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DUMFRIES RVS WORKER GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY

ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY

No-one can say that Laura Aitchison lacks commitment.  She is so dedicated to the Royal Voluntary Service she is planning to throw caution – and herself – into the wind by jumping out of an aeroplane to raise funds for local Royal Voluntary Service projects.

Laura, who acts as the single point of contact for the voluntary sector at the Dumfries Health and Social Care Hub, said:  “Since I started working for the Royal Voluntary Service I’ve been involved in a number of projects designed to reduce loneliness and social isolation in older people across the region.

“It has given me a greater understanding of the problems we all face as we get older and a great deal of respect for the small army of volunteers who give up their time to help people get more out of life as they get older.

“So on Monday 5 May I’m going to Skydive North West near Grange-Over-Sands in Cumbria where I’ll get on a plane that will climb to 12,000ft before I jump with an instructor to raise money for the excellent projects the Royal Voluntary Service run in Dumfries and Galloway.

“I’m hoping people will dig deep to sponsor me, even if it’s just so they get to see the photos of me screaming as I fall towards the earth!”

If you want to sponsor Laura and help support local Royal Voluntary Service projects designed to prevent isolation and loneliness for our region’s older people please visit her Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/laura-aitchison.  Alternatively Laura’s sponsor form is held at the Dumfries Health and Social Care Hub at Nithbank in Dumfries.

BEEF SCHEME SHOWS VALUE IN COUPLED SUPPORT

BEEF SCHEME SHOWS VALUE IN COUPLED SUPPORT

 

NFU Scotland has welcomed today’s Scottish Government announcement that payments under the Scottish Beef Scheme are to start arriving in beef farmers’ bank accounts from Thursday 17 April.  The support, totalling £22 million, is an important boost to the Scottish beef sector, helping to stabilise production and secure throughput for the abattoir sector.

 

It highlights the value attached to targeted, coupled support with widespread expectation that a Scottish beef scheme will be a feature of future CAP arrangements in Scotland from 2015 onwards.

 

NFU Scotland’s President Nigel Miller said:

“Beef production is a cornerstone of Scottish agriculture and the Scotch Beef brand enjoys a domestic and international reputation for taste, quality and traceability and its future is worth safeguarding.

 

“The existing Scottish Beef Scheme currently delivers important, coupled support to active beef farmers.  Targeted coupled support is a highly effective way of making the most of precious public funds and a new beef scheme post-2015 is virtually a given.

 

“In our recent submission to the Scottish Government on future support arrangements, we suggested changes to the scheme but totally agreed with coupled support continuing to underpin our beef production.”  Ends

Russell Brown thanks Dumfries and Galloway for supporting UK action, helping save 1600 lives every day from malaria

Russell Brown thanks Dumfries and Galloway for supporting UK action, helping save 1600 lives every day from malaria

9th April 2014: To mark World Health Day, Russell Brown, Labour MP for Dumfries and Galloway, got involved in Getting Malaria? This experiential event inspired, engaged and thanked supporters of all political parties for backing UK action to fight malaria. It gave Russell Brown an opportunity to find out more about the transformational difference being made to millions of people around the world thanks to UK leadership and increased global action to save lives from malaria, one of the world’s most deadly yet preventable diseases.

Russell Brown was one of over 30 MPs and Peers in attendance at the event, hosted by charity Malaria No More UK and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases at Portcullis House in Westminster in the build-up to World Malaria Day on 25th April.

Russell Brown thanked his constituency and promoted the good news message that UK action against malaria has helped drive and outstanding global effort, now saving over 1600 lives every day from malaria.

The UK is a global leader in the malaria campaign through both its support for action on the ground and as a global pioneer of lifesaving solutions through leading research and development institutions and businesses. Strong UK support is continuing to drive progress towards the UK’s goal of helping at least halve deaths from malaria in 10 or more of the worst affected countries by 2015. 

