32 10 430 https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/266/GlenkensGazette119.pdf f8078651fcfb5c59400be8574eec76e9 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 119 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document GLENKENS GAZETTE News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry August/September 2020 ISSUE 119 FREE Woodland Developers Agree Talks Over Waterside Proposal Plans to plant a muchloved Glenkens hill with Sitka spruce and other conifers are being reviewed following local protests. News that Waterside Hill outside Dalry was to be the latest location for a Sitka plantation had provoked widespread local concern over the impact on amenity, wildlife, tourism and local heritage. Following two recent meetings between representatives from Dalry Community Council and Scottish Woodlands, including an extensive site visit, Scottish Woodlands have now agreed that there is potential to review aspects of the current planting scheme application, taking into account the many concerns that have been raised by local people. This review was taking place as the Gazette went to press. Residents of Dalry and neighbouring communities had claimed that the proposal was being rushed through without proper consultation in the midst of the COVID-19 restrictions. They also claimed the developers had failed to publish full survey reports showing how the development would impact on tourism, wildlife and local heritage sites and demanded that the consultation period be extended. The planting proposal was to have been the subject of a public meeting in The view over Dalry from the cairn atop Waterside Hill by Jill Bowes. Dalry last December but the meeting was cancelled by Scottish Woodlands at short notice. No subsequent meeting was held before the COVID-19 lockdown prevented any gathering. The controversial plans were subsequently submitted for grant approval with a consultation deadline of 16 July. The Community Council requested an extension to the public consultation period. This was refused but the Council was told it could comment any time before 10 August. Council member Dr Kerry Morrison pointed out: “The proposals will impact at least four generations but there has until recently been little contact between the Council and the developers about the details. The recent meetings and agreement to review the plans are welcome.” Vice-chair Will Adam adds that Dalry is a member of The Galloway and South Ayrshire Biosphere. “This membership commits us to helping to conserve natural resources. The proposed plantation of trees over virtually all of the hill does nothing to help such commitment to conservation.” Continued on page 13... Forestry and Wind Farms: Have the Glenkens Had Enough? In this edition of the Gazette we report a rising concern among local people over further wind farm and commercial forestry development in the Glenkens. Dumfries & Galloway is already the most afforested region in the whole of the UK as well as being one of the regions with the highest concentration of wind farms, yet still more proposals are being lodged. The Glenkens, being a rural upland area with a low population density, is incredibly popular with developers looking to reap the benefits of wind power and forestry subsidies. Recent developments across the area have prompted numerous articles on the subject from our readers which appear in our special section on pages 14-18: • Time to Rethink Forestry in Our Region? A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) initiative • • • • • • Views from Carsphairn - Liz Holmes and Nigel Martin Waterside Hill’s special significance - Chris Rollie and Roger Croft Protecting Our Special Places Personal memories of Waterside - Amy Winstanley Communities for Sustainable Forestry A personal perspective on forestry and wind farms in the Glenkens - John Wykes www.glenkensgazette.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 CROSSMICHAEL VOLUNTEERS Crossmichael community has really pulled together over lockdown, creating a strong and active volunteer support network. “To date we’ve delivered over £10,000 of groceries/takeaways to local residents this lockdown. We are still taking grocery orders and delivering shopping and prescriptions to people and will continue to do so until people no longer require the support,” says Sam, a member of the Crossmichael community volunteers. “We’ve done numerous community meal nights which have been incredibly popular. Our elderly/ shielding residents have really enjoyed receiving a takeaway and sitting in their gardens across from their neighbours when the weather has been good. We’ve been able to support many businesses, getting them orders and delivering their food. Carlo’s Special Father’s Day Takeaway was a great success! Bella the Crossmichael Primary School rock snake with local “Our Bessie the Rock children and the chocolate egg prizes for the treasure hunt. Snake at Crossmichael Primary School has been a huge hit and is which will be completed by Mrs Martin now 210 rocks long. The school have during the school holidays.” decided to celebrate this by making a To find out more, or get involved, you permanent art piece of a rock rainbow can visit the Crossmichael-Covid-19with the snake coiled all around it set support page on Facebook. in concrete within the school grounds, Local Initiatives in New Galloway NEW GALLOWAY TOWN HALL Well here we are tentatively coming out of lockdown but D&G Council is not yet sure when we can be back in the Town Hall. It is difficult to realise it is a year since we were in the middle of our survey and viability studies to see whether it was sensible to acquire the Town Hall by asset transfer from the regional council. It looked like a possibility but ran into legal problems when the council realised the property should have been registered as ‘common good’ when transferred from the burgh back in the seventies. Then with grants received towards a lift from the Blackcraig Windfarm and the Robertson Trust and likely that we could raise match funding for a lift to go ahead this year, it all looked good until - crash! - the cruel COVID-19 came and now the best laid plans...are gang agley (apologies to Burns!). But we’re not giving up and will get going as soon as we can. GARROCH GARDEN Although not genererally open because of the lockdown, some of the gardeners were able to arrange social distancing between themselves to keep their own plots going as well as the common areas. It is now open to visit and plans are being hatched again for apple-pressing in the late summer. GOLF COURSE WOODS As the warm spring came on, followed by the rain, some of our stalwart volunteers came out to clear the paths for those enjoying the walks for their local excercise. Ros Hill, LING Chair Dalry School Clothing Bank The clothing bank will be available outside the primary front door throughout the summer holidays and is available for any of Dalry primary and secondary families to access. If you are able to, and would like to do so, you can leave a small donation for any items you take via PayPal www.paypal. me/pools/c/8qcVDe0tgg - any proceeds will be spilt equally between FoDS and Glenkens Charity Shop. Many thanks to New Galloway Shop and Enterprises Ltd and Community Engagement Activities New Galloway for organising the funding of the storage boxes through the Princes Trust Countryside Fund. We hope this resource will be a well used asset within our school community. Anne McEwan and Jenna Devlin Glenkens Gazette page 3 Glenkens Community Shop Relaunch Our amazing local charity shop is once again open for business! Shirley McNaught, shop manager and inspiration behind our amazing local charity shop, said: “Firstly we sincerely wish to thank the Pamela Young Trust for giving us security in our tenancy and for a marvellous renovation of the building, including a new ramp which now makes us accessible to all. We would also like to thank Alison Davies for her very generous donation towards our shop refurbishment in memory of her husband Richard Davies. “Also we wish to thank Blackcraig Wind Farm Community Fund (with funding from Blackcraig Wind Farm [Scotland] Ltd, administered by Foundation Scotland working in partnership with The Glenkens & District Trust), and the Hugh Fraser Foundation for their donation to the refurbishment, and to Nathan Harnett of NDH Joinery & Design who did a brilliant job on the interior works of the shop. “Last but not least, a huge thank you goes to all of our volunteers and customers who have supported us through our eight years. “We have been closed longer than we expected but hopefully we are on our way now to brighter days. At the moment, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are only open on a Wednesday and Saturday from 10am till 2pm, and we ask customers to please wear a mask. We provide hand sanitiser at the door, and also ask that no more than four people are in the shop at any one time. We very much look forward to seeing you!” Pictured is the newly refurbished shop interior and wheelchair-accessible entrance (photos by Duncan McNaught). Glenkens & District Trust Update The Glenkens & District Trust (GDT) has adapted over the last few months to deal with all the challenges of the current crisis. Like lots of you, we have had to get to grips with meetings via Zoom to enable work to continue. We set up a COVID-19 Emergency Fund with £20k to provide support the community needed because of the emergency. As part of this we awarded £500 to each of the Community Councils in the fund catchment area to use on COVID related activity. We also awarded funds to Dalry Community Council who commissioned the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust to produce a special edition of the Gazette and have it delivered by the Royal Mail to your door. This Fund is still open for applications although we are keeping its purpose under review to ensure it addresses community need (see p30 for details). We held a number of meetings in May related to the second round of grantmaking and awarded over £99,000 to nine community groups across the wider Glenkens and District area. The new grants support a total of 11 projects. Details of these awards can be found at www.foundationscotland.org.uk/ media/1077196/Blackcraig-Round-2Decisions.pdf Awards include funding for local events such as the Glenkens Food Month, projects carrying out key maintenance on community assets such as Balmaclellan Village Hall and Spalding Bowling Club, and green initiatives such as enabling the Men’s Shed in Balmaclellan to install electric vehicle charging points powered by the solar panels. We were delighted to receive a wide range of applications from across the area during these difficult times and are seeing an increasing number of activities and projects being delivered from this fund. We had nearly completed the Community Action Plan when we went into lockdown but decided that we should delay finalising it until there was more clarity on the implications of the current crisis. What has become apparent is that it will be some time before the full picture emerges of what our communities can learn from this experience and what their ongoing needs may be. Against this we are now working to get the report and a plan published. The report, prepared by Community Enterprise, contains a mass of data and information that will be useful for a number of community groups across the area and we are keen to get this out as soon as we can. The plan will set out community priorities, based on the findings from earlier survey work and the community engagement events. This will, of necessity, need to be flexible to allow it to develop and change as the future becomes clearer. Our focus will be to set out what the community sees as immediate priorities and to put in place what is needed to start delivering on them, investigating which community groups might be ready to deliver these activities, and where there are gaps which might need to be filled and how we address that. This set up phase will allow us to get on with things now whilst we consider the needs for the future and how we ensure ongoing and effective community engagement. While GDT are leading on this work it is crucial that the wider community and community groups are involved; we are committed to ensuring this happens at this early stage and we will put forward specific proposals for mechanisms to achieve this. We have also had a couple of changes of Trustees - Caroline Pridham from Corsock and Kirkpatrick Durham Community Council and Graham West from Dalry Community Council, who have been long standing stalwarts of GDT, have decided to resign for personal reasons. Julie Garton and Andrew Mellor have been appointed by the respective Community Councils to replace them. Fiona Smith, GDT Chairman Glenkens Gazette page 4 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 ‘Bathmate‘inflatable seat for easy access into and out of the bath. Electrically operates. Used very infrequently and not for some time. Contact: 07889 229 340 Reclining two-seater sofa, brown leather-look, unused. £50 ono. Contact: 01644 430 062 Bass drum, 22” black Yamaha Power V, £20. Contact: Blue on 07934 361 526 Rangemaster Classic 110 gas cooker, good condition for 10 years old, burgundy and black, £200 ono, buyer to uplift from Castle Douglas. Contact: Andi on 07729 292 126 WANTED Old Singer sewing machine, treadle or hand operated. Must be in working order and with shuttles please. Contact: 07889 229 340 Old lawn mowers/strimmers/ other small machinery. Nonrunners/broken welcome. Contact: 07845 562 217 Photo of the Issue Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel This issue’s winner is Steve Wood with his tranquil photograph of Stroan Loch, Mossdale. Steve wins an evening meal for two up to the value of £30 at the Ken Bridge Hotel. Competition judges Dave and Sue said: “This issue we felt that the photograph of Stroan Loch captured the beauty of the Glenkens in summer.” How to Enter: any photos taken in the Glenkens can be entered - landscapes, wildlife, portraits, action shots... Email them to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk If you are a winner, the Gazette will send you out a voucher - please call the Ken Bridge to check opening times in light of current COVID-19 guidelines. Gordon McAdam 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 Plumbing & Heating HOUSE REPAIRS JOINERY 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Semi-retired Furniture Maker & Builder in GLENKENS AREA 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Call Pete on 07970 462 088 ...special rates for inclusion of tea, cake and friendly banter... Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by EAT WILD! FORAGING GUIDE The Association of Foragers has produced a wonderful series of seasonal foraging publications, available in hard copy in some local retail outlets or printable/ readable online. A collaboration between some of the best foraging guides in the UK, including Mark Williams of Galloway Wild Foods, Eat Wild is a practical, creative offering during the COVID-19 pandemic, introducing seasonal wild food as part of the solution in these testing times. So far three guides are available June, July and August - in a format which celebrates the A,B,C of foraging for each month. It aims, as the name suggests, to help more of us ‘eat wild’, and is packed full of relevant information including photos, recipes and guidance on where to forage, presented in a very appealing and easily accessible format. The Association of Foragers would like as many people as possible to share and enjoy the free magazine so, whether you’ve picked up a hard copy or have enjoyed it online, please do share with friends and family, or on social media. Fancy learning some foraging from the comfort of your home? Why not join in Orkney’s virtual foraging festival, Foraging Fortnight, from 29 August to 15 September. Visit www.foragingfortnight.co.uk To download your copy now visit www. eatwild.org. uk Pictured are June and July’s Eat Wild! magazines - keep your eyes peeled for the August edition! Above is an excellent guide to some of the summer foragable food available around Dumfries & Galloway created by Mark Williams of Galloway Wild Foods. There is lots more information available on seasonal food, wild food recipes, foraging courses and guided walks at www.gallowaywildfoods.com or look for Galloway Wild Foods on Facebook. Glenkens Gazette page 6 Pizzas All Round for Crossmichael Nikos Apostolakis, originally from Crete, began his career in the hospitality industry at a youthful age of thirteen. As a young adult he trained in Athens as a chef and worked across Greece and Crete for many years. In 2000 Nikos decided upon a new adventure in the UK where he began to share his passion for Greek cuisine. Fast forward to 2013 and Nikos’ Greek Restaurant was opened in Castle Douglas. For many years customers enjoyed a traditional Greek menu at Nikos but with the arrival of COVID-19 the restaurant had to close. Nikos began serving takeaways but soon wanted to offer something more to his fellow neighbours in Crossmichael. There was a selfresilience team of volunteers set up in the village who were supporting the local community with grocery/ prescription deliveries, as well as working with numerous businesses around Dumfries to bring in fresh produce such as bread, cakes, pies, etc. Following a discussion between Nikos and the volunteers ‘Nikos’ Community Pizza Nights’ were created. Volunteers promoted a special discounted menu and ordering/delivery process via Facebook as well as delivering menus to every household in the village. The first community pizza night took David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP Covering the Glenkens & further afield 07709 144 299 - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - Find me on Facebook place on Tuesday 28 April; Nikos and the volunteers were extremely busy all evening baking and delivering pizzas around Crossmichael. Many households enjoyed pizzas in their gardens socialising with neighbours over the garden fence. Throughout lockdown pizza nights have been a firm favourite in the village. Nikos has been keeping himself busy in his vegetable garden during lockdown, planning ahead and growing lots of delicious fresh produce ready for the restaurant reopening. It is with excitement that Nikos is able to announce that Nikos’ Greek Restaurant in Above: Nikos making pizza for the Crossmichael Castle Douglas will be opening community during lockdown at the wood fired its doors again from August. pizza oven beside the Thistle Inn, Crossmichael. The traditional three course Below: Fresh veg ready for Nikos’ restaurant menus have been replaced tables. with new Mediterranean Mezze Menus, and the restaurant on their bill (excluding alcohol), to boasts a fresh new image too. the maximum of £10 per person, Customers can also look forward to a during visits on a Mon/Tues/Wed wider selection of international wines throughout August 2020. For further and dessert favourites. information on special offers and upStaff will be strictly following to-date information visit Nikos’ Greek government guidance when the Restaurant on Facebook. restaurant reopens. Reservations must Nikos would like to thank the local be made by telephone on 01556 504 community for their ongoing support 345. and looks forward to welcoming you Nikos has signed up to the ‘Eat Out back very soon! to Help Out’ scheme where customers Sam Priest, Crossmichael can benefit from a 50% deduction Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 7 Galloway Mountain Rescue Team Receives Queen’s Award Galloway Mountain Rescue Team (GMRT), a group of volunteers based in Dumfries & Galloway and Southern Ayrshire, have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK and equivalent to an MBE. The team provide search and rescue services in support of partner emergency services, covering a large area of South West Scotland. They provide assistance in water incidents, urban searches and community resilience - not just events typically associated with mountain rescue. Team leader for GMRT, Stewart Gibson, lives with his wife and daughter at Forrest Estate outside Dalry. Stewart says: “From a personal perspective, it’s great to put something back into the hill walking community. I love the outdoors, and the challenge of operating in some of the harshest conditions that Scotland can throw at you is extremely rewarding, especially when it often involves helping somebody in an extreme time of need. “The team is a close-knit group who train together twice a month. “We really encourage anyone who’s interested in The GMR team enjoying a well-earned rest during joining the winter training in the Cairngorms. team to get in touch. Trainees coveted Red Mount Rescue Jacket worn normally undergo 18 months of training by every team member.” before becoming a fully fledged ‘Call Out’ member. You can expect to be If you would like to find out more tested in navigation, first aid and about joining GMR visit www. personal rope work, to name just a few gallowaymrt.org.uk where an of the subjects covered. Every GMRT application form can be downloaded. member remembers passing their final selection and being awarded the THANK YOU The community of Crossmichael would like to give a bit shoutout to Charlene Saunderson and Sarah Stevenson for their ongoing commitment to keeping the community safe. Charlene and Sarah have made hundreds of face masks for people in the community, of differing sizes and designs to suit individuals, and as a result have raised hundreds of pounds for charity. “Charlene had never actually used a sewing machine before lockdown but she’s done an amazing job! The donations from people for the masks she makes are going to the NHS. Sarah has been working tirelessly too, sewing for locals, family and friends and is supporting charities like Diabetes UK, UNICEF and Castle Douglas Food Bank with any proceeds from donations,” says Crossmichael resident and member of the Crossmichael Self Resilience Team, Sam Priest. Pictured: Sarah (top) and Charlene with daughter Emma (bottom) modelling some of their stylish masks. Glenkens Gazette This Place Called Hame Little did we imagine, when we chose ‘Ma Hame Toon’ as the theme for the Wright’s Shop Poetry Competition, how the significance of ‘home’ in our lives would change these past months. In his winning poem (printed below), Paul Goodwin captures the intimacy of page 8 home’s safe haven and appreciates, not without a touch of wryness, the village of Dalry where he stays – where he feels at home. The Wright’s Shop team would like to congratulate Paul, who wins a £10 voucher to spend in the shop, and thank everyone who has taken the time, and care, to enter their poems for consideration. Unfortunately, in the current circumstances the Poetry Competition will not be continuing, but we wish all budding poets in the villages of the Glenkens the very best inspiration to continue writing! Lyndsay, Susan, Isobel and Jane This Place by Paul Goodwin This place where I sit, this sitooterie This shed with windows on the world It’s a place for reflection And creaks with the wind The begging sounds of young birds filter in And avian feet patter on the roof Logging trucks and tractors Have fallen silent for the day But dams fit to burst Will bring power stations to life And the sound will drone in On the westerly Today I walked around the village Saying hello to people I didn’t recognise And getting friendly replies Past the school where I once imagined Teachers were my honorary children And the pupils honorary grand-children The Clachan looks almost ready For a grand meal with guests When guests are allowed, that is People commiserate with each other The lockdown, potholes, crows At least it’s a change from the weather Spalding Bowling Club Improvements Spalding Bowling Club has received funding to purchase new equipment for green maintenance. Funding was through grant support by Blackcraig Wind Farm Community Fund (with funding from Blackcraig Wind Farm [Scotland] Ltd, administered by Foundation Scotland working in partnership with The Glenkens & District Trust). This equipment will help improve the quality of the green and make maintenance much easier for the greenkeeper and other volunteers. Spalding Bowling Club was founded in 1912 and is situated in St John’s Town of Dalry. The club provides outdoor lawn green bowling membership which is open to anyone and visitors are always welcome. Offering structured bowling ROWAN HOLIDAY COTTAGE games 2-3 times per week during the bowling season (April to September), Spalding also runs a variety of different club competitions open to members as well as annual open competitions. Members can also use the facility at other times to play informal games in small groups. Spectators are very welcome and there are benches provided for people to sit and enjoy watching the sport. The club is registered as a Community Amateur Sport Club and, at present, the club is operating for members only on a limited basis following the guidelines issued by Bowls Scotland in respect of the COVID-19 restrictions. However, once these restrictions are removed the club plans to hold some ‘try bowls’ sessions to allow people to come along and experience the sport. At these sessions the club would welcome anyone of any age to come along and have a game bowls will be provided. THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Sat 2-2.30 pm DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm 4 Star Rated - Sleeps Six Dog friendly - Private Parking Secluded Garden An ideal base for exploring Galloway... 07503 958 710 FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  Spalding Bowling club president James Hutchison along with Honorary President John McNally with the new equipment. For further information on the club contact club president James Hutchison on 01644 430 639. Glenkens Gazette page 9 CatStrand Highlights OPEN DOORS AT CATSTRAND CatStrand will now have opened its doors as part of a soft reopening from Thursday 16 July, which saw a return to a cafe service for takeaway and seating outside (or inside during bad weather). The Glenkens Community & Arts Trust team have been preparing the arts and visitor centre, having worked through the creation of considered reopening plan documents and procedures in line with government guidance to ensure the communites’ safety as they open up the building once more to the public. The project teams have been setting out their timelines for reintroducing activities including the arts programme’s events, youth arts groups and Connecting in Communities activities - and here’s what you can expect for August and September at the time of going to print... CatStrand’s arts programme will look a little different this year but Aidan (Arts, Culture & Heritage Manager) says; “I hope you’ll be inspired to get involved as we begin to open our doors to our communities and explore new ways of bringing a mix of high quality arts experiences to the Glenkens over the coming months”. From August we’ll be installing exhibitions in the Pyramid Gallery (usually our cafe area), beginning with An Ode to the Sky, an exhibition of Edward C Campbell’s mono-prints in ink around a theme of clouds, atmosphere and the ever changing nature of the sky; a timely meditation of our relationship to what is above us and our place upon the earth. The gallery will also be digitised and made available online through CatStrand’s virtual gallery space at www.catstrand. com During September we are hoping to hold live events in the park in New Galloway including film screenings, theatre and music which are all open to the public, as well as launching a new online programme of events to enjoy at home. Looking ahead to October we’re preparing to launch our Live & Local series of indoor small scale music events at CatStrand, featuring regionally based professional musicians giving intimate performances - this will be subject to funding and government guidance for the events industry. Currently and in line with the Scottish Government COVID-19 guidelines there are no planned attended activities for the Connecting in Communities project, either at the CatStrand in New Galloway or the Smiddy in Balmaclellan. However, there are a number of online activities and events that people can attend digitally, including One-to-one IT & Tech Support Sessions, online or by phone, run in conjunction with the Castle Douglas IT Centre, yoga and fitness classes such as kettle bells and regular group meetings, eg the CatStrand Photography Group. If you are interested in any of the activities or groups online, or have an idea for either an online activity or something that you would find interesting once restrictions are lifted, Chris and Brian would love to hear from you - email chris@catstrand.com Our youth arts programme will be running virtual creative courses during the school summer holidays - stay tuned for more news about these and other activity you can take part in online at www.catstrandyouth.co.uk During September we have some plans for activities in the park, including our usual Movie in the Park screenings. Also, we’re planning to bring back our regular groups in line with guidance from October, but still be keeping some activity online and offering some new options to join in digitally when you can’t make it in person. The above plans for each project are subject to change in line with government guidance, so please keep an eye on our website for the latest updates. We’re looking forward to welcoming our communities back to CatStrand and working towards getting our projects and events up and running again throughout the rest of the year. Hoping to see you soon! For further information call 01644 420 374 or visit www.catstrand.com The CatStrand Team Glenkens Gazette page 10 BUSINESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT This section showcases Dynamic Domestic some of the many wonderful local businesses we have on our doorstep. In this edition we hear from Victoria Birch of Dynamic Domestic, giving us an insight into cleaning in the current lockdown climate. If you would like to feature your business, please email an article of up to 500 words with a photograph to glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk As micro businesses struggle throughout Scotland, I thought it a good time to put pen to paper and reconnect with the community after this long isolation. Establishing the business in 2013, I’m not new to cleaning but we are new to this invisible enemy, COVID-19 - a small name for a big problem. In mid-March, as the threat grew evercloser to our small community, I made the unimaginable but inevitable decision to suspend our services. What a road it’s been since then, with most of us being confined to our homes for the duration. For someone who is We are living in strange times; ‘unprecedented’ is the word most commonly used to describe the situation. The impact on our local Connecting in Communities (CiC) project, which is aimed at improving the lives of those living and working in the Glenkens by combating loneliness and rural isolation through getting people out of their houses and bringing them together, has been absolutely huge. Many of our service providers and volunteers have come up with online and digital solutions. Zoom has been usually out working six days a week interacting with clients it was a huge adjustment. I don’t think I will ever be able to put into words the eeriness of venturing back into the world of work whilst the usually busy village streets were empty and the shops all shut. As we looked to reopen the main focus has been how to work safely during this period of adjustment. The answer has been courageous investment in new specialist equipment and training to meet the ever-changing guidelines. We have used our time wisely reinforcing our knowledge, undertaking necessary courses in infection control and updating our risk assessments to meet current guidelines. As a small business a lot of the changes I have had to undertake have seemed daunting. I imagine it to be the same for many others. In saying that, the team’s resilience, patience, kindness and willingness to learn has meant that although the learning curve has been steep it has been met head-on from all of us. This positivity has made my job so much easier, allowing us to efficiently evolve, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff for their ongoing support. Having grown steadily over the years I remain really proud to be able to offer other local employment and we are now a team of four. It was a huge relief being able to retain the staff by utilising the Government’s furlough scheme, which provided us with some security and breathing space for restarting when the time was right. Whilst embracing these new practices throughout the last few trying months a godsend for the exercise world. Whether it’s dance, yoga, kettlebells or circuit training, Zoom is there to connect instructors to classes without anyone having to leave the safety of their home. John, from JP Fitness, has increased his offering to five days a week now, plus one-to-one personal training on demand, Sam is running her Zumba classes and Amy’s Tuesday Night Yoga is going strong. The Photography Group are nearing completion of a virtual exhibition using CatStrand’s online gallery, and there’s a really well attended quiz every Wednesday and the CatStrand singers are Zooming together weekly. We all love to boogie on a Saturday night so CiC has hosted some excellent music nights too - Rock, Disco and Tamla have all had people bopping away in their kitchen’s and conservatories. Our friends at Castle Douglas IT centre have been doing their bit too - they are at the end of the phone or available online so if you, or someone you know, is struggling with tech then give us a call and we’ll try and help. Victoria with the array of products and equipment now necessary to meet government guidelines for professional cleaning services. we have kept to our ethos of quality service, and I’m so pleased to see our regular clients welcoming us back. It is heart-warming to have that support and understanding from our clients as we strive to forge ahead. Looking to the future, I hope we can continue some of the plans we had at the beginning of the year by bringing further employment to the Glenkens and supporting more clients within the community. It is important, now more than ever, to face these new challenges and embrace the ‘new normal’. Victoria Birch, Dynamic Domestic To get in touch with the team or for further information please visit www.dynamicdomestic.co.uk Our Men’s Shed is still closed, but we’ve not been idle. Blackcraig Community Fund have awarded us a grant to have external cladding fitted and new heating installed. Resource Efficient Scotland have helped with design and procurement advice and as a boost to the local economy the contract has been awarded to Jayde Devlin from Dalry. A great result all round; safe efficient heating, improved insulation, local workmanship all combined. With the recent new roof and solar panels, the Glenkens Men’s Shed will be one of the most ecofriendly sheds in Scotland; brilliant! Connecting in Communities is a LEADER and Big Lottery funded project, now also supported by the Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund. The project was due to end in May, but thanks to some understanding funders we can gratefully carry on for a few months more. For further information contact Brian or Chris on 01644 420 374 or email chris@catstrand.com or brian@catstrand.com Chris Jowsey Glenkens Gazette page 11 Glenkens Food Month is Back Following the success of the inaugural Glenkens Food Month last year, New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE) is excited to announce a second Glenkens Food Month, coming this September. “We are extremely grateful for funding awarded from both the Blackcraig Wind Farm Community Fund and the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme that has allowed this event to go ahead again,” says NGCE’s community engagement worker, Sam Rushton, who is overseeing the project. The Food Month team is looking forward to coordinating and promoting another full programme of events and activities that will celebrate our seasonal local food and drink businesses, as well as bringing the people of the Glenkens together as circumstances allow. There will be a varied timetable of outdoor events including some favourites from last year; ‘Ready Steady Cook’, foraging and cookery demonstrations, plus some new and exciting ideas. Elements of the programme will be delivered online, to make it accessible to everyone. Do make sure that you are ready and set up to use Zoom - get in touch if you need help as we wouldn’t want you to miss out on the fun. After our long period of lockdown, the team hope that you are ready to enjoy this month-long celebration of local food and drink. “Please be reassured that all events will be planned and delivered with your utmost safety in mind. Contingency plans will be in place if circumstances change between now and September,” says Sam. Keep an eye out for event programmes which will be available from local shops around the Glenkens. For more information follow the Facebook page Glenkens Food Month or you can email glenkensfoodmonth @gmail.com if you have any questions. 2020 NOW ONLINE! Nikos’ Greek Restaurant Re-launching from the start of August New Mediterranean Mezze Menu New Wine List New Desserts Fresh new interior ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ Scheme - 50% off your bill (excl. alcohol) up to the value of £10pp Mon/Tues/ Wed throughout August 2020 For more updates please join our Facebook group Nikos Greek Restaurant To claim one free dessert (per table/booking) quote: ‘GAZETTE’ when ordering during Aug/ Sept/Oct 2020 (minimum spend £20) Opening Times:Monday to Saturday 11am-2pm then 5-9pm 139 King St Castle Douglas DG7 1DX Tel: 01556 504345 ORDER ONLINE OR BY PHONE Fleet Fish source a large selection of top quality fish, fruit and vegetables from market place to your door. We also stock chicken, sausages and cold meats plus eggs, milk and cheese. Much more than a fish van! Order before 9pm Sunday for delivery the following Friday 07966 103 912 charliecoid@hotmail.com www.fleet-fish.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 12 THE GARDEN SPOT Naked ladies, tomatoes and garden safety. There, that got your attention, didn’t it?! I wrote that to remind myself what I wanted to write about, but I thought that I would leave it in. In gardening, you always need to be thinking ahead, especially for the ornamental garden. Flower beds can look a bit sad in the autumn as the summer blooms die away. Naked Ladies are an ideal autumn flower but I suggest you use their proper name of ‘colchicum’ if you look for them on the internet to save any embarrassment. Plant these large bulbs in a sunny position by the end of August and you will get a good show of crocus-type flowers (without leaves) around October, with half a dozen or more blooms from each bulb. In the spring you will get the leaves, looking a bit like hostas, but these die down by mid-summer. Try and remember where you plant them so you don’t damage the bulbs for next year; it’s always good to have something a little different to look at. There is a lot to worry about with fruit and veg at this time of year. Tomatoes can be a little tricky, especially in a greenhouse. They need a steady and constant supply of water and can suffer from fruit splitting, blossom end-rot, yellow leaves and blight to name but a few, but the condition that I want to concentrate on is tomato leaf curl. Some varieties suffer from this more than others and it is caused by the plant being too hot and dry, especially when contrasted with cool night temperatures. To minimise leaf curl, on hot sunny days open all the windows, doors and vents and it helps to ‘damp down’ the greenhouse by watering the ground, Leaf curl on tomato ‘Shirley’. gravel, path or whatever surface you have; not the leaves themselves as that will promote scorch and possibly blight. The best treatment for leaf curl is prevention - by shading the greenhouse during the summer months (approximately May to late August) and this can be either by using a type of plastic shading which you fix to the greenhouse roof and walls or a type of whitewash which is painted on to the glass in late April and removed in September. Make a note for next year. The garden is full of sharp and heavy things, not to mention the dubious chemicals that some insist on using; nor nature’s hazards of bees, ants, wasps and a whole load of poisonous plants. Now I don’t want to put anyone off gardening; on the contrary, but I do think that a healthy respect for the dangers is a good thing. I should know as I recently suffered an injury caused when I carelessly swung a full bag of compost around, knocked a block off of a wall and hey presto, I was limping for six weeks. And the commonest serious garden accident? Bending over and stabbing yourself in the eye with a sharp cane (put an empty pot or a safety cap on top). Be safe and you will enjoy the garden all the more. The Intrepid Gardener Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries Glenkens Gazette page 13 Waterside Hill Plantation Proposal Continued from front page... Andrew Mellor, who taught geography at Dalry School for many years, believes that the exceptional 360 degree panorama that can be enjoyed from the top of the hill must be protected. “The project plan that I have seen is not well presented - I don’t know how ordinary members of the public can be expected to make sense of it - but it looks like some Scots Pine will be planted 10 to 15 metres below the summit cairn. It doesn’t take much imagination to realise that within a few years the open land that is being left at the top of the hill will have no views at all. Walkers on the Southern Upland Way would have to pass through a corridor of conifers, and evidence of the old pack road which extended to Carsphairn and beyond may be lost.” Waterside Hill is also the site of the Witches’ Score, a physical feature recording a folk tale some believe provided the inspiration for Robert Burns’ Tam o Shanter. - ‘Springing from his horse in a little meadow, he pulled the beast shuddering beside him, and drawing his sword described a circle in the turf around them…’ Thus, it is said, Adam Forrester made a mark on Waterside Hill to save himself from the witches who were intent on killing him and who had pursued him after he had View from Waterside Hill by Jill Bowes. spied them dancing with the Devil in Dalry Kirk. Or so the tale goes. Andrew Mellor says, “if the proposed planting goes ahead, it will be very difficult if not impossible for anyone to visit the Score.” Balmaclellan resident, Ted Cowan, emeritus professor of Scottish History at Glasgow University, shares this concern. “There are a number of competing claims to have provided the inspiration for Burns’ tale but there is no doubt that this is a very important piece of Glenkens folklore. Its physical manifestation should be preserved and public access to it should be maintained. What a shame it would be if future generations were no longer be able to visit this link with our past.” - Shop online: www.ballardsbutchers.co.uk Email: shop@ballardsbutchers.co.uk Tel: 01556 502 501 Free Local Delivery Tues & Fri (orders over £20) Wide Variety of Local Produce Butcher Meat Fruit & Veg Milk & Bread Available to order TIME TO RETHINK FORESTRY IN OUR REGION? Glenkens Gazette page 14 With over 3,200 acres of new plantations currently in the pipeline for the area we should be considering what we want future planting in this area to consist of and how we want our region to look for the next generations before it’s too late. The Scottish Government are pushing for a large increase in forest cover of all types in Scotland. Dumfries & Galloway already has 31% forestry coverage (the highest proportion in the UK) of which 78% is commercial softwood and only 9.4% is native woodland (the remaining 15.6% is classed as open space within the forest and other mixed woodland). Some community areas such as Carsphairn have approximately 55% of their land area already planted with commercial softwood and New Galloway approximately 59%, with less than 1% of the total area being native hardwood. And yet still more forestry proposals pour in. It is therefore critical for the local environment that any future planting addresses this imbalance by insisting that forest developers increase the proportion of hardwoods planted as these in turn will increase diversity of plants and wildlife and mitigate the well-documented negative effects of large softwood plantations which are responsible for nutrient depletion and have historically caused acidification in watercourses. Large monoculture softwood plantations at current planting densities effectively create an ecological desert allowing very little light to reach the forest floor creating dead zones. The Government’s The visual impact of commercial plantations can be seen in the above photograph taken near forestry strategy does Muirdrochwood, Carsphairn. acknowledge these issues and the overall objective is to plant 25-30% Sitka spruce makes up more hardwood/native species but this than 99% of commercial softwood is not happening here in Galloway. plantations but, in countries such Developers still seem to be pushing as Norway, they have classified the ahead with majority softwood species as invasive and there are plantations. Scottish Forestry’s moves in Ireland to do the same. own website cites, in reference to Carbon sequestration and the their plans for south Scotland; ”The environment are frequently cited as objective is to maximise returns by reasons to plant more Sitka spruce but producing large volumes of sawmill there is scientific evidence that these timber”, with no mention for diversity are not the best trees to plant if these or communities. At the moment the goals are to be met. industry is driven by maximum profit Recent times have also shown us with little regard for local people, how important quality outdoor spaces the environment or indeed a quality are for local communities to utilise product. for relaxation and exercise and all future developments should surely include paths and routes for the public to use and enjoy. It is recognised that the forestry sector is important for jobs in the Forestry has a long-term impact of wider area but so is tourism and the hundreds of years visually, but the environment. It is therefore important environmental impact will carry on for to look after this land for future centuries. So much habitat has been generations, to think how we want this lost already that native species such landscape to look and find the correct as curlew, black cock and hen harriers balance when it comes to future of have become a rarity. Forestry has forestry development in Galloway also caused a fundamental land use and all areas of Scotland. Proper change, turning our communities from predominantly rural farming areas with engagement with local communities is a critical part of this and the only way local ownership into areas owned by we can get the right tree in the right non-resident investors with no real place! Joseph Seed, Corsock care for the place itself. At the moment the industry is driven by maximum profit with little regard for local people, the environment or indeed a quality product. Communities for Sustainable Forestry A new group, Communities for Sustainable Forestry (CSF), has been formed to bring together concerned individuals in the Glenkens and further afield. The group was created in response to the high volume of unsustainable forestry applications that have recently come into the region. These applications claim to be beneficial to the environment and community but when closely scrutinised it is clear that they do not benefit either and exist to fulfil government objectives without properly considering local context. Joseph Seed, Chair of Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Community Council, and Katch Holmes, of Knockengorroch Festival, Carsphairn, are two of the key founding members. Katch says: “The Scottish Government has a remit to plant more trees and CSF support sustainable forest creation when it is genuinely done to benefit communities, tourism and the environment. “At a time when we are facing a planetary environmental emergency it is vital that forests are properly planned to capture carbon, conserve threatened species and habitats, offer community access and benefit local economies by providing jobs and enhancing landscapes.” To find out more visit the group’s Facebook page or email communitiessustainableforestry@gmail.com Waterside Hill: A Part of Our Village Glenkens Gazette As a resident of Dalry of some thirty years I feel qualified to comment on the iconic importance of both the landscape and open country qualities of Waterside Hill and its environs to the Dalry community and its numerous visitors. A walk to the top of Waterside Hill, with its unparalleled panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, was established as a popular pursuit of local people long before the Southern Upland Way (SUW) brought a much wider appreciation of this attraction. These views would be effectively ruined by this proposal. The overwhelming complaint in surveys of SUW walkers has been of too much Sitka spruce, and this scheme proposes to create yet more of a tunnel effect through coniferous woodland on the edge of an outstandingly attractive village valued for its open landscape setting and unhindered views to the Kells range. Dumfries & Galloway is the most afforested region in the UK, and any reasonable balance of land uses in this part of Galloway was exceeded long ago by the large-scale blanket afforestation of open country. This view is almost universally held by the nonforester community, and indeed many in the forestry sector concur privately. Some years ago, the Local Forestry Framework (a local authority and multiagency community initiative) identified this area as sensitive, with no or only very limited opportunities for further planting. I believe for Dalry residents’ recreational and spiritual attachment to the open nature of Waterside Hill alone, Many readers will have walked up Waterside Hill, across the Ken from Dalry. What a view we are blessed with; a full circle of Galloway’s best. To the north east the bold rounded hill of the Cairnsmore of Carsphairn now tranquil after its fiery beginning a few hundred million years ago. The upper reaches of the Ken valley with the Galloway Power Scheme infrastructure now well settled in the landscape. The magnificent ridge of the Rhinns of Kells striding southwards. And the view down the Ken/Dee valley with the loch shimmering in the sunlight and the wee hill of Screel showing in the background. It is a fine place to see sunrise and sunset and to see and hear a variety of moorland birds. Or just to sit on the top and to contemplate. How lucky we are to live in such a place. Let’s not forget also that this hill is the setting for Dalry. It is seen from many parts of the village, enclosing our view, page 15 this proposal should not receive public funding support, but then there is the intrinsic biodiversity interest of the area and its additional importance to the local community, tourists and long-distance walkers of the SUW. Waterside Hill comprises the foraging areas of at least five pairs of red kites and a pair of peregrine falcons. These species are listed in Annex 1 of the EU Birds Directive, and as such require protection of their habitats outwith designated areas. Several red data species of conservation concern breed on Waterside Hill itself including cuckoo, many pairs of skylark and several pairs each of whinchat and linnet. Curlew also breed in some years, but the regular breeding pairs on neighbouring Hannaston forage on Waterside. Recent research has shown that afforestation also has an impact on neighbouring land through increased ground predators, and afforestation here would not only result in the loss of these priority species on Waterside Hill, but would most likely result in the further loss of curlew and lapwing on neighbouring land too. There is a supporting cast of less nationally threatened bird species, such as stonechat, whitethroat, reed bunting, etc, but they all add to the attractive ambience for walkers on the hill, and all would be lost through the proposed afforestation. The rough southwest facing slope of the hill along the SUW down to the Garroch Burn is particularly rich in butterflies, including a notable colony of small pearl-bordered fritillaries, which would be threatened by afforestation. To conclude, it is difficult for me to overstate the importance of Waterside Hill as an open landscape and recreational area to locals and visitors to the Glenkens, and especially Dalry. This importance has only been accentuated by the recent lockdown, and this has served to awaken the local community’s consciousness to what is about to be lost if this proposal goes ahead. The open views to the magnificent Rhinns of Kells would be severely compromised by this scheme and the imposition of a further 70 hectares of largely conifer forestry so close to Dalry would have a severe negative impact on its attractiveness, and indeed on the standing of the forest industry in an area which feels it is already doing more than its fair share of furthering national forestry targets. ...it is difficult for me to overstate the importance of Waterside Hill as an open landscape and recreational area to locals and visitors to the Glenkens, and especially Dalry. Skylark © RSPB Images. giving us a guide to immediate past and present weather. At a time when the setting of settlements is at long last recognised as being important for residents this ‘sense of place’ is not to be tampered with without residents’ views being properly sought. Are we to lose all of this, and the easy access up the hill, because of an unthought-out scheme to grab government funds to plant yet more conifers? Surely not. Given five weeks and two days to consult, and without any public presentation to the local Community Council, is hardly the way to gain community support for the planting scheme. Have we not too much conifer monoculture already? Do our views not matter? Is grabbing grant for short term gain really appropriate? Surely not! But there is an alternative. In true Dalry fashion, we have chatted about this in our little impromptu gathering in the middle of Main Street. Rather than giving us a very limited time to respond to a near-100% conifer Chris Rollie, Dalry planting application, why not ask us to develop our own ideas for the hill? This is fully in keeping with the much vaunted Scottish Government mantra of community participation. I’m sure we do not want to own the land, but we do want some ownership on what happens to it. That is at the heart of the Scottish Government’s Statement of Land Rights and Responsibilities, a really trail blazing initiative. The local community and expert residents in the area, of whom there are many, should be invited to develop a scheme which safeguards the environment, including ecological, cultural, access and visual aspects of this important piece of land. This could comprise planting more trees to supplement the deciduous ones already there, providing a link to the deciduous woodlands across the valley, also encouraging more birds to use it, more native plants to grow, and capture some carbon too. Sounds a better idea all together doesn’t it? Roger Crofts, Dalry Memories of Waterside Hill Glenkens Gazette My siblings and I were carried up it as babies. We learned about what grows there from our parents as curious toddlers and ran down it with glee once we’d reached the top as boisterous youngsters. As adults, we met friends and family on its craggy shoulders, weaving countless conversations together with happy memories. By the cairn at the top, our eyes drawn back to the village that nurtured us, we breathed in its splendour. It’s achingly beautiful up there on a crisp clear winter’s day when soft sunlight turns the surrounding hills pink, purple, blue. Or in the spring when the hill and the landscape is blushing with verdant life once again. It is, and has been, an anchor in all our lives in so many ways – it is a part of us. It feels like an old friend. page 16 Waterside hill also meant a lot to our mum, who passed away in 2016, and it is a place we can go to remember her wonderful spirit and vivacity for life, her The late Annie Winstanley helps a young child climb the cairn at natural ability to the summit of Waterside Hill. inspire in us a love for nature, learn about life, love, the history of the community and area. To allow them to feel a connection the landscape. The memories we have of to place, a familiarity to the land and our mum are imbued in that landscape. to the grandmother they never got to As we move on in our lives, we want meet; to feel a sense of where they to pass this on to our children; to take came from, who they are and their small them to Waterside Hill where they can be but interwoven place in the fabric of the free to discover the wonders of nature, universe. Amy Winstanley A GLENKENS SHANGRI-LA I first visited Garroch Glen nearly forty years ago with my old mentor, Dick Roxburgh, who regarded the place as a local Shangri-La. I suspect, like many other Dalry residents, I now regard it similarly and indeed it has been a lockdown salvation to me in numerous pilgrimages on foot to the sylvan mysteries of Hannaston and Garroch woods, designated as Water of Ken Woodlands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Behind Earlstoun power station I generally leave the Southern Upland Way (SUW) and follow the ancient pack road up and over the shoulder of Waterside Hill. This is a breeding place for resident stonechats and migrant whinchats, so beloved of artist Donald Watson and a real blessing to have such attractive and relatively scarce passerines so close to Dalry. There are often a few linnets and whitethroats about the whins, too. Beyond the gate at the top, a wee knowe off to the right affords a fantastic view of the Glenkens including the magnificent Rhins of Kells, Earlstoun reservoir and the Carsphairn trinity of Cairnsmore of Deugh, Beninner and Moorbrock. On sunny days in spring and summer the plateau of Waterside Hill is serenaded by skylarks, while in the rushes below a few coalheids (reed buntings) mark their own territories with more subtle songs. Beyond ruined Cavan to the north lie the lightly-grazed hollows and humps of Hannaston, a pastoral delight of wild flowers and an occasional breeding whaup, snipe and even a peewit or two at times. Such places are all too rare in these days of silage and conifer afforestation. Descending into Hannaston Wood is to enter another, privileged world amongst a profusion of redstarts, treecreepers and even a few wood warblers and pied flycatchers, together with more common woodland species. Roe deer and brown hare are there and I sometimes hear myself apologise for disturbing them as I move slowly through the tall oak and ash trees. Bluebells don’t last long, but at their peak are sensational in their shimmering iridescence. Time permitting, I continue over Garroch Burn and into the more mature Garroch Woodlands with their hidden wetlands calling kites and buzzards. Dunveoch Hill beyond offers yet more seminatural habitats and on one extended walk during lockdown I recorded 71 bird species, not including several village standards like jackdaw and collared dove! Usually I return by the Coom Burn and Water of Ken, but in the butterfly season I often follow the SUW, where the lower slopes of Waterside Hill by Garroch Burn hold a colony of small pearl-bordered fritillaries, amongst other delights, whilst up on the hill itself rocky outcrops are ablaze with stonecrop and thyme, as homely Dalry re-appears below. To my mind the afforestation of this area would be utter sacrilege, adding insult to injury to this area that has seen more than enough alien coniferous forests already. Chris Rollie, former RSPB Area Manager On the Southern Upland Way, over the shoulder of Waterside Hill, looking across the Glenkens to the Rhinns of Kells over Earlstoun reservoir towards the hills at Carsphairn, and deeper down in the Garroch Glen, including a close-up of some sundew plants, a rare red-listed endangered species which thrive on the hillside. Give Your Views on Proposed Developments in Our Parish Glenkens Gazette Given that Carsphairn has the smallest population of any of the parishes of the Glenkens we are very proud of our professional website, and the new interactive planning page is the icing on the cake. Carsphairn has faced a veritable tsunami of windfarm development proposals over the past few years and as the news has come in recently that the Quantans Hill project, previously abandoned by E.ON, has been resurrected by Vattenfall as part of their “South West Scotland Green Energy Hub” it was felt important to encourage as much feedback from the page 17 community as possible. It is, after all, little more than a mile from the village and will impact on the lives of many of the people we were elected to represent should planning consent ultimately be granted. In addition to responding to new wind farm developments as they come in (rather too fast for our liking), we are now also faced with an increasing number of consultations for new forestry plantations. Currently we are aware of plans in the pipeline to plant approximately 2000 acres of land in Carsphairn currently under low density pastoral agriculture with predominantly Sitka spruce “nothin” commercial forestry. It seems that the sudden rush for new forestry reflects the fact that there is uncertainty as to whether grants for ‘Woodland Creation’ will continue. To us, as the community’s statutory representatives, it is really important that local people make their feelings about these proposals crystal clear to us. Please don’t be shy! Let the CC know exactly what you think. Once forestry applications are submitted, people can also comment through the forestry case register to make their views known: www.casebook.forestry.scot/w/ webpage/prhome I would also like to thank our webmasters for creating the map (easily accessible from the home page of Carsphairn.org under “planning”) and donating the significant time, effort and creativity that has clearly gone in to make the whole website quite as splendid as it is. Liz Holmes, Chair, Carsphairn Community Council government says about encouraging community engagement. If a development is turned down by D&G Council, it is then appealed to the government’s Energy Consents Unit which, in the vast majority of cases, waves it through. If a development is granted permission, there is no right of appeal for its opponents. In the case of Cornharrow, it was refused by D&G and then the ECU. So the scope was changed and now it is back on the table. The current Quantans Hill proposal is a rehash of an E.ON project that was withdrawn in 2016. Developers just keep on knocking at the door until someone lets them in – and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. What Glenkens needs now is a unified voice that can effectively challenge what’s going on – at a local, regional and national level. As was shown by our planners when they supported a laydown area on the edge of our village, even a surge of local opposition tends not to have any effect. Where are our councillors and MSPs? Instead of all the community councils and Glenkens residents acting individually, we should set up some kind of forum whereby we can measure the strength of feeling against these developments, whether wind farms or commercial forestry. We need an online place where people, their democratic representatives, natural history experts, flora and fauna specialists, heritage conservationists, ecological activists, tourism businesses and anyone who is interested in protecting our environment can act in concert against the rich and powerful. We need to level the David v Goliath playing field. I suggest a forum entitled GUARD – Glenkens United Against Rampant Development. It’s about time the ‘little people’ had the opportunity to speak out against our way of life being eroded as the surrounding countryside is sold off for a few pieces of silver. PS As I am not tech savvy, it would need someone who feels as strongly as me to set up a website and Facebook page so that we can start to muster the troops and present a unified opposition to the onslaught of this unwanted industrialisation of our beautiful environment. I can be contacted on njmartin260651@ gmail.com Carsphairn Coming Under the Cosh As a resident of Carsphairn, I am particularly concerned about the increasing number of planning proposals by local landowners and resource-rich companies which will stifle our community by taking away our rural environment. Developments are getting ever closer to the places where we live. It would appear that, while Scotland and the rest of the UK has been in lockdown because of the coronavirus, windfarm and commercial forestry companies have been taking advantage by working away behind the scenes to sneak through their plans with the minimum of consultation. The suspension of community council meetings and public gatherings, coupled with a poor broadband service, is being used as a back door to get developments progressed without seriously addressing public concerns. At the moment, the whole planning system would appear to be Graphic for illustrative purposes only, based on information extracted from skewed against the public, interactive map on Carsphairn community website – see the planning page for full copyright accreditation http://carsphairn.org/CCPlanning despite what the Scottish Nigel Martin, Carsphairn OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND Glenkens Gazette Having become aware of the strength of local views regarding the planting of Waterside Hill, I wish we could muster the same determined attitude regarding the march of wind farms in our area. To the east and north-east of Dalry our landscape is changing dramatically to accommodate wind farms. It appears that because these cannot be viewed from Dalry windows there is little opposition to this desecration of our Galloway uplands and it is left in the main to the country dwellers, the tiny minority who are most affected, to oppose this never-ending onslaught of our landscape and wildlife. This brings me to the subject of forestry. Renewable developments in Scotland on state managed forests have removed 6,994 hectares of forest. This equates to 2,000 trees per hectare, which is 13.9 million trees. This figure does not include private forests for which no-one has compiled a total. We know that certainly in Galloway and south Ayrshire most wind farms are sited in place of private forests. We can therefore very conservatively double this figure to closer to 30 million trees. This will cause a major problem to the forestry industry as these will have to be replaced in the future. These figures do not include the many miles of power lines and pylons where swathes of forestry have been removed to service wind farms. The forestry of the ‘60s and ‘70s, when large areas were planted with an even- page 18 aged monoculture of Sitka spruce, has fortunately been left far behind. These were largely planted as a tax advantage for wealthy investors. Modern forestry schemes are far more enlightened with much thought given to varied species and open spaces but, as with any investment, a return is required and the bread and butter of the forestry industry is still Sitka spruce. If we look at the forestry on our hills today we see a mosaic of trees of varying ages, from clear-felled areas through the whole age structure to fully matured trees. This has created a habitat that is much richer in wildlife, accommodating many species of birds and animals including our iconic red deer and red squirrels. Spruce trees are particularly helping the red squirrel population because the invading greys cannot sustain themselves on the spruce cone seeds alone whereas the reds can, being a smaller bodied animal. Spruce and pine cones also provide a bonanza for all our seed eating species such as crossbill, siskin, finch and the tit family of birds. To the uninitiated, standing dead trees seen following a clearance may be thought of as inefficiency but it is in fact the opposite as they are purposely left. The reason for these is to benefit raptors as perches. As the vegetation recovers so do the vole numbers in particular. The raptors in turn reduce the vole population, so helping to avoid damage to the newly planted trees. The species using the perches tend to be predominately buzzards but also kestrels and owls - barn, tawny and long-eared. This is one example of present forestry activity working in line with nature rather than opposing it. There is no doubt that when an area of hill is planted, the open hill species will be misplaced but it is my belief that a sensitively designed plantation will hold far more wildlife than an open hill. I would agree that the Glenkens and Galloway in general have adopted more than their fair share of spruce forest just as it has wind farms. Taken as a whole, the Waterside Hill development is insignificant in proportion to the total coverage of forestry, however it is a major issue for the local population. The overall design of Waterside Hill appears to be fairly enlightened, incorporating what is required for forests today. One saving grace with the existing maturing spruce forests is that after harvesting, at approximately 40 years old, they can be and should be redesigned to incorporate all the design features we would want nowadays for wildlife and amenity. The key to all of this is simply light levels ie the more light the more wildlife. Forest designs should maximise internal spaces, creating as much internal edging as possible. We learnt many years ago that the forest edges were the richest for birds, etc, either exterior or interior. Any examples I have heard of spoiling of views can and would be addressed as an ongoing concern by the forestry company responsible. In defence of forestry, people would be well advised go out to a forest to look and listen. They are not dead as some people would have you believe. I spent the majority of my life working in forestry and, now retired, I spend my leisure time walking in forests enjoying the wildlife. We are so privileged living in Galloway where we are free to roam on extensive forest John Wykes, Dalry tracks. PROTECTING OUR SPECIAL PLACES: Stroanfreggan Iron Age Fort The Stroanfreggan Iron Age Fort is one of those special places which is curiously invisible. is somewhat mystical with all manner of interesting crags. The remains of past settlements and human activity is plentiful enough to fire the historical imagination as the area is explored. The fort is a scheduled ancient monument and is described by Historic Environment Scotland as a “prehistoric domestic and defensive hill fort”. It is mentioned along with its sister hillfort, Mochrum Fell, in the book The Lost Dark Age Kingdom of Rheged by Toolis & Bowles. These special places are part of our culture and belong to a group which have inspired many a classic book, film or play. The Scottish Government in its recently published Culture Strategy for Scotland says: “Place: community, landscape, language and geography – is important and reflects the creativity of the past and provides inspirations for cultural expression Situated on the B729 between Carsphairn today.” and Moniaive, by the Smittons bridge near I feel scarce need to read a book in the Water o’ Ken road turning, from the order to understand this special place. road it is easy to overlook. Rather than The landscape of Stroanfreggan with all being one of those places you look in at, of its ancient edifices is a novel in itself. it is one of those places you must look out Just being there and feeling the place, from. Present and past seem to merge on is enough. I would be devastated to see the realisation that this is still this part of Galloway over an excellent site for combatting run by developments which invasion. compromise its integrity. This The strength of the vantage is fort was built to protect a as evident today as it was when community from invasion and occupied, and immediately I hope it will continue to serve imparts a sense of immense that purpose today. security and belonging. The If you have any Special site commands excellent views Places which you feel are under of the Rhinns of Kells, the threat, please email me through Cairnsmore of Carsphairn and fclubb@btinternet.com the peaceful Water of Ken. To Fiona Clubb, Carsphairn the north the upland plateau View up the Water o’ Ken from the iron age fort. If you have an opinion on commercial forestry or wind farm development in the Glenkens that you would like to share please get in touch; we’d love to hear your views on how best to achieve a balance regarding commercial land development our area - glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 19 CLIMATE CONVERSATION However we’re involved with it, I think it’s likely that we have a much closer relationship with and awareness of our natural environment here in the Glenkens than those in more urban areas. We may well be more able to notice changing weather patterns and wildlife populations, to feel more affected by them, and perhaps also feel more empathy for other lives in the world who are already experiencing the consequences of these changes far more than us. I am in awe of the number of people locally involved in positive action to support our environment and community, from running and supporting local shops to committing time to raising awareness and lobbying those in power - the importance of strong local community, and taking positive action at a local level, is something being highlighted across the country and the Glenkens is already a great example of how this can work. And it’s clear that, as with any big issue that’s going to affect our lives and those of our children, it needs as many of us as possible becoming involved in the conversation about climate and biodiversity, to take different views and perspectives into account, have access to the information we need to act effectively as a community in response to these issues, and to use this action to help influence the change needed at a larger level. The Gazette has kindly agreed to a space in each issue dedicated to highlighting some of the issues and initiatives taking place, and to share concerns, views and responses from a wide a range of us as possible. There will also be space to do this on the Gazette Facebook page. For starters, I thought I would contact people at the forefront of taking action on climate change in Dumfries and Galloway and ask them a few key questions such as what, from their perspective, can we do that actually makes a difference? Below are some responses to these questions from Laura Moodie, Green MSP candidate for South Scotland 2021. How can we best influence those in a position to make decisions? • By making our views known and being aware of who has power over what decisions. People do have power in democracies but often you need to do some work to find out who has accountability in what area. A lot of the climate change actions we can make relate to our most local level of government - the Council. • Keep an eye on planning applications (your community council should be sent them weekly). Take part in consultations on things like climate action plans and the Local Development Plan: https://www.dumgal. gov.uk/ldp2. The Local Development Plan is the council’s 5-year plan for building and development. It’s the document that underpins decision making on planning and investment and it’s what you need to refer to and quote from if you want to successfully object to planning applications. Handily, climate change is referenced early on in the document so if a proposal is made locally that will harm the environment, use it to object or make a comment. • Write to the local press and make your views known • Write to your 3 local councillors and make your views known: https://www. writetothem.com/ • Vote and make sure your councillors know your vote relates to their approach to the environment. A lot of what Councils do takes place in frameworks set at National Level - Scottish Government. This is where you need to lobby about strategic infrastructure projects, changing taxation and funding systems, tightening legislation etc. We have 8 representatives at this level - 1 constituency MSP and 7 regional MSPs. • Finally - talk to people. It’s amazing how much common ground you can find through face-to-face discussion. Don’t make assumptions about people’s views until you’ve asked them. Make climate issues a topic of local discussion and interest. What key things do you feel make the most difference locally, both for mitigation and adaptation? On a purely technical level in terms of what emits greenhouse gases, the top three locally that impact everyone are: • Transport • How we heat our houses • Food waste Some communities are looking at practical solutions to the rural transport conundrum, for example setting up local groups to organise lift shares. Going somewhere? Send a message to the group and someone may need a lift or ask you to collect something, saving journeys. In terms of emissions from a single sector, I am increasingly concerned about the growing numbers of slurry lagoons and tanks being built. There were 7 applications for slurry lagoons to D&G Council just in the last month. These emit enormous amounts of greenhouse gases including nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, methane and ammonia. Some Danish research indicates emissions could be reduced by 38% just by covering them but there is no requirement to do so. If all those applied for were built, it would release thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gases. Is there anything that seems positive but that could actually make matters worse? • Electric cars (I say this as an EV owner) they can be part of the solution to reducing emissions but what we really need to do is wean people off individual metal boxes as a transport solution. If we swapped every current fossil-fuel car for an EV we wouldn’t even get close to coping with climate change, not to mention the “self-charging hybrids” that are barely electric at all. We need to promote active travel so people can stop using cars for short journeys and to better link up public transport as well as build essential infrastructure (like a new railway linking Dumfries & Stranraer). We also need to encourage folk to do more things remotely or locally. There’s a local food hub being set-up in Twynholm which is really interesting and could be replicated elsewhere (think of it like a farmers’ market but all the producers are really local and you order online in advance). Like focusing on producing and distributing food in your local area. • Tree planting - not all trees are equal. Mass reforesting with a monoculture cash crop like Sitka spruce only shunts the problem down the road and can actively damage other vital habitats. We need to promote mixed native broadleaf forestry, for the long term, sensitively managed and in sites unsuitable for other uses. There’s lots of Scotland where that is feasible. • Recycling - I cringed when a local news reporter said it was “one of the best things we could do for the environment” recently. It’s not. It’s the last resort. When all else has failed, the least we can do is recycle our waste. We need to look much more at reducing waste in the first place, and making manufacturers produce repairable goods as well as simply reducing how much we consume’. Thanks to Laura Moodie for her clear and detailed response. Check back here in the next issue for more on local initiatives having a positive impact and thoughts from Dougie Campbell, Dumfries & Galloway Council’s environment champion. Most importantly we would like your thoughts on the issues, what should be included and responses to Laura’s points, so please get in touch glenkensgazette@ hotmail.com Mary Smith VENUES OPEN! Glenkens Gazette page 20 As lockdown begins to ease, local venues are starting to reopen. We would like to encourage you to visit them - at this time our local busineses really need our support. Also - how exciting is it to be able to go out for a meal, or go kayaking round the loch or just meet up with friends again?! Below are some of our local venues whose doors have reopened - please phone to check opening times, etc, as they are liable to change depending on current Government guidelines as we move out of the COVID-19 lockdown. The Café at Clatteringshaws is open daily from 11am to 4pm. Admire the stunning view over Clatteringshaws loch while you enjoy some freshly made coffee, cake or something savoury. Drop by or call ahead to reserve a table by calling 07946 258 104 or messaging the cafe on Facebook. GAC are delighted to be able to reopen and welcome customers to the centre again to experience some fantastic activities. Currently the centre is offering half day activity sessions. To book call 01556 502 011, email gac@ lochken.co.uk, visit www.lochken. co.uk or visit GAC on Facebook. The Lochside Café is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm daily, and the GAC team look forward to giving you a warm welcome! The Clachan Inn, Dalry, is currently open Wednesday to Sunday from 12noon-10pm with lunches being served 12noon2pm and evening meals 5.308.30pm. Food on Sundays is served 12-4pm. The Clachan would like to thank their takeaway customers for supporting them throughout lockdown - they are continuing to run a takeaway service from Thursday to Sunday. To book a table or find out more call 01644 430 241, email mail@ theclachaninn.co.uk or visit www.theclachaninn.co.uk The Smithy, New Galloway, is now open Thursday to Sunday from 11:30 to 3pm for lunch or takeaway. Takeaway is also available on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 to 7pm. The menu is still focused on fresh local ingredients and the coffee is still just as good as it was before lockdown. Bookings and orders can be made by calling 01644 420269. The Smithy would like to thank customers and suppliers for their support during lockdown. CatStrand’s cafe service and gift shop are now open to the public three days a week. Pop by for a coffee, a scone and a chat with physically distanced seating open outside and inside. Staff and volunteers are looking forward to welcoming customers back and thank them for their ongoing support. For current opening times for Carsphairn Tearoom please call 01644 460568, visit www. carsphairntearoom.co.uk or find them on Facebook. Glenkens Gazette page 21 VIRTUALLY KNOCKENGORROCH Local Knockengorroch festival organiser, Katch Holmes, gives us an overview of their lockdown virtual World Ceilidh. A child giggles. “Get her off me. Please, we’re about to go live. Please just take her away…” So goes the unconventional opener to Saturday’s Virtually Knockengorroch festival evening’s programme. Not the usual opening lines to a live broadcast, but then, what is normal for live broadcast music festivals? Fast forward several hours to Guinean Griot and Afro Celt Sound System member N’Faly Kouyate, illuminated in the beam of a car’s headlights in his village of Siguiri, Guinea, playing exquisite balafon. His fellow band members sit in little boxes on the screen alongside a captive ‘live’ studio audience on Zoom whilst hundreds watch on Facebook, YouTube and Twitch. A live interview with Afro Celt founder Simon Emmerson sees him checkingin with all the band members and then premiere a brand new video, The Lockdown Gorroch Reel, created during lockdown for Knockengorroch. The audience whoop, cheer and offer enthusiastic messages in the chat boxes This was my ‘new normal’ when we attempted our first festival online. Knockengorroch is a family-run, annual roots and dance music festival outside Carsphairn, taking place at my family’s smallholding, Knockengorroch Farm. Established in 1998 we programme artists from across the world, with a strong emphasis on traditionally-based music from the islands of the North Atlantic. A May event, we are of the first of the season, and one of the first to announce postponement after the COVID-19 lockdown. We’ve built up a strong community over the years and as the festival dates drew closer it felt important to mark them. With little other choice, little time and not much knowledge of ‘how’, I decided to run Virtually Knockengorroch, an online celebration of the event. Most live streams I had seen were done ‘presentationally’, with artists playing to an audience they can neither see nor hear. From the beginning, I knew that wasn’t how a ‘virtual’ Knockengorroch could 8th August • 12th September 10am-12.30pm * Dependent on the government’s guidance at the time regarding COVID-19 * For further information or to book a stall ring 01644 430 454 or visit www.dalrytownhall.co.uk Entrance by donation - proceeds towards Dalry Town Hall Refurbishment Fund North of Castle Douglas, A713 Ayr Road be. The participation of our audiences make the event for all of us, not least our artists. I knew that any festival we created had to incorporate the people as well as feature incredible music. A three-day festival programme mirrored the actual event, featuring live music and DJs from the original line-up. Audiences were encouraged to donate to a Justgiving fundraiser to raise funds to reimburse the artists. Artists rose to the challenge brilliantly, some performing for the first time online. Legendary Scottish ‘acid croft’ band Shooglenifty debuted a brand new video created in lockdown for Virtually Knockengorroch for their track ‘Black Dog’. James Mackintosh said: “We were delighted to be able to join the Virtually Knockengorroch Festival as representatives of Shooglenifty. The whole event was great fun with some great performances. We’ll look forward to seeing everyone under the stars at some point in the hopefully not too distant future, for a celebration of life, love and live music in person!” Afro Celt Sound System founder Simon Emmerson said: “‘It was an amazing experience. We had N’Faly Kouyate playing his grandfather’s ancestral balafon and singing live and direct, illuminated by car headlights. His tribute to his recently departed mentor Mory Kante was incredibly moving.” Glenkens Gazette page 22 Glenkens Gazette page 23 The Story of the Galloway Hydros: Part I The Galloway Hydros’ story begins in 1899 when the Marquess of Ailsa initiated investigations into the hydro potential of the Doon catchment by raising Loch Doon. The burgh of Ayr revived the proposal in 1921 to replace their struggling coalpowered generator but on both occasions development was frustrated by estimates of cost and distribution difficulties. Inspired perhaps by actions in Ayrshire, three worthies (including William McLellan) in Kirkcudbrightshire commenced a study of the Dee catchment in 1922. Although the potential was far greater than first thought, the scheme required construction of large storage reservoirs so again cost together with the problem of distribution of power to a widely dispersed population halted progress. The Electricity (Supply) Act 1926 and formation of the National Grid eased problems with export and distribution of power, allowing promoters of hydro schemes to utilise their catchments more efficiently. The flexibility of hydro power to respond to spikes in demand in stark contrast to coal powered stations was quickly recognised by the National Grid who became supportive of hydro development. The most dramatic spikes occurred around the Remembrance Day two minute silence. The Kirkcudbrightshire scheme was revised to operate on a peak load basis to help the grid operate without demand spikes causing dimming then overloading of equipment. The scheme was extended to utilise catchments of the Ken, Deugh and Doon and the Galloway Water Power Bill received Royal Assent in May 1929. Opposition to the scheme was fierce, diverse and daunting; issues included fishing, aesthetics, coal interests, antiquities, industries and community interests. Galloway poet WGM Dobie captured the mood in the ‘Modern Raiders’: A raider comes today who kills The glories of our glens and hills With unheroic Acts and Bills And ‘Private Legislation’: The company promoter’s pen Will dam the Deugh and dam the Ken And dam the Dee, - oh damn the men Who plan such desecration! Loch Doon Castle was to be largely submerged until the promoters buckled to public pressure and relocated the structure via a causeway to a site donated by the Marquess. Bruce’s Stone was (by chance) marginally above top water level of Clatteringshaws Loch. It was however the subject of delicate and prickly negotiations with landowner the Earl of Mar who claimed direct descent from Bruce. The Earl bought Clatteringshaws Farm in 1927 for £1,200 but sought £4,500 in January 1929 to accommodate the new loch in which the Moss Raploch 1307 battlefield was to be submerged. Settlement was agreed three months later at £1,900 subject to the Earl retaining the site of the stone; surprisingly, he gifted the site to the National Trust only three years later. Constructed during the Great Depression, the Galloway Hydros proved to be a magnet to the unemployed population who were often prompted to seek work in Galloway by labour exchanges across the country. Despite obligations to engage local labour first, in practice they suffered discrimination; workers were charged up to half their income for camp accommodation even when they were working within easy reach of home. This remained an issue of bitter contention throughout the works. The Presbytery of Kirkcudbright appointed a missionary, the Reverend TP Hitman, to attend to the spiritual welfare of the workforce from August 1932. He was an inspired appointment as in addition to religious services (aided by donations from the promoter’s directors), he organised concerts, indoor games, sports, libraries, reading rooms and first aid. Many facilities were open to local communities which helped with integration and fears that the huge construction encampments would overwhelm neighbouring communities proved unfounded. The Reverend CH Dick was moved to publish a Second Edition of Highways and Byways in Galloway and Carrick in 1938. It remained a powerful eulogy to the area though deeply mournful of amenities lost or dominated by the hydro scheme including Tinkler’s Loup and Earlstoun Linn. The Galloway Hydros with its bold and imaginative works combining catchments of the Dee, Doon and Ken, the biggest turbines, highest fish ladders and largest remotely controlled power stations remained the largest hydro scheme in the UK until the 1950s. No opening ceremonies were conducted in 1935/6 when the power stations commenced service; it was not until McLellan’s memorial plaque was unveiled at Tongland in 1938 that Lord Meston remarked on the achievements of the scheme – tempered by notes of apology. Although the Galloway Hydros were widely admired within the Institution of Civil Engineers as recorded in contemporary publications, public commemoration and knowledge remains rare. A memorial to the men who died during construction was erected adjacent to the remote surge shaft at Glenlee where sadly access is now restricted by a three metre high steel fence. An extraordinary collection of construction stage photographs was uploaded by James Bell which may be copies of prints held at Tongland (two examples below, and more of which can be found at https://www. flickr.com/photos/72399139@N03/ sets/72157628632448449). Further photos and details are accessible on the excellent Carsphairn Heritage site at www.carsphairn.org/ CarsphairnArchive Drax recently acquired the scheme from Scottish Power along with two other iconic hydro schemes, the Falls of Clyde (completed in 1926) and Cruachan (completed in 1965) and they are investing to preserve the works for future generation. By raising awareness of hydro power, its longevity and also the potential of tidal schemes around the UK to provide reliable power whilst also protecting against rising sea levels and improving transportation, my hope is to help ensure future investment in green energy is based on responsible and informed choices. Production of hydro turbines could enable Rolls Royce migrate towards a sustainable future. Subject titles which I‘d like to cover in future articles include Innovations, Amenity, Fishing, Designers, Workforce, Introduction of Electrical Power and Transportation. Feedback is welcome and any anecdotes, records or photographs would be gratefully received (please email glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk). Acknowledgements: Tunnel & Dam by George Hill. Ian Keown Pictured: Far Left Glenlee pipework. Left foundations at Glenlee. Glenkens Gazette page 24 GLENKENS PLACE NAMES: PART V One of the strange things about placenames generally, and in the south-west of Scotland in particular, is how certain types of place-names cluster in specific areas. Dr Gilbert Markús has written about this in his excellent blog in respect of the Gaelic place-name generic earrann, which means a land portion or share, sometimes with religious connections. Gilbert has pointed out that we have distinctive earrann place-names in the upper Glenkens (all but one, Arndarroch, in Balmaclellan parish). I count eight in our area, the same total as Gilbert gives but I would include Ewanston which was Armakewne in 1466, probably for Earrann Mhic Eoghain or MacEwan’s portion and would probably leave out Dalarran given there is no record of a farm of this name and the the broad, flat dail (equivalent to Scots holm) is kidneyshaped when viewed from the height above at Fintloch (An Fionn Tulach, the while hill). Dail Àrainn would I think then mean ‘kidney holm’, describing its shape much in the same way as the kidney-shaped Loch Arron (Loch Àrainn) near the Merrick. Be that as it may, eight or nine of these earrann placenames is quite a remarkable number given their general scarcity elsewhere in Scotland (outside Menteith). They also do not seem to occur in Ireland or the Isle of Man. I won’t go into more detail on these names now, readers can follow up on Gilbert’s blog if they wish. Daphne Brooke also wrote about earrann place-names in her paper The Glenkens 1275-1456 in the transactions of the Dumfries and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society (1984, pp 41-56). Another Gaelic term relating to the administration of units of land in medieval times is the ceathramh. This means a quarter, in this case a ‘quarterland’. The fact it refers to a fraction of a whole does not necessarily mean there was a specific hierarchical unit into which the ceathramh was nested. Gilbert Markús has noted in connection with the ceathramh land units on the Isle of Bute that they seem to have had a more general ‘district’ sense rather than a set area or value: think ‘Latin Quarter’ of Paris which does not imply a quarter of that city. However, established opinion has been that the ceathramh was a subsidiary part of a greater unit called a dabhach and this despite no charter affirmatory evidence for Galloway that the dabhach land denomination unit existed here. This claim is made on the basis of some place-names in anglicised form incorporate dabhach as ‘doch/doach’. An example from our area is the Doach Steps on the Polharrow up the Forrest Glen. However I think that most of these place-names in Galloway refer to fish-traps (dabhach literally means a vat or pot) and that the Polharrow example is a fish-trap re-interpreted as stepping stones. But back to clusters of ceathramhan. I estimate that there are around seventy place-names in ceathramh in Galloway, mainly in Wigtownshire and the centre/west of the Stewartry. This is almost as many as in the whole of the Isle of Man. By contrast there are almost none in Carrick or Dumfriesshire and the distribution of the ceathramh place-name type stops almost precisely on the boundary of Galloway as we understand that term today. The place of ceathramh in neighbouring areas to Galloway is taken by names relating to pennylands, in Gaelic peighinn, leth-pheighinn and fàirdean (pennyland, half-pennyland and farthingland respectively). These are extremely common and indeed cluster strongly in Carrick and Upper Nithsdale. They are usually anglicised as pin/leffin/farden respectively. In medieval times there was clearly a difference in land control, administration and management between Galloway and the surrounding areas. In land denominations Galloway shows similarity with parts of Ireland and the Isle of Man and a few other parts of Scotland whereas Ayrshire and Nithsdale seem to have inherited the same pennyland based system that prevailed in parts of the inner Hebrides. This may have been related to different control being exercised over these areas from either Dublin/ Man (ceathramhan) or via the incoming GallGhàidheal from the Hebrides peighinn, leth-pheighinn and fàirdean. But all this is shrouded in mist! As far as the upper Glenkens is concerned, our area went with Galloway in that there are likely examples of ceathramh or quarterland placenames but no pennyland place-names whatsoever. We have two different place-names here meaning ‘black quarterland’. Duchrae, a large farm on the uplands near Lochinvar, is most likely derived from Gaelic An Dubh-Cheathramh meaning the black quarterland. In this case the adjective is pre-fixed to the noun, something while not the norm, is not unusual in Gaelic especially relating to colours (note Fintloch above). There is another farm of this name just outside our area in Balmaghie parish. The other is Corriedoo. In my view Corriedoo is not likely to refer to a coire, cauldron, or corrie but this probably represents An Ceathramh Dubh, the black quarterland with the conventional noun/adjective order in Gaelic. Carminnows appears as Kirremonnow in 1615, pointing to a derivation in ceathramh, probably An Ceathramh Meadhonach, the middle quarterland. While I have argued earlier for another derivation for Carnavel, Sir Herbert Maxwell in his The Place-Names of Galloway, p 58 suggests Ceathramh n’ abhall, presumably for Ceathramh an Abhaill, quarterland of the apple. Perhaps more contentiously, in the western reaches of Kells and Carsphairn parishes are the placenames Curnelloch and Kirreoch. These only survive as burn names today and are at the southern and northern ends respectively of the broad valley of the Cooran Lane between the Dungeon of Buchan and the Rhinns of Kells. It could be that the former represents a lost farm, potentially sited where there are some good fields around the former holding of Back Garrary (such as Davie’s Holm) and it may be derived from Ceathramh an eallaich the quarterland of the cattle. Kirreoch could stand for An Ceathramh Riabhach and perhaps the farm of this name preceded the ruins at or around Sheil not far to the north. A further suggestion that a ceathramh may have been located in this area could be the place-name Fallincherrie Scar, describing a cliff where Craigtarson, Carlin’s Cairn and Corserine meet. Ballycherry, near Dingwall is in Gaelic Baile a’ cheathraimh, farmstead of the quarterland. Depending on how Fallincherrie was pronounced (I would be interested to know if anyone has heard a local pronunciation) this could represent faillín cheathraimh, the small cliff of the quarterland. The origin of our quarterlands are lost in time but they still leave an imprint on the land today. It is possible that farms such as Corlae and Cornharrow represent ceathramhan as well. The former may stand for Ceathramh an laoigh, the quarterland of the calf and the latter Ceathramh na h-airbhe, quarterland of the boundary. At the moment these must remain speculative and the Place-Names of Kirkcudbrightshire web-site gives a different derivation for both.It is likely that many of the older named farms in the Glenkens were originally quarterlands even if not necessarily named as such. Later reorganisations into Merklands and their Gaelic equivalent Marg gave us place-names such as Muirdrochwood, Marg na Drochaide (merkland of the bridge). This is a good example of a place-name (which is pronounced Mardrochit today) being gentrified and being made to sound ‘respectable’. Michael Ansell, Carsphairn Glenkens Gazette page 25 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN A COUNTRY OF PALACES AND COTTAGES A person knows he is in trouble when his mother advises: “when you write to me let me know how many children you have and their names”! John Neilson who had moved from Balmaghie to Quebec was once again in Isabel’s bad books. John was a busy man always full of good intentions but that was not enough for his old Ma. Seventeen years later John had to remind his nephew, Samuel Jr, that it was unmannerly not to answer a letter, even to an entire stranger and a much greater offence when family-mail was concerned. Canadian-born Samuel was now attending Glasgow University, studying French, logic and accountancy, and his dad demanded a “memorandum of money spent”. Isabel was not happy about “the new fashioned doctrines of the times” but such matters fascinate historians and the family correspondence is full of information about changes overtaking Galloway and wars waged overseas. William Neilson, who lived at Gatehouse, told his brother about the death of Nelson, Prime Minister William Pitt, and the ongoing struggle with Napoleon. He was pleased that his grandson was learning Latin; the boy was the son of William’s daughter Margaret who lived with her husband and six children at Genoch “near the kirk of Balmaghie”. Gatehouse could now boast a coffee room which took a London newspaper daily, rendering the town as posh then as it is now! William thought that John should come home since war had broken out between America and Britain in 1812. Many Americans, unhappy that they did not continue northwards at the end of the Revolution, sought to liberate Canada only to discover that the Canadians did not wish to be liberated. The Brits burned the White House to teach the Yankee upstarts a lesson. When John visited Galloway in 1816 he found “a country of palaces and cottages”. On departing he advised his student nephew to adhere to the Church of Scotland, avoiding young men and a headlong rush to destruction, and to beware of “loose conversation concerning women”. About the last mentioned he says more but you, dear readers, can peruse it yourselves! Don’t fight, always apologise, do not take offence, use mild language, don’t drink and “keep account of every farthing that you spend to be submitted to me”. Such a lengthy list might suggest that Samuel had already stepped off the path of righteousness. Or could it have been a younger John? Additionally, he stressed the desirability of neat handwriting. “The end of writing is to be understood; this is effected by clearness in the expression and plainness in the characters used; uniting the two with as much despatch as they are susceptible of, is perfection”. The first victory you have to gain is over the wisdom of Granny Neilson: “I maun improve your time will, an fa in wi ne gauding company”, (you must improve your time well and not fall in with frivolous folk). He thought nothing of asking his brother in Quebec to send him 300 or 400 feet of red pine of lengths from 13 to 21 feet long. In the decade 1810-20 people were selling up and emigrating. Poor labourers lacked food and employment. William was of the view that taxation was proving ruinous. A new word was becoming current – radical. There were demands for annual parliaments, universal suffrage, even cries of equality and liberty, breeding fierce opposition from the establishment. Young Sam and his pals finishing up at university were predictably all ‘King and Country’, though Sam thought that Britain was not the place it assumed it was and he yearned for the clean air of Canada. In 1826 many hundred poor weavers were out of employment, most of them hoping to be soldiers. Will writes telling Sam the loch trout fishing is just settling in and he would like to see him again “on the borders of the Galloway Lochs and rivers working the finny race and partaking at times of the hospitality of the natives of the high lands”. Thomas Edgar, a native of Balmaghie, was on his way to Quebec for employment. Ever since the early days the Quebec Neilsons had asked relatives at home to recruit likely candidates from the Auld Country. Latterly they could almost be described as emigration agents. The Reform Act of 1832 arrived at the same time as cholera hit Dumfries. William continued to resent the current state of affairs. Nearly half of the British community were becoming beggars and slaves. “Emigration very considerable, a great many of the middle and respectable classes are moving off to a better and less burdened country where the reward for industry is not taken from them by laws made by the few self-elected lords on the earth.” This is a fascinating collection well worth a visit. Well done Kenneth Veitch! “Emigration very considerable, a great many of the middle and respectable classes are moving off to a better and less burdened country where the reward for industry is not taken from them by laws made by the few selfelected lords on the earth.” yourself. It is to be hoped that Sam had learned the appropriate Glasgow response – “Gie’s Peace”! His uncle, Willie Neilson, was more understanding. When Sam was visiting Gatehouse the two would meet at Dalmellington and fish the lochs, especially Lochenbreck, on the way home. Dornald Loch was good for gades (pike); Loch Grannochs, Whinnie, Fleet and Pool of Ness were also favoured. Will remembered a very large pike they caught one Sunday morning; “it was still alive when our mother returned from Kirk”. He truly represented the voice of Old Galloway, quoting in Scots Ted Cowan Glenkens Gazette Local Initiatives For Dalry Local Initiatives For Dalry (LIFD) have been working hard to keep people’s spirits up during lockdown. Plant Swap Shop Thank you so much to everyone that shared, swapped and donated at the plant swap shop. We will be happily sending a cheque to Dumfries and Galloway Mental Health Association, CD for the amazing sum of £168.56. Absolutely fantastic! Big Village Bake Off - Bake Sale Following our successful unmanned bake sale during the VE Day Celebrations, LIFD have sent an incredible donation of £357.80 to our Glenkens Medical Practice as a thank you for the amazing work and care they provide our community with. A huge thank you to the LIFD bakers and Jayne’s Hair Salon for organising and setting up the stall each day and to everyone that bought some of the yummy goodies. What a wonderful community we live in. Spoonville The creation of St ‘Spoonville’ of Dalry has been great fun. On the corner between Throughgate and Kirkland Street is a mini map of Dalry, with streets marked. People have been creating their families out of wooden spoons and placing them in the correct location of Spoonville, a mini page 26 version of Dalry. Feel free to join in! Scarecrow Festival! Dalry’s show of scarecrows to lift the spirits and brighten people’s day was truly amazing. Thanks to everyone who got involved. Stones of Kindness Beautiful painted stones are still popping up in and around the village. I bet you’ve spotted some! If you see one when you’re out and about, why not take a photo and post on the LIFD Facebook page? And even better, how about joining in and make your very own painted stones and hiding them for someone to find while out walking? We feel so grateful for living in such a kind and caring community and hope that everyone stays happy and healthy as we move forward out of lockdown. Please keep your eyes peeled for further LIFD community engagement opportunities in the future. If you would like to get in touch or join the group please check visit the LIFD Facebook page or contact Angie Bradford on 01644 430 512. The LIFD Team Top: Plant Swap Shop. Above Left: A few Stones of Kindness. Above Right: Spoonville. Glenkens Gazette page 27 Top Tips for Looking After Your Teeth With dental practices being closed during lockdown, it has never been so important to take a preventative approach to oral health. Dr Maria Papavergos (Mrs Maria Yerburgh), is a general dental practitioner who lives on Barwhillanty Estate, Parton. Maria is a passionate advocate of holistic health and wellbeing, and in this article offers her expertise aiming to impact both your oral and systemic health in a positive way. By sharing her top tips for looking after your teeth at home, she hopes to empower you with some knowledge to make lifestyle and dietary choices that nurture your oral microbiome and help you stay free from dental disease and pain in these challenging times. 1) Use a Fluoride toothpaste (1450ppm adults, 1000ppm children under three years). Fluoride is an established, effective remineralising agent. It has the capacity to rebuild the enamel on your tooth surface, thus protecting against dental decay. 2) Brush first thing in the morning and last thing at night as a minimum. 3) Brushing after a mealtime/snack (especially a sweet snack/drink) helps reduce your risk of tooth decay. Leave 30 minutes before brushing to reduce erosive effects. 4) If you use a mouth rinse, rinse at a SEPARATE time to brushing (ie after a snack) so as not to dilute the effects of the fluoride. 5) Spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth. Electric toothbrushes have timers and smaller heads which aid technique. 6) Brush accurately and meticulously, but not vigorously. 7) Interdental cleaning, ie flossing, interdental brushes and tongue brushing/ scraping are good practices. 8) For all denture wearers, always take your dentures out at night. Brush and clean them in warm soapy water (washing up liquid). If you wear partial dentures, make sure you brush your teeth without your dentures in, giving particular attention to the teeth adjacent to the denture. 9) Eat a diet with a large variety of fresh fruit and vegetables and low in refined carbohydrates. 10) Swap some of your snacks, not always opting for something sweet. Try veggie sticks with hummus, peanut butter topped toast/oatcakes or fresh fruit as a tooth-friendly alternative. 11) Keep well hydrated by drinking water/milk regularly. Limit fruit juice/ squash. If drinking plant-based milk, always check for added sugar. 12) Choose fresh whole fruit. Limit dried fruit, and fruit consumed in juiced or blended form. 13) Eat whole foods/grains and try to cook from scratch. Less processed foods = a lower glycemic index and reduced sugar content. 14) Be mindful of hidden sugars sauces, ketchup, preserves, purées and dried fruit. Indulge in these knowingly; it is the frequency of intake that increases potential damage to teeth. To learn more from Maria, follow her on Instagram @thelifestyledentist The construction team have continued to make good progress since reopening the site in late May, with additional measures in place to create a safe working environment in accordance with Scottish Government’s COVID-19 guidelines. Works are still well underway to prepare the site for the installation of the turbines in early 2021. Reducing Construction Traffic: We are pleased to have been able to significantly reduce traffic on local roads by producing some of the materials required on-site. Blasting took place throughout June and July to provide aggregate for access tracks throughout the site. Tracks have been constructed to allow vehicles to move around easily, even in wet weather, and will remain in place for the operating life of the project. Improving Local Roads: please contact Doug Wilson on doug.wilson@statkraft.com or The installation of ten additional call 07542 754642. passing places along the B729 went smoothly, the passing places are For up to date information on large enough to allow an HGV to pull construction progress, visit www. in and allow traffic to pass safely. statkraft.co.uk/windyrig Originally designed as a temporary measure, we are pleased to have been able to work with D&G Council to ensure these new passing places will remain after the construction to make travel along the B729 safer for local residents in the future. Preparing For Turbine Blade Deliveries Laydown Area: In early June we commenced work on the blade laydown area just outside Carsphairn. The work to establish the laydown area will take until September to complete. This area will be temporary to allow the turbine blades to be transferred to a blade adapter and then delivered to the site. We are currently operating a text message Top: Track construction taking place on service to alert residents the Windy Rig site. Above: Passing place to potential disruption - if construction along the B729. you would like to be added Advertisement WINDY RIG CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Glenkens Gazette CatStrand Youth Arts It’s summer! And we’ve got some great mini courses lined up for you: • Creative Sketchbooks with illustrator Lucy Hadley – 29th/30th/31st July – 10.30am - 1pm (ages 12+) • Dance with Scottish Dance Theatre’s Joao Castro – 5th/6th/7th August – 11am - 1pm (ages 10+) • Photography with artist and For Enjoyment founder Frank Hayes – 6th/7th/ 8th August – 2 - 4pm (ages 12+) All sessions are free and you can choose to attend one, two or all sessions in a course, although we’d advise all three to get the most out of it. They will be held online via a Zoom group. You’ll need parental permission to take part and will be emailed a zoom link, meeting ID and password in advance. To book your place email katy@catstrand.com. Materials can be supplied beforehand. We’re also planning a couple of oneoff online workshops for our under-12s, so keep your eye out on our website at www.catstrandyouth.co.uk or visit Facebook page for updates. For further information please email katy@catstrand.com Katy Billington, CatStrand Youth Arts Coordinator Creative Writing Course John Dean, a novelist who is part of the CatStrand Writers’ Cafe, is offering creative courses during lockdown. Crime writer John has been a creative writing tutor for twenty years. His online course is aimed towards writing groups who may be page 28 struggling to meet in person during the current coronavirus restrictions, aiming to provide a creative spark during lockdown. The course, which runs in eight parts and can begin at a time and date to suit the group, will help writers to improve their technique and therefore their chances of being successful, either in competitions or submissions to publishers. John said: “A lot of writers are telling me that they are struggling to find their motivation the longer that the lockdown restrictions continue and I hope that my course will help to spark some creativity. “Hopefully, I can also help aspiring writers to develop their craft and, because the course is online, it does not matter where they live.” You can contact John at deangriss@ btinternet.com or ring 07889 554 931. For more about John’s work visit www.johdean.ning.com Glenkens Gazette page 29 GO WILD SUMMER ONLINE Last summer, young people thoughout the Galloway Glens area spent days discovering and exploring local wild places through the Galloway Glens ‘Go Wild’ programme of day camps, and had their enthusiasm and conservation work recognised through the John Muir Trust’s ‘Discover’ Award. This year the Go Wild project has been impossible due to COVID-19 restrictions, so we decided to move online instead. The Galloway Glens Online John Muir Awards is a supported John Muir Award programme for families and individuals across the Galloway Glens area (and beyond) to help give outdoor activities focus, support and recognition at a time when we perhaps need it more than ever. Thirty families and individuals are taking part, and the programme has proved particularly popular in the gorgeous Glenkens. John Muir was a passionate environmentalist and founder of the first National Parks. At the turn of the last century, he radically taught that the environment is not just a commodity, a resource or even a backdrop to achieving our ‘personal best’, but intrinsically part of what we are. Over his fascinating life spent in Scotland and North America he approached the world fearlessly with wonder, curiosity and wholehearted love and respect for every aspect of nature. That’s what the John Muir Trust and their awards aim to encourage in our modern lives. We hope that this flagship online programme will help towards producing resources and inspiration for more to do the same. The Awards require you to discover, explore, conserve and share experiences of wild places, and so far Glenkens families have included wild swimming, woodland walks, canoeing, wildlife photography, litter-picking, dog-poo posters, pond dipping, river walking, tree identification and lots of tree climbing in their work. We think John Muir would be proud and we’re excited to see what else takes place over the summer months. Bow-making at last summer’s Galloway Glens ‘Go Wild’ project days. For more details about the programme, see www.gallowayglens.org/projects/ galloway-glens-explorers or contact helen.keron@dumgal.gov.uk You can find out more about John Muir, his life and the Awards at www. johnmuirtrust.org Mary Smith, Galloway Glens Online John Muir Awards Project Co-ordinator Wright’s Shop & Post Office ULTRASOUND PREGNANCY SCANNING Dairy & Sucklers; Ageing, Twin & Barren Detection. Friday grocery delivery and daily paper round now available within Dalry - please phone to enquire. Trailer system includes triplets, marking and shedding. stocking a range of local suppliers • Express Bakery bread • • Irvings biscuits & cakes • • Ballards & Dalmellington Country Butchers meat & pies • • Mitchells fruit & veg • Pregnancy and number of pups. For bookings and info: Duncan Kennedy 07860 474001 dk@passcan.co.uk www.passcan.co.uk Shop & Post Office open 7 days Monday to Friday 7am–6pm Saturday 8am–6pm Sunday 8.30am–4pm Tel 01644 430 225 Glenkens Gazette page 30 ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Contact Shirley McNaught on 07955 743 022 or drop by the charity shop on Main Street, Dalry Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact Ros Hill on ros.hill@rathanhouse.co.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Andi Holmes on andiholmes@hotmail.com or 07729 292 126 Dalry Town Hall: Contact Jim Reid on 01644 430231 or jamescreid@hotmail.co.uk Glenkens Community Centre: Contact Carylann Williamson on williamsoncarylann@gmail.com New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact Sam Rushton on 07741 656601 or samCEW@newgallowaycommunity.shop or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins on julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact Chris Jowsey at chris@catstrand.com 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 Group: carsphairnheritagegroup@ gmail.com Bright Stars - Glenkens Community Nursery: Contact glenkenscommunitynursery@gmail.com Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP): Contact McNabb Laurie on mcnabb.laurie@dumgal.gov.uk 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 Gazette page 31 Many events and activities are still on hold at the time of going to print due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Please check government guidelines for up-to-date information on social activities during August & September. Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND: Search on YouTube under Balmaclellan, Kells and Dalry linked with Carsphairn’. The words of the reflection and prayers are accompanied by pictures of the Glenkens and soft music. David is also happy to send these directly to people by email if they contact him at dbartholomew@churchofscotland.org.uk Paper copies can also be provided to those who do not have internet access. Contact David on 01644 430 380 if you would like to receive these resources, or simply if you would like to have a chat. SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Open for quiet reflection & prayer, 10.30am every Sun & Wed (for info contact 01644 420 467). Dalry Library & Customer Service Centre Tuesdays 10.30am-2pm Fridays 11am-4.30pm For further information contact Castle Douglas library on 01556 502 643 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Police, non-emergency: 101 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 32 CORSOCK KIDS CLUB GETS PLANTING Corsock Kids Club have been hard at work planting flowers to brighten up the village. Bedding plants were provided by D&G Council and, using funds received through the Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Community Council Blackcraig Microgrant scheme, planters and pots were purchased. Then local children (with adult supervision) set to work with much enthusiasm. Maintaining social distancing throughout, this was a great opportunity for the kids to take part in some planting fun. JOB OPPORTUNITY Glenkens Community & Arts Trust require a Business Support Assistant An exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic individual to work in the Business Support Team based at the CatStrand, New Galloway. This is an attractive opportunity to help provide financial and administrative support to local projects. A knowledge of Xero and Microsoft Office is desirable but not essential. Business Support Assistant Officer based in New Galloway, 24 hours per week on a flexible basis. For more information and details of how to apply visit www.catstrand.com Closing date: Friday 21st August 2020 Interviews week commencing 24th August 2020 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk OCT/NOV COPY DEADLINE: 5 SEPT Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing: www.instantprint.co.uk The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No. SC032050  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. 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For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document GLENKENS GAZETTE News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Laurieston, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry June/July 2020 ISSUE 118 FREE CELEBRATING VE DAY Friday 8 May 2020 marked 75 years since Victory in Europe (VE) Day in 1945. Across the Glenkens, communities made plans to celebrate this event in creative, thoughtful ways, in light of our current lockdown situation. New Galloway Community Events Committee, alongside other local organisations, had planned a big celebration on Sunday 10 May with a tea party in the park and including an exhibition of memorabilia, 1940s music, other entertainment and a service at the War Memorial. However, due to the lockdown restrictions and social distancing requirements, they celebrated “in our homes and on our doorsteps” instead. Homes and streets were awash with bunting, poppies and pictures. At 11am, village folk stood still on their doorsteps and took a moment to remember those who gave their lives, followed by a community sing-along of We’ll Meet Again. Many commented on how moving and uniting this was, which was intensified due to our current situation. Afterwards, people lingered outside to catch up with friends and neighbours and enjoyed the social interaction and chat that we have so missed, even if it was at a distance. At 3pm, the rain stopped, the sunshine broke through and the birds sang as our present day heroes, fire fighter John McGaw and nurse Lynn Grieve, laid a beautiful wreath made by Maybelle Thomson at the War Memorial. Residents out on their daily exercise stood in silence to observe, and others John McGaw and Lynn Grieve laying the wreath at joined by the power of New Galloway War Memorial. social media. remember forever. Thanks to all the The day continued with volunteers who made it happen, and to deck chairs appearing on doorsteps, everyone who took part, in whatever and residents enjoying tea, cake, the way. odd glass of bubbly, laughter and a loud See inside for more on VE Day chat with their nearest neighbours. celebrations across the Glenkens, Although this event was not as as well as some memories from originally planned, the community came those who remember the 1945 day together, remembered, celebrated in itself. style and made it a day that we will The COVID Safety Network Former Dalry School pupil Adam Winstanley has set up an ambitious social enterprise to enable personal protective equipment (PPE) to be distributed among the most needy organisations in the country. Through this project Adam and cofounders Hannah Wright and Kris Small have gathered a collective of people in order to work towards addressing the health threats of COVID-19. Adopting an open-source design process has enabled a much faster response and allows the team to engage directly with communities to offer free protection for front line staff. The Gazette has been speaking to Adam to find out more about the project: What inspired you to start the COVID Support Network? After seeing the experience in other countries online I started to think about whether we could learn and prepare for the impact of COVID in my own community. I was energised by the positive response everywhere to act selflessly. The COVID Safety Network team - Adam (right), Continued on p10... Hannah (centre) and Kris (left). A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) initiative www.glenkensgazette.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 Sew Your Own Fabric Face Mask Having had an enquiry as to whether the Gazette could offer instructions for a home-made face mask, we asked the talented Anne McEwan of Dalry and she very kindly obliged. Here are the instructions for your own home-made pleated fabric face mask with a pocket for a changeable filter. The mask can be used by tying the ties into a loop on either side which goes around the ears or by using the top and bottom ties to tie behind the head. You can adjust the width of the mask by using a wider piece of fabric at the start. Materials: Piece of cotton fabric 20”x 10”; 4 x 11” pieces of elastic/ribbon/ string for ties. 4) Cut the elastics/ties 8) Sew the sides closed 11) Turn the mask the right way round 15) Check the pocket opens easily 1) Cut out the material 5) Fold and press with the wrong side showing 12) Iron in pleats 9) Cut off the extra bits of the ties 2) Press and pin both shorter sides (0.5”) 3) Sew both hems 6) Keep an overlap of 13) Pin the pleats about 1” 7) Pin a piece of elastic/tie into each corner 10) Check all seams 14) Sew the pleats in place 16) The mask is ready to use Glenkens Gazette page 3 Marking 75 Years Since VE Day Occasionally we are called on in life to do something unexpected for which we feel illprepared. This happened to me on 8 May when I was honoured to be asked to lay a wreath at the local War Memorial as the start of Dalry’s VE 75 celebrations. On VE day in 1945, people attended services of remembrance at cathedrals, churches and at local memorials in vast numbers prior to getting on to the serious business of celebration. Of course, I have taken part in remembrance ceremonies and other public events in the past, but only as a contributor or member of a team. I even once helped organise a cathedral service, but that was all about seating plans and timings with me comfortably in the background. With social distancing in force, it would be me, ‘front and centre’ with a photographer and the odd passer-by as witnesses. The day before saw me sorting a clean shirt, jacket and regimental tie, polishing my shoes and medals and dusting off my old service glengarry that I last wore when serving as the Paymaster of the Gordon Highlanders. Then came a second request – “would I consider sitting in the back of a jeep and being paraded around the village, with the wreath, on the way to the memorial?” How could I refuse? I knew that I would find this embarrassing and uncomfortable, but it was not about me. If I could bring a little cheer during lockdown as I was paraded around the village and if that helped those who saw us pass feel as if they were part of the Remembrance act, then that was the point. At 10.15am, Gordon Currie collected me in his ex-army Jeep and I climbed into the back clutching the wreath, ready to display to anyone as we drove past. With my hat on straight, we began a slow drive around the town, waving, showing the wreath and even making the odd salute when it seemed appropriate. On arrival at the War Memorial I fixed the wreath (made by Esme and Murdo Devlin). I had prepared a few words to say aloud, to anyone nearby, but also to the fallen whose names I would read out. I had chosen to read the exhortation of remembrance from Binyon’s Dalry’s VE Day wreath laid by Paul Goodwin poem For the Fallen and at the War Memorial outside the church, I read the nine names of with Gordon’s Jeep in the background. those who died in service in WW2. A recording of the last post was played and the two choked with a lump in my throat, but it minutes silence was observed. was a close thing. With task completed, I walked back up My thanks to the wreath makers, the hill. Like many, my emotions seem the driver and those who made the to be running closer to the surface arrangements, especially Jenna Devlin during this lockdown so I was glad that and Angie Bradford. Paul Goodwin I had not stumbled over the words or Community Cupboards New Galloway Community Enterprises is delighted to have secured funding from the Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF) in order to create Community Cupboards as part of our COVID-19 response. The PCF grant has been amplified by a donation from Julian Wontner of the Barscobe family, for which we’re most grateful. The Community Cupboards will be stocked with basic food and household supplies and are available for all to take from. You can use them if you’ve temporarily run out of something and can replace it soon - or if you are short of supplies, take what you need, there is no need to replace them. They will also contain craft items for children plus books and jigsaws, available to take away for free, so if you see a Community Cupboard pop over and have a look! They’re open 24 hours a day, not staffed or locked - we are confident that people won’t abuse this new resource. We’re asking for donations to the Community Cupboards if you can, of non-perishable food staples and the other supplies. Just pop them directly into the Cupboards. Of course we would ask that you only donate if your household is symptom-free, and that you wash your hands before donating to or taking from the Community Cupboards. The Community Cupboards are not intended to replace the excellent work being done by the Stewartry Foodbanks, just to be a local, easily accessible community resource for emergencies. If you need more support, there are three food bank services in the Stewartry: the Stewartry Food Bank in Kirkcudbright which can be accessed through the D&G Council help line 030 33 33 300, the Helping Hands food bank in Castle Douglas, which can be contacted directly on 01556 505855, and the new Heart of Galloway food bank in the visitor centre in Castle Douglas, which can be contacted directly on 07730 788335. They can all deliver to the Glenkens if you can’t get out. So look out for the Community Cupboards! One will be in New Galloway, in the small car park opposite the Town Park, next to the phone box. At the time of writing, we’re not quite sure where the others will be located, but hopefully you’ll see one near you soon! New Galloway Community Enterprises Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by FREE If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk 4-drawer metal filing cabinet, 18” wide x 25” deep x 53” high. Mamia baby snuggle nest (cloth ‘nest’ for infant to lie in). Contact: Lorna on 07703 303 805 Bath lift, Mangar Health, lightweight battery-powered, actuator driven. Contact: 01644 430 373 FOR SALE Bass drum, 22” black Yamaha Power V, £20. Contact: Blue on 07934 361 526 Rangemaster Classic 110 gas cooker, good condition for 10 years old, burgundy and black, £200 ono, buyer to uplift from Castle Douglas. Contact: Andi on 07729 292 126 WANTED Old lawn mowers/strimmers/ other small machinery. Nonrunners/broken welcome. Contact: 07845 562 217 POETRY COMPETITION EXTENSION We have decided to extend the topic for last issue’s poetry competition for another issue as we only received two entries - so get your writing hats on! The theme is ‘Ma Hame Toon’, and it doesn’t have to be in Scots dialect; just a poem about what home means to you. You can either drop your entry into Wright’s Shop, judges of the competition, or email it over to the Gazette at glenkensgazette@ hotmail.co.uk Please submit entries by 5 July 2020. The winner will have their poem printed in the August/September edition of the Glenkens Gazette and receive a voucher for £10 for Wright’s Shop, Dalry. by the Ken Photo of the Issue Sponsored Bridge Hotel This issue’s winner is Isabel Blyth with this uplifting evening sunset photographed at Blowplain Farm, Balmaclellan. Isabel wins an evening meal for two up to the value of £30 at the Ken Bridge Hotel. Competition judges Dave and Sue said: “As always, we had lots of stunning entries and choosing the winner was hard. But Isabel’s sunset captures all the elements of a tranquil Glenkens evening, so this is our choice for this issue.” How to Enter: any photos taken in the Glenkens can be entered - landscapes, wildlife, portraits, action shots... Email them to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk If you are a winner the Gazette will send you out a voucher - please call the Ken Bridge to check opening times in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Gordon McAdam 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 Plumbing & Heating HOUSE REPAIRS JOINERY 22 Kirkland Street St John’s Town of Dalry Semi-retired Furniture Maker & Builder in GLENKENS AREA 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Call Pete on 07970 462 088 ...special rates for inclusion of tea, cake and friendly banter... Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by HIDDEN VEG A new venture is growing, tucked away on the Hidden Road, near Balmaclellan. Hidden Veg is a small market garden, aiming to provide quality produce for local people. The polytunnel is up and is filling nicely with salads, chard, beans, tomatoes and courgettes – all being grown using ecological methods with organic fertilsers and inputs. In the outdoor beds there will be beetroots, more salads and more beans and peas. Sounds like a beantastic season on the way! The team behind Hidden Veg are Abi and Bruce. Each has over 20 years of organic veg growing experience, and are passionate advocates of local food. They have recently moved to the area – although they have long-standing Galloway connections – and are very excited to be adding their contribution to the already vibrant local food culture here. Abi says: “We love growing and producing food – it’s a kind of addiction. I’d always rather be gardening than anything else. We also love to connect with other people who have similar goals and ideas. There is an increasing number of market gardeners across the region, and we’re looking forward to working with others to bring more flavours to the local food scene”. Hidden Veg will not just be about growing food. The team are also experienced food educators and love sharing their knowledge with other people. The initiative is based at The Hidden Mill, which is becoming known locally as a place for learning sustainable skills such as off-grid living and permaculture. New programmes are being developed that will see different courses and workshops being offered in organic growing and other food explorations. The original plan for Hidden Veg was to connect with cafes, pubs and restaurants to sell their tasty food. However, with lockdown likely to continue for a while yet, Hidden Veg will be supplying local people. They can deliver by bike within a 10-mile radius and will be taking orders soon. If you’re interested in buying their produce, follow them on facebook – they plan to have an online shop open soon https://www.facebook. com/HiddenVegDG/. You can also email them at hello.hiddenveg@ gmail.com Renewing an Old Aquaintance Well I managed to drop a twelve-pound block of concrete on my big toe the day before lockdown began. The A&E doctor looked at the X-Ray and said “you’ve smashed it” (I don’t think she meant that as a measure of success!). So, my lockdown has been more restricted than it might have been and significant exercise is difficult. Reading (books and magazines), sorting ‘stuff’, gardening; I have been through all the usual suspects. Yesterday I set about cleaning the door of the greenhouse, a window on the summerhouse and windows on the garage. Then, with a bucket of soapy water still in hand, thought “what else can I do? and remembered a totally neglected bicycle at the back of the garage that hadn’t turned a wheel in over five years. It soon came back why I parked it up; a medical problem, gears didn’t work properly and life got in the way. Now it sat there with two flat tyres, covered in a layer of filth. I dragged it into the light and swear it winced. A scrub with soapy water, tyres pumped up and some oil in aching joints (the bike’s, not mine) and it looked much better. I found that some of the gears worked, so put new batteries in the lights, climbed aboard and wobbled off. Luckily my broken toe didn’t complain too much. In its first three-mile outing, the chain came off once but I coaxed it back on. There is still work to be done on the old girl but it’s great to be a cyclist again. I just thought I’d relay this little anecdote in case anyone else has any long-forgotten projects sitting in a corner of the garage or a dark cupboard, just waiting to be unearthed... Paul Goodwin, Dalry Glenkens Gazette page 6 Brass Played in Recognition Carsphairn residents celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE Day with a mini-concert of wartime songs performed by Nigel and Kath Martin. The socially distanced audience in the village’s community garden showed their appreciation of the impromptu performance with long rounds of applause after every piece of music. Nigel and Kath, who both play cornet with Kilmarnock Concert Brass, entertained the enthralled listeners with a repertoire which included It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, Pack up your Troubles, If You Were the Only Girl in the World, A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square and White Cliffs of Dover. Many of the audience sang along during the show which ended with renditions of We’ll Meet Again and Land of Hope and Glory. Nigel and Kath have also been playing various pieces during the weekly Clap for Carers in Carsphairn. “Kath is a mental health nurse at Ailsa Hospital in Ayr and wanted to play in appreciation of her colleagues who are on the frontline in the battle against Coronavirus,” says Nigel. In March (before the pandemic kicked in) Kilmarnock Concert Brass band qualified for the national brass band championships in Cheltenham in September where it will represent Scotland in the fourth section. Carsphairn residents celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE day with Kath and Nigel Martin’s performance of wartime songs in Carsphairn Community Garden. Corona Virus Comparisons Born in Hackney General Hospital in the East End of London in December 1941 I was evactuated to the West Country, along with my mother, around the end of January 1942. Shortly after this we were relocated to Essex. We lived in a three-bedroom house with my Nan, Grandad, and my two aunts. When the war started, the government issued ration books with tokens for food, clothing, petrol and other items. Water was rationed too - only so many inches of water in each bath, and the whole family used the same water. When finished, the bath water was used to flush the toilet, and the washing-up water and washtub water was also recycled in this way. Each family was allocated so many ounces of everyday food per week, such as bacon, sausages, cuts of meat, sugar, butter if you could get it, margarine/lard and perhaps two and a half eggs per household. We could get powdered milk and egg which was tightly controlled too. Fresh and tinned fruit was very scarce - I didn’t know what a banana was until I was six years old - and sweets, chocolate and other confectionery were also hard to come by. With no central heating it was very cold at night, especially in winter, so we usually slept with our winter coats over our blankets to keep us warm. We used to wake up and see ice and icicles on the inside of the windows. Generally three houses shared one bomb shelter and our street had about fifteen houses, so there were five shelters. Many houses had allotments and every allotment had an allotment group who would grow different vegetables and share them out among the community. Teamwork and community spirit were very important throughout the UK. During my 22 years military service in the army I often had to move out at a moment’s notice, packing up all my belongings. There are various types of ‘standby’ you can be put on; two hour, 12 hour, 24 hour... Usually you were free to make short journeys around the barracks at these times, but it could be more restrictive. In the army you got yourselves organised for the daily routines breakfast; first parade and briefing; physical training; drill (marching); maintenance of our equipment; football, basket ball, or hand ball... In the evening we would have quizzes. We were allowed one beer in the evening and could watch TV. Being in a lockdown situation is nothing unusual for a soldier; they could be on a covert operation in the field for two or three days at a time. Often there would be only dry/cold food to eat and they would not be allowed to move from their position - which could be in a ditch in the middle of nowhere over-looking a target’s (enemy) house. I was once sent to be medical cover in Northumberland at the RAF Bombing and Rifle Range for six weeks where I was in this single story bungalow with just my bed, a phone (for military use only), a book and some magazines. I was confined to the building for the full six weeks, only allowed out to attend any injured troops in the field if I was called out. My only line of communication was writing letters to my family. The current lockdown has similarities to all of these situations - evacuation and wartime living; being a soldier on standby, ready to move on any time; and lockdown experiences in the army, ‘waiting it out’ with no outside contact. In all of these instances we have to obey rules and regulations, wait for orders. We learn to make our own entertainment and find things to do; we chill out, reminisce, catch up on tasks that need doing, share what we can, help each other wherever possible. Community spirit surfaces and connects us, despite the obstacles. Barry Bryan-Dixon Glenkens Gazette page 7 EDIBLE PERENNIALS FOR THE LAZY GARDENER Growing food from seed is a faff. easily be propagated from cuttings. Once in, there is no end to these joyful Some people have the patience and plants, edible perenials attention to detail to make it appear which can naturalise effortless. However, I find that fiddling to form patches of around with spacing, watering, potting effortless food. We on and pinching out a bit tedious, all find the Welsh onions to flourish, peak and perish within the unstoppable, producing short months of a Scottish season. This large fleshy green tops labour of compressed food production which can be cut for is still needed to be able to enjoy sweet Mediterranean vegetables, but there are the pot and new growth returns quickly. They modest perennial heroes thriving in the cluster up providing bulbs for eating and Scottish climate that can provide lush giving away in the autumn. and abundant food from early march The Babbington leek also emerges in onwards. early spring ready for harvest: simply Foraging is a gateway drug to edible cut their slender garlicky stems and perennial gardening. By the time March they will grow another, leaving a few to has gone we have feasted on wild garlic form bulbs that appear on their flower and hazelnut pesto and ground elder heads which can be used to increase salads; the first flush of nettles offers the patch. It can take a few years to up a heavenly spannakopita. really establish a patch, but each year I truly crossed the threshold, however, the plant under the round grows in size when a friend gave me a Daubertons and potential yield. varigated perennial kale. With its bright Alpine strawberries, whilst tiny, grow green/white foliage the Daubertons happily in the shade and produce an is both decorative and sweet - we intensity of flavour more akin to Haribo affectionatly refer to it as salad kale than would seem natural. because it is so light and fresh in Trust me, there is a sorrel for every flavour. It doesn’t look out of place in occasion. a decorative border and can offer food Relentlessly productive, bush fruits all year round with gentle harvesting. and orchards can continue to thrive It should live for about five or so years even when abandoned for long if you nip off the flower buds, and can periods. But if you treat them well - pruning in the winter and mulching the base with cardboard and manure - you can expect bigger yields of better fruits. This type of productive gardening is not new. The potager has been popular in France for centuries, combining decorative gardening with fruit, veg and herbs to great aesthetic effect. Edible forest gardens aim to emulate the natural woodland system but Top: variegated kale, decorative and tasty. Above: with food growing on all levels, Welsh onions begin to grow in early spring. Right: canopy, small tree, climbers Greek spannakopita, delicious made with nettles. David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP Covering the Glenkens & further afield 07709 144 299 - wood burners - multi-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspection - certificates issued - feel free to call for advice - Find me on Facebook Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk bushes and ground cover. Some perennials like asparagus possibly take as much attention as an annual crop, with meticulous weeding and a high nutrient demand. However the pleasure in watching the annual progress towards a stronger, better yielding patch seems more rewarding, like compound interest on your efforts. Steven Barstow, author of Around the World in 80 Plants, advocates the eating of Hostas. Mowed when the spikey shoots first emerge, they will still continue to grow into normal looking hosta foliage. I haven’t seen hosta eating recommended anywhere else but I have tried them and can report hosta shoots stir-fried are an extra special sesasonal treat. Steven has made a verdant productive edible paradise in his back garden in cold and damp Norway. This gives me hope and encourages me to continue with the experiment. Further reading: Fruit & Vegtables for Scotland; Plants for a Future Database; Around the World in 80 Plants. Glenkens Gazette page 8 Volunteering to Safely Support Our Communities New Galloway’s callout for volunteers is bringing a heartwarming response from local residents, keen to lend a helping hand during coronavirus. Many of us are benefitting from their grocery deliveries and cheery smiles. But what is it like being a volunteer, putting aside the concerns of normal life and work, to support others isolated at home? We asked the team why they want to volunteer, and how it makes them feel. A wide variety of reasons came through in the (mainly anonymous) replies, but common to all is a desire to help others: “I volunteered to help the local community in whatever way I could” and “I like to give what I can when I can”. In a close-knit community where family ties are important, one volunteer says, “Helping is in my DNA. I get it from my mother, and I think my daughter gets it from me”. For another, “I have a share in the shop inherited from my mother!” Caring for the elderly in our communities is of particular concern to volunteers: “I thought I might be able to help those who weren’t able to leave their homes”. Another volunteer points out “how tricky it is for some elderly/infirm people to get to the shops. Things like milk, juice and tinned foods can be surprisingly heavy – things that other people just take for granted”. Within the whole community there is a keen desire to support the New Galloway Community Shop to “continue its good work”, as “I see it as important to the community”. “Steep learning curve” is a phrase that crops up frequently, as volunteers adapt their skill-sets to the new normal. Taking grocery orders by phone demands considerable specificity: “Would that be old potatoes or new?”, “Which chewy treats does your dog prefer?” And for ROWAN HOLIDAY COTTAGE volunteer drivers, delivering in the Glenkens can be an adventure, “It felt like a treasure hunt…just where is that house? It’s not on the map!” and “I did wish some houses had numbers…I needed a postie’s expert knowledge!” The youngest volunteer is Finlay McGaw, an S5 pupil at Castle Douglas High School. As is happening all over Scotland, Finlay’s exams are disrupted and plans for university application put on hold. Not wanting to sit at home, he has been manning the phones and writing down grocery orders for the shop, and he and his sister deliver supplies to the local food bank co-ordinator in Laurieston. Finlay is upbeat about the situation: he enjoys his new ‘office’ in one of the beautiful selfcatering holiday apartments beside the shop, and is impressed by how the staff and volunteers are keeping everything thoroughly clean, and as virus-free as possible. Finlay joins a groundswell throughout the world in hoping we will pay much more attention to the environment, when all this is over. It can be difficult to take first steps towards volunteering: as one respondent puts it, “I have learned that many people are willing to help but don’t always think they have anything to offer, or the confidence to step forward”. Another felt “initially quite nervous; it was disconcerting to have to wear gloves and keep an unnatural distance from people”. However without exception, all mention how rewarding volunteering is: “I get a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment”; “it feels good to be part of a group and see the community coming together to help one another”, and, “…our hearts were warmed by the gratitude of those who were waiting for their supplies. That was really lovely”. Volunteer co-ordination is a joint initiative between New Galloway and Kells Community Council and New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE); part of their Community Resilience Plan, formulated to support and get information out into the community. According to THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Sat 2-2.30 pm DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm 4 Star Rated - Sleeps Six Dog friendly - Private Parking Secluded Garden An ideal base for exploring Galloway... 07503 958 710 FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY  01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS  Volunteer Finlay McGaw on telephones at New Galloway Community Shop. NGCE Community Engagement Worker, Sam Rushton, the project has “grown legs” and will have lasting effects well into the future. In these strange and difficult times, “the joy of people coming together has been a journey, not a chore” - sentiments echoed in the poem Papatūānuku (Mother Earth) being circulated by Jacinda Ardern, prime minister of New Zealand: We’ll stop, we’ll cease We’ll slow down and stay home Time to plant           Time to wait                      Time to notice                             To whom we belong. Or, as one volunteer puts it, “I am pleased to have helped in a small way”. If you would like to more information or to volunteer, contact ngcommunityhelpteam@gmail.com or call 07741 656 601. Patti Lean Glenkens Gazette page 9 CatStrand Highlights CatStrand’s Exhibitions Go Online CatStrand’s current Washi Umi O Koete exhibition has been taken online in a newly created virtual gallery space which you can visit at www.catstrand. com/virtualgallery As the lockdown measures meant CatStrand had to close its doors shortly after the exhibition was hung, we hope this online gallery will be a way for people to view the exhibition from the comfort of their homes. The exhibition is a collaborative project instigated by former Balmaclellan and New Galloway resident Chrissie Heughan between Fife Dunfermline Printmakers Workshop (FDPW) and Mino Art Info, Japan. This exhibition brings together the ancient Japanese tradition of papermaking – washi (‘wa’ Japanese, ‘shi’ paper) - and contemporary Scottish printmaking. The result is a stunning collection of original hand-made prints on five different types of hand-made Japanese paper. Set up in 1981 as an artist-run cooperative, FDPW provides a wider range of fine art printing facilities. FDPW members contribute work to galleries and exhibitions, both nationally and internationally. Indeed, it was thanks to international connections that the idea for this exhibition came about. In 2001 FDPW member Chrissie Heughan participated in an exchange visit to the Japanese city of Mino, a papermaking region and UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. Then in 2016 the papermakers invited Chrissie to collaborate on a project showcasing the skills of both papermakers and printmakers. Thirteen FDPW members responded, experimenting at length to see how the different papers reacted to various techniques – screen printing, collagraph, etching, linocut and woodblock. Inspiration came from sources as diverse as the Forth Bridges, Aberdour Pier, standing stones, beehives and selkies. Over a period of three months each artist produced an edition of 10 original prints. Exhibited at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop earlier this year, the prints were simultaneously exhibited in Mino. An exciting and thought-provoking celebration of a collaboration between Scottish artists and Japanese artisans, ‘Washi Umi O Koete’ is also a wonderful example of how art can help build bridges between diverse cultures. Local photographer Ian Biggar was engaged to capture the exhibition at CatStrand for use in the virtual gallery space. On the day of photographing, CatStrand’s glass ceiling caused sunny shadows to criss-cross the work - making this a somewhat lengthy process and waiting game. Luckily CatStrand’s coffee machine was still working. Despite challenges Ian captured images to the highest standard for use in the online gallery - and these will then be supplied to the artists at the FDPW to support them to engage with other online gallery spaces and projects. The gallery also features downloadable exhibition notes for which Chrissie Heughan provided additional content and information as well as several short videos available online about the papermaking process and Mino, the area of Japan where the paper was produced. Post lockdown this way of capturing and presenting CatStrand’s exhibitions will continue as part of the arts programme digital offer. Aidan, GCAT’s Arts Manger, hopes this will offer ‘a great way to showcase the regional artists which we feature in the gallery space, encourage visitors to venture to CatStrand from further afield (once it’s safe to do so) and to support local artists to receive high quality digital assets post exhibiting with us that will help them to thrive’. Next up for virtual exploring will be CatStrand’s Photography Group and their planned exhibit, so watch this online space! Aidan Nicol, Arts, Culture & Heritage Manager, CatStrand Gallery at CatStrand © Ian Biggar NOW ONLINE! ORDER ONLINE OR BY PHONE Fleet Fish source a large selection of top quality fish, fruit and vegetables from market place to your door. We also stock chicken, sausages and cold meats plus eggs, milk and cheese. Much more than a fish van! Order before 9pm Sunday for delivery the following Friday 07966 103 912 charliecoid@hotmail.com www.fleet-fish.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 10 Continued from front page... How did you get people on board? Generally, most companies and individuals were very willing to help but often due to the lockdown and COVID restrictions it was tricky to get the material to where it needed to be, but not impossible. Who is participating? We have a wide range of business, Government, academia and partners in the collective network. Our core team in Glasgow includes the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Kelvinside Academy and volunteer groups, as well as many individual contributors including those with 3D printers, engineers, teachers, artists, architects, friends and family! What kind of items are you making? We are making reusable, recyclable visor shields developed with the local Glasgow Hospital. Also, we have created a complete PPE solution boxed for care homes. We have other prototypes being developed continually, including a respirator design based on an international academic collaboration called the Pneumask project that originated at Stanford University. How do you know your PPE is going to be up to the standard necessary for NHS, etc? We directly engage with the people using the products, so we have a feedback mechanism in place informing us of the necessary infection control procedures, which form part of our certification and standard process for medical device compliance. We have independent experts in each field whom we consult to enable our designs to be both functional for the end-user and compliant with NHS regulations. We also cross-refer to international standards such as WHO, EU and CDC. How do you plan to move forward with COVID Safety Network? We wish to build on the foundations we have to increase the production of vital equipment, as well as work on innovative projects that help accelerate future product development and enhanced designs for the communities we serve. One of our core principles with the design process is to think about the entire supply Virtual LING (Local Initiatives in New Galloway) Lunches are still on the table every Tuesday. well cleared by the Galloway Glens LING Exploring New Galloway group. Our PEEPs (local baby group) people can join in online with D&G Lifelong Learning Facebook. This is open to all with learning ideas and stories. Castle Douglas IT Centre can offer individual help for those who are struggling to get to grips with unexpectedly needed technology to cope with our new way of life. Following requests, a new Arts & Crafts group is planned as soon as possible, but in the meantime do let me know if you are interested in this. It’s incredible to realise that it is a year since we started our feasibility study on taking over the Town Hall. Apart from the chain with regard to holistic and inclusive ecological mechanisms. We find ways to use recycled materials, focus on reusable designs and avoid damaging waste and unnecessary chemicals and parts. We want our network to be able to give greater clarity and coordination for a rapid response to this evolving threat. What can people do to help? We are always looking for more assistance - technical volunteers for making and to expand the network as well as materials and resources that can assist with manufacturing and delivery. Anyone can get in touch via the website and social media to help. We have funding calls for donations which go directly into the production process to supply more PPE where it is needed. Who do people get in touch with if they need a support pack or specific PPE items? It depends on a lot of factors such as logistics, high-risk areas and regional authority. There is a lack of consistent information which is a problem, but we are working hard to support everyone who gets in touch. We welcome ideas to expand and build a wider network to support those who support us so please get in touch. With all our collective ingenuity, creativity, practicality and generosity we can make the impact needed to save lives. To find out more visit www. covidsafetynetwork.com or find them on Facebook. VIRTUAL LUNCHES & MORE As our lockdown continues, remember to join us on Facebook - Local Initiatives in New Galloway. Please remember to ‘Like’ what you see and feel free to send in your own favourite soup or pudding photo. Don’t forget to keep fit for Carpet Bowls and Table Tennis with the various online exercises with Sam and John, as well as walks in the woods by the golf course, so situation with COVID-19, this has been delayed because D&G Council has realised that it is a ‘Common Good Property’ so comes under different legal arrangements. This relates to properties which were in the ownership of the Burgh Council at the time of Local Government re-organisation in the 1970s. For some reason New Galloway properties were never set up with its own ‘Common Good Fund’. The Burgh Council papers are held at the Kirkcudbright Museum but if you have any records or other information, I would appreciate if you would let me know on 01644 420 632 or ros.hill@rathanhouse.me.uk In the meantime, all the best! Ros Hill, LING chairman Pictured is a series of three photographs taken by Dalry resident Paul Goodwin on 30 April. He spotted a funnel cloud - like a mini tornado - forming on Meikle Millyea and was quick enough to catch it on camera. Some of you may have seen the pictures already as Paul sent them in to BBC Scotland who featured it on the weather report that day. Glenkens Gazette page 11 Straight from the Horse’s Mouth There’s something going on and I’m not sure what it is. I may be a humble Fell pony but I do like to be properly informed. My Person and the Other Person who owns the yard where I live most comfortably with my mates Bill, a big Welsh cob, and Kate, a rather posh exracehorse, like nothing better than a good chinwag…yackety yackety yak. But no anymore. Now they work a shift system with only one here at a time and when they do meet, they stand several metres apart and shout. I think there has been a falling out. More mysteriously, once my Person has finished her work here she drives away in her tin box muttering that she’s going to do the Lock Down which I think is a kind of dance. She says everyone’s doing it so it must be the latest craze. I do get a few snippets of information from her though. The Queen, she says, is doing the Lock Down at Windsor (hope she doesn’t have the music on too loud) where she can ride her Fell pony, Emma, who is not unlike me. Can’t be much fun for the pony, traipsing around Windsor Great Park with a lady in a headscarf on your back…and I am reliably informed that it is absolutely forbidden to dump this particular lady in the mud. The most fun you can hope for is to get hair all over the royal jodhpurs. And speaking of hair, my Person keeps groaning on about how hers is a mess because no hairdressers are working. Well, I have to agree. It does look like a lump of old sheep’s wool that’s been caught on the barbed wire all winter, but why all the fuss? What is so good about sitting there, having bits cut off, shampoo, smelly stuff and hot air blown over you and, worst of all, drinking that revolting brown liquid they all seem to like. Why not just shed the winter hair and grow a sleek, shining new summer hairdo like I do? She tells me that some people are wearing masks. Now that idea I do like! If she gets one, we could pretend to be Dick Turpin and Black Bess and go around holding people up. But what people? There don’t seem to be many around and not many tin boxes on the road either. We’ve had no visitors of late. Usually they arrive with trailers and sacks and collect poo from the much heap which I am told they put on their rhubarb and potatoes. I’m not sure I would fancy it. I hope they cook it well. Last Friday was my birthday, and what did I get? An apple and some swede. My Person says she can’t go to the shops Ælfwynn meditating on the intriguing behaviour of people. to buy me treats because she is old! Rubbish! It’s just an excuse for being stingy. I am calling a committee meeting – us, the sheep and the chickens – to see if we can work out what is going on and what we can do about it. Watch this space… by Ælfwynn (with a little assistance from Sue Wiseman) Glenkens Gazette page 12 Glenkens Gazette Galloway Place-names Database Launched On 12 May, the ‘Placenames of the Galloway Glens: The Language of the landscape’ online seminar took place, with more than 80 people from across the world ‘dialling in’ to take part. The event was led by the University of Glasgow’s Professor Thomas Clancy and the Galloway Glens Place-names researcher Gilbert Márkus, about the ongoing project to study local placenames, how they are formed and what they can tell us about our landscape. This project is a partnership between the University of Glasgow and the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme. For more than a year, Gilbert Márkus has been working to catalogue placenames across seven parishes right in the heart of Galloway: Carsphairn, Dalry, Balmaclellan, Kells, Parton, Crossmichael and Balmaghie. The seminar marked the unveiling of an online place-names database, which allows users to analyse and search the findings of Gilbert’s work, exploring the origin of names, the languages involved, probable age of names and what the names are trying to tell us about the landscape. More than 2,500 place names have been analysed and logged on the database. The database is now available to all, here: https://kcb-placenames.glasgow. ac.uk Gilbert said: “I’m really looking forward to getting feedback from users of the database. It isn’t just a collection of names and interpretations. It is marked up so that people can analyse the data in all kinds of interesting ways, seeing clusters and patterns in the distributions for example, which will offer new insights. The launch is just the beginning.” page 13 The Wait A Poem for VE Day by Esme, age 10 Crowds of people gather as they listen with uncertainty and hope, Their faces filled with visions of peace. The warmth of bodies anxiously waiting for the news, I taste the fear in the May air around me, swirling past like a Spitfire racing home. Churchill, his voice crackling through the speakers, a moment of silence, Words of freedom, words of promise. Excitement rushes through our bodies as we rejoice, Happiness oh happiness! Galloway Glens Place-names researcher Gilbert Márkus. When We Walked in Crossmichael Crossmichael Parish has experienced so much history. There are glacial erratics - large iceworn stones left by retreating glaciers, some like ton weight stone potatoes, dug up in our fields. 5000-year-old clay pots, Roman ruins, twenty mottes, forts, or burial mounds, even Viking treasures, and legends exist of Mons Meg, Mary Queen of Scots and Robert Burns passing through the area. Records show of Templar Knights, a Crimean soldier, great bravery and sacrifice during WW1. ‘Modern’ industry, railways and large hydro-schemes can be seen, contrasting with our ancient church with its iconic graveyard with inscriptions recording (for example) JM Barrie’s Captain Hook and a Covenanter Martyr from the ‘Killing Times’ and much more. This rich and varied history became the creative inspiration for a group of local authors, working with the Gallery Writers in Kirkcudbright. Funded by the board of the newly-established Crossmichael Heritage Centre they created a collection of prose and poetry to explore the sense of place that Crossmichael offers. The book also includes poignant photographs from the Crossmichael archive and contemporary images of the village by award winning local photographer, John M Smith. When I Walked Here began when the writers visited the heritage centre then enjoyed guided tours of the churchyard, which stands opposite the building, allowing themselves to be inspired by the real-life stories of those buried there. However, this book is not simply a history project and the writers were given a free An angel in Crossmichael churchyard photographed by John M Smith. hand to use the inspiration of their visit to develop ideas for their work, to see where the images and stories took them. The result is stories and poems dealing with everything from the dread of wartime to the nostalgic recollection of summer picnics, from religious fervour to romantic relationships, from love of nature to compelling characters, from distant war zones to water monsters. Oh, and also some teddy bears! It is appropriate that Crossmichael should be celebrated in a book because, in addition to its general history, the parish has strong literary connections. Residents include poets Samuel Wilson (1784-1863) of Burnbrae, near Clarebrand, and William Neill (19222010), an important figure in the ‘Scottish Literary Renaissance’. The book was launched during Kirkcudbright’s first book week, during March 2020. Copies of the book can be obtained from alexandraemail221@gmail.com at a cost of £6.50 each. Proceeds from the sales will support the Crossmichael Heritage Centre. You can find out more about the Gallery Writers at https://gallerywriters. wordpress.com and more about Crossmichael Heritage Centre at www. crossmichael.org/crossmichael-heritagecentre Alex Glenkens Gazette page 14 USERS NEEDED FOR GLENKENS COMMUNITY CENTRE Glenkens Community Centre Due to Covid 19 the Glenkens Community Centre’s AGM has been postponed until it is permitted to hold a public meeting. Sadly, the future of the centre is in the balance because currently there are not enough groups using the centre and it is becoming difficult to keep it financially viable. For the centre to have a bright future it needs to have more people involved and using it. The centre belongs to the community and we need to find out what people think about this situation. Does anyone want to rent a space for a small business? Or does someone want to run a class? We also need volunteers and new committee members. So, if you are A Lovable Clerical Detective Some readers may well be aware of the books introducing Sidney Chambers, a Canon of Ely Cathedral, who also dabbles in solving mysteries and other detective tasks. He is a comparatively recent addition to the ranks of the fictional detectives. At the moment there are seven books and they really are a joy to read. The books by James Runcie are finely crafted and are based around the village of Granchtchester near Cambridge. They are set around the 1950s and they have a lovely cosy and warm feeling to them. The author is the son of Robert Runcie, once Archbishop of Canterbury, and the clerical heritage is clear. The clerical and church context is not allowed to dominate the book or the plot. The first book, Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death, contains six DALRY interested in getting involved, have a good idea or just want to have your say about this lovely community space please get in touch or come along to the AGM (date tbc). We will keep people informed via local posters and on our Facebook page or you can contact Glenkens Community Centre Management Committe chair Carylann Williamson at wililiamsoncarylann@gmail.com short stories of reasonable length and introduces the five main characters that appear through the other books. The books have led to a very popular ITV series, The Grantchester Mysteries, with James Norton as Canon Chambers and Robson Green as his detective friend. The series is highly recommended to those who like gentle and lovable characters with a background that it historically accurate and which enhances and contributes to the plot. The plots are gentle, if not slow, but that is a welcome change to the frantic pace of many modern books Bruce Smith Glenkens Gazette page 15 Protecting Our Special Places In the Glenkens we are blessed with many Special Places. Some are of national importance, and some are a private oasis, while many belong to communal folklore and culture. What they all share is a contributory factor to our joint wellbeing; they are our Natural Health Service. The ability of special places to deliver social, economic and environmental benefit is undisputable, yet residents in and around the upland periphery of the Glenkens are facing a fierce and lonely battle to protect them. Strong political forces have chosen to argue that many of our special places are without value. It is in this political battlefield that regional planners must decide which of our special places will be sacrificed and which will be protected. Whatever place you hold dear in your heart may be the next to fall as the strength of national interest overpowers local need. Unless we act as a community to define the key elements of our Natural Health Service in the Glenkens, these special places are going to be blighted in the name of absentee colonial benefit. I live in the Carsphairn area and have identified seven major landscape areas which I consider to be Special Places, each of which has the potential to deliver significant socio-economic and environmental benefit to the whole of the Glenkens. In addition, there are countless smaller special places in our community which deliver wellbeing. They all deserve our protection. In recent times we have come to understand how effective or ineffective our private curtilage is, in delivering wellbeing. The special place at the bottom of your garden may be of paramount importance in restoring mental health at times of overwhelming stress. As we come out of lockdown, I imagine that many of us will rush to our own heartfelt and sorely missed special place. Some may go to the pub, others will go to the golf course, some will visit a favourite country park, while I will be riding up the Southern Upland Way to the Benbrack Striding Arch in the company of a very good friend. These desires go beyond mere aspiration. They are part of our psychological basic need for liberty and belonging. I am planning to showcase the socioeconomic-environmental value of Glenkens Special Places which I have dubbed our Natural Health Service. I hope the wider community can unite in the joyous task of identifying and celebrating our cultural heritage so that these Special Places may find protection in the hearts of people. Over the next few issues of the Glenkens Gazette I will showcase some of our Glenkens special places which I feel to be under threat. Fiona Clubb, Blackmark Farm Wright’s Shop & Post Office ULTRASOUND PREGNANCY SCANNING Dairy & Sucklers; Ageing, Twin & Barren Detection. Trailer system includes triplets, marking and shedding. Pregnancy and number of pups. For bookings and info: Duncan Kennedy 07860 474001 dk@passcan.co.uk www.passcan.co.uk Please phone if you would like to place an order or arrange delivery. stocking a range of local suppliers • Express Bakery bread • • Irvings biscuits & cakes • • Ballards & Dalmellington Country Butchers meat & pies • • Mitchells fruit & veg • Shop & Post Office open 7 days Monday to Friday 7am–6pm Saturday 8am–6pm Sunday 8.30am–4pm Tel 01644 430 225 Glenkens Gazette Miss Dowey During Term 3 and before the schools were closed because of the Coronavirus, the P3,4,5 class at Dalry Primary were lucky enough to have a lovely student teacher called Miss Dowey. page 16 She was very kind and she listened about what we wanted to learn. Miss Dowey taught us about the rainforest and Religious Education. She also did some art with us like painting and drawing. Over two lessons we drew and painted a selection of animals from the rainforest; I drew a black panther because they are cool animals. My favourite thing of her time with us was when we learned how to filter water. Miss Dowey collected muddy water and we were given the task of working out how to filter the water to make it clearer. To make it even trickier we had a budget that we had to stick within to buy materials to filter it. We had materials like marbles, sand, a sieve, and paper to choose from. It was good fun and we all worked together in teams of three to solve the problem. That lesson taught me an important life skill, because if I was in a forest camping and I ran out of water I now know how to filter water so it is safer to drink. I think that Miss Dowey will be a really great teacher when she finishes her training. Good luck at your next school! Esme, P5 Lockdown Crafts and Cooking During lockdown, teachers in the Glenkens Primary Schools Partnership, which includes Dalry and Kells schools, have been planning home learning activities for the children to do, whilst the schools are shut. Aside from the usual reading, spelling, writing and maths, the children have been cooking, making things, drawing and painting. This has been very helpful with the health and wellbeing of the children during these challenging times. Across the two schools the children having been participating in these activities, and have kept in touch with their teachers with emails and photographs. One family have even taken on caring for the garden and poly tunnel at Kells. It’s been lovely to stay in touch with the children and see what they have been doing. Mrs Haynes Pictured are some of the amazing activities that Dalry and Kells school children have been keeping busy with at home. GALLOWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2020 The Galloway Music Festival 2020 managed to go ahead this year, just prior to us all going into lockdown. Nine children from Kells and Dalry Schools competed in several different classes with great success. Dalry P4-7 Recorder Group (Esme, Daisy, Maddy, Owen, Imogen, Aiden and Charlie) came first with their performance of Clown Dance, winning the Burgess Cup. Maddy and Owen came first in the recorder duet beginner class, with Irish Lullaby, with Esme and Daisy coming a very close second playing Fais Dodo. Owen playing Old Macdonald and Imogen playing Skateboard Ride, came joint second in the beginner descant solo class. Sophie and Megan from Kells won their recorder duet with Boogie Blues, taking home the Penningame Cup. Megan also came first playing Kitty Lie Over on the penny whistle, winning the Philgown cup. In addition, Sophie took home the Carty Cup for her rendition of Daisy Bell on the clarinet. Mrs Muir would like to thank the hard work of all the children involved, and for their exemplary behaviour representing the two schools at the Music Festival. Well done to all! Glenkens Gazette page 17 SOMETHING NEW AT DALRY SCHOOL After the schools closed in March, something exciting happened in the playing field behind Dalry School... The much-anticipated climbing structure which the children were involved in choosing, and which was generously funded by a grant from Blackcraig Community Fund, has been installed! At present, with the government restrictions in place during lockdown, it cannot be used (hence the safety tape around it), but when the schools go back after the summer, or if restrictions are lifted during the summer holidays, children will have a whole new play area to explore. This project was supported by Blackcraig Wind Farm Community Fund with funding from Blackcraig Wind Farm (Scotland) Limited, administered by Foundation Scotland working in partnership with The Glenkens & District Trust. Dalry Secondary Home Learning Prior to 20 March, Dalry Secondary pupils and staff were busy. S4 were working towards completing coursework and preparing for the upcoming examinations when our young people could demonstrate all the skills and knowledge they have been developing for many years. Junior pupils were working hard too and were beginning to look forward to their well-earned Easter holidays. Since the school closed to pupils on that date, everyone has been developing their skills in digital literacy and teachers have moved their classrooms from the building to digital platforms accessible to all pupils in their homes, allowing learning to continue. Those who need it have been provided with the necessary IT. School now consists of uploaded teaching resources, recorded lessons, assignments for pupils to complete that are marked by teachers, messaging and live video conferencing of lessons. Arrangements have also been made to ensure that those entitled to free school meals can access the nutrition they need. Some teaching staff are also involved in volunteering at the CDHS/ Dalry and Dalbeattie childcare hub (in Dalbeattie campus) where they are supervising and supporting children of key workers such as NHS staff as well as other vulnerable children who cannot be looked after safely at home. Mrs Gillies, Depute Headteacher, is also part of a team of science teachers volunteering with a local company producing solutions for testing PPE equipment being used in the NHS. With no immediate end in sight, teachers are working closely with the SQA to ensure that - whilst the examination diet has been cancelled our young people’s abilities, skills and knowledge get the recognition they deserve. We are also planning for all of our normal transitions: S4 heading off to CDHS, “virtually” for now, or to employment or future learning elsewhere; S1 and S2 moving on to the next step in their Broad General Education journey; S3 moving into their S4 Senior Phase; and, after the summer, to our new S1 becoming part of the Dalry Secondary Community. For now our message is: stay home, stay safe, look after your emotional wellbeing, and keep learning! Dalry Secondary Staff Dalry Community Choir On 16 May 2019 Dalry Community Choir started up, as a result of a few ‘strands’ that came together. I was a new teacher at the school, and keen to run some sort of activity involving the school and the community; our school was mindful of the well-being of its members and wanted to do something to facilitate this. As a singer, I felt some sort of singing group would be a good starting point. I did wonder, though, what my wellbeing might be like as a result. We were constrained by the days/ times when I am at Dalry, fitting in with everyone’s commitments, and the hours when the school was open. Immediately after school was thought to be the optimum time because staff (and possibly pupils) would still be in school, and we hoped community members might also be able to join us. We started on a Thursday; then we had a timetable change, which also resulted in a change of staff hours, so we had to move to a Wednesday. Initially, the group consisted of just staff members. Then a few members of the community came along; once, even a few pupils attended. If everybody comes, which is rarely the case, there are 12 of us; the least there has been is three, but we keep singing. We meet for a community singsong, to experience the buzz of singing in harmony, and sing for the sheer joy of singing. There are no auditions, and we don’t have to be able to read music – we just enjoy singing together as part of a group of a variety of ages. The repertoire is mixed and is tailored to meet the skills and interests of the participants. But, we keep having interruptions! First, the summer holidays, then a break in the autumn because of extra panto rehearsal time, and now we’re in lockdown because of COVID-19. We are trying to keep singing, though; as part of my homeschool teaching/learning experience, I’ve been creating a series of Microsoft SWAY documents that can be circulated to choir members – these include the lyrics, sheet music and backing tracks which choir members can access and hopefully sing along to. You can follow the link on the school blog https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/dg/ dalrysecondary And the answer, dear reader, to the question I posed at the start about what being involved in this community choir might do for my well-being? It is at times stressful – having the resources planned and prepared, the prospect of a rehearsal at the end of a busy and sometimes challenging day. But as soon as everyone arrives and we start singing, all the stresses slip away and both my physical and mental well-being are restored; I hope others feel the same. I really miss my time with the choir – the people and the singing, and look forward to being able to sing together again. Perhaps one day you’ll come and join us? Mrs Sue St Joseph Glenkens Gazette page 18 Glenkens Gazette page 19 Glenkens Gazette page 20 Marta’s Amazing Garden Builds It was a Sunday morning when Olek asked: ”Mother, do you need this wood in the basement?” To which I responded, “Yes son, why?” “Oh I just wanted to make something productive” “Like what?” “I don’t know…” “Give me an idea… so I can tell you if you can or cannot have it.” “I want to make a tree house.” “ Go for it, you can have the wood. Let me know if you need any help.” 30 mins later… “I don’t really know how to make it…” “Hmmm…Ok then… let’s figure it out together.” And as I was on holiday that week, we spent most of the time in the garden building it. The idea came from Olek spending the previous weekend enjoying the ability to climb our tree for the first time. He spent a bit of time up there, away from Karol and I. However, it wasn’t very comfortable… When we started, nothing was straight, more of a wave design to the floor, and I thought “at least water will run off easily”. Then by some miracle it even turned out square... which by all means was not intentional; more like the last thing on my mind! One of the days as we were building, Karol said… I always dreamed about a tree house. “Would be great if it had a fireman’s pole...” The only thing that came to my mind was… “are you kidding me?!” The words that made it out were slightly different; “sweetheart this is very difficult and I am sorry, I’ve no idea how to do it, how it’ll hold in place and so on…” It took me two days of pondering and then we just went for it. In the meantime, support poles were a difficult challenge as I didn’t have the right screws so I called a friend to see if he had any spare ones. We videochatted, it turned out that my plan of action for attaching poles needed improvement, as he was drawing and explaining I took screenshots. We hung up… then five tries and four hours later, the first pole was up. The other three Olek and I did in an hour, having got the hang of it. Karol was a great helper throughout the whole process too, cutting boards and supporting with positive chat. To finish it off - I realised I didn’t have enough wood for the wee barriers. Our neighbour offered pallets he had in a shed, and we used a couple of them, but it still wasn’t enough. However, as I woke the next day I remembered big shelves in the basement… it turned they were built just from the right kind of wood so, an hour later and lots of shifting and lifting and we had everything needed to finish the treehouse. Both boys painted it. Inspired by our treehouse creation, Karol decided to take on one of his own. His project started with Captain America’s shield which we created form cardboard. As we were discussing colours and painting it he was playing with boxes in the kitchen and said; ”How about for our next creative task we’ll build a tank? Do you remember that big box I had my baby toys in?” “Yes, I do, we still have it.” However, the massive box was very sizeable when Karol was four. Him now being 10, apparently the box had shrunk. Karol had his heart set on the tank idea though, so I said; “How about we’ll use wood?... but if we do, we’ll have to wait until the weekend before we start.” So in the meantime we used the baby toy box and made a den in the living room, in which Karol slept over the next few nights. We also used our creative time to design and discuss the tank. Then the weekend arrived and we set to work. It took two days and four afternoons plus one more day to finish We had great time and a few challenges too. Karol’s project didn’t require dismantling of any more shelves; however, basement ceilingto-be is no more and a couple of other house-related projects will have to wait now too. Karol learned how to drill, cut wood, sand, measure, glue, find things that can be used in a different way - like an old fridge shelf which made a perfect windscreen. We painted the tank with a protective layer; however when we can go freely to shops, we will venture out to find colours Karol likes. Marta McDonald, Dalry Glenkens Gazette page 21 NAOMI’S FARMING UPDATE In the past month so many new things have happened. Such as: I went camping in my tent in the garden, I have started to help my mum with the milking of the goats, I have baked a cake, I feed our pet calf every morning and I have made a lot more progress with taming the goat kids. I was bored one Friday afternoon, so I went, got my tent, set it up and spent the next few nights in it. It was really fun. The WIFI just barely reached the tent which I was happy about. It was nice to get away from my family too. I had to take it down though because it was windy, and it was about to be blown away. I also had a campfire where I got the frying pan and cooked some bacon for my lunch and then I got some marshmallows and my sister and I roasted them. I have recently been helping my mum with milking the goats. The first day I just milked one goat, but I had to leave some for her kid. The second day I milked two goats, but they did not have kids this year, so I had to get all the milk. I really love milking goats, but it hurts my arms a lot, so I do not do it very often, but I’ve started to do it more. I have also made a lot more progress with trying to tame the kids. Some are still quite scared, and some are still a bit too friendly. But it is getting a lot better. We now have a pet calf which I feed every morning. We are going to try and get her to walk with a halter but we haven’t had much success yet, but we are going to keep trying so then next year we might be able to bring her to a show. Her name is Juliet. She is bouncy, so it is hard to get her to even stand still. I participated in the 2.6 challenge. This was a challenge to raise money for Guides and Brownies. It was held because the London marathon was cancelled due to COVID-19 so on London marathon day I cycled to the Glenkens Fish Farm and back which is 2.6 miles. For the challenge you could do something 26 or 2.6 times. We also have 13 chicks and two poults with more hatching right now! We have some black chicks and some yellow ones. The yellow ones are called nankins and the black ones are called Scots dumpys. I prefer the nankins because I find that they are cuter, but I love them all a lot. I have also been helping my mum in the garden by digging a trench then putting in the compost, raking a bit of the soil back, then putting the potatoes in and then putting in the rest of the soil. I also planted some cauliflowers into some pots. There were normal ones and Naomi with their pet calf, Juliet. purple ones! I don’t know what they are going to look like but I’m excited to see them once they have grown. And last of all there is VE day. For VE day I made some bunting which I put up at our road end. My mum made a cake as well which was delicious. Recently I have also made a cake which tasted nice too. My mum also made a Swiss roll at the same time as the cake for VE day. It was a Victoria sandwich cake with cream and raspberries. This month has been jam-packed with things and so will next month I hope, so stay tuned for the next edition to hear what happens next! Naomi McCreath, age 12 - Shop online: www.ballardsbutchers.co.uk Email: shop@ballardsbutchers.co.uk Tel: 01556 502 501 Free Local Delivery Tues & Fri (orders over £20) Wide Variety of Local Produce Butcher Meat Fruit & Veg Milk & Bread Available to order Glenkens Gazette page 22 What Does VE Day Celebrate? That VE Day commemorated the end of the war is a common misconception. Recently we celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE Day and several news headlines added the phrase “and the End of the War” but omitted “in Europe”. A missive from the Dumfries & Galloway Regional Council to all Community Councils detailing the proposed celebrations for the anniversary of the end of the war, prompted me to point out the error. I had a polite reply agreeing that I was correct but that the details were about the VE Day and details on the VJ Day celebrations would be published shortly. That was three months ago and I am not aware of any announcement for VJ Day on 15 August. I remember pointing out a similar omission on the 70th anniversary, but it made no difference; 15 Aug passed largely forgotten. As one of the generation born around that time and with a father and several neighbours who fought in India and Burma, I grew up hearing the names Arakan, Donbaik, Tiddim Road, Kohima and more. My Dad’s good pal Jim Bell, who ran the Lochinvar Garage in Dalry, often visited on a Sunday afternoon and the two recalled the places and campaigns (and perhaps with the presence of two young boys, without mention of the brutality and death) that they experienced just 10 or more years earlier. I know more now of the horrors of the Burma campaign and was reminded last week during the Captain Tom documentary of the appalling conditions and brutal foe facing our troops. Britain at one point was struggling against the superior numbers of the Japanese army and was in ‘managed retreat’ towards India. Dad’s cousin William, captured in the fall of Singapore, was now a slave in a Japanese copper mine. My father was born in 1918, died 1995 and went to Crossmichael School before going to Castle Douglas High School. When clearing Dad’s desk after his death I found many letters sent home from the far east. The censor’s scissors ensured that only oblique references were made of places and outcomes; the following are examples of ways of getting round the censor with creative language. Dad was in the Indian Mountain Artillery with their field guns disassembled and carried by mules The sun is burning in the diamond sky. over Vultures gathering where the scattered bodies lie. mountainous The khaki masses in a scorched field of brown. ridges and Flies swarming round them and sunlight blazing down. deep gullies. One letter I see them through the glasses and some chaps seem to sleep. said that Through bushes in the hollow as if posing for a leap. he had Attitude of many show the pain in which they died. been doing Over them the carrion birds and ragged pinions glide. much “hill I lift my gaze and shudder for beyond the dreary scene. climbing” A wounded man is lying by a little patch of green. and as a A bullet got him yesterday, he cannot get away. result felt He must lie among his slaughtered mates, all through the pretty fit. He burning day. mentioned the Tinker’s We cannot get him in – it’s half a mile to go. Loup (above The enemy’s between us with machine guns in a row. Dalry) and No comrade, we cannot help you, much as we want to try. stated that We will have to stay here and wait, and watch you – die. the tinker I watch him and I find I cannot tear my eyes away. had nothing I keep him in the glasses all through the hell-short day. on him and He sits up sometimes trying to brush away the flies. some! In Or drag himself from the grim graveyard where he lies. a memoir written 40 It is grand and terrible to watch him fight to keep alive. years later His water bottle’s dry, but his burning lips still strive. he recalled To draw life from a dry mouth, that has no life to give. ordering the He seems to say the rest are dead – but somehow I must live. guns to shell Then came the dark and how the battle ended was not seen. his own OP But in the morning, nothing moved by the little patch of green. (Observation His strength had failed him and his tortured soul had fled away. Post) as it The war may be forgotten but the memories will stay. was about to be overAfter I am out of it, there’s one thing sure. run by the This thing I will remember – how sick and helpless. enemy. I peered through glasses and watched – a comrade die. He and his Dombaik, Burma, 1943 colleagues abandoned the OP, everybody but aye ready to help. We jumped the Khud (deep ravine) and escaped under had quite a gathering of Glenkens lads yesterday morning – Gallacher, the curtain of shellfire. After that Jardine, McMinn, McDowall, Paterson, narrow escape the letter continued McQueen, McMath, JD and myself. ‘We are not following the old school The last six all from New Galloway motto now.” (‘Forward’ was the old (excluding JD & Dad).The envelope CD High School motto, meaning states ‘Posted from ships’ and Passed Dad’s regiment were in retreat). “Had by censor No 45. There is no date on visions of joining cousin William, the letter or envelope but it would be but changed my mind” - quite an late February/early March 1942. understatement! I found, too, a poem written by Among Dad’s letters was a story another gunner who observed an of his regiment’s voyage to Burma. appalling death from his OP, which is They were heading for the Western included above. desert when Singapore fell and the Britain celebrated the end of war ship was diverted for the Far East in Europe. Those who fought the (they had to repaint all the artillery Japanese called themselves ‘The jungle green instead of the desert Forgotten Army’ and continued to fight colours) He wrote that he had a for another three months after VE Day. great time on the voyage with a lot Let’s not let them be forgotten of Glenkens boys: “We have had a again on the forthcoming 75th good voyage – weather good – it anniversary on 15 Aug. Remind was lovely at sunrise this morning. your councillors and MSPs that I was pretty sick at first day out but there should be a celebration too nothing much compared with the of VJ Day - perhaps this time ‘We majority. For dry land sailors we soon will remember them’... got our sea legs. JD (Jim Bell) keeps John Nelson, well and cheery as also Jock Little, Spearford, Crossmichael while Cheery McQueen is still cursing The Burma Casualty Glenkens Gazette Local Initiatives for Dalry Local Initiatives For Dalry (LIFD) are a group of local volunteers bringing hope, joy and unity to our community with engaging events and activities, as we all stay at home, stay safe and shield. Stones of Kindness LIFD launched a Stones of Kindness hunt across the Glenkens, starting on Monday 18 May to mark the start of Mental Health Week. What’s not to like about a walk in the fresh air whilst finding a precious piece of art work created by someone else, a mood booster or what?! Perfect to give you a little ‘LIFD’ for the day... We’re asking our communities, old, young and anything in between to decorate a stone (with or without a message of kindness). Take the stone with you on your next walk and ‘hide’ it (in a visible place!), have a look around on your walk, if you find any more Stones of Kindness take a photo of it and post it on LIFD’s Facebook page or email gw08devlinjenna01@ ea.dumgal.sch.uk. Once you’ve done this, please leave it for someone else to find. Let’s keep this going through lockdown and beyond, to spread a bit of love and cheer across the Glenkens. Nb Please do not touch the stones. Plant Swap Shop There’s also going to be an unstaffed ‘Plant Swap Shop’ on Main Street in Dalry (location tbc) for the foreseeable future. Gardening is widely known to help boost physical and mental health, so why not have a go? How it works - maybe you have an abundance of seedlings or plants that you’d quite like to swap for a variety of others? Quite simply, head to the Plant Swap Shop (on your daily walk or when in Dalry to get supplies) and take one page 23 and leave one. Please maintain all COVID-19 guidelines whilst using the Swap Shop. Happy gardening! Scarecrow Festival Just for fun... create a scarecrow! Any design, any theme and display it outside your home. Make someone smile with your creativity as they pass by. If you don’t live in the village, take a photo and post it onto our LIFD Facebook page or email gw08devlinjenna01@ea.dumgal.sch. uk for us to share with others. Join in! Let’s spread smiles with a little LIFD. Report Squirrel Sightings It may be tempting to think everything is on hold but the plight of the Red Squirrel continues, with the advance of the invading grey squirrel not respecting any lockdown period. It is so important that everyone continues to record sightings of squirrels across our area, as we are one of the last bastions for the red squirrel in southern Scotland. We need reports of a sighting of either a red or a grey squirrel – simply visit www.scottishsquirrels. org.uk to input your sighting. Reports are sought whether the squirrels are alive or dead – any dead grey squirrels on the road are still a vital report, confirming their presence. Unfortunately, here in the Corsock area, there have been recent reports of grey squirrels on the Corsock House and Crofts estates. We need your support for all efforts to protect our lovable red squirrels – or in no time at all there will be no reds left! Thanks to everyone across the Glenkens who are already helping our red squirrels. If you would like to do more (post lockdown) please contact bobpeace@btinternet.com or caroline.pridham@birdlife.org to join the Glenkens Red Squirrel Group. Many thanks, The Corsock Squirrel Crew 13th June • 11th July 10am-12.30pm * Dependent on the government’s guidance at the time regarding COVID-19 * For further information or to book a stall ring 01644 430 454 or visit www.dalrytownhall.co.uk Entrance by donation - proceeds towards Dalry Town Hall Refurbishment Fund North of Castle Douglas, A713 Ayr Road Glenkens Gazette page 24 Crossmichael Woodland Walk Plans are now being finalised for improving the walk that runs through the community woodland on the outskirts of Crossmichael village, heading towards Culgruff House. The project is being led by Crossmichael & District Community Council, and is being funded by the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme and by Blackcraig Wind Farm Community Fund with funding from Blackcraig Wind Farm (Scotland) Limited, administered by Foundation Scotland working in partnership with The Glenkens & District Trust. The woodland, owned by the Shedden family of Crossmichael, is in the management and care of Crossmichael & District Community Council and the path is part of a popular circular local walk. The path improvements will provide an better path surface, drainage, gates, picnic tables and a new footbridge. Discussions are underway now about when the work can get underway – precise timings and timescales will depend on national developments and guidance. Richard Middleton, chairman of the Crossmichael & District Community Council, upon seeing the plans being finalised, said: “The community woodland in Crossmichael is a well-loved amenity and the community council is keen to enable residents to make the most of it. In particular, we have for a long time wanted to improve the main path, which gets very wet in bad weather, and also to make it more accessible for folk with buggies and wheelchairs.” These improvements form part of the broader Galloway Glens ‘Out & About’ project that sees a range of work taking place up and down the valley, focused on improving access for all abilities to the amazing natural environment we have in Galloway. Jonathan Barrett, Galloway Glens Land Management & Access Officer, said: “This project will significantly improve the usability of this part of the core path as well as enhancing access to and the facilities of the community wood which is a treasured local asset. Particular thanks to the Crossmichael Community Council and the Shedden family as landowners for bringing this project forward and to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, supported by lottery players across the country.” News Update: Windy Rig Wind Farm Following announcements in late March, and as many local residents will know, the construction site at Windy Rig was temporarily closed on Tuesday 24 March 2020. Advertisement Throughout the closure we closely monitored the Scottish and UK Government and industry guidance and light activity resumed on site in May with a view to assessing what is required to allow the safe resumption of construction. The safety of our own staff, our contractors and the local community is of utmost importance. The next phase of the work being undertaken on site throughout May and June is solitary by nature – individual workers sitting in enclosed machinery cabs preparing ground works. This will enable us to work safely and in accordance with Scottish Government construction guidance. For up to date information on construction progress visit www.statkraft.co.uk/windyrig Are you a regular user of the B729? Receive text messages to be told about any large deliveries or additional activity on the route to our site. Contact Doug Wilson if you would like to be added, at doug.wilson@statkraft.com or call 07542 754 642. Glenkens Gazette For the Love of Scrubs The cottage industry lives again across Dumfries & Galloway as many work to create and distribute essential personal protective equipment for the NHS. As part of the UK-wide For the Love of Scrubs campaign, housebound makers across the region have downed the gardening tools and taken up their fabric shears to meet demand and protect our NHS. Co-ordinators local to the different corners of D&G are sourcing approved fabric, elastic, labels and pins and delivering to the doorsteps of skilled volunteers; page 25 they in turn are printing patterns, cutting hundreds of pieces and over-locking their love and appreciation into the finished articles before leaving them on the doorstep again to be collected and taken where needed. To find out more visit the NHS D&G For the Love of Scrubs Facebook page. Pictured: In Corsock, preschooler Siena scrubs up well in her Mum’s handywork. The Mystery of Huntingdon 290 Continued from last issue... When Earl David died in 1219 the earldom passed to his son John then reverted to the English crown in 1237. An important Scottish power-base close to English nerve centres was thus removed and with it Scotland’s remarkable influence in the south. Earl David and other members of the family are said to be buried at Saltre Abbey (present-day Sawtry, just north of Huntingdon), founded in 1147 by Simon de Senlis the younger, Countess Maud’s son from her earlier marriage. But that’s only the start of the story. The Huntingdon brood continued to make history hundreds of miles to the north. In 1290, when the legitimate line of William the Lion petered out, Earl David’s descendants were prime candidates for the Scottish throne. One of his girls, Isobel of Huntingdon, married the 4th Lord of Annandale. Their grandson, the 7th Lord of Annandale, became King Robert I (Robert the Bruce). One of his grand-daughters, Devorguilla Princess of Galloway, married John Balliol, founder of Balliol College, Oxford (this Balliol not to be confused with their son, the younger John Balliol, who became King of Scotland in 1292 after a contest with 12 other claimants). Balliol the Younger’s claim was through Devorguilla, daughter of Margaret of Huntingdon, Earl David’s eldest daughter. The other leading contender, de Brus (Bruce), 6th Lord of Annandale, was the son of Isobel, the second daughter of Earl David. He was one generation older and supposedly “closer” to the throne. In tricky situations like this it was customary to invite a foreign monarch to choose. The notorious bully Edward ‘Longshanks’, hungry for supreme lordship over Scotland, seized his chance. He selected Balliol, then proceeded to make his life a misery... so much so that Balliol resigned the crown in 1296 and was locked in the Tower for his impudence. Scotland was again without a king and menaced by the English. The bloody struggle for independence began, led by William Wallace. In 1306, to make absolutely certain of the crown that should have been his father’s, the 7th Lord of Annandale murdered his rival the Red Comyn, Guardian of Scotland, on the altar steps of Greyfriars Church in Dumfries, an offence for which he was excommunicated. Nevertheless, within weeks he was crowned King Robert I. So enraged were Longshanks and Bruce’s enemies the Comyns and Balliols, that Bruce was forced into hiding in the wilds of Galloway and his family made to suffer. The men were executed and the ladies “caged”. Nearly everyone’s hand was against him. How this great-great-grandson of David and Maud, with a small band of followers, turned the tables and finally triumphed at Bannockburn is the stuff of legend. Does any of this explain the mystery of the MidSteeple mileplate? Could Huntingdon to this part of the world to rate a mention alongside London? We know that after the Border wars and the Union with England the legitimate cattle trade between Galloway and the South was considerable. In 1697 a proposal for a proper drovers’ road from New Galloway to Dumfries White-sands was backed by James Earl of Galloway, Alexander Viscount of Kenmuir and John Viscount of Stair among other major landowners. The herds tended to change ownership at the great market in Dumfries before being driven down to lucrative outlets in Norfolk and Suffolk, according to one source. But they would have reached Huntingdon first. We may assume that this trade was just as important to the local economy in medieval times but must have been severely disrupted between 1300 and 1600 by the Border troubles, which made drives southwards through the Debatable Lands vulnerable to attack by the notorious reivers. If there were epic cattle drives from Dumfries and Galloway they’d have ended with the arrival of the railways in the mid-1800s. The cattle trade hadn’t been a fixed and settled business with permanent buildings, so few if any records survive. And the rail connection at Castle Douglas in 1859 changed everything. Huntingdon Castle, rebuilt by William the Conqueror in 1068, was enlarged by David and Maud, who presumably lived there from time to time until 1124 when David’s kingly duties took them to Scotland. The castle was dismantled in 1174 by a furious Henry II after the revolt against him by his own family. Huntingdon by then had passed to David the 3rd Earl after William the Lion (his brother) ascended the Scottish throne in 1165, but the castle was still held at the time by William, who had unwisely sided with the rebels. William was already in dispute with Henry over the earldom of Northumbria and, as one of the leaders of an armed rebellion, was made to pay dearly. Stuart Littlewood ...a proposal for a proper drovers’ road from New Galloway to Dumfries White-sands was backed by James Earl of Galloway... and its close neighbour St Ives - which was the venue of one of the four Great Fairs in medieval England drawing traders even from Europe - have been a major destination for cattle drives from the north? With huge landholdings north and south of the border, the earls of Huntingdon would almost certainly have been cattle barons, perhaps using their Huntingdon outpost to push northern beef into the rich markets of the south. We know that vast herds were rested and fattened on the lush meadows of the Great Ouse at St Ives before meeting buyers up from London and across from The Midlands and Norwich. On the town’s coat of arms are four “bulls’ heads proper”, although the cattle market is long gone. I turned up nothing meaningful at the Huntingdon end, where the sense of history is fixed chiefly on Oliver Cromwell, their one-time MP. So can anyone here explain why Huntingdon was important enough Glenkens Gazette page 26 GLENKENS PLACE NAMES: PART IV In this edition I would like to look at what place-names can tell us about the different wild animals that frequented the Glenkens in the past. lines in the poem is Bhite brocach Carsa Fèarn (they would be badger hunting in Carsphairn). Auchenshinnoch, a farm on the high ground east of the Ken in Dalry parish is derived from Gaelic Achadh nan sionnach, field of the foxes. This place-name is still pronounced Achenshinnoch locally. Up the Gaithill Road mentioned earlier is the ruined farmstead of Craigshinnie, situated under Creag Sionnaich, fox’s cliff. Of course there is a difficulty with placeThe Gaelic word for goat, gobhar, is names featuring an animal of some sort sometimes difficult in place-names to to decide whether the name was coined distinguish from odhar, dun coloured. because of the common frequency of that However there are several likely ‘goat’ animal species in that location or because place-names in our area. Rinn Gobhair, it had been seen there as a rare one-off Ringour meaning Goat Point on the side of and therefore name-worthy occurrence. Loch Ken. On the slope of Millyea, noted Nonetheless it is interesting to look at the on a 1768 plan (see The Place-Names types of wild animals commemorated in of the Galloway Glens website) is a rock our local place names. called the Achneygour Stone, probably I will start off with the cat, more likley from Achadh nan Gobhar, field of the the wild cat. The Place-Names of the goats. On the ridge above lie the Lochans Galloway Glens is an excellent resource for of Auchniebut, possibly Achadh nam Boc, local place-names and is a collaboration field of the bucks. Craigengower, Creag between the Galloway Glens and Glasgow a’ Ghobhair, rock of the goat, is a minor University (https://kcb-placenames. top on Beinn Naoimhe or Blackcraig, glasgow.ac.uk). It shows seven placementioned above. Knockower at the names in the Upper Glenkens north end of the Rhinns could be incorporating the Gaelic element cat the dun coloured hill or goat hill and (spelled as in English). However two of Craigower near Craigshinnie also those listed are likely to be mistaken, could be either. the website entry for Ballingear being Perhaps unsurprisingly, given that confused with Ballingait (which is a lot of the Glenkens comprised part supposed by the website to represent of the hunting Forest of Buchan, deer Gaelic Baile nan cat, farmstead of feature in our local place-names. the cats), which place is in fact a A tributary of the Polmaddy, rising former farm located somewhere near between Meaul (Gaelic Meall, a lump) Craigenbay. This place-name will and Craigchessie (pronounced Craiglikely be from Gaelic Baile an Geata, jessie for Gaelic Creag Deasach, farm of the gate, a place-name still south facing cliff) is the small Blaree remembered from the road from Burn. This must be named for a Glenlee up the Craigshinnie Glen, the level field in the area, Gaelic Blàr Gaithill Road. I am also very doubtful Fèidh, deer sward. Close by, between that Catbellie, the former name for Creag a’ Chait, Craighit, near Garryhorn - Wild the Polmaddy and Forrest Glens is Burnfoot, just south of New Galloway, Cat Slack is behind the hill. Craigmaharb for Gaelic Creag na derives from the cat or wild cat as h-earba, rock of the hind. Another suggested (very hesitantly) by the Castlemaddy), from Gaelic Clais Bruic, Gaelic word for a hind is eilid as seen in website. So leaving these two to one side badger’s den. Cassinbrok is a lost placeCraignelder in the Polmaddy glen and a noticable northern distribution of wildcat name near Strongassel and The PlaceCraignaltie (both from Gaelic Creag na place-names remain. Names of the Galloway Glens website has h-eilde) on the lower slopes of Benbrack Behind Garryhorn farm rises a rocky hill this tentatively as Gaelic Carse a’ bhruic, (Gaelic Beinn Bhreac, speckled mountain), called Craighit. This is from Gaelic Creag a’ the badger’s carse. However it seems to beside Blackcraig or Cairnsmore of Dee chait, Rock of the (wild) cat. In the photo me more likely to be Gaelic Casan Bruic, (Gaelic Càrnas Mòr, large cairn shaped above one can see the upstanding rocks badger’s path. The badger also seems hill). Close to Craignaltie is Hind Craig, a where it could be imagined would make a to put in an appearance at Marbrack/ direct translation. good den location for a wild cat. That this Moorbrock near Cairnsmore of Carsphairn The final Gaelic animal place-name was the case is further backed up by the (Càrnas Mòr, big cairn shaped hill). The I’d like to mention is rather interesting. Scots place-name Wild Cat Slack which Place-Names of the Galloway Glens site There is a burn on the Forrest Estate appears on an estate map of 1839 (shortly makes a good case for Marbrack and called Altibeastie. This is possibly from to be placed on line at National Library Moorbrock being connected and probably Allt na Bèiste, burn of the beast, possibly of Scotland). Old Norse slakki, adopted originating in Gaelic Marg Bruic, badger meaning otter (bèist-dubh). Note however as a Scots word slack, is ‘a small shallow merkland. Incidentally there are a cluster The Place-Names of the Galloway Glens valley, a hollow in the ground’. This feature of Marg place-names around Carsphairn website gives several alternatives, the appears to be the glen of the un-named (Marscalloch, Muirdrochwood, Culmark, most likely in my view being Allt na Bèiste, burn between Craighit and Black Craig. Bridgemark, Marbrack) that we will return burn of the cattle. Of the other four wild cat placeto in a later edition. There are a few Scots animal names names three are in the remote northern An eastward spur of Corserine on the in the Upper Glenkens, oddly two extremities of Carsphairn parish and Rhinns of Kells terminates in the rocky cliff commemorating the polecat, Fumart all have preserved a slightly different of Craigbrock, above Loch Harrow. This will Liggat (gate) at Earslton and Fumart anglicised form of the specific ‘cat’ be Creag Bruic, badger rock or cliff. Glen up the valley of Glenlee. The Scots element. These are two places called As mentioned before, the jury is still out alternative to sionnach, fox or Tod is seen Allwhat from Gaelic Ail Chat, wild-cats’ on the provenance of the supposed only in Todstone farm, also near Earlston with rock and Polwhat, Gaelic Poll Chat, for Galloway Gaelic poem, Òran Bagraidh but another Todstone near Burnfoot south of wild-cats’ burn. The final wild-cat placeit is interesting, given the prevalence of New Galloway. It could be that a personal name in our area is Dalwhat for Dail Chat, badger place names in the upper Glenkens name is involved here however. wild-cats’ haugh, somewhat incongruously and Carsphairn in particular that one of the Michael Ansell, New Galloway on the slope of Beinn Naoimhe, sacred mountain, now Blackcraig Hill. The Place-Names of the Galloway Glens website suggests that the anglicisation of Gaelic cat in the genetive singular as ‘hit’ is unusual however this is not the case in Galloway where outside the Glenkens we find forms such as Craigenhitt, Craig Het, Craiget, Craighit, Dalhet and Altehet (this last being Gaelic Allt a’ Chait, Burn of the wild-cat) . This perhaps suggests two things, one that wild-cats were once well distributed (unsurprising) but also suggests the Galloway Gaelic pronunciation was perhaps somewhat different from that in the rest of Scotland (the genitive singular element chait being pronounced something like ‘hatch’ currently). The next beast I’d like to discuss is the badger. The Gaelic word for this is broc, giving rise to the familiar Brock the Badger in English. Gaelic Broclach, a badger warren ocurs in two Carsphairn Brockloch place-names and indeed all the Glenkens badger references share a remote northerly distribution with that of the wildcat. Solitary badgers are referred to in Carsphairn parish at Clashbrook Bog (near Glenkens Gazette page 27 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN Letters from Balmaghie A fascinating series of letters, 267 in all, dated between 1789 and 1845, concerning the Neilsons of Balmaghie and their associates in Scotland and Canada, has just been made available online. This resource is provided by Kenneth Veitch of the European Ethnological Research Centre, School of Scottish Studies, Edinburgh University, the organisation that last year published Dumfries and Galloway: People and Place. [Since the original spelling is somewhat erratic for modern readers I have silently amended some words] Three years ago I wrote a short piece in the Glenkens Gazette about the Balmaghie Bookmen who became the leading publishers of ‘useful knowledge’ in Quebec and thus Canada, in the late 18th and mid 19th centuries. This new collection enables us to find out more about the family, especially those who remained at home. The person who attempted to make sure that relatives stayed in touch on both sides of the Atlantic was Isobel Neilson who was always badgering her sons, Samuel and John, to write to her. Typically of emigrant letters the folk at home never receive enough information, in fact less, as time goes by, and the interests of the parties become more specialised or obscure. Both sons were the biggest publishers in Canada, John becoming a prominent politician and philanthropist. Isobel stayed at Livingstone Boat, so named for the ferry across the Dee at that point. She later moved to Laganorie and Gatehouse. When Samuel learned that another brother, William, had ambitions to be a carpenter, he sent him a pile of the best available texts on all kinds of building and architecture, a neat example of knowledge transported from the New World to the old instead of the other way about. Sam believed that knowledge was the noblest ornament of human nature, as did the whole family, and there was much more to carpentry than might be assumed today; the Glenkens men who became the Kings of Cotton in Manchester also based their phenomenal success on joinery apprenticeships. Isobel sent Dumfries newspapers out to Quebec. Newsprint was often the last link with the Auld Country for emigrants. In Ontario, and doubtless elsewhere in Canada, in the 1980s, queues began to form around lunch time on the sabbath for copies of the Sunday Post. Isobel asked Sam to acquire fur for a cloak requested by ‘Mrs Lorie of Woodhall’ if it was not very expensive. It turned out to be too dear but folk continued to assume fur would be cheaper at source than in Scotland. Sam’s cousin Andrew Brown, the first of the family to emigrate, wrote from Greenock while awaiting a ship through all the parish, and in Crossmichael likewise, and that part of Grenlaws Estate called Casayend and Carlinwork and Black Park which he sold to the Dowglasess, at present possessed by men of the name of Douglas who has erected a Stepel [steeple] and a Councel house and prison and made it a burrow [burgh] where they have one Bilie [i.e. baillie] and six Counselers to be elected every three years. They now call it the burrow of Casteldouglas and they are now carrieng on the Cotton work there as well as Gatehouse, Kirkcudbright and Dumfries. They have built several houses for that purpose both there and in other places in the Countrie.” Not all was upbeat. “George Brown boatman is lost in the water six weeks ago; he threw himself out of the boat for he was rather wrong in his mind; we got him a corpse in about four hours; he has left a wife and eight children in a poor melancholy condition.” Occasionally the days of lang syne came to mind, as in a letter that William wrote to John in Quebec joyfully recalling the happiness of their childhood. It would take someone who knew, or knows, Balmaghie really well to fully interpret the following. “I have been several times at the Dornald (Dornell) of Balmaghie, and had the pleasure of crossing over the ground where we spent a part of our youthful days about the wod perk, bog é loch, breakus muir, the Mickle drum, the wee dornal, the wee dornal hill, the green hights, the reans nest, the mid hill, the mur dycke, the grey craig, the sput, the all barn, the seugh yard, the brae abune the spring wall, the falls loch gour, the nitchle brae, the dramans slap, an out the road to Belly Mack an Lauriston.” Some are obvious, others not so, but all are evocative. Sam believed that knowledge was the noblest ornament of human nature, as did the whole family... back to Canada remarking on the great changes that had taken place in Galloway since he had left it a decade earlier. “It seems to be almost another land, the vast improvements in agriculture has altogether altered the appearance of the surface, and the great number of well regulated manufactures of different kinds draws such a quantity of money to the country that [the value of money is less appreciated], to which if we add the great improvement that the manners of the inhabitants has undergone we will not wonder at their former way of life being altogether changed and must conclude that the country is becoming new.” Samuel’s brother-in-law sent welcome news of home. “In respect of Balmaghie parish it is much altered for there is not a gentleman dwelling in the parish but Mr Lowrie in Woodhall and he is going to his new building in Crofts of Crossmichael this spring and Mr Muir is said to come home to Livingston this Summer but agriculture and farm houses is much improven in this parish both on the Duchra and Balmaghie estets [estates] and This is a very rich source with lots more to come but if you cannot wait, you can read more at: www.regionalethnologyscotland. llc.ed.ac.uk/written/selectedletters-neilson-family-galloway-andquebec-1789-1845 Ted Cowan Glenkens Gazette page 28 BUSINESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT Many local businesses are working hard to Fleet Fish ensure they are able to continue to provide their services. In this issue, Fleet Fish, a delivery service providing fresh fish, fruit, veg and more, talk about how they have adapted to cope with the current coronavirus crisis. “It was a difficult decision for us to move online as our customers were used to the ‘old service’,” says Charlie of Fleet Fish. He continues: “Our normal service was a weekly door to door service offering fresh fish, fruit and vegetables. We were struggling to work within social distancing guidelines due to COVID-19 and we were concerned that due to the distance we covered and the volume of people we were in contact with that we could potentially spread the virus - which was a concern for both our customers and our family. Online allowed a ‘contact free’ service as produce was paid for online and we simply needed to drop the delivery at the door. “Going online has been a very steep learning curve for us - changing our business model was not something we had in our plans! However, our customers have been very supportive and have adapted very well. People have been very accommodating. Our produce is sourced at Glasgow market and due to supply/demand the choice can vary but people have been very flexible and understanding. We also stock chicken, sausages and cold meat plus eggs, milk and cheese. “We are very pleased that our previous customer base appear to have followed us online and we have also been able to offer a service to vulnerable people who are self isolating in rural areas. Our product range is available to view at www.fleet-fish.co.uk - people are asked to order and pay online before Sunday 9pm and their order will be delivered the following week. The Glenkens delivery day is Friday. “We understand that not everyone has access to the internet - if family members can place an order for people that is the easiest option but we can also take orders over the phone. “This way of working could potentially be our ‘new normal’ - but we will seek feedback from our customers before we make any decisions.” You can order online or by phone. Order before 9pm Sunday for delivery the following Friday at www.fleet-fish. co.uk or, if you don’t have access to the internet, call Charlie on 07966 103 912. activity from prehistoric times with numerous stone cairns including Cairn Avel, whose construction predates the Egyptian Pyramids, and later Christian era monuments together with abandoned steadings and enclosures. This improved part of the route ends at the ruins of the agricultural settlement or ferm toun of Polmaddy which was finally abandoned in the early 1800s. Despite the historic importance of the route, it was gradually disappearing and urgent attention was required to save a route rich in the history of the area. The improved path is proving to be a very popular walking route over wild upland terrain with magnificent views of the Rhins of Kells, through peaceful forest planting to emerge at the enigmatic ruins of Polmaddy. Jonathan Barrett, Galloway Glens Land Management & Access Officer who led on the delivery of the path improvements, said: “The recently completed Glenkens Pilgrims Way project has seen the completion of 7km of improvement works to revive what was barely accessible to all but the most determined walker. Although this was a technically demanding project it presented a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve and protect a much loved and historically important local path route for future generations. The next step will be to plan suitable signage and interpretation that allows the user to better understand the surrounding landscape as they pass. “Galloway Glens would like to give particular thanks to landowners along the route for their support: The Sinclair Family, Czernin Kinsky Scottish Company Ltd and Forestry & Land Scotland.“ The Fleet Fish van delivers all around the Glenkens each Friday. Walk the Glenkens Pilgrims Way A new path has been created from the deserted settlement of Polmaddy to Carsphairn, entitled the Glenkens Pilgrims Way. The path construction works are now complete, with plans underway for the signage and other interpretation features along the route. The historic path route, known locally as the Pack Road, is part of what was for more than 500 years the main route for travellers and the movement of goods from the North down through the Glenkens to the coast. This path formed an important part of the network of pilgrim routes across southwest Scotland which brought pilgrims from Glasgow and Edinburgh to the cradle of Christianity in Scotland at Whithorn. Historic records show that King James IV used part of this route on one of his many pilgrimages on foot in the late 1490s to visit the shrine of Saint Ninian. The upland part of the route, south of Carsphairn, provides evidence of human Glenkens Gazette page 29 BUTTERFLY COLLAGE COMPETITION Dalry Community Council had a difficult time judging last issue’s butterfly collage competition. All the entries were colourful, engaging and made us smile; we think the Glenkens has some talented young artists and hope they all continue to draw and paint the world as they see it. After much deliberation, first prize goes to Liam McMiken, age six, and second prize goes to Casey Patterson, also age six, with all other entires (pictured below) receiving a runnerup prize. Thank you to everyone for taking part - you have brightened our day! Dalry Community Council Men’s Shed Lockdown Lowdown Last May business was booming at the Glenkens Men’s Shed with internal development work nearly complete. Work was progressing nicely at The Smiddy too, looking pristine with its new roof, restored fascia, and cedar clad extension. Fast forward twelve months and the Smiddy is up and running and the Men’s Shed has finally got a roof that doesn’t leak! Not only is the Shed now watertight, it also has a fantastic array of solar panels, producing lots of lovely kilowatt hours of free electricity from the exceptional weather we’ve enjoyed of late. For the technically minded the Shed’s new roof panels can produce up to 12KW of electricity and saves about 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per year, whilst contributing towards the Scottish Government’s ambition to have 1GW of locally owned energy by 2020. Many thanks to Gill Warnock from GCAT (and Shed member) who masterminded the new roof project and contractors Solarae who did the installation. The Shedders are eternally grateful to an anonymous donor, SP Energy Networks Green Economy Fund and Blackcraig Wind Farm Community Fund (administered by the Glenkens Community Trust) for supporting this project. New roofs and panels aren’t the only thing new at the Shed; we now also have a fabulous metalwork room, courtesy of the Galloway Glens scheme. Sadly, everything is on hold whilst the COVID-19 restrictions continue, but the shedders are meeting up in cyberspace in the meantime and are primed and ready for when lockdown ends. Although we are the Glenkens Men’s Shed, we are gender neutral, and like to promote inclusiveness, encouraging attendance from all areas of our community. Membership fees are £15 per year and subscriptions at £1 per week for as many sessions as you like. So if you want to see what goes on, meet new people, pursue a hobby, lend a hand or learn a new skill, then please join us, whatever age you are. Glenkens Men’s Shed is supported by Connecting in Communities, a LEADER and Big Lottery funded project. To find out more, contact Chris or Brian on 01644 420 374 or email chris@catstrand. com or brian@catstrand.com Normal (non-lockdown) Shed opening times are: Mon 9.30am-1pm & 6.30-8.30pm; Wed 9.30am-1pm & Woodcarving 2-4pm; Fri 9.30amChris Jowsey, 12.30pm. Glenkens Men’s Shed Treasurer Glenkens Gazette Scarecrows in Balmaghie As well as delivering food and vital medicines to self-isolating community members, as part of their response to the COVID-19 crisis, Balmaghie Community Council’s newly formed community resilience team have been trying to cater to both the social and emotional needs of community members during these challenging times. In addition to offering support such as a friendly phone call, local trained volunteers from in and around Bridge of Dee, Glenlochar and Laurieston have been offering free ‘laughter yoga’ sessions to cheer villagers up, as well as access to free professional mental health support from a local qualified counsellor. Similarly, to help with the isolation and boredom that many have felt during lockdown and to help build community spirit, the community resilience volunteers have developed a six-week programme of ‘sociably distant village challenges’ with varied activities designed to suit all members of the community. This has included weekly puzzles, treasure hunts, quiz sheets, knitting challenges, an online ‘pub quiz’, as well as competitions for the best window display and most recently a scarecrow competition which has been the most popular event so far. Over the weekend of 9/10 May, 24 households across the three villages of Laurieston, Bridge of Dee and Glenlochar, displayed their scarecrows, many of which were themed around the current Grace’s winning scarecrow. page 30 crisis, either offering words of encouragement or poking light hearted fun at the situation we all find ourselves in. Volunteers from each village took pictures on their daily walks and entries were posted on the Balmaghie Community Council Facebook page so Dougie Campbell, local councillor for Dee and Glenkens, could pick a winner. The winner was Grace, aged 10, from Bridge of Dee, with the Brown family (also from Bridge of Dee) taking first runnerup prize. Dougie said that the bright attention-grabbing colours of Grace’s clown scarecrow and the lovely message to key workers was what made her entry stand out. Shirley Thomson, chair of Balmaghie Community Council, commented: “The community spirit even during these difficult times has been tremendous and we are so thankful to the volunteers for all their hard work. We’ve had lots of positive comments from community members who are grateful to have things to occupy them. We hope to keep at least some activities going even after restrictions ease so we can keep some of the connections which have been made during our time in lockdown.” To keep up to date with the activities of Balmaghie Community Council and their community resilience team, you can follow them on Facebook, or to access support from the community resilience team, call or text 07745 188 845 or email grace@sleeping-giants.org.uk Glenkens Gazette page 31 DO YOU LIVE IN BALMACLELLAN OR NEW GALLOWAY? Local charity Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) is asking everyone in Balmaclellan and New Galloway to get involved in helping tackle the climate crisis. They are researching the potential for local renewable energy projects and they need your help to understand how energy is used in people’s everyday lives, and what projects people would like to see investigated. Since last year Gill Warnock, who usually works part-time for the Galloway Community Transport part of GCAT (formerly GTI), has attended six day-long workshops run by Community Energy Scotland (CES). These were full of information about the potential community energy projects that could benefit our communities. Gill learned about the latest thinking on things like low carbon transport, smart networks, low carbon heating and smart buildings, and she is now leading this project for GCAT with the help of a CES adviser. Answers to the survey will help identify viable community energy projects that would be supported locally in Balmaclellan and New Galloway. Funding restrictions have limited the project to two villages at the moment. The information from the survey needs to be analysed by the end of June, so Gill is asking that people in these communities, if they haven’t already done so, could please complete and return their survey now. If you have any questions email Gill directly (details below - along with website details if you prefer to complete the survey online). Drop off your completed survey at the box outside the CatStrand’s front door (New Galloway) or at Balmaclellan Stores. The information being gathered about our rural communities isn’t available anywhere else so it is really important that we build the case for local energy projects in order that funding can be secured for our communities. Gill says that there are no plans in place yet as ideas for potential projects are still at an early stage, so feedback and ideas are very welcome. An example of a local community energy project is that last year GCAT led the replacement of the dilapidated roof on the Men’s Shed in Balmaclellan and installed solar PV panels onto the new roof (see article on p29). This project has also opened up further possibilities of, for example, electric vehicle charging points which could be connected to the panels so visitors can re-charge their vehicles while they visit the Men’s Shed or the Smiddy. Also, battery storage could be added to the system so the renewable energy generated by the panels is Gill (and Hamish) admiring the new solar PV hard at work in sunny Balmaclellan available during the evenings or less sunny days. Using the feedback from this survey, the hope is that the Glenkens can benefit from more community energy projects such as these, potentially reducing people’s energy bills and lowering our carbon footprint to help preserve our beautiful surroundings. Missing your survey? Complete the survey online at https://tinyurl.com/gcatenergy Or email Gill Warnock and ask for a copy to be delivered to your home: gillenergy@pm.me Another Accolade for Duncan Multi-award-winning local photographer Duncan McNaught has bagged another prestigious prize with his striking shot entitled Lonesome Larch. The photograph won Duncan the title of Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year at the annual Scottish Nature Photography Awards where entries are submitted by professional and amateur photographers from around the world. Duncan says: “My entry, Lonesome Larch, was taken from the Raiders Road early morning last Autumn. This is my first win in the Scottish awards; in 2017 I was placed second in the same category, to make first this year is a fantastic achievement particularly during these troubled times. “Galloway Forest Park has been particularly hit with the virus phytophthora ramorum, which attacks and kills vast areas of larch trees. I was out early one morning last year hoping to get a few shots of the morning mist. On my way home I spotted this lonesome larch amongst the Duncan’s award-winning photograph, Lonesome Larch. sitka spruce trees showing “I now wonder if it evaded the virus its full autumn due to its location, away from the other colours. I guess it was a seedling that had taken root amongst the other trees. larch trees in the forest.” Glenkens Gazette page 32 APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR SMALL GRANTS SCHEME The Galloway Glens Scheme is focused on connecting people to the heritage of the Ken/Dee Valley while boosting the local economy and supporting sustainable communities. The ‘Our Heritage’ Small Grants Scheme has been set up to provide awards of up to £5,000 to projects that allow people to connect to the natural, cultural or built heritage of the Ken/Dee Valley. A budget of £100,000 has been allocated towards this, with more This window display in New Galloway says it all really... than £51,000 awarded so far to 16 projects from Carsphairn in the North to Kirkcudbright in the South. Galloway Glens Administrator, Jude Crooks, said: “We welcome applications for original and exciting projects that help communities and visitors alike to look after, learn about, access and celebrate the Galloway Glens landscape in an enjoyable and rewarding way, and which support our aim of connecting people and communities to their heritage.” For details of the projects supported to date, to review the guidance or to make an application visit https:// gallowayglens.org/our-heritagesmall-grants-scheme For this fourth round of Small Grants Scheme funding the deadline for applications is 14 September 2020. “I liked the picture on back page of the last Gazette, accompanying the Knockengorroch Festival piece. I also have difficulty getting the duvet cover on...” Sue Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries Glenkens Gazette page 33 OUR GLENKENS FIREFIGHTERS At the end of April, a forest fire blazed in the Galloway Forest Park outside Mossdale. The fire raged for days, and for days and nights firefighters from our local New Galloway branch along with other firefighting teams worked relentlessly to quench the blaze. Helicopters were drafted in to drop water at key points, and firefighters kept fighting the blaze until eventually they had it under control. Situations such as this remind us that we are so very lucky to have such brave and capable Glenkens reserve firefighters. If you would like to join the New Galloway branch of the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, call 01387 252 222 or visit www.firescotland.gov.uk/yourarea/west/local-stations/dumfries to find out more. Pictured: Left and below left - after weeks with no rain, the fire rages accross the Galloway Forest Park. Below right - some members of the New Galloway branch of the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service. Glenkens Church of Scotland The Revered David Bartholomew is preparing weekly reflections that can be accessed on YouTube. This snapshot of a wild boar swimming across Loch Kendoon was taken by Eric Broadhurst, photographed from the B7000 High Carsphairn road, looking east. Eric said it was swimming so fast that by the time he got his camera out it had almost crossed the loch! Search on YouTube under ‘Balmaclellan, Kells and Dalry linked with Carsphairn’. The words of the reflection and prayers are accompanied by pictures of the Glenkens and soft music. David is also happy to send these directly to people by email if they contact him at dbartholomew@ churchofscotland.org.uk Paper copies can also be provided to those who do not have internet access. Contact David on 01644 430 380 if you would like to receive these resources, or simply if you would like to have a chat. Glenkens Gazette page 34 Food Bank The Castle Douglas Development Forum operates the Heart of Galloway Foodbank. They are open for pick-ups every day from 12noon to 2pm, and they also have a 24-hour dedicated phone line where you can ring up for help 07730 788 335. They are aware of the potential problem of people in the Glenkens getting to CD and they do deliver, and are already helping several people in the Glenkens. The service is great, and if you ring up in the morning, you can have a parcel delivered that afternoon. There is also a national number (0800 111 400) which will take you through to Dumfries & Galloway Council where their social work department is operating a triage system in case people require other help in addition to food parcels. LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Contact Shirley McNaught on 07955 743 022 or drop by the charity shop on Main Street, Dalry Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact Ros Hill on ros.hill@rathanhouse.co.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Andi Holmes on andiholmes@hotmail.com or 07729 292 126 Dalry Town Hall: Contact Jim Reid on 01644 430231 or jamescreid@hotmail.co.uk New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact Sam Rushton on 07741 656601 or samCEW@newgallowaycommunity.shop or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins on julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact Chris Jowsey at chris@catstrand.com 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Pop into 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 Group: carsphairnheritagegroup@ gmail.com Bright Stars - Glenkens Community Nursery: Contact glenkenscommunitynursery@gmail.com Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP): Contact McNabb Laurie on mcnabb.laurie@dumgal.gov.uk 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 Gazette page 35 Events and activities are on hold at the time of going to print due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Please check government guidelines to find out up-to-date guidelines on social activities during June and July. Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND: Services are cancelled during this time. The minister will provide resources by email each week to anyone who would like them in the form of prayers, hymns, and a reflection on a bible reading. You can email David at dbartholomew@ churchofscotland.org.uk or call 01644 430 380 for further information or even if you would just like to have a chat during these difficult times. SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Open for quiet reflection & prayer, 10.30am every Sun & Wed (for info contact 01644 420 467). Dalry Library & Customer Service Centre Tuesdays 10.30am-2pm Fridays 11am-4.30pm For further information contact Castle Douglas library on 01556 502 643 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Police, non-emergency: 101 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 36 ALTERNATIVE GAMES MILESTONE This August would have seen the 20th Scottish Alternative Games in New Galloway. However, it will be no surprise to anyone that the long running event has had to be postponed this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The event began in Parton in 1977 when the late Mungo Bryson had the initial idea for the quirky event when he found an old rusty gird ‘n’ cleek while clearing out a shed at his farm. Gird ‘n’ Cleek Racing has been the main feature of the Games ever since and the event has even claimed to be the official world championships in the historic sporty game. In the early years the annual attraction was known as The Parton Games but after a few years of increasing popularity and national press exposure the name was changed to The Scottish Alternative Games which perfectly summed up the alternative quirky nature of the activities and led to the strapline being added on advertising – the Lowland Alternative to the Highland Games. Events have varied greatly over the years and have included things such as Flingin’ the Herd’s Bunnet – propelling a shepherd’s cap like you would a frisbee; The Last Fling – often held at Parton to appropriately close the Games and was simply throwing a cobbler’s last as far as you could; and The Uphill Struggle which was a team game involving pushing a big round bale up a slope! Whilst the bunnet flingin’ was abandoned due to the fact it was very prone to the BALMACLELLAN VILLAGE SHOP We will deliver - please get in touch... - cash machine - winter fuel (peat, logs) - Flo Gas - Dalmellington Butcher pies/meat - Marchbank Bakers delivery every Friday - 01644 420 321 and the ever popular Snail Racing. A new event introduced since the Games took up residence in New Galloway is The Tractor Pull which now even has a wee brother event, The Quad Bike Pull to satisfy demand from younger participants. Other constants throughout the years have been the famous ‘unique atmosphere’ that many people comment on and also the many families from around the region and throughout the UK who return year after year to compete at the Games or simply to enjoy the day as a spectator. Many people started coming to the Games with their parents or grandparents many years ago and are now bringing their own children! Although the cost of running the event has inevitably increased over the years with the cost of insurance, advertising, printing etc. being a major outlay in the run up to the Games, the cost of admission has been kept as low as possible to make it affordable for families to come along. Any surplus funds over the years have been used to support various charities and local good causes. When the Games initially moved from Parton they were organised by a sub-committee of New Galloway Community Council but now the small organising committee is separately constituted. The committee are very grateful to everyone in the community who helps in any way to ensure that the Games happen every year and would always welcome new members to join the committee. Please look out for the AGM which will be advertised in the Gazette and is usually planned around October. Obviously with there being no 2020 event funds are fairly limited for distribution this year but if you are a member of a local organisation and would like to apply for a grant from the Alternative Games, please email bjedgar19@gmail.com for an application form. Similarly, any other enquiry regarding the Games can be sent initially to Brian Edgar on the same email. Many people will miss the Alternative Games this year but rest assured that the 20th Scottish Alternative Games in New Galloway will have even more reason to be celebrated in 2021! GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE detrimental effects of wind and rain, there is no doubt that the latter two maybe didn’t meet health and safety requirements with the likelihood of a stray cobbler’s last landing amongst the crowd or a big bale rolling backwards and flattening the family who were supposed to be propelling it up the hill. However some of the original events from 1977 are still held today – Gird ‘n’ Cleek Racing of course but also Tossin’ the Sheaf, Hurlin’ the Curlin’ Stane All ages enjoying last year’s Games. General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 Supported by an award from Blackcraig Wind Farm Community Fund with funding from Blackcraig Wind Farm (Scotland) Limited, administered by Foundation Scotland working in partnership with The Glenkens & District Trust. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk AUG/SEPT COPY DEADLINE: 5 JULY Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing: www.instantprint.co.uk The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No. SC032050  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 118 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_118 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 2020 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/264/GlenkensGazette117-special.pdf d38532fe97044a6c047a8b43ea8d8568 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 117-special Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document GLENKENS GAZETTE -SPECIAL EDITION - MA News from -Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick Durham, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry 202 Y 0 Produced in partnership with local community councils and funded by the Blackcraig Community Fund. COMMUNITIES WORKING TOGETHER The communities of the Glenkens have come together to create an interim issue of the Gazette to inform and entertain people during these extraordinary times. The Glenkens Gazette has pooled its resources with local community councils to give you relevant information for people in each community, as well as what we hope are interesting, informative, fun and useful articles during the COVID-19 lockdown. You will find the centre spread is a pull-out of community council information which you can remove and put on your pinboard or attach to the wall, or just cut out the section relevant to your community. The rest of this short but valuepacked issue is full of seasonal stories, recipes, gardening tips, foraging advice, competitions, health and wellbeing ideas, photography pointers and more that are all relevant to staying safe by staying at home at this time. We have arranged to have this issue of to your door to ensure no one misses out. We hope you enjoy your read! FARMING IN THE GLENKENS A Young Farmer’s View On our farm in spring we get lots of baby animals. It can get hectic at times but is overall fun. On our farm we have goats, sheep, cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and a sheepdog. But only some of them have babies because if we got all the animals to have babies, we would be so busy we wouldn’t get any sleep! The animals that we do get babies from are goats, sheep, cows and chickens. The goat babies are called kids and are extremely cute. They will nibble you and jump on you but are still well behaved most of the time. This year we have had 11 kids and some of then can be little devils. But some of them are quite shy and will run away from you when you walk up to them but that will be because they just aren’t used to people yet. The sheep babies are called lambs as a lot of people know. They are a lot more shy than the kids but that’s because we have so many that they don’t get to realise that we are friendly because we don’t spend enough time with them. This year we have so far had 90 lambs and still some to come. I, myself, have four of my own lambs, three girls and one boy. The cow babies are called calves. They can also be quite shy, like the lambs but can also be friendly. This year we have nine calves and a lot more to come. I don’t pay as much attention to the calves, but I love them just as much as the goats and the sheep. I went to my uncle’s to help and I was able to feed the pet calves there. The chicken babies are called chicks. They can be friendly but unlike all our other animals we keep them with their mothers until they grow up to an adult so you usually can’t get to the chicks without being attacked by the mothers. Right now, we have four chicks and some more to come. We did have more chicks but some of them died, sadly. Me and my sisters also have some jobs we must do to help on the farm. My jobs are to fill the goats’ water tub, let the ducks out and collect the duck eggs, feed some of the chickens, feed the dog and to play with the kids. The A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) initiative Naomi working hard at her favourite farm task, playing with the goat kids. last job is an unusual job, but we want the kids to be friendly when we take them to shows so we need to make them friendly by playing with them. Personally, it is my favourite job of them all. Naomi McCreath, Polquhanity Farm www.glenkensgazette.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 SPRING FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY The current lockdown is a great opportunity to hone your photographic skills. Multi-award-winning local photographer Duncan McNaught gives some tips for getting the best snaps, even if you just have a phone camera. Duncan says: Try and avoid bright conditions - the best light for garden flower photography is in early morning or evening when the sun is not bright in the sky, or an overcast day is ideal. If using a digital camera or mobile phone to take your shots, try to take side-on shots rather than face-on. Get as close as you can, but not too close - all lenses have a minimum focus distance so if you get too close your shots will be blurred Look closely in the background of your shot before you press the button; are there any distractions such as bright highlights detracting from the focal point, twigs/leaves that don’t do anything to enhance your shot, an ugly piece of fencing/shed in shot, etc. Backgrounds in any photo are just as, if not more, important than your main subject; take time to check it out well. A spray bottle filled with clean tap water is ideal to add some sparkle to your shots; a few good sprays onto the petals or leaves of a flower can make such a difference to your photos. Some people like to photograph butterflies - certainly not an easy subject to get right, but again early morning when they have not taken to the wing is ideal. Dandelion season is upon us now, the seed heads make for some really creative shots, particularly if it’s wet and windy outside. Just gather a few dandelion heads up, use some tape or blue tack to stick them down, place any coloured paper, foil or clothing (I’ve used a blue t-shirt before) behind the flower. Again, get as close as you can, aiming to fill the frame, and take your shot. A small LED torch can be helpful to add some light; try shining it on your background rather than the subject for some creative lighting. A bonus tip, and something I use a lot, with some really great benefits, is sweetie papers as filters. The translucent ones from Quality Streets, or similar are ideal, placed over the lens of a torch gives you some beautiful colored light. A great way to get some really creative effects, with the extra bonus that you have an excuse now to eat a few sweeties too. For the more creative approach how This makes for some amazing abstract images. One of the most important things in photography is to keep your camera/ phone steady, particularly in shady or darker conditions, or if you are using a big heavy lens. To keep it simple, you can either use a tripod if you have one, or a bean bag - or anything that will hold your chosen camera will work too. The self-timers fitted to most cameras are perfect - just set your equipment up, get focused, press the self-timer button and step away till it takes the shot. Even on a tripod, this is an ideal way to get much sharper shots, which makes such a difference, especially if you may wish to have them printed. Light is hugely important in taking a good photograph. If it’s too bright, for example, then perhaps a different time of day would be better, or use some shade such as a piece of card, paper or even yourself to reduce the light. Equally, if it’s a little too dark how about an old CD to reflect some light back onto your subject, or some tin foil, and a torch is really useful. You can often get a better effect if you place some tissue paper or a simple clean white yogurt pot or similar over the front of your torch to create some nice diffused light. Don’t ever be fooled into thinking you need expensive equipment to take good photos as it’s simply not true. Photography is more about being creative and looking for ways to use light to your best advantage in every shot you take. Pictured are some of Duncan’s close-up shots of flowers, illustrating how light and water can accentuate an image. If anyone would like to ask Duncan any questions please contact him on Facebook at Dmcnaughtphotography or email me at Dmcnaughtphotography@gmail.com Don’t ever be fooled into thinking you need expensive equipment to take good photos as it’s simply not true. about a saucer of milk with a few random drops of food coloring added, then a few drops of ordinary dish soap - this makes some amazing patters to photograph, and is a bit something different to do with the kids. On a similar theme, for indoor photography days use a clear glass bowl, preferably not too deep (a lasagne dish for example) and place some brightly colored paper or similar underneath. Add a few drops of cooking oil to the water, give it a gentle stir, and photograph directly over the water ensuring you keep your camera/phone parallel with the water. Glenkens Gazette page 3 Supporting the Spread of and pictures Corona Kindness ...rainbows appearing in windows Since the lockdown started on the 23 March, our Glenkens communities have been flooded with both spontaneous and planned acts of kindness. Through initiatives that have coordinated volunteering offers, raised awareness of need, celebrated, thanked or promoted wellbeing, we are witnessing our community quickly and sensitively responding to our needs at this unprecedented time. We see rainbows and pictures appearing in windows to cheer up passers-by and offer a message of hope. Christmas lights have been switched back on to lift our spirits and brighten up the streets for our NHS and frontline workers who travel past them on their way to work. Sunflowers are being planted in anticipation of the better times to come. Our weekly diary now includes the Thursday 8pm date on our doorsteps, where we join and witness the moving sound of applause for our brave NHS and key workers. It’s so great to see again a smile or wave from our friends and neighbours. For some it may be the only human contact of the week. We have even danced on our doorstep! On our daily walking exercise, Teddy bears peer at us from windows, home-made bunting or decorated stones brighten our paths and Easter window displays are beautiful – all uniting us and providing diversions to fill our newly acquired time. Last weekend, the Easter Bunny hopped into the Glenkens, spreading chocolate and cheer for Glenkens children - a welcome treat following their own challenges of staying at home and not seeing friends. Meals and cakes are being made and delivered. Phone calls and socially-distanced chats take place, making us all feel supported and grateful that we live in and are a part of this community. Our local businesses have risen to the challenge in many innovative ways, and we are grateful again for being in such a relatively self-sufficient community. On social media we are being treated to entertaining Tik Toks (short repeated videos, often humorous) and photographs of the beautiful sights and natural wonders of our local environment, that perhaps we now have more time to notice and appreciate. Let us not forget how we and our community have responded. Keep your pictures, videos and creations and when the time is right, we can look at ways of collating, sharing and celebrating what we as a community did in response to Covid 19. We should be proud of all that we have done and achieved! If anyone wishes to have or make bunting for their windows or share their photos or TikToks on social media please contact SamCEW@ newgallowaycommunity.shop or call Sam on 07741 656 601. And remember to email or post anything you would like to include in the next issue of the Gazette to glenkensgazette@hotmail. co.uk or you can post items to CatStrand, New Galloway, DG7 3RN. to cheer up passers-by and offer a message of hope. Christmas lights have been switched back on to lift our spirits and brighten up the streets for our NHS and frontline workers who travel past them on their way to work. Sunflowers are being planted in anticipation of the better times to come. Thomas Edgar watches the Easter Bunny through the window; rainbows have sprung up all over the Glenkens, along with Christmas lights to show support for our key workers; local businesses are going above and beyond to help (Kate’s farm eggs can be picked up from the ‘hutch’ opposite the playpark in Dalry); Teddy bears in windows wait to be spotted, brightening up children’s walks. Glenkens Gazette page 4 Tom’s Feel-good Isolation Film List So this year hasn’t started off the most convenient for the human race, not just for film addicts with all the cinemas closing, but for everybody else as well. with great performances - a good film all round. (Not available on Netflix, can be rented on Amazon Prime for £3.99) FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF: Hands-down for me this feels the most heartfelt of them all; a great hangout film, with enough action to keep you gripped throughout. (Available on Netflix, can be rented on Amazon Prime for £2.99) MOONRISE KINGDOM: Wes Anderson remains one of the most prolific and unique directors going. Full of familiar Wes faces, Moonrise Kingdom is a must-see for anybody into artistic film-making and camera work. (Not available on Netflix, can be rented on Amazon Prime for £3.99) LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY: Award-winning cinema, a good 10 hours of fantasy and action that’ll transport you right to Middle Earth. (Available on Netflix, can be rented on Amazon Prime for £3.99 [per film]) SOME LIKE IT HOT: A comedy classic - don’t be put off by the age of the film; it’s a barrel of laughs, slapstick mishaps, great dialogue. I hadn’t seen something so funny in a good few years, and you can’t beat the punchline at the end of the film, amazin! (Not Available on Netflix, can be rented on Amazon Prime for £2.99) O’ BROTHER WHERE ART THOU: You’ve got to have a Coen Brothers film on the list, and while Fargo, Burn After Reading and The Big Lebowski are all very good, very funny films, none of them are quite as warmhearted, merry and fun as O’ Brother Where Art Thou. (Not available on Netflix, can be rented on Amazon Prime for £2.99) ANY PIXAR FILM, LIKE, EVER: I was going to try and put down a film, and then I thought; every single film is fantastic. One of my favourite studios (and I’m not afraid to say that), I have always had a blast watching through a PIXAR film. So...there are my personal quarantine flicks - I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! Thomas Limbey together, lockdown is all about keeping folk apart... So, we’ve had to come up with new and creative ways to keep the community connected. Men’s Shedders are keeping in touch with a phone cascade system, one person rings two others, they ring two more each and so on. The singing group, adult dance and Shona’s pilates class have all tried various methods of digital connection. By far the most popular method of getting together digitally has been using the online platform Zoom (see article on p6). In February most people in the Glenkens had never heard of Zoom (it’s a video conferencing platform generally used for business), but by April loads of people were using it on a regular basis. It’s nothing new to Brian and Chris, both of whom have a background in telecoms, so we’ve seized the opportunities Zoom offers to get our activities on-line and back into the community. So far we have Amy’s Tuesday night yoga class on Zoom, instigated a Wednesday night pub quiz, got the photography group zooming their photographs to each other and, working with John from JP Fitness, have started three different fitness classes. If mental and physical workouts aren’t your thing, we’ve also got a plant-pot challenge check out our Facebook page @connectingincommunities Obviously not everyone has the technology to utilise Zoom, or even Facebook and email, but we’re working with our funders to see what other solutions technology can offer. Meanwhile stay home, stay safe, and shop locally - the village shops are doing an absolutely brilliant job of keeping us supplied; thanks folks, you really are lifesavers! Please look out for your neighbours too, even if it’s just a chat on the phone or over the garden wall (from a safe distance). Isolation can be really hard, and a simple chat or act of kindness can keep spirits up. CiC is here to help in these difficult times, so if you have a good idea to help the community or need some support in something you’re already doing, please get in touch. To find out more about any of our activities please contact Brian or Chris on brian@catstrand.com or chris@catstrand.com Chris Jowsey, Volunteer & Participation Officer While the world is in lockdown and we remain stuck inside away from the perils of thou-that-shall-not-be-named, it’s important to keep our heads held high and our moods up. There are thousands and thousands of feel-good movies out there, films that lift the spirits, make you smile and take your minds far away to a whole other world. These are my favourite, personal picks for something to take your mind away from all that outside... LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE: Full of great acting from people like Steve Carrell, Toni Collete and Paul Dano, great writing and hilarious gags. If the finale doesn’t bring a big grin to your face then I don’t know what will. (Not available on Netflix, can be rented on Amazon Prime for £3.99) CHEF: What starts as a great food flick turns to a powerful story of bonding, Little Miss Sunshine - guaranteed to bring a smile... Connecting in Communities (CiC) is a LEADER and Big Lottery funded project, aimed at improving the lives of those living and working in the Glenkens. Targeting loneliness and isolation has been a key driver in our success over the last three years, bringing people together across the Glenkens for a wide variety of activities. But now the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a huge spanner in our well-oiled works. Just as we were celebrating the opening of the Smiddy in Balmaclellan and getting new and exciting events running, the necessary social isolation measures mean we’ve all had to stay at home. Our project is all about getting people Glenkens Gazette page 5 The Reality of Exercising at Home Well it’s week four of lockdown and life has certainly changed for us all. The gyms are shut, exercise classes cancelled, the golf course is out of bounds... This has resulted in me engaging in ONE Oti Mobuse Dance class, watching Joe Wicks whilst drinking tea and eating my fifth biscuit, making an unrealistic pledge to exercise every morning starting from ‘tomorrow’ and spending hours on end watching people on YouTube finding innovative and often hilarious ways of exercising. We all know the importance of exercise and the health and wellbeing benefits that this brings. However, at this time of uncertainty, stress and change to our daily routines, physical activity and exercise may not always be happening. I have known for a long time that I partake most readily in ‘exercise in disguise’, such as engaging in physical activities such as walking the dog whilst chatting to a friend or dance classes where I am learning a new routine or dance style. The reality is that my motivation to exercise comes from supporting others in their physical activity, social interaction achieved through group exercising, peer pressure of regularly attending, the joy I find in music and the reward of a cuppa and chat following the class. Therefore, I am in total admiration and awe of those who are continuing their exercise journey in their makeshift gyms and using their permitted one hour of exercise productively. At this point my regular class participants will now be chuckling at the fact that I am not even following my own advice and raising my baked bean tins above my head to tone my arms. So, my four-week ‘research period’ has ended and ‘tomorrow’ has arrived and for those who, like me, would like to exercise in their home, I am sharing the following information • Turn on the BBC1 at 6.55am or 8.55am Monday, Wednesday or Friday and join the Green Goddess or, if that’s too early, join Mr Motivator on BBC 1 each day on HealthCheck UK Live • Contact Connecting in Communities (brian@catstrand.com or chris@ catstrand.com) for their increasing programme of online classes including kettlebells, circuits, yoga and Zumba (see page opposite for more) • Visit the NHS online www.nhs. uk/live-well/exercise for a wonderful range of exercise activities suitable for all levels of fitness, including sitting exercises, strength exercises and gymfree workouts • Take a step outside or open your window and take five deep breaths, do four shoulder rolls and three stretches, notice two things around you, and have one positive thought. Remember - keep it simple and safe, set realistic goals, and even a little movement or exercise will make us feel a lot better. So, to my class attendees, friends, local instructors, Local Initiatives in New Galloway, Connecting in Communities “Thank You” for what you are offering us at this time, and l look forward to seeing you again when our ‘in person’ classes and activities resume! Sam Rushton Maria Yerburgh is offering free live 30-minute yoga sessions on Sunday mornings at 11am. Follow ‘Barwhillanty Estate’ Facebook page to join the sessions. Writing in a Time of Crisis FOOD BANK The Glenkens Writers Group is no longer meeting but some members are sharing their writing on-line as they experience the Coronavirus crisis. This group has been joined by others who feel drawn to write about what is happening. “We are all in a very strange and unprecedented situation, which may not feel great but could galvanise some interesting writing,” says Margaret Elphinstone, who convenes the Glenkens Writers Group. “Many people find writing about these difficult times extremely helpful. It also provides a historical record of what people locally are experiencing and their reactions to events.” Articles, in prose or poetry, can take the form of a diary, observations or reflections and opinions. The only requirement is that contributions must be of less than 500 words and submitted electronically. Group members share their writing with one another and discuss their writing online. They agree not to circulate other people’s work outside the group without the writer’s permission. We have space for a few more writers, but may have to set an upper limit if the editor is inundated with applications. To find out more, contact Margaret on margaret.elphinstone@dircon.co.uk On behalf of Stewartry Food Bank, (SFB), I would like to thank everyone in your communities, large and small, who have so generously supported us. Donations of goods and cash have poured in - so much so that our bank balance has increased, the stock room is full, and we have had to begin storing food in another room so please, no more donations of food at present. We could not achieve anything without the ready support of so many volunteers - thank you. SFB, Stewartry Council for Voluntary Services (SCVS) and Heart of Galloway Food Bank in Castle Douglas are now trying to coordinate referrals and deliveries. This initiative is in its early stage but should you or anyone you know be in need of help, please contact Heart of Galloway on 07730 788 335. Again, thank you all for your support - keep safe and well. Marian Dixon, SFB Glenkens Gazette page 6 WILDLIFE WATCHING What a very strange start to spring we’ve had, four weeks into lockdown as I write. Peacock butterfly © Andrew Bielinski Just as the dry, warmer weather arrives, we’re all confined to our homes and the immediate countryside around our villages – but nature is in full swing and we can all enjoy the wildlife around us and the early signs of the season. The dawn chorus of our resident birds such as robins, blackbirds and song thrushes is being joined by willow warblers and chiffchaffs, whilst swallows and house martins are beginning to appear in the sky. The newts have small larvae (sometimes known as efts) - we have palmate newts in our pond and this is the most frequently found species in this part of the world, although smooth (or common) newts and the rare great crested newt are also found in the Glenkens. Searching around ponds at night with a torch is a good way of finding newts, as they come into shallow areas to carry out their courtship dance. Hedgehogs are also active in the garden at night, having emerged from hibernation a few weeks ago – telltale black, sticky droppings on the lawn are evidence of their nocturnal foraging. The great daytime foragers are the bumblebees and other early insects busy gathering nectar and searching for places to make their nests. Big queen red-tailed bumblebees are especially active at the moment, but look for the smaller mining bees and hoverflies that are also on the wing. Butterflies are also back – small tortoiseshells and peacocks and, my favourite early spring butterfly, the orange tip. Yes, spring is here – let’s enjoy it! Andrew Bielinski How to Have an Online Coffee Morning Ok, so you’ve phoned your parents/children/ grandchildren/friends... but wouldn’t it be nice to actually see them, even in lockdown? Well if you have a computer, tablet or smartphone with a working camera, then you are in luck as you can make a video call. If you have a choice of devices I would recommend using the one with the biggest screen. All of these apps are free and using them is free if you connect via broadband and it is within any allowance you have. If you have Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp on your phone, you can use these to have video calls, and you can create a ‘group’ and have more than one person. Messenger also works on your computer/tablet - if you are able to access Facebook, you can make Messenger calls. Skype is a great all-round video call platform, and there are versions for Apple products, Windows and Android devices which all work together. Just download the app from skype.com or Apple’s App Store or Google Play (Android). You will need a Skype account to make calls. If you want to have more people on a single call (a party!) then Zoom is very popular. The person setting up the call will need a Zoom account - setting it up is all very straightforward. Once you have started your meeting, you can send out invites by email (best to phone people and ask them to check their email and click on the link). Note that anyone with the link will be able to join the meeting/party but they don’t need to have an account. So now you can see the people you care about - see that gap where the grandchild’s tooth fell out, the rainbow they painted or the Lego castle they built. You can have a virtual party with the grown-ups; or pour yourself a cuppa (or something stronger) and just hang out and chat. How about sharing a baking session with youngsters or oldies? Or a game of chess? Some obvious security advice - don’t give out personal details over Skype or Zoom, don’t click on a link unless it is one that you were expecting, and remember that the camera is on while the meeting is active and everyone on the call will be able to see and hear everything! Paul Goodwin Zoom call discussing this article. Maintaining Our Local Lifelines Many of our local grocery shops are continuing to provide a vital service for our rural communities, either by delivering orders or by making a rule of one or two people in the shop at a time. Those that are remaining open to customers are having to deep clean regularly and, with many more customers than usual, they are working very hard on our behalf. Please help them help you by planning your shopping in advance so that multiple trips are not required, and remember that we should only be shopping for essential food supplies. Government rules on social distancing in order to limit face-to-face contact are vital here. Our local shops are small businesses and if one member of staff displays COVID-19 symptoms, then the whole shop may have to close until the quarantine period has expired. This would leave our communities even more isolated. So please, take the time to plan before you venture out to the village shop. Let’s respect our key workers during this difficult time. Glenkens Gazette page 7 Community Information Pull-out This page has information relevant to the whole of the Glenkens, with specific community council area information on the following pages. Please pull out this centre spread and keep it somewhere to hand for use over the coming weeks. GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE MEDICINE Prescription collection is from the window next to the main door. Please maintain social distancing (at least 2 metres) while waiting to collect medicines. Four working days notice are necessary for repeat prescriptions so remember to order the week before you run out. No supply problems are anticipated so no need to order extra. Volunteers from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Dalry and New Galloway are able to collect and deliver your prescription to your door. When you phone the surgery (01644 420234) to order your repeat prescription, please find out when it will be ready. Then call the number relevant to your community (see following pages) to arrange for its collection. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, address and telephone number. Government rules on preventing the spread of the Covid virus are to avoid physical contact. Volunteers will therefore ring your door bell, step back 2 metres, and wait for you to collect the items. If no-one is available to answer the door, we will have to take the items away but will telephone you to rearrange delivery. GLENKENS-WIDE FOOD DELIVERIES & COLLECTION FOOD DELIVERIES Many local shops and food providers have set up stysems for ordering food in advance which can then be delivered to your door. Delivery is on different days for different communities so please check when phoning through your order. (Village shops are listed on the following pages, under their specific area.) • Ballard’s Butchers: orders can be made online at www.ballardsbutchers. co.uk or call 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 FREE SCHOOL MEALS FOODBANK Dumfries & Galloway Council will support families with children in education who have ‘Free School Meal’ entitlement. If you are struggling to feed yourself or your family please contact Heart of Galloway Foodbank on 07730 788 335. To register go to www. dumgal.gov.uk and look for ‘Schools & Childcare’ under the COVID 19 link on the Home Page or call 030 33 33 30000 SUPPORT WITH MEALS They are based in Castle Douglas at the Heart of Galloway Visitor Centre on Market Hill and are open from 12noon to 2pm, and can deliver. THE FOOD TRAIN For anyone over the age of 65 unable to shop for themselves. Stewartry Branch: 01556 288427 Email: everything@thefoodtrain.co.uk • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 654 • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 077 PLEASE ORDER IN ADVANCE FOR: • Fleet Fish: order before 9pm Sunday evening for delivery the following week. Delivery days can be found when ordering at www.fleet-fish.co.uk or call 07966 103 912 • Roan’s Dairy: orders can be made at www.roansdairy.co.uk - please call on 01556 620 374 to check delivery times in your area. GOOD NEIGHBOURS In our remote and rural parishes it is unfeasible for many of us to attempt to offer support directly. Many community councillors are within the high risk categories themselves and thus will also be self-isolating. At this difficult time we would implore members of the community to be ‘guid nychburris’, the very best neighbours you can be. A large proportion of the community does not have access to the internet and may need help the most. Please at this time spread the word and explanation of what we are doing to those who need it, ie your family, friends and neighbours. We would like to work together and ensure no one goes without food or important household necessities and even just a friendly voice. Isolation can be lonely and we are in it together. GENERAL SAFETY FOR DELIVERIES Coronavirus is contagious. Please take every precaution to ensure you are spreading only kindness. Avoid physical contact (2m distance). Wash your hands regularly. Government rules on preventing the spread of the Covid virus is to avoid physical contact. Volunteers delivering goods will ring your door bell, step back 2 metres, and wait for you to collect the items from your doorstep. Glenkens Gazette page 8 BALMACLELLAN We can help with collecting prescriptions, delivering groceries to your home, dropping off newspapers or magazines, posting mail, dog walking or do get in touch for anything else, even if you just fancy a chat. Balmaclellan Shop Opening Times: Mon-Sat 8am-3pm, Wed half-day (closes 12.30pm) and Sun 9-11am KEY CONTACTS • Debbie (shop hours): 01644 420 321 or 07709 009 147) • Ailsa Malone (BCC secretary): ailsmalone@aol.com or 01644 420 480 or 07485 079077 • Martin Warnock (BCC chair): lochbank@pm.me or 07939 261 391 • send a message to the community’s Facebook page ‘BalmaclellanCC’ CARSPHAIRN We can help with collecting prescriptions, delivering groceries to your home, dropping off newspapers or magazines, posting mail, dog walking or do get in touch for anything else, even if you just fancy a chat. The Carsphairn shop now has an excellent stock of groceries plus fruit, vegetables and meat and is offering a delivery service as follows: fruit, vegetables and meat are available for deliveries at the beginning of the week, orders to be made by Friday 2pm by emailing lindsayduncan23@hotmail.co.uk or calling 01644 460 568 or Facebook message. Grocery deliveries are available 7-days a week from 9am-9pm. Payment can be made via BACS or card payments can be taken over the phone. KEY CONTACTS • Matt Hickman: 07531 035824 • Liz Holmes: 07718 358160 • Christine Whipp: 01644 460577 • Carsphairn Community Trust: carsphairn.trust@gmail.com • Further information is available at www.carsphairn.org CORSOCK & KPD We can help with collecting prescriptions, delivering groceries to your home, dropping off newspapers or magazines, posting mail, dog walking or do get in touch for anything else, even if you just fancy a chat. KEY CONTACTS CORSOCK: • Julie Garton (community councillor): gartju27@gmail.com or 07769 647 702 • To stay up-to-date join ‘Corsock community’ and Kirkpatrick Durham’ Facebook groups, or follow ‘CorsockKPD’ on Twitter KIRKPATRICK DURHAM: • Heather: burnbrae-australianlabradoodles@hotmail.co.uk or 07551 639 629 • Susan: susan.pery@btinternet.com or 08837 243 348 • Hazel: hazelj.young@btinternet.com or 07872 503 130 • Dee: CusackDAM@gmail.com or 07900 902 732 Glenkens Gazette page 9 CROSSMICHAEL We can help with collecting prescriptions, delivering groceries to your home, dropping off newspapers or magazines, posting mail, dog walking or do get in touch for anything else, even if you just fancy a chat. Crossmichael Shop is open between 6.30am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday, and 7.30 am to 4pm on Sunday. You can phone in orders for collection (01556 670 424); or Alan will do his best to deliver. The Thistle pub is doing take-away meals on Fridays and Saturdays, between 12.00 midday and 7.00 pm. Just turn up to order or phone in (01556 670 203). You can find the menu on Facebook. Jim will deliver up to a reasonable distance. KEY CONTACTS • Richard Middleton (CC chair): richardandjane@phonecoop.coop or 01556 670 691 • communitycouncil@crossmichael.org Order repeat prescriptions from the Health Centre in Castle Douglas (01556 505 682 or 01556 505 666, depending on the practice) as normal, then phone a volunteer to arrange collection from the pharmacy. The volunteer will need your name, date of birth and address in order to be able to collect the order - phone or email Richard (above) to arrange. MEDICINE DALRY We can help with collecting prescriptions, delivering groceries to your home, dropping off newspapers or magazines, posting mail, dog walking or do get in touch for anything else, even if you just fancy a chat. Wrights (01644 430 225) and Londis (01644 430 669) will take orders over the phone and a volunteer can then deliver your groceries to your door. However, to avoid disappointment, please phone to check availability of fresh items, or to order in advance. When you make your order, ask them when it will be ready for collection and then phone one of our volunteers to arrange delivery. Note: Post Office/banking services at Wrights are continuing as normal but customers are asked to be vigilant regarding the social distancing rules when entering the shop. The Clachan is offering a takeaway menu on Thursdays to Sundays, 5pm to 8pm. Card payments will be taken over the phone when ordering (Thursday to Sunday after 3.30pm on 01644 430241 or 07769 229005). Local delivery is possible at set times. The menu changes weekly and can be found on their Facebook page (see The Clachan Inn). Collections are carefully timed to keep social contact to a minimum. KEY CONTACTS • Will Adam: 01644 430 338 • Fiona Davidson: 01644 430 414 • Morag Paterson: 07917 102 693 • Col Sweeney: 07808 807 946 • Graham West: 07899 599 092 • Nicolette Wise: 01644 430 218 LOCAL SHOPS ARE OUR LIFELINE - LET’S KEEP IT THAT WAY! Our local shops are providing a vital service. Please help them help you by planning your shopping in advance so that multiple trips are not required. Government rules on social distancing are vital. If one member of staff displays COVID-19 symptoms then the whole shop may have to close until the quarantine period has expired. This would have a critical effect on the resilience of our communities. Glenkens Gazette page 10 MOSSDALE Mossdale community information Mossdale Shop is continuing to serve its customers via an ordering and collection system. Orders can be phoned in (01644 450 281) any morning between 9am and 11am (any day except Wednesdays) and can then be collected from a cabinet outside the shop. NEW GALLOWAY We can help with collecting prescriptions, delivering groceries to your home, posting mail, dog walking or do get in touch for anything else, even if you just fancy a chat. New Galloway Community Shop will open from 27 April for counter service on Mondays and Wednesdays 1.30-5pm and Saturdays 10am- 2pm. Counter service will be for small orders up to 8 items. The shop continues to focus on Home Deliveries by volunteers throughout New Galloway & Kells. To order, email shopteam@newgallowaycommunity.shop or put your order in the letterbox of Stroan, next to the shop. Or call 07464 551 936 between 10:30 - 12:30 and 1:30 - 3:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays or 9-11 on Saturdays. Deliveries are made every day except Wednesdays and Sundays. The Smithy Tearooms – takeaway service available 5-7pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Phone 01644 420 269 to place your order and book your collection slot in advance. Delivery can be made around the Glenkens but 2 days’ notice is required. The Post Office is open normal hours with all services, but is restricting attendance to one customer at a time. Love To Eat has a stock of home-cooked frozen meals that can be ordered on 07393 199 702. They can be delivered around New Galloway, Dalry or Balmaclellan. KEY CONTACTS • 07741 656 601 or email ngcommunityhelp@gmail.com • New Galloway volunteers are also supporting the community shop by taking and delivering orders. We can always use more volunteers – if you have any time or ideas for supporting our community, do get in touch. PARTON We can help with collecting prescriptions, delivering groceries to your home, dropping off newspapers or magazines, posting mail, dog walking or do get in touch for anything else, even if you just fancy a chat. A community mailing list for Parton has been created to provide a vehicle for sharing local news and information that is proving very useful in allowing quick dissemination of information about what’s happening with regard to local shopping and also the circulation of contact details for anyone volunteering help with collection of prescriptions, medicines, etc. Anyone in Parton parish wishing to be added to the list please email suzymercer@googlemail.com KEY CONTACTS ● Erica or Brian: 01644 470 277 ● Gilli: 07894 867 450 ● Mungo: 07711 539 220 ● Paul: 07711 663 603 ● Richard: 07517 601 788 ● Suzy: 01644 470 130 ● Tom: 07835 821 976 ● Anne: 07788 474 551 ● parton-community@googlegroups. com ● Parton community WhatsApp group send a text to Suzy on 07801 258 292 and she will add you to the group Glenkens Gazette DALRY ELC UPDATE Within Dalry Early Learning & Childcare (formerly Dalry Nursery, although we cover the whole of the Glenkens) we have a closed Facebook page which has allowed staff to keep in touch with the children and their parents. This enables us to provide activities that parents can do with their children. It is also a way of sharing pictures with each other so the children and parents don’t feel so isolated, in these times it is important to think about everybody’s wellbeing and mental health. In March we were due to have our annual Easter bonnet parade. This obviously didn’t go ahead, so we asked the children to post a picture of their bonnet if they had already made one. Staff joined in too, just to say hello. We also joined in with supporting the keyworkers with rainbow pictures, sharing them with everyone. Another time we asked for the children to post a picture with their pet. Doing these activities enables us to keep the links with the families, supporting them through this hard time and enabling the children to see each other. Everyone handles this situation differently some may be enjoying the solitude, time to relax, however, others may be anxious and struggling, our children will be feeling these emotions too. Having a younger child, trying to keep them occupied can be exhausting to a parent. Try not to do ‘everything’ for your child though. I have found that sitting back and letting the child take the lead in their play is actually rewarding. All children love to dig! Give your child a patch in the garden, a tyre filled with soil, a bucket - anything. Give them real tools to dig with; a hand trowel is just the right size and just watch. You can also add natural materials, spoons, bowls, pans and turn it into a mud kitchen. And not forgetting water - a bucket of water and your child will play for ages. Try not to worry about mess children like to explore and investigate their environment and left to enjoy will discover many new things. Art Activities for Children Start a Sketchbook Sketchbooks are great for developing our drawing skills, being creative and exploring ideas. Don’t worry about mistakes and not all sketches need to be completed. Create a sketchbook page showing signs of spring. Think about including page 11 Dalry ELC also has an open page on Facebook which everyone can look at for ideas and information and keep the community together in this time of uncertainty. Julie Moore, Dalry ELC Pictured: Archie and his rainbow; Scarlett with her Easter bonnet; Elliot and his dog Buster. notes to go with your sketches. Tip: Try and sketch lightly with your pencil. This way you don’t need a rubber! You can go over the lines you are happy with to make them stand out. Create a Butterfly Collage A collage is a work of art made by gluing pieces of different materials onto a flat surface. Collage comes from the French word “coller” which means glue. Draw the outline of a butterfly. Try and make it symmetrical so it looks the same on both sides. Tear or cut pieces of coloured/ magazine paper and arrange to create your collage. Try to make your collage symmetrical as well. Tip: If you cut out your butterfly then it doesn’t matter if you go over the edge. Gazette Art Competition Create a butterfly collage, take a photograph and email it to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk by Friday 15 May. We will have a winner in the under 12 category and a 12+winner, so adults please do have a go too! We’re looking forward to seeing your creations, which will be printed in the next issue as well as the winner in each category receiving a £10 cash prize provided by Dalry Community Council. Glenkens Gazette page 12 Healthy Baking Options Currently with the COVID-19 outbreak we are possibly focusing more on our health and the health of our families than we have for a while. Due to restrictions placed upon us we might be turning to eating more biscuits and sweets to give us a ‘lift’ but what healthier options can we treat ourselves with? As you have more time at home maybe you would like to bake something delicious? Here are a few of my favourite recipes... GROUND NUT, PEAR & POLENTA CAKE Ingredients: 8oz butter 6-7oz sugar – ideally dark brown or coconut sugar 4 eggs 2 tsp vanilla essence 6 oz polenta 8oz ground nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc) 1 Tsp baking powder 2 chopped fresh organic pears or welldrained tinned pears, cut into bite-size Method: Put all the ingredients together in your mixer except for the pears and mix for roughly 4-5 minutes or until light and fluffy looking. Remove and fold in the chopped pears. Bake in a 8 inch wide cake tin lined with greased parchment (brown) paper. Bake between 1 and 1¼ hour at 180C. If making the cake with ground almonds it may be more appropriate to use natural almond essence. SUGAR FREE DATE & WALNUT CAKE Ingredients: 225g dates 55g walnuts (or pecans) or more if you love a lot of nuts 90g butter 285ml water 110g raisins 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg pinch salt 200g flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda Method: Chop dates and nuts. Put the dates, butter, water and raisins in a large saucepan. Bring to the boil and then gently simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from the cooker, cool a little and stir in the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. If mixture appears too thick add a little more water. Turn the mixture into a greased, lined 8” cake tin. Bake at 375/190/gas mark 5 for 45 minutes. PECAN DROP SCONES (PANCAKES) Ingredients: 2 oz ground pecans (almonds or walnuts can be substituted) 4 oz wholemeal flour 1 heaped tblsp dark brown sugar 1 heap tsp baking powder 1 organic egg 1 tsp vanilla essence 5 oz milk to mix (any milk or alternative milk will do) Method: Mix all the dry ingredients together and make a well in the centre. Mix the egg and milk together and pour into well and mix the ingredients till they resemble a very thick batter (make sure it’s not too runny). Heat and grease a thick-bottomed frying pan or griddle and pour dssp of the mix into the pan. After a few mins or when you see a bubble turn over the pancakes and cook for a minute or so on the other side. Place cooked pancakes on a wire rack with a clean, dry cloth and cover the pancakes with this after putting on rack. For more ideas on how to stay healthy sign up to my Facebook page @The Food Clinic Lorna Willock, Nutritionist, Dalry Cooking With Kids: Anne’s Pizza Swirls Anne McEwan from Dalry posts the most amazing homemade food pics on her Facebook page, so we asked her for a childfriendly recipe. Here are her pizza swirls (makes 12). Ingredients: 750 gr plain flour 1.5 tsp salt 10g dried active yeast 20ml olive oil 1 tsp sugar 450 ml luke-warm water 100 gr grated cheese 200 ml double concentrated tomato paste 1 tbs Italian herbs Knock back the dough and roll it out into a large rectangle. Method: Roll the dough up going along the longest side of the rectangle. Cut the roll of dough into 12 equal pieces. Place the swirls onto a baking tray spaced well apart. Leave them to rest for 15 min. Preheat the oven to 2000C. For the dough - mix the yeast and the sugar into the luke warm water and leave it to activate for 10-15 min. Mix the flour and salt, add the yeast mixture and the olive oil and mix together into a smooth dough. Knead the dough for a minimum of 5 minutes. Leave the dough to rest for 1-2 hours in a warm place until doubles in size. Spread the dough rectangle with the tomato paste and sprinkle the Italian herbs and the cheese on top. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until they start to brown on top. Can be eaten hot or cold. Enjoy! Glenkens Gazette page 13 Immune Boosting Garden Nibbles Whether you’re looking for something green to replace currently hardto-get shop vegetables, or just fancy practising garden foraging skills, these ‘weeds’ are far from thin on the ground! Take a two-minute stroll outdoors avoiding areas frequented by the local canine population, examine any green patch (which you know hasn’t been peed on) and you’re highly likely to spot one of these. Brimming with antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, vitamins C, A, K and iron, these pesky, uninvited garden inhabitants will enrich lockdown lunches. Most Common: Hairy Bittercress It would be more of a challenge to find a patch of ground without hairy bittercress! This tiny cress flavour-bomb is a typical brassica and may be protective against cancer. It’s around all year and makes an exceptionally good egg-andcress sandwich. Most Plentiful: Nettle, Ground Elder & Wild Garlic Early in the year when the wild garlic is around (February-April), the young leaves of nettles and ground elder are also appearing, and are perfect to add to any soup/stew. I particularly love these three ingredients and will use them daily. Outwith their season, we love them fermented (kimchi) or as pesto. Nettles contain polyphenols and there is research showing that they may help to prevent and manage inflammatory diseases such as certain types of cancer, heart disease and diabetes whilst wild garlic lowers blood pressure. Most Surprising: Rosebay Willowherb Extremely common, the beautiful willowherb you will be most familiar with towards the end of summer when it displays its striking and prodigious pink flower spikes, is also useful. Young shoots can be treated like asparagus; boiled briefly, drizzled with lemon juice and smothered in butter. Historically and currently, the leaves are rolled, fermented and dried to make a tea. The stems of mature plants can also be split to reveal the white fluffy interior pith. This can be scraped out and eaten and has a pleasant, sweet flavour with a similarity in flavour to cucumber and melon. It can also be used to thicken sauces and you may feel free to ‘take the pith’ as there is no shortage of this plant! Most Tasty: Japanese Knotweed It may well devalue your property, or prevent you re-mortgaging if it infests your garden, but young shoots (under 10 inches long) of this striking plant are extremely delicious. It is also, interestingly, used in Lyme disease treatment, and recent research claims that it is beneficial for the health of our lungs. When eating, treat it as you would rhubarb. Notes of caution: Knotweed is extremely invasive and legislation covers its control. Don’t pick more than you need, and never put any parts on your compost heap or into the bin as they’ll regrow! Also, it is often sprayed with herbicide, so be sure that the patch you pick from is untreated. Pictured: Egg and cress sandwich; wild garlic, nettle and ground elder soup; ‘wilted’ willowherb with lemon and butter; Japanese knotweed crumble Emma Gibson For more about foraged goodies visit Emma’s Instagram: eat_weeds_emma The Galloway Glens team would like to send its best wishes to all the residents of the Glenkens at this difficult time. Thanks as ever to our amazing project volunteers and staff who are working so hard to keep their projects going as well as possible. We’re working to support you, and we will get through this! Glenkens Gazette page 14 Bringing the CatStrand Home We may feel we’re missing out on the buzz of what’s on at CatStrand as the building sits empty and posters for events that should have been are covered up with cancellation signs... But new things are stirring beneath the surface as we look at ways to keep you entertained and connected from home. CatStrand’s ‘Arts Cast’ has launched, with our April edition available now, and May edition coming soon. These are podcasts which CatStrand volunteer and part-time radio producer Anthony Bird has been helping us put together from his home studio in Kirkcudbright. Anthony has been producing hospital radio and online radio shows for many years. Working with Aidan at CatStrand he has been assembling tracks, interviews, excerpts and reviews sourced from our line-up of artists and their agents to share a flavour of what’s been missed this month whilst our doors have been closed. Last month’s Arts Cast had over 60 listens and members of our audience seem to be appreciating this downloadable slice of CatStrand’s unique programme. In our April Arts Cast you can hear jazz tracks from Mezcla and pieces from Roddy Woomble’s new album, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the film In Our Hands with film-maker Jo Barker and a discussion piece on the film from Evi Landay of the Stewartry Climate Group, who would have been helping us arrange our post-film discussions. One of our youth volunteers, Arran, has produced film and game reviews, features in the April Arts Cast. The review podcasts are also available separately on our mixcloud site and CatStrand Youth Arts website (www. catstrandyouth.co.uk) where you can read blogs from our new film programming intern Tom about his trip to the Glasgow Film Festival and his top isolation movies (see page 4). Speaking of films, we’re delighted to be adding an event to our calendar instead of cancelling one as we’re able to host the online screening of the Exhibition on Screen film Mattisse on Tuesday 26 May. Visit ticketsource or www.catstrand.com to book your tickets for these online events, where you’ll be sent a link and password on purchase of your ticket which will give you access to the film on the event date at 7pm. You’ll also be able to join us at CatStrand’s virtual cafe/bar for a chat after the film at join.me/ catstrand where friendly barman Ian Biggar will be there to greet you with a smile and maybe offer us a recipe for an artist-inspired drink to finish off the evening. Arts manager Aidan will also be in the virtual cafe/bar from 6.45pm to welcome you to the screening and offer a short, but hopefully welcome, introduction to the film. Exhibition on Screen are including notes on the film that will also be sent out to audience members on purchase of their ticket so you can delve deeper into the world of the artist they are exploring. As we work through new ways to bring you a little bit of CatStrand at home we hope you are keeping safe and look forward to welcoming you to some of our online events soon. Glenkens Gazette Hello from LING Our regular Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) activities have stopped for now, and the village hall is looking rather forlorn with its doors closed. However, spring has sprung and the flowers on the window sills and the tubs are giving a lovely display. Keep an eye if you can on the LING Facebook page with lovely flower and landscape photos and also for fun, have a look at the Virtual Lunches... Do feel free to contribute your own photos and comments. We've been told not to forget to exercise. With none of our usual groups such as table tennis, carpet bowls, Zumba or circuit training this can be difficult, but at least we have outside spaces to keep going. Sam Rushton has an article on p5 on keeping fit at home. Also, the great work done by the Golf Course Working Party of Exploring New Galloway, a Galloway Glens Project, has greatly improved the paths, providing access to the woodland around the golf course without going on the road and there is enough space to social distance. No doubt you'll all be fit as fiddles when we get back! page 15 If the art group and others can keep painting, drawing and photographing, we can arrange a COVID -19 exhibition. The PEEPs group of parents with young babies under one had just started meeting when things had to close up. With six participating families in New Galloway, we are looking into ways they can keep linked; is there anyone else from outside New Galloway who would like to be part of the group? We would like to say a big “Thank You” to the Community Shop and the Community Council and volunteers who have arranged so quickly such an efficient and helpful order and delivery service, as well as to the other businesses who deliver. With best wishes and stay safe, Ros and LING Trustees Accessing Glenkens Churches Churches have suspended their services, but around the Glenkens they are working hard to offer alternative options. David Bartholomew (minister of the Church of Scotland congregations of Balmaclellan & Kells, Dalry and Carsphairn), Pam Swift (rector of St Margaret’s Scottish Episcopal Church in New Galloway) and Sally Russell (minister of Corsock, Kirkpatrick Durham, Crossmichael and Parton) have all put together resources to nourish the spiritual life of people in the Glenkens.   David and his wife Heidi are preparing weekly reflections that can be accessed on YouTube under ‘Balmaclellan, Kells and Dalry linked with Carsphairn’. David can also email these directly DBartholomew@churchofscotland.org. uk or paper copies can be provided just call 01644 430 380 if you would like to receive these resources, or simply if you would like to have a chat. Pam is sending out a weekly email with scripture readings - if anyone would like to join the mailing list please email her at pam.swift@live.co.uk. She is also happy to talk on the phone about anything that might be concerning people, or just for a chat, on 01644 420 467. Sally is also sending out a weekly email to her congregations with prayers, readings and reflections – SRussell@ churchofscotland.org.uk, or call 01556 503 645. Easter Sunday at Parton LOCKDOWN GARDEN SPOT As I write this, I look around my garden and see evidence of nature taking over. Signs of mice and wood pigeons in the garden and even a rabbit hole appeared in the front garden! Nature is getting bolder and the flowers don’t know about the lockdown. If you have children at home (or you feel like being one yourself) then get a shallow plastic dish, fold about six layers of kitchen roll to cover the bottom and wet it well (don’t cover with water). Sow mustard or cress seeds on the surface, keep it damp and on a windowsill; within seven Freshly planted mustard and cress seeds days you will be eating home grown food. You could also try peas the same way; they take a little longer cut the shoots when a couple of cm high and add to salad. Finally, as we can’t get out so much, take a chair into the garden for a while with a good book and a cuppa and enjoy the seasons and the wildlife. You might find your neighbour is doing the same and you can chat over the fence. Don’t think of it as sunbathing, just keeping your vitamin D levels up. The Intrepid Gardener Easy-peasy Homemade Newspaper Seedling Pots Glenkens Gazette page 16 Season’s Chorus in the Glenkens I first moved to Dalry from Ochiltree (Ayrshire) in December 1991, following my appointment as RSPB Conservation Officer for D&G almost a year earlier. In 28 years with ‘the Society’, the increasing duration of my time in Galloway was occasionally mentioned by some colleagues. Understandably perhaps, such questions were sometimes raised by superiors with more ambitious career objectives, but also by some more like-minded friends (peers) I’d made in different parts of the country. However, a few days spent in this area, with its space, scenery and variety of birdlife, soon answered such queries any might have, as it quickly became clear to them how privileged they themselves were to be here! I’m sure many of us will have similar stories, but I have no doubt that all of us will feel privileged, this year in particular, to be living in the Glenkens, and with spring coming on, too. Following a mild winter, as the daylight lengthened, birdsong began early with skittery felties (mistle thrushes) first to join the tiny group of deep winter songsters - mainly robins and wrens. I always think skitterys’ songs are like truncated, unmusical blackbirds, and their main attraction for me is in the reminder that better things are yet to come. Blue dykies (dunnocks) followed soon after with their long, level twittering warbles, so cheery and perhaps reminiscent of the much smaller yet louder and more varied wrens. Of course, this will all be Greek to those who know nothing of birdsong beyond the sheer joy in listening to them, but this needn’t always be the case. The lockdown presents many of us with more `time to stand and stare’, Returning swallows traditionally herald the start of summer... and to listen, while the gardens and village environs of the Glenkens host impressive birdsong choirs, especially in the dawn chorus and in the gloaming. Space doesn’t allow a description of them all here, but there are a few standouts to listen out for. Perhaps the most musical of these are the thrushes - the loud, fluted song of the blackbird always seems louder and more melancholy after rain; and its cousin the magnificent mavis (song thrush), my own personal favourite, with its repeated phrases, usually in threes or fours. Have a go at repeating some of these by whistling and, depending on your skill, you may catch his interest. With practice, and a certain degree of madness and/or magic, it is possible to make up your own similar phrases and take delight as the mavis builds them into his own repertoire, much in the way some have recently done with the calls of red kites, for example. These birds usually sing from above head height, which makes it easier to pick them out and confirm their identity if unsure. Other birds more often sing from lower down, like the aforementioned blue dykies. So too does a bird which is disappearing at an alarming rate down south, but which is astonishingly abundant with us, the weetie or willow warbler. A small greyish brown-green warbler with a very distinctive descending cadence of weet, weet, weet, weet, weetweetweetwtttt, which always reminds me of a small feather falling to the ground, first one way, then the other, then back again etc, the notes getting softer and lower as the feather falls. They are wonderful and can sing all day long for a few weeks in spring. Anyway, with Burns I must say `But here my Muse her wing maun cour’. Suffice to say there is a wonderful world of birdsong out there for us all, and open doors and windows into this fascinating and health-giving world for those seeking delight, which I think is just about all of us. Go on, give it a go. I promise you wont be disappointed and you just might find a certain kind of magic that lasts forever. Chris Rollie, Dalry Grow a Sunflower Competition our gardens, terraces, window boxes Dalry is calling all to and plant pots to help lift our spirits. So to lift all our spirits, why not plant Glenkens a sunflower seed and watch it grow. gardeners Great fun for kids (and educational - a bit of home horticulture!) and and non- too great fun for grown-ups. If you are struggling to get seed then let us know gardeners, young and we can send you some out - email and old... lesleyblissett52@gmail.com with your Who can grow the tallest sunflower? Or even the smallest? We are all spending more time at home and some of us are now turning name and address. Think of it as growing sunflowers to shine a light on our saviours in the NHS and the shop workers, carers, volunteers and all the ancillary staff who are helping us stay healthy and safe. So let’s get growing and have some fun! Email in photos of your flowers once they’re in full bloom (by 5 September, including height and diameter of flower heard) and photos will feature in the October/November issue of the Gazette. Lesley Blissett lesleyblissett52@gmail.com Supported by an award to Dalry Community Council from Blackcraig Wind Farm Community Fund with funding from Blackcraig Wind Farm (Scotland) Limited, administered by Foundation Scotland working in partnership with The Glenkens & District Trust. The Community Response, Resilience and Recovery Fund administered by Foundation Scotland also covered the additional costs of the last edition of the Gazette which made mailing it out door-to-door possible, for which we are very grateful. 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 JUN/JUL COPY DEADLINE: 10 MAY The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No. SC032050  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 117-special Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_117-special 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 2020 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/263/GlenkensGazette117.pdf f7309e9bcc0538bc0646313f6eec36ca 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 117 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document GLENKENS GAZETTE News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry April/May 2020 ISSUE 117 FREE Supporting Our Communities How we all cope with the current coronavirus pandemic is doubly tricky as nothing like this has happened before. What is apparent, however, is the way our communities in the Glenkens have reacted to the crisis – immediately reaching out to friends and neighbours by putting in place strategies to help the vulnerable, and doing so with a minimum of fuss. Balmaclellan, Dalry and Kells & New Galloway Community Councils and Carsphairn Community Trust have all put together resilience plans. Fliers have gone out to residents with information on who to get in touch with if they require help, such as collecting groceries or prescriptions during self-isolation, or if they just want a chat. In addition, many local businesses are offering order and delivery services for meals such as Love to Eat (01644 420 841), the Smithy (01644 420 269), the Clachan Inn (01644 430 241) and Carsphairn Tearooms (01644 460 568). All the communities report that many “What is apparent...is the way our communities in the Glenkens have reacted - immediately reaching out to friends and neighbours...” more people have since offered to help in any way they can – Glenkens folk do seem to be hardwired to help their neighbours. At the time of going to press Dumfries and Galloway has one of the lowest number of cases in Scotland but this could change so it is up all of us to remain vigilant and follow the expert advice on social distancing. An example of a simple measure to help keep us safe comes from the Glenkens Medical Practice who have changed their prescription collection point to the window next to the main door to prevent people mixing inside the surgery. Continued on p7... Local children help to distribute community information fliers around Dalry. Drama Festival First For Glenkens The 2020 SCDA Stewartry Open Festival was won by CatStrand Players with their production of Henna Night by Amy Rosenthal. This is the first time that the Open Festival has ever been won by a team from the Glenkens. The play is a two-hander starring Eilidh Thomson and Zoe Kirkpatrick, directed by Brian Edgar and would have been representing Stewartry District at the West of Scotland Final in Greenock at the end of March. However, in light of the current coronavirus restrictions this has unfortunately been cancelled. Eilidh and Zoe havebeen staunch members of CatStrand Youth Players since they were 10 years old and have progressed to the Youth Western Finals on several occasions in the past. Their experience in the Youth Festivals over the past 10 years or so has certainly stood them in good stead as they, in the adjudicator’s words, “took the script off the page in a virtually flawless performance”. Continued on p7... ...STOP PRESS... Some scheduled events in this issue may now be cancelled or postponed. Please get in touch with organisers for information. Remember, it’s important to keep our distance for everyone’s health - but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk to each other; over garden fences, across the street, over the phone, by email even just a wave and a smile. CatStrand Players Director Brian Edgar receiving the award © John Scott Photography. A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve Stay in touch! We’re all in this together, and nobody should feel they are facing it alone. www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 POETRY COMPETITION WINNER Limericks, with their distinctive rhythm and rhyme, have a way of sticking in your head, and many a one, from many a year back, was recited in Wrights Shop as folk clocked the new Poetry Competition organised by Lyndsay Wright and her shop team. A good few local people turned their hand to penning their own too, including a ‘mystery rhymer’ whose lines were discovered lodged between the tinned hotdogs and soup! All entries were read aloud to get their full effect and the winner was unanimously agreed to be Christine Rae with: Winner of the February/March competition, Christine Rae, receiving her prize of a £10 Wrights Shop voucher. To Eve said old gardener Adam “We’ve nothing to show this year madam. The peas are a sight The spuds have got blight And as for the apples – we’ve had ‘em!” Christine wins a £10 voucher to spend at Wrights Shop. This issue’s theme for a poem (any form) is ‘ma hame toon’, wherever that may be… Entries to be handed in at Wrights Shop, or emailed to glenkensgazette @hotmail.co.uk, by Friday 1 May. Glenkens Community Shop Where Do You Read Your Re-opens After Refurb The Glenkens Community Shop in Dalry is scheduled to reopen on 13 April, having been closed since December for refurbishment of the premises. Look out in the next issue for a longer piece with photos of the new shop! Gazette...? Send us in a photo of where you read your Gazette... Or perhaps you send a copy out to friends or relatives in far-flung places? In which case, maybe they can send us a photo! “We’re from Stranraer and retired, and enjoy taking drives around the countryside. We are fairly regular visitors to the CatStrand, where we look forward to picking up the latest issue of the Glenkens Gazette. It’s a brilliant wee paper and we thoroughly enjoy reading it.” Mr Bell, Stranraer page 3 Advertisement Glenkens Gazette Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by FREE If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Chest Freezer - free for pick up in Dalry. Contact: 07769 892 137 Large Bag of Cat Litter. Free to collect in New Galloway. Contact: 01644 420 267 FOR SALE ION Air LP Bluetooth Turntable. Unwanted gift £45. Contact: 01644 430 373 9” stainless steel chimney cowl. Brand new, still boxed - bought in error. Cost £48 will sell for £30. Contact: Nigel 07774 778872 3-Seater Sofa. Dark brown with flip footrests, very good condition, £50. Contact: 01644 430 062 by the Ken Photo of the Issue Sponsored Bridge Hotel This issue’s winner is Christopher Lucas with a beautiful photograph looking down into the water from the viaduct at Loch Stroan. photograph. A bit like an optical illusion... And with lovely, vibrant spring colours to lift the spirits.” How to Enter: any photos taken in the Glenkens can be entered landscapes, wildlife, portraits, action shots... Email them to glenkensgazette @hotmail.co.uk Christopher wins an evening meal for two up to the value of £30 at the Ken Bridge Hotel. Competition judges Dave and Sue said: “This photo is just stunning. It has a wonderfully abstract quality, and is almost more like a painting than a If you are a winner the Gazette will send you out a voucher - please call the Ken Bridge to book your meal, and make sure to take your winner’s voucher along with you. Gordon McAdam New Galloway Golf Club Founded 1902 www.nggc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Plumbing & Heating HOUSE REPAIRS JOINERY 22 Kirkland Street St John‛s Town of Dalry Semi-retired Furniture Maker & Builder in GLENKENS AREA 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Call Pete on 07970 462 088 ...special rates for inclusion of tea, cake and friendly banter... Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by Walking the Watson Bird Trails With financial support from the Blackcraig Community Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership, Watson Birds will be able to implement fully our two proposed trails. These are the Donald Watson Art Trail which runs around the Glenkens, and the Donald Watson Bird Walk around St John’s Town of Dalry. Brochures for these walks can be obtained from The Clachan Inn and the CatStrand, or from www.watsonbirds.org Dalry’s Chris Rollie will be providing a commentary to be made into an app as part of the Galloway Glens programme overall app, and I’m sure that this will be both interesting and informative. We are asked, as part of the conditions of the wind farm grant, to gather community support for these trails, and we will therefore be contacting community councils for their views to add to the many supportive comments we already have. The first exhibition at The Smiddy in Balmaclellan has been well received and we are planning a follow-up later this year, working with local groups such as Ken Words. Roger Crofts roger.dodin@btinternet.com Glenkens Gazette page 6 Words from the Library Shelves... The building that is now referred to as the Dalry Customer Service Centre, but has for decades been more familliar to Dalry folk as the William Gourlay Memorial Library, has been quietly delivering books to the Glenkens since the 1940s. It remains today a lively and treasured hub for the Glenkens, although perhaps it’s still something of a mystery to many Glenkens inhabitants! Hopefully, this regular little column will rectify that. Although we are only open two days a week, the building is also home to a number of groups such as the CatStrand Youth Writers and, until recently, Dalry’s Gaelic class. It’s a good warm room for meetings, so feel free to contact us to book! During library hours there is the monthly Bookbug session on the first Tuesday of the month at 10.30am, and on the same day you can drop in for Tech Help from 1-2pm; bring all your techno quibbles and we’ll see what we can do! This month in the children’s area we have a display on dinosaurs. Your librarian was a bit dinomad when she was little, so feel free to pick her brains and find out just how much she’s forgotten. Also, after the recent sad news about the death of thriller author Clive Cussler, we have a display of his books for the grown ups. If we don’t have the book you want, we can always try to order it in from the rest of the region. Dalry Early Learning Centre have been taking part in the Bookbug library challenge with regular visits for new books. The kids have lots of fun stamping the books and the bookbug challenge cards and are looking forward to getting their challenge certificates. If you know a small reader, you could bring them in to start on a challenge of their own. The main excitement of the month is the Annual Waste Sacks distribution, which began on Monday 9 March. This is when people who don’t have wheelie bins get their allowance for the year of waste sacks. This year the sacks will be purple, although last year’s orange sacks are good until 1 May. If you struggle with your wheelie bin, come in and let us know as there are a few solutions available! Angela, Librarian, William Gourlay Memorial Library & Customer Service Centre Balmaclellan Community Library At long last after much hard work from several volunteers, Balmaclellan Community Trust and the Village Hall Trust are happy to announce that from March 2020 a new Community Library will be opened in Balamclellan Village Hall. The library is situated in the newly refurbished Templeton Room, and initially will be open every Wednesday between 10am and 12.30pm and on Saturdays from 10am till 12pm. The hall is also opened on a Wednesday for the weekly coffee mornings, so this would be an ideal time to pop in for a coffee and cake and spend some time browsing our bookshelves. Balmaclellan Community Trust would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has donated books for the community library. Shelving for the library has been funded by the Blackcraig Windfarm Microgrant Fund, with additional shelving generously donated by the Glenkens Community Shop in Dalry. We are always grateful for anyone wishing to donate books, and do get in touch if you can spare some time to help and support in any way. Glenkens Gazette page 7 Supporting Our Communities Continued from front page... Dr Jones explains: “It is not quite business as usual but prescription requests should be put in in the normal way and we can still see patients if necessary.” Repeat prescriptions can be requested by telephone or in paper form through the letterbox on the old front door. Dr Jones is reassuring about the future availability of medicines: “We do not anticipate any supply problems from our wholesalers so there is no need to over-order or stock up.” The churches in the Glenkens have all been advised to suspend services and meetings which will be particularly challenging for many people. However, both David Bartholomew, Minister for the Church of Scotland parishes of Carsphairn, Dalry and Kells & Balmaclellan, and Pam Swift, Rector of St Margaret’s Episcopal Church in New Galloway, are putting together resources for prayer and reflection. David Bartholomew will have prayers, a selection of hymns and a reflection on a Bible reading available weekly by email and at local shops (call 01644 430 380 to sign up for emails). At St Margaret’s the church will be open on Wednesday and Sunday mornings, at 10.30am for anyone who would like some quiet time for reflection and prayer in a sacred space, and the Rector is also working on a website with daily readings (you can have managed during this time. Perhaps keep a diary highlighting unusual or interesting aspects of selfisolation – as this is going to be a good time to learn a new skill (birdwatching, painting, gardening, baking…) or perhaps a good time for some self-revelations - please let us know how you’re getting on. It would be particularly good to hear from school pupils on creative ways they’re occupying their time away from the classroom. For the adults maybe finishing that patchwork cushion or mending the lawnmower – there must be plenty of tasks we have all been putting off and we’d like to hear about them. It will be interesting and enlightening for us all to find out the most probably diverse ways people found of coping with this scenario once this has all passed. “Gentle ripples of care and support. Quiet signals of hope.” David Rhodes find out more at 01644 420 467). Looking ahead, in the June edition of the Glenkens Gazette we are hoping to publish stories showing how people If you’re a parent who finds yourself suddenly homeschooling, there are lots of online resources to suppport this - keep an eye on the Gazette Facebook page for links to resources. Our Fb page also will give information on the current situation regarding local amenities, events, support structures, etc. We are living in rapidly changing times and it might be that as things progress we create a shortened informationsheet type Gazette before the next issue is due if we think there is enough new information to be shared with everyone. Also, many people will be missing the classes and events around the Glenkens. Glenkens Community & Arts Trust are also working on a way to deliver the Connecting in Communities and Youth Arts programmes on a virtual basis. Sending thoughts of support and strength to all our readers during these unsettled times and, in the words of David Rhodes, let us continue to create “Gentle ripples of care and support. Quiet signals of hope.” The Glenkens Gazette Team CatStrand Players Drama Festival Win Continued from front page... Director, Brian Edgar said: “I was extremely proud to finally lift this trophy after over 40 years of trying as an actor and director. Zoe and Eilidh are very talented actresses and a delight to work with on stage – most of the credit is due to them and we were looking forward to presenting Henna Night again at CatStrand on 20 March and then at The Beacon in Greenock the following week. It is sad that we won’t get the chance to perform the play again at this stage but hopefully we might be able to stage it at CatStrand later in the year.” Crossmichael Drama Club were placed second and 88 Theatre were in third place. The success didn’t stop there with CatStrand Youth Players finishing in second place in the Youth Festival with Selfie by Bradley Hayward. A very contemporary play, Selfie, was brought to life by the eight cast members as they portrayed many of the issues impacting on teenagers today. The Youth Festival was won by Kirkcudbright Drama Troupe with their production of Dead Dad Dog, Newton Stewart Youth Players were third with The Secret. It is obviously not possible to set a date at the moment but hopefully later in the year we may be able to perform Selfie, Henna Night and also a third play which we had been working on featuring some of our younger talent, Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations by Alan Ayckbourn. Watch this space! Pictured: Cast of Henna Night, Eilidh Thomson and Zoe kirkpatrick. Glenkens Gazette page 8 Glenkens & District Trust Support Trustees of the Glenkens & District Trust (GDT) had a telephone conference call on 17 March to discuss the current challenges we are facing due to COVID-19. We all recognised that we are living in difficult times with no certainty as to how long this will last and how our loved ones, our communities and ourselves will be impacted in the long term. We all have a role to play to support each other during these times and are very grateful for the actions people and organisations across the area are taking to help each other in both big and small ways. We are a great community, which has achieved great things over the years, and by continuing to work together we are confident these foundations will help us weather the storm. We in GDT are committed to playing our part in this. After discussion we decided to continue with the application round that is currently underway. However, the Trustees are aware that we are in rapidly changing times due to COVID-19 and will now bear this in mind as we move through the process. Whilst there was a timetable in place for making decisions by the end of May 2020, this date is now uncertain due to the risk of unavailability of both the GDT Trustees and the Foundation Scotland workforce during the assessment and decision making process. In parallel we are also considering and exploring the implementation of an emergency funding process whereby organisations can apply for funds to help meet unexpected needs arising as a result of the current circumstances and which are aligned with the charitable purpose of the Fund. Further information regarding this will be published in due course. During this time we will continue to draw on the invaluable experience which Foundation Scotland have in managing numerous funds across Scotland who are also grappling with similar issues. Information will be available on the following website www.founda tionscotland.org.uk/programmes/ blackcraig Fiona Smith, chair, GDT Road Safety up the Lorg Glen Following on from the Pony Express article of Issue 115, featuring Fiona Clubb by the newly installed post box at the turning to the Water o’ Ken road, we have another equable equine story this issue. Here are Ben, Melissa and Flossy the cob by the recently installed salt bin on the Lorg Road up the Water Of Ken. Melissa said: “It’s a load off the minds of local residents, particularly those of us with young children, that we now have a BALMACLELLAN VILLAGE SHOP We will deliver - please get in touch... - cash machine - winter fuel (peat, logs) - Flo Gas - Dalmellington Butcher pies/meat - Marchbank Bakers delivery every Friday - 01644 420 321 supply of grit on hand for when the hazard in the landscape but, as this weather turns nasty”. was her very first time pulling the Community Councillor Matt cart, she had rather a lot of other Hickman commented: “I’d like to things on her mind already. thank the Council Roads Department for actioning our request for the salt bin and finding the funding from their much diminished budget. It's little victories like this that make it so rewarding to be part of such a proactive community group" Flossy appeared singularly unimpressed by Melissa, Ben and Flossy by the newly installed salt bin. the new potential THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Sat 2-2.30 pm DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � Glenkens Gazette page 9 CatStrand Highlights Coronavirus - what is the impact on our delivery at CatStrand and in the Glenkens? In light of the current coronavirus outbreak and with the health of our community in mind we have been working hard to keep things running as normal at CatStrand. However, with recent developments in government guidance on social gathering, we have had to make the difficult decision to postpone all events, classes and activities with immediate effect until 31 May 2020. This position will be kept under review in the coming weeks and will be amended if necessary. We kept the café and shop open as long as possible but as a result of the directive on 23rd March, CatStrand and The Smiddy are now totally closed until further notice. Key staff will still be working mainly from home and will endeavour to respond to any enquiries as soon our events to sustain our arts as possible. You can contact us by programming and the impact of email – info@catstrand.com or by cancelling an entire season could be phone 01644 420 374; please leave devastating to our continued work a message if necessary and someone across all our projects. will get back to you. Wishing everyone in our Our communities in the Glenkens are communities, our valued audiences, at the heart of everything we do as friends and volunteers good health the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust. and best wishes as we work As many of you will have booked through this uncertain time tickets for upcoming events we will together. The CatStrand Team be in touch with you individually, but hope that you would consider holding your ticket should rescheduling be possible, or to consider your ticket as a much needed donation at this very challenging time for our organisation, as with so many others in the arts sector. We rely heavily on income from CatStrand Youth Players Selfie cast, double trophy winners at SCDA Youth Festival. 10-13 September postponed from May Wright’s Shop & Post Office Dalry’s local convenience store Li ne -u p • licensed grocers • • newsagents • m ay be su bj ec t to stocking a range of local suppliers • Express Bakery bread • • Irvings biscuits & cakes • • Ballards & Dalmellington Country Butchers meat & pies • • Mitchells fruit & veg • ch an ge . Shop & Post Office open 7 days Monday to Friday 7am–6pm Saturday 8am–6pm Sunday 8.30am–4pm Tel 01644 430 225 Glenkens Gazette page 10 LOCH KEN’S AUTUMN ENDURANCE Plans are progressing for the Autumn of Endurance events, scheduled to take place in September 2020 in and around Loch Ken. These will show off the area as one of the jewels of Southern Scotland’s landscape, and are designed to raise the profile of the region on the national stage. The events are being overseen by the newly established Loch Ken Trust and supported through Visit Scotland as part of the 2020 Year of Coasts & Waters programme. The events are: • 5-6 September – Beltie Triathlon. Swim in a slow-moving river; cycle a fast and scenic route followed by a testing run. • 11-13 September – Loch Ken Wild Swimming weekend. A weekend of wild swimming in Loch Ken, distances of 500m to 10km. • 18-20 September – Castle Douglas Bike & Food Festival. Bringing together a love of food and cycling! Food related activities through the weekend with bike events from 1km to a 90km time trail • 25-27 September – Loch Ken Paddle Festival. Dragon boat racing, kayaking and all things paddle related! • 4 October – The End Game. Test yourself against a modern pentathlon! 