DUMFRIESHIRE SINGER EMILY SMITH TO PERFORM AT DOUGIE MACLEANS AMBER FESTIVAL

Popular Dumfriesshire based musician Emily Smith is part of a stellar line-up performing at the tenth Perthshire Amber Festival later this autumn. The festival was founded by singer songwriter Dougie MacLean and has grown from a weekend of concerts to a ten day musical extravaganza featuring over 350 musicians. MacLean who recently performed his much-loved anthem Caledonia at the Closing Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is also celebrating 40 years as a touring musician.

Emily Smith has played at the festival several times, most notably during the 2012 festival when she joined MacLean on stage(main picture) to open the festival in front of a sell-out crowd in the Caledonia Hall at Edradour Distillery near Pitlochry.

This year her Amber Afternoon Concert in Castle Menzies(Sunday 26 October) has already sold out but she’ll also perform at a special Heritage Concert as part of Homecoming 2014 on Saturday 25 October in Blairgowrie Town Hall. In addition to some of Dougie’s best-loved songs, the line-up will feature Emily Smith, Mischa MacPherson and Tom Spiers performing Burns, ballads, Gaelic song and some fantastic collaborations.

Emily Smith explains more:
“Perthshire Amber is one of the best, innovative and most welcoming festivals in Scotland. This will be my third visit to the festival, I’m really looking forward to performing songs from my new album ‘Echoes’ and catching up with Dougie and his brilliant team”

Dougie MacLean said:
“We are delighted to have Emily return to the festival, her concerts are always very well received by the Perthshire Amber audiences. I think her voice is fantastic and it’s always a joy to perform with her.”

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY EDUCATION STAFF TO BE OFFERED THE FLU JAB

All of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Education Services staff are being offered seasonal flu immunisation.

There was a very high uptake of the offer last year with more than 1,100 staff in Education Services being immunised at work. The vaccination helps staff to stay well over the winter months and prevents the virus being transmitted to pupils. Staff are being asked if they want to make an appointment to receive the vaccine in school.

As part of a separate programme, all primary school pupils are being offered flu immunisation this year.

Councillor Jeff Leaver, chairman of the Education Services Committee, said, “We’re working closely with NHS Dumfries and Galloway, which is experienced in delivering the vaccination programme to its own staff and has the highest uptake for any Health Board in Scotland. These vaccination programmes greatly reduce absences, resulting in reduced disruption to the education of our pupils. The earlier that anyone is immunised the more protection they have. The more staff and pupils take up the immunisation, the less flu can spread.”

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY PARENTS GET CHANCE TO FOCUS ON SCHOOL REPORT CARDS IMPROVEMENT

School report cards: could do better

This week, parents across Dumfries and Galloway are talking to Educaton Services’ director and heads of service, who want to hear how the region’s schools can do better in reporting to parents.

Area parent forums are a chance for parents from all schools to come together and discuss areas of interest with senior staff. This week, the focus is on report cards.

Parent feedback is that they want report cards to be more regular, clearly written, and easily understood by parents and pupils, avoiding jargon and technical terms, and indicating for pupils where they are doing well and where they can improve. Parents want to see an assessment of the development of their child overall and to have regular opportunities to discuss this with staff with progress being discussed openly and honestly.

Parents also point out where Education Services is getting it right, which they feel is down to the energy and enthusiasm of teachers and headteachers. Parents state that they like parent conferencing, when there is more regular time to talk to class teachers rather than rely on receiving reports at home. This is seen as being particularly important in secondary schools due to the recent changes in exam arrangements. Parents also indicate that there is mixed understanding of Curriculum for Excellence and there is a need for this to be made clearer for parents.

Next month, the views of parents will be further sought through a questoinnaire that will be on www.dumgal.gov.uk and issued for pupils to take home.

Councillor Jeff Leaver, chairman of the Education Services Committee, said, “It is vitally important that parents feel involved in their child’s education and feel welcome in their school. We are a listening Council and are keen to fully engage with parents. These parent forums enable this and provide us with valuable feedback so that we can further improve engagement between schools, parents and pupils.”

