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Local Florist ‘Passion Flowers’ Shortlisted For UK Retail Florist Of The Year Award

British Florist Association have confirmed that local family business ‘PassionFlowers The Florists‘ have been shortlisted amongst the best Florists in the UK for a top national award, but they need your votes to win!
Passionflowers have been helping people celebrate birthdays, weddings, Valentine’s, Christmas and every other kind of celebration you can think of as well as also bringing much comfort to people through sadder times of life with their wonderful flowers for the last 22 years.
Marita Dobson from Passionflowers said “This is only possible because of you, our wonderful customers and followers, we are so grateful. We will be judged by an international panel of Flower Specialists.
We also would humbly ask if you feel we offered you great service in the past, if you could take the time to click VOTE for us by clicking HERE.
Thank you….xxx”

In 2021 Passionflowers celebrated their 20th anniversary, DGWGO went along to find out more, read the full article HERE

Follow PassionFlowers on Facebook by clicking HERE

PassionFlowers, Heron Cottage, Dalbeattie Road DG2 8NA Dumfries

Phone – 01387 259949

Mobile – +44 7912 934726

Email – [email protected]

DG Arts Festival Say Farewell to Chairperson Alexandra Little

After four years of service as a trustee, including two years as chairperson, Alexandra Little resigned from the board of the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival on Tuesday 1st August. Alexandra’s achievements include increasing the diversity of the board, leading organisation development with anew staff structure and appointment of a CEO, and the production of a five-year strategic plan. Alexandra wishes the organisation well and is looking forward to her retirement.

The Festival’s trustees and staff team thank Alexandra for her service and wish her all the best for the future. They are pleased to announce that Claudia Wood, their vice-chairperson, has been appointed interim Chairperson of the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival.

Claudia Wood, their vice-chairperson, has been appointed interim Chairperson of the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival.

UNISON Launch Strike Ballot Of School Staff In Scotland

UNISON launch strike ballot of school staff in Scotland
Photo©Steve Forrest/Workers’ Photos

UNISON, the largest union in local government, has launched an industrial action ballot of 30,000 school staff in every local authority in Scotland, including Dumfries and Galloway.

The ballot is over a pay dispute for all council workers. The vote will close on Friday 25 August and if staff vote to strike there could be mass school closures across Scotland in September.

Phil McGroggan, chair of UNISON’s Dumfries and Galloway branch said “The ballot papers have already been sent to our members at schools asking them to vote for or against strike action.
“We are ecouraging members working at schools and early years facilities in schools to look out for the purple envelopes, to vote and send the ballot papers back by the closing date.”
“While it is only schools workers who are being balloted at the moment their action will be in support of all council workers. We all deserve a decent pay rise given the increase in the cost of living and the decline in real terms of local government wage levels in recent years.”

Earlier this year, UNISON consulted its entire local government membership (84,000) on COSLA’s pay offer. This was a 5% increase from April 2023, plus an additional increase that varied depending on an individual’s salary payable from January 2024. The union’s members voted overwhelmingly to reject (87%) this. Nine in ten (90%) of those who rejected the offer also voted in favour of taking some form of strike action to try to secure an improved wage increase.

Waste and recycling workers in Stirling Perth and Kinross have already voted to take industrial action. They will be going out for four days from 10-13 August. School staff are being asked to vote in the dispute.

The union will decide on whether to ballot additional groups of workers in the coming months.

UNISON Scotland head of local government, Johanna Baxter said: “COSLA’s offer falls short of UNISON’s pay claim, it also less than the offer made to the lowest paid local government staff south of the border. And it would be a real-terms pay cut during the cost of living crisis.
“Despite efforts to move negotiations along, we’re now at an impasse. COSLA has refused to improve its pay offer, which UNISON members overwhelmingly rejected. It also says it doesn’t have the cash to offer more but is also refusing to ask the Scottish government for additional funding.
“Council and school staff are fed up. All school staff should look out for their ballots, which will arrive in purple envelopes, vote and post back as soon as possible.”

 

Music Fest Set To Rock The Multiverse In September

 

  • Scouting For Girls, Big Country, Skerryvore, Shambolics
  • Dance Tent featuring Ultrabeat, N-Trance and Team GBX
  • Two-days of live music at one of Scotland’s most amazing venues

 

A big-name line-up has been announced for the 2023 Music at the Multiverse festival at Crawick Multiverse in September. The two-day music festival, now in its third year, will take place on the 55-acre environmental artland between Kirkconnel and Sanquhar on the border of Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire.

 

As one of Scotland’s most spectacular outdoor venues, and with such an amazing line-up, the 2023 family-friendly festival is set to attract a record crowd of festival-goers to the region on the 2 and 3 September.

 

Headline acts including feel good festival favourites Scouting For Girls; multi-award winning Celtic trad-rockers Skerryvore; Glasgow-based indie rock band Shambolics; and Scottish rock legends Big Country will entertain the audience from The Main Stage, located at the heart of the Sun Amphitheatre.

 

Due to popular demand, The Big Top Dance Tent will be back and will host performances from Ultrabeat and N-Trance. They will be supported by Team GBX – Michael Smith, Cassi and Macca, Stevie Lennon, Joe Deacon and MC Rowlands.

 

Local DJ Malcolm X from Kelloholm is also set to return to entertain the crowds and will be joined by other local performers including; The Dangleberries, Mary Barclay Band, Big Time Louie and Pedro and the Pirates. Together they represent some of the best live music from across Dumfries and Galloway.

 

Following sell out gigs, up and coming Glasgow five-piece band Rodeo Club will also take to the stage.

 

For those planning to make the most of the festival weekend, a limited number of motorhomes pitches will also be available. There will be a fully licensed bar and a choice of locally-produced food from The Tin Van Pizza, Knockenhair Hospitality and Sweet Sadie’s Ice Cream and Desserts.

 

Due to an increased demand for festival tickets, a private coach service will now run between Dumfries and Crawick on both Saturday and Sunday. The coach will leave Dumfries at 11am on both days, will pick up in Thornhill and will take passengers to the festival site at Crawick Multiverse. The return trips will leave Crawick Multiverse at 7.30pm. Pre-booking essential. Anyone buying a coach ticket, must also have a valid festival ticket. For more information and to book, follow the link below.

 

Sharon Glendinning, Crawick Multiverse General Manager, said: “We are delighted to build on the success of last year and to have such an amazing line-up of popular well-known acts and home-grown talent at our third Music at the Multiverse festival. As well as enjoying two days of live entertainment, visitors can also take time to explore and discover Crawick Multiverse and all that it has to offer. With giant spiral mounds representing colliding galaxies, a huge avenue of standing stones and other spectacular features, it is a unique festival venue and a great place to spend the weekend!”

 

Main Stage: Saturday  

Skerryvore

Shambolics

Malcolm X

Mary Barclay Band

Big Time Louie

 

Main Stage: Sunday  

Scouting For Girls

Big Country

The Dangleberries

Pedro and the Pirates

Rodeo Club

 

Dance Tent: Saturday                                                                     

Ultrabeat

Michael Smith

Cassi

Macca

Jamie Benson

Brett Lawrie

 

Dance Tent: Sunday   

N-Trance

Joe Deacon

Stevie Lennon

Malcolm X

Elliot Boyce

Stephen Holland & Steven Allan

 

Tickets can be purchased online from https://www.crawickmultiverse.co.uk/music-at-the-multiverse/music-and-the-multiverse-2023/

 

The Crawick Multiverse Trust gratefully acknowledges the support from Dumfries and Galloway Council Major Events Fund 2023/24.

Dalbeattie Gets Set For Annual Ride Out

DALBEATTIE GETS SET FOR ANNUAL RIDE OUT
Gordon, Angela, Zara and Zoe Thornhill

On Sunday the 13th of August 2023 Dalbeattie will be celebrating it’s second ever ride out!

One of this years principals Zara Cowan told DGWGO “We started last year (2022) and we gathered a good group of riders together, so for 2023 we are trying to make it grow as Dalbeattie doesn’t have a tradition of a Riding of the Marches like many other towns across the region and Borders do.
Unfortunately this year, there were no males nominated and none had put them selves forward to be principles so for this year we have two lassies as principles, who were voted in to lead the cavalcade, myself -Zara Cowan from Dalbeattie riding my horse Josie. and Angela Cannon also from the town, on her horse Saracen.
we will be supported by 2022 Ride Principle Zoe Thornhill on The Legend and standing in for Gordon Chisholm will be Holly Murdoch riding Bruno”
We really hope people will come along and join in, or stand along the route and cheer as all on!”

Dalbeattie Ride Out Sunday 13th August 5pm start
Plenty of Parking at Biggars Mill Business Park (DG54AZ)

All welcome

Walk & trot round streets of Dalbeattie
*Also, a wee canter up Dalbeattie woods * for those that wish to do it! (Those that don’t will carry on with the main group)

*There is also a lead rein group -which will meet up with the main group at places

Leaving Biggars Mill at 5PM
Onto Bypass
.. along PORT STREET
HIGH STREET
JOHN STREET
MUNCHIES PARK (STOP)
BARHILL
SOUTHWICK ROAD
WILLIAM STREET
UNION ST

*THE GROUP SLITS -FOR THE CANTER THROUGH WOODS* Meeting group again along High street to Kings**

COPLAND ST,
BLAIR ST,
HIGH ST,
PORT ST
GLENSHALLOCH ROAD.
THE KINGS (STOP)
ALMA HOUSE,
MILL STREET
THE PARK
MILL ST
HIGH ST
MAXWELL STREET
HAUGH ROAD,
MAXWELL PARK HILL
STATION ROAD,
MAXWELL ARMS (STOP)
HIGH STREET
PORT ST
BIGGARS MILL
FINISH

The principles will also be joining Dalbeattie Civic Parade on the Saturday 12th *

 

 

 

 

Wheatley Homes South Help Tenants Claim £1.6m In Benefits

Wheatley Homes South help tenants claim £1.6m in benefits

Almost a thousand tenants across Dumfries and Galloway have been helped to claim more than £1.6 million in welfare benefits in the past 12 months, thanks to the region’s largest social landlord.

 

Wheatley Homes South, part of Wheatley Group, has helped support customers through the cost-of-living crisis.

 

The Group’s welfare benefits advisors assisted 858 tenants of Wheatley Homes South claim £1,631,974.66 in the last financial year. The figure represents the highest annual amount the Group’s welfare benefits advisors have ever helped customers across the region access.

 

At the same time, the Group’s fuel advisors helped Dumfries and Galloway tenants save £58,727.57 on their energy bills.

 

Across the entire Wheatley Group, customers were helped to claim more than £13m in benefits they were entitled to.

 

Wheatley Homes South tenant Louise Wilson from Glenluce, is one of hundreds across the region who have benefited from the help in accessing all the benefits they were entitled to.

 

Louise, 49, said: “Fiona, the Welfare Benefits Advisor who helped me, has been absolutely brilliant. She explained the whole process clearly and got things sorted so quickly.
“One of my friends, who she’d also helped, mentioned the support he received and urged me to get in touch. It’s made such a difference. It’s meant I’ve got a bit more money each month and I’ve been able to get my account into credit.
“I’d recommend anyone who is struggling to reach out. The help is there, and it makes such a big difference.”

 

Wheatley’s benefits advice is part of the Group’s wraparound support available to customers, which has seen a surge in demand during the cost-of-living crisis.

 

A recent study published by Wheatley revealed the difficulties many of its customers were having with Universal Credit.

 

The report, ‘Existing Not Living’, showed 65% of claimants believe the social security payment did not give them enough money to cover their basic needs, while 62% believed it did not help them back into work.

 

Alan Glasgow, Managing Director of Wheatley Homes South, said: “We’re doing all we can to support our tenants across Dumfries and Galloway in these difficult times.

 

“The welfare benefits system can be complex for people to navigate. Tenants may presume they’re already getting all the financial support available or they’re not entitled to anything. Others may worry their claim will be rejected or they struggle with the application.
“Welfare benefits are a vital safety net for many people on low-incomes, particularly in this cost-of-living crisis. We are here to help tenants claim all of the benefits they are entitled to. The support and advice we can offer is life-changing.”

 

Wheatley offers a wide range of additional support services for tenants who need extra support, including fuel advisors, food vouchers, employability support as part of its ‘Here for You’ cost-of-living crisis campaign.

 

Tenants who want to book an appointment with a welfare benefit advisor, or are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, should speak to their housing officer.

Scottish Exam Pass Rates Above Pre-Pandemic Levels

Scottish Exam Pass rates above pre-pandemic levels

Students getting their exam results today should be very proud of their achievements, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has said, with pass rates remaining above pre-pandemic levels.

Data published by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) showed the overall pass rate for National 5, Highers and Advanced Highers has increased from the 2019 pre-pandemic level, with a record number of passes in an exam year achieved at National 5.

The number of vocational and technical qualifications achieved has also grown to a record high this year – with more than 72,000 qualifications awarded in 2023, an increase of 12.3% from 2022.

The poverty-related attainment gap remains narrower than it was in 2019 across National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said:

“I want to offer my congratulations to all of you who have worked so hard and demonstrated so much resilience not just this year but over the course of your studies.  Today is all about celebrating your achievements and you should be incredibly proud of all you have accomplished.
“I would also like to send my sincere thanks and gratitude for the continued dedication and commitment of those in our education system – thank you to all of Scotland’s teachers, lecturers, support staff as well as parents and carers for supporting our young people.
“There is much to celebrate in what is another strong set of results showing a clear and continuing recovery from the pandemic – with pass rates at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher above the 2019 pre-pandemic level, a record number of passes at National 5 and the highest number of vocational and technical qualifications ever awarded.
“While we know that the pandemic has disproportionately impacted young people from more disadvantaged backgrounds, these results show that the gap in attainment levels between the least and most deprived areas remains narrower than it was in 2019. We are determined to build on the progress that has been made and we are investing a record £1 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge during this parliamentary term.
“For those who don’t get the results they were looking for, a free and direct appeals service will give all young people the right to request a review of their marked exam papers or coursework for their National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results this year. Additionally, as you consider your next steps there is help available to guide you. The Skills Development Scotland Careers Helpline can offer practical information and careers advice as well as support for wellbeing. The SQA helpline is also open and can help students and their families with queries relating to the Scottish Qualifications Certificates.”

Background

SQA Results 2023

‘Pre-pandemic’ refers to 2019 results.

Skills Development Scotland helpline 

Weekend Motorway Closure On Trans Pennine Route

Weekend motorway closure on trans-Pennine route
The main diversion route for drivers during the weekend closure 

Drivers on both sides of the Pennines are being advised that a section of the M67 – part of the key Manchester to Sheffield route – will be closed to drivers for a weekend later this month.

 

In a £23 million project National Highways is replacing a local road bridge over the M67 near Denton in Greater Manchester.

 

Ageing St Anne’s Road bridge, which links local people to the A57 south of the motorway, is being replaced in the three-year project which began in January.  The bridge, between junction 1A and junction 2 of the motorway, is currently closed until work on its demolition and replacement is completed.

 

The first phase of the demolition requires a section of the M67 motorway to be closed from 9pm on Friday 18 August to 5am on Monday 21 August – with the motorway closed between junction 1A at Denton and junction 3 at Hyde during these times. 

 

Mangat Bansal, National Highways’ Programme Delivery Manager, said:

 
“We’re making very good progress with our work to replace the bridge.  All utility services using the crossing have now been successfully diverted and our preparations for the four-month demolition phase began in June. 
 
“The first weekend closure will allow our teams to safely cut out a section of the bridge at the eastern side and remove it from the site. We would like to thank local people, including road users, for their support and patience while we work to provide a new bridge.”

 

 

 

During this month’s weekend motorway closure local diversions will be in place including using the A57 which is parallel to the M67. Drivers travelling between Manchester (M60) and the A57 Snake Pass and A628 should follow a signed diversion running north of the M67 between junction 24 of the M60 and Mottram in Longdendale – using the A635 and and A6018 via Ashton-under-Lyne and Stalybrdge. Drivers on longer, through journeys may also considering using the alternative M62 trans-Pennine route  between Manchester and Leeds. 

 

Drivers are advised to check traffic conditions before setting out on journeys. Live traffic information is always available at www.trafficengland.com or from National Highways’ 24-7 customer contact centre at 0300 123 5000. Updates will also be posted to @HighwaysNWest – National Highways’ regional Twitter feed.

 

More information about the project – including its summer newsletter – is available on a dedicated webpage at: www.nationalhighways.co.uk/m67-st-annes-road-bridge

Strike Gold This Weekend At The Fabulous Galloway Country Fair

Strike Gold This Weekend At The Fabulous Galloway Country Fair

You could strike gold this weekend at the Galloway Country Fair – the fun and fabulous annual celebration of all that’s best about country and family life.

As ever there will be lots to do and see, from spectacular motorbike stunts, horseback acrobatics and gundog displays through to arts, crafts, artisan foods and cookery demonstrations.

Then there’s the hugely popular Kids’ Zone – where many of the activities are free.

The weekend-long event takes place at Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate, Dumfries and Galloway, on 12 & 13 August, and following last year’s success will again host Defender Jam, a giant jamboree of all things Land Rover.

New for 2023 the fair will welcome the team from the Museum of Lead Mining in Wanlockhead, which is located in the hills above Drumlanrig – an area that has attracted gold prospectors for hundreds of years.