5km Open Water Swim, 6.5km Kayak, 40km Bike and 10km Trail Run finishing with archery and a well-earned feast. Recently, the Autumn of Endurance team were exhibiting at the Scottish Cycling, Running and Outdoor Pursuits Show (SCROPS), with lots of interest being shown in the events. They spoke to hundreds of event organisers and potential participants from around the UK. To show how reachable Loch Ken is from other parts of Scotland and Northern England, the Autumn of Endurance team used a bike and turbo trainer to pedal the distance from Loch Ken to Glasgow and back again over the course of the weekend event. Barney Fryer, Loch Ken Alive Officer, co-ordinating the Autumn of Endurance season, said: “It was great to have the chance to talk about our Autumn of Endurance programme to all the visitors to the show in Glasgow. “Endurance athletics and wild sports are becoming more popular all the time, as people realise the range of benefits to both physical and mental health. Loch Ken has some of the best swimming, running and cycling routes in the country. We are all looking forward to welcoming everyone THE GARDEN SPOT We gardeners are an optimistic bunch, we have to be. Imagine planting the tiniest of seeds, trusting it won’t just give up, no minibeast will come to eat it, and it won’t get squashed by a misplaced foot. Then, months later it has grown into a delicious carrot, a fine runner bean plant or a sunflower that towers over you. Of course, not all seeds will make it, but most will. Who but an optimist would plant a tree that won’t be at its best until long after they have left this world? Optimism with a hint of ruthlessness perhaps? If a plant dies or is not doing well, have it out! The space it leaves is an opportunity for something new. If I were a philosopher, I might think that social distancing for the virus outbreak provides similar opportunities for something new. If you can’t get out to your club or to see friends, don’t just sit in with a book or the TV, get out into the garden. If you haven’t tried gardening before, now is the perfect opportunity to have a go. It’s even the right time of year for planting most things. You can buy a reasonable selection of seeds in Tesco or Wilko. If you have the space and fancy having a bash at growing veg for the first time, there are loads to try; tatties, onions, beetroot, salads etc. Carrots - choose an early variety like Nantes as they mature quicker – you can grow these in the ground, or an old bucket full of compost or soil (punch holes in the bottom for drainage). I have even grown carrots in the flower bed of my front garden where they get mistaken for an exotic fern! The garden is a great place to get Spring flowers. The Autumn Endurance Team stand at the Scottish Cycling, Running and Outdoor Pursuits Show. this autumn for what promises to be an amazing series of events.” Alan Smith, Chairman of the Loch Ken Trust, said: “The level of interest in the events was heartening, and this was a great opportunity for the range of partners involved to start showing off what we are planning. The Autumn of Endurance Events are designed to provide a boost to the area, from accommodation businesses to those running events themselves, at a time of year when visitor levels tend to drop. Keep an eye out for further information as the plans come together.” fresh veg if the supermarket shelves are a little bare. But keep in mind that if your garden is visited by rabbits or pigeons, you might have to protect lettuces, cabbage, peas and beans with netting of some sort. You can keep tomatoes and chilli plants growing on your windowsill if you haven’t got a greenhouse, then move them outside after the danger of frost has passed (mid May at least). I recommend Sungold tomatoes, orange rather than red, small, sweet and fast growing. No need to follow the instructions on seed packets too literally either. I sometimes plant radish and lettuce seeds together in a row – the radishes are quicker and finished by the time the lettuces need the space. If you have children off school, it’s a great learning opportunity for them to see how life works. And, if you don’t know enough to teach them, learn together. Kids love stuff that grows quickly or tall, so try rocket and sunflowers. Remember that social distancing is NOT social isolation. A chat with a neighbour over the garden fence (two metres apart of course) will do wonders for the spirit and it’s a good way to pick up gardening tips as well. Fingers crossed for a great season... The Intrepid Gardener Glenkens Gazette page 11 Walking with Waterside Ways A newly formed, informal group have been coming together monthly to enjoy the wonders of Waterside Hill, Dalry. Waterside Ways is for anyone who loves Waterside Hill, whether it’s your daily walk, an occasional wander or an iconic view you enjoy from your house or workplace. It’s a landscape feature that holds great importance to many in our community with several notable bird species, cultural histories, and archaeological features, as well as being the inspiration for Robert Burns’ Tam O’ Shanter. Waterside Hill is part of the Southern Upland Way, and one of the most popular walks straight from the village, with fantastic views of Dalry village and the Glenkens in one direction, and the Rhinns of Kells and Cairnsmore of Carsphairn in the other. Waterside Ways have started a monthly walk and talk up the hill, followed by optional food or drinks at the Clachen Inn. To enable as many folk as possible the opportunity to join us, the walks are at different times and on different days. Our first outing up the hill proved very popular; 12 people enjoyed a slow paced amble, whilst sharing their stories of connectedness to this hillside. At the summit cairn, there was some chat about glacial activity and how it has shaped our landscape. It was a blustery day, but dressed for the weather, we stayed mostly dry and warm and had fantastic views of the snowy Galloway hills followed by a stimulating gathering at the pub afterwards with lots of ideas for future events. Very soon we plan have a full programme of speakers and activities on a monthly basis through the summer, which will take place during the walks. We also invite people to come forward with their ideas for activities, be it art, performance, poetry, educational talks, singing on the hillside, storytelling etc. And if you would like to take one of the unfilled slots below please drop us a line. All ideas are welcome! We’ve set up a Facebook page, Waterside Ways, which is open for anyone to join. It’s an excellent forum for sharing stories, pictures, memories and more. Next gatherings are: Sunday 26 April - 11am with Listening and Sound Gathering, Helmut Lemke (get in touch to confirm); May – date and activity TBC Monday 29 June - 6pm speaker/ activity TBC; Saturday 25 July - 2pm speaker/activity TBC; Friday 21 August - 4pm speaker/activity TBC; Sunday 27 September 3pm speaker/activity TBC. For more information please contact Kerry Morrison on 07801 709 721 or dr.kerry.morrison@gmail.com Glenkens Gazette page 12 Glenkens Gazette page 13 The Children from Belarus I recently wrote a piece in response to a request from Nicola Black of the CatStrand Singers for ideas for a song. The CatStrand Singers have been awarded a grant by the Galloway Glens, which enables them to pay Nicola properly and keep on singing. A condition of the grant is that the group should do some public performances and include songs local to the region, some of which should be new. This article has been made available to the writers who attend The Writers’ Cafe, inviting any interested person to write some lyrics. The Chernobyl Disaster and the Response in Galloway ‘Perestroika’ (restructuring) and ‘glasnost’ (openness) in the 1980s lead to the collapse of the Soviet union and allowed other countries to step in and help after the No 4 nuclear reactor at Chernobyl went into meltdown and spewed radioactive debris and dust into the atmosphere. The disaster happened on 26 April 1986, a few days before the important May Day celebrations. The people living at Chernobyl were evacuated soon after the event, but other local populations were not informed about the danger and were encouraged to turn out in the warm sunshine to celebrate. On April 28, Swedish monitoring stations reported abnormally high levels of wind-transported radioactivity and pressed for an explanation. The Soviet government admitted there had been an accident at Chernobyl. In the meantime, the plume of radiation had been swirled round the nearby countryside and then carried by high winds in a north-easterly direction. It so happened that heavily-polluted rain fell on SW Scotland, Wales and Cumbria, blew out to sea and then returned, thus delivering a double dose of radiation to the Glenkens, among other places. For years local farmers were subject to restrictions on the sale of sheep (in particular). Twenty years later, 10 farms in Scotland were still affected and it was not until 2012 that the majority of such restrictions were removed from most remaining farms. So the people of the Glenkens knew quite a lot about the Chernobyl disaster. In September 1991, I contacted an organisation called Chernobyl Children Lifeline in Surrey and offered to take two children for four weeks’ respite care as this would be beneficial to their health. I was told that the children came in groups of 10 or more, with an interpreter, and we would need to raise £3,500 for their air fares. The children would come from Belarus – because this country had the largest area affected by fallout. They would be aged between nine and 12 years old, and never have travelled out of the country before. They would all have been living in contaminated areas or have been evacuated to a city because their home had received heavy doses of radiation. Doubtfully, I began sounding out friends and neighbours. I was encouraged by Dr Sheila Neil to put an article in the Galloway News asking interested people to contact me. I was amazed by the response. It was not long before we had five families ready to accept two children each. Others got in touch offering support. The Coop offered food, a farmer in Dumfries offered eggs; the Red Cross offered to take them out; the Lions in Dalbeattie wanted to help; Rotary offered support; a hotel in Moffat invited them to visit. It was amazing! We formed a proper group with a chairman and a treasurer. We began fundraising, and somehow we raised the required amount and the children came. Because it was a great success, we couldn’t stop after just one year. We continued bringing over at least 10 children every year for eight years, with myself and Sheila MacKay at the helm. As a group we must have entertained well over 100 children over the years. Well those are the facts but they are not hugely lyrical! So here are some memories and thoughts that may help: How brave those parents must have been in Belarus to entrust their children to the care of strangers! How desperate and grateful must those parents have been, to send them? All the children brought presents for their host families. Items such as woven table runners (some taken from precious hoards as they could not afford anything new) or wooden items decorated with owners. Language was of course a barrier, and we found a Russian lady in Kircudbright who was willing to give us lessons. One of our most useful phrases proved to be ‘be careful’ (ostoroszhna!). Fortunately, the Russian word for ‘stop’ is ‘stop’. Why was ‘ostorozhna’ so important? For one thing, the children had no road sense at all. For a second, they were not used to hills and, unless restrained, would start running down the steepest of slopes. But those who could ride a bike were the worst - one lad could not be deterred from riding round Balmaclellan on the bike of his hosts’ son. Locals had to learn to avoid him on the wrong side of the road. We wanted our children to call us by our first names. Shock, horror! This seemed too disrespectful for our guests, and a lovely compromise was reached and we were known as Mrs Rhoda and Mr Dennis. The girls all seemed to love to sing. When we took them out in a car, we would get serenaded. Local people were so welcoming and supportive. The children had a ball. Living in a landlocked country, none of them had ever seen the sea before. Our lovely egg farmer had a huge catamaran and he took all of our children plus any of the host family children who wanted to come, on a trip to Heston Island and back. Bliss for all concerned. At that time Laurieston Hall had a resident circus performer and he arranged for all the children to visit the hall, eat wonderful food and try circus skills. The highlight one year was when a fire juggler entertained us more than usual by setting his hair on fire! No harm done; just some frizzled top hair. Were they ill? Not noticeably, although some of them were very pale and a few had had their thyroid glands removed. Thyroid cancer is the one cancer form that can be directly blamed on radioactive iodine in the explosion as it has a short halflife and makes straight for the thyroid gland. Where the thyroid gland is already saturated with stable iodine the gland is protected. Sadly the Belarussian diet is deficient in natural iodine. Most of the children or their families would keep in touch for a year or two after going home. One of the girls that had had her thyroid gland removed did not do so. We do not know if this is significant. All the children went home looking more rested and glowing from enjoying such a holiday. For me, that is enough. I do not need to know if their health was permanently improved. They had had a wonderful holiday they will never forget. by Rhoda Rugg Local people were so welcoming and supportive. glistening straw – very beautiful. Belarus grows flax, birch trees and cereals. It does not have much mineral wealth but does get amber from the Baltic States, so wooden pictures decorated with amber often came, along with lovely painted spoons and beautifully decorated boxes. Did anything go wrong? Well of course it did. Some of the visiting children pilfered. Coming from a soviet country, no-one was rich and many were poor. They were overwhelmed at the number of toys and possessions our children and families had. They took silly things that they thought were not valued by their Glenkens Gazette page 14 Glenkens Gazette page 15 Glenkens Gazette Support for Veterans Over the last two years local man Robin Hood has raised funds through his memorable campaigns of pulling a wooden statue across the country by foot. The money raised through his charity, SWS RnR, has gone towards re-skilling page 16 60 local Army Veterans by supporting them in achieving their HGV licences, therefore helping them get back into full time work. Robin says: “This year, between them they will contribute £228,000 in income tax instead of claiming benefits, as well as delivering the nation’s goods. And, most importantly, they have a sense of feeling valued as well as earning a living.” Pictured: Robin with the two statues he has pulled for miles to raise funds. New Galloway’s VE Day 75th Anniversary Celebrations Postponed NG Community Events Committee regret that due to the current coronavirus outbreak we have made the decision to cancel this event. We were planning a day of celebrations for the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, working with the Community Council, CatStrand, Kells School Parent Council and the Cubs & Beavers to remember the special day when the guns fell silent at the end of the war in Europe. It was to be an opportunity for us all to remember the enormous sacrifices that were made at home and abroad and to joyously celebrate as people did 75 years ago, the arrival of peace in Europe. It was to have been a truly community event for the New Galloway & Kells Parish. We were planning celebrations in New Galloway Park with food, music, games and concluding with a short ecumenical service at the war memorial. At this time when the spirit of the war is often being remembered, let us all try to think of others in our community and look forward with hope to the end of the crisis. Depending upon the length of the restrictions, perhaps it will be possible to re-schedule later in the year, maybe even in August when Japan surrendered and World War ll finally finished. Joan Walker Glenkens Gazette page 17 YOUTH TRANSPORT PILOT FEEDBACK Between December and February, CatStrand Youth piloted a youth transport project, Get On It, running free buses for young people aged 12-25 on Sunday afternoons linking rural Glenkens villages with Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright. Everyone who used the bus provided positive feedback and we’re keen to go ahead with our second and last pilot. We are currently looking for feedback from young people about what routes, times and days they would be most likely to use the bus. If you’d like to help by providing this, please fill in our online survey at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/99ZHZLJ or use the QR code to the right. We’re still looking for adults who can be on board to check registrations and be on hand in case of an emergency. This is a paid position and we can provide PVG registration if needed. Please get in touch with katy@catstrand.com ASAP if you think you can help with this. Katy Billington, CatStrand Youth Arts Coordinator 07891374516, katy@catstrand.com Kindling available GLENKENS ROUTE Thursdays: 12noon-1pm – Crossmichael 1-2pm – Parton/Loch Ken Holiday Park 2-4pm – Balmaclellan area 4-5.30pm – The Hidden Road Fridays: 8-10.30am – Dalry 10.30-11am – Glenlee Area 11am – New Galloway 12noon – New Galloway Shop 2pm – Mossdale area 3-4pm – Laurieston to Gatehouse Please note that all times are approximate. 07966 103 912 charliecoid@hotmail.com Fleet Fish aims to provide top quality produce which is sourced as locally as possible. We take pride in offering friendly door-to-door service tailored to our customers’ needs. Glenkens Gazette page 18 Schools Food & Farming Days Glenkens primary school children, along with others from across the Stewartry, visited Wallets Marts in Castle Douglas for an educational ‘Food & Farming’ day. These events were arranged by the Royal Highland Educational Trust, in partnership with the Galloway Glens scheme, and sought to introduce young people to the farming sector and show off the range of professions available in this industry. Activities on the day included Tom Kirkpatrick from Kirkpatrick’s Kitchen and Quality Meat Scotland demonstrating the importance of higher welfare meat; Scottish Natural Heritage and Millbank Parkland Venison handling deer and venison; Mary Smith discussing how to make good food choices; Glen Urr, Roan’s Dairy and Arla highlighting the story behind milk; demonstrations about cereal production and use; sheep management and farming; and creative, heritage skills with the Dumfries & Galloway Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers. There were also live animals, milking trucks and plenty of taster foods at lunchtime. It was all rounded off with an auction of pygmy goats, courtesy of Wallets Marts staff. Fiona Jamieson, RHET Project CoOrdinator, who led the events, said: “We were delighted to partner with the Galloway Glens to offer these superb Food and Farming learning experiences. Along with our funding from the Scottish Government, partnerships like this allow us to offer more opportunities to local school children to really understand what the food and farming industry represents as well as learn about the career choices it presents. We are grateful to Wallets Marts for hosting the event, along with our numerous supporters and volunteers who helped make it happen again this year.” Helen Keron, Galloway Glens Education & Community Engagement Officer, added: “These have been a fantastic couple of days, good fun and really informative...It was fantastic to see so many children (and teachers) enjoying themselves but also learning so much. It was also great to see the passion amongst the food and farming community for passing their traditions on to the next generation – the volunteer effort involved in these days is incredible. “Thanks to all who came along and to all the supporters, especially Wallets Marts who hosted us so well. A key aim of the Galloway Glens Scheme is to let our young folk see their future can be here in Galloway. The ‘Food & Farming’ days sought to spark their imagination to the opportunities available in the industry.” A young person tries her hand at auctioneering. Indoors and Outdoors at Kells Primary World Book Day Kells Primary celebrated World Book Day this year with some familiar activities, and a new one too. We began by thinking about the main theme for World Book Day this year, which was Sharing Stories. We talked about our favourite ways to share stories and the types of stories we enjoyed sharing the most. Each child brought an unopened food can or empty plastic bottle and the book containing their favourite character to help them with the next activity. Over the following hour, each child attempted to recreate the character, using the tin or bottle as a base. You can see from the photos, some excellent characters were created using a variety of craft and everyday materials, such as coloured paper, paint, lollipop sticks and even bolts and stones! Once the characters were finished the children worked in pairs to try to match the correct book with its can, or bottle character! There were many detailed and well thought out creations. Both Hannah (P5) and Ella’s (P3) characters were judged to be the two that most resembled their book character and each girl won a prize of a book for their hard work. The activities finished with children from both classes sharing the stories they had brought to school. This time was spent with the children enjoying listening to their friends read to them and discussing the stories together. Outdoor Learning Children at Kells Primary have enjoyed spending some Wednesday afternoons out and about in their community. A couple of weeks ago we made our third visit to the Walled Garden on the Garroch Estate. This time groups of children helped some of the volunteers gardeners with moving and spreading wood chips and using maths knowledge and skills they had learned in the classroom to choose and use appropriate measuring equipment to measure some other the things they had found in the garden. The following week the children were lucky enough to be led by LING volunteers, along the trails in the woods besides the New Galloway Golf Club. Whilst doing this the children were given tips about markers and instructions they could use and incorporate into maps. This was so they could make leaflets for visitors to use to follow the trails and enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding the village. Once the maps have been created and given the final test and with help from LING and Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme the children hope to have them published and available to the public in the village shop! Picutured: Left - World Book Day characters being created. Above - walk along New Galloway Golf Club trails. Glenkens Gazette page 19 Galloway Music Festival Success Dalry Secondary’s S3 Vocal Group has been celebrating its success in the recent Galloway Music Festival. The S3 group from Dalry won their class, as well as bagging the Wigtownshire Music Festival Trophy, with their performance of Party Favor by Billy Eilish. The Music Festival went well and the children enjoyed the experience. The group ended up with 85 points, and were commended for their performance, with encourging words from the adjudicator to perhaps stick together and keep singing. A good evening was had by all including the parents who made it along to the show. Pictured: Dalry Secondary’s S3 group winners Sophie, Jessica, Kaelan and Molly. CATSTRAND YOUTH GETS BUSY CatStrand Youth has had a fun and busy few months. Alongside our regular clubs for young people, we’ve also been rehearsing for multiple performances and running new projects and workshops. In February, our Youth Volunteers enjoyed a trip to Wigtown Book Festival’s Hooked event where they attended a workshop on lyric writing and stayed to watch the open mic night featuring spoken word and songs. In February we also held our very first sewing and upcycling workshop. Young people came up with some incredible ideas and over the course of the afternoon embellished bags and old clothes giving them a new spark of life. There was also a glove and a bag created from scratch! Also in February, CatStrand Youth held a community performance called Our Kind: Once Upon a Planet. During the show, various performance pieces from shadow puppetry, to dance, to song were woven together to create a narrative on climate change and raise awareness of our impact on the planet. This was followed by a youth-led discussion. Lots of preparation went into this show and many groups and individuals worked hard – both on stage and behind the scenes – to make it a success, so we’d like to say a massive thank you and well done to everyone who got involved! We received some very complimentary feedback about the show and are already thinking of how we can take it forwards. Our Film On Track project started over the February half-term. This project is all about adventure filmmaking. We took a group of young people – all with different experiences of biking – to Kirroughtree for a day on the trails. Accompanied by videographer Drew Johnstone, they learned how to use go pro action cameras and test out different angles, shots and narratives. The following day was spent learning how to edit all the footage and add special effects and soundtracks. The result was two amazing adventure films about biking featuring winding trails, cool jumps, silly crashes and even some biking lingo! We are keen to run more Film On Track biking and editing days so if you know of a young person who might be interested, get in touch and be sure to follow us on social media @catstrandyouth CatStrand Youth Notice: In light of the current Coronavirus outbreak, all regular youth arts groups are currently cancelled until 31 May 2020. We will plan to hold youth volunteer meetings via Facetime or Zoom, as well as any other groups that can keep working virtually. Katy and Aidan will be thinking of ideas to continue social activity online in conversation with our young people; if you have any ideas or questions do get in touch on 01644 420 374 or email katy@catstand.com or aidan@catstrand.com We hope everyone stays safe and well during this time. Katy Billington, CatStrand Youth Arts Coordinator David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP Covering the Glenkens & further afield 07709 144 299 - wood burners - mul�-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspec�on - cer�ficates issued - feel free to call for advice - Find me on Facebook Top Right: Film on Track project. Above: On Track project team. Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 20 TECHNOLOGY EXPLAINED: RADIO Radio has been around for a long time - sometimes referred to as ‘wireless’ back in the day, because you used to need a license for the reception of ‘wireless telegraphy’. All radio used to be AM (Amplitude Modulation) and was short, medium or long wave. About the only thing you are likely to get on AM nowadays is BBC Radio Scotland on medium wave. I should have mentioned that this article is restricted to entertainment radio, so other uses (police, mountain rescue, air traffic and amateur [ham] Internet radio. radio, etc, is excluded). FM (Frequency Modulation) radio was the gold standard for many years but this will be phased out sometime in the future. Reception of FM in the Glenkens is patchy to say the least. DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is a more recent way to receive radio but it’s still patchy in the Glenkens; many DAB radio sets can also receive FM. People listen to radio on their TV sets (via their Sky box) or on their smartphone, computer or tablet (using broadband). Some of the older smartphones even have an FM radio built in, although my new Samsung does not. If you are out and about, you can listen to radio on your smartphone via the internet but that could be costly in use of data if you are not connected to wifi. A good smartphone app is TuneIn. My favourite way to listen to radio is on an internet radio, plugged into the mains and connected to wifi. The sound quality is good and I can listen to any one of around 100,000 stations worldwide, although you may prefer to use one of the modern smart speakers which do much the same thing. If you have an overwhelming urge to listen to a local radio station in Christchurch, New Zealand (for example) you can do it easily on your phone, computer, smart speaker or internet radio, as long as you have an internet connection. A word now about streaming services - there is Spotify, YouTube Music, Deezer and Soundcloud amongst others and, of course, Podcasts (try the HappyFish app and the BBC Sounds app). Nowadays you can listen to the music of your choice or the Archers when it is convenient for you and not just when it is officially ‘aired’ as used to be the case. Long gone are the days when you had to retune the ‘cat’s whisker’ on the crystal and lose the BBC Light programme because dad wanted to listen to the cricket on the BBC Home Service using the only radio in the house. Listening to the radio, or watching TV for that matter, used to be a family event. Now everyone seems to listen privately. Is that a good thing? I only do technology; you will need to ask a social philosopher about that! Finally, a teenager said to me the other day (ironically, I think) “what’s radio”? I replied, “it’s like a podcast, but live”! Paul Goodwin 11th April 9th May 10am-12.30pm For further information or to book a stall ring 01644 430 454 or visit www.dalrytownhall.co.uk Entrance by donation - proceeds towards Dalry Town Hall Refurbishment Fund North of Castle Douglas, A713 Ayr Road Glenkens Gazette page 21 Visit the Ospreys at Loch Doon We are so very lucky to be living in such a beautiful place during these testing times, with so much open space to be able to enjoy whilst complying with the government’s social exclusion directive. It’s the time of year when the days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer, and spring is in the air. Time to get out and about and soak up some vitamin D. Facilities such as cafes, restaurants and pubs are currently being asked to close their doors to slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus. However, food is able to be purchased at present on a takeaway basis from various retail outlets. Loch Doon’s Roundhouse Cafe is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat or a coffee whilst enjoying the great outdoors. Roundhouse proprietor, Brian Meechan, says : “We are happy to say that we will be open throughout the summer season for takeaway food and drinks. We continue to put the wellbeing of our staff and customers first, and therefore we are sorry to say that our new osprey lounge seating area will be closed until further notice.” Although the government guidelines state that we should avoid social gatherings and public places, getting out of the house to go for a walk and get some fresh is something we can do whilst still abiding by the recommendations for social exclusion, and some fresh air and exercise will benefit everyone’s health. “Loch Doon is a wonderful place for walking,” says Brian. “With approximately 200 square miles of the Galloway Forest Park surrounding loch meaning it should not be difficult to find an area to distance yourself from other walkers, making it safe to enjoy this outside area. Just remember to stay at least 2 metres apart from others.” There are gentle strolls along the loch from the Roundhouse car park, or along the river is the local beauty spot Ness Glen, a gorgeous river walk featuring the spectacular Dalcairney Falls. The Roundhouse Takeaway will be serving tea, coffee, hot chocolate and their full snack menu will also be available. Please be aware only one customer a time will be allowed into the premises, so Brian asks if people could queue outside to allow staff to provide their services in a safe and secure manner. NATIONAL TRUST OPEN SPACES The National Trust have taken the difficult decision to close all their gated properties (historic buildings, visitor centres, visitor facilities, cafés, shops and toilets) and suspend all events across Scotland with effect from Friday 20 March 2020. For Galloway this means closure of Threave Garden & Estate in Castle Douglas, Broughton House & Garden in Kirkcudbright, and Thomas Carlyle’s Birthplace in Ecclefechan. The Trust’s Chief Executive, Simon Skinner, said: “We know that this will be a big let-down for the many people who were looking forward to celebrating the arrival of spring at our properties after a long, hard winter. “The flipside of that is that we’re keeping many of our parklands, gardens and beautiful landscapes open to offer a green, clean and fresh respite from all the troubles we’re seeing at the moment.” Sam Gallacher, Operations Manager for the National Trust for Scotland in Dumfries & Galloway said: “Should the situation allow, we’re still really looking forward to our big event for 2020, Threave Gardening Show on 12-14 June. In the meantime... while our built properties remain closed, the National Trust for Scotland’s natural heritage properties at Rockcliffe, Venniehill in Gatehouse of Fleet and Threave Nature Reserve in Castle Douglas remain open to the public. James Hutchinson, Visitor Services Supervisor for Countryside Access & Education in Dumfries & Galloway said: “We have some wonderful natural heritage properties in Dumfries & Galloway. Our famous ospreys will soon be returning to Threave Nature Reserve, where we are hoping to host two breeding pairs for the first time following the construction of a new nest. “Rockcliffe is a real hidden gem, with beautiful coastal walks with stunning viewpoints from the Mote of Mark and Muckle Hill. Please remember to wash your hands before and after your visit and keep a safe distance from other visitors at this time.” Glenkens Gazette page 22 KICKBACK MARTIAL ARTS CLUB Brian Hilton who runs Kickback Martial Arts (KMA) club, along with his wife Nancy, tells us a bit about how the club began: It all started about 18 years ago. I was working for the County Courts at the time and teaching martial arts every night of the week and Saturday mornings, with five clubs running. My wife’s parents getting older and in need of support lived 200 miles away and my father who had support about the same distance in the opposite direction. My wife being pregnant as well, we decided it was time to move. We decided to move to be there for Nancy’s parents and start fresh. We initially thought Clubs in large towns would be the way forward, like Dumfries, Ayr, Kilmarnock. However, just by chance we heard someone talking about the last thing they wanted to do after work was drive 30 miles to Dumfries to go to the gym then drive home again. It must be the same for karate for a lot of people. So, we decided to look locally for village halls in smaller locations. We started with Thornhill and Dalry (which was on twice a week at one point), followed by Kelloholm and Muirkirk, both since closed. We also had clubs in Moniaive and Penpont at one point. We now have clubs in Patna on a Mondays, Netherthird on Tuesdays and Saturdays, Dalry on a Thursday, and we are at present looking for a club for a Friday. Kickback Martial Arts Club, Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry: Thursday evenings at 6-7pm for younger members, 7-9pm for older members. Parents can train at either time with their children if they wish. The Mystery of Huntingdon 290 Old iron mileplates in Dumfries and Castle Douglas (pictured) name Huntingdon as a main destination in the south. Why was Huntingdon so important to this part of the world? While living near Huntingdon and frequently visiting southwest Scotland I was intrigued by the old iron plate fixed to the MidSteeple in Dumfries showing the distance to key destinations: Edinburgh 72, Glasgow 74, London 330… Huntingdon 272. A similar plate - Huntingdon 290 - is set into the wall of the Douglas Arms in Castle Douglas. Why Huntingdon, of all places? The plates appear to have been cast in 1827, so prerail. Browsing the internet revealed a connection from medieval times. And an old plastic tea tray commemorating Bannockburn showed a link between the medieval kings of Scotland and the earls of Huntingdon which began when a Saxon hothead, Waltheof, was beheaded in 1076 for his part in the Rebellion of the Earls against William the Conqueror. Waltheof was the son of Earl Siward of Northumbria. In those days Northumbria extended a long way south and he should have inherited the earldom in 1065, but as he was only 10 years old he was made earl of just the Middle Anglia part – Huntingdon and Northampton. And being a mere lad he was too young for call-up to the Battle of Hastings the following year, which may explain why he escaped the ethnic cleansing by victorious Norman warlords as they rampaged across the country. Instead he became a resistance leader along with Hereward the Wake but was finally forced to surrender. For good behaviour he was rewarded in 1072 with the whole of Northumbria, although this turnaround in his fortunes was also due to his marriage to the Conqueror’s niece Judith. Then came the rebellion. Some say Judith betrayed him, others insist it was a royal conspiracy to eliminate the last of the Anglo-Saxon nobility. With Waltheof gone control of the earldom fell to Judith. In due course their daughter Maud married one of the Conqueror’s henchmen, Simon de Senlis, son of Ranulf the Rich. When Simon died on crusade in 1111 his widow, the Countess Maud of Huntingdon, although 36 and a single mum, was a very fine catch indeed. In a match arranged by the then King of England, Henry I, she married King David I of Scotland. Their union, in 1113, brought David the earldom of Huntingdon. David at that time shared the throne of Scotland with his elder brother Alexander ‘the Fierce’, but claiming his inheritance - the southern half of Scotland - was something of a problem. The brothers were close friends with Henry, who had married their sister Edith (later known by her Norman name Matilda), so young David busied himself at the English court learning Norman ways. He became a travelling justice in Henry’s administration, and his retinue included a group of Norman knights who acted as his enforcers. In 1113, with Henry’s backing, David finally made his claim in Scotland stick but to avoid trouble he continued to spend most of his time in England until brother Alexander died in 1124. As the new ruler of a united Scotland, plus Cumbria, David took his enforcers north with him. They included de Brus (Bruce) and others whose family names would become well-known. With the earldoms of Northumbria, Northampton and Huntingdon also under his belt he remained immensely influential in England. When Henry I died in 1135 David backed Henry’s daughter Matilda in the civil war against Stephen. She was, after all, his niece. Family ties however put David on the losing side and he was defeated at the Battle of the Standard in 1138. But with his army still intact he remained in control of Carlisle where, in 1149, he knighted his great-nephew, the future Henry II of England. In return Henry acknowledged Scotland’s continued control over the northern counties of England. King David, nicknamed "the Saint", died in 1153 at Carlisle aged 72, a keen gardener to the end. He outlived Maud but together they had created an extraordinary family. One of their boys, Henry of Huntingdon, produced 10 offspring including two future kings of Scotland, Malcolm IV and William I ‘the Lion’. Another of Henry of Huntingdon's sons was David, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon, a younger brother to Malcolm IV and William I. He was also Earl of Northumbria, Carlisle, Doncaster and Cambridge. He and his wife Matilda de Kevelioc produced a prodigious number of children. The eldest of these, Robert Huntingdon, was mysteriously airbrushed from official history and "died young", giving rise to speculation by some historians that this was the disinherited outlaw Robin Hood. Folk tales often refer to Robin as the Earl of Huntingdon. Could he have been? If Robin led the resistance against Prince John during Richard the Lionheart’s absence on crusade – 1190 to 1194 – he must have been born no later than c1170. Earl David was 26 in 1170 so the timeline allows for Robin to have been his son though not a product of the marriage bed. He didn’t wed Matilda until 1190. Continued next issue... Stuart Littlewood Glenkens Gazette page 23 New Era for Carsphairn Heritage Plans are moving forward at a considerable pace for Carsphairn Heritage Centre and the coming year will be as busy as any in its 30-year history. The Carsphairn Heritage Group was formed to collect and preserve local family history records, photographs, slides and significant artifacts. Constructed in 1992, the Centre has housed these collections, providing space for yearly exhibitions and creating a focus point for visitors carrying out family research. In February the group – under the new title of Carsphairn Heritage Initiative – became a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) to enable it to build on this legacy and to continue with several key projects which will secure the future of the Centre. The Carsphairn Heritage Initiative (CHI) is continuing the work started by the Heritage Group to digitise their collection and is working to take ownership of the Centre from Dumfries & Galloway Council via the Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS). Since 2017, volunteers have been digitising the collection of artefacts, documents and photos donated and collected over the past 30 years to: - make them accessible to people wherever they are in the world; make previously inaccessible material available to visitors and researchers; preserve the collection and the local heritage it contains; better interpret the archive and present it in an engaging manner to enhance the visitor experience. CHI is grateful to the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP) for additional funding towards the second phase of the digitisation project. Ownership of the Centre will enable CHI to improve the educational experience for visitors through the continued preservation of its vast collection of historical memorabilia. It is planned to make the premises more comfortable, environmentally friendly and cost-effective to run by insulating and draught-proofing. The Centre can also be used by other community groups when not needed by CHI and developed to attract a wider variety of users such as local crafts people for hosting workshops, exhibitions and educational sessions. “As part of our CATS application to the council, we have to put together a comprehensive business case to show how ownership of the Centre will benefit the community,” explained CHI interim trustee Karen Hall who used to chair the Heritage Group. ULTRASOUND PREGNANCY SCANNING ����������������� �������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ��������������������� ����������������������������� For bookings and info: Duncan Kennedy 07860 474001 dk@passcan.co.uk www.passcan.co.uk “We have to demonstrate how we will make the project sustainable in future years through, for example, funding improvements and running costs.” The interim trustees of CHI were planning to convene the first general meeting of CHI in May, but in light of Government guidance on social distancing to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, it has been postponed. “I have huge hopes for the future of Carsphairn Heritage Initiative and for the Heritage Centre in Carsphairn,” added Karen. “I hope that you will continue to support us, and we can look forward to celebrating at least another 30 years of heritage in this very special part of the world.” • As Carsphairn Heritage Group will no longer exist after mid-May, all existing members who wish to continue supporting the new charity are being requested to transfer their membership to CHI, which is a legal requirement. They will be able to join the new group for free for the first year, and will receive a special application form with their Spring newsletter which is due for distribution any day now. Anyone else wishing to support the CHI in its new venture can sign up to become a member by visiting the Carsphairn website (Carsphairn.org/HeritageGroup) where they can download a membership form. Glenkens Gazette page 24 A LOOK AT CLASSIC FEMALE DETECTIVE FICTION AUTHORS Today the books of such female authors as Donna Leon, Rebecca Tope, Carola Dunn and Patricia Cornwall are read by thousands. However it may be worthwhile to visit [or revisit] some of the excellent detective fiction produced by probably the five finest writers. The books of Margery Allingham, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Gladys Mitchell, Dorothy Sayers and Patricia Wentworth can still be found reasonably priced, in print, in charity- and second hand bookshops and on Amazon. The first four authors have had many of their books televised and, for many, this familiarity adds to the pleasure of reading them. In addition, many can be obtained in audiobook form. Agatha Christie is probably the most well known by far. Her detective fiction provided us with 14 Miss Marple books [as well as cementing the status of Joan Hickson in our affections], 39 Poirot books and 25 other mysteries with such central characters as Mr Parker Pyne and Tommy and Tuppence Beresford. Margery Allingham wrote 21 books about her most famous creation, Albert Campion. A few have appeared as television programmes with Peter Davison as understated aristocratic detective and solver of mysteries. The Crime at Black Dudley, Mystery Mile and The Fashion in the Shrouds are excellent examples of her art. Ngaio Marsh wrote over 30 detective novels, many of them centred around the theatre. This was a lifelong passion of the author, however the theatrical background rarely overshadows the excellence of the mystery and the solution. Her central character, the gentleman Roderick Alleyn, rises through Scotland Yard. He is one of the few fictional detectives without idiosyncrasies to make them memorable. Patrick Malahide [Sgt Chisholm in Minder] played Alleyn in a number of television adaptations. Death in a White Tie and The Nursing Home Murder are two examples of the books. Gladys Mitchell wrote over 60 books and introduced Mrs Bradley as the distinguished and ferociously intelligent heroine who thrived on puzzles and mysteries. A small number of the books were televised with Diana Rigg portraying her wonderfully. People will like some of her books more than others, however, an early one, Speedy Death, will allow the reader to test the waters for her rather fast moving plots and characters. Dorothy L Sayers, author of Lord Peter Wimsey, requires little introduction here beyond this inclusion. Patricia Wentworth has been vastly underrated in my view. Her main creation, Maud Silver, is quite wonderful as a retired governess who sets herself up as a detective. There are over 30 beautifully written books such as The Chinese Shawl and The Girl in the Cellar. If Miss Marple was to your taste, then Miss Silver will also enchant. I do hope that you will find much to interest. Bruce Smith James Clerk Maxwell Science Festival Success Parton has hosted its first ever James Clerk Maxwell Family Science Festival. The event, aiming to celebrate the discoveries of a man cited as Einstein’s inspiration, was led by Threave Partnership on behalf of Parton Community Council and saw 500 people of all ages attend events in the village. Parton was home to James Clerk Maxwell, and he is buried in the Parton Kirkyard. In the village hall, participants enjoyed many hands-on experiments; firing rockets, mixing slime, making sherbet, balancing butterflies and learning about the light spectrum. Millie Julian and Charlotte Toon won glider trips in the Light Catcher photographic competition. Meanwhile in the Kirk, Professor Pumpernickel thrilled and educated with explosions, jokes and facts. Although a complete contrast, the tranquil planetarium was no less popular. The Saturday Family day followed Friday’s village hall talks on The Theory of Colour by Ben Craven PHD and The Aesthetics of Light by photographer Kim Ayers. Ben showed how light is composed and Professor Pumpernickel’s science show wows audience members. how we see it. Kim demonstrated some of project will bring appropriate public the professional light recognition and use the legacy of techniques. his achievements to inspire the next These events mark the start of generation. journey to create a permanent James The project was sponsored by Clerk Maxwell centre in Parton. Dumfries & Galloway Science Festival 150 years ago, James Clerk Maxwell and Falgunzeon Glider Club, and funded made breakthroughs that continue to by a grant through the Galloway Glens shape the world today. Science insiders ‘Our Heritage’ Small Grants Scheme. know him as one of the greats. This Glenkens Gazette Having a Blast at the Glenkens Men’s Shed The founding of a Men’s Shed in the Glenkens has been one of the best success stories in recent years. traditional metalworking skills and heritage agricultural practices to be used, with potential for training up a new generation in these skills. The installation of the new workshop has helped to attract more interest and the Men’s Shed now have a record 39 members, including a greater The Men’s Shed, located behind proportion of women members. the recently refurbished Smiddy in The Glenkens Men’s Shed Metalwork Balmaclellan, has established itself as a Project, which saw the purchase of popular and well-used place for a whole the new metal working equipment, range of group and solo trades and including a blasting cabinet, metal activities. working benches, and a rolling and The completion of the newlybending kit, has been supported by installed cold metal workshop allows a grant of £5,000 through the Galloway Glens ‘Our Heritage’ Small Grants Scheme. Much of the equipment purchased was exdisplay, getting the best value for money from the grant. The newly installed blasting cabinet has been an unexpected success, with interest from artist communities looking at carrying out glass etching. Additionally, the proximity to The Smiddy in Balmaclellan has increased opportunities for showcasing Left to right: Some of the Glenkens ‘Shedders’ - heritage and traditional skills. Stuart Rhodes, Tam Craig, Andi Holmes, Ali Both through events and practical Stewart © Galloway Glens. page 25 application, such as hosting a local blacksmith and an aluminium smelting demo, as well as providing options for furthering sustainability through the sale of goods and services. Chris Jowsey, treasurer at the Glenkens Men’s Shed, said: “This new equipment will help people and communities in the area to reconnect to the heritage skills prevalent in rural and agricultural communities, such as the Glenkens. Offering opportunities to maintain, develop and pass on these traditional skills through a range of metal working activities. Visitors to the shed have been amazed at the range of facilities available and were especially impressed with the Galloway Glens supported Metal Workshop”. Jude Crooks, Galloway Glens Administrator and lead contact for the Small Grants Scheme, said: “This equipment forms the centrepiece of the new metalworking room, allowing local metalworking skills and heritage agricultural practices to be used in the Men’s Shed, training up a new generation in these skills.” Glenkens Gazette page 26 GLENKENS PLACE NAMES: PART III Place-names can provide evidence of many different facets of life in past times, including the Glenkens folks’ attitude to superstition and supernatural beliefs generally. In this article I will have a look to see what evidence for such superstitions from the past might be found still chiselled into the map in the form of our local place-names. Small hills, mounds, cairns and so on were frequently held to be inhabited by the fairy folk or other otherworldly beings. Towards the head of the beautiful Garroch Glen lies the farm of Knocksheen, Gaelic Cnoc Sìthein meaning fairy mound. I’m not sure which particular mound the fairies were supposed to inhabit there but it would be interesting to find out! Near Carsphairn and just off the old pack road stands Carnavel neolithic long cairn. The reasons for this cairn being built in that spot had long been forgotten by the time it was named by our Gaelic speaking predecessors so perhaps they allowed their own set of beliefs and superstitions to guide them. There is a hill near Drummore on the Rhinns of Galloway called Knockaine, possibly named after Aine the daughter of the fairy king Cuilenn and the lover of Fionn mac Cumhail (Finn MacCool of Giant’s Causeway fame). It is possible that this Aine was originally a goddess figure. Ireland has many goddesses who appear in folklore as fairy queens, another was Aoibheall who was associated with East Co. Clare at Tobereevul (Aoibheall’s well). Her name means ‘beautiful’ or ‘the lovely one’ in an ironic sense perhaps as she was the queen of a couple of dozen bean-sidhe or banshees who appeared predicting death. Was this the being that Carnavel Carlin’s Cairn is named after, ie Càrn Aoibheill? The Galloway Glens place-names project doesn’t think so, preferring a derivation from Gaelic abhall, apple and suggesting that the first element is not Gaelic càrn, a heap of stones, but corran or còrn (a sickle or hook). I don’t think we will ever be certain about this place-name so you chose! It is interesting that prehistoric cairns seem to feature along the old pack road, note that just over the watershed into Ayrshire near Eriff (An Airbhe, the border) stands another named cairn, Cairnennock, Càrn nan cnoc, cairn of the hills, close again to the pack road and commanding magnificent views down Loch Doon (Loch Dùin, Fort loch or Loch a’ Bhealaich, Loch of the pass). OS map in the mid nineteenth century again is it a coincidence that the cottage on the approach to Bàrr Mairbh is today called Bogleknowe, a kind of translation (bogle meaning ghost in Scots)? Continuing along the A712 soon the hill range now known as Blackcraig comes into view, resplendent with its crown of wind-turbines. But in the past it was not the turbines’ upstretched blades appealing to the wind god that would have been seen but human worship in this unlikely place. At least going from the evidence of placenames. The old name for the hill itself was Beinn Naoimh, sacred mountain. This can be seen from the placename Benniff on the Blaeu Atlas, the survey for which was done around ...the hill range now known as Blackcraig comes into view, resplendent with its crown of wind-turbines. But in the past it was not the turbines’ upstretched blades appealing to the wind god that would have been seen but human worship... There is a legend that three kings were supposed to have been buried there and the Ordnance Survey Name-Book records that when it was excavated for dyking material a great quantity of human bones were found within. Strange things seem to be commemorated in other place-names in the Glenkens. On the high road between Dalry and Kendoon there is a curious collection of names in more or less the same boggy piece of land beside the road that heads up towards Glenshimmeroch. First there is Drummuddioch for Druim nam buideach, the ridge of the wizard. Right beside this ridge is the Minister’s Moss and also close by is Chapelyard. Close to the road again is Knockrosh or Cnoc Croise, cross hill. One can only speculate why this place has attracted these names, maybe it is just a coincidence? On the road between Balmaclellan and Troquhain there is a small hill on the righthand side going by the name of Barmorrow, possibly Bàrr Mairbh, the hilltop of the dead. This hill has given its name to the nearby Barmurrie farm. Although not recorded on the first 1600. Supporting this is the fact that a subsidiary top on the hill is called Cairn Molly today, a rendering of the Gaelic Càrn Molaidh, eulogising or praising cairn. If more evidence of the hill’s ‘holy’ nature were needed the discovery of the bronze casting of a Celtic handbell was found in 1892 near Monybuie (Monadh Buidhe, yellow moor) on the slopes of the hill. Speaking of cairns on hilltops one cannot ignore Carlin’s Cairn which with its near Rhinns of Kells neighbouring peak Corserine (Crois Rinne, athwart ridge) dominates the glen from many angles. It is unclear what the purpose building this cairn at 2,600’ above sea level served, some say as a memorial to Robert the Bruce which seems to be taking devotion a bit far. Carline is Scots for an old woman, a crone and it may well be that this is a translation of Gaelic Càrn na Cailliche of the same meaning, this being the only main Rhinns peak without a Gaelic name. In Gaelic mythology the Cailleach was a divine hag, a creator, weather or ancestor deity or even the Queen of Winter. She is named as being present on many Scottish mountains including Ben Nevis, Ben Wyvis, Ben Breac, Ben Cruachan, the Paps of Jura, Schiehallion and Lochnagar while there is a Beinn na Cailliche in Knoydart and another in Skye. So does she perhaps still keep watch on us from her mysterious cairn on top of the Rhinns? Michael Ansell, New Galloway Glenkens Gazette page 27 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN Rivers of Time... “The great River flows from the mountains to the sea. I am the River and the River is me.” Almost three years ago New Zealand passed a bill recognising that the Whanganui River on North Island holds the same legal rights, responsibilities and liabilities as a human being. The campaign to have the river as the mother of the tribe began 140 years earlier. It is the awa tupua of the Whanganui tribal collective. As one commentator explains, the Whanganui chiefs “would have considered the river a treasure beyond price. It was their food basket, their medicine cabinet, their highway, and their defensive moat. It was their healer, their priest, and their parent. It was the source of their prestige and the core of their being. It was, as the Whanganui Tribunal explained, ‘the central bloodline of their one heart’.” I came across this article when looking for something else and found it inspiring in the midst of the present gloom descending on our planet. Had earlier peoples of the Glenkens, I wondered, harboured similar views of our rivers? Has the Maori experience touched a nerve that for all of us has resonated since time immemorial. It turns out that similar campaigns have been taking place elsewhere in the world, for example legal rights have been sought for the Ganges and Yamuna in India as well as, remarkably, Lake Erie. William Wordsworth believed the River Derwent was his mother. As it happens our oldest placenames are attached to rivers. A good example is Dee of which there are two in Scotland, one each in England, North Wales and Ireland. There are also two Dee names in Spain. Dee is, of course, the river goddess. Adomnan, the biographer of St Columba, wrote about ‘the important reference’ he made to ‘the stream which in Latin may be called Nigra Dea – the Black Goddess’. Professor W J Watson, who wrote what might be described as the bible of Celtic Placenames troubled me for some time. Simply this – why did the Ken change its name? Normally the larger river takes over its lesser tributaries, but in this case it looks as if the smaller swallows the greater. Could this be a long-remembered respect for the goddess? The male form – god – is preserved in Doon, river and loch. We are particularly fortunate that an unprecedented amount of research on the placenames of the Glenkens and Galloway in general is currently underway. My friend Michael Ansell now has a welcome column in this publication. Thanks to the Galloway Glens project an excellent team, based at Glasgow University, headed by Thomas Clancy, Professor of Gaelic, and Dr Gilbert Marcus, are producing excellent material on this area for the first time in its history. In addition, there are some pockets of researchers working away on their own investigations. It is planned to display some of the material from the Balmaghie Hoard in Edinburgh this summer once the threat of the current virus is understood and controlled, as it will be. The river of knowledge is unstoppable. For more information and excellent photographs put Whanganui River into your search engine. The river of knowledge is unstoppable. of Scotland (1926), made the point that the river is the goddess. The upper part of the river is ‘the Black Water of Dee’ on the Ordnance Survey maps but he could not be sure whether or not the black goddess was an echo of Adomnan or a more modern epithet. If the former it can be placed alongside the Whanganui as a sacred maternal river. The ‘black’ element may help to explain another puzzle which has Ted Cowan The First People in Galloway The Glenkens’ annual one-day history conference this year features the inhabitants of Greater Galloway over some ten thousand years, from the retreat of the glaciers to the end of the first Christian millennium in 1000AD. The Early Peoples of Galloway conference will be held on Saturday 5 September in the CatStrand. The event brings together eight expert speakers covering topics ranging from the hunter-gatherer-fishers who arrived as the Ice Age ended, through the Romans and their allied and enemy tribes and on to the influence of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, the incursions of the Norse and the complex processes by which Christianity arrived and became established. Setting the scene for this diverse patchwork of immigration will be Richard Tipping of Stirling University who will describe the landscape which successive peoples occupied and altered, and which determined their lives and legacies. He will describe how the varied landscapes of Galloway, far from being a mere ‘background’ to human activities, can be seen to have shaped what people can do. In turn, people have shaped their landscapes, particularly in the last 6000 years, the era of agriculture. His talk will also review the evidence from scientific and archaeological investigations into Galloway’s changing environments and climates since the last Ice Age and their impacts. Full details are available on www.catstrand.com Glenkens Gazette page 28 Crossmichael CORSOCK & Hall KIRKPATRICK Village Congratulations to Crossmichael Memorial Parish DURHAM Hall on their finished hall floor Temporis Capital, the owners of Blackcraig Windfarm, make an annual payment of £2,000 to the neighbouring Community Councils to support good causes. project. The group was awarded £12,476.80 last year by the Blackcraig Community Fund to replace and reline the hall floor. Below is a before and after picture - what a difference! This week, Corsock & KPD Community Council made their second round of awards through the Micro Grant Scheme, awarding £860 to three more projects in the community council area. The awards made in this round were: Kirkpatrick Durham Recreation Bothy Gardeners - £150 contribution to the purchase of a lawnmower; Knockvennie Community Hall - £325 towards insulation and lighting costs in the hall; Kirkpatrick Durham Village Hall - £385 towards a large dishwasher for the hall. Joe Seed, chairman of the Corsock & KPD Community Council, said: “Many thanks to all that applied for money and to Temporis Capital for the funding. We have now awarded all of this year’s annual £2,000 payment to 8 great and deserving projects that will provide a direct benefit to the residents of the area. Keep an eye on the community websitewww.corsock. wixsite.com for news of events and activities around Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham, and for future funding rounds. Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries Glenkens Gazette page 29 If You Go Down to the Woods Today... This wild boar was spotted by one of our readers in the forest near Muirdrochwood. The reader cautioned that if you are planning to go walking in that area, be aware that wild boar have been seen very close to a house and apparently unworried by the sound of dogs barking nearby. CAKES & PLANT SALE The annual Cake and Plant Sale at St Margaret's, New Galloway, will be on Saturday 2 May from 10am12noon. This year all the profits from the sale will go to Mary's Meals, a nofrills Scottish charity that provides life-changing meals to some of the world's poorest children every school day. Their idea is simple and works: by providing one good meal in a place of learning, children are drawn into the classroom where they can receive an education that could one day free them from poverty. All the baking is homemade by members of the congregation and friends, and the plants include vegetable and flower annuals, perennials, shrubs and houseplants - all from local gardens. Good opportunity to add colour to your garden - and to support a great charity. Teas and coffees will also be available. Support the Lifeboats The Glenkens fundraising committee of the RNLI will be holding their annual fundraising Coffee Evening on Thursday 28 May at Dalry Town Hall, 7pm. As well as coffees and teas there will be a tombola stall, home baking, plants, books and RNLI souvenirs. And the usual wonderful array of raffle prizes. The RNLI receives no government support, despite being our valuable 4th emergency service, and is reliant on the generosity of supporters. Scout Jumble Sale The Glenkens Scout Group are holding their Annual Jumble Sale in the Scout Hall, New Galloway on Saturday 16 May from 24pm, and on Sunday 17 May from 1.30-3pm. We are collecting for the sale in the three villages on Tuesday 1 May. The Group is small, so we are appealing for anyone who can help out either, Wed, Thurs, Fri before the sale from 6.45pm onwards or on the sale weekend. Thank you. All leftover items will be recycled. Any baking would be appreciated. If you have any query, please phone Heather on 01644 420375. Glenkens Gazette page 30 APRIL & MAY Currently any organised events during April and May are likely to have been postponed due to the current government advice during the coronavirus outbreak - please see individual entries for contact numbers for information. Glenkens Community Centre Things are starting to get busier in the Glenkens Community Centre. Already we have had two community coffee mornings which have been a great success. We have had fantastic support from both volunteers and locals who have not only taken the time to come along, but also to make some amazing cakes and help out. Thanks again to everyone! The coffee mornings will continue every three weeks, or maybe more, if there is enough interest. We are also continuing with our community consultation to gather more information and ideas for the future direction of the community centre. Please get in touch or fill in the forms which are always available at the coffee mornings. Our new signage has also arrived and we hope to have this up and in place soon. Dalry Communities Properties Trust have had the fire alarm system upgraded and we are always working with them to look at any other improvements we can do to make the centre better for everyone. Sadly, Bright Stars nursery will no longer be open after July and vacating the centre. They have been providing child care for families in the Glenkens for many years and are to be thanked for their hard work. This now means that we will have a space available to let for any other businesses or groups who are looking for premises. For anyone interested please contact the management committee for more information. Meanwhile we continue to host our usual activities: Brownies and Guides, Martial Arts, Yoga and Badminton/ table tennis. Contact details can be found on our activities poster. Regular activities are postponed at present due to the current coronavirus situation - please see posters, etc, or get in touch to find out further information. Carylann Williamson, Chairperson, williamsoncarylann@gmail.com Dalry Community Centre Team LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Contact Shirley McNaught on 07955 743 022 or drop by the charity shop on Main Street, Dalry Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact Ros Hill on ros.hill@rathanhouse.co.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Andi Holmes on andiholmes@hotmail.com or 07729 292 126 Dalry Town Hall: Contact Jim Reid on 01644 430231 or jamescreid@hotmail.co.uk New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact Sam Rushton on 07741 656601 or samCEW@newgallowaycommunity.shop or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins on julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact Chris Jowsey at chris@catstrand.com 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Pop into 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 Group: carsphairnheritagegroup@ gmail.com Bright Stars - Glenkens Community Nursery: Contact glenkenscommunitynursery@gmail.com Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP): Contact McNabb Laurie on mcnabb.laurie@dumgal.gov.uk 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 Gazette page 31 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Film Makers’ Club, Mon 7-8.30pm Exercise to Music: Mon 9.30-10.30am MMM Adult Colours & Dance: 2.30pm-3.30pm MMM Health, Play & Creative Movement: 3-7yrs, Mon (term-time) 3.45-4.30pm MMM Children’s Grades & Youth Dance: 8-16yrs, Mon (term-time) 4.30-5.30pm Youth Volunteer Meet-up, 1st Tues of the month, 6-8pm, FREE PIZZA Choreographic Skills Lab, Mon (term-time) 7-8.30pm, ages 12-18 Animation Club, Tues 4-6pm (starts 12 Feb then fortnightly) Gentle Tai Chi: Wed 10.30am Wendletrap Tai Chi, Wed 2-3.30pm Game Tech, last Wed each month, 68pm Writers’ Cafe, 2nd Thurs each month 7-9pm Sing it Out, Thurs 11am -12pm CatStrand Ukes, 1st & 3rd Thurs each month, 1–3.30pm Yoga, Tues 6.30-7.30pm & Thurs 9.1510.45am Zumba Gold, Fri (term-time) 9.30Family Film Club, 10.30am, CatStrand, 16+ Family Film Club, sensory friendly 6-7.30pm & Guides 6-8.15pm Yoga, Wed 5.50-6.45pm, for info call Carylann on 07817 400 287 Brownies, Thurs 6-7.30pm Kickback Martial Arts, Thurs 6-7pm for children, 7-9pm for adults New Galloway Town Hall: Glenkens Art Workshop, Mon 2-4pm during term-time LING Elevenses & Lunches, Tues 11am-2pm Fast Broadband Access, Tues 11am2pm Help is at Hand, Tues 2-4.30pm, drop-in session for IT support with benefit/job applications, etc The World is at Your Fingertips, Tues 4.30-6.30pm, build confidence with laptop, tablet or phone - all ages - dropin or book a half-hour session (07895 457923). Extra IT Sessions, 4.30-6.30pm through Jan & Feb Table Tennis & Carpet Bowls, Tues 7-9pm Circuits, Tues 5.30-6.30pm Zumba, Wed 7.30-8.30pm, 11+ Circuits, Sat 8-9am Various Locations: Badminton, Mon 4-9pm & Sat 9am12noon, for info contact Kath on 07811 957 576 Bright Stars Nursery, Tues, Wed & Thurs 9am-3pm Brownies & Guides, Tues, Brownies Hatha Yoga, Mon 10-11.15am, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Carsphairn Post Office, Wed 1.15-3pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Dalry WI, 3rd Tues each month 2pm, Dalry Town Hall (except Jun, Jul & Aug) Beavers, Tues 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training, Tues & Thurs 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Mossdale Painters, Wed 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Chat, Cuppa & a Cake, Wed 10am- Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. film screenings, 4pm, last Friday of the month Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry: Glenkens Community Councils Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND: Services are cancelled during this time. The minister will provide resources by email each week to anyone who would like them in the form of prayers, hymns, and a reflection on a bible reading. You can email David at dbartholomew @churchofscotland.org.uk or call 01644 430 380 for further information or even if you would just like to have a chat during these difficult times. SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Open for quiet reflection & prayer, 10.30am every Sun & Wed (for info contact 01644 420 467). 2.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Community Choir, Wed 3.30-4.30pm, music room, Dalry Secondary School Cub Scouts, Wed 6.45-8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Gentle Dru Yoga, Wed 7.30-9pm & Thu 12.30–2pm, Laurieston Village Hall, contact 450269 Youth Writing, 1st Thurs each month (during term time) 3.30-5pm, ages 1015, Dalry Library Kettlebells, Balmaclellan Village Hall, Thurs 6-7pm Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thurs of the month, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn, for further info call Christine on 01644 460 577 Coffee & Craft, Fri 9am-12noon, Lagwyne Hall Folk Music Session, 4th Fri each month 7.30/8pm till closing, Ken Bridge Hotel Gentle Tai Chi, Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall Golf Junior Coaching, Sat 10-11: 30am, New Galloway Golf Course, see p8 Restoring Footpaths, Sat 10am-1pm, phone 420 632 to confirm Junior Golf & Come-and-Try for all ages, New Galloway Golf Course, Sat 10am Yoga and Meditation Evening, every 3rd Sunday of the month, 7p-9pm, Drumwhill, Mossdale. Contact Rachael 01644 450269 to book. Men’s Shed, Old Smiddy, Balmaclellan. Opening times: Mon 9.30am-4pm & 6.30-8.30pm; Wed 9.30am-1pm & woodcarving from 2-4pm; Fri 9.30am12noon. Clatteringshaws Lochside Cafe, 11am-3pm, 7 days a week Dalry Library & Customer Service Centre Tuesdays 10.30am-2pm Fridays 11am-4.30pm For further informa�on contact Castle Douglas library on 01556 502 643 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Police, non-emergency: 101 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 32 Knockengorroch Festival Confirmed for September Knockengorroch Festival, Scotland’s longest-running greenfield festival, has unveiled the theme for this year as Celestial Beings – celebrating the event’s unrivalled place under the star-dotted skies of Galloway. Festival organisers say: “We hope that you are all safe and well at this uncertain time. We would like to confirm that Knockengorroch festival is postponed from May until 10-13 September, and tickets are now sale for this event. “We have our venue, licence, core crew and have secured many of our headliners, and expect a bill as close as possible to our intended May lineup. And there’s plenty of time to knock up a truly magnificent outfit with this year’s theme of Celestial Beings!” Organisers also want to confirm that any tickets already purchased will be valid for this September festival. In addition, if you cannot make September, your ticket/s can later be transferred to Knockengorroch Festival 27-30 May 2021. As the full programme for this year’s festival materialises, organisers are honouring the festival site’s secluded, heavenly location, which is one of the best places in the world to see the stars and part of the region’s UNESCO dark sky reserve. As well as enjoying an exciting array of traditional, electronic and world music acts, festival goers are encouraged to help bring the cosmic theme to life and take inspiration for their festival wardrobe from the heavens above, from stars and aliens to a winged God or Goddess – the sky’s the limit. Knockengorroch Festival organiser, Liz Holmes, said: “The secluded location and colourful, liberating atmosphere at Knockengorroch always gives the festival an ‘other worldly’ feel. It is a place where people can escape and enjoy the music, culture, craft and surrounding nature under a magnificent sky of stars, so it felt very fitting to base this year’s event around celestial beings and to celebrate that.” The Knockengorroch festival site is unique in every way, with its natural amphitheatre sat on a riverside meadow and set against a beautiful mountain backdrop in the Southern Uplands of Scotland. There are no shops, ATMs, petrol stations or urban ‘civilisation’ for 10 miles and, year-on-year, thousands of loyal festival goers make their way to this unique location for a weekend like no other. Since its inception, the Knockengorroch Festival has established progressive links between sounds indigenous to its natural venue ROWAN HOLIDAY COTTAGE GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway 4 Star Rated - Sleeps Six Dog friendly - Private Parking Secluded Garden FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 07503 958 710 01644 420234 An ideal base for exploring Galloway... 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 JUN/JUL COPY DEADLINE: 5 MAY and the now far-flung Celtic diaspora. Across the festival weekend, multicultural forms and musical genres will be showcased with music from all continents being presented alongside the best in Scottish talent in both traditional and contemporary fields. Some of this year’s acts will be Afro Celt Sound System, Kel Assouf, Shooglenifty, The Poozies, Moishe’s Bagel, Cut Capers, The Inexplicables and Mungo’s Hi Fi as well as BritishIraqi hip-hop artist Lowkey, Galloway’s own Zoe Bestel, and renowned Cameroonian singer-songwriter Blick Bassy’s plus many more. The festival also features comedy and theatre shows, arts, crafts, nature and heritage workshops and activities. It is open to all ages with a dedicated family camping area, children’s tent and procession plus real ales, good food and a healing area. Tickets are available at www.knock engorroch.org.uk as well as further information on this year’s festival. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 117 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_117 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 2020 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/262/GlenkensGazette116.pdf eacdb182cfb33ea807d3bbf7bd503edd 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 116 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document GLENKENS GAZETTE News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry February/March 2020 ISSUE 116 FREE FILM STAR COMES TO DALRY Dalry is in for a feast of cinema and music on Saturday 8 February when accordionist Neil Sutcliffe, star of Dirt Road to Lafayette, will be present at a local showing of the film. The film will be shown in Dalry Town Hall followed by a ceilidh where he will be performing with his mother, Jo Miller, who grew up in Dalry, and his father, Steve Sutcliffe. Dirt Road to Lafayette also stars Scottish actor David Hayman and was scripted by Booker Prize winner James Kelman. After his mother’s death teenager Murdo (played by Neil) travels to Alabama with his grieving dad. Though an accomplished accordion player, Murdo has rejected music since the death while his father is buried in grief and has turned away from his son. However, a chance encounter by Murdo with a new form of music eventually heals the family’s wounds. Andrew Mellor, who has seen Neil perform recently, said: “I was astounded...if I hadn’t seen his fingers moving with my own eyes I would have thought that there was some sort of trick photography involved!" Neil (20) is already an accomplished musician and studies at the Glasgow Conservatoire. Jo says that they will be playing some traditional Scottish tunes at the ceilidh and there will also be an American influence, reflecting the film’s setting. Jo will guide dancers through the intricacies of the Cajun Two Step. Jim Reid of the the Dalry Film Club adds that this is an evening not to be missed: “We are enormously pleased to have been selected by Cinema For All to show this film, particularly with the local connection of its lead actor and family. Neil will also be available to answer audience questions about his film-making experiences. “The ceilidh afterwards will bring together three of the stars of the Dalry Hogmanay Ceilidh for an encore performance which will set the Town Hall ablaze with dance once again”. Film Screening & Ceilidh, Dalry Town Hall, Saturday 8 February, 7pm - teas, coffees, cakes and BYOB, £5 at the door or you can book through CatStrand on 01644 420 374. Life Membership for Brass Bandsman Carsphairn resident Nigel Martin has been awarded a Life Membership medal by the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) for almost 60 years of service to banding. Nigel, who plays cornet and flugelhorn with Kilmarnock Concert Brass, first picked up a cornet at the age of 11 at school in Bury, Lancashire. He joined the Besses o’ th’ Barn Boys Band in Whitefield, Manchester, in 1964 before returning to join his hometown band, Irwell Forge, three years later where he progressed to become the band’s principal cornet. In 1987 Nigel relinquished the ‘top man’ position to take up flugelhorn, an instrument with which he has since had a long association. Moving house to the Rossendale Valley in 1992, he joined the Goodshaw Band and then the Haslingden and Helmshore Band, helping it to move up from Fourth to First Section in the contesting ranks. Nigel and his wife Kath frequently holidayed in the south-west of Scotland and often went along to Dumfries Town Band rehearsals and engagements. Eventually the lure became too strong and they moved to Carsphairn, soon becoming involved at Dunaskin Doon Band in Ayr. Following a short illness in 2018, Nigel moved to Kilmarnock Concert Brass and he continues to help bands all over the country, offering his time and expertise. Nigel said: “The medal means so much to me and I shall wear it with pride at every brass event I attend in the future. I acknowledge that most of my banding career has been in England but since my arrival in Scotland 11 years ago, my enjoyment of banding has A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve been heightened by the friendliness and camaraderie of the Scottish brass community. “I still thoroughly relish putting my experience to good use in helping and encouraging younger and less able players to achieve their potential.” Nigel proudly shows off his long service medal www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 New Galloway Community Concert A community concert was held on 1 December in New Galloway Town Hall. This was the third year the Celebratory Events Committee (a sub-committee of LING, Local Initiatives in New Galloway) have held the event and it was once again very well supported. The varied programme included items from Kells School, Glenkens Beavers and Cubs, The Wyrdy Women and a number of individual performers of all ages. The concert concluded with everyone joining in Christmas carols and songs. The piper then led everyone down to the CatStrand, where many more people joined in for mulled wine. The CatStrand singers performed and the Christmas lights were switched on in the High Street. The committee would like to thank all who supported and helped with the event. Please keep the date of Sunday 10 May free as we are planning a Tea in the Park to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE day. This is to be a bank holiday weekend (despite what your calendar may say, the Government has moved the bank holiday this year) and everyone in the parish of New Galloway & Kells will be invited. We hope to reinvent the type of street party that was popular in 1945 with tea and entertainment. The LING Committee Pictured: Left - Andrew Frew and Brian Jones. Above - Cubs and Beavers. Wright’s Shop & Post Office - Closed Mondays Open Tuesday to Sunday - three changing cask ales & cider - fresh, seasonal & local food - award-winning food, beer & atmosphere - en-suite accommodation - 20% off takeaway discount - country sport & walkers facilities - 01644 430 241 www.theclachaninn.co.uk Dalry’s local convenience store • licensed grocers • • newsagents • stocking a range of local suppliers • Express Bakery bread • • Irvings biscuits & cakes • • Ballards & Dalmellington Country Butchers meat & pies • • Mitchells fruit & veg • Shop & Post Office open 7 days Monday to Friday 7am–6pm Saturday 8am–6pm Sunday 8.30am–4pm Tel 01644 430 225 Glenkens Gazette page 3 IN MEMORY OF BRIAN FISHWICK Brian was born on 26 January 1956 and sadly passed away on 7 January 2020. He had a variety of interests throughout his life but, in the Glenkens, Brian was best known as ‘The Squirrel Man’. He was a man with a passion, on a mission, and his mission was to rid the Glenkens of the pesky invasive grey squirrel and help the area return to being a stronghold for the iconic red squirrel. Brian was a founder member of the Glenkens Red Squirrel Group and volunteer for Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels. A strong-willed man, Brian at times was described as “as dry as sticks”, and he was always straight talking, quick with a witty remark, and prepared to say his piece on issues close to his heart, and also write it, with his opinions being published in various formats over the years. Sharon, Brian’s wife, said: “I think he is looking down at us with his usual smile saying ‘Forge ahead -make the best of life and keep looking after those pesky red squirrels’”. New Gazette Poetry Competition The Gazette is hosting a brand new competition, for all you budding poets out there. Wright’s Shop in Dalry approached the Gazette to see if we would consider running a poetry competition, since it seems there are quite a lot of poets out there in the Glenkens and it would be a great way to inspire new and aspiring poets to have a go. So, Wright’s has agreed to sponsor the new section, and Lyndsay, Susan and Jane will work together to judge competition entries. The prize for the winner each issue is a £10 voucher to spend in the shop. A theme of some kind will be given each issue, and the winning entry will be printed in the following issue. So, this issue’s theme is to submit a poem in the form of a limerick. Good luck! Pictured: Jane, Lyndsay and Susan of Wright’s Shop, our competition judges. Dalry Community Council Microgrants Last year the Blackcraig Wind Farm Community Fund paid out discretionary grants to each community council in the catchment area, to be used towards charitable projects that benefit the community. Dalry Community Council asked for applications for these micro grants from interested groups and following several meetings are now in the happy position of being able to help seven local groups through this fund. It is expected that later this year there will be a similar grant award for 2020/2021 - please keep a look out for posters outlining how to apply. New Galloway Shop AGM The Annual General Meeting of New Galloway Community Enterprises Ltd will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 5 March in New Galloway Town Hall. We hope that as many of our Members as possible will attend as well as anyone else who is interested in the progress of our shop and other enterprises. Refreshments will be available and we are extending a special invitation to those who have recently settled in the area. We look forward to welcoming everyone. Glenkens Gazette page 4 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 Aluminium patio table - large round glass topped table; slightly bashed, but very useable. Approx 1.2m diameter. No longer needed. Contact: 07787 406 187 Strong plastic 500ml jars with wide neck x 5. Would suit nails and screws, but not food. 90ml plastic measuring scoops x 6. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 Alchemilla plant (ladies mantle). Might need help to dig them up. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 718 011 Kodak ink for printers ESP and Hero series. Code 30 & 30cl. 1 sealed colour cartridge and 1 sealed black cartridge plus 2 part used cartridges. Contact: 01644 420 434 or 07974 026 380 Used postage stamps from your Christmas cards for horse charity. Drop them in the letterbox at 3 Midtown, Dalry, or phone and I’ll come and collect them. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 WANTED Plastic CD case to replace one that broke. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 Cool bags – can be old and tatty but large enough to store 5 litre lime wash cans over winter. Contact: Sue on 07563 FOR SALE ION Air LP Bluetooth Turntable. Unwanted gift £45. Contact: 01644 430 373 Nest of 3 mahogany tables, fully restored £25. Contact: John on 01644 430 539 CatStrand Youth Players Spring Programme The Youth Players will once again be entering the Scottish Community Drama Association ‘One Act Festival’, this year with Selfie by Canadian playwright Bradley Hayward. The group staged the play before in 2014 at CatStrand soon after it was written. As it was the first time it had been staged outside Canada - that performance was the official UK Premiere of the play! This time around, the current senior group will perform the play at The Fullarton in Castle Douglas as part of the Stewartry District Youth Festival and will be competing against five other entries to earn the right to represent the Stewartry District at the West of Scotland Youth Final in Dunoon in April. Selfie is a contemporary play, very relevant to teenage life today. It is senior year for the eight characters featured and problems are mounting for them as they prepare for the future. As they document their year, one click at a time, they come to realise that life is not about what other people see – it is about the pictures they have of themselves. Zoe Kirkpatrick and Eilidh Thomson are our longest serving and most experienced members, having been taking part in our plays and pantomimes since they were both 10 years old! They no longer qualify as ‘youths’ and this time will enter the Open Festival, competing against three other adult teams all hoping to secure a place at the next round in Greenock. They will star in a two-hander called Henna Night by Amy Rosenthal. A cleverly written dark comedy, it tells the story of Judith who has left her exboyfriend a desperate message on his answerphone saying that she is not coping with their break-up. She has bought some razor blades and some henna to either slash her wrists or dye her hair...However, it is the new girlfriend, Ros, who hears the message and rushes to Judith’s bedsit. Both of these plays will be on stage at The Fullarton on Friday 6 March and they will be performed again at CatStrand on the evening of Friday 20 March. On the same bill at CatStrand will be a third play from the younger Youth Players group. Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations is a bright comedy by the famous playwright Alan Ayckbourn. Ernie is a dreamer with a vivid imagination and extraordinary powers, his thoughts have the disconcerting habit of turning into reality with hilarious and unlikely consequences. Tickets for the festival performances will be available direct from The Fullarton from 16 February at www.thefullarton.co.uk The CatStrand show is booking now - please phone the box office on 01644 420374 for tickets, or book online at www.catstrand.com Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by South West Association of Nature Conservationists (SWANC) is a wonderful local group which hosts interesting discussions on nature, wildlife and the environment. Talks are held at the Ken Bridge Hotel with the option of a relaxed pre-talk dinner. Speakers are excellent, and it’s well worth popping along if you spot a topic of interest to you. On Thursday 20 February the discussion will be titled What Can I Do About the Climate Emergency? Garry Charnock will be there to talk about how a village in Cheshire set out to become England’s first carbon-neutral village. Still on that journey after ten years, Ashton Hayes now connects like-minded communities around the world. Residents saved an average of 24% on their energy use, with some saving 50%. Emissions from air travel and car use reduced by at least 35%. And in addition to the carbon savings, the community started a woodland, a community shop, a playground and a community energy company that makes the primary school carbon-negative in summer. Sounds like some really valid potentials for the Glenkens in there... Also, Garry will discuss how best to heat your house without using fossil fuel, with an audience discussion on what techniques have worked for different people. Next, on Thursday 19 March, the topic will be Wonderful Places for Wildlife. Lee Schofield from RSPB’s Haweswater Reserve will show us that it’s not just far-away places Knepp estate (Sussex) and Glen Feshie (Perthshire) - who are pioneering new ways to care for the land, but there are some interesting examples right on our doorstep. There are a lot of conservation terms banded about at the moment - ‘wilding’, ‘rewilding’, ‘ecosystem service provision’, ‘saltus’ (letting land lie fallow for a generation)… we hear lots of talk about public goods and how farming might change, but here’s a chance to hear from landholders who have prioritised public water supplies, flooding and wildlife alongside (or ahead) of livestock production. Lee will explain how the RSPB has altered their management at Haweswater, and what has happened since. Talks start 7.30pm, followed by discussion and debate, at the Ken Bridge Hotel - everyone is welcome, and the entry cost is £2. Or why not come along at 6pm and join members of SWANC, other audience members and the speaker for a pub supper? SWANC (South West Association of Nature Conservationists) was once part of the British ANC), but is now a less organised, informal rural network. There is no formal membership, but if you want to join the e-group, please send email addresses to mas@craigfarm.co.uk. New talk organisers/suggestions always welcome. Glenkens Gazette page 6 Salmon Study on the River Dee Covering an area of 1050 km2, the River Dee is one of the largest river systems in the Solway and has a rich variety of habitats and species including some of Scotland’s best known. Under water, there cannot be a more a more iconic species than the Atlantic salmon, a colonising fish that will have entered the river during the start of the current inter glacial period. Atlantic salmon, salmo salar, (and sea trout, salmo trutta) colonised all northern Europe, taking advantage of the relative safety of freshwater for rearing their young before taking the gamble of descending into the food-rich but predator abundant sea. The abundance of these fish was truly amazing with millions of fish arriving at British coasts year after year. This abundance did not go without notice and early human settlers will have harvested the fish in huge numbers, an annual bonanza that was probably enjoyed by brown bear, wolf and other long-gone British wildlife. As we settled into farming this bonanza continued to remain important and on the Dee, like any other watercourse on these islands, the now pastoral community will have fished the river with traps and nets to get a harvest of fish, probably salted and smoked for use after the salmon run had passed. Salmon were and are an incredibly resilient species but when we industrialised, they were unable to cope with the resultant pollution and barriers in many rivers and soon disappeared. Salmon remained abundant on the River Dee until the arrival of the Galloway hydro scheme. Planning and regulation for such structures was often very poor, the drive for industry was all important and we did not realise what we were losing. Fish passage was provided but with little understanding of how this worked 8th February 14th March 10am-12.30pm For further information or to book a stall ring 01644 430 454 or visit www.dalrytownhall.co.uk Entrance by donation - proceeds towards Dalry Town Hall Refurbishment Fund North of Castle Douglas, A713 Ayr Road often it provided poor performance. Over time it has been recognised that the hydro-scheme needs to change some of its practices and a very good working relationship has been created with local fishery interests. Initiatives have been put in place to help salmon over the last few years with significant investment from the power companies. Counters on the river indicated that we had a reasonably stable population and work was apace to find ways of increasing the population over time. Despite this good work other factors around the whole of the country have put even more pressure on this population. Around Scotland, salmon numbers are so low in many areas that fisheries are no longer either viable or desirable. The annual run of fish into the Dee has collapsed from around a thousand fish to less than one hundred. This puts the species on a collision course for extinction. At the Galloway Glens Scheme, we are committed to helping our partners at the Galloway Fishery Trust find where the remaining fish are and to introduce programmes to help bolster their numbers. It is true that many of the issues may well be out of local control but by identifying where the best habitat is, where the habitat can be improved, and what that improvement is we will try and reverse this trend. It will be a long time before we have a viable salmon fishery in the river but we must try everything to make sure we do not lose the king of fish from our waters. Nick Chisholm Pictured: Above left - Tongland fish counter. Above - Annual count of salmon from River Dee (Tongland counter). Below - salmon in Tongland fish counter. Glenkens Gazette page 7 DALRY COMMUNITY CHOIR A reminder that Dalry Community Choir rehearsals have started up again for the term. Come along and join the us for a community sing-song; experience the buzz of singing in harmony, and sing for the sheer joy of singing. There are no auditions, and you don’t have to be able to read music - all you have to do is to enjoy singing and to want to do this as part of a group; everyone is welcome. 430259 or at gw08officedalry@ ea.dumgal.sch.uk We meet on Wednesdays from 3.30–4.30pm in the music room at Dalry Secondary. For further details contact Sue St Joseph at gw08stjosephsue@e a.dumgal.sch.uk or the school office on 01644 Kindling available GLENKENS ROUTE Thursdays: 12noon-1pm – Crossmichael 1-2pm – Parton/Loch Ken Holiday Park 2-4pm – Balmaclellan area 4-5.30pm – The Hidden Road Fridays: 8-10.30am – Dalry 10.30-11am – Glenlee Area 11am – New Galloway 12noon – New Galloway Shop 2pm – Mossdale area 3-4pm – Laurieston to Gatehouse Please note that all times are approximate. 07966 103 912 charliecoid@hotmail.com Fleet Fish aims to provide top quality produce which is sourced as locally as possible. We take pride in offering friendly door-to-door service tailored to our customers’ needs. Glenkens Gazette page 8 THE GARDEN SPOT Pears are normally thought of as being from warmer climes but there are a few tried and tested Scottish varieties. Why not plant a couple of trees? You will need two compatible varieties for pollination so how about ‘Green Pear of Yair’ and ‘Fair Maid’? An old gardener I once knew (long since gone to a larger garden) once said to me that “optimists plant pears, you plant them for the next generation”. You may have heard a version of this “Walnuts and pears, you plant for your heirs”. In contrast, how about a much faster maturing crop. I am thinking of shallots. A more subtle taste than onions, easier to grow and they preserve well as pickled onions. March is the perfect time to plant sets (small bulbs) but April is not too late. Then do nothing to them except keep them free of weeds and perhaps water them if we have a drought (what? - in the Glenkens!). They will be ready to harvest in July or possibly early August, whenever the top growth turns yellow and falls over. But, back to the present, apart from the usual tidying in the garden, make sure that your Wisteria is pruned back to two or three buds on all of last year’s growth, don’t prune them back to the main stem because those 2 or 3 buds are where your flowers come from. And if you have any restorative pruning to be done to hedges etc, now is the perfect time – before the birds start to nest; cut back one side of the hedge (and the top) as hard as you like, but leave the other side until next year. If your garden is lacking colour, at any time of year, then – at the time it needs colour, go around to nearby private or public gardens, see what looks good, find out what it is and vow to add that to your own garden for next year. As a starting point, try Daffodil ‘February Gold’ to have daffs in flower before anyone else or, Japanese Anemone or Chrysanthemum if you need something in flower in October. To get earlier flowers than usual, plant in a sheltered spot – for example, I have snowdrops under a hedge that were showing white buds on ULTRASOUND PREGNANCY SCANNING ����������������� �������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ��������������������� ����������������������������� For bookings and info: Duncan Kennedy 07860 474001 dk@passcan.co.uk www.passcan.co.uk 11 January, much earlier than others nearby. And what am I doing in the garden at the moment? Well, the weather is foul so I am sowing chilli seeds in the warm to grow on the kitchen windowsill and ordering bedding plants for a summer display. A final tip? If you grow fruit or vegetables and have limited space – don’t waste time growing things that you can buy in the supermarket but instead grow varieties that money just can’t buy, such as: potatoes ‘pink fir apple’, any variety of fresh runner bean, cos lettuce, strawberry ‘Cambridge Favourite’ and any thin skinned variety of tomato such as ‘Sungold’. The Intrepid Gardener Plant catalogues and chilli seeds for planting. Glenkens Gazette page 9 CatStrand Highlights Spring blooms at CatStrand with a lively line up of acts to celebrate the unfurling of a new season and a new year for GCAT in the Glenkens. Our community event programmes continue to flourish with Wee Book House + events in Crossmichael presenting multi-award-winning folk singer Siobhan Miller on Friday 27 March. Aidan O'Rourke and Kit Downes bring their 365 project with writer James Robertson to Dalry Town Hall Events programme on Thursday 2 April. James Robertson is hosting a writing workshop with Ken Words in the session house in Dalry before the show (see our brochure for more details). Lagwyne Events in Carsphairn host an afternoon of Scottish harp and classical Spanish guitar for a different Sunday afternoon on the 15 March. At CatStrand big name folk acts grace our auditorium - Indian folk jazz fusion trio Yorkston, Thorne, Khan bring their bravely original sound to the Glenkens on Sat 21 March and stars of the English folk scene The Unthanks return in May, get your tickets quick! Theatre features more prominently in our Spring season with the return of our popular Play & A Piece lunchtime theatre events including a performance from Rapture Theatre as well as One Mississippi – a play featuring as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. These events offer a piece lunch along with the show and have been very popular - so advanced booking is recommended. Newly established Wigtown theatre company Townsend Theatre Productions presents their production Ragged Trousered Philanthropists on Wednesday 27 May as an evening performance. We have family theatre/ dance performances for the under 5s, Paper Moon from the fantastic Dundee based Shaper Caper comes to CatStrand on Wed 15 April along with a variety of Stars on the English folk scene, The Unthanks family events in the Easter holidays and 4pm, screening films for children throughout D&G Arts Festival. and young people after school Support from Filmhub Scotland in a relaxed, sensory friendly has allowed us to continue our environment that is accessible to all. film discussion events with a focus If you've enjoyed the current on environmental conversations exhibition at CatStrand from this Spring including a screening Mossdale artist Patti Lean you can of British-made documentary In join her for an informal artists Our Hands with representatives talk on Sat 8 February at 2pm to from National Farmers Union of find out more about her ecologically Scotland speaking about the future based practice and residencies in of farming in our region. Iceland and Finland. There are new partnerships Here's to a new year, new season, beginning this season too with new ideas and continued growth for Newcastle University's established all the communities of the Glenkens folk and traditional music degree in 2020. showcasing final year students at Hopefully there are at least one or CatStrand as well as the launch of two events in our programme that a new social prescription referral will put a spring in your step... scheme this February. Look out for more information coming soon. For tickets or further information We are offering a new Free visit www.catstrand.com or call Family Film Club on the last 01644 420 374. Friday afternoon of the month from THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Sat 2-2.30 pm DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � BALMACLELLAN VILLAGE SHOP We stock a wide range of fresh and frozen goods, as well as many other items, in our friendly, family-run shop...pop in sometime! - cash machine - winter fuel (peat, logs) - Flo Gas - Dalmellington Butcher pies/meat - Marchbank Bakers delivery every Friday - 01644 420 321 Glenkens Gazette The Wrong Nativity For this year’s Christmas show we did a play called The Wrong Nativity where we took the Nativity and added narrators. fun at the same time. It was quite tricky learning the songs but very enjoyable, our favourite song was ‘Last Christmas’. The P1s sang a bit of Santa page 10 Claus is Coming to Town all by themselves. The P7s wore a white shirt and black trousers with a Santa hat. It was very busy both in the afternoon and the evening. Everyone did extremely well! By Sophie & Charlie S, P7 We changed Mary and Joseph’s names to Maggie and Joe and we also had a talking donkey. Instead of the three wise men we changed them to the three un-wise old men. All the P7s were the narrators, while practicing the show it was hard and KELLS SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PLAY Pupils at Kells Primary took part in their Christmas performance during the last week of term. To a packed audience in the Town Hall and also the School Hall, the children performed their show Christmas Past, Present and Future to an appreciative audience. All the concepts for the different roles and scenes were thought up and developed by the children who based their ideas on conversations they thought different characters might have had, from the very first Christmas, a Victorian Christmas, Christmas Day in their own homes, this year and what Christmas might be like in the future! Dalry School Fayre Raises £500 At our Christmas Fayre we decorated jars with glitter and fake snow. We used ribbon for the outside and pine cones. We decorated pine cones to Members of the community enjoying the Christmas Fayre. make them into decorations by covering them in PVA glue and glitter. In the HE room we made gingerbread men from scratch. Once all the ingredients were mixed into a dough we flattened them out into different shapes with a cookie cutter. We had to move all the tables from all the class rooms to the hall. Then set up all the stalls and tables exactly. We also worked at the stalls. Overall, the whole school made over £500 pounds! By Joe & Eleanor, P7 Glenkens Gazette page 11 KELLS PUPILS STUDY THE WEATHER Last term, Primary 1-4 children at Kells Primary decided they wanted to learn about how they could record different types of weather. They researched how meteorologists did this and made their own measuring tools to observe and work out how the direction and speed the wind was blowing and how much rain fell over a period of time in their own community. Looking at rain, lots of the children asked questions about where the rain came from. They looked at clouds and made links between them and rainfall and then related this knowledge when making careful observations of ice and how it changed from a solid, to a liquid and finally, a gas. In the hall, the children used drama to deepen their understanding of how water particles changed. Pictured: Bottom Left - Io, P2, says “If I move around, the wind blows the windmill the opposite way”. Bottom Middle - Millie, P2, says “Tomorrow I will check the ruler on my rain gauge to see how much rain has come down”. Bottom Right - Jae, P3, says “The faster I run, the more the bag moves”. Top Left - experiments with the properties of water. Top Right wind-catchers made by Kells pupils. Enterprising Young Chocolatiers Last term P3/4/5 at Dalry Primary did an enterprise project called ‘Choco-Lattée’. We sold all our products at the Christmas Fayre. P3/4/5 baked cookies, cake pops and chocolate lolly pops. Before we could bake anything, we had to look up recipes and then worked out the cost of all the ingredients. Once we had finished everything and we had got all the ingredients we started baking in the HE Room. We then put the baking in bags and tied them with ribbons. After the Fayre we had to use maths to work out the profit or loss. We made £61 profit which made the enterprise a great success. We all had a ball doing the enterprise project. By Eleanor & Oliver Glenkens Gazette page 12 NEWS FROM DALRY SECONDARY Happy new year and welcome back to our pupils for a busy (and long) term! The S4 pupils have been revising for, and sitting, their prelim exams. These are full length exams and will give them a taste of the real thing in May. A few of the things we got up to last term are the S4 biology/ geography trip to Millport Field Studies Council (formerly the University Marine Biological Station Millport) the S1 trip to Dumfries learning about Robert Burns, a Christmas jumper day which raised £40 for charity, and the epic production of yet another incredible school panto. Another achievement has been a group working towards the John Muir Awards. The group has been working very hard over the last few months to create a new pond in the school garden, and they managed to finish it before the Christmas holidays. Pupils carried out lots of research into different designs and what was required to make the pond wildlife friendly. They looked at changing depths, and different plants they could add in the spring. They even began creating a fence from woven branches. Pupils are very much looking forward to seeing all sorts of wildlife arrive in the spring, and the Primary School children are currently enjoying the pond for pond dipping, so their hard work is already being appreciated. Pictured: Top right and right school Christmas disco. Bottom right - school panto. Bottom left - new school pond. Youth Transport Initiative ‘Get On It’ is a transport initiative project designed to look at potential solutions for the youth of the area to be more mobile. Young people have said that this is the biggest aspect of living here that they wish they could change, adding to isolation & mental health issues, impacting employment, learning and socialising and preventing young people in the area from feeling like they can make a success of their lives in the area. Funded by Big Lottery Year of Young People funding & The Holywood Trust for young people in the Stewartry area of D&G, the initiative has brought together young people from the Glenkens, Kirkcudbright, Castle Douglas and Gatehouse of Fleet to dig deeper into the issues around transport for them and to design a pilot service that aims to address some of these issues. After numerous consultations and lots of planning, they have decided to run two return bus routes on a Sunday, since there is a lack of public provision on this day. The first bus goes from Dalry to Kirkcudbright via New Galloway, Crossmichael, Clarebrand and Castle Douglas. The second route is a loop from Castle Douglas which stops at Gelston, Rhonehouse, Bridge of Dee, Twynholm, Gatehouse of Fleet, Borgue and Kirkcudbright. Both buses will run until 23 February, after which we will break and evaluate the services before launching our second pilot a few weeks later. At the end of this project, young people will report their findings to local council representatives and transport providers in order to impact decision making. The buses offer a free route for young people aged 12+. More information on using the bus and booking seats can be found on www.catstrandyouth.co.uk/getonit. We are always looking for support workers to help run these buses as paid, short term positions. Anyone who would like more information or is interested in driving the bus please contact Katy Billington, Youth Arts Coordinator at CatStrand, at 01644 420 374 or katy@catstrand.com Glenkens Gazette page 13 Youth Players Panto Takes to the Desert Once again the annual CatStrand Youth Players’ panto played to a full house at each of its three performances. The script was not one of the traditional pantomime stories but one with a difference and none the worse for that! Beau Jest, by our favourite author Paul Reakes, was loosely based on the famous book and film of the same name (almost) – Beau Geste. The action swung from a sweetie factory to the desert and back again via a foreign legion fort and the baddies’ hide-out. With lots of suspense and laughter along the way, of course it all ended up “happy ever after”, mainly due to the real heroine of the plot – Camilla the dancing camel! The main roles were very ably filled by some of the more experienced members with Hope Rowley leading the way as Trudy Trundle. In only her second pantomime, Hope took on the challenging role of pantomime dame with great enthusiasm and skilfully led much of the comedy and audience participation to great effect. Her on-stage ‘family’ were her sons Timmy and Toby Trundle. Timmy was the principal boy role played very confidently and in traditional style by Fiona Edgar showing excellent rapport and teamwork particularly with Timmy’s romantic interest and principal girl, Honey Sweet, beautifully played by Ruby Harfield. Their romantic duet was one of the highlights of the show. Toby Trundle was not quite so bright as his brother Timmy and was responsible for many of the comedy moments. James Jones made this character his own and cleverly brought every possible moment of humour to life. The ‘baddies’ were ably led by Sarah McCreath as Silas Slimy and Kay Black as Bac-Ali, both Sarah and Kay were taking part in their first pantomime but they soon had the audience ‘booing and hissing’ on demand, as is required by their roles. They were assisted in the darker side of the plot by the scheming ‘comedy baddie’ Sergeant Scar played by Huw Hodson. Huw didn’t let his pre-panto broken ankle stop him playing the loud Sergeant to great effect, with his crutches used as extra weapons at times! A fetching collection of different moustaches for every scene added to the amusement of the audience too! Trying to make sense of it all and keep some order was the dashing Captain Dubonnet of the Foreign Legion expertly played by Dante Newbery. The audience were in stitches every time Dante appeared with his deliberately bad French accent in true ‘Allo, Allo’ style. Dante also played the smaller role of Mr. Sweet in the first scene. The eccentric explorers, Professor Seymour Tombs and his wacky daughter Tabitha were played by Ben Hodson and Megan Oliver. Both young actors rose to the occasion and excelled in their first major panto roles. Other roles of chorus, factory workers, legionnaires, robbers and mummies were played by Tayler Black, Lorne Johnston and Sophie Roberts. The young dancers who opened the second half in fine style were Imogen Bell, Jennifer Freeman, Io Heyes and Bea Howat Mercer. As already mentioned, the camel was the key to solving the case and bringing the baddies to justice – responsible for bringing the hilarious camel to life were Arthur and Henry Harfield. Beau Jest was directed by Brian Edgar and Katy Billington with sound and lighting by Jim Ranyard. Dance choreography was by Sara Lockwood. Costumes, props and backstage/front of house support by Sue Lindsay, Sky Barratt, Jimmy McKenna, Naomi McCreath, Steve Davie and Marie Davie. The show was a great success with glowing reviews from the audiences, thanks to everyone who came along to support us once again. Brian Edgar Pictured: Top - Honey (Ruby Harfield) and Trudy (Hope Rowley) with Camilla the Camel. Left above - Sgt. Scar (Huw Hodson) & Toby (James Jones). Left below: Trudy Trundle (Hope Rowley). Glenkens Gazette page 14 Glenkens Gazette page 15 Glenkens Gazette page 16 Glenkens Gazette page 17 Coffee and Cakes at the Gallery Did you know there was a lovely little cafe in Laurieston serving freshly ground coffee and local cakes and goodies? Well, I didn’t... I’m sure it’s my own fault for not paying proper attention, but I knew The Gallery at Laurieston was there, and I’d heard it offered coffees. But when I popped by last December to drop off some Gazettes, I was amazed to find a bright, spacious cafe space with couches as well as tables. Plus of course the gallery space which is made up of two main areas showcasing a variety of local artists’ work, ranging from glass to jewellery, textiles to Phil’s own stunning photographs. It’s amazing how these things can pass us by when they’re right on our doorstep... I have no idea but I’ll certainly be stopping in again for coffee and cake at the Gallery in Laurieston. The gallery is open on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 3.30pm, and on Sundays from 10am to 5pm. To find out more about artists, current exhibitions, etc, or to enquire about hiring the space, you can get in touch with owner Phil McMenemy on 01644 450 235 or visit their Fb page @GalleryAtLaurieston Sarah Ade Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries Glenkens Gazette page 18 Photo of the Issue Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel This issue’s winner is Kathryn Martin from Carsphairn with a beautiful photograph of her Highland pony, Cormack, on a ride up to the iron age fort at Stroanfreggan. Kathryn wins an evening meal for two up to the value of £30 at the Ken Bridge Hotel. Competition judges Dave and Sue said: “This photograph is so lovely, such a beautiful pony and he looks like he’s really enjoying being out for a ride in the hills.” How to Enter: any photos taken in the Glenkens can be entered - landscapes, wildlife, portraits, action shots...Email them to glenkens gazette@hotmail.co.uk If you are a winner the Gazette will send you out a voucher - please call the Ken Bridge to book your meal, and make sure to take your winner’s voucher along with you. THE NEXT PHASE FOR WINDY RIG WIND FARM advertisement Statkraft has announced that it has reached the next phase on Windy Rig wind farm, with a view to becoming operational in 2021. Statkraft, Europe’s largest producer of renewable energy, acquired the Windy Rig wind farm from Element Power in September 2018. It will be Statkraft’s first project to operate subsidy-free. The Statkraft construction team will be onsite and will provide regular updates to the community through The Glenkens Gazette as well as on www.statkraft.co.uk. The team will continue to meet with the Community Councils that are members of the Community Liaison Group to maintain communication during construction. The most recent meeting was held in midJanuary. Doug Wilson, Project Communications at Statkraft said: “After six years in the pipeline, it’s great to get the project underway. We commit to working with local communities to achieve a smooth construction process and will be keeping everyone updated with progress through The Glenkens Gazette.” The project will deliver a fund of approximately £216,000 per year for community groups and initiatives, and discussions around how this will be managed are also underway. For more information, see www.statkraft.co.uk/powergeneration Glenkens Gazette page 19 The Glenkens & District Trust Following on from the first round of awards for Blackcraig Wind Farm, the trustees have been looking to the future and taking steps to arrange the next round of grantmaking and to finalise a Community Action Plan for the area. Some of us met Sebastian Watson of Blackcraig Wind Farm (Scotland) Ltd in early December, for a review meeting, which went well. The company are happy with the approach we took to the awards and are pleased that money had now been released to community groups. They are planning to organise an Open Day at Blackcraig in late spring to allow local people to visit the site and we will let you know as soon as a date has been confirmed. Sebastian Watson also confirmed that payment of the next tranche of community benefit funds would be made in May. The Community Councils in our area will receive the same lump sum as in the previous round, with the majority of the balance going into the main fund for distribution. As reported in the last Glenkens Gazette we are developing a Community Action Plan (CAP). We have commissioned independent consultants, Community Enterprise, to carry out this work and they held a workshop with representatives of community groups and other service providers in early December which was well supported with over 35 people in attendance. Two community engagement events are scheduled for 6 February at The Smiddy in Balmaclellan, at 3-5pm and then 7-9pm. The objective of this work is to produce a concise document that sets out a clear vision for the wider area with priorities, either projects or service provision, that are supported by local people and a timeline for achieving them. This document will be backed up by a detailed report giving the underlying data and evidence for these priorities, which should be aspirational but also deliverable. This report will be available for community groups across the area to use to support funding applications, either to the Blackcraig fund or to other funding bodies. In addition, we in the Glenkens & District Trust will also use the output of the CAP to enable us to review our fund strategy and identify priorities to enable us to allocate money as effectively as possible in the longterm interests of the community and to meet identified community needs. The emerging themes so far are: • isolated groups need to work together more effectively • Developing community assets and spaces, and our wider environment • Economic regeneration, jobs, tourism and local wealth creation Gordon McAdam New Galloway Golf Club Founded 1902 www.nggc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Plumbing & Heating • Addressing climate change • Sustainability, local energy and improving transport and housing We want to discuss these themes and agree specific fundable projects which could potentially address them. It would be great if you could attend the event. Places are limited and can be booked ahead at www.glenkens-cap.eventbrite.co.uk We appreciate that attendance may not be possible for some of you so please get in touch for further information or to contribute ideas douglas@communityenterprise.co.uk HOUSE REPAIRS JOINERY 22 Kirkland Street St John‛s Town of Dalry Semi-retired Furniture Maker & Builder in GLENKENS AREA 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Call Pete on 07970 462 088 ...special rates for inclusion of tea, cake and friendly banter... Glenkens Gazette page 20 TECHNOLOGY EXPLAINED: TELEVISION For this article, I thought that I would tackle the subject of Television (or TV). Years ago, when things were still analogue, this was very simple; you had a TV set and an aerial on the roof and that was it. Then it all went digital. Nowadays, to get basic free-to-view TV service (conveniently called ‘Freeview’) you either need a newer TV with its own digital tuner or, if you still have one of the older TVs, you will need a digital decoder (aka set-top-box) but in both cases you will need to connect to a rooftop TV aerial. Freeview generally provides about 70 channels but unfortunately, in the Glenkens, we have a limited service from a relay transmitter so you may only get about 20 channels. Cable TV is not available in the area so I won’t cover that further. Satellite TV is the next obvious alternative. You will need a satellite dish and in the centre of it is the LNB (I’ll come back to that later). There are two main flavours of satellite TV, Freesat or Sky. With Freesat you will need to buy a set top decoder (unless your TV has one builtin). Decoder boxes come with or without a built-in recorder – but they can all be a bit fiddly. With Sky you will also need one of their decoders (these are simpler) and, generally speaking, you will need to pay a subscription but you will be able to record programmes as well and, of course, you get far more channels. There is also or you may be able to connect to any one a non-subscription (ie free) service from of the available devices such as a Roku Sky, confusingly called ‘Freesat from Sky’; box, Google Chromecast or PlayStation 4. you will need to provide your own Sky box If you have a computer or tablet with an (you can buy these cheaply on eBay) but HDMI socket and your TV also has such Sky disables the recorder if you don’t pay a socket, you can connect the two via a subscription so you will only be able to a cable, select what you want to watch watch live programs. on your device and watch it on the big The latest generation of Sky boxes is screen. For any of these internet services called Sky Q (subscription only) and this is you will need a minimum 3MB of available far more capable, you can record up to six broadband to watch in Standard Definition, programs at the same time and there is a 5MB to watch in HD and 25MB for the multi-room option where you can connect latest 4K sets. See previous article for info several TVs in your house to watch on Broadband. different programs at the same time. Sky Finally, please remember, that if you Q uses a completely different type of LNB watch live TV, however you receive it, you which is not compatible with previous will need a TV licence. Sky boxes or Freesat. If you already have Paul Goodwin Freesat or any version of Sky before Sky Q, check your LNB. If you have one with only one or two outputs, a quick cheap upgrade is to swap it for a quad LNB (four sockets), you can then run additional cables from the other sockets to an additional Freesat or Freesat from Sky box to connect to a second TV with no additional subscription to pay. Finally, there are a whole host of internet-based TV services, some are free but most are subscription; they include Netflix, Amazon Prime, Now TV, BBC iPlayer and YouTube. You can watch these directly on your Laptop computer running BBC iPlayer, computer or tablet but modern smart TVs can often run the App you need, showing on TV via HDMI cable Glenkens Gazette page 21 First Ever Kirkcudbright Book Week The programme has been announced for the first ever Kirkcudbright Book Week, which will run from Monday 2 to Friday 6 March. The week is designed to celebrate the developing literary scene in Kirkcudbright and the wider Dumfries & Galloway area and includes a series of mainly free events featuring authors from the area. Writers appearing over the week include children’s author Alan McClure, poet Chrys Salt, crime writers Jackie Baldwin, Ian Patrick and John Dean, who is also a children’s author, novelist Jessie M Page and The Gallery Writers, plus art historian Dr Jo Chapman Campbell, who will examine The Glasgow Boys in an event at Broughton House. The week includes a celebration of World Book Day at Kircudbright Library on Thursday 5 March for younger writers and readers and at Broughton House the day before. Also, an event held on Tuesday 3 March at 11am at The Galleries in St Mary Street will see extracts read from a new book. Kirkcudbright-based Gallery Writers have been inspired by the creative possibilities offered by the history of Crossmichael. Funded by the Board of the newly-established Crossmichael Heritage Centre, they have come together to create a collection of prose and poetry currently being compiled and will read extracts. Kirkcudbright Book Week has been organised by a number of organisations and venues, which are featured in the programme. Chris Walker, from the Selkirk Arms, one of the venues hosting events, said: “This is another string to the bow of Kirkcudbright, a marvellous itinerary which should bring book enthusiasts from all over the region and wider. We’re lucky to have so many talented authors living and working in Dumfries and Galloway.” Another organisation supporting the book week is Dumfries and Galloway Council and Councillor Andy Ferguson, Chair of the Council’s Communities Committee, said: “We’re delighted to support the Kirkcudbright Book Week by providing facilities to allow it to take place. This sort of community event is exactly the type of inclusive event that our council looks to support communities in our region to run and is a fantastic example of community empowerment in action.” Councillor John Martin, Vice Chair of the Communities Committee, said: “The Kirkcudbright Book Week is something else for the community of Kirkcudbright to get their teeth into. We have seen through the Festival of Light, the Tour of Britain and other community events that the town of Kirkcudbright is a fabulous host of such events. I wish the organisers all Local crime writer Ian Patrick. the very best and would encourage all our locals, and visitors to check out the book week for themselves.” Author John Dean, who lives in the area and is one of the organisers, said: “Kirkcudbright and the surrounding area is home to some talented writers and the book week is designed to celebrate their work. It should be exciting.” Find out more at www.kirkcud brightbookweek.org or contact John Dean on 07889 554931 or deangriss@btinternet.com SCOTLAND’S WORDS OF FREEDOM One of the most famous documents in Scottish history, The Declaration of Arbroath, will be the subject of the next Glenkens Story lecture. The Declaration of Arbroath: 700 Years On will be the title of a lecture by Professor Ted Cowan during which he will describe how this document, dating from the Scottish Wars of Independence, has influenced the history of many nations. He says: "This famous text of 1320 has been called the Scottish Declaration of Independence but is surely much more. It continues to radiate universal ideas about freedom and constitutionalism shared in countries worldwide which revere democracy. It is as profound as it is unique." Many Americans, for example, believe their Declaration of Independence edition of which will appear in 2020 was based upon that of Arbroath. published by Birlinn. Both the US and Canada now annually The Glenkens Story lecture will be commemorate ‘Tartan Day’ on 6 April, delivered at 2.30pm on Saturday the date of the document. 