LOST WALKERS LOCATED BY POLICE HELICOPTER IN GALLOWAY

Two walkers who became disoriented whilst descending from the Merrick, the highest peak in South West Scotland, were located and airlifted to safety by the Police Scotland helicopter. This is the first time the team have been supported by the police helicopter in Galloway.
At 1855hrs on Wednesday 17th September 2014, Police Scotland called out the team to respond to two male walkers who had become disoriented whilst descending from the Merrick. They were otherwise well, but unable to navigate themselves off the hillside.
A hasty team of seven Galloway MR personnel was immediately dispatched as the team were already mustered for an evening training event at the base in Newton Stewart.
The Police Scotland helicopter was also deployed to assist and whilst the team were on route to the search area, they reported having located the walkers safe and well. Fortuitously, the aircraft was able to land at their location, and successfully evacuate them off the hillside.
Mike McCann, Team Leader said, “This is the first time we’ve worked with the Police Scotland helicopter and it shows how swiftly a rescue can be affected when we work effectively together. This was an incident ideally suited to the aircraft since it was able to land nearby the walkers and get them off the hill effortlessly. We greatly look forward to working with the aircrew in future”.
The team stood down at 1945hrs and returned to their training exercise! For more information about the voluntary activities of Galloway MRT including details of incidents, training, walk routes and much more, visit www.gallowaymrt.org.uk.

POLICE CAPTURE DRUGS WITH POTENTIAL VALUE OF £385,000 IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY OPERATION

DRUG SEIZURE – M74 ELVANFOOT INTERCHANGE

Police Scotland officers have seized tens of thousands of pounds worth of drugs following an intelligence-led operation in Dumfries on Tuesday 16 September 2014.

Around 1110 hours on Tuesday morning, officers stopped and searched a car on the northbound M74, near to junction 14 at Elvanfoot, Dumfries, and recovered approximately 1.5 kg of controlled drugs, believed to be heroin, and 4 kilos of what is suspected of being a mixing agent.

The estimated street value of the drugs haul is around £105,000. This has the potential to increase to £385,000 with the mixing agent.

Two men, aged 48 and 54, have been arrested in connection with the seizure.

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

MOAT BRAE HOUSE OPENS DOORS TO PUBLIC , TO VIEW FUTURE PLANS

Moat Brae open to the public for a further opportunity to discuss plans that are set to provide a major economic boost for Dumfries and Galloway A further weekend of informal public consultation is taking place on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September at Moat Brae, George Street, Dumfries from 12 noon to 4pm.

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Anyone who is interested in finding out more about the ‘Birthplace of Peter Pan’ is welcome
to visit to see the latest proposals for the house and its ‘enchanted’ garden.
The heritage site at Moat Brae is due to open as an international visitor attraction and
centre for children’s literature and storytelling in 2017, having been saved from demolition
in 2009.
1 a 1 a moat brae 6The open days have been running since early Spring, giving local people and tourists of all
ages opportunities to see ‘behind the scenes’ at a significant stage in the revival of this
important building. Visitors are encouraged to look around the house to see what has been
achieved and to find out about its history through the ages: as a grand family home in
Georgian times; the inspirational Victorian childhood playground of world-renowned
playwright JM Barrie; a C20th private nursing home and, latterly, as a derelict and decaying
building which was saved from demolition by the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust.
Dame Barbara Kelly, Chairman of the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust said: “Over 1,200 people
have already taken part in our informal consultation process on site, contributing their
ideas, expertise and suggestions. There has been overwhelming support for our proposals
and we hope that many more people will join us to find out for themselves about the plans
we have to create a fabulous new visitor attraction for the town and the region.”
For more information about the tours visit www.peterpanmoatbrae.org

GOLDEN GIRL OF RALLY CROSS JOINS DUMFRIES RX TEAM ALBATEC FOR GERMANY ROUND

Dumfries, Scotland (UK) — Tuesday 16 September, 2014: On the back of another strong result in France last time out Albatec Racing heads to the Red Kiwi WorldRX of Germany, round nine of the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy next weekend (September 20&21) determined for a repeat result. Joining Dumfries businessman Andy Scott in the two-car line-up is the golden girl of rallycross, Swedish rally star Ramona Karlsson, who fills the Peugeot 208 seat vacated by former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve.