Russell says: “Malaria costs lives but also impedes children’ access to education. In some parts of Africa, the disease is responsible for up to half of all preventable school absenteeism. This is all the more tragic, as the disease is preventable. I hope people across Dumfries and Galloway will be encouraged to know what a difference UK aid is making in helping to bring down malaria.  As we save lives, we are also helping remove this barrier to children being able to gain an education and have the chance to fulfil their potential”.

The UK’s support has helped underpin recent global success in the malaria campaign with child death rates from malaria halved since 2000 and over three million children’s lives saved – that’s more than the population of the entire West Midlands. But malaria can bounce back hard and fast if efforts to fight it are not maintained. The UK has a vital role to play in continuing to drive forward progress against malaria, helping to sustain international political will and financial commitments to save lives and protect against the threat of malaria resurgence.  

Malaria No More UK helps inspire UK public, political and private sector support for the fight against malaria. Executive Director James Whiting, says: “We were delighted to welcome Russell Brown. His support and the backing of people across Dumfries and Galloway and beyond is making a tangible difference to millions of lives today. We passionately believe that no child anywhere should die from a preventable disease that costs less than a cup of tea to treat. I hope people across Dumfries and Galloway will be inspired to join our campaign to be the generation to end deaths from malaria”.

The event was hosted by Sky News Anchor and malaria survivor Lukwesa Burak who encouraged guests to get involved in a series of malaria moments on offer.  Russell Brown was given the opportunity to:

·         Test his appeal to live mosquitoes by placing his hand on the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s Live Mosquito Box to see if the mosquitoes responded to his scent. This is a part of the London School’s research to deepen understanding about mosquitoes and how to prevent malaria.

·         Shape the future of the malaria fight at Malaria: The Future using Imperial College’s sophisticated modelling tools to show the effect that varying levels of global funding and their allocation could have on the malaria fight.

·         Compare the difference in test results between pre-screened safe blood and blood infected with malaria at the Malaria Testing Clinic.

·         Speak with health professionals at the Malaria Awareness Centre. An opportunity to hear essential travel advice about staying safe overseas. Last year over 1,300 Brits returned to the UK having contracted malaria.

·         Get involved and help fight poverty at the Malaria and Poverty area, by signing up to Live Below the Line – the innovative anti-poverty campaign whereby people get sponsored to live on £1 a day for all food and drink for 5 days (28 April – 2 May).  Malaria No More UK is one of the major charity partners highlighting malaria as a leading, avoidable cause of poverty in Africa.           

·         Learn about the History of Malaria, an area showcasing some of the key historic and global moments in the malaria fight, starting from 30 million years ago when the first traces of malaria were recorded.

 

 

Getting Malaria was hosted by charity Malaria No More UK and the APPMG on Malaria and NTD’s, on World Health Day – 7th April 2014.

BIG BURNS SUPPER 2015 TO BE BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER

The Dragon From the 2014 BBS Homecoming Parade

Big Burns Supper dates set for a 9 day Festival in 2015

 

Sell out Shows Le Haggis and Hamish make a triumphant return and are on sale already.

Following the huge success of the 2014 Festival, the International Festival will run over two weekends with the return of the Burns Night Carnival and the popular Spiegeltent in January 2015.

In just three years the Festival has developed an entirely new audience who are interested in celebrating Burns Night in a modern way, which runs across different venues throughout the town.

Independent research conducted as part of the economic impact of the Year of Homecoming 2014 – has revealed that it is not just local people who are coming out to take part.

At this year’s Festival – audiences soared to just over 14,000 – with over 15% of those visitors coming from outside Dumfries & Galloway.

With the recent announcement that the festival has become the beacon event for Dumfries & Galloway – the local authority has committed three years funding to the development of the Festival.

Two Festival Productions will run throughout the entire week, with incoming work at selected nights throughout the Festival.

The Award Winning Le Haggis is back, as well as Hamish the Haggis – both running from the 23rd – 31st January, with other acts expected to be announced in the coming months.

 

Graham Main, Festival Director, said:

“The reality is that the almost all of our Spiegeltent shows sold out last year, breaking all of our box office records and this has given us confidence to know that our festival audience is truly hungry for even more. Our Festival team are now working year round to deliver a dynamic and cutting edge programme of events, including planning for the six months work we do in schools throughout the area so that our Festival is able to become an international magnet for Dumfries”

 

Maureen Farrell, Chair of Big Burns Supper, said

THE BIG BURNS SUPPER BOARD MEMBERS

 

BBS Chair Person Maureen Farrell Saluting The Bard during the Homecoming Carnival 2014

“From a spark of an idea four years ago Big Burns Supper has grown phenomenally to an annual community celebration of fun that local people are already anticipating will bring a glorious start to 2015.  More than 2000 people came to Dumfries from outside Dumfries and Galloway to celebrate Robert Burns in 2014, bringing fresh money and jobs to our community.  Big Burns Supper 2015 looks like being an even more exhilarating festival.  What an exciting time it is to be living in Dumfries!”

EDEN LAUNCH ALL NEW STUNT SHOW TO WOW THE CROWDS AT 2014 FESTIVAL

NEW FOR 2014!


Eden Festival are very pleased to announce that the infamous Les Amis d’Onno will be performing their amazing Vintage Cabaret in the Furry Chillum this year, as well as barbarian shows and horse riding stunts in a purpose built arena. See you all in the Garden! 13th – 15th June.

 

 

You can Buy your Tickets for Eden 2014 right here on this link http://www.edenfestival.co.uk/MAIN/?page_id=35

STEWARTRY LOSE OUT TO OBAN IN RESCHEDULED MATCH

STEWARTRY  11   OBAN LORNE  24


The visitors at Greenlaw on Saturday were Oban Lorne in this rescheduled RBS West League Division Two game.


Oban kicked off and showed they meant business early on. With only 5 minutes gone they attacked up thier right wing deep in to the Stewartry 22. The Blacks gave away a penalty for going over the top of the ruck 5 metres out from their own line. Taking a quick tap kick Oban drove in for a converted try.


Eight minutes in an Oban player got a yellow card for stamping in a ruck on the halfway line. The penalty took Stewartry into Oban territory for a lineout. The Blacks took the ball but the visitors spoiled. At the scrum 10 metres from the Oban try line Stewartry took the heal and went up the narrow side but a pass went forward.


Stewartry took the heal again in the scrum but they were pushed into touch giving the visitors a lineout 5 metres from their own line. Securing clean ball they cleared it back to the halfway line.


Midway through the first period Oban gave away a penalty for offside and then for a high tackle on their own 22. Mosey put 3 points on the board for the Blacks.


The next 10 minutes saw both teams exchange penalties. On the half hour McMinn replaced Armstrong.  Stewartry were penalised for handling the ball in a ruck deep inside their own 22 giving Oban a 5 metre lineout. The ball was knocked on. From the back of the scrum Oban picked up the ball to go in for a try. The conversion missed.


With 5 minutes remaining in the first period Oban were offside. Mosey slotted the ball between the posts giving the Blacks 3 more points.


At a scrum on the visitors 10 metre line they delayed the put in giving Stewartry a free kick. At the lineout the big Oban forwards caught the ball and got back up to the halfway line where the Blacks knocked on. The scrum was the last play in the first period.


Into the second period the Blacks secured possession in a lineout 8 metres from the visitors try line. Taking the ball at pace Smith charged up the middle through 3 defenders but he got stopped 1 metre short. Oban got a turnover and mounted a counter attack up their left wing into the Stewartry 22 but they knocked on 5 metres short of the Blacks line. Riddick was replaced by Hogg.


It was a Blacks feed in to the scrum but it wheeled giving Oban the put in when it was reset. The Blacks got the heal and managed to move away from their line but they knocked on 8 metres out. In the scrum Stewartry again took the heal but the heavy Oban pack pushed the home forwarads back making it difficult to get the ball away.


The visitors continued to push the Blacks scrum back. They picked the ball up and went in for a try. The conversion went wide leaving Oban with an 11 point advantage. Cannon and McMorran were replaced by Broll and McCulloch.


Oban caught the restart kick and attacked up their left wing but good defense by Stewartry stopped them on the Blacks 10 metre line. Taking the ball in the lineout Oban moved it across the pitch but it went loose. The visitors chipped it up the right wing but they were offside. Armstrong went back on to replace Smith.


The penalty to Stewartry allowed them to punt the ball down field. From the lineout the ball went loose. Oban kicked forward but it went over the dead ball line.


At a lineout on the Stewratry 22 Oban secured the ball and pressed toward the try line but they were penalised for offside giving the Blacks another lineout 10 metres from their try line. The throw in was not straight giving the visitors a scrum. Oban drove nearer the Blacks line but more big Stewartry tackles stopped them 5 metres short giving the home side a scrum.


Big pressure by the Oban forwards allowed them to get the heal against the head. They picked up from the back of the scrum to go over for a converted try.


With 15 minutes left the Blacks raised their game. At a lineout on the visitors 22 the throw in was not straight giving Oban a scrum but they delayed the put in. Oban dissent to the referee earned Stewartry a penalty. At the lineout 8 metres from the Oban line the throw in went long and the visitors got a turnover allowing them to clear back down to their 22.


Picken and Sainsbury replaced Fingland and Cammay Fenwick. At a lineout 5 metres from the visitors try line the Blacks took clean ball and shipped it across the field to attack the Oban line. They went in for a try but the ball was held up.


In the 5 metre scrum Stewartry took the heal. Quick ball went to McCarney who charged to the Oban try line. Offloading in the tackle McCarney passed to Boyd who went over for a try. The conversion hit the post.


Cannon replaced Broll. Oban players crossed giving the Blacks a penalty. Kerr took a quick tap kick and charged to the visitors line. The ball went to McCarney and then to Boyd and Oban knocked on in the tackle. Ian Fenwick picked the ball up at the back of the scrum and drove for the line. The ball went to Cannon and then McCarney who got over the Oban line but again the ball was held up.


In the 5 metre scrum Stewartry got the heal and kept up the pressure. Oban gave away a penalty for offside. The Blacks took another quick kick but could not get over the Oban line. In the last play of the game Oban secured the ball in a lineout and pushed Stewartry back. Final score  Stewartry 11 Oban Lorne 24.


The final stages of this game saw a very spirited performance from the Blacks. If they had played that way earlier in the game the result would have been different.


Stewartry squad:- J Fingland, K Riddick, J Muir, Danny Boyd, T J McCarney, C Mosey, D Kerr, I McMorran, D Burton, T Cannon, M Smith, J Armstrong, R Porteous, C Fenwick, I Fenwick (captain), M McCulloch, S Broll, K McMinn, H Sainsbury, J Picken, S Hogg.



SCOTTISH FIRE AND RESCUE LOOKING TO RECRUIT

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is set to carry out its first wholetime firefighter recruitment campaign since the national service came into existence on 1 April last year.

 

Although there may be posts available throughout Scotland, the Service anticipates that workforce planning will dictate the majority of posts will be in the North service delivery area. Further details will be made available when applications open on 7 May.

 

Chief Officer Alasdair Hay, SFRS, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to join the Service as a wholetime firefighter dealing with emergency incidents and playing a vital role in delivering community safety advice.

 

“Whilst firefighters are probably best known for responding to 999 emergency calls to tackle fires, the modern day role now involves a much wider range of activities.

 

“Our crews deal with road traffic collisions, chemical spillages, water rescue operations, flooding incidents, collapsed buildings and much more.

 

“The ability to deal with these types of incidents is vital but our firefighters perform an equally important role within the area of community safety.

 

“We recognise that the best way to fight fires is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. This is achieved in a variety of ways including a focus on education, providing relevant information, support and access to our services including home fire safety visits.

 

“Our crews will visit people’s homes to give fire safety advice, identify potential hazards and explain how to minimise the risks. We also fit smoke detectors where necessary to ensure homes are safer from fire.

 

“As a firefighter, you could also find yourself supporting education initiatives in schools, youth and community groups and other voluntary organisations.

 

“Last year we recruited 40 new firefighters from within our own support staff as part of the SFRS commitment to ensuring there would be no compulsory redundancies following the merger of our eight former regional services.

 

“I recently attended the graduation of these new firefighters and I am delighted to be able to add to this complement with a public recruitment campaign.

 

“The number one benefit of reform is to protect the frontline. That’s to make sure that we have got firefighters on the fire stations delivering the prevention and emergency response services that the people of Scotland actually rely upon.”

 

The focus on prevention means that firefighters now spend a large proportion of their time on community safety initiatives, supporting the public to make informed choices to protect themselves from fire and other emergencies. This may involve;

 

■Fitting smoke alarms

■School and community group visits providing education on fire prevention and the dangers of fire ■Working with local councils to ensure the protection of vulnerable people ■Carrying out inspections of commercial and industrial premises and providing fire safety advice ■Visiting people’s homes and assessing the risk of fire and advising on how best to protect themselves ■Working with other emergency services such as the police, ambulance and coastguard providing specialist skills and support when required Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham said:

 

“This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of our world class Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, saving lives and working to prevent dangerous incidents happening in the first place. This recruitment drive shows the continued commitment from the SFRS improving the service, especially in the north of Scotland, and keeping communities safe.

 

“This is in addition to the facilities and investment in the north of Scotland through the SFRS North Service Delivery HQ, 20-25 fire posts being created in Inverness to support the safer firefighter programme, the new Flood and Water Rescue facility in Inverness and the £2 million to be spent on a new Fire Asset Resource Centre for vehicles, equipment and ICT, on the Aberdeen-Dundee corridor.”

 

Diane Vincent, SFRS Head of People and Organisational Development said: “This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for individuals to provide a vital service to their local community.

 

“We are committed to achieving fairness and equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery and we welcome suitably skilled applicants from all parts of our communities.

 

“Our Service is currently under-represented by women and people from our minority ethnic communities and we intend to host a number of positive action open days for these groups further details of which can be found on our website.”

 

As with all emergency services, we provide a fire and rescue service response 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

 

The service is looking for men and women from all different backgrounds, who are physically fit, have the sensitivity to deal with the public when they are distressed, can solve problems using relevant information and are prepared to commit to what is a demanding but highly rewarding career.

 

Working as a wholetime firefighter is not just a job. Structured training and development will allow you to maximise your potential, providing you with the chance to progress into specialist roles, such as fire protection, prevention, operational resilience and training. You can get more information on our website www.firescotland.gov.uk/work-with-us .

 

In addition, for those seeking a career in management, we offer a real opportunity to develop from wholetime firefighter through to middle management and then to a senior management position.

 

To apply people will need to complete an online application form, which will be available at www.myjobscotland.gov.uk on 7 May 2014. Those shortlisted will carry out a number of tests with successful candidates proceeding to an interview and a medical check.

 

SFRS is also currently recruiting for a number of support staff roles and retained duty firefighters who work on-call to provide fire and rescue services as a secondary employment role. You can find out more about recruitment opportunities within the Service on www.firescotland.gov.uk.

NFUS WARNING FARMERS STILL BEING TARGETED BY BANKING SCAM

FARMERS STILL BEING TARGETED BY BANKING SCAM

 

Union places members on high alert over telephone fraud

 

Scottish farmers are continuing to be targeted in a banking fraud scam.

 

Over the weekend, members in the Borders and Angus received fake phone calls and have contacted NFUS about unsuccessful attempts to strip thousands of pounds out of their farm accounts.  Unfortunately, in recent weeks, a small number of Scottish farmers have been defrauded of substantial sums of money.

 

Given that reports of fraudsters contacting farmers are increasing and businesses have been affected, the Union feels vigilance must be stepped up.

 

Fraudsters contact farmers claiming that they represent their bank and that suspicious payments or cheques have been set up or drawn against their farm accounts.  They then ask farmers to provide account details to make the account secure, with the intent of illegally accessing and using the funds in that account.

