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Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document April / May 2009 ISSUE 51 www.glenkensgazette.com Audience Vote Youth Players Top Act photograph courtesy of the Galloway News The CatStrand Youth Players marked their debut at the Stewartry One Act Play Festival in fine style by winning the Meg Imrie Memorial Trophy after gaining the most votes from the audience. The play ‘We’ll Be Home Tomorrow’ by Wayne Denfhy centres around the escapades of a family during a holiday to the seaside and demands a great deal from the cast with no scenery or props involved. The actors simply had two black boxes to help them present the different holiday scenes depicted. The two boxes became a car, a mountain, a diving board, a roundabout, a stage, an ice cream stall and even a picnic table at various times throughout the play. The adjudicator, Mr Dave Bennett, praised the imaginative use of the boxes to give variety of stage pictures and also the very efficient and natural movement of the actors and the boxes around the stage. He was particularly impressed with the excellent attack, projection and confident comedy timing shown by such a young team. Overall he was very impressed by the direction and interpretation of such an entertaining play and although this was easily the youngest team in the competition he could clearly see that all of the young actors on stage were enjoying performing and this was reflected in the warm reception from the audience. He recognised great potential in all of the cast and encouraged them all to continue acting and enjoying the experience in the future. During his summing up at the end of the Festival he picked out one of the lines from the play as the best comedy moment of the week. The cast (pictured above) were as follows: Back Row - Josie Oliver, Lowena Lindsay, Kirstin Stalker, Dylan Blore, Fionnghal Wolffe; Front Row - Tessa Maxwell, Cameron Lindsay, Eleanor Jones. The play was directed by Brian Edgar and Nancy Plummer, the prompter was Sue Lindsay. 100 Years in the Royal Burgh It is not every day that one of our residents celebrates their 100th birthday and one who was born and bred in the Burgh at that, so the Community Council were delighted to arrange a special presentation to Miss Nettie Murray on 3rd March to mark her special day. On behalf of the Community Council, Brian Edgar presented Nettie with a framed and inscribed picture of New Galloway views by local artist Derk Pelly. Councillor George Prentice presented her with an arrangement of flowers on behalf of the Stewartry Area Committee, and the Lord Lieutenant Sir Malcolm Ross delivered the Queen’s telegram. The children from Kells School arrived to sing Happy Birthday to Nettie and presented her with a birthday card that they had made. Nettie said: “I enjoyed my birthday and I was touched by all the lovely gifts and cards I received. Thank you very much to everyone. It was a lovely surprise when the children from Kells came down to sing Happy Birthday to me... I never thought I’d ever be on the front page of the Galloway News!” photographs courtesy of the Galloway News IN THIS ISSUE... 2 - Local Artist: Phil McMenemy, Spring Fling, GBA, Car Boot Sale, Fiddlers’ Concert, Soldier’s Memorial 3 - Community Council News,Pancake Lunch, Heritage Groups 4 - Schools Report 5 - Local History, Nature & Wildlife 6 - CatStrand Events, D&G Arts Festival 7 - CatStrand Community News, The Bus (GTI), Digital Switchover 8 - Bavarian Evening, Knockengorroch Festival, Club Corner 9 - Parton Burns Supper 11- On The Beat, Youth Update 12- Glenkens Diary of Events Glenkens Gazette page 2 Local Artist: PHIL MCMENEMY Phil McMenemy is a local photographer based in Laurieston. Recently, he judged the Glenkens Transport Initiative photo competition, which must have been a challenge as there were so many great photographs. “I really enjoyed judging the GTI competition and was chuffed to have been approached to do so,” says Phil. “I judged the images on display from a purely personal perspective and not necessarily from a technical one. The winner was a fantastic effort – full of fun and a great human perspective. Some of the images really made me smile – they were great.” In May last year Phil opened the Gallery at Laurieston at his home, Woodbank House, situated in the village. Phil says he has “really enjoyed the experience of being open regularly on Sundays and at other times by appointment. I’ve met some really nice, informed and friendly folk through the Gallery and my work.” When asked what inspired him to take up photography as a profession, he states; “I was having a bit of a mid-life-crisis and had left the nursing profession after many years and really wanted to do something completely self-directed and different to what I was used to doing – and here I am.” With the beauty of nature all around, it’s easy for Phil to work on his favourite subject “the outside”. He says: “We are incredibly lucky to be where we are, I try to appreciate it every day – when I’m fortunate to have the time to get out with my camera it completely reinvigorates me. What strikes me about our landscape is the variety on offer – we’ve got the lot. “I am originally from Barrow-in-Furness but spent many years in London and Manchester before settling in Galloway. We had visited the area many times on holiday and were lucky that an opportunity arose for Louise (my partner) to progress her Doctoral career in this splendid region – fate, really. Since we have been in Galloway we have had two boys Alex aged three and Joe aged six months, so, as you may imagine, things are rather busy for us!” Spring Fling This year’s Spring Fling is fast approaching once again, with an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to go and see the work of artists and makers around the region. Studios usually closed to the public open from 23 to 25 May for this annual event - a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of the wonderful artistic talent hidden among our hills! Participants around the Glenkens this year are Ted Leeming and Morag Patterson (fine art photography) in Dalry, Godfrey Smith (handmade clogs and shoes) in Balmaclellan, Jennie Ashmore (pressed flower art) near Corsock, Amanda Simmons (glasswork) in Corsock, Phil McMenemy (photography) in Laurieston, Cressa McLaren (glasswork) in Laurieston, and local artist Natalie Vardey (jewllery) who is based outside Balmaclellan but, as her studio space is so small, is participating in the event from Trevor Leat’s studio in Auchencairn. Glenkens Business Association The Annual General Meeting was held on 17th March at the Ken Bridge Hotel. Members were updated on the various activities and projects which had been undertaken in the previous year as well as plans for the future. The GBA are keeping abreast of discussions to set up a Dumfries & Galloway Destination Management Organisation and plan to be involved with it. Application for grant funding is being made to the Stewartry Area Committee in order to produce the next issue of the Business Directory. This will be expanded to include local organisations. Funding application is also being made to enhance the information content on the visitglenkens website, particularly related to the Homecoming themes. Car Boot Sale Mossdale Village Hall Sun 10th May, 10am-1pm Tables £5, contact Jill Haslam 01644 450666 Fiddlers’ Concert by the Gallovidians Fri 3rd April, 7.30pm New Galloway Town Hall The association has also registered an interest in funding which may become available through the new Targeted Support Fund set up by the Stewartry Area Committee for projects aimed at economic development. Following the formal business meeting and light refreshments members had a chance to network informally and to discuss ideas for the coming year. The Association is grateful to Sue and David Paterson for providing accommodation for meetings. Membership of the GBA provides opportunities for networking, advertising your business and taking part in opportunities to promote businesses in the Glenkens. To join the GBA or renew your membership contact Secretary Alan Rumble on 01644 420250 or email alanrumble@gmail.com Rosalind Hill, GBA Chairman Access to Soldier’s Memorial As this issue goes to press, the Forestry Commission has nearly completed improved access to the soldier’s memorial overlooking Loch Ken, which involves creating a new path and hopefully some signs. For those unfamiliar with the memorial, it is beside the Lowran burn between New Galloway and Mossdale (further details at the HistoryStop in The CatStrand). The improved access means that visitors will be able to enjoy walking up to the memorial, where there are excellent views across Loch Ken, for the first time in many years. We hope to have further details and a photograph of the work in the next issue. Paul Goodwin Glenkens Gazette page 3 The Royal Burgh of New Galloway & Kells Community Council It is hoped to install an electricity supply to the burgh sign to allow it to be lit and also provide a power point for the Christmas Tree. Estimates have been requested and a funding application will be submitted to the Area Committee. Funding from the Homecoming Fund would also be applied for to help with the promotion of The Alternative Games weekend. PC Bruton reported several cases of vandalism and one of suspected fire raising in recent weeks. Police enquiries into the incidents were progressing well. He is also aware and concerned about children riding their bikes after dark without lights. Several people have reported witnessing ‘near misses’ with cars and even youngsters riding down West Port at speed and straight across the High Street without stopping! PC Bruton is addressing these issues through the schools and the imminent cycling proficiency training. A new raised flower bed has been installed at the junction near Clearwell. Various maintenance issues have been attended to recently, mainly potholes etc. Residents are asked to report any maintenance matters around the parish to Vic McIntosh who collates the items and reports them to the relevant council departments. The April meeting will be held one week later than normal on Monday 20th to avoid the Easter Holiday. Dalry Community Council Proposed development of 28 Affordable homes in Dalry: Mr Lynch, Operations Manager with Dumfries & Galloway Council, opened the presentation by explaining that they had a legal requirement to produce affordable housing and it was their aim to tackle the shortfall of affordable homes across the region. Dalry had been specifically identified as a ‘pressured settlement’ with a priority need to invest in social rented houses and shared equity homes. Funding comes from the Scottish Government, the Council and DGHP. It is therefore proposed that 20 rented homes are built and eight shared equity homes (40% ownership by DGHP). The January Housing Sub-Committee agreed to support the Dalry project to the PANCAKE LUNCH The 12th Annual Pancake Lunch organised by Balmaclellan & Kells Church Guild was held in New Galloway Town Hall recently and was most successful. Mild weather seemed to bring out plenty of customers and Guild members along with several helpers were kept busy. A very happy atmosphere prevailed, with pleasing background music from Jim McPhee on the piano. The lunch was in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care and the sum of £450 was raised for this deserving charity. After expenses were met the stall and raffle provided £200 for Guild funds which will eventually be given to the Church. Altogether a great day – many thanks to all who helped and supported it. tune of £200,000 and also to support additional infrastructure costs. Mr James Shirazi from DGHP then took the floor. He explained who they were and what their aims are. He confirmed that there would be no flats, the 2-3 bedroom homes would be 1 1⁄2 story and there would be two single level homes along with a central play area. Their application is due in next week and plans would be made available to view thereafter. Copies of the plans would also be provided to the committee for circulation to residents. He was adamant that there was sufficient need locally for the proposed development. Upon questioning he confirmed that DGHP would own the site by next week. He was also asked to explain why the change in ratio. The original plans by the private developer had 20 private homes and eight affordable homes. He believed that the new proposal would work and did not want to have un-saleable stock on his hands by keeping to the original ratio. He was further questioned on the prospect of guaranteeing local people will be given the properties. He suggested that, along with D&GC, they would look at introducing a ‘local letting initiative’. Among other concerns raised one was about Road Safety. Mr Shirazi informed us that a speed table would be built to slow down traffic upon entering the site but he made no mention of any traffic measures for the A702. The other concerns included medical care and policing. Mr C Frame, the architect, also gave a presentation on the design of the houses and the layout of the estate. Whilst the presentation was visually acceptable, unfortunately many of the people present could not hear him very well. The general consensus was that whilst the majority accepted that some social housing was needed in the area, they were more concerned with the amount of homes proposed and who the property would be eventually given to. The presentation was duly concluded and G Bell thanked everyone for attending and the meeting moved on to matters on the committee agenda. Next meeting Monday 6th April 2009 at 7pm in Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings are available to view at Dalry Library. CARSPHAIRN HERITAGE CENTRE The Centre opens for the season on Good Friday (April10th). Until the end of May it will be open weekends and Bank Holidays only, and then from the start of June until the end of September it will be open every day from 10.30am to 5pm, except on Sundays when opening hours are 2pm to 5pm and Wednesdays when the centre is closed. The current exhibition is called Carsphairn Coming Home and will take a look at all the geneaology that have been amassed over the last 20 years. There will be information on over 30 family histories and displays and artefacts which will be of interest even to those with no family ties to Carsphairn. The families included are: Affleck, Bone, Cameron, Clark Kennedy, Garmory, Good, Gilchrist, Guffie, Hastie, Hunter, Jamieson, Martin, McAdam, McCormick, McCrae, McCulloch, McDonald, McFadzean, McGill, McKay, McMath, McTurk, McMillan, McTaggart, McCall, Milroy, Mitchell, Park, Paterson, Seaton, Weir and Wilson. DALRY HERITAGE GROUP Memorials in the Glenkens Friday 22nd May, Dalry Town Hall Paul Goodwin will be giving a talk with slideshow on the subject of ‘Memorials in the Glenkens’. The talk will be based on the thirty war memorials to be found in the Glenkens, but will also include war graves, covenanter memorials and a few notable civil memorials. Come along to Dalry Town Hall on Friday 22nd May at 7pm for a new perspective on some familiar landmarks, as well as some that you may not have considered. Admission is free, donations welcome. Tea/coffee and biscuits will be provided. Now Re-Opened The Clachan Inn Dalry Bar Food, Drinks Accomodation Sky TV, Wi-fi Come along for a friendly welcome! Tel: 01644 430 241 Glenkens Gazette page 4 GLENKENS SCHOOLS REPORT Glenkens Schools Teamwork The appointment in February of Mrs Kelly Devine to the post of Depute Head Teacher of Kells Primary School was the final piece in the Glenkens schools’ new management structure. With effect from February 2009, Fraser Simpson becomes Head Teacher of the three local schools; Carsphairn, Dalry (primary and secondary) and Kells. Each of the three primaries has a teacher with day to day management responsibilities; Mrs Devine at Kells, Miss Tracy Lamont, Depute Head at Dalry, and Mrs Margaret Heuchan, Principal Teacher at Carsphairn. Mrs Devine, who was previously employed in Twynholm and Sheuchan Primaries, lives with her husband and young son in Newton Stewart. Prior to moving to this area she worked in schools in Peterborough and Kent. Already the new arrangement is producing closer working arrangements with two very successful staff in-service sessions looking at the practicalities of the Curriculum for Excellence; pupils from the three schools have worked together during the Tree of Knowledge day and the First Base Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Session. This is a foretaste of the types of shared developments that will be beneficial for all the youngsters in the area and, from a staff viewpoint, it will make curricular development work more efficient and effective. The success of GCAT has shown what collaborative working in the Glenkens can achieve – our schools must now seek to emulate that success. Mr Simpson School Ski Trip – Aprica 2009 Ten Dalry pupils joined 149 others from Dumfries High, Dumfries Academy, Dalbeattie High and Castle Douglas for the 2009 ski trip to Aprica in Italy. Our group, made up of Ruth from S3 and nine second year pupils, left Dumfries on Saturday 14 February at 4.30am – sometimes referred to as the middle of the night – and arrived in Aprica at 11am on Sunday. The snow conditions were perfect, huge amounts having fallen the previous week, and for our six days in the resort, the sun shone continuously. Most of the Dalry group were beginners but by midweek all had mastered enough technical expertise to jump aboard “the bubble”, leave the beginners’ slopes behind and go up the mountain to ski blue and red runs. This is a great achievement reflecting credit on the youngsters and their Italian instructors. The pupils also enjoyed a full programme of “après ski” activities including visits to the local nightclub, ten pin bowling and Pizza Night; despite being exhausted by five hours on the slopes, they miraculously regained enough energy to enjoy the night life with new found friends from the other four schools involved. Another wonderful ski holiday and all at Dalry would like to thank Mr Findlater and Mr Sloan from Dumfries Academy for all their hard work organising the trip. Carsphairn Primary News Pupils at Carsphairn Primary were learning about Robert Burns throughout January and made paper lanterns with art teacher Mrs Bielinski. Ian Wemyss of the Kirkcudbright Pipe Band visited the school and the children paraded their lanterns around the school playground. Well Done Kells! Congratulations to all the children who participated in the music festival this year. Lots of fun was had by all, with as many children achieving personal goals and building confidence at the same time. We also got lots of constructive feedback, to help us improve for the future. Dalry Edged Out in Cup Final Dalry School under 14s football team were narrowly defeated 4-3 by Wallacehall Academy in the final of the D & G Small Schools’ Cup. A large Glenkens element in the crowd provided much appreciated backing on the night. The team, having previously knocked out Castle Douglas and Sanquhar, took the game to the Thornhill boys right from the kick off and it was no surprise when William McTurk hooked home at the back post to put Dalry ahead. Superb shot stopping from young Ryan Wilson preserved the lead before a quick burst through the middle by Greig Lawrie was foiled by a last ditch clearance. From the resulting corner, Henry Sainsbury powered in a header to put Dalry two ahead. In the last few minutes of the first half the game was turned on its head with Wallacehall converting a penalty and Dalry missing a guilt edged chance – half time 2-1 Dalry. Despite plenty of near things, it wasn’t to be and the cup headed north to Thornhill, but the Dalry boys were roundly praised for their effort, skill and sportsmanship in a thrilling cup final. Well done boys, you were a credit to the school throughout this competition. Glenkens Gazette page 5 LOCAL HISTORY A Look At New Galloway’s Robert Heron by Ted Cowan In the year which marks the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth adulation of the bard is almost universal, while vilification of New Galloway’s most talented native son has correspondingly intensified. Robert Heron (1764-1807) has long been condemned and traduced as Burns’ first biographer. His Memoir of the Life of the Late Robert Burns, which appeared in 1797, has rendered Burnsians apoplectic ever since. What was Heron’s crime? He reported that Burns was over-fond of drink, women of pleasure and the company of lowlifes. He was a melancholic who squandered the money he made from his poems and proved a lousy farmer at Ellisland, where Heron visited him. As an exciseman in Dumfries he totally surrendered to dissipation. There is an element of substance in each of these charges, proven or otherwise, yet what fascinated Heron were not Burns’ failings but rather his achievements. He considered the poet a genius, a great man, solely of God Almighty’s making, or to put it another way much favoured by thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment, he was a natural whose amazing gift could not be rationally explained. Robert Heron was no slouch himself. At age 11 he became a pupil-teacher; at 14 he was in charge of Kelton school. He trained as a minister at Edinburgh University but was rescued by his love of literature, becoming a prolific editor, writer, translator and hack. Many of his works are still worth reading. He wrote on Law, Natural History, the French War, the Hebrides, Chemistry and Geography and he produced a six-volume History of Scotland. Perhaps his most lasting publication is Observations Made on a Journey through the Western Counties of Scotland which presents a brilliant picture of Galloway and the Glenkens written by an amusingly knowing insider who sought to assess the impact of Enlightenment and improvement upon the landscape, the economy and the people. He had read widely in the contemporary works of Scottish luminaries intent upon developing theories of progress and the perfectability of Humankind. Heron, however, had a serious problem. Addicted to drink he was consigned to prison for debt before he was 30. Recurring bouts of drunkenness and profligacy reduced him, as he wrote, “to the very extremity of bodily and pecuniary distress” and to further confinement. He died a pauper. In reality Heron could hardly have been more fulsome on the subject of Burns. He perceptively observed that “he exalts for a time the genius of his reader to the elevation of his own; and for the moment, confers upon him all the powers of a poet”. He never knew Burns to be guilty of any deliberate meanness. Through his writings he had exercised a greater power over folk and “by consequence, on their conduct, upon their happiness and misery, upon the general system of life, than has been exercised by the most eminent statesmen of the present age”. Heron was convinced that as a child of nature Burns must return to nature, because this son of a New Galloway weaver regarded himself as similarly fated, an astonishingly gifted individual whose remarkable talents could admit of no explanation and who, for all his achievements, was a sadly flawed individual. So far as Heron was concerned he and Burns were kindred spirits. When his detractors criticise him they also condemn Burns. NATURE Robert Burns in England (1759 - 2009) 250th Anniversary of the Birth of Robert Burns In 1996, to mark the bicentenary of the death of the poet, New Cumnock Burns Club published Chris Rollie’s acclaimed Robert Burns and New Cumnock, which quickly sold out. This year, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the poet’s birth, the Club are to publish Chris’ second book, Robert Burns in England. This covers Burns’ travels in England and sheds new light on an important aspect of his life, largely untouched hitherto. The manuscript has been warmly received by Dr Ken Simpson, Honorary Professor (Glasgow University), renowned Burns scholar and Founding Director of the Centre for Scottish Cultural Studies, University of Strathclyde. In a letter to Chris Dr Simpson states: “Your book represents a major contribution to Burns scholarship. There is a wealth of new information here, meticulously researched and lucidly set out; and your style makes the material accessible to a wide readership without in any way compromising its scholarly importance.” To subscribe, submit your payment of £15 to Chris Rollie along with contact details, either by letter, at his house next to Dalry PO, or through a subscription form from one of the local shops or hotels. There will be a book signing by Chris at The CatStrand later in the summer. & WILDLIFE Wood of Cree by Angus Keys Lapwing, RSPB Midsummer Cushion in Spring I normally come on my first primroses in early April, in peregrine and raven haunts in the hills. Imagine then my surprise the other week (21 February) when my wife Catherine pointed out two primrose flowers catching the early spring light on a wooded bank, with snowdrops nearby. I was astonished, but immediately fond memories of past springs flooded in, collecting posies for my mother, who was always uplifted by them – as she was equally by catkins and bulrushes. I guess the picking of wildflowers and catkins is frowned upon by many and indeed by the law in the case of protected species. One of my favourite poets is John Clare, to my mind the greatest of all nature poets in our language, and certainly one with the most incredibly detailed knowledge of nature. Around 1832 Clare said that it was “a very old custom among villagers in summer time to stick a piece of greensward full of field flowers and to place it as an ornament in their cottages, which ornaments are called Midsummer Cushions”. Indeed, he chose this as the name of a collection of wonderful poems, but which was only published a few years ago. Apart from enjoying that lovely image, I am also amazed and cheered that those cottagers just couldn’t get enough of nature; surrounded by it as they were, with no artificial trappings of our modern times – and far more nature besides – and yet they wanted even more and brought it into their very homes! Modern medical research tells us what deep down we probably all already know; that nature and wildlife watching is very healthy and good for us. Indeed, they say that it has even has benefits without our realising it. Of course, they don’t know why, but could it just be that we’re a part of nature and it’s a part of us, whether we like it, know it, or not? Who knows. But I do know that those primroses, those catkins and those croaking frogs were all wonderful to behold again as winter eases into spring and the sun gets ever higher in the sky. Bring it on. Chris Rollie Glenkens Gazette page 6 The CatStrand: News & Events Gentle Jazz, Fri 10 April, 7.30pm, £8/£6. Magnetic North presents After Mary Galloway band with 60s ‘bebop’ jazz style. Rose, Sat 16 May, 7.30pm, £7/£5. Harry, a shell- The line-up includes John Fenner, Howard shocked soldier, is trying to piece his life back together Bradley, Terri Farley, Geoff Keating, and Fergus with the help of a psychiatrist. Digging deeper, the Henderson. psychiatrist uncovers a mysterious secret that takes Harry back to his childhood home. Puppet Animation Festival: Vélo Théâtre presents The Postman, Mon CCC Film: Changeling, Wed 27 May, 13 April, 3pm, £4. A happy-go-lucky postman 7.30pm, £4.50/£3.50. Inspired by real life events in opens one of his packages and discovers a 1920’s Los Angeles, Clint Eastwood’s film, Changeling, fantastic, magical world inside. A wonderful, tells the story of a woman driven to confront a corrupted wordless adventure from France’s Vélo Théâtre, LAPD after her abducted son is retrieved and she full of tenderness, humour and theatrical magic, ages 5+. begins to suspect that the boy returned to her is not the same boy she gave birth to. Illustrated Talk - Allen Paterson: The Gardens at Kew, Wed 15 April, 7.30pm, £5. In his Regular events: beautifully illustrated book, Allen Paterson charts the Storytelling Café, Thurs 2 Apr & Thurs 7 evolution of Kew, one of the world’s best-loved gardens. May, 7.30pm. This is a regular event on the first Allen will be signing copies of his book after the talk. Thursday of every month. Cakes and coffee will Exhibition: Ailie Matthews, from Sat be available and audience participation will be 18 to Thu 30 April, CatStrand opening hours. encouraged! Eat, drink and let your imagination Ailie Matthews, DA, studied under Robert Sivell run away with you! No booking necessary, at Grays School of Artand won a Diploma and donations on the door. travelling scholarship. She lives in New Galloway. Youth Drama Group, every Sunday, 2pm. The Glenkens 73 CCC Film: Burn After Reading, Club Youth Drama Group will meet on a regular basis on Sunday Wed 29 April, 7.30pm, £4.50/£3.50. An all-star afternoons. If you are interested in acting, directing, costumes, cast, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Frances sound, lighting, stage management or any other aspect of drama McDormand, Tilda Swinton and John Malkovich, come or theatre, then come along and have some fun. All welcome (age together in this outrageous spy comedy about murder, 10-18). blackmail, sex addiction and physical fitness! Play it by Ear, every Monday, 1.30–2.30pm, £2 D & G Film Festival: Scotland on Film per adult/child + 50p for each additional child. A weekly song, music and storytelling session for – The Movie followed by a talk from pre-school children and their parents or carers producer Richard Downes, Sat 2 May, 2pm, which now takes place every Monday afternoon. £5/£4 incl. coffee and cakes. A journey through life, from the cradle to the grave, told through footage from the Scottish Juice and biscuits included in the price. Screen Archive. Screening will be followed by coffee and cakes and Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Morris a talk by the film’s producer, Richard Downes. Movement, every Monday, 4-5pm , £3 A series of classes Exhibition: Archie Sutter Watt, from Sat designed to develop creativity and wellbeing. Dance exercises 2 May to Thurs 4 June, CatStrand opening hours. are created to develop agility, balance, co-ordination, elevation, Archie Sutter Watt (1915-2005) was one of Dumfries & flexibility and posture. With dance teacher Sara Lockwood. Galloway’s most successful artists and teachers with a Please wear loose clothing. (Age 8-12 years) career spanning over fifty years. Saturday Art Club, 2nd Sat of each month, Benny Gallagher, Fri 15 May, 7.30pm, £10/£8. 10am–12noon , £4. These two-hour workshops are For sheer quality and distinction you need look no run by professional artists and teachers, offering further than the career of Benny Gallagher. One expert tuition and hands-on experience across half of hit-makers and songwriters Gallagher & a range of fun-filled visual arts and crafts Lyle, he began his career as a staff writer with the activities. Advance booking recommended to avoid Beatles’ Apple. On record he has worked with Paul disappointment and do wear old clothes as things McCartney, Eric Clapton, Pete Townsend, Ronnie Wood, Mary can get messy. (ages 5-12) Hopkin, Elkie Brooks and Fairport Convention. DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY ARTS FESTIVAL at The CatStrand Qawali Sham Sufi Group, Fri 22 May, 7.30pm. £8. More than a decade ago the Taliban banned all music. Following their departure, musicians took up new instruments or recovered old ones, and Afghanistan began to wake up to a new musical dawn. The Qawali Sham Sufi Group has been performing music for more than 30 years and is one of the most highly regarded Qawali groups in Afghanistan and part of a vibrant musical tradition spanning over 700 years. Phil Kay: Gimme Your Left Shoe, Sat 23 May, 5pm, £5. Phil is back with his hilarious children’s show ‘Gimme Your Left Shoe’ hot on the success of performing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Guaranteed to have your kids rolling around with laughter and shrieking with joy. Phil Kay, Sat 23 May, 8pm, £10/£8. Phil’s ramshackle style of late night comedy will blend together mad one-liners, two-liners and never-ending inter-woven recollections of things he has been up to that day, that week and this life. Over 16s only. Robert Burns and The Merry Muses of Caledonia with Pauline Gray, Sun 24 May, 7.30pm, £7/£6. Pauline Gray’s talk will consider Robert Burns’ contribution to the originally suppressed collection of bawdy verse The Merry Muses of Caledonia (1799), some of which are by Burns and some of which are attributed to the poet. New Redwing and A Wing and a Prayer, Thurs 28 May, 7.30pm, £8/£6. Louise and Alan Mairs of New Redwing were formerly one half of the influential and hugely popular Old Hickory Band. Dave Dick and Jim Gilbert of A Wing and a Prayer play a mixture of blues standards, their own compositions and a wee bit of country and folk. Giant:The Weatherman, Sat 30 May, 3pm, £3.50. Giant’s new touring show, The Weatherman, uses live musicians, dance and video to explore music and exotic instruments. The concert is interactive and fully participatory with finale that has the entire audience playing! This interactive music concert is suitable for all children aged 6-11 years and their families. D u m f r i e s & G a l l o wa y A r t s F e s t i va l 22nd - 30th May 2009 www.dgar tsfestival.org.uk : 01387 245566 Glenkens Gazette page 7 The CatStrand: News & Events COMMUNITY EVENTS/CLASSES Welfare Rights Surgery, Wed 1 April & Wed 24 June. Are you getting what you are entitled to? If so we may be able to help, come along to The CatStrand and get advice from the Benefit Maximisation team who will be having a series of surgeries. Please phone The CatStrand to book your individual appointment. REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene, Thurs 2 April, 9am-4pm, £60/£30. This one day course is aimed at all food handlers and covers a number of topics and legislation relevant to the food environment, resulting in a Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland Elementary Certificate. Some subsidies are available please phone for details. The Digital Switch Over Talks, Wed 8 April. 3-4.30pm & 6.30-8pm, free. The Digital Switchover will take place on the 24th June in Dumfries & Galloway. Ivan Kennedy from Digital UK will be here to talk to us about the change, give advice and answer questions. Transport to and from this event may be available on request. Speak Easy, Thurs 16 April. 1-3pm. Speak Easy is a fun and relaxed course designed to help parents/carers talk to their children/ young adults about sex, relationships and growing up. Come along to the Speak Easy taster session and learn more about what the course has to offer. The Speak Easy course will then run for one session a week, for 8 weeks. The course is free and is being run by Laura Fairbairn (Dumfries and Galloway NHS). Childcare may be available if required. Back to Work Skills, Tues 21 April & Wed 22 April, 9.30am-3pm, free. A flexible course designed to help people return to work and learn new skills. The course covers basic computer skills, applying for a job, CV and letter writing, interview skills and confidence building, in small friendly groups and lots of individual help. Childcare may be available if required. Community Fund Raising Training, Wed 6 May, 10am–3.30pm, free. In conjunction with Stewarty Council Voluntary Services (SCVS). If you are involved with a community group and are thinking about possible funding, this may be the course for you. It includes information on how to put together a good funding bid and examples of the types of supplementary information that need to be included. Lunch will be provided. Regular Classes: Exercise to Music, every Monday, 1011am, £4/£3. Boxercise: every Monday, 6-7pm, £24/£18 per six week block. Circuit Training, Every Monday, 7.30 - 8.30pm, £24/£18 per six week block. Teen Spirit: Every Tuesday 7.30 - 9.30pm. Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thursdays 10-11.15am, £30 per 6 week block. Taking the First Step in Computing, Wednesday evenings, 5.30pm - 7.30pm. Taking the Next Step in Computing, Monday evenings, 5.30 – 7.30pm. Afternoon Tea Club, 2nd Friday of the month, 2pm, anual membership £2. Minibus pick up from Balmaclellan and Dalry by prior arrangement - to book call 01644 420374. Glenkens Community & Arts Trust Seeks A Qualified Exercise Instructor to provide maternity cover for an over 50’s class must be available Monday mornings For Details Call: 01644 420374 Digital Switchover and IT Evening Come along to The CatStrand on Wednesday 8 April for Talks on the Digital Switch Over, from 34.30pm & 6-7.30pm. Also, there will be an IT Centre Open Evening from 4.30-6pm. Chris will be available to talk about the different courses on offer at The CatStrand. Classes range from IT to Family History, Silver Surfers to Digital Photography. THE BUS : GLENKENS TRANSPORT INITIATIVE BURNS CELEBRATIONS - In January The Bus took a number of people to Dumfries to witness the celebration of Robert Burns 250th birthday. The event held on the Whitesands featured an open air concert (which nearly had disastrous consequences owing to the stage being enveloped in smoke following an electrical fault!) and the burning of an effigy of Tam o’Shanter in the middle of the River Nith – this was made more spectacular as the river and weir were in spate following recent floods! MONDAY 6th APRIL 2009 - To follow on the Burns theme a trip has been arranged to Souter Johnnies Cottage, near Maybole, the Burns Monument and Brig o’Doon in Ayr and to the Batchelors Club in Tarbolton. Details of this and other trips arranged for April and May (including a visit to Beamish Open Air Museum ) have been advertised locally and tickets are now available from The CatStrand. Look out for details each month for new trips and the date tickets are available. SUGGESTIONS FOR TRIPS AND USE OF THE BUS: The Bus is well used but we are always looking for new ideas. Recently we have had some excellent ideas for trips (including one for younger children) but please let me know if you have any requests/ideas. We like to think all our volunteer drivers have your safety at heart. Some people are obviously better drivers than others but if you have any serious concerns please put them in writing to Bob Peace at The CatStrand rather than muttering to other people about them – that way any problems we have can be addressed – thank you. Keith Cooper, Administrator WEDNESDAY BUS SERVICE (REGD. ROUTE): CONCESSIONARY BUS PASSES ARE ACCEPTED ON THIS ROUTE, SO PLEASE MAKE USE OF THIS EXTRA SERVICE Timings are as follows: 1900 Dept Dalry (Underhill) 1910 New Galloway 1925 Mossdale 1935 Laurieston 1940 Townhead of Greenlaw 1947 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 1950 Arrive Castle Douglas (Tesco) The return journey : 2045 Departs Castle Douglas (Tesco) 2047 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 2052 Townhead of Greenlaw 2100 Laurieston 2110 Mossdale 2125 New Galloway 2135 Arrive Dalry IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK THE COMMUNITY-BUS OR IF YOU WANT ANY MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT KEITH COOPER, GTI ADMINISTRATOR ON 01644 420374. For further info & to buy tickets visit www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420 374 Glenkens Gazette page 8 BAVARIAN EVENING SET TO GO WITH A SWING C L U B Residents of the Glenkens are in for a hand- which he is still a member, to come to the area clapping, thigh-slapping night out when for the weekend to provide the entertainment. a visiting ten-piece brass group from the On Sunday, 26th April, the group will also be north-west of England puts on a Bavarian- playing the music for a morning Songs of Praise style bier kellar evening in Carsphairn on service in Carsphairn Church, to be conducted Saturday 25th April. The group generally meets by the Reverend Robert Hamill. twice a week, with one easy Tickets for the Bavarian evening at the Lagwyne walk and one moderate walk. Hall, Carsphairn, are priced at £6 each, which includes a frankfurter sausage supper. They are Please call one of the walk leaders available from the village shops in Carsphairn for further information: and St John’s Town of Dalry and from Designs John & Isobel on 430 539, Elizabeth on Gallery, Castle Douglas. 430 581 or Peter on 420 419 The event is being staged as a fund-raiser for Nigel added: “We are grateful for the support community facilities and, in particular, the local we have received from the Lochinvar Hotel in primary school. Nigel Martin, who recently Dalry and the Sulwath Brewery in Castle Douglas moved into Carsphairn from Lancashire, which has enabled the Carsphairn Church Social has arranged with the village church social Committee to maximise the proceeds from the While the CatStrand Youth Players made their mark at the Stewartry One Act Play committee for the Phoenix Brass Ensemble, of event for the benefit of the community.” Festival, unfortunately the adult team were forced to withdraw their entry, ‘Chips with This year’s Knockengorroch festival, held at Knockengorroch Farm outside Carsphairn, will Vinegar’ by Harry Glass, due to illness. yet again host some of the biggest names in UK and world music. Ewan McIntyre, who was playing one of the The four day World Ceilidh music festival, main characters, contracted glandular fever which runs from the 21st to 24th May a week before the festival and the timescale 2009, will be headlined by dance music and size of the part made it impossible for greats The Orb and drum and bass legend Roni Size. Of course there will be the more anyone else to learn the part in time. We traditional reels, jigs and ceilidh dancing, but are pleased to report that Ewan is now on to add some spice there will also be cabaret, the mend and it is hoped to stage ‘Chips cocktails, and comedy from renowned with Vinegar’ at The CatStrand soon, once comedians Phil Kay and Phil Nichol at the a suitable date can be arranged. It will then new Comedy Club venue. The Jackdaws, winners of The CatStrand Battle of the be entered in next year’s Festival when we Bands, will also be performing at the event. hope to emulate last year’s triple trophy The event does its best to cater for all, with a success with ‘Murphy’s Law’ which went on children’s area, family camping and disabled facilities, as well as special family rates on tickets. Tickets to compete at the West of Scotland Finals are available from the box office 01644 460 662 or the website www.knockengorroch.org.uk inspired by the much acclaimed performance of Ewan in the lead role. C O R N E R Glenkens Walking Group ‘73 Club A World of Music in the Hills! GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL ( 01644 420234 ( Pensions – Savings – Investments Retirement & Inheritance Tax Planning Life Assurance – Protection – Mortgages For advice on any of the above, or to review your existing arrangements, contact your local adviser: Brian J. Edgar DipPFS Area Office: Tannoch, Newton Stewart Road, New Galloway DG7 3RT Tel. 01644 420288 or 07808 322421 Central Office, 61 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart DG8 6NL Tel 01671 403080 Fax 01671 402549 e-mail - advice@marrfinancial.co.uk web - www.marrfinancial.co.uk Marr Financial Services is an Appointed Representative of Sesame Ltd YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE Forrest Estate Dalry, Castle Douglas SAWMILL sawn gate posts, stobs, rails, boards, pegs, sarking, cladding, deer fencing, sawdust, woodchip all timber pressure treated sawn to order many items available from stock NOW IN STOCK : �� ì GARDEN FURNITURE ì phone for availability and prices tel 01644 430230 fax 01644 430405 email: office@forrestestate.com �� Glenkens Gazette page 9 The Parton Burns Supper by Sam Callander Here we are, here we are, here we are again, hae’in oor Burns Supper in Parton Village Ha’. I can hardly believe it, but it’s actually oor Silver Jubilee – five an’ twenty years comin’ tegither tae celebrate the life of Robert Burns, but he can add anither zero on the end o’ his life style. Wi’ a’ the rain an’ wind we’ve been battered wi’ lately we hoped it wid hae dried up bi Friday an – Lord preserve us – the weather wis great, an the tickets went like snaw aff a dyke. Mair nor echty folk turned up tae fill the chairs, when Alistair Nelson, Heid Bummer, welcomed a’body an’ introduced the occupants at the tap table and then pronounced the Selkirk Grace. Michty me, when the Chiefain o’ the Pudden Race appeared he wis piped in bi a female, the first time sic a thing had happened at a Parton Burns Supper! Hooever, Hannah Wright frae Castle Dooglas made a rale guid job o’ piping in the haggis, borne aloft bi Maister Dauvit Nelson, an’ addressed bi Robert McTurk in that inimitable style o’ his. Clashin’ o’ tongues gied wey tae clatterin’ o’ knives an’ forks as a’body delved intie the dacent helpins o’ guid Scots fare laid before them bi the Cartner Caterers. Aince the tables were cleared, chairman Alistair introduced Maister Mike Duguid, ex Squadron Leader RAF, and entrusted him with the main toast o’ the nicht, namely that of the Immortal Memory to Robert Burns. This was delivered in an accomplished and informative manner, different, full of knowledge, how the Bard dealt with the different situations and different people – a rale pleasure tae listen tae – Mik Duguid was guid!! Maister Grierson Dunlop frae Edinburgh, originally frae this airt, tackled the toast of ‘The Lassies’. It wis well pit tigither, weel delivered, humorous and plenty o’ anecdotes. Hooever, oor ain Alex Bryson frae the Boreland faced up tae the doughty Dunlop and, for a first-timeer as a speaker, acquitted herself gey weel. Like the twae speakers afore her, she got a standin’ ovation. Next on the bill wis Robert McTurk fae the Glenkens, nae stranger tae Parton, or anywhere else for that matter, because his face is in the press oftener than Gordon Broon or Alex Salmond’s. But whit a stunner o’ a performance he gaed as ‘Tam o’ Shanter’, especially when he pu’ed oot o’ his sporran a – wait for it – naw, it wis yin o’ thae lang reid-haired tammies that fitba’ fans wear, an’ did he no’ ‘go tae town’ efter that. I think his act will be famed as the nicht’s ‘piece de resistence’. Personally, ah wid ca’ it mair o’ a ‘tour de force’. Sic energy an’ agility – it remined me o’ the tun an’ sang ca’ed ‘Phil the Fluter’s Bell’ – up doon, roonaboot facin’ tae the wall, hadnae we the gaety at Rab McTurk’s Ball. The TV should hae been here recordin’ the ongauns here – it wis a hunner times better than the ‘muck’ (this is the polite word) they broadcast on Hogmanay last. Of coorse, nae Burns Supper at Parton would be complete without Mistress Doreen Prentice and her ability an’ fondness at the keyboard, as shown when she accompanied Maister Colin Mair, a guest frae Toonheid o’ Mouswald, when he sang ‘The Star o’ Robbie Buns’ an’ ‘The Glesca Cat’, no bi Burns but extremely entertaining, an’ it let the company air their tonsils. But youth wisnae tae be outdone, because the yound Hodson brithers frae Parton House Gardens had brocht their instruments wi’ them. Joe an’ Sam played like professionals, a joy tae listen tae. Did they just play yin tune? Twa tunes? Naw. Keen an’ confident they jist telt the accompanist what they were playin’ next. Quite a repertoire! Bendetti an’ Kennedy – Watch Oot! Maister Vincent Mason, a doonhamer noo resident in fair Edina, but wi ties here in Parton, wis trusted wi’ the Vote o’ Thanks, whish wis weel put tegither. He thanked the speakers, the entertainers, caterers – in fact, everybody that had helped tae make this anither guid nicht. Everybody joined hands and sang Auld Lang Syne bringin’ anither freenly getherin tae its close. Floreat Partona! The Cross Keys Hotel New Galloway 10 en suite bedrooms, traditional bar, excellent restaurant, quiz nights, antique and collectibles markets Tel: 01644 420 494 enquiries@thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk Robert McTurk addressing the haggis www.thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk NEURO LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING (NLP) skills for change in self and others 2 DAY CERTIFIED COURSE IN NLP FOUNDATION SKILLS (A full introduction to the skills and techniques of NLP) with Michael Spence, Certified NLP Trainer, Master Practitioner, Language & Behaviour Practitioner SATURDAY & SUNDAY 20th & 21st JUNE 2009 THE CATSTRAND, NEW GALLOWAY, 9.30am – 5pm £98 (includes full documentation and ongoing support) Neuro Linguistic Programming is the art and science of personal excellence and is a highly effective ‘technology’ for accelerating personal and professional development. You will discover enjoyable ways of changing yourself, and learn powerful skills for developing your personal and professional effectiveness. NLP can help you to set your goals in ways that make them easier to achieve, have your emotional resources fully available in challenging situations, change limiting beliefs to more empowering ones, develop the art of asking key questions, continually improve your performance, use body language to establish and maintain good working relationships, read the minimal cues that let you know how others are thinking and develop your communication skills. Through the course the basic skills of NLP are introduced and applied in the context of your life. The approach is intensive, interactive and fun. This programme is the first module of the Certified Modular Practitioner Programme should anyone wish to go further. Michael Spence is a long established trainer and coach. He works from the heart with integrity, skill and wisdom together with an insatiable passion for helping people to be their best. To book or for further information contact Michael on 07710 332841 Michael Spence NLP is a member of the Association of ANLP and the Professional Guild of NLP Michael Spence NLP Ltd Registered in Scotland 296600 advertisement Transform Your Life! Glenkens Gazette page 10 ALEX FERGUSSON MSP FOR GALLOWAY AND UPPER NITHSDALE Holds regular advice surgeries at: 2 St ANDREW STREET, CASTLE DOUGLAS on the second Friday of every month from 5pm Please telephone free on 0800 028 7260 for an appointment or home visit if required. Details of other surgeries throughout the constituency can be found at www.alexfergusson.org.uk. You can also contact your MSP via e-mail at alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk �� Hotel �� Health is True Wealth Nutritional Consultation Allergies/Intolerance Testing Vitamin/Mineral Deficiency Testing Lorna Willock Dip D&C,DN,AET,NHF Dip Clinics at Parton - 01644470218 and Prana, Castle Douglas - 01566 503652 1 hour consultation £35 at Parton, £38 at Prana Full MOT Nutritional Health Check (for optimising health & vitality) 1 1⁄2 -2hrs £50 at Parton, £58 at Prana email: foods4life.co.uk www.foods4life.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 11 ON THE BEAT Spring is on its way, although winter still has time for one last hurrah. Take care on the roads as we can never allow ourselves to become complacent. Our rural roads require due respect all year round - remember, there’s no such thing as a bad road, only bad drivers. As spring brings in the lighter nights we all look forward to getting out and about more. I will soon be involved in our annual program of cycle training for primary seven children and I remind parents that they must take responsibility for instilling basic road sense in all their youngsters and if they don’t have the ability to keep themselves safe on the road then it is your responsibility to accompany them or keep them off public roads. Remember the High Streets of our small villages are all main roads, not playgrounds. I don’t wish to be all gloom and doom, but please keep expensive garden equipment under lock and key. A couple of recent rural thefts could almost certainly have been avoided by any form of security measure other than “it’s in the middle of nowhere so nobody will touch it”. During lambing, as always take that extra minute to remove the quad keys and lock up about the steading, it may be an inconvenience when you are busy and tired but not nearly so inconvenient as losing valuable equipment. Finally, several acts of petty, mindless vandalism have also occurred over the last few weeks across the Glenkens. These appear minor in isolation but as a community we must pool information in order to secure evidence to detect and deter these offences becoming commonplace as they are in some larger towns. Don’t allow this minority to spoil our beautiful area. If anyone has any information regarding any of the incidents mentioned above or if you require advice or assistance regarding any Policing matter, please do not hesitate to call in at Dalry Police Office or contact me via the Force Control Centre 0845 600 5701 or bryan.bruton@dgp.poilce.pnn.uk Bryan Bruton Barmurrie Farm Free range hen, duck & quail eggs, free range Gloucester Old Spot pork. Free range oven ready chickens farm reared on grass from day old chicks. Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents SEASONAL FRESH VEGETABLES www.ggblaw.co.uk Visitors welcome - come a nd see where your food comes from ! ( 01556 503744 ( OFFICES IN : CASTLE DOUGLAS, DALBEATTIE ( 01644 420249 ( KIRKCUDBRIGHT & DUMFRIES FHB Fencing KENBRIDGE HOTEL YOUTH UPDATE Glenkens Youth Choir The newly formed Glenkens Youth Choir has already had much success at both the Galloway and Dumfries Music Festivals. Both Primary and Secondary groups gained Distinction in their performances and the Mixed Choir won the Galloway Music Festival Cup with a grand mark of 88. The Adjudicator, Mr Michael Ball, noted that their enjoyment in their music making was very evident throughout -and that’s what choral singing is all about! At Dumfries, they excelled even further by gaining the only Outstanding for Choral Work at the Festival and won the Robert Adams Cup for Youth Choir. It has been a lot of fun but also a lot of hard work for the choir to reach this standard, and we welcome others to come and join us! Rehearsals are held at The Catstrand on Sundays from 5-6pm. At present the choir consists of children from Primary Year 5 to 5th Year Secondary, from Dalry and Kells Primaries and Dalry and Castle Douglas High Schools. We welcome any children in that age range and from all areas of the Glenkens. The Choir’s trophies and adjudications are on display in The CatStrand. New Galloway Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) Plastering & General Building Work please call Paul 01644 430 504 www.timber-gates.com New Galloway Open 7 Days : Beautiful Riverside Location Golf Club M E A L S S E RV E D 12.00 - 2.00pm, 5.30 - 8.30pm www.nggc.co.uk TRADITIONAL LOG FIRE bed and breakfast en suite accommodation ( 01644 420 211 ( mail@kenbridgehotel.co.uk www.kenbridgehotel.co.uk W BONE WHB JEEPS THE GARAGE, DALRY PETROL & DIESEL SALES SERVICE & REPAIRS MOTs, TYRES, BATTERIES ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES OPEN 8.30AM - 6.00PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY Tel: 01644 430208 Fax: 01644 430669 email: jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Founded 1902 v 01644 420737 v Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME 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 12 USEFUL NUMBERS: GLENKENS DIARY FOR ALL EVENTS ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Crimestoppers: 0845 555 111 ● Well Driven Scheme (to report dangerously driven HGV’s): 0800 225533 Fri 22 to Sat 30, Dumfries & Galloway Arts APRIL: Wed 1, Welfare Rights Surgery, call The Festival, see p 6 CatStrand for info Fri 22, Dalry Heritage Group Talk – Memorials Thurs 2, REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene, 9am- in the Glenkens, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall 4pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 22, Qawali Sham Sufi Group, 7.30pm, The Thurs 2, Storytelling Café, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 23 to Mon 25, Spring Fling, various Fri 3, Gallovidians Fiddlers’ Concert, 7.30pm, locations across the region New Galloway Town Hall Sat 23, Phil Kay: Gimme Your Left Shoe (for Mon 6, Dalry Community Council Meeting, children), 5pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Sat 23, Phil Kay (for adults), 8pm, The Mon 6, GTI Bus Trip, see p7 CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 10, Gentle Jazz, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, Sun 24, Robert Burns & The Merry Muses of New Galloway Caledonia with Pauline Gray, 7.30pm, The Fri 10 until end Sept, Carsphairn Heritage CatStrand, New Galloway Centre opens – see p3 Wed 27, CCC Film: Changeling, 7.30pm, The Sat 11, Glenkens Farmers Market, 10am-1pm, CatStrand, New Galloway Dalry Town Hall Thurs 28, New Redwing & A Wing and a Sat 11, Corsock Village Market, 9.30amPrayer, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway 1.20pm, Corsock Village Hall Sat 30, Giant: The Weatherman, 3pm, The Mon 13, Puppet Animation Festival: Vélo CatStrand, New Galloway Théâtre presents The Postman, 3pm, The REGULAR EVENTS: CatStrand, New Galloway Scouts: Mon, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Wed 15, Illustrated Talk - Allen Paterson: The Mother & Toddlers Group: Tues 9.45-11.15am, Gardens at Kew, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New New Galloway Town Hall Galloway Beavers: Tues, 6.30–7.45pm, New Galloway Thurs 16, Speak Easy, 1-3pm, The CatStrand, Scout Hut New Galloway Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway From Sat 18, Exhibition: Ailie Matthews, Scout Hut CatStrand opening hours, The CatStrand, New Lions Club monthly quiz, alternating between Galloway The CatStrand & Lochinvar Hotel. For further Mon 20, ‘The Problem with Atheism’; meeting info contact Andrew Frew on 420 323. with Robert McQuistan, 7.30pm, Kenbridge The CatStrand, New Galloway (see p7) Hotel Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Tues 21 & Wed 22, Back to Work Skills, Play it by Ear: every Mon during term time, 9.30am-3pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway 1.30-2.30pm Fri 24, Quiz Night, 7.30pm, Dalry Town Hall Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Morris Sat 25, Bavarian Evening, Lagwyne Hall, Movement: Every Mon during term time, 4-5pm, Carsphairn, see p 8 £3 (age 8-12) Sun 26, Bavarian musicians for Songs of Praise Boxercise: Every Mon, 6-7pm service, Carsphairn Church Circuit Training: every Mon, 7.30-8.30pm Wed 29, CCC Film: Burn After Reading, Taking the Next Step in Computing: Mon 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway evenings, 5.30–7.30pm MAY: Teen Spirit: Tues, 7.30-9.30pm Sat 2, D & G Film Festival: Scotland on Film, Taking the First Step in Computing: Wed, 5.302pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway 7.30pm From Sat 2 May to Thurs 4 June, Exhibition: Yoga: Thurs 10-11.15am Archie Sutter Watt, CatStrand opening hours, Afternoon Tea Club: 2nd Fri each month, 2pm The CatStrand, New Galloway Saturday Art Club, 2nd Saturday each month, Wed 6, Community Fund Raising Training, 10am–12noon 10am–3.30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Youth Drama Group; every Sun 2pm Thurs 7, Storytelling Café, 7.30pm, The Glenkens Youth Choir, every Sun from, 5-6pm CatStrand, New Galloway CatStrand Playstation Tournaments: contact The Wed 8, Digital Switchover (3-4.30pm & CatStrand for info. 6-7.30pm) & IT Evening (4.30-6pm), The Dalry Community Centre CatStrand, New Galloway (for info or to book contact Sarah on 430 393) Sat 9, Glenkens Farmers Market, 10am-1pm, Glenkens Playgroup: Mon-Fri, 9.15-11.45am Dalry Town Hall Paint & Art: Mon 1.30-4.30pm Sat 9, Glenkens Farmers Market, 10am-1pm, Ballroom & Latin Dance: Mon - Beginners Dalry Town Hall Sat 9, Scottish Place-Name Society, 10.30am- 7.30-8.15pm, Improvers 8.15-9pm, Improvers 9-9.45pm 4pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway. For info Good Neighbours Club: Tues 2pm call 07769680293 Kickback Martial Arts: Tues & Thurs 7-9pm, Sat 9, Corsock Village Market, 9.30amadults welcome 1.20pm, Corsock Village Hall Glenkens Mother & Toddlers: Wed 1.30-3pm Sun 10, Car Boot Sale, 10am-1pm, Mossdale Craft Class: Thurs 2-4pm Village Hall Aerobic Classes - toning & conditioning: Wed Fri 15, Benny Gallagher, 7.30pm, The 7.30-8.30pm CatStrand, New Galloway Brownies: Wed 5.30-6.45pm Sat 16, Magnetic North presents After Mary Guides: Wed 5.30-7pm Rose, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Drama Club: for further info contact Brian Thu 21 to Sun 24, Knockengorroch World Ceilidh, Knockengorroch Farm, Carsphairn, see p8 Edgar on 420 288 TIMES OF WORSHIP IN THE GLENKENS CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sundays Balmaclellan 12noon 1st Carsphairn 10.30 am 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Dalry (Apr) 12noon 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Kells 10.30 am 2nd 3rd 4th Special Services and Events 3rd April, 7.30pm: Concert with Gallovidians, New Galloway Town Hall 10th April, 7.30pm: Good Friday Service, Dalry Church 12th April, 7am: Dawn Service outside Dalry Church followed by breakfast in Dalry Town Hall 20th April, 7.30pm: ‘The Problem with Atheism’, meeting with Robert McQuistan, Kenbridge Hotel 24th April, 7.30pm: Quiz Night, Dalry Town Hall 31st May, 10.30am: United Service with Choir in Dalry Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH (C of E) St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion - 10.30am every Sun & Wed CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Castle Douglas: Mass - Sat 6.15pm & Wed 7pm WRITE FOR THE GAZETTE! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... If you have a submission, contact Sarah on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk JUNE/JULY COPY DEADLINE: Fri 8 May PROJECT PART-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION Europe and Scotland Making it work together 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 51 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_051 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 2009 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade https://glenkensarchive.scot/glenkens_archive/files/original/1/198/GlenkensGazette52.pdf adda3cf3f73faa26359ac6f490136e7c 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 52 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document June/July 2009 ISSUE 52 www.glenkensgazette.com Carsphairn Coming Home On Sunday 3rd May an original ‘Homecoming’ event titled ‘Carsphairn: The Pupils Come Home’ was held as a farewell party for Miss Anne Rutherford’s retirement. Having been Head Teacher of Carsphairn Primary School for 27 years, there were many pupils past and present in attendance, along with their families. With over 100 guests, many people had travelled from far-flung regions of the UK, and members of the community who had been involved with the school at various times over the years were also present. The speeches started with Lucy Blackett, presently in Primary 6, who read a wonderful poem remembering good times with Anne. Following this, past pupil Helen Campbell made a touching and humorous speech recalling some of the memorable moments of her school days, and finally Fraser Simpson, now Head Teacher of all the Glenkens Schools, gave an interesting account of the ways in which Anne has worked through a number of major changes in education over the past 27 years. There were photographs spanning nearly three decades, computer slide-shows, food, wine and laughter – all in all it was a wonderful get-together enjoyed by all. Sylvia Sinclair, a longstanding member of the local community who has been involved with the school for many years, said: “The afternoon was a great success and we wish Anne Rutherford a long and happy retirement!” Spalding’s First Lady Elizabeth Peacock, a member of Dalry’s Spalding Bowling Club, has been elected as the Club’s first lady president. Having been a member of the club for over 25 years, Liz knows the turf well. She says: “I was treasurer for seven years and it was just a natural progression really. I was the first lady on the committee as well, which was a big step amongst all these men!” The club is made up of about eight or nine women out of the total of 36 club members at present, and it has always had a high ratio of men to women. Liz says: “I enjoy the game, the company and the friendship in it – win or lose, it doesn’t matter. You lose more than you win”. The club meets twice a week, Monday at 7pm and Saturday at 7pm, both for a sweep game. There are other competitions as well, both within the club and in conjunction with other clubs. Men play the league on a Tuesday night for seven games, but there aren’t enough women to play a ladies league. There are two open competitions a year when people from other clubs come over, one in June and one in July, and the club will have its centenary in 2012, so there will be celebrations for that. A Big Thank You to Helen Bolton This issue includes Helen Bolton’s last ‘New Galloway - Our Historic Burgh’ article, as she has now brought us up to recent times. The Glenkens Gazette would like to thank Helen for all her hard work in compiling these interesting and informative articles over the years. Perhaps she would like to start on some of the other villages in the Glenkens...? Turn to p8 for the final instalment. “New members are always welcome,” says Liz. For the first year membership is half price, so £20 for adults (full membership is £40), for seniors it’s £16 (£32 full price) and for juniors £2.50 (£5 full price). Visitors can come along for £1 a game – Liz says: “Everyone’s welcome to come and try – it only costs £1”. To find out more or to become a member of the Spalding Bowling Club, contact Liz on 01644 430 581 or green keeper Hamish Sinclair on 01644 430 422. IN THIS ISSUE... 2 - Local Artist: Amanda Simmons, Noticeboard, GBA Update, LING Update 3 - Community Council News, Stewartry Rugby, Alternative Games 4 - Schools Report 5 - Club Corner 6 - CatStrand Events 7 - CatStrand Community News, The Bus (GTI) 8 - Local History 9 - Bavarian Evening, Conventicle, Walking Group 11- Health Tips 12- Glenkens Diary of Events Glenkens Gazette page 2 Local Artist: AMANDA SIMMONS Amanda Simmons of Corsock Glass has travelled a winding path to get where she is today. “I started as a BT engineer in the South East of England at 16 (at that time the only female engineer in the region),” says Amanda. “I stayed four years but realised I wanted to work closer with people and not machines so went to Kings College University to study Biomedical Sciences and then a BSc (Hons) in Clinical Sciences whilst training as a clinical perfusionist (medical technician that runs the heart and lung machine during cardiac operations).” After working in this field for eight years, Amanda needed a change. “I studied many art forms but they never felt quite right, but after attending a stained glass summer school and finding kiln formed glass I knew I had finally found my medium; within a month I had started my own studio producing stained glass panels and kiln formed glass to commission. Further study at Westminster College and then a Postgraduate Certificate in Glass and Architecture at Central St Martin’s School of Art and Design in London gave me the confidence to go full-time as an artist, coinciding with our move to Dumfries and Galloway.” When considering why they decided to move to the Glenkens, Amanda says: “There are many reasons for re-locating here; the quieter pace of life and the terrific landscape drew us here after visiting for many years and making good friends in the region. “I make kiln formed and cameo engraved glass, mainly for gallery exhibitions around the UK and produce work for commission. I also work on larger scale public commissions, an area that I am pursuing further, especially Arts in Healthcare, which would combine my two passions of glass and science. Recent exhibitions include a spotlight show at Blackwell Arts and Crafts House near Windermere (now stocking their excellent contemporary craft shop), Gifted at the National Museum of Scotland and The Affordable Art Fair in London (represented by Cafe-Jello, a glass specialist gallery in Cambridge). This year I have been selected to show at Origin: The London Craft Fair, which is the UK’s principle selling event for makers of contemporary craft. It’s an extremely difficult show to get into and I am very happy to be representing Dumfries and Galloway!” But what is it about glass that Amanda finds so fascinating? She says: “I am very process led and love working with glass because of its technical and chemical challenges. The firing process for me is just the beginning as much of my work is done with ‘cold working’ the glass using diamond tools and a lathe to engrave designs, grinding to give form to my vessels and sandblasting which gives my trademark ‘matt’ look to the glass. “We have been in Corsock now for three years and my husband and I love it here. For a small community there is a lot going on and it is so good to know and speak to your neighbours.” For further information you can visit Amanda’s website at www.corsockglass.co.uk or contact her on 05601 470120. Noticeboard Tennis partner sought. Contact Matthew Newton on 430 225 Antiques, Collectables & Craft Market Glenkens Annual Art Exhibition Sun 14 June, 124pm, Cross Keys Hotel, New Galloway 17, 18 &19 July Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry Wine-making equipment for sale. Contact 430 225 Soldier’s Memorial Access Update As we reported in the last issue of the Gazette, the Forestry Commission has recently improved access to the Soldier’s Memorial which overlooks Loch Ken between New Galloway and Mossdale. This involved several days work by a team from the Forestry Commission using chainsaws and a large chipper. Access to the memorial is now from the car park at the foot of the Lowran Burn - walk towards New Galloway and take the first track sharp left through the trees and then follow it to the memorial. The track is very boggy and ‘wellies’ are advisable, but otherwise it is a relatively easy walk and well worth it for the view. Archie McNeillie from the Forestry Commission says he expects to have signposts installed later in the summer and is hoping to be able to improve drainage on the track although he is not yet able to plan this work. The memorial is to John Murray of Troquain who was killed in the First World War. Information on war memorials in the Glenkens and the rest of Scotland can be found online at www.scottishwarmemorials.co.uk Paul Goodwin Glenkens Business Association We are through the first stage of another grant application; this one in partnership with the Southern Upland Partnership and Glenkens Community and Arts Trust for funding through the new Stewartry Targeted Support Fund to promote economic development in the area. The theme of this project is to further promote the area particularly as a walking destination for all ages and abilities, with accommodation that welcomes walkers and an area which provides a range of other interests and activities. We are also pleased to have received a grant of £1000 from the Stewartry Area Committee to enhance the local area information on the GBA vistglenkens.com website. The aim is to spread the word that the Glenkens is a great holiday destination and to link in to the Homecoming themes. Consideration of the application for the grant for the next directory has been postponed by the Area Committee to this current financial year. Along with several individual members the GBA has taken an advertisement in the Homecoming on your Doorstep Guide - 3. Look out for us on the centre pages. The next meeting is on 30th June at 7pm at the Ken Bridge Hotel. All members or potential members are welcome. Membership of the GBA gives you an entry in the web directory and in the next hardcopy directory. To join or renew your membership contact Alan Rumble on 01644 420250 or email alanrumble@gmail.com Rosalind Hill, GBA Chairman Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) An application for funding for a full feasibility study has now been submitted. This study needs to be done before application can be made for a grant to purchase premises. It will include further and more detailed consultation on what the community feels is needed over the next several years. It will also look into the financial costs and sustainability of projects. In the meantime there has been a meeting with the officer from the Council who is responsible for the Town Hall. We have been told that there is money set aside within the budget for repair works and for disability access. A condition survey is being organised by the Council. When this is done there will be further discussions and consultation. Rosalind Hill, LING Chairman Glenkens Gazette page 3 The Royal Burgh of New Galloway & Kells Community Council Carsphairn Community Council A lack of road gritting during the winter months was mentioned by the Councillor present, George Prentice. There was discussion The Annual General Meeting was held in New Galloway Town about particular roads where there was a problem. Hall on Monday 11th May. The Provost, Mrs Margaret Sainsbury, gave her comprehensive report of the year’s activities ranging It was reported that the Scottish Government have dropped the from the threats to the local Post Offices and the Town Hall to idea to lease Forestry Commission forest but still want to plant development of the new Loreburn Housing at Carsons Knowe. more forestry, they just need a new way to finance it. It was agreed that the CC would oppose this but no action was to be The Community Council had also marked the auspicious occasion taken at this time. of our oldest resident Miss Nettie Murray’s 100th Birthday, and Near the A713 north of Carsphairn, branches have been baled also the retirement of Mrs Nancy Plummer after 27 years as Head and there are now enormous piles awaiting transportation. It was Teacher of Kells Prmary School. agreed to write to Charles Clemie, head of the Timber Transport The Provost thanked all Community Councillors for their Forum, asking about this and Councillor Prentice said he would ask commitment throughout the year and also Mrs Joan Berkley too. Councillor Prentice was asked whether it would be standard who had retired as Secretary in February. Mr John McGaw then practice, as it will significantly increase the amount of timber presented the Treasurer’s Report. lorries going through the village. The subject of scoping reports Mrs Margaret Sainsbury was unanimously re-elected as Provost. was raised – one will be done in July for Carsphairn forests. This is the chance for local people to give their views. It was mentioned Mrs Maybelle Thomson will continue as Vice Chairman and Mr that when a scoping report for Drumjohn forest was received by John McGaw as Treasurer. The members were pleased to note the CC they gave a lot of feedback but were unsure if this was that Mr Chris Newman of Carson’s Knowe, New Galloway, was taken into account at all. It was agreed that more information on interested in taking on the role of Community Council Secretary. the next scoping report would be sought. He would be invited to attend the next meeting. Discussion was held on the matter of refuse collection. It was Before the meeting, members were pleased to present cheques for thought that the new cost of 50p per Council refuse bag and the £500 each to Macmillan Cancer Relief and The Maximum Attack £30 per item for collection of white goods would increase fly Leukaemia Appeal. The donations were made from the proceeds tipping. of last year’s Alternative Games. It has been suggested that there is a need for a community The cheques were accepted by Mrs Irene McFadzean on behalf notice board as well as a CC notice board as there are often too of MacMillan Cancer Relief and by Gordon Clendinning for the many notices for the shop windows. It was agreed to approach Maximum Attack Appeal Fund. CarsphairnVillage Shop (CVS) Ltd as the owners of the building. Date of next meeting – Monday 29th June in Lagwyne The next meeting will be held on Monday 8th June 2009 Hall at 7.00pm. at 7.30pm in New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings are available to view at Dalry Library. Scotland Players Come to the Stewartry Stewartry Rugby Club is preparing itself for the start of the new season for the under 14’s who are breaking with tradition and opting to play ‘Better Weather Rugby’. From the 6th of May every Wednesday evening during term time the club will be playing rugby. Play will stop for the holidays and then start again with the autumn term until the end of October when the clocks go back. To launch this new initiative, the club is thrilled to have four Scotland internationalists from the Glasgow Warriors coming to the club to watch over the first training session. The four players are probably the most influential and well known young players in the Scotland squad; Max and Thom Evans, John Barclay and Graeme Morrison, who between them they have 40 caps. Registration for the primary school children will be between 5pm and 6pm with coaching starting at 6pm. Our Scottish heroes will be at the club from 6pm and will be involved with the training and host a question and answer session at the end. A professional photographer will be on hand to take photos and there will be an opportunity to gather autographs from the players. The club is very lucky to have this opportunity and is encouraging a huge turnout whilst ensuring the famous guests are made very welcome. GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL ( 01644 420234 ( Pensions – Savings – Investments Retirement & Inheritance Tax Planning Life Assurance – Protection – Mortgages For advice on any of the above, or to review your existing arrangements, contact your local adviser: Brian J. Edgar DipPFS Area Office: Tannoch, Newton Stewart Road, New Galloway DG7 3RT Tel. 01644 420288 or 07808 322421 Central Office, 61 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart DG8 6NL Tel 01671 403080 Fax 01671 402549 e-mail - advice@marrfinancial.co.uk web - www.marrfinancial.co.uk Marr Financial Services is an Appointed Representative of Sesame Ltd YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE Alternative Games 2009 The Scottish Alternative Games will be held on Sunday 2nd August when reigning World Champion Alexander McKenna will be trying hard to defend the title he took from his sister Hannah last year. All the other popular ingredients in the unique Alternative Games mix will be included too, along with a few new ones! The weekend will kick off in style with a Ceilidh in New Galloway Town Hall on Friday 31st July, and on Saturday 1st August there will be a special Homecoming Burns Concert in The CatStrand. Glenkens Gazette page 4 GLENKENS SCHOOLS REPORT Kings (and Queens) of the Road! On May 5th, 2009, the Primary 7 pupils from the Glenkens cluster braved some wet weather to participate in their cycle proficiency test at Dundrennan. Although it was a wet and cloudy day, pupils from Kells, Dalry and Carsphairn Primary Schools didn’t allow their spirits to dampen. Part of the Scottish Cycle Training Scheme, pupils enjoyed working with local police to improve their road safety awareness. Pupils learned to be aware of hazards from all directions, while learning to use correct hand signals and wearing the right equipment. The rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits and all our local Primary 7 students would like to thank the Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary for a fun and informative day. It takes more than a little rain to stop Ryan Wilson of Dalry Primary. FoDS Keep Dalry in the Picture Friends of Dalry School have recently purchased four digital cameras for the school. Each primary class has been given a camera which can be used by pupils and teachers. The images can be easily uploaded, edited and printed for displays, newsletters and publications like the Glenkens Gazette. In addition, a high resolution camera has been bought for school events - concerts, shows, sports and such like when a higher quality image is required. The photo shows Martin, Jessica, Michael and Kyle with the new cameras – many thanks to FoDS from all at the school. Under a watchful eye, Hazel Banner safely passes a parked car. Calum Wilkie and Fraser Cameron of Dalry Primary. Glenkens K’Nex Cluster Challenge The future great minds of the Glenkens area met together on April 29th to compete in the annual Glenkens Young Engineer of Britain K’Nex Cluster Challege. Primary 6 students from Kells, Carsphairn and host Dalry met to test their design abilities. Working in pairs, their challenge was to design and construct an aerodynamic vehicle to run down a ramp , then travel the longest and straightest distance. Thirteen teams competed and enjoyed a morning designing, problem solving and presenting ideas to the judges. The winning team of Sophie Thomson and Eve Langford from Kells Primary will represent the cluster in the Dumfries & Galloway Area Final, date TBC. Jake and Mackenzie, of Dalry Primary, constructing their vehicle. Amber and Jenny, of Carsphairn Primary, creating their vehicle. Eventual winners Sophie and Eve, of Kells Primary, building their vehicle. Carsphairn Primary Visit the Devil’s Porridge Exhibition The children at Carsphairn Primary have been learning about World War II and enjoyed a trip to the Devil’s Porridge Exhibition at Eastriggs, near Annan. When we arrived, the first thing was to get changed into war-time clothes. We were then split into groups and shown around the war-time house, the old pub and the Anderson Air-Raid Shelter. We learned about rationing and looked at things which people used in their houses during the war. We got to handle lots of things, and we all enjoyed holding the hand grenades. We then learned about the way that Devil’s Porridge was made during World War I and look around the mock WWI trench. We were given evacuee tags with our names written on them, then we walked to the old train station. The volunteer ladies at Devil’s Porridge lined us up and ‘picked’ us, as though we were evacuees! Daisy Hickman said: “There weren’t any washing machines in the war, people had to make do with a wash board and carbolic soap!” Caitlin Blackett said: “I liked the squeaky plastic rats in the trench and I liked the typewriter!” Glenkens Gazette page 5 C L U B C O R N E R New Galloway Golf Club New Galloway Golf Club has been part of the Glenkens community for 107 years, and is still going strong. The course is always presented to an extremely high quality and offers some of the best views of any golf course in Britain. Membership is available at £165 per year with beginners and experienced players welcome. The club offers weekly competitions for both male and female golfers or for those who prefer the opportunity to simply play and enjoy the scenery. Check out the club’s website for more information and pictures of the course, www.nggc.co.uk Most members are happy to play with new members who would like some encouragement. The club also offers the opportunity to receive quality coaching from James Erskine, a local professional. James offers Carsfad Loch is stocked regularly throughout the season with good quality brownies and rainbows, some of which inevitably find their way down the Ken. Should you need more information look on our website www.dalrya nglingassociation.co.uk. Wherever and whenever you fish, have a good season in 2009 and tight lines! Call for Entries for the Glenkens Annual Art Exhibition plus Exhibition of Children‛s Art from local schools Anyone who would like to join the club can obtain an application form from the payment area at the clubhouse, from the club’s website or by contacting the secretary, Ian Brown, on 01556 670579. Junior Summer Coaching Programme: Saturday 2nd May, Saturday 23rd May, Saturday 13th June, Saturday 20th June, Saturday 4th July, Saturday 31st July, Saturday 22nd August, Saturday 29th August, Saturday 12th September. Each sessions is split into 9.30am to 10.15am; little junior golfers, 10.15am to 11am; intermediate junior golfers, 11am to 12.00; older junior golfers. Competitions will also be held following the coaching sessions. The Stewartry Camera Club will hold an exhibition of photographs in The Tolbooth, Kirkcudbright, from Wednesday 10th to Sunday 21st June. Admission is free and a club member will be there should you wish to discuss the photographs or any aspects of club membership. ‘Avocet’ Photograph courtesy of John Houfe Fishers who have not enjoyed the superb scenery in which our waters are set should take advantage of the day tickets available to non-members at Newton’s shop in Dalry and have a good day out. They only cost £7 per day (£3.50 Juniors). Visitors are always very welcome, and a recent holiday-maker wrote to say how helpful the Treasurer had been, which made his time in the area a real pleasure. The junior section is sponsored by the club presidents Chris Thomas’ family Trust and because of this we can offer our junior members a fantastic summer coaching programme, with coaching from the professional James Erskine. The summer programme allows youngsters the chance to learn the basics of the game while having fun at the same time. Details of the summer programme are noted below. Junior membership is £45 per year which in the present economic climate is fantastic value. News from the Stewartry Camera Club DALRY ANGLING ASSOCIATION Carsfad Loch was stocked before the season started thanks to the efforts of Committee members, and although the fishing season started with some good weather, recently the colder temperatures and the fairly constant rain have not been conducive to good fishing. Let’s hope that the end of May brings better conditions! coaching in the basics of the game or at a more advanced level. The club meets in the Tolbooth on a Wednesday evening from the middle of September to the end of March. It is a long-established club that has gone from strength to strength with the advent of digital photography. Most club members now work with a digital camera but film cameras are still used. Many of the photographs exhibited will have done well in the competitions held throughout the season. They display the varied and best work of members. John Houfe’s photograph, ‘Avocet’, was taken in September 2008 at Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park in Norfolk, featured in BBC’s ‘Springwatch’ 2008. John lives in the Glenkens and has been interested in photography since he was a teenager. He became a member of the club three years ago, and is very keen on wildlife with a particular interest in landscape photography. Whilst on holiday in the Outer Hebrides last year he took many photographs of the beautiful and dramatic scenery. He used these to construct a very interesting slide show that was enjoyed by members on one of their club nights. The exhibition is called ‘Sixty of the Best – Lashings of Good Photos’ as it includes sixty of the best images taken by members. There will be landscape images, flora, fauna and images of many other subjects both in colour and black and white. Do come along and see what has been achieved by The Stewartry Camera Club’s members. For further information contact Mary McIlvenna 01644 420613 or George Wishart 01557 870090. A McQuaker Landscapes est. 1992 Fri 17th July to Sun 19th July garden groundwork, fencing, drainage, rotovating, treework & all associated tasks Closing date for entries; Sat 4th July Tel: 01644 440 627 Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry Entry forms are available from: Tom Leach, 01644 420 386 or Christine Rhodes, 01644 430 070 Carsphairn Show Saturday 6th June entries on the day for sheep, pets, and industrial section show opens 8am with sheepdog trials, sheep judging 10am & pets at 2pm for further info call 01644 460244 Glenkens Gazette page 6 The CatStrand: News & Events Exhibition: Archie Sutter Watt, runs Genticorum, Thurs 9 July, 8pm, £8/£6 until Thurs 4 June Firmly rooted in the soil of their native land, this Quebecois power-trio incorporate the dynamism Archie Sutter Watt (1915-2005) was one of of contemporary North American and European Dumfries & Galloway’s most successful artists folk cultures into their music. They weave precise and teachers with a career spanning over fifty and intricate fiddle and flute work, gorgeous years. He was an elected member of the Royal vocal harmonies, energetic foot percussion and Society of Painters in Watercolour (RSW) guitar and bass accompaniment into a jubilant, unique, musical and his works are held in private and public feast. Genticorum’s distinctive sound, sense of humour and stage collections across Scotland and the UK. presence has made the band a worldwide crowd-pleaser. This exhibition offers an opportunity to see and buy a selection of original landscape and still-life watercolours and mono-prints with CatStrand Cinema: Madagascar 2 a special selection of editioned etchings. All profits from sales will Escape to Africa, Wed 15 July, 2pm, £4.50 go to continue the work of the Archie Sutter Watt Trust Fund – a (£3.50 CCC members & concessions) charitable body set up in 2005 to support education in art for young people in Dumfries & Galloway. For further details and contact The sequel to 2005’s ‘Madagascar’ in which New details for the ASW Trust, please visit www.archiesutterwatt.co.uk York Zoo animals, Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo, still Margaret Elphinstone in stranded on Madagascar, start to leave the island. Conversation with Tom Pow, Fri 5 All of a sudden, they land in the wilderness of Africa, where Alex meets the rest of his family, but June, 7.30pm, £5 has trouble communicating with them after spending so much For six thousand years after the last Ice time at the Central Park Zoo. Cert PG, 86 mins. Age, Scotland was home to bands of huntergatherers. They left little trace, but one event Project DIY with the Royal Scottish Academy of is known to have occurred. Around 6150 BC a Music & Drama, Mon 20 – Fri 24 July, 10am to 4pm each day, tsunami hit Scotland. This is the catalyst for the plot of Margaret £20 for the week Elphinstone’s latest novel, ‘The Gathering Night’. An inspired evocation of life among Mesolithic people, living in harmony with A week long Drama Summer School Residency course for 11-18 their environment, her novel provides an ecological parable for our year olds, working with a professional writer and director from the RSAMD who will guide you through the creation, development and planet today. presentation of your writing through to performance.. Margaret Elphinstone, now living again in the Stewartry where her writing career began, has researched hunter-gatherer CatStrand Cinema: Slumdog Millionaire communities across the world and studied their crafts and skills, (2007), Wed 29 July, 7.30pm, £4.50 (£3.50 CCC some still surviving: she even built her own coracle. She was members & concessions) formerly Professor of Writing at Strathclyde University. Tom Pow is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, Crichton This Oscar winning film by Director Danny Boyle University Campus. Margaret will be signing copies of ‘The features Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who rises from rags to riches Gathering Night’ after the talk. on the strength of his lively intelligence. Contains Exhibition: Angela Lawrence & strong language and violence. Cert 15, 120 mins. David Alexander - Sounds from the Shore, from Sun 7 June to Fri 3 July Regular events: Storytelling Café, Thurs 4 June & 2 Stewartry-based artist Angela Lawrence July, 7.30pm. This is a regular event on exhibits widely around the UK. Her paintings the first Thursday of every month. Cakes show her increasing interest in the elusive and coffee will be available and audience changeability of mountains and sea; the result is a substantial participation will be encouraged! Eat, series of semi-abstract but expressive oil paintings. drink and let your imagination run away David Alexander lives and works in Kirkpatrick Durham. His with you! No booking necessary, donations fresh body of work reflects his enthusiasm for the Galloway on the door. Shore. Walking the cliff paths and stone filled beaches has been a Youth Drama Group, every Sunday during term time, continual source of inspiration in his work. 2pm. The Glenkens 73 Club Youth Drama Group will meet on “I Miss Communism” by Ines Wurth a regular basis on Sunday afternoons. If you are interested in and Mark Soper, Sat 20 June, 8pm, £7/£5 acting, directing, costumes, sound, lighting, stage management Following critical and sell-out success at the or any other aspect of drama or theatre, then come along and Edinburgh Fringe, and a subsequent world tour, “I have some fun. (Ages 10-18). Miss Communism” is a true, personal and poignant Play it by Ear, every Monday during account of Ines Wurth’s life growing up in Croatia term time, 1.30–2.30pm, £2 per adult/child + as a young girl in a Communist country. It won 50p for each additional child. A weekly song, ‘Best Touring Show’ in The Fringe Report Awards music and storytelling session for pre-school at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2007 and was nominated for both an Amnesty International children and their parents or carers which now takes place every Monday afternoon. Freedom of Expression Award and a Writers Guild Award. Juice and biscuits included in the price. CatStrand Cinema: The Visitor (2007), Wed 24 June, 7.30pm, £4.50 (£3.50 CCC members & concessions) A poignant and often funny film about rediscovering joy in the most unexpected places, The Visitor boasts an international cast including Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Dabai Gurira and Haim Abbass. Cert 15, 104 minutes. Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Morris Movement, every Monday during term time, 3.45-4.30pm (age 57). 4.30-5.30 (age8-12) , £3. A series of classes designed to develop creativity and wellbeing. Dance exercises are created to develop agility, balance, co-ordination, elevation, flexibility and posture. With dance teacher Sara Lockwood. Please wear loose clothing. PocoMolto, Fri 26 June, 7.30pm, £8/£6 Saturday Art Club, 2nd Sat of each month, Pocomolto are ‘a vintage ensemble which 10am–12noon , £4. These two-hour workshops are performs vintage music.’ Based in Dumfries run by professional artists and teachers, offering & Galloway, they are Shirley Massey, expert tuition and hands-on experience across soprano, Sean Rae, bass and harmonica, a range of fun-filled visual arts and crafts Helen Keating, piano and double bass and Geoff Keating, piano and alto saxophone. activities. Advance booking recommended to They present a mixed programme including the music of Gershwin avoid disappointment and do wear old clothes as things can get messy. (Age 5-12). and Cole Porter. Glenkens Gazette page 7 The CatStrand: News & Events COMMUNITY EVENTS/CLASSES Welfare Rights Surgery, Wed 24 June. Are you getting what you are entitled to? If so we may be able to help, come along to The CatStrand and get advice from the Benefit Maximisation team who will be having a series of surgeries. Please phone The CatStrand to book your individual appointment. Regular Classes: Exercise to Music, every Monday, 1011am, £4/£3. Boxercise: every Monday, 6-7pm, £24/£18 per six week block. Circuit Training, Every Monday, 7.45 - 8.45pm, £24/£18 per six week block. Teen Spirit: Every Tuesday 7.30 - 9.30pm. Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thursdays 10-11.15am, £30 per 6 week block. Taking the First Step in Computing, Wednesday evenings, 5.30pm - 7.30pm. Taking the Next Step in Computing, Monday evenings, 5.30 – 7.30pm. Afternoon Tea Club, 2nd Friday of the month, 2pm, anual membership £2. Minibus pick up from Balmaclellan and Dalry by prior arrangement - to book call 01644 420374. CatStrand Cafe Now Open! Monday to Friday 11am-2pm Lunches & Refreshments Local Produce, Home Baking, Fairtrade U P D A T E Y O U T H The CatStrand Youth Players Forgotten Stories The Youth Players are currently working on The project is finely getting underway, and young people from Dalry High School and the feeder schools will be out and about listening and recording local stories and reminiscences before they are lost for ever. If you have a story to tell or can share your memories of the Glenkens and surrounding area, please get in touch. Possible themes may be; first love, wartime life, picture houses and music halls, transport, home life etc. Please contact Catherine on 420374 if you would like to be involved. their next productions which they will present at The CatStrand in late June or early July (a date is still to be confirmed). The younger group are already rehearsing ‘Around the World with Class 6’ by Nick Warburton. The older members are still frantically reading scripts before finally deciding on their next offering. Watch this space! All young drama enthusiasts should also note that the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama will be hosting a week long Drama Summer School Residency course for 11-18 year olds from Monday 20th – Friday 24th July at The CatStrand, 10.00am to 4.00pm each day. The cost is only £20.00 for the week. Please book early as places are limited. Rave night Sat 6th June 8.30-11.30pm, £3 celebrate the end of exams at The CatStrand! Following the success of our initial rave night, we are planning a second evening to celebrate the end of the exams. We are hoping to build on the night and encourage more young people along (aged 14+) to enjoy the sounds. Anyone who would like to have an imput into the style of music email info@catstrand.com with suggestions. THE BUS : GLENKENS TRANSPORT INITIATIVE YOUNG TRAVELLERS ENJOY DAY OUT: During the Easter holidays a group of younger children (accompanied by a few parents) enjoyed a day out in Glasgow visiting Kelvingrove Museum (including a Dr Who exhibition) and the Transport Museum. This was the first GTI ‘junior’ trip and more are planned for the summer holidays. Members of the youth group are also enjoying days out with Catherine Phillips, which means the bus is now used by a wide range of people, both young and old. THE BUS: We had hoped to replace the bus this year but obviously in the present financial situation this will not be possible. However it is hoped to re-furbish it during the school holidays which will involve fitting new seats and generally restoring it to a top class condition. We do realize the bus gets used more and more and think it is worth the effort and expense to keep it in the best condition possible for travellers to enjoy. REGISTERED ROUTE: There was a possibility of some slight alterations to the timetable but this will not be altered in the foreseeable future. The exact route has recently been clarified by the Council and a map showing this is available at The CatStrand as well as in the bus. TRIPS: These are once again being as popular as ever, some being fully booked within a week of being advertised. During June we plan to visit The Burrell Collection /Pollock House (NTS)/Silverburn Shopping Centre on Sat 6th June, The Mull of Galloway on Monday 15th June and The Woolfest Exhibition in Cockermouth on Saturday 28th June 2009. Keith Cooper, Administrator WEDNESDAY BUS SERVICE (REGD. ROUTE): CONCESSIONARY BUS PASSES ARE ACCEPTED ON THIS ROUTE, SO PLEASE MAKE USE OF THIS EXTRA SERVICE Timings are as follows: 1900 Dept Dalry (Underhill) 1910 New Galloway 1925 Mossdale 1935 Laurieston 1940 Townhead of Greenlaw 1947 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 1950 Arrive Castle Douglas (Tesco) The return journey : 2045 Departs Castle Douglas (Tesco) 2047 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 2052 Townhead of Greenlaw 2100 Laurieston 2110 Mossdale 2125 New Galloway 2135 Arrive Dalry IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK THE COMMUNITY-BUS OR IF YOU WANT ANY MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT KEITH COOPER, GTI ADMINISTRATOR ON 01644 420374. For further info & to buy tickets visit www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420 374 Glenkens Gazette page 8 LOCAL HISTORY NEW GALLOWAY - Our Historic Burgh by Helen Bolton - PART XXXX Changes for Better or Worse The 1950’s and 1960’s saw many changes in New Galloway, some were for the better, but others were not welcome at all. A certain amount of building was carried out in the village, when in 1950 the Council built six new two-storey houses in Braeside, and a few years later the Forestry Commission started their housing scheme in the same area. The new Kells Primary School appeared in 1961 to replace the old Victorian school in the High Street. This airy, modern building was a great improvement, although its flat-roofed design was not as attractive as the traditional old school. It did, however, have a lot more space around it with room for a good playground, a decentsized football pitch and a garden. Three new Forestry Commission bungalows to house senior foresters were built backing onto the new Kells Primary School, completing the housing in that area. During this period several of the older cottages in the village were, if not derelict, in bad condition and in need of either complete renovation or demolition. Luckily for New Galloway most of these houses were bought by private buyers and refurbished without spoiling their outward appearance. In the early 1960’s British Rail, who had taken control of our railways in 1947, began making noises regarding the closure of certain ‘unprofitable’ lines in rural areas. One, named on Dr Beeching’s ‘hit list’ was our own ‘Paddy’ line, which, owing to increased goods tariffs and increased passenger fares, was not being used as much as it had been in the past. In 1965 plans were laid to re-route all London to Stranraer traffic via the Ayr and Girvan line, adding almost forty miles to the journey between Dumfries and the Stranraer ferries. The axe fell on Saturday 12th June 1965 when the last passenger train ran through the lovely Galloway countryside. There was sadness and anger in the area as the local residents had always had a certain affection for ‘their’ railway. As the last train was due at about 11.00pm, a group of people gathered at Mossdale Station to witness the sad occasion. The train drew in to the platform and people gathered to speak to the crew. Some shook hands with the driver, fireman and guard. Then with a melancholy blast on the whistle the last ‘Paddy’ drew away from the station on its final journey into history. A few people stood around on the platform until the lights were switched off and the train could be heard no more. The ‘Paddy’ had died’ Although there were bus services to Castle Douglas there was a feeling locally of being cut off, deprived of a service which had, over the last century, become so much a part of the lives of the community. Soon the tracks were lifted and the railway was no more than a memory. The 1970’s brought further changes to the way of life in New Galloway. The new Local Government Scotland Bill was given Royal Assent in 1973, opening the way to a revolution, not always welcome, in local administration. The old system of County, District and Burgh Councils which had operated satisfactorily for many years was to be replaced by a two-tier system of Regional and District Councils, with a voluntary provision for ‘Community Councils’. Our well respected Burgh Council, which had been in existence since its inauguration in 1633, was to be dissolved. Many people were afraid of the small Burgh losing its identity in a welter of paper and bureaucracy, but in 1975 ‘the powers that be’ assured everyone that the new Community Council could, if it was formed, take the Burgh forward! It would have no fiscal powers, but would merely act as a ‘watch dog’ to express local opinions to the District and Regional Councils. It would also be in a position to organise traditional local events. Community Councils were eventually formed but only if the residents of the area made a positive approach to their district council. The New Galloway Burgh Council held its last meeting in 1975, chaired by Provost Jack Paterson. Soon afterwards the residents of the village and the surrounding area were making a very clear demand to the Stewartry Council. As a result of this, the Royal Burgh of New Galloway and Kells Parish Community Council was formed and held its first meeting in 1977 under the able chairmanship of Mr Alastair Warren. And so, although we no longer had our own Burgh Council, and had not the same control over our own affairs, New Galloway, our historic burgh, could look forward to the future. © Helen Bolton, New Galloway, May 2009 This will be the last article in the series, as I feel that events taking place after the mid 1970’s are not historical. So therefore it is time for me to ‘hang up my typewriter’! I have enjoyed researching the history of New Galloway and have found it to be an even more interesting place than I expected. I would like to thank all the kind and helpful people who have patiently answered my questions and given me so much useful and interesting information on our history since I started the articles in the first issue of the Glenkens Gazette back in the autumn of 2000. I would particularly like to thank the following people: Rev Dr David Bartholomew, Mr Bill Blyth, the late Mr Mike Davis, Dr David Devereux, Mr Brian Edgar, Mr Peter Kelly, Miss Nettie Murray, Rev John Repath, Mrs Hart Robb, Mr Ronald Russell, Mr Eric Taylor, Mrs Lilias Thomson, Mrs Joanne Turner, Mrs Ann Warren, the late Mrs Mary Watson, and the staff of the reference department, Ewart Library. Also thanks must go to Mr Matthew Newton who bullied me into writing the first articles when he was editor of the Gazette. Last but by no means least, many thanks to my long-suffering husband, Les, for his encouragement, advice and patience on our trips to research my ‘little heaps of stones’, and who never complained when I commandeered the typewriter! Helen Bolton Forrest Estate Dalry, Castle Douglas SAWMILL sawn gate posts, stobs, rails, boards, pegs, sarking, cladding, deer fencing, sawdust, woodchip all timber pressure treated sawn to order many items available from stock NOW IN STOCK : �� ì GARDEN FURNITURE ì phone for availability and prices tel 01644 430230 fax 01644 430405 email: office@forrestestate.com �� Glenkens Gazette page 9 BAVARIAN EVENING SWAYS AND SWINGS INTO THE NIGHT Swaying, swinging and singing was top of the agenda when residents of the Glenkens were treated to a Bavarian-style bier kellar evening in Carsphairn on Saturday, 25th April. The packed village hall enjoyed a hand-clapping, thigh-slapping night out when a visiting ten-piece brass group from the north-west of England – Phoenix Brass – staged the fund-raiser for community facilities and, in particular, the local primary school. Nigel Martin, who recently moved into Carsphairn from Lancashire, had arranged with the village church social committee for the 10-piece brass ensemble, of which he is still a member, to come to the area for the weekend to provide the entertainment. “The Bavarian Evening went down a storm,” Nigel told the Gazette. “I don’t think anyone had seen anything like it in the area before ‘Musikmeister’ Graham Hetherington gets the – people are still commenting on what a audience warmed up and in the mood for a cracking good time they had, weeks after the event.” good night. And apart from a good time being had by all, the evening raised over £400 for the benefit of the community. On the Sunday, 26th April, Phoenix Brass played the music for a morning Songs of Praise service in Carsphairn Church, conducted by the Reverend Robert Hamill. “During the ‘Musikmeister’ Graham Hetherington ensemble’s short visit to the Glenkens, people will be able to appreciate the versatility of comperes the judging of the entrants in Phoenix Brass through the Bavarian evening and the church service,” Nigel said. the Lili Marlene make-up competition. CONVENTICLE It is planned to hold an open air conventicle at Marscalloch in Carsphairn parish on Sunday 14th June at 4 pm. The service will be held on the front lawn of the Watret’s house at Marscalloch, with fine views out over Kendoon Loch, so will be easy of access. It will remember in particular the two local Coventanters, William Smith of Deughside and his wife Mary McClymont, who were killed at a conventicle they were attending in a woody dell on the boundary between Marscalloch and Dundeugh. They were buried there close to the spot where they were slain. Chairs will not be provided and those attending may wish to bring a rug to sit on. Glenkens Walking Group The group meet for a walk at 2pm on a Wednesday, outside the Bank of Scotland in Dalry. People of all ages and walking abilities are very welcome, and we will adapt walks accordingly to the people who come. Please call one of the walk leaders for further information: John & Isobel on 430 539, Elizabeth on 430 581 or Peter on 420 419 NEURO LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING (NLP) skills for change in self and others 2 DAY CERTIFIED COURSE IN NLP FOUNDATION SKILLS (A full introduction to the skills and techniques of NLP) with Michael Spence, Certified NLP Trainer, Master Practitioner, Language & Behaviour Practitioner SATURDAY & SUNDAY 20th & 21st JUNE 2009 THE CATSTRAND, NEW GALLOWAY, 9.30am – 5pm £98 (includes full documentation and ongoing support) Neuro Linguistic Programming is the art and science of personal excellence and is a highly effective ‘technology’ for accelerating personal and professional development. You will discover enjoyable ways of changing yourself, and learn powerful skills for developing your personal and professional effectiveness. NLP can help you to set your goals in ways that make them easier to achieve, have your emotional resources fully available in challenging situations, change limiting beliefs to more empowering ones, develop the art of asking key questions, continually improve your performance, use body language to establish and maintain good working relationships, read the minimal cues that let you know how others are thinking and develop your communication skills. Through the course the basic skills of NLP are introduced and applied in the context of your life. The approach is intensive, interactive and fun. This programme is the first module of the Certified Modular Practitioner Programme should anyone wish to go further. Michael Spence is a long established trainer and coach. He works from the heart with integrity, skill and wisdom together with an insatiable passion for helping people to be their best. To book or for further information contact Michael on 07710 332841 Michael Spence NLP is a member of the Association of ANLP and the Professional Guild of NLP Michael Spence NLP Ltd Registered in Scotland 296600 advertisement Transform Your Life! Glenkens Gazette page 10 ALEX FERGUSSON MSP FOR GALLOWAY AND UPPER NITHSDALE Health is True Wealth You could be suffering from a condition that may be improved by a nutritional consultation. Often a change in diet works well alongside your doctor’s health advice. Lorna has been working with patients for over 10 years now and has seen some great health improvements due to changing what we eat. “You have transformed my life - ill for 42 years, better in three days - thank you!” says Hilary Hawkins, Gatehouse of Fleet Holds regular advice surgeries at: Some of the problems Lorna has seen responding well to dietary changes include: 2 St ANDREW STREET, CASTLE DOUGLAS on the second Friday of every month from 5pm Digestive problems including bloating, cramps, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhoea etc; arthritis; skin conditions such as eczema, urticaria and rashes; tiredness and anxiety; weight issues; hormonal and menopausal problems; men’s health problems; childrens’ health issues, eg. hyperactivity, frequent coughs and colds Telephone free on 0800 028 7260 for an appointment or to make any alternative arrangement’ You can visit Alex’s website at www.alexfergusson.org.uk or contact him by e-mail at alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk �� Hotel �� A full MOT at Parton Estate costs £50 (£55 at Prana, CD) and lasts 11/2 - 2 hours. A Food Allergy/Intolerance Test is £35 at Parton (£38 at Prana, CD) and lasts 1 hour approx. A tailor-made weight-reducing diet is currently on offer at a £10 reduction. If you feel that a nutritional consultation could help you please contact Lorna on 01644 470218 or email lorna@foods4life.co.uk and she can discuss your problems with you. Glenkens Gazette page 11 Health Tips: Top Tips for Healthy Meals During the Credit Crunch by Nutritionist and Dietician Lorna Willock 1. Use plenty of vegetables e.g. carrots leeks and onions to make hearty bowls of soup or to bulk up stews. 2. Make use of pulses – a cheap source of protein with a low glycaemic index (keeps us fuller for longer). A ham end with some lentils or split peas can make a hearty bowl of soup. 3. Try sprouting beans e.g. mung, aduki. Sprout pre-soaked beans in a jar with muslin on top and leave by the window. Rinse and strain a couple of times a day and watch them grow. N.B. Do not leave them too wet or they will rot. Use in salads, stews, stir-fries, lunch boxes or just for snacking. 4. Have a shot at making your own bread or scones. Adding seeds to the bread will increase it’s health benefits and not strain the purse. Scones, preferably wholemeal, are good for filling up hungry children. Dropped scones are another simple, quickly prepared snack and you can sweeten them with honey rather than sugar. make them healthier. Use spelt flour and add some nuts and/or seeds to the mix. I add sunflower seeds and walnuts. Cut back on the sugar – most crumbles are really sweet. 7. Make your own museli – this is another breakfast food that will sustain you until lunchtime without the need to snack. Mix rolled oats with plenty of seeds and nuts that you love and add a little dried fruit to sweeten the mix. Sometimes I omit the dried fruit and add some fresh at breakfast time. It keeps for a while in an airtight container. 8. Even easier – start the day with a bowl of porridge. You won’t find a cheaper, more filling start to the day. 9. Cook together chicken and brown rice with lots of chopped vegetables and some stock. This is literally a meal in a bowl and you can take a flask to work with you. 5. Use the bread above with some local farm eggs to make ‘eggy bread’. Kids love it and it is a more nutritious start to the day than coco pops, frosties or crunchy nut cornflakes. 10. Buy cheaper, nutritious cuts of meat and fish. Slow cooking of tougher cuts of meat can make them melt in the mouth – experiment a little and have a chat with the local butcher and fishmonger. They will have plenty of ideas. 6. Old-fashioned puddings such as crumbles and pies can be tweaked to For further info visit www.foods4life.co.uk or email lorna@foods4life.co.uk Barmurrie Farm The Cross Keys Hotel New Galloway Free range hen, duck & quail eggs, free range Gloucester Old Spot pork. Free range oven ready chickens farm reared on grass from day old chicks. Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents SEASONAL FRESH VEGETABLES www.ggblaw.co.uk Visitors welcome - come a nd see where your food comes from ! ( 01556 503744 ( OFFICES IN : CASTLE DOUGLAS, DALBEATTIE ( 01644 420249 ( KIRKCUDBRIGHT & DUMFRIES FHB Fencing KENBRIDGE HOTEL 10 en suite bedrooms, traditional bar, excellent restaurant, quiz nights, antique and collectibles markets Tel: 01644 420 494 enquiries@thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk www.thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk New Galloway Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) Plastering & General Building Work please call Paul 01644 430 504 www.timber-gates.com New Galloway Open 7 Days : Beautiful Riverside Location Golf Club M E A L S S E RV E D 12.00 - 2.00pm, 5.30 - 8.30pm www.nggc.co.uk TRADITIONAL LOG FIRE bed and breakfast en suite accommodation ( 01644 420 211 ( mail@kenbridgehotel.co.uk www.kenbridgehotel.co.uk W BONE WHB JEEPS THE GARAGE, DALRY PETROL & DIESEL SALES SERVICE & REPAIRS MOTs, TYRES, BATTERIES ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES OPEN 8.30AM - 6.00PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY Tel: 01644 430208 Fax: 01644 430669 email: jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Founded 1902 v 01644 420737 v Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME 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 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Crimestoppers: 0845 555 111 ● Well Driven Scheme (to report dangerously driven HGV’s): 0800 225533 TIMES OF WORSHIP IN THE GLENKENS CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sundays Balmaclellan 12noon 1st Carsphairn 10.30 am 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Dalry 9 am 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Kells 10.30 am 2nd 3rd 4th Special Services and Events 14th June, 4pm: Conventicle at Marscalloch, Carsphairn Communion Services: 7th June, 12 noon, Balmaclellan Church 5th July, 10.15 am, Carsphairn Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH (C of E) St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion - 10.30am every Sun & Wed CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Castle Douglas: Mass - Sat 6.15pm & Wed 7pm page 12 GLENKENS DIARY FOR ALL EVENTS JUNE: Community Centre, Dalry Mon 20 – Fri 24, Project DIY with the RSAMD, 10am - 4pm each day, £20 for the week, The CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 29, CCC Film, Slumdog Millionaire, 7.30pm, £4.50/£3.50, The CatStrand, New Galloway Until Thur 4, Exhibition: Archie Sutter Watt, CatStrand opening hours, The CatStrand, New Galloway Thur 4, Storytelling Café, 7.30pm, donations on the door, The CatStrand, New Galloway Fri 5, Margaret Elphinstone in REGULAR EVENTS: Conversation with Tom Pow, 7.30pm, Scouts: Mon, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway £5, The CatStrand, New Galloway Scout Hut Sat 6. GTI Bus Trip to The Burrell Mother & Toddlers Group: Tues 9.45Collection /Pollock House (NTS)/ 11.15am, New Galloway Town Hall Silverburn Shopping Centre Beavers: Tues, 6.30–7.45pm, New Sat 6, Carsphairn Show, show opens Galloway Scout Hut 8am, Carsphairn Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Sat 6, Rave Night: End of Exam Celebrations, 8.30-11.30pm, £3, The Galloway Scout Hut Glenkens Walking Group, meet Wed CatStrand, New Galloway From Sun 7 to Fri 3, Exhibition: Angela at 2pm outside the Bank of Scotland, Lawrence & David Alexander - Sounds Dalry. Lions Club monthly quiz, alternating from the Shore, CatStrand opening hours, The CatStrand, New Galloway between The CatStrand & Lochinvar Hotel. For further info contact Andrew from Wed 10 - Sun 21, Stewartry Camera Club Exhibition, The Tolbooth, Frew on 420 323. The CatStrand, New Galloway (see p7) Kirkcudbright Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Sat 13, Glenkens Farmers Market, Play it by Ear: every Mon during term 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall time, 1.30-2.30pm Sat 13, Corsock Village Market, 9.30am-1.20pm, Corsock Village Hall Children’s Dance Classes with Sun 14, Antiques, Collectibles & Craft Margaret Morris Movement: every Mon during term time, 3.45 -4.30pm Market, 12-4pm, Cross Keys Hotel, (ages 5-7), 4.30pm-5.30pm (ages 8New Galloway Sun 14, Conventicle at Marscalloch in 12) Boxercise: Every Mon, 6-7pm the Carsphairn parish, 4pm Circuit Training: every Mon, 7.45Mon 15, GTI Bus Trip to The Mull of 8.45pm Galloway Taking the Next Step in Computing: Sat 20, “I Miss Communism” by Ines Wurth and Mark Soper, 8pm, £7/£5, Mon evenings, 5.30–7.30pm Teen Spirit: Tues, 7.30-9.30pm The CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 20 & Sun 21, NLP Course: 2 Day Taking the First Step in Computing: Wed, 5.30-7.30pm Certified Course in NLP Foundation Skills, 9.30am – 5pm, The CatStrand, Yoga: Thurs 10-11.15am Afternoon Tea Club: 2nd Fri each New Galloway month, 2pm Wed 24, CCC Film: The Visitor, 7.30pm, £4.50/£3.50, The CatStrand, Saturday Art Club, 2nd Saturday each month, 10am–12noon New Galloway Wed 24, Welfare Rights Surgery, call Youth Drama Group, every Sun 2pm Glenkens Youth Choir, every Sun from, The CatStrand for info 5-6pm Fri 26, PocoMolto, 7.30pm, £8/£6, CatStrand Playstation Tournaments: The CatStrand, New Galloway contact The CatStrand for info. Sat 28, GTI Bus Trip to The Woolfest Dalry Community Centre Exhibition in Cockermouth (for info or to book contact Sarah on Mon 29, Carsphairn Community 430 393) Council meeting, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall Glenkens Playgroup: Mon-Fri, 9.15Tue 30, GBA Meeting, 7pm, Ken 11.45am Bridge Hotel JULY: Paint & Art: Mon 1.30-4.30pm Thurs 2, Storytelling Café, 7.30pm, Ballroom & Latin Dance: Mon donations on the door, The CatStrand, Beginners 7.30-8.15pm, Improvers New Galloway 8.15-9pm, Improvers 9-9.45pm Thurs 9, Genticorum, 8pm, £8/£6, The Good Neighbours Club: Tues 2pm CatStrand, New Galloway Kickback Martial Arts: Tues & Thurs 7Sat 11, Glenkens Farmers Market, 9pm, adults welcome 10am-1pm, Dalry Town Hall Glenkens Mother & Toddlers: Wed Sat 11, Corsock Village Market, 1.30-3pm 9.30am-1.20pm, Corsock Village Hall Craft Class: Thurs 2-4pm Wed 15, CCC Film, Madagascar 2, Brownies: Wed 5.30-6.45pm 2pm, £4.50/£3.50, The CatStrand, Guides:Wed 5.30-7pm New Galloway Drama Club: for further info Fri 17, Sat 18 & Sun 19, Glenkens contactBrian Edgar on 420 288 Art Exhibition, Glenkens WRITE FOR THE GAZETTE! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... If you have a submission, contact Sarah on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk AUG/SEPT COPY DEADLINE: Wed 24 June PROJECT PART-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION Europe and Scotland Making it work together 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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Text Any textual data included in the document August/September 2009 ISSUE 53 www.glenkensgazette.com CARSPHAIRN SHOW 2009 Carsphairn Show, being the first Agricultural Show of the season in the South West, has always been well recognised, and this year was no exception. The Show started early Saturday 6th June with the first of the entered seventy dogs running in the Sheep Dog Trials at 8am. This year the Open Section winner was Fergie with Max from Straiton, Confined, Bert White from Dalry with Bracken and the young handlers were led by R Welsh from Patna with Maid. J White, with Jess, was third in the Young Handlers section. The Dog Trial goes on all day and can last until after six in the evening, when the rest of the Show is long finished. As time drew on in the morning to 10am when the Show sheep arrived, entries were taken on the Showfield for the 28 classes. The early classes were for the local parishes, and this year’s ‘Confined’ Blackface Champion was from Messrs Ramsay, Knockreoch. David Pringle’s hogg from Marbrack was the Shepherd’s Champion, and also the winner of the 100th Show Trophy. At midday the Open Blackface Classes began and this years Open Championship was awarded to Messrs Barrie, of Cambret, Carsluith, who also won the Overall Championship, the prize being a meal for two kindly donated by the Lochinvar Hotel. Other classes on the day were held for Bluefaced Leicester (Champion Robert McTurk, Glenhowl) and Any Other Breed (Champion McMillans, Newton Stewart). The Champion Mule went to Messrs Lockhart, Culdoach. Just before the Judging for the Furmiston Interbreed Trophy, Alex Fergusson MSP was invited to present local shepherd David Pringle with the Royal Highland Agricultural Society’s Long Service Award Medal for thirty years service at Marbrack. Alex is pictured with David and his wife Mary, Jay Fergusson with the tup who won this year’s Ryeland Male Champion at the past employer Joyce Hunter Blair and present employer Nick Parry. Highland Show, belonging to his 16 year old Across the road in the Lagwyne Hall, the industrial sections of the show were judged in the morning. uncle Andrew Hunter Blair of Nether Cleugh There was a good entry, and the Hall was filled with onlookers in the afternoon. Isobel Cuthbertson of Dalry won several cups on the day for her baking, and also won the Blackface Hoggs Stockjudging competition! The Junior sections were well supported and first prize winners included Laura Brown, Kirsten Wallace, James 2 - Local Artist: Natalie Wallace, Calum McFegan, Vardey, Noticeboard, Iona McFegan, Jaqueline Pringle, Drife Finlay, GBA Update Catrina Pringle, Jake Finlay, Emily Wallace, 3 - Community Council Daisy Hickman and Jenny News, Dalry Town Hall O’Brian. 150th Anniversary After the Childrens’ Pet Show and Dog 4 - Schools Report, Classes (judged ably by Alex Fergusson) Irene Glenkens Flower Show McCreath organised sports for the children on the 5 - Club Corner: Showfield, and prizes were Stewartry Camera kindly donated by Carricks Judging the Blackface Open Section Stores in Carsphairn. The Club, Dalry Angling Hill Race had less runners Club, CatStrand Youth than usual, and was won by Greig Lawrence of Players, Walking Group Crossmichael whose Grandad also completed 6 - CatStrand Events the race, as he had done twenty five years ago. 7 - CatStrand Community The usual Dance in News, The Bus (GTI) Lagwyne Hall rounded off the day. The Committee 8 - Local History would like to thank all the sponsors (local, and 9 - Nature & Wildlife further afield) for their 11- Furmiston Jubilee financial and other input into the Show. 12- Glenkens Diary of Events Jean Gibbon, Secretary Alex Fergusson presenting David Pringle with Long Service Award IN THIS ISSUE... Glenkens Gazette page 2 Local Artist: Natalie Vardey Natalie Vardey is a local jeweller who has recently created a unique range for The CatStrand. Fine attention to detail would probably best describe Natalie’s approach to her work, with every piece being honed to perfection. “I have been knitting, crocheting and weaving precious metals for years, developing the traditional skills I was taught as a small child, literally at my mother’s and grandmother’s knees.” However, these are not the only techniques used by this talented jeweller, who has been living and working in Balmaclellan for the past 19 years. “I work in silver and gold and each collection is different. Whether weaving fine threads into delicate necklaces, hammering textures for highly polished earrings, or using acrylic with silver, I make each piece of jewellery by hand, using few machines and basic tools. I also make wedding rings and special jewellery for brides, work I particularly enjoy”. “The flight of the red kite has always fascinated me and it has been so wonderful to witness the success of its reintroduction to the area. Now I can marvel at such sights up here in the hills if I am lucky. When I thought of making red kites in red gold, The CatStrand had not long opened and I wanted to make something special for the area; it seemed the obvious partnership”. Locally, a variety of Natalie’s work can be seen at Designs Gallery in Castle Douglas, the Craft Shop at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries, and at The CatStrand in New Galloway. Currently exclusively available to order, the Red Kite Range at The CatStrand has something for everyone who is interested in this fascinating bird. There are three different silhouettes of 9ct red gold kites on silver or 9ct yellow gold; a tie tack and cufflinks for men, and ear studs, pendants, a necklace and rings for women. To see more of Natalie’s work visit www.natalievardey.com Glenkens Art Show This year’s art show had the usual array of wonderful exhibits, both in the childrens’ and adults’ sections. There were less exhibitors than last year, but the quality and variety of the work presented more than made up for it. Below are a few examples of the artwork on display. Noticeboard Apology The Glenkens Gazette would like to apologise for the misprint of a name in Helen Bolton’s last article - a thank you was intended for Mrs Nann Robb, not Mrs Hart Robb as was written in the last issue. The NLP course advertised previously in the Gazette has been postponed from the 20th and 21st June to the 1st and 2nd October. Community Smallholding A local smallholding group is being looked into, with at present local interest being gauged to see how feasible the concept is. It would need people with smallholding and/or building or other trade skills who are genuinely committed to improving the environment and living more sustainably and co-operatively to form a small, possibly self-build, community smallholding in the Glenkens area. “A sense of humour, patience, energy, enthusiasm and positivity are essential and folk must be prepared to work hard and support each other”, says Amanda, project co-ordinator. If you are interested and would like to find out more about the project, call 07970 156 781. Glenkens Business Association Following the receipt of the grant to enhance the Visitglenkens.com website, we are pleased to have contracted Sarah Ade to produce additional information. Apart from co-ordinating the production of the Glenkens Gazette, Sarah has written for magazines such as Dumfries & Galloway Life. We have also been given a further grant by the Stewartry Area Committee to produce an updated Directory. The main aim of the Directory is to promote local businesses but we also intend to feature community groups. Please let us know if you run a club or organisation in the area which you would like to be included. All members of the Glenkens Business Association will automatically have an entry so make sure your membership is up to date or join now. By the time you read this the ‘Homecoming on your Doorstep Guide – 3’ should be available. Look out for The GBA and individual businesses who have advertised with us - send copies to customers, friends and relatives to encourage them to visit the Glenkens. Although we got through the first stage of the Stewartry Targeted Support Fund, we were unable to meet the deadline for the final application. However, we are investigating other funding possibilities for the project to further promote the area particularly as a walking destination. The committee is now meeting quarterly. The next meeting is on Tuesday 29th September at 7pm at the Ken Bridge Hotel. All members or potential members are welcome. Membership of the GBA gives you an entry in the web directory and in the next hardcopy directory. To join or renew your membership contact Alan Rumble on 01644 420250 or email alanrumble@gmail.com Rosalind Hill, GBA Chairman Glenkens Gazette page 3 The Royal Burgh of New Galloway & Kells Community Council Carsphairn Community Council There has been a problem of dog fouling in the village, and George Prentice agreed to contact the community warden and give contact details. PC Bruton reported that information was received about drugs in the village and a warrant was issued and acted upon by police. Knockengorroch World Ceilidh passed peacefully, with only one anti-social incident. PC Bruton will make enquiries about feral goats on the B729 as several people have almost collided with them recently. Meetings were held in Lagwyne Hall in April to inform the public about proposals for grid connection at Margree and Blackcraig wind farms. Some concern has been expressed about the high voltage and the increased risk to health. It was agreed to write to Scottish Power expressing concern about health risks and asking for information. A returning Officer has to be appointed before the elections in October. All were asked to consider before the next meeting. A new secretary will be needed after the election - the secretary need not be an elected member. The next meeting will be held on Monday 31st August in Lagwyne Hall at 7.00pm. The members were very pleased to welcome Mr Chris Newman, as the new Community Council secretary. The main topics discussed at recent meetings were as follows: General complaints received by the members recently had mainly centred around the general lack of maintenance of the public areas and of the Town Hall. Whilst the Park grass is regularly cut, the other grass areas around the burgh do not seem to be maintained as regularly as before, if at all. However, some of the grass areas are apparently not the responsibility of the Council but are supposed to be maintained by Dumfries & Galloway Housing Partnership. As this argument had arisen in previous years it was agreed that the relevant Council department should be asked to produce a definitive map to confirm the different areas of responsibility once and for all. The condition of the exterior of the Town Hall continues to deteriorate and many locals and visitors have commented on its dilapidated appearance. This subject is raised at every meeting and whilst the council have previously said that they would make good the exterior before the Hall was taken over by a proposed management committee, this could potentially still be some time away and the longer the situation is left, the more expensive it would Dalry Community Council be to remedy. The members felt that it would be much more cost AGM: The Chairman reported that there had been effective to redecorate the exterior now and would press for action a successful party for the Senior Citizens with an to be taken without further delay. attendance of 50. Appointment of Office Bearers: It was agreed that a street map and information regarding local Chairman - G. Bell, Vice Chairman – A McKay, Treasurer facilities and amenities should be added to the new Red Kite - M Newton, Secretary – C Rae,Minute Secretary: M Jones. Information Board. It was noted that an area adjacent to the Lower Councillor Prentice reminded the committee that in September Car Park had now been fenced off by the land owner and the route the Community Council have to stand for election. of the footpath had been diverted and signposted. The Council now A survey has been carried out by the Trustees of the P Young own the main area of the Car Park and are planning to carry out Trust showing that in the last two years 14 people have applied improvement works in the near future. for property and they have housed six. If the DGHP plan went It was reported that the future funding of New Galloway Fire Cadets ahead then Dalry would have a 38% proportion of affordable was uncertain. It was felt that this had been a highly successful accommodation. The Scottish proposal recommends only project, pioneered in the region by New Galloway Fire Station. 25%. Figures have been submitted to the planning office. Every effort should be made to ensure that the scheme is continued Finally there has been no information available as to when and hopefully introduced to other areas in the region. Members the planning committee will meet to discuss the application. were pleased to note that The Fire Cadets would be helping at this It has been agreed to support the Glenkens Business Association year’s Alternative Games with gatekeeping and stewarding duties. project ‘Destination Glenkens’ and further investigations will be Community Council elections are due to take place in October this year. made as to becoming a partner and electing a representative to go The next meeting will be held on Monday 10th August at on the steering group. 7.30pm in New Galloway Town Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings are available to view at Dalry Library. Dalry Town Hall 150th Anniversary DALRY TOWN HALL will celebrate its 150th Birthday in September 2009. On 2nd September 1859 the Hall was opened with a dinner attended by about 60 gentlemen (no ladies). To celebrate this occasion a dinner will be held on Wednesday 2nd September - tickets are £15, including wine, available from Hilda McAdam and Kathy Peace. On Thursday 3rd September a celebratory concert will be held featuring noted singer and broadcaster Alastair McDonald. On Friday 4th September there will be a D.V.D/Video Show of past events in Dalry in the Town Hall, and on Saturday 5th September there is a Cheese and Wine evening on an ‘Old Time Music Hall’ theme. Also on Thursday, Friday and Saturday the Hall will be open for an Exhibition of Photos, Memorabilia etc of Dalry and the Town Hall. These events are being arranged by Dalry Heritage Group. If anybody has any old photos, memorabilia etc they would be prepared to lend the Group, could they please contact Hilda McAdam, 10 Throughgate, Dalry, 01644430383 (photos can be copied and returned). Alternative Games weekend 2009 Alternative Games Ceilidh Friday 31st July, New Galloway Town Hall, from 8.30pm to midnight Alternative Games ‘Homecoming Stramash’ Saturday 1st August The CatStrand, New Galloway, 8pm The Alternative Games Sunday 2nd August The Town Park, New Galloway, from 2pm Pensions – Savings – Investments Retirement & Inheritance Tax Planning Life Assurance – Protection – Mortgages For advice on any of the above, or to review your existing arrangements, contact your local adviser: Brian J. Edgar DipPFS Area Office: Tannoch, Newton Stewart Road, New Galloway DG7 3RT Tel. 01644 420288 or 07808 322421 Central Office, 61 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart DG8 6NL Tel 01671 403080 Fax 01671 402549 e-mail - advice@marrfinancial.co.uk web - www.marrfinancial.co.uk Marr Financial Services is an Appointed Representative of Sesame Ltd YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE Glenkens Gazette page 4 GLENKENS SCHOOLS REPORT SHIP AHOY! At Carsphairn Primary we have been learning about ‘The Unsinkable Ship.’ We were set various special Missions, which we had to keep secret from our parents! Our Secret Missions meant that we were given identity cards and had to accept the challenges to find out as many facts as possible about the Titanic, paint pictures of the passengers, find out about the passenger class system and the different Lucy and Amber showing their sepia conditions on board depending on the ‘class’. P5-7 made a model of an apartment and everyone made clay paintings of passengers. models. P1-4 learned more about water and they did experiments with water, such as mixing things in water and learning about floating and sinking. We have invited our parents to come and see our work on the 3rd July - we can then tell them about our Secret Missions and the Titanic! Some of the interesting facts about the Titanic: - Lower class passengers had to go through a flea check before boarding! - 2228 people were on board the Titanic and 885 of them were crew - the biggest cruise ship nowadays is called the Genesis and it holds 6400 people Some of the class with their impressive from the children at Carsphairn Primary wall mural of the ship. DALRY PRIMARY SCHOOL SKIPPATHON Dalry Primary School raised £72.60 for the British Heart Foundation by holding a sponsored skippathon. The whole primary practised for weeks before the event in order to be able to build up our stamina to skip for longer. P4/5 challenged visiting S4s who tried their best, but a little more practice would be needed to be able to keep up! Dalry Primary Council decided to support the skippathon as it was thought to be a worthy charity to help, especially as heart disease is a particular problem in Scotland. They were also keen to improve their own cardiovascular health by exercising more and skipping is a fantastic way to do this. GLENKENS ANNUAL FLOWER AND VEGETABLE SHOW Once again it’s that time of the year for you to start ‘encouraging’ your plants to grow and getting your industrial section items prepared for the Glenkens Horticultural Show to be held on Saturday the 22nd August 2009. Schedules will be ready shortly and will be available from the Post Offices and shops in Dalry and New Galloway. They should also now be displaying the Handicraft Section to enable you to get ahead with creating that special article in time for the show. The Photographic Section theme for this year is ‘A Celebration in the Glenkens’. As always we, are looking for volunteers to help with the setup of the show - you don’t need to be an expert, just enthusiastic. Last year was an exceptional year in the number of entrants, with many new faces exhibiting and may I say doing rather well. This year we’re looking for as many of you to participate as possible. Should you need further information/advice please contact Hilda McAdam on 01644 430 383. The very best of luck to you all! Joan Berkley, On behalf of the Glenkens Society GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL ( 01644 420234 ( Fun Day at Dalry School Friends of Dalry School are holding a Fun Day on Saturday 29 August 2009 at Dalry School, from 12 – 4pm. There will be an exciting array of events throughout the afternoon, along with a variety of stalls selling everything from baking and confectionary to plants. As well as lots of fun games and activities, there will be a bouncy castle and football competition. Food on site will include a BBQ and ice-cream stall. Look out for posters nearer the time giving more details! The Wrong Trousers On Friday 26 June, some of the Dalry Primary School children took part in ‘Wrong Trousers Day’. The money raised went to the Wallace & Gromit Children’s Foundation, which supports children’s health care in the UK. There was a great variety of bold, bright and colourful trousers! Mulloch Race After a gap of several years, we announce the return of the Mulloch Race! As part of the Fun Day organised by Friends of Dalry School on 29th August there will be a race from Dalry School playing field to the top of Mulloch Hill and return (about 1.6 miles in total). There will be four categories of entry: 1. Primary school age or under with a prize for the first finisher. 2. Secondary school age but under 16 with a prize for the first finisher. 3. Adult (over 16) with a prize for the first finisher. 4. Walkers (those who intend to walk the whole route) – no prize, just a good view from the top! There will also be a prize for the most interesting costume or running kit and everyone who completes the race (including walkers) will receive a certificate. Registration will take place on the day from 1pm and will close at 2:50pm when a pre-race briefing will take place ready for a 3pm start. Entry to the race is free and there will be a collection for voluntary donations at the start. Glenkens Gazette page 5 C L U B C O R N E R ‘Eye for Ewe’ by Mary McIlvena News from the Stewartry Camera Club - Any Photographers in the Glenkens...? The Stewartry Camera Club returns after its summer break on Wednesday 16th September 2009. It meets weekly at 7.30 p.m. in The Tolbooth, Kirkcudbright, from September until the end of March. Next year’s programme includes talks from club members and from guest speakers who include Libby Smith, David Symonds, Ed Baxter, David Devereux and local Laurieston photographer, Phil McMenemy. There will be club competitions, the subjects for this year being ‘Open’, ‘Landscape’, ‘Dereliction and Decay’, ‘Still Life’ and ‘Trees’. Members are encouraged to enter but this is optional. There will also be inter-club competitions with Loreburn and Stranraer. Other meetings include workshops and a visit to Dumfries College. Mary McIlvenna, who lives in the Glenkens, has been a member for three years. She used a Casio Exilim compact camera in her first year and progressed to a Nikon D80 thereafter. She decided to take up photography after retiring from the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust where she had worked and volunteered for six years. She produced three short audio visuals last year and these were enjoyed by members on a club night. ‘Eye for Ewe’ is a fun image of a Blackface Tup (local Glenkens of course!). Mary enjoys taking pictures of animals but her favourite subjects are the plants in her garden and in the local countryside. Whatever your camera, whether it be film, compact or DSLR, whether you are new to photography, a keen amateur or a professional photographer, a warm welcome awaits you at The Stewartry Camera Club. (For further information contact Mary McIlvenna 01644 420613 or George Wishart 01557 870090) Dalry Angling Club Dalry angling association held its first ever sea fishing trip this year on July 4th. Ten of us fished aboard ‘The Rhinns Ranger’ with skipper Ian Cerexhe out of Port Patrick on a moderate sea. We enjoyed catching a wide variety of species including cod, haddock, whiting pollock and the ‘catch of the day’ - a superb 38lb tope which was tagged and released unharmed. After a tiring day at sea, we all enjoyed some well deserved refreshments around the port. Y O U T H U P D A T E The CatStrand Youth Players The CatStrand Youth Players completed their first year’s programme on 1st July by presenting ‘Eskimos’ by David Campton and ‘Round the World with Class Six’ by Nick Warburton. These plays were the group’s third and fourth productions and their fifth public performance, and on top of all that they have fitted in a few drama workshops in a very busy debut year! The highlight so far was certainly winning the coveted ‘Audience Choice’ trophy at the SCDA Stewartry Drama Festival with ‘We’ll Be Home Tomorrow’ by Wayne Denfhy. This was an outstanding achievement by such a young group and was very encouraging for the future. A few new members joined after the festival success and they made their stage debut at The CatStrand in the latest production of ‘Round the World with Class Six’. The play follows the exploits of Class Six as they carry out their new supply teacher’s instructions to re-enact Sir Francis Drake’s sail around the world. The young cast attacked the play with great gusto and extracted every ounce of comedy along the way. The members of ‘Class Six’ were; Louise Smyth, Cameron Lindsay, Eleanor Jones, Tessa Maxwell, Zoe Kirkpatrick, Josie Oliver, Tea Oliver and Maggie Maxwell. The Youth Players have also been awarded a grant from the Ian Wardlaw Drama Trust to help them to arrange a Drama Workshop Weekend during the Autumn. The senior members travelled to Dumfries recently to collect their award from Mrs Linda Wardlaw and the other trustees. Most of the members are also looking forward to the Drama Summer School which is being held at The CatStrand from 20th -24th July. Once again this year it will be hosted by tutors from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama. Regular meetings will start again on Sunday 6th September at 3pm. Glenkens Walking Group The group meet for a walk at 2pm on a Wednesday, outside the Bank of Scotland in Dalry. People of all ages and walking abilities are very welcome, and we will adapt walks accordingly to the people who come. Please call one of the walk leaders for further information: John & Isobel on 430 539, Elizabeth on 430 581 or Peter on 420 419 Youth Players receiving their grant from the Ian Wardlaw Drama Trust N. C. Tree Surgery Fully Qualified & Insured All aspects of tree surgery undertaken N Cawthorn Tel: 01644 420603 Mob: 07917 770867 �� Glenkens Gazette page 6 The CatStrand: News & Events Exhibition: David Ralston & Ken Smyth, from 2pm on Saturday 1 August until Tuesday 25 August. David Ralston is based in Gatehouse of Fleet and produces sculptures in rock. Ken Smyth has lived and worked in Galloway for the last 10 years. The Homecoming Stramash, Sat 1 August, No More Mulberries: Mary Smith in conversation with Godfrey Smith, Sat 12 September, 3pm, £5/£4. Castle Douglas based writer Mary Smith will be discussing her debut novel, ‘No More Mulberries’, set in the rugged grandeur of the Hindu Kush foothills in Afghanistan. Mary spent ten years working in Pakistan and Afghanistan and brings a high degree of authenticity to her work. She is a journalist with Dumfries & Galloway Life magazine. 7.30pm, £7.50/£5.00 (under 18’s). A Scottish Variety Show to celebrate the Year of Homecoming and Dumfries & Galloway Storytelling Robert Burns, with singing, bagpipes, recitations, comedy, Highland dancing and a touch of Burns too. The perfect Festival; Community Ceilidh, Sat 19 warm-up for the Alternative Games on Sunday. September, from 2pm. Bring your stories and songs, Burns Feast With Catherine Braid, Mon old photographs, toys and musical instruments any time between 2pm and early evening. Admission free but donations appreciated. 3 August, 11.30am. Burns Feast is a celebration of Robert Burns and food to mark this year of Licketyspit presents The Hare and the Homecoming. Tortoise , Thursday 24 September, 4.30pm, £4. The Hare and the Tortoise is a hugely popular, hilariously Luke Wright; A interactive, highly energetic 60-minute theatre show. Poet’s Work Is Developed for 3-7 year olds but has a broad appeal for Never Done,Tues children under twelve and adults too. 4 August, 7.30pm, Baroque and Blue, Fri 25 September, 7.30pm, £7/£5. Hailed as the alternative poet laureate and “hard £8/£6. Baroque and Blue will present a programme working heir to John Hegley”, Luke Wright presents a half-dozen or so poems of varying length which are by turns witty, of ‘Crossover Music’ for flute, jazz piano, guitar and drums, featuring the works of Claude Bolling, John bitter and lyrical. An Edinburgh Festival Fringe preview event. Rutter and Raymond Monelle. Watercolour Painting Summer School with Hazel Campbell, Mon 10 to Fri 14 August, 10am–4pm each day. This popular five day watercolour painting summer school will be run by the Galloway artist, Hazel Campbell. Aleksander Kudajczyk (Piano), Sat 15 August, 7.30pm, £10/£8. CatStrand Cinema Club; Doubt (2008), Wed 30 September, 7.30pm, £4.50. Set in 1964, Doubt centers on a nun who confronts a priest after suspecting him abusing a black student. He denies the charges, and much of the play’s quick-fire dialogue tackles themes of religion, morality and authority. Regular events: Aleksander Kudajczyk, the world-renowned Polish concert pianist, makes a welcome CatStrand Youth Players, every Sunday during term return to The CatStrand. time, 2pm. The Glenkens 73 Club Youth Drama Group will meet on a regular basis on Sunday afternoons - come along and have An Evening of Jazz some fun. (Ages 10-18). with Solway Rhythm Aces and special guests Jeff Barnhart (piano) and Anne Play it by Ear, every Monday during term Barnhart (flute), Thurs 20 August, 7.30pm, time, 1.30–2.30pm, £2 per adult/child + 50p for £8/£6. American vocalist, arranger, bandleader, each additional child. A weekly song, music and recording artist, composer and entertainer, Jeff storytelling session for pre-school children and Barnhart is joined by his talented flautist wife, their parents or carers. Anne and popular local band Solway Rhythm Aces. Creativity Workshop, Sat 27 and Sun 28 August, 10am –5pm, £30/£20. Discover the infinite possibilities offered by your own imagination. Learn to express your Self, improve your confidence in performance and develop your relationship with the audience. Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Morris Movement, every Monday during term time, 4-5pm, £3. A series of classes designed to develop creativity and wellbeing. Exhibition: Trevor Newton, from Thurs The Reading Cure, Tuesdays until 11 27 August until Tues 1 September. Trevor Newton August, 11.15am – 1.15pm, free. Come and studied History of Art at Cambridge University and later became the first full-time teacher of the connect with yourself and others through the subject at Eton College. shared reading of some of the best books and CatStrand Cinema Club; Frost/Nixon poems ever written. (2008), Wed 26 August, 7.30pm, £4.50. After Storytelling Café, 1st Thursday of the Watergate scandal and his subsequent every month, 7.30pm. This is a regular resignation, Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) sees event on the first Thursday of every month. an opportunity to make some easy money and to Cakes and coffee will be available and return to the public spotlight. Meanwhile David audience participation will be encouraged! Frost (Michael Sheen), views this as a chance to gain fame as a journalist in America. Donations on the door. An audience with Tam Cowan, Saturday Songwriting Workshops with Nicola 29 August, 8pm, £12/£10. TV presenter, host of BBC Black, Thursdays, 24 September, 1 and 8 October, Radio Scotland’s Off The Ball, columnist, restaurant 7.00pm - 9.00pm, free. This workshop programme will reviewer and after dinner speaker, Tam wears many run over a three week period and the songs created media hats. will be recorded and made into a CD. There will be an Exhibition: ‘Through the opportunity to perform the songs at The CatStrand on Galloway Garden’ Amanda 10 October as part of the launch of Nicola Black’s CD of Simmons & Jennie original music settings of Hugh McDiarmid’s poetry. Ashmore, from 2pm on Sat 5 Saturday Art Club, 2nd Saturday of every September until Thurs 1 October, month from 12 September, 10am–12noon , £4. CatStrand opening hours. Amanda produces kiln formed and cameo engraved glass from her studio These two-hour workshops offer expert tuition in Corsock. Jennie’s ‘leafworks’ are original collages of leaves and and hands-on experience across a range of funflowers. filled visual arts and crafts activities. (Ages 5-12). Glenkens Gazette page 7 The CatStrand: News & Events COMMUNITY EVENTS/CLASSES Learn Reiki: Ever fancied being able to practice Reiki..? Reiki is a complimentary therapy originating in Japan. The word Reiki means universal life force energy, the energy which animates all living things. In a treatment, the hand are used to direct and amplify this energy to support the body’s natural ability to balance and heal itself. This is an introductory level of the course enabling participants to safely treat themselves, family, friends and pets. Training is being delivered by local Reiki Master Debra Hall. A weekend’s training is coming to The CatStrand on the 8th and 9th August. Space is limited so book early to avoid disappointment. This is a day that will change your life forever...what are you waiting for? Elderly Persons Conference: Considering Future Needs, Wednesday 26 August 10am-1pm. The aim of the day is to outline the services and resources available to elderly people within the region. Speakers include Alex Cook from Dumfries & Galloway Council, Arthritis Care, NHS Dumfries and Galloway and Ian Steele from Williamson and Henry. Transport is available if required - call 420374. Benefit Maximisation Surgery, Tuesday 22 September. Advice on a range of benefits including child tax credits, incapacity benefit, income support, pensions, pension credit, disability living allowance, etc. To book a confidential appointment please call 01644 420374. Trips this Summer (over 14’s only): Thursday 6 August - Dumfries, Chrichton College Open Evening - tickets £2 Thursday 13 August -Edinburgh, tickets 6.50 Tickets must be purchased in advance, from The CatStrand. We reserve the right to cancel a trip if numbers aren’t sufficient. Please phone to book tickets and for more information on times. Regular Classes: Eat @ CatStrand lunches served Monday to Friday 11am-2pm Exercise to Music, Mondays from 24th August, 10-11am, £4/£3. Boxercise: Mondays from 24th August, 67pm, £24/£18 per six week block. Circuit Training, Mondays from 24th August, 7.45 - 8.45pm, £24/£18 per six week block. Teen Spirit, every Tuesday during term time, 7.30 - 9.30pm. Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thursdays from 27th August, 10-11.15am, £30 per 6 week block. Taking the First Step in Computing, Wednesday evenings, 5.30pm - 7.30pm. Taking the Next Step in Computing, Monday evenings, 5.30 – 7.30pm. Afternoon Tea Club, 2nd Friday of the month, 2pm, anual membership £2. Minibus pick up from Balmaclellan and Dalry by prior arrangement - to book call 01644 420374. Thinking of a career change? Need a new direction? Or some advice? If so make an appointment to see Careers Scotland at The CatStrand, 2nd Thursday in the month - free and confidential. Red Kite Jewellery on the Red Kite Trail Glenkens artist Natalie Vardey has designed and produced an exclusive range of jewellery on the theme of the distinctive red kite (see p2). The collection is displayed at The CatStrand, and is only to order at the moment. There’s something for everyone, with prices starting from £48. For more information about Natalie’s jewellery visit www.natalievardey.com THE BUS : GLENKENS TRANSPORT INITIATIVE MISSING THE BUS: Last Thursday saw the start of one of the most chaotic, and sometimes funniest, weeks in the history of GTI. Early that evening the bus was transporting 14 ladies from the local WI out for an evening meal. All were dressed in their finery and looking forward to a good night out when the bus broke down just outside Castle Douglas. A faulty clutch was the problem and the bus had to be towed to Dumfries. A quick response by a number of volunteers meant the ‘Damsels in Distress’ were safely transported to a venue nearer home to carry on their evening. They were probably all in need of a stiff drink - elegantly dressed ladies getting in an out of a Land Rover with no step was a new experience for some of them! The daily school run was done the following morning when the back of the Land Rover proved more popular with young children than the night before. We have managed to continue this school run every day with the valuable help of Roy Hooker and parents. Friday evening saw us fulfil a booking by one of our user groups to and from a 21st birthday party at Threave Gardens. Again a fleet of volunteers provided transport there and back. When I arrived at Threave about mid-night for the homeward journey I heard one young lady ask another how they were getting home. The reply was: “It’s all right, Brian Edgar is picking us up “ – what it’s like to be famous ! Arrangements were put in place for us to borrow a mini bus from Newton Stewart for our Wednesday evening run. Unfortunately this was also beset with problems, the office from where the key for the bus had to be collected having closed early. Despite Bob Peace’s strenuous efforts to track down a the person with the key (this included visiting the local Police Station, where they didn’t trust him enough to give him any information and also an on-going equestrian effort, where he was asked if he was a judge ) - again we had to resort to a fleet of volunteer cars. How typical that it was one of our busiest Wednesday evenings, but everyone got safely home, even if we did have to enlist the help of Eileen Edgar, who was just doing her shopping in Tesco’s ! I apologize to all those people who have missed various trips because of the breakdown (if possible they will be re-scheduled ) and I must thank all those who have helped in a variety of ways. The past life of one or two of us (Ashes to Ashes) has certainly been of benefit this week but there is one thing I am sure about...WE MISSED OUR BUS! Keith Cooper WEDNESDAY BUS SERVICE (REGD. ROUTE): CONCESSIONARY BUS PASSES ARE ACCEPTED ON THIS ROUTE, SO PLEASE MAKE USE OF THIS EXTRA SERVICE Timings are as follows: 1900 Dept Dalry (Underhill) 1910 New Galloway 1925 Mossdale 1935 Laurieston 1940 Townhead of Greenlaw 1947 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 1950 Arrive Castle Douglas (Tesco) The return journey : 2045 Departs Castle Douglas (Tesco) 2047 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 2052 Townhead of Greenlaw 2100 Laurieston 2110 Mossdale 2125 New Galloway 2135 Arrive Dalry IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK THE COMMUNITY-BUS OR IF YOU WANT ANY MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT KEITH COOPER, GTI ADMINISTRATOR ON 01644 420374. SHAMBELLIE HOUSE: We had a full bus for our trip to Shambellie House National Museum of Costume in May. Rob, our driver, took us an interesting route round minor roads but managed to take us right to the door – with no walking involved. We were made very welcome and found the exhibition very interesting together with a small exhibition of Jean Muir fashions. The house has delightful gardens with a new wickerwork statue of a dancing lady and most of us enjoyed a walk round in beautiful sunshine. On the way home we visited Loch Arthur For further info & Farm Shop where a good supply of fresh produce was purchased. to buy tickets visit Kath Bates www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420 374 Glenkens Gazette page 8 LOCAL HISTORY THE DEUGHSIDE COVENANTERS Deughside, later re-named ‘Bridge of Deugh’, was a small, pastoral farm on the northern slopes of Dundeugh Hill close to the steep sided gorge on the Water of Deugh, later to be known as the Tinkler’s Loup. All this area is now submerged under the waters of Kendoon Loch. Robert Smith, who lived at Deughside, and his son William fought at the battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679, a vicious battle in which the Covenanters suffered a severe beating by the government troops. Robert was sorely wounded but with the help of his son he managed to reach home where he died soon after. William knew it was no longer safe for him to remain at home, and, leaving his younger brother and sisters at the farm he took to the wild hills for refuge. However, even before he had time to escape, one of his neighbours, Robert Canon of Muirdrochwood, saw him and sent a band of passing dragoons to search for him. William luckily managed to take cover below a small turf covered bridge near his house, while his faithful dog, which was with him and which he feared might give him away, fled into the hills and only returned after the dragoons had gone away. On their way back to the garrison at Carsphairn the dragoons came upon a young woman, and thinking she might know of the hidingplace of William they arrested her and tortured her by applying the thumb screws to her, but she told them nothing and eventually she was released. This young woman was Mary McClymont of Dalmellington. Her father had suffered grievously for the cause and Mary had thrown all her youthful energy into supporting the Covenanters in any way she could. William Smith returned home under cover of darkness, but the next evening Canon of Muirdrochwood returned to Deughside with a party of dragoons, determined to find William and get the reward for his capture. Thankfully William’s dog barked a warning and William had time to escape from the back of the house and once more take refuge in the hills. He and four other men hid in a small cave at Craigdow, but soon they realised it was not safe to remain there, and they decided to scatter and find hiding places individually. William made his way west towards Dalry and was led to a refuge in a deep gorge on the Water of Girvan on the farm of Camregan by Mary McClymont, who was taking food to two men who were already hiding there - she was staying with her uncle at Camregan. After a while a spy discovered their hiding place so Mary and the three men had to flee for their lives. Mary went to relatives at Glenmuick, the first house across the Stewartry boundary in Ayrshire to the south of Dalmellington. By coincidence William had found a refuge among the rocky cliffs at Wolf Craig to the north of Glenmuick. One of the local shepherds spoke of seeing William up near the Muick Water and Mary overheard him, so the following evening she hid near the spot where he had been seen, and saw her friend returning to his hide-out. She took some food there the next day and left it for him, as he was not there. This went on for a number of days, then some troops arrived at Glenmuick and roughly questioned Mary. She ran from the house and along a narrow path high above the glen, followed by the drunken troops. One thrust at Mary with his sword and missed her, falling over the precipice to his death. Later she found the sword and took it to William in his hiding place. Not long afterwards, during a brief lull in the persecution, Mary and William were married at a Conventicle held in a secluded glen near the farm of Bowmoore on the Water of Deugh, but they still had to split up each night, Mary returning to Glenmuick and William to Wolf Craig. The local shepherds helped to protect them by constructing a secret chamber within a peat stack which they built against the gable end of Glenmuick, with a hidden access from the house. They used this secret hide-out for many months when danger threatened, and were here able to enjoy some privacy. During a period when persecution was less intense in Galloway, Conventicles were again held and people sought to encourage one another in the faith. Robert Canon of Muirdrochwood heard of a Conventicle taking place on the march between Dundeugh and Marscalloch and alerted his friend McMillan (possibly a tenant in Marscalloch which was owned by Canon), also a persecutor of the Covenanters, and they alerted the troops garrisoned at Carsphairn. Soon the Conventicle was surrounded, and Mary and William with some trusty friends took up their stand beside the minister. William was wielding the sword which Mary had given him. A number of people were injured as they fled, and McMillan approached William and entered into combat with him. Eventually McMillan dashed his military cap into William’s face and ran him through with his sword. Mary quickly seized her husband’s sword and struggled with his murderer who overcame her and dispatched her also. It was said that from the sword wound in her breast flowed forth a mixture of blood and milk, showing that she was nursing a baby which had then been left an orphan. McMillan was filled with remorse at the sight of this and swore never to use his sword against a Covenanter again. He returned that night with two or three more trusty soldiers and they buried the bodies in the moss where they had fallen. They took an oath never to reveal where the two were buried. Around 1830 some locals were cutting peats on Marscalloch Koss and they found two well-preserved bodies which they believed to be the two martyrs, William and Mary Smith. No doubt they covered the bodies up again and left them to rest in peace. We do not know exactly where that place was, and no memorial was ever raised in their memory. Helen Bolton THE 2009 CONVENTICLE On the afternoon of Sunday 14th June, banks of dark cloud hung over the hills of Carsphairn and the brief gleams of sun had disappeared. Thunder rumbled occasionally in the distance, and the air was still and sultry. As people gathered on the lawn in front of Mr and Mrs lan Watret’s home at ‘Marscalloch’, overlooking Kendoon Loch, midges appeared and bottles of midge repellant were shared among the ladies and gentlemen. Soon the gathering of almost fifty people were settled, and it was with great pleasure that we beheld among our number Mrs Bella Wood, who at the great age of 97 is the oldest inhabitant of Dalry. Rev Dr David Bartholomew opened the 2009 Conventicle and as is traditional, only psalms were sung. This year’s service began with Psalm 95, “O, come and let us to The Lord” to the tune Kilmarnock. This was followed by the Old 100th “All People That on Earth Do Dwell”. Not long after the service commenced the clouds slowly rolled away, the sun broke through, and to everyone’s delight a nice breeze gradually dispersed the midges! Dr Bartholomew’s sermon told of the harsh and cruel treatment of those who adhered firmly to the Covenant and refused to accept the episcopal system. All the kirkyards in the Glenkens contain graves of those who chose death rather than compromising their beliefs and principles. Dr Bartholomew then recounted the story of William and Mary Smith as, appropriately, the congregation looked down on Kendoon Loch, the waters of which now cover the site of ‘Deughside’. The collection was gathered in the traditional way, in a blanket, and after a further prayer the Conventicle closed with a spirited rendering of “0 God of Bethel” to the tune Salzburg. It was interesting to note several cars, passing along the road, slowing down while the passengers obviously speculated as to why the Minister was preaching to a gathering of people on the front lawn of this attractive Galloway cottage! Tea and coffee and some really scrumptious refreshments were provided by the ladies from Carsphairn to be enjoyed in this idyllic setting, and thanks must go to all those who made the Conventicle a delightful social gathering. Many thanks, also, to Mr and Mrs Watret for hosting the event, and for thoughtfully providing chairs for those without rugs or chairs of their own. Mr Jim Sloan did a sterling job of marshalling all the cars as they arrived. To Dr Bartholomew, our thanks for once again finding an interesting and most attractive location in which to hold this year’s service. Where will we be gathering next year? We look forward to it, where ever it may be. Helen Bolton Glenkens Gazette page 9 NATURE & WILDLIFE Yellowhammer - Chris Gomersall. RSPB Images The Bum-Clock Humm’d wi Lazy Drone! The merry month of May?! In the depths of winter, or indeed on dull days at other times of the year, the thought of May with all its delights brings comfort to my soul. This year, though, for the most part it just failed to arrive in anything but name. It wasn’t so much the rain, but cold easterly winds and dreich days with little sun. However, thankfully some glorious exceptions served to charge the memory banks for future sustenance. On one of the better days, I enjoyed a familiar stroll down the River Ken footpath from my home in St John’s Town of Dalry (I usually just call it `the burn’, but I particularly remember being upbraided by an elderly man in a local hotel, who insisted on it being the River Ken – I suppose he was right). From the foot of the `boat weil’ (way) and downstream from the kirkyard on Newfield is an absolute delight. Traditional and sensitive management by the Edgars on this part of their farm produce a wealth of interesting wildlife. The riverside strip as far as the Kirkland boundary is not cut for silage, and grazing in the back end allows a plethora of wild flowers to prevail, with all the attendant insect and birdlife – it is truly wonderful, especially in May when birds are in full song and insects are on the wing. One of the dominant plants is pignut conopodium majus, which requires old permanent pasture of this kind. It is an umbellifer and has a delicate and loose composite head of small creamy blossoms, with succulent, bulbous nuts underground. I have fond childhood memories of digging these up and eating them - we called them groundnuts. Yellowhammers, so rare now in much of the countryside following the decline of cereal production, are still to be found on Newfield and Kirkland, thriving amongst the rougher areas and enjoying the leftovers from the traditional grain production on the former. Their haunting song `little-bit-of bread-and-no- cheeeeeeese’ is a most welcome sound on such days – as are the tunes of chaffinch, mavis (song thrush), blackbird, whitethroat, willow warbler and greenfinch, amongst others. It really is a rich area, with wild rose, gorse and hawthorn scrub providing lots of safe nesting habitat for these birds, `By this the sun was out o’ sight, and the wild plants providing an abundance of seed and insect food. An’ darker gloaming brought the night; An insect that very few birds tangle with is the bumclock. These magnificent creatures, The bum-clock humm’d wi’ lazy drone; also called cockchafers or May bugs, emerge from wild swards in the gloaming in The kye stood rowtin i’ the loan; springtime, especially May. The wild and unimproved vegetation of the flood bank and When up they gat, and shook their lugs, adjacent strip on Newfield is ideal for them and many are the times I’ve been daunering Rejoic’d they were na men, but dogs; down the bank enjoying the air, when one of these huge hummers has drifted up past An’ each took aff his several way, my lug, half-frightening me to death and eliciting some half-formed oath. They certainly Resolv’d to meet some ither day.’ keep you on your toes, but all part of the glorious attractions of the season. Burns cited (Robert Burns) these beauties in the perfect conclusion of his Twa’ Dogs. Chris Rollie NEURO LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING (NLP) (skills to achieve excellence in yourself and others) with Michael Spence 2 DAY CERTIFIED NLP FOUNDATION SKILLS (covers a full Introduction to the skills and techniques of NLP) Thursday 1st & Friday 2nd October THE CATSTRAND, NEW GALLOWAY £98.00 (includes hand-outs and support) NLP can help you be more successful personally and professionally, manage your emotions positively, be a better communicator, have more choices in what you do and how you do it and much more. Contact: 0131 664 7854 / 07710332841 / email msnlp@btconnect.com Michael is a long established NLP Trainer, Personal Development Trainer and Coach, and Business Adviser. He works from the heart with integrity, skill and wisdom together with an insatiable passion. Member of Professional Organisations. Michael Spence NLP Ltd Registered in Scotland 266600 advertisement WANT TO CHANGE YOURSELF OR HELP OTHERS? YOU CAN! Glenkens Gazette page 10 ALEX FERGUSSON MSP FOR GALLOWAY AND UPPER NITHSDALE Holds regular advice surgeries at: 2 St ANDREW STREET, CASTLE DOUGLAS on the second Friday of every month from 5pm Telephone free on 0800 028 7260 for an appointment or to make any alternative arrangement’ You can visit Alex’s website at www.alexfergusson.org.uk or contact him by e-mail at alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk �� Hotel Health is True Wealth �� You could be suffering from a condition that may be improved by a nutritional consultation. Often a change in diet works well alongside your doctor’s health advice. Lorna has been working with patients for over 10 years now and has seen some great health improvements due to changing what we eat. “You have transformed my life - ill for 42 years, better in three days - thank you!” says Hilary Hawkins, Gatehouse of Fleet �� Some of the problems Lorna has seen responding well to dietary changes include: �� Digestive problems including bloating, cramps, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhoea etc; arthritis; skin conditions such as eczema, urticaria and rashes; tiredness and anxiety; weight issues; hormonal and menopausal problems; men’s health problems; childrens’ health issues, eg. hyperactivity, frequent coughs and colds A full MOT at Parton Estate costs £50 (£55 at Prana, CD) and lasts 11/2 - 2 hours. A Food Allergy/Intolerance Test is £35 at Parton (£38 at Prana, CD) and lasts 1 hour approx. A tailor-made weight-reducing diet is currently on offer at a £10 reduction. If you feel that a nutritional consultation could help you please contact Lorna on 01644 470218 or email lorna@foods4life.co.uk and she can discuss your problems with you. Glenkens Gazette page 11 FURMISTON JUBILEE On 31st May 1889 over 100 people attended the 60th Jubilee of notable farmer, Mr John Harper. He had farmed Furmiston for 60 years and a celebration had been arranged including a marquee, food, speeches, songs and poems. Even the Dalmellington Brass Band were in attendance. And so, 120 years later to the day, Carsphairn Heritage Group were invited by David and Jean Gibbon (present occupiers) to visit and mark the occasion. The ‘re-enactment’ included a photograph being taken in the same field as that taken in 1889, and although the Brass Band were not in attendance, Nigel from the village treated the visitors to some tunes on the cornet, accompanied by Margaret Sloan. Visitors on the day included descendants of some of the original attendees in 1889, and some previous occupiers of Furmiston. Copies of the speeches and poems from the original event can be seen at the Carsphairn Heritage Centre. Glenkens Gazette : Advertising Rates 2009 Advert Format Size Basic Small Basic Small Quarter page Quarter page Half page Full page Black & white Colour Black & white Colour Colour Colour Price per 6cm x 6cm 6cm x 6cm 9cm x 13cm 9cm x 13cm 13cm x 18cm 18cm x 27cm Discount for issue Block of 3 ads £15.00 10% £30.00 10% £35.00 10% £65.00 25% £120.00 25% £200.00 25% (Prices exclude VAT @ 17.5%) To place an advert please contact the Glenkens Gazette on 01644 420374 Barmurrie Farm Free range hen, duck & quail eggs, free range Gloucester Old Spot pork. Free range oven ready chickens farm reared on grass from day old chicks. SEASONAL FRESH VEGETABLES Visitors welcome - come a nd see where your food comes from ! ( 01644 420249 ( FHB Fencing The Cross Keys Hotel New Galloway Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents ( 01556 503744 ( www.ggblaw.co.uk OFFICES IN : CASTLE DOUGLAS, DALBEATTIE KIRKCUDBRIGHT & DUMFRIES 10 en suite bedrooms, traditional bar, excellent restaurant, quiz nights, antique and collectibles markets Tel: 01644 420 494 enquiries@thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk www.thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk KENBRIDGE HOTEL New Galloway Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) A McQuaker Landscapes est. 1992 garden groundwork, fencing, drainage, rotovating, treework & all associated tasks Tel: 01644 440 627 New Galloway Open 7 Days : Beautiful Riverside Location Golf Club M E A L S S E RV E D 12.00 - 2.00pm, 5.30 - 8.30pm www.nggc.co.uk TRADITIONAL LOG FIRE bed and breakfast en suite accommodation ( 01644 420 211 ( mail@kenbridgehotel.co.uk www.kenbridgehotel.co.uk W BONE WHB JEEPS THE GARAGE, DALRY PETROL & DIESEL SALES SERVICE & REPAIRS MOTs, TYRES, BATTERIES ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES OPEN 8.30AM - 6.00PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY Tel: 01644 430208 Fax: 01644 430669 email: jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Founded 1902 v 01644 420737 v Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME 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 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Crimestoppers: 0845 555 111 ● Well Driven Scheme (to report dangerously driven HGV’s): 0800 225533 TIMES OF WORSHIP IN THE GLENKENS CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sundays Balmaclellan 12noon 1st 5th (Aug) Carsphairn 10.30am 1st 2nd (Sept) 3rd 4th Dalry 9am 1st 2nd (Sept) 3rd 4th (Aug) Dalry 12noon 4th (Sept) Kells 10.30am 2nd 3rd 4th Special Services and Events 9th Aug, 10.30am: United Family Service, Kells Church, followed by barbecue at Kells House 21st Sept, 7.30pm: Whist Drive, Dalry Town Hall 27th Sept, 10.30am: Harvest Thanksgiving, Dalry Church, followed by Harvest Lunch in Dalry Town Hall Communion Services: 23rd Aug, 10.30am, Kells Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH (C of E) St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion - 10.30am every Sun & Wed CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Castle Douglas: Mass - Sat 6.15pm & Wed 7pm page 12 GLENKENS DIARY FOR ALL EVENTS CatStrand, New Galloway JULY Fri 31, Alternative Games Ceilidh, from 8.30pm Tue 29, GBA Meeting, 7pm, Ken Bridge Hotel Wed 30, Cinema: Doubt, 7.30pm, £4.50, The to midnight, New Galloway Town Hall CatStrand, New Galloway AUGUST OCTOBER Sat 1, Alternative Games ‘Homecoming Stramash’, 8pm, The CatStrand, New Thurs 1 & Fri 2, NLP workshop, The CatStrand, Galloway New Galloway, see p9 Sat 1 to Tues 25, Exhibition: David Ralston & Ken Smyth, CatStrand opening hours, The REGULAR EVENTS: CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 2, The Alternative Games, New Galloway Scouts: Mon, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Town Park, New Galloway, from 2pm Mother & Toddlers Group: Tues 9.45-11.15am, Mon 3, Burns Feast with Catherine Braid, New Galloway Town Hall 11.30am, The CatStrand, New Galloway Beavers: Tues, 6.30–7.45pm, New Tues 4, Luke Wright; A Poet’s Work Is Never Galloway Scout Hut Done, 7.30pm, £7, The CatStrand, New Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Galloway Thurs 6, Bus Trip to Open Evening at Chrichton Scout Hut Glenkens Walking Group, meet Wed College, Dumfries, see p7 at 2pm outside the Bank of Scotland, Thurs 13, Bus Trip to Edinburgh, see p7 Sat 8 & Sun 9, Learn Reiki, The CatStrand, New Dalry. Lions Club monthly quiz, alternating between Galloway, see p7 The CatStrand & Lochinvar Hotel. For further Mon 10, Kells CC Meeting, 7.30pm, New info contact Andrew Frew on 420 323. Galloway Town Hall The CatStrand, New Galloway (see p7) Mon 10 to Fri 14, Watercolour Painting Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Summer School with Hazel Campbell, 10am– 4pm each day, The CatStrand, New Galloway Play it by Ear: every Mon during term time, 1.30-2.30pm Sat 15, Aleksander Kudajczyk, 7.30pm, £10, Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Morris The CatStrand, New Galloway Movement: every Mon during term time, 4-5pm Thurs 20, An Evening of Jazz with Solway Rhythm Aces, 7.30pm, £8, The CatStrand, New (ages 8-12) Boxercise: Every Mon, 6-7pm Galloway Sat 22, Glenkens Annual Flower and Vegetable Circuit Training: every Mon, 7.45-8.45pm Taking the Next Step in Computing: Mon Show, see p4 evenings, 5.30–7.30pm Wed 26, Elderly Persons Conference: The Reading Cure, Tuesdays 7 July to 11 Considering Future Needs, 10am-1pm.The August, 11.15am–1.15pm, Free CatStrand, New Galloway, see p7 Wed 26, Cinema: Frost/Nixon, 7.30pm, £4.50, Teen Spirit: Tues, 7.30-9.30pm Wednesdays, Glenkens Walking Group, 2pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 27 & Sun 28, Creativity Workshop, 10am– outside Bank of Scotland, Dalry, see p5 5pm, £30, The CatStrand, New Galloway Taking the First Step in Computing: Wed, 5.30from Thurs 27 Aug to Tues 1 Sept, Exhibition: 7.30pm Trevor Newton, The CatStrand, New Galloway from Wed 16 Sept, every Wed until end Sat 29, An audience with Tam Cowan, 8pm, March, Stewartry Camera Club, 7.30 pm, The £12, The CatStrand, New Galloway Tolbooth, Kirkcudbright, see p5 Sat 29, Fun Day at Dalry School including the Thursdays 24 September, 1 and 8 October, Mulloch Race, Dalry School, from 12 – 4pm, Songwriting Workshops with Nicola Black, 7see p4 9pm, Free Mon 31, Carsphairn CC Meeting, 7pm, Lagwyne from Sun 6 Sept, every Sun, Catstrand Youth Hall Players meet weekly, 3pm, see p5 SEPTEMBER Thurs 10-11.15am Wed 2, 150th Anniversary Celebration Dinner, Yoga: Afternoon Tea Club: 2nd Fri each month, 2pm Dalry Town Hall, see p3 Saturday Art Club, 2nd Saturday each month, Thurs 3, Fri 4 & Sat 5, Exhibition of Photos, Memorabilia etc of Dalry, Dalry Town Hall, see p3 10am–12noon Youth Drama Group, every Sun 2pm Thurs 3, Alastair McDonald Concert, Dalry Glenkens Youth Choir, every Sun from, 5-6pm Town Hall, see p3 Fri 4, DVD/Video Show of past events, Dalry in CatStrand Playstation Tournaments: contact The CatStrand for info. the Town Hall, see p3 Sat 5, Cheese & Wine with ‘An Old Time Music Dalry Community Centre (for info or to book contact Sarah on 430 393) Hall’ theme, Dalry Town Hall, see p3 Glenkens Playgroup: Mon-Fri, 9.15-11.45am from Sat 5 Sept to Thurs 1 Oct, Exhibition: Amanda Simmons & Jennie Ashmore, CatStrand Paint & Art: Mon 1.30-4.30pm opening hours, The CatStrand, New Galloway Ballroom & Latin Dance: Mon - Beginners 7.30-8.15pm, Improvers 8.15-9pm, Improvers Sat 12, No More Mulberries: Mary Smith in conversation with Godfrey Smith, 3pm, £5, The 9-9.45pm Good Neighbours Club: Tues 2pm CatStrand, New Galloway Kickback Martial Arts: Tues & Thurs 7-9pm, Sat 19, Dumfries & Galloway Storytelling adults welcome Festival Community Ceilidh, from 2pm, The Glenkens Mother & Toddlers: Wed 1.30-3pm CatStrand, New Galloway Craft Class: Thurs 2-4pm Tues 22, Benefit Maximisation Surgery, The Brownies: Wed 5.30-6.45pm CatStrand, New Galloway, see p7 Guides:Wed 5.30-7pm Thurs 24, Licketyspit presents The Hare and the Tortoise, 4.30pm, £4, The CatStrand, New Drama Club: for further info contactBrian Edgar Galloway on 420 288 Fri 25, Baroque and Blue, 7.30pm, £8, The WRITE FOR THE GAZETTE! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... If you have a submission, contact Sarah on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk OCT/NOV COPY DEADLINE: Mon 10 Sept PROJECT PART-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION Europe and Scotland Making it work together 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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Text Any textual data included in the document October/November 2009 ISSUE 54 www.glenkensgazette.com 150th Anniversary Celebration On 2nd September 1859, a dinner was held in Dalry Town Hall to celebrate its completion. This year, being the 150th anniversary of the opening of the hall, Dalry Heritage Group decided there should be some commemoration events. A dinner was an obvious choice, and was naturally held on 2nd September. There were 42 people at the original one, but this time 62 people attended, and in spite of a problem with the power, those attending enjoyed an excellent meal, prepared and cooked by Sheena Cartner with a little help from the Clachan Inn, to whom grateful thanks are due. Dalry’s oldest residents, Isobel Wood and William Semple, cut a special memorial cake and toasts were proposed to the Queen by Lord Sinclair, to all War Veterans by Councillor George Prentice, to the Town Hall by Maggi Kaye, and to the Heritage Group by Dr David Devereux. Afterward guests were entertained by Nat Little, Tommy Edgar and George McKinnell with songs and music. On the Thursday evening we had the pleasure of listening to Alastair McDonald sing and play banjo, and on Friday, Paul Goodwin kindly agreed to show films and slides of past events in the village. Saturday evening saw the final event, and Old Time Music Hall occasion with Wine and Cheese. The evening began with songs from Dalry Primary School pupils, who were outstanding (see photo). Then came songs and a hilarious skit with Cheryl Ann Easton from Moniaive. The evening was concluded with Nat Little, Tommy Edgar and George McKinnell, regaling us with more songs and music. Over 100 people attended this event, some having specially decorated hats for the occasion. In addition an exhibition of old photos, trophies and other memorabilia was open from Thursday to Saturday. The Heritage Group would like to thank all those who lent items or helped to make the celebrations such a success. The Hall was built in 1859 with public subscription - the decision having been made two years earlier after the Clachan Fair - at a cost of £298. It was built by Samuel Sibbard of Dalry with stone from Waterside Farm. Theatre at Polmaddy On Thursday, 20th August children from Kells, Dalry and Carsphairn Primary Schools put on their wellies and raincoats and made their way to Polmaddy to enjoy a play by The Walking Theatre Company about the people who once lived at Polmaddy before the clearances. The children enjoyed learning about the lives of the people who once lived in Polmaddy and the way in which they had to leave. The children took part in several role plays and were joined by teacher Mr McKenna in demanding ‘Free Land’ for the people! They held their arms wide to feel how close the buildings stood to each other. The children from the three schools are learning more about life at Polmaddy and are due to meet again on site towards the end of September. Below is a poem written by Daisy (P6) about the people having to leave their land at Polmaddy and go to find a new life in Canada: Leaving Scotland I’ll miss my friends, My family Scotland, But I’ve got to go. I’ll have no home, No house, Homeless, But I’ve got to go. I’m hot headed, And angry, Frustrated, But I’ve got to go. I am going to Canada, New land, Home, But I’ve got to go. IN THIS ISSUE... 2 - Local Artist: Jennie Ashmore, Farm Diversification, Noticeboard 3 - Community Council News, GBA Update, LING Update, Abbas Rest, Eco Plant 5 - School Report, Club Corner, Youth Update, Fire Safety 6 - CatStrand Events 7 - CatStrand Community News, The Bus (GTI) 8 - Local History: Galloway’s American Colony, Woodhead Lead Mines 9 - Glenkens Flower Show, Glenkens Show, Alternative Games 2009 11- Health Tips, Business Boost 12- Church Times, Glenkens Diary of Events Glenkens Gazette page 2 Local Artist: Jennie Ashmore Jennie works with pressed leaves and flowers, creating collages reflecting her strong interest in the natural world. Collecting materials from gardens around the Glenkens and further afield in southwest Scotland and beyond, she creates a variety of works including special garden commissions. Her pieces range from small, highly detailed creations to larger, freer work, with each piece of work usually relating to a particular garden or place. Jennie’s work can be seen and purchased at The CatStrand, along with a selection of her beautiful cards. For further information visit www.leafworks.co.uk or contact Jennie on 01644 440670 or jennie-ashmore@tiscali.co.uk Local Farmers Diversify into Renewable Energy The Ramsay family of Milnmark Farm, Dalry, are developing the Knockman Hill Wind Turbine Project as a sustainable farm diversification scheme to supplement their hill sheep farm. The project is envisaged to consist of five wind turbine generators of around 55m to hub height and 81m to blade tip. Each turbine would be rated at around 850kW and therefore the total site capacity will be just over 4MW. So far ecology surveys, environmental assessments and consultations with statutory consultees have progressed well with few issues having been identified; illustrating that Knockman Hill is a suitable location for a small scale wind farm such as this. The Ramsays have enlisted the help of local renewable energy experts Natural Power Consultants Limited to help with the technical aspects of planning, designing and progression of such a project. At the beginning of September the Ramsays hosted a public exhibition in the Clachan Inn to allow local residents the chance to see the plans for the site. The afternoon proved successful with around forty attending. Key facts about this project: - Unique project conceived, designed and developed locally. - Sustainable farm diversification scheme for the Ramsay’s farming businesses at Milnmark and Knockreoch which underpin six full time jobs. - Supporting local employment through enlisting the help of Natural Power Consultants Limited who currently employ around 60 staff at their base near Dalry. - Sustainable development rooted within the community, designed by local consultants and bringing opportunities for local firms to get involved through construction contracts. - The site will be connected to the local distribution electricity network. - Carbon dioxide savings of approximately 4802 tonnes/year. - The estimated annual average output of the proposed development would produce the equivalent to approximately 2300 homes domestic use in Dumfries and Galloway over the course of a year. - Local community benefit from the proposed fund could support local community councils and assist development of other local small businesses. Although no definite timescale is in place, the Ramsays are hoping a planning application and supporting material will be ready to be submitted in the near future. The community will be notified once the application has been submitted and a copy of the environmental reports will be made available locally for viewing. For further information on the project please contact Emily Peaston, Natural Power Consultants Limited, The Green House, Forrest Estate, Dalry, DG7 3XS; 01644 430 008; www.emilyp@naturalp ower.com, or Jim Ramsay on 07876 505 154. Noticeboard Mental Health Awareness Week - 4th to 10th October CatStrand Event 5th October This year NSF (National Schitzophrenia Fellowship) Scotland in the Stewartry‛s focus is on ‘link in, get involved‛ - promoting the importance of getting involved and interacting with other members of our community, as well as local clubs, organisations and services. Creating and strengthening these links, such as joining a digital photography group or a sporting club, can be a useful resource to draw on during both the good and the tough times. Getting involved is another way we can build our resilience and create a richer, more connected and meaningful life. NSF (Scotland) in the Stewartry are staging a small exhibition of digital photography and information throughout Mental Health Awareness Week at The CatStrand with an opening day on Monday 5th October 11am-3pm, to which everyone is invited. Mossdale Music Sat 3rd October, Mossdale Hall Songs & Music of the 30‛s & 40‛s with Terri Farley, Jim McPhee & Colin Feierabend Tickets £6 tel: 01644 450666 Just to clarify, the winner of the Hill Race at this year’s Carsphairn Show was Greg Lawrie from Glenlee. His grandfather, Andy Reed from Crossmichael, also completed it, as he did 25 years ago. Glenkens Gazette page 3 The Royal Burgh of New Galloway & Kells Community Council The August meeting was cancelled due to holidays. At the September meeting the members were pleased to note that Dumfries & Galloway Council have finally agreed that the street lighting in Duke Street is not adequate and plans have been produced to make improvements involving three new, replacement lighting poles being installed. The source of the funding was unclear from the correspondence received and confirmation of this would be sought to ensure that the proposed improvement scheme could go ahead as soon as possible. It was also noted that whilst some maintenance work had recently been carried out on the Town Hall, the exterior was still deteriorating and urgently needs cleaning and repainting. Ros Hill from the Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) committee reported that they had so far been unsuccessful in securing the necessary funding to carry out a feasibility study relating to the Town Hall. However, once written feedback from the funding application has been received they will continue to pursue all possible funding sources to carry the initiative forward. The Community Council pledged their full support to the LING committee. The three year term of all Community Councils ends on 7th October 2009 and elections, where necessary, are scheduled for Thursday 8th October. By the closing date, there were ten nominations for the new term and as there are twelve places on our Community Council an election will not be required this time. The first meeting of the new council term will be held on Monday October 26th at 7.30pm in New Galloway Town Hall. This meeting is delayed to avoid the school holidays and the monthly meetings will revert to their normal date of the second Monday of every month from 9th November onwards. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings are available to view at Dalry Library. Glenkens Business Association The Committee has not met since our last contribution to the Gazette with some members busy with their businesses contributing to the wellbeing and enjoyment of visitors, and others supporting such businesses or taking holidays in other parts. Gordon Hill, having taken up running since moving to the Glenkens, ran in both the Edinburgh Marathon and the Welsh Man v. Horse hill run. No such time off for Sarah Ade who is now busy with a new baby! At our next meeting at the end of September we will be settling in to plan the upgrade of the new information on to the website and the production of the new Directory. Remember we would like to feature not just local businesses but all clubs, groups and organisations of the Glenkens so please let us have your details. We will also be looking at how we can progress with the Walking Project we had in mind earlier in the year. If anyone is interested in joining a group to take this forward, please join us. Membership of the GBA gives you an entry in the web directory and in the next hardcopy directory. To join or renew your membership contact Alan Rumble on 01644 420250 or email alanrumble @gmail.com. Rosalind Hill, GBA Chairman Coffee Morning in Aid of Abbas Rest Orphans A coffee morning will be held to help raise funds for Abbas Rest orphans in Malawi on Saturday 3rd October, from 10am to 12noon in Dalry Town Hall. There are now three orphan centres at Chiringa, Muona and Beka, with sub-stations operating from each of these orphanages. There are over 300 children in the feeding programme, including tiny babies and toddlers who need extra food and care. We would gratefully accept donations towards the raffle, sales tables, baking, or money. If you need any more information, please contact Avril Brown (430 526), Barbara Colbenson (430 090) or Jean Maltman (430 497). Thank you WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH! Have you ever wondered what happens to your rubbish after your bin is emptied? Probably not! But here in Dumfries and Galloway our rubbish goes through a series of processes that turn some of it into useable materials. Members of Carsphairn Community visited the site where these processes take place. The Ecodeco plant in Dumfries, operated by Shanks, is designed to reduce the amount of our rubbish that goes to landfill. Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) Unfortunately our application to the Lottery Fund was unsuccessful so back to the drawing board. We have been chasing up the report of the Council condition survey of the Town Hall. When this is available there will be further discussions and consultation. Rosalind Hill, LING Chairman “A series of processes begins with drying out the waste which reduces the tonnage by 30%,” explained Tom Hall, Shanks operations manager. “And is followed by a series of sieving, blowing and extracting processes which give us our finished products.” By going through these processes the amount of waste taken to landfill is greatly reduced and material extracted can be used for other purposes, i.e. glass and other like materials are converted into aggregate which in turn is used to lay roadways in the landfill and material that is burnable is supplied to the cement kilns to be used as fuel. The visit was arranged by Moira Weatherup, waste prevention officer at Dumfries and Galloway Council who provided the group with information about the site and other recycling and waste prevention schemes operating in the county. Photograph - from left: Moira Weatherup, waste prevention officer D&G council, (left), Tom Hall, Shanks operations manager (centre), Margaret Richmond, chair of Carsphairn Community Council and Ann Rutherford, secretary of Carsphairn Community council (front) pictured with members of the village community at the Ecodeco plant. Glenkens Gazette page 4 GLENKENS SCHOOLS REPORT Glenkens Cluster Projects To kickstart the new term and topic ‘Professor Layton and the Curious Village’, the Seals class from Kells and P4/5/6 from Dalry, came together for a joint problem solving afternoon. After much ‘debate’ the pupils began to work really well as a team, sharing ideas and trying new approaches to problems they initially thought were impossible! The same classes, alongside P4/5/6 from Carsphairn, are also extremely fortunate to be participating in Ice Hockey this term, with the aim being to introduce the children to a variety of sports and to develop their confidence in different situations. This is all thanks to the Active Schools ice activities programme and to the cluster budget for covering the cost of the transport. The P6 and 7 pupils from Carsphairn, Dalry and Kells have enjoyed a visit to Polmaddy where the Walking Theatre Company helped to bring the settlement to life by giving the children an interactive tour! This is part of their class topic, ‘Mysteries’, but it also helps give the children a greater understanding of their local area and its history. The three classes have gone on to study the topic independently and in the next few weeks will be coming back together to share information and questions for when they revisit the site to investigate it from an archaeological perspective. All staff are finding that the sharing of resources, ideas and pupil interaction is having a very positive effect on pupils’ learning. �� GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL ( 01644 420234 ( GLENKENS SAWMILL Forrest Estate, Dalry - we have taken over the sawmill from Forrest Estate - FENCING SUPPLIES STRAINERS, POSTS, STOBS SAWN TIMBER ALL SIZES BARK FOR ANIMAL BEDDING SOFT WOOD FIRE WOOD * all at good prices * TEL: 01644430121 MOB:07787416460 Glenkens Gazette page 5 C L U B C O R Dalry Angling Association The Junior Angling Competition was held on Saturday, 18th July on the River Ken. It was one of the better days and conditions were good. It was won for the second year running by Kimberley McAdam. All the competitors were girls and everyone caught fish. Once again there was a window of dry weather for the Senior Competition which was held on Saturday, 15th August on Carsfad Loch. It was won by Barbara Johnson, the first woman to hold the cup since it was first awarded in 1951. The AGM of the Association will be held in the Lochinvar Hotel, Dalry, on 20th November at 7.30pm. All members and Associate members will be most welcome. CELEBRATING LOCAL BIRD EXPERTS Many readers will recall Donald Watson who, with his wife Joan, lived for over 50 years in Dalry. He was one of Britain’s foremost bird artists and illustrators as well as a writer and observer of birds. His son Jeff was brought up in Dalry and was a distinguished bird scientist specialising on the golden eagle - Dalry and the Glenkens have sons to be really proud of. So, to celebrate their contribution to birds, we are investigating setting up a Watson Bird Centre in the old family home in Main Street Dalry. There are so many exciting possibilities including a bird artists studio, a bird study centre for all ages and levels, offices for bird organisations, an archive of Donald and Jeff’s Galloway material, bird art exhibitions of Donald’s paintings (I know that there are many in the Glenkens) and of newly commissioned works, and help with bird watching on foot, by cycle and by car. I shall be organising public meetings in Dalry, Carsphairn, Balmaclellan and New Galloway over the autumn to hear your views on this project and any other ideas you have to celebrate these famous locals. Please let me have your views and ideas at any time by email to roger@dodin.idpa.co.uk or phone me on 07803 595267 or drop me note to 45 Main Street, Dalry. Roger Crofts This project is supported by the Scottish Government & European Community, Dumfries & Galloway Leader and Scottish Natural Heritage. Y O U T H U P D A T E The CatStrand Youth Players The drama group started their regular Sunday meetings on 6th September and have already put plans in place for their next production. ‘Cinderella, The Sequel’ by Isabella C Rae will be presented on Thursday 26th November in The CatStrand at 7.00pm. This one act play is a hilarious look at the ‘fairytale’ marriage of Cinderella and Prince Charming ten years after the wedding when Cinders is revealed in her true colours as a clothesaholic, husband beater who is totally obsessed with becoming Queen. Buttons and the Baroness have to live under Cinderella’s rule but with the help of the Fairy Godmother they bring about her downfall and they can all live happily ever after, once again. There will also be another production from the Youth Players which has yet to be decided. To complete the evening, the Glenkens ’73 Club will finally stage ‘Chips with Vinegar’ by Harry Glass. This is a one act comedy drama set in Glasgow just before the Second World War and was originally entered in the Stewartry Drama Festival in February but unfortunately had to be withdrawn at the last minute due to illness. The cast are looking forward to presenting this well known play at The CatStrand and intend to enter it in the Festival again in February. The Youth Players, too, are keen to build on their success at the 2009 Festival and are planning to enter again. Although a few possible plays are already in mind, no final choice has been made. Other plans for the season include a two day Drama Workshop with actor Richard Kay, dates to be confirmed. FIRE CADETS The Fire Cadets in New Galloway commenced in August after a summer break. They have welcomed some new members to the team. The cadets will be covering within this next phase breathing apparatus, its use and construction, ladders and hose work, pumping equipment, knots and lines, amongst other firerelated topics. Before the cadets broke up for the summer they enjoyed a visit to Loch Ken for the laser quest in the woods at the activity centre. It is planned that the cadets will be back to carry out more activities over the course of the year. The fire cadets have several vacancies at present - if you are 12 to 16 yrs old and free on a Wednesday evening from 6.45 - 8.15pm, and would like to know more about the Fire Cadets in New Galloway, please contact Iain Campbell, District Team, at Kirkcudbright, Tel: Service HQ on 01387 252222, or any member of the New Galloway Fire Station Crew. N E R GLENKENS RAMBLERS You are welcome to join us on Monday afternoons for a walk up to 21⁄2 hours duration. We meet by the Bank of Scotland in Dalry at 1.30 pm to share transport to the start of the walk. If very wet, please phone a Walk Leader to confirm that the walk will proceed. We regret that no dogs are permitted on walks. For further info contact John & Isobel on 430539, Peter on 420219 or Gerry on 420852 Glenkens Walking Group The group meet for a walk at 1.30pm on a Wednesday, outside the Bank of Scotland in Dalry. People of all ages and walking abilities are very welcome, and we will adapt walks accordingly to the people who come. Please call one of the walk leaders for further information: John & Isobel on 430539, Elizabeth on 430581, Peter on 420419 or Gerry on 420852. FIRE SAFETY New Galloway Fire Station is still undertaking free home fire safety checks - they will give advice and fit a free smoke alarm if required. You might think that fire is something that can’t happen to you, but in reality every hour of every day someone in Scotland has their home damaged by fire. Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue is keen to raise awareness of the potential risks and urge householders to take the necessary steps to protect themselves, their family and their property throughout the year. Help us to help you…request a free home fire safety check. Phone Service HQ on 01387 252222 to book yours now! Glenkens Gazette page 6 The CatStrand: News & Events Exhibition: Suzanne Stuart Davies & Galloway Gatherings: Enlightenment & Environment, Malcolm Davies - Art in the Scottish Hills, four weekly meetings – Wed 18 & 25 Nov and 2 & 9 Dec, 2from Sunday 4 to Thurs 29 Oct. 4pm, £8 per lecture or £30 to attend all four. This session’s CatStrand lectures explore ideas of the Enlightenment and the Nicola Black: Album Launch, Sat 10 Oct, 8pm, Environment. Galloway has proved a rich source of scientific £5/£4. Galloway musician Nicola Black will be and literary investigation. launching her new CD, featuring musical settings of Hugh McDiarmid’s poetry. Malinky, Sat 21 Nov, 8pm, £10/£8. With their stunning fourth album Flower & Iron. Film: Bolt, Wed 14 Oct, 2pm, £4.50/£3.50. Children’s film featuring super-dog Bolt and the Film : The Rocket Post, Wed 25 Nov, 7.30pm, voices of John Travolta, Miley Cyrus and Susie £4.50/£3.50. Based on the true story of a remote Essman. Scottish community that became enchanted by a dashing German rocket scientist and his plans to link Rowan Tree Theatre Company presents: them to the outside world during the 1930’s. The Ragged Lion by Allan Massie, Thurs 22 Oct, 7.30pm, £7/£5. Allan Massie’s deeply Exhibition: Willow, Canvas & Clay with Lizzie Farey, insightful play The Ragged Lion about Sir Walter Bea Last and Hannah McAndrew, from Sat 28 Nov, Scott, written with wit, bite and candour. CatStrand opening hours. Emily Smith & Jamie McClennan : Adown Glenkens ‘73 Club and Catstrand Youth Players, Thurs 27 Winding Nith, Sat 24 Oct, 8pm, £10/£8. This Nov, 7pm, £5/£3 under 18. Short, one-act plays - ‘Cinderella; performance marks the launch of Emily Smith The Sequel’, performed by the Youth Players, and ‘Chips with & Jamie McClennan’s new album, titled ‘Adown Vinegar’ by the ‘73 Club. Winding Nith’, which includes songs Burns wrote Iceandfire Theatre: Rendition Monologues, while living in Dumfriesshire. Sat 28 Nov, 8pm, £5/£3. Weaves together Film: In The Loop (2009), Wed 28 Oct, 7.30pm, accounts of victims of ‘extraordinary rendition’, a £4.50/£3.50. From Scottish Writer/Director frightening CIA practice. Armando Ianucci and based on the acclaimed TV Regular events: Comedy ‘The Thick of It’. Scottish International Storytelling Festival: CatStrand Youth Players, every Sunday during term time, Rangimoana Taylor, Thurs 29 Oct, 7.30pm, 3-5pm. The Glenkens 73 Club Youth Drama Group will meet free. Rangimoana is one of New Zealand’s most on a regular basis on Sunday afternoons - come along and have respected storytellers and is in Scotland as some fun. (Ages 10-18). part of the Scottish International Storytelling Play it by Ear, every Monday during term time, 1.30– Festival. 2.30pm, £2 per adult/child + 50p for each additional child. Song, music and storytelling session for preThe Sophie Bancroft Band, Fri 30 Oct, school children and their parents or carers. 8pm, £8/£6. From a family of celebrated jazz musicians, singer-songwriter Sophie Bancroft seamlessly blends her jazz influence with a broad but discerning swathe of contemporary folk styles. Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Morris Movement, every Monday during term time, 4-5pm, £3. A series of classes designed to develop creativity and wellbeing. Workshops with the Sophie Bancroft Band, Sat 31 Oct, 10am–12noon, £4. The Sophie Bancroft Band will be hosting The Reading Cure, monthly meeting, please three music workshops: Vocals Workshop, Fiddle and Melody call to confirm dates, 11.15am – 1.15pm, free. Instruments and Rhythm Section. Come and connect with yourself and others through the shared reading of some of the best Exhibition : Phil MacMenemy, from Sun 1 to books and poems ever written. Wed 25 Nov, CatStrand opening hours. Storytelling Café, 1st Thursday of every AiM – Africa in Motion Film Festival, Thurs month, 7.30pm. Cakes and coffee will be 5 & Fri 6 Nov, screening times tbc, Festival available and audience participation will be ticket £5 for all films: The Law (Tilai), Teresa encouraged! Donations on the door. Prata, The Yellow House (La Maison Jaune), Children’s Animation package. For a full programme, contact The Songwriting Workshops with Nicola Black, Thursdays, 1 and 8 October, 7-9pm, free. This CatStrand. workshop programme will run over a three week Chris Stout and Catriona McKay, Sat 7 Nov, period and the songs created will be recorded and 8pm, £10/£8. Shetland born Chris (fiddle and viola) made into a CD. is hailed as one of Scotland’s leading fiddlers and Saturday Art Club, 2nd Saturday of every month, Catriona McKay is unquestionably one of Scotland’s 10am–12noon , £4. These two-hour workshops offer most talented harp players. expert tuition and hands-on experience across a range of fun-filled visual arts and crafts activities. (Ages 5-12). Visible Fictions Theatre Co: The Curse of the Demeter, Mon 9 Nov, 8pm, £5 (£3 under 18s). A spine tingling journey of suspense, suspicion and spooky sightings. Eat @ CatStrand Des Clark – Live! Sat 14 Nov, 8pm, £10/£8. Des Clarke is an award winning Scottish stand-up comedian heard daily across the country as host of the Galaxy FM Breakfast Show. LUNCHES - Mon to Fri, 11am-2pm NEW! - ‘Soup & Sweet’ lunches only £4.95, Wednesday & Friday (includes a cup of tea or coffee) Glenkens Gazette page 7 The CatStrand: News & Events Community Events / Classes Exercise to Music, Mon, 10-11am, £4/£3. Circuit Training, Mon, 7.45 - 8.45pm, £24/£18 per 6 week block. Teen Spirit, Tues during term time, 7.309.30pm. Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thurs, 10-11.15am, £30 per 6 week block. Taking the First Step in Computing, Wed 5.30pm-7.30pm. Taking the Next Step in Computing, Mon, 5.30–7.30pm. Afternoon Tea Club, 2nd Fri each month, 2pm, annual membership £2. Minibus pick up from Balmaclellan & Dalry by prior arrangement - call 01644 420374. IT Courses Castle Douglas IT Centre is pleased to announce another run of computer classes at The CatStrand, scheduled to run for six weeks, starting after the October holidays. See above for details. Fruit and Apple Day At The CatStrand on 21st October at 2pm children of the Glenkens will be planting an apple tree, a plum tree and some blueberry bushes to celebrate Fruit and Apple Day. There will be fruit themed games, apple cake and freshly squeezed fruit juice to drink. The Orchard and Wild Harvest Project managed by Jools Cox for South West Community Woodlands Trust are putting on the event with The CatSrand, and would like everyone to celebrate Apple Day by eating local fruit in season and encouraging children and adults to plant fruit and nut trees in the region. This planting is one of many that will be happening across the region this autumn and spring but more trees need to be planted to provide local fruit for ourselves and wildlife. If anyone knows of a piece of land, community playground or schools ground that would be enhanced by planting a few fruit trees please let us know. The cost of the fruit trees is by public donation. The donor recieves a certificate of planting that may be be given as a gift for a special occasion or as a memorial. Christmas is coming, why not give a fruit tree to a local project as a Christmas present! To follow the progress of the project or for more information see www.swcwt.org and click on Orchard Project or ring Jools Cox 01556 503649. Elderly Persons’ Conference The elderly persons’ conference at The Catstrand was a really interesting event. WRVS gave an interesting talk regarding the services that they provide. Along side the meals on wheels, they also offer a frozen dinner service where you can order 2 weeks of meals which will be delivered to your door, and even put away in your freezer. The Food Train also were present with information on their food/shopping delivery service. Alex Cook from the over 65 team, explained how care packages are set up and assessed. The assessment involves looking at the needs of the individual as well as the carer. He outlined the services available within the Stewartry for continued independent living as well as care homes. It was noted that there was a lack of care home provision within the Glenkens and that this has an impact on the elderly people who end up being moved elsewhere. Ian Steele gave an amusing and lively talk on the importance of making wills and power of attorney, stressing the need to do both before loosing ones marbles! Lyn Irvine (Arthritis Care) gave a very personal and moving account of how she first became involved with Arthritis Care and the support and guidance she received. She talked about learning how to manage the pain and the impact that this has had on her life. She will be running a training session on Challenging Pain on Tuesdays 16 and 23 February. Marion Glover from Dumfries and Galloway NHS, had a fascinating display of the gadgets that are now available to help people continue to stay in their own homes. Marion focussed on the amazing Telecare service which provides 24/7 assistance at the end of a phone. People who are vulnerable to slips and falls, or forgetfulness can hire a range of gadgets such as sensors in the bathroom to detect over running sinks/baths, bed sensors which can detect if some one has got out of bed and then not returned to bed, signals are then sent by wifi to a call centre who will then phone the person and check whether they need assistance. If no one answers, a call is placed to their personal emergency contact - a neighbour, friend or family member who has access to the house and who will then check if everything is ok. The beauty of the system is that it enables people to stay independent for longer with a greater degree of safety. It also means that carers can safely go to the shops or visit friends with the knowledge that they will be alerted if there are any problems. Care Call is not restricted to the elderly and could be used for people with disabilities. Equipment can also be purchased to be used independently. If anyone would like to know more about the services you can view all of the equipment on offer at www.dumgal.gov.uk and then select services and then Care Call. Otherwise the contact number is 01387 702648. The Catstrand have a reference copy of the handbook so please pop in a take a look. THE BUS : GLENKENS TRANSPORT INITIATIVE ‘NEW’ BUS WELCOMED BACK AND AVAILABLE FOR USE: The Mini bus has now been fully refurbished with new upholstery and logos and restored paintwork , which together with a new clutch makes it a lovely vehicle to drive and be transported in – don’t forget with xmas coming up it could be the answer to your transport needs at that time of the year! The most recent trip to the Lake District was an excellent day out in perfect weather – the mountains being clear and the views extensive whilst the bus climbed Honister Pass (1200 ft above sea level) with ease – a suggestion to fill the bus with Lakeland Slate from the quarry there was thankfully ignored! TRIPS LEADING UP TO XMAS: These will often be to two different venues on the same day – allowing some people to go shopping and others to visit a museum etc. The trip to Silverburn and the Burrell collection in October is already proving very popular and other similar trips will be repeated before xmas – watch the local shops, visit The CatStrand or speak to me for details. Any suggestions are always welcome! Keith Cooper, GTI Administrator WEDNESDAY BUS SERVICE (REGD. ROUTE): CONCESSIONARY BUS PASSES ARE ACCEPTED ON THIS ROUTE, SO PLEASE MAKE USE OF THIS EXTRA SERVICE Timings are as follows: 1900 Dept Dalry (Underhill) 1910 New Galloway 1925 Mossdale 1935 Laurieston 1940 Townhead of Greenlaw 1947 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 1950 Arrive Castle Douglas (Tesco) The return journey : 2045 Departs Castle Douglas (Tesco) 2047 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 2052 Townhead of Greenlaw 2100 Laurieston 2110 Mossdale 2125 New Galloway 2135 Arrive Dalry IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK THE COMMUNITY-BUS OR IF YOU WANT ANY MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT KEITH COOPER, GTI ADMINISTRATOR ON 01644 420374. For further info & to buy tickets visit www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420 374 Glenkens Gazette page 8 LOCAL HISTORY Galloway’s American Colony In this year of Homecoming few are aware that Scotland’s earliest colonial expedition set out from Kirkcudbright in 1622 Even fewer know that the scheme was master-minded by Glenkens luminary, Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar, based at Kenmure Castle. If he had realised his dream, Cape Breton in Nova Scotia would now be known as New Galloway Gordon was a glorious enigma, described as a man of robust physical and mental strength who would have been conspicuous in any era, a skilled courtier, an accomplished swordsman and one of Galloway’s finest sons. Locally however he was known as a hell-raiser who was involved in several feuds. In 1620 he was in debt to the tune of £100,000. He was accused of seizure of property, of several slaughters and murders, of organising illegal convocations, of oppressively seizing ships and, for good measure, of arson, abduction and adultery. He killed his own servant, a Gordon kinsman, for allegedly having an affair with his wife whom Sir Robert wished to discredit in order to divorce her. On one occasion his own mother sought protection against his violence. He was, in short, the perfect man to embark upon a colonial project! Three ships were sent to Kirkcudbright in May 1622 in order that, ‘the business might begin from that kingdom which it did concern’ but the participants displayed little of the flair and enterprise for which Scots later became so famous. Gordon himself was nowhere to be seen; the Galwegians were reluctant to embark; locally the price of victuals had tripled. The ships did not arrive off the coast of Nova Scotia until mid-September when they were forced to winter in St John’s, Newfoundland. After further setbacks they eventually, in the summer of 1623, discovered the joys of Cape Breton: abundant flowers and berries wheat, barley and rye growing wild, as well as plentiful supplies of timber, fish, fowl and game. The visit, however, represented the highpoint and the expedition was effectively over. In stunning contrast to his well-attested ruffian-like behaviour, was Encouragements For such as shall have intention to bee Undertakers in the new plantation of Cape Briton, now New Galloway in America, by Mee Lochinvar (1625), which is, quite simply, a masterpiece of the literature of colonisation. Conventionally, he noted conversion of the heathen as one of the main motives for plantation, but he then went on to anticipate the key justifications for emigration which would be reiterated ad nauseam by future generations, namely enlargement of the dominions - in this case specifically Scottish - national and personal enrichment, the bridling of sedition at home, and to ‘settle security against enemies abroad’. Other motives included glory, adventure and the conferment of great benefit upon his fellow human beings. We are not born to our selves: but to help others, and our abilities and means are not so much unlike at the first hour of our birth, and the last minute of our death: and it is our deeds good or bad that all of us have to carry to Heaven or Hell after this life. Gordon considered the highest calling of any person to be the acquisition of territory for the mother country, condemning the feebleness of those who were content to pursue unadventurous and impecunious existences, thus disgracing the memories of their heroic and patriotic ancestors. He highlighted the classless nature of emigration by pointing out that in recently colonised Ireland gentlemen had become peers, and artisans gentlemen, but he was particularly interested in encouraging people of his own class to become involved, in order that they might escape prodigality, lack of preferment, and the universal distress occasioned by debt. They should become more like the Italians who were not afraid to dirty their hands on trade. That his scheme was a failure was no disgrace since many early colonial ventures were no more successful but his enterprise only two years after the Mayflower left English shores should be better known. In 1626 he was created Vice-Admiral of the Southwest Coast of Scotland and Lieutenant-General of Charles Island in America. It was a far cry from Loch Ken but he was given permission by Charles I to send two ships south of the equator in order to claim his American lands. Sadly death intervened to foil the ambitions of this Galloway imperialist. Ted Cowan WALKING THE TALK ON WOODHEAD LEAD MINES The weather threatened to take a turn for the worse, but the rain managed to hold off nicely for the first Sunday afternoon in August when two dozen walkers set out from Carsphairn Heritage Centre to visit the old Woodhead lead mines above the village. Accompanying the walkers was local archivist Anna Campbell who talked about the history of the area all along the way up to, and including, the disused workings of the mine which operated from 1838 to 1873. Over the 35-year period, output from the mine totalled 6712 tonnes of lead with the peak year being in 1842 when 905 tonnes was produced. A thriving community of over 300 people quickly built up, at the centre of which was a school and rows of terraced homes. But then, in the early 1850s, a slump in production came just as quickly and the population dwindled accordingly. Workers and their families moved away, some emigrating. The walk was organised by the Carsphairn Church Social Committee as a social and educational event. As well as a sizeable contingent from the village, those taking part from further afield included visiting couples from Stoke on Trent in the Midlands and Bury in Lancashire, and interested people from Dalbeattie and Castle Douglas whose ancestors had worked at the mines. At the end of the four-hour walk, social committee treasurer Margaret Sloan proposed a vote of thanks to Anna for her enjoyable and fascinating insight into life in the area over 150 years ago. Pensions – Savings – Investments Retirement & Inheritance Tax Planning Life Assurance – Protection – Mortgages For advice on any of the above, or to review your existing arrangements, contact your local adviser: Brian J. Edgar DipPFS Area Office: Tannoch, Newton Stewart Road, New Galloway DG7 3RT Tel. 01644 420288 or 07808 322421 Central Office, 61 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart DG8 6NL Tel 01671 403080 Fax 01671 402549 e-mail - advice@marrfinancial.co.uk web - www.marrfinancial.co.uk Surrounded by the old lead mine workings, Anna Campbell (wearing the checked trousers) talks to the walkers about life in the area over 150 years ago. Marr Financial Services is an Appointed Representative of Sesame Ltd YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE Glenkens Gazette page 9 The Glenkens Society Flower Show The Flower Show was held in Dalry Town Hall on 22nd August. In spite of the wet weather over much of the summer, the entries were of a very high standard, although there were fewer exhibits than previously in the children’s section. As well as the vegetables and flowers, the produce and handicraft sections were also well represented. Ronnie Bradford presented the Trophies. Trophy winners were as follows: Edgar Trophy - David Grieve, Challenge Cup - David Grieve, James Lockerbie Cup - David Grieve, George McAdam Trophy - David Grieve, Barlae Trophy - David Grieve, Courthill Trophy - James Findlay, Kirker Cup - David Grieve, Shiel Cup - Ros Hardman, Maud Wright Trophy - Moira Jones, MacKenzie Trophy - Jean McDowall, Bone Trophy - Susan Currie, General Holden Trophy - Paul Goodwin, Kathleen Urquhart Trophy - Shona McLean, Mary Jane Trophy - Jean Maltman, Jubilee Trophy - Lewis Winder. The Glenkens Show Saturday 15th August got off to a wet start. The horse events had to be cancelled because of the weather – they may be held later in the year as it was a shame not to have them – and it was too wet for lorries to go into the field so stock had to be unloaded by the gate. At one point organisers weren’t sure if it could go on, but luckily it went ahead as it turned out to be busier than expected considering the conditions. It was the first year of the poultry show, which went well. Around £400 was made on the gate, the afternoon being busiest. The raffle and stock judging competition also did well, bringing in around £250 between them. All in all over 100 people came along – it might have been wet but it was good to see local people supporting the event regardless of the weather, although I suppose we’re used to a bit of rain! Rosie Mair is retiring as secretary, after over 10 years of successful shows, so the show is looking for a replacement secretary. The position is voluntary and anyone wishing to know more about the post should contact Rosie on 01644450223 (the AGM to elect new committee members is to be held in January). John Houston with his ‘Buff Rock Bantam’, overall winner of the poultry show. The Scottish Alternative Games 2009 A large crowd gathered in Scotland’s smallest Royal Burgh for the with a ‘fly past’ from a Red Kite! Luckily he stayed away from the unique event that is The Scottish Alternative Games. Proceedings Archery stand! Many visitors expressed how much they had enjoyed were officially opened in the traditional way by The Buccleuch & the day and praised ‘the great family atmosphere’, ‘the strong Queensberry Caledonia Pipe Band marching into the arena at 2pm community spirit’ and ‘the absolutely unique old-fashioned mixture to give a rousing musical welcome to the gathering spectators and of events and stalls’. Some families on their first visit pledged to come competitors. back next year and others are already regular visitors, like the Jackson As many of the games might seem a little unusual to many of Family from Suffolk who have already chalked up their eleventh the visitors, the first task was to demonstrate the four main arena consecutive year competing at the Games. events. A few Alternative Games ‘veterans’ had volunteered for this This year, the profits from the Games will support MacMillan task and ably demonstrated the technique involved in Tossin’ the Cancer Support, the Maximum Attack Leukaemia Appeal & New Sheaf, Hurlin’ the Curlin’ Stane, the Tractor Pull and the Gird n’ Galloway Fire Cadets who willingly helped with stewarding and Cleek. This helped to make everything seem really easy and resulted gate keeping on the day. in plenty of volunteers to take part in the games throughout the Below are pictures of the ladies’ gird ‘n’ cleek event on the left, afternoon. and on the right the champions of the day; Hannah McKenna, The whole day was considered a great success and was even graced Alexander McKenna and Jayde Devlin. DAVID CLARKE R.H.A.D. Local Registered Hearing Aid Dispenser Sales and service of all leading makes of hearing aids. Over 15 Years of Experience in Dumfries and Galloway Supplier of Sporting Ear Defenders Tel: 01228 530780 Mob: 07946 062451 N. C. Tree Surgery Fully Qualified & Insured All aspects of tree surgery undertaken N Cawthorn Tel: 01644 420603 Mob: 07917 770867 Glenkens Gazette page 10 ALEX FERGUSSON MSP FOR GALLOWAY AND UPPER NITHSDALE Holds regular advice surgeries at: 2 St ANDREW STREET, CASTLE DOUGLAS on the second Friday of every month from 5pm Telephone free on 0800 028 7260 for an appointment or to make any alternative arrangement’ You can visit Alex’s website at www.alexfergusson.org.uk or contact him by e-mail at alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk �� Hotel Health is True Wealth �� You could be suffering from a condition that may be improved by a nutritional consultation. Often a change in diet works well alongside your doctor’s health advice. Lorna has been working with patients for over 15 years now and has seen some great health improvements due to changing what we eat. “You have transformed my life - ill for 42 years, better in three days - thank you!” says Hilary Hawkins, Gatehouse of Fleet �� Some of the problems Lorna has seen responding well to dietary changes include: �� Digestive problems including bloating, cramps, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhoea etc; arthritis; skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rashes; tiredness and anxiety; weight issues; hormonal and menopausal problems; men’s health problems; childrens’ health issues, eg. hyperactivity, frequent coughs and colds Consultations from £35 (minimum one hour) If you feel that a nutritional consultation could help you, please contact Lorna to discuss your issues on 01644 470218 or lorna@foods4life.co.uk To find out more visit www.foods4life.co.uk Glenkens Gazette Health Tips: by Nutritionist & Dietician Lorna Willock FIVE ‘FOODIE’ FACTS: 1. Avoid foods with a lot of chemicals in them – I have a personal hatred of what I call ‘chemical’ ice-cream; the ‘whippy’ type, often served with strange flavours such as ‘bubblegum’. These foods are being marketed to our children and contain lots of additives harmful to small bodies. 2. When you see the words ‘low fat’ this usually means higher carbohydrate - not necessarily lower calorie - which does not make us healthier. The extra carbohydrates put a strain on the pancreas which balances our blood sugar levels. 3. The artificial sweetener aspartame has been linked with numerous health problems, such as headaches. Cut back on sugar and sugary foods – it just takes a little perseverance. 4. White bread is a ‘low nutrition’ food. If you don’t like wholemeal bread then try oatcakes - the ‘white stuff’ depletes our B vitamins which supply energy. 5. Cut back on frying as a method of cooking – steam, roast, stew, grill, boil. If you are occasionally frying then shallow fry in olive oil. Sunflower oil is not a safe option as polyunsaturated oils should never be heated. Remember the food industry, in general, is not responsible for looking after our health – we are! They may be only interested in maximising profits. This is often to the detriment of our health… on saying that, there are plenty of responsible companies around. For further information visit www.foods4life.co.uk or email lorna@foods4life.co.uk FHB Fencing page 11 NEW WORKSHOPS GIVE GLENKENS BUSINESSES A BOOST Following the success of the events programme across Dumfries & Galloway, Business Gateway is launching its first series of workshops in the Glenkens to help local businesses combat the recession. Workshops will be held at The CatStrand, New Galloway, and the programme will include: • Marketing & Market Research - Thursday 15th October. This workshop will help you to understand your competitors, identify your customers and understand the things you need to consider for effective marketing. • Resource Planning & Management - Tuesday 20th October. This workshop will help you to manage the various issues and understand the different legal structures of a business. To find out more about these events, or how Business Gateway can help your business, visit www.bgateway.com or contact your local office on 0844 875 0161, or call The CatStrand on 01644 420374. The Cross Keys Hotel New Galloway Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents ( 01556 503744 ( www.ggblaw.co.uk OFFICES IN : CASTLE DOUGLAS, DALBEATTIE KIRKCUDBRIGHT & DUMFRIES 10 en suite bedrooms, traditional bar, excellent restaurant, quiz nights, antique and collectibles markets Tel: 01644 420 494 enquiries@thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk www.thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk KENBRIDGE HOTEL New Galloway Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) A McQuaker Landscapes est. 1992 garden groundwork, fencing, drainage, rotovating, treework & all associated tasks Tel: 01644 440 627 New Galloway Open 7 Days : Beautiful Riverside Location Golf Club M E A L S S E RV E D 12.00 - 2.00pm, 5.30 - 8.30pm www.nggc.co.uk TRADITIONAL LOG FIRE bed and breakfast en suite accommodation ( 01644 420 211 ( mail@kenbridgehotel.co.uk www.kenbridgehotel.co.uk W BONE WHB JEEPS THE GARAGE, DALRY PETROL & DIESEL SALES SERVICE & REPAIRS MOTs, TYRES, BATTERIES ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES OPEN 8.30AM - 6.00PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY Tel: 01644 430208 Fax: 01644 430669 email: jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Founded 1902 v 01644 420737 v Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME 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 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Crimestoppers: 0845 555 111 ● Well Driven Scheme (to report dangerously driven HGV’s): 0800 225533 TIMES OF WORSHIP IN THE GLENKENS CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sundays Balmaclellan 12noon 1st Carsphairn 10.30am 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Dalry 12noon 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th(Nov) Kells 10.30am 2nd(Oct) 3rd 4th Special Services and Events 3rd Oct, 10am-12noon: Coffee Morning for Abbas Rest Orphans, Dalry Town Hall 4th Oct, 10.30am: Harvest Thanksgiving Service in Carsphairn Church, followed by Harvest Lunch in Lagwyne Hall 25th Oct, 6.30pm: Glenkens Church Choir 10th Anniversary Concert, Carsphairn Church 9th Nov, 11am: Ceremonies at New Galloway and Balmaclellan War Memorials, followed by Remembrance Service at St Margaret’s Scottish Episcopal Church 27th Nov, 7.30am: Concert with Gallovidians, Dalry Town Hall 29th Nov, 10.30am: United Service with Glenkens Church Choir in Dalry Church Communion Services: 25th Oct, 12noon, Dalry Church 1st Nov, 12noon, Balmaclellan Church 15th Nov, 10.15am, Carsphairn Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH (C of E) St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion - 10.30am every Sun & Wed CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES Gatehouse of Fleet: Sat, 6pm Kirkcudbright: Sun, 9.30am Dalbeattie: Sun, 11am St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Castle Douglas, is now closed. page 12 GLENKENS DIARY FOR ALL EVENTS OCTOBER Players, 7pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Thurs 1 & 8, Songwriting Workshops with Nicola Sat 28, Iceandfire Theatre; Rendition Monologues, Black, 7-9pm, Free 8pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 3, Coffee Morning for Abbas Rest Orphans, REGULAR EVENTS: 10am-12noon, Dalry Town Hall Glenkens Ramblers, Mondays 1.30pm, Bank of Sat 3, Mossdale Music – songs & music from the Scotland, Dalry 30’s & 40’s, see p2 Scouts: Mon, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut From Sun 4 to Thurs 29, Exhibition: Suzanne Mother & Toddlers Group: Tues 9.45-11.15am, Stuart Davies & Malcolm Davies; Art in the Scottish New Galloway Town Hall Hills, CatStrand opening hours, The CatStrand, Beavers: Tues, 6.30–7.45pm, New New Galloway Galloway Scout Hut Mon 5, Mental Health Awareness Week exhibition, 11am-3pm, The CatStrand, New Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Galloway Glenkens Walking Group, meet Wed 1.30pm Sat 10, Nicola Black; Album Launch, 8pm, The outside Bank of Scotland, Dalry. CatStrand, New Galloway Lions Club monthly quiz, alternating between The Wed 14, Film: Bolt, 2pm, The CatStrand, New CatStrand & Lochinvar Hotel. For further info Galloway contact Andrew Frew on 420 323. Wed 21, 2pm, Fruit & Apple Day, The CatStrand, The CatStrand, New Galloway (see p7) New Galloway Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Thurs 22, Rowan Tree Theatre Company presents; Play it by Ear: every Mon during term time, 1.30The Ragged Lion by Allan Massie, 7.30pm, The 2.30pm CatStrand, New Galloway Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Morris Sat 24, Emily Smith & Jamie McClennan; Adown Movement: every Mon during term time, 4-5pm Winding Nith, 8pm, The CatStrand, New (ages 8-12) Galloway Circuit Training: every Mon, 7.45-8.45pm Mon 26, Kells Community Council meeting, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Taking the Next Step in Computing: Mon, 5.30– Wed 28, Film: In The Loop, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, 7.30pm New Galloway The Reading Cure, Tuesdays, 11.15am–1.15pm, Free Thurs 29, Scottish International Storytelling Festival; Rangimoana Taylor, 7.30pm, The Teen Spirit: Tues, 7.30-9.30pm CatStrand, New Galloway Wednesdays, Glenkens Walking Group, 2pm, Fri 30, The Sophie Bancroft Band, 8pm, The outside Bank of Scotland, Dalry CatStrand, New Galloway Taking the First Step in Computing: Wed, 5.30Sat 31, Workshops with the Sophie Bancroft Band, 7.30pm 10am–12noon, The CatStrand, New Galloway Stewartry Camera Club, 7.30 pm, The Tolbooth, NOVEMBER Kirkcudbright From Sun 1 to Wed 25, Exhibition: Phil Catstrand Youth Players meet weekly, 3-5pm MacMenemy, CatStrand opening hours, The Yoga: Thurs 10-11.15am CatStrand, New Galloway Afternoon Tea Club: 2nd Fri each month, 2pm Thurs 5 & Fri 6, AiM – Africa in Motion Film Festival, Screening times tbc, The CatStrand, New Saturday Art Club, 2nd Sat each month, 10am– 12noon Galloway Sat 7, Chris Stout and Catriona McKay, 8pm, The Glenkens Youth Choir, Sun, 5-6pm CatStrand, New Galloway CatStrand Playstation Tournaments: contact The CatStrand for info. Mon 9, Visible Fictions Theatre Co; The Curse of the Demeter, 8pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Dalry Community Centre Mon 9, Kells Community Council meeting, 7.30pm, (for info or to book contact Sarah on 430 393) New Galloway Town Hall Glenkens Playgroup: Mon-Fri, 9.15-11.45am Sat 14, Des Clark – Live!, 8pm, The CatStrand, Paint & Art: Mon 1.30-4.30pm New Galloway Ballroom & Latin Dance: Mon - Beginners 7.30Wed 18 & 25 Nov and 2 & 9 Dec, Galloway 8.15pm, Improvers 8.15-9pm, Improvers 9Gatherings: Enlightenment and Environment 9.45pm Four weekly meetings , 2-4pm, The CatStrand, Good Neighbours Club: Tues 2pm New Galloway Kickback Martial Arts: Tues & Thurs 7-9pm, adults Sat 21, Malinky, 8pm, The CatStrand, New welcome Galloway Glenkens Mother & Toddlers: Wed 1.30-3pm Wed 25, Film: The Rocket Post, 7.30pm, The Craft Class: Thurs 2-4pm CatStrand, New Galloway Brownies: Wed 5.30-6.45pm From Sat 28, Exhibition: Willow, Canvas & Clay with Lizzie Farey, Bea Last and Hannah McAndrew Guides:Wed 5.30-7pm CatStrand opening hours, The CatStrand, New Drama Club: for further info contact Brian Edgar Galloway on 420 288 Thurs 27, Glenkens ‘73 Club & Catstrand Youth WRITE FOR THE GAZETTE! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... If you have a submission, contact Sarah on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk DEC/JAN COPY DEADLINE: Wed 11 Nov PROJECT PART-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION Europe and Scotland Making it work together 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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Text Any textual data included in the document December 2009/January 2010 ISSUE 55 www.glenkensgazette.com Gordon’s Cycle Challenge Gordon Mills, from the Lochinvar Hotel in Dalry, recently completed the ‘LEJOG’ 2009 – Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle challenge to raise money for cancer research. The journey commenced on 3rd October, with Gordon and fellow cyclist Glen Rossell raring to go. Although it was a long stint, it sounds like a great time was had, with 975 miles covered in 11 days. Gordon says: “Great trip - all completed with only two punctures! Stops along the way included Bodmin, Tiverton, Pill, Ambleside and St John’s Town of Dalry, to name but a few. The stint from Ambleside to Dalry, 117 miles in the rain, was particularly gruelling. Glad it’s finished and I can truly say I am not missing the Lycra! “A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me and cancer research – your kindness was very motivational. And remember, you can still donate over the coming months – check out my web page for details.” If anyone would like to make a sponsorship/donation to cancer research or read more about the journey, they can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/ gmills or following the link from the Lochinvar Hotel website (www.lochinvarhotel.co.uk). Once you donate, JustGiving will send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So dig deep and donate now for Gordon’s fundraising cycle challenge! Dark Skies for Galloway Forest Park IN THIS ISSUE... The 75,000 hectares of the Galloway Forest Park, which includes a large area of Photograph of Perseus from Craigencallie, Clatteringshaws, by James Hilder our Glenkens, has another feather to add to its cap - it is the first Dark Skies Park in the UK, and the first outside of the United States. The largest forest park in the UK, the Galloway Forest Park is home to the 7Stanes mountain bike trail, and parts of the Southern Upland Way. It has great fishing, canoeing and hill-walking as well as spectacular scenery and wildlife, and now with its Dark Skies status, its appeal doesn’t even diminish after dark. The Dark Sky Association set up these awards with the aim of informing on the effects of light pollution, conserving energy and being aware of and looking after nature. The rural location and lack of light pollution in our area creates an environment dark enough to study the skies in all their grandeur. Less than 10% of the UK population can see the full beauty of the night sky, but here in the Glenkens, we can see over 1000 stars including our own Galaxy, the Milky Way. The Sky Quality Meter Scale (0-25) measures the park’s skies between 2123.6, near to total darkness, giving it Gold Tier Status - the highest achievable. The Forestry Commission website suggests many places within the park where telescopes can be set up and includes Clatteringshaws Visitors Centre car park and the Galloway Red Deer range car park. by Sara McNeill ...continued on p3 2 - Local Artist: Carol Taylor, Noticeboard 3 - Community Council News, Dark Skies story cont. 5 - School Report, Club Corner, Youth Update 6 - CatStrand Events 7 - CatStrand Community News, The Bus (GTI) 8 - Local History: The Identity of the Glenkens, 9 - Choir 10th Anniversary, What’s Happening to Our Communities, Glenkens Show Horse & Pony Section 11- Health Tips, Fire Safety 12- Church Times, Glenkens Diary of Events Glenkens Gazette page 2 Local Artist: Carol Taylor Childhood Memories by Carol Taylor… I was born in Dumfries in 1957 and grew up in the beautiful wee village of St Johns Town of Dalry. I was a pupil at Dalry primary and secondary school until the age of 16 when I had to attend Kirkcudbright Academy for one year to study for my Highers. I left the area when I was 17 to become an art student at the Edinburgh College of Art where I studied sculpture for five years. I miss the rolling hills of Galloway and visit my parents and the area regularly. Life as a child and teenager in Dalry had a profound impact on me as an artist. I met the artist Kim Redpath (the painter Anne Redpath’s nephew) when I was 8 years old. His home and studio were 3 miles away in Balmaclellan where I spent many weekends learning to draw and paint. He was my art teacher at Dalry School and we have remained friends for the past 44 years. Kim was my mentor, a real inspiration, and still is today at 83 years of age and he is still painting! My Dad was the village policeman and my Mum was the assistant cook at school. We didn’t have a butcher in Dalry so my Dad fished the rivers for salmon and trout; he went shooting so that we could eat meat. Game was our staple diet along with a fantastic range of vegetables from my Dad’s large organic garden. We had a very rural, rustic upbringing close to nature and the hills, lochs and the river Ken. My Dad loved nature, gardening and photography. I decided when I was 9 years old that I would go to art school and become an artist. I spent my childhood in Galloway drawing and painting everything around me and realise now that I was inextricably linked into nature. I currently live and work in my studio situated in my garden in a beautiful rural location in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. I am currently involved in collaborations with scientists who “explore and explain the world of plants” (RBGE). I feel it is vital to explore ways in which artists, scientists and community can work together to combat pollution and raise awareness about sustainability and other environmental issues. You can see and also buy Carol’s work at The CatStrand, New Galloway; Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries; The Tolbooth, Kirkcudbright and Thomas Tosh in Thornhill, or visit her website at www.castaylor.com Noticeboard Coffee Morning Success Abbas Rest Orphans Coffee Morning on 3rd October in Dalry raised a total of £787.29. Many thanks to all the generous people, too many to mention by name, who helped to make this such a wonderful success. Your help was very much appreciated. Jean, Avril & Barbara Show Secretary Wanted As was mentioned in the last issue of the Gazette, the current Glenkens Show Secretary, Rosie Mair, is retiring after over 10 years of successful shows, and they are looking for an enthusiastic volunteer to take her place. For further info, please call Rosie on 01644 450 223 Static Caravan for Sale 30‛ x 12‛ 3 bedroom woodburning stove venetian blinds very good condition Call 07962 406 985 Carols by Candlelight with Glenkens Church Choir Sun 13th December at 6pm in Dalry Church Reminder for Balmaclellan ‘Senior Citizens‛ Christmas Lunch on 17th December Have you had your invitation yet? No? Then phone 01644 420 686 to ensure a place. What Will Happen to the GTI Bus? Dumfries & Galloway Council are preparing their budget for next year and apparently this will involve wholesale cuts. There is a possibility that funding for transport initiatives such as the Glenkens Transport Initiative (GTI) will cease. The minibus was originally funded by the Scottish Executive, but responsibility for this was handed over to the D & G Council over 12 months ago. See p7 for more... Glenkens Gazette page 3 The Royal Burgh of New Galloway & Kells Community Council Election of Councillors October 2009 - there being no poll, ten candidates remain validly nominated for the Community Council. Continuing councillors being Margaret Sainsbury (Chairperson), Maybelle Thomson (Vice Chair), John McGaw (Treasurer), Brian Edgar, Andrew Frew, Vic McIntosh and Jimmy McKenna. Three new councillors are Chris Newman (Secretary), John Boyd and John Thom. The popular annual Alternative Games (held in August) brought in gate money of £2,010.00 plus donations from stallholders etc. With most of the expenses now accounted for, the dispersal of funds will be discussed at the next meeting of the Community Council on 7th December 2009. A number of maintenance issues reported to Dumfries & Galloway Council have been dealt with satisfactorily, others await confirmation or completion. A further issue being dealt with by the Community Council is the possible provision of a bus shelter at Achie Bridge bus stop at the lower car park, to serve the residents of Carsons Knowe area. Arrangements for the Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch to be held on Sunday 13th December 2009 are progressing well. Balmaclellan Community Council open meeting regarding this. On a different note, the local Access Officer is to be invited to attend the January meeting. Carsphairn Community Council Regarding the Core Paths, although the council is obliged to prepare a Core Path Network, they are not legally obliged to implement it. There is no budget for maintenance of the proposed core paths. The condition of the bollards on traffic islands at both ends of the village are a matter for ongoing concern. There is still no lamp on the island at the North end and the southernmost bollards and lamp were demolished in a recent accident - the traffic islands do not seem to serve their purpose in slowing down traffic and in their present condition they present a hazard and seem to cause accidents. This issue will again be brought to the attention of Charles Clemie. The Carsphairn community website is progressing – a site has been established and work is ongoing. The Duchrae planning application is being looked into and it was agreed that the CC would write again to express concern on increased traffic through village and general detrimental effect on roads surfaces. An out of court agreement was reached between Knockengorroch Community Interest Company and Scottish Power which prevented Scottish Power from restricting vehicular access to festival-goers which allowed the September event to go ahead. KCIC is currently in negotiation with SP over access to secure the future of these community events. It has been established that we now have a Cashless Payphone in Carsphairn. A BT card is needed and these are available in shops. The chairman will find out if they are available in Carrick’s. It should also be possible to use a credit card, but at the moment it doesn’t appear to accept them! Instructions displayed in the box are not clear and some are irrelevant or out of date. The Shop and Heritage Centre are willing to take leaflet and bags for dog fouling. A letter to village dog-owners and holiday houses is still to be composed. Neil Dyson confirmed for November meeting regarding timber transportation – the format for the meeting and invitations to other CCs was deferred to the next meeting. The Returning Officer described procedure at this first meeting and shared sources of guidance and information for Community Councils, including the code of conduct, constitution and guidelines. Introductions were made, with members of the new council being Chris Bird as Chairperson, Clive Brayshaw as Vice-Chairperson, June Hay as Secretary and Jane Brayshaw as Treasurer. The date and time of subsequent meetings were confirmed as usually being the last Monday of the month. Christmas Lunch will be on the 17th December at the Ken Bridge with 50% cost paid by council (tbc). It was agreed to attend the Convention of Community Councils. It was agreed that a loan of tables to St Margaret’s Church would be made – a donation would be welcome. Regarding the village hall, there is enthusiasm in the community for the hall to be used more and a need for it to have its own committee. Following discussion, it was decided to hold an Full minutes of local Community Council meetings are available to view at Dalry Library. Dark Skies story continued from front page... The Galloway Forest park is, of course, accessible by foot, bicycle and by horse for the more adventurous, but for those who prefer to drive, our own Raider’s Road (open Friday night till Sunday afternoon) and the Carrick drive (open early April to October) also offer a good view of the night sky. The Forestry Commission, one of the bodies involved in this initiative, is eager to point out that Dark Skies is part of their conservation policy. Energy conservation along with responsible use of exterior lighting not only allows us to see the glory of our night skies, but it also benefits our wildlife who live according to our planet’s cycle of day and night and who can be confused by our electric lit 24 hour lifestyle. They point out that we can all help maintain the glory of night skies with simple measures; turning off exterior lighting when not needed or pointing down exterior spotlights. It all helps. For more information please visit the forestry commission website www.forestry.gov.uk/gallowayforestpark and follow their links, or phone the Recreation Ranger on 01671-402420. For those of you interested in stargazing and learning more about the night skies, the Wigtownshire Astronomical Society aims to promote and advance public education in astronomy. Set up in 1998 the Society, run from the Galloway Forest Observatory, has a full programme of workshops and classes that focuses on encouraging a popular interest in astronomical study and observation. All groups are welcome and they can be contacted on astro@glenamour.com or on 01671404387. Why don’t you get out there and see the stars! GLENKENS SAWMILL Forrest Estate, Dalry - we have taken over the sawmill from Forrest Estate - FENCING SUPPLIES STRAINERS, POSTS, STOBS SAWN TIMBER ALL SIZES BARK FOR ANIMAL BEDDING SOFT WOOD FIRE WOOD * all at good prices * TEL: 01644430121 MOB:07787416460 GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL ( 01644 420234 ( Glenkens Gazette page 4 GLENKENS SCHOOLS REPORT Kells in Action We have now changed the date of our ‘Kells in Action: Open Morning’ - it will now be on Friday, 4th December at 9.15 am Details as given below. We would like to invite any members of the community into school who have a skill they think they could share, or any ideas for how the school could support the community. The open morning is an opportunity for people to watch the classes in action and for everybody to contribute to the direction of the school, ensuring Kells reflects the values of it’s community. Also, we are having a Rag Bag Textile Recycling Scheme pick up from school on Wednesday morning, 9th December, to raise money for school funds. Any unwanted clothing, textiles, shoes, bags, hats, belts, towels, curtains or bed linen in black bags would be gratefully received. These could be brought to school anytime after 8.30 a.m. on 9th December. Our school Christmas production is on Thursday, 10th December, two performances, at 1.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. P1-3 are performing “A present for the baby” and P4-7 will be entertaining the audience with carols. Harvest Assembly: On Friday 2nd October Dalry school held their annual Harvest Assembly. The P1/2/3 pupils and Nursery children led the assembly in front of a lot of friends and family. Everyone contributed a lot of produce for the harvest table and then stayed after the assembly to help share it amongst nearly one hundred bags. The children, with parents and staff, then went out into the community and delivered each bag to one of the Dalry locals. Everyone enjoyed the day and our local residents seemed very pleased with their gifts. Christmas Dates for Dalry There are two musical events taking place in December at Dalry School: Tuesday 8th December at 1.45pm - Good Neighbours Concert combined with primary open afternoon. Tuesday 15th December - combined Dalry Primary and Secondary Christmas Concert - 7pm. In addition, there is a combined Christmas service in Dalry Church for all three local primary schools - Dalry, Kells and Carsphairn - on December 18th at 10am. Dalry School Remembrance Day Assembly The remembrance assembly at Dalry School began with Mr Simpson, the head teacher, giving an introductory talk on the passing of Harry Patch who died this year and was the last British survivor of World War I. The assembly then took a different direction this year. A short talk was given by Paul Goodwin who is the school ICT Technician but also the Regional Volunteer for the War Memorials Trust. He explained the importance of War Memorials as a focus for remembrance and the work the trust does on preserving War Memorials. He went on to give a presentation with slides on Adam Byers who is commemorated on the New Galloway memorial and who was killed in the trenches in 1916. A small murmur went around when the pupils realised that two of them now lived in the house where Adam Byers had left to go to war. At the end of the talk Paul presented the results of the research to the special guests of the day, William Galloway from Twynholm who is the Great Great Nephew of Adam Byers and William’s Grandmother Margaret who actually knew Adam Byers’ sisters and widowed mother. Mr Simpson then asked all those present to stand in turn according to a card each were given as they entered, representing the number of WW1 men listed on each of the four parish memorials in the Glenkens. By the end of which, almost all were standing and everyone was left with a strong impression of the number of men killed. After the two minutes silence, S3 pupil Henry Sainsbury read ‘In Flanders Fields’. Reverend Dr David Bartholomew went on to read from a letter to the bereaved parents of Robert James Clark of Dalry who was also killed in the first World War. The assembly ended with the usual prayer of remembrance. Carsphairn School News The children at Carsphairn Primary school have been busy during November and December preparing artwork and finding facts about Carsphairn for the annual School Calendar Enterprise. Children have been learning about different printing techniques as well as painting and collage for the artwork to be included in the calendar. Dalry Small School Sports On Wednesday 7th October Dalry School held a Small School Sports event. Pupils and teachers from Hardgate, Kells, Carsphairn and Crossmichael Primary Schools came to join us. We played rugby, netball, and rounders, and even though it was really cold, quite a few parents came out to watch us! We all had a fantastic time and hope to make it an annual event. Winning the Quaich Calum, Drife, Elizabeth and Greig; captains of last years’ Dalry School football teams with the John McQueen Quaich awarded to the school for outstanding achievement by Dumfries & Galloway Schools Football Association. Over the last 6 weeks children at Carsphairn have also had visits from two different writers. Shoo Raynor, an author and illustrator visited the school and was able to show the children how he came up with different stories and where his ideas came from for his characters. Another author, Lari Don travelled from Edinburgh to visit the school twice during November, working with the children on improving writing skills and helping them to find ways of writing stories. Watch this space for more about the finished articles! Dalry Pupils & CD Shops Send Out a Happy Christmas! Pupils from Dalry School got a fantastic response from Wilkinson’s store in Castle Douglas when they asked for local shops to support their Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal. First year pupil Hannah Daly wrote to several stores within 25 miles of Dalry. Wilkinson’s responded by sending four trolley loads of goodies! Pens, paints, craft materials and pencil cases were added to what pupils had already collected. Pictured with S1 pupils are assistant manager Peter Butterworth and staff Wendy Makin and Carol Jardine who brought £30 that Wilkinson’s staff had collected. Mr Bannister of Dalry School said: “They gave us so many things we will be able to do so much more than we had hoped to. We need more shoe boxes!” So far, 30 finished boxes will be sent to children in Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Castle Douglas Tesco also contributed a £10 voucher to spend in their store on goods for the appeal. Glenkens Gazette page 5 C L U B C R N E R News from the Stewartry Camera Club Glenkens Strollers: The Glenkens Strollers meet at 2pm each Friday at the top bus stop in Dalry for a slow walk (and brisk conversation) on good roads or tracks, followed by tea/coffee and biscuits. If you would like to join in please contact John or Isobel on 01644 430539. Below: Glenkens Strollers enjoying a cuppa after a walk to Barscobe Castle. O The Stewartry Camera Club’s ‘Open Competition’ was judged by David Symonds, Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society. It was an entertaining evening and David provided lots of constructive criticism to both the beginners and the more experienced members. The wining entry for the competition was by John Houfe, who lives in the Glenkens, with ‘York City Walls’. This was also the best monochrome print. The club meets at 7.30 p.m. on most Wednesdays throughout the winter in The Tolbooth, Kirkcudbright and caters for all photographers from beginners through to professional. For further information contact Mary McIlvenna 01644 420613 or George Wishart 01557 870090. Glenkens Walking Group: 1.30pm every Wednesday outside the Bank of Scotland in Dalry. Glenkens Ramblers: 1.30pm every Monday outside the Bank of Scotland in Dalry. If very wet, please phone a Walk Leader to confirm that the walk will proceed. For further info on either activity contact John & Isobel on 430539, Peter on 420219 or Gerry on 420852. The Glenkens ’73 Club: Apologies for any confusion caused in the last Gazette, but due to the Youth Players originally planning two plays for 26th November it was agreed (just after the last issue went to print) to hold the long awaited staging of ‘Chips with Vinegar’ by Harry Glass until February when it could be performed at The CatStrand as a ‘warm up’ for the Festival. The well known and beautifully written wartime comedy-drama was entered for the Festival back in February but had to be withdrawn at the last minute due to illness. The cast have been doing their best to keep the words ticking over in the meantime and will go into full rehearsal mode after Christmas to fine tune the production ready for staging at The CatStrand in late February, before the Drama Festival which will take place in Lochside Theatre over the last weekend of the month. The club would be delighted to welcome new members at any time as a larger membership would allow more productions to be planned throughout the year. At the moment due to limited numbers and resources the focus is mainly on the annual One Act Play Festival. However, they achieved unprecedented success in 2008 by reaching the West of Scotland Finals with their production of ‘Murphy’s Law’ by Harry Glass winning the National Players Trophy for the best Scottish Play, finishing in fourth place overall and missing out on an appearance at the National Final in Inverness by one point! The members are keen to build on this success and would welcome any new members whether to act or help behind the scenes. If you are interested please contact the Chair, Marie Davie on 430293 or leave your name and contact details at The CatStrand. The club are also planning a Burns Supper in The CatStrand on January 30th with top local speakers and entertainment. Put the date in your diary and look out for further details in due course. Y O U T H The Battle of the Bands - Sat 19 Dec, 7pm It’s the annual CatStrand battle of the bands, where local bands can get together, perform to a live audience and compete for a star prize. To be eligible to take part, band members must be resident in Dumfries & Galloway and be aged between 16 and 26. It’s free to participate, so if you’re interested in registering your band please call The CatStrand on 01644 420374 or email info@catstrand.com. The closing date for registration is Mon 14 Dec. (Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.) CatStrand Youth Players: The Youth Players will proudly present their latest production at The CatStrand on Thursday 26th November. ‘Cinderella, the Sequel’ by Isabella C Rae will be their fifth play in little over a year since the group was formed in September 2008. Unfortunately, the performance of the other play planned for that evening has had to be postponed until a later date due to rehearsals being curtailed by a few casting problems and some members having other commitments. Hopefully though, ‘Spud Ferret and the Case of the Stolen Diamonds’ will take to the stage in January. Plans for the 2010 SCDA Drama Festival will be made after play reading meetings on Sundays 29th November and 6th December. These will be at our normal rehearsal times of 3pm – 5pm and any new members are very welcome to attend these meetings. U P D A T E Well done Glenkens Youth Project! And thank you to every one who kindly donated to the fund. The newly formed Glenkens Youth Project (GYP) spent the October holidays carwashing, collecting donations and doing odd jobs in order to raise the money to buy a 15m x 3m skateboard ramp set. The group (which had set up as a swift response to a recent accident, when a local boy received a serious head injury using his skateboard on the roads) had been given two weeks to find the money needed to buy the ramps and haulage costs . The youngsters managed to raise £830 and the ramps are now being stored in the Glenken’s until a public consultation has been completed and planning permission obtained. The group are working closely with Dumfries and Galloway Council Leisure & Sport and Combined Services Departments, and hope to get the ramps located within the play area GYP Members Oliver and Joseph Barrett-Phillips and Cameron of New Galloway park. Walker with the new ramps. GYP would like to thank St Margaret’s Ladies Guild who were so impressed with the group for raising the money for the ramps and have kindly donated towards installation costs. Also thanks to Niven’s and McWilliam’s Haulage companies and to the Maxwells for their help and assistance. Glenkens Gazette page 6 The CatStrand: News & Events Galloway Gatherings: Enlightenment and afternoon tea. Amanda Herries will be presenting an Environment, Wed 2 & 9 Dec, 2-4pm, £8 per lecture. illustrated talk on the tastes and rituals of tea, from the This session’s CatStrand lectures explore ideas of the extremes of the Japanese tea ceremony to the great British Enlightenment and the Environment. Wed 2; ‘Farm tea-break cuppa. Steadings of Galloway’ with Alison Burgess, Wed 9; ‘The Poetry Workshop with John Hegley, Sat 23 Works of S R Crockett’ with Professor Ted Cowan. Jan, 2–4pm, £10. This workshop promises to be a Exhibition: Willow, Canvas & Clay by Lizzie stimulating & scintilating insight into poetry with Farey, Bea Last and Hannah McAndrew, this spectacular performance poet. from Sat 28 Nov until 30 Jan, CatStrand opening hours. Lizzie Farey will be showing new wall John Hegley: The Adventures of Monsieur Robinet, based willow ‘drawings.’ Bea Last works with the Sat 23 Jan, 7.30pm, £10/£8. Tales about a Frenchman process of addition & subtraction, movement, memory & with some unusual habits, which include burying his dogs’ energy, while evolving a series of paintings concurrently. kennel and his own luggage pieces... Hannah McAndrew’s ceramic work is in red earthenware, Film: The Hurt Locker, Wed 27 Jan, decorated using coloured slips and a rich honey glaze. 7.30pm, £4.50/£3.50. Based on the personal wartime experiences of journalist Mark Robert Burns in England; An Illustrated talk by Boal, director Kathryn Bigelow’s Iraq WarChris Rollie, Wed 2 Dec, 7.30pm, free but ticketed so please set action thriller The Hurt Locker presents the conflict book in advance. Chris Rollie, from Dalry, is a leading in the Middle East from the perspective of those who authority on Robert Burns who has spoken to a wide variety witnessed the fighting firsthand. of audiences all over the UK and overseas. This illustrated talk focuses on Burns’ visits to northern England in 1787. Regular events: Christmas Shopping Evening, Thurs 3 Dec, CatStrand Youth Players, every Sunday during term 5-8pm. Take away the stress of Christmas time, 3-5pm. The Glenkens 73 Club Youth Drama Group shopping and buy all your presents at The will meet on a regular basis on Sunday afternoons - come CatStrand! You can choose from an exclusive along and have some fun. (Ages 10-18). seasonal collection of locally made arts & crafts, gifts & cards at this Christmas shopping event, while enjoying a Play it by Ear, every Monday during term time, 1.30–2.30pm, £2 per adult/child + 50p for each glass of mulled wine and live musical entertainment. additional child. Song, music and storytelling The Feral Choir: Forgotten Carols; Soloist session for pre-school children and their parents Emily Smith, Reader - Tom Pow, researched or carers. & conducted by Ali Burns, Fri 18 Dec, 7.30pm, Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret £8 (including mulled wine and mince pies). Morris Movement, every Monday during This beautiful and atmospheric concert is fast term time, 4-5pm, £3. A series of classes becoming an essential part of Galloway’s winter designed to develop creativity and wellbeing. celebrations. The performance is woven together with readings of contemporary poetry and prose. The soloist this The Reading Cure, monthly meeting, please year will be the award winning Emily Smith and making call to confirm dates, 11.15am – 1.15pm, free. a popular return as this year’s reader, is Dumfries based Come and connect with yourself and others writer, Tom Pow. through the shared reading of some of the Battle of the Bands, Sat 19 Dec, 7pm, £3. best books and poems ever written. It’s the annual CatStrand battle of the bands, Storytelling Café, 1st Thursday of every where local bands can get together, perform to month, 7.30pm. Cakes and coffee will be a live audience and compete for a star prize. available and audience participation will be encouraged! Donations on the door. Film - Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Tues 29 Dec, 2pm, £4.50/£3.50. The Saturday Art Club, 2nd Saturday of every month, adventure continues as Diego, Manny, and 10am–12noon , £4. These two-hour workshops offer Sid all return for another round of prehistoric expert tuition and hands-on experience across a hilarity in the third installment of this popular computer- range of fun-filled visual arts and crafts activities. animated series. (Ages 5-12). Film - Star Trek XI: The Future GCAT AGM: Notice of the 8th Annual General Begins, Wed 30 Dec, 7.30pm, £4.50/ Meeting of the GLENKENS COMMUNITY & ARTS TRUST £3.50. A chronicle of the early days of Limited to be held at 11am on Tuesday 8th December 2009 James T Kirk, Spock and their fellow USS at The CatStrand, New Galloway. To become a member Enterprise crew members during their time at Starfleet of gcat please contact The CatStrand on 01644 420374 or Academy. Puppet State Theatre Co: The Man Who Planted Trees, Sat 9 Jan, 3pm, £3.50. A magical, comical, multi-sensory and award winning adaptation of Jean Giono’s well-loved environmental story; accompanied by his faithful dog, a French shepherd sets out to plant a forest and revive a barren and desolate land. A Talk at Tea Time, Wed 13 Jan, 3pm, £5 including email info@catstrand.com Eat @ CatStrand LUNCHES - Mon to Fri, 11am-2pm NEW! - ‘Soup & Sweet’ lunches only £4.95, Wednesday & Friday (includes a cup of tea or coffee) Glenkens Gazette page 7 The CatStrand: News & Events Community Events / Classes Exercise to Music, Mon, 10-11am, £4/£3. Circuit Training, Mon, 7.45 - 8.45pm, £24/£18 per 6 week block. Teen Spirit, Tues during term time, 7.309.30pm. Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thurs, 10-11.15am, £30 per 6 week block. Taking the First Step in Computing, Wed 5.30pm-7.30pm. Taking the Next Step in Computing, Mon, 5.30–7.30pm. Afternoon Tea Club, 2nd Fri each month, 2pm, annual membership £2. Minibus pick up from Balmaclellan & Dalry by prior arrangement - call 01644 420374. Carers Coffee and Chat Starts Tues 1st Dec, 10am to 12 noon Do you care for someone? Would you like to meet other carers? Keep up to date on the services and support available to you? If so, a new group for carers is starting. Come along for a coffee and a cake - and make it happen. Please call 420374 for more info. Help in Redundancy: Money Made Clear Have you been made redundant? Or going through the redundancy process? If so, then here are some top tips to help you get your finances into shape... Find out how much you will be entitled to. Check out where you can get help with your finances and finding a new job. Take stock of what you have. Plan ahead. After redundancy... Stay in control of your finances by using a budget calculator to see how much money you have left after expenses. Check what you are entitled to by using the online Benefits Adviser tool. Find out what your options are, whether it’s retraining, starting out on your own or finding another job. What ever the stage, don’t panic! Talk to your mortgage lender or other creditors early to let them know you are in difficulties. They may be able to help. Check out moneymadeclear.fsa.gov .uk/redundancy. Helping with Redundancy at The CatStrand. There are regular Benefit Maximisation advice surgeries, Careers Scotland advice sessions, business start-up training with Business Gateway and more. Phone 01644 420374 for more information or to book an appointment. Christmas Shopping Locally Why not save yourself the stress of hectic Christmas shopping and support your local community at the same time? CatStrand has a selection of local arts, crafts, gifts and cards Christmas Tea Dance The - perfect for that personal touch at Christmas. From locally crafted Dalry Town Hall Wed 9th Dec, 3-5pm free entry There will be music from the Saxachord Dance Band and tasty treats by Eileen Edgar. New Date ! Please note there has been a change to the advertised date. To book please call 420374 (numbers required for catering purposes). handmade soaps to delicious gourmet chocolates; beautiful, practical glassworks to a variety of jewellery, books and fine art by local artists and authors. Come along and have a look! GTI story cont. from p2... In an area with poor public transport the loss of the mini bus would have serious consequences on health, education and the quality of life for many people living in the area. It is important that you take every opportunity to make our local councillors fully aware of the consequences of cutting such funding…after all, it is their votes that matter at Council meetings. THE BUS : GLENKENS TRANSPORT INITIATIVE I am sure by the time you read this the Festive Season will be upon us so on behalf of GTI may I wish all our drivers, all our users groups and all the people who support the mini bus in many different ways a happy Xmas and a healthy New Year. Trips continue to be well supported, a recent trip to Silverburn Shopping Centre and/or the Burrell Collection being almost full. Everyone had an excellent day helped by beautiful autumn sunshine showing off the glorious colours. During the winter months we may well give you the option of two venues on the same day and this idea is already proving popular with the trip on 2nd December to Ayr WEDNESDAY BUS SERVICE (REGD. ROUTE): (Shopping and/or Racing) being fully booked up by CONCESSIONARY BUS PASSES ARE ACCEPTED ON THIS ROUTE, SO PLEASE MAKE USE OF THIS EXTRA SERVICE the end of October – you must book early to ensure Timings are as follows: The return journey : your seat ! 1900 Dept Dalry (Underhill) 2045 Departs Castle Douglas (Tesco) Future trips will be visiting Braehead Shopping 1910 New Galloway 2047 Castle Douglas (Market Street) Centre and Ikea (Sat 28th Nov) and Hetland Hall 1925 Mossdale 2052 Townhead of Greenlaw Gdn Centre and Gretna (Mon 14th Dec). 1935 Laurieston 2100 Laurieston Congratulations to Jean Jones, Fiona Rae and 1940 Townhead of Greenlaw 2110 Mossdale Stephen Davie who have recently passed the training 1947 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 2125 New Galloway course to drive the mini bus – please remember all 1950 Arrive Castle Douglas (Tesco) 2135 Arrive Dalry our drivers do so in their IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK THE COMMUNITY-BUS OR IF YOU WANT ANY own time, so please make For further info & MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT KEITH COOPER, them welcome. to buy tickets visit GTI ADMINISTRATOR ON 01644 420374. Keith Cooper www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420 374 Glenkens Gazette page 8 LOCAL HISTORY The Identity of the Glenkens Glenkens folk know that they are fortunate to dwell in the very heart of Galloway with its neat farms rooted in a stunning historic landscape of woods, water and wilderness. But what precisely is the extent of the district – from Polnaskie Bridge to Parton or Cairnsmore of Carsphairn to Clachanpluck - the spectacular glen harnessing the waters of Ken, Deugh and Carsphairn Lane while poaching on the resources of Loch Doon thanks to the ingenuity of Hydro technology? The name first appears in a document of 1275 mentioning the deanery of Glenken, an administrative subdivision of the medieval church. Another example is the deanery of Annandale. Glenken comprised the parishes of Kells, Dalry, Trevercarcou, Kirkandrews Balmaghie and Kirkandrews Parton. Surprisingly, perhaps, Crossmichael was not included. There is dispute about the identity of Trevercarcou but it was presumably the old name for Balmaclellan before the latter emerged in the fifteenth century. Carsphairn was carved out of Kells and Dalry around 1640. Thus by today’s reckoning Glenkens might properly include the parishes of Carsphairn, Dalry, Balmaclellan, Parton, Balmaghie and Kells. In 1300 Sir Adam Gordon was granted half the Glenken by John Maxwell son of Sir Herbert Maxwell of Caerlaverock. Sir Adam in turn conferred these lands upon his son William, progenitor of the Gordons of Kenmure. Another document of 1300 declared that Gordon and everyone living in the Glenken were freed from the antiquated and much resented convention known as ‘surdits de sergeants’ which gave the sergeants or officials representing the lords and barons of the area the right to billet themselves and their men on local householders. They could also accuse individuals of crimes and in some cases they had powers to administer capital punishment. A few years later the ‘Community of Galloway’, a very interesting descriptor, petitioned for the end of the pernicious practice which had supposedly been banned everywhere in Scotland a generation earlier but which persisted in Galloway. It is ironic that sergeantry should be used as a crude weapon in this area at the outbreak of the Wars of Independence, involving the brutal practice of billeting 300 years before the advent of Bluidy Claverhouse and Grierson of Lag during the Killing Times. Robert Bruce, having triumphed over the Balliols who held Kenmure Castle among other strongholds, exchanged his lands of Kinfauns in Perthshire for Glenken in 1313 thus showing his determination to control the important northsouth route from Carrick to the Solway. Glenkens was Gaelic-speaking in the fourteenth century. In 1365 Gilmor MacAulay McCormack granted Stroangassel in Glenken to Aulan son of Aulan McCormack. A year later David II granted the New Forest of Glenken to Sir Walter Lindsay and his wife Euphemia Ross. Within a decade it was back in the hands of the ever-receptive Maxwells. Today it is memorialised in the Forrest Estate. The Glen was for long considered remote and barbarous. The Rector of St John’s Town of Dalry, ‘in the Glenken’, petitioned the pope to be permitted to raise money for the repair of his church, ‘which is situated in the woods, far from the habitation of other Christian faithful and among fierce men ill-versed in the faith’. The church was so decrepit that unless it quickly received help it was likely to prove ruinous. Shortly after the Reformation the earls of Bothwell held the extensive estate described as the lands and barony of Earlstoun, ‘called the Glenkens’. The plural form of the name probably arose to describe the group of parishes that was by now understood to make up the district. Government orders during the Covenanting era referred to ‘the parishes called the Glenkenns’, which they designated as Carsphairn, Kells, Dalry and Balmaclellan. These four had provided the main inspiration and support for the misleadingly named Pentland Rising of 1666, which would be better described as the Glenkens Rebellion. Andrew Symson in his Large Description of Galloway (1684) noted that the same four parishes, ‘because the river of Kenn runs through them’, were commonly called the Glenkennes. One of many addresses against the Union of the Parliaments in 1707 which led to the creation of the United Kingdom was issued on behalf of the barons, freeholders, heritors and others of the four parishes of the Glenkens. It would appear that since the 1660s the name Glenkens has been reserved for the four northern parishes which is the common understanding today. In 1802 John Rennie surveyed the route for a projected Glenkenns canal between the Boat Pool at Dalry and the port of Kirkcudbright. He it was, the builder of London Bridge, who designed the sturdy granite structure across the Ken, which we all still use, linking Kells and Balmaclellan. He thoughtfully provided arches which would permit the free passage of traffic under the bridge should the canal ever be built. In the mid-nineteenth century a Glenkens Society was formed but that will be the subject of a future article in the Gazette. For centuries Glenkens has cultivated a distinct identity which deserves to be fostered and celebrated now and in the future. Nb. The variations in spelling of Glenken or Glenkens follows the convention of the documents in which the name is found to give some idea of variations over time. Ted Cowan DAVID CLARKE R.H.A.D. Pensions – Savings – Investments Retirement & Inheritance Tax Planning Life Assurance – Protection – Mortgages For advice on any of the above, or to review your existing arrangements, contact your local adviser: Brian J. Edgar DipPFS Area Office: Tannoch, Newton Stewart Road, New Galloway DG7 3RT Tel. 01644 420288 or 07808 322421 Central Office, 61 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart DG8 6NL Tel 01671 403080 Fax 01671 402549 e-mail - advice@marrfinancial.co.uk web - www.marrfinancial.co.uk Marr Financial Services is an Appointed Representative of Sesame Ltd YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE Local Registered Hearing Aid Dispenser Sales and service of all leading makes of hearing aids. Over 15 Years of Experience in Dumfries and Galloway Supplier of Sporting Ear Defenders Tel: 01228 530780 Mob: 07946 062451 ● Great opportunity to get some tasty venison from the local hills ● Whole roe deer, jointed and packed in separate bags; ready for cooking ● Price: £35 - 60 for whole carcase ● Strahanna Farm ● Water of Ken off the B729 between Moniaive and Carsphairn ● Telephone: 01644 460 660 Glenkens Gazette What is happening to our communities? page 9 10th Anniversary Concert In the past, Dalry was a thriving village with over a dozen shops as well many other businesses. Over the years the numbers of shops and local facilities diminished as people were able to travel further afield for their shopping and or services. Now the number is drastically reduced and may soon end up with no shops at all. It’s all very well going to Tesco, etc but if you only need a few things, it’s probably cheaper getting them locally. If your local shop doesn’t have what you want, and you use the shop regularly, ask them - maybe they can stock it for you. Strong, integrated communities have power when local people become involved. There is the potential to achieve all kinds of things, such as the creation of new buildings and facilities for adults and children, grants for youth, business and community woodland schemes, developing tourist facilities and attractions, and local enterprise companies. This area is rich in natural assets - what we need are the resources to promote them. But without a strong community who value and use local trades and events, tourists, who are very important to the area, will not have much to come to see, and we will have no chance of improving things. I’m not suggesting we go back to the mid 20th century, but communities in the Glenkens seem to have lost theior cohesion. If something is on in or around the village, why nt go along and support it. Use local businesses where possible, and buy from your local shops. We need to support our local community or we’re going to lose it. Maggi Kaye In the Autumn of 1999, the Glenkens Church Choir first sang at a Harvest Songs of Praise in Dalry Church. Since then the Choir has built up a considerable repertoire of music of various kinds and has performed regularly in local churches and elsewhere. To celebrate its 10th Anniversary, the Choir presented a programme of music in Carsphairn Church on the evening of 25th October. The programme consisted of anthems, madrigals and folk songs and concluded with a spirited performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria. Members of the choir also performed solos. The Reverend David Bartholomew gave the vote of thanks, in which he thanked all those involved, especially the choir members, whose hard work and dedication had resulted in the success of the evening. This was followed by the cutting of a birthday cake, which, along with other refreshments, was enjoyed by choir and audience. The Choir’s annual Carols by Candlelight will take place in Dalry Church on Sunday 13th December at 6.30 pm. You are invited to come along and listen to carols, join in the community singing and enjoy refreshments afterwards. Glenkens Show Horse & Pony Section G l e n k e n s Hair Studio The rearranged Glenkens Agricultural Society Horse and Pony Show which had been postponed in August took place at the Epona Riding Centre, Crocketford, on Sunday 18th October 2009. Despite the damp weather there were plenty of entries which made for an enjoyable day. Eileen thanks all her customers for their support throughout the year and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Results were as follows: Tack and Turnout – Winner Jodie Caig on Urr Valley Mist, Equitation – Juniors- Winner Sophie Martin on Chester, Equitation – Senior- Winner Samantha Cloy on May, Coloured Horse; Winner Donald Smith on Donna, Race Horse to Riding Horse; Winner Samantha Houston on Kupka, Childs Lean Rein Pony - Winner Tammy Campbell on Archie, Childs First Pony; Winner and Trophy for Best Rider Sophie Martin on Chester, Mountain and Moorland Pony; Winner Evan McLean on Meikle Royce, Fancy Dress; Winner Jodie Craig on Urr Valley Mist, Champion Show Pony was Tammy Campbell on Archie and Reserve was Samantha Cloy on May. Show Jumping: Wibbly Wobbly – Lead Rein- Winner Holly Murdoch on Misty, Wibbly Wobbly- Winner Hannah Mills on Minty. Beginners: Winner Rachel Jamieson on Pepper, Novice; Winner Donald Smith on Puzzle, Pairs Relay - Winners; Donald Smith and Chris Jamieson. Duke Street, New Galloway CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR OPENING HOURS – Thursday 17th Dec: 9am – 6.30pm Gent’s Barber Shop: 5 - 6.30pm Friday 18th Dec: 9am – 5pm Saturday 19th Dec: 9am – 1pm Wednesday 23rd Dec: 9am – 6pm Gent’s Barber Shop 5 - 6pm Thursday 24th Dec: 9am – 5pm Wednesday 30th Dec: 9am – 5pm Thursday 31st Dec: 9am – 5pm Please note the Barber Shop opening hours on Wed 23rd & 30th Dec. Closed 1st wekk of 2010, open as normal from Thurs 14th Jan. PLEASE BOOK EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS APPOINTMENTS - 0 1 6 4 4 4 2 0 6 1 6 �� Glenkens Gazette page 10 ALEX FERGUSSON MSP FOR GALLOWAY AND UPPER NITHSDALE Holds regular advice surgeries at: 2 St ANDREW STREET, CASTLE DOUGLAS on the second Friday of every month from 5pm Telephone free on 0800 028 7260 for an appointment or to make any alternative arrangement’ You can visit Alex’s website at www.alexfergusson.org.uk or contact him by e-mail at alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk �� Hotel Health is True Wealth �� You could be suffering from a condition that may be improved by a nutritional consultation. Often a change in diet works well alongside your doctor’s health advice. Lorna has been working with patients for over 15 years now and has seen some great health improvements due to changing what we eat. “You have transformed my life - ill for 42 years, better in three days - thank you!” says Hilary Hawkins, Gatehouse of Fleet �� Some of the problems Lorna has seen responding well to dietary changes include: �� Digestive problems including bloating, cramps, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhoea etc; arthritis; skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rashes; tiredness and anxiety; weight issues; hormonal and menopausal problems; men’s health problems; childrens’ health issues, eg. hyperactivity, frequent coughs and colds Consultations from £35 (minimum one hour) If you feel that a nutritional consultation could help you, please contact Lorna to discuss your issues on 01644 470218 or lorna@foods4life.co.uk To find out more visit www.foods4life.co.uk Glenkens Gazette Health Tips: by Nutritionist & Dietician Lorna Willock STAYING HEALTHY OVER CHRISTMAS (NUTRITIONALLY SPEAKING!) With the festive season fast approaching I await, with awe, to watch trolleys laden full being pushed around supermarkets. For keeping healthy over Christmas try a few tips: - This is the season of excess, especially drinking! A glass of water between alcoholic drinks is helpful and slows things down making one more aware of limits. Water helps to counteract dehydration, resulting in less sore heads. - The extra chocolates, nuts, little mince pies, fruit cake, etc, will just give some of us more hard work to do towards weight loss in the New Year. Think before you take another of those tempting treats... - Lots of eating out at this time of year means making wise choices from the menu. To get through the three course meal without adding pounds, have fruit with ham or fish for starters and if you want to indulge in pudding cut out the tatties and extras e.g. bread sauce, chipolatas, etc, from your main course. - Eat lots of Brussels sprouts – they are SO good for you. Full of vits and minerals they also help prevent bowel cancer. Try stir frying them with chopped chestnuts and herbs…just don’t boil them to death! - Enjoy Christmas soups - leftover turkey makes the most delicious pots of soup so don’t through away these bones. If you don’t know how to make soup, have a lesson from mum or granny. - Now that most of us are given fairly long festive hols try and get some extra exercise - go walking or hill climbing… that dram will taste so much better at the top of a hill! Wishing you health and wealth for the New Year! For further information visit www.foods4life.co.uk or email lorna@foods4life.co.uk FHB Fencing Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) page 11 The 12 Days of Christmas Fire Safety Check: On the 1st day of Christmas - Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard On the 2nd day of Christmas - Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings. Don’t leave them burning unattended On the 3rd day of Christmas - Make sure your family and guests staying for the festive period know what to do in an emergency. Make a fire escape plan. On the 4th day of Christmas - Decorations can burn easily - Don’t attach them to lights or heaters On the 5th day of Christmas - Never overload electrical sockets. Take special care with Christmas lights. On the 6th day of Christmas - Most fires start in the kitchen - never leave a cooker unattended. On the 7th day of Christmas - Celebrate Christmas and New Year safely. The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greater after alcohol is consumed. On the 8th day of Christmas - If you are planning to celebrate with fireworks, store them in a metal box, read the instructions, never go back to a lit firework and keep a bucket of water nearby. On the 9th day of Christmas - Make sure you have a working smoke alarm. On the 10th day of Christmas - Check the battery in your smoke alarm every week and use Christmas as a reminder to clean it and remove dust. On the 11th day of Christmas - Make sure candles and cigarettes are completely extinguished before going to bed. Keep matches and lighters away from children. On the 12th day of Christmas - Take a second to check on elderly relatives and neighbours this Christmas - make sure they are fire safe. Anyone concerned about fire safety and what actions to take can find out more at www.dontgivefireahome.com The Cross Keys Hotel New Galloway Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents ( 01556 503744 ( www.ggblaw.co.uk OFFICES IN : CASTLE DOUGLAS, DALBEATTIE KIRKCUDBRIGHT & DUMFRIES 10 en suite bedrooms, traditional bar, excellent restaurant, quiz nights, antique and collectibles markets Tel: 01644 420 494 enquiries@thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk www.thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk KENBRIDGE HOTEL New Galloway New Galloway Open 7 Days : Beautiful Riverside Location Golf Club M E A L S S E RV E D 12.00 - 2.00pm, 5.30 - 8.30pm www.nggc.co.uk TRADITIONAL LOG FIRE bed and breakfast en suite accommodation ( 01644 420 211 ( mail@kenbridgehotel.co.uk www.kenbridgehotel.co.uk W BONE WHB JEEPS THE GARAGE, DALRY PETROL & DIESEL SALES SERVICE & REPAIRS MOTs, TYRES, BATTERIES ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES OPEN 8.30AM - 6.00PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY Tel: 01644 430208 Fax: 01644 430669 email: jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Founded 1902 v 01644 420737 v Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME 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 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Crimestoppers: 0845 555 111 ● Well Driven Scheme (to report dangerously driven HGV’s): 0800 225533 TIMES OF WORSHIP IN THE GLENKENS CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sundays Balmaclellan 12noon 1st Carsphairn 10.30am 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Dalry 12noon 1st 2nd 3rd 4th (Jan) Kells 10.30am 2nd 3rd 4th (Jan) 5th (Jan) Special Services and Events 13th Dec, 6.30pm: Carols by Candlelight with Glenkens Church Choir, Dalry Church 24th Dec, 11.30pm: Watchnight Service, Balmaclellan Church 25th Dec, 10.30am: Christmas Day Family Service, Dalry Church 27th Dec, 10.30am: United Service with Choir, Carsphairn Church 31st Jan, 10.30am: United Service with Choir, Kells Church Communion Services: 25th Oct, 12noon, Dalry Church 1st Nov, 12noon, Balmaclellan Church 15th Nov, 10.15am, Carsphairn Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH (C of E) St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion - 10.30am every Sun & Wed CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES Gatehouse of Fleet: Sat, 6pm Kirkcudbright: Sun, 9.30am Dalbeattie: Sun, 11am St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Castle Douglas, contact Rev McFadden for info on 01557 330687. page 12 GLENKENS DIARY FOR ALL EVENTS DECEMBER Scouts: Mon, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Wed 2 & 9, Galloway Gatherings: Enlightenment and Environment, 2-4pm, The Mother & Toddlers Group: Tues 9.45-11.15am, CatStrand, New Galloway New Galloway Town Hall until 30 Jan, Exhibition: Willow, Canvas & Clay, Beavers: Tues, 6.30–7.45pm, New CatStrand opening hours, The CatStrand, New Galloway Scout Hut Galloway Stewartry Camera Club: most Wednesdays Wed 2, Robert Burns in England; an Illustrated throughout the winter at 7.30 pm in The talk by Chris Rollie , 7.30pm, The CatStrand, Tolbooth, Kirkcudbright New Galloway Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Thurs 3, Christmas Shopping Evening, 5- 8pm, Scout Hut The CatStrand, New Galloway Glenkens Walking Group, meet Wed 1.30pm Fri 4, Kells in Action Open Morning, 1.30 pm, outside Bank of Scotland, Dalry Kells School, New Galloway Glenkens Strollers, meet at 2pm each Friday at Tues 8, Good Neighbours Concert combined the top bus stop in Dalry for a slow walk with primary open afternoon, 1.45pm, Dalry Lions Club monthly quiz, alternating between School The CatStrand & Lochinvar Hotel. For further Wed 9, Rag Bag Textile Recycling Scheme pick info contact Andrew Frew on 420 323. up from school from 8.30am Wed morning, The CatStrand, New Galloway (see p7) Kells School, New Galloway Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Wed 9, Christmas Tea Dance, 3-5pm, Dalry Play it by Ear: every Mon during term time, Town Hall 1.30-2.30pm Thurs 10, Kells School Christmas production, Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Morris two performances - 1.30 pm and 6.30 pm, Movement: every Mon during term time, 4-5pm Kells School, New Galloway (ages 8-12) Sun 13, Carols by Candlelight with Glenkens Circuit Training: every Mon, 7.45-8.45pm Church Choir, 6pm, Dalry Church Taking the Next Step in Computing: Mon, Sun 13, Kells Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch 5.30–7.30pm Tues15, combined Dalry Primary and Carers Coffee & Chat, starts Tues 1st Dec, Secondary Christmas Concert, 7pm, Dalry 10am-12noon, The CatStrand, New Galloway School The Reading Cure, Tuesdays, 11.15am–1.15pm, Thurs 17, Balmaclellan ‘Senior Citizens’ Free Christmas Lunch, Ken Bridge Hotel, contact 01644 420 686 to ensure a place. Teen Spirit: Tues, 7.30-9.30pm Fri 18, Feral Choir: Forgotten Carols: Soloist Wednesdays, Glenkens Walking Group, 2pm, - Emily Smith, Reader - Tom Pow, 7.30pm, The outside Bank of Scotland, Dalry CatStrand, New Galloway Taking the First Step in Computing: Wed, 5.30Fri 18, combined Christmas service in Dalry 7.30pm Church for all three local primary schools Catstrand Youth Players meet weekly, 3-5pm Dalry, Kells and Carsphairn - 10am. Afternoon Tea Club: 2nd Fri each month, 2pm Sat 19, Battle of the Bands, 7pm, The Saturday Art Club, 2nd Sat each month, 10am– CatStrand, New Galloway 12noon Tues 29, Film: Ice Age 3 : Dawn of the Dinosaurs, 2pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Glenkens Youth Choir, Sun, 5-6pm Wed 30, Film: Star Trek XI : The Future Begins, CatStrand Playstation Tournaments: contact The CatStrand for info. 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Dalry Community Centre JANUARY Sat 9, Puppet State Theatre Co: The Man Who (for info or to book contact Sarah on 430 393) Glenkens Playgroup: Mon-Fri, 9.15-11.45am Planted Trees, 3pm, £3.50, The CatStrand, New Galloway Paint & Art: Mon 1.30-4.30pm Wed 13, A Talk at Tea Time, 3pm, The Ballroom & Latin Dance drop-in class: Mon CatStrand, New Galloway 7.30-9pm, £5 Sat 23, Poetry Workshop with John Hegley, 2 Ballroom & Latin Dance course: Mon 9-10pm, –4pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway for more info tel Sam Hood on 01644 420672 Sat 23, John Hegley: The Adventures of Good Neighbours Club: Tues 2pm Monsieur Robinet, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New Kickback Martial Arts: Tues & Thurs 7-9pm, Galloway adults welcome Wed 27, Film: The Hurt Locker, 7.30pm, The Glenkens Mother & Toddlers: Wed 1.30-3pm CatStrand, New Galloway Craft Class: Thurs 2-4pm Mon 14, GTI bus trip to Hetland Hall Gdn Brownies: Wed 5.30-6.45pm Centre and Gretna Guides:Wed 5.30-7pm REGULAR EVENTS: Glenkens Ramblers, Mondays 1.30pm, Bank of Drama Club: for further info contact Brian Edgar on 420 288 Scotland, Dalry WRITE FOR THE GAZETTE! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... If you have a submission, contact Sarah on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk FEB/MARCH COPY DEADLINE: Fri 8 Jan PROJECT PART-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION Europe and Scotland Making it work together Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. 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Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document February/March 2010 ISSUE 56 www.glenkensgazette.com Curling Again After 24 Years! Mossroddick is a small loch just above Dalry which used to be used regularly for curling, the last time being in 1986. This year, on the 9th and 10th of January, the loch once again had a curling rink polished onto its surface and for the two days locals ventured up to try their hand at the sport. John Peacock, who owns the land where the loch is situated, says: “There used to be eight Dalry ice rinks in the mid 1800‘s, and each village in the Glenkens had a curling pond. My grandfather used to curl, and I started curling before I left the school. When I was at the school, on any weekend in winter there could be 20 or 30 of us playing ice hockey up at Mossroddick.” The ice was measured at 10 inches; a good thickness as six inches is apparently considered thick enough to walk on. People brought along curling stones, some of which had been handed down from father to son for generations. Everyone had a go, from young to old, with the youngsters being encouraged to try as this might be their only opportunity. John said: “It’s not very often it happens so we thought we’d make the most of it!” Stranded in the Snow The snow was really fun at first but after a while it began to get a bit worrying. Me and my parents have been stuck at home for over 2 weeks. The last time we were able to get out as a family was the 21st December. The snow looks really magical and if I forget we are stranded I can enjoy myself. Sadly I missed spending Christmas with my Grandparents but we had a great Christmas at home instead. We are having some coal delivered and my Dad and our horse will have to go and collect it with a sleigh from the main road. Every morning a female Roe deer comes and eats our blackberry leaves. We are putting hay out for her and hoping she will eat it because she must be hungry. I have been having a great time sledging because the track we use is almost a sheet of ice! My dad made me a sledge out of a car bonnet and got one of our ponies to pull it along. If I can’t get out for a while I would like to wish all my friends a Happy New Year. By Daisy Hickman P6 IN THIS ISSUE... 2 - Local Artist: Dianne Chopping, Noticeboard, Carsphairn Burns Supper 3 - Community Council News, Kells Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner 4 - Schools Report 5 - Readers Pictures: Snow & Ice in the Glenkes 6 - CatStrand Events 7 - CatStrand Community News, The Bus (GTI) 8 - Local History, Carsphairn’s Got Talent 9 - Nature & Wildlife: Wolves, Foxes & Fireworks, Youth Update: Skatepark Consultation, Battle of the Bands, Youth Players 11- Health Tips, Club Corner: ‘73 Club, Walking Groups 12- Church Times, Useful Numbers, Glenkens Diary of Events Glenkens Gazette page 2 Local Artist: Dianne Chopping In 2003 Dianne and her husband Barry moved from the Peak District in Derbyshire, where she had taught mathematics for many years, to their present home in Dumfries & Galloway. Now living in St John’s Town of Dalry, Dianne has found time to develop her interest in jewellery. This was inspired by a visit to friends in America in 2000, and has led to the work she now produces. All the pieces of jewellery are produced by Dianne herself, ensuring individuality and a consistent standard of work. Specialising in pieces which incorporate Sterling silver with semi-precious beads, such as garnet, amethyst, lapis lazuli, together with fresh water pearls, her necklaces, bracelets and earrings often have a delicate appearance with colours reflecting the hues of the Scottish countryside. Dianne sources her materials from all over the world and, for some of her work , she uses more dramatic and eye-catching stones whose texture is a delight to touch. All the jewellery can be made in a variety of stones to meet the individual requirements of customers. Dianne has been a member of the Galloway Craft Guild since 2004 and was Chairman of the Guild for two years. Her work is available in the Guild Shop in Castle Douglas. Other outlets in the Galloway area include The CatStrand, New Galloway, Gracefield Arts Centre and Tarff Town & Country in Dumfries, and the Post Office in Dalry. Her work is also proving popular in several well known tourist attractions throughout Scotland. At present, a web site, www.larochwear.co.uk, is being developed in conjunction with another local crafter and friend, Angela Smith of Castle Douglas, who specialises in capes, hats and bags. If you would like to contact Dianne, her email address is dianne@moidart.org Noticeboard Carsphairn Burns Supper Due to lack of support it has been decided to postpone this year‛s Clachan Fair so that energy can be devoted to a 2011 Fair. A Public Meeting will take place in Dalry Town Hall at 7 pm on 15th March 2010 to discuss the 2011 Fair. The winner of The CatStrand hamper on the Christmas shopping night was Cliff Bartlett. Many thanks to Gazette reader Louise McClure from Dalmellington for the above photo, Reflections at Loch Ken. Louise regularly passes through the Glenkens and enjoys the beautiful scenery - we look forward to seeing more of her pictures. If you have a picture you think Gazette readers would enjoy, please get in touch (see back page for contact details). Concern over holding the 41st Annual Carsphairn Burns Supper - with regards to the weather - seemed to be over, as the welcome thaw set in. However the Lagwyne Village Hall Committee were dealt a completely different blow when the power supply went off just over an hour before the Supper was due to commence. Fortunately the food was already prepared by that time and the oven held its temperature. Candles were sent for and in true village hall spirit, the meal commenced on time – by candle light. “The Haggis” was ceremoniously piped in by Andy McCartney and the Chairman, David Gibbon, then introduced Darrel Wilson from New Galloway to ‘Address the Haggis’ which he did with enthusiasm and amazing competence for such a young man. After Rev. D Bartholomew had given the Selkirk Grace, the meal of haggis, neeps and tatties was served, and, power was restored in time to supply an after supper cup of tea. An audience of about 85 people enjoyed listening to Councillor Peter Duncan propose the toast to ‘The Immortal Memory’ of Robert Burns. His speech was both informative and humorous. This was followed by Brian Edgar proposing an entertaining ‘Toast to the Lassies’, with several relevant examples quoted of men’s non-understanding of the female species. However, he had his come-uppance when the Toast was replied to, on behalf of ‘The Lassies’, by Maybelle Thomson. Maybelle’s reply was given with style and wit and was much appreciated by all present. Truly performing in the spirit of the night was Donald Shamash from Kirkcudbright, who gave the audience an enthralling rendition of a lesser know Burns Poem, ‘Dr Hornbook’ - a story of the Schoolmaster of Tarbolton School which Burns attended. The addition of some scary props all added to the creation of the atmosphere of the poem. Further excellent entertainment was provided with two Burns Songs sung by a group from the Glenkens Churches Choir, and community singing led by Margaret Sloan. David Finlay rounded off the evening with an excellent Vote of Thanks to all concerned. Thanks must go to electrician, Mr McCrone who rushed to Carsphairn during the evening to solve the electrical problem (and wouldn’t stay for his supper!) and to Carricks Stores of Carsphairn for supplying candles after hours…… Glenkens Gazette page 3 The Royal Burgh of New Galloway & Kells Community Council The annual Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner was held in New Galloway Town Hall on Sunday 13th December. Forty people attended and enjoyed an excellent three course Christmas Dinner prepared by Dave and Marion from The Smithy and served by the Community Council members. Entertainment after dinner was by the new Glenkens Youth Choir under the able leadership of Nancy Plummer. This was the choir’s debut public performance and was very well received with many of the audience joining in with the well known seasonal repertoire. The Community Council’s regular meetings are held in New Galloway Town Hall on the second Monday of every month at 7.30pm. Balmaclellan Community Council General discussion was held regarding the impact of recent reforms to planning legislation. Councillor Prentice advised that CC’s do have influence and that planning can be refused if local support through the CC is not evident. A suggestion was made that the CC might arrange an information session on planning, either with input from ‘Planning Aid’ or from the Council’s own planning department in 2010. No date has yet been set for this. Bonfire Night raised £277, with all acknowledging it to have been a “good evening”. Assistance in a variety of forms was very much appreciated and thanks expressed to all concerned with marshalling, refreshments, firewood, fireworks, etc. Meetings are usually the last Monday of the month. Next meeting - Tuesday 2 Feb, 7pm, Balmaclellan Village Hall Carsphairn Community Council onerous for both Chairperson and Secretary. Delegation could be difficult as there are few people to delegate to. Members need to be prepared to volunteer to ease the workload. The job of Secretary could be divided into two posts - minutes and administrative secretary. There are a range of skills required to do the job of Secretary competently. It was agreed that the Secretary should be paid. He/she does not need to be a Community Councillor. It was confirmed that there will be ten meetings per year as previously, on the last Monday of every month save July and December. The start time will remain at 7pm with the aim of finishing meetings by 9.30pm at the latest. A letter will be sent to every organisation in the Community Council area inviting them to send someone to represent their views on the Community Council and, although there are currently two ‘vacancies’ regarding co-opted voting members, it is not essential to fill them. Concerns were expressed at possible health issues regarding magnetic fields related to the location of pylons. The Community Council will need to be aware of the routes of new pylons. A reply has been received from letting agent for the Salutation flats, who is also the owner, reporting that currently flats 1, 2 and 4 are empty and that 3,5 and 6 are tenanted. Consideration of person to lay wreath on Remembrance Sunday was taken forward - a volunteer has been found to play ‘The Last Post’ on his cornet at the service. A parent of someone currently serving in the armed forces in Afghanistan could lay the wreath. Graham Cartner of the mobile library reported that this facility is being little used. A poster will be produced providing the dates the library will be in Carsphairn. The library could also stop at the school as it used to. A draft of the Community Council welcome/useful info leaflet for Carsphairn has been produced. A copy is to be shown to the Community Council for approval, suggestions etc. The power has been switched off to the TV relay mast. The shed housing the equipment needs to be dismantled and taken away. Concerns have been expressed about the unsightliness of waste ground sites either end of the village. As both are privately owned there is little the Community Council can do. Minute of first meeting following the Community Council Elections of 8 October 2009 in Lagwyne Hall. Elected members: Anne Rutherford, Margaret Richmond, Matt Hickman, Liz Holmes, Maggie Phillips Stuart Marshall, Returning Officer, welcomed all to the meeting. Matt Hickman was elected as Chairperson. Appointment of Vice Chair was deferred to the next meeting. Anne Rutherford was appointed as Treasurer. Regarding the appointment of a Secretary, discussion took place on how to find a suitable candidate for this Next meeting – Monday 22 February, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall post. The workload on a voluntary basis has become extremely Full minutes of local Community Council meetings are available to view at Dalry Library. Kells Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner Glenkens Gazette : Advertising Rates 2010 Advert Format Basic Small Quarter page Half page Full page Colour Colour Colour Colour Size Price per Discount for issue Block of 3 ads 6cm x 6cm £31.50 10% 9cm x 13cm £68.25 25% 13cm x 18cm £126.00 25% 18cm x 27cm £210.00 25% (Prices exclude VAT @ 17.5%) To place an advert please contact the Glenkens Gazette on 01644 420374 Glenkens Gazette page 4 GLENKENS SCHOOLS REPORT Dalry School News Christmas Concert: On Tuesday 15th December Dalry School held their annual Christmas concert. P1-3 presented the Nativity and all the other classes, from Primary through to Secondary, did various Christmas songs. A good night was had by all! Good Neighbours Concert: On Tuesday 8th December the Primary children at Dalry entertained the local Good Neighbours group. The pupils sang various Christmas songs accompanied by different percussion. The Good Neighbours group then provided refreshments and treats to thank the children for all of their hard work. Sikh Amrit Ceremony: On Thursday 17th December P6/7 at Dalry school took part in a role play and held an Amrit ceremony to mark the end of their Sikhism topic. They wore four of the Five Ks they had previously prepared, stated the rules they would follow and drank sugared water called amrit. One group also sang a chant they had created at the beginning and end of the ceremony. It was a fun way of learning about Sikhism! Photos: right; Christmas Concert, below left; Good Neighbours Concert, below right; Sikh Amrit Ceremony. Writer Lari Don Visits Carsphairn School I really enjoyed it when Lari Don came to visit the school twice in November. The first time Lari came, she told us some stories. The one I liked the best was about a wolf. It didn’t pay attention in school so he didn’t get any lunch! She talked to us about writing stories and brought a bag of surprises to help us think of ideas for stories. She helped us make up first lines of stories and when she left she left the bag for ideas and we had to make up a story before she came back. The second time she helped us to edit our stories and to improve them. She also helped us to make our stories more interesting. I chose a glass salt shaker and a shell from her bag of surprises. This is the beginning of my story: One day I was in the attic sorting it out when I found a salt shaker. The salt shaker had some beads in it. I decided to give them to my granddaughter, Helen. Before I had the chance to give it to her, my friend came round for dinner and then she saw it sitting on the shelf. She said “Do you know what, when I was little my granny had one of those and we used to pretend that every time you took a blue bead out it took you wherever you wanted and when you took a green bead out it took you back where you came from...” Can you guess how my story continues? by Lucy Blackett GLENKENS SAWMILL Forrest Estate, Dalry - we have taken over the sawmill from Forrest Estate - FENCING SUPPLIES STRAINERS, POSTS, STOBS SAWN TIMBER ALL SIZES BARK FOR ANIMAL BEDDING SOFT WOOD FIRE WOOD * all at good prices * TEL: 01644430121 MOB:07787416460 GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL ( 01644 420234 ( Glenkens Gazette page 5 SNOW & ICE IN THE GLENKENS Thank you to readers for submitting these lovely pictures - we are always thrilled to receive photographs, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you think you have a picture that people would like to see (see back page for contact details). DAVID CLARKE R.H.A.D. Pensions – Savings – Investments Retirement & Inheritance Tax Planning Life Assurance – Protection – Mortgages For advice on any of the above, or to review your existing arrangements, contact your local adviser: Brian J. Edgar DipPFS Area Office: Tannoch, Newton Stewart Road, New Galloway DG7 3RT Tel. 01644 420288 or 07808 322421 Central Office, 61 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart DG8 6NL Tel 01671 403080 Fax 01671 402549 e-mail - advice@marrfinancial.co.uk web - www.marrfinancial.co.uk Marr Financial Services is an Appointed Representative of Sesame Ltd YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE Local Registered Hearing Aid Dispenser Sales and service of all leading makes of hearing aids. Over 15 Years of Experience in Dumfries and Galloway Supplier of Sporting Ear Defenders Tel: 01228 530780 Mob: 07946 062451 ● Great opportunity to get some tasty venison from the local hills ● Whole roe deer, jointed and packed in separate bags; ready for cooking ● Price: £35 - 60 for whole carcase ● Strahanna Farm ● Water of Ken off the B729 between Moniaive and Carsphairn ● Telephone: 01644 460 660 Glenkens Gazette page 6 The CatStrand: News & Events Exhibition: Dalry School, from Mon 1 to Fri 12 Feb, and people, music, mice and friends. Mouse’s world is CatStrand opening hours. This is the first exhibition brought to life with more than a whisker of fairy tale of artwork from Dalry School and it is a celebration of magic. Suitable for 3–6 year olds and their families. the wealth of talent within our school community. The The Glenkens ’73 Club presents ‘Chips With Vinegar’ exhibition will include art, fabric, 3D and photography. by Harry Glass and The CatStrand Youth Players Session A9, Tues 2 Feb, 7.30pm, £10/£8. Folk present ‘The Willow and the Pomegranate’ by Derrick band, Session A9, have been described as a Brown, Fri 12 Mar, 7.30pm, £5/ £3. The Glenkens ’73 Club “Scottish super group”, “The best band to have adult group is presenting their latest entry to the Stewartry come out of Scotland in 100 years”, “Tighter Drama Festival. The youth division will be presenting a light-hearted short play by Derrick Brown. than James Brown” and an “Amazing Festival band.” Lorna Reid, Sat 13 Mar, 8pm, £8/£6. Described Storytelling Café, Thursdays 4 Feb and as “cool and classy” by The List magazine, 4 Mar, 7.30–9.30pm, free, but donations Edinburgh-born jazz vocalist Lorna Reid will for tea and coffee welcome. The CatStrand be presenting a collection of jazz and blues Storytelling Café is run by a team of standards with influences from Anita O’Day to Peggy Lee. professional storytellers and is an informal and relaxing evening where you can sit back with a coffee Birds of Paradise Theatre Company presents and cake and listen to stories or take part and tell some Clutter Keeps Company by Davey Anderson, stories of your own if you want to. Fri 19 Mar, 7.30pm, £7/£5. Birds of Paradise return with a bittersweet comedy thriller about Duo X, Fri 12 Feb, 7.30pm, £8/£6. Duo X is a running away from an unholy mess and plunging flute and marimba duo with two of Scotland’s into utter chaos! leading chamber musicians, Ruth Morley and Rhian Macleod. Their programme will feature works by Makoto Shimohara, Michael Colquhoun, Exhibition: Lisa Hooper, Sun 28 Mar – Thurs Geir Rafnnson, Ian Clarke and Ricardo Lorenz. 