15 10 430 https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/287/GlenkensGazette140.pdf e8bec81ec8faec238afeed6be46f62d0 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 140 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document February/March 2024 ISSUE 140 'Mothballing' proposal for Dalry Secondary FREE INSIDE THIS ISSUE Council officials defy local opinion The Galloway Food E ducation officials are to ignore the results of a recent public consultation and are recommending that Dalry Secondary School should be mothballed after the summer holidays. The news was delivered to a public meeting at the end of January to discuss the future of the school. Around 70 audience members were in attendance including parents, members of the community, community councils, ward councillors, local employers and Finlay Carson MSP. The community was unanimously against the proposal, which flies in the face of a recent public survey which had backed keeping the school open. The process Dalry pupils and parents outside the of ‘mothballing’ was secondary school likened by an audience member to “closure by stealth”. Continued on p3.... Hub Fair Food for All scheme is supporting distribution of this edition to outlying properties across the Glenkens - look out for info inside! ...turn to page 2 for more on what this scheme is all about Soldier Beth Awarded MBE T wenty-eight year old soldier Beth Duggleby was presented with an MBE by the King for operational services in the field during an investiture at Windsor Castle. Success of childminding recruitment pilot ...turn to page 3 Carsphairn-born Beth grew up with her mum, Clare, brother James and step-dad Alan. She attended Carsphairn Primary followed by Dalry Secondary School (where former classmates will know her by her previous name, Beth Bosworth). Pictured is Beth receiving her MBE from the King at Windsor Castle on 12 December 2023 Having wanted to be an accountant throughout her teenage years, she chose Kirkcudbright for her Highers. On completing her schooling, she went on to Heelinriot Watt University in Edinburgh to study for an accountancy degree. Continued on p7.... New management at the Ken Bridge Hotel ...turn to page 13 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette Fair food for all with A re you having trouble with paying household bills? Do you know someone who is struggling? page 2 Galloway Food Hub is piloting a scheme to help people who are experiencing food inequalities in the Glenkens. We want to make sure that everyone has access to good food. If you or someone you know would like to have access to high quality local food but may struggle with the cost, you can get in touch by emailing lesley@propagate.org. uk putting 'Fair Food for All' in the subject line or call 07587 122 151. Your enquiry will be confidential, and we will not share your personal details with anyone else. This scheme is being funded by the DG Climate Hub to give more people better access to climate and nature friendly, local food. Pictured: Lesley from Galloway Food Hub delivers local good food order to regular customer Amy and her family What's new on the Glenkens Hub? T he Glenkens Hub has been growing and evolving, expanding in response to feedback and demand from local voices. • helpful information, nearest Post Office, community website and Facebook pages • events and activities in the community • businesses and things to see and do in the area • news In this article are examples of new information and resources now available on the Hub. If you see something missing from your community's page, do let us know - the url for this page is www.glenkens.scot/ glenkens-communities or scan the QR code on this page. GLENKENS COMMUNITIES HEALTH, WELFARE & ADVICE We have brand new Glenkens Communities pages, bringing together information about our various localities. Each community's page features: • quick links to Community Councils, Community Groups and Community Spaces • emergency information such as defibrillator locations and community contacts Our Health, Welfare & Advice page has been updated and now has easy-to-find links to warm spaces, local support and financial advice, plus UK-wide resources, all in one place at www.glenkens.scot/ health-welfare-advice or scan the QR code on this page. REPORTS & RESOURCES ARCHIVE LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY Thanks to the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP) scheme, our resources section not only has Community Action Plan (CAP) documents, such as the Energy Efficiency in Glenkens Homes and A Vision for Land Use in the Glenkens reports, but also all the wonderful, detailed videos, booklets and 3D models created by GGLP and the Can You Dig It team during their five-year operation. Our Local Directory at www. glenkens.scot/local-directorylisting (or scan the QR code) is nowhere near complete but already contains nearly 100 local businesses, places to visit and things to do. Local businesses are vital to our communities; if you'd like to be in the Directory, please email us at glenkenshub@ hotmail.com or message us on Facebook @Glenkens Hub and we'll do the rest. You can find the Reports & Resources Archive at www. glenkens.scot/reportsresources-archive or scan the QR code on this page. and jump to overviews of CAP and GGLP, or browse individual reports. Pick a dreich day and make sure you have a cuppa; there's a lot to explore! Survey in next Gazette The Glenkens Hub will be one year old in April! The Gazette is asking for your views on its first year; is it doing what it was designed to do? Do you use it? Is it useful? Please think about any improvements you'd like to see and keep an eye out for the survey in the next Gazette. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 3 A community voice for education Continued from front page... Under questioning, the education officials could give no examples of schools having reopened after mothballing, or of any criteria or process to enable them to reopen. The survey followed a meeting on 5th December between John Thin (Head of Education - Education and Learning Directorate, Dumfries and Galloway Council), Dalry School’s Parent Council and members of the community, to discuss the future of Dalry Secondary School. The survey asked respondents their view on five options. Respondents were overwhelmingly in support of option 5, a return to the historic provision of nursery through to S4. It was the preferred choice for 47% of all respondents and 52% of respondents with pre-school/school age children. A total of 72% of comments received for this option were positive, far greater than the second most positively commented option, number 3 (Nursery to S2) with 41%. Option 1 (continue as is with no change, S1-4) and option 4 (secondary closure and re-alignment) were both equally unpopular (the preferred options for only 17% of all respondents) and the majority of comments received about both options were negative. The survey results can be found at www. glenkens.scot/glenkens-news/dalrysecondary-school-survey-results-published However, despite the survey results, education officials told the community that they will be putting forward the mothballing proposal at the next Education and Learning Committee meeting on Thursday 14 March at 10.30am. A parent council representative said: "We cannot change the geography of our area; the nature of the place we have chosen to live, and to raise our children, is rural. Due to journey times, to remove higher education from the Glenkens is to sign the deth knell for families staying in, or moving to, the Glenkens. Our children have the right to an education, just like everywhere else in Scotland, and the local authority should be working to provide this, not to take it away." It is feared that ‘mothballing’ will have hugely detrimental impacts across the communities of the Glenkens into the future. The Parent Council is calling on all members of our Glenkens communities, as well as those living further afield with an interest in the health and wellbeing of the area, to lobby councillors who sit on the Education and Learning Committee. You can find a list of committee members, along with contact details, at www. dumgal.gov.uk/dgclive Successful recruitment pilot creates new Glenkens childcare A newly-registered childminder is up and running and set to welcome the first children into her business in the Glenkens thanks to an innovative campaign to recruit new childminders in rural areas. work with children. I’d always thought about childminding, and spurred on by the advert and the support I could see was available, I decided to apply. "I’ve been so appreciative of the one-toone support I received from the Scottish Childminding Association in helping to guide me through from the start of the journey to now being able to say I’m a newly-registered childminder in the Glenkens.” Simone McDonald, who lives with her husband on a working farm in Dalry, applied to become a childminder after seeing an advert online, encouraged by the package of help available which offers one-to-one support, funding and training to help get started. Simone was working shifts as an intensive care nurse on the children’s ward in Glasgow and had been thinking for a long time about switching career to childminding to enable her to spend time with her own children. After losing her mum to a terminal illness, she decided that she wanted to re-evaluate and finally make the jump to a new career, still working with children but which would provide her with much more flexibility. “My own children are young (eight, five and three years old) and I was really fed up travelling long distances back and forward to work and feeling guilty about missing so much of their lives. They’re only this wee once! I wanted a new career with more flexibility, but which still enabled me to Offering flexible childcare five days per week, Simone wants Little Farm Childminding to provide a nurturing, home-from-home childcare environment. With a large garden, vegetable beds, an orchard, farm animals and lots of wildlife on the doorstep, her setting will also naturally very much focus on rural life experiences, with many unique outdoor learning and play opportunities for her new ‘mindees’. Led by the Scottish Childminding Association, this innovative pilot scheme was funded for the Glenkens area by Scottish Government and Glenkens & District Community Fund. Simone recently put a post on social media to say that she is now a registered as a childminder with the Care Inspectorate and open for business and was inundated with over 40 enquiries from parents, some from over 30 miles away. The demand for Simone’s service further underlines the crucial need for childminders in rural areas such as the Glenkens. Graeme McAlister, chief executive of the Scottish Childminding Association, said: “The opening of Simone’s new childminding setting in the Glenkens is a real success story and a great example of the ways in which this unique pilot is helping to provide high-quality, flexible childcare for families that need it to enable them to live and work in rural areas." For anyone interested in a career in professional childminding in the Glenkens visit www.childminding.org/childminderrecruitment for further information. Pictured are Simone’s own three children enjoying the outdoors GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 4 St Margaret's raises funds for Castle Douglas Hospital T he St Margaret’s Church Guild presented a cheque for £400 to Castle Douglas Hospital League of Friends. The bulk of the money was raised at the St Margaret’s tombola at the Alternative Games in August, and then supplemented by Guild funds. Christine Rankin said that “my mother received exemplary care when staying in Castle Douglas hospital and it is nice to be able to contribute to their funds. All of our members know someone who has benefitted from the work of the hospital's League of Friends”. Isabel Anderson, chair of the Castle Douglas Hospital League of Friends, was delighted to receive the donation. She explained that the Covid pandemic had adversely affected their work, much of which involves visiting patients in hospital which was not allowed for a long time. “This generous donation came just as we are planning a New Year campaign to attract new volunteers now that we are allowed to visit again”. The money will go towards extra equipment for the hospital as well as Christmas presents for the patients. Members of the Castle Douglas Hospital League of Friends being presented with the £400 cheque by Christine Rankin, President of St Margaret’s Guild World Day of The Stewartry Birdwatchers Prayer T T his year the World Day of Prayer service will be hosted by St Margaret's New Galloway, on Friday 1 March at 2pm. Those taking part will be drawn from all the churches in the Glenkens and the service is open to everyone. Each year the World Day of Prayer service is put together by a particular country - this year it is Palestine, that tiny area in the Middle East that has been host to the three Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam for thousands of years. The theme is 'I beg you... bear with one another in love', a particularly poignant New Testament quotation for these troubled times. The Palestinian Christian women who have developed the service are searching for a deeper understanding among all the people who share their land, trusting for and hoping in the humanity of one another. Following the service, the St Margaret's Guild will be serving refreshments. he Stewartry Birdwatchers always welcome non-members at our meetings. About halfway through any talk we have an interval when all can enjoy refreshments, have a chat and put any questions to the speakers. Our next talk will be at 10.30am on Thursday 14 March in Balmaclellan Village Hall. The speaker will be David Pickett, site manager of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Caerlaverock Reserve. The reserve is a wonderful place to visit to see thousands of barnacle and other geese as well as hundreds of whooper and mute swans, and many species of ducks and waders. These can all be viewed from a comfortable heated modern hide! The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust are developing the management of the reserve to increase the wetlands and the biodiversity in the face of a changing climate. Our excellent talk in December was by Chris Rollie titled Donald Watson’s birds in a changing landscape, which was illustrated by many of Donald’s beautiful paintings. It was all rather depressing to see how much of Galloway’s wonderful countryside has disappeared under blanket forestry and to know that nowadays so much more is going under blanket windfarms and blanket silage fields. Donald moved to Dalry some 50 years ago and enjoyed Galloway at its best. I was lucky to know him and many years ago walked the 15-mile length of our hills, the Rhinns of Kells, with him and two other friends. Almost at the end of the day Donald identified a roughlegged buzzard for us – a real surprise. I only appreciated the smoke from his pipe when we spent many hours amongst Galloway’s hordes of midges trying to locate the nest of his favourite bird, the hen harrier! The last talk of the session, at 7.30pm in Balmaclellan on Thursday 11 April, is about hen harriers, which were once widespread in the UK but have now fallen victim to habitat loss, land use change and continuing persecution. The results of a recent national survey of these birds will let us know how they are faring in Scotland. Artist, ornithologist and author Donald Watson made a special study of this species and his important book The Hen Harrier, illustrated by the author, was published in 1977 by Poyser. Many changes will have taken place since then. Joan Howie Carrion crow and male hen harrier photographed by Maisie Welsh, a member of the Stewartry Birdwatchers GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 5 Music for all at the Carsphairn seniors' dinner C arsphairn Community Council organised a festive meal for the senior members of the community in the Lagwyne Hall in December. Although Carsphairn is a small community numbering fewer than 200, residents are spread out over a large area and the dinner presents opportunities at a seasonal event to meet friends and acquaintances not regularly seen, and to welcome mature newcomers to the community. A fter 15 years leading the Watson Birds project, having reached the age of 80 I would like to hand over to new folk, giving the local project new life and impetus. What is done in the future is up to new volunteers. I hope you will join and add your ideas and lead on activities. Let me know A delicious three-course meal was served, followed by a raffle raising £100 in support of Carsphairn children's Christmas party. After the meal there was a concert, which was open to the whole community, with Nick Jenkins on fiddle and mandolin and Sam Gillespie on guitar, flute and vocals. This excellent performance finished off a thoroughly enjoyable evening, which has received much positive feedback from those who attended. Needs You! by giving me a call on 07803 595 267 or by emailing roger.dodin@ btinternet.com There are lots of opportunities to promote nature and the arts in the Glenkens through Watson Birds. • Running activities with young people at school and in the community • Leading guided walks and trips around our two trails • Holding talks about our local environment • Putting on musical or other events in the villages • Reviving the Watson Raptor Science Prize under new leadership by an outstanding scientist • Installing bird boxes in all of the villages • Refreshing the permanent exhibition of Donald Watson paintings at the CatStrand • Selling cards, posters and books at the CatStrand and elsewhere • Making sure that we have brochures advertising the project in the local shops • And the many ideas you will undoubtedly have The book of essays about Donald and his work, written by Chris Rollie, John Threlfall, Lousie and Vanessa Watson, Des Thompson, Colin Galbraith and myself, is currently with a publisher. I hope that will be released later this year with events in the Glenkens and at the Scottish Ornithological Society’s Watson Gallery in East Lothian. I suggest that Watson Birds remains a component project of the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust as this has provided a good home and excellent support since the outset. I hope to hear from many folk to add to the lively activities we have in the Glenkens. Roger Crofts SWI loyalty award for Margaret Brown S cottish Women's Institute (SWI) member Margaret Brown of Carsphairn has been presented with the organisation's Loyalty Award by Mary Burney, the SWI's national president. Margaret is a long-standing and much valued member of Carsphairn SWI. Mary, Dorothy Faulds and Christine Whipp shared a lovely afternoon with Margaret. See the What's On section on p30 for topics of upcoming Carsphairn SWI meetings. Margaret Brown being presented with her SWI Loyalty Award by SWI national president Mary Burney (left) and Dorothy Faulds of Carsphairn SWI president (right) GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Gazette page 6 Glenkens Youth Correspondent Joshua Wells, age 14, is our Gazette youth correspondent and will be writing each issue about things which interest him. In this edition he looks at Balmaclellan and the history of witch hunting in Scotland. Balmaclellan W hat does Outlander's Sam Heughan, a witch and Old Mortality have in common? They have all got links to Balmaclellan; not bad for somewhere with a population of around 130 people! When I heard about the witch I had to find out more... In 1428, the first ‘witch’ was tried, in Valias, Switzerland. This led to countless other ‘witches’ being tried across Europe. Witches were tried for many reasons, for example: having a black cat, taking part in strange rituals, talking to themselves, living alone, being deformed or disabled, or having a ‘witch spot’ - moles and warts were called a ‘witch spot’, and were supposedly left by the devil. I feel as if this is quite shocking as many of these things are seen as normal today. There was a big outbreak of witch hunts in 1661-1662, in Scotland (this was called the Great Scottish Witch Hunt and it lasted for 16 months). At this time it was believed that 660 people were tried for witchcraft, but it is unknown just how many were executed. However, after that there was a sharp decline of witch trials. The belief of witches still continued, and the elite began investigating witchcraft more than before, so why was there a decline in the hunt? Trials were more tightly overseen by the government, torture was more sparingly used and the standard of proof was increased. On 24 August 1698, the last 'witch' in the southwest of Scotland died. Elspeth McEwan was accused of tormenting her neighbours by bewitching their poultry and causinghens, ducks or geese to stop laying their MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 eggs, fall ill or die. She also apparently kept a wooden pin hidden in her rafters which she used to steal milk by touching it to the cow’s udder. She was jailed in the Kirkcudbright Tolbooth for two years, in a dark dungeon, in very bad conditions. I can only imagine that it was damp, smelly and pestridden and quite frightening. When at the Tolbooth she confessed, probably being forced into this outcome. Her punishment for witchcraft was being strangled and then burnt at the stake. She was buried in the graveyard of the Balmaclellan parish - you can find the gravestone by the lefthand side of the church near the back as you enter. The gravestone is a rough uncut stone. In folklore and superstition it is thought that if the witch was not marked with an uncut stone the witch would be able to rise from the dead and cause harm to the living. It was also thought if a witch's head was cut off they would be able to die, and that if their graves were not marked with uncut stones, their spirits would be able to return. I believe it was a massive tragedy that swept through the whole of Europe, against mostly women. It is also disgusting that many people did this, just for financial gain. I think many people will be glad they didn't have to live through that time. Photograph of Elspeth McEwan's gravestone in Balmaclellan kirkyard, taken by Joshua Wells Amber Dunlop-Pajo Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Gazette page 7 Beth goes from strength to strength Continued from front page... After this fairly focussed academic path, Beth surprised everyone by deciding that after all, an office job wasn’t to be, and she wanted to join the army! Clare, Beth’s mum, said: “It was a complete surprise when Beth said she wanted to join the army as she had never shown any inclination before – I guess she’s a bit of a Private Benjamin! I was so proud to discover Beth had been awarded an MBE.” lifting and last year won a world title in France. Beth entered through the British Drug Free Powerlifting Association, the only internationally recognised UK powerlifting organisation, winning the Under 70kg World Deadlift Championship and also qualifying for this year’s British Bench Championships in powerlifting. Mum Clare goes on to say: "I’m beyond proud of her. If you’d have asked me what career I thought she would have Beth says: “I’m really into personal fitness and this was my inspiration for joining the reserves while studying in Edinburgh. I enjoyed the experience so much, I knew at that point I wanted to join full time. What I enjoy most about the army is having the chance to influence defence as well as gain qualifications and skills that otherwise I wouldn’t have the opportunity to. "I’m incredibly honoured to have received an MBE; it was a complete surprise, with my being only three years out of training.” More recently Beth has turned her focus from CrossFit training to weight Firewood logs & Wood Products for Sale From Carsphairn Community Woodland A range of products are available from our community sawmill Contact us with your requirements ï Free local delivery ï Enquiries to: Tel: 07710 124 255 Carsphairn Community Woodland Limited is commi�ed to acquiring, developing and managing local woodlands in a sustainable and environmentally sound way for the long-term benefit of the local community. Website: www.carsphairn.org/CCWL Company Limited by Guarantee SC591976 ahead of her when she was growing up, I'd have opted for something business oriented or creative." What seems certain is that Carsphairn's Beth Duggleby is set to stamp her mark on the world - go Beth! Pictured below is Beth at an inter-services lifting competition Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 8 sponsored by T he new D&G Climate Hub has been off to a busy start since its November 2023 launch. This is a Scottish Government funded initiative hosted by the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. Climate officer Sarah Thomas is covering Wigtownshire and Stewartry supporting community climate action, while Annandale & Eskdale and Nithsdale is covered by climate officer Steven Clark. The Climate Hub’s first initiative - seed funding for community climate action - has been a huge success. As 2023 came to a close the Climate Hub was overwhelmed by the number Supporting local climate action and diversity of applications. It is now supporting 26 projects across the county, two of which are based in the Glenkens. The Galloway Food Hub (GFH) was supported through the seed fund to pilot a new Pay It Forward scheme which seeks to address food inequity in the Glenkens. They wish everyone to have access to high quality local food but understand the cost can be prohibitive. They are seeking people who would like to shop with GFH but would need support to do so – see the dedicated article on page 2 of this issue. The hope is that this will inspire GFH shoppers to donate to the Pay It Forward scheme in the longer term. Local Initiatives in New Galloway was supported through the seed fund to host a Sharing of Skills Day where participants will learn skills to boost self-sufficiency. Participants will rotate between four work stations throughout the day learning soapmaking, knitting/sewing/ crocheting and mending, herbal remedy making, and fermentation. This will be held on Saturday 24 February from 9.30am to 4pm at New Galloway Town Hall - please see article on page 15 for further information and how to book tickets. The Climate Hub is also in the process of mapping community climate action across the region and there’s so much going on. We look forward to what 2024 has in store! Locally- grown lettuce from Hidden Veg, Balmaclellan You can follow D&G Climate Hub on Facebook and Instagram for updates on events and workshops. Land use vision moves forward G roups across the Glenkens have been hard at work to turn the Glenkens Land Use Vision into reality. land-use-in-the-glenkens). Thanks to funding from NatureScot and SOSE, Dalry Community Council (DCC) and the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) have been able to commission some valuable work around next steps in achieving this. Firstly, Becca Nelson, who some of you may know as the Glenkens Community Spaces network facilitator, is working with the Dalry communities to make sure that their Local Place Plan integrates land use into the vision that people have for their parish. It will also draw heavily on the Community Action Plan. Having created an LPP template, she will then work with Carsphairn to create their Place Plan, and having then refined the process, a template LPP will be made The Glenkens Land Use Vision is an addendum to the Glenkens & District Community Action Plan, and can be found on the Glenkens Hub (www.glenkens.scot/reportsresources-archive/a-vision-for- Working in partnership, DCC and GCAT have created a three-pronged project that seeks to move the aims of the Land Use Vision forward while integrating with existing plans and processes. available to all Glenkens and district communities to use to create their own LPPs, if they so wish. In parallel with this, Stephen Connelly of Dalry is working on a feasibility study to see what it would take to create a Glenkens Land Use Forum and what it might look like. He's been interviewing people on the topic through December and January, but if you have a view on this and would like to talk to Stephen about it in February, contact helen@ catstrand.com and she will put you in touch. Lastly, artist Kerry Morrison is working on how we can better understand what our landscapes mean to us all. Through February and March, Kerry will be out and about in the area recording our landscape through writing and drawing. She will be pulling up with her art cart in a variety of locations, so If you see her, please do pop over for a chat! Kerry is keen to discover the different ways in which we connect to our villages and the wider local landscape, and would love to hear from as many different people as possible. The joint GCAT and DCC steering group will then pull these three projects together into something we hope will be really useful for our communities, and also perhaps the next steps in achieving the Land Use Vision. The project completes at the end of March, so watch this space! Helen Keron Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 9 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE Willow wands for fedging, arbors, decorative garden features. Contact: 01644 420 267 Pale brown carpet, laid but then replaced without being used. Approx 4m x 3.5m (13x11 feet). Collection from Dalry. Contact: 07769 959 511 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME WANTED Small shed/dog house/chicken coop to house a family of three chickens. Contact: Leto 07763 235 888 Outdoor table and chairs. Contact: 07507 704 821 Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Nonrunners/broken welcome. Contact: 07845 562 217 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 10 My Loch Ken... "It’s 6:30am and, armed with my tow float, I take a deep breath and plunge into the ice cold loch. Frost twinkles as the water laps all around as I swim. I feel clarity and calm. It’s stunning, so peaceful, yet 100% invigorating." For the last two years, Loch Ken trustee Suzy Rook has been cold water swimming daily and is an advocate for the tremendous mental health benefits. Cold water therapy has been shown to release endorphins in the body, helping to boost mood and relieve pain. Having lived in Crossmichael since the age of nine, Loch Ken and its wonderful environment is very close to Suzy’s heart. It is also of special significance as her late friend has their ashes scattered here. After leaving in 2005 for University and to represent Scotland at rugby, the mum of three returned to Crossmichael in 2016 where she lives with her family. Suzy has played rugby for 16 years, achieving International honours and caps for Scotland, three 'Player of the League' trophies and having competed in over 400 games worldwide. Suzy is now a social worker, specialising in through-care for high risk offenders, and was named Scotland’s Social Worker of the Year in 2022. Also in 2022, Suzy and her friend Emma co-founded the female open water swimming group Swim Queens, empowering women to try cold water swimming. The group now has over 400 members and Suzy encourages anyone thinking about taking the plunge to reach out via Facebook @Swim Queens est 2022. “I Just love the coldness at this time of year!" says Suzy. "If you think you might fancy it, Swim Queens have a specific group to help newcomers. It’s private and a community full of fun and support.“ Suzy first got involved with the Loch Ken Trust when the Swim Queens helped with a safe open water swimming demonstration at the Trust’s family water safety event back in July. Water safety is at the forefront of the Swim Queens group, who ensure all members use tow floats and swim in groups. They also organise regular safe open water swimming workshops. “Water safety is very important to me, and I am very passionate about Loch Ken, so applying to become a trustee was an easy decision for me. "It has been great to work with the Loch Ken Trust and ranger service towards the goals of the Loch Ken Plan. Loch Ken will always be home to me and I am keen to help protect and cherish Loch Ken for my children and the generations to come.” Cold water therapy has been shown to release endorphins in the body, helping to boost mood and relieve pain. Pictured above is Suzy on patrol with Loch Ken Ranger, Leanne Pumpr, and to the left, Suzy enjoys the invigorating benefits of a cold water dip. Volunteer Ranger Scheme Later this year, Loch Ken Ranger Service will be launching its Volunteer Ranger Scheme. The team is busy organising the details, so look forward to more info in the next issue. If you may be interested in getting involved, please get in touch at LKToffice@protonmail.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 11 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity licence licence page 12 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 13 Fancy becoming a community bus driver? L ooking for an adventure in 2024? Why not join the fantastic team of drivers at Galloway Community Transport! Galloway Community Transport (GCT) provides vital transport for individuals and groups across Galloway, including patient transport, local school bus services as well as minibus hire for groups and organisations. use their own vehicles to take patients to appointments and their mileage expenses are reimbursed. Doing this, GCT drivers provide not only transport for people who need it most, they are sometimes the only social contact that person may have during the week. One patient said recently: "The service is an absolute lifesaver, and the conversation and laughter we have on the way make it a lovely journey." Occasional excursions also provide opportunities for travel and socialising. Forthcoming trips include taking school children to their swimming lessons in Castle Douglas, a research trip to the Isle of Arran and transport to local social events. Driving is interesting and varied. GCT drivers are passionate about their role. One driver said: ‘’It’s a privilege to see the enjoyment of young people going to events and activities that in a big town or city would be taken for granted. It’s a real pleasure.’’ GCT patient transport drivers generously projects involve. New volunteers are always welcome and much needed. Are you tempted?! If anyone would like to be part of the team, GCT would be delighted to hear from them. Please get in touch with Jon and Sue at the CatStrand on gct@ catstrand.com or see www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org for more information. Galloway Community Transport is supported by the Glenkens & District Community Fund, D&G Council and Scottish Government schemes. Update on the new GCT Electric Minibus GCT simply would not be able to operate without the generous contribution made by the dedicated team of volunteer drivers. Driving for GCT can offer the opportunity to visit new places and meet new people, and also the chance to see what some of our local community We hope to have the new bus in service very soon. The bus supplier underwent some organisational changes shortly shortly after it was delivered to us, which resulted in their engineers being unable to come and perform an essential technical update on the vehicle. This situation has now been resolved, and we hope to have the bus out in use very soon! All change at the Ken Bridge Hotel T he Ken Bridge Hotel changed ownership in September from that of long-time proprietors who we wish well in their retirement. New owners are Alistair and Tatiana Elder who will be helped by their two sons, Leo and Owen. Tatiana says: “We are really excited and look forward to getting to know the locals, as well as visitors from further afield, and to hopefully create a really lively, active community hub for the villages of the Glenkens.” The bar is also fully open from 4-11pm every day mid-week and from 11am to 11pm at weekends, with a pool table and darts available in the games room. Alistair says: “Both restaurants at the hotel are available for functions, events, corporate and social gatherings, exhibitions, etc. We already have some groups coming for quizzes and meetings." The couple have lots of plans in the pipeline and are keen to involve the local community. Something they hope to offer soon are three hydro spa hot tubs in the camp site which will be available for hire. They are also keen to attract live music of any genre, and would love to set up a regular gig night, as well as jam nights. “We have had several suggestions of forming a pool team and also a darts team and it is something we are keen to do,” continues Alistair. “We really are open to suggestions from anyone - can pop in and see us! Our aim is to turn the Ken Bridge back into a hive of activity, providing a welcoming space to get together.” The couple would like to remind visitors that dogs are welcome on the outdoor terrace but not inside the hotel, and Tatiana goes on to say: “We are intending to make more of a mess outside as part of the necessary repairs, remedial works and improvements over the coming months but rest assured everything inside the hotel is fully open and functional – so come in and see us!” Further details can be found in the ad on page 29. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 14 Why menopause really matters P erhaps it feels like you’re hearing a lot about menopause these days with celebrities making TV programmes about it and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) shortages making the news. However, it wasn’t that long ago that menopause was hardly ever talked about. Like many things in our patriarchal society ‘women’s issues’ were taboo, under-researched medically and confined to women-only conversations. I’d like to encourage more people to talk about this topic. Half the population will experience this natural biological process. Around 13 million women (including nonbinary and trans-people) are currently menopausal! We all know and have connections with women in many ways. Menopause usually happens between the ages of 45-55 according to NHS data. Actual menopause is just one day, twelve months from the last menstrual period when the ovaries have stopped producing eggs. You’ll only know you’re menopausal retrospectively unless you start to notice symptoms of perimenopause. Menopause can also occur when the ovaries are damaged by specific treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or when the ovaries are removed via a hysterectomy. Perimenopause is the time when a woman's hormones are fluctuating, and noticeable symptoms may occur. This can start 10-15 years before menopause, ie from the age of 30! Around a third of women will experience no symptoms, another third will have some, but manageable symptoms, and a further third will experience debilitating symptoms. There are 34 recognised common symptoms of menopause, but many more are possible. Whilst many of us are aware of the potential hot flushes, mood swings and the stopping of bleeding often attributed to ‘older’ women, these are often not the first signs and much younger women can be affected. Low stress threshold, anxiety, panic attacks, low self-esteem, brain fog and even suicidal thoughts can often be the first signs of a change in hormones. This is often why many women are wrongly prescribed antidepressants when HRT would be more effective. A confusing time for both patient and GP! Please seek help if this is the case for you or your loved one. There are resources listed at the end of the article. Menopause Really Matters Peer Support Group The Smiddy, Balmaclellan, DG7 3QE 2nd Monday of each month 7pm - 8pm Join the conversation, learn from special guests HRT has wrongly 12th Feb, 11th Mar, 9th April, 13 May been stigmatised For anyone who may be perimenopausal or post by an old research menopause welcome. £2 contribution per session. paper from Funded by Balmaclellan Community Council Contact Lesley for details the Women’s lesley@thenourishingspace.co.uk Health Initiative research in 2002. can all help greatly. New medicines (transdermal) and early Remember, menopause is a prescribing (before 60 years natural process, and while it old) have made these bodycan be challenging there is identical HRT drugs more plenty of support and good protective than risk increasing. information out there to Though not everyone who may empower you through this need it can take HRT, there are phase. many natural remedies and Some links for further lifestyle changes which can information are: reduce symptoms. Dumfries menopause services While this transition can be helpline (Thursday mornings challenging for some women, only) 01387 241121 there are many things you www.balance-menopause.com can do to have a healthy menopause. We talk about www.menopausematters.co.uk these in our Menopause https://www. Really Matters peer support themenopausecharity.org/ group at Balmaclellan Smiddy. Lesley Atkins These are held on the second Monday of each month. Stress See above details for the reduction, eating well, staying local Menopause Really active, adequate sleep and Matters Peer Support Group looking after your own needs Christmas magic at the CatStrand T he festive season was made even more enchanting for children in the Glenkens in 2023, thanks to a Christmas Wonderland event at the CatStrand in December. Supported by funding from Tesco's 'Bags of Help’ and the Holywood Trust, this event was planned and organised by the talented CatStrand Art Ambassadors - a group of 12 to 21-year-old volunteers that get involved with planning and organising events as part of the CatStrand Young Creatives programme. It was not only a fantastic way to celebrate the holiday season but also a reminder of the power of community and the impact that a dedicated group of individuals can have, highlighting the importance of nurturing young talent and supporting initiatives that promote creativity and community engagement. We're very proud of our Art Ambassadors and hope that they are too. If you are 12 years plus and would like to become a CatStrand Art Ambassador or find out more, email Cat on catherine@catstrand.com The CatStrand Christmas Wonderland's magical team of elves, helpers and even Santa himself Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 15 Your community shop needs you! W hen we pop into New Galloway Community Shop, we know that we will be greeted with a friendly smile from the hardworking shop team. However, there is so much more going on behind the scenes when operating a community owned shop and holiday accommodation. To support the smooth running and continued success, volunteers give their time as board members or assist with various tasks and activities. New Galloway Community Enterprises Ltd (NGCE) are keen to hear from individuals who would like to make a difference in their local community. You may be able to offer regular time to volunteer in the shop, assist with one off maintenance and cleaning jobs in the accommodation or have marketing, bookkeeping, retail, or HR experience, that you could bring at a more strategic level by becoming a Board member? For information, please contact ngce5000@gmail.com crowd every Thursday with newcomers at every session. Sharing memories, pumpkin carving, jam making as well as crafting Christmas decorations and advent calendars were amongst the weekly activities. Some people like to join in; others just enjoy watching. And there’s always lots of chat and banter. Any suggestions, comments or offers of help will be very welcome. We want the newly refurbished Town Hall to feel owned, as it is, by the community and to be as open and accessible as possible - a place for the whole family across the generations. And we want it to play its part in paving the way for NGCE would like to say thank you for the continued support through making purchases, volunteering, booking stays in the accommodation or volunteering, which enable us to have such a valuable community asset. Finally, save the date - see AGM details to the right. Sam Rushton One of our favourite bits of feedback came from our oldest regular attendee. On being asked how he was finding it, he said, with straight face, "It's been terrible. I'll not be back." It brought the house down! People visibly transform as they become more relaxed with laughter and smiles, lots of mutual teasing and sharing of challenges and experiences. Alongside Thursday Hubbub, we’re introducing Hubbub Exchange on Mondays from 3-6pm, starting 5 February. We hope this may appeal to some as an after-school slot or towards the end of a working day – and some of our regulars may also like to come twice in the week. It will offer a chance to bring and share ideas and skills, learn stuff together, recommend a book, swap a plant - or just to bring yourself and relax. A warm meal will be available at tea time, to eat in or take away. Again no charge, but donations welcome. N T LING’s Hub Host E SELF SU B F O FI A Sharing Skills Event C NT So far, the Hubbub has been a great success. There is a regular The feedback we get is really positive - some find it quite an important lifeline - and it’s lovely to see so much mutual support going on amidst all the fun and laughter. a more resilient and sustainable community in challenging times. To this end, we are forging links with the Galloway Food Hub and have just succeeded in gaining a Biosphere grant to provide a skill sharing event on Saturday 24 February -see information below. Bianca Leder, IE As well as the popular LING Lunches on Tuesdays, Hubbub started last September and is open every Thursday from 11am to 2pm. Funded by Dumfries & Galloway Council, Hubbub aims to help provide a warm, accessible and welcoming space for the community. Transport is available to support accessibility. It’s all free of charge, although any donations are welcome, of course, and help us to spin out the funding for longer. LE W hat’s all the Hubbub? Have you heard? There is a lot going on at New Galloway Town Hall lately... AR A hubbub in New Galloway Town Hall brought to you by the Hub at the Town Hall Sewing A fun filled day of learning at the Town Hall in New Galloway Soap Saturday 24.02.24 Making 9:30 am - 4 pm 4 workshops making your own creations to take home with time for networking £10 per person Herbal warm drinks & healthy Tinctures lunch included Fermenting In person at the Hubbub or www.newgallowaytownhall.com bianca.hubhost.ling@gmail.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity See what's happening at To communities to engage in and enjoy. Our aim of providing a varied and inclusive programme that has something for everyone is being fulfilled. I can hardly believe we are over halfway through The Together in the Glenkens project! I would like to thank all our deliverers who continue to make all the activities so vibrant and highly beneficial, and of course our attendees, who we hope are benefitting from the programme. I am delighted that we have nine activities currently on offer for the whole Glenkens page 16 The Beginners Oil Painting Class with Catherine Corfield has produced some amazing art works. The group are planning to hold an exhibition of their artwork at the end of the project in May. Launching in February, Crafting Connections workshop will explore a variety of skills and themes and promises to help develop your creative crafting potential. The Dance Classes with Sam Rushton have proved to be a huge amount of fun for all. So, grab your dancing shoes and come along to join Sam on the dance floor! All are welcome, no dance experience or partner required. Our monthly Pub Quizzes continue to be highly popular. At just £1 per person this makes for a super entertaining night out in our local inns. The Tai Chi sessions have moved to New Galloway Town Hall on a Monday evening at 7pm in the wonderful newly refurbished surroundings. All are welcome to come along and benefit from Steve Petch’s teachings. Together in The Glenkens has also joined forces with the CatStrand Open Bar Night on the last Friday of the month. The bar is open from 6-10pm, with food served from 6pm-8pm. New for this year, we are delighted to be able to offer free transport to Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool for their Wednesday evening Aquacise class. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 17 Together in The Glenkens... We are also visiting the Merrick Leisure Centre in Newton Stewart fortnightly on Friday mornings. Departure from New Galloway but various local pickup locations can be arranged. We are most grateful to Dalry Community Shop and NHS Small Endowment Fund which have awarded us funding to allow for this free transport. We’re also working with Galloway Community Transport (another GCAT project) to provide transport to the Monthly Dalry Producers Market and the Golden Days Club in Castle Douglas. Do contact me on Jo@Catstrand. com to find out more. Our Patchwork Workshop on Thursday afternoons at Crossmichael Church Hall is providing a warm welcoming space with the chance to learn some fascinating hand stitching techniques from seamstress, Penny Smith. Our St Andrew’s Day Ceilidh, a combined project with LING, was a wonderful evening, with a packed house enjoying the superb music of Muckle Spree. I would also like to thank the generosity of the local businesses that gave us such superb raffle prizes: Loch Ken Activity Centre, Balmaclellan Shop, the CatStrand, Glenkens & Dee Honey Company, Dalry Garage, Dalry Community Shop, the Lochinvar Hotel and the Ken Bridge Hotel. A second Spring Ceilidh is in the planning – watch this space! We are most thankful to the Scottish Government’s Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, administered by Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway, for the main funding for this programme. We would also like to thank Dalry Community Shop, the NHS Small Endowment Fund and the Co-Op for further funding to support. This project will come to an end in May this year, so do get in touch to find out more and to book onto any of our sessions before the opportunity ends! You can get in touch at jo@ catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or visit www. gcat.scot Jo Jackson, Activity Coordinator Pictured are some participants in Sam Rushton's dance classes Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 18 Fun and games with the Glenkens Youth Group T here has been a lot of creativity at the Glenkens Youth Group over the past few months. The members often choose to paint or draw, and they are a very talented group. The space is always filled with music, with their own playlist setting the scene. An informal sing-a-long is a common occurrence! We are very grateful to the Glenkens Community Centre in Dalry for the opportunity to use the kitchen facilities. Over the winter the young people baked beautiful fresh crunchy bread, dancing and singing as they baked. An evening of hot chocolate and marshmallows warmed the hands, a great way to stave off the cold dark days. There have also been some epic games of badminton. The final session of 2023 took place at the CatStrand, where youth group members enjoyed their Christmas party. Delicious food, amazing music and dancing, and an impromptu karaoke. We look forward to all that is to come for this wonderful group in 2024. Future immediate plans include orienteering and laser tag. If you are in P7 to S3, why not come and join this fantastic group of young people? They will make you feel most welcome and you can enjoy an environment in which you can be yourself. Thanks to our funding from the Glenkens and District Community Fund, it’s free. Glenkens Cubs and Scouts J oining Cubs in January we have Pippin, Hannah’s daughter, who is an inspiration before she comes to the door. Pippin and her little bother use Mum and Dad’s workshop to make pottery brooches and magnets all year, and sell them at pottery events. In total, during 2023 they have raised £851 for Stepping Stones Foodbank in Castle Douglas. Just before Christmas they visited the foodbank to see what was needed and filled four trolleys of essentials and some treats as well for the less fortunate in our society. Sadly but true. Well done both! The Cubs thoroughly enjoyed Cinderella, the The Glenkens Youth Group meets on Monday evenings in Dalry from 7pm. Find us on Facebook or contact Beata on glenkensyouth@ gmail.com for more details. Beata, Youth Group Lead panto at the CatStrand. Thank you to all involved, each and every one of you. You were amazing. We would like to wish you all a happy New Year and hope 2024 is good to you. Yours in Scouting, Heather & Hannah A thank you to the communities of the Glenkens for their generosity F or many years, St Margaret's church in New Galloway have dedicated their collections at Christmas to a charity chosen by the congregation. Choosing a worthwhile cause is always difficult when there are so many places and people desperate for help and this year it was decided to share the money raised between two charities - ShelterBox and CHAS. On the international stage, ShelterBox's simple strategy of sending emergency shelter and tools to where they are most needed is both practical and useful. And closer to home, CHAS (Children's Hospices Across Scotland) offers a full family support service for babies, children and young people with lifeshortening conditions. The St Margaret's Vestry are delighted to report that just under £1,000 was raised from collections at the Carols by Candlelight service held at St Margaret's and from the Christmas Day service. This money will be divided equally between ShelterBox and CHAS. Many thanks to all who gave so generously. A review by Andrew Mellor of the book The Covenanters of the Glenkens by David S Bartholomew. The Reverend Dr. David Bartholomew has written an excellent book that sometimes made me angry - angry at the injustice, intolerance and cruelty it describes rather than because of any shortcomings in authorship, of which there are none. David was the Church of Scotland minister in the Glenkens for 28 years, during which time he carried out extensive research into the history of the seventeenth century Covenanting movement and revived the practice of open-air services or “conventicles.” In the opening chapter he sets out the complicated seventeenth century historical context. Politics and religion came together when Charles I declared that he was the head of the church in Scotland and that henceforth a new prayer book, which Scottish presbyterians believed echoed Catholic practices, should be used in churches. This was resisted and led, in 1638, to the adoption in churches across Scotland of a Covenant pledging to defend the presbyterian way of worship. Those who signed the pledge were known as “Covenanters.” Their movement became caught up in some of the David S. Bartholomew up in nown ining drews mplete ersity hilean r five logist all to urned d for rdeen ained nister there three ottish GAZETTEhistory page 19 The Covenanters of the Glenkens The Covenanters of the Glenkens shire ment the cal ment ent rical e s, day. Glenkens Gazette The Covenanters of the Glenkens David S. Bartholomew events that led up to the English Civil War but it was with the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II that events took a darker turn. People who refused to attend services using the new prayer book were heavily fined, the money being collected by soldiers billeted locally. The Glenkens was particularly hard hit with £9577 Scots taken from poor people in Dalry Parish between 1663 and 1666. The troops brutalised those who could or would not pay, seizing possessions and burning down houses. The Pentland Rising of 1666, which should really be called “the Glenkens Rising” because it started in Dalry, marked the beginning of a period of serious violence which included “the killing times” when troops stationed in the Glenkens were given free reign to murder, without trial, anyone who refused to renounce the Covenant. Each of the following chapters in the book is devoted to places in the Glenkens associated with the Covenanters. The human stories behind the memorials to those who fell are told movingly, albeit the sources from which the accounts are taken may be somewhat partial. In the chapter on Balmaghie we read how Grierson of Lag and his men had captured a group of Covenanters. Their leader, John Bell, asked for a few moments to make his peace with God but Lag refused this and shot him at point blank range before signalling his men to kill the other captives as they knelt on the ground trying to pray. Particularly poignant is the the fact that many of the bodies were left where they fell as a warning to others. Some were recovered, buried and later given memorials by “Old Mortality” but others remained where they lay, unmarked to this day. In 1977 Forestry Commission workers uncovered three bodies by the Palfern Burn near Clatteringshaws. One was a soldier, “recognised by his long military boots.” Nearby two bodies lay together. One was David Bartholomew at the 2013 conventicle near the Palfern Burn photographed by Andrew Mellor small, likely just a lad. Across his body was a perfectly preserved belt with a brass container, probably intended for gunpowder. No doubt the soldiers had removed anything of value from the bodies but the belt had been left because it had a large nick, perhaps caused by a sword blow. The location of the bodies seems not to have been recorded at the time they were discovered but David managed to find the site and held a conventicle there in 2013 at which psalms were sung, prayers were said and a memorial stone was dedicated. I hope that David’s wish, expressed in the foreword, that his book will act as a resource to aid the establishment of a covenanting trail, is granted. Until then it stands as a well-researched and readable account of a shameful episode in our history. Copies of the book are for sale at the CatStrand and Wright's shop in Dalry, selling for £10 each, or can be ordered direct from David by emailing dsbart92@gmail.com or calling 07762 083 703. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory The 1983 Helicopter Crash J ust over forty years ago, a helicopter crashed on Mid Standard Hill near Balmaclellan. It was on 26 September 1983 when a Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter took off from Carlisle airport on a navigation exercise. The pilot was a foreign student who was on an extended fixed and rotary wing flying course and was flying solo at the time. Although only twenty years old, he had over one hundred hours' flying experience. The aircraft in question was registered G-AVTE and was sixteen years old. It was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and should not have entered cloud. Several witnesses along the route state that the aircraft was flying as low as 200 feet and was flying in and out of mist or cloud. The aircraft was reported overdue before midday and a search was carried out by RAF Mountain Rescue, a number of helicopters, and others. The search was hampered by low cloud, mist and fog so the wreckage was not found until the following day. The aircraft had struck Mid Standard Hill (near Blackcraig Hill, Balmaclellan) at an estimated time of 10.20am the previous day. The pilot was ejected from the helicopter in the crash and killed; the aircraft was totally destroyed. A police presence guarded the crash site until the body and wreckage could be recovered and the Galloway Mountain Rescue team were also involved, although their records have unfortunately not page 20 survived. The estimated speed at impact was 100 knots. All evidence is that this was Controlled Flight Into Terrain, caused by inadvertent flight into cloud. The name of the pilot is not in the public domain. My thanks to Trevor Warne for permission to use his photograph of the actual aircraft that crashed. Paul Goodwin Northern Lights: The Arctic Scots A review by Mike Brown of the book Northern Lights: The Arctic Scots by Ted Cowan. Professor Ted Cowan had a life-long interest in the history of the northern world and the role of Scots in its exploration. Northern Lights: The Arctic Scots was his definitive book on the subject. He had just completed its full draft when he died, unexpectedly, at his home in the Glenkens in 2022. His widow, fellow historian and research collaborator Dr Lizanne Henderson oversaw the book’s final stages from manuscript to publication last autumn. It is an absorbing and farreaching study of the Scots who contributed so much to Arctic exploration. Starting a review by quoting a footnote may be unusual but a reference, in the chapter on ‘Scots and the Inuit’, is particularly revealing. Ted recalls being in the library in Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), an Inuit community on Baffin Island, when “someone came in excitedly to tell me that a group of Inuit girls were demonstrating my culture in the neighbouring hall… they were about to perform dances and tunes their ancestors had learned from the Scottish whalers. There followed a cross-cultural concert that was deeply moving.” It is a vignette which captures the spirit of the book, its many surprises and Ted’s immersive pursuit of history. Those who knew Ted can vividly picture the conviviality - and enquiring - that ensued. Northern Lights records many familiar names: John Ross from Stranraer, his nephew, James Clark Ross and John Richardson of Dumfries. The role of Orcadian John Rae, independent and unorthodox, has long been celebrated. But less heralded names abound. William Penny, the Peterhead skipper was typical of many whalers who exchanged knowledge with the Inuit and aided the explorers. His wife Margaret was the first European woman to overwinter on Baffin Island. The journals and letters of surgeons, traders, scientists, seamen and explorers reveal acute observation, wonder at the world they traversed and, for the time, an astonishing empathy with the Inuit - or “Arctic Highlanders” as Ross dubbed them. Scots in the Arctic were eager to learn and, like the whalers, showed more flexibility and imagination than the rigid thinking of the British Navy, thirled to its traditions. Scots played a key role as traders/ explorers in the Hudson Bay Company and this brought further access to the skills and knowledge of the Inuit and First Nations. The book scans the centuries, from Scots in 10th century Viking expeditions through to Sir John Franklin’s search for the Northwest Passage in the mid 19th century. Once Franklin disappeared, an international assortment of adventurers, driven by valour or vanity, Scots prominent among them, swarmed north in his pursuit. A rampant media egged them on and the charismatic Lady Jane FranklIn led the hue and cry. Speculation among the Europeans knew no bounds but the Inuit knew the facts. John Rae, who listened to them, brought word of the grisly truth, cannibalism and all. But you would expect as much from an “uncouth Scot" said the London establishment: they never forgave him. Northern Lights: The Arctic Scots, by Edward J Cowan is published by Birlinn, £30, ISBN 9781780277875. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 21 Blue and the Tranquil Storm C atStrand hosts the exciting launch of Swallows, the Hare and the Moon, the latest album from local singersongwriter, Blue. Blue writes from his first instrument, the acoustic guitar, and then aided with a collection of other musicians shapes them into an eclectic mix of songs in a variety of styles; acoustic soul with a bit of bounce, reggae beats, bluesy folk, the occasional heartfelt ballad, and never afraid to add some electric guitar here and there. which Blue went on to record a solo album Sound in your Stride in 2014. On 29 February, Blue will be performing songs from his most recent recording (the launch of which was delayed due to Covid restrictions) along with some of the musicians whom he worked with on its production. As a member of the band Quirkus, the album Farewell to Treebeard was recorded in 2001, after Photo of the Issue ...Sponsored by the Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co This issue’s winner is Susan Currie from Dalry with this beautiful snap of a fly agaric mushroom. "The photograph was taken in the bottom car park in New Galloway," says Susan. "Maybe there are fairies too!" Susan wins two portions of mac and cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "The photo of the amanita wins the day this time - he just looks like such a fun guy!" To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 22 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers through some of his favourite books. In this edition Robin speaks about author Khaled Khalifa, friendship and the festive season. W hat am I reading at the moment? I have a long answer for you... First there’s The Human Cosmos: A Secret History of the Stars, by Jo Marchant. This was a Christmas present from my daughter. I’ve read the prologue and part of the first chapter. It’s interesting and engagingly written, so I may well keep going. And I’m reading Daemonologie, In Forme of a Dialogue, by King James I and VI – a text which is either ‘of a different age’ or just plainly insane, depending on the charity of your outlook. It greatly contributed to the witch burning hysteria that took so many women’s lives in previous centuries, particularly in Scotland. It reminds me of poor Elspeth McEwan, the ‘witch’ of Balmaclellan, whose story is told in Alan Temperley’s Tales of Galloway. This unusual book was a present from my son. I’ve read some pages, and it will be good to read some more, if only I find the time. But time is in short supply. I have too much work. Two half-read books on my desk are related to one of my jobs – I’ll tell you more about that in the summer… They are The Rule of Violence: Subjectivity, Memory and Government in Syria by Salwa Ismail, and Crime and Punishment in Islamic Law by Rudolph Peters. Both are fascinating in their own ways, but they’re academic in tone, and the first one is grisly. I can only read a little in one sitting. David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP I’m reading a book of strange and intricate poetry by Jorge Luis Borges – better known for his strange and intricate short stories. Books of poetry, like academic books, I read slowly and intermittently. And short stories too. I don’t just plough through them. I’m currently reading The Visiting Privilege, a collection by Joy Williams. Each story creates an unhinged little world which lives in my head for up to a week, until I need another. I read one at a time, and let them seep slowly in. A quick injection, then a long effect. I’m also reading the Flower Ornament Scripture. I’ve been reading it for years, a few pages every now and then. It’s so hallucinatory, so infinitely expansive, so enormously superlative, that I couldn’t do it otherwise. I’m reading – or listening to – Finnegans Wake. Eternally. But that’s another matter. Sometimes I hear a guilty voice telling me that I should read only one book at a time. That I should finish what I start – as if reading a book were like performing an office task, or eating the food on my plate. The voice states that having five or ten books on the go at once represents some kind of failure. But I resist that voice. I reject its illogic. I need plenty of books simultaneously, because books serve plenty of functions. Some are for falling asleep to, and some for waking up. Some to race through, others to slowly savour. Some fit certain rooms, or times of day, or moods. Keep them at hand, everywhere. That’s my advice. Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 23 GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 24 Help secure CatStrand's future I ’m now in my third year at CatStrand and it’s been quite the ride! Since arriving in September 2021 we’ve staged 284 events and we still have a full programme to look forward to. What a privilege it's been to stage such an amazing array of acts in our small rural venue. I can’t imagine a better place to see them in, and count my blessings that this is my job. On paper, CatStrand shouldn’t work. The population of the villages of the Glenkens should not be able to support a thriving arts centre. That it does, therefore, is a special sort of magic. It is a genuine community and a very welcoming space for first-time visitors. I can't take any credit for this, it's been a huge amount of work by many people over the last 22 years, but I appreciate it all the time. The CatStrand is something hugely valuable and worth fighting for. Since shaking off the impact of COVID, we have distilled our work into three distinct strands: CatStrand Arts Our amazing touring programme hosting visiting musicians, dancers and theatre. Cultural Communities A whole range of Glenkens-based cultural projects that we are very happy to support. CatStrand Young Creatives Our programme of hugely popular activities and support for young people. Each of these strands is absolutely thriving - ticket sales are the highest we can find record of. However, despite this, there is currently a good deal of uncertainty about the future. Until this year, the CatStrand Arts programme has relied on an annual application to Creative Scotland’s ‘Open Fund’, and has been successful each year for 16 years. Creative Scotland is very supportive of our work, but the annual model meant that there was always uncertainty about what budget we might have for the next year. Creative Scotland is now looking to give more long-term security to organisations such as ourselves, first through a 2023-2025 ‘Extended Fund’, followed by a 2025 - 2028 ‘Multi Year Fund’. This is a welcome shift - however, the change comes at a time when there is a national constriction in arts funding. Those making funding decisions are clearly left trying to make the ‘least bad’ decisions under very difficult circumstances. Our 2023 application to the Extended Fund awarded 50% of our request despite being ‘highly recommended for full funding’. There just wasn’t enough money to go around. This award has allowed the retention of my position and that of our part-time marketing officer, but with a considerably reduced marketing and programming budget. This means we are much less able to fund work directly and also makes meeting the core costs of keeping the CatStrand open much harder. In April, we will submit our Stage 2 application for the Multi Year Fund, which will determine our funding situation from April 25- April 28. The total applications to this fund are expected to be double the funds available. The other applicants will doubtless be wellestablished and credible arts organisations who, like us, have a solid track record of delivery. So while we know Creative Scotland appreciates the value of our work, we cannot have any certainty about the outcome. If the outcome is not what we hope for, it is difficult to imagine how we will sustain an arts programme in quite the same way. While it is a worrying time, we have plans in place and are working through them. But if you're reading this and wondering how you can help CatStrand Arts, here are some ways: • We have an online survey gathering evidence of how people value CatStrand Arts, to support our application. You can find it at www.GCAT.scot/Survey - as many responses as possible will help us a lot. • If you’ve benefited from any of CatStrand artistic work in any way and would like to let Creative Scotland know directly through a testimonial or Letter of Support, even just in a few words, please email me on peter@catstrand. com. • Become a Friend of CatStrand or consider leaving us a legacy. The new Friends scheme will be going live very soon and will be on www.GCAT.scot/support-us • If you’re so inclined you could even write to your MSP, outlining your concerns and requesting an increase in the overall funding for Creative Scotland’s Multi Year Fund – this would benefit arts across the region and indeed nationally. We have every reason to hope for a positive outcome at the end of this process, but we do need to be reacting to the hard times that are out there for everyone at the moment, so your support is very much appreciated. I love this job and what CatStrand delivers for the communities of the Glenkens, and I look forward to it doing so for many years to come! Peter Renwick, CatStrand Creative Director Pictured are Battery Park performing at the CatStrand Poet praises Writers' Cafe W hen I first started going to the Writers' Cafe at the CatStrand, I had no idea I would be entering a world of such creativity and imagination. From the outset the sessions, under the brilliant direction of Jane McBeth, were an inspiration. To be able to talk to other writers, listen to and appreciate critical comments and thereby inform my own work was a privilege I had not experienced elsewhere. Each evening was collaborative, respectful and productive. So much so that I felt inspired to produce pieces of poetry that I would probably not have contemplated without the understanding and encouragement of my fellow writers. There can be no doubt that I would never have produced this wee book without the Writers' Cafe evenings and I hope that I will be able to continue to attend sessions seeking further productive liaisons with other writers. It gives me so much pleasure to experience the variety of approaches that different people adopt to the challenges they have set themselves in their writing. And to help folk find a way through difficulties and problems in a supportive and friendly way is a satisfaction that is rare and valuable. I could not conceive of a better title for my poems to reflect this than Catstrand Connections. "Thank you" to everyone who contributed to making this a reality. I’d like to offer the book on sale to residents of the Glenkens at the discounted price of £5 per copy - to purchase a copy please email johnpriestley68@ btinternet.com John Priestley Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 25 Music-making in the Glenkens D id you know that traditional ballads were being sung in Galloway until at least the mid 20th century? ...Or that an 18th century fiddler’s notebook from Gatehouse ended up in the Glenkens? ...Or that BBC collectors came to Dalry in the 1950s and recorded the fiddling of Jock McCutcheon in Carsphairn, and the singing of William Wallace at Fingland Farm? There is much to discover about the history of musicmaking in the Glenkens and the Glenkens Story history group is presenting an afternoon of expert talks and live and recorded performances at CatStrand from 2-5pm on Sunday 17 March. Dr Jo Miller will provide an insight into the musical culture of the Glenkens, focussing on the period following World War One. She will discuss how it compares with music making in the rest of Scotland at the time and ask who were the musicians, and where and when did they perform. This is a fragile history, often relying on oral sources. Finding information can also be elusive, since many folk made music at home. However, families have also kept images, as demonstrated in the wonderful selection now appearing on the ‘Memories of the Glenkens’ Facebook page. Collections of written music and recordings can also provide resources for further research. Anna Campbell’s overall theme is the joy that music brought into the lives of a remote rural community. Her talk will draw on the letters, diaries, newspapers, photographs and other records held in the archives of Carsphairn Heritage Initiative…and the occasional legend. Christopher Wright of the School of Scottish Studies will introduce his research interests in Galloway song, illustrated by case studies. He'll discuss larger resources for exploring the music of SW Scotland: what’s in ‘national’ archives such as Tobar an Dualchais/Kist o Riches, and what don’t we know? The afternoon will conclude with an open discussion among speakers and audience, chaired by historian and singer Dr Lizanne Henderson, on preserving our musical heritage. Following interest in the ‘Music of the Glenkens’ exhibition staged at CatStrand over recent months it’s hoped that local people will share their musical memories, and discuss how best to gather, organise and conserve an archive of local music and dance. Tickets are available from CatStrand www.gcat.scot or 01644 420374. A story of hope and desolation L ost People, the latest novel by Glenkens-based writer Margaret Elphinstone, is set in a fractured dystopic world but amid trauma and desolation, hope is there to be discovered. Well known as a historical novelist, Margaret returns in Lost People to the timeless themes of her early writing when living in Laurieston, some 40 years ago. The narrator of her new book is Rue, a lost child abandoned in the garden of a mysterious community, who is forced on a quest through a desolate, wartorn landscape. This is a story of redemption and reassurance that solace can be found, whatever terrors may have to be confronted in the process. James Robertson (author of And the Land Lay Still) says: “Lost People has a meditative, calming mood and pace despite the fact that things have gone so badly wrong. The writing is beautiful, especially the voice of Rue, the troubled, vulnerable, highly intelligent young person who tells the story. Margaret Author Margaret Elphinstone at home in the Glenkens countryside Elphinstone has created a world simultaneously strange and familiar. It is a novel unlike any I have read for some time.” Lost People will be published on 21 February by Wild Goose, the publishing house of the Iona Community, priced £7.99. Poet and essayist, Kathleen Jamie, Scotland’s Makar (or poet laureate) says: “Here is a story of trauma, the kindness of strangers and the healing power of animals and plants … Lost People is a gem-like wisdom-tale of perfect clarity and depth.” You can hear Margaret read from the book and discuss the ideas underpinning it with writer Tom Pow at CatStrand, New Galloway, at 7.30pm on Thursday 7 March. Tickets £5 from GCAT.scot/arts or 01644 420 374. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEschools Kells primary K ells had a busy festive period, Christmas concert, singing carols for LING lunches as well as doing Christmas crafts, learning about the story of Christmas and writing poetry around the subject! This spring term we are looking forward to all things Scottish with the upcoming Robert Burns poetry competition and learning some Country dances. Good luck to P4 who have made the leap in to the 'big class', and are doing very well. Mrs Erin Welsh, Primary Teacher page 26 WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING HOURS OPENING TIMES MONDAY – FRIDAY MONDAY-FRIDAY 7.30AM-5.30PM 7.30am – 5.30pm SATURDAY - 8.30AM-5PM SATURDAY 8.30am – 5pm SUNDAY - 8.30AM-3PM SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm LOCAL SUPPLIERS LOCAL SUPPLIERS DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY BUTCHERS UPPERBUTCHERS DULLARG EGGS MITCHELL'S FRUIT EGGS & VEG UPPER DULLARG SWEETCAKES BAKERY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY SWEETCAKES BAKERY CREAM O' GALLOWAY GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES CREAM O GALLOWAY IRVINGS BAKERY GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES GALLOWAY SCOTTISH PASTA IRVINGS COWS BAKERY & CO THE CRESSGALLOWAY COMPANY PASTA (GF & SCOTTISH VEGAN OPTIONS) GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE 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 GAZETTEinformation page 27 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Graham West 01644 430 503 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 • Parton: Tom 07835821976 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact newgallowaytownhall@gmail.com Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Balmaclellan: 4 Feb, 3 Mar - 11am Carsphairn: 4 Feb, 10 Mar - 11am Kells: 18 Feb, 17 Mar - 11am Dalry: 25 Feb, 24 Mar - 11am Special Services & Events Fri 29 Mar, 7.30pm, Good Friday Service, Carsphairn Sun 31Mar, 7.30pm, Dawn Service, Dalry Sun 31 Mar, 11am, Easter Worship,Kells For further information contact Rev Pam Bellis on 07751 379 249 or pam@bellisconsultancy.co.uk SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret's Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP Sundays at 10.30am: Holy Communion with refreshments after the service Tuesdays at 11am: Informal midweek service with refreshments and chat Thursdays 7.30-8pm: Zoom Evening Prayers. Please contact Dawn for the link World Day of Prayer, Fri 1 Mar, 2pm, refreshments after the service. Ash Wednesday, 14 Feb, 6pm, Imposition of Ashes service. Maundy Thursday, 28 Mar, 6pm, Holy Communion. Good Friday, 29 Mar 2pm, Reflection and Prayers. Easter Day, 31 Mar, 10.30am, Holy Communion For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 28 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot There are some remote working opportunities as Natural Power at the moment; check out their vacancies page - visit www.naturalpower.com/uk/careers CAB outreach clinics are held fortnightly on a Monday at the Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, and fortnightly on a Tuesday at CatStrand, New Galloway. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Advanced Massage Practitioner (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Ken Bridge Hotel Opening Times Sit-in and takeaway, seven days a week Evening Meals: 5.30-8pm Bar Service: from 4-11pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 11pm Saturday and Sunday * all meals must be booked in advance * • Pool table and darts board • Terrace/beer garden • • Venue available for hire for functions and events • • Campsite with river views *hot tubs coming soon* • - Dogs on leads welcome on outdoor terrace - For bookings, orders or any other enquiries call 01644 420 211, 07826 382 552, 07825 237 627, email mail@kenbridgehotel.com or message on Facebook @ Ken Bridge Hotel & campsite or visit www.kenbridgehotel.com page 29 GAZETTEinformation Glenkens Gazette WHAT'S ON page 30 February/March Fri 1, Song Share, Dalry Town Hall and Future, 2-5pm, CatStrand, see p25 Wed 6, Dalry Film Club: She Said, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 21, NGCE Ltd AGM, 7.30pm, CatStrand, see p15 FEBRUARY Thu 7, Lost People Book Launch: Margaret Elphinstone In Conversation with Tom Pow, 7.30pm, CatStrand, see p25 Fri 22, Ensemble Hesperi: A Gift for your Garden, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 10, Glenkens Producers Market, 10am1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sun 10, Quiz Night, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 23, Ensemble Hesperi: Playing Day, 1.30pm, CatStrand Mon 11, Menopause Really Matters Peer Support Group, 7-8pm, Smiddy, Balmaclellan, see p14 Tue 26, Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker and John Doyle, 7.30pm, CatStrand Thu 14, Ken Words: Writers’ Cafe, 7pm, CatStrand Wed 27, Dalry Film Club: Oppenheimer, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 14, Stewartry Birdwatchers: A wilder, wetter WWT Caerlaverock, 10.30am, Balmaclellan Village Hall Fri 29, Dallahan, 7.30pm, CatStrand Turn to centre spread on p16-17 for Together in The Glenkens Feb/Mar activities... Thu 8, Ken Words: Writers’ Cafe, 7pm, CatStrand Mon 12, Menopause Really Matters Peer Support Group, 7-8pm, Smiddy, Balmaclellan, see p14 Wed 14, Dalry Film Club: Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 17, If Sounds Could Tell: Fay Guiffo & Edyta Mydłowska, 7:30pm, CatStrand Sat 17, Vika's Ukranian Buffet, contact vikafiras@gmail.com Thu 22, FARA, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 24, Learn to be Self-sufficient Skill Sharing Event, 9.30am-4pm, New Galloway Town Hall, see p15 Mon 26, Carsphirn Local Place Plan Dropin, 2-7pm, tbc, visit www.carsphairn.org/ LPP for details Thu 29, Blue and the Tranquil Storm, 7.30pm, CatStrand, see p21 MARCH March-Sept, Permaculture Design Course with Propagate, both online and in various locations throughout Galloway. visit www. propagate.org.uk/permaculture for more details. Initial meeting is 16 Mar, The Hidden Mill, Balmaclellan Sat 9, Glenkens Producers Market, 10am1pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 15, Musclebound, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 23, Ensemble Hesperi: Playing Day, 10.30am, CatStrand Sat 30, Easter Egg Hunt with Bairn Banter, 10am, Carsphairn School playground Fri 15, Carsphairn SWI: A vet’s perspective Bruce Haggarty, 7.30pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Fri 15, Stewartry Birdwatchers: Warbler identification, 10.30am, Balmaclellan Village Hall Sun 17, The Glenkens Story: Music-Making - Past, Present Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Meets last Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Carsphairn Community Council: Meets last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail.com or 07531 035 824 Dalry Community Council: Meets first Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Meets second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: Meets monthly - contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Balmaghie Community Council: Meets monthly - contact secbalmaghiecc@btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Parton Community Council: Meets monthly - contact ericaporteous@hotmail.co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Meets monthly richardandjane@phonecoop.coop or 01556 670 691 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 31 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4pm – 6.30pm Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, to book email warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Glenkens Crafters, Wed 10am-12noon, for info contact julia.higgins55@outlook. com Books in Balmaclellan Community Library, Wed 10.30–12.30; Fri 6-7pm; Sat 10.30am-2.30pm (tea & coffee available on Sat). Tai Chi, Wed 2-3pm Balmaclellan Blether, 3rd Thu each month, contact warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Yoga, Thu, 6pm, kathyr64@hotmail.co.uk Yoga for all levels, Thu, 9.30am CatStrand Singers, Thu 11am-12noon Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat monthly, 2-5pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat biweekly 10-11am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat bi-weekly 11.15am-12.30pm Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10 yrs plus), weekly, Sun 3– 5.30pm Glenkens Art Workshop, Thu, 2-4pm Zumba, Fri, 6.30-7.30pm Men's Shed, Balmaclellan Opening Times: Monday, 9.30am - 12.30pm Wednesday, 9.30am - 12.30pm, Wood Carving, 2-4pm Thursday, Art Group, 2-4pm Friday, 9.30am - 12.30pm Saturday, 9am - 12noon Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, come along for a blether, or bring a board game/cards, etc. Refreshments available. Call 07710 124 255 or email carsphairn.trust@gmail.com Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm,Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Craft Group, Fri 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, Lagwyne Hall, contact carsphairncraftgroup@gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, 0-7 years, Sat 10-11.45am CatStrand, New Galloway Winter opening hours: 11am-4pm Tue-Sat Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon biweekly, 4.30-5.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mondays 5.30–6pm Power Yoga, Tue, 9am, kathyr64@ hotmail.co.uk Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wednesday eve 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed 4-5pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed 5-5.30pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed 6-7.30pm, monthly The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Margaret Morris Movement: Health Play (age 5-8), Mon (during term time), 3.45-4.30pm Margaret Morris Movement: Youth Grade (age 8-15), Mon (during term time), 4.30-5.30pm Glenkens Ukelele Group, Wed, 6.308pm Taste of Music, monthly, 10-11am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, montly 11.45pm -12.30pm (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16 yrs) Musical Misfits, group singing class, biweekly, 10.30 – 11.30pm New Galloway Town Hall Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.3011am. Contact rtdglaister@aol.com Margaret Morris Movement, (adults), Mon 2.20–3.20pm, contact SaraShackleton26@ gmail.com Tai Chi, Mon 7–8pm, contact petchy2@ btinternet.com LING Lunches, (all welcome) Tue 12.30–2pm Hubbub, Thu 11am–2pm, activities from jam-making to Christmas wreaths (lunch provided) Sports Evening, Tue 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis, contact raymond.bridgeman@ btinternet.com Zumba, Wed 6.30–7.30pm, contact 07544 700 566 Hubbub, Thu, 11am-2pm Martial Arts, (children), Thu 7.30-9pm, contact kmabrian@gmail.com or just turn up. For further info email jackie. communityinclusion.LING@gmail. com or phone 07749 249781 or visit newgallowaytownhall.com @ Local Initiatives in New Galloway on Facebook Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2-4pm, contact Michelle on 07795 613 148 Clachan Crafters, Thu 2-4pm, contact Sarah on 07500 861 041 Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 7-9pm Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, contact anne.chaurand@ btinternet.com Yoga For All, Fri 7-9pm, contact Amy on 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, contact Anne on 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, contact Sarah on 07500 861 041 Glenkens Charity Shop Winter Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Main St, Dalry, Tel: 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue, 2-5pm, for books and other walk-in Fri, 11.30am-12.30pm for NEC Bus Pass and Blue Badge appointments and PCs, and 1-4.30pm for books and other walkin services: appointments can be booked in the library or on 01387 260 196. Bookbugs Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Friday of each month, 2pm, call June to book on 01644 420 361 Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2-3.30pm Dog Training, Tue, 7-8pm, contact Eric Broadhurst on 07831 590 822 Various Strictly Get Dancing, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton, Mon, 7 -8.30pm Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, contact Anne on 07889 016 963 Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed & Fri, 1.30-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Crossmichael Church Hall, Thu, 1-3pm Yoga, Mossdale Mossdale Village Hall, Fri, 2.15pm Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am12.30pm, Galloway Activity Centre, Parton Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona Ramsay on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 32 Field Trip “ They always say Ritual Purposes when they haven’t a clue. Anyway we know that right through the Modern Period they kept symbols of time worship on all their major edifices. The reconstruction - look, here it is - suggests it was a tower with four Time Circles, one facing each cardinal point.. Plus the cast-iron bells. And that time capsule thing - bit like burying your ancestors under the hearthstone I suppose.” “You’re getting muddled. That was 4000 years earlier.” “Oh let’s leave it, I bet the other three groups have got half their settlements done by now. Come on, this path going north was the main drag apparently. Remember we’re supposed to be thinking about Transitory Settlement Patterns. What was it? Transhumance?” ‘No, that’s moving flocks around in summer and making cheese and stuff. This was Transvacance - that means moving people around in summer.’ “I don’t see how that got them anything to eat.” ‘Well, people paid a lot of money to go to temporary summer pastures and sheep didn’t. That’s what all these houses were 唀瀀栀漀氀猀琀攀爀礀Ⰰ 䰀漀漀猀攀 䌀漀瘀攀爀猀Ⰰ 䘀愀戀爀椀挀猀Ⰰ 䌀甀猀栀椀漀渀猀 刀攀昀椀氀氀攀搀 䘀爀攀攀 䔀猀琀椀洀愀琀攀猀 吀栀攀 圀漀爀欀猀栀漀瀀Ⰰ 䴀漀渀礀戀甀椀攀Ⰰ 䌀漀爀猀漀挀欀⸀ 䐀䜀㜀 ㌀䐀夀 眀眀眀⸀䠀愀爀爀椀猀ⴀ唀瀀栀漀氀猀琀攀爀礀⸀挀漀⸀甀欀 ㄀㘀㐀㐀 㐀㐀 㔀㈀㤀 used for in the end so people couldn’t live in them. Let’s get this straight: first phase Early Modern Clearances: you burn people’s roofs over their heads - incendiary method - and ship them off to colonise someone else’s country so you can run sheep. Second phase, Declining Modern Clearances: make sure they don’t get any roofs over their heads in the first place - laissez faire method - and send them off to anywhere but here. Because no one cares, see?” “I don’t think that’s exactly what she said.” “Look, it’s all in the lecture notes she gave us - page 5 Marginal Lands, scroll down to the bottom: ‘Transvacance appears to have died out in the final decades of Declining Modern Civilisation. There is debate as to whether it ceased because fossil-fuel or minedmaterials vehicles were no longer available, or because the roads had already become impassable for wheeled vehicles. Current research suggests both factors came into play.’ We were all supposed to read this stuff last night, by the way.” “Page 1 says, ‘In this glen there were at least five churches, the most salient buildings in every settlement, also 2 to 4 hostelries of some description in each settlement.’’ “So they spent all their time praying and carousing. Could be worse.” “No, you weren’t listening: ‘The evidence is that all public buildings had fallen into disuse several decades before the settlements were finally abandoned.’” “That Ken Bridge we crossed this morning wasn’t abandoned. It’s still all right, though it says on page 2 it’s nearly 400 years old.” “What about schools?” “Didn’t you listen to any of her lecture? Of course there were no schools by the end. That big one - where they found all those concrete slabs - that’s the one she said was in an advanced state of decay even before final abandonment. Anyway the documentary evidence tells us that in the final two censuses the inhabitants were all over 70 so naturally they didn’t need any schools.” “Life must have been pretty dismal. No wonder they all died out. I’d rather be me.” M.N.E Image created by FlowGPT as specified by Larry Winger Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 or 07789 903127 www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Servicing - Brakes - General Repairs Pre MOT Checks - Diagnostics Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com APRIL/MAY COPY DEADLINE: 5 MARCH The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. 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Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document April/May 2024 ISSUE 141 School mothballing halted: Victory for local campaigners! U nited community action has successfully halted Council plans to mothball Dalry Secondary School without consultation. Campaigners had regarded the imposition of mothballing as ‘closure by stealth’. Now Glenkens councillors Dougie Campbell and Andy McFarlane have successfully persuaded Dumfries & Galloway councillors to adopt their motion, halting secondary school mothballing across the region until communities are properly consulted and all options considered. FREE INSIDE THIS ISSUE Please help us make the Glenkens Hub better with the survey on p20... MUGA plans move forward ...turn to page 5 The reprieve has been achieved thanks to tireless work by many people and groups across the community and beyond, working together with a united goal. Continued on p3... Parents and children from Dalry School outside the council offices in Dumfries the New Galloway Fire Station Best in D&G Keeping community voice at the A heart of community benefit: Glenkens District Trust talks about its work so far fter a year of audits of fire stations across the region, New Galloway was declared the Best D&G Station for 2023/4. ...turn to pages 18-19 These asessments take into account the station's performance against administrative targets, as well as a practical drill carried out on the night. Area commander Andrew Kenna presented the trophy, commending the station personnel - who are all volunteer fire fighters - for showing great teamwork and professionalism. Pictured are New Galloway Fire Station's dedicated team with their well-deserved trophy New Galloway Fire Station is currently seeking new recruits. If you're interested, please visit the station on a Tuesday night between 7pm and 10pm for further details. More trophies for the CatStrand Youth Players ...turn to page 29 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews Glenkens Cub Scouts T he Glenkens Cub Scout Pack celebrated the birthday of Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Scouting movement. This is a day when Scouts and Guides all over the world renew their Promise. We joined the Reverend Dawn and the congregation of St Margaret’s Church. Guests included Drew Low (president of the Galloway Scout District), Alan Sidaway (regional Scouter), members of the Active Support Group, and friend of Scouting, John McCulloch, along with parents and siblings of the Cubs. Each Cub presented the Reverend Dawn with a piece of memorabilia to create a display. Harriet Archer and Freya Gibson were the flag bearers and handed them over to the minister for the duration of the service. Caitlin Jones and Alba Wall collected in donations for the church. The Cub Scouts and Leaders would like to thank everyone who supplied the beautiful array of baking and for making this such a special day. If anyone in the Glenkens has an interesting job or hobby and would like to come into Cubs and share it, please speak to Hannah at mcandrew.hannah@ yahoo.co.uk It is coming up for the time of year when you are perhaps thinking of spring cleaning. We hope to have a stall at the Scottish Alternative Games in August, so if you have any unwanted gifts, jigsaws, brica-brac, jams, etc, we would be grateful for any contributions. Yours in Scouting, Heather and Hannah The Glenkens Cub Scouts and Leaders at their Founder’s Day service page 2 200 years of the RNLI! C ome and celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Lifeboats at a Coffee Morning on Saturday 18 May, 10.30am to 12noon, at Dalry Town Hall. As well as a raffle and baking stall, there will be special anniversary souvenirs for sale. The Glenkens A busy month for St Margaret's community charity shop M T he Glenkens Community Shop in Dalry (better known as the charity shop) will continue to be open Mondays from 10am to 1pm, and Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. We welcome donations, except for electrical goods and larger furniture items. We also welcome new volunteers! The shop has helped to fund groups, and individuals with projects, for about 12 years now, and with your support will continue to do so into the future. We always have an amazing range of items for sale, at amazing prices! Come and visit us to browse or to chat - and go away with something new to you. Lis arch was a busy month for the St Margaret’s Guild – as well as hosting the World Day of Prayer service for all the Glenkens churches, the annual programme of Lent Lunches helped raise money for a variety of good causes. The format is that hosts put together a simple lunch of soup and cheese in return for donations to a charity of their choice. In this way, just over £800 was raised for Cancer Research, Turning Point Scotland and Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance. The Guild extends thanks to all the hosts, as well as to those who were so generous in their support, not just from the St Margaret’s congregation but from all the Glenkens churches and wider community. Looking ahead, please note that the St Margaret’s annual Plant and Bake Sale will be held on Saturday 4 May, 10am to 12 noon, with all proceeds going to Dumfries & Galloway Blood Bikes. This is always a popular event so remember that ‘the early bird catches the worm’! GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette Continued from front page... The school's parent council, Glenkens Community Action Plan steering group, community councils and individual members of the community all supported the campaign. Friends, relatives and former pupils added their voices and widespread coverage was secured through local and national press and media outlets. Dalry Secondary School has been saved from what would have been closure by stealth, with no community consultation or investigation into potential alternative options to 'mothballing’. Now, a full and rigorous investigation will be carried out into what can be done to make the school thrive again. The moratorium on the mothballing of secondary schools will ensure that a policy demanding a rigorous community consultation process, including investigation of alternative options and the wider impact page 3 of closure, is embedded in secondary school mothballing policy. “A door to the future has opened for the Glenkens,” said Emily Wall, depute chair of Dalry School Parent Council. "We have gained a respite in which to gather our thoughts and momentum to step into a new future for education for our area. And we're very excited to take that next step together! " More on pages 6&7... New local baby & toddler group A new stay-andplay baby and toddler group has started in New Galloway Town Hall. We have songs, music, snacks and stories and introduce a particular theme each week such as ‘Friendship’, ‘Mother’s Day’ or, as the picture shows, we had a ‘Building’ theme where we had the story of the Three Little Pigs and then had great fun using boxes in many different ways such as building a house, playing peekaboo at the window, climbing in and hiding, and being pushed around to name but a few. We would love for you to join us! The group runs every Friday from 10-11am. The aim is that this group evolves to meet the needs of those who attend so please come and suss us out and offer any suggestions as to how it could suit you more or find out it already does! This is a small, low-key friendly group, for carers and their babies and/or toddlers under three years, offering an opportunity to meet other parents in the area as well as giving their children an interactive, fun, safe space. Please also spread the word to others you know, pop along to a session for more information, or to get in touch please contact sarahwatson@ playworld.org.uk the Glenkens and to amplify their efforts. This was a key priority of the Glenkens & District Community Action Plan. To make it happen, the role of Network Facilitator is funded for one day per week by the Glenkens and District Community Fund, through the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust. have been attended by members of 14 town hall, village hall and other community space committees across the Glenkens. Those who have been unable to attend have been kept up to date by email and invited to join in with projects and share updates. Sarah Watson Community Spaces Network reflects on positive first year O ur community halls and centres across the Glenkens play a vital role in offering a space within which to socialise, learn, hold events, access sports and the arts - all organised and managed by hardworking and sometimes overstretched volunteer committees. The Glenkens Community Spaces Network (GCSN), which held its first meeting in January 2023, was created to bring these voluntary committees together for peer support, to encourage partnership working across Following an initial round of fact-finding interviews to set priorities for the network, we have hosted seven network meetings to date, four of which have featured guest speakers. These meetings GCSN Facilitator, Becca Nelson, commented: "It's been a really rewarding first year, which has seen members share successes and expertise, ideas and resources. "I would like to thank all of the members of the hall committees across the Glenkens for the huge amount of voluntary effort they put into keeping all our community spaces thriving – the Glenkens is much the stronger for them - as well as the Glenkens and District Community Fund through Foundation Scotland, who funded the project." A full report on the first year of delivery, plus a look ahead at the challenges and opportunities and testimonials from the halls, is on the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot/glenkenscommunity-spaces-network If you have any questions regarding this project, or would like to join the Network, please contact Becca on becca.glenkens. anf@gmail.com Pictured are members of Dalry Town Hall management committee - Jim Reid, Peter Andrew and Col Sweeney - with GSN Facilitator Becca Nelson outside the town hall GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette Celebrating in vintage style Stolen T his year's Mothering Sunday at New Galloway Town Hall was set to be a fundraiser with a difference... The idea was that mothers (and their hangers-on) might enjoy a little indulgence, while listening to some delightful vintage numbers played by Jonnie Dowswell’s specially created Little Vintage Tea Band. So Sylvia Brown brought a selection of her vintage tea settings, and with a band of indefatigable helpers set up a bountiful spread. I confess that I was rather more keen to imbibe the prosecco on offer than the tea - never been much of a tea drinker - though I did persuade myself to a cup or two to complement the wonderfully creamy Victoria sponge. But what was most salient to observe was the sheer amount of hard work involved in putting the whole package together. It only takes a moment to realise tall this work, for one particular event, is a kind of epiphany in and of itself. Just to get to the event, to have the cheerful groups sitting at table, listening to the old familiar tunes, and smiling together, was a triumph of perspicacity. page 4 donation box Pictured is the Little Vintage Tea Band entertaining visitors in a beautiful vintage setting A collection box in the community car park of Mossdale village has been stolen. Volunteers from the village who donate their time to keep the village hall, picnic area and car park in good order are shocked and saddened by the theft. A member of the community said: "This was money generously donated by visitors, to support our communty." Volunteers are working to source funds to replace the box so they can continue to raise money for the community. For anyone wishing to donate, please contact Pamela Bowes on 07740 774 013 or pamela. bowes@hotmail.co.uk cooked food, conversation and crafts - was in full swing. The Minister, accompanied by Dumfries & Galloway councillor Pauline Drysdale, joined local residents for a hot meal and lively discussion on key issues impacting rural life. Townhall Trustees with Minister John Lamont and Councillor Pauline Drysdale I shall have to remember to enjoy my own small projects, working for the joy of working, of creating pleasure for an audience, with Sylvia’s hard work reminding me as I go. Until then, I'll content myself with a cup of tea, a goblet of prosecco, a remembrance of a hearty repast of cream cakes, unctuous meringues, and chocolate éclairs, and the revelation of the music echoing around me. Larry Winger www.RoadsToJoy.blog Minister for Scotland joins the Hubbub U K Government Minister for Scotland, John Lamont, has visited New Galloway to tour the refurbished town hall and meet representatives from community groups. Ownership Fund helped transform the town hall into an accessible, versatile, low carbon community space. This was the final stop in a tour of central and southwest Scotland that saw visits to Biggar, New Cumnock and Cairnryan, meeting community groups that have benefitted from UK Government funding. The minister sat down with trustees of Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) to discuss how a £175,000 award from the Community Visiting on a Monday evening meant that New Galloway’s weekly Hubbub - a social gathering centred on home TV's Hairy Bikers visit Galloway Pasta T he Hairy Bikers popped in to see Galloway Scottish Pasta in New Galloway last June while filming Hairy Bikers Go West. Margaret, from Galloway Scottish Pasta, said: “It was such a lovely experience; Dave Myers and Si King spent the most glorious day with us in New Galloway when Si made pasta and they both got to taste the pasta with a pesto made from local ingredients. "We had been sworn to secrecy about the filming until it was announced on the BBC. for a public live showing and a tasting of the dish that the Hairy Bikers made with us.” "After all the secrecy, we really wanted to share the experience of watching the show with the wider community and booked the big screen at Dalry Town Hall NB Dave Myers sadly passed away in February after battling cancer. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews MUGA plans move forward D alry's Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) could be a step closer to being brought back into use thanks to the efforts of volunteers from the Dalry Community Properties Trust (DCPT). residents and school pupils, as well as Glenkens Community Councillors from other settlements, and have received strong expressions of support for reopening the facility. With the support of Council ward officers, the group is now working on the paperwork to complete a formal asset transfer to resurface and renovate as well as taking on the day-to- day running of the MUGA. This means that school pupils and the wider Glenkens community would have access to the allweather sports venue for tennis, five-a-side football, walking football, basketball and wheeled activities. DCPT Chair Michele Owen commented: "The acquisition of the MUGA marks a significant step forward for community- page 5 driven sports and recreation in the Glenkens. With community ownership, we wish to ensure everyone benefits. Local businesses are eager to revive the tradition of leagues, fostering a spirit of friendly competition among employees and competing groups. Our goal is to generate funds through business and local usage, enabling free access for children and other select groups, ensuring inclusivity and enjoyment for all." The MUGA, currently under the ownership of Dumfries & Galloway Council, has unfortunately been inactive since 2014. Challenges related to access, availability outside school hours and minimal council involvement have contributed to this situation. The MUGA was constructed in 2004, funded by the New Opportunities Fund as part of a region-wide programme to upgrade and modernise sporting venues and to improve/provide access to sports and leisure facilities. Hopefully soon it will be in use for the local community once again! However, the DCPT is excited about the prospect of revitalising this valuable asset under community ownership, ensuring its full utilisation for the benefit of all. DCPT volunteers have surveyed Dalry Becca Nelson If you would use the MUGA, please help DCPT with the application by completing this very short poll (just three questions) at https://tinyurl. com/Dalry-MUGA-poll Uist visits the Glenkens G lenkens Communities & Arts Trust (GCAT) was delighted to welcome Thomas Fisher and Theona Morrison from Uist in the Outer Hebrides for a very informative visit in January. Theona and Thomas are heavily involved with community development up in Uist, and it has become clear over recent time just how much the islands and rural communities like the Glenkens have in common. Remoteness and poor transport links foster a high degree of self-sufficiency and community action wherever you are, it seems! Thomas and Theona are from a community development organisation on Uist, CoDeL, which had previously sourced a modest amount of Scottish Government funding to support two Glenkens projects that are very much aligned with ScotGov priorities - Bairn Banter in Carsphairn and the Galloway Food Hub. Both are excellent examples of how to put national priorities around childcare and local food production into action in rural communities - although both rely heavily on volunteer effort, and it would be more sustainable into the longer term if key community projects like these had sufficient paid people to keep them going. In the mean time, we rely on the remarkable good will and efforts of the many volunteers involved, as ever! Thomas and Theona were also very interested to hear about the Glenkens and District Community Action Plan and its alignment with national policies. They are doing a lot of work with Scottish Rural Action around depopulation (Theona is the Chair of SRA), and we picked up some good ideas from them that we will be trying to put into action. We finished the visit with a tour round the Glenkens landscapes, observing the rapid rate of land use change due to renewables and forestry planting. It was fascinating to hear the observations of a fresh pair of eyes on our Glenkens challenges and opportunities, and we thank Theona and Thomas very much for their time in coming to see us! Helen Keron, Executive Manager, GCAT Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 6 Working together for the future of Glenkens education O ver the past few months communities across the Glenkens have been galvanised into action as a result of the proposed recommendation by D&G Education Department to mothball Dalry Secondary. The term ’stronger together’ certainly rings true here as local community councils, Dalry School parent council, local businesses and community groups such as the Glenkens Community Action Plan Steering Group (CAPSG) have engaged with elected members, Scottish Government, D&G Council and press in a bid to have the Glenkens’ communities voices heard. Finlay Carson MSP has also raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament and written to the Cabinet Secretary. Through the intervention of Glenkens Ward Councillor Dougie Campbell, along with scrutiny from Scottish Government, it was discovered that Dumfries & Galloway Council actually has no policy in place for mothballing secondary schools, despite the move by the Education Department to push for this to happen at Dalry Secondary. Glenkens Ward Councillor Dougie Campbell, with the support of fellow Glenkens Ward councillor Andy McFarlane, put a motion before the next Dumfries & Galloway Council meeting on 28 March asking for a halt to mothballing of secondary schools across the region until a robust policy, which includes rigorous and thoughtful community consultation and assessment of the socio-economic implications, has been put in place. This bid was successful as this edition of the Gazette went to press - see front page article. L-R: Bob Glaister (Glenkens Community Action Plan Steering Group), Cllr Linda Dorward, Cllr John Denerley, Cllr George Jamieson, Sarah Ade (Dalry School Parent Council) and Cllr Dougie Campbell with bus driver, Blue, behind in the GCT bus set drive the route children travel daily if Dalry Secondary was to be mothballed [five more passengers joined the bus enroute). Photograph courtesy of the Galloway News. Scan the QR code or type Glenkens to Castle Douglas School Bus into the YouTube search function to see time-lapse footage of the journey. Dalry parent council is working hard to get the message out there that the Dalry Secondary needs to be seen in its unique context; with its large remote be supported, not sidelined,” said Emily Wall of the parent council. To illustrate the situation faced by the pupils, Dalry School's parent council arranged a bus ride for councillors and press along the route that Glenkens children would have to travel to get to high school, which was well attended and featured on ITV Border on 22 March. The journey was a three-hour “Glenkens education cannot be fitted into a prescribed model... Our children and our communities need to be supported, not sidelined,” National and local press coverage in publications such as the Herald, Daily Record, Galloway News and the Glenkens Gazette, as well as on other news platforms such as Border TV, Radio Scotland and DG What’s Going On Facebook page have ensured that the situation has a spotlight on it. rural catchment including portions of single track roads with elevations over 1,000 feet (resulting in harsh and often unpredictable winter conditions), its situation is more similar to island schools than any mainland school. “Glenkens education cannot be fitted into a prescribed model, and some thinking outside of the box needs to be done with consideration of particular nature of our area. Our children and our communities need to round-trip, and parent council members reminded those on the bus that this journey would need to be taken five days a week for up to six years of a child’s life if they had to travel to Castle Douglas High School from S1. The parent council is also speaking with other small secondary schools across Scotland to find out how they manage with numbers similar to those at Dalry. All the schools approached to date run successful all-through models, which is what parents and future parents are asking D&G Education Department to do in the Glenkens. Continued on opposite page... In order for the CAPSG to create a Glenkens Education Forum, it is vital that there is input from all interested parties so that the wider voice of parents, children, employers, statutory providers and community members are taken account of. In light of this, the group is asking for anyone interested in taking part in this important work to contact Helen Keron on helen@catstrand.com Glenkens Gazette Continued from p6... Meanwhile, other local groups are continuing to look at Glenkens education in its broader form. Glenkens & District Trust (GDT) have recently stated that: “We are acutely aware of the importance of education provision to the sustainability of the area and the current issues relating to the potential mothballing of Dalry secondary school. We are also aware that this is an issue that is impacting various other rural areas across Scotland. In our role to support Glenkens community development, we will be commissioning a piece of work to enable a better understanding of how other communities affected by this GAZETTEeducation issue are approaching it, to share learning and experience. This study will provide information and tools that will support the Glenkens communities in their goal to find a locally specific way forward that meets the needs and aspirations of local families and our young people.” The Glenkens Community Action Plan Steering Group (CAPSG) sees the provision of education as an important underpin to the goal set out in the Community Action Plan and is considering whether the creation of a Glenkens Education Forum to develop ideas and potential solutions for the short, medium and long term is appropriate. They said: “For example, this group could work together to develop a ‘model for education and learning in the Glenkens’. This would cover pre-school, primary school, high school, wrap-around clubs, post-school learning, further education and lifelong learning and consider the pipeline of industry in the area. The work proposed by GDT will support this.” Sarah Ade, member of the parent council as well as the CAPSG, said: “The communities of the Glenkens are keen to work with D&G education department to find a solution. But we need to be listened to, and our views respected, which is not happening at present. We see the move towards amalgamated learning centres such as Dumfries Learning Town. We see the challenges of an ageing schools estate. And we aren’t saying ‘don’t change page 7 anything’ – we are saying the opposite in fact; we desperately need change to Dalry Secondary school as the current management arrangement is killing the school. We are saying that higher education within our Glenkens communities is vital, and that the department in charge of our schools - the Directorate for Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing needs to take into account our communities’ wellbeing. We have active and engaged local business willing to support education. We have numerous windfarms in development over the coming years. We have enthusiastic and articulate community organisations. And we want to work together to create a plan for Glenkens education that benefits everyone into the future.” A different school of thought I am writing this article after being deeply moved by reading 'Field Trip' in the February/ March edition of the Glenkens Gazette. Well done that author, MNE, describing the 'second clearances', because that is what is happening. No school means the beware that the Post Office, doctors' surgery, garage and arts centre may be next, and then an oldie lonely community with just a few contractors coming in looking after the trees and wind farms. Does a Dark Skies area much touted refer to a lack of physical light of an area or where depression is present? This is a dramatic description - creative writing at its best - of the decline of the rural community made manifest. It could be so different and the district has a special place in modern rural education history with the Kilquhanity School taking its place as ‘The Scottish Summerhill’, where the children helped with everything and learnt at the same time. Dalry is perhaps the smallest secondary school in the UK which, for quiet schooling, can be such a good learning environment. For children in the countryside to have a local, well-funded (the education authorities can fundraise you know!), all-round education makes it a gem in the state school system and it should be given a badge of honour instead of facing the threat of closure. What could happen to Dalry instead of closure? One hundred years ago Henry Morris, the Chief Education Officer of Cambridgeshire, published his Memorandum which described a cradleto-grave rural education approach, which became known as The Village College. Here primary, secondary and adult education took place where the local community supported the school and the school supported the community. Fine, light-filled buildings were erected with original artworks on the walls and workshops for engineering training and land skills along with libraries, evening classes, cinema and dances, all under one roof and all financed by charitable trusts and local businesses (I hope you are reading Mr Forestry Owner and Mr Wind Farm Contractor!). They have been a great success giving people in the countryside brilliant education without the horrific travel times to the far off town. Nearer to home, not far from South West Scotland, there is a very good example of rural education at the John Ruskin School, Coniston, Cumbria which has built a reputation as a community rural school even taking pupils from the nearby urban areas who are better off away from the tendency for gangland environments. It has From the cover of Educator been hugely successful Extraordinary: The LIfe and as a school which Achievement of Henry Morris by has specialised with Harry Ree Longman 1973 support for children with autism and a natureand-nurture approach, more when the alternatives especially important since are so possible in an area the pandemic. (That travel where rural education has fund which has some money had such a remarkable story left over, D&G Education to tell. Secretary, you can take You can find videos and interested parties and go and information on The Village have a look!). College: The Life and Legacy The Galloway Hills teeter of Henry Morris, Life at The on the edge of The Second Kilquhanity School, and Clearences, but it's surely not The John Ruskin School too late - it's just so unfair at Coniston on YouTube that a child from Carsphairn and other sites for anyone sits on a bus for an hour or interested. VG Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 8 A tree planting day at Dalry Library C hildren from the P1/2 class at Dalry Primary were invited to the Dalry library to be part of planting a special tree in the grounds. The children were accompanied by Mr Scrimshaw, Mrs Newbery and Mrs Haynes, and were joined by Alex McRae, a local ecologist. They learned about what trees need to grow strong and healthy and how the soil is enriched by earthworms. Taking turns digging until a tree-sized hole was created and the tree was carefully placed in the ground. The children then helped to fill in the soil around it. Whilst the children were digging, as well as lots of worms, they found a piece of old pottery and a May bug, also known as a cockchafer beetle, another sign that the soil was in good health. Once the ground was firmed around the tree, the children sowed clover seeds to help fix nitrogen in the soil which will help the tree to grow. Alex said: "The tree is a local sapling and is planted with respect for our UNESCO Biosphere and to mark the King's coronation. Also to celebrate Dalry's wonderful library. To encourage wider use of the library's garden, Dalry Community Council have donated a bench and we're also hoping to get a few stumps and planks for little ones to sit on." The children had a lovely day in the sunshine, learned a great deal about trees and enjoyed being part of creating local history and a legacy for the community. Farming, food and Easter fun I n Dalry primary school’s P1/2 class, the children have been learning about farms and the animals that live there and create our food. In the classroom, the children had visits from farmer Rory and also Mrs Heuchan and joined in online with Meet the Farmer. They learned about crops, looking after animals, how to make food for cows and how milk is produced. In the Farm Shop, they learned about vegetables and fruit, how to buy and sell produce and use money. On 13 March, the children went on a visit to Loch Arthur Farm Shop in Beeswing. We were met by Helen, the shop manager, and she talked to the children about the fruit and vegetables, the bakery, the cheeses they make and the butchery department. They enjoyed a shortbread biscuit and juice in the café before continuing onto the allinclusive playpark at Carlingwark Loch, Castle Douglas. A fantastic day was enjoyed by all and when we returned to school, we tasted the sausages and yoghurt we bought. Sing into Spring Children at Dalry Primary welcomed families and the local community into the school hall for Sing into Spring - an afternoon of spring celebration, performances and cake. The coffee afternoon was well attended and the children in all three classes had made sweet treats for everyone to enjoy. The P5/6/7 class were responsible for setting up the hall and making beautiful decorations for the tables. Some of the classroom assistants helped the children to make and serve the drinks and we were joined by some of the Dalry Secondary children who also helped. The audience was treated to musical perfomances by all the classes, and they also got to see the entries for the Decorated Egg competion. The prizes were presented during the event. Such wonderful creativity. The final day of school saw the children participating in an Easter Egg Hunt in the playground and ELC garden. The Easter Bunny joined us and a fun time was had by all. Dalry Primary are looking forward to more exciting events and learning in the next few months. Thank you for all the parents and the members of the community that support the school over the year. Keep an eye out for forthcoming events. Sabine Haynes Pictured are Easter celebrations at Sing into Spring and the P1/2 class outside the Loch Arthur farm shop Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople page 9 A big "thank you" from the Gazette M ike Brown has been a member of the Glenkens Gazette Steering Group for over 15 years and, now about to enter his eightieth year, has decided it's time to step down and hand the baton to someone new. An instrumental part in the Gazette's journey, Mike has been key to the development of the publication, helping to guide it with care and consideration to the point it's at today; the thriving, active and valued publication as you see it. We will very much miss his keen journalistic eye, as well as his attention to detail as a proof reader, including an understanding of law as it affects journalism through a long career in the business. All at the Gazette and GCAT would like to say a huge “thank you” for the many, many hours you have given Mike - you will be very much missed. In light of this, we will now have a vacancy in our Glenkens Gazette steering group. If anyone locally has a background in journalism and/or a knowledge of the law relating to publishing, and feel you may have a few hours to spare each month to support our community publication, please do get in touch. We're always looking for proof readers to join our pool - do be in touch if you could spare a few hours every two months. The Glenkens Gazette Team New faces at LING Handfasting L ocal Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) is delighted to announce the appointment of Heather Chipchase as assistant Hub host. Our Hubbub sessions in New Galloway Town Hall on Thursdays are going so well we have needed an extra pair of hands. Heather will be working partly in the kitchen, where the focus is on saving food-waste and providing cheap and nourishing meals, and she also assists Bianca Leder, our Hub Host extraordinaire, in whatever activities are happening each week. We’ve had everything from Abi Morden teaching us about the wonders of kale, a citizens' advice visit, and Carol Salsbury running a session on how to make better use of your phone or tablet – starting with how to switch it on! Plus there’s always lots of chat and laughter in a friendly, relaxed environment, as the photographs both illustrate so well. Above left - new Assistant Hub Host Heather Chipchase. Left - fun and banter at Thursdays' Hubbub I n a woodland setting by Kenmure Castle, Sylvia Brown and Glynne Shackleton quite literally 'tied the knot' in a traditional handfasting ceremony. Their happiness has been delighting everyone in New Galloway since the romance sprang up only a few short months ago. Ann Glaister GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Gazette page 10 Glenkens Youth Correspondent Joshua Wells, age 14, is our Gazette youth correspondent and each edition will be writing about things which interest him. In this issue he looks at volunteering in his local community. I love volunteering; every fortnight on a Saturday I go to the CatStrand Art Club at the Smiddy in Balmaclellan, and in each session we create a different piece of art. I’ve made clay sculptures and great drawings. I get there early so that I can volunteer at Art Explorers. The people that go are aged between five and eight years old. They also get to make wonderful pieces of art. I like volunteering there because I enjoy helping people younger than me. Town Hall. Sometimes I volunteer at the Hub and sometimes I volunteer at LING Lunches. At the lunches, I help by setting up tables, washing up and getting tea and coffee for people. At the Hub I made macaroni cheese for 10 people; it was the first time I’d done anything like that. Just meeting new people would get me to come back again. Sometimes after school, I go to the CatStrand for Art Ambassadors. This is a youth-led session, and we talk about projects that we could create there. It’s a small group; last year we planned Santa’s grotto, which involved setting dates, wrapping presents and being elves When I’m there I help get stuff out, so there is enough glue and paint for everyone, and then I tidy up the gargantuan mess the children leave! Someone has to make sure it’s tidy for my group, I can’t leave Cat to do it alone! During the school holidays, I volunteer at New Galloway MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 ourselves for the grotto. This week I had an early start, I got up at 7am and had to get ready to leave home at 8.20am to set off to Castle Douglas for Parkrun which happens every Saturday at Carlingwark Loch at 9.30am. However, because I was volunteering as a marshall, I had to be there at 9am. When I got there, the run director told me what I was going to do and where I was going to be. If you’ve not heard about Parkrun, it’s a volunteer-led run that happens weekly worldwide. It mostly takes place in parks - hence the name. Did you know some Parkruns are held in prisons? I don’t think I can volunteer for those ones though! I have volunteered at Parkrun before due to my mum setting up one in Kent back in 2016 when I was seven years old. I used to find it fun to use the megaphone in front of around 200 people. This time my dad ran at Parkrun and so did lots of other people from the Glenkens. I think it’s a good way to stay healthy, and it’s free. Marshalling is easy because all you have to do is cheer people on as they run by and they thank you for helping out. It was all finished and packed-up by 10.30am, so me and my dad went off to the library. There are a lot of benefits to volunteering such as meeting new people, learning new skills, and getting more hours on your Saltire Award. The Saltire Awards are for young people aged 12-25 and aim to recognise and reward the commitment, contribution and achievements of young volunteers in Scotland - visit www.saltireawards.scot for more information. Amber Dunlop-Pajo Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 11 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 12 sponsored by Want to run a food business? D o you ever have a glut of fruit or vegetables? Would you like to start a home-made food business? If you have thought about setting up a food-related business but are not sure where to start, then read on! The Galloway Food Hub, based in the Glenkens Community Centre in Dalry, is on a mission to encourage local people to take that first step from concept to reality. The project believes there is a need for more small food business in the Glenkens to build a resilient food community. They can provide an additional route to market for small local, good food producers alongside farmers markets, local shops and direct sales. month, once you’re signed up as a producer, you can sell as much or as little of your produce as you like. preferably organic and/or local, and that is healthy as well as delicious! You can go to the 'Producer Guidance' page at www. gallowayfoodhub.org.uk to navigate your way through the guidelines you need to get established safely and legally. It’s very simple for fruit and vegetable growers and a bit more involved once you start making, baking and cooking. Currently the Hub has lots of chutney and jam makers, for instance, but are short on products like oatcakes, kefir, sauces and ready meals. They would also like to hear from keen gardeners who don’t have their own growing space and may be interested in helping at a local market garden. The Food Hub would love to hear from people making something a wee bit different which is also in line with their Good Food Criteria: healthy for planet, people and animals. Something that involves real ingredients, The Food Hub has just completed a successful trial of a Fair Food for All scheme. Using DG Climate Hub funding, the scheme supported 10 free 'food staples' boxes and a range of discounts off Hub products Whether you have grown too many courgettes or have a secret family oatcake recipe you enjoy making, the hub would love to hear from you. The Food Hub operates on a fortnightly basis, so even if you just happen to have a glut of a particular vegetable one in order to offer the wider community more affordable access to local, and climate friendly, produce. Big farms are subsidised to provide cheap food to the nation, so it makes sense that small local farmers produce should be subsidised too, to make it more affordable to those on a tight budget. The recipients' feedback was very positive, with the food making an impact on improving their weekly budget, increaing their feeling of health and happiness and forging a connection to where their food came from. Whilst some found it difficult to come forward to partake in the scheme, everyone would appreciate if this could be run on a more regular basis. The Food Hub will be looking to bring in donations from the public to fund - or pay-itforward as it’s called - food staples boxes in future. Other avenues for funding will also be investigated to continue this scheme. To find out more visit www. gallowayfoodhub.org.uk where you can also find out more about current producers and how to shop at the Hub. Sharing traditional skills " To be honest I was absolutely delighted to be asked," said Carol Salsbury, one of the volunteers who ran a learning station at the skill-share event in New Galloway Town Hall. "Old-fashioned herbs and tinctures are something I’m passionate about, so it was a real joy to be able to share that with people who were so keen to learn – all ages as well. I was quite amazed by the level of enthusiasm. own Hub host, was the prime mover and shaker who made it all happen. It seemed Carol was not alone in her enjoyment of the occasion. This was a sell-out event, with 40 places supported by Dumfries and Galloway Climate Hub (see article on p15). Bianca Leder, our An equally intriguing and delicious lunch was conjured up for everyone by Vika Jouja, one of our several Ukrainian residents in the Glenkens. We learned about fermenting from Bianca herself, how to make beeswax wraps with Jackie Wells and the basics of sewing from Julia Higgins. "A wonderful, refreshing and revitalising day," said one attendee on their feedback form. "The enthusiasm was contagious," said another. Ann Glaister, LING Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 13 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE Red high seat Parker Knoll chair. Contact: 07876 786 099 Pale brown carpet, laid but then replaced without being used. Approx 4m x 3.5m (13x11 feet). Collection from Dalry. Contact: 07769 959 511 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 A Casio LK100 keyboard and a Brother KH836 knitting machine. Both complete and working with instructions and accessories. Free to good homes. Contact: 07531 035 824. WANTED Big long fold up table (similar to those used at craft fairs). Contact: 07749 087 699 Small shed/dog house/chicken coop to house a family of three chickens. Contact: Leto 07763 235 888 Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Non-runners/broken welcome. Contact: 07845 562 217 PERSONAL ASSISTANT REQUIRED - see p32 Metal bunk bed frame, double bottom, single top. Contact: 07952 280 902 I t's that time of year again when our thoughts turn towards Glenkens Food Month! The first planning meeting for the September event will take place at the CatStrand on Thursday 25 April at 6pm. Any interested parties who Glenkens Gardeners G lenkens Gardeners is a friendly group for keen growers and gardeners from all across the Glenkens. We aim to have a monthly seed and plant swap somewhere in the Glenkens, and we have an informal 'home' at the Glenkens Community Centre in Dalry. The group helps gardeners to make new connections, swap anything from plants and produce to hints and tips, and has an active WhatsApp group as our main form of communication. To be added to the group or find out more, email abi@ propagate.org.uk. Looking forward to welcoming new members soon! The Glenkens Gardeners would like to have a presence are warmly invited to come along – community groups, local businesses or individuals. We’ll get the plates spinning and ideas rolling for events and activities to celebrate local food in our glorious Glenkens. Email jo@catstrand.com for info, or just come along on 25 April. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 14 Out and About in the Biosphere S pring is an exciting time in the UNESCO Biosphere as nature awakens and longer days bring more time outdoors. The Glenkens is the perfect place to experience the natural heritage and ‘sense of place’ that led to southwest Scotland being given its international status more than a decade ago. The Glenkens Community & Arts Trust's Watson Bird trails will fill with sights and songs over the next weeks; follow in the footsteps of artist and naturelover Donald Watson (1918-2005) who made countless studies of local bird species. Two trail routes (with audio available) take you around the Biosphere Community of St John’s Town of Dalry and across the Glenkens, from Makilston to Mossdale. For those looking to explore further or take family and friends on some great days out, the Watson Bird trails are just one part of The Ambassador’s Tour, an itinerary for visiting some of the Biosphere’s best attractions and activities. (The rather grand name comes from being based on the visit of Anna Nsubuga, the UK Ambassador to UNESCO, in July 2023.) In case anyone was in doubt about the region being a world class destination: within the last few months the GSA Biosphere has been featured by Rough Guides, Wanderlust, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic Traveller UK in their ‘must see’ lists for 2024! As always the Biosphere has a packed programme of events on the go. Recently their first Farming for the Future conference took place in Newton Stewart, in partnership with Propagate and the National Farmers’ Union Scotland. Farmers and producers met, networked, and shared their experiences and ideas on regenerative farming. Several farming businesses are already accredited through the Biosphere Certification Mark scheme as understanding of naturefriendly practice grows; the Biosphere’s staff includes a land use and biodiversity specialist and a nature recovery officer who are available for site visits and advice. is well underway, supporting community-led climate action through funding, resources and facilitation. The Hub is one of a national network established as part of the Scottish Government’s economy adviser and The Ship Inn, a Biosphere Certification Mark business in Gatehouse of Fleet. The team also ran a 'Sense of Place' workshop for residents of Castle Douglas to explore the potential for joining the Biosphere Communities scheme, which brings with it support for destination development, plus learning and wellbeing initiatives that help people live sustainably and spend more time outdoors. ...within the last few months the GSA Biosphere has been featured by Rough Guides, Wanderlust, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic Traveller UK in their ‘must see’ lists for 2024! Readers may have already seen that the D&G Climate Hub Let’s Do Net Zero campaign, and the GSA Biosphere Partnership is delivering the Hub for the entirety of D&G. The Hub’s work covers an ever-expanding project map including Glenkens organisations that have benefited from seed funding, such as the Galloway Food Hub and Local Initiatives in New Galloway (see article on p15, opposite). Biosphere staff were in Castle Douglas for three days in March, hosting a pop-up info hub at the Samphire Gallery. This included an evening session hosted by business development officers, with presentations by South of Scotland Enterprise’s circular More information about all the above is available at www. gsabiosphere.org.uk where you can also sign up as a Proud Supporter – open to individuals, businesses, schools, organisations, and community groups and entirely FREE. The team is active on all the main social media platforms follow #gsabiosphere to keep up to date with events and opportunities through 2024, or contact staff directly via info@gsabiosphere.org.uk Top: Jake McLaughlan supporting at the Castle Douglas pop-up hub. Left: Faith Hillier, Ribh Gallacher and Jenna Cains – the Biosphere’s Community & Education team - at Threave Estate Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 15 The Optimistic Environmentalist Reducing your home energy bills - Part Four T his feature follows on from part three, which was featured in the October/November edition of the Gazette. • Larger or more long-term tips Always insulate as a priority. If you tackle every aspect of insulating your property it will be expensive but works very well; there are cheaper technologies and techniques that will not be totally effective, but are certainly worth using. Remember, start with rooms that you use more often; it is better to start with a manageable chunk rather than feeling overwhelmed by the cost or size of the job. • Total insulation If you have brick or block cavity walls, insulation can be injected into the cavities. If you have solid walls though, eg stone, you can either insulate the outside of the building or inside. This is very effective but is costly and can be disruptive. You may need to decide to cover up your nice cottage appearance or lose some space inside. Alternatively, use something like Sempatap which is like a thick insulating wallpaper (10mm thick) but can reduce 'U-values' (a measure of thermal loss) by up to 30%. You decorate over the top afterwards. It costs £270 per roll which covers 12.5m2. • Underfloor insulation You can put mineral wool (eg Eko roll) or insulation board (eg Kingspan) under a suspended timber floor. If your floor is solid, (concrete or soil) you would have to get it dug out before putting damp proofing and insulation layers underneath before laying the new floor. If this is not possible because of cost, time or difficulty with the disruption, put insulation over the floor or use thermal underlay beneath the floor coverings. As stated before, insulate your attic. Pound for pound, this is the cheapest and most effective thing you can do. Find any drafts; check that windows and doors are not leaky; use triple glazing and shutters. These are becoming more popular in the UK because, like all insulation, they help to maintain a consistent temperature in the building against extremes of heat and cold. Beware though, you don't want to make your house so airtight that it becomes damp or the air is stale. NB: at the moment, insulation materials are charged at 20% VAT but contractors are charged at 0% VAT so they should pass this saving on to you. Whatever you are doing, check to see if there are grants or loans available as what is funded and at what level changes regularly. Contact the Energy Saving Trust or Dumfries & Galloway Council for ideas. If you are altering your roof, floor or flooring, windows, walls or doors, make sure you add a good amount of insulation into the project while you're at it rather than it being an add-on later. • Home storage battery systems This can be a single unit or built of modules which link together - they start at about £1,000. You also need an inverter (starting at around £600) which converts your mains electricity (alternating current, AC) incoming electricity into direct current (DC) to charge your home storage battery. The inverter also reverses the process and converts the DC battery power to AC when you want to power your home. NB: batteries in Home Energy Storage Systems are now VAT exempt. Also, you can add more batteries at a later date when funds are available. (see Part Five, in the next edition of the Gazette, for home storage battery systems continued) Denise MacDonald-Kiernan Currently there is the Eco4 grant available to both tenants and homeowners on qualifying benefits. The grant offers full insulation, solar panels, air source heat pump and central heating system, so is definitely worth looking into - visit www. ofgem.gov.uk to find out more. Seed funding flourishes S ince November 2023 the Scottish Government funded initiative, D&G Climate Hub (delivered by the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere), have supported 27 community climate action projects through seed funding, two of which have been in the Glenkens. A sell-out Learn to be Self Sufficient day hosted by Local Initiatives in New Galloway at New Galloway Town Hall welcomed 40 participants for a day of skill sharing and great food (see p12 for more). It was important to Galloway Food Hub that people self-referred, so an impressive 800 flyers were delivered to Glenkens households, thanks to the Glenkens Gazette remote rural delivery scheme! The second funded project was with Galloway Food Hub who piloted a Pay it Forward scheme which seeks to address food inequality in the region. This has helped people access free high-quality foods staples boxes or a generous discount to a Galloway Food Hub shop. They also used social media, Stepping Stones Food Bank, and other community enterprises to reach the main participants. (See p11 for a full report). Keep an eye on the D&G Climate Hub’s social media, website calendar and map to keep abreast of local community climate action. Sarah Thomas, D&G Climate Hub Climate Officer (West) 07425 370895 sarah@gsabiosphere.org.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment I t’s a momentous occasion for the Loch Ken Ranger Service as this month sees the official launch of the Loch Ken Volunteer Ranger scheme. Since forming in 2021, the Loch Ken Ranger Service has cared passionately about looking after our beautiful Loch Ken, working to help protect it and its surrounding environment for the future. Head Ranger Leanne Pumpr began her Ranger journey as a volunteer back in 2022, helping out with education sessions for local schools. Leanne now heads up the Ranger Service, working hard to ensure that the loch is better cared for. A typical day for Leanne involves patrolling on and around Loch Ken, engaging with locals and visitors. Whilst there are many responsible campers, Leanne often has to deal with littering, abandoned campfires and camping equipment, and wildlife crime. The Loch Ken Ranger Service is now firmly embedded in our communities – this friendly ranger presence is reassuring for people and has helped to protect our environment from neglect and decline. The Loch Ken Ranger Service was set up by the community for the community, when council ranger services were withdrawn, trailblazing the way as one of the first community-led ranger services in Scotland. As such, we are still trying to work out what this Ranger Service could provide, and can very much be guided by the needs of our page 16 Launch of the Loch Ken Volunteer Ranger Scheme communities, working out together what this could be in the future. This winter the Ranger Service branched out and worked on a resilience project, assisting communities with preparations for extreme weather events. The Volunteer Scheme was launched with a ‘Meet the Ranger Service’ open day where members of the communities were invited to come along and find out more about our work and how they can get involved. Head ranger Leanne gave a presentation showcasing how the Ranger Service has developed over the last few years. “We had a great response to our open event," said Leanne. "It was great to meet members of the community who share our passion for our environment and are keen to help make a difference with us.” We have been pleased to see a lot of people keen to get involved and help with the work we do, and we hope in time to have volunteer rangers in every community around Loch Ken. Volunteer duties will complement the current work of the ranger service and include assisting with both water and land patrols, resilience work, helping deliver education sessions, looking after our ecosystem or helping out with organised events. The scheme will be a great learning opportunity for many, and also a chance to get out and about in the outdoors and meet new people. Members of the community also play a vital role in keeping an eye on things, and are very good at reporting incidents to the ranger service. We would urge anyone who notices anything around the loch that they feel concerned about to let us know - you can contact the ranger service on the numbers on this page, or you can report anything on our website www.lochken.org.uk The ranger service holds a Ranger Group LOCH KEN RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 meeting on the last Wednesday of every month. These meetings are open to all and include discussion and monthly incident and data reports. We would love people to come along, find out more and get involved. Details of our next meeting can be found on our website. People are at the heart of the Loch Ken Ranger Service and everything we do, and it is fantastic to see such a show of support from the communities. If you are interested in this scheme or any other Loch Ken Trust projects and would like to be involved please get in touch lktoffice@protonmail.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity A year in the life L ast year was a great year for Balmaclellan Village Hall, building on from the work begun in 2022. Lots of successful events, activities, and refurbishment to make this centre of the community a thriving and welcoming space. There is still more to do, but more of that later. Let’s recap what’s gone on so far... We started 2023 with a terrific Hogmanay party that brought all the village together and got the year stared with a swing. Our Burn’s Night supper later that month was a huge success, with lots of music, homilies, laughter and poetry (Tam o’ Shanter with added action scenes!) - a truly inspiring homage to our bard. Our second plant sale later that spring built on the success of the previous year, with wonderful weather to really get the gardening year started. The plant sale and teas (served outdoors in the beautiful weather) introduced many to the new village hall garden. When we dismantled the old stage to create more space for events, we asked Paul Appleyard from Dalbeattie to ‘upcycle’ some of the timber to create benching around the two cherry trees. Cairan Murdoch had dug flower beds which had been planted over the year to create a beautiful community space where anyone can come and enjoy sitting among the flowers Many of the flowering shrubs were purchased from local gardener and nurseryman, Billy Orr, and it was lovely to see the plants he was selling already looking wonderful in the garden. We also ran a successful series of evening ‘Pop-Up Pub’ nights, which in the absence of a local hostelry, served to again bring the village together through the year. page 17 These events were very well attended and enjoyed by all. They were an important fundraiser for helping get the refurbishment of the hall underway. A major upgrade of the kitchen, and the conversion of a former meeting room into a food preparation room, meant that we are now able to cater at a much more professional level. Partly to do with this, but mostly because we have a terrific team of outstanding bakers, our monthly afternoon tea sessions have really taken off with up to 30 people from across the Glenkens coming to enjoy home baking, good cooking, unlimited tea and coffee, and of course, a good chat with friends. Booking for this is now essential; if interested please contact julia. higgins55@.outlook.com Our long-standing and very popular Glenkens Crafters group meet every Wednesday morning. The range of crafting activities that take place is amazing, with beginners and experts working alongside each other helping, teaching and supporting the various projects on the go – and all accompanied by lots of good blether, tea, coffee and cake of course! In September we were part of the Glenkens Heritage Hub Day and filled the hall with displays and exhibits about the history and heritage of our small village. This was a very busy day, with lots of cake consumed... The end of the September Glenkens Food Month was celebrated by a hog roast. Sadly, the weather was rather less than kind, but the fabulous food more than made up for it. We ended the year with our annual children’s Christmas party, hosting a lively afternoon of entertainment by Magic Monty followed by a visit from Father Christmas himself, resulting in lots of happy children. It was a quiet start for 2024 - no Hogmanay this year. The perennial problem in all volunteer-led organisations is one of volunteer shortage. Without anyone willing to take on the organisation of an event, things simply don’t happen (please get in touch if you would like to be involved in helping organise events!). This year’s Burns Night was another amazing event with excellent guest speakers, this time a thoughtful and thought-provoking monologue on Burns himself and a vigorous and hilarious rendering of Holy Willie’s Prayer, all accompanied by a wonderful meal provided by Michelle from The Thistle in Crossmichael. The haggis was again, as last year, beautifully piped in by young Ollie McKie. And moving on to 2024, our centenary year got off to a splendid, if slightly late, start. We have lots lined up for the upcoming months: a 'recipes from rationing' day takes us back to wartime cooking (booking needed for the morning practical fun session). Our annual plant sale will be combined with a traditional village fete, teas and barbecue (bar from 12noon-6pm), a pop-up pub night in July, and a hog roast and ceilidh, to celebrate the anniversary of the opening, in September. Keep your eyes open for details on social media, the Glenkens Hub (www.glenkens.scot) and posters around the area. Lynn Stewart Pictured are the annual plant sale and a packed hall for the pop-up pub night Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 18 Keeping the com the heart of com we receive, delivering against the community’s priorities which were articulated through the Glenkens & District community action plan. A s the Glenkens & District Trust gears up for our spring round of funding we have been reflecting on the year past and the landscape we operate in. The fund hit the significant milestone of having paid out £1 million since it launched in 2019, supporting initiatives right across the Glenkens & District area, and more recently, Education and Training bursaries. The early years of the fund have supported a wide range of projects and the trustees have swiftly evolved its strategy to ensure we can make the most of the money One of GDT’s key roles is to liaise with wind farm owners on existing and pipeline projects. While our stance on development is always neutral and we play no role in the planning/consent process relating to construction, we work hard to get the best possible arrangement for our communities. We pride ourselves in being proactive on this front and ensuring that all project developers know GDT’s role, how it operates, and the principles of inclusiveness and equity that we operate through our membership arrangements. During 2023 this has resulted in additional annual payments of £54,000 from the Windy Rig windfarm coming into the Fund and an agreement in principle with Red Rock Power, that should secure an additional £112,000 per year in community benefit funds for the Glenkens & District area. This funding will not be available until 2026 at the earliest and indeed the pipeline of potential wind farm projects that could benefit the area, if constructed, also look to be gradually pushing out towards the end of this decade. This means that the fund is not going to grow significantly over the next few years and because the main donor (Blackcraig Windfarm Scotland Ltd) does not provide an inflationary uplift to their annual payment, in real terms the trust will be trying to do more with less. Education & Trainin W e are beginning to see the impact of the Education & Training fund launched in August 2022. This fund is open to all residents in the area aged 16+. While 50% of the awards are associated with the cost of leaving home and studying at college or university, it’s not just for school leavers - around a third of applicants do short courses and are mid-career and retraining, or people re-entering the job market after a break. In total 34 bursaries were awarded over 12 months, with just over £47,000 being distributed through the fund. Anna's story... Having raised a youn away from her origin Anna was looking for her original goal of w adolescent mental he to Practice qualificatio regain nursing registr costs involved were a jeopardising Anna’s a the course. Anna made a success to the Education & Tr which enabled her to her Return to Practice undertake the 450 pr required at Dumfries Royal Infirmary. Anna says: “I am now say I completed all th Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 19 mmunity voice at mmunity benefit This has led to much trustee discussion about the fund’s strategy and the best ways in which the trust can fund local initiatives to create the greatest impact. This is an ongoing debate but some emerging themes in that discussion so far include the impact created by investing in: • activities that in turn enable other groups or individuals within the community to thrive (such as the Glenkens Community Spaces Network, which provides support and information for local halls and assets, or the Citizen’s Advice Bureau outreach service) • providing early-stage awards which may have some inherent risk but can act as a springboard for a service to launch and flourish (such as the then Glenkens - now Galloway - Food Hub) • holding highly valued local services steady through the provision of core funds (such as the three year award for the Loch Ken Ranger Service). Liaison with developers also forms one part of a bigger aspect of our role - which is ensuring that community voices stay central to community benefit processes. As the scale of community benefits grows across Scotland, a wide variety of regional and national bodies are showing increasing interest in how community benefits are delivered and used, with a diverse range of perspectives on how this is done. We are working closely with our fund partners Foundation Scotland, which has a long track record of working in community benefits across Scotland, to take an active part in this live conversation. GDT’s key objective, and the relevance ng Fund: a snapshot ng family and moved nal career in nursing, r ways to return to working in child and ealth services. A Return ion was required to ration, but the travel a barrier, ability to join sful application raining fund o complete e course and ractice hours s & Galloway w delighted to he required academic and practice elements of the course and have re-registered as a mental health nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. I was also subsequently offered a full-time position within the Dumfries & Galloway Child and Adolescent Mental Health team. I could not have done this without the kind financial assistance I received.” of the national ‘noise’ to our local setting, is to ensure that community remains at the heart of decisions on how community benefit monies are used; and that appropriate support is given to communities by the right agencies at the right time, to enable them to prepare for community benefits money in such a way that enables them to stay in control by being effective and ready to deliver. There are various ways of getting involved if you would like to support this work. Most of our trustees are drawn from our member community councils but our constitution also allows to include up to five independent trustees and we also welcome associate members, usually people or organisations who are keen to support our work and stay involved but who don’t have voting rights at our AGMs. These members will be fully involved in the life of the trust, receiving updates on the work of GDT and opportunities to engage. To find out more about getting involved email info@glenkenstrust.org.uk or go to www.glenkenstrust.org. uk/get-involved Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 20 Remembering children of Ukraine A s a children’s and young people's therapist I understand the profound effect that traumatic experiences can have on children, both immediately, and also on their future physical and emotional development. emotional issue. It can help them gain more of a sense of themselves and therefore enables them to feel more in control and have agency over their lives despite living with ongoing challenges. When we moved to New Galloway in August 2022, members of St Margaret's church were keen to support a further 50 therapy kits, which were sent out in January last year. When the war in Ukraine started in February 2022, I felt desperate for the plight of the children and wanted to find a way to help, but what could I do? The task seemed overwhelming! I decided to give myself the challenge of trying to replicate the essential Play Therapy kit into a small string bag which could be easily portable. Last week I was excited to have the opportunity to send another 10 Therapy Kits to Ukraine with a friend from Castle Douglas who has gone to help where he can in rebuilding homes. If a child has experienced trauma they need specific help and understanding to allow them to begin to process their experience and begin to feel secure again. In May 2022 I was able to raise enough money (£12 per kit) through the church I was with at the time - MCC in Harrogate - to send the first 100 therapy kits via a van that was taking mainly medical supplies into Ukraine through Poland. Play Therapy offers such a method to help children find ways of coping with a difficult Sarah Watson It has been such a privilege to be able to help in this small way, and through the generosity of people who have donated. However, it does just feel like a drop in the ocean... I would love to be able to send more therapy kits in the future, so if anyone is interested in supporting me to do this, please email sarahwatson@playworld. org.uk Sarah putting together her play therapy kits to send over to the Ukraine Funding a community freezer survey A fundraising appeal in New Galloway town hall e'd love to hear your raised over £600 for the views on the Glenkens purchase of a community Hub after its first year - is it freezer. doing what it was designed Hosted by Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING), the event attracted to do? Do you use it? Is it an amazing turnout with hot drinks, homebaking, and a second-hand book useful? W For more information about Play Therapy and what I offer locally please visit my website - www. time-to-blossom-therapy.com Please help us out by filling in a short survey - you can follow QR code below, or visit www.glenkens.scot/survey-2024 to complete the survey online. Thank you! Gail sale. A raffle featured prizes donated by several food-related businesses in and around the Glenkens, including the Galloway Food Hub, Balmaclellan Store, West Coast Sea Products, and more. Aiming to widen understanding of the problem of good food going to waste (one third of all food is thrown away every year, with the UK wasting 9.5 million tonnes annually) the event concluded with an edibility quiz, with one lucky winner heading home with a bagful of veg and loaves of pumpkin bread. Plans are to install the community freezer in an accessible room in New Galloway Town Hall where anyone can collect portions of homecooked meals and other frozen items donated by individuals and businesses. The initiative is part of LING’s ongoing work to increase community connectivity through skill-sharing, social gatherings, and practical support for local people. The fundraiser was the latest public event in a busy winter programme which followed the reopening of the Town Hall in October 2023, after eighteen months of renovations which returned the building to its historic position as the central hub for Scotland’s smallest Royal Burgh. LING, a Registered Scottish Charity, took asset transfer of the town hall from Dumfries and Galloway Council in 2022. Chair of LING, Barbara Barker, said: “At LING our mission is to support a thriving community, which includes supporting wellbeing and accessibility to essentials like warmth, companionship, and good food. LING Trustees and our wonderful team of volunteers are hugely excited to develop the New Galloway’s community food initiative through 2024 and beyond.” Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 21 Reflections on remoteness P rompted by a visit from some Uist islanders, I've been thinking recently about remoteness. The Glenkens are categorised by the Scottish Government as Remote Rural because we have a drive time of over 30 minutes to a large town. But I realised that I don't feel remote, here in New Galloway. Part of that is because I am very lucky to have a great support network of friends and family here - but another part of it is because of our community and the work of many people over many years to make it a great place to live. My children went to Primary School a five minute walk away. When I need provisions for dinner, the shop is a 6 minute walk away, right next to the Post Office and Town Hall. The medical practice is a four minute stagger I've done that on crutches. There's even a fire station, if heaven forbid it was needed. And of course (and slightly unbelievably still), I can access amazing live arts events and a fantastic cafe just five minutes down the road. Further afield, there are pubs, churches, community woodlands, shops, more halls, producers' markets and endless community activities available for all to enjoy. And all these 'lights' make my rural life bright. But what if those lights get switched off, one by one? We've already lost the bank, the police station, the dress shops, the cafes. Each one perhaps passes unnoticed in busy lives - but each one makes rural life a little darker. Our schools, our village shops and post offices, our cafes, pubs and arts centres, our town and village halls, our local businesses - all are hugely important to keeping rural life thriving. So thank you to all the many people who give endless time to keeping their particular light bright, and if you can support local, please do. We need to work together in these difficult times to keep ourselves going - despite the remoteness. We can continue to employ our wonderful Community Inclusion Worker, Jackie Wells, as well as being provided with massive support for our running costs. And, amazingly, they are promising this support over three years. It’s positively transformative for LING! everything that happens in the Town Hall and around and about only happens because the community is fully engaged in everything we do. They push ideas forward and make things happen. There’s no way we could be doing this alone. It was quite a delight to be able to give an account of ourselves that allowed us, in a sense, to showcase the community. Not just New Galloway but the whole of the Glenkens is a fantastic community to be part of and the success of this grant bid is testimony to that. Helen Keron Space for everyone: creating a community health and wellbeing hub A t LING (Local Initiatives in New Galloway), we are still floating on air since hearing that we have been successful with a major funding bid to the National Lottery’s Community Fund. As opposed to the capital funding which allowed us to renovate and make New Galloway Town Hall fit for the future, this is revenue grant funding which enables us to continue our work with the community to help make this beautiful, rural part of the world a really good place to live. We called our project 'Space for everyone: creating a community health and wellbeing hub', which we felt encapsulates what we want to offer. Much of what we do is centred in the Town Hall, with our LING Lunches on Tuesdays, Hubbub on Thursdays and Men’s Monday Morning Coffee on – you guessed it – Mondays, as well as lots of regular classes and events (See the listings on p35). But we also include the great outdoors in our idea of ‘Space for Everyone’ with our restoration of the old Garroch Estate Walled Garden and of literally miles of wonderful countryside walks. (See newgallowaytownhall.com for more information) What this grant offers us is continuity and security, which is like gold dust in this world of hand-to-mouth funding. What made us, we think, a good fit for this grant is that it sits under what they call their ‘community-led’ funding head. As trustees we hold certain responsibilities, but this whole venture only works because LING operates as an integral part of the community. Almost Ann Glaister, LING Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Get involved... A successful Place Planning drop-in session was held in Carsphairn's Lagwyne Hall, with local folk stopping by to give their views. Carsphairn's Local Place Plan will set out how the community would like their area to be reflected in the next Dumfries & Galloway Council Local Development Plan. Carsphairn Community Council will be finding out what the community thinks throughout 2024; keep an eye on carsphairn.org for coming events. If you can't make it to an event, you can still give your views and ideas by filling in the survey at www.carsphairn.org/LPP and if you'd like to get involved please email carsphairncc@gmail.com Below left: Lagwyne Hall drop-in session. Below right: map showing current wind farm and forestry developments in the Carsphairn Community Council area Driving abroad? I f you are planning on driving abroad this year, please consider whether you need an page 22 international driving permit (IDP). This may be needed whether you are in your own car or driving a hire car. If you have a UK photo driving license, then you may not need one (especially in many European countries). But if you are driving in Turkey, USA, Canada or Australia (and many other countries) then you will need one. 唀瀀栀漀氀猀琀攀爀礀Ⰰ 䰀漀漀猀攀 䌀漀瘀攀爀猀Ⰰ 䘀愀戀爀椀挀猀Ⰰ 䌀甀猀栀椀漀渀猀 刀攀昀椀氀氀攀搀 䘀爀攀攀 䔀猀琀椀洀愀琀攀猀 吀栀攀 圀漀爀欀猀栀漀瀀Ⰰ 䴀漀渀礀戀甀椀攀Ⰰ 䌀漀爀猀漀挀欀⸀ 䐀䜀㜀 ㌀䐀夀 眀眀眀⸀䠀愀爀爀椀猀ⴀ唀瀀栀漀氀猀琀攀爀礀⸀挀漀⸀甀欀 ㄀㘀㐀㐀 㐀㐀 㔀㈀㤀 Up until now you could get them from the Post Office, but from 1 April you can only get them from a Paypoint. The nearest Paypoint to the Glenkens is the Co-op in Castle Douglas. Regards, Paul Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 or 07789 903127 www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk GAZETTEhistory Glenkens Gazette page 23 Gazetteer of Scotland: extracts Part 1 A gazetteer is a geographical dictionary or directory, usually used in conjunction with a map or atlas. It typically contains information concerning the geographical makeup, social statistics and physical features of a country, region, or continent. The next two editions of the Glenkens Gazette will include extracts from the Gazetteer of Scotland from 1803 relevant to the Glenkens. G LENKENS, the northern district of Kircudbrightshire, comprehending the valley watered by the river Ken, and part of the high lands which divide Galloway from Carrick. It is divided into four parishes, Kells, Balmaclellan, Dalry and Carsphairn, and contains the royal burgh of New Galloway. The Glenkens breed of sheep and black cattle is much famed, and the farmers are reputed to excel in the management of their pasture farms. BALMACLELLAN; a parish in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. Its general appearance is muir, with five or six small lochs. Its surface is level, with a gentle rising towards the N. There are about 60 acres of natural wood, chiefly on the banks of the rivulets, which intersect it. Only about one-fourth of the land is arable; but this portion is very fertile. Many sheep are fed on the muirs. Two turnpikes pass through the parish. Population in 1793, about 500. CARSE-FERN, or CARSE-FAIRN; a parish in the county of Wigton (sic). The surface is all hilly, except a small plain on which the church is situated, and a few spots on the sides of the rivulets. The hills are in general green, interspersed with moss. From the appearance of the country, it is evidently unfavourable for husbandry: indeed, pasturage is only attended to. Formerly there were extensive forests of natural wood, and at that time iron mines were wrought; but the decay of the forests, and the want of coal, render useless the iron ore with which this parish abounds. Many of the springs contain iron, dissolved by means of the carbonic acid, and are admired for their tonic quality. Population in 1792, 609. DALRY; a parish in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. Its greatest length from N to S is about 15, and its greatest breadth about 10 miles. Towards the S the soil is arable, and capable of cultivation; but by far the greater part is hilly, and only fit for pasture; along the river Ken, which is the boundary on the W for upwards of six miles, there are some natural woods of considerable extent. There are several small lakes; and, besides the Ken, the parish is watered by the rivulets Garpoul, Blackwater, Earlstion, and Stonriggan. In Lochinvar are the remains of an ancient fortified castle, with a drawbridge, said to have belonged to the Gordons, anciently Knights of Lochinvar, and lately Viscounts of Kenmure. There are also several moats and ruinous places of defence. Mr Alexander of Mackilston, and Mr Hunter of Lochinvar, possess elegant seats. A village called St John's Clauchan, the property of the Earl of Galloway, is finely situated on the banks of the Ken. Population in 1791, about 1200. GALLOWAY (NEW); a royal burgh in the parish of Kells, in the Stewartry of Kircudbright; it is situated in a delightful vale, N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME which is denominated Glenkens, from the river Ken, which waters it. The houses are neat and regular, but it posseses no manufactures; its only consequence seems to be derived from its post-office, and its centrical (sic) situation, as a market for the different products of the neighbouring parishes. It was erected into a royal burgh by Charles I about the year 1633, when scarcely 20 houses entitled it to the name of a hamlet. But, in those visits which Charles paid to Scotland, he generally dealt out such honours and bounties to his Scottish subjects, which he had to bestow; and, in this instance, Sir John Gordon of Lochinvar obtained a peerage, by the title of Viscount Kenmure, and the creation of this royal burgh on his estate. In this town the institution of a farmer club has been of the greatest importance, in disseminating agricultural knowledge. The whole town is the property of Mr Gordon, the representative of the Kenmure family, which was attainted for attachment to the family of Stuart. Kenmure-castle, the residence of that gentleman, is situated in the immediate neighbourhood, and adds much to the importance of it. In 1793, it contained about 480 inhabitants. Explanations by transcriber: 1. Turnpike = toll road 2. Rivulet = burn or stream 3. Attainted = (in this case) beheaded for treason 4. Moss = bog Transcribed by Paul Goodwin Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 24 The Glenkens Story: The last global warming in the Glenkens D o you know your drumlin swarms from your eskers? Dramatic Global Warming in the Glenkens - what happened when the last ice melted, and are there lessons we can learn about the present?" The Glenkens Story is pleased to announce that geologist Dr Alan Gibbs will tell us about the transformational effect on the landscape of the Glenkens of the disappearance of the last ice-sheet some 12,000 years ago. Alan comes from Annan and spent a career as a geologist telling stories in space and time to anyone who would listen. He worked initially as an academic and then as a commercial consultant heading a software modelling team working on projects globally for major corporations, academic research and state survey organisations. Since selling his business he has been involved with his family restoring a tower house, farming and forestry. Alan makes the point that ‘while we tend to think of glaciation in terms of erosion of high mountains; corries, fjords, u-shaped valleys, etc, this is not the really interesting bit of the story in the Glenkens. It's about the deposition and what happens as the waning sheet ice melts." The processes that Alan will describe shaped the landscape we live in and work today. Come along to the CatStrand on Sunday 26 May at 3pm and learn how it all happened. Tickets are available from the CatStrand at www.gcat.scot or 01644 420 374. Drumlin swarm at Galrinnes Farm, Balmaclellan © Threave Rural Glenkens Gazette S cotland’s largest rural performing arts festival is back for its 45th anniversary festival across Dumfries & Galloway from 23 May to 2 June. GAZETTEarts For 45 years, the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival has brought world-class theatre, music, dance, comedy and spoken word to the heart of communities across the region. The festival is a celebration of local and national artists and its wide ranging 2024 programme of events has something for everyone to enjoy. This year the festival has curated an eclectic and exciting programme featuring everything from outdoor circus events in Castle Douglas and at Crawick Multiverse to theatre performances from the incredible James Rowland with his show Piece of Work and Raymond Wilson presenting his Made in Scotland show I Hope Your Flowers Bloom and the world famous A Play, A Pie and A Pint to spoken word events with Chrys Salt and Richard Ingham and I AM LOUD bringing their South of Scotland Poetry Slam Heat. The 2024 festival will present work in a variety of local venues, some non-traditional spaces and outdoors and providing events that build community engagement, enhance the health and wellbeing of communities page 25 and nurture equality of access and environmental sustainability. The Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival 2024 will build on its 45 years' history of helping to develop and nurture a strong and sustainable future for the performing arts industry in Dumfries & Galloway through continuing to create new and exciting partnerships across the region, and also bringing together the incredible local artists who we’ve supported throughout the year to perform their newly developed work. Pictured are Crawick (above) and Scottish Opera (left), acts performing at this year's festival Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 26 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers through some of his favourite books. In this edition Robin takes a look at the quarterly journal, the Critical Muslim. W e’ve heard a great deal about Muslims recently, and most of it negative. Suella Braverman claims that Britain has been ‘taken over’ by Islamists. Lee Anderson says that Sadiq Khan has handed London “to his Islamist mates.” If these claims are true, the ‘Islamists’ in question must be remarkably tolerant – given that they allow Islamophobes like Braverman to be Home Secretary, and given the Gay Pride marches, fund raisers for Israel, and so on, in London. It isn’t just the Tories. When Keir Starmer pressured the Speaker to not allow the SNP motion for a ceasefire in Gaza, he and other Labour politicians implied that he had done so because he was scared that Muslims would attack his MPs when they didn’t vote for the motion. This scapegoating of a group at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder for our failures is somewhat frightening as well as ridiculous. As with other aspects of our current ‘post-truth’ politics, it’s unsettlingly reminiscent of the 1930s. There’s much less of this rabble-rousing in Scotland, but – because we’re attached to Westminster – it still pollutes the atmosphere here, to an extent at least. Therefore it’s worth pointing out some more positive things about Muslims, and at the same time to tell you about one of my jobs (next time I’ll tell you about the other). That is, I’m deputy editor and frequent contributor to the Critical Muslim, a quarterly David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP journal that looks like a book, published by Hurst. It focuses on the endlessly diverse Muslim world – not something that can be reduced to a right-wing slogan. Our last issue, for instance, contained an essay on Sinead O'Connor as a ‘punk theologian’. It’s certainly not a religious publication, despite the title. You don’t have to be religious to write for it – fortunately for me. You don’t even need to be a Muslim. Each issue of the publication has its own theme – and the current issue’s theme is ‘Scotland’. Why? Because the leaders of Scotland’s two biggest parties are Muslims, because there is a small but significant Muslim community here, and because there are a host of Scottish issues – from minority languages to competing versions of nationalism – which echo issues exercising Muslim-majority countries. As well as a long road-trip essay by me, there’s an essay by the Scottish-Sudanese novelist Leila Aboulela on her Scottish influences, one by a music-mad Glaswegian girl who grew up in a Muslim household which thought music was ‘haram’, one on the history of Glasgow’s Pakistani community, and much more. Amongst the much more are two contributions by Glenkens residents. Robin Ade, artist and author of the classic Fisher in the Hills: A Season in Galloway, has written a wonderful essay on trout fishing in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Galloway. And Bill Holmes – the artist and dark philosopher of Deugh Studio, Knockengorroch – has offered a beautiful series of paintings, often of faces seen in rock faces, which connect the Syrian desert to the Galloway Hills. We should probably arrange a local event to celebrate both the essay and the spread. Watch this space… Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 27 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 28 The Fall of Man - a song of hope F ollowing the considerable success of 'The Passion' last Easter, Glenkens Choir is currently preparing another substantial choral work reflecting on the state of the world and offering a song of hope. Geoff Davidson’s new work tackles the story of Adam and Eve and the serpent. The subject has been virtually ignored by composers and the only work of note – Haydn’s 'The Creation' - briefly deals with a happy couple, in love and living in a beautiful garden with no mention of serpents, defying God or the consequences of disobedience. The story is actually very dramatic and offers opportunities for exciting and moving music which will be performed by stunning soloists from last year, baritone Robert Lind as Adam and soprano Nicola Junor as Eve with the Glenkens choir taking the part of a very angry God! Marion Adam becomes the ghastly serpent and narrations will be delivered by Rev John Burns. In these troubled days with Man falling ever further into violent conflict, it seems Adam has a lot to answer for. The allegory contains terrible truths, warnings and devastating consequences. Adam’s eating of the apple and his expulsion from the garden were only the beginning of a sorry saga of regret, murder and misery. Hope COME AND JOIN US DRAGON BOATS ON LOCH KEN OPEN DAY COME AND JOIN US AT THE GALLOWAY ACTIVITY CENTRE ON SUNDAY 2ND JUNE FROM 10AM TO 3PM EVERY SUNDAY FROM 14TH APRIL TO 27th OCTOBER 9.30AM TO 12PM • Paddle up and down Loch Ken from the Galloway Sailing Centre. • Every Sunday from 14th April to 27th October from 9.30am to 12pm (weather permitting). • All ages and abilities welcome (12+). • Buoyancy aids and safety briefings available from our trained helms. • Flexible membership options. • Refreshments available from the Galloway Activity Centre cafe. For further information please contact Joyce on 07514 317578 or pflssw@gmail.com www.dragonboatsonlochken.co.uk,Facebook ‘Loch Ken Dragon Boats’ | Charity Number SC041432 comes in the figure of Mary, Queen of heaven (sung by Janette Davidson) whose son offers a path to redemption. The final chorus “For unto us a child is born” (the words of which Handel used in his famous 'Messiah') is delivered with stirring determination that all is not lost. There is hope. The performance will take place on Saturday 4 May in Dalry Church at 7.30pm. Admission, as usual, is free but a donation is requested on exit. Last year 'The Passion' realised £1,000 for charity. Just remember – May the fourth be with you… Geoff Davidson Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 29 Further success for Youth Players T he Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) Stewartry District One Act Play Festival was held at the Fullarton Theatre, Castle Douglas, with, for the third year in a row, CatStrand Players representing Stewartry District at both the Open and Youth Western Finals. Eleven plays were performed; the highest number for many years, making Stewartry the biggest District Festival in the country! Three nights of great entertainment were enjoyed by full houses. Those who attended could vote for their favourite play to receive the ‘Audience Choice’ awards, with the other decisions left to adjudicator, Dr Paul Dougall. The CatStrand Youth Players’ production of Us and Them by David Campton, directed by Cat Campbell, was crowned as this year’s winning youth play and also was awarded the trophy for ‘Best Stage Presentation’. The adjudicator described it as "an interesting presentation which showcased some excellent young talent". Cat and her cast of thirteen are now looking forward to performing again at the Western Divisional Youth Final at Dunlop in Ayrshire. In the Open Festival, our two plays were both very well received and finished in third and fourth places overall, with only one point between them. In fourth place was As We Forgive Those by Andrew Smith directed by Brian Edgar. The adjudicator felt that it was a very challenging play and an engaging piece of theatre noting that "the acting was of a high order". Only two actors in the whole festival were highlighted as "outstanding" by the adjudicator; one was Zoe Kirkpatrick, who played the lead role of Sophie in As We Forgive Those and the other was Rose Benson, who starred in our third-placed play All of the Monkeys, written by Michael Park and directed by Jo Jackson. The adjudicator stated that this was "a very clear exposition of the piece and the standard of acting was very good indeed", and also awarded the play the trophy for 'Best Moment of Theatre’. All of the Monkeys will now progress to represent Stewartry at the Western Division Open Final in April. However, unlike the last two years, there won’t be a trip ‘overseas’ to Dunoon this time as it is Stewartry District’s turn to host the event back at The Fullarton. They will be joined there by the first and second placed teams, 88 Theatre and Stranraer Drama Club. Ken Bridge Hotel Opening Times Sit-in and takeaway, seven days a week Evening Meals: 5.30-8pm Bar Service: from 4-11pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 11pm Saturday and Sunday * all meals must be booked in advance * • Pool table and darts board • Terrace/beer garden • • Venue available for hire for functions and events • • Campsite with river views *hot tubs coming soon* • - Dogs on leads welcome on outdoor terrace - For bookings, orders or any other enquiries call 01644 420 211, 07826 382 552, 07825 237 627, email mail@kenbridgehotel.com or message on Facebook @ Ken Bridge Hotel & campsite or visit www.kenbridgehotel.com A scene from the CatStrand Players' performance of As We Forgive Those photographed by Ian Biggar All three plays were staged at CatStrand on 8 March with another full house, thoroughly enjoying a diverse evening of theatre. CatStrand Players have gone from strength to strength over the past 16 years and are now well known in SCDA circles all over Scotland due to our regular appearances at Western Finals and also at the Scottish Final in 2022. Hopefully one or even both of our plays can make it to the national final again this time around! Brian Edgar Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Free Benefits Support page 30 WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING HOURS OPENING TIMES MONDAY – FRIDAY MONDAY-FRIDAY 7.30AM-5.30PM 7.30am – 5.30pm SATURDAY - 8.30AM-5PM SATURDAY 8.30am – 5pm SUNDAY - 8.30AM-3PM SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm LOCAL SUPPLIERS Do you self-identify as disabled? Voice and rights charity VoiceAbility is providing free, independent advocacy support across the country to help you to understand and access Social Security Scotland benefits. Are you aged between 16 and 65, identify as disabled or have a condition that effects your daily life? If so, then we can support you. Support is also available for parents, guardians, or carers who are accessing benefits for a disabled child. Local Voice Advocate, Maureen Jardine, is hoping to visit locations across the Glenkens to let people know about this free advocacy service. Please get in touch if you would like Maureen to come to your community. For more information please email maureen. jardine@ voiceability.org, call our helpline on 0300 303 1660 or for further information visit www.voiceability.org LOCAL SUPPLIERS DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY BUTCHERS UPPERBUTCHERS DULLARG EGGS MITCHELL'S FRUIT EGGS & VEG UPPER DULLARG SWEETCAKES BAKERY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY SWEETCAKES BAKERY CREAM O' GALLOWAY GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES CREAM O GALLOWAY IRVINGS BAKERY GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES GALLOWAY SCOTTISH PASTA IRVINGS COWS BAKERY & CO THE CRESSGALLOWAY COMPANY PASTA (GF & SCOTTISH VEGAN OPTIONS) GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 31 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Graham West 01644 430 503 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 • Parton: Tom 07835821976 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH Sunday Services St Margaret's Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP Balmaclellan: 7 Apr, 5 May - 11am Carsphairn: 14 Apr, 12 May - 11am Kells: 21 Apr, 19 May - 11am, Pentecost Dalry: 28 Apr, 26 May - 11am, communion Special Services & Events Performance: The Fall of Man, Sat 4 May, 7.30pm, Dalry Church (see article on p28) For further information contact Rev Pam Bellis on 07751 379 249 or pam@bellisconsultancy.co.uk Sundays at 10.30am: Holy Communion with refreshments after the service Tuesdays at 11am: Informal midweek service with refreshments and chat Thursdays 7.30-8pm: Zoom Evening Prayers. Please contact Dawn for the link Special Events: Annual Plant and Bake Sale, Saturday 4 May, 10am-12 noon. All profits will go to the Dumfries & Galloway Blood Bikes. For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org GAZETTEinformation Glenkens Gazette Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 32 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot PERSONAL ASSISTANT REQUIRED – NEW GALLOWAY Personal assistant required to work with elderly gentleman who suffers with Parkinsons. The support is to enable this gentleman to remain safe and independent in his own. Duties include: personal care, meal preparation and general household chores. Rate of pay above the National Living Wage. Hours: 5 to 8 per day (3 days per week) and alternate Saturdays. Also may be required to cover holidays and sick leave if available. There is a possibility of more hours, this can be discussed at the interview. Will consider job share – split into 2 roles. Driving essential due to location. Please call for further information: 01644 420 674. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Advanced Massage Practitioner (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 33 GALLOWAY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org email: gct@catstrand.com phone: Jon 07841 512449 or Sue 07704 662925 APRIL - MAY 2024 REGULAR SERVICES EXCURSIONS GK2 Glenkens Castle Douglas (Tesco) Wednesday Evenings (Registered Route) Outward 19:00 19:05 19:15 19:25 19:30 19:37 19:40 Dalry (Underhill) New Galloway Mossdale Laurieston Townhead of Greenlaw Castle Douglas (Market St) Castle Douglas (Tesco) Return 21:15 21:10 21:00 20:50 20:47 20:37 20:35 Booking not required Glenkens to Newton Stewart Fortnightly Tuesday mornings Outward Pickups: Dalry (Underhill) 09:30 New Galloway (Town Hall) 09:35 CatStrand) 09:37 To Aldi (Return) Pickup Newton Stewart (Aldi Car Park) 11:30 Return fare £3.50 Advance booking required. DRIVERS NEEDED Galloway Community Transport needs your help to provide a wide range of community transport services across the Stewartry and beyond. MINIBUS DRIVING Minibus drivers with D1 (101 or by test) are needed to do volunteer and paid driving for our wide range of member community groups. PATIENT TRANSPORT We also urgently need drivers with their own cars for our patient transport service. Our volunteer patient transport drivers receive a generous mileage reimbursement and the satisfaction of providing a vital service to vulnerable people in our communities. Interested? Email gct@catstrand.com or phone 07841 512449 MEMBERSHIP HIRE GCT has a 15 and 8-seater minibus and a fully wheelchair accessible electric car available for hire by community organisations. For information about membership and terms and conditions of hire see the GCT website or phone 07841 512449 www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation WHAT'S ON page 34 April/May APRIL Sun 7, Jax’s Sunday Lunch, 12noon, New Galloway Town Hall, £15pp, booking essential, 07501 400 333 Tue 9, Menopause Really Matters, 7-8pm, Smiddy, Balmaclellan Tue 9, Kathryn Joseph, 7.30pm, CatStrand Wed 10, Dalry Film Club: A Quiet Passion, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 11, Ken Words: Writers’ Café, 7pm, CatStrand Thu 11, Stewartry Birdwatchers: Hen Harriers, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Sat 13, Glenkens Producers’ Market, 10am1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 13, SoundWaves Music Battle, 7pm, CatStrand Thu 18, Carsphairn SWI: Zumba, 7.30pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Fri 19, Flames by Trickhat- Community Recruitment, 11am, CatStrand Sat 20, Spalding Bowling Club Green Opening, 2pm, Dalry Wed 24, Dalry Film Club: Oppenheimer, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 25, Glenkens Food Month Planning Meeting, 6pm, CatStrand, see p13 Sun 28, Together in the Glenkens Pub Quiz, 7pm, Kenbridge Hotel Sun 28, Bluebell Walk, 10:30am, meet at New Galloway Golf Club, info@ling.org.uk MAY Sun 3, Jax’s Sunday Lunch, 12noon, New Galloway Town Hall, £15pp, booking essential, 07501 400 333 see p33 Sat 4, The Fall of Man, 7.30pm, Dalry Church, see p28 Sat 25, Plant Sale & Traditional Village Fete, teas and BBQ, see Balmaclellan Village Hall Fb for info Sat 4, Plant & Bake Sale, 10am-12noon, St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway Thu 9, Ken Words: Writers’ Café, 7pm, CatStrand Sat 11, Glenkens Producers’ Market, 10am1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 11, Ration Recipes & Digging for Victory, Balmaclellan Village Hall, see Fb for info Wed 15, Dalry Film Club: A Haunting in Venice, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 16, Roo & Neil, 7.30pm, CatStrand Thu 16, Carsphairn SWI: Goats & Cheesemaking, 7.30pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Sat 18, RNLI Coffee Morning, 10.30am12noon, Dalry Town Hall, see p2 Thu 23, Antiques Roadshow courtesy of Thomson Roddick, 2.30– 4.30pm Sun 26, Glenkens Story: The last global warming in the Glenkens, 3pm, CatStrand, see p24 Sun 26, Together in the Glenkens Pub Quiz, 7pm, Lochinvar Hotel, Dalry Sun 27, GCT Spring Fling bus tour: Stranraer, see p33 Mon 28, GCT Spring Fling bus tour: Kirkcudbright, see p33 JUNE Sat 1, DG Arts Festival: FLAME OUT, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 2, Ivan Drever 7.30pm, CatStrand Thu 23-Sun 26, Knockengorroch Festival, see back page Fri 24, DG Arts Festival: I Hope your Flowers Bloom, 7.30pm, CatStrand SATURDAY 13 APRIL & 11 MAY Sat 25, Patrick Monahan: Exclusively Yours!, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 25, GCT Spring Fling bus tour: Glenkens, Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Monday every month - contact richardandjane@phonecoop.coop or 01556 670 691 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 35 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton. julie@googlemail.com Community Exercise Class, 6pm Exercise Class, 7pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Tai Chi, Wed, 2pm Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month, 10.30am Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, 9.30am-12noon Wed, 9.30am-12noon Fri, 9.30am - 12noon Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 or carsphairn.trust@ gmail.com Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, 0-7 yrs, Sat, 10-11.45am CatStrand, New Galloway Spring opening hours: Tue-Sun, 11am-4pm Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat bi-weekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.15am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10 yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Glenkens Ukelele Group, Wed, 6.30pm Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16 yrs) Musical Misfits, group singing class, bi-weekly, 10.30am New Galloway Town Hall Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Margaret Morris Movement, (adults), Mon 2.20pm Tai Chi, Mon, 7pm, petchy2@btinternet. com LING Lunches, Tue, 12.30–2pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30pm Hubbub, Thu, 11am–5.30pm, drop-in, all ages welcome Martial Arts, Thu, 7.30pm Babies & Toddlers, Fri, 10am For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Clachan Crafters, Thu, 2pm, 07500 861 041 Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet.com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Dalry Library Main St, Dalry, Tel: 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 11.30am-12.30pm for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments and PCs and 1-4.30pm for books, etc: appts can be booked in the library or on 01387 260 196. Bookbugs Session, Tue, 10.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play With Your Child, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Fb Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Song Share, 1st Fri each month, 7.3010.30pm Various Strictly Get Dancing, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton, Mon, 7pm Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, (start Mon 22 Apr), Mon & Wed, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed & Fri, 1.30-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Crossmichael Church Hall, Thu, 1-3pm Yoga, Mossdale Mossdale Village Hall, Fri, 2.15pm Mossdale Soup Saturday, last Sat each month, 1-3pm, Mossdale Village Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre, Parton Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona Ramsay on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 Glenkens Charity Shop Winter Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette O ur very own Glenkens music festival is in its 26th year, with musicians, DJs and performers from all over the globe once again flocking to the Carsphairn hills. Knockengorrroch Festival is Scotland’s longest-running greenfield festival, founded by the Holmes famliy, who still run the festival from their rural farm, in 1998. This year's event will run from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 May in the wild upland landscape around Knockengorroch Farm. Some of the artists performing are Reggae diva par excellence Queen Omega from Trinidad, Scottish fusion favourites the Peatbog Faeries, Roma Band Zor, Norway’s Kajsa Balto, our resident sound system Mungo’s Hi-Fi, N’famady Kouyaté from Guinea (winner of Glastonbury’s Best Newcomer 2023), 808 State, Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening, and festival favourites Dr Meaker. Honouring the landscape and environment, Knockengorroch employs policies to contribute positively to the environment, page 36 from recycled paper for promotional materials to having the site as a singleuse plastic-free zone. Additionally, many of the festival’s permanent buildings were built using traditional, environmentally friendly techniques, and the new Discee polytunnel venue, erected last year, is being planted and is nearing readiness as a food growing venue in time for May. In addition to music there are workshops in a range of traditional arts and crafts and lifestyle subjects suitable for all ages. Other attractions include a fire show, global shopping stalls and a range of food caterers offering a delicious range of international cuisine. The festival is family friendly with a buoyant children's tent and parade on Sunday afternoon. Tickets are now on sale - please visit www.knockengorroch.org.uk Specially reduced tickets at local prices will be available soon from Carsphairn Shop (01644 460 568 or @Carsphairn Tearooms on Facebook). WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com JUNE/JULY COPY DEADLINE: 5 MAY The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 141 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_141 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2024 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/289/GlenkensGazette142.pdf 92f7ba190f39145434db07afd8ee6f97 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 142 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document June/July 2024 ISSUE 142 Funding for new rural skills training centre C arsphairn Community Woodland have received funding to create a Rural Skills Centre at their Muirdrochwood site. The centre will offer a full programme of rural skills training for young people as well as adults. "We have planning permission to construct a Rural Skills Centre and are delighted to announce we have secured funding from both the Scottish Government’s Place-Based Investment Programme (through D&G Council) and from The Holywood Trust, for which we are grateful," said CCW's chair, Davey McMillan. With the loss of so many rural amenities, the creation of this training centre is an exciting addition to the area, especially for the young people of the Glenkens. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Dalry Secondary pupil strike ...turn to page 6 Davey continues: "The rural depopulation experienced in the area demonstrates the effect of having few opportunities for young people. Our aim is to redress through the provision of education and training, enabling young people to learn rural skills which build towards potential woodland-based employment. One of CCW's apprentices practices his chainsaw skills "Young people are the future, and providing such outdoor experiences should be an essential part of education and may be a game changer for future career choices." Great Big Green Week ...turn to page 14 Continued on p3... Galloway Food Hub featured on BBC's Landward series T he Galloway Food Hub welcomed BBC Scotland's farming and nature programme Landward. Presenter Arlene Stuart spoke with Food Hub co-ordinator Lesley Atkins before helping to sort local produce into customer boxes at the Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry. A fun day was had by all and Arlene even helped out with a delivery to a customer in New Galloway on her way home. Pictured are Food Hub volunteers with Landward presenter Arlene Stuart (centre) FREE You can catch the TV programme on repeat by searching for Landward Episode 5 on BBC iPlayer. No news is bad news Indie News Week ...turn to page 19 Border collie rescue charity comes to Corsock ...turn to page 22 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 2 Fun and games with Bairn Banter F amilies from across the Glenkens and beyond continue to come together and join in the fun-filled sessions provided by Bairn Banter in Carsphairn. Volunteers from the local children’s group welcomed kids of all ages for the annual egg hunt over Easter weekend. A total of 22 children participated in the hunt and other activities provided as part of another collaboration with the Carsphairn Heritage Centre. Bairn Banter has also hosted some special visitors along to the group, including the Local Place Planning team and a Citizens Advice Bureau outreach session offering financial advice/support to families whilst the children played. As we spring forward into the summer months, we have turned recent efforts towards offering more outdoor learning opportunities and the development of a new outdoor play area at Lagwyne Hall. The children are thrilled to have this space to explore and play freely in the great outdoors whilst embracing the new responsibility for the planning/ design of the garden. At present we have a large raised bed which the children are planting with a variety of vegetables and edible flowers. The children are developing a keen curiosity towards learning about the different types of songbirds that visit our donated upcycled bird table. Over the coming weeks, volunteers will be assembling a giant outdoor sandpit to expand the joys of messy sand play. When playing indoors, the children and their families have been busy exploring different textures of the messy/sensory play activities, as well as painting, water/sand play and stretching those growing limbs on the soft play obstacle course. The older children have been very creative with the ever-popular pebble painting, as well as baking activities, helping prepare snacks, enjoying the Lego box and various group games. At Bairn Banter we also provide children (and adults) with free healthy snacks, purchased from our wonderful local businesses - Wright’s Shop in Dalry and the Galloway Food Hub. Look out for us at the Carsphairn Show on Saturday 1 June where we'll have our children’s tent and mobile trailer. Thank you for everyone’s continued support in keeping our happy wee group thriving! Melissa Ade Name the Place Social soup book T his issue of the Gazette sees the start of a brand new section - Name the Place. In each issue a photograph by local photographer Ted Leeming will be included. Images will be of somewhere in the Glenkens and readers have to guess where it is. The answer can be found on p23, with a bit of information and food for thought about that location. Hopefully this will be both fun and thought-provoking. Below is the first Name the Place photograph... T he recreation group of Carsphairn Community Trust hold a social morning every Monday from 11am to 1.30pm, in Lagwyne Hall. This group welcomes all residents of Carsphairn in a warm, friendly atmosphere, providing a chance to socialise and chat. Often games are played, with a variety of board games available. During the winter months, hot soup and rolls are provided, as well as hot drinks and home baking, with the soups being made by social group members. Due to the popularity of the soups, the group has created a recipe booklet which is on sale in the Carsphairn shop and the Carsphairn Heritage Centre. Booklets cost £5, with the proceeds going to the community larder and food bank charity, Stepping Stones, in Castle Douglas. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 3 Rural skills in the Glenkens Continued from front page... the young people. The recent addition of development officer Alison Macleod, appointed by Carsphairn Community Trust (see p4 for more) will enable things to move at a pace as a significant portion of her time will be spent working with CCW to help take this project forward. The new training centre will have a large central room, kitchen, toilets, and an office on a mezzanine floor above. It will also be able to be used as a resilience hub for the local community in times of need, such as power-cuts, as it will be off-grid. The existing forestry shed already has a de-fibrillator fitted. Since its inception, CCW have been providing practical, handson pre-apprenticeships for young people, offering training and experience in a wide range of skills in an outdoor working environment. Forest supervisor Andy Bain is experienced in a wide range of woodland skills and has a key role in mentoring It is hoped that the Rural Skills Centre will be up and running this year – watch this space for more news! Carsphairn Community Woodland (CCW) is committed to acquiring, developing and managing local woodlands in a sustainable, environmentally sound way for the long-term benefit of the local community. Their vision is to deliver a range of economic, social and environmental benefits to the local community through a sustainably managed forest. The aim is to do this through the creation of a rural economic hub to aid regeneration of the community and create employment through initiatives including timber production, woodland management and rural skills training. CCW is also creating a more diverse woodland environment for wildlife and are providing outdoor space and greater access to the countryside for the local community and beyond. The group is well-supported in their aspirations, with nearly half of the Carsphairn community being members of CCW, and they also enjoy tremendous support from individuals and organisations across the region and beyond. Open days are run each year along with a number of workshops and a 'volunteer day' on the first Saturday of the month. Young people and families are encouraged to come along as CCW offers an invaluable outdoor experience for all ages. See shout-out for a new CCW pre-apprentice on p18... Support Maggie on her Kiltwalk M y Intensive Care Unit (ICU) story began in 2018 when I was rushed into Crosshouse hospital with a suspected stroke. I was moved to the ICU three days after being admitted, when my body had become fully paralysed from my eyes to my toes. After a terrifying wait to find out what was wrong, I was eventually diagnosed with a rare variant of a condition called Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS). It is one of the rare forms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a neurological condition that causes mild to severe muscle weakness. The condition is caused by an immune system reaction against certain proteins in our nerves important for movement, sensation, and function There isn't a cure for MFS, but some therapies can stop your immune system from attacking healthy nerves. The most common treatment includes intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. IVIG therapy uses purified plasma (the liquid portion of your blood) and healthy antibodies from donors (a little shout-out here to please give blood if possible). I was in ICU for almost three weeks. During this time I had to be given adrenalin three times, as my heart had become compromised from the paralysis. Eventually I was found a place in 'neuro rehab', where I had nine long weeks of physio, speech therapy and occupational therapy. I had to learn to do everything all over again, from brushing my teeth to walking. In 2023 I fell ill again. This time, the hospital in Dumfries had a good idea of what was wrong with me and I started IVIG after just three days. I was only in hospital for 10 days this time, and had all my rehab done through 'out patients'. ICU is a big part of my story. I have made some amazing friends through the ICUSteps charity, two of whom took part in a recent Kilt Walk with me. This charity, the local branch of which is ICUSteps Ayrshire (hopefully a D&G support group will start in the near future) is a patientled support group for people who have been in ICU. I wear a leg splint and the Kiltwalk was the furthest I'd walked since 'Brenda' (my splint) joined my journey. Due to the success of the walk in fundraising for the ICUSteps charity, I'm going to be doing another one in September. This will be another 'Wee Wander' five-mile Kiltwalk, this time in Edinburgh. A massive thank you goes to The Sheep Game and The Logo Farm for sponsoring our T-shirts and shirts - here’s to our Edinburgh Kiltwalk! Maggie Philips You can donate using the QR code here or email Maggie at cheerfulmap@ hotmail.com - all money raised goes to help those who have been in ICU or the family of someone who has. Pam (project lead for ICUSteps Scotland), Maggie's mum Sheila, Maggie, Maggie's daughter Bekah and Pauline (an ICU nurse who cared for Maggie during her time in ICU) upon completion of their 'Wee Wander' Kiltwalk round Loch Lomond shore Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 4 Development officer for Carsphairn H ere is an introduction from Carsphairn Community Trust's new development officer, Alison Macleod: I started working three days a week in April as development officer for Carsphairn Community Trust and Carsphairn Community Woodland. I'm really excited to be working for both and very impressed by all that has been achieved since they were formed. I knew Carsphairn as a wee girl growing up in Castle Douglas as my mum belonged there and we visited my great granny regularly. I have been involved in community led ownership and development of assets for almost twenty five years, first as development officer on the island of Raasay, where local people took on ownership and redevelopment of Raasay House, now a thriving hotel providing employment opportunities. I then worked with others in Applecross (where I lived for 35 years) to set up a development trust to take on ownership of a filling station threatened with closure. Later, as development officer for Applecross Community Company I took the lead in projects including setting up a community broadband scheme and the development of a community owned hydro scheme. I returned to Dumfries and Galloway in 2018 and am settled in Crocketford. I'm looking forward to meeting people in Carsphairn and working with them to benefit their community. Carsphairn Community Trust (CCT) is a Scottish Registered two-tiered Charity (No. SC044308), working in and on behalf of the residents of Carsphairn community. CCT are fully committed to working with any Community Group or individual who wishes to initiate a project that will benefit Carsphairn Community residents, including young persons, the elderly and disabled. A long drive to Ukraine M y name is Graham and I have lived in Glenkens for over 12 years. I have returned from Ukraine where I was a member of a group of volunteer drivers taking over 30 vehicles out to donate to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The charity that organised this trip is called Jeeps for Peace and is based in Edinburgh. They are currently on the lookout for vehicles to take to Ukraine, having already supplied almost 300 vehicles (298 to be precise). Can you help us get over the 300 barrier? The favourite for the Ukrainians are most definitely 4x4 pickups though any four-wheel drive vehicle is useful. Jeeps for Peace is able to pay between £2,000 to £3,000 for good used pickups. The vehicle should have a current MOT and a rust-free chassis, though rust in nonstructural parts of the vehicle is OK. It is over 1,200 miles to drive to Ukraine, so any vehicle needs to be reliable. As a charity, Jeeps for Peace wants to keep costs down as much as possible; for instance, the volunteer drivers pay for a lot of the expenses out of their own pocket, such as fuel, food and flights home. In the past, people have both donated for free and sold vehicles for less than market value and this is greatly appreciated. Other useful items for the Ukrainians are things such as generators, quad bikes, chainsaws, heavy-duty jump leads, tow ropes/slings/chains and ratchet straps. Also good used off-road tyres to fit the vehicles supplied, and numerous other bits and pieces, are appreciated. If you don’t have any spare vehicles lying around, you can donate financially via the Jeeps For Peace website. It goes without saying that any donation, large or small, will be received with gratitude and put to good use. Jeeps for Peace can be contacted via their website at www.jeepsforpeace.org.uk or on Facebook or if you prefer, you can get in touch with me on 07811 106 143. I will be travelling out to Ukraine again in early June with another convoy, and would like to shoutout to any of the Ukrainian community in and around Glenkens as I would like to learn some basic Ukrainian words and phrases, as well as the Cyrillic alphabet. Thank you for reading this article, Graham Hunt Below left: Jeeps for Peace drivers and the local high school choir and orchestra who gave us a welcome concert when we arrived in Ukraine. Below right: One of the previous vehicles provided and a salutary reminder of why the supply of vehicles is an ongoing necessity. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 5 Glenkens Community Shop grants T he Glenkens Community Shop, Dalry (also known as the Glenkens Charity Shop) is about to run its next round of grants, closing for applications on 15 June. and successful applicants will be notified soon after that. Forms are available from the shop during opening times (Monday from 10am to1pm, Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm). Donations of items to the shop are welcome any time during opening hours; please don't leave bags on the doorstep if the shop is closed. The meeting to decide where money is going to be allotted will be held on Tuesday 25 June Also on 25 June is the shop AGM, which anyone is welcome to attend. The meeting will be held in the Lochinvar Hotel at 1.30pm. Look out in the next edition of the Glenkens Gazette for a list of the groups and projects who will be receiving grants, as well as the grand total of grants which have been given since the shop opened. And remember to pop in and have a look around - we've got lots of great bargains in the shop, from jewellery to books, clothes to camping equipment! Lis Lewis Outdoor opera at Barwhillanty picnic prom P arton's Barwhillanty Estate will be hosting a Garden Open Day & Picnic Prom on Saturday 8 June. Visitors can bring a picnic, reserve a preprepared picnic hamper, or indulge in a slice of wood-fired artisan pizza with friends and family, while listening to live music in the scenic estate gardens. The gardens will be open to explore from 11am, with an outdoor concert by Blackbird Opera at 1pm. This performance is led by musical director Cameron Burns, and features well-known arias, duets and ensembles from muchloved operas by Bizet, Puccini, Verdi, Mozart and more - what better way to introduce opera to all the family? Blackbird Opera is a small opera company based in Dumfries & Galloway, and was formed by local Soprano Claudia Wood. Blackbird Opera previously performed Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro to a sold-out audience at the CatStrand in 2019. Barwhillanty has been a family estate since 1884 and is currently run by Oscar and Maria Yerburgh. The couple have a commitment to conservation and take seriously their responsibility towards ecological land management, aspiring to create a community that upholds their values of sustainability, responsibility and wellbeing through shared experiences of celebration, education and beneficial connection to nature. "We are delighted to be hosting what should be an event to remember and hope locals and visitors alike will join us in a celebration of music and nature," said Maria. There will be some shelter, but visitors are asked to come prepared with something warm and waterproof, as well as picnic blankets and chairs. No dogs are allowed. There will also be tea, coffee and ice cream available. Booking is essential for this event - see ad on back page for details. This event is supported by the Create Cultivate Fund, developed by DG Unlimited (DGU), and supported by Dumfries & Galloway Council. This event is also supported by Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival – Support for Ambition (Venues). Bumper plant and bake sale T he St Margaret’s annual plant and bake sale was a great success, raising over £850 for Dumfries & Galloway Blood Bikes. Delicious homemade baking and homegrown plants were snapped up by locals and visitors, many of whom stayed to enjoy coffee and cakes as well. The sale was hosted by the St Margaret’s Guild whose president, Christine Rankin, explains: “We like to support local causes whenever we can, and this year our members voted that the proceeds from our sale should go to D&G Blood Bikes. "The charity is going from strength to strength since its inception in 2015, delivering essential blood and urgent medical supplies across our region. The charity is run by volunteers and funded entirely by donations and we are so pleased to be able to support them.” Dawn Matthew, priest at St Margaret’s, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people and we are very grateful for everyone’s generosity. Many thanks to all who contributed their baking and plants.” Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 6 Student strike at Dalry Secondary A report by Gazette youth reporter Rosa Seiffert, in collaboration with Piri and Lena Whitty A t Dalry Secondary School, over the last few years measures such as not giving pupils their subject choices have been taken. The result was that many pupils left Dalry to go to other schools. Because the numbers were therefore so low, the management declared Dalry should be mothballed. The parents and pupils were not happy about this, and fought hard to keep Dalry open, in which they succeeded. Before the parent council saved Dalry from being closed, S2 were given options as to which subjects they would like to take in S3. However, when Dalry stayed open, we were unexpectedly told that there were no longer options for S3, and that all of S1-3 would be taught in the same class and have the same timetable. composite classes. The strike was scheduled for Monday 13 May in the school hall. We started to spread the word by putting posters up and we emailed the head of the Education Department, Mr Thin, informing him that we would be taking part in strike action as we were not happy with the timetable. Mr Thin replied to this by saying he was disappointed we felt the need to strike and if we had doubts regarding the timetable we should speak to school management so they could offer us reassurances. He also said we were not allowed to strike on school premises. A few days later, the headteacher of Castle Douglas and Dalry Secondary, Mr Smith, came into the school. He told It seems that neither teachers nor parents had seen this new timetable beforehand. The timetable that we were presented with, out of the blue, consisted of all double, triple, and even quadruple periods. None of us were at all pleased with the new timetable. After discussing it, a few of us decided to organise a strike to get our choices back and have a decent timetable without us we were allowed to strike but only for one period (the first), and it had to be behind the school and not in front of it. We then proposed to strike in the park below the school. He told us that would be classed as truanting and if that was on our records it could affect our futures. When we argued that we could have parental consent, he disagreed, and repeated that it would be truanting and not allowed, etc. At the beginning of the discussion, we questioned why the timetable had to be made of composite classes. Mr Smith said that if it were not the classes would be far too small to learn to socialise and he referred frequently to the Curriculum of Excellence. Afterwards we were extremely annoyed. We felt as though the management had just tried to shut us down. We talked and came to the conclusion that we could in no way get into trouble for striking provided it was for the whole day and in the park below the school. with our parents’ knowledge and consent. So that’s what we did. We spent the entire day on the Monday in the park striking for our school. Most of us were there, some of us stayed home, there was only one child left in the school. At 3pm we headed up to the school gates where we held up picketing banners that depicted phrases such as, ‘SOS, Save Our School’ and ‘Small classes work’. The press attended and photographers took pictures of us chanting, ‘What do we want? Our school to thrive! When do we want it? Now!’ We were interviewed by reporters from Greatest Hits Radio, the BBC, the Herald, and the Galloway News. We are hoping that what we have done will make a difference. Communities need schools. Pictured are pupils at the school strike holding banners with slogans such 'Small classes work' and 'SOS Save Our School' taken by Galloway News photographer Les Snowdon Poetry, nature and the Scots language D alry Secondary classes enjoyed a poetry walk around the village with poet Susi Briggs. Susi read some of her own poems and encouraged the young people to listen to the world around them and look at their surroundings to gather the elements of a poem. Susi Briggs, from Gatehouse, is a poet, author, storyteller and musician with a passion for the Scots language, and she recently landed the prestigious National Library of Scotland residency as Scots scriever for Dumfries and Galloway. Mary Acheson Poet Susi Briggs out and about in Dalry, encouraging students to find creative inspiration in the world around them Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 7 Moving forward with education and learning in the Glenkens M arch saw D&G Council elected members approve a motion to halt the mothballing of any secondary schools across the region until a robust policy on mothballing is created that takes into account the wider socio-economic impacts of such a decision. As a consequence, Dalry Secondary is safeguarded for at least the academic year 2024/25. Any subsequent steps in relation to its future will need to be taken forward in accordance with the policy to be developed and agreed by the full council and within the regulatory and legal framework. The success of this motion was a great crosscommunity effort led by elected members that demonstrated how the Glenkens community can and does work together. Following on from this work, an Education and Learning Forum is being created and this group is working to convene an Education and Learning Summit in the Glenkens in July. John Paterson, chair of the CAP SG, said. "This is a really exciting project which hopes to delve deep into the needs and aspirations of a wide range of stakeholders to work together in finding an effective route map and plan for the future of education and learning in the wider Glenkens area. "The intention of the summit is to bring together a wide range of people, from parents to students to representatives of the council’s newly titled Directorate for Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing and elected members, as well as community and business representatives. We have sent an invitation to Dumfries and Galloway Council to particupate as we feel that by working collegiately, we can really make a difference to the future of our community and the people who live here. "By thinking about all stages of education and learning, and involving all interested parties, it is our intention to enable and support great conversations around effective and sustainable education and learning in the area and to develop deliverable plans." The summit is likely to be held in the week of 8 July – for more details see the Glenkens Hub (www.glenkens.scot) or contact Helen Keron, GCAT Executive Manager, on helen@catstrand.com Another excellent piece of news regarding positive steps for education and learning is that the Glenkens and District Trust has issued an invitation to tender for a Glenkens & District Rural Education Review. The intention of this research is to enable people in the Glenkens to gain a better understanding of how other similar communities in Scotland and beyond have responded to the challenges to their educational arrangements. It is also hoped It takes a village... A t Dalry Primary School we've been having all kinds of fun out and about. In the P1/2 class we have been learning all about Africa. As our class follows the principles of Play Pedagogy, we are always looking for ways for the children to learn and experience as much as they can through play activities and experiences. As much as we can, we try to include our parents and community members in our learning and this has been the case with our Africa topic. We have had visits from local artist Sarah McCusker to teach the children about coil pot making and Nick Lomax, who talked to the children about when he lived and worked in Tanzania with Jane Goodall, famous for her ground-breaking work with chimpanzees. We also visit Dalry Library when we can and enjoy a Book Bug session with Angela, and are planning a print workshop with Cat Corfield, another local artist, who oversees the youth arts programme at the CatStrand. The children have gained a lot of knowledge from these visits and skills that they will remember long after their primary school days have passed. These experiences help the children with their listening and talking skills. They learn to ask questions and practically experience the doing, making and recording of what they have learned. If you have any creative skills or passions you would like to share with the young people in our Glenkens community, please contact the school on 01644 430 105 and let us know. It takes a village to raise a child, so they say! Sabine Haynes Nick Lomax talking about his time in Tanzania that a network of interested parties can be created to further share experiences to support effective education and learning in rural communities facing similar challenges. Glenkens elected members, Dougie Campbell and Andy McFarlane, whose motion has given us time for this work, said: "We were pleased with the support we have received from our fellow councillors and are looking forward to working with the Glenkens community to take this topic forward. This community has a proven track record of working together and this is another example." The Glenkens Hub has a new Education and Learning page where you can stay up to date with progress on this important matter - see the 'Good to Know' section at www.glenkens.scot GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Gazette page 8 A new chapter for the Pamela Young Trust N ot everyone in the Glenkens knows about the Pamela Young Trust (PYT), the local charity that helps with housing. It was set up in 1992 by local resident Pam Young who wanted to give something to the community she loved, particularly those who needed help. Miss Young died in 2008 but her legacy continues and the current trustees all live in the Glenkens and share her desire to help others. The new chairman, Alan Smith, describes the PYT as being quite unique in that it is a purely local organisation, explaining: “The housing requirements here in the Glenkens are likely to be different to those in towns such as Dumfries or Newton Stewart, and being local ourselves the trustees know what is wanted." Over 30 years later, the PYT now has 23 properties ranging from one-bed flats to threebed houses. The PYT are good landlords and because all the properties are so well maintained, coupled with affordable rents, most of their tenants are long-term – the knock-on effect of this is that properties rarely become available. Alan comments: “When I first joined the PYT board I was shocked by the length of our waiting list.” To try to resolve this conundrum, the PYT is looking to grow sustainably to address the housing needs of the Glenkens. In order to do this, they are changing their structure to a SCIO – Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. This is not markedly different from a regular charity in that it must have a charitable purpose, trustee rules, etc, but the way it is set up does reflect the requirements of the modern funding environment. One of the changes in housing over the last 30 years is the emphasis on the environment. There has been considerable public discussion about government rules on energy performance but, as Alan points out: “One size does not fit all. For instance, the government’s target of reducing the country’s reliance on gas with incentives to replace gas boilers is of no use in an area that does not have mains gas.” The PYT is in ongoing discussions to explore ways to help improve energy efficiency in older Galloway homes. In light of the difficulties in developing older properties, the PYT acquired the vacant site opposite the Smiddy in Balmaclellan in 2022. Dumfries and Galloway Council indicated that they would look favourably on this site being developed for housing and, with assistance of funding from the Rural Housing Fund, architects have been appointed and plans are now being finalised. The current plans are for a block of two two-bed flats and one detached three-bed house. These plans will be presented at the Smiddy on Wednesday 26 June at 5pm; all those interested in learning more are welcome to attend. Alan says: “We are being ably MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 supported in this project by South of Scotland Community Housing (SoSCH) who have a proven track record in delivering similar projects. Whilst we still have to source additional funding, we are confident that we should proceed with the Balmaclellan development, not only because of our own substantial waiting list but in view of the outcomes highlighted by the Housing Needs and Demand Assessment recently commissioned by the Glenkens & District Trust and carried out by SoSCH." Another project which is PYT Chair Alan Smith at the still at an early stage is site of the proposed Balmaclellan the possibility of taking on five of the houses at housing development Glenlee Power Station and returning them to the rental sector. However, Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) are an experienced and qualified unable to progress this until the property manager, as our outcome of the public inquiry new factor. So with Anthony into the overhead line from on board, together with the Kendoon to Tongland is known. legal firm AB & Matthews, who But the main work of the PYT is maintaining their existing housing stock and looking after their tenants. Alan explains: “A lot of work goes on behind the scenes, not just in repairs and maintenance but in complying with all the changes in legislation concerning social landlords. Sadly, PYT’s factor for many years, Jackie Connelly, recently stepped down due to health reasons but we have been lucky to secure the services of Anthony Bird, look after all legal and rental administration, the PYT is in good hands.” Lastly, following the death of one of its founder members, the PYT board is looking for a new trustee; you can find out more in the ad on page 10. The most important thing for any potential trustee is a strong connection to the Glenkens and a desire to help those who, for whatever reason, would benefit from living in affordable housing. Amber Dunlop-Pajo Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople page 9 Glenkens Youth Correspondent Joshua Wells, age 14, is our Gazette youth correspondent and each edition will be writing about things which interest him. In this issue he talks about the CatStrand Youth Players. E very year the CatStrand Youth Players get together and enter a competition called the One Act Play Festival. This year for the festival we decided to do a play called ‘Us and Them’. If you don’t know the play, two groups of travellers arrive, one from the east, one from the west. They build a wall so both sides know where their land starts and ends, this wall may stop confusion but curiosity eventually begins and both sides look over the wall and see each other. This eventually grows into a battle, where everyone dies and the cycle continues and no lessons are learnt. On the day of the competition, we arrived at the CatStrand at 9:30 where we spent half an hour loading up the bus with all the set for the play. Once loaded up we set off to Dunlop. The bus journey took us about an hour and a half. It was an easy journey because it was a Sunday morning and there was no traffic. Some of us went by bus and some of us went in a car. We arrived at Dunlop, which wasn't dissimilar to New Galloway in size, at the village with a hall where we would perform. When it was our turn the audience fell silent as the lights dimmed, wondering what our play would be about. Slowly, the curtains parted, as we started the play we had rehearsed for what felt like one hundred times before. We acted out a story about suspicion and conflict, each moment filling the audience with anticipation. The never-ending cycle of war shocked the theatre. A loop of misery and sorrow without anyone understanding what went wrong. The audience loved our play and we were pleased with how it went. Before we could watch the plays, we had to have our personal adjudication. Backstage, we all gathered excited to hear if the adjudicator found it good or not, waiting for the feedback that could help us make our next steps in the performance. He was really positive and found the play very good. He had many positive comments such as the impressive effect of the mirrored coloured t-shirts on both sides of the wall. He then suggested that the battle scene could have been extended, allowing for further exploration of the fight and building more tension. We then went to see the other plays. The first of four plays was a 16+, so sadly we could not watch it. It didn’t really matter though because we were third out of the four plays, so we couldn’t see the first two. We sat backstage, relaxing and preparing to go on stage. The last one was about a girl going on a hunger strike to explain to people that the large companies are all not giving enough money to farmers. Unfortunately, we learned after the play had finished that we neither came first nor second. We did, however, get a participation certificate. Kirkintilloch Players, the 16+ play, came first, and Greenock Youth Players, the play about hungerstriking, came second. Our director, Catherine Campbell, was still very proud of us even if we didn’t win. We all packed up and got ready for our journey home - roll-on panto season! See p27 for more on the CatStrand Youth Players... GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Gazette page 10 Building connections to help reduce loneliness I n today's fast-paced world, loneliness has become an increasingly prevalent issue, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. Recognising the impact that loneliness has on mental and physical well being, we’ve led on various initiatives with the aim of creating meaningful connections and reducing social isolation. Here we see a case study, the story of John, which illustrates how a community-driven project successfully tackled loneliness in an informal and uplifting manner. After New Galloway Town Hall reopened following renovations it became very apparent that there was a growing number of lonely residents in the parish, across all age groups. Determined to make a difference, Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) decided to launch a project named 'The Hubbub in the Town Hall'. The Hubbub aimed to create meaningful connections and combat loneliness by offering a warm, safe space where people could meet, chat and eat. Coordinator Bianca took a casual approach to encourage a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, making it easier for participants to connect and build relationships. Volunteer needed to join the Pamela Young Trust board The PYT board is currently looking to recruit another Trustee. The term is for a minimum of five years. Responsibilities include attendance at four quarterly meetings per year, alongside active participation via email where necessary. We would like to hear from anyone who shares our values, and experience or knowledge in one or more of the following areas would be of particular interest: • Third Sector • community work/citizenship • sustainable property development • lived experience of rental/social housing This is an exciting time to join the PYT as we have two potential housing projects in the pipeline that would extend our current property portfolio and which would in turn benefit those looking for affordable housing in the Glenkens. For more information please visit our website www.pamelayoungtrust.co.uk Anyone considering the role is welcome to have a discussion with the Chair or another Trustee – but in the first instance an informal enquiry should be made to enquiries@abamatthews.com To kick off the project, Bianca Leder organised a timetable full of activities that people could join or just watch. This provided opportunities for individuals to meet and get to know each other. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and laughter as people shared stories, interests and experiences over a cup of tea or coffee. The activities ranged from cooking to sharing memories to exploring new hobbies together. The casual nature of these activities allowed for genuine connections to form, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of belonging. As time has gone on, the positive impact of The Hubbub has become evident. Participants reported feeling less lonely, more connected and happier overall. The relaxed approach taken by the project coordinators had successfully reduced social isolation and created a sense of belonging within the community. John M has been coming to The Hubbub since it started in 2023 and says he is very grateful to Bianca and the team who provide a welcoming space for him to relax and be himself. He said it makes all the diffeence for him, knowing he has John M feels he has benefitted hugely from LING's Hubbub project somewhere to go every week where he will be welcomed with a smile, not only by the team but by the other participants. John has forged genuine friendships with people that he didn’t even know lived a short walk from his home. He enjoys talking about the history of the area in which he now lives and doesn’t stop smiling! In the early days, one of the team would give John a knock just to make sure he was coming. In a short time, he didn’t need that encouragement, his mood started to lift and he looked forward to every Thursday. The Hubbub exemplifies the power of connection and the positive impact that a casual and uplifting approach can have in reducing loneliness. By fostering genuine relationships through shared interests and organising relaxed social gatherings, the project successfully created a supportive community where individuals felt valued, connected, and less isolated. Initiatives like these remind us of the importance of reaching out to others, spreading kindness, and making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople page 11 BUSINESS in the SPOTLIGHT I came to the Glenkens two years ago, bringing my husband and two sons to live in Balmaclellan. You'll know one of them, Joshua, as he is the Youth Correspondent for the Glenkens Gazette. We love living here; the relaxed way of life, the great views and the space. And of course the people; we have a great community here in the Glenkens. It's just what we were looking for when we moved from Kent. Not that Kent was all bad. I had some great opportunities, such as six years ago I set up a Parkrun in my local town which still runs today, with over 200 people running every week. I also ran a running club with over 20 branches, and I've even run a few marathons, Loch Ness included. If anyone ever tells you running downhill is easy don't believe them! One of my favourite previous roles was manager of a country park just outside London. I dealt with unruly elves at Christmas, escaped horses and I even got to rescue someone who had their foot stuck in the mud. Having settled in the Glenkens, and held various roles, including running the Balmaclellan village shop with my husband, which I still do, and the role of community inclusion manager with Local Ken Bridge Hotel Opening Times Sit-in and takeaway, seven days a week Evening Meals: 5.30-8pm Bar Service: from 4-11pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 11pm Saturday and Sunday * all meals must be booked in advance * • Pool table and darts board • Terrace/beer garden • • Venue available for hire for functions and events • • Campsite with river views *hot tubs coming soon* • - Dogs on leads welcome on outdoor terrace - For bookings, orders or any other enquiries call 01644 420 211, 07826 382 552, 07825 237 627, email mail@kenbridgehotel.com or message on Facebook @ Ken Bridge Hotel & campsite or visit www.kenbridgehotel.com Initiatives in New Galloway, I felt like I was looking for my next challenge. Then someone said to me "I'd love you to do some work for me - you've got stacks of skills, have you thought about being a 'Virtual Assistant'?" I have to admit it isn't something I'd ever thought about, so I quckly got my head down and figured out what I would be able to offer peopIe and, after sleeping on it, decided; I love helping people and I'm a natural problem solver, so why not? Jackie recently launched her new Freelance Virtual Assistant services for small businesses, sole traders, individuals and charities within the Glenkens and beyond. Small business services offered include social media management, email management, data entry, telephone answering, filing and proofreading newsletters, stocktaking, emails and blogs. She can also do project work including research and website mapping. For individuals, she can help set up a new phone or computer, carry out filing, set up payment schedules for bills, sort and file emails, arrange house repairs and more. You can contact Jackie for more information at freelance.jackie.uk@gmail. com or 07828185289 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Meet the LING trustees NHS England, as the national programme director/ team leader of a strategic continuous improvement programme of Veterans Healthcare Alliance. L ING is governed by a board of trustees who are all volunteers for the charity. The trustees have ultimate responsibility for the charity’s vision, values, ethos and strategy as well as for the overall performance. They ensure LING complies with all legal requirements and has the highest possible standards of governance. But have you ever wondered who they are? If so, here is an introduction to two of the LING truestees: page 12 Guy Benson - Vice Chair Guy Benson is a retired army officer. His military career spans 40 years, as both a soldier and as an officer. He has extensively travelled the world and spent almost a third of his career on operations in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. He ended his regular army career as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Ministry of Defence, London. In 2018 he left military service and was employed by Wiltshire Council as the military civil integration director. In 2020, Guy joined In his limited spare time, Guy is keen to “give back”, and as such joined LING to support the thriving community in New Galloway and Kells parish. open learning department, progressing to a management role, followed by five years in a not-for-profit training organisation as a director then CEO managing private, public, Department for Education and European Social Fund income streams. In 2017 Clare joined a charity, Skills for Care, which included consultancy work for the Department for Health and Social Care. Before moving to New Galloway she was previously a trustee for a hospice in Warwickshire, where she was on both the People and Clinical sub committees. Clare McKenzie – Treasurer Clare took early retirement in December 2022 after a 30-year career in education: firstly, 20 years in further education within a specialist Clare says that throughout her life she has benefited massively from the advice, guidance and help of others and having recently retired she hopes that the experience and knowledge she's accumulated can be put good use supporting the community of New Galloway. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 13 Time capsuling Scotland's landscape L ocal photographer Ted Leeming is heading for the Highlands, Orkney and Shetland on his bike as part of a project in which he is looking at "time capsuling Scotland’s changing landscape as we strive towards a sustainable future". Ted said: “Over the past year I’ve become fascinated at the extent to which landscapes change over time as a result of our needs. As part of our 2023 Fantastic Forest Festival I became increasingly aware of our own changing landscape. "I was truly shocked at how so much of what we see as ‘normal’ are in fact recent human creations. With this in mind I am intrigued to explore generational land use change and the extent to which our practices across Scotland in 2024 are extractive or regenerative, in harmony or in tension between community, biodiversity, climate, societal and commercial needs." If you would like to follow his journey, Ted will be posting regular blogs at 'Wanderings of a Photographic Duo'. The project will culminate towards the end of the year in a number of talks, workshops and an exhibition. "I will be traversing Scotland by bicycle, to minimise my footprint, from the imminent space station on Shetland to the Glensanda 'super quarry', the salt marshes in the Solway to the peat bogs of Forsinard, recording our urban conurbations to the wilds of the outer isles. "If you know of any locations you think would be worth a visit - they could be anything from amazing community projects or derelict buildings, exemplar rewilding initiatives to examples of pollution - or interesting people I should meet, please do let me know!" Ted is currently thinking about a title for the project and has lots of ideas. He says: "'The Times They Are A Changing' seems to fit well, but so do 'The Beginning of the End of the Anthropocene', 'The Land Project', 'Nothing Comes For Free', and 'ISOA ('In Search of Awe'). I’d love What changes are coming? What does a modern rural landscape look like to you? to hear any thoughts if you have them, both for the name and for the project itself and look forward to sharing my journey with you." To find out more visit www. leemingpaterson.com or email tedleeming@me.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 14 sponsored by Get inspired with the Great Big Green Week G reat Big Green Week takes place across the UK from 8-16 June this year, with the theme of making a swap for the planet. And what better way to start the week with some cinematic inspiration to help you swap fear for hope. Why Not Scotland? is a new documentary about how we can bring wildlife back to our countryside, and its coming to the CatStrand as part of a Scotland-wide tour. The documentary, produced by Scotland: The Big Picture, explores the issue of rewilding through the eyes of Flo Blackbourn, a young Scottish student, who sets out on a personal journey to find inspiring examples of nature recovery around Europe. We spoke to Flo about what she learned from the experience. "Growing up in Scotland I thought, like many people do, that the bare hills were natural. When I started working with the film’s producers I learned that this wasn’t the case, and that they used to be native forest." To make the documentary, Flo visited countries including Norway and Spain, where she visited wetlands, forests and more. "Seeing the forest in Norway was quite eyeopening. I came back inspired and realised that we could achieve landscapes like that at home. It made me feel that we can change things for the better." Why Not Scotland? is screening at the CatStrand on Thursday 6 June at 7.30pm. Share your swaps for the planet on the Great Big Green Week website - head to greatbiggreenweek.com to find out how. Clare Harris Learning new skills in Balmaclellan B ack on a dark February night, I walked into my first Make Do and Mend session in a warm and welcoming Balmaclellan Hall. pattern, hand-stitched and stuffed it and took it home. The session, led by Julia Higgins, would take us weekby-week through the basics of sewing up to being able to take on our projects. In the first week, we learnt how to do different hand stitches. Once we learnt how to do hand-stitching and use the sewing machine, we could I’ve sewed before so I found some of the stitches quite easy, but others I’d never done before. Help was on hand as Julia walked around to show support and give encouragement. We quickly progressed to making cute little owl pincushions. We followed a We also made drawstring bags, which taught us how to create French seams. I didn’t see the point in it to begin with but it looked really good once I’d finished; I made myself a dice bag from some velvet-type material I bought. do our own projects. Some people repaired waistcoats, others put pockets on jackets. Another person is making an organiser out of old pairs of jeans, using the pockets for storage. You can make lots of creations with scrap fabric and old clothes. You can even buy something at a charity shop and alter it to fit you if it’s too big. Every week I learn something new and it’s not always about the sewing; this week we were chatting about old money. Everyone was talking about what money was around when they were just starting school. For example, some remembered sixpences and shillings. Julia has talked about how she would like us to get good enough to do quilting with her. That would be a great challenge. Since the classes started, there has been an exciting upgrade in the hall - they’ve got a new disabled toilet, making the venue more accessible. Hopefully, that means even more people can come to our Make Do and Mend sessions. Everyone is welcome and we all help each other out. Joshua Wells Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 15 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE Single electric under blanket, VGC, washable. Collection from Carsphairn Contact: 07909 652713 VHS videos, approx. 130. 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Contact: 07745 775 480 Community consultation in forestry development in the Glenkens In our Land Use Focus in Issue 130 (June/July 2022) the Gazette featured a shout-out from Kavita Sharma, a PhD student at ETH Zürich, who was researching tree planting in Scotland and asking people to contact her to let them know their thoughts and views on forestry developments in the Glenkens. Kavita promised to send us a summary of her research once complete, so now, two years on, here it is. I came to the Glenkens in 2022 for doctoral research; my task was to research community consultations for forestry projects. Through my research, it became clear that consultation proved to be a challenging exercise for all parties concerned. Despite the buzz around engaging communities, empowering participants, and inclusiveness, people reported feeling frustrated with the entire process. Why is that? The short answer is that consultation, in its current form, has intractability built into it. It is openended, flexible, and without standardisation. Therefore, the outcomes of consultations vary greatly across places despite similar concerns. It is a forum designed to engage people in technical questions: plant what trees and where? It excludes the possibility of discussing political issues that are increasingly important to rural communities, such as the price of land, land ownership, and provision of public services. While forestry development is closely related to these issues, their relationship is complex and mediated by wider national policies, such as tax incentives and regulations. Community consultation platforms are narrow in their scope to address such matters. While there are lively debates on which species to plant and where, my line of questioning focused on how these decisions are debated, by whom, and on what kinds of platforms. My objective was not to identify what good consultation might look like; rather, it was to understand and analyse how consultation is currently practised. This might not make my research directly useful; however, I hope that my analysis invites you to think about consultations in a different manner. Tree planting is believed to be a simple yet effective means of removing carbon from the air, sequestering it, and storing it as biomass. Leaving trees on the ground or making durable construction materials with wood can store carbon over the long term. In Scotland, the growth in carbon markets and increase in timber prices have made it an attractive investment option for forest investors, farmers, and estate owners. The government has also increased the grant support to meet its tree-planting targets. While this has led to an increase in tree planting, it has also led to friction between developers and communities. Consultations for forestry development are encouraged by Scottish Forestry, including consultations with community councils, local organisations, and statutory bodies, such as SEPA. Continued over the page... Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment Continued from previous page... Community consultation for forestry can take different forms – in-person meetings and presentations, email correspondence with community councils or members of the community, meetings between council members and developers, and more formally, through the online forestry consultation platform where members of the community can voice their opinions on projects to Scottish Forestry. At some level, community consultations seem empowering. Members or representatives of the community can disagree with developers, negotiate terms with them, and express their opinions directly to Scottish Forestry. On the other hand, this very flexible and open-ended nature of consultation makes it a frustrating exercise. It is up to interested community members or developers to engage in it as they wish, in flexible terms, and with varying levels of compromise. These flexible arrangements are also outside representative institutions and may not be appropriate forums to seek the resolution of political issues, those that are well beyond a developer’s remit. Consultations are essentially technical exercises where forest plans are shared with community members, accompanied by maps that indicate the location of different species, open ground, and timber roads. Community members can negotiate these variables with varying levels of success. However, there are several other pressing political questions that are important to communities, and in the absence of strong local representative institutions, community councils are an important consultee, these are voluntary bodies represented by people who, while committed to their communities, are often woefully under resourced. I found high variance in both the interest and knowledge of council members on forestry issues, but a common theme across all was how overwhelmed they were with consultations more generally. page 16 the relatively long history of forestry in the region. There were houses, pubs, and parks constructed by the Forestry Commission for forestry workers and their families decades ago. This stayed with me as a reminder that the landscape and people of Glenkens are constantly shifting and changing, and that a stable equilibrium, or a consensus on what ought to be, may never be achieved. In closing, I was very lucky to have completed my PhD fieldwork in the Glenkens. I spent time in beautiful landscapes and met wonderful people who took time to show me around, shared their stories, and spoke openly about forestry developments in the region. these concerns increasingly find their way into these forums. These include increases in land prices, wearing down of roads due to timber lorry traffic, and the closure of schools. This leaves both parties – communities and developers frustrated with the content and outcome of consultation. Moreover, while As one person said, "we have consultations coming out of our ears". Thus, while resources are channelled to make consultations more engaging and participatory, there are significant capacity constraints within community councils to engage in consultation. What, then, about forestry itself? What struck me as I drove through Glenkens was The few months I spent there made a clear impression on me, and I will forever remain indebted to the people of the Glenkens for their generosity. Kavita Sharma kavita.sharma@aya.yale.edu Pictured: Dundeugh village was created in the early 1950s by the Forestry Commission to house forestry workers. Photograph © Will Graham, www.prefabmuseum.co.uk Glenkens land use reports published B uilding on the Glenkens Land Use Vision published last year, two very interesting reports have just been published to keep this important issue moving forward. Land use change is happening all around us, whether it's wind farms, re-wilding, new farming methods, housing or forestry. Different people have different views on all these matters, but what the Glenkens Land Use Vision sets out is how we want our communities to be able to have a say in these changes, and how we want to be sure that they benefit the communities as well as the developers. One suggestion in the Vision is that a Land Use Forum was created to discuss these issues. Interestingly, Dr Stephen Connelly's report on the matter, 'Feasibility Study into a Glenkens Land Use Forum', determined that this is probably not the best move at present, and that it would be more productive to create a Land Use Network. An early role of the Network would be to create a Land Use Map of the Glenkens. One important layer on this map would be 'treasured landscapes' identified by the communities, which brings us on to the second report. 'Participatory Monitoring of Land Use in the Glenkens' has been written by Dr Kerry Morrison and is both a research piece and a reflection of her creative learning process. It shows the depth of knowledge and affection for our Glenkens landscapes, and suggests a bi-annual 'Glenkens Lands' festival to cement and share these feelings. Both reports are well worth a read and are published on the Glenkens Hub 'Land Use' page, https://glenkens.scot/ land-use, along with the 2023 Land Use Vision. These reports were created thanks to NatureScot and SOSE funding and were a Dalry Community Council and GCAT joint initiative. The Glenkens and District Community Action Plan Steering Group is now creating a Land Use sub-group to continue to take the vision and the outcome of these reports forward. If anyone would like to join this sub-group, contact Helen Keron, GCAT Executive Manager, on helen@catstrand. com Helen Keron, Executive Manager, GCAT Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment T he season is in full swing for the Loch Ken Ranger Service, with many holidaymakers back to enjoy beautiful Loch Ken. Head ranger Leanne Pumpr is pleased to be increasing boat and land patrols, engaging with locals and visitors, on and around the loch, ensuring our environment is well cared for. Leanne responds to many incidents, including fly-tipping, wildlife crime, abandoned campfires and dirty camping. This season, our ranger service has a cohort of volunteer rangers, who have been assisting with patrols and other ranger activities. It has been great that so many members of the community, who share our passion for looking after our environment, have been keen to get involved. Along with patrolling, our 2024 Education Programme has been launched, bringing children from our local schools to Loch Ken for ranger-led outdoor education sessions. There has been a great response to these with the children engaging in fun activities relating to water safety, responsible camping and caring for our environment for the future. We are pleased to be helping to educate the future generations Loch Ken Ranger Service gears up for the summer on how they can help protect and cherish our natural world and are will be hosting more events for local schools this term. Our Youth Water Safety Awareness Programme has expanded for 2024, thanks to funding from Drax and the Holywood Trust, offering vital free water safety training to young people in our region. We have had several groups complete this training, held at the Galloway Activity Centre, including Dumfries Disability Sport and 1st Kirkcudbright Scouts and Explorers. As always, if you are interested in getting involved, please email office@ lochken.org.uk Our open ranger group meetings are held on the last Wednesday of every month and are a great chance to find out about the latest activities of the Ranger Service. We would like to thank our communities for the continued support. The Ranger Service is also making progress with improvements to water safety signage on the Loch. Plans are currently underway and we are getting signs made up and making Loch Ken a safer place for everyone. Leanne said: “As the weather improves, Loch Ken Ranger Service is working really hard to get ready for the summer season. We are delighted to welcome our new Volunteer Rangers and would like to thank all the members of the community who have come forward to get involved. We are looking forward to a full season of events ahead, including our Family Water Safety Day and Ranger cookout, details of which will be available on our website in due course at www.lochken.org.uk "We are always keen to welcome new faces, so if you’re thinking about it, get in touch and come along to see what we’re up to.” We are proud of our work promoting water safety and we will be welcoming some S6 students from Castle Douglas High School later this term as well. page 17 LOCH KEN RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 18 The Optimistic Environmentalist Reducing your home energy bills - Part Five Home storage battery systems (continued from last issue) Whilst batteries and an inverter are not cheap to buy and install, they are a good investment. You can charge the battery with cheap rate electricity tariffs at night, or free from your own solar or wind generation, and use this energy at more expensive times such as at breakfast or in the evening. It kept us going through a full day power cut recently. NB if you need to, you can still do your washing, bread-making, slow cooking and charge your high heat retention storage radiators for instance, alongside charging your batteries. Despite fully charging and using it every day for over a year, our battery has only lost 1% of its capacity. Whether you have a battery or not, you can easily get a cheap overnight electricity tariff from your provider. Our tariff is aimed at electric car owners and is seven and a half pence per kWh for six hours overnight and 29p per kWh during the day. You can get a 0% interest loan from the Energy Saving Trust (EST) for tens of thousands of pounds, depending on which technologies are being installed. Rather than being used for individual energy technologies, they now cover a 'package' unless you already have part of it. Packages can link home storage of electricity (batteries or high heat retention storage heaters) with renewable energy technologies (solar panels or air/ground source heat pumps). Unfortunately, you have to apply, be accepted, install and pay for the items fully before you get the loan; you are then given the loan so it eventually spreads the cost. Grant funding is also available for projects; some (but not all) are means tested. The EST will advise you. It is possible to buy a secondhand battery but make sure it has been checked to ensure its safety as well as how well it works; be aware, you will not usually get financial assistance with these. The photo shows a Tesla home storage battery – other manufacturers also produce them including some in the UK. Multiple uses of electric cars The right electric car can be an economic part of meeting your transport needs (see our experiences in later issues of the Gazette). As well as getting more mileage for your money, you can maximise your finances by charging the car using cheap tariffs. Some electric cars can be used as a stand-alone battery; in a power cut, for instance, the car can provide power to single electrical items eg a microwave; called vehicle to load (V2L). Currently being trialled systems allow electric car owners to power their home, (V2H) and/ or sell some of their power to the grid (V2G), thus making a profit from the cheap power and enabling the grid to draw power at times of high demand. Thus, the grid will have a flexible power source to meet the needs of its customers. Our provider, Octopus, sends a signal to our car charger when there is excess power charging us 7.5p/kWh instead of 29p. Fun fact: the sun will never send you a bill! Community woodland pre-apprentice wanted T he search is underway for a new forestry pre-apprentice at Carsphairn Community Woodland (CCW). The community woodland project continues to develop activities and facilities at Muirdrochwood Woodland, near Carsphairn, and directors are now looking to recruit the next forestry pre-apprentice, on a six-month training contract. The role covers a whole range of outdoor and practical tasks on site. Carsphairn Community Woodland is one of three woodlands participating in the Inspirational Woodlands Project managed by McNabb Laurie at the D&G Woodlands Initiative and funded by the Glenkens & District Community Benefit Fund through Foundation Scotland. CCW development officer, Alison Macleod, said: " The preapprenticeship is six-months of paid work-experience designed to provide essential forestry management skills, giving young people an opportunity to get onto the first rung of the career ladder. Supporting our young people in this way enables them to move into a career in forestry which is one of the areas of employment in this area." If you would like to register your interest in the role, ask any questions or to find out more about what the role entails, please email to Alison at developmentofficerccw@gmail.com applications are sought by 5pm on 21 June 2024. A CCW pre-apprentice gets to grips with fencing, supported by forest supervisor, Andy Bain Tesla home storage battery (see Part 6 for solar and wind generation) Denise MacDonald-Kiernan Currently there is the Eco4 grant available to both tenants and homeowners on qualifying benefits. The grant offers insulation, solar panels, heat pump and central heating visit www.ofgem.gov.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 19 Dalry Place Plan vision for the future F ollowing a final community engagement event at Dalry Town Hall to gather views on the draft action plan, Dalry's Local Place Plan (LPP) is almost complete. Dalry residents have been marking up maps and making suggestions at various events since August 2023 to highlight the importance of local assets and facilities. Some areas of focus have been schools, the village shop and Post Office, and the community buildings. Participants have also pointed out things which could be improved, with a 20mph speed limit in the village and improvements for pedestrians and cyclists high on the agenda. Dalry’s settlement takes up a small part of the whole community council area, with many people living outwith the village. In addition to considering traditional development questions about where would be the best location for housing would be, the community has also been asked to share their views on treasured landscapes in Dalry and the surrounding area. This will help to build up a picture of which walks, views, cycle routes or wild swimming spots are truly valued by the local community, with the aim of trying to ensure that cherished places like Waterside Hill are protected both as an important habitat for nature and a key viewpoint and landmark. Scotland's new National Planning Framework (NPF4), released in February 2023, introduced a new tier of the planning system. The aim of this is to give communities the opportunity to articulate their own views on what is currently working well and what could be improved in their settlement. It gives communities a chance to share thoughts on development and land use, traditionally not something considered under planning legislation. Once the draft LPP is finalised it will be available to view and for comments during a 28-day statutory consultation period, following which it can be proposed for adoption by D&G Council. Thanks to funding for a pilot project from South of Scotland Enterprise (SoSE) and NatureScot, and following meetings with stakeholders including Forestry & Land Scotland, Scottish Forestry, NatureScot, the Crichton Carbon Trust, the Loch Ken Trust and the Galloway Fisheries Trust, the plan is now almost ready to go out to statutory consultation. It is hoped that the document will be adopted in September and will inform the development of the next D&G Council Local Development Plan (LDP3). The planning department has given positive feedback on the draft document, and Glenkens Community & Arts Trust is now in a position to be able to offer a template Local Place Plan and package of support to other Glenkens community councils who would like to progress their own LPPs using the £2,000 grant from D&G Council for this purpose. To find out more about this, or for more information about Dalry’s draft LPP, please email Becca Nelson at becca.glenkens.anf@ gmail.com No news is good news - or is it? N o news is good news. Or is it? The Glenkens Gazette is a member of Scottish Beacon, a platform created to raise the voices of hyperlocal publications like the Gazette. Without news, how would you know about the issues affecting your community? How would you know what your local authorities were planning or whether they were acting legally? How would you know if your local environment was being impacted and by whom? And how would you know about the positive changes in your area, the success stories? As long as we have a local independent news source in our area, our community can stay informed – but sadly, far too many news providers are struggling to keep going. No news is bad news We're proud members of the award-winning Scottish Beacon local news collaborative – a collective of 24 independent local news providers right across Scotland. We want to strengthen local news by amplifying stories and provided trusted, vital information written by people who know their communities best. Together, we're joining the ‘No News is Bad News’ campaign, and in June as part of Indie News Week, The Scottish Beacon is hosting a one day event packed with interesting conversations, lively debates and workshops. Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/scottishbeacon Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity A face lift for the old girl T he Town Hall in Dalry is one of the oldest and most valuable rural assets in the Glenkens and it is the intention of the management team to begin making improvements/ refurbishments to the historic building. This will ensure that the community can come together and stay for activities involving work, rest and play and benefit from a warm space that feels comfortable, attractive, and a venue to be proud of. The team have been awarded grant funding for energy efficiency improvements which are progressing and have also completed a successful application to National Lottery Awards for All receiving just over £9,000. The plan is to use these funds to install new heavy duty thermal blinds, paint the back rooms and to refurbish I am sad to report that the Together in The Glenkens (TiTG) programme has now come to the end of its year of funding. We have had an amazing year, meeting so many wonderful people and providing an array of activities and experiences for the Glenkens communities. I wish to thank Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway, the lovely main hall floor. Just think of all the great ceilidhs and events that can be enjoyed on that! Our priority is to give the community a building to be even more proud of and to take pleasure in visiting. In 1817 the labour activist Robert Owen advocated that finding time for rest, play and relaxation contributes to a good balance of mental health, physical wellbeing and increases greater happiness. If the team at Dalry can help achieve this by injecting some new life into the ‘Old Girl’ and make the hall an attractive, warm and pleasurable experience for all the community and visitors then our efforts will have been worth it. We have more ideas and plans for other projects but in the meantime, we want the good folk of Dalry to come and see what is happening inside. You may be very surprised. Open Doors Day Committee chair, Lesley Blissett, commented that the management team is made up of a small band of volunteers. It doesn’t just happen by itself, there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to put on different events for community participation. This year is the fortieth anniversary of Volunteers Week, which takes place from 3 to 9 June, and Lesley decided she wanted to take the opportunity of hosting an Open Doors Day at the hall (this will be on Sunday 9 June from 10am). It is intended that other community venues, such as the Glenkens Community Centre, will also be taking part. This is the perfect chance for residents new and long standing, young and old, to come inside and see what is going on. We intend to have the Community Café during the day which is run by volunteers. There will be a chance to watch the screening of the Covenanters Video Story plus a PowerPoint presentation of all the events and activities that have been and are being organised by volunteers. page 20 A piper outside Dalry Town Hall for a wedding in May 2023 We welcome the newcomers to the village and extend a warm invitation to all. ‘The Old Girl’ would like some more ‘friends’ to play with, which helps us become a strong, committed team to future proof Dalry Town Hall for generations to come. The Dalry Town Hall Management Team A fond farewell whose initial generous funding allocation from the Scottish Government allowed us to provide a 12-month programme of a variety of events, catering for the interests of a wide range of people in the Glenkens. Our goals were made possible by the wonderful generosity of volunteers and specialist deliverers who showed great commitment and enthusiasm for the 12-month rolling programme. I would like to thank all our volunteers and deliverers for their energy and creativity which made all of the activities as successful as possible. TiTG’s positive outcomes were also enhanced by the generosity of Dalry Community Shop, NHS Endowment Fund, Co-op Community Fund, Balmaclellan and Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Community Councils, whose additional funds allowed us to increase the opportunities and experiences for all of our beneficiaries. I wish to thank all our attendees for their enthusiasm and willingness to build and increase their skills and interests, enrich their lives and make new connections. Our legacy is that out of the 12 activities which were established over this year, four are looking in a highly positive position to continue after Together in The Glenken’s conclusion. This is fantastic to see. Thank you all! Glenkens Community & Arts Trust is currently seeking Jo Jackson, activity coordinator for Together in The Glenkens funding to support Glenkens Food Month and other avenues which continue to offer Glenkens community activities, so we will keep fingers crossed for that. Jo Jackson Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity The CatStrand journey...16 years and counting I t is hard to believe that the CatStrand has now been open for over 16 years, and even harder to imagine just what our community would be like without it now! In that time, the CatStrand and all of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) services and projects which are delivered from there have become a vital part of life in the Glenkens for residents and visitors alike. Whether you use the café, attend events or classes, travel on the Galloway Community Transport minibuses, hire the space for meetings, access tourist information, view art exhibitions, read the Glenkens Gazette or buy cards and gifts in the shop, there is no doubt that the CatStrand has grown and developed way beyond anything we could have hoped for when GCAT first purchased the derelict old school in 2002. Our live arts programme brings something for everyone; who knew, 22 years ago, that we would get the National Theatre of Scotland visiting the Glenkens? Our youth arts programme is also an important and very rewarding part of what GCAT offers. Over the years, hundreds of young people from our rural area have been able to experience different aspects of the arts and develop their skills. Our young people can even benefit from work experience through internships and we are very proud that some have gone on to forge successful careers in the arts industry. The CatStrand has helped to attract many tourists to the Glenkens and our visitors constantly tell us how lucky we are to have a facility like the CatStrand, often wishing they had something similar in their own, often much larger, communities. There is no doubt that we are lucky, but we didn’t get where we are today without a huge amount of hard work too, and we certainly couldn’t have achieved anything without the incredible support shown by the community and visitors to the area. Like many similar organisations, we rely on funding to deliver projects but also on income generated from commercial activities and donations to meet the running costs of our buildings. We want to continue running all the activities and services at the CatStrand and we would appreciate your help more than ever to help us to do that. or visit www.gcat.scot/ support-us where you can also find details for making one-off donations or leaving a legacy (the QR code below also takes you to this page). Of course your support in using the café, shop, attending events, etc is always much appreciated and if you would like to consider offering your time as a volunteer we would love that too! The last 16 years have been an incredible journey, including surviving three floods and one pandemic - we couldn’t have done it without you! However, just because the CatStrand is now well-established, it mustn’t be taken for granted. Please consider helping us continue our journey by joining the Friends Scheme or helping in any way that you feel able. Brian Edgar, a founding trustee of GCAT There are many ways you can help; our Friends Scheme makes it easy to make regular contribution on a monthly or annual basis. If you feel this is something you would like to do, pick up a leaflet at the CatStrand Scouts Easter fun W ell done to all our Cubs who made the most incredible decorated egg entries to the annual competition. I have been with the Glenkens Cub Scout Pack for well over 20 years now and have never seen such fabulous entries. Heather and I were very pleased to delegate the almost impossible task of judging them to Mrs Sue Dunstan - thank you Sue for your time. And thank you Cubs for your brilliant and very creative work. Yours in scouting, Hannah Fitch Prize winners Bella, Elliot and Alba, pictured with Mrs Sue Dunstan page 21 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Collie rescue comes to Corsock F ounded in 1976 as a group of independent individuals around the UK, Border Collie Rescue became a charity in 1995 and a registered charity in England and Wales and Scotland in 2010. The charity had no base in Scotland until late last year when a small farm was purchased near Corsock to set up a Scottish centre to rehabilitate dogs and assess working sheepdogs under the supervision of two trustees, Mike Cooke and Nicki Oliver. Nicki grew up with collies as sheepdogs and companions. With her first dog she quickly progressed from beginner through to advanced at her local dog training club. Farming connections in the family encouraged her to start training sheepdogs. She soon had waifs passing through her hands, sorting them out and finding them homes, one by one. Dogs love her and quickly learn to trust her, listen to her and want to please her. Nicki says: “Border Collie Rescue works by choosing homes for dogs based on what dogs show us they want to do. A series of assessments, starting with sheep, enable dogs to demonstrate what they do best. What we discover during the application and assessment processes enables us to make a match and suggest a dog suited to a client’s requirements that will benefit most by being in their home, living their lifestyle." Mike added: “We don’t show page 22 Nicki at the Corsock farm with one of the dogs clients photographs of dogs to pick from, we invite them to offer a home for a dog. It could be for stock, scent work, sport or companionship. Once a match is made there is a home visit, then they meet the dog which stays with them on a four week trial to ensure both dog and client are happy." Nicki continued: “The countryside here is beautiful and very reminiscent of the Yorkshire Dales where we have come from. The sweeping hills, dry stone walls, quiet villages and stone houses and cottages are very similar to Richmondshire, where the charity has its UK base." Until the buildings are modified, all dogs are fostered and re- homed from Yorkshire but the charity's main administrative office is being relocated to Scotland. Border Collie Rescue is run and staffed entirely by volunteers. There is work to do on the buildings, land and in the office and the charity is looking for volunteers who could do something they would enjoy that will help set things up for the future of the Border Collies that will pass through the facility. If you would like to get involved with Border Collie Rescue, you can contact Mike on 07548 258886 or hq@bordercollierescue.org To find out more about the charity visit www.bordercollierescue.org Church buildings in the Glenkens A 'For Sale' sign has appeared outside Dalry Manse and, as a result, questions are being asked about the future of church buildings in the Glenkens. Because of its democratic nature, decision-making in the Church of Scotland is not a speedy process but it is now possible to let people know what is happening, and to reassure them that the work of the Church will continue and that congregations will still have opportunities to worship locally. For at least a thousand years it was taken for granted that every Scottish village would have at least one church building, often in a prominent position and always at the centre of village life. However, from about the middle of the last century declining congregation sizes meant that parishes had to start sharing ministers, and manses began to be sold off. Last year a “presbytery plan” was drawn up which aimed to ensure that the buildings owned by the Church in Dumfries and Galloway could continue to be supported by its human and financial resources. In the Glenkens the Rev. Pam Bellis, who was appointed locum minister of Carsphairn, Dalry, Kells & Balmaclellan when David Bartholomew retired, will continue in her role while the plan is implemented. In due course the four Glenkens parishes will be linked with Parton, Crossmichael and Balmaghie and a new minister for all seven parishes will be recruited. The existing manse at Dalry would cost too much to bring up to modern standards so it is being sold and plans are being made for a new building. As for the other church buildings, Parton, Crossmichael and Balmaclellan will be sold but it is important to stress that graveyards will not be affected and will continue to be operated by the local council. In most cases only one metre of ground around the building will be included in the sale. A decision to close a church building is not taken lightly, and only after all alternatives have been considered. The early Christians and, in the Glenkens, the Covenanters, showed that, with faith and fellowship, it is possible to worship anywhere. Having said that, despite the existence of modern-day, open-air conventicles and Easter dawn services, our Scottish weather demands that these can only be occasional pleasures and that indoor services will continue to be available in the Glenkens. Andrew Mellor, on behalf of the Kirk Session Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 23 Bluebell walk W e awoke to a beautiful spring morning with the bluebell walk eagerly anticipated. An enthusiastic group of people both local and from afar commenced the circular walk through the New Galloway golf course woods. The walk was of approximately a mile and a quarter, and took just over an hour. This included stops to take in and photograph the beds of bluebell, an extended stop at the Loch Ken viewpoint and the walk lead taking time enroute to identify examples of work undertaken by the footpath maintenance group. The conditions of the pathways on the day were good and the sun was shining. More to the point, following the recent spell of good weather fears that there would be a disappointing show of bluebells were dispelled. After the walk all participants retired to the town hall where refreshments were served. If anyone is interested in finding The Great Corsock Show Schedule 9.30am Doors open to exhibitors 10:45am Judging starts B 12:30 to 3:30pm BBQ race yourself for the Great Corsock Show! 1pm Doors open to public Awards, programmes Produce Auction and Raffle aredraw now This year the show will be 2.30pm onwards,Show available on www.glenkens. held on 24 August and will see How to Enter scot and from local outlets an eclectic mix of vegetable, Enter by dropping off your goods at the hall on; 7:00pm andCorsock 8:30pm asAugust, wellbetween as in the baking and craft categories. Friday 23rd OR porch. on show day, Saturday Hall 24th August, between 9:30am and 10:45am out more about our next walks or is interested in supporting the maintenance of the golf course pathways, please do pop in to the volunteer fair on 1 June at New Galloway Town Hall between 10am and 2pm or email info@ ling.org.uk Clare McKenzie The Great Corsock Show and scarecrow competition Saturday 24th August, 2024, Corsock Village Hall (doors close at 10:45am) Building on last year’s record-breaking number of entries there will be Entry Fees a BBQ, a popactivities, All classes 50p per entry All children’s classes 20p entry up café, aperraffle and try Rules your please check beforeon entering luck the famous 1. Baking should be presented on paper plates (provided if required). bottle stall. The judges' 2. All jars should be covered with a waxed paper disc and transparent cover. 3. Onions should be tied. challenge this year is 4. Basket of vegetables (class 14), maximum size of container / tray for entry is 42 x 30cm (16.5 x 12”) (cancontaining include tomatoes). a ‘a cake 5. Photographs (class 46), unframed, max of 3 photos within an A4 sheet. vegetable’. Open to all! ••• Please register your items at the door You will be given labels for each item Attach the label to your entry so it can be clearly seen Join in with the Great CorsockMcNabb Show 2024!Laurie Any questions, please email greatcorsockshow@hotmail.com Remembrance The wind howled and blew as around Balmaclellan Kirk it flew, The trees outside swayed and waved in wild dance Sunlight glinted through the myriad stained glass Webster window, Casting lively coloured beams from the Holy scenes We sang Shine, Jesus, Shine to the rapturous organ beat. Tapping. Clapping beating feet. There was present God, Love, Joy, Hope and Peace, A goose bump moment like a lover’s glance. ___________ Then sitting in the Pew the scratched carvings there to review, A naughty child from 1878, another and another as the decades tumble, Voices from a far-off forgotten world, rumble. This church like so many others fading away. But hark, I hear the beat of beautiful feet, Taking us back to God with Jesus to point the way. Let’s go. by Ian Knox Baking, Flowers, Vegetables and Crafts categories for kids and adults BBQ • Produce Auction • Activities Rules & Schedule on back Admission £1 (under 12s and exhibitors free) Refreshments available £1 (donations of homebaking gladly received) Raffle prizes and bottle stall donations very welcome, Keep an eye on Facebook (@CorsockHall) for show updates and details of where / when to drop off donations Name the place (from page 2) Site Name - Kendoon Dam Location - Kendoon, Carsphairn/Dalry boundary Description - The Galloway Hydro Electric Scheme was truly a landscape-scale project. With a catchment area of 2,877km2, the Kendoon dam is one of 11 that form an integrated electricity generation network with six associated power stations across multiple water catchments, from Ayrshire south to Tongland and the Solway Firth. The system was constructed in the 1930s to provide electricity for the infant national grid network, whose vision was to bring power to every home in the UK. It was a truly monumental feat of engineering at the time, employing thousands of workers through its construction and today providing electricity for up to 200,000 homes. 'One for the pub' - Imagine a world without electricity. Should we keep increasing our demand for electricity or find ways to reduce consumption? Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 24 Gazetteer of Scotland: extracts Part 2 This is the second part of an extract from the Gazetteer of Scotland from 1803 relevant to the Glenkens. A gazetteer is a geographical dictionary or directory, usually used in conjunction with a map or atlas. It typically contains information concerning the geographical makeup, social statistics and physical features of a country, region, or continent. K ELLS; a parish in Kirkcudbright Stewartry, and one of the four which form the district of Glenkens. It is nearly of the form of an isosceles triangle, the base of which, at the north end, is about six miles, gradually diminishing for 15 miles, to the point where the rivers Dee and Ken unite. These rivers bound it on the east and west sides, and one of the streams of the Ken is its boundary on the north forming it into a sort of peninsula. The surface is unequal and hilly: towards the south there are large rocky hills covered with heath, and towards the north the hills are elevated still higher, termed Kells Range. The hills are interspersed with patches of meadow ground, and, along the banks of the rivers, are many fertile fields, of which the soil is partly a rich clay, and partly dry and thin, but kindly, and producing good crops of oats, barley, etc. Husbandry is much improved by the example and exertions of Mr Gordon of Greenlaw, in introducing marl and limestone as manures, and the practice of fallow and green cropping. Along the banks of Loch Ken there are about 200 acres of the richest land in Scotland, owing to the inundations of the loch, which lay this ground under water twice or thrice a year, leaving behind it, like the Nile, those principles which cause fertility. Besides Loch Ken, there are about 80 acres covered with lakes, and 500 under natural wood and plantations. The royal burgh of New Galloway is situated in this parish, and near it the castle of Kenmure, the seat of Mr. Gordon, the representative of the Viscounts Kenmure. Glenlee-Park, the seat of Lady Miller, relict of the late Sir William Miller (Lord Glenlee), N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME is also in this parish. There is a fine slate quarry in the north end, which was formerly wrought, but has fallen into disrepute from unskilful management: there is a rich lead mine on the Glenlee estate, and within half a mile of it the appearance of a copper mine. Near New Galloway, two miles farther south. there is an appearance of lead, of which the vein is so rich, that pieces have been found on the very surface, almost of pure lead. In 1791, the population of the parish was 869. Kells Range, or Rhyns; a ridge of hills in the parish of Kells, extending in a north and south direction about eight miles in length, reckoned the highest in Galloway, being part of that extensive range in which the Tweed, the Annan, the Clyde, and the other large rivers of the S. of Scotland have their sources, Kells Range is almost entirely composed of granite; but one of the hills contains great quantities of the finest iron ore, which cannot be wrought to advantage at so great a distance from fuel. On one of these hills is a rocking stone of eight or ten tonnes weight, and so poised on its center of gravity, that although movable by the pressure of the finger, yet the force of many men would be requisite to move it from its place. The Rev Mr Gillespie reckons it "a great natural antiquity," and supposes it to have been “formed by nature just as we see it, and lying on a stratum of moss two or three inches thick; and the rains have washed away this moss, and left; the stone resting on the two or three points," but others are of opinion, that it is artificial, as a considerable number have been discovered in other parts of the kingdom: at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, at Balvaird and Dron, near Perth, and another in Kirkmichael parish. It is supposed to have been of use in the mysteries of the druids; and, as such, Mason in his Caractacus, has introduced it as an engine of superstition. "Behold yon huge and unhewn sphere of living Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 or 07789 903127 www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk adamant, which poiz'd by magic rests its central weight on yonder pointed rock; firm as it seems. Such is its strange and virtuous property, It moves obsequious to the gentlest touch of him, whose breast is pure; but, to a traitor, tho' even a giant's prowess nerv'd his arm, It stands as fix'd as Snowdon." Explanations by transcriber: 1. Relict = widow 2. Marl = carbonate rich clays and silt Transcribed by Paul Goodwin Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 25 Serendipitous events for Dalry kirkyard headstone repairs R eaders may remember reading in the October Gazette about an anonymous Dalry resident wanting to know if there were any objections to them repairing three headstones in the Dalry kirkyard. As a reminder, the first is a small broken cross near the church door and path to the stile with ‘infant son’ on it; the second a large sandstone headstone propped up against the boundary wall opposite the main church door ‘the Reverend James Mather and family’; and the third a broken cross headstone on the grassy boundary of the newer part of the graveyard and the older section ‘ Peter J Carson and Hilda Robertson’. Since then, completely out of the blue, Jeremy Carson, great nephew of Peter J Carson and Hilda Robertson, has been in touch with us about ‘their’ headstone. Jeremy and his wife Karen were over on holiday in September from Tasmania and looking for family headstones in both Dalry and in Borgue. Jeremy’s grandparents' headstone (Andrew and Mary Carson (nee Glendinning) stands adjacent to Peter and Hilda’s. This is an extract from Jeremy’s first email which may be of interest to readers: "My family of Carson, on my father’s side, lived in the vicinity of St John’s Town of Dalry and a bit further away near Borgue. My father, Robert Carson, was born near Twynholm and brought up at Walkerhill Farm near Balmaclellan. After the Second World War, he settled in London and held an academic position at the British Museum. On retirement he emigrated to Australia to follow my sister and me who had both emigrated there in the early 1980s. "Inevitably, as one gets older, there grows an interest in one’s origins, where one has come from and the lives of one’s forebears. Unfortunately, I have little recollection of those still alive when I was small. My grandfather, Andrew Carson, died many years before I was born, and of his wife, my grandmother, I have only the haziest of a memory. "My father died several years ago, but we found in his papers a handwritten account he made of his early life living at Walkerhill Farm. My wife still has family in the UK and we try to make a visit every few years. On returning this year, I wanted to spend a bit of time in Kirkcudbrightshire to locate places my father mentioned in his account, and to locate the headstones of family members, details of which my wife had found in various resources available to the general public. "In the cemetery of St John’s Town of Dalry we located the headstone of my grandparents Andrew and Mary (neé Glendinning) Carson as well as that of my grandfather’s brother, Peter Carson, and his wife Hilda Robertson; the headstones of the two brothers are next to each other. You will see from the dates on the headstones that the brothers died within a few days of each other; my grandfather Andrew aged 45 and my great uncle Peter, aged 39. Both were susceptible to asthma and both developed pneumonia almost simultaneously and with fatal consequences. Their untimely deaths were a heavy blow to the family. "My wife had also located the headstone of my greatgrandfather, James Carson and his wife Agnes Lorimer, in the cemetery of Borgue. We visited the cemetery and were able to locate their headstone. While the headstone of my grandfather at Dalry was in good condition, other than needing a good clean and the letters picked out again, that of my great-grandfather and of Peter Carson were in some state of disrepair. My wife and I decided that we would like to have all three headstones restored. "As luck would have it, we were put in touch with Douglas Swan & Sons about restoration work. In subsequent correspondence with Jamie Swan, he told us of the coincidence in that you had asked about having the headstone for Peter Carson repaired." Isn’t it lovely that one of the headstones in Dalry has been found by their relatives! And what a coincidence that they were here looking for the headstones at the same time we were preparing an article for the Gazette. We will hopefully have an update by the next gazette on the restoration of the other two headstones. Pictured is the headstone of Peter Carson and Hilda Robertson, before and after restoration work. The inscription reads: In Loving Memory of Peter Johnstone Carson, dearly beloved husband of Hilda Robertson, who died at Newfield, Dalry, 9th January 1925, aged 39 years. Also the above Hilda Robertson, died 26th February 195Douglas Swan, who has restored the headstone, gave a bit of elaboration about the crown motif: “The crown represents reward and glory. It honours glorified souls and angels, or points to the triumph and death when it caps a winged skull. Sometimes this symbol is juxtaposed with a cross, which indicates that earthly life includes suffering, and the afterlife victory.” Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 26 Natural History and Antiquarian Society young researcher competition T he Dumfriesshire & Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society (DGNHAS) Young Researcher Competition is for students in years S4, S5, S6 or recent school leavers who have not yet begun higher education. Being an avid Gazette reader, DGNHAS secretary Margaret Kennedy got in touch to ask if we would run a piece inviting Glenkens young people to take part in the competition. The aim is to try and foster a long-lasting interest in the local heritage of the three former counties of Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire. DGNHAS Entrants are asked to produce an original research paper on any topic relating to the human history or natural environment of Dumfries and Galloway. Examples of this could be to research the career of a local historical figure, the history of a significant local building/monument, a study – perhaps a census – of local wildlife or the importance of an exhibit in one of the region’s museums. Papers should contain between 1,500 and 2,500 words and may contain images, appropriately captioned. The society is offering a prize of £250 and the winner will see their paper published on the society’s website. The society feels that the prestige involved in taking part in this competition, let alone winning, would greatly benefit students in their future careers. The competition runs from the end of the summer term, with the deadline for entries being 31 December. This timing ensures that examination studies are not affected. Full details of the competition are available at www.dgnhas.org.uk under the 'About' tab. Last year’s competition winner was Sophia Earle from St Joseph’s College in Dumfries. Pictured are members of DGNHAS with Luka Stores (runner-up) and DGNHAS president David Dutton handing Sophia her winning certificate. Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette Glenkens Choir wow at premiere of The Fall of Man S pontaneous and sustained applause greeted the glorious final chorus of the Geoff Davidson's new choral work The Fall of Man. This latest world premiere following on from The Passion last year was enjoyed by a capacity audience in Dalry church. The work deals with the subject of Adam and Eve and the serpent (chillingly and dramatically delivered by Marion Adam) and a very angry God (portrayed by the chorus). Robert Lind sang the role of Adam with equally dramatic power yet captured the weakness and remorse of the first man. Nicola Junor's Eve was beautifully sung and quite devastatingly effective in her realisation of her calamitous mistake. Both singers relished the large chorus numbers and sang with strength and clarity over the chorus counterpoint. The Reverend John Burns took the role of the narrator and spoke the well-known words of the bible story with authority and aplomb. The story of Adam and Eve has generally been neglected by great composers. Haydn mentions them briefly in his Free Benefits Support oratorio The Creation but his is a couple deeply in love with no mention of serpents, apples or an angry God. The Fall of Man did not duck these issues but revelled in them! Janette Davidson's sublimely beautiful singing as the Queen of Heaven was of a quality rarely heard in these parts and Reverend Dawn Matthews' reading of Mary, an icon of love, was truly moving. This reading and the powerful prologue were written by Larry Winger, a local writer with whom Geoff Davidson has now collaborated and created an exciting new musical about King David. It's called The God Stone and brings to life David, young and adult, King Saul, Goliath, Bathsheba and all. This is next page 27 year's project for this wonderful little choir who exhibit astonishing ability to sing difficult works and make them compulsively gripping. Larry Winger's Song of Hope towards the end was a triumph of melody, fanfare and resolution that entranced the stunned audience. Hundreds of pounds were donated at the door and this will be split between the orphanage in Malawi and the church itself who provided heat and light and a place to rehearse. With groups like this in the Glenkens, musical life is well served. Crombie MacNeill Pictured are members of the Glenkens Choir during rehearsals WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING HOURS OPENING TIMES MONDAY – FRIDAY MONDAY-FRIDAY 7.30AM-5.30PM 7.30am – 5.30pm SATURDAY - 8.30AM-5PM SATURDAY 8.30am – 5pm SUNDAY - 8.30AM-3PM SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm LOCAL SUPPLIERS Do you self-identify as disabled? Voice and rights charity VoiceAbility is providing free, independent advocacy support across the country to help you to understand and access Social Security Scotland benefits. Are you aged between 16 and 65, identify as disabled or have a condition that effects your daily life? If so, then we can support you. Support is also available for parents, guardians, or carers who are accessing benefits for a disabled child. Local Voice Advocate, Maureen Jardine, is hoping to visit locations across the Glenkens to let people know about this free advocacy service. Please get in touch if you would like Maureen to come to your community. For more information please email maureen. jardine@ voiceability.org, call our helpline on 0300 303 1660 or for further information visit www.voiceability.org LOCAL SUPPLIERS DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY BUTCHERS UPPERBUTCHERS DULLARG EGGS MITCHELL'S FRUIT EGGS & VEG UPPER DULLARG SWEETCAKES BAKERY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY SWEETCAKES BAKERY CREAM O' GALLOWAY GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES CREAM O GALLOWAY IRVINGS BAKERY GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES GALLOWAY SCOTTISH PASTA IRVINGS COWS BAKERY & CO THE CRESS COMPANY (GF & SCOTTISH GALLOWAY PASTA VEGAN OPTIONS) GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 28 Another great season for CatStrand Youth Players A nother successful season came to a close in April with CatStrand Players now taking a break to recharge the batteries ready for panto rehearsals starting in September. We started off the season rehearsing for our record breaking run of ‘Cinderella’ in December, with an extra show having to be added to satisfy the demand for tickets! After a short festive break it was straight on to rehearsals for our three one-act plays which were performed at the SCDA District Drama Festival in March. CatStrand Players qualified to go on and represent the Stewartry at both the Youth and Open categories at the Western Finals for the third year in succession. The players travelled to Dunlop in Ayrshire to compete against the other District Festival youth winners. It proved to be an excellent day of drama, with all four teams performing to a very high 'Us and Them' by David Compton, performed at the Scottish Final in Dunlop standard. The adjudicator praised the young Although it may be a summer but there will be a few spaces actors for their performance and break for the actors, there’s no available for new members. excellent teamwork. rest for the directors as their Please come along to the first thoughts now turn to the choice meeting if you are interested in In the Open Festival, the team of plays for next year’s festival! joining (min age 10 years). returned to the Fullarton to Before that though, it will be perform ‘All of the Monkey’s’ We’re almost there with the back to panto rehearsals ready by Michael Park in the Western choice of panto and it will be for the shows on in December. Final against the seven qualifiers announced as soon as the final from the other districts. Director The first meeting of the new decision is made. Tickets will Jo Jackson and the cast, James season will be held on Sunday go on sale in October, so watch Wallace and Rose Benson, had 1 September at 2pm in the out for that and be sure to book worked very hard since the CatStrand to begin planning and early to avoid disappointment. District Festival to make some casting for the panto. We are Brian Edgar subtle changes to the production. limited to numbers in the cast Survey illustrates CatStrand support I n the last Gazette we asked you to look out for our survey, if you wanted to help us secure the future of the CatStrand Arts Programme. We had an excellent response to the survey and would like to thank everyone who took the time to fill it in. Responses show overwhelming support for our work and a real emotional connection to the venue. For a great many people, CatStrand is a big part of their lives and we live up to our aim of being at the heart of the Glenkens communities. We asked people what they valued about the CatStrand; some of the themes of the responses included: • Opportunity to access and engage with performing arts • Local & ‘on our doorstep’ arts programme • Bringing artists into the region we would not otherwise be able to see • Acting as a community and creative hub • Space for creative exploration, participation in classes & workshops • Opportunities for children & young people • A valuable asset to our community We asked about the impact if we could not continue. Common words used to describe the impact included Devastated, Huge, Gutted, Loss, Despair & Bereft. Common themes included: • Loss of cultural access • Losing enjoyment and vibrancy in life • Loss to the community and impact on rural area • Increased isolation, lack of social opportunity • Concern about the impact and loss of opportunity for children and young people It’s hard to imagine a more positive response to our work. However, its future beyond April 2025 very much depends on the October outcome of our submission to Creative Scotland’s Multi Year Fund. We understand that Creative Scotland still has less than half of the combined requests of the applicants available. I remain deeply concerned about the impact this will have on us, the D&G and Scottish Arts Sector. If you share my concern about future arts funding please consider writing to your MSP. You can find out how to contact them at- theyworkforyou.com/ Scotland In the meantime I very much look forward to seeing you at CatStrand. Peter Renwick, Creative Director, CatStrand Arts The full Audience Survey Report is available at gcat. scot/survey See article on p21 for more on how you can support the CatStrand... GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 29 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers through some of his favourite books. In this edition Robin takes a look at the author Jennifer Egan. M y work-related reading, though fascinating, is generally grim, so for some light relief on these even lighter summer days, I’m reading The Keep by the contemporary American novelist Jennifer Egan. Danny, a phone-obsessed New Yorker in his late thirties who wishes to remain forever a child, arrives at the central European castle that his cousin Howie has just bought. Howie – apparently a multi-millionaire – has surrounded himself with graduate students, assistants, and various hangers-on. They nurse mysterious plans to turn the place into a hotel which will somehow provoke its guests’ imaginations. Because: “Oldfashioned ‘reality’ is a thing of the past. It’s gone, finito – all that technology you’re so in love with has wiped it out.” At the centre of the castle is the keep, in which secrets are kept, and where the baroness lives, who might be very old, or might be very young. Though it’s all somewhat fantastical, you take for granted the story you’re being told about Howie and Danny and their difficult relationship, until you realise that the person telling it is a prisoner – a murderer – attending a writing workshop, and that this prisoner shares a cell with another who – believe it or not – has a shoe box full of dust which allows him to hear the voices of the dead… As in the works of Italo Calvino, or the Thousand and One Nights, here there are stories within stories. I’m reading The Keep because I enjoyed The Candy House so much. And I read The Candy House because it is the sequel to A Visit from the Goon Squad, which is just brilliant. I can’t remember what made me read that, but once I had, I decided to read everything this author had written. (I still have a couple to go.) The method of Candy House and Goon Squad is that each chapter works as a story in its own right, though altogether they make up a novel (or two novels). Some chapters were in fact originally published as stand-alone short stories in the New Yorker. (You might come across them on the New Yorker’s literary podcasts, which I recommend. In The New Yorker: Fiction, writers choose a short story by another writer to read and then discuss. In The New Yorker: The Writer’s Voice, writers read their own stories.) David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP In between Goon Squad and Candy House, I read Manhattan Beach. This historical novel, set amongst Irish-Americans in the 1930s and 40s, is a bit more traditional in method. It’s a feminist novel without advertising itself as such, whose heroine is the first woman diver in Brooklyn’s Navy ship yard during World War Two (Egan’s not particularly interested in historical accuracy – there were no women divers in the US Navy at the time – but she portrays the social reality of the moment with clarity.) Like George Saunders, Jennifer Egan makes the complex look simple. Whether writing traditional realism or performing formal pyrotechnics, she produces books which are reliably funny, sad, page-turning, and endlessly entertaining. Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 30 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 31 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Graham West 01644 430 503 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 • Parton: Tom 07835821976 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH Sunday Services St Margaret's Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP Balmaclellan: 2 Jun, 7 Jul - 11am Carsphairn: 9 Jun, 14 Jul - 11am, communion service Kells: 16 Jun, 21 Jul - 11am Dalry: 23 Jun, 30 Jun, 28 Jul - 11am For further information contact Rev Pam Bellis on 07751 379 249 or pam@bellisconsultancy.co.uk Wednesdays - evening prayers on Zoom Sundays - 10.30-11.30am Tuesdays - 10am-12noon, the church will be open for private prayer or reflection, or just to have a look round and chat with Dawn For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 32 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Advanced Massage Practitioner (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 33 GALLOWAY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT www.galloway-community-transport.org email: gct@catstrand.com phone: Jon 07841 512449 or Sue 07704 662925 JUNE - JULY 2024 REGULAR SERVICES EXCURSIONS GK2 Glenkens Castle Douglas (Tesco) Wednesday Evenings (Registered Route) Outward 19:00 19:05 19:15 19:25 19:30 19:37 19:40 Dalry (Underhill) New Galloway Mossdale Laurieston Townhead of Greenlaw Castle Douglas (Market St) Castle Douglas (Tesco) Return 21:15 21:10 21:00 20:50 20:47 20:37 20:35 Booking not required Glenkens to Newton Stewart Fortnightly Tuesday mornings Outward Pickups: Dalry (Underhill) 09:30 New Galloway (Town Hall) 09:35 CatStrand) 09:37 To Aldi (Return) Pickup Newton Stewart (Aldi Car Park) 11:30 Return fare £3.50 Advance booking required. DRIVERS NEEDED Galloway Community Transport needs your help to provide a wide range of community transport services across the Stewartry and beyond. MINIBUS DRIVING Minibus drivers with D1 (101 or by test) are needed to do volunteer and paid driving for our wide range of member community groups. PATIENT TRANSPORT We also urgently need drivers with their own cars for our patient transport service. Our volunteer patient transport drivers receive a generous mileage reimbursement and the satisfaction of providing a vital service to vulnerable people in our communities. Interested? Email gct@catstrand.com or phone 07841 512449 MEMBERSHIP HIRE GCT has a 15, 16 and 8-seater minibus and a fully wheelchair accessible electric car available for hire by community organisations. For information about membership and terms and conditions of hire see the GCT website or phone 07841 512449 www.galloway-community-transport.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation WHAT'S ON page 34 June/July JUNE Sat 1, Volunteer Fair, 10am-2pm, New Galloway Town Hall Sat 1, Carsphairn Show, show field, all day Sat 1, DG Arts Festival: FLAME OUT, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 2, Ivan Drever 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 2, Dragon Boats on Loch Ken Open Day, 10am-3pm, Galloway Activity Centre Mon 3-Sun 9, Indie News Week, events hosted in Edinburgh, available online, see p19 Wed 5, Dalry Film Club : The Great Escaper, 7:30pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 6, Film - Why Not Scotland? 7:30PM, CatStrand Thu 6, Police Community Drop-In Surgeries: Crossmichael Memorial Hall 9-10am; Balmaghie Village Hall, Laurieston 10.15-11am; Mossdale Post Office 11.15-12noon; New Galloway (High Street) 12.15-1pm; Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn 1.30-2.15pm; Dalry Post Office 2.45-3.30pm; Corsock Village Hall 3.45-4.30pm Sat 8-Sun16, Great Big Green Week, see p14 Sat 8, June, Barwhillanty Picnic Prom, see p5 Sun 9, SR Crockett Classic Car Run, 1-5pm Sun 9, Dalry Town Hall Opendoors Day,10am-3pm, see back page Mon 10, Dalry Town Hall Management Meeting, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Wed 12, Public Exhibition - Troston Overhead Line Grid Connection, 3-7pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 13, Ken Words: Writers’ Cafés, 7pm, CatStrand Sat 15, deadline for Glenkens Community Shop grant applications, see p5 Sat 15, European Lunar SymposiumThe Moon and the Earth in prose, 10am, CatStrand Sat 15, European Lunar SymposiumSpace and Nature in poetry, 1pm, CatStrand JULY Thu 4, Black Umfolosi Workshop, 1pm, CatStrand Thu 4, Black Umfolosi, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 6, Bio Blitz, 11am-3pm, Lochhill Farm, Crossmichael, see p17 Sat 6, Carsphairn Community Woodland Volunteer Day, 10am-3pm, Muirdrochwood Forest week of 8 July, Glenkens Education & Learning Summit, see p7 Mon 8, Dalry Town Hall Management Meeting, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 15, European Lunar SymposiumOpen Mic, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 12, Carlos Quilici, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 15, Glenkens Producers' Market, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 13, Glenkens Producers' Market, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 20, Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton Trio (with Owen Sinclair), 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 14, Outlaw Sisters Workshop, 1.30pm, CatStrand Fri 21, application deadline for CCW Forestry Pre-apprentice, see p18 Sun 14, The Morrich- Workshop, 2pm, The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Fri 21, Gin Tasting Evening, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Sun 14, Outlaw Sisters, 4pm, CatStrand Sat 22, Dalry Community Café, 10am1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sun 23, SongWave: Singing up a Storm - songs of spirit and the sea, 4pm, New Galloway Town Hall Fri 28, Heal & Harrow, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 29, Make Some Noise music session, 10.15am-12noon, Smiddy, Balmaclellan Sat 13, The Morrich, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 20, Wave Blues Band, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 20, The Motte Pop-up Pub, Balmaclellan Village Hall Sat 27, Stewartry Show, all day, Stewartry Rugby Club Sat 27, GCT Bus Trip: The Machars Gardens, Sat 27 July, see p33 Sun 28, One Big Thank You, 6am-6pm, Carlingwark Park, Castle Douglas, see back page Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Monday every month - contact richardandjane@phonecoop.coop or 01556 670 691 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 35 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton. julie@googlemail.com Community Exercise Class, 6pm Exercise Class, 7pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Tai Chi, Wed, 2pm Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, monthly meetings resume in September Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, 9.30am-12noon Wed, 9.30am-12noon Fri, 9.30am - 12noon Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 or carsphairn.trust@ gmail.com Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10-11.45am CatStrand, New Galloway Spring opening hours: Tue-Sun, 11am-4pm Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat bi-weekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.15am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10 yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm Glenkens Charity Shop The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Main St, Dalry, Tel: 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book in the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play With Your Child, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Fb Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16 yrs) Musical Misfits, group singing class, bi-weekly, 10.30am New Galloway Town Hall Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Margaret Morris Movement, (adults), Mon 2.30-3.30pm Margaret Morris Modern Dance for Children & Young Dancers, 4-5pm LING Lunches, Tue, 12.30–2pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30-8pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–5.30pm, dropin, all ages welcome Martial Arts, Thu, 7.30-9pm Babies & Toddlers, Fri, 10-11am For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Clachan Crafters, Thu, 2pm, 07500 861 041 Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet.com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm Tue 6-8pm Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Song Share, 1st Fri each month, 7.3010.30pm Various Strictly Get Dancing, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton, Mon, 7pm Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed & Fri, 1.30-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Crossmichael Church Hall, Thu, 1-3pm Yoga, Mossdale Mossdale Village Hall, Fri, 2.15pm Mossdale Soup Saturday, last Sat each month, 1-3pm, Mossdale Village Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre, Parton Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona Ramsay on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 36 Join Jim for One Big Thank You C rossmichael resident Jim McLelland will be spending the day in Carlingwark Park, Castle Douglas, on Sunday 28 July to raise funds for local NHS staff and services. Jim has committed to matching the NHS workers' 12-hour work shift by walking, jogging and running during the course of the day, from 6am to 6pm. The day will be filled with fun and celebration, providing a chance show appreciation to all NHS staff, from the support services and catering teams to the porters, secretaries, nurses, doctors, consultants and steadfast team of volunteers. Jim says: "Please come along to support me in raising funds for the NHS charity and staff, who are there for each of us in our time of need. Let’s recognise their hard work, which often accompanies our darkest times of worry or pain. While many of us may not have required their services to date, we never know what the future holds – for ourselves or for our loved ones." Could you afford to donate, or perhaps to do some fundraising yourself? If everyone in the region gave just £1 each, over £100,000 would be raised! Some fundraising ideas are holding a sponsored walk, run, swim, cycle or a local event such as a quiz night, darts match, bingo evening, coffee morning or karaoke night. Jim says: "Money raised will go to the D&G Health Board Endowment Fund charity to be used to provide the extras above and beyond what the NHS can provide, giving support where it is needed the most. to all sponsors who have already pledged donations to this remarkable challenge which could benefit us all." "Please accept this warm invitation to be a part of this special community appreciation; we express grateful thanks To support Jim's fundraiser you can donate at www.justgiving.com/page/jim-mclellandonebigthankyou WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com AUG/SEP COPY DEADLINE: 5 JULY The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 142 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_142 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2024 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/290/GlenkensGazette143.pdf ad8f61a43680de46ed318e8ee9e4ad3d 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 143 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document August/September 2024 ISSUE 143 Pioneering education and learning event W ith a focus across Scotland on the loss of rural amenities, schools and rural depopulation, the Glenkens is taking the reins in engaging our communities to figure out what we need and want in terms of education and learning. The Glenkens Community and Arts Trust (GCAT) hosted an event on behalf of the Glenkens & District Community Action Plan Steering Group. The event was designed to inform and inspire, and welcomed six excellent speakers who gave up their time to move this important subject forward. There were two areas on which the speakers focussed; 'industry' and 'education'. On the ‘industry’ panel, Richard Nash of Natural Speakers at the education and learning Power, event addressed a packed auditorium Matthew Bacon of previous Head of the Argyll & Vattenfall and Abi Mordin of Bute Education Department Propagate gave fascinating and now researcher into insights into the pipeline rural small schools, and of skilled jobs that will be Andrew Pyle, Head of the needed in the land and energy Kilquhanity Children’s Village industries in the Glenkens over near Kirkpatrick Durham. the next 20 years. Continued on page 11... The ’education’ panel comprised Anne Paterson, A National Park for Galloway? I n July 2024 the Scottish Government selected Galloway as a possible location for a new National Park. The region, which came out top from a shortlist of five, will be the subject of a consultation and an investigation into its suitability. The Glenkens Gazette and Glenkens Hub don't have a position on the National Park itself, but we think that the best outcome will be achieved through wide and wellinformed discussion. To support the public's meaningful engagement with the issues, we have brought together the relevant official documents on this a new page Proposed area for the Galloway National Park under the 'Good to and will update it as we get Know' section of the Glenkens more information in the months Hub at www.glenkens.scot/ ahead. galloway-national-park-proposal FREE INSIDE THIS ISSUE Galloway Riding for the Disabled ...turn to p4 Eco Feature: Lochhill Bioblitz ...turn to p14 Support package for Glenkens childminders ...turn to page 23 The mysterious history of Kenmure burial isle ...turn to page 27 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews Carsphairn's Big Lunch C arsphairn's inaugural Eden Project Communities Scotland Big Lunch, intended to bring communities together, was a success. The event was well attended with a buffet lunch supplied by Carsphairn Tearooms. Finlay Carson MSP and his family joined residents for the buffet-style meal, supported by Carsphairn Community Council and organised by Cathy Cockburn. Also present was children's group Bairn Banter organiser, Melissa Ade, with a page 2 host of fun things to do for the younger attendees. Cathy said: "A big thank you to all who assisted in making this event a success and let's look forward to doing it annually." Name the Place I n each issue a photograph will be taken somewhere in the Glenkens by local photographer Ted Leeming and readers have to guess where it is. The answer can be found on p22, with a bit of information and food for thought about that location. Loch Ken Dragon Spalding open Boats party night triples competition J oin the Dragon Boats on Loch Ken club for a fundraising party night on Saturday 7 December at Dalry Town, with music from Glasgow-based Vintage Vinyl. Last year we held the party night at Balmaclellan Village Hall and it was a great success. More information will be available from October regarding tickets; they sell fast so make sure the date is in your diary. You can reserve tickets by calling or 0751 431 7578 or emailing pflssw@gmail.com S palding Bowling Club held the annual Open Triples competition at the end of June. Congratulations to Stewart Crossan, Bert Little and Melvin McTaggart on winning the open triples, beating Stevie Johnston, Tom Rogers and Davy McHenry in the final. A big 'thank you' goes to Kate Bone for presenting the prizes on behalf of our sponsor, William Bone, of Upper Dullarg Eggs. The club would also like to thank everyone for coming along to the event and all those members who helped out, making it a fantastic day. Garry Priddy Dragon Boats on Loch Ken is based at the Galloway Activity Centre. We paddle on Sundays from April to October, meeting at 9.30am - do come along, we'd love to meet you! Joyce Thacker Left to Right: (runners up) Tom Rogers, Davy McHenry, Steven Johnstone, Kate Bone (Upper Dullarg Eggs), Garry Priddy (President); (winners) Stewart Crossan, Melvin McTaggart and Bert little Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 3 Galloway Community Transport: Goodbye, hello and expanding the fleet G alloway Community Transport (GCT) bade a fond farewell to Sue McMinn. Good news - we have a new member of the team joining us on 1 August; Jason Wilding has been selected as the new GCT coordinator. Some of you may recognise him from the GCT driving work he has been doing for us. Welcome Jason! All the team will miss her cheery personality and hard work but respect her need to spend more time with family. More good news - we were recently in receipt of a generous anonymous donation which allowed us to purchase an almost-new T encouragement to visitors and tell them one of his many jokes. Ford Transit 16-seater minibus at the end of May. It has already been used for several excursions, with the response being very positive. Even more good news - due to a combination of funding and another anonymous donation, we have been able to order a brand-new wheelchair accessible 16-seater minibus. We are expecting delivery of that at the end of August. We have also been in very productive discussions with Dumfries & Galloway Council about the installation of a DC (direct current) charger in the Glenkens over the next few months, which will allow us to get our e-Bus fully up and running. More news on that next time... Jon Betts, GCT Manager In memory of Brian here was an excellent turnout of members to honour and remember Brian Porteous, the New Galloway Golf Course greenkeeper of longstanding. Brian tragically died whilst working on the course a year ago and is sadly missed by all the members and visitors to the club. He was always working on the course, making it one of - if not the - best 9-hole courses in Scotland. This high standard of maintenance on our course drew in many visitors from all over the world. Brian was also always on hand to offer Members played a competition for the Brian Porteous Trophy, a stunning wood turning made by club member, Rex Dressler, from the sycamore tree which had stood next to the clubhouse. Brian was an excellent putter and also had a lovely sense of humour. It therefore was very appropriate that the format of the competition involved the players using the longest club in their bag to putt on the green. Three players scored 30 points - Ewan Kelly, Mark Evans and Jeff Sutcliffe - but there can only be one winner, and with a better inward half of 17 points, Ewan won the trophy. A prize draw was organised and raised enough money for the Seniors to purchase a plaque for the memorial seat which had been built from stones taken from the dyke on the 3rd hole and built by member Guy Pumpr. The seat stands next to the 9th tee and looks across the glen to the east. Jeff Sutcliffe Three new homes for Balmaclellan T plans for the new houses to members of the community. the PYT trustees were delighted to have positive feedback from the public. The Smiddy venue, situated directly opposite the site of the proposed development, was the ideal place to showcase Drawings were available to view and people got to talk to the architect and hear from representatives of South of Scotland Community Housing, who have been instrumental in helping PYT develop the plans. Approximately 40 members of the community attended and Alan Smith, chair of PYT, said: “We are now moving towards sourcing funding for this project which will provide three new homes, designed to be aesthetically pleasing with an element of green space, and of a scale that is suitable to their location in the centre of the village”. he Pamela Young Trust (PYT) held a drop-in session to showcase their plans for the old filling station site in Balmaclellan. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 4 Galloway Riding for the Disabled M any people may not be aware that there is a riding group for people with disabilities in this area, but Galloway Riding for the Disabled (RDA) has been in existence for many years. We were originally the Machars Group but moved to Barstobrick, Ringford, in 2007 and became Galloway RDA. Last year we moved to our new home at Gelston where we are lucky to have access to some lovely horses and ponies and, thanks to Mr and Mrs Scott at Gelston Castle, we are able to take our riders out safely through the castle grounds. Our group is led by volunteers, apart from one paid qualified instructor. We cater to groups of children, usually three to a group, from local schools, groups from Loch Arthur Community and groups of adults who come independently. We operate in term-time only and also have a winter break from December to February to avoid the worst of the weather. Many of our adult riders have been coming for several years and thoroughly enjoy their sessions, but it is the children who show the most marked difference in behaviour. It is astonishing how calm they are near the horses and how they absolutely love the experience; one little boy said to me “it’s been the best day of my life". Contact with horses is known to have a therapeutic effect and they can certainly work their magic. In order to have this ‘magic’ we need volunteers, which is proving difficult in modern times as more and more people are working longer hours, looking after grandchildren or are generally busy. We meet on Wednesday mornings, starting at 10am and finishing about 1.30pm to allow groups to ride for approximately one hour each. We need volunteers who can help for either one, two or three hours at a stretch to assist riders in organising getting their hats and boots on, leading the horses or preparing the arena. No experience is necessary, either with horses or disabled people; just a willingness to help. We are a friendly group and try to make everyone feel welcome. We have a social get-together in the summer to thank our volunteers and also another one at Christmas. If anyone wishes to do a first aid or Safeguarding course, we can provide these. So if you can spare an hour or two any Wednesday morning, please do come and join us volunteering is good for you! We have a training day on Wednesday 28 August before we start the new term in September and would love to meet you. Please get in touch to find out more - you can call or email Galloway RDA chair Sue Cooper at 01644 450 201 or gallowayrda@gmail.com Keith Cooper Riders enjoying a Galloway RDA session at Gelston Bowled over again Sense of place workshop C ongratulations to David Grieve as winner (yet again!), and Eddie Cruikshank as runner-up of the carpet bowls competition at New Galloway town hall. LING’s Tuesday sports evenings, offering table tennis upstairs as well as the carpet bowling downstairs, are on pause for the summer but reopen on 3 September at 7pm. All are welcome – just drop in (it's £4 a head). Clare McKenzie T he Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere will be holding a Sense of Place workshop at New Galloway Town Hall on Wednesday 2 October from 6.30-8pm. This will be an informal, interactive workshop looking at what it means to become a Biosphere Community and to discuss what is special about the New Galloway and Kells Parish, covering topics such as heritage, recreation and wildlife. Refreshments will be provided and there is no need to book in advance - everyone is welcome. For more information please contact Biosphere community officer Faith Hillier at faith@ gsabiosphere.org.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 5 Lottery supports LING to provide 'a space for everyone' F or many charities, the National Lottery’s Community Fund is one of the biggest grant opportunities available, and excitement reigns at Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) as we have been rewarded £148,902 over three years. This money is given to enterprises that the National Lottery deem to be ‘good causes’, particularly where they champion inclusivity and environmental sustainability. This fits neatly with LING’s aim to promote rural regeneration, both through maintaining recreational facilities, and providing a regular programme of activities for the public in those places – particularly for those who bear the brunt of rural isolation, marginalised by reason of their age, infirmity, disablement, or socio-economic circumstances. The grant itself covers a lot of behind-the-scenes work and a percentage of the running costs for LING, but most importantly it offers funding for our community inclusion leader and other supporting roles, alongside identified training and development, travel and expenses. Having some of our core costs covered is key to sustaining LING and allows us to develop and grow in its mission to make daily life in New Galloway and the Glenkens community affirming to everyone. And there is plenty to look forward to on the LING calendar, all made possible through this funding! As well as our regular programme of events we have a craft ale tasting and pizza night coming up in September as part of Glenkens Food Month (see article below), a Halloween event in October, and the return of Risto’s pop-up restaurant in November. So a variety of events for a variety of people! LING’s annual general meeting and cheese and wine event for friends of LING take place on 4 October at 7.30pm. Thanks as always go to our tireless board of trustees, made up of volunteers from the community, who worked hard to obtain the grant which will allow LING to provide a range of support and opportunities. A charity such as LING relies on the generosity of local people giving their time to help, fully Fifth Glenkens Food Month coming soon! G lenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) is delighted to have secured some funding from Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Region Wide Communities Fund to be able to coordinate Food Month again this year. We have been extremely busy behind the scenes coordinating a varied and exciting programme celebrating the marvellous food and produce on offer in our glorious part of the world. Gala days, ceilidhs, hog roasts, community hall afternoon teas and pop-up pizza nights, plant & seed swaps, buffets, talks, discussions and foodie films are all on the cards during September in the Glenkens. A brochure is now available at outlets and you can also finds events listings on the Glenkens Hub calendar at www.glenkens.scot/glenkens-food-month-2024 or please don't hesitate to email me to find out more - jo@catstrand.com We look forward to seeing you in September; thanks, as ever, to all the community organisations and local businesses for hosting Glenkens Food Month events and activities – this delicious celebration of local food wouldn’t exist without you. A particular 'thank you' goes to the Galloway Food Network and Propagate who work year-round on these important local food issues. Jo Jackson, Glenkens Food Month Coordinator Pictured above are the LING board of trustees with the Lottery cheque representing the diversity of our local community. If you are interested in getting involved either as a member or a trustee please get in touch at info@ling. org.uk Dominique Pope Glenkens Cub Scouts G lenkens cubs had an exciting visit when Freya’s dad came and took them through the Air activity badge, Stages 1 and 2. We are very lucky Stewart is a pilot and his presentation was amazing. Some of the things learned were to write our names using the phonetic alphabet, and all the different countries Stewart flies to. Thank you Stewart for a wonderful evening. Glenkens Cubs teamed up with Loch Ken Trust rangers, Lianne and Lindsay, to learn about water safety. We were shown how to build a responsible camp fire and to leave no trace of our fire. We then had a talk on water safety and were given a chance to try water rescue. We had a fabulous time and have learned skills for life. A big "thank you" to Leanne and Lindsay, and also to Hannah for organising the event. Heather and Christine had a display to promote Scouting in the Glenkens and beyond at the volunteer fair organised by LING in New Galloway Town Hall, supported by families and youngsters who came along in their uniforms. Harriet received her Chief Scout's Silver Award. This badge is the highest award you can get in Cubs and we are very proud of you – well done! Cub Pack meetings restart on 4 September from 6.15-7.30pm at the New Galloway Scout Hut. If you are eight years or older and would ike to come along and give it a try, please give Heather a ring on 01644 420 375. Heather and Hannah GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette Carsphairn Show S ince 1875 Carsphairn Pastoral and Horticultural Society has hosted Carsphairn Show. You can find lots of wonderful historic photographs, like the one below, depicting events on Show Day over the last 147 years at the Carsphairn Archive (www.carsphairn. org/CarsphairnArchive). Here are a few snaps from this year's show, taken by Chris Caygill, 'Shepherd with a camera' - for more of Chris' photos visit @Cjcaygill Fuzzyfotos on Facebook. There was a great turnout, with lots on offer including a kids' area hosted by local page 6 stay-and-play children's group, Bairn Banter (see article below). Pictured below right are winners of the pet show: Cherice Clark-Kennedy took first prize with miniature dachsund Evie and Keita Holmes took first place in the Best Pet category and second in the Best Dog category with miniature schnauzer cross French bulldog, Moine. Out and about with Bairn Banter Y oungsters from near and far visiting Carsphairn Show enjoyed Bairn Banter's new touring tent and trailer for fun, free children's activities throughout the day. Some of the activities on offer were sheep-themed crafts, water play, bubbles, soft play and sensory activities. There were a variety of snacks on offer, and a nice cool area to take a rest away from the glorious summer sunshine. Back at the Bairn Banter home base in Carsphairn's Lagwyne Hall the children have been turning fingers green, planting and looking after their small garden. The wee garden has now reached the point that children can enjoy the fruits of their labours, with young pea shoots and sweet strawberries able to be picked and eaten. As the summer holidays are now upon us, members of Bairn Banter warmly welcome all children and families to come along and enjoy the weekly group. Alongside all kinds of fun activities, the group continues to provide free healthy snacks for children (and parents), helping combat food poverty and promote healthy eating for youngsters and their families. If you would like to get involved with the group, perhaps to offer a skill, share a story, or anything else, please get in touch by emailing bairnbanter@outlook. com or feel free to join our Facebook page to keep up to date with news and upcoming activities Melissa Ade Pictured are Bairn Banter's new trailer and tent, funded through GCAT by the Scottish Government through CoDeL (see p11 for more on CoDeL), set up at the Carsphairn Show, and strawberries in the children's garden next to Lagwyne Hall Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Youth Correspondent page 7 Joshua Wells, aged 15, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Josh takes a look at train routes through the Glenkens. T he walk from Gatehouse of Fleet train station to Mossdale goes along a former railway line. The approximately nine-mile journey takes around four hours to walk and for the most part it is flat, making it easy for any walker. As you walk along what used to be train tracks you'll see lovely landmarks, including the little Gatehouse station which has been turned into a house, the Big Water of Fleet Viaduct which, as the name states, is large, the calm Loch Skerrow, and the tall Clints of Dromore. Most of the paths are wellmaintained and easy to walk along. However, some sections have become overgrown or boggy, so I recommend bringing your wellies. The last time I walked it, I ended up with wet feet. A perfect spot to take a break is what used to be Skerrow station, which can be found halfway along the walk. Here you can enjoy a leisurely lunch and keep an eye out for wildlife such as lizards or snakes. You may still see an old railway viaduct when driving along Loch Ken, and on the same road, you may spot the former Parton station that is now a shed; just look out for a red shed with a sign that says ‘Parton Station’. The old railway line, which used to be called the Paddy Line, went from Dumfries to Stranraer via Castle Douglas, Dalbeatie and Kirkcudbright. Unfortunately, this useful line was closed in 1965 due to Richard Beeching calling for the closure of one-third of the country's 7,000 stations after he identified in his report "profitable and unprofitable services and revealed great unevenness in the use and effectiveness of railways". The tracks were removed somewhere between 1967 and 1969, but bizarrely the stations were not removed. Weirdly, when the railway line was first constructed, many of the stations served only a handful of residents. Despite its name, Gatehouse station was built a fair distance (approximately six miles) from the town of Gatehouse of Fleet. Many people wish for this lovely railway to be re-opened, so people can commute to work from a local train station, instead of having to travel to Dumfries to get the train. However, if these wishes are granted, many changes must be made for trains to be able to run. For example, train stations should be moved closer to towns, so it may be just a walk away to get to the station, saving money on fuel and making it more convenient for locals. A railway line could also be useful for younger people, as they would not have to rely on the local inconsistent buses for free public transport. I believe that bringing back the train would be a good idea and with public transport growing due to eco-friendly efforts, it could bring Dumfries and Galloway to a greener future. GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Gazette page 8 Meet the LING trustees T his is the second instalment introducing the trustees for LING. If you are interested in finding out more about trustee opportunities, please see the information at the end of the article. Barbara Barker – Chair The Town Hall always played a major part in my life growing up in New Galloway. From parties to pantomimes, dances to discos, church sales, jumble sales - it all happened there! Advertisement Having spent many years living around Dumfries and Galloway, and working in health and social care, I was looking forward to retiring ‘back home’. My family have lived in and around New Galloway since the 18th century and have been involved with the Town Hall and the old burgh council over several generations. My father was one of the last town councillors when burgh and county councils were abolished in 1975. I was delighted to be invited to join LING in their quest to restore the Town Hall to its former glory. It’s a great honour to head up a team of hard working and talented individuals who have taken on the task of making sure we have a building the burgh can once more be proud of, and to ensure it can be enjoyed for many more generations to come. Ann Glaister – Secretary Ann became ‘accidentally’ involved in LING back in 2015 when she and her husband Bob found themselves sitting around Ros Hill’s kitchen table agreeing to be secretary and treasurer respectively ‘just to get a business plan agreed’. Ros had a way of engaging people which has become almost legendary. Eight years later, Ann is still in the same role. Previously she had been enjoying a relaxed retirement from an academic job with the Open University, where she had worked for 25 years. An NHS psychologist initially, she had made the transition to the field of health and social welfare, and loved the challenges and interest of working in multi-disciplinary teams. That is something she still enjoys - working as a trustee with others who bring different perspectives and skills. Her academic role had involved some fundraising, but she had not anticipated how useful that experience would be, until she found herself fundraising for LING. The improvements to New Galloway Town Hall suggest it has indeed helped, although, as ever, success has depended on community support for the project. At LING, our trustees are the backbone of our Charity, ensuring we stay true to our objectives and deliver meaningful change in our community. Each trustee is supported to bring: integrity; commitment to our goals; teamwork spirit; understanding of their legal duties; strategic vision; independent judgement; creative thinking; willingness to voice opinions. We currently have opportunities to join the LING trustee team; if you would like to know more please email info@LING.org.uk with your details for an informal chat. Pictured are Barbara Barker (top) and Ann Glaister An update from Border Collie Rescue - progress at Corsock We still have a lot to do here but things are progressing well thanks to local volunteers who have given their time to help us get things up and running. JSF have installed stock fencing and gates to divide our 12 acre field into 6 areas. We now have two large grazing fields, 3 paddocks for exercise and training and a set aside perimeter around the whole which, in the long run, will become a nature walk and conservation area for the use of school groups visiting the centre. So far we have planted over 250 native species trees in this area with more planned for next year. Grass is growing fast this year so its been topped and 25 sheep are keeping it grazed. Our 3 paddocks have been top fenced as extra security and the whole 12 acre perimeter is either deer fenced or double height to keep dogs in and deer out. We are now making the yard secure, after which we will move on to converting some of the outbuildings to set up accommodation and support facilities for a small number of dogs. Until then any dogs we take in from, or rehome into Scotland, like those below, will go into foster homes in Yorkshire and be re-homed from there. There are all sorts of jobs to do, skilled and unskilled so if anyone out there wants to get involved, please give us a call on 07548 258886. We and our dogs look forward to hearing from you. Mike and Nicki. Dogs shown here are rehomed Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople page 9 BUSINESS in the SPOTLIGHT and the lanes were slowing down and filtering off to the slip lane. M y wife Sharon and I are often asked locally what we do since moving our business here some 18 years ago. We started our company, TransK9, in 2003, designing and manufacturing dog transport crates. Over the years the business has grown and we now sell worldwide, supplying numerous police forces, HM Prison Service, HM Customs & Excise, various local authorities and literally thousands of individual dog owners for whom the safety of their pet in transit is of the utmost importance. A customer recently contacted us to thank us and share their experience, and we thought Gazette readers may find it an interesting story, so we've included it here. Rob Marshall Hello TransK9, I just wanted to say a massive thank you. Today, the unthinkable happened; I was rear-ended on the M25 by a van going at 70mph. Me and my spaniel Mitch were on our way back from work (on a school farm) Ken Bridge Hotel Opening Times Sit-in and takeaway, seven days a week Evening Meals: 5.30-8pm Bar Service: from 4-11pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 11pm Saturday and Sunday * all meals must be booked in advance * • Pool table and darts board • Terrace/beer garden • • Venue available for hire for functions and events • • Campsite with river views *hot tubs coming soon* • - Dogs on leads welcome on outdoor terrace - For bookings, orders or any other enquiries call 01644 420 211, 07826 382 552, 07825 237 627, email mail@kenbridgehotel.com or message on Facebook @ Ken Bridge Hotel & campsite or visit www.kenbridgehotel.com I heard the sound of a horn and a screech, held my breath, and thought "this is it!", hoping we’d go quickly with no suffering. To my amazement, I crawled out with merely a scrape and Mitch not even a scratch - the dog crate took the impact! The police, paramedics and Highways England commended the crate, saying my dog would have not survived without it. The police said that not only did the crate save my dog’s life, it took a lot of the impact which prevented further damage to myself too. So I just wanted to get in touch and say, thank you; your product saved my dog's life and I will not hesitate in a heartbeat to buy another for my next car. Best wishes, Hayley (and Mitch) Pictured is Hayley's car after the accident, showing the TransK9 dog crate in the boot which took the majority of the impact GAZETTEeducation Glenkens Gazette page 10 Finding a way forward for rural education A s humans, learning is as much a part of us as breathing; from the moment we open our eyes until we take our last breath, we are learning. Over the years, with schools a core service in every community in Scotland, we have perhaps become complacent with regard to the learning process. There is an innate assumption that children go to school and come out with ‘an education’. Until, that is, we find our schools at risk of closure. Then, bathed in the stark light of loss, we are forced to reassess what schools and education mean for our communities. Here in the Glenkens, as with all rural communities, our vital amenities are core to the health, wellbeing and future sustainability of our area. In a town or city, if a school or doctor’s surgery or Post Office closes, it likely doesn't have a huge impact on those within that community as there will be another one within a reasonable distance. Not so in rural settings. The Glenkens Community Action Plan Steering Group (CAPSG), along with Dalry School Parent Council, have been working in partnership to highlight the value of education in our communities; across the board, not just for families with children. With the very real risk of losing Dalry Secondary, there is a need for community-wide discussion on where the future of education and learning in the Glenkens lies, and also a need for the community voice to be heard by D&G Council. The talk held at the CatStrand on 11 July was well attended by a wide range of members of the Glenkens communities, and has hopefully opened the doors on this conversation. With a Glenkens & District Trust funded report on rural education in the pipeline, and real interest being shown from the D&G Council education department with regard to engaging with our communities, there is hope that we can move forward with optimism towards fit-for-purpose learning opportunities for our unique rural communities. On the following pages are a selection of articles considering the topic of education and learning in the Glenkens. Discussions about Carsphairn school A meeting was held in Lagwyne Hall to discuss potential options for Carsphairn Primary School in providing education for the community. The event was well attended, with over 30 members of the local community present as well as a number of children and young people. Organised by Emily and Tom Wall, the meeting showcased two presentations of potential community-led options for the school. The first saw the Walls present an idea for an education and learning centre, and the second was a presentation by Fiona McQuinn considering ways the community could work in partnership with the council to offer early child care and primary school education. With the new Rural Skills Training Centre at Carsphairn Community Woodland, and conversations happening with regard to lifelong learning across the Glenkens, education is the hot topic of the moment. The event was well attended, with tables set up to accommodate discussion, and a selection of biscuits, snacks and drinks to ensure everyone was content. Those in attendance were invited to note their thoughts down and engage MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 There was a full house for discussions on ideas for future education and learning options in Carsphairn in discussion on the potential options. Comments from attendees at the meeting will be compiled and further discussions had once potential funding opportunities have been investigated - watch this space! Amber Dunlop-Pajo Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 11 A Glenkens focus on education & learning Continued from front page... Matthew highlighted the increase in operational positions needed on wind farms, which is predicted to rise by 250% by 2030 in Dumfries & Galloway - from 112 to 395 positions. These are longterm, well-paid roles. Similarly, Abi highlighted that the changing agricultural subsidy regime will require new skilled roles in a variety of areas including nature restoration and enhancement. Richard drew on his nonexecutive role at Dumfries & Galloway College to highlight how joint working between the college and Natural Power had led to a new course in wind turbine maintenance that was training technicians in the relevant skills, ready to enter the industry directly. Anne discussed her previous research into the issues and possible solutions associated with small rural schools, and reflected on the importance of such schools both to the communities they are embedded in and to a local authority’s vision for rural sustainability. Her own research highlighted the need for due consideration of context and place when implementing national policy, the need for mutual understanding between local authorities and communities and the need for innovative thinking to find new solutions. Andrew gave an insight into an entirely different model of education, as embodied by Kilquhanity Free School from 1940 to 1997 - one that prioritised learning over education and embraced radical democracy for and by the children (see Andrew's article on p12). Finally, Theona Morrison, a founding director of community development organisation CoDeL, based on Uist, and chair of Scottish Rural Action, gave some inspiring examples of the Uist communities working in partnership with their local authority. New courses were designed, giving young people the skills needed to stay on the island - including entrepreneurship and leadership - instead of educating them to leave. As a result of this and other efforts, the depopulation of Uist has been significantly mitigated. She also highlighted the research work that they have been commissioned to do by the Glenkens & District Trust. They plan to publish a final report on the Glenkens Hub by the autumn and will be engaging with Glenkens community members as well as other rural communities world-wide during the summer. The event was extremely well attended, with more than 60 people coming along including children and young people. Representatives from local businesses, Dalry School Parent Council and D&G Council directorate for Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing were in attendance along with information stands from Carsphairn Community Woodland, the Scottish Childminding Association and the now-completed Galloway Glens project on their incredibly successful internship scheme. Caroline Reeves, a member of the CAP Steering Group and Crossmichael resident, chaired the evening. She said: “As ever in the Glenkens, the level of engagement, creative thinking and knowledge in the audience was inspiring in itself. Added to the fantastic presentations and insights, it all made for a most interesting and thoughtprovoking evening that we hope helped everyone look at education and learning in the Glenkens, and other rural areas, in a new way. Many thanks are due to GCAT, who hosted the event.” Helen Keron, executive manager of GCAT, said: “Many thanks to all the speakers, manned stands, Caroline, GCAT staff and all the volunteers who made this event such a success. It’s always inspiring to see the communities of the Glenkens come together about issues that mean a lot to them, and I am optimistic that we can continue to keep working in partnership with all members of the community, local businesses and the council to find a great solution to education and learning in the Glenkens; one that is fit for modern rural living”. As a result of the event, Dumfries & Galloway Council representatives have reached out for further meetings with Glenkens communities and businesses and have offered to share relevant data, which is very welcome. A written report from the event is available on the Glenkens Hub at www. glenkens.scot/education-andlearning Photographs taken at the Glenkens Education & Learning Summit © Ian Biggar Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 12 Kilquhanity House School The relevance of an alternative education model for the Glenkens I was asked to speak at the Education Forum held at the CatStrand along with six other speakers, some online and some in person. Sadly, the timescale of the evening was such that speakers were only allocated 10 minutes in which to share their thoughts. As is often the case, the shorter the time, the more one tries to cram in facts and information and raise specific points of view. In my case – poorly put across. However, hopefully some words here will help to put the case I had hoped to share on the night! We started with a quiz along the line of ‘Who Said?’ noting some important perspectives relevant to the Glenkens today and for the future: Who Said..? "If you live in Scotland, you are Scottish" - William McIlvanney "Small is beautiful" - Ernst Schumacher "Education is the generation of happiness" - William Godwin "Learning by doing" - John Dewey "The Glenkens is awash with talent" - Me! Apart from myself, all of the above have made significant, sometimes huge, contributions to our understanding of – well, life! Kilquhanity House, near Bridge of Urr, was founded in 1940 by two couples; John and Morag Aitkenhead and Argyle and Felix Sturgeon (the Sturgeons swam away in 1941!). As we know in 1940 the German Luftwaffe were bombing UK cities and ports like London, Glasgow, Newcastle and Barrow. Many children were evacuated from these places and Galloway was considered one of the safe places to access. Many of the big houses were commissioned for such use. Kilquhanity survived financially for its first few years due to the placement of several evacuated children. Both John and Morag had been influenced by the words of AS Neill, founder of the Summerhill School – lastly in Leiston, Suffolk. Neill famously wrote many books on ‘free school’ education. At Kilquhanity ‘free school’ was interpreted as a community of children and adults living and learning together. The daily routine would include 'useful work' where every individual would undertake chores and responsibilities for the benefit of everyone – chopping firewood, gardening, peeling spuds, preparing sandwiches and tea or coffee for morning break, cleaning bathrooms and toilets, sweeping, etc. This period would last for about 40 minutes. As repetition could become tiresome everyone could ask to swap 'useful work' jobs through the Council Meeting, which was a meeting held once a week on a Thursday afternoon, attended by everyone and at which everyone had a vote – staff and pupil alike. As pupil numbers were higher than staff, it could be possible on occasion for staff to be outvoted. The meeting was the forum to discuss ALL issues in the school – bullying, theft, bedtimes, menus, toilet paper, celebrations, visitors seeking permission to visit, etc. Each item would be discussed with the level of detail required, points of view shared and, if necessary, votes taken to determine outcomes. The meeting was chaired by a pupil and scribed by a pupil, so a permanent record was kept. Often this record would be a point of reference at a future meeting to remind the meeting of a decision taken. Often, rather than a ’punishment’, individuals would agree an undertaking to behave in a particular way to show that they had ‘changed their ways’. Beyond basic literacy and numeracy, the majority of lessons could be considered free choice and often the content of a lesson would be negotiated between teacher and pupils. As the school was small – remember small is beautiful – a class of four or five kids in a particular subject area could follow individual routes to learning. For myself, in Science I spent a term exploring the design and fuelling of rockets, culminating in a two-kilogram rocket flying approximately 200 metres into the air, fuelled by a mixture of methylated spirits, zinc and sulphur ignited through the main electricity socket. This project somewhat annoyed the Ministry of Defence who sent an angry letter demanding cessation of the project. My woodwork project was designing and building a loudspeaker cabinet. Other kids my age were interested in motor vehicles, taxidermy and wildlife – several trips to A&E following bites by adders stick in my mind. So there was no National Curriculum, Highers or The front of the original Kilquhanity equivalents. However, school prospectus, highlighting the pupils could choose fact that it was a safe place to send to study for public your children in wartime Britain examinations if they wanted to. I remember so well Bett Kelso, from along with many other ‘free Kirkpatrick Durham, invigilating school’ establishments across the and bringing homemade tablet, world. He is now a world leader tea and coffee around to keep us in this type of education. going through the exam period. To close my talk, I was going to That is not to say ‘free school’ make a comment on the recent education is for everyone. My Dalry School student protest, as son attended Kilquhanity; my reported in the Galloway News daughter said she did not want and Glenkens Gazette. Contrary to to; she enjoyed her state school, the Government's Section 11 Act had a large friendship group and concerning the right to assembly enjoyed being successful in her and protest in a public place, the subjects. comments made – as reported Ex-pupils have entered many in the papers – by the outgoing professions and work lives: headteacher to the striking pupils musicians, artists, therapists, are, in my opinion, outrageous. joiners, architects, teachers, To say the pupils had no right to tax inspector, professor of protest where they had chosen, mathematics, dentist, breadto state they were truanting, and maker, taxi-driver, actors, lifeboat telling them it would be on a coxswain, mechanics, yoga permanent record, is really not teacher – and there have of a positive educational message course been some rascals too! to give young people about Just like any other school – state democracy. I would certainly not or private. send any of my kids to his school! Sadly, the school closed The Universal of Education is in 1996/7. The estate was about learning to be human, purchased by Kinokuni Childrens humane and sociable as well Village Trust (KCVT) and reas learning about self. The opened in 2007 as a Scotltish Individuality of Education is base for the five schools of about choice of learning. the Trust in Japan. Shinichiro To find out more about the history Hori, the director of KCVT, of Kilquhanity you can visit www. was previously an academic kilquhanity.blogspot.com professor of education in Osaka. Andrew Pyle, His specialism was Western Former Head of Kilquhanity progressive education and for Children's Village (2007-2024) many years he was a visitor to Kilquhanity and Summerhill, Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 13 Kendoon's lifesaving solar solution W ith only a small number of permanent residents, the tiny hamlet of Kendoon is one of the more isolated rural communities within the Glenkens. In June last year, residents started the long journey of sourcing funding for a defibrillator. Raising funds to purchase this lifesaving equipment turned out to be the easier part of the process; the difficulty lay with the power supply required to maintain the defibrillator batteries and temperature control unit. Due to the rural location, the work involved in taking power from existing outlets was estimated at around £17,000. Therefore, alternatives had to be looked at. With the help of various parties and the support of SP Energy Networks, Kendoon now has a fully-funded top-of-the-range defibrillator in a solar-powered box (one of only a handful currently in use in Scotland). Jamie Rose Some Kendoon residents alongside members of the St John Scotland team during a defibrillator training session Find out more about our feathered friends with the Stewartry Birdwatchers S tewartry Birdwatchers commence their monthly meetings on Thursday 12 September with nonmembers always welcome. This first meeting in Balmaclellan Village Hall starts at 7.30pm when the speaker, Crystal Maw, who worked for the RSPB from 2006 until early this year, will talk about Ailsa Craig and its seabirds. She moved to Galloway in 2012 and has helped to organise and carry out surveys on the island for over ten years. The island has a very large and important nesting colony of gannets as well as nesting fulmars, black and common guillemots, kittiwakes, puffins and razorbills. Pictured are gannets nesting on the cliffs of Ailsa Craig (photograph by Joan Howie) Crystal is an amusing and extrovert speaker who says her talk “will celebrate how awesome island life is!” As usual, about halfway through the talk there will be a break for refreshments which gives the audience a chance to chat, mix and put any questions to the speaker. After this our monthly meetings will all be in the afternoons, starting at 2.30pm. Our October talk is about the greylag goose, November is about the horrors of wildlife crime, and December is about birds of southern Texas. For further information you can contact me on 01644 420 280. Joan Howie Help boost the Glenkens native tree population T he Dumfries & Galloway Tree Planting Grant Scheme is now open for applications. The scheme provides grants of up to £1,000 for purchase of trees and tree protection on a small scale (less than 0.25 hectare) projects across the region. There were grant recipients last year located across the Glenkens, with farmers to community groups planting trees from aspen to yew. The scheme is administered by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands - to find out more visit www.dgwoodlands.org.uk or contact Phil Dowling on 07301 052793. Phil can provide advice on species selection or planting plan. It is said that the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, and the second best time is now… McNabb Laurie McNabb Laurie of D&G Woodlands with Phil Dowling, Richard Smith (grant recipient last year) and Doug Howieson Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 14 sponsored by A dynamic Bioblitz at Lochhill Farm I n early July a highly successful Bioblitz was held at Lochhill Farm near Crossmichael. A Bioblitz is a way for citizen scientists to get out in nature, find and identify species, learn about flora and fauna and add to those important data records. Over 40 people visited Lochhill on the day. The event was co-ordinated by Propagate in partnership with the Loch Ken Trust – and some help from Cath Seeds, a Crossmichael resident and Wildlife and Conservation Lead at SRUC's Barony campus. Small groups trekked off across the land with a trained group leader, armed with sweep nets and sample jars. On their return, the books came out and the microscope was deployed to identify the plants and creatures. Over 80 species of all types of living organism were recorded – all of which have been added to the national data records. Feedback from the event has been universally positive, with several people asking when the next one is! Big thanks to Cath and to Barney and Lindsay from the Loch Ken Trust for their help on the day, and to Mitchells, Irvings Bakery and Marchbanks Bakery who all donated refreshments. The Bioblitz was just one element in a longer-term eco-agricultural plan for Lochhill. The farm sits above Crossmichael, on the road leading to Clarebrand. Home to Richard and Jane Middleton who have lived there for 13 years, managing the land organically and planting thousands of trees, the farm extends to about 75 acres and like much of the area includes a mix of different habitat types. As early members of Propagate’s Regenerative Farming Network, Richard and Jane had been inspired by the knowledge sharing between farmers and by the farm walks they went on. Accepting that they are maybe of an age when some farm tasks are more challenging, they have been looking for a way to still be involved in the farm while sharing tasks with others – and making sure the land is managed in a way that is in keeping with their ethics and principles, including contributing to a sustainable future for the local community. In April this year, Lochhill and Propagate officially began a new adventure. The aim is to explore ways that Lochhill can: • Maximise ecological diversity • Support sustainable livelihoods • Be a place for education and learning These elements are influenced by agroecology – which includes social and political ideas alongside environmental and economic drivers for the farm. This year a big push is underway to generate a full ecological baseline for Lochhill. Earlier this year, a group of farmers met at Lochhill for a biodiversity recording training session, led by Malcolm Haddow from South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre. Malcolm showed the group how to use the iNaturalist app to identify and record individual species of plants, invertebrates, fungi, mammals and more. This is important to help add to the national records held on various species – which tell us how well nature is doing in our area. Soil samples have also been taken and sent to a qualified Soil Food Web Lab Technician in North Ayrshire. This produced a report not for soil carbon and organic matter, which have already been analysed, but for beneficial bacteria and nematodes, mycelium, protozoa and other microorganisms that have important functions in the soil. The Bioblitz was a further step in the exploration process. The next stage is to look at the viability of farm enterprises. A roundtable event was held in May where ten other farmers came together to brainstorm different ways that Lochhill could meet its aims. Possibilities include a cow-with-calf micro dairy, pastured poultry for layers and broilers, a rare breed beef enterprise with adaptive grazing, a market garden and orchard, and maybe a venue for workshops and events. The project team is currently working through cost/benefit analysis and identifying the inputs and outputs – financial, social and ecological - for each enterprise. There are a number of experts in these fields lined up to share their knowledge and experience. The idea is that these can happen in an ‘enterprise stacking’ approach – with different people taking responsibility for different elements. Next year, we hope, will see some of the different enterprises get underway. Watch this space – and get in touch if you’re interested! Abi Mordin (Propagate) and Richard and Jane Middleton (Lochhill Farm) abi@propagate.org.uk Top: Participants on the BioBlitz before they set off. Left: Biodiversity training session for farmers at Lochhill Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 15 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE 2 x two-roll wall-hanging commercial toilet roll dispensers by Kimberley Clark, grey colour, we also have spare toilet rolls Contact: lesleyblissett52@gmail.com or 07710 525 927 Old heavy mountain-style bike with new tyres, chain and seat, Apollo brand. Single mattress, hardly used. Contact: 07901 207 179 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 10 litres Greenox AdBlue for diesel engines. Contact: 01644 420 834 Metal bunk bed frame, double bottom, single top. Contact: 07952 280 902 Delonghi microwave, free to a good home - although donation to New Galloway Town Hall appreciated. Contact: info@ling.org.uk or 07749 249 781 WANTED Single electric under blanket, VGC, washable. VHS videos, approx. 130. Mostly films and a few box sets, full collection of Only Fools and Horses. Vinyl LP's and singles from 60's,70's and 80's. Approx. 100+ LP's and Singles. Collect from Carsphairn. Contact: 07909 652713 Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Nonrunners/broken welcome. Contact: 07845 562 217 Big long fold up table (similar to those used at craft fairs). Contact: 07749 087 699 Pre Loved Field Shelter. Happy to dismantle on collection. Contact: 07745 775 480 Exploring Scotland's land use M y project exploring our use of land across Scotland which was introduced in the last Gazette is now well underway. As you slowly pass through the landscape on a bike, all senses awaken and you truly begin to feel within the landscape rather than simply passing through. On Orkney and the Shetland Islands one of the sustained sensations throughout each day was the exquisite beauty of birdsong. I asked why, and was told a reduced use of pesticides and herbicides on the fields, less intensive agricultural practices and fewer predators are the reason. I began to wonder what we as a nation would have to do without to enable such a heart lifting luxury as this to be part of our daily lives. On the outer isles, whilst the birds are ever present, it is the incredible flowers of the machar that ultimately overwhelm; field of orchids a simple dream. Different again as I cross Skye, where it is that of sheer geological scale that hits you. It has a faint Icelandic feel but with rocks slightly more smoothed with age. It dawns on me that each island might have its own personality, not only physically but culturally, and I realise that it was but a generation or two ago that easy movement became a norm. Nowhere did I sense this more than on Skye, which due to the bridge (completed in 1995) feels less remote than the other islands, and even to when I was last here some 20 years ago; the roads are congested and fast and drivers wave and stop to chat far less. I get the feeling that for all the advantages it brings to modern life, that maybe this is ultimately at the expense of its unique islandness. Having grown up by the sea, and for part of my childhood on an island, the smell of salt and seaweed on the air and the rise and fall, rise and fall of the tides feel homely. The sound of gulls and the oyster catchers and the curlews. My mind empties and feels free. On the islands I somehow sensed a greater connection between the people and the land. An unspoken respect for nature and the weather. Or maybe it’s the values held by locals who, to survive, have to work together as a community. Whatever the reason, throughout the trip the islands had a less commercial feel and, whatever the cause, it lightened my soul. Thoughts and ideas flow and are carried off on the breeze. Within a few days I feel absolutely at peace with my cycling regime. Many of life’s normal bells simply don’t ring and what is left is a profound simplicity and calm. I am at peace. But I also have time to ponder how I might share what I am feeling and learning as the project continues and, as the pedals turn, thoughts begin to form as to how this might develop. I am already giving a talk at Go Falkland, a regenerative agriculture conference in July, and running a workshop in October where we will be exploring issues surrounding how we manage and use land. I am also wondering if I can develop a toolkit that could be shared with others, exploring how we can more positively relate to the land. The ideas are in there somewhere but yet to solidify, so more on that another time. For now, the adventure simply continues... Ted Leeming Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 16 Considering Glenkens land use A very interesting event was held in Balmaclellan to update on progress on the Glenkens Land Use Vision. This Vision document was created through community consultation in 2023, responding to widespread concern about the rapid rate of change in our landscapes at the moment. The Vision doesn't seek to mandate what should happen where, but it does set out a set of principles and expectations for how our community voice should be heard during any changes. The headline is that 'everyone who takes value from our land returns value to it', with value being expressed in many different ways - biodiversity, access, housing, skills and jobs, as well as community benefit funding. The event was to present and discuss the findings of two reports on this subject and the Dalry Local Place Plan, all of which were researched and written by Glenkens residents. One recommendation from the Vision was the creation of a Glenkens Land Use Forum. After research and consideration by Dr Stephen Connelly, his report in fact recommends the creation of a facilitated Glenkens Land Use Network and a Land Use Map both ways of bringing together a wide range of interested parties in a constructive manner, designed to move the issues forward not just talk about them. It will require funding to support the position of Facilitator, but the idea was well received by the engaged and well-informed audience at the event. Another aspect of this topic is how we all respond to our landscapes. We are all very lucky to live in an area of such outstanding beauty, and many of us are very attached to either big or small natural areas around us. Dr Kerry Morrison considered the creative responses to our landscapes that are already happening all around us - often by people who wouldn't describe themselves as 'artists'. Her main recommendation was for a Festival of Lands, to bring all this work together and to catalyse more. This idea again was very well received by the event audience, and Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) has included it in their pending application to the Heritage Lottery for a new post of 'Cultural Glenkens' project officer. Lastly, Becca Nelson, the Glenkens Community Spaces Network facilitator, updated the audience on her work with Dalry Community Council on Local Place Planning. Thanks to the work by Steve, Kerry and Community Council volunteers, the Dalry LPP has a substantial section on land use, in recognition of the fact that for us, developments in the wider parishes affect us just as much as developments within the villages themselves. This prompted a surprisingly lively discussion of national planning policy, but again was very positively received. Becca and the wider GCAT team are available to support Glenkens Community Councils with their Local Place Plans, if they would like to build on the learnings from Dalry in these matters. The Glenkens Land Use Vision, plus Steve and Kerry's reports, are published on the Glenkens Hub on the Land Use page (www. glenkens.scot/land-use) and the Dalry Local Place Plan will be out for final consultation shortly. Thanks very much to NatureScot and SOSE for funding these three projects through GCAT, to Steve, Kerry and Becca for all the work that has gone into them and to all the Dalry Community Council volunteers who have given huge amounts of time to make this happen. The Land Use Vision is an addendum to the Glenkens & District Community Action Plan, and consideration is currently being given for how to move this work even further forward under the Community Action Plan Steering Group. All ideas or expressions of interest in this are very welcome - contact me on helen@ catstrand.com Helen Keron, GCAT Executive Manager Getting busy at Glaisters Bridge community woodland site A fter more than a year of negotiation and discussion behind the scenes, tangible progress is underway on the new Glaisters Bridge community site, near Corsock. New paths have been cut enabling access around the site and 250 trees were planted by a band of volunteers. These are the first steps in the creation of a local landmark, with ambitions in coming months for signs, seating, wildlife scrapes and a wide range of public and biodiversity benefits. This work is only possible thanks to an innovative partnership between the site owner, Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company, and The Upper Urr Environment Trust. The site forms part of a 20-year lease, established to formalise a partnership between the partners, delivering community and biodiversity benefits. The lease is thought to be the first of its kind, supported by national agencies including the Scottish Land Commission, and is being seen as a useful tool to deliver community benefits in response to the land use revolution underway. A variety of government agencies and public bodies have been visiting the site in recent months. For more information about upcoming events and activities, follow ‘Upper Urr Environment Trust’ on social media. Coming months will see installation of signs, seating, reptile habitats, car parking and further broadleaf planting. In years to come, it is hoped that Glaisters Bridge community woodland will become a muchloved asset for locals and could even inspire a new revolution in how communities can work with landowners across the UK. McNabb Laurie Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment O ver 100 young people in the region have received vital water safety training through the Loch Ken Trust’s Youth Water Safety Awareness Programme. The programme, launched last year, offers free water safety training to young people at the Galloway Activity Centre on Loch Ken. Thanks to funding from the Holywood Trust and Drax Group UK, this has expanded for 2024, with local high schools bringing pupils to take part in this water safety workshop and gain experience of enjoying water activities safely. During National Drowning Prevention Week, the S6 year group from Castle Douglas High School came along to take part. Andy McNay, principal teacher of Health & Wellbeing at the school said: “I’d like to thank Loch Ken Trust and Galloway Activity Centre for a wonderful day. The young people all had a great time, while learning important lessons to keep themselves safe on the water. "These are great skills to learn prior to the summer break when, hopefully, we will be enjoying some lovely weather.” The workshops cover the water safety code and Loch Ken Ranger Service gears up for the summer practical experience on paddleboards, where the young people learn paddleboarding skills and get the opportunity to rescue themselves back on to their board. This session also had a visit from Scottish Fire & Rescue Newton Stewart crew, who talked about ways to keep yourself safe, and what you can safely do to help if you see someone in trouble on the water. Water safety is a major issue for our young people, with the abundance of accessible lochs, rivers and open water in the region. Some of the pupils have volunteered to become Water Safety Ambassadors, and have presented what they have learned at year group assemblies, promoting water safety to the younger year groups in the school. With the season well underway, water safety has been a major focus for the Loch Ken Ranger Service this year, aiming to promote key water safety messages. Improvements have been made to the safety signage on and around Loch Ken, page 17 and Loch Ken Trust is currently working with partners on a full signage proposal to improve safety for all loch users. The ranger service regularly carries out patrols on and around Loch Ken. Tragically, there was an accidental drowning on Loch Ken last year. 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 Subsequently, the Loch Ken Trust has increased its work of cold-water shock and the on water safety and raising Water Safety Code. awareness of the dangers. The education programme LOCH KEN RANGER The Youth Water Safety Programme is the first of its kind in the region and has featured as a case study in National Guidance on Open Water Experiential Learnings, published by Water Safety Scotland. The programme has also received recognition from the Scottish Parliament. This year our head ranger, Leanne Pumpr, delivered Ranger Education sessions to local primary schools, giving the children the opportunity to try scenario rescues and learn all about the dangers also included a competition to design our new ranger water safety badge, with the winning design adopted for the Loch Ken ranger uniforms. The ranger service regularly carries out patrols on and around Loch Ken. Leane said: “We would ask all loch users to take time to consider safety before entering the water. Loch Ken is a wonderful place with lots of opportunities to enjoy all it has to offer safely.” If you are interested in the work of the Loch Ken Trust and Ranger Service, check out our website www. lochken.org.uk for details on how you can get involved. Pupils from Castle Douglas High School took part in the Loch Ken Trust’s Youth Water Safety Awareness programme this summer Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 18 The Optimistic Environmentalist Reducing your home energy bills - Part Six Solar generation The cost varies depending on how much you want, but you make your money back much more quickly than you might think. Don't believe people when they say that Scotland does not get enough sun. We have solar at home and it works well; in two years there has not been a single day that we have not generated something, even in the depths of winter. The myth that solar panels shut down or don't work properly when it gets hot is not true. For every 1° over 25°C they lose typically between 0.3 and 0.5% of their output, depending on the panels. For example, if the panels were in full sun on a calm hot day and they reached, say, 60°C they would lose between 10.5 and 17.5% of their output. This sounds significant; however, as they are in full sun so are likely to be at or near full power. If your system was rated at 4kW, it would still produce 3.2-3.5kW; enough to run your kettle and microwave simultaneously and continuously which is much more than you might think. If you install solar panels, get the maximum number you can. People often regret not getting a bigger system as they start altering their lifestyle. However, you can always add panels later, so it is better to get some than none. You can use your generated power directly or store it in a battery for later; or via a solar diverter like the Myenergi Eddi, which can be used to heat your hot water or to charge your electric car with something like a Zappi charger. These technologies can automate their coordination and use at cheaper or greener times. If you still have power spare, you can sell it to an electricity provider. This does not have to be the same one that you buy your power from. Don't just check how much they will pay you, but also look at how flexible they are and what notice period you need to give them. Some pay you more for your generated power if you buy power from them, but some do not. found it was significantly cheaper than a conventional slate roof. He says it generates electricity very well (see photographs below - these tiles look very different to conventional solar panels). Maintenance for solar electricity is minimal. The panels may need cleaning every year or two depending upon the number of birds and trees around you, for instance. You can buy specialised soft brushes on extendable poles so you don't need to climb onto the roof. Wind generation A relatively new solar generation technology is solar tiles/slates. It covers the roof with solar generation tiles and they are connected to a hidden metal frame. Ordinary tiles are put around the very edge of the roof. The solar tiles/slates are a little bit more shiny than conventional slates but the difference cannot really be seen from the ground. A friend of ours had this done recently in Dumfries & Galloway as he needed a new roof and If you have a big enough garden or field, you can buy wind generation systems eg from Britwind. Their small wind turbines are available in 5kW, 12kW and 16kW models. Ironically, Britwind is made in the UK but sells more of their products in Japan. Denise MacDonald-Kiernan (See part 7 for examples of energy efficient technology) Currently there is the Eco4 grant available to both tenants and homeowners on qualifying benefits. The grant offers insulation, solar panels, heat pump and central heating - visit www. ofgem.gov.uk Are you looking to plant trees this winter? We have grants available for small-scale native planting schemes. For full info, visit: www.dgwoodlands.org.uk Registered as a SCIO, no 052525 Photos showing solar tiles being fitted and then a finished installation illustrating how they blend in Glenkens Gazette Y oung people from the Glenkens Youth Group have been having a great time at their regular Monday evening meet-ups, as well as on special summer trips! The group has fun enjoying each other’s company, sharing their music tastes, playing guitar, dancing and singing. We are very grateful to the Glenkens Community Centre for providing us with fantastic facilities where the young people can explore various creative tasks and make use of the kitchen for cooking. GAZETTEcommunity page 19 Glenkens youth summer fun Talking of cooking, the group organised their own 'taco night' activity. They prepared a delicious salsa from scratch and tucked into taco snacks. The group has also created some other tasty meals over the past few months, from pizza to pancakes. We look forward to seeing what else is cooked up in the kitchen next term! On a pleasant June evening, the Glenkens Youth Group participated in a fantastic Loch Ken Trust responsible camping and water safety session. They built their own campfire and were rewarded for their attention to safe and responsible fire making with toasted marshmallows! The group also showed off their water rescue skills after learning how to use a throw-line to rescue someone in trouble on the water. It a very enjoyable session, and a big "thank you" goes to Leanne Pumpr and Lindsay Stewart from the Loch Ken Trust Ranger Service for an excellent evening. Finally, we were thrilled to be awarded funding from Dumfries & Galloway Council through their ‘Amazing Summer’ programme. As a result, we were able to offer two free activities in July for our young people. The first was a session at the Galloway Activity Centre with an action packed day of activities. The second session was a beekeeping taster collaborative event with the Glenkens and Dee Honey Company. Professional beekeeper Raeburn Thomson will introduce the young people to the fascinating world of honeybees and beekeeping. during term-time on Monday evenings in the Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry, from 7-9pm. The group is free to attend thanks to funding from the Glenkens & District Community Benefit Fund. It’s a Glenkens Community & Arts Trust project, linked to CatStrand Young Creatives. To find out more email Beata at glenkensyouth@gmail.com Beata, Youth Group Lead At the Glenkens Youth Group we strive to create a safe, nondirected space for young people from P7–S3 to be themselves, make friends and develop new skills. Sessions run Captain's Day at New Galloway Golf Club F or New Galloway Golf Club Captain’s Day an impressive 50-plus members and guests were in attendance. The number attending was boosted by army pals of club captain, Alan Thorburn, who came to support him on his special day. The weather was beautiful and the course looked exquisite. The day started with Alan informing the players about the format of the competition, playing for the Jack McQueen Quaich (named after a former greenkeeper). It was a shotgun start, meaning that all the players were allocated a starting hole. Once they heard the hooter then play commenced. The green staff had worked hard on preparing the course and compliments were flowing from the competitors about the excellent condition of the course. The winner of the competition was Terry Haine and Best Lady was Fiona McQueen. Both were presented with their prizes by Jane McQueen. Other winners on the day were David Aitken, Gill Warnock and Phil Lancaster After the game a raffle was held together with an auction which raised over £2,000 to be shared between the Army Benevolent Fund and New Galloway Golf Club. Alan’s wife, Julie, provided the buffet which was enjoyed by those attending. Thanks were given to all the volunteers, sponsors, donors for making the day so successful, after which members and friends enjoyed a drink at the bar. New Galloway Golf Club shows what can be done in a small club and is an asset to the village and the community. The volunteers who contribute so much to the club enjoy the satisfaction that comes from caring and nurturing the golfing landscape and one so unique with its views and terrain. We are pleased that the club is seeing an increase in visitor numbers and feedback is always complimentary. The club offered free coaching sessions for under-16s during July, which was a great success. Memberships are available for both full membership and social membership. To join, or for more information, please ring the club secretary on 01644 420 737. Jeff Sutcliffe Pictured, left to right, are club captain Alan Thorburn, Fiona McQueen, Jane McQueen, Terry Haine and Janette Davidson (lady captain) Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 20 Putting the 'great' into the Great Corsock Show... S aturday 24 August sees the arrival of age-old Galloway tradition of the Great Corsock Show. Plan your entries now! Show programmes are available online by searching for the ‘Corsock Hall’ website or can be collected from local shops or Corsock hall porch. Categories vary from the ever-competitive Lemon Curd category, through to Carrots and Crafts - and that's only for the Cs! New categories this year include Upcycled Item and the judges' challenge will be a Cake Containing a Vegetable. Competitors are welcome to drop off their items on the Friday night or Saturday morning, and the show opens to the public at 1pm on Saturday. There will be a BBQ, raffle, bottle stall and café so do come along; it's a great chance to assess the competition for next year, and good fun for all the family. This year's show will not be televised. McNabb Laurie Some of last year's winners in the flower and vegetable categories Help for Kirkcudbright lifeboat station T he Glenkens Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) fundraising group is delighted to report that over £900 was raised at its coffee morning in Dalry Town Hall. Money raised from the sale of lifeboat souvenirs is sent back to central funds, but the remaining £740 has been sent to the Kirkcudbright Lifeboat Station Appeal. The current Lifeboat Station in Kirkcudbright has not changed much since it was built in 1893 – it is unheated, cramped, cold and damp. Space is limited for maintaining the lifeboat or fixing any faults and the last half-mile from the boathouse to the water is a dirt track which slows down launches. This appeal will fund work to modernise the 130-year-old lifeboat station. Some key areas are to upgrade the changing facilities, providing somewhere to warm up after responding to a 'shout', and building a dedicated workshop for maintaining the lifeboat. Work would also be done to improve the access track and create a new parking and turning area. John Collins, lifeboat operations manager and station mechanic at Kirkcudbright, said: “We’re a harbour town, a fishing town. The lifeboat is really important to the local community and we’re here to answer the call whenever we’re needed”. The Glenkens RNLI group is pleased to be able to support this important appeal, which will bring the Kirkcudbright Lifeboat Station into the 21st Century. Many thanks to all who helped at the recent coffee morning, and for all those who supported the fundraiser. Nicolette Wise New Galloway community larder L ocal Initiatives in New Galloway is delighted to report success in gaining a grant of just over £3,000 from D&G Council’s Regionwide Community Fund to help with the planning and development of creating a community larder. Along with our Lottery funding, this will provide some valuable time for Bianca and Heather (our hub hosts) to get everything in place by the autumn. There are some excellent models around showing how this kind of idea can work really effectively. Planning also needs to be tailored to work best for our community, which in turn means working closely with other organisations such as the Galloway Food Hub. There is a lot of energy already going into ensuring that we can draw on local resources, reduce waste and meet the needs of local people for healthy and affordable food and we want to make sure that we will play a positive part in all of that. We look forward to being able to update you with more detail over the next few months. In the meantime, Bianca and Heather will continue to be at New Galloway Town Hall on Thursdays from 12noon till 5pm for the Hubbub drop-in sessions. Anyone is welcome for tea, coffee, biscuits – just make yourselves at home, have a chat, browse our books, meet a friend. Food, largely cooked on the premises from donations or leftovers, is available for a bit of lunch or for Thursday tea-time take-aways 4-6pm (just help yourself at the side door). It’s all free, although donations are always welcome. If you have excess garden produce to donate please contact Bianca at bianca. hubhost.ling@gmail.com. Ann Glaister and Bianca Leder Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 21 Showcasing our Glenkens volunteers W ith such a small and dispersed population, onlookers might be forgiven for thinking that life in the Glenkens is sleepy and uneventful. Regular readers of the Gazette of course know this to be far from the case, and so do those who attended the Volunteer Fair, hosted on a sunny afternoon in New Galloway’s Town Hall as part of Scotland’s annual Volunteers’ Week. Organisations in attendance ranged from the nationally recognised, such as the Scouts and Citizens Advice, to the regionally specific such as the community shop and the afternoon’s hosts, Local Initiatives in New Galloway. What was intended as an exercise in volunteer recruitment also became an effective way for organisations to become aware of each other, finding common difficulties – and, in some cases, common solutions. It might go without saying that even the day’s refreshments – including copious amounts of cake – were provided by volunteers, but that in itself can be the very nature of volunteering: that it often does go without saying. Volunteer work is not often something that is done for one’s own benefit. It is not something that is done with the expectation of reward. On paper this hardly sounds attractive, and you might be justified in wondering why anyone turned up to the volunteer fair at all. But giving up something like a sunny Saturday afternoon is just one of the ways in which we can sustain a commitment to the collective wellbeing and shows an awareness of how we are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality and interdependency. If you are interested in volunteering with Local Initiatives in New Galloway, please get in touch at info@ling.org.uk Dominique Pope You can also find contact details for other community organisations across the Glenkens on p31 if you may be interested in more volunteering opportunities. what we offer. We'd also love to hear your ideas for anything else you'd like to see happening in village. There is an enormous amount of equipment available to hire; from all sizes of plates, cups, mugs, serving dishes, cutlery, chairs and tables, to outdoor lighting and heating, gas barbecue, gazebos... So if you need something for a party or event, get in touch. The whole hall is also available for hire of course. On Saturday 21 September, as part of the Glenkens Food Month (see article on p5) and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of Balmaclellan Village Hall, we’re holding a Gala Day with hog roast and pop-up pub. This will be be following in November with a St Andrew’s Day pop-up pub and, during the day, a Christmas plant sale. Crafting, make-do-and-mend and fitness classes will continue through the summer. Please get in touch at julia.higgins55@ outlook,com or wellsjackiea@ gmail.com or btllynnstewart1@ icloud.com Lynn Stewart Plants, sunshine and pop-up pubs at Balmaclellan Village Hall F or our third, now annual, Plant Sale, the weather smiled on us, showing off the enormous number of plants to their very best. We had more stalls this year but still managed to clear almost everything, so it was a huge success. The teas were as popular as ever, and this year the Church Guild provided a cake stall. As the afternoon progressed, the bar opened and the BBQ began, and so the day mellowed into early evening with lots of contented locals enjoying the sunshine in the garden. We rely on volunteers to make our events successful - but we need more help. If you are interested in helping keep this little gem of a hall working for the community, please consider volunteering. We are not looking for huge commitment, but help organising or running events makes it possible to broaden Family and friends coming to stay? N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) Call Fiona on 07789 903127 - 01644 420737 - www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Buggies now available for hire Licence no DG00824P VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 22 All hands on deck at Dalry School garden T hanks to all the parents and children who came along to help tidy up the Dalry School garden. All the beds have been cleared, the polytunnel is almost ready for use and a new compost bin and fire pit have been built. We're hoping to get another few days organised over the summer to get it looking amazing and ready for use by children of all ages before school returns. The next step will be to set up a gardening club to oversee planting and harvesting all kinds of exciting things. If you have any ideas of things which could be done in the school garden please send the Parent Council a message on Facebook at the Dalry Schools Parent Council page. Left: before the tidy; where are the raised beds?! Carsphairn community market C arsphairn's community market will be held in Lagwyne Hall on Saturday 7 September from 10am-2pm. Part of the Glenkens Food Month calendar (see article on p5) the event is free and will host stalls with home-grown and homemade produce including baking, preserves, plants, vegetables and crafts. (from page 2) Traders who would like a table (for which there is no charge) please email lizholmes21@gmail.com or carsphairnmarkets@outlook.com to book. Description - With the Rhinns of Kells as a backdrop looking north and a transition zone between hills and lower watershed of the river Dee lie the winding waters of the nine-mile long Loch Ken - the heart of the Glenkens. Last year's community market in full swing Summer arts & crafts fair D On Sunday 25 August, from 11am-3pm, creative Name the place For younger visitors, Bairn Banter will have a children's play area set up, and there will also be refreshments and information on what it means to be a Biosphere community. For further information see ad on p27... alry Town Hall will once again play host to a summer arts and crafts fair, giving locals and visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the work of local makers. Above: Some of the helpers at the school garden tidying session after lots of hard work artists, designers, makers and producers from southern Scotland will be in attendance, offering beautifully crafted creative items produced in our corner of Scotland, or linked to Scotland in some way. Why not get a head start on your Christmas shopping, getting ideas and inspiration for gifts for loved ones? After enjoying the fair, you round off your visit relaxing at one of our picnic tables in the (fingers crossed!) sunshine, or under cover of one of our marquees, and sample some home baked cakes accompanied by tea, coffee or a cold drink. The event is run by members of the hall management team, who are all volunteers. Please do come along - we are looking forward to welcoming residents and visitors to this very popular event. All proceeds go towards the upkeep and maintenance of the historic town hall building, a much valued local rural asset. Lesley Blissett, Chair, Dalry Townhall Management team For further information see ad on back page... Site Name - Loch Ken Location - The heart of the Glenkens Centre of natural beauty, cultural heritage and recreation for the community and visitors alike, it is one of our unique and precious assets. The loch and its environs have been managed by the Loch Ken Trust since 2020, with the vision “…to promote the natural, cultural and recreational assets of the Loch Ken area for the benefit of the public and to support sustainable local communities.” If you want to know more, visit their website at www.lochken.org.uk and you will be amazed at the number of community functions and services they offer, including the exemplar ranger service and Loch Ken Plan, for the benefit of us all. Interesting fact - This natural feature became part of the Galloway Hydro Scheme in the 1930s, when the Glenlochar barrage raised its level by approximately one metre, allowing for increased storage and water control for the Tongland power station further downstream. GAZETTEcommunity Glenkens Gazette page 23 Kickstart for Glenkens childminding The Scottish Government has committed funding for a three-year national childminder retention and recruitment programme which aims to grow the workforce. The Glenkens is one of the specific areas targeted through the programme, as well as as being supported through the Glenkens and District Community Benefit Fund through Foundation Scotland. An important part of the package is one-to-one support from dedicated Scottish Child Minding Association (SCMA) workforce officer, Claire Ward, who is assigned to the Glenkens. Claire attended the education and learning event held at the CatStrand where she spoke with local people, highlighting ways in which the programme aims to support economic and community development through increased provision of local childcare places and job creation. with over 40 enquiries from parents, some from over 30 miles away. Along with support and training, the recruitment package also includes a minimum £750 startup grant. Claire said: “This is a fantastic springboard to starting a career working with children; we’re here to support candidates every step of the way through the registration process and in establishing their new business. Childminders enjoy the flexibility of being able to run their own business from home and earning an income while bringing up their own children. No previous childcare experience is required, but it is essential to Left to right: Helen Keron, Executive Manager have a passion for the Glenkens Community Arts & Trust; for working Claire Ward, Workforce Officer for the Scottish with children. Childminding Association; Caroline Reeves, Professional Glenkens CAP Steering Group member who was childminders chairing the Education & Learning event also undertake ongoing development to For further information ensure the highest of standards visit www.childminding.org/ within their childminding setting. getstarted or email claire. ward@childminding.org Half of Scotland’s local authorities, including Dumfries & Galloway Council, are participating in the first year of the recruitment campaign. "I was really delighted to meet with local people in the Glenkens at the education event, and to see how we can work together. I’ll be returning for the Glenkens Agricultural Show in August where I'll have an SCMA information stall - so if you have any questions come and have a chat!” Simone McDonald, who lives with her husband on a working farm outside Dalry, applied to become a childminder through one of SCMA's previous pilot schemes. When she opened her service, Simone was inundated Free Benefits Support Photo of the Issue Sponsored by the Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co This issue’s winner is Paul Goodwin with this stunning sunset shot taken from his bedroom window in Dalry. Do you self-identify as disabled? Voice and rights charity VoiceAbility is providing free, independent advocacy support across the country to help you to understand and access Social Security Scotland benefits. Paul wins two portions of mac and cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "What could be more breathtaking than a gorgeous Glenkens sunset...". Are you aged between 16 and 65, identify as disabled or have a condition that effects your daily life? If so, then we can support you. Support is also available for parents, guardians, or carers who are accessing benefits for a disabled child. Local Voice Advocate, Maureen Jardine, is hoping to visit locations across the Glenkens to let people know about this free advocacy service. Please get in touch if you would like Maureen to come to your community. For more information please email maureen. jardine@ voiceability.org, call our helpline on 0300 303 1660 or for further information visit www.voiceability.org To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 24 From Schoolhouse to Community Hub: The Glenkens Community Centre’s Remarkable Journey B uilt in the late 19th century as a school, the Glenkens Community Centre in St John’s Town of Dalry has weathered challenges, closures, and transformations. The building has played a key role in St John’s Town of Dalry for almost a century and a half. However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing and during the last 50 years the building has faced closure three times, each time being pulled back from the brink through the commitment and dedication of volunteers. St John’s Town of Dalry (known locally as Dalry) is situated roughly in the centre of Dumfries and Galloway. With a population of around 500, the village formed around a strategic river crossing point on the pilgrim route to St Ninian’s Chapel in Whithorn. The layout of Dalry dates back to the development of a planned village by the Earl of Galloway in the 1700s, leading to a compact settlement roughly triangular in shape. The land for the community centre was purchased in 1878 for the building of a school, as a consequence of the 1872 Education (Scotland) Act introducing mandatory education for children aged five to 13. It was actually the third school building in Dalry, with the first records of a school in the village dating back to 1639. The 1878 building was a simple rectangular hall constructed of granite and whinstone; with just one classroom with a high ceiling, heated with a single coal fire, with vents in the ceiling to let out the smoke. The school had one teacher, whose desk was positioned squarely in front of the fireplace, ensuring he was nice and warm, even if his students shivered. Some went to school barefoot all year round, even through to the 1920s and 30s. The original building had no plumbing; loos were earth closets, with the soil being utilised to fertilise the kitchen garden of the headteacher. The building was expanded and remodelled over the years, with a house for the headteacher built out to the side of the original school, and the back wall of the school taken down to allow the building to be extended to form a second classroom. In the early 20th century, a third classroom was added which served both as science lab and home economics room. In the 1920s the fireplace was bricked up and radiators were fitted, powered by a coke-fired boiler. This was during the 30-year incumbency of headteacher Sandy Singleton, who lived in the adjoining schoolhouse with his wife and family. The fact secondary school was built, although the old school was pressed into use when the roof blew off the new school (this happened on more than one occasion!). The village is very hilly, with level ground mainly being confined to the flood meadows alongside the water of Ken (from which Dalry – meaning ‘meadow of the king’ in Gaelic – gets its name). Local legend has it that a resident with a demolition licence was tasked with blasting all the knowes on the piece of undulating land bought from the Church of Scotland for the new school, leaving a level piece of ground for the school and playing field. Following local government reorganisation in 1975, the now rarely-used building became the responsibility of the Community Education Department. Renovations were carried out in the late 1970s as part of Scotland’s Youth Opportunities Programme, and the building was repurposed as a community centre. The Regional Council owned the building but the management was tasked to a management committee made up of representatives from each of the centre’s user groups. This committee were charged an annual rent of £900 to cover The secondary school was attended by pupils from the primary schools of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Kells, Polharrow and Stroanfreggan, as well as Dalry. that the family had two servants demonstrates the relatively high status of teachers at that time. During the Second World War, evacuees from Glasgow boosted the school roll in Dalry. In the mid-1930s a separate primary school was built, leaving the old school as a secondaryonly site. The secondary school was attended by pupils from the primary schools of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Kells, Polharrow and Stroanfreggan, as well as Dalry. It was not uncommon for pupils from outside the village to struggle to get to school in the wintertime, as the diesel in the school buses would freeze. In 1965, Dalry’s new (current) the cost of a cleaner, heating and any repairs to the building. When the council subsequently embarked on a regional programme of closing community centres, the management committee put up a spirited battle to keep the centre open. This was successful but led to a change in the management structure in that council still owned the building, but the management committee took full responsibility for funding all costs apart from maintenance of the outside of the building – an arrangement which continued for more than four decades. With user groups including a playgroup, Brownies, art and craft groups, martial arts, the Good Neighbours club and the Glenkens Children’s Club, the building was well-used by residents of all ages from across the communities of the Glenkens. The building also hosted ballroom dancing lessons, French classes, art exhibitions and history days, as well as being let commercially. However, in 2014/15 the building was again threatened with closure and the only option to keep it open was for a community body to take on ownership. To facilitate this a charity called the Dalry Community Properties Trust (DCPT) was set up and the transfer into community ownership was finalised in 2017. Continued over the page... Glenkens Gazette Continued from previous page... The new setup saw the management committee covered running expenses, paying DCPT a rental fee for any major works. User groups continued at the centre, with a local childcare provider (Bright Stars, formerly the Glenkens Children’s Club) becoming the main user overall, renting the space four days a week. Changes in the funding of childcare provision and disruption through the Covid pandemic resulted in this formerly vibrant and well-used facility standing empty and unloved. The UNESCO Galloway and South Ayrshire Biosphere partnership investigated converting the building into office space, but this did not come to fruition. In August 2022 a crisis point was reached and a public meeting was called to see whether new volunteers would step forward to take responsibility for the building. GAZETTEhistory residents, the Good Neighbours club has rekindled and there are weekly digital literacy dropin sessions. Martial arts and Yoga for All groups offer an opportunity to keep fit, and the weekly Glenkens Youth Group is a hit with local teens. There is an outreach service of the local Citizens Advice Bureau every fortnight and art and craft groups take place regularly. The old science lab/home economics room at the back of the building is now the home of the Galloway Food Hub – a local, producer-led online farmers’ marketplace which an online shopping experience, including delivery, from producers based within 30 miles of the Glenkens. A community garden has been set up in the front garden of the building, with grant funding received to construct raised flower beds, and the Glenkens Gardeners group meets here regularly. trustees have plans to futureproof the building, creating a warm and welcoming, as well as economic, venue that flaunts its eco credentials. Community engagement for the Local Place Plan has demonstrated strong support for the creation of a café run as a community enterprise; this extra income could enable the community centre to offer free room hire to groups of benefit to the rural communities of the Glenkens. After a turbulent few decades, at present the future of the now community-owned Glenkens Community Centre looks bright. Hopefully this space will continue as a beacon of grassroots community activity; a hub of local activity and a vital community resource in these times of tightening council purse strings where rural amenities seem to be disappearing at an alarming rate. Becca Nelson, Glenkens Community Spaces Network Facilitator Not content with bringing the building back into use, the new management team have big ambitions for the future. With its high ceilings and minimal insulation, it is an expensive building to run and DCPT Thankfully new faces stepped forward to take up the baton and, almost two years on, the building is once again a thriving community venue. For older Music of the Glenkens at Parton Village Hall F ollowing on from the success of concerts and symposia about traditional music held at the Catstrand and Dalry Town Hall, we are pleased to host another such event at Parton Village Hall. On the evening of 24 August, Dr Jo Miller, will begin the evening with a discussion and lecture based on traditional music of the past in the Glenkens, and offering an insight to the future. This will then be followed by a concert featuring musicians and singers from the Glenkens and surrounds, finishing with what would be a typical session such as those held in the Clachan Inn, Dalry and various pubs in and around the Kirkcudbight area. Dr Jo Miller began her studies in Glasgow, with a BA in Music Education and a BMus. she then went to Edinburgh as an MLitt student, doing a study of music making in the Glenkens where she grew up, based on fieldwork with all age groups. During the 1990s, first in Glasgow and then in Stirling, she brought up a young family, many of whom have performed at the CatStrand, and taught at the RSAMD. She returned to academic research at the University of Sheffield, where in 2016 she completed her PhD in the learning and teaching of traditional music. Peter Standing Robbie Murray, a Glenkens shepherd who played and wrote fiddle tunes around the beginning of the 20th century (www. carsphairn.org/CarsphairnArchive) page 25 The Glenkens Community Spaces Network was created by GCAT in 2023 to provide a forum for the management committees of Glenkens village halls, community centres and other community spaces to enable sharing of information and experiences - find out more at www.glenkens.scot/ glenkens-community-spacesnetwork Glenkens Food Hub volunteers outside the Glenkens Community Centre WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING HOURS OPENING TIMES MONDAY – FRIDAY MONDAY-FRIDAY 7.30AM-5.30PM 7.30am – 5.30pm SATURDAY - 8.30AM-5PM SATURDAY 8.30am – 5pm SUNDAY - 8.30AM-3PM SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm LOCAL SUPPLIERS LOCAL SUPPLIERS DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY BUTCHERS UPPERBUTCHERS DULLARG EGGS MITCHELL'S FRUIT EGGS & VEG UPPER DULLARG SWEETCAKES BAKERY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY SWEETCAKES BAKERY CREAM O' GALLOWAY GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES CREAM O GALLOWAY IRVINGS BAKERY GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES GALLOWAY SCOTTISH PASTA IRVINGS COWS BAKERY & CO THE CRESS COMPANY PASTA (GF & SCOTTISH GALLOWAY VEGAN OPTIONS) GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory Dalry Heritage Group book page 26 A fter a lot of hard work over the last couple of years, the Dalry Heritage Group has now got its next book, Auld Memories Frae The Clachan o’ Dalry, away to the printers. Unfortunately, the complications of copyright law means that we were not able to include many of the photographs we had initially chosen, but this does mean that many of those in the book are new to most people. Thanks to all those who have contributed their memories, and especially to those who provided their own family photos for use in the book. There will be a book launch in Dalry Town Hall on Sunday 1 September from 2-4pm. Please keep a look out for posters advertising this free event and come along to join us - all welcome. The book is for sale at £10 and enquiries about pre-ordering can be made by email to dalryheritagegroup@ btinternet.com Hilda McAdam, Chairperson, Dalry Heritage Group Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 27 The mysteries of Kenmure burial aisle A longside Dalry Church lies part of the former pre-Reformation church. It was a side aisle of the earlier church, and the reason it was not demolished when a new church was built on the site in 1771 was because in the vaults beneath it were buried the Gordons of Kenmure. It was known as the Kenmure burial aisle or the Gordon aisle. Within the roofless remains there is a stone plaque informing us that: "This aisle and the vaults below were built by Sir James and Lady Gordon 1546. Restored by their descendants Charles and Jean Forbes 1939. 'Ora Pro Nobis'." Most likely this side aisle was added to the rectangular pre-Reformation church in 1546. Sir James Gordon was the fourth Lord of Lochinvar and was probably the first to be buried in the vaults, for he was killed at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547. You can still see the arched entrance into the main church which was filled in with stonework in 1771 to stabilise and help preserve the retained aisle. There is an old Glenkens rhyme about the Gordons which runs: “In the sainted kirk of aul’ Dalry, Their coffins will stand and their banes will lie.” I’ve not been able to discover the first written record of this rhyme, but Jean Gibson in her 1974 booklet, Around Dalry: A Guide to St John’s Town of Dalry, quotes it. his sword in the name of God around the place where he stood. And within that circle he and his horse were protected from attack - though in the encounter his horse lost its tail, which had been grabbed by one of the witches! When they heard a cock crow on a neighbouring farm, heralding daybreak, the witches suddenly departed. That supposed circle (‘The Score’), is marked on the 1849 six-inch Ordnance Survey map, and you can still view it up on the side of Waterside Hill. In his poem Burns makes reference to the upright coffins in Alloway kirk, echoing the supposed upright coffins of the Gordons in the Gordon aisle in Dalry churchyard. He describes the coffins standing round in Alloway kirk with their dead in their last dresses holding lights in their hands. It is said that in the vaults under the Gordon aisle at Dalry Church the coffins were stood upright in order to fit them in that tight space. But these vaults have been closed up since the new church was built in 1771, when Burns was a child. There is a widely held belief (at least in the Glenkens) that Robert Burns made use of the story of Adam Forrester of Knocksheen in crafting his poem Tam O’Shanter. There is a widely held belief (at least in the Glenkens) that Robert Burns made use of the story of Adam Forrester of Knocksheen in crafting his poem Tam O’Shanter. Burns knew the Glenkens, and is known to have visited the area at least once. The story goes that Adam Forrester was making his way home on his horse one night, after drinking at a tavern in the village of Dalry, when he heard the sound of music coming from Dalry Church. Looking in, he saw the Clachan witches dancing away to wild music. He shouted out, in Tam o’Shanter style, to the local barmaid, “Ah, Lucky Hair, ye’ll no deny this the morn!” and had barely time to mount his horse when they were out and after him. Up on the shoulder of Waterside Hill he realised they were catching up on him; so he jumped off his horse and drew a circle with For some time I have thought it would be interesting to put together a project to investigate these vaults and record who was buried in their (presumably) stone coffins. They likely have stone lids on which were carved the names of those interred. That idea was strengthened when a gentleman got in touch with me recently who is doing research on the Gordons of Kenmure. He wanted to ascertain whether William Gordon, the 6th Viscount Kenmure, was buried at Dalry after he was executed in London in February 1716 after the 1715 Jacobite Rising. Our investigations since then suggest that he was, and that he would have been laid to Top: Remains of the Gordon aisle of the preReformation church standing alongside Dalry church. Middle: Stone plaque within the roofless remains of the Gordon aisle. Above: Blocked off entrance to the Gordon aisle rest in the family vaults. So it would be really interesting to bring together a project to open up those vaults temporarily and record what is in them. There may well be some fascinating old stone coffins with lettering on their lids. Might it be possible to seek grant funding for a project led by a group such as Rathmell Archaeology, who provide archaeological and heritage consultancy services, and involving members of the local community? I throw out the suggestion and invite others to take the idea forward. David Bartholomew GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette Caged at the CatStrand C atStrand are excited to announce the return of local actress Eilidh Thomson to her home turf. The performance of Caged: The True Story of Isabella McDuff on 7 August stars former member of the CatStrand Youth Players, Eilidh Thomson, in the title role. Eilidh joined the Youth Players Panto season I t is hard to believe, but it is almost that time of year again when we have to begin planning for our Christmas pantomime! After the summer break, we will meet again on Sunday 1 September at 2pm at the CatStrand to begin the panto build-up. All former members are welcome to come along and we will have a few places available for new members too page 28 when she was only 10 years old. With her heart set on a career on stage, there was never any doubt that she had the talent and determination to succeed. It looks likely Eilidh may follow in the footsteps of another former CatStrand Youth Player, Dylan Blore from Mossdale, who has gone on to appear in several (age 10+). If you are interested in taking part in the show or helping behind the scenes, please come to the first meeting or let us know you are interested by calling 01644 420 374 or emailing Brian or Cat on briangm@catstrand.com or catherine@catstrand.com This year it looks like we could be going to Camelot for Christmas! The favourite Eilidh performing in the 2013 Youth Players' performance of Aladdin; photograph by Ian Biggar major TV shows including Crime with Dougray Scott, BBC Comedy Short Calamity James with Mark Bonnar and the most recent series of Shetland. choice so far is King Arthur – A Pantomime Adventure in Camelot by Paul Reakes. Subject to casting and numbers available, that will be our panto for 2024. The show will be staged on 6 ,7 and 8 December and tickets will go on sale from October onwards - please look out for the launch date and book early to avoid disappointment. Brian Edgar GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 29 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers through some of his favourite books. In this edition Robin takes a look at the author Flann O'Brien. U sually in the high summer I do more gardening than reading. This year is an exception, for two reasons. First, I’m far too busy working on a prisons project which will be launched in September. That is, I’m reading and writing about people who never see the sun. Second, there’s no sun here. This year, summer hasn’t managed to begin. So in my snatches of free time I’ve been reading a book – At Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O’Brien – whose story only just manages to begin, then doesn’t get much further. In the great tradition of Sterne’s Tristram Shandy, the narrative here digresses so insistently – and so comically – that narrative itself is called into question. The narrator – some of the time – is a Dublin student who drinks too much stout. “You are writing a novel, of course?” asks one of his friends. “He is,” answers another, “and the plot has him well in hand.” The student invents a character called Trellis, a writer, who in turn invents various other characters including the depraved John Furriskey and Peggy, a servant. Trellis designs Furriskey to assail Peggy’s virtue, but Trellis isn’t in control of his creations. Furriskey and Peggy discover that Trellis’s powers are suspended when he sleeps, so they drug him, come out of character to get married, and set up a home in which they host more characters, who tell yet more stories. Among these characters are at least a couple who live in other books too – for instance, the legendary hero Finn MacCool, as well as Sweeney, the mythic king of ancient Ireland who, cursed with madness for his blasphemy, went to live in the trees. Sleep and wakefulness are central to O’Brien’s work – and connections are implied between dreaming and writing fiction. Reading his second novel – The Third Policeman – with its strange repetitions and shifts in perspective, and the narrator’s unsurprised acceptance of the most absurd events, may be the closest I’ve come to dreaming while awake. I’m not sure if I’d recommend At Swim-Two-Birds to everybody. Those who are not already committed fans of narrative weirdness may find it frustrating. But I recommend The Third Policeman without reservation. I hope I’m not giving too much away by saying that its protagonist is trapped in a hell of his own making, though the devils here have uniforms, David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP notebooks and mild manners rather than pitchforks and burning coals, and though the tone of the book is much more comic than tragic. But back to At Swim-Two-Birds. In the end, the characters invented by Trellis take him over (they actually put him on trial). And perhaps that’s not so shocking. Trellis is a mere invention of the unnamed student, after all. The student, of course, is an invention of Flann O’Brien. But even Flann O’Brien was an invention – of a man called Brian O’Nolan, an Irish modernist of the age of Joyce and Beckett, who wrote novels in English and Gaelic under various names, and lots of journalism, and who drank far too much stout. Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 30 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 31 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Graham West 01644 430 503 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 • Parton: Tom 07835821976 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Balmaclellan: Aug 4, Sep 1, Sep 29 - 11am Carsphairn: Aug 11, Sep 8 - 11am Kells: Aug 18 (communion), Sep 15 - 11am Dalry: Aug 25, Sep 22 (communion) - 11am For further information contact Rev Pam Bellis on 07751 379 249 or pam@bellisconsultancy.co.uk SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, Kenbridge Road, New Galloway, The Revd Dawn Matthew Sundays at 10.30am: Holy Communion with refreshments after the service Tuesdays from 10am-12noon and Thursdays from 2-4pm: the church will be open for visitors or private prayer. Look for the ‘church is open’ sign on the road outside Thursdays from 7.30-8pm: evening prayers via Zoom shared with our sister church, All Saints' Challoch. Please contact Dawn for the link. For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 32 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Advanced Massage Practitioner (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 33 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation WHAT'S ON page 34 August/September AUGUST Sun 1, Atlantic Road Trip, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 21 at 6pm & Sun 22 at 12noon, Clan Latino, CatStrand Sat 21, Gala Day & Hog Roast, 2pm till late, Balmaclellan Village Hall, see p21 Thu 15, CatStrand Youth trip to Edinburgh Fringe (book now - age 12+), leaves CatStrand 8am Wed 4, Glenkens Cub Scouts restart, 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hut, New Galloway, see p5 Sat 7, Carsphairn Community Market, 10am-2pm, Lagwyne Hall Wed 7, Caged: The True Story of Isabella McDuff, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 17, Glenkens Agricultural Show, Newfield Farm, Dalry (entries close 9 Aug, for info visit Facebook) Fri 23, Anna Massie, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 24, The Great Glenkens Music Night, 7pm, Parton Village Hall, see p25 Sat 24, Corsock Show, 1pm, see p20 Sun 25, Arts & Crafts Fair, 11am-3pm, Dalry Town Hall Wed 28, Galloway Riding for the Disabled training day, see p4 Fri 30, Dark Sky Jazz: Modern Vikings, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 31, Dark Sky Jazz: kitti, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 31, GCT Excursion: Port Logan Botanical Gardens, see p33 SEPTEMBER For full list of Glenkens Food Month events visit www.glenkens.scot/ glenkens-food-month-2024 Sun 1, Dalry Heritage Group book launch, 2-4pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p26 Mon 2, Community Pop Up Burger BBQ, 5-6pm, Carson's Knowe Car Park, New Galloway Sat 7, An Evening of Ukrainian & Syrian Food, 6pm, Dalry Town Hall Sun 22, Harvest Celebration Lunch, 12.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Sun 22, Community Pop Up Burger BBQ, 3pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Sun 8, The Famous Fungal Forage, 1-4pm, venue tbc Tue 24, Cooking for Health and Wellbeing Sessions, 6.30pm, Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry Mon 9, Community Pop Up Burger BBQ, 5-6pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Wed 25, Wilding: PG: Film Screening & Discussion, 7pm, CatStrand Tue 10, Morag You're A Long Time Deid, 7.30pm, CatStrand Thu 26, Author's Talk: Hitler's Oil Broker, 7.30pm, CatStrand Wed 11, Six Inches of Soil: PG Film Screening and Discussion, 7pm, CatStrand Sat 28, Lulo Rheinhardt & Yuliya Lonskaya, 7.30pm, CatStrand Thu 12, Stewartry Birdwatchers, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall, see p13 Fri 13, Friday Night Film and Feast, 6pm, Glenkens Community Centre Mon 16, Community Pop Up Burger BBQ, 5-6pm, Underhill, Dalry Tue 17, Loch Ken Cook Out, 5-7pm, Ken Bridge Thu 19, Film for Thought and Take Away, 4pm, New Galloway Town Hall Thu 19, Carsphairn SWI Meeting: Search & Rescue Dogs, 7.30pm, Lagwyne Hall Fri 20, Paul McKenna Band, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 28, Forage, Feast & Forge, 9.30am, Galloway Activity Center Sat 28, Mossdale Village Hall Soup Saturday, 1-3pm, Mossdale Village Hall Sun 29, Glenkens Food Month Pub Quiz, 7pm, Clachan Inn, Dalry OCTOBER Wed 2, GSA Biosphere Sense of Place workshop, 6.30-8pm, New Galloway Town Hall Fri 4, Galloway SangStreams, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 4, LING AGM and Cheese & Wine, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Fri 20, Beer Tasting & Pizza Night, 7pm, New Galloway Town Hall Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact richardandjane@phonecoop.coop or 01556 670 691 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 35 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton. julie@googlemail.com Community Exercise Class, 6pm Exercise Class, 7pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Tai Chi, Wed, 2pm Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; Oct-Mar, 2.30pm) Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, 9.30am-12noon Wed, 9.30am-12noon Fri, 9.30am - 12noon Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 or carsphairn.trust@ gmail.com Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10-11.15am CatStrand, New Galloway Spring opening hours: Tue-Sun, 11am-4pm Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat bi-weekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.15am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10 yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16 yrs) Musical Misfits, group singing class, bi-weekly, 10.30am New Galloway Town Hall Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Margaret Morris Movement, (adults), Mon 2.30-3.30pm Margaret Morris Modern Dance for Children & Young Dancers, 4-5pm LING Lunches, Tue, 12.30–2pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30-8pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–5.30pm, dropin, all ages welcome Martial Arts, Thu, 7.30-9pm Babies & Toddlers, Fri, 10-11am For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Clachan Crafters, Thu, 2pm, 07500 861 041 Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet.com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm Tue 6-8pm Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Main St, Dalry, Tel: 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book in the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play With Your Child, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Fb Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Song Share, 1st Fri each month, 7.3010.30pm Various Strictly Get Dancing, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton, Mon, 7pm Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed & Fri, 1.30-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Crossmichael Church Hall, Thu, 1-3pm Yoga, Mossdale Mossdale Village Hall, Fri, 2.15pm Mossdale Soup Saturday, last Sat each month, 1-3pm, Mossdale Village Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre, Parton Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona Ramsay on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 36 Citizens' Agenda: democracy in action T he Glenkens Gazette and Glenkens Hub took part in a ground breaking collaboration in the run up to the General Election on 4 July; a first for us and hopefully the start of many more joint projects. We joined forces with other independent community news publications as part of the Scottish Beacon collaborative, to ask candidates to respond to the issues most important to the people they were hoping to represent. Readers in the Glenkens answered a short, fourquestion survey from which we formulated a Citizens' Agenda specific to our area. We put the collated questions to the seven candidates standing in the Dumfries & Galloway constituency and had a fantastic response rate, with replies from all bar one candidate. As we were between Gazette editions, to reach as many people as possible the full replies were published on the Glenkens Hub and linked to in the email newsletter and on social media. We hope readers found hearing first-hand from the candidates useful and we'd be interested to hear what impact you thought it had. You can read the full article online at www.tinyurl. com/glenkenshub-citizensagenda or scan the QR code to the right. 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Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com OCT/NOV COPY DEADLINE: 5 SEP The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 143 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_143 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2024 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/291/GlenkensGazette144.pdf b29e20d024b08e91039f987a48d1af66 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 144 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document October/November 2024 A focus on ISSUE 144 FREE INSIDE THIS ISSUE T he Glenkens has traditionally been a farming area, so a focus on, and understanding of, local food production is a familiar field. However, in recent years there has been a real upsurge of interest in growing and producing food locally. The value in terms of the health benefits as well as impact on the environment of locally produced food is widely acknowledged. The Glenkens has had a producers' market for some surge of interest in local food. years now, which is a great success, and with the creation of the Glenkens Food Hub (now the Galloway Food Hub) in 2021 and Glenkens Food Month, which was started by New Galloway Community Enterprises in 2019, there is a wealth of enthusiasm for that which is grown or made in our neck of the woods. This year has seen a massive Glenkens Food Month offers myriad local food-connected events, activities and projects for all ages, from the Glenkens Gardeners to Bairn Banter's Seed-to-Soup-Spoon project and the creation of a permaculture garden at Dalry School. 'New Scots' at the CatStrand ...turn to p3 All in all, there's no shortage of fresh, local food on the table! For more on local food turn to pages 18 and 19 at the centre of this issue... Scottish Alternative Games Glenkens Men's Shed turns 10 ...turn to p5 T he renowned Scottish Alternative Games, held each July in New Galloway, was another roaring success, with crowds attending to compete for prestigious world champion status. The usual quirky events were enjoyed, especially the everpopular snail racing, and the threatened rain held off until late in the afternoon, just as the events were coming to an end. Congratulations go to Alexander McKenna for reclaiming the Gird ‘n’ Cleek World Championship title for the fourth time. He last held the title in 2018, but this year, against fierce competition from Ralph Spernagel, he won the final once again. Alexander’s triumph has equalled the record of four title wins also Carsphairn Community Woodland takes on new pre-apprentice ...turn to page 10 held by two of the Games' other repeat champions, Jayde Devlin and Neil Armstrong. Can he manage a fifth year...? Huge thanks to everyone who came along to support the Games and to everyone who helped to organise and run everything on the day. See you all next year! Brian Edgar Pictured are Gird 'n’ Cleek World Champion, Alexander McKenna (centre) with, left to right, Brian Edgar (commentator), Ralph Spernagel (2nd place), Benny Seed (3rd place) and Ollie Rigg (Games piper), photographed by Hayley Edgar Questions on the proposed Galloway National Park ...turn to page 21 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 2 A glorious day at the Glenkens Show A nother excellent event was hosted by the Glenkens Agricultural Society with their annual Glenkens Show. The number of entries in the livestock and horse classes were a credit to all involved, putting the show firmly in the spotlight for not only the number of entries but also the standard of stock shown. A couple of rain showers soon passed and allowed the judging to get by without any of the usual weather-related problems. In the cattle section, a total of 55 animals went forward; the sheep section saw 227 animals, alongside 22 goats. Some highlights in the sheep section included classes of 23 mule ewe lambs, 17 crossing bluefaced Leicester ewe lambs and 16 blackface ewe lambs. The show committee would like to express a heartfelt thanks to all the exhibitors who took the time to come along and show. The conclusion of the day saw the judging of the Champion of Champions take place, whereby the winning animal from each section goes up against each other to be crowned the overall winner. This year’s judge was Mr Donald Smith of the Lowes Farm, Corsock. A local man, Donald has attended a grand total of 71 Glenkens Shows and was very impressed with the line-up of livestock. He found his champion in the Clydesdale winner, a two-year-old filly, Holmhead Apple Blossom, who is out of a homebred mare, Holmhead Molly, and by Single Limited Edition. The filly is owned by William Gemmell, Holmhead of Boreland, Kirkcowan, and was shown on the day by his niece, Arlene McKie. This horse was champion at Glenkens Show last year and also champion at this year's Stranraer and Stewartry Shows. Taking the reserve spot was a blackface ewe lamb belonging to R Jardine & Son, Upper Hardland, Balmaclellan. She was out of a homebred ewe and by a Dudlees-bred tup bought from Kirkmabreck. The overall beef winner was from Miss Jodie Caig, Tarbreoch, Kirkpatrick Durham. Finally, thank you to all the show sponsors and trade stands who support the show. Judith Cowie Top: Champion of Champions, Holmhead Apple Blossom with, left to right, Donald Smith (judge), William Gemmell (owner) and Arlene McKie (William's niece). Left: Judging of the bluefaced Leicester ewe lamb class with judge William Barrowman Corsock Show unfazed by soggy summer E xhibitors and visitors came from far and wide to attend the Great Corsock Show, a vital fixture in the Stewartry’s event calendar. Concerns had been raised over the poor growing weather this summer, but entrants turned out to make the show a success across all 57 categories. The show was opened to the public at 1pm, with the ribbon cut by Jane Ingall, village resident and long-term show stalwart. Visitors were welcome to tour the categories, eat at the BBQ, take part in the bottle stall and enjoy some home baking. At 2.30pm, the cups and prizes were awarded, the remaining produce was auctioned off and then the raffle took place. Judi Shaw, a member of the organising committee, said: “This year, due to poor growing conditions and unpredictable weather, we felt there wouldn’t be many entries for the show. We were very wrong! "Folks rose to the challenge and supported the Great Corsock Show making it a huge success. It was wonderful to see people of all ages coming together and having fun. The standard of entries continues to exceed expectations. It's hard work but worth it. Now we can look forward to doing it all again in 2025!” Funds raised will go to a variety of local good causes. McNabb Laurie Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 3 New Galloway's fundraising plant stall A milestone has been passed this year as New Galloway’s ‘Navrig’ cottage plant stall raises a recordbreaking £650 for charity.” Over the last five years the stall, run by Carol Salsbury, has typically raised from £200 to £400 for different local charities. This year, the story is more personal with the money going to LACE (Life after Cancer Essex). Bill and Carol’s daughter, Joanne Hammond, founded LACE five years ago when she thought she was clear of cancer. The aim was to set up a walkand-talk group for cancer survivors who needed solidarity. When Joanna’s cancer returned, this time diagnosed as terminal, she continued to work tirelessly for LACE, re-naming it ‘Lives Affected by Cancer Essex’. LACE became a Community Interest Company so that her husband Steve could continue the work after her death. Jo did so much for her expanding group that members nominated her for an MBE. Steve received the letter of confirmation from the palace five months after Jo’s death. Jo’s pioneering work has meant so much to many people, and still continues, supported entirely by funds raised by its members. Previous Navrig plant sales have been in aid of local charities but Bill and Carol wanted to participate in LACE’s work, despite the fact that they are unable to take part in fundraising activities down south. They are delighted by this year’s success - £650 will keep LACE going until Christmas. Carol didn’t let Jo’s husband Steve know just how much the stall had raised until he unfurled the cheque. The Navrig plant stall began in a small way when Carol had a few spare plants and sold them outside her house to raise money. New Galloway Town Hall, New Galloway shop and other local initiatives have benefitted in their turn. Carol never grew flowers until a few years ago, but now she says she’s "an obsessive flower gardener". All the plants in her garden are friendly to pollinators Bill and Carol presenting the cheque for funds raised at the Navrig plant stall to Steve, who runs the charity LACE and she’ll only buy plants for the stall if they’re good for bees. Much The Navrig plant stall is now part of our of her stock comes local scene, operating from April through from dividing her perennials, with some to August. For those who’ve spotted it bought-in baby plants come from bargainand not yet bought, you’ll have another bin sales. Carol often chats to buyers and chance next year. Supportive of important passers-by to explain the gardening ethos causes near and far, the plant stall is also behind the plant stall. an asset to our community in its own right, She said: “I’d like to thank everyone who providing affordable, locally-grown plants, purchased flowers from the stall; they’ve so the thanks go both ways. contributed to something really important Margaret Elphinstone and close to our hearts.” Book Week Scotland at the CatStrand New Scots: Old and New Connections T he CatStrand will take part in a special event in next month’s Book Week to celebrate writers who have made Scotland their home after being forced out of their native countries. Thanks to a successful bid for Book Week Scotland funding, CatStrand will be hosting two distinguished writers on Saturday 23 November for a 'New Scots: Old and New Connections' event. Sawsan Al-Areeqe is a Yemeni poet and film-maker who received an international Artist Protection Fund Fellowship hosted by the University of Glasgow. She has received international acclaim for her poetry, in Arabic and English, and her filmmaking has brought her numerous awards. Iyad Hayatleh is a Palestinian poet and translator. He was born and grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria and has lived in Glasgow since 2000. He describes his poetry as discussing “themes of exile and identity, torn between the many places I call home and the struggle to build up a new mixed identity of cultural diversity.” The writers will speak about the journeys which have brought them to Scotland and will read from their work. It is also planned to hold a workshop event where the guest speakers will work with members of local writing groups including WriteOn and Ken Words. Keep an eye on the Glenkens Hub and the CatStrand website for further details of this exciting venture. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 4 Call to reinstate the Clachan Fair T he Clachan Fair was a much-loved local event, bringing the communities of the Glenkens together in a weeklong celebration. Since 1977, the fair had run on a biannual basis, offering events and activities over the course of a week with the main celebration being on 'parade day' when stalls lined the streets and various events and activities were organised in celebration of the village and surrounding area. The parade included a variety of floats from across the Glenkens - the special float to carry the Clachan Fair Lad and Lass (a much-coveted local title among Glenkens teens) was provided from Crossmichael and the fire engine from New Galloway Fire Station was brought out. As can be seen from the programme to the right, the fair played a significant role in uniting the community and giving a strong element of community cohesion, with all of the Glenkens schools being involved, as well as other local organisations, clubs and members of the community. Andrew Metcalf, one of the last members of the Clachan Fair committee, is reaching out to anyone who would like to reestablish this traditional event, which sadly folded due to internal politics some years ago. He said: "I would like the fair to continue; there is still time to get it underway for June next year, if someone was keen and started organising things now. "There is a significant sum in the kitty - not just a few hundred, but enough to reconstruct the fair. Please get in touch if you feel you can rally a group of folk together to get this excellent, and much missed, local event going again!" If you, or a group you're involved with, would like to bring back the Clachan Fair please get in touch with Andrew at am460249@yahoo.com Pictured is the 2013 Clachan Fair programme along with some photographs from, left to right, the 2011, 2016 and 2013 fairs Name the Place I n each issue a photograph will be taken somewhere in the Glenkens by local photographer Ted Leeming and readers have to guess where it is. The answer can be found on p23, with a bit of information and food for thought about that location. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 5 Summer at New Galloway golf course T he summer (oh... did we have one?!) has been very busy at New Galloway Golf Club. The green staff have worked extremely hard during the summer in keeping the course in excellent condition, even though the weather has been challenging. We are pleased to say that visitor numbers are well up on the previous few years, which is obviously good for the finances of the club. The junior coaching sessions were run during July were wellattended and we hope to have a budding professional golfer from the group. A quiz night proved popular, with over 34 people taking part. The club also held a coffee morning and secondhand sale in September which was well attended by members, friends and residents, for which the club is particularly grateful. Over £400 was raised which will go towards improvements to the clubhouse. The number of social members is growing; the bar is open every Saturday evening and once a month it is proposed to have a quiz night or other entertainment. Memberships, both social and full, are still available as well as coaching for both juniors and adults. For further information please contact the club secretary on 01644 420 737. Jeff Sutcliffe A moment of sunshine for the fundraising coffee morning and secondhand sale Glenkens Men's Shed celebrates ten years G lenkens Men’s Shed, the first 'Shed' in Dumfries & Galloway, celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Started by Brian Jones in the forerunner to the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust's hugely successful Connecting In Communities project, the Shed went on to become a constituted group and has gone from strength to strength. From its humble beginnings in the empty old agricultural workshop attached, at that time, to the derelict Smiddy (that turned out well too), it has gone on to be one of the best equipped and most diverse Sheds in the UK. The Shedders are forever indebted to Alan Smith, former chair of the Glenkens Communty & Arts Trust (GCAT), for the continuing use of his premises. Without his generosity there would be no Shed, so cheers Alan, we owe you! Since its initial seed funding the Shed has been self-funded, raising money through grants, donations, subscriptions and sale of works. We’re also grateful to Tesco, the Co-op, Age Scotland, LEADER, the Galloway Association of Glasgow, GCAT, the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership, Glenkens Community Shop, Balmaclellan Community Council and a myriad of other benefactors and donors who’ve all supported us on our journey. Men’s Sheds were established to “combat loneliness and isolation in the elderly male population” but ours has expanded and proudly diversified. We are both accessible and open to all adults, irrespective of gender, and indeed some of our sub-groups have more women than men! Apart from our open sessions for woodwork, metalwork and project work, we also host a stick-making group and an art group. The Shed has also supported numerous groups and individuals through work to make or repair items needed; from pine marten boxes to bench renovations, PAT testing to fixing bikes, water sampling equipment, planters and fairy houses...the list goes on! In parallel to the renovation of the Smiddy, the Shed itself also underwent a transformation. It now sports a new roof, external cladding, solar panels, battery storage, electric heaters, a mezzanine floor and even electric vehicle charging points in the tarmac carpark outside the building - so the space is pretty much unrecognisable from its 2014 origins. The Shed is affiliated to the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association to which we pay a fee of £20 a year, and so is free to join for members. We will be hosting an open day on Tuesday 19 November - which coincidentally also happens to be International Men’s Day - from 10am to 1pm. Why not pop in and see for yourself what goes on? You’ll be more than welcome and the kettle will be on. Or if you just can’t wait that long? Feel free to drop in at one of our weekly sessions for a cuppa and a chat (opening times below). In keeping with the overall Men’s Sheds ethos, there’s no requirement to take part in any specific activities at the Shed, just turn up for a brew, a biscuit and a banter - many do! But if you have something to make, mend or upcycle, you’ll find all the tools you need, and plenty of experienced Shedders to help and guide you if needed - come on in, you’re very welcome. To get in touch you can email mensshed@btinternet.com or simply pop in. Chris Jowsey OPENING TIMES ARE: General Sessions - Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making Group - Monday 7-9pm Art Group - Thursday, 2-4pm Glenkens Men's Shed attending ShedFest - an annual event by the UK Men's Sheds Association (UKMSA) that celebrates and connects Men's Sheds across the UK. Pictured with some winning exhibits are John and Michelle Fagan, Tom Leach, Ali Stewart, Brian Jones and Chris Jowsey Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 6 Britain's first rock 'n' roll show is back SIX FIVE SPECIAL Britain’s first Rock n Roll show  Vintage film clips & photo’s Dance, Dance, Dance or you can watch films on the screen T he Six Five Special, Britain’s first rockand-roll TV show, is back on the tracks and touring the South of Scotland. Come along to New Galloway Town Hall on Friday, 18 October at 7.30pm and watch the full story of this groundbreaking show. The Six Five Special started on the BBC in 1957, but it nearly didn’t happen. This is the story of behind the scenes at the BBC plus film clips of the show live on stage in 2015 and interviews with the stars from the TV show. After watching, there will be music from the 1950/60s, with films of the times, so you can sit and listen to the music and watch the films or you can put on your dancing shoes and rock 'n' roll the night away! Entry on the door with a donation bucket with funds raised being split between Prostate Scotland and the New Galloway Town Hall. Alan McLellan Glenkens parish churches harvest lunch Friday 18th October at 7.30pm New Galloway Town Hall T Entry on the night, Donation bucket Proceeds to Prostateparish Scotland & the Town12 Hall October, from 2pm he Glenkens onwards. The church 07562398253 churchesContact will celebrate will be open for people to come and visit, talk to the season with a harvest church members, study the thanksgiving lunch open unusual communion table to all. and just generally have a look around in an informal On Sunday, 13 October, the four parishes of the Glenkens will come together for a harvest setting. Tea and biscuits and thanksgiving service at Carsphairn Parish will be provided and, again, all are welcome. Church, at 11am, followed by a 'Soup & Sweet' lunch at Lagwyne Hall, with anyone For further details please who wishes welcome to attend. contact Irene McCreath on 07974 861 927. Carsphairn Church will also be hosting an open afternoon the day before, on Saturday, H yper-local online community news collaborative The Scottish Beacon (of which the Glenkens Gazette is a member) believes in the power of community-driven solutions and aims to amplify these stories to show that a greener, fairer Scotland is possible – and already taking shape. And they have a brand new project in the pipeline on the heels of their successful Citizens Agenda project, which asked people to define the issues Collaborative reporting that mattered most to them in the run-up to the General Election. Climate change and green energy were the top two issues that emerged across the board. Through a partnership with Local Storytelling Exchange, a UK-based organisation dedicated to showcasing the stories of the green transition, Scottish Beacon members will participate in bringing attention to local actions that are shaping Scotland’s future, offering inspiration and practical examples of how progress is being made. Over 100 days, Scottish Beacon members aim to collectively publish more than 50 stories that highlight community solutions that are already making a difference. Some initial stories being shared include the Gazette's article on Kendoon's new solar defibrillator, along with contributions from other Beacon members across the country... Keep your eyes peeled for more over the coming months! Visit https://www. scottishbeacon.com to find out more and read articles from other hyper-local publications across Scotland. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Pedalling to the Black Sea J ust before Covid Heidi and I had about five days in Vienna with Heidi’s parents and our two boys, and one day we took a boat down the Danube to Bratislava. We saw people enjoying cycling along cycle paths on the riverbank and thought it might be fun to come back and have a cycling holiday in the area when I retired. In March last year, Heidi had been browsing on the internet and she turned to me and asked, ‘How about it if, rather than just having a cycling holiday in the Vienna area, we were to cycle the Eurovelo 6?’ She went on to explain that the Eurovelo 6 was a long-distance cycle route from the mouth of the Loire on the Atlantic coast to the Black Sea. She knew I am always up for an adventure and the idea immediately caught my imagination. Within a fortnight, Heidi had purchased cycling guides covering most of the route and had acquired a solar panel to go on the back of her bike so that we could charge our mobile phones! She began making detailed plans for the journey. And so it came about that in April this year, after leaving our dog with Heidi’s parents in Wiltshire, we took a ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo and then local trains down to St Nazaire. We then cycled across the large, arched suspension bridge over the Loire to get to our first campsite on the south side of the river. The next day (13 April) we started out from the beach on the Atlantic coast and began heading east. Our expedition was beginning and we tried not to think too much about the distance that lay ahead. There were doubts about whether we had been a bit too ambitious in what we had taken on. We planned to cycle 40 to 50 miles a day – mostly camping overnight but with the option of a B&B or hotel if we felt we needed a little more comfort or refuge from the weather. It had been a challenge deciding what to take and what not to take, and we both ended up with about 25 kg in our panniers. There weren’t many things that we could have done without, but we were certainly well loaded! We met some challenges as we cycled up the Loire – flooding near the river and frosty mornings which made us seek refuge in Airbnbs. We cycled over 800 miles through France before reaching the Rhine near Basle. We then followed the Rhine up to Lake Constance through Germany and Switzerland, before heading north to the Danube at Tuttlingen. After that we were never far from the Danube as we traversed another seven countries. The western part of Eurovelo 6 has many cycle paths and in other parts tends to follow quiet country roads, though it does also pass through cities. Particularly in France and Germany there are many more bicycles on the road than here in the UK, and they put us to shame in the way they treat cyclists with thoughtfulness and respect. After Austria, we entered Eastern Europe when we reached Bratislava in Slovakia. In many ways I found the second half of the trip the most interesting. There were far fewer cyclists, especially once we got past Budapest, and we had more of a sense of being adventurers off the beaten track. There were some cycle tracks, but also many quiet roads to follow as we made our way through Slovakia, Hungary and on into Croatia and Serbia. We only had two nights in Croatia and, after passing through Vukovar, which was flattened in the Balkan conflict, we spent the second night in Ilok at a B&B in a block of flats. The owner had had to run for her life with all the inhabitants of the town, which was surrounded by Serbian territory on three sides, and she and her husband got back home seven years later to find their flat gutted. But I was presented with a cold beer on arrival and she gave us a wonderful breakfast in the morning. I had always felt a bit ambivalent about passing through Serbia on account of the Balkan conflict and the fact that it was the only country that we were passing through that wasn’t a member of the EU; and that feeling was heightened as we crossed over into Serbia the next morning. But I have to say that Serbia was one of the highlights of the trip. We found the people most hospitable. We spent quite a bit of time traversing Serbia, as we kept to the south side of the river as it passed through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge. After that we stayed on the south side of the river and continued on into Bulgaria, as we had been advised that the roads on the Romanian side were flat and boring and very busy. Bulgaria was more scenic, though also more hilly. At that point the temperature was climbing above 30 degrees C every day and there was a lack of campsites, so we ended up staying in hotels and B&Bs instead. At the end, we had two days cycling through Romania to reach Constanta on the Black Sea, which we reached on 16 June. There we had a few days to get our bicycles boxed and arrange a taxi to the airport for our flight back to Luton. I've often found that some of the most rewarding experiences page 7 in life come when you step a bit beyond your comfort zone. Cycling across Europe through ten countries carrying all you need on your bicycle might seem a little daunting. But any long journey is best accomplished one step at a time, or by focussing on one day at a time. That way it becomes more attainable. I was fortunate at nearly 68 that I had good enough health to consider taking on such a challenge and I was keen to grasp the opportunity while it was still there. I am also fortunate to have a wife who was up for such an adventure and willing to live out of cycle panniers and in a small tent for several months. Heidi was really the brains behind the trip. She excels at meticulous planning, poring over maps, working out realistic mileages for each day and the availability of suitable campsites or accommodation. Also her technical skills in bicycle maintenance are far ahead of mine. The trip couldn't have happened without her! We cycled 2,883 miles across Europe. When I think back on all the hills climbed and countries traversed I have a kaleidoscope of memories of chateaux and cathedrals and ruined Roman cities, of precious encounters with some lovely people and beautiful scenery to enjoy all along the way. And it was remarkable how few days we ended up cycling in the rain! We have a treasure of experiences to look back on for the rest of our days. David Bartholomew Pictured above are David and Heidi upon arrival at the Black Sea and to the left, Schloss Werenwag above the Donautal gorge in Germany Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Youth Correspondent page 8 Joshua Wells, aged 15, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Josh describes the Glenkens Youth Group summer holiday trip to the Galloway Activity Centre. O n 11 July the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) youth group ran a trip to the Galloway Activity Centre. To eliminate a player you must shoot one of the sensors on a player’s head; if the player gets hit 10 times they are out until the next round. The arena contains multiple wooden barriers, blocking you from gunfire, and a wooden castle in the middle provided to us for free. We spent an hour in the lovely Waterfront Cafe. to get the hang of it and started getting closer and closer to the bullseye. Following this appetising lunch, we were taken to the archery ground. Once we arrived, we were taught how to hold a bow, Finally, we went to our last activity, 'the wobbly waterpark'. We suited-up in our wetsuits, pulled on our buoyancy aids, and strapped on our helmets. Once we got to the dock, we jumped off and swam towards the first inflatable, which had a slide on both sides. The next one that we swam to was a large slide - it was less steep than the last but was just as fun. The last one we got to go on was a trampoline connected to a very hard obstacle course. Even though it was hard to jump on the trampoline, due to the amount of water contained inside it, it was still ridiculously fun. The trip was completely free, thanks to funding from the Glenkens & District Community Fund and Dumfries & Galloway Council's 'Amazing Summer' fund. It allowed and allowed young people from across the Glenkens, from P7 to S3, to participate in activities such as laser tag, archery and the ‘wobbly waterpark'. To start the day, I had to arrive at the CatStrand at 10am so we would get to the activity centre for 10.15am. Getting there early let us have more time for each activity. People could have also been picked up at Dalry, making it easier for people who are just a bit too far from New Galloway. Once we arrived, we had the plan for the day explained to us. After this, we were taken straight to laser tag (an hourand-a-half activity), put into two teams of seven (blues and reds) and given out guns. The guns were connected, with a wire, to headbands, with three sensors on each one. which blocks you from getting shot from all sides. Even though I was not very good at it, I found it fun. After that action-packed activity we collected our lunch, which consisted of a roll, crisps and a chocolate bar, all of which were how to aim and what to and what not to do. Once we had learned how to use the bows, we started shooting. Just like laser tag, I was bad at archery, but I still enjoyed it. At the start of the session I couldn't even hit the target, but after a couple of tries, I started This terrific trip allowed younger people to get some once-ina-lifetime experiences and allowed for any family from any background to get their children a good trip for the summer, as it was free and very accessible. If this trip was held again, I would recommend to everyone to try to get their spot. Pictured are young people on the Glenkens Youth Group trip on the 'wobbly waterpark' at the Galloway Activity Centre photograph courtesy of Beata, Glenkens Youth Group lead GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Gazette page 9 CatStrand's new youth intern E lla Campbell, the CatStrand's new youth intern, tells the Gazette a bit about herself and why she's so excited to take on the role. Hi, my name is Ella Campbell and I’m a 16 year-old girl living in Dalry. Many of my achievements have been thanks to the CatStrand. When I moved here from Leeds three years ago, I was worried I would lose my love for drama and music, as it is a small area, but my passion has only expanded since I moved here. During my time at the CatStrand, I have been given many incredible opportunities from the team. I gained a Saltire certificate for doing 20 hours of volunteering whilst helping with the 6-10 yearold drama group when I was 14, which I really enjoyed doing. I also had my first ever gig when I was 14. This was the first ever time that I got to sing my own lyrics in front of an audience which opened up more opportunities like working with Dumfries Music Collectives, who kindly helped me to start a songwriting mentorship with Sarah Jane Scouten, who is the nicest lady to work with on my music ever, and I would love to do that again. I also got to perform at Youth Beatz with Dumfries Music Collectives (DMC) in 2023 and 2024, which was a joy and I loved it, mostly because of how kind the people who work at DMC are, and I will always take any opportunity that they give me. I also do the CatStrand Youth Players pantomimes which are an annual thing that Brian Edgar does, and the pantomimes are only expanding and getting bigger and better each year. Last year I was lucky enough to get to play Cinderella and I got to write a song for the pantomime too, and perform it. I am now starting my new internship at the CatStrand as Youth Music Coordinator, which I applied to because I just know it will be amazing to work with more young people and share my ideas. Thank you for reading this and see you at the CatStrand! Best wishes, Ella :) Another new face at LING L Active Schools and Community Sport Officer, and Stewartry Rugby Club, where he holds the position of director of rugby. A resident of New Galloway, John brings over a decade of experience in community engagement, volunteer management, and the development of health and wellbeing programmes. In his new role, John looks forward to working with the LING trustees and local volunteers to drive the trust’s project work forward, fostering stronger connections within the community and enhancing access to health and wellbeing activities. ocal Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) have welcomed a new member onto their team - John Muir, who will has taken on the role of Community Inclusion Leader. He has worked extensively with local organisations, including Dumfries and Galloway Council where he served as an MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 John has successfully collaborated with external stakeholders such as NHS Social Health teams, local businesses, and charities to deliver impactful community programmes. He is particularly passionate about mental health initiatives and has worked on projects that promote inclusion and wellbeing. If you would like to get in touch with John, you can contact him at john.muir@ling.org.uk Amber Dunlop-Pajo Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople page 10 Carsphairn Community Woodland welcomes their third pre-apprentice C arsphairn resident Shaun McClune is the newest forestry pre-apprentice to benefit from the training scheme offered at Carsphairn Community Woodland (CCW). Shaun has started a six month contract with the CCW team and will be working in a whole variety of woodland jobs, with access to a range of certificated training opportunities. He is the third pre-apprentice to train with CCW, under the supervision of Andy, our community forest supervisor. Both his predecessors completed their training successfully and moved on to positive destinations. With previous experience of planting with his uncle (who pointed out the opportunity for the pre-apprentice programme to Shaun when he saw it advertised), Shaun says he is enjoying the role so far and appreciates the emphasis that CCW puts on providing opportunities for younger people as he has found employment options limited in the rural areas he has always lived in. He's hopeful that the training provided by CCW will provide a foundation for a career in forestry. Shaun brought his two younger brothers to help with tree planting at our recent volunteer day, which resulted in a good number of young trees in the ground at Muirdrochwood. Shaun’s role is funded thanks to support from Glenkens & District Community Fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, and is part of the 'Woodlands Plus' project managed by McNabb Laurie through his role with Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands. Alison McLeod, CCW Development Officer McNabb Laurie of D&G Woodlands, visited the woodland to meet with Shaun Are you looking to plant trees this winter? We have grants available for small-scale native planting schemes. For full info, visit: www.dgwoodlands.org.uk Registered as a SCIO, no 052525 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 11 Positive momentum as local education discussions continue T alks on education have progressed after last issue’s well-received Education and Learning event. Hosted by the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT), the event was set up in support of the Community Action Plan (CAP) to have people think differently about education in the Glenkens. As a direct result of this event, members of the CAP Steering Group and Stewart Gibson, chair of Dalry Schools Parent Council, met with Gillian Brydson, Executive Director of the regional council's Education Skills & Community Wellbeing Department, in late July. It was an honest but productive meeting about the challenges of rural education, and came out with a commitment to working constructively and pro-actively together to achieve the best outcomes for our young people. You can find the full note of the meeting on the 'Education and Learning' page of the Glenkens Hub www.glenkens.scot, but the key actions were for Gillian and the Dalry School Parent Council to continue the conversation about what education provision for children aged two to sixteen in the Glenkens could look like, and for the CAP Steering Group, through GCAT, to pursue conversations about a 16+ 'Skills Campus' in the Glenkens. This is very ambitious and would be very hard to achieve but with the right partners on board, the Glenkens is a great place for such a facility. We are in the centre of the region, we have decades of work on land-based industry coming into the area, whether agriculture, wind or forestry, and of course we are a very committed community, dedicated to putting things in place to ensure our local economy and people can thrive. While it is a long journey ahead, there is a commitment and a degree of momentum now that is very encouraging and will AI-generated rendition of an eco-build learning campus in the Glenkens hopefully be fostered on both sides. More updates to come so watch this space! Helen Keron, Executive Manager, GCAT Our Glenkens primary schools Clockwise from top left: At Dalry Nursery this term have been baking biscuits, looking at bugs and visiting Dalry library enjoy Bookbug sessions. The Kells P5/6/7 class have been creating games to help them develop their mental maths strategies and researching WW2. Children in the P1/2/3 class at Dalry enjoyed collecting apples for the Soup Social event. The P1-5 pupils at Kells have set up a cafe to learn about money. In the P4/5/6/7 class at Dalry they are learning about 'Incredible Inventions'. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 12 All change for Glenkens schools T his academic year sees a complete reshuffle for our local schools with a new acting head teacher for the Glenkens Primaries Partnership of Kells and Dalry, as well as a new head teacher for both Dalry Secondary and Castle Douglas High School. We spoke to Stephen and Brogan to learn a little about them and heir new roles: Stephen Foster, Head Teacher, Dalry Secondary What brought you and your family to the Glenkens? My family and I were excited to move to the area because of the rural experience offered that is different to the experience of living in Ayrshire for most of my life. We wanted to buy a house with character and renovate it whist feeling part of a community. the community spirit, the friendliness of people and how welcome we have been made to feel. My experiences with the pupils and parents in school and outside of school have been so positive. It is now the norm to see people that we know when we are out and about and it is great to chat and mix with the community. We had wanted to move to the area when I first started teaching but circumstances didn't align to allow us to do so. We were excited to move into the Glenkins area nearly five years ago. The learning curve has been steep but in addition to teaching I have learnt new skills such as roofing, joinery, plumbing and brick laying that I have had to employ within my house. Where/what were you teaching before taking the post as Head at Dalry/CD? I came into teaching after a career in ASDA and my first permanent job was at the Douglas Ewart. I then worked in a number of authorities before returning to Dumfries and Galloway when I started at Dalbeattie High school. This is when we permanently relocated. What do you guys like most about it? Last year I was the acting Headteacher at the first school I worked which felt like a full circle when I returned to the I have been impressed with Douglas Ewart. The opportunity then arose to apply to be Head teacher at schools I was already part of the community with and I jumped at the chance of a permanent post. What are your aspirations for the post; are there any key changes/improvements you plan to make? My aspiration as a Head Teacher is for my schools to be the difference for my pupils. I believe the strength of the positive relationships that we have with our pupils gives them the platform to be successful and it is very important to me that their voices are heard. I am excited to grow my school community to reach their potential in partnership with my staff, pupils and my parents and carers. And for the Secondary, how does the next term look - any key topics, trips, partnership Brogan Murray, Acting Head Teacher, Glenkens Primaries Partnership Hi, I am Mrs Brogan Murray, the current Acting Head Teacher of Dalry Primary and Nursery and Kells Primary School. I have really enjoyed joining the Glenkens partnership and getting to know the communities a bit better. I grew up in the Stewartry so have many links to the area already. I received a warm welcome from children, staff, and families, which was great. This year we will be focusing on improving our school community further, by improving communication between home and school and aiming to raise attainment and engagement in Numeracy and Literacy. If any parents or members of the community working, etc coming up? I am currently working on engaging with our wider community to secure partnerships that will be of benefit to my pupils. I would request that local businesses please make contact with the school so that we can explore mutually beneficial ways to support each other and develop our communities. My door is always open. To get in touch you can call the school office on 01644 430 259 or email Stephen at gw12fosterstephen@ea.dumgal. sch.uk would like to get in touch, please call the school office on 01644 430 105 and I'd be happy to meet with you, or you can email me at gw12murraybrogan@ea.dumgal.sch.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 13 A look back over summer on the loch A s the Summer comes to an end, the Loch Ken Trust's seasonal ranger, Jason Wilding, reflects on the 2024 season. Well, as the summer starts to fade away, two less minutes every day, kids of all ages have all gone back to school, work, back to the normal daily grind. For those that live and work around Loch Ken we are left with a little breathing space; quieter roads, parking space on the lay-bys, fewer tents and tourists. The small hope of an Indian summer still exists - just a few more days of sunshine to enjoy the beautiful outdoors before autumn really kicks in. We can’t claim it’s been a summer of any great note, just a few nice days here and there. The season has been quiet in comparison to previous years on visitor numbers; factors to consider are weather and the rise in cost of living. The Loch Ken Trust Ranger Service has carried out over 200 patrols this season, along with launching our Volunteer Scheme. We can proudly say we’ve run a series of successful events over the year, starting with the Loch Ken 'meet the ranger service' event in March, our Youth Water Safety Awareness Programme at the Galloway Activity Centre (recognised nationally as an example of best practice), a Ranger Education Programme for local primary schools, collaborating with Propagate on a Bio Blitz (where people work together to identify as many species of wildlife as possible in a given area within a set time frame) at Lochhill Farm, Crossmichael, our highly successful Loch Ken Family Fun Day, where the weather was fantastic, and our Ranger Cookout, a part of the fantastic Glenkens Food Month. We must thank everyone who has supported the ranger service over the spring and summer by giving their time, energy, experience and enthusiasm to help keep the visitors and residents safe, the loch clean and the wildlife and habitats protected for future summers to come. For the ranger service, as our visitor management focus lessens, we are moving towards our autumn and winter work programmes and, with the invaluable help of our volunteers, hope to be working on more ecological themes, considering how external factors are likely to affect the wildlife, plant life and aquatic life in and around the Loch. LOCH KEN TRUST RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 we can look back on some of the stunning views of Loch Ken we have captured over the past few months. More of that in the future - for now in this little breathing space Helping young people to stay safe on the water O ur Youth Water Safety Awareness Programme draws to a close for 2024, with the final sessions being held this October before the water temperatures start to cool. To date over 200 young people have received this free training, learning vital skills for keeping safe on the water and also how to paddle board. We would like to thank our funders, the Holywood Trust, Drax Group UK and Dumfries & Galloway Area Committee Youth Fund for supporting the programme, without whom this would not be possible. The demand for these sessions has far exceeded our expectations and we are grateful to have been able to provide sessions to each of our local high schools and various organisations and groups. We would like to thank the fantastic team at the Galloway Activity Centre and everyone involved in the programme. We are proud to be promoting the Water Safety Code to young people in our region. SAVE THE DATE The Loch Ken Trust AGM will be held on Tuesday 12 November at 7pm in the Smiddy, Balmaclellan. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 14 sponsored by Observations from the saddle T he overwhelming sensation as as I continue my cycle rides exploring Scotland's rapidly changing landscapes, is that the more I see the less I know. I am becoming the ignorant observer. But as I meander through our incredible and varied countryside, it is slowly dawning on me that a lack of knowledge is not always the weakness one might imagine, but that perhaps it is something to embrace. This might seem at odds with a societal norm where expertise and science are held in the highest esteem, but allow me a moment to indulge my thesis before concluding I’ve simply spent too long in the saddle! My reasoning goes something like this... On this trip I am often travelling through unknown environments for the first time, seeing through fresh eyes and witnessing as an observer, rather than a participant. It’s the same sensation you get when arriving on a plane or stepping off a train in a new country. For those special first few hours everywhere you look, and everything you witness, is somehow exaggerated and enhanced, as if seeing with heightened awareness. A few days later, those elements which initially enchanted are simply subsumed into the background, however hard you look. They become the familiar, the normal, the "how it is". But is the accepted norm always right? On the bike, I have no option but to experience using a range of senses that most often lie dormant, or at best repressed, when cosseted in the blurred cocoon of a car, train or bus. From your seat, as in a movie, you are detached from and pass through the landscape, rather than exploring from within. By literally smelling the land (not always pleasant!), tasting the air, and feeling the wind on my cheeks (or hopefully my back), cycling connects me to my surroundings, with each new bend re-stimulating and invigorating, inviting investigation. I remain constantly free of the burden of familiarity and the accustomed, where things "just are", and find myself questioning rather than accepting. By way of example, whilst cycling through a horrendously hagged peat bog, horribly eroded through overgrazing for decades, I asked a local expert why it was like that. Her reply was that folk simply state "it’s always been thus", as though the devastation was not only how things have always been, but why nothing needs doing about it now. There are endless examples of the depletion of our lands, some of which are openly visible, while you have to learn to spot others even though the damage might be greater. There are many shades of green. I am yet to fully rationalise where this slow contemplation of place leaves me, but as I transition between different land uses and management approaches, I am left with a overwhelming sense that our land and seas are becoming increasingly commoditised and commercialised. Siloed and simplified. Managed from behind a desk by an accountant’s spreadsheet. Neat. Each individual modification incrementally small, but together resulting in generational changes that quickly become the accepted norm. The "how it is". I cannot simply undo these feelings. They don’t just resolve themselves. But when I see inspirational exemplars of positive future thinking (of which there are an every increasing number), it allows me to question. As the pedals keep turning and I continue my descent into ignorance, I will be exploring these and other themes in a visual talk of my cycles to date, together with a workshop, at the CatStrand on 9 November. I don’t offer answers, for they lie within the hands of others, but together we might provoke a conversation or two. Ted Leeming Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 15 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 Floor tiles, approx 65 cream coloured tiles, 31cm x 45cm. Free to uplift. Contact: 07709 929 482 Metal bunk bed frame, double bottom, single top. Contact: 07952 280 902 Separate fridge and freezer, kitchen waste bin - self closing, electric kettle, ottoman storage for bedding, pick axe, sledge hammer. Contact: 07952 507 108 or 01644 420 852 WANTED Comfortable swivel chair, black, a little worn in places but very serviceable. Contact: 01644 460 516 2 x two-roll wall-hanging commercial toilet roll dispensers by Kimberley Clark, grey colour, we also have spare toilet rolls Contact: lesleyblissett52@gmail.com or 07710 525 927 10 litres Greenox AdBlue for diesel engines. Contact: 01644 420 834 Delonghi microwave, free to a good home, although donation to New Galloway Town Hall appreciated. Contact: info@ling.org.uk or 07749 249 781 Single electric under blanket, VGC, washable, VHS videos, approx 130, vinyl LPs and singles from 60s, 70s and 80s, around 100 in total. Collect from Carsphairn. Contact: 07909 652713 Old heavy mountain-style bike with new tyres, chain and seat, Apollo brand. Single mattress, hardly used. Contact: 07901 207 179 Big long fold up table (similar to those used at craft fairs). Contact: 07749 087 699 Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Nonrunners/broken welcome. Contact: 07845 562 217 Pre-loved field shelter. Happy to dismantle on collection. Contact: 07745 775 480 FOR SALE 2017 iMac 21.5”, donation to GCAT of £150 ono would be appreciated, contact finance@catstrand.com for info V-Fit Tornado rowing machine, very good condition, £150 ono. Contact: 07521 902 567 Shed clearances - any shed cleared, large or small; get in touch to for further info or to arrange a visit. Contact: 07765 034 841 Apply to the Galloway Glens legacy scheme T he Galloway Glens Scheme came to an end in September 2023 after a fantastic five years supporting the communities of the Ken/ Dee valley. The legacy of the Galloway Glens can be seen in many concrete ways, such as the Watson Birds Trail, a suite of new footpaths across the area and in revitalised community buildings and assets. However, it also supported communities in many other ways and made a very real difference to the lives of the people who live here. It was a Dumfries and Galloway Council Environment Team project, administering more than £6 million of National Lottery Heritage Funding and other funds over the five years, supported by the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. To further this legacy, the Galloway Glens Scheme is offering small maintenance grants to ensure that legacy Galloway Glensfunded projects can continue to deliver great outcomes for the communities they serve. £45,000 is available to be spent over the next three years, with the first round closing for applications on the 4 November. Applications can be made for revenue or capital funding, and the amount requested should be under £5,000 and proportional to the size of the initial Galloway Glens funding. This legacy funding is intended to extend delivery of the outcomes of projects originally funded, and this will be the main criteria for assessment. The application process is being managed by the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT), one of the key Galloway Glens legacy partners. Applications and enquiries should therefore be sent to Helen Keron, GCAT Executive Manager, at helen@catstrand. com Details about the application process can be found on the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens. scot/galloway-glenslegacy-fund Ed Forrest, GSA Biosphere director and member of the Galloway Glens legacy fund steering group, said: “Galloway Glens was an incredible five years of place-based activity that brought together communities, agencies and local organisations around a common theme of protecting, enhancing and understanding our unique natural and cultural heritage. Whilst the project itself may now be over, this funding offers an opportunity to ensure the legacy lives on by revisiting activities that created some of the shared memories and ensuring the upkeep of the infrastructure that was created.” Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 16 The Optimistic Environmentalist Reducing your home energy bills - Part Seven: Examples of energy-efficient technology Passive technology or housing This is where energy is not used to maintain heating or lighting; for instance, insulation helps to maintain a comfortable temperature in buildings; stove fans move heat around a room for a more consistent temperature. We have sun tunnels in our garage that passively carry light from the outside in; this works surprisingly well. These are good for rooms without windows, north-facing, etc. Technologies for generating space heating and hot water (a) Electric combination ('combi') boilers are a traditional way of space and water heating in your house. Just like gas or oil combiboilers, you can set either water or heating when needed and are fairly efficient. The downside with electric combi-boilers is they can use electricity at peak times and may be costly to run. In contrast, Tepeo's zero emission boiler (ZEB) can easily be installed just like a gas or oil boiler but uses electricity at off-peak times to charge up a 'heat battery' to supply heating during the day. (b) Air-source or ground-source heat pumps for water and heating (ASHP/GSHP). These take heat from the air or ground and use it in your house or building so the running costs are minimal. They work well in the right circumstances but may need widerbore water pipes or larger radiators so may be more cost effective as part of a refurbishment rather than an add-on unless you have some funding. They can also be harder to install in some buildings, eg some flats, although this is improving. If you want to heat a single flat, a subset of rooms in a building, or a building that is not used often, you might be better to use an alternative efficient heating systems (see ideas further on in this article). For maximum efficiency, heat pumps work at lower temperatures than boilers and are really good at maintaining a fairly constant temperature. People are uncomfortable when the temperature in a building goes up and down; keeping it consistent increases comfort. Some people that have heat pumps have small additional heating equipment for particular rooms, situations, relatives or visitors. Heat pumps are currently expensive to buy and install but costs are reducing, eg Octopus Energy have designed a lower cost pump which they install themselves. Specific technologies Different technologies can fit into your lifestyle. For instance, you can have separate heating and water systems so that if one breaks, the other still works. If you live in a room, bedsit, part of a building or a building that is difficult to install bigger systems into, you have a limited budget or rent your accommodation, you can get different pieces of technology to suit you. (a) High heat retention storage (HHRS) heaters. These are particularly efficient and thus economic storage heaters. Traditional storage heaters often leaked heat during the day and ran out in the evening when heat is needed. As the name suggests, HHRS heaters are very well insulated, minimise heat losses, and often have thermostats and timers so you can have the heat level you want, when you want it. Some also have 'landlord' settings so that the temperature cannot be pushed up too high accidentally or by a non-bill payer, eg in holiday accommodation. As advised in Part Five of this series, contact the Energy Saving Trust and Dumfries & Galloway Council for advice for loans and grants. Denise MacDonald-Kiernan (see Part 8 for more technology) Family and friends coming to stay? N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) Call Fiona on 07789 903127 - 01644 420737 - www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Buggies now available for hire Licence no DG00824P VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Top: Sun tunnel external Above: Sun tunnel in a windowless garage Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment The Garroch walled garden T he Garroch Walled Garden is one of the Glenkens' hidden gems. Nestled within the ancient oak woodlands of the Garroch Estate, the garden is a unique and special place. It has been brought back to life by a group of local volunteer gardeners. The project to restore the walled garden, under the support of Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING), began in 2018. It was made possible by five years of funding from the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership and the dedication of the volunteer gardeners known as the Garroch Garden Group. In its heyday during the 1920s (or thereabouts) the Garroch Walled Garden would have been the envy of any modernday grower. Garden produce was sent by train from New Galloway station (in Mossdale) to Covent Garden in London. The original garden plans show that the southfacing wall of the garden was covered in heated greenhouses which were used to grow fruits such as melons and even peaches! Plans like this are of course a little ambitious, and the Garroch Garden Group has sought to adopt a light-touch approach that has ultimately page 17 bountiful crop. Several fruit bushes such as blackcurrants, raspberries and blueberries have also been planted. The group garden organically without the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilisers and we encourage wildlife around the garden with abundant wildflower areas, log piles and nest boxes. Jack Barton, from New Galloway, joined the Garroch Garden Group in 2022 with his partner Katy and has since become group coordinator. “When I discovered the walled garden it quickly became one for a small annual fee of £25, which goes towards buying communal tools and plants, etc. “We are very keen to welcome new members to the group who enjoy gardening and good company,” says Jack. “You do not need to have a garden plot to be a member of the group - some members come to help out with other garden tasks. On the third Saturday of each month we hold a garden get-together. We have a picnic and work on various tasks around the garden such as pruning, planting and repairs. These get-togethers are a chance to make new friends and contribute to a fantastic local project which keeps the garden a place for everyone to enjoy.” On the third Saturday of each month we hold a garden get-together. We have a picnic and work on various tasks around the garden such as pruning, planting and repairs. When the project first began, the garden was overgrown, wild and drastically in need of some care. One of the first steps was for the landowner Nick RoperCaldbeck, to let his pigs into the garden to help break up some of the vegetation and loosen the soil in the area where the vegetable plots now are. The gardeners were then able to get to work designing and building the vegetable beds, a large polytunnel and a small greenhouse. There are now approximately 10 plots where a large variety of flowers, vegetables and herbs are grown. created a lovely, peaceful atmosphere in the garden. The centerpiece of the garden is the long pergola, planted with twenty-four roses and climbers, which put on a fabulous display during the summer months. of my favourite places to spend time," says Jack. "On a sunny summer’s day the garden is bursting with flowers, bees and butterflies and it is always such a peaceful and relaxed environment in which to unwind.” All around the garden are a selection of apple trees, some of which are very old but still hang heavy with apples in the autumn. The garden has its own apple press, allowing us to make the most of the The Garroch Garden Group has now become a small group of people growing flowers and vegetables together in a convivial and beautiful environment. Plots of various sizes can be rented For more information about joining the group please contact Jack Barton on 07530 529 192 or jhbarton97@gmail.com A focus on food Dalry School permaculture garden Glenkens Gazette O ver the summer a group of Permaculture Design students, as part of a course run by Propagate, developed page 18 a plan to revitalise the Dalry School garden. Propagate is a community interest company specialising in local, community and sustainable food projects. The Permaculture Design course in Galloway is a collaboration between Propagate and permaculture educator, Lusi Alderslowe, who is author of the book Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share in Education: the Children in Permaculture Manual. The group’s brief from the Dalry Schools Parent Council was to design a food growing and maintenance plan for the garden that would best make use of the polytunnel and raised beds already situated in the garden. The group were also asked to develop ideas for how the wider garden space could best be used for outdoor learning. The detailed design, pictured here, includes plans for a flexible annual food-growing calendar that can be adapted to the needs of the school. It includes suggestions for soil improvement, composting and planting for biodiversity and pollinators. There are also ideas for creating spaces within the garden for Bairn Banter seed to spoon T he Carsphairn children’s group, Bairn Banter have had a very productive and hands-on learning experience focusing on producing their own food for free. Children and parents began the garden project in the beginning of the year, when they took responsibility for a section of disused ground beside the village hall and looked into purchasing a raised bed and bags of compost (funded by Blackcraig Windfarm Fund through Carsphairn Community Council). This then allowed the children to begin sowing pea, carrot and cabbage seeds, plus onion sets and donated potato tubers. Each Saturday the reflection, play and outdoor learning. The next step is to consult children, teachers and parents to gauge wider needs and aspirations for the garden. These findings will feed into a working action plan to be taken forward by the school's Parent Council. With a renewed focus on the garden, our hope is to create a vibrant, productive outdoor place for the children to call their own and look after. This will be a safe space for children of all needs and sensitivities to play, learn and grow, and be nurtured by nature. If you would like to get involved please either call the school office on 01644 420 259 or email the Parent Council at dalrypcchair@gmail.com group of children and parents would carefully tend to the micro-vegetable-patch by weeding, thinning and watering to ensure the best plant growth throughout the spring and early summer months. The children engaged in a wealth of learning opportunities from bughunting, colour-matching, plant identification, soil structures and overall soil care and plant welfare. Come harvest time, the children were thrilled to be able to savour the fruits of their labour, feasting on the tasty peas and strawberries picked fresh from the plants. The group also dug up some of the plants so they could share the produce amongst families, to take home for them to enjoy. The children collectively decided that they would like to make some soup from their garden veg, so parents helped the children to make this happen. Vegetables were dug up or picked, washed and then prepped ready for the pot. And it was certainly worth it, as it was the “most delicious soup that I have ever tasted,” according to one happy Bairn Banter attendee (aged four). Melissa Ade, Bairn Banter in the Glenkens Glenkens Gazette page 19 G lenkens Food Month showcased a feast of local foodie events and activities over the month of September. There were community Pop Up Burger BBQ’s across all the Glenkens communities, an Open Bar Night at the CatStrand with Brian Edgar shaking up storm of local gin cocktails. Carsphairn Community Market was well attended with loads of local produce, home made preserves, fresh vegetables, home baking, plants and crafts, on offer, and the Ukrainian and Syrian Buffet at Dalry Town Hall was fully booked with an incredible 67 diners enjoying a wide variety of delicious, colourful dishes. The Famous Fungal Forage was also a sell-out event, taking place on the Garroch Estate, and the Feast and a Film at the Glenkens Community Centre saw a packed- out room enjoying incredibly cooked Galloway Food Hub produce before settling down to watch Rooted, a film produced by Propagate, featuring many of our local producers. A big thank you goes out to Dumfries and Galloway Council who provided the funding to coordinate and organise this year’s Food Month. Jo Jackson, Glenkens Food Month Coordinator, GCAT Carsphairn Community Market A s part of the Glenkens Food month, Carsphairn held their annual community market in Lagwyne Hall. The event took place in collaboration with the local children’s group Bairn Banter and hosted a wide selection of stalls from Carsphairn and beyond. There were local producers of fruit and vegetables, honey, jams/preserves, skilled crafters, fundraising stalls, baked goods, a mini leather workshop, a brica-brac table, information stalls and exotic hand-made rugs. To accompany the exclusive shopping experience, a wide variety of delicious refreshments were available to buy and enjoy within the popup café/lounge area or outside at picnic tables in the garden area. Proceeds from the Bairn Banter fundraising table and the tea/ coffee and cake sales came to a fantastic total of £168.16. This will go towards the annual children's Halloween party which will take place on Saturday 2 November from 10-11.45am (all children welcome!). “We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who made this fun community event such a great success, and to all those who helped us to raise funds for the children’s Halloween party,” said Bairn Banter organiser, Melissa Ade. Famous fungal forage T his year's much-loved fungal forage took place in the Garroch Estate woodland, by kind permission of Nick Roper Caldbeck. Under the guidance of Emma from Balmaclellan, we meandered through different habitats finding and identifying all sorts of wonderful mushrooms edible and non-edible alike! Some attendees had opportunities to share their knowledge and everyone went home wiser. A fabulous day, thanks to all who took part. Abi Mordin Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Scouting in the Glenkens B eing involved in Scouting develops skills for life, builds confidence, offers new challenges and the opportunity to experience adventurous activities. Youngsters from six years of age can join a Beaver Colony, moving up to Cubs at eight years of age and then into Scouts from 10½. A very active Cub Scout Pack has been running in New Galloway for many years under the expert Leadership of Heather McIntosh and ably assisted by Hannah Fitch. Sadly, there currently is no Beaver Colony or Scout Troop in the Glenkens. This means youngsters are not getting an introduction to Scouting in their early years. In addition, those attending and enjoying Cubs who would like to continue in the Scouting movement, taking advantage of the benefits and skills developed as part of Scouting, cannot continue do so. The nearest Scout Troops are in Castle Douglas and Minigaff, both of which have waiting lists, even if participants could arrange to travel the distance. Adults are urgently required to become involved so that a Beaver Colony and especially a Scout Troop can be reestablished. All training and support will be given to anyone willing to come along and give it a go. There is a purpose-built scout hut in New Galloway, owned and maintained by Glenkens Scout Committee. Whether you're able to offer occasional help or a regular commitment, please do get in touch. We want young people to have the chance to dream big, give it a go, and build skills for life. But it’s not just the young people who benefit from Scouts. Volunteering is good for boosting your wellbeing, developing CV-friendly skills, making friends and building memories. If you want to support young people or if you’re more comfortable planning an adventure from the sidelines, we’ve got space for you. Our purpose and method Scouts actively engages and supports young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. In partnership with adults, young people take part in fun indoor and outdoor activities. They learn by doing, by sharing in spiritual reflection and by taking responsibility. They make choices, undertake new and challenging activities, and they page 20 live their Scout Promise. For further information or to get involved please contact Christine Rankin at dalgowantraining@ aol.com or 07749 212 201/01644 4202 59, or Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375. You can also find further information at www. scouts.org.uk/volunteer Christine Rankin Pictures are of Scouting trips and camps, to illustrate the potential opportunities Glenkens Cub Pack Forty years in T he Glenkens Cubs have been on holiday over the summer but have still been busy. Alba received the Thomas Ferguson Cup at Carsphairn Show for gaining the most points in the juvenile class. Freya played her part in the violin concert. The Jardine family were successful at the Stewartry Show, showing sheep, and Cole won a prize at the Corsock Show for his entry of eggs. Pippin helped plant trees at Glaisers, Corsock, and won a cup at the Great Corsock Show for her miniature garden. Well done all! We had a sales table at the Scottish Alternative Games and raised £90.43. Thank you to those who bought and to thos e who donated, especially Agnes, who made delicious tablet for us; it just flew off the table. Agnes has been a supporter of Scouting for many years and we thank her for her kindness. A great deal of work goes into the Games and we thank Brian and his team for making the day so special each year. Changes in Scouting during 2024 have left us looking for one Trustee and one young person to join our team. If you would be interested, please get in touch with eitherHeather (01644 420 375) or Hannah (mcandrew. hannah@yahoo.co.uk). Yours in Scouting, Heather and Hannah the Glenkens N ew Galloway resident, Robin Hood, who is experienced with fundraising in the charity sector, is offering to give talks to local groups on how to initiate a successful fundraising campaign. Robin said: "I am offering to give an informal talk about my life in the Glenkens over the last 40 years, the challenges I have faced, my ups and downs including the birth of my daughter, Alex in 1989 and a near-fatal car crash that changed my life in 1992. Also how the wonderful people of Dumfries and Galloway have supported my family and helped me raise millions of pounds for two different charities." The talk, which he has titled '40 years in the Glenkens', would be free and Robin asks for a time slot of at least 45 minutes. If you feel your group or club may benefit from one of Robin's talks you can contact him at robin150656@gmail.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 21 Questions about the proposed Galloway National Park W ith some pretty strong opinions quickly forming on the proposed Galloway National Park, I thought I might carry out a little research to help me make up my own mind, noting that as I write this I have yet to decide my position. Whilst still in the early days of information gathering, my initial findings suggest that, above all else, not all National Parks (NPs) are the same. The way they are structured and run varies significantly and is unique to the attributes of each and the communities that lie therein. Here’s a few initial discoveries as I continue my search. On tourism, the Northumberland NP, with about 1.2 million visitors a year is very different from the Lake District NP with 22 million. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs has 4.1 million (with 150 volunteer rangers) whilst the Cairngorms NP has 2.1 million visitors a year (with 14 full time and up to seven additional seasonal rangers). Tourism generated £300m into the local Cairngorm economy in 2019, up 30% since 2009. On housing, a report due shortly concludes that having NP status has not inflated house prices in the Cairngorms NP compared to outside (prices have, however, risen through the Covid years both inside and out). A recent article shows that raising rates on second homes in Wales makes them less attractive. But to make this happen does not require National Park status, any local authority can deliver this. with 40% allocated by the local authorities and the remainder centrally. Does this mean 50% could be locally elected? And who decides? Could a NP in Galloway be structured and run by the people, for the people, the land and our future? Once elected, one of the first duties of the Board (over 18-24 months) would be to consult locally to understand what locals want from their park. This would form the basis from which a National Park Plan is written before being authorised by the Minister, after which all Governments advisors and bodies are required to help deliver that plan. The extent to which local opinion influences the Plan I am yet to determine. I am having to seriously ask myself if the additional funding for a national park would benefit the long term sustainability of our communities. As an example, the Cairngorms National Park has a budget of £16.2 million for 2024, of which 41% is for staff costs (Cairngorms total budget is for 2024 is nearer £28 million according to one report). To give this local context, over five years the Galloway Glens Park. These must be contrasted with what happens within our communities if we do not. developing voluntary partnership approaches for the greater benefit of all? Before I decide which is better (not just for my own interests but for those of the wider community), it would be useful to know whether a Galloway National Park would be… • A park that thinks towards the future and not just today or yesterday? • A park run by and with local people, supported by experts in their various fields? • A park that improves the potential of real job opportunities and training, allowing our young to remain in, and return to, our amazing local area? • A park that can protect against house inflation, help deliver for known housing shortages and protect against ‘second home syndrome’? • A park that delivers a yearround sustainable tourism strategy, with infrastructure, services and management in place from day one to protect and enhance our unique local environments? • A park without ‘ivory towers’, where the staff are embedded in, and part of, the community? ...right now I am neither yes or no, but asking “what” and “how”? On how a National Park is run, the Act of Parliament states a minimum 20% of Board members must be locally elected, Landscape Partnership delivered some 40 community led projects on £1 million a year. I hear some saying that the money should be given to existing entities, and to this I simply ask if this is possible, how, who is looking into this and why hasn’t this already happened? I want to hear these alternatives as I am sure others do. I know that there will be costs, compromises and consequences if we get a transport? • A park with a truly sustainable transport policy, focussed towards public and low carbon • A park that recognises local uniqueness, for both land and sea? • A park that incentivises new thinking and innovation, without being afraid to fail? • A park with soft borders and sensible buffer zones? • A park that recognises all elements of our landscape, The formal consultation on the National Park starts in November and continues until January 2025. I look forward to finding answers in the coming months that will allow me to decide one way or the other. As such, right now I am neither yes or no, but asking “what” and “how”? I am hoping to arrange an open meeting with Grant Moir, chief executive of the Cairngorms National Park, on 20 November. If any readers have questions they would like me to ask, please email them to me at tedleeming@ me.com and I will try to include them. Or please feel free to come along. Ted Leeming, Dalry resident Don't take anyone else's word for it - do your own research. Here are few pointers to get you started: Galloway National Park information hub and consultation portal run by Nature Scot - www. newnationalparkgalloway. commonplace.is A new report has just been published looking at the socioeconomic benefits of NPs for Scotland through asessment of the two existing NPs, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs and the Cairngorms, over the last two decades - this can be found at www.scotlink.org Scottish Government info on National Parks - www.gov. scot/policies/landscape-andoutdoor-access/national-parks The Glenkens Gazette, Glenkens Hub and Glenkens Community & Arts Trust do not have a view for or against the National Park proposal. We are, however, committed to helping our communities find the information they need to make up their own mind. To support this, we host an information page on the Hub and will be publishing articles in the Gazette periodically. If you have any questions about the proposal do get in touch and we will see if we can find the right people for an answer! Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 22 New Galloway community larder launch ' From the community, for the community,’ is Local Initiatives in New Galloway’s (LING) focus on helping reduce food waste and make healthy food more accessible. At the community larder launch, visitors were introduced to the community freezer, filled with freshly cooked takeaways of soups, mains, breads, puddings and cakes. People were also shown the larder shelves stocked with dried food donations and homemade jams, chutneys, etc. As intended, most people did not leave empty-handed! The community larder is open for anyone to pop in, browse and help themselves on Mondays from 9-11.30am, Tuesdays from 11am-3pm, and Thursdays from 9am-6pm. Everything is free, but of course donations are always welcome. The idea of the larder grew out of the initial concept of offering a warm space with some tea, cake and a chance to socialise. Since last September, our hub hosts have been creating sit-in lunches and tea-time takeaways, making use of food donations and some low-budget staples. Recipes demonstrating how meals can be made from surplus or foraged food are available in the larder. People drop in on Thursdays to ‘Hubbub’, as it has come to be known, sometimes bringing a donation, and often stay around for a chat over coffee or to share some lunch. The larder was the next step, bringing it all together. We are using food, not only from individual donations of unwanted cupboard staples, etc, but also donations from New Galloway Community Shop, local businesses like Galloway Pasta, the Ethical Dairy, the Galloway Food Hub and even the Castle Douglas Food Bank. Our own Garroch Estate Walled Garden project also offers a source of donations of fruit and vegetables at times of plenty and growers there are keen to support the community larder. Things have already begun evolving beyond the larder to the creation of essentially a sharing hub that goes beyond food. A popular feature at Hubbub is the sharing table, where you bring any unwanted items for others to take away, and in turn take what you like from what others have brought. We’ve had all kinds of things, from children’s toys to a microwave oven. Visitors can also take, borrow, share or swap a book from the bookshelves in the lesser hall, which are stocked up with a large variety of books – always fun to browse and already being used regularly. The Town Hall is also a Period Dignity Building, with a range of free period products available. We are always looking for donations or ideas for sharing in whatever form possible - be it your time to help out, unwanted food or other items or even a monetary donation. Every little helps to make this project a lasting one - for everyone. Support from D&G Council has enabled our Hub Hosts to gradually put in place all that has been needed to open up the doors of the community larder. Thanks to a very successful book sale and coffee morning in January, with a generously supported raffle, we were able to buy our community freezer. This fundraiser was made possible entirely through volunteer input; volunteers have been a very important part of what has helped this project to grow and to thrive. A small grant from the council’s Climate Hub fund, administered by the Biosphere, will be enabling us to begin an outdoor venture. We plan to make a small-scale and resources into one place. It includes links to the official consultation being carried out by NatureScot - www.glenkens.scot/ galloway-national-park-proposal. W Crossmichael Community web pages e've made a few new additions to the website to help readers keep up-to-date with what's going on in our communities. the news to help readers keep up with developments in local education. At the bottom of the page there is also a resource section for extra-curricular activities, life-long learning, courses and jobs - www. glenkens.scot/education-andlearning. Education & Learning page To help promote discussion about the new National Park proposal, we've set up a new page to help gather information As well as details of our local schools, the page now includes education reports, current consultations, and education in Galloway National Park page We're delighted to have been able to provide a new home for Crossmichael community's web site - www.glenkens.scot/ Crossmichael. Please get in touch if you'd like to add to your community's general information page (www.glenkens.scot/ glenkens-communities) or to create further pages for your community as Crossmichael have done. Community Spaces Google Calendars If you've set up a Google contribution to New Galloway’s outdoor spaces, adding to the work that has already been done by others. At the crossroads, there are already flowers and a plant table. There are raised herb beds. There is a walled-off patch of grass, owned and mown regularly by the council, at the foot of Wylie’s Brae. Our plan is to develop these as attractive community spaces, improving biodiversity. We are again very lucky for so many donations - of seeds, cuttings, plants, and of course of skills too. In particular, we will be working to engage children and young people in this, enriching their understanding of the importance of holding onto traditional methods of growing, harvesting, and feeding ourselves. So why not join the revolution! Help us, help your community, and help the climate by reducing food waste. Through using food that would otherwise end up in land-fill to sustain our communities, both in body and soul, seems like a perfect solution for these trying times when the cost of living is rising ever higher. So let's share - our time, our resources, our skills; the more people who make use of the larder, and whatever else is on offer, the more successful the project will be. And the more our community will thrive. If you would like to know more or get involved please email info@ling.org.uk Ann Glaister Calendar to help with booking your village/town community space, we can include this in your page on the Hub. Have a look at Glenkens Community Centre and Parton Village Hall's pages - www. glenkens.scot/community-spaces Hosting Community Council Minutes Glenkens Community Councils are very welcome to distribute their meeting minutes and agenda via the Glenkens Hub. We'll add the minutes to your Community Council page, and add the agenda to the meeting's calendar entry. Please get in touch if you'd like to know more about any of the above at glenkenshub@hotmail. com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Afternoon tea anyone? B almaclellan Village Hall comes alive with events like our afternoon tea. This event has become a cherished tradition, bringing together residents and visitors alike for an afternoon of socialising, delicious treats, and a taste of local hospitality. This modest yet well-loved venue serves as the focal point for many community events. The hall is a cozy haven where locals and visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the simple pleasures of good company and homemade food. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with tables adorned with white tablecloths and vases filled with freshly picked flowers from our wonderfully kept garden. The village hall is renowned for its spread of homemade goodies, lovingly prepared by local bakers. The selection typically includes an array of sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and a variety of cakes that would rival any professional spread. The scones, in particular, are a highlight; still warm from the oven, and accompanied by generous dollops of cream and jam, they are a favourite among attendees. The cakes, ranging from light Victoria sponges to rich chocolate, are not only delicious but also beautifully presented, showcasing the bakers' attention to detail and passion for their craft. A community affair is what sets the Balmaclellan Village Hall page 23 afternoon tea apart - a sense of community that pervades the event. It is not just about the food - it is about the people. The event is organised and run entirely by volunteers, many of whom have been involved for years. Their dedication is evident in every aspect of the afternoon, from the careful planning to the warm service provided to guests. The afternoon tea is also an opportunity for the community to come together and to do some fundraising, with the proceeds going towards the upkeep of the village hall. This adds a sense of purpose to the gathering, reminding everyone of the importance of contributing to the collective wellbeing of the village. A tradition worth preserving In an age where modern life often feels rushed and impersonal, the Balmaclellan Village Hall afternoon tea stands as a testament to the enduring value of community and tradition. It is a celebration of the simple joys of life - good food, good company, and the pleasure of being part of a fantastic community. Afternoon tea is held on the first Tuesday of the month - please call to book a place 07828 185 289. Jackie Wells Alternative Games tombola Name the A s in past years, the St Margaret’s Guild held a tombola stall at the Scottish Alternative Games in New Galloway in August. This year the Guild voted to send any money raised to the CatStrand Young Creatives programme – this includes a wide variety of activities that are offered to young people, such as art, drama, dance, singing or music lessons for piano, violin, ukulele or guitar. The weather on the day looked less than promising but luckily the rain held off for most of the afternoon and the park was packed with people, locals and visitors alike. Despite the attractions of gird 'n' cleek, snail racing and the tractor pull, we were mobbed people really do love a tombola! Several people came round again and again, and it was non-stop until the prizes ran out. The best moment was when a little girl, who had set her heart What's the story? W ell we can’t quite offer you Oasis in New Galloway but we ‘definitely maybe’ have the next best thing. Do you play an instrument but struggle to find a Noel or Liam to share your passion? Why not give the Glenkens Ukulele Group a try! If you play (or would like to play) ukulele, that’s great, but we would also welcome a bit of guitar, harmonica, percussion or anyone who can sing. We’re a mixed bunch of ages and musical influences and we don’t take ourselves too seriously, so as the autumn comes around, why not join us; ‘some might say’ you’ll even enjoy it! on a Paddington bear she had spotted on the stall, won it with the first ticket her mother bought – the joy on her face was wonderful. Many thanks to everyone for their generosity in donating the large and varied selection of prizes. We are delighted to report that £250 was raised for the CatStrand Young Creatives. Linda and Nicolette, St Margaret’s Guild See article on front page for more on the Alternative Games... It’s fine just to rock up to New Galloway Town Hall on a Wednesday evening from 6.308pm, or you can get in touch on jason.wilding@gmail.com or 07969 379 762 Also if you’re a passing musician, whether camping nearby or on a world tour feel free to ‘be here now’ and drop in for a jam. Jason Wilding place (from page 4) Site Name - Whether Hill Wind Farm Location - Between Carsphairn and Moniaive Description - Whether Hill was the second commercial wind farm in the Glenkens after Windy Standard, its neighbour to the northwest. Windy Standard was the first wind farm to receive planning consent in Scotland, ahead of Hagshaw Hill in Lanarkshire, which was the first to be constructed way back in 1995. Consisting of 14 turbines and with an installed capacity of 18.2MW, the Whether Hill site has been operational since 2007 and is owned by Scottish Power. Interesting fact - In 2022, 78% of Scotland's electricity came from wind energy (the figure was zero in 1995), with 113% from combined renewables including hydro, making the country a net exporter of renewable energy. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory The Reverend James Mather page 24 I n previous editions of the Gazette readers might remember our feature on the three headstones in Dalry Kirkyard. Articles spoke about how the Carson headstone was restored by relatives from Tasmania, and the latest, on the Reverend James Mather (located opposite the entrance to the Kirk), describing how ancestors got involved after the Gazette article and have generously contributed to its repair. The final stage for the Rev Mathers headstone is that it is being cleaned later this month, and there will be a follow-up story on this in the next edition of the Gazette. I n March 2024 my husband Stanley and I visited the grave of the Reverend James Mather, the great-great uncle of my husband, brother of his great grandfather William, in Dalry kirkyard. At that point we had no idea that a benefactor was making efforts to have the now unstable headstone preserved. My husband last saw it in 2011 whilst walking the Southern Upland Way. We mentioned our visit to friends who were holidaying with us in Gatehouse of Fleet at the time. On a more recent visit they saw a copy of the Glenkens Gazette and pointed out the article on the Dalry kirkyard headstone repairs to us. We are so pleased to read about the repairs and will be visiting in early October to see the finished work. James Mather was born in Eaglesham, Renfrewshire, in 1839, the eldest of six children of William Mather, a farmer, and his wife Marion Carswell. He was ordained at Langbank in 1867 and shortly afterwards he married his first cousin, Henrietta Monteith Mather. They had two sons and two daughters, but sadly the girls had intellectual disabilities, probably inherited. The death of Henrietta, in 1877, left him with four young children to raise and he left the ministry in 1882 and moved to Lasswade for their education. His mother Marion, by now a widow, came to live with her son until her death aged 94 in 1902. In 1885 James re-entered the ministry and was called to St John's Town of Dalry. He was the minister of St John's United Presbyterian Church, later the United Free Church, of Dalry for 22 years from 1885 to 1907. farming with his uncle. The boy, William, fell through the ice and disappeared; father William fell into the same hole trying to rescue him and then James also fell in a few yards away trying to help them both. James struggled desperately for some time and rescuers tried to help him, but all three drowned. William's wife had three young children and was pregnant at the time. The baby, who was born four weeks later, was my husband's grandfather, also named William. Six months later the Reverend James married his housekeeper, Agnes Nivison, but five years on she died of a brain tumour, leaving him with his two disabled daughters and his elderly mother. At some point his elder son William went to farm in Alberta, Canada. Less than two years later tragedy struck. On Christmas eve 1887 there was an ice-skating accident on a reservoir near his brother William's farm in Ayrshire. William had bought skates for his 11-year-old son William and for the Rev James's 18-year-old son James, who was learning The Reverend James was very active, enjoying walking and climbing. An intrepid traveller, climbing Mont Blanc without a guide, cruising to Norway with three friends, touring Europe and visiting the USA and Canada for five months, where he climbed in the Rockies. He also violence, military occupation and persecution. Tickets are available online at www.gcat.scot or by calling 01644 420 374. walked the whole coast of Arran, 63 miles, in 20 hours. He loved the countryside and wrote two volumes of poems, many of which extolled its beauties. Other poems described his travels, his friends and acquaintances, his horses and so on. They make interesting reading as an insight into his life, but I would not describe them as great poetry. The new church in Dalry was completed in 1901, free of debt. He was well thought of in the parish and was presented with several generous gifts on his retirement to Castle Douglas in June 1907, but he only survived another nine months, dying of heart failure on 1 March 1908. After that his two daughters moved to the care of the Crichton Royal Institution in Dumfries, where Henrietta died in 1922 and Marion in 1935. Margaret Franklin Persecution, families and feuds T he Glenkens in Covenanting times – persecution, families and feuds is the subject of the next Glenkens Story event on Saturday 30 November. The Glenkens were at the heart of the 17th century conflict between supporters of the Crown and Covenanters battling for religious freedom when the people endured decades of Following publication of his book The Covenanters of the Glenkens last year, the Rev Dr David Bartholomew has continued to research the subject, focusing on the people and families involved. In his talk he will describe the impact of the conflict on the people of both sides, on those who changed sides, and the feuds which festered on for generations between and within families. The talk will be held at the CatStrand, New Galloway, at 3pm on Saturday 30 November. There is also a Glenkens Story event on 9 November, titled The Woodlands of Galloway. In a full-day event we hope to explore how our woodlands have developed and how humans have related to them and used them - and how we may want to see them in future. Mike Brown The covenanter memorial in Dalry Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEads page 25 Firewood logs & Wood Products for Sale From Carsphairn Community Woodland A range of products are available from our community sawmill Contact us with your requirements ï Free local delivery ï Freiya, from Carsphairn, sent in this snap of her cat Butterbean who just can't wait to get her paws on the latest issue when it comes through the door... Enquiries to: Tel: 07710 124 255 Carsphairn Community Woodland Limited is commi�ed to acquiring, developing and managing local woodlands in a sustainable and environmentally sound way for the long-term benefit of the local community. 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The idea was to turn the games into photography games, asking residents of Dundeugh to participate. Dundeugh is a small community set in the forest of the Glenkens with just fourteen houses, built a number of years ago to house Forestry Commission workers. I have been carrying out research for two years on the rise and fall of rural communities. One of the key areas I focussed on was looking at ways to unite residents, creating a sense of community, in small villages and scattered communities where residents must, often unwillingly, face change due to cutbacks and how this can affect the people that reside in that area. The age range of the participants in the art project was between 60 and 70 years, which is where rural isolation can have a significant impact on people's mental wellbeing. Dundeugh residents involved were Anne Dobbing, Margaret Anderson, Andrew Johnston and Mora Macbeth; as a collective they are The Dundeugh Artists. I decided that it was important to undertake the project as a group, to bring people together outside, and connect humans and the environment. Working alongside each other, outdoors, using the materials that nature has to offer us in these beautiful surroundings was key to the outcomes. With the connection of rural life and the environment, it was important to include a video, which was created by Kaelan Johnston, a Dundeughbased film student of a slightly younger demographic. Kaelan's film looked at rural sustainability, linking to our project, and this was shown alongside the artworks at an exhibition at the CatStrand in New Galloway. This video included interviews with local artist and historian, Robin Ade; local farmer and estate worker, Joe Wray; and local student and pasta maker, Sophie Tulloch. Showing the interviews with local people alongside the art created a tangible connection Dundeugh Community Artists, left to right, Anne Dobbing, Margaret Anderson, Andrew Johnston and Mora Macbeth between people and place. If you would like to view Kaelan's film, you can find it at www.tinyurl.com/ ruralsustainability. I would like to thank CatStrand and their team for making the project possible by displaying the final results and hosting the local artist workshops. Without their help, we would not have had the chance to showcase the The Mossdale painters E very Wednesday morning, a lively group of folk arrive at Mossdale Village Hall, get themselves a mug of coffee, and chat amiably as they sort out the various materials they will be using over the next couple of hours. producing art, in its many and various forms. There's some who love watercolour, some who prefer pastels, or inks, textures as well as colours. Every person is encouraged, regardless of experience, and there's always someone around the table willing to offer tips, if asked. The emphasis is not necessarily on producing perfect 'works of art', but rather on enjoying the opportunity to experiment, to play, to have fun. And we do. They are folk from all over the Glenkens, with different backgrounds, and a fair range of ages. We welcome additions to the group, whether they have been painting for years, or have never picked up a paintbrush - the ability to draw is not necessary, as the The one thing they all have in common is a love of wealth of ideas, materials, and techniques will give everyone the opportunity to express themselves. If you're intrigued, or even just mildly curious, please feel free to drop in for a coffee and chat, and see what kind of things we do. Our new 'term' begins Wednesday 11th September, and runs until 11 December. You'll be very welcome. If you don’t have transport, a lift may be possible. For further details contact Carol Salsbury at mothermalarky@hotmail. co.uk or 07785 277 708. group's work to the public, which was a key part, offering a real sense of worth to the work as the artists gained a huge amount from seeing and hearing about people's reaction to the works. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase art by people who have never before had the chance to express themselves through this medium, and it was a real success. Vanessa Johnston BA(Hons) Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 28 CatStrand Young Creatives 2024 T he CatStrand Young Creatives summer programme recently concluded, leaving a trail of inspiration and creative energy in its wake. The programme, designed to engage and nurture young talents in various artistic disciplines by providing fun and engaging activities, proved a real hit with our Glenkens young people. The workshops catered to a diverse range of interests and age groups. For the under-12s, activities included sessions on storytelling, drama, flower pressing, eco art, needle felting, dance and animation. Meanwhile, older young people delved into more specialised workshops such as music technology, where they learned to use industrystandard equipment like Logic Pro to produce their own tracks from scratch. There were also painting and textile workshops designed to give them new skills and confidence in different art mediums. One of the highlights of the programme was a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We watched the musical Legally Blonde and immersed ourselves in the vibrant festival atmosphere. Despite some unfavorable weather conditions, the experience was memorable for all involved. Noteworthy success stories emerged from the programme, including the collaboration with young musician Josh White, a talented singer and songwriter, and a five-piece band RHELM. Through the Young Creatives ‘Stranded Cat’ project, they worked alongside professional artist and tutor to develop their music, culminating in plans to record their debut album in the studio in the coming months. The programme bid farewell to Fiona Edgar as she heads of to University in September. Fiona has been a fantastic intern who contributed significantly to the Youth Music Initiative project. She will be missed but we wish her all the best. Ella Campbell will be the next intern – welcome Ella! The CatStrand Young Creatives 2024 summer programme not only offered a platform for budding talents to thrive but also facilitated valuable experiences and connections that will resonate with participants for years to come. Thanks as ever to our funders, The Holywood Trust and Creative Scotland for their support, and here’s to next summer! Catherine Corfield, CatStrand Young Creatives Project Lead Glenkens Jazz Weekend J azz is back! And not just in the Glenkens, either. With the 2023 Mercury Music Prize going to jazz ensemble Ezra Collective, and Dumfries boy, Liam Shortall, being nominated for the 2024 Mercury Music prize for his group corto.alto, jazz is well and truly on the comeback trail. The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow "explores jazz in the broadest possible terms", and so it proved at the 2024 Dark Skies Jazz Weekender, held at the CatStrand, where several of its alumni performed to appreciative audiences. Friday night saw the visit of the five-piece, Modern Vikings. Led by composer and drummer Stephen Henderson, and featuring Jazz royalty Fergus McCreadie on piano, and Konrad Wisziewski on saxophone, Modern Vikings played with a sensuous commitment to melody, together with the added urgency of grooves redolent of the American jazz tradition. The sheer volume of sheet music everywhere, especially on Fergus McCreaddie's piano, was testament to just how hard these guys work at their craft. Their new album, Tales of the Scald, is a must-listen. Saturday was party night, as Glasgow singer Kitti came to the CatSrand. Winner of the 2020 and 2022 Scottish Jazz Awards Best Vocalist, Kitti put on Composer and drummer Stephen Henderson with a fulsome The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow display of her vocal dexterity, vibraphonist Miro Herak, from through a range of jazz, soul and Slovakia, but now resident in RnB bangers, nearly all penned The Hague, Netherlands. This by herself. The unerring ability trio tour the globe, matching to sound like Janis Joplin and up with local rhythm sections then Aretha Franklin in the same in each locality, to unearth new breath, never mind the same sonic pleasures. Their ability to song, had the crowd roaring for take simple melodies, twist and more. Kitti and her band built warp them out of shape before to a stunning encore, saving the bringing them all back together best of the show right at the again, was simply magical. end, leaving the audience utterly My guests from London, both thrilled. committed classical music Sunday night saw innovative and buffs, were dragged along to talented globetrotters, Atlantic each evening, but thanked Road Trip. A trio from Scotland, me for doing so.afterwards! Chicago and The Hague, they "I had no idea music could consist of Scottish composer be so interesting in so many and saxophone player Paul different ways", was the agreed Towndrow, a member of verdict, as the curtain came Scotland’s flagship jazz down on another stunning orchestra, the Scotland National and successful Dark Skies Jazz Jazz Orchestra, Trumpeter Chad Weekender. McCullough from Chicago, and Anthony Bird GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 29 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers through some of his favourite books. In this edition, however, Robin discusses a little of his current work with the newly-created ISIS Prisons Museum... I n 2017, as soon as ISIS retreated from its positions in Syria and Iraq, a small group of local journalists entered all the buildings which the organisation had used as prisons. They were looking for their colleagues who, like tens of thousands of other people, had disappeared into these dark sites. They never found them, but they did find over 70,000 documents. And the buildings themselves were documents leaving clues as to the fates of the missing, not least because prisoners had sometimes scratched their names on the walls. ISIS had repurposed every conceivable kind of building as a prison: family homes, churches, a secondary school, a gym, a shopping centre, a sports stadium. When the team explored these structures, they found some bomb-damaged and at risk of collapse. Others were being reclaimed by their owners, and restored. The buildings provided evidence of crimes committed, and this evidence was about to disappear. So the team filmed every inch of every room. Then it tracked down survivors of these prisons, and filmed hundreds of hours of interviews. These included ‘security’ prisoners, people ISIS considered a military or political threat. But many other people who had nothing to do with politics or fighting were detained and tortured for their personal behavior – for smoking cigarettes, for example, or wearing tight trousers. Based on the 360 degree photography and the witness interviews, the journalists built virtual 3D tours of every prison. These are crime scene reconstructions to be used in war crimes trials, and also by the general public. On October 11th they will be available for view on the internet. Look up the ISIS Prisons Museum after that launch date. The website will publish special investigations too. These cover topics ranging from the ISIS massacre of the Shaitat tribe, and its genocide of the Yazidis, to the destruction of Old Mosul’s David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP architectural heritage. And the IPM is gathering a library of accounts written by former detainees in a variety of prison systems, from Moscow to Guantanamo Bay. Because ISIS didn’t arrive from nowhere. Its terror came as part of a cycle of oppression and social breakdown in the region and globally. Its surveillance, detention and torture techniques are intimately linked to those of the Baathist regimes in Syria and Iraq, and even to American prisons like Abu Ghraib. Specific forms of abuse can be traced back from ISIS to Assad to the East German Stasi to the Nazis… These horrors cross ideological borders very easily. I’m the chief English editor of the project. That’s why I keep writing here that my work reading is grim. I edit traumatic texts, and read reports of abuse, and write to bring darkness to light. And as background I read endless books about ISIS specifically and prisons in general. Including recently Foucault’s Discipline and Punish (more readable and less academic than expected) and Tahir Hamut Izgil’s Waiting to be Arrested at Night: A Uyghur Poet’s Memoir of China’s Genocide. But I’m going to line up some comical, light-hearted books to balance things out, I swear… Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Glenkens Gazette EST. 2007 GAZETTEarts page 30 CatStrand AUTUMN JOHN MCCUSKER TRIO “ONE OF THE UK’S MOST GIFTED AND VERSATILE MUSICIANS IN ANY GENRE” - THE GUARDIAN SIMON THOUMIRE AND DAVE MILLIGAN A MIXTURE OF REELS, JIGS, STRATHSPEYS AND AIRS MAINLY FROM THE SCOTTISH TRADITION. KRIS DREVER DREVER’S SOUND IS ROOTED IN THE EARTHY AND HYPNOTIC RHYTHMS OF MUCH OLDER MUSIC. HELD ON THE HIGH WIRE BALANCING URGENCY, REFLECTION, HUMOUR AND WONDER WITH MYSHKIN'S HAUNTING FOLK/JAZZ MUSIC. ROB HERON & THE TEA PAD ORCHESTRA TRAMPLING OVER GENRE BOUNDARIES INCLUDING ROCKABILLY, BLUES, COUNTRY, SWING AND SOUL. High St, New Galloway 01644 420 374 GCAT.SCOT Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 31 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Graham West 01644 430 503 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 • Parton: Tom 07835821976 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Balmaclellan: Oct 6, Nov 3, Dec 1 - 11am Carsphairn: Oct 13, Harvest Festival & Lunch, 11am. Nov 10, Remembrance Sunday, 10.30am, Dalry 12 noon Kells: Oct 20, Nov 17 - 11am Dalry: Oct 27, Nov 24 - 11am. Nov 10, Remembrance Sunday, 12noonRemembrance Sunday, 10 Nov: joint service with St Margaret's Church - see right For further information contact Rev Pam Bellis on 07751 379 249 or pam@bellisconsultancy.co.uk SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP The Revd Dawn Matthew Sundays at 10.30am: Holy Communion with refreshments after the service Tuesdays from 10am-12noon and Thursdays from 2-4pm: the church will be open for visitors or private prayer. Look for the ‘church is open’ sign on the road outside. Thursdays from 7.30-8pm: evening prayers via Zoom shared with our sister church, All Saints' Challoch. Please contact Dawn for the link Remembrance Sunday, 10 November: joint service with Church of Scotland, 10.55am at the New Galloway War Memorial followed service at St Margaret's Church. For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 32 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Advanced Massage Practitioner (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 33 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation WHAT'S ON page 34 October/November OCTOBER Tue 1, Cooking for Health & Wellbeing (runs every Tue), 6.30-8pm, Glenkens Community Centre Wed 2, LKT Ranger Group meeting, 6.308.30pm, The Crannog, Lochside Park, Castle Douglas Wed 2, GSA Biosphere Sense of Place workshop, 6.30-8pm, New Galloway (NG) Town Hall Thu 3, UP: Visible Fictions, 7.30-9pm, CatStrand Fri 4, Galloway SangStreams, 7.30-9.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 4, Kells School coffee morning, NG Town Hall Sat 5, Café Bridge, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 5, CCW Volunteer Day, 10am-3pm, Muirdrochwood, Carsphairn Mon 7, Coffee Morning, 10.30am-12noon, Parton Village Hall Wed 9, Dalry Film Club: Napoleon (Cert 15), 8-10pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 10, Batsűkh Dorj - Workshop, 2pm, CatStrand Thu 10, Batsükh Dorj & Johanni Curtet, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 11, LING AGM , 7– 7.30pm, NG Town Hall Fri 11, Cheese & Wine, 7.30–10pm, NG Town Hall Sat 12, GCT excursion: Dawick Botanic Gardens, see p33 Sat 12, Bob’s Bingo, 4–5.30pm, NG Town Hall Sat 12, Glenkens Producers' Market, 10am1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 12, Lady Maisery, 7.30-9pm, CatStrand Sun 13, Glenkens Churches Harvest Lunch, 11am, Carsphairn Parish Church then Lagwyne Hall, see p6 Mon 14, Dalry Town Hall Management Meetin, 7-9pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 17, Carsphairn SWI: Hands-on Crafting, 7.30pm, Lagwyne Hall Fri 18, Six-five Special, 7.30-10.30pm, NG Town Hall Sat 19, Glenkens Crafters Stash Busting Sale, 10am-2.30pm, Balmaclellan Hall Sat 19, John McCusker Trio, 7.30-9pm, CatStrand Fri 15, 70s/80s Half 'n' Half DISCO, 7.30-10pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 26, Simon Thoumire & Dave Milligan7.309pm, CatStrand Oct 26, Pop-up Pub, 7pm, Balmaclellan Hall Wed 30, Dalry Film Club: Poor Things, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 30, FoDS Kids Halloween Party, Dalry location tbc NOVEMBER Fri 1, Botanical Casting Workshop, 6-9pm, £55, Balmaclellan Hall Sat 2, CCW Volunteer Day, 10am-3pm, Muirdrochwood, Carsphairn Sat 2, Bairn Banter Halloween Party, 1011.45am, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Mon 4, Galloway Glens legacy scheme applications closes, see p15 Nov 5, Afternoon Tea, Balmaclellan Hall, see p23 Tue 5, Kris Drever, 7.30-9pm, CatStrand Thu 7, LT Lief, 7.30-9pm, CatStrand Sat 9, Glenkens Producers' Market , 10am1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 9, Exploring Land Use Change Workshop, 2-5pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 9, Exploring Land Use Change Talk, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 9, Sew Special Saturday, book ahead julia.higgins55@outlook.com Sat 9, Glenkens Story: The Woodlands of Galloway, CatStrand Mon 11, Dalry Town Hall Management Meeting, 7-9pm, Dalry Town Hall Tue 12, Loch Ken Trust AGM, 7pm, The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Thu 14, Anthony Fidler: Heart Touch Workshop, The Smiddy, Balmaclellan, £90, email to book – lucy@lothlorien.tc Thu 14, Family History & Heritage, 7-9pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Fri 15, Rebecca Carson & Anne Chaurand: Flute & Guitar Recital, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 16, Bob’s Bingo, 4–5.30pm, NG Town Hall Sat 16, Evie Ladin & Sophie Wellington, 7.30pm, CatStrand Tue 19, Men’s Shed Open Day , 10am- 1pm, Glenkens Men’s Shed, Balmaclellan, see p5 Wed 20, Dalry Film Club: Dune Part 2, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 21, Carsphairn SWI: Wreath Making, 7.30pm, Lagwyne Hall Sat 23, Risto’s Pop-up Restaurant – A Finnish Smorgasbord Feast, NG Town Hall Sat 23, Book Week Scotland - New Scots: Old and New Connections, 1pm, CatStrand Sun 24, Held on the High Wire, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 24 & Sat 30 Nov & Sun 1 Dec, Make Your Own Christmas Wreath Workshop, Galloway Flowers, Balmaclellan, 01644 420 407 Sun 24, Wreaths & Rushes workshop, 11am3pm, Corsock Village Hall Sat 30, The Glenkens Story: The Glenkens in Covenanting times – persecution, families and feuds, 3pm, CatStrand Sat 30, Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 30, Yuletide Fair, Balmaclellan Village Hall Sat 30, St Andrew’s Day ‘The Motte’ pop-up pub, Balmaclellan Village Hall Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact richardandjane@phonecoop.coop or 01556 670 691 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 35 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Exercise Class, Tue, 6-7pm Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3pm Zumba, Fri, 6.30-7.30pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am-12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; Oct-Mar, 2.30pm) Soup & Sandwich, Sat, 12noon-2pm, OctMar Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, Wedn & Fri, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making - Mon, 7-9pm Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@ gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10am CatStrand, New Galloway Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat biweekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.30am Musical Misfits, Sat, bi-weekly, 10am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10 yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16 yrs) Art Explorers, Sat, 10.30am-1.15pm, fortnightly New Galloway Town Hall Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Dance for Wellbeing (adults), Mon 2.303.30pm Modern Dance (children), 4-5pm LING Lunches, Tue, 12.30–2pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30-8pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–5.30pm, drop-in Martial Arts, Thu, 7.30-9pm Babies & Toddlers, Fri, 10-11am For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Clachan Crafters, Thu, 2pm, 07500 861 041 Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet.com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play With Your Child, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Fb Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Song Share, 1st Fri each month, 7.3010.30pm Mossdale Village Hall Mossdale Painters, Wed, 9.30-11.30am Yoga, Fri, 2.15pm Soup Saturday, last Sat each month, 1-3pm Various Bumps, Babies & Beyond, every 2nd Mon, 10.30am, Kirkpatriack Durham Village Hall Strictly Get Dancing, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton, Mon, 7pm Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed 2-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Crossmichael Church Hall, Thu, 1-3pm Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre, Parton Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona Ramsay on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 Baby & Toddler Group, Thu, 9.3011.30am, Balmaghie Public Hall, Laurieston Crossmichael Youth Club, Fri, Crossmichael Memorial Hall Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm Tue 6-8pm Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Main St, Dalry, Tel: 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book in the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 36 Dung Beetles Won't Vote For You Dear Politicians I need your help. This is an emergency. Please listen to my concerns and take action. That’s what you’re employed to do. To whom else can I turn? I want you to represent me. I want you to represent every constituent you have, including the ones who arrived yesterday after their dangerous and terrible journeys. In fact listen to them the most. They know what it’s already like out there - what it’s going to be like here if no one acts. Ask them what they went through after their village had no more water. Ask them what it was like when their crops failed and their flocks starved. Ask what it’s like to live in a world where there’s no more food. Ask how it was when fires or floods swept away their homes. Ask them how they started walking, who they carried, and who died along the way. Ask who violated them and tried to kill them on their journey. Ask them a lot about the bombs, the raiding parties. Find out what the soldiers did. These are your constituents. They can tell you where we’re headed. you’ll get more simple honest answers from them than you will from all your colleagues in the corridors of wealth. I live in a country, which you represent, whose fertile land is being sold off to foreign investors as part of a carbon-offset hoax. Why are you allowing this to happen even as our climate inexorably changes? How can we adapt in time if you don’t do anything? In your constituencies ordinary people can’t find a home to live in, local schools for their children, or get work that is crying out to be done. As people leave the land generations of knowledge leaves with them. What are we going to eat when global markets collapse? This is an emergency. Who will lead us through it, if not you? I’m writing on behalf of those who have no voices that you can hear: the ones who are wholly innocent, who have never colluded with any of humanity’s disastrous mistakes. I’m speaking of all the other living beings who live here too. How many species inhabit your constituencies, do you think? They were here long before you. Trillions? Zillions - you haven’t even heeded the ones creating the soil under your feet right now. We can’t live for a day without them - how can you possibly ignore your responsibility to care for them? I’m asking you to think about the children. They’ll be here long after you’ve gone, if they survive the coming times. Ask them what kind of world they want. Would they like to have food, water, shelter? Would they like to find a living here? Would they even like to learn and grow in peace? I think Dung beetles won’t vote for you; bees won’t promote you; worms won’t donate to your party funds, but without them, we’re dead. Yours truly a concerned citizen MNE Photo of the Issue Sponsored by This issue’s winner is Joe Ade with this late summer shot of 'tiny hammocks'. Joe wins two portions of mac 'n' cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "Since we're on holiday at the moment, the thought of lazing in the sun in a hammock really appealed...I hope those spiders are soaking up some much needed sunshine!" To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com DEC/JAN COPY DEADLINE: 5 NOV The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. 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For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document December 2024/Janary 2025 ISSUE 145 Dalry featured on seasonal special of BBC Landward S ome may have spotted Dalry librarian, Angela Miller, on TV when she featured on a Halloween special of the BBC Landward programme. FREE INSIDE THIS ISSUE Gazette joins Indie News Forum in Glasgow The topic was the local Glenkens story of Adam Forrester and Lucky Hare, and how this tale was likely the inspiration behind Robert Burns' famous poem, Tam o’ Shanter. ...turn to p3 Angela hosts the YouTube channel Galloway Retold, and had been contacted by the TV show as a result of their team having seen her video 'St John's Town of Dalry and the Witches Sabbat'. Pictured is Angela Miller with Landward presenter Dougie Vipond by Dalry kirkyard © BBC Continued in the History section on p25... Wright's shop awarded best independent retailer in Galloway A new era for the Glenkens Medical Practice ...turn to p7 C ongratulations go to Bill and Val from Wright’s grocery shop in Dalry as winners of the Best Independent Retailer of the Year at the Dumfries & Galloway Life Awards 2024. "When we were first nominated, we were really pleased," said Val. "But we didn’t think we would win. It feels great to have that recognition from our customers; that they notice and appreciate what we do to provide a service for everyone." Bill added: "When we bought the village shop and moved here two-and-a-half years ago, we had no idea what lay ahead. We wanted a better life and innocently thought that owning a business like this would be straightforward! Val, Bill and Tibo at Wright's shop proudly display their D&G Life award for Best Independent Retailer "Little did we know how much hard work it takes to keep a shop like this going. We’ll never get rich doing this job and we haven’t had a holiday in all the time we’ve been here, but we love making a difference and helping people." Continued on p7... Moving forward with Glenkens education ...turn to p9 Readers' thoughts on the proposed Galloway National Park ...turn to p17-21 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry GAZETTEnews Mystery of New Galloway's phantom gorillas Glenkens Gazette page 2 T his year Halloween night in the Glenkens was marked by the appearance of a trio of gorillas loose in New Galloway. Seeming to originate from the McGaw household, there is speculation that perhaps the creatures had been hiding out after escaping from a zoo or exotic animal collection. As children made their way through the village guising, the gorillas followed in what generally seemed to be a friendly manner. However, sometimes things took a more sinister turn with the hairy apes egging each other on; in one instance they were seen chasing terrified teens out of the village in the Mossdale direction. One child said: “At first I was scared but then I gave them sweets and they were friendly,” while another young person had had sweets given to them by the curious creatures. The mystery continues as, after Halloween, the trio of apes seem to have vanished into thin air. Could they perhaps have been just Halloween phantoms? Spooky fun with Bairn Banter C hildren from across the Glenkens joined Carsphairn's Bairn Banter for a haunting Halloween party. Taking a Halloween twist on the usual party games, there was wrap the ‘mummy’, musical statues, the 'hanging donut game' (which even the adults couldn’t resist) and a tricky to beat piñata. There were also a range of Halloween-themed activities such as gruesome sensory play, a spooky soft play area, face painting, ‘dookin’ for apples, pumpkin bowling, black cat hoopla, and a buffet-style feast laid on for everyone. Bairn Banter founder, Melissa Ade, commented: “It was wonderful to see so many children and adults dressed up in their spooky gear to come together and celebrate with us here in Carsphairn... thank you to everyone who came along and to the very helpful parents whose help and support made this such a spook-tacular event!" Funds raised at the Carsphairn Community Market in September helped to support this fun, free party for local families to enjoy. Fundraising and fun with Friends of Dalry School F riends of Dalry School (FoDS) once again held a fun-filled Halloween party for the children of the Glenkens. Dalry Town Hall was filled with spooky characters having a ball, dancing and participating in all kinds of games. There were also hotdogs and snacks on offer for all, and a goody-bag to take away that children could use for guising. Emily Wall, one of the key organisers, said: "Around 80 children turned out, and through donations on the door and towards face painting, a fabulous £172 was raised for FoDS. "Special thanks go to the Glenkens Community Shop for their donation of decorations, Mike for DJ-ing and organising the lights and Sarah for facepainting - and so many other people who helped in all kinds of ways which I don't have room to name here; you know who you are - thank you!" FoDS is a charity which raises money to support Dalry school, both the primary and the secondary. They are members of the Easy Fundraising scheme, which enables a donation to be made each time you shop online with hundreds of well-known high street brands. Through this scheme you can sign up and raise money for the school without having to spend a penny - visit www. easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ fodalry to find out more. On another fundraising note, FoDS has had some Christmas trees donated from the local Christmas tree farm outside Dalry, Fir Forestry. If you’d like to buy one please drop into the primary school – at the time of going to print there were five smallish trees left, selling for £30 each. Grab a festive bargain and support your local school! Friends of Dalry School Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 3 Gazette joins Indie News Forum in Glasgow T his October Gazette editor, Sarah Ade, attended the two-day Indie News Forum in Glasgow. The Forum was run by the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF) and held at Glasgow Caledonian University. Around 50 independent news providers attended, from as far afield as South Devon, Shetland and every point in between. The aim of the event was to forge connections and share ideas with other independent local news outlets, gaining insights into how other publications operate. Friday involved talks by industry experts such as spokespeople from the BBC’s Local Democracy Reporting scheme, Ofcom and philanthropist David Graham who has put £100,000 forward to created the Tenacious Journalist Awards, aiming to spark original journalism that "makes a difference". Along with other members of the Scottish Beacon journalism collaborative, the Gazette is applying to the award with a topic of ‘No Going Back’, focusing on how the sell-off of land leaves Scotland’s communities short, how corporate ‘land grabbing’ is irrevocably changing Scotland’s communities and how the renewables sector takes from Scotland’s communities and leaves too little behind. On Saturday, the floor was opened up to participants who discussed questions like: How do we encourage people to value journalism? How do we make it pay? How can we raise core funding? How do we stay sane as solo operators? "All in all it was a highly informative, engaging weekend with lots of useful networking. It was incredibly interesting to meet so many other hyper-local news editors and teams, and to A few of the attendees at the Indie News Forum in Glasgow, October 20204 hear about the similarities, and the differences, in how people get their message out there," said Sarah. "One thing which struck a note for me was speaking with a journalism student from Venezuela who is currently studying in Edinburgh. She talked about how independent news in her country is censored, and it made me realise how lucky we are to have independent news outlets and how much we take for granted with regard to free speech. "Our grassroots news sources are so undervalued here in the UK, and yet so vital to our local communities and getting people's voices out who may otherwise go unheard." Coming Soon: The Bodega Social's Wonky Burns Night at New Galloway Town Hall G alloway is rich in nature, culture and great folk of all types. Sometimes, though, it takes a trip to the big city to find that winning combination of funky, diverse live music, delicious cocktails and tasty food which come together to make a top night out on the town. A year ago this thought brought together a bunch of friends from Laurieston village and Laurieston Hall. Over some smokey chips and even smokier mescal we imagined our perfect night out, and planned how to make it happen on our doorstep. Luckily, the group came with a whole host of skills. Meredith (long-time event and festival organiser), Tom (DJ with the Desiato Crew and steward of the most colourful PA this side the Tweed), Ewan (bar/cocktail supremo), Willie (graphic design demi-god and member of Samson Sounds), Rosie (Queen of the craft and decor), Larissa (rock solid organiser and top cook), and Ben (bringer of the world food flavours and spreadsheet whizz). The first theme was Latin. The great psychedelic cumbia band Los Chicanos were booked, tacos were made, margarita recipes trialled and our first night packed-out, sold-out and rocked-out Laurieston Village Hall. The Latino vibe also helped our group get a name; something to reflect the friendly, diverse DIY scene we’re creating...the Bodega Social was born. Now a year-and-a-half in, we've run top gigs in Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston and Moniaive with African, Caribbean and America themes. Not to mention building and hosting our own cabaret cocktail bar, ‘The Bodega’, at the Eden music festival (we’ll be back there next year, come find us!). We take no profit, but the nights mean hard working bands get a gig and village halls get a solid booking. Any extra money we make has been ploughed back into expanding our collection of colourful decor and elaborate plans for exciting bands and events to come. Our nights couldn’t happen without an amazing crew of volunteers and without all of you for coming along for a dance! It’s the love we get back that makes the many hours of work worth it. Some comments from revellers at past events are: "hHge thank you for another fantastic evening"; "Crazy fun, what amazing food and music!"; "You transformed our village hall! It’s never been so lively" and "So great to see everyone out looking so joyous". Our next event is a Bodegastyle Burns night; we’ll be transforming New Galloway Town Hall with our usual funk, and welcoming the amazing Yoko Pwno to rock the joint with their renowned folktronica. Join us on Saturday 25 January in New Galloway Town Hall - tickets available now from www. bodegasocial.co.uk The Bodega Social Crew Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 4 Glenkens charity raising funds for schools in Afghanistan T he Afghan Schools Trust is a Glenkens-based charity founded in 2002 by Robin Ade and the late Godfrey Smith. Set up initially to support education in the remote Afghan province of Nuristan, the Trust has developed over the years and provided support in a variety of ways. It has built schools, funded teachers, organised women’s health programmes, trained teaching staff and health workers, set up women’s centres, initiated exchange programmes for educating Afghan girls in Scotland, funded wells for drinking water, vital repairs to a bridge to a remote community and more. Today the charity channels funding direct from grassroots donors in Scotland and the wider UK to projects in Afghanistan. No admin costs are taken – the only thing money is spent on is accountant’s fees and printing an annual newsletter to keep people up to date with the trust’s work. "The situation in Afghanistan remains difficult and many are struggling to earn a living, with hunger being a key ongoing issue," said Afghan Schools Trust chair, Robin Ade. He continued: "Due lack of funds it has been impossible to provide wages for the teachers so instead we have funded, for three years in a row, the planting of wheat which the community has overseen and then is given to teachers as their wages. "We recently opened a new Turkman secondary school in the north of the country for girls, which currently has around 70 pupils. The Taliban are still trying to work out a national curriculum for older girls." What are the plans for the future? "Going forward, we will continue to support the Arsari Turkman school, which teaches around 400 students, both boys and girls," said Robin. "We also support education of women in Lal through our Women’s Centre. The facility is currently unable to open but education continues in homes and mosques for the 50-60 students. How can you support the charity? For the last two years the charity has sold handmade Afghan carpets. The schools' administrator and his family, along with the majority of families of children attending the Asari Turkman school, are from a traditional carpet-making community. In order to support the local economy, the Trust has bought carpets, providing a vital income stream to local families while offering high quality handmade rugs at very competitive prices here in Scotland while raising much-needed funds for the Trust. If you would like to buy a carpet, please get in touch - you can view the carpets on the 'Afghan Schools' Facebook page, or arrange a visit to see them in Carsphairn; we have had a new shipment come in recently so have beautiful new designs in larger rugs. Contact Robin on 07952 280 902 or email trustee Sarah Ade on sarah.ade@gmail.com or, to view the latest newsletter at www. afghanschools.org Name the Place I n each issue a photograph will be taken somewhere in the Glenkens by local photographer Ted Leeming and readers have to guess where it is. The answer can be found on p24, with a bit of information and food for thought about that location. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 5 Pamela Young Trust housing update T he Pamela Young Trust (PYT) is a charity providing affordable housing in the Glenkens. Over the past few years, the Trust has been working on expanding in a sustainable way in order to help address the housing shortage in the area. previous one but the way it is set up does reflect the requirements of the modern funding environment. There is plenty of legal paperwork to get it all set up but it should be noted that there will be no change for any of the PYT tenants. The first step has been to change their structure to a SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) and this has now been approved by OSCR, the Scottish Charity Regulator. Following a recruitment campaign for a volunteer to join the PYT Board, the trust is now in the process of assuming a new trustee. Allan McMillan, BSc, MRICS, is Managing Partner at GM Thomson & Co, chartered surveyors, valuers and land and estate agents. The new constitution is not markedly different from the Allan comes from a local farming family, and is born and bred in the Glenkens. Alan Smith, PYT chair, says: "We feel Allan’s skill set is a good fit for us, adding to the abilities of the existing trustees - Steve Davie, Nicolette Wise and myself. We are delighted that he is joining us." Lastly, the Trust is excited to report that the proposed Balmaclellan project has moved to the next stage. Collective Architecture, the firm of architects who drew up the plans for the development, have now been instructed to take the plans to RIBA Stage 3. They estimate that, if all goes to plan, the planning permission application should be determined by July next year. The PYT still needs to source additional funding for the project and it is hoped that becoming a SCIO will help with funding applications. Learn bridge at Dalry community cafe D alry Community Cafe hosted a special fundraiser for Cancer Research as part of the Festival of Bridge. The community event was part of the Scottish Bridge Union's week of fundraising which aims to raise funds whilst also raising awareness of the game of bridge. In excess of £300 was donated which was a great achievement. The Community Cafe is an important part of our community and tables will continue to be available at the monthly event to play bridge, alongside other residents enjoying the usual friendly chat and refreshments. Building on this enthusiasm, we hope you will join us for a beginners course starting on Monday 2 December and running weekly. It will be held at the Lochinvar Hotel from 7 -9pm, initially playing 'minibridge' before progressing on to bidding skills in the New Year, once we are all up to speed with the jargon and other parts of the game. To find out more, please email Rosie at rosiemoffat@btinternet.com or call Rebecca on 07979 150 671. Rebecca Arnold Dalry Community Cafe Festival of Bridge fundraising session for Cancer Research Carsphairn becomes a Biosphere Commmunity Biosphere Communities benefit from a close working relationship with the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire (GSA) Biosphere Partnership and are supported to develop community-led tourism, nature and heritage projects, and low carbon living ideas. C arsphairn joins Dalry as the second designated ‘Biosphere Community’ in the Glenkens. They are also promoted internationally as part of Scotland’s UNESCO Trail, the award-winning collaboration between Biospheres, World Heritage Sites, Creative Cities, and Global Geoparks. The programme for Biosphere Communities includes developing walking trails, adventure itineraries, and outdoor interpretation for landmarks and historic sites. Events led by the Biosphere team range from ecology walks and wildlife recording to workshops for local enterprise. The support available for community-led tourism builds on international attention drawn by features in National Geographic Traveller, Rough Guides, Lonely Planet and Wanderlust magazine, all of which acclaimed the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere as a must-see destination in 2024. Faith Hillier, the Biosphere’s Community Officer, said: “We have already created some fantastic connections with people who live and work in and around Carsphairn and are particularly proud to showcase the area’s local history. "Carsphairn has a fascinating past rooted in agriculture and industry which is still being actively explored by the Carsphairn Heritage Initiative. This is one of a wonderful variety of volunteer-run organisations and for a small village with one main street Carsphairn hosts an incredible calendar of events, not least the internationally renowned Knockengorroch Festival of music and arts. We are delighted to be working with so many residents and community groups and look forward to making the most of our partnership with Carsphairn in the months and years to come.” To find out more about the GSA Biosphere visit www. gsabiosphere.org.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 6 Busy times at New Galloway Golf Club N ew Galloway Golf Club celebrated an excellent season when it held its annual prize presentation. in playing on such a well-kept course. A highlight of the year was Captain’s Day, which raised over £2,000 split between the Army Benevolent Society and the club. Members will be looking forward to the 2025 Captain's Day and hoping the weather is as good. Prizes were awarded after a social game of golf. Gill Warnock was this years Ladies Club Champion and Sandy Harvie the Gents Club Champion. Phil Lancaster won the Coronation Cup whilst his father won the Captains Trophy. The Memorial Bench which was erected by Guy Pumpr has been appreciated by all who have played on the course. The bench is in memory of our longstanding greenkeeper, Brian Porteous, who sadly died in 2023 and is dearly missed by all who knew him. Visitor numbers were up on previous years; even though the weather was not particularly good, the course has been in superb condition thanks to the work of the green staff. Visitors have reiterated their pleasure Social membership has been very successful this year, with residents of New Galloway attending on a Saturday evening for a quiet drink, a game of bingo or quiz evening. There is also a group using the clubhouse to Memorial bench in memory of greenkeeper Brian Porteous play bridge on a Wednesday, which has proved very popular. Winter membership is available from January to the end of March - just contact the Club Secretary on 01644 420737. Individual coaching can also be arranged. Why not come and try golf out; you never know, you might like it! Or what about membership for a friend or family member as a Christmas gift? Jeff Sutcliffe, Club Secretary Glenkens Get involved with GCAT! Community & A t the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT), volunteers are a core underpinning of what we do. Some of them cheer up our garden, a lot steward at events, our Galloway Community Transport (GCT) Patient Transport drivers are invaluable, and one volunteer even volunteers to coordinate the other volunteers. But there's a big group of volunteers that don't often get seen. They are our board members (also known as directors or trustees), and their contribution is critical to assuring our current path and future success. We'll be calling for new board members at our AGM on 27 January, so if you live in the Glenkens or surrounding area and have a keen interest in the wide and varied impact that GCAT has on our communities, do get in touch for a chat. We're looking for people who can commit to quarterly meetings where they will provide assurance on the work the staff team is doing and determine the strategic direction looking forward. If you've got a background in strategy or community development, then we'd particularly love to hear from you - but we're also looking for people who are committed to helping the Glenkens be all that it can be, no matter what your life experience (or age) is. Drop me a note on helen@ catstrand.com and myself and Peter Fryer, chair of GCAT, will be Arts Trust AGM 27 January 2025 7pm for 7:30 start at the CatStrand Come along for a glass of wine and to hear how the year went and future plans. All welcome! happy to have a chat about the role of a GCAT board member any time. Helen Keron, GCAT Executive Manager Get cosy at the CatStrand café A s the colder months approach, CatStrand is delighted to be able to offer some support for people struggling with bills over the winter. Thanks to D&G Council's Tackling Poverty Initiative, we 're offering a free ‘winter warmer’ to people who want to come and spend some time in a warm and welcoming space, but can't always afford to eat out. Throughout December, January and February (while funding lasts) head over to the CatStrand for a free bowl of soup and filled roll between 11.30am and 2pm, Tuesday to Saturday. CatStrand will also be hosting a Cost of Living Advice Day in January, signposting all the support that is out there, so look out for details of that. Over the winter months the CatStrand is open 11am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday, closing from Friday 20 December to Tuesday 7 January for the Christmas break. However, some planned electrical work may delay the opening by a few days, so please check the website for updates. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 7 Galloway's best independent retailer Continued from front page... "We have won some very loyal customers who always come to us first – that feels very satisfying. People living here have embraced us and made us feel welcome, for which we're very grateful," said Bill. "There are a lot of perhaps less wellknown skills needed to run a shop in a rural area like the Glenkens. The shop is a hub of the community, so you’re not just a shop keeper; you’re a sounding board, sometimes an adviser and a bit of a social worker as well as a manager of staff. And we have to stay neutral about anything contentious. "So don’t ask me about wind farms or the National Park - I’m not going to give you a view! And at times we end up doing some unusual things to keep customers happy; for instance, as the first shop after Portpatrick for walkers on the Southern Upland Way, I’ve cut a pack of babywipes in half for a walker who didn’t want to carry the extra weight!’ continue doing what we do well for people, we’d like a better work-life balance. So that’s what we’re aiming for – a bit more time off." Bill added jokingly: "And, as in the quote from Jaws, for all those customers who shop locally, 'we’re going to need a bigger fridge!’" One thing both Bill and Val feel sad about is that, because they work long hours, they haven’t yet had time to explore the Glenkens, or go to local events. "We start early and we’re usually in bed by 8pm," said Val. "So we don’t have a lot of energy at the end of each day. At least Tibo, our Cockapoo, needs a daily walk so that gets us out a wee bit." Bill and Val would like to wish all their customers a happy and prosperous festive season. The shop will be open throughout, except on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, when they’ll be taking a well earned rest. When asked what their plans are for the future, Val said: "Although we want to As one customer delighted that the award brings the recognition they deserve for contributing so much to our village, I’m sure everyone will join me in wishing them a happy holiday period! Nikky Wilson A new era begins at the Glenkens Medical Practice D r Robbie Grieve hasetired after 20 years at the Glenkens Medical Practice. He has been a fantastic colleague, a popular and excellent doctor and remains a very good friend. Dr Grieve qualified at the University of Edinburgh in 1989 and is a fifth generation ‘Dr Grieve’. After working in a number hospitals and practices across the country, he joined us in New Galloway in 2004. He will be very much missed and I would like to take this opportunity to say a very grateful "thank you" to Dr Grieve, from myself and on behalf of the practice and the local community, for his dedication and service and we all wish him well in his retirement. As well as saying farewell to Dr Grieve, the practice has welcomed a new member of the team, Dr David Svolkinas. David is a knowledgeable and good-humoured doctor who wanted to work in a rural setting. The Glenkens appears to be an ideal fit for him. ‘Dr David’ qualified as a pharmacist at Liverpool John Moores University in 2011 and after a few years working as a community pharmacist embarked on a career change. He undertook his medical training at the University of Glasgow and qualified in 2019. David worked in hospitals in the west of Scotland and undertook his GP training at a practice in Paisley before relocating to Dumfries and Galloway earlier this year. We are all very happy to have him on board and wish him well for the future at the practice. Mrs Kelly Lamont has also joined the practice on a permanent basis as our Advanced Practitioner. Kelly has a background and wealth of experience from Community Nursing. She undertook her Advanced Practice training through the University of Cumbria with a two-year placement at the Glenkens Medical Practice and qualified this year. Advanced Practitioners are experienced health care professionals who manage complete clinical care for patients. Kelly can diagnose, prescribe and refer patients in a similar way to a GP. She is a valuable asset to the team. Glenkens Medical Practice welcomes new practice partner, Dr David Svolkinas, and advanced practitioner Kelly Lamont (photographs by Samantha Hunter) So, we have been fortunate in recruiting two new, excellent colleagues, particularly when set against the challenges with GP recruitment which are widely experienced. Alongside our relatively new Practice Nurse, Linzi Knowles, and our dedicated receptiondispensary staff, I am proud of the team we have assembled here. The practice could not ask for a more sound footing on which to continue to provide our services to the Glenkens for future years. Dr Bernard Jones, Principal GP, Glenkens Medical Practice To find out more about the Practice you can visit www. glenkensmedicalpractice.co.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople page 8 Glenkens Youth Correspondent Joshua Wells, aged 15, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Joshua discusses the Galloway Levellers. A couple of months ago I went to the Fullarton to watch a performance about the Galloway Levellers called '1724'. It could easily engage any audience and was thoughtprovoking, had brilliant acting and really brought this monumental series of events to life. But I'm not writing this to talk about how great the play was, I am more interested in writing about the crazy legend of the Levellers that holds a place in the history of Dumfries and Galloway. In the 1700s, many local landowners were interested in removing tenants from their land to make space for cattle, putting profit above the wellbeing of another human being. This obviously aggravated the tenants, who began to revolt and literally tore down dykes. The demolition of these dykes allowed the cattle that replaced these tenants to escape. Tactics became more reckless and violent. After a while, the Levellers began to level every dyke they came across, whether it was owned by the landowner who evicted them or not. The Levellers allegedly also slaughtered nearly 200 cattle. The Levellers seemed to be just a nuisance to landowners in the beginning, as the landowners could just build the dykes again. However, with multiple dykes being destroyed every day and cows being killed, landowners began to put guards out to ensure their dykes were safe from destruction. The Galloway Levellers grew to such numbers as 1,000-2,000 people, which is between two and four times the current population of New Galloway. They had armies of armed tenants marching to level the dykes that marked the borders of the land they once lived on. Even tenants’ children took part in the destruction of dykes in Galloway. One of the few dykes that remained was that of Robert Johnston from Kelton. The reason these dykes were saved from destruction was that the minister reassured tenants that there would be no eviction taking place. After years of revolting with no change, the leaders of the Galloway Levellers were taken to court, where they were found guilty and fined or sentenced to imprisonment or being sent to the colonies. As we say we are going to tear down walls in our society metaphorically, these rebellious groups of men women and children alike tore down walls in their society literally. Even though they did not see success, the Levellers most definitely made a great impact on the history of Dumfries and Galloway, considering we are still interested in them to the extent that we make plays about them. WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING TIMES OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.30pm MONDAY – FRIDAY Sat 8.30am-5pm Sun 8.30am-3pm 7.30am – 5.30pm POST8.30am OFFICE– 5pm SATURDAY Mon-Fri 10am to 3pm SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm Sat 9am to 12noon Sun closed * closed xmas day & boxing day * LOCAL SUPPLIERS LOCAL SUPPLIERS Transform your workflow - hire a virtual assistant today! Are you overwhelmed with tasks and need more time to focus on what really matters? 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POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 9 Moving forward in education discussions I t finally feels like real progress is finally being made with regard to finding a constructive way forward for Glenkens education. This comes after months of work from community groups and individuals across the Glenkens – years for some parents and members of the community. What is so encouraging is that the conversation has grown to more than (although of course including) the future of Dalry Secondary - it is the acknowledgement that a highquality, accessible educational offering is key to thriving rural communities and their ability to attract and retain families. Over the past couple of months the Glenkens & District Community Action Plan Steering Group (CAPSG) and the Dalry School Parent Council have met with Gillian Brydson, Executive Director of Education Skills and Community Wellbeing (E,S&CW) at Dumfries & Galloway Council. At the Parent Council meeting, Stephen Foster, the new head teacher for Dalry Secondary and Castle Douglas High School, was also present. Discussions were constructive and focused on creating the best outcomes for current students whilst also planning for the future. Stephen will be working over the course of this academic year on consulting and planning on possible options, including that of an all-through school running Nursery to S3. (A summary of these meetings can be found on the Glenkens Hub 'Education and Learning' page at www.glenkens.scot/educationand-learning). Compromise is a natural and necessary part of any process where there is more than one perspective at play and no outcome will be a perfect fit for everyone. However, for the first time it really feels like the community is ‘at the table’ with regard to decisions being made on the future of our schools. Much effort continues to be put in both from the communities of the Glenkens and the E,S&CW department to find outcomes that are achievable and that work effectively for our young people and our community, both now and going forward (to keep up to date with how things are progressing visit the Glenkens Hub Education & Learning page). communities are vibrant and thriving” as the school roll criteria will of course be mostly relevant to rural primary schools. In light of the changing situation of Glenkens education, highlighted by the plight of Dalry Secondary, the Glenkens & District Trust (GDT) commissioned a report into 'innovative models of rural education'. This is now published and it is hoped will help guide current and future plans with regard to rural education. As an aside, and looking as we do through our rural lens, it is interesting to note that none of the cost-saving options reference three of the Dumfries high Do have a look at the budget consultation if you can - it affects us all and the more rural voices which can be raised, the less urban-centric the outcomes will be (we hope). Another Council initiative coming soon is a report into the causes of rural depopulation – the CAPSG have been advocating for the Glenkens to be case study and/or key partner in this work. Most of the work being done in support of the Glenkens and District Community Action Plan could be boiled down to mitigating rural depopulation, so we will continue to follow this work with interest and will report back. ...for the first time it really feels like the community is ‘at the table’ with regard to decisions being made... There will be an online event to discuss the report and ask questions of the authors – keep an eye on social media, the Glenkens Hub and posters for more information. Expanding upon the topic of Glenkens education, something that has grown out of these discussions is an exciting prospect of a broader education and skills offering being initiated in terms of lifelong learning linked to local need. The CAPSG, through the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, is pursuing the fledgling idea of a 16+ learning campus in the Glenkens (which would work closely with the new Carsphairn Community Woodland’s Rural Skills Centre as well as other partners), offering skills key to industry and employment in the region, such as renewables, forestry, agriculture, social care and hospitality. This is an extremely ambitious idea but it is hoped that, with the right partners in place, it could be realised - watch this space! In yet more education-related news, D&G Council's budget consultation, www.dumgal.gov. uk/budget, is live now and will run until Friday 6 December. Suggested education-related money saving options which are worth noting include cutting the Additional Support Needs (ASN) support in classrooms by 50% and mothballing all schools with a roll of less than 25 – changes which, if implemented, could have huge ramifications for our rural areas. These sweeping proposals seem to be at odds with the Council's 2023-2028 Vision that “rural schools which are situated no more than a 10 minute drive from each other and all of which have huge recent or ongoing capital investment programmes, plus annual running costs in the £millions, yet run at an average 57% capacity between them (December 2023 figures). The recent D&G Council's School Model Consultation outcomes stated that a school functioning below 60% capacity was not sustainable. So why is it only our small rural schools that face this scrutiny and a constant risk of closure? We feel proud that the Glenkens, with our strong community voice, united organisations and our willingness to work together and look to the future, seems to be ahead of the game with regard to issues facing rural areas; we just need to keep beating our drum and make sure that we are both heard and listened to. Sarah Ade & Helen Keron GAZETTEeducation Glenkens Gazette page 10 What's happening at Dalry Secondary Pupil Council All of the young people at Dalry contribute to class discussions and set their own agenda, with chosen representatives Piri, Lena, Archie J, Eleanor and Rosa planning to meet with the Head Teacher on a monthly basis. Youth Awards Nominations for the Youth Awards 2024 are now open! This night promises to celebrate the achievements and effort of local Youth Groups and Individuals from across Dumfries and Galloway. Youth Work Services are looking for nominations for 11 categories and should really highlight individuals or groups that are recognised for their efforts within their communities and outstanding achievements. If you would like to put forward a nomination, click on the link below. If you want more information about the nomination categories, please see the attached guidance document. www.dgyouthawards. wpcomstaging.com/nominate Wednesday afternoons Wednesday afternoons sees Dalry S1-3 learners working towards achieving their Dynamic Youth Awards with youth worker Victoria Townsend. They contributed their ideas and came up with tan exciting schedule of activities that they have been enjoying over autumn, from outdoor skills such as camp craft, fire building and T survival tips to creative cooking in the form of 'Ready, Steady, Cook' team challenges and creating their own 'fakeaway' meals; so much tastier and healthier than boring old 'takeaways'! Dalry Secondary School is now a RRSA Bronze: Rights Committed School Watch this space as the school starts its journey towards Silver. You can visit the website RRSA for more information. Using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a guide, the school will be working to embed the school values of Respect, Responsibility and Equality in all aspects of school life, to ensure that everyone is valued and respected. Exciting visits Pupils enjoyed welcoming award-winning chef Fraser Cameron, who is head chef at The Globe Inn in Dumfries. Fraser is a former pupil of Dalry School, and first discovered his his term we enjoyed going outside and learning outdoor / camping skills. we would pack for our "trip". The youth worker Vicky showed us what was inside a survival kit - there was lots of cool stuff like flints for lighting a fire. We had great fun setting up tents in groups, although our tent was on a slope. We enjoyed it very much. Luckily the sun was shining... On sheets of paper we had to plan for what Piri Whitty (S2) love of cooking in the Home Economics department. As well as inspiring students with a unique and exciting cooking demonstration, Fraser talked about his own pathway to becoming a top chef. Young people are looking forward to a festive trip to Glasgow on 19 December, which includes visits to the Christmas market, a Spanish tapas restaurant and culminating in a performance of 'The Nutcracker' ballet at the Theatre Royal. Youth Group A fter school on a Monday evening a selection of different people go to youth group. The youth worker, Sue, waits there for us with the latest fantastic activity. The last one before the holidays was making apple turnovers with experts, and if you don't want to make an apple turnover there is a selection of board games, friends to play with, and drawings to do. It's wonderfully fun and definitely brilliant. Lena Whitty (S3) MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 Amber Dunlop-Pajo Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 11 The Optimistic Environmentalist Reducing your home energy bills - Part Eight Examples of energy-efficient technology Space heating continued Infra-red heaters radiate the heat down or towards people or surfaces rather than inefficiently heating the air around them. Thus, they are placed on the ceiling or the walls. They can be used in small areas, large open spaces like hotel reception areas, or outside. Herschel, for instance, try to make them fit into the environment, so as well as flat panel heaters, they make mirrors and picture frame heaters. They even make a candelabra heater, called the halo, often sold to churches. Having a number of these around the church which can be turned on separately means that the infra-red heating is focused depending upon the size of that day's congregation. They also manufacture some heaters in the UK from British steel and Welsh insulation that are designed so that the component materials are easily recyclable. Unlike other technologies, any electrician can fit these as they don't need any extra skills. Most of the radiators, though, can be fitted by anyone as they just need plugging in and/or hanging up. Herschel provides up to a ten-year warranty and no maintenance is necessary, and components like heating elements, are easily changed. Portable bidirectional heat-pumps that you can move around the house to where you want. They can generate hot or cold air so it can be used in the winter and summer. They output more energy than they use so are very efficient. We have one and I'm afraid it is noisy but when you are bathing in your favourite temperature, you can forgive it. It is quite heavy so you may not want to keep carrying it up and downstairs, but it's on wheels for easier movement on the same level. For water heating Mixergy hot water cylinders – these are very efficient because unlike traditional water cylinders which heat the same amount of water whenever they work, the Mixergy tanks heat the amount of water you need, when you need it. For instance, usually it heats a small amount of water for people, to wash their hands after the toilet or to wash up, etc. However, it can be set to heat a larger amount for a bath, say. You can have these set at different times throughout the day so you can set it to suit your lifestyle as Family and friends coming to stay? N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) Call Fiona on 07789 903127 - 01644 420737 - www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Buggies now available for hire Licence no DG00824P VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME well as for low-priced electricity tariffs, saving you money. The new Mixergy Cuboid works with a solar diverter and contains a heat pump so that with its ergonomic shape that enables it to fit into a cupboard, efficiently converting energy into hot water at higher temperatures than would be needed for space heating. Similarly, Qvantum makes a 6kw heat pump which heats water to 70°C. This is exciting because it can fit under a sink. Current and future changes • Current eco building materials eg straw are enhanced by new materials to reduce carbon input into buildings like recycled bricks and blocks reducing use of new concrete which accounts for 8% of the world's carbon emissions • New battery designs and materials like sodium help to meet the growing demand for a variety of needs • Policies and incentives like the boiler upgrade scheme and electricity producers' low-cost EV tariffs will be encouraging people to change their behaviours and tastes (see Part 9 next issue for income generation) Denise MacDonald-Kiernan Advertisement Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 12 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment Hanging out with the Bats in Crossmichael Community Woodland Loch Ken Trust was delighted to be involved with Crossmichael Primary School's first ever Bat Walk, held in Crossmichael Community Woodland. The event was organised by pupils at the school from ‘Livingstone House’. To start things off we played a fun game of ‘Bat and Moth’, a blindfold game representing the bat’s echolocation, before heading into the woodland with bat detectors to hear the bats hunting for their prey: moths and midgies! "Amazing fun – it was a good walk, good exercise and it was interesting to hear the bats and use the bat detectors; I have never used one before." The weather was extremely kind and there was a great show of local wildlife. We saw, and heard, a range of bats including some of the less common soprano pipistrelles, as well as a hedgehog, two deer and at least one owl calling out in the dark. It was a fun evening with lots of laughter, full of information and discoveries. Hanging out with bats and a wild goose chase... page 13 LOCH KEN TRUST RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 The event was very popular, with over ten families - 40 people in total - attending. Head Ranger Leanne Pumpr said: “It was fantastic to see so many families outdoors enjoying nature." We hope to be involved with other community events planned throughout the year. Some comments from attendees were: “I liked it, it was really, really fun. My favourite part was learning how bats communicate, it’s so cool!” and “The best part was seeing a bat. I have walked in the woods with my family before but never in the dark!” A huge "thank you" to Mrs Stevens and Mrs Glover for inviting us to support with this event. Wild Goose Festival Event We were also excited to host our first ever Wild Goose Above: Greenland white-fronted geese flying overhead, photographed by Gavin Chambers Below: Crossmichael Primary School's Bat Walk Festival event, a talk by Jack Barton from the local RSPB, on Greenland white-fronted geese. Loch Ken is home to a small population of Greenland white-fronted geese, one of only a handful that winter in Scotland. The event was well-attended and Jack Barton gave a fascinating insight into the amazing journey of this endangered species to winter in Galloway, and the work being done to help support and protect the species. With the 2024 season ending, it has been nice to reflect on a successful year for the Loch Ken Trust ranger service. As always, if you are interested in any of our work you can get in touch to find out how you can get involved by emailing office@lochken.org.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 14 sponsored by Decarbonising CatStrand I t's an exciting time at CatStrand as we take the next steps on our environmental action plan. Thanks to funding from Local Energy Scotland through CARES and the Community Led Local Development Fund from the Scottish Government, we are about to replace our oil boiler with a carbon neutral alternative. Installation will include the replacement of our existing oil boiler with air source heat pumps and solar PV panels mounted on the cafe extension roof to generate electricity for the new pumps, plus a battery storage system and a new smart heating controller. The CatStrand is eminently suitable for these modifications, which were highlighted in a 2023 Natural Power feasibility report, as it already has underfloor heating, is well insulated and is often open to the public. The report calculated that the work will remove nearly 10 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, which is excellent news for us all. We will also be replacing the nearly 20-year old light fittings throughout the CatStrand building with new energy efficient versions, including the very power-hungry ones in the T he Gazette asked Lesley at the Galloway Food Hub if their producers might offer a recipe each issue, linked to seasonal local produce. Here is the first in what we hope will be a regular feature - a recipe for a perhaps slightly unusual brussels-sproutcentred festive treat. A auditorium - so that's going to make a big difference as well. On top of the support from funders, two key volunteers have helped hugely with this project: John Crallan and Dave Stewart. They are both well-versed in delivering extremely highquality capital projects for the CatStrand, and we are most grateful for the huge amounts of work they have put in, enabling this project to become a reality. Thanks as well to the planning department of D&G Council for their sensible approach to such important upgrades. The installation is planned to start in early January, and will result in some days without heating, so we may need to shut the cafe and public spaces briefly at that point, but we will post updates about that as the timetable becomes clear. We’re planning an event, supported by the D&G Climate Hub, to celebrate this energy use moving close to Net Zero. Expect talks, entertainment, and food - keep an eye on on our social media channels for details. Here's looking forward to an emission-free CatStrand in 2025! Helen Keron, GCAT Executive Manager Galloway Food Hub Christmas canapé seasonal treat to tempt the taste buds of even the most adamant sprout nay-sayer! minutes, depending on size All the ingredients can be found on the Galloway Food Hub (except the cocktail sticks). • Top the sprouts with a mini slice of Fleet Valley Blue and return to oven for a further few minutes until the cheese starts the melt Ingredients • As many sprouts as you’d need for your guests; allow at least 2-3 sprouts per person • Block of Ethical Dairy Fleet Valley Blue (or Laganory if you prefer a non-blue), cut into sprout sized mini slices • Pack of Low Auldgirth streaky bacon, cooked and cut into sprout-sized pieces • Jar of Glenkens and Dee Runny Honey (optional) Pack of cocktail sticks. Method • Pre-heat oven to 1800C • Parboil the sprouts for 2-3 • remove from water/steamer and halve • Coat sprout halves in a little oil, place on a baking tray flat side up and roast for 10-15 minutes, till starting to crisp at the edges • Remove from oven and, taking care to handle if very hot, top with a pre-cooked slice of bacon and skewer with a cocktail stick • Drizzle with a thin stream of runny honey for a salty, sweet and savoury sensation. • Serve warm (you can keep these warm in a low oven for 10-15 minutes before bringing them out) Thank you to Low Auldgirth for the recipe idea. We hope you enjoy your sprouts! See ad on p11 for how to order from the Galloway Good Hub... Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 15 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE Siemens IQ500 dishwasher. A few years old but works well (just doesn't fit our new kitchen). Contact: 07748 631 820 Kids bike, suitable for child learning to ride a bike – maybe 4-6 years old. Blue, nearly new (a bit dusty from being stored in the shed). Contact: 07727 127 997 Lakeland food dehydrator. Electric. Good for apples, mushrooms, peppers, etc. Almost new. Contact: 07563 718 011 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 Metal bunk bed frame, double bottom, single top. Contact: 07952 280 902 Pair of upholstered bar stool chairs, (light wood, with red, removable covers), IKEA. Good condition. Contact: 07748 631820 Toshiba TV, 26" screen with remote control. Contact 07974 026380 32” Samsung TV. Contact: 07908 195 942 Rabbit hutch and all rabbitrelated bits to go with it (indoor hutch, litter tray, water bottle, some food and hay and treats. Contact: 07727 127 997 WANTED Victorian/Edwardian tiles. Standard 6” square, the kind used in entrance lobby or fireplace. Not modern reproductions as they are a different thickness. Wanted for random tiling project - they don’t have to match. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Nonrunners/broken welcome. Contact: 07845 562 217 FOR SALE & OFFERS Shed clearances - any shed cleared, large or small; get in touch to for further info or to arrange a visit. Contact: 07765 034 841 Are you looking to plant trees this winter? We have grants available for small-scale native planting schemes. For full info, visit: www.dgwoodlands.org.uk Registered as a SCIO, no 052525 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 16 Lothlorien nature connection project L othlorien is a residential therapeutic community for people experiencing mental health difficulties and is situated near the village of Corsock. for developing complementary projects on the Lothlorien site to offer access to day visitors and the wider community for both green social prescribing activities and nature-based events. Set in seventeen acres of woodlands, gardens and meadows, it has been a quiet sanctuary for healing for over four decades. Built in 1974 by the Haughton family, it has been run since 1989 by the Rokpa Trust, an international charity founded by Dr Akong Tulku Rinpoche of Samye Ling Tibetan Centre in Dumfriesshire. Inspired by the enthusiasm highlighted in this study, Lothlorien has secured funding to bring these ideas to life. In September, Lesley Atkins started her new role as Lothlorien outreach coordinator and aims to help foster connections between the community and local groups. Buddhist values of compassion and tolerance are the basis of our approach however we are not a religious community and are open to all. A recent study, commissioned by Lothlorien and conducted by Propagate, revealed a clear case The activities envisaged are not limited to mental health support, but cover a broad range of nature connection, food growing and wellbeing - which can have educational, social and therapeutic outcomes. For Lothlorien’s vibrant community of residents, volunteers, and staff, this new chapter is an opportunity to broaden their connections and support network, whilst also welcoming others in, to benefit from their tried and trusted therapeutic methods. I nterested in land use in your area? Enter a five-minute online survey for a chance to win a £25 voucher for the Clachan Inn, Dalry. Hello, my name is Lucy Jenner and I am a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh working with Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. My research focuses on environmental land use change. Whilst many local community groups working in mental health may already be in contact with Lothlorien, if you work in this area and are interested in connecting, please reach out to Lesley. Nature-based practitioners are also welcome to get in touch should they wish to enquire about running outdoor workshops in this beautiful, peaceful space. Together a unique, communitycentred approach can be created to provide healing and prevention that goes beyond I am conducting a survey to explore how residents in and around the Glenkens engage with local place planning and land use. Your insights are valuable and will contribute to a research project focused on different approaches to accessing data and information about land use. As spring approaches, Lothlorien is preparing to host open days, to which groups and potential partners can experience firsthand the transformative power of nature and all this community has to offer. To find out more about the open days or to discuss how you might get involved in the community, please get in touch at lesley@ lothlorien.tc. You can also follow Lothlorien on Facebook or Instagram or visit www.lothlorien. tc for more information. voucher for the Clachan Inn. Please use the link below or scan the QR code to take part. Thank you! Lucy Jenner This survey is anonymous and will take approximately five minutes to complete. Participants will be entered into a competition to win a £25 Eileen Campbell HOUSE TO LET 1 BEDROOM Wylie's Brae, New Galloway large bedroom, bathroom, livingroom, kitchen To arrange a visit in the comfort of your own home please contact 07515 168 963 or empathyfoothealth@gmail.com traditional therapy. For further information contact Alistair on 07783 869 686 or smithalistair355@gmail.com HOUSEKEEPER & CARETAKER VACANCY Seeking a housekeeper and caretaker/site manager for a family home in Galloway. Ideal for a couple. Duties include cleaning, laundry, bed-making, security and maintenance of the property, driving and dog walking/sitting. Some weekend work. Two part-time roles plus 2.5 bedroom flat and garage in stable block. Apply by email to Mrs Ingall at corsockhouse@gmail.com explaining how you would fulfill the role and attaching CVs. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 17 Considering the Galloway National Park proposal for the Glenkens A t the Gazette we work hard to ensure that we don't shy away from issues impacting the people living within the communities of the Glenkens, however delicate they may be to navigate. Currently, the issue of the moment, on the tip of many tongues, is the proposed Galloway National Park. In light of this we felt that in the spirit of sparking discussion, debate and participation in the consultation process regarding this proposal, we would print a selection of readers' submissions on the topic. These submissions range in perspective and will likely inspire strong feelings in some, whether it's agreement or outrage. The Gazette, as always, endeavours to ensure we take no stance on issues which may polarise our communities, and aims always to facilitate discussion in the hope of unifying rather than fragmenting our communities. Sometimes reading about a topic from a perspective which doesn't necessarily gel with our own can in itself be a catalyst to introspection, potentially inspiring research and broadening knowledge bases. So we hope you enjoy the articles and information you will find on the following pages, and that it inspires thought and provokes discussion. In light of the ongoing consultation, it's important that as many people as possible who wish to be involved make sure their voices are heard at the consultation stage; please make sure that you have your say - nobody knows our area as well as you, the people who live here, and your opinions are valuable and vital to getting the best outcome for the Glenkens. General information from the NatureScot consultation hub H ere are a few key statements from the NatureScot information hub for the Galloway National Park proposal. What are National Parks and what do they do? The ground rules for all of Scotland’s National Parks are provided by the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000. This states the four aims of Scottish National Parks as: communities. The term National Park is used throughout the world to describe protected areas of land or water of outstanding national significance. The title means different things to different people, but all National Parks have some key features in common: • To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area. • They are areas of land or water which are of the very highest value to the nation for their scenery and wildlife, and often for their cultural heritage too. • To promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area. • They are managed in a way that safeguards their special qualities for the long term. • To promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public. • They are usually highly attractive places to visit, and they provide opportunities for people to enjoy them. • To promote sustainable economic and social development of the area’s Scotland’s first two National Parks have performed well as models of sustainable Why is a new National Park being proposed? development, delivering conservation alongside rural economic development and recreation. The Scottish Government considers the time is now right to establish at least one further National Park. It also wants to see all our National Parks contribute more to tackling climate change and protecting and restoring nature, whilst supporting the local economy, creating jobs and opportunities for local businesses and attracting investment. Further information can be found at on the 'Consultation Surveys' page at www. newnationalparkgalloway. commonplace.is, considering questions such as: Would a third National Park be similar to the current ones? What a new National Park Authority could do? What would be the make-up of a National Park Board? What difference could a National Park make? On the 'Further Information' page, there are some of the most commonly cited pros and cons listed and NatureScot's response. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment A Galloway National Park? T he proposers of a national park in Galloway claim that its establishment will result in a better future for people, communities, economy, culture and the environment in the area. Is this likely? What are the real issues that need to be addressed during this consultation? Who is best placed to provide the solutions we need? How can the friction and concern in our communities be minimised? And what’s the hurry? All these are legitimate questions to be put in dialogue with NatureScot, the official statutory Reporter on the proposals. And remember, it is just a proposal and our views as communities and individuals in the Glenkens really matter. What are the real issues in our area? It is obvious that availability and cost of housing, jobs for young people, continuation of locally provided schools education, access to the vital services that people need, especially health and welfare, as well as continuing concerns about the extent of commercial afforestation and wind farms, and the future of farming, and the lack of effective consultation are all issues concerning us. What do we expect government bodies to be doing about them? In the Glenkens a lot of thinking has been done and action taken about our futures, more than in most rural areas in Scotland. We want to build on these excellent local initiatives, but it needs adequate resources to bring benefits locally. Dumfries and Galloway Council is responsible for social services, transport, education, housing and more. How can it be more effective in addressing our needs and concerns? For example, we should expect them to work with the NHS for the care services, with Loreburn Housing Association for the provision of affordable homes and with further and higher education providers for training and skills development of locals. deal on state owned land, for example on Cairnsmore of Fleet and in the Galloway Forest Park, respectively to improve the natural environment and promote community interest, so what more is needed? And why can’t the agriculture support regime be tweaked to help local farmers more in looking after the land as well as producing the elections to the Scottish Parliament to be held in May 2026. To achieve this it plans to update the basic national parks legislation approved in 2000 and to have the Designation Order for the new park approved by the parliament before the elections. All of this is very worrying to many of us in the area. From my experience of establishing national parks around the world, rushing creates disputes and disagreements within communities that can take many years to repair. Many people are asking why the rush to complete the consultation on these far ranging proposals. There is a relatively new government agency, South of Scotland Enterprise (SoSE), with its broad remit to support not just the economy but to play a formative role on social provision and environmental care. They should be challenged to do more given their sizeable budget and remit. The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere with its locally appointed Partnership Board has passed the 10 year test from UNESCO. However, it is struggling to find guaranteed long-term support to continue and expand its activities. Surely, the Scottish Government directly, or as currently via SoSE, should be helping with the modest sums that are needed for its work. NatureScot and Forest and Land Scotland are doing a great food? Do we really need another government body? Put this way, there is already activity and the potential for more to address our area’s problems. So do we really need a separate agency? Even the government group who scrutinised the proposals by the Galloway National Park Association questioned the duplication and confusion that would occur with another authority being established. Furthermore, that group questioned the role of a national park authority compared with the clear mandates that existing bodies should have. All fair questions which need to be addressed. Who would be in charge? page 18 Is there another way forward? Yes, there is another way. In the early 1990s, the government in Edinburgh agreed to the establishment of working parties for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and for the Cairngorms. This allowed time for debate, sharing of common concerns, gradual resolution of disagreements and identifying the most appropriate solutions. A similar approach could be undertaken in Galloway bringing together the government bodies locally and regionally and nationally – the Council, SoSE, NatureScot, Scottish Forestry, Forest and Land Scotland and the Biosphere Partnership, and most importantly the local interests around this large area, to carefully identify what the issues are and the options for moving forward. A national park authority established under an Act of the Scottish Parliament would be a government agency without independence of action as its terms of reference, strategies and funding would all be determined by the Scottish Government. A concerted approach like this would put the communities and the people of the area at the heart of the matter. It is worth a try. Actions and resources to help resolve them are needed, but a single new agency is hardly going to solve then all. Although some of its members would be locally elected, the First Minister would appoint others. Is this what the area needs? Roger was CEO for Scottish Natural Heritage leading on the establishment of Scotland’s two National Parks, chair for Europe of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas 2000-2008, chair of the Durban Accord World Parks Congress 2003 and a recipient of the Fred M Packard International Parks Merit Award 2016 What’s the rush? Many people are asking why the rush to complete the consultation on these far ranging proposals. The answer is simple. The Scottish Government has decided it wishes to establish a new national park before Roger Crofts, Dalry Pictured is the view over Dalry from the Mulloch Hill by Roger Crofts Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 19 Finding the best solution for Galloway G alloway faces an existential crisis. A trio of demographic, economic and environmental decline risks turning this jewel of Scotland into little more than a giant power generating facility accompanied by plantations of cheap wood. border in Ayrshire the former mining towns are depressed and forgotten, offering little economic incentives for people to build lives. The factors driving this decline are many, but fundamentally it comes down to economics and plantation forestry and energy production to tourism and regenerative agriculture - and the increased employment such industries bring. This is the sort of economy many people want to see: a diversity of permanent and temporary Major changes are needed, and - perhaps - one such major change would be the establishment of a national park. Population loss has been a problem for decades, but only appears to be getting worse. National Records Scotland estimate that the population of Dumfries and Galloway declined by 0.4% year-on-year from 2022 to 2023. In terms of age structure, the region is increasingly a retirement home, with the population of over 75s growing by a relative 49.3 percent since the turn of the century, versus a 25.2 percent decline for those aged 25 to 44. Indeed, it’s with primary schools like that in Carsphairn being 'mothballed', and even successful secondary schools like Dalry under threat or forced to offer reduced programmes, it’s no wonder that the critical 25-44 age group - those who want to have children and raise them in the area - have left in droves. Such difficulties are especially pronounced in remote areas like the Glenkens, while across the against these global interests working hand in glove with national lawmakers. Galloway’s 'forests' destroy peat bogs in the name of carbon capture, obstruct ancient paths, clog up natural springs and turn ecologically diverse hills and moors into monoculture agricultural deserts. Carsphairn Parish is the most afforested area in the entire UK - almost all of it Sitka, planted dense and harvested by clear felling (rather than continuous cover like they use in Germany). Wind farms, offering owner corporations untold riches, march across the hills, diminishing potential tourism. This has to stop, or it will ruin Galloway forever and drive out its remaining population. William walking the Rhinns of Kells between Carlin's Cairn and Corserine politics: when the only jobs are in forestry and wind farms, and most of them are temporary, there is just not enough keeping communities together. jobs, many opportunities to start a business, that help young people and families make their lives in the area. When the population starts to decline, an already distant government has still less incentive to invest in the area, and school closure starts to become inevitable. A vicious circle that is hard to break. As we all know, Galloway is beautiful, a treasure of Scotland and the world. Yet because of its remoteness, low population, and the structure of land ownership, its hills and glens are being slowly ruined by vast nonnative Sitka spruce plantations. A national park could provide the way out. By providing a realignment of the area from Community councils, representing a few hundred people each, are powerless A national park, with a board partially elected by local people who understand these problems, would be a step in the right direction. I know a national park is not a panacea that will solve the interlinked crises facing Galloway, and I understand that there are concerns about congestion on our fragile, single track roads, about house prices, and about the overdevelopment of key sites, but I firmly believe that a park is the best chance we have to preserve both Galloway's people and nature for the future. William Dunbar, Carsphairn Considering Cairngorms National Park Feedback from an Evening with Cairngorms National Park CEO by Ted Leeming I t was great to have at least 150 courteous local people listen to the experiences of Grant Moir, CEO of Cairngorms NP (CNP), and his responses to questions. The following are my summary (as convener of the meeting) of his thoughts, in no particular order, which can be debated in the coming months. different and needs to address local issues. Overview He felt a unique strength of a National Park is that it can give focus to strategies and campaigns to deliver focused objectives, often otherwise performed in a more siloed environment. Board Composition and Governance The CNP has 19 Board members, most of whom live locally. Twenty percent are elected from permanent residents in the regions invested in the CNP. (In the Galloway consultation, it is suggested that the Board should have 12 or 15 members, with 33% elected from the local population and another third nominated by the Regional Councils). He was clear that the CNP is autonomous and has very little Government input on a day-today basis. He stated that every NP is When the CNP was approved, it spent some two years developing the National Park Plan (NP Plan), which decided, following an extensive consultation with the local people, the future strategy for the Park. The NP Plan is delivered by the CNP staff and is updated every five years. He noted that Scottish National Parks are very different from their neighbours south of the border. Continued over the page... Glenkens Gazette Continued from previous page... Community Engagement He emphasised that working with the community should be core to all thinking in any NP. He said that, as with any entity, the CNP is an ongoing project; they don’t always get it right but seek to work with the local communities to address problems as they arise. We should know how successful they have been when their community satisfaction survey on the CNP is published in January. Economic Impact and Job Creation He noted the CNP brings an additional £400 million a year into the local economy. On jobs, he explained that they have brought new jobs to the area GAZETTEcommunity and work with local businesses to offer apprenticeships. Tourism The CNP actively encourages visitors across the year to minimise summer pressures and provide an extended ‘season’. They do not seek to increase summer visitors but focus on the 'shoulder' months to help yearround employment. Some 50 full-time and 80 volunteer rangers help manage the pressures, acknowledging that seasonal rangers are taken on for the summer period when pressures are at their height. They have introduced various measures to address tourism pressures, including facilities and strategies to draw people around the Park to reduce pressures on honeypot locations. They are working on public transport options to help reduce car numbers but recognise more needs to be done. Planning The CNP ‘calls in’ some 8% of planning applications when it becomes the decision-making body. Otherwise, the Regional Councils retain authority in this area. Most of the ‘called in’ applications are approved (94.7% according to LINK). page 20 Housing He recognised that housing was complex and that prices within and outside NPs have risen dramatically. On second homes, he noted that this was a matter for the Regional Councils and could be discouraged through rates within and outwith NPs. On affordable housing, he said that the latest CNP Plan targets delivering 75% of new housing as affordable, primarily to accommodate the local workforce. He noted that the CNP seeks to promote economic development, citing examples of infrastructure, services and business projects delivered over the years. It is a statutory consultee on forestry applications. Traffic and Access On traffic, he noted that this was not within the gift of the CNP but that they worked with the relevant authorities to deliver solutions. However, the CNP is responsible for recreational access. form of a growing chorus of quiet voices simply delivering urgently needed change. Inspirational land managers, interest communities and individuals working on anything from their back gardens to landscape scale projects, proactively striving to deliver a solution based future rooted in sharing and are real whether we agree with them or not. Journeying towards a positive future S ometimes, a journey leads you down paths never contemplated when you first set out. Such paths, however, though challenging and at times daunting, often hold the most significant rewards. Since I last wrote, my adventure has unexpectedly shifted from exploring land use issues on the bike and with my camera to listening to the voices of others. I have even become drawn into the vortex that is the proposed Galloway National Park. My project's aim has always been to explore our various rapidly changing land use types and how they balance - or otherwise; biodiversity, community, climate, society, and commercial needs. My method initially involved a series of immersive cycles around Scotland, including Galloway, capturing examples through the lens of my camera. Without any prior intent, somewhere down the line this has led to running two workshops (so far) to gather insights and wisdoms from others. Before the first workshop I asked the question “‘What three words describe land use in Scotland today?” and from the 70 odd replies I produced the accompanying word cloud. The workshops then focused around the theme of "Who has rights to live, grow, and pass through any given place?", with the idea to develop a collaborative ‘toolkit’ that can be shared with any person or entity exploring land use. We are still considering the feedback, but my immediate thoughts following the responses from the first workshop consolidated into a 'Charter of Rights' for all global life. Quite a revelation! But what I have I discovered from all this? Over the past months, I keep returning to two core threads, the first being that, as a nation, we have 'improved', commoditised and industrialised many of our landscapes, often at the expense of our climate and the myriad beings with whom we share this planet. And of 'shadows' that drive individual agendas with little apparent consideration of the whole. The word cloud suggests I may not alone in this thinking. My second thread provides a glimmer of hope, in the We must play our role as the community in offering solutions-based thinking and work together to agree the strategies to address the very real issues already facing us, with or without a National Park, including housing, tourism, jobs, infrastructure, an ageing population and increasingly fewer of our young staying in the area. There must be a way these could be agreed before any final go-ahead for a Park is given, so everyone knows what they are getting. There will always be compromises, for nothing comes for free, but doing nothing also has a cost. interconnectedness. As these voices grow in number they are becoming louder, harder to ignore, and increasingly united in wisdom, encouragement and evidence. I am pondering where this leaves my thinking regarding the proposed National Park. I am still asking ‘if’ and ‘how’ rather than ‘yes’ or ‘no’. I believe we need to start listening to each other's concerns, for they As I ponder these thoughts, I realise they rather uncannily mirror my thinking on the bike. Instead of arriving at a destination, however, I merely find myself at the next turning, which leaves me both anxious and hopeful about what lies ahead. But as Martin Luther King Jr once famously said, "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." Ted Leeming Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 21 Turning a blind eye to biodiversity loss J ust how does the Scottish Government’s commitment to planting 45,000 acres of forest each year between now and 2050 work to mitigate the biodiversity crisis? How does planting single species monoculture forest using a non-native, highly invasive tree like Sitka spruce (in the south of Scotland 85% of all trees planted over the last decade were conifers) support our environment and our ecosystems? These genetically manipulated trees smother out all other forms of plant life, ‘invade’ peatland areas and acidify our waterways to the extent our burns are left “devoid of life” (Galloway Fisheries Trust, GFT) as electro-fishing surveys frequently record. These forests also decimate ground nesting bird populations of “international conservation importance” (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, RSPB). First among these birds is the Eurasian curlew who, along with its other curlew cousins (two species of which are already extinct), were recently described as “the most threatened group of birds on the planet” by one of largest conservation charities in the world, Birdlife International. In the UK the eminent conservationist Derek Ratcliffe estimated 5,000 breeding pairs of curlew were lost from the south of Scotland due to the afforestation of the Galloway and Border hills – “in addition many more pairs were lost on surrounding farmland due to forest edge effect”. Yet the Scottish Government pays millions of pounds of taxpayers money to the forest/ tax avoidance industry to destroy thousands of acres of breeding habitat every year of this bird dubbed “the panda of UK conservation”. Derek Ratcliffe, described as Britain’s finest field naturalist and the man at the forefront of the creation of the Nature Conservation Review (the bible of UK conservation) did much of his fieldwork on the hills around Lochinvar in the Glenkens, an area he loved and frequently visited, and an area he considered had the greatest population density of curlew he’d ever come across. Ironically, the last significant area of open land around Lochinvar that hasn’t been decimated by plantation forestry (yet), and an area still used by curlews, is under imminent threat of afforestation by yet another Sitka plantation at Duchrae farm, Dalry. The really ironic part is Derek Ratcliffe was an instrumental figure in the setting up of Nature Conservancy, the body that after W e hope you have found these articles interesting and thought provoking. You can find out much more about the proposal at the NatureScot info hub (www. devolution became Scottish Natural Heritage and which has subsequently been rebranded as NatureScot. Yet this supposed public body that Ratcliffe did so much to bring into creation under the terms of an agreement/ gagging order which it was forced by government to sign with Scottish An eroded water course runing through a Sitka Forestry spruce plantation outside Dalry - nothing but moss - is now grows in the dim undercanopy and there is an essentially eerie silence and noticeable lack of birdsong forbidden to comment on or raise an objection third of Galloway is the very to any forest plantation forestry that has so project unless the land has a much poisoned our hills and specific designation such as SSSI left our burns and rivers “devoid status. of life” on which NatureScot is How can this toothless, gagged forbidden to comment upon, and neutered organisation it would seem this role will that can neither speak up require of NatureScot, a pretty for the Glenkens’ curlews or amazing ability to ‘look the other comment on forestry matters way’. Perhaps they’ll just add a be trusted to run an impartial blindfold to their consultation consultation process on the kitbag! Jim Ramsay, Dalry proposed Galloway National Park? Considering at least a newnationalparkgalloway. commonplace.is ) and by attending the consultations dates of those can be found on the info hub, along with proposed boundaries, etc. Whatever your views are, the main thing to get them heard by filling in the survey, which is open until 14 February 2025. And please remember - let's keep the conversation about this important topic civil, constructive and respectful of differing views. We've achieved so much in the Glenkens over the years by working together - we don't want to lose all that over one contentious issue. The Glenkens Gazette, Glenkens Hub and Glenkens Community & Arts Trust do not have a view for or against the National Park proposal. We are, however, committed to helping our communities find the information they need to make up their own mind. To support this, we host an information page on the Hub and are publishing articles in the Gazette periodically. If you have any questions about the proposal do get in touch and we will see if we can find the right people for an answer! Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity SEASONS GREETINGS TO EVERYONE AND THEIR DOGS Advertisement An update from Border Collie Rescue at Corsock We progress... The extent and speed, as always, is dependent on funds and available volunteers. We always need more of both! We have set up security around the yard so dogs can run free (but not too free) and there is double height stock fence around the exercise paddock and the assessment paddock. Sheep we keep for working dog assessments are doing well and as a side-line also mowing the grass for us! We are working on a small scale at the moment. ’Steady away’ as they say in Yorkshire but we are talking to architects and builders about developing some of the outbuildings to provide a wider range of accommodation for dogs with different needs. A big project – did we say volunteers needed? The facility at Corsock is not intended for re-homing with people coming to look at and take away dogs. It’s for dogs we take in from Scotland to come through for various assessments, particularly around livestock, and also for recovery after surgery, trauma or behavioural problems. Somewhere they can have fun and peace and quiet! It’s working well. No sound of fireworks here for the sound sensitive. There is nothing like a quiet environment to allow a hyped-up dog to relax or an injured one to recover. The process we use has proved to be healing for many years. Then, when ready, dogs go south of the border, mainly to Yorkshire but also to foster homes in other parts of the country for further assessment before matches to new homes are made . We have also finished moving up our library of books on Border Collies, shepherds, sheep husbandry and care and animal welfare. We have some rare and interesting books on a range of subjects. Fresh hay – come on girls, form an orderly queue and let’s hope this year Santa doesn’t leave anything else behind... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. Our thanks to the volunteers and supporters who have helped at Corsock. May 2025 be a good year for everyone and their dogs. Border Collie Rescue. Reg’ charity SC040796 and 1128983 www.bordercollierescue.org page 22 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 23 ...People,Places and Outdoor Spaces... What is a community larder? H ave you heard about the larder yet? Have you been to see it? You may wonder what it is all about... All change for LING Lunches L ING Lunches has been a part of the New Galloway community for some time, and we thought it was time for an update... We now have a new name – the name Community Cafe lets everyone know it's open for all, whether Glenkens resident, visitor to the area, or passer-by. We also have a new day, moving to Monday instead of Tuesday means that there is somewhere open for a meal when the CatStrand is closed for the day. Lunches are served from 12.30pm until 2pm Finally, we also have a new menu! A new, more varied menu is being introduced, with different soups, mains and desserts each week. Follow the LING Facebook page to see what's on offer, or pop by and see the poster outside New Galloway Town Hall. There'll be a special Christmas -themed lunch on Monday 16 Dec - we hope you'll join us! In September Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) opened the Glenkens’ first Community Larder in the Town Hall. Helping the climate and reducing waste is at the heart of our idea of a place where the community will share with each other what is not needed to stop waste going into landfill. One of the larder’s users is Catrin who shared her experience: “I went to visit the Community Larder on Thursday. I took frozen fresh tomatoes and bread rolls from the freezer and made 18 potions of roasted tomato and lentil soup and eight portions of bread and butter pudding. I also made croutons for the soup and breadcrumbs to top pasta bakes. The total cost for making all this was less than £7. I am very pleased with it!” Catrin also volunteers and bakes crumbles and other bakes, even making jams for the community larder. Do you like cooking, baking? Or do you have excess fruit eg fruit trees you cannot pick yourself? If so, we would love to hear from you! Any fresh food donations are currently being cooked and baked into delicious meals to be shared with the community during our Thursday Hubbub lunches as well as being made available in the community freezer. No time to cook healthy meals? Can’t be bothered cooking? Always eating ready meals? Forgot to get stuff in? Like to try new food you have never tasted? Just fancy some nice food? Or, like Catrin, want to pick up some ingredients that would otherwise be going to waste and make something yourself? It’s not like a food bank; the idea is that this is for everyone to share! The larder is from the community, for the community. It will only work if we use it both ways. So do, please, donate spares and surpluses, but also please help yourself to some of what’s on offer. Give and take! We would love to hear from you so please be in touch with what you would like to see and eat from the larder. We are open Mon 9am–4pm, Tue 7-9pm, Wed 6.30-8pm, Thu 9.30am-6pm Your Hubbub Team Welcoming a new Trustee M any Glenkens residents may Carol Salsbury, at least by sight. Carol is pictured here celebrating her win at our recent Cheese & Wine event – a red squirrel going by the unlikely name of Rosemary! We are delighted that Carol has agreed to be co-opted onto the LING Board, bringing, as she does, a wide range of skills – along with great enthusiasm and good cheer. Below is her personal statement for the Board. I have lived in New Galloway since 1998, and feel privileged to call it home. The community spirit I find here is second to none, and I want to be able to contribute in whatever way I'm able. Before moving to Scotland, I lived in Nottingham with my family, now grown with families of their own. I was a teacher of Religious Education (I have also collaborated in writing a series of RE textbooks), was responsible for Personal & Social Education, and operated as School Counsellor. On being made redundant, I helped to set up and run a city centre restaurant and discovered my true passion – cooking and presenting my food to others. Due to several dietary restrictions in my children, I undertook extensive personal research in nutrition, something that I continue to this day. I feel that LING is in the best position to make sure our residents are catered for in every sense of the word, and would welcome the opportunity to aid the delivery of the many and varied ways that this is achieved. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Carsphairn Burns night C arsphairn will host its annual Burns Supper on Friday 17 January 2025. This cultural event has taken place within the village’s iconic hall for 54 years and is wellattended by visitors from both near and far. Last year’s attendees enjoyed a splendid evening of fine foods brought to us by page 24 the local catering company Caterbirds, accompanied by some renowned entertainment from local speakers. There is also a wellstocked bar to help you raise a glass ‘tae a haggis!’ Book your tickets now to save disappointment by emailing lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com An update from the Glenkens scouts A fter the summer holiday we ran the Cub Scout disability activity badge alongside the Paralympics. The activities we tried included making a sandwich using one hand. Hamish ended up with quite a lot of butter on his. We also tried foot and mouth painting, with good results. A parent helper gave a talk on her work; she helps other people with different disabilities. We held discussion groups on physical disabilities, deaf and sight awareness. Our Halloween party was full of fun; the Cubs were dressed up. First prize went to Elliot, Second to Dylan and Third to Pippin. We then played all the usual party games. Dylan and his dad brought in two fantastic cakes they had made – the Cubs weren’t long demolishing them. We wish Freya all the best in her role at a Glasgow Panto – she is playing a monkey in The Wizard of Oz – and also Caitlin, who is in the choir at the CatStrand panto, King Arthur. Good luck to both. The Cubs are looking forward to visiting the CatStrand panto. The Cub Scout Pack will be attending the Remembrance Day parade and church service at St Margaret’s, New Galloway. We have been learning about ‘From Flax to Flight’, the importance of seed. Scouts started in 1907 and seven years later, when the First World War broke out, the skills the youngsters learned through their activities and badge programme were tested like never before. They were called upon to help in many areas on the Home Front, including coast watching, carrying messages and working on the land. During the war, the need for help increased. Many Scouts converted their traditional summer break into assisting local farmers. Farmers were asked to grow flax, a plant vital to the war effort. Flax is also known as linseed, and is a flowering plant cultivated as a food and a fibre crop. As a fibre crop, flax fibres are used to produce linen which was then stretched and treated with chemicals and used to construct the wings of fighter planes. We are so proud of Hannah and Doug, who have recently had two of their pieces of pottery in no other than the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, where they are now on display. What a wonderful accolade, and so well deserved. Congratulations! The Cub Scout Pack and Leaders would like to wish everyone in the Glenkens a happy Christmas and a good New Year. Yours in Scouting, Heather Name the place (from page 4) Site Name - Balmaclellan Location - The Glenkens Description - Nestled in the heart of the Galloway Hills, Balmaclellan is a charming village that embodies the serene beauty and rich history of Scotland.” The village is rich in local culture and traditions that reflect deep historical roots. Known for its strong connections to the Covenanter movement, it has several historical sites commemorating this period, including the Parish Church and the grave of Robert Paterson, commemorated by Sir Walter Scott as "Old Mortality". Paterson dedicated much of his life to restoring maintaining the graves of Covenanters, who in the 17th century played a crucial role during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, aligning with the English Parliament against the Royalists. Their commitment to Presbyterianism led to severe persecution, especially during the reigns of Charles I and Charles II. Many Covenanters faced imprisonment, torture, and execution for their beliefs. The churchyard also contains the only civic Crimean War Memorial in Scotland, honouring five soldiers who died in that war. With the Smiddy, a Men’s Shed, community hall and shop, the village lies at the core of Glenkens identity. Interesting fact - A statue of ‘Old Mortality' is also carved into the Scott Monument in Edinburgh. Whilst fairly easy to grow and tolerant to the Galloway climate, watering can present a few problems during dry spells. Fortunately it has not been necessary this year. Sue Wiseman GAZETTEhistory Glenkens Gazette Robert Burns and the tale of Adam Forrester Continued from front page... "It was a bit of a whirlwind!" said Angela. "I was contacted on the Tuesday about doing the filming on Friday that week. "It wouldn't have been possible without the support of my colleagues at D & G Libraries, and Laura and Phil at the Clachan Inn for the use of the bar for some of the filming, so a big thank you to them!" Angela will be featuring a Glenkens story in each upcoming edition of the Gazette, taken from her Galloway Retold YouTube channel. The first of these is included here, and is the tale of Adam Forrester which featured on the BBC Landward Halloween Special (to watch the show, visit BBC iPlayer, and look for Episode 20). If you were lucky enough to be at Dalry Secondary during David Brown’s tenure as English teacher at the school, you will probably recall comparing and contrasting the story of Adam Forrester with that of Tam o' Shanter. Mr Brown would also take his English classes on a walk over to see the Witch's Score, on the far side of Waterside Hill, a very effective tool for encouraging students to remember the story. For those unfamiliar with the tale, let me recount it for you... Adam was the farmer at Knocksheen some time in the late 1600s. He had a great fondness for the inn keeper of the Inn in Midtown at that time, who went by the name Lucky Hare (which might be a little bit of a clue..) and frequented her Inn regularly. One evening, Lucky Hare slipped out early, while he continued drinking quite heavily until it was time for the inn doors to close for the night. Hopping on the back of his faithful (and tolerant) steed, Adam made his way down through the kirkyard towards the old ford in the River Ken. However, on his way past the kirk he stopped to peer into the windows, as they were blazing with light and the sound of music and revelry was pouring out into the night. As he looked in, Adam spotted Lucky Hare among the revellers, dancing with the Devil himself. So shocked was he that he forgot all caution and shouted in through the Kirk window, "You'll no' deny this the morn, Lucky Hare!" As his words rung out, the music stopped and the kirk was plunged into darkness. With howls and screeches, the erstwhile revellers from inside the Kirk came flooding out to tackle the intruder. Adam was chased over the ford, then up the side of Waterside Hill. The poor horse (whose name I haven’t been able to find) was blown by the time Adam got over the summit, heading for Knocksheen, and Adam had to make a desperate choice. Leaping off his horse's back, he took out his sword and cut a circle around them both, declaring by God Almighty that the witches would not cross it which they could not. Lucky Hare is said to have got a hand onto the back haunches of the horse, leaving a white print on it that remained for the rest of its life, but no further damage was done to either man or horse, and when the dawn came, the witches were forced to leave Adam. This story was passed on to Robert Burns by the doctor in New Galloway, Dr Trotter, who was the famous Muir Doctor and also a keen antiquarian. Most likely this story was told when he made his visit to Kenmure Castle. Not being terribly familiar with the area, Robert made the decision to transpose the tale to Alloway in Ayrshire, an area he knew far better as it was where he grew up. Now, interestingly, according to David Bartholomew, author of The Covenanters of the Glenkens and former Glenkens Church of Scotland minister, Grierson of Lagg stabled horses in the Dalry kirk during the Covenanting times, and he was referred to often as ‘the Devil’ by locals. It’s not inconceivable that he might page 25 have thrown parties in the Kirk, out of sheer disrespect to the Presbyterian locals. Dalry was also famed at the time not only for its history of 'witches’, like the Witch of Hanniston, and the Witch of Drouth (a hamlet that used to exist near Lochinvar) but also for hosting Witches Sabbats, so there is definitely plenty of opportunity for Adam’s tale to have more than a wee grain of truth in it. The fact that the Forrester grave is actually placed where he would have been peering in the window of the old kirk also gives a wee bit more credence to the veracity of the tale. It is clear that the folk of Dalry still believed in the power of witches until comparatively late on, as Elspeth McEwen of Cubbox was sent by the kirk session of Dalry to the Tolbooth in Kirkcudbright as a witch, becoming one of the last women in Scotland to be executed for this ‘crime’ two years later, in 1698. Angela Miller is the librarian at Dalry Library and a keen local historian. You can view her YouTube channel by searching YouTube or Google for 'Galloway Retold'. Dalry kirkyard headstone repairs R eaders will remember the previous features on the Carson, Mather and Keenlyside headstones in Dalry kirkyard. Attached is a picture of the cleaned Mathers headstone that stands proudly opposite the church entrance door. This has been another great project brought to completion, especially as family came forward having read earlier articles about the headstone in the Gazette. The small cross is the repaired Keenlyside infant grave which is on the path that leads to the suspension bridge. This wee grave has been adopted now by a member of the community and bulbs have been planted for the spring. The Gazette reached out to local amateur historian and regular Gazette contributor, Paul Goodwin, to see if he could find out a bit more information about this grave. Paul said: "Jacob and Rebecca Keenlyside lived on Main St, Dalry, in 1921, and were the grandparents of the infant in question. "Their son, Tom Hall Keenlyside, was the father of the child and in 1911 was living with his mother in Blyth, Northumberland. Tom married the child's mother, Eva W Keenlyside (nee Robertson), in Pickering in 1918." Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 26 CatStrand nominated venue of the year C atStrand has been nominated as Venue of the Year, in the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards. It's great to be recognised, it says a lot about the warm welcome CatStrand audiences give to artists performing here that we have been considered in the same category as some much bigger venues. The winner will be announced at the end of November, after this edition of the Gazette has gone to print, so keep your eyes peeled on the next issue for an update! Along with 281 other Scottish cultural organisations, we are still waiting on the result of Creative Scotland’s Multi Year Fund. Our future ability to sustain a live arts programme is very much dependent on this decision. This decision has been delayed from October until the end of January, to allow for more certainty on the national funding available. The good news is that the delay is primarily to allow the Scottish Government time to meet its public promises to put more money into the system. The bad news is that there is still no certainty over the funds available to Creative Scotland to distribute, and so no certainty about the decisions they will make with this funding. In light of this, although we expect and hope for positive news, there is no real certainly over the future programme until at least the end of January. We have applied to the Creative Scotland Open Fund for some additional funding to tide us over to April 25, and we will shortly be re-applying to the Heritage Lottery for some more support for our amazing Cultural Glenkens projects, but we will have to wait and see with those as well. They're all very oversubscribed. Despite the funding challenges, 2024 has been a very successful year for CatStrand Arts. We've maintained ticket sales, matching the best we have on record, and have presented a solid mix of live music, theatre, touring work and representation of regional artists. We’ve got some excellent December concerts lined up: Mercury nominated jazz pianist Fergus McCreadie returns with an international quartet on 1 December and there are festive frolics from two foremost folkies, Anna Massie and Hannah Rarity, on 13 December. We hope to see you at some of these events - thanks very much to everyone for your support through 2024 and here's to a successful 2025! Firewood logs & Wood Products for Sale From Carsphairn Community Woodland A range of products are available from our community sawmill Contact us with your requirements ï Free local delivery ï Enquiries to: Tel: 07710 124 255 Carsphairn Community Woodland Limited is commi�ed to acquiring, developing and managing local woodlands in a sustainable and environmentally sound way for the long-term benefit of the local community. Website: www.carsphairn.org/CCWL Company Limited by Guarantee SC591976 GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 27 News from the CatStrand Young Creatives C atStrand Young Creatives (CYC) has had a great few months, and we're excited to be able to share lots of good news with you. We were delighted to be nominated by supporters as both Culture Champions and Community Project at the D&G Life Awards. While we didn't win, it was an honour to be in the company of so many amazing projects from across the region, and a huge "thank you" to the people who nominated us. Some really excellent news is that the Holywood Trust has renewed their support of us, meaning that we will definitely be able to carry on the Young Creatives work until at least March 2027. This is fantastic news and we are so appreciative of all their support - it's so exciting to know we will be able to continue supporting our young people into the future. The Holywood Trust primarily supports young people aged over 12, so you will see that reflected in the programme, but it does mean lots of opportunities coming up for young people looking to make their career in the Arts watch this space! We held our annual Musical Showcase in November, expertly hosted by CatStrand intern Ella Campbell. As ever, it was a fantastic evening highlighting the breadth and depth of talent in our young people. The performers from our Make Some Noise inclusive music sessions with Paragon were a particular highlight, and it was just great to see the older performers growing in confidence and skills. Some of them have been on the CatStrand Young Creatives stages since they were little, so to see the whole age range represented was fantastic. Creative Scotland supports our music lessons through their Youth Music Initiative, and you can see it is really paying off. Speaking of the CYC stage, we're very much looking forward to the Youth Players Christmas panto in early December - hope Paragon performing at the CYC Musical Showcase you've already got your tickets. It's always a highlight of the CatStrand year - oh yes it is! Thanks as ever to all the funders, deliverers, volunteers, families and of course the young people who make CatStrand Young Creatives what it is. Cat Campbell, Young Creatives Project Lead Young writers' short story competition Y oung writers in Dumfries and Galloway are again being given the opportunity to show their talent by entering a short story competition. The competition, which is running for the second year, is one of the events for young writers and readers linked to the annual Kirkcudbright Book Week which runs between 3 and 9 March 2025. Entries close on February 10, 2025, and entrants between the ages of nine and 15 are asked to provide examples of 'flash fiction', a style of short fiction writing. The competition is being run jointly by book week organisers the Kirkcudbright Book Week Society and Kirkcudbright Library, which is operated by Dumfries and Galloway Council. There is no entry fee. The judges are Lesley Garbutt, of Kirkcudbright Library, and crime writer John Dean, both of whom are on the Society's committee. John said: “We ran the inaugural competition for young writers last year and were impressed by the enthusiasm and energy with which the stories were told. Combined with the terrific imagination and skills which the entrants displayed, judging the stories was a sheer delight. I suspect that this year’s competition will be the same.” You can read the rules and conditions, and more about Flash Fiction, at the Book Week website at www.kirkcudbrightbookweek.org Invitation to Screen Your Work Galloway Shorts is a celebration of films made by amateur and emerging filmmakers, hosted by CatStrand and Dalry Film Club. It will be a chance to see work by others and meet other filmmakers. Galloway Shorts welcomes participants of all ages and levels of experience. Regrettably, there is no financial incentive to take part. Films can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make them, but should fit within the time limits set out below. Submissions are invited from any filmmaker aged 12+ in the following categories: Drama (5-10 mins), Documentary (3-5 mins), Digital Animation (1-4 mins), Stop Animation (1-2 mins). Deadline to Register Interest: January 6th, 2025. Films should be sent by: February 20th, 2025 Galloway Shorts Screenings will take place on 19 March 2025 at Dalry Town Hall See gcat.scot/Galloway-shorts/ for full details and the registration form. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 28 Songs for the turning of the year G lenkens audiences are in for a treat as SongWave Community Choir brings their winter concert series, 'Wassail! Songs for the Turning of the Year' to local venues. Led by musical director Kate Howard, SongWave is a Castle Douglas based community choir which is known for its joyous acapella renditions of a varied repertoire of songs. This winter, the choir will focus on the Wassail, which is the Anglo-Saxon word to wish someone good health. The group will perform carols from around the British Isles and through the centuries. From a 14th Century Hogmanay song 'Hagman Heigh' from West Yorkshire to Sheffield pub carols; a rediscovered bell carol from Barnsley to luck visiting songs from Somerset, SongWave offers good cheer and plenty of good luck for the year ahead. “We're looking forward to bringing Wassail! to the Stewartry," said the choir's chairperson, Jo Gallant. "The choir has been working hard to prepare for these concerts, and we're excited to share our passion for singing with the local community”. Performances in and around the Glenkens and district are Kirkpatrick Durham Village Hall on Saturday 14 December at 4pm and New Galloway Town Hall on Sunday 15 December at 4pm. SongWave presents Wassail! Songs from down the ages to celebrate the turning of the year, led by musical director Kate Howard. Friday 13th December 2024 Twynholm Village Hall 7.00 pm Saturday 14th December 2024 Kirkpatrick Durham Village Hall 4.00 pm Sunday 15th December 2024 New Galloway Town Hall 4.00 pm To find out more and book tickets please visit songwavechoir.org.uk. Tickets are £10, or £5 for those aged under 26, with refreshments being served in the interval. Don’t miss this unforgettable musical experience that celebrates songs marking the turning of the year. Tickets: £10, £5 under 26s, including refreshments, from www.songwavechoir.org.uk 07747 623036 Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 29 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers through some of his favourite books. In this edition Robin takes a look at some Palestinian writing... I t isn’t surprising that the Palestinian people have an enormously rich culture, given that they’ve inhabited the fertile and welltravelled bridge between Africa, Asia and Europe since long before human history began. Inheritors of three religions, and of Canaanite, Aramaic, Israelite, and Arab civilizations (among others), their culture is manifested in embroidery, jokes and oral history, music and dance, films, poetry and novels. I immersed myself in all of these forms during two visits to Palestine – once to teach a writing workshop at al-Najah University in Nablus, and once with the Palestine Festival of Literature, or Palfest. Michael Palin was with me on that one. He and I and a group of other writers went for a beautiful (surrounded by rolling hills and olive trees) and frightening (surrounded too by checkpoints, watchtowers and soldiers) walk with Raja Shehadeh, author of Palestinian Walks. A lawyer, human rights activist, and prize-winning writer, Raja has produced a string of works of creative non-fiction, which I highly recommend. I also recommend Minor Detail by Adania Shibli, which I’ve just finished reading. It’s a novella of two parts. The first is narrated by an Israeli officer stationed in the Naqab desert shortly after the Nakba, or Catastrophe, of 1948, when Palestinian society was razed and uprooted to make way for the new Jewish State. He and his troops are stationed there to apprehend ‘infiltrators’. They come across a Bedouin family, and kill the men. Then, after a period of indecision, they rape and kill the surviving young woman. The officer, meanwhile, is tormented by a spider’s bite, which provokes him to repeated Lady Macbeth-style washing around the edges of the wound. In his narration, what is left unsaid and unexamined is as impactful as what he chooses to notice. The second part of the novella is narrated by a woman who appears to stand at some point on the autism scale. Fascinated by the date of the crime, exactly 25 years before her birth, she David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP borrows a car with a registration plate that allows her to travel beyond the West Bank, and journeys in search of further information to the scene of the crime. As she drives, the reader learns a great deal about maps and boundaries, about the architecture of oppression and the geography of domination. Further connections than the crime itself link the two parts of the story – spiders, barking dogs, the smell of petrol – and these collapse time, creating a sense of eternal recurrence for those trapped in the nightmarish web. The end of the story is abrupt and unexpected. Adania Shibli’s curt, forensically precise, emotionally devastating prose is reminiscent of JM Coetzee at his best. For a larger novel, I recommend British-Palestinian writer Isabella Hamad’s highly accomplished The Parisian. (Isabella has also written a more recent book – Enter Ghost – which I haven’t yet read.) Poetry fans should look for work by the late Mahmoud Darwish, called ‘the national poet of Palestine’, and by the contemporary young poet Mosab Abu Toha, recently escaped from Gaza. Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 30 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 31 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Michele Owen 07940 313 445 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Parton: Tom - 07835 821 976 • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Balmaclellan: 1 Dec (11am service and also the vote on the new Union and Linkage), 5 Jan, 2 Feb - 11am Carsphairn: 8 Dec (morning worship & communion), 25 Dec (Christmas day service), 12 Jan, 9 Feb - 11am Kells: 8 Dec (6.30pm Carols by Candlelight), 15 Dec, 24 Dec (11.30pm Watchnight service), 19 Jan - 11am Dalry: 29 Dec (songs of praise), 26 Jan - 11am For further information contact Rev Pam Bellis on 07751 379 249 or pam@ bellisconsultancy.co.uk SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP The Rev Dawn Matthew Sundays:10.30am, Holy Communion with refreshments after the service. Tuesdays: 10am-12noon, look for the ‘church is open’ sign and pop in for private prayer or to chat with Dawn. Thursdays: 7.30-8pm, evening prayers via Zoom shared with our sister church, All Saints’ Challoch. Please contact Dawn for the link. CHRISTMAS SERVICES: Sun 22 Dec, 4pm, Community Carol Service followed by mulled wine and mince pies. Tue 24 Dec, 4-4.30pm, Family Nativity: come dressed as your favourite nativity character and hear the Christmas story told in rhyme! Wed 25 Dec, 10.30am, Christmas Day service with Holy Communion. For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 32 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies SEE AD ON PAGE 16... Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE You can now apply for a Garden Waste Collection Service permit at £40 per bin. for regular collections from March to November 2025. Apply online at www.dumgal.gov.uk/ wasterecycling or in person at a customer service centre such as Dalry Library. The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Advanced Massage Practitioner (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 33 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation WHAT'S ON page 34 December/January DECEMBER The Food Hub is running weekly throughout December, (see ad on p7 for QR code to shop). Galloway National Park consultation open until 14 February - www. newnationalparkgalloway.commonplace.is Sun 1, New Galloway Christmas Lights-on with mince pies and mulled wine, walk down from golf club car park to CatStrand New Galloway Town Hall Tue 10, GCT Bus Trip: Christmas Shopping, 8.45am-8.45pm, see p33 Wed 11, Make Do and Mend, 7-9pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Wed 11, POSTPONED National Theatre Live Prima Facie, CatStrand Fri 13, Hannah Rarity & Anna Massie, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 13, Quiz Night, 7-9pm, Balmaghie Public Hall Sun 1, Fergus McCreadie: From Scotland to Italy to Lithuania, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 14, Glenkens Children’s Christmas Party, 2-4.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Mon 2, Beginners Bridge Class starts, runs weekly, 7-9pm, Lochinvar Hotel Sat 14, Christmas Family Bingo, 4-5.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Wed 4, Joint Guild Christmas Coffee Morning, 10.30am-12noon, Dalry Town Hall Sat 14, Wassail! Songs for the Turning of the Year, 4-6pm, New Galloway Town Hall Wed 4, Film: Billy Connolly Big Banana Feet , 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 14, Mix Tape Dance Night, 8-11pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 5, Carsphairn SWI, 7.30pm, Lagwyne Hall Sun 15, Christmas Quiz, 6-9pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 6 & Sat 7 at 7.30pm, Sat 7 & Sun 8 at 3pm, CatStrand Players Panto: King Arthur, CatStrand Fri 6, New Galloway & Kells Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch, 12noon, New Galloway Town Hall Sat 7, Kirkpatrick Durham Christmas Fair, 10am-4pm, KPD Village Hall Sat 7, Carsphairn Community Woodland volunteer day, 10am-3pm, Muirdrochwood forest Mon 16, Community Café Christmas-themed lunch, 12noon-2pm, New Galloway Town Hall Tue 17, Carsphairn Music Concert, 8-10pm, Lagwyne Hall Wed 15, Film: The Holdovers, 7-9.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 17, Carsphairn Burns Supper, 7-11pm, Lagwyne Hall Sat 18, Community Garden Consultation, 12noon-3pm, New Galloway Town Hall Sat 18, Family Bingo, 4-5.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, all ages welcome. Sat 25, Bodega Social’s Wonky Burns Night, New Galloway Town Hall, see p3 Mon 27, GCAT AGM, 7pm, CatStrand Sat 1 Feb, CatStrand Burns Supper, 7.30pm, CatStrand HOUSE TO LET AND CARETAKER VACANCY - see p14 for details Sun 19, National Theatre Live: Nye, 3pm, CatStrand Sat 21, Christmas Carols at Barwhillanty, 6.3010pm, Barwhillanty Estate, Parton Tue 31, Community Hogmanay Ceilidh, 7pm12.30am, New Galloway Town Hall Sat 7, Mossdale Xmas Craft Fair, 11am-3pm, Mossdale Village Hall JANUARY Sun 8, Christmas Craft Fair, 11am-2.30pm, Sat 11, Risto’s Pop-up Restaurant – A Finnish Smorgasbord Feast, NG Town Hall Wed 18, Film: Wonka, 7-9.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 7, Dalry Community Café, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 7, Dragon Boats fundraising Party Night & Supper, 7.30-11pm, Dalry Town Hall CatStrand for a free bowl of soup and filled roll between 11.30am and 2pm, Tuesday to Saturday. See p6 Throughout December, January and February (while funding lasts) head over to the Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact richardandjane@phonecoop.coop or 01556 670 691 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 35 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Exercise Class, Tue, 6-7pm Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3pm Zumba, Fri, 6.30-7.30pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am-12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; Oct-Mar, 2.30pm) Soup & Sandwich, Sat, 12noon-2pm, Oct-Mar Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, Wedn & Fri, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making - Mon, 7-9pm Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@ gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10am CatStrand, New Galloway Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat biweekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.30am Musical Misfits, Sat, bi-weekly, 10am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16yrs) Art Explorers, Sat, 10.30am, fortnightly New Galloway Town Hall Community Larder, side door open for access Mon 9am–4.30pm; Tue 7-9pm; Wed 6.30–8pm; Thu 9.30am–6pm Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Dance for Wellbeing (adults), Mon 2.30pm Creative Movement for Children, 4pm LING Community Cafe, Tue, 12.30–2pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–5.30pm, drop-in Martial Arts, Thu, 7.30pm Babies & Toddlers, Fri, 10am For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Wee Wonders, Thu, 9-10am Clachan Crafters, Thu, 2pm, 07500 861 041 Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet. com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm, Tue 6-8pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Main St, Dalry - 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book at the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Facebook Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Song Share, 1st Fri each month, 7.3010.30pm Mossdale Village Hall Mossdale Painters, Wed, 9.30-11.30am Yoga, Fri, 2.15pm Soup Saturday, last Sat each month, 1-3pm Various Bumps, Babies & Beyond, every 2nd Mon, 10.30am, Kirkpatriack Durham Village Hall Learn to Play Bridge, Mon, 7-9pm, Lochinvar Hotel Keep Fit with Alex, 7.15-8.15pm, KPD Village Hall Strictly Get Dancing, Mon, 7pm, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Glenkens Oil Painters, Wed, 10am, Corfield House Art Studio Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed 2-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Thu, 1-3pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 Mum & Baby MovementThu, 9.3011.30am, Laurieston Village Hall Crossmichael Youth Club, Fri, Crossmichael Memorial Hall For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 36 Community membership model for Galloway Food Hub T he Galloway Food Hub, which gives people the on-line opportunity to buy local produce from local farmers, growers and producers, is set to become a membership organisation. In its first thirty months of operation the Food Hub has grown rapidly and boasts widespread support. Food Hub co-ordinator Lesley said: “We feel very supported by our customers and producers who tell us they love what we do. They appreciate the connection to farmers, growers and makers who produce food in a nature- friendly way in our region. Offering membership to our customers, producers, and anyone else who wants to support us, will allow them to have a say in how we run. We hope to have the membership scheme in place in January 2025 when we’ll be inviting people to join.” The Galloway Food Hub started as a project of Propagate (Scotland), a Community Interest Company (CIC) to fulfil a need in the local Glenkens economy for a hyper-local online marketplace, connecting communities to local producers. Now the Food Hub has branched out on their own to become incorporated as an independent CIC, limited by guarantee. The previous steering committee is now a board of nine directors, comprised of producers, customers, volunteers and staff members. The connection to Propagate remains strong. If you want to find out more about the Food Hub, or start to purchase the range of delicious, ethically produced, mostly locally sourced produce then visit www.gallowayfoodhub. org.uk, email hello@ gallowayfoodhub.org.uk or call Lesley on 07587 122 151. The Food Hub is running weekly throughout December - order one week Food Hub volunteers modelling some of the local veg on offer for collection or delivery the next. The last order window before Christmas is 13-17 December for collection on Friday the 20 December. Taking a break over Christmas and the New Year, the Food Hub reopens on its usual fortnightly cycle from the 10 January with the first collection date being Friday 17 January 2025 (see ad on p7 for QR code to shop). Photo of the Issue Sponsored by This issue’s winner is Jackie Wells with a stunning shot of the Northern Lights photographed from Balmaclellan church Jackie wins two portions of mac 'n' cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "We just really love the Northern Lights!" To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com FEB/MAR COPY DEADLINE: 5 JAN The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 145 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_145 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2024 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/299/GlenkensGazette146.pdf 5ef312296258a11e1276ff8dc1d10577 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 146 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document February/March 2025 ISSUE 146 Fabulous fundraising for Castle Douglas foodbank T wo local children embarked on an admirable, and very successful, festive fundraising journey in December, raising money for the Castle Douglas-based foodbank, Stepping Stones. Pippin and Fred, aged seven and eight, who are the children of local potters Hannah and Doug Fitch, spent their free time in 2024 making small ceramic brooches at their parents' pottery workshop. Once they were ready, these were sold alongside their parents' wares at craft fairs and shows across the region. Last year the children also made brooches to sell, and raised an incredible £841, but this year they almost doubled that figure with an astounding £1,600 raised. Having raised the funds, the children spent three hours in Tesco the week before Christmas buying food and necessities to stock the foodbank over the festive period. The siblings then delivered the food to Stepping Stones Foodbank in a van packed to the roof. T This means the CatStrand Touring Arts programme is assured until 2028; unprecedented support in INSIDE THIS ISSUE Become a member of the Galloway Food Hub ...turn to p6 Pippin and Fred in their van full of supplies, on the way to Stepping Stones Foodbank Mum Hannah said: "Tesco staff were very helpful, and even gave the children a sweet treat to keep their energy levels up during the mammoth shop. you despair, that such a thing is so very much needed in our wonderful region, but to teach the children that their relatively small efforts can have such an impact is a lovely lesson." "The children have worked so hard making all their brooches and the people who have bought them have been so very generous. It can make The Gazette would like to congratulate Pippin and Fred on their incredible achievement, and for setting such an inspiring example to us all. CatStrand Art’s 17-year history. key component of the Glenkens economy. Thank you to everyone who has supported CatStrand Arts over the years – you are a big part of this success.” A secure future for CatStrand Arts he Glenkens Community and Arts Trust (GCAT) is delighted to have been awarded three years of funding from Creative Scotland. FREE Peter Renwick, Creative Director of CatStrand Arts, said: “We are over the moon to have been fully supported by Creative Scotland’s Multi Year Fund. This will allow us to continue our work with national, regional and local artists to deliver outstanding Touring Arts programmes for the communities of the Glenkens. "We are hugely grateful for this support, which secures CatStrand both as a cultural Hub of the highest calibre and as a Helen Keron, Chief Exec of GCAT, said "This award is a testament to the ambition we have for CatStrand and our long track record of excellent delivery. "It means that we are going to be able to carry on making a huge difference to the people of the Glenkens and beyond into the long term, which is fantastic.” Loch Ken Trust Ranger wins award ...turn to p12 A successful year of community investment ...turn to p18 Ten years of the Glenkens Story ...turn to p25 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 2 Get involved in the Kells community place plan I f you live in Kells parish and care about the area we live in and wish to have a say in the way it evolves over the next 10 years, it's important that you read this article. Local place plans are being created in all the parishes of Dumfries and Galloway, including all the Glenkens communities. They will inform the way the Council develops and prioritises services and investment in our communities and form the background to spatial and planning policy. It is often said that local people do not have a voice; well, this is our chance for our voice to be heard and our local knowledge to be incorporated into the future plans for our area. What is the process? 1) To gather people's thoughts about the area, what makes it special to them and what they think works well, as well as where there is room for improvement. Kells Community Council has created a questionnaire. If you have not already filled one in, they are available at www.tinyurl.com/NGK-LPP1 For those who do not like computers, there are printed copies available at New Galloway Community Shop, the CatStrand and, if you are rural, there will be one included with this copy of the Gazette. 2) We need your responses by 21 February so that we can collate all of your input. There will be a feedback session during March (on a date yet to be set) which will be publicised nearer the time. This will allow you to see how the first draft of the plan is evolving and how all the information gathered will feed into the process of finalising it. For paper copies, the questionnaire lists places where there are boxes to return your copy. 3) A final version will be produced in April which needs to be submitted to D&G Council in May so that they can incorporate it into their regional plan in June. Why is this important? This process allows all of us, for the first time, to have a voice in the things that directly impact our communities. Our feeling of place is integral to our overall wellbeing, and having a say in how the area evolves to ensure a wellbalanced community which looks after the old, but creates sustainable jobs and futures for the young, is vital. There is change all around us. It covers all the traditional industries and land uses as well as the infrastructure we rely on for our daily lives. Agriculture, tourism, energy, forestry and our care sector, large businesses like Natural Power and any organisations which focus on our natural capital [the value of the natural world, including the living and non-living parts of ecosystems] are all areas where sustainable long-term employment can be encouraged. How do we realise these benefits without losing the essence of what we love? Landscape, biodiversity and land use are all key to our futures. Striking the right balance is crucial to a successful plan. Education, sports, housing and transport are all critical, together with the infrastructure of roads, communications and energy networks which create the backbone for our community wellbeing. Planning for flooding, resilience and extreme weather events are in need of a rethink. Linking our Kells plan to the other Glenkens plans on the larger issues listed above will make it easier to engage with developers, infrastructure providers and the Council in the way we create a coherent future for the Glenkens that fits the needs, and aligns with our local plan. We've created a Local Place Plan team to take this forward, chaired by Anna Lawrence and with members including John Muir, Dominique Pope, Lois Aitkenhead and Jeremy Sainsbury, ably supported by GCAT through Becca Nelson. If you treasure what we already have and want to influence the way our special environment evolves over the next 10 years, please complete the questionnaire and help us produce the best plan possible for Kells. To get in touch, call 07770 935 559 or email Jeremys@naturalpower.com Jeremy Sainsbury, Chair, Royal Burgh of New Galloway & Kells Parish Community Council LACE thanks for supporting plant purchases F ollowing on from the article in the last Gazette about Carol's plant stall, thanks go out to all the residents of New Galloway and the Glenkens... All the Life After Cancer Essex (LACE) members would like to thank you and the community for the wonderful donation of £630 through the purchase of plants from Carol's street stall in New Galloway. You can now look at your newly bought and matured plants and relate them to all the good you will have provided. As a charity close to the hearts of local residents Bill and Carol, LACE is a not-for- profit Community Interest Company, providing comfort to those affected by cancer throughout Essex. Your donations have gone towards walks in RHS Gardens, pottery classes, mindfulness courses, and other support for those going through cancer treatment or who are on the road to recovery. Steve Hammond, LACE Committee, and members Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 3 Mixtape party night in Dalry Town Hall T he first Mixtape party night was a dance-tastic success at Dalry Town Hall, with people shaking their tail-feathers to a variety of floor-fillers. People said: “It was great to have a space to dance like no-one is watching," and “it was a great night, great music and great company”. The idea behind this community dance night is that people request their favourite dance track that they just love to boogie to. It’s then added into a playlist that is played on the night. The tunes can be from any style, genre or era, creating an eclectic mix of music from pop to punk, indie to soul, rock to reggae and much more. This event will run every second Saturday of the month from, October to March, so some dates for your diary for the next ones coming up are Saturday 8 February and Saturday 8 March, from 8-11pm. If you would like to select a tune you can join the Mixtape Party Night WhatsApp group, then add the title and artist of one or two tunes to be played on the night. But you don’t have to request a tune to come along - everyone and anyone is invited, and there’s no entry fee, but cash donations are welcome, which go to cover the cost of hall hire, electricity and the hire of the sound system. Kath Peters Community Action Plan annual report published T he Community Action Plan Steering Group has published its Annual Report into delivery of the Glenkens and District Community Action Plan over 2024. The report gives updates on progress made in delivering the priorities of the Glenkens communities, as set out in the Community Action Plan (CAP) and can be found on the Glenkens Hub, under the Resouces tab, at www.glenkens.scot Great progress has been made by many Glenkens charitable organisations on these priorities, despite the cost-of-living crisis and a restricted funding landscape. In addition, the CAP Steering Group has been strongly advocating for the rural voice to be heard at regional and national levels – working to alleviate some of the challenges our communities face at a systemic, upstream level, rather than just intervening to mitigate the symptoms. The CAP's goal is for the Glenkens and district to be a "connected, resilient and carbon-neutral place, where people will want to live, to work, to bring up their families, and to grow old. It will be somewhere that other places in Scotland will look to for inspiration." The CAP is now more than four years old, and so the CAP Steering Group intends to Revellers dancing the night away at December's Mixtape Party Night use the current Local Place Planning process as the basis for a refresh of the CAP in the second half of 2025. There will be many opportunities to contribute to what the current priorities and needs of the Glenkens are then. A bit more about the CAP Steering Group... The Glenkens & District Community Action Plan Steering Group is supported by the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) and comprises volunteers from diverse backgrounds and experiences across the Glenkens communities. Their role is to ensure delivery of the CAP priorities, to respond to arising themes that impact the CAP goal, and to keep the CAP relevant. All information, including meeting reports, can be found on the Glenkens Hub under the Community/Community Groups tab at www.glenkens.scot The Steering Group was pleased to welcome two new members after the call for members last year, Robert McTurk and Jennifer Harvie, who will be known to many as long-term Glenkens residents and will be bringing their experience and expertise to bear on CAP delivery this year. In turn, Bob Glaister and Barney Fryer are stepping down, having been on the steering group since 2021. Many thanks are due to both of them for their wise insights and thoughtful contributions. The CAP Steering Group is still open to interest from more new members, and also for members specific to the Education and Learning and Land Use sub-committees. If you'd like to find out more about any of these voluntary roles, contact Helen Keron on helen@catstrand.com before 17 February. Helen Keron HOUSE TO LET 1 BEDROOM Wylie's Brae, New Galloway large bedroom, bathroom, livingroom, kitchen For further information contact Alistair on 07783 869 686 or smithalistair355@gmail.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews Decarbonising CatStrand I t's an exciting time for CatStrand at the moment. Over the Christmas break, we removed our oil boiler and oil tank and replaced them with solar panels on the cafe roof, as well as installing battery storage and two air-source heat pumps. This means that CatStrand now produces no carbon emissions in its heating requirements, which will remove nearly 10 tonnes of emissions annually. Of course, the solar panels won't be able to meet all of our energy demands in the winter, so we will draw electricity from the grid then to charge the batteries and power the heating, but we will maintain our 'renewables only' electricity contract to ensure that we are not just passing the emissions on. Those of you with long memories will recall that CatStrand was an early adopter of sustainable heating solutions, installing a wood pellet boiler on opening in 2007. However, it did not survive the 2017 flood and the only practicable solution at the time was to install an oil boiler. It is therefore excellent news all round that we are now able to make this significant step forward towards our net zero ambitions. Also part of this project was the upgrade of all of our lighting to LED fittings, including the 17-year-old power-hungry ones in the auditorium. This will reduce our overall energy need significantly. All this work has been made possible by funding from CARES through Local Energy Scotland and the Community Led Local Development (CLLD) ScotGov fund, administered by the D&G Local Action Group and Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway. Many thanks to them for the capital investment that is letting us make this step change in our emissions. page 4 Many thanks as well to John Crallan, who has again volunteered significant amounts of time in support of CatStrand and the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT). His technical expertise and due diligence has made this project a reality, along with support from Dave Stewart, another long-term supporter of the CatStrand. The panels and batteries have been installed by Smartly Energy and the Air Source Heat Pumps by Stewart Temperature Solutions, who all worked most diligently through the January cold snap to get it all up and running. To celebrate this milestone, CatStrand is hosting a public event on 9 February, in partnership with the Biosphere Climate Hub. We know that we are not the only ones working hard to decarbonise public buildings, and so this will be a Glenkens-wide celebration of net zero work done across the whole area. It will include a chance to hear from GCAT, Local Initiatives in New Galloway and Dalry Town Hall about their experiences of upgrading their community spaces, plus music from folk/ country singer-songwriter Sarah Jane Scouten and local food. This will all be followed by a screening of 'Living Proof', an evocative exploration of Scotland’s complex relationship to the climate crisis explored through archive film. To book your free ticket for this event, visit www.gcat.scot - do come along if you can - see p13 for more! Celebrating the Bard at Lagwyne Hall C arsphairn's 54th fundraising Burns Supper in Lagwyne Hall was a resoundng success, proving itself yet again to be one of the most popular Suppers around. Castle Douglasbased catering company, Caterbirds, provided a delicious meal. The evening’s entertainment began with Ryan Fergusson and his accordion accompanying Melissa Ade, dressed as Poosie Nancy, in the celebratory parade of the haggis. James Wallace presented a gripping Address to the Haggis and also a beautifully sung rendition of the Burns song, Green Grow The Rashes. The evening’s exemplary entertainment continued with Alec Ross capturing the full room’s attention with his recitation of The Immortal Memory. Local vet, Graham Bell, then had us all in tears of laughter with his Toast to the Lassies, followed shortly after by Fiona Durham’s witty Reply to the Toast. And of course a Carsphairn Burns Supper wouldn't be complete without Robert McTurk's legendary theatrical recitation of Tam o’ Shanter, with his trusty hobbyhorse mare, Meg, at his side. The evening drew to a close as Christine Whipp gave a heartfelt vote of thanks to those present on behalf of the Lagwyne Hall committee, for whom this annual event raises funds. Then hands were joined in friendship and voices raised in song for Auld Lang Syne before everyone went their separate ways, looking forward to coming together again in celebration of The Bard next year. Melissa Ade Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 5 Wonky Burns Night brings a twist to tradition at New Galloway Town Hall O n Saturday 25 January, New Galloway Town Hall hosted a unique twist on the traditional Burns Night celebration. Despite Storm Eowyn’s aftermath causing some uncertainty, the Bodega Social crew pushed ahead, turning the event into a sell-out! Rather than the usual haggis and recitations, the evening featured creative Burns-inspired cocktails and Scottish-themed Sichuanese food, including haggis gyoza and pickled neeps. Ben Wild, one of the event organizers, shared, “We had 165 ticket holders and our wonderful volunteer crew. The food was a hit, though we’ll need to make more next time! was another highlight, with everyone from babies to teenagers joining in the fun. The night began with an informal traditional music session, featuring fiddles, guitars, and drums. Wonky Burns Night showed that celebrations don’t always have to follow tradition. By embracing the untraditional, it honoured Robert Burns in a fresh, exciting way. Keep an eye out for Bodega Social’s next event, and if you're heading to Eden Festival, check out their Bodega Lounge! This laid-back vibe continued as the atmosphere built, with Edinburgh-based folktronica band Yoko Pono getting everyone on their feet. The event’s layout allowed guests to enjoy DJ sets and a chill-out area downstairs when they wanted a break from dancing. A standout feature of Bodega Social events is their ability to transform venues. This event, like others in village halls across Galloway, was unrecognizable with themed bars, clever lighting, and unique décor. The inclusive, intergenerational crowd MP and MSPs visit the Glenkens T he Community Action Plan (CAP) Steering Group was very happy to meet with John Cooper MP and MSPs Finlay Carson and Colin Smyth in the Glenkens last month. John came along to find out more about the Glenkens Community Action Plan and how the Glenkens is organising itself through the Glenkens and District Trust (GDT), the CAP Steering Group and the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust to ensure that the priorities in the CAP are delivered for our communities. He was very complimentary about our processes and delivery and indeed suggested that we should be telling more people about our successes and challenges. Finlay and Colin came the following week to discuss the GDT-commissioned report into rural education in the Glenkens and the wider challenges of depopulation in rural Dumfries and Galloway. They saw a clear link between a good educational provision being available to a rural area and the sustainability of those communities, and committed to continuing to work at Scottish Government level to advocate for the specific needs of rural communities. Thanks to all three for their time, ideas and support - it's important that our national representatives hear directly from their communities like this. Helen Keron Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 6 Become a member of Galloway Food Hub G alloway Food Hub, our online marketplace for quality locally produced food, is looking for members. The Galloway Food Hub, founded in 2022, has now become a Community Interest Company (CIC). This means anyone interested in sourcing good local food can now become a member. Members may be customers, suppliers or simply interested in the project. Membership - which is completely free - is open to any individual or organisation in Galloway or to anyone with an interest in local food. Lesley Atkins, co-ordinator of the Galloway Food Hub, says: “Membership allows you to have a say in how the hub is run. We only ask that members tell people about the food hub and its benefits and do whatever they can to promote us positively.” They work as packers or delivery drivers or assist with the many other tasks involved in running a growing and thriving business. Members can also be elected to the food hub’s nine-member management board.” Lesley stresses that the hub is open to all: “You can shop at the Galloway Food Hub whether you are a member or not, and you can be a member without buying from the shop. You can find out more about the producers and produce by visiting our website www.gallowayfoodhub.org.uk.” The online shop opens every second Friday for four days. During that time, you can place your order, pay for it online, and then either collect it or have it delivered the following Friday. Collection points include the Glenkens Community Centre in Dalry, next to the village hall in Corsock, or home delivery in the main villages of the Glenkens. Members can also opt in to receive a newsletter, and can attend the annual general meeting and take part in policy discussions. Three-quarters of the produce available is sourced from 33 small suppliers within a 35mile radius of the Glenkens. All products meet high climate, welfare and food safety standards. A quarter of the produce is sourced from further afield and is organically certified with high ethical principles. “There are volunteering opportunities for members who want to share their skills and become more involved,” explains Lesley. “We have an enthusiastic team of volunteers. The Galloway Food Hub aspires to make high quality local food affordable for everyone in the area. This is a challenge to achieve in today’s marketplace, but discounts can be made Tamsin, Gail and Lesley spreading the word about the Galloway Food Hub available to those who would like to support the hub but simply cannot afford to, through the 'Fair Food for All' scheme. Please get in touch if you’d like to know more by emailing lesley@ gallowayfoodhub.org.uk Since its establishment in 2022 as a project of Propagate, the food hub has grown rapidly, with sales in December breaking all previous records. Now that it is operating independently, as a CIC, Lesley and the organising team hope as many people as possible will become members. “Membership shows that the community value the food hub and appreciate its efforts to provide local food and support the small food producers in our region,” says Lesley. Visit www.gallowayfoodhub.org. uk to complete the membership application form, or you can call Lesley on 07587 122 151 to obtain a paper copy of the form. The Galloway Food Hub vision is to make local, sustainable, nourishing food available to everyone in Dumfries and Galloway. Your membership can help to achieve this. Margaret Elphinstone Name the Place I n each issue a photograph will be taken somewhere in the Glenkens by local photographer Ted Leeming and readers have to guess where it is. The answer can be found on p25, with a bit of information and food for thought about that location. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette A year in the life... W hat a year 2024 was for all of us here in the Glenkens - some very challenging times but some great achievements as well. I do think this is just an amazing community to live and work in, and I take my hat off to all the hundreds of volunteers, local business people and community workers who make it what it is. Looking back at the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) over 2024, we put on an amazing Touring Arts programme. Despite the continuing uncertainty over funding, we managed to present a packed programme consisting of over 110 events of the highest quality. At the time of writing, we're waiting anxiously for news of our threeyear Creative Scotland settlement - the fund is heavily oversubscribed but I've got to assume that our amazing track record will stand us in good stead. CatStrand Young Creatives also had a fantastic year, bringing amazing opportunities to our young people. We now know that Young Creatives is assured until at least March 2027 thanks to core funding from the Holywood Trust, plus YouthLink and (hopefully!) Creative Scotland's Youth Music Initiative, all of which is a huge testament to the work of all concerned. The third strand of our Artistic Vision is Cultural Glenkens, which provided a rich programme of Glenkens-focused events throughout 2024. We are still hoping to amplify this strand through support from the Heritage Lottery – decision in March. Aside from the Arts, our support of the Glenkens communities through the Community Action Plan (CAP) continues at full steam. Our core CAP projects are delivering well: Galloway Community Transport (GCT) had a fantastic year, particularly on fleet replacement thanks to generous private donations and matched funding. They will of course continue providing school bus services, registered routes, patient transport, member hire and excursions. The Glenkens Gazette and Glenkens Hub continue to go from strength to strength and we're looking forward to creating some special editions in 2025, thanks to NatureScot support. The Glenkens Hub (www. glenkens.scot) is an invaluable font of information, from Glenkens events to news to reports and photo archives. You can also follow the Hub on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates on life in the Glenkens. funding from the Glenkens and District Community Fund. The CatStrand cafe and bar continues to provide a welcoming space for all in the Glenkens. This winter, we were pleased to be able to offer free soup and hot drink combos to allow people to linger in our warm spaces over the winter months, thanks to the Council's 'Tackling Poverty Initiative', which continues through February. And talking of warm spaces, we have completed a major capital upgrade to decarbonise our heating system more detail on that elsewhere. A great result! As well as these projects, the Community Action Plan (CAP) Steering Group continued to work behind the scenes in 2024 to ensure that the CAP priorities are delivered and that the CAP stays relevant and useful. I know that they have very much appreciated the work of many Glenkens organisations on delivering CAP-related projects, such as Propagate and the Galloway Food Hub, the Pamela Young Trust and community housing, and the Loch Ken Trust and their resilience work, as well as many others. There have also been some very interesting emerging themes over the last year. A fit-for-purpose Education and Learning provision underpins the CAP Vision of a thriving Glenkens and so the CAP Steering Group has been working with the Council's Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Directorate to try and come up with more creative solutions to remote-rural education. The work is ongoing and is challenging but important! Likewise, work continues on the topic of Land Use to try and ensure that the Glenkens benefits from a joined-up approach that balances food production, sustainable tourism, biodiversity, climate mitigation, energy production and productive forestry. Again, challenging but important! I don't think there's one person who doesn't go above and beyond in pursuit of their efforts on behalf of the Glenkens... Brilliantly, funding from the Glenkens and District Community Fund through Foundation Scotland means that the Hub is assured throughout 2025. The Glenkens Community Spaces Network continues to do a great job supporting the many volunteers of the town and village halls. We hope you find it useful to have a paid resource supporting your volunteer efforts, thanks again to the Glenkens and District Community Fund. We've also secured funding from Awards for All to allow Jo Jackson to bring her Together in the Glenkens experience to bear in supporting village halls to put on more, or different, activity programmes. These are all part of GCAT's aim to support our communities to do what they need, rather than doing it ourselves. The Glenkens Youth Group continues to provide a relaxed space for P7 - S3s to chill out in after a great year in the Glenkens Community Centre in Dalry, they're temporarily relocating to Balmaclellan Village Hall while the community centre is being upgraded, but they'll still all have an excellent time. All welcome, and quite free - thanks again to page 7 Thanks as ever to all the many volunteers who give up their time to advocate for the Glenkens at a regional and national level - not always widely seen, but much appreciated. We were very pleased to be able to support Dalry Community Council with the creation of their excellent Local Place Plan, which also resulted in a Glenkens template that is now being rolled out to many other Glenkens community councils. These plans should provide an important community voice looking forward, so hats off to all concerned for their work on this. All of this work on all these fronts is underpinned by the excellent work of the GCAT staff, volunteers and key deliverers. I don't think there's one person who doesn't go above and beyond in pursuit of their efforts on behalf of the Glenkens, so thank you to them all. Also a massive thank you to our Board and Audit & Finance Committee members who work so hard behind the scenes to ensure that GCAT is a well-managed and sustainable organisation with a clear strategic vision. This was recognised last year by the Glenkens and District Trust designating GCAT as the key anchor organisation for the Glenkens, which came with much-appreciated core funding from the wind farm funds. This was especially valued as the extremely challenging funding landscape meant that we had to re-organise to reduce core costs last Autumn. This was a difficult time for many staff, but I very much appreciated their commitment to the ongoing sustainability of GCAT and CatStrand, and I am optimistic that it puts us in a really strong position for 2025 and beyond. If you'd like to find out more about our plans for the future, do come along to our AGM, this year on the 24 February at 7pm in the CatStrand. All are welcome, and it might not even be too late to join the GCAT Board if you'd like to be part of all this - do get in touch to find out more. Helen Keron, GCAT Chief Executive helen@catstrand.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Youth Correspondent page 8 Joshua Wells, aged 15, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Joshua discusses the CatStrand Christmas panto. A s we took our bows, a round of applause marked the end of our amazing journey that we had. The CatStrand panto was sure to bring enjoyment to any panto fan, young or old, man or woman. The chosen script for the 2024 play was slightly unorthodox compared to other pantos the CatStrand Youth Players have performed. The story that we were going to perform was the wonderous tale of King Arthur. If you don't know the story of King Arthur, it's the legendary tale of the wonderous blade in the stone called Excalibur, and whoever pulls the sword from the stone will be crowned King of Britain. Morgana, an evil sorceress, challenges Arthur in a jousting competition. Many men from all over the country rushed to pull the mighty blade from the stone, however, no one could pull Excalibur from the stone it was trapped in until one young boy called Arthur stepped up to give it a go. After Arthur’s courageous knight, Lancelot, wins the great competition, Morgana plots to kill King Arthur in many ways, casting a spell to get Lancelot to kill Arthur and then attempting to use a fierce dragon to end Arthur’s reign. All of these plans fail, and the panto ends happily, just as any panto does. To many this boy looked like just any other boy, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Arthur gripped the humungous handle with his tiny hands and pulled the blade out, shocking many and crowning him king. The panto takes place 30 years after the events of the original tale. Arthur's right to the throne is threatened after his cousin WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING TIMES OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.30pm MONDAY – FRIDAY Sat 8.30am-5pm Sun 8.30am-3pm 7.30am – 5.30pm POST8.30am OFFICE– 5pm SATURDAY Mon-Fri 10am to 3pm SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm Sat 9am to 12noon Sun closed LOCAL SUPPLIERS LOCAL SUPPLIERS DALMELLINGTON BUTCHERS DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY HENDERSON BUTCHERS RAMSAY OF CARLUKE BUTCHERS BUTCHERS UPPER TREATS DULLARG EGGS SWEET BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG CREAM O' GALLOWAY SWEETCAKES BAKERY GALLOWAY LODGE IRVINGS BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY COWS & CO CHEESE THE CRESS COMPANY CREAM O GALLOWAY BORDER BISCUITS GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES HAWKSTONE BREWERY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG IRVINGS BAKERY SULWATH BREWERY SCOTTISH GALLOWAY PASTA ...local delivery available... GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE We started the rehearsals for the panto just after the summer. For a few weeks, we read our scripts to give Brian and Cat an idea of who would be best for each character. After the weeks of hoping and wondering which character we would get, one day I came in and Brian asked if we could all sit down. Wondering what was going on, I waited patiently, watching Brian write in his notebook. After what felt like hours, Brian flipped open the cover of the notebook he had been jotting stuff into and told us our roles. The wait was over, and I was given the role of King Arthur. After being given our roles, we had to perfect the show for the deadline, which would be sooner than I thought. I spent hours in my room flipping each page of my script, making sure that I knew each and every word of my lines, and still it didn't feel like enough. We rehearsed every week, ironing out any mistakes and making it the best we could. The panto weekend had finally arrived, and excitement with a sprinkle of nerves emanated through the air. After many rehearsals, costume fittings, and preparation, it was time to actually perform the play to a whole audience of people. Everyone was full of energy, ready to give an unforgettable performance to the crowd. All the hard work had led up to this weekend. After four shows, and hearing comments from many audience members, I can happily say that the show was brilliant and fun for both the audience and the cast (even though I had to wear makeup). (See panto article on p27...) Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 9 Dalry Secondary School visiting Glasgow and water polo S 1-4 pupils had a lovely festive day out in Glasgow before Christmas. First stop was the Christmas market in George Square, where they enjoyed seeing (and eating) Polish sausages sizzling on hot coals amid fairground rides for the bravest. Lena writes: “The fairground was exciting and busy. Some went on the 'drop tower' and we (me and Piri) told them not to lose their shoes – it looked terrifying!” Then it was time for a Spanish tapas lunch... "The food in Café Andaluz was AMAZING!! I had some haddock bites. I ate far too much!” writes Piri. “I would definitely go again!” says Eleanor. After the delicious Spanish food, it was time for the next cultural experience, at the Theatre Royale. “The Nutcracker ballet was beautiful and very elegant,” and “the clowns during The Nutcracker were also good,” were some of the comments, and Lena concludes, “It was actually all amazing!”. Thanks to English teacher Miss Bellwood for organising the trip. Wet Wednesday Fun Swimming is the theme for Wednesday Afternoon Activities this term for the S1-S3 year groups. As well as being our music teacher, Mrs St Joseph is also a qualified swimming instructor, and has started taking pupils to Kirkcudbright Pool for swimming lessons and other aquatic activities, including water polo. As well as being great fun, this is also a great opportunity to improve skills and increase confidence in the water. Dalry Primary School update with all the children excelling in their roles. The children showed great innovation and engineering skills as well as navigating tricky group work scenarios. and for primary pupils to work alongside the secondary pupils, who manned the raffle and bake stall. The Christmas Fayre, where we invited members of the community in and raise money for the school, was a great success. It was lovely to see the community come together Thank you to all who attended and who offered help on the day, as well as families who baked treats and donated them to sell at the bake stall. The Christmas show was also a great success, The Dalry children did excellently, showing fabulous team work and sportsmanship, narrowly missing out in a place in the semi-final. D alry P4-7 class have focused on STEM activities this term, including a k-nex challenge and using Capla blocks to work together to build the tallest tower. Four children who won the Dalry heat of the floor curling competition got to represent the school at a Stewartry event at Dalbeattie, where every school in the Stewartry attended. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 10 Kells Primary School activities O ur fabulous Parent Council organised and funded a community event with a bonfire, melted marshmallows, hotdogs and soup. Some parents also set up a temporary tattoo station. It was great to see families and friends of the school come together at this event. Thank you to the Parent Council for organising. Some of the other events and activities we've been up to are a farm trip for the P1-4 children to Littleton Farm, Maths and Literacy learning, singing for LING Christmas Lunches and a P5-7 World War II Day. MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 Amber Dunlop-Pajo Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 11 The Optimistic Environmentalist Reducing your home energy bills - Part Nine Generating income Make the most of your home by sharing with a friend or renting out a room (www.gov.uk/rentroom-in-your-home/the-rent-aroom-scheme). This way, you can share energy and technology costs, have company, do deals for parents/ children/house-sitting, have help with your physical or childcare needs, and get some income. Generating income from the increasing number of electric vehicle users and charge, Osprey (www. ospreycharging.co.uk) will lease the land from you, organise and fund EV charger installation, and then advertise it as available to electric car users. Other ways to generate income Make warm dressing-gowns, body-warmers and throws with microwaveable heat pads or draft excluders, heavy curtains or water tank jackets that you can sell locally or on the internet to help people to insulate their parts of their stay as you can; many people will be very knowledgeable and it could backfire if you are not clear what they will get. No accommodation is perfect so be honest about what you have done and what you haven't or ask for ideas. If you have a private pension or money to invest, think about environmentally responsible companies. The Pension and Lifetime Savings Association estimates that UK pension a) You can rent out your EV charger to other electric car owners. If you sign up to Cocharger (www. co-charger.com) for instance, they will manage the charging mechanism and pay you any money generated. b) If you have land with road access that is enough for at least two cars to park Traditional work is thus developing too so it is just as important that builders, plumbers, electricians and so forth keep up-to-date as well. Our local area is struggling to meet demand so be brave and don't assume you have to leave the area! The future Be creative, whether it's technology, work practices or processes, the world is changing rapidly. It's easier to get finance for things that make environmental and economic sense. Many companies are looking for positive change so it is important that we all give it a go. Use your creativity to help them change for the better or invent something! People plug in their car to your outside charging point or garage and use an app on their phone to pay so generally, you don't need to do anything. Companies like Cocharger provide a map app for customers so you don't need to advertise and you stay in control of when your charger is available. You only make a small amount of money at a time, but as electric car numbers are growing, particularly among neighbours and visitors, this will become more popular. or to move your skills across to a new field, and whatever your age group, gender, etc, insulation, solar, ground and air source heat pumps, and other environmental technologies are growing rapidly, alongside their support services. properties – please check the appropriate regulations first. funds invest around £1 trillion in the UK alone. If you have a holiday let, hotel or bed and breakfast, advertise your green credentials to generate custom. This is your money so encourage your pension provider to invest responsibly. Make sure though, that you have addressed as many If you are looking for a career, think green. Whether you are going to train or retrain, Family and friends coming to stay? N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) Call Fiona on 07789 903127 - 01644 420737 - www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Buggies now available for hire Licence no DG00824P VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME This series was to give you a snapshot of some possibilities to get you started on your journey to reduce home energy useage. To find out more, websites like www. energysavingtrust.org. uk and YouTube channels such as www.youtube. com/justhaveathink and www.youtube.com/user/ fullychargedshow (which has a companion podcast too) have some great ideas. Denise MacDonald-Kiernan Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment L och Ken Trust head ranger, Leanne Pumpr, has been awarded the prestigious Margaret Fraser Award for the best article of the year in the Scottish Countryside Rangers Association SCRAmble magazine. The award is presented each year and was judged by Ann McKillop of the Scottish Countryside Ranger Association. Ann said: “The article that stayed with me during my deliberations highlighted good practice, practical problem solving and a holistic approach to site management. From involving the police, delivering educational messages, speaking to visitors on site and just getting out there and talking about poo!” The Scottish Countryside Ranger’s Association (SCRA) is the professional membership for countryside rangers and associated countryside professionals in Scotland. The award was presented by Kate Elliot, chair of the SCRA, who visited to present Leanne with her certificate and trophy. Leanne won the award for her article titled Rural Crime which featured in the Autumn 2023 edition. You can read SCRAmble magazine online at www.scra-online.co.uk Leanne said: “I am surprised and thrilled 'Best article' wins head ranger top award page 12 LOCH KEN TRUST RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 to receive this award. Working to prevent rural crime is a something I feel passionate about, and I am delighted to receive such praise for my article. I also suffer from dyslexia, so to achieve this is really special.” Climate Ready Glenkens With extreme weather events happening more and more frequently, and three named storms in the UK already this season, Loch Ken Trust are pleased to announce that we have received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund for resilience work in the Glenkens. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK. The funding received will see the Loch Ken Trust Ranger Service working with communities in the Glenkens on resilience planning. IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL DALRY RESIDENTS On Wednesday 5th March there will be a resilience test event on the Throughgate between 11am-approx 12 noon. This will be a staged emergency made to look like a real emergency. Please do not be alarmed or call the emergency services. There will be no vehicle access through the Throughgate during this time but foot access will be possible. This event is being held by the Loch Ken Trust with support from D&G Council, the emergency services & D&G Climate Hub, as part of Dalry CC’s resilience preparations. For further information email sjtdalrycc@gmail.com The Climate Ready Glenkens project will also involve a mock scenario test event in March, a resilience conference, extended ranger rural watch patrols in the communities, and the creation of a store of shared community resilience resources. The increase in both frequency and severity of extreme weather events in recent years Leanne Pumpr (left) receiving her award from chair of the SCRA Kate Elliot has coincided with a steady reduction in resources and capacity to address issues related to these events. This situation hits remote rural communities especially hard. Leanne said: “ We are very excited to be able to continue our resilience work in the Glenkens and are looking forward to working with the communities. We would love members of the community to get involved and think about practical ways they can prepare for extreme weather events. "We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to support our communities to be prepared for the challenges to come.” Storm Bert recently caused significant disruption across the region with heavy rain, high winds and snow causing travel chaos and power outages, and most recently Storm Eowyn with record-breaking wind speeds and widespread power cuts. With these events predicted to happen more and more in the future, it is vital that our communities, especially in remote rural areas, have robust plans in place. Lindsay Stewart Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment Celebrating Energy Transition C ommunity buildings across the Glenkens have made significant strides in improving energy efficiency and reducing their carbon footprint over the last few years. In 2023, GCAT commissioned a report from Natural Power Consultants, titled Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation in the Glenkens – Community Buildings, which assessed energy use and outlined practical measures to enhance sustainability across 11 of our public buildings. Due in part to this and thanks to much volunteer effort, substantial improvements have been made to many Glenkens halls, including better insulation, the installation of air source heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage - page 13 reducing both energy costs and environmental impact. On 9 February we are planning an event to celebrate these achievements across the whole of the Glenkens, offering a chance to hear directly from those managing community spaces about their experiences. Presentations will be given by CatStrand, New Galloway Town Hall and Dalry Town Hall on their recent historic building upgrades. There will be a chance to chat further over a bowl of ‘zero waste soup’ with ingredients sourced from LING Larder. This will be followed by a powered-down acoustic candle lit performance by award-winning Canadian folk and country artist, Sarah Jane Scouten. Stay with us afterward for a screening of Living Proof – A Climate Story, Emily Munro’s powerful portrayal of industrial change in Scotland through archival footage. These events are presented by CatStrand Arts, in partnership with the D&G Climate Hub and take place at 2pm Sunday 9 Feb Musician Sarah Jane Scouten, who will be performing an acoustic set at the event at CatStrand, New Galloway, and is followed by a screening of Living Proof-A Climate Story at 5pm. Free tickets can be booked from CatStrand 01644 420 374 or gcat.scot/arts Peter Renwick, CatStrand Creative Director Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 14 sponsored by United Nations Climate Change Conference Roland Chaplain reports on the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference and examines the changes needed to combat the climate situation, culminating in a call to action for COP30 in 2025. I must start any feedback report on COP29 by stating what a huge privilege it was to have been one of the 10 online participants supporting Royal Meteorological Society CEO, Professor Liz Bentley, at the conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November last year. This is the first time that there has been a facility enabling observers to digitally move between meetings, enabling 3,000 digital attendees from across the globe. Those online ranged from nongovernmental organisations such as youth groups, indigenous peoples and research organisations, and although there is still a long way to go before NGOs and wider civic society have significant influence over outcomes, it is a vital first step to show that it is possible. Much of the COP process is very technical and full of legal language to ensure nations comply with the agreements. To make the proceedings accessible to more people, throughout the fortnight I summarised what I was hearing at the press conferences, highlighting some of the discussions taking place and recording representations from those most affected right now by the climate crisis. You can read the summaries at www. glenkens.scot/glenkens-news/cop30-call-toaction LOOKING AHEAD TO COP30 IN BRAZIL NEXT YEAR This is the really important one, coming 10 years after the Paris Agreement, the legally binding international treaty to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels. In response to calls from civic society and youth groups in Brazil, the Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula), has called for this to be the first ever truly 'People’s COP’. It is essential for tackling the climate and nature crises that COP30 is structured in a way which redistributes the balance of power and includes meaningful online participation from citizens' assemblies, community groups and other nongovernmental organisations. THE ROUTE TO MAKING IT HAPPEN This article is a call to everyone to recognise the inter-connectedness of all the causes and solutions to the present climate and biodiversity crises. Scotland is a microcosm of the global problems of human beings' relationship with the surface of our planet. The extreme concentration of the ownership of land into so few hands in Scotland typifies the global problem of legal systems that evolved to benefit the already wealthy and powerful, at the expense of the exploited. For meaningful online participation at the forthcoming COP30, work would need to begin immediately in order to build the framework with the widest possible public buy in through citizens assemblies, organised down to the most local and inclusive of level. Let's hope that the year-long process that culminates in COP30 in November 2025 in Brazil will see all of us go far beyond what any had previously thought possible to address the root cause of our present predicament. Galloway Food Hub seasonal recipe T his is a delicious, versatile and fuss-free way to celebrate winter vegetables. It uses only one tray and is oven baked. You can mix and match the veg with whatever you have to hand; celeriac and beetroot also work very well in this dish (the aim is to have around 800g of veg). The blue cheese here pairs well with the sweet root vegetables, but if it’s not to your liking, switch it out with a cheddar-style cheese. WINTER VEGETABLE FRITTATA 2 carrots 1 large leek 3 parsnips 1 small squash 8 eggs 3 cloves of garlic, crushed 1 tbsp fresh rosemary (or 1tsp dried) 1 tbsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried) 50g blue cheese, crumbled Salt and pepper to season Pre-heat the oven to 180°C / gas mark 4 Peel and roughly chop the carrots, parsnips and squash into chunks of about 1-2cm. Slice the leek into thin discs. Ingredients Place the veg in a deep baking tray around 20-30cm in size. Drizzle over the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 3 tbsp olive oil Place in the oven and bake for 40 minutes, Serves 4-6 stirring the veg halfway through cooking. While the veg is cooking, beat the eggs in a measuring jug along with the garlic, rosemary and thyme. Remove the veg from the oven, pour over the eggy mixture and sprinkle over the cheese. Return the tray to the oven and cook for another 10-15 minutes until the egg is set. Allow the frittata to cool slightly in the tray and serve warm. The frittata can be made ahead of time as it will keep well in the fridge for up to three days. It’s a great meal to make at the start of the week so you have some veg filled, readyto-go lunches for the next few days. All of the ingredients in this recipe can be purchased from the Galloway Food Hub (www. gallowayfoodhub.org.uk). Recipe and photos by Beth Webb, chef and grower from Cree Valley Herbs - you can find more of Beth's recipes at www. creevalleyherbs.co.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 15 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE WANTED Pair of upholstered bar stool chairs, (light wood, with red, removable covers), IKEA. Good condition. Contact: 07748 631820 Victorian/Edwardian tiles. Standard 6” square, the kind used in entrance lobby or fireplace. Not modern reproductions as they are a different thickness. Wanted for random tiling project - they don’t have to match. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 Toshiba TV, 26" screen with remote control. Contact: 07974 026380 Rabbit hutch and all rabbit-related bits to go with it (indoor hutch, litter tray, water bottle, some food and hay and treats). Contact: 07727 127 997 Lakeland food dehydrator. Electric. Good for apples, mushrooms, peppers, etc. Almost new. Contact: 07563 718 011 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 Metal bunk bed frame, double bottom, single top. Contact: 07952 280 902 Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Non-runners/broken welcome. Contact: 07845 562 217 FOR SALE & OFFERS Rolson bike rack (for tow bar), carries two adult or three children's bikes, v. good condition, £15. Contact: 07967 959 511 Habitat fold-away desk, ideal for homework or WFH, very good condition, £15. Contact: 07967 959 511 Shed clearances - any shed cleared, large or small; get in touch to for further info or to arrange a visit. Contact: 07765 034 841 Are you looking to plant trees this winter? We have grants available for small-scale native planting schemes. For full info, visit: www.dgwoodlands.org.uk Registered as a SCIO, no 052525 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 16 New lease of life for Corsock's 'Auld Village Garage' A local businessman plans to put the abandoned Corsock garage back on the map. Corsock garage has lain empty and abandoned for nearly 30 years, but now Corsock based businessman John Carolan has plans to turn it into a destination craft centre. John said: ‘My wife and I moved to Corsock only last summer with plans to take life a bit easier now we are of a certain age! "However, out walking the dog one morning I saw the 'For Sale' sign and just knew I could create a business out of the old garage. I put in a fair offer and just a few weeks later the deeds were mine. "It is in a terrible state, last used for donkeys years ago. It will clean up though; some hard graft and lots of repairs and we will soon have it presentable." Soon to be named 'The Auld Village Garage - Corsock', the sort of wares that John believes would be at home there are garden ornaments, hanging baskets, bedding plants, garden furniture, chainsaw carvings, outdoor lamps and pottery. But it doesn’t stop there and John suggests there are plenty of ‘crafty people’ with more ideas who he hopes would become involved. Local craftspeople will be offered space to exhibit and sell their stock at very reasonable rates and are invited to get in touch to find out more. "The A712 that runs through Corsock isn’t exactly a busy thoroughfare but, with good marketing, I am confident we can attract locals and tourists to stop by", says John. "I have spent much of my life building businesses - for instance, our other key business is Pet Flaps UK started less than four years ago and we are now the biggest installer and supplier of cat flaps and dog doors in the UK." John believes that the old garage has great potential and hopes to put Corsock firmly on the map as a destination rather than just a place to drive through. If anyone would like to find out more or get involved with this project they can email TheAuldVillageGarage@mail. com or call John on 07934 158 726. Hat-trick of wins for competitor Valerie G lenkens resident Valerie Russell, who frequently enters competitions run by the Dumfries-based OG Competitions, is now on her third win. Company director, Mo Sabur, said: "Valerie has been lucky enough to win on two previous occasions with OG Competitions, £150 cash and £200 cash. On this occasion Valerie won a Ninja Perfect Temperature Kettle which was supplied to us by Wilsons in Dumfries, where we get all our Ninja and Shark products. I'd like to thank Valerie for entering our competitions and for the support she has shown us, not only by entering but also on social media." Mo goes on to give a bit of background to the OG Competitions story: Eileen Campbell To arrange a visit in the comfort of your own home please contact 07515 168 963 or empathyfoothealth@gmail.com I have a full time job working as an electrician at sea and work away for weeks and weeks at a time. My two daughters were my inspiration for starting OG Competitions in May 2024. Leaving the house for weeks on end was and still is becoming harder. This spurred me on to start my little venture, have some fun and create as many local winners as possible. As well as becoming a successful business, one of our aims is to help the region as much as possible, through charitable donations and promoting local business. In 9-10 months of business, we have donated £4,611 to local charities and good causes. I've always wanted to support local business as much as possible as my parents had a business in Dumfries. Our competitons are aimed at bringing people from outside the region to the area; for example, we run competitions for local holiday lodges and short stays in our area. Working with a number of local businesses helps to showcase what our area has to offer and to help promote Dumfries and Galloway. If you're a local business and would like to get involved, or Valerie Russell receiving her prize from Mo Sabur of OG Competitions if you'd like to enter one of the prize draws, you can visit www.ogcompetitions.co.uk or get in touch with Mo directly on 07943 088 928. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 17 Glenkens Community Spaces Network T he Glenkens Community Spaces Network (GCSN) meets every other month. The network provides a forum for volunteers managing village halls and community centres across the area to come together and share successes, problems and ideas for collective working. I've been in post as GCSN facilitator since November 2022 and am delighted that the Glenkens & District Community Fund has now awarded Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) a further year's funding for this project, securing the future of GCSN until the end of 2025. In remote-rural communities like we have in the Glenkens, community spaces play a vital role in supporting residents to socialise, learn, enjoy music, crafts and sports, and provide a safe environment should home evacuations be necessary in cases of severe weather. It's a pleasure to be able to support the many committed volunteers in this work. There were many positives in 2024 for GCSN members, with a number of venues securing funding to improve energy efficiency or completing works in this area. The Dalry Community Properties Trust was also successful in applying for the asset transfer of the Multi-Use Games Area (also known as the MUGA) beside Dalry School into community ownership. Some venues also took part in resilience planning work through a project funded by the National Centre for Resilience and led by the Loch Ken Trust. Although there were many positives, some management committees did face challenges, such as significant issues with the fabric of their buildings. It's a really challenging time at the moment and the committees are doing a great job. The GCSN always welcomes new members - if you are involved in running a community building in the Glenkens and are not yet a member, please get in touch (becca.glenkens.anf@gmail.com). I would like to extend a huge "thank you" to each of the hardworking volunteers who give their time to keep the doors open throughout the year at our town and village halls and community centres. We will be celebrating their work during Village Halls Week in March. I am also delighted to be working alongside Jo Jackson in her newly created role as Community Activity Adviser! GCAT has secured funding from Awards for All (National Lottery) for this new one day per week role, created to provide extra support and guidance for activity programmes throughout the community spaces of the Glenkens. Jo will be able to use her experience gleaned over the past two years through GCAT's Connecting in Communities and Together in the Glenkens projects to support the amazing volunteers of our town and village halls in their ambitions to have a lively and well-attended space within their community. She will work with any interested committee to ascertain what activities would best serve their community, create an action plan and do a certain amount of the leg work. In this role, as for the GCSN facilitator, GCAT is hoping that providing a modest amount of paid support will relieve the load on our volunteers and perhaps result in renewed activity programmes across the Glenkens. Jo has been in touch with GCSN members about the support she can offer, but if you would like to get in touch with her directly, you can email jo@catstrand.com for any further enquiries. Here's to a productive 2025! Becca Nelson, GCSN Facilitator and Jo Jackson, Community Activity Adviser Clanjam kids sessions Cost of living advice day W e’re thrilled to announce that ClanJam is expanding to a brand-new location. Join us at the CatStrand during February and March for magical mornings of music, stories, and community fun! Thanks to the support of CatStrand Young Creatives, Holywood Trust and Youth Music Initiative, sessions will be held at the CatStrand, New Galloway, at 11am on the last Friday of the month (28 Feb and 28 Mar). Expect lots of smiles, laughter and, of course, music-making. Whether you’re a seasoned ClanJam regular or new to the fun, we can’t wait to see you there - let’s make some noise in New Galloway! (Clanjam sessions also run at 10am each Monday at Kirkcudbright Community Centre.) Amey Turner T here will be a Cost Of Living Advice Day on Thursday 27 February from 2-6pm at the CatStrand, New Galloway. GCAT (Galloway Community and Arts Trust) has secured funding from the Dumfries and Galloway Council Tackling Poverty and Inequalities (TPI) fund to host this informational session. It will be a free drop-in advice afternoon, where there will be plenty of advice and guidance available from relevant parties, to help us tackle the rising cost of living with information about where to go to get further support. All are most welcome, we look forward to seeing you on 27 February. For any further information please contact jo@catstrand.com Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 18 Glenkens & District Trust marks successful year of community investment T he Glenkens & District Trust (GDT) distributed more than £200,000 in 2024 to 15 local organisations, marking another successful year of supporting Glenkens communities. "We have distributed over £1.3 million to local organisations to date," said Fiona Smith, chair of GDT. "These funds make a real difference to the communities we love and are a clear demonstration of the value of place-based decision making." This year, GDT has focused on strengthening local community ‘anchor’ organisations. Fiona Smith explained: “We identified anchor organisations as groups that both deliver their own services and help other local groups succeed. These organisations are vital because they build capacity across communities and bring additional funding into the Glenkens, supporting our wider community network.” Two key organisations, Glenkens Lens (CoDeL), shows that quality education is critical for ensuring rural communities thrive. The study found many examples of communities in Scotland and further afield finding innovative and cost-effective ways to provide education. Theona Morrison, director at CoDeL, said: "This research confirmed the critical role that education plays in sustaining rural populations. The Glaisters Bridge project outside Corsock is one of the projects to benefit from GDT funding during 2024 Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) and Moniaive Initiative, were identified and will receive funding to provide some stability in a turbulent funding landscape, ensuring the benefits these of defining and identifying anchor organisations gave us the confidence to work with GCAT and Moniaive Initiative and we hope this funding strengthens their core operations.” This year, GDT has focused on strengthening local community ‘anchor’ organisations. organisations bring are secured for the wider community. Fiona Smith added: “Our process GDT funding has supported several significant local projects including the Galloway Food Hub which connects communities with sustainable, locallyproduced food. GDT has also supported protection of the area’s natural heritage through Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands project, ‘Woodlands Plus'. This project enhances the natural environment while making sure the woodlands benefit the surrounding communities. This is done through a mixture of employment opportunities and providing a positive visitor experience by improving pathways and providing high quality crafted seating. In response to challenges within rural education, GDT commissioned research to examine how other communities are addressing similar challenges. The research, by Community Development "Combined with the passion and deep understanding of education we found within local communities, and with the Council's priority to tackle depopulation, there is a real opportunity to develop education provision in the Glenkens that is innovative and transformational." Meanwhile, GDT’s Education and Training Fund helped 27 residents access professional and vocational training opportunities and further and higher education courses by covering travel, equipment and accommodation costs. Other highlights from the year include: • Supporting five local early learning centres with modest awards to benefit children’s early learning experiences • Providing small grants to every community council in the area for local projects Looking ahead, GDT expects additional funding from new wind farm developments in the area, potentially including Benbrack Wind Farm from 2026, which will help support more community projects. If you are interested in supporting GDT, you can become an associate member to stay informed without trustee responsibilities; apply at www. glenkenstrust.org.uk/getinvolved GDT’s spring round for grant applications closes on Wednesday 12 March and people can visit www.glenkens. org/funding to find out more about how to apply. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 19 Busy times at the Glenkens Youth group T he Glenkens Youth Group meet on a Monday evening from 7-8.30pm during school term time. Our usual venue is the Glenkens Community Centre in Dalry – a great space that provides us with a café/kitchen area, a large hall and space outside. We were all delighted to hear that the community centre is to undertake some renovations soon. We have therefore relocated to Balmaclellan Village Hall for a couple of months - same day and time. Most Mondays we are a group of around twelve, ranging in age from P7 to S3. As we have youngsters attending Dalry, Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright schools, and with some attendees living as far apart as Parton and Moniaive, the meetings provide a great opportunity to meet up with friends and make new ones in a safe and informal space. The group is led by the youngsters themselves and can vary from week to week. The main focus is to have fun, socialise and provide opportunities to share ideas and skills. The enthusiasm and amazing talent of the youngsters is the driving force of the group. Within minutes of the first arriving on a dark Monday evening, the centre comes alive, full of noise, laughter and an urgency to share news with each other. We have had music nights with guitars, recorders, drums and spoons and plenty of singing. Baking and cooking is always popular with the youngsters! With the ingredients provided, they are very happy to be left alone to follow a recipe or even create their own. A great evening in the autumn, led by Dave and Marion Briggs, produced delicious apple turnovers. We had great fun carving pumpkins and painting masks at our Halloween party and more recently a karaoke sing-along at our Christmas party. A huge "thank you" goes to Castle Douglas Tesco and the Co-op for their very generous donations towards those events. Our fire-lighting skills were put into practice in November, when a perfect evening was spent round the fire pit , toasting marshmallows and singing along to Izak’s guitar. With Christmas presents in mind, we spent a couple of evenings, under the expert guidance of Helen Ramage, creating some stunning mosaic coasters. We were very pleased with the results – thank you Helen! The evenings are often spent playing board games, table tennis or badminton in the hall. Following a chat about how to make better use of the hall, we decided to apply for funding to enable us to buy more equipment and fund an outing in the spring term. In December we were delighted to be awarded £500 by the Glenkens Community Charity Shop. Thank you very much – we will enjoy spending it on new resources, and an outing. New members (aged between P7 and S3) are always welcome. For more information please contact Sue at glenkensyouth@ gmail.com We look forward to the spring term, lighter nights and more fun and games! Thank you to our funders, youngsters and all who have supported our fantastic group. The Glenkens Youth Group is a Glenkens Community & Arts Trust project and is core-funded by the Glenkens and District Community Fund, administered by Foundation Scotland. Thanks to them all for allowing us to create this wonderful opportunity for our young people. Sue Curtis, Youth Group Deliverer Galloway Glens leaving a lasting legacy T he Galloway Glens Scheme came to an end in September 2023 after a fantastic five years supporting the communities of the Ken/Dee valley. The legacy of the Galloway Glens can be seen in many concrete ways, such as the Watson Birds Trail, a suite of new footpaths across the whole area or in renewed community buildings and assets. However, it also supported communities in many other ways and made a very real difference to the lives of many people who live here. To further its legacy, the Galloway Glens Scheme is operating small maintenance grants to ensure that legacy Galloway Glensfunded projects can continue to deliver great outcomes for the communities they serve. £45,000 is available and will be spent in annual rounds over the next three years. The first round closed at the end of 2024, and awards totalling £15,000 were made to nine excellent projects including water safety on Loch Ken, suporting Local Initiatives in New Galloway in maintaining footpaths and Balmaclellan Heritage Trust in investigations into a historic local site. The Galloway Glens Legacy Fund will re-open for the second round in September 2025. For further information please email enquiries.helen@catstrand.com Helen Keron, GCAT Chief Executive (GCAT provides secretariat services to the Legacy fund on behalf of the Galloway Glens) Water safety training at Loch Ken, supported by the Galloway Glens Legacy Scheme Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 20 Creating a better future for Galloway a Glenkens conversation on the proposed national park H ere is a conversation between two regular Gazette contributors with regard to the proposed Galloway National Park, offering interesting thought-provoking views from both sides of the fence. approve a National Park Plan. That is years off. Would overriding government priorities, such as renewable energy generation and transmission or afforestation, or support to farmers, be allowed? That’s unprecedented as this would be a government body, appointed by ministers and funded from Edinburgh despite what the minister claims. Ted Leeming: The National Park Act has the scope to implement an innovative, efficient, wellstructured (the right people on the board is essential) National Roger Crofts: Roger Crofts: Government funding isn’t always used well. Priorities don’t reflect our problems. Let’s turn that round; why not demand more community benefit from wind farm owners, create more local jobs through existing agencies like Forestry and Land Scotland, Nature Scot and support the GSA Biosphere effectively? Cheaper and more effective than more bureaucracy in another body with insufficient local accountability. Ted Leeming: I disagree that National Park priorities like sustainable There is need for action on many fronts - skilled jobs for locals, better roads, improved access to care health services, higher educational attainment, more affordable housing, improved futures for farmers. That’s for existing bodies to deliver. The implication that once established a National Park will solve everything and provide the necessary funding is way off beam. Ted Leeming: Roger is correct. But with £10million a year and the legal ability to co-ordinate and collaborate across agencies and communities to deliver a Park Plan, it could, with the right governance, help tackle a wide range of issues that we face. Roger Crofts: The Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament forestry, should pay community benefits towards a just transition. Roger Crofts: We now have polarisation, which is unusual for our area. Adding a referendum will just exacerbate the conflict. We need calmness as a basis for respectful and open discussions with those who understand what would make a difference to their lives and livelihoods. In the 12 months left before the 2026 parliamentary elections decisions will be out of our hands. Government should support us to produce our solutions; invite a respected neutral person to bring all parties together to determine solutions, actions and resources needed for all of our pressing issues now! Ted Leeming: Park, created, in the words of cabinet secretary Mairi Gougeon, “…for the people of Galloway, by the people”. The latest Government policy guidance has a presumption against wind farms in National Parks, and after 25 years there are none. And as a statutory consultee in what would be a ‘sensitive area’, the assessment bar for commercial forestry would be higher. T he consultation survey for the proposed Galloway National Park runs until 14 February. If you would like to submit your view, you can find the survey (either a short 'summary' communities, natural and cultural heritage and responsible use of natural resources are not very real and current. The GSA Biosphere, SOSE, FLS and Nature Scot and others are all essential partners in delivering a co-ordinated vision, but they don’t carry a national designation and statutory powers of a National Park, backed by an act of parliament. I think other commercial entities, including version or a longer one) at www. newnationalparkgalloway. commonplace.is and click on the 'Consultation Surveys' tab. Once the consultation phase has closed, the third and final phase of the reporting process is for NatureScot to analyse the responses received and advise Ministers, taking account of the views expressed. This will be done Working together towards a collective vision is crucial and should start today, with or without a National Park. Referenda divide; getting the governance and priorities right, with the right people, is essential and no Park would secure my support unless it was thus. We will only know what is being proposed when the next round of consultation comes out later this year. I still have concerns, but until then, for the above reasons, I give it my qualified support. Working together towards a collective vision is crucial and should start today, with or without a park, and I would happily sit with others to create that vision. between February and April, after which the Scottish Government will decide whether or not to proceed with the designation of a National Park in Galloway. If the Government decides to proceed, it will consult further on the development of a Designation Order, which would take place over the course of the next year. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 21 Balmaclellan village hall O ur annual Glenkens Children’s Christmas Party was a great success with over 30 children in attendance. Santa came along and everyone got to learn some festive circus skills with Spinning Jenny’s Shenanigans – these went down a storm, with the grown-ups joining in too! Two hampers were raffled as well as some children’s toys and wine, raising over £50 for the Balmaclellan Village Hall. Christmas afternoon tea was fully booked and cake and mince pies enjoyed by over 40 people along with a free raffle. Our next afternoon tea in February is also full, but there are a few spaces left for March, so get booking. You can book by emailing wellsjackie@gmail.com or popping into Balmaclellan shop. We are pleased to have received funding from the Community Led Local Development Programme for new heaters and insulation, which will further improve the comfort and upkeep of the hall – work will start in January. Balmaclellan Village Hall continues to be home to a variety of activities and groups - keep an eye out for a new weekly Stretch and Balance class with D&G Council on Mondays at 12.45pm - no need to book, just turn up (payment by donation). And if you enjoy sewing, or would like to have a go, come along to the Sew Special sessions, starting in January and running again in February. Limited spaces are available - please email julia. higgins55@outlook.com to book. Meanwhile, the Community Library is open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings; Soup and Sandwiches is on Saturdays; Glenkens Crafters on Wednesday mornings; the Stewartry Birdwatchers is on Thursday afternoons monthly, and Make Do and Mend fortnightly. Further details can be found at Balmaclellan Store, on our Balmaclellan Village Hall Facebook page and on the Glenkens Hub website at www. glenkens.scot and hall bookings can now be made easily through hallbookingonline.com/ balmaclellan A huge thanks to everyone who volunteered over the festive season to make our Christmas events happen. We are always he children of Carsphairn parish eagerly awaited a special visit from Santa as the village began their Christmas festivities. As part of the annual festive tradition, the community came together in the 200-year-old Carsphairn Parish Church to enjoy a fun twist on the usual church service, kindly provided by Maggie Phillips on behalf After the carols had been sung, the congregation ‘strolled’ along to the local hall, to enjoy a delicious tea of sandwiches and cakes provided by the wonderful volunteers and members of the community. The evening was filled with laughter, fun and many happy memories as the games took Glenkens Cub Scouts I n the run-up to Christmas the Cub Scouts took part in an Advent challenge. They made cards with Bagheera, wrapped a gift wearing oven gloves, wrapped a book in pairs with one arm each tied behind their backs. We played the A to Z game, naming Christmas words and lots more. We thoroughly enjoyed the CatStrand Panto, ‘King Arthur’. The cast were amazing, each and every one of them; we shouldn’t have favourites but we did love Smoulder, the baby dragon. The cast were a credit to the directing team. Well done all! (See article on p27...) Balmaclellan Village Hall Committee (wellsjackie@gmail.com) Santa's visit to Carsphairn of the absent minister, as well as fundraising for the Save the Children charity. T looking for help with setting up, planning events and lots of other things that keep the hall going strong - if you are interested in helping in any way in 2025, please get in touch! Pippin who is a member of our group and her little brother Fred have been making brooches in their parents’ workshop and selling them at craft fairs. They have surpassed their total during 2024 by raising £1,600 to help Stepping Stones Larder and Foodbank in Castle Douglas. They don’t just make the brooches, but they then also enquire what is most needed at a hold. Children’s ears soon began to listen carefully for the distant ringing of bells outside the hall, as the special man in red arrived to deliver each child under 12 a unique present (with help from his four reindeer and an elf or two!) Many thanks to CREFL for funding the Christmas gifts and the bakers and volunteers who made the party such fun. Melissa Ade the food bank and go to Tesco and do a huge shop. Pippin is keeping her Cub Scout Promise by to ‘help other people’ and part of her Cub Scout Law ‘a Cub Scout thinks of others before themselves’. Amazing children! (see front page article). If you are eight to ten years old and would like to come and try Cubs, we meet on a Wednesday from 6.15-7.30pm at the Scout Hut in New Galloway. Yours in Scouting, Heather and Hannah Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 22 A history of Spalding Bowling Club D alry's Spalding Bowling Club was founded in 1912 and offers outdoor lawn bowling. The club is a bit tucked away, not directly visible from the road, but you’ll find the entrance on Ayr Road, just before you reach St John’s Town Services. There’s plenty of parking, a small clubhouse, toilets, and seating for both players and spectators. Anyone can join the club, not just locals, and visitors are always welcome. The main goal is to get more people involved in bowling and bring the community together for some fun and social time. You don’t need to be a member to come try it out! Lawn bowling is a sport for everyone—it’s a friendly and fun environment where there are no age, gender, or ability restrictions. Plus, it’s great for your fitness, coordination, mental wellbeing, and it helps you connect with others. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just for retirees - many players on the Scottish National Team are under 40, and there are even under 18 and under 25 teams. The club is a Community Amateur Sports Club and a member of Bowls Scotland. During the bowling season (April to September), we hold regular games 2-3 times a week, plus various competitions for members. We also have sweep nights on Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm. Members can play informal games any other time. Coaching is available, and you can borrow lawn bowls equipment. All you need to bring is a pair of flat or low-tread shoes or trainers! Sweep games cost £1.50 per session. Membership for the 2025 season is £60, with a 50% discount for first-time members. We also have certified coaches for kids. The club is run by volunteers and stays afloat through competitions and local grants. We are particularly grateful to the Glenkens & District Community Fund for helping us purchase new equipment, and the Glenkens Community Shop for ongoing support. We’re always appreciative of any help with maintaining the green, clubhouse, and grounds. The 2025 season will open on Saturday 26 April at 2pm (weather permitting). Feel free to come along, join in a casual game, and enjoy some refreshments. Also, don’t miss our Family Fun Day on Saturday 31 May - more details will be coming soon, so keep an eye out and come try bowling with us! For more information you can contact Fiona Ramsay at 07500 554 751 or Sharon Fishwick at 07968 526 322, or email spaldingbc@btinternet.com Fiona Ramsay Photo of the Issue T his issue has two winners - Paul Goodwin and Richard Nash. Paul Goodwin's photograph, titled 'Northern lights above Craig Rotchell, Dalry', and Richard Nash's triple/ quadruple rainbow pic titled 'The CatStrand - our Glenkens pot of gold'. Both Paul and Richard win two portions of mac 'n' cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "We just can't decide this issue between the amazing quadruple rainbow and the incredible shot of the Northern lights, so we're going to give a prize to both!" To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity GAZETTEcommunity page 23 LING helps promote rural regeneration in areas of social and economic deprivation throughout New Galloway and Kells. We do this by maintaining and improving public amenities, preserving buildings which are of historic or architectural importance, and providing recreational facilities for the public - and especially for those who, by reason of age, infirmity, disability, or social and economic circumstances have need of them. community consultation Shaping the future of New Galloway... Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) held a consultation on 18 January in collaboration with the Local Place Planning steering group and the Community Council. We invited residents to bring their ideas and feedback on upcoming local projects . The event took place at New Galloway Town Hall and gave the community a valuable opportunity to help determine the future of our area. Local Place Planning Document Attendees contributed to New Galloway’s Local Place Plan, which is currently being developed by a steering group. This included discussing priorities in matters such as housing, green spaces, and public amenities and facilities. Community Garden LING then welcomed thoughts on our newly proposed community garden and its design. Everyone came up with ideas about how the garden can become a vibrant and inclusive space for everyone, reflecting the needs and aspirations of the area. Developing an Inclusive Play Park As well as a community garden, LING is in partnership with the community council to create an inclusive play park, focusing on accessibility and ensuring it meets the needs of children and families of all ages and abilities. This was the town hall's first major public consultation since its refurbishment, making it a significant milestone in the effort to establish the building as a central hub for community engagement and collaboration. It highlighted the hall's potential to facilitate important public discussions that in turn lend a voice to anyone interested in the future of the burgh. It was also a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together and think creatively about the needs of New Galloway and the feedback collected during the event will play a key role in advancing these important local projects. For those who missed the event, an online survey is available to ensure that everyone can share their views. For more information or to access the survey, contact John Muir at john.muir@ling.org.uk. John Muir CHRISTMAS REVIEW We know that Christmas feels like a lifetime ago, but it would be remiss of us not to mention all that went on for LING over the festive period! Over 30 volunteers were involved in our Christmas events, from producing and delivering the annual New Galloway and Kells Christmas brochure, to serving various food and drinks, to decorating the Town Hall and much, much more. We started with our Christmas lights walkdown where we were led by our stalwart piper from New Galloway Golf Club to St Margaret’s church at the other end of the burgh. Many mince pies and shortbread biscuits were consumed and the hot chocolate and mulled wine went down a treat if the 120 happy faces in the church were anything to go by! Our second annual senior citizens’ Christmas lunch came next, supported by Drax and our own Community Council. This year we had around 60 lunchers, ably catered for by Jackie Povall of Fabby Cakes! To keep our attendees entertained between courses we had our Christmas raffle draw with generous prizes donated by local businesses, as well as the dulcet tones of the children from Kells School who came to sing for us. FINANCE AND OPERATIONS The Finance and Operations team successfully implemented aBobnew financial Glaister is now one of the longest standing LING trustees, having got caught up management 'accidentally', as hesoftware, always says, back in 2015. With a background in education, streamlining processes teaching first in Kelso, he had moved to a role and improving efficiency. as staff tutor in the Open University, with the whole of Scotland as team his patch,for in 1971. Kudos to the Ultimately he became their hard workDean in of the Faculty of Education based down in Milton Keynes. He retired at theaend of 2004, having been ensuring smooth widowed and having moved back to Scotland. transition. MEET THE TRUSTEES His links with New Galloway go back to his student days when his mother retired here to Snowdrop Cottage from Sunderland, where he had been brought up. Some of his memories of that time include working behind the bar in the Kenmure Arms and learning to serve pink gins. Those were the days! Although the cottage was sold after his mother's death, he and his new wife, Ann, were delighted to be able to buy it back and have now settled in New Galloway permanently. LING has been fortunate to have his skilled and kindly support over so many years! YOUR VOICE MATTERS! This year we hosted our first Christmas craft fair at the Town Hall and were amazed by the number of talented artisans living in the Glenkens. It is definitely an event we would like to repeat this year! The Board of Trustees would like to thank everyone who has helped with our events - as well as all the people who attended them! It’s not just at Christmas that people help, of course, but it brings home how many are engaged with making things work. We do live in a most lovely and generous community. Ann Glaister newgallowaytownhall.com info@ling.org.uk 07749 249 781 localinitiativesinnewgalloway local_initiatives_in_ng Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 24 Looking after an elderly tree in Dalry S ome readers of the Glenkens Gazette may have noticed a huge copper beech in a back garden on Main Street, Dalry, as it is visible in the village and from the surrounding hills. It is likely to have been planted in the 1850s when what is now 45 Main Street was built as a single-storey stone house (later converted to two storeys in the 1890s). Owners need to take care of their tree and make sure that it does not create risks for neighbours. This is a little story of how this copper beech has been cared for to give it a new lease of life. Copper beeches (fagus sylvatica f. purpurea) have an expected lifespan of some 250 years, so the Dalry tree has another 70 years or more to go. However, there is some decay in the base of part of the trunk which might weaken it, although the main legs are very sturdy. So it was sensible in this situation to get expert advice on what to do. Richard Kirsch, of Glenkens Tree Surgeons, is just such a person. He advised that the tree had plenty of life left in it, thank goodness, so felling was not even contemplated. However, the size and weight of the canopy, reaching a height of around a hundred feet, was placing a great deal of stress on the lower trunk. Richard proposed that pollarding it was the best approach to Carsphairn's festive dinner and community concert C arsphairn Community Council organised their excellent annual seniors' festive dinner and community concert in the Lagwyne Hall. The event has been running for 10 years now since, being resurrected in 2014. A delicious freshly cooked three-course meal was served, accompaied by the musical talents of Greg Lawson and Pete Garnett. The muic was of a very high calibre, and described as "mesmerising" and "mind-blowing" by guests. The event remains an excellent social get-together for the more mature members of the community, as well as welcoming in the wider community for an evening of music after the meal. A raffle raised £120 for Carsphairn children’s Christmas party. secure the tree's future. This meant taking out the canopy and reducing the length of the upper limbs, which is what has been done. Now neighbours have maybe lost the top of this wonderful tree but be assured that it will begin to grow as soon a springs arrives this year as Richard left many growth points with young twigs which will readily sprout. So, a long standing feature of our village has been given a new lease of life, for us and succeeding generations all to enjoy. Roger Crofts Dear Gazette Editorial Team, You do an amazing job with the Gazette, galvanising and gathering all of this material thank you. What a fantastic area is The Glenkens for its friendly folk, great community spirit and splendid countryside. All the best, Roger GAZETTEhistory Glenkens Gazette page 25 History group making history The Glenkens Story - 10 years on T he Glenkens Story local history group will mark 10 years of exploring the area’s heritage with an afternoon of celebration on Sunday 23 March. The most spectacular ongoing local history story over the last decade has been the unwrapping, literally, of the ‘Galloway Hoard’ which had been unearthed in a field near Balmaghie Kirk the year before the group was set up. David Bartholomew, one of our most active members and contributors, was with the detectorists who made the discovery. We will start our celebration afternoon with the latest research on the find when Dr Adrián Maldonado, Galloway Hoard Researcher at National Museums Scotland, delivers the keynote lecture: 'The Galloway Hoard – What’s New and What’s Next'. The Glenkens Story began with a drop-in event in Dalry in March 2015. Numerous enthusiasts set up stalls and poster boards presenting their interests ranging from farm buildings to war graves and place names to bygone village shops. Simultaneously, a rolling series of mini-lectures demonstrated the varied historical passions to be found in the Glenkens with contributions from Michael Ansell, David Bartholomew, Bill Blyth, Anna Campbell, Ted Cowan, Paul Goodwin and Lizanne Henderson among others. More than 150 local people dropped in during the course of the day. Mike Brown, one of the original organisers, will provide an illustrated review of the 10 years which followed with highlights from some of the 30 events - lectures, conferences, field trips and seminars which the Glenkens Story has staged since 2015. For a number of years, the late Professor Ted Cowan (Emeritus, University of Glasgow) contributed a regular and very popular local history column in the Glenkens Gazette. Dr Lizanne Henderson will discuss 'Writing the Glenkens Story' in recognition of the work and passion that went into these articles, as well as future plans for their wider dissemination. Other contributors will include Jo Miller who curated the exhibition 'Music-making in the Glenkens’ and Michael Ansell who will present a smorgasbord of possible future events, offering the opportunity for anyone interested to become involved in shaping our programme. Sparkling drinks and tasty fare will be served to complete the celebrations. Tickets are available from the CatStrand - www.gcat. scot or 01644 420 374. The Glenkens Story is grateful for CatStrand’s invaluable support Name the place (from page 6) Site Name -The Greenhouse, Natural Power Consultants HQ Location - Forrest Estate Dalry Description -Natural Power initially moved into their sustainable office in 2001. Built using timber grown and milled on Forrest Estate where ever possible, the initial phase seated 30 people. With two additional phases since, it can now seat over 120 staff (of over 500 employed by the company globally). The sustainable building is kept warm by underfloor heating from a heat pump linked to a series of eight, 100m+ deep bore holes. A suite of kennels alongside the main building means that staff can bring their dogs to work, along with a gym for staff on site. Services provided from the office include industry leading renewable energy consultancy, from planning through to over the last 10 years and to the Dalry Community Charity Shop for its support of the celebrations. Pictured: Above - Dr Adrián Maldonado, Galloway Hoard Researcher at National Museums Scotland who will give the keynote lecture at the celebration. Photo © National Museums Scotland. Left - A gold-mounted rock crystal jar and a set of three gold-socketed mounts found in the lidded vessel within the Galloway Hoard, deposited c AD 900. Photo © National Museums Scotland operations for large scale, grid connected energy generation, renewable energy project construction services, a global due diligence department and a geotechnical site investigation core drilling business which in itself employs over 40 people. The office has its own generator to ensure uninterrupted service to clients should there be a grid outage. Interesting fact - A newly refurbished on site control centre (with a backup site in Dumfries) manages over a quarter of the UK’s operational onshore wind farms that’s 5% of UK’s total electricity supply - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 26 Poetry for the climate and biodiversity W hat is the role of poetry and the poet in a climate and biodiversity crisis? Robert Burns is celebrated for his profound understanding and appreciation of nature. His evocative poems captured the essence of the natural world in his time, depicting its beauty, power, and the deep connection it shares with humanity. In 2025 the natural world is in a perilous state, and we need many perspectives. What can language do? On the heels of Burns Night, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival and D&G Climate Hub in collaboration with Bakehouse Community Arts welcome two contemporary performance poets to the Glenkens. Tawona Sitholé and Genevieve Carver will share their work and discuss with us their take on our eternal connection in the present; the fragile state we are living through, how we can respond, how we might be in best service of nature during a climate crisis. These events will blend performance and conversation. On Saturday 8 February from 2–4pm, we welcome Genevieve Carver to the CatStrand, a writer and poet with special interests in nature writing and interdisciplinary collaboration. The poems integrate poetic and scientific processes, data about animal life histories and first-hand encounters with ecological fieldwork, giving voice to the non-human in surprising and original ways. In addition to the text, Genevieve collaborated with composer Lucie Treacher to create the EP Hydrophonica, blending spoken word and music with underwater field recordings of bottlenose dolphins. She won the Moth Nature Writing Prize for this work, of which judge Max Porter said: "It’s such an interesting and surprising hybrid, which manages to be deeply funny and very sad at the same time, an unusual feat in both science writing and poetry.” Genevieve is currently a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Aberdeen. Sarah Thomas, Climate Officer (West), D&G Climate Hub, GSAB UNESCO Biosphere (07425 370 895) Firewood logs & Wood Products for Sale From Carsphairn Community Woodland A range of products are available from our community sawmill Contact us with your requirements ï Free local delivery ï Enquiries to: Tel: 07710 124 255 Carsphairn Community Woodland Limited is commi�ed to acquiring, developing and managing local woodlands in a sustainable and environmentally sound way for the long-term benefit of the local community. Website: www.carsphairn.org/CCWL Company Limited by Guarantee SC591976 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts King Arthur triumphs T he thirteenth CatStrand pantomime was certainly a huge success once again and despite the stormy weather, played to four full houses over the first weekend of December. The well known legend of King Arthur isn’t a regular panto subject but our favourite writer, Paul Reakes, has written a wonderful script based on the famous story – with a degree of poetic licence thrown in. The title role of the bumbling King Arthur was brilliantly played by Josh Wells, hitting every comedy moment in the script and many more besides (see Josh's article on p8). He was aided and abetted by the bossy Queen Guinevere, played with tremendous style by Ruby Harfield. Ruby had the audience in the palm of her hand throughout and raised the roof with her solo songs. The Royal Boudoir scene with the King and Queen must surely rank as one of the funniest and most memorable CatStrand panto scenes ever (pictured below). The ‘principal boy’ of the tale was of course the bold Sir Lancelot, played in true thighslapping panto fashion by Rosie Spernagel, with Sophie Roberts as her charming ‘principal girl’, Olivia. The comedy duo of Squire Squirt and Sally the Castle Cook were played with great aplomb by Liam McQueen and Alice Oliver. In their first major panto roles, they certainly took the stage by storm and had the audience in stitches every time they appeared. Squirt’s new friend, Smoulder the Baby Dragon, became the Royal Pet and was very cutely brought to life by Marie Dobbin. Marie deserves a special mention as the late arrival of the dragon costume meant that she didn’t have any rehearsal time at all with the costume until the opening night! Of course, it wouldn’t be Camelot without a Merlin, and Rose Benson made the challenging role her very own. Rose admirably delivered the clever rhyming lines perfectly, with a few ad-libs here and there too, whilst at the same time battling to retain some order and keep the story on track. Merlin’s most troublesome problems were mainly caused by the ‘baddies’, ably led by Megan Oliver as the evil Morgana, with her son Mordred (Izak Entwistle) and daughter Mordreda (Io Heyes). The nasty threesome page 27 excelled in their task of terrorising the ‘goodies’ and the audience, but of course got their comeuppance in the end thanks to Smoulder’s firebreathing Mummy appearing and ‘frying’ them! Musical interludes were provided during the show by the Camelot Strolling Player, Ella Campbell, who even composed a song especially for the opening scene. Daniel Blaylock was the Royal Page, with the special task of looking after Excalibur and the multi-tasking chorus members, Keira Hawker, Caitlin Jones, Frankie Gordon and Jess King appeared variously as courtiers, ghouls, messengers and villagers. The panto was directed by Brian Edgar assisted by Jo Jackson. The fabulous set was designed by Cat Campbell together with the young people in the ‘Behind the Scenes’ crew. The huge task of costuming the show was led by Sue Lindsay and the excellent sound and lighting plot was designed and operated by Jim Ranyard. Another great show and we’d like to thank everyone for coming along and supporting us and also all those who kindly sponsored some of the costs or helped in an way to get the show on stage! We can’t wait for the next panto but we’ve already turned our attention to the One Act Festival and have started rehearsals for our two entries, ‘It’s Only Make Believe’ by Mark Rees in the Open Festival and ‘Gossip’ by Brian Hampton in the Youth Festival. They are both on stage at The Fullarton on 28 February and will be performed at CatStrand shortly after that. Brian Edgar GAZETTEarts Songs for the turning of the year Glenkens Gazette Winter Sundays Past Getting dressed under the bedclothes Net curtains stuck to ice, inside windows Dad lighting the fire with a gas poker Holding a sheet of newspaper up to help the fire draw Porridge for breakfast with plenty of sugar Milk - solid on doorstep, pushing up cap like a frozen fountain Sunday school Making snowmen with wet woollen gloves Chilblains Dinner at midday Steak and kidney pudding or toad in the hole, rarely a roast Spotted dick and golden syrup for afters Put on best clothes for visiting An aunt with fire tartan legs and shiny toilet paper Nan with the outside loo, newspaper squares hanging on string, put salt down after you flush Dripping on toast for tea Sunday Night at the London Palladium in Black and White Off to bed, no more coal going on the fire Squabbling siblings push to stand on the spot on lino that was heated by hot water pipes Wincyette pyjamas and dressing gown in bed Heavy coats on top of the eiderdown page 28 Snow. Snow came, quiet as thieves After lead, left the church roof Blank for birds to scribble Their secret language. Wind erased paths, Swept grass, mixed leaves Into drifts, came again Left new depths, wind played A different game of sweep and pile. Frost joined the play Added sparkle, furred twigs, Fragile beauty gone in a breath, As more snow fell. Anne Micklethwaite by Paul Goodwin Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 29 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers on a journey into his world of writing, reading and general thoughts on life. S ince the offensive began which liberated Syria after almost 14 years of struggle, I’ve been stuck to the computer screen or the telephone receiver, talking to Syrians, gobbling news updates, reading analysis, watching videos, listening to testimony. Though the stuff I’m looking at is fascinating, informative, and important, the internet medium through which most of it is delivered, in tiny bytesized bleeps, is congealing my brain. I can feel it. I can feel the stupefying effect. I become addicted to those bleeps, those info-nuggets, and rapidly grow so sick on them that I can only function in bleeptime. My brain not only congeals but shrinks and hardens, and soon it won’t stretch far enough to think complex thoughts or feel balanced emotions. This may explain quite a bit of what’s happening in our societies. There’s a book by Nicholas Carr called The Shallows: How the Internet is Changing the Way We Think, Read and Remember, which uses solid research to demonstrate that we learn less and think less flexibly when we are presented information online and in multimedia format as opposed to on the written page. I, in any case, am pulling myself back from the Twitter brink. I am hauling myself from the maw of the cyber abyss. I am returning to reading novels. To be specific, I am returning to a novel by Tim Winton – a writer who is, according at least to my limited knowledge of Australian writing, that country’s greatest novelist. Peter Carey notwithstanding. I read Winton’s Breath a few years ago. That’s a story about surfing, sex and death, and it’s really very good. But now I’m reading Cloudstreet, which is about a huge rackety house in Perth (the antipodean Perth, of course) inhabited by two large rackety families, the Pickles and the Lambs. Water is always important in Winton’s novels. The mystery of a boy called Fish is at the centre of this one. Fish is a particularly intelligent boy, but is caught up in the nets during a fishing David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP expedition and nearly dies. His parents, “Biblebashers”, rush to declare the miracle of his survival in public, but slowly and quietly lose their religion afterwards, when they realize that Fish after his drowning is slow and different, and persistently wishes to return to the waves. The novel is about time passing like a river, and historical flux, from World War Two to the mid nineteensixties, and drunkenness, anorexia, gambling, envy, and love. Like the best novels, it’s an entire world all of its own, complex and complete. I am soon smoothly immersed in the flow of the story, even with net-addled brain. The focus streams from one character to another in easily digestible episodes. Reading a high quality novel is a mental yoga workout. After some hours of it, my brain is no longer brittle, but well-stretched, and four or five dimensional. It contains space for nuance, contradiction, and changethrough-time. As for the changes underway in Syria, soon it will be time to go and see them actually happening, not cut up into bytes, not meditated by the screen. Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 30 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 31 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Michele Owen 07940 313 445 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Parton: Tom - 07835 821 976 • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Balmaclellan: 2 Feb, 2 Mar, 6 Apr, 11am Carsphairn: 9 Feb, 9 Mar, 13 Apr, 11.15am Kells: 16 Feb, 16 Mar, 11am Dalry: 23 Feb, 23 Mar, 11am, Holy Communion SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP The Rev Dawn Matthew Sundays:10.30am, Holy Communion with refreshments after the service. Tuesdays: 10am-12noon, look for the ‘church is open’ sign and pop in for private prayer or to chat with Dawn. Thursdays: 7.30-8pm, evening prayers via Zoom shared with our sister church, All Saints’ Challoch. Please contact Dawn for the link. Special service: Dalry School Easter service, Thursday 27 March, 2pm, Dalry Church SPECIAL SERVICES: Wednesday 5 March, 6pm, Ash Wednesday communion service. Sunday 30 March, 10.30am, Mothering Sunday communion service For further information contact Rev Pam Bellis on 07751 379 249 or pam@ bellisconsultancy.co.uk For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 32 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies SEE AD ON PAGE 16... Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE You can now apply for a Garden Waste Collection Service permit at £40 per bin. for regular collections from March to November 2025. Apply online at www.dumgal.gov.uk/ wasterecycling or in person at a customer service centre such as Dalry Library. The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Advanced Massage Practitioner (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 33 GAZETTEinformation Glenkens Gazette WHAT'S ON page 34 February/March FEBRUARY Thu 13, Ken Words Writers' Café, 7pm, The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Tournament, 6-9pm, Thistle Inn, Crossmichael Thu 13, Boo Hewerdine & Brooks Williams, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 8, GCT excursion: creative craft show, Glasgow, see p33 Wed 5, Hannah Read, Cahalen Morrison and Michael Starkey, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 15, Make Some Noise music session, 10.15am, The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Sat 8, Permaculture Workshop at Lothlorien, 10am-1pm, Lothlorien, Corsock Sun 16, The Vintage Ensemble concert, 2.30pm, Kirkpatrick Durham Church Sat 8, Glenkens Producers Market, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Mon 17, Dalry Town Hall Management Meeting, 7pm Sat 8, Mixtape Party Night, 8-11pm, Dalry Town Hall Wed 19, Dumfries Mobile Fish & Chips in New Galloway, 5.15-11.55pm, Smithy Car Park, New Galloway (see Facebook @ DumfriesMobileFishAndChips) Wed 12, GDT’s spring round for grant applications closes; visit www.glenkens. org/funding info, see p8 Wed 5, Carsphairn Village Shop Ltd AGM, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall Thu 6, Haggis Drive in aid of Crossmichael Primary, 6pm, Crossmichael Primary School Sat 8, Sew Special Saturday, 10am-4pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Sat 8, Glenkens Producers Market, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 8, When it Burns - with Genevieve Carver, 2pm, CatStrand Sat 8, Glenkens Agricultural Show Ceilidh, 7pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Sat 8, Mixtape Party Night, 8pm, Dalry Town Hall Sun 9, SongWave Singing Workshop, 10am-3pm, New Galloway Town Hall Sun 9, Celebrating the Energy Transition in the Glenkens, 2-5pm, CatStrand Sun 9, Film: Living Proof A Climate Story, 5pm, CatStrand Mon 10, Parton Village Hall Coffee Morning, 10.30am-12noon Tue 11, Lagwyne Hall AGM 2025, 7pm Tue 11, Charlie Hooper-Williams: What if you could see music? 7.30pm, CatStrand Wed 12, Talk - The Port Road Line,1.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Wed 19, Herak/Bulatkin Quartet- feat Paul Towndrow, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 23, National Theatre Live 2025 The Importance of Being Earnest, 3pm, CatStrand Thu 13, Ken Words Writers' Café, 7-9pm, CatStrand Sat 15, Sew Special Saturday, 10am4pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Mon 24, GCAT AGM, 7pm, CatStrand Sun 23, The Glenkens Story - a time for celebration, 9am-5pm, CatStrand, see p25 Thu 27, Cost Of Living Advice Day, 2-6pm, CatStrand Fri 28, ClanJam Family Music Making, 11am-12noon, CatStrand Fri 28, ClanJam Family Music Making, 11am-12noon, CatStrand APRIL MARCH Sat 1, Dalry Community Café, 10am1pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 1, Carsphairn Community Woodland Volunteer Day, 10am-3pm Wed 5, Resilience Test Event: staged emergency, 11am-12noon, Throughgate, Dalry, see p12 Sat 19, Bairn Banter Easter Egg Hunt, 10.30am, Carsphairn School Playground Sat 1, Crossmichael Open Darts Tournament, 1-7pm, Thistle Inn, Crossmichael Sun 2, Crossmichael Domino Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact richardandjane@phonecoop.coop or 01556 670 691 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 35 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Exercise Class, Tue, 6-7pm Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3pm Zumba, Fri, 6.30-7.30pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am-12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; Oct-Mar, 2.30pm) Soup & Sandwich, Sat, 12noon-2pm, Oct-Mar Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, Wedn & Fri, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making - Mon, 7-9pm Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@ gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10am CatStrand, New Galloway Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat biweekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.30am Musical Misfits, Sat, bi-weekly, 10am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16yrs) Art Explorers, Sat, 10.30am, fortnightly New Galloway Town Hall Community Larder, side door open for access Mon 9am–4.30pm; Tue 7-9pm; Wed 6.30–8pm; Thu 9.30am–6pm Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Dance for Wellbeing (adults), Mon 2.30pm Creative Movement for Children, 4pm LING Community Cafe, Tue, 12.30–2pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–5.30pm, drop-in Martial Arts, Thu, 7.30pm Babies & Toddlers, Fri, 10am For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Wee Wonders, Thu, 9-10am Clachan Crafters, Thu, 2pm, 07500 861 041 Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet. com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm, Tue 6-8pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Main St, Dalry - 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book at the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Facebook Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Song Share, 1st Fri each month, 7.3010.30pm Mossdale Village Hall Mossdale Painters, Wed, 9.30-11.30am Yoga, Fri, 2.15pm Soup Saturday, last Sat each month, 1-3pm Various Bumps, Babies & Beyond, every 2nd Mon, 10.30am, Kirkpatriack Durham Village Hall Learn to Play Bridge, Mon, 7-9pm, Lochinvar Hotel Keep Fit with Alex, 7.15-8.15pm, KPD Village Hall Strictly Get Dancing, Mon, 7pm, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Glenkens Oil Painters, Wed, 10am, Corfield House Art Studio Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed 2-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Thu, 1-3pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 Mum & Baby MovementThu, 9.3011.30am, Laurieston Village Hall Crossmichael Youth Club, Fri, Crossmichael Memorial Hall For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 36 Élite Consultancy Summary of Report for New Era Clearance Commission Historical overview Current policy can be traced back to early industrial development and modernisation. By the early twenty-first century it was evident that traditional rural societies were obsolete in the post-industrial world. Economic and social control is key to advanced urbanisation. External corporate ownership of rural areas is synonymous with increased production, affordable infrastructures and control of dissident elements among the masses, particularly sections of the population who have proved themselves economically unsuccessful within advanced global financial structures. Proposed policies Recommendations are based on trends that were already under way by the 2020s. These trends originally appeared to be initiated by governments with uninformed attitudes to rural requirements, eg sale of social housing. It has since become apparent that such policies are deliberate, based upon sound principles of social, political and economic control. These policies will limit central government financial outlay in a world in which surplus marginal populations are an ever-increasing drain upon entitled communities. We identify the following policies to achieve the desired outcomes: • Removal of farming practices which are out of alignment with modern requirements. Family farms, local growers and traditional hill farming practices to be discouraged by lack of government incentive, reduced access to land, and closed markets. • Marginal agricultural land to be replaced by forestry policies implemented by corporations outwith the area. Government incentives for such projects will ensure that vast tracts of land are owned by such external corporations. These bodies must be authorised to remain anonymous and therefore unaccountable to local institutions. • These forestry policies offer the additional advantage of making agricultural land non-viable for several generations, long enough to break the stranglehold of local interest and residual traditional sentiment. • To dismantle infrastructure in terms of housing, education, health, social services and communications, thereby disincentivising local populations from stubbornly staying put. As well as being expensive to maintain, rural populations tend to have obstructionist opinions about biodiversity, environmental conservation and quality of life. These can seriously impact economic growth, including essential measures such as sufficient profit incentives for company directors. • To replace permanent populations through advanced policies for second home ownership. This eliminates protest, as locals, particularly younger people, cease to exist as inconvenient barriers to economic development. Holiday accommodation requires little expensive infrastructure, especially when marketed as ‘wilderness experience’, ie no villages, shops, pubs, schools, roads etc. Consumers will naturally accept arboreal monocultures as the wilderness they crave, whereas indigenous populations have proved far more intransigent. • To encourage financially capable residents to amass multiple estates. The richer they become, the fewer they will be, and therefore even less service provision will be necessary. Such residents can afford their own infrastructure, police their own boundaries, educate their children elsewhere, and supply themselves by drone when there are no public roads. • To root out with due vigilance any stubborn elements who fail to conform. We understand many have taken to caves in the hills, and meet in large secret gatherings in defiance of the law. Apparently it’s an old habit. Full Report 999 pages, 10 years, untold millions. The Élite Consultancy is a subsidiary of Imalritejac Enterprises (Lichtenstein) Inc. MNE WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com APR/MAY COPY DEADLINE: 5 MAR The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 146 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_146 https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/302/GlenkensGazette147.pdf 26d486ec60261e4dcda224283ce46416 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 147 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document April/May 2025 ISSUE 147 Former Dalry student cooks Land and up culinary excellence Life in the FREE INSIDE THIS ISSUE A ward-winning chef and former Dalry Secondary student Fraser Cameron, currently head chef at the Globe Inn, Dumfries, has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Roux Scholarship 2025. Fraser impressed the judges of the highly acclaimed culinary competition with an inspiring, cutting-edge recipe. His creation included mussels, gurnard, dulse seaweed and parsnips, and it dazzled the judges. This acknowledgement of Fraser's talents as a chef will come as no surprise to many of his dedicated followers, as he has a strong reputation for creating a ‘delightful’, ‘amazing’, and ‘superb’ culinary experience at The Globe Inn. With Fraser's leadership, the Globe has secured a Michelin listing for 2025, landed the accolade of Dumfries & Galloway Life Restaurant of the Year, and was crowned the Best Eating Experience at VisitScotland's Thistle Awards. Glenkens ...turn to p20 for our 8-page special Being selected as a finalist for the Roux Fraser Cameron in his kitchen in The Globe Inn Scholarship 2025 is an ultimate Glenkens, Fraser thoroughly achievement enjoyed his time at Dalry for many aspiring top chefs, as Secondary School and it is known for identifying the commented that “it was a very best culinary talent. Fraser was close-knit group of students “honoured and excited” and when I was there, and I thought described being selected as “a it gave me a very good grounding dream come true”. for heading out into the world”. Looking back at life in the ...turn to p6 Continued on p4... Joshua's award-winning writing J oshua doesn’t usually have articles written about him - he is the one writing them as the Gazette youth correspondent (see p8 of this edition). Joshua (centre) with his winning certificate along with Castle Douglas and Dalry Schools Head Teacher, Stephen Foster (left), and representatives of the Dumfries and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society Public Transport Feedback - new way to have your say! However, the Gazette wanted to include an article in this edition celebrating Joshua's achievement in winning a local poetry award. Continued on p5... HUGH FOSS 13TH MAY 1902 –23RD DEC 1971 Unsung hero: the Hugh Foss story ...turn to p32 Youth band Rhelm rocking the Glenkens ...turn to p36 News from the communities of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews page 2 A period of security for arts, culture and youth I t seems like not long ago that CatStrand was facing genuine uncertainty about whether it would still be able to manage to run an arts programme. However thanks to some very positive recent funding outcomes we're now entering a period where CatStrand Arts has never had such security. Last year, funding body Creative Scotland were actively broadcasting that there was not enough in the pot, and they would be forced to make unpleasant decisions and the Scottish Government seemed unable to back statements about the value of culture with practical action. Our continued support was far from certain. However, at the eleventh hour, the Scottish Government's culture secretary, Angus Robertson, was able to back his good words with commitments that gave Creative Scotland a solid working budget. As a result, Creative Scotland were able to invest in the CatStrand and we have received a funding commitment until 2028. We can’t say how grateful we are for the support and concern people have shown over the past 18 months, and we hope to repay this by delivering the eclectic programme of live music, theatre, dance and comedy that people have come to expect. And the good news doesn’t stop there! CatStrand Young Creatives has secured a two-year commitment from the Holywood Trust, as well as ongoing support from the Youth Music Initiative Cultural Glenkens is our place-based programme, supporting locally driven projects. Some examples include The Glenkens Story, Ken Words, Write On and Watson Birds. We've been aware for some time that this area of work would benenfit from more investment of time and resources than we have had available. So we’re delighted to announce that we have received a new three-year commitment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to really push forward this area of work. The fund will support: • Four days a week for a Cultural Glenkens Project Lead role • A programme of internships for young people • Oral history recordings • A programme of in-person and online talks The past couple of years have been far from easy, but we can now look forward confidently to making sure we're in a good position come 2028. Peter Renwick, CatStrand Creative Director Kendoon to Tongland Reinforcement Project A s many readers I'm sure are aware, the decision on the Kendoon to Tongland 132kV Reinforcement Project came out on Valentine's Day. Galloway Without Pylons (GWP) won the Public Inquiry battle, but we lost the war. The Reporter's recommendation was to refuse consent but the Scottish Ministers have overruled and have granted consent. This decision is patently irrational and unfair but it looks like the UK governments are set to overturn the recommendations of reporters in pursuit of net zero. The fact that Scotland produces only 0.1% of global CO2 emmissions makes this decision even more irrational. I was extremely angry after reading the Scottish Government’s reasoning for granting consent: "But in this particular instance ministers have decided that the benefits of protecting the security of electricity supply for around 30,000 residents and providing low carbon energy to the network means that consent should be granted to this application." GWP has never objected regarding the need to upgrade the existing line. The above would be fulfilled if the line was underground or re-routed to follow the existing line. In fact, the following is in the very first paragraph of GWP’s representation back in January 2021: "We accept that the line needs to be updated, but the use of 118 overhead pylons, up to 35m in height, is opposed by many local groups including those concerned with: forestry protection, business, tourism, wildlife conservation, and the protection of historic sites.” The problem we have is the Scottish Government’s policy of 'low carbon energy' and their obsession with exporting electricity to England. If the line is underground, wind farm and solar connections could only be made at the start or finish of the underground line, ie at Glenlee or Tongland, where there is a power station facilitating connection. It is obvious that with wind farm and solar applications coming in thick and fast, connections in between Glenlee and Tongland will be required. This is why I believe the chances of getting the line underground from Glenlee to Tongland is now impossible, and that our only hope would be to get the project to follow the existing overhead line route and to underground the very short section around Loch Ken, where there is an environmental concern. Paul Swift Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews Galloway's newest childminder serving the Glenkens J acqueline Madeley is the newest childminder in Dumfries and Galloway after setting up her brandnew business with support provided by the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future. Offering all-day care for eight children in Bridge of Dee, Jaqueline's service spans the whole week, including before and after school. “I found it hard to find a job that worked around my child and my own childcare needs. With my son, Charlie, starting school, I thought it was the perfect time to start childminding because it works around him as well as me. I can drop him off at school and pick him up and not stress about being late to another job. I also knew I could provide a nurturing, home-from-home environment that parents would want their children to be in.” Jackie also found it difficult to find childcare during the holidays and knew this would potentially become more difficult with her son now in primary school. “I was struggling to find childcare in the holidays so I thought "I was struggling to find childcare in the holidays so I thought childminding would enable me to be there for my son while also help other families locally who need childcare." Having worked at a local nursery for nearly 10 years, Jaqueline decided she needed a job that worked around her son starting school. She loved working with children and childminding provided the perfect opportunity to combine her childcare skills and knowledge with her own family circumstances. childminding would enable me to be there for my son while also help other families locally who need childcare. This was one of my biggest worries when working, so I knew it would be the same for other parents.” The Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future (PSCF) is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA). The programme provides support such as a minimum £750 start up grant, free training and one-to-one support to help get started. Jackie had a dedicated Workforce Officer, Claire, who was there to support her through all stages of the application process right up to registration and beyond. “I feel really supported by SCMA. When I decided I’d like to find out more about childminding, I filled in the online enquiry form, and one of the team got back to me really quickly, and from then on, I knew I could pick up the phone and speak to the same person throughout the whole process.” SCMA’s workforce officers provide personalised oneto-one support for candidates to ensure the application process is as fair and straightforward as possible. “I’m dyslexic and I sometimes find it hard to put information down on paper, but I was able to send over anything I had written as part of my application to Claire, and she looked over it for me. She let me know if anything needed to be reworked and was always really encouraging and made me feel like I could do it!” Jackie's childminding provides vital wrap-around care for working parents. “Parents are struggling to find childcare while they work, especially after school. I’ve chosen to provide childcare from 8:00am to 5:30pm so parents can work and not worry about childcare. I’m flexible with these times too if required. I love that I can be there for my community and provide a vital service!” Jackie is loving her new career and is enjoying getting to know her 'mindees', and the freedom childminding gives her and Charlie. She’d recommend childminding to anyone looking for a role where they can be their own boss whilst contributing to children’s learning and development. page 3 “Childminding is so worthwhile. I love that I can plan our days around what the children are interested in and that I can choose the hours I work. To anyone who is passionate about working with children – go for it! We need more childminders in the area.” To find out more about the support provided by the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future and how to become a childminder in Dumfries and Galloway, visit www.childminding.org/ getstarted Funding was awarded by the Glenkens and District Community Fund (via Foundation Scotland) in November 2022 to support the recruitment, training and support of five new childminders within the Glenkens and district area to allow parents to more easily take up paid work. As the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future heads into its second year, SCMA continues to use this funding and to work with the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) and Dumfries and Galloway Council to recruit childminders in Glenkens. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette page 4 Home-grown culinary talent Continued from front page... Frasers' first job was as a kitchen porter at the Ken Bridge Hotel, and he recounted that the environment created there is what drew him into the industry. Fraser said: “I think the community has supported me really well while I was learning my craft...even after I moved away, there was still resounding support”. As with all routes through life, you will meet bumps and hurdles. Fraser said: “I think there was also a part of me that always wanted to prove the naysayers wrong...which spurred me on to succeed!” has taken me all over the world through working and competing at the highest level... Hard work, dedication and passion has driven Fraser to be where he is now, he commented that working in the industry is “difficult and hard, but what you put into it, you get back out. Hospitality Fraser encourages aspiring young chefs in the Glenkens area to “go for it, 100%! There is something for everyone in this industry”. Chef Fraser's visit to Dalry Secondary P "I absolutely adore this industry, so it feels like I have never really 'worked' a day in my life!” spell in Australia promoting Galloway beef. Fraser is currently working at the Globe Inn, the famous inn frequented by Rabbie Burns, in Dumfries. The pupils were shown how to prepare, cook and present Michelinstandard food, using high quality local food. The dishes Fraser created, from the Globe Inn menu, used a wide range of ingredients including crab, quail eggs, Guinea fowl, venison and fillet steak. Fraser told pupils how he has travelled all over the world, including a three-month Eileen Campbell To arrange a visit in the comfort of your own home please contact 07515 168 963 or empathyfoothealth@gmail.com Georgiana Grimwood See article below for Fraser's visit to Dalry School... He also encourages young folk upils at Dalry Secondary School enjoyed an inspirational cookery demonstration from Scotland's Young Chef of the Year (both in 2021 and 2022) and former pupil Fraser Cameron. Fraser started working, at the age of 14, in local hotels. In 2014 was awarded the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship and commenced work at Andrew Fairlie’s Michelin Two Star kitchen at the Gleneagles Hotel. He then moved on the Martin Wishart’s The Honours in Edinburgh and then on to a position as Sous Chef at Paul Kitching’s Michelin Star Restaurant 21212. in the area, whether you want to work in front-ofhouse or in the kitchen, to get in touch with The Globe Inn for work experience. This is a fabulous opportunity to get a look into the hospitality industry, as well as to get some useful skills and experience under your belt to help progress you in your future career. He has competed in many competitions including the IKA Culinary Olympics 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany, where his team won two silver medals. Pupils were also introduced to fresh truffles, which can cost as much as £165 for 100g. The highlight of the demonstration was the tasting; students and staff got to taste all seven dishes. Without exception everyone thought the dishes were delicious and a completely different dining experience. Fraser explained that every member of staff, from kitchen porter to front-ofhouse staff and chefs, are all key to the success of a restaurant. He also talked about the career opportunities within the hospitality industry (see article above for more on this). Fraser's visit was inspirational, and provided plenty of food for thought... Lorraine Gillies Top: Fraser giving a demonstration to students in the Home Economics room at Dalry Secondary School - there aren't many schools that can boast a view like that! Above: One of Fraser's culinary creations which pupils and teachers were lucky enough to have the chance to taste. GAZETTEnews Glenkens Gazette Researching Kentucky Continued from front page... Joshua was presented with a certificate and a prize of £250 by three members of the Dumfries and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society. The representatives congratulated Joshua on his fantastic piece of writing, and gave him great feedback on his winning entry, which was titled Ivy Cottage: The Poem, The History, The Mystery. He was told that the judging panel were very impressed with the interesting and readable content and format of the project, which left the reader inspired to find out more. Last summer, Joshua wrote about a small piece of land in the village of Balmaclellan, called Kentucky, that he had extensively researched. This piece of land, with a bench and some large trees, mostly goes unnoticed. When we looked at the area, we could see there was once a building on it, and when Joshua saw the competition, that required an original piece of research of around 2,500 words, he saw it as an opportunity, and it paid off. page 5 He found that there was a link between this spot and Reverend George Murray, author of a poem about Sarah Rae who once lived in the house. He even took the opportunity to visit Cruck Cottage, in Torthorwald, just outside Dumfries, and another similar building that Alexander Murray once lived on the way to Newton Stewart. It’s hoped that this will be part of a bigger piece of work in the village - so watch this space! Jackie Wells 150th anniversary of Carsphairn society C arsphairn Pastoral & Horticultural Society was founded in Carsphairn in 1875 to promote the agricultural produce of the parish, and to encourage competition within the growers and the livestock breeders. Sheep breeding is the main agricultural activity of the area and an annual show is held every year in the village on the first Saturday in June. Carsphairn Show is considered one of the most prestigious shows at which to win a red ticket in the Blackface Sheep Breed. This year is the 150th anniversary of the Society being established and the committee are looking forward to putting on the 132nd show on Saturday 7 June at the Crofts, Carsphairn, by kind permission of Messrs McMorran. The show marks the start of the agricultural show season in Dumfries & Galloway. With judging starting from 10am, there are both confined and open classes in the Blackface Sheep section and also open classes for Commercial, Mule, Bluefaced Leicester and Any Other Breed Native and Continental Sheep. There is also a dog trial in the adjacent field, and from midday there are collie dog, young handlers, pets and dog classes for anyone to enter. Thank you C arsphairn Hedgehog Rescue would like to say a big “thank you” to everyone who supported their fundraiser. Special thanks go to all the wonderful bakers, all the people who purchased the produce and were so generous with their donations, and especially to Jayne, who organised the event - fabulous £661 was raised! Entries for all sections are taken on the day. There are children's sports in the afternoon as well as a bouncy castle, and an activities tent run by Carsphairn stayand-play children's group, Bairn Banter. In the Lagwyne Hall there are sections for baking, preserves, handicrafts, flowers, plants, walking sticks and a children's section all entries welcome. There will be food stalls and bar facilities provided on the show field. Carsphairn Show is run by the Carsphairn Pastoral & Horticultural Society with the help of their generous sponsors. For information or to enter, email carsphairnshow@ btinternet.com or visit www.carsphairn. org/carsphairn-show Photographs from previous years' shows are of blackface sheep and the trophy table Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEnews Have your say on public transport in the Glenkens page 6 G lenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) and the Glenkens Hub are collecting information about public transport in the area. This information will be submitted to the regional transport agencies on a quarterly basis in order to keep them informed on local feedback on our public transport services. Please help us present a case for improving the service by recording the issues you have encountered with our local buses. All information is anonymous. Thank you for your help! The Glenkens Hub Team Name the Place I n each issue a photograph will be taken somewhere in the Glenkens by local photographer Ted Leeming and readers have to guess where it is. The answer can be found on p33, with a bit of information and food for thought about that location. GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Gazette In memory of Jackson Pringle J ackson Pringle sadly died following a car accident on the A75 near Gretna on 16 December 2024. Castle Douglas. For the next 10 years he rented land at Arndarroch and Blackmark and had 500 ewes of his own. His funeral took place in Carsphairn on 9 January, with around 200 mourners. Jackson was a keen carpet bowler, playing at Stroanfreggan Club, where he was also the hall keeper. He took up green bowling when he moved to Castle Douglas and travelled frequently for club evenings. Jackson was born at Forebush, Dalry, on 7 June 1941. The family moved to Stroanpatrick farm when he was two and he went to school at Stroanfreggan and then Dalry Secondary School. Jackson was a friendly and sociable man, well-respected in the local community and always ready to help neighbours. He is survived by his wife, Doreen, two sons and five grandchildren. He left school at 15 to start working as a shepherd at Stroanpatrick, where he worked for the Dickies. On retiring in 2006, after 50 years at Stroanpatrick, he and his wife Doreen moved to page 7 Pictured above are Jackson and wife Doreen, and to the right a commemorative wreath hung at the Stroanfreggan bowling hut Our Friend Kenny Our friend Kenny was five foot six in his shoes, He was a lovely chap through and through, When he came to Men's Shed he brightened up our day, A lot of banter and pulling of leg on the way. Kenny’s generosity and caring heart, His sense of humour and cheeky smile set him apart, We were like a band of brothers, Kenny was always thinking of others. Building turning drilling and sanding, Kenny was our helping hand, No job was too big or too small, He was really on the ball. Making a brew and cutting the cake, and eating peanuts, For goodness sake, Eating them ten to the dozen with ease, Spluttering and sharing them with everyone during a sneeze. We will miss you Kenny old friend, Our thoughts and love for you will never end, You left us too soon my friend, Enjoy your rest in peace. by Barry Bryan-Dixon Keyboard player wanted W at Christmas and Easter. A modest honorarium of £30 per service is offered. Geoff is an exceptional professional musician who, as well as playing at services, has led the choir and written highly successful original musical works. We recognise that he will be impossible to replace so we hope to find someone just to play at our services in Dalry, Kells and Balmaclellan. If, like me, you have nonmusical fingers but know of someone who may be interested please tell them about this notice. Geoff’s last service will be on the 30 March, so ideally we would need someone to be available from 6 April. ith the retirement of Geoff Davidson, Glenkens Parish is seeking to recruit a keyboard player to accompany hymn singing at our services. The services are about 50 minutes long and there are three services each month, with a few extras This could be an opportunity for a young person to further develop their skills, or for an older person to make use of those youthful piano lessons. If you are interested, please call Ian Knox, our session clerk, on 07840 506 516. Music has always been a central part of Christian worship. Please help us to continue that tradition in the Glenkens. Andrew Mellor Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEpeople Glenkens Youth Correspondent page 8 Joshua Wells, aged 15, is our Gazette youth correspondent and in each edition he will be writing about topics which interest him. In this issue Joshua talks about the D&G Youth Council. I n January I joined the Dumfries and Galloway Youth Council, for the ward of Dee and Glenkens, halfway through the two-year election cycle. If you are not aware of the youth council, it is a way of allowing young peoples' voices to be heard within our region. It gives young people the opportunity to make decisions to help fellow young Dumfries and Galloway inhabitants. I found out about the youth council from a friend of mine. There had been a change and they were looking for new ward councillors. I was really excited to hear about the opportunity because I felt that it would give me the skills I would like for when I left school and would help me make a difference for other young people in my local area. I couldn’t just be a ward councillor, I had to complete some training. The training session, which took place over two days at The Bridge in Dumfries, with around 15 of us attending, would have us meeting various council officers and even the fascinating John Loughton. John Loughton is a self-described “global youth leader, social entrepreneur, campaigner and leadership speaker,” and has clearly shown he is a global leader through reaching almost a million young people with his work, according to UWS (University of the West of Scotland). In this experience of a lifetime training, I was not only able to share my opinions but also develop both my debating skills and my public speaking skills (where I was told I speak like a politician). I was also able to meet people from all over the region, with varied beliefs, lifestyles, outlooks, age groups, and most importantly experiences, allowing us to get a clear and balanced vision of young people’s ideas in Dumfries and Galloway. I was also able to attend a thought-provoking council meeting where we were able to have a conversation with one of the councillors for our ward, John Denerley, the first deaf councillor in Dumfries and Galloway. I previously met him at an award ceremony I had attended the week before, where he presented me with an award for my attendance at a youth camp. He asked about our views and our ideas for Dee and Glenkens, including improving bike paths and tactics to prevent bullying. In just a few months, stepping into the role of a Youth Ward Councillor has been an incredibly eye-opening and rewarding experience. I highly encourage young people between the ages of 12 and 25 to give it a go, especially if you feel that adults aren't paying enough attention to young people's ideas. As a youth councillor, you'll have a chance to make your voice heard. If you are a young person from Dee and Glenkens and you have any views to share with me, just get in touch, and we can have a chat at joshua.welsyc@ gmail.com (See front page article on Joshua's literary award) Glenkens Cub Scouts T o finish off our Pet Care activity badge we held a pet show, ably judged by Robert Little, who was very thorough and tactful. A big "thank you" to all the parents who helped the youngsters with their dogs, and a duck brought in by Cole. The cats were too shy to make an appearance but Lily and Pippin showed their pets instead with photographs, drawings and stories. Hamish described his goldfish. All of the pets were well behaved. Hannah was worried we might have a brawl, but luckily this wasn't the case. Freya brought in Patch, a Jack Russell terrier. Patch had an array of rosettes, presented on a cushion. Brodie showed Snoop, the cockapoo. Elliot’s dog, Buster, was a collie-cross-kelpie. Caitlin brought in photographs of her Jack Russell and chihuahua, and Charlotte had a video of her shitzu. Thanks go to Robert for judging, and well done Cubs. We had a Scottish food tasting in January. Charlotte recited The Selkirk Grace, before we all tucked into balls of haggis, Upper Dullarg egg sandwiches, Lockerbie cheese, oatcakes, shortbread, tablet and much more. To finish, the Cubs organised entertainment for the Leaders, with singing, poetry and dancing. Fundraiser We are hoping to have a table at the Alternative Games on 3 August. If you are spring cleaning and have bric-a-brac, unwanted gifts, toys, games, jigsaws, childrens books, tablet, jams, etc, please keep us in mind. You can leave items at the Scout Hall, New Galloway, on a Wednesday evening between 6.15pm and 7.30pm until 18 June, and thereafter ring Heather on 01644 420 375. We would like to welcome on board Julian Watson, who has joined us as an occasional helper, and Felix, Sienna and Thomas who have joined the Cubs. Thomas is following in his dad’s footsteps… Yours in Scouting, Heather and Hannah Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 9 Tentative steps towards a positive future for Glenkens educaiton S ince December 2023, when the Education Department announced plans to mothball Dalry Secondary, work has been ongoing to try and ensure Glenkens children are able to continue to be educated in their community. There have been various meetings and discussions of potential ways forward, trying to think outside the box in order to find a futureproof solution. The Glenkens Community Action Plan Steering Group (CAPSG) and members of Dalry Parent Council have been actively working with Dalry school management team, D&G council's education department and local councillors to try to find a way forward. The issue of rural education has also broadened out to a region-wide discussion since the potential figure of 25 pupils to trigger mothballing of a school was mooted in the Council's Budget Consultation as a potential option. consideration of the role of schools in our rural communities, especially with regard to the key issue of rural depopulation. Here in the Glenkens, the results of the December 2023 survey of Dalry school parents with regard to what they wanted from their school showed strong support for an all-through-school model at Dalry, from Nursery to S4 (or up to S6 ideally), with an onsite head teacher. This preference was echoed in the October 2024 Review of Rural Education in the Glenkens report, commissioned by the Glenkens & District Trust, which highlighted a strong community desire for an education ‘hub’ in the Glenkens. Recent discussions have resulted in what seems to be a shared vision by all parties of an education hub serving both primary and secondary age pupils, with potential also for pre-school and post-school learning opportunites. Further discussion and community consultation needs to be had in order to try to establish an achievable AI generated image of a rural school campus - a potential future for education in the Glenkens? secure future for the school, and trust within the parent forum. One model which has been discussed is an all-through school catering for children aged 2-15, with the secondary school operating as a ‘middle school.’ There may be potential for the current primary school building to be repurposed for community use, potentially as a community college campus, if the secondary building seems like it would provide a better learning environment (access to resources for all pupils of subject-specific areas such as music, woodwork, art, HE and science). ... a shared vision...an education hub serving both primary and secondary age pupils, with potential also for pre-school and post-school learning opportunites. This did not go through in the end, but it has prompted a united front of small schools across the region under the umbrella of the Wee Schools Matter campaign. This group is lobbying for acknowledgement of the urban-centric perspecitive of the Education Department, and the need for more community-based solution that would satisfy immediate, medium-term, and long-term needs. Some thoughts so far are... The immediate priority is ensuring the wellbeing and educational needs of current Dalry Secondary pupils. Medium-term plans would hope to bridge the current situation while a future plan is built, hoping to increase numbers and build resilience through the reassurance of a In this model, S1 and S2 students would benefit from a combination of general education and subject-specific teaching, focusing attention on these often 'lost years' of early secondary education. In the longer-term, the goal would be to extend the allthrough model back up to S4, or potentially even to S5 and S6, if student numbers justified this. A key part of this vision includes vocational learning opportunities through a Glenkens community college, ensuring sustainability and growth for education in the area. In order to take positive steps in creating a sustainable model for education in the Glenkens, feedback from parents, pupils, and the community is essential. Please keep your eyes peeled for updates and potential surveys going out for community input over the coming months, both in the Gazette and on the Glenkens Hub (www.glenkens. scot), or to get in touch with Dalry Schools Parent Council directly, contact Parent Council chair Stewart Gibson, on dalrypcchair@gmail.com Sarah Ade Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEeducation page 10 Glenkens Primaries Partnership update Our Robert Burns school trip I n January the P4/5/6/7s of Dalry went to Alloway in Ayrshire to see the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. The first thing we did was to go into a classroom where we learnt about Robert Burns' life. Then we dressed up in the clothes that people wore in the 17th century, and we went outside into the cottage that Robert Burns was born in. We explored the cottage, and there was a farm where we learnt about how they made butter. Then we went on a walk and learned about the story of Tam o' Shanter. There were statues of animals that Robert Burns talked about in his poems. On the way to the museum, we went to the Burns National Heritage Park, and we saw the Burns monument. Next, we went to the museum where we listened to different poems and there were lots of interesting pictures. by Caitlin, Annie and Magnus Our term 3 topic A t school our topic was general elections. We made our own parties and had a debate. Our parties were called Education for Scotland; The Peace Tribe; The Scottish Oaks; The Planet Savers and The Purple Triceratops. We also made our own manifestos and posters saying why people should vote for a certain party. On the day of the election all the parties got to present their manifestos in front of the pupils and adults. We also had a debate with all of the other parties and asked them questions like: “Why should you be elected, where will you get the money from and what will you do to improve this?”. Education For Scotland (EFS) said they would help Scotland with its education, working with schools across Scotland. K ells Primary p5-7 organised their bi-annual Burns Supper. Over 80 people attended and were treated to entertainment and food organised and prepared by the whole school. Thank you to everyone who supported it and the many organisers who helped make it possible. Erin Welsh The Peace Tribe said that they would help the homeless by giving them food and water and recruiting more police officers. The purple triceratops said that they would protect all the local wildlife and everything that lives there. The Scottish Oaks said they would plant more trees, protect nature and fund schools across Scotland. The Planet Savers said that they would recycle water and will build huts with beds, food and water for homeless people. The entire school voted in the ballot box and the winners were The Purple Triceratops. As a prize, they got to have an afternoon tea in the staff room with Mrs Murray. by Amelia and Mahala Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 11 The Optimistic Environmentalist Electric cars - Part One J ust over two years ago, we (my husband Richard and I) bought an electric car. This was partly an environmental choice and partly the economics - the running costs are so much cheaper. We needed an estate car as with my wheelchair, a hoist and two large Labradors, boot space is really important. We also wanted a car that could tow - at the time, many electric vehicles (EVs) had not been approved for towing, many more have now though. Therefore, we chose an MG5 (NB, not the MG4 in the picture). The price of this compared favourably with a similarly specified petrol Ford Focus Estate. We decided to write a series for this column to explain about electric cars as a result. The range of EVs have been improving and car manufacturers in their designs have been assessing the weight of the battery with the range; obviously, if a battery is bigger it can hold more energy which should give more range, but the extra weight uses up more energy when driving. There are new designs and materials for batteries and they are improving in efficiency all the time. Manufacturer's claims for mileage per gallon in an internal combustion engine (ICE) car are not what you get in the real world use. Likewise, when looking at the range for an EV, the quoted manufacturer's range (WLTP) is normally further than the 'real world' range. Also, remember, the temperature affects this a bit - you get a few more miles in the summer for your energy compared to the colder weather depending on how much air conditioning or heating you use. Running costs For an ICE vehicle, you will be familiar with miles per gallon (mpg). Obviously, EVs don't use gallons, they use electrical energy measured in kilowatthours (kWh) and, in the UK at least, we tend to measure EV energy consumption in miles per kWh. There is an excellent website www.ev-database.org/ uk that shows the energy consumption, range - both manufacturer specified and what to expect in reality, towing capacity etc. of EVs. A comparison ICE vehicle: if fuel is £1.40 per litre and there are 4.546 litres per gallon, then it costs £6.36 per gallon. So, if your car does 50mpg that equates to 12.7p (£6.364÷50) per mile. plugs, timing belts/chains and so on. EV: the calculations are simpler: if you are charging off-peak at 7p per kWh (like we are with Octopus for EV drivers) and your vehicle does 3 miles per kWh, this equates to 2.3p (7p÷3) per mile. Thus, servicing costs are generally cheaper. EV's use regenerative braking most of the time - the electric motor slows the car down and puts energy back into the battery rather than the car's brakes. Thus, as described in Faircharge's, freely available, Little book of EV Myths (www. faircharge.co.uk/little-bookof-ev-myths), brake usage and care means that they last a lot longer than on an ICE vehicle. In reality, it will cost fractionally more than this because the car's onboard charging circuitry will consume some energy whilst charging. Servicing do's and don'ts All vehicles require servicing and EVs are no exception. Obviously, EVs don't have an engine so lack many consumables - oil and oil filters, engine air filters, spark Family and friends coming to stay? N ew Galloway Golf Club Founded Foun ded 1902 www.ng www.n g gc.co.uk Country cottage set in beautiful gardens available for holiday lets all year round (sleeps 5) Call Fiona on 07789 903127 - 01644 420737 - www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Buggies now available for hire Licence no DG00824P VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Contrary to some myths, tyre wear tends to be similar to any car of that size or weight; it crucially depends on how the car is driven. Denise MacDonald-Kiernan Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment A Resilience test event staged in Dalry page 12 LOCH KEN TRUST RANGER 07539 029 175 / 07918 300 889 pilot resilience test event was staged in Dalry on 5 March. This was organised by the Loch Ken Trust, Dalry Community Council’s resilience team, the Dumfries and Galloway Climate Hub (DGCH), and the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, with support from D&G Council’s resilience team. Light rain throughout the exercise added a touch of realism. The staged scenario included a car that had swerved to avoid a falling branch in a storm colliding with a telegraph pole, causing pedestrian, passenger and driver casualties. The exercise began shortly after 11am on Throughgate, which was closed for the next hour while the scene played out. The mock casualties were three adults (one of whom, played by a casualty simulator dummy, was not breathing), a shaken-up child and a dog. Members of the local resilience team took charge of the scene, administered first aid and called on passers-by and spectators to assist where necessary, including fetching the defibrillator from the town hall. After about twenty minutes, the emergency services arrived on scene and took over. The exercise ended with a demonstration of capabilities by the Fire & Rescue Service. At the debrief, Jenna Cains, from DGCH, said: “We created a scenario with similarities to the issues faced by the community during storm Éowyn, which left parts of the area without power for several days. More such weather events can be expected with changing climate, and the Climate Hub encourage all communities in Dumfries and Galloway to have up to date resilience plans," a message seconded by the D&G Council Resilience Team itself. Loch Ken Trust's resilience work is funded by the National Lottery Awards for All Community Fund and Drax Group, owners of the Galloway Hydro Scheme. The Climate Ready Glenkens project involves supporting all Glenkens communities with resilience planning. Head Ranger Leanne Pumpr said: “With extreme weather events on the increase, it is so important that our communities are prepared and know how best they can support themselves until wider help arrives. It was great to see so many members of the community come along and get involved with the test event. A huge 'thank you' to Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Council Community Resilience and all our fantastic volunteers who made this event a success.” The test event had a wider message about considering vulnerable people in your community, as well as what local resources can be called upon following an extreme weather event. In the days following, ITV News ran an excellent segment on the event using real life weather damage footage from Dumfries and Galloway from this January. The D&G Climate Hub is funded by Scottish Government’s Let’s Do Net Zero strategy. Paul Goodwin Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment T he Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere (GSAB) Partnership tends to reflect the UNESCO region more widely: ramping up the energy in spring and buzzing with life through summer! That being said, the organisation has had an incredibly busy autumn/winter 2024-25 promoting Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear, the social enterprise making and selling luxury knitted outerwear using locally-sourced fleece. Several designs sold out in the first production run and a new batch of finest grade Biosphere Blackface wool is now being scoured and spun for the next collection. Sustainably produced and hand-finished, you can follow the progress of the brand and its designs at www. merrickscotland.com Since the Biosphere’s last feature in the Glenkens Gazette, Carsphairn has been announced as a designated ‘Biosphere Community’, the fourteenth village to join the scheme. Biosphere Communities have an especially close relationship with the GSA Biosphere Partnership, being provided with additional support to develop sustainable living projects, improve green space for biodiversity, and undertake community-led tourism initiatives. In April Biosphere officers will be supporting Carsphairn’s Local Place Plan (LPP) event at Lagwyne Hall, a drop-in session for residents to comment on the draft LPP for Carsphairn. The Biosphere will be present to look at treasured landscapes, bringing maps that show wildlife and habitats, historic sites, and land use changes over time, inviting people to contribute their local knowledge to ensure the final LPP fully encompasses everything that is important and cherished. Another Biosphere Community, page 13 Out and About in the Biosphere St John’s Town of Dalry, will be the venue for the next Biosphere Guide Training Course on 27 and 28 April. This free course is designed to help small guiding start-ups, supporting local people to develop tour-based visitor experiences that share the magic of the UNESCO Biosphere. Biosphere Guides can use a bespoke logo incorporating the sundew motif and are promoted through the GSAB Partnership’s marketing channels when their business is ready to launch, including being listed in an online directory of experience providers which is also platformed by VisitScotland and the South of Scotland Destination Alliance. The two-day course at Dalry Town Hall will examine what it takes to create a memorable, meaningful guided tour, including audience outreach, building itineraries, and interpreting natural and cultural sites. In June the Biosphere team will be back in Dalry to run a Green Health workshop at the community centre. This is part of the organisation’s commitment to supporting nature connections for mental and physical health, and will introduce the vast range of Green Health activities and ways to get involved locally. The workshop aims to inspire people to spend more time outdoors and to speak to their own health practitioners about Green Health, Blue Health (activity connected with rivers and the sea), and social prescribing, and how these can be incorporated into treatment and wellness plans. As many readers will know, the GSA Biosphere hosts the D&G Climate Hub, which covers the whole of Dumfries & Galloway. Climate Officers and the Biosphere team deliver Carbon Literacy training, a bookable course exploring our carbon footprints and achievable ways to reduce them at home and at work. Part of a rolling programme of lifelong learning available to anyone in the UNESCO Biosphere, Carbon Literacy is internationally-recognised accredited training and a great way to boost a CV, with so many employers now recognising the value in embedding this knowledge among their staff. Faith Hillier, the GSAB Partnership’s Community Officer, works on a range of community and education initiatives in the Glenkens and the rest of SW Scotland’s vast UNESCO region – the largest Biosphere in the whole of the UK. Right: Faith Hillier at Carsphairn Community Woodland. Below: Biosphere Guides training at Kirroughtree “The Glenkens has always been very engaged with creating a better future for nature and more sustainable, connected communities, and the GSAB Partnership is delighted to be able to support this,” Faith says. “We have built a great learning and training offer which is available free of charge to maximise accessibility. "Especially at this time of year we’re excited to be getting out and about more often and we welcome approaches from community or interest groups that feel assistance from the Biosphere could give them additional resources or an operational boost.” More information about the GSAB Partnership’s current projects including Biosphere Guide Training, Green Health, and Carbon Literacy training is available at www.gsabiosphere. org.uk, or by email request to info@gsabiosphere.org.uk. To keep in touch on social platforms, follow #gsabiosphere Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 14 sponsored by The Glenkens Community Centre is getting glow up T he Glenkens Community Centre in Dalry has received over £160,000 to improve the thermal efficiency of the building. Funded by Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) and South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), the building will get a low carbon makeover. This will provide electricity through solar panels paired with battery storage, heat through air-to-air heat pumps, warmth through wall and loft insulation, double glazed windows, and energy consumption reduced through efficient lighting. The Glenkens Community Centre is opposite the school in Dalry and has a large hall suitable for sports, parties, large meetings and events. There is a open kitchen/meeting space which is used by Good Neighbours, art and craft groups and meetings. The back room is a large, bright space currently home to the Galloway Food Hub. There is also a small office room at the front of the building. The Dalry Community Properties Trust (DCPT) was established in 2015 and purchased the Glenkens Community Centre from the council. This is the first significant funding it has received since then. Work began at the beginning of March with Cool & Easy and Parc Construction appointed to undertake the work on the building. They took no time to rip out the damp, mouldy lath-andplaster, exposing the stonework behind. This also exposed rotten woodwork around the existing windows which had been allowing rainwater into the centre. The walls will be framed out and insulated with new membrane and plasterboard on top. This will improve the building’s ability to retain heat, meaning we can have cosier spaces for our user groups to enjoy. Scaffolding went up to allow the installation of 34 445W solar panels on the roof. At the same time we conducted a roof survey to allow us to identify areas of water ingress that need to be resolved before the new insulation is installed. The work is phased to allow the Galloway Food Hub to continue to operate from the community centre, and they have moved into the main hall for the duration of the first phase. We’re grateful for our existing groups for their patience during this phase of renovation, and those who have had to find temporary homes whilst we undertake the work. It will be worth it! We have also received a further grant from SOSE to allow us to upgrade our main group space in the kitchen area. We will be able to refresh the units, buy new appliances and have fully stocked cupboards for hosting larger groups. We expect work to be completed by the middle of May, and look forward to welcoming user groups back to our new and improved spaces. We are also excited to host events for the wider community in partnership with the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere and Dumfries and Galloway Climate Hub, showcasing the amazing retrofit of our wonderful community centre. This project has been made possible thanks to the countless hours and dedication of our collection of amazing members, trustees, neighbours and supporters. The work will allow us to continue to serve the community with a warm, affordable space to meet, party, work, socialise and create for many years to come. Sarah McCusker Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEenvironment page 15 sponsored by If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE FOR SALE & OFFERS Single divan bed base with headboard. Contact: Anita on 07547 301 321 PONY AND RIDER RELATED ITEMS. Saddle rack, bridle work (all leather) bits, stirrups, leathers, crupper, Cashel bareback rubber saddle, rug, travel boots, etc. All small cob size (Fell). Ladies size 10 clothing, some brand new. Riding/hunting/in-hand showing. Boots, spurs. Any reasonable offer. Ring me for full details and to arrange to come round for a browse (and a cuppa). Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 (please note I do not have the internet) Rabbit hutch and all rabbit-related bits to go with it (indoor hutch, litter tray, water bottle, some food and hay and treats). Contact: 07727 127 997 Ladies gardening gloves, very strong leather. Small size. Blackcurrant bush cuttings, rooted. Black peppermint; will dig as required. Contact: Sue, Dalry, on 07563 718 011 Horse manure, rotted and fresh, no weed killers used. Dig your own - bring sacks or trailer. Contact: 07889 229 340 Shed clearances - any shed cleared, large or small; get in touch to for further info or to arrange a visit. Contact: 07765 034 841 WANTED Old lawn mowers/strimmers/other small machinery. Non-runners/broken welcome. Contact: 07845 562 217 WRIGHTS STORE & POST OFFICE DALRY DALRY DALRY SWEET TREAT SATURDAY DALRY INFORMATION FRESH CREAM CAKES AVAILABLE TO ORDER OPENING TIMES OPENING HOURS Mon-Fri 7.30am-5.30pm MONDAY – FRIDAY Sat 8.30am-5pm Sun 8.30am-3pm 7.30am – 5.30pm POST8.30am OFFICE– 5pm SATURDAY Mon-Fri 10am to 3pm SUNDAY 8.30am – 3pm Sat 9am to 12noon Sun closed LOCAL SUPPLIERS LOCAL SUPPLIERS DALMELLINGTON BUTCHERS DALMELLINGTON COUNTRY HENDERSON BUTCHERS RAMSAY OF CARLUKE BUTCHERS BUTCHERS UPPER TREATS DULLARG EGGS SWEET BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY MITCHELLS FRUIT & VEG CREAM O' GALLOWAY SWEETCAKES BAKERY GALLOWAY LODGE IRVINGS BAKERY GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY COWS & CO CHEESE THE CRESS COMPANY CREAM O GALLOWAY BORDER BISCUITS GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES HAWKSTONE BREWERY MITCHELLS & VEG IRVINGSFRUIT BAKERY SULWATH BREWERY SCOTTISH GALLOWAY PASTA ...local delivery available... GLENKENS HONEY COMPANY POP IN FOR A CHAT AND A BROWSE Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Galloway Food Hub seasonal recipe T he Ethical Dairy's Rainton Tomme cheese achieved celebrity status back in 2023 when it featured on James Martin's Saturday Morning on ITV. page 16 The dish created on the programme was tartiflette. You can see he has Carrick, Laganory, Fleet Valley Blue and half a Tomme on the board in the picture. JAMES MARTIN'S ETHICAL DAIRY TARTIFLETTE RECIPE Ingredients: · 500g cooked waxy potatoes, cooled and sliced in half · 125g lardons · 2 finely sliced red onion · 3 crushed garlic · 120ml double cream · 500g Tomme cheese · Salt and pepper Method: Advertisement 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C 2. In an ovenproof pan, add a splash of oil and sauté the onions, garlic and lardons, with thyme, and season. Then add the cream, potatoes and give it a big stir, then top with the cheese. 3. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour, and leave to cool for five minutes, then serve. AN UPDATE FROM WINDY STANDARD F red. Olsen Renewables moves forward with construction of Windy Standard III Wind Farm. Leading independent renewable energy generator, Fred. Olsen Renewables, has announced that it is driving forward with the expansion of Windy Standard Wind Farm in Dumfries and Galloway, following the investment decision to deliver Windy Standard III. Windy Standard Wind Farm, located north-east of Carsphairn, is Scotland’s first consented wind farm. The addition of Windy Standard III, which was consented in 2021, will bring forward an additional 20 turbines– delivering 87.6MW of green electricity, enough to power the equivalent of 131, 286 UK homes annually. Work on the site began in early March, with tree felling of commercial forestry, followed by site set up by main contractor, Jones Brothers Civil Engineering Ltd, who are preparing the site for the installation of the turbines. Fred. Olsen Renewables always seeks to employ local servies through the construction and operation of their wind farms and encourages any of the local supply chain to get in contact. The turbines will be supplied and installed by ENERCON with the first components due to be delivered to the site in April 2026 and installation works will start in the second quarter of that year. Having been operational for over 25 years, Windy Standard Wind Farm has made a significant contribution to the local economy – delivering over £186 million of contracts with Scottish businesses, 116 construction jobs (FTE) and 73 operational and maintenance jobs (FTE). To date, Windy Standard Wind Farm has delivered £4.1m funding for the local community. This has helped to support a number of local projects, including New Cumnock Development Trust and helping to deliver a Local Energy Discount Scheme (LED scheme) in Carsphairn. Operational since 2018, the LED scheme has provided over £127,000 in direct payments, helping to address the challenge of energy costs, helping the fuel poor and minimising fuel poverty. The combination of Windy Standard I, II and III will deliver over £15m in community benefit funding over the lifetime of the project. It is anticipated that Windy Standard III will be commissioned in December 2026. Once operational the Windy Standard complex will deliver 87.6MW of electricity combined. Further information can be found at www. windystandardwindfarm.com If you have any questions, please do get in touch with the team – we are happy to help! You can email us at communities@fredolsen.com or call 07435 763 900. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity A Galloway National Park: considering the pros and cons T he Earthy Book Group is a small group of local women with shared concerns about the natural environment and our place in it. Recently we discussed the consultation on proposals for a National Park in Dumfries & Galloway against the backdrop of a very vocal and well-financed ‘No’ campaign. Inspired by the debating club recently formed by some Castle Douglas High School students, we arbitrarily divided ourselves into 'Yes' and 'No' teams, and prepared our own debate on the National Park under the headings of Social, Economic, Environmental and Political. Gathered around our mugs of coffee, our debate developed into a collaborative discussion, beginning with a presentation from the ‘Yes’ team on the social/economic status quo in our region. Here is an overview of the 'Yes' team's outcomes: • Not only is our region bottom of the Scottish income league, wages here are lower than in other comparable rural areas; much work is low skilled and seasonal • Our Gross Value Added (GVA) is 18% lower than the Scottish average • Child poverty sits at 26%,and a ‘poverty related attainment gap’ exists • Population decline, marked by an increasing proportion of older people, leads to the closure of local schools and the hollowing out of small communities - "Young people", says a local poet, "are our greatest export" • Affordable housing falls far short of demand; it is more expensive to build social housing in D&G than anywhere else in Scotland • We have a higher proportion (2.42%) of long term empty houses than the Scottish average (1.7%) • Holiday rentals are especially lucrative in a region where the local authority are seen to take a ‘lenient’ approach to short term rental regulations The ‘Yes’ team suggested that the joined-up structure offered by a National Park and its ability to leverage new funding, could add value and support broad change: • New education, training and employment opportunities to address poverty • Create a year round tourist industry based around small scale holiday accommodation, eg glamping • Develop the environmental protection sector, offering long term and sustainable employment • Improve access to housing, especially for young people, through more effective management of the holiday rental sector, and addressing blocks to the provision of affordable housing • Through these measures, and greater involvement of local people, build capacity, strengthen communities, and keep schools, and other services local There is clear evidence (from NatureScot) that the other Scottish National Parks have delivered, and continue to strengthen their action, on all these fronts. To counter the argument that a number of agencies already exist in the region, and that the addition of a further layer of bureaucracy is unnecessary, we looked at the very different functions of these organisations: • The Southern Ayrshire and Galloway Biosphere is a collective of community based projects with no planning or decision making authority • The Galloway International Dark Skies Park has a mainly educational remit • Forestry and Land Scotland is responsible for economically sustainable forestry, enhancing the environment and the development of leisure access to the forests An overarching body such as the Galloway National Park would have powers not available to these projects. The ‘No’ team had questions as to how the Park would actually work and whether it would have sufficient funds. Certain projects might attract funding initially but this would have to be ongoing. Some of the objections to the National Park were set out. Here is an overview of the 'No' team's outcomes: • The establishment of a National Park could undermine the qualities of natural beauty and local community that make this area so special in the first place • The proposal was exacerbating division in the local community · D&G is not a suitable area being both inhabited and cultivated • The National Park will not deliver much needed improvements to infrastructure and services, eg transport networks, education, health and social care • There was lived experience of the negative impact of increased visitors during lockdown; experience of the two existing National Parks page 17 shows that visitors do not always follow advice so camping rights have had to be withdrawn Research from the ‘Yes’ team into the politics behind the consultation uncovered lesser known aspects of the ‘No’ campaign: From the day the National Park was officially announced, it was clear that the 'No' campaign had a well-funded, highly organised publicity campaign that was set in train immediately. Leaflets appeared in every household the next day, huge posters bordered every highway, meetings were instantly organised. Many, including ourselves, were confused by the insistent messages and dismayed by the escalating divisions splitting our communities. There was obviously a lot of money, not to say prepared planning, behind all this. But whose? And why? An investigative article by Rob Edwards in The Ferret (Dec 19 2024 - www.theferret.scot/ landowner-backing-national-park-campaign) lays out where the money comes from and the close family connections between the Jack family, who own multiple estates in Galloway, and the company Media House International, the PR agents for this campaign. Media House International first gained a high profile with their unsuccessful campaign to prevent the repeal of Section 28 in 2003. Edwards cites Action to Protect Rural Scotland, who have faced opposition from Media House, and lost, over the proposed deposit return scheme. Kat Jones, of APRS, analyses tactics for suppressing initiatives (www.aprs. scot/news/environmental-campaigning-in-theage-of-misinformation) - "Find a group that already feels vulnerable and make them feel more threatened", for example, small farmers, business owners, would-be home-owners, people who want to live and work here in tolerable conditions, those who already feel threatened by current rural policies. It appears their fears are being utilised by secretive private interests to stymie the debate before it has begun. We were left wondering where the ‘Yes’ campaign was. For example, there was no equivalent to the very professional leaflets provided by the ‘No’ campaign to support their cause. Finally, we looked at the consultation process itself. The lack of clear information around the proposals precluded an informed view while the questions were narrow and focused on specific areas of detail. Preparing the debate had been tough homework but subsequently we felt better informed and more engaged. It got us talking to other people. It helped us to clarify our own view and, in some cases, had the effect of changing our minds on the issue. Frances Hlanze, Leonie Ewing, Margaret Elphinstone, Margaret Glencross, Rose Ardron Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 18 A NEW COMMUNITY GARDEN February saw the inaugural shovels hit the dirt in LING’s latest outdoors project - with over 40 trees planted in one day! The opportunity to share land Volunteers from across the and resources to grow food Glenkens came to pitch in as sustainably, and learn together we started work on our new community garden with a tree- about ecology is most welcome planting day! in light of the climate crisis and the food insecurity that it may Over 40 trees were planted, bring. many courtesy of Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands’ treeMore broadly, the garden is a planting fund along with some space that encourages community donations. generosity and friendship The garden is a permaculture already our volunteers have design, full of native plants and received tuition on gardening vegetation from fruit trees to best practice while planting! And this is just the beginning... path-lining elders. We hope that the garden will grow into a space for everyone: jam-makers on the hunt for berries, bird-watchers seeking out tranquillity, or aspiring horticulturalists who may not have a garden of their own. One of our purposes here at LING is to preserve and restore spaces of social and environmental significance. And so we hope that the garden can serve as a key asset for New Galloway. of a thriving New Galloway at changes afoot... our Volunteer Event in March. HIRE THE HALL! The town hall is available for parties, conferences, receptions and more! You can book via our website, or feel free to get in touch with any queries. Volunteers and staff at LING have been working hard to increase our resilience and strengthen our vision, resulting in a new five-year plan. At a time when so many are struggling with the rising cost of living, the need for open and inclusive community spaces is more apparent than ever. Like many charities, LING couldn’t function without the network of generosity that exist in our area, so local voices are essential in building organisations that can serve their communities long into the future. We re-affirmed our core vision LING will help this vision by: Maintaining and improving public spaces and facilities Providing recreational activities for everyone Preserving historic or architecturally important buildings To keep up with LING, you can follow us - or request a membership form and you’ll receive our monthly updates! newgallowaytownhall.com info@ling.org.uk 07749 249 781 localinitiativesinnewgalloway local_initiatives_in_ng Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Crookmakers club showcase their skills C astle Douglas crookmakers, who meet on a Monday evening at Balmaclellan Men's Shed, held their annual show in the page 19 King's Arms hotel. The winning crook overall was made from cow horn by Des Hadnett. Prize winners with tutor Andrew Carson. Shirley Thomson Pictured are prize winners with tutor Andrew Carson St Margaret's plant and bake sale S t Margaret’s Guild has for many years now organised a plant and bake sale to raise funds for a local charity – an event that many in the community look forward to. This year the sale will be held outside St Margaret’s Church on Saturday 26 April, from 10am to 12noon, and all profits will be donated to the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance. The plant stall will contain a variety of flower and vegetable seedlings, as well as plants and perennials, all from local gardens. The homemade cakes and biscuits on the baking stall are always popular – last year everything was sold by 11.30am, so don’t wait till the last minute. And in addition to the sales tables, teas/coffees and cake will be served, outside if the weather is warm and sunny, or inside if not! The baking table and plant table at last year's plant and bake sale Life and land in the Glenkens Glenkens Gazette page 20 A t the Gazette, we are always looking for new ways to reflect and amplify voices within our communities. In light of this, and thanks to funding from NatureScot, we comissioned local young journalist Ross Sanderson to delve into life in the Glenkens and condense his interpretation into the following eight-page feature. We hope you enjoy this fresh and vibrant vision reflecting the beauty and magic, as well as the trials and tribulations, of living in our very special part of the world. A s we turn the page to this special edition of the Glenkens Gazette, we invite you to embark on a journey through the heart and soul of our beautiful community. Born from the rolling hills, serene landscapes and thriving communities of the Glenkens, the pages that follow are devoted to capturing the essence of life here - our shared triumphs, tribulations, and everything in between. The Glenkens is a tapestry woven with the threads of our unique stories, and in this special edition, you will find reflections on both the highs and lows that define our experience. From the breathtaking beauty and biodiversity of our natural surroundings to the warmth of human connections, this issue shines a light on what makes our community truly special. You’ll find a carefully curated collection of stories, portraits, and reflections that encapsulate our life here. We want to celebrate our shared history, acknowledge our struggles, and look toward the future with determination and unity. Every article is a reminder that while challenges may arise, there are always stories of hope and the indomitable spirit of our area waiting to be told. We encourage you to reflect on your own experiences in the Glenkens. What moments have shaped your story? How can we continue to celebrate what makes our community unique while addressing the challenges we face? How can we ensure that the land that we are living on allows communities, wildlife and local economies to thrive? This is an open invitation to engage, connect, and share in the diverse narratives that compose the rich mosaic of our lives here. If you would like to get involved with projects or groups in the Glenkens, please visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot where you will find information and contact details. N Glenkens estled Gazette in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway, the Glenkens is known for its landscapes, rich history, and environmental diversity. Life here offers a serene lifestyle wrapped in natural beauty. The rolling hills, lush forests, and shimmering lochs create a unique backdrop that transforms with each season. The slower pace of life encourages mindfulness, prioritising of both mental and physical well-being, and residents often find profound satisfaction in their connection to the land and to each other. Those who live in the area have nature on their doorsteps and know just how peaceful and fulfilling it can be. Traditional and new job opportunities allow people to make their life here. appeal, the cost of living and finding suitable accommodation can be a significant issue. For younger families and newcomers to the area especially, it can be hard to establish roots. The absence of accessible childcare options is another pressing worry. This situation often impacts working families, limiting job opportunities and requiring parents to prioritise and compromise. Similarly, the educational landscape in the Glenkens can be challenging. While our local schools offer a tight-knit, nurturing environment appreciated by many, limited resources and smaller school rolls can hinder some opportunities that larger urban schools can afford. residents and future generations canpage 21 navigate the complexities of rural living together. That togetherness is embodied by the many active community groups and organisations, one of which is the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT). GCAT was created in response to the devastating Foot and Mouth epidemic of 1998 and since then has consistently delivered high-quality arts and community development work across the Glenkens and beyond. By supporting activities that are essential to the quality of life of the people and the environment, GCAT strives to make the Glenkens an excellent place to live for residents of all ages. This is done both through providing high quality arts at the CatStrand arts centre, but also by playing a core community development role, evolved in response to local needs and led by supporting delivery of the Glenkens & district Community Action Plan. The spirit of collaboration means that the struggles of rural life are met with determination, resourcefulness, and support. Rural living, however, is not without its unique set of challenges and at times this may seem a bit daunting. Limited public transport is one of the primary challenges to life in the Glenkens, and our remoteness can make accessing essential services a significant hurdle. With the only public transport being buses, and bus services being infrequent and often unreliable, many people are dependent on private vehicles. For some, the nearest grocery store or medical facility may be over ten miles away, necessitating careful planning and reliance on neighbours and friends. Housing also presents challenges of its own. While the breathtaking landscapes and charming homes offer a romantic Employment opportunities are similarly constrained. Many of us seek work in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, or a flourishing variety of creative industries. Yet the demand for high quality, nonseasonal jobs currently outstrips the available positions, leading to a struggle for economic stability. Young adults in particular may look elsewhere for work, which can contribute to a slow population decline and a reduced sense of community vitality. While these issues, mentioned one after another in this way, can make for scary reading, the light at the end of the tunnel shines bright and the community here in the Glenkens thrives on resilience and camaraderie. The spirit of collaboration means that the struggles of rural life are met with determination, resourcefulness, and support. Local initiatives and shared gatherings foster a strong sense of belonging, ensuring that both current Life in the Glenkens may present its share of challenges but, ultimately, emerges as a testament to the resilience of rural living. With the strength of community collaboration and an unwavering commitment to improvement, residents continue to cultivate a joyful and fulfilling life amidst the scenic beauty of this remarkable area. There are many opportunities ahead, both in community work and in the local economy, and it is by continuing to work together that we will make the most of them. Pictured below centre is last year's Carsphairn Show © Christopher J Caygill. To the left is a view of Woodhead leadmines, Carsphairn, and below right is the New Galloway link path, both courtesy of the Glenkens Hub Photo Gallery Glenkens Gazette page 22 Case Study: Living in the Glenkens T en miles east of Carsphairn, deep in the Ken Valley, lies a place that perfectly captures rural living. Twisting through the glen, the road immerses you in natural beauty, a changing landscape that never fails to inspire. No matter the weather, you can’t help but smile as you take that solitary moment to appreciate what beholds you. For most, it’s a fleeting moment, but for Melissa and Ben Ade, it’s home. They moved into their current house in 2011, but their hearts have always been in the Glenkens, from childhood, and have always brought them back to their roots. “We spent six months traveling around Morocco, Spain and Portugal, living in a Land Rover, but when we came back we had a very refreshed perspective on the area,” explained Ben. “We had a huge appreciation for the Glenkens and for our home. We are very lucky here.” Appreciation for the area prompted the couple to stay and to raise a family, with the vision of giving their children the same treasured experiences that they hold dear. “I have fond memories of just being free as a child,” remembers Melissa. “The burn, the hills, the mud. That is all I’ve ever hoped for my children, to be able to express themselves in nature and their environment.” “When it comes to rural living, the positives far outweigh the negatives. You could move to a city and have a lot on your doorstep but you also won’t get what we have here or be able to raise a family in such a good community. Everyone in the Glenkens as a whole just looks after each other. "I have family down in Leeds and they don’t know their neighbours two doors up, whereas we know everybody locally and if anyone new ever comes into the area we are quick to introduce ourselves.” New people moving into the area is something that is becoming more and more of a rarity, due to the challenges of rural living that can be seen on the surface when one considers relocating. As Ben says, however, if you dig a little deeper, solutions to those concerns are all around. “People often use work as a reason not to live here but if you look at things in another way, there are unlimited possibilities for you, especially if you are self-employed. Showing a bit of entrepreneurship can go a long way. Ben and Melissa with their three children outside the shepherd's hut they let out to holiday makers We ourselves have thought of ways to diversify income and have built traditional shepherd’s huts to be let out as holiday homes.” “Alongside that, Melissa has also recently qualified as a forest school practitioner so we will be able to open that same area up for children to explore. This will give us the chance to teach them some rural skills such as woodworking, mechanical engineering and baking. "Big industries do a lot to provide people in the region with jobs but the opportunities to make something for yourself here are endless.” Demonstrating their entrepreneurial spirit, Melissa and Ben have a website for their self-catering holiday business and forest school sessions: www. HeartoftheGlen.com. Ben is the author of two travel books about their adventures abroad titled “I have fond memories of just being free as a child...The burn, the hills, the mud..." Travels with a Tiny Tortoise and Notes from El Ahouli, which are both available to purchase online. Housing and transport are two other hurdles that people worry about but, as can be seen across the whole of the Glenkens, communities come together to create initiatives that work for the sole purpose of bettering the lives of the locals. Time and time again, the Glenkens will provide answers to rural living problems. “There are houses available to rent and buy, and while you might earn more in a city, life here is much cheaper. You have the space and the help of the local community to build a life.” Their own home was once in a boggy field. Now, it’s off-grid, powered by solar, with water from a mountain spring and woodburning stoves for heat. “We may be off-grid but one thing for sure is that people are trying to make a positive difference. We have our own challenges, on a personal level, but we love it here. It’s not all about the money or the easiness of things for us. We’re happy and healthy and really, that's all that matters.” Glenkens Gazette page 23 T he Glenkens & District Community Action Plan, published in September 2020, is a model for economic and social regeneration. It aims to make the area a connected, resilient, and carbon-neutral place where people like Melissa and Ben want to live, work, raise families, and grow old. It will be somewhere that other places in Scotland will look to for inspiration. For any community to thrive, its people must feel heard and, most importantly, understood. Residents often express concerns about limited access to essential services, employment opportunities, and infrastructure. While common in rural areas, these issues can lead to isolation. The Glenkens Community Action Plan (CAP) seeks to change this narrative by promoting active participation among its people and seeing their priorities actively delivered. In order to do this, the action plan targets four key themes to implement local initiatives and combat rural challenges. Things that have been achieved over the last three years specifically because the communities suggested them in the action plan include: 1. A Connected Community The Glenkens Hub, launched in April 2023, provides an easy-to-use website and social media channel to amplify community voices. It hosts an events calendar, local job opportunities and loads of information about Education, Land Use and much more: www.glenkens.scot. The Glenkens Youth Group provides a safe and undirected space for young people (P7 – S3) to hang out. The free Monday evening sessions are very youthled, with activities such as cooking, craft making and instrument learning. They also run summer holiday programme, which last year included bee-keeping, water sports and a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe. All of the above are now GCAT projects, although the Youth Group was pioneered by Local Initiatives in New Galloway before handing over to GCAT. 2. An Asset-Rich Community Support for Local Place Planning (LLP) has been essential in making certain that the voices of our communities are heard at a regional level. With the support of GCAT through NatureScot and SOSE, Dalry Community Council volunteers have created an exemplar Local Place Plan which has a parish-wide focus on the issues affecting them. Their LPP was the first in the region to have a clear focus on land use and the environment in its considerations, as well as village-related priorities. Crossmichael, New Galloway & Kells, Carsphairn, and Balmaclellan are now developing their own LPPs with support from GCAT. Most of our Town and Village Hall are run by teams of amazing volunteers, and they have been re-doubling their efforts over the last few years, ensuring that their buildings are fit for modern rural living and meeting the needs of their communities. They are supported in this by the Glenkens Community Asset Network, which takes some of the legwork out of managing these assets. 3. An Economically Flourishing Community One of the most important assets to the Community Action Plan is the focus on building community wealth. The Glenkens interprets Community Wealth Building (CWB) in its widest sense and sees it as critical to thriving and sustainable communities. It is not just about monetary benefits from wind farms or other developments – rather, it is about working in partnership with those organisations who create wealth from or within the area to ensure that some of that wealth supports the communities hosting the organisations. The Galloway Food Hub, Propagate and the Pamela Young Trust are all examples of community responses that are working to create a more sustainable and vibrant Glenkens for us all. 4. A Carbon Neutral Community The Loch Ken Trust Ranger Service focuses on ecological protection, responsible camping and water safety, combining their educational messages with fun activities such as cook-outs and water activities to reach as many people as possible. Many village and town halls have secured funding for carbon footprint reductions. The CatStrand recently cut 10 tonnes of carbon emissions annually by replacing their oil boiler with solar panels and air source heat pumps. These are just a few examples of how the Community Action Plan is shaping and supporting the Glenkens. By resourcing the community and working together, local solutions are emerging to problems that many remote-rural communities face. Accountability, partnership working, and delivery are key. To achieve this, the Glenkens has organised itself perhaps uniquely: • GCAT is a delivery organisation, both delivering Community Action Plan projects and supporting the many other local organisations that are working on CAP priorities too. • The CAP Steering Group is a group of volunteers from across the Glenkens who keep the CAP relevant and assess progress against the communities’ priorities. They are planning to refresh the CAP later this year, using the Local Place Plans as valuable inputs. • The Glenkens and District Trust is our local funding body, which administers our wind farm community benefit funds through the Glenkens and District Community Fund, supported by Foundation Scotland. Their funding strategy is aligned very heavily with the Community Action Plan, meaning that they can confidently fund projects and activities that they know the Glenkens communities value. Between them, these three organisations are working hard to support the communities of the Glenkens to achieve their ambitions. They lobby regionally and nationally for solutions to those problems we can’t fix ourselves and for regional and national agencies to see the value of working with local place-based organisations to achieve their shared outcomes. While community empowerment is historically and currently strong in the Glenkens, strategic local and regional partnerships remain essential in continuing to combat rural depopulation and support healthy landscapes and communities. Pictured is the village sign coming into New Galloway courtesy of the Glenkens Hub photo gallery Glenkens Gazette page 24 Case Study: The Galloway Food Hub L ife in Dalry is usually relaxed and peaceful; unless, of course, you happen to visit on a Galloway Food Hub packing day... Every second Friday, the village comes to life and is filled with customers, box packers, food drivers and volunteers, all coming together to help the social enterprise tick. The Galloway Food Hub (GFH), born from an idea in the Glenkens Community Action Plan, was set up to give better access to local food in rural communities by creating a hyper-local supply chain. “A scoping study showed people wanted better access to local food, and an online marketplace was the best way to do that,” says GFH Coordinator Lesley Atkins. Launched as a pilot in 2021, the Glenkens Food Hub was started by Propagate with 11 producers and 20 customers, operating every three weeks. Now, it serves over 100 customers fortnightly with 33 suppliers, expanding beyond the Glenkens to the wider Galloway region. We’ve even had to change the name, as we’ve expanded out of the Glenkens” “Seventy-five percent of our food is locally produced, with the rest being certified organic from Scotland and beyond,” Lesley explains. “We have 13 collection points across Dumfries & Galloway, plus home delivery in the Glenkens.” Lesley now champions a network of growers, farmers and makers of ecologically produced good food across the Galloway region. She helps them to build a workable, online food hub to create a circular economy around food in the local community. Ordering is simple: customers browse all the suppliers online between midday Friday and midday Tuesday, place a single order, and collect from a chosen point. Much like any communityrun organisation, however, it takes people like Lesley and the Food Hub team to dedicate time and effort into giving back to their community. What can be seen time and time again in the Glenkens is the willingness that local people have for community wealth building, and the more people committed to helping create positive change, the better. where we offer homegrown fruit and veg. People can just ring us up to say they will have an extra three cucumbers next week, for example, and we’ll put them on the website to sell for them.” “There’s so much that people can do to help if they would like to. They can come on a Thursday or a Friday to prep boxes or deliver. As a Community Interest Company, the Food Hub strives to benefit the people of the Glenkens and invites anyone to join them on the journey. Free membership is open to anyone based in Dumfries & Galloway with an interest in GFH. "We usually do the whole thing with two members of staff and about four or five volunteers. Help with marketing and handing out leaflets is always appreciated, as is taking photos for Facebook and Instagram. It's a great social network and we couldn’t do it without the volunteers.” Whether a customer, a supporter, a business or an organisation, if you are interested in the work that is done and would like to join a group of people who are passionate about real food, produced sustainably from the land around us, the opportunity is there. As a Community Interest Company, the Food Hub is driven by a passion for sustainable, locally produced food. Membership is free to anyone in Dumfries & Galloway who wants to support its mission. “For me, it was a great way to meet people after moving here,” says Lesley. “It’s about making good food accessible while building a healthier, more connected community.” “The other thing we do offer for keen gardeners, if they are growing fruit and veg in their own gardens without chemical intervention, is that they can sell their surplus through the food hub. We have a profile called Galloway Growers For any community to thrive and continue to grow, its people need to feel heard and, most importantly, understood. The Galloway Food Hub is a perfect example of something so positive being created in the Glenkens by doing just that. It also needs a funder that understands its community. The Glenkens and District Trust was able to fund the Galloway Food Hub through its early days because it knew it was a community priority. Funding ingenuity and passion that breeds an economically flourishing community. To find out more visit the website at gallowayfoodhub.org.uk or Facebook and Instagram @ gallowayfoodhub Glenkens Gazette The Glenkens Land Use Vision developed in 2023 in response to the rapid rate of land use change in the area, set in the context of the Glenkens at that time. Let's take a look at some of the key elements of the Vison: “We are a forested area, a farming area, an energy generation area. We are a watery area, given life by our rivers and lochs. Our natural environment is so special that we are part of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Our landscapes attract visitors from all over the world. We are a peaty area and our soil stores some of Scotland’s best carbon. It is our home, where we work, live and play. All of these land uses are intertwined and affected by influences within and outwith our control. We are an organised and coherent community which has sought and achieved balance in land use over many years through partnership working and effective engagement. However, the speed and intent of land use change in the Glenkens is overwhelming and the lack of power to effect change is daunting. The disconnect between policy intent and local realities has led to disengagement in some and huge frustration in others.” Land use in the Glenkens - whether forestry, farming, wind farms, housing or business - has been on many people’s minds for some time now. In late 2022, the Glenkens was selected as a focus area for the South of Scotland Regional Land Use Partnership pilot project, led by the Social Enterprise Academy. This resulted in the Glenkens Land Use Vision, adopted as part of the Glenkens Community Action Plan in summer 2023. At its core, the Vision champions one simple principle: Everyone who takes value from our land returns value to it. The Glenkens could be an exemplar of sustainable land use practice in building resilience for climate, biodiversity and communities. To try and achieve this, the Land Use Vision has three sections of recommended actions: page 25 needs 1) Local Action • Updating of the D&G Forestry and Woodland Strategy (2014) and Local Biodiversity Action Plan (2009) • Embody best practice in land use for biodiversity protection and climate adaptation • Involving community representatives as strategic partners in land-use policy reviews • Ensure inclusive collaboration among landowners, stakeholders and communities • Ensuring meaningful local participation in land-use decisions, in line with Scottish Land Commission guidelines • Develop a public database of environmental data for the Glenkens to create baseline land use mapping and encourage enhanced biodiversity In pursuit of this, and thanks largely to support from NatureScot which has allowed GCAT to support the volunteers working on this topic, various studies and plans have been made. A 2024 feasibility study on a Glenkens Land Use Forum concluded that a network - rather than a formal forum - would be the best model for collaboration. Another study recommended the creation of a Glenkens Festival of Land to promote community engagement with the topic, which GCAT has secured funding to deliver in 2025. 2) Regional Action The South of Scotland needs a clear Land Use Framework and Local Development Plan that accounts for cumulative impacts and environmental sensitivity. Instead of relying on high-capacity communities to drive action, structured regional or national mechanisms should identify and address issues systematically. Key priorities include: • A Communities Representative on the Regional Land Use Framework (RLUF) Advisory Group to advocate for local 3) National Action Scotland must establish robust mechanisms nationally that value and amplify rural voices. Communities should not just be consulted but empowered to shape policies, regardless of their volunteer capacity. Urgent priorities include: • Clarifying roles, responsibilities, and accountability across public land-use bodies • Implementing holistic subsidy schemes for agriculture and forestry that recognise the link between climate, biodiversity, and economic sustainability • Shifting financial structures toward positive environmental impacts rather than reinforcing unsustainable practices The true seat of power in the land-use sector is opaque. No single public body holds full accountability for land use decisions. Best practice guidelines are not always followed, and community interests lack protection. For the Glenkens, the call for sustainable and balanced land use resonates deeply. These frameworks and policies are not merely bureaucratic jargon; they are essential tools for preserving the beauty and biodiversity of our beloved environment. Glenkens Gazette Case Study: The Upper Urr Environmental Trust T hough some challenges and hardships of life here have been highlighted in this special edition, one constant has remained clear - the Glenkens is a stunning part of the world. While that may be easy for anyone to see, it is not as easy to understand what needs to be done to keep it that way. For those of us who cherish the beauty and biodiversity of the natural world, the importance of taking action to protect our local environments cannot be overstated. willing to put his hand up and be heard when it comes to our local environment. “A lot of forestry was going on in the area when I joined the community council, so I wanted to see if anything could be done to make it work better for our communities. "Forestry is important but there has to be balance. Well-managed woodlands are a real asset, but the commercial forests that we see that you can’t actually walk in and where not a lot lives are really changing our landscape, and our biodiversity.” By definition, "forestry is the science and practice of managing forests and woodlands, encompassing planting, nurturing, harvesting, and conserving trees for human and environmental benefits." page 26 as possible for the benefit of the environment and for people. Joe says: “We have events coming up which are all about engaging with the local landscape creatively, so keep an eye out for those on our Facebook page. “There is a really good sense of community here and people of all ages, living nearby and in surrounding areas have given time and effort to make this a really lovely community site which is brilliant and a great thing for kids to take part in. “Environmentally, biodiversity is the most important focus for me,” adds Joe. “Working with the developers (Foresight Sustainable Forestry) to get peatland restored and the riparian planting plans we have discussed over the line will be the biggest wins for the area. "It’s...something that can be managed by the community for the community, and that’s a really good example of partnership working with developers.” Only by acknowledging the significance of biodiversity, nurturing our connection to nature, promoting environmental education, and engaging with our communities can we make a meaningful impact on our surroundings. In order to do just that, the Upper Urr Environmental Trust (UUET), founded in 2020 with a board of three volunteer trustees all living within the Corsock area, was set up with the vision to improve the habitat, environment and ecology in the Upper Urr valley. UUET chair, Joe Seed, has a centurieslong family tie to the area. He is The Upper Urr valley is home to some important habitats and species. Survey work from 2020 highlighted the surprising diversity of the area, with just one portion of land having nearly 150 species of plants and more than 40 species of birds - several of which are on the red list. “It’s inspiring to know that the area is so rich in wildlife,” adds Joe’s partner, local designer Martha Schofield. The UUET was set up to take a lead in making a positive change in the area, protecting habitat as much “It’s good to be working with Foresight to secure the site as a nature reserve which otherwise would have been abandoned as it’s unsuitable for commercial growing.” There are seven acres in community management, and in this area the paths will be maintained, benches will be installed, and many native broadleaf trees have already been planted. Joe continues: “It’s just somewhere nice to go and spend some time, something that can be managed by the community for the community, and that’s a really good example of partnership working with developers.” Glenkens Gazette page 27 A s we bring this special edition of the Glenkens Gazette to a close, I want to take a moment to personally reflect on the vibrant community that unites us all. This issue has been dedicated to exploring the heart and soul of our area, showcasing the stories that illustrate our shared experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Throughout these pages, we have ventured into the lives of our neighbours, discovering their passions and the many ways they contribute to the fabric of our community and the conservation of our lands. Each story is a thread woven into the larger tapestry of the Glenkens. It's essential to recognise that these connections, however small, carry significant meaning and ultimately foster a sense of belonging among us. We have also taken time to highlight various initiatives and events that make this not just a place to live but a place to thrive – for wildlife, for businesses and for people. And there are many many more that we didn’t have space for here. In light of the challenges that may arise from time to time, be they economic, environmental, or social, it’s important to remember that we are not alone. The Glenkens is filled with individuals and groups ready to lend a helping hand, share solutions, and collaborate for a brighter future. It is this spirit of togetherness that sets our community apart, transforming obstacles into opportunities. I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this edition - writers, photographers, and all those who generously shared their time and stories. It’s your passion for life here that makes this edition resonate with authenticity and love. Further reading: the bigger picture Glenkens Hub resources: Other websites: Community Action Plan – Overview, Steering Group Meeting Reports and Annual Reports (www.glenkens.scot/reports-resources-archive/ community-action-plan) The Glenkens Hub - www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Land Use Vision – 2023 Vision and follow-up reports (www.glenkens.scot/land-use) Local Place Planning – Updates and the completed Dalry Local Place Plan (www.glenkens. scot/local-place-plans) The Glenkens and District Trust - www. glenkenstrust.org.uk Galloway Food Hub - www.gallowayfoodhub.org.uk Heart of the Glen - www.heartoftheglen.com Upper Urr Environmental Trust - www.uuet.co.uk This Gazette special feature was written by Ross Sanderson. Originally from Edinburgh, Ross is a 26-year-old professional journalist who now lives and works in the Glenkens. After graduating from university in 2020, he spent time working in both Zambia and Spain before returning home and settling here. This feature has been made possible through funding from NatureScot many thanks to them for their support of our communities' work. Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 28 Rhelm rock the Glenkens music scene H ave you heard of Rhelm? If not, where have you been?! Rhelm are an up-and-coming indie/rock band who have been playing live for two years now, despite members only being 15 years old. They began their career at the CatStrand, playing their first ever live gig at the 2023 Battle the Bands competition where they blew the judges away, securing the top prize that year to perform at Knockengorroch Festival (see p28 for more on Knockengorroch). Since then, the band have gone on to play at numerous events and venues around Dumfries and Galloway, including Castle Douglas and Dalbeatie civic days, Kirkcudbright Fringe, YouthBeatz, Music at the Multiverse and The Hidden Gem Festival in Dumfries. Rhelm are fronted by former New Galloway resident, Megan Oliver, who is also a long-standing member of CatStrand Youth Players (see CatStrand Players article on p35), playing the baddie in last year’s pantomime. The rest of the band are made up of Eilidh Rutherford and Lucy Eddyshaw on guitars, Ross D’Arcy on bass and Harrison Ansbro on drums. The band, based in Castle Douglas, began their career playing upbeat rock/ indie covers from various decades, and have gone on to write and produce their own original material. Having been given the amazing opportunity to be part of the CatStrand Creatives 'Stranded Cat' recordings programme, Rhelm are just about to release their debut single Sleep, recorded at Circa16 professional recording studio in Dumfries. Watch out for details very soon! This year, the band are continuing to write new songs and have been Youth group golf sessions W e are so lucky to have a golf course in the Glenkens, and in such a beautiful setting. This March, Dave Aitken from New Galloway Golf Club very kindly offered local youngsters attending the Glenkens Youth Group the opportunity of some free taster sessions. We were delighted with the turnout; the chilly weather did not deter the enthusiasm and fun that was had. We started by accepted on the Geez A Choon project run by Up Yer Airts, to work with industry professionals. Alongside studying for their Nat5 exams, they will be playing at numerous events and festivals across the area with their performance calendar filling up. To keep up-to-date with Rhelm’s adventures you can follow them on Facebook and instagram @rhelm.official and don’t forget to listen out for their brand new single, Sleep! Ian Oliver Pictured is Rhelm photographed by Nicola Rutherford learning about the different golf clubs and how and when to use them. Following this, the group took part in a putting competition and practised 'driving' into the net. During the final session, participants were let loose on the course, under the watchful eye and careful guidance of Dave. Hopefully some of the young people who came along will continue to play, taking advantage of the fantastic resource we have on our doorstep! Thank you so much to Dave for his time, patience and expertise. Sue Curtis, Glenkens Youth Group Lead Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity Launch of Donald Watson book page 29 T here will be an event at Dalry Town Hall in April to launch a new book of the work of local bird artist Donald Watson. Join Chris Rollie and Roger Crofts at 2pm on Friday 25 April for a talk and refreshments at Dalry Town Hall. Copies of the book will be available for purchase £17.99, as well as cards and posters of Donald Watson's work. Second Sundays A re you looking for an informal and relaxed place to find some spiritual renewal? On the second Sunday of every month, at 4pm, St Margaret’s Church in New Galloway will be hosting a short service based around music, readings and quiet reflection. At the first one in March soon after the start of Lent, we listened to some thoughtful and absorbing sonnets about the temptations of Jesus interspersed with restful and fitting music. We all have busy lives and often forget to look after ourselves – the idea of this service is to provide a time of calm reflection and peace, refreshing us for the week ahead. All are welcome; you don’t have to be a member of a church to join us. The next sessions will be on 13 April and 11 May. Nicolette Wise Celebrate Music, Land, Community in the hills of South West Scotland » 22-25 MAY 2025 African Head Charge | Dub Pistols Elephant Sessions | Rokia Koné Kinnaris Quintet | Moxie | Omega Nebula The Fontanas | Gasper Nali Kate Young | State of Satta | Formidable Vegetable Samson Sounds | Bunty | Girobabies Mungo’s Hi Fi Sound System General Levy, Serial Killaz & Euphonique Legends of Moving Shadow ft. EZ Rollers & Richie Vandal (Kaotik) | Ben Pest (DJ Set) Ixindamix | Katch Pyro | Simply Dread | DJM aka Dan the Hat Kornelia | Morphamish | Isa Gordon & Harry Gorski Brown AND MANY MORE ACTS… vISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION Plus! workshops, dance, theatre, sessions, healing area, kids area, fire shows, stalls, real ales, camping, fresh air… » www.knockengorroch.org.uk » Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEcommunity page 30 Important information if you electric heating or an off-peak tariff I ncluded here is an article by Citizens Advice, outlining the situation of changes to any meters or devices run on a radio teleswitch meter. You might have been told by your electricity supplier you need to have your radio teleswitch (RTS) or dynamically teleswitched (DTS) electricity meter replaced. This is because the radio frequency it uses to switch between peak and off-peak rates is being switched off. The radio frequency is expected to be switched off on 30 June 2025. Ofgem, the energy regulator, currently expects all RTS and DTS meters to be replaced by this date. Check if you need to replace your meter You might not know if you have a radio teleswitch (RTS) or dynamically teleswitched (DTS) meter. You might have one if: • Your house is heated using electricity • You have electric storage and water heaters • You get cheaper energy at different times of day, for example if you have a peak and offpeak rate for electricity Your teleswitch might be in the same box as your meter or in a separate box. If it's in a separate box it will usually be black. Check the box, it might have ‘radio teleswitch’ or ‘radio telemeter’ printed on it (see examples to the right). If you’re not sure if you have an RTS or DTS meter, contact your electricity supplier to check if your meter needs replacing. Getting your meter replaced If you’ve been contacted by your electricity supplier they should have told you how and when your meter is being replaced. Your electricity supplier should recommend a tariff that will work in a similar way to what you have now, for example Economy 7. If you also have a gas meter and you want your supplier to replace it, ask your supplier. You don’t have to have your gas meter changed if you don’t want to. If your gas and electricity supplier are the same, your supplier might be able to change both your meters to smart meters at the same time. If you don’t replace your RTS or DTS meter Your electric heating might stop working as you expect. For example your hot water might be left on permanently or your storage heaters might use electricity at a more expensive time. Your supplier won’t know when you’re using your electricity, so you might be charged the wrong amount. For example, you could be charged a peak rate for electricity you use during your off peak hours. Other heating options You might be able to get help with the cost of a new storage heater or heat pump, or getting connected to the gas grid and getting central heating. For further information or help with this process, contact D&G Citizens Advice on 0300 303 4321 or email info@dagcas.org or you can call Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 196 8660 or visit www.energyadvice.scot Photo of the Issue T his issue's winner is Kirsteen Curry with a gorgeous snap of Clatteringshaws. Kirsteen wins two portions of mac 'n' cheese from our competition sponsors, the Balmaclellan-based Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co. Company owner and competition judge, Hannah Gould, said: "I love this photo Clatteringshaws is my favourite spot in Galloway!" To enter you can send in any photograph taken in the Glenkens to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk GAZETTEhistory Glenkens Gazette page 31 Galloway Retold with Angela Miller St John's Seat and Joseph Train A t the top of the village of Dalry, where the road splits between the road that curves round into Townhead Crescent and the road to Moniaive, there’s a small stone chair, carved from a single piece of rock. Local legend tells us that it is St John’s Seat, where the saint sat and rested after his very long journey from Galilee. And if you dig a wee bit deeper, you discover some fairly astonishing claims about John the Baptist and his time in Dalry. It was claimed that John the Baptist came to Dalry after he was beheaded in Galilee - which in itself is a pretty astonishing feat. Supposedly his head was reattached with a gold collar. Not only that, but he actually married into the Gordon Family and is buried in the Kenmure aisle, complete with gold collar. Now, I wouldn’t go rushing to dig up the Kenmure aisle to see if the bones of the saint can be found there, but the story did lead a local antiquarian by the name of Joseph Train to make an attempt to steal St John’s seat. Joseph Train is a fascinating character. Not only was he an antiquarian, but he was, by trade, a gauger or exciseman, just like Robert Burns, although he was a little after Robert’s time. He used his role in excise as a means to get his hands on things for his collection, and, indeed, to impress and help his friend Sir Walter Scott. It’s known that he passed a dossier of documents pertaining to the capture of the ship, the Rosamund, in the Solway by MATTHEW PAJO Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine - pain management - women's health - men's health - fatigue - sleep - stress - anxiety - needle-free laser acupuncture- The Old School, Crossmichael info@matthewpajo.co.uk 07786 079 845 the excise, including Robert Burns, to Sir Walter. This prompted Sir Walter to try and discover what had become of two small cannons from the ship that Robert had purchased (excisemen always got first dibs on assets taken by customs) and tried to send to France for the revolution. Sir Walter discovered that they had reached no further than Dover, where they were seized. Joseph also gave the Torrs pony cap to Sir Walter - an iron age Celtic art styled cap for a pony complete with horns that was discovered in a peat bog at Torrs Loch near Castle Douglas, among other notable things. Anyway, Joseph was in Dalry and happened to overhear a conversation about the seat and its origins, in the tavern that used to stand where the seat is now. He resolved to take it for Sir Walter’s collection, so returned with a pony and trap to take it away. Since it’s still there, you can see he wasn’t successful, and you can hear the full story of that in my wee video on the subject! There is also a video that goes into more detail about Mr Train himself, if I’ve tickled your interest. Angela Miller is the librarian at Dalry Library and a keen local historian. You can view her YouTube channel by searching YouTube or Google for 'Galloway Retold'. Amber Dunlop-Pajo Health Psychologist - women's health - stress - depression - anxietyThe Old School, Crossmichael info@gallowaycounselling.co.uk 07389 713 106 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEhistory page 32 The Hugh Foss story: an enigma variation O n Thursday 8 May 2025, Dalry Town Hall will celebrate the life and work of an unsung local hero - Hugh Rose Foss. Hugh was born in Kobe, Japan, in 1902, and went on to become a Cryptanalyst at Bletchley Park, working alongside his betterknown codebreaker Alan Turing. He then became Head of Section responsible for the breaking of Japanese naval codes. One of five children and son of a missionary, Hugh went to Marlborough College and then graduated from Christ’s College Cambridge in1924. That same year he would join the Government Code and Cipher School where he learnt two models of enigma machine, the large non-reciprocal typing B Model and the small Index C mode 1. In 1927 he was given a small reciprocal machine to examine and wrote a paper The Reciprocal Enigma on solving the nonplugboard enigma. In 1934 Foss and Oliver Strachey broke the Japanese naval attaché cipher. On the 8 May 1940 Foss became the first person to break a days worth of German enigma codes deciphering by the method of Banburismus. To honour this achievement, the 8 May would forever be known as Foss Day. Hugh left his work at GCHQ in 1953 and retired to the delightful village of St John’s Town of Dalry in South West Scotland to pursue his other passion of Scottish country dancing. Indeed he went on to publish a number of volumes on the subject to critical acclaim. He passed away in 1971 and was laid to rest alongside his beloved wife Alison in the village churchyard. His son and daughter-in -law still reside in the village. In his honour, the Scottish Dance Movement are holding their annual celebration at Dalry Town Hall on the 8 May 2025 and the general public are invited to attend an exhibition between 3pm and 5pm. There will also be a performance of a dance Hugh dedicated to his daughter-in-law, entitled Miss Fleming’s Jig. Dumfries and Galloway seems to have fallen into HUGH FOSS the strange habit of not wishing 13TH MAY 1902 –23RD DEC 1971 to celebrate its unsung heroes, and we at Dalry helped to shorten the war and Town Hall wish save countless lives. to try and reverse that trend. Where better to start than with Gary Blissett, Chair, the work of a man who, with Dalry Town Hall Committee others at Bletchley, probably Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 33 Screenings for April and May T here's an exciting season ahead at Dalry Film Club... Films start at 7.30pm, with doors opening at 7pm for tea, cake and a bit of chat. Tickets are available on the door or you can get them ahead of time to secure your place through the CatStrand (cards accepted) - either call 01644 420 234 or visit www. gcat.scot The Critic (15) Wednesday 9 April Set in 1930s London, The Critic revolves around a feared theatre critic named Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen), a newspaper owner (Mark Strong) who wants to get rid of the critic, and an actress (Gemma Arterton) who has been devastated by his excoriating theatrical reviews. The critic's determination to survive ensures that the other characters are caught in a web of blackmail, deceit and murder. Thelma (12A) Wednesday 30 April Thelma, a 93 year old, is conned by telephone into losing $10,000. Her immediate family wonder whether it is finally time she went into a home. But Thelma has other ideas. Aided by a friend who has a two-seater scooter, Thelma decides to cross Los Angeles and get her money back from the swindler. Paddington In Peru (PG) Wednesday 14 May Paddington Bear has been living with the Brown family in London for many years now, but he still feels the tug of his Peruvian roots. Hearing that his Aunt Lucy, now living in the Home for Retired Bears, has been missing him terribly, Paddington and the Browns set off to Darkest Peru, only to discover on arrival that Aunt Lucy has disappeared. So off they go into the Amazon to find her, accompanied by a boat captain, David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) and his daughter Gina. What could possibly go wrong? Gladiator II (15) Wednesday 4 June After his North African home is conquered by the tyrannical twin emperors who now lead Rome, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum as a gladiator under the control of Macrinus (Denzel Washington). He must look to his past to find strength to return the glory of Rome to its people. Gordon McAdam 07709 144 299 Plumbing & Heating - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Covering the Glenkens & further afield Find me on Facebook 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 34 Above us the sky... W e may sometimes forget the sky, but in my case, not for long. Readers may know we are in a Dark Sky Park and they may even know about Dalry’s claim as a bird town (Donald Watson and all that). But the sky (our big sky) has so much more to offer than that. Birds – I have seen over twenty species of birds in my own back garden in Dalry. If, like me, you’re no expert then you can identify birds by their sounds using a free app for your phone, like Merlin. Although you probably won’t need it for the more obvious birds like geese, blackbirds and red kites. Aircraft - The Glenkens is in a low flying training area, so you are likely to see RAF and Army aircraft from time to time. This is in addition to the airliners and private aircraft. If you like to see what the aircraft are, where they are from and where they are going, the phone app Flight Radar 24 can tell you lots. Low flying aircraft may not appear on the app but you can probably identify military transport aircraft (such as C130 Hercules) and helicopters by their sound alone. Clouds – There is significant variety in the type of clouds we get. A bit of observation of cloud types (and wind direction) will give some understanding of the weather. If you want to know more about clouds, try the website of the Cloud Appreciation Society. Dusk – Dusk (or dawn) brings its own special light to sunsets and sunrises and provides excellent opportunities for photography. It’s also the best time to see bats. Night Sky – The night sky is, of course, the chance to see stars and planets. I like to use an app on my phone called Sky Map to tell me what that bright star is that I am looking at. In summer nights, you can also catch site of rare noctilucent clouds. Space Weather – I like to keep an eye out for Northern Lights. I use the app Aurorawatch UK to alert me when I might see the spectacle. If you have a night mode on your phone’s camera, this is the best way to see the Northern Lights rather than just the naked eye. You can also find out when the next meteor shower is due by going to the site www.spaceweather.com Satellites – Finally, you may have an interest is seeing satellites (or the International Space Station) pass overhead. A great many satellites can be seen with the naked eye if you know where and when to look. The Heavens Above website www.heavens-above.com is a great way to be warned that something is about to go over, or to find out what it was that you have just seen. Just remember to set your location for accurate information. Paul Goodwin Name the place (from page 6) As spring brings new beginnings, here’s a little nod to the sheer beauty of winter in our amazing Glenkens. We are truly blessed with some amazing scenery. Here on Cairnsmore of Carsphairn you look west towards an icing sugar dusting of snow on the tops of the epic Rhins of Kells, the fields of Carsphairn an oasis of green between. Did You Know? Apparently, our magnificent hills once reached to the heights of the mighty Himalayas, before erosion and time slowly ground them down. Just 12,000 years ago (a breath in geological time) this location would have been under up to a kilometre of ice! The evidence of these truly monumental geological events remain all around us, barely disguised by a thin coat of soil and vegetation. Dear Gazette, Just a very quick "thank you" for another great issue of the Gazette. I think I can imagine the hard work and time that you must put in for every edition fantastic effort! All the best, Matthew (Matthew Newton founded the Glenkens Gazette back in 2000 and is still a regular reader, despite having left the Glenkens in 2013) GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette Move South C atStrand along with Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival are proud to be showcasing Move South: Immersive Dance Theatre In Galloway, a dynamic programme of performances and participatory events featuring some of Scotland’s most exciting touring dance companies. Taking place between the 2 and 12 April, the show will feature performances by Bodies of Water (BOW Collective), A Journey of Flight (Kathryn Gordon) and My Muses Take Care of Me (Fleur Darkin), in addition to a series of workshops and engagement opportunities led by the visiting artists and Paragon Music. Move South 2025 features: Wed 2 - Fri 4 April - Paragon Music are running fun, sociable and fully accessible sessions for young people and family members, exploring live music and dance, joined by the BOW Collective on the Friday. Fri 4 April - Paper Planes is a relaxed workshop which features mindfulness activities and paper plane making, forming a mini installation during A Journey of Flight. Sat 5 & Sun 6 April: A Journey of Flight (Kathryn Gordon) is a dreamlike and intimate immersive performance inspired by the migration of birds, exploring the themes of departure, nostalgia, and the essence of flight. Sat 5 & Sun 6 April: Kathryn Gordon and Jorja Follina will guide participants through two movement sessions, exploring flight and suspension in the body, and delving into our hopes and dreams for the future. A short curtainraiser will be created for A journey of flight on the Sunday. The sessions are open to all ages and abilities. page 35 Sat 5 Apr: Bodies of Water (The BOW Collective) is a unique performance experience, exploring and celebrating transformative elements that connect all living things. A playful, multi-sensory performance experience weaving together movement, choreography, water, objects and sound. Fri 11 Apr: My Muses Take Care of Me (Fleur Darkin) is a dynamic conversation between bodies and wild sculptural pieces by French visual artist Claire-Rose Barbier. Drawing on themes of ancient feminine power, armoury and the presence of nature, the company carry audiences on a journey through life, death, love and regeneration. Move South: Immersive Dance Theatre In Galloway has been made possible by support from Creative Scotland. Festival success for CatStrand Players C atStrand Players and Youth Players enjoyed great success with their entries at this year’s SCDA One Act Play Festival at The Fullarton in Castle Douglas. In the Youth Festival, CatStrand Youth Players won First Prize with their production of ‘Gossip’ by Brian Hampton. They were also awarded the ‘Best Moment of Theatre’ and ‘Best Stage Presentation’. The play was directed by Catherine Campbell and the cast of ten were praised by the adjudicator for their excellent ensemble work. The main roles were played by Ella Campbell, Ben Hodson, Megan Oliver, Josh Wells, Sanna Gilbert and Liam McQueen with excellent support from the ensemble cast of Izak Entwistle, Alice Oliver, Io Heyes and Ellie Harnett. The cast and crew were delighted to be representing Stewartry District once again at the West of Scotland Youth Final in Dunlop on 30 March and will be aiming to achieve a second appearance at the Scottish Youth Final to be held in St Andrews in June. In the Open Festival, CatStrand Players also lifted three trophies, finishing in Second Place overall and winning ‘Best Moment of Theatre’ and ‘Audience Choice’. Their comedy two-hander ‘Its Only Make Believe’ by Mark Rees was directed by Jo Jackson and starred Rose Benson and James Wallace. The adjudicator was particularly impressed with the characterisations and comedy timing and the audience were certainly entertained throughout. They also go on to represent the district, together with first placed 88 Theatre, at the Open Western Final at The Beacon Theatre in Greenock on 4 April. They will be competing with the six qualifiers from the other districts for the chance to compete at the Scottish Final in Kirkcaldy in May. This is the fourth consecutive year that CatStrand plays have gone forward to the Western Finals in both the Youth and Open categories, a great achievement. Both plays were performed at CatStrand on 21 March in preparation for the Western Final appearances. Once the festival season is over, 2025 Christmas Panto plans will be announced – watch this space! Brian Edgar Pictured are the cast of 'Gossip' with director Cat Campbell, after winning the 2nd Place trophy at the SCDA West of Scotland Final in Dunlop GAZETTEarts Glenkens Gazette page 36 Knockengorroch Festival is 27 years old S cotland’s longest-running greenfield music festival has announced the full lineup for their 27th year. This year's festival will run from Thursday 22 to Monday 26 May, and includes sets from Mungo’s Hi-Fi, The Dub Pistols, Elephant Sessions, Rokia Koné, Moving Shadow, and many more, welcoming back long-time favourite acts, and exciting new artists, from Scotland, the UK, and internationally. This year, the festival will embody and explore the chosen theme of SURVIVAL - the survival of live music festivals, community, language, culture, and biodiversity. Addressing both the overall global creative landscape and Knockengorroch’s character personally as a unique eco-conscious music festival, Knockengorroch Festival 2025 will share its passion for a present – and future - full of resistance, staying power, resilience, regeneration, and new beginnings. In a post-pandemic and climate crisis landscape, music events across the UK are undergoing increasing challenges something Knockengorroch Festival is not afraid to highlight, not least through its recent partnership with fellow Celtic festival Green Gathering in Wales. scene, set to showcase a unique blend of polyrhythmic outernational sounds on the Knockengorroch stage this May. Hailing from Australia with seven records under their belt, ecological-family-funkswing band Formidable Vegetable will also join the official festival line up this May. four-piece band Elephant Sessions. Combining the fiddle, bass, mandolin, and drums, Elephant Sessions will bring a progressive blend of intricate tunes to the Carsphairn hills this Spring as part of their 2025 tour. Workshops, free to all ticket holders, cover a wide range of subjects and creative activities including music, song, dance, and traditional skills such as green woodworking, blacksmithing, stone carving and pottery. Knockengorroch’s original handson approach to festival creation has inspired the formation of The silent disco is ever popular with families as is the Tigtri many of Scotland’s past and kids tent, which provides fun activities for the young ones with current music festivals... Knockengorroch’s original hands-on approach to festival creation has inspired the formation of many of Scotland’s past and current music festivals, to the benefit of Scotland’s music industry and to Scottish musicians. A celebration of the legendary Moving Shadow Records, a special takeover brings together two of the label’s defining forces: EZ Rollers and Richie (of JMJ & Richie). Amongst this year’s performers and making her Knockengorroch solo debut is one of Mali’s leading female artists and musical force to be reckoned with, Rokia Koné - the Rose of Bamako. From the city of Mzuzu in northern Malawi, don’t miss celebrated musician Gasper Nali bringing his unique one-man- band act to Scotland to share the beauty of the Babatoni instrument with audiences. Psychedelic dub ensemble African Head Charge have decades of experience in the Returning to Knockengorroch festival are The Dub Pistols - one of the few remaining working class bands whose illustrious career spans decades, still carrying the flame of reggae-driven sound system music, mixed with ska and rocksteady through to Soul II Soul, grime, dubstep, and beyond for a reggae-breaksgangster-jungle mashup. a Sunday afternoon procession. The Highlands bring us award-winning In addition theatre, performance poetry, storytelling and talks take place in the various venues around site. The festival also offers a sauna and a healing zone down by the river. Free hot showers, a yurt village (see website for yurt hire), global arts and crafts shopping stalls and an irresistible array of food caterers from different parts of the world are also on offer. LOCAL TICKETS Reduced ticket prices are available for residents of Carsphairn, Dalry, New Galloway and Balmaclellan. These tickets can be purchased from the CatStrand (01644 420 374) in person from the week beginning 14 April; please bring a utility bill or some form of proof of residence. Standard tickets can be purchased at www. knockengorroch.org.uk/tickets Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEarts page 37 From the Bookroom In 'From the Bookroom' Glenkens-based author of the novel The Road From Damascus and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, Robin Yassin-Kassab, takes readers on a journey into his world of writing, reading and general thoughts on life. I like science fiction because it reminds me of the deep incomprehensibility in which we revolve – a source of awe and wonder – and I generally prefer sci-fi books to films, because it’s the big ideas rather than the big actions that excite me. Not surprising, therefore, that I was excited by Samantha Harvey’s Orbital, which you may already have heard of, because it won last year’s Booker Prize. In this short novel set more or less in the present, a team of British, American, Italian, Japanese and Russian astronauts are living at close quarters in a space station orbiting at 250 miles above the earth. The earth may be the novel’s major character, the focus of attention and a subject so complex that endless description fails to define it. It is “the naked startling earth … fluid and lustrous … blue and cloudscudded and improbably soft.” At dusk it’s “a bruising of azure and purple and green.” It contains “thick embroidered urban tapestries” and is “contoured and landscaped by want.” If you like geography, or just poring over maps, you’ll like this book. It provides a poetry of turning continents, of deserts turning to ice caps turning to forests turning to sea. The vast spatial conception of our home is refreshing in this age of attempted (and futile) retreat into tiny bordered spaces. Like an engaging science book, Orbital is packed with mindexpanding facts. And, bringing together art and science, it’s given me a new word – imagineered – suitable for the age. It’s not very plotdriven, but coheres around personalities and ideas. Its major theme is perspective, and constant change in perspective. The chapters are a series of meditations on the environment, the heart, borders, belief, and of course time. Universal Time – an arbitrary measure. survived through them – by walking regularly in nature. The Japanese astronaut’s mother dies 250 miles below, offering further fuel for contemplation. There’s a spirituality to the book that will work for materialists as much as for the religious. The continuous shifts in perspective may by implication give you some distance on your local problems, which are always inevitably temporary. Taking the same walk every day, even in an urban park or along a canal bank overlooked by tower blocks, teaches you viscerally that everything is constantly changing. It provides a poetry of turning continents, of deserts turning to ice caps turning to forests turning to sea. The astronauts transit the earth every 90 minutes – 16 orbits a day. That means that each day “takes their twentyfour hours and throws sixteen days and nights at them in return.” Because “space shreds time to pieces” they go by Coordinated In miserable stretches of my life I’ve become less miserable – or at least, I’ve Trees are in bud or unfurling their leaves or losing them. The sun is lower every day, decreasingly present, until the year turns and it climbs daily higher, and the darkness diminishes. Remembering the summer in winter is a useful activity, and vice versa, for the only thing constant is change. And now in the Glenkens, spring is here at last! At least for now... Glenkens Gazette EST. 2007 GAZETTEarts page 38 CatStrand SPRING HIGHLIGHTS NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE - DR. STRANGELOVE SEVEN-TIME BAFTA WINNER STEVE COOGAN TAKES ON FOUR ROLES IN DR. STRANGELOVE. THE NORDIC FIDDLERS BLOC "PURE FIDDLE DOESN’T GET BETTER THAN THE NORDIC FIDDLERS BLOC." – FOLKWORLD BILL DRUMMOND PRESENTS VOICES FROM THE GALLOVERSE – LIVE A HEAR HARD INTERVENTION & PERFORMANCE BY THE PENKILN BURN PLAYERS. IMAGE CREDIT TRACEY MOBERLY. CARA DILLON AWARD-WINNING IRISH FOLK SINGER AND RENOWNED MUSICIAN. TOUKI BLENDING TRADITIONAL SENEGALESE SOUNDS WITH CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL INFLUENCES. HIGH ST, NEW GALLOWAY 01644 420 374 GCAT.SCOT Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 39 USEFUL GLENKENS CONTACTS DOCTORS’ SURGERY Glenkens Medical Practice - 01644 420 234 COMMUNITY CONTACTS • Balmaclellan: Martin Warnock - 07939 261 391 • Carsphairn: Liz Holmes - 07718 358 160 • Corsock: Julie Garton - 07769 647 702 • Kirkpatrick Durham: Heather - 07551 639 629 • Crossmichael: Richard Middleton - 01556 670 691 • Dalry: Michele Owen 07940 313 445 • New Galloway: 07741 656 601 FOOD DELIVERIES • Galloway Foodbank 07730 788 335 • Galloway Food Hub - glenkens.scot/localdirectory-listing/glenkensfood-hub • Ballards Butchers 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Parton: Tom - 07835 821 976 • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 • Fleet Fish: call 07966 103 912 to find out about Glenkens delivery days • Roan’s Dairy - 01556 620 374 • Harris & Co: www. harrisandco.uk LOCAL ORGANISATIONS/GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Helen Crowther on 0790 467 8599 or drop by the shop on Main Street, Dalry Glenkens Scout Group: Contact Heather McIntosh on 01644 420 375 Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact info@ling.org.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Michelle Owen at sjtdalrycc@ gmail.com Dalry Town Hall: Contact Lesley Blissett at lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Sarah McAdam on minimac01644@gmail.com Lagwyne Hall: Contact lagwynehallsecretary@outlook.com for info, or to book email lagwynehallbooking@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact ngce5000@gmail.com or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins at julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact info@catstrand.com or 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Visit the school office or call Dalry Primary on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery/ELC too), Dalry Secondary on 01644 430 259 or Kells on 01644 420 340 Carsphairn Heritage Initiative: Contact Ben Ade at carsphairnhi@gmail.com Galloway Food Hub: Contact Lesley Atkins on lesley@propagate.org.uk or 07587 122 151 Bairn Banter: Contact Melissa on bairnbanter@outlook.com or 07979 492 791 If you would like to add your community organisation to this list please get in touch with the Gazette - contact details are on the back page. GLENKENS CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sunday Services Balmaclellan: 6 Apr, 4 May (communion service), 1 Jun; 11am Carsphairn: 13 Apr, 11 May; 11.15am Kells: 20 Apr, 11am, Easter service Dalry: 18 Apr, 7pm, Good Friday service; 27 Apr, 18 May, 25 May; 11am Special service: Easter communion service, Thu 17 Apr, 7pm, Crossmichael Church Hall. Early Easter Day service, Sun 20 Apr, 8.30am, Crossmichael Church Hall. Easter service, Sun 20, 10am, Crossmichael Church Hall. Spring Teas, May 3, Dalry Session House For further info contact Rev Pam Bellis on 07751 379 249 or pam@bellisconsultancy.co.uk SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, DG7 3RP The Rev Dawn Matthew Sundays:10.30am, Holy Communion with refreshments after the service. Tuesdays: 10am-12noon, look for the ‘church is open’ sign and pop in for private prayer or to chat with Dawn. Wednesdays: 7.30-8pm, evening prayers via Zoom shared with our sister church, All Saints’ Challoch. Please contact Dawn for the link. SPECIAL SERVICES: Sunday @4: 13 April. Maundy Thursday: 17 April, 6pm, Holy Communion. Good Friday: 18 April, 2pm, Service of Reflection. EASTER DAY: 20 April, 10.30am, Holy Communion. Sunday @4: 11 May. Ascension Day: 29 May, 12 noon, Holy Communion For further information call Dawn on 01644 420 431 or visit www.stmargaretsnewgalloway.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation Glass Recycling Points • Balmaclellan Stores, Balmaclellan • Memorial Hall, St Michael's Road, Crossmichael • Kirkland Street, St John's Town of Dalry • New Galloway, Carson's Knowe Car Park • St David Street, Kirkpatrick Durham USEFUL NUMBERS ● Pothole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 page 40 MINUTES/REPORTS OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SPENDING ● Police, non-emergency: 101 or email stewartryCPT@ scotland.police.uk GLENKENS DISTRICT TRUST (GDT) www.glenkenstrust.org.uk/gdtcorporate-information ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 CARSPHAIRN RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND LTD (CREFL) www.carsphairn.org/CREFLArchive ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Local Job Vacancies SEE AD ON PAGE 16... Up-to-date job and volunteering opportunities can be found online at the Glenkens Hub on www.glenkens.scot GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE You can now apply for a Garden Waste Collection Service permit at £40 per bin. for regular collections from March to November 2025. Apply online at www.dumgal.gov.uk/ wasterecycling or in person at a customer service centre such as Dalry Library. The Glenkens Gazette is a member of independent UK press regulator, Impress. To find out more about our complaints process you can visit www.glenkens.scot/ complaints-and-corrections or scan the QR code here. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE Advanced Massage Practitioner (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £50 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £108 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £200 FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £332 Please get in touch further details including small business/ charity rates and series discounts. Email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk or call/ WhatsApp 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 334 0905 24 THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS General Medical & Dispensing Services FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY The Surgery High Street New Galloway Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm Sat 2-2.30 pm Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 41 GALLOWAY COMMUNITY TRANSPORT www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org email: gct@catstrand.com / gctadmin@catstrand.com phone: Jon 07841 512449 / Jason 07704 662925 APRIL 2025 - MAY 2025 REGULAR SERVICES We are pleased to announce a revision to our GK2 service. From Wednesday 2nd April the service will run in the evening, until the October daylight saving time change, when it will revert to a daytime winter timetable.The ‘summer’ times are as below: EXCURSIONS GK2 Glenkens > Castle Douglas Every Wednesday (Registered Route) Outward 1800 1820 1825 1830 1842 1852 1907 1920 1925 Kendoon Dalry (Underhill) Balmaclellan New Galloway Mossdale Laurieston Ringford Castle Douglas Tesco Castle Douglas ALDI Return 2150 2130 2125 2120 2108 2058 2043 2030 2025 Booking not required MINIBUS DRIVING Minibus drivers are needed to do volunteer and paid driving for our wide range of member community groups, as well as for our contracted school services. MiDAS training will be provided. Not got a D1 on your licence? Not a problem, we have a couple of buses that do not require D1. Ask us for more details. PATIENT TRANSPORT We also urgently need drivers with their own cars for our patient transport service. Our volunteer patient transport drivers receive a generous mileage reimbursement and the satisfaction of providing a vital service to vulnerable people in our communities. Interested? Email: gct@catstrand.com Phone: 07841 512449 / 07704 662925 2025 EXCURSIONS We will be running our successful Gardens of Excellence programme again this year. First one detailed above, more to come! MEMBERSHIP HIRE We have 3 x 16 seat buses, a 15 seat, an 8 seat minibus and a fully wheelchair accessible electric car available (and minibus) for hire by community organisations. For information about membership and terms and conditions of hire see the GCT website or phone 07841 512449 / 07704 662925 www.gallowaycommunitytransport.org Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation WHAT'S ON page 42 April/May APRIL Fri 4, Move South: Paragon Music X BOW Collective, 10:30am, CatStrand Fri 4, Move South: Paragon Music X BOW Collective sharing, 2pm, CatStrand Care of Me, 7:30pm, CatStrand Sat 12, Glenkens Producers Market, 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 18, CatStrand Bar Night, 6-10pm, CatStrand Sat 19, Bairn Banter Easter Egg Hunt, 10.30am, Carsphairn School Playground MAY Sat 3, HotTrod Theatre Company- El Duglas, 7.30pm, CatStrand Mon 5, The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 19, Crossmichael Gala 10am-3pm Thu 8, Ken Words: Writers’ Cafés, 7pm, CatStrand Fri 4, Patrick Monahan: The Talkinator, 7:30pm, CatStrand Sun 23, National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove, 2pm, CatStrand Thu 8, 3-5pm, Celebration of Hugh Foss, Dalry Town Hall, see p32 Sat 5, Carsphairn Community Woodland Volunteer Day, 10am-5pm, Muirdrochwood Forest, Carsphairn Fri 25, Book Launch- Donald WatsonBird Artist & Writer, 2pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 5, Move South: Bodies of Water, 2pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 25, Landscape with Figures II, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 5, Move South: A Journey of Flight – Kathryn Gordon,5pm, CatStrand Fri 25, Donald Watson book launch, 2pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p29 Sat 5, Move South: Bodies of Water, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 26, Plant & Bake Sale, 10am12noon, St Margaret's Church, New Galloway, see p19 Fri 4, Move South: Paper Planes, 4-6pm, CatStrand Cafe Sun 6, Move South- Movement Sessions, 1pm, CatStrand Sun 6, Move South: A Journey of Flight – Kathryn Gordon,6pm, CatStrand Tue 8 (start of 4-week course), Wet Felting Course for Beginners, 10.30am12.30pm, to book call Ginny Shipway on 07486 362 379 10:30 12:30 Wed 9, Dalry Film Club: The Critic, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p33 Thu 10, Ken Words: Writers’ Cafés, 7pm, CatStrand Sat 10, Bill Drummond presents: Voices From The Galloverse – Live, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 11, Cara Dillon, 7.30pm, CatStrand Wed 14, Dalry Film Club: Paddington In Peru, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p33 Thu 22-Mon 26, Knockengorroch Festival, see p28 Thu 22, Touki, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 30, Drawing LIFE, 2pm, The Smiddy Sat 26, Forest Learning Session, 9am3pm, booking on 07979 492 791 Fri 30, KT Producing presents- LIFE, 7.30pm, Catstrand Sun 27, What next for The Glenkens Story? 2-4pm, CatStrand JUNE Sun 27 & Mon 28, Biosphere Guide Training Course, Dalry, see p13 Sun 27, Glass fusing workshop, 12.303.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall, book through the What's On section of the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Wed 30, Dalry Film Club: Thelma, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p33 Fri 11, Move South: My Muses Take Sun 1, Clachan Folk Session with the Ruby Warblers, 6pm, The Clachan Inn Wed 4, Dalry Film Club: Gladiator II, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p33 Sat 7, Carsphairn Show, The Crofts, Carsphairn, see p5 Sun 8, GCT Excursion: The Machars Gardens, see p41 Glenkens & District Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council: Bi-monthly, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall - contact Martin on 07939 261 391 Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Communty Council: contact mcnabblaurie@hotmail.com or 01644 440 200 Carsphairn Community Council: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn - contact carsphairncc@gmail. com or 07531 035 824 Balmaghie Community Council: contact secbalmaghiecc@ btinternet.com or 01644 450 621 Dalry Community Council: First Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall - contact sjtdalrycc@gmail.com or 07940 313 445 New Galloway & Kells Community Council: Second Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Parton Community Council: contact ericaporteous@hotmail. co.uk or 01644 470 277 Crossmichael Community Council: Second Wednesday every month - contact richardandjane@phonecoop.coop or 01556 670 691 Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library or online at www.glenkens.scot For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette GAZETTEinformation page 43 REGULAR EVENTS & OPENING TIMES Balmaclellan Village Hall Tuesday Afternoon Teas, 1st Tues each month, 2.30-4pm, warburton.julie@ googlemail.com Exercise Class, Tue, 6-7pm Tai Chi, Wed, 2-3pm Zumba, Fri, 6.30-7.30pm Glenkens Crafters, Wed, 10am-12noon, julia.higgins55@outlook.com Community Library, Wed, 10.30am– 12.30pm; Sat, 10am-12noon Make Do & Mend, fortnightly from 14 Feb, 7-9pm Stewartry Birdwatchers, 2nd Thu each month Sep to Apr (Sep & Apr, 7.30pm; Oct-Mar, 2.30pm) Soup & Sandwich, Sat, 12noon-2pm, Oct-Mar Men's Shed, Balmaclellan General Opening Times: Mon, Wedn & Fri, 9.30am–12noon Stick Making - Mon, 7-9pm Art Group, Thu, 2-4pm Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Monday Morning Social, 11am-2pm, 07710 124 255 Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thu of the month, 7.30pm Craft Group, Fri, 10am-12noon, includes tea & coffee, carsphairncraftgroup@ gmail.com Bairn Banter; family stay & play session, Sat, 10am CatStrand, New Galloway Art Ambassadors (age 11+), Mon, biweekly, 4.30pm Behind the Scenes, bi-weekly, Mon, 5.30pm Energising Yoga Flow, Tue, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Tue, 10am-4pm Weekly Bus Service to Tesco, Wed, 7pm Dramarama, (age 6-10), Wed, 4pm Up Skills: Musical Theatre, (age 15+), Wed, 5pm Young Writers Cafe, (age 12+), Wed, 6pm, monthly Piano Lessons, weekly, term time 4–6.30pm Morning Flow Yoga, Thu, 9.30am, booking essential, 07733 111 466 CatStrand Singers, Thu, 11am Dance Steps (age 10-18yrs), Sat, monthly, 12.30-3.30pm Art Explorers, (age under 10yrs), Sat biweekly 10am Art Club, (age 11-16yrs), Sat, bi-weekly 11.30am Musical Misfits, Sat, bi-weekly, 10am Youth Players Panto rehearsals, (10yrs plus), weekly, Sun, 3pm The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Taste of Music, monthly, 10am (under 10yrs) Mini Music Makers, family session, monthly 11.45am (under 7yrs) Weekly Ukuele, guitar & keyboard lessons, 12.30–4pm (6-16yrs) Art Explorers, Sat, 10.30am, fortnightly New Galloway Town Hall Community Larder, side door open for access Mon 9am–4pm; Tue 7-9pm; Wed 6.30–8pm; Thu 9.30am–4pm Men’s Monday Morning Coffee, Mon 9.30-11am Dance for Wellbeing (adults), Mon 2.30pm Creative Movement for Children, 4pm LING Community Cafe, Mon, 12.30– 2pm Sports Evening, Tue, 7–9pm, carpet bowls or table tennis Zumba, Wed, 6.30pm Ukulele Group, Wed, 6.30pm Hubbub, Thu, 12noon–3pm, drop-in Martial Arts, Thu, 7.30pm For further info email info@ling.org.uk, phone 07749 249 781 Glenkens Community Centre Citizens Advice Drop-ins, every other Mon, 10am-4pm Glenkens Youth Group, Mon, 7-8.30pm Dalry Good Neighbours Club, Tue, 2pm, 07795 613 148 Wee Wonders, Thu, 9-10am Clachan Crafters, Thu, 2pm, 07500 861 041 Kickback Martial Arts, Thu, 5.30-7pm, kmabrian@gmail.com or drop-in Song Share, 1st Friday each month, 8-11pm, anne.chaurand@btinternet. com Yoga For All, Fri 9.30am, drop-in, 07733 111 466 Friendship Group, Sat (excluding Glenkens Producers Market days), 1011.30am, 01644 430 052 Table Tennis/Badminton, available to hire by arrangement, 07500 861 041 Glenkens Charity Shop Opening Times: Mon 10am-1pm, Tue 6-8pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm Dalry Library Main St, Dalry - 01644 430 234 Library Opening Times: Tue 2-5pm, Fri 12noon-5pm with the first hour for NEC Bus Pass & Blue Badge appointments, etc. Book at the library or call 01387 260 196. Bookbug and Parent & Toddler Session, Tue, 10.30-11.30am Glenkens Book Group, last Fri each month, 2pm, 01644 420 361 Lego Stay N' Play, every 3rd Sat of the month, 1-3pm, contact Michele Owen on Facebook Dalry Town Hall Tai Chi, Mon, 2pm Dog Training, Tue, 7pm, 07831 590 822 Song Share, 1st Fri each month, 7.3010.30pm Mossdale Village Hall Mossdale Painters, Wed, 9.30-11.30am Yoga, Fri, 2.15pm Soup Saturday, last Sat each month, 1-3pm Various Bumps, Babies & Beyond, every 2nd Mon, 10.30am, Kirkpatriack Durham Village Hall Learn to Play Bridge, Mon, 7-9pm, Lochinvar Hotel Keep Fit with Alex, 7.15-8.15pm, KPD Village Hall Strictly Get Dancing, Mon, 7pm, Loch Ken Activity Centre, Parton Spalding Bowling Club Sweep Nights, Mon, 7pm, shazfish1@gmail.com Cosy Corner, Tue, 1-5pm, Crossmichael Church Hall, 07889 016 963 Glenkens Oil Painters, Wed, 10am, Corfield House Art Studio Crossmichael Heritage Centre, Wed 2-4.30pm Cub Scouts, Wed 6.15-7.30pm, Scout Hall, New Galloway Patchwork Workshop, Thu, 1-3pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Dragon Boats on Loch Ken, Sun 9.30am, Galloway Activity Centre Knockvennie Hall Heat Bank & Snooker Club, contact Andrew on 01556 690 677 Outdoor Bowls, Dalry, contact Fiona on 07500 554 751 Snooker/Indoor Bowls, contact Gary on 01644 430 521 Mum & Baby MovementThu, 9.3011.30am, Laurieston Village Hall Crossmichael Youth Club, Fri, Crossmichael Memorial Hall For up-to-date information visit the Glenkens Hub at www.glenkens.scot Glenkens Gazette page 44 Duncan McNaught lands second place in photography awards N ew Galloway's Duncan McNaught is no stranger to photography awards, having landed a number of accolades over the last few years. Duncan won the Royal Society of Biology competition in 2017, got 2nd place in the Botanical category of the Scottish Nature Photography Awards 2017, 1st in the Dumfries & Galloway Life Awards Visual Artist category 2018, 1st place in the Botanical section of the Scottish Nature Photography Awards 2019, 1st place in the Botanical category of the Scottish Nature Photography awards 2022, and last but not least, commended in the Sony World Photography awards 2017. However, it's been a few years since he's entered the Scottish Nature Photography Awards, so he was thrilled to find out he'd won second place in the 2024 competition's Botanical section. "I only entered two images this year and ended up with a second place in the Botanical section, so I'm well chuffed!" said Duncan. "The image Birch in the Mist was a particularly difficult one to take; I'd say almost impossible if it wasn't for the thick mist that morning. "The tree grows in the walled garden at Kenmure Castle, with lots of clutter and distraction in the background. Luckily that morning the mist was particularly thick and made hiding distracting elements much easier. This shot was taken in full colour, but that morning everything was changed to monochrome. It was quite ethereal to be out in." To see more of Duncan's photographs visit the Gallery section of the Glenkens Hub at www. glenkens.scot/glenkens-gallery The Scottish Nature Photography Awards runs each year with several categories including botanical, landscape and abstract. The competition is open to photographers from anywhere in the world. Pictured is Duncan's _winning entry, Birch in the Mist WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Editing & Design: sarah.ade@gmail.com JUNE/JULY COPY DEADLINE: 5 MAY The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 The role of the Gazette is to represent the voice of the community and does not represent the views of GCAT.  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 147 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource GCAT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_147 https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/2/460/GallowayGlens_AnOverview.pdf 5ad23290ec43c22eb9e836715f57b08b 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 Galloway Glens Scheme – An Overview 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 Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Description An account of the resource The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme undertook five years of co-ordinated activity and projects in Dumfries & Galloway between 2018 and 2023, focused on the river catchment of the Ken/Dee valley. An initiative of Dumfries and Galloway Council's Environment Team, the aim was to ‘connect people to their heritage’ and in doing so, drive economic activity in the area and support sustainable communities. The Scheme was primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, with additional support from a range of other partners, including Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP 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 2018 - 2023 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP 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 Galloway Glens Scheme An Overview at Castle Douglas Town Hall • September 2023 • The Galloway Glens Scheme was an initiative of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team, seeking to ‘connect people to the heritage’ of the Ken/Dee river valley, while boosting the local economy and supporting sustainable communities. Running between 2018 and 2023, and primarily funded by a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, it oversaw more than £6million in activity. This report gives a mere taste of the work undertaken… For more information, contact Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team. WWW.GALLOWAYGLENS.ORG Galloway Glens Scheme: A Snapshot THE SCHEME HAS UNDERTAKEN ACTIVITY WORTH MORE THAN £6 MILLION 4 YEARS ‘NATURE POSITIVE’ OF THE NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ‘CAN YOU DIG IT’ COMMUNITY ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT 206 HECTARES PROJECTS SUPPORTED INCLUDING THREAVE LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROJECT, PEATLAND CONNECTIONS AND THE BLACK WATER OF DEE HABITAT RESTORATION £100,000 OF LAND BROUGHT INTO CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT SPENT ON 27 PROJECTS CARSPHAIRN THROUGH THE SMALL GRANTS SCHEME >21,000 SUPPORTED THE ATTENDEES AT PUBLIC EVENTS 15 INTERN DALRY 10 POSITIONS SUPPORTED CLATTERINGSHAWS NEW OR REFURBISHED BUILDINGS LOCH KEN TRUST NOW RUNNING ONE OF THE FIRST COMMUNITY-LED RANGER SERVICES IN SCOTLAND >35,000MILES TRAVELLED BY THE TAGGED GREENLAND WHITE FRONTED GEESE LAUNCHED THE SOUTH OF SCOTLAND TREE PLANTING GRANT SCEME LOCH KEN MORE THAN 90% OF VOLUNTEERS IN D&G SAID THEY HAD LEARNED MORE ABOUT HERITAGE 690 VOLUNTEERS GAVE THEIR TIME, WORTH MORE THAN 23 MILES £300,000 OF FOOTPATH INSTALLED OR IMPROVED OVER 120 ATTENDEES CASTLE DOUGLAS 190 D&G BUSINESSES RECEIVED WORK ON ‘GO WILD CAMPS’ KIRKCUDBRIGHT >2,000 ENTRIES ON THE GALLOWAY GLENS PLACE NAME DATABASE 2 THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 40 HEADLINE PROJECTS SUPPORTED UP AND DOWN THE VALLEY 95% OF PEOPLE RATE THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME AS ‘GOOD OR VERY GOOD’ (OF 420 SURVEYED) “The Galloway Glens Scheme was an opportunity for everyone to celebrate, understand, connect with and protect our special heritage. The role of the Partnership Board was to provide oversight and strategic direction to the activity underway, and we are all delighted by the results achieved. We consider the scheme to be an exemplar approach to tackle contemporary challenges faced by rural Scotland. We are very grateful to everyone involved, particularly scheme funders including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and I’d like to add my personal thanks to the members of the Board, the staff, and to the community for taking part. Built on an approach of trust and empowerment, this Scheme witnessed some awesome work.” Ted Leeming, Galloway Glens Scheme Chairman “I think we are all slightly bewildered by how big this whole venture has become… All of this was only possible thanks to the amazing partners we worked with, from funders through to local people giving up their free time and personal stories to give the scheme a real authenticity. The Galloway Glens Scheme is an example of a heritage-led, ‘placebased’ approach to rural economic development and supporting sustainable communities. On a personal note, it has also been the most amazing job that have ever had. The Staff have been simply Herculean in their efforts, all working above and beyond to an astonishing degree. For that, I shall forever be grateful. #InGallowayItHappens.” McNabb Laurie, Galloway Glens Team Leader “From the earliest days of planning Galloway Glens was conceived as ‘Biosphere in action’ - an authentic, accessible way for people to experience our region’s natural and cultural heritage. For its duration, the Galloway Glens Scheme has celebrated and shared all the reasons why southwest Scotland holds UNESCO Biosphere status, inspiring pride among those who live here and reaching a diverse audience beyond the geographical border of the scheme. It has been great to see such a variety of projects funded and led by the Galloway Glens Scheme that are all interwoven with UNESCO’s global ethos of connecting with heritage in a sustainable way, with evident positive impacts on communities and the environment.” Ed Forrest, Director of Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere “The impact of the scheme is visible on so many levels – on a project-by-project basis but also on a broader landscape-scale. Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team saw the opportunity for the scheme, and we have taken an innovative, partnership approach to oversight and management. This has definitely allowed the scheme to flourish and be embraced by the local community. The real benefit of a scheme like this will be the positive legacy left for the people and habitats of the valley. ” Simon Fieldhouse, Environment Team Manager, Dumfries & Galloway Council THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 3 “I’m not usually very good at sport but this I can do. I have been playing with all of my class and I feel great because I have won some games and always been involved” Pupil commenting on the purchased Indoor curling kits through the ‘Hands on heritage’ project. “A wonderful walk around the roads and woodland. Thank you for the hard work of the Galloway Glens and Environment Team! I’m only 86 years old, enjoyed every minute and hope to return.” Comment on Crossmichael Community Woodland path improvements “I didn’t know if I’d like it because I’m new in this school and I didn’t know many people. But it’s great!” Attendee referring to a ‘Wellbeing in Winter’ Event “this is the most inclusive activity we have done in a long time, the pupils that normally shy away have stepped up and are loving PE, we have loved it as staff too” Teacher after a lesson using the indoor curling kits 4 THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW “Again thank you all so much for such an amazing opportunity for [him], he has blossomed and we are so hopeful that this will help in our quest to get him to enjoy the outdoors more” Parent, referring to a ‘Go Wild’ camp attendee Ambition The Galloway Glens Scheme sought to use a heritage-led approach to tackle contemporary challenges being faced in the Ken/Dee valley. Through 2016 and 2017, consultation took place to identify six main challenges, with these used to give the Scheme six main themes of activity for the five-year delivery phase: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Understanding. Opportunities to increase understanding and appreciation of our amazing natural, cultural and built heritage. Education. A series of school-age initiatives covering topics from sustainable development through to responsible outdoor access. Facilitating work experience roles that challenge the preconception that young people have to leave Galloway for work. Visiting. Improving a visitor’s experience in Galloway, thereby supporting the vital hospitality and tourism economy. Access. Adding to and improving the network of paths in the valley. Heritage Hubs: Supporting the use and therefore sustainability of local buildings, highlighting their heritage value. Natural Landscapes: Protecting species or habitats that are under threat. Delivery The scheme supported approximately 40 headline projects across the six themes. These varied from partner-led initiatives that received funding from the scheme, through to projects driven solely by the Galloway Glens team. The suite of headline projects was supported by a range of smaller initiatives and a dedicated small grants scheme, through which 27 awards were made, totalling approximately £100,000 in spend. The Galloway Glens Team consisted of 5 core staff, employed by Dumfries & Galloway Council, and a range of project staff (9 at peak), employed by project partners. The Scheme was overseen by a Partnership board of 13 key partners, including an elected member from Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Director of the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. “It has been a great initiative with an impact out of all proportion to the small amount of resource involved. Well done everyone.” Chair of Scottish Land Commission THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 5 1) Understanding Opportunities to increase understanding and appreciation of our amazing natural, cultural and built heritage. “We have absolutely enjoyed everything we’ve done with the Galloway Glens & have learnt so much about the local area & met some lovely people along the way!” ‘Can You Dig It ‘event participant. “What a lot of fun!” Event attendee PROJECT LEAD PARTNER Historic Mapping – Unearthing, digitising and discussing pre-ordnance survey maps. Dumfries Archival Mapping Project The ‘Can You Dig It’ Community Archaeology Programme – 4 years of engaging and educational archaeology activity. Galloway Glens Scheme/ Historic Environment Scotland Place Names of the Galloway Glens – A study of local place names to reveal the changing languages and landscape of the area. University of Glasgow – School of Celtic & Gaelic Studies Voices of the Glens – Investigating the complex relationship between Galloway’s changing language, dialect and accents. Galloway Glens Scheme “[Volunteering has given me] a renewed sense of activity and purpose postretiral; not to mention the joy and pleasure in simple contact and conversation in a time of pandemic.” Volunteer on the ‘Can You Dig It’ project. Projects within this aim held 59 public events with 5316 attendees. 6 More than 2,000 place names studied and detailed on the public database. THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 290 volunteers engaged across all four projects. More than 100 questionnaires completed exploring words disappearing from use. 2) Education A series of school-age initiatives covering topics from sustainable development through to responsible outdoor access and work experience PROJECT LEAD PARTNER Galloway Rural Skills – A programme of high-quality work experience opportunities and Internships. Galloway Glens Scheme/Local Employers Hands on Heritage – Heritage skill demonstrations and information events. Galloway Glens Scheme Community Activities – An awesome selection of community events and activities supported that celebrate the heritage of Galloway. From Vikings to Jazz, from Wicker Bulls to Pre School support, and everything in between… Galloway Glens Scheme/So many partners Galloway Glens Business Academy – Events and activities that allow local businesses to use local heritage to benefit their bottom lines. Galloway Glens Scheme/Business Gateway Galloway Glens Go Wild – Week long summer camps – with a focus on fun but also responsible access and how to safely enjoy the Galloway Outdoors. Galloway Glens Scheme/ NTS/ Kirkcudbright Development Trust/ Glenkens Community & Arts Trust Biosphere Explorers – Embedding Sustainable Development education into local schools through school sessions and events. Crichton Carbon Centre Drystane Dykes Demonstration – A viewpoint built on Threave Estate demonstrating a range of Galloway Dyking styles. SW Scotland Dry Stone Walling Association/ NTS Ken Words – The local writers group explored how landscape can inspire creative writing, through events and publications. Glenkens Community & Arts Trust 15 Intern or work experience opportunities supported 2501 school pupils have taken part in events and lessons 120 attendees of ‘Go Wild’ camps. When asked how much they enjoyed a Galloway Glens event, 90% of 185 attendees asked rated their enjoyment as 4 or 5 (on a scale of 1 – 5). “I learnt I could listen, and be outside all day, and about John Muir, and badgers” Participant on Go Wild camp (who declared initially that he wouldn’t learn anything.) “I have no doubt that the expertise I have gained will greatly enhance my CV and support my future career in the field.” A Galloway Glens supported Intern 25 Business Academy public events attended by 250 local businesspeople THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 7 3 Visiting Improving a visitor’s experience in Galloway, thereby supporting the vital hospitality and tourism economy. “The Galloway ‘Brand’ including the Biosphere image is more recognisable, shops are finally starting to promote the region, local produce and services are applauded and people tend to feel proud of their region.” Public survey response PROJECT LEAD PARTNER Loch Ken: Alive – Supporting the communities and businesses around Loch Ken, enabling a resilient and sustainable future. Loch Ken Trust The Galloway Glens Experience – working with small and micro businesses to explore the feasibility of experiential tourism packages. Southern Uplands Partnership Glenkens Hub – Establishing an information portal for the Glenkens, and acting as a repository for all Galloway Glens digital assets. Visit www.glenkens.scot. Glenkens Community & Arts Trust Kirkcudbright Dark Space Planetarium – Capitalising on the Gold Tier status of the Galloway Dark Sky Park to create a popular visitor attraction in the Old Johnston School. Kirkcudbright Development Trust “It’s been a great force for marketing the area and highlighting some of the real issues facing the rural communities as well as the fascinating history and supporting community assets” Public survey response Of all attendees at Galloway Glens online events, 76% were from outside Dumfries and Galloway, demonstrating the reach of the scheme, promoting the area externally. 8 In a public survey of 113 responses over 95% said that the ‘work of the Galloway Glens Scheme had encouraged visitors to come to the area’. THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW Flagship projects such as the Dark Space Planetarium are attracting thousands of visitors into the area. The Galloway Glens supported a number of ‘Galloway Relaunch’ events, resuming after the Covid-19 induced hiatus. 4 Access Adding to and improving the network of paths in the valley. PROJECT LEAD PARTNER Out and About – A series of footpaths and visitor facilities creation, focussing on widening access to the Galloway landscape. Galloway Glens Scheme/ wider Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team Glenkens Pilgrims Way – aka ‘The Pack Road’. Reopening the largely inaccessible historic route from Polmaddy to Carsphairn. Galloway Glens Scheme Corserine Access Improvements – a new bridge, section of path and signage on the Corserine Hill walk. Forrest Estate Connecting Town & Country – a) Improvements on the Railway path from Castle Douglas to Threave Estate, Lamb Island and Bridge of Dee b) A new circular route round Threave Nature Reserve. National Trust for Scotland Exploring New Galloway – Footpaths in the New Galloway Golf Club Woods and work at the Garroch Estate. Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) Kirkcudbright Bay Views – Drainage & Surfacing Improvements along the Torrs Point footpath. Solway Firth Partnership “The path has made this area more accessible to more people which will hopefully lead to more nature being protected.” Comment on Torrs Point path. “Brilliant - It’s a great walk with picturesque views. We have told lots of people about it so they can enjoy it too.” Comment on New Galloway link path 23 miles of footpath created or improved, including 4 bridges. Access projects have attracted a quarter of a million pounds of match funding. 95% of 80 respondents agreed that the footpath in question ‘Made the natural environment more accessible’ 67% of 97 respondees agreed strongly that ‘the work of the Galloway Glens has made it easier for people to get out into nature’. THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 9 5 Heritage Hubs Supporting the use and therefore sustainability of local buildings, highlighting their heritage value “Everyone that visits brings their own take on things and often contributes as much information to us as volunteers running it as they get out of the displays!” Volunteer at Crossmichael Heritage Project. PROJECT LEAD PARTNER Dalry Town Hall – Covenanter Video installation + signage. Dalry Town Hall Management Committee Donald Watson Bird Trail – Driving and Walking Trail across the Glenkens. Glenkens Community & Arts Trust Tolbooth Tales: The Story of Law & Order – Exhibition on first floor of Tolbooth exploring the building’s history. Dumfries & Galloway Council Crossmichael Community Heritage & Living History – Displaying heritage of the parish in the Hearse Hoose and the Church Hall. Crossmichael Community Council Balmaclellan Smiddy – Refurbishing the Smiddy to create a multi-use community building. Glenkens Community & Arts Trust New Galloway Town Hall – Contributing towards refurbishment costs and green energy upgrades. Local Initiatives in New Galloway “Regular users include singers, yoga, a creative writing group and even a weekly tin whistle class! The two meeting rooms have had regular use by disparate organisations bringing in attendees from all over the region.” Feedback on use of Balmaclellan Smiddy 10 new or refurbished community buildings supported through the whole scheme. 10 More than 90% of volunteers said they had learned more about heritage. THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW A drive to ‘spend local’ resulted in major refurbishment contracts for Dumfries & Galloway Businesses. 65% of volunteers said that they had ‘Made friendships/social connections in [their] community’. 6) Natural Landscapes Protecting species or habitats that are under threat. PROJECT LEAD PARTNER Conservation of Red Squirrels – Protecting Red Squirrels in Galloway. Glenkens Red Squirrel Group Greenland White Fronted Geese – Tagging Greenland White Fronted Geese, and implementing management plans. RSPB Black Grouse Habitat Creation – Working through Galloway Forest Park to implement habitat management plans. RSPB Kenmure Holms improvements – Signage and access improvements on Kenmure Holms, a home for the Willow Tit. RSPB Threave Landscape Restoration Project – Kickstarting a 100year project to revert a dairy farm into a climate-change resilient, wetland/woodland habitat. National Trust for Scotland Black Water of Dee Restoration – supporting fish populations by adding gravel, removing conifers and planting of riverbank trees. Galloway Fisheries Trust Barhill Woods, Kirkcudbright – Creation of red squirrel hide, education shelter and paths. Kirkcudbright Development Trust Peatland Connections – Connecting people to peatlands through a multi-disciplinary and creative approach. Crichton Carbon Centre Fish: Loch Ken – Surveys and targeted removal of Invasive NonNative Species. Tagging and tracking of young Salmon in the river. Galloway Fisheries Trust South Of Scotland Tree Planting Grant Scheme – offering £1,000 grants for small scale native tree planting Galloway Glens Scheme 206 hectares of land brought into conservation management through projects in this theme. ‘Nature Positive’ projects supported including Black Water of Dee, Threave Landscape Restoration Project and Peatland Connections. A strong focus on visibility and communications used the work as exemplars to distribute through learning networks. “It’s not very often that you see such ambition and vision for land use change. This is a bold and encouraging project that will no doubt create interest and curiosity from many” Comment about the Threave Landscape Restoration Project “This project shows the cutting-edge approaches being adopted by people right here in Galloway” Feedback on the Black Water of Dee Restoration project. 3134 hours of volunteer time has been spent on projects in this strand. THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 11 “For our cycling business, the infrastructure at Otterpool is extremely important for stops and chats and “showing off”. The work done around cycle and walking provision is a key to how we guide our visitors. Also, the support for big events (The Gralloch and Raiders) is key to the success of the events which in turn can bring around half a million pounds for the local economy.” Local cycling business “The Galloway Glens has made it possible to make one of our seasonal members of staff full time. [For which we are] very grateful” Manager, local business “For the Galloway Glens contract we sourced all the materials and the plant hire locally. So the purchasing has spread from this business through the local community, benefiting many businesses and the local economy.” - Footpath contractor Boosting the Local Economy The Scheme is an initiative of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team, itself part of the Council’s Economy & Resources Department, and a large part of the establishment of the scheme was an effort to better harness the amazing Galloway Outdoors and Heritage to drive economic activity. The Galloway Glens Scheme has sought to support economic activity on two levels, primarily through the impact of the projects undertaken, but also through the delivery of the scheme itself. The Scheme is adjudged to have delivered benefits on both levels, although the latter point is obviously easier to quantify. • More than 75% of the scheme’s £6million in expenditure has stayed in the region, being spent with Dumfries & Galloway Businesses • More than 190 Dumfries & Galloway Businesses have received work through the scheme. • Many of these businesses, now set up on Dumfries & Galloway Council systems, have gone on to bid for work with other departments of the Council – the Galloway Glens Scheme was essentially acting as a gateway to local government procurement. 12 THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW Supporting Sustainable Communities The Galloway Glens Scheme sought to embed all of the work undertaken with local communities. Being a time-limited initiative, the approach has been to see our certain departure as a benefit, maximising scheme legacy planning and activity. A heritage-led scheme like this does have a vital part to play in supporting sustainable communities, and many of the projects undertaken have delivered wider sustainable community benefits, including: • Supported the establishment of the Loch Ken Trust, with the Loch Ken Plan seeking to work towards all 17 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals - making the first ‘future-ready’ community. • Overseeing the Climate Ready Ken project, working with Adaptation Scotland to design a climate adaptation toolkit for the Loch Ken community. • Supporting community groups in their ambitions to take ownership of land in the area. • Direct investment in community buildings and assets, upgrading facilities and reducing ongoing running costs, and also a major provider of bookings and building use during delivery phase. • The ‘Galloway Footsteps’ events committed to 1,900 fewer pieces of single-use plastic and a saving of 42 tonnes of carbon. • A major role in Covid-19 response, adjusting plans to support the restart of activities after the pandemic but also active in retaining community cohesion and providing activity during the lockdowns. “The backing of the Galloway Glens has provided the energy, confidence and support the [Stewartry] Show needed to springboard back into action after so long [Covid-19 absence].” Member of the Stewartry Agricultural Society “I would like to thank the team for leading us in a time of great change and stress to many. Their good humour and expertise acted as a great link to our wider area at a time when rural isolation could have been a disaster. Well done! Public survey response “Main benefit has been in forging new connections within the community and in sharing ideas and practices and developing mutually supportive friendships.” Volunteer on the Exploring New Galloway project “[the project] has delivered skills to communities and empowered them to explore their locale” Feedback on a ‘Can You Dig It’ initiative THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 13 Scheme Legacy On a project level, the scheme’s legacy continues through work and partnerships established during the five-year delivery phase. The Galloway Glens Scheme sought to catalyse and facilitate work above and beyond that supported directly, and it is great to see examples of that taking place. On a Scheme level, the legacy ambition was that partners would see the merit of the approach taken, and feel able to undertake a similar scheme again in the future. This document forms only part of the Galloway Glens Evaluation documentation. Please contact the Dumfries & Galloway Council Environment Team for: 1) The Galloway Glens Scheme – Measuring Success Toolkit 2) The Galloway Glens Scheme – Assessment of approach “Hugely rewarding, wonderful experience, humbling, fascinating, vital - very grateful to have been part of it. Thank you!” Deliverer of a ‘Go Wild’ camp “Is the project really going to end? I think its been brilliant…” Online event attendee Galloway Glens Team at 2023 Stewartry Show “[I gained] mapping, researching skills, accessing websites and data sources, deepened knowledge, understanding, appreciation of environment and curiosity” ‘Can You Dig It’ volunteer The Galloway Glens Team Team Leader - McNabb Laurie Project Officer - Nick Chisholm Land Management & Access Officer Jonathan Barrett 14 Education & Community Engagement Officer - Helen Keron (2018 – 21), Jan Hogarth (2021-23) Administrator - Jude Crooks (2018-21), Anna Harvey (2021-23), Debbie Marshall (2022-23) THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW “I have acquired a newly informed depth of understanding and engagement with my local environment. I can better read the history of the landscape where I live.” - Event attendee “That was an excellent presentation. The split screening, occasional shots of the live audience, Q&A with both presenters etc. Extremely interesting content, and a very good speaker. You really seem to have got on top of hybrid presentations. Technically one of the best I have viewed and I’ve seen a lot over the past 2 years, including from much bigger national institutions.” Feedback from an online attendee “In an area where there is considerable volunteer fatigue it has mitigated the impact and helped galvanise people into doing things.” - Local funder “What an amazing 5 years for this area. Something really strong to keep building on for future generations living here.” Public Survey response Yes the money has been helpful for projects. But most of all it has been the enterprise, vitality and action by the Galloway Glens team, that has been of greatest benefit. It has helped so many of us to come together to bring nascent ideas to fruition, to learn more about our area and to give a greater sense of a positive future” Feedback from Project Partner “The number of positive initiatives that have come out of the Galloway Glens Scheme is truly amazing, and this landscape partnership stands head and shoulders above any other of this type of organisation that I’ve come across” Public survey response THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW 15 Thank you to all involved 16 THE GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME • AN OVERVIEW  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 Galloway Glens Scheme – An Overview Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_1 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP 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 2023 Description An account of the resource The Galloway Glens Scheme was an initiative of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team, seeking to ‘connect people to the heritage’ of the Ken/Dee river valley, while boosting the local economy and supporting sustainable communities. Running between 2018 and 2023, and primarily funded by a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, it oversaw more than £6million in activity. This report gives a mere taste of the work undertaken... GGLP https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/2/461/GGLP_Overview.jpg 4f2186e802de2fe2f645d8f3f25749a1 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 Galloway Glens Scheme overview poster 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 Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Description An account of the resource The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme undertook five years of co-ordinated activity and projects in Dumfries & Galloway between 2018 and 2023, focused on the river catchment of the Ken/Dee valley. An initiative of Dumfries and Galloway Council's Environment Team, the aim was to ‘connect people to their heritage’ and in doing so, drive economic activity in the area and support sustainable communities. The Scheme was primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, with additional support from a range of other partners, including Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP 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 2018 - 2023 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP 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. 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 Galloway Glens Scheme overview poster Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GGLP_2 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource GGLP 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 2023 Description An account of the resource Poster of projects completed during the Galloway Glens Scheme. GGLP