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D&G’s SHINING STARLET RELEASES HER NEW ALBUM

Today April the 1st 2014 see’s the launch of Zoe Bestels new album, #SirLucasAndTheMoon

which has been available on Pre- order for a few weeks now ! you can order your copy by visiting http://zoebestel.co.uk

 

I was sent a copy of the album from Zoe last week as a gift, and i have had it playing in the car all week , I’m not going to do an official review , because I feel I’m maybe not qualified to do so , But i will tell you my honest feelings about the album !

It’s Magical from beginning to end , I’m not sure if knowing the singer makes an album mean more , rather than it just being some cd off the shelf , but over the last couple of years i have got to know Zoe’s family and watched her grow into a real star ! The opening song on the Cd is Titled ‘Listen’ and thats exactly what you do , with goosebumps and tingles  up and down your spine , Zoe has a really unique Voice and style , but you can hear wee hints of Groups and stars like Katie Melua , Clannad and even Bjork in there too ( Hope thats ok Zoe 🙂 )

 

My favourite Track on the album has to be the wonderful ‘Winter Song Reprise ‘ It is exactly the kind of track you could imagine being used on a Scottish Movie , it takes you straight to the misty mountains and lochs of Galloway , and makes you think of films such as Braveheart and Rob  Roy . Its the perfect Chill out Album to listen to , if you want to close your eyes and Dream of Home ! And Zoe deserves to do brilliantly , a really Original and One off young lady , that the whole of D&G should support and be proud of !

 

You can Follow Zoe on her facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/zoe.bestel?fref=ts

 

Article written by R.B

 

 

 

D&G’s COMMONWEALTH GAMES BATONBEARERS ANNOUNCED

Local Batonbearers announced for Queen’s Baton Relay

Tuesday, 01 April 2014 10:06 AM

Thousands of people across Scotland learned on Monday 31 March that they will carry the Queen’s Baton as part of the Queen’s Baton Relay coming to the region on Thursday 19 June. The newly elected cornet for this year’s Langholm Common Riding will be the regions first batonbearer carrying the baton on horseback from Langholm Monument.

The baton will be greeted into Langholm down the Kirk Wynd, famous for its steep gallop on Langholm Common Riding Day by 500 schools children with large flags of every competing nation flying before a welcome by Langholm Pipe band and Langholm Town Band.

Another batonbearer receiving a thank you along with other extraordinary individuals across Dumfries and Galloway for the positive difference they make to the lives of others will be former Commonwealth and Olympic Athlete and Freeman of Dumfries and Galloway, David Stevenson. David’s nomination stated “David has made Langholm what it is. He is representative on numerous organisations and committees and offers financial support to numerous good causes and supports local sport, its youth and their development. He is a true gentleman, an ambassador and never seeks public acclaim.”

Up to 100 batonbearers including one from every secondary school from the region will join the relay through Langholm, Gretna, Eastriggs, Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright, Newton Stewart and Stranraer on 19 June which will visit local landmarks, schools, sporting events and engage in many of the local traditions and cultures of the region. Community batonbearers have been selected by independent panels, who considered people’s achievements against the odds, their mentoring of young people, contributions to community and youth sport, and those who make a difference through volunteering and community support.

Council Leader Ronnie Nicholson said “We want to congratulate those batonbearers who will be carrying the Queen’s Baton on 19 June in Dumfries and Galloway. We’ve been overwhelmed and humbled by the hard work, determination and courage of so many inspiring people. Being a batonbearer for the Queen’s Baton Relay is a massive thank you to the extraordinary people who selflessly make a positive difference to the lives of others.” 

The batonbearer will carry the baton that holds the Queens message that she will be read out at the Opening Ceremony on 23 July as the relay comes to an end. Local community batonbearers in Dumfries and Galloway include: –

William Martin – As a volunteer, Willie founded the Bravehearts Boxing Club in 2008; it attracts up to 40 young boxers for three nights per week. Currently, there are two British Champions, who have also fought in the European Championships and boxed for Scotland. There’s a Silver medallist at the Western District Championships. Willie is dedicated to the Club and travels to Motherwell most weekends for training with the Scottish squad. There is a significant difference in the youth of the town today, thanks to Willie Martin’s influence.