 

NFU Scotland’s Finance Director Colin Gordon said:

 

“We are placing members on high alert as the number of farm businesses being targeted by fraudsters continues to grow.  This is such a busy time of year for farming with lambing, calving and sowing that farmers could be easily caught out by alarming calls from people claiming to represent their bank’s fraud department. 

 

“These criminals are organised, calculating and convincing – please do not fall for this. Some Scottish farmers now know from bitter experience that if you unwittingly provide your account information to the fraudsters, they will use it to strip your account.

 

“The banks have asked us to remind farmers that there are a number of simple things to remember to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of deception. Firstly, your bank will never phone or email you and ask for your account or password information.  They will never ask you to make a payment over the phone by using your online account.

 

“Secondly, if you receive a call claiming to be from your bank and they suggest that you call them back, ensure that you can hear a dial tone first or, where possible, call the bank using a separate phone line from the one on which you received the inbound call.  That will prevent a fraudster holding the line open to intercept your return call.

 

“Farmers need to be aware – but not alarmed – by this scam but any farmer who is concerned should contact their bank.” 

POLICE LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO STOP DOORSTEP CRIME

Knock Knock – Make sure you know who’s there – Campaign targets doorstep crime


Police Scotland and partners including Trading Standards Officers today, Monday April 7, launch a major national campaign to help beat doorstep crime.

Doorstep crime consists of two main separate types of offences, bogus callers and rogue traders, both of which can have a devastating effect if you fall victim to them.

Superintendent Mike Leslie said: “Doorstep crime can affect anyone within our local communities, but we are aware that in particular the over 60’s can be targeted due to a perceived vulnerability.

“Those who commit such crimes, like bogus callers and rogue traders, are extremely convincing in how they approach and interact with potential victims. Anyone can be convinced by the lies these criminals create.

“We know that there is a significant amount of underreporting of this crime type, with individuals either not being aware that they have been subject to a crime, or feel embarrassed to tell someone.

“Police Scotland and all our partner agencies hope that this campaign will increase awareness amongst communities of this despicable crime and give confidence in being able to deal with those who cold-call at their door.”

To assist with this, Police Scotland has launched the ‘Nominated Neighbour Scheme’, which aims to foster local support for those who choose to not answer their door to cold-callers. Further information on this scheme can be found on the Police Scotland website or by calling your local Community Policing team on 101.

“This partnership approach with the relevant agencies working together to promote the ‘Nominated Neighbour Scheme’ will help protect people in their own homes.”

Sandra Harkness from Trading Standards said: “We welcome the launch of the campaign today and fully support its aims to beat doorstep crime.

“Doorstep crime remains the number one priority for Trading Standards services in Scotland and we are committed to working with our partners to tackle this unscrupulous crime.

“Unfortunately, doorstep crime still remains vastly under reported and we strongly encourage victims, potential victims and their families and friends to report any suspicions they have immediately.”

Local Young Downhill Mountain Biker helped to Fund World Cup Bid In Australia

Frazer McCubbing, 17, from the Ae Village is a keen downhill mountain biker who has recently signed for the Steve Peat Syndicate team. He has recently had an article published on the DGWGO web site.

During 2012 and 2013 Frazer had great race results which means in 2014 he can race in the UCI World Cup Downhill series. However, riders must fund their own transport. Therefore a flight to Australia is required! Rachael McDougal is spearheading fundraising to get Frazer to the race in Cairns with lots of help from local people, businesses and the community.

 

The Australia race is on 24th-27th April 2014. The local community has been helping ‘Frazer’s Fund’ in various ways; Lesley-Ann Johnstone proprietor of LActive led a number of Kettlebell classes at Ae bike shop and very kindly donated the takings to the fund. The cafe also remained open, providing much needed hydration to the participants!

We raised approx £100, so a big thank you to all who helped and attended. Many thanks to Kevin of KSSimages for attending and taking the following photos. Another upcoming event is the Pub Quiz at The Cavens Arms, Dumfries on Monday 21st April 8pm start.

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