7 March at the CatStrand. Tickets The lecture will address how such priced £5 are available from sophisticated ideas, for example, www.catstrand.com and 01644 the sovereignty of the people, were 420374. confidently articulated so early in such an allegedly remote and apparently insignificant little country as Scotland. Ted Cowan has lectured on the Declaration in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States. He is the author of For Freedom Alone, a fourth Bruce’s Statue, photograph © Stirling Council Glenkens Gazette page 22 GLENKENS PLACE NAMES: PART TWO This is the second instalment of a Gazette series by Michael Ansell, from New Galloway, looking at Glenkens placenames and their history. As mentioned in the first article on Glenkens place-names, I will use the restricted definition of the Glenkens, the parishes of Carsphairn, Dalry, Kells and Balmaclellan. This edition will focus on what the parish names and that of the Glenkens overall might signify. Let’s take the name of the valley, ‘The Glenkens’ first. In early records it appears as Glenken, the terminal ‘s’ representing a later Scots plural, probably reflecting that the area is made up of several parishes. This would stand for Gaelic Gleann a’ Chean, valley of the river Ken, a river name that potentially pre-dates the arrival of Gaelic to the district. River names tend to be very conservative and can survive several language changes relatively unscathed. If so what might ‘Ken’ mean? Gilbert Márkus (Galloway Glens placenames project) suggests a Brittonic origin from can, ‘bright, shining, white’ or cant, ‘boundary, border, edge’. Alternatively Alan James has suggested that it might be connected with Gaelic ceann, ‘head, David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP Covering the Glenkens & further afield 07709 144 299 - wood burners - mul�-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspec�on - cer�ficates issued - feel free to call for advice - Find me on Facebook end’ as in Ceann Mòr, ‘big head’, perhaps referring to the prominent mound the castle is built on. Dalry (in 1276, Dalri) is most likely derived from Gaelic Dail Righ, ‘king’s field or holm’ This would presumably refer originally to what is now called the Holm of Dalry. When I was growing up in the Glenkens, Dalry was frequently simply referred to as The Clachan, from Gaelic clachan, ‘kirktoun’. It might be interesting to St John’s Chair, which sits at the top of Dalry, at the junction speculate as to who where the road towards Moniaive leaves the village. the ‘king’ was that gave rise to the name Dail Righ. notably Glen Dochart. It is intriguing that there are The parish name Kells is a tricky possible elements of a ‘royal’ one but perhaps the most likely inaugural assemblage in and around derivation is from Gaelic Coille, Dalry which tends to support the ‘woodland’ plus as suffix, meaning place-name derivation mentioned ‘place of’, thus ‘place of woods’. above. Firstly there is Dalry Motte Carsphairn is from Gaelic Cars which may have been the seat of Feàrna, ‘alder haugh’ . Cars is an a native Gaelic chieftan, following element borrowed into Galloway the architectural style of the Gaelic from Scots carse and is the Norman motte. Then there is the generic place-name element in font or possible bullaun stone in many local place-names such as the kirkyaird and possibly the most Carsfad or ‘long haugh’. For the interesting component, the rough avoidance of doubt, Carsphairn seat known as St John’s Chair. This has nothing at all to do with the seat, which looks like it is composed place-name Keresban recorded in of waterwashed stone from the the Melrose Charters in the 12th River Ken is somewhat similar in Century. This matter has confused appearance to royal inaugural seats numerous academics over the years in Ireland such as that of the Ó including Professor Geoffrey Barrow. Neill at Castlereagh in Ulster. These Keresban was near Polnessan, near inauguration seats were normally present day Patna in East Ayrshire. situated on small mounds and Carsphairn is of course mentioned perhaps the Dalry one originally (as was Dalry and other Glenkens sat on Knockensee, Gaelic Cnocan places) in the Gaelic song Òran suidhe, ‘small seat-mound’ just Bagraidh, ‘a song of defiance’ across the river on Waterside farm. supposedly the only surviving piece Is this the Glenkens’ own Lia Fàil, or of Galloway Gaelic literature. The Stone of Destiny? jury is still very much out on its Balmaclellan is on record from authenticity however. 1380 and is derived from Gaelic Baile Mhic Gill’ Fhaolain, ‘settlement Information, thoughts and ideas of the son of the devotee of St. from a number of experts in the Fillan’. MacGill’ Fhaolain gave rise field of language and history have to the surname MacLellan, common been used in this article - please in Galloway. The saint’s name itself get in touch if you would like further means ‘wolf-cub’ and cults relating information on these background to Faolan existed in several parts resources at of Scotland as well as Galloway, glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 23 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN Loch Doon Castle The importance of the route through Glenkens in medieval times is highlighted by the presence of Threave Castle to the south and Loch Doon Castle just over the Ayrshire border. Thus the glen was protected by formidable defensive structures at each end. It is thought that it was built by Robert Bruce or his father in the thirteenth century when it was known as Balloch Castle, an interesting name since in Gaelic a balloch is a pass, often where the waters of a loch flow into a river or stream as in Balloch Loch Lomond and Balloch Loch Tay. Loch Doon came to mind recently when a newspaper cutting fell out of one of my books. It was from The Evening Times, Saturday 29 July, 1939, written by someone who called himself ‘Wayfarer’, which means one who travels on foot. He failed to mention that the Countess of Carrick is said to have abducted Bruce Senior, forcing him to marry her, an interesting reversal of the more familiar tales concerning male kidnappers. One of their sons was King Robert, about whom we will be hearing a great deal this year as it marks the seven-hundredth anniversary of a document known as The Declaration of Arbroath, dated 6 April 1320, an emotive appeal to freedom and independence which is now admired worldwide. It also introduced the idea of the sovereignty of the people with the full support of the king. From Doon, King Robert could easily reach the main Bruce headquarters at Turnberry while preserving access to the Clyde, Stirling and beyond. The castle was subsequently in the hands of Gille Brighde of Carrick, the Doon now run in two directions, north down picturesque Ness Glen and south towards Carsphairn. The scenery around the loch is stunning, especially towards the Galloway Hills. The burns in this part of Scotland are called ‘lanes’, Gala Lane, Carrick Lane and Elgin Lane. Places with such names as ‘Wee Hill of Craigmulloch’ demand to be conquered! The Hydro introduced elaborate salmon ladders on Doon, based on a system of ascending spirals like those on the Dee at Tongland. Another attraction is provided by the Ospreys. When Wayfarer wrote in 1939 he was fully aware that a number of military installations were introduced to the loch during the First World War but it also experienced activity when the Second War broke out. Roswell MacTavish of the Royal Canadian Airforce was killed when he crashed in the woods near the loch. In 1941 Frantisek Heki of 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF was killed on a training flight when his Spitfire hit the loch. The plane was not recovered until 1982; it was restored and is on display at Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum, Heathhall. A welcome addition is the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory. Ted Cowan “...this year...marks the seven-hundredth anniversary of a document known as The Declaration of Arbroath...an emotive appeal to freedom and independence which is now admired worldwide.” Kennedies, the MacLellans and the Douglases but it was suppressed by James V. In 1935, ahead of the raising of the loch level 27 feet for hydro storage purposes, the structure on Castle Island was moved to the lochside. Wayfarer was rather taken with a camper’s information that the result was two castles – the reerected structure that is the one now accessible to the public and the sadly diminished ruins on the island, but it was an enlightened initiative for its time. The new scheme was duly completed so that the waters of Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 Loch Doon Castle © 2019 www.CastlesFortsBattles.co.uk www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Glenkens Gazette Gazette Glenkens World Day of Prayer World Day of Prayer is an international, ecumenical movement of Christian women which is celebrated every year on the first Friday in March. WANTED House to Rent Three-bedroom house urgently needed to rent in the Dalry, New Galloway, Balmaclellan area. Contact: 07388 540505 Over 170 countries round the world take part, bringing together people from different races, cultures and traditions. Each year, the service is prepared by a different country which means that people from all over the world learn about the culture, and problems that women face, in that country. Here in the Glenkens, World Day of Prayer has been jointly organised for many years now by the Church page 24 24 page of Scotland Guilds of Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Dalry and Kells, and St Margaret’s Ladies Guild in New Galloway. This year it will be held at St Margaret’s on Friday 6 March at 2pm in the afternoon. Please see posters nearer the time for more details. This year World Day of Prayer has been prepared by the women of Zimbabwe under the theme ‘Rise! Take your mat and walk’. It is always a moving and interesting service and all are welcome, men as well as women! FUNDS FOR WATERAID The congregation of St Margaret’s, New Galloway, always choose an international charity to support through their Christmas collections and this time it was WaterAid. This UK based international charity works to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere. Since it started in 1981, WaterAid has changed lives across the world by providing clean water and toilets to over 27 million people. The Treasurer of St Margaret’s, Cathy Agnew, says: “I’m delighted to report that due to the generosity of our Christmas congregations we have been able to send a cheque for £892 to WaterAid”. Glenkens Gazette page 25 Glenkens Gazette page 26 FEBRUARY & MARCH FEBRUARY Sat 1, Ceilidh, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall, tickets from Balmaclellan Store or ailsmalone@aol.com Sat 1, Ken Words: Donald Watson Writing Workshop, 2-4pm, The Smiddy, Balmaclellan Sun 2, Dalry Police Station Drop-in, 67.30pm Tue 4, Exhibition on Screen: Lucien Freud - A Self Portrait , 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 8, Film Screening & Ceilidh, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall, see front page Sat 8, Glenkens Farmers Market, 10am12.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p6 Sun 9, RANT, 2.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Thu 13, Stewartry Birdwatchers Talk: Shiant Isles: Increase in Birds After Removal of Rats by Tom Churchyard, 7.30pm, Kells School, New Galloway Thu 20, SWANC Talk: What Can I Do About the Climate Emergency? 7.30pm, Ken Bridge Hotel, see p5 Sat 22, Dark Sky Jazz: Julian Arguelles Quartet, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 23, FILM: Plastic China, 2pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Thu 27, LING AGM, 7pm, New Galloway Town Hall Thu 27, Our Kind: Once Upon a Planet, 7pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 29, Family-friendly Bingo Session, 4-6pm, New Galloway Town Hall MARCH Mon 2-Fri 6, Kirkcudbright Book Week, see p21 Tue 3, Dalry Police Station Drop-in, 1011.30am Thu 5, NGCE Ltd AGM, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, see p3 Sat 7, GCT Bus Trip: Glasgow, see p25 Sat 7, Jumble Sale, 2-5pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Sat 7, Glenkens Story: The Declaration of Arbroath, 2.30pm, CatSTrand, New Galloway Sun 8, Confluence the World: Visions, Stories & Music for International Women's Day, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 11, Dalry Film Club: Mary Queen of Scots, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Thu 12, Stewartry Birdwatchers Talk: Birding in the Balearics by Norman Elkins, 7.30pm, Kells School, New Galloway Fri 13, Croft and Pearce, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 14, Glenkens Farmers Market, 10am-12.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p6 Sun 15, Duo 53: Sophie Rocks and Sam Rodwell, 2.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Thu 19, SWANC Talk: Wonderful Places for Wildlife, 7.30pm, Ken Bridge Hotel, see p5 Fri 20, CatStrand Youth Players: Festival Plays, 7pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 21, Ken Words Poetry Walk: Poll Madaidh on the Pack Road – arriving and departing CatStrand, 1-5pm, call 01644 420374 to book (12 places available) Sat 21, Yorkston Thorne Khan, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 27, Siobhan Miller, 7.30pm, Crossmichael Hall Sat 28, Feast of Fools, 2pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 28, GCT Bus Trip: Carlisle, see p25 Sat 28, Newcastle University Showcase: Janice Burns and Jon Doran, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 29, Clare Hammond, 2.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway APRIL Thu 2, Dalry Police Station Drop-in, 1011.30am Thu 2, Stewartry Birdwatchers Members’ Night on the theme of Scottish Islands, 7.30pm, Kells School, New Galloway Fri 3, Children's Quiz Night, 6pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall, (may be subject to change, please look out for posters locally) LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Contact Shirley McNaught on 07955 743 022 or drop by the charity shop on Main Street, Dalry Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact Ros Hill on ros.hill@rathanhouse.co.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Andi Holmes on andiholmes@hotmail.com or 07729 292 126 Dalry Town Hall: Contact Jim Reid on 01644 430231 or jamescreid@hotmail.co.uk New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact Sam Rushton on 07741 656601 or samCEW@newgallowaycommunity.shop or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins on julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact Chris Jowsey at chris@catstrand.com 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Pop into 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 Group: carsphairnheritagegroup@ gmail.com Bright Stars - Glenkens Community Nursery: Contact glenkenscommunitynursery@gmail.com Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP): Contact McNabb Laurie on mcnabb.laurie@dumgal.gov.uk 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 Gazette page 27 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Film Makers’ Club, Mon 7-8.30pm Exercise to Music: Mon 9.30-10.30am MMM Adult Colours & Dance: 2.30pm-3.30pm MMM Health, Play & Creative Movement: 3-7yrs, Mon (term-time) 3.45-4.30pm MMM Children’s Grades & Youth Dance: 8-16yrs, Mon (term-time) 4.30-5.30pm Youth Volunteer Meet-up, 1st Tues of the month, 6-8pm, FREE PIZZA Choreographic Skills Lab, Mon (term-time) 7-8.30pm, ages 12-18 Animation Club, Tues 4-6pm (starts 12 Feb then fortnightly) Gentle Tai Chi: Wed 10am Wendletrap Tai Chi, Wed 2-3.30pm Game Tech, last Wed each month, 68pm Writers’ Cafe, 2nd Thurs each month 7-9pm Sing it Out, Thurs 11am -12pm CatStrand Ukes, 1st & 3rd Thurs each month, 1–3.30pm Yoga, Tues 6.30-7.30pm & Thurs 9.1510.45am Zumba Gold, Fri (term-time) 9.30Family Film Club, 10.30am, CatStrand, 16+ Family Film Club, sensory friendly 6-7.30pm & Guides 6-8.15pm Yoga, Wed 5.50-6.45pm, for info call Carylann on 07817 400 287 Brownies, Thurs 6-7.30pm Kickback Martial Arts, Thurs 6-7pm for children, 7-9pm for adults New Galloway Town Hall: Glenkens Art Workshop, Mon 2-4pm during term-time LING Elevenses & Lunches, Tues 11am-2pm Fast Broadband Access, Tues 11am2pm Help is at Hand, Tues 2-4.30pm, drop-in session for IT support with benefit/job applications, etc The World is at Your Fingertips, Tues 4.30-6.30pm, build confidence with laptop, tablet or phone - all ages - dropin or book a half-hour session (07895 457923). Extra IT Sessions, 4.30-6.30pm through Jan & Feb Table Tennis & Carpet Bowls, Tues 7-9pm Circuits, Tues 5.30-6.30pm Zumba, Wed 7.30-8.30pm, 11+ Circuits, Sat 8-9am Various Locations: Badminton, Mon 4-9pm & Sat 9am12noon, for info contact Kath on 07811 957 576 Bright Stars Nursery, Tues, Wed & Thurs 9am-3pm Brownies & Guides, Tues, Brownies Hatha Yoga, Mon 10-11.15am, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Carsphairn Post Office, Wed 1.15-3pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Dalry WI, 3rd Tues each month 2pm, Dalry Town Hall (except Jun, Jul & Aug) Beavers, Tues 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training, Tues & Thurs 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Mossdale Painters, Wed 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Chat, Cuppa & a Cake, Wed 10am- Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. film screenings, 4pm, last Friday of the month Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry: Glenkens Community Councils Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND: Sunday Services: Balmaclellan 10am: 1st. Carsphairn 11.15am: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Dalry 10am: 2nd, 4th. Kells 10am: 3rd. Kells 10.30am: 5th (Mar). Special Services/Events: Fellowship Dinner, Kenbridge Hotel, 3 Feb, 7.15pm. Speaker from Mission Aviation Fellowship. Holy Communion, Kells Church, 16 Feb, 10am. Beetle Drive, Dalry Town Hall, Fri 28 Feb, 7pm. World Day of Prayer Service, St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, Fri 6 Mar, 2.30pm. Holy Communion, Carsphairn Church, 15 Mar, 11.15am. Fellowship Dinner, Kenbridge Hotel, 30 Mar, 7.15pm; Gary Brough on Malawi. SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm. 2.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Community Choir, Wed 3.30-4.30pm, music room, Dalry Secondary School Cub Scouts, Wed 6.45-8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Gentle Dru Yoga, Wed 7.30-9pm & Thu 12.30–2pm, Laurieston Village Hall, contact 450269 Youth Writing, 1st Thurs each month (during term time) 3.30-5pm, ages 1015, Dalry Library Kettlebells, Balmaclellan Village Hall, Thurs 6-7pm Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thurs of the month, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn, for further info call Christine on 01644 460 577 Coffee & Craft, Fri 9am-12noon, Lagwyne Hall Folk Music Session, 4th Fri each month 7.30/8pm till closing, Ken Bridge Hotel Gentle Tai Chi, Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall Golf Junior Coaching, Sat 10-11: 30am, New Galloway Golf Course, see p8 Restoring Footpaths, Sat 10am-1pm, phone 420 632 to confirm Junior Golf & Come-and-Try for all ages, New Galloway Golf Course, Sat 10am Yoga and Meditation Evening, every 3rd Sunday of the month, 7p-9pm, Drumwhill, Mossdale. Contact Rachael 01644 450269 to book. Men’s Shed, Old Smiddy, Balmaclellan. Opening times: Mon 9.30am-4pm & 6.30-8.30pm; Wed 9.30am-1pm & woodcarving from 2-4pm; Fri 9.30am12noon. Clatteringshaws Lochside Cafe, 11am-3pm, 7 days a week Dalry Library Tuesdays 10.30am-2pm Fridays 11am-4.30pm For further informa�on contact Castle Douglas library on 01556 502 643 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Police, non-emergency: 101 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 28 Dalry Secondary School Parent Council Prospectus Dalry School Parent Council (PC) are so thrilled with their wee school that they have produced their very own prospectus for the Secondary School. With cuts to the regional education budget being what we mostly hear about at the moment, as well as new larger schools being built and a bigger-is-better approach to the general feel of UK education today, Dalry parents felt it was time to shout about the amazing and unique benefits of the small rural high school. With small class sizes, enthusiastic teachers, rolling green vistas stretching as far as the eye can see from classroom windows, good subject choices and an allround nurturing family feel to the school, what more could you really ask for as an academic setting for your child? PC Chair, Dr Ian Johnston, said: "Dalry Secondary school occupies a very special place in the hearts of people from Dalry itself, New Galloway, Balmaclellan and the wider Glenkens. Pupils benefit from the family feel of a small school with a full curriculum while links with Castle Douglas High School ensure that they have access to a larger community as well. Unfortunately the school is not as well known as it could be, despite being only twenty minutes from Castle Douglas, so the Parent Council has produced our prospectus in hope of drawing in more pupils, from both the local area and further afield. It really is too good a school to keep to ourselves.” ROWAN HOLIDAY COTTAGE You can view the prospectus online at www.dalryschoolparentc ouncil.wordpress.com or please drop us an email if you would like a hard copy sent out to you dalryschoolpc@outlook. com. There are also copies available in shops around the Glenkens. GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE The Surgery High Street New Galloway 4 Star Rated - Sleeps Six Dog friendly - Private Parking Secluded Garden FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 07503 958 710 01644 420234 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 APR/MAY COPY DEADLINE: 5 MAR PROSPECTUS Welcome General Medical & Dispensing Services An ideal base for exploring Galloway... St John’s Town of Dalry Secondary School to Dalry For over 50 years Dalry Secondary has been providing a holis�c environment where young people are nurtured and supported as they grow into their full poten�al as wellrounded, welleducated individuals. D alry offers something unique, with the small school rural setting allowing students to feel secure in a family-like environment while they reach their full academic and personal potential. ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. 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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 GLENKENS GAZETTE News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry December/January 2019-20 ISSUE 115 FREE FIRST BLACKCRAIG WINDFARM AWARDS ANNOUNCED It has been a busy time for all concerned since the Blackcraig Windfarm Community Fund opened for applications in June. First a wide variety of community groups attended outreach sessions held across the area and then put in a huge amount of effort to submit applications. Thirty-nine eligible applications were received representing a range of groups and organisations. These were all assessed in detail by Foundation Scotland who are contracted by Temporis Capital Ltd to administer the fund. The trustees of the Glenkens & District Trust then considered the detailed reports, running to nearly 150 pages, over two meetings in mid-October. Steps to ensure that any potential conflicts of interest were properly addressed were taken before the Children at Dalry school celebrate the success of an application for a climbing structure. SEE CENTRE SPREAD trustees reviewed and discussed every report prepared by Foundation Scotland. There were wide ranging discussions on how the applications met the requirements and criteria of the fund, how they benefited the wider community, how the applicants had demonstrated that the proposal was good value for money and how groups had worked together. The trustees were delighted with the quality of the applications and the thought and preparation that had gone into them and were encouraged and inspired by the efforts made by a huge number of people. A summary of the applications and decisions is available at www.founda tionscotland.org.uk/news/glenkenscommunities-share-wind-farm-cash Continued on p10... Rockfield Community Aquisition Passes Stage One The wild area referred to as Rockfield, in Dalry, has begun the process of becoming community-owned. Featured in the April/May issue of the Gazette, a small piece of unkempt land behind Underhill was open to community purchase. A local group has been formed to take this forward, and the Rockfield Project submitted a successful Stage One proposal to the Council. It is hoped to submit the Stage Two proposal soon, which will need a more detailed plan - if you would like to be more involved please contact Nikki on nichola_ finch@yahoo.co.uk Villagers who were asked would like the area to remain a kind of wild place with native plants/trees, indigenous foraging, paths for walking and a bike track accessible to young people. The Rockfield Project would like to say a big thank you to the Glenkens Community Shop for a grant of £500 towards the costs of a site appraisal and initial works. A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve The plot is pictured above, looking towards Kenbank. www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 COMPARING THE GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATES When you open a paper or turn on the TV or radio at the moment there are so many issues being debated and with emotions running high it is hard work to figure out the best way forward. It is certainly going to make it difficult when we get to the polling booth on 12 December. Would it be best to vote for the candidate whose party represents your views on Brexit? But do they also represent your views on Scottish independence, or climate change? Who do you feel would best serve Dumfries and Galloway? Do you want change or more of the same? It is quite hard to find a candidate whose views align completely with yours so some sort of compromise may be required. To try and get a clear picture of what the candidates-to-be Dumfries and Galloway’s next MP are offering, we have asked them all four questions on some of the main issues so that you can compare their answers. What do you think are the main issues facing Dumfries and Galloway? Richard Arkless (SNP) and Alister Jack (Scottish Conservative and Unionist) both highlight the need for investment in order to tackle problems with transport infrastructure. They also focus on the NHS with Arkless concerned about the distance some people have to travel for health services, and Jack on the need to fill GP and consultant vacancies in the area. McNabb Laurie (Scottish Liberal Democrat) and Ted Thompson (Labour) felt boosting the local economy and retaining young folk in Dumfries and Galloway was of particular importance, with Thompson wanting to create green high-tech jobs. Laurie is also concerned about Dumfries and Galloway’s lack of visibility and attention on the national stage and would like our MP to be a flagbearer for the region, thus being better able to champion local causes. Negotiating the UK’s departure from the EU has been fraught; what is the best way forward to limit the division Brexit has caused? Ted Thompson (Labour) lays the blame squarely on the Conservatives for having called the EU referendum and then for invoking Article 50 without a plan. His party would renegotiate another deal with the EU, followed by a confirmation vote of that deal versus remaining in the EU. He personally is in favour of remaining. Richard Arkless (SNP) points out that as Dumfries and Galloway voted to remain in the EU referendum, we are now being taken out of the EU against our will. His answer is for Scotland to become an independent EU state by seeking another independence referendum. Alister Jack (Scottish Conservative and Unionist) feels that the deal Prime Minister Boris Johnson has struck with the EU works for Scotland and he therefore wants to implement that deal and end the uncertainty. McNabb Laurie (Scottish Liberal Democrat) feels the EU referendum was flawed with unrealistic promises made. If his party achieved a majority government they would revoke Article 50 and stop Brexit; otherwise they would work with partners to seek a second referendum. Scotland has been part of the UK for over 300 years; what are your views on the union going forward? No surprises that Richard Arkless (SNP) is passionately in favour of Scottish independence, although he points out that he used to think we were “too wee and too poor” to go it alone. However, he now believes that our per capita tax revenues and levels of GDP are good enough for independence and that in the modern world small countries do better. Alister Jack (Scottish Conservative and Unionist), McNabb Laurie (Scottish Liberal Democrat) and Ted Thompson (Labour) are all firmly in favour of Scotland remaining part of the UK and wish to prevent the division and disruption they claim would come from another independence referendum. Laurie also points out that the last three years of Brexit paralysis underlines the immense difficulties we would face if we left the UK and has considerable doubts about the promises of a frictionless border. What is the response of you and your party towards the declaration of a climate emergency? All candidates are in broad agreement on this one. Alister Jack (Scottish Conservative and Unionist) states that his party are committed to protecting the planet for future generations which is why they support net-zero emissions by 2045. Ted Thompson (Labour) believes we do have a climate emergency and that his party’s manifesto and Green Economy pledges address this. McNabb Laurie (Scottish Liberal Democrat) agrees that there is a climate emergency but argues that some of the response needs to come at a local level, as well as through government and international bodies. He stresses the importance of working with partners in the UK and the EU, and that his party recognise that global problems need global solutions. Richard Arkless (SNP) also sees climate change as a real emergency and points out that the Scottish government already has plans such as the Green Deal, Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan, Mission Zero Transport initiative, phasing out of new petrol and diesel cars by 2032, decarbonising railways by 2035 and scheduled flights by 2040. He admits these plans sound ambitious but feels even more must be done and that if he was elected as our MP climate change would be his emergency. We hope this might have helped in your decision on who to vote for. At the end of the day, whatever you do decide, your vote counts so please make sure you remember to vote! Glenkens Gazette page 3 In Memory of Alan Wright: 1932-2019 Alan Wright, who died in October, will be missed by folk in the Glenkens but also by gardeners all over Galloway and beyond. He had an extensive knowledge of plants, flowers and vegetables which he generously shared as well as proffering advice on all things horticultural, from germinating seeds to fixing garden equipment. Alan started off as a chemical engineer but had always had a keen interest in gardening. This led him and his wife Maude, together with their daughters Susan, Judith and Lyndsay, to move to Dalry in 1972, taking over the cattlefeed and ironmongery business and adding a garden centre, which then became Rural Supplies. The family soon became thoroughly involved in village life and Alan, at different times, served on the Community Council and the Town Hall Committee. He was heavily involved in Dalry winning awards in Britain in Bloom contests, as well as the visit of Radio 4’s Gardener’s Question Time. He was also a stalwart of the Glenkens Flower and Vegetable Show, donating the Maude Wright Trophy after his wife died in 2002. At the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, he planted a wonderful flower display in the McNaught fountain, and continued with seasonal flower displays in the village until handing over that baton to Jane Trueman in 2017. Although Alan gradually started to wind down the business when his wife became ill, he was still selling bedding plants and compost five years ago and was always on hand to help, encourage and advise other gardeners. He remained sought after answering questions such as “why haven’t my carrots germinated”, “what’s wrong with this shrub”, “what rose will thrive in this climate”, etc, and last November when asked how to fix a broken greenhouse door, he just mended it himself. One local resident said that when he moved to this area he was determined Alan Wright at the Dalry fountain, next to his beautiful flower display, for the Jubilee celebrations in 2012. Photograph taken by Hilda McAdam. to grow a honeysuckle over an arch in his garden: after three attempts and three dead honeysuckles, he turned to Alan for advice, who suggested a particular variety which, many years later, is still happily romping over the arch. This is just one example of how Alan’s memory will live on. Get On It Transport: Freelance Work Available Having finished our consultations with young people, CatStrand are now ready to launch our ‘Get On It Transport’ pilot, with the aim of helping young people living in rural Stewatry to move around more easily. There are two buses; a Dalry - Kirkcudbright bus (approximately two hours) and a Kirkcudbright local loop bus (approximately one hour), each of which visits a number of pick-up locations on the way. Each bus will run twice on every Sunday throughout the pilot period (from 22 December to 23 February). We’re now looking for a pool of adults to be on board these buses. For every journey, we need one adult on board who can consult young people about the bus service and gather feedback, as well as check registration and be on hand in case of an emergency. For these positions you must: - Have an up-to-date PVG to work with young people - Be able to invoice us for your time (the rate is £10p/h) - Be able to commit to both runs for one or more days (either on the Dalry or Kirkcudbright loop bus). To find out more email katy@catstrand.com On behalf of the Glenkens Community Shop I would like to thank all supporters and volunteers, especially Alison Davies from New Galloway and Blackcraig Wind Farm Community Fund *. We have received a grant from Blackcraig to fund the refurbishment of the shop, which is great news. The shop will close on 14 December with work getting underway in the new year, and we hope to re-open around Easter time. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and thank you for all your support. Shirley The next round of Glenkens Community Shop grants will be in July 2020. * with funding from Blackcraig Wind Farm (Scotland) Limited, administered by Foundation Scotland working in partnership with The Glenkens & District Trust. Glenkens Gazette page 4 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 Aluminium patio table - large round glass topped table; slightly bashed, but very useable.Approx 1.2m diameter. No longer needed. Contact: 07787 406 187 Strong plastic 500ml jars with wide neck x 5. Would suit nails and screws, but not food. 90ml plastic measuring scoops x 6. Alchemilla plant (ladies mantle). Might need help to dig them up. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 Kodak ink for printers ESP and Hero series. Code 30 & 30cl. 1 sealed colour cartridge and 1 sealed black cartridge plus 2 part used cartridges. Contact: 01644 420 434 or 07974 026 380 WANTED Washing machine. Happy to pay for decent secondhand machine. Contact: Robin on 07952 280 902 Plastic CD case to replace one that broke. Cool bags – can be old and tatty but large enough to store 5 litre lime wash cans over winter. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 Used postage stamps from your Christmas cards for horse charity. Drop them in the letterbox at 3 Midtown, Dalry, or phone and I’ll come and collect them. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011 FOR SALE ION Air LP Bluetooth Turntable. Unwanted gift £45. Contact: 01644 430 373 Nest of 3 mahogany tables, fully restored £25. Contact: John on 01644 430 539 Photo of the Issue Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel This issue’s winner is Suzanne Dawson from Dalry with a beautiful photograph of Loch Ken in autumn colours. Suzanne wins an evening meal for two up to the value of £30 at the Ken Bridge Hotel. Competition judges Dave and Sue said: “We love the vibrant autumnal colours of the tree contrasting with the water, so the Loch Ken photo takes the prize this issue.” How to Enter: any photos taken in the Glenkens can be entered - landscapes, wildlife, portraits, action shots... Email them to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk If you are a winner the Gazette will send you out a voucher - please call the Ken Bridge to book your meal, and make sure to take your winner’s voucher along with you. Gordon McAdam New Galloway Golf Club Founded 1902 www.nggc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Plumbing & Heating HOUSE REPAIRS JOINERY 22 Kirkland Street St John‛s Town of Dalry Semi-retired Furniture Maker & Builder in GLENKENS AREA 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Call Pete on 07970 462 088 ...special rates for inclusion of tea, cake and friendly banter... Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY IN GALLOWAY Councillor Dougie Campbell, recently appointed as D&G’s Environment Champion, took the phrase ‘Think Globally, Act Locally’ as his theme when he addressed the first event staged by the Glenkens Climate Group. The phrase, first coined by the radical Scottish thinker and scientist, Patrick Geddes, was particularly appropriate for an event which started with the screening of a film starkly laying out the latest understanding of climate change globally and went on to hear of Dumfries & Galloway’s response. Earlier this year the council declared a climate emergency and appointed Councillor Campbell to his role, a move attracting support across all the political parties and with only one objection. Since then he has drawn up a 12-point action plan which aims to put climate and environmental Councillor Campbell’s talk was followed by a lively question and answer session in the CatStrand. concerns at the heart of all the colleagues, including his fellow council’s policies representatives from Dee & Glenkens, and actions, from transport to and was heartened by the enthusiastic education and from social policy to response of council officers. infrastructure. He outlined plans to The Glenkens Climate Group is part promote local consultation to enable of the D&G Climate Group and can be anyone to contribute their views contacted at glenkensclimategroup@p on how the council addresses the rotonmail.com challenges facing us all. He stressed that he had had full support from From Pony Express to Royal Mail... THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Sat 2-2.30 pm DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS Fiona Clubb making good use of the new Royal Mail postbox which has been installed at the end of the Water o’ Ken road. How much more greener can you get? No fuel just, literally, greenpowered...Getting the mail sent is much more achievable now that she can pop along to the new postbox, just a pleasant ride away from her home at Blackmark Farm on her Highland pony Brie! This lovely photograph was sent in by Kath Martin from Carsphairn. Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � Glenkens Gazette page 6 Alive and Kicking at Loch Ken Exciting things are happening at Loch Ken, with the appointment of a new full-time development worker. Barnaby Fryer has started in role recently to run the Loch Ken Alive project. We caught up with Barnaby to find out a bit more about the project and what he’ll be getting up to. Barnaby says: “First and foremost, Loch Ken Alive is about bringing all the Loch Ken communities together to ask ourselves ‘what do we want this area to look like in 10 years’ time?’ At a time when we are facing uncertainty at home and abroad, how can we build a thriving, prosperous, sustainable community around Loch Ken?” Barnaby believes that Loch Ken has all the resources in place to do exactly that. Although he and his family have moved to the area for the job, he is no stranger to the Galloway glens. “I have been a regular visitor to the area for over a decade, to visit family,” says Barnaby. “There is something magical about this place. From the amazing natural landscapes to the friendly communities, the passionate local businesses and entrepreneurial spirit all combine to make this a real gem at the heart of Galloway. “Through Loch Ken Alive, we want to tell people all about the wonderful natural and cultural heritage of the area. We want to showcase all the activities you can do on the loch, as well as the beautiful views you can only see from the water. We want to see thriving businesses around the loch, creating employment opportunities so that people won’t have to leave the area to find work.” To achieve these aims, there are four main strands to Loch Ken Alive. Alan Smith, chair of Loch Ken Trust, with Barnaby These are laid out below, Fryer, Loch Ken Alive officer together with some of the The area covered by Loch Ken Alive key questions we would runs from Dalry in the north to like to hear your thoughts on. Castle Douglas in the south taking in • Develop a Loch Ken Plan: What do Balmaclellan, New Galloway, Parton, we want the future of Loch Ken to look Crossmichael, Glenlochar, Laurieston, like? How do you see Loch Ken in 10 Balmaghie and Mossdale along the way. years’ time? What would you like to see The project is a partnership between more of? What puts you off visiting the the Galloway Glens Landscape Loch? Partnership, Loch Ken Trust and the • Launch an online information hub for Southern Uplands Partnership. Barney Loch Ken: What kind of information is based with the Galloway Glens team would you like to see on a Loch Ken in Castle Douglas, but will be getting website? How would you like to access out and about regularly to all the it eg mobile, app, computer? communities around the Loch. • Stage a series of festivals and events “I’m really keen to hear the views of over the next three years: Do you everyone who lives, works or plays currently attend any events at Loch around Loch Ken,” continues Barnaby. Ken? What kind of events and festivals “We can’t build the Loch Ken Plan would you visit? without the voices of the Loch Ken • Run a campaign to promote the Loch people!” Ken area: How would you promote the Pop in and see Barnaby to tell him your Loch Ken area? What story should we thoughts, or you can get in touch at be telling about Loch Ken to attract barnaby.fryer@lochkenalive. visitors? Kirkcudbright Bridge Images and words by John Smith I recall the story Of the man in the boat Under the bridge Who pointed out Exposed and corroded Steel reinforcements Then came the scaffolding I have a photo of that too John says: “The Writers’ Café, and the poetry walks that Ken Words have organised have given me a new lease of life, both in my photography and in my writing and I recommend them to anyone who wants to share their endeavours with others.” Our second crossing From town to Castle Sod It bounds. The first, I’m told Damaged by ice floes, Yes, ice floes While the second Nearly carried away By tanker caught Broadside by the tide Glenkens Gazette page 7 Fundraising at the Salon There’s more than just hair and massage happening at Hair by Jayne in Dalry. Over the last few months there have been two fundriasing events held at the salon - a Macmillan coffee afternoon and an afternoon to raise awareness of mental health issues. Firstly Jayne would like to say a very big thank you to everyone involved with both events. She says: “Thank you so much to all the bakers and soup makers out there - you know who you are; too many of you to mention by name, but you are amazing and we couldn’t do it without you all. We have a great team of helpers, and our local businesses who donate great raffle prizes are also amazing - thank you!” The Macmillan coffee afternoon raised a grand total of £772.50, and the fundraising afternoon in aid of mental health awareness received great support for our local community and we all enjoyed a lovely relaxing afternoon while raising an amazing £384, which was donated to Supporting Minds in Castle Douglas. Jayne says: “A big thank you to those who came to both these events - our community is very special. Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year from Blair and Jayne.” Pictured: visitors enjoy coffee and cakes at the Macmillan fundraising afternoon. Kindling available GLENKENS ROUTE Thursdays: 12noon-1pm – Crossmichael 1-2pm – Parton/Loch Ken Holiday Park 2-4pm – Balmaclellan area 4-5.30pm – The Hidden Road Fridays: 8-10.30am – Dalry 10.30-11am – Glenlee Area 11am – New Galloway 12noon – New Galloway Shop 2pm – Mossdale area 3-4pm – Laurieston to Gatehouse Please note that all times are approximate. 07966 103 912 charliecoid@hotmail.com Fleet Fish aims to provide top quality produce which is sourced as locally as possible. We take pride in offering friendly door-to-door service tailored to our customers’ needs. Glenkens Gazette page 8 Our New Glenkens Community Police Officer: Amy Baird PC Amy Baird is our new community police officer in the Glenkens. We thought we’d find out a little more about her with a few questions in the Gazette, to help us become better aquainted with someone who will hopefully be with us for a while. Q Where are you from and what is your working history (what areas of policing, or other work areas if you would like to mention those)? A I have recently been appointed a new role as a Community Constable within the Stewartry Community Policing Team based at Castle Douglas, with my primary responsibility being for the Glenkens area. I have 12 years of service within the Police, having started my career at Stranraer and then Kirkcudbright and Castle Douglas respectively. The last 8 years of which I have spent within the Roads Policing Unit, a role which I thoroughly enjoyed, however having returned to work after a period of maternity leave this new role came up at just the right time. Q What do you like about being a community police officer? A This is a very new challenge for me having just started the role in October. I am looking forward to meeting you all at some point whether that is through community councils, school visits or just out and about on my patrols. Q What made you choose the Glenkens role? A Having lived and worked within the Stewartry for the majority of my life I want to help to deliver a Policing service that I feel the people of the Glenkens deserve. Q What have you enjoyed so far, or are looking forward to, about working in the Glenkens? A I am looking forward to getting to know the people and places well, working with the community to help keep people safe in their local area. Q Do you have any particular areas you will be focusing on over the coming months? A Our main priorities for Policing are tackling anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and substance misuse, homes being broken into, protecting vulnerable people at risk of harm and violent ULTRASOUND PREGNANCY SCANNING ����������������� �������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ��������������������� ����������������������������� For bookings and info: Duncan Kennedy 07860 474001 dk@passcan.co.uk www.passcan.co.uk crime. I hope to carry out proactive patrols in relation to these issues and always welcome any information from the public. Amy says: “Please feel free to come and discuss any issues or concerns you have with me and, in the meantime, I look forward to meeting you out and about in all of your towns and villages in the Glenkens.” See the Diary section on p26 for Dalry Police Station drop-in dates/times. Glenkens Gazette page 9 CatStrand Highlights We are counting down to Christmas and beyond at CatStrand with plenty of events to get you into the festive spirit. Local superstars CatStrand Youth Players present their pantomime Beau Jest on 6, 7 and 8 December and CatStrand Ukes are back for their Christmas party on Tuesday 10 December. The Sugar Revue Burlesque Variety Show returns with a new line-up of acts from the glittering best of the Scottish burlesque scene on Friday 13 December - this is one for over-18s only. Our Wee Book House+ event this season sees the lovely Crossmichael Church playing host to an afternoon performance from the Cairn Chorus on Saturday 21 December, based this year on Hugh McMillan’s work, the Conversations of Sheep. Hugh will be present to read some of his poetry and the church hall will serve up teas and mince pies following the concert from Moniaive’s celebrated choristers. In the New Year Dark Sky Jazz returns with a bang as we welcome one of the most innovative and dynamic jazz groups on the new wave Nordic jazz scene, WAKO. The group bring their four piece sound to CatStrand on Friday 10 January. If the dark days are getting to you, why not head along to one of our Mid Winter Film Festival screenings, taking place across the Glenkens with complimentary hot toddies and blankets to keep you cosy. There’s something for everyone across the weekend... On Saturday 11 Jan at Dalry Town Hall you can indulge in a heart-warming Irish documentary, The Man Who Cairn Chorus with Conversations of Sheep. Wanted to Fly, about 70-yearold County Cavan man, Bobby, Hall on Sunday 12 January serves up who is determined to fly a a breathtakingly atmospheric tale of plane. For those looking to embrace anguish that will hit the spot. the bleakness of the season Welsh For tickets or further information super-natural, folk-horror film Gwen visit www.catstrand.com or call screening in Carsphairn at Lagwgyne 01644 420 374. GLENKENS WALL MURAL FEATURE Our newly created mural at CatStrand is now in place; the culmination of the hard work of an intergenerational group from our community and local artist Hope London. The project, which began in the summer of 2018, aimed to renovate the wall in our sculpture garden with a piece of art which represented the Glenkens through the eyes of the community. Red kites, lochs and the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park, for example, all feature in abstract and colourful patterns. Volunteers from our youth arts programme and connecting in communities programme joined forces to design the mural – looking at shapes and symbols that summed up the Glenkens for them – then worked on creating it over a number of workshops led by Hope London. The final design was created at the Men’s Shed in Balmaclellan where the group applied acrylic paint to six sheets of 7 foot long perspex. Other members of the community have also helped out by creating templates, moving materials, preparing the garden space and installing the mural. Lead artist, Hope London, said: “Working with communities has long been part of my practice as an artist. I work with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to unleash creative potential and growth. Creating a CatStrand mural with an inspiring, energetic intergenerational group has reinforced my belief in the transformative power of the arts.” Finally, we would like to thank Hope and everyone from our community who helped to make this project a reality, and we invite everyone to come and view our stunning new mural. Katy Billington, Youth Arts Coordinator Glenkens Gazette Blackcraig Funding for Local Projects Continued from front page... The list on the Foundation Scotland website demonstrates the wide range of projects and activities funded and there are too many to mention in this short article. However some examples are new fire doors in Balmaclellan Hall, replacement of the roof on the Men’s Shed in Balmaclellan including the installation of photo voltaic panels, replacement of the floor in the Memorial Hall in Crossmichael, contributing to the long required lift in New Galloway Town Hall, supporting the charity shop in Dalry to ensure it is properly fitted out after the renovation works being carried out by The Pamela Young Trust as well as several awards to projects focused on environmental improvement and other activities in the arts. Monies were awarded to three playgroups in the area in recognition of the importance of the work they do and also the ongoing challenges they face in funding this important work. Glenkens Community and Arts Trust Ltd (GCAT) were awarded money towards infrastructure and facilities recognising that GCAT has a strong track record of successful delivery on a large scale and that it supports and enables significant additional community-led activity across the area. All involved have learned a lot though this process and GDT, with Foundation Scotland, will be reviewing how it went to refine how the process will run in the future. GDT are also moving forward with the work to develop a community action plan. This plan will be of general use in helping to lay out key community development strategies for the whole area and will enable them to draw on this to identify future fund priorities. It will also help GDT to decide on appropriate opening and closing dates for applications in 2020. A good plan depends on effective input from right across the area and plans are being developed to make this happen. There will be more information available on this is due course. Fiona Smith, Chairman, GDT THE GARDEN SPOT Sometimes I get the impression that nothing much is happening in the garden at this time of year. The main crops and flowers are all over, the garlic and spring bulbs are peeking their heads above the cold ground but waiting for better weather. The spring cabbage seems to be just sitting there and even the compost heap has slowed down its rotting. Then I remember, it’s like the start of a race, everyone is on their starting blocks, building up energy and waiting for the signal. In this calm before the spring growing spurt, now is the time to see to all those little jobs you have put off: clean the used pots that you just flung in the corner, clean and check over all the tools, replace any consumables (twine, labels, canes, netting and fertiliser/lime etc) - there are often bargains to be had at this time of year. You can also top-dress the soil with garden compost, farmyard or horse manure, and wood ash if you can get it (don’t use coal ash or soot). It’s also page 10 THE DAD JOKE PLAGUE Reporting here from Carsphairn The epidemic has spread far and wide No-one knows quite how it started Poor taste is often implied They’ve named it the dad joke plague A cure has yet to be found These jokes should never be told Outside a primary playground They say there’s a man in Dalry Who’s named as patient zero Adults give him wide berth But the kids think of him as a hero That catalyst first joke Was Mr Spock’s third ear Left and right of course And Space, the final ‘front ear’ So, if you hear these words ‘have you heard the one about’ Cover your ears and la la la Until after the last word is out necessary. You don’t want to choke the poor things when they start into growth in the spring. Finally, remember to clear away all the fruit tree leaves, and the debris from tomato and potato plants - either burn or take to the recycling centre. You don’t want to leave last year’s infections to carry over to the new year. if you have an empty pot or two, you should still be able to find some spring bulbs in the shops or garden centre, just make sure they are nice and firm. Get them planted for some bonus spring colour. The Intrepid Gardener a good time to plan for next season whilst you can still remember a bit about the last season, and get on to ordering plants for spring delivery and seeds. Speaking of which, winter is the perfect time to plant anything you buy ‘bare-rooted’. This is the old way of buying plants – not potted up. Plenty of places online still sell bare-rooted plants. They just arrive in the post and you get them straight in, much cheaper and they get away well in the spring. Why not plant a couple of apple trees if you have space? Make sure that they are in the same pollination group, are suitable for our climate in the West and that you get stakes and ties ready. Local dessert varieties ‘Galloway Pippin’ and ‘Bloody Ploughman’ work well together as does the sweet cooking variety ‘Hawthornden’. Speaking of fruit trees, hopefully they have put on a bit of growth over the summer, so (if they are staked), check Loosening tree tie before raking up leaves. the ties and loosen if Glenkens Gazette ��������� ���������������� ����� Glenkens Community Centre is making plans for a new look in 2020. A new committee was formed in April after both Kath Peace and Helen Keron stood down from their committee roles. Both are to be thanked for their hard work over the years, especially Kath Peace who has been part of the community centre for 30 years! The new committee is Carylann Williamson (chair); Ann McEwen(vice chair): Kath Peters (secretary) and David Hill (treasurer). The committee hope to create a fresh way forward for the centre with a focus on health and wellbeing. The community centre has recently been awarded £1,784 from the Blackcraig Windfarm Trust and the funds will be used to help turn the centre into a hub for the area which will provide a range of wellbeing activities for all ages. It is intended not only to increase the range of activities available, but also to create an information centre with a small office where groups and people can have private meetings. We hope this facility will be available for hire soon once a few small jobs are done. In 2020, a community coffee morning is planned, initially fortnightly with the hope that it will become more regular as more volunteers are recruited. It will be a casual affair, just teas, coffees and maybe some home baking and a purely social activity where people can come together and have a chat (and maybe plan some new users groups too!). The committee want the people of the Glenkens to get used to using their community centre again and see it as a place to connect and have fun. A new sign has been designed and ordered for outside, funded by Dalry Community Properties Trust (who own the building). The trust are also funding the upgrade of the toilets. In September, £500 was awarded from Scotmid towards new badminton equipment, and now groups and individuals can enjoy a game of badminton on Monday evenings from 5-9pm, and Saturday mornings too. Table tennis will soon be available as well at the same times. The Glenkens Community Shop kindly donated some badminton rackets, and Dalry Town hall contributed a net and shuttlecocks. In September, the centre hosted a foraging event as part of the Glenkens Food Trail, and we hope to be part of the developing festival next year too. Bright Stars Nursery continue to provide care and support for the under-2s and are open three days per week, with afternoon provision too. Yoga classes are on a Wednesday evening at the new time of 5.30pm with more classes planned in the New Year – a morning session and also a new healthy back programme. The longstanding Kickback Martial Arts group still runs on a Thursday evening, and is one of the largest groups in Dumfries & Galloway. Brownies and Guides are also still going strong on a Tuesday evening. New users groups are welcome. Anyone interested in setting up a group, please get in touch with our treasurer Dave Hill who manages bookings. New members are invited too as are any ideas on how people would like to see their centre develop consultation forms are available for people to complete page 11 and will be in circulation soon. We also have a Facebook page and posters around the area with details of activities available, as well as regular activities listed in the Regular Events section on p27 of this Gazette. Looking forward to the future! Glenkens Community Centre Committee Glenkens Gazette page 12 Glenkens Gazette page 13 Tasting NEW RECTOR FOR ST Christmas Evening MARGARET’S The Revd Pam Swift has been appointed as Rector of St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway. New Galloway Community Shop had already settled on Thursday 12 December for its popular Christmas tasting evening before MPs thought it would be a good time to have a general election. After a special service at the end of November, led by Bishop Mark Strange, the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Pam started her ministry at the beginning of Advent. Her plans include a special Christmas Carol service on 22 December at 6pm which she is hoping will be an opportunity for everyone, even non-church goers, to enjoy the Christmas spirit. Over the years she has worked in Leeds and Glasgow, as well as rural areas close to Pam and her dog Penny outside St Margaret’s Church. Hadrian’s Wall and hospital Chaplaincies in the north of England. She has ministered to the homeless and those on the fringes of society and has a strong calling to help anyone in need. She says: “I was delighted when I was offered the post at St Margaret’s and I’m very much looking forward to joining the local community of New Galloway and the wider one of the Glenkens. Be assured there will always be a welcome, human and canine, at the Rectory.” She and her collie, Penny, are keen walkers so please extend a welcome if you bump into them around the village. Rather than change the date, the shop will be offering local residents the chance of going out to vote and sample the delights of the festive fare on offer this Christmas. Local suppliers including Steilhead Cider, Professor Pods Sauces, The Bottle List, Saucy Desserts and Fabby Cakes will be offering the chance to sample their wares and learn more about their products. The shop now stocks produce from some 25 local businesses. So, before or after selecting the party of your choice, come and select some treats for the festive season. The tasting session will run from 5-7pm. Everyone is welcome - see you there! Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries Glenkens Gazette page 14 Wright’s Shop & Post Office Dalry Licensed convenience store and newsagent stocking a range of local suppliers. - We would like to thank all our customers for their continued support and pass on best wishes for the Festive season Festive Season Opening Times: Christmas Eve: 7am - 5pm Christmas Day: closed Boxing Day: 8am - 2pm Hogmanay: 7am - 5pm 1st January: closed 2nd January: 8am - 2pm SHOP L THIS CHR Here in the Glenkens we ar of having a wealth of local p crafters, artists and artisan Normal Opening Times (both shop & PO): Quite literally, we don’t have to leave gather everything we could possibly So why not challenge yourself this Christmas entirely in the Glenken Galloway hampers & wreaths in stock Tel: 01644 430 225 Committing to shopping local may m How about opting for interesting alte like a haircut, massage or day out, o family out for a meal as a refreshing accumulated at this time of the year? Monday to Friday: 7am – 6pm Saturday: 8am – 6pm Sunday: 8.30am – 4pm 14th December 11th January 10am-12.30pm For further information or to book a stall ring 01644 430 454 or visit www.dalrytownhall.co.uk Entrance by donation - proceeds towards Dalry Town Hall Refurbishment Fund North of Castle Douglas, A713 Ayr Road Glenkens Gazette LOCAL RISTMAS re in the wonderful position producers, retailers, ns on our doorstep. e our little part of the world to want for a wonderful festive season. s year - see if you can shop for ns! mean a little more creative thinking... ernatives such as vouchers for treats or making time to take friends or change from all the stuff so often ? There’s more than just hair and massage happening at the salon! Our Macmillan Cafe was again a great success - we raised £772.50. Thank you to eveyone who came along and supported the event. We held a mental health awareness fundraising afternoon which brought in an amazing total of £384 which was donated to Supporting Minds in Castle Douglas. Jayne and Blair wish all their customers a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year! 01644 430 525 07876 397 725 page 15 WISHING ALL OUR CUSTOMERS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! Christmas Menu 1-24 December - BOOKINGS FOR XMAS PARTIES BEING TAKEN We will be closed from 13-30 Jan for winter refurb & staff hols, re-opening Fri 31 Jan 01644 430 241 www.theclachaninn.co.uk Glenkens Gazette The 51st Annual Carsphairn Burns Supper Celebration Friday 17th January 2020 Lagwyne Hall Carsphairn 7pm for 7.30pm Price £15, seats must be reserved in advance by emailing lindsayduncan23@hotmail.co.uk or phoning Davey on 07710 124255 - Brian Edgar: Immortal Memory - Bruce Mckenzie: Toast to the Lassies -- Katie Morrison: Reply to the Laddie - Music by Bruce Mckenzie - Catering by Ayrshire Catering Early booking is recommended as 2019 event was over subscribed. page 16 Glenkens Gazette page 17 Movement in Pregnancy, New Motherhood and Beyond The birth journey is a rite of passage; a baby is born, and a mother is born. We shift and become new beings, and our bodies go through a huge transformation, housing and growing another human. As well as the physical upheaval, the emotional disorientation can be profound. I am a yoga teacher living in the Glenkens and I had my first baby six months ago. I enjoyed my pregnancy and even look back on the 22-hour birth with rose-tinted spectacles…the pain fades pretty fast when you are presented with a tiny human gift at the end of the ordeal! When you fall pregnant, a serious amount of letting go needs to happen. We must learn to slow down and stop pushing ourselves. For me, as a yoga teacher, this was challenging - I was used to a strong daily yoga practice, but as my body was changing, my practice needed to change. Morning sickness meant that yoga was completely off-limits for a few weeks. However, I was lucky enough in week 26 to take my pregnancy and post-natal yoga teacher training in Glasgow with the awesome Charlie Speller. We learned breathwork, bodywork and tailored yoga postures for pregnant and postpartum people. It transformed my experience of pregnancy, and I still find the practices incredibly supportive to me as a new mother. There is a saying “42 days for 42 years”, meaning that a woman’s robust health in the first 42 days of motherhood can set her up for 42 years of radiance and wellbeing. Creating a wellbeing regimen for pregnancy and the postpartum period need not be complicated. Mineral-rich food, the support of loved ones and getting plenty of rest are all essential. However, movement is also essential as it counters the stagnation of circulation and energy which leads to pain and tension. Whether it’s 10 minutes of stretching, a dance in the kitchen with your little one or getting out for a walk in this beautiful landscape we call home, it all contributes. This little being becomes your entire world, but it is also important to make sure your needs are met. Parenthood can take a lot from us and modern life makes demands of us in all sorts of other ways. Movement gets us out of our heads and into our bodies. It is vital to our physical wellbeing. It gets us together as a community and out into nature. And it’s nice to know that in caring for ourselves, we care for our little ones too. Amy teaches vinyasa yoga on Tuesday evenings at the Old Smithy in Balmaclellan. She is running two events in early December for pregnant and postpartum women. The first, ‘Restore and Nurture: A Yoga Workshop for New Parents’ is on 7 December and the second, ‘Softening Through Intensity: A Pregnancy Yoga Workshop’ is on 14 December. Both run from 10am to 12pm, and are £5 to attend. To book a class or a workshop, please call the CatStrand on 01644 420 374 or visit Rowan Tree Yoga & Wellbeing on Facebook to find out more. Amy Fowler Beavers’ Annual Fun Day Out The annual Beavers’ fun day was held at Kirroughtree Visitor Centre. The event was attended by Beavers from the Glenkens as well as Dalbeattie, Minnigaff and Twynholm. The group went orienteering and enjoyed den-building organised by the Kirroughtree staff. Three Beaver Leaders received service awards from Galloway Scout chairman Drew Low, two of whom were from the Glenkens: Tim Thorne (acknowledged for five years of service) and Diana Curran (acknowledged for 15 years of service). Drew Low Beavers from the Glenkens, Dalbeattie, Minnigaff and Twynholm. Glenkens Gazette page 18 HALLOWEEN AT DALRY PRIMARY Firstly, everybody came to school dressed in their Halloween costumes. Everyone looked terrific. At 9.15am we all went through to the hall and we had a costume parade, and we had to try to walk in character. Then we played four corners James in P1 won. Then we tried to catch marshmallows on a string, while we were on our knees with our hands behind our backs. Once the game had ended we went to get a drink and a biscuit. Next we wrapped each other in toilet paper as mummies. Karol and Jayden’s groups won. After we wrapped our mummies we sat down then went for break. Everyone had a great time. Laya & Karol, P6 Freya, Esme and Eleanor in scary Halloween costumes, and Emily and Oakley playing the marshmallow-on-a-string game. FoDS and CatStrand Halloween This year Friends of Dalry School (FoDS) and CatStrand joined forces to host a joint kids Halloween party. The idea is to alternate venues each year so that we can have one bigger, better Glenkens Halloween party rather than clashing parties in different locations. This year’s party, held at the CatStrand, was a great success with children of all ages enjoying games, snacks, dancing and generally having fun, being spooked out by eachother’s excellent Halloween costumes. Later on in the evening was a Youth Halloween event for over-12s, during which a scary film was shown and scary food eaten... Some of the older Halloween revellers enjoying the evening’s scary goings-on. Glenkens Gazette CATSTRAND YOUTH CALL OUT FOR YOUNG PERFORMERS AND MUSICIANS (S1+) Interested in performance? Want to learn how to create a soundtrack? Fancy mastering puppets? As part of a community performance on climate change on 22 February, a group from CatStrand Youth are getting together to perform a short retelling of an ancient story about flooding. Led by storyteller Anne Errington, we’re holding a series of workshops in preparation for this. We specifically need people who like controlled movement to learn how to master the puppets and people who like music to learn how put together a soundtrack. Our first meeting will be held at CatStrand on Thursday 12 December from 6-8pm. Come along to find out how to be involved! YOUTH BUS SET TO LAUNCH Our Get On It Transport Initiative is in full swing and we are now set to launch our first pilot which will be a bus service for young people running on Sundays. This has been designed based on the feedback we’ve had from various youth groups. There will be two routes available – Top Bands Turn Out for Battle The night of the Battle of the Bands event was a joy, from beginning to end. Young people get such a bad reputation yet everyone who attended was polite, engaged and organised from the start. We got an audience of 71 plus five acts in Castle Douglas Town Hall. They were all really good, and it was a very tough call for the judges to pick a winner. We ended up splitting the prize, with a three-piece band called The Fuzzkills from Dumfries and Ecclefechan winning the performance slot at Knockengorroch festival, with local band Pure Silver winning the Eden Festival slot and Ya’el Du Toit-Burns, who was a solo singer/ songwriter, winning the recording studio session at Circa 16. A massive thanks to our judges who gave their time on Saturday night to support the event. They each had their unique perspective and experience which helped them to pick up the strengths and weaknesses of each competitor. Bernstrum and the Men (which was my favourite band name) did a great Smiths cover, already had their own group of female fans and, although they came away without a prize, were charismatic and added an element of fun to the night. H2 (Hannah and Hamish) from Dalbeattie, after a false start and a bit of a sound level tweak, did a fabulous acoustic set and cover of the band Cage the Elephants’ Cigarette Daydream. All in all a great night for live music and it was even more special as it was emerging youth talent creating the sounds, and, the best bit of all, both Eden and Knockengorroch have given their support for next year and all our contestants will still be young enough to enter again! With a year to prepare, I’d expect to see more entrants next year and it grow from strength to strength. Catherine Phillips page 19 one from Dalry to Kirkcudbright, via numerous stops and a second which will be a loop from Kirkcudbright to Gatehouse and surrounding areas. Full details will be published soon on CatStrand Youth’s facebook page and website so stay tuned. For now though, here are some key details: - The bus will run every Sunday for ten weeks from 22 December - It’s free! - It’s for young people aged 13-26 - To use the bus, young people will need to register with CatStrand Youth and U18s will need parental consent. More details will follow, but if you’d like to express interest in receiving updates or get a consent form, please email katy@catstrand.com Glenkens Gazette page 20 TECHNOLOGY EXPLAINED: BROADBAND This is the first of a short series of articles explaining what you need to know to get the best out of technology, kept simple with just the stuff you need. In basic terms, your internet connection enables a flow of information both ways between your device (computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone) and everywhere else on the planet. Some printers can also connect to your home network and they would also be a ‘device’ for the purpose of this article. Years ago, we had dial-up connections where it completely took over your phone line and worked very slowly, speeds up to about 0.25GB (think of the amount of water coming out of a water pistol). Then we got broadband - some clever soul worked out how to speed it up and jam it down the same wire as the telephone at up to 8GB (think of the amount of water from a garden hose). More recently we got high-speed broadband by getting fibre optics (a kind of thin, glass cable) to the BT cabinet and then by copper telephone wire from there to your home, giving speeds up to 48GB (think of water coming out of a fireman’s hose). You can check what you are actually receiving, by googling ‘broadband speed test’ and run one of those that you find – anything less than 2GB down is pretty poor. Now, when the phone cable arrives at your house, the first thing you need is a ‘microfilter’, a matchbox sized device which splits apart the phone and the internet signal. If you don’t have a microfilter, or it is faulty, you get lots of noise on the telephone and the internet works badly or not at all. They are only about £4 to replace. The ‘internet’ cable from the microfilter (strictly called ADSL or something else ending in DSL) goes to your router. The router does several things (originally it was several different boxes): it decodes the ADSL so your devices can use it, it sends bits of the signal to the right device and switches between them, finally it provides Wi-Fi – a wireless connection using a form of radio signal so that you don’t need to plug your device into the router. Wi-Fi is quite a weak signal – think of trying to listen to someone speaking loudly… about 10 to 15 metres in clear air but a lot less through walls. The signal weakens with distance. Each router works on one of several channels, if you have close neighbours, then perhaps their routers operate on the same channel as yours, if so, you can improve your signal by changing your router’s channel (too detailed to explain here). Otherwise you can get your Wi-Fi signal to parts of the house that are currently a black spot by using a ‘Wi-Fi extender’. Two main types are available: powerline, this transmits the signal through your electric circuit and you need to have a pair; and a Wi-Fi Access Point which picks up the Wi-Fi signal and passes it further on. There now...that wasn’t too painful, was it? Paul Goodwin Glenkens Gazette Path Making It’s exciting times at the Galloway Glens office as our ‘Accessing the Galloway Glens’ projects really start to gain traction. You may have seen helicopters flying near Carsphairn as they deliver the aggregate for path surfacing up in the foothills of the Rhins of Kells. Those flights are for the revival of the Glenkens Pilgrims Way, also known as the Pack Road – the old pilgrims’ route that runs from Carsphairn to New Galloway via Polmaddy. Records show that King James IV walked on pilgrimage on this path to Whithorn in the late 15th Century and it has been described as the A713 of its time! Phase 1 for the Galloway Glens Pack Road project involves reviving an existing but disappearing path over open moorlands and re-creating the original path through forestry to create a 7km stretch between Carnavel (just south of Carsphairn) and the deserted ‘ferm toun’ settlement of Polmaddy (opposite Dundeugh). The moorland, behind the Bradenoch and Bardennoch Hills, has many sites of archaeological interest, including cairns, early farm steadings and Christian sites, and so the creation of this path (which will be suitable for walkers, off-road cyclists and horse-riders) will be a great improvement to access to this local heritage. The work is being carried out by WJ Murray, with support from Skyhook Helicopters, and started in early November. It includes the laying of new geo-grid and geotextile based paths, signposting and way marking and carrying out drainage improvements, and should be completed by Christmas. The new path will be waymarked from both the Carnavel and Polmaddy ends, so do page 21 go up and have a look in the New Year! Polmaddy is a site of particular archaeological significance, and is an excellent place for an atmospheric walk or picnic. Jonathan Barrett, Land Management and Access Officer for the Galloway Glens said: “We are delighted to have got started on this excellent project. This is an historic route that was the main route into the Glenkens from the north for more than a thousand years, and so it’s fantastic to be able to open it back up. When the path is completed, I am hoping to work with local community groups to create some interpretation of the many historical sites along the way, making it even more interesting for walkers and riders.” This work has been largely funded by the ‘Improving Public Access’ fund, a European AgriEnvironment scheme being administered by Scottish Natural Heritage. They are also funding two more Galloway Glens path improvement projects – the Torrs Point path above Kirkcudbright Bay and the Blackpark to Threave path out of Castle Douglas. Both of these paths will be accessible for all, including wheelchair users and pushchairs, and will open up access to new areas from within the towns. For more details on these and other Galloway Glens projects, see our website at www.gallowayglens.org For updates on the path construction progress, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, @GallowayGlens or Jonathan can be contacted on jonathan.barrett@dumgal.gov.uk Glenkens Gazette page 22 Dalry Then and Now Exhibition Dalry Town Hall was the setting for the historical exhibition ‘Dalry Then and Now’ organised by the local heritage group. Over the course of the weekend visitor numbers came to around 146, and then the primary school came along for a look on the Monday, bringing the grand total of viewers beyond 200. On behalf of the many people who enjoyed the exhibition, the Dalry Heritage Group would like to thank all of those who loaned items for display and everyone who helped set up and man the exhibition and, of course, those who helped clear it all away too. Photograph: visitors browsing old photographs at the exhibition. GLENKENS PLACE NAMES: PART ONE Over the next few issues of the Gazette Mike Ansell, from New Galloway, will look at some of our Glenkens place-names and their history. Place-names can provide many clues as to the past history, landuse, culture and environment of the landscape around us. In a series of articles I intend to use the rich placename heritage of the Glenkens to help illuminate otherwise inaccessible aspects of our past. Our knowledge and understanding of local placenames will hopefully soon be further enhanced with the publication of the results from the ‘Place-names of the Galloway Glens’ project. We will look at the parishes of Carsphairn, Dalry, Kells and Balmaclellan, with these names themselves being discussed later in the series. But first, a brief summary of the language strata that existed in our area. The earliest known language spoken in the Glenkens was Brittonic, related to Welsh. This had probably died out before AD1000 and evidence for the language in our place-names is limited but none the less very interesting. From the period 900-1000AD the Glenkens would have been thoroughly Gaelicised and the majority of our surviving place-names were coined in Gaelic. This language probably died out locally in the seventeenth century (although this is a debated topic to which we will return). Scots place-names are common and are generally more recent and, finally, we have standard English place-names continuing to be created. There is little evidence for Scandinavian place-names in the Glenkens. Starting off with the earliest evidenced stratum of place-names then Troquhain, in Balmaclellan parish, is a Brittonic name, suggested to be derived from ‘tref chwaen’ or ‘homestead of an exploit’, with speculation that this might be the site of an old battlefield. It is interesting to note the two placenames Torwilkie and Torwatletie nearby, which may also incorporate the Brittonic generic element tref. It has been considered that the lost Brittonic name of Trevercarcou, which may have been the earlier name for Earlstoun, potentially with the derivation ‘homestead of the torrents’ referring to the pre-hydro scheme waterfalls. However, other suggestions have been made that this place was probably in Balmaclellan and, if so, the cluster of potentially Brittonic placenames in this area may imply the later survival of a Brittonic speaking community there. This idea might be further strengthened by the lost placename Le Contrefe which has been considered to be in Balmaclellan, and relate to a central homestead covering the whole of the Glenken, and may be a Gaelicised version of Brittonic pen(n) + tref, for a land holding at the end [of something]. It is worth perhaps also mentioning the term ‘farchier’ in a charter of 1422 which has been identified by Alan Millikan as being near Killochie in Balmaclellan parish, and assuming this represents Gaelic ‘fartair’, noted the conclusion that this could be a Gaelic version of Welsh ‘gwyrthyr’, ‘a fortress’. A further two potentially Brittonic place-names come to mind, this time located close together in the remote north of Carsphairn parish. These are Petillery Hill and Minishtree, overlooking the Water of Deugh. If the place-name Petillery had occurred in North-East Scotland, it would immediately be looked-on as a Gaelic place-name incorporating a Pictish (Pictish was a language closely related to Brittonic) loan word, ‘pett’, a ‘landshare’ or ‘portion’, with the whole being ‘pett na h-iolaire’; ‘portion of the eagle’. However, in the south-west this is more likely to be a wholly Gaelic name, probably ‘pait na h-iolaire’, the hump of the eagle. Minishtree is situated about 600m from the Ayrshire border and may represent Britonnic ‘minidd-istre’, ‘border upland’. Thanks to Alan James (pers comm) for these suggestions. It is interesting to note that a few kilometres to the west is Erriff, from Gaelic ‘airbhe’, also meaning ‘boundary which straddles the district boundary’. These placenames testifiy to the longevity of our county boundaries. The final place-name I would mention is Trolane, near Dalry, which might contain the Brittonic element ‘tref’. However, it is probably more likely to be derived from Gaelic ‘tòrr leathan’, ‘broad mound’. In summary, then, we have a limited but interesting group of Brittonic and possible-Brittonic place-names in the Glenkens, with the cluster in Balmaclellan hinting perhaps at the later survival of a Brittonic speech community and possibly some kind of wider territorial centre here. In the next edition of the Gazette we will look at the parish names themselves and what the place-name Glenken(s) might itself represent. Information, thoughts and ideas from a number of experts in the field of language and history have been used in this article please get in touch if you would like further information on these background resources at glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 23 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN Robert Heron’s Last Letter I have published several articles on New Galloway’s polymath, Robert Heron (1764- 1807). His last known letter lists his accomplishments. It is a sad and, in the best sense of the word, pathetic specimen reviewing a rather sad life, lived but not honoured: Ever since I was eleven years of age I have mingled with my studies the labour of teaching or writing to support and educate myself. During about twenty years, while I was in constant and occasional attendance at the University of Edinburgh, I taught and assisted young persons at all periods in the course of education, from the alphabet to the highest branches of science and literature. I read lectures on the law of nature, the law of nations, the Jewish, the Grecian, the Roman, and the canon law. And then on feudal law, and on the several forms of municipal jurisprudence established in modern Europe. I printed a syllabus of these lectures, which was approved; they were as introductory to the professional study of law, and to assist gentlemen who did not study it professionally in the understanding of history. I translated Fourcroy’s Chemistry twice, Savary’s Travels in Greece, Demourier’s Letters, Gesner’s Idyls in part, an abstract of Zimmerman on Solitude, and a great diversity of smaller pieces. I wrote A Journey through the Western Parts of Scotland, which has passed through two editions; A History of Scotland in six volumes 8vo; A Topographical Account of Scotland, which has been several times reprinted; a number of communications in the Edinburgh Magazine; many prefaces and critiques. A Memoir of the Life of Burns, which suggested and promoted the subscription for his family, has been reprinted, and formed the basis of Dr Currie’s life of him, as I learned by a letter from the doctor to one of his friends; a variety of jeux d’esprit, in verse and prose, and many abridgements of large works. In the beginning of 1799 I was encouraged to come to London. Here I have written a great multiplicity of articles in almost every branch of literature, my education in Edinburgh having comprehended them all. The London Review, the Agricultural Magazine, the Universal Magazine, the Anti-Jacobin Review, the Public Characters, the Annual Necrology, with several other periodical works, contain many of my communications. In such of these publications as have been reviewed, I can show that my anonymous pieces have been distinguished with very high praise. I have written also a short system of Chemistry, and I published a few any one person. I have written also a great variety of compositions in Latin and French, in favour of which I have been honoured with the testimonials of liberal approbation. I have invariably written to serve the cause of religion and morality, pious Christian education, and good order in the most direct manner. I have considered what I have written as mere trifles, and I have incessantly studied to qualify myself for something better. I can prove that I have for many years read and written one day with another from twelve to sixteen hours a day. As a human being I have not been free from follies and errors; but the tenor of my life has been temperate, laborious, humble, quiet, and to the utmost of my power, beneficent. I can prove the general tenor of my writings to be candid, and ever adapted to exhibit the most favourable views of the abilities, dispositions, and exertions of others. For the last ten months I have been brought to the very extremity of bodily and pecuniary distress. I shudder at the thoughts of perishing in a jail. 92 Chancery Lane, Feb. 2nd, 1807. (In confinement) Just two months later he was removed from Newgate to a hospital where he died on 13 April. Ted Cowan “I can prove that I have for many years read and written one day with another from twelve to sixteen hours a day.” weeks since a small work called the Comforts of Life, of which the first edition was sold in one week, and the second edition is now in rapid sale. In the newspapers – the Oracle, the Porcupine, when it existed, the General Evening Post, the Morning Post, the British Press, the Courier - I have published my reports of the debates in parliament, and I believe a greater number of fugitive pieces than I know to have been written by David Tallontire CHIMNEY SWEEP Covering the Glenkens & further afield 07709 144 299 - wood burners - mul�-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspec�on - cer�ficates issued - feel free to call for advice - Find me on Facebook Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 24 A SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR SPALDING Spalding Bowling Club held their presentation dinner at the Clachan Inn, Dalry. President Elizabeth Peacock presented the prizes at the annual dinner. The club would like to thank Phil and Laura and all the staff at the Clachan Inn for a delicious meal. Also a big thank you goes out to everyone at the club who have made this another successful season. Pictured: Back row, left to right - John Peacock, Ray Heard, Duncan Jordon, John McNally, George Dempster, Sharon Fishwick, Paul Nicolson, Val Russell, Colin Ramsay. Front row, left to right: Ladies’ Champion Kate Bone, Club President Elizabeth Peacock, Gents’ Champion Gordon McAdam. Val Russell Latest Fundraising Success Abbas Rest for SW Scotland RnR Coffee Mossdale man, Robin Hood, completed his latest fundraiser in aid of South West Scoltand RNR (SWSRnR). Robin towed Jock, a giant wooden statue of a soldier, for 342 miles. “To date over £10,000 has been raised, with money still coming in,” says Robin. “The money so far has been spent getting 36 veterans their HGV driving licences.” The training programme, run by SWSRnR, offers to fund a practical qualification for veterans, enabling them to return to work with key skills in a new field. There are not enough trained HGV drivers in the region, so it’s a great area to go into. The reason there are so few trained drivers is because it is very expensive to undergo the training, which is where SWSRnR is able to step in. Morning The Abbas Rest Coffee Morning was a great success once again. Thanks to all who supported and donated towards this event – without your help it would not happen. Avril Brown Glenkens Gazette page 25 Glenkens Gazette page 26 DECEMBER & JANUARY DECEMBER Sun 1, Community Christmas Concert, New Galloway Town Hall, see posters in shops for details Sun 1, Corsock Craft Fair, 11am-3pm, orsock Village Hall Mon 2, Dalry Police Station Drop-in, 6-7.30pm Fri 6, Dalry Primary School Christmas Fayre, 1.15-3pm, Dalry School Fri 6 at 7pm, Sat 7 at 7.30pm, Sun 8 at 3pm, CatStrand Youth Players Christmas Panto, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 7 & Sun 15, Santa’s Grotto, 10am3pm, Kirroughtree Visitor Centre, see p18 Sat 7, Christmas Craft Fair, 11am-4pm, Mossdale Village Hall Sun 8, Christms Fayre, 11am-3pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Tue 10, Ukulele Christmas Party, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 11, Dalry Film Club: The Green Book (12A), 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 12, Tasting Evening, New Galloway Community Shop, see p13 Thu 12, CatStrand Youth Performers & Musicians Meeting, see p19 Fri 13, Sugar Revue Burlesque (18+), 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 14, Tabletop Sale, 1-3pm, Dalry Community Centre Sat 14, Glenkens Community Shop, Dalry, closes for refurb until spring Sat 14, GCT Bus Trip, see p25 Sat 14, Glenkens Farmers Market, 10am-12.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 14, Dean Owens & The Southerners, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 15, Glenkens Children’s Christmas Party, 3pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Tue 17, Great Composers: In Search Of Beethoven, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 21, Cairn Chorus: The Conversations of Sheep, 2pm, Crossmichael Parish Church Tue 31, Hogmanay Party, Balmaclellan Village Hall JANUARY Fri 3, Dalry Police Station Drop-in, 34.30pm Thu 9, Mid Winter Film Festival: Woman At War (12A) + Discussion Panel, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 11, Mid Winter Film Festival: Dirt Rd To Lafayette, 2pm, Crossmichael Church Hall Sat 11, Mid Winter Film Festival: The Man Who Wanted To Fly (12A), 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 11, GCT Bus Trip, see p25 Sun 12, Mid Winter Film Festival: Gwen (15), 2pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Sun 12, Mid Winter Film Festival: Piano To Zanskar + Q&A, 7pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 17, Carsphairn Burns Supper, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, see p17 Fri 17, Dark Sky Jazz: Wako, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 18, Family-Friendly Bingo, 4-6pm, New Galloway Town Hall Fri 24, Burns Night, 7.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 26, First Piano On The Moon, 2.30pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 31, Newberry & Verch, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall DALRY HOGMANAY CEILIDH Tuesday 31 December, 9pm to 1am, Dalry Town Hall Come and celebrate the New Year together! There will be a live band and pot luck finger buffet,(BYOB or bring refreshments over from local pubs and food to share, as well as your dancing shoes). Everyone welcome! Entry by suggested £5 donation at the door, children welcome and are free. LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Contact Shirley McNaught on 07955 743 022 or drop by the charity shop on Main Street, Dalry Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact Ros Hill on ros.hill@rathanhouse.co.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Andi Holmes on andiholmes@hotmail.com or 07729 292 126 Dalry Town Hall: Contact Jim Reid on 01644 430231 or jamescreid@hotmail.co.uk New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact Sam Rushton on 07741 656601 or samCEW@newgallowaycommunity.shop or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins on julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact Chris Jowsey at chris@catstrand.com 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Pop into 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 Group: carsphairnheritagegroup@ gmail.com Bright Stars - Glenkens Community Nursery: Contact glenkenscommunitynursery@gmail.com Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP): Contact McNabb Laurie on mcnabb.laurie@dumgal.gov.uk 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 Gazette page 27 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Film Makers’ Club, Mon 7-8.30pm Exercise to Music: Mon 9.3010.30am MMM Adult Colours & Dance: 2.30pm-3.30pm MMM Health, Play & Creative Movement: 3-7yrs, Mon (term-time) 3.45-4.30pm MMM Children’s Grades & Youth Dance: 8-16yrs, Mon (term-time) 4.30-5.30pm Youth Volunteer Meet-up, 1st Tues of the month, 6-8pm, FREE PIZZA Choreographic Skills Lab, Mon (term-time) 7-8.30pm, ages 12-18 Animation Club, Tues 4-6pm (starts 12 Feb then fortnightly) Gentle Tai Chi: Wed 10am Wendletrap Tai Chi, Wed 2-3.30pm Game Tech, last Wed each month, 6-8pm Writers’ Cafe, 2nd Thurs each month 7-9pm Sing it Out, Thurs 11am -12pm CatStrand Ukes, 1st & 3rd Thurs each month, 1–3.30pm Yoga, Tues 6.30-7.30pm & Thurs 9.15-10.45am Learn the Whistle, (starts 28 Feb; 8-week block. Ages 412 - 3.45-4.30pm; Age 12+ & Adults - 5-6.30pm). Contact chris@catstrand.com to find out more Zumba Gold, Fri (term-time) 9.3010.30am, CatStrand, 16+ Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry: Badminton, Mon 4-9pm & Sat 9am12noon, for info contact Kath on 07811 957 576 Bright Stars Nursery, Tues, Wed & Thurs 9am-3pm Brownies & Guides, Tues, Brownies 6-7.30pm & Guides 6-8.15pm Yoga, Wed 5.50-6.45pm, for info call Carylann on 07817 400 287 Brownies, Thurs 6-7.30pm Kickback Martial Arts, Thurs 67pm for children, 7-9pm for adults New Galloway Town Hall: Glenkens Art Workshop, Mon 24pm during term-time LING Elevenses & Lunches, Tues 11am-2pm Fast Broadband Access, Tues 11am-2pm Skills for Life, get up to speed on current technology, Tues 2-4pm, for info call CD IT Centre on 01556 503 167 IT Drop-in Sessions, Tues 4.306.30pm throughout Jan and Feb. Covering topics such as support with benefits/job applications, building confidence with laptop/tablet/phone, all ages welcome. Table Tennis & Carpet Bowls, Tues 7-9pm Circuits, Tues 5.30-6.30pm Zumba, Wed 7.30-8.30pm, 11+ Circuits, Sat 8-9am Various Locations: Hatha Yoga, Mon 10-11.15am, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Carsphairn Post Office, Wed 1.15-3pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Dalry WI, 3rd Tues each month 2pm, Dalry Town Hall (except Jun, Jul & Aug) Beavers, Tues 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training, Tues & Thurs 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND: Sunday Services: Balmaclellan 10am: 1st. Carsphairn 11.15am: 1st,2nd, 3rd, 4th. Dalry 10am: 2nd, 4th. Kells 10am: 3rd. Kells 10am: 3rd. Special Services/Events: Family Service, 13 Oct, 10am, Dalry Church. Quiz Night, Fri 8 Nov, 7.30 pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall. Communion Service: 27 Oct, 10am, Dalry Church. 17 Nov, 11.15am, Carsphairn Church. SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm. Mossdale Painters, Wed 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Chat, Cuppa & a Cake, Wed 10am2.