Lucy Thompson – Lucy is a volunteer and has been very important to the sustainability of many of the events and programmes in Annandale & Eskdale including the Sports Academy programme. Lucy volunteers at many after school, club and community sessions and volunteers endlessly without reward or asking for reward and her nature lends her well to the nature of her volunteering role. Lucy’s reward for her efforts has been getting chosen to volunteer at 5 Nations Rugby, the Ryder Cup, and also the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games which is surely due to her commitment, dedication and professionalism. Being a batonbearer would be ultimate and due recognition.

John Bennett – John has played, umpired and coached all age groups at Dumfries Hockey Club for a number of years. Through the Council run Annandale and Eskdale Sports Academy, he provides hockey coaching sessions for primary school children during the holidays alongside sessions at a number of primary and secondary schools in the region. He has have represented Scotland at Over 50s and Over 55s levels thus acting as a role model for Club members.

Sam Pattinson – Sam is 22 years old and has Down Syndrome. He is part of the Annandale & Eskdale Disability Swimming, the Scottish Down Syndrome team and the GB Down Syndrome team. He has been to three World Down Syndrome competitions where he won Gold & Bronze International medals. Sam is hoping to be picked to go to the 7th World Down Syndrome Swimming Competition to be held in Mexico and is an inspiration to other young people.

Stacey Duff – Stacey has been interested in sport since a young age, and is now a fully qualified football coach, and coaches the Girls Galloway Thistle football club. She also works with the council, going round various towns in the machars, teaching young children sports. She also works as a youth worker at Newton Stewart youth club, and is the chairperson of the committee there. She also volunteers with the council and is part of the local Youth Bank.

STEWARTRY RFC MAKE CLUB HISTORY BY BEATING WAYSIDERS AWAY

STEWARTRY   22   WAYSIDERS  DRUMPELLIER   11


It was a third away game in a row last Saturday for Stewartry in RBS West League Division Two when they took on Waysiders Drumpellier.


The Blacks kicked off and very soon were penalised for offside giving the home side a lineout on the halfway line. Waysiders secured the ball and made it up to the Stewartry 22 but they gave away a penalty for holding onto the ball on the ground.


Waysiders went offside giving Stewartry a lineout on the home 22.  The Blacks caught the ball and drove forward to the Waysiders line but the home forwards got a turnover and knocked on giving the Blacks a 5 metre scrum. The put in was squint giving Waysiders a free kick to clear the ball away.


Play went back and fourth and both sides gave away penalties for holding on to the ball in the ruck. In a scrum on the home 10 metre line Stewartry took the heal against the head and attacked up the left wing but were stopped. The Waysiders counter attack took them back up to the Blacks 22 where again Stewartry went offside. This gave Waysiders 3 points in the thirteenth minute.


The home forwards took the restart ball but Stewartry went over the top of the ruck. Waysiders penalty took them up to the Blacks 22 but they were penalised for not releasing. Stewartry’s penalty moved them back to halfway.


The Waysiders throw in to the lineout went over the back of the line. The ball came back to Smith who charged up the middle but it was knocked on in the tackle.  With another penalty against the Blacks for handling in the ruck Waysiders got back to the Stewartry 22.  Home forwards took the ball in the lineout and drove toward the Blacks line. The maul went down and the home team picked up quick ball, went left and over the Stewartry line but a pass went forward.


At a scrum 5 metres from the Stewartry line the home side went offside. The Blacks took a quick tap kick but Waysiders were penalised for not being back 10 metres taking the Blacks back up to halfway.