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The Lochfoot-based team underwent a test for the first lady of rallycross at Mayenne immediately following the Loheac event, in which Team Principal Andy netted his fourth semi final place from five rounds. A follow up shakedown at Knockhill, Fife on Monday, the first ever by a WorldRX team, allowed the former double crosskart champion to quickly get up to speed aboard the two-litre 16v Peugeot 208. In murky conditions more akin to the famous Welsh rally stages, the former WRC driver was immediately at ease, powering the 600bhp Supercar to some respectable times as she heads to her Estering debut.

1 a 1 a alba 87Heading into the event Albatec has already secured heat wins and semi final positions, with some rapid pace along the way, and although yet to make the all-important final, aspirations remain high for the new team to cement its position as potential finalists amid a massive Supercar line-up.

 

Returning to the track that netted heat and B Final victory together with fifth place in the A Final in 2012, Andy is determined to add to his tally and round out the season with an appearance in the Final. For Ramona, who already has a heat win and semi final position to her name, her appearance is sure to be among the highlights of the two-day event, that regularly attracts a huge following across the rallycross fraternity.

One of the shortest on the schedule, Estering is also one of the fastest, with the straight allowing speeds approaching 180kmh. Located in the village of Buxtehude, some 35km southwest of Hamburg, the Estering race circuit is one of the few permanent rallycross tracks in Germany, and its first corner produces some of the most intense track action seen on the World RX schedule.

Tightening into a 90 degree right-hander, turn one is notorious for the level of damage sustained and that, added to the changeable weather conditions makes the weekend one of the most difficult to prepare for. The competition itself is also fierce. One of the largest entries of the season sees 41 Supercars battle it out around the 1km track, but for Albatec, solid development over the previous eight events, has allowed the team to regularly challenge for a place in the final.

Track action gets underway with open practice from 11.30 on Saturday, followed by the opening two heats starting at 13.15. Sunday resumes with warm-up at 08.15, ahead of the remaining two heats from 09.30, semi final and the crucial Final from 15.00. Live timing, live streaming and further information is available from www.rallycrossrx.com with advance tickets available from https://shop.estering.de/tickets.html/

1 a 1 a alba 86Andy Scott, Team Principal and driver Albatec Racing #26 :

“I’m really excited about returning to Germany, it’s traditionally the season-ending round, but of course this year we still have three rounds remaining after that weekend. Despite that I still expect to see a fierce battle for honours among the huge entry. The track is great, it’s a circuit known to favour cars set up for the loose, so I’m sure it will suit our car and both Ramona and myself.

“I’m delighted to welcome Ramona to the team for this round, the tests at Mayenne and Knockhill went well, and I’m sure she has the potential to put on a good show in Germany.”

Ramona Karlsson, driver Albatec Racing #47 :

“I’ve never been to Estering before, but from the people I’ve spoken to it appears that the track is quite like a rally stage, so I’m hoping my rally background will help me. I understand the first corner is tricky so a good start will be important to survive that. If I can do so, I’m going to be pushing hard for a semi final position, although I appreciate the competition will be tough.

I am feeling great about the weekend; spending time with the Albatec team at Lohéac was a good move, and the two days at Mayenne and Knockhill proved very beneficial. I really feel like we have a great relationship and I feel more motivated than I have for a very long time.”

