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NHS D&G Answer Concerns Over Cyber Attack

AT the start of this week NHS Dumfries and Galloway advised that patient and staff-identifiable data stolen during the cyber attack on NHS Dumfries and Galloway had been published.

 

Inevitably, questions have followed, and they now seek to provide further understanding and clarity.

 

A Spokesperson from NHS D&G Stated “A key question being posed is why the people whose data has been published have not yet been contacted.
Unfortunately, compiling a list of people affected by the data publication is neither quick nor easy. This is because of the type and volume of data which was stolen.
The cyber criminals did *not* access the primary records system for patients’ health information – which is the system used by GPs, and contains people’s entire medical history in one location. This is a separate system, and it was not accessed.
Instead, what the cyber criminals were generally able to access was millions of very small, separate pieces of data – examples include individual letters from one consultant to a patient, letters from one consultant to another consultant, test results, x-rays, etc.
These are housed across a range of separate directories reflecting the very large and complex service structures of NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
As you will appreciate, identifying the data which was taken, working through it to find identifiable individuals and then assembling all their data is a massive undertaking.
Although progress is being made, it is for this reason that NHS Dumfries and Galloway has needed to prioritise this work – doing so on the basis of the ‘high-risk’ data which often relates to particularly vulnerable people.
It is therefore likely that the majority of public communications will remain general rather than person specific. We continue to work closely with the Information Commissioner’s Office on this matter.
Another question posed is how the cyber criminals were able to access the NHS Dumfries and Galloway systems.
Details of what took place around the cyber attack are the subject of a live criminal investigation and regarded by investigators as specialist knowledge. While stolen information has been made public, work has been undertaken with external experts to ensure that systems are as secure as possible.
Given that the stolen data has now been made public by the cyber criminals, there is now a risk of it being further accessed, duplicated or shared on the internet, and not just on the dark web.
As we have stated from the very beginning, this is a very serious matter. We do recognise the comments this week by the founding Chief Executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, Ciaran Martin, where he advises people not to panic, and points to previous experiences of health data breaches such as in Australia.
Nevertheless, as we have done throughout, we continue to ask people to be on their guard for any unusual activity which might relate to this incident – attempts to gain access to computers, suspicious emails, phone calls from people claiming to be in possession of their health data or any NHS data.
These incidents should be reported to Police Scotland by phoning 101.
Police Scotland continue to support us in the work responding to the cyber attack and the publication of the data, and they have produced the following statement which reflects that this is a matter being taken extremely seriously, the legal considerations, the work continuing to take place, and the range of agencies involved.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Our specialist officers continue to investigate the ransomware attack on NHS Dumfries and Galloway and subsequent leak of confidential information by the criminals.
“Members of the public should not attempt to access or share any leaked data as you may be committing an offence under the Data Protection Act.
“Police Scotland is working with NHS Dumfries and Galloway and other partners, including the National Cyber Security Centre, the National Crime Agency and the Scottish Government, to provide relevant support and advice.”

Dumfries & Galloway Ranked 5th For Employee Wellbeing In New Landmark League Table

Dumfries & Galloway Ranked 5th For Employee Wellbeing In New Landmark League Table

The BusinessFinanced.co.uk Employee Wellbeing League Table is a report that provides a fascinating glimpse into how employee wellbeing varies across the nation.

Top-Ranked Locations: Cheltenham leads the league table, closely followed by the Shetland Islands, Stirling, Milton Keynes, and Dumfries & Galloway. The rankings show a broad geographic spread across the nation, illustrating that no clear north-south divide exists when it comes to employee wellbeing.

Scottish Success: More than a third of the top 15 locations are in Scotland, with three in the top five, despite Scotland only representing 8.2% of the UK population.
Top-Performing Counties: Essex stands out at a county level, boasting two towns in the top 10.

By analysing some key factors that shape workplace experiences, our report offers a perspective on what makes different towns and cities thrive.

Whether you’re an employer, policymaker, or simply curious about your region’s standing, this report uncovers insights to help foster healthier, more fulfilling workplaces.

Using criteria such as average salary, weekly hours worked, commute time, happiness score, and life satisfaction score, this report reveals how different towns and cities prioritise the wellbeing of their workforce.

Explore the ranking of 86 towns and cities to see how your area measures up and learn how each is advancing employee wellbeing.