Visitors to the fair can try their hands at panning – the technique used to find gold flakes and nuggets in the area’s burns and rivers. Indeed local gold has been used in Scotland’s royal crowns, its coins and more recently in the mace of the Scottish Parliament.

And there will be the welcome return of chef Nick Morris, of Kirkcudbright’s Station House Cookery School who will be showing people how to cook the perfect steak and sides, and venison (with meat from Threepwood Game who will also be on site).

But one of the biggest attractions – in every sense – will be the Clydesdale horses. These equine giants will offering visitors free carriage rides and the chance to meet the horses.

This year they are the fair’s chosen cause with all proceeds from the programme being donated Blackstone Clydesdales, whose vision is to let visitors experience the magic of Clydesdales and learn about their lives.

Anna Fergusson, Drumlanrig Estate Director, said: “This year’s Galloway Country Fair is going to be more fun than ever – with huge amounts to see and do.
“It makes a super day out for all the family – and that includes the dogs – with everything from the excitement of our arena events to superb food, drink, arts, crafts and country clothing.
“There will be loads of animals – you can even see if you can keep up with the sheep taking part in the Lamb National race.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone to Drumlanrig for this annual celebration of Scottish country living.”

Weekend highlights will include:

  • Riders of the Storm – daredevil equine acrobatics.
  • Flyin’ Ryan – amazing motorbike stunts
  • The Lamb National – sheep racing, with the chance for you to take part
  • The Sheep Show – fun facts and dancing sheep (SATURDAY ONLY)
  • Great food and drink plus cooking demos
  • The Craft Marquee.

And especially for dog lovers there will be:

  • The Buccleuch Dog Show, on Sunday, which has two categories – one for gundogs and another for everything else.
  • Skills displays from international gundog trainer Lee Hartis.
  • Gundog scurries – open to every kind of dog that wants to have a go.
  • Retriever and spaniel tests, putting highly trained working dogs through their paces.

Galloway Country Fair sponsors include SP Energy Networks, Foresight, Community Wind Power Ltd, and Lloyd Ltd.

Visitors can save 10% off gate prices by booking online before Saturday 12th August.

Visit www.gallowaycountryfair.co.uk for further information and keep up to date with the latest news, or check out @GallowayCountryFair on Facebook and Instagram.

Pop Up Shop To Open In Dumfries to Support DCR Online

Pop Up Shop To Open In Dumfries to support DCR Online

Dumfries Community Radio is an online community radio station for Dumfries & Galloway. Together with their trusted team of volunteers, they bring an eclectic mix of local and international music, talk shows and reflect Dumfries’s vibrant and ever-changing society.

DCR supports the community through positive change by involving people of all ages and abilities in both on-air and off-air projects. Their latest project is with a blind presenter from Annan. Lewis Shaw spent six years at Annan Academy before moving to the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh and then the University of Stirling.

He returned to his roots with a passion for giving back to the community and now works on inclusive developments with the Usual Place in Dumfries. Lewis had a strong interest in radio from a very young age, with some of his biggest inspirations coming from Colin McArdle and the late Sir Terry Wogan.

While at the University of Stirling, he presented for the local student station and another community radio station. Lewis strongly desires to give a voice to minority groups who are regularly underrepresented, including disabled people.

With this in mind, he joined DCR as a volunteer and presents his show Lewis Shaw Live & Local on a Sunday afternoon at 3, promoting music from artists from minority backgrounds and local talent. Engaging listeners is another of his passions. He believes that involving listeners makes for more compelling radio.

Dumfries Community Radio is shortly coming up to its fifth birthday. With their ever-growing expansion, they currently have many on-air and off-air opportunities for those wishing to participate in radio.

As a charity, they rely heavily on funding from grants, fundraising events and sponsors from local businesses. Their next fundraising event occurs at The Venue, Dumfries, on Friday, 25th August, with artists Ben Nash, Shawnie Craig, The Mind Sweepers and The Lutras all performing live.

The guest host is Dumfries’ drag bearded lady, Madame Jo Mama. With tickets only £7, they are hoping for a packed turnout. They will also hold a popup shop in The Vennel from Monday, 14th – Sunday, 27th August, selling loads of fabulous craft items with proceeds for their ongoing fundraising efforts.

If you are interested or want to find out more about volunteering at DCR, please get in touch with the studio at [email protected]

DCR can be found on all social media outlets, such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

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