Photos courtesy of Tom Banks Photographic and Eddie Kelly Motorsport Photography

 

SOLWAY SHARKS MATCH REPORT

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The Solway Sharks, sponsored by Building Craftsmen (Dumfries) Ltd, return to the Ice Bowl on Saturday evening for a mouth-watering English Challenge Cup fixture against old enemies the Blackburn Hawks. After last weekends two cup defeats the Sharks will be more than keen to return to winning ways and prove themselves in this new cup competition. One of last weekends defeats came in the Blackburn where the Hawks picked up no less than eighty-four penalty minutes which included two players receiving a match penalty for spearing and butt-ending respectively. Whatever happens after Saturday’s 7pm face-off at Dumfries Ice Bowl, it won’t be uneventful.

Last Saturday evening the Solway Sharks, sponsored by Building Craftsmen (Dumfries) Ltd, entertained the Billingham Stars at the Shark Tank in the opening fixture of the new season which was also the opening match in the inaugural English Challenge Cup. Unfortunately for the home team a disastrous second period ultimately condemned them to a four-two defeat although there were some positives to be taken from the game.

With just over two minutes played Thomas Keeley received a Scott Ward pass and skipped through the slot and cut back before finding a gap between netminder Gary Russell and his near post to open the scoring. However, the Billingham fans had barely ended their celebrations when Gordon Horne and Aidan Fulton combined to send Struan Tonnar through the centre of the Stars defence and the Sharks marksman made no mistake with his shot from the high slot.

For the next few minutes play was fairly even with neither side dominant, the best chances falling to the lively Struan Tonnar and to James Moss for the visitors. With ten and a half minutes gone in the session Tonnar picked off a loose Billingham pass just outside the visitors blueline. Immediately he powered forward, cut right to left across the face of goal and lifted the puck over the netminders dive and into the net. On the balance of play it was possibly a little more than the home team deserved but they duly held the lead under pressure until the first interval.

The visitors returned to the ice in a more determined frame of mind and levelled the scores three minutes later when Michael Bowman slotted home a Paul Windridge pass at the near post. Within a minute Solway were on a penalty kill when Richard Bentham was penalised for tripping and Richie Thornton found the net to put his side ahead once more with an accurate shot from a tight angle after good work in the build-up from Chris Sykes and Paul Windridge.

On the twenty-eight minute mark the home side were on another penalty kill when Bentham committed an unnecessary tripping penalty in the Billingham defensive zone to give the visitors a two man advantage. The Stars flooded into Sharks territory and a minute later Thomas Keeley and Gary Down combined to allow Michael Elder to score. The Sharks were clearly rattled and three minutes later the Stars made it five-two when Elder scored his second of the night from the left-hand face-off circle after being set up by Bowman and Sykes.

The final period was something of an anti-climax as Billingham, with a three goal advantage, calmly killed off the game with a professional defensive display that killed off any hopes of a Solway revival. The home side pressed for the goal that could have brought them back into the game but in truth they never really looked likely recover from the disastrous second period while the visitors always looked dangerous on the break.

Scoring statistics for the Sharks were as follows: Struan Tonnar two goals and no assists, Gordon Horne and Aidan Fulton 0+1. Gary Russell in the Sharks goal saved thirty of the thirty-five shots that he faced (save percentage 85.71%). The Building Craftsmen Man of the Match Awards were presented to Chris Sykes for the visitors and to Struan Tonnar for the Sharks.

On Sunday the Solway Sharks, sponsored by Building Craftsmen (Dumfries) Ltd, travelled down to Blackburn Ice Arena to take on the Hawks, who are celebrating their twenty-fifth anniversary season, but lady luck was not to be on their side as they returned on the wrong side of a bruising four-nil scoreline.

From the start the home side piled forward and the under-strength Sharks defence was forced to work hard to protect back-up netminder Andrew Little with regular goalie, Gary Russell, unavailable through work commitments. Little performed admirably under pressure but was helpless to stop the Hawks taking the lead on the eight minute mark when Daniel Mackriel picked up a loose puck and forced it home at the near post. Buoyed by this the Hawks redoubles their efforts and were rewarded when they went ahead by two goals ninety seconds later. With the Solway defence stretched, Matthew Viney sent Aaron Davies around behind the goal from where he fed the puck back out to the unmarked David Meikle who gave Little no chance with an expert finish.