What is employee wellbeing?

Employee wellbeing refers to the holistic health and happiness of individuals in their workplace, encompassing both physical and mental aspects.

It includes factors like work-life balance, job satisfaction, stress management, and access to supportive resources. Financial stability, positive workplace relationships, and opportunities for growth also play a crucial role.

Organisations prioritise employee wellbeing to ensure a motivated, engaged, and productive workforce. This not only benefits employees by enhancing their quality of life but also improves organisational success, reducing absenteeism and turnover while boosting morale and fostering a more collaborative and innovative work environment.

While employee wellbeing is a tricky thing to measure and quantify, we have used a number of metrics which can paint a picture of estimated wellbeing in different geographic areas.

Notable results

  • We found a very broad geographic spread among the top spots, with no apparent UK north-south divide or overall geographic bias.
  • Even 1st and 2nd place (Cheltenham and the Shetland Islands respectively) are around 600 miles apart, as the crow flies.
  • More than a third of the 15 highest-scoring places were in Scotland, with three Scottish locations appearing in the top five, despite Scotland only making up 8.2% of the UK population.
  • At a county level, the location slightly leading the pack was Essex, holding 2 of the top 10 spots.

Infographic – The top 10

The rankings in full

  1. Cheltenham
  2. Shetland Islands
  3. Stirling
  4. Milton Keynes
  5. Dumfries & Galloway
  6. Oxford
  7. Chelmsford
  8. Falkirk
  9. Colchester
  10. Bedford
  11. Bournemouth
  12. Aberdeen
  13. Plymouth
  14. Great Yarmouth
  15. Edinburgh
  16. Tunbridge Wells
  17. Braintree
  18. Wrexham
  19. Lancaster
  20. Ipswich
  21. Swansea
  22. Chester
  23. Dover
  24. Newcastle upon Tyne
  25. Warrington
  26. Isle of Wight
  27. Brighton and Hove
  28. Bath and North East Somerset
  29. York
  1. Portsmouth
  2. Swindon
  3. Coventry
  4. Exeter
  5. Dudley
  6. Preston
  7. Reading
  8. Southend-on-Sea
  9. Wigan
  10. North Tyneside
  11. King’s Lynn
  12. Canterbury
  13. Dundee
  14. Doncaster
  15. Bridgend
  16. Ashford
  17. Bristol
  18. Cardiff
  19. Gloucester
  20. Liverpool
  21. Leeds
  22. Hartlepool
  23. Glasgow
  24. Stafford
  25. Darlington
  26. Blackpool
  27. Stevenage
  28. Luton
  29. Newport
  30. Blackburn with Darwen
  1. Sunderland
  2. Sheffield
  3. Kingston upon Hull
  4. Southampton
  5. Peterborough
  6. Slough
  7. Cambridge
  8. Crawley
  9. Norwich
  10. Barnsley
  11. Gateshead
  12. Derby
  13. Wakefield
  14. Bradford
  15. Worthing
  16. Manchester
  17. Medway
  18. Wolverhampton
  19. Mansfield
  20. Middlesbrough
  21. Eastbourne
  22. Lincoln
  23. Stoke-on-Trent
  24. Leicester
  25. Hastings
  26. Birmingham
  27. Nottingham

Results in full – Employee wellbeing league table data

Methodology

To work out our ranking of the best UK towns and cities for employee wellbeing, we based our calculations on the following metrics for each location:

  • Median salary
  • Average hours worked per week
  • Average commute to work, in minutes
  • Average happiness score (self-rated, out of 10)
  • Average life satisfaction score (self-rated, out of 10)

We used ONS data, and only included a location in the league table if data for all metrics was available – which resulted in 86 towns and cities being included.

For each of the 5 metrics, a score was assigned to each location. These scores were added up, and each location was given a final score based on the total score of its 5 individual scores.

Data sources

Employee wellbeing league table – We rank 86 UK towns and cities

 

Gracefield Arts Centre Kicks Off May Activities

Gracefield Arts Centre Kicks Off May Activities

Landmark exhibition Crafted Selves tours to Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries in May, exploring dual identity in contemporary art and craft. Curated by Cat Dunn and programmed by Fife Contemporary, Crafted Selves: The Unfinished Conversation showcases the work of thirteen Scotland based artists exploring dual identities in their work.

Featuring emerging and established artists and makers the exhibition features sculpture, painting, ceramics, textiles, installation, moving image films and creative writing and all in some way carry a dual identity. Many have a sense of their own self born from having a cultural heritage which is both Scottish and one which is rooted in another cultural home and explores other dualisms and expressions of identity such as their sexuality, disability, or trans and non-binary selves through their work.

The artists include Barbadian-Scottish visual artist Alberta Whittle who recently represented Scotland at the Venice Biennale, Zimbabwean-Scottish artist, Sekai Machache who will represent Zimbabwe at the 2024 Venice Biennale, Chinese-Scottish ceramicist Viv Lee, Chinese-Scottish installation artist Rae-Yen Song and Iranian-Scottish visual artist Sara Pakdel-Cherry, with Ashanti Harris, Adil Iqbal, Eden Grant Dodd, Li Huang, Emelia Beale, Joy Baek, Tilda Williams-Kelly and Harvey Dimond.

Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Ian Blake commented: “It’s fantastic to see the scope of art being created in Scotland today and engaging with current issue in such a creative and intriguing way – congratulations to Fife Contemporary and curator Cat Dunn for touring the work, we are delighted to host it here in Dumfries and Galloway.”

You can join Cat Dunn on the opening Saturday, 18 May, at 1pm for a curator’s tour and question and answer session.

Over in Gracefield Gallery 1, opening the same weekend is CENTRAL BOOKING: The Visual Read – Artists from New York and Dumfries and Galloway artists Hugh Bryden and Linda Mallett.

CENTRAL BOOKING focuses on the breadth and depth of the book works of the more than 30 plus of the distinguished artists who live, work and are from New York. Curator Maddy Rosenberg said: “The historical structure of Gracefield provides the ideal venue to showcase the more traditional idea of the artist’s book as a handheld object, along with the expansion of it through sculptural installations – works that utilize the walls, floors, ceilings, and even staircases. Materials to explore include paper, but go well beyond an image on a flat surface; many of these artists approach the book as the sculptural object it is, therefore incorporating metal, stone and digital elements into their work.”

In appreciation of the Scottish contribution of sandstone to the essence of architectural New York, some of the artists draw their inspiration from the subject, others deal with ecology and the waters that surround us, still others those of social and political issues, as do some draw you in with texture, colour and subtle cuts. Dumfries-based Hugh Bryden has been working with Central Bookings curator Maddy Rosenberg on their Sandstone Steps project and this led to the idea to showcase the wider range of artist work here in Scotland.

Vice Chair of Communities Committee, Councillor Jackie McCamon, added: “It’s great to be part able to showcase international artists, don’t miss the chance to see this inspiring New York work in our local gallery.”

Gallery Event: Saturday 18 May, 2 to 4pm. Join Maddy Rosenberg and Hugh Bryden in the gallery to chat about their work. Maddy will be based in Dumfries and Galloway over the summer and will also be working in the Gracefield Print Studio, available to chat and share her knowledge by appointment. Please contact the gallery for details of her schedule.
Open again for teas, coffees, light lunches, and home baking is The Studio Café . This is a new professional enterprise business from the Usual Place cafe.

Admission to Gracefield exhibitions is always free and open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm.

 

European Lunar Symposium 2024 To Be Held in Dumfries

Scotland’s Dumfries and Galloway region is preparing to welcome over 150 members of the international lunar science and exploration community in June 2024 for the annual European Lunar Symposium (ELS), hosted by The Open University on Scotland. 

Some of the world’s most prominent lunar scientists will be in attendance, exchanging ideas and discussing the latest findings from their research in lunar exploration. High-profile speakers will include representatives from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the UK Space Agency (UKSA).

Professor Mahesh Anand, Professor of Planetary Science and Exploration at The Open University (OU) has co-chaired the symposium held at various locations across Europe since its inception in 2012, but this is the first time it will be held in Scotland. The event is the premier Moon-focussed meeting in Europe attracting experts from across the world to discuss the latest developments in science and exploration of the Moon. It is a partnership between NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) and its European nodes.

The week-long event will take place from Sunday 16 – Friday 21 June at The Crichton, a parkland and business estate located on the outskirts of Dumfries.