The Blacks caught clean ball at the lineout. It went to McCarney who broke up the right wing. He passed to Ian Fenwick who cut inside and up to the home 22 with Mosey in support.  With ball in hand Mosey ran past two defenders and in for a try under the posts. He added the conversion.


On the half hour the home team went offside on their own 10 metre line giving Mosey another 3 points. Minutes after this at a lineout on the halfway line Waysiders throw in was not straight. In the following scrum Stewratry got the push on and Waysiders went offside. The penalty kick missed.


The Blacks charged down the home 22 drop out but it did not come to anything. At the scrum on Waysiders 22 they took the ball against the head allowing them to clear their line on the half time whistle.


The home teams starting kick in the second period went over the Stewratry 22 but like the first period the Blacks gave away a penalty for holding on to the ball in the ruck. Waysiders took 3 easy points.


Another penalty to Stewartry on the home 10 metre line took them up to the Waysiders 22 for a lineout. The Blacks forwards secured clean possession and sent the ball up the narrow side. Running at pace right winger Ferguson took crash ball but he was pushed into touch 10 metres short of the home try line.


Fourteen minutes into the second period another penalty to the Blacks outside the Waysiders 22 missed.  Securing the restart ball it went out wide to Ferguson. He saw space and made a searing break up the right wing but he was stopped 5 metres from the home goal line when he was forced into touch. McCulloch replaced Cannon.


Half way through the second period the Blacks were penalised twice in succession letting the home team get deep into the Stewartry 22. The second kick was a quick tap allowing Waysiders to get over the Blacks line for an unconverted try giving them a 1 point lead.too long. 


Into the last twenty minutes both sides gave away pealties for holding on in the ruck. Hogg replaced Riddick. A Waysiders player got yellow carded for an off the ball incident infront of the referee giving Stewartry a penalty.


With 8 minutes remaining the home side were penalised on their own 22 for not releasing in the ruck. Taking a lineout the Blacks secured good clean ball and pushed toward the home line. The maul went down and the ball came back to Mosey who went over for a try but the ball was held up.

 

In the 5 metre scrum the Blacks took the heal. The ball went quickly out the back line to McCarney who touched down for a try. The conversion missed. Broll replaced McMorran.

 

The restart kick went deep into the home 22 but again Stewartry went over the top of the ruck 5 metres from the home try line allowing Waysiders to clear their lines.


The Waysiders throw in to the lineout went too long. The Stewratry pack took the ball driving toward the home line but were stopped 2 metres out. Once more they gave away a penalty for going over the top of the ruck letting Waysiders clear the ball away.


With 2 minutes left Stewartry secured clean ball in a lineout and sent it up the middle. Ferguson took it at speed and ran through 3 defenders to go in for a try under the posts. Mosey added the conversion to take the final score to Stewartry  22  Waysiders  11.


Once more there were lots of unnecessary penalties given away but this was a good performance from Stewartry which gave them their first ever away win over Waysiders.


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



NEW EXHIBITIONS AT ANNAN MUSEUM

From Scottish Otters to Indian Tigers – Two Superb Wildlife Exhibitions

Spring Fling teams up with Dumfries and Galloway Council to celebrate art and photography inspired by nature

 

Beautiful paintings, photographs, original prints and textiles from artists inspired by wildlife are about to go on show in two new exhibitions in Annan.

One called Springing Wild features work by eight visual artists and designers from across Dumfries and Galloway. Between them they have won many awards for their depictions of wildlife and nature – John Threlfall was named as Bird Artist of the Year 2007 while Margaret Walty has RSA gold medals for her botanical work.

Springing Wild has been organised to coincide with another remarkable wildlife exhibition in the same venue. Tiger, Tiger is about the work of Frederick Walter Champion who pioneered the use of tripwire photography to capture remarkable night-time images of animals in India. Both run from 1 April to 31 May at Annan Museum.