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Community Choir, Wed 3.304.30pm, Dalry Secondary School Cub Scouts, Wed 6.45-8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Gentle Dru Yoga, Wed 7.30-9pm & Thu 12.30–2pm, Laurieston Village Hall, contact 450269 Youth Writing, 1st Thurs each month (during term time) 3.30-5pm, ages 10-15, Dalry Library Kettlebells, Balmaclellan Village Hall, Thurs 6-7pm Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thurs of the month, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn, for further info call Christine on 01644 460 577 Coffee & Craft, Fri 9am-12noon, Lagwyne Hall Folk Music Session, 4th Fri each month 7.30/8pm till closing, Ken Bridge Hotel Gentle Tai Chi, Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall Golf Junior Coaching, Sat 10-11: 30am, New Galloway Golf Course, see p8 Restoring Footpaths, Sat 10am1pm, phone 420 632 to confirm Junior Golf & Come-and-Try for all ages, New Galloway Golf Course, Sat 10am Yoga and Meditation Evening, every 3rd Sunday of the month, 7p9pm, Drumwhill, Mossdale. Contact Rachael 01644 450269 to book. Men’s Shed, Old Smiddy, Balmaclellan. Opening times: Mon 9.30am-4pm & 6.30-8.30pm; Wed 9.30am-1pm & woodcarving from 24pm; Fri 9.30am-12noon. Dalry Library Tuesdays 10.30am-2pm Fridays 11am-4.30pm For further informa�on contact Castle Douglas library on 01556 502 643 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Police, non-emergency: 101 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette MORE THAN JUST FOOD FROM THE FOOD TRAIN As temperatures fall and seasons change there is one constant throughout the year; the familiar sight of Food Train delivery vans winding their way through the Glenkens. As a registered Scottish Charity which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2020 there is, for some, confusion about what the organisation does. Some think that it is a sort of ‘food bank’ or mealson-wheels scheme. In fact, the Food Train’s purpose is to support older people to enable them to continue living in their own homes should they so wish. The charity’s core service, funded by Dumfries & Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, is a grocery shopping and delivery service. Customers’ grocery orders are collected on a Monday and shopped and delivered on a Thursday in the Glenkens. Customers pay for their shopping on receipt, plus an additional £5 delivery charge. Some customers like to get out to the shops but appreciate the service for heavier items or for the winter months, while others rely on the service for all their shopping yearround. Shopping is done in the Coop, Tesco and Sunrise Wholefoods in Castle Douglas and can be delivered weekly, fortnightly, monthly or just occasionally. The charity offers other services ROWAN HOLIDAY COTTAGE too - Food Train ‘Extra’ is an odd jobs service where, for a small fee, volunteers are happy to change lightbulbs, defrost freezers, hang curtains or reset clocks, to name but a few of the jobs regularly done. There is also a befriending service to help combat social isolation and loneliness. This is funded by The Big Lottery and D&G Health and Social Care Partnership. There is a 1-2-1 home visit befriending service, and group outings to a variety of destinations. Popular trips have included Threave Gardens, Galloway Lodge and the Afternoon Film Club at CatStrand. From humble beginnings when in 1993 a group of socially-minded folk in Dumfries identified a Top: Food Train Friends outing to Threave Garden. Above: It takes a lot to stop the Food Train need for such a service, their dedicated team deliver in all weathers. the Food Train has gone from strength If you think you or someone to strength and, you know might need some after expanding across Dumfries assistance with grocery and Galloway, branched out yet shopping, odd jobs or just a further and now covers seven local friendly face to pop in now and authority areas over Scotland. Here again, call Stewartry Food Train in the Stewartry a small friendly on 01556 288 427. team of staff and volunteers are just a phone call away. GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway 4 Star Rated - Sleeps Six Dog friendly - Private Parking Secluded Garden FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 07503 958 710 01644 420234 An ideal base for exploring Galloway... page 28 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FEB/MAR COPY DEADLINE: 5 JAN ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 115 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_115 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 2019 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/260/GlenkensGazette114.pdf 409c9586d969dfbea928b20ebff500cc 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 114 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document GLENKENS GAZETTE News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry October/November 2019 ISSUE 114 FREE 215-MILE ULTRA MARATHON PIT STOP IN DALRY For the second year running, GBUltras have chosen Dalry Town Hall as one of the rest points for their longest race – the Ultra Great Britain. This is a 215-mile ultra marathon from Portpatrick in the west to Cockburnspath in the east, following the Southern Upland Way (SUW). Competitors are allowed 100 hours for completion, with the men’s record currently at just under 66 hours and ladies’ at just under 84 hours. The 2019 race passed through Dalry on the weekend of 17 to 18 August, in dreadful weather, with many runners passing through the village at night with the aid of head torches. The rest of us can only imagine what conditions would be like in the pitch dark, in pelting rain, plodding through boggy ground over, say, the stretch of the SUW between Dalry and Sanquar. The course is not waymarked by the organisers and so the runners must find their own way, and some do occasionally stray off course. However, each runner carries a GPS transmitter and runners in serious problems can be reached by the GBUltras recovery team. The GPS trackers also allow interested watchers to follow the progress of the race over the internet. In the Town Hall the GBUltras support staff provided a rest point with hot food and a bag stop where competitors could have a change of gear – some reputedly use four or five pairs of running shoes to cover the distance. Most, though not all, competitors have support teams in the form of friends and family who follow them from point to point. However, the GBUltras team do not feed supporters but only competitors. This caused some enterprising local ladies to set up a pop-up café in Jayne’s hair salon half-way up Dalry’s Main Street, providing teas and home baking for supporters. This operated through Saturday evening and from 7am on Sunday. A goodly number of supporters Climbing Lowther Hill, Wanlockhead. availed themselves of the service, and it is hoped that with better advertising on social media for the 2020 race (8 and 9 August next year) they can attract more customers and extend the provision to more substantial fare for race supporters. Dalry has proven to be such a hit with ultra marathon organisers GBUltras that they plan to make the village the start point for two shorter races next year too, on 2 May 2020. Jim Reid LOCAL HISTORY GOES DIGITAL After only six months of work Carsphairn Heritage Group (CHG) have completed Phase 1 of their ambitious plan to digitise their entire archive of local photographs, documents and artefacts, finishing well ahead of schedule. Carsphairn Heritage & Craft Centre welcomed visitors for Worldwide Spin in Public Day. But now they need more hands on deck to move forward with the project and to allow the group to step into the bright new future which awaits. Work began in February 2019 to quantify the collection and, to date, over 1,500 items have been uploaded and are available to view at www.carsphairn.org/ CarsphairnArchive Karen Hall, chair of CHG, said: "Carsphairn Heritage Group has been A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve running for over 30 years, which is a fantastic achievement. Looking to the future and the next 30 years, we felt it had come to a point where it needed to evolve to stay alive." The group held their first DigiDay in March 2019, which saw nine volunteers scanning their way through over 600 photographs before being treated to a delicious lunch supplied by Carsphairn Tearooms. Phase 2 of the project is due to start this autumn, recording the remainder of the archive, and CHG will be hosting another DigiDay on Wednesday 30 October. If you would like to come along and help out, the event will run from 10am to 3pm at the Carsphairn Heritage & Craft Centre. Also, the group holds its AGM on Saturday 16 November at 3pm in Lagwyne Hall and is keen for anyone interested to come along, get involved and hear all about the proposed plans for the future. For further info contact Karen Hall at carsphairnheritagegroup@gmail.com Continued on p6... www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 LOCAL PRODUCE AT ITS BEST The Glenkens Farmers Market takes place on the second Saturday each month from 10am to 12 noon, welcoming folk from far and wide. The market has been running in Dalry Town Hall for over twelve years, and has a wide variety of local produce, both from within the Glenkens and further afield in Dumfries & Galloway. One of the many regulars at the market is The Little Bakery from Dumfries, whose beautiful loaves of butter-yellow corn bread seem to drum-up regular buyers at a fair rate with people snapping up six to a dozen at a time! But you need to get there first thing when the doors open if you want some... Aside from the illustrious corn bread there are beautifully crafted cakes by Liz Brannock from the Kenmure Arms Hotel in New Galloway, a variety of meats and pies from Carson’s butchers, which are also available to buy cooked up there and At the time of going to press Glenkens Food Month has got off to a flying start. The Pot Luck Suppers at New Galloway and Dalry town halls were great and the food was excellent. Those who went to the BBQ at The Clachan on Saturday 7 September were treated to the additional bonus of the Tour of Britain flying past – front row seats and a burger, it doesn’t get better than that! Eight intrepid junior anglers joined the New Galloway Angling Association for some top-class coaching in coarse then in a freshly baked Little Bakery roll. The Solway Smokehouse provides a range of delicious smoked products from fish to meats, cheeses to garlic. Mouth-watering artisan cheeses can be purchased from Cows & Co, ranging from mature to mild including blue cheese, cheddar and ripe brie in pots ready for baking. Other stalls offer fine homemade pickles and jams, free range eggs, local honey and fresh locally grown vegetables straight from the garden. A staple of a good farmers market is, of course, the samples so you can browse the wares, tasting them all before you choose your favourites to buy and take home with you. There is a plant stall offering a display of pot-grown plants and flowers in prime condition to take home for the garden, and a custom-made card stall where cards can be created to order for any occassion. For those with a sweet tooth there is a chocolate stall with tempting treats crafted by In-House of Castle Douglas, and for those in need of a good book there is plenty of time to browse the secondhand book stall, which also offers DVDs. Perhaps the key feature which is especially appealing to visitors at the Glenkens Farmers Market is the opportunity to sit down in an unhurried atmosphere and enjoy a cuppa and some home baking while deliberating your purchases. Many locals and not-so-locals make a point of meeting here to catch up on news once a month. Some of the tables at the farmers’ market. fishing and were then treated to a loch-side cook-up of home made fishfingers by local food business Love To Eat. The end of a busy weekend was marked by apple-pressing up at the Garroch walled gardens, run by the Galloway Glens Love Our Fruit & Nuts project. The busy programme culminates with a Ceilidh at Balmaclellan Village Hall on 28 September - tickets are £7 from the CatStrand, and include supper from local-produce specialist Braising Jack’s and music is by the fantastic Shore Road Band; a great evening for all the family. Galloway Community Transport to Balmaclellan from around the area may be available – check in at the CatStrand for details. Thanks to our sponsors, ConnectLocal and Galloway Glens, for their support in allowing us to offer most of these events for free. Thanks also to the many local businesses and organisations from all around the Glenkens who have joined in with us to make it such a success. The whole month has been an opportunity to showcase the amazing food and drink producers and businesses that exist in our region, and we do hope you enjoyed it! Sam Rushton, Community Engagement Worker, New Galloway Community Shop & Enterprises Apple pressing at the Garroch. Glenkens Gazette page 3 NEW GALLOWAY FIRE STATION New Galloway fire station is situated at Mill Isle, on the outer edge of the village heading along the Queen’s Way towards Newton Stewart. The original fire station was built in the 1930s on Duke Street, but was relocated in 1996. The current station has an operational capacity for 10 firefighters and the personnel operate an ‘on call’ system which is also known as the ‘retained duty system’ (RDS) on behalf of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). With this system crew members respond via pager from their home or place of work, and manage their on-call hours to suit their lifestyle. Over the years the role of the firefighter has changed significantly. In the early days a firefighter would attend a weekly training session, check the equipment and see to any fires in the locality. The role of the firefighter today is very different. One of the key elements provided by the SFRS now is a proactive rather than reactive stance towards fire safety. We focus on preventive interaction and working with other partners such as the NHS, social services, care call, and communitybased care groups; keeping people safe in their own homes is very much the ethos of what the service aims to achieve. Crew members at New Galloway regularly carry out home fire safety visits, and through these visits we get to know our community and are able, when necessary, to make referals to other agency partners to meet a need for an individual through our internal referral system. For example, we can liase with our partners to arrange for hearing or visual aids for people within their home to improve the safety and quality of their lifestyle, or to assist with replacing their old open chip pan or out of date electric blanket with more up to date items. Nowadays the modern firefighter will not only deal with fires but also attend road traffic collisions, flooding, water rescues, animal rescues, wildfire incidents, medical responses, gain entry for ambulance crews, CPR training to community groups, and attend schools to deliver safety campaigns. The Tale o’ the Twa Jakes JAKE McGAW: Jake McGaw is the current officer in charge of New Galloway fire station, and has worked at the station for 41 years. Also a local postman for many years, Jake is a real pillar of the community who goes above and beyond in all his duties, always with a cheerful smile and a joke to hand. When asked how he was recruited, Jake says it was very informal. He was on Duke Street, where the fire station was then located, when he was ‘collared’ one day by the fire station sub-officer at that time who asked him to pop along to the station on their next training night to have a look at the equipment. By the following week he was sitting down for an interview, and started with immediate effect. Training was given on the job and a ‘breathing apparatus’ course followed. Jake gets enormous pride from knowing the New Galloway crew are an integral part of the community in Glenkens, and what a difference they have made and continue to make to people’s lives. When asking Jake about advice he would offer to anyone interested in joining the Scottish Fire Rescue Service, his answer is to just pop along any Tuesday to meet the crew and ask questions, as well as have a look round the fire station - like Jake, perhaps you’ll find yourself still there 41 years later! Jake says: “The job never gets boring and that’s what makes it worthwhile, knowing you’re helping someone in your community. Although some of the incidents we respond to can be serious, the appreciation we receive from the public makes it all worthwhile. “Working with a team of people who are passionate about helping others is a fantastic experience. We all like to have a laugh together; overall it’s a really rewarding job.” JAKE McMILLAN: Jake McMillan is New Galloway’s most recent recruit, and has been with the service now for five months. Young Jake, as he has become known, knew some of the crew and always had an interest in joining the fire service. Jake feels the training given has been great, with a huge focus on teamwork and how everyone helps each other. Jake says: “It was amazing to pull on the fire kit and get hands-on learning new skills. I can’t wait to extend my knowledge and expertise in this new role. SFRS is all about teamwork, and the firefighters at the station are fantastic and make you feel right at home, and are helpful when learning something you haven’t done before. The crew are among the best people I have ever met, and I know I can rely on them under any circumstances.” Jake feels a great sense of pride when he pulls on the uniform knowing he is part of a crew putting something back into his own community. Despite the difference in years in the job, both Jakes say they would recommend it to anyone, and both agree that the job is an excellent way to learn new skills and positively impact on the lives of the people in your community. New Galloway fire station are currently looking for more members of the local community to join the crew and become SFRS On Call Firefighters. With more folk on board, the vital role New Galloway fire station plays in protecting and supporting the Glenkens communities will be ensured into the future. You can pop along any Tuesday night from 7pm to find out more, or contact Stuart Dalrymple on 07971 138 154 or stuart.dalrym ple@firescotland.gov.uk And you don’t have to be called Jake to apply...! Stuart Dalrymple, Rural RDS Support Watch Manager for the Stewartry Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by EVERYTHING listed in the Glenkens Freecycle section is FREE - you just need to contact the owner and go and pick it up! If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch with Sarah on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FREE Trampoline. Contact: 01644 430 380. 2 X Sky+ HD remotes; as new Quad LNB for satellite dish (not Sky Q); Freesat box with remote and manual – can also be used as recorder; working Sky+ box (not HD) – no remote (£7.99 on eBay). Contact: Paul on 01644 430 062 slimline, with some decorations, 4/ 5 years old. Contact: 460518 Two large shopping bags of knitting magazines, lots of Alan Dart patterns in them. Free to good home. Contact: 01644 420 642 SALE ĀȀ̀ЀԀ‫ ؀‬FOR Amplifier, spider line 6, vgc £60. Contact: 07799 791 509 ‫଀਀ऀऀࠀ܀‬ఀഀԀ‫؀‬ Artificial Christmas tree, 6'5" tall 400 or so Vellum ‘SecureSeal’ ‫܀‬฀ࠀఀЀ‫؀‬ Dalry Community Choir DL envelopes, 110mm x 220mm, £10. Contact: Ruth on 01644 460 516 Bitesse inversion cable (reduces back pain), good condition, R930 proform tread mill, rowing machine, any reasonalbe offer. Can be seen at the Scout Hall, New Galloway. Contact: Heather on 01644 420 375 Small wooden rocking horse, vgc £60. Contact: 07799 791 509 Community Spirit Dear Gazette, I was surprised and warmed recently to see a young man cleaning the moss out of the cobbles at the fountain in Dalry. The flowers freely provided by Jane Trueman are a truly magnificent display, but the hard standing itself is not as well looked after by DGC. ĀȀ̀ЀȀԀ̀‫܀؀‬Ԁࠀऀ਀ऀ଀ఀഀ਀ऀ଀ࠀ ฀‫؀‬ༀက‫ࠀ܀‬ᄀȀሀጀЀ̀‫؀‬က‫ࠀ܀‬ᄀሀ᐀ጀጀༀࠀ ᔀᄀᘀ‫؀‬ကᘀᜀЀ᠀ࠀĀȀ̀Ԁࠀഀᘀ᐀ࠀᄀȀᤀᘀȀᨀᬀȀကࠀᰀ଀ᴀḀἀ‫؀‬ ጀကࠀ!"ကᘀ᐀ȀကࠀᜀЀ!ጀࠀሀጀЀᘀ‫؀‬ሀᘀࠀ ᄀ"Ȁࠀᄀᘀ਀ࠀ#ጀԀȀᤀ᐀ࠀ᠀$଀%Ԁᘀ&ጀԀȀᤀ᐀Ԁ"Ȁ'Ȁ‫"̀਀؀‬ᨀ᠀‫؀‬ༀ਀Ԁሀ᐀਀"(ࠀ ᄀሀ᐀ጀጀༀࠀ)!!ᜀሀȀࠀ଀ᴀ*ഀഀࠀഀऀ଀ᰀ+Ḁࠀ ᠀$଀%ጀ!!ᜀሀȀ̀‫؀‬ༀက‫'܀‬Ȁ‫"̀਀؀‬ᨀ᠀‫؀‬ༀ਀Ԁሀ᐀਀"(ࠀ Some of the entries for the Industrial Section at the 2019 Carsphairn Show. Photograph contributed by Louise McClure, Dalmellington. I stopped to speak to him, wondering if he was on some Community Payback Order or similar, but no, he was just doing it because he thought it needed doing. Such selfless action needs recognising and promoting in my opinion. I only wish I had been that thoughtful and community minded when I was his age, perhaps there is hope for the future? Andi Holmes * SAVE THE DATE * Sunday 1st December Once again the New Galloway Celebratory Events committee are planning a community Christmas concert in New Galloway Town Hall. The concert will be followed by a piper leading us all down to the CatStrand for mulled wine and the switch on of the Christmas lights. Watch out for details nearer the time. Gordon McAdam New Galloway Golf Club Founded 1902 www.nggc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Plumbing & Heating HOUSE REPAIRS JOINERY 22 Kirkland Street St John‛s Town of Dalry Semi-retired Furniture Maker & Builder in GLENKENS AREA 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Call Pete on 07970 462 088 ...special rates for inclusion of tea, cake and friendly banter... Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by Impacts of Acidification on Brown Trout Populations in SW Scotland A paper has just been published in the leading peer-reviewed Journal of Fish Biology looking at the current numbers and genetic diversity of brown trout populations in Southwest Scotland. The study was carried out by a team from the School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University, Belfast, led by professor Paulo Prodöhl and professor emeritus Andy Ferguson, who now lives in the area. It also involved renowned local fish artist Robin Ade and many expert anglers, especially Colin and Margaret Roberts. Marine Scotland, Freshwater Laboratory, provided reference material from the detailed surveys that they carried out in the area in the 1980s and 1990s. The study examined more than 2400 brown trout specimens from 23 lochs and six of the larger river systems, mainly in the Galloway Forest Park and adjacent Forrest Estate. Trout fin clips were taken for detailed DNA analyses, with the resultant data being analysed by modern statistical methods. Southwest Scotland was one of the areas worst affected by acidification in the latter part of the 20th Century. By the 1970s five brown trout populations were thought to have become extinct as no trout were caught in netting surveys, and numbers were shown to be considerably reduced in many others. Following reductions in sulphur and nitrogen industrial emissions in the 1980s the pH increased again suggesting that the lochs might once more be capable of supporting trout populations. Restoration stocking was carried out in these lochs since natural recolonisation could not occur due to impassable waterfalls. One of the lochs, Loch Fleet, was the subject of major international investigations of the feasibility of reducing acidity through liming prior to restoration stocking. All five lochs, although still chronically acidic, now have substantial self-sustaining populations. All other THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Sat 2-2.30 pm DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � lochs examined in the area also now have flourishing brown trout populations with angler catch rates ranging from 1 to 20 trout per hour, with, as expected, size being inversely proportional to catch rate. Specific details of the key findings and conclusions can be accessed at www.qub.ac.uk/Research/GRI/ TheInstituteforGlobalFoodSecur ity/institute-for-global-securitynews/Trackingthegenesofbrowntroutpopulations.html Photographs: Left - Robin Ade fishing Loch Dungeon. Top - Robin Ade’s illustration of Galloway brown trout variability. Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 6 Funding Process Update David Tallontire Our communities have been busy over the summer preparing applications to the Blackcraig Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund. The closing date for applications was 23 August and we are pleased to report that a large number of applications have been received for a range of different purposes. There is around £213,000 available for distribution in this first round and the applications total up to substantially more than that. There is now work to be done to assess the applications and then for the Glenkens & District Trust (GDT) to make decisions on how the money is used. Foundation Scotland is administering the fund and the first step is for them to ensure that each application is eligible. Once they are satisfied on that, their team of assessors will review the applications and produce a report on each and every one. During this process they will contact the named applicant for further detail or clarification to ensure that when the application is presented to GDT it has the fullest information necessary to inform their decision-making. GDT will consider each of the reports and, in a series of meetings in October, decide on how the money should be allocated to best meet the priorities of the fund as set out in the fund strategy. As previously reported, our wider community has waited a number of years for these monies to be available and there is considerable pent-up demand for awards. Therefore, the fact that there are a large number of applications is not a surprise but it will mean that difficult decisions will need to be made by GDT. In addition, this is the first round of awards that GDT has done so it has no previous history to draw on. However, the trustees have agreed that the funds should be allocated based on the merits of the applications and aligned with the published fund strategy. It is inevitable, in view of the number of applications, that some applicants will be delighted while some will be very disappointed. The trustees are committed to being fair and transparent around the decisions they make and are currently working together and with Foundation Scotland to ensure that they do the best job possible. They will also ensure that feedback is given on the reason for their decisions and will publish a full list of awards in due course. Fiona Smith, chairman, GDT Continued from front page... Karen Hall, chair of the heritage group, said: “We are very grateful to the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership for their support, to Carsphairn Community Council who host the website where you can find the archive, and to Carsphairn Renewable Energy Fund Ltd (CREFL) for funding the running costs of the heritage centre during this process. I’d also like to thank our dedicated team of volunteers for all their efforts to date. We’d also be delighted to hear from new volunteers." The group is keen to let people know they would love to have new members on board, and anyone with an interest in local history is very welcome to get in touch or attend the AGM on 16 November - annual membership is only £1. More members are very much needed in order for the group to be able to continue, and there are exciting times ahead – a key issue for discussion at the meeting is whether the group should purchase the building, which was purpose-built for the Carsphairn Heritage Group 30 years ago. This would mean that necessary modernisation could be CHIMNEY SWEEP Covering the Glenkens & further afield 07709 144 299 - wood burners - mul�-fuel stoves - open fires - Agas - Rayburns - birds nest removal with CCTV inspec�on - cer�ficates issued - feel free to call for advice - Find me on Facebook LING Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) has just received the final report from the Creetown Initiative. The report is on the viability of taking over the ownership of New Galloway Town Hall or a long term lease. We will be looking carefully at this over the next few weeks to decide on the next stages. More Hands on Deck for Carsphairn Heritage Group undertaken to allow the building to offer visitors and users a more attractive and versatile setting, hopefully ensuring it will continue to be an asset to the community over the next 30 years. The building is currently owned by the regional council who don’t have the resources to put into non-essential improvemements. To be involved in these discussions, to join the group, or to find out more visit www.carsphairn.org/ heritagegroup or email carsphairnher itagegroup@gmail.com or go along to the AGM. Glenkens Gazette page 7 My First Year of Retirement... I thought I knew exactly what I would do when I came to retire. Sort the garden, jobs around the house, travel more, that sort of thing; but it didn’t turn out that way. Being well aware of the disproportionate number of men who die within a year or so of retiring, often on the golf course, I had no intention of joining them. So I decided that I needed to keep fit(ish!) and, more importantly, to gain a new role or purpose in life. Before I knew it new jobs, opportunities and responsibilities started arriving. A few of the things which have fallen on my plate so are are: - Joining the University of the Third Age (U3A) and attending monthly meetings, plus local history and family history groups. - Joining a writing group and beginning to write short stories, poetry and more articles. - Driving the Glenkens Transport Initiative (GTI) minibuses, and driving for the Patient Transport Scheme. - Undertaking various reading, research and studying. I know some people participate in local groups such as the Men’s Shed, or take up gardening, painting or playing a musical instrument in retirement. Many others volunteer for all sorts of things; helping in local schools, charity shops, CatStrand and many other areas that most would never think about such as cutting grass around benches, helping neighbours and picking up litter around the village. I never fancied calling myself a retired army officer or retired ICT consultant, that seems just to look backwards at something that has ended. Instead, if I meet someone and they ask what I do, I reply… “I’m a writer, local historian and grandfather!” Who will you be when you retire..? Paul Goodwin Kindling available Electric heating finally comes of age - for less cost than a HEATING SOLUTIONS standard wet system! Uniquely awarded the NF+++, Europe’s highest efficiency and manufacturing accreditation. Based in the Glenkens AAA rated. • Ground-breaking technology - systems that know when you are in or out, and adjust energy use accordingly - they even check the weather! • TPI and V27 self-learning technology to detect, analyse and adapt to the user’s lifestyle. • Intelligent, interactive Wi-Fi. • Separate programme timing and temperature control for each individual room. If you would like further information, please call 0800 171 2942 or visit www.precisehs.co.uk GLENKENS ROUTE Thursdays: 12noon-1pm – Crossmichael 1-2pm – Parton/Loch Ken Holiday Park 2-4pm – Balmaclellan area 4-5.30pm – The Hidden Road Fridays: 8-10.30am – Dalry 10.30-11am – Glenlee Area 11am – New Galloway 12noon – New Galloway Shop 2pm – Mossdale area 3-4pm – Laurieston to Gatehouse Please note that all times are approximate. 07966 103 912 Precise Heating Solutions Ltd registered in Scotland No. SC606152 charliecoid@hotmail.com Fleet Fish aims to provide top quality produce which is sourced as locally as possible. We take pride in offering friendly door-to-door service tailored to our customers’ needs. Glenkens Gazette Return of the MUGA Dalry Community Properties Trust (DCPT) has applied to take possession from D&G Council of the Multiple Use Games Area (MUGA) adjacent to Dalry School. Unused for a number of years, the plan is to secure funding and refurbish the facility so that it can reopen by the end of 2020. The facility will be made available to individuals and groups from the Glenkens area thoughout the year, and the school will make use of it during term time. A range of sporting and social activities will be on offer, including netball, basketball, five-a-side football, tennis, hockey and volleyball. Floodlights mean that the space can be used up to 10pm in the evenings and throughout those dark winter afternoons. It is hoped that the relaunch will coincide with a five-a side football tournament open to all age groups. Any individuals or groups who wish to make further enquiries or be kept in the loop should contact Gary Blissett on 01644 430 521 or garyblissett51@gmail.com As part of the acquisition process, community feedback is very important as well as being helpful in long-term planning. With this in mind, I would encourage anyone with an interest in this project to get in touch and leave comments and suggestions. It is worth noting that there other sporting facilities currently available in the village include outdoor bowls at Spalding Bowling Club, badminton, table tennis and martial arts at the Community Centre (also owned by the DCPT) and snooker at the Serviceman’s Hut (wee wooden hut on the corner of Kirkland St). So dust off those old trainers, dig out the rackets and be prepared to give it a go! Our slogan for 2020 is: Our MUGA Makes Us Get Active Gary Blissett, Vice Chairman, DCPT ULTRASOUND PREGNANCY SCANNING ����������������� �������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ��������������������� ����������������������������� For bookings and info: Duncan Kennedy 07860 474001 dk@passcan.co.uk www.passcan.co.uk page 8 This year’s Tour of Britain cycle race passing through Dalry. In this photograph, taken by Andrew Mellor, cyclists are powering down the Main Street. Can you spot something odd about the cyclist second from the front? Glenkens Gazette page 9 CatStrand Highlights Autumn arrives in the Glenkens bringing with it darker nights and blustery weather - an invitation to settle in and gather together. Our Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) arts programme offers plenty of opportunity to come in from the cold and brighten up these long evenings ahead of us. Warming up with laughs from comedian Patrick Monahan (Friday 5 October), the return of our lunchtime theatre events (Thurs 10 Oct & Thurs 16 Oct) and a chance to catch the R&B, electronic, folk melding of local lads VanIves (Fri 11 Oct) following success on BBC Radio Scotland and Celtic Connections this year. Climate change takes centre stage with a series of events running throughout our autumn/winter season. In a new partnership with the Stewartry Climate Group, we aim to make environmental conversations accessible and hopeful with some fantastic international film on offer Youth Players Panto This year’s CatStrand Youth Players pantomime is the latest script from their favourite panto author Paul Reakes, and Beau Jest is certainly a script with a difference. The story is loosely based (as the spelling would suggest) on the famous book ‘Beau Geste’ by PC Wren and the classic film starring Gary Cooper; a thrilling adventure yarn with plenty of laughter and interesting characters along the way. The panto will be on stage on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 December at 7.30pm, with a matinee on Sunday 8 at 3pm. Please book your tickets early as the panto always sells out. (Cloudforest 12 Nov & Woman at War 9 Jan) teamed with local panel discussions. Acts from Nordic and British folk scenes bring an eclectic range of contemporary folk music to CatStrand. From the Swedish polska and Norwegian heavy metal inspired Elmøe & Hoffman (Thur 14 Nov) to the pairing together of celebrated folk musicians in new duos Nancy Kerr & Luke Daniels (Sun 17 Nov) and Rankin & Robertson (Sat 23 Nov). All individually revered for their musical talents. Our community venues continue their live event programmes with a Wee Book Hoose event in Crossmichael church featuring a winter concert from Cairn Chorus (Sat 21 Dec) with tea and mince pies in the church hall. Dalry have programmed a night of folk bluegrass and old time americana with banjo, fiddle and stepdance duo Newberry & Verch (Fri 31 Jan) followed by a step dance workshop the next morning. A new range of arts programme workshops offer an affordable chance to learn a new craft or skill working with local artists and crafters. Try your hand at jewellery making with Eaten at the CatStrand Eaten by Mamoru Iriguchi was a theatre performance aimed at children which came to the CatStrand. Patrick Monahan Emerge artist Sarah Rogers (Sat 16 Nov) or find out more about the music industry in rural Scotland with Robert Shields (ONR) as part of a Holywood Trust funded workshop running across D&G (Wed 2 Oct). For tickets or further information visit www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420 374. Below Mamoru tells us a bit about it... What inspired you to create this show? “When I studied zoology, I was always curious how animals accept to be eaten within the food chain. I am also concerned that we (humans) often do not know ingredients of our food.” What is the message of the show? “It is a fun show but there are a Audience members Laya and Finn with few messages too. The most important Lionel the Lion and Mamoru from Eaten. one is ‘know what you are eating’. Sometimes we don’t even know the ingredients in our meals!” Young attendees at the CatStrand performance, Laya and Finn, said: “It made me think whatever you dream may come true - Lionel the Lion dreamed about being a vegetarian, and he found out he does have nice things inside him. And he dreamed about being eaten, and he was eaten. It also made me think that we’re made up of our food,” and; “You are what you eat!” Helen, a parent from the audience, commented: “The show was entertaining, unexpected and at times surreal. There was a clear (and accurate) scientific message wrapped up in the poo and digestion-based story-line, so while the children may have come away boggled, they were certainly entertained and may well have also learned something useful about how their bodies work!” If you would like to feed back your comments on the show, or find out more, you can visit Lionel McLion on Facebook or Twitter. Glenkens Gazette page 10 Dalry Film Club's Winter Season Last year the Film Club at Dalry Town Hall improved its offering to customers by introducing personal headsets to improve sound perception. These sets take a stereo feed transmitted by radio signal taken from the DVD player and so cut out extraneous noise, and can be provided on request at the pay desk. For this year we are able to announce that we have installed a hearing loop into the hall for film goers who have a hearing aid with a “T” setting. Again, this takes its feed from the DVD player. The installation has been generously financed by Film Hub Scotland through Driftwood Cinema and installed by South West Audio. Driftwood has been instrumental in assisting the spread of community cinema through southwest Scotland and has supported Dalry Film Club since the start. Up till now the film shows provided by Dalry Film Club have been fully open to the public on payment at the door. We have recently taken out a licence that allows what are effectively private film events on a membership basis, to show films from the licence provider’s distribution list. So you can show one of your favourite films to a group of friends on the big screen or organise a party in the hall with a film as the feature. For further information on this facility contact Jim Reid on 01644 430 231. Having opened the season in September with Bohemian Rhapsody and Stan and Ollie, Dalry Film Club has an equally strong programme for the rest of the season. October opens with Wild Rose on 9 October. This tells the story of Glaswegian RoseLynn who is just out of prison and with two young children she hardly knows. She longs for fame as a country singer in Nashville. We finish the month with Fisherman’s Friends on 23 October, a comedy about a group of sea-shanty singers finding unexpected fame. In November we mark the Armistice THE GARDEN SPOT The swallows have long flown south for the winter, and now is the time that I think is the end of one gardening year and the beginning of the next. No two years are ever the same and the season now finished certainly had its challenges: blight on potatoes, late frost which spoiled early plantings, crows destroying my apple crops and those pesky rabbits! After losing the first two plantings, my first runner beans weren’t available until after the Glenkens show. Of course, there were successes: salad potatoes cropped well and survived the blight, many of the ornamentals (especially dahlias and fuchsias) are the best they have ever been and the garlic crop was superb… speaking of which… Now is the perfect time to plant garlic for next season. Blackbirds have a habit of pulling them up so either net them against birds or plant them a little deeper so the birds don’t see them until their roots are established. Not much else to do in the veg plot except continue to pick and preserve the late crops. When the leaves fall from the fruit trees, clear them away and burn or take to the recycling centre (don’t add to the compost heap as you will just be saving infected material), likewise potato shaws and tomato plants, the dead material will all have blight so burn or get rid. If you want to make life a little more pleasant, keep an eye out for the first frost and get into the garden a day or two before, cut your dahlias and hostas to the ground and add it all to the compost heap. Much easier this way than trying to deal with the mush that the frost will make of it. Now, while the memory is fresh, be honest. Isn’t there the odd plant that has not done well for a couple of years? by showing Journey’s End on 13 November. This is in no sense a glorification of combat, but largely confines itself to the inter-personal tensions and claustrophobia of the officers’ dugout as they await the final German push in March 1918. On 11 December we show Green Book, the winner of a number of awards including Best Picture at this year’s Oscars. This tells the tale of two very different people confronting their differences of race and character during a tour of the American South in the 1960s. As part of the Catstrand Midwinter Festival we present The Man Who Wanted to Fly on 11 January. This is a heart-warming documentary about an elderly Irishman who so wants to take off that he buys his own microlight and builds his runway to suit. The British Film Institute supports community cinemas with a programme of films around a topic. This year the topic is Musicals. We are showing Cabaret on 26 January as a glamourous (if a little seedy) finale to the Autumn/Winter season at the Town Hall. Jim Reid Perhaps an apple tree with bad canker, a shrub that doesn’t flower well or a dahlia that has overgrown the space. Be ruthless and have them out now, you will be grateful next year as you will have space for new introductions. Finally, if you haven’t already done so, get your pots and tubs sorted for winter and spring, get the bulbs planted straight away – except for tulips, leave planting those until November as it helps prevent tulip fire. New bulbs will always perform better than ones you saved, so go on, splash out. The Intrepid Gardener Some of this season’s successes. Glenkens Gazette page 11 Glenkens Gazette page 12 Crossmichael Heritage Centre September saw the formal launch of the Crossmichael Heritage Centre & Living History project. This community-led project sought to highlight the amazing history of Crossmichael parish using interpretation in the Church Hall and recently acquired Hearse House. More than 50 people were there to witness local history experts Professor Ted Cowan and Dr Lizanne Henderson cut the ribbons to commemorate the formal opening of the facilities. As well as getting a tour round the buildings, activities available included rope tying and graveyard tours. The project was jointly funded by the Galloway Glens Scheme and LEADER. The Hearse House is now Dr Lizanne Henderson cuts Hearse House ribbon. open every day during daylight hours and is located next to the church. Nick Chisholm, Galloway Glens Project Officer, in attendance at the event, said: “This remarkable project is as a result of the hard work of a number of individuals, but particular mention needs to go to John Nelson, Richard Middleton and Lindsey Smith who have worked tirelessly to get everything ready. There is a huge amount of hidden history in all our communities, but it takes the dedication of key individuals to bring it to life. On the opening day we were also reminded that this local history is an important part of the cultural tourism offer that Dumfries and Galloway can be proud of. Well done Crossmichael!” The 51st Annual Carsphairn Burns Supper Celebration Friday 17th January 2020 Lagwyne Hall Carsphairn 7pm for 7.30pm Price £15, seats must be reserved in advance by emailing lindsayduncan23@hotmail.co.uk or phoning Davey on 07710 124255 Speakers & artists to be announced Catering by Ayrshire Catering Early booking is recommended as 2019 event was over subscribed Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries Glenkens Gazette page 13 K Crossing Words Deugh – Ken – Dee In the previous issue we featured the crossing point over the Ken at the Ken Bridge Hotel. This inspired some varied pieces of writing: Haiku three graceful arches spanning over the river can't resist the view by Jack Howard The first time I saw the bridge over the Ken we were on holiday from Essex nearly 30 years ago. Myself, Roy and the kids with the trailer tent on the back of the car on our way to Glen Trool. We came down from Balmaclellan and I saw it and I caught my breath. It was beautiful, but why was it familiar? Its elegant arches, the sweeping curve of the parapet. Gradually I made the link to stately homes where bridges such as this grace the grounds over ornamental waterways. And there it was, crossing the Ken for us all to enjoy. A very few years later we were living up the road in New Galloway and I was so pleased we were close to this beautiful bridge. by Sally Hooker Dear Buddie, I was very interested to read of your walk in the previous Gazette. I myself have had many a romp across the Ken Bridge. I especially like venturing down to the river and sniffing all the long grass at the water’s edge – although I keep well back, I’m not as adventurous as I once was. Jasmine, who holds my lead, tells me that there used to be cows crossing the river here, but I don’t believe this – I have never seen a cow wearing flippers, have you? by a wee white dog called Olive NEXT ISSUE… we are seeking writing inspired by the bridge over the Dee at Kirkcudbright (thanks to John Smith for this atmospheric portrait, left). Described (a wee bit unfairly?) as a ‘[f]ive-span bow-truss concrete bridge with no pretension to prettiness’ (J. Gifford, 1996). The current bridge was completed in 1926, replacing the earlier bridge which had been in place since 1868. Prior to the bridge, the river was crossed via ferry. There was also a ford a little further down-river (as can be seen on the map). Your writing (max. 200 words) can be imaginative or prompted by real events or experiences. Please send your writing to me, Laura, by email: laura.kenwords@gmail.com or post c/o CatStrand by 27 October. A selection of responses will be printed in the next issue and all submissions will be kept for possible future publication. Ken Words is a community writing project supported by Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership, Creative Scotland, and GCAT. If you would like to find out more about Ken Words’ activities, please contact Jane McBeth on jane.kenwords@gmail.com or 01644 420374. Glenkens Gazette page 14 GLENKENS FLOWER SHOW This year’s Glenkens Flower Show was well attended by all ages. A late season meant that many potential exhibits such as runner beans and sweet corn were not ready on the day and a wet season caused potato blight to spoil others. There were a number of queries regarding was grown and how to exhibit, so hopefully we will have a few new faces competing in next year’s show. Special mention must be made of Hilda McAdam who was given a presentation on retiring as the show co-ordinator. She has been doing this job for a remarkable sixty years! Mention was also made of several other roles she has held around the village over the years. At the time of writing, we are yet to hear who will take up the baton for next year’s show. Paul Show Entries Doubled for 2019 This year’s show was held at Newfield Farm, Dalry, by kind permission of the Maxwell Family. The wet weather in the days leading up to show day looked set to cancel it, but credit to the committee who worked hard to get it up and running. Entries were almost double last year’s, and a highlight of the day was the Bluefaced Leicester sheep section - there were 70 animals forward making it one of Scotland’s largest shows for blues. Once all the sections were judged it came down to the Champion of Champions. This year’s judge was James Edgar who knew his surroundings very well having farmed Newfield until recently. He found Sheep judging at the Glenkens Show © Andrew Best. his champion in the Galloway in calf Heifer exhibited by local breeders John and Anne Finlay, Blackcraig, Corsock. Blackcraig Blondchen was female champion at this year’s Royal Highland Show and also won her class at the Stewartry and Dumfries shows. This concludes a very successful year for the family who have also won three consecutive breed championships with three different animals. Taking the reserve ticket was the Clydesdale filly exhibited by Colleen Marshall. Fresh from her win at last week’s Bute Show and adding to her success at Dumfries, Wigtown and Biggar Shows. The Glenkens Show committee would like to thank everyone involved for all their hard work in preparation for this year’s show. Glenkens Gazette Concert Raises Brass for Church Funds The rafters in Carsphairn Church rang out to the sound of music when Kilmarnock Concert Brass performed a summer concert at the end of August in aid of church funds. page 15 The band, which was near extinction five years ago, is now, once again, a thriving musical ensemble under the baton of Scott Walker. Kilmarnock Concert Brass, which has collected silverware at its last four contests, gave a varied and entertaining concert programme which enthralled the near-capacity audience. Donations from the concert-goers on their way out raised over £350 for church funds. Photo Sponsored of theby Issue the Ken Bridge Hotel This issue’s winner is Margaret Scott’s photogrph taken at Underhill, Dalry, humorously titled Lunch Pad. Margaret wins an evening meal for two up to the value of £30 at the Ken Bridge Hotel. Competition judges Dave and Sue said: “We had the usual brilliant selection of high quality photographs entered this issue, but the colour and crispness of Margaret’s shot made it our choice for this issue’s winner.” How to Enter: any photos taken in the Glenkens can be entered landscapes, wildlife, portraits, action shots... Email them to glenkensgazette @hotmail.co.uk If you are a winner the Gazette will send you out a voucher - please call the Ken Bridge to book your meal, and make sure to take your winner’s voucher along with you. Trio of trombones to the fore for a musical feature © Karen Hall. Glenkens Gazette page 16 Glenkens Gazette page 17 Glenkens Gazette page 18 River Ken at Dalry In far off times the shadowing alders cast flickering light over your dark pools as wandering hunters probed your banks. In time a castle motte was raised to guard the crossing. With what dread did early travellers walk beneath its mound as they passed this way? The Day the Internet Sprung a Leak (apologies to Robb Wilton) The day came when its sentinel tower decayed and fell. Yet its church still stood as a refuge for pilgrims, as a haven for weary travellers. A place to rest weary feet in the cool calm of its sanctuary, or seek brief respite from wind and rain that had buffeted and soaked them through. The day the internet sprung a leak There was chaos in Dalry With data and icons all over the place The broadband went awry Later travellers reached your grassy banks and lay down with relief to watch cattle and horses splash through the ford. Or on colder, wetter days when the river was high to watch black cattle swim the river and the ferry offer safe passage to horse and rider. On wilder days of raging flood to wait for a better day. The fibre cabinet in midtown Spewed files from deep underneath The Openreach man arrived Drank tea and sucked his teeth Today the crossing is easy. A gentle walk across the swaying planks of a bridge to make forays into farflung fields. Until that bridge becomes like a pier jutting into the sea, powerless against nature’s flood. by David Bartholomew The heavy stuff flowed downhill Some right down to the Ken Pictures of Rhinos and mountains Wagner and three wise men Lighter stuff drifted away To Glenlee and on to the Rhinns Fairies, pop music, clean jokes Balloons and cartoon violins When they finally plugged the leak Google numpties were on cloud nine Oh, what a joy, they all said Now that we’re back online by The Rhyming Reporter Glenkens Gazette page 19 DUMFRIES-STRANRAER RAILWAY The Dumfries to Stranraer railway line is on a strategic European route, effectively linking northern Ireland, southwest Scotland and northern England. The potential for local and through passenger traffic, freight and tourist traffic on a reopened railway is considerable. Local trains would bring back rail connections to Newton Stewart, Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie and each of these would act as railheads for the surrounding areas. Potential freight traffic would include supermarket traffic en route to northern Ireland and timber harvested in Galloway. Timber trains already operate from Carlisle to Chirk in north Wales, and Dumfries & Galloway is, by percentage, the most heavily forested area in Scotland. As short haul air travel lessens due to environmental concerns, the potential to regain through passenger traffic from northern Ireland to the north of England and further afield increases. Overhead electrification would be cost prohibitive due to the length of the line, but advancements in hydrogen fuel cell technology provide a green alternative. Hydrogen powered trains already operate in Germany, and recent trials have taken place of a hydrogen powered train in England which will begin mainline testing soon. The Lake District takes in approximately four times as much from tourism as Dumfries & Galloway, despite being geographically close and similar in nature. One reason for this is that the Lake District has three railways passing through; The West Coast Main Line, the Windermere branch and the Cumbrian Coast Line. Were Dumfries & Galloway to experience a significant increase in tourism, few local people would want to contend with the increase in traffic on the roads, parking problems and extra pollution. There is also great potential in the charter train market. Charter trains typically have around a two hour layover at their destinations, with passengers spending significant amounts in local retailers. Dumfries & Galloway is the lowest wage economy of 32 local authority areas in Scotland, and suffers from rural depopulation as young people leave the region to go to Scotland's Central Belt and elsewhere. A railway would help people live in the area without the expense of a car - 24% of the region's population do not own or have access to a car. Current bus services are infrequent in the evenings and on Sundays, and bus journey times are very slow when compared to rail. A reopened railway would encourage working age people to move to the area, and with a campaign ongoing for Galloway to become a National Park it would seem essential in the 21st century to have a green transport corridor through the area. Sandy Rogerson, Reopen the Dumfries-Stranraer Railway Wright’s Shop & Post Office - Closed Mondays Open Tuesday to Sunday - three changing cask ales & cider - fresh, seasonal & local food - open all day every day - award-winning food, beer & atmosphere - en-suite accommodation - 20% off takeaway discount - country sport & walkers facilities - 01644 430 241 www.theclachaninn.co.uk Dalry’s local convenience store • licensed grocers • • newsagents • stocking a range of local suppliers • Express Bakery bread • • Irvings biscuits & cakes • • Ballards & Dalmellington Country Butchers meat & pies • • Mitchells fruit & veg • Shop & Post Office open 7 days Monday to Friday 7am–6pm Saturday 8am–6pm Sunday 8.30am–4pm Tel 01644 430 225 Glenkens Gazette The Carlingwark Canal Below is an excerpt from Lost Canals and Waterways of Britain by Ronald Russell, contributed by Jill Russell. One of the earliest Scottish canal undertakings to be completed was the Carlingwark Canal on the lower reaches of the River Dee near Kirkcudbright. In 1765 a 1.5 mile cut was made from Carlingwark Loch to the river near Threave Castle. This was the work of Sir Alexander Gordon of Culvennan and was known, rather confusingly, as Carlingwark Lane. It reduced the level of the loch by several feet and enabled marl to be dug out of the loch and transported by canal and river to farms in the neighbourhood. The river navigation was improved in or about 1780 by the construction of a second cut, half a mile long, near Culvennan House on the Dee above Threave Castle. This cut bypassed a swift-running stretch of river and had a lock – possibly two – close to the back of Culvennan House. Then a few years later a much more ambitious scheme was proposed for a 26-mile canal with several locks from Dalry alongside the Ken and Dee to the estuary near Kirkcudbright. This was to be known as the Glenkens Canal and it was authorised by an act of 1802. John Rennie surveyed the route and estimated the cost at rather over £33,000. Sufficient support was not forthcoming, however, and the idea was dropped. Marl-carrying boats used the Carlingwark Canal until about 1840. As it was a private undertaking there was no official abandonment and it is not possible to say whether it was used at all after that date. Both lengths are still extant and can be explored, although permission and wellington boots are required for certain stretches. The short northern section can be approached from Glenlochar Bridge, where the B795 crosses the Dee. Above the bridge is the Glenlochar Barrage, part of the Galloway Hydro-electric Scheme. Below the bridge is the entrance to the canal, on the left-hand side by an embankment. The site of the lock or locks is near the top of the cut and a line of trees at the back of Culvennan House indicates the course of the canal. This is a marshy area with many drainage channels and several pumping stations to control the levels. The southern entrance to this stretch is near a pumping station and there are page 20 indications of an area widened out into a basin. For Carlingwark Lane take the A75 south-west from Castle Douglas, which crosses the waterway at Buchan. It is possible to battle your way alongside the Lane by swinging from the saplings and leaping the drainagle channels. The Castle Douglas-Kirkcudbright Railway crossed the Lane midway; north of the site of the railway bridge the walking becomes easier. You come to a pumping station but may not be able to reach the river because of a wide drainage channel. The Carlingwark Canal brought a measure of prosperity to the area, especially to Castle Douglas which developed out of a little village called Carlingwark, and, before that, Causewayend. It also has its own personal tragedy: from the parapet of Glenlochar Bridge Sir Alexander Gordon's son fell to an untimely death while still a young man. Saturday 23rd November 11am - 4pm A lovely day of amazing local arts and crafts, mince pies and mulled wine... Come and be spoilt for choice - stocking fillers and luxury gifts for Christmas morning! Glenkens Gazette page 21 The Story of the White Snake Bha acras mor air an nathair gheal. Acras mor, uamhasach. Cho clis ris an dealanach, shleamhnaich i air a broinn a-steach dhan bhaile. Theich muinntir a’ bhaile, ach cha robh a h-uile duine luath gu leor, agus bha feisd aid an nathair gheal. An deidh sin, shleamhnaich i air We don’t know how far it dates broinn air ais dhan mhotte. Chaidil i fad back, but we know it was old in laithachean. Robert deBruce Trotter’s time Fad moran mhiosan, chuir an nathair and that raises the interesting gheal eagal am beatha air muinntir possibility of it first being told in a’ bhaile, gus an do dh’ionnsaich iad Gaelic rather than Scots. With that a biadhachadh. A h-uile madainn, in mind, the Gaelic Class in Dalry dh’fhosgladh i a beul agus bhiodh had a crack at a translation. Here cuideigin a’ dortadh de bhainne sios a his Dr DeBruce’s version side by amhach. An deidh sin, bhiodh muinntir side with ours as a comparison, so a’ bhaile a’ torit dhi caoraich is crodh. you can imagine how it might have Dh’fhosgladh i a beul ana’mhor agus sounded when it was first told! dh’itheadh i slan iad. If you are interested in learning Ach bha cuid de lathaichean ann air more about Gaelic, you are nach biodh i air a sasachadh idir. Air welcome to join us at Dalry library cuid de lathaichean, shleamhnaicheadh on a Monday night, 6.30 pm to i air a broinn air ais a-steach dhan 8.30pm. Class costs £15 per block bhaile a-rishisd agus dh’itheadh i cuid of 5, tea and coffee provided. dhen fheadhainn mhi-shealbhach. B’e Contact Mike Ansell for more am uamhasach dorcha a bh’ann do information. mhuinntir a’ bhaile ann an Dail-Righ. Air aonan dhe na lathaichean seo, dh’ith an nathair gheal bean Mhicheil Scots dialect Fleming an gobha. Ghabh Micheal fearg They say yt in the aul’ auncient times mhor. Thuirt e ri mhuinntir a’ bhaile, there wus a oak forrest a’ roon’t the ‘Gu leor! Tha an t-am ann rudeigin a Moat at Dalry, an a maist desperate dheanamh mu’n nathair!’ Bha muinntir muckle White Snake had possession o’ a’ bhaile leis an eagal a-rithisd, agus the ditch, an lay in’t an its tail waggle’t Gaelic chaidh iad am falach anns na taighean amang the water at the fit o’ the scar Aon latha, o chionn fhada, ann an baile aca. at the yae en o’ the ditch, an it’s heid beag d’am b’anim Dail Righ, thacair Ach cha robh an t-eagal air Micheal whiles floatit in the Boat-Weil at the rud eagalach. Dhuisg muinntir a’bhaile Fleming a-nis. Chidh e dhan bhuthither, an whiles rase up on the tap o’ the agus chunnaic iad nathair hor, gheal obrach aige agus rinn e deise-armachd. Moat lookin oot for something tae eat. ‘na suaineadh tri tursan timcheall air a’ Chuir e sgianan air an deise-armachd The natives hads tae deed it wi milk mhotte re taobh Abhainn Chinn. Bha an a bhiodh a’ laighe comhnardach a every mornin, an if they forget it, it nathair cho mor is gun robh a ceann a’ sheasadh suas nuair a tharraingeadh e didna forget them, but joost took a laighe air mullach a’ mhotte agus gun air sreang a bha na * broinn. Chuir e dauner up the Clachan, an ett a dizzen robh a h-earball anns an abhainn. Nuair air an deise-armachd, thog e sgian mhor or twa o’ them, or a wheen kye; an sae a laigh an suilean oirre, ghabh iad eagal anns gach laimh, agus dh’fhalbh e dhan they gat tae be kin’ o’ careful aboot the mor. mhotte. feedin o’t. Bha i na cadal, an nathair It’s no joost certain yt it wus a gheal, mar sin bhreab e i Snake, for some acoonts ca’s ‘t gus a dusgadh. Dhuisg i le a Beast some ca’s ‘t a Dragon, siosarnaich mhor agus thog an some cas’s ‘t a Worm; but i i-fhein suas gu h-ard. Ach whutever it wuss, it had a sheash Micheal rithe, eadhon serious appetite, an the natives mar a dhuin i a beul timcheall gat tae be raither serious aboot air. it, an offer’t great rewards tae Bha e dorcha, blath is fluich onybuddy yt wud kill’t. Plenty na broinn. Tharraing Micheal try’t, but it joost cransh’t them air an t-sreang agus thug an up like as mony carrots, an that nathair siosarnaich mhor awus the end o’ them. Efter a risthisd agus thoinn i le pian. while it tire’t eatin them an took Tharraing Micheal a-mach na tae swalla’in the haill, an wudna sgianan mhor aige agus ghearr chow ocht weer nor a stot. e an nathair. Ghearr e i gus an Weel, there wus a smith in do dh’fhosgail a bru. Thuit e the Clachan they ca’t Michael a-mach anns a’ ghrein agus Fleming, an the Snake had bha an nathair gheal marbh. hookit his wife oot o’ the Thainig muinntir a’ bhaile aKirkyaird an made a brekfast o’ mach as na taighean aca agus An illustration by Kirkcudbright Academy pupils from the 1970s bha iad gle shona. her, an the man wus mad aboot The story of the White Snake is one of the Glenkens most compelling folk myths. The White Snake it, an thocht nae yin had a richt tae illuse her but hissel; sae he sets his wuts tae work tae fin some wey o’ murderin the puir innocent Snake; an he made hissel a coat o’ airmour, a’ cover’t wi knife blades, an they lay close tae the airmour as lang as he keepit quait, but whunever he begood tae warsel they stuck oot a’ ower him like the proggle o’ a hurcheon. Yae mornin whun he thocht the brute wud be hungry, he gaed his wa’s doon tae the Moat, a close’t up in his airmour, an a weel-sherpen’t gully in every han, tae try an get the Snake tae swalla him. Hooever it wus sleepin whun he gaed doon, an he had tae jag it atween the scales wi a gully tae wauken’t. The minute it saw whut wus kittlin’t, it loot an awfu gulder, an made a dab at him, an afore he ken’t whuten en o’ him wus up, he wus sprauchlin in its inside, half chokit for want o’ breath. Than he thraw’t hissel every wey he could think o’, an gart the knifes stick oot, an slash’t at it wi the gullies, till at last he kill’t it, an cut a wey oot for hissel, an raise’t the natives, an they cut it up in bits, an sent it doon the water in a spate; an than he gaed an claim’t the reward. They say there’s some o’ its banes about Loch Ken yet. An Nathair Gheal created for Alan Temperley’s book Tales of Galloway. Glenkens Gazette page 22 A Special Nicht at the Ken Bridge ‘In Galloway the Nicht...’ was quite a special evening at the Ken Bridge Hotel. In the photograph to the left, which opened the exhibition of his writings, Logan turns towards us as if to say, “O, it’s you, where have you been? What have you been up to? Yeah, I’m still here. Come in. Come in…” And so, in the packed-full carvery room of the Ken Bridge Hotel on Friday 5 September, the evening began. In conversation with well-loved traditional musician Jo Miller, Logan’s brother Dave Paterson (top right) and James Edgar entertained the gathered company with tales of the man who in his lifetime chronicled many a tale of life in the Glenkens – the old ways, folk, animals and places that found their way into his songs and poems. A selection of these was read by Dave, James, Ted Cowan, Brian Edgar, Harry Nodwell and Susan Currie whose performances in Logan’s native tongue of Galloway Scots drew out the variously humorous, tender and wistful notes of his writing. The room resounded with both laughter and silence and, when Jo’s fiddle started up, foot-tapping, followed by singing along with the chorus in her rendition of The Furmiston Clip: Gie’s some tar, gie’s some tar! Yon bit an that bit an a wee bit ower there! And with the CatStrand Singers’ performance of the beautiful Galloway Lullaby: The high circlin buzzard o’er Park of Glenlee Clouds are girdled roon the moon, sit on Millyea like a croon. My wee bairnies coorie doon, in Galloway the nicht. And behind the sun is resting on Meikle Millyea Oer the Rhinns o the Kells slowly she maks her way The ceilidh continued with chat, songs and poems from all corners of the room as folk reminisced and shared pieces that resonated with the spirit of Logan’s work – the work of a man we might call our local ‘village bard’. Tae sleep on Millfire, rollin over Milldoon And coories doon ayont Corserine It was with his own words, read in his brother’s voice, that this quite special evening closed: O the greatest o’ pleasure that ere man could hae Is to stay in the Glenkens at the end of the day The wealth o’ its beauty it sets the soul free If the evening instilled in you the desire to write about Galloway, whether in Galloway Scots or any other speak, you might be interested in meeting other local people who enjoy writing. Ken Words, who organised “In Galloway the nicht…” is a small communitybased writing project that provides opportunities to develop your writing and share it with others. If you’d like to find out more please contact me, Jane McBeth on 01644 420374 or email janeemcbeth@gmail.com THE SPEAK OF GALLOWAY Following last year’s conference on the Gaelic heritage of Galloway, this year’s ‘Speak of Galloway’ event focused on the distinctive variety of the Scots language spoken in the region. A large and enthusiastic CatStrand audience heard a range of language experts discussing the origin, nature and future of Gallovidian Scots. Professor Jeremy Smith set the language in the context of language development in these parts, Margie Ferguson with “Haud yir tongue and mind yir language” reviewed her research on the changing sound and usage of spoken Scots across the region, and Derrick McClure traced early efforts to record the leid,or language, and its meanings, most notably in “John Mactaggart’s Gallovidian Encyclopaedia”. Margie’s research confirmed the language was very much alive and distinctive, changing as all living languages should, and being used alongside standard English by all generations, including the young. Chris Rollie and Rab Wilson, both with roots in “Greater Galloway”, made fluent use of the leid itself to speak on the survival of bird names and lore in Dumfries and Galloway and evoke poetic memories of the lost Tynron village of Cormilligan. A highlight of the day was a lively discussion, conducted in Gallovidian Scots, on the culture in which the leid still thrives. Robin Jardine and John ‘Cubby’ McCubbing, drawing on lifetime Gallovidian Scots speakers Robin Jardine and John McCubbing, centre, lead a lively discussion flanked by conference organisers Ted Cowan and Michael Ansell. experiences, enthralled the audience with tales of farming, forestry and fishing in the Glenkens and spoke passionately and frankly on the threats and challenges this world and its language are facing. The organisers gratefully acknowledge the sponsorship from Beltie Books of Wigtown and the Saltire Society and the support of CatStrand. Glenkens Gazette page 23 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN The Phantoms of Halloween Currently not a day passes without some reference to 31 October – Halloween – because this year, that is the date on which our country is supposed to leave the European Union. For many of us the symbolism is perfect – the ‘day of the dead’ when bad folk are carried off to the Deil’s lair which, we might imagine, will be fuller than usual, because of the cantrips, lies, dishonesty and faithlessness of devious and deviant politicians. ‘Cantrips’ is an old Scottish word for a witch’s trick or a sham. All of this is not the stuff of celebration. Dooking for apples, scones dripping with treacle, or guising will not save us. The ignorance that permitted belief in such matters in the past has not disappeared. Today the great and the good, who allegedly know better than we do about what is good for us, are still chasing phantoms. On a cheerier note a project which has occupied some of us for the last decade, and longer, has now come to fruition. Dumfries and Galloway: People and Place c.1700 to 1914 has now been published. The book is about the folk of the region and aspects of their experience such as work, recreation, food, living conditions, communication and transport, music and song, population and emigration with specialised research on Kirkcudbright, the growth of towns and villages, smuggling, metal miners and farming. In his chapter John Burnett, formerly a National Museums of Scotland principal curator, finds that there is almost no 18th century information about Halloween before John Mayne of Dumfries published his poem with that title in 1783, inspiring Burns’ more famous production. Lizanne Henderson (University of Glasgow) contributes a chapter on folklore, a paragraph of which I borrow since it is of Glenkens interest, specifically on the subject of ghosts. Post-Reformation Scots of Protestant persuasion should not have been troubled by ghosts, notably numerous around Halloween, and thought, in earlier times, to have been the souls of the dead awaiting respite or purgatory. Medieval authorities debated whether the dead had to wait for the Last Judgement before they could be admitted to Heaven or whether they gained their berth there immediately after death. There were many elaborate variations on these ideas, largely junked by the reformers. Thomas Miller (1717-1789) inherited the Glenlee estate in Kells parish from his father and it duly passed on in turn to his own son, William, (1755-1846) Lord President of the College of Justice. Thomas’s brother was Patrick Miller of Dalswinton, the patron of Robert Burns. There were numerous stories about the haunting of Glenlee Park. A female ghost was seen by Captain Clark Kennedy and the local butler who heard the rustle of her dress as she passed by, to disappear through a rusty locked door. Another guest recognised a photograph of a deceased individual who borrowed his brush and comb. A visitor attested that a woman had been tending the fire in his room when she turned around and approached his bed, “she glared at him with such a distorted countenance which might have once been beautiful but hideous now with the expression of all the evil passions it personified”. It was believed the apparition was that of Lady Ashburton who walked about Glenlee wearing a grey silk dress. She was said to have poisoned her husband. There was a further elaboration that her butler, in turn, poisoned the lady, stealing some of her valuables. Ghost stories are fairly common. Pipers were forever playing as they marched into caves, often to be heard subsequently, but never to be seen again. Enlightenment historian Robert Heron (1764-1807) of New Galloway, refers briefly to ghosts in his History of Scotland as representations of those in purgatory who had been denied last rites, an interpretation rejected by the Protestant reformers like much else that was, as he put it, “absurd and fanciful in the opinions of the vulgar”. We will have to tolerate the absurd and fanciful views of our vulgarian politicians for some time to come. Through time 31 October may become known as ‘the day of the deadheads’. Ted Cowan The Kells Cotton Kings The amazing story linking four local families with the rise of the Manchester cotton industry is the subject of the next Glenkens Story lecture on Saturday 2 November. From the mid eighteenth century the Lancashire cotton industry began to grow at a spectacular rate to meet expanding international demand. Four men from the Glenkens parish of Kells found themselves at the centre of this dash for growth. Each had received a sound grounding during their education in Kells and went on to build businesses in the Manchester area. Through time they and their families came to dominate the fine spinning industry of Manchester and gain international reputations. Latterly, members of all the families, broadened by wealth and marriage, returned to Galloway and played a leading part in promoting the development of the Glenkens. William Kennedy, the great great Glenkens initiative helped Manchester achieve industrial fame. grandson of one of these pioneers has researched their story for his book, To Grasp an Opportunity, and will speak on the subject at 2.30pm on Saturday 2 November at CatStrand. Tickets, priced £5, are available from www.catsand.com and 01644 420 374. Glenkens Gazette page 24 The Scottish Alternative Games Now in its 43rd year, the enduring appeal of the Games once again attracted a large crowd to New Galloway. This year’s Gird ‘n’ Cleek World Champion was a New Galloway local once again, with Arthur Harfield taking the title. The Tractor Pull attracted plenty of entrants with this year’s men’s competition winner being Ralph Spernagel, and taking gold for the ladies’ event was Carolyn Godfrey. The Quad Bike Pull for the juniors attracted the biggest queue of the day, with youngsters showing their strength. The Mungo Bryson Memorial Trophy for the men’s Tossin’ the Sheaf competition was won by George Dempster, who also won the Hurlin’ the Curlin’ Stane event. In the ladies’ Tossin’ the Sheaf, for the second year running Dawn Spernagel took the gold, beating last year’s height by a foot. Dawn’s daughter Charlotte was keeping up the family tradition by coming second with an impressive height of 17ft 6in. The Snail Racing attracted big crowds as always with curious punters rolling up to support, encourage and even bribe the snails in each of the three races during the afternoon. The Classic Car Show was well supported and attracted an impressive line-up of vehicles. The show was organised by Rex Dressler with the winner being voted for by the crowd throughout the afternoon. This year’s winner was the Alvis 12/50 owned by Mr Derek Smith. The ever-popular Archery event, run by Threave Bowmen Archery Club, gave folk the chance to try their hand at the ancient skill and was very busy all afternoon. The other sideshows and stalls surrounding the arena provided something for everyone throughout the day with the opportunity to try out some of our wonderful local produce, particularly beer from Sulwath Brewery, ice cream from Glen Urr and cheese from The Damn Fine Top: Gird ‘n’ Cleek race in action by Louise Cheese Co. McClure. Above: New Gird ‘n’ Cleek World Champion Lockerbie Pipe Band set the Arthur Harfield, centre, with runner-up and former scene perfectly as always and champion Alexander McKenna and bronze medallist opened the Games in their usual Fiona McQueen. Picture by Ian Biggar. fine style, and there were also music sessions featuring local in 2020. The organisers would like to musicians outside CatStrand during the thank the many people who helped to day. make the Games a success once again The Alternative Games, originally and a big thank you to everyone who started in Parton in 1977, now look came along to spectate and compete on forward to the 20th year in New Galloway the day. Glenkens Gazette page 25 Glenkens Gazette CATSTRAND YOUTH CatStrand Youth had a fantastic summer with over twenty different page 26 events taking place and lots of new faces. Thanks to everyone who took part. We’re back running regular term-time groups and planning some exciting projects for the next few months. For updates, have a look at our website or facebook pages at www.catstrandyouth.co.uk or www.facebook.com/ catstrandyouth Above - trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Katy Billington, CatStrand Youth Arts Coordinator Photographs: Left - litter picking for our Eco Art Beach Day. Spalding Bowling Club Above left: Spalding bowling club held their open pairs - left to right are runners-up Graeme Penrose and Alastair McMillan, president Elizabeth Peacock, Valerie Russell who presented the prizes to the winners who were Isa-Jane Rogerson and David Bark, on behalf of sponsors GTR Contractors, Dumfries; Lochinvar Hotel, Dalry; and Natural Power Ltd. Above right: An excellent win for Spalding Bowling Club’s Peter Hamilton, Ian Murray, John Peacock and John McNally in winning the Stewartry Bowling Association’s county senior rinks competition. Mossdale’s Robin Hood sets off on his latest fundraising journey. Sean Has a Talent for Art Young local artist, Sean Watson, recently exhibited his work in Castle Douglas Town Hall. Sean, who is 22 was born with a considerable hearing loss, used to use his drawing to assist him to communicate, it can be very frustrating not having the words. It soon became evident that he had a talent for art. Sean went to main stream school, starting at Crossmichael Primary, and then on to Castle Douglas High School. His art, however, is very much self taught. He takes great pleasure in being asked to paint for anyone. Sean already has some paintings on display, thanks to the kindness of Mark Gilmour, of A Step Forward in Castle Douglas. Glenkens Gazette page 27 New Gates for St Margaret’s New oak gates have been installed in the Lychgate at St Margaret’s Episcopal Church, New Galloway in memory of John Maxwell (1931-2017. This is in recognition of his enormous contribution and commitment to St Margaret’s for over 50 years. A dedication ceremony took place on 25 August at which the extended Maxwell family joined the regular congregation. The original Lychgate was installed in 1911 in memory of Mr A F M Spalding who had been instrumental in the building of the church in 1904. In medieval times lychgates were made entirely of timber, perhaps with a thatched roof, but the St Margaret’s one is timber with a red tiled roof to match the church. The new oak gates have been made to match the original ones and have utilised the existing iron hinges. The Glenkens Agricultural Show also owes a debt of gratitude to John Maxwell who offered the Mains of Kenmure when the original site no longer provided enough space. It has been held on Maxwell lands ever since, apart from cancellations due to flooding and during the foot and mouth outbreak. The quiet generosity to the community was typical and he was proud to be made an Honorary President for Life Revd Canon Barry Gilbert and 12 members of the of the Glenkens Agricultural Society. Maxwell family following the dedication of the oak John Maxwell was also an gates on 25 August. independent councillor for the Glenkens, firstly in the Stewartry provides affordable housing to those in District Council, where he was chairman need in the Glenkens. After Pam Young of the housing committee for over ten died in 2008 he was elected chairman, years, and later in the amalgamated a role he undertook with diligence until Dumfries & Galloway Council. After stepping down a few months before he retiring from the Council he joined the died. newly formed Pamela Young Trust which CATSTRAND SINGERS LOOK FOR STORIES On Saturday 2 November the Catstrand Singers invite you to afternoon tea to launch and celebrate our new exciting project. 12th October 9th November 10am-12.30pm For further information or to book a stall ring 01644 430 454 or visit www.dalrytownhall.co.uk Entrance by donation - proceeds towards Dalry Town Hall Refurbishment Fund We would like to hear your stories about life in Galloway. Our musical director Nicola Black would draw on this material to produce songs. This project, funded by the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership, will culminate in a CD and booklet of these songs. Glenkens Gazette page 28 GLOBAL STRIKE FOR Conservation with John CLIMATE CHANGE Muir Awards This term Dalry Secondary School is running a John Muir award scheme which focuses on local conservation issues. On Friday 20 September there was a Global Strike for Climate Change, led by young people. Schools across the region joined the strike with pupils raising their voices in a plea that those in power look at the facts and take action in order to safeguard their futures. Kirkcudbright Academy pupils were one of the groups to organise a local strike, with school students and young people from all over the region in attendance, including Glenkens cluster pupils. Can you spot anyone you recognise in the above photograph? Glenkens Primaries Welcome to a new school year in the Glenkens Primaries. This term we welcomed a new teacher, Ruaridh Andrew, into our Primary 1/2 class at Dalry - Ruaridh will be with us for the whole session and we hope he enjoys his time here. We are looking to find more ways of working with members of our wonderful local communities and engaging more with community groups, and have a number of plans in the making. We would love to hear about any ideas, skills or interests anyone in the community has and could possibly share with us. For example, recently we had some fascinating workshops on how the respiratory system works complete with children making working models using balloons to demonstrate how our lungs inflate and deflate, all thanks to a generous member of the community donating a little of their time and a lot of their enthusiasm to support our young people’s learning. We are also thinking about our outdoor environments this year, particularly play areas and quiet meditative places. As the year progresses we may ask to see if anyone has anything they would be willing to donate to the schools to help us with these. We will let you know as our projects progress...watch this space! If you would like to get involved or have any ideas for engaging with the community, please contact the school office on 01644 430 105 or gw17officedalr yps@ea.dumgal.sch.uk Paul Scrimshaw, Glenkens Cluster Head Teacher The pupils have been learning about the importance of wild food in autumn to both the local animals and humans. As part of our conservation work we are planning to restore our school pond, which has become very overgrown. Part of this task involves removing some brambles and the pupils decided to make good use of the berries by harvesting them and turning them into jam. We will post updates on our progress on the blog as we go. Pupils are planning a range of activities and events over the coming academic year. There will be a coffee morning on 27 September, a pantomime performance on 27 November, and the community choir which runs in the school and is open to everyone is on again from 3.30-4.30pm on a Wednesday. For information on any of these activities you can contact the school office on 01644 430 259 or email gw08officed alry@ea.dumgal.sch.uk Lots more community events will pop up over the term, so please take a look at our blog to keep up to date of what’s happening at Dalry Secondary: https://blogs.glowscotland.org. uk/dg/dalrysecondary/ Pupils enjoy Roald Dahl Day fun at Dalry (left) and Kells (right) primary schools. Glenkens Gazette page 29 Glenkens Transport Ini�a�ve (GTI) is now Galloway Community Transport (GCT). Glenkens Gazette page 30 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER OCTOBER Thu 3, Community Council Elections Thu 3, Macmillan Coffee Afternoon, 14.30pm, Hair by Jayne, Main St, Dalry Fri 4, Quiz Night, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Sat 5, Family Bingo, 4-6pm, New Galloway Town Hall Fri 5, Patrick Monahan, 7.30pm, Catstrand Sat 5 & Sun 6, Exhibition Of Photographs: Dalry Then And Now By Dalry Heritage Group, Dalry Town Hall Sun 6, Ken Words: Wigtown Book Festival Trip, 10am-5pm, Catstrand Wed 9, Dalry Film Club: Wild Rose (15), 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Thur 10, Play & A Piece: My Friend Selma, 1pm, Catstrand Fri 11, Talk: The Galloway Hoard - Everything That You Should Know, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Fri 11, Vanives, 7.30pm, Catstrand Sat 12, Glenkens Farmers Market, 10am-12.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Wed 16, Theatre: The Man Who Planted Trees, 1pm, Catstrand Sat 19, Anne Chaurand: A Musical Journey Through Pieces Inspired By Scottish, Celtic & Latin Landscapes (Classical Guitar), 7.30pm, Balmaghie Church, Glenlochar. To book tickets call 01644 430 052 Wed 23, Dalry Film Club: Fisherman’s Friends (12a), 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 25, Dark Sky Jazz: Tommy Smith & Brian Kellock, 7.30pm, Catstrand Sat 26, Vikings In D&g, An Event For All The Family, 2.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Sun 27, Climate Change Conversation With Dougie Campbell, 2.30pm, Catstrand Tue 29, Eos: Leonardo The Works, 7.30pm, Catstrand NOVEMBER Sat 2, Glenkens Story: Cotton Kings Of Kells, 2.30pm, Catstrand, See P21 Sat 2, Singing the Galloway Glens, 3pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 9, Family Bingo, 4-6pm, New Galloway Town Hall Sat 9, Glenkens Farmers Market, 10am-12.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Sun 10, Film: Cloudforest (Pg), Followed By Discussion, In Partnership With Stewartry Climate Group, 2.30pm, Catstrand Wed 13, Dalry Film Club: Journeys End (12a), 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Thurs 14, Elmøe & Hoffman, 7.30pm, Catstrand Sat 16, Carsphairn Heritage Group Agm, 3pm, Lagwyne Hall Sun 17, Nancy Kerr & Luke Daniels, 2.30pm, Catstrand Wed 20, Ken Words: Karen Campbell, 7pm, Catstrand Sat 23, Battle Of The Bands, Castle Douglas Town Hall, See P26 Sat 23, Catstrand Christmas Shopping Day, 11am-4pm, Catstrand, New Galloway Sat 23, Rankin & Robertson, 7.30pm, Catstrand Sun 24, Community Beetle Drive, Balmaclellan Village Hall, time tbc Sun 24, Climate Cafe, 2-4pm, CatStrand Wed 27, Dalry Secondary School Pantomime, See P28 DECEMBER Sun 1, Community Christmas Concert, New Galloway Town Hall, time tbc Fri 6 & Sat 7, CatStrand Youth Players Christmas Panto, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 7, Christmas Craft Fair, 11am4pm, Mossdale Village Hall p14-15: Galloway Glens Diary p11: Connecting in Communities Events & Activities LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Contact Shirley McNaught on 07955 743 022 or drop by the charity shop on Main Street, Dalry Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact Ros Hill on ros.hill@rathanhouse.co.uk Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Andi Holmes on andiholmes@hotmail.com or 07729 292 126 Dalry Town Hall: Contact Jim Reid on 01644 430231 New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact Sam Rushton on 07741 656601 or samCEW@ newgallowaycommunity.shop or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins on julia.higgins55@outlook.com CatStrand: Contact Chris Jowsey at chris@catstrand.com 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Schools: Pop into 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 Group: carsphairnheritagegroup@ gmail.com Bright Stars - Glenkens Community Nursery: Contact glenkenscommunitynursery@gmail.com Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP): Contact McNabb Laurie on mcnabb.laurie@dumgal.gov.uk 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 Gazette page 31 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Film Makers’ Club, Mon 7-8.30pm Exercise to Music: Mon 9.3010.30am MMM Adult Colours & Dance: 2.30pm-3.30pm MMM Health, Play & Creative Movement: 3-7yrs, Mon (term-time) 3.45-4.30pm MMM Children’s Grades & Youth Dance: 8-16yrs, Mon (term-time) 4.30-5.30pm Youth Volunteer Meet-up, 1st Tues of the month, 6-8pm, FREE PIZZA Choreographic Skills Lab, Mon (term-time) 7-8.30pm, ages 12-18 Animation Club, Tues 4-6pm (starts 12 Feb then fortnightly) Gentle Tai Chi: Wed 10am Wendletrap Tai Chi, Wed 2-3.30pm Game Tech, last Wed each month, 6-8pm Writers’ Cafe, 2nd Thurs each month 7-9pm Sing it Out, Thurs 11am -12pm CatStrand Ukes, 1st & 3rd Thurs each month, 1–3.30pm Yoga, Tues 6.30-7.30pm & Thurs 9.15-10.45am Learn the Whistle, (starts 28 Feb; 8-week block. Ages 412 - 3.45-4.30pm; Age 12+ & Adults - 5-6.30pm). Contact chris@catstrand.com to find out more Zumba Gold, Fri (term-time) 9.3010.30am, CatStrand, 16+ Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry: GCC Playgroup, Tues, Wed & Thurs 9.15-11.45am Guides, Tues 6-8pm Yoga, Wed 7.30-8.45pm, for info call Carylann on 07817 400 287 Brownies, Thurs 6-7.30pm Kickback Martial Arts, Thurs 79pm Thursday Craft Group, Thurs 24pm Glenkens Children’s Club, Fri 10am-12noon New Galloway Town Hall: Glenkens Art Workshop, Mon 24pm during term-time LING Elevenses & Lunches, Tues 11am-2pm Fast Broadband Access, Tues 11am-2pm Skills for Life, get up to speed on current technology, Tues 2-4pm, for info call CD IT centre on 01556 503167 Table Tennis & Carpet Bowls, Tues 7-9pm Circuits, Tues 5.30-6.30pm Zumba, Wed 7.30-8.30pm, 11+ Circuits, Sat 8-9am Various Locations: Hatha Yoga, Mon 10-11.15am, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Carsphairn Post Office, Wed 1.15-3pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Dalry WI, 3rd Tues each month 2pm, Dalry Town Hall (except Jun, Jul & Aug) Beavers, Tues 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training, Tues & Thurs 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Mossdale Painters, Wed 9.30am, Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND: Sunday Services: Balmaclellan 10am: 1st. Carsphairn 11.15am: 1st,2nd, 3rd, 4th. Dalry 10am: 2nd, 4th. Kells 10am: 3rd. Kells 10am: 3rd. Special Services/Events: Family Service, 13 Oct, 10am, Dalry Church. Quiz Night, Fri 8 Nov, 7.30 pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall. Communion Service: 27 Oct, 10am, Dalry Church. 17 Nov, 11.15am, Carsphairn Church. SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm. Mossdale Village Hall Chat, Cuppa & a Cake, Wed 10am2.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Community Choir, Wed 3.304.30pm, Dalry Secondary School Gentle Dru Yoga, Wed 7.30-9pm & Thu 12.30–2pm, Laurieston Village Hall, contact 450269 Youth Writing, 1st Thurs each month (during term time) 3.30-5pm, ages 10-15, Dalry Library Kettlebells, Balmaclellan Village Hall, Thurs 6-7pm Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thurs of the month, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn, for further info call Christine on 01644 460 577 Coffee & Craft, Fri 9am-12noon, Lagwyne Hall Folk Music Session, 4th Fri each month 7.30/8pm till closing, Ken Bridge Hotel Scouts, Thu 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Gentle Tai Chi, Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall Golf Junior Coaching, Sat 10-11: 30am, New Galloway Golf Course, see p8 Restoring Footpaths, Sat 10am1pm, phone 420 632 to confirm Junior Golf & Come-and-Try for all ages, New Galloway Golf Course, Sat 10am Yoga and Meditation Evening, every 3rd Sunday of the month, 7p9pm, Drumwhill, Mossdale. Contact Rachael 01644 450269 to book. Men’s Shed, Old Smiddy, Balmaclellan. Opening times: Mon 9.30am-4pm & 6.30-8.30pm; Wed 9.30am-1pm & woodcarving from 24pm; Fri 9.30am-12noon. Dalry Library Tuesdays 10.30am-2pm Fridays 11am-4.30pm For further informa�on contact Castle Douglas library on 01556 502 643 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Police, non-emergency: 101 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 32 WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE OLD SMIDDY? Anyone passing through Balmaclellan will have noticed some changes happening to The Smiddy in the centre of the village. The building is now nearing completion and has been transformed into a light and airy venue with facilities for meetings, small events and community activities. The design draws on the history of the building as a public house and then a smiddy, with a great many of the original features being retained whilst transforming the interior into a warm and welcoming space fit for the 21st century. Robert Paterson, known best as Old Mortality, of Covenanting times, would surely have approved; he and his family reputedly lived in the building and his wife set up the first school in Balmaclellan. The intention is that the new building will complement the Men’s Shed at the rear, the success of which gave Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) the confidence to progress with the development of the rest of the site. It was the first Men’s Shed in the region and now has a membership of nearly forty people, over 20% of whom are women. It has well-equipped woodworking and metalworking rooms, and even a bike maintenance facility and is open three days a week. The renovation works at The Smiddy have only been possible with the support of LEADER, Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP) and private donors to whom we are extremely grateful. GCAT is now working to raise additional funds to enable the building to be used to its full potential. It will be a true multiuse space and will complement the other facilities available in the village and the wider Glenkens. The intention is to have a focus on young people and we are actively looking at the potential for modern apprentice training with a slant towards traditional skills. An exciting development is that the main meeting room, which will be designated the Watson room, will host a permanent display of Donald Watson’s paintings. Additionally, the key exhibit from the recent Energise exhibition at Gracefield, titled Watershed, will be on permanent loan at The Smiddy thanks to the generosity of the purchaser. Whilst embryonic at this stage, we see The Smiddy as an appropriate venue to host an exhibition of the Balmaclellan mirror which is currently housed in the National Museum of Scotland. This local treasure is a very early Bronze Age mirror which has been on national tour but never been back to its original home. There will be broadband installed as this is required to maximise the potential of the building. We see there being opportunities to run training courses and potential distance learning from colleges, etc. One of the rooms has also been constructed with added sound insulation so that it can be used for recording, music, gaming, fllming, and these kinds of things as these activities ROWAN HOLIDAY COTTAGE GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE are in high demand at CatStrand and having additional space to facilitate them will enable more people to participate. In the early stages, The Smiddy will primarily accommodate activities displaced from CatStrand as the latter is bursting at the seams, but it is very much the intention that The Smiddy becomes a parallel facility which will have its own personality and add to the facilities of the Glenkens as a whole. There will initially be a series of ‘soft’ openings to test the venue, but in the not too distant future we plan to have a grand opening party, so keep a look out for further updates. Alan Smith ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway 4 Star Rated - Sleeps Six Dog friendly - Private Parking Secluded Garden FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 07503 958 710 01644 420234 An ideal base for exploring Galloway... WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk DEC/JAN COPY DEADLINE: 5 NOV Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 114 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_114 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 2019 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/259/GlenkensGazette113.pdf 4a34a041501d157fb545262908237c5b 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 113 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document GLENKENS GAZETTE News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry August/September 2019 ISSUE 113 FREE AUTUMN FEAST ON THE MENU Get ready to enjoy the first Glenkens Food Month when we will be celebrating the wealth and diversity of local produce right here in the Glenkens. Throughout September we will have the opportunity to celebrate, sample and purchase locally sourced and produced food and drink. An exciting calendar for the month will include new events across the Glenkens and the promotion of existing activities and businesses focusing on food and drink. The programme kicks off with communities around the Glenkens hosting a Pot Luck Supper on Friday 6 September, and will finish with a Community Ceilidh on Saturday 28 September. As the change in season brings us a wealth of autumn fare, including apples, berries and squashes among many others, there will be a chance to learn the delights we can create with them. Whether you want to apple-press in the Garroch Garden, hear how local food is produced, forage in the wild, learn a new recipe, taste a new wine, gin or liqueur, create pizzas or ‘Rove for your Supper’ there will certainly be something for everyone. And be sure to come along to the Glenkens Feastival on Saturday 21 September, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy food whilst being entertained by local performers and bands. An event not to be missed is the Glenkens Food Trail on Saturday 14 September. Why not explore the Glenkens, taking in the sights and tasty delights of the area? Mossdale, New Galloway, Dalry, Carsphairn, Balmaclellan and Parton will be offering food tasting, walks, talks, demonstrations and activities for children - a fabulous day out for everyone. There will be a calendar detailing events available from local retail outlets from the beginning of August, as well as updates and ongoing information on Facebook @Glenkens Food Month and displayed throughout the Glenkens. Glenkens Food Month has been made possible by grants from the Connect Local Regional Food Fund* and Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership. New Galloway Community Enterprises Ltd have donated the services of their Community Engagement Worker, Sam Rushton, to co-ordinate the event, working collaboratively with local businesses, community organisations will be bursting with our favourite recipes. Sam Rushton is keen to receive contributions for this - a photo of the completed recipe would be a bonus and hopefully tempt us to give it a go ourselves! If you are an individual, business, organisation, supplier or producer and wish to be part of this project, host an event, submit a recipe or would like more information please contact Sam at samCEW@n ewgallowaycommunity.shop or phone 07741 656 601 or pop into New Galloway Community Shop. ...a wealth of autumn fare, including apples, berries and squashes among many others... *The Connect Local Regional and individuals. As a project legacy we are planning The Glenkens Gourmet book which A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve Food Fund is financed by The Scottish Government, in partnership with industry, and has been created to promote local food and drink, in line with Ambition 2030. www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 WIND FARM FUND OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS The Blackcraig Wind Farm Community Fund opened on 1 June. The fund is being administered by Foundation Scotland. The deadline for applying is 23 August 2019 with decisions due in November. The overall purpose of the Fund is to help our communities to be even better places to live and visit for people of all ages. Groups can apply for grants of between £500 and £25,000 for projects that will help the communities become more connected, strong, creative, inclusive, healthy and long lasting. A wide range of charitable activities that will benefit the community can be funded. As is usual in these types of funds there are also some restrictions, for example awards cannot be made to individuals or for political or religious purposes. Drop-in sessions were held in early June across the area where representatives of Foundation Scotland and The Glenkens & District Trust, who will make the decisions on the awards, attended to answer questions and provide support. They were very well attended with people asking questions about a wide range of potential applications. Early indications are that there will be no shortage of applications! Once the closing date for applications is reached, Foundation Scotland will review applications to ensure they are eligible. They are also likely to contact applicants to discuss the application to ensure the information is clear. They will then produce information to enable The Glenkens & District Trust to make the decisions. The Community Councils have also received their individual awards from the fund and are making their own arrangements to use this amount within their own individual Community Council areas. As individual Community Councils they can decide how best to use the money on charitable projects to benefit their area although similar restrictions apply as in the main fund. They can decide to use the money for their own projects or to invite applications from their community. Support and information will be available during the application phase from Foundation Scotland who have their local office in Gatehouse of Fleet. Details on the criteria for awards, where to ask questions and how to apply are available on the following website: www.foundationscotland.org.uk/ programmes/blackcraig Tour of Britain Cycle Race The opening stage of this year’s Tour of Britain will take place on 7 September, starting in Glasgow and passing along the A713 through the Glenkens on its way to the finish in Kirkcudbright. The stage will be jointly hosted by EventScotland, Glasgow Life and Dumfries and Galloway Council. This year’s race will begin on a Saturday for the first time since 2010, heading along the A713 through the Glenkens around lunchtime. Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: "The Tour of Britain presents cycling fans with an unparalleled opportunity to see their favourite teams and riders take to the roads." Dumfries and Galloway most recently welcomed the OVO Energy Tour of Britain in 2016, but has been a regular fixture on the route of Britain’s most prestigious cycle race, having hosted stages on nine previous occasions. Councillor Adam Wilson, the Council’s events champion, said: "Cycling fans in our corner of Scotland will be thrilled with the news that the Tour of Britain is to return to Dumfries and Galloway. The Tour is a much-loved event here, and we are proud of our long association with the UK’s most significant cycling event." The event features Olympic, World and Tour de France champions, and attracts a roadside audience of over 1.5m spectators. Live coverage of the race is shown daily in the UK on ITV4 and Eurosport. Pictured: Far left - The 2019 stage one route. Near left - Andre Greipel salutes the Castle Douglas crowd after winning the Scottish Stage of the Tour in 2016. Glenkens Gazette page 3 Help Your Community Have a Voice Community councils are the most local tier of statutory representation in Scotland. They bridge the gap between local authorities and communities, and help to make public bodies aware of the opinions and needs of the communities they represent. There are around 1,200 community councils in Scotland. Here in the Glenkens we are lucky enough to have five active community councils - Balmaclellan, Dalry, Carsphairn, New Galloway & Kells, and Parton - and they all welcome anyone who wishes to become involved in their local community. As a statutory body there are some rules, one of which is that all community councils must hold an election every four years – that date is now fixed for 3 October. An election allows new people the opportunity to become involved and help their local community and existing members also need to reapply. If you wish to become a community councillor you must be over 16 years old, resident in the community council area and be on the Electoral Register. You will need a proposer, who should also be on the Electoral Register in your area. Nomination papers are available on the Dumfries & Galloway Council website (www.dumgal.gov.uk/ communitycouncils) or by emailing community.councils@dumgal.gov.uk Nominations are open from Tuesday 13 August to Tuesday 3 September. An election ballot will only be held, on Thursday 3 October, if there are more nominations than places on the community council. If there is a specific project you want to get involved with it is also possible to become co-opted as a temporary member. Community council meetings are updates on projects such as Galloway Glens. With wind farm money starting to come through there may also be discussion on local projects that might benefit from funding. Representatives from the police usually attend as well as one of our Dumfries & Galloway Councillors (Dougie Campbell, Pauline Drysdale or Jane Maitland). All community council meetings are open to everyone so if you’d like to find out more, why not pop along to your next local meeting, days and times as follows: Balmaclellan, last Monday of month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall. Carsphairn, last Monday of month, 7pm, Lagwyne Village Hall. Dalry, first Monday of month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells, second Monday of month, 7pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Parton, bi-monthly (next will be Sept), 7pm, Parton Village Hall. Mossdale don’t have a community council. Corsock and Kirkpatrick Durham (KPD) are joined, and have meetings monthly at 7.30pm either in Corsock Village Hall or KPD Village Hall. Nb Parton and Corsock are in the Castle Douglas Ward, as opposed to the Glenkens and Dee Ward. Community councils...bridge the gap between local authorities and communities... usually held once a month and typical items on the agenda could include: planning applications, reports of road issues such as potholes, broken pavements or street lights requiring repair, upcoming local events and Carsphairn Primary School BBQ Carsphairn Primary School celebrated its 296th year with a community barbecue and open house. There were displays of school work past and present, along with many former members of staff, pupils and parents present, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed the live music, delicious food and stimulating conversation. After the summer holidays Carsphairn School will be undergoing a process termed ‘mothballing’, which involves the school going into a temporary waiting period of closure until the current children in Carsphairn parish reach school age or new children move into the parish where they will be able to attend this wonderful little school. The only two pupils currently attending will be leaving to go to secondary school this August, so with no pupils, the school has no choice but to undergo this process. A big thank you goes out to Margaret Heuchan, Claire Edgar and all the rest of the people involved in creating this brilliant event. With only another four more years before the school’s 300th anniversary of serving the community, here’s to another 296 years of this excellent rural school. Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by EVERYTHING listed in the Glenkens Freecycle section is FREE - you just need to contact the owner and go and pick it up! If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch with Sarah on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk OFFERED Yamaha Electone electric organ. Very good condition. Must collect. Contact: Christine: 01556 690 530. Tile adhesive remover. Unopened and with full instructions. Small Black & Decker strimmer. Suitable for small area only. 6 brake/tail light/flasher auto bulbs. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011. Very old petrol-driven rotovator, engine needs work but all moving parts move. Contact: 0775 229 3138. 2-seater three piece suite, never sat on. Electric fire with artificial fire effect, hardly used. Contact: Mr Fisher on 01644 430 493 until 6 August; thereafter, contact Sarah on 07727 127 997. Trampoline. Contact: 01644 430 380. FOR SALE Set of 15 blue and white antique plates in varying sizes. Not valuable but I can date these around 1912. £20 for the set. Contact: Sue on 07563 718 011. Small under-counter fridge. Good condition, about four years old; £20. Contact: 07876 353 557 after Monday 5 August (I can help with removal if necessary). Spalding Bowling Club Spalding Bowling Club in Dalry held its open triples competition. Pictured are (left to right): Runners up Scott McCubbin, Emma Russell, Trudy McCubbin, club president Elizabeth Peacock, Steve Papworth who presented the prizes to the winners, Eddie Harris, Daisy Davidson, Craig Cobbledick (Ayrshire) on behalf of the sponsors Clachan Inn, Dalry, and W Johnstone & Son of Crocketford. Valerie Russell “I will certainly be running my ad in the Glenkens Gazette again. It has generated a good deal of interest, and brought in business already." Ian Glenkens Agricultural Society Annual Show Saturday 17th August 2019 Newfield Farm, Dalry Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Poultry, Horses, Show Jumping, Fancy Dress Pony, Pets & Dogs, Crookmaking, Refreshments, Schedules from Judith Cowie on 07743 004 189 or judith_2006@hotmail.co.uk Gordon McAdam New Galloway Golf Club Founded 1902 www.nggc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Plumbing & Heating HOUSE REPAIRS JOINERY 22 Kirkland Street St John‛s Town of Dalry Semi-retired Furniture Maker & Builder in GLENKENS AREA 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Call Pete on 07970 462 088 ...special rates for inclusion of tea, cake and friendly banter... Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by GLENKENS CLIMATE CAFE A cafe with a difference is coming to the Glenkens. Starting in October there will be a Climate Cafe during the autumn which will provide anyone who is interested with the opportunity to share their feelings and concerns about the climate crisis confronting us. Anxiety about climate change is widespread but what can we do as individuals? Gathered informally in small groups in the Climate Cafe, we will be able to explore what we can do, as individuals and with others. Climate change need not be a taboo subject. Having the conversation can be empowering and energising and reassures us that we are not facing this challenging subject in isolation. The Glenkens Climate Cafes will be held in CatStrand on Sunday afternoons. Admission is free but booking is required. The usual range of teas, coffees and light refeshments will be on sale. The Climate Cafe is organised by the Glenkens Climate Group, part of the Stewartry Climate Group. Dates will be announced in the next Gazette. Growing Greens in New Galloway New Galloway’s resident ‘flower fairies’, Linda Garretty and Marion Briggs, have gone a massive step further in their gardening efforts this year. their annual scattering of colourful tubs and baskets of summer flowers. This year they have also conjured up wooden planters containing all manner of edible herbs, flowers and vegetables. Taking inspiration from the national Incredible Edible initiative which aims to encourage communities to grow and celebrate local food, New Galloway’s very own Galloway Greens was sprouted. Then, with a bit of help from their gardening friends, and The ‘fairies’ keep the village looking some extremely generous donations beautiful with a lovely and wellfrom local businesses, charities and maintained community garden and one very special personal donation, timber was bought, planters were made, seeds were sown and now, after a lot of hard work by all concerned, the planters are producing a leafy array of green goodness! The Galloway Greens planters have been placed in eight New Galloway’s resident ‘flower fairies’ and their helpers.... accessible and well-walked locations around the village. Folk are welcomed and encouraged to help themselves to what they need – lettuce and rocket leaves for salad, a bit of broccoli or a few carrots and mangetout for dinner, or just a sprinkle of parsley for those lovely new potatoes you just bought at the New Galloway Community Shop. Pupils and adults from Kells School have visited Marion in her polytunnel and have been learning how to ‘prick’ out young seedlings, a skill that will be very useful when tending their own productive school garden. Some of those children who live in the village are going to be busy watering our new little green gardens, and any help that anyone can give with watering the flower containers along the High Street would be most welcome. If you look carefully, you will see that each planter carries a small plaque naming one of the sponsors of the project. Galloway Greens would like to thank the following people for their interest, generosity and support: Martin & Green, Builders, Castle Douglas. Rembrand, Dalbeatie. Natural Power Consultants Ltd, Dalry. Marc Henklemann, Architectural Services, Kirkcudbright. Russ & Jill Russell, formerly of Greenhead House, New Galloway. Andy McQuaker, Contract Services. New Galloway Alternative Games Fund. Bute-II-Full Garden Centre, Castle Douglas. Glenkens Gazette page 6 New Galloway Celebrates More than 80 residents and friends of New Galloway gathered in the Town Hall for a Pie and Baked Tattie Supper to celebrate the second anniversary of New Galloway’s Community Shop. It was great to share the company of many familiar faces and also to welcome some of the newcomers who have joined the community in the last couple of years. While guests enjoyed the meal served by committee members and helpers, a programme of entertainment was staged, compered by Anne Errington. Performers included Andrew Biellinski, Scottish songs; Andrew Frew, poetry; Bill Wiseman, hurdy gurdy; Dante Newberry, piano; Ellen Biellinski, violin; Fiona Edgar, violin & piano; Florrie Newberry, piano; ‘Geoff of Dunscore’, recitations and Rory Newberry, piano. It was heartening to be reminded that we have so much talent, of all ages, in our community. New Galloway Community Enterprises Ltd (NGCE) now operates two 4-star self-catering holiday lets and a community laundry in addition to the shop. As a community benefit society, NGCE is owned by its 250 members but, with a view to building up resilience for the future, the evening also saw the launch of an Open Share offer to give residents and friends of New Galloway and Kells the chance of buying shares and becoming members if they have not already done so. NGCE would like to thank Community Shares Scotland for sponsoring the launch, our Community Engagement Worker, Sam Rushton, and Margaret Watson for devising and organising the event, all our very able performers and everyone who helped before, during and after the event. Pictured: Top Participants formed a procession led by piper, Ian Wemyss, which made its way from the shop to the Town Hall at the start of the event. Right - Story-teller Anne Errington was one of those who entertained the residents and friends of New Galloway during the Supper. THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Sat 2-2.30 pm DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 7 THANKS TO GUERILLA GARDENERS The beautiful garden at the New Galloway town sign is really lovely this year, all courtesy of our ‘guerilla gardeners’. The flower bed is stunning, and I just wanted to give a shout-out of thanks in the Gazette to let the gardeners know how much it is appreciated. Nicky GLENKENS ROUTE Thursdays: 12noon-1pm – Crossmichael 1-2pm – Parton/Loch Ken Holiday Park 2-4pm – Balmaclellan area 4-5.30pm – The Hidden Road Fridays: 8-10.30am – Dalry 10.30-11am – Glenlee Area 11am – New Galloway 12noon – New Galloway Shop 2pm – Mossdale area 3-4pm – Laurieston to Gatehouse Please note that all times are approximate. 07966 103 912 charliecoid@hotmail.com Fleet Fish aims to provide top quality produce which is sourced as locally as possible. We take pride in offering friendly door-to-door service tailored to our customers’ needs. Glenkens Gazette PICNIC IN THE PARK 2019 This year’s Picnic in the Park in New Galloway was another great success, despite the rather damp conditions. number of table-top games and a stall. One of the most popular activities of the afternoon was the Pet Show, also organised by the school. Pets, including a hamster, a rabbit, a chicken and lots of dogs, entered classes such as Waggiest Tail, Best Six Legs and Pet the Judges Would Most Like to Take Home. Kells Primary School helped with The stocks were once again this year’s event and organised a popular with various unfortunate but brave people being soaked with wet sponges! Races were organised by Sam Rushton and her helpers, and included a three-legged race and eggand-spoon races. Glen Urr came along with their ice cream van, there were strawberries, Visitors enjoying this year’s Picnic in the Park. ULTRASOUND PREGNANCY SCANNING ����������������� �������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ��������������������� ����������������������������� For bookings and info: Duncan Kennedy 07860 474001 dk@passcan.co.uk www.passcan.co.uk page 8 Pimm’s, prosecco and a BBQ. Fabby Cakes also had a stall with their cakes, pasties and sausage rolls. The committee would like to thank everyone who supported the event and those who donated things and helped on the day. We are planning to use some of the donations to renovate the seats in the village, and possibly also purchase another picnic table for the park. As always, any donations will be put back into the community. Next year we are hoping to arrange a special event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE day. Instead of a picnic, we are planning a Party in the Park, similar to the street parties that took place 75 years ago. Everyone in New Galloway and Kells Parish will be invited and there will be a tea – which might just include Spam sandwiches! There will also be games for the children and music from the 1940s. This is still in early stages of planning but if anyone knows of events that took place in New Galloway in 1945 please do let us know and we will try to re-enact them. Joan Walker, New Galloway Celebratory Events Committee Glenkens Gazette page 9 CatStrand Highlights CatStrand and our partner venues have some great events coming up over August and September in the Glenkens. Our Movie in the Park is back on Sunday 18 August - bring a deck chair and wrap up against the drizzle for The Way Way Back (12A), a film which promises “the best two scenes ever filmed on a waterslide” (The Atlantic). The screening will start after dark, around 9pm, in New Galloway Park. Samson Sounds lead the charge in Scotland's world dance music scene. Catch them with guest vocalist, Tom Spiral, at Dalry Town Hall on Friday 16 August as part of Dalry's new live events programme. The Dalry Film Club are back with a selection of big-hitters in September. Bohemian Rhapsody (12A) will screen on Wednesday 4 September, and comedy Stan and Ollie (PG) on Wednesday 18 September. Blackbird Opera perform The Marriage of Figaro as part of their regional tour following months of rehearsal at 'Ai the Arts' on Sunday 25 August. A Play and Piece returns on Thursday 19 September with a one-act play fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe, Hindsight, performed by local company Fox and Hound. Starting at 1pm, the play ticket includes your ‘piece’ and a drink. World class Scottish folk graces CatStrand's auditorium in these late Summer months; BBC Radio Scotland Young Trad Musician finalist, Iona Fyfe, performs Aberdeenshire rooted ballads with her trio on Saturday 17 August. Musical geniuses and old friends, Ross Ainslie & Tim Edey, combine talents for a special show at CatStrand on Friday 30 August, and acclaimed Orcadian four-piece Fara offer up their “tumbling cascade of Northern Isles fiddle” (Folk Radio) on Saturday 7 September. Queen of the South fans should get their tickets booked for an Samson Sounds archive screening event on Sunday 1 September. Join CatStrand's own Brian Edgar for an evening of vintage matches, sharing of more recent action, photos and recollections of heroes past and present - during the evening Brian, who has been a loyal supporter of the club for the latter half of its existence, will attempt to explain why! Catstrand’s Summer Youth Programme Our youth summer programme has started and it’s jam-packed with workshops, trips and events for young people, most of which are free. From gaming to photography, printmaking to magazine creation, we’ve got it covered. All are welcome, so pop into the youth booth or CatStrand for a brochure. Some events to look out for are included below. Football Heroes: Meet the Author and Kickaround (Mon 12 Aug, 13pm, ages 7+, booking required): Join the author of the Ultimate Football Hero series - Matt Oldfield - to hear the incredible stories of Pick up a CatStrand Youth Summer programme from retail outlets around the Glenkens. your favourite footballers and their journeys from playground to pitch. This will be followed by the ultimate football match where you’ll get to represent your favourite player. Will De Gea save the day or will Mbappé shoot his team to victory? There’s only one way to find out! Dragaoke Night (Wed 14 Aug, 7.30pm start, ages 12+): Featuring local drag queen Devine Tension, this will be an evening of amazing outfits, superb lip-synching and all the glitter. If you’re interested in seeing how Devine transforms herself, come along to her makeover session beforehand. Movie in the Park: The Way, Way, Back (Sun 18th Aug, 9pm film start, ages 12+): Our annual film night in New Galloway Park returns with this coming-of-age story about a young introvert who finds unexpected refuge and friends in a local waterpark. The BBQ will start around 8pm and remember to bring something to sit on! In September, we’ll be on the lookout for new youth volunteers to join our team. If you’re in S1 or above and interested in the arts, get in touch with katy@catstrand.com or pop into CatStrand for a chat. Glenkens Gazette page 10 Unusual Glenkens Garden Visitors I have had some new visitors to my garden for the last few weeks...pine martens. People who have seen my pictures of them seem really interested. Most folk have never seen a pine marten and if they have it is only one or two. I thought others might be interested to know that we have these rare creatures here in New Galloway. I am really fortunate to live on the edge of the Galloway Forest and have a wonderful variety of birds and other wildlife visiting the feeders in my garden. I looked out at about 9am one morning and my first thought was “that’s a very big squirrel”, I soon realised that it wasn’t a squirrel and after a quick look on good old Google was sure it was a pine marten. I have never seen one in the 25 years we have lived here so knew little about them, hence some more investigation on the Scottish Natural Heritage site. It seems they are quite rare and at one time were almost extinct in Scotland except in the north but there is a small reintroduced population here in Galloway. A week after my first sighting I saw them again so set up a wildlife camera that I hadn’t used for some time. They are now coming regularly and there seems to be a family of three youngsters. Some of the videos are quite funny with one trying to open the lid of Pine marten at the feeder in Joan’s garden. the feeder while another is sitting on it, on others one will also prey on grey squirrels as they are sit on the lid while another has slower than red squirrels so that is his head in the box! They are mainly good news. I still have plenty of red nocturnal but I do see them early squirrels, when the pine martens head morning and in the evening. off to bed the squirrels come to see if I understand that they will take they have left them plenty of nuts! young birds which is a shame though I feel very privileged to have so I think the ones visiting me will much interesting wildlife - the feeder have plenty food with the amount of in question is only six metres from my peanuts they are eating! They also house. catch mice and rats and apparently Joan Walker THE GARDEN SPOT OK…hands up who got caught out by the late frosts and cold nights in May! (My hand is up, by the way.) The last few years have been kind to us gardeners; when the weather turns warmer (and usually wetter) for the first time in May, we have got away with putting out our pots, tubs and baskets, and planting out our tender veg. But not this time. Night time temperatures during May were consistently cold, down to plus three to plus five in new money. That’s not a frost I hear you say; no, but low soil temperatures meant that stuff just didn’t get going (see how late the tatties were at coming up) and many of the ornamentals took a ‘check’ and just sat there in a huff for several weeks. Yes, I did bring my pots, tubs and baskets in for the night when it looked like going down to five Celsius or below, and that helped. But I couldn’t do much about the runner beans and sweet corn that I had planted out. They got badly frosted and even the fleece wasn’t enough protection. Fortunately, I had a backup set of plants coming along in the greenhouse – in a good year I don’t need them so they get given to friends or the charity shop, but this year I needed them and planted out for a second time in late May. I had seed left so I planted up a third lot in the greenhouse. Just as well, because rabbits got in and demolished my second planting – such is the lot of the gardener. Rabbit proof netting and warmer nights at the start of June, saw the third set planted out and are now all doing well. So, what am I saying? Well, have a plan, and a backup plan. If you have to go to the backup plan, create a new backup plan, it certainly saved my season. It did give me a chance to see how cold affects different plants though. Runner beans were truly frosted and they turned limp; after a day or two they turned brown and were destined for the compost bin. My sweet corn turned very pale green, then yellow and almost white so they followed the beans. With some other plants, the leaves turned a purplish colour or curled up – most of them grew out of it OK. Having now dug my early tatties (doesn’t that leave the ground dry?) I will now be adding some compost and fertiliser, watering well and planting out with some late season veg and salads: lettuce, callaloo, pak choi, Japanese onions. But before that, a mass of dead-heading and weeding. Pots and baskets are at their best just now and the garlic is the best I’ve ever had, so there are always rewards. The Intrepid Gardener Rabit-proof sweetcorn. Glenkens Gazette page 11 NEW GALLOWAY GOLF CLUB New Galloway Golf Club is enjoying a great summer, not least was our Captain’s Day celebrations held in June. The day began with the now annnual 9-hole Junior competition for the Les Burton Trophy. The winner, once again, was young Chloe Aitken with a fine net 31. However, much praise must go to Sophie Roberts who, although still under 10 years of age, played her heart out to come a close second with an amazing net 32. Following the juniors the main event took centre stage, playing for the Jack McQueen Trophy and, once again, the ladies were to the fore. The winner, although only on the last 6 holes, was Janette Davidson with 38 points, with Marena McClymont second also on 38 points. The Gents quaich was won by Scott Jamieson with 38 points. The Junior quaich was won by Fiona McQueen, who shot a fantastic 37 points. Following the main event, the traditional Junior parent putting Prize winners on Captain’s Day. competition was won by young Hector McCulloch and his Mum. Once again the members all contributed to an amazing buffet and we would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make the day a huge success. The Club's ladies have recently had much success outwith the club with the vice captian, Marena McClymont, and Anne McQueen winning the Southerness Open, and Elena Rogers and Erica Porteous in the prize list at the Dalbeattie Open. Our Junior coaching programme continues to be very popular with up to 20 children attending every Saturday morning and our coaches continuing to work in the local schools. Ian Brown A Lifetime Love of Motorbikes I was brought up surrounded by motorbikes, my father being a motorcycle engineer at a time when few families owned cars and most people got around on a bike. I love to see all the old models brought out for their summer airing each year – especially if there's a chance of a close-up look and a chat with the owner. Nostalgia on Two Wheels On our winding roads each springtime Touring 'neath uncertain skies, Vintage British motorcycles Made with pride in years gone by. From their winter hibernation Matchless, Douglas, BSA... Royal Enfield, Francis Barnet... To the hills of Galloway! Oh, the sight of them reminds me Of the happy days of yore, When we travelled round the country With our Ariel Square Four. Chromework polished to perfection, Paintwork gleaming, lamps all bright, James, Excelsior and Norton, Oh what transport of delight. Once to grimy work they took us, To the factories grim and grey. Now they cruise in sleek retirement Through the hills of Galloway. by Sue Wiseman (with apologies to anyone whose favourite bike I have left out...) Glenkens Gazette page 12 A reader, inspired by the theme of the new regular Crossing Words page (opposite), has shared with us this special piece of writing about her own ‘crossing point’. The subject of the piece is the bridge beside her garden, and was written while on duty as a CatStrand cafe volunteer, during the Glenkens Writers' Cafe. The Writers’ Cafe meets every second Thursday of the month from 7–9pm, and anyone interested in writing is welcome to come along – it’s free and no booking is required. A Moment in Time Millennia ago, ice and snow covered the Rhinns of Kells and, slowly as a toe nail and as unstoppable as time, a glacier grew, pushing its dirty toes along the Polharrow river bed, ploughing deeply and cutting corners as it went. Time passed; the weather warmed and gradually the glacier and its icy toes withdrew leaving behind its load of rocks and clay. Streams boisterously replaced it. Time passed; people came to the valley; time passed and farming began. People chose the places with lush growth and running water. They found the boulder clay and built their houses nearby. They named the streams. Time passed; the population grew; fewer children died; education was decreed and so a school was built on the road above the Polharrow Burn. Pupils came from up the glen and over the hill. Bare foot in summer time; shod in winter. Their path was blocked by drystone dykes, so stone stiles were built in. A footbridge was required for those crossing the Crummieburn from Crummypark; so stout oak was found and the bare feet no longer slipped on treacherous boulders. Time passed; pupil numbers fell from over 40 to just a few and wheeled transport was available to take them to school in Dalry. The Schoolhouse became a home and in 1980 we came to Crummypark. We rebuilt the ruined house and delightedly found the neglected wooden bridge. For years it served us well and we cherished and repaired it; children played under and over it; we walked across to visit our neighbours in the schoolhouse. But one wild winter, raging water swept it away. New folk now live in the rebuilt house. They feel no need to cross the burn. Perhaps future inhabitants will rebuild. Time continues to pass. by Rhoda Rugg *Spelling note: The burn and holding are variously called Crummie, Crummy or Crombie. 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 Top: repairing the bridge. Above: the bridge with the schoolhouse is visible in the background. Glenkens Gazette page 13 Glenkens Gazette page 14 This page is sponsored by the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Sch For further details contact McNabb Laurie, Gall Glenkens Gazette page 15 heme, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Dumfries & Galloway Council. loway Glens Team Leader, on mcnabb.laurie@dumgal.gov.uk Glenkens Gazette page 16 The Stewartry Bird Watchers Are you interested in birds and other branches of natural history? If you are, why not come along to the Stewartry birdwatchers’ meetings? Since 1976 members and friends have held their monthly meetings from September to April in Kells School, New Galloway. Officially we are called the Stewartry Branch of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club (SOC). All are welcome. Although we have the word Brown noddy on Cousin Island, as featured in the talk on 19 September © Crystal Maw, RSPB.. ‘ornithologist’ in our title we are not a scientific body with dry-asdust speakers - rather should the emphasis be on the word ‘club’ with friendly and informal meetings. Throughout the year the more active members also go birdwatching to interesting locations on the coast as well as inland, weather permitting of course. Those new to birdwatching are especially welcome to come along and be helped in identifying the birds we find. The first half of our 2019-20 programme has three talks about Scotland and one about an inspiring conservation project overseas. We start on Thursday 19 September when Crystal Maw, who has been site manager of RSPB Scotland’s Galloway Reserves for the past seven years, will give her talk entitled Cousin Island: From Coconut Plantation to Ground-breaking Nature Reserve. This island is one of the group of islands which make up the Seychelles in the western Indian Ocean. On 10 October Tom Byers will talk on Dynamite in the Dunes: A Natural History of the Ardeer Peninsula - a subject much closer to home. This former industrial site in north Ayrshire has been reclaimed by nature and although it has the richest biodiversity in the region with an incredible 1,200 different species of plants, animals and birds, 30 of which are nationally rare, it is threatened by developers. On 14 November Stan da Prato, a former president of the club and one of the editors of the club’s magazine Scottish Birds, will give his talk entitled Wildlife of the East Lothian Coast. It should be interesting to compare the birdlife of that eastern coast with that of our Solway coastline. Brian Smith, former chairman of the Dumfries branch of the club, will speak on 12 December on Bobby’s Sand Martins and a Constant Effort Site. Bobby Smith is a retired farmer who built an artificial sandbank in 1994 at Applegarthtown between Lockberbie and Lochmaben where 17,000 young sand martins have been ringed over 25 years. If birds and all aspects of the countryside interest you please come along to our meetings – and bring your friends along too! Non-members are always welcome. To find out more, contact chairman, Jeremy Brock, on 01557 815 098 or secretary, Joan Howie, on 01644 420 280. Glenkens Gazette page 17 The Sound of Brass Returns to Carsphairn The sound of brass will be returning to Carsphairn Church when Kilmarnock Concert Brass perform a summer concert on Saturday 24 August in aid of church funds. The concert will start at 7.30pm and light refreshments will be served during the interval. As in previous years, there will be no admission charge, but donations at the door are requested. Kilmarnock Concert Brass was near extinction five years ago, but past and present members rallied round and the band is now, once again, a thriving musical group under the baton of Scott Walker, renowned for its varied and entertaining concert programmes. Pictured: Kilmarnock Concert Brass cornet players at the Scottish championships in March. Look who wandered into Wright’s Shop the other day... Wright’s Shop & Post Office CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR 2019 - three changing cask ales & cider - fresh, seasonal & local food - open all day every day - award-winning food, beer & atmosphere - en-suite accommodation - 20% off takeaway discount - country sport & walkers facilities - 01644 430 241 www.theclachaninn.co.uk Dalry’s local convenience store • licensed grocers • • newsagents • stocking a range of local suppliers • Express Bakery bread • • Irvings biscuits & cakes • • Ballards & Dalmellington Country Butchers meat & pies • • Mitchells fruit & veg • Shop & Post Office open 7 days Monday to Friday 7am–6pm Saturday 8am–6pm Sunday 8.30am–4pm Tel 01644 430 225 Glenkens Gazette page 18 Balmaclellan Quarterly Newsletter Balmaclellan has its very own newsletter. Denise MacDonaldKiernan tells us a little bit about what inspired her to start it... I started the quarterly Balmaclellan newsletter for two reasons. Firstly, I thought that it was important to tell the whole of Balmaclellan what we in the Community Council were doing on their behalf; hopefully, this may encourage people to give us ideas and feedback even if they didn’t come to meetings, and perhaps join in activities to improve our community. Secondly, I wanted everyone in Balmaclellan to be interested in our area as a whole. There is often a perceived divide between those that live in the village and those outside. I wanted to show that we are keen to involve everyone in whatever way is comfortable for them; it is not just about coming to a meeting once a month (although that is important for us to make things happen), but it is also about learning, enjoying and appreciating where we live, the individuals that live with us, and how to help each other. In the newsletter, I like to include a variety of articles about what is happening in the area and the talents, interests and experiences of our residents. I’ve really enjoyed doing the newsletter although I have to say that as it gets towards each deadline, I panic because I haven’t got enough to include - even when I’ve got ideas, turning them into the finished thing can take forever (or so it feels); therefore any ideas or articles from other people are gratefully received. This is why, with the May newsletter, I wrote something to encourage people to help; I believe that I could choose anyone at random in Balmaclellan and there would be something interesting to write about them concerning their outlook, history, where they live, even a day with an unusual pet! The newsletter is given out in print hardcopy as many people say they don’t have access to the internet. People can ask for it to be in larger print or read out to them if they need that. When we take the newsletters out, I am reassured that people are interested in it, and we have even heard from people in New Galloway and Dalry who are eager to read it. I’d like to think that in some small way it helps people to value our community and show that they can make a difference. I would like to thank all those who have given me ideas or written for the newsletter. I would also like to show ROWAN HOLIDAY COTTAGE GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE Map showing, outlilned in black, the Balmaclellan Community Council boundary. General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway 4 Star Rated - Sleeps Six Dog friendly - Private Parking Secluded Garden FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 07503 958 710 01644 420234 An ideal base for exploring Galloway... my gratitude to my husband who, as I am blind, has to help me collate and distribute the newsletter, along with my tolerant 14-year-old son who helps to put some through letterboxes. I have helpers because of my physical disability; one has a car which is higher off the ground than ours, so I pay her mileage to take the newsletters along the more difficult farm tracks. Two people from the Community Council have also helped deliver them. As there are elections in October, I don’t know if I will be in post after that. The newsletter was my idea and I pay to print and deliver it myself, so it might not continue after October, but while it does, I hope at least some of the community carry on enjoying it. Denise MacDonald-Kiernan Glenkens Gazette page 19 GOING WILD AT THE GARROCH The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership has been running a pilot project titled Go Wild. It’s a free summer outdoor activities programme focused on discovering, exploring, conserving and sharing wild places. During these sessions for children, young people naturally develop skills, confidence and a love of being outside in our amazing natural environment. During one of the sessions children from the Glenkens are exploring Garroch Estate, Dalry, by kind permission of Nick Roper-Caldbeck, whose grandmother used to run an outdoors group on the estate for local children called ‘The Wolves of St. Francis’. Go Wild is also taking place at Threave Estate, Castle Douglas, (in partnership with National Trust for Scotland) and Barrhill Woods, Kirkcudbright, each one giving local children the chance to participate, including free transport. The children gain a John Muir Discover award in the process, presented in September at a friends and family event. Young folk enjoying the Garroch Go Wild session. Galloway Gaelic in the Glenkens The Oran Bagraidh project, produced by Katch Holmes as part of Knockengorroch Off Site’s programme, showcased at Knockengorroch Festival and also at Lagwyne Hall in Carsphairn. The concert, part of D&G Arts Festival and in association with CatStrand, was a huge success with the Carsphairn event being a sell-out. One audience member comments: “The performance of Oran Bagraidh was compelling. A diverse group of musicians from all corners of the UK, brought together and fusing in a surprising and wonderful evening combining ancient sounds with unique musical creations. It felt like you were kept on the edge your seat right to the end, never knowing quite what to expect next.” As well as the performances and the music CD created through the project, Oran Bagraidh musicians, along wiith local musicians, teachers and gaelic organisation Feis Rois and CatStrand, also hosted a children’s workshop. Pupils from p4-7 from Glenkens schools were taught the song Bruthaichean Beinn Beithe, inspired by the Galloway Gaelic song Oran Bagraidh written by Rody Gorman and set to music by Kate Howard. Also Oran Bagraidh performers Josie Duncan and Griogair Labhruidh taught the children elements of gaelic music. The Carsphairn concert was supported by CREFL and D&G Unlimited. Top: Children’s workshop. Above: Oran Bagraidh performance in Lagwyne Hall. Glenkens Gazette page 20 SPEAK O’ GALLOWAY GLENKENS TONGUES CONFERENCE I am very fortunate The Speak o’ Galloway is a one-day conference on the Scots language spoken in the south west. It is the latest in a series on the languages of Galloway, following last year’s highly successful event focussing on Gallovidian Gaelic. The event is being held on Saturday 7 September in the CatStrand, New Galloway. THOSE TAKING PART INCLUDE: - Prof Jeremy Smith discussing Language & History in southwest Scotland. - Margaret Ferguson, author of Haud Yir Tongue and Mind Yir Language: A Sociolinguistic Study of the Distinctive Accent of South West Scotland. - Derrick McClure, discussing John Mactaggart’s Scottish Gallovidian Encyclopedia. - Chris Rollie, discussing Bird Names of Galloway. Rab Wilson, suthor Scots Language and Cormilligan, Today & Tomorrow. - Speakers of the Galloway Speak have their say: What has happened to our language and does anybody care? The event will be chaired by Professor Ted Cowan and Michael Ansell. Tickets are priced at £30 (students £20) and include coffee and a buffet lunch. To book tickets, contact CatStrand on www.catstrand.com or 01644 420 374. to have been born and brought up in the Clachan (Dalry) in the 1940s, when our local words were always used. Our local tongue and dialect have always been close to my heart - to hear the different ways of saying certain words really is something. It was so good for us all when the late Tommy Edgar and the late Robbie Murray both wrote poems about the area. Their verses brought out an excellent use of our local dialect. Tommy's verse Peter used a selection of Glenkens dialect such as: hae (have), yin (one), wae (with), thair lane (on their own), nocht (nothing). In Robbie Murray's Toon o' Dalry again many local words were used: gane (gone), wi' (with), fitba (football), pipled (piebald), guid (good), aye (always). Unfortunately with the changes in population, not so many folk now know our local words. I’m looking forward to the Speak o’ Galloway event when we will be able to listen to and discuss our local words. Hilda McAdam In Galloway the Nicht... Inspired by the work of Glenkens poet and songwriter Logan Paterson (1951–2013), an event titled ‘In Galloway the nicht…’ is being hosted by Ken Words as an evening of chat, songs, tunes and poems with Jo Miller and friends. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the living ‘speak’ of Galloway, as it comes, in the informal setting of the Ken Bridge before the Glenkens Story Scots Galloway Conference at CatStrand the following day (see details above). Logan had an eye for the beauty, and hidden facets, of the gem he believed the Glenkens to be. He was a modest man who didn’t seek to put his writings ‘out there’ for publication and we are very fortunate that some of his work has survived to help keep alive the centuries-old tradition of local poets and songwriters writing in Gallovidian Scots. Logan’s brother, Dave Paterson (landlord of the Ken Bridge Hotel), tells how “Logan had a great desire to keep the stories, the lore and the characters of the Glenkens alive and vibrant,” adding, “I hope this event will instil that desire in others. Logan wanted the folk of the Glenkens to appreciate living here and to let it inspire them.” Come along, 7pm till late on Friday 6 September, and join Jo Miller and friends in the relaxed setting of the Ken Bridge Carvery Room, with bar to hand. So that you can enjoy a drink or two, there will be a free minibus taxi-service running between 10pm and midnight, offering lifts home within the Glenkens. Tickets are £5, available from CatStrand (01644 420374). Any queries please contact Jane McBeth on the above number, or email jane.kenwords@gmail.com Mist has quaitened doon the glen, bringing peace tae everything. My bairns the finest in the land, in Galloway the nicht. Clouds are girdled roon the moon, sit on Millyea like a croon. My wee bairnies coorie doon, in Galloway the nicht. from Galloway Lullaby by Logan Paterson, 1993 (“for my boys”) Glenkens Gazette page 21 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN From Galloway to Arbroath We seem to have become deeved daily by the kindly word, ‘community’, whether in association with our own community councils or the European Community. Both of these community bodies often appear at times to be intent upon displaying fierce internal disagreements which are the opposite of the communitarianism that stresses the individual’s responsibility to the community and family. The word can refer to the people of a country or a district who collectively share social values and responsibilities. Common or Commons (as in House of) derive from the same root as community, as do words such as commune which come to us through Latin and French. Plants, like humans, live in communities. In medieval Scotland there was significant reference to The Community of the Realm of Scotland particularly around the period of the Wars of Independence 12961371, when the very survival of Scotland seemed to be in danger due to English aggression. The Communitas Regni Scotie has been described as denoting ‘the totality of the king’s free subjects, but also something more than this; it meant the political entity in which the Scots and their king were comprehended. It was in fact the nearest approach to the later concept of a nation or nation state that was possible when a kingdom was, first and foremost, the fief of its king’. Does any of this matter to those who once lived and now live in the Glenkens community? Robert Heron of New Galloway in writing his lengthy ‘History of Scotland’ thought so. He returns to the subject and status of community again and again to mark important historical junctures. He believed that there was much more to historical investigation than kings, queens and battles because just as importantly profound changes were taking place all the time, deep in the fabric of society. Indeed this is one of the many fascinations of studying the work of Galloway writers and historians, namely that they have a tendency to investigate the experiences of the folk that seldom get mentioned. Heron, like most historians, recognised Robert Bruce’s success in the Wars of Independence as one of the great turning points in Scotland’s history. ‘All the individuals, and all the different classes or incorporated bodies, in the nation, however distinguished from one another by diversity of powers, situations and duties, composed but one grand Community’. The laws and obligations which defined and established members of the community and the officers defending these rights were all viewed in their relation to its political constitution. ‘These demanding that he put pressure on the English king to cease his warlike activities and recognise Robert Bruce as rightful King of Scots. The propagandist document stated that if Bruce should ever submit to the English (an inconceivable notion) the Scots would drive him out as an enemy and subverter of his own rights and ours ‘and we would make some other man able to defend us our king’. This was the first explicit statement in European history of what is now known as the ‘the sovereignty of the people’. Bruce, hard-pressed as he was, had been forced to agree that just as the people could depose an unfit king so they could appoint his successor. Famously the document went on to state, ‘For as long as a hundred of us remain alive, we will never on any conditions be subjected to the lordship of the English. For we fight not for glory nor riches nor honours, but for freedom, which no good person gives up except with life itself’. Such inspirational and humane ideas have echoed down the centuries of Scottish history. During the wars an association appeared briefly in the records known as the ‘Community of Galloway’, an early use of the term, which demanded and received certain concessions from the king, in this case Edward I because most of Galloway opposed the Bruce claim to the kingship. The Declaration of Arbroath was accepted into The Unesco Memory of the World Register in 2016. Next year many of us will celebrate the 700th anniversary of the Declaration and with it the Scottish regard for individual and national freedom, as well as the continuing inspiration of the democratic intellect. ● For much more in-depth discussion of some of the matters mentioned here see Cowan, For Freedom Alone; The Declaration of Arbroath, 1320. “..the first explicit statement in European history of what is now known as ‘the sovereignty of the people’ “ all together represent the Commonwealth or social union and interests, to him who wishes to examine the nature of his public duties’. In his view the growing sense of community equated with historical progress. Heron was one of very few men of the eighteenth-century Scottish Enlightenment to praise the ideas and arguments in a remarkable document of 1320 known nowadays as The Declaration of Arbroath, first surfacing as a letter in Latin written to the pope by ‘the whole community of the realm of Scotland’, Glenkens Gazette page 22 Photo of the Issue Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel This issue’s winner is Keith Brander with Stroanfreggan Sunset. Keith wins an evening meal for two up to the value of £30 at the Ken Bridge Hotel. Competition judges Dave and Sue said: “A wonderful selection of pictures again. We have chosen Stroanfeggan Sunset, a lovely emotive picture with the sheep pens in the foreground and the old building framed by a beautiful landscape.” How to Enter: any photos taken in the Glenkens can be entered - landscapes, wildlife, portraits, action shots... Email them to glenkensgazette@hot mail.co.uk If you are a winner the Gazette will send you out a voucher - please call the Ken Bridge to book your meal, and make sure to take your winner’s voucher along with you. Glenkens Gazette page 23 ROBIN SET TO HIT Thanks THE ROAD AGAIN from the Not long Scouts after putting his feet up since his last fundraising trek, Robin Hood is ready to set out again. Pictured is the latest soldier statue which has been made to accompany Robin on his hike, carved by chainsaw out of £3,500 worth of cedar wood. This fundraising journey will take Robin from John O'Groats to Dumfries via the Caledonian Canal - a trek of just under 340 miles. On behalf of the Glenkens Scout Group we would like to thank our committee, friends of Scouting and parents who helped make our 2019 jumble sale such a success. We would also like to thank all who donated items and to those who came along and purchased goods. Last but not least, a mention must go to the Cub Scouts and Beavers themselves – they worked tirelessly towards the sale and were a credit to the Scout movement, their scout leaders and parents, and we are very proud of them. The total raised was an amazing £1,011.60. Thank you again for your support, it is much appreciated. Heather, Hannah & Doug, Cub Scout Leaders and Diana, Tim & Chrissie, Beaver Leaders Glenkens Gazette page 24 A SPLASH OF COLOUR Abbas Rest FOR DALRY’S FOUNTAIN Coffee Morning The fountain in Dalry is looking particularly splendid this year, offering a lovely splash of colour for locals and visitors passing through to enjoy. Residents would like to say a big thank you to the village’s very own flower fairy, Jane Trueman. Thanks Jane your work is much appreciated and enjoyed! 28 September Dalry Town Hall 10am-12noon Help towards raffle, bottle stall and baking for both stall and teas would be gratefully appreciated. Please contact Avril Brown on 01644 430 526 Winner of the New Galloway Town Hall Survey prize is Shona McKenna. Thanks for all your support Shona. Ros Hill, LING 26 Main Street, St John’s Town of Dalry Open Tues-Sat by appointment: 01644 430 525 07876 397 725 MACMILLAN COFFEE AFTERNOON Thursday 3rd October, 1-4.30pm 10th August 7th September 10am-12.30pm For further information or to book a stall ring 01644 430 454 or visit www.dalrytownhall.co.uk Entrance by donation - proceeds towards Dalry Town Hall Refurbishment Fund North of Castle Douglas, A713 Ayr Road We couldn’t do this event without our amazing bakers and helpers - this is truly a big team event and great fun! Tea, coffee, cake and chat - come in and say hello. All welcome... Glenkens Gazette page 25 Glenkens Gazette page 26 AUGUST & SEPTEMBER AUGUST Sat 4, Alternative Games, 2pm, New Galloway Park, see p28 Mon 5, Dalry Police Station Dropin, 5-6.30pm Sat 10, Glenkens Farmers Market, see p24 Fri 16, Samson Sounds featuring Tom Spiral, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 17, Iona Fyfe, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 17,Glenkens Show, see p4 Sun 18, Movie in the Park, 9pm, New Galloway Park Sun 18, GTI Bus Trip, see p25 Wed 21, Open Stage, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 23, deadline for applications to Blackcraig wind farm communty fund, see p2 Sat 24, Words Live, 2.30pm, CatStrand Sat 24, The Sound of Brass, 7.30pm, Carsphairn Church, see p17 Sun 25, The Marriage of Figaro, 2pm, CatStrand Fri 30, Ross Ainslie & Tim Edey, 7.30pm, CatStrand SEPTEMBER Wed 4, Dalry Police Station Drop-in, 1-2.30pm Fri 6, Pot Luck Supper, see front page Fri 6, Jo Miller & Friends; In the Galloway Nicht, 7pm, Ken Bridge Hotel, see p20 Sat 7, Speak o’ Galloway Conference, CatStrand, see p20 Sat 7, Tour of Britain Cycle Race, see p2 Sat 7, Glenkens Farmers Market, see p24 Sun 8, deadline for entrants for Battle of the Bands, see p7 Sat 14, Glenkens Food Trail, see front page Sat 14, GTI Bus Trip, see p25 Sat 21, Glenkens Feastival, see front page Sat 21, Exhibition: Sean Watson (Mossdale), 10am-4pm, Castle Douglas Town Hall Sat 28, Community Celidh, see front page Thurs 19, Cousin Island: From Coconut Plantation to Groundbreaking Nature Reserve, see p16 Sat 21, Exhibition: Sean Watson, 10am-4pm, Castle Douglas Town Hall Sat 28, Abbas Rest Coffee Morning, Dalry Town Hall, 10am-12noon, see p24 OCTOBER Climate Cafe, see p5 Thu 3, Community Council Elections, see p3 Thu 3, Macmillan Coffee Afternoon, 1-4.30pm, Hair by Jayne, Main St, Dalry, see p24 Galloway Glens Summer Programme - see centre spread (p14&15) ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Contact Shirley McNaught on 07955 743 022 or drop by the charity shop on Main Street, Dalry on julia.higgins55@outlook.com Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact Ros Hill on ros.hill@rathanhouse.co.uk Schools: Pop into the school office or call Carsphairn on 01644 460 269, Dalry on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery, Primary & Secondary) or Kells on 01644 420 340 Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Andi Holmes on andiholmes@hotmail.com or 07729 292 126 Dalry Town Hall: Contact Jim Reid on 01644 430231 New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact Sam Rushton on 07741 656601 or samCEW@ newgallowaycommunity.shop or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins CatStrand: Contact Chris Jowsey at chris@catstrand.com 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Bright Stars - Glenkens Community Nursery: Contact glenkenscommunitynursery@gmail.com Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP): Contact McNabb Laurie on mcnabb.laurie@dumgal.gov.uk 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 Gazette page 27 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Film Makers’ Club, Mon 7-8.30pm Exercise to Music: Mon 9.3010.30am Margaret Morris dance 1: 3-7yrs, Mon (term-time) 3.45-4.30pm Margaret Morris Dance 2: 8-16yrs, Mon (term-time) 4.30-5.15pm Youth Volunteer Meet-up, 1st Tues of the month, 6-8pm, FREE PIZZA Choreographic Skills Lab, Mon (term-time) 7-8.30pm, ages 12-18 Animation Club, Tues 4-6pm (starts 12 Feb then fortnightly) Gentle Tai Chi: Wed 10am Wendletrap Tai Chi, Wed 2-3.30pm Game Tech, last Wed each month, 6-8pm Writers’ Cafe, 2nd Thurs each month 7-9pm Sing it Out, Thurs 11am -12pm CatStrand Ukes, 1st & 3rd Thurs each month, 1–3.30pm Yoga, Tues 6.30-7.30pm & Thurs 9.15-10.45am Learn the Whistle, (starts 28 Feb; 8-week block. Ages 412 - 3.45-4.30pm; Age 12+ & Adults - 5-6.30pm). Contact chris@catstrand.com to find out more Zumba Gold, Fri (term-time) 9.3010.30am, CatStrand, 16+ Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry: Paint & Art, Mon 2-4pm (moving to NG Town Hall from end April) GCC Playgroup, Tues, Wed & Thurs 9.15-11.45am Guides, Tues 6-8pm Yoga, Wed 7.30-8.45pm, for info call Carylann on 07817 400 287 Brownies, Thurs 6-7.30pm Kickback Martial Arts, Thurs 79pm Thursday Craft Group, Thurs 24pm Glenkens Children’s Club, Fri 10am-12noon New Galloway Town Hall: Glenkens Art Workshop, Mon 24pm (restarts 26 Aug) LING Elevenses & Lunches, Tues 11am-2pm Fast Broadband Access, Tues 11am-2pm Moving On Up with CD IT Centre (offers help with filling in forms), Tues 2-4pm Table Tennis & Carpet Bowls, Tues 7-9pm (restarts 2 after summer) Circuits, Tues 5.30-6.30pm Zumba, Wed 7.30-8.30pm, 11+ Circuits, Sat 8-9am Various Locations: Hatha Yoga, Mon 10-11.15am, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Carsphairn Post Office, Tues 1-3pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Dalry WI, 3rd Tues each month 2pm, Dalry Town Hall (except Jun, Jul & Aug) Beavers, Tues 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training, Tues & Thurs 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Mossdale Painters, Wed 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND: Sunday Services: Balmaclellan 10am: 1st. Carsphairn 11.15am: 1st,2nd,3rd, 4th. Carsphairn 10.30am: 5th(Sept). Dalry 10am: 2nd(Aug), 4th. Dalry 10.30am: 2nd(Sept). Kells 10am: 3rd. Kells 10am: 3rd. Special Services/Events: United Family Service, 8 Sept, 10.30am, Dalry Church followed by bbq at Dalry manse. United Harvest Thanksgiving 29 Sept, 10.30am, Carsphairn Church, followed by harvest lunch in Lagwyne Hall. Communion Service: 1 Sept, 10am, Balmaclellan Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm. A Chat, A Cuppa & A Cake, Wed 10am-2.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Dalry School Community Choir, Wed 3.30-4.30pm, Dalry Secondary School Cub Scouts: Wed 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Youth Writing, 1st Thurs each month (during term time) 3.30-5pm, ages 10-15, Dalry Library Kettlebells, Balmaclellan Village Hall, Thurs 6-7pm Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thurs of the month, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn, for further info call Christine on 01644 460 577 Coffee & Craft, Fri 9am-12noon, Lagwyne Hall Folk Music Session, 4th Fri each month 7.30/8pm till closing, Ken Bridge Hotel Scouts, Thu 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dru Yoga, Thu 12.30–2pm, Laurieston Village Hall Gentle Tai Chi, Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall Golf Junior Coaching, Sat 10-11: 30am, New Galloway Golf Course, see p8 Restoring Footpaths, Sat 10am1pm, phone 420 632 to confirm Junior Golf & Come-and-Try for all ages, New Galloway Golf Course, Sat 10am Men’s Shed, Old Smiddy, Balmaclellan. Opening times: Mon 9.30am-4pm & 6.30-8.30pm; Wed 9.30am-1pm & woodcarving from 24pm; Fri 9.30am-12noon. Dalry Library Tuesdays 10.30am-2pm Fridays 11am-4.30pm For further informa�on contact Castle Douglas library on 01556 502 643 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Police, non-emergency: 101 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 28 Local Community Transport Operation Broadens Horizons In the latest development in a local transport success story, New Galloway-based Glenkens Transport Initiative (GTI) is about to expand its horizons to be able to benefit more people in the local community than ever. In 2001 the then recently-formed Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) acquired a minibus to help local people get to and from events and activities at the CatStrand. Over the years the bus was used by growing numbers of people for an increasing range of purposes. A second and then a third bus were acquired in due course and, collaboration with Dumfries & Galloway Council, led to GTI working with Councilowned buses to provide school transport and other services. GTI provides regular services to Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart, Ayr and Carlisle as well as excursions to places of interest and minibus hire to a wide range of community Holehird Excursion with happy GTI passengers. organisations. Galloway Community Transport More recently, in cooperation with (GCT), a Scottish Charitable the Dumfries & Galloway Community Constitute Organisation (SCIO). Transport Public Social Partnership There will be new livery on the (DGCPSP), GTI has been operating vehicles and a new website Galloway a very successful patient transport Community Transport but GCT will service carrying people referred by remain one of the GCAT group of the Scottish Ambulance Service to organisations but with improved hospitals in and outwith the region. GTI’s area of operation has gradually operational flexibility. New services will follow in due course. expanded and it was realised that For more information see a re-branding was required. As of www.glenkenstransport.org 1 September 2019 GTI will become WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk OCT/NOV COPY DEADLINE: 5 SEPT Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 113 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_113 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 2019 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/258/GlenkensGazette112.pdf 30f8588b87e8d3741e0337678a00cbd1 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 112 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document GLENKENS GAZETTE News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry June/July 2019 ISSUE 112 FREE FANTASTIC FOOTBALL FOR GLENKENS SCHOOLS TEAM The Paul Jones Football Festival, created with support from the Paul Jones Bakery in Kirkcudbright, is an annual event organised by D&G Council’s Active Schools and Community Sport Team in the Stewartry and is open to all Stewartry Primary schools. Kieran and Jack, who are in the Glenkens Primary team, tell us a bit about how things are going: This month oue football team have been competing in the region’s Paul Jones Festival. We have been working hard at this club since January. When the Paul Jones Festival began, the first match for the Glenkens was in Kirkcudbright where five matches were played. Glenkens played against Crossmichael, Auchencairn, Cluster All The Glenkens Primary football team - back row, left to right: Jamie, Jack, Alex, Joe, Sam and Christy. Front row, left to right: Karol, James and Kieran. Stars, Gelston and Kirkcudbright Girls. The team came home with two wins. The week after, Dalry hosted the event. In Dalry, we played three matches against Twynholm, HLS Rovers and HLS United. The team did a fantastic job and won two of their matches. Throughout the tournament they displayed super team work skills and a positive attitude. Kieran Jardine & Jack Peacock, P5, Dalry Primary School – for their continued support. “This was our fifth separate award in as many years and especially rewarding as it was in a very tough category in which we were up against nine other establishments.” Most recent of these other awards are the Community Tearoom of the Year award from the Scottish Food Awards & Academy and then winning the Best Café category of the 2018 Dumfries & Galloway Life Awards. A big contributor to this winning streak has been the introduction of internationally-themed pop-up bistro evenings on the last Friday of every month. The move has been a big hit with both villagers and tourists to the Glenkens. Paul Smith and Lindsay Duncan of Carsphairn Tearoom, with daughter Courtney. Another Award for Carsphairn Tearoom Lindsay Duncan and Paul Smith are celebrating once again after winning yet another accolade for their Carsphairn shop and tearoom business. The duo attended the Scottish Café Awards at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow in May with their daughter Courtney to collect the award for the Best Café in south-west Scotland. Said a delighted Lindsay: “We are over the moon at achieving this latest success and would like to thank all our customers – locals and visitors alike A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 Town Hall Asset Transfer Viability As the June/July issue of the Gazette is published, the Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) Board will be hearing the results of the public survey which took place during May. The survey forms were delivered to around 400 houses within New Galloway Burgh and Kells Parish. An afternoon and evening drop-in was held at the Town Hall to talk directly to the consultants to find out more about plans and to give opinions. The survey was also able to be completed on-line. Other local groups were contacted for their views. In June a draft feasibility study, including architectural reports will be presented to members of the board and by the end of July we hope to have a final feasibility and business plan. LING has been managing New Galloway Town Hall for three years and the board is keen to see the hall brought up to modern standards particularly relating to accessibility to the upper main hall and upgrading toilet and kitchen facilities. Although LING has been active and successful in terms of smaller amounts of funding for the hall and the purchase of the small car park, it is impossible to gain funds for large projects when we don’t own the property or have a longterm lease. With grants from the Heritage Fund, the National Lottery Awards for All and the Architectural Heritage Fund, LING was able to contract independent consultants, Creetown Initiative, to carry out this study. Ros Hill, LING Chairman A CHAT, A CUPPA AND A CAKE Balmaclellan Village Hall is now open every Wednesday between 10am and 2.30pm for folk to come together and catch up. Enjoy a chat over a cuppa and a cake, and come and try your hand at different crafts. Entry is £3 and includes refreshments. Soup and roll at lunchtime are available for a small additional charge. Everyone is most welcome, including children although they must be accompanied by an adult. There will also be a sales table available for craft sales - a 10% commission will be charged on each item sold. During the next few weeks we will be establishing a community library and we plan to invite guest speakers and organisations in the future. We are also looking for volunteers to help on the day. If you would like more information on what’s going on in Balmaclellan, please contact Julia Higgins on juli a.higgins55@outlook.com or 01644420297, or Ailsa Malone on ailsmalone@aol.com. Please contact Julia Higgins if you require transport to and from hall for events or activities. Julia Higgins, Chair, Balmaclellan Community Trust Spalding Bowling Green Opening Day President Elizabeth Peacock welcomed everyone to Spalding Bowling Green Opening Day. Our new Honorary President, John McNally, threw the silver jack and the first bowls of the season (and had a toucher with his first bowl), then declared the green open. In total 32 people took part in a very enjoyable opening day. Valerie Russell Spalding Bowling Green Opening Day. Glenkens Gazette page 3 Clachan Pub of the Year WEE Second Year Running SCHOOLS The overall MATTER winner of the Campaign CAMPAIGN for Real Ale (CAMRA) Dumfries & Stewartry Pub of the Year 2019 is the Clachan Inn in Dalry which also took the Stewartry area pub award. Trevor Hayward presenting the certificates to Phil Papworth and Laura Burnie of the Clachan Inn. Photograph by Alan Glass. This is the second year in a row the Clachan has taken these titles. Chairman of the local branch of CAMRA, Trevor Hayward, explained how the CAMRA awards have been decided: "We have around 120 members in our branch and they are all invited to vote for their nominated Pub of the Year. We then take all these nominations along with beer scores submitted throughout the year via the CAMRA Whatpub system for the quality of real ale being sold to decide on the winners. “Our Dumfries and Stewartry branch region is large, so we split the voting into three areas: Dumfriesshire, Dumfries Town and the Stewartry and select three area winning pubs as well as one overall winner". The Clachan Inn now goes forward to the regional heats to select Scottish winners to go into the national CAMRA Pub of the Year competitions. Parents at Brydekirk Primary School, near Annan, have started a campaign called Wee Schools Matter, and are asking for support from across the region to highlight the importance of rural schools. This is in response to the recent council decision to increase the cut off point for one-teacher schools to 25 or under - so any primary school whose roll falls to 25 or less will become a one-teacher, singleclass school. We understand that councillors are looking at ways to help mitigate the cuts, but in this climate it’s essential that we keep the importance of rural schools high on the agenda, and meanwhile support our schools in every way we can. You can add your support to their petition at www.weeschoolsmatter.org Kells Parent Council DALRY SCHOOL COMMUNITY CHOIR Dalry School is starting a community choir - and would like to invite you to come along! The choir will meet on Wednesdays from 3.30-4.30pm, in the music room in Dalry Secondary School. All ages and abilities are welcome - if you enjoy singing, or even if you have never tried before but want to give it a go, you’re very welcome come and see what you think. Singing is a wonderful way to uplift the spirits and de-stress, and the beautiful thing about singing in a choir is the harmony of voices together - so much more than one voice alone, and really energising to be a part of. The repertoire is mixed, and will be tailored to meet the skills and interests of participants. Instrumentalists are also welcome - we’ll adapt to suit; if you enjoy making music as part of a group, we’ll fit you in! Just come along as and when you can - there’s no regular commitment necessary. For further details get in touch with Sue St Joseph at gw08stjosephsue@ea.dumgal.s ch.uk or call the school office on 01644 430 259. Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by EVERYTHING listed in the Glenkens Freecycle section is FREE - you just need to contact the owner and go and pick it up! If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch with Sarah on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk OFFERED Wildlife of Britain Magazines, 135 magazines in 9 folders. Contact: 07547 606 792 FOR SALE Rare pine trees, Pinus Coulteri or Coulter Pine. Potted one-year-old saplings. £8 each. Contact: bcaenter prises@hotmail.co.uk Native willow tree cuttings, fast growing, great for hedging or firewood cultivation. Cut fresh from healthy trees, £5 per bundle of 10. Contact: bcaenterprises@hotmail.co.uk Sky+ box and remote control in working condition. Contact: Nigel on 07774 778872 Saddle rack, green, £5. Dutch gag bit, 5.5” with French link, £8. Numnah, faux sheepskin, cob size, washable, brown, £8. Ladies’ white shirt with collar for tie, size 10/12, £4. All items nearly new. Contact Sue on 07563 718 011 FITBIT CHARGE 3, advanced fitness tracker, still in box. Half price - now £65. Contact 07909 374 231 or murieldevlin@icloud.com NOTICES WANTED Garden trolley for use with loose parts play at Dalry Primary School. Contact: 07727 127 997 available for hire at £5 per hour, and has tea-making facilities. Contact Rev David Bartholomew on 01644 430 380 or DBartholomew@ churchofscotland.org.uk Gordon McAdam, Dalry-based plumber, would like to dispell local rumour that he is winding his business down, and let folk know that he is still operating in the Glenkens in the area of plumbing and heating. Dalry Church Session House is “My ad in the Gazette has only been in for one issue but it’s been great, I’ve had loads of responses. I’ll definitely run a series of ads next season, based on the success of this one." Ewan DUNCAN’S SHOT FEATURES IN NATIONAL RSPB CALENDAR Glenlee photographer Duncan McNaught has been chosen by the RSPB to have his award-winning photograph Welcome to my Humble Abode featured in their 2020 calendar. The RSPB’s Inspiring Nature photography calendar 2020 will be for sale across the UK from July, and Duncan’s photograph will represent the month of November. To the right is Duncan’s photograph, winner of the 2017 Smithsonian Photo Contest, which will be featured in the calendar. Gordon McAdam New Galloway Golf Club Founded 1902 www.nggc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Plumbing & Heating HOUSE REPAIRS JOINERY 22 Kirkland Street St John‛s Town of Dalry Semi-retired Furniture Maker & Builder in GLENKENS AREA 01644 430 393 07834 321 789 Call Pete on 07970 462 088 ...special rates for inclusion of tea, cake and friendly banter... Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by LOCAL SUSTAINABILITY Climate Change Sustainability is extremely important if we want to help prevent climate change. Climate change is caused by excess greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, which are produced by pollution. Pollution is caused by factories, deforestation, vehicles and people not recycling. Because of climate change the Earth is expected to be two degrees warmer by 2050, and because the Earth is warming many animals are suffering and could go extinct because their habitats are being destroyed. Dumfries & Galloway Recycling Scheme In 2012 the Dumfries and Galloway authorities tried to come up with a scheme to become more sustainable - however, it failed miserably. The authorities purchased many recycling bins and bin lorries for this scheme, but the scheme never happened, and now thousands of bins and lorries are sitting in warehouses. The scheme failed because there was a limit of one bin per household. In 2017 we found out that over £300,000 is being spent on the storage warehouses. There is a new plan that started in Wigtownshire in 2014 in which you can have multiple bins per household. This is most certainly a good thing because it will mean that less money is being spent on storage. Also, having more bins around will promote recycling in the area and help stop global warming and stop the poor animals suffering. The Strikes Recently hundreds of thousands of pupils all over the world took part in a strike about climate change. There have been big protests in London, Brighton, Oxford and Exeter. The main group that helped coordinate these protests have four main demands. The first is that the government should declare a climate emergency and the second is that they should inform the public about just how serious the situation is. The third is that the curriculum should include information on “the ecological crisis” and the fourth is that the age of voting should be lowered to 16 so younger people can express their opinions on the matter. An example of one of the smaller protests is that hundreds of pupils from the local school of Kirkcudbright marched around their hometown, chanting and campaigning for the end of climate change and gathering local attention on the matter. Now there is even a club at Kirkcudbright high school for educating people on climate change. What Can You Do? Some things that people can do are to turn off unneeded switches. Energy conservation is one of the most important things you can do, and it brings your electricity bills down! Invest in eco-friendly technology and switch to renewable energy; it’s very easy and will help a lot. Don’t waste food! Using up the planet’s resources for food and then wasting it is very bad. Finally, recycle everything you can to help stop pollution. Pollution is the main factor of climate change. Conclusion In conclusion, our planet and the animals on it are severely suffering because of humans’ lack of sustainability. We believe that it’s of utmost importance that people work together to be more environmentally friendly, in order to save our planet. Recycle everyone!!! by Grace T & Tamsin S, CatStrand Work Experience Pupils Glenkens Gazette page 6 COULD YOU RUN CLATTERINGSHAWS VISITOR CENTRE? Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre is located on the banks of Clatteringshaws Loch, on the Queensway towards Newton Stewart. Situated on the edge of the Glenkens, not far from New Galloway, it’s the perfect location for an afternoon out with the family. Park by the loch, take a stroll or a cycle to Bruce’s Stone, pop into the cafe for lunch... Except the visitor centre and cafe have been closed now since last season. The centre is owned by the Forestry Commission, and they are putting it out to tender again, in the hope that someone will take it on and make a go of it. For folk in the Glenkens, it is such a great location to visit – near the wild goat park and the red deer range, Murray’s Monument and the mountain biking routes through the forest around the Palnure Burn. Wouldn’t it be amazing if someone local took it on and made it into somewhere truly great to visit? Perhaps selling simple, View over Clatteringshaws Loch by Stuart Littlewood. local food – even just home baking with activities run from the centre. and good tea So...does anyone out there fancy and coffee, maybe soup and making a success of this little sandwiches... A community visitor centre with huge potential? group perhaps, or local business To find out more about taking branching out? Previously the on the tender for Clatteringshaws centre had really successful Visitor Centre, visit www.publicc stargazing evenings, and during ontractsscotland.gov.uk or email the day RSPB activities for children. rhiannon.naismith@forestryandla The Galloway Glens scheme have nd.gov.scot or call 0131 370 5229 projects running and potential for as soon as possible to register your more heritage and environment interest. elements, which could tie in nicely Celebrate & Share It is now two years on from saving New Galloway’s last shop from closure. 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 In light of this, New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE) Ltd is inviting everyone to a Celebrate & Share event - a pie and baked tattie supper - in the Town Hall on Saturday 22 June. We will not only be celebrating our thriving community shop but also the opening of our selfcatering apartments - recently awarded 4 Star status by Visit Scotland - our community laundry, and our expanding community engagement programme which now ranges from an oil-fuel buying cooperative to activity events and information services. Celebrate & Share will run from 6-8.30pm, is free and open to all ages, and entertainment will be provided by local musicians and performers. Please ‘bring-yourown-bottle’ if you fancy a tipple, and let us know you are coming so that we buy enough pies and tatties! NGCE Ltd is a community benefit society, owned by its members who are all residents or friends of New Galloway and Kells. At our Celebrate & Share event we will also be relaunching our Commuity Share Offer to give anyone who is not already a member the chance to be part of our exciting project. Look out for posters with more information. Please let us know if you are coming - and book your pie by emailing samCEW@newgallowaycommunity.shop, texting 07741656601 or leaving your name in New Galloway shop. Sam Rushton, Community Engagement Worker, New Galloway Glenkens Gazette page 7 Launch of Blackcraig Wind Farm Fund The Glenkens & District Trust (GDT) is delighted to report that the Blackcraig Wind Farm Fund will be open for applications this summer. Following on from a number of discussions with the owner of Blackcraig Wind Farm, plans are well in hand to get initial payments out to Community Councils and to open the main fund for applications in June. This will enable awards to be made before the end of 2019. Blackcraig Wind Farm Ltd has agreed to provide an annual payment totalling £264,500 and this is expected, but not guaranteed, to last for 25 years. They have decided that the fund should benefit the communities served by the following ten community council areas: Balmaclellan, Balmaghie, Carsphairn, Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham, Crossmichael & District, Dalry, Dunscore, Glencairn, The Royal Burgh of New Galloway & Kells, and Parton. This total area is called the fund catchment area. Foundation Scotland, an independent grantmaking charity, will carry out the administration and governance. They carry out a similar role for a number of wind farms across Scotland and bring a wealth of experience with them. To assist with some initial and immediate spend, each of the ten Community Councils in the fund catchment area will shortly receive £2K. Balmaclellan Community Council will receive an additional £2k in recognition of the fact that Blackcraig is located in their area. The main fund will open in June and GDT will make the decision on the awards from it. Working with Foundation Scotland, GDT will also draw up the criteria and strategy for the fund and monitor spending. GDT is a separately constituted legal body and run by a board of trustees made up of individuals appointed by its Community Council members and chaired by an independent chairman. All of the above Community Councils are members, other than Glencairn and Carsphairn. When carrying out their role as trustees, they must act in the best interests of the trust. The trustees are working closely together with a clear objective to make our wider community more sustainable and to enhance the opportunities for those living and working in the area over the longer term. By working together we can ensure the money from the Blackcraig Fund is used to make the whole area stronger which will benefit our wider communities. We are delighted that this vision is shared by the owners of farms. This means that as long as that arrangement is in place, projects that will benefit residents of the Glencairn Community Council area will not be eligible for funding under the Blackcraig Main Fund. Groups establishing or running projects that benefit the residents of Carsphairn Community Council area can apply for funding from the Blackcraig Main Fund, but Carsphairn Community Council has also decided not to join GDT at this time and to leave GDT to make the decisions. We will however ensure that we work closely with them and keep them informed. We intend to have regular meetings with them and with Carsphairn Renewable Energy Fund Ltd (CREFL). The fund will open for applications in June. GDT and Foundation Scotland are finalising information including criteria, priorities and application and guidance material to enable the fund to be launched (see Diary section at the back for dates of drop-in sessions to provide support for applicants). All parties involved in this recognise that our communities have waited a long time for this fund to be available and that there is likely to be considerable demand. We are focussed on making the process straightforward, fair and transparent but are also realistic that in this first round there are likely to be teething problems that will need to be resolved. There will be regular review meetings to ensure we all get the best for our communities. It is fantastic that we have, at long last, got to this stage and, by building on what we have achieved over the last few months and continuing to work together, we can all make a real difference to our communities. If anyone has any questions you can get in touch with GDT chairman Fiona Smith at fiona.smith1@btinternet.com Fiona Smith, chairman, GDT By working together we can ensure the money from the Blackcraig Fund is used to make the whole area stronger which will benefit our wider communities. Blackcraig Wind Farm as demonstrated by their choosing to work with GDT in this way. Glencairn Community Council has decided that they do not wish to become a member of GDT. The Glencairn Community Council has made separate arrangements with the owners to administer a sum for their area in line with arrangements they already have in place for community benefit payments from other wind THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Sat 2-2.30 pm DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 8 CATSTRAND’S NEW YOUTH ARTS COORDINATOR I am thrilled to have joined the CatStrand team as the new youth arts coordinator, and have really enjoyed getting to know our young people so far and experiencing some of the amazing art provision that is offered here, from animation to filmmaking to writing and dance. It has left me with lots of food for thought. Having recently moved to the region from Sheffield where I was teaching, I have been made to feel very welcome in the community, so thanks to everyone who has said ‘hi’. I’m currently trying to collect as much information as I can about talent in our region, so if you do know of any artists or musicians available to work with young people, let me know! My email is katy@ catstrand.com Katy Billington, Katy Billington by the Youth Booth, New Galloway. Glenkens Gazette page 9 CatStrand Highlights As the Glenkens starts to warm up, CatStrand is getting ready for a summer of outdoor adventure theatre, dreamy folk, punchy jazz and high energy ska topped off with a smattering of international cinema, poetry walks and opera. Our local villages, towns and communities will be delivering their own arts programmes over the coming year, with the support of the Glnekens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT), so look out for feedback cards for your local programme which have been placed around the villages for you to have your say about programming in New Galloway, Carsphairn, Dalry, Balmaclellan and Crossmichael. As well as our summer Youth Arts programme – running in July/August - we’ve got plenty for families to fill those long summer days. The Garroch Estate plays host to an interactive outdoor theatre experience for families; Call to Nature (Sat 22 June) starts on minibuses as you set off on an adventure to hunt for mystery eggs in the woods. Back at CatStrand we have a great line up of international artists to light up your summer calendar from German dancer Elisabeth Schilling, who returns to CatStrand with her latest interpretive show and installation inspired by touch (Fri 21 June) to Danish duo Andreas Tophoj and Rune Barslund (Fri 19 July) whose melting pot of sounds offers a new interpretation of the Danish folk tradition. Hailing from closer to home, we have some of the best musicians Scotland has to offer including the magical and charismatic Aberdeenshire singer Iona Fyfe (Sat 17 Aug) fresh from Celtic Connections. Ross Ainslie returns with old friend Tim Edey for a sure to be sell-out summer set (Fri 30 Aug) and local lads, Muckle Spree, serve up traditional melodies that groove into the digital age in a laidback Sunday afternoon session (Sun 26 July). If you’d rather be in the cinema, whatever the weather, we have exclusive screenings for film lovers, including award-winning Swedish family film Cloudboy (Sat 21 July) and a sublime Willem Dafoe narrated and Australian Chamber Orchestra accompanied documentary Mountain (Tue 24 Sept). Get out your deck chairs for our teen Movie in the Park: The Way, Way Back (Sun 19 Aug) complete with barbecue in New Galloway Park. Dalry Film Club bring the big hitters Bohemian Rhapsody (Wed 4 Sept) and Stan & Ollie (Wed 18 Sept) delivering a cinematic experience, with tea and cake, in Dalry Town Hall. We look forward to sliding into these summer months with our audiences new and old, soaking up some sunshine on the way to exploring new venues and enjoying an array of great events across the Glenkens. The summer is special in Galloway and we’re looking forward to greeting visitors and showing off what our communities have to offer here at CatStrand and around our village venues - lush scenery, fabulous community spirit and a sparkling array of spectacular arts and culture events taking us right through to September. Enjoy - and get those sandals on...summer is here! Aidan Nicol, Arts, Culture & Heritage Manager, CatStrand Our full brochures are available now from CatStrand, or take a look online at www.catstrand.com Cloud Boy CALLING ALL YOUNG PERFORMERS! We’re holding a Youth Open Stage night at CatStrand for young folk on Monday 15 July at 7.30pm, and we want YOU to take part. Whether you’re into song, slam poetry, spoken word, DJ-ing or anything else musical and linguistic, we’d love to see you on our stage. Hosted by the amazingly talented singer-songwriter Kate Kyle, this will be a relaxed and welcoming evening. Come along, add your name to the list and bring your pals! CatStrand Youth Players are holding their summer show on June 14 at 7.30pm. Join us for an evening of theatre and see what our young actors, directors and stage experts have been working on. Katy Billington, Youth Arts Coordinator Glenkens Gazette page 10 HAIR RAISING FUNDRAISING Local lad Daniel Roberts has raised a whopping £510 by shaving his head for charity. Having made the decision to support cancer support charity Beatson, Daniel set his mind on shaving his hair off to raise funds. Daniel’s mum, Chrissy, said: “The local shops did a fantastic job of collecting for us, and the Glenkens community were very supportive. A big thank you to everyone who donated, to the shops for having the sponsor forms in, and to Jayne at Hair by Jayne for making the shave run so smoothly - excuse the pun!” Daniel Roberts handing over the cheque to Beatson Cancer Charity. GLENKENS ROUTE Thursdays: 12noon-1pm – Crossmichael 1-2pm – Parton/Loch Ken Holiday Park 2-4pm – Balmaclellan area 4-5.30pm – The Hidden Road Fridays: 8-10.30am – Dalry 10.30-11am – Glenlee Area 11am – New Galloway 12noon – New Galloway Shop 2pm – Mossdale area 3-4pm – Laurieston to Gatehouse Please note that all times are approximate. 07966 103 912 charliecoid@hotmail.com Fleet Fish aims to provide top quality produce which is sourced as locally as possible. We take pride in offering friendly door-to-door service tailored to our customers’ needs. Glenkens Gazette page 11 400 Mile Charity Walk Glenkens-based Robin Hood achieved his fundraising target of £50,000 raised for veterans. Robin towed Jock, an 18 stone, eight-foot statue of a first world war soldier carved out of Douglas fir, from Dumfries to London, a 400 mile journey. The purpose of the journey was to raise money for local charity SWS RnR and also to pay homage to the many people who lost their lives in WW1. Robin, who runs the charity, said: “I had to think of something that would make us different, and this certainly makes us different. People will remember this forever and a day. They’ll say ‘are you that nutcase who pulled that piece of wood for all that way?!’” The money Robin raised will go towards training veterans as HGV drivers with the aim of providing them with a new career, and hopefully a new lease of life, while also filling the national gap in lorry drivers. From the Galloway Glens Scheme Desk: Jude Crooks, Galloway Glens Administrator At the point of print for this issue of the Glenkens Gazette I have been working for the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership for just a little over year. They say time flies when you’re having fun, and I cannot believe a year has passed already - which means we are into our second year of a five-year scheme, almost 20% completed! My role within the Galloway Glens Scheme is primarily to support the co-ordination and implementation of the scheme. This involves a variety of tasks and activities but mainly centres around financial elements such as drawing down funds from the Heritage Lottery Fund and supporting project partners to access allocation of their grants from the Galloway Glens Scheme. I would hope by now, as we are a year underway that you would have had contact with a staff member, a project partner or with one of the superb army of volunteers who are working on Galloway Glens funded projects? If not, and you need to contact the scheme, I am most likely to be your very first point of contact. It sounds like I do not get away from my desk very much, but this is not the case – the role is so diverse I am often out and about liaising and supporting project partners. The most exciting part of my role is coordinating the ‘Our Heritage’ Small Grants Scheme which has £100,000 in total earmarked by our Partnership Board to be awarded. The Small Grants Scheme seeks projects that support our efforts to ‘connect people to our heritage’ by providing opportunities to support emerging projects, which align to the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere Principles and the six Galloway Glens themes. If you are interested in making an application to the ‘Our Heritage’ Small Grants Scheme or would like to get in touch please do not hesitate to contact me on jude.crooks@dumgal.gov.uk or 07500 107 696. Robin Hood in Hexham. Glenkens Gazette page 12 A poem written by Barbara Buchan of Glenlee. A Galloway Englishman’s View of Brexit Oh to be in Scotland now that spring is there With the gambolling lambs and the prancing calves and the dance of the mad March hare. To see the woods where the snowdrops peep and later the bluebells adorn, Oh, I’m glad to be in Scotland, the land where I was born. In times past we knew no foe, an empire gained by overthrow, The referendum choice was clear, we don’t want any foreigners here, A campaign based on lies and deceit, there were no facts, just indiscreet Suggestions, we’d be better off, but don’t include the working class, Confronted with a barrage, of promises from Nigel Farage, And the likes of several ‘well heeled’ men, never mind Beethoven, roll over Tony Benn. MY SCOTLAND Oh to be in Scotland now that summer’s there To see the fields so gold and green and the blossom everywhere. The birds on wing, and feeding young, so bright their feathers shine, It makes one glow with inner pride to be here in summertime. Oh to be in Scotland now that autumn’s there To see the heather on the moors, a blue haze everywhere. While from mountain crag the quiet of dusk is cleaved by a raucous call, As the stag proclaims, the land as his, proudly to one and all. Oh to be in Scotland now that winter is there While blizzards blow and the cold North wind sends each to his own snug lair, Where faces gleam as the fire glows red and young slippered feet make their way to bed, Oh, I’m glad to be in Scotland - to the land I am lovingly wed. by John Fenner The ‘Out’ campaign, to seize their chance, to cut us off from root and branch, Have sailed into a choppy sea, it’s just not Parliamentary, The PM’s name is becoming hazy, is it Theresa or is it Daisy? A puppet in the Cabinet, you hear them cry it’s time she went, I’ve had enough, I’m feeling ill, from across the Channel no good will, From their perspective what a lark, the M20’s a lorry park. You may leave soon "goodbye, chin chin", but just you try to get back in, Jacob, Boris and their crew have knocked the UK all to skew, The voters thought of World War II, stand all alone, it isn’t new, But Churchill’s gone and in his place we have a ghastly carapace, And in the web we all are caught, common sense just counts for naught. Destroy the trade of thirty years, fight and squabble with our peers, And in the end what will we have, expensive paper for our lavs, A blue passport that’s laughed upon, "please wait here it won’t be long", And now that the end is near, we’ll all be crying in our beer, That’s if we have some beer to drink, I think I’ll pour mine down the sink. But in the north across the border, the Scots perceive this grave disorder, They live in a most friendly land, to one and all, extend their hand, But now they find that ‘Number 10’, in parenthesis, has spoke again, You voted not for this divorce, but we’ll remove you too by force, So, dear Scotland wave the flag, lest your spirits start to sag, And look forward to your proper station, as an independent nation. Book Review: The Man Who Changed Everything Paul Goodwin reviews The Man Who Changed Everything by Basil Mahon: Why didn’t we know this before? I was amazed by this biography of James Clerk Maxwell, the most famous man you never heard of. Much more than just a biography, this book tells of a boy from Glenlair, near Parton, largely taught by his mother, who became a man admired by men of science the world over - Einstein even had a picture of him on his wall. Although the book of necessity contains much science, much of it remains accessible for those without such a background; with tales of the man, his life, his tragedies and his legacy. The author skilfully paints a picture of a remarkable polymath, weaving stories of James’ life and tragedies around his scientific achievements. Surprises unfold throughout the book, including his interests in philosophy, biology and chemistry and pretty much everything else that came to his attention. And, perhaps most surprising in a scientist, he was a devout man of God. His achievements ranged widely across the field that we now know as physics, from an early paper on the stresses of bridge trusses to producing the world’s first colour photograph and from an important paper on the rings of Saturn to his most important work on the nature of electromagnetic waves. Not that he spent all his time with his professors and his students. He was also known for his (free) talks to working men; “a farmer recalled how the professor had stood one of them on an insulating mat and ‘pumpit him fu’ o’ electricity’ so that his hair stood on end”. The book contains examples of his poetry in local Galloway dialect and extracts from his letters, one of which concerns a fellow professor’s excessive brevity and had me chuckling aloud. Some may consider this book to be a misguided blend of a biography and text book, but if so, the shortsightedness is theirs - take up the challenge and read on. James would not be bound by the presumptions of his predecessors and I urge you to be open-minded and accept the book for what it is. I, for one, will put this onto my bookshelf to be reread in the future and to keep as a reference. With buildings named after him in London and Edinburgh, a telescope in Hawaii, a memorial outside Parton Church (where he is buried) and a statue in George Street, Edinburgh, James’s career is taught in schools across the world, seemingly everywhere except Britain. On finishing the book, I was left with one clear thought: “Why didn’t I know this before?” Glenkens Gazette page 13 Galloway Glens Business A Glenkens Gazette page 14 The Galloway Glens scheme has been running its Business Academy for four months now, in partnership with Business Gateway Dumfries & Galloway. Maximising the income from your Accommodation Business At the first event in January, Ronnie Bradford of Brookford B&B, Jo Blaylock of SuperControl Booking Systems, Dane Smyth from Lets Go D&G and John King from Business Gateway D&G spoke to accommodation providers about maximising the income from their accommodation business. Ronnie spoke about the importance of working together to increase the In that time, it has hosted three tourism potential of the area – he events, all aimed at different sectors considers his competitors to be in of the local economy. This is in line the Lake District or the Highlands with one of the Galloway Glens’ and Islands, not Dumfries and two main aims - that of supporting Galloway. He also emphasised the sustainable rural economies, and to importance of going the extra mile better connect people with our local in giving guests the experience they heritage. are looking for. This includes doing 68 people in total have attended research into the amazing area that the three free events which were we live in such as the Biosphere, held in the Clachan Inn in Dalry, the Forest Park or the Dark Sky then in Kirkcudbright Galleries and Park, and both using these in your lastly in Mr Pook’s Kitchen Castle marketing and also being able to Douglas. People who attended found give advice about how to access them to be packed full of technical them. detail of specific relevance to their Dane then spoke about what your business or organisation, with a social media and website should be range of excellent speakers. doing for you. He also emphasised using the many natural resources of the area as a pull for visitors, with great photos and links. He then gave an overview of the insight that Google analytics can provide for you, about where your website users are coming from and how long they stay on your page. Jo gave some fascinating insights into when and how people book their holidays now. 81% of people now book online, and 40% of those bookings are made between 6pm and midnight – so an easyto-use booking system with real-time availability can make the difference between people booking with you or moving to the next property. Lastly, John gave an excellent view on managing your accommodation business efficiently, with some advice on Making Tax The Starting or Growing a Small Food Digital and how to make Producing Business event, held in Mr Pook’s your life simpler with an Kitchen, Castle Douglas. The New Routes to Marketing for Sm Kirkcudbrigh effective accountancy software package. Sounds boring but is increasingly essential! New Routes to Market for Small Creative Businesses Next up in Kirkcudbright was an event aimed at small and micro Creative Businesses. This time we were joined by Morag MacPherson, an artist and one of the initial founders of PA Pop-Up, an artists’ collective which now has shops in Kirkcudbright, Castle Douglas and Gatehouse. Morag spoke passionately about the ethos behind the Co-operative, where people work together to man and run the shops, giving small businesses a High Street outlet they would never be able to afford otherwise. Work is sold commissionfree, in return for a monthly fee of between £25-£35 and a time and effort contribution to the running of the shops of 1 or 2 days per month. The waiting lists for each shop are growing, so you may have to be patient, but if you like the idea of co-cooperative working, this is a great option. Morag spoke of the necessity of having smaller items such as greetings cards to turn over quickly while you wait for the larger pieces to sell, and of the importance of being realistic about your sales, especially in the early days. Helen Keron, Galloway Glens Education and Community Engagement Officer, then shared a number of tips about options for This page is sponsored by the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership For further details contact McNabb Laurie, Gall Academy - The Story So Far Glenkens Gazette mall Creative Businesses event, held in ht Galleries. selling hand-made work online. It is critical to do your research and find the selling channel that works best for you, both in terms of audience reach and commission levels. Ebay is relatively cheap and cheerful but quite general. Esty and Folksy are more specifically for hand-made crafts. You could also choose to go for volume with the big players like Not On The High Street.com or Amazon Handmade, but be sure to read the T&Cs carefully! Photographing your work well is also critical, as it is all the buyers have to go on. Go for light, modern shots and plenty of them. John King of Business Gateway D&G then spoke about the challenges of running a microbusiness, and his theme was clear – Time is Money! You have to account for all of the time you spend on social media marketing, invoice generation, following up on leads and administration, not just the time you spend actually making your product. £20/hour of your creative time is a reasonable starting point for costing your work if you would like to earn above the minimum wage in reality. Starting or Growing a Small Food Producing Business Lastly, we were joined in Castle Douglas by Louise Matheson, owner and manager of The Dumfries Larder, a high-quality delicatessen specialising in cheeses and many other fine foods. page 15 Helen Keron firstly spoke from The main thing therefore when her previous experience about the looking to sell to a retailer is to regulatory compliance needed to be practical about what both price start a food or drink business. There points should be and what sales is a lot of support out there, but volumes you think will be achieved. it is critical to get registered with A long shelf-life is a big bonus - if Dumfries and Galloway Council you also sell at Farmers’ Markets, Environmental Health team at least consider swapping out shorter-life 28 days before you start, and to products to sell that weekend and put in place all of the policies and replacing them for the retailer with practices necessary to ensure you longer-life items. are producing food that is safe as John then finished the evening well as delicious. You will also need with his now familiar tale of Time to understand the requirements is Money, highlighting again how for your produce labels, including important it is to account for all your highlighting allergens to your time, not just cooking time. He also customers. had some great tips for selling to Helen then moved on to tips for retailers who can deliver the volume selling at Farmers’ Markets. This you need to make a decent living, included a summary of how to including making sure your processes contact the Glenkens Community make you easy to work with. Market in Dalry, the new Castle Future Plans Douglas Producers’ Market or All of the slide packs from the Kirkcudbright Farmers’ and Producers’ above three presentations are Market, as well as some tips on available at www.gallowayglens.org/ effective presentation. It is critical to resources, and look for Business display your wares in an eye-catching Academy – they’re well worth way that is also safe and hygienic. looking at if you have one of these Your approach behind the stall is also three business types, as you’ll find important – try not to sit down if you can, and always be prepared to tell your story. Louise then gave a fascinating insight into the world of retail, highlighting that she will typically need a 40% margin for any product she buys. For VATThe Maximising Income from your Accomodation Business rated goods, event, held in the Clachan Inn, Dalry. the picture is further much more detail than has been complicated by the fact that she will covered above. have to pay VAT to HMRC on her Business Academy will continue sales, even if you are too small to throughout 2019, so look out for pay on yours. For example, for a bar upcoming events. And remember of chocolate that you sell at £5 at a that Business Gateway Dumfries Farmers’ market and might propose & Galloway is always open to to sell to her for £4 so she can also enquiries, no matter how small sell it for £5 would incur an 83p VAT or large your business is. For an bill for her, leaving just 17p or 4% appointment contact 01387 808738. margin to cover her 40% overheads. p Scheme, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Dumfries & Galloway Council. loway Glens Team Leader, on mcnabb.laurie@dumgal.gov.uk Glenkens Gazette page 16 GIVING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE A VOICE "We have been learning about time. Time is important because you might be late for work or school. We have been learning about times tables. Two times four equals eight and ten times ten is a hundred. We have been doing Forest Schools and we have been learning about ants. If we had the same strength as an ant we would be able to lift a car with our mouth." Jake Mardi Gras Activities The Primary 1-3 class at Dalry had a fabulous day celebrating Mardi Gras with their student teacher Miss Gill. Everyone wore the Mardi Gras colours of green, purple and gold and made Mardi Gras floats. They also made colourful masks. Thanks to Miss Gill for giving the class such a great experience. Dalry Primary p1-3 pupils with their Mardi Gras masks. "We have been PUPILS ACHIEVE learning about insects week we went DISCOVERY AWARD ...on Last an insect hunt. We Some Dalry Secondary pupils have been completing a John Muir Award as part of their Wednesday afternoon activities. S1 pupils Lucy, Campbell, Tori, Sophie and Jessica received their Discovery Dalry Secondary S1 pupils Lucy, Campbell, Level Award certificates. Tori and Sophie with their certificates. These required them to commit 24 hours of time numbers and distributions. to discovering, exploring, This was the first year that Dalry conserving and sharing information Secondary have taken part in the about their local natural and John Muir Awards, and hopefully we cultural heritage. This involved will be able to do so again next year finding out about the local folklore for pupils who would like to discover and history of Dalry, visiting Ken more about their local natural Dee RSPB reserve and Bellymack environment. Farm to find out about the red Visit the Dalry School blog to find kite reintroduction programme, out more about what the pupils have mountain biking and walking to been doing this term - https:// explore new areas and conducting OPAL surveys to help monitor insect blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/dg/ dalrysecondary Ross McFarlane found a caterpillar - it was the size of a small worm. We also found a snail, its shell looked like a fossil. The colours were so beautiful it looked like a rainbow. This week we pretended to be ants so we got smelly oil and made a trail. Then we got a blindfold and put it on so we needed to use smell to try to find the thing the trail led to. I found out that there are three types of ants: there is a queen, flying and a scout ant." Elizabeth Glenkens Gazette page 17 GIVING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE A VOICE Dalry Primary Science Dalry Primary have been doing science such as pendulum testing, building paper bridges, trying to stop eggs from breaking from a certain height and making a gas to blow up a balloon. Sometimes the experiments failed and sometimes they didn’t. Some of the experiments were based on our topic about water. With P4/5 we did STEM activities which included the paper bridges and the eggs, but most of the activities where just for our topic. We did the balloon experiment; we were trying to get a liquid and a solid together to make a gas which is linked with our topic. Then not long ago we did a shaving foam experiment which was really fun but the whole point of it was that we all were trying to work out if shaving foam is a solid or a liquid and turns out that it is a solid with a liquid inside. In STEM when we did the paper bridge and the egg dropping challenge the whole point of it was to see if we could work as a team with the other class as well as creating something to stop the eggs from cracking and that pretty much worked. Charlie M, George and Lola, P6, Dalry Primary Dalry Primary School pupils carrying out experiments. Hello Readers... Today we are writing about water colours and Claude Monet. At school we have been working on using water colours in our art. We have been looking at Claude Monet and how he became an impressionist. We have been learning different techniques, with a paint brush by using small strokes and to use a lot of water on our paint brushes to make the colours wash. In fact we have been impressionists ourselves. One art lesson we went outside to paint what we see and if we were painting a beautiful landscape and there was an ugly fence in the picture you might think I don’t want that in my painting because it will ruin it. Because it is what you see not what the other person sees. There was one lesson with Mrs Haynes we were learning about Georgia O’Keeffe and looking at her famous paintings of her flowers. Mrs Haynes said “Right were going to have a go!!” I thought I couldn’t match my work to hers. But we all looked up a picture of a flower on the computer I did a water lily, the reason that Georgia’s stile of painting is different to other paintings is because she sketches the flower first then she out lines it with a pastel next she paints the flower’s colour then finally the colour she painted the flower the opposite colour is for the background. Bye, Dante Newbery ...thank you and goodnight. JOHN MUIR AWARDS AT KELLS The Kells Primary School P4-7 class are working towards their John Muir Trust Discover Award as part of their Forest Friday activities. Inspired by the famous Scottish ecologist and founder of National Parks, the award encourages people to “discover, explore, conserve and share” local wild places. We hope that it will help encourage a lifelong appreciation of landscape and wildlife, as well as an awareness of the kinds of careers and opportunities there are for caring for and working in the outdoors. It's fantastic to see the enthusiasm of the class and the challenges they overcome exploring and learning outside. The children are planning to hold an Open Morning towards the end of term (date to be confirmed) where they can share the site and what they've discovered with the younger class, families and friends - campfire cooking included! A huge thank you to Mr and Mrs Maxwell for allowing us to use their land every week, and for the support of the parents. Mary, Forest Friday Volunteer Exploring the burn. Glenkens Gazette GLENKENS GUIDES CHIEF GUIDE’S AWARD The Glenkens Guide Unit attended a party to celebrate the guiding achievements of our Young Leaders Annabelle McAdam and Cara Ramsay. Annabelle and Cara had also invited many other people from within and outwith guiding who have helped them along the way. We are very proud that they have both completed their Look Wider scheme, and on the night were presented with their Chief Guide's Award by county commissioner Kirsty Tomlin. Besides being our Young Leaders both girls are members of Girlguiding Stewartry's Senior Section. Well done girls, we're very proud of all you have achieved! After much discussion and planning with the guides themselves about venues and dates, the 1st Glenkens Guide Unit had an outing to the Cocoa Bean Factory. Besides page 18 enjoying a session of chocolate crafting the girls also had fun on the outdoor play equipment. Comments from the Guides included; “My favourite part was making the chocolate”, “We had lots of fun inside and outside”, “I enjoyed pushing Annabelle on the basket swing”, “I enjoyed making up my face with moustache and beard”. The Guides are especially grateful to Glenkens Community Shop for the grant which subsidised this outing - it has been very much appreciated. Further news is that we have a very welcome new Guide Leader, Mrs Fiona Norbury, who is taking over from myself. After some 30 years as a Guider I am going to miss the fun and adventure, but it is certainly time to retire. Thank Top: Annabelle McAdam and Cara Ramsay you Fiona - I hope that you being presented with their Chief Guide's will also enjoy the fun and Award. Above: Guides with their new adventures! Kathryn Peace Guider, Mrs Fiona Newbury, and Young Leader Annabelle McAdam.. Hopes Recorded in Balmaclellan Artist Jason Nelson took a mobile foundry to Balmacellan where he poured molten aluminium into moulds taken from lino cuts. Moulds were made by more than 80 people including secondary school students and members of the local Men’s Shed group. Jason (right) with Roddy Mathieson © Colin Tennant. The idea is that people’s hopes for the year 2030 are recorded on specially cast metal ingots in a project exploring the legacy of the Galloway Glens hydro scheme and the future for renewables. Jason’s work explores the story of Scotland’s hydroelectric schemes and the development of hydroelectric power in Galloway (one of Scotland’s oldest and boldest clean, renewable energy projects). His project was inspired by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s projection that the world needs to fundamentally change its energy production and use by 2030 to avoid irreparable damage to the environment and climate system. Hydro schemes initially came to Scotland to generate the energy needed for aluminium smelting. Then, with moves to build the national grid, they were seen as a way to bring power to the people. Jason said: “The Galloway Glens hydro scheme was an astonishing piece of civil engineering – with the capacity to provide clean energy for around 79,000 homes. “Right now, we need the same kind of drive, vision and creative thinking to put renewables at the heart of global energy production and to help us reshape how we use energy by 2030. “That’s not long – today’s secondary school students will only be in their 20s. So I thought I’d ask people of all ages to say what they would like to see in the next 12 years.” Jason encouraged participants to express their aspirations and desires by marking lino using cutting tools, letter punches and stick on letters. Some people’s messages were global, like wanting a better environment for their grandchildren. Others were simpler, like hoping for a family of their own – or even a pet dog. The finished pieces will form part of an Energise exhibition at Gracefield Arts Centre over the summer. Jason is one of three artists involved in Energise, a project run by Upland Arts Development Community Interest Company, which aims to explore the relationship between climate change and the environment and people of Dumfries and Galloway. Glenkens Gazette page 19 Exploring the Glenkens on Foot Have you ever wanted to know more about the wonderful walks and paths that are ready and waiting to be explored on our doorstep? In April members of the local community, Connecting in Communities, Local Initiatives in New Galloway, New Galloway community engagement worker and Louise Coupar from Stewartry Active Sports came together for training and to plan a range of walking opportunities around our local community. Ideas were shared and now we are pleased to announce a Community and Family Walk on Sunday 2 June at 3pm. A social walk that is suitable for all (accompanied children and well-behaved dogs on leads welcome) starting and finishing in New Galloway. There will be well earned refreshments at the end. A Place-Name Walk on Sunday 28 July at 2pm, THE GARDEN SPOT The flower borders are looking very untidy now but I am resisting the temptation to get rid of all the foliage from the spring bulbs until midJune, or six weeks from the flowers finishing. They also need a sprinkling of chicken manure (if you are organic) or ‘growmore’ if not. This should see the bulbs build their strength for a good display next year. In the veg plot, successional sowings are the order of the day. No point in planting a whole row of lettuces when you only want one or two a week. Seeds sown at the same time will generally be ready at the same time. I try and sow about two-foot long rows of radishes, lettuce, rocket and dwarf beans about every two weeks (and I must do better at keeping up the watering when it is dry). On the subject of watering, it is generally agreed that ‘little and often’ is the worst thing you can do; this only wets the surface of the soil and encourages surface roots, plants need deep roots. Far better to give a really thorough watering and leave at least 5 – 7 days. Not true for the hanging baskets of course, I reckon they need about 1cm of water per day (half an inch in old money). I have been known to water mine whilst carrying an umbrella if it is raining, much to the amusement of passers-by! Rain alone is never enough. If you have apple or pear trees, you will notice that some of the fruits will start to fall off in the next few weeks. Nothing to worry about, this is called the ‘June drop’ and is nature’s way of removing excess fruits that the tree cannot sustain. In fact, a good idea towards late June/early July is to help it along; remove any fruits that look damaged, misshapen or are in an awkward place, reduce each cluster to two fruits (max) and then stand back and look. Do you need a crop of 100 on this small garden tree? Or 50? Better to reduce the number to 25 or 30 so you get bigger, better quality fruits. If you have never taken your own softwood cuttings from fuchsia, penstemon etc, then now is the perfect time to try. There is plenty of guidance online or on What is a place-name walk? It is a walk through past and present, through landscape and language. It is an attempt to see the modern environment through the eyes of the people who gave it the names which we still use today, taking the names themselves as our guides’. Details and date for a Stroll in the Park are to be confirmed. This will be a low level walk ideal for anyone who is new to exercise, living with or recovering from a long term illness or who would like to walk with others. We hope to develop this Community project and welcome ideas, volunteers and information on local walks. If you would like more information please contact Sam Rushton, community engagement worker, on samCEW@ newgallowaycommunity.shop or pop into New Galloway Shop. gardening programs on how to do this. One tip that I can give is to cut a 2-litre plastic bottle in half and use each as a mini greenhouse for your cuttings – you just need to find a suitable pot, any old compost and just stick them in. Some things grow so fast at this time of year, I’m sure they should come with a warning – ‘plant and stand well back’. I’m hoping that I have not bitten off more than I can chew by trying to grow wasabi for the first time. Expensive to buy, fiddly to grow, two years before you get a crop and mine have already been attacked by slugs – oh well, if it fails, then at least I will have something to measure my successes against. The Intrepid Gardener The wasabi experiment... Glenkens Gazette page 20 Air Crashes in the Glenkens Previous articles have told the stories of air crashes on Corserine, around Loch Doon and to the north of Carsphairn – issues 89, 95 and 100 (available online). This article covers the final three local air crashes, all in the eastern side of the Glenkens. The first of these losses was on Beninner, a hill about a mile south-east of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn. On 8 November 1939, Bristol Blenheim IV serial P4848 was on a ferry flight from RAF Perth, Scone to RAF St Athan, Cardiff along with three other Blenheims and a Fairey Battle. The Battle landed at Blackpool due to poor weather, three Blenheims arrived safely at St Athan but this one was reported overdue and was not found until more than a week later. This twin engine light bomber was normally operated by a three-man crew but this was a ferry flight so the pilot (Flt Lt Kenneth Norman Masters Eyres) was the only one on board. His body was found in the wreckage and he is buried at Stranraer Glebe cemetery. The Blenheim was known to have problems with icing in cold weather and the flight instruments were mostly obscured by the control yoke, so probably a difficult aircraft to be in during poor weather conditions. The plane was part of the Special Duties Flight which was testing radio and radar equipment for the Air Ministry so there must have been some relief when the plane with its secret equipment was found. The second crash in this area was the only enemy aircraft to crash in the Glenkens. On 25 March 1943, a Dornier 217 (serial U5-JR) twin engine bomber with a crew of four, suffered engine failure during a bombing mission near Edinburgh. It crashed at Cornharrow, about six miles east of Carsphairn, although what it was doing this far south-west is anyone’s guess. Three of the crew bailed out and were captured and held as prisoners of war. The body of the fourth crew member was found in the wreckage of the aircraft. The prisoners of war were taken initially to Dalry police station. One of the prisoners had lost a boot in the bog where he landed and, on arriving at the police station, he handed his remaining boot to Police Sergeant Hugh Harvie as it would be no further use to him. Apparently the boot stayed on the windowsill ULTRASOUND PREGNANCY SCANNING of the police station for several years afterwards. Sgt Harvie’s wife received some mild criticism for feeding the prisoners before they were taken away, but she explained “they were just wee boys”. The final crash in this area occurred on 25 February 1942 beside the Ken Bridge Hotel. A Westland Lysander, serial V 9472 of 309 (Polish) Squadron was involved in practice dive-bombing attacks on a gun position. The pilot was Fly Off Piotr Dunin and also on board was Fly Off Jerzy Homan. The plane failed to pull out of the dive and crashed in the road killing both men. An investigation showed that a system malfunction was the cause of the crash. The Lysander is better known as the plane used to smuggle members of the French resistance into and out of occupied France. I should also point out the Ministry of Defence statement: “The remains of all aircraft which crashed while in military service, whether on land or at sea, are protected by the Protection of Military Remains Act 1968. It is an offence under this act to tamper with, damage, move or unearth remains unless the Secretary of State has issued a Licence authorising such things to be done, and they are done in accordance with the conditions of the Licence.” That concludes this irregular series of articles on the Air Crashes of the Glenkens. However, there are a few other interesting crash sites nearby… Paul Goodwin ����������������� �������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ��������������������� ����������������������������� For bookings and info: Duncan Kennedy 07860 474001 dk@passcan.co.uk www.passcan.co.uk Top: The three types of aircraft which crashed. Above: the locations of the first two planes, the third, which crashed beside the Ken Bridge Hotel, being self-explanatory. Glenkens Gazette page 21 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN Poets of the Glenkens Dorothy Paulin, a wise woman who edited The Gallovidian Annual in the 1930s, once requested that her contributors would submit more poetry and less verse for publication. It is probably true that most of us cannot tell the difference between the two. The world famous popular poet Robert Service once remarked that in his family anything that rhymed was poetry. Dorothy indicated that Galloway perhaps offered too much inspiration, suggesting that writers concentrate less on scenery and more on ‘homely subjects’ such as ‘the dance of a dragon-fly or the song of a burn’, the smell of wood-smoke from a farmhouse as the porridge-pot is placed on a pile of sticks. Poets, she argued, were usually remembered by a line or phrase rather than by a lengthy composition. ‘Then is inspiration born again; then does the mind Quicken and the heart lift, and Infinity retreat before the pleasures and thrilling possibilities of the finite present. ‘The pen is taken up and perhaps an immortal line, or fragment, or sonnet, is written’. The Glenkens is remarkable for the astonishing number of poets it has produced. The nature of poetry and the ways in which it differed from prose was among many subjects to which Robert Heron of New Galloway turned his mind. I have banged on about Heron’s unrecognised achievements on many occasions in print and ‘speak’ in efforts to have his contributions recognised. A true son of the Scottish Enlightenment, among his many accomplishments, he was a talented historian who remarked that public transactions were only half of history. He believed that while there were few historical events that embraced the common interests of everybody, it was private life that exhibited ‘the most interesting and most instructive scenes’. The experience of the people was as worthy of commemoration as the wars. The best and most perfect history would be that in which the historian sought, ‘with the art of the Epic Poet, [to] intermingle the history of manners with that of policy, so as to work them up together into one beautiful and orderly whole’. He was also convinced that William Wallace and Robert Bruce, together with the poets who commemorated them, spoke and wrote Lallans, which had survived as the Scottish leid or language until his own day and incidentally to ours also. No English person can instantly comprehend the works of Chaucer without tuition, while the Scottish conceit, however misguided, is that Scots have all been able to understand one another for over 600 years, a notion that contributes effectively to the national mythos. The classics of Scottish poetry thus preserve a validity and inspiration for the present. Eton-educated Alexander Clark Kennedy of Knockgray invited his readers to: Wi me praise thae ancient days O Scotlan aye sae glorious! An, if like men, we fecht again, We’ll be like Bruce victorious. Samuel Wilson of Crossmichael told the sad tale of the Gaberlunzie man, ‘frail and auld,/An his haffetlocks were bleached wi eild’ who drowned in the swollen Garpel when he was refused shelter from a fierce storm. More recently James Trotter celebrated ‘The Clachan Fair’: Aye dog it Tam, I’ll tak a dram, To clear the vapours by, man; Carsphairn inn keeps famous gin, The thocht o’t maks me dry man. And yet I think, I shouldna drink, The day is unco young man; But as for you, ye’re geylie fou, Gude-faith ye’re fairly sprung man. We are indebted to Hilda McAdam for publishing in her great collection, Dalry Reminiscences, Sanny Hunter’s amusing and cautionary ballad about the unfortunate Jamie who paid a visit to Hell when he was killed while working on Clatteringshaws Dam for the Hydro in the 1930s: I saw the dismal coal seams An the reed het hissing bings An the special heated corner For Poets, Peers and Kings. Alexander Hunter neatly captured the grind of composition: I often think when readin oot the poetry in the Press, It is a type o rhyming lore that’s faur ayont my cless; I’ve seen me sit an study it a hauf oor at a time, An aye the mair I looked at it, the queerer grew the rhyme. He was the only rhymester I ken to immortalise the streets of New Galloway. Whit’s come ower ye, New Galloway, Your Charter boast an a that? There’s holes an sheuchs in a your streets, Like ploomen draw an a that! They’re like to bump a body aff, Juist brek the shears an a that; Like wayward sinner, ye’ll be damned, Sae mend your ways an a that! There are plenty more. Still the poems and verses keep coming, preserving memories for the future if anybody has the time and patience to read or listen. The Glenkens dialect is dying, the language of Galloway almost gone in the same way that Gaelic disappeared in this region half a millennium ago, leaving traces only in the place names. On 7 September there will be a conference in the CatStrand on The Speak of Galloway with the support of the Saltire Society. The event will explore the history of Galwegian, the people who spoke it and still speak it and the culture which it supported. Speakers include Professor Jeremy Smith, Language and History in south-west Scotland; Margaret Ferguson, Haud yir tongue and mind yir language: a sociolinguistic study of the distinctive accent of southwest Scotland; Derrick McClure, John Mactaggart’s Scottish Gallovidian Encyclopedia; Chris Rollie, Bird Names of Galloway; and the inimitable Rab Wilson, Poet and ‘Lad o’ Pairts’, Scots Language and Cormilligan: Today and Tomorrow. The day will conclude with Speakers of Galloway Speak: A Symposium - What Has Happened to our Language, and Does Anybody Care? Light lunch included. All very welcome. Tickets are available from the Catstrand hoping to see you there! Ted Cowan Glenkens Gazette page 22 26 Main Street, St John’s Town of Dalry Open Tues-Sat by appointment: 01644 430 525 07876 397 725 We stock an extensive range of hand-made Wild Olive soaps, and also Wild Olive products such as bath melts, shampoo bars and doggie shampoo bars. The salon also houses massage practitioner Blair Templeton (07795 170 927) and Patricia Lavelle, Minding Feet, with foot health and holistic foot therapies on Wednesdays only (07789 246 833). Sponsored dog walk coming soon in aid of Dalry School - watch out for posters! A big thankyou to Ross Hardman of Dalry who makes lovely cards to sell in the Salon. All the proceeds go to the Dalry Community Charity Shop. Thank you to all our lovely clients old and new for their continued business, support and friendship. 