Multi Million Pound Kirkcudbright Art Gallery Officially Opens To The Public

Dumfries and Galloway Council were very proud to open its doors at the official opening of the new Kirkcudbright Galleries on Friday 8 June – a transformational project of which the Council and the town of Kirkcudbright can be rightfully proud.


The project has seen the venerable Victorian Town Hall in Kirkcudbright regenerated as a facility which is ideally suited to house the Council’s permanent collection of Kirkcudbright Artists’ work, and – just as excitingly – host touring and temporary exhibitions of new work from Scotland, the UK and the rest of the world.

Kirkcudbright Galleries began almost 20 years ago with a demand from the community of Kirkcudbright to create a large space for touring art exhibitions. Kirkcudbright 2000 was formed, and a series of large-scale exhibitions were organised in Kirkcudbright Town Hall. These proved extremely popular and – recognising the limitations of the old building – paved the way for the Kirkcudbright Galleries to become a priority project with Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Kirkcudbright has, for over a century, welcomed and nurtured several generations of distinguished artists and craftspeople, some of whom, such as Charles Oppenheimer, Jessie M. King and E.A. Taylor, played an active part in the civic and social life of the town. The Council is confident that the new Gallery will prove to be a huge asset to the town as it moves into the next phase of the 21st Century. The Mezzanine Gallery will be used as a practical area for use by groups of all ages, including schoolchildren, to enable them to explore art and their potential involvement in creative exploration.

The Council has funded the new Gallery, both because of its enhancement of our ability to give an appropriate level of display facilities for our Kirkcudbright Artists’ Collection, and items on loan from national and international sources, but also because we recognise the value of cultural tourism in the region. The successful establishment of Wigtown as Scotland’s Book Town, and the now essential annual Book Festival in that town; Kirkcudbright’s organic growth as The Artists’ Town, and a large number of arts and crafts businesses which have grown up with and around the concept; the wider cultural industries in Dumfries and Galloway, including the annual Spring Fling exhibitions in makers’ and artists’ premises across the region; and a huge number of major and smaller events including music and literary festivals throughout the year: all these help to sustain our communities through the sale of works and acting as a draw for visitors, as well as attracting artists and crafts people to settle in the region. Our area has also benefited from the significant work being done through community arts companies such as The Stove Network, to involve the wider community in art-related projects. Arts and culture are intrinsic to the way we live, and the new Kirkcudbright Galleries are a clear signal of our commitment to the development of top-class facilities within the region.

Speaking at the official opening, Council Leader, Elaine Murray, said;
I am delighted that Kirkcudbright Gallery opened on Saturday for
am sure you are all as struck as I am by the quality and ambition of the design of the Galleries, which has combined the existing structure of the Town Hall with an innovative approach to the use of space and light within the building. We truly do have a city quality gallery in this small but dynamic rural town. It emphasises the ambition and capability of the Council and its partners to deliver a facility which will attract visitors from the local area and much further afield, and which will be the beating heart in the body of the Artists’ Town. More than this, Dumfries and Galloway’s commitment to the Gallery and its Business Plan was secured on the basis of the anticipated economic benefits to the town and the wider region from increased visitor numbers generated through an extended visitor season.
I would like to thank National Galleries Scotland for the loan of Landseer’s iconic “The Monarch of the Glen”, which occupies pride of place in Gallery 1 for a short period after opening, and which I am sure will provide further incentive, if any was needed, for people to come to visit.
I must also thank the Kirkcudbright 2000 group for their indefatigable work in bringing the project forward with the Council, and in helping to steer it towards its conclusion. And of course, I thank the Friends of Kirkcudbright Gallery for their future role in supporting the Gallery as it moves forward.
I hope that everyone takes the time to visit the new Gallery. I am pleased that this wonderful asset is now open for everyone to come and enjoy. I am sure that people will be very impressed with the Gallery and continue to come and visit for years to come.”

All Images Copyright R.B Photography

HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FUTURE OF THE RURAL ECONOMY IN SCOTLAND

RURAL ECONOMY
ictured are (from left) - David Whitelaw, Lindores Abbey Distillery; Alison Milne, co-chair of the National Council of Rural Advisers (NCRA); Michelle Morton, Michelle Morton Art, Ceramic and Design and Cordon Farm Flowers; and Piotr Gudan, Outdoor Explore. Picture credit: Kelly McIntyre Photography.

One of the biggest consultations in recent years on the future of the rural economy in Scotland goes live at 12.30pm today, Tuesday, June 12th – and everyone in Dumfries and Galloway who has an interest in rural matters is being urged to get involved and have their say.

The consultation is being coordinated by the National Council of Rural Advisers (NCRA), an independent body providing advice and recommendations on rural policy to the Scottish Government.

The NCRA has a vision for a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive rural economy, which offers potential for growth and the creation of new opportunities – and this consultation plays an integral part in achieving that.

Sarah Simpson is a director of a dairy farm at Garlieston near Newton Stewart in Galloway, together with her husband Peter. She also works with a group of dairy farms within Dumfries and Galloway providing business information, was a director of policy with the National Farmers’ Union Scotland and is a member of the NCRA.

She said: “The rural economy has huge untapped potential that we are building a strategy to unleash, and you can be a part of it.
“This is a great opportunity for change and we need input from as many people as possible, which is why we are holding this nationwide consultation.
“We have been on a ‘road trip’ right around Scotland, visiting a number of stakeholders from all across the country, and from that we have drafted a road map – a discussion document that highlights issues we feel are key to the future success of Scotland’s rural economy – and we want to hear what you think.
“This discussion document is exactly that – a basis for a conversation and ideas. We know that people in rural areas often feel excluded and we want to change that.
“Now is the ideal time to be bold and ambitious and change the traditional narrative around the rural economy of Scotland and the opportunity it presents.
“It is true that we have been here before but now more than ever we have the opportunity to deliver.
“We need you to look at the recommendations we have outlined and bring your ideas, creativity and vision to help us make our rural economy the heart-beat of Scotland’s future.
“So whether you are a B&B owner or a farmer in Dumfriesshire, an adventure sports provider in Galloway, a fisherman in Kirkcudbright, or a teacher or nurse in Stranraer or Dalbeattie, we want hear from you.”

The consultation focuses on three key areas – people, vision and infrastructure – and comprises ten questions on various issues, including how best to create valuable employment opportunities, how to effectively represent the contribution and value of the rural Scotland, what skills are needed to encourage entrepreneurship and how to ensure that infrastructure is fit for purpose.

Submissions and comments on the discussion document must be submitted before the closing date of Tuesday, July 24th, 2018.

Links to the discussion document and full consultation can be viewed and filled in online at www.ncra.scot

Follow the NCRA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by searching for @NCRAScotland.

The final report is due to be published in the autumn.

 

EMMA HARPER TO BRING CYCLING PROJECT TO DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

Cycling Without Age project

Emma Harper MSP is putting the wheels in motion to let residents at a care home in Dumfries & Galloway try out a specially-made passenger bike which aims to make older people less socially isolated and more physically active.

 

The CWA (Cycling Without Age) project, backed by the Scottish Government following a successful trial period in Falkirk, sees volunteers give up their time to take older people around the community on the bikes, to meet friends, to get some fresh air and see more of the local area.

 

The South Scotland MSP has been liaising with CWA and care homes in Dumfries & Galloway to see a bike come to the region for a day with the potential for one to be purchased by the home, on a permanent basis, like other care homes in Scotland have chosen to do.

 

Commenting Emma Harper MSP said:

 

The Cycling Without Age project is a fantastic initiative which has the full support of the Scottish Government in being implemented across the country.
 
“I’m determined to bring this project to Dumfries & Galloway so older people in this part of Scotland don’t miss out and are able to enjoy the benefits offered through this exciting initiative.
 
“If the bike proves to be successful then it is hoped the care home will purchase their own adapted bike so the residents can live happier and more fulfilling lives.
 
“I also believe this will help make persons with dementia more responsive as when residents are taken out to parts of the town or village they haven’t seen for a long time it will provoke memories and nostalgia.

New Moth Species are Arriving and Settling in the UK

Musotima nitidalis_Les Hill, Butterfly Conservation

An increasing number of new moth species are arriving and settling in the UK as a result of the global reach of the horticultural trade and the changing climate, moth experts today revealed.

 

Almost 30 new species of pyralid moth have been recorded in the UK in the last 30 years with eight becoming established residents, wildlife publisher Atropos and charity Butterfly Conservation said.

 

Pyralid moths include some of the largest and most distinctive of the 1,600 species of micro-moths found in the UK. Around 900 species of generally larger and better known macro–moths are also found here.

 

The North Sea and English Channel provide a natural barrier to many potential colonising species, but the horticultural trade can provide a route into the UK with moth eggs, caterpillars or even pupae hitching a ride on imported plants.

 

Climate change is also altering conditions enabling moths to take advantage of habitats in new areas.

 

This recent increase in new species comes at a time when many of the UK’s moths are in decline as a result of habitat loss and agricultural intensification.

 

As part of this year’s Moth Night, an annual UK-wide event to record and celebrate moths, organisers Atropos, Butterfly Conservation and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology are asking the public to look for pyralid moths in their gardens, the countryside and at specially organised moth trapping events.

 

Pyralids are often under-recorded so scientists need new records of sightings to determine how these moths are faring across the UK and to spot any new species that have arrived.

 

The moth Musotima nitidalis, originally from Australia and New Zealand, is thought to have arrived in the UK in 2009 as a result of the horticultural trade. The moth is now found in several locations in southern England where its caterpillars feed on ferns such as Bracken.

 

Many of the recent pyralid colonists have arrived naturally, probably assisted by climate change, including the beautifully coloured Evergestis limbata. This species has now settled along the south coast of England after first being recorded in 1994.

 

Easy to see native pyralids include the day-flying Mint Moth, which can be found in garden herb patches as well as in open grassland habitats.

 

The distinctive black and white Small Magpie and the Mother of Pearl which sports a pearly sheen on its upper wings can also be found in gardens or near nettle patches. Common migrants to look out for included the Rush Veneer and Rusty-dot Pearl.

 

Another group of pyralid moth, the China-marks, are found in wetlands, their caterpillars living in an air-filled bubble of spun leaves at or just under the water’s surface in ponds and at the edges of streams.

 

Several pyralids are rare and threatened in the UK including the White-spotted Sable, a declining species of woodland glades and hillsides, and the Scarce Crimson and Gold, which is thought to  occur in sand dunes habitats in Northern Ireland, but still survives on the Isle of Man, having been lost from England and Scotland.

 

Butterfly Conservation Associate Director of Recording, Richard Fox said: “This year for the first time Moth Night is focussing on a fascinating group of micro-moths.
“Moths are often portrayed as boring, brown and impossible to identify but pyralids explode these myths with simply stunning species such as the Scarce Crimson and Gold and amazing life histories, such as the Beautiful China-mark, whose caterpillars live under water.”

 

This year a new guide to pyralid moths, the Field Guide to the Pyralid and Crambid Moths of Britain and Ireland will be published by Atropos Publishing. Atropos editor Mark Tunmore said: “This book has long been in the making and is the first comprehensive work on the British pyralid moths for almost 35 years.
“There has been a huge amount of change in that period, not least in the amount of interest that people now have in moths. New species are being added to the British list with regularity and we want to make sure that people are well equipped to identify these. We expect Moth Night 2018 to add to our knowledge of this group of moths.”

 

Ecologist at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Marc Botham said: “Pyralids are a captivating but relatively poorly known group of moths. 
“The three days and nights of Moth Night 2018 are an ideal opportunity to search for them in your garden or further afield, including at organised events. By submitting your sightings via our website you are helping with research to understand the status of UK wildlife.”

Moth Night 2018 runs from 14 to 16 June and will include moth trapping events across the UK. To discover a Moth Night event near you visit www.mothnight.info

Castle Douglas Development Forum Looks For Community Support for STP Bid

Castle Douglas Development Forum
castle Douglas from the Air

Castle Douglas Development Forum is building up backing across the town to support their efforts in an application to Scotland’s Towns Partnership to fund the initial stages of a town wide audit of our community resources and activities, commercial, and service resources and consultation into what the residents, tourists and our neighbours would like to see developed.