While the home side continued to hold the upper hand Solway steadied the ship and with two minutes to play in the period they had the puck behind the Blackburn goal when Craig Mitchell was felled back on the blueline. After a lengthy period of discussion with his linesmen the referee awarded Blackburn captain, Chris Arnone, a match penalty for spearing. Unfortunately on the resulting five minute powerplay the Sharks rarely looked like scoring and the score remained two-nil.

On this occasion the second period proved a little kinder to the Sharks with play a more even contest although the home side generally held the upper hand. For Solway Bob Chalmers, Stevie Moore and Joe Coulter all caused problems for the home defence. At the other end of the ice Andrew Little was celebrating his birthday in style with a string of fine saves and young Stuart Kerr, playing up from the juniors, did his reputation no harm at all. Midway through the session the Sharks believed that they did have the puck in the Blackburn net but it was ruled otherwise by Mr Abbott. When all was said and done the second period remained scoreless and the Hawks went into the second intermission with their two goal lead intact.

The home side again started the brighter in the final period but once more their attacking rhythm was stunted by a string of unnecessary penalties which the Solway powerplay failed to take advantage of. On the forty-seven minute mark the Hawks surrounded the Sharks goal and Little made three tremendous blocks before his luck finally ran out and the final rebound fell to Adam Brittle who prodded home goal number three from two yards out. Two minutes later Solway were on a powerplay when a loose pass in their own defensive zone was picked off and drilled home by Adam Brittle to make the score four-nil.

In the aftermath of the goal something was said and Brittle floored Craig Mitchell which caused another melee on the ice. When the dust settled the officials handed out their second match penalty of the evening, this time to Adam Brittle for butt-ending. There was very little incident to report after this. The Hawks duly ran down the clock for a deserved four-nil victory but at the end of the day only Andrew Little emerged from this game with his reputation enhanced.

Scoring statistics for the Sharks were as follows: There were no offensive points scorers for the Sharks. Andrew Little in the Sharks goal saved thirty-one of the thirty-five shots that he faced (save percentage 88.57%). The Man of the Match Awards were presented to Ollie Lomax for the Hawks and to Andrew Little for the Sharks.

HEMERA VISUALS LAUNCHES Q&A BLOGG FOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY ADVICE

1 a 1 a ad hermaThere is a fantastic new blog started for couple’s who need advice on that all important wedding day photography , Cam  of Hemera Visuals  has started a weekly wednesday q&a wedding blog, for all the budding brides and grooms to ask away any questions they may have regarding Photography and their Big Day.

So cam is  asking for you to contact him ,  each week he shall post the answers of the questions for everyone to see. you can contact Cam on his website at http://www.hemeravisuals.co.uk/contact-us/

Here is a link to the first Q&A session Cam did a couple of weeks ago http://www.hemeravisuals.co.uk/weddingwednesday-qa-week-1/

 

 

 

check out some of Cams recent  work here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.606534216132836.1073741829.157126034406992&type=1

and here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.588071131312478.1073741828.157126034406992&type=1

DGWGO would like to Thank Hemera Visuals for advertising with us and by doing so supporting our community page

 

 

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY BUSINESS INVITED TO FIND OUT HOW TO CUT ON HEATING COSTS

Free Renewable Heat Incentive seminar to help businesses cut costs
Businesses across Dumfries and Galloway are being invited to a Dumfries and Galloway Woodfuel Forum meeting (21st October 2014) to find out how to cut heating costs and make their business more profitable and sustainable by switching to renewable woodfuel heating.
The meeting, which will be held at Creebridge House Hotel in Newton Stewart, aims to promote the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) subsidy – a guaranteed, index linked payment over 20 years for the production of renewable heat – and to show businesses how they can make the switch to woodfuel heating.
Cameron Maxwell, Forestry Commission