Among the animals photographed by FW Champion, who lived in the region, was the Langur Monkey – a creature that also captured the imagination of John Threlfall when he visited India. The Rockliffe based former ski instructor recently published Drawn to the Edge, an artist’s look at the wildlife and habitats of the UK coastline, which was chosen by The Guardian as one of the best nature books of 2013.

John said: “I am really looking forward to the exhibition. I share FW Champion’s love of tigers and other Indian wildlife. I have spent time in tiger reserves – these are animals with such an aura and presence about them, it is a powerful emotional experience to see one.

“Langur monkeys are also beautiful creatures. Like us they love to sit around in the sunshine. They have such expressive faces and whacky eyebrows – everything they do makes you smile.”

Springing Wild is one of a series of exhibitions across the region, and elsewhere in the UK, being organised by Spring Fling ahead of its annual visual art and craft open studios event which takes place from 24-26 May.

Springing Wild exhibitor Margaret Walty, from Langholm, tends to focus on the plants birds and animals around her and even took up gardening so she could grow wild flowers to use in her paintings.

She said: “Virtually all my work is inspired by the nature and wildlife around me, and I am very fortunate because Langholm has such lovely hills and woods around it. Having said that, one of the pictures I will be showing is of an otter which my husband and I saw when we sat down to have our packed lunch on a beach on Iona. He arrived on the rocks, sat there and ate his fish, then plopped back in the water.”

This love of Dumfries and Galloway’s countryside is also shared by Ailsa Black, from Carsethorn, who is well known for her whimsical paintings. She said: “I love watching the people and animals along the shoreline in front of my studio. I get a bird’s eye view and an endless source of inspiration. 

“I regularly see porpoises and otters, as well as boats and people walking their dogs.  From the back of the studio I look onto fields with cows and hills.”

According to Leah Black, Spring Fling Director, the idea for Springing Wild was developed after learning about the plans for Tiger, Tiger.

She said: “We wanted to hold an event in Annan and when we heard about Tiger, Tiger it seemed a great idea to work together and offer people two really interesting exhibitions.

“F W Champion’s tripwire photography was an amazing breakthrough, capturing the night-time lives of many animals for the first time. And next to that people will be able to see contemporary work by some superb visual artists and designers who are bringing their own insights into the natural world.”

FW Champion used camera traps and tripwires to produce photographs of Indian wildlife in the 1920s and 30s. Champion went against the fashion for shooting with rifles and took up the camera. The resulting work is stunning and evocative.

Night shots triggered by tripwires were, at the time, unique and his work has had a profound effect on many wildlife photographers and conservation supporters since.

Fred Champion retired to Cairnsmore on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park, where his family still live. His photographs were donated to the Natural History Museum in London. Tiger, Tiger celebrates his life’s work with a selection of his images and his original camera equipment.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ICE HOCKEY EVENT ,HUGE SUCCESS FOR REGION

World Championship Ice Hockey Concludes in Dumfries

 

 

The week long International Ice Hockey Federation’s Group IIA Under 18s World Championship concluded in Dumfries on Sunday 30 March.

The World Championship brought countries from as far afield Romania and Korea to Dumfries, to battle for promotion and avoid relegation. Lithuania won gold in the six nation round robin tournament, with Korea finishing second and Croatia third.

Great Britain as the host nation had home advantage at the Ice Bowl, and secured their place in Group IIA for next season with a tenacious draw with Lithuania (the Baltic country eventually winning the match on a shootout). That outcome was the very minimum the talented Head Coach Martin Grubb, who also coaches the Solway Sharks, and his young players, merited.

The Ice Bowl was busy all week, with Holland and Lithuania bringing colourful groups of fans with them, and Great Britain attracting supporters from all over the UK to stay in the region and take in the hockey.

More than 500 schoolchildren attended matches and Ice Hockey UK launched its national Learn to Play Programme in Dumfries during the World Championship.

Councillor Colin Smyth, Events champion for the Council said, “I’m proud that Dumfries was the location for a World Championship ice hockey tournament, and that the Council with the support of Ice Hockey UK, the International Ice Hockey Federation and a magnificent group of volunteers delivered the event so well. The Ice Bowl had an enjoyable, friendly, cosmopolitan vibe all week and visitors really seemed to enjoy themselves.”

Andy French, General Secretary of Ice Hockey UK said, “Hosting this World Championship was a major undertaking for us and the Local Authority but our planning really did work and we’ve had a productive and exciting week. We hope to work in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council and ice hockey enthusiasts in the area to bring more top class tournaments here for years to come.”

Richard Grieveson, the Council’s Head of Resource Planning and Community Services added, “I’m delighted that Council staff rose to the occasion to professionally deliver another ice hockey world championship. The Ice Bowl is a great asset to the area, which we have witnessed this week and which will become even more evident when it hosts World Championship curling at the end of April.”

The World Championship was the catalyst for more than £90,000 of expenditure in local hotels, who benefitted from the competing teams, officials and supporters staying in the region. The tournament was frequently thrilling on the ice and financially lucrative off it for Dumfries and Galloway.

The Devil’s Porridge Brand new building opening summer 2014

It was arguably Britain’s greatest contribution to the victory story of World War I. During the four years of the Great War, 1914 – 1918, some 30,000 people flocked to south west Scotland to become part of HM Factory Gretna, a munitions factory known today as the Devil’s Porridge. In this factory the workers provided our troops with cordite explosive, a smokeless propellant that replaced the use of gunpowder in the military at this advancing time. Coined by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the name ‘Devil’s Porridge’ was given to the volatile paste that the female workers mixed by hand. According to Doyle the consistency of the paste resembled that of the comforting, warm breakfast but had a tendency to be unpredictable; the women could not wear rings or anything metallic because the slightest spark of friction would ignite the nitro-glycerine mixture and have devastating consequences.

devils2To mark the centenary of the First World War, the Devil’s Porridge museum is moving to a brand new building in the village of Eastriggs, near Gretna in Dumfries and Galloway. The £1.2 million project, partly funded by the Coastal Communities Fund and other organisations, has involved creating a state-of-the-art facility designed with visitor satisfaction at the forefront. The museum will be family-friendly with interactive displays and an education and learning suite for school parties as well as a welcoming tearoom with a choice of hot and cold snacks and beverages. There will also be a space that can be hired out for temporary exhibitions and displays and an incorporated presentation of life in the later World War II.

Richard Brodie, Chairman of the Gretna and Eastriggs Heritage Trust explains the reasons behind the project. “We have an amazing story to tell. Who would have thought that in this quiet corner of south west Scotland 30,000 people made an unacknowledged contribution to one of the greatest episodes in British history?”

The brand new museum is opening in Eastriggs on 1 July 2014 and will be open all year round. The new premises is situated close to both the M6 and M74 and is only six miles from Gretna and easily accessible from both the north of England and central Scotland.

The museum is now taking bookings for the summer season. Group discounts are available for coach parties. Please email [email protected] for more details. 

Featured Photographer – Nicola Kenyon

 

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://nk-photo.wix.com/n-k-photography

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nicolakenyonphotography

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nkenphotography

 

Originally from Bolton, I moved with family to New Galloway in 2007 and had never felt more at home. You would always find me walking in the hills, around castles, old abandoned buildings and admiring the wildlife. It was by sheer coincidence I moved to the area I used to visit with my family on holiday! I remember looking at a photo of me when I was around 5 in front of a huge stuffed stag. Years later, after I had moved to New Galloway, I visited Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre. Everything clicked into place when I saw that familiar stuffed stag for the second time.

nicolaWhen I was 18 I moved into my first home with my partner Ewan. We were looking to rescue a dog and so visited Dumfries & Galloway Canine Rescue. When we arrived we flicked through the file with the dogs details and came across “Tyson – Male German Shepherd – 6 month old”. We asked if we could see him and they brought through a skinny puppy with big paws and big ears. He trotted over to us and sat at our feet looking at us with his big beautiful brown eyes, we instantly fell in love with him. So we put out names down, got our home check passed and couldn’t wait to take him home.

It was only in 2012 that my passion for photography really took off, that’s when I took the plunge and purchased my first Canon 500d. I attended my first photography workshop ran by Ted Leeming and Morag Paterson. I had a great time as well as meeting some fantastic people. I learned a great deal about how to use my camera and equipment, capturing landscapes and processing. After months of trial and error I wanted to try something different so I put the landscape photography on the backburner for now.

I started to photograph Tyson and found out he was more than happy to pose for me. I took lots of pictures and entered them into local dog calendar competitions and won several times. Just seeing my lovely pooch in that calendar made me realise this is what I wanted to do. Tyson is my inspiration for taking up pet photography and I believe everyone should have a cherished photo of their family pet.

My pet photography journey started in June 2013; I offered free photoshoots to friends, family and others in the local area. After a lot of practice I gained more experience and started to build up my portfolio. I have been invited as pet photographer to attend several animal charity events and to this day offer free photography services to them – I love animals and I’m always eager to help out where I can. My favourite locations are mostly in and around the Stewartry as well as Mabie Forest. I am keen to visit new locations and if the pet is unable to travel I am very happy to take the photos at their home. The pet must feel comfortable and is always my priority.

Photography tips

I like to shoot a range of images with a wide aperture for close ups and small aperture for full body and action shots. Doggy biscuits and squeaky toy are essential along with lots of patience. You need to be fast as you may miss an opportunity. Always enjoy the photoshoot, it is an honour working with animals. To capture the personality in that split second is a fantastic feeling and when the owner is extremely happy with your work, even better.

Equipment

Canon 7d 50mm prime lens 15-85mm lens Tripod ND Filters

MINISTER FOR COMMONWEALTH GAMES AND SPORT VISITS D&G

Minister sees legacy projects in Dumfries and Galloway

The Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison has announced the latest round of projects to benefit from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund.

Further funding of £2.4 million will benefit 45 more projects across the country in the third round of funding from this national Legacy 2014 programme to ensure that the Commonwealth Games secures a lasting legacy in Scotland.

The Minister today visited Dumfries and Galloway which will receive support for four more projects in the area. These include a new water sports facility to introduce young people and adults to canoeing and kayaking, a new purpose built skate park designed for use by scooters, skateboards and BMXs, and a new shared path between Dalbeattie and 7Stanes mountain bike centre as well as funding for Maxwelltown High School to purchase gym equipment.

Speaking at the School, the Minister said:

“The Commonwealth Games is Scotland’s biggest ever sporting and cultural event and I want to see a lasting Games legacy across the whole of Scotland in the years to come.

“I am delighted to see the enthusiastic and imaginative ways that people are embracing the Games. From upgrading existing facilities to taking on new challenges, the whole community is coming together to deliver fantastic projects that are helping people become more active.

“Here, in Dumfries and Galloway, six Community Sport Hubs are now up and running including Maxwelltown High Sports Hub. Fifty per cent of the 150 planned sport hubs across all local authorities will be based in schools, demonstrating a commitment to young people and improving their opportunities for physical fitness and I am delighted the Active Places Fund is able to further support the facilities that will be available here.

“In the last five years, Dumfries and Galloway has received grants for 125 projects with local sports clubs, voluntary and community organisations, community councils and schools to cover everything from coaching costs, taster sessions and open days to equipment purchase, sports kits and venue hire.”

Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland, said:

“I am delighted that another 45 projects are set to benefit from the Active Places Fund, as we aim to encourage more people of all ages and abilities to become involved in sport and physical activity.

“sportscotland and the Scottish Government are working closely to deliver a successful sporting legacy from Glasgow 2014, and the Active Places Fund is a key component of that vision.”

Following her visit to Maxwelltown High School, the Minister went to Dumfries and Galloway College to meet young people undertaking The Princes Trust employability initiative, part of the Scotland’s Best 2014 Legacy programme funded by the Scottish Government and delivered via Skills Development Scotland.

The project offers an employability qualification and quality volunteering, training and work placement opportunities, for 1,000 unemployed 16-24 year olds, designed to ensure young people have the skills employers want and the confidence to take that next step in their future. So far, 500 young people have been supported through the initiative.

Ms Robison said:

“Volunteering is one of the best and easiest ways of gaining invaluable work experience. Scotland’s Best is specifically designed to create training and volunteering opportunities linked to culture and sport in Scotland and I’m delighted that so many young people in Dumfries and Galloway are benefiting from this excellent project.”

Head of Faculty for Education, Health and Social Studies at Dumfries and Galloway College, June Holland said:

“We are delighted to welcome the Minister to Dumfries and Galloway College. The Princes Trust Teams have been running here and at our Stranraer Campus for the past seven years. Our focus is to raise self-esteem, build confidence and develop personal skills for all of our young people. The fact that the team are playing host to Shona Robison MSP is an extremely positive opportunity for them and the staff to demonstrate the work we are doing and the excellent College facilities we have”

Dumfries and Galloway Council Leader Ronnie Nicholson said: “One of our Council’s priorities is to provide a good start in life for all our children. The Active Places funding has allowed Maxwelltown High School to develop this sport hub so that it offers our young people better facilities and more opportunities to take part in a range of organised physical activity sessions that are better suited to what they want. In turn, this will increase the take up of sport in our young people.

The sport hub will also be able to be used by the wider community of North West Dumfries after school hours. I am pleased that local people in this area will have now have access to a quality sports facility right on their doorstep. We will do what we can to ensure that people take up the opportunity to increase their activity levels by using this new sport hub and finding something that they will really enjoy taking part in.”

CHAFFINCH IS D&G’s MOST COMMON GARDEN BIRD

Big Garden Birdwatch results: Goldfinch move up the rankings in Dumfries and Galloway

Gardens are vital to much-loved species

Nearly 40,000 Scots took part in this year’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch and have discovered some interesting changes among our most recognisable garden birds, with one species that benefits from a bit of extra help creeping up the rankings in Scotland.

1,880 people in Dumfries and Galloway helped to count a range of species over the weekend of the 25 and 26 January 2014, reporting their results to the nature conservation charity.  The most common garden visitor was the chaffinch, appearing in 81% of participants’ gardens in the area.

House sparrow, blue tit, blackbird and starling followed close behind rounding out the top five.

Goldfinches, brightly coloured garden visitors, occupied 8th position in the Dumfries and Galloway league table and 7th in Scotland overall.

 

Just 10 years ago, goldfinches were in 15th position in Scotland, and one possible explanation for their steady rise is the increasing number of people providing food such as nyjer seed and sunflower hearts in gardens. Alternatively, milder winters could be helping the birds to thrive.

 

Meanwhile nuthatch continue to climb the table, hopping ahead nine places to number 32 this year. Nuthatch have been gradually spreading north into Scotland over the past decade and are now spotted in the Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway and throughout the Central Belt and Argyll. 

 

Leianna Padgett of RSPB Scotland said: “We know from the sheer number of people who take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch that garden birds are incredibly popular.  They are a joy to watch and many people go to real efforts to provide extra food and water throughout the winter months.

 

“During winter, and at other times of year, birds benefit from extra food and water and a safe place to shelter and make their home. Gardens provide the ideal space for these visitors. It’s fantastic to see goldfinches continue to climb the rankings. They are adaptable, friendly garden birds and great examples of birds that can flourish with our help.  If we leave out some food or let our gardens grow a bit wild, they’ll be among the first to take advantage.”

This year, for the first time, participants were also asked to log some of the other wildlife they see in their gardens.  The RSPB asked whether people ever see deer, squirrels, badgers, hedgehogs, frogs and toads in their gardens, to help build an overall picture of how important our gardens are for giving all types of wildlife a home.

This information will be analysed and results will be revealed next month.

The photos included in this article are all taken at my own Bird table on 27/3/14

Pictures by R.B photography

WIGTOWN SHOW ANNOUNCES JUDGES FOR 2014

The plans for this year’s Wigtown Agricultural Show are well advanced.

In this year of Homecoming Scotland, some old favourites have been reintroduced along with a few new ideas too. Heavy Horse Driving is back in the form of a new stud cart competition; Machars Young Farmers have resurrected the Tug o’War and “Homecoming Scotland 2014” is the theme for our Scarecrow competition.  The committee is delighted to welcome “home” this year’s special guest, local Olympian Bronze medal winning curler, Vicki Adams.  The Adams family have been stalwarts of the show for generations so it is very fitting that their Olympian will be presenting the trophies.   
Family afternoon fun will be provided in the main ring by the Cumberland Giants. While a totally new attraction for this region is The Sheep Show, their “edu-taining” performances are not to be missed.  The dog show is being relocated to a corner of the main ring to give them more space and a larger audience while the Poultry committee have further extended their classes this year to include poultry themed handicrafts and flower arrangements. All this combined with many and varied trade exhibitors, children’s entertainment, show jumping and quality livestock is sure to make Wigtown Show, on Wednesday 6th August at Bladnoch Park, a great day out for the whole family. 
This year’s judges are:  Champion of Champions: Mr Graham Allan, Glenturk, Wigtown Galloway, Belted Galloway & Native Cattle: Mr Jim Ross, Old Post Office, Shawhead Continental Cattle: Mr Jonty Bellas, The Grange, Appleby in Westmorland YFC Calves, Commercial Cattle & Beef Young Handlers: Mr Robin Dunlop, Windyedge Bungalow, Dalry Ayrshire, Holstein, Any Other Dairy Cattle & Dairy Young Handlers: Mr Stuart Caldwell, Ladyyard, Mauchline Clydesdale: Mr William Hall, Mullan Rd, Ballymoney Light Horse in-hand & Donkeys: Mr Brian M.Hyslop, Maxwellton, Dumfries Light Horse ridden: Miss Gillian McNinch, Drumley, Ayr Suffolk: Mr John H. Christie, Nethercarse, Stirling Texel: Mr David Walker, High Alticane, Pinwherry Beltex & Sheep Young Handlers: Mr Stuart McCormack, Westerdeans, Lamancha Lleyn & Ryeland: Mrs Pat Maddock, Bennel Cottage, Dalbeattie Any Other Pure Breed Sheep & Fleece: Mr Herbie Kennedy, Parkcroft, Dumfries Bluefaced Leicester & Scotch Mule: Mr James Bell, Whelphill, Biggar Blackface: Mr John Murray, Crossflatt, Muirkirk Commercial Sheep & Interbreed Cattle Pairs: Mr John MacTaggart, Dunjop, Bridge of Dee Goats: Mr Peter Wray, Drumlanrig Street, Thornhill Crooks & Walking Sticks: Mr Philip Roskell, Laverhay, Moffat Dog Show: Mrs Helen McFadzean, Killaser, Ardwell Scarecrows: Mrs Carol Pearson, High Street, Wigtown Trade Stands: Mr & Mrs Roy Fisher, East Barns, Airdrie Farm, Anstruther Poultry: Hard Feather, junior & juvenile: Mr A. Brown Soft feather, Silkie Regional Show, Wigtownshire & eggs: Mr A. Green Soft feather, True Bantams, Rare & Turkeys: Mr D. Green Waterfowl & Trios: Mr J.A. Hughes Handicrafts, decorated & painted eggs: Mrs G. Lawson Flower arrangements: Mrs D. McIlwraith Photography, painting & greetings cards: Miss H. Ryman  
Full details can be found on the Show’s website www.wigtownshow.org.uk or contact Helen on 01988-860233. 

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