22 Apr, CatStrand opening hours. Lisa is first *Pre-event fixed menu supper available. Please book in and foremost a printmaker, using a wide variety of print techniques including lino and woodcut, advance. collagraph and etching to produce images inspired by the natural world. Saturday Art Club, Saturdays 13 Feb and 13 Mar, 10am–12noon, £4. These two-hour workshops Film: Up, Wed 31 Mar, 2pm, £4.50/£3.50. Disney and are run by professional artists and teachers, and Pixar’s latest animated feature film, Up features a feisty offer expert tuition and hands-on experience septuagenarian who teams with a fearless wilderness across a range of fun filled visual arts and crafts activities. Please wear old clothes as things can get messy ranger to do battle with a vicious band of beasts and villains on a once-in-a-lifetime journey. (ages 5-12). Film: Nowhere Boy, Wed 31 Mar, 7.30pm, Gilmore Productions presents One Up One £4.50/£3.50. The movie chronicles the Down, Sat 20 Feb, 7.30pm, £5/£4. From the adolescent years of John Lennon. Cert 15. same company who brought The Blank Album; One Up One Down features comic dance theatre, Regular events: poetry and song. CatStrand Youth Players, every Sunday during term Film: The Soloist, Wed 24 Feb, 7.30pm, time, 2pm. The Youth division of the Glenkens 73 Club. £4.50/£3.50. From the Director of the If you are interested in acting, directing, costumes, sound, Academy Award nominated Atonement, Joe lighting, stage management or any other aspect of drama or Wright, and starring Jamie Foxx and Robert theatre, then come along and have some fun. All welcome Downey Jr, comes this poignant tale about the redemptive (Age 10-18). power of music. Cert 12. Play it by Ear, every Monday during term time, 1.30–2.30pm, Exhibition: Celebrating the Watsons, Sat 27 Feb £2 per adult/child + 50p for each additional child. A weekly – Thurs 25 March, CatStrand opening hours. An exhibition song, music and storytelling session for pre-school children to celebrate the work of local bird artist Donald Watson and and their parents or carers which now takes place every photographer Jeff Watson. Monday afternoon. Juice and biscuits included in the price. Michael Marra, Fri 5 Mar, 8pm, £10/£8. * Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Morris Michael Marra is one of Scotland’s most Movement, every Monday during term time, 4-5pm, free. prolific singer-songwriters, and a much loved Dance exercises are created to develop agility, balance, and respected figure in the entertainment co-ordination, elevation, flexibility and posture. Explore business. your creative dance and improvisation skills and develop Celebrating the Watsons: The Glenkens Star an understanding of rhythm. With dance teacher Sara Bird Men, Sat 6 Mar. Highlighting the extraordinary Lockwood. Please wear loose clothing (age 8-12 years). contribution of Donald and Jeff Watson to bird study, art The Reading Cure, monthly meeting, please call to and literature to accompany the exhibition of Donald’s confirm dates, 11.15am – 1.15pm, free. Come and connect paintings and Jeff’s photographs. The project team will set with yourself and others through the shared reading of out the proposals for a Watson Bird Centre in Dalry and some of the best books and poems ever written. annual celebration events in the Glenkens. * Thanks to funding support from D&G Council, Reeling & Writhing Theatre Company presents If I Were A Mouse, Tues 9 Mar, Margaret Morris dance classes are now free of charge. 1.30pm, £3.50. If I was a Mouse is an intimate This is every Monday for primary aged children (see adventure made of tricks and tales, puppets above). Glenkens Gazette page 7 The CatStrand: News & Events COMMUNITY EVENTS / CLASSES The Benefit Maximisation Team will be at The CatStrand on Tuesday 9 February from 9am - 1pm. Please call 01644 420374 for a confidential appointment; transport available if required. Arthritis Care will be delivering a course on Challenging Pain on Tuesdays 16 and 23 February from 1.30-3.30pm Big Screen Gaming, Wii Olympics, Rock Guitar Hero. Come along and try your gaming skills against others in your area. Prizes to be won and the winners will go through to the Stewartry Final. Date to be confirmed. ‘A Wii Night in the Glenkens’; REIKI TRAINING If your New Year’s Resolutions include healthier living, learning a new skill and bringing calm into your life then this course is for you! Anyone can learn Reiki. One of the benefits of Reiki as a therapy is that you are able to treat yourself as well as others. It is helpful in situations of stress, depression, ME and breaking cycles of addiction. Courses run on 6 & 7 Feb from 10am-4pm, with a charge of £65/ £50 (concession) for the course. Stewartry Wii Champtionships, February - Date to be confirmed, age11-17 years, Individuals and team competitions. Carers Coffee and Chat, Tues 2 Mar, 10-12noon, free Web Builder 1, Mon 1 Mar, 9.30am - 12.30noon, free Web Builder 2, Mon 8 Mar, 9.30am - 4.30pm, free Rag Rug Making Workshop, Mons 15, 22 & 29 Mar, 2 - 4pm, £33 Bike Maintenance Workshop, Sun 21 Mar, 9.30am - 12.00noon, free Regular Classes: Exercise to Music, Mon, 10-11am, £4/£3. Teen Spirit, Tues during term time, 7.30-9.30pm. Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thurs, 10-11.15am, £30 per 6 week block. Taking the First Step in Computing, Wed 5.30pm-7.30pm. Taking the Next Step in Computing, Mon, 5.30–7.30pm. Afternoon Tea Club, 2nd Fri each month, 2pm, annual membership £2. Minibus pick up from Balmaclellan & Dalry by prior arrangement - call 01644 420374. Get Involved at The CatStrand Volunteering - Learn new skills, meet new people and have fun! Now well into its third year the CatStrand continues to be a successful, exciting venue, delivering fantastic events, activities and facilities to our communities. In order to continue this success we are hugely reliant on the time and support of our enthusiastic team of volunteers, and we are always on the look out for new people to get involved. There are many opportunities available, from stewarding at events to welcoming visitors at weekends, from bar work to distributing brochures and leaflets. For more information about volunteering please get in touch; call us on 01644 420374, email info@catstrand.com or visit our website www.catstrand.com. Thank you! FUTURE JOBS FUND The CatStrand has a job opportunity for an 18-24 year old. This will be a six month post for an admin and events assistant. The post is 25 hours per week, at a rate of pay of £6 per hour. Applicants must have been unemployed and in receipt of job seekers allowance for at least six months. If you are interested, please contact the Job Centre in Dumfries on 01387 223 200. Eat @ CatStrand LUNCHES - Mon to Fri, 11am-2pm NEW! - ‘Soup & Sweet’ lunches only £4.95, Wednesday & Friday (includes a cup of tea or coffee) Glenkens Community & Arts Trust seeks a Weekend Cleaner Part time, flexible hours Contact: The CatStrand, High Street, New Galloway, DG7 3RN, 01644 420374, www.catstrand.com, info@catstrand.com WEDNESDAY BUS SERVICE (REGD. ROUTE): CONCESSIONARY BUS PASSES ARE ACCEPTED ON THIS ROUTE, SO PLEASE MAKE USE OF THIS EXTRA SERVICE Timings are as follows: 1900 Dept Dalry (Underhill) 1910 New Galloway 1925 Mossdale 1935 Laurieston 1940 Townhead of Greenlaw 1947 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 1950 Arrive Castle Douglas (Tesco) The return journey : 2045 Departs Castle Douglas (Tesco) 2047 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 2052 Townhead of Greenlaw 2100 Laurieston 2110 Mossdale 2125 New Galloway 2135 Arrive Dalry IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK THE COMMUNITY-BUS OR IF YOU WANT ANY MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT KEITH COOPER, GTI ADMINISTRATOR ON 01644 420374. Forthcoming GTI trips will be from Easter onwards. Please keep an eye out in your local shops from March onwards. Keith Cooper For further info & to buy tickets visit www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420 374 Glenkens Gazette page 8 LOCAL HISTORY The Glenkens Society Twenty years ago Carsphairn residents Jean Gibson and Anna Campbell researched the history of the remarkable Glenkens Society, publishing their findings in the Carsphairn Heritage Group Newsletters. Founded in 1830 by William Grierson of Garroch the organisation’s full title was ‘The Glenkens Society For Improving The Condition of the Working Classes’. Grierson Yorstoun, as he was known following his marriage, would, in time, hold the joint offices of Perpetual Honorary Director and Perpetual Honorary Secretary. In 2006 the society’s papers were deposited in the Stewartry Museum, Kirkcudbright, where they were kindly brought to my attention by the curator, David Devereux. The society was at first concerned only with Dalry and Kells, Balmaclellan being added in 1832 and Carsphairn a year later. Grierson described Glenkens as “a retired district of the Stewartry… neither among the best cultivated, nor the most neglected portions of the kingdom”. His aim was to encourage the locals to cultivate the necessary skills for maximising both work and the enjoyment of leisure, rendering them more industrious and productive, not only of and for themselves but as an example to other parts of the country. Ayrshire and the Isle of Lewis were both mentioned as places that might benefit from the Glenkens model. Grierson’s big idea was competition. Improvement and efficiency were to be fostered by encouraging men (and later women) to compete “with others of their own standing at any kind of work whatever”. The idea was not exactly original since premiums had previously been awarded for various activities, such as the cultivation of various crops, but the overall ambition was breathtaking since all sorts of folk from schoolchildren to apprentices, tradesmen and farmers, were targeted. Such activities were unusual for a rural community and were more often associated with such institutions as Mechanics’ Institutes in cities and towns. Very little is known about Grierson but it is tempting to speculate that he was influenced in some way by his neighbour John Kennedy who grew up as a poor boy at Knocknalling and returned from Manchester to buy the whole estate when he made his pile as one Britain’s biggest cotton magnates. Key to all was education, schooling in winter and the acquisition of practical, on-the-job skills in summer. Reading writing and arithmetic were essential and might hopefully benefit parents by educating the children though most Glenkens adults at this period were in fact literate. Accounting and book-keeping were also desirable, as was a knowledge of drawing, mathematics and Scripture History. In some schools grammar, geography, Latin and Greek, as well as, bizarrely, English History, were also offered with prizes established to encourage excellence in same. Competitive awards were also made available for apprentice joiners and blacksmiths. An annual ploughing match attracted over thirty entries. Dyking was similarly promoted but a spadework competition had to be dropped, allegedly due to Irish (competitively!) undercutting thus making it uneconomic. Prizes were offered for the best kept dunghills, one parish (sadly unnamed) producing eleven entries, so promoting hygiene as well as the efficient management of manure. So too for the most attractive cottage exteriors and the best kept gardens. From gardens it was an obvious step to a Vegetables Show mounted in 1848, with flowers added in 1863. Shows of poultry and dairy produce followed. The Glenkens Cattle Association was mainly concerned with the prevention of disease. Today the last remnant of Glenkens Society activity is the annual Horticultural Show. Can it still be said as it was in 1908 that “perhaps in no district is there greater skill shown in growing vegetables in cottage gardens than in the Glenkens”? Grierson was not the most modest of individuals. He drew upon ideas developed in Prussia and the Netherlands but he saw his own efforts offering models of other parts of Scotland and the UK, not to mention beyond. His fascinating schemes were not to be restricted to the Glenkens, “nor do we see reason to apprehend that it will be found inapplicable to any other portion of the human race”! Ted Cowan CARSPHAIRN’S REALLY GOT CHRISTMAS TALENT! A Christmas concert for the villagers of Carsphairn, staged by the residents themselves, raised over £300 towards the set-up costs for a Community First Responders group for the village. Entitled ‘Carsphairn’s Got Talent’, the show featured a variety of acts ranging from solo and group vocal and instrumental items to humorous sketches, monologues and recitals. The event played to a packed village hall and ended with a karaoke that went on into the early hours of the next morning. The concert was organised by the Carsphairn Church Social Committee and members laid on tea, coffee and mince pies during the interval. As the event was purely for the enjoyment of the villagers, donations were requested instead of an admission charge. Added to the proceeds of a raffle, these amounted to more than £300 in aid of the First Responders. “We are grateful to everyone who supported our show, especially those who donated raffle prizes and made a donation towards a very worthwhile cause,” commented Nigel Martin, one of the organisers. Glenkens Gazette page 9 NATURE & WILDLIFE Photograph by Malene Thysson Wolves, Foxes and Fireworks On Guy Fawkes’ night a friend and I flew to Madrid and next day met up with other friends near Salamanca on the Spanish border with Portugal. This was my first visit to northwest Spain and our main purpose was to look for wolves. Until recently, I thought they were restricted to the Pyrenees, but in fact they are also found in the Picos uplands and indeed well south of there. Luckily, we saw one in the gloaming of our first full day! What a sight it was, scraping up earth and pouncing on something small before sloping off as only wolves can. Another was seen in full daylight later in the week, as were hundreds of great bustards and cranes on the dry plains to the east, with golden eagles, griffon and black vultures too in various places. Naturally, such wildlife riches are very important to the local tourism economy. Wolves have been extinct in Britain since the end of the 17th century, though there is an oft-repeated tale of the last one being killed in 1743 by one MacQueen in Morayshire. They were killed by a variety of methods, but all of these made easier by the progressive clearance of our native woodlands, which was virtually complete in many areas by that time. In the Galloway and Carrick Hills there are several references to wolves, including the wolf stone on the Eglin Lane near Loch Doon, and the nearby wolf slock on Hoodens Hill. The former is a large glacial erratic and tradition says that it was near this `stone’ that the last wolf in southern Scotland was killed. Slock is the old Scots word for hole and is very apt for the wolf slock, which is an impressive cavity set in a neuk of the Hoodens just south of Gordon’s Loup. Some years ago I stood in the slock and gazed up at the remnants of vain attempts by ravens to fix their nests in its highest recesses, whilst also imagining the place to have once been a refuge for native Scottish wolves. I must say the wild border terrain north of Salamanca has many similarities with that of the wilder places of Galloway, and indeed even with some less wild places. We saw very many deer, both red and roe, and a single wild boar; all of them wolf prey presumably. However, we didn’t see any foxes, which would have been in abundance on any similar dawn/dusk vigils here. They must have been there, of course, but perhaps their numbers and habits are suppressed by the presence of their more powerful cousins. Deer stalking was apparent, and licences are issued to shoot a certain number of wolves each year, with some Germans reportedly paying large sums of money for the `privilege’ of killing a wolf. This suggests to me that more will be killed than are accounted for, but that’s another story. Animal husbandry must be affected to some extent by the presence of wolves, though the animals we saw were in heavily wooded areas and stock were mostly close to habitation. In Spain, there hasn’t been a reported wolf attack on humans in living memory, whilst numbers of wolves are now increasing elsewhere in Europe as human resistance to them wanes. They have been reintroduced to various places in the USA, including Yellowstone National Park, in an effort to restore a more natural balance to the ecosystem, and various high profile people have called for their reintroduction to Scotland. One suspects that current attitudes, prejudices and the practicalities and economics of stock rearing will combine to thwart this in many areas, but who knows what the future may hold? Chris Rollie Y O U T H The Battle of the Bands Due to adverse weather only four of the nine bands were able to make it. However, the bands who did turn up were of a very high standard with winners Super Colour Play (pictured) being a huge hit with the audience. U P D A T E CatStrand Youth Players The Youth Players are staging ‘The Willow & The Pomegranate’ by Derrick Brown at the Stewartry Drama Festival. The play will close the Festival as the last performance on Saturday 27th February and will also be presented at The CatStrand along with ‘Chips with Vinegar’ by the ‘73 Club on 12th March. The play is adapted from a traditional Chinese Folk Tale and the cast are hoping that they can follow up last year’s success when their production of ‘We’ll be Home Tomorrow’ by Wayne Denfhy won the Audience Choice Trophy. The Christmas presentation of ‘Cinderella, the Sequel’ was also a great success with the young cast providing great entertainment to the appreciative audience. As the entire membership are involved in the festival production, the planned production of ‘Spud Ferret and the Case of the Stolen Diamonds’ by Jeff Gallacher will now be staged at The CatStrand on Friday 30th April at 7.30pm. The Glenken’s Youth Skateboard Project will be having a Public Consultation on Tuesday 9th February from 6-7pm at The CatStrand to discuss proposals for the skateboard ramps to be situated in the New Galloway Park. �� Glenkens Gazette page 10 ALEX FERGUSSON MSP FOR GALLOWAY AND UPPER NITHSDALE Holds regular advice surgeries at: 2 St ANDREW STREET, CASTLE DOUGLAS on the second Friday of every month from 5pm Telephone free on 0800 028 7260 for an appointment or to make any alternative arrangement’ You can visit Alex’s website at www.alexfergusson.org.uk or contact him by e-mail at alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk �� Hotel A PUBLIC CONSULTATION is to be held at Lagwyne Hall (The Village Hall) Carsphairn, Castle Douglas DG7 3TQ on Saturday, 13th February 2010 between, 10.00am & 4.00pm. Observations are invited on the proposal to apply for Planning Permission in Principle to construct four new detached dwellings on land at Cumnock Knowes, Carsphairn, Castle Douglas DG7 3TG. Outline details will be available to view and there will be an opportunity to make representations to the prospective applicant. Any comments made will not be representations to the Planning Authority. If the prospective applicant submits an application there will be an opportunity to make representations to the Planning Authority. For further information please contact Colin Millward, Managing Director, Sentium Ltd on 07803 285761 or email colin.millward@sentium.co.uk Health is True Wealth �� You could be suffering from a condition that may be improved by a nutritional consultation. Often a change in diet works well alongside your doctor’s health advice. Lorna has been working with patients for over 15 years now and has seen some great health improvements due to changing what we eat. “You have transformed my life - ill for 42 years, better in three days - thank you!” says Hilary Hawkins, Gatehouse of Fleet �� Some of the problems Lorna has seen responding well to dietary changes include: �� Digestive problems including bloating, cramps, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhoea etc; arthritis; skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rashes; tiredness and anxiety; weight issues; hormonal and menopausal problems; men’s health problems; childrens’ health issues, eg. hyperactivity, frequent coughs and colds Consultations from £35 (minimum one hour) If you feel that a nutritional consultation could help you, please contact Lorna to discuss your issues on 01644 470218 or lorna@foods4life.co.uk To find out more visit www.foods4life.co.uk Glenkens Gazette Health Tips: by Nutritionist & Dietician Lorna Willock NUTRITIONAL TIPS FOR WEIGHT LOSS Another year – back to the dieting after many of us put on weight over Christmas and New Year. All those lovely mince pies, Christmas pudding and cake…need I say more? Well here are a few tips to help you get back into shape: - Drink water before every meal (approx 1⁄2 an hour) as it helps fill us up. page 11 C L U B Glenkens Walking Group: 1.30pm every Wednesday outside the Bank of Scotland in Dalry. Glenkens Strollers: 2pm on Fridays at the top bus stop in Dalry for a slow walk on good roads and tracks, followed by tea and biscuits. For further info contact John or Isobel on 430 539. Glenkens Ramblers: 1.30pm every Monday outside the Bank of Scotland in Dalry. If very wet, please phone a Walk Leader to confirm that the walk will proceed. For further info on either activity contact John & Isobel on 430539, Peter on 420219 or Gerry on 420852. The Glenkens ’73 Club: ‘Chips with Vinegar’ by Harry Glass will once again be the club’s entry in the Stewartry District SCDA Drama Festival, hopefully this year it will finally make it on to the stage! Unfortunately it had to be withdrawn at the last minute in 2009 due to illness but rehearsals are now well underway to be ready for the Festival at the end of February in Lochside Theatre. This year there are ten one act plays entered, five from youth teams and five adult teams. The top two adult teams will go forward to represent the Stewartry District at the Western Divisional Finals in Greenock at the end of March. The winning youth team will represent the Stewartry at the Western Youth Finals in Lochside Theatre on 20th March. The Stewartry Festival will run over four nights from Wednesday 24th – Saturday 27th February, ‘Chips with Vinegar’ will be on stage on Friday 26th February. The play will be performed again along with the Youth Players’ production at The CatStrand on Friday 12th March at 7.30pm. - Eat lots of fibre – fruits, veggies and plenty of whole grains. Build up slowly; these quality foods fill us up. - Don’t skip meals as this can mean you end up grabbing something less nutritious - Try protein at breakfast as this keeps us fuller for longer e.g. free-range eggs. - Bake fish or lean meat in tasty tomato sauces. - Cut back on carbohydrates (bread, potatoes, cake, etc) unless you’re doing something energetic. - Keep an emergency supply of fruit in the car, office, etc. - When you really want something ‘naughty’, e.g. chocolate, have a little; cravings need to be reduced gradually, unless you have the willpower to go ‘cold-turkey’! The Cross Keys Hotel New Galloway Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents ( 01556 503744 ( www.ggblaw.co.uk OFFICES IN : CASTLE DOUGLAS, DALBEATTIE KIRKCUDBRIGHT & DUMFRIES Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) Tel: 01644 420 494 enquiries@thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk www.thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk New Galloway New Galloway Open 7 Days : Beautiful Riverside Location Golf Club M E A L S S E RV E D 12.00 - 2.00pm, 5.30 - 8.30pm www.nggc.co.uk bed and breakfast en suite accommodation ( 01644 420 211 ( mail@kenbridgehotel.co.uk www.kenbridgehotel.co.uk FHB Fencing 10 en suite bedrooms, traditional bar, excellent restaurant, quiz nights, antique and collectibles markets KENBRIDGE HOTEL TRADITIONAL LOG FIRE For further information visit www.foods4life.co.uk or email lorna@foods4life.co.uk C O R N E R W BONE WHB JEEPS THE GARAGE, DALRY PETROL & DIESEL SALES SERVICE & REPAIRS MOTs, TYRES, BATTERIES ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES OPEN 8.30AM - 6.00PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY Tel: 01644 430208 Fax: 01644 430669 email: jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Founded 1902 v 01644 420737 v Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME 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 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Crimestoppers: 0845 555 111 TIMES OF WORSHIP IN THE GLENKENS CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sundays Balmaclellan 12noon 1st Carsphairn 10.30am 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Dalry 12noon 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Kells 10.30am 2nd 3rd 4th Special Services and Events 26th Feb, 7pm: Beetle Drive, Dalry Town Hall 5th March, 7pm: World Day of Prayer Service, Dalry Church 29th March, 10.30am: United Service with Choir in Carsphairn Church Communion Services: 28th Feb, 10.30am, Kells Church 21st March, 10.15am, Carsphairn Church 21st March, 12 noon, Dalry Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH (C of E) St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion - 10.30am every Sun & Wed CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES Gatehouse of Fleet: Sat, 6pm Kirkcudbright: Sun, 9.30am Dalbeattie: Sun, 11am St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Castle Douglas, contact Rev McFadden for info on 01557 330687. PROJECT PART-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION Europe and Scotland Making it work together page 12 GLENKENS DIARY FOR ALL EVENTS FEBRUARY - 12.00noon, The CatStrand, New Galloway Mon 1 to Fri 12, Exhibition: Dalry School, Sun 28 Mar – Thurs 22 Apr, Exhibition: CatStrand opening hours, The CatStrand, New Lisa Hooper, CatStrand opening hours, The Galloway CatStrand, New Galloway Tue 2, Balmaclellan CC Meeting, 7pm, Mon 29, Carsphairn CC, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Balmaclellan Village Hall Carsphairn Tues 2, Session A9, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, Wed 31, Film: Nowhere Boy, 7.30pm, The New Galloway CatStrand, New Galloway Thurs 4, Storytelling Café, 7.30–9.30pm, The REGULAR EVENTS: CatStrand, New Galloway Glenkens Ramblers, Mondays 1.30pm, Bank of Sat 6 & Sun 7, Reiki Training Course, 10amScotland, Dalry 4pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Scouts: Mon, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Tues 9, Glenken’s Youth Sateboard Project Mother & Toddlers Group: Tues 9.45-11.15am, Public Consultation, 6-7pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Town Hall New Galloway Beavers: Tues, 6.30–7.45pm, New Mon 8, Kells CC Meeting, 7.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Galloway Town Hall Tue 9, Benefit Maximisation Team, 9am - 1pm, Stewartry Camera Club: most Wednesdays throughout the winter at 7.30 pm in The The CatStrand, New Galloway, please call 01644 420374 for a confidential appointment Tolbooth, Kirkcudbright Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Fri 12, Duo X, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New Scout Hut Galloway Glenkens Walking Group, meet Wed 1.30pm Sat 13, Public Consultation for Planning outside Bank of Scotland, Dalry Permission; Cumnock Knowes, 10am & 4pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Glenkens Strollers, meet at 2pm each Friday at Sat 13, Saturday Art Club, 10am–12noon, The the top bus stop in Dalry for a slow walk CatStrand, New Galloway Lions Club monthly quiz, alternating between Tues 16 & 23, Arthritis Care; Challenging Pain, The CatStrand & Lochinvar Hotel. For further info contact Andrew Frew on 420 323. 1.30-3.30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway The CatStrand, New Galloway (see p7) Sat 20, One Up One Down, 7.30pm, The Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am CatStrand, New Galloway Play it by Ear: every Mon during term time, Mon 22, Carsphairn CC, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, 1.30-2.30pm Carsphairn Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Morris Wed 24, Film: The Soloist, 7.30pm, The Movement: every Mon during term time, 4-5pm CatStrand, New Galloway (ages 8-12) Fri 26, Beetle Drive, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Taking the Next Step in Computing: Mon, Sat 27 Feb – Thurs 25 Mar, Exhibition: 5.30–7.30pm Celebrating the Watsons, CatStrand opening Carers Coffee & Chat, starts Tues 1st Dec, hours, The CatStrand, New Galloway February - Date to be confirmed, ‘A Wii Night 10am-12noon, The CatStrand, New Galloway in the Glenkens’; Stewartry Wii Champtionships, The Reading Cure, Tuesdays, 11.15am–1.15pm The CatStrand, New Galloway Teen Spirit: Tues, 7.30-9.30pm MARCH Wednesdays, Glenkens Walking Group, 2pm, outside Bank of Scotland, Dalry Mon 1, Web Builder 1,9.30am - 12.30noon, The CatStrand, New Galloway Taking the First Step in Computing: Wed, 5.307.30pm Tues 2, Carers Coffee and Chat, 10-12noon, The CatStrand, New Galloway Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thurs, 10-11.15am Thurs 4, Storytelling Café, 7.30–9.30pm, The Catstrand Youth Players, every Sun during term CatStrand, New Galloway time, 2pm Fri 5, Michael Marra, 8pm, The CatStrand, Afternoon Tea Club: 2nd Fri each month, 2pm New Galloway Saturday Art Club, 2nd Sat each month, 10am– Sat 6, Celebrating the Watsons: The Glenkens 12noon Star Bird Men, The CatStrand, New Galloway Glenkens Youth Choir, Sun, 5-6pm Mon 8, Kells CC Meeting, 7.30pm, New CatStrand Playstation Tournaments: contact The Galloway Town Hall CatStrand for info. Mon 8 Mar, Web Builder 2, 9.30am - 4.30pm, Dalry Community Centre The CatStrand, New Galloway (for info or to book contact Sarah on 430 393) Tues 9, If I Were A Mouse, 1.30pm, The Glenkens Playgroup: Mon-Fri, 9.15-11.45am CatStrand, New Galloway Paint & Art: Mon 1.30-4.30pm Fri 12, Glenkens ’73 Group & Youth Players Productions, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New Ballroom & Latin Dance drop-in class: Mon Galloway 7.30-9pm, £5 Sat 13, Saturday Art Club, 10am–12noon, The Ballroom & Latin Dance course: Mon 9-10pm, CatStrand, New Galloway for more info tel Sam Hood on 01644 420672 Sat 13, Lorna Reid, 8pm, The CatStrand, New Good Neighbours Club: Tues 2pm Galloway Kickback Martial Arts: Tues & Thurs 7-9pm, Mon 15, 2011 Clachan Fair Public Meeting, adults welcome 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Glenkens Mother & Toddlers: Wed 1.30-3pm Mons 15, 22 & 29, Rag Rug Making Workshop, Craft Class: Thurs 2-4pm 2 - 4pm, £33, The CatStrand, New Galloway Brownies: Wed 5.30-6.45pm Fri 19, Clutter Keeps Company, 7.30pm, The Guides:Wed 5.30-7pm CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 21, Bike Maintenance Workshop, 9.30am Drama Club: for further info contact Brian Edgar on 420 288 WRITE FOR THE GAZETTE! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... If you have a submission, contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk. APRIL/MAY COPY DEADLINE: Fri 12 March Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. 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Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document April/May 2010 ISSUE 57 www.glenkensgazette.com Youth Drama Success The CatStrand Youth Players stole the show at the Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) Drama Festival with their production of ‘The Willow and The Pomegranate’ by Derrick Brown and as the winners of the youth section will now go forward to represent the Stewartry District at the West of Scotland Finals. This is the first time that a youth team from the Glenkens has reached this stage of the SCDA’s national competition. The Youth Players, appearing in only their second festival, also retained the coveted ‘Audience Choice’ trophy, which they won on their debut appearance in 2009. The adjudicator summed the production up by saying: “This was a beautifully presented piece ideally suited to the young cast and a worthy representative at divisional level.” He also praised the cast and the direction during his adjudication as “superbly delivered by a talented director, marshalling a young and very talented cast supported by excellent lighting, sound, costuming and stage set. The cast contained some very young actors with considerable potential and tremendous stage presence.” The cast of fifteen youngsters ranging in age from 9 up to 14 years were absolutely delighted to lift the trophies and the noise in the dressing room when the winner was announced was deafening! The audience reaction was fantastic and very pleasing for the cast and crew; everyone is now looking forward to the honour of representing the Stewartry District which is hosting the Western Finals this year in Lochside Theatre. They will compete against the youth winners from the other five Western SCDA Districts; Newton Stewart Junior Players, Abbey Youth Drama Group (Kilwinning), Greenock Youth Players, Kirkintilloch Youth Players and Peninver Junior Players. The Glenkens in a Biosphere? The Glenkens is poised for international recognition if Biosphere status is granted to this part of South West Scotland. The area, which would include other parts of Dumfries and Galloway as well as South and East Ayrshire, would become known as a place of world class environment and sustainable development. Local councils, together with Scottish Natural Heritage and the Forestry Commission Scotland, have for some time been discussing the possibility of applying to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for Biosphere status for the area. Biospheres are locations recognised under UNESCO’s ‘Man and the Biosphere Programme’, which innovate and demonstrate approaches to conservation and sustainable development. They remain under national sovereign jurisdiction, yet share their experience and ideas nationally, regionally and internationally within the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Biosphere status does not impose any new regulatory or legislative controls on an area or on the activities within it. Studies have shown the concept would generate significant economic opportunities and broad community support for the concept, which in turn has won local political support. Dumfries & Galloway Councillor Graham Nicol said: “A Biosphere for South West Scotland would be a great asset. We have a wonderful environment that is often overlooked in national tourism promotion and a whole range of quality small businesses linked both to tourism and the use of the land. A Biosphere could become a powerful brand for marketing the whole area on the world stage.” “There are two existing Biospheres within the UK, one in North Devon the other in the Dyfi Valley in Wales. If the SW Scotland project goes forward it could be the third in the UK and the only one in Scotland…There is already strong interest in some local communities within the potential Biosphere and there are proposals for biosphere-type projects linked to local marketing or promotion initiatives.” For further information please contact Pip Tabor at The Southern Uplands Partnership on 01750 725154 or piptabor@sup.org.uk IN THIS ISSUE... 2 - Local Artist: Morag Paterson, Noticeboard: Walking Festival, Heritage Centre, GTI Funding, GBA Update 3 - Community Councils 4&5- Schools Report 6 - CatStrand Events 7 - CatStrand Community News, The Bus (GTI) 8 - Local History: King Arthur in the Glenkens 9 - Club Corner: ‘73 Club, Walking Groups, Stewartry Camera Club, Youth Update: Girls on the Move! 10 - Carsphairn Heritage Centre Exhibition, Health Tips 11 - Mountain Challenge, Do You Have Problems Sleeping? 12- Church Times, Useful Numbers, Glenkens Diary of Events www.leemingpaterson.com info@leemingpaterson.com Glenkens Gazette page 2 Local Artist: Morag Paterson You may have seen Morag’s unusual photographs about – they are beautiful and often abstract, with the feel of a painting rather than a photographic image. Morag works with her husband Ted to create a wide variety of fine art prints, from landscapes to abstracts. “I first came to the Glenkens when I was 19 and have lived here (on and off) since then”, says Morag. “ I love the feeling of uncrowded wilderness here and the constantly changing skies. After such a beautiful winter I can’t imagine living anywhere else, but ask me again after another wet summer and I’ll probably be feeling very differently…” she says wryly. “I met my husband, Ted, here, and it was he who inspired me to start taking photographs, which has since developed into a full time occupation. I enjoy experimenting with photography – having no formal training, I don’t feel constrained by some of the ‘rules’ that usually apply to the art-form. Having said that, after a long spell of only creating abstract images, I’m now working on a project of much more traditional images. Working together with Ted, we spend a lot of time exploring boundaries and now jointly sign all of our images in recognition of the shared creative process.” Morag Paterson and Ted Leeming will be exhibiting in the studios building of Gracefield Arts Centre from 29th – 31st May as part of this year’s Spring Fling event. You can see more of their work at www.leemingpaterson.com or contact them on info@leemingpaterson.com Noticeboard Newton Stewart Walking Festival: 7-13 May There are many beautiful walks, both within and outwith the Glenkens area. The walks which take in the Glenkens are Walk 2-1: The Rotary Corbett Challenge (8 May), Walk 2-3: Rhinns of Kells (8 May), and walk 3-1: The Three Cairnsmores (9 May). Visit the website to book onto a walk, and to check up to date times/dates: www.newtonstewartwalkfest.com, or call 01671 404500, or brochures can be found at local shops or at The CatStrand. The Carsphairn Heritage Group Annual Exhibition, ‘Carsphairn Captured on Camera; 1885 – 2010‛, opens on April 2nd. For more info see p10. GTI Bus Funding Update The decision on whether the bus receives any funding has now been passed from Dumfries & Galloway Council to the Area Councils. The Stewartry Area Council (made up of your local councillors) will meet in April/May to decide whether to support our bus – watch this space. See p7 for more GTI info. Glenkens Business Association Make sure of your entry: GBA Membership at only £20 gives you a free entry in the online directory and in the new printed directory due to be published in late spring. A grant from the Stewartry Area Committee has provided the opportunity to offer free membership and directory entries for community groups and organisations. Look out in shops and other local venues for the new application forms for joining or renewing membership. The GBA is continually looking for ways in which local businesses can take advantage of new opportunities and initiatives, especially at this time of recession. The committee has been putting together a programme of useful talks but will be pleased to hear further suggestions for what the GBA can do for business and the community. The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 28th April at 7.30pm at the Kenbridge Hotel. Come along to talk about putting the Glenkens on the map and share your ideas for the future to make the Glenkens a great place for living, working and visiting. For further info contact Alan Rumble on 01644 420250 email alanrumble@gmail.com Ros Hill, Chairman and email: Glenkens Gazette page 3 Dalry Community Council Extract from minutes of meeting held 1 February 2010 Regarding co-option of young members, it was reported that a new form has been created which, after viewing by the CC, will be circulated amongst pupils. Discussion was had on the topic of pavements, roads and verges - it was noted that the gullies in Main Street have been cleared and hedges trimmed. There is still the problem of overhanging branches on the A702. It was also noted that Main Street is severely cracked along a lengthy section of the road. There is also a very large pothole on Ayr Road opposite the garage by the entrance to the bowling club. Members were advised that there has been an application for change of use on the former doctors surgery. Regarding Duchrae, representatives from 2020 Renewables addressed the committee on the proposed windfarm project at Duchrae. They confirmed that a Scoping report had been submitted and copies of the proposals and report have been left with the Community Council (if anyone wishes to look at these then please contact Dalry CC). It is unlikely that the work, if approved, will commence before 2014, and it is anticipated that there will be 21 turbines with each turbine approximately 115 meters in height. Discussion ensued and concerns were raised about the number of windfarms being proposed for the area and their eventual impact on the surrounding villages. One of the 2020 Renewables representatives informed the committee that public exhibitions will be held. The committee was addressed the committee regarding the Donald Watson Bird Studio, informing them that sponsors and family members had received the reports that had been made and he was currently awaiting their response. It was clear from the reports that no other site other than Barone would be suitable and it was understood that the family want the project to go ahead and would be willing to support the proposal financially. A Trust will have to be set up. Annual competitions, celebration events, exhibitions and a Raptor/Science prize are proposed. The recent report in the Galloway News relating to the recent school inspection was referred to; a copy of the report is available if anyone wishes to see it - the school did exceptionally well and pupils and staff alike should be congratulated. It was suggested that we should encourage people to continue to write to the Galloway News over any concerns they may have, for example housing/planning matters. Next meeting : Monday 5th April, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. Carsphairn Community Council Extract from minutes of meeting held 25 January 2010 Kathryn Thacker has been appointed on a trial basis to take on the role for this and future meetings under the title of secretary. Winter maintenance of the public highways wad discussed with Cllr Peter Duncan - a full review by the council of its gritting policy is to take place. The council commits to keeping primary routes open and if successful will move on to secondary routes. The budget for doing this has already been overspent by £500,000. There was also a national shortage of salt due to the adverse weather event in December and January which has in turn caused widespread damage to roads. The council feels its policy was implemented and the meeting was directed to the D&G website for definitions of which routes are primary and which secondary. The community council is to convey its thanks on behalf of the residents on the way the council maintained the primary routes and the help that was given to people in the community in difficult circumstances. It was agreed that a letter will be sent to the council conveying these feelings. PC Bryan Bruton reported that it had been very quiet over the past month due to the adverse weather and people not moving around. He was pleased to report that all the communities have pulled together and looked after their vulnerable people. There were a few minor ‘bumps’ but this was again due to the adverse weather conditions. Regarding the welcome leaflet, no further progress has been made with this as yet. The website remains ongoing. The CC has been in contact with Charles Clemie regarding the trees on the A713, and clarified that it is the responsibility of the landowner to remove trees overhanging the carriageway. The council is able to compel the landowner to maintain them. It was asked who is responsible for trees actually on the highway verges - at the moment the lorries are ‘trimming’ the trees as they pass. It was agreed to check if trees are overhanging the carriageway and to ask Charles Clemie to clarify re trees on council highway. Clarification was sought as to who is able to use the salt in the bins in the village. An email was received from D&G council that stated grit in the bins was for council workmen for use on the public roads and pavements – however, in extreme circumstances, the public may apply the grit but on council roads and pavements only. It may not be used for salting private paths, roads, access or driveways and that salt/grit for private use should be purchased by the individual. A vote of thanks was received from Linda Szafran of Carricks Shop to all in the community who helped to keep the paths in the village cleared. A suggestion was made that when it snows each home owner could be asked to clear the pavement outside their home and even help with more general clearing in the village. David McMath from the D&G Operations Team for Scottish Water was contacted about the leaking water pipes after some houses in the village had no water supply and others had reduced pressure. The explanation given was that following burst pipe(s) in properties, the main storage tank was low. One burst was identified on the first day and water turned off, but despite their best efforts over two more days, no more bursts could be found. The problem was solved by someone unknown repairing a burst pipe or turning off water to premises. There are 13 empty properties in the village and only the police have right of access to them. Advice given is that owners of empty properties should leave a key with someone and/or leave a contact number with the police. It was discussed how best to make this known, and agreed that Scottish Water would be asked if they can provide a leaflet giving advice to owners of empty properties. Regarding timber transport on the B729, there has not been any feedback on the improvements along this road. It was noted that a new contractor is working in the Carsphairn forest with inappropriate slogans on its vehicles given the sensitive nature of wood wagons in the area. The loads had been seen not securely fastened and some of the vehicles driven more aggressively than it is liked. PC Bruton agreed that he would make routine roadside enquiries in order to ensure the vehicles, drivers and the loads are legal. On the issue of forestry expansion, there doesn’t appear to be any immediate threat to Carsphairn from this. Following the Kyoto summit, Scotland has agreed to expand the forestry by 1 million acres. On the Forestry Commission website there is a link to rural development contracts. On the regional priorities there is a link to D & G. A discussion took place that the community council will be proactive in getting our voice put forward that the parish of Carsphairn does not require anymore forestation as 50% of the parish is already planted. It was agreed that a meeting with the Scottish Forestry Commission would be arranged and a letter sent to D&G council outlining the views of the community. A consultation is to take place between the community and developers proposing a development of four houses at Cumnock Knowes. There is an existing house but there are plans to build an additional four large dwellings on the area. Because of the size of the development the company are required to hold a 12 week consultation - a decision whether the community council is for or against the proposed plans will be made after that date. There has been little activity in the community garden due to adverse weather conditions. Currently we are waiting for feedback regarding a grant application. It was decided that in order to ensure the whole community feel part of the project, a fundraising social event should take place when money for specific items could be raised i.e. picnic benches, and agreed that ideas for fundraising to be put forward at the next meeting. Cllr Duncan was asked for clarification regarding data protection and the registration of the community council with Data Protection and the policy for disclosing personal information. Cllr Duncan agreed that the community council is to register and that anyone wanting personal information should be signposted to the D&G website or their number passed on to relevant person for them to contact them. Next meeting: Monday 26 April, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall. Full minutes of local Community Council meetings are available to view at Dalry Library. Glenkens Gazette page 4 GLENKENS SCHOOLS REPORT Glenkens Schools Visit Edinburgh February was an exciting month for the children of the Glenkens cluster of schools. All 51 pupils from Carsphairn, Dalry and Kells Primaries went to Edinburgh for a very busy and exciting residential trip for three days. Below is a write-up for each day, written by pupils from each school. Wednesday: Lucy and Daisy from Carsphairn: We left Carsphairn at seven o’ clock and drove to Kells Primary to meet all the other children. We got on the coach and drove through the snow to Edinburgh. We first went to Murrayfield Stadium, where we got a guided tour of all the hospitality suites and changing rooms. We next went to Scottish Parliament where we met Alex Fergusson and watched the start of a debate with Nicola Sturgeon saying sorry for writing a letter to a judge. Next we went to Dynamic Earth where we discovered what happened on earth in the past and the present. The best part of the day for both of us was visiting Dynamic Earth! by Lucy Blackett and Daisy Hickman, Carsphairn Thursday: The second day of our trip was packed with fun as we had over five fun places to go to! At first we got up to a lovely breakfast at our B&B, followed by an exciting view up Arthur’s Seat. Everybody enjoyed the thrill of being so high up! Next we were off to the famous Edinburgh Castle for a great tour. Nearly everyone came back with a souvenir! After that we went to Camera Obscura to have a very exciting experience. We got to spy on the people outside using a mirror and a lens! Next we went to a sadder, but very touching visit to Greyfriars Bobby’s Gravestone, in Greyfriars Graveyard. Then we went off to an educational hour of fun at the National Museum of Scotland. We soon returned to our B&B and had a short supper, followed by a trip to the local Fire Brigade Station and Museum. There we saw many different and historical exhibits including the setting of the great Edinburgh fire! Finally, after a long and tiring day, we headed back to our B&B to have a DISCO!!! It was sooo fun and everybody got a chance to shine on the Dance floor! Yes Miss Lamont and Mr McKenna, we do remember when you danced to Robbie Williams ‘Angels’ together! by Sorcha Wolffe , Kells Friday: Friday was the last and possibly best day of our trip to Edinburgh. First was the Museum of Childhood where we saw little cars that children use to play in - it also had a rocking horse that was so cool. My favourite floor was the top floor, where we saw what clothes children used to wear. We got to try on all these old fashion styled clothes ourselves too. When we were at the Dungeons we started with nervous pupils shivering in the church pews and they jumped as the Dead Judge shouted loudly. There was darkness and you could hear voices all around echoing in the room and feel cobwebs on you head. A brief boat ride ended suddenly with a cannibal saying: “Ah, smell them daddy, ah, smell them!” as yet another scream punctured the air. To finish we had to escape a room of mirrors. Our bus drive home was a last chance to talk about all our experiences with our new friends and look forward to seeing our parents after three busy days! by Eilidh Stalker and Faye Green, Dalry Kells Burns Supper 2010 Primary 7 pupils at Kells Primary School hosted their annual Burns Supper for the local community. The 100 guests who attended were entertained by humorous speeches, poetry (some written by Burns, and also some written by the children) and even a slideshow of pictures! The pupils would like to thank the special guests who attended as they all support the school throughout the year and also the PTA for their hard work preparing the hall and the meal. Finally, congratulations to the P7s who gave up their free time to organise this successful event. A McQuaker Landscapes - est. 1992 garden groundwork, paving, gravel & turf, fencing, drainage, rotovating, treework & all associated tasks 01644 440 627 07790 426762 GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL ( 01644 420234 ( Glenkens Gazette page 5 GLENKENS SCHOOLS REPORT GALLOWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2010 CARSPHAIRN PRIMARY: On March 3rd, for the first time, the 11 children in Primary 1 - 7 travelled to Newton Stewart to take part in the Galloway Music Festival. The children had rehearsed songs for the groups entitled: Singing Games, Action Song and the Group Music Making. With an audience of around 200 adults and children, the children performed Jim-A-Long, Red Riding Rap and On My Pond. Being a non-competitive class, the children received comments from the adjudicators and proudly travelled home with comments such as “very good” and “outstanding”. KELLS PRIMARY: We were very proud of their achievements as a team and individually. The children performed superbly in the choir, therefore were proud of coming second and would like to say a big well done to Dalry on their deserved first place. DALRY SECONDARY: Pupils at Dalry Secondary School returned from the Festival bearing numerous medals and silverware. Lowena Lindsay, S2, won her class playing clarinet; Dylan Blore, S2, won a trophy, a Silver Quaich and four medals for both speech and fiddle classes and Kirsty McMath, S1, won a silver medal in her cello class. In S4, Ruth Moslin won the Gold medal for her guitar playing, and her combination with Ryan McCall won a Silver medal for the Popular Music Class. Congratulations must go to all the other participants from Dalry - Fraser Cameron, Calum Wilkie and Darrel Wilson who worked so hard practising and improving their performances and being prepared to perform in competitive events. Cluster Success ● Great opportunity to get some tasty venison from the local hills ● Whole roe deer, jointed and packed in separate bags; ready for cooking ● Price: £35 - 60 for whole carcase For the schools of the Glenkens, working as a cluster is proving very successful, with everyone benefitting from shared resources, joint trips which are bringing the cost down, and children are developing social skills through interacting with the other schools. ● Strahanna Farm ● Water of Ken off the B729 between Moniaive and Carsphairn ● Telephone: 01644 460 660 Pensions – Savings – Investments Retirement & Inheritance Tax Planning Life Assurance – Protection – Mortgages For advice on any of the above, or to review your existing arrangements, contact your local adviser: Brian J. Edgar DipPFS Area Office: Tannoch, Newton Stewart Road, New Galloway DG7 3RT Tel. 01644 420288 or 07808 322421 Central Office, 61 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart DG8 6NL Tel 01671 403080 Fax 01671 402549 e-mail - advice@marrfinancial.co.uk web - www.marrfinancial.co.uk Marr Financial Services is an Appointed Representative of Sesame Ltd YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE Dalry P4/5/6 and Kells P4 5 visited Vindolanda and Hadrian’s wall to bring their Romans topic to life. Glenkens Gazette page 6 The CatStrand: News & Events Exhibition: Lisa Hooper, Sun 28 Mar – Thurs demonstration by Catherine Braid, who will be conjuring 22 Apr, CatStrand opening hours. Lisa uses a up some great dishes from recipes from the film. wide variety of print techniques including lino and woodcut, collagraph and etching to produce Storytelling Café, Thurs 6 May, 7.30–9.30pm, free, but donations for tea and coffee welcome. An informal and images inspired by the natural world. relaxing evening - this month’s café will be hosted by Anne Errington with the theme, “Saints, Selkies and Witches”. Storytelling Café, Thurs 1 April, 7.30– 9.30pm, free, but donations for tea and coffee Breabach, Sun 16 May, 8pm, £8/£7. Scottish welcome. An informal and relaxing evening firebrands Their innovative Celtic style, - this month’s café will be hosted by Renita blending double bagpipes, flute, fiddle, song Boyle with the theme, “Beginnings, Middles and Ends”. and Scottish stepdance, brings to the stage, flare, excitement and diversity rarely seen Laurel and Hardy by Tom McGrath - A Mull Theatre production, Fri 2 April. from such a young group. 7.30pm, £7/£5. Two instantly recognisable characters: Stan’s crying face and his Exhibition: Flower and Field… a explosive hair...Ollie’s long-suffering camera Celebration by Lorna Graham and look and his tie-twiddle ...and, of course, the iconic bowler Barbara Kelly, from Sat 22 May - Thurs 24 hats. *Pre-event fixed menu supper available. Book at least June, CatStrand opening hours. Local artists, Lorna Graham and Barbara Kelly in their 7 days in advance first joint exhibition for many years will show a selection of recent work in watercolour, gouache and oils. Lempen Puppet Theatre Company: The amA-zing Thing, Mon 5 April, 3pm, £3.50. A truly Brute Farce Theatre Company: Around the World in original story told with puppets, acting and live 80 Days, Mon 24 May, 7.30pm, £10/£8. Brute Farce’s new music. Suitable for children aged 5+ and their re-working of Jules Verne’s classic tale whisks the audience families. This event is part of the Puppet Animation from rainy station platforms in nineteenth century London Festival. to a technicolour Bollywood visions of the tropics and the James Grant, Sat 10 April, 8pm, £10/£8. Widely frozen wastes of North America. regarded as one of the finest singer-songwriters and performers around, James Grant plays Film: A Serious Man, Wed 26 May, 7.30pm, material from all his critically acclaimed solo £4.50/£3.50. Period black comedy set in 1967 concerning a Midwestern physics professor albums and a smattering of the old favourites. whose staid and stable life slowly begins to unravel after his wife announces that she’s leaving him. The Middle Eastern Film Festival: Eye of the Sun, Sat 17 April, 7.30pm, £4.50/ Tony McManus, Thurs 27 May, 7.30pm, £8/£6. In little £3.50. Through the eyes of Shams, a playful, over ten years as a professional musician Tony inquisitive, 11-year-old girl, the poignant and McManus has come to be recognised throughout charming Eye of the Sun journeys through the world as the leading guitarist in Celtic Music. modern day Egypt. Mimika Theatre: Small Worlds, Sat 29 May, Exhibition: Vanishing Scotland, from Sun 25 10.30am & 2pm, £3.50. What could a small green April - Thurs 20 May, CatStrand opening hours. A wriggly thing, a bug, a goose, a cat, and a sixnew exhibition that seeks to preserve the memories and insights into rural Dumfries and Galloway. year-old girl have in common? A 50 minute A fascinating journey back to the working and non verbal performance for children aged 5 - 11 cultural past of the region, this exhibition of portrait and and their families. photography, oral history and craft, records ways of living Regular events: that are fast disappearing. Vanishing Scotland is based on the work of folklorist Alyne Jones and the Galloway Tryst Saturday Art Club, Saturdays, 10am–12noon, £4. Twohour workshops run by professional artists and teachers, Archive. offering expert tuition and hands-on experience across a Film: District 9, Wed 28 April, 7.30pm, range of fun filled visual arts and crafts activities. Please £4.50/£3.50. In 1982, a massive star ship wear old clothes as things can get messy (ages 5-12). bearing a bedraggled alien population, CatStrand Youth Players, every Sunday during term nicknamed ‘The Prawns’, appeared over Johannesburg, South Africa. Twenty-eight years later, the time, 2pm. The Youth division of the Glenkens 73 Club. If you are interested in acting, directing, costumes, sound, initial welcome by the human population has faded... lighting, stage management or any other aspect of drama or CatStrand Youth Players: Spud Ferrett and the Case theatre, then come along and have some fun. All welcome of the Stolen Diamonds by Jeff Gallagher, Fri 30 April, (Age 10-18). 7.30pm, £3/£1. A comedy whodunnit, almost like a game of Cluedo on stage - a light-hearted spoof on all the worst Play it by Ear, every Monday during term time, 1.30–2.30pm, £2 per adult/child + 50p for each additional child. A weekly excesses of detective stories! song, music and storytelling session for pre-school children Dumfries Film Festival: Julie and Julia, and their parents or carers which now takes place every plus Cookery Demonstration with Catherine Monday afternoon. Juice and biscuits included in the price. Braid, Sat 1 May, 2pm, £4.50/£3.50. The film Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Morris follows Julie Powell, a government employee who Movement, every Monday during term time, 4-5pm, free. decides to cook her way through legendary cook Dance exercises are created to develop agility, balance, coJulia Child’s classic cookbook, ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ in one years time out of her small ordination, elevation, flexibility and posture. Please wear Queens kitchen. The film will be followed by a cookery loose clothing (age 8-12 years). Glenkens Gazette page 7 The CatStrand: News & Events COMMUNITY EVENTS / CLASSES Baby Reflexology, drop-in starting last Fri of each month 10am-12noon. COMING SOON - boxercise classes with Sam Hood; times tbc but looking at end of April / early May. Sleeping Disorder workshop, Sat 17th April 2-4pm, free, (see p11 for further info.) Fundraising Training with SCVS , Tues 11th May. Rag rug making, Sat/Sun 15/16 May, £33. Regular Classes: Exercise to Music, Mon, 10-11am, £4/£3. Teen Spirit, Tues during term time, 7.30-9.30pm. Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thurs, Becoming a Friend of The CatStrand The success of The CatStrand so far has only been possible thanks to the support and contribution of a wide range of people and organisations, and this will continue to be true over the coming years. 10-11.15am, £30 per 6 week block. Taking the First Step in Computing, Wed 5.30pm-7.30pm. Taking the Next Step in Computing, Mon, 5.30–7.30pm. Afternoon Tea Club, 2nd Fri each month, 2pm, annual membership £2. Minibus pick up from Balmaclellan & Dalry by prior arrangement - call 01644 420374. Glenkens Community & Arts Trust seeks a Weekend Cleaner Part time, flexible hours As a Registered Scottish Charity we encourage all our supporters to give Contact: The CatStrand, High Street, New Galloway, DG7 3RN, 01644 420374, www.catstrand.com, as much as they can, whether monthly, annually or in a one off payment. info@catstrand.com As a Friend you will be kept up to date with The CatStrand and other local news, you will benefit from special offers and promotions and be involved in opportunities to contribute ideas and provide feedback. In addition to these direct benefits you will know that your contribution has genuinely helped to ensure the future success of The CatStrand. To become a Friend you can pick up a form at The CatStrand or please contact us and we will be happy to send you a copy. Thank you. Eat @ CatStrand LUNCHES Mon to Fri 11am-2pm Glenkens Gazette Online - New Social Media for the Glenkens! The Gazette has launched a new interactive web site - www.glenkens .ning.com. It includes all the articles and local information you would expect to see find in the Glenkens Gazette. There is a local events calendar, information on local activities and business articles about what’s going on in your area. In addition, become a member and you can start adding your events, advertise your business, upload photos and videos or write about issues that concern you. There is even a chat room. It’s also a great way to keep in touch with the Glenkens community. This is an excellent way of letting locals and visitors know about your group, business, or simply to keep in touch and show of your best photos. It’s easy to use - and perhaps best of all, it’[s free! Peter Renwick, Marketing Officer, The CatStrand THE BUS : GLENKENS TRANSPORT INITIATIVE NEW SEASON OF BUS TRIPS FOR YOUNG AND OLD You may have noticed that now that spring is upon us, trips in April have already been advertised and, in the case of the Lake District trip, fully booked within five days of tickets going on sale! Future dates for your diary are: Monday 10th May – Castle Kennedy Gardens, Monday 24th May – Falkirk Wheel, Monday 7th June - Wanlockhead Head Mining Museum, Saturday 26th June – British Pipe Band Champs – Annan. EASTER TRIPS FOR OUR YOUNGER TRAVELLERS: WEDNESDAY BUS SERVICE (REGD. ROUTE): CONCESSIONARY BUS PASSES ARE ACCEPTED ON THIS ROUTE, SO PLEASE MAKE USE OF THIS EXTRA SERVICE Friday 2nd April – a day at RSPB at Southwick (nr New Abbey) pond dipping, mini beast hunting etc. Thursday Timings are as follows: The return journey : 1900 Dept Dalry (Underhill) 2045 Departs Castle Douglas (Tesco) 8th April – Kirroughtree Visitor Centre – a day of events and things to do organised by the Forestry Commission. 1910 New Galloway 2047 Castle Douglas (Market Street) For full details of the Easter trips please contact Fiona 1925 Mossdale 2052 Townhead of Greenlaw at The Catstrand – for all other trips see local posters 1935 Laurieston 2100 Laurieston advising you of the price and the date from when places 1940 Townhead of Greenlaw 2110 Mossdale can be booked. 1947 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 2125 New Galloway For an update on future 1950 Arrive Castle Douglas (Tesco) 2135 Arrive Dalry funding for the GTI Bus, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK THE COMMUNITY-BUS OR IF YOU WANT ANY For further info & see the Noticeboard on p2. MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT KEITH COOPER, GTI ADMINISTRATOR ON 01644 420374. Keith Cooper, GTI Administrator to buy tickets visit www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420 374 Glenkens Gazette page 8 LOCAL HISTORY Can we imagine King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table paying a visit to the Glenkens? Not very likely you may think, but if we recall that in medieval times the Glen was part of a huge Forest or Hunting Park, extending westwards beyond Glen Trool, it may be a different story. Like the sport or not, the Glenkens has been attracting hunters for hundreds of years, as it still does. As it happens we have a description of a fabulous hunt by Arthur and his men in a composition, in French, known as the Romance of Fergus of Galloway. It is named for the historical, but heavily fictionalised Fergus, Lord of Galloway, aka King of the Gallovidians, founder of a new cathedral at Whithorn and Dundrennan Abbey, who died in 1161. He had to sell, or pawn, various pieces of land to pay for these expensive building projects. Among those receiving them were the Knights Templars and the Hospitallers, so originating a number of oft-repeated, but unfounded, legends, from that day to this, about associations between Templars and St John’s Town of Dalry. However, the fictitious hunt took place around the Feast of John the Baptist, 24 June, Midsummers Day, a time of revelry, inversion, fun, festival and foolery, still celebrated in the village’s St John’s Fair. That sense of celebration and irreverent humour seems to lie at the heart of the romance, in which Fergus, reincarnated as a chivalric anti-hero, is depicted as a brash and rustic simpleton from a remote part of the world, populated by barbarians like himself. It is not history but it does contain historical information and it was composed, around 1200, by someone who knew something about the region and the Scottish Borders. The story opens at Arthur’s court where the king announces that he wishes to hunt a white stag in a forest near Carlisle. There follows an exhilarating wild hunt as the stag leads its pursuers all over the south of Scotland through the Borders to Jedburgh, and the Lammermuirs, doubling back to the Forest of Glasgow and Ayr, “the home of fair women of whom none are more beautiful in all he world”, eventually fetching up in Galloway, “a richly endowed land. But the folk who live there are very ignorant, for they will never enter a church: they are so stupid and bestial that they are not concerned with praying to God”. Such comments are mild compared to some of the vituperation directed towards Galloway, by English commentators especially, in the twelfth-century. Galwegians were accused of rape, plunder, killing children, selling women into slavery as well as other acts, “violent, lewd and execrable”. All of this seem to become about because Galloway nurtured fierce warriors and folk of independent mind who did not take kindly to the imposition of external authority, Scottish or English. The historical Fergus saw himself as ruler of a separate kingdom or province. Arthur’s entourage comes upon a motte and bailey castle owned by a wealthy peasant named Somerled, the father of three sons, two of whom are shepherding in the mountains while the eldest, Fergus, is ploughing, “dressed in a short, shaggy jerkin roughly made from lambskins, and with a pair of rawhide shoes on his feet. Such was the work they were engaged in every day”. He carries a club for such was the Galloway custom when working. There and then Fergus decides he wants to join the Round Table. Unhitching the horses and oxen – which suggests a joint draft team – he picks up the ploughshare and coulter (the plough irons)– and runs with them to the castle, sweating so profusely as to almost collapse. It is of interest that this may be the earliest Scottish written description of a plough. After a bit of blustering: “Where did he get such ideas? His job is in the fields”, his Old Man hands over some rusty armour, weapons and a fine plump horse, one of the Galloway breed noted for their ability to move more swiftly over boggy ground than any man could travel on foot. And so his quest begins. He has many knightly adventures, subduing robbers, conquering the Black Knight, wandering in the wilderness, acquiring a shining shield, defeating an evil king in combat and participating in a tournament, all in a recognisable Scottish landscape. Most importantly of all he meets the love of his life, the smitten, assertive Galiene, a beauty with a mind of her own and certainly possessed of more gumption than Fergus, who initially turns her down to concentrate on deeds of derring-do, muttering, “I’m stupid to dabble in love. My father never in all his living days indulged in that sort of thing”. A true romantic Scot and son of Galloway if ever there was one! The translation is now rather hard to find but it is available in libraries: Guillaume Le Clerc, Fergus of Galloway Knight of King Arthur, translated by D. D. R. Owen, Everyman’s Library, 1991. Read and Enjoy! Ted Cowan Glenkens Gazette : Advertising Rates 2010 Advert Basic Small Quarter page Half page Full page Format Colour Colour Colour Colour Size Price per Discount for issue Block of 3 ads 6cm x 6cm £31.50 10% 9cm x 13cm £68.25 25% 13cm x 18cm £126.00 25% 18cm x 27cm £210.00 25% (Prices exclude VAT @ 17.5%) To place an advert please contact the Glenkens Gazette on 01644 420374 �� Glenkens Gazette page 9 C L U B C O R N E R Walking Groups The Glenkens ’73 Club The adult and the youth thespians from the Glenkens broke a few records at the Stewartry round of the SCDA Drama Festival, bringing home an unprecedented four trophies between them. (For an update of the Youth Players, see the front page feature.) The Glenkens ’73 Club’s production of ‘Chips with Vinegar’ by Harry Glass was very well received by the audience winning the ‘Best Scottish Play’ and finishing third in the open festival, just missing out by one place on another appearance at the Western Finals. The adjudicator commented, “The play requires thoroughly convincing naturalistic playing and setting plus sensitive direction, it got this from a director and cast very much in tune with the author’s wishes.”He summed the performance up as: “Good teamwork throughout a quietly compelling script delivered with relaxed sensitivity in a performance that was clearly appreciated by the audience.” Both adult and youth plays were also performed at The CatStrand on March 6th to a full house. Glenkens Walking Group: 1.30pm every Wednesday outside the Bank of Scotland in Dalry. Glenkens Strollers: 2pm on Fridays at the top bus stop in Dalry for a slow walk on good roads and tracks, followed by tea and biscuits. For further info contact John or Isobel on 430 539. Glenkens Ramblers: 1.30pm every Monday outside the Bank of Scotland in Dalry. If very wet, please phone a Walk Leader to confirm that the walk will proceed. For further info on either activity contact John & Isobel on 430539, Peter on 420219 or Gerry on 420852. Stewartry Camera Club: The judge for the latest Stewartry Camera Club Competition, ‘Trees’, was Brian Corr. Being the Head Gardener at Threave Gardens, Brian understands trees, and he was able to use this knowledge and his interest in photography to judge the high quality images submitted by members. ‘Big Feet’ by Mary McIlvenna The Best Print was ‘Big Feet’ by Mary McIlvenna. Mary says: “I have had this image in my mind for several years. I was on a photographic holiday in The Lakes last May. Taking shelter under the canopy of the trees to gain some protection from the rain, I saw the image. My camera had on its waterproof, just as I had. Wearing waterproof trousers, I was able to get down on the ground and catch the shot from a low viewpoint. Afterwards, a well earned coffee and scone – and a good photo in the bag!” Another Glenkens resident, John Houfe, won the Most Innovative Print with ‘Winter Mist’. The club will start its new session at 7.30pm on Wed 15 Sept in The Tolbooth, Kirkcudbright, and will run on most Wednesdays throughout the winter months. For further information contact Mary McIlvenna 01644 420613 or George Wishart 01557 870090. Y O U T H FIRE CADETS The New Galloway Cadets have been active again with on station activities. The group have one session left before their break, and will start up again later in the spring. The cadets cover the core subjects that fire fighters are involved with on a regular basis, which include working with ladders, pumps, breathing apparatus and road traffic management and equipment use. It is hoped that more interest will be generated before the start of the next session and any potential ‘recruits’ are encouraged to come along. For further information, please contact Crew Manager McKenna at New Galloway Fire Station. U P D A T E Girls on the Move! Teenspirit has just received £2,000 from Girls on the Move, which aims to get girls more active. Girls 12-18 will get the chance to attend some new boxercise classes on a regular weekly basis as well as several weekend dance workshops in Glasgow. It’s fantastic to receive this money, and to be given the opportunity to try new things for free or at very little cost. Dates need to be confirmed. We are looking at Dance Jam, Funk Workshop and my favourite Zumba which sounds great fun- ‘latin and international music are fused to create an explosive, booty shakin’ party of a workout that burns 4001000 calories an hour and leaves you on a high!’ Any girls interested check out www.dancehouse.org Catherine Phillips Glenkens Gazette page 10 ALEX FERGUSSON Carsphairn Heritage Group Annual Exhibition FOR GALLOWAY AND UPPER NITHSDALE The exhibition this year is drawn mainly from the Heritage Group’s own collection of photographs. Much of the material has been donated by families who lived in the village and records everyday life and events. Holds regular advice surgeries at: The exhibition provides a precious visual archive of life in the isolated upland Glenkens community of Carsphairn covering a period from 1885 through to the present day. 2 St ANDREW STREET, CASTLE DOUGLAS on the second Friday of every month from 5pm Social change has swept away the lifestyle of our forebears. Fortunately, much of their lives have been captured by the camera and displayed here and just as importantly, there is a record of our present day lives in Carsphairn –for within a generation, given the pace of change, this too may seem to be a piece of distant history. MSP Telephone free on 0800 028 7260 for an appointment or to make any alternative arrangement’ You can visit Alex’s website at www.alexfergusson.org.uk or contact him by e-mail at alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk ‘Carsphairn Captured on Camera; 1885 – 2010’ The exhibition opens on 2nd April and until the beginning of June is open on weekends and Bank Holidays only. From June until 26th September it is open daily, except Wednesdays. Health Tips: by Nutritionist, Dietician & Allergy Specialist Lorna Willock TIPS TO LOWER SUGAR INTAKES With obesity and diabetes reaching epidemic proportions we need to watch our sugar intakes. Here are a few tips; 1) Use high fruit percentage jams or ones found in health shops which contain 100% fruit e.g. meridian pear and apple spread. �� Hotel 2) Cut shop bought biscuits out of your diet (I hear gasps here!!) �� 3) Check how much sugar your cereal actually contains – do not sprinkle sugar on top – use fresh or stewed fruit (stewed in fructose – fruit sugar) instead. 4) Sweeties give us no nutrition e.g.pandrops. Chocolate, on the other hand, does have nutritional value - the dark 70% variety is best. Also, you can buy pure fruit strips and real liquorice. 5) Do children a favour and give them small bags of natural apricots, raisins, currants, dates etc. They are sweet, delicious and full of vitamins and minerals. �� 6) Make old fashioned puddings like apple sponge, crumbles, etc, using wholemeal flour, adding seeds/nuts and cutting back on sugar (or use fructose). This makes a really healthy option and is much better than creamy, sugar-laden options. �� 7) If needing a between-meal-snack (especially relevant for hungry children) have wholemeal scones, pancakes or drop scones as snacks, using honey or fructose to sweeten them. Scones can be sweetened with dried fruit and pancakes are delicious with stewed fruit or maple syrup. 8) The Scottish tablet and fudge industry - full of sugar and fat (heart attack treat!) is mainly good for rotting teeth... 9) Instead of cans of juice e.g. coke, iron bru, etc, have fizzy water and a natural cordial. �� 10) Make a natural jelly using pure fruit juice and thickening with arrowroot. You could also add fresh fruit to the jelly. For further information contact Lorna: 01644 470218 www.foods4life.co.uk lorna@foods4life.co.uk Glenkens Gazette Do you, or your partner, have a problem sleeping? Unable to get to sleep or have a problem staying asleep? Waking up too early or waking up feeling un-refreshed and tired in the morning? Sleep is essential to good health, yet nearly a third of the population experience some form of sleep disorder which can result in fatigue, depression, poor concentration, illness and injury. It can also be the cause of relationships breaking down, unemployment and many more problems. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder and is often caused by stress and anxiety, the inability to ‘switch off’ before we go to bed resulting in fragmented sleep patterns. Other factors that can disrupt sleep are ill health, depression, pain, some prescription drugs, life changes, your environment and even sleeping pills! If you long to be able to sleep for 8 hours and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to face the day, we may be able to help you. The Sleep Disorder Workshop aims to explain the different types and causes of sleep disorders and offers self-help guidance, in addition to information on the natural therapies and lifestyle changes that can restore you to the world of regular, deep, refreshing sleep. Sleep Disorder Workshop Sat17 April, 2-4pm admission free please book as numbers limited call The CatStrand on 01644 420374 Mountain Challenge Local man Bob Peace, along with seven men from the Newton Stewart area, mostly Rotarians, are taking part in the Sightsavers International 3rd Rotary Mountain Challenge - an exhilarating and very satisfying adventure - in an effort to raise valuable funds in support of Sightsavers. Sighsavers is an International charity which works to combat blindness in developing countries by restoring sight through specialist treatment and eye care. It also supports people who are irreversibly blind by providing education, counselling and training. Last year 3.7 million people were treated for potentially blinding conditions. On Saturday 12 June, the team will start by climbing Ben Nevis (4409ft); move to Thirlmere in the Lake District where they will climb Helvellyn (3116ft) and descend to Glenridding, before driving into Wales where they will ascend Snowdon (3506ft) by the Llanberis path. With a final descent back to Llanberis they hope to finish in less than 24 hours! Whatever struggles they face along the way they will know that their efforts are going towards providing much needed funds for a very worthwhile cause. If you wish to support the team then you can do so by contacting Bob Peace on bobpeace@btinternet.com The Cross Keys Hotel New Galloway Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents ( 01556 503744 ( www.ggblaw.co.uk OFFICES IN : CASTLE DOUGLAS, DALBEATTIE KIRKCUDBRIGHT & DUMFRIES 10 En-suite Bedrooms, Traditional Bar Excellent Restaurant Quiz Night - every Wed 8.30pm Tel: 01644 420 494 enquiries@thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk www.thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk KENBRIDGE HOTEL New Galloway New Galloway Open 7 Days : Beautiful Riverside Location Golf Club M E A L S S E RV E D 12.00 - 2.00pm, 5.30 - 8.30pm www.nggc.co.uk TRADITIONAL LOG FIRE bed and breakfast en suite accommodation ( 01644 420 211 ( mail@kenbridgehotel.co.uk www.kenbridgehotel.co.uk FHB Fencing Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) W BONE WHB JEEPS THE GARAGE, DALRY PETROL & DIESEL SALES SERVICE & REPAIRS MOTs, TYRES, BATTERIES ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES OPEN 8.30AM - 6.00PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY Tel: 01644 430208 Fax: 01644 430669 email: jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Founded 1902 v 01644 420737 v Buggies now available for hire VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME 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 Team members reach the summit of Ben Lomond on a training walk. Do You Have a Problem Sleeping? page 11 Glenkens Gazette USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Crimestoppers: 0845 555 111 TIMES OF WORSHIP IN THE GLENKENS CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sundays Balmaclellan 12noon 1st Carsphairn 10.30am 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th(May) Dalry (April) 12noon 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Dalry (May) 9am 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Kells 10.30am 2nd 3rd 4th Special Services and Events 2nd April, 7.30pm: Good Friday Service, Balmaclellan Church 4th April, 7am: Easter Dawn Service in New Galloway Park, followed by breakfast in New Galloway Town Hall 19th April, 7.30pm: ‘James Clerk Maxwell, Scientist and Christian’ - Dinner with speaker Robert McQuistan, Ken Bridge Hotel 23rd April, 7.30pm: Quiz Night, Dalry Town Hall 30th May, 10.30am: United Service with Choir in Carsphairn Church Communion Services: 2nd May, 12 noon, Balmaclellan Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH (C of E) St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion - 10.30am every Sun & Wed CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES Gatehouse of Fleet: Sat, 6pm Kirkcudbright: Sun, 9.30am Dalbeattie: Sun, 11am St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Castle Douglas, contact Rev McFadden for info on 01557 330687. The Clog & Shoe Workshop Balmaclellan Open 10am - 5pm weekdays in winter please ring to arrange a visit. Tel: 01644 420465 www.clogandshoe.co.uk PROJECT PART-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION Europe and Scotland Making it work together page 12 GLENKENS DIARY FOR ALL EVENTS APRIL and Ted Leeming, studios building of Gracefield Arts Centre, see p2 runs until Thurs 22 Apr, Exhibition: Lisa Hooper, CatStrand opening hours, The JUNE CatStrand, New Galloway Mon 7, GTI Bus Trip to Wanlockhead Head Thurs 1, Storytelling Café, 7.30–9.30pm, The Mining Museum, see p7 CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 26, GTI Bus Trip to the British Pipe Band Fri 2, GTI Bus Trip – a day at RSPB at Champs – Annan, see p7 Southwick (nr New Abbey) pond dipping, mini beast hunting etc, see p7 REGULAR EVENTS: Fri 2, Laurel and Hardy by Tom McGrath Glenkens Ramblers, Mondays 1.30pm, Bank of - A Mull Theatre production, 7.30pm, The Scotland, Dalry CatStrand, New Galloway Scouts: Mon, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Mon 5, Dalry CC meeting, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Mother & Toddlers Group: Tues 9.45-11.15am, Mon 5, Lempen Puppet Theatre Company: The New Galloway Town Hall am-A-zing Thing, 3pm, The CatStrand, New Beavers: Tues, 6.30–7.45pm, New Galloway Galloway Scout Hut Thurs 8, GTI Bus Trip to Kirroughtree Visitor Stewartry Camera Club: most Wednesdays Centre – a day of events and things to do throughout the winter at 7.30 pm in The organised by the Forestry Commission, see p7 Tolbooth, Kirkcudbright Sat 10, James Grant, 8pm, The CatStrand, Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway New Galloway Scout Hut Sat 17, Sleep Disorder Workshop, 2-4pm, The Glenkens Walking Group, meet Wed 1.30pm CatStrand, New Galloway, see p11 outside Bank of Scotland, Dalry Sat 17, The Middle Eastern Film Festival: Eye Glenkens Strollers, meet at 2pm each Friday at of the Sun, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New the top bus stop in Dalry for a slow walk Galloway Lions Club monthly quiz, alternating between from Sun 25 April - Thurs 20 May, The CatStrand & Lochinvar Hotel. For further Exhibition: Vanishing Scotland, CatStrand info contact Andrew Frew on 420 323. opening hours, The CatStrand, New Galloway The CatStrand, New Galloway (see p6 & p7) Mon 26, Carsphairn CC meeting, 7pm, Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Play it by Ear: every Mon during term time, Carsphairn Heritage Group Annual 1.30-2.30pm Exhibition; opens 2 April and until start June Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Morris is open on weekends and bank holidays only. From June until 26 Sept, it is open daily except Movement: every Mon during term time, 4-5pm (ages 8-12) Wednesdays, see p10 Taking the Next Step in Computing: Mon, Wed 28, Film: District 9, 7.30pm, The 5.30–7.30pm CatStrand, New Galloway Carers Coffee & Chat, starts Tues 1st Dec, Fri 30, CatStrand Youth Players: Spud Ferrett and the Case of the Stolen Diamonds, 7.30pm, 10am-12noon, The CatStrand, New Galloway The CatStrand, New Galloway Wednesdays, Glenkens Walking Group, 2pm, outside Bank of Scotland, Dalry MAY Taking the First Step in Computing: Wed, 5.30Sat 1, Dumfries Film Festival: Julie and Julia, 7.30pm plus Cookery Demonstration with Catherine Braid, 2pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thurs, 10-11.15am Thurs 6, Storytelling Café, 7.30–9.30pm, The Afternoon Tea Club: 2nd Fri each month, 2pm CatStrand, New Galloway Baby Reflexology, drop-in starting last Fri of Fri 7 - Thurs 13, Newton Stewart Walking each month 10am-12noon Festival, see p2 Saturday Art Club, 2nd Sat each month, 10am– Mon 10, GTI Bus Trip to Castle Kennedy 12noon Gardens, see p7 Catstrand Youth Players, every Sun during term Tues 11, Fundraising Training with SCVS, The time, 2pm CatStrand, New Galloway Glenkens Youth Choir, Sun, 5-6pm Sat/Sun 15/16, Rag Rug Making, The CatStrand Playstation Tournaments: contact The CatStrand, New Galloway CatStrand for info. Sun 16, Breabach, 8pm, The CatStrand, New Dalry Community Centre Galloway (for info or to book contact Sarah on 430 393) from Sat 22 May - Thurs 24 June, Exhibition: Glenkens Playgroup: Mon-Fri, 9.15-11.45am Flower and Field… a Celebration by Lorna Graham and Barbara Kelly, CatStrand Paint & Art: Mon 1.30-4.30pm opening hours. The CatStrand, New Galloway Ballroom & Latin Dance drop-in class: Mon Mon 24, GTI Bus Trip to the Falkirk Wheel, see 7.30-9pm, £5 p7 Ballroom & Latin Dance course: Mon 9-10pm, Mon 24, Brute Farce Theatre Company: Around for more info tel Sam Hood on 01644 420672 the World in 80 Days, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, Good Neighbours Club: Tues 2pm New Galloway Kickback Martial Arts: Tues & Thurs 7-9pm, Wed 26, Film: A Serious Man, 7.30pm, The adults welcome CatStrand, New Galloway Glenkens Mother & Toddlers: Wed 1.30-3pm Thurs 27, Tony McManus, 7.30pm, The Craft Class: Thurs 2-4pm CatStrand, New Galloway Brownies: Wed 5.30-6.45pm Sat 29, Mimika Theatre: Small Worlds, 10.30am & 2pm, The CatStrand, New Guides:Wed 5.30-7pm Galloway Drama Club: for further info contact Brian Sat 29 – Mon 31, Exhibition by Morag Paterson Edgar on 420 288 WRITE FOR THE GAZETTE! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... If you have a submission, contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk. JUNE/JULY COPY DEADLINE: Wed12 May Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. 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Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document June/July 2010 ISSUE 58 www.glenkensgazette.com Scotland’s Garden Scheme in the Glenkens The aim of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme is to raise funds for charities by opening what are usually private gardens to the public on specific days of the year. 40% of funds raised at the garden openings goes to charities of the garden owners’ choice, whilst the remaining 60% is shared between Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, The Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland, The Gardens Fund of The National Trust for Scotland, Perennial (The Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Fund) and The Royal Fund for Gardeners’ Children. There are many gardens around Dumfries & Galloway open to the public during the course of the summer. Specifically in the Glenkens we have Arndarroch which has a large and varied garden. Until Annikki Lindsay moved to Arndarroch in 1991, what is now the garden was just a windswept grassy hillside overlooking Kendoon Loch. Now there are a great variety of trees, roses, shrubs and herbaceous plants, as well as collections of bamboos and of oriental and medicinal plants. In addition there is a small kitchen garden, a bog garden and a young woodland containing ‘A Walk on the Wild Side’ which is great fun for children and adults alike. The aim has been to create a semi-natural, wildlife friendly environment - or, as Annikki terms it, “a wildlife garden”. Arndarroch is situated on the B7000 between Dalry and Carsphairn, and will be open from 2-5pm on Sunday 13 June and Sunday 5 September. The Garden Scheme is also hosting an event that looks like it will be a great evening out for avid gardeners - on Friday 11 June Threave Garden will host a Gardeners’ Question Time. For more information about Scotland’s Garden Scheme, and Threave Gardeners’ Question Time, you can call 0131 226 3714 or visit www.gardensofscotland.org New Season off with a Swing The new season at New Galloway Golf Club started with the incoming Captain, Dick Tulloch, driving off. The first competition of the season which was The Captain’s Team verses The Vice Captain’s Team, was very well supported. Before the competition started the Captain, Dick Tulloch, thanked all those members who had worked so hard for the club. He then presented the outgoing Captain, Sandy Harvie, and outgoing Match Secretary, Ron Ritchie, with a life membership of the Scottish Golf Union. The course at New Galloway although only nine holes is one of the most picturesque in Scotland and poses a real challenge to golfers no matter what handicap. Throughout the season there is a full fixture list of competitions together with social evenings. It is a very friendly club and new members are always welcome, as are visitors. For more information log in to the club’s website at www.nggc.co.uk or contact Ian Brown, the Secretary at the club. Jeff Sutcliffe (Vice Captain), Elena Rogers (Vice Captain), Dick Tulloch (Captain), Joyce Harvey (Captain) IN THIS ISSUE... 2 - Local Author: Catriona McPherson, Noticeboard: Flower & Veg Show, Clachan Fair, Agic. Show, Library, Readers’ Photographs 3 - Community Councils 4 - Schools Report 5 - Youth Update: RSAMD, Youth Players, Club Corner: ‘73 Club, Walking Groups, Dalry Housing Group 6 - CatStrand Events 7 - CatStrand Community News, The Bus (GTI) 8 - Local History: John MacClure 9 - Nature & Wildlife: ‘ye wee songsters o’ the woods’ 10- Ads 11- GBA Update, Alternative Games, LING Update, On the Beat: Crime Prevention Doorstep Crime 12- Church Times, Dalry Library Times, Useful Numbers, Glenkens Diary of Events Glenkens Gazette page 2 Local Author: Catriona McPherson A Farewell: I always wanted to be a writer but it wasn’t until I moved to the Glenkens ten years ago, at the age of 35, that I got stuck in. I’ve written ten books now (if you count the first one that’s in a drawer, where it belongs), sitting at this desk facing out to the hills and trees, sun and rain, lambs and ewes and, of course, the midges. That’s part of the reason this place is so precious to me. But it’s not just that and it’s not even just me; friends come from Edinburgh for the weekend and go home saying they feel as if they’ve had a fortnight’s holiday. Then there’s the people. Just after I moved here, I was walking up New Galloway High Street when a man came down a ladder propped against a house wall. I asked if he was a window cleaner. He said no – he was doing a bit of pointing – but if I told him where I lived he’d drop off his long steps for a couple of days and then come and pick them up again. He didn’t know me and I didn’t know him, but I got the chance to clean my upstairs windows and realised that life here was going to be very different from in the city. I’d like to thank that man – I still don’t know who he was – and everyone else in the villages around the Glenkens for being such wonderful neighbours and friends; and – since a publication deal came along – such loyal readers and enthusiastic supporters of my books. And if this is beginning to sound like farewell, that’s because, very sadly, it is. I’m only just squeaking into this column as a ‘local author’ before moving slightly too far away to walk up Waterside on a frosty morning or jump in the pool under the Holy Linn on a a hot afternoon. My husband, Neil McRoberts, is about to start work at the University of California and after a lot of swithering about Kitty’s Tearoom and Sandgreen beach, I’m going with him. We didn’t really expect to be here for ten years when we came and California is going to be an adventure, but if you hear a ripping sound and a howl of anguish around the middle of June, that’ll be me leaving this valley. I hope I I can still write, looking out at grapevines and orange trees instead Galloway coos... Catriona’s website it www.dandygilver.co.uk and her books are published by Hodder and Stoughton (Catriona McPherson crime novels) and Orion (Catriona McCloud comedies). Noticeboard Glenkens Society Annual Flower & Vegetable Show 2010 Dalry Library Opening Times & Info The growing season is upon us again (and some of us may say at long last). Tue: 2 to 4.30pm & 5.30 to 7.30pm This year‛s show will be held in the Town Hall at Dalry on Saturday 28th August 2010 and schedules are now in your local Post Offices and shops. Entries as detailed on the schedule should be returned to Hilda McAdam before 6pm on the Monday prior to the show. We have expanded the junior section and have sectioned it into age groups. This does not mean that juniors cannot enter into the full schedule if they wish to do so. Fri: 11:15am to 1:15pm & 2 to 4.30 pm As always please join in or visit the show in the Town Hall doors open at 14.00 hours (2pm in old money). We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. Joan Berkley, on behalf of the Glenkens Society Glenkens Agricultural Show Saturday 14th August in the standing stone field , the Grennan, New Galloway. Sheep, cattle, goats, poultry, stock judging, horses and horse jumping, refreshments, entertainment. Judging commences 9.30am, admission on gate. Contact - Secretary Andrea Ramsay 01644430509. Some of the services available include free internet access, photcopying & printing, dvd hire, audio books, local reference and archives and, of course, books. We have a general selection of books, but if we don‛t have what you want at Dalry, it can be requested from another library and delivered here. Lost and found – Dalry Clachan Fair The last Clachan fair was in 2008 and tradition says we should be looking forward to a fair this year. But several committee members decided on a well-earned retirement and it looked for a time as if the Clachan Fair might be lost. However, a last ditch open meeting at the Town Hall showed there was enthusiasm to carry on and a new committee was formed of remaining old members and several new members. Keen though they are, it was decided that it was too late to arrange anything for this year but Clachan Fair Week next year will be from the 5th to the 11th June inclusive. Incidentally, the Mulloch Race would have been part of this year‛s fair week but will now be held on 4th September 2010, further details to follow. Sally Hooker Re a d e r s ’ P h o t o g r a p h s Left: Louise McClure from Dalmellington would like to share with Gazette readers “Daryll and Afton enjoying day out with Grand and Papa” Right: Fiona Norbury has submitted this photo, and says: “The picture was taken by my son when he visited. He’s taking up wildlife photography. It was a sunny afternoon, spring must have been in the air although it was still only February 14th, a bit early for an adder to be out sunbathing. Not the sort of thing you expect to get on Valentines Day!” The photo was taken at Blackwater near Dalry. Glenkens Gazette page 3 Carsphairn Community Council Extract from minutes of meeting held 29 March On the issue of removal of recycling points from Carsphairn it was explained by Councillor Prentice that the council intends to utilise the Eco Deco plant in Dumfries for all waste. Dumfries & Galloway are way ahead of the rest of the UK in terms of recycling through the plant and the reduction of landfill. The school had asked regarding a textile bank to be positioned in the village as a possible fundraiser for the school. This was discussed and concluded that positioning would be difficult and could encourage fly tipping – it was agreed that feedback would be made to the PTC. Notification has been received of the intended closure of the Shiel of Castlemaddy Bothy – the CC will obtain further information on this matter. Regarding the creation of the Welcome leaflet, contact has been made with all relevant contributors and final editing by a steering group is to take place, then the information forwarded for the leaflet to be completed. A grant application is being made for the Community Garden. It was agreed to proceed with the application as this would help with future costs and upkeep of the garden. Environmental Impact Assessment of Duchrae Farm; members reported disappointment at the outcome of report and level of objections reported. Further discussions have taken place with the Access Officer who has outlined that a new factor/owner has some issues with open access. A discussion took place regarding the relevance of core paths and how much involvement the council should have directly with landowners. It was agreed that Carsphairn Community Council would consult with other community councils to find out their position and also to request that the Access Officer enquires that all affected landowners have been fully consulted and that they are aware of the legislation that accompanies core paths. It was agreed that a copy of the legislation and associated implications would be obtained for local landowners to read. Core Paths – Roddrie Melville from Bidwells attended the meeting to inform members of the reasons why his client had made objections to the core path development on his land. His client welcomes responsible access but identifies a risk of conflict between leisure and recreation and workforces in the forest. The Access Officer has identified a number of points to support the development of core paths in the forest but the landowner can only agree with one point namely that it will provide a health walk. The landowner has given seven points for his objections which include car parking and the various workforces that utilise the area and the traffic that goes through the forest – which may in the future double. Next meeting: Monday 28 June, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall. Dalry Community Council Extract from minutes of meeting held 8 April closure and they themselves had only found out the day before it was known to the rest of the communities. It was further noted that the repairs themselves were inadequate and that there are still road closure signs around the area. It was suggested that it may be possible for D&G Council, together with DCC, could take issue about such major road closures with the Scottish parliament. It was suggested the CC contact A Ferguson on this point. The Forestry Commission have approved the application for the forestation at Duchrae. If the CC wish to appeal against the decision then application had to be made to the Court of sessions before 30th April. It has been suggested that Dalry CC circulate a copy of minutes to Balmaclellan and New Galloway CCs, and vice versa. This was agreed. Finally, it was confirmed by Cllr. Prentice that the re-cycling bins outside the village will be removed during the course of this month. Next meeting: Monday 26 July at 7pm in Dalry Town Hall. This will include the AGM. Please note that there will be no meeting in the month of June. The Royal Burgh of New Galloway & Kells Community Council The Annual General Meeting was held in New Galloway Town Hall on Monday 10th May. Provost Margaret Sainsbury welcomed the members present along with Councillor Prentice, PC Bruton and two members of the public and proceeded to give her report on the activities of the Community Council over the past year. The audited accounts were then presented and approved. Councillor Prentice then took the chair and invited nominations for the office bearers for the coming year. Margaret Sainsbury was re-elected as Chairman and Provost with Maybelle Thomson as Vice Chairman. Chris Newman is continuing as Secretary and the current Treasurer John McGaw was not present at the meeting but was nominated to remain in the post subject to his agreement. Vic McIntosh would continue to be the main contact for all maintenance issues. The main meeting was addressed by Mrs Ros Hill and Mr Tom Carlyle giving an update on the Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) Group’s progress in their negotiations with Dumfries & Galloway Council officials regarding the future of the Town Hall. The Council had provided a copy of the condition survey that had been carried out and although it was useful to some extent, there was a lack of detail and costings in some areas. After discussion it was agreed that Dumfries & Galloway Council still seemed to be stalling on any commitment to install suitable disabled access and carry out the necessary maintenance and improvements to make the hall fit for purpose. As a new management committee could not and would not take over the running of the hall until it was made fit for purpose it was felt that a meeting needed to be arranged with the appropriate council officials who would be in a position to make decisions about the way forward. Councillor Prentice agreed to arrange a meeting as soon as possible with Stewartry Area Manager Derek Crichton to be attended by members of LING and the Community Council to establish a way forward and secure the future of the Town Hall. Some arrangements were confirmed for the Alternative Games Weekend with a reminder that this year the Games will be held on Sunday 8th August with a Ceilidh in the Town Hall on Friday 6th August. The band for the Ceilidh was confirmed as ‘Reel Rhythm’, the popular young band from Thornhill led by Robert Menzies. It was reported that the overhanging branches on the B7075 had not yet been cut back and that there had been complaints about grit still covering sections of pavement in Dalry. With regard to the overhanging branches, Cllr Prentice said it was the responsibility of the owner of the land. It was asked if Cllr Prentice would take issue with the appropriate department regarding the closure of the A713. Cllr Prentice informed members that East Ayrshire had been responsible for the Full minutes of local Community Council meetings are available to view at Dalry Library. The Cross Keys Hotel �� New Galloway Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents ( 01556 503744 ( www.ggblaw.co.uk OFFICES IN : CASTLE DOUGLAS, DALBEATTIE �� KIRKCUDBRIGHT & DUMFRIES 10 En-suite Bedrooms, Traditional Bar Excellent Restaurant Quiz Night - every Wed 8.30pm Tel: 01644 420 494 enquiries@thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk www.thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 4 GLENKENS SCHOOLS REPORT Olivia Wise Wins! Young Art Scotland’s third annual competition was open to all children in Dumfries and Galloway. The theme for this year was ‘Postcard from Galloway’ and all entries included a donation to Cancer Research. Olivia Wise, from Dalry School, won the 10-12 year old section with a prize of a voucher to be spent at the Galloway Craft Centre in Castle Douglas. Carsphairn School Birdwatch Children at Carsphairn Primary recently took part in the Big Schools’ Birdwatch, a nationwide survey run by the RSPB. Children learned how to recognise some of the most commonly seen birds and took part in a birdwatch in February. The children prepared for the Birdwatch by making very sticky and messy fat balls and plastic bird feeders. The results were collated and Ian Houston of RSPB recently returned to the school to discuss the results as well as teaching the children more about bird adaptations. The most commonly seen bird seen in the Carsphairn playground was the chaffinch, while it was the 10th most commonly seen bird in the national results. Dalry Primary at the Galloway Music Festival Somehow Dalry Primary got left out of last issue’s write-up of the Galloway Music Festival - so here is the update on how they did. Popular Music Vocal Solos: Mackenzie Lawrie & Amber Brett – 3rd, Hannah Mills & Jake McMillan – 2nd, Faye Green – 1st. Instrumental Solos: Clarinet; Kimberly McAdam – 1st, Cello; Olivia Wise – 3rd, Saxophone; Lily Langford. Group Music Making: P6-7 Class (‘Rainforest Song’) – 1st, 1 – 3 Teacher Primary Schools, Choir - P4 – 7 Choir (‘Hakuna Matata’ and ‘True Colours’) – 1st. The following classes also took part in the non-competitive sections and received very positive feedback from the adjudicators: Singing Game & Action Song; P1 – 3 Class (‘Toes A-Twinklin’ and ‘Having Fun in Space’), Creative Music Making - P4 – 6 Class (‘Disaster’). They have also started an after school Garden Club and have planted potatoes, beans and peas. The children have thoroughly enjoyed digging, planting and finding lots of juicy worms! Pics - Top: the children making very messy fat balls for the birds. Bottom: Ian Houston of RSPB pictured with the children. FORREST ESTATE Pensions – Savings – Investments Retirement & Inheritance Tax Planning Life Assurance – Protection – Mortgages For advice on any of the above, or to review your existing arrangements, contact your local adviser: Brian J. Edgar DipPFS Area Office: Tannoch, Newton Stewart Road, New Galloway DG7 3RT Tel. 01644 420288 or 07808 322421 Central Office, 61 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart DG8 6NL Tel 01671 403080 Fax 01671 402549 e-mail - advice@marrfinancial.co.uk web - www.marrfinancial.co.uk Marr Financial Services is an Appointed Representative of Sesame Ltd YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE ● Great opportunity to get some tasty venison from the local hills ● Whole roe deer, jointed and packed in separate bags; ready for cooking ● Price: £35 - 60 for whole carcase ● Strahanna Farm ● Water of Ken off the B729 between Moniaive and Carsphairn ● Telephone: 01644 460 660 A McQuaker Landscapes - est. 1992 garden groundwork, paving, gravel & turf, fencing, drainage, rotovating, treework & all associated tasks 01644 440 627 07790 426762 Local suppliers of firewood logs, kindling and chiminea wood. Hardwood and so�wood produced from sustainable, FSC cer�ficated woodland. Various quan��es available for collec�on or bulk delivery. Call for details 01644 430 230 office@forrestestate.com GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL ( 01644 420234 ( Glenkens Gazette YOUTH page 5 UPDATE RSAMD Residency: Beg, Borrow and Steal This one-week project, Mon 2 - Fri 6 Aug, is designed for young people aged 9–14 years old who are interested in making original theatre, and who care about the environment and the impact we are having on it. By the end of this project participants should have gained an insight into using performance as a way of communicating important ideas to others, used drama to explore how the waste created by people is affecting the planet, developed performance skills including voice and movement and worked as part of a team to create an inspiring and meaningful performance. This course will finish with a performance for family and friends on Friday 6 August at 3pm. No previous drama experience is required for this project but enthusiasm, energy and an interest in creating new theatre is essential. Participants should dress appropriately in comfortable clothing and bring water as activities in this week will be physical. Contact the CatStrand on 01644 420 374 for further information. C L U B C O R N E R Walking Groups Glenkens Walking Group: 1.30pm every Wednesday outside the Bank of Scotland in Dalry. Glenkens Strollers: 2pm on Fridays at the top bus stop in Dalry for a slow walk on good roads and tracks, followed by tea and biscuits. For further info contact John or Isobel on 430 539. Glenkens Ramblers: 1.30pm every Monday outside the Bank of Scotland in Dalry. If very wet, please phone a Walk Leader to confirm that the walk will proceed. For further info on either activity contact John & Isobel on 430539, Peter on 420219 or Gerry on 420852. The Glenkens ’73 Club would welcome new members whether you would like to act or help behind the scenes. Play reading evenings will be held over the next few months in preparation for next season. If you are interested in coming along please leave your details at The CatStrand or contact Marie Davie for further details (Tel. 430293). CatStrand Youth Players: Spud Ferret Investigates The CatStrand Youth Players’ latest production ‘Spud Ferret and the Case of the Stolen Diamonds’ by Jeff Gallacher transformed the whole of the CatStrand into Blip Mansion as the audience became guests at Lady Blip’s (Eve Francis) weekend house party. PC Rob Banks (Bethany Butler) kept a watchful eye on proceedings as everyone arrived to the sound of Lady Blip’s resident pianist Emily Jones playing the baby grand piano. Guests were officially welcomed by Grimace the Butler (Zoe Kirkpatrick) and the three maids Chivers, Crosse and Blackwell (Téa Oliver, Liza Beth Brannock & Hannah Daly) who handed out canapés to the guests. Fortunately nobody ate one of the poisoned sausage rolls which was a fate reserved for Sir Egbert Knowe-Bacon (Jordan Pears), however he made a valiant attempt throughout the evening to settle his stomach with copious amounts of brandy. Eventually everyone was summoned to the Drawing Room to see if Detective Spud Ferret (Eilidh Stalker) could solve the mysterious case of Lady Blip’s missing diamonds. The chief suspects were the regular house guests Davinia Flimsy (Josie Oliver) a crime novelist; her rather simple friend Sebastian Crumb (Kirstin Stalker); Lindsay Lovegrove (Dylan Blore) a deluded American who thinks that he is a famous film star; Lady Cynthia Sludge (Lowena Lindsay) a rather elderly 103 year old relative and the aforementioned Sir Egbert Knowe-Bacon a world authority on wine (mostly on how to drink it!). The staff too were not without their motives, the limping butler Grimace, the long suffering maids Chivers, Crosse and Blackwell and not forgetting Compost the Gardener (Cameron Lindsay) who continually tested his shotgun in the kitchen, blowing off various bits of the poor cook in the process! Lady Blip was furious at the apparent loss of her valuable diamonds but the unexpected arrival of Spud Ferret, who bore an uncanny resemblance to the famous Inspector Clouseau, would surely solve the mystery. However, after his unusual investigation and rather questionable logic he concluded that the only person who could have stolen the diamonds was himself! As he made arrangements to arrest himself, famous crime writer Davinia Flimsy stepped in and declared that Lady Blip had actually ‘stolen’ her own diamonds. Her motive was to put everyone else under suspicion and give her an excuse to stop them all coming to her weekend house parties as she was thoroughly fed up of them all and just wanted some peace and quiet for a change. As she waited on the police to arrest her she decided to make a run for freedom but Davinia pointed out that stealing her own diamonds was not actually a crime and as Spud Ferret was a private detective, she hadn’t even wasted police time – no crime had been committed! Facing the prospect of no more house parties at Blip Mansion, Lady Blip was pursued by all of her staff and guests throughout the grounds! Did they ever catch her? Would there be any more house parties? Where exactly did Spud Ferret appear from? Was there really a poisoned sausage roll..?! Or was it all simply a figment of Davinia Flimsy’s rather vivid imagination? The evening was summed up by a ‘Congratulations’ card received a few days later from two visitors from Buckinghamshire – “An excellent evening’s entertainment, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Keep up the good work!” Director – Brian Edgar; Prompter – Sue Lindsay; Costumes, Make-up & Props – Helen Kirkpatrick, Sue Lindsay & Nancy Plummer; Catering – Eileen Edgar. The Youth Players regular meetings will start again for the new season on Sunday 5th September at 3pm in The CatStrand. So What is the Dalry Housing Group? It takes a lot to get a bunch of oldies like us away from the comfortable complacency our armchairs, but the prospect of having a giant quarry dug in the middle of our village did the trick. Just look at this photograph and imagine 40,000 tonnes of rock being removed from beneath the unsuspecting hooves of those gently grazing sheep in the background. Then ask yourself what effect the resulting noise, dust and vibrations will have on toddlers in the playpark, children studying in the school or on people who just want to sit on a bench quietly contemplating the bravery and sacrifice of the covenanter martyrs and their memorial. Finally ask yourself, as we did, is it not possible to build houses on this site without despoiling it? It was questions like that that brought us together. We are simply six people who are committed to the Glenkens. We have no power, no funding and represent no one but ourselves. Some of us have lived here since childhood, some of us came here for work or to retire, all of us want to live in a lively, tolerant prosperous community. To achieve that aim there must be sustainable development and growth which enhances, rather than destroys, the natural and built environment. We have called ourselves the Dalry Housing Group, but this is not an accurate description of our interests. After all, it is not possible to consider housing developments without also thinking about employment and local services. We hope that our friends and neighbours will engage in a positive conversation about what our community should be in the twenty first century. Change is inevitable but it doesn’t have to destroy. Group Members: Professor Roger Breakwell; Mr Steve Davie; Mr Andrew Mellor; Mr Tom Scott; Lady Sinclair; Mrs Pat Woodley Glenkens Gazette page 6 The CatStrand: News & Events Storytelling Café, Thurs 3 June, 7.30– 9.30pm, free but donations for tea and coffee welcome. An informal and relaxing evening - this month’s café will be hosted by Tony Bonning. and then must help his community survive the farmers’ retaliation. Exhibition: Joan Eardley and Lady Audrey Walker, Sun 25 July - Thurs 2 Sept, CatStrand opening hours. This exhibition offers a fantastic opportunity to see and enjoy works by the A Guid Nicht In; Gatehouse of Fleet Festival renowned Scottish artist Joan Eardley and Committee, Sat 5 June, 7.30pm, £5/£4. On Thursday her friend and photographer, Audrey Walker. nights, the Masonic Arms in Gatehouse of Fleet has hosted It has been drawn from the Gracefield Arts a session where local musicians, singers and writers congregate. This weekly alchemy has produced two active Centre permanent art collection, Dumfries and the private bands and other steadfastly solo performers. Having collection of the Walker family. branched out to perform at the Wickerman and Eden Festivals as well as local galas, an evening of doonhame Film: An Education, Wed 28 July, 7.30pm, entertainment has emerged. A Guid Nicht In features Susi £4.50/£3.50. A coming-of-age story about a Woodmass, The Geese, Gallifran and incomparable compere teenage girl in 1960s suburban London, and Ted Percy, presenting mainly original songs, tunes, poems how her life changes with the arrival of a and badinage. playboy nearly twice her age. Nominated for 3 Oscars. Scottish Flute Trio, Fri 18 June, 7.30pm, Storytelling Café, Thurs 5 Aug, 7.30–9.30pm, free but £10/£8. Laura Bailie, Janet Larsson donations for tea and coffee welcome. This month’s café will and Ruth Morley have performed at be hosted by Tony Bonning. major festivals including the Edinburgh Rachel Hair Trio, Sat 7 Aug, 8pm, £10/ International Festival and Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. *Pre-event fixed menu £6. With her eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary Scottish and Irish music, as well supper available. Book at least 7 days in advance. as original music, celtic harpist Rachel Hair has AL Kennedy: Stand Up, Sat 26 June , 7.30pm, been described as “one of the most innovative £7/£5. AL Kennedy is the author of 11 books: 5 young musicians to have emerged over the last novels, 4 books of short stories and two books of few years” (The Irish Music Review). non-fiction. She also writes for the stage, radio, film and TV and a number of national and Regular events: international newspapers. Play it by Ear, every Monday during term time, 1.30–2.30pm, £2 per adult/child + 50p for each Exhibition: Mary Pugh, Sun 27 June - Thurs additional child. A weekly song, music and 22 July, CatStrand opening hours. Mary’s storytelling session for pre-school children work is about experimenting and enjoying the and their parents or carers which now takes experience. Mary uses brightly coloured wools place every Monday afternoon. Juice and biscuits included and threads which come together to form a in the price. combination of colour and texture. Painting is her first learnt skill but has now become the creative design Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret base for her work in other materials. Morris Movement, every Monday during term Film : Up in the Air , Wed 30 June, time, 3.15-4pm pre school, 4-5pm age 8-12 years, 7.30pm, £4.50/£3.50. Juno’s Jason free.Dance exercises are created to develop agility, Reitman heads into corporate America balance, co-ordination, elevation, flexibility and territory once again with this adaptation posture. Please wear loose clothing. of Walter Kirn’s novel Up in the Air. The plot surrounds a human resource administrator, Ryan Bingham, (George Clooney) whose life up in the friendly skies becomes his only world as he works to reach his onemillionth frequent flyer mile. Teen Spirit, every Tues, 7.30pm-9.30pm. A weekly club for young people to hang out, chill, listen to music, eat munchies, play console games on a big screen, watch films and plan trips and activities. If you are interested in coming along just turn up and see what Storytelling Café, Thurs 1 July, 7.30–9.30pm, free but donations for tea and coffee welcome. This month’s café will happens. Special projects in the coming months that you can choose to participate in include the Log onto More Music be hosted by Stripy Dog. Bus, songwriting workshops and Guitar Hero Playstation Spiers & Boden & Saltfishforty, Tue 6 July, tournaments on the big cinema screen. 7:30pm, £8/£6. Two irrepressible traditional music duos - in a high octane blend of Celtic and Saturday Art Club, 2nd Sat of every month, English folk music cultures, Spiers & Boden 10am–12noon, £4. Two-hour workshops run by and Saltfishforty come to the CatStrand, aided professional artists and teachers, offering expert by the Scottish Arts Council’s Tune Up scheme. tuition and hands-on experience across a range of fun filled visual arts and crafts activities. Please wear old Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas clothes as things can get messy (ages 5-12). performed by Guy Masterson, Sat 17 July, 7: CatStrand Youth Players, starts again Sun 30pm, £7/£5. Dylan Thomas’ timeless masterwork 5 Sept and will run every Sun during term time is brought vividly to life in an astonishingly 3–5pm. The Youth division of the Glenkens 73 brilliant solo performance. Club. If you are interested in acting, directing, Film: Fantastic Mr Fox, Wed 21 July, costumes, sound, lighting, stage management or any other 2pm, £4.50/£3.50. An urbane fox cannot aspect of drama or theatre, then come along and have some resist returning to his farm-raiding ways fun. All welcome (Age 10-18). Glenkens Gazette page 7 The CatStrand: News & Events Glenkens Community & Arts Trust COMMUNITY EVENTS / CLASSES seeks a Baby Reflexology, dropin, last Fri of each month, 10am-12noon. at The CatStrand, New Galloway Closing date: 07/06/10 for further info contact: www.catstrand.com 01644 420374 rachel@catstrand.com Reiki 2, Sat 17 & Sun 18 July, 10am – 4pm, £80/£65. Completion of Reiki 2 will qualify you to be a Reiki practitioner. The training involves a deeper exploration of the Reiki form, the ethics and practicalities of working with the public. Places are limited so booking is essential. Part-time VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR The CatStrand is an operating name of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust Ltd, A registered Scottish Charity No SC032050 Regular Classes: Exercise to Music, Mon, Calling All Film Buffs! Are you interested in helping to run the CatStrand films each month? We need someone to: - show the film - be a steward have input into the film programme - Become a film volunteer! Contact the CatStrand on 01644 420374 or email rachel@catstrand.com Eat @ CatStrand LUNCHES Mon to Fri 11am-2pm 10-11am, £4/£3. Teen Spirit, Tues during term time, 7.30-9.30pm. Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thurs, 1011.15am, £30 per 6 week block. Taking the First Step in Computing, Wed 5.30pm7.30pm. Taking the Next Step in Computing, Mon, 5.30– 7.30pm. Carers, Coffee & Chat, 1st Tue each month, 10am12 noon, free. Transport may be available if required, please phone 01644 420374. NEW! Tone and Stretch, Fri 10am, £4/£3. A workout to tone muscle and improve body shape followed by a stretch out to ease those tired/ aching muscles; a great way to start the day! Afternoon Tea Club, 2nd Fri each month, 2pm, annual membership £2. Minibus pick up from Balmaclellan & Dalry by prior arrangement - call 01644 420374. The Perfect Venue The wonderful facilities at the CatStrand are available for hire. The CatStrand is perfectly suited for a wide range of activities - everything from a band night to business conferencing, from parties to workshops and training. We have a variety of adaptable multipurpose rooms. We can provide catering and a licensed bar. We can also offer technical and marketing support for your event. Prices are very reasonable with a community discount available. For more info contact Rachel on 01644 420 374. Peter Renwick, Marketing Officer THE BUS : GLENKENS TRANSPORT INITIATIVE A BUSY BUS! The popularity of our Community Mini Bus continues to grow with new user groups being formed such as the Galloway RSPB who recently had a successful visit to Loch Garnoch, the Glenkens Schools Cluster Group using it for joint activities and a recent request from the Council for it to be used in connection with an activity scheme for disabled children during the summer holidays. Add to this the regular school run, the weekly swimming trip (Tuesdays), the registered route on Wednesdays, and the ever increasing popularity of our trips for both young and old, and you can see that our little bus is certainly clocking up the mileage! Many thanks to all the volunteer drivers who keep the wheels turning. FAMILY DAYS OUT: During the Easter holidays a very successful trip to Kirroughtree was organised for children and their parents (see pic) - a great day out was had by all and further trips are being arranged during the summer holidays, on 8th and 22nd July and 12th August 2010. The trip on 22nd July will be to Summerlee Heritage Park (a 20 acre site near Coatbridge which looks at Scottish Industrial life) but other trips will be nearer home. DATES FOR YOU DIARY: Mon 5th July - ‘Ewe to You’ and The Whithorn Peninsular; Sat 28th Aug 2010 - The Viking Festival, Largs; Sat 5th Sept 2010 - The Victorian Fayre, Lanark; Mon 4th Oct 2010 - Dawyck Botanical Gds and Peebles. Other trips will be arranged including a visit to Kelvingrove Museum whilst ‘The Glasgow Boys’ exhibition is there, and trip to Craigieburn Gardens near Moffat - see local posters for further details. (Photos show the family day out to Kirroughtree and wild ponies on a recent trip to the Lake District) Keith Cooper, GTI Administrator WEDNESDAY BUS SERVICE (REGD. ROUTE): CONCESSIONARY BUS PASSES ARE ACCEPTED ON THIS ROUTE, SO PLEASE MAKE USE OF THIS EXTRA SERVICE Timings are as follows: 1900 Dept Dalry (Underhill) 1910 New Galloway 1925 Mossdale 1935 Laurieston 1940 Townhead of Greenlaw 1947 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 1950 Arrive Castle Douglas (Tesco) The return journey : 2045 Departs Castle Douglas (Tesco) 2047 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 2052 Townhead of Greenlaw 2100 Laurieston 2110 Mossdale 2125 New Galloway 2135 Arrive Dalry IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK THE COMMUNITY-BUS OR IF YOU WANT ANY MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT KEITH COOPER, GTI ADMINISTRATOR ON 01644 420374. For further info & to buy tickets visit www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420 374 Glenkens Gazette page 8 LOCAL HISTORY Maister John Makluire, of the Glenkens, Doctor in Physick (c.1600-1652) MacClure is an old Galloway name. One of the family luminaries was Dr John MacClure who in 1630 authored the petition addressed to Charles I requesting that he establish a Royal College of Physicians in Scotland’s capital city. Though the college was not created until 1681 MacClure is now claimed as a pioneer of British midwifery and pediatrics. He is renowned as the author of ‘the earliest extant (Scottish) graduation thesis for the doctorate in medicine to have achieved publication’, and of The Buckler of Bodilie Health, an early popular treatment of the subject based in his personal professional experience, ‘buckler’ meaning shield. Quaintly the Latin title is Sanitatis Semita, ‘Health’s Semmit’, the ubiquitous flannel or woollen vest which so many Scotsmen were traditionally reluctant to relinquish even in summer. He also wrote The Generall Practise of Medecine (1634) and there is a strong probability that he was personally acquainted with William Harvey, discoverer of the circulation of the blood, whose ideas about childbirth he may have anticipated, though in matters scientific arguments about primacy are often as pointless as they are contentious. Certain it is that he was celebrated in his own day as a man whose name ‘flies splendid, above the stars’. He represented at least the third generation of John MacClures, while naming three of his own sons, John, as one after another died. His parents were John MacClure of Nether Carmonoch and Alison Denholm; grandfather John resided at Castlemaddy. Carmonoch is today, Carminnows, just west of the Kendoon Bridge. In 1622 MacClure’s parents went through a trial in Edinburgh for premarital adultery. Their appearance followed that of another couple on the same charge, James Finlay in Garrary and Mareon Schaw at Craigenbay, neighbouring farms north of what is now Clatteringshaws Loch. Those called to testify in this case were John Inglis in Craigshinnie, further east, John and Quintin MacMillan in Craigneill (now Craignell on the loch’s west shore), Andrew and John Finlay of Gait, preserved in Gate Flow, east of the loch, and John Ahannay of Garroch. For John and Alison, three men were summoned from ‘St John’s Clauchane’ – John Newall, Robert McDowell and John Edger, as well as Robert Scott of Grennan. Thus were the sins of the Glenkens paraded before the great and the good of Edinburgh! Both couples received remissions. There is circumstantial evidence that Dr John MacClure may have been born at Blawquhairn on the high Carsphairn road. The family became involved in the Plantation of Ulster, settling at Newtonards as part of the Sir Hugh Montgomery contingent. Thus the future doctor became acquainted with his landlord’s second son, James, both attending St Andrews University at the same time. James’ nephew, Hugh, third Viscount Montgomery, became a cause célébre through sustaining an accident as a child which left a hole in his rib-cage exposing his visibly-beating and tangible heart, examined by William Harvey at the royal court in Edinburgh, in 1641, in the presence of MacClure, who was probably the go-between. MacClure’s writings are full of interest. His doctoral thesis investigates pestilential fever, possibly typhus. Among causes, he distinguishes melancholia, starvation, water pollution and food-poisoning, without completely ruling out the influence of the stars. He makes a number of recommendations concerning public health, including adequate ventilation, avoidance and dispersal of stagnant water, the burial of corpses, cleaning of streets and closes, fumigation of bedrooms and hand-washing with vinegar. In The Buckler, correct and moderate use of air, food, drink, sleeping, waking, motion, rest, bodily excretions and the passions of the mind are prescribed for prolongation of life and prevention of sickness. He complains of the scarcity of doctors and the poor pay they receive. He is in favour of annual bloodletting and purging. He includes a diatribe about alcoholic women. He condemns marriage between people of different classes. The main point of exercise is to excrete sweat. However, in his view football often does more good for surgeons than evil to physicians. Golf and archery make folk hungry while tennis and catch-ball are highly commended. He advocates running between Castlehill and Arthur’s Seat as a cure for obesity. The encouragement of laughter and mirth will revive the spirit and aid digestion. Uniquely in Scotland he defines five stages of life: Infancy, up to 14; Bairnley, 14-25; Youth, 25-35; Middle Age, 35-49; Old Age, 49 onwards! He writes eloquently of childbirth and speculates on the part played by the foetus in the process. He was, indeed, another Glenkens Lad o Pairts! For more on him see James F. McHarg, In Search of Dr John Makluire: Pioneer Edinburgh Physician, Forgotten for over Three Hundred Years, Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, University of Glasgow 1997. Ted Cowan Glenkens Gazette : Advertising Rates 2010 Advert Format Jayne Grimwood Basic Small Quarter page Half page Full page Colour Colour Colour Colour Your Local Mobile Hairdresser Size Price per Discount for issue Block of 3 ads 6cm x 6cm £31.50 10% 9cm x 13cm £68.25 25% 13cm x 18cm £126.00 25% 18cm x 27cm £210.00 25% (Prices exclude VAT @ 17.5%) To place an advert please contact the Glenkens Gazette on 01644 420374 member of freelance hair & beauty 01644 430079 07554828009 hairbyjayne@btinternet.com Glenkens Gazette page 9 NATURE & WILDLIFE “ye wee songsters o’ the woods” (Burns) nuthatch, Angus Hogg Like sparkling sand on a wet shore, the yearly wave of spring bird migration has arrived to bring us myriad songsters from their African wintering grounds. Whilst some are less colourful than others, the musical variety in their songs is quite breathtaking. Of course, we have cracking singers amongst our resident birds – skylark and shelfie (chaffinch) come to mind – but it is the largely invisible arrival of our migrant warblers that is so striking on the ear and so wonderful when it happens. The repetitive chiff-chaff, chiff-chaff, chiff-chaff of the eponymous warbler is often the herald of these wanderers; this year on the first Saturday of April, near Earlstoun power station. A day or two later I heard the willow warbler, which is by far our most common warbler these days and heard in many gardens and virtually every bit of rough ground with scrub. It’s delightful descending cadence – weet, weet, weet, weet, weet, weet, weet - gives rise to its local name (in Ayrshire at least) of `weety’. Up Garroch Glen, amongst the splendid oak woods, the high pitched trill of wood warblers always reminds me of spinning coins coming to rest, and there too are the dapper pied flycatchers with their more delicate jingles. Enough, this is turning into a litany of bird songs, which is all very well if one knows them I suppose, but becomes rather monotonous if not. However, my main purpose on setting off down this road was to reflect on the following remarkable change in our birdsong in recent years that is literally harking back to olden times. Many birds are mimics and incorporate the songs of other birds in their own. Starlings are masters at this and often include the evocative wheepling of the whaup (curlew) in their own song medley. Less well know perhaps is the fact that mavis (song thrush) and blackbird also do this. The former is my own favourite and I often have great fun with them, whistling an invitation to them to repeat my suggestions, usually a tri-syllabic `cat-call’ or `enquiry’ (the spiral whistle to attract someone’s attention). Initially, this causes them to cease their singing, but almost invariably they start up again within a few seconds and my own call is soon built in to their threesome repertoires. Now, in recent years two notable new birdcalls have been heard regularly in the Glenkens, namely red kite and nuthatch, the latter rather incessantly at times. However, all is not always as it seems, because local mavis and blackbirds are mimicking the calls of these relative newcomers, and it’s not just here, but throughout the new ranges of these birds. There are no historic records of nuthatch being here before the recent colonisation, but I wonder when our thrushes last mimicked the distinctive calls of the red kite? I cannot end this piece without mentioning the strange spring weather patterns we have seen these past three years. Cool, drying northerly and easterly winds have again made for a very dry countryside that I’m sure is bringing difficulties for a range of wildlife, and probably farm stock too to some extent. The prolonged winter frosts and snow cover, exacerbated by these drying winds, have left the hills and moors bleached and quite bare-looking. Many small birds like stonechats, wrens, goldcrests and tits perished through the cold, and some like the former may take years to recover in numbers. However, larger birds also suffered, particularly herons and buzzards, which reached their natural population limits in recent years. Such deaths are of course quite natural and simply nature’s way of reducing their populations to the carrying capacity at the time. Numbers will recover as things get back to `normal’, but such dry conditions don’t suit buzzards, which feed extensively on worms, and neither do they suit thrushes and waders. On recent evenings I have even watched whaups coming down to the Water of Ken for invertebrates, so dry is the surrounding countryside. I’m not greatly in favour of rain, but a wee drop at night would be welcome right now; though I fear the regular summer deluge will make me eat my words. In spite of everything, the patterns and resilience of nature are remarkable. The migrant birds arrive virtually on the same day each year, and within a few weeks, the skies are alive with swallows, martins and swifts. I feel very fortunate to live in Dalry, which has an abundance of all three, though sadly in recent years swifts have been prevented from nesting in the town hall tower, where they caused no trouble for close on a hundred years previously; perhaps we can have them back some day. And finally, bees! The other evening, I daunnered down the boat weil past Dalry moat, untangling the web of work in my head, when I became aware of a loud and persistent buzzing of bees feeding overhead on the honeydew nectar of a flowering sycamore. The big, soft, fresh maple-like leaves of this tree enclosed the activity and created its own climate for these grateful insects, the whole acting like some huge, living parabolic reflector that bathed me in this spring buzz that contrasted so positively with the cool evening. In truth, I’m not even that keen on bees, for all the good they undoubtedly do, but this was lovely. I’ve always loved nature, but I seem to enjoy it and appreciate even more with each passing year, even in such a cold spring. If you’re young and enjoy nature, then just you wait! Chris Rollie KENBRIDGE HOTEL New Galloway New Galloway Open 7 Days : Beautiful Riverside Location Golf Club M E A L S S E RV E D 12.00 - 2.00pm, 5.30 - 8.30pm www.nggc.co.uk ( 01644 420 211 ( Buggies now available for hire www.kenbridgehotel.co.uk VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME TRADITIONAL LOG FIRE bed and breakfast en suite accommodation mail@kenbridgehotel.co.uk Founded 1902 v 01644 420737 v Glenkens Gazette page 10 ALEX FERGUSSON MSP FOR GALLOWAY AND UPPER NITHSDALE Alex Fergusson MSP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale is holding Advice Surgeries on THURSDAY 22nd JULY 2010 10.00am Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry Holds regular advice surgeries at: 10.40am New Galloway Town Hall 2 St ANDREW STREET, CASTLE DOUGLAS on the second Friday of every month from 5pm 12.15pm Gatehouse of Fleet Community Centre Telephone free on 0800 028 7260 for an appointment or to make any alternative arrangement’ 4.15pm Memorial Hall, Crossmichael You can visit Alex’s website at www.alexfergusson.org.uk or contact him by e-mail at alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk �� Hotel �� 11.30am Waverley Hall, Creetown 2.45pm Auchencairn Hall 3.30pm Palnackie Hall NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY You can contact Alex via e-mail at alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.par liament.uk or through his website at www.alexfergusson.org.uk or freephone 0800 028 7260 Glenkens Gazette page 11 Glenkens Business Association At the AGM members of the GBA agreed that the focus for the following year would be ‘Putting the Glenkens on the Map’ with various ideas being put forward to promote the area not just for visiting but as a great place for living and working. Linking to the promotion of the Dark Skies and Biosphere projects are a couple of the ideas which are being followed up. If you didn’t manage to get to the meeting but have some ideas you would like to share please get in touch*. In the autumn the committee will be putting together a series of meetings to provide local businesses with opportunities to gain ideas to market and promote their own individual businesses. Even if you have missed an entry in the in the new printed directory this year GBA Membership at only £20 for businesses and free for community groups and organisations gives you immediate free entry in the online directory. Look out in shops and other local venues for the new application forms for joining or renewing membership. *contact Alan Rumble on 01644 420250 email alanrumble@gmail.com Ros Hill, Chairman Alternative Games 2010 This year’s Games will be held on Sunday 8th August, in New Galloway Park, at 2pm. Come along and try your hand at the Gird ‘n’ Cleek, Tossin’ the Sheef, Hurlin’ the Curlin’ Stane, Snail Racing and more! Usually they are on the first Sunday in August but this year that clashes with other local events, so it’s on the second Sunday. Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) Town Hall: At last we have had some information from the Stewartry Area officers following requests made last year! This was shared with the Community Council at their May meeting when George Prentice offered to follow up other queries and set up a meeting with senior officers (see Kells CC entry on p3). Rosalind Hill, LING Chairman ON THE BEAT Crime Prevention: Doorstep Crime Having missed writing my police column for a few issues I am taking the opportunity to provide the first of several Crime Prevention articles. This issue I am concentrating on Doorstep Crime. What is Doorstep Crime? Doorstep Crime is the name given to crimes carried out by bogus callers and rogue traders who call uninvited at people’s homes pretending to be a legitimate business or trader. Bogus Callers: Some criminals make their living by preying on older and vulnerable adults. They may say they are from water and gas companies or pretend to be from the council. The main aim of these bogus callers is to distract the occupier, get into the home and steal from them. They may work alone or in pairs and could be male, female or even children. Rogue Traders: Many doorstep crime incidents are committed under the guise of legitimate businesses, usually property maintenance or repair. These traders knock at the door uninvited and tell the occupier that urgent work is required on the property. Examples of this work are roofing repairs, gutters, fascias, tarmac work, garden services including tree and hedge cutting. The work is often unnecessary and to a low standard. A low price is normally quoted and often escalates to an extortionate figure once the work has commenced. These workmen target the most vulnerable, especially older adults who live alone. They put a lot of pressure on the person to pay up, usually in cash and having established that the person keeps the cash in the house will return to offer to undertake further work or, in some cases simply break in and steal what is often the victim’s life savings. It is not unknown for rogue traders to take the victim to their bank to withdraw cash. Stay Safe: Always be sure of who you let into your home or agree to allow to carry out work on your home. Use local trustworthy tradesmen known to you or such as those aligned with the Stewartry Community Safety Forum/Age Concern ‘workrate’ scheme or the ‘handyvan’ service. If you are in any doubt about an individual who is touting for business contact your local police office on 08456005701 or email bryan.bruton@dg.pnn.police.uk FHB Fencing Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) W BONE WHB JEEPS THE GARAGE, DALRY PETROL & DIESEL SALES SERVICE & REPAIRS MOTs, TYRES, BATTERIES ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES OPEN 8.30AM - 6.00PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY Tel: 01644 430208 Fax: 01644 430669 email: jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk 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 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Crimestoppers: 0845 555 111 Dalry Library Opening Times Tue: 2 - 4.30pm then 5.30 - 7.30pm Fri: 11:15am - 1:15 pm then 2 - 4.30pm TIMES OF WORSHIP IN THE GLENKENS CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sundays Balmaclellan 12noon 1st Carsphairn 10.30am 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Dalry 9am 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Kells 10.30am 2nd 3rd 4th Special Services and Events 20th June, 6.30pm: Songs of Praise with Sanquhar and District Silver Band on Newfield Green outside Dalry Church Communion Service: 4th July, 10.15am, Carsphairn Church (using central table) SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH (C of E) St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion - 10.30am every Sun & Wed CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES Gatehouse of Fleet: Sat, 6pm Kirkcudbright: Sun, 9.30am Dalbeattie: Sun, 11am St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Castle Douglas, contact Rev McFadden for info on 01557 330687. The Clog & Shoe Workshop Balmaclellan Open 10am - 5pm weekdays in winter please ring to arrange a visit. Tel: 01644 420465 www.clogandshoe.co.uk PROJECT PART-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION Europe and Scotland Making it work together page 12 GLENKENS DIARY FOR ALL EVENTS JUNE Thurs 3, Storytelling Café, 7.30–9.30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Thurs 3, Seniors Open Competition, New Galloway Golf Club Sat 5, Carsphairn Show, opens 8am, see p8 Sat 5, A Guid Nicht In; Gatehouse of Fleet Festival Committee, 7.30pm. The CatStrand, New Galloway Mon 7, GTI Bus Trip to Wanlockhead Head Mining Museum, see p7 Sun 13, 2-5 pm, Arndarroch Open Garden, see front page Fri 18, Scottish Flute Trio, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 26, AL Kennedy: Stand Up, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Sat 26, GTI Bus Trip to the British Pipe Band Champs – Annan, see p7 Mon 28, Carsphairn CC meeting, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Wed 30, Film: Up in the Air , 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway REGULAR EVENTS: Glenkens Ramblers, Mondays 1.30pm, Bank of Scotland, Dalry Scouts: Mon, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Mother & Toddlers Group: Tues 9.4511.15am, New Galloway Town Hall Beavers: Tues, 6.30–7.45pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Stewartry Camera Club: most Wednesdays throughout the winter at 7.30 pm in The Tolbooth, Kirkcudbright Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Glenkens Walking Group, meet Wed 1.30pm outside Bank of Scotland, Dalry Glenkens Strollers, meet at 2pm each Friday at the top bus stop in Dalry for a slow walk Lions Club monthly quiz, alternating between The CatStrand & Lochinvar Hotel. For further info contact Andrew Frew on 420 323. The CatStrand, New Galloway (see p6 & p7) Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Play it by Ear: every Mon during term time, Thurs 1, Storytelling Café, 7.30–9.30pm, 1.30-2.30pm The CatStrand, New Galloway Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Mon 5, Bus Trip; ‘Ewe to You’ and The Morris Movement: every Mon during term Whithorn Peninsular, see p7 time, 4-5pm (ages 8-12) Tue 6, Spiers & Boden & Saltfishforty, 7: Taking the Next Step in Computing: Mon, 30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway 5.30–7.30pm Thu 8, Family Bus Trip, see p7 Carers Coffee & Chat, starts Tues 1st Dec, Sat 17, Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas 10am-12noon performed by Guy Masterson, 7:30pm, The Teen Spirit: every Tues during term time, CatStrand, New Galloway 7.30-9.30pm Sat 17 & Sun 18, Reiki 2 workshop, 10am– Taking the First Step in Computing: Wed, 4pm, see p7 5.30-7.30pm Wed 21, Film: Fantastic Mr Fox, 2pm, The Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thurs, 10CatStrand, New Galloway 11.15am Thu 22, Family Bus Trip; Summerlee Heritage Afternoon Tea Club: 2nd Fri each month, 2pm Park, see p7 Baby Reflexology, drop-in last Fri each month Thu 22, Alex Fergusson Advice Surgeries, 10am-12noon 10am in Glenkens Community Centre, Dalry & 10.40am in New Galloway Town Hall, see Saturday Art Club, 2nd Sat each month, 10am–12noon p10 Tone & Stretch, Fri 10am, £4/£3 Sun 25 July - Thurs 2 Sept, Exhibition: Catstrand Youth Players, will start again on Joan Eardley and Lady Audrey Walker, 5 Sept and run every Sun during term time CatStrand opening hours, The CatStrand, from 3-5pm New Galloway Glenkens Youth Choir, Sun, 5-6pm Wed 28, Film: An Education, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway CatStrand Playstation Tournaments: contact The CatStrand for info. AUGUST Dalry Community Centre Sun 1, Tilhill Open Four Ball Competition (for info or to book contact Sarah Mon 2 - Fri 6, RSAMD workshop, The on 430 393) CatStrand, New Galloway, see p5 Glenkens Playgroup: Mon-Fri, 9.15-11.45am Thurs 5, Storytelling Café, 7.30–9.30pm, Paint & Art: Mon 1.30-4.30pm The CatStrand, New Galloway Ballroom & Latin Dance drop-in class: Mon Fri 6, Ceilidh with ‘Reel Rhythm’, 8.30pm– 7.30-9pm, £5 12.30am, New Galloway Town Hall Ballroom & Latin Dance course: Mon 9Sat 7, Rachel Hair Trio, 8pm, £10/£6, The 10pm, for more info tel Sam Hood on 01644 CatStrand, New Galloway Sun 8, Scottish Alternative Games, 2pm, £4/ 420672 Good Neighbours Club: Tues 2pm £1, New Galloway Park, see p11 Kickback Martial Arts: Tues & Thurs 7-9pm, Thu 12, Family Bus Trip, see p7 Sat 14, Glenkens Agricultural Show, 9.30am, both adults & children welcome Glenkens Mother & Toddlers: Wed 1.30-3pm standing stone field, the Grennan, New Galloway, see p2 Craft Class: Thurs 2-4pm Sat 28, Glenkens Society Annual Flower & Brownies: Wed 5.30-6.45pm Vegetable Show, 2pm, Dalry Town Hall, see Guides:Wed 5.30-7pm p2 Drama Club: for further info contact Brian Sat 28, Bus Trip; The Viking Festival, Largs, Edgar on 420 288 see p7 JULY WRITE FOR THE GAZETTE! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... If you have a submission, contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@ho tmail.co.uk. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER COPY DEADLINE: Friday 9 July Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. 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Title A name given to the resource Glenkens Gazette Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Glenkens Gazette Description An account of the resource Find out more about the Gazette: <a href="https://glenkens.scot/gazette-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glenkens Gazette home page</a> If you would like to submit an article or take out an advert, please email the editor Sarah Ade:  <a href="mailto:glenkensgazette@hotmail.com">glenkensgazette@hotmail.com</a> The Glenkens Gazette is a member of, and regulated by  <a href="https://www.impressorg.com/">Impress</a>. The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (SC032050) and represents the voice of the community (not necessarily the views of GCAT). Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document August/September 2010 ISSUE 59 www.glenkensgazette.com Jayde to Run for World Champion Jayde Devlin, Sombo Champion for Great Britain, grew up in the Glenkens. After moving to Dumfries a few years ago, Jayde joined Closeburn Judo/Sombo Club. “I moved to Carsphairn when I was three years old and then to Balmaclellan when I was seven years old, where I stayed there until I was 21,” says Jayde. “Judo/ Sombo is a great way to meet new people and it as a good way to keep physically fit. I have found it beneficial as I can do it in my spare time, it’s a lot of fun but also serious when it comes to competitions. I have met people from all around the world and will be travelling to lots of new destinations. It is possible for anyone of any age to join and I would thoroughly recommend it to everyone!” Coach Robin Hyslop of the Closeburn club where Jayde trains says: “Since Jayde has been training at Closeburn Judo/Sombo Club he has become an inspiration to many of the students due to the extreme amount of hard work he puts into his training. In the short time that Jayde has been with the club, his dedication has paid off as earlier on this year he became Great Britain 100+ Kilo Sombo Champion”. Robin explains that Sombo Wrestling, or Sambo to use the correct name, is short for ‘SAMozashchit aBezOruzhiya’ which, translated, means ‘self defense without weapons’. This martial art was designed primarily for the Russian army, using many of the folk wrestling styles of Russia and martial arts from Japan. There are two sides to Sombo; the sport wrestling style, and the combat military style. Both styles are evenly effective and over the last 20 years Sombo has become more and more popular in the western world with many worldwide tournaments taking place. “Since Jayde has become the number one heavyweight for the British Team, he has been selected to fight in the World Sombo Championships which will be taking place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in November,” says Robin. “Jayde will also be competing in the Scottish Open Judo and Sombo Championships at DG1 in Dumfries on the 24th July 2010 - a prestigious event which attracts players from all over the world. After this event there will be hard training for Jayde leading up to the World Championships, and all the members from Closeburn Judo/Sombo Club are backing him all the way. Jayde has the right attitude to become a world champion – he’s physically fit and very strong, a very popular player in the club and he has a brilliant sense of humor.” Jayde is currently looking for sponsorship to help him on his way to the top, so if any local business or individual is interested please get in touch with coach Robin Hyslop on 07803129973 or robinhyslop@angelfifteen.fsnet.co.uk. Glenkens Schools Working Together Health Week was a cluster event for pupils of Dalry, Carsphairn and Kells primary schools. It introduced the children to different ways of keeping fit and healthy, showing them we can all find something we enjoy doing that is good for our health! It was also part of our ongoing project to work collaboratively as a cluster, meaning we can offer more experiences to the children as we are sharing resources and transport, etc. Also they are developing relationships across the schools, which build on friendships established in Nursery, strengthening these links throughout primary and making their transition to Dalry Secondary much easier. The P7s visited the Galloway Sailing Centre, P6 went Mountain Biking with Outdoor Education to Dalbeattie forest, P4/5 visited Laggan Outdoor Centre and Mossyard beach and P1-3 went orienteering to Kirroughtree which was led by the Forestry Commission team. We celebrated the end of the week with a musical performance from Kim Wheeler, who had prepared songs and materials to support our message. All three schools would like to say a big thank you to all the parents, specialists and centres who helped to make the week such a huge success! All the children (and staff!) had great fun and learned a lot through this practical approach. See p5 for more... IN THIS ISSUE... 2 - Local Author: Margaret Elphinstone, Noticeboard, Carsphairn Community Garden Success 3 - Community Councils 4 - Schools Report 5 - Schools Report: Health Week 6 - CatStrand Events 7 - CatStrand Community News, The Bus (GTI) 8 - Local History: S R Crockett 9 - SR Crockett cont, Alternative Games 10- Local History: Gordons of Largmore 11- Largmore Conventicle 2010 12 - Organ & Harp Recital, Walking Groups, Ruby’s 80th, Mossdale Painters, New Galloway Golf Club 13 - Mulloch Race, Carsphairn First Responders, 3 Peaks Challenge, Meerkats 14 - Brass Concert for Combat Stress 15 - Carsphairn Show, Youth Update 16- Church Times, Dalry Library Times, Useful Numbers, Glenkens Diary of Events Glenkens Gazette page 2 Local Author: Margaret Elphinstone Historical novelist Margaret Elphinstone moved to the Glenkens just under two years ago; this is the second time she has set up home in Galloway, where her writing career began in the 1980s. “Galloway is the place which shaped me as a writer,” says Margaret. “It is a setting which inspires me. I can relate to a landscape like this. I walk a lot and that’s good thinking time for a writer. And I find the places where I walk inspiring - sky, hills, woods, rivers – water is very important.” Her writing is characterised by people on journeys to places on the edge - islands, frontiers - where cultures and ideas meet. Her first novel, The Incomer (also known as Clachanpluck), is set in Galloway but subsequently her novels have varied widely in time and place – from Greenland and North America in the 10th century to the Isle of Man in the 19th. Her most recent book, The Gathering Night, is set 8000 years ago among the Mesolithic hunter-gatherers on what is now the west coast of Scotland. “I grew up in the country,” explains Margaret. “I’ve never set a book in an urban setting. I find it hard to explore character when people are detached from the land they live on.” When she lived in a city, she says, she was always travelling somewhere else in order to write. “I need a degree of solitude to write. I need some people around me – but not too many.” A new edition of The Gathering Night was published by Canongate in August 2010. For more about Margaret’s writing visit www.margaretelphinstone.co.uk Above - Margaret Elphinstone on one of the many sea trips she has undertaken while writing. Right - Margaret on Woodhall Loch in the coracle she built while researching ‘The Gathering Night’. Noticeboard Glenkens Agricultural Show Saturday 14th August in the standing stone field, the Grennan, New Galloway. Judging commences 9.30am, admission on gate. Glenkens Society Annual Flower & Veg Show Sat 28 Aug, Dalry Town Hall, doors open at 2pm, entries as to be returned to Hilda McAdam before 6pm on the Mon prior to the show. Alternative Games 2010 Sun 8 August, New Galloway Park, 2pm Christina Lawrie - Piano Soloist Sat September 18, Dalry Town Hall, 8pm, Tickets £9 Barscobe to Corriedoo - Have You Walked This Way? The official definition of a right of way is that it must run from one public place (such as a road) to another public place; follow a more or less defined route; must have been used openly and peaceably by members of the public otherwise than with permission, express or implied of the landowner, and must have been so used without substantial and effective interruption for a period of 20 years or more. Use of such a route, in such a way and for such a period constitutes the right of way as a matter of fact, and it is not necessary that the right of way be declared by the court or be entered onto a register or map. Rights of way are created and preserved by members of the public using such routes ‘as of right‛. A questionnaire is being circulated, the purpose of which is to obtain evidence from past and current users as to the nature, amount and period of use of the route, to allow a view to be taken on whether the route meets these criteria or not, without relying on anecdotal evidence. If there is evidence that the route is a right of way, the route may be used by the public, whether the route is included in the adopted Core Paths Plan or not. The questionnaires have recently been sent to June Hay, secretary of Balmaclellan Community Council, for distribution - if you would like a questionnaire, contact June on 420 361 or email junehay@glenkensbb.co.uk or pick one up from Balmaclellan Village Shop. CARSHAIRN COMMUNITY GARDEN WINS FINANCIAL SUPPORT Carsphairn Community Council has been awarded a £13,000 grant by Dumfries and Galloway LEADER Programme to complete the Carsphairn Community Garden. The Council’s Garden Sub-Group, lead by David Richmond and with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers from the community, have been working diligently for several years to create an attractive outdoor amenity in the village. This will benefit not only the Carsphairn community but also those visitors who stop off in the village to visit the Heritage Centre or Carrick’s tearoom. Community Council Chair, Matt Hickman, comments: “This generous support from LEADER, together with £4,000 we have received from the Stewartry Area Committee and private local funds, mean that we can plan to finish the project by next summer. It will turn what was a derelict piece of ground opposite the Church and the School into a bright and attractive facility of which the village can be truly proud.” Right: Artist’s impression of finished garden by Robin Ade. Glenkens Gazette page 3 Balmaclellan Community Council Extract from minutes of meeting held 28 June Andrew Bielinski gave a presentation on the Biosphere which provided a great deal of information. It was emphasised that this is a project to which communities can contribute. More information can be obtained from Andrew Bielinski S.N.H. Loch Hill wind-farm project was discussed, with an outline of the idea, then a Q & A session, the ‘formal’ consultation only beginning when the planning application is submitted. Some issues under consideration are: The ‘Civic Pride’ presentation; could be a useful source of funds to assist with planned repairs of ‘Old Mortality’ and other possibilities to be explored at next meeting. Funds may be available from July. D&G C ‘village tidy -up scheme’; all villages contacted in rotation in Stewartry for assistance. Feedback from convention of CC’s, the main item of which was presentation by Miriam Owen, development worker with D&G Small Communities Housing Trust (D&GSCHT). Clarification was provided on an important difference between housing associations and this Trust; that it is not required to accommodate homeless tenants, but was formed to enable local people in small communities to remain there and to provide housing for essential workers. The idea of a collective Glenkens website was discussed but doesn’t seem a popular notion. The possibility of a joint presentation for Glenkens CC’s through Planning Aid charity was discussed. It was reported that Glenkens Sustainable Development Steering Group will reconvene when the planning decision regarding Black Craig Windfarm is known, to consider forming a ‘Trust’. The planning application for eight static caravans to be sited at the KenBrig Hotel was discussed, with various views expressed and some reservation regarding parking for cars. Next meeting: Friday 27 August, 7.30pm , Balmaclellan Village Hall Carsphairn Community Council Extract from minutes of meeting held 30 May As the community council is not yet up to full membership, a voting member can be co-opted onto the council. David Whyte has expressed an interest and was asked if he was prepared to be a voting member until the next election of members to which he agreed. The issue of road closure of the A713 through Carsphairn is ongoing, and the CC is working to arrange dialogue with East Ayrshire council. Cllr Duncan made the point that the lack of advance notice was also part fault of Dumfries and Galloway. A discussion took place with him about the lack of signage and the lack of information about the length of diversion. It was reported to him that some of the few diversion signs are still in situ and that members of the community have in fact been round to turn them over to stop confusion. There are various planning applications in the parish: Plot 2 Marbrack - approval of matters specified in conditions of outline planning consent. Dalshangan Woods – temporary siting of two caravans. Yellowcraig, Moniaive – amended proposal for house extension. Corlae – application for extension to property. A member of the CC will inspect plans at the Planning Office and report back to the CC. Regarding the Community Garden, please see opposite page regarding successful grant funding. A vote of thanks was given to David Whyte for the huge effort he put in on the application and also to David Richmond for his help with this. There has been a request from Kelton Community Council for advice and attendance at their meeting regarding Mayfield Community windfarm - a representative from CCC will attend. A request from 2020 Renewables was received by email for dialogue with Carsphairn Community Council regarding the proposed Loch Hill windfarm. They had been advised that it was not practical to attend our meeting and so it was arranged that members of the CC would attend the Public Information Day in Dalry Town Hall on Wednesday 9 June. On the issue of Core Paths, some landowners in the area have not been contacted regarding the proposed core paths despite the access officer maintaining they have been. Impositions have been made without consultation. Some landowners are not happy with the situation. Discussion took place regarding placing a footpath from the top of the village to Bridgend. This is no further forward and is to be put on the agenda for the next meeting. Next meeting: Monday 30 August at 7pm, Lagwyne Hall Dalry Community Council Extract from minutes of meeting held 13 June AGM - Election of Officers: Chairman – Angus, Vice Chairman - A Holmes, Treasurer - G Bell, Secretary - M Jones. It was confirmed that Loreburn do not own the Whinneymuir site - DGHP do. It is said that a response has been received to a recent letter to the Planning department, in respect of the development by Kindbuild, by Alex Ferguson, but this is not yet confirmed. A member of the CC has been in touch with Planning Aid, and assistance will be given by someone not linked to the village and as far as they can tell, the steps the CC have taken in respect of the query over the Kindbuild development have been sensible. An opinion is awaited as to whether the Council’s actions were lawful. There had been some damage to the Church Roof and this has been addressed. PC Bruton also confirmed that the airgun incident by the School had been looked into and dealt with. Regarding pavements, roads and verges, it was reported that there were a number of potholes in Kirkland Street and also in Throughgate. It was advised that there was a rut appearing in the middle section of the road about 1⁄2 mile from Barmurrie as you head towards Corsock. Cllr. Prentice informed members that concerns over the accident black spot at Alan Gibbon Bridge will be addressed as it had been confirmed to him that it was on the Councils list of items to be dealt with. A couple of meetings ago the question was raised about having a speed restriction installed at the entrance of the village – cars are still abusing the speed limits. G Prentice & PC Bruton suggested that we contact C Clemmy (Cllr Prentice said he would approach him) and PC Bruton will speak with the Camera Unit and see if they will bring the mobile unit to the village a couple of times. The Biosphere scheme was discussed - it is part of Unesco and a Biosphere already exists in D&G – leaflets are freely available from the local shops or library. Andrew Belinski is willing to give a presentation at the Town Hall, specifically to discuss the project. It was agreed that this presentation will be held at our September meeting. Next meeting: Monday 6 September, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall The Royal Burgh of New Galloway & Kells Community Council Extract from minutes of meeting held 12 July The Chair welcomed Alistair Campbell and Alasdair MacLeod (2020 Renewables) to the meeting. They gave a presentation to the Community Council of the proposed Loch Hill windfarm to the north of Borgue and Knockman Hill. LING Chairman Ros Hill reported that she had not received any further updates regarding the Town Hall repairs/upgrading as Anne Sweetin (Dumfries & Galloway Council) had been on sick leave. As Ms Sweetin is now back at work there is a possibility of arranging a short meeting. It was noted that Kells School have been told by Dumfries & Galloway Council that any alterations to the off-road car parking at the school would be acceptable. Action to be taken regarding the loose disused electric wires at Achie Bridge bus stop, which are still awaiting removal; also the problem of the lack of street cleaning and hedge/tree maintenance in New Galloway. The final information board (Kenmure Holms SSSI) is now installed in the Galloway Kite Information Shelter in the car park. Three complaints have been received from members of the public regarding the ‘invisibility’ of the information shelter on occasions, due to the practice of overnight and weekend parking of large vehicles directly in front of the notice boards, rendering them ineffective. The dangerous practice of young people skateboarding down Wylie’s Brae and having no apparent regard to any person or vehicle in the vicinity of High Street or at Achie Bridge was discussed. Next meeting: Monday 9 August, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Full minutes of local Community Council meetings are available to view at Dalry Library. Glenkens Gazette page 4 GLENKENS SCHOOLS REPORT Carsphairn Primary: The children at Carsphairn Primary have all been learning through the World Cup theme. They made flags for the competing countries, P1-3 designed new football tops and learned about the importance of a healthy body, while the upper primary made powerpoint presentations in a bid for France and Spain to host the next World Cup. As well as footballers, the children all learned about other famous sports people. P1-3 learned about Ellen McArthur’s achievements, while P4-7 chose a famous sportsperson and wrote a short biography about their life. Dalry Primary Show Dalry Primary 4-7 Pupils put on a production of ‘The Big Green Adventure’ on Wednesday 9th June. Everyone had great fun taking part in, and watching, the play. The theme of the play was how everyone can be more eco - friendly whether it’s by recycling or reducing the energy we use. The children learned skills in technology, using wood and cardboard and tools such as hand saws, drills and scalp knives (very safely) to make Victory Vehicles for the winning team. The children impressed their parents at the end of year assembly by displaying their artwork and performing songs which continued the South African theme. Glenkens Speed Shearing Global Enterprise for Dalry: On 15th June Dalry School welcomed A Glenkens Speed Shearing competition, organised by Marcus and Kate Maxwell, which raised £2000 for Carsphairn, Dalry and Kells schools. We hope to use this towards a cluster project and would like to thank Marcus and Kate for organising the event and everyone who supported it! the new S1 pupils for four transition days starting with a one day “Globalocal Enterprise” event. Pupils had to come up with an idea for a local business in order to support an overseas good cause. The winning team decided on ‘Jolly Jam’. They proposed collecting surplus and wild fruit locally, recycling jam jars and selling on your doorstep. The “Jolly Jam” company made a very good presentation to the judges giving them the edge on the competition. All teams had to produce a Business Plan and a Cashflow Statement, quite a challenge considering the one day timescale! Some very amusing video adverts were also produced. Some of the photos and videos of the event can be seen soon at www.dalryschool.dumgal.sch.uk. Our picture shows the winning team enjoying another part of Dalry transition; a fantastic couple of days at Stronord Outdoor Centre where the D&G Outdoor Education team provided a “never to forget” experience. In fantastic weather the pupils did mountainbiking, rock climbing, orienteering and a ‘Tyrolean Traverse’ (scary wires across a gorge). Group leader Paul Bannister of Dalry School said: “You know you have a good group when the teachers enjoy it as much as the pupils.” Dalry School Goes for Capital Punishment! After three weeks of research and preparation in Religious and Moral Education classes the third and fourth year pupils of Dalry School entered the debating chamber on Wednesday 23rd June to decide: “Should capital punishment be brought back?” Miss Winchester, chairperson, then set out the rules for the debate and introduced the first adult speakers. Mr Bannister (Maths) opened for the boys ‘pro’ side and based his impassioned argument on speaking on behalf of the countless dead victims of crime who are now without a voice. Mr Carmichael (PE), supporting the girls ‘con’ side, highlighted many moral and religious reasons why the death sentence should never be reinstated. Every pupil in the chamber stood and made a contribution, drawing on historical, financial, religious and ethical sources, and many case histories. Paul Goodwin (IT Technician) took an international view: “Sentencing criminal despots to death would help to stabilise warring areas”. Mrs Mackinnon (Art) also supported the motion, taking the viewpoint of the mothers of victims of crime. Guest speaker Mr Andrew Mellor recalled how his view changed over the years from pro to con since his father, a policeman, had been involved in the ‘Moors Murders’ enquiry. Although the sides were chosen by gender everyone was then allowed a free vote resulting in a 22 to 15 majority for the reintroduction of the death penalty. More debates will follow next session... Fun & games at Dalry School As the final event preparing Glenkens P7 pupils for Secondary, a Transition Barbecue was held at Dalry School on Monday 28th June, blessed with the only rain we have had in recent weeks! Spirits were not dampened however as FODS (Friends of Dalry School) got the locally produced bangers and burgers sizzling and P7 teacher Mr McKenna got the 35 primary and secondary pupils burning calories with team games in the gym. Now in its second year, this event has proved highly popular with the pupils and staff alike. As term draws to a close, the secondary pupils at Dalry will be doing a sponsored walk in support of local charity shop Debra. Our picture below shows Mr McKenna demonstrating his ‘breakdancing’ to pupils. Glenkens Gazette page 5 GLENKENS SCHOOLS REPORT Glenkens Schools Gets Active! On 31st of May 2010 the p7 kids from the Kells and Dalry primary schools stopped in at the Galloway Activity Centre for a day of kayaking, sailing, laser quest and archery. The day had a strong focus on team-building and fun with the classes having to work closely together when setting up their boats, sailing around the loch and also from stopping the kayaks/funboats capsizing! It wasn’t all wet and cold though with lots of relay races and rafting games to keep the spirits high. “My favourite part was sailing, it was so fun! When we did the first race our team won and the second race our boat was the wrong way around so we lost!” Said Kara Hamilton, P7 The kids got to relax a little more when it came to showing off their precision and accuracy skills at the archery and their tactical shooting skills at laserquest – not to mention how fun it was. “Thank you for a really fun morning. I really liked the laserquest with Dan. My favourite bit was when me and four others chased instructor Stu around the laserquest forest!” James Bosworth, P7. “I thought archery was quite hard to get a hang of, but I soon got it!” Eve Langford, P7 Laser Quest: P7 had a really fun day out during Health Week. We did various activities, my favourite being Laser Quest! First of all we all got guns with a coloured strip and we were in teams. One team would get the higher ground and one team got the low ground. The reds beat the blues in all of their games (I was in the blue team for the first two games and the red team for the last two). I am very appreciative that we have a Health Week and I think it does benefit us going out and doing these activities to get fresh air and meet new people, as well as being active. This was the highlight of my Health Week! By Owen LAGGAN OUTDOOR CENTRE: On Thursday the 3rd of June 2010, P4/5 from Kells, Dalry and Carsphairn Primay schools went to visit Laggan Outdoor Center and Mossyard Beach. When we arrived at Laggan we were split into two groups. One group stayed at Laggan and the other group got on the coach and went to the beach. At Laggan we were met by three people who took us to the archery shed. We all had to put on a wrist guard and stand behind a blue line so we didn’t get hit. We got called out two at a time to have a practice at archery, we all got four arrows and we tried to hit the target. After the practice we played a points round. On the target there were different coloured circles worth different points. To finish off the archery we had balloons pinned to the target which we had to try and burst. Whilst this was all happening different groups were called out to go grass sledging. We got a red sledge that had tracks on it. Each sledge had one lever at each side. If you pulled a lever you turned to that side. If you pulled both of the levers you stopped. There was a steep hill that we had to pull our sledge up. We got in our sledge and went zooming down the hill. It was hard work but lots of fun. At the beach we saw some boats. When we went paddling the sea was cold. There was a massive clump of muscle shells all over the bottom of the rocks and they were sharp on our feet. We had our lunch at the beach. By the time we had to go home we were all exhausted. We all loved it, it was awesome! By Emma Jordan & Jack Patterson, P5 Orienteering: On Thursday P1, 2 and 3 went to Kirroughtree Forest. First we went into the class room and a lady called Lucy talked to us about maps and orienteering. Kells went orienteering first. Lucy said we could go for a walk in the forest. We got to go to the play park afterwards. It was fun. Then we went back to the class room to have lunch and at one a clock we went orienteering. First we split in three groups then Lucy told us about the map. Then we had to find number fourteen stamp and then we went different ways to find the other stamps and my group was called Dalry Eagles. We came second and our time was forty minutes. By Cameron & Annabelle, P3 Glenkens Gazette page 6 The CatStrand: News & Events Storytelling Café, Thurs 5 Aug, 7.30 – 9.30pm, free but donations for tea and coffee welcome. An informal and relaxing evening - this month’s café will be hosted by Tony Bonning. David Hughes Dance Company: ‘SOLO WORKS’, Sat 18 Sept, 7:30pm, £10/£8. David Hughes Dance Productions presents a quadruple bill performance of dance with original commissions by Christopher Bruce, Cesc Gelabert, Siobhan Davies and Javier de Frutos. Exhibition: Joan Eardley and Lady Audrey Walker, runs until Thurs 2 Sept, CatStrand Sportinghouse Strings, Sat 25 Sept, opening hours. This exhibition offers a fantastic 7:30pm, £10/£8. Sporting House Strings, opportunity to see and enjoy works by the originally Tommy Burton’s rhythm section (and renowned Scottish artist Joan Eardley and her much more), has established a big following on friend and photographer, Audrey Walker. It has the British jazz scene over the years. been drawn from the Gracefield Arts Centre permanent collection, Dumfries, and the private collection of the Young NADFAS Arts Exhibition: Fairies and Walker family. Pirates, Mermaids and Crocodiles, Dreams of Flying, Magic, Beauty and Stars, Sat 25 Rachel Hair Trio, Sat 7 Aug, 8pm, £10/ Sept – Thurs 30 Sept, CatStrand opening hours. £6. With her eclectic mix of traditional and Over the summer there will be a competition for contemporary Scottish and Irish music, as well young people (under 18) throughout Dumfries & as original music, celtic harpist Rachel Hair has Galloway to produce a piece of art inspired by the been described as “one of the most innovative story of Peter Pan – a selection of pieces will be chosen for young musicians to have emerged over the last this exhibition. For information please call 01557 500256. few years” (The Irish Music Review). Film: Shutter Island (2010), Wed 29 Sept, 7.30pm, £4.50/ Mischief La Bas: The Laird of £3.50. Drama is set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is Callybrew and The Cowboys Last investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped Round up, part of The Scottish Alternative from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to Games, New Galloway Town Park, Sun 8 be hiding on the remote Shutter Island.(Cert.15). Aug, 1.30 - 6pm. Scotland’s leading street theatre company present The Laird of Callybrew - “The Laird of Callybrew has taken leave of his Estate to award Regular events: Play it by Ear, every Monday during term medals, rosettes and ribbons to anything that catches his time, 1.30–2.30pm, £2 per adult/child + 50p eye. Just try and stop him!” and The Cowboys Last Roundfor each additional child. A weekly song, music up - “These Wild West ranch-hands - rounding up the last of and storytelling session for pre-school children the Urban Buffalo can be a tough job for any cowboy.” and their parents or carers which now takes Film: The Last Station (2009), Wed 25 Aug, place every Monday afternoon. Juice and biscuits included 7.30pm, £4.50/£3.50. A historical drama that in the price. illustrates Russian author Leo Tolstoy’s Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret struggle to balance fame and wealth with his commitment to a life devoid of material things. Nominated Morris Movement, every Monday during term time, 3.15-4pm pre school, 4-5pm age 8-12 years, for 2 Oscars. (Cert.15). free.Dance exercises are created to develop agility, Storytelling Café, Thurs 2 Sept, 7.30–9.30pm, free but balance, co-ordination, elevation, flexibility and donations for tea and coffee welcome. An informal and posture. Please wear loose clothing. relaxing evening - this month’s café will be hosted by John Teen Spirit, every Tues, 7.30pm-9.30pm. Wheeler. A weekly club for young people to hang Jubovski, Sat 4 Sept, 7:30pm, £8/ out, chill, listen to music, eat munchies, £6. Three friends Jub, Peter and Liz play console games on a big screen, watch Cowdrey - having performed both films and plan trips and activities. If you classical and gypsy music together for many years - created are interested in coming along just turn up and see what this unique ensemble to share with their audiences their happens. Special projects in the coming months that you passion for the music of the Eastern European Gypsies. can choose to participate in include the Log onto More Music Exhibition: Phil Howard, Sun 5 Sept - Thurs Bus, songwriting workshops and Guitar Hero Playstation 23 Sept, CatStrand opening hours. An exhibition tournaments on the big cinema screen. of objects created using a woodturning lathe as Saturday Art Club, 2nd Sat of every month, the principal tool. The show will explore and 10am–12noon, £4. Two-hour workshops run demonstrate the range of items that can be by professional artists and teachers, offering produced – some you will expect, some you may not! Phil expert tuition and hands-on experience across Howard from Dalbeattie has been wood turning for many a range of fun filled visual arts and crafts years, he is now semi-professional. activities. Please wear old clothes as things can get messy (ages 5-12). Moishe’s Bagel, Sun12 Sept, 7:30pm, £10/ £8. Rip-roaring, foot-stomping, jazz-inflected CatStrand Youth Players, starts again Sun klezmer and Balkan music from some of 5 Sept and will run every Sun during term time Scotland’s finest musicians. An intoxicating, 3–5pm. The Youth division of the Glenkens 73 life-affirming mix of Eastern European dance Club. If you are interested in acting, directing, music, Middle Eastern rhythms and virtuoso performances. costumes, sound, lighting, stage management or any other an eclectic band made up of accordion, harmonica, bass, aspect of drama or theatre, then come along and have some guitar, violin, mandolin and piano. fun. All welcome (Age 10-18). Glenkens Gazette page 7 The CatStrand: News & Events COMMUNITY EVENTS / CLASSES NEW! Long-Term Conditions Programme Self-Help & Social Group, first monthly meeting Mon 16 Aug, 5–7pm, then every 3rd Mon of the month. Baby Reflexology, drop-in, last Fri of each month, 10am-12noon. Regular Classes: Exercise to Music, Mon, 10-11am, £4/£3. Teen Spirit, Tues during term time, 7.30-9.30pm. Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thurs, 10-11.15am, £30 per 6 week block. Taking the First Step in Computing, Wed 5.30pm-7.30pm. Taking the Next Step in Computing, Mon, 5.30–7.30pm. Carers, Coffee & Chat, 1st Tue each month, 10am-12 noon, free. Transport may be available if required, please Great Workshops in August & September Business Gateway are offering a series of three free business start-up courses which will run on consecutive Wednesdays starting 11th August. These consist of Personal & Business Planning, Marketing & Market Research, and Resource Planning & Management. The sessions will be from 9.30am-12.30pm - if you are interested contact The CatStrand to book your place. There are also lots of other workshops on in August and September such as Digital Photography, Reiki, Benefit Advice, Internet, Alzheimer’s Scotland Support and much more – contact Catherine at The CatStrand for further info. Eat @ CatStrand LUNCHES: Mon to Fri, 11am-2pm phone 01644 420374. NEW! Tone and Stretch, Fri 10am, £4/£3. A workout to tone muscle and improve body shape followed by a stretch out to ease those tired/ aching muscles; a great way to start the day! Afternoon Tea Club, 2nd Fri each month, 2pm, annual membership £2. Minibus pick up from Balmaclellan & Dalry by prior arrangement - call 01644 420374. New Galloway Self-Help & Social Group The Stewartry Holistic Self-Help Long-Term Conditions Programme are encompassed within the framework of NHS Building Healthy Communities in Dumfries & Galloway. The plan is to initiate monthly self help/social groups not only in New Galloway but also Castle Douglas Kirkcudbright and Dalbeattie. Activities that can be available include mindfulness, relaxation techniques, massage, reiki, healthy eating/ exercise, positive thinking and communication skills to name but a few. Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association are also offering a wide range of activities from African drumming, painting/drawing, many different crafts, photography, film making, dancing and singing the list goes on... This social group is open to anyone with any long term condition, come and let us know what you would like in your social group. In August we are offering head/scalp or hand massage, armchair exercises and breathing exercises to induce relaxation. Call in for a coffee & chat - see the above listing for dates/times. THE BUS : GLENKENS TRANSPORT INITIATIVE COUNCIL SUPPORT FOR MINI BUS: The Glenkens Transport Initiative (GTI) has recently been successful in securing funding for this year from the Stewartry Area Committee of Dumfries and Galloway Council. GTI were one of the few Transport Initiatives to be awarded funding in South West Scotland and were praised for their work and involvement with the local community and also the quality of the application submitted. The support of our local Councillors is much appreciated and they will be interested to learn that because of the success of GTI, Brian Juffs, who is head of the Transport Directorate of the Scottish Government, has recently requested details of our Initiative as a good example for other such schemes. ACTIVITY SCHEME FOR DISABLED CHILDREN: During the School holidays the mini bus will be helping with transport for disabled children attending an activity scheme in Castle Douglas – this scheme last four weeks, and we are delighted to get involved in yet another aspect of community life. TRIPS: The trip arranged to Kelvingrove Museum on 18th July was fully booked very quickly and another trip will be arranged in September before the Glasgow Boys exhibition closes. Trips during August will mainly be to local events before going further afield to the opening day of the Viking Festival in Largs on Saturday 28th August 2010 and the Victorian Fayre in Lanark on Sunday 5th September 2010. The photographs show a recent visit to Summerlee Heritage Park near Coatbridge – an excellent place to visit and the chance to ride on Scotland’s only electric tram! Another visit for this venue is planned for our younger travellers on Thursday 12th August 2010. Keith Cooper, GTI Administrator WEDNESDAY BUS SERVICE (REGD. ROUTE): CONCESSIONARY BUS PASSES ARE ACCEPTED ON THIS ROUTE, SO PLEASE MAKE USE OF THIS EXTRA SERVICE Timings are as follows: 1900 Dept Dalry (Underhill) 1910 New Galloway 1925 Mossdale 1935 Laurieston 1940 Townhead of Greenlaw 1947 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 1950 Arrive Castle Douglas (Tesco) The return journey : 2045 Departs Castle Douglas (Tesco) 2047 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 2052 Townhead of Greenlaw 2100 Laurieston 2110 Mossdale 2125 New Galloway 2135 Arrive Dalry IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK THE COMMUNITY-BUS OR IF YOU WANT ANY MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT KEITH COOPER, GTI ADMINISTRATOR ON 01644 420374. For further info & to buy tickets visit www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420 374 Glenkens Gazette page 8 LOCAL HISTORY Samuel Rutherford Crockett According to the Crockett Memorial at Lauriston, Galloway’s bestknown novelist was born 150 years ago on 24 September 1860, yet the anniversary will pass with a minimum of notice; there will be no celebrations or festivals in honour of the man who, above all others, attempted to place Galloway on the literary map. In fact he was born a year earlier, the natural son of dairymaid Annie Crockett, at the farm of Little Duchrae on the Hensol estate. For Galloway, wrote Crockett, the Glenkens represented “the heart of the matter”, asserting that every traveller’s road in the province led her or him “at long and last to the Glenkens”. That such is no longer true is certainly no fault of Crockett, who brilliantly evoked the Ken “flowing silver-clear between the greenest and floweriest banks in the world”. The very names of the hills in the Kells range created “a storm of music – Millyea, Milldown, Millfire, Corscrine and the haunted fastnesses of the Meaull of Garryhorn in the head end of Carsphairn”. He wrote of Kenmure Castle, New Galloway, the clachan of St John’s Town of Dalry, “the wide moorland expanse of Lochinvar Loch”, and the Gordon stronghold of Earlstoun. He made good use the local topography in his stories but, as we shall see, his artistic creativity inspired the invention of part of the heritage that we in the Glenkens now enjoy. His Cameronian grandparents ensured that his childhood was glorious as they filled his head with the heroic exploits of the Covenanters and indulged his love of nature and the countryside. Samuel was educated at Lauriston (Clachanpluck), Castle Douglas and Edinburgh University where he supplemented his bursary by occasional journalism. He found employment as a travelling tutor for a while, meeting none other than Bismarck while climbing in the Tyrol. He eventually studied divinity and in 1886 became Free Church minister in Penicuik, naming himself Samuel Rutherford Crockett after the great covenanting minister of Anwoth and author of Lex Rex, regarded as one of the most seditious and subversive treatises of the 17th century. As a student, Sam volunteered for pastoral work in the slums of Edinburgh. His radicalism became overt following the Mauricewood Pit Disaster of 1889 which killed 63 men and boys in his parish. While other ministers explained the tragedy as an act of God, Crockett preached managerial indifference. The men were left to die “with no chance of safety, without even a man’s poor consolation of a fight for life and wife and little ones”. There was no escape because due to a previous accident (ignored by the owners) there was no other exit except that which was blocked by fire and deadly vapour. In a story based on Mauricewood, Crockett has a new minister argue that Jesus Christ was a working man and his followers socialists. Furthermore “the fatherhood of God meant the brotherhood of man”. In his story the outspoken minister goes further than Crockett did in 1889 by explicitly apportioning blame and vowing that those responsible will have to answer for murder before God himself. Such sentiments were regarded as revolutionary in the 1890s. He would return to the theme of the mining disaster to great effect in Vida, or the Iron Lord of Kirktown (1907). He struck up a correspondence with Robert Louis Stevenson through their shared interest in the Pentlands and literature. Stevenson, who was clearly an important influence on his writing, once observed that writers never tackled the subject of rain; both Kidnapped and The Raiders are full of weather. Stevenson’s ultimate tribute to Crockett is moving, indeed haunting, as it encapsulates the very essence of Galloway: “Blows the wind today, and the sun and the rain are flying…”. Ever since his calling to Penicuik Crockett had written short stories for Christian readers, collected as The Stickit Minister in 1893 , the title indicating a clergyman not quite qualified and a degree of authorial self-mockery. It was swiftly followed by The Raiders, the weirdly gothic Mad Sir Uchtred of the Hills, and The Play-Actress, a story of redemption but shocking to Crockett’s parishioners because of his familiarity with theatre; much more acceptable was the phenomenally successful The Lilac Sunbonnet. In 1895 he resigned his charge pleading that God had given him his literary talent with the obvious intention that he should use it. He did so having satirised the Penicuik establishment and members of his own congregation in a series of magazine articles later published as Seven Wise Men. From then on he was a fulltime writer, a sin for which some of the devout were never to forgive him. Is S.R. Crockett worthy of celebration after a century and a half? In twenty years he produced 63 books, some written for children including the two Sweetheart collections which contain much Galloway material. He has often been dismissed, alongside J.M.Barrie of Peter Pan fame and Ian McLaren (Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush [1894]), among others, as ‘kailyard’, which is code for parochial, sentimental, rustic tales set in a Scottish Neverland. Though he could churn out the saccharine with the best of them the charge against Crockett is unfair. His Galloway novels include, in addition to those already mentioned,The Men of the Moss Hags, which tracks the covenanters from the battle of Bothwell Brig (1679) to the Wigtown Martyrs (1685); Lochinvar is a dull sequel. The Standard Bearer is set in the Balmaghie of the Rev. John MacMillan. Silver Sand is a prequel to The Raiders while Dark o’ the Moon is intended as a sequel. The Grey Man, thought by some, but not by me, to be his best, is set mostly in the Ayrshire of James VI. Maid Margaret and The Black Douglas are about medieval Galloway. The latter novel, published in 1899 two years after Dracula, features Gilles de Retz who captures children whose blood he drinks in search of eternal youth. Galloway also features in Lads’ Love and Strong Mac. The melodramatic Kit Kennedy is mainly of interest for its semiautobiographical content. Some stories are set in Europe but Glenkens Gazette page 9 LOCAL HISTORY industrial (and impoverished) Scotland features in Cleg Kelly and Kid McGhie, both of which explore the evil city/rural paradise theme. Cleg opens with the startling statement; “It’s all a dumb lie...God’s dead”, and he goes on to relate that prayer is rubbish. Here Crockett returns to his post-Mauricewood period of doubt and despair while attacking Christian hypocrisy and the injustice of capitalism, though the inconsequential ending may reflect something of his inability to live according to his own ideals. At a banquet held in Dalbeattie in his honour in 1906, Crockett said that he was often asked why he did not write another Raiders or Stickit Minister, helpfully explaining to his local and largely agrarian audience that “You cannot go on producing the same kind of crop. After each book is finished the brain becomes something like cold boiled turnips. To recover its elasticity, to strike fresh that unexhausted soil, one must try a new crop... something as different as possible from the old”. He deliberately experimented with different types of fiction and plot. He confided that his ambition was to write “a real Galloway book, in the full dialect, to be understood only by those to the manner born”. Sadly the promise was never fulfilled before his death on 16 April 1914. Crockett once wrote that if he had not been born upon Loch Grenoch (Little Duchrae) he “would have desired to be born on Loch Ken-side – in some herd’s house up towards the Tinkler’s Loup, past Mossdale, and looking across to the Shirmers”. His Galloway extended far beyond Glenkens, though he wrote much about the glen and he left his mark upon it. Without him there would be no ‘Raiders’ Bridge’ over the Dee at Mossdale and no ‘Raiders’ Road’. There would be no ‘Murder Hole’ at Loch Neldricken either, because this item was borrowed from Nicholson’s Historical and Traditional Tales in which it was set at an indeterminate spot on the borders of Galloway and Ayrshire. In assembling Raiderland all about grey Galloway and its stories, traditions, characters and humours, he The Scottish sought to create a legendary landscape in which he blatantly spliced his own stories with the traditions, history and heritage of Galloway. Before long his success was reflected in postcards and advertisements celebrating ‘Raiders Country’. S.R.Crockett was a literary phenomenon is his own day with impressive sales worldwide. He wrote of heroes and troubled men, gutsy women and precocious children, with sympathy, humour and respect. In our imaginations they inhabited the same alluring landscape as us. Their spirits still hover over the “grey recumbent tombs of the dead in desert places”. Crockett conspicuously put Glenkens on the map like no-one before him. He is our greatest writer who never forgot Galloway and who uniquely understood her people. Galloway should not forget him. To find out more read the novels. See also Islay Murray Donaldson; The Life and Work of Samuel Rutherford Crockett (Aberdeen 1989). Ted Cowan Alternative Games w e e k e n d 2 0 1 0 Friday 6th to Sunday 8th August The Scottish Alternative Games, first held in Parton in 1977 to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, moved a few miles north to New Galloway in 2001 and proudly celebrates ten years in Scotland’s smallest Royal Burgh this year. To help mark the occasion we are delighted to welcome back most of our regular events and performers together with the hilarious theatre group ‘Mischief La Bas’ who are appearing at the Games as part of The CatStrand’s regular events programme. They will definitely add to the alternative nature of the day with their impromptu performances of ‘The Laird of Callybrew’ and ‘The Cowboys Last Round Up’ throughout the afternoon. Other new events for 2010 include Laser Quest and Unicycling! Thousands of people from all over the world have enjoyed the enduring family atmosphere of the Alternative Games in the past, whether as spectator or competitor, and although one year we counted 21 different nationalities taking part, The Gird ‘n’ Cleek World Championship has still only been taken out of Scotland on one occasion back in 1987. The edible ‘medals’ awarded to the prize winners of each event are typically Scottish and unique in the world of sport! But there are real trophies too, with the Loch Ken Holiday Centre Trophy awarded to the World Gird ‘n’ Cleek Champion, the Mungo Bryson Memorial Trophy going to the Tossin’ the Sheaf Champion and The Commentator’s Quaich presented to the best overall competitor – in the opinion of the commentators. All events can be entered on the day and all necessary equipment is provided - just bring your sense of humour and be prepared to experience a day out with a difference at this unique family event. You could even end up as a World Champion and win your Sunday dinner along the way! Friday 6th August: The Alternative Games Weekend Ceilidh with The Robert Menzies Ceilidh Band’, New Galloway Town Hall, 8.30pm – 12.30am, adults £6, children £4 (supper included), licensed bar - all welcome! Tickets from Community Council Members or The CatStrand (01644 420374). Saturday 7th August: Rachel Hair Trio, The CatStrand, New Galloway, 8pm, £10/£6. Sunday 8th August: The Scottish Alternative Games 2010, New Galloway Town Park from 2pm, games, craft stalls, sideshows, teas, barbecue, beer tent - admission; adults £4, children £1, free parking. Glenkens Gazette page 10 LOCAL HISTORY THE GORDONS OF LARGMORE The Pentland Rising in late 1666, led by men from the Glenkens area, and in particular men from Dalry, ended in a crushing defeat at Rullion Green. The Covenanters were met by 3,000 well-armed Government troops, and many lost their lives. The survivors, many of them wounded in the battle, admitted defeat and headed for home. John Gordon, of Largmore in Kells parish, was seriously wounded but managed to reach home. Sir William Bannatyne was sent to Galloway with a regiment of 400 foot soldiers and 80 horsemen soon after the Pentland Rising, and most were stationed in the Glenkens. They set about persecuting any local people whom they suspected were sympathising with the Covenanters. Fines were imposed, and goods and stock seized where fines could not be met. Women and children were molested, houses were burned down and many were made homeless. Bannatyne was notorious for the atrocities he and his men committed. When Bannatyne heard that John Gordon was home at Largmore, he ordered that he should be brought to him, dead or alive. A cart was taken as the soldiers knew John Gordon would not be fit to ride or walk. When they came to Largmore with their message from Bannatyne, John painfully raised himself up on his bed. He said he defied Sir William Bannatyne and all his persecutors, but he forgave them, adding that he would soon be in better company. He lay back in his bed and shortly afterwards he breathed his last. He was buried in Kells Kirkyard beside his grandfather who had died five years earlier, aged 72 years. Roger Gordon, who seems to have followed John as laird of Largmore, was also a well-known Covenanter. He may have been a son of John, but it is possible that he was a nephew, being descended from an elder brother. Roger Gordon was at the battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679, when the Covenanters were again defeated. He fled south with some friends and eventually they reached Moniaive where they spent some time with friends. At nightfall they set out to resume their journey and as they made their way up Castlefairn Water they suddenly saw a company of troopers who had been sent to Craggy Mains to disperse a conventicle. Roger and his friends fled to the home of a friend at Knockaughley on Craigdarroch Water and were soon sitting down to a hearty meal by a roaring fire, and sharing all the latest sad news. Suddenly the sound of horses’ hooves was heard outside the cottage. The lady of the house quickly led Roger and his friends to a small dairy room at the back of the house, hidden behind furniture, and ushered them through a hidden trapdoor in the floor which led to a concealed cellar. She pulled a mat over the trapdoor while her husband went to meet the soldiers. They searched the house and although they found the hidden dairy room they did not find the trapdoor. Roger Gordon and his friends were saved and the next evening they made their way back home to the Glenkens. Some time later Roger and his wife were walking with friends across the moors to a conventicle near Minnigaff when they suddenly came �� upon a company of foot soldiers. There were similar numbers of men on each side and a conflict ensued. The soldiers had their swords, while the Covenanters had only sticks and clubs with which to fight, but they defended themselves well and bravely. Roger was a very strong man and he attacked the leader of the soldiers with such energy that everyone else stopped to watch the fight. Roger broke his opponent’s sword then struck him a heavy blow with his club which rendered the man’s arm useless. He then threw him to the ground with great force where the soldier lay motionless. Roger’s friends shouted triumphantly and they all continued their way across the moors to the conventicle, leaving the soldiers to gather round their disabled commander! Roger’s house was frequently visited and searched by the troopers after this event, and Roger only rarely ventured home under cover of darkness. On one of his rare visits to Largmore he had barely arrived when a company of dragoons rode up to the door. Roger quickly donned some coarse and tattered clothes of a farm servant and went to meet the soldiers. He held their horses while they dismounted and led the animals to the stable. He helped one of the dragoons to fodder the horses, and the soldiers, assuming he was a servant, went off to search the house. In the darkness and confusion Roger took a pitcher and under the pretence of fetching water for the horses he headed quickly to his favourite hiding place up on the side of Meikle Millyea, a fine mountain in the Rhinns of Kells. The soldiers were furious when they realised he had tricked them, but they had no idea where to search for him. Some time later Roger and a friend were lying low in the wild moorlands when an informer discovered them and led a party of dragoons to their hide-out. Fortunately they saw the horsemen coming and had time to conceal themselves in a deep ravine where there was a cavern in which they hid. They had just arrived in the cavern when the leading horseman, quite unaware of the deep ravine which was only visible from a few yards distance, came charging down the slope. Re was too late to rein in his horse, and they both crashed down the steep side of the ravine to be dashed to pieces on the rocks below, close to where Roger and his friend were hiding. All thoughts of the chase abandoned, the troopers retrieved the body of their comrade and the harness from his horse, and returned home saddened by the accident. Roger was caught on another occasion while visiting his family. As the troops entered the farmyard by one gate, he was disappearingout at the other end. They apprehended him, suspecting that he was the man they were seeking. One soldier asked if he was the laird of Largmore, to which he replied he was the laird of Shinmount. His answer confused them and they let him go, unaware that Shinmount was the name of a prominent hill to the north of Largmore and in those days it was on his estate! Through his quick thinking and possibly a fair share of luck, Roger Gordon survived the persecutions and lived on at Largmore for many years to enjoy a peaceful life with his family. The Cross Keys Hotel New Galloway © Helen Bolton, July 2010 GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services 10 En-suite Bedrooms, Traditional Bar Excellent Restaurant Quiz Night - every Wed 8.30pm Tel: 01644 420 494 enquiries@thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk www.thecrosskeys-newgalloway.co.uk The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL ( 01644 420234 ( Glenkens Gazette page 11 THE 2010 CONVENTICLE AT LARGMORE In a field not far from the farmhouse of Largmore on Sunday 30th May, around thirty brave souls assembled as a chilly breeze blew down the Garroch Glen from the wild hills where, during the covenanting times, Roger Gordon had spent so much time trying to keep himself hidden from the dragoons who continually searched the area for fugitives. Reverend Dr David Bartholomew welcomed the gathered congregation and the service opened with the Psalm “The Lord of Heaven Confess”, followed by the opening prayer. As is traditional at the conventicles, the old Psalms, so well-known to the Covenanters, are always sung, and Psalm 46 “God is our refuge and our strength” followed the prayer. Dr Bartholomew then spoke of the Covenanting cause, and of the terrible hardships endured by those who were determined to follow the Presbyterian form of worship in Scotland. Following the singing of Psalm 121 “I to the hills will lift mine eyes”, and the reading of Psalms 94 and 124, Dr Bartholomew then told of the death of John Gordon of Largmore, following the Covenanters defeat at Bullion Green, and the subsequent persecution of Roger Gordon of Largmore in the years that followed. Through his great knowledge of the wild terrain, and his ingenious dodges when confronted by the troops, Roger managed to survive those dreadful times. It is said in Simpson’s book ‘Traditions of the Covenanters’ that Roger Gordon, in 1714, presented to Kells Church a fine new bell, a pair of communion cups, and also a stone plaque was set into the gable end of the church in his memory. However, Dr Bartholomew has been up the tower and has found a splendid old bell, but here is a mystery! The inscription on the bell reads “Donated by William Gordon. Quirin de Visser made me. Rotterdam 1722”. Below the bell, on the outside of the tower there is a square stone inscribed with similar words, rather worn and difficult to read. Dr Bartholomew is inclined to think the bell was presented by a son of Roger Gordon in memory of his father soon after his death - or was Roger’s full name William Roger, and did he donate the bell himself? We will probably never know the answer! The communion cups are also a mystery as there are none presented by Roger Gordon. There are two cups presented in 1721, one by Andrew Ewart, minister at Kells from 1691 to 1739, and the other presented by William Newall of Barskeoch, who was a neighbour of Roger’s up the Garroch Glen and a fellow covenanting sympathiser. All these are interesting links with those years following the persecutions, given by people thanking God for the return to a peaceful life. Dr Bartholomew’s talk was followed by the psalm “As pants the hart for cooling streams”, then the offering was collected, as is traditional, in a blanket, made more difficult than usual due to the wind tugging at the loose end of the blanket. The Conventicle closed with the Lord’s Prayer, the paraphrase “0 God of Bethel” sung to the tune “Salzburg”, and the Benediction. Very welcome cups of hot tea and coffee were then dispensed by Dr Bartholomew and his willing helpers, and tasty biscuits and other refreshments were handed round. As it was cold and rather dull few, if any, of the gathering accepted the invitation of Mr and Mrs Trevor Biggins to have a closer look at the house at Largmore, but their kind offer was appreciated by all. Once again our thanks go to Dr Bartholomew for a most interesting and enjoyable Conventicle, held in a well-chosen location. We look forward to the 2011 Conventicle with pleasant anticipation, where ever it may be held. © Helen Bolton, July 2010 Rev Dr David Bartholomew leading the prayers at the 2010 Conventicle. The farmhouse of Largmore is in the background, and the wild country of the Garroch Glen. A McQuaker Landscapes - est. 1992 garden groundwork, paving, gravel & turf, fencing, drainage, rotovating, treework & all associated tasks 01644 440 627 07790 426762 Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents ( 01556 503744 ( www.ggblaw.co.uk OFFICES IN : CASTLE DOUGLAS, DALBEATTIE KIRKCUDBRIGHT & DUMFRIES Glenkens Gazette page 12 ORGAN AND HARP RECITAL RAISES £130 FOR CHURCH FUNDS An organ and harp recital in Carsphairn Church by Zarah Groves and Margaret Sloan has raised £130 for church funds. Playing a range of popular music from Baroque and Bach to the Beatles and Bacharach, the duo – both regular organists for church services – entertained an appreciative audience for just over an hour. PICTURE CAPTION: In harmony…Margaret Sloan (left) and Zarah Groves. C L U B C Walking Groups O R N E R HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUBY! Would you like to explore some of our marvellous countryside? All are welcome to join walks suited to all abilities; we even accommodate persons with powered wheelchairs on some walks by prior arrangement. The Glenkens Ramblers meet on Mondays for a moderate walk taking around two hours. The Glenkens Walkers meet on Wednesdays for an easier walk taking around 90 minutes. Both groups meet at 2pm during the summer (1.30 in winter) outside the Bank of Scotland in Dalry and participants share transport when needed. Lists of walks are displayed in shops in Dalry and New Galloway. Walk Leader’s contact phone no’s are: John & Isobel on 430 539, Gerry on 420 852, Peter on 420 419 and Elizabeth on 430 581. Few of the paths walked have an even surface, so it is advisable to wear stout footwear and to bring a waterproof jacket. If very wet, please check with the Leader that the walk will proceed. Mossdale Painters Now in their fourth year, the group will begin again on Wed 29 Sept in Mossdale Village Hall at 9.30 am for 10 sessions. Due to members moving out of the district we now have a few spaces for people to join us. Anyone from the Glenkens (tel. code 01644) is very welcome. Whether you have painted before or haven’t picked up a brush since leaving school, except to do some DIY, do give it a try! It is a relaxed group made up of both beginners, who can always get whatever help they need, and of painters who have a bit more experience. It is definitely self-help, working to a weekly theme in whatever medium you want to use. In addition there are occasional workshops lead by a professional artist which are invaluable and great fun. If you have a free Wednesday morning this autumn and would like to paint contact Wendy Davis on 420 225, Beryl Hamilton on 420 200, or Isobel Ellis on 450606 to find out more. If anyone would have difficulty in getting to Mossdale for 9.30 am a lift could be arranged. Ruby Kirk celebrated her 80th birthday by walking up Waterside Hill, Dalry, with fellow members of the Glenkens Ramblers. Afterwards, instead of the usual tea and biscuits, the Group celebrated with champagne and birthday cake! New Galloway Golf Club The end of May and the beginning of June was a busy time at New Galloway Golf Club. The Natural Power sponsored Open Competition was held on 30th May, attracting a field of over 60 from around the area. The weather contributed to a testing time for the players, with a strong wind making scoring difficult. The course was in excellent condition, although the greens were not as good as in previous years due to the cold and dry weather, and the scores reflected the difficulty. The winner was Peter Evans (Kirby Lonsdale) with a score of 79-15-64, second Brian McGinily (NG) 82-17-65 and 3rd Robert Wilson (NG) 84-17-67. The scratch winner was M.Watley (S/ness) with a gross 72. (Bottom pic - winner Peter Evans being presented with the trophy.) Thursday 3rd June saw the Belhaven sponsored Seniors Open. It was a beautiful summers days with plenty of sunshine and ideal for golf, and a field of 52 played in the competition. Scores were good and the winner of the John H. Kirk Cup with 41 points was Jeff Sutcliffe. The J.E.Yates Senior Open Quaich for the best scratch score went to Ian Brotherston with a 67 gross. (Top pic - winner Jeff Sutcliffe being presented with the trophy by Joyce Harvey, Lady Captain.) The Club competitions are now in full swing and there are a few vacancies for new members. Anyone interested should contact the Secretary, Ian Brown, at the Club or view the website at www.nggc.co.uk Jeff, Vice Captain/Match Secretary, New Galloway Golf Club Glenkens Gazette page 13 The Mulloch Race Dalry’s Mulloch Hill Race was run last year after a gap of a number of years and was a popular event. This year’s race will take place on Saturday 4th September starting at Dalry school at 3pm and is one of the shortest runs available at around 1.6 miles in total. The entrance fee for this year’s race is just £1 towards prizes with any balance going to Friends of Dalry School. Registration is on the day from 2:40 - 2:55pm. Apart from the competitive runners, fun runners and walkers are welcome and all finishers will receive a certificate. In 2009, the Crozier cup for overall winner was won by Angus Hilsley in the impressive time of 13 minutes and 2 seconds. Drife Finlay was first Primary age finisher and second overall! Joe Paterson beat Edmund Wise by the narrowest of margins to be the first Secondary age finisher and Andy Reid (the Fleein’ Haggis) won the prize for the best costume. For further information contact Paul Goodwin at mulloch@paulgoodwin.me.uk Carsphairn First Responders Local Success in the Three Peaks Challenge Carsphairn First Responders are all set to go live! The volunteers are trained to carry out emergency treatment respond on a collapsed or unconscious patient with a suspected heart attack until an ambulance arrives - each minute saved is vital for improving the chances of recovery. Carsphairn Parish Church social committee put on a show entitled Carsphairn’s Got Talent and instead of ticket sales, a collection was made for the First Responders to purchase necessary equipment. The First Responders are pictured below in their new jackets with South West Ambulance trainer Vicky Moyes. They are Ken and Ruth Williams, David Richmond, Anne Rutherford, Margaret Richmond and Zarah Groves. After successfully completing the Rotary International Three Peaks Challenge on 12/13 June in a creditable time of 21 hours and 40 minutes, easily beating the competition and taking first place, Bob Peace and the Rotary Club of Newton Stewart would like to thank the people of the Glenkens for there support in helping the team to raise much needed funds for Sightsavers International. The effort put in by the team and their supporters to reach the summits of Ben Nevis, Helvellyn and Snowdon has all been worthwhile with a cheque for over £4000 being sent to Sightsavers. The picture below shows team members descending Ben Nevis. Anyone who has not already heard may like to know that there are baby Meerkats (or should that be Meerkits?) at Kircudbright Wildlife Park. Aren‛t they cute? Regards, Rhoda FORREST ESTATE Local suppliers of firewood logs, kindling and chiminea wood. Hardwood and so�wood produced from sustainable, FSC cer�ficated woodland. Various quan��es available for collec�on or bulk delivery. Call for details 01644 430 230 office@forrestestate.com Glenkens Gazette page 14 ALEX FERGUSSON MSP FOR GALLOWAY AND UPPER NITHSDALE Brass Concert Raises Funds for Combat Stress Charity Carsphairn Church resonated to the sound of brass on Saturday evening, 17th July, when Dunaskin Doon Band performed a summer concert to raise funds for Combat Stress, the UK’s leading military charity specialising in the psychological wellbeing of ex-service personnel. The event drew a sizeable audience from way beyond the boundaries of Carsphairn to hear the band play such favourites as Memory (from the Cats musical), the Can Can, the theme from Star Wars and a selection from the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack. Holds regular advice surgeries at: The concert, which was organised by the church social committee, raised £595 for the local branch of Combat Stress which is located at Hollybush House on the A713 to the south of Ayr. 2 St ANDREW STREET, CASTLE DOUGLAS on the second Friday of every month from 5pm Committee member Nigel Martin, who plays flugel horn with the band, commented: “This was a simply fantastic evening for the church, for the community, for the band and for Combat Stress. It looks as though a summer band concert will now become an annual event in the village.” Telephone free on 0800 028 7260 for an appointment or to make any alternative arrangement’ You can visit Alex’s website at www.alexfergusson.org.uk or contact him by e-mail at alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk �� Hotel �� Glenkens Gazette page 15 YOUTH UPDATE The CatStrand Youth Players: The first meeting of the new season will be held in The CatStrand on Sunday 5th September at 3pm. There are a limited number of places available for new members aged 10 -17 years old and anyone interested in joining should come along to the first meeting. During the season it is planned to stage a production for performance at The CatStrand prior to Christmas and then to enter the Stewartry One Act Play Festival in Lochside Theatre at the end of February and finally to finish the year off with another CatStrand production probably in May. Rehearsing for the plays will be interspersed with occasional drama workshops etc. Most of the current members are taking the opportunity to hone their skills at the RSAMD Drama Summer School being held at the CatStrand during the first week in August. The 2009/10 season brought unprecedented success with the Youth Players winning the Stewartry District Youth Festival. They then went on to represent the District at the West of Scotland Final where they narrowly missed out on winning through to the Scottish Final with their charming production of ‘The Willow & The Pomegranate’. The Christmas production of the hilarious ‘Cinderella, The Sequel’ was also very well received and the themed evening which included ‘Spud Ferret & The Case of The Stolen Diamonds’ at the end of April was great entertainment and brought the curtain down on a very enjoyable and rewarding second season. CARSPHAIRN SHOW 2010 THE 119th annual Carsphairn Show at Crofts field on Saturday 6th June was a success, with numbers of spectators up, and extra entries in some of the classes. The Ramsays of Knockreoch took the Interbreed Championship, after winning the Confined Section and the Supreme Blackface title. A Paton from Craig, Straiton was the Reserve Blackface Champion and the Champion Mule Title was awarded to RJ Shennan and Sons, Farden, Dailly. R McTurk, Glenhowl, took the Bluefaced Leicester Championship Cup for the second year running and the Any Other Breed Champion was a Ryeland ewe from Messrs McCornick, Barquhill, Kirkcowan. The childrens’ pet class was won by Sabrina Smith with Tap, and the dog show winner was a black Labrador - Mac - belonging to Alistair Russell. The Hill Race Shield was won by Henry Sainsbury in a time of 17 minutes. He has competed many times before, with a best finish of second, so he was delighted to take victory. Drife Finlay was second and David McTurk was third. RSAMD Residency: Beg, Borrow & Steal Mon 2- Fri 6 Aug The CatStrand New Galloway A project designed for young people aged 9–14 years old who are interested in making original theatre, and who care about the environment. To book a place contact the CatStrand on 01644 420 374. Glenkens Gazette Advertising Rates 6cm x 6cm - £31.50 per issue (10% series discount) 1/4 page (9cm x 13cm) - £68.25 (25% series discount) 1/2 page (13cm x 13cm) - £126 (25% series discount) Full Page (18cm x 27cm) - £210 (25% series discount) KENBRIDGE HOTEL New Galloway New Galloway Open 7 Days : Beautiful Riverside Location Golf Club M E A L S S E RV E D 12.00 - 2.00pm, 5.30 - 8.30pm www.nggc.co.uk TRADITIONAL LOG FIRE bed and breakfast en suite accommodation Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) v 01644 420737 v ( 01644 420 211 ( Buggies now available for hire www.kenbridgehotel.co.uk VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME mail@kenbridgehotel.co.uk FHB Fencing Founded 1902 The Clog & Shoe Workshop Balmaclellan Open 10am - 5pm weekdays in 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 winter please ring to arrange a visit. FOR APPOINTMENTS AT BOTH SURGERIES OR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY Tel: 01644 420465 www.clogandshoe.co.uk VETERINARY SURGERY OAKWELL ROAD CASTLE DOUGLAS ( 01556 502263 ( Glenkens Gazette USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Crimestoppers: 0845 555 111 Dalry Library Opening Times Tue: 2 - 4.30pm then 5.30 - 7.30pm Fri: 11:15am - 1:15pm then 2 - 4.30pm 23 mobile library stops - to find out where and when call 430 234 TIMES OF WORSHIP IN THE GLENKENS CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sundays Balmaclellan 12noon 1st Carsphairn 10.30am 1st 2nd(Aug) 3rd 4th Dalry 9am 1st 2nd(Aug) 3rd 4th(Aug) Dalry 12noon 4th(Sept) Kells 10.30am 2nd 3rd 4th Special Services and Events 29th Aug, 10.30am: United Service with Choir, Dalry Church 6th Sept, 7pm: Whist Drive, Dalry Town Hall 12th Sept, 10.30am: United Family Service, Kells Church, followed by barbecue at Kells House 26th Sept, 12noon: Harvest Thanksgiving, Dalry Church, followed by Harvest Lunch in Dalry Town Hall Communion Service: 22nd Aug, 10.30am, Kells Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH (C of E) St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion - 10.30am every Sun & Wed CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES Gatehouse of Fleet: Sat, 6pm Kirkcudbright: Sun, 9.30am Dalbeattie: Sun, 11am St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Castle Douglas, contact Rev McFadden for info on 01557 330687. W BONE WHB JEEPS THE GARAGE, DALRY PETROL & DIESEL SALES SERVICE & REPAIRS MOTs, TYRES, BATTERIES ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES OPEN 8.30AM - 6.00PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY Tel: 01644 430208 Fax: 01644 430669 email: jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Pensions – Savings – Investments Retirement & Inheritance Tax Planning Life Assurance – Protection – Mortgages For advice on any of the above, or to review your existing arrangements, contact your local adviser: Brian J. Edgar DipPFS Area Office: Tannoch, Newton Stewart Road, New Galloway DG7 3RT Tel. 01644 420288 or 07808 322421 Central Office, 61 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart DG8 6NL Tel 01671 403080 Fax 01671 402549 e-mail - advice@marrfinancial.co.uk web - www.marrfinancial.co.uk Marr Financial Services is an Appointed Representative of Sesame Ltd YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE GLENKENS DIARY FOR ALL EVENTS page 16 AUGUST REGULAR EVENTS: Glenkens Ramblers, meet Mon 2pm in runs until Thurs 2 Sept, Exhibition: Joan summer, 1.30pm in winter, outside Bank of Eardley and Lady Audrey Walker, The Scotland, Dalry CatStrand, New Galloway Scouts: Mon, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Sun 1, Tilhill Open Four Ball Competition, New Galloway Golf Club Mother & Toddlers Group: Tues 9.4511.15am, New Galloway Town Hall Mon 2 - Fri 6, RSAMD workshop, The CatStrand, New Galloway, see p15 Beavers: Tues, 6.30–7.45pm, New Mon 2, Dalry CC Meeting, 7pm, Dalry Town Galloway Scout Hut Hall Glenkens Walking Group, meet Wed 2pm in summer, 1.30 in winter, outside Bank of Thurs 5, Storytelling Café, 7.30–9.30pm, Scotland, Dalry The CatStrand, New Galloway Stewartry Camera Club: most Wednesdays Fri 6, Alternative Games Ceilidh, New throughout the winter at 7.30 pm in The Galloway Town Hall, 8.30pm, see p9 Tolbooth, Kirkcudbright Sat 7, Rachel Hair Trio, 8pm, The CatStrand, Mossdale Painters, starts again Wed 29 New Galloway Sept, Mossdale Village Hall, 9.30am each Wed for 10 sessions, see p12 Sun 8, Scottish Alternative Games 2010, New Galloway Town Park from 2pm, see p9 Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Sun 8, Mischief La Bas: The Laird of Callybrew and The Cowboys Last Round up, Lions Club monthly quiz, alternating between part of The Scottish Alternative Games, New The CatStrand & Lochinvar Hotel. For further Galloway Town Park, 1.30- 6pm, see p6 info contact Andrew Frew on 420 323. Thu 12, Family Bus Trip, see p7 The CatStrand, New Galloway (see p6&7) Sat 14, Glenkens Agricultural Show, standing Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am stone field, the Grennan, New Galloway, Play it by Ear: every Mon during term time, starts 9.30am 1.30-2.30pm Mon 16, Long-Term Conditions Programme Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Self-Help & Social Group, 1st meeting, 5– Morris Movement: every Mon during term 7pm, then every 3rd Mon of the month. time, 4-5pm (ages 8-12) Wed 25, Film: The Last Station, 7.30pm, The Taking the Next Step in Computing: Mon, 5.30–7.30pm CatStrand, New Galloway Carers Coffee & Chat, starts Tues 1st Dec, Fri 27, Balmaclellan CC Meeting, 7.30pm, 10am-12noon Balmaclellan Village Hall Teen Spirit: every Tues during term time, Sat 28, Glenkens Society Annual Flower and 7.30-9.30pm Veg Show, Dalry Town Hall, starts 2pm Taking the First Step in Computing: Wed, Sat 28, GTI Bus Trip, Viking Festival, Largs, 5.30-7.30pm see p7 Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thurs, 1011.15am Mon 30, Carsphairn CC Meeting, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall, Carsphairn Afternoon Tea Club: 2nd Fri each month, 2pm Baby Reflexology, drop-in last Fri each month SEPTEMBER 10am-12noon Thurs 2, Storytelling Café, 7.30pm, The Saturday Art Club, 2nd Sat each month, CatStrand, New Galloway 10am–12noon Sat 4, Dalry’s Mulloch Hill Race, 3pm, Dalry Tone & Stretch, Fri 10am, £4/£3 school, see p13 Catstrand Youth Players, will start again on Sat 4, Jubovski, 7:30pm, The CatStrand, New 5 Sept and run every Sun during term time from 3-5pm Galloway Sun 5, GTI Bust Trip, Victorian Fayre, Lanark, Glenkens Youth Choir, Sun, 5-6pm see p7 CatStrand Playstation Tournaments: contact Sun 5, CatStrand Youth Players: 1st meeting The CatStrand for info. of the new season, 3pm, The CatStrand, New Dalry Community Centre Galloway (for info or to book contact Sarah on 430 393) Glenkens Playgroup: Mon-Fri, 9.15-11.45am Sun 5 - Thurs 23, Exhibition: Phil Howard, The CatStrand, New Galloway Paint & Art: Mon 1.30-4.30pm Sun12, Moishe’s Bagel, 7:30pm, The Ballroom & Latin Dance drop-in class: Mon CatStrand, New Galloway 7.30-9pm, £5 Sat 18, Christina Lawrie: Piano Soloist, 8pm, Ballroom & Latin Dance course: Mon 910pm, for more info tel Sam Hood on 01644 Dalry Town Hall 420672 Sat 18, David Hughes Dance Company: Good Neighbours Club: Tues 2pm ‘SOLO WORKS’, 7:30pm, The CatStrand, Kickback Martial Arts: Tues & Thurs 7-9pm, New Galloway both adults & children welcome Sat 25,Sportinghouse Strings, 7:30pm, The Glenkens Mother & Toddlers: Wed 1.30-3pm CatStrand, New Galloway Craft Class: Thurs 2-4pm Sat 25 – Thurs 30, Young NADFAS Arts Exhibition: Fairies and Pirates, Mermaids and Brownies: Wed 5.30-6.45pm Crocodiles, Dreams of Flying, Magic, Beauty Guides:Wed 5.30-7pm and Stars, The CatStrand, New Galloway Drama Club: for further info contact Brian Edgar on 420 288 Wed 29, Film: Shutter Island, 7.30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway WRITE FOR THE GAZETTE! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... If you have a submission, contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk. OCTOBER/NOVEMBER COPY DEADLINE: Friday 10 September PROJECT PART-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION Europe and Scotland Making it work together 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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Text Any textual data included in the document October/November 2010 ISSUE 60 www.glenkensgazette.com A Gallery With a Difference This August has seen the opening of a new visitor attraction on the outskirts of the Glenkens. Allan Wright and partner Lorna Willock have created a lovely space to visit at their converted old stables on Parton Estate. And as well as browsing beautiful images from around Scotland in a lovely setting, you can also enjoy healthy homemade cakes served in the spacious café area, along with a nice relaxing cuppa. Just off the A713, the gallery is very accessible both for locals who fancy a break on their way up the road, and tourists wishing to enjoy the area. It is the perfect place to stop and indulge in a little luxury; but with a clear conscience as Lorna’s cakes are as healthy as they come (and as a dietician and nutritionist, she really knows what she’s talking about). Allan has been a professional landscape photographer for the past 25 years and has acquired a national profile through the Lyrical Scotland brand of cards, calendars and books. Creating a comprehensive and public showcase for his work has long been a dream of his, so when Allan merged his publishing business with a larger company in Edinburgh earlier this year and the opportunity arose to realise his dream, he grabbed it with both hands. Lorna is in private practice as a nutritionist and allergy therapist and also has a background in catering - so between the two of them they hope to make a go of things with this appealing double whammy! Carsphairn Community Garden Grows Following the award of over £13,000 to Carsphairn Community Garden, Nicola Hill of Dumfries and Galloway LEADER Programme visited the village to present the cheque to Community Council Chair, Matt Hickman – surrounded by a group of Community Councillors and Garden volunteers David Richmond, who leads the Community Council’s Garden Sub-Group, explained: “Over the last two months, the Garden volunteers have been busy working on constructing paths and borders, all in preparation for the next phase of planting this autumn.” Matt Hickman commented that: “Now the project has all its funding in place, we are also working to source suitable garden furniture and renewable power sources for lighting and a Christmas tree installation. All being well, the village should have a very special seasonal display for Christmas this year.” Carsphairn Community Garden is also supported by the Stewartry Area Committee and Carsphairn Windfarm Community Fund. Photo: Nicola Hill from LEADER with Carsphairn Community Councillors and Garden volunteers. IN THIS ISSUE... 2 - Local Author: Linda Watson, Noticeboard 3 - Community Councils 4 - Schools Report 5 - Glenkens Summer Events 6 - Dalry Library, GBA, LING, Have You Got Talent?, Readers’ Word Search 7 - Club Corner 8 - CatStrand Events 9 - CatStrand Community News, RSAMD, Youth Players, Allotments, The Bus 10- Dalry Bird Town, Birdwatchers Calendar 11- Youth Update, First Responders 12 - Local History: Connecting the Glenkens 13 - Bells of the Glenkens, Polmaddy Village Walk 14 - Advertising 15 - Health Tips 16- Church Times, Dalry Library Times, Useful Numbers, Glenkens Diary of Events Glenkens Gazette page 2 Local Author: Linda Watson Linda and Richard came to Corsock in 2002 after their three year search for a farm was successful with the purchase of Low Arvie. The farm was a sadly neglected 120 acres because the previous farmer had died several years earlier and nothing had been done to the land in the intervening years. Richard had spent all of his working life in one form of agriculture or another - farm worker, University degree in Agriculture, Research student at Wye College, two years as a crop storage adviser in Ecuador and then a career in Lecturing in Agricultural Colleges, and Linda had been a primary school teacher. “We came to Low Arvie with no equipment and no experience of suckler cows”, says Linda. “Helped in the early days by very kind neighbours who made our silage, lent us equipment and gave us good advice, we set about creating a business. We bought a herd of pedigree Galloways from Cairnsmore Estate at Carsphairn and they have become quite famous as ‘The Ladies of Low Arvie’, through my books and our television appearance on ‘The Dales Diary’”. (You can view the TV footage on Youtube by typing ‘Ladies of Low Arvie’ into the search box at youtube.com). “We have just had our 112th calf and have lost only two, who were the products of difficult births,” says Linda. “We have worked hard to improve the land to make it a fitting home for the Ladies and we built an extension to the Galloway cottage farmhouse to make a comfortable home for ourselves.” “In 2005 I published my first book, entitled ‘The Ladies of Low Arvie’, detailing all the trials and tribulations that we faced during the first twenty months of our occupation as we settled into our new life. The book begins on the day we first saw Low Arvie and ends with the successful birth of our first batch of home-bred calves.” Many people who read the book requested a sequel so that they could see how life continued, so Linda wrote a second book to answer these requests which was published in August this year; ‘Life with the Ladies of Low Arvie’. “During these later years, the Ladies have given birth to 80 more calves, I have completed an Open University honours degree and we have survived several calamities, aided in no small part by our new friends and farming neighbours”, says Linda. In conclusion, Linda says: “I am working hard to market my two books about Low Arvie through the internet and I blog regularly on my author page at www.authorsden.com.” Linda’s books are available at The CatStrand, New Galloway, or can be previewed at www.amazon.co.uk - for further information visit www.low-arvie.co.uk. Bed and Breakfast guests are also welcomed to Low Arvie, where they can stay in the private suite of rooms in the old part of the house. Craft Group 21st October 2-4pm Dalry Community Centre For info contact Jean Maltman on 430 497 Noticeboard Music & Songs of the 30‛s & 40‛s with Terri Farley, Jim McPhee & Colin Feierabend Sat 23rd Oct, 7.30pm Mossdale Hall Tel: 01644 450666 Balmaghie Community Council Awaits Word on Civic Pride Funding Bid If successful, everyone living in the three Clachans of Bridge of Dee, Glenlochar and Laurieston will get the opportunity to help plan/join in three public events called ‘The Spirit of Balmaghie‛ - one in each area. It‛s also hoped that funding will be provided to recruit/train young detectives (just like they did in Palnackie) and activists of all ages to research, consult and develop community learning/resilience. Denise Fyfe Coffee Morning in Aid of Abbas Rest Orphans A coffee morning will be held to raise funds for Abbas Rest Orphans in Malawi on Saturday 30th October from 10am to 12 noon in Dalry Town Hall. So many children are in desperate need of not only food and medicines, but also help and advice. In February one family of nine children without parents was discovered, with only the 15 year old girl to look after them all. They are now all being given the food and help they require. We would gratefully accept donations towards the raffle, baking, sales tables or money. If you need any more information, please contact Jean Maltman on 430 497, Avril Brown on 430 526 or Barbara Colbenson on 430 090. Thank you Glenkens Gazette page 3 Balmaclellan Community Council Extract from minutes of meeting held 23 August. Progress has been made towards getting Balmaclellan Village Hall more business, bookings and entertainment for the community. A proposal for a new constitution is to be discussed. Bonfire Night and Remembrance Sunday arrangements were raised at the latest community council meeting and plans considered for the childrens’ Christmas party and the senior citizens’ Christmas lunch. A representative was to attend the Outdoor Access Strategy Stakeholders meeting (Stewartry) and a full report from the four districts will be available to us all in due course. In the meantime, deliberations continue re Barscobe - Corriedoo proposed corepath and the ‘Right of Way’ enquiry is still available until end of September. Next meeting: Friday 29 October, 7.30pm , Balmaclellan Village Hall. Carsphairn Community Council Extract from minutes of meeting held 28 June. A presentation was given by 2020 Renewables on the proposed windfarm at Loch Hill. Alasdair Macleod introduced the company and explained they have reduced the number of turbines to 11 after consultation with the MoD and are currently undertaking consultation with local Community Councils. Mr Macleod then outlined the schedule of activity, beginning with planning application submission at the end of September. A discussion took place about the different options for traffic management. It was pointed out that the upgrade of the roads that Mr Macleod had been advised had taken place had never happened and that Mr Macleod should check the logistics. The road is used by timber traffic and there are no passing places. There have been ongoing discussions about this with D&G Council so perhaps he should consult with the roads department there. Power would be taken from the turbines substation at Duchrae and then overhead power cables to the grid. Our Community had a good community model and so perhaps lessons can be learnt both ways. The legal implications for a core path running on a person’s land have been obtained and are available for anyone to read. Bidwells have made objections to proposed core paths with the exception of Kings Cairn. They have stated that routes are not safe due to traffic management. Residents have approved and compromised routes into Knockengorroch and it was felt a letter should be sent to Roderick Leslie Melville. A local landowner pointed out that Mr Melville only works for Bidwells who represent ESN and should not be making objections on behalf of Scottish Power. It was also felt that his arguments were a little weak. A consultation is to be taking place with the community regarding future plans for felling and replanting of forests in the area. Only some of the residents have received information and a letter which itself is ambiguous. A face to face meeting should be arranged and Historic Scotland involved as there a lot of historic features as shown on the Ordnance Survey map. The Ordnance Survey notebook of 1848 shows many of these historic features. Residents do not want further planting, particularly in the Knockengorroch area. It was suggested that a letter be sent telling them that a face to face meeting is required but also pointing out that grant money is available for self seeding projects instead of manual planting A letter has been received by the CC regarding the closure of the Shiel of Castlemaddy Bothy and a request that the community council maintain the bothies to keep them open. The Mountain Bothy Association (MBA) has had enough of trying to maintain the bothies as quad bikers are going to them and destroying the paths. How can we stop them? MBA to be contacted and find out where things are at the moment. Next meeting: Monday 25 October, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall. Dalry Community Council Extract from minutes of meeting held 5 July. Regarding the Kindbuild project, Mr Haswell has not responded to any correspondence, particularly in relation to providing an opinion on the original procedure for planning permission dealing with the quarrying aspect of the build. A freedom of information request has been put in twice, and the last letter to go should be replied to by next week. If this is not responded to then further action may be necessary. It was suggested that a petition be raised as to the issue of reconsideration. It was suggested the petition be distributed to the shops for a couple of months. 2020 renewables provided the CC with an update from their recent Public meeting on the subject of Turbines at Loch Hill. They outlined the current programme. The current layout is for 11 Turbines, not 21 as originally planned, due to an objection by the MOD. The height of turbines are also being changed from 115m to 100m with the turbines to be situated to the east of the site. A question and answer session ensued: (1) Q - There are two applications for the same site (a) Forestry (b) Turbines. A -They do not like their Turbines too close to forestry (i.e. 200m) as this would have an effect on their efficiency. (2) Q - Is it still a viable project for just 11 turbines? A - Yes (3) Q - Community Benefits? A - 28 people turned out for the public information day – it appears people are not yet taking enough interest in the plan and believes it is important to get through issues of Community Benefit before the application goes through. They suggested that they attend further council meetings e.g. October. Discussions have been ongoing regarding the Donald Watson Trust, and it is understood that GCAT are keen to support projects in Dalry as we form part of the Glenkens - they don’t only support projects in New Galloway as perceived. At the Trust meeting in August two projects were suggested - (1) a Centre around Barone and other smaller projects to be linked to it and then look to have Dalry recognised as ‘Bird Town’, and (2) a Bird Shop/Cafe. A member of the CC recently sat in on a Stewartry Area Committee meeting and learned that there are grants available to groups for improving communities/villages. Concerns were raised over the state of the Dalry Library building – the property is owned by the Council but needs repairs to it e.g. guttering, painting, cleaning. Next meeting: Monday 4 October, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall. New Galloway & Kells Community Council Extract from minutes of meeting held 9 August. The Chair welcomed David Williams (DGFirst Maintenance Team Leader) to the meeting. He reported to the Committee that DGFirst intend to resurface the High Street (A762) in New Galloway between New Galloway Golf Course (just south of car park) to the junction of the A712 & A762 (Coat of Arms sign) during the period 27th September to 8th October 2010: it is hoped the actual works will take five days to complete. In order to undertake the works the road will be closed to traffic during the working day (08:45 to 17:00). A Traffic Regulation Order will be promoted and this Order will cover a period of two weeks to allow for delays due to weather and breakdowns. A discussion took place and it was agreed that if possible the work would be carried out in four stages: (a) Golf Club to Pomona Terrace, (b) Pomona Terrace to the Town Hall, (c) Town Hall to Wylie’s Brae, and (d) Wylie’s Brae to A712. This will allow a level of street parking and keep the number of properties affected at any one time to a minimum. It was reported that income so far from the Scottish Alternative Games (Sunday 8th August) is £4163.78; after deductions the net total (so far) being £3265.78. The Alternative Games Weekend Ceilidh raised approximately £450 after all costs were met. The weekend was the most successful since the games were moved from Parton to New Galloway 10 years ago, with over 1000 visitors to the Alternatives Games on Sunday that included a number of overseas visitors from various countries including Australia, Chile, Kyrgyzstan and the USA. It was regretted that yet again no photographer/reporter was available from the Galloway News to cover the Alternative Games. A member of the CC has arranged a meeting with the News regarding their lack of coverage. It was reported that there was an increase in the number of adder bites this summer; four dogs are reported to have died after being bitten by adders in the Mossdale/Raiders Road/Slogarie area. Next meeting: Monday 11 October, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Full minutes of local Community Council meetings are available to view at Dalry Library. Glenkens Gazette page 4 GLENKENS SCHOOLS REPORT Dalry Primary Big Green Adventure: On Wednesday 9th June P4-7 put on a performance called the Big Green Adventure. It delivered all sorts of messages about being eco friendly and had lots of funny parts as well! We would like to thank everyone who was able to attend and support this event. Sports Day: Mon 14th June was a perfect day for Dalry Primary and Nursery 2010 Sports Day! The weather was great, the competition stiff and everyone had a great time. For the third year in a row, Kenbank won the day but all three teams performed extremely well. The individual Awards went to Jake Macmillan as our Boys Sports Champion and Lily Langford who was our Girls Sports Champion. We would also like to thank all the parents that showed up to support us and all the staff, Dalry and Kells buddies, and secondary pupils that helped out on the day! Netball Tournament: Here are the girls from Primary Six and Seven that came third at our recent Netball Tournament on Tuesday 22nd June at Castle Douglas High School. They competed against a number of teams, playing well as a team and displaying excellent sportsmanship – well done! Leavers’ Assembly: On Wednesday 30th June 2010 we held our annual P7 Leavers’ Assembly. The pupils each got a book to mark the end of a successful year. There were various other presentations and performances from all classes as well. The final part of the Assembly was when the P7 pupils were given their leaving gifts, a calculator and CD of all their special moments at Dalry School…it was a very emotional but enjoyable afternoon for everybody. The awards for each class were as follows: Citizenship – Olivia Wise, Taylor Kershaw and Cameron Wilkie. Best Prepared – Drife Finlay, Amy McMurray and Annabelle McAdam. Perfect Attendance – Kimberly McAdam and Euan Bielinski. Carsphairn Primary Children at Carsphairn Primary have enjoyed growing vegetables and flowers in the school garden during their after school Garden Club. Green fingered mum Irene McCreath has been leading the club and advising the children on what to grow, how to look after the plants and helping the children to harvest their vegetables. A bumper crop of First Year pupils joined Dalry Secondary School this year. This is the largest group in the past ten years. Kells School Christmas Fayre Sat 20th Nov, 10am to 12noon Come along and join in the fun at our school! There will be a Santa‛s grotto, cake stall, chocolate fountain, lucky dip, tea and cakes and much, much more... W BONE WHB JEEPS Pensions – Savings – Investments Retirement & Inheritance Tax Planning Life Assurance – Protection – Mortgages For advice on any of the above, or to review your existing arrangements, contact your local adviser: Brian J. Edgar DipPFS Area Office: Tannoch, Newton Stewart Road, New Galloway DG7 3RT Tel. 01644 420288 Central Office, 61 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart DG8 6NL Tel 01671 403080 Fax 01671 402549 e-mail - brian.edgar@marrfinancial.co.uk web - www.marrfinancial.co.uk Marr Financial Services is an Appointed Representative of Sesame Ltd YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE THE GARAGE, DALRY PETROL & DIESEL SALES SERVICE & REPAIRS MOTs, TYRES, BATTERIES ALL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES OPEN 8.30AM - 6.00PM (SIX DAYS) 10AM - 6PM SUNDAYS SHOP • SANDWICH BAR • LOTTERY Tel: 01644 430208 Fax: 01644 430669 email: jeeps@whbjeeps.co.uk www.whbjeeps.co.uk Gillespie Gifford & Brown LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents ( 01556 503744 ( www.ggblaw.co.uk OFFICES IN : CASTLE DOUGLAS, DALBEATTIE KIRKCUDBRIGHT & DUMFRIES Glenkens Gazette page 5 Glenkens Summer Events The Scottish Alternative Games: A record crowd gathered for the 2010 Games, the tenth year in New Galloway. The Gird n’ Cleek World Championship was regained by Neil Armstrong from Kirkcudbright who previously held the title in 2006. In one of the most exciting finals for years he was made to work hard before getting his hands on the World Championship Trophy again, being pushed all the way by former champions Jayde Devlin in second place and Hannah McKenna in third (see picture). People from all over the world took part in the various events throughout the afternoon with many experiencing the unique day for the first time, but also many returning to the Games for their eagerly awaited annual visit. Under a perfect blue sky, all the events were keenly contested in the true family spirit of the Alternative Games. The established events such as the Gird n’ Cleek, Tossin’ the Sheaf, Hurlin’ the Curlin’ Stane, Tractor Pull, Tug o’ War, Balmaclellan Skittles and Snail Racing were all as popular as ever, with the newer events such as Archery, Circus Skills and Laser Quest adding to the choice of activities available. The Classic Car Show attracted a good turnout and added greatly to the day. The Games of course would not be complete without the bagpipes and the day was opened in fine style by The Buccleuch & Queensberry Pipe Band marching in to the main arena at two o’clock. All in all, another great day, many said; “the best ever”! Roll on 2011 - with many of the first time visitors vowing to return again, next year’s event promises to be another cracker! The Community Council would like to thank everyone who came along to support this year’s event and a special thanks to all who helped in any way with the organisation and running of the day. Glenkens Agricultural Show This year’s show held on Saturday 14th August was a great success. Entries for the show were higher than previous years, with increased entries for livestock, the relatively new poultry section and for the horse section. The warm and sunny weather contributed to a bumper show attendance with lots to do for all. There were a variety of stands in attendance selling cards, soaps, jewellery, wood crafts and wicker items, delicious ice-cream and refreshments, and lots to see and do including vintage tractors, stockjudging, raffle, and for the kids a bouncy castle, face painting and childrens’ races. All in all, a great day out! Picture: Champion of Champions - Galloway Heifer, J & A Finlay, Blackcraig and Reserve Champion - Limousin Bull, T B Hansell, Nether Barr GLENKENS HORTICULTURAL SHOW Well I know I say it every year but, once again, it was our highest number of entries with over 750 in total, including 75 for the photographic class. Penny Bryson opened the prize giving section of the show. Prior to that Penny walked around the entries and was very impressed with the quality of all the exhibits and I overheard her asking questions and looking for tips on growing some of the vegetables. The standards again were very high in all the sections with some new exhibitors showing excellent results. We had junior exhibitors taking part and achieving prizes in some of the adult classes, which shows it is not all down to age and experience. We hope more will enter next time ensuring the continuation of the show. We still need more volunteers to help with the organisation and set up of the show. It would be only two meetings per year and a few hours with the set up. A big thank you to everyone who took part or visited the show - we hope to see you again next year. Oh - and don’t forget to bring a friend! Joan Berkley, on behalf of the Glenkens Horticultural Society. PS Next years’ subject for the photographic section will be ‘Building’. Glenkens Gazette page 6 What’s On Offer at Dalry Library...? The Dalry Library building was donated to the village by the Gourley Memorial Trust in 1948, after serving as the Studio for the artist HJ Dobson and has served the village as a library ever since. Dalry has become quite a modern little library and that means there is more to it than just our varied selection of books. We have a growing stock of DVD’s, including some of the latest films. There’s free internet access which can be booked with a library card. We also carry a selection of Talking Books on CD. These days you can also renew your books online from home and even make requests on the web via http://library.dumgal.gov.uk/vs/ on the Council website. Because Dalry Library is a small library with a lot of keen readers I take a lot of requests over the counter, which is always an interesting experience for me because of the diversity of books that people request. I now have a list longer than my arm of books I have to read! Users can also request Talking Books and DVD’s from anywhere in the region. Other handy little facilities you can access at the library include faxing, printing and photocopying. Local planning applications are on display at the library as well as Glenkens Community Councils minutes and a lot of local information Angela is always on hand to help you find what pamphlets, booklets and posters. you’re looking for. Our selection of books contains Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction, Children’s Fiction and Non-Fiction, Teen Fiction, Large Print, Romantic Fiction, Mystery Fiction, Local Interest, Reference and Local Reference. We also have a selection of Local Interest and Quick Reads which can be loaned. Of course to help pay for all of this there are a few charges. DVD loans are £1.50 per DVD for a number of nights. Requests are 75p and 35p for Children’s requests. Photocopying and printing also carries a small charge. A full list of charges can be found in the library. If you live a bit far out to get to Dalry regularly there are 23 stops in the Glenkens for the Mobile Library service. It visits Parton and Balmaclellan on every 3rd Wednesday and Carsphairn, New Galloway and Dalry on every 3rd Tuesday. To find out more about the Mobile Library and Dalry Library, you can phone me here on 01644 430234. Angela Miller, Librarian Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING) At last the Council has given us information about the Town Hall condition survey which was done last year as well as income and expenditure figures. This will enable the committee to put together a plan for options for the future to present to an open meeting. We will need the support of the community for the next stage. The stall at the Alternative Games raised our first deposit into the bank account - £181. Children pinned the tail on the donkey – courtesy of Tom & Janet Carlyle. Janet had made a brand new colourful tail for Tom’s elderly painted donkey! Children also risked their pocket money on the children’s tombola and adults supported the adult tombola, and bought plants, garden and home produce and bric-a-brac. The information stand displayed in pride of place a new painting of the Town Hall produced for the occasion by Tom Carlyle. Thanks to all for their contributions and support. Rosalind Hill, LING Chairman Gazette reader Louise McClure has created this great puzzle for you to puzzle out...Using the clues, add a letter to each of the four letter words below to make a five letter word. Place the extra letter in the box on the right. Read down the grid to find a Glenkens event. Points gained SORE Baking ingredient FOUR Produced by boiling water STEM _ _ _ _ _ and tatties MINE Disgrace SAME Shore line COST Extent RAGE Abnormally high body temperature EVER animal BEST Demand what is due CLAM Tears apart ENDS Glenkens Business Association We’re nearly there – yes really! Keep a lookout for the publication of the new Glenkens Business and Community Directory. As well as all our business members we have been amazed to find between 40 and 50 community organisations within the Genkens – things to do, groups to join – active or quiet, something to suit all tastes. We have also been working with GCAT who have put in a submission for funding for taking part in ‘The Day of the Regions’ next October. By the time you read this you will know if the Glenkens is one of the chosen five. Ros Hill, Chairman HAVE YOU GOT THE TALENT? The search is on in Carsphairn once again for local talent to perform in a second pre-Christmas stage show extravaganza after last year’s overwhelming success. This year’s event, entitled Carsphairn’s Got (Even More) Talent, takes place on Saturday, 4th December, in the village’s Lagwyne Hall, commencing at 7.30pm. As last year, the show will feature acts by members of the community, purely for entertainment. So if you can sing, dance, play a musical instrument, tell a joke, recite poetry, juggle or have other talents, you’re just the kind of talent the organisers are looking for. Please let Nigel Martin (tel: 01644 460545, email: Nigel@ProsperCommunications.co.uk) know if you are interested in joining in so that a full evening’s programme of entertainment can be drawn up. “This is purely for fun; there will be no judging and no prizes,” says Nigel. “There are also no age limits for performers, so the more people who sign up to take part, the better the show will be.” “People are still talking about last year’s show, so it is returning by popular request under the auspices of the Carsphairn Church Social Committee. And, once again, all monies raised will be going to a worthy cause.” Answer: Clachan Fair Glenkens Gazette page 7 C L U B C O R N E R DALRY ANGLING ASSOCIATION It seems to have been an active year on the Associations waters, but until the returns are in, we won’t know how successful. We have had very varied weather conditions, often unseasonal, with a dry warm spell in late spring, a decidedly cool and damp midsummer and a glorious hot early autumn. Throughout it all, fish have been caught. This year we were required to register with the fish health inspectorate and also get permission to stock either with a block or single application. It doesn’t cost anything to do so, but the response time from the authorities means it has been a frustrating business. Despite this, both Carsfad and the River Ken have been stocked, the river twice and the Loch once, so that members have been able to enjoy good fishing most of the year. Sadly there were no competitors for the Junior Competition, though conditions were perfect. It was a bright, warm day for the Seniors, not ideal - the winner was Mr J Comrie. This year we have introduced Temporary Resident’s Permits. Many keen fishers work in the area during the week, going home for weekends. Anyone who can provide evidence of accommodation in Dalry or Balmaclellan on this basis, can apply. Sadly, there are people who have been seen fishing our waters without a day ticket. They have not paid their membership subscription which is £10 per annum. The cost of stocking increases annually, and it is unfair to paid-up members of our small Association when stock is taken illegally. Members, as well as the Committee, must be prepared to challenge people they do not know and ask for evidence that they are able to fish, and report anyone suspicious to a member of the Committee so that action can be taken. The closing date for fishing is 31st October. The date for our AGM is 19th November at 7.30pm in the Lochinvar Hotel, Dalry, and all members are encouraged to attend to express their views. Only subscribing members will receive the Agenda, but any lapsed member is perfectly entitled to attend. Information can be obtained from our website: www.dalryanglingassociation.co.uk or contact Secretary Mrs B Johnson on 430 271. ‘Northern Marsh Orchid’ by Mary McIlvenna NEWS FROM THE STEWARTRY CAMERA CLUB This summer, as a new venture, members of the Stewartry Camera Club have had the opportunity to enjoy the challenge of some themed evening photography at various photogenic locations around the Stewartry. In addition to expeditions further afield, visits were made to the Glenkens to photograph orchids and bog asphodel, the Lowran Burn and Waterfall and Kenmure Castle. The resulting photographs were presented to members in a slideshow at the end of September . Amongst the competition judges this year are Morag Paterson, Ed Baxter, Geoff Keating and Phil McMenemy. Ian Biggar will provide a talk ‘My Life in Photography’ and another of the speakers is photographer Simon Robinson. Glenkens club member, John Houfe, will give a talk ‘Landscape: A Personal View’ and Mary McIlvenna an audio visual slideshow ‘Flora Glenkens’. The full programme can be found at www.stewartrycameraclub.wordpress.com The club will be holding an exhibition of prints in the Tolbooth from 7th - 23rd October 2010. The club meets in The Tolbooth, Kirkcudbright, at 7.30pm most Wednesdays during the winter months. It caters for all photographers from beginners through to professional. If you have an interest in photography, do come along. You will be made most welcome. For further information contact Mary McIlvenna 01644 420613 or George Wishart 01557 870090. Walking in the Glenkens The Glenkens Ramblers meet on Mondays for a moderate walk taking around two hours. The Glenkens Walkers meet on Wednesdays for an easier walk taking around 90 minutes. Both groups meet at 1.30pm outside the Bank of Scotland in Dalry. Lists of walks are displayed in shops in Dalry and New Galloway. Walk Leader’s contact numbers are: John & Isobel on 430 539, Gerry on 420 852, Peter on 420 419 and Elizabeth on 430 581. The Glenkens Ramblers sheltering from a chilly wind at the top of Cairnsmore of Fleet on 4th Sept. New Galloway Golf Club: The Tilhill Sponsored Four Ball Better Ball Open 2010 was played over the New Galloway course on Sunday 1st August. The weather was fine and dry and the course was in superb condition. The pin placings were not the easiest to play to but it didn’t prevent good scores. In fact 16 two’s were scored on the day. The Open was well attended with 62 players contesting for the trophy. The winners were K. Morrison & A.A. McGowan (Kbt) 651-64; 2nd - R. McWilliam & R.Barber-Fleming (CD) 66-1-65; 3rd - I.Brown & R. Ritchie (NG) 71-6-65. The scratch prize was won by S. Bendall & B. Kirkpatrick (S) 65-0-65. The photograph shows Bill Stalker of Tilhill, the winners and R Tulloch, Club Captain. Applications are now being accepted for membership for the 2010-11 season. There are also special concessions i.e. 4 ball for the price of a 3 ball. For further information please contact the Club Secretary, Ian Brown on 01644 420737 or visit the club’s web site www.nggc.co.uk All the competition scores throughout the season can be found on www. masterscoreboard.co.uk The Club is looking for sponsors for a number of projects for the 2010/2011 season. If you think you could help please contact the Club Secretary. Jeff, Vice Captain/Match Secretary, New Galloway Golf Club Glenkens Gazette page 8 The CatStrand: News & Events Theatre Objektiv – A Promised Land, Sat 2 Oct, birdsong and birdhouses, it gleams and dazzles and shines 7.30pm, £7/£5. The story revolves around the true story of in the night. Dumfriesshire born Jane Haining, ‘the Scottish Schindler’, who saved many Jewish children from the fate she was to Film: A Single Man, Thu 25 Nov, 7:30pm, £4.50/£3.50. Set in Los Angeles in 1962, at the height of the Cuban suffer herself in the gas chambers of Auschwitz. missile crisis, it is the story of a British college professor Storytelling Café - Renita Boyle (Colin Firth) who is struggling to find meaning to his life presents Truly Goulie, Thurs 7 Oct, 7.30 after the death of his long time partner. – 9.30pm, free but donations for tea and coffee welcome. An informal and relaxing Christmas Shopping Evening, Wed 24 Nov, 5-8pm. Take away the stress of Christmas shopping and buy all your evening. presents at the CatStrand! Choose from an exclusive seasonal collection of locally made arts and crafts, gifts and cards while Film: Alice in Wonderland, Wed 13 Oct, 2pm, enjoying a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. £4.50/£3.50. 19-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure. The Sofa Show featuring Fred MacAulay & Parrot, Magic Spaghetti by Virginia Radcliffe - Sat 27 Nov, 8pm, £12/£10. Fred MacAuley and Parrot Licketyspit Theatre Company & Brunton combine forces in another New Innovative Comedy Event. Theatre, Thurs 14 Oct, Workshop: 12pm, £2. Show: 2:30pm, £3.50. A comedy for children and Galloway Gatherings Lecture Series, all lectures 24pm, £8 per lecture or £30 for all four . To book tickets families from 3-93 with music and cooking. contact the CatStrand or Phillipa McNeill at phillipa.mc neill@glasgow.ac.uk or 01387 702131. ‘Gaelic place-names’ Andy White, Fri 22 Oct, 8pm, £8/£6. with Professor Michael Ansell, Wed 17th Nov. ‘Researching Andy White, one of the great Irish singerlocal history: the Covenanters’ with Alison Burgess, Wed 24 songwriters, tours the world with his 12 string Nov. ‘Galloway at the Centre: South West Scotland and the guitar in one hand and a book of poetry in the wider world in the middle ages’ with Stuart McCulloch, Wed other. 1 Dec. ‘Cultural Landscapes: the Glenkens’ with Professor Storytelling Festival On Tour - Eastern Routes: Ted Cowan, Wed 8 Dec. Authentic Voices, Sat 23 Oct, 7:30pm, £6/£5. Experience firsthand the wonder, mystery and richness of eastern Discovery Film Festival – Shorts for Wee Ones, Mon 22 Nov, 1.30pm, free but ticketed so please book in advance. storytelling traditions. Join us this year as we sail across the sea with a moustached Storytelling Masterclass, Sun 24 Oct, 10am-1pm, £12/ apple, fly through space on board a very unusual ship, and £10. Join our special international guest storyteller for an untangle mysteries with sometimes strange and always interactive and inspiring workshop aimed at developing loveable characters. and honing your natural oral storytelling skills. Film: Departures directed by Yojiro Regular events: Takita, Wed 27 Oct, 7.30pm, £4.50/£3.50. Play it by Ear, every Monday during term Academy Award® Winner for Best Foreign time, 1.30–2.30pm, £2 per adult/child + 50p Language Film of the year, “Departures” is for each additional child. A weekly song, music a delightful and sensitive journey into the and storytelling session for pre-school children heartland of Japan and an astonishingly beautiful look at a and their parents or carers which now takes sacred part of Japan’s cultural heritage. place every Monday afternoon. Juice and biscuits included in the price. Madame Bibelots House of Otherworldly Delights, Sat 30 Oct, 5 -9pm, £3/£2/under Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret 3’s free, wnder 12’s must be accompanied by Morris Movement, every Monday during term an adult. Roll up roll up, come and join your time, 3.15-4pm pre school, 4-5pm 8-12 years, free. hostess Madame Bibelot as she presents a Dance exercises are created to develop agility, spectacular Halloween event suitable for all the family. balance, co-ordination, elevation, flexibility and Come dressed for the occasion! posture. Stillmotion with Starcatchers present We Teen Spirit, every Tues, 7.30pm-9.30pm. A Dance, Wee Groove - A Dance Event for weekly club for young people to hang out, chill, Pre-School Children, Mon 1 Nov, 1:30pm, listen to music, eat munchies, play console £3.50. A unique experience to watch, listen, play games on a big screen, watch films and plan and explore the four corners of the dance floor trips and activities. If you are interested in coming along with the best dance partner there is, your wee contact Catherine on 01644 420374. groover. Saturday Art Club, 2nd Sat of every month, Gerry and Donal O’Connor, Wed 10 10am–12noon, £4. Two-hour workshops run Nov, 7.30pm, £10/£8. Fiddle playing has by professional artists and teachers, offering been in the family for 5 generations of the expert tuition and hands-on experience across O’Connor family. This father son duo are able a range of fun filled visual arts and crafts to draw on this wealth of music learned from activities (age 5-12). Rose O’Connor and also from hand-written manuscripts CatStrand Youth Players, every Sun during passed down through the family. term time, 3–5pm. The Youth division of the White: Catherine Wheels Theatre Glenkens 73 Club. If you are interested in Company with Brunton Theatre, Sat 20 acting, directing, costumes, sound, lighting, Nov, 2pm, £3.50, ages 2-4. Welcome to the stage management or any other aspect of drama or theatre, beautifully strange world of White. Full of then come along and have some fun (age 10-18). Glenkens Gazette page 9 The CatStrand: News & Events COMMUNITY EVENTS / CLASSES Regular Classes: Exercise to Music, Mon, 10-11am, £4/£3. Teen Spirit, Tues during term time, 7.30-9.30pm. Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thurs, 1011.15am, £30 per 6 week block. Taking the First Step in Computing, Wed 5.30pm- 7.30pm. Taking the Next Step in Computing, Mon, 5.30– 7.30pm. Carers, Coffee & Chat, 1st Tue each month, 10am12 noon, free. Transport may be available if required, please phone 01644 420374. NEW! Tone and Stretch, Fri 10am, £4/£3. A workout to tone muscle and improve body shape followed by a stretch out to ease those tired/ aching muscles; a great way to start the day! Afternoon Tea Club, 2nd Fri each month, 2pm, annual membership £2. Minibus pick up from Balmaclellan & Dalry by prior arrangement - call 01644 420374. CatStrand Cafe LUNCHES: Mon to Fri, 11am-2pm RSAMD Summer Drama Workshop Starting on the 2nd August, we attended a Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama course at the world renowned CatStrand. The theme was ‘Beg, Borrow & Steal’ and we were asked to bring along newspaper and other things that we would normally throw away. The week was going to be brought to an end with a performance made entirely out of rubbish! The play at the end of the week was entirely written by the course members and was a real treat for the audience of family and friends as it featured the one and only Lady Garbage and his troupe of prima donna backing dancers. His costume was made from the finest rubbish that we had accumulated, including two water bottles on either side of his head! We were also asked to bring an item of sentimental value but no monetary value. These items were also used in the show as part of a moving photo album and game show based on ‘Rock, Paper & Scissors’. It was a great week of fun, games and learning new acting techniques which will be invaluable to the CatStrand Youth Players. All seventeen of us thoroughly enjoyed the experience and can’t wait for the next visit from the RSAMD Drama tutors! By Kirstin Stalker & Lowena Lindsay The CatStrand Youth Players: The group started meeting again for the new season on 5th September. They are currently working towards their first performances of the season in The CatStrand on 3rd December, when they will be performing ‘Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations’ by Alan Ayckbourn along with another piece yet to be decided. Glenkens ’73 Club will also be staging a play on the same evening. Glenken‛s Community Garden and Allotment Group If anyone is interested in getting involved or would like an allotment contact Catherine Phillips at The CatStrand on 01644 420374. THE BUS : GLENKENS TRANSPORT INITIATIVE ACTIVITY SCHEME FOR DISABLED CHILDREN: During the School holidays the mini bus helped with transport for disabled children attending an activity scheme in Castle Douglas – 179 children, some with wheelchairs, were taken around the Stewartry, and we hope we get the chance to help with this again next year. Many thanks to Bob Peace, Jon Nimmo and Tom Plummer for the part they played in the success of this scheme. TRIPS: The trip arranged to Kelvingrove Museum on 18th July had to be rearranged because of industrial action – the new date in August was fully booked very quickly and everyone enjoyed the Glasgow Boys exhibition as well as sunbathing on the lawns ! THURSDAY 21st OCTOBER – a visit to Summerlee Ind. Museum for families – full details from Fiona at The CatStrand. WEDNESDAY 1st DECEMBER – AYR – Xmas shopping or cheap tickets are available for the Races on this date. (Nat Hunt) WATCH OUT FOR POSTERS FOR OTHER XMAS SHOPPING TRIPS, ETC. SWIMMING TRIP; After a few problems, the GTI trip to Newton Stewart on Tuesdays has resumed. People can either go swimming or shopping. The bus will leave Dalry at 11.15am and this trip will be operated only during school terms i.e. NOT IN SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. Further enquiries please ring Ann WEDNESDAY BUS SERVICE (REGD. ROUTE): McLaughlin 01644-460518 CONCESSIONARY BUS PASSES ARE ACCEPTED ON THIS ROUTE, SO PLEASE MAKE USE OF THIS EXTRA SERVICE THE BUS: The Bus is now 8 years old, during Timings are as follows: The return journey : 1900 Dept Dalry (Underhill) 2045 Departs Castle Douglas (Tesco) which time GTI has just grown and grown – we are looking into the possibility of getting another one and 1910 New Galloway 2047 Castle Douglas (Market Street) perhaps running two – anyone with any good ideas 1925 Mossdale 2052 Townhead of Greenlaw or knowledge of any good sources of funding please 1935 Laurieston 2100 Laurieston speak to Keith – we would also welcome new members 1940 Townhead of Greenlaw 2110 Mossdale on our GTI Committee, which only meets three or four 1947 Castle Douglas (Market Street) 2125 New Galloway times a year for two 1950 Arrive Castle Douglas (Tesco) 2135 Arrive Dalry For further info & hours each time! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BOOK THE COMMUNITY-BUS OR IF YOU WANT ANY to buy tickets visit MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT KEITH COOPER, Keith Cooper, GTI ADMINISTRATOR ON 01644 420374. GTI Administrator www.catstrand.com or call 01644 420 374 Glenkens Gazette page 10 LAUNCH OF A GREAT BOOK AND DALRY BIRD TOWN Many folk in The Glenkens are proud owners of a Donald Watson painting. Some of you had your painting photographed some years ago by Ian Langford as a contribution to a book on the hen harrier, Donald Watson’s specialist bird species. I am delighted to say that the book, ‘In Search of Harriers’, is being launched at a special event in Dalry Town Hall on Saturday 16th October. Please join us for this special occasion to celebrate the work of one of Dalry’s famous residents. Chris Rollie and Louise Watson will lead off and you will be able to purchase copies to see how your painting looks in the published volume. In addition, the second edition of Donald’s son Jeff’s world renowned book on the ‘Golden Eagle’ will be available. You will also be given an update on the Watson project and will be able to volunteer to help us develop the project. Many Glenkens folk attended the special event on 6th March at The CatStrand and no doubt viewed the accompanying exhibition of Donald’s superb paintings, and a few of Jeff’s special photos. We have made some progress since then. An arts and landscape class for school children will be held in Dalry in the following week; a one-day taster and a four-day special indoors and outdoors class. Sarah Keast has done a wonderful job getting this off the ground and raising the funding. A separate article about this can be found in the ‘Youth Update’ section of the page opposite. To pursue the Watson project of developing the old family home at Barone in Main Street, Dalry, and a range of celebratory events, we have decided to develop the project further as Dalry Bird Town. This will be a sister project to Kirkcudbright Artists Town, Wigtown Book Town and Castle Douglas Food Town. We hope that we shall be as successful as the other projects in due time and give Dalry added momentum and make it a must-visit destination for all bird and arts lovers. We have set up a steering group; its members represent the Dalry community, bird interests and the Watson family. In addition to developing funding applications for Barone, we are also ascertaining the possibility of purchasing the Mace Shop in Main Street as a visitor and orientation centre, coffee shop and retail outlet for bird-related items. We are pleased to have the support of the present owners for this option. Do join us at Dalry Town Hall at 10am for 10.30am on Saturday 16th October. For further information, contact: Roger Crofts, 07803 595267, roger@dodin.idps.co.uk. Threave ospreys nesting by Keith Kirk STEWARTRY BIRDWATCHERS 2010-11 PROGRAMME Interested in birds and birdwatching? If ‘yes’, why not come along to the Stewartry Birdwatchers’ indoor meetings and excursions? Officially we are called the Stewartry Branch of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club, (always shortened to SOC), but do not be put off by the scientific-sounding name! The word CLUB is the important one. This session started with a bang. You may have read Keith Kirk’s column ‘Nature Notes’ in the Galloway News. On 23rd September, Keith gave a talk for SOC at New Galloway School. Keith is an all round naturalist employed as a Countryside Ranger by the local council who spends most of his evenings and weekends observing and photographing plants, insects, mammals, birds and scenery in the Stewartry. He has some splendid shots of our own local Ospreys who nested and raised three young at Threave this summer (see photograph). On October 14th the speaker, Mike Betts, will talk about the much more exotic species to be found in Ethiopia, that very special destination quite unlike any other country in Africa. A topic which gets much attention these days is the subject on November 11th when Norman Elkins, a birdwatcher who is a retired meteorologist, speaks on ‘Climate Change and Wildlife’. On 9th December Richard Hesketh, the manager of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Reserve at Caerlaverock, will talk about those species which he is passionate about, namely ducks, geese and swans all of which can be seen so easily at this reserve. Next year starts on January 13th with another excellent and prizewinning photographer, retired Dumfries GP Edmund Fellowes, on ‘Some Northern Birds’. His photographs are quite stunning and, together with his amusing and knowledgeable commentary, should make for a very enjoyable evening. By popular demand, Gordon Yates returns on February 10th with his annual Film Show which this year is once more about that superb island for wintering flocks of geese...’Islay: Queen of the Hebrides’. Gordon’s racy and knowledgeable commentary always keeps his audience enthralled throughout the evening. Russell Nisbet, another popular speaker, returns on 10th March to talk about a country to which he has led many birdwatching tours, The Gambia. This tiny country is less than a six hour flight from the UK and has an array of coastal reserves , excellent birdwatching upriver and over two hundred species of tropical birds and other wildlife which can be seen easily in a week. The session ends with the AGM and short illustrated talks by members on 31st March. If birds and all aspects of the countryside interest you please come along to our meetings - and bring your friends along too! Contacts: Chairman - Geoff Packard; 01556 670466, Vicechairman - Peter Swan; 01556 502144, Secretaiy - Joan Howie; Glenkens Gazette page 11 Y O U T H U P D A T E Environmental Workshops in the October Holidays During the school holidays in October, GCAT will present two inspirational art workshops in Dalry as the first Dalry Bird Town events. These workshops, the first of a series of Dalry Bird Town events to celebrate the work of renowned bird artist and writer Donald Watson, who lived in Dalry for over 50 years, is planned for the October school holidays. The workshops are free thanks to the generosity of various organisations such as Scottish Natural Heritage, Room 13, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and Gaelforce. Workshop 1: Environmental Art Taster Day, Monday 18 October, 10am-4pm, Dalry School, (suitable for young people aged 10-16) - booking essential as places are limited. This one day event will be run by the Room 13 community arts project in association with the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The workshop will provide a taste of different techniques for creating environmental art. You will be working in Dalry School and outdoors in the nearby countryside to produce your own works which will be photographed. Please make sure to bring a pack lunch, warm and weatherproof clothing, and suitable footwear. Workshop 2: Creative Explorer, Tuesday 19 – Friday 22 October, 10am – 4 pm each day, Dalry School, (suitable for young people aged 10-16) - booking is essential as places are limited. This is an exciting four day workshop for participants to explore the connection between art making, the local environment in Dalry and themselves. The workshop will be run by the community arts project Room 13, and will take place in Dalry school and outdoors on the hillsides and in the woods. Creative Explorer is about looking at and thinking about the world in different ways, about having freedom to experiment creatively and having fun. During workshops we will engage with our environment and nature. Creative Explorers start to gain a heightened awareness and an appreciation of their surroundings, of their own resourcefulness and creative potential. Participants will be supplied with sketchbooks and materials, but will also use objects from the environment. Creative Explorer hopes to inspire an open curiosity and excitement about the world. Please make sure to bring a pack lunch, warm and weatherproof clothing, and suitable footwear. These workshops have been funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, Gaelforce and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. To book your place contact The CatStrand on 01644 420374. GCAT is an acronym for The Glenkens Community & Arts Trust Ltd, a Registered Scottish Charity, No. SC032050. CARSPHAIRN FIRST RESPONDERS GO LIVE! The new Carsphairn First Responders group went live on 1 September 2010. When 999 is dialled ambulances are dispatched from the nearest ambulance station - as long as they are available - and precious minutes can be lost waiting for an ambulance to travel 20 miles or so from Castle Douglas. Because of this the Scottish Ambulance Service has encouraged the formation of First Responder groups in rural areas to provide vital aid to people who are perhaps suffering a heart attack or are unconscious. The group, all volunteers from the community, have been trained by Scottish Ambulance Service in the use of defibrillators and oxygen therapy. Funding for the group was obtained through the Stewartry Safety Forum who obtained a grant from the Stewartry Area Council for the purchase of life saving equipment for First Responders and further funds were raised by Carsphairn Parish Church Social Committee from their show, Carsphairn’s Got Talent which asked for donations rather than ticket sales. Photo: Responders Margaret Richmond and Ruth Williams make the call to log into the ambulance service watched by other volunteers (from left) Jackie Locke, Anne Rutherford, Zarah Groves, Ken Williams and David Richmond. Glenkens Gazette page 12 LOCAL HISTORY Connecting Glenkens to the Rest of the World At one time it was proposed that there should be a canal linking Ayr and Kirkcudbright. That was at the height of the canal mania when, throughout Britain, these waterways seemed to provide a solution to the problem of wretched roads and poor communications. John Loudon MacAdam, born in 1756 at Waterhead, Carsphairn, would turn his attention to roads and the surfacing thereof, but earlier, in 1802, the scheme for the Glenkens Canal was given royal assent. The haemorrhaging of population was already perceived as a problem, particularly from inland parishes with no access to the sea. Between the censuses of 1755 and 1801 Carsphairn, Dalry and Kells all lost population. In 1803 work started on the Caledonian Canal, linking the Atlantic and the North Sea by way of the Great Glen, designed and managed by Thomas Telford from Westerkirk near Langholm. The basic idea was to extend the coast line by providing canal routes into the interior. It was believed, just as with railways later on, that investors, entrepreneurs, builders, industries and even towns would be encouraged to develop along the banks of the waterways so boosting the economy and supplying local employment. As the protocol for the Glenkens Canal stated: ‘The object of this navigation is to give facilities for the conveyance of coal, lime, manure and general merchandize, into the interior of the stewartry or county of Kirkcudbright, and for the improvement of the estates which border upon it’. The route was surveyed by the prominent engineer John Rennie. The canal started in the tideway of the Dee at Kirkcudbright running along the east bank of the river to Kelton and on to Loch Ken. The ten-mile stretch was to require 14 locks. From the north end of the loch it was an estimated three miles to the Boat Pool of Dalry where the project ended. The entire cost was calculated at £33,382. ‘The Company of Proprietors of the Glenkens Canal Navigation’, comprising 28 individuals who were mostly local landowners, was created to raise the necessary funds. The erection of warehouses and the construction of wharfs along the route was positively encouraged. �� Such a canal had actually been mooted at least 30 years earlier by Gordon of Greenlaw, Sheriff of Kirkcudbright, who had suggested the Tarff or the Urr as alternatives to the Dee. New Galloway’s native son, Robert Heron, was a keen supporter of the idea but, knowing the Glenkens folk as he did, he suspected they would have no stomach for such a project which, though modest in conception, appeared to them highly ambitious. They did not realise, quite yet, that good communications were the key to future prosperity. Heron, however, remained optimistic. When the canal was built it would open up a district that has ‘too long remained in a stationary condition’. Of course it never was built but when John Rennie, builder of the Lancaster Canal, London Bridge and the Lune Aquaduct, constructed the Ken Bridge in1820-21, at a cost of £10,960 (approximately £466,000 today), he left spaces for the ‘flat boats’ or barges that might yet pass under its arches. There may be a message here for us today, namely that we can talk about the economic potential of new technologies until they become redundant, with no benefit whatsoever to the community. A final thought - Rennie’s splendid granite bridge over the Ken joined that other fine specimen at Tongland designed by Thomas Telford (1808). Bridge of Dee, downriver from Threave Castle, was built in the early 1700s; High Bridge of Ken, above College Linn, must have been built around the same time. Our own bridge is almost 200 years old, the others even older. Are we building any bridges today that will last that long? Are we treating Rennie’s magnificent creation with appropriate respect, pounded daily as it is by timber trucks, agricultural traffic and private cars in the middle of the road, fearful of the proximity of the bridge’s balustrades? The bridge symbolises the triumph of roads over rivers, an important icon of Glenkens heritage which must be preserved for posterity. Ted Cowan FORREST ESTATE Local suppliers of firewood logs, kindling and chiminea wood. Hardwood and so�wood produced from sustainable, FSC cer�ficated woodland. Various quan��es available for collec�on or bulk delivery. �� Call for details 01644 430 230 office@forrestestate.com GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE General Medical & Dispensing Services The Surgery High Street New Galloway FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL ( 01644 420234 ( Glenkens Gazette page 13 The Bells of the Glenkens The earliest bell from the Glenkens is quite different from any of the others. It is the bronze covering of an early Celtic bell which was found in a moss at Monybuie at the east end of Balmaclellan parish, and is believed to date from around the fifth century. It is on display in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. The other bells all hang in the churches or Town Halls. The oldest of these is the fine bell in Kells Church, which is inscribed ‘Ex Dono Gullielmi Gordon. Quirin De Visser Me Fecit. Rotterdami 1722.’ This may be translated as ‘Donated by William Gordon. Quirin De Visser made me. Rotterdam 1722.’ Tradition has it that the well-known Covenanter Roger Gordon of Largmore presented the bell to Kells Church after the times of persecution. It is not fully clear whether he also went by the name of William Gordon or whether a related member of the family gave the bell. The old bell from Carsphairn Church may be viewed inside the church (see also photo). It was badly cracked after it fell to the ground. It was made by Robert Maxwell of Edinburgh in 1723 and donated to the church by Rev John Reid, who was minister from 1694 until 1737. The current bell hanging in the belfry was presented to the church by the heritors in 1886 and made by John C. Wilson & Co of Glasgow. Dalry Church’s bell is simply inscribed ‘Dalry: 1754’. It is believed to have been made by Ralph Ashton of Wigan. The birdcage belfry of Balmaclellan Church has a bell inscribed ‘1633 / Recast 1886 / JBA McKinnel.’ McKinnel’s had a foundry in Dumfries. It is unfortunate that the original bell had to be recast. New Galloway Town Hall has two bells. The Treble bell is inscribed, ‘Ex Dono Magistri Gulielmi Cochran, Kilmarnock / R.M. Fecit. Edr 1711. S. Miller & Co, Glasgow, April 1812 / I. Watt Fecet.’ The Tenor bell is inscribed, ‘For Willeam Viscount of Kenmur. R.M. Fecit. Edin: 1711 / For the Hon. Mrs Louisa Bellamy Gordon. Recast A.D. 1872 / (on the waist the Arms of the Burgh and the Arms of Kenmure.) So Robert Maxwell of Edinburgh cast two bells for the steeple in 1711 and both subsequently have been recast. The larger bell was recast when the present clock, by Gillett and Bland of Croydon, was installed and the latter strikes on it. There is no founder’s name but the style is of John C. Wilson of Glasgow. Dalry Town Hall has an uninscribed bell which was presented to the village in 1890 with the clock by James Alexander of Mackilston. So all of these bells have tolled out across our parishes for over a hundred years and some for nearly three centuries. The information in this article came from a paper on ‘The Church and Other Bells of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright’ by F.C. Eeles and R.W.M. Clouston, published in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland of 1966-67, which is available on the internet. David Bartholomew Community Afternoon at Polmaddy Village The second annual community walk organised by Carsphairn Parish Church Social Committee took place at Polmaddy Medieval Village. Following last year’s successful walk and picnic at the lead mines the group organised a tour of the Polmaddy Medieval village and Robin Ade was on hand to lead the walk. Robin delighted the members of the community with tales of community spirit and the importance of the village with its inn to the drovers that used the trail – once the main route through the south west of Scotland. After the walk the group enjoyed coffee and cakes provided by the ladies of the social committee and Mrs Ade. Nigel Martin offered a vote of thanks to Robin for his enlightening guided tour. The ruins of Polmaddy are accessible to everyone and there are illustrated signs –drawn by Robin – outlining the sites. The ruins are situated along the forest road opposite Dundeugh village on the A713. Glenkens Gazette page 14 ALEX FERGUSSON MSP FOR GALLOWAY AND UPPER NITHSDALE Holds regular advice surgeries at: 2 St ANDREW STREET, CASTLE DOUGLAS on the second Friday of every month from 5pm Telephone free on 0800 028 7260 for an appointment or to make any alternative arrangement’ You can visit Alex’s website at www.alexfergusson.org.uk or contact him by e-mail at alex.fergusson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk �� Hotel �� Glenkens Gazette page 15 Health Tips: TIPS FOR HEALTHY CHILDREN by Nutritionist, Dietician & Allergy Specialist Lorna Willock 1) Make sure they eat a breakfast low in sugar and containing plenty of fibre such as porridge or weetabix. A lot of boxed breakfast cereals calling themselves ‘wholegrain’ are loaded with sugar. 2) Give them plenty of fruit snacks rather than sweets during the day. Dried fruit such as little boxes of raisins are great for carrying in the car, handbag or schoolbag. 3) Make sure they are having plenty of protein for growth and cut back on pasta and pizza for tea – these are loaded with carbohydrates and fat with very little protein. 4) Make the bread wholemeal from the start. We all get to like what we are used to so start with wholemeal bread which is full of fibre. 5) Give plenty of water to drink or dilute some fresh fruit juice. Cans of fizzy juice are loaded with sugar and a lot of diluting drinks contain colourings and aspartame. 6) Try to do as much home cooking as possible e.g. soups, stews and avoid ‘ready meals’. 7) If the kids are hungry then peanut butter and wholemeal toast makes a nutritious snack rather than crisps or biscuits. 8) The food industry advertises a lot of foods unhealthy for children. If they have a good, nutritious start in life this builds powerful immune systems and keeps childhood obesity at bay. For further info contact Lorna: Fresh turkeys, copas free range turkeys, geese, ducks, etc. Now taking orders for Christmas! Don’t forget to order your New Year roasts & steak pies... See us at Dalry Farmers Market on the 2nd Sat each month. T H CARSON, THE CROSS, MILL ST, DALBEATTIE 01556 610384 01644 470218 www.foods4life.co.uk lorna@foods4life.co.uk Glenkens Gazette : Advertising Rates 2010 Advert Format Basic Small Quarter page Half page Full page Colour Colour Colour Colour Size Price per Discount for issue Block of 3 ads 6cm x 6cm £31.50 10% 9cm x 13cm £68.25 25% 13cm x 18cm £126.00 25% 18cm x 27cm £210.00 25% (Prices exclude VAT @ 17.5%) To place an advert please contact the Glenkens Gazette on 01644 420374 KENBRIDGE HOTEL New Galloway New Galloway Open 7 Days : Beautiful Riverside Location Golf Club M E A L S S E RV E D 12.00 - 2.00pm, 5.30 - 8.30pm www.nggc.co.uk TRADITIONAL LOG FIRE bed and breakfast en suite accommodation Dalry Domestic and Agricultural Fencing 01644 430 495 (Peter) or 07767 795 498 (Jonathan) v 01644 420737 v ( 01644 420 211 ( Buggies now available for hire www.kenbridgehotel.co.uk VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS WELCOME mail@kenbridgehotel.co.uk FHB Fencing Founded 1902 The Clog & Shoe Workshop Balmaclellan Open 10am - 5pm weekdays In winter please ring to arrange a visit. Tel: 01644 420465 NEW ONLINE SHOP! www.clogandshoe.co.uk 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 USEFUL NUMBERS: ● Pot-hole Hotline: 0845 276 0000 ● Local Police: 0845 600 5701 ● Crimestoppers: 0845 555 111 Dalry Library Opening Times Tue: 2 - 4.30pm then 5.30 - 7.30pm Fri: 11:15am - 1:15pm then 2 - 4.30pm 23 mobile library stops - to find out where and when call 430 234 TIMES OF WORSHIP IN THE GLENKENS CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Sundays Balmaclellan 12noon 1st Carsphairn 10.30am 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th(Oct) Dalry 12noon 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Kells 10.30am 2nd (Oct) 3rd 4th Special Services and Events 3rd Oct, 10.30am: Harvest Thanksgiving Service in Carsphairn Church, followed by Harvest Lunch in Lagwyne Hall 3rd Oct, 12noon: Harvest Thanksgiving Service in Balmaclellan Church, followed by Harvest Lunch in Balmaclellan Village Hall 3rd Oct, 6.30pm: Harvest Songs of Praise in Carsphairn Church 11th Oct, 7.30pm: Fellowship Dinner at Ken Bridge Hotel with Gavin and Desiree Campbell from South Africa 30th Oct, 10am-12noon: Abbas Rest Coffee Morning, Dalry Town Hall 31st Oct, 10.30am: United Service with Glenkens Curch Choir in Carsphairn Church 14th Nov, 11am: Ceremonies at New Galloway and Balmaclellan War Memorials, followed by Remembrance Service in Kells Church 19th Nov, 7.30pm: Quiz Night in Balmaclellan Village Hall 26th Nov, 7.30pm: Scottish Night with John Douglas and friends in Dalry Town Hall Communion Service: 24th Oct, 12noon: Dalry Church 7th Nov, 12noon: Balmaclellan Church 21st Nov, 10.15am: Carsphairn Church SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH (C of E) St Margaret’s, New Galloway: Holy Communion - 10.30am every Sun & Wed CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES Gatehouse of Fleet: Sat, 6pm Kirkcudbright: Sun, 9.30am Dalbeattie: Sun, 11am St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Castle Douglas, contact Rev McFadden for info on 01557 330687. page 16 GLENKENS DIARY FOR ALL EVENTS OCTOBER Sat 2, Theatre Objektiv – A Promised Land, 7.30pm, The CatStrand Mon 4, Dalry CC Meeting, 7pm, Dalry Town Hall Thu 7 – Sat 23, Stewartry Camera Club Exhibition,The Tolbooth, Kirkcudbright Thu 7, Storytelling Café - Renita Boyle presents Truly Goulie, 7.30–9.30pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Mon 11, Kells CC Meeting, 7.30pm, New Galloway Town Hall Wed 13, Film: Alice in Wonderland, 2pm, The CatStrand Thu 14, Magic Spaghetti by Virginia Radcliffe - Licketyspit Theatre Company & Brunton Theatre, Workshop: 12pm, Show: 2:30pm Thu 14, SOC Talk with Mike Betts, see p10 Sat 16, Book Launch & Dalry Bird Town Event, 10am, Dalry Town Hall Mon 18, Workshop 1: Environmental Art Taster Day, 10am -4pm, Dalry School, see p11 Tue 19 – Fri 22, Creative Explorer Workshop, 10am–4 pm each day, Dalry School, see p11 Thu 21, Craft Group, 2-4pm, Dalry Community Centre, see p2 Thu 21, GTI bus trip to Summerlee Ind. Museum, see p9 Fri 22, Andy White, 8pm, The CatStrand Sat 23, Storytelling Festival On Tour - Eastern Routes: Authentic Voices, 7:30pm, The CatStrand Sat 23, Music & Songs of the 30’s & 40’s with Terri Farley, Jim McPhee & Colin Feierabend, 7.30pm , Mossdale Hall, see p2 Sun 24, Storytelling Masterclass, 10am-1pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway Mon 25, Carsphairn CC Meeting, 7pm, Lagwyne Hall Wed 27, Film: Departures directed by Yojiro Takita, 7.30pmThe CatStrand Fri 29, Balmaclellan CC Meeting, 7.30pm , Balmaclellan Village Hall Sat 30, Abbas Rest Coffee Morning, 10am12noon, Dalry Town Hall, see p2 Sat 30, Madame Bibelots House of Otherworldly Delights, 5 -9pm, The CatStrand, New Galloway DECEMBER Wed 1, Galloway Gatherings Lecture Series, 2-4pm, The CatStrand, see p8 Wed 1, GTI bus trip to Ayr – xmas shopping or the Races, see p9 Fri 3, CatStrand Youth Players, The CatStrand Sat 4, Carsphairn’s Got (Even More) Talent, 7.30pm, Lagwyne Hall REGULAR EVENTS: Glenkens Ramblers, meet Mon 2pm in summer, 1.30pm in winter, outside Bank of Scotland, Dalry Scouts: Mon, 7–8.30pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Mother & Toddlers Group: Tues 9.45-11.15am, New Galloway Town Hall Beavers: Tues, 6.30–7.45pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Glenkens Walking Group, meet Wed 2pm in summer, 1.30 in winter, outside Bank of Scotland, Dalry Stewartry Camera Club: most Wednesdays throughout the winter at 7.30 pm in The Tolbooth, Kirkcudbright Mossdale Painters, starts again Wed 29 Sept, Mossdale Village Hall, 9.30am each Wed for 10 sessions, see p12 Cub Scouts: Wed, 6.45–8pm, New Galloway Scout Hut Lions Club monthly quiz, alternating between The CatStrand & Lochinvar Hotel. For further info contact Andrew Frew on 420 323. The CatStrand, New Galloway (see p6&7) Exercise to Music: Mon, 10-11am Play it by Ear: every Mon during term time, 1.302.30pm Children’s Dance Classes with Margaret Morris Movement: every Mon during term time, 4-5pm (ages 8-12) Taking the Next Step in Computing: Mon, 5.30– 7.30pm Carers Coffee & Chat, starts Tues 1st Dec, 10am12noon Teen Spirit: every Tues during term time, 7.309.30pm Taking the First Step in Computing: Wed, 5.307.30pm Gentle Yoga & Relaxation, Thurs, 10-11.15am Afternoon Tea Club: 2nd Fri each month, 2pm Baby Reflexology, drop-in last Fri each month 10amNOVEMBER 12noon Mon 1, Stillmotion with Starcatchers present We Art Club, 2nd Sat each month, 10am– Dance, Wee Groove - A Dance Event for Pre-School Saturday 12noon Children, 1:30pm, The CatStrand Tone & Stretch, Fri 10am, £4/£3 Thu 11, SOC Talk with Norman Elkins, see p10 Youth Players, will start again on 5 Sept Wed 10, Gerry and Donal O’Connor, 7.30pm, The Catstrand and run every Sun during term time from 3-5pm CatStrand Glenkens Youth Choir, Sun, 5-6pm Wed 17, Galloway Gatherings Lecture Series, 2CatStrand Playstation Tournaments: contact The 4pm, The CatStrand, see p8 CatStrand for info. Fri 19, Dalry Angling Association AGM, 7.30pm, Lochinvar Hotel, Dalry Dalry Community Centre (for info or to book contact Sarah on 430 393) Sat 20, White: Catherine Wheels Theatre Company with Brunton Theatre, 2pm, The CatStrand, New Glenkens Playgroup: Mon-Fri, 9.15-11.45am Galloway Paint & Art: Mon 1.30-4.30pm Sat 20, Kells School Christmas Fayre, 10am-12noon, Ballroom & Latin Dance drop-in class: Mon 7.30-9pm, Kells School £5 Wed 24, Galloway Gatherings Lecture Series, 2Ballroom & Latin Dance course: Mon 9-10pm, for 4pm, The CatStrand, see p8 more info tel Sam Hood on 01644 420672 Wed 24, Film: A Single Man, 7:30pm, The Good Neighbours Club: Tues 2pm CatStrand Kickback Martial Arts: Tues & Thurs 7-9pm, Thu 25, Christmas Shopping Evening, 5-8pm, The both adults & children welcome CatStrand, New Galloway Wed 27, The Sofa Show featuring Fred MacAulay & Glenkens Mother & Toddlers: Wed 1.30-3pm Craft Class: Thurs 2-4pm Parrot, 8pm, The CatStrand Brownies: Wed 5.30-6.45pm Mon 29, Discovery Film Festival – Shorts for Wee Ones, 1.30pm, The CatStrand Guides:Wed 5.30-7pm the Glenkens Gazette WRITE FOR THE GAZETTE! Submit events, Printing for the Glenkens Community activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... If you have a submission, contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or glenkensgazette@hotmail.co.uk DEC/JAN COPY DEADLINE: Mon 1st November & Arts Trust is just one way of expressing our commitment to the communities we work in. www.standardlife.com 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 60 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GG_060 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 2010 Description An account of the resource Editor: Sarah Ade