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DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY SET TO CELEBRATE WILD AUTUMN

Wild Autumn Homecoming
Celebrate a spectacular wildlife homecoming at the Dumfries & Galloway Wild Autumn Festival

Wildlife experts in Dumfries & Galloway are looking forward to one of Scotland’s most spectacular wildlife homecomings. Welcoming tens of thousands of geese, swans, ducks and wading birds to their winter home on the Solway Firth this October. Our feathered friends will return and create one of the most impressive wildlife spectacles due to their sheer numbers and swooping patterns in the skies

Many thousands of geese mainly, Barnacle, Pinkfooted, Greylag and White-fronted as well as Wildfowl and Waders, including Wigeon, Pintail, Golden Plover and Dunlin choose to fly to the Solway each autumn and make it their winter home. The Solway is one of the top estuaries in Britain for numbers of wintering birds.

And to celebrate Homecoming Scotland 2014, the region’s Wild Autumn Festival (taking place from 11 October to 2 November) is offering three weeks of events, many free and hosted by countryside experts, for families and wildlife fans with opportunities to see the region’s wildlife and enjoy the stunning landscape.

Peter Norman, Biodiversity Officer at Dumfries & Galloway Council said: ““The great thing about Dumfries and Galloway’s wildlife is that there’s something to see all the year round. Just as our summer residents are departing, thousands of geese, ducks and wading birds arrive at their winter home; their massed flights provide a spectacular sight. But our resident species are also worth seeking out, from weird and wonderful fungi in autumnal woods to roaring red deer stags in the Galloway Hills. ”

The views across the Wigtown Bay to Cairnsmore of Fleet and the Galloway Hills are especially dramatic in the autumnal light and the ancient woodlands create a real spectacle of autumn colour.

Festival events take place across Dumfries & Galloway and the designated Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, which recognizes the outstanding natural environment and the way in which the local community works to conserve it and is home to the Galloway Forest’s Dark Sky Park.

For further information about the festival visit www.wildseasons.co.uk

DUMFRIES MART WEEKLY PRIMESTOCK REPORT

DUMFRIES PRIMESTOCK –10.09.2014

Cumberland & Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart held their Weekly Sale of Primestock in Dumfries on Wednesday.

Small show of Prime Cattle far short of buyers needs. Trade sharper
British Blue to 235.5p from Upper Tinwald, Torthorwald to B Taylor Butchers Lockerbie. Limousin to 223.5p Neill, Upper Tinwald, Torthorwald to B Taylor Butchers Lockerbie
82 OTM Cattle – All classes keenly bid. More leaner types forward buyers actively seeking greater numbers.

Per Head
Simmental to £1529.45, £1526.75 Newbie Mains
Limousin to £1080.40 Meikleholm, £1051.20 Cocklicks
Stabiliser to £1057.50, £1032.75, £1013.80 South Mains
Hereford to £1000.35 Tregallon
Friesian to £901.80 Bruntshields
Per Kilo
Simmental to 181p, 155p Newbie Mains
Friesian to 149p Drum, 131p Lakehead, 117p Barony, 113p Bruntshields
Limousin to 146p Meikleholm, 146p Cocklicks, 137p Courance, 135p Laught Mains
Stabiliser to 141p, 137p, 135p South Mains
Blue Grey to 135p Auchengruith
British Blue to 129p Third
Luing to 121p Chanlockfoot
Angus to 117p, 115p Upper Rigg
Hereford to 117p Tregallon

1974 Prime Sheep Forward

972 Prime Lambs – Trade better than expected considering the early week trend. Sale average 155.4p

Lambs 25.5-32Kg ave 161.1p to 163 Auchencairn
Lleyn to £52 Auchencairn
Blackface to £42 Gilchristland

Lambs 32.1-39Kg 158.7p to 170p Townpark
Texel to £62.80 Townpark, £62 Over Abington
Suffolk to £61.50 Nether Cargen
Charollais to £61.80 Laneside
Lleyn to £61.80 Laneside

Lambs 39.1-45.5Kg ave 153p to 175p Hillend
Beltex to £73, £70 (x2) Hillend
Texel to £68.50 Belzies, £68.20 Shambellie Grange, £68 Bush
Suffolk to £67.50 Abune the Brae, £66.80 Newlands, £66.80 Shawhill
Charollais to £66.50 Horseholm
Mule to £63 Foregirth, £61.20 Guelt
NCC to £63.20 Archwood

Lambs 45.6-52Kg ave 142.3p to 158p Skipmyre
Suffolk to £68.50 Nether Cargen
Texel to £76 Skipmyre, £70.50 Shambellie Grange, £70 Bush
Excellent Show of 1002 Cast Ewes & Rams forward still selling well. Top price on the day was £129.50 for Texel Rams from Hayfield.

Heavy ewes averaged £68.02
Texel to £124.50, £107.50 Newfield, £107.50 Skipmyre, £104.50 Belridding, £104.50 Hall of Drumpark
Suffolk to £91.50 Bush of Craigs
Mule to £82.50 Belridding, £76.50 South Mains, £75.50 Shawsmuir, £74.50 Capelfoot, £74.50 New Cample
Chev Mule to £74.50 Upper Longbank
NCC to £87.50 Annefield, £76.50 Dressertland

Light Ewes averaged £45.00
Cheviot to £76.50 Newfield, £68.50 Castle Crawford
Blackface to £59.50 Leeroch, £53.50 Foregirth, £51.50 Auchencheyne, £51.50 Hayfield
Lleyn to £59.50 Laneside, £44.50 Stenhouse

Rams ave £103.50
Texel to £129.50 Hayfield, £124 New Cample
Leicester to £108 Macqueston

SCOTTISH FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE LAUNCH FRESHERS WEEK FIRE SAFETY CALL

Freshers’ Week fire safety call

With students moving to study at universities and colleges throughout Scotland firefighters are calling on everyone to help keep themselves and their new communities safe from fire.

September sees young people arrive in cities and towns across the country for Freshers’ Week and as students get familiar with their new surroundings, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) wants them to act to prevent tragedies.

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, the SFRS director of prevention and protection, said: “Many young people will be leaving home for the first time and it’s obviously an exciting point in their lives.

“When moving into halls of residence or rented accommodation there’s a lot for these students to take in, but it’s absolutely crucial everyone recognises the danger posed by fire and understands the steps needed to reduce the risk.

“Our message to students is that you’re responsible for your own safety and that of the people around you.

“We need you to help us protect the communities you’re now part of, so please take a minute to look at our student safety leaflet – it’s essential reading.”

Firefighters will visit universities and colleges across Scotland throughout September to offer advice and help raise awareness of fire safety as an issue.

Parents also have a role to play, and SFRS is eager for anyone who has a son or daughter moving away from home to discuss fire safety with them.

There can be a greater risk of fire within shared rented accommodation and people should check to ensure there are working smoke and heat alarms.

Everyone should also make sure there are no bars on the windows and that they can be easily opened from the inside, and check for fire resisting labels on the furniture. Furniture made before 1988 may not be match or fire-resistant.

ACO Ramsay added: “People’s actions have a big impact on the chances of a fire starting or causing injuries or deaths.

“We want students to recognise that if you have consumed alcohol then your decision-making and judgement will be impaired, putting you and other residents at higher risk from fire.

“Choosing never to cook while under the influence of alcohol is a key step that will significantly reduce the risk of a tragedy.

“Similarly, anyone who is under the influence of alcohol should avoid smoking while sitting down, as it’s too easy to nod off and start a fire with potentially horrific consequences.”

In halls of residence, false alarms are a particular concern. Most emergency fire calls to student accommodation are false alarms caused by carelessness and negligence.

Having to attend false alarms risks lives, as firefighters may be delayed in getting to a real emergency where every second is critical.

The SFRS student safety leaflet – which also contains simple tips to avoid false alarms caused by cooking, smoking materials, candles, steam from bathrooms and more – is available online in the Your safety section of www.firescotland.gov.uk.

To join Scotland’s fight against fire and book a free home fire safety visit text ‘fire’ to 61611, call 0800 0731 999, or visit the SFRS website to complete an online form.

NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND HOLDS FREE STRANRAER WORKSHOP

 

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FREE full day project with the National Theatre of Scotland Learn Team. On 16th September, the Ryan Centre Stranraer. The National Theatre of Scotland are looking for people 14 to 20 years old who are excited about devising a piece of theatre together, who can work well as part of a creative team and who are passionate about exploring how theatre can be used to carry a positive political message. Musicians and songwriters would also be very welcome. What is it all about?

Making Positive Protest Theatre. This means creating a short piece of contemporary theatre from scratch that has a strong political message, inspired by the poem I am the Common Man. It will be passionate and thought provoking. It will be created using voice work, spoken word and movement. If you attend the workshop you can have a free ticket to In Time O Strife NTS performance the same evening. For further information and to book a place contact carolyn@literaturedevelopment.org

 

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY COUNCIL PAY VISIT SCOTLAND £240,000 TO PROMOTE REGION

Visit Scotland secures Council funding for 2014-2015

At Tuesday’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, Councillors approved the allocation of £240,000 to Visit Scotland ensuring that they will continue to market our region both nationally and internationally.

Tourism is recognised as one of the main drivers for the regional economy and is a key sector supported by the Council. The value of tourism to the region’s economy in 2013 was £290.5 million and it is estimated that the sector employs 5,713 people directly and another 1,221 people indirectly.

VisitScotland has a remit to market Scotland as a quality destination, provide information for visitors, deliver quality assurance for the industry, and attract and support national and international events. It is also the only organisation of this type that can effectively deliver and measure economic impacts of campaign.

Councillor Colin Smyth, Chair of the Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure committee said:
“I am highly supportive of this funding, as our region relies heavily on tourism so it’s important that we invest in this sector and continue to attract people from the UK and beyond. One of our key Council priorities is to grow the regional economy and tourism plays a key role in this, not only in terms of visitor numbers but also in terms of employment. We have always enjoyed a good working relationship with VisitScotland and I am delighted that this fruitful partnership will continue.”

Paula McDonald, Regional Director, VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway and Scottish Borders said:
“We are delighted that Dumfries & Galloway Council have approved this funding recommendation for 2014/15. Tourism 2014 is the spring board for economic success in 2015 and beyond. VisitScotland is privileged to work in partnership to support Dumfries and Galloway’s vision to promote the region as a world-class destination where visitors receive a warm welcome, outstanding service and where quality exceeds customer expectations. We have a long term commitment to working in partnership with public sector and industry partners to maximise the visitor economy and build on the successful development of tourism in the region”

CROSSMICHAEL TRIATHLON GALLERIES

R.B photography was at Crossmichael Events Triathlon on Sunday the 7th of September , here are the photos he took for DGWGO

Only copy for personal use ! If you wish to purchase any originals contact us on info@dgwgo.com

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL 146 IMAGES FROM THE RUNNING SECTION

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL 109 IMAGES FROM THE CYCLING SECTION

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL 107 IMAGES FROM THE SWIMMING SECTION

KIRKCUDBRIGHT ROTARY HOLD’YOUTH CELEBRATION EVENING’

Kirkcudbright Rotary Club recently enjoyed a ‘Youth Celebration Evening’ when a number of young people came along to join them for a meal and to receive trophies, certificates and prizes for their achievements. This allowed the young people to talk to the Rotarians and take questions about what they have been doing.

First to speak was 11 years old Alexander McCormick from Kirkcudbright Primary School. Alex proudly talked about his enjoyment of photography and explained how he won the Kirkcudbright Club Young Photographer competition, the Rotary District 1020 round of the competition and then the National Final making him the RIBI UK Junior Young Photographer of 2014. He explained that the inspiration for his winning photographs was his younger brother who has Downs Syndrome. Alexander told that he had been presented with a trophy, a certificate and a cheque for £100 at the Kirkcudbright Rotary Club Art Competition Presentation Evening in the Town Hall in June and that he had also won £25 for his school. When asked about how he hoped to spend his own prize money he said he would like to buy a better camera.

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12 years old John Rodger explained how he and Nathan Watson, after winning the local Kirkcudbright round of the Rotary Young Golfer of the Year competition, had then gone on to take part in the District 1020 Final which was held at Lockerbie. Nathan finished 3rd in the individual competition and together the two young men came third in both the Scratch and the Handicap Team competitions. President Colin MacLaine presented John with his trophy, a £25 voucher from Rotary and a certificate.

Finally, four 16/17 years old students from Kirkcudbright Academy, Darren Hutchieson, Ella Gorman, Amy Hall and Leonna Henry, treated the audience to a talk about their experiences at the Rotary Young Leaders Award course. This was held at the Abernethy Trust’s Residential Outdoor Centre at Ardeonaig on the south shore of Loch Tay in July. They explained the activities that they undertook and how they met and overcame the challenges that these activities posed. They also reflected on how the experience of RYLA had given them new leadership and life skills. They all thanked Kirkcudbright Rotary Club, who sponsored them, for what they all saw as a life-changing opportunity.

Kirkcudbright Rotary Club is pleased to work closely with the Academy and the local Primary Schools to provide opportunities for young people and to support the schools’ relationships with the local community.

BIG PLANS FOR DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY ARTS FESTIVAL 2015

New stage for festival Scotland’s largest rural performing arts festival is moving into a new phase of delivering its exciting region-wide programme to Dumfries and Galloway audiences.
And, in a bid to encourage greater involvement with new and existing partners, Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival will provide funding support to venues, organisations and performers in its brand new guarantee against loss scheme.

 

In a well-attended meeting in Castle Douglas Town Hall on Wednesday evening, the festival delivered the message of the new phase to partners and interested parties. Programme director, Peter Renwick, and festival chair, Ken Gouge, explained an innovative three-tier structure for next year’s festival programme. “The festival content has always been curated centrally but this year we are aiming to turn that on its head and allow our partners greater control over collaborative festival events,” said Ken.
“We aim to focus the main festival events within reach of the largest number of people across a wider geographical area and, at the same time, encourage greater involvement of a broader range of venues and organisations.”

 

Next year’s festival will, therefore, have a three-phase structure:
• Solway Junctions: This will focus the core festival around Annan, Dumfries, Castle Douglas and Stranraer. This will enable the festival to concentrate its resources on

producing fewer higher quality events around the region’s population centres while keeping a region-wide presence and, at the same time, supporting a rural programme.
• Roots Through Dumfries and Galloway: This section will enable venues, performing artists and arts organisations to have a greater involvement in the festival by mounting their own events that the festival will support financially by guaranteeing against losses of between £500 and £1,500.
• The Festival Fringe: The Fringe will be open to all and events will be listed in the festival programme.

Since 1979, the festival has brought top quality performances, such as world-class opera, The National Theatre of Scotland and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, to the region’s communities for 10 days at the end of May.

This year the festival worked with 61 small businesses, organisations and community groups and saw 68 performances involving 148 artists in 41 venues across Dumfries and Galloway. groups. Building on this success, the new programme will see the core festival focusing on the same high profile events, reaching more people over a wider geographical spread and increasing capacity for the promotion of the performing arts across the region.

It also aims to encourage greater involvement in the festival from a wider range of venues and artists festival programme director, Peter Renwick, said: “Fundamentally, we are looking to enhance the relationship with many venues across the region and offer them control over the events they put on.

“The idea of a guarantee against loss scheme allows venues to take greater control of their events by deciding what they would like to host and being able to do so with support from the festival which will act as a financial buffer.

“Such events will benefit from full inclusion in the 2015 programme and our publicity campaign.”
Last year’s Festival Fringe was a resounding success and the festival aims to expand on this next year. “For 2015 we are opening out the Fringe programme even further to anyone who is looking to promote a live arts event during the Festival period.” Peter explained.

“We recognise that there are many people out there in the region promoting great events independently. Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival will support them by including their events in our brochure, through our social media sites and in our publicity.”

Next year’s festival takes place between May 22 to 31.

Venues and performers who wish to take advantage of the Roots through Dumfries and Galloway programme or who require further information and a list of criteria are asked to download an application form from www.dgartsfestival.org.uk or request one from the festival office by phoning 01387 259627. Application deadlines are on November 10 and a panel decision will be made by November 17.

A75 TO CLOSE BETWEEN GRETNA AND ANNAN EAST FROM 19th to 22nd SEPTEMBER

Improving Annandale and Eskdale’s trunk road infrastructure

Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland is continuing to invest in the long term improvement of Annandale and Eskdale’s trunk road infrastructure.

Having already made significant investment across Dumfries and Galloway, the South West’s trunk road management and maintenance provider will round off the summer with further road surface improvements to the A75 between Peatworks and Eastriggs.

Ken Bryden, Scotland TranServ’s Area Network Manager for D&G said:

“This is an important programme of work in the gateway to South West Scotland, delivering tangible, long-term benefits to local commuters, visitors and freight traffic. Every effort is being made to keep disruption to a minimum while our specialist contractor DG First complete this vital work.”

In order to carry out the project it will be necessary to divert traffic between Peatworks and Eastriggs in both directions along the B721. In order to maintain the health and safety of motorists and our contractors, it will be necessary to close the A75 between Gretna and Annan East Junction from:

19:00hrs Friday 19th September to 06:00hrs Monday 22nd September 2014.

Therefore it will be necessary to divert traffic travelling eastbound off the A75 at B6357 Stapleton Road, onto the B721 to Gretna to re-join the A75 (westbound in reverse).

Russell Rennie, Scotland TranServ’s Contract Director added:

“This is an important programme of work in one of Scotland’s most important economic corridors. Scotland TranServ has worked with a number of authorities in the careful planning of this work, reducing disruption and protecting the health and safety not only of the travelling public but of road workers. We’re supporting the long-term economic growth and development of Dumfries and Galloway with a series of improvements to the vital trunk road infrastructure throughout the region.”

SEEKING RELATIVES OF NEW ABBEY FIRST WORLD WAR HERO

 

Are you related to Private James McKenzie VC (1884 to 1914)?

On 19 December 1914, while serving with the 2nd Scots Guards, Private James McKenzie rescued a severely wounded man from in front of the German trenches while under very heavy fire. Later the same day, James was shot dead by an enemy sniper while attempting a similar act. Private James McKenzie was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry.

We are seeking relatives of WW1 hero James McKenzie:
Born: 2 April 1884 at West Glen, New Abbey
Died: 19 December 1914 at Rouges Blanc, France

Father: Alexander McKenzie, born around 1856 at Cathcart, Renfrewshire
Mother: Marion Miller, born around 1861 at Riccarton, Ayrshire

At the time of the 1891 census, Alexander and Marion McKenzie and their children (James, Marion, Isabella and Agnes) were living at 23 Galloway Street, Troqueer, Maxwelltown, Kirkcudbrightshire*. Alexander’s occupation was mason (journeyman).

At the time of the 1901 census, Marion McKenzie and her children (James, Marion, Isabella, Agnes, Elizabeth, Maggie and Mary) were living at 22 Terregles Street, Troqueer, Maxwelltown, Kirkcudbrightshire*. Marion’s occupation was housekeeper.

* Maxwelltown was merged with Dumfries in 1929. Prior to that, the River Nith marked the boundary between Dumfriesshire and Kirkcudbrightshire.

If you’re related to James McKenzie or you have any information on the current whereabouts of any of his relatives, contact Hazel Kerr, Dumfries and Galloway Council, t: 030 33 33 3000

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