As well as the scientific plenary sessions of the symposium itself, the event will include a programme for schools and public talks aimed at inspiring the people of Dumfries and Galloway and leaving behind a new lunar legacy for the region.

Professor Mahesh Anand said: “As well as bringing colleagues from across the world to this beautiful part of the country, I am also keen to influence younger generations and encourage them to believe that they too can make a big difference in lunar exploration – and that they don’t need to go to the Moon to do it!  There needs to be a legacy from this event and by inspiring young people to get involved in the space economy, I feel confident that these young people will go on to pursue their interests and make a significant impact in the future that will be of benefit to the wider society.”

The schools programme will include design sessions and writing competitions for pupils in the run-up to the June event, as well as lunar-themed workshops, run by OU academics and NASA representatives, and a career talk from the members of space industry on Wednesday 19 June at The Crichton.

Dr Fujimoto Masaki, Deputy Director General of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), will give a public talk about Japan’s Moon landing in January of this year, along with other speakers involved in recent and upcoming lunar missions, at a public event on the evening of the summer solstice, Thursday 20 June.

The Open University in Scotland’s bid to bring the 12th edition of ELS to Dumfries and Galloway was successful and had been inspired by Professor Anand’s first visit to the region in 2020.  Both the OU in Scotland’s existing relationship with partners in South of Scotland and the region’s strong association with Neil Armstrong (the first man to walk on the Moon) were part of the decision to host the ELS 2024 in Dumfries and Galloway – the seat of the Clan Armstrong where people lined the streets when Neil Armstrong spoke there at Langholm Town Hall in 1972.

With this symposium organisers hope to bring that sense of wonder and excitement about the moon back to the region.
Professor Anand said: “It is a real privilege to be hosting ELS 2024 in the South of Scotland and to acknowledge Dumfries and Galloway’s existing connection with the Moon and lunar exploration. Everyone here is so proud of Neil Armstrong and the fact that he referred to the ‘Muckle Toon’ (Langholm) as home.  I know that many ELS delegates are looking forward to hearing stories from the locals about their experience of Neil Armstrong’s visit to the region in 1972 and learning more about the local area.”

Moreover, the sparsely populated and therefore hardly light polluted Galloway region is also known to have one of the darkest skies in Europe, making it an ideal place for stargazing. In 2009 Galloway Forest Park became the first area in Britain to be designated a ‘Dark Sky Park’ by the International Dark Sky Association, recognising its special status.


A local organising committee made up of local partners and stakeholders including the South of Scotland Enterprise Agency, The Crichton Trust, The Crichton Foundation, The Crawick Multiverse Trust and South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) have been supporting colleagues from The Open University to plan and deliver the ELS.

Professor Russel Griggs, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), the development agency for southern Scotland covering the council areas of Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, said: “This is a fantastic accolade for Dumfries & Galloway to host the European Lunar Symposium and it is making use of the excellent facilities on offer at the Crichton Estate.
“The region does not only have a proud role in the history of moon and lunar exploration, but the area also has the Kirkcudbright Dark Skies Planetarium as well as the Galloway International Dark Sky Park. The space sector presents the South of Scotland with numerous opportunities, and SOSE will be soon revealing plans on how we can blend the region’s significant traditional strengths with new space services and technologies.”
Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust, said:  “We are proud to host such a significant international gathering here in The Crichton and in Scotland for the very first time. To have so many significant academics and institutions from across the globe, along with the accompanying programme of community engagement, makes this a truly world-class event to celebrate”.

The programme of events is available via the OU in Scotland website Upcoming Events | Open University in Scotland

Youth Beatz Returns for 2024! – Line Up Announced

Youth Beatz Festival is once again back for 2024, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Youth Beatz takes place over a 9-day period, with the Youth Beatz Fringe taking place across every Ward area of Dumfries and Galloway, and the two main event days on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th June at Park Farm, Dumfries.

The main event days will be attended by 20,000 people per day, and Youth Beatz 2024 will continue to deliver a wide range of fun activities, musical performances from local and emerging young talent from across Dumfries and Galloway, as well as welcoming the following headline acts:

Headliners on Saturday 29 th June will be

Jonas Blue – multi platinum award winning DJ Jonas Blue has had a string of hits alongside some of the most recognisable voices in Music, including Raye, Becky Hill and Rita Ora.

Jonas Blue said – “I cannot wait to get on stage at Youth Beatz, I have heard how much energy the crowd at Youth Beatz has and I always love playing in Scotland! See you all in June!”

Alice Deejay – Alice Deejay have sold over 5 million singles worldwide with hit singles ‘Better off Alone’ and ‘Back in my Life’ being the soundtrack of Summer for millions of fans all over the world.

Talia Mar – with over 4 million online followers, Talia Mar is taking the world by storm. Her collaboration with Sigala ‘Stay the Night’ reached the top 10 in the UK, and performances at some of the biggest arenas in the country mean Talia will continue to rise all the way to the top

Sunday 30 th June will be headlined by:

Sigala – DJ and producer Sigala has produced eight UK top ten hits, including the number one single “Easy Love,” On his debut album, Brighter Days, Sigala enlisted 24 star guests, including Kylie Minogue, Nile Rodgers, Craig David and many more. Sigala’s latest single, released in May 2022, is a collaboration with Talia Mar called “Stay The Night.” Sigala said – “I have always wanted to come back to play in Dumfries and can’t wait to see everyone, the fans in Scotland are unbelievable, and you always make sure you bring the party!”

Cascada – Dancefloor fillers and good vibes whenever Cascada are around. With a string of dancefloor anthems Cascada will definitely bring the party! With more than 30 million album sales worldwide!

Saint Phnx – Despite being only a duo, Saint Phnx have shown they have the ability to create a vast stadium-rock sound thanks to their soaring hooks and anthemic style of writing, topped by Stevie Jukes’ impressive vocals. With more than 150 million worldwide streams, Saint Phnx are fast becoming the Pride of the Scottish Music scene.

As well as featuring well-known UK headliners, Youth Beatz Festival is proud to have local performers taking their place on the Main Stage programme for this year’s event, with a wide range of acts from across Dumfries and Galloway.

Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Ian Blake said: “Our Council is once again delighted to continue with our support for this fantastic community event. Youth Beatz provides young people from across our region with a fantastic Festival experience in their local area, as well as valuable experiences through volunteering opportunities such as performing in the immersive youth led drama production The Toon, and participation in the annual Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award residential. I am once again looking forward to welcoming young people from across Dumfries and Galloway and the rest of Scotland through the gates at Park Farm on Saturday 29 th and Sunday 30 th June.”

The Toon will continue to expand for 2024, with the hard-hitting interactive drama production gearing up for another year as one of the Festival’s biggest features. The Toon is designed and delivered by local young people from across Dumfries and Galloway and provides young people attending Youth Beatz with informative and accurate information and advice when dealing with issues that commonly affect their lives. The issues displayed in the production are chosen by the young people, and include poverty, sectarianism, drugs and alcohol, and sexual health to name a few.

The Youth Work Area will also be back for this year’s Festival and will contain some old favourites such as creative arts and crafts activities, a youth information zone, chill out areas and the opportunity to win meet and greet tickets to see your favourite headliners through exciting competitions.

As well as the Main Stage, Youth Beatz 2024 will have an additional two stages. The Second Stage will be dedicated to up-and-coming singers and musicians from across our region. The Second Stage is once again being programmed in partnership with Dumfries Music Collective.

DMC is a platform for the music industry in Dumfries and Galloway, and they run a programme of music education and events throughout the year. DMC aims to educate a wide range of audiences, and to encourage them to understand, celebrate, participate in and be supportive of the local contemporary music community. The work of DMC ties in with the ethos of Youth Beatz Festival, and we are delighted to have them on board for 2024 after the huge success of their Second Stage in 2023.

The Dance Stage will provide entertainment from dance groups coming from the length and breadth of Dumfries and Galloway who will be bringing their performances to Youth Beatz 2024.

The line up includes dance groups and cheerleading squads from Stranraer, Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Lockerbie.

Festival organisers are working with partners to ensure that Youth Beatz 2024 is as inclusive and accessible as possible, with a working group recently established in order to ensure that the event is fully accessible and equipped to cater to the needs of everyone who wishes to attend. If you are interested in the work of this group, or feel that you may have a contribution, please use the contact details below to get in touch.

The main Youth Beatz days will end a 7-day Fringe Festival which will see a number of fun community-based events taking place across every Ward area, providing towns and villages the length and breadth of Dumfries and Galloway with events for young people. The events will be developed and delivered in partnership with various community groups and organisations, and they will provide a series of fun activities and experiences.

Vice-Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, Councillor Jackie McCamon said: “Youth Beatz is more than just a music festival, as it continues to inspire young people to take a more active role in their community through various

volunteering initiatives, allowing young people to feel a sense of ownership over the festival. The wide range of exciting activities that are available on the main event days and during the Fringe Festival support our young people to broaden their horizons, try new things and get a wide range of information on issues that affect their lives and the Services that are available to them across Dumfries and Galloway.”

The award-winning event is managed through a partnership led by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Youth Work Service, in conjunction with the Oasis Events Team. Formed in 2010, the Oasis Events Team have undergone a great deal of training and events experience and now work in close partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council to co-design large scale events, such as Youth Beatz.

Youth Beatz Festival is grateful to be supported by a number of funders for this year’s event, including Young Start, Awards for All, EventScotland (part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate), Alcohol and Drug Partnership and Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events, said: “EventScotland is proud to be supporting Youth Beatz Festival through our National Events Programme. The Festival is not just a music event, it’s a vibrant celebration and showcase of youth culture, creativity and community spirit.

“Events play an important role in our community and Youth Beatz provides the perfect stage for celebrating the diversity, talent and endless potential of young people from across Dumfries and Galloway and the rest of Scotland.”

Co-design is still an important aspect of Youth Beatz in terms of the Festival’s design. Events Groups in Moffat and Newton Stewart help to ensure that young people from both sides of our region can help to shape this year’s Festival by helping to design certain elements and ensure that the Festival is meeting the needs and wants of young people from across Dumfries and Galloway.

Shaynie McMurray, young volunteer from the Newton Stewart Events Group, who has been involved in the co-design of the event said: “We are really happy that Youth Beatz is back Press Release for 2024 and we are looking forward to once again working with staff from the event and partners to ensure that the voices of young people from across the region are heard, and that this event reflects the needs and wants of young people from across Dumfries and Galloway.”

Youth Beatz 2024 is a free festival, and tickets are available now from the official Youth Beatz website – www.youthbeatz.co.uk

Spent Ammunition Used To Make Knives By Newton Stewart Metalsmith

SPENT AMUNITION USED TO MAKE KNIVES BY NEWTON STEWART METALSMITH
Credit - cphattersley

Tim Westley’s hand-forged knives – created from highly unusual, recycled materials – are highly prized by foodies cooking in restaurants or their own homes.

That’s partly because, as a former professional chef himself, he understands exactly what they want from what is arguably their most important, and most personal, item of equipment.

It’s also because there is a major drive towards zero (or minimal) waste kitchens.
Visitors to this year’s Spring Fling Open Studios Weekend (25-27 May), involving 104 studios across Dumfries and Galloway, can go to Tim’s forge in Newton Stewart and see how he is contributing to this movement.

They can also chat to him about how he creates his knives by beach combing and foraging.
The blades use steel from the tiny NOx (laughing gas) canisters used by substance abusers that he collects from places they have been dumped in Glasgow and London.

The highly colourful handles are made by melting and reshaping plastics from spent shotgun cartridges, provided by estates and shooting ranges, and from items like fish trawler boxes that wash up on local beaches.

Tim says: “A really good knife is so important to people who love cooking – for professional chefs it’s something they can be using just about all day every day.
“I’ve worked in some fantastic British restaurants myself, and travelled round Australia working in restaurants, so it’s something I really appreciate.
“And there’s a drive towards sustainability – which involves everything from not wasting ingredients to having responsibly sourced equipment.
“The knives I make are from materials that I have 95% recycled myself. Each one is made individually using blades I forge here in my workshop.”

The idea came to him when he was living on a narrowboat in London and had a workshop on an island in the Thames. He used to go out in a canoe collecting litter that was polluting the river and was trying to think of ways it could be positively repurposed.

Later, while travelling the UK in a campervan, he found and fell in love with Dumfries and Galloway.

Timothy said: “The sense of space and the quality of life here really appealed to me. It seemed perfect for me, my partner and the dogs. We just love it here.”

The business he now runs, Clement Knives, attempts to go even further than being zero-waste and actually uses far more waste than it generates – something underlined by the single black bin of rubbish which is all he has generated this year.

Joanna Jones, Upland Assistant Director, said: “Many of the artists and makers involved in Spring Fling have a strong commitment to the environment. In many cases they use waste, recycled, found or repurposed materials and make sure their own practices are sustainable.
“Tim’s work shows just how much a can be achieved, making incredibly high-quality chef knives from things that have been used or dumped – which gets litter off the streets and beaches and stops useful materials ending up in landfill.”

Zest for life… as DGC Hospitality Facility Gets Biosphere Certification

Dumfries and Galloway College (DGC) is delighted to announce that its Zest restaurant on its Stranraer campus has been awarded the prestigious Biosphere Certification Mark.

 

As part of DGC’s Stranraer Campus, Zest falls within the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, a region recognised internationally for its world-class natural and cultural heritage. The GSA Biosphere Partnership leads sustainable development initiatives across the UNESCO area, which covers 9,720km² of southwest Scotland.

 

Zest is the training kitchen and restaurant run by DGC, which gives hospitality students the opportunity to train in a professional kitchen environment and to develop the front-of-house and practical skills needed for a culinary career.

 

Students produce and serve a three-course menu each week — and as part of this they must plan menus, using locally sourced produce where possible, prepare the dishes and then serve them in the restaurant.

 

Achieving the Biosphere Certification Mark is quite a coup for staff and students at Zest. Certification is gained through a rigorous assessment process which aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and awards are approved by a panel drawn from the Biosphere’s Partnership Board and Trustees.

 

Zest is accessible to the public on a regular basis throughout the term time and the teaching kitchen also offers courses to the public as well as businesses.

 

Staff and students throughout DGC are thrilled that Zest has been recognised by achieving the official Biosphere Certification Mark — which is awarded to exemplars in local sustainable enterprise and has been used as a model for similar schemes elsewhere in the UK.

 

Jake McLaughlan, Business Engagement Officer, GASB, said: “It’s wonderful to welcome Zest to our Biosphere Certification Mark business network and to celebrate the commitment of staff and students to sustainability.

 

“The UNESCO ethos is all about innovation and collaboration towards a better future for all, and we hope that DGC’s strong connection with the GSA UNESCO Biosphere will be a source of inspiration for students now and for years to come.”

Joanna Campbell, Principal, Dumfries and Galloway College, said: “In 2019, the College gained Proud Supporter status with GASB — and now, five years later, we are honoured that Zest has been awarded their Biosphere Certification Mark.
“DGC sees this as a further opportunity to build partnerships in the local community while highlighting the fantastic work that students and staff have been undertaking to help the region move towards a greener future.
“This recognition from Biosphere will no doubt further inspire our students at Zest to get the best from themselves in their hospitality careers.”

Farmers Advised To Crack On With SAF Form

FARMERS ADVISED TO CRACK ON WITH SAF FORM

The number of Scottish farmers and crofters who have filled out their Single Application Form (SAF) online ahead of the window closing at midnight on Wednesday 15 May is well ahead of this time last year, but many forms are still to be started.

Latest figures provided to NFU Scotland by Scottish Government suggest that, with a week to go, almost 11,000 forms have already been completed.  That compares with 10,600 at the same time in 2023 and 10,200 in 2022.  Around 18,000 forms are submitted annually in Scotland.

Given the pressure some farmers and crofters are under to complete spring work, NFU Scotland is reminding members that while the deadline for submitting your SAF application is Wednesday 15 May, applications submitted by the deadline can still be amended, added to, or increased, up until 31 May without penalty.

Since 2022, it has been a requirement that all SAF forms must be completed online.  Completion of a SAF is required to access important support schemes such as the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening, and the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme.  All schemes available as part of SAF are critical to the financial well-being of Scottish agriculture – injecting well over £500 million into the industry annually.

With a week left, NFU Scotland has welcomed the news that Scottish Government has organised 9am to 5pm cover for IT related issues over the weekend (11 and 12 May) and after office hours cover from Monday 13 May until midnight on Wednesday 15 May.  Customers can contact the IT service desk on 0300 244 6202 or AREISDServiceDesk@gov.scot.

NFU Scotland Director of Policy Jonnie Hall said: “The SAF deadline remains one of the most important dates in the Scottish farming calendar.
“Support payments remain critically important to the viability of most Scottish farming and crofting businesses.  As we negotiate that Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill, that will define our future support arrangements, we have made the importance of that support crystal clear.
“With exactly a week to go, it is encouraging just how many forms have been completed but there is a significant number of SAF forms still to be started.  There are also many forms started but not completed and we urge those with forms in a draft state to go on and complete their application at the earliest opportunity and ensure that it is properly submitted.
“Farmers and crofters must prioritise these annual application forms in the next few days.  The deadline of the 15 May is fast approaching, and we urge all eligible applicants to concentrate on completing their submission now rather than at the last minute.  However, we remind all that the opportunity to amend forms without penalty is there until 31 May.”

Darling! Are You a Wendy?

The Birthplace of Peter Pan, Moat Brae, in Dumfries and Galloway, Celebrates J.M. Barrie’s Birthday by Inviting Wendys for a Special Tribute

Moat Brae, the enchanting Georgian townhouse that inspired J.M. Barrie’s creation of Peter Pan, is delighted to announce a unique celebration in honor of the beloved author’s birthday. On May 9th, Moat Brae will welcome individuals named Wendy to explore the historic property, free of charge, as a tribute to the iconic character Wendy Darling.

The initiative is a fitting homage to J.M. Barrie’s timeless masterpiece, “Peter Pan,” where Wendy Darling plays a central role as the nurturing and adventurous protagonist. By extending this invitation to Wendys, Moat Brae seeks to celebrate the enduring legacy of Barrie’s work and the significance of Wendy’s character in the hearts of readers worldwide.

“We are thrilled to commemorate J.M. Barrie’s birthday in a manner that honors one of his most cherished characters, Wendy Darling,” said Cameron Hinde, the Visitor Attraction Manager at Moat Brae. “Moat Brae holds a special place in literary history, and we are excited to welcome Wendys to experience the magic of this place that inspired Peter Pan’s adventures.”

Moat Brae encourages Wendys of all ages to participate in this special event, fostering a sense of connection to the beloved story and its enduring characters. Whether reliving childhood memories or discovering the magic of Peter Pan for the first time, all Wendys are invited to embrace the spirit of adventure and imagination at Moat Brae.

Anne Brown Essay Prize Judge Announced

Anne Brown Essay Prize judge announced
credit - cphattersley

Brian Taylor, one of the best-known figures in contemporary Scottish journalism, will lead the judging panel for this year’s Anne Brown Essay Prize.

The annual award, which champions Scottish writing talent, carries a £1,500 prize.

Mr Taylor, who is a commentator, columnist and former BBC political editor, has a close interest in essays as a means of offering fresh perspectives on contemporary life.

He said: “Now more than ever it is vital to attempt to make sense of our confused and confusing world. 
“A succinct essay can do just that, getting to the core, providing insight and enlightenment.”  

The competition, organised by Wigtown Book Festival is for the best literary essay by a writer in or from Scotland.

It commemorates former festival chair and BBC radio journalist Anne Brown.

Mr Taylor was aware of the quality of her work – covering issues such as the Orkney child abuse scandal – and her commitment to promoting the best in writing.

Last year’s prize was won by Rodge Glass, for On The Covenant, and will be included in his forthcoming book Joshua in The Sky: A Blood Memoir, published this September.

He said: “I’d encourage anyone in Scotland interested in writing nonfiction to enter the Anne Brown Prize. 
“It was wonderful to be able to share the work publicly and raise awareness of the issues I discussed – one of which is HHT, the rare blood condition shared across my family, which is so little understood. 
“Last year’s shortlist was full of writers I really admire like Kirsty Logan and Jen Stout, and I’m convinced nonfiction in Scotland is strong. It’s essential to have a home for the essay that gives it more of a profile.”

Adrian Turpin, the festival’s Artistic Director, said: “We’re very pleased to be welcoming such a respected figure in Scottish national life as Brian to lead this year’s judging.

“His involvement will help us raise the profile of essay writing. 
“Sadly, there are few opportunities for essay writers to get their work seen by the wider public. This competition attempts to change that.”

Entries can be on any subject but there is a 4,000-word limit and entries close on 31 May.

The winner will be revealed at a special event during the festival.

In addition to the prize money, the winner receives an award designed by artist Astrid Jaekel, their entire essay is published on the festival website and a lengthy excerpt appears in The Herald.

See www.wigtownbookfestival.com for full details.

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