A Spokesperson for  the CDDF Told DGWGO “We’d all like a community swimming pool, cinema complex, or all weather sports pitches but the reality is we are small community and need to co-operate and share resources, assets, initiatives and future developments.
For a successful bid STP needs the town to demonstrate co-operation, cohesion and collaboration across the widest range of commercial, service, community and other activities that support the town and our neighbours.
The sad news of the closure of the one the towns oldest independent businesses supports the need for a collective approach to the towns future and need to establish a representative voice to develop a sustainable and resilient town in response to known, local authority cutbacks, and unknown, commercial business retrenchment, developments as they arise.
The Futures Team is progressing grant applications but need to demonstrate support from the town and would ask that individuals, organisations and representative groups formally sign up as supporters of the initiatives these volunteers are delivering and developing on behalf of the town.”
“Please contact us by email HERE  or through the CDDF web site HERE or visit the new Heart of Galloway community information centre in the town and sign up in support of our efforts and register your support.”

 

Last chance to find Dumfries and Galloway’s ‘Heritage Angels’

Heritage Angels

Groups and individuals involved in heritage projects in Dumfries and Galloway are being urged to enter the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards before nominations close on Friday 29 June.

Time is running out to find those ‘Angels’ who have played a special part in caring for, recording and celebrating the nation’s historic environment.
Last year’s awards honoured a range of diverse projects across the country, from the restoration of the Grade A-listed former office of the Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company in Govan, led by Govan Workspace, to the full-scale reconstruction of an Iron Age roundhouse in Dumfries and Galloway by the Whithorn Trust.

The awards scheme is open to groups, individuals, volunteers and professionals across Scotland, with entrants having until the end of the month to submit their nominations.
This year the awards ceremony will take place in Glasgow for the first time, with the eventual winners to be crowned at Glasgow City Chambers on Monday 22nd October.

Susan O’Connor, Director of the Scottish Civic Trust, said: “The Scottish Heritage Angel Awards is about honouring the contribution made by those groups and individuals who rescue, record and celebrate Scotland’s historic buildings and places – many of whom volunteer their time. The awards also provide an important opportunity to recognise the positive difference that heritage projects make to local communities all over the country.
“I’m looking forward to this year’s nominations, which are sure to showcase the fantastic work being undertaken to support and promote our historic environment.”

Launched in 2014 and funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation (ALWF), and run by the Scottish Civic Trust in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Archaeology Scotland, the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards seek to celebrate both groups and individuals who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to promote, protect and, in many cases, rescue Scotland’s heritage.

The awards in Scotland are aligned with Angel Awards in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. An overall winner from each of the UK schemes will be honoured at the London ceremony later this year.

For full details on how to enter the 2018 Scottish Heritage Angel Awards, nominate someone else for an award, or find out about our previous winners, please visit www.scottishheritageangelawards.org.uk.
Keep up to date with the latest from the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards on Twitter at @ScotAngelAwards.

Logo Design Success For Dalbeattie High School Students

Dalbeattie High School Students
Two twelve year old students from Dalbeattie High School will be seeing their work displayed across the whole Solway Forests area of South West Scotland, after winning a logo design competition organised by Solway Forests Red Squirrel Network ( SFRSN ) .
Jack Wright and Troy Nir , from teacher Mrs Paterson’s S1 Skills Group, created a colourful and innovative design which was judged to be the best of several excellent entries. The winning design will be used on all the publications and promotional material for SFRSN, a recently formed group of volunteers working to boost the conservation of the local red squirrel population, which is increasingly under threat from the incursion of grey squirrels into the Solway Forests area.
The winners will receive gift vouchers to spend on a prize of their own
choice. These will be presented at Dalbeattie Learning Campus on Tuesday 19th June at 2 pm.
Jean Ennis, spokesperson for SFRSN, acknowledged the very high quality of competition entries and commented that :
It was extremely hard to pick a winner, but Jack and Troy’s design stood out ; and will greatly help in the creation of a strong identity for our new group, to thereby boost our ongoing publicity and fundraising programmes.
We are very grateful to Helen Paterson at Dalbeattie High School for encouraging her students to take part in the competition ; and also to Chris Staple, a graphic artist and red squirrel supporter from Somerset, who voluntarily prepared the logo for publishing. “

Hospital Recruitment Paves Way for Normal Service – Newton Stewart

Credit - NHS D&G

A SUCCESSFUL round of recruitment has seen two nurses enlisted to work at Newton Stewart Hospital – paving the way for a return to normal service.

But with those nurses set to become officially registered in coming weeks, the decision to temporarily cap bed numbers has been extended until the end of August.

The move last month to cap the 22-bed hospital at 14 beds had no immediate or subsequent effect on service, as since then there has been an average of ten patients in the hospital at any one time.

Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care General Manager Community Health and Social Care Graham Abrines said: “We’re delighted that two new nurses are joining the excellent staff at Newton Stewart Hospital.

Last month’s decision put a priority on the safety of patients and staff, and resulted from clinical advice resulting from a situation with registered nurse vacancies and long-term sickness.
“I’m happy to say that the long-term sickness has now resolved, and after a successful recruitment process we now have two nurses to fill those vacancies.”

Before the new nurses become officially registered, staff who have been working tirelessly to provide the full service possible are scheduled for periods of annual summer leave.

As a result, a recommendation was agreed today by Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Senior Management Team to temporarily continue the cap on bed numbers until the end of August.

Mr Abrines said: “This is a temporary measure, and we anticipate that we will be able to accommodate requests for beds at the hospital during the summer period within the capped bed limit.”

Three Local Voluntary Groups Recognised With The Queen’s Award For Voluntary Service

The QAVS is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK and is the equivalent of an MBE. It recognises exceptional service within communities. The recipients are announced each year on 2 June, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust: following a community buyout by local residents, volunteers developed a walk around the loch, creating an accessible, engaging and educational outdoor project.

Dumfries and Galloway Befriending Project: this is an early intervention service which involves one-to-one befriending to support and enrich the lives of vulnerable young people aged 8 to 18 years.

Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes: this volunteer group of bikers delivers essential blood and urgent medical supplies at all hours between hospitals and healthcare sites in south-west Scotland – and sometimes beyond.

These 3 organisations are among 250 volunteer-led groups across the UK to receive the prestigious award this year.
The number of awarded groups has increased, showing the growth and value of the voluntary sector in today’s society.

The groups will receive their award from Fiona Armstrong, the Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries, later this summer.

Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, said: “Everyone who has received this award should be incredibly proud. Their service, commitment and care has a profoundly positive impact on communities throughout the country and I am delighted they have been recognised. The record number of recipients is testament to the strength of the voluntary sector and I am sure this trend will continue into the future. If you know any organisations that deserve to be recognised, make your voice heard and nominate them for next year.”

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Independent Committee Chair, former broadcast journalist Sir Martyn Lewis said: “This year’s record number of Queen’s Award awardees are a powerful testimony to the remarkable achievements and innovative ideas which characterise volunteering in the UK. They prove that, more than ever, volunteers beavering away at grassroots level are the active lifeblood of our communities, identifying all kinds of problems and issues and tackling them with enthusiasm, talent and a high degree of success. The recipients of the Queen’s Award are at the very top of a formidable volunteering movement in the UK involving millions of our citizens, and going from strength to strength.”

The Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries, Fiona Armstrong, said: “We may not have the population of some of the big cities, but here in Dumfries and Gallloway we are punching well above our weight when it comes to voluntary service. I am so pleased and proud of our volunteers. They have done so well – and I hope their success will encourage more voluntary groups to put in for this prestigious award.”

Mobile Phone Signal Is Officially Available at Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary

Staff, patients and visitors can now use their phones to make calls and connect to data services using EE and soon to be VODAFONE providers.

Of the possible four Major Network Operators (MNOs), only Vodafone and EE have contracted with NHS Dumfries and Galloway.

Graham Gault, General Manager ICT, says: “We have been working with suppliers for many months before the opening of the New Hospital and have now overcome all major obstacles (legal and technical) to get these services available.

“We are pleased to announce that the signals from EE are now live and expecting VODAFONE to be live this week (11th June) offering 2G/3G voice and 4G Data services throughout the hospital.

“The design is for both VODAFONE and EE: 2G, 3G and 4G services to be fully available across the new hospital.

“Patients will be able to use their personal phones for contacting relatives including in the bedrooms and across the wider hospital and staff will also be able to be contacted by family etc as required on their personal devices.

“This development is complemented by the already available Free of Charge Public Wi-Fi environment, which has recently gone through a major upgrade to improve performance.

“Patients will have a choice to either use Public Wi-Fi with some corporate restrictions (streaming movies etc) for data applications/services, or directly access the internet via 3G and 4G services unrestricted as per their supplier terms and conditions.

“This is a major achievement by NHS Dumfries & Galloway supporting patients and staff which we are pleased has been delivered despite significant challenges.”