8th June 13th July 10am-12.30pm For further information or to book a stall ring 01644 430 454 or visit www.dalrytownhall.co.uk Entrance by donation - proceeds towards Dalry Town Hall Refurbishment Fund North of Castle Douglas, A713 Ayr Road Glenkens Gazette page 23 Photo of the Issue Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel This issue’s winner is Eric Broadhurst with Tranquility on Kendoon Loch. Eric wins a meal for two at the Ken Bridge Hotel’s Sunday carvery. Competition judges Dave and Sue said: “Some lovely pictures again this issue, but we’ve settled on the tranquil loch - if someone said it was a Canadian scene you wouldn’t question it; absolutely stunning.” How to Enter: any photos taken in the Glenkens can be entered - landscapes, wildlife, portraits, action shots... Email them to glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk If you are a winner the Gazette will send you out a voucher - please call the Ken Bridge to book your meal, and make sure to take your winner’s voucher along with you. Glenkens Gazette page 24 Glenkens Gazette page 25 RNLI Bumper Lifeboat COMMUNITY PC THANKS Fundraiser Our Community The Glenkens fundraising committee of the RNLI held their annual coffee evening in May and are delighted to report that over £925 was raised – a bumper year. Speaking on behalf of the committee, Nicolette Wise said: “We are so grateful to everyone who supported our coffee evening in Dalry Town Hall and it was nice to see so many people enjoying themselves. The stalls were all busy and the cake stall was so popular that they ran out of baking before the end! “The event also gave us an opportunity to thank Elizabeth Thompson who has stood down from the committee after over 30 Police Officer Thomas Dingwall will be leaving his role in the Glenkens. President of the Stewartry RNLI fundraising group, May Brown, presenting Elizabeth Thompson with gifts and a certificate to mark over 30 years fundraising for the Lifeboats. years, most of them as secretary.” Such commitment to the Lifeboats was also appreciated by RNLI Head Office in Perth as Elizabeth was presented with gifts and a certificate at the recent AGM of the Stewartry RNLI. Tom would like to take this opportunity to say a few words to the people of the Glenkens. “I was in the CID for years before and had the option to return, which I have taken. There will be a new Community Officer allocated very shortly and until then Chloe Ellis will be standing in. “Thank you to everyone I have met over the last year - I have really enjoyed my time as the Glenkens Community Officer and it was a pleasure serving such a great wee community. I'm sure the incoming Community Officer will fill my shoes no problem, and get round to meeting everyone in the near future. I am sorry my time was short in the Glenkens but it's certainly made my last year in the Police very enjoyable.” Wright’s Shop & Post Office CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR 2019 - three changing cask ales & cider - fresh, seasonal & local food - open all day every day - award-winning food, beer & atmosphere - en-suite accommodation - 20% off takeaway discount - country sport & walkers facilities - 01644 430 241 www.theclachaninn.co.uk Dalry’s local convenience store • licensed grocers • • newsagents • stocking a range of local suppliers • Express Bakery bread • • Irvings biscuits & cakes • • Ballards & Dalmellington Country Butchers meat & pies • • Mitchells fruit & veg • Shop & Post Office open 7 days Monday to Friday 7am–6pm Saturday 8am–6pm Sunday 8.30am–4pm Tel 01644 430 225 Glenkens Gazette JUNE page 26 JUNE & JULY runs until 29 June, Pennies from Heaven Exhibition, Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries, see p22 Sat 1, Coig, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 2, David Scheel, 2.30pm, CatStrand Sun 2, Community & Family Walk, 3pm, New Galloway, see p19 Mon 3, Blackcraig Community Windfarm Fund Drop-in Session, 68pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Fri 7, Dark Sky Jazz: Norman Wilmore Quintet, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 7, Dalry Police Station Drop-in, 6-7.30pm Sat 8, The Eric Bell Trio, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 8, Blackcraig Community Windfarm Fund Drop-in Session, 10am-2pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 8, Glenkens Farmers’ Market, 10am-12.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, seep22 Wed 12, Blackcraig Community Windfarm Fund Drop-in Session, 68pm, 6-8pm, Parton Village Hall Fri 14, CatStrand Youth Players: A Night of Comedy, 7.30pm, CatStrand, see p9 Sat 15, Gremlins Recorder Day, 11am-4pm, includes lunch & performance at 3pm, CatStrand Sat 15, Blackcraig Community Windfarm Fund Drop-in Session, 12noon-2pm, Corsock Village Hall Sun 16, Family Piano Day, 2.30pm, CatStrand Tue 18, Eos: Van Gogh & Japan, 7.30pm, CatStrand Fri 21, Elisabeth Schilling: Felt, 7pm, CatStrand Sat 22, Theatre: Call To Nature, 11am/ 1pm/3pm, Garroch Estate, Dalry (performances start on bus from CatStrand) Sat 22, Celebrate & Share, 68.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall, see p6 Sun 23, Arndarroch Open Garden, 1-5pm, B7000 between Dalry and Carsphairn, see back page Fri 28, Ken Words: Mid Summer Poetry Walk with Mary Smith & Keith Kirk, 7.30pm, Threave Castle Estate (only 12 places available so booking is essential) JULY Fri 5, Dalry Police Station Drop-in, 9-10.30am Sat 13, Glenkens Farmers’ Market, 10am-12.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, seep22 Mon 15, Youth Open Stage, 7.30pm, CatStrand, see p9 Sun 28, Place Name Walk, 2pm, New Galloway, see p19 GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Contact Shirley McNaught on 07955 743 022 or drop by the charity shop on Main Street, Dalry on julia.higgins55@outlook.com Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact Ros Hill on ros.hill@rathanhouse.co.uk Schools: Pop into the school office or call Carsphairn on 01644 460 269, Dalry on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery, Primary & Secondary) or Kells on 01644 420 340 Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Andi Holmes on andiholmes@hotmail.com or 07729 292 126 Dalry Town Hall: Contact Jim Reid on 01644 430231 New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact Sam Rushton on 07741 656601 or samCEW@ newgallowaycommunity.shop or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins CatStrand: Contact Chris Jowsey at chris@catstrand.com 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Bright Stars - Glenkens Community Nursery: Contact glenkenscommunitynursery@gmail.com Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP): Contact McNabb Laurie on mcnabb.laurie@dumgal.gov.uk 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 Gazette page 27 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: Film Makers’ Club, Mon 7-8.30pm Exercise to Music: Mon 9.3010.30am Margaret Morris dance 1: 3-7yrs, Mon (term-time) 3.45-4.30pm Margaret Morris Dance 2: 8-16yrs, Mon (term-time) 4.30-5.15pm Youth Volunteer Meet-up, 1st Tues of the month, 6-8pm, FREE PIZZA Choreographic Skills Lab, Mon (term-time) 7-8.30pm, ages 12-18 Animation Club, Tues 4-6pm (starts 12 Feb then fortnightly) Gentle Tai Chi: Wed 10am Wendletrap Tai Chi, Wed 2-3.30pm Game Tech, last Wed each month, 6-8pm Writers’ Cafe, 2nd Thurs each month 7-9pm Sing it Out, Thurs 11am -12pm CatStrand Ukes, 1st & 3rd Thurs each month, 1–3.30pm Yoga, Tues 6.30-7.30pm & Thurs 9.15-10.45am Learn the Whistle, (starts 28 Feb; 8-week block. Ages 412 - 3.45-4.30pm; Age 12+ & Adults - 5-6.30pm). Contact chris@catstrand.com to find out more Zumba Gold, Fri (term-time) 9.3010.30am, CatStrand, 16+ Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry: Paint & Art, Mon 2-4pm (moving to NG Town Hall from end April) GCC Playgroup, Tues, Wed & Thurs 9.15-11.45am Guides, Tues 6-8pm Yoga, Wed 7.30-8.45pm, for info call Carylann on 07817 400 287 Brownies, Thurs 6-7.30pm Kickback Martial Arts, Thurs 79pm Thursday Craft Group, Thurs 24pm Glenkens Children’s Club, Fri 10am-12noon New Galloway Town Hall: Paint & Art Group, Mon 24pm (moving from Glenkens Community Centre to NG Town Hall at end April) LING Elevenses & Lunches, Tues 11am-2pm Fast Broadband Access, Tues 11am-2pm Table Tennis & Carpet Bowls, Tues 7-9pm Circuits, Tues 5.30-6.30pm Zumba, Wed 7.30-8.30pm, 11+ Circuits, Sat 8-9am Various Locations: Hatha Yoga, Mon 10-11.15am, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Carsphairn Post Office, Tues 1-3pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Dalry WI, 3rd Tues each month 2pm, Dalry Town Hall (except Jun, Jul & Aug) Beavers, Tues 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training, Tues & Thurs 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Mossdale Painters, Wed 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall A Chat, A Cuppa & A Cake, Wed 10am-2.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Dalry School Community Choir, Wed 3.30-4.30pm, Dalry Secondary School Cub Scouts: Wed 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND: Sunday Services: Balmaclellan 9.45am: 1st(Jun). Balmaclellan 10am: 1st(Jul).Carsphairn 11.15am: 1st,2nd,3rd, 4th. Dalry 9.45am: 2nd(Jun), 4th(Jun). Dalry 10am: 2nd(Jul), 4th(Jul). Dalry 10.30am: 5th(Jun). Kells 9.45am: 3rd(Jun). Kells 10am: 3rd(Jul). Special Services/Events: Family Service, 9 Jun, 9.45am, Dalry Church. United Service with Choir, 30 Jun, 10.30am, Dalry Church. Pet Blessing Service, 30 June, 3pm, Balmaghie Church. Communion Service: 7 July, 11.15am, Carsphairn Church (using central table) SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm. Youth Writing, 1st Thurs each month (during term time) 3.30-5pm, ages 10-15, Dalry Library Kettlebells, Balmaclellan Village Hall, Thurs 6-7pm Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thurs of the month, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn, for further info call Christine on 01644 460 577 Coffee & Craft, Fri 9am-12noon, Lagwyne Hall Folk Music Session, 4th Fri each month 7.30/8pm till closing, Ken Bridge Hotel Scouts, Thu 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dru Yoga, Thu 12.30–2pm, Laurieston Village Hall Gentle Tai Chi, Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall Golf Junior Coaching, Sat 10-11: 30am, New Galloway Golf Course, see p8 Restoring Footpaths, Sat 10am1pm, phone 420 632 to confirm Junior Golf & Come-and-Try for all ages, New Galloway Golf Course, Sat 10am Men’s Shed, Old Smiddy, Balmaclellan. Opening times: Mon 9.30am-4pm & 6.30-8.30pm; Wed 9.30am-1pm & woodcarving from 24pm; Fri 9.30am-12noon. Dalry Library Tuesdays 10.30am-2pm Fridays 11am-4.30pm For further informa�on contact Castle Douglas library on 01556 502 643 ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Police, non-emergency: 101 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette page 28 ARNDARROCH OPEN GARDEN Arndarroch, situated on the B7000 five miles outside Dalry, commands views of Kendoon Loch and Cairnsmore of Carsphairn. In 1990 the present garden was a bare hillside with thin, rocky soils. This challenge was compounded by rabbits, nettles, docks, thistles and strong winds. The birds were few. Undaunted, owner Annikki Lindsay used the natural features to create a very special garden full of surprises that blend in with the natural surroundings. The Woodland Garden, the Bog Garden and the Bamboozelam are main features. Flowering, colourful perennials and shrubs have been added over the years and encouraged to spread naturally. Today the garden and the predators exist harmoniously. The hostas are no longer at the mercy of slugs that are controlled naturally by frogs, toads, birds and hedgehogs. Rabbit-proof cultivars have been chosen and the rabbits, still numerous, do not cause the devastation they once did. Many birds choose to make the garden their home or visit it seasonally, including barn owls, house martins and swallows. There are natural nesting sites and food as well as Arndarroch garden. nesting boxes. Many plants will be flowering in June. Macleaya Kelway’s coral plume, filipendula, rheum, astilbe, euphorbia grifithii, primulas and geum at their best. In the Bog Garden the large darmera peltata towers among smaller plants like irises. Variety of trees and shrubs are now well established throughout the garden. Development of the garden has taken 30 years and what is seen now is not what owner envisaged the result to be. She has learnt that the best outcome can be achieved by working with nature and not against it, resulting in a unique garden to wander around and sit in to contemplate the magnificient views and to focus on individual aspects of the garden. At the Open Garden there will also be a display and sale of craft items made by Annikki over the winter months, as well as a plant stall. Arndarroch Garden Open Day: 23 June, 1-5pm, entry £3.50, teas £2.50, children under 16 free, dogs on leads welcome. Glenkens Agricultural Society Annual Show Saturday 17th August 2019 Newfield Farm, Dalry Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Poultry, Horses, Show Jumping, Fancy Dress Pony, Pets & Dogs, Crookmaking, Refreshments, Schedules from Judith Cowie on 07743 004 189 or judith_2006@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 AUG/SEPT COPY DEADLINE: 5 JULY Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 112 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_112 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 2019 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/257/GlenkensGazette111.pdf 7718e60b721f2e018b5ca09ef5ce2941 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 111 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource <p>Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade: <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a></p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by <span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>.</p> <p>The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community &amp; Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT).</p> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document GLENKENS GAZETTE News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Mossdale, New Galloway and St John’s Town of Dalry April/May 2019 ISSUE 111 FREE NEW SIGNS POINT THE WAY FOR DALRY New road signs as you enter Dalry announce that the village is a proud supporter of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere – an area that unites the three local authorities of East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway. A Biosphere is a special designation awarded by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation) to areas renowned for their special environments which are valued by local people. The idea is to demonstrate ways in which rural communities can become more successful through sustainable, environmental, social and economic Andrew Bielinski beside the sign at the top of the village. growth. The ethos behind Biosphere over two years ago, the Biosphere encourages cobut it has taken some time to operation and collaboration to achieve the new signage with show that a sustainable way of funding for the project coming living is not only possible but from the Biosphere, Dalry Town already happening. Hall and Dalry Community Council Dalry Community Council with Dumfries & Galloway Council member, Andrew Bielinski, taking responsibility for erecting proposed the village join the the new signs. Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Youth Players’ Trophy Success The CatStrand Youth Players enjoyed one of their most successful Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) festivals to date, bringing home five of the six trophies which were awarded after the four-night competition at The Fullarton Theatre in February. Castle Douglas High School Drama Club took first place with their excellent production of ‘Rom & Julite’, an ingenious and incredibly fast-paced gallop through the Romeo and Juliet story. They will progress to represent Stewartry District at the Western Divisional Final this year. However, all the other awards headed back to CatStrand – 2nd place and Audience Choice were awarded to ‘Bar & Ger’ while 3rd place, Best Stage Presentation and Best Moment of Theatre went to ‘Dust of the Street’. The adjudicator, Dave Bennet, was Cast of Dust of the Street: Left to right are Anna Irving, very impressed James Wallace, Henry Harfield, James Jones, Annabelle with the general McAdam, Laura Edington. high standard of the eight plays in the one play through to the next the Youth Festival round. this year and said that he wished Continued on p11... he was able to put more than A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) ini�a�ve www.glenkensgaze�e.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 BIG LOTTERY VIEWS NEW GALLOWAY RESULT When New Galloway Community Enterprises secured Big Lottery funding in March 2017 it was committed to launching three projects. The community shop moved into its refurbished premises last August, the community engagement programme has been up and running with a host of activities for over a year, and now the two self-catering units, Stroan and Skerrow, have been completed and are welcoming their first guests. Less than two years after the grant was awarded, all three strands of the project are in business. Marking this landmark, senior figures from the Big Lottery visited New Galloway at the end of February to see what has been achieved. Mark Hilton, Capital Manager, and Rachael McQueen, Funding Officer, were given a tour of the completed facilities and met Board members as well as General Retail Manager, Lynsey Hogg, and Community Engagement Worker, Sam Rushton. Our visitors showed great interest in what had been achieved and were impressed by the thriving shop, the ambitious range of engagement work and with the quality of the finished building. Mark Hilton had been well aware of the difficult days in The Big Lottery’s visitors viewing the refurbished shop. From left, Andy Normansell, former Big Lottery funding officer, Jean Marsden, vice chair of NGCE, Rachael McQueen and Mark Hilton of the Big Lottery, Project Manager Helen Keron, and General Retail Manager Lynsey Hogg. the construction phase when we wrestled with the problems of old field drains and collapsing roof beams, now consigned to history. We were delighted that our visitors had brought their former colleague Andy Normansell with them. Andy, now retired, had been our Funding Officer throughout the application process. He had managed both to challenge and stretch us as we prepared our bid while also being positive and encouraging as we negotiated numerous hurdles and successfully launched our community share offer. It obviously gave him pleasure to see our collaboration bear fruit. After their visit Rachael McQueen wrote to say: "We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to sunny New Galloway and appreciated the warm welcome from the NGCE committee and staff. It was great to see the positive impact of National Lottery funding in the area and we were impressed by the transformation of the community shop and the newly converted residential accommodation units. It was excellent to see a range of local and sustainable produce on offer at the shop and learn more about the breadth of activities provided by the community engagement worker, from community co-operative fuel buying initiatives to social gatherings and wellbeing activities." Mike Brown, Chair, NGCE Ltd Club members have been busy preparing the course, organising competitions and coaching. In particular the ladies are in the process of arranging coaching for both beginners and those more experienced players. This coaching will start in early April and any ladies in the community who would like to give the game a try are welcome. If you would like to come along you can contact Linda Brown on 07754066484. Our junior coaching is also set to commence again in early April and anyone interested in coming along can obtain details from David Aitken on 01644 460556. Ian Brown, Secretary New Galloway Golf Club NEW GALLOWAY GOLF CLUB New Galloway Golf Club is looking forward to its new season. The club is pleased to report that we have several new members who have joined up to date this year. It is especially pleasing that a number of these new members are ladies and are also from within the community of New Galloway. Glenkens Gazette SPECIAL FINALE AFTER 21 YEARS OF SERVICE Sunday 25 November marked the last service at St Margaret’s Episcopal Church, New Galloway, taken by the Reverend John Repath who has retired as Rector after 21 years. As well as the usual congregation many other friends attended making it an extra special finale. Drinks and canapés provided by the St Margaret’s Ladies Guild followed the service with a presentation on behalf of the congregation by long-standing member Richard Agnew. John and his wife Jenny have moved to Herefordshire to be nearer family and take with them the good wishes of all. John Repath said afterwards: “We will both always remember the many years we have enjoyed here and the people who have made us welcome both at St Margaret’s and in their homes. It has been a privilege to have served here with such a loyal and faithful congregation.” For further information, please contact Nicolette Wise on 07748 631820. page 3 The Reverend John Repath Carsphairn Scottish Women’s Institute Carsphairn Scottish Women’s Institute (SWI) is a small, social and active group of women who enjoy meeting regularly to share experiences and skills while learning new ones. Membership of the SWI is available to all women in Scotland. There is an emphasis on friendship and inclusiveness. Within the SWI, preserving traditional skills remains important. However, these are added to by the introduction of new experiences and ideas with a view to moving with the times. There is a varied programme of themes at meetings throughout the year which include baking, local heritage, crafts, fun and games and making the most of food. Members may get involved in competitions, but this is totally up to them. One of the benefits of being a member is the opportunity to come together to just talk and share a laugh. Carsphairn SWI meets monthly in Lagwyne Hall on the third Thursday of each month unless there is a reason to change the date. Carsphairn SWI is extending a warm welcome to new members. If you would like to know more, please contact Christine on 01644 460577. In January this year the group met to celebrate Scottish dancing, led by Lavinia and Ken Morris. Great fun was had by all whether taking part or watching - the accompanying poem reflects the evening. In February, Anna Campbell took members and visitors into the past. She described how a walk along the village street would have differed significantly from today. Shops, pubs, police station and fuel station to name a few. It became clear that many characters of many talents have hailed from the Carsphairn area making an impact far afield and closer to home. Members really enjoyed hearing about them all and a fair few of Anna’s stories of the past raised a smile or a laugh. Much food for thought was shared and members plan to dig a bit deeper and find out more about the heritage of the area. Christine Whipp The story of Strictly Scottish Dancing SWI-style… ...but to o’or tale that Thursday night, They came fae glens o’ dark and licht And frae the village o’ Carsphairn They’d women, man and even wean Lavinia and Ken loomed large To gie them dancing was their charge the music box was fast and furious and a’ the folk were keen and curious they jigged they jumped they laughed they tried an’ a that watched fell doon an cried an’ oft the question came to pass who’s the lad an who’s the lass? The ladies of Carsphairn SWI. Glenkens Gazette page 4 sponsored by EVERYTHING listed in the Glenkens Freecycle section is FREE - you just need to contact the owner and go and pick it up! If you would like to list something on this page, please get in touch with Sarah on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk OFFERED Gunnera plants - ready to dig and divide asap; 7 x 5 litre glass fermentation jars; 2 rolls of blue water piping 250 mm diameter. - can be cut up and used as hoops to make cloches in the garden; strap locker gun suitable for attaching things to fences etc - unused and complete with instructions and all accessories; pull-out washing line - 5 lines extend to up to 4 metres and gives 20 m drying space - unused; unused and used timber of all sorts and sizes. Contact: Rhoda on 01644 430 031 WANTED Paving slabs for repairing steps and footpaths in Golf Course wood. Contact: Gerry on 01644 420 852 GAZETTE 'FOR SALE' ADS We thought we’d try out a For Sale section in the Gazette, where anyone within the Glenkens can advertise items they wish to sell, or post a Wanted ad for items they would like to buy. Below are our first few items to get things started - get in touch with yours! Folding massage table. White faux-leather, good quality, hardly used. £30 ono. Contact: Sarah on 07727 127 997 Mens shoes, brand new and unworn, top quality Anatomic brand, black leather formal style, selection of sizes from 6 to 11, old stock in original wrapping and boxes, these cost £129 a pair on anatomicshoes.com - will sell for £20 a pair. Contact: bcaenterprise s@hotmail.co.uk DVD boxsets: Penny Dreadful, seasons 1,2 and 3. 10 discs, as new condition. Supernatural drama starring Timothy Dalton, Eva Green, Josh Hartnett and Billie Piper. £10. Contact: bcaenterpris es@hotmail.co.uk DVDs: Fear the Walking Dead, seasons 1,2 and 3. 11 discs, as new condition. Apocalyptic drama series. £10. Contact: bcaenterpris es@hotmail.co.uk DVD boxsets: Deadwood, seasons 1, 2 and 3. 12 discs, as new condition. Western drama series. £10. Contact: bcaenterpris es@hotmail.co.uk Very rare pine trees, Pinus Coulteri or Coulter Pine. Healthy 1 year old saplings in pots. Decorative evergreens, very long blueish/green needles. These trees produce the largest pinecones in the world, once established. Large quantity available, £8 each. Contact: bcae nterprises@hotmail.co.uk Native willow tree cuttings, very fast gowing, great for hedging or firewood cultivation. Produce reddish/purple long whips, very desirable for weaving and basket work. Simply put these in a jar of water to root, then plant in desired locations. Cut fresh from healthy trees, £5 per bundle of 10. Contact: bcaenterprises@hotmail.co.uk HOUSE REPAIRS JOINERY New Galloway Golf Club Founded 1902 www.nggc.co.uk - 01644 420737 Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Semi-retired Furniture Maker & Builder in GLENKENS AREA ...special rates for inclusion of tea, cake and friendly banter... Call Pete on 07970 462 088 Glenkens Gazette page 5 sponsored by Biosphere Minibus Tours The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere has teamed up with Solway Tours to offer some single day tours in the Galloway Glens area. The excursions are part of a Galloway Glens and D&G Leader funded project which aims to boost tourism in the area by creating a range of experiential activities. The initial day trips will take place in April with more dates to follow throughout the rest of the year. The first tour is scheduled on Tuesday 2 April, and will feature some of the key castles and towers in the area. The second is on Thursday 11 April and will take guests on a trail around some of the most interesting and picturesque spots on Loch Ken. The project is working on a number of other experiences which will be advertised soon. Follow the Facebook page @ExperienceGalloway or visit THE GARDEN SPOT In Victorian times, it is said that farmers and gardeners would drop their trousers and sit bare-cheeked on the soil to see if it was warm enough for planting. Now I am not suggesting that you follow suit...really you could just check to see if the annual weeds have started to germinate. If they have, then it should be warm enough to start planting many of the hardy veggies such as carrot, radish and spinach, along with the hardy annual flowers (and your tatties of course). Don’t forget that any parts of the garden that are shaded for part or all of the day (by a wall or trees) will take a couple of weeks longer to warm up than beds which get a better dose of the sun. Our warm February and colder March has certainly meant a confused start to spring, but nature has a way of sorting itself out. If you grow brassicas (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, etc, and also including wallflowers!) then you will need to add garden lime to the soil as the Glenkens is generally too acid for these alkaline lovers. Stone fruit (cherries, plums, etc) will also need lime around the trees as they need calcium to form the stones. I also find that my apple and pear trees do much better with a handful of lime around each in the spring every couple of years or so. On the subject of trees, if you have any which are staked, check the ties now and slacken off if necessary, to make sure that they have a little room to grow in the coming season without being choked. If you have a greenhouse but didn’t get around to planting your own tomatoes or chillis, it’s not too late (even in April) to plant tomato seeds – smaller cherry varieties will produce crops quickest – ‘sungold’ does well for me. Otherwise buy as plants from your favourite garden centre. I have planted a few lily bulbs in pots – I can then www.gsabiosphere.co.uk to keep up to date with the latest events. For further information contact laura@sup.org.uk or 07741 669181. move these around to fill in any gaps in the borders that appear when the daffodils and tulips die down. A great tip for this time of year (up to mid-summer) is never to water greenhouse or tender plants with water straight from the tap or water butt - most of the plants will not like the cold shock; who would?! If you have a greenhouse then fill the watering can and leave it in the greenhouse for 24 hours to warm up before using it, otherwise add just a little warm to the cold water to just take the chill off. Now I am off to check that the lawnmower is in good working order before I need to make the first cut of the season... The Intrepid Gardener Rocket, onions and broad beans ready for planting out. Glenkens Gazette page 6 RENOWNED FOLK STARS PERFORM GALLOWAY POEM IN CARSPHAIRN As part of D&G Arts Festival, an intimate musical performance of work inspired by Oran Bagraidh, an ancient song believed to be the only remnant of Galloway Gaelic, will be held at Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn, on Tuesday 28 May. To find out more, or buy tickets for the Oran Bagraidh performance, contact CatStrand on 01644 420 374 or visit www.catstrand.com Pictured: From the back, left to right, are Mary Anne (Bragod), Lorcan Mac Mathuna, Josie Duncan, Rody Gorman, Bob Evans (Bragod), Barnaby Brown, Gwyneth Glyn, Doimnic MacGiolla Bhríde, Conor Caldwell, Katch Holmes, Ben Seal and MacGillivray. Glenkens Gazette page 7 Pupils Learn Gaelic Song Through the Oran Bagraidh project (see article on opposite page), a children’s version of an ancient Gaelic song will be taught in Glenkens primary schools. The children’s song lyrics were written by poet Rody Gorman and local musician and tutor Kate Howard has put the poem to music. The song includes the names of several Galloway place names, which firmly places it in the region and raises awareness of the historical prominence of the Gaelic language across the area. The children will have the opportunity to work with professional musicians to learn the Gaelic song in the current school year, facilitated by the organisation Fèis Rois. Pupils will give a rendition of the song to parents and members of the community in the near future. How Far Does the Gazette Go We would like to find out how far afield the Glenkens Gazette travels... Do you send copies out to relatives or friends in far-flung places? We are keen to find out how far the Gazette goes... Do you perhaps even have a photo of someone reading the Gazette in an interesting location? We’d love to hear from you - get in touch at glenkensgazette.co.uk or message us on Facebook From the Desk of the Galloway Glens Scheme: Jonathan Barrett, Galloway Glens Land Management & Access Officer The ‘Accessing the Galloway Glens’ programme theme involves connecting, and in some cases re-connecting, communities with the natural, cultural and manmade elements of their heritage and surroundings. Pathways and recreational routes which bring people into face-to-face contact with the stunning landscapes of the Ken/Dee valley often need improvement and information to help bring them to their full potential. Sometimes paths need improvement in order to open them up to a wider range of users, and often additional links are needed to provide connections between key routes and settlements. Working on these projects brings its own challenges such as weather, terrain, light, and even volumes of water moving down the valley, especially at this time of year! Projects in development include the Glenkens Way, which is a programme of improvements to the Pack Road/pilgrims route from Carsphairn to New Galloway. The first phase from Carsphairn to Polmaddy is currently being designed for implementation this year and takes in some fascinating upland archaeology and should tie in nicely with our Can You Dig It Community Archaeology initiative. Another popular route to be improved this year is the Blackpark to Threave path from Castle Douglas to Lamb Island on the River Dee. This route follows the old Castle Douglas to Kirkcudbright rail line and will include a new link section of path to Bridge of Dee which removes the need to risk life and limb crossing the A75. The Mossdale to Gatehouse Station core path route improvements are now completed, including re-surfacing and a new bridge at Loch Skerrow which offers an eight-mile route across open moorland and through forestry, giving improved access for a wider range of users along part of the old Port Road railway line. For the longer-term, the development of a long-distance canoe trail along 25 miles of river and loch from Dalry to Tongland will give all-abilities canoeing access to a stunning waterway. New ideas for access improvement projects, big and small, on routes old and new are always welcome, so keep the ideas coming - send them to jonathan.barrett@dumgal.gov.uk Glenkens Gazette page 8 Youth Player Comes Home Local actor Dylan Blore starred on the CatStrand stage once again this March. Having last appeared in New Galloway with our own Youth Players in June 2012, he made his much anticipated return as a professional actor in Rapture Theatre’s touring production of The Browning Version by Terence Rattigan. The play was the second of Rapture’s successful ‘Classic Plays @ Lunchtime’ series and played to a packed house. Dylan was brilliant in his portrayal of Taplow and together with the six other cast members he certainly played his part in a memorable production. Dylan graduated from Motherwell College in 2017 with a 1st Class Honours in Acting. His professional debut came in the same year, playing Lucius in Timon of Athens with the Bard in the Botanics theatre company. He has since returned to them to play the title role in Romeo and Juliet and Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing. His other credits so far include Hopscotch Theatre’s tour of Aladdin, BBC’s Armchair Detectives and the hugely popular STARZ series Outlander which of course features another Glenkens actor, Sam Heughan. Brian Edgar, CatStrand Youth Players Director, said: “It was great to welcome Dylan back to CatStrand for the first time as a professional actor. I sat in the audience with a sense of pride and watched him play his role to perfection in an excellent production. Dylan appeared in the first ever Youth Players Festival production ten years ago and went on to be a stalwart member for several years until he left for drama college. He was always totally at home on a stage and there was never any doubt that he had the ability and determination to forge a successful career as an actor. He is a fine example to all young people, that whatever your goal, if you are focussed and work hard enough you can achieve your dream career.” We look forward to seeing Dylan Dylan (right) with CatStrand Youth Players Director Brian Edgar. at CatStrand again soon but in the meantime look out for a full interview with him in the next issue of the Glenkens Gazette. Glenkens Gazette page 9 CatStrand Highlights From the folk stylings of two of Scotland’s most revered multiinstrumentalists Mairearad & Anna (Sun 7 April) to the more heavy set Sticky Fingers for Rock in the Glenkens (Sat 13 April) April and May promise an eclectic line up of musical genres. Love and Money singer songwriter James Grant (Sat 11 May) tours his new album, itself a mix of genres from Al Greeninflected soul to radio-friendly rock and big ballads. Dark Sky Jazz also returns with the Fergus McCreadie Trio (Fri 10 May). Fergus is twice winner of Scottish Jazz Musician of the year and wowed the audience at our last Dark Sky Jazz night as part of Graham Costello’s line up. As the weather warms up, it’s time to venture out and about with programming in community venues. We’ve got a great programme of events popping up in the Glenkens villages, towns and even further afield woodland poetry walk anyone? Scotland’s Puppet Animation Festival takes place during April. Come and see Dalry Town Hall transformed for a performance of Ladder to the Stars, suitable for ages 3+ - it’s a story told through a magical mix of music, light and imagination- and puppets of course (Tue 9 April). The Galloway Glens community writing project Ken Words encourages us to take inspiration from a poetry walk with Alan McClure before a hands on writing workshop at Barhill Wood Outside Classroom, Kirkcudbright (Sun 28 April). Grammy-winning bluegrass comes to the Crossmichael Memorial Hall with a toe tapping concert from Canadian band John Reischman & the Jaybirds (Sat 4 May) in partnership with the Wee Book House. Proceeds from the bar and profits from the event will be going towards the Crossmichael Gala. For an evening exploring Galloway’s heritage through music Carsphairn plays host to a performance of Oran Bagraidh (Tue 28 May). This newly created musical performance was composed during a residency at Barscobe House in 2018. It is inspired by the ancient song of the same name believed to be the only remnant of Galloway Gaelic and featuring several well-known place names in the Glenkens. Featuring an array of first class musicians the performance will take place at Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn, with a pre event supper at Carsphairn Tea Rooms available when booking in advance. Dalry Town Hall finishes off a month of potential venue hopping with what promises to be a beautiful and powerful performance from the Cairn Chorus joined by the Galloway Agreement for their Spring tour which captures the essence of Dumfries & Galloway’s wild and rugged landscapes (Fri 31 May). Meanwhile at CatStrand, the Easter holidays see the return of Dundee-based dance theatre company Shaper Caper, who performed Within this Dust to a rapt audience here in February. This time with an exciting and immersive performance for ages 3-10 - The Adventures of Isabel (Tue 16 April). The show will be followed by an interactive workshop for all the family. Our Easter Monday movie, The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales (U) is afternoon viewing for all the family, a charming witty and wonderfully silly animated film featuring watercolour sketch animation techniques, it’s littleone friendly but not too sappy (Mon 22 Apr). To finish up our Spring season D&G Arts Festival is back at the end of May with a programme of live arts events around the region – this year CatStrand plays host to the UK premiere of theatre show Guitar Man (Sun 26 May). The show traces the delicate balance between loneliness and longing, loss and salvation through the eyes of a busker. Just the thing for a Sunday afternoon. Our full spring brochures are available now from CatStrand, or take a look online at www.catstrand.com Shaper Caper - The Adventures of Isabel Josh Hawkins. Glenkens Gazette page 10 Garroch Walled Garden Project: Allotment Plots Available Springtime is here! It’s time to get to work in the garden... If you’re interested in growing vegetables on a plot in the walled garden, please get in touch soon. Pumpkin Challenge We’re holding a pumpkin growing competition at Garroch Garden - do you think you could be the 2019 champion? Some spaces for growing pumpkins are available in the garden (first come, first served). There will be a grand pumpkin weigh-in in the autumn, with a small prize (and great glory) for the grower of the heaviest pumpkin. There will also be an additional prize for under 12s. (Hint: now is the time to start by sowing your pumpkin seed in a pot at home.) If you are interested in either having an allotment plot or growing your pumpkin at the Garroch, please contact us at teriandjon@tiscali.co.uk or on 01644 420 247. Many thanks to the people who responded to the piece in the last issue of the Gazette by donating gardening tools; they are greatly appreciated. Picture: Jon Nimmo celebrating a pumpkin victory at Harborne Hill allotments, Birmingham, in 2001. His winning pumpkin, competing with around 60 other allotment holders, weighed in at a whopping 99lb. Visit the Gardens of Excellence It’s official, spring has arrived and it’s time to get out and enjoy our beautiful gardens and landscape. Glenkens Transport Initiative (GTI) is offering a new series of garden visits this year, commencing on Sunday 7 April with a visit to the ‘Gardens of the Southwest’. This excursion will visit Logan Botanic Garden, which is an exotic paradise, followed by a visit to Castle Kennedy with its romantically situated landscaped gardens. In May the destination is Holehird Garden, the home of Lakeland Horticultural Society. The tour will include a scenic drive through the Lake District. In June a visit to Craichlaw Garden and Woodfall Garden will demonstrate different styles of gardening in the Machars. Each of these gardens has a different story to tell and provides inspiration to the visitor. The GTI team take a pride in offering Riverside walk, Kailzie Garden, one of the gardens on these enjoyable the GTI summer programme. excursions for the communities Galloway, call 01644 420 374, and within which visit www.glenkenstransport.org for we live. Local pick-up points are further information. available and a low-floor bus is As one passenger has said: “An used to provide easy access. To excellent day out, good company, book your ticket please either excellent gardens, tea and cake, contact the CatStrand in New what’s not to like!” THE STEWARTRY VETERINARY CENTRE CASTLE DOUGLAS SURGERY HOURS Mon-Fri 2.00-2.30 pm & 5-6 pm Sat 2-2.30 pm DALBEATTIE SURGERY HOURS Mon, Wed, Fri 3-3.30 pm Tues & Thurs 6-6.30 pm FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY � 01556 502263 VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS � Family and friends coming to stay? Short of space? Cosy country cottage available (sleeps 4) Call Fiona on 01644 420 227 www.covenanters-holidaycottagescotland.co.uk Glenkens Gazette TRACKS OF LIFE page 11 by Miriam Stevenson grass I reached for your strong hands “You poke the needle to steady me. Unexperienced flutters through the front loop, in my innocent heart. You reached to straighten my soft scarf and pull yarn over and pull it me towards you. The changes to through. See, there you resonate loudly in my future life were about to begin. are. First stitch made!” Snow and ice all around. It twinkled Fibres from the wool rose up and eddied lazily in the breeze, glinting in the summer sun, as did the knitting needles and the stray strands of your golden hair falling in front of those bright sea blue eyes. I remember you so well. How we danced together as children and shared hobbies. My first stirrings of affection. A childhood fondness that could so easily have become more in a few short years had I not moved away. My hands running along the rough texture of your coat as I reached for your hands. Woven textures of tweed flecked yarn picked out by the unbelievably bright sunlight that only late autumn days can bring. Crisp air pumped through my lungs and rushed through my hair as we climbed up the hill, hardly caring for the faraway vista before us. I was happy and carefree, waiting to see what the future would bring. Possibilities hung in the air. Oh boy, was my life about to be shifted on its axis. Suddenly slipping on the wet in the moonlight and dulled all sounds. My dreadful Christmas jumper - complete with light-up reindeer - offered a vain attempt to warm a body that swore it would rather never feel warmth again. I almost craved the insistent and persisting cold’s inexorable climb from my frozen hands towards my heart as I clasped at the handrail on the iron cold bridge. So easy to let the barely flowing water, crystallising into a thick unyielding layer, smother my pain. Saved by the eternity of constellations, weaving their seeming infinite pattern across the sky, reminding my heartbroken soul that somewhere the ever-longed-for you could equally be wishing on the same stars. Scooping up the discarded mitten from the rain-soaked pavement, noting how its woollen intricately patterned design had become a rather sodden, dripping and sad looking affair. “So apt!” he felt in Youth Players Trophy Wins Continued from front page... Bar & Ger by Geraldine Aron is a well-known two-hander telling the touching story of a brother and sister as they grow up. Arthur Harfield and Eilidh Thomson, in the title roles, were praised by Mr Bennet for their assured acting skills and interaction with the audience. He said: “Both actors were very natural and believable in their delivery of dialogue and carrying out directions.” The play is very challenging for both the actors and the director and whilst he didn’t necessarily agree with all of the directorial choices, he commended the team for going with their convictions and producing such a high quality and engaging piece of theatre. Dust of the Street by Harry Glass is another challenging piece, placing great demands on the cast, director and the stage presentation. The adjudicator praised the immediate impact of the opening music, the set and the costumes which “left him in no doubt that he was in a Warsaw ghetto in 1942”. Similarly, he commended the very dramatic ending describing it as perfect. The courage to use periods of silence and the clever layering of the lighting and sound effects as the play drew to a close led to him commenting that “the moving ending would live with him for a long time.” He was also impressed with the acting and the teamwork of the cast of James Wallace, Annabelle McAdam, James Jones, Laura Edington, Henry Harfield and Anna Irving. In summary the adjudicator said: “All the production elements in this piece added together to give an authentic atmosphere with a very creative and strong ending. It was an engaging piece of storytelling.” The Tick of the Clock by American playwright Ron Dune was being performed for the first time outside the USA. The cast included several members making their festival debut and was very well received by the audience. The main characters were played by Fergus McClure, Huw Hodson, Hope Rowley, Ruby Harfield and Fiona Edgar with the Forest track near Burnfoot, New Galloway, by Miriam Stevenson. empathy as he looked up without much held hope of reuniting it with its partner. Turning suddenly to the unexpected sound of her relieved exclamation, endless summer sea blue eyes beheld never forgotten deep brown ones. A ready smile, so spontaneous – unbetraying of previous hurts, chased Spring showers forever away. Miriam says: “...I was thinking how emotions can match the changing of nature’s seasons...the seasons of our lives reflecting the world around us.” non-speaking, but very active, street people ably led by Dante Newbery and Megan Oliver. “The piece mainly relies on Don, the central character played by Fergus McClure, to be a strong performer and indeed he was. I was impressed with this performer’s change in character from one with low self-esteem to one with confidence” the adjudicator remarked: “Also, the movement and freezing of all the characters was very well executed.” Summing up, he said: “This was an engaging piece of theatre which kept our interest sustained throughout.” The plays were directed by Brian Edgar and Zoe Kirkpatrick who were both delighted with all three performances and also the high marks, constructive feedback and encouragement received from the adjudicator. The icing on the cake was perhaps the positive reaction of the audience shown to all three plays culminating in them voting Bar & Ger as their favourite play of the week. All three plays were performed again at CatStrand in March to a very appreciative full house. Glenkens Gazette page 12 GRAHAM COSTELLO’S STRATA a review by Liam Russell Jazz is an opportunity for gifted musicians to showcase their abilities, and for music lovers to immerse themselves in an emotive musical environment for a short period of time. In February we were fortunate enough to have Scottish Jazz Awards Best Band nominees Graham Costello’s Strata perform an intimate show at Catstrand. Strata are a band consisting of some of the most exceptional and respected players in Scotland. The group comprises six members: Graham Costello on drums and composition, Liam Shortall on trombone, Fergus McCreadie on piano, Joe Williamson on guitar, Mark Hendry on bass and Harry Weir on tenor saxophone. Alongside the nomination mentioned previously, they have also been noted as one of Jazzwise Magazine’s “Ones to Watch in 2019” and run a monthly residency in Glasgow’s Bloc. The band describe their music as blending “stylistic elements of jazz, minimalism, and celebrated progressive/noise bands together with a strong DIY ethic, winning over audiences with towering dynamics and a raw and genuine enthusiasm”. Having witnessed their staggering performance in the flesh, I can assure you that this interpretation is a modest one. Being a personal fan of minimalist artists such as Steve Reich and Phillip Glass, it was inspiring to see the same principals put across by a group of young jazz musicians. The band are also well known for the improvisational nature of their pieces, which was subject to a stunning execution on the night as each member sank back into the groove, each becoming a cornerstone of the overall composition. The “noise music” element to the music was nothing like I had ever heard before, with the saxophone resonating animalistic cries around the room and the keys creating an atonal platform for the band to play off. Dynamically, the contrast between movements was astounding, while transitions remained smooth. Some of my personal favourite moments were when we were invited to listen intently to parts of the performance that were solely piano. These were the moments where it was apparent that the audience were completely transfixed. In fact, one of the things I found most remarkable was this profound effect the music had on audience members. The fluidity of the music, paired with the dimly lit auditorium and the technical ability of the group resulted in what I can only describe as an entrancing experience. This was met with respectful silence as eyes followed the movements of the group as they proved their place within Scottish jazz. Graham Costello’s Strata released their debut album OBELISK in February which is available on major streaming platforms. I recommend that you feed your hunger for new music with this work and do your upmost to catch this six-piece wonder whenever you can. I’ll be back for more at the next Dark Sky Jazz night at CatStrand where Fergus McCreadie, the pianist with the group, returns with his trio on Friday 10 May. Graham Costello’s Strata performing at CatStrand © Ian Biggar Glenkens Gazette page 13 What’s Been Happening with LING A sparkling night Those attending the LING AGM on 28 February were in good spirits, partly because of the glass of something sparkling, but also because of the good news about the LING finances. The year’s surplus was 50% more than the previous year and the New Galloway Town Hall’s bookings are on the up and up. In addition, the Board reported lots of activity taking place in the renovation of the walled garden in the Garroch Estate and the restoration of pathways for walkers in the Golf Course woodlands and the Garroch Estate. These are partnership projects with Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership under the heading of ‘Exploring New Galloway’. Exciting times The principal news was that LING has ‘won’ grants worth nearly £20,000. Most of this is devoted to a viability study to examine the implications if LING were to take over the ownership of the Town Hall from Dumfries & Galloway Council. We are very grateful indeed to our sponsors who, strangely, all made the decision on exactly the same day just before Christmas and all awarded us the full asking amount. Grants were received from National Lottery Awards for All, who have given us £4000, Architectural Heritage, who have granted £5000, and National Lottery Heritage Fund who have awarded £6000. There will be four strands to this viability testing process, starting with a community consultation to see what support there is for the Town Hall amongst the local residents. An architectural survey and options study will explore what needs culminating in the creation of to be done to keep the building externally mounted display boards structurally sound and what could with a specially produced heritage be done to adapt it to meet our map of the smallest Royal Burgh, needs, in particular how to make it highlighting places of interest and fully accessible. A feasibility study their history, and a related website will assess what kind of income called ‘The New Galloway Story’, stream could be generated and what which can offer a great deal more personnel structures and support information and provide a framework would be needed. Finally, a five-year for hosting a range of potential Business Plan would be drawn up future contributions. as a guide for future developments Another lucky winner and a support document for the And finally, on the night of the more substantive grant bids that AGM, another winner was announced would then be needed to support the - Tom Carlyle was presented with renovation work on the building. £50 from the Friends of the Town LING Trustees are delighted Hall draw. There are two draws a to announce the appointment year for a £50 prize for Friends of of Creetown Initiative Ltd, in the Town Hall. The next will take conjunction with ARPL Architects, to place at the Cheese and Wine conduct the viability testing on our Fundraiser in September. If you’d behalf. We look forward very much like to be in the draw next time to working with them. Exciting times round, you can become a ‘Friend’ for indeed! £5 a month in support of the Town Celebrating heritage Hall. Just contact our Treasurer, Bob The icing on the cake was the Glaister, at rtdglaister@aol.com award of another grant of £4,480 The LING Committee for ‘The New Galloway Story’ from the Galloway Glens Landscape partnership. This is a heritage project, which we hope will become a collaborative venture involving the many interested parties in and around New Galloway. It will build on several projects LING and others have already been developing, Lucky winner, Tom Carlyle, receives his £50 note. New Galloway Events Committee To date the events committee, a subcommittee of Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING), has held a Christmas Concert in 2017, a Picnic in the Park in May 2018 and a St Andrews Concert in December 2018. Donations have been made to Kells school, the Cubs & Beavers, and towards the commemorative bench sited near the war memorial. Money raised from the raffle and donations at the St Andrews Concert enabled £200 to be given towards lighting for the floodlit activities for children in the park. We will continue with just two events a year, always with free entry but with any donations going towards community causes. In 2019 we are planning another Picnic in the Park (even though there is no Royal Wedding to celebrate this time!) on Sunday 9 June. It is hoped that this event can be the combined with Kells School’s 55th anniversary celebrations and that the pupils can take an active part. Any suggestions for this event would be most welcome, as well as ideas of where you would like any profits to be donated – always local. The now traditional event at Christmas will be a community concert in New Galloway Town Hall on Sunday 1 December, followed by a piper leading us to the CatStrand where there will be mulled wine and the Christmas light switch-on. Joan Walker EXCITING TIMES FOR THE G Glenkens Gazette page 14 As we approach the end of our first year of the 5-year delivery phase of the Galloway Glens scheme, many of our projects are really ramping up. Thanks to all our partners and volunteers who are working so hard on connecting people with their heritage or on supporting sustainable communities. Hopefully you’ve started to see some projects happening near you, and you can see a beautiful video overview of the Scheme on YouTube now – search for Galloway Glens. Thanks are due as ever to our main funder, the Heritage Lottery, to Dumfries and Galloway Council, to the Biosphere and to all our many other project partners. On this page is a snapshot of some of the Galloway Glens projects that have particular relevance to the Glenkens – for more details of all 35 projects, see our website www.gallowayglens.org Our Heritage Grants Awarded We’ve given our first award of funding through the Our Heritage Small Grants Scheme, with four new projects supported this time. These are: • Helping ‘Butterfly Conservation’ run mothtrapping nights undertaken by residents around the area and purchase moth traps and equipment. • Supporting Local Initiatives in New Galloway to install information boards and create a website recognising New Galloway’s history as the smallest Royal Burgh in Scotland. • Assisting the volunteers at the Carsphairn Heritage Group to digitise and publish historical records. • Helping the South West Community Woodlands Trust plant and raise awareness of local heritage fruit & nut trees, run pruning & grafting courses and host an ‘Apple Festival’ in the summer. The next deadline for Small Grant (up to £5,000) applications is 12 April. If you have a project that might fit, do visit our website at www.gallowayglens.org to see our criteria and the application process. The Biosphere Experience This Southern Upland Partnership-led project is exploring the positive impact that experiential tourism could have on the area. The first tours are available to book now through their Facebook page ‘ Galloway’, or if you are a tourism business in the are like to know more about working in partnership on t contact Laura Davidson at laura@sup.org.uk. Mossdale Railway line Work has been completed on improvement of an 8 mile stretch of the old railway line between the Mossdale and Gatehouse stations. The walking / cycling path is now much more accessible and includes a replacement bridge at Loch Skerrow and improved surfacing. The work has been done in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council and is matchfunded by the IPA scheme. Loch Ke Ban We have been the New Gallow Association in t to better mana fishing pitches side of Loch Ke improve access users. Business A Our 2019 Business programme (in par Business Gateway) a great start, with attending the first t Accommodation Pro Creative Businesse have commented o and relevance of th specific information free event is aimed and Drink producer in Castle Douglas in Helen on helen.ker gov.uk for more inf If you missed an ev was relevant to you presenters’ notes a on www.gallowaygl resources Biosphere Explorers at Dalry Hi Dalry High School John Muir Award students had a chilly but enjoyab Ayrshire Biosphere in January, with two workshops organised by the Shalla Gray, from the Chrichton Carbon Centre. They first went to the Bellymack Farm in Laurieston to learn about the successful reintroduc RSPB and other conservation groups. The following week (after more took the students around Dalry and told them some of the many my This page is sponsored by the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership For further details contact McNabb Laurie, Gall GALLOWAY GLENS SCHEME Glenkens Gazette ‘Experience ea who would this project, en West nk supporting way Angling their efforts age their on the west en, and also s for all Academy s Academy rtnership with ) has got off to over 60 people two events for oviders and es. Attendees on the quality he sectorn. The next d at small Food rs and will be n April. Email ron@dumgal. formation. vent that u, the are published lens.org/ page 15 Heritage Hubs Work continues at Dalry Town Hall, Crossmichael Church Hall and the Old Smiddy in Balmaclellan to create a series of Heritage Hubs across the area. They will all have a different theme and aim, but are all led by teams of local volunteers looking to make the most of their village, and their heritage. If you’d like to get involved with these, contact the teams directly or through Nick on nick.chisholm@dumgal.gov.uk Exploring New Galloway Work progresses to bring the Garroch Estate Garden back to life. Huge progress has been made by the Local Initiatives in New Galloway volunteers to revive the Garroch Estate walled garden, which is one of the largest and most notable examples in the area. Work has included the clearance of scrub and undergrowth, rescue of historic plants and trees and creation of new planting area to create a blooming and productive community garden. Future plans include the provision of an eco-friendly composting toilet for visitors and volunteers. Work has also progressed well on the footpaths of the golf club woods, which are looking noticeably more loved. High School ble foray into the Galloway & Southern ‘Biosphere Explorers’ Project Officer, e Red Kite Feeding Station at ction of Red Kites to Scotland by the e snow!), local storyteller Tony Bonning yths and legends associated with Dalry. Ken Words Writing Project The Ken Words writing project, in partnership with GCAT, is now well underway with a new Writers’ Café having started up in Kirkcudbright on the first Thursday of the month. The established Glenkens Writers’ Café at CatStrand continues to open its doors on the second Thursday of the month, 7-9pm. Both cafés are free to drop-in to and welcome anyone interested in developing their writing and meeting like-minded people in an informal, friendly setting. Ken Words are also becoming known for their ‘Poetry Walks’ - the next of which is in Barhill Wood, Kirkcudbright, on Sunday 28 April. Please contact Jane McBeth on jane.kenwords@gmail.com for more details. Can You Dig It? Our Community Archaeology programme ‘Can You Dig It’ has got off to a great start, with workshops, surveys and digs starting in March. All events are free and open to all, whether you’re already an enthusiast or just want to find out more. Glenkens sites are hoped to include work at Polmaddy and the Raiders Road. To keep up to date, follow Can You Dig It (@GGLPArchaeology) on Facebook or Twitter or sign up to the email newsletter via Helen on Helen.keron@dumgal.gov.uk. Thanks to Historic Environment Scotland for their matched funding of this fantastic project. Place Names of the Galloway Glens The ‘Place Names of the Galloway Glens’ project, in partnership with Glasgow University, is now well underway and Gilbert Markus is giving a talk at the CatStrand on Saturday 30th March at 2:30pm with The Glenkens Story about his initial findings and thoughts. Book tickets early if you’d like to go – Glenkens Story events usually sell out! p Scheme, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Dumfries & Galloway Council. loway Glens Team Leader, on mcnabb.laurie@dumgal.gov.uk Glenkens Gazette page 16 GIVING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE A VOICE World Book Day 2019 In March it was World Book Day. Caeden & Daniel, Kells Primary: In the morning we had breakfast. There was Nutella, croissants, pain au chocolate, oranges, bananas, apple juice, orange juice, water and crunchy bread. We did paired reading for forty five minutes. Afterwards we did a catwalk so we could see everybody’s costumes and try and guess who they were dressed up as. There were a couple of Hermione Grangers and some Matildas and one Boy In The Dress. After lunch we did a quiz about books. Then we designed either a bookmark or book themed bunting I did some bunting. Daniel did some bunting. He coloured in his in. Then it was home time. Next year we would like to play some games in the hall. Christie & Charlie, Dalry Primary: Everyone from Dalry Primary School dressed up as their favourite book character. Christy and Jamie went round each class and took photographs of the children dressed up. Some people dressed up as Where’s Wally, Cat in the Hat, Dumbledore and Harry Potter. Each class got split up and sent into different classrooms to read their favourite book to someone else. Some people’s favourite books were Horrid Henry, Harry Potter and Minecraft. After that we came back into class and did an activity from the board. Some of the activities were making a poster and making a survey on our favourite book. In Devil’s Porridge Trip Glenkens Cluster p47s went on a visit to the Devil’s Porridge Museum. Courtney and Jamie (Dalry Primary) report: We went to the museum because we were learning about WWII. When we arrived we were greeted by a lady and a man. Then we went upstairs to have a talk about rationing. We learned that ladies painted their legs with gravy so it looked like they were wearing stockings. After an interesting talk we had a break then went into another room. In the other room another lady talked about where bombs fell in Gretna. Lunch was straight after. Once we had lunch the P6 and P7 split up. The P6s went upstairs to dress up. While the P7s tasted some carrot Pupils enjoying a book on World Book Day. the afternoon we all made some bookmarks. To finish off our day we made a Harry Potter-themed poem and that was the end of World Book Day. group and a P6-7 group and we learnt about WW2 stuff. Then we got to try carrot cookies, carrot lemonade, carrot rolls and carrot cupcakes. Then we learnt about rationing and tried on World War clothes. We went outside to see an Anderson shelter. Next time we would like to learn more about rationing. cookies, lemonade and a roll. The P7s also went into a pretend Anderson shelter outside. It was cosy but not spacious. The P6s went into a house displayed in the museum. She showed us an old bath tub, and how they used to live. Then we rotated. Overall we really enjoyed this trip and fully recommend it to all. Sam and Hannah (Kells Primary) report: We went to the museum because of our new topic World War 2. When we got on the bus I sat next to Alex. On the way there, we got on the first bus with some people from Dalry and Carsphairn. Some pupils trying out WW2-style When we got there clothing and equipment. we split into a P4-5 Getting Active at Dalry Primary School Every Monday at lunchtime, we have a dance club at Dalry Primary School. Coach Mairi and coach Sophie from ‘Let’s Get Sporty’, teach us different dances. We practice the dances and then we get to add our own moves to them. This makes it fun because we get to make our own routines. We also get to choose the music to go with the routines. We have learned new dance moves, practiced them each week and know we are all really good at them. Football Club: Football club is on every Tuesday, after school, at Dalry Primary. Children from Dalry, Kells and Carshpairn all come along to have fun and play football. The coaches are Mrs Houston from Dalry and Mrs Welsh from Kells Primary. At training we learn how to get into a space so that the ball isn’t crowded, how to dribble and play lots of fun matches. All these skills have helped us to get better at playing football. Dalry p4/5 class Glenkens Gazette page 17 GIVING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE A VOICE Kells Recorder Win at the Galloway Music Festival Fiona, Reahanne, Megan and Sophie all went on a very long, tiring journey all the way to Newton Stewart to play their recorders at the Galloway Music Festival! Eventually we arrived at the Galloway Music Festival. In we went, ready to compete against groups from other schools. We were the only group that weren’t playing in unison as all four of us were playing different parts. We were also the only group who were playing different types of recorders unlike the others who all played descant recorders. Fiona and Reahanne played tenor (which more than a few passers-by were staring at because of the immense size of them. Megan played descant and Sophie played treble. We hope you might be pleased to hear that we won! Not only one trophy, not even two trophies but three gleaming trophies came back to Kells on the bus. Megan and Sophie played an amazing duet and Sophie played a solo - wow Sophie you must have been tired! We were immensely happy with our success and also enjoyed listening to everyone else perform so well done to everyone else who took part! Thank you to all the teachers and adults who helped us. Fiona and Reahanne, P7 Forest Fun at Kells Primary Carsphairn Each week Kells Primary pupils spend some time outside doing Forest Schools activities. Rosie, Megan & Evie, p4-7 class, Kells Primary: Every Friday the Primary 4-7 go and do a thing called Forest Friday. The site is near the fire station and we made a bridge out of fallen branches that we walk across to get over the river. We call the site the Savannah because when we went there in summer the grass had turned a dark shade of yellow and it reminded us of a Savannah like place. We have a fire and we sometimes cook hot chocolate and bananas with chocolate. We are planning to make a proper shelter so when it rains we can go inside and be nice and warm. A few weeks ago we went exploring on an expedition and since our topic is World War Two we pretended that some of us were German spies and the rest of us had to find out who those spies were. Near the end we got to have a small game of tag but it was the Battle of Britain so we were all in imaginary spitfires. Sometimes if it’s warm enough, like that week in February we got to play in the river but when we get cold we sit by the fire. Another game of tag we play is called Chita tag where you hide and when “Chita” finds you, you have five seconds to run away. Io Heyes, p1-3 class, Kells Primary: Last Tuesday it was Forest School Day when we made bricks. First we put some ingredients in the mould to make the bricks. The first ingredients in the mould were clay and water. Then we put some straw in the mould. Next we put some mud in the mould. Above left: Pupils enjoying outdoor cooking at their Forest School sessions. Above right: Brick making by Oscar Hudson. Primary School Carsphairn’s two current pupils report on what they have been doing over the last couple of months... Crawford: We have had Tag Rugby this term with John Muir every Friday at Dalry school. Primary 6/7 took part. I liked it because this time I didn’t sprain my ankle like I did in the past. We also go every week to do ball skills with Let's Get Sporty. We have learned about netball, football, rugby and I really enjoyed the basketball skills because I like shooting and defending. I am good at blocking the ball and marking others. I liked going to the sporting activities because I also get to see my friends at Dalry. Naomi: We went to Deep Sea World in Edinburgh and it took approximately three hours to get there. Mrs Welsh and I got really scared when we went over the new Forth Road Bridge. My favourite part of the day was going to see the seals being fed because the man was making them do tricks and it was hilarious to watch. For lunch I had pizza, Mrs Welsh had mac'n'cheese and Crawford had a burger - it was scrumptious! We were sure that everyone looked at us and thought we were Mrs Welsh's own children! The day was a really fun experience and I would love to go again some time. Glenkens Gazette page 18 Dalry Secondary BEING A SCHOOL VOLUNTEER School Update Dalry First Aiders Mrs Acheson (Modern Languages) and Mrs Stockwell (English) have completed a First Aid At Work training course. They learned how to provide treatment for a wide range of situations and had practical experience assessing injuries, bandaging wounds, and performing CPR. World Book Day: Dalry Primary and Secondary celebrated World Book Day – it was fabulous to see Gandalf and Professor McGonagall wandering the hallways! Thanks to Mrs Newbury, who made the library into a bookworm’s paradise for the day. Story Writing Competition: Pupils are taking part in a short story writing competition on the theme of ‘contamination’! Grim, dystopian fictions have been created thus far by S2 pupils, with the added challenge that the story must be no longer than 100 words. Closing date is early April and the prizes are great. Good luck to all entrants. Star Skater! S3 pupil Grace Jeffery-Temple travelled all the way to Valenciennes in northern France with a team of synchronised skaters to participate in an international competition. The team, Solway Eclipse, performed to the Addams Family theme, wearing Gothic costumes which included spiders in their hair. Their long journey by bus and on the Eurostar was well worth it and they came a very respectable fourth place against stiff competition. Well done, Grace! GLENKENS ROUTE Thursdays: 12noon-1pm – Crossmichael 1-2pm – Parton/Loch Ken Holiday Park 2-4pm – Balmaclellan area 4-5.30pm – The Hidden Road Fridays: 8-10.30am – Dalry 10.30-11am – Glenlee Area 11am – New Galloway 12noon – New Galloway Shop 2pm – Mossdale area 3-4pm – Laurieston to Gatehouse Please note that all times are approximate. 07966 103 912 charliecoid@hotmail.com Fleet Fish aims to provide top quality produce which is sourced as locally as possible. We take pride in offering friendly door-to-door service tailored to our customers’ needs. There are lots of ways that parents and others help out at Kells. We thought we would like to ask some of them a bit about it, so we’re going to interview a few people who are involved with Kells Primary School. In this issue of the Gazette we spoke to Sam Cartwright, a dad who does the weekly Forest Tuesdays and Moulding bricks. Fridays. Sam is a joiner and helps us with making everything from bridges to brick moulds, amongst lots of other things. Sometimes he can’t come because of work, but he always tries to be there as much as possible. We asked Sam what he likes most about helping out at the Forest Friday/Tuesdays. He said: “I enjoy getting outside with the children, having fun and going on adventures. It’s a great feeling when the children look up to you and I also enjoy having the extra time with my own children. I wasn’t able to do anything like this before due to work commitments, and the size of the school where we lived before just didn’t allow it to do anything like this. I think it helps the children get a better understanding of the outdoors and realise there’s more to do than just playing X-Box... I wish I had this when I was at school.” A huge thank you to all the mums and dads, grans and grandads, school staff and everyone in the community who supports us by coming to our events, making cakes, doing sports and outdoor activities with us, coming on outings, helping us with our reading, helping out the teachers and joining in parent council meetings... and lots more, at home and at school! At the moment we especially need help with DIY, planting in the garden and setting up our polytunnel, and are always looking for extra help in the classroom or admin - it can be one-off help or longer term, and you don’t have to be related to a child in the school. Please give the school office a call on 01644 420 374 between 9am and 1pm for more info. Kells Primary School OOPS! Thank you very much to everyone who got in touch about the 50-year anniversary of the Kells Primary School building - it turns out we got our dates wrong and it’s 55 this year...! But we’re still excited and working on a celebration of Kells School past and present in the summer term. So please keep your memories of the school coming! Mary Smith Glenkens Gazette page 19 Messy Times at Bright Stars Glenkens Community Nursery or, as it is better known, Bright Stars, has been getting rather messier than usual! The Nursery, based at the Glenkens Community centre, has been holding a ‘Messy Play’ morning on the first Wednesday of each month for under 2s (and their adults) to come along to join in with the session. Each session has a theme. So far we have had fireworks, Christmas, boxes, winter and rainbow colours. Each session has a variety of different sensory experiences for the of the world and to develop their communication and language playing with and alongside their peers. The children all have a snack together beforehand and parents and carers get a chance to have a coffee and chat. All are welcome!” The sessions have proved popular and the Nursery is considering running an afternoon session as well. The Nursery has recently been inspected by the Care Inspectorate who gave it an unanimously positive review with Grades of 4 in every category and no requirements or recommendations for the service. “We are delighted at this report,” said Helen Keron, GCAT board representative. “It is a testament to the huge amount of work put in by Rachel and her team, plus the massive support that the parent volunteers give to them. Parent support is vital to community groups like this and we need the engagement from the parents to support and keep the Nursery going.” Messy Play runs on the first Wednesday of each month 10-11.30 and is only £3 per child (siblings £1 extra) and this includes a healthy snack for the children and a tea/ coffee for parent/carer Bright Stars sessions are open to children from their 2nd birthday and run 9-12 & 12-3 with the option of back-to-back sessions and pick-up from Dalry ELC. You can enrol at any point in the year but early enrolment is advised as some of our sessions are currently oversubscribed. Find us on facebook @BrightStarsGlenkens Bright Stars is a Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) project. support people in a situation where they need help the most, and has decided that doing a sponsored head shave is the way he wants to raise money. If you would like to support Daniel in his fundraising efforts, there are sponsor forms and collection boxes in Hair by Jayne, Wright’s Shop in Dalry and New Galloway Community Shop. Daniel Roberts wearing his Kells Primary school uniform, raring to go... The Nursery has recently been inspected by the Care inspectorate who gave it an unanimously positive review with Grades of 4 in every category... babies and children to explore - ice, paint, foam, rice, water and jelly to name a few. Nursery Manager, Rachel Hudson, explains the benefits: “Messy Play allows young children to be creative, to aid their understanding DANIEL’S CLOSE SHAVE Seven-year-old Daniel Roberts from Mossdale will be shaving his head to raise money for charity. He has decided to book in at Dalry’s Hair by Jayne on Tuesday 9 April to raise money for the Beatson Cancer Charity. Daniel’s mum Chrissy said: “Daniel has seen a number of people in his circle of family and friends being afflicted by cancer, and this has inspired him.” Daniel is determined that he wants to do something to Glenkens Gazette page 20 Missing Rolls of Honour Appeal Some sources state that, in 1914, the Church of Scotland issued advice/ guidance that all churches should create and maintain a Roll of Honour of all men who were serving in the war (The Great War or World War One). Probably without exception, the churches did this and, by custom, the names of those who were killed came to be marked with a cross or similar. The Rolls of Honour (ROH) were on paper, and ecclesiastical suppliers of the time produced suitable printed forms. Many of these have survived but many have not. As well as the Church of Scotland, most other churches seem to have done the same. From time-to-time these ROH turn up having been forgotten for decades; the Southwick ROH was discovered amongst old papers in 2012, and two WW1 ROH for congregational churches were found in Dumfries in February of this year. It seems likely that the same procedure was followed in WW2 but, in the Glenkens, none of these paper Rolls of Honour are known to survive for either war. This is particularly sad because these ROH are often the only record of service of those who survived, a significant number of WW1 records having been destroyed in the Blitz in WW2. They are therefore valuable to those carrying out local history or family history research and for future generations. The following memorials (to soldiers who served and survived) do exist and were probably created from the information on the original rolls: Dalry Town Hall WW1 and WW2, Balmaclellan WW2 Book, Kells (New Galloway) WW2 memorial in the Town Hall and the Carsphairn United Free Church WW1 plaque (now in the parish church). This, unfortunately, still leaves very large gaps in the records and all the original ROH missing. If you know of the existence of any of these ROH or even evidence of their previous existence (photos, newspaper cuttings, etc) then please get in touch. It is not my intention to initiate relocating any that can be found but rather to record them online for the Scottish Military Research Group, the War Memorials Trust and the Imperial War Museum so that the information is freely available to all. Thank you, Paul Goodwin, memorials@paulgoodwin.me.uk ULTRASOUND PREGNANCY SCANNING ����������������� �������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ��������������������� ����������������������������� For bookings and info: Duncan Kennedy 07860 474001 dk@passcan.co.uk www.passcan.co.uk Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents Dumfries & Galloway 01556 503744 www.ggblaw.co.uk All legal advice Offices in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Kirkcudbright and Dumfries Glenkens Gazette page 21 LOCAL HISTORY with TED COWAN A Minister Of Agriculture Samuel Smith, the son of a farmer at Craigmuie, Balmaclellan, was born in 1757. He studied at Edinburgh University serving for a time as tutor to the family of David Blair of Borgue before he was ordained as minister to Carsphairn in 1783. Nine years later he translated to Borgue where he died in 1816. It was said of him that “he took a deep interest in agricultural improvement, and had considerable experience as a practical farmer. He was tall, of slender figure, with a slight bend in his gait, of slow deliberate speech, acute observation, independent thinking, extensive education and liberal sentiments”. His first known publication was the entry for Carsphairn in the pioneering Statistical Account of Scotland (1792), followed a year later by that for Borgue. His son, also Samuel, wrote the Borgue entry, somewhat derivative of his father’s earlier contribution, for the New Statistical Account (1843). Sam Senior deserves to be remembered for his book General View of the Agriculture of Galloway published in 1810 at a moment of epochal transition in Galloway farming. As a minister he was well placed in each of the kirks that he served in to collect information on a daily basis as he went about his business, whether the informants were landowners, farmers, agricultural servants, cottars or the poor, not forgetting their wives. In Statistical Account he states that woods had abounded in Carsphairn until about 150 years earlier. “Formerly iron mines were wrought” until the wood for charcoal was exhausted. Modern opinion has doubted the accuracy of his information. However, at the very least he may be remarking on exploration for iron in the vicinity in the midseventeenth century, a period which coincides with the request made by local residents to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for the establishment of a church, following the creation of the new parish of Carsphairn, carved out of the parishes of Kells and Dalry. Gold mines were in operation in the Lowther Hills in the reign of James VI; prospecting for lead and iron followed. At the date suggested, however vaguely, by Smith, metal extraction was taking place not that far away from Carsphairn. It is also likely that in a place such as Upper Glenkens, where there was very little change, unusual events such as testing for metals would be long remembered and assistant to Sir John Sinclair who was the inspiration behind the entire project. Smith’s book is clearly written and rich in detail. Under a section on rural economy he reports that women servants are paid around £8 per year, men between £14 and £20 but marriage is encouraged because couples receive a ‘benefit’ of a cottage, garden and fuel, and also as much corn or meal and potatoes as are needed for their families and sometimes a cow or a pig. Coal is expensive. Peat is mixed with water and baked into loaves, a method thought to be unique to Galloway. A revolution in roadmaking was underway. Roads were no longer, if they ever had been, fit for purpose. In the old days horses or folk on foot were expected to take hills in their stride but such roads, often designed to avoid low-lying marshes, were no use when wheeled carts became the norm. Smith belabours the point that roads must be as level as possible, as must bridges. Lord Daer and the Earl of Selkirk showed the way and many copied their example, some Galloway landowners considering expenditure of large sums on roadbuilding a worthwhile investment. Life in the countryside was never easy. Smith was a humane individual who regretted that the poor cottagers were often denied milk, while even beer was beyond their reach due to the high duty on malt. “Hence they are driven to substitute tea, a useless and enervating liquor, though the only thing like luxury, which they can afford”. We will return to General View in a future issue. Ted Cowan Life in the countryside was never easy. Smith was a humane individual who regretted that the poor cottagers were often denied milk, while even beer was beyond their reach... the promise of future wealth longingly anticipated. Smith, of course, mainly discussed agriculture but he submitted a separate paper apparently complaining that folk had objected to various omissions in his text which, he claimed, were due to the editorial incompetence of the series editors in Edinburgh who had removed sections of his manuscript. Incidentally one such functionary was Robert Heron of New Galloway; though there is no evidence that he was responsible for the Carsphairn entry he might have been, since he worked as an Glenkens Gazette page 22 Mind Yir Language “Mind yir language” is the message at a conference titled The Speak of Galloway being held in the Glenkens this autumn. Key speakers have now been announced and booking has opened for the day-long gathering on 7 September at the CatStrand. The conference will examine the Scots leid - or tongue - as spoken in Galloway, wth speakers exploring the origins of Gallovidian Scots, its present usage and prospects of survival. Professor Jeremy Smith of Glasgow University, a specialist in the history of the English and Scots languages, will give the keynote address and Professor J Derrick McLure will delve into John Mactaggart’s Scottish Gallovidian Encyclopaedia. Haud Yir Tongue and Mind Yir Language is the arresting title of Margaret Fergusson’s talk. She has recently completed a study of Scots as spoken in the South West and the attitudes to its use. Chris Rollie, well-known local ornithologist and language enthusiast, will speak on Bird Names in Dumfries and Galloway while self-professed poet and lad o’ pairts Rab Wilson will address The Scots Language and Cormilligan: Today and Tomorrow. This is the second conference on Galloway’s linguistic heritage and is organised by the same team - Ted Cowan, Michael Ansell and Mike Brown - that produced last year’s event on the Gaelic legacy in the southwest. Tickets are available from the CatStrand. Priced £30 (fulltime students £20) tickets include coffee and tea on arrival and mid-morning and a buffet lunch. 13th April 11th May 10am-12.30pm For further information or to book a stall ring 01644 430 454 or visit www.dalrytownhall.co.uk Entrance by donation - proceeds towards Dalry Town Hall Refurbishment Fund North of Castle Douglas, A713 Ayr Road Glenkens Gazette page 23 Photo of the Issue Sponsored by the Ken Bridge Hotel This issue’s winner is Susan Currie with a lovely photo of two Clydesdale horses by Dalry. Susan wins a meal for two at the Ken Bridge Hotel’s Sunday carvery. Competition judges Dave and Sue said: “As always, all the entries were great, but the picture of ‘bookend’ horses does it for us!” How to Enter: any photos taken in the Glenkens can be entered - landscapes, wildlife, portraits, action shots... Email them to glenkensga zette@hotmail.co.uk If you are a winner the Gazette will send you out a voucher - please call the Ken Bridge to book your meal, and make sure to take your winner’s voucher along with you. Glenkens Gazette page 24 Glenkens Gazette page 25 FOUND OBJECT MYSTERY SOLVED In the last issue a photograph of a mystery object was printed, along with a request for any knowledge of what it might be. Chris got in touch and solved the mystery. He said: “The object is a solid link used by electric distribution companies for switching on high voltage overhead lines. “The round end sits in a insulator and allows the whole unit to be swung up by insulated rods from ground level so the bladed end clicks into another insulator above. This makes the circuit or if removed breaks the circuit. The item is probably no more that thirty years old.” Thanks Chris! Local Police Update I have been up and about the Glenkens as much as possible lately, with a couple of things that have been going on. Carlos the Carrot has been resident in Wright’s Shop lately, perking customers up with his humour and cheery disposition. Pictured: Susan Currie, who works at Wright’s, with Carlos. SUPPORT THE RNLI The Glenkens fundraising committee of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will be holding its annual fundraising Coffee Evening on Thursday 23 May in Dalry Town Hall at 7pm. As well as coffees and teas there will be a tombola stall, home baking, plants, books and RNLI souvenirs. And the usual wonderful array of raffle prizes. There will also be a special surprise presentation so do not miss this event! Firstly, can I just say the Drop In for Dalry Police Station is on 1 April from 3-4.30pm, so anyone wishing to speak with the police can pop in and I or one of my colleagues will be there. From a policing point of view last month we were carrying out patrols of Dalry and came across numerous youths hanging about the street. Some of these youths were found in possession of a quantity of herbal cannabis, which has been reported. A lot of the information in relation to this came from residents of the town and I thank them for their assistance. I would like to remind you to keep reporting anything you think is untoward or if you have any concerns, please contact us, in confidence if you wish. Dalry is s super wee town, as are the other Glenkens villages, and we want to keep it that way so we should all work together. If anyone would like to get in touch I can be contacted through 101 and will happily speak with anyone who has any issues. Tom Dingwall, Community Police Officer Cakes, Plants and Books The annual Cake and Plant Sale at St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, will be held on Saturday 27 April from 10am to 12noon. Teas and coffees will be available and this year there will also be a book stall so definitely something for everyone! All the baking is homemade by members of the congregation and friends, and the plants include vegetable and flower annuals, perennials, shrubs and houseplants - all from local gardens. This year all profits from the sale will be split between guild funds and the Alexandra Unit in Dumfries. “We used the chimney sweep who advertised in the Gazette, and were very pleased... We did tell him we found him because he advertised in the Gazette!” Fiona Glenkens Gazette APRIL page 26 APRIL & MAY Mon 1, Dalry Police Station Drop-in, 3-4.30pm with PC Dingwall Tue 2, Biosphere Tour: Castles & Towers, see p5 Sun 7, Mairearad & Anna, 2.30pm, CatStrand Sun 7, GTI Bus Trip: Gardens of Excellence - Gardens of the Southwest, see p24 Tue 9, Puppet Animation Festival: Ladder to the Stars, 2.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, (age 3+) Thu 11, Biosphere Tour: Loch Ken, see p5 Sat 13, Sticky Fingers + Pure Silver, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 13, Glenkens Farmers Market, 10am-12.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p22 Mon 22, Easter Monday Movie: The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales (U), 2pm, CatStrand Tue 16, Shaper Caper: The Adventures of Isabel (followed by a workshop), 2pm, CatStrand, (ages 3-10) Wed 17, Open Stage, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 27, Energise Tour of Tongland Power Station & Artist Talks, see p22 Sat 27, Cake & Plant Sale, 10am12noon, St Margaret’s Church, New Galloway, see p25 Sun 28, Ken Words: Woodland Poetry Walk, 2-4.30pm, Barhill Wood, Kirkcudbright Tue 30, Exhibition On Screen: Rembrandt, 7.30pm, CatStrand MAY Wed 1, Dalry Police Station Drop-in, 10-11.30am with PC Dingwall Sat 4, John Reischman & the Jaybirds, 7.30pm, Crossmichael Memorial Hall Fri 10, Dark Sky Jazz: Fergus McCreadie Trio, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sat 11, Glenkens Farmers Market, 10am-12.30pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p22 Sat 11, James Grant, 7.30pm, CatStrand Thu 16, John Dean: A Scream In The Night + Film: Brighton Rock (PG), 7pm, CatStrand Sat 18, GTI Bus Trip: Gardens of Excellence - The Lakeland Garden, see p24 Tue 21, Connecting In Communities Spring Ukulele, 7pm, CatStrand Sun 26, Guitar Man, 2.30pm, CatStrand Thu 23, RNLI Coffee Evening, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall, see p25 Tue 28, Oran Bagraidh, 7.30pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn (pre-event supper at Carsphairn Tea Rooms available when booking in advance), see p6 Wed 29, Dalry Film Club: Isle Of Dogs (PG), 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Fri 31, Cairn Chorus joined by the Galloway Agreement, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall JUNE Sat 1, Coig, 7.30pm, CatStrand Sun 2, David Scheel, CatStrand: CANCELLED LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS Glenkens Community Shop: Contact Shirley McNaught on 07955 743 022 or drop by the charity shop on Main Street, Dalry on julia.higgins55@outlook.com Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING): Contact Ros Hill on ros.hill@rathanhouse.co.uk Schools: Pop into the school office or call Carsphairn on 01644 460 269, Dalry on 01644 430 105 (for Nursery, Primary & Secondary) or Kells on 01644 420 340 Dalry Communities Properties Trust (DCPT): Contact Andi Holmes on andiholmes@hotmail.com or 07729 292 126 Dalry Town Hall: Contact Jim Reid on 01644 430231 New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE): Contact Sam Rushton on 07741 656601 or samCEW@ newgallowaycommunity.shop or pop into New Galloway Community Shop Balmaclellan Community Trust: Contact Julia Higgins CatStrand: Contact Chris Jowsey at chris@catstrand.com 01644 420 374 or pop in to the CatStrand Bright Stars - Glenkens Communituy Nursery: Contact glenkenscommunitynursery@gmail.com Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP): Contact McNabb Laurie on mcnabb.laurie@dumgal.gov.uk 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 Gazette page 27 REGULAR EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway: New Galloway Town Hall: Film Makers’ Club, Mon 7-8.30pm Exercise to Music: Mon 9.30-10.30am Margaret Morris dance 1: 3-7yrs, Mon (term-time) 3.45-4.30pm Margaret Morris Dance 2: 8-16yrs, Mon (term-time) 4.30-5.15pm Youth Volunteer Meet-up, 1st Tues of the month, 6-8pm, FREE PIZZA Choreographic Skills Lab, Mon (termtime) 7-8.30pm, ages 12-18 Animation Club, Tues 4-6pm (starts 12 Feb then fortnightly) Gentle Tai Chi: Wed 10am Wendletrap Tai Chi, Wed 2-3.30pm Game Tech, last Wed each month, 68pm Writers’ Cafe, 2nd Thurs each month 7-9pm Sing it Out, Thurs 11am -12pm CatStrand Ukes, 1st & 3rd Thurs each month, 1–3.30pm Yoga, Tues 6.30-7.30pm & Thurs 9.1510.45am Learn the Whistle, (starts 28 Feb; 8week block. Ages 4-12 - 3.45-4.30pm; Age 12+ & Adults - 5-6.30pm). Contact chris@catstrand.com to find out more Zumba Gold, Fri (term-time) 9.3010.30am, CatStrand, 16+ Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry: Paint & Art, Mon 2-4pm (moving to NG Town Hall from end April) GCC Playgroup, Tues, Wed & Thurs 9.15-11.45am Guides, Tues 6-8pm Yoga, Wed 7.30-8.45pm, for info call Carylann on 07817 400 287 Brownies, Thurs 6-7.30pm Kickback Martial Arts, Thurs 7-9pm Thursday Craft Group, Thurs 2-4pm Glenkens Children’s Club, Fri 10am12noon Paint & Art Group, Mon 2-4pm (moving from Glenkens Community Centre to NG Town Hall at end April) LING Elevenses & Lunches, Tues 11am-2pm Fast Broadband Access, Tues 11am2pm Table Tennis & Carpet Bowls, Tues 7-9pm Circuits, Tues 5.30-6.30pm Zumba, Wed 7.30-8.30pm, 11+ Circuits, Sat 8-9am Various Locations: Hatha Yoga, Mon 10-11.15am, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Carsphairn Post Office, Tues 1-3pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Dalry WI, 3rd Tues each month 2pm, Dalry Town Hall (except Jun, Jul & Aug) Beavers, Tues 6–7.15pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Dog Training, Tues & Thurs 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Contact: Eric 460 670 Mossdale Painters, Wed 9.30am, Mossdale Village Hall Cub Scouts: Wed 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Youth Writing, 1st Thurs each month (during term time) 3.30-5pm, ages 1015, Dalry Library Kettlebells, Balmaclellan Village Hall, Thurs 6-7pm Carsphairn SWI, 3rd Thurs of the month, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn, for further info call Christine on 01644 460 577 Coffee & Craft, Fri 9am-12noon, Lagwyne Hall Folk Music Session, 4th Fri each month 7.30/8pm till closing, Ken Bridge Hotel Scouts, Thu 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Glenkens Community Councils Balmaclellan Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7.30pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Carsphairn Community Council Meetings: Last Monday each month, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn. Dalry Community Council Meetings: 1st Monday each month, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Meetings: 2nd Monday each month, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings can be viewed at Dalry Library. CHURCH TIMES CHURCH OF SCOTLAND: Sunday Services: Balmaclellan 9.45am: 1st. Carsphairn 11.15am: 1st,2nd,3rd,4th. Dalry 9.45am: 2nd, 4th. Kells 9.45am: 3rd. Special Services/Events: Stewartry Guilds Spring Fellowship, Kells Church, 10 Apr, 2.30pm. Good Friday Service, Balmaclellan Church, 19 Apr, 7.30pm. Guild Spring Teas, Dalry Town Hall, 20 Apr, 2–4pm. Easter Dawn Service, Carsphairn Church, 21 Apr, 7am. Quiz Night, Dalry Town Hall, 26 Apr, 7.30pm. Holy Communion, Dalry Church, 12 May, 9.45am. Conventicle, Kirkconnel monument, 12 May, 3pm. Plant Sale, Balmaclellan Hall, 25 May, 2–4pm. SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion, 10.30am every Sun & Wed. CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES: Kirkcudbright: Sun Mass, 9.30am. Dalbeattie: Sat Mass, 5pm. Dru Yoga, Thu 12.30–2pm, Laurieston Village Hall Gentle Tai Chi, Fri 10-11am, Dalry Town Hall Golf Junior Coaching, Sat 10-11: 30am, New Galloway Golf Course, see p8 Restoring Footpaths, Sat 10am1pm, phone 420 632 to confirm Junior Golf & Come-and-Try for all ages, New Galloway Golf Course, Sat 10am Men’s Shed, Old Smiddy, Balmaclellan. Opening times: Mon 9.30am-4pm & 6.30-8.30pm; Wed 9.30am-1pm & woodcarving from 24pm; Fri 9.30am-12noon. GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL 01644 420234 Dalry Library Tuesdays 10.30am-2pm Fridays 11am-4.30pm For further informa�on contact Castle Douglas library on 01556 502 643 ADVERTISE IN THE GAZETTE (price per issue incl VAT) SMALL: 6cm x 6cm, £37.80 (+ 10% off with series discount) 1/4 PAGE: 9cm w x 13cm h, £81.90 (+ 25% off with series discount) 1/2 PAGE: 18cm w x 13cm h, £151.20 (+ 25% off with series discount) FULL PAGE: 18cm w x 27cm h, £252 (+ 25% off with series discount) Call 07727 127 997 VAT Reg. No. 882 8361 87 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Police, non-emergency: 101 ● Doctor: 01644 420 234 ● NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24 ● D&G Council: 030 33 33 3000 Glenkens Gazette DECISION NEEDED ON DALRY COMMUNITY PLOT Villagers have until early summer to make a final decision on whether they wish to take over a plot of land at Underhill in Dalry. The original site, acquired by the then District Council in the 1930s, has partly been developed into housing but the other half was left untouched, reserved as a potential burial ground. Dumfries & Galloway Council (DGC) recently determined the area was no longer required and was set to sell it off at auction until intervention by councillor Dougie Campbell. Dalry community is now to be given the opportunity to take over the plot if it has a viable use for it. page 28 Various ideas have already been floated, from community garden and play area to light industrial units, with other options including recycling/composting and allotments. It is up to the community to decide the use. However, if no viable decision is reached, DGC will auction the land and the community will have no say in any subsequent development. A community survey on the subject will be carried out during the spring to gauge local opinion and Underhill resident Nikki Finch The potential plot available for community purchase at Underhill, Dalry. is already discussing the matter with her neighbours. If you have any ideas for the land at Underhill, or wish to get in this community project, please involved contact Nikki on 01644 430 595. Wright’s Shop & Post Office ‘CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR 2018’ - three changing cask ales & cider - fresh, seasonal & local food - open all day every day - award-winning food, beer & atmosphere - en-suite accommodation - 20% off takeaway discount - country sport & walkers facilities - 01644 430 241 www.theclachaninn.co.uk Dalry’s local convenience store • licensed grocers • • newsagents • stocking a range of local suppliers • Express Bakery bread • • Irvings biscuits & cakes • • Ballards & Dalmellington Country Butchers meat & pies • • Mitchells fruit & veg • Shop & Post Office open 7 days Monday to Friday 7am–6pm Saturday 8am–6pm Sunday 8.30am–4pm Tel 01644 430 225 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk JUNE/JULY COPY DEADLINE: 5 MAY Design & co-ordination: Sarah Ade sarah.ade@gmail.com Printing:Stranraer & Wigtownshire Free Press www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk The Glenkens Gaze�e is an ini�a�ve of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Sco�sh Charity No. SC032050  Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette 111 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_111 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 2019 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade