather less than impressed with the attitude of the Council. In common with most schools and organisations throughout the country, the children of Corseglass made Dumfries & Galloway their contribution to the war effort during the Great War. In September 1914 the log book records the children knitting socks for the Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie soldiers in the Kirkcudbright and Dumfries trenches. In December 1916 Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Glenkens Gazette page 25 Glenkens Gazette page 26 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER SEPTEMBER Wed 28, FILM: Under the Skin, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Thurs 29, New Galloway Community Shop & Hub, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Fri 30, Charioteer Theatre & Teatro Milano Present: A Bench on the Road, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway OCTOBER Sun 2, RANT, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 7, The Course of True Love, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 14, Eduardo Niebla Experience, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 15, Abbas Rest Coffee Morning, from 10am to 12noon, Dalry Town Hall Fri 21, Sirocco Winds Quintet, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 23, Glenkens Story: Witch Belief in Galloway& the Glenkens, 2.30pm, CatStrand Wed 26, FILM: The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 28, The Man Who Followed His Legs (and Kept on Walking), 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, Ages 10+ Mon 31, CatStrand Halloween Party, 6pm–8pm, CatStrand NOVEMBER Thu 3, FILM: Hamish (PG), 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 4, Darcy DaSilva ALBUM LAUNCH ‘Delicacy’, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sunday 13, 350th Anniversary of the Glenkens Uprising, 2.30pm, Dalry Kirk. Admission free. Fri 18, Alasdair Roberts Trio, 7.30pm, CatStrand Wed 23, FILM: James and the Giant Peach, 10am, CatStrand Wed 23, FILM: The Grump (12), 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 27, Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra, 7.30pm, CatStrand DECEMBER Wed 7, St Margaret’s Ladies’ Guild and Balmaclellan & Kells Guild Christmas Coffee Morning, New Galloway Town Hall, 10.30am12noon THANK YOU The Glenkens Gazette would like to thank the Glenkens Community Shop for their grant of £500 and Carsphairn Renewable Energy Fund Ltd for their grant of £300. This kind of support is very gratefully received and without it the Gazette would not be able to continue. Glenkens Gazette page 27 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Margaret Morris dance 1: 3-7yrs, term-time Mondays, 3.45-4.30pm Margaret Morris dance 2: 816yrs, term-time Mondays, 4.305.15pm Access All Areas Youth Arts - Making Music: Please phone CatStrand to book session. Gentle Tai Chi: Wed, 10am, 60+ Glenkens Writing Group: First Wed each month 3-5pm Sing it Out: Thurs, 11am -12pm CatStrand Ukes: Thurs, 1pm – 3.30pm 60+ Choreographic Skills Lab: Thurs (term-time), 7 - 8.30pm ages 12-18 Zumba Gold: Fridays (term-time), 10-11am, CatStrand, 16+ Saturday Art Club: twice a month, 10am–12noon, to book call 420 374 Catstrand Youth Players: Sun during term time, 2pm Glenkens Acoustic Sessions: last Sun of the month, 2-4pm Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, (contact Kath on 430 281): Paint & Art: Mon, 1.30-4.30pm & Wed, 7-9pm GCC Playgroup: Tues, Wed & Thurs, 9.10-11.40am, contact Sue on 07709 929 482 Guides: Tues during term-time, 6.15pm, contact: Kath 430 281 Good Neighbours’ Club: Tues, 2pm Brownies: Wed, 5.30-6.45pm Kickback Martial Arts: Thurs, 79pm Thursday Craft Group: Thurs, 24pm Glenkens Children’s Club: Fri, 10am-12noon New Galloway Town Hall: LING Lunches: Tues, 11am-2pm Indoor Sports: Tues, 7-9pm (from September) Zumba: Wed, 7.30-8.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, 11+ Hard of Hearing Drop-in: First Fri each month, 10am-12noon Various Locations: Ballroom & Latin Dance: Mon, 7.30pm, Castle Douglas Primary School Carsphairn Post Office: Tues, 13pm, Lagwyne Hall Beavers: Tues, 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: 4th Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall. Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. Quiz Night in Balmaclellan CHURCH TIMES 7.30pm: Village Hall. 13 Nov, 11am: Choir in Balmaclellan Church. 11 Nov, CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services - Balmaclellan 12noon: 1st. Balmaclellan 10.30am 5th(Oct), Carsphairn 10.30am: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Dalry 12noon 2nd (Nov), 3rd, 4th. Kells 10.30am: 2nd(Oct), 3rd, 4th. Special Services/Events: 2 Oct, 10.30am: Harvest Thanksgiving, Carsphairn Church, 12noon: Harvest Thanksgiving, Balmaclellan Church, followed by Harvest Lunch in village hall. 9 Oct, 10.30am: United Family Service for Dalry and Balmaclellan & Kells Church in Kells Church. 30 Oct, 10.30am: United Service with the Ceremonies at New Galloway and Balmaclellan War Memorials, followed by Remembrance Service in Kells Church. 27 Nov, 7.30pm: Scottish Night, Dalry Town Hall Communion Service: 23 Oct, 12noon, Dalry Church. 6 Nov, 12noon, Balmaclellan Church. 20 Nov, 10.15am, Carsphairn Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm Dog Training: Tues & Thurs, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Wednesday Quiz Night: Wed, 8.30pm, Cross Keys Hotel, New Galloway Stewartry Camera Club: Wed, 7.30pm, Ringford Village Hall, runs Wed 11 Sept till end Mar Mossdale Painters: Wed, 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Coffee & Craft Morning: Thurs, 9am-12noon, Lagwyne Hall Youth Writing Group: Thurs (during term time), 3.30-5pm, ages 10-15, Dalry School Scouts: Thurs, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Gentle Tai Chi: Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall To hire the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) behind Dalry School call Sonja Tranter on 430 244 or Nicolette Wise on 430 218. Dalry Library Temporary Hours Tue: 12noon - 3.30pm Fri: 10am - 12noon & 1pm - 4.30pm There are 23 mobile library stops - to find out where and when please phone 430 234. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 28 2016 TOUR OF BRITAIN CYCLE RACE COMES TO THE GLENKENS It has been 10 years since the popular Tour of Britain Cycle Race came through the Glenkens on its way from Glasgow to Castle Douglas, which also hosted a stage finish for the 2005 race. The original concept of the ‘Tour of Britain’ dates back to 1945 as our own version of the famous ‘Tour de France’. The Glenkens rarely gets the opportunity to be part of a major national event like this. The sun shone (intermittently), and the bunting was up. In Dalry the Clachan Inn and the Town Hall provided refreshments for all. A good turn out welcomed the cyclists on their ride through Carsphairn and up along the high road. They came down Main Street in Dalry (see photo) to a huge cheer from the gathered crowd before all too quickly disappearing out along the A713 via Parton and Crossmichael towards the stage finish at Castle Douglas. The atmosphere was really great and we are delighted to have been part of such an experience. The only negative was that we had little or no advance contact from Dumfries and Galloway Council, the Tour organisers Sweetspot Group Ltd, or Police Scotland so we could have been better prepared for the day. Other regional authorities seem to have done much more 15% 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 DEC/JAN COPY DEADLINE: 5 NOVEMBER to involve all their communities along the route. Hopefully it will be less than 10 years before we have the opportunity to welcome the Tour of Britain to the Glenkens again. Andi Holmes, Dalry 15% Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050 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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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 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:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). 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 News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry December/Janurary 2016-17 ISSUE 97 FREE CLACHAN INN SAVED A famous Glenkens inn has been saved from closure at the hands of a London property developer. When Dalry’s Clachan Inn was put up for sale the existing managers, Phil Papworth and Laura Burnie, put in a bid to purchase the property. Unbeknown to them a higher offer had been received. They only discovered their offer had been unsuccessful when they got a phonecall from a gentleman stating that he was their new manager and they would need to get ready to shut up shop as he had plans to turn the building into houses. As luck would have it, the potential for development wasn’t quite as straightforward as the purchaser had initially thought, so the deal fell through and Phil and Laura landed the pub after all. Local lass Laura, who grew up in Parton, said: “We are just thrilled to own the building. It’s such a relief to know that it’s not been lost, and that the business isn’t going to be sold out from under us. And it’s also a huge relief to the community. From the comments people have made to us, they would have been distraught to lose the Clachan, and knocking the building down or turning it into houses would have completely altered the character of the village.” Phil went on to say: “We have a lot of local people working here who help us make the place what it is. Had we lost the pub then they would have lost their jobs here and we would have had to move away to find work elsewhere too. We love living in Dalry and we really appreciate all of the local support that we have had so far - we are really looking forward to giving something back in terms of providing a social outlet for events and music and food and general local banter and a place to hang out for a long time to come!” Laura and Phil outside the Clachan Inn. Continued on p3... CARSPHAIRN GAME FOR PUB NIGHT Carsphairn may not have had a pub in the village for nearly nine years but that didn’t deter residents from holding their own highly-successful pub games evening. Grown-ups challenge the children to a game of Twister. Some 40 people gathered in the village hall to play darts, pool, cards and dominoes – and just to chat and socialise over a beer or a glass of wine. There was even a pub quiz, a raffle and – for the children and the more agile adults – Twister! Karen Hall, proprietor of The Knowe B&B, who organised the event, was delighted by the enthusiasm of the community for the idea. “Since the Greystones pub closed, there has been no hub in the village for people to gather in an evening for a get-together, a chat and a bit of fun,” she said. “Judging by the number of residents who came along, it was a huge success.” Such was the success that more Pub Nights are already being planned... 16 December deadline to have your say on plans for local buses. See p2 for details... A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 BUS SERVICE GAZETTE UNDER REVIEW STAYS NEUTRAL AGAIN... At its meeting in November the SWestrans board agreed the route specification/timetable options to be tendered for the region’s bus services. For the Glenkens area, the board agreed to seek prices for the timetables. The options are that they: • continue as they currently operate • add additional Monday to Saturday and Sunday journeys • operate reduced services Get in touch with your view on what should happen to our bus services BEFORE 16 DECEMBER: swestrans@dumgal.gov.uk The Glenkens Gazette would like to make clear that contributed articles do not reflect the opinions of the paper. The Gazette stays neutral on local, political, religious and any other issues, providing a platform for members of the Glenkens communities to share their thoughts, views and opinions. DALRY POLICE STATION DO WE NEED IT? Glenkens Community Sergeant Colin Scott gives the Gazette an update on what’s happening with Dalry police station... “No decision has been made in relation to Dalry police station with regards to whether it will close or not,” says Colin. “We are very much at a consultation, information gathering stage and would welcome any feedback or GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL � 01644 420234 � thoughts in relation to it from the local community. “One thing we are asking, in relation to all of the stations that are subject to the consultation is that if a station was to close, would there be any suitable alternative venues where members of the community could meet their local police at prearranged times such as council offices, community centres, schools, fire stations, etc. It may be that there are no suitable or better alternatives but we would ask that this is considered and feedback given to us either way. “I have not been given a deadline for this but I understand we are hoping to get as much feedback as possible prior to the end of the year.” What are your thoughts? Get in touch with Community Police Sergeant Colin Scott at colin.scott@scotland. pnn.police.uk Carsphairn Shop & Tearooms Opening Times: Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 7am-5pm; Wed 7am-3pm, Sat 8am-4pm, -closed Sundays un�l Easter Finalists of the D&G Life Awards ‘Cafe of the Year’ 2016 - local produce & gi�s - DCUK, Galloway Candles & more - new look cafe seats 24 - Tel: 01644 460 568 Glenkens Gazette page 3 A Window into the Clachan Inn Ian Robinson meets Phil and Laura, the new owners of Dalry’s Clachan Inn. It was a crisp morning and a couple of guests were having breakfast whilst their two pointers lay at their feet. Phil and Laura have undergone an incredible journey to realise their dream of owning this iconic village inn. We discussed their vision for the future and it was wonderful to see this young couple had a dream that would keep community cohesion through a fresh and varied daily menu with the bonus of a winter lunch promotion of two courses for £10 from a set menu, starting 1 December. They plan to continue offering the Bothy function room for weddings and music. Redecoration is also on the cards but will keep the village inn ambience that they love. Phil and Laura have built a solid platform of performance with excellent food that bagged them the title of finalists for D&G Life Restaurant of the Year 2015. This year saw them as winners of the Camra Pub Of The Year and they have made the final three for the Scottish Thistle Award Friendliest Pub Of the Year 2016, with the Visit Scotland Scheme. I had visited a month ago and chosen a comfy corner of the bar to write. I overheard many conversations between tourists and locals all of whom shared a love of the open fire and great beers. Ian Robinson GALLOWAY GLENS AND THE GLENKENS There has been much publicity recently about the new Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP) and the potential benefits to local communities. This got me thinking about why I settled here nine years ago. My response to the usual question “why do you choose to live here?” is: there is no rush and no crush, no hurries and no worries, beautiful countryside and plenty of things happening. However, our comfortable way of life is threatened by some of those features. Ours is a small population, insufficient to support some services we take for granted. Some of our shops, hotels and restaurants are at risk due to lack of trade and some have been up for sale with no takers for many years. Inevitably some owners are getting older and faced with small returns for long hours of work will close the business. Lack of work opportunities is another issue. With little prospect of employment, young people move away leaving a growing elderly population who are less inclined to seek entertainment outside their own homes. Without thriving local businesses no new jobs will be created. This worrying prospect can, however, be changed if the GGLP follow that theme. The project is aimed at the Ken/ Dee valley from Carsphairn to Kirkudbright, and is focussed on ‘People, Place and Prosperity’, and has a good chance of securing £2.9M for investment in the catchment area over the next five years. When match funding is added, this will mean an investment of over £5M in the catchment area. Many expressions of interest have been submitted from the Glenkens, illustrating the enthusiasm from Glenkens organisations to participate in ways which will improve the attractiveness of the local environment and its facilities for the benefit of residents and visitors. This is a golden opportunity to put the Glenkens on the map, to promote it to visitors as a place to stay a while and contribute to the local economy. Next time it may be possible to provide details of the ideas given the green light for further development; watch this space! Gerry Cinderby This is a golden opportunity to put the Glenkens on the map... will is there to do it. The Glenkens has a rich history which is little publicised and much of that could be demonstrated by better access to the beautiful landscape in which it is sited, for example the Covenanters sites. To attract more visitors and identify the Glenkens as a destination, we need an inspiring story to tell and take pride in the telling. Many of the ideas submitted for funding by the Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by EVERYTHING listed in the Glenkens Freecycle section is FREE - you just need to contact the owner and go and pick it up! If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch with Sarah on 07727 127 997 or email glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk VARIOUS Hutch for rabbits or guinea pigs - good condition with slide-out floor for ease of cleaning. Also water bottle that attaches to wire door. Contact: 430 218 Single bed and mattress with pull-out spare bed and mattress underneath. Contact: 430 218 Used engine oil, as much as you can take - in 20L containters. Contact: bcaenterprises@hotmail.co.uk Patio heater – old but not used much and in working order with gas canister. Also patio umbrella. Contact: 07769 730 553 Two single mattresses - good as new, hardly used. Contact: 460 516 Slimline water butt, stand and tap but no lid. Contact: 07554 644 993 90 cm wide, 44 depth, 69 height; 69 cm wide, 44 depth, 69 height. Good condition - can deliver if necessary. Contact: 450 265 Very large Swedish ivy plant in terracotta pot. Handsome plant, has outgrown my house and needs a bigger home. Indoor plant, about 4ft high when extended. Contact: Sue on 07554 644 993 30 tonnes good quality top soil for raised vegetable bed for elderly gardeners. Willing to pay commercial rate. Contact: 07776 148 002 WANTED Handsome jade plant (money plant), large. Contact:460 673 Fur coat, size 12-14. Contact: Annikki on 460 640 Ski Boots, size 7, good condition, fully adjustable. Contact: Gerry on 420852. 2 x four-drawer bedroom units, THE BARNACLE GOOSE Stewartry Birdwatchers’ winter season of talks got off to a flying start when Brian Morrell, manager of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Caerlaverock Reserve, spoke about the charismatic barnacle goose. There are three separate populations of this lovely black and white goose and those which nest on Spitzbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, winter predominately on the north and south coasts of the Solway. The 2015/16 count showed an estimated 41,000 of these geese had arrived for that winter. Hard to believe that in the late 1940s they numbered only about 300 a real conservation success. Research shows that in autumn many birds stop off at Bear Island in Norway to rest and feed for up to three weeks before continuing southwards. Amazingly some of the barnacle geese are known to fly the 1,800 miles south to the Solway in just 36 hours. Return passage to their nesting grounds in western Spitzbergen begins in mid-April with the birds stopping off on islands off the west coast of Norway for two or three weeks to rest and refuel before reaching their destination by the end of May. There is then only a four month window in which to breed, with incubation taking up one month. Some geese nest on small islands and others on high cliffs. Unbelievably tiny three-dayold goslings have been filmed making a plunge of 400feet from their cliff nests. Those goslings that survive this fall, and predation by Arctic foxes and polar bears, then have only three months in which to grow and learn to fly ready for their journey south. One of the many wonders of nature. Take a look at the Diary section at the back of this issue for the date of upcoming talks in December and January. Joan Howie Across the Glenkens many paid their respects and remembered those who gave their life for their country. Cosmetics, Skin Care, Health & Sports Nutritional Products all products are botanically-based, vegan, gluten & cruelty free To try before you buy, host an Arbonne Party, or for advice please contact your local Arbonne Independent Consultant, Katy Caie, on 07756 506 496 or visit http://catrionacaie.arbonne.com 20% off for new customers! Just quote GKARBONNE Arbonne Independent Consultant Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by WILD YOUNG MOVIE MAKERS Aged 12 to 25? Come along and have a go at making a movie! The project aims to make short movies about nature in Dumfries & Galloway for the Wild Young Movie Makers project, part of Wild Film Festival Scotland. The film festival will take place in Dumfries from 24 to 26 March 2017, bringing together the very best wildlife film and photography from Scotland as well as further afield – and the Wild Young Movie Makers’ films will be shown alongside work from some of the world’s top wildlife filmmakers Simon Goodall, who runs the National Trust for Scotland nature conservation film unit, will run a series of free workshops and outdoor filming sessions across the region. These will reveal the secrets of how to capture nature’s dramatic events and put them on the screen. Simon will teach young people the importance of storytelling and how to create a documentary when working with animal ‘actors’. Simon said: “The brilliant thing about nature movies is that anyone of any age can make them. You can use smart phones, video cameras or even try your hand at animation and create something other people will love to watch. “The possibilities are endless, especially in somewhere like Dumfries & Galloway which has such a huge variety of plants, birds, animals and environments. “I’m really looking forward to sharing my experience as a professional filmmaker with a new generation. There are so many young people out there with loads of imagination and bags of talent, so it’s going to be great to see the movies they make.” We think the Glenkens is the perfect place to make a fantastic wildlife film. To find out more about the workshops and for help and support in making a film, including cameras and sound equipment available to use, contact Mary at mary@catstrand.com or on 01644 420 374. Glenkens Gazette ABBAS REST FUNDRAISER The coffee morning held in Dalry Town Hall in aid of Abbas Rest orphans raised £620.55. We would like to thank all the people who supported us in so many ways with the generous donations towards the raffle, baking, bottle stall and brica-brac, and also the generous money donations. We would also like to thank all the people who staffed the stalls, helped in the kitchen and waited on the tables and provided transport, as without you this would not have been possible. We were very pleased to welcome Muriel Wilson and Fiona Boyd, two representatives from Abbas Rest, who were able to give us up-to-date information about the orphanages. Our thanks once again, Avril Brown & Barbara Colbenson page 6 A SUCCESSFUL YEAR At the recent AGM of St Margaret’s Ladies Guild, President Christine Rankin reported on another successful year. Over £2,000 was raised for good causes, both locally and further afield including Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, Sportsdrivingunlimited, the Red Cross and the Glenkens Children’s Club. Treasurer Jean Marsden suggested that as there were still funds available to help another charity, a donation to Shelter Box would be appropriate when so many families are being forced to flee Mosul. It was therefore agreed to donate sufficient funds to purchase a Shelter Box which will purchase a family-sized tent complete with essentials such as blankets and water carriers, providing much needed physical shelter and help for people fleeing persecution or civil war in many places in the world. The Man Who Followed His Legs (And Kept On Walking) Theatre Rewiew by Grace C J Temple, age 11 The Man Who Followed His Legs (And Kept On Walking) is an interesting play, an amazing mixture of war and comedy. It entrances the reader into the crazy world of two coal miners, whose love of football leads them to the battlefield of World War One, along with the exciting story of how a man re-discovers his reason for living. An awesome play fit for most ages. RJ McCulloch is a family run plumbing, heating and renewables company that is a trusted provider of affordable heating solutions. At RJ McCulloch we embody the concepts of quality, technical skills and customer satisfaction. Our aim is to provide our customers with a no-nonsense and reliable service for many years to come. From a rural cottage to a country estate, we can design and install a heating system to suit your needs. Our highly experienced installation and service engineers are fully qualified in all areas of Gas, Oil, LPG, Biomass, Heat pumps and Solar Thermal. RJ McCulloch recently installed a Mitsubishi Ecodan heat pump for Gary and Liz at St John’s Town Of Dalry to replace their electric storage heaters and hot water immersion system. They are now experiencing reduced fuel costs, more efficient central heating and hot water and also benefiting from the renewable heat incentive available to home owners and businesses alike installing renewable technology. Please feel free to contact Ross for advice relating to any Plumbing or Heating queries you may have. Happy owners of a new Eco Dan boiler, Gary and Liz, with Ross McCulloch. Glenkens Gazette page 7 CatStrand Highlights We’ve got a great run-up to Christmas this year. Pantomime season kicks off this year with the ever-popular (and awesomely talented) CatStrand Youth Players’ performance in their biggest production to date – Paul Reakes’ hilarious comedy Little Red Riding Hood, with a twist! The panto will run on Thursday 1 and Saturday 3, with a matinee performance on Sunday 4 Dec. The annual CatStrand Christmas Shopping Day on 26 November will showcase a variety of local arts, crafts and produce for your Christmas gifts. The Cairn Chorus return on Sunday 8 December for a joyful, soulful and occasionally raucous collection of seasonal songs. On Saturday 17 Dec experience a very special concert by Mike Heron and Trembling Bells influenced by 1960s icons the Incredible String Band - “vintage, impeccable song craft.. magical” (the Herald). Start the New Year warmed and uplifted by brilliantly upbeat world music from Senagalese/Scottish band Samba Sene and Diwan on Saturday 21 January and inspired by Ad Libitum, an acclaimed violin and accordion duo, on Friday 27 January. Remember some free tickets are available for under-18s on all events. Exhibitions in December and January include colourful, vibrant work by textile artist Jo Gallant and, in the Pyramid café, by local group Rekindling Creativity. Finally, Saturday Art Club has been one of the first to be designated a Brilliant Makers Club by national charity Access Art, thanks to all the brilliant makers who come along! Join Jo Gallant for a fabric painting and making session with them on January 14. The club would like to bring in more of our plentiful local talent – if you have a craft, skill or creative idea you’d like to share as a paid session with the art club, or you know someone who has, please contact mary@catstrand.com See our latest brochure or visit our website for programme details. Book online at www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420374. Wright’s Shop & Post Office Dalry Licensed convenience store and newsagent stocking a range of local suppliers. - We would like to thank all our customers for their continued support and pass on best wishes for the Festive season - Visit our website for all informa�on about the scheme and up to date developments: www.gallowayglens.org Please also follow us on twi�er and facebook! Festive Season Opening Times: Christmas Eve: 7am - 5pm Christmas Day: closed Boxing Day: 8am - 2pm Hogmanay: 7am - 5pm 1st January: closed 2nd January: 8am - 4pm Normal Opening Times (both shop & PO): Monday to Friday: 7am – 6pm Saturday: 8am – 6pm Sunday: 8.30am – 4pm Galloway hampers & wreaths in stock Tel: 01644 430 225 Glenkens Gazette page 8 DO YOU REALLY WANT A GALLOWAY NATIONAL PARK? A personal perspective by Roger Crofts The report commissioned by Dumfries & Galloway Council from the Southern Upland Partnership on the possibility of a national park for Galloway requires careful scrutiny. The report contains many challengeable assumptions about how national park status can resolve the rural economic and social problems of the area. I set out six challenges for local residents to consider in debating the external proposition for a national park: ONE: The best national parks globally are those established by a compact between local residents and external interests led by government. The report on the other hand imposes arguments to persuade local residents without even consulting them. Do you want this external imposition? TWO: The proposal cuts across the developing, locally driven and bottom-up approach of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. It should be allowed to prove its worth before being summarily set aside. Do you agree that the Biosphere is worth allowing to come to fruition under local ownership? THREE: A national park under the Scottish legislation of 2000 will take control out of local community hands and place it entirely with the Scottish Parliament and Government: to approve primary legislation, establish the park authority, appoint its members, determine its budget, approve its plan and operating budget. Control will rest in Edinburgh and Holyrood, not locally. Is this what you really want to happen? FOUR: Northern Galloway does need a special injection of resources and effort to improve its economic and social prospects. Why not designate Photo of the Issue Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel Competition judges Dave and Sue from the Ken Bridge Hotel chose this mysterious shot by Ian Patrick as this issue’s winner. The suggestion was for eerie Halloween shots and this one works both for spookiness and chilly winter days as we head into the New Year... “The lovely atmospheric misty scene steals it this time.” Ian wins a meal for two at the Ken Bridge Hotel’s renowned Sunday Carvery. it as a Rural Development Zone with the Scottish Government instructing all of its agencies to help in its delivery. This approach will focus on the issues which small communities are most concerned about. Would you agree? FIVE: The National Parks Act makes it clear that when there is conflict between the aims, the aim to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage must be favoured. This will not be the case if the demand is to improve the economic prospects of the area. Do you prefer this approach or a more balanced approach? SIX: Finally, will a national park be able to ignore the major threats to the land and landscape of the area when Scottish Government policies demand more forestry and more renewable energy installations without any plan? There is no evidence that the two existing national parks in Scotland have been able to do so. So, what’s the point? Glenkens Gazette page 9 Join the Journey Challenge Local Girl Guide Ellen Bielinski reports on an amazing European adventure. I was fortunate to take part in the Girlguiding Join the Journey challenge which involved teams of Guides travelling to Cologne in six days, visiting as many countries and using as many different types of transport as they could en-route. The team I was in was called Happy Haggis and comprised eleven Guides and three Leaders from different parts of Scotland. Our starting point was Edinburgh and our first destination was Copenhagen, where we visited Tivoli Gardens and we also managed to incorporate a day trip to Malmo, Sweden. Next we flew to Krakow and after a trip to the salt mines embarked on the night train to Budapest. This was my favourite city because of its amazing architecture and beautiful setting on the Danube. The next day we got a train to Vienna before getting another night train to our destination of Cologne. Once in Cologne we met other Guide groups taking part in Happy Haggis team in Amsterdam the challenge and were able other girls to plan our journey; to compare notes on the different it was good being able to choose routes we had taken; our Happy where we wanted to go. Haggis team had ended up I would like to take this opportunity travelling through eight countries. to thank the Glenkens Community We were flying back from the Shop and Stewartry Girl Guides for Netherlands and so were able to their generous donations towards include a couple of extra days the trip. The experience has boosted in Amsterdam visiting the Van my self-confidence and introduced Gogh museum, the famous ‘I me to lots of amazing people and Amsterdam’ sign and the flower places. market. We also went on a canal Girlguiding, as well as being great cruise before flying back to fun, offers opportunities to meet Edinburgh. new people and experience lots of It was an amazing trip taking me new things, both in this country and to places I have never been before. abroad. Ellen Bielinski I really enjoyed working with the Bargatton Sand & Gravel Supplying sand and gravel for all your farming needs, as well as households and businesses both large and small. We stock washed fine sand, coarse sand and gravels at competitive prices. For further details contact: James Mair - 07793 085 243 Email: loch.bargatton@live.co.uk Bargatton Quarry, Laurieston, Castle Douglas, DG7 2PS Open Monday to Friday Weekends by arrangement Delivery can be arranged - subject to quantity Richard Arkless MP Dumfries & Galloway Constituency Richard operates an open-door policy please just pop in to either office at any time during opening hours. Constituency Office Dumfries Unit 7, High Street, Loreburne Shopping Centre, Dumfries, DG1 2BD Tel: 01387 265698 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm Constituency Office Stranraer 36-38 Charlotte Street, Stranraer, DG9 7EF Tel: 01776 705800 Mon/Tue/Thurs/Fri 10am-2pm Email: richard.arkless.mp@parliament.uk www.richardarkless.scot Glenkens Gazette page 10 GLENKENS HALLOWE’EN This year Hallowe’en felt like a big deal... I don’t know if it was because it was on a Monday so the weekend and Hallowe’en itself were full of parties and devillishness. Or perhaps the whole clown saga on the news, with criminals dressing up preHalloween got the mood set for extra scariness.... Whatever it was, there seemed to be a lot of hype in the run-up to the weekend, lots of costumes and lots of guisers roaming the streets of the Glenkens. New Galloway really went to town with the CatStrand’s annual halloween kids’ bash being a huge success with folk travelling from Dalry, Carsphairn, Laurieston and beyond to join the spooky revelries. Gummy worms were gobbled, donuts dangled and Mr Werewolves escaped from. Then the troops took to the streets where a massive local effort had been made at the corner by Kitty’s Tea Room – it had become Zombie Corner, with cauldrons of sweets protected by very realistic zombies. Further down the street there was a decontamination tent at which you were thoroughly disinfected of Zombie germs by some very official people in white suits, then had to carefully negotiate the body bags of not-so-lucky wanderers before even considering trickor-treating! The schools also got into the spirit of things with a ghoulish Hallowe’en party at Dalry Primary. Sarah Ade Photos: above - a scary crash outside Dalry, and right ‘Make the Mummy’ game at Dalry Primary. FRIDAY FUN-TIME HARVEST Dalry Primary’s P1-7 pupils participated in learning experiences that developed their hazard awareness, fire safety and outdoor cookery skills during their Friday Fun-time. The pupils prepared and cooked apples on a campfire, lit mini fires using steel and flints, planted crocus bulbs and listened mindfully to their surroundings, creating sound postcards. Everyone went home happy but slightly soggy after an afternoon of outdoor learning! Huge thanks to our parent/grandparent helpers who offered their time and an extra pair of hands during the afternoon. If you have a spare hour on a Friday between 2.30 and 3.25pm and would like to help/assist a small teachersupervised group during our Friday Fun-time activities, the Primary staff would be most thankful. Please get in touch with Mrs Devlin via the school office to discuss: 01644 430 259 Remember to check out our School Blog: https://blogs .glowscotland.org.uk/dg/ dalryprimary to see what’s been going on in our fantastic THANKS The pupils and staff of Carsphairn Primary school would like to thank the parents and community of Carsphairn for their generous donations to our schools’ Harvest Foodbank Food Drive. This was our first year collecting donations. The children designed and created leaflets which were dropped through all the doors in the village. We are grateful and amazed by the generosity of the parents and community. All donations were kindly received by the Helping Hands Foodbank in Castle Douglas. Walker McKenna Glenkens Gazette page 11 Table Tennis, Outdoor Learning and Electricity National Table Tennis in Dalry Stimulating interest in the sport of table tennis was the aim of the Scottish national coach Li Chao when he visited Dalry School. His mesmerising demonstration for the primary and secondary pupils was impressive and informative. What he made very clear was that the only way to improve is to practice - lots of practice. Practising thousands of shots of the same stroke allows a player to react faster than they can think in a game situation. The primary pupils were able to watch Li play with a Dumfries pupil, Danny Bajwa, who is himself now playing at national level. Secondary pupils were able to take advantage of the coaching Carsphairn Primary pupils by Carsphairn war memorial. sessions set up for them in the course of the afternoon and came away with new ideas and a deeper understanding of the commitment required to improve. When the school was Dalry Primary pupils with Scottish national table tennis given new coach Li Chao and Dumfries pupil Danny Bajwa. tables, the serviceable old the morning was very wet but ones were donated to the village the afternoon provided welcome halls and so the possibility of breaks and dramatic skies. Pupils playing in the community is there. are demonstrating increasingly Inter-village winter league...? good awareness of how to keep themselves safe and warm. Autumn Outdoors Glenkens schools are fortunate in The weather ensures that their resilience grows too. their settings for outdoor learning and the pupils have been making Energy in the Glenkens the most of opportunities. S1 pupils visited the SP Energy In Kells Primary the sudden and Network public information event plentiful leaf fall gave hours of at New Galloway Town Hall and entertainment in creating a leaf were given a customised talk to ‘wall’ with pupils experiencing the help them understand the issues relationship between height, base arising from the proposed changes width and wind effects! They are to the transfer of electricity hoping that the mounds of leaves through the Glenkens. will provide good winter shelter for The questions the young a range of wildlife; the hedgehog people asked were relevant and already visited. insightful. Their understanding In Carsphairn there has been of the variety of jobs available shelter-building and their Daily associated with these Mile has been out and about in developments was broadened the community, taking in the war memorial which was the focus of a significantly and they have demonstrated that they have community Remembrance Day. the capacity to be responsible In Dalry an afternoon of citizens in the future. outdoor activities included the Jenny Smith use of the open wood fire for toasting apples. The weather in KELLS FUNDRAISER Pupils in P7 at Kells Primary raised the fantastic total of £1073.67 by hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning recently. They held the event at the Cross Keys Hotel in New Galloway. Pupils planned and advertised the coffee morning and served parents and friends of the school on the day. The pupils would like to thank everyone from the local community who supported the event. Zane Gray Glenkens Gazette page 12 SPALDING BOWLING CLUB Spalding Bowling Club held its annual prize-giving dinner at the Clachan Inn, Dalry. President Peter Hamilton welcomed everyone and Valerie Russell presented prizes to the Green Champions for 2016, Ann Hamilton and John McNally (pictured above). KELLS PRIMARY REMEMBRANCE Kells Primary pupils made poppy wreaths which were placed at the Kells war memorial and some of the older pupils read ‘In Flanders Fields’. GUESS THE FACE Let’s keep the OutlanderGlenkens theme going! Can you recognise this extra from the Outlander TV...? Another native of the Glenkens... Answers to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 13 NEW GALLOWAY RURAL Helen Bullock, Secretary of New Galloway Scottish Women’s Institute (SWI or Rural), reports on the group’s busy and varied year. In November 2015 we had a talk from Ros Hill on the progress of plans for the town hall. Our December gathering was a meal at the Kenmure Arms when we all enjoyed a lovely Christmas dinner, and then we walked down to the Catstrand for the panto of Babes in the Wood. We opened the year in January with our usual lovely Burns Lunch with everybody contributing to the meal; another fabulous triumph. Our February speakers from the new hospital failed to turn up at the last minute, so we talked among ourselves and enjoyed tea and biscuits without them! Linda Adams came to entertain us with her talk on Hats & Fascinators from Flairs in Castle Douglas for the March meeting - a real ladies’ talk, and we all enjoyed it. Our April meeting was full of calories from the fabulous soups and homemade breads, trifles, tea and biscuits enjoyed by all of us and members of the public. The tables were bedecked with pretty cloths and vases of flowers. Again, thanks to all who contributed. There was a sales table of homemade jams and chutneys and we managed to raise £200 for local charities. Heather McIntosh talked to us about her life in the Cubs & Brownies movement and her BEM (British Empire Medal) for our May meeting. With a competition of spring flowers and children’s photos, it was again a colourful meeting. For our June outing we enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea at the Cally Palace, along with some husbands to help us eat all the cakes and sandwiches we could not manage. July and August are holiday months, except that traditionally New Galloway Rural runs the tea tent for the Alternative Games fun day, when we can raise funds for local charities. In September there was a talk by Judith Sauberlich and her husband about the work of the recently established charity, Blood Bikes. We donated £200 to them to top up funds. Our October meeting was a really good food demonstration by Linda McTurk and most of us went home with something for our tea – chicken drumsticks in sauces. Delicious! It was a lovely year with lots going on. One sad moment was the loss of one of our long time members, Betty McQueen, who died in June. We did manage to see her one last time at the May meeting when her daughter brought her across the road from her cottage. She was a lovely lady. Thank you all for your patience - lets hope 2017 will be as good. Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries Glenkens Gazette page 14 GCAT INVITES EVERYONE TO GET INVOLVED! Glenkens Community & Arts Trust Ltd (GCAT) will be holding its AGM on 30 January 2017 in the CatStrand. As well as going through the formal process of presenting the accounts and electing the new Board, the current Board would like to use this as an occasion to get to know its company members, old and new. To this end, the evening will commence at 7pm with a glass of mulled wine or orange juice and some nibbles, to allow people a chance to chat and catch-up. The required business of the AGM will then take place from 7.30pm and will be followed by a brief presentation on the achievements of the GCAT projects this year. There will be another chance for people to socialise after. Our Members, Friends and Patrons are of critical importance to us at GCAT. Anyone can become a member for free by contacting us at the CatStrand on 01644 420 374. Everyone is welcome to come along to our AGM, but in order to vote on any matters or to become a Director you must be a member of GCAT Ltd. For the purposes of this year’s AGM, please register as a member before 20 January and we’d be delighted to see you there. If you are already a member, please note that all memberships were renewed in 2014 for another five-year term. ALL current registered members were sent AGM notices last year, so if you did not receive an AGM notice last year and of the scheme are available in the CatStrand, and any new Friends and Patrons are always very much appreciated. As you may know, sourcing funding for projects is difficult but do-able in the current environment. Sourcing funding for overheads such as core staff costs and the heating bill is practically impossible, so all income that we generate through our Friends and Patrons scheme is put towards core costs such as these, necessary for keeping the doors open. Finally, positions on the Board of GCAT are open to nominations from all interested members of the community. To be nominated, you will need to be a member, and will require to be proposed and seconded by two other members. If you’d like to find out more about this extremely rewarding form of volunteering, contact GCAT Chair, Alan Smith, on alan.smith12345@btinternet.com All nominations for the posts of Director need to be submitted to CatStrand by 10 January 2017. The GCAT Board Our Members, Friends and Patrons are of critical importance to us at GCAT. you were expecting one, please contact the CatStrand to check your membership status and renew if necessary. Our Friends and Patron scheme is for people who would like to support our projects financially. The two different levels of the scheme offer rewards such as a 10% discount in the shop and free entry to a ticketed event, in return for an annual subscription. Up-to-date details The Glenkens Story Almost 100 people gathered in Dalry Kirk on November 13 to mark the 350th anniversary of the Glenkens Rising. On the same date in 1666 a clash in Dalry between Covenanters and Government soldiers escalated, the Dumfries garrison was over-run, the commander captured and a rebel army was soon marching on Edinburgh only to be crushed by the troops of General Dayell in the Pentland hills. The event, organised by The Glenkens Story history project, featured talks by the Rev Dr David Bartholomew and Professor Ted Cowan (pictured). Dr Bartholomew described the commitment of the Glenkens people to the presbyterian religion despite oppressive Government efforts to impose rule by bishops. Professor Cowan stressed the significance of the event in the long Scottish tradition of resisting oppressive authority. And he called for local people to reclaim ‘The Glenkens Rising’ despite its misleading description in history as the ’Pentlands Rising’. For more information email theglenkensstory@google.com Glenkens Gazette page 15 NEW GALLOWAY TOWN HALL It is now nine months since the regional council agreed to our lease of the Town Hall. Some come for just tea or coffee and biscuits and some for a soup Since then the council have and pudding completed a range of works on the lunch which building. The long ongoing problems is supplied by with damp have been rectified local company including those affecting our next Love to Eat, door neighbours. Interior repairs but all enjoy a and decoration have been completed time to meet where they had been affected by the friends and damp, particularly the main entrance make new Avril and Allan at LING Lunch. stair and the men’s toilets. A new ones. Garden boiler has been installed so we now produce has any additions to the collection will be have reliable warmth for all the also been welcomed on loan or gifted. activities taking place. donated for sale at various times. The museum will be re-opened Local Initiatives in New Galloway Some financial support was made for the summer but may pop-up at (LING) Town Hall Sports have available from the Health & Social odd times through the winter! In attracted those who enjoy indoor Care Fund but the LING Lunch is the meantime new information will bowls and/or table tennis. After operated as a drop–in open to all be put together. If you would like a break in the summer these are ages. The recent donation of a opportunities to drop in for a cuppa up and running again on Tuesday highchair makes this easier for the and a chat about the ‘olden days’ evenings for the autumn, winter and very young. please get in touch. spring. The New Galloway Story ran at The Hard of Hearing Drop-in times The weekly LING Lunches which weekends during the summer as have been changed to Tuesday began in May have continued with a pop-up museum and both local mornings - please see the Diary around twenty people from New residents and visitors enjoyed finding section at the back of this issue for Galloway, Dalry and Balmaclellan. out about the past from displays as further details. Other visitors drop in, including one well as watching DVDs of the ‘Paddy THE GALLOWAY GLENS gentleman who was evacuated to Line’ and the 1951 Gala. LING submitted several expressions New Galloway during the war. Following the Sensing Glenkens of interest to the Galloway Glens Day, held project, some of which will be recently at the developed to the next stage in liaison CatStrand, and with other groups both within New the offer of a Galloway and across the Glenkens. cine-projector, THE FUTURE plans are afoot - Negotiations with Dumfries & for further Galloway Council for the extension of activities in the lease for the Town Hall. the spring - Continuation of existing events including an and activities and development of event linking new ones. with The - Development of the Galloway Glenkens Story history project. Glens Projects. - Development of other initiatives Donated where these arise and are appropriate items have to LING. been gladly - LING AGM is currently planned for The New Galloway Story exhibition set up in the town hall. received and Glenkens Gazette page 16 War Updates: August-October 1916 Paul Goodwin gives us an overview of World War I casualties from the Glenkens this time a century ago. Archibald McIntyre of Grennan Dairy, Dalry, was killed on 13 August 1916. He was aged only 19 and is remembered on the Dalry war memorial. Lance Corporal John McCubbing of Wylie’s Brae, New Galloway, had been missing since 17 August but would not be reported as having been killed until mid-October. He was just twenty years old and was apprenticed to his father’s building firm of Murray & McCubbing who would go on to build the Kells war memorial on which he is listed. John Brown was born in Balmaclellan, the son of Robert and Janet (Dickson) Brown of Nether Monybuie, Corsock. He is listed on the war memorials in Balmaclellan, Corsock and Moniaive. William Campbell, gamekeeper at Loch Howie, Balmaclellan, was notified that his eldest son, Gunner Anthony Campbell of the Royal Field Artillery, had been killed on 1 September. Anthony was 24 years of age, born in Dalry, and had been serving at the front since January. His brother William was wounded in action and would eventually die in 1925 and be the final name to be added to any WW1 war memorial in the Glenkens. Alexander Miller Walker was killed on 12 October, aged just 20 at the time of his death. Originally employed at Craigmuire, Balmaclellan, Alexander was a footman at Monkton House, Ayrshire, when he enlisted in October 1914. He is listed on the Glencairn memorial in Moniaive and the Balmaclellan memorial. William Galloway of Blackmark, Dalry, was killed on 17 October. He was the son of Robert Galloway and was 27 years old at the time of death. He is listed on the Dalry war memorial. William Hewitson of Drumness, Polmaddy, was killed on 18 October 1916. He was only 19 years old when he died and is listed on the Carsphairn war memorial. If you have any other information about the men of the Glenkens killed in war or any photographs, please get in touch at memorials@paulgoodwin.me.uk Glenkens Gazette page 17 Top Award For Local Writer A Balmaclellan historian has won a major prize for her work on witchcraft. Dr Lizanne Henderson has been presented in London with the 2016 Katharine Briggs Award by the prestigious Folklore Society, one of the first organisations in the world dedicated to the study of traditional culture and folklore. Her book, Witchcraft and Folk Belief in the Age of Enlightenment: Scotland, 16701740 came top of 19 entries and was praised by the judging panel: “Folkloric and other evidence meld seamlessly within this rich, original and compelling ‘history from below.’ An effective challenge to the orthodoxy that popular Scottish belief in - and fear of - witches and witchcraft declined from around 1670. A great example of how sources and concepts from folklore can inform and enrich historical research.” Dr Henderson’s book represents the first in-depth investigation of Scottish witchcraft and witch belief post 1662. Such beliefs were supposedly declining at the time of the Scottish Enlightenment when the ‘supernatural’ was being redefined at the interface between folk Dr Lizanne Henderson with the Folklore Society’s 2016 belief and the Katherine Briggs Award. philosophies of the learned. witch-hunts. However, while the eradication Dr Henderson is a lecturer in of witch beliefs equated with cultural history at the Dumfries progress for the learned, for campus of the University of many others, such as the devout, Glasgow. She recently gave wellwitch belief was a matter of faith. received talks on the subject of As a result the fear and dread her book at the Wigtown Book of witches and their craft lasted Festival and at a Glenkens Story well beyond the era of the major event at the CatStrand. Glenkens Gazette page 18 Who Do We Think We Were? Gene Pick has lived for many years near Balmaclellan where she and her late husband John settled after coming north from London, via Lochcarron, after the Second World War. She recalls the very different life she enjoyed in that Highland community. Whether you too grew up here or have arrived in the Glenkens from elsewhere, please send in your 500 words of reminiscence. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are - if you live here, you are part of Glenkens history. Please send your contributions by email to margaret.elphinstone @dircon.co.uk or hand in a copy at CatStrand marked ‘Glenkens Gazette - WDWTWW’. The next Gazette will have a memoir by Margaret Keith who lives in Dalry. We came north because of fond memories of Highland holidays taken with my husband’s Ayrshire mother in the 1930s, and our great need to get out of wartime London. We took a train to Inverness and found a mail bus that would take us to the fishing village of Ullapool where John had rented a wooden bungalow on the side of Loch Broom. Here we entered another world of time at the service of the climate and the people (a football match would start when the players turned up, for instance). Ullapool had been designed by Pulteney to house the people cleared New Galloway Golf Club On Coming to Galloway by Way of Wester Ross off their land by the Sutherlands, and stove fit for cooking and ironing with in the 1940s, there were jobs for the flat irons. But we found time to join herring fishing and lorry drivers. in the ceilidhs and make friends with Shops included a chandler owned Alec Ross released from RAF and by Kenny Buie who provided locals owner of the garage, and a car which with rope and lamps (often without he used to take us further north into payment). Add to this two hotels, a Sutherland, where we escaped the junior school and, of course, a Church solemn Sabbath. of Scotland with services in Gaelic and The local factor was another friend in English and a Free Kirk in Gaelic. who told us that a croft-house, not Our bungalow, Indian style, with wanted by the estate, was available a veranda and four bedrooms, was in Rhu, four miles to the north. It roomy enough to invite ‘writing’ became one of the first de-crofted, friends. Among the first was Lawrence for the neighbouring crofter Kenny Durrell returning from war in Stewart wanted another field. So Alexandria and his ‘Eve’, but although we bought it, altered the byre into the Summer Isles might have a study and put a Rayburn into the reminded him of Greek islands, the kitchen. Best of all, electricity came, water didn’t and we had to revive him thanks to a brilliant Scottish Secretary from the shock of a cold swim. who insisted that all houses supplied John produced a magazine where he by the great Hydro schemes should had asked several authors to explain have power lines to their doors. ‘Why I Write’. Among these was Neil So the old life went, the herring Gunn who lived near Inverness, who were over-fished, the lorry drivers visited us on a trip to the west coast. and the poachers weren’t needed We soon became friends and visited and Ullapool became a holiday Gene Pick over the next ten years, staying in destination. each other’s houses. Neil, by the way, had stayed in Dalry for his teenage education, where he lived in the Doctor’s house. The Doctor had married Neil’s elder sister and with the help of the Dalry Headmaster and a tutor who wrote for ‘The Gallovidian’ Neil passed his civil service entrance exam. Living in Ullapool, without electricity, took all hours of the day: trimming lamps, keeping a free-standing John and Gene Pick at Loch Broom c 1946. Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? www.nggc.co.uk Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Buggies now available for hire Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 Founded 1902 - 01644 420737 VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk FHB Fencing Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) Glenkens Gazette page 19 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN THE BOOKMEN OF BALMAGHIE 2017 marks the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation and the creation of a new nation. Galloway has many links with Canada through emigration, the pioneering efforts of Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar in the 1620s and the colonizing activities of the Fifth Earl of Selkirk. Much less well known in the annals of both countries is the family of the Neilsons of Dornell, the estate neighbouring Laurieston. Samuel Neilson (1771-1793), was sent off to Quebec in 1785 to learn the book and printing trades under the supervision of his uncle, William Brown, a native of Borgue. William served his time in Philadelphia before moving to Quebec to establish the bilingual Quebec Gazette, the province’s first periodical that was designed to encourage “a thorough knowledge of the English and French languages” in the two nations. The publication included poetry and general interest articles as well as politics and foreign news. On Brown’s death his business was taken over by Samuel Neilson, the first of a Neilson clique, which had an important influence on its host city and province, following Brown’s impressive lead in presiding over nothing less than the Enlightenment of Quebec and thus Canada. When Sam died he was succeeded by his brother John (1776-1848) who had emigrated in 1791. It is striking that of the three so far mentioned two emigrated at age 15 while Sam was A&B Welding & Fabrication ANDREW SINCLAIR 21 TOWNHEAD CRESCENT ST JOHN’S TOWN OF DALRY CASTLE DOUGLAS DG7 3UR 01644 430 332 / 07896 168 724 andyandbevsinclair@yahoo.co.uk just 14. Folk grew up quicker than now in the 18th century! John married Marie-Ursule, a niece of the catholic bishop of Quebec. They had ten children, the boys being raised as presbyterians and the girls as catholics. He believed his marriage might serve as an example to reduce some of “baleful prejudices” between French and British. In his hands the business flourished and expanded. He owned the premier bookshop in Canada, the Gazette increased subscriptions, and printing prospered. A rival described him as “the largest consumer of paper in this country”. He is reputed to have published 50 to 60 per cent of the 800 books that appeared in Quebec between 1800 and 1820. He left the company to follow his political interests in 1822, handing two thirds to his eldest son, Samuel (1800-1837), who when he became very ill in 1836 conferred the business upon his brother William. John Neilson continued to be involved in societies, associations and good works; he was deeply interested in education at all levels, but particularly in rural parishes. Neilson was also deeply engaged in attempts to neutralise the many clashes between French and British, travelling to London for negotiations. As his biographers have written, “Neilson seems to have been one of the earliest exemplars of the ‘Canadian’ in the modern sense: bilingual, connected with people of various origins, optimistic about the country’s future”, a remarkable legacy of the lad frae Balmaghie. Samuel, plagued by ill heath, was not so fortunate while the two brothers who succeeded him were not quite so interested in the company or indeed Quebec. By 1850 the Neilson domination of Quebec publishing was over. Personally I think that Canada remains the last great, civilised country in the world. The Glenkens connection should be treasured and celebrated. Note: Due to an oversight my review of William Kennedy’s excellent book in the last issue of the Gazette failed to mention the title of his book, To Grasp An Opportunity. My longwindedness left no space for the inclusion of a photograph which was intended to accompany the article. Apologies to all concerned. Ted Cowan Glenkens Gazette page 20 STROANFREGGAN SCHOOL With Dalry School having recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its secondary and 85th of its primary, Bruce Smith takes us on a journey into the past to look at the history of some of the old schools on the outer reaches of Dalry parish. Stroanfreggan School, situated towards the head of the Water o’ Ken by Smittons bridge, was set up to provide education to the children who could not get to the Dalry Free School from the northern parts of the Parish. The school slightly pre-dates Corseglass and, although the date of its foundation is not certain, it was well after 1723. This is the date of the first parish school in Glenkens at Carsphairn for the children of the miners. The building still exists and is currently a private dwelling. Most of the students were the children of the hill farmers and shepherds, mostly in the Ken and Fingland glens. The school is described in the Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland of 1881 as having accommodation for 32 children and an average attendance of 10. During the 1890s, there is a clear level of dissatisfaction and tension around the teaching and progress at the school. This is best summed up by the following entry from June 1892. “The great coming event is the Glenkens Examination, and less apparent interest is excited than is commonly the case… The finishing of the peat loading and the preparation for sheep shearing with turnip thinning and weeding may account for the seeming apathy”. By 1927 the school board could no longer ignore the problems at the School. An experienced graduate was appointed and transport was provided for the children who lived furthest from the school. Attendance soon rose to 87.1%. By the 1930s the attendance rate was usually around 90% and many entries report perfect attendance. The HMI Reports indicate the progress and improvements in the pupils and the school through the decade. We have a valuable description from one evacuee all the way from Croydon who was sent to live at the school in 1940. John Bowman Jory responded to a national Project on culture shock to these poor souls must have been intense. In January 1940 the snow was so bad that there was no mail for over a week and food was running very short. 1941 must have been grimmer since, despite the schoolroom fire, the ink froze in the wells. The school log from 1945 to 1965 is a record of visitors to the school, road safety days, school dentists, library visits to change books, visits from music and PE specialists and the various illness suffered by the pupils (from measles to ringworm). We can see, with better communications, that the school was getting more support from the local authority. By the 1950s school trips were being organised by bus. Some of the last pupils at the school seem to have been Yvonne Grant [nee MacTaggart] who was a pupil from 1955 to 1962, and Susan Bell who left to go to Dalry Secondary in 1965. Bruce Smith ...drinking water out of the burn, serious lessons in the morning and ... emptying the school toilet pails into the burn every Saturday. JENNY’S Mobile Hairdresser • Home Visits • Nursing Homes & Residential • The Elderly & Disabled NVQ Level 3 Hairdressing, NVQ Level 4 Social Care Call Jenny on 07554 009 624 Memories of World War two in 2006 by the BBC. His four main school memories were, drinking water out of the burn, serious lessons in the morning and everyone knitting for the war effort in the afternoon and also emptying the school toilet pails into the burn every Saturday. Wartime entries are varied. The early ones refer to the difficulties created by the hasty evacuation of seven children from Glasgow. The Wright’s Shop & Post Office Dalry Licensed convenience store and newsagent stocking a range of local suppliers including Corsons and Irvings Bakers, Ballards and Dalmellington Country Butchers and Mitchells Fruit and Veg. Opening Times (both shop & PO): Monday to Friday: 7am – 6pm Saturday: 8am – 6pm Sunday: 8.30am – 4pm Tel: 01644 430 225 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm 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 � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � Glenkens Gazette page 21 Glenkens Gazette page 22 DECEMBER & JANUARY DECEMBER Thu 1, CatStrand Youth Players: Little Red Riding Hood, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 3, CatStrand Youth Players: Little Red Riding Hood, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 4, CatStrand Youth Players: Little Red Riding Hood, 2pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Tue 6, Hard of Hearing Drop-in Clinic, 10-11am, New Galloway Town Hall Wed 7, Balmaclellan & Kells Guild & St Margaret’s Ladies Guild, Christmas Coffee Morning, 10.30am12noon, New Galloway Town Hall Fri 9, Christmas Concert: The Antonine Trio, 7pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 14, Balmaclellan Senior Citizen’s Christmas Lunch, 12.30pm, Kenbridge Hotel (by invitation only) Wed 14, GTI Bus Trip; Hetland Garden Centre & Moffat (see p21) Thu 15, Stewartry Bird Watchers Talk; Angus Hogg ‘Birding on the Edge:The Uists’, 7.30pm, Kells School, New Galloway Fri 16, Glenkens Children’s Christmas Party, 6pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall (see back page) Sat 17, Mike Heron & Trembling Bells, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 18, Cairn Chorus: Winter Wassail, 4pm, CatStrand, New Galloway (Inc Mulled Wine & Mince Pie) We 21, FILM: The Pearl Button (12), 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway JANUARY Wed 11, Balmaclellan & Kells Guild, New Galloway Town Hall Thu 12, Stewartry Bird Watchers Talk; Iain Bainbridge ‘What Did Birds Ever Do for You?’, 7.30pm, Kells School, New Galloway Thu 12, FILM: 36 (12), 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 18, GTI Bus Trip; Caerlaverock Nature Reserve (see p21) Sat 21, Samba Sene & Diwan, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Tue 26, SWANC Winter Discussion; ‘Droving Through Britain’, 7.30pm, Ken Bridge Hotel Thu 26, FILM: Court (PG), 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 27, Ad Libitum, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Mon 30, GCAT AGM, 7pm, CatStrand, New Galloway THE GAZETTE WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL ITS READERS A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! The Glenkens Community Shop would like to thank all the volunteers and customers for their support through 2016 and wish them all a very merry Christmas. Glenkens Gazette page 23 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Margaret Morris dance 1: 3-7yrs, term-time Mondays, 3.45-4.30pm Margaret Morris dance 2: 816yrs, term-time Mondays, 4.305.15pm Access All Areas Youth Arts - Making Music: Please phone CatStrand to book session. Gentle Tai Chi: Wed, 10am, 60+ Glenkens Writing Group: First Wed each month 3-5pm Sing it Out: Thurs, 11am -12pm CatStrand Ukes: Thurs, 1pm – 3.30pm 60+ Choreographic Skills Lab: Thurs (term-time), 7 - 8.30pm ages 12-18 Zumba Gold: Fridays (term-time), 10-11am, CatStrand, 16+ Saturday Art Club: twice a month, 10am–12noon, to book call 420 374 Catstrand Youth Players: Sun during term time, 2pm Glenkens Acoustic Sessions: last Sun of the month, 2-4pm Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, (contact Kath on 430 281): Paint & Art: Mon, 1.30-4.30pm & Wed, 7-9pm GCC Playgroup: Tues, Wed & Thurs, 9.10-11.40am, contact Sue on 07709 929 482 Guides: Tues during term-time, 6.15pm, contact: Kath 430 281 Good Neighbours’ Club: Tues, 2pm Brownies: Wed, 5.30-6.45pm Kickback Martial Arts: Thurs, 79pm Thursday Craft Group: Thurs, 24pm Glenkens Children’s Club: Fri, 10am-12noon New Galloway Town Hall: LING Lunches: Tues, 11am-2pm Indoor Sports: Tues, 7-9pm Zumba: Wed, 7.30-8.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, 11+ Footcare by Stewartry Care: Thurs by appointment (Tel: 01556 504699), New Galloway Town Hall Various Locations: Ballroom & Latin Dance: Mon, 7.30pm, Castle Douglas Primary School Carsphairn Post Office: Tues, 1-3pm, Lagwyne Hall Beavers: Tues, 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: 4th Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall. Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. Glenkens Church Choir. CHURCH TIMES with 23 Dec, 5pm: Carsphairn CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services - Balmaclellan 12noon: 1st(Dec). Carsphairn 10.30am: 1st(Dec), 2nd, 3rd, 4th(Jan). Dalry 12noon 2nd(Jan), 3rd, 4th(Jan). Dalry 10.30am 1st(Jan). Kells 10.30am: 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Church Community Christmas Service and Children’s Party. 24 Dec, 11.30pm: Watchnight Service, Carsphairn Church. 25 Dec, 10.30am: Christmas Day Family Service, Kells Church. 1 Jan, 10.30am: United Service with Choir, Dalry Church Special Services/Events: 11 Dec, 10.30am: United Family Service, Dalry Church. 11 Dec, 6.30pm: Carols by Candlelight in Dalry Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm Dog Training: Tues & Thurs, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Wednesday Quiz Night: Wed, 8.30pm, Cross Keys Hotel, New Galloway Stewartry Camera Club: Wed, 7.30pm, Ringford Village Hall, runs Wed 11 Sept till end Mar Mossdale Painters: Wed, 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Coffee & Craft Group: Fri, 9am12noon, Lagwyne Hall Youth Writing Group: Thurs (during term time), 3.30-5pm, ages 10-15, Dalry School Scouts: Thurs, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Gentle Tai Chi: Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall To hire the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) behind Dalry School call Sonja Tranter on 430 244 or Nicolette Wise on 430 218. Dalry Library Temporary Hours Tue: 12noon - 3.30pm Fri: 10am - 12noon & 1pm - 4.30pm There are 23 mobile library stops - to find out where and when please phone 430 234. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Police, non-emergency: 101 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 24 Lasting Legacy The Pamela Young Trust is a registered Scottish charity that has been in operation for 24 years. The brainchild of Pam Young, whose family have lived in the Glenkens for generations, the idea for the trust began when she was asked to help find accommodation for retiring farm workers who had previously been living in tied accommodation in the area. Having always wanted to give something to the community she loved, particularly to those who required help, she set up the Pamela Young Trust in 1992 for the relief of poverty by the provision of affordable housing for people living or working in the Glenkens. It is now some eight years since Miss Young died but her legacy lives on and the current trustees, all of whom have strong connections to the Glenkens, share her values and desire to help those who, for whatever reason, find themselves in reduced circumstances. Although the trust’s work is well established locally and many people have benefitted from it over the years, it may not be The late Pamela Young outside her house in Dalry. who qualifies under the terms of the trust. The trustees are particularly keen for families with young children to apply in order to help maintain the schools and other facilities within the area. To this end a website has recently been launched www.pamelayoungtrust.co.uk - where information on the trust purposes and how to apply for a tenancy can be found. ...applications are now welcome from anyone, young or old...who qualifies under the terms of the trust. widely known that although it started by providing retirement accommodation, applications are now welcome from anyone, young or old, single or with a family, COMMENTS ON THE GAZETTE “Really good issue Sarah - packed full of stuff.” Ahrlene Glenkens Children’s Christmas Party Friday 16th December, 6pm Balmaclellan Village Hall “Quick line to say that I’ve just finished reading the latest Gazette. Quite a bumper issue and packed with interesting stuff, I really enjoyed reading it.” Nicolette Magic Monty “Just a quick thank you for another great issue. You always manage to keep it fresh and a good informative read.” Matthew All Primary and pre-school children from the Glenkens welcome, accompanied by an adult. Pot-luck food table - bring along a dish and help yourself! Donations for the raffle very welcome. Santa, Raffle Wild Bird Food and Accessories Spend £35 and get 50 Fat Balls FREE New Harbro Dog Food 21% Protein - Only £8.99 per 15kg Xmas Trees (no needle drop) Holly Wreaths 15% All available from end November 15% Our Quality Sheep and Cattle Feed - Prices for the Winter Wormers and all Animal Health available at very competitive prices 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 FEB/MAR COPY DEADLINE: 5 JANUARY Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050 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 97 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_097 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 2016 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/244/GlenkensGazette98.pdf 26fd3d8ab937db400277b85644c132f3 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 98 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 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:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). 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 News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry February/March 2017 ISSUE 98 GLENKENS BUSINESSES OFFER THE BEST IN HOSPITALITY When it comes to hospitality, Glenkens businesses are hard to beat. No fewer than five of them have been recognised for their outstanding role in customer service and promoting tourism in the area over the past couple of months. In the 2016 Scottish Thistle Awards – West of Scotland region – three of the fifteen categories were landed by Glenkens businesses! Brookford B&B in Dalry was voted the Most Hospitable B&B/Guest House, the town’s Clachan Inn won the Friendliest Pub/Bar category while, just down the A713, the Galloway Activity Centre at Loch Ken took the Award for Innovation in Tourism. Continued on p6... FREE QUEEN’S WAY CRANE RECOVERY: P9 Surprised and delighted… Ronnie Bradford at his Brookford B&B. CUB SCOUTS PARTY TO CELEBRATE CENTENARY The Glenkens Cub Scout Pack have celebrated 100 years of adventure with a Cub Scout Promise Party. The party took place exactly 100 years from the day when the section, then called Wolf Cubs, was launched. The Cub Scouts joined with thousands of others around the UK in renewing their Promise, pledging to do their best and to help other people. The 100th birthday cake was then cut by Hannah Fitch and Ruby Harfield. The youngsters had a fantastic, funfilled time at the party. They were joined by the Glenkens Beavers, members of the Galloway District team, friends of Scouting, parents, district chairman Drew Low, district commissioner Nigel Scott and the Lord Lieutenant of Galloway, Sir Malcolm Ross and Lady Ross. The guests were piped in to the party by Ian Wemyss. One of the Cubs, Sophie, said: “The Cubs 100 party was brilliant and we have also taken part in activities and challenges throughout the year. Being a Cub Scout is all about doing your best and I try to do this every day.” The Cub Scouts presented certificates to thank volunteers and supporters of the group who have made their adventure Cub Scouts with Heather McIntosh and piper. happen. Hannah Fitch, Commissioner’s Commendation assistant Cub Scout Leader Certificate and Hannah also and Diana Curran, Gold Beaver, received her 20-year service badge. were presented with a District Continued on p6... A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 George Thompson: Scholar, Politician, Teacher, Priest George Thompson, who died in December at the age of 88 after a long period of failing health, was an exceptional son of the Glenkens. The times I spent in his company travelling across Galloway while we were campaigning for the Scottish National Party, driving to Party meetings in other parts of Scotland, or sharing a dram, were always entertaining and educational. These notes about his life are largely based on my fallible memories of those conversations. Corrections and additions are, of course, welcome. Andrew Mellor Rather like Murray of the eponymous Monument, George rose from humble Galloway beginnings to be an exceptional linguist. As well as his native English and Scots he spoke French, German, Latin, Italian, Spanish and Breton. He also had a good working knowledge of many other languages including Gaelic. He was particularly proud of the fact that, on a holiday in France, he had been taken for a native Breton speaker. His family were in service at the Garroch, where he was born, and he attended Dalry School before going on to Kirkcudbright Academy where he achieved outstanding passes in his Higher exams. A school friend, Barbara McLeish, recalls that boys and girls from the Glenkens stayed in separate hostels in Kirkcudbright, returning home (by train to Parton in Barbara’s case) only at the weekends. She says that George was a kind, gentle boy, good company and absolutely brilliant at his studies. Family finances meant that, after the Academy, higher education was out of the question so George had a varied early career. He worked at Dalry Post Office delivering telegrams in all weathers to all corners of the parish on a heavy, Post Office issue pushbike. Few homes had telephones in those days so George often knocked on front doors with news, which could bring joy - or sorrow. One farmer’s wife tested his, and the postmaster’s, patience to the limit with her habit of stopping at Dalry Post Office on her way to Castle Douglas to send a telegram home with messages like, “PUT STEW IN OVEN STOP MUM.” After the third time George had peddled the 24 mile round trip to her distant farm she was told that no more such trivia would be accepted because George had to be available to deliver life and death telegrams. On another occasion a complaint was lodged against George by a local landowner because he had committed the sin of delivering mail to an estate worker’s cottage before delivering the post to “the big house”. Such incidents may well have influenced the development of George’s strong political and humanitarian beliefs. When he was called up, the army recognised George’s abilities by posting him to the Education Corps. Here he found his vocation as a teacher and his faith as a Roman Catholic. Many years later we were discussing his varied careers and he said that that was how he would like to be remembered - as a teacher - because that was the essence of the roles he had had, including those of a politician and a priest. His conversion to Catholicism was a surprise to many in the Glenkens and Dalry, where his father was Church of Scotland session clerk. Yet more eyebrows were raised when he began a 7-year course for George at an informal gathering in New Galloway in about 1990 – not long after he had been ordained. the priesthood at the Scots College in Rome. Studies were conducted in Latin, which was no problem for George, although he did not enjoy the heat of the Roman summer in the heavy robes which the students had to wear. A family tragedy brought an end to his early priestly ambitions. His father had died and he returned to Dalry to look after his mother. He earned a living working for the Forestry Commission. In the late 1950s he went to Edinburgh University as a mature student and graduated with a double First in German and French. Then began his career as a modern languages teacher in schools including Kirkcudbright Academy. At the same time he became more and more active in the Scottish National Party. In October 1974, after a recount, he became the SNP Member Of Parliament for Galloway with the narrowest of majorities – 30 votes. I will never forget the sight, on the day after the election, of an open Triumph Herald driving up Kirkland Street with George standing on the passenger seat waving to his many friends. Glenkens Gazette For the next five years George served his constituents well. He spoke about the problems of the countryside and rural communities with eloquence. Hansard records how his intellect and command of issues enabled him to stand up to, and match, his more experienced and often patronising political opponents. His well-argued, and ultimately successful, battle against plans for test drilling in the Galloway Hills to assess their suitability for dumping nuclear waste is well recorded. However, only a few people know that he gave large sums out of his own pocket to help fund the campaigners who stood up to the might of the UK Atomic Energy Authority at the Mullwharchar Public Enquiry. George had to learn to drive after he entered Parliament – covering a constituency like Galloway on a bicycle just didn’t work – but he was never the most confident of drivers. He arrived at my door one morning with a very second-hand looking Mini after an encounter with “a big black beast” which had loomed up out of the fog on the Gate Hill Road late the previous evening. Enquiries with the page 3 farmer failed to identify the cow that had done such grievous harm to George’s car. When George lost his seat in the 1979 election (accused of being one of Jim Callaghan’s turkeys who voted for an early Christmas!) he returned to teaching as Principal Teacher Those who knew him will remember an intelligent, caring, gentle man... of Modern Languages at Annan Academy, while continuing to campaign for the SNP. He bought a cottage at Kirtlebridge next to the A74 and returned to his house in Kirkland Street in Dalry at weekends. But disaster struck. Turning onto the A74 his car was hit by another vehicle and he was severely injured. He made a remarkable recovery from head and leg injuries and returned to teaching but I am not sure that he was ever entirely at ease in the sometimesrobust atmosphere of a large comprehensive school. He liked to tell the tale of one young miscreant whom he had put on a departmental report. “Ye cannae Graeme Gordon 1930-2017 Graeme Gordon, who died suddenly in January, was an early pioneer of fish farming in Scotland and a respected figure in the rural life of the Glenkens for 50 years. Following National Service in the Army, serving in the UK, Germany and Malaya, the latter with the SAS, Graeme and his wife Kirsten moved to Africa where he worked in the milling business in Rhodesia and Zambia. He and his family returned to the Glenkens in 1966 when he started Kenmure Fisheries, a trout farm at the north end of Loch Ken, which he ran until retirement in 2000. Throughout that time he was also the driving force behind the creation of Scot Trout, a co- operative which processed and marketed trout and salmon from the major Scottish fish farms. He was on the Central Policy Committee of the Scottish NFU at a crucial time when fish farming in Scotland was in its infancy. He helped establish and chair the British Trout Association, was President of the Federation of European Aquaculture, ViceChairman of Scot Trout and Chairman of Scottish Quality Trout. In addition, he chaired SEPA (West) and worked with Stirling University to improve health and disease control in farmed fish and from which he received an Honorary Doctorate in 1996. His extensive interest and knowledge of rural matters led him to become Vice Convenor and then Convener of the Scottish Land Owner’s Federation. He was awarded an OBE in 1994. dae that,” protested the boy. “Do what?” asked George, mystified. “Call me mental…” I suspect that it was incidents like this that helped George, in the mid 1980s, to decide to return to his earlier calling. Although he was by then in his late 50s his bishop made the wise decision that he still had much to offer. After two years at a seminary in England George finally became a priest in his 61st year. He went on to serve parishioners in Dumfries and Dalbeattie for many years. Those who knew him will remember an intelligent, caring, gentle man who was a humble servant of God and a doughty fechter for the causes in which he believed. He can have no better epitaph than this verse from Lorimer’s Scots Bible which he himself chose to be given out at his ordination in 1989. Lat us cast by ilka cummer an the taiglin garment o sin an, takkin a stout hairt, rin the race at God has gien us tae rin, our een stelled on Jesus Hebrews 12: 1-2 MARY MCNAUGHT Mary McNaught from Dalry passed away on 28 December. She is sadly missed by all her family who thank everyone who came to pay their respects, with special thanks to David Bartholomew. Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by EVERYTHING listed in the Glenkens Freecycle section is FREE - you just need to contact the owner and go and pick it up! If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch with Sarah on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk VARIOUS excellent quality. Contact: 450 265 Door, 190cm x 90cm. Suitable for outbuilding, shed, etc. Contact: Annikki on 460 640 Various furniture – Ikea bedroom furniture; chest of drawers and two bedside cabinets; corner TV unit. May be more... Contact: Jean on 07832 294 899 or 420 419 Stoves single built-in electric fan oven and Stoves electric hob, both in working order. Collect from Dalry. Contact: 430 062 evenings. Two single mattresses - good as new, hardly used. Width - 77cm. Contact: 460 516 Bang and Olufsen Beocenter 3500, needs attention. Sony mini hi fi system MHC3600, needs attention. TV stand (corner) glass - excellent condition. Wooden bureau with three drawers - Aspidistra plant. Nice big healthy plant. Contact Sue: 07563 718 011 Glass display unit, approximately six-feet high. It has double glass doors, two glass side panels, with a mirrored back and interior light. Excellent condition but no interior shelves. Contact: Gail on 07742 395 728 or casagail29@aol.co.uk WANTED Large pots, tubs or hanging baskets for New Galloway in Bloom. Please leave at the Smithy or phone Linda on 420 829 to collect. Stair gate - variable width. Contact: 07770 688 514 Half a dozen house bricks. Contact Sue: 07563 718 011 Bike suitable for five-year-old. Contact: 420 267 Garden shed for GCC Playgroup as outdoor toy storage. Contact: Sarah on 07727 127 997 WW2 Stage Props/Costumes – CatStrand Youth Players are staging a play set in Prague in 1945 and would be grateful for the use of any stage props and costumes suitable to the period. Contact: CatStrand on 420 374 Mountain bike. Contact: Sarah on 07727 127 997 STAFF REQUIRED: Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre requires kitchen, waiting and counter staff for Galloway Lodge’s busy visitor centre. For more info contact Alan on 0772 0772 854 or alan@gallowaylodge.co.uk Bargatton Sand & Gravel GLENKENS ROUTE Thursdays: 12noon-1pm – Crossmichael 1-2pm – Parton/Loch Ken Holiday Park 2-4pm – Balmaclellan area 4-5.30pm – The Hidden Road Fridays: 8-10.30am – Dalry 10.30-11am – Glenlea Area 11am – New Galloway 12noon – New Galloway Shop 2pm – Mossdale area 3-4pm – Laurieston to Gatehouse Please note that all times are approximate. 07966 103 912 fleetfish@hotmail.com Supplying sand and gravel for all your farming needs, as well as households and businesses both large and small. We stock washed fine sand, coarse sand and gravels at competitive prices. For further details contact: James Mair - 07793 085 243 Bargatton Quarry, Laurieston, Castle Douglas, DG7 2PS Open Monday to Friday Weekends by arrangement Delivery can be arranged - subject to quantity Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by NEW GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLE HEATING AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS A NEW FOCUS FOR 2017 air-conditioner. Air source heat pumps produce three kilowatts of heat for every one kilowatt of electricity put in. With traditional heating systems for every killowatt put in you get less than one back. Local company RJ McCulloch, based by Loch Doon, specialises in installing renewable heating systems. With 20 years in Air source heat pumps have hit the UK – and are being pushed bigtime as low carbon energy efficient ... a potential RHI income heating systems. the government to help with installation costs.” To give you an idea of the potential for savings through installing an air source heat pump, for an average wellinsulated two-bedroom semi-detatched house the RHI payments could be up to £2,040 per year [for the annual maximum of 20,000 kilowatt-hours] for the seven-year period the agreement runs. The cost of installing an air source heat pump is around £10,000, which can be covered by an interest-free government loan. If your home runs on oil or LPG, savings per year could be around £600, and for electric heating systems even more - up to £1,500. So over the seven year period the RHI agreement runs, this gives a potential RHI income of £14,280 and a saving on heating bills of up to £10,500. Plus ongoing savings indefinitely thereafter. of £14,280 and a saving on heating bills of up to £10,500. A popular option in other parts of Europe for over a decade, these little numbers look like a firm favourite to fit the bill for green heating in both the domestic and commercial arena. The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy have announced an increase in funding for this area from £430 million in 2015/16 to £1.15 billion in 2020/21. And this is where it gets really interesting for you and your home... New in 2017 the Scottish Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is giving more priority to air source heat pump systems and raising the RHI payback from 7.51p to 10.02p per kilowatt-hour – an increase of almost a third. So what exactly is an air source heat pump? And why would you want one? Well, in simple terms, they take the outside air, warm it up a little, then use it to heat the water in your central heating system. A bit like the reverse operation of a fridge or a reverse the trade installing traditional heating systems such as oil, LPG and gas, they are in a good position to advise on energy efficiency and consumption. Company owner Ross says: “In order to be eligible for RHI payments you must choose a fitter registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). This strict code of conduct holds companies to very high standards for both the installation itself and the preinstallation detailed heat loss calculations. These calculations are carried out prior to any work to ensure the heating system will work efficiently in the location. “The changes in 2017 mean that things are really going to pick up the pace with air source heat pumps. With reduced heating bills, as well as the RHI payments, home-owners, landlords and tenants alike can all benefit. You can also get a £10k interest-free loan from Glenkens Gazette Award-Winning Hospitality Continued from front page... For the second year running, The Knowe in Carsphairn has been named best Luxury B&B in the Luxury Travel Guide’s European Awards for 2017. For the Clachan Inn’s Phil Papworth and Laura Burnie, winning the Thistle award is the icing on the cake, having won a couple of CAMRA regional pub of the year awards and a D&G Life finalist accolade last year. “This award is more about being recognised by our customers for the atmosphere and service we and our very important and valued staff provide,” said Phil. “We all work very hard at making every single person who comes through our door very welcome.” With a background in the tourism industry for 12 years, Ronnie Bradford, who has run the Brookford B&B for four years, was “surprised and delighted” to have been chosen for the award in his category. “It was totally unexpected and I was just pleased to have been among the three finalists who all happened to be from Dumfries and Galloway,” he said. Carsphairn’s Shop and Tearooms were finalists in the Best Café category of the Dumfries & Galloway Life Awards – a fantastic achievement just 12 months after having to close following the devastating floods of 30 December 2015. It’s due acknowledgement for all the effort that went into refurbishing and remodelling the premises to enable the business to fully reopen to the public last summer. “We’ve been overwhelmed by all the congratulations we’ve received on our award,” said Lindsay. “We’ve come through a difficult year but are now looking forward to 2017 with renewed optimism.” The Knowe B&B too suffered quite a bit of flood damage and had to undergo repair and redecoration work on the ground floor before being ready to receive guests again. “It is a great feeling to be endorsed by these major tourist organisations, nationally and internationally, especially for a small bed and breakfast business in a small village,” commented Karen Hall who is proprietor of The Knowe with husband Harry. At the Carsphairn Shop & Tearooms, Paul Smith and Lindsay Duncan toast their award with a cup of tea. Phil Papworth and Laura Burnie celebrate their award at the Clachan Inn. FHB Fencing Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) page 6 Richard Herman, director of the Galloway Activity Centre revealed that, in addition to the Thistle award, his business has been nominated by Finlay Carson MSP in the Rural Enterprise category of the 2017 Scottish Rural Awards. “It’s great to have been recognised for innovation and enterprise by two different organisations,” he said. “You need to innovate to move with the times and we aim to introduce a new themed activity every year.” The activity centre employs five permanent staff, a figure which increases to 30 people in the high season, and it sources whatever goods and produce it can locally to support other Glenkens businesses. Richard Herman with Ben Sharp, Galloway Activity Centre. Karen and Harry Hall outside The Knowe B&B. SCOUTS CELEBRATE Continued from front page... The Lord Lieutenant presented Heather McIntosh, Glenkens Cub Scout Leader, with her British Empire Medal that was awarded to her by the Queen in the birthday honours for services to Scouting for over 50 years and services to the local community. Heather commented: “It has been a very special evening to have received the award and I want to thank everyone for their support and friendship. Over many years I have been committed to Scouting but Scouting has given me so much more in return.” Doug Fitch, assistant Cub Scout leader, presented each Cub with a ‘Well Done’ certificate for taking part in the activities throughout the year. On behalf of New Galloway Community Council, Craig Millar, Provost of the Royal Burgh, handed over a framed 100th birthday certificate. The Glenkens Cub Scout Pack and leaders would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for joining us and making their 100th birthday celebrations special. Glenkens Gazette page 7 CatStrand Highlights The new CatStrand spring brochure has some fantastic events for the coming months. February sees the renowned CatStrand Burns Supper (Fri 10) - book early as this event always sells out! Later in the month there is a brilliant new play by Serge Perilous called A Life with The Beatles which is based on the recollections of the Fab Four’s tour manager Neil Aspinall. February also sees the return of an old favourite – the Afternoon Tea Club (Fri 24) which will feature the classic movie I Know Where I’m Going from 1942 and also sees the launch of our NEW Into Film Club (Sat 18), aimed at younger people, which starts with the film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. March sees the second ever Ken Words Festival (Fri 3–Sat 4) which this year features guest speakers Cameron McNeish (BBC’s Roads Less Travelled) and award-winning poet Tom Pow amongst others. The weekend also features a concert by Scots Trad Musician of the Year Siobhan Miller, a poetry walk around the hills of Dalry with Tom Pow, a workshop with author Margaret Elphinstone, and a meal at the Ken Bridge with a performance by renowned music historian Jo Miller. Also in March, the Hebrides Siobhan Miller, Scots Trad Musician of the Year Ensemble returns to the CatStrand (Fri 10 ) as well as folk legend Rab Noakes (Thu 16) and the much lauded Irish folksters Rackhouse Pilfer (Tues 21). Finally, we’re delighted to have the Glenkens Story back to CatStrand for a talk (Sun 26). We look forward to seeing you at CatStrand over the coming weeks! The CatStrand Team See our latest brochure or visit our website for programme details. Book online at www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420374. Follow us on facebook and twi�er and make sure to sign up for our newsle�er - see website for details… www.gallowayglens.org Glenkens Gazette THE CASE FOR A GALLOWAY NATIONAL PARK page 8 by Alex Fergusson, President of the Scottish Campaign for National Parks Those of us campaigning for a National Park in south west Scotland see it above all as the best way of putting our Region on the map. National Park status is internationally recognised, and it would raise Dumfries and Galloway’s profile and highlight its attractions in the eyes not just of potential tourists, but of the world at large. Of course National Parks are not a magic bullet. They do not instantly conjure up development or put a stop to every undesirable change. Like every other designation they have their shortcomings and, crucially, involve compromises. But as one of those most closely involved in scrutinising the legislation that underlies National Parks as it went through the Scottish Parliament, I can assure readers that Scottish National Parks are not the sort of stifling, top-down imposition that critics portray. Unlike elsewhere in the UK, the aims laid down in the legislation make it clear from the outset that they are as much about benefiting local communities as about protecting the environment. The fact that conservation takes precedence in the event of a clash is simply a recognition of the fact that where an area’s natural assets are its primary resource, the longterm well-being of its people depends on looking after them properly. At the heart of the operation of any National Park is a locally agreed plan, fully consulted upon and regularly updated, designed to translate these aspirations into reality. That plan guides and constrains the activities of the Park Authority and other public bodies. However, the legislation stipulates unambiguously that the majority of those responsible for the dayto-day decisions in the park should be locally elected, either directly or through their role as local councillors. Their actions are open to exactly the same level of public scrutiny as those of other public bodies. And experience elsewhere shows that, in matters of planning for example, they are at least as sensitive and receptive to local sentiment as their counterparts in other authorities. Finally, and crucially, Scottish National Parks legislation is highly flexible. It was deliberately designed to make it possible to tailor the role and powers of any National Park to the needs and circumstances of the area that it covers. In the case of Galloway, these are clearly very different from those of the two existing national parks, in the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. These, like the Lake District across the Solway, were parts of the country that had long been magnets for tourists and which had experienced all the pressures for development that go with widespread fame and high numbers of visitors. Managing these pressures was inevitably a key function, requiring significant staff resources. In direct contrast, in the Glenkens and across Galloway, the challenge is one of stimulating more activity and attracting more visitors. The Galloway and South Ayrshire Biosphere has already made a commendable start at this job. Its inclusive, participative philosophy and style of operation are very much what is required. But it has neither the status nor the resources that are needed to tackle the task effectively. Experience in many parts of the world has already demonstrated that Biosphere and National Park designations are perfectly compatible. For decades we have been seeking something to get tourists to ‘turn left at Gretna’ – I have no doubt at all that the creation of a Galloway National Park would do just that, as well as fostering the sustainable economic development that we so desperately need. SEE LETTERS: P16 DOG DAY AT DALRY TOWN HALL Real Dog Training Scotland had their fancy dress Christmas party at Dalry Town Hall. It was very well attended by people in good spirits, and extremely well behaved dogs. Everyone joined in the games, and donations were received for Dumfries & Galloway Canine Rescue to the tune of £170. Eric and Helen of Real Dog Training Scotland would like to thank people for making it a successful evening packed with fun and laughter. Special thanks go to Jessica Nash for helping with the games, and Margaret Schofield and Mike Coutts for donating the sausages. If your New Year resolution is to train your dog, take a look at www .realdogtrainingscotland .co.uk and come along to Dalry Town Hall training sessions on a Tuesday or Thursday at 7pm. Glenkens Gazette page 9 Crane Recovery on the Queen’s Way In an operation keenly awaited by many in the Glenkens, the 60-tonne crane which had been mired in the peaty roadside verge near Clatteringshaws for over a month was extracted. The recovery crane, which needed to be larger than the sunken one and capable of lifting 500 tonnes, came all the way from Grangemouth - at a top speed of 25mph - accompanied by two large articulated lorries carrying ancilliary parts. At a reputed cost of some £25,000 per day rental, the immediate job of lifting the smaller crane took most of the day, with it finally being laid onto a low loader at 5.30pm. The crane was then heading off to Holland for disposal. photographs and story by Ian Biggar JENNY’S DESIGN Mobile Hairdresser • Home Visits • Nursing Homes & Residential • The Elderly & Disabled • Blow Drying • Setting • Perms • Cuts • Toupees • Wig Styling NVQ Level 3 Hairdressing, NVQ Level 4 Social Care Call Jenny on 07554 009 624 Glenkens Gazette page 10 MINI DRAGONS’ DEN Last term the P3,4,5 pupils of Dalry Primary took part in a Dragons’ Den topic, where they were each given the opportunity to come up with and run a small business. They pitched their ideas to the ‘dragons’ and were given an investment of £3 each to get up and running. The topic was a huge success, with all pupils ending up with a better understanding of the business world. It culminated at the end of term in a very interesting trip to Natural Power Consultants Ltd at Forrest Estate, outside Dalry, where pupils had a Q&A session with MD Mr Sainsbury. The pupils then used their new business knowledge to sell their products at the Primary Christmas Fayre. They made an astonishing overall profit of £518.65. Thank you to all parents and carers for taking time to support the pupils with their business ventures and to RJ Pupils selling their wares at the Christmas Fayre. McLeod for the very generous donation after hearing about the pupils’ fantastic ideas from Kate Bone at Dalry Garage. The pupils are currently deciding on what to spend their hard earned profit on...exciting times ahead! Mrs Jenna Devlin FoDSFest YOUTH REVIEW: Friends of Dalry School (FoDS) would like to officially thank the sponsors who supported FoDSFest. Thanks go to Glenkens Community Shop, Eden Festival, Jake Jordan, Tony Moore, The Jack Duster Band, RJ McLeod, Martha Schofield Design, United Bricks, Galloway Activity Centre, Mary Smith, Castle Douglas Rotary, Alan Smith, Mark Turner - Activ-Schools Dumfries & Galloway, and all the wonderful performers, artists and DJs that offered their time and talents to make FoDSFest such a success. FoDsFest made Dalry School a profit of just short of £2000, a great achievement for a new music festival and a figure that will make a huge difference to Dalry’s pupils and school. The raised funds will be spent in the near future on improving the outdoor space for pupils, providing waterproof outdoor clothing for primary pupils, subsidising school trips and visitors, and many more ideas suggested by the pupils. Watch this space! If you have any suggestions on how we could spend the raised funds please get in touch with Mrs Devlin, FoDS Chairperson. They would love to hear your ideas. Little Red Riding Hood Little Red Riding Hood was performed at the Catstrand and for us it was really good. and the costumes were great. The actors were very funny and did well in their parts and occasionally forgetting the lines made it that much more funny. We will definitely come next year! by Grace Temple and Hana Ade, S1 It was obvious that the kids worked really hard on it. It was the casual-old-fashioned tale but with a unique twist to the story. It surprised us both when the lovely, prince charming, turned into a terrifying werewolf! There was a lot of audience-interaction, including three knights giving the audience sweets and a fitness class to burn off all that sugar. There were a lot of Christmassy songs to set CatStrand Youth Players’ cast of you in the winter mood Little Red Riding Hood. Dalry Primary School’s Christmas play - Lights, Camel, Action! Glenkens Gazette page 11 KIMBERLY BAGS CHIEF GUIDE AWARD At the beginning of December the Stewartry Senior Section of the Glenkens Girlguiding unit saw their first member achieve the Chief Guide Award. Kimberly McAdam has attained the second highest award in guiding having successfully completed the first two phases of each section of the senior section Look Wider programme. This has taken her over two years to complete. On the same night she was also presented with her Commonwealth Award which involved a lot of research and learning about a chosen country within the Commonwealth. This award was the final thing Kimberly needed to complete for her Look Wider scheme. The achievement was marked with a presentation ceremony at the community centre in Dalry. Mrs Barbara Murray, County Commissioner, came along to present the awards and a display of work was put on for family, friends and other guiding members. The Senior Section is open to Kimberly McAdam recieving her awards from Barbara Murray. all girls aged 14+ and meets at various venues around the Stewartry, including Dalry, on a monthly rotational basis. For more information please contact Sarah McAdam on 430 393. Schools Christmas Fundraisers The Dalry Primary Christmas Fayre raised a fantastic £572.53 for school funds and the Kells Musical Café raised a superb total of £438.08. Carsphairn Primary raised an impressive £845 Above: Dalry Secondary School pupils perform at the Christmas concert. Below: Kells Primary School Christmas play - Silent Night. through their Christmas Fair. Thank you very much to everyone who supported these events and made them such a success. Glenkens Gazette page 12 LOCH KEN FISHERIES STUDY If you are an angler or a business that benefits from the fishery of Loch Ken, you may be interested to hear about a study that is currently taking place on the loch, known as the Loch Ken Fisheries Study. This study, which is one of a number of development stage projects being managed by the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP), is being carried out by Galloway Fisheries Trust (GFT) with support from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Dumfries & Galloway Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The main outcome of the study is to compile a set of recommendations that will be presented to inform a possible fiveyear project proposal that is hoped will secure HLF support. If you have ideas on how the fishery of Loch Ken might be improved upon and developed that you would like to feed into these recommendations, it is important GFT hear from you over the next few months. How you can get involved… Citizen Science – Loch Ken Angling Record As an angler fishing on Loch Ken, you can help gather fisheries data by completing and returning a short survey known as the Loch Ken Angling Record. You can pick up a record from one of the participating Loch Ken ticket outlets, which include the Loch Ken Holiday Park at Parton, JR Hopkins Newsagents and the Post Office - both in New Galloway. Alternatively, you can download the record via the project page, which you will find through the ‘Projects’ section of the GFT Loch Ken is a popular venue for coarse fishing matches. website - www.gallowayfisheries trust.org - under Loch Ken Fisheries Study. Please return completed forms by email to rowan@ gallowayfisheriestrust.org, by Photo of the Issue Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel “What a fantastic assortment of photos to start the new year! “We are impressed by the range of subject matter and, as well as giving a carvery meal for two, we have decided to offer two other entries a single Sunday carvery each. “First Prize of a carvery for two goes to Kirsteen Currie for her photo of the seriously unimpressed deer, because we love the doe perfectly captured in between the stag’s horns. “The runners-up with a single carvery are Arran MacDonald-Kiernan for his beautiful rich sunset and to Lorraine Ishak for the Kenmure Castle window scene.” Competition Judges Dave & Sue, Ken Bridge Hotel post to Fisheries House, Station Industrial Estate, Newton Stewart, DG8 6ND or to a participating outlet up until June 2017. All completed forms will be entered into a monthly prize draw for a £50 angling shop voucher. Creel Record GFT will also be carrying out an interview-led questionnaire of anglers known as the Loch Ken Creel Record up to two days per month. Please take ten minutes to talk to our surveyors if you are fishing on a survey day. Angling Matches Angling matches are regularly held on Loch Ken. These events present the ideal opportunity to gather fish data as well as angler feedback on the fishery. GFT hope to attend three match days on the loch as part of this project. Stakeholder engagement - get in touch and stay in touch Through the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Project, there is an opportunity to improve the fishery of Loch Ken. What would you like to see being done? Please email GFT at rowan@gallow ayfisheriestrust.org or call the GFT office on 01671 40 3011 to speak to Jamie or Rowan. A report on the findings of this study will be available in August 2017. Until then, look out for progress updates via the GFT website news section and GFT Facebook and Twitter feeds. For updates on all projects that fall into the development stage of the GGLP, please see www.gallowayglens.org Rowan McCleary Glenkens Gazette page 13 Has Anybody Seen Our Shed? There is a Mens’ Shed loose in the Glenkens area... When many of the local residents were asked “Have you seen it?” they replied “We don’t know where it is!” Even the lady who lives nextdoor didn’t know it was there... We would like many more people to find our shed which is a part of the Connecting in Retirement project run by Brian Jones at the CatStrand. Since the beginning of the year the premises at the back of the old smiddy in Balmaclellan have, thanks to the 20-plus members, been transformed. We now have an enclosed office/meeting space and (the luxury!) an indoor toilet, as well as many power tools which have been bought or donated. This has allowed members - ladies as well as gentlemen - to make items that they couldn’t have produced at home. You, too, can make use of these facilities by becoming a member. The shed is open to all adults and the annual membership fee is £10 with a £1 donation for tea/coffee each time you come along. Activities at the shed include wood carving, wood turning, simple carpentry, bicycle repairs, motorcycle maintenance, clock making, life-size gorrilla modelling and making of items for sale to help fund future activities. We are very happy to accept new members of any gender who want to do their own thing, learn new skills, get involved in community projects or just come along for a cup of tea, chat and put the world to rights in a friendly and supportive environment. When agreed by the members, we have also been involved in community projects such as tendering for two new noticeboards for New Galloway, renovating benches for Balmaclellan community council, repairing the shed door for the Playgroup in Dalry, and renovating the benches and tables at the CatStrand after the flood. Future projects to be agreed by members include the possibility of making some horse jumps and assisting with upgrading the flood defences at the CatStrand. We do not have independent funding so look to potential customers to fund any ongoing projects. Please come along and find our shed - we can be found mostly on Monday mornings from 10am, all day Wednesdays and Friday mornings. These times can be extended if there is sufficient demand. Tom Leach To get in touch call Brian Jones at the CatStrand (420 374) or Tom Leach (420 386). Glenkens Gazette page 14 THE WOOD FUEL CO-OPERATIVE Keeping people warm is what the Wood Fuel Cooperative do best. The Co-operative was formed in 2011 to bring together like-minded individuals who wanted to buy wood fuel at the best possible price. You don’t have to be a member to use us and in the last six years the company has gone from strength to strength. We now have nearly 600 members and the co-operative format allows us to supply both members and non-members with briquettes, biomass pellets and kiln-dried logs at affordable prices. A lot of people live in draughty, single glazed houses and they find it prohibitively expensive to run their oil heating enough to stay warm. Customers who have been unable to keep even a single room in their house warm using logs have found that with briquettes they’re able to generate so much more heat that it’s made their homes useable again. That’s because briquettes contain half the moisture content (10%) of even kiln dried wood (20%). A low moisture content means that the energy of the fire is used to produce heat, rather than to burn off water. Most of our Dumfries and Galloway customers have come to us by word of mouth recommendations but we also trade nationally through our website. We know how important it is to give back to the community that has supported us so much. Over the Food Bank, to allow them to buy the essential items people don’t tend to donate, such as toiletries and tinopeners. Thanks to Tesco generously donating retail space, these boxes are now available from the Dumfries Tesco Extra fuel station. As a co-operative, we have two prices: one for members and one for non-members. Membership requires a single £99 loan to the Wood Fuel Co-op, which is fully refundable. We use these funds to purchase wood fuel in bulk at the lowest prices. These savings are passed on to members, who save 50p per 10kg pack of wood fuel. You only need to buy 10 packs to save £5; the equivalent to 5% interest on your loan. Alternatively, you can make a £50 donation to the Dumfriesshire Foodbank in return for lifetime honorary membership. This donation is non-refundable but hugely benefits local people in crisis and saves you money on your wood fuel – forever! Call into our store at Heathhall Industrial Estate, Dumfries, give us a ring or visit our website to find out more about our products (see ad below). Rowlande Park These boxes...cost just £5 and every penny of that goes directly to the Food Bank... the winter, we donate around two tonnes of wood fuel a month to the DG Hub’s Winter Warmth for Older People programme, to help them provide free firewood to vulnerable older people right across our region. We’re also working with the Dumfriesshire Foodbank, who help feed people in crisis accross the region. One of the ways we’re doing this is by donating 1000 Cosy Night In selection boxes of briquettes to the Foodbank. These boxes, which have everything you need for a couple of evenings’ burning, cost just £5 and every penny of that goes directly to NEW GALLOWAY GOLF CLUB Having had a very successful 2016, New Galloway Golf Club is looking forward to the start of the new season in April. With the weather behaving, the winter competitions are progressing and several new members joined the club. The club is already making plans for the various activities for the new season such as the Give Golf A Go Academy and the Junior Fledgling Coaching - watch this space for further information. Ian Brown Glenkens Gazette page 15 Emma’s Wild Eats Three Tree Teas Enjoy the longer days as we finally move into very early spring, and plants are starting to show new growth again. Having mentioned a lot of early spring plants previously, my intention was to dedicate this Wild Eats to an escapologist of garden plants, and star of the flower arrangement - honesty whilst struggling to resist the obvious puns! I do think honesty deserves a sentence or two to introduce you to a few surprising facts. Easily recognisable by its seedpods, this attractive flowering plant is actually brassica family and tastes as you might expect, this considered. The Latin name, lunaria annua is clearly inspired by the beautiful round, translucent, silvery seed pods. You can eat the leaves, flowers and seed pods before they dry out, all of which are pleasantly cabbage-like. Even the root can be prepared and eaten, if you can be bothered. My focus has however been diverted by an inspiring article by Robin Harford of Eatweeds suggesting that the beautiful and currently crisp, dry, golden-brown beach leaves that still cling to their branches are useful for making a tasty tea. Three tree teas to try: Beech leaf tea - it’s as simple as collecting a few dried leaves and steeping them in boiling water for about 15 minutes, creating a fascinatingly satisfying and pleasant tea. Pine/Spruce needle tea - similarly, remove the needles from a few sprigs and steep in boiling water. I read that, per volume, pine needles have eight times as much vitamin C as orange juice. Maybe try it with a slice of orange? Please ensure you don’t confuse any part of the very poisonous Yew for the needles you intend to collect. Birch twig tea – again, collect a few small twigs, crush them a bit and steep them in boiling water; couldn’t be easier. These provide a useful mix of vitamins and minerals but historically these plants have been used as an Pine needles, dry beech leaves and birch twigs. abortifacient, so this tea is not for you if you are pregnant. Also tannins provide some flavour, so avoid if you have kidney problems. As always, be absolutely sure what you’re picking by checking reliable sources for identification, and be aware of the possibility of an allergic reaction, but don’t let caution put you off - just be careful! Emma Check out Emma’s blog: www.emmaswild.co.uk Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries Glenkens Gazette page 16 LETTERS TO THE GAZETTE Please pass on our thanks to Bruce Smith for his article on Stroanfreggan School in the last edition of the Glenkens Gazette. Keith’s father, Donald Brander, bought Stroanfreggan School after it closed in 1965, and since then has been visited regularly by family and friends for holidays. We all have very special memories of time spent there; for instance, I recall only too well how cold it used to be Response to Article Do You Really Want a Galloway National Park? Having lived in Dartmoor National Park for 12 years I have seen how it benefits local communities, the towns on the fringe and the regional economy. It is a vital ingredient in the West Country’s promotional mix. The Dartmoor National Park Authority is controlled by mainly local people (farmers, councillors, business owners, environment professionals, etc) appointed by the county council and relevant district councils. Of its 19 members only five are directly appointed by the Secretary of State. Its statutory aims are to “conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park” and “promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park by the public”. In so doing it also has a duty to “foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park”. Isn’t that exactly what’s needed here? [The previous article] calls the National Park idea an “external in winter with us all in the evenings in the schoolroom snuggling inside sleeping bags, but it never occurred to me that it might have been cold enough for ink to freeze. The pioneering spirit was fine for Donald and Dorothea, but our children were less enthusiastic. Also the fabric of the building was deteriorating rapidly so, in 2012, we began extensive renovations to enlarge the house to accommodate the growing family and to make it as environmentally friendly as possible. It is now heated by a ground source heat proposition”, as if imposed from on high. I believe it is a locallyfelt need to compensate for decades of economic decline, to safeguard what’s left of our breathtaking landscapes and other priceless heritage, and to allocate the resources necessary for making it more accessible. You only have to read the Crichton Institute’s economic report to understand that a National Park in Galloway is one of several initiatives desperately needed to make Galloway competitive as a tourism destination and D&G attractive as a place to live, work and invest. The big question is this: are local people determined enough to come together and fight for the things that would bring prosperity to Scotland’s neglected south west? In its report D&G Council lists six ‘next steps’ to take the Galloway National Park idea forward. But it omits a very necessary seventh - a study group to visit some of the National Parks south of the border (say Northumberland, Lake District, Dartmoor) and report back on lessons learned and best practice. Only then can a sensible debate begin. Stuart Littlewood, New Galloway pump, the walls are all lined and insulated with 5cm of sheep’s wool insulation, and the windows are double glazed. In 2001 Donald and Dorothea invited former pupils to a reunion. We are friends with some of the former pupils and would like to meet others and learn more about the history of the school and the area. Any of your readers who would like to revisit their old school again are very welcome - please send an email to kandp@kandp.dk Patricia & Keith Brander I regularly receive copies of the Glenkens Gazette from my friend Bill Blyth from Blowplain. My friendship with Bill began on 8 July 1953 when we both reported to the barracks in Berwick upon Tweed to begin our National Service with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB). I was 20 and Bill was only 18. We occupied adjacent beds and soon became good friends. During our basic training we were told that we would be sent to Korea to join the Royal Scots who were fighting there. However the Korean war finished during our training. We were then told we would be going to Malaya to join the Royal Scots Fusileers. In the end only half of our intake was sent to Malaya the other half was sent to join the 1st Batt KOSB at Ballykinlar in Northern Ireland. Bill and myself drew the short straw and ended up in Ballykinlar and were posted to Headquarter Company. I was sent to the pipes and drums as a piper and Bill was given a job in the company office. Our friendship continued during the two years we spent in Northern Ireland and has now lasted for 63 years. It has been a real pleasure knowing Bill and his lovely wife Mary and I hope we will have a few more years of friendship to look forward to. Donald M Campbell, Melrose The local Outlander actor featured on p12 of the last issue of the Glenkens Gazette was George Paterson, formerly of New Galloway. George now resides at Kingussie and enjoys taking part in a variety of Scottish productions as a film and TV extra, having participated in One of Us, as well as the Outlander TV series. Willie Macauley from Kirkcowan, Bill Blyth and Donald Campbell. Glenkens Gazette page 17 Makeover for Dalry Library We are improving our services to the public by bringing together the Customer Service Centre, Library and Registration office in Dalry. In order to enable us to do this Dumfries & Galloway Council require to complete some substantial works to refurbish the existing library facility and allow it to become fit for purpose. The library will be closed until Tuesday 28 February at 12pm. During this period the mobile library will be present in Dalry on Fridays from 11am – 3pm at the Library. Chair of Communities Committee, Councillor Tom McAughtrie, said, “We will be creating a facility at the existing library premises which will be fit for purpose and will have access to a wide range of information and services under one roof. “In the meantime it is great to see that a temporary provision has been put in place to ensure that the local community continue to receive a library service.” For further information contact: Mairi Copeland, PO Customer Services Strategy, 01776 888311 or mairi.copeland@dumgal.gov.uk D&G Council DALRY ON New Galloway Awaits Spring Decision on Shop COURSE TO New Galloway Community Enterprises Ltd (NGCE), the community benefit company hoping to save New Galloway’s last remaining shop from closure, is awaiting a spring announcement on whether its application for a Big Lottery grant is successful. In the final pre-decision stage, a Big Lottery (BL) assessor visited before Christmas and conducted a three-and-a-half hour scrutiny of the application with members of the management committee. It was felt the meeting went positively but applications for funding exceed the total available so there will be strong competition. NGCE held its first AGM on 3 November which was well attended by 22 members. The existing management committee was reelected and the Chair’s report and the annual accounts were received. We were pleased to welcome representatives of the Community Council, Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) and GCAT, all of whom delivered welcome messages of support and offers of mutual cooperation. Thanks to all who came along to the AGM and also those who packed the Lower Town Hall for the Open Meeting in October. The support of our members and the wider community is most heartening and essential for the success of our application. Meanwhile NGCE is working with Community Shares Scotland to launch a Share Offer. Local residents and everyone with a connection with New Galloway will be invited to pledge to buy shares in the community-owned company if the Big Lottery bid succeeds. Raising this extra funding is a Big Lottery requirement to release any award and will meet costs such as stocking the new shop not covered by the BL. Mike Brown, Chair, NGCE CarsphairnTemporary Flood Defences D&G Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee have begun the construction of temporary measures for flood protection. This will consist of a combination of 800mm high concrete barriers adjacent to the A713 north of the village and along a short length within the Glebe, and an earth embankment in the field adjacent to the Heritage Centre. It is planned that the work should be completed by the end of February. Liz Holmes, Chair, Carsphairn Community Council GET NEW COMMUNITY FACILITY Dalry Community Council with Dalry Community Property Trust are in the process of acquiring the former council depot behind Dalry Town Hall for the benefit of the local community. The shed will give the community council a facility to store and maintain its winter resilience equipment, as well as allow the development of a community ecofuel collective to bulk buy the likes of biomass boiler pellets and wood briquettes. Subject to approval by D&G Council there is also potential to use part of the land for community recycling and a picnic area. Although this project is in its early stages, we would like to hear from those interested in being part of this exciting new village initiative. Please contact Andi Holmes on 430 255 or andiholmes@hotmail.com Glenkens Gazette page 18 Hardie’s Back a Beyond Band Local lad Hardie Walker has been playing the guitar since he was eight. Now, at the ripe old age of 13, he is itching to get out there and play to an audience. Having pulled a band together towards the end of 2016, with dad Ewan’s help, 2017 is looking bright - and very loud. Hardie cites Kirk Hammett of Metallica as his biggest influence, and his newly formed Back a Beyond Band plays covers of artists such as ACDC, Iron Maiden, Jimmy Hendrix and Greenday to name just a few. The band is composed of Hardie on lead guitar, Mark Stoves on rhythm guitar, Eggo on bass and Dan Goodwin on drums. A shout-out goes out around the Glenkens for a vocalist – the final piece needed to complete the Back a Beyond Band. Left to right: Eggo, Hardie and Mark. CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING - open all day every day - award-winning free house pub, food, cask ales & craft beer - walkers and stalkers facilities - en suite accommodation - 20% discount off takeaways February promotions: - selected two courses for £10 at midweek lunches - ‘early bird’ set menu (5.30–7pm, Mon–Thurs) two courses for £12 - Cosmetics, Skin Care, Health & Sports Nutritional Products all products are botanically-based, vegan, gluten & cruelty free To try before you buy, host an Arbonne Party, or for advice please contact your local Arbonne Independent Consultant, Katy Caie, on 07756 506 496 or visit http://catrionacaie.arbonne.com 20% off for new customers! Just quote GKARBONNE Arbonne Independent Consultant St Margaret’s Ladies Guild and Balmaclellan & Kells Guild would like to thank everyone who supported their Christmas Coffee Morning in December. We are most grateful to the many people who took time out to during this busy season to support us. There was a happy community atmosphere enjoyed by all. Clachan Clash Dalry Heritage Group are proposing bringing out a new book called Clachan Clash. If you have any old photographs, stories or memorabilia of what Dalry was like when you were young or when you moved here that we might include in the book, please get in touch. There will be a gathering on Friday 31 March in Dalry Town Hall to tell us some of your stories over a cuppa. We will also have a small exhibition in the hall that weekend of Old Dalry. Please feel welcome to join us. Hilda McAdam, 430 383 Wright’s Shop & Post Office Dalry Licensed convenience store and newsagent stocking a range of local suppliers including Corsons and Irvings Bakers, Ballards and Dalmellington Country Butchers and Mitchells Fruit and Veg. Opening Times (both shop & PO): Monday to Friday: 7am – 6pm Saturday: 8am – 6pm Sunday: 8.30am – 4pm Tel: 01644 430 225 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm 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 � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � Glenkens Gazette page 19 DALRY HOGMANAY CEILIDH Dalry’s Hogmanay Ceilidh was a resounding success - for the second year running. The evening saw all ages of folk getting together to share music, dance and food at Dalry Town Hall. One of the organisers, Nicky Finch, said; “Loads of people joined in with the dancing and singing and it was excellent to see so many young children enjoying themselves. It was a full house from early on until after the Bells!” Local musicians Andrew, Susan and Ellen Bielinski, Anne Charaund, Garry Rushworth and Josie Fairlie Keast from the Humours o’ Dalry Ceilidh Band entertained us grandly and played rollicking pieces for many of the dances. It was great to hear young Laya McCallie joining the band too on the tambourine, and keeping excellent time! Fiona Edgar played some lovely violin pieces and Annabel McAdam played a beautiful set on the flute. Excellent local singers Andrew Bielinski, Angela Miller, Garry Rushworth and David Thomson performed a wide variety of emotive songs as well as singalong tunes. A few comments from the event were: “An excellent night, greatly enjoyed by all ages!” Hilda McAdam “Some amazing musical talent. Everybody enjoyed it!” James Edgar “A great evening – it would be good to have village gettogethers more often!” “We came down from Glasgow last year to stay with a friend and enjoyed the Hogmanay Ceilidh so much we came back this year!” Ruben, Avril and Eve £153.12 was raised in entry donations for the Town Hall Fund, and the quiz raised £55.57, which will be divided between The Wild Animal Hospital and The Glenkens Charity Shop in memory of Libby Ritchie. NEW YEAR FOLK SESSION I was delighted to join in the first traditional music session of the year in the Galloway at the Ken Bridge Hotel. I’ve been a regular visitor to the community over the past two years and I’m gradually becoming acquainted with many wonderful, capable people in the area. I knew there was a vibrant community of creative people living here, and I assumed there were a few musicians around, but I had no idea how many fine players were living here. I was astonished to walk into a rollicking session with at least 50 excellent players. The musical family included a wide spectrum of energetic melody makers, including younger folk just becoming acquainted with the music community, along with several more experienced enthusiasts. The party was vibrant and lively, and the atmosphere friendly and comforting. Every generation was represented, from wideeyed toddlers to knowledgeable grandparents with stories to share. Everyone present benefited from an inclusive collection of talented novices and more experienced players. In spite of the large ensemble, the music was always in sync and cohesive. While the session was accessible to everyone, the tunes were always excellent quality. I heard a lot of tunes there for the first time, and I’ve been playing sessions in Scotland regularly for about 10 years. I found it especially gratifying to be making music with several folks I’ve met and befriended as neighbors in the region, suddenly to discover they were highly competent musicians as well. In every respect the Ken Bridge New Year’s session was a wonderful event; I’m looking forward to doing it again! Steve ‘Pops’ Forman Photos by Anne Chaurand - ceilidh dancers and musicians. Christmas Twinkle Around 100 people enjoyed singing Christmas songs, drinking hot chocolate and eating mince pies at the 2016 Christmas Twinkle event at Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry. Organised by Angie and Ronnie Bradford, a collection on the night raised £57.20 for D&G Canine Rescue Centre. Thanks go to Glenkens Community Shop for their support for this community event, to those who helped on the night and to Santa and his elves who dropped by with wee gifts for the children. Glenkens Gazette page 20 Kenmure Descendent’s Birds of Wigtownshire 1890–1935 Published at Last A book about the birds of Wigtownshire that was begun by Jack Gordon more than 120 years ago has finally been printed. John Gordon McHaffie-Gordon (1876–1938), known as Jack, of Corsemalzie House in the Machars, was a prominent and well connected ornithologist, entomologist, fieldsportsman and world renowned egg-collector. His great grandfather, George McHaffie, was provost of Wigtown and married Isabella Gordon, a descendent of the Gordons of Kenmure. An amazing character, Jack spent countless hours around his home and throughout Wigtownshire recording an astonishing amount of information for his book. However, the book was to remain unfinished and unpublished for over a century. After his death in 1938, the manuscript came into the hands of Dalry’s well-known artist/author Donald Watson, and then to myself when Donald died in 2005. Friend Richard Mearns and I collated and edited Gordon’s important material, which is now published as a 200 page A4 book, fully indexed, with biographical details of his contacts and illustrated with images from John Adair’s extensive collection of old Wigtownshire postcards, together with several paintings by Gordon’s friend, James Faed Jnr. Publication is limited to 300 copies and was funded by The Galloway Association of Glasgow, Scottish Ornithologists’ Club’s Birds of Scotland Fund, Stranraer & District Local History Trust and The Dumfriesshire & Galloway Natural History & Antiquarian Society. The book costs £15 and is available directly from myself in Dalry or RSPB Crossmichael, or from The Bookshop, Wigtown, at mail@thebookshop.com. All profits are to be distributed proportionately between the funding organisations. Chris Rollie Glenkens Gazette page 21 HISTORICAL MAPS OF THE GLENKENS The Glenkens Story history project starts its 2017 programme with the Historical Maps of the Glenkens on Sunday 26 March. This year the Dumfries Archival Mapping Project (DAMP) is turning its attention to the Stewartry in its “Seek and Find” mission to record the old maps of Galloway. Archie McConnel and colleagues from DAMP will display some of the historic maps of the Glenkens and neighbouring districts they already hold in their digital collection. They will encourage discussion with the audience on what the maps reveal about the people who created and used them and the changes which have followed in our area. Archie and his colleagues will also be asking for help in tracking down and preserving undiscovered gems. Estate archives, old legal papers, and boxes of family heirlooms in the attic can all be concealing longforgotten maps which could throw new light on our local history. The DAMP team will welcome any information about old maps you know of - but please don’t bring fragile documents to this event! DAMP will follow up on any information and digitally record historically significant material for wider use. Historical Maps of the Glenkens takes place at 2.30pm at CatStrand, New Galloway, with tickets priced at £5. Our 2017 field trip programme is likely to include among other activities a return to the Covenanter trail and further explorations of the area’s war memorials. another brother (Douglas) would be killed just five months later in April 1917. Charles is commemorated on the Carsphairn War Memorial and on a family plaque on the exterior of the rear of Carsphairn Church. William Maitland of Kenmure Castle, New Galloway, was reported missing in November, aged 20, whilst serving as a Lieutenant with 5th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment attached to the 63rd Trench Mortar Battery. Although born in Chile, he spent most of his childhood in New Galloway. He was the son of Norval Maitland, nephew of James Charles MaitlandGordon, of Kenmure Castle and grandson of the Rev James Maitland of Kells Parish Church. He is remembered on Kells Parish War Memorial. William would be the last Glenkens man to be killed in 1916. This brings the total to 38 Glenkens men killed in the war so far but it would be a relatively peaceful start to 1917 with no more deaths to be reported until March of that year. Paul Goodwin Email theglenkensstory@gmail. com or contact CatStrand on 420 374 to be put on our mailing list. War Updates Nov/Dec 1916 November 1916 would prove to be another month of mourning for families in the Glenkens as it featured three more deaths. Robert James Clark of Craigielea, Dalry, was killed at the age of 20 by a German shell whilst on sentry duty. He was a joiner prior to enlisting and worked with his father, but he is also listed on the Castle Douglas Post Office memorial so we can presume that he had worked as a postman at one time. He is commemorated on the Dalry War Memorial. I wrote more extensively about Robert in the article Three Unfortunate Brothers which was published in the Glenkens Gazette in 2012. Charles Kennedy of Marbrack, Carsphairn, was aged 35 when he was killed whilst serving as a Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery. A brother (Robert) had been killed in the Boer War in Robert James Clark 1900 and Glenkens Gazette page 22 Who Do We Think We Were? Margaret Keith recalls washdays in her childhood, when all the women in the family did the weekly wash together, and observes how the job has changed over the years. It’s not just washdays that have changed either: this is just one example of the way lives and communities have changed too. As well as fascinating reminiscences from the Glenkens, we’ve had contributions from elsewhere, from the Forest of Dean to Wester Ross. Wherever you come from, whatever your age, you’re part of the story too, so please send in your memories. Please send your contribution - of no more than 500 words - by email to margaret.elphinstone@ dircon.co.uk or hand in a copy at CatStrand marked ‘Glenkens Gazette - WDWTWW’. The next issue will have a memoir by Christine Rae, who also lives in Dalry. I can remember the Monday washdays at my grandmother’s house with my grandmother, mother and aunt doing a combined washing in the washhouse in the back garden. The big round boiler built into a corner with the fire glowing below, the long wooden potstick used to prod the clothes, and the ‘blue’ bag to whiten the whites. Then lifting out the boiled clothes into a big tin bath, then into a sink full of icy cold water to rinse. Then, joy of joy, I was held up and allowed to help turn the handle of the huge iron mangle with its wooden rollers squeezing all the Washday Blues water out of the clothes. The clothes were then folded neatly, mangled once again, till they came out flat as pancakes, ready to be hung on drying ropes in the garden or, on wet days, on the long ropes in the washhouse. The ironing! My grandmother, mother and aunt taking turns standing at the kitchen table with its white sheet cover over blanket padding, the flat iron hot from the range, ironing shirt after shirt (and all the starched detached collars), white sheets and pillowcases, and so many other clothes all to be ironed for a large family. However did they get through their other chores? When I grew older, clothes were boiled in an aluminium, electrically heated boiler in the kitchen, the mangle became a ‘Wringer’, rubber rollered and clamped between the kitchen tub and sink. The iron plugged into an electrical socket, we no longer used the table to iron upon - we had a wooden ironing board. By my teens, my mother was the owner of an electric washing machine! Plug it in and it furiously agitated the clothes unlike an aunt’s machine on which the agitator was turned manually by a handle on the side. A hand-turned wringer unfolded out of the machine and it was a simple job to wring clothes, rinse, rewring and hang out to dry. But like everything in this life it became a thing of the past, the inthing was a twin tub and through time one arrived in our kitchen, a shining white model with large blue knobs on the front and a worktop cover. Filling from a hose on the tap, washing and spinning, emptying automatically, it was definitely our labour saving gadget of the future. From its birth the twin tub served my mother then later, me, faithfully. My aunt, grandmother and cousin, my mother holding me. My grandmother wearing her usual black ankle-length dress with her jet beads. She wore a lavender dress in high summer! Alas all good things come to an end and there was a sadness in me when the time came to part, yet an eager anticipation of the benefits to come with full automation. “I’ll send a man out with the new machine and he can collect your old one” promised the shopkeeper. On its sweetly oiled castors my old machine glided to the front door, looked at the steps and demanded to be carried. The delivery man bended down to lift - “blinking battleship this” he grunted as we edged my old friend down the steps and with much heaving into the van. I felt I had lost a friend but at the same time I was eager to try out the new. It was a lovely sunny morning, I read the instructions, loaded up, switched on and watched - it didn’t need me. I still think nostalgically of my grandmother’s wash days, the warm fire-heated washhouse and the comforting chatter of my mother, grandmother and aunt as together they did the weekly wash. GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL � 01644 420234 � New Galloway Golf Club Founded 1902 www.nggc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Glenkens Gazette page 23 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN Glendonwyn of Parton Have you ever noticed the absence of people when driving through Parton? Passers-by observe the church built by Walter Newall in 1833 and the row of attractive cottages erected for estate workers in 1901. What they do not see, behind the dwellings, is what was once a communal lavatory, now I am told revamped as a summerhouse! Village pride is advertised on a plaque in the community hall, proclaiming Floreat Partona, ‘Let Parton Flourish’. If the parish is known at all today it is probably because of its associations with the brilliant James Clark Maxwell who grew up at Glenlair and is buried in the graveyard. Robert Heron in his Journey Through the Western Counties of Scotland (1793), praised the charm and beauty of Parton House and the estate owned by Mr Glendonwyn, “the representative of a very ancient and honourable family”, which at one time enjoyed large holdings in Dumfries and Galloway. The author of a somewhat eccentric article published in the Eskdale and Liddesdale Advertiser in 1879 correctly reports that the family is first recorded, though poorly, in the reign of Alexander III (1249-1286), holding land in Eskdale and Ewes to the north of Langholm. He opined that no name can be more ancient than Glendonwyn which, from the look of it, was originally a Welsh place-name possibly deriving from the Brittonic tribes of southern Scotland. The first three or four recorded Glendonwyns were named Adam. They fought for Robert Bruce during the Wars of Independence, becoming clients of the Douglases through their association with Bruce’s loyal lieutenant, The Black Douglas. When James II smashed the power of the Douglases in 1455 the Glendonwyns somehow managed to sidestep the carnage, a remarkable achievement since they had been beholden to them for so long. Coincidentally the head of the family at the time, Simon, was the first of the family to be designated ‘of Parton’ in a charter of 1458 by which James II granted him “the whole lands of the barony of Parton in the sheriffdom of Kirkcudbright”. We will return to the later history of the Glendonwyns in a future Gazette but we should pause at this point to consider the acquisition of Parton. The Douglases were rewarded by Bruce with lands in many places including Eskdale and the Stewartry, which raises the question of whether the Glendonwyns followed Archibald Douglas, illegitimate son of the Black Douglas, westwards, when he became lord of Galloway in the 1360s. It is difficult to find out because the Parton branch is even less well documented than the Eskdale coterie. The wide empty spaces of the West and Middle Marches represented a frontier zone inhabited by folk who were already regarded as savage reivers existing by their own codes and laws. Kings throughout Europe often despatched their most rambunctious followers to expend their troublesome energies on the frontier. Contemporaries seem to have viewed the Glenkens frontier in a similar light. To the west was the Galloway Forest, matching Ettrick Forest to the east, both offering potential refuge to vagabonds and dissidents. It is probably no accident that William Wallace is first documented as an outlaw in Ettrick Forest. Robert Bruce after Bannockburn was obviously keen to open up the forests to new settlers such as woodsmen, coppicers, herders, charcoal burners and farmers. The Galloway folk had proved noteworthy opponents during his bid for the kingship and in some parts remained hostile well into the Douglas domination. Frontier-folk had to be tough and terrifying. They had to have some knowledge of Forest Laws and the legislation governing hunting and poaching, together with such matters as vermin control and perhaps some modest understanding of hydrology and ecology. In Galloway they would have had to learn Gaelic or employ people who were bilingual. My suggestion is, admittedly, on rather thin evidence, that the Glendonwyns were entrusted with these tasks. In Robert Heron’s time the owner of the Parton estate was William MurrayGlendonwyn who owned Cogarth, Barwhillanty, Boreland, Glengunnoch, Craichie, the Laggans, Fominoch, Karkenaw, Nether Dallarg, Barrs and Rhoane. At one time the holdings were much more numerous. In 1852 the estate was sold. One part was purchased by Matthew Kennedy of Chorlton Mills, Manchester, and the other by Benjamin Murray, also of Manchester, who twelve years later bought out Kennedy’s share. These were two of the new self-made men I discussed in the October/November 2016 Glenkens Gazette. Kennedy belonged to the Knocknalling family, Murray to that of Troquain, Balmaclellan. They returned home to claim, and to become, part of the Glenkens heritage. Ted Cowan Glenkens Gazette page 24 GALLOWAY LODGE AT THE LOCH Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre sits right on the banks of Clatteringshaws loch. With stunning views, forest walks, delicious food and frequent activities on offer is a bit of a hidden gem. And it may not be quite what you think it is. I had always assumed that it was a Forestry Commission run centre, as all the marketing materials are Forestry Commission. However, the centre is owned and the building is managed by the Forestry Commission, who are very supportive of the centre managers. But the centre is managed not by the Forestry Commission in fact, but by Gatehouse-based family company Galloway Lodge. The wee Gatehouse company took on management of the centre in 2013 when it was revamped from the older Forestry Commission run centre. Clatteringshaws centre manager Alan Vinnie says; “We offer great food – locally sourced, and much of it made in-house. We have child-friendly stargazing nights which are incredibly popular. We often run RSPB sessions of bug hunting and ‘Haggis Hunts’ which the kids love – and are free. And we “We have child-friendly stargazing nights which are incredibly popular.” can cater for private functions, school outings – anything really.” So how come we, in the Glenkens, hardly know of its existence?! I think we’re a bit slow to catch on sometimes and, if you’re like me, your brain is probably still in 2013 and remembering the old Forestry Commission centre with its CLATTERINGSHAWS VISITOR CENTRE Alan and his Galloway Lodge team would like to thank you for your con�nued custom at Galloway Lodge at Cla�eringshaws. We will be open February 10-26, then we are open for the season from 31 March, 10am-4pm. Come along and try our exci�ng new menu op�ons, and browse our new range of gi�s in the gi� shop. Men�on that you saw this ad in the Gaze�e when you order and you will receive a 10% discount any food from the menu. Our popular Dark Skies stargazing events will run throughout the year - follow us on Facebook, look out for local ads or call the centre for the dates and details. slightly moth-eaten stuffed badgers and the re-creation of a traditional roundhouse out the back. But there is so much more available now. There is a lovely walk to Bruce’s Stone from the Centre, with two Rosnes Benches along the route. You can fish the banks of the loch (course fishing), or take a boat out. Mountain biking is great fun along the forest tracks. Dogs are welcome in the Centre. And Red Deer Tours, den building, bird watching, moth spotting, bat viewing, stargazing and a wealth of other great activities are on offer too – follow the Centre on Facebook to stay up to date with what’s going on. “I love it here,” says Alan. “Every day is different. The loch. The light. The weather changes minute to minute. There isn’t a boring moment.” SA Glenkens Gazette page 25 STYLE IT OUT IN DALRY There’s a new hair salon opening in Dalry - and you could win a cut and blow-dry if you come up with a name for the shop! Jayne and David Grimwood have been Glenkens residents since 2001. However, in 2016 they decided to turn over a new leaf or lock perhaps... Excited about the launch of her new venture, Jayne Grimwood says; “We have had many instalments of living in the Glenkens since coming here. We have moved eight times, sometimes living in the village, and outside it. “Two years ago we decided to buy somewhere. After much consideration, we decided on the property at 26 Main Street, Dalry. There was a lot of potential - scope for a hairdressing salon, a spacious flat for our family home, as well as space for my husband David’s antiques business. We have been working hard and the property has now been developed, with my salon opening on 1 February.” So we’re going to have our very own hairdresser’s in Dalry – pretty exciting. When asked what inspired the notion of a salon, Jayne said: “I have been a mobile hairdresser in the Glenkens since 2004, having previously owned my own Salon in the centre of Bradford, West Yorkshire. Hairdressing came naturally to me, and from leaving school this is all I have ever worked at. I gained an apprenticeship at Snippers, Bradford, but soon realised I wanted my own salon. I was 19 when I opened Hair-force with my friend Shelagh. I love my job and so very much looking forward to opening a business in Dalry - everyone is so lovely in the Glenkens, we feel Richard Arkless MP Dumfries & Galloway Constituency Jayne Grimwood in her newly kitted-out salon. like we are really home here; which is a great feeling to have.” Jayne would like to offer a free cut and blow-dry someone who can come up with the best name for the salon – and a logo too if you feel inspired! Get your ideas to us here at the Gazette on glenkensgazette@hotmail.co .uk or 07727 127 997 SALON OPENING 1ST FEBRUARY BOOK YOUR HAIRCUT TODAY! Richard operates an open-door policy please just pop in to either office at any time during opening hours. Constituency Office Dumfries Unit 7, High Street, Loreburne Shopping Centre, Dumfries, DG1 2BD Tel: 01387 265698 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm Constituency Office Stranraer 36-38 Charlotte Street, Stranraer, DG9 7EF Tel: 01776 705800 Mon/Tue/Thurs/Fri 10am-2pm Email: richard.arkless.mp@parliament.uk Call Jayne on 01644 430 525 or 07876 397 725 www.richardarkless.scot 26 Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Gazette page 26 FEBRUARY & MARCH JANUARY Fri 27, Ad Libitum, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 27, Quiz Night, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Mon 30, GCAT AGM, 7pm, CatStrand, New Galloway FEBRUARY Sat 4, GCC Fundraising TableTop-Jumble, 11am-2pm, Glenkens Community Centre, see p28 Tue 7, Hard of Hearing Drop- in Clinic, 10-11am, New Galloway Town Hall Wed 8, Open Stage, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Thu 9, Stewartry Birdwatchers Talk; Ian Thomson; Shotguns and Birding on Malta, 7.30pm, Kells School, New Galloway Fri 10, CatStrand Burns Supper, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 15, Dalry Film Club Screening: Sunset Song, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 16, FILM: Bridget Jones’s Baby, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 17, GGLP Sights & Sites tea and information gathering session, Dalry Town Hall, see p21 Sat 18, FILM Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, 2pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Tues 21, PLAY: A Life With The Beatles, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 24, FILM: I Know Where I’m Going, 1pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Tue 28, Dalry Library re-opens, see p17 MARCH Fri 3, Siobhan Miller, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 4, Poetry Walk with Tom Pow or Writing Workshop with Margaret Elphinstone, from 9am, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 4, GGLP Sights & Sites tea and information gathering session, Dalry Town Hall, see p21 Sat 4, Cameron McNeish|Tom Pow|Wagtongues, from 1pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 4, Jo Miller Performance & Meal at Ken Bridge, 6pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 8, Open Stage, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 8, Balmaclellan & Kells Guild, New Galloway Town Hall Thu 9, Stewartry Birdwatchers Talk; Mark Newell; Seabirds and the Isle of May, 7.30pm, Kells School, New Galloway Fri 10, Hebrides Ensemble, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 15, Dalry Film Club Screening: Sing Street, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 16, Rab Noakes, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 18, GGLP Sights & Sites tea and information gathering session, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn, see p21 Sat 18, GGLP Sights & Sites tea and information gathering session, Dalry Town Hall, see p21 Tues 21, Rackhouse Pilfer, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 26, Glenkens Story: Historical Maps of the Glenkens, 2.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 29, FILM: I, Daniel Blake, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Thu 30, Stewartry Birdwatchers; Short illustrated talks, Quiz & Easter ‘Eggstravasganza’, 7.30pm, Kells School, New Galloway Fri 31, Clachan Clash Tea & Memories, Dalry Town Hall, see p20 Glenkens Gazette page 27 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Margaret Morris dance 1: 3-7yrs, Mon (term-time), 3.45-4.30pm Margaret Morris dance 2: 8-16yrs, Mon (term-time), 4.30-5.15pm Choreographic Skills Lab: Mon (term-time), 7 - 8.30pm ages 12-18 Gentle Tai Chi: Wed, 10am, 60+ Glenkens Writing Group: First Wed each month 3-5pm Sing it Out: Thurs, 11am -12pm CatStrand Ukes: Thurs, 1pm – 3.30pm 60+ Zumba Gold: Fri (term-time), 1011am, CatStrand, 16+ Saturday Art Club: 2nd & 4th Sat of the month, 10am–12noon, to book call 420 374 Catstrand Youth Players: Sun during term time, 2pm Glenkens Acoustic Sessions: last Sun of the month, 2-4pm Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, (contact Kath on 430 281): Paint & Art: Mon, 1.30-4.30pm & Wed, 7-9pm GCC Playgroup: Tues, Wed & Thurs, 9.15-11.45am, contact Miriam 07514 320 101 Guides: Tues during term-time, 6- 8pm, contact: Kath 430 281 Good Neighbours’ Club: Tues, 2pm Brownies: Thurs 6-7.30pm Kickback Martial Arts: Thurs, 79pm Thursday Craft Group: Thurs, 24pm Glenkens Children’s Club: Fri, 10am-12noon New Galloway Town Hall: LING Lunches: Tues, 11am-2pm Indoor Sports: Tues, 7-9pm Zumba: Wed, 7.30-8.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, 11+ Footcare by Stewartry Care: Thurs by appointment (Tel: 01556 504699), New Galloway Town Hall Various Locations: Carsphairn Post Office: Tues, 1-3pm, Lagwyne Hall Beavers: Tues, 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training: Tues & Thurs, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Mossdale Painters: Wed, 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Coffee & Craft Group: Fri, 9am12noon, Lagwyne Hall Youth Writing Group: Thurs Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: 4th Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall. Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. of Prayer Service, Kells CHURCH TIMES Day Church. 13 Mar, 10.30am: CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services - Balmaclellan 12noon: 1st. Carsphairn 10.30am: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Dalry 12noon: 3rd, 4th. Dalry 10.30am 2nd(Feb). Kells 10.30am: 2nd(Mar), 3rd, 4th. United Family Service for Dalry and B & K Churches, Kells Church. Special Services/Events: 12 Feb, 10.30am: United Family Service for Dalry and B & K Churches, Dalry Church. 24 Feb, 7pm: Beetle Drive, Dalry Town Hall. 4 Mar, 7pm: World SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: Communion Services: 26 Feb, 10.30am, Kells Church. 19 Mar, 10.15am, Carsphairn Church. 26 Mar, 12noon, Dalry Church. St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm (during term time), 3.30-5pm, ages 10-15, Dalry School Scouts: Thurs, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Gentle Tai Chi: Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk To hire the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) behind Dalry School call Sonja Tranter on 430 244 or Nicolette Wise on 430 218. Dalry Library CLOSED UNTIL 28 FEB Library Van: Fridays 11am-3pm outside Dalry Library For further library van stops and informa�on contact Castle Douglas library on 01556 502 643 ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Police, non-emergency: 101 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 28 PLAYGROUP JUMBLE SALE On Saturday 4 February, from 11am to 2pm, GCC Playgroup and Baby & Toddler group is holding a table-topjumble sale at the Glenkens Community Centre in Dalry in order to raise funds. Please come along and support the event! There will be tea, coffee, cakes and a raffle. Anyone who would like a table – for anything from bric-a-brac to craft creations to gift cards - please get in touch with Chrissy on 07824 810 305. Donations of jumble-sale goods gratefully accepted for the GCC fundraising table. t: 01292 550954 m: 07766 978568 e: rj.mcculloch@aol.co.uk www.rjmcculloch.co.uk Save money on your heating bills and earn some cash too with the Scottish Govenment’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). RJ McCulloch is MCS registered and Greendeal approved, with over 20 years experience in the trade. Ross and his team carry out detaied pre-installation heat loss calculations prior to any fitting, ensuring that your property is suited to the type of heat source being considered. An example of the savings which can be made fitting an air source heat pump in 2017 are: • up to £2000 per year in RHI payments (for 7-year period) • fuel savings of up to £1,500 per year • £10k interest-free government loan These figures are based on a well-insulated two-bedroom semi-detatched house with electric heating. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ROSS FOR ADVICE RELATING TO ANY PLUMBING OR HEATING QUERIESYOU MAY HAVE. EWE FEED 15% 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 APRIL/MAY COPY DEADLINE: 5 MARCH THINK well-known for quality feed THINK high energy feed THINK less twin lamb disease THINK plenty of milk from ewes 15% THINK lambs get up and go THINK......HARBRO All animal health & lambing products Very competitive prices - Delivery if required Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050 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 98 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_098 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 2017 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/245/GlenkensGazette99.pdf 796b4efd525ab70bbb7f88c0777655e1 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 99 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 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:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). 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 News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry April/May 2017 ISSUE 99 FREE FIGHT CONTINUES FOR GALLOWAY TREASURE The fight to bring the Galloway Viking Hoard (GVH) back to the Stewartry where it was found is gathering momentum. The GVH campaign has been launched to support Dumfries & Galloway Council’s efforts to bring the treasures to the new art gallery in Kirkcudbright. GVH chairman Cathy Agnew says: “The campaign has stirred people up and indicated to the Council that there is a lot of support in the community for a solo bid by the Council to claim the treasure if a joint agreement can’t be reached.” The hoard is the largest Viking treasure ever found in Scotland. It was unearthed near Balmaghie Church by metal detectorist Derek McLennan three years ago. Glenkens parish minister, David Bartholomew, was one of the group present at the discovery of the hoard of a hundred gold and silver objects including fine jewellery and the largest pectoral cross ever found. Some of the objects are wrapped in rare silk cloth which has survived a 1000 years underground. Currently the hoard is held in Edinburgh by the National Museum of Scotland but GVH is backing the Council’s efforts to get the treasures returned. The Council’s Communities Committee Chairman, councillor Tom McAughtie, says: “Despite correspondence going back and forth with the National Museums of Scotland (NMS) I cannot confidently say that we’re anywhere close to reaching an agreement with them.” The council is therefore following Pectoral cross, part of the Balmaghie find. a twin track policy of seeking cooperation with NMS but also lodging a solo application to reclaim the hoard. Continued on p6... SHOP CAMPAIGN’S BIG LOTTERY AWARD New Galloway has been awarded a grant from the Big Lottery Fund to save the last shop in the Royal Burgh which was facing closure. The £800,000 award will fund a plan to purchase Hopkin’s store and attached house and convert the building into a community shop and self-catering flats targeted at the outdoor tourist trade. The award has been secured by New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE) Ltd, a Community Benefit Society owned by local people and supporters. Mike Brown, Chair of NGCE, said: “We are delighted to receive this supported us and Jim and Margaret grant which will mean so much for Hopkins for their patience and everyone in New Galloway. Not only understanding.” will it secure the future of the shop Continued on p7... which has a vital role in the community but it will generate income for the community through the self-catering flats and create much needed employment. It has taken two years of hard work to get to this point and we want to thank all those who have NGCE Community Share Offer launch party. A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS: HAVE YOUR SAY This year the local council elections will be held on 4 May. What might not be so evident is that the Ward boundaries have changed since 2012, indicating that Castle Douglas has now been joined with Crocketford and the Glenkens is now part of Dee. There will be the same number of Ward Councillors. Currently Castle Douglas and the Glenkens has three Councillors: one Conservative, one Independent and one SNP. Dee Ward has two Independents and one Conservative at present. Also, most importantly, those aged 16 to 18 who have registered will be entitled to vote for the first time. Hopefully the next generation will take full advantage of this new opportunity to express their opinions. Voting numbers at Local Authority elections are traditionally low. In 2012 the turnout for Castle Douglas and Glenkens Ward was just under 42%. (By comparison, at the 2016 Scottish elections the turnout locally was nearly 60%). In 2012 the winning candidates received 904, 899 and 826 votes from an Above: old boundary. Right: new electorate of 8,014. boundary © Local Government Clearly, those who Boundary Commission decided not to vote for Scotland. back in 2012 could our bins and lighting the streets, have changed everything! to planning issues and the region’s Voter apathy, for whatever reason, potholed roads. Those who are meant the three elected candidates, elected on 4 May will affect all of were only supported by around 10% these day-to-day issues, perhaps of the eligible electorate. The Single not immediately, but during their Transferable Vote system (STV), four-year term of office. whilst complicated, is arguably the As the old saying goes “If you best system we currently have. always do what you’ve always done, However if people don’t turn out you’ll always get what you always and vote in person or by post, then got”. Do you really want more of the any system of democracy remains same? ultimately flawed. Make sure to vote in this May’s Dumfries & Galloway Council is elections. It could make more of a responsible for many aspects of our difference than you think! day-to-day lives, from emptying Andi Holmes, Dalry A&B Sinclair Welding & Fabrication Decorative Ironwork Design, Manufacture & Installation Service • Garden/Driveway Gates • Handrails & Balustrades • Garden Features, etc Mobile Welding Service • Agricultural & Forestry • Fabrication & Repairs Contact Andy Sinclair: Mobile - 07896 168 724 Home - 01644 430 332 Glenkens Gazette POLICE STATION TO STAY OPEN Dalry police station has had a stay of execution and will remain a vital community resource for the foreseeable future. At a time of public service austerity this is great news for the Glenkens. With crime rates low you may wonder why there is a need for a local station. I spoke with PC Ellis on International Women’s Day and she explained that having a community police officer is a reassurance for the public and a vital role. PC Ellis remembers visits from the community officer when she was at school and the positive reinforcement of policing this brought. PC Ellis wishes to bring back a strong bond with the community and be the person the public can come to with any matters of concern that wouldn’t necessitate a 999 call. One way this will be achieved is through a monthly drop-in session at the station. These sessions will run for an hour and a half and the page 3 public can come and speak with PC Ellis about any concerns they may have or simply to meet her and have a chat. The next session will be on Monday 3 April at 3pm. PC Ellis would like members of the community to attend where she will discuss any issues that have arisen since the last meeting. Amongst these topics are two recent financial scams and a Dumfries & Galloway Mature Drivers Scheme for the over 65s. This scheme is a multi agency approach to combat a rise in the number of injury accidents concerning mature drivers. The aim is to reduce the number of incidents and help maintain road safety. On speaking with PC Ellis I was reassured by her drive and enthusiasm to support the people of the Glenkens. She has a positive vision for the future of the area’s policing and is keen to meet as many people as she can. It isn’t viable to have the station open full time; resources are needed out on the street and not behind a desk. Demand-led policing means officers are on patrol in a position to respond to any emergency calls. It is clear that Dalry police station has been acknowledged as a need where residents have an option of bringing local issues to the police in a comfortable and supportive environment. Why not make the time on 4 April and visit. It could open your mind to what local policing means and how you can support the hopes PC Ellis has of creating a valuable police and community partnership. Ian Patrick has gone on it has got better as people were so nice.” When asked how she decided what to campaign on, Mia said: “I asked all the people I know what they thought are the main issues affecting young people. There were many common features of their responses and the key issues of mental health, equality and rural opportunity enhancement - including transport - were the ones which most people thought were important and I agreed. It makes it easy to argue the points because I really believe in them.” When considering what she has learned from running as candidate for MSYP, Mia goes on to say: “I have changed my view of this as just being a good idea for my own development and now can really see how being made a MSYP could make a difference. “I thought I was politically aware but I have realised how much more is out there and how much I can learn. Representing someone else’s view is different again. “My public speaking in the Procurator Fiscal Competition last year really helped both in speaking to an audience and in replying to questions in a hurry. I am more confident in the way I speak and in the way I can express my own and other people’s views.” Community Police Officer for the Glenkens, Chloe Ellis. MIA STANDS AS YOUTH CANDIDATE Mia Walker, a student at Dalry Secondary School, is one of six young people across Dumfries & Galloway campaigning to become Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs). The Scottish Youth Parliament is the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people. It provides a national platform for young people to discuss issues important to them and make the change they want to see. Council Leader Ronnie Nicholson said: “The Scottish Youth Parliament is a fantastic organisation that allows young people to take the lead within their own communities.” “The biggest challenge has been nerves!” says Mia. “I wasn’t confident at all at the start. As time Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by EVERYTHING listed in the Glenkens Freecycle section is FREE - you just need to contact the owner and go and pick it up! If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch with Sarah on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk VARIOUS 9 rolls of electric mesh flexi-netting with some spare wire for them. 20 aluminium poultry feed trays to fit on side of cage or chicken run - as new. Bow and arrows (nothing fancy). Contact: Rhoda on 430 031 Two Tiffany style lamps, both with slight damage on one shade but in full working order. Contact: J Harvie on 430 373 Vinyl LPs. Contact: 07827 481 463 or 07707 932 755, both after 6.30pm Five T0481 black compatible inks, and one each of T0482 (cyan), T0483 (magenta), T0484 (yellow) and T0485 (light cyan). These are suitable for the Epson Stylus Photo range of printers. They are unopened and remain in their vacuum packs. Free to anyone who can use them. Contact: Clare on 01848 200275 or 07512586770 WANTED Bike suitable for four-yearold. Contact: 07727 127 997 Table tennis table. Contact: Jayne on 07876 397 725 FOR SALE Carsphairn Heritage Centre has a rotary magazine/ book/postcard display rack for sale at £10. It’s on wheels and stands around five feet tall and can display a good number of items. Ideal for a shop, craft fair, etc. To collect from Carsphairn Heritage Centre. Contact: Karen on 460 602 Various household items for sale. Contact: Garry on 430 571 or 07906 309639 or lis.lewis49@gmail.com t: 01292 550954 m: 07766 978568 e: rj.mcculloch@aol.co.uk www.rjmcculloch.co.uk Biomass and why it’s a perfect fit for the Glenkens... With biomass you can save money on your heating bills, make money through the Scottish Government’s Rural Heat Incentive (RHI) and potentially use local or self-sourced timber to run your boiler. RJ McCulloch is MCS registered and Greendeal approved, with over 20 years experience in the trade. Ross and his team carry out detaiied pre-installation heat loss calculations prior to any fitting, ensuring that your property is suited to the type of heat source being considered. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ROSS FOR ADVICE RELATING TO ANY PLUMBING OR HEATING QUERIES YOU MAY HAVE. Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by BIOMASS BOILERS, LOCAL WOOD AND THE RHI What is a biomass boiler? A biomass boiler is designed to burn solid fuels classed as biomass to create heat. There are many brands and models of biomass boilers, each designed to burn specific materials, from timber to waste agricultural materials such as straw and grain husks. The most common form of biomass fuel used in biomass boilers are timber, logs, wood chip and wood pellets. Do they produce any smoke or other emissions? A biomass boiler should not produce any smoke unless the fuel is too wet. All biomass boilers produce nitrogen dioxide (NO2); in general biomass boilers produce less nitrogen oxides than oil boilers. Using wood in place of fossil fuels helps to prevent long-term climate change since the carbon dioxide released during the burning of wood is roughly equivalent to the amount actually absorbed while the tree was growing, so they are essentially carbon neutral. Can I apply for Rural Heat Incentive (RHI) payments if I install a biomass boiler? Yes, as long as you make sure to have the boiler installed by a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) registered tradesman and use fuel that meets the Fuel Sustainability Requirements. In a domestic setting, you would receive 4.21p per k/w hour, up to a maximum of 25,000 k/w hours per year, for a period of seven years. Can I use my own fuel? You can use any fuel suitable for your particular biomass boiler, whether it’s from a supplier or your own timber. To ensure your boiler remains efficient and tar doesn’t build up, be sure to source timber fuels with a low concentration of bark and a low moisture content. However, to receive payments through the RHI scheme you need to meet their Fuel Sustainability Requirements and register on the Biomass Suppliers List as a selfsupplier. For more information, visit https://biomass-supplierslist.service.gov.uk These Four Walls: Building Memories of a Community CARSPHAIRN HERITAGE CENTRE 2017 EXHIBITON Remains and standing buildings are part of every community but, in Carsphairn parish, old buildings have been largely undisturbed by the hand of man and natural decay and neglect has caused their ruination. The Carsphairn Lead Mines © Ben Ade These many reminders of a previous population stand beside current buildings, some adapted from their previous purpose, but all providing part of the rich heritage in an isolated parish which once boasted a far greater population than now. Old post offices, pubs, churches, isolated shepherds’ cottages, big houses, miners’ rows and other buildings (even though they might be remains or even a memory) have all played a part in the fabric of our community life. Their adaptation to our current way of life takes us through the social changes that have occurred in this community over the centuries. The rate of change has accelerated over the last fifty years but we are privileged here to have glimpses of the past in the buildings, as well as written knowledge about them and their occupants. Dates of opening: 15 April to 29 May: weekends & bank holidays only, 1 June to 25 September, Thurs to Mon. Times of opening: 10am - 4pm. Picnic area, 24 hour public toilets, car parking, admission by donation For further info contact 460 653, info@carsphairnheritage.org or www.carsphairnheritage.org or ‘like’ Carsphairn Heritage Centre on Facebook to find out more. Glenkens Gazette page 6 BALMACLELLAN REGENERATION PROJECT In October 2016 Balmaclellan Community Council (BCC), in conjunction with the Stewartry Council of Voluntary Service (SCVS), sent to all residents of Balmaclellan a Public Consultation Questionnaire to canvass ideas on ways to regenerate the centre of the village. Both BCC and SCVS were much encouraged that the response rate to the questionnaire was well above the average for this type of public consultation. Particularly pleasing was the number of residents who went to the trouble to give such good and thoughtful replies. The winner of the £100 draw was Mr Derek Gibson. Further, BCC and SCVS held a Public Consultation Feedback Session at Balmaclellan Village Hall. Residents of Balmaclellan, and other people from the communities of the Glenkens, were invited along to discuss the ideas submitted. A final Regeneration Plan is being produced by SCVS. There was a high percentage of support for a community garden to be developed on the land which was formerly the old filling station, and in a bid to obtain funding to purchase this land BCC are delighted to report that they have passed Stage 1 of the application process with The Scottish Land Fund and now have three months to submit the Stage 2 application. Work is already underway in obtaining a valuation of the land in question and gathering the necessary information. There is also an application pending with The Office of the Scottish Charity Register (OSCR) to register a two-tiered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), which will be known as the Balmaclellan Regeneration Trust. BCC would like to thank SCVS for their hard work and professionalism in conducting the public consultation and assisting with the SCIO application. Recognition also goes to the members of the Regeneration Project who since May 2016 have worked very hard and given up a lot of their time to get the project to this very positive stage. BCC was very pleased with the response from residents who offered to be involved in the project and we will be contacting these people in the near future. If there are any further volunteers willing to help with the project in any capacity, please contact Kay Bird, BCC secretary, on 01644 420 612 or kaybird15@btinternet.com VIKING Balmaclellan HOARD Defibrillator Continued from front page... Professor of Scottish History, Ted Cowan, who lives near Balmaclellan, says: “Those of us campaigning to bring the hoard to Kirkcudbright are strongly of the opinion that heritage artefacts should remain, where possible, in the region in which they were found. “NMS has plenty of treasures which bring visitors to the city but the Viking Hoard could make a huge difference in attracting folk to Galloway if it, or part of it, was exhibited in Kirkcudbright where the new art gallery is already being modified to ensure that it will be secure.” As the Gazette went to press more than 3000 people had signed GVH petition forms or online at www.gallowayvikinghoard.com Balmaclellan is one of the few villages in the Stewartry which does not have a defibrillator. At its meeting in November Balmaclellan Community Council decided to rectify this. It launched an appeal to raise £1200 to purchase a defibrillator and heated cabinet which will be affixed to the outside of the Village Hall. Balmaclellan Community Council has been working in conjunction with Iain Howie of SCVS who will provide free training to First Responders who can then operate the aparatus. The response to the appeal has been terrific with £1,219 being raised within eight weeks by local residents, fundraisers at local events and generous donations from Dumfries & Galloway Housing Partnership and Natural Power Consultants Ltd. A very big thank you and very well done to everyone who has supported the appeal. The community council is now liaising with SCVS regarding the purchase of the equipment. Anyone who would like to be trained in the use of this equipment and become a First Responder should contact Kay Bird, Secretary of Balmaclellan Community Council, on 420 612 or kaybird15@btinternet.com Glenkens Gazette page 7 CatStrand Highlights We have an array of events and activities on at CatStrand through April and May. On Sun 2 April local author Margaret Elphinstone is hosting a special National Library of Scotland workshop about Writing History from Original Sources. Spaces are limited to 12 so get in quick! The following Sat 8 April, we’re hosting a Scots Gaelic Day about the Glenkens with talks and song workshops (see p25). The Easter holidays include a puppet theatre show Oscar’s Amazing Space Adventure (ages 4+) on Tues 11 April at 2pm and our Into Film Club returns on 15 April and 20 May with two films specially selected by club members. We’re also continuing our successful Afternoon Tea Club on Fri 28 April and Fri 19 May. If comedy is your thing, we’re delighted to be hosting two of the hottest names on the circuit. Irish-Iranian comedian Patrick Monahan (Fri 14 April) has performed all over Europe and appeared on The One Show (BBC), Loose Women (ITV) and That 80s Show (ITV) between Fringe sellouts. Meanwhile Glaswegian Scott Gibson (Sat 6 May) is getting rave reviews for his Life After Death stand-up show with plaudits from the likes of Frankie Boyle. The Herald called him “riotously funny and at times painfully raw….” Not for the faint-hearted... Musical highlights include the return of the highly acclaimed Heidi Talbot (Fri 26 May) as part of our D&G Arts Festival Fringe programme followed closely by the world renowned Juan Martin Heidi Talbot. Flamenco Trio (Sun 28 May) who this year will be performing in Dalry Town Hall on a big stage. We also have Nashville hotshot Woody Pines (Fri 21 April) and Americana favourites Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards (Sun 21 May). All of these shows are selling fast already so please get your tickets early. We look forward to seeing you at CatStrand over the coming months. The CatStrand Team See our latest brochure or visit our website for programme details. Book online at www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420374. Ken Words Festival 2017 The second Ken Words Festival had a theme of ‘a sense of place’. The Festival launched with an exquisite concert by two-time winner of Scottish Traditional Folk Singer of the Year, Siobhan Miller. Having seen many young folk singers on CatStrand’s stage, I have to say Siobhan ranks up there with the best. The Saturday morning sessions, which both sold out, included Tom Pow’s ‘silent’ poetry walk around Waterside and Margaret Elphinstone’s poetry workshop. This brought us nicely to the Wagtongues performance in CatStrand’s foyer with brilliant recitals from numerous readers. The afternoon session opened with BBC’s Cameron McNeish whose talk Television Trails and Talk: Words in the Landscape was as enthralling as it was inspiring as he took us on a voyage of mythical adventure, showing how the landscape has shaped the character of the Scottish people through the ages. The evening session was held at the Ken Bridge Hotel where local ethnographer and musician Jo Miller delivered a hugely insightful and entertaining investigation of Glenkens music over the past century. Featuring photos of many familiar Glenkens faces, artefacts from the past, and wonderful performances of the songs themselves, Jo really captured the spirit of what Ken Words is all about. I’m delighted that the Festival is going from strength to strength and after the wonderful response from our audiences I can see it becoming an annual feature of our arts programme here. With grateful thanks to the Ken Bridge Hotel for hosting the evening session. Simon Davidson, CatStrand NEW GALLOWAY SHOP AWARD Continued from front page... The New Galloway proposal, which has been shaped by extensive local consultation, includes funding for a part-time Community Engagement Officer who will work with individuals, businesses and organisations to help people access practical assistance and information and to develop projects benefiting the area. NGCE has launched a Community Shares Offer to raise the £20,000 residents and friends of New Galloway need to contribute to the project. More than 100 people attended a Coffee Cake and Music party in New Galloway Town Hall to mark the launch. Entertainment was provided by children from Kells Primary School, violinist Fiona Edgar, classical guitarist Anne Chaurand, the CatStrand Singers and the Glenkens Ukelele Band. There’s more information on how to buy Community Shares at www.newgallowaycommunityshop. wordpress.com Glenkens Gazette page 8 Glenkens Gazette page 9 GARDENS OF EXCELLENCE We all know we live in a beautiful part of Scotland, but sometimes its nice to be reminded. In 2016 Dumfries and Galloway was voted Best Holiday Destination in Britain by fans of the flagship BBC TV Countryfile programme. Can this beautiful countryside be enhanced? The answer seems to be yes when you look at many of the fabulous gardens we have around the region. This started us thinking at the Glenkens Transport Initiative (GTI). We organise a number of excursions for everyone in our community to enjoy during the year and so for 2017 we have decided to offer trips to a range of gardens, each with their own delights. The amazing large gardens at Logan, Culzean, Dumfries House, and Corsock House will be visited as will the small gardens of Wigtownshire, the Fleet Gardens at Anworth and Cally. There will also be a special evening in the artist’s garden of Broughton House, enhanced by live music. The full summer colours will Logan Botanic Gardens. be appreciated when visiting best of gardens in South West Ardwell House and Scotland, in some places meet Glenwhan Gardens in August the garden owners or head and the series of garden visits gardeners, and enjoy a visit with will be rounded off when we a small group of like-minded visit Dawyck Botanic Garden individuals, please contact us. in October to see the autumn You can find us at the colours in the arboretum. CatStrand in New Galloway, on These inspiring garden visits 01644 420 374, or visit have been collectively given the www.glenkenstransport.org for name ‘Gardens of Excellence’ as we truly believe this is gardening full details. We look forward to seeing you! at its best in our locality. The GTI Team So if you want to see the Follow us on facebook and twi�er and make sure to sign up for our newsle�er - see website for details… www.gallowayglens.org Glenkens Gazette page 10 New Look Library Anyone who has driven up Main Street in Dalry will know there has been a lot of activity at the library over the last couple of months. Having been closed for refurbishment since 6 January, we have now reopened as Dalry Customer Service Centre; your local library is back within a newly integrated facility offering a wide range of Council services. With a new counter, equipment and layout, the facility is better able to meet your council service needs. Dalry Librarian Angela Miller is pleased with the new heating and double glazing, especially the renovated Artist’s Window, something which also caught the eye of facility patrons on the first day back. Customers found the new look to be ‘light and airy’ because of the new paintwork and greater access to the rest of the windows. The first day back was very busy, and Angela is looking forward to catching up with the folk of the Glenkens over the coming weeks. Opening times are Tuesdays from 12noon to 3.30pm and Fridays from 10am to 12noon and 1pm to 4.30pm. Book Bug Sessions will be resuming shortly pease drop in for further information. Angela says: “It would be great to see some new faces visiting the facility where a warm welcome awaits!” Top: old layout. Below: new layout. Fisheries Study Voucher Winners As part of the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Loch Ken Fisheries Study, all anglers who complete and return a short survey known as the Loch Ken Angling Record are entered into a monthly prize draw for a £50 fishing tackle voucher. Galloway Fisheries Trust (GFT), who are undertaking the fisheries surveys and data collection, are pleased to announce that local anglers Gordon Houston and Steve Wood were the November and December winners, and Glasgow angler Richard Vernon was the January winner. If you are an angler who fishes Loch Ken and would like to contribute to the study, the survey is available from ticket outlets around the loch including the shop and Post Office in New Galloway, Loch Ken Holiday Park at Parton and McCowans fishing tackle shop in Castle Douglas. A downloadable version of the angling record can also be found FHB Fencing Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) HIGHLAND BEEF from THE GLENKENS STEAK ROASTS MINCE CASSEROLE LORNE pre-pack frozen Blackmark Dalry Castle Douglas DG7 3UG 01644 460532 www.highland.scot at www.gallowayfisheriestrust.org By the end of July 2017, GFT hope to have received up to 250 completed Loch Ken Angling Records. The surveys are one means of gathering information from anglers to help GFT work up a set of recommendations that will help improve how the fishery is managed and promoted in the future. GFT are keen to hear from anyone with an interest in the fishery of Loch Ken. Rowan and Jamie can be contacted on 01671 40 3011 or mail@galloway fisheriestrust.org Rowan McCleary Glenkens Gazette page 11 BACKROOM VINTAGE improving upon old unloved for outdoor activities, beautiful walks Backroom Vintage, homewares to reduce waste and and we always enjoy a trip to the based in New Galloway, encourage customers to mix old beach. This is a lovely area and a and new. We aim to provide good great place to bring up children. sells upcycled and hand “I am now doing something I painted furniture love with the flexibility needed ...homewares including retro to raise a young family. I as well as vintage love interior design and have homewares including kitchenalia, collectibles and renovated three homes to date so this, teamed with my vintage crockery. retro kitchenalia, background in digital sales collectibles and and marketing, made a lot of quality vintage homewares that were sense,” Sarah concludes. vintage crockery. made to stand the test of time at “We present second-hand, old and often unloved pieces of furniture and homeware in a new and refashioned way,” says business owner Sarah Lane. “I source pieces throughout the UK, presenting a carefully curated selection of items both online and at our pop-up shop events.” Backroom Vintage sell worldwide via an online Etsy store and have customers from as far afield as Australia, the USA and Japan, as well as throughout Europe and the UK. Sarah continues: “We love it when a vintage find goes to a new home. Our customer base is very diverse, including the odd celebrity. “The focus is on reusing and reasonable prices.” Sarah and husband Paul have converted a room at the rear of their home into a pop-up shop space, the first of which was held in November last year. This year there are eight events planned starting on Saturday 15 April. “We hope that residents of the Glenkens as well as visitors to the area enjoy browsing our vintage treasures,” says Sarah. The couple moved to New Galloway three years ago to achieve a better work-life balance, and have found the area very welcoming and the people friendly. “There are lots of great places GLENKENS ROUTE Thursdays: 12noon-1pm – Crossmichael 1-2pm – Parton/Loch Ken Holiday Park 2-4pm – Balmaclellan area 4-5.30pm – The Hidden Road Fridays: 8-10.30am – Dalry 10.30-11am – Glenlea Area 11am – New Galloway 12noon – New Galloway Shop 2pm – Mossdale area 3-4pm – Laurieston to Gatehouse Please note that all times are approximate. 07966 103 912 fleetfish@hotmail.com Fleet Fish aims to provide top quality produce which is sourced as locally as possible. We take pride in offering friendly door-to-door service tailored to our customers’ needs. Backroom Vintage are happy to open outside of the pop-up shop dates by appointment, which can be arranged by emailing backroomv@gmail.com Bargatton Sand & Gravel Supplying sand and gravel for all your farming needs, as well as households and businesses both large and small. We stock washed fine sand, coarse sand and gravels at competitive prices. For further details contact: James Mair - 07793 085 243 Bargatton Quarry, Laurieston, Castle Douglas, DG7 2PS Open Monday to Friday Weekends by arrangement Delivery can be arranged - subject to quantity Glenkens Gazette page 12 GLENKENS MYSTERY TOURS Following the success of Ancient Rites and Customs of the Glenkens: The Hole Ceremony in Issue 96 of the Gazette, local writer Sue Wiseman brings readers another witty, hilarious and highly observant piece. Popular during the 1950s, Mystery Tours gradually fell out of favour as more exotic holiday options became available to many families. Now it seems they are being revived right here in the Glenkens, albeit using your own vehicle and following a series of jolly yellow signs pointing in the direction of somewhere, but giving no indication of where that place might be. Recently many folk setting off for work or important appointments have found themselves embarking on a long, leisurely voyage of discovery through the delightful Galloway countryside in what appears to be a trial run for a new and exciting tourist activity. I have recently had the good fortune to take part in two of these tours, the first in January when travelling from Dalmellington to Dalry. On reaching Carsfad I was directed to take the more scenic route involving turning back to Polquhanity then right onto the little C road where I was able to admire the fish farm and clatter across the iron bridge. Leading a small convoy of vehicles, I turned right and headed for the B7000 across the High Bridge of Ken and on to Hillend from where we had magnificent views across the loch and finally descended into Dalry (or into despair). Attempting to get from Dalry to Castle Douglas during February I found myself taking the mystery route starting at New Galloway, past the watery expanse of Loch Ken and on to sample the sights and sounds of Mossdale. A further stretch of open road (a little drab at this time of year but when all the wild flowers are in bloom the visitors will love it) took me to Laurieston where, from my vantage point in the Land Rover, I was afforded a fine view of the bus stop and the dog poo bin before progressing to Barstobrick Visitor Centre and then continuing down to the verdant pastures of Ringford where I turned left onto the A75 to join a stately 10mph procession lead by a tractor load of sand and a rather whiffy slurry spreader. A week or two earlier people wishing to commute between the more ... a series of jolly yellow signs pointing in the direction of somewhere, but giving no indication of where that place might be. KNIGHTHOOD FOR SIR ALEX Alex and Merryn Fergusson recently attended an investiture at Buckingham Palace at which Alex was formally knighted by HRH Prince Charles. After the ceremony Sir Alex said: “Receiving the honour of Knight Bachelor has capped a truly incredible time for me since 1999 northerly reaches of the Glenkens and Newton Stewart were rewarded with a similar meander through outstanding scenery, mud, rain and fog. What could be more exciting than finding yourself up a rutted lane in an uncharted bit of the Galloway Forest, the fuel gauge registering empty, having spent the last 14 miles following the yellow signs in the wrong direction. (This is where a folding bike in the boot comes in handy). Embark on one of these inspirational tours and you could almost forget you were trying to get to work, pick up the kids from school or get Grandma to the hospital for her dialysis. Praise must go to the organisers for all the thought, planning and ingenuity that goes into these amazing new sight-seeing experiences. when I first entered the world of politics, and I believe and hope that it reflects well on the great people of Galloway that it has been my privilege to serve in the Scottish Parliament. The messages of support and congratulations that we have received since my knighthood was announced have been completely overwhelming... What a way to go into retirement!!” Picture shows Sir Alex and Lady Fergusson in the inner quadrangle at Buckingham Palace following the investiture. Glenkens Gazette page 13 Scotland to Sahara A Glenkens couple have decided, after three years of preparation, to trade Scottish mud for African sand this spring. “It’s hard to resist the draw of warmer, drier climes during the depths of a long, dreich Galloway winter so the timing feels good to head south for us,” says local engineer Ben Ade who, along with partner Melissa Shaw, has been building a fully expedition prepared Land Rover Defender. The couple have christened the Land Rover Kaerus after the ancient Greek god of opportunity, luck and favourable moments, and kitted it out with everything necessary for travelling truly global distances, including the kitchen sink (literally!). Ben and Melissa have no fixed route or return date, intending to spend a few months meandering south to France before heading onwards towards the warmer shores of Spain and Portugal and finishing up in North Africa. Their sights are roughly set on the southernmost point of Tarfaya on the Atlantic coast of the desert, before heading inland to explore the Sahara. Tarfaya, formerly known as Port Victoria, was originally founded in the nineteenth century by a Scottish trader named Donald Mackenzie; a little slice of Scotland in a far off land to remind them of home. You can follow the couple’s progress on their blog, www.kaerus-overland.weebly.com, as well as finding out background Ben and Melissa with Kaerus, ready for their trip. info and seeing pics of the threeyear build which resulted in the journey-ready Land Rover. The pair will also be raising funds for a charity they both have great respect for, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). The ‘doctors without borders’ go wherever they are needed, more often than not into war-torn areas where they run a high risk to their own safety in their mission to help others. The courage of the volunteers involved makes an incredibe impact on the thousands of human lives caught hopelessly in the crossfire of the never ending political instability of our world. SPALDING BOWLING CLUB GREEN OPENING DAY SATURDAY 15 APRIL, 2pm Spalding Bowling Green, Dalry (opposite The Garage) ALL WELCOME WHY NOT COME ALONG AND GIVE IT A GO! You can make a donation to MSF via the blog and make a real immediate difference, and they’ll also be carrying a good oldfashioned collection box in order to raise funds. Keep your eyes peeled for an update on their trip in the next issue of the Gazette! Glenkens Gazette page 14 GALLOWAY GLENS PROJECTS TAKING SHAPE The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme is a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) scheme taking place up and down the Ken and Dee river catchment, from Carsphairn in the North to Kirkcudbright in the South. £2.7million has been provisionally secured from HLF to be spent on projects across the area that ‘connect people to their cultural, built and natural heritage’. The Scheme is now over half way through the development phase and the list of projects under consideration is starting to take shape. Development Officer McNabb Laurie clarified: “We are planning our five years of project activity, expected to run from 2018-2023. Projects supported will either come as a result of studies commissioned by the Scheme, all currently underway and approaching completion, or from project ideas that have been submitted by people and groups up and down the valley.” These project ideas have been categorised under a range of headings, the following representing only a flavour of those being developed: Accessing the Galloway Glens: A Glenkens example are proposals on Forrest Estate to improve access up Corserine. Wildlife & Habitats of the Galloway Glens: This includes support for the Glenkens Red Squirrel Group and RSPB and community woodland projects in Carsphairn. Education in the Galloway Glens: Projects under development include demonstrations of Galloway drystone dyking techniques, highlighting local peatlands and how they can be supported, and workshops teaching people about the local environment. The Board of the Galloway Glens are making the training-up of local young people in Galloway Glens Development Officer McNabb Laurie employable skills a focus with children and staff at GCC Playgroup and their of the scheme, aiming to new activity board. support anyone who wants to be able to stay in the Understanding the Galloway area as they grow up. Glens: This includes a community Heritage Hubs: Projects under archaeology project, letting people this heading include improvements try their hand at ‘dig’ skills and also to Parton Church to highlight James gaining a better understanding of Clerk Maxwell’s achievements and pre-ordnance survey maps of the legacy, pop-up heritage centres area and place names in use up and in Crossmichael and Dalry and down the valley. improvements to the Balmaclellan McNabb added: “Projects will be Smiddy. McNabb said: “Feedback developed over the next six months, was clear - don’t build anything new, with other suggestions still in the but make better use of what we have pipeline. We will be combining this already got. We are absolutely taking project work with the outputs of our this on board.” Landscape Character Assessment Visiting the Galloway Glens: which is currently underway. This A large focus of the Scheme will is being led by Northlight Heritage be to support visitor facilities, in and people may have seen the turn supporting the local economy. Sights & Sites branded events taking Projects under development include place. These will help us submit a cycling/driving tour of the valley, a really detailed proposal to HLF including an app, to highlight outlining what makes the local area historical and contemporary features special and how the projects we such as the archaeology of the area are proposing will support the local and the hydro scheme. landscape. We hope to release the full project list shortly.” WINDFARM LORRY BLOCKS A713 Local photographer Ian Biggar took some snaps of the recovery of the lorry which recently went off the road on the A713 between Dalry and Castle Douglas. Glenkens Gazette page 15 TINY JEWELS COMMENDED AT PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS Duncan McNaught of Glenlee was commended at the world’s largest photography competition. Judges of the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards honoured the work of local photographer Duncan, whose image Tiny Jewels is commended as one of the top 50 in the world in the awards’ Open Nature category. Over 227,000 images from 183 countries were submitted to the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards. Duncan said: “Being recognised by the judges at the Sony World Photography Awards is incredible – I am excited to see what opportunities being commended will present and to see my work being exhibited in London.” Anyone wishing to purchase Duncan’s work or simply follow his photographic progress can find him on Facebook @DMcNaughtPhotography Tiny Jewels, Duncan’s winning shot. THE WINNER BY A HAIR’S BREADTH The competition in the last issue of the Gazette to name Jayne Grimwood’s new hairdressing salon had an amazing response. With so many brilliant entries, it was a difficult decision for proprietor Jayne but the winner is Hair by Jayne by Mrs Ann Radley. The runner-up is Hair Care by Jayne by Miss Namirla Bankhead. Both will Richard Arkless MP win a cut and blow-dry at the new salon. Jayne would like to say a big thank you to all who entered the competition. “Also a big thank you to the Glenkens for their support and making us feel so welcome,” says Jayne. HAIR BY JAYNE 26 Main St, Dalry Dumfries & Galloway Constituency Richard operates an open-door policy please just pop in to either office at any time during opening hours. Constituency Office Dumfries Unit 7, High Street, Loreburne Shopping Centre, Dumfries, DG1 2BD Tel: 01387 265698 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm Constituency Office Stranraer 36-38 Charlotte Street, Stranraer, DG9 7EF Tel: 01776 705800 Mon/Tue/Thurs/Fri 10am-2pm Email: richard.arkless.mp@parliament.uk www.richardarkless.scot Open Tuesday to Saturday by appointment Feel free to drop into the salon and have a chat to Jayne about your hair... 01644 430 525 or 07876 397 725 Glenkens Gazette page 16 Mystery at the Men’s Shed Several of the newer members of the shed have been mystified because their projects were occasionally not in the place where they had left them. John Fagan’s Kawasaki motor cycle was still warm last Monday, Tom Plummer’s model of a French fishing boat was a little damp and the newly made logshed being painted with wood preservative had been finished. It’s a mystery but I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of it sooner or later! Tom is making a magnificent model of a French Fishing boat which used to operate out of Barfleur. He decided to build two of them with the Kirkcudbright Sea Cadets so they could get experience of boatbuilding and eventually they would be radio controlled and we would then be able to race them either on the river or on a loch. The keels were laid about seven years ago at the Unit in Kirkcudbright but progress was slow and all the cadets who started them have now left. They stood in the corner for three years collecting dust. Since starting at ‘The Shed’ he has been thoroughly enjoying himself getting back into model boat building. John tells us that he has collected motor bikes for most of his adult life but through circumstances has had to sell a lot of them. Now he has moved into the Glenkens he’s hoping that the Kawasaki he’s working on at present will be a keeper. Chris Jowsey and he can often be heard discussing the best ways of getting bikes through their MOTs. Who knows we may soon have our own chapter of the Hell’s Angels at the shed. If you would like to come along to see any of the current projects being worked on, or start your ow, please feel free to join us. You can also see us at our upcoming ‘sale of work’ days at the CatStrand towards the end of May - look out for posters. If anyone has any suggestions as to why these strange happenings are taking place at the shed please come along and tell us or contact Brian Jones at the CatStrand (420 374) or Tom Leach on 420 386. Tom Leach Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries Glenkens Gazette page 17 NEW GALLOWAY TOWN HALL Last month saw the first Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) AGM since we took over the management of the Town Hall. LING Lunches were joined for a day by the Dumfries Over 50s Club. Their members enjoyed their day out and reported back on the warm welcome they had received. Our Tuesday LING Lunches and Elevenses are open to all – we have a highchair available. There is no need to book – just drop in. Judging by the level of chat, it is a very sociable meeting place for all, whether new to the area, longstanding resident or somewhere in between. With elevenses from 11am and lunches from 12.30pm the times fit in well with buses from Dalry and Balmaclellan, and we have people attending from both. If you need help with transport, please give us a ring. Tuesday Evening Town Hall Sports, from 7-9pm, is attracting a regular group to Carpet Bowling and Table Tennis but there is room for more. Under the auspices of Thomson Roddick of Dumfries, a LING Antiques Roadshow will be held on Wednesday 29 March. Keep a look out for The Giant Jigsaw Challenge. Both the LING Lunch and Sports goers have been completing jigsaws on the side. This led to the donation of one of 4,000 pieces! We have been working out how this can best be set up for all to join in. The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership: Some of the projects submitted by LING are being considered for progression to the next stage in liaison with other organisations and include the New Galloway Story Popup Museum becoming one of a series of heritage hubs. Improving accessibility of footpaths both close to New Galloway and linking with other long distance paths is also being considered as is the possibility of managing a walled garden in a local estate. If you are interested in any of these projects, whether or not you have any experience, just get in touch on 420 632 or ros.hill@rathanhouse.me.uk Ros Hill, Chairman St Margaret’s Plant and Cake Sale St Margaret’s Church in New Galloway is holding its annual Plant and Cake Sale on Saturday 29 April from 10am to 1pm. Delicious home baking and preserves and a varied selection of flower and vegetable seedlings, herbaceous and indoor plants will all be for sale, with teas and coffees on offer inside the church. All funds raised will be donated to the Food Train Befriending Service (Stewartry branch). Glenkens Gazette page 18 DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY ARTS FESTIVAL 2017 Scotland’s largest rural performing arts festival has launched its most ambitious and diverse festival to date. The 2017 Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival takes place between 26 May and 4 June, kicking off on the evening of 26 May with Karine Polwart’s Wind Resistance at the Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries. The show will herald 10 days of international award-winning theatre; musicianship from around the world, ranging from classical to rock; comedians and street performers and the very best of Dumfries and Galloway’s talented performing artists. In their 10th anniversary year, Moniaive performance choir Cairn Chorus will bring their beautifully diverse music project, Song Cycle, to life. The amazing Blazin’ Fiddles will give two of their high-octane, energy-fuelled concerts in Newton Stewart and Dumfries. Mairi Campbell will bring her criticallyacclaimed onewoman theatre show, Pulse, to New Galloway. Adding to this year’s many festival mustsees is an hilarious evening with acclaimed Scottish stand-up comedian Mark Nelson performing alongside Ireland’s comedy superstar Micky Bartlett in Annan and Stranraer. Innovative theatre comes in the form of circus artist and theatrical performer Phil Hardie’s Welcome My Son in Dumfries; and a special ticket offer for Emily Carding’s Richard III: A One Woman Show and Alan Bisset’s hilarious Moira Monologues, both in New Galloway, Dumfries and Sanquhar. Blazin’ Fiddles A first for the festival this year is an inspirational story of a Shetland crofter who, at the age of 61, found herself cast adrift in the North Sea. Her tale is told through an incredible experience of sight and sound on Sandyhills beach, Dalbeattie. These are just a few of the many world-class performances destined for venues across the region. Tickets and a full programme from www.dgartsfestival.org.uk Glenkens Gazette page 19 Spring Fling Open Studios Spring Fling takes place each year over the last weekend of May, when artists and makers from all across the region open their studios to visitors. It provides a unique opportunity to buy or commission work from the artists, to talk to them about their work and explore some beautiful hidden corners of the region. Jo Gallant, who has her textile studio in Mossdale, will be joined this year by jeweller Beth Watson from over the border in Ayrshire. Beth creates thoughtfully designed stylish jewellery and objects which take inspiration from her local landscape and architecture whilst Jo’s love of colour and texture is evident in her work; expect to see cushions with quirky birds, landscapes and abstracts, shibori silk scarves and wall-hangings inspired by the woodlands and lochs of the Glenkens. Their studios will be open from 6-8pm on Friday 26 May and from 10.30am-5.30pm on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Other open studios around the Glenkens include photographer Phil McMenemy at Laurieston; Susan MacKay, glass artist, at Parton; and Amanda Simmons, glass artist, and Natalie Vardey, jeweller and silversmith, at Corsock. Spring Fling brochures are available at a wide range of outlets including CatStrand and The Smithy Tea Rooms in New Galloway, or visit www.springfling.co.uk to find out more. DRAMA FESTIVAL Pictured is a scene from CatStrand Youth Players’ production of The Terezin Promise by Celeste Raspanti, winner of Best Moment of Theatre and Third Place overall at the recent Stewartry Drama Festival. The other Festival entry, Round The World With Class 6 by Nick Warburton, finished fourth and was nominated in Best Moment and Stage Presentation categories. The plays were directed by Brian Edgar and Zoe Kirkpatrick respectively. Photo of the Issue Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel Kathryn Martin wins a meal for two at the Ken Bridge Hotel’s Sunday carvery with the photograph of her pony Abbi enjoying the snow. Competition judges Dave and Sue said: “We have had lots of technicians working up on the Carsphairn wind farm recently and they have been amazed to come back down to the hotel to discover that we have been sitting with balmy weather whilst they’re getting sent off the job because of a foot of snow!” LIFEBOAT FUNDRAISER The Glenkens RNLI group are holding their annual fundraiser on Thursday 25 May in Dalry Town Hall. The highlight this year is that the Dalry School Choir will be entertaining guests at the start of the evening. This will be followed by the usual stalls, teas and coffees with homebaking. Look out for posters advertising the event from the end of April when tickets will also be available from committee members. JENNY’S DESIGN Mobile Hairdresser • Home Visits • Nursing Homes & Residential • The Elderly & Disabled • Blow Drying • Setting • Perms • Cuts • Toupees • Wig Styling NVQ Level 3 Hairdressing, NVQ Level 4 Social Care Call Jenny on 07554 009 624 Glenkens Gazette page 20 ACHIEVING AT BARCAPLE Pupils from Carsphairn Primary had a great day at Barcaple Adventure Activity Centre. The boys and girls were faced with an individual and team challenge, and had fun conquering them both. On the Team Challenge Course the children had to work together to make their way through a difficult obstacle course: climbing over 20-foot rope nets, crawling up tunnel slides and navigating through the dark of blacked-out sheds - all while transporting a bucket of water and an egg! It was great to see the older and younger children working together to achieve something as a team, figuring out their role within that team and how that role changed at every challenge. After lunch, we strapped into our climbing harnesses and tried our luck at tree climbing. Although this was an individual challenge, it was still great to hear everyone cheering on their classmates. Everyone had a great day and had plenty to brag about when they got home. A special thank you must be given to the Carsphairn PTC who were able to fund this trip to Barcaple. Next, we look forward to the launch of our 2017 outdoor learning programme when we will be taking our learning out of the class for a half-day each week. Walker McKenna FRIENDS OF DALRY SCHOOL Football Strips: Friends of Dalry School (FoDS) are delighted that after last year’s fundraising success and with joint sponsorship from RJ McLeod, we can announce that we have purchased a brand new football strip for Dalry Primary’s Football Team. The team of girls and boys from P4-7 have been training very hard with their fantastic coach David and this new strip will give them the extra confidence boost that they need for their up and coming tournaments. Conall from P7 who plays midfield for the team comments: “Our new strips look amazing, we can’t wait to wear them and to start winning!” Dalry Primary Football Team will be playing in the annual Paul Jones Football Tournament organised by the Council’s Active Schools and Community Sport Team after the Easter holidays. We would like to encourage as many parents, family members and friends to go along to the matches across the Stewartry to support our fantastic players. A huge thank you from all the players of Dalry Primary Football Team goes to FoDS committee members Mrs Moore and Bryan Spark for helping them choose and order their new strips, to RJ McLeod for their sponsorship and continuous support with various fundraising opportunities and to David their coach for all his support and positive encouragement. FoDS Donations: FoDS have very recently donated a huge sum of £1,600 to the Nursery, Primary through to S4. The Gardening Club and Secondary’s funds. hope to be able to use the poly Dalry Primary are looking forward tunnel to grow enough produce to using a part of this money to sell this summer and autumn to create and build handcrafted to parents, carers and community outdoor learning clothing stations members and will also give to with our school’s technicians. the school kitchens for lunches. These will hold a waterproof coat, The keen young gardeners hope trousers/salopettes and wellies to make enough profit to develop for every child in the primary, and their self-sustainability over the will be used daily by all classes for following years. our outdoor learning and Friday FoDS committee members are Fun Time opportunities. Mrs Devlin hugely proud that the hard work comments: “We like to get out that they put in continues to and about in all weathers, so the improve and build on the wonderful clothing station will ensure every experiences and opportunities child has the same kit and will be that our pupils have. We thank comfortable and safe when we are all our families and members of learning outdoors in all seasons. the community that continue to The stations for each class will support our events, please check make changing and storing outdoor out the FoDS Facebook page for clothing a much quicker and easier up-to-date information. process.” If you would like to know more or Dalry secondary will use the get involved with FoDS, please get money to subsidise trips for all in touch with Jenna Devlin via the year groups. Dalry secondary have School Office at 01644 430 259 or most recently taken the netball gw08devlinjenna01@ea.dumgal. team to watch a match between sch.uk FoDS Committee the Sirens and the Wasps at the Emirates Stadium in Glasgow. A write-up of this can be found on the school blog. The most recent FoDS donation will also go towards buying and building a polytunnel in the schools’ garden. This will enable all pupils to build on their horticulture-based learning experiences from nursery right Dalry Primary Football Team. Glenkens Gazette page 21 GALLOWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL Kells Primary: All the pupils from Kells competed in this year’s Galloway Music Festival. Mrs Muir’s recorder pupils returned to Kells with four trophies this year. The P6 Group won the Burgess Cup for best Recorder Group by performing Rigaudon. Sophie Roberts in P3 won the Music Shop Trophy for the Descant Recorder Solos beginner class by playing a piece called Mocking Bird. Freya Spernagel in P6 won the Cairnsmore Trophy in the Treble Recorder Solos Grade 1 for her playing of Pony Trot. There was also success in the Primary Recorder Duets class for Sarah Rothwell and Sophie Hunter. They performed the Star of County Down and won the Penninghame Cup. Zane Gray Dalry School: Dalry School, both primary and secondary schools, have again excelled at the Galloway Music Festival in Newton Stewart. From S3, James Wallace retained the trophy he won last year for the Scots Song Solo - secondary. The adjudicator praised his exciting and lovely voice with his diction and confident projection. James also came first in Grade 2 Violin. Against formidable competition, Hardie Walker from S2 came second with a very high score in the Electric Guitar Solo – the adjudicator was amazed by his versatility and command of the solo sections. From Dalry Primary School, every child took part in the Music Festival starting with the P1/ 2 class entering the Singing Games and Action Song classes. They told the story of the Three Little Pigs with style and confidence and relished the end when the Big Bad Wolf got his comeuppance! P3-5 came first in the Ceilidh Band Class with a medley of vocal and instrumental pieces including Brochan Lom and Ye Cannae Shove Yer Granny Aff a Bus. Daisy, aged seven, got a special mention for her violin solo. P5-7 had prepared a fantastic medley based on their class Space theme but had to settle for second place out of six entries after a number of instruments and costumes were left in the hold of the bus. Despite the difficulties, the pupils showed resilience at this lastminute change and got on with the job. The worst thing was that our conductor for our version of Imperial March from Star Wars didn’t have his Darth Vader costume or his conducting Light Sabre. Kells Primary pupils. Dalry Primary also entered one small Vocal Group. This trio of young ladies - Jessica, Isobel and Lucy - practised and arranged their version of So Good mainly on their own, and made an excellent job of it. They also were awarded 1st place and were commended for their great vocals, blending and tuning. Pupils from Dalry School also entered as soloists and were a credit to themselves, their parents and the school. In particular, an honourable mention must go to Fiona Edgar who entered as a pianist, violinist and singer. She was awarded three first places, a second and a third. Her Violin Solo Grade 2 not only earned her first place in that section but also an overall first. Once again Dalry School pupils have demonstrated their high level of ability in music and performance. Ros Henry Dalry Primary World Book Day Dalry Nursery and Primary children (and teachers!) all looked fabulous in their favourite book character outfits for World Book Day. Glenkens Gazette page 22 End of an Era: Dalry School Technology Club (2008 to 2017) Paul Goodwin, founder of the successful Technology Club at Dalry Secondary School and recently commended by Science Connects for his work with young people in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM), talks about the club and what it means to wrap it up. When I began a Technology Club in Dalry School in 2008 I did not imagine that it would run for a total of nine winter seasons (this year was the last). The initial aim was for me to guide club members, safely to explore and enjoy the latest in technology which had not yet made it onto the school’s syllabus and therefore to be better prepared for what the future would bring. Although the original focus was on the technology (and having a bit of fun on the way!), it soon became clear that the resulting social changes would have an even where members were challenged bigger impact on all of our lives. to produce a poster illustrating Over the nine years we have the changes in popular technology together investigated and that have occurred since they were researched both new and emerging born. technology including: tablets, I will miss the club and its smartphones (with their apps), the members but all things come to latest social media applications, an end. Here I must make special drones, electric/hybrid and selfmention of Emily Biggar who is driving cars, internet enabled the longest serving club member devices and homes, GPS and by far and for the last few years SatNav systems, dash-cams, has acted as a valued assistant contactless payments, iPlayer, leader. My thanks to Emily and to YouTube, 2D barcodes, 3D printing all members over the years who and web applications to name but helped to make the club such a a few. Strange to think that when success. we began, most of these things If anyone thinks they might had yet to be invented and none be interested in helping to were in widespread use! continue the club, please There have been well over a contact Paul on 07973 174 hundred members over the years 342 for an informal chat with the majority coming from without commitment. the upper primary in Dalry but others joining from the Secondary or travelling in from Kells and Carsphairn. Occasionally staff members or parents would come along to see what we got up to. There has always been an annual poster competition (with technology based prizes) and these usually highlighted some aspect of emerging technology. But this year, in a break Left to right : Sarah McCreath (poster competition with tradition, our theme winner), Emily Biggar, Paul Goodwin and Isobel was ‘In My Lifetime’ Stevenson (runner-up). YOUTH ARTS CO-ORDINATOR The CatStrand are delighted to welcome Aidan Nicol to the team as Youth Arts Co-ordinator. Aidan is originally from Shetland and trained as a filmmaker. Her work has taken her all over Scotland where she has organised several film festivals, and out to the Caribbean where she made a documentary about sustainable food sources. Aidan will develop a programme of activities and events designed to nurture artistic interest and develop skills in young Glenkensians. Aidan told the Gazette: “I am very excited to be joining the team and moving to the Glenkens. I’m looking forward to getting to know the area and becoming part of the community here. I can’t wait to support the area’s young people to come up with fun, engaging and far-reaching ways to get involved in the arts in their community.’ If you’d like to contact Aidan directly about participating please email aidan@catstrand.com or call the CatStrand on 420 374. Glenkens Gazette page 23 DALRY NURSERY Dalry Nursery are embracing the world of ‘loose parts play’. Loose parts are open-ended materials like cable reels, wheels, baskets, boxes and other items that encourage problem solving and child centred learning. Through loose parts play the children in the Nursery will immerse themselves in concrete experiences and explorations that occur naturally, as opposed to adult directed. This year’s annual sponsored Easter Bonnet Parade raised funds to improve our loose parts resources. We are also seeking to further improve our outdoor area and have plenty of seedlings ready to plant out. Sabine Haynes Funding For Youth Events The Youth Beatz Fringe is inviting youth groups, community groups, voluntary organisations and young people to apply for funding to enable them to host their own Youth Beatz Fringe event. The event must be targeted at young people aged 12 to 25 and be held between Friday 4 and Thursday 10 August 2017 in Dumfries and Galloway. Successful applicants will have their event promoted through all the Youth Beatz Fringe promotional materials. Projects must include Youth Beatz Fringe branding on their own promotional materials. Can you think of something fun to do as a young person, or for young people, in the Glenkens or further afield around the region? If so, get cracking and apply and you could get up to £500 for your event! The closing date for funding applications is 21 April 2017. For more information phone 01387 260 243 or email jill.hima@dumgal.gov.uk - three changing cask ales & cider - fresh, seasonal & local food - en suite accommodation - open all day every day - award-winning food, beer & atmosphere - en-suite accommodation - 20% off takeaway discount - country sport & walkers facilities Glenkens Gazette page 24 The CORSOCK SCHOOLS Covenanters of We have evidence that a small winter-termonly school operated for children of the Corsock area in the early 18th century at Drumhumphrey This was later replaced by the one in Corsock. In 1838 Drumhumphrey had 33 boys and 22 girls aged between five and 13 attending. In 1840 a new church was built in Corsock and the Rev William Corson no longer had to hold services in the schoolhouse. However, since the school building had been enlarged to allow up to 150 people to attend service from around 46 families in the immediate area, this practice continued until at least 1939. Most of the parents paid fees to the master and there was a set of charges. English was two shillings a quarter for farmers and one shilling and sixpence a quarter for tradesmen and all others. Adding writing and arithmetic to the teaching added another shilling per quarter. There was a larger school at Kirkpatrick Durham dating back to 1696, and held in the church as late as 1748. The population of the area began a marked but steady increase in the early 19th century. This was often attributed at the time to the beneficial effects of large landowners sub-letting their estates to small farmers, to the economic benefit of both parties. Educational provision in Corsock improved when the area became a Parish in its own right in 1863 and was required to have its own School Board from 1872. James Clerk Maxwell is reputed to have taken a leading role in the formation of the Board. The school at Drumhumphry was discontinued Cosmetics, Skin Care, Health & Sports Nutritional Products all products are botanically-based, vegan, gluten & cruelty free To try before you buy, host an Arbonne Party, or for advice please contact your local Arbonne Independent Consultant, Katy Caie, on 07756 506 496 or visit http://catrionacaie.arbonne.com 20% off for new customers! Just quote GKARBONNE Arbonne Independent Consultant and a new one provided in the village. Corsock Parochial School is also said to have benefitted from the financial support of James Clerk Maxwell. The Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland 1882-84 informs us that there was a Free School with accommodation for 119 children. The average attendance in 1880 was a very healthy 97. In World War One the children and the school made their contributions. They helped to raise money, through a concert in 1914, for the Belgian Relief Fund. As World War Two threatened, the school was used to fit and instruct people in the use of gas masks for the expected German air attacks. In addition, the children of the school organised a dance in 1942 to raise money for the Prisoners Of War Fund. Regular concerts and drama productions were performed by the children during the war years. We do have some names of prizewinners from 1939 and 1941 as reported in the Dumfries and Galloway Standard. Some of the prizes were awarded by the Edinburgh Galloway Association. In 1947 the school lost its senior pupils to the new secondary department at Dalry and the reduced numbers meant that it could not long survive. The building survives as a large private dwelling today. Bruce Smith Old Galloway Just pause awhile and spare a thought For those whose bones lay mouldering Beneath this moorland sod; As children they were taught the Word; The Guid-Buik was their shield: In manhood too, their trust in God Was armour: do not yield! Look well and spare a silent prayer For the souls of Godly soldiers; They died for Christ at Bothwell Brig, Their tombstones are these boulders! In God they placed their trust, And for him too they died; Slaughtered by the Royalist swordThey had no place to hide! On every moorland, glen and hill The Covenanters died; In every kirkyard rests their bones, Forever to reside! Flesh, blood and bone long turned to dust, Lives on every tree Whose falling leave comprise their blood, Their souls and Memories! Peter Jeevar lived at Knocklae House, Balmaclellan, for 28 years until 2014 where he “fell deeply in love with Galloway”. This poem was written by him whilst he was living at Knocklae, and submitted from his new home in Cambridgeshire where friends from New Galloway send him down the Gazette, keeping him up to date with local Glenkens affairs. The old Corsock school, now a house. Wright’s Shop & Post Office Dalry Licensed convenience store and newsagent stocking a range of local suppliers including Corsons and Irvings Bakers, Ballards and Dalmellington Country Butchers and Mitchells Fruit and Veg. Opening Times (both shop & PO): Monday to Friday: 7am – 6pm Saturday: 8am – 6pm Sunday: 8.30am – 4pm Tel: 01644 430 225 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm 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 � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � Glenkens Gazette page 25 DALRY’S REJUVENATING FILM NIGHT “I feel quite rejuvenated by that!” was the remark overheard from one of Dalry’s more senior residents walking the short distance home after seeing the film Sing Street at Dalry Town Hall. The film is a love story set against the start of a pop band in a rough Dublin school in the austerity 80s. The Town Hall has been showing films on a monthly basis since January. The inaugural showing was What We Did on Our Holiday, followed by Sunset Song and then Sing Street with a final showing before the summer of Castles in the Sky at 7pm on Friday 26 April. The winter season will begin in September. The films are chosen by people attending the Dalry Farmers’ Market. Our NHS Hospital; the Future and the Past was the title of the February talk to the New Galloway Rural. £1,053, this hospital being replaced in 1873 at a cost of £16,000. The current hospital cost £5m in 1975 whilst the new hospital will cost £270m when it opens in 2018. Dumfries hospitals have been famous for innovation over the centuries including being the first to use anaesthetics in theatre and the first in Scotland to have wheels on beds. When the new hospital opens in early 2018, most services will be transferred to the new site, although the Cresswell Unit on the existing The showings are provided professionally (on a surprisingly large screen) by Driftwood Cinema and receive support from the British Film Institute to allow us to test the types of film, the acoustics and what additional features are going to be popular. At the next showing we will be selling chocolates from In House Chocolates in Castle Douglas. So come and see what is meant by Community Cinema. Jim Reid, Chair, Dalry Town Hall New Galloway SWI Rural Meeting With the building of the new hospital in Dumfries, Rural members were keen to discover what the new hospital had to offer. Initially, however, they heard how the first hospital was built in 1776 for hospital site will be retained, refurbished and used for a number of outpatient clinics. Members asked a range of questions relating to ward design, use of the cottage hospitals, and accessibility. Members were particularly intrigued by the changing demographics of the hospital catchment area, which appear to have influenced the service configuration for the new hospital. Immediately prior to the talk the members enjoyed their annual Burns Lunch. Helen Bullock Scots Gaelic Day Glenkens Saturday 8th April CatStrand, New Galloway www.catstrand.com Programme: 10am - arrive & coffee 10.30am - Ted Cowan ‘Language of the Glenkens’ 11.15am - Margaret Benne� ‘Sco�sh Folklore Scots & Gaelic’ 12noon - lunch (provided by CatStrand) 12.45pm - launch of ‘Gaelic Placenames in the Glenkens’ leaflet 1pm - Scots song workshop with Nicola Black or Gaelic taster classes* 2pm - Gaelic song workshop with Margaret Benne� 3pm - tea/coffee and ho-ro-gheallaidh (party �me) 4.15pm - depart * op�on to a�end Gaelic language classes on proviso there are six or more interested par�es. All places need to be reserved and paid for in advance - the cost for the day is £15, which includes tea/coffee and lunch. To register please contact: Anndra Wilson, 4 Bank St, Wigtown, DG8 9HP 01988 402730, 07722 114518 or bel�e@me.com This event is to mark the launch of Gaidhlig Dumgal’s leaflet about Gaeelic language place names in the Glenkens. Glenkens Gazette page 26 Who Do We Think We Were? This issue’s contribution from Christine Rae describes her arrival in Dalry as a small girl, and gives a child’s eye view of what Dalry was like at that time. It doesn’t matter how old you were when you arrived in the Glenkens - we’d like to hear your story too, whether it’s a childhood memory or recollections of a later period in your life: it’s all part of our history. Please send your contribution, of no more than 500 words, to margaret.elphinstone@dircon. co.uk or hand in a copy at the CatStrand, New Galloway, marked ‘Glenkens Gazette - WDWTWW. The next issue will feature Merryn Fergusson, writing about her first experience of life in Scotland. Before my brother was born, Dad worked in a Glasgow bank. We rented an old farmhouse near Stewarton and Granny and my cousin came to stay for a year. It was wintertime but the kitchen fire kept us warm. Gran and I made it burn up every morning. We sang: “We push the damper in and we pull the damper out and the smoke goes up the chimney just the same. Glory glory alleluia and the smoke goes up the chimney just the same.” Mum said it was sacrilegious but we didn’t care. We all slept in the cosy kitchen, me in my cot, Gran and Di in the wall bed, and Mum and Dad on a sofa bed. In 1949 my Dad was asked to be temporary manager of the bank in Dalry. We rented Glenvohr in the Throughgate from Mr Gourlay. I was four, my brother six months. Outside the front door was a summer seat where I used to play ‘house’ with my doll, and talk to the children going to and from the one-teacher school (now the Community Centre). They asked my name, and I said “Rita Patricia Rosemary Anne.” They were so impressed that they gave the school kitten four names as well. As there was no English church in the village, Douglas was home christened by Rev Mullo Weir, with tea and fairy cakes marking the occasion. Some Saturdays Daddy and I would go to Castle Douglas on a big red double-decker bus, sitting on the front seat of the top deck with him reading me Thomas the Tank Engine over and over again. After a very happy year we went back to Glasgow, eventually returning to Dalry in 1960. As before, there were two hotels, the grocer’s, the bakery, the Police Station, the Post Office, and the smithy. One man with a car ran a taxi service, and there was a shop selling children’s clothes and ladies’ “necessaries”. There was now a shoe shop, whose owner repaired Christine Rae, when she first came to the Glenkens. on Newfield Holm, removing the goalposts afterwards, to free up the field for grazing. Rites of passage were major events. The show of wedding presents - all laid out and labelled - on whiteclothed tables - refreshments offered in mother’s and grandmother’s wedding china. Each lady was thanked by the bride-to-be and a photograph of the couple sent as a memento. Funerals were very formal - the service in the house, and the coffin, accompanied by men only, taken to the churchyard. All blinds were drawn, and the shops were shut for the duration. That all changed in 1969. A Church of England Rector had died and his widow went to the graveside with ladies from her family and local ladies too, including Mum and me. After that it became quite the thing for ladies to attend funerals and pay their respects. ...two hotels, the grocer’s, the bakery, the Police Station, the Post Office, and the smithy...a taxi service, ... shoe shop... a cafe, a greengrocer and a rural supplies. shoes as well as selling new, a cafe, a greengrocer and a rural supplies. He used the old cell as his office. The school now taught children up to 15, with some classes in wooden huts. A brand new school was built in the early 60s but the roof blew off in a storm so it was back to the huts. The local football team played matches GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL � 01644 420234 � New Galloway Golf Club Founded 1902 www.nggc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Glenkens Gazette page 27 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN How Things Change Many of you who are local history buffs will be familiar with the invaluable volumes of the Statistical Account and the New Statistical Account of Scotland. Their titles make them sound boring but they in fact provide short sketches of Scottish parishes - their fauna and flora, history, industry, agriculture, population, schools, kirks, landowners, etc. The first series was published in the 1790s, the second mostly in the 1830s and 1840s, thus providing a wonderful picture of the immense changes in every walk of life that were taking place in the first half of the 19th century. A Third Statistical Account, mostly written in the 1950s but not published in some cases for ten years, has been less well regarded than the first two. Recently while finishing off some work on the Regional Ethnology of Dumfries and Galloway Project, I have taken another look at the final series, which fascinate because many Glenkens folk will remember the times when Galloway was recovering from the Second World War. It is noteworthy that some subjects seem perennial, for example, “there is an undue preponderance of elderly people owing to the migration of the younger people”. The four Glenkens parishes, in common with almost all of the Stewartry’s inland parishes, had lost at least 30%, and sometimes much more of their populations in the previous hundred years. Balmaclellan numbered 1,145 folk in 1851, dropping to 550 in 1951; Carsphairn had 855 in 1851 but only 250 in 1951; Dalry recorded 1,238 in 1851 and 775 in 1951; Kells had 1091 in 1851 and 756 in 1951. Kells hoped its salvation might lie in forestry since plans were underway to plant 15,000 acres, an estimated two to three men being required for each 100 acres (an employment promise never delivered). In contrast, one shepherd might work up to 2,000 acres. All the villages rejoiced in the building of the hydro system but were disappointed that, like the forestry workers, they were housed in small units close to their work rather than in the communities. Mechanisation had made a huge difference to agriculture - milking machines and tractors made last drystone dyker departed. Education, health services, housing and living standards were improving. Pigs were no longer raised at the rear of houses in Dalry, as they had been well into the twentieth century. All houses were soon to have electricity, and Lochinvar water began to be piped to Dalry and Balmaclellan. The number of clubs and societies in the Glenkens was remarkable. Balmaclellan alone supported a Boys’ Club, Girl Guides, Badminton Club, Junior Agricultural Society, Youth Fellowship, Woman’s Guild, Women’s Rural Institute, Musical Association, Drama Group, Curling Club, Football Club, Carpet Bowling Club, Handicrafts Class and a local branch of the British Legion. Kells could boast a Masonic Lodge, a library, a weekly film show, concerts, darts, fishing and golf. Dalry had many of the same organisations, as well as a Unionist Association and a Labour Party Committee. Football pools were very popular. There was not a great deal for girls to do in the villages; they made good wives (according to the minister) but many have to leave for work. Most farmers now had cars. There was disappointment that the railway never made it to Dalry. Kenmure Castle has recently become a hotel. Cooperative efforts between the four parishes were on the increase with such bodies as the Glenkens Agricultural Society, Glenkens Society and National Bible Society. One great bonus of the war was that civil defence was on a four-parish basis. Unity was apparently bustin’ out all over! Has that wonderful vision been realised some seventy years later? The four Glenkens parishes, in common with almost all of the Stewartry’s inland parishes, had lost at least 30%, and sometimes much more... especially welcome. However, the filling in of forms was regarded as a great burden - “a permanent legacy of the recent war”. Road haulage enabled delivery of loads “even to the field in which they are required” and transported animals to market, obviating the need for weary days formerly spent in walking sheep or cattle the considerable distances involved. In 1951 silage was gradually being introduced, but slowly because many still believed “good hay is better than bad silage”. European voluntary workers were imported for seasonal farm work. Due to shortages of butcher meat after the war seven rabbit trappers were employed in Balmaclellan, killing upwards of 60,000 in one season. In Carsphairn cattle now grazed the hills and ploughing was revived to meet the demand for cattle fodder. But tradesmen had left the village and the Ted Cowan Glenkens Gazette page 28 LOCHSIDE STARGAZING Clatteringshaws’ renowned stargazing nights definitely lived up to their reputation when my daughter Laya and I went along to one in February. We started with a nice hot drink on this cold winter night, followed by delicious chicken curry with rice and naan bread - yum! Then the talk by Dark Sky Ranger Jesse Beaman of Stargazing Scotland began, explaining what could be seen in the night sky at the time of year. After a half hour or so, there was a break for us to pop outside and see if the mist had cleared enough for stargazing, which it hadn’t, before coming back in for hot chocolate and, in some cases, a strawberry tart (Laya and the other child in attendance were very impressed). The talk, interspersed with amazing astrophotography which Jesse does himself, left you yearning to go out and watch the night skies. Orion’s nebula is something visible with just a pair of binoculars which I wasn’t even aware of – an amazing point where a dead star is returning to space, and where the gases from that star are birthing new stars. We are all stardust was suddenly given new meaning through Jesse’s intensity and enthusiasm. These talks are well worth a visit, especially with the warm welcome offered by Alan and the team at Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre and convenience of its location for Glenkens residents, and the very reasonable price for the all-in experience. They also do more child-oriented sessions with craft activities whilst the adults stargaze, although for a seven year old the normal event was very manageable and an exciting evening out. Jesse says: “With more and more people taking an interest in the universe, it’s an exciting time to be offering stargazing experiences. The visitor centres ensure we can keep everyone warm and well fed whilst enjoying the beautiful skies of South West Scotland.” Sarah Ade Galloway Lodge at Cla�eringshaws Opens for the new season on 31st March 2017 Alan and his team welcome all customers to try out the new menu and to a�end the many events in 2017 Stargazing Nights (Spring) – 31st March, 7th April, 14th April and 21st April (many more dates) booking essen�al Easter Sunday we are pleased to welcome back OWL MAGIC get up close to these magnificent birds (admission free) Bug hunts with the RSPB Please see our Facebook page for more details, or to book call 01644 420 221 or email alan@gallowaylodge.co.uk ‘Mirror’ © Jesse Beaman Glenkens Gazette page 29 At New Galloway Golf Club Preparations for the new season are well in hand and the club has had several new members join during the winter months which is good to see. On the coaching front plans are well in hand with a juniors Easter Camp scheduled for Monday 3 April, Wednesday 5 April and Friday 7 April, between the hours of 10am to 12noon. This is open to all local children and anyone interested can obtain further information by calling David Aitken on 460 556. Grants GCC THANKS Thanks to everyone who supported the GCC Baby & Toddler and Playgroup jumble sale. £100 was raised. Glenkens Community Shop grant applications will be available in store on 17 June, with completed applications due back by 10 July. JAZZ PIANO Jim McPhee from Work to Brae Cottage, New Galloway, will be Trees in playing the piano Dalry Park at this year’s Dalry residents should be aware that essential maintenance to the trees in the Pamela Young Trust Memorial Park that runs between Kirkland Street and Main Street will be carried out from 2 to 5 May. Those who regularly use the Park should take note and exercise caution. Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival. 2017 is the continental anniversary of the death of Scott Joplin, the ragtime composer. Jim has been playing piano for 70 years, specialising in ragtime piano for the last five years. He has been to Sedalia for the Scott Joplin Foundation Festival. He will be playing in Kirkcudbright on 10 June at the Cochrane Hall from 2-2.30pm, and also in the Bistro Restaurant from 6-8pm. A varied selection of Joplin’s music will be performed. COMMENTS... “I loved being able to read the Gazette online and spent an hour this morning reading. I have never read so quickly.” Ruth “What a bumper issue! Fantastic work, it really shows how wonderful and diverse a place the Glenkens is to live. Really enjoyable reading.” Jenna The usual Saturday coaching is also planned to begin again in May and at this time the club will be offering coaching to any adults who would like to take up the game. Again further information can be had from David Aitken. Ian Brown SCOUT JUMBLE The Glenkens Scout Group are holding their annual jumble sale on 22/23 April. A letterbox drop nearer the time will give you details of the sale date and collection evening. If you are spring cleaning and have any unwanted clothing, shoes, handbags, books, toys and brica-brac, etc. We would be most grateful if you would keep us in mind. All unsold clothing, shoes and bags are sent for recycling. If anyone is free to help at the sale, we would be pleased to hear from you. For further info contact Heather on 420 375. Thank you, Heather, Hannah, Doug & Diana Plants & Cream Teas Balmaclellan & Kells Church are holding their annual Plant Sale with cream teas and a cake stall in Balmaclellan Village Hall on Saturday 27 May from 2-4pm. The cost will be £2.50 per person and proceeds are in aid of Church funds. Please come along and support this event. Glenkens Gazette MARCH page 30 APRIL & MAY Fri 31, Clachan Clash Tea & Memories, see p20 Fri 31, Stargazing at Clatteringshaws, see p28 APRIL Sun 2, Writing History from Original Sources, 2-4pm, CatStrand Mon 3, Wed 5 & Fri 7, 10am-12non, Golf: Juniors Easter Camp, see p29 Mon 3, Drop-In: Dalry Police Station, see p3 Tue 4, Hard of Hearing Drop-In Clinic, 10-11am, New Galloway Town Hall Fri 7, Stargazing at Clatteringshaws, see p28 Sat 8, Scots Gaelic Day Glenkens, see p25 Tue 11, GTI Trip: Logan Botanic Garden, see p8 Tue 11, Mousetale Puppets: Oscar’s Space Adventure, 2pm, ages 4+, CatStrand Wed 12, Open Stage, 7.30pm, CatStrand Wed 12, Balmaclellan & Kells Guild, New Galloway Town Hall Fri 14, Patrick Monahan, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 14, Stargazing at Clatteringshaws, see p28 Sat 15, Backroom Vintage Pop-up Shop, see p11 & p16 Sat 15, Spalding Bowling Club: Green Opening Day, see p13 Sat 15, GTI Trip: Royal Yacht Britannia, see p8 before 21 April, fund your own youth event, anywhere in D&G, see p23 Sat 15 & Sun 16, Easter Events, Kirroughtree, see ad below Sun 16, Owl Magic, Clatteringshaws, see p28 Fri 21, Stargazing at Clatteringshaws, see p28 Fri 21, Woody Pines, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 22/Sun 23, Scout Jumble Sale, see p29 Sun 23, GTI Trip: The Young Gardens, see p8 Wed 26, Dalry Film Club: Castles in the Sky, see p25 Wed 26, FILM: Julieta, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 29, Plant & Bake Sale, see p17 MAY Tue 2 - Fri 5, Pamela Young Memorial Park: Tree Work, see p29 Thu 4, Local Elections, Glenkens voting stations, see p2 Sat 6, Scott Gibson: Life After Death (over 18s), 7.30pm, CatStrand Tue 9, CatStrand Ukes Spring Party, 7pm, CatStrand Wed 10, Open Stage, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 13, Dalry Farmer’s Market, 10am- 12noon, Dalry Town Hall Sat 13, Watson Birds: Book & Art Sale, during & after Farmer’s Market, Dalry Town Hall Sun 14, GTI Trip: The Small Gardens, see p8 Tues 16, PLAY: Descent, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 19, GTI Trip: National Museum of Rural Life, see p8 Sat 20, The Glenkens Story Field Trip: On the Trail of the Covenanters, email theglenkensstory@gmail.com Sun 21, Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards, 7.30pm, CatStrand Thu 25 – Sun 29, World Ceilidh Music Festival, see p32 Fri 26, Heidi Talbot, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 27 & Sun 28, Backroom Vintage Pop-up Shop, see p11 & 16 Sun 28, GTI Trip: Corsock House Garden, see p8 until 14 May, Spring Show ‘17, The Gallery at Laurieston Thurs 25, RNLI Fundraiser, see p19 Sun 28, Juan Martin Flamenco Trio, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall 26 May – 4 June, D&G Arts Festival, various locations, see p18 Fri 26 – Mon 29, Spring Fling Open Studios, see p19 Sat 27, Balmaclellan & Kells Church Annual Plant Sale, see p29 Glenkens Gazette page 31 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Margaret Morris dance 1: 3-7yrs, Mon (term-time), 3.45-4.30pm Margaret Morris dance 2: 8-16yrs, Mon (term-time), 4.30-5.15pm Choreographic Skills Lab: Mon (term-time), 7 - 8.30pm ages 12-18 Gentle Tai Chi: Wed, 10am, 60+ Glenkens Writing Group: First Wed each month 3-5pm Sing it Out: Thurs, 11am -12pm CatStrand Ukes: Thurs, 1pm – 3.30pm 60+ Zumba Gold: Fri (term-time), 1011am, CatStrand, 16+ Saturday Art Club: 2nd & 4th Sat of the month, 10am–12noon, to book call 420 374 Catstrand Youth Players: Sun during term time, 2pm Glenkens Acoustic Sessions: last Sun of the month, 2-4pm Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, (contact Kath on 430 281): Paint & Art: Mon, 1.30-4.30pm & Wed, 7-9pm GCC Playgroup: Tues, Wed & Thurs, 9.15-11.45am, contact Miriam 07514 320 101 Guides: Tues during term-time, 68pm, contact: Kath 430 281 Good Neighbours’ Club: Tues, 2pm Brownies: Thurs 6-7.30pm Kickback Martial Arts: Thurs, 7-9pm Thursday Craft Group: Thurs, 2-4pm Glenkens Children’s Club: Fri, 10am-12noon New Galloway Town Hall: 12noon, Lagwyne Hall Folk Music Session, 4th Fri each month, 7.30/8pm till closing, Ken Bridge Hotel Scouts: Thurs, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Gentle Tai Chi: Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall LING Lunches: Tues, 11am-2pm Indoor Sports: Tues, 7-9pm Zumba: Wed, 7.30-8.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, 11+ Footcare by Stewartry Care: Thurs by appointment (Tel: 01556 504699), New Galloway Town Hall Family and friends coming to stay? Various Locations: Carsphairn Post Office: Tues, 1-3pm, Lagwyne Hall Beavers: Tues, 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training: Tues & Thurs, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Mossdale Painters: Wed, 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Carsphairn Heritage Centre, Dates of opening: 15 April to 29 May: weekends & bank holidays only, 1 June to 25 September, Thurs to Mon. 10am - 4pm Youth Writing Group: Thurs (during term time), 3.30-5pm, ages 10-15, Dalry School Coffee & Craft Group: Fri, 9am- Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: 4th Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall. Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Special Services/Events:9 Apr, 10.30am: United Family Service for Dalry and B&K Churches, Dalry Church. 9 Apr, 6.30pm: Music for Holy Week, Carsphairn Church. 14 Apr, 7.30pm: Good Friday Service, Kells Church. 15 Apr, 2pm: Spring Teas, Dalry Town Hall. 16 Apr, 7am: Dawn Service, Dalry Church. 28 Apr, 7.30pm: Quiz Night, Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk To hire the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) behind Dalry School call Sonja Tranter on 430 244 or Nicolette Wise on 430 218. Dalry Library Tuesdays 12noon-3.30pm Fridays 10am-12noon & 1-4.30pm For further library van stops and informa�on contact Castle Douglas library on 01556 502 643 ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) Church. 14 May, 10.30am: United Family Service for Dalry and B&K Churches in Kells Church. 14 May, 3pm: Conventicle, Upper Holm of Dalquhairn. Communion Services: 2 Apr, Call 07727 127 997 Town Hall. 30 Apr, 10.30am: CHURCH TIMES Dalry United Service with Choir, Kells Services - Balmaclellan 12noon: 1st. Carsphairn 10.30am: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Dalry 9am: 1st(May). Dalry 10.30am 2nd(Apr). Dalry 12noon: 3rd, 4th. Kells 10.30am: 2nd(May), 3rd, 4th. Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Short of space? 10.15am, Carsphairn Church. 7 May, 12noon, Balmaclellan Church. 28 May, 9am, Dalry Church. SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Police, non-emergency: 101 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette 20TH ANNIVERSARY FOR MUSIC FESTIVAL 2017 sees Knockengorroch World Ceilidh reach a significant milestone. Organiser Liz Holmes says: “20 years! We can hardly believe it ourselves and are delighted to still be bringing some of the best world, roots and Celtic music to our own glen in the Galloway hills above Carsphairn. We are also of course highlighting the region, especially the hidden gem of the Glenkens, and introduce this beautiful area to visitors who travel from all over the UK and abroad to attend - and very often to return again and again.” The bill as always covers a broad range of musical genres, from traditional to cutting edge electronic to award winning silver band classics. Heading the bill this year is Max Romeo, no stranger to reggae fans and a legend in the field of popular music with many chart hits over the years. There are a huge variety of acts performing over six stages including artists from Indonesia, Ghana, the US, England and of course Scotland. The festival also features a sauna, dedicated children’s activities, workshops in arts, crafts, heritage and environmental subjects, global shopping, acoustic sessions, a healing area, fire shows, flash mobs, real ales, ‘knocktails’ and food stalls whilst cabaret, spoken word, comedy and dance all take place across the six venues. The theme this year is Unicorns, Scotland’s national animal, celebrated in myth and legend as a magical creature full of mystery and hidden powers. The 2017 World Ceilidh is being spotlighted and celebrated as one of Visit Scotland’s partners in its programme for The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. World Ceilidh 2017 runs from Thursday 25 to Sunday 29 May. 10% reduction page 32 on tickets for residents of the Glenkens – Carsphairn, Dalry, New Galloway and Balmaclellan are on offer again – email info@ knockengorroch.org.uk to apply. For more info on this year’s celebration, including video footage of the artists and to buy tickets, visit www.knockengorroch.org.uk or find us on Facebook or Twitter. Main Bo Airigh stage at night. SPRING IS HERE Penpont, Thornhill, DG3 4JS Tel: 01848 330 419 Mob: 07900 246 100 jim.campbell@harbro.co.uk www.harbro.co.uk WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 15% 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 JUNE/JULY COPY DEADLINE: 5 MAY THINK...Animal Health THINK...Rotavec, Bovigen THINK...Mag Rolls, Mag Licks THINK...Lamb and Calf Colostrum 15% THINK...Lamb Milk and Lambing Products THINK...Gardening Products THINK...HARBRO Very competitive prices - Delivery if required Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050 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 99 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_099 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 2017 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/246/GlenkensGazette100.pdf 3edefb89dc1dea0131fcdbfb77494a60 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 100 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 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:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). 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 News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry June/July 2017 ISSUE 100 A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve FREE www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 A FEW WORDS FROM GAZETTE FOUNDER MATTHEW NEWTON In Matthew’s last interview with the Gazette, nearly seven years ago, he said: “There are so many activities and groups, and the area is home to such a wide range of talented individuals. I think the Gazette is a mirror for the Glenkens and will continue to reflect the growth and energy of its folk and their community spirit for many years to come.” Well, here we are seven years on, and still going strong! So let’s get a bit more background on the Gazette, and see what Gazette founder Matthew thinks of the publication now... Q What gave you the idea to start a Glenkens Gazette? A I had seen the Glencairn Gazette in Moniaive and thought it was a great idea. Q When did you create the first edition? A In 2000. Q How many pages was it to start with, how was it printed, where was it made? A It started at the kitchen table; sounds like a cliché but it’s true. Lots of scraps of paper spread across the table; it was like putting a jigsaw together. It was two sheets of A3 paper folded in half. I think I printed 50 copies at the school. With all the news to report it started to take up all my spare time and, with the shop to run and two young children growing up, I made the decision to pass it on to GCAT. Q Are you surprised that the Gazette is still going all these years on? A No – not at all. There is so much of interest in the Glenkens. It’s not only the beautiful countryside but the great mix of folk who live there. Q What do you think of the Gazette nowadays? A It’s all I could ever have hoped for. Every edition covers such a range of subjects. It’s what a community newsletter should be. Balanced, informative and fun to read. Q You seem to have been doing a fair bit of globe-trotting since you left the Glenkens. How does the Gazette compare to other community papers/gazettes you’ve seen in your travels? A I’ve seen quite a few and it’s the top one! Thanks go to Carsphairn Primary for the front cover design, and to Dalry Primary p3,4,5 class for the back cover design. The CatStrand Saturday Art Club also did some brilliant designs to celebrate the Gazette’s 100th issue. Pictured above: Sarah, Freya and Ruby’s ‘Sparkly Glenkens’; Alex’s Circle of Life in the Glenkens’; Jessica’s ‘100th Issue’; and Sandy’s ‘Earlstoun Power Station’. To the right is Rosie’s ‘Shark Under Ken Bridge’. Gazette founder, Matthew Newton. Q What to you does the 100th issue represent? A I think it reflects the vibrance and enthusiasm of the communities of the Glenkens. If there wasn’t so much of interest in the area it wouldn’t have lasted so long. It’s about reporting the news, not making it. “Thank you for the opportunity to give my thoughts on the past 17 years. It’s made me reflect and realise how lucky I was to spend 18 years in such a fantastic area. I wish the Gazette the very best for the next 17 years and more!” Glenkens Gazette OUR 100TH ISSUE! So this is the Glenkens Gazette’s 100th issue. Quite a benchmark. Considering its origins as an eight-sided kitchen table project with a print run of 50 on the school printer, I think we’ve come quite a long way. And it’s still growing - ever faster, it seems - as well as becoming surprisingly well-read for such a parochial publication. Apparently the last issue so interested a Times columnist that he gave the Gazette, and the ‘name the salon’ competition, a mention in his column! Also rumour has it that we got a mention on Radio Four’s News Quiz - what I wonder is, how do all these folks even know we exist? I guess what it comes down to is that what’s going on in the Glenkens is obviously so interesting that people remember it wherever they are - town, city, Scotland or the Sahara. Whatever ‘it’ may be, the Glenkens has it, so let’s keep on doing it! Thanks so much to the schools and local groups who submitted designs in celebration of the Gazette’s 100th issue - two of which are on the covers of this issue, and some more are included page 3 on Page 2, opposite. We will be having a celebratory exhibition of Gazette past issues, along with a comments book for folk to note down anything they like relating to issues past and present, or what the Gazette means to them. It will begin at the CatStrand, and then tour the Glenkens in various locations over the next few months - we hope you come along and have a look at all the amazing things that have been talked about over the last 17 years. And we’d love to also hear from you - excerpts from the comments book may be used in future issues so be sure to write something! Sarah Ade, Editor & Co-ordinator An Interview with the Editor For the 100th issue I thought readers might like to know a little more about the Gazette’s editor and her thoughts on the publication - past, present and future. What got you into starting the paper? Matthew Newton, who used to run the shop in Dalry, founded the Gazette. He passed it on to GCAT, and I took on co-ordination of the Gazette in 2006 when it was a voluntary role. Johnnie Dowswell in New Galloway was responsible for the design and it was 12 pages, black and white. I turned it into a paid role, took on design as well as overseeing the sustainability of the paper, and it has now reached 32 pages per issue. How long does it take to put an issue together? It takes me about 80-100 hours per issue, depending on how many pages there are. It isn’t a quick process as the layout must be right and I’m always conscious of making sure community issues are shared appropriately and that it’s a fun paper to read. How do you decide which story goes lead? Whichever story has the most topical relevance to the communities of the Glenkens goes on the front page. The Gazette is about the community and for the community. What’s been the funniest story you’ve reported? Hmmm...I’m not sure the Gazette does funny stories! Although I do love Sue Wiseman’s pieces - The Glenkens Hole Ceremony went down really well with readers. What’s your vision for the future of the paper? I hope the Gazette will level-out at around 32 pages and continue to be self-sustaining into the future with a larger online presence through social media. What would you like to see more of? I’d love it if the young people of the Glenkens got more involved in the paper - we have a young section sometimes and it was great when that was a regular feature. If anyone is interested in writing a piece then please get in touch. It doesn’t have to be a regular contribution; a one off piece is great too. What do you wish to say to your readers on this historic 100th edition? Thank you to all our contributers past and present - without you we wouldn’t be here! Thanks also go to our tireless steering group for finding the time to proof read each issue and giving educated and informed answers to any issues relating to the Gazette which arise, and to the CatStrand team for their ongoing support. Finally I would like to say thanks, on behalf of the community, for all the effort and energy you put into each publication and long may it continue. Ian Patrick Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by EVERYTHING listed in the Glenkens Freecycle section is FREE - you just need to contact the owner and go and pick it up! If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch with Sarah on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk VARIOUS Large quantity of glass jars. All sizes from spice to coffee. Contact: 450 655 A whole load of Letraset various styles, it’s old but children might like to play with it. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 Chest of drawers, three-drawer, teak in colour, width 23” x depth 16.5” x height 29.5”. Brand new. Contact: Martin on 430 526 Child’s 2 piece paddle/sand pit set. One half forms a lid for the sand pit when not in use. hardly used. Contact: Ann on 420 445 Folding bed with mattress, suitable for occasional use for a child. Not suitable for adults. From smoke and pet free home. Contact: Trevor on 440 683 Dog kennel. Contact: 460 640 WANTED Old net curtains, any condition. Contact: Sue on O7563 718 011 Petrol lawnmower. Working or reasonably repairable... Contact: Simon on 07426 124 982 NEWS FROM THE BIOSPHERE The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere has been busy. Nic Coombey and Simon Fieldhouse have left and Ed Forrest has come on board as co-ordinator. In April the team were joined by Emma Harper MSP in hosting an event at the Scottish Parliament that brought together Scotland’s only other Biosphere, Wester Ross, for an awareness raising evening on what Biospheres are about. April also brought with it good news that a new threeyear European funding bid had been successful. This led to us hosting the opening meeting of international delegates from Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Finland who will be working together to explore how designations like UNESCO Biospheres can be best used to generate new opportunities that support the local economy. If you would like to know more about the Biosphere or to sign up as a Biosphere Proud Supporter, take a look at the website www.gsabiosphere.org.uk or get in touch with Ed at ed@gsabiosphere.org.uk WHAT THE GLENKENS GAZETTE MEANS TO OUR COMMUNITIES Congratulations to the Glenkens Gazette on reaching its 100th issue. An incredible achievement which has seen it become a regular feature of our lives, bringing local news and what goes on in the Glenkens to everyone. We look forward to its future success - not every community gets to read such a professional publication. Thanks to Matthew Newton for originally starting it and Sarah Ade for continuing his legacy. Well done! Andi Holmes, Dalry Community Council Many congratulations on your 100th issue. The Glenkens Gazzette has become an essential read for everyone keen to know what’s going on. It’s also a great way to get your message out to our community. Here’s to another hundred and more! Craig Millar, New Galloway & Kells Community Council Congratulations to the Glenkens Gazette on reaching a milestone of 100 issues. It lets us all know in the Glenkens what’s going on in our beautiful region, and all for free! Well done! Liz Holmes, Carsphairn Community Council Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by A New Educational Resource in the Glenkens The Hidden Mill is a 15-acre permaculture demonstration site on The Hidden Road, near Balmaclellan. It’s a beautiful site of so-called unproductive land, yet it has a compact mix of systems; a public road and the Shirmers Burn divide the land into patches of pasture, wetland, homesteads, gardens, woodland and a mill pond. Absolutely perfect for permacultural experimentation! Through the Permaculture Association we were able to make a successful funding bid to the Tesco ‘Bags of Help’ fund. After a round of in-store voting we were awarded the maximum £12,000 to build a children’s permaculture forest garden. The design includes a greenhouse with solar powered underfloor heating, a compost loo, a round wood shelter, raised beds, a willow sculpture and a herb spiral. Despite it being arguably overscaled and under-budgeted, we are approaching the successful delivery of the project, it having been an all-consuming adventure on which we have worked fulltime with the help of some superb volunteers. The last bit of the equation, the willow structure, will be built live by Trevor Leat (local willow-crafting legend probably best known for his crafting of the wickerman at the Wickerman Festival) at the 2017 Scottish Permaculture Gathering. The gathering will be a celebration of sustainable culture, with lots of workshops and demonstrations for children and adults, including heavy horses, blacksmithing, rug making and forest schools. Anyone with an interest in organic gardening, green building or pedal-powered machines should pop in. More information is available at www.permaculture.org.uk Our longer-term hope is to act as an educational resource for groups and individuals interested in sustainability. Starting the ball rolling, we are super excited about Carsphairn school visiting to learn about plants and food production. Later this summer local Forest School teacher Sisi Stravidi will use the site to host a range of outdoor learning opportunities. To find out more or arrange a visit contact lorraine.ishak@gmail.com Lorraine Ishak PERMACULTURE Pictures: Top - Preparing ‘hugel beds’ with logs, manure, pond weed, seaweed and soil; Below - Pipes laid for the passive solar underfloor heating in the green house; Right - Lorraine harvesting from her no-dig ‘lasagne bed’. Although a mysterious term with many definitions, it’s most simply described as a whole system-based, nature-led response to climate change and peak oil, rich with practical solutions. Glenkens Gazette page 6 CatStrand Highlights We have some wonderful shows and activities lined up for June and July at CatStrand and we’re kicking off with our contribution to Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival. Award-winning musician Mairi Campbell presents Pulse (2 Jun), a one-woman theatre show about her homecoming. The very next day (3 Jun) we have two plays, the extraordinary Alan Bisset performing the hilarious Moira Monologues before the innovative one-woman show Richard III. If the election is getting you down, why not cast your vote and then come and see the Oscarsweeping La La Land [12A) (8 Jun). Our most requested genre of performing arts in the last 12 months was jazz and June sees the launch of our new Dark Sky Jazz Club with a performance by Edinburgh Jazz Festival favourites Sugarwork (23 Jun). Other musical highlights include Nashville’s Americana sweethearts The Danberrys (17 Jun), acclaimed Country band My Darling Clementine (28 Jun) and the astonishing roots duo Redwood Mountain (21 July) the latter featuring Dalry fiddler Amy Geddes. If films are your thing, we have the nearly 3hour German comedy Toni Erdmann (15), a Mark Kermode favourite and an unlikely smash at the Box Office. We also have our first Animate Club Screening which is My Life as a Courgette (PG) a stopmotion feature film which will be preceded by taster animation workshop run by our very own youth arts co-ordinator and film maker extraordinaire Aidan. The Afternoon Tea Club continues with Mr Holmes (30 Jun) and the classic 1939 version of Wuthering Heights (28 Jul). Some other highlights to watch out for are our very own CatStrand Youth Players (16 Jun) who’ll be performing two humorous plays; a Midsummer Concert of Piano Duets (in aid The Danberrys of St Margaret’s Chuch, New Galloway); and finally we’re delighted to be hosting an album launch by classical guitarist Anne Chaurand (30 Jun) who will be playing extracts from Airs d’Ecosse on the night. Entry is FREE if you want to come down and listen. We’ll be back on full pelt in September with the likes of Judie Tzuke and Boo Hewerdine and of course in October we’ll be hosting our 10-day 10-event showcase for our tenth anniversary. For more details and to keep updated with event announcements visit www.catstrand.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. The CatStrand Team See our latest brochure or visit our website for programme details. Book online at www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420374. OFFICE BEARERS NOW ELECTED FOR BALMACLELLAN COMMUNITY TRUST The Trustees of Balmaclellan Community Trust (formerly the Balmaclellan Regeneration Project) would like to advise the community of their new charitable status with effect from 24 March 2017. Office Bearers have recently been elected for the Trust and these are Kay Bird (chair), Ailsa Malone (secretary) and Alan Rumble (treasurer). The other Trustees are Robin Jardine, Jim Kirkpatrick and Roland Chaplain. We are pleased to confirm that the Stage 2 application form for funding to purchase the land to form the Community Garden has been submitted to the Scottish Land Fund and we hope to hear good news that our application has been successful over the summer - fingers crossed! In replies to the Public Consultation Survey many residents suggested raised beds with soft fruit bushes and the Trustees of Balmaclellan Community Trust would like to thank Peter Birch of PB Engineering for donating wood for these raised beds, soft fruit bushes and other plants and shrubs towards this project. Our website will be live in the near future and will provide information on the trust, copies of the minutes of meetings, and updates on the development of the community garden. Anyone wishing to become involved in the trust, or requiring any further information, should contact the chair, Kay Bird, on 01644 420 612 or email kaybird15@btinternet.com, or the secretary, Ailsa Malone, on ailsamalone@aol.com Kay Bird, Chair, Balmaclellan Community Trust (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) number SC047278 Glenkens Gazette page 7 HOARD TO LEAVE REGION It has been decided that the Viking Galloway Hoard is to go to Edinburgh rather than stay in our region. Cathy Agnew, Campaign chair, said: “This treasure was buried in Galloway for safekeeping 1,000 years ago – it is deeply disappointing that ... it should be allocated to the National Museum in Edinburgh where it will potentially be lost amongst so many other wonderful artefacts. “This is a most unfortunate decision for the region and for Scotland. It is doubly disappointing that a more enlightened approach has not been taken, especially as 2017 is Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. “The support from the public, from academics, politicians of all parties, and so many others – across Scotland and the world – to keep the hoard in Galloway, where it would be cherished, has been Letter To The Editor I am deeply frustrated to hear that NMS has decided to remove the Galloway Viking Hoard from Galloway. A greedy decision, to take it away from a region that has fought so hard to create what would have been exactly the right and appropriate location for it (the Kirkcudbright Art Gallery), where the impact would be vastly more significant than it will in Edinburgh – magnificent as it already is. Thoroughly disappointing that NMS chooses not to support this sort of endeavor, but fight against it. I am struggling to understand the justification for a decision that removes such a valuable asset from an area where it is really needed, and a bargaining chip from a new gallery that deserves all of the help and support it can receive. Please consider this to be Carsphairn Recreation Group Activities Following on from a questionnaire sent out to Carsphairn residents, the recreation group have been holding several activities and have planned events for the rest of the year. Weekly ‘Photography for Fun’ with Duncan McNaught, and badminton sessions in the village hall have been run in six week blocks (see website for future sessions) and a series of Ladies’ Nights are planned for the village hall too. These nights will feature a variety of topics including health and beauty, baking, and Christmas gifts and decorations. The first Ladies’ Night will be held on Friday 11 August - keep an eye out for posters and posts on the website for further details. By popular request Carsphairn’s Got Talent will return on Saturday 7 October. There are no winners or prizes, just a chance to spend an evening together showcasing the talent in Carsphairn and the Glenkens. The deadline for entries is 31 July so make sure to get in on time - we need performers to make it work so do please put yourself forward! Final arrangements are being made for an art group and classes will start later in the summer. Please email carsphairnrec@gmail.com if you’d like to be added to the mailing list. You can find more details on all of the above and more at either carsphairnrec.btck.co.uk or www.carsphairn.org magnificent. It is a real shame their voices and their passion have gone unheeded. “Dumfries and Galloway Council’s bid was outstanding. It would have saved the hoard for the region and the nation in a superb, specially designed exhibition area at the new Kirkcudbright Gallery – near to where it was found. “We very much hope that even at this late stage discussions will continue and a fair compromise can be reached.” one more voice to the many pleading that arrangements are made to display the Hoard immediately, then regularly in the South West. Lamentably, although I thought NMS exists to serve Scotland, it appears ‘Scotland’ in this context means ‘the central belt’ and ‘ourselves’. It would be wonderful to be proved wrong. Kind regards, Emma Walker, Chicago, USA Glenkens Gazette page 8 Glenkens Gazette page 9 ANTIQUES ROADSHOW UNI-BUNNY At this popular event held in New Galloway Town Hall, local people brought along personal items of interest to see if they might be holding an unknown ‘treasure’. Over 70 people turned out through the showers on Easter Sunday to follow clues to baby unibunnies hidden around New Galloway. Hamish Wilson (right) examines a jug brought along by Mike Brown. This localised version of the TV programme was organised by Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) with the support of Thomson Roddick, Dumfries auctioneers and valuers, with Hamish Wilson attending as evaluator. Items brought along included china, books, silverware, paintings, jewellery and small pieces of furniture. While some people were disappointed to learn that their ‘treasures’ had only personal rather than monetary value, others were pleasantly surprised. Of bonus to the Town Hall was the interest in the old wooden lead lined ‘punch’ bowl which was dated back to the time of George lll. This item can be viewed on display at the New Galloway Story open Days at the Town Hall. The next one is planned at weekends in July and August. While the valuations were taking place afternoon tea was provided by SWI members and LING supporters. A total of £240 was raised for Town Hall funds from the sale of tickets and home baking. Follow us on facebook and twi�er and make sure to sign up for our newsle�er - see website for details… www.gallowayglens.org Hunters then returned to the CatStrand where they collected their chocolate egg prize donated by New Galloway Community Council. Pictured is the Easter Uni-Bunny with some of her eggs, created by the girls and boys at the CatStrand’s Saturday Art Club. Glenkens Gazette page 10 COMMUNITY TEAROOM AWARD FOR CARSPHAIRN These days, it seems as though Carsphairn Shop and Tearoom is picking up as many accolades as it is winning new fans. The business has just picked up the 2017 Community Tearoom of the Year award from the Scottish Food Awards & Academy – hot on the heels of it launching a new venture, the 713 Pop-up Bistro. The first bistro event in April had a Mexican theme and, following its overwhelming success, an American-style event was held at the end of May. The plan is to hold these internationally-themed evenings every month, as a delighted Lindsay Duncan, shop proprietor, explained. “There has been nowhere in the village to dine out in an evening since the Greystones pub closed almost 10 years ago,” she said. “Trying out the pop-up bistro was a bit of a gamble, but the support we have had has been tremendous.” Bistros will be held on the last Friday of each month – the next event will be an Italian evening on 30 June. Booking is advisable by phoning 01644 460 568. She added: “We are thrilled at receiving recognition from the Scottish Food Awards for all our hard work in establishing the Carsphairn Shop and Tearoom as a ‘must visit’ place.” The business was also a runner-up in the Best Café category of the Dumfries & Galloway Life Awards. JENNY’S DESIGN Mobile Hairdresser • Home Visits • Nursing Homes & Residential • The Elderly & Disabled • Blow Drying • Setting • Perms • Cuts • Toupees • Wig Styling NVQ Level 3 Hairdressing, NVQ Level 4 Social Care Call Jenny on 07554 009 624 FHB Fencing Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) HIGHLAND BEEF from THE GLENKENS STEAK ROASTS MINCE CASSEROLE LORNE pre-pack frozen Blackmark Dalry Castle Douglas DG7 3UG 01644 460532 www.highland.scot Top: Lindsay Duncan with Paul Smith and daughter Courtney at the Scottish Food Awards ceremony in Edinburgh. Below: Carsphairn residents Nigel & Kath Martin and Karen Hall enjoy the food, drink and atmosphere of the Mexican evening. Glenkens Gazette Thistle Award for Brookford B&B At Scotland’s tourism ‘Oscars’, Dalry’s Brookford B&B won the national award for Most Hospitable B&B/ Guest House. This is a real feat considering these awards cover the whole of Scotland. Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The Scottish Thistle Awards recognise excellence and reward the creativity and innovation that underpins Scotland’s tourism sector.“ We asked Ronnie Bradford, the owner and host at Brookford B&B, for a short comment: “Angie and I are completely elated to have our efforts recognised in this way. To be honest, being the first time we had entered the competition, we had no expectations about winning the regional final, let alone winning the national title too. “To us, hospitality comes naturally and is all about treating our Ronnie and Angie Bradford recieving their award at the guests and Scottish Thistle Awards 2016/17. recognising their needs as we would congratulations to Brookford when friends or B&B for being crowned the best family come to stay with us. in Scottish tourism. Tourism is “We are particularly proud more than a holiday experience that our guests have been so – it creates jobs and sustains generous with their praise, communities across Dumfries and enabling us to reach this stage Galloway and all finalists should of the awards.” be proud of their achievements in Doug Wilson, Regional Director reaching this stage.“ at VisitScotland, said: “Huge GLENKENS ROUTE Thursdays: 12noon-1pm – Crossmichael 1-2pm – Parton/Loch Ken Holiday Park 2-4pm – Balmaclellan area 4-5.30pm – The Hidden Road Fridays: 8-10.30am – Dalry 10.30-11am – Glenlea Area 11am – New Galloway 12noon – New Galloway Shop 2pm – Mossdale area 3-4pm – Laurieston to Gatehouse Please note that all times are approximate. 07966 103 912 page 11 fleetfish@hotmail.com Fleet Fish aims to provide top quality produce which is sourced as locally as possible. We take pride in offering friendly door-to-door service tailored to our customers’ needs. Bargatton Sand & Gravel Supplying sand and gravel for all your farming needs, as well as households and businesses both large and small. We stock washed fine sand, coarse sand and gravels at competitive prices. For further details contact: James Mair - 07793 085 243 Bargatton Quarry, Laurieston, Castle Douglas, DG7 2PS Open Monday to Friday Weekends by arrangement Delivery can be arranged - subject to quantity Glenkens Gazette page 12 COMMUNITY SHOP CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS The Glenkens Community Shop recently celebrated its 5th anniversary - and what an asset to the community it’s been with donations of over £30,000 from the shop going back into the communities of the Glenkens. Manager Shirley McNaught said: “We first opened our doors on 23 April 2012 and since then have been going from strength to strength. Our very first Volunteer, Avril Brown, has now been joined by other members of the community and we now have 14 regular volunteers. We are truly blessed that we live in such a wonderful communitysupporters, donors and buyers spirited area as the Glenkens. for all their wonderful items that “Our little shop has become have made our time and effort a hub where people can meet, all worthwhile.” socialise and communicate, and And thank you Shirley for pick up a bargain as well. Since creating such an asset to the opening we have given back Glenkens - may it continue a total of £34,720 to various long into the future, providing groups and individuals within the support in so many ways for communities of the Glenkens. local residents. “To thank all the volunteers for all their hard work, we had a lovely afternoon tea at the Kenmure Arms in New Galloway where a spread was provided by Liz Brannock - and what a spread it From left to right: Volunteers Lis Lewis, Janet was! Braithwaite, Ness Johnston, Elizabeth Peacock, “On a personal Betty Godwin, Shirley McNaught, Lynne Duncan, Andi note I would like Holmes, Mirla Barkhead, Avril Brown, Kathryn Peace, to thank all our and Elizabeth McFegan. TREASURE OUR AMENITIES The news that New Galloway has secured funding for a community shop totalling £800k should be celebrated. It is quite an extraordinary achievement for those involved, and a huge sum of money to keep a small village shop. However, this project is being subsidised to a level that no private individual would ever dream of sinking their own hard earned cash into. As a small business owner myself, it got me thinking. What sort of enterprises do we have already in the Glenkens? Are we all doing our best to use and therefore support what we already have? I’m writing this to try and rally some support for the businesses that survive, even in deepest darkest January, with no public funding. Many privately owned businesses keep going because families band together and make sure there’s always someone ready to give up their weekends and get up at 6am to keep everything running. They work longer hours than the business would ever be able to pay an employee to work and contribute in so many ways to the community. We would probably only realise quite how important they are if they ceased to exist. We bought our house in Balmaclellan two years ago. The fact that the shop is merely a hop, skip and a jump away was a huge attraction and definitely contributed to us considering Balmaclellan as a place to call home. We don’t need to drive to Castle Douglas (a 26 mile round trip) when we’re missing a vital ingredient for a recipe, or have just run out of milk. It is a convenience that is worth a lot to us. We didn’t quite realise quite how much it was worth until the figure of £800k came up if, in the future, the villagers needed to save the shop from closing. Balmaclellan shop is now being run by the second generation of the family. Many residents are elderly and totally rely on the shop. It is an amazing resource for the village. Not just a milk, papers and sweetie shop: I buy Lapsang Souchong tea, herbs, spices, gluten-free flour, Glenkens eggs, ecofriendly cleaning products and, of course, chocolate. They also have a vast selection of wines and the best organic cider. Shortly after moving to Balmaclellan I suffered from severe back problems and I was unable to get in my car and drive anywhere. During my recovery, I would shuffle up the street to the shop - it was sometimes the highlight of my day and I got a glimpse of what it would be like to be elderly and reliant on our fantastic ‘Village Stores’. So, what can we do if this precious resource is going to survive and breathe life into the village? Shop there of course. We’re all a bit guilty of using the shop to get Sunday papers and ‘emergency rations’ and then doing a big supermarket shop when we’re in the town but this is not going to make our village shop a sustainable business. Actually doing a proper shop and buying a range of goods encourages the shop to stock more of its unusual products alongside the everyday essentials. We really are very lucky to have this on our doorstep. Dalry is also lucky enough to have a village shop and the same sentiments apply - just think how difficult it would be for the residents if the business closed and they had to take matters into their own hands, raise vast sums of money and then all volunteer to work in the shop. Treasure what you have and use your local shops on a daily basis, and they will look after you when the road is blocked with snow or when you are too ill to drive. Zoe Davidson, Balmaclellan Glenkens Gazette page 13 Scotland to Sahara Following on from last issue, here are a few photos from Ben and Melissa’s travels... find out more or donate to Medecins Sans Frontieres at kaerus-overland.weebly.com Glenkens Gazette page 14 CARSPHAIRN PRIMARY’S URBAN ADVENTURE Recently Carsphairn Primary School boarded the GCAT bus to head to Maryhill, Glasgow to visit Oakgrove Primary School. It was for the term topic comparing urban and rural communities. Upon arriving, they got a quick tour by one of the teachers at Oakgrove, Mr Chambers. Following that, all Carsphairn pupils joined Oakgrove in the correct classes. Shortly after arriving, playtime began and everyone went out to play with their new friends. Everyone from Carsphairn was curiously looking around because the playground at Carsphairn is not as big as Oakgrove’s, which has over 250 kids. After play time, everyone came in and had some milk. In the P5 class, three Carsphairn kids (Courtney, Crawford and Naomi) played a math game. Courtney said: “I really want this maths game at our school!” Finally, after maths, everyone went for lunch and a long play. To start the afternoon, the P5s went in and had grammar. The Carsphairn P5 pupils finished first and then started some colouring. Once everybody had finished grammar, they moved on to art. For art, the P5 class were given a letter for a Gardeners Contest, so they all got into groups and designed a badge and a name for their group. Finally the day ended and the Oakgrove boys and girls all had to go home - everyone was really sad. Two of the P5 Oakgrove girls named Michaela and Morgan, who had made friends with Carsphairn P5 girls Courtney and Naomi, said: “We hope we can come to Carsphairn”. With the day over at Oakgrove, everyone climbed back onto the bus and made their way back home to Carsphairn. On the way home, everyone said they loved it and they thought it was an amazing trip. Courtney Duncan, P5 The Carsphairn children in front of Oakgrove Primary in Maryhill, Glasgow. DEADLINE I would like to thank Carsphairn Primary pupils for answering a question I asked them on a recent visit to the school; where does the term ‘deadline’ originate? The interesting answer is: “‘Deadline’ is a term originally used during the American Civil War in prisons, where if you crossed a certain line you would be, literally, killed.” Sarah, Gazette Editor CATSTRAND YOUTH ARTS It’s all go at the CatStrand as we start to launch our new programme for young people over the summer. Our regular Writing Group, Youth Players, Choreo Skills Lab and Saturday Art Club will be running to the end of June. The Edinburgh-based Improv Academy will lead a crash course in comedy improv on Friday 21 July. Then we’ve got a stop motion animation workshop running from 11am on Thurs 27 July for anyone 7+ who wants to try their hand at making their drawings come to life. This is followed by a fantastic, bittersweet animated film My Life As A Courgette (8+ Advisory) which took a team of 100 animators two years to make! From September there’ll be a regular animating club on Tuesday evenings. In June we’ll be hosting two information sessions where you can find out about new groups and opportunities in and around the Glenkens for young people and meet Aidan, the new CatStrand youth arts coordinator. Come along on Thursday 22 June, 6-8pm, at the CatStrand, New Galloway, or Saturday 24 June, 12-2pm, at Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry. A new volunteering group has been started at the CatStrand for anyone 12-18 who wants to help out at youth arts events, programme films and shows and put on their own events here at the CatStrand. Volunteers meet monthly on a Tuesday, 6-8pm, to make decisions, plan and eat free pizza! Come along on 6 June if you’d like to get involved, or email aidan@catstrand.com to find out Animated film My Life as a Courgette, screening at the CatStrand on 27 June. more. Our Choreo Skills Lab gave a wonderful performance of their work to an audience as part of their On Stage Dance Share in May. The five members work weekly together to choreograph their own pieces of dance. If you’d like to take your dancing to the next level and create pieces for others to perform, the Monday night sessions run 78.30pm for 12+. We’re delighted to report that one of the CatStrand’s youth volunteers, Joe Taylor (aged 17), has been shortlisted for the VOSCARS as Dumfries & Galloway’s young volunteer of the year. Joe has been volunteering at the CatStrand for over a year helping out with administration, developing our new youth arts website, and helping on reception. The CatStrand are also happy to welcome Cameron Lindsay, 18, to the team for the summer as a tech intern. Cameron is studying Game Development at the UWS in Paisley so will be putting his specialist skills to use developing our new Game Tech group (gaming and game design, on a Wednesday night from September) and game development workshops during the summer. To find out more about what’s happening at the CatStrand for U25s we have a new monthly e newsletter. Email aidan@catstrand.com to sign up. You can also follow our new Instagram or Twitter accounts @catstrandyouth - or ‘like’ us on facebook.com/catstrandyouth Glenkens Gazette page 15 Glenkens Schools’ Successful Opportunists This term Glenkens pupils have been having a variety of successes as they take up opportunities that have come their way. Sky Barrett in S3 had a winning entry in the NHS poster competition for her design which is both stylish and striking. Eva Gibson in S2 has had her art work exhibited in Edinburgh as part of the Royal Society of Arts Friends School Award. She was highly commended for her monoprint. The Dalry primary football team has been coached by our janitor, David Stewart, in his spare time and loyally assisted by S3 pupil Cameron Wilkie over the winter season. Now all the training is coming to a head and the Small Schools Football Tournament at Crossmichael was the opportunity for them to really show what teamwork can do. They impressed with their skill and sportsmanship which also allowed them to bring home the trophy. The secondary netball team spent a day at a tournament in Dumfries and played as many games in a day as they have played in Dalry Primary football team with their trophy. the year! They were very tired when they eventually the experience, the greater is the got home after a very long platform for creativity and success day. in the future. Taking opportunities Primary science across the and putting in the hard work cluster got a boost and the Zoolab required is what enables young introduced our young people to people to move on. Our Glenkens some interesting wildlife. students are doing it well and we This is all good experience to be are proud of them. Jenny Smith stored up and built on; the wider Comedy for CatStrand Youth Players The Youth Players bring down the curtain on a successful 2016/17 season with an evening of comedy on Friday 16 June at the CatStrand at 7.30pm. It promises to be an evening of laughter, with two one-act comedies taking the stage: All by Myself by Robert Scott (directed by Zoe Kirkpatrick): Seven years alone on a desert island after his shipwreck has driven Larry to the edge of sanity but that’s nothing compared to the shock of discovering he is not – and never has been – alone! A Simple Task by Alan Haehnel (directed by Brian Edgar): Empie has a seemingly simple first assignment at her new job – to collect a box of merchandise for the Boss. It doesn’t seem quite so simple though, when the box is guarded by an array of madcap characters and her Boss keeps changing identities! Tickets available at CatStrand or online at www.catstrand.com After the summer break, the Youth Players will start the new season on Sunday 3 September. children can hold as well as learn about; Magic Monty, local magician who is always a hit; Cumbrian Birds of Prey, a great show with beautiful birds; or any ideas you may have - please tell us! Keep an eye on our Facebook page, and there will be a schoolbag drop before the hols with our full Summer Programme. The Parent & Toddler group runs at the Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, Fridays 10am12noon. During term time it is a parent and toddler group catering for children aged 0-4 and costs £2 for the first child and £1 for each subsequent child, babies under six months free, and a healthy snack for the children is provided as well as cups of tea and coffee and good company for the grown-ups. During the school holidays the group becomes the Holiday Children’s Club and caters for children aged 0-12, with day/ time/price the same except for special events where there may be a charge of £5 entry for the first child with £1 per subsequent child, to help us cover the cost of the event. Please come along to the AGM. And please consider taking on a role - GCC will close if there is not enough community support; we need role bearers to allow these thriving groups to continue. CHILDREN’S CLUB AND PLAYGROUP Glenkens Children’s Club (GCC) is having its AGM. We will hold it on two dates, to enable as many people as possible to attend; Wed 31 May at 12noon at the Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, and also on Fri 2 June, at 11am, in the same location. We really need role bearers. Anyone with an interest in a child attending any GCC groups, even if it’s just every so often during the school holidays, can step up to be Treasurer, Secretary or Chair. The Parent & Todder Group, Holiday Children’s Club and GCC Playgroup are all busy and bustling. Look out for details of the Children’s Club Summer Programme with exciting events happening on Fridays over the holidays. Activities have not yet been confirmed but some ideas are visits from ZooEd with furry, feathery and scaly friends which Many thanks, The GCC Committee Playgroup children ready for the fundraising Easter Bonnet Parade. Glenkens Gazette page 16 Community Shop Hits Target Residents and friends of New Galloway have broken the £20,000 target set to secure the Big Lottery award to save the Royal Burgh’s last remaining shop. In fact, after a hectic fundraising campaign, some £22,000 worth of shares have been sold in New Galloway Community Enterprises(NGCE) Ltd, the community benefit society planning to buy Hopkins shop and house and when all pledges have been collected the total is likely to reach £24,000. In March the Big Lottery awarded NGCE a £808K grant to purchase the property, refurbish the shop, convert the house into selfcatering flats to generate income for the community and support a Community Engagement Worker to foster the social and economic wellbeing of the area over five years. However BL wanted the community to demonstrate its commitment by buying £20,000 worth of shares in NGCE. The six-week campaign finished with two lively fund-raising events in New Galloway - a concert of ragtime music by local pianist Jim McPhee and, on the night the share offer closed, a celebration dinner - “Out with a Bang” - in the Smithy Tea Rooms. “They were looking for ways of raising money for the community shop,” says Jim McPhee, “and I wondered how I could help them and help Jim and Margaret to retire. I’m not one to sit in meetings or committees but I can play the piano and like giving concerts”. Marion and David Briggs, who own the Smithy Tearoom in New Galloway, knew from experience that dinner evenings could be a great way of raising money. “It’s the easiest way to bring people together and have a good time,” says Marion. “We had a big range of people from across the community, we put them all together at three long tables and the atmosphere was absolutely electric.” “The result of the share offer has far exceeded our expectations,” says Mike Brown, Chair of NGCE. A&B Sinclair Welding & Fabrication Decorative Ironwork Design, Manufacture & Installation Service • Garden/Driveway Gates • Handrails & Balustrades • Garden Features, etc Mobile Welding Service • Agricultural & Forestry • Fabrication & Repairs Contact Andy Sinclair: Mobile - 07896 168 724 Home - 01644 430 332 “Already 240 individuals and organisations, two thirds of them based in the New Galloway area, have bought shares. We are very grateful to all these people whose generosity has ensured that this is truly a community-owned organisation.” The legal process of buying the property is now underway as is the recruitment of further staff starting with the General Retail Manager and Community Engagement Worker posts. Helen Keron, Project Manager for the bid and now the renovation project, says: “The success of the Share Offer means that the funds from the Big Lottery are now available to us for the purchase and renovation. The shop will continue to look very much as it does now for a few months, although it will be open longer hours, and then after a month-long re-fit in the autumn, it will re-open as our brand new Community Shop. “I’d like to thank Jim and Margaret Hopkins for their patience in this process, and look forward to helping to continue their legacy into the coming years.” Glenkens Gazette page 17 MOVING TO THE GLENKENS Jim and Fiona Clubb moved their fold of 25 Highland cows to Blackmark Farm near Carsphairn just over a year ago. Attracted primarily by the stunning scenery surrounding the Glenkens, the breathtaking peace, community spirit and wealth of cultural activity came as an added bonus. Blackmark is being set up as a holistic farm project which, in simple terms, means bringing the business into a package that serves community, environment and economy. The first year has been about getting to know the land, climate, community and designing infrastructure to suit the cows’ needs for the long winter. Native cattle are able to provide tremendous benefits to the natural environment and the beef produced from slow-grown pasture fed animals is “just like beef used to taste”. 100% Highland beef is available from Blackmark and Jim is currently setting up a small farm shop from where it can be purchased. The farm has a zero-waste policy and has chosen to have no council bin collection. The challenge is to work out how to recycle everything that comes on site. As a former engineer, Jim is using his artistic and welding talents to convert scrap metal into sculpture. Currently, some of these are being exhibited for sale at the CatStrand, New Galloway, and Jim also takes commissions. Fiona is interested in land management culture from all perspectives, past, present and future. The Highlanders are great for managing swards of grazing which has been overwhelmed with unpalatable dominant species. They open up the ground for greater Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries diversity. Working with horses is Fiona’s other passion and the next stage of the farm project will involve demonstrating how draught power can contribute to solving many modern upland challenges. She says: “It is sad to see declining upland communities. These lands are high in resources, slowly forgotten as traditional knowledge is lost.” The holistic project at Blackmark aims to address this problem by highlighting ways in which the hills can stay alive, and not just with the sound of music! Glenkens Gazette page 18 DEE & GLENKENS HUSTINGS Prior to elections of local councillors, a hustings was held at CatStrand, New Galloway, for the new Dee and Glenkens Ward. Eight out of the nine local council candidates took part in a hustings lasting over two hours, skillfully chaired by Prof Ted Cowan. With an audience of nearly 70 people of all ages, it was much appreciated that questions and discussions remained so focused on the bread-and-butter issues that mattered to people living in one of the remoter parts of Galloway. These included educational concerns such as fears about potential school closures and also about library provision. Some particularly thoughtful responses came from candidates surrounding the pros and cons of campaigning for full National Park status for the Galloway Hills. Afterwards members of the audience welcomed the willingness of all the candidates to work together across Party and Independent Group lines to do whatever they felt best for our area. Clr Ted Thompson (Labour) stood in for Elizabeth Maxwell. He, as well as long-standing existing councillors Patsy Gilroy (Conservative) and Jane Maitland (leader Independent Group) stressed what can be and has been achieved by parties working together. Three newcomers to the political scene came across particularly strongly: Dougie Campbell (SNP) with widespread previous experience at a senior level in Strathclyde police and the Refugee Council, as well as work with young people; Laura Moodie, Green Party, as a younger candidate with four children and a range of insights into how to work from home in a remote rural area and bring employment opportunities; Douglas Swan, Independent, with a well-kent business going back five generations, but also moving with the times and seeing the need to bring younger people to the area and not just bury the old. Finally there was Andi Holmes who, until recently, was chair of Dalry Community Council and came with the advantage of first-hand local knowledge, not that all the others hadn’t done remarkably well whilst knocking on hundreds of doors in recent weeks and picking up lots of the issues that matter to people living in the Glenkens. Roland Chaplain t: 01292 550954 m: 07766 978568 e: rj.mcculloch@aol.co.uk www.rjmcculloch.co.uk Oil and LPG boilers tailored to suit your needs... In rural areas mains gas isn’t an option - but this needn’t limit your choices of heating installations. Modern oil and LPG boilers can be an efficient and economical way to heat your home or workplace, especially for older, less insulated buildings. With over 20 years in the trade, the team at RJ McCulloch are highly experienced in the servicing and repair of lpg and oil fired boilers, and work directly for various manufacturers. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ROSS FOR ADVICE RELATING TO ANY PLUMBING OR HEATING QUERIES YOU MAY HAVE. Glenkens Gazette page 19 NEW WARD, NEW TEAM Following the local council elections in May, a new team of councillors are in place - Dougie Campbell, Patsy Gilroy and Jane Maitland have been elected as Dumfries & Galloway Councillors for the new Glenkens and Dee ward. The recent ward boundary changes meant that the Glenkens was always going to have new faces as none of our outgoing councillors were standing in our new ward. Only George Prentice stood again for election in the new Castle Douglas ward; Finlay Carson is now the area’s MSP and Brian Collins did not stand again. New councillors for the Castle Douglas ward, which includes Parton and Corsock, are Ian Howie (Independent), David James (Scottish Conservative) and John Young (SNP). With nine candidates standing for the three vacancies in the Glenkens and Dee ward, locals had plenty to choose from. All the candidates spent time canvassing in the area and a specially organised hustings event at the CatStrand gave them an opportunity to explain why they felt they were the right candidate for the job and also gave the public an opportunity to question them on specific issues. Dougie Campbell, SNP, is the only one of our councillors who is new to local politics. He and his wife moved to Gatehouse in 2011 after he retired from the police force where he had worked for many years in both rural and urban areas. This background in public service led to his decision to stand and he adds: “My experience Left to right: Dougie Campbell, Patsy Gilroy and Jane Maitland. in policing, a job which is driven by action, will I hope stand me in good stead as a councillor.” Whilst he admits he has a steep learning curve at the moment, he fully intends to attend community council meetings as often as possible in order to be visible and accessible. “Community Councils are an important aspect of community life and, for me, attending meetings will ensure I’m in contact with local views and issues,” he explains. Patsy Gilroy, Scottish Conservative, has been a DGC councillor since 1999 and, whilst she recognises the challenges of such a geographically dispersed ward, will take it in her stride having seen several boundary changes in that time. And she feels a positive aspect of the new Glenkens and Dee ward is that it takes in the whole area covered by the Galloway Glens Project. She is on the board of the GGP and is particularly interested in the idea of natural flooding which she hopes may assist in managing the flooding problems that Carsphairn has experienced in recent years. And after having spent some time canvassing in the area she is now even more aware of how important transport is for people living in the Glenkens. Jane Maitland, Independent, also has many years’ experience as a DGC Councillor in the old Dee Ward. She enjoyed canvassing in the Glenkens and meeting locals and was impressed to see that each village has its own shop. She feels that because of our relative isolation here in the Glenkens we are better served by local businesses and perhaps more resilient. A plain speaker, she says, “I will always be totally honest about any new policy or project and what the implications might be.” She is a firm believer in the Community Council enquiry service run by DGC which she says allows communities to deal directly with the Council and frees councillors to concentrate on different issues. With 13 community councils across the Glenkens and Dee Ward, our new councillors have plenty of work ahead of them but they have confirmed that they will work together to ensure that at least one of them attends as many community council meetings as possible. In the meantime, if anyone has any issues that they would like their help with, they can be contacted by email as follows: dougie.campbell@dumgal.g ov.uk; patsy.gilroy@dumgal.gov.uk; jane.maitland@dumgal.gov.uk Defibrillator for Balmaclellan Balmaclellan Village Hall will be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the defibrillator. Iain Howie, ex-police and SCVS, and now a voluntary worker for The British Heart Foundation, provided 15 adults and four children with CPR and defibrillator training. A big thank you to Iain who will, if there is demand, provide another training session in the autumn. Anyone wishing to attend training please contact Kay Bird on 420 612. Balmaclellan Community Council and Balmaclellan Village Hall Committee are delighted to announce that the new defibrillator and heated cabinet have been installed on the front wall of Balmaclellan Village Hall. Well done to all the residents, Natural Power and Dumfries & Galloway Housing Partnership for enabling the purchase. Please note that the cabinet is NOT locked and anyone can access the defibrillator. Pads for the defibrillator to be used on small children and babies will be purchased in the very near future and are kindly being donated by Fiona and Duncan MacKinnon. Glenkens Gazette page 20 DETECTIVE FICTION: Some Minor Classics This review is of the slightly less famous, or well known, authors. largely set in London and are quirky but gently humorous. Ann Grainger’s Mitchell and Markby, the Cotswold detectives are well written. David Robert’s Lord Edward Corinth and Verity Browne clean up crime in the 1930s and 1940s. Ben Aaronovitch’s Constable Grant and DI Nightingale also has some appeal. Robin Paige’s Lord and Lady Sheridan series is a category. Patricia Wentworth and her creation Miss Jane Silver is another favourite. The British Library have recently reprinted some of our older It may well include many crime classics. Freeman Wills readers’ personal favourites Croft with Inspector French, EC but no slight has been intended Bentley with Inspector Trent and when they are described as Ronald Knox with Miles Bredon minor. are worth looking out for. Beyond such familiar individuals Other authors that may well as Morse, Dalziel and Pascoe, repay a browse or two would Taggart, Sherlock Holmes, Jane include Tasha Alexander, Marple, Brother Cadfael, Some authors from a bygone MC Beaton (Agatha Wexford and Maigret there is a vast wealth of era still have a timeless appeal. Raisin), Frances Brody (Kate Alexander), Jane detectives struggling, in Bolitho (Rose Trevelyan), little lighter in tone. Similarly, print, to hold back a vast tide Amanda Cross (Kate Fansler), Inspector Witherspoon and Mrs of well planned and, initially Carola Dunn (Daisy Dalrymple), Jeffries by Emily Brightwell perplexing, crime and to bring Peter Kerr (Bob Burns), Catriona provides come cheerful reading. the perpetrators to their well McPherson (Dandy Gilver),Sara Some authors from a bygone merited end. Many decent Sheridan (Mirabelle Bevan) and era still have a timeless appeal. authors, and detectives, may Dorothy Simpson (Inspector Edmund Crispin’s Gervase Fen, well have been omitted. If any Thanet). Margery Allingham’s Campion, reader feels strongly then they I have left out a few authors Inspector Appleby from Michael may wish to draw the books to that were either rather too Innes, Josephine Tey’s Miss our attention. gruesome or where the detective Pym, Gladys Mitchell’s Mrs Detective partnerships have or the plots failed to convince. Bradley and Ngaio Marsh with included Christopher Fowler’s Bruce Smith Inspector Alleyn all fall into this Bryant and May series. They are Richard Arkless MP Dumfries & Galloway Constituency Richard operates an open-door policy please just pop in to either office at any time during opening hours. Constituency Office Dumfries Unit 7, High Street, Loreburne Shopping Centre, Dumfries, DG1 2BD Tel: 01387 265698 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm Constituency Office Stranraer 36-38 Charlotte Street, Stranraer, DG9 7EF Tel: 01776 705800 Mon/Tue/Thurs/Fri 10am-2pm Email: richard.arkless.mp@parliament.uk www.richardarkless.scot Glenkens Gazette page 21 THE LAND OF MY VOICE I live in an old part of an old country. The sky is wide, trimmed by low hills that are fragments of the towering mountains they used to be. Worn and rounded by ice, wind and time, they enclose a broad glen that has sheltered thousands of years of human life. Here, in the craggy reaches of the Ken basin, the bones of extinct villages protrude through bare patches of the Spruce Forestry that superseded them. Landscape has always impressed itself upon me. As a very small child, I recall walking along a long, straight country road near my home that ended abruptly at the feet of the Campsie Fells. The hills towered over me in a way that made me dizzy with vertigo, a sensation I still recall quite clearly as I write. Later, we came to Galloway. The landscape captured me immediately. With my collie dog, I roamed free through our glen, always seeking the summits that would grant me views in every direction. South, the Solway coast would shimmer in the sun. North, the rolling green fields of Ayrshire could be glimpsed on a clear day. East, the hills tumbled slowly down to the Nith Valley and Dumfries. West, the Rhins of Kells loomed, still clinging to winter even late into spring. This landscape fired my eleven-yearold imagination. I daydreamed as I walked, stocking the high hillsides with dragons, the green woods with elves and the many chattering burns with fairies. I wandered in a fantastical world of my own, transported from my awkward, nomadic childhood. At my new school, we walked the hills to learn from them. Our History teacher led us on the trail of the Killing Times, showing us the savage nature of religious struggle right beneath our feet. She led us to the places where people had once gathered in secret to worship, where the roar of a waterfall drowned out their voices and the hills hid them from sight as they prayed. I felt their ghosts flicker at the edges of my perceptions. She led us to the place in our quiet village street where a public torturing had sparked an armed rebellion. In the silence of my imagination, I could still hear the screams. When you climb to the summit of one of our hills, you can see clearly the connections that criss-cross the land below. You can follow the path of the river and see how it formed the shape and configurations of the villages and farms on its banks. You can see from the patterns of the roads how they have sustained those places that remain, but you can also see the disconnected ruins of the places that died. You can see, simultaneously, how the land lies now and how it lay in the past. The old pack road that winds down View over Clatteringshaws Loch by Duncan McNaught into the glen from I dug deeper again into the secret the seaport of histories of our glen and found the Old Portpatrick is one of the marks left by Wife of Bogha, a woman who fell victim the past. Maintained now for tourists to the hysteria of Witchcraft, a woman as the Southern Upland Way, it once suspected on account of her literacy. brought vital trade to our glen. I’ve Each time we drive to our weekly shop, stood in one of the ruined villages on we pass the site of her home. In the its route. My feet planted on that old Kirkyard, at the session house, I can pack road, my hands on the tumbled pause and hear her staunchly vow her stones of the former Inn, I pictured the innocence, and I think I can hear scorn drunken revellers stumbling away from in her voice. I can follow the road they the door in the moonlight, and heard took her to Kirkcudbright, I can stand horses nickering warily in the ruined outside the cell where they starved, stable opposite at the noise. It’s just tortured and harried her for two long feet away from where the miller’s wife years to confess to crimes I know she did not believe in. I can close my eyes and marvel at the strength of character it took her to resist. I can feel my once hid Robert the Bruce from the heart break as she did at last, begging English and her husband. for death. Her voice is persistent, her That closeness to such potent suffering vivid through it, and all too history grew in me, fed my sense of easily I understand it. ‘scottishness’, built my inner voice. As One night I went for a walk past I have dug deeper into the landscape’s sunset. The sky was still awash with past, it has fed me characters that have the golden glow of the sun’s passing. added nuance to my inner voice. The clouds were inky and lined silver. I followed the Bruce throughout our The moon appeared in a disclike rend hills, stood where he watched the Battle in the clouds, a sliver of celestial magic of Glentrool unfold, slept in a bunk framed against a backdrop of cosmic on a spot he once slept. I’ve followed luminescence. Venus lingered below, him where countless others have too, peeking at the night. A mere pinprick seeking to relive the history of our of brilliance, she was dwarfed by an country. But I’ve followed others too, ominous bank of cloud as she skimmed others whose paths are much less well low over the dark spine of the Rhinns. trodden. I followed the Covenanter Beneath it all, lay the quieted glen, ‘Black’ James McMichael from the spot smudged by swirling tendrils of mist where he murdered a turncoat minister, rising from the shrouded river. through the landscape in which he hid The riot of autumn colour that clad the from the King’s forces, to the bitter hillsides was muted in the gloaming, end of his life in an unmarked grave. faded to soft, indistinct browns. The His passing became a secret hidden village appeared as brief splashes of in leather bound history books. He white light while night crept over it was brave but reckless, a savage man with dewy fingers. Bennan Hill rose in with a passionate belief, a compelling the background, conical and sinister as character who also repelled me. His Mount Doom in the last bloody light of voice was harsh, his tenor righteous, the set sun, its sides smeared with haze his passion driven by zeal. So and the murk of encroaching night. different from me, but yet, his voice I I committed each tone to memory, understood. Sometimes when I stand savoured the drama of this old part in front of our Town Hall and close my of this old country and imagined a eyes, I can still hear the creak of the thousand different sunsets that have gibbet where they hung him. I try not gilded these old hills before. to imagine the rank smell that must Angela Miller have accompanied his corpse. In the silence of my imagination, I could still hear the screams. Glenkens Gazette page 22 GLORIES OF MADAGASCAR On a cold but bright afternoon, members of New Galloway Rural were treated to a talk on far away, hot and dusty Madagascar, by Sarah and Janet Woods. We heard how, with an attitude of “if we don’t do it now, we may be too late!”, our intrepid speakers decided it was time to do it... We learned that Madagascar is an island off the coast of South Africa created long ago when it broke away from the mainland, and took with it only certain creatures. No lions, tigers, elephants or rhinoceroses were included. The animals that went on the island Nature Notes 1914 Mr Ian McCulloch of Troquhain House, Balmaclellan, recently found a large sheet of handwritten nature notes from 1914 made by four gardeners from the estate. He has permitted copies to be made and passed on to anyone with an interest. Paul Goodwin has scanned and ‘cleaned it up a little’ and has sent in the extract to the right. These notes are over a century old and are fascinating to compare with the present day - note particularly the reference to a Corncrake, a bird not seen in Galloway for many years. If anyone would like an electronic copy of the full scan (best viewed with zoom on a computer) then please email Paul on notes@paulgoodwin.me.uk developed and became special to Madagascar. We learned about the rice fields going up the side of the mountains, and how people live mainly on rice and chicken. We saw some fantastic exotic plants in amazing colours, and creatures such as chameleons, lemurs, monkeys, spiders, butterflies, and birds, which we will never see in our colder climate. It was a lovely interlude from the long cold wet days of our Scottish spring. Helen Bullock, Secretary Glenkens Gazette page 23 OBITUARY FOR BILL BLYTH OF BLOWPLAIN FARM Bill Blyth was born at home on Blowplain Farm on 28 May 1935, the first son of his parents William and Anna. His father had bought the farm in 1932 aged 21 and had moved down from Dundee to start in farming. Bill continued to live there for his 81 years except for the two years he left for his National Service when he was posted in Northern Ireland. He married Mary in 1960 and they spent their lives at Blowplain, raising their three daughters, farming, planting trees and extending the gardens. He particularly loved daffodils and with Mary planted hundreds of varieties. He had many other interests throughout his life including bee keeping and poultry, and in particular his antiquarian books about local history. He studied Galloway history for many years, building up a wonderful collection of books which were his pride and joy, and latterly contributed historical articles to the Gazette. He was ultimately a family man who loved being at home on his farm surrounded by family and friends, and will be sadly and very much missed by all. He died peacefully on 10 April and was buried at home at Blowplain surrounded by his daffodils, with a view looking out towards the Galloway hills. The Brownies Well In the area of the Glenkens there are many strange names for some of the local features. One of these is The Brownies Well located at Bogue Farm, Dalry. An explanation for this mysterious name can be found in the following text taken from the book published in 1824 Lights and Shadows of Scottish Character and Scenery by Cincinnatus Caledonius - also known as John Gordon Barbour of Dalry. “When Grierson of Lagg and Graham of Claverhouse were traversing Galloway for the destruction of Covenanters, some families, at their peril, concealed the persecuted, and carried them victuals. Among these, Ramsay of Bogue was one. He wished well at all times to his King. But he also wished well to virtue and his country. There were some sequestered spots in his farm, where the persecuted often met, and to the Holy Linn, Society Holm and Cushat Craggs, himself or his children would carry bread to the hungry. The persecutors had spies – and the doings of Ramsay was known, and he was summoned before the Council of Scotland. Who was to manage his farm in his absence? Who was to cut his corn, and carry it to the barn? For it was the eve of autumn when he was summoned away. No matter, his corn was shorn and carried to the barn-yard. Twas threshed and carried to the kiln. The fields of Ramsay were seen waving yellow on the one day, and were observed to be cut down and stooked on the next. This was observed with astonishment. But it had been whispered for some weeks past that the Bogue was frequented by brownies! They were seen issuing under night from the woods near the Garpal. They were seen, with long cloaks about the Cushie Craggs, and they had been observed cowering away from the ox-byre towards the large spring-well beyond it. No wonder then that the large crop, west from the well, was standing at night and stooked in the morning! No wonder “ae night there wasna ae threshen sheaf in a the barn, an the neist mornin’ ten pecks o’ threshen aits.” Well, blessed be the brownies. They had a strange howff about the Bogue. “Ramsay got his work very strangely wrought,” so the neighbours said. But how indeed was it wrought? And who were these brownies? The poor persecuted, who got their bread and clothes from the family of Ramsay, now cut his corn in his absence. In the moonlight they stole from the wood and the stream, and, like unearthly beings indeed, dealt heavenly gratitude to the family of their benefactor. The Covenanters Bill with some of his beautiful collection of books. Below is a submission that Bill had previously sent in to the Gazette, and he is also featured in Ted Cowan’s history piece on p27. alone were the brownies! Their victuals were sometimes carried under night to that croft, and they came to slake their thirst at the forenamed fountain. And while they stood there, under the spreading ash, often did these persecuted vow love to heaven, to one another, and gratitude to their benefactor. They got a candle by night, and in pairs threshed their sustainers grain. They took his horses under the September moon, and housed his corn, or sometimes carried the threshen grain to the mill. Through the influence of Kenmure, a friend to the persecuted and Ramsays’ own landlord, the tenant was dismissed. Although he was indeed fined. He scorned to deny the sustenance he had given, but he had not borne arms. He was therefore dismissed and returned to his family. The helpful persecuted were happy at his return. He blessed them for their harvest aid; and they blessed him for renewed shelter. He abated not his kindness. The frowns of guilty power bore small terror to him. He would not curse his king; but he would succour affliction. The storm at length abated. William of Orange landed in England. In Scotland persecution came to an end. Presbyterianism, industry, and allegiance returned. The peasantry ‘forgot not to assemble themselves together’, but they now assembled in their native churches.” Contributed by the late Bill Blyth of Blowplain, with information sourced from www.kirkcudbright.co Glenkens Gazette page 24 AIR CRASHES TO THE NORTH OF CARSPHAIRN Previous articles have told the stories of air crashes on Corserine and around Loch Doon. This article covers three air crashes to the North of Carsphairn. The first of these was that of a Spitfire which crashed on the North East of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn on 23 May 1942 killing the sole occupant, Pilot Officer David G Hunter Blair. David was only nineteen years old when he died and was the son of Capt Sir Edward Hunter Blair Bart of Straiton. Unusually for a crash in the Glenkens, this was an operational flight rather than a training mission. David served with 242 Squadron and was one of several pilots sent to provide top cover for the Queen Mary which was arriving in UK laden with US soldiers. His plane was a Spitfire Vb AD540 ‘Blue Peter’ – it had been paid for by funds raised in Newmarket and was named after the 1939 Derby winner. The pilot blacked out due to a fault with the oxygen, but came to in time to bail out. Tragically, his parachute failed to open correctly and he was severely injured and died shortly after he was found. He landed close to where the plane crashed on Cairnsmore of Carsphairn, only 15 miles from his family home. The aircraft wreckage was discovered and parts were recovered in 1993 with the assistance of a Royal Naval Sea King helicopter from HMS Gannet in Ayr. The engine has subsequently been restored and is on display at the Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum. There is also a small memorial at the very remote crash site and another marking the spot where he died. There are several well written articles on the web, just put ‘blue peter spitfire’ into your favourite search engine. The recovery of the wreckage was also covered by the Would you like the opportunity to have your own online business, with support from a team? Do you like healthy living and high quality skin care? Yes? Then please contact Katy Caie, Arbonne Independent Consultant, on 07756 506 496 or visit http://catrionacaie.arbonne.com TV programme Blue Peter because of the coincidence of the name and that program is currently available to view on Youtube. The second crash in this area was an Avro Anson serial DG575 which crashed on 5 December 1942 in Carsphairn Forest almost six miles North of Carsphairn. All five crew were killed. Ansons were used for general transport and also to train crews on flying multi-engined aircraft and in navigation. The final air crash in this area is by far the largest aircraft, the most recent crash and therefore, arguably, the most memorable. On 7 July 1951, Boeing B29 Tanker serial 4483950 crashed into the field to the South of Brockloch Tower killing all eleven men on board. This was a US Air Force Superfortress similar to the type used to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but this one had been converted into a tanker for air to air refuelling. In addition to the usual crew of ten, it also carried a refuelling boom operator. USAF Boeing KB-29P 44-83950 took off from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk at at just after 9am. At 11am the aircraft contacted the controller at Prestwick, the pilot reported they were at an altitude of 14,500ft. A few minutes later the aircraft was seen by witnesses on the ground descending out of cloud over Carsphairn. The fuel tanks, containing an estimated 8,000 US gallons, exploded and completely destroyed the aircraft, scattering it over a considerable area. A memorial was unveiled on 21 September 1952 by Mrs Evelyn McMillan of Brockloch, and latterly Lamloch, Carsphairn. The memorial is situated in a dyke to the South of Brockloch tower and facing the tower but the actual crash site is about 100 yards to the west. There was actually a fourth crash in this area (on Beninner to the South of Cairnsmore) but I will carry this one Wright’s Shop & Post Office Dalry Licensed convenience store and newsagent stocking a range of local suppliers including Corsons and Irvings Bakers, Ballards and Dalmellington Country Butchers and Mitchells Fruit and Veg. Opening Times (both shop & PO): Monday to Friday: 7am – 6pm Saturday: 8am – 6pm Sunday: 8.30am – 4pm Tel: 01644 430 225 Top: Map showing crash sites. Middle: Royal Navy Sea King recovering Merlin engine from Spitfire ‘Blue Peter’ ©Alan Leishman. Below: Mrs Evelyn McMillan unveiling B29 memorial. over to the next (and final) article on Air Crashes in the Glenkens. If you have anything to add to these stories, especially photographs of the crash sites or the men involved, please get in touch on 07973 174 342. Paul Goodwin THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm 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 � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � Glenkens Gazette page 25 Polharrow School The founding of the school in 1842 was due to Mr John Kennedy, the landed gentleman who built the present house at Knockalling. This family was covered by Ted Cowan in Issue 96 of the Gazette. The first Master was Mr John Cowan and he held the post for many years. There are references to prizes won in 1843 and 1855. The Post Office Directory of 1878 informs us that a Mr John Hamilton was the Master at Pollharrow School. Subsequent Masters were Mr McJannet and then a Mr Wilson. A new school was built in 1891 and was located a little further west on the other side of the Polharrow Burn. The building still remains and is known as the Schoolhouse. The roll was always rather modest and the various teachers through the years commented on the poor attendance pattern. The figures sat at around 20 children between 1900 and 1903. We do have some record of the teachers. Miss Jeannie Brown was the teacher from 1891-95, Miss Hannay, 1895-97, and then Miss Jennie Lamb, 1897-98, Miss Isobel Fisher, 1898-1900 and then Miss Mary Jane Callander from 1900. We also know that a Mrs Alexander was teaching there in the 1930s. In 1944 Miss E S McClure was appointed as Headteacher, having previously worked in Mansfield. Even at the end of the C.19th the younger scholars worked on slate and the older ones moved on to paper. The Inspectors Report for April 1892 included the section, “Miss Brown does excellent work in this small school.” Her Majesty’s Inspectors continued to be pleased with affairs at the school. In 1902 they said, “The pleasant tone which has in recent years prevailed in the School again calls for remark.” The School Log Book gives only brief glimpses of life at Polharrow. “Snow lying deep today. Obliged to open School without scholars.” (January 1895); “Special attention to cutting out and darning for girls.” (March 1895); “Some difficulty in getting homework well done.” (September 1895); “Merit Certificates for A. Hewitson and J.Smith.” (April 1901); “Two boys have left being over 14 years.” (March 1917); “The infant boys are making good progress with their knitting.” (June 1917). In the Great War the children made their contributions. However, there is not a single mention in the log book about the War or any of the national events. We know from other sources that they joined with others from Kells and Mossdale Schools to make crutches for the wounded and disabled soldiers. The children always looked forward to their Annual Festive Treat in the Town Hall, usually hosted by the ladies of Knockalling. In the Second World War the school, like all others, took evacuees. We have some of the names of the prizewinners from 1939-42 from the Dumfries and Photo of the Issue Fraser McCormick wins a meal for two at the Ken Bridge Hotel’s Sunday carvery with his shot of the Ken Bridge. Competition judges Dave and Sue said: “we wouldn’t normally choose a picture of the Ken Bridge as we have so many but it’s a nice composition showing the arches, so we’re putting that in first place for this issue. We also loved the panoramic views submitted, especially of Loch Dungeon. Well done to everybody, and congratulations on your anniversary.” The old schoolhouse, now converted into a house. Galloway Standard. Between 1939 and 1942, each year has repeats of surnames often two or three times, such as Robertson, Pringle, Denny and Thorburn, which reminds us that, in small rural schools, most children sat in the schoolroom with brothers and sisters. In 1944 the children from the school made the national newspaper with a distinctive contribution to the war effort. “When they have finished their lessons the senior pupils of Polharrow School, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright put away their school books and take up dusters and mops. The Education Committee has been unable to find a cleaner for the school, and the pupils are doing the work …” 18 June 1944- Sunday Post In 1947, in common with other rural primaries, the school lost its senior pupils to the new secondary department at Dalry. By 1951 it was on its last legs. Bruce Smith Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel Glenkens Gazette page 26 Who Do We Think We Were? This issue features Merryn Fergusson, describing her first experiences of life as the wife of an Ayrshire farmer. The photo was taken at her wedding at (believe it or not) St Merryn Church, near Padstow in Cornwall. Several readers have indicated that they too have a story they would like to tell. I am eagerly awaiting these promised contributions, or, indeed, any others; all that is required is 500 words of reminiscence, from any part of your life, whenever it was, wherever you were. Please send your contribution - of no more than 500 words - by email to margaret.elphinstone@ dircon.co.uk or hand in a copy at CatStrand marked ‘Glenkens Gazette - WDWTWW’. Next issue’s contribution will be from Marion Bone, writing about her early memories of coming over from Ayrshire with her family for the New Galloway Show. VILLAGE LIFE: 1974 Aren’t you going to say “‘Good Morning’ to Jim?” Alex asked. I felt this rebuke was unwarranted. I was unaware that Jim was among the five men dressed in their Sunday best, that we had passed, standing in the Church porch. We had returned from honeymoon that week and I was ill prepared for life as a farmer’s wife. I was guilty of a lack of imagination as to what living in a remote Ayrshire village might entail. July is the time for ‘gatherings’ to shear and ‘mark’ the sheep. I contributed by learning to roll the shorn fleece and hold the lambs steady while marking. The hours were punctuated by meals provided by the shepherd’s wife, and this was where my initiation into ‘hogs’ and ‘gimmers’ and singular attributes such as a ‘soo mooth’ began. Jim was not strictly a herd, despite his surname being Lambie, but a grieve because as well as sheep he had care of cows and crops. I had never seen him other than with his close cropped fifties style haircut and working clothes. How was I expected to recognise him with his head covered by a hat and wearing a suit, or anticipate that he might be an Elder of the Kirk? This was only the first of many occasions where I was wrong footed in my alien world. In August I caught a chill and was ill for a week. Once I recovered more than one person asked me if I was better. I was yet to learn that this was one of the boons, as well as the banes, of village life. No-one and nothing went unnoticed. Why else had my newly acquired Uncle planned to drive through the village with a pram strapped to the roof of his car if not to fuel speculations as to why we had married with such apparent haste? As people got to know me, and I them, I would be asked in a friendly way if ‘that was you going for your messages?’ This mystifying question was solved once I realised the Scots connection with France. French I was familiar with, and ‘faire de messages’ means doing your shopping. This link helped again when I was asked for an Merryn and Alex Fergusson, St Merryn Church, near Padstow, June 20th 1974. achette at a fund raising event. Sooner than expected, but not before nine months, a baby arrived. Proudly I pushed the pram through the village. Half recognisable people would take Iain’s hand, close his fist over a coin, and ‘crossing his palm with silver’ slip the coin under his blanket. Alex became rather mercenary and suggested unnecessary walks to the shop. I joined others and their children to watch my first village wedding. When the young couple drove away to the reception the groom threw coins out of the window. With a flurry the children scampered unashamedly to fill their pockets. This tradition I learnt was called a ‘scramble’. It was, I thought, a much more generous gesture than covering newly marrieds with confetti. ...this was where my initiation into ‘hogs’ and ‘gimmers’ and singular attributes such as a ‘soo mooth’ began. GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL � 01644 420234 � New Galloway Golf Club Founded 1902 www.nggc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Glenkens Gazette page 27 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN Bill Blyth’s School Friend Bill Blyth late of Blowplain will be sadly missed by all his friends and acquaintances. At his funeral in April Balmaclellan Kirk was full to the brim. Many folk knew him in all sorts of capacities but some of us remember him best as a local historian with a deep knowledge of his parish, Galloway and the Southwest. He would drop by my house from time to time to discuss some aspect or other of the region’s past inspired by his reading, or often by his memory. He would appear with some notes or some papers which he had been studying, but which he was uncertain how to take further. We both enjoyed the crack and often our differing opinions on the matters in question, agreeing to work together to answer some of the queries he raised. Unfortunately, Bill’ s health prevented us from taking our plans further, much to my regret. Historians like me find scraps of information in books, manuscripts and printed sources which we then try to match by asking the likes of Bill if they have ever come across similar information. He had an enviable knowledge of the ground. He loved figuring out the meaning of placenames drilling into the names themselves but also by applying his knowledge of local topography. It was quite hard to shake his opinions. He was very taken with the story that a Danish prince is buried under the Dalarran Stane, arguing that the details, for example that the prince had been killed at the Battle of Dalarran, had come down to our generation through oral tradition and all over Scotland there are stories that Danish princes are buried under large monoliths and in any case if the prince had been slain would his followers have had time to bury him? Would they not have retreated at the earliest opportunity, chased out by irate Glenkensians? My views did not convince him one bit. He would not budge on the matter. One project that he had in mind was to write about a friend of his that he had met at Balmaclellan School but he was worried that some notes he attended the village school in Balmaclellan where he became good friends with Bill Blyth. At this point Bill was to have contributed a piece on his memories of Robert and their wanderings in the countryside. Robert passed the ‘Qualie’ or Qualification Exam with flying colours winning the Glenkens Bursary and the pathway to Kirkcudbright Academy, where he fell under the spell of an excellent Classics teacher, John Mackenzie. Bill had to leave school at 14 to help on the farm. Robert achieved Dux of Kirkcudbright Academy and went on to Glasgow University where, among other subjects, he studied Roman coinage under Anne S. Robertson. On graduation he joined the Royal Artillery and in 1947 he secured a post at the British Museum. A massive number of erudite publications on coinage followed. At some point Bill Blyth decided to look up Carson at the British Museum. I am not sure when, but it was a successful visit as the two reminisced about Balmaclellan. Had he been spared he would have told us more but it was typical of Bill to renew an acquaintance after such a long time. In view of the Viking Hoard campaign it is of interest that Carson succeeded in having the find’s ‘Treasure Trove’ status for gold and silver objects extended to those made of bronze. Bill was extremely proud of people like Carson who went on from ‘a wee school like Balmaclellan’ to become a leader in his or her profession. Bill also made an important mark but personally I regret that we lacked the opportunity to learn much more, especially about Glenkens, from his vast knowledge. In view of the Viking Hoard campaign...Carson succeeded in having the find’s ‘Treasure Trove’ status for gold and silver objects extended to those made of bronze. that the burial was also mentioned in poems and songs. My view is that had acquired on this individual might somehow breach copyright. The man he had in mind was Robert Andrew Glendinning Carson (19182006) who became the Keeper of Coins and Medals at the British Museum and ‘the leading British expert in Roman numismatics of his generation’. He was born at Borgue but his family had lived in the Glenkens since the mid-eighteenth century. His first schooling was at Twynholm but when his family moved farms he Robert Carson © the British Museum Ted Cowan Glenkens Gazette QUIZ NIGHT FUN Balmaclellan Village Hall’s Quiz Night was a great success. Eight teams, answered seven rounds of questions, including a picture round, based on famous people with birds in their name, well the quiz mistress was Kay Bird, Secretary Balmaclellan Village Hall, so what would you expect! Other rounds included Pot Luck, Science and Nature, Sport, Name that Year, Geography, and Music. Well done to the winners, Kells page 28 Academicals.Thank you to everyone who supported the event which raised £180.52 through the quiz and raffle, which will go towards the upkeep and maintenance of the Village Hall. Look out for details for the next Quiz Night to be held in early October 2017. Robin Jardine, Chair Balmaclellan Village Hall Wendletrap SPALDING BOWLING CLUB Tai Chi This style of authentic Tai Chi is a method of personal development, enriching the wellbeing of the body, mind, spirit and artistic sense. The course embraces relaxation techniques, mindfulness and simple repetitive Chi Gung movements and, most importantly, students are taught ‘The Form’ of Tai Chi; slow, graceful movements. Wednesdays, 2-3.30pm CatStrand, New Galloway Spalding Bowling Club’s President Mat Taylor welcomed everyone to the open day, and Mat’s son Joe Taylor threw the silver Jack and declared the green open. It was a lovely day and a great turnout, and lovely to see new members. We hope everyone has a good season! Valerie Russell As part of the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership ‘Loch Ken Fisheries Study’ Galloway Fisheries Trust invite you to attend an End of Project Presentation Evening Wednesday 19 July 7-9pm CatStrand, New Galloway For more information, please see the Galloway Fisheries Trust Website ‘Loch Ken Fisheries Study’ Project Page and ‘Latest News’ Section. - three changing cask ales & cider - fresh, seasonal & local food - en suite accommodation - open all day every day - award-winning food, beer & atmosphere - en-suite accommodation - 20% off takeaway discount - country sport & walkers facilities - early bird menu available for June; two courses for £13 Mon-Thurs, 5.30-6.45pm - 01644 430 241 www.theclachaninn.co.uk Glenkens Gazette Scout Thank You To date, the total from our recent Glenkens Scout Group Jumble Sale stands at £1,194. The leaders, Cub Scouts and Beavers would like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to the people of the Bumper Sale! The recent Plant and Bake sale held at St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, raised over £600 for the Stewartry branch of the Food Train and Befriending Service. Despite a damp and chilly morning, the event was very well attended and sales were brisk. A wide variety of cakes, biscuits, bread, scones, tablet, tomato and vegetable seedlings, herbaceous plants, annuals and houseplants all proved so popular that the sale finished well ahead of schedule. Ladies Guild President Christine Rankin said: “We are very grateful for everyone’s support for the excellent Food Train and Befriending Service but would stress that next year it would be a good idea to get there early to avoid disappointment!”. Calling Crafts Folk Dalry Town Hall Management Committee propose to hold a Craft Fair in Dalry Town Hall on Saturday 16 September 2017. Large tables are available at £10 each and half tables can be provided if required. To book or for more info contact Noreen Bell on 07759 494 952 or noreenbell46@gmail.com page 29 Glenkens and beyond for their support in donating and to all who came to purchase goods. A special thank you to parents, Group committee, Friends of Scouting and not forgetting the young members themselves, who worked very hard to make this happen. This is a fantastic amount of money and is very much appreciated. Yours in Scouting, Heather DALRY POLICE STATION DROP-IN THURSDAY 1 JUNE 9-10.30AM Our local PC is Chloe Ellis who can be contacted by telephone for nonemergencies on 101. FACEBOOK FOR BALMACLELLAN COMMUNIY COUNCIL Balmaclellan Communitiy Council now has a Facebook page. Posted on Facebook are the names of the community council councillors, the minutes of meetings and information on events in and around Balmaclellan. SNAIL MANAGER WANTED Manager/Promotions Executive for a very successful long established snail racing stable needed. For over 20 years now snail racing has been one of the highlights of the Alternative Games, raising many thousands of pounds for local charities. The organising committee are looking to recruit someone to undertake the planning and promotion of the event this year. This would include: signing up race sponsors, recruiting owners, pre-event promotion and preparation of snails for race day. Full training and support provided. This would NOT include on the day race commentary as this will be undertaken by our local racing pundit. Any local organisation willing to take on this role could be eligible for a percentage of the rewards. Please contact Margaret on 07770 688 514. Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal 2017 Thanks to the generosity of our communities and participating outlets in the Glenkens, just over £133.55 was raised for Marie Curie Cancer Care during this year’s Daffodil Appeal. The static countertop cans raised a further £172.45 throughout the year. Our donations will go towards much needed practical nursing care for terminally ill people in our area. Marie Curie nursing services are totally free to patients and their families, and the Daffodil Campaign is a vital part of fundraising for the charity. Please continue to drop in your loose change when you see the distinctive yellow cans, as every penny helps! Thank you, and congratulations to the Gazette on 100 wonderfully informative issues! Natalie Vardey GAZETTE COMMENTS... “I just thought I would let you know that I’ve heard a lot of good comments about the Gazette; a number of people mentioned how much they thought it had improved and someone said they looked forward to getting it more than the Galloway News!” “A great way to find all that’s going on in the lovely place we live. Well done - thank you.” Jenny Glenkens Gazette MAY page 30 JUNE & JULY Wed 31, GCC AGM, 12noon, Glenkens Community Centre, see p16 JUNE Thu 1, Dalry Police Station Drop-in, 910.30am, see p29 Fri 2, GCC AGM, 11am, Glenkens Community Centre, see p16 Fri 2, Mairi Campbell: Pulse, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 3, Alan Bisset: Moira Monologues, 4pm, CatStrand Sat 3, Richard III: A One Woman Show, 7.30pm, CatStrand Thu 8, FILM: La La Land, 7.30pm, CatStrand Thu 8, GTI Trip: Broughton House Garden Sat 10, Jim McPhee at the Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival (runs Thu 8-Sun 11) Fri 16, The Danberrys, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 16, CatStrand Youth Players Comedy Show, 7.30pm, CatStrand, p14 Sat 17, The Danberrys, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 17, Dalry Summer Ceilidh, part of the Great Community Get Together in memory of murdered MP Joe Cox. Sat 17, New round of grants available from Glenkens Community Shop - pick up a grant application form from the shop on Main St, Dalry. Thurs 22, Youth Activities Info Session, 6-8pm, CatStrand, see p15 Fri 23, Dark Sky Jazz Club presents: SUGARWORK, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 24, Youth Activities Info Session, 122pm, Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, see p15 Sat 24, Glenkens Story: The War Dead Remembered, contact theglenkensstory@ gmail.com or text 07766 686 402. Sun 25, Midsummer Piano Duets, 6pm, CatStrand Wed 28, My Darling Clementine, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 30, Anne Charaund: Album Launch, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 30-Sun 2 July, Permaculture/ Sustainable Culture Gathering, The Hidden Mill, Balmaclellan, see p5 JULY Tue 5, GTI Bus Trip: New Lanark (plus Lego Brick City Exhibition), see p8 Wed 6, FILM: Toni Erdmann, 7.30pm, CatStrand Wed 12, Open Stage, 7.30pm, CatStrand Wed 19, Loch Ken Fisheries Study; End of Project Presentation Evening, 7-9pm CatStrand, see p28 Fri 21, Redwood Mountain ,7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 21, Improv Academy, CatStrand, see p15 Sun 23, GTI Bus Trip: The Grand Garden; Culzean Castle Garden, Maybole, see p8 Thurs 27, 11am, Stop Motion Animation Workshop, CatStrand, see p15 Thu 27, FILM: My Life As A Courgette, 7.30pm, CatStrand AUGUST Mon 7-Sun 12, World Gold Panning Championships, Moffat, see p6 SHOW US YOUR TALENT! Submit an application now to be part of Carsphairn’s Got Talent, 7 October - call 460 545. Closing date 31 July. CARSPHAIRN SHOW SATURDAY 3rd JUNE SHEEP JUDGING, SHEEP DOG TRIALS CHILDRENS‛ SPORTS & PET SHOW, OPEN DOG SHOW INDUSTRIAL SECTION IN LAGWYNE HALL For further info ring 01644 430 467 or visit www.carsphairn.org Glenkens Gazette page 31 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Margaret Morris dance 1: 3-7yrs, Mon (term-time), 3.45-4.30pm Margaret Morris dance 2: 8-16yrs, Mon (term-time), 4.30-5.15pm Youth Volunteer Meet-up, Tues, 68pm, FREE PIZZA Choreographic Skills Lab: Mon (term-time), 7 - 8.30pm ages 12-18 Gentle Tai Chi: Wed, 10am, 60+ Wendletrap Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3.30pm Glenkens Writing Group: First Wed each month 3-5pm Sing it Out: Thurs, 11am -12pm CatStrand Ukes: Thurs, 1pm – 3.30pm 60+ Zumba Gold: Fri (term-time), 1011am, CatStrand, 16+ Saturday Art Club: 2nd & 4th Sat of the month, 10am–12noon, to book call 420 374 Catstrand Youth Players: Sun during term time, 2pm Glenkens Acoustic Sessions: last Sun of the month, 2-4pm Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, (contact Kath on 430 281): Paint & Art: Mon, 1.30-4.30pm & Wed, 7-9pm GCC Playgroup: Tues, Wed & Thurs, 9.15-11.45am, contact Miriam 07514 320 101 Guides: Tues during term-time, 68pm, contact: Kath 430 281 Good Neighbours’ Club: Tues, 2pm Brownies: Thurs 6-7.30pm Kickback Martial Arts: Thurs, 7-9pm Thursday Craft Group: Thurs, 2-4pm Glenkens Children’s Club: Fri, 10am-12noon New Galloway Town Hall: LING Lunches: Tues, 11am-2pm Indoor Sports: Tues, 7-9pm Zumba: Wed, 7.30-8.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, 11+ Footcare by Stewartry Care: Thurs by appointment (Tel: 01556 504699), New Galloway Town Hall Family and friends coming to stay? Various Locations: Short of space? Carsphairn Post Office: Tues, 1-3pm, Lagwyne Hall Beavers: Tues, 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training: Tues & Thurs, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Mossdale Painters: Wed, 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Carsphairn Heritage Centre, 1 June to 25 September, Thurs to Mon, 10am-4pm Glenhaven Gallery, Thurs-Sun, 12noon4pm, Main St, Dalry Youth Writing Group: Thurs (during term time), 3.30-5pm, ages 10-15, Dalry School Coffee & Craft Group: Fri, 9am12noon, Lagwyne Hall Folk Music Session, 4th Fri each month, 7.30/8pm till closing, Ken Bridge Hotel Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: 4th Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall. CHECK OUT NEW FACEBOOK PAGE! Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. Service with Choir, 30 July CHURCH TIMES United 10.30am, Dalry Church CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services - Balmaclellan 12noon: 1st. Carsphairn 10.30am: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Dalry 9am: 1st, 2nd, 3rd(Jul), 4th. Dalry 10.30am 2nd(Jul), 5th(Jul). Kells 10.30am: 2nd(Jul), 3rd, 4th. Special Services/Events:Songs of Praise with Sanquhar & District Silver Band and Glenkens Church Choir, 4 June, 6pm, Newfield Green United Family Service (Kells/Dalry), 11 June 10.30am, Dalry Church 713 Pop-up Bistro, Carsphairn Shop & Tearoom, last Friday each month, contact 460 568 Scouts: Thurs, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Gentle Tai Chi: Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk To hire the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) behind Dalry School call Sonja Tranter on 430 244 or Nicolette Wise on 430 218. Dalry Library Tuesdays 12noon-3.30pm Fridays 10am-12noon & 1-4.30pm For further library van stops and informa�on contact Castle Douglas library on 01556 502 643 ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Communion Services: 2 July, 10.15am, Carsphairn Church. Although the Clachan Fair is no longer happening, we have decided still to hold the Songs of Praise. Call 07727 127 997 SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Police, non-emergency: 101 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 USEFUL NUMBERS: Glenkens Gazette page 32 YOUR HOTLINE TO HARBRO PRODUCTS JIM on 07900 246 100 Penpont, Thornhill, DG3 4JS Tel: 01848 330 419 Mob: 07900 246 100 jim.campbell@harbro.co.uk www.harbro.co.uk THINK…Dosing Ewes & Lambs/ Nematodirus, Selenium, Cobalt Deficient… THINK…Silage Sheets, Net Wrap, Bale Wrap, Stack Net THINK…Gardening, 15% Plants, Compost, and Most Westland Products THINK…Art Centre - June: Lauren Wyllie Art and Mr Clubb Metal Sculptures 15% THINK…HARBRO All products at very compe��ve prices and delivery if required 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 AUG/SEPT COPY DEADLINE: 5 JULY Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk 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 100 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_100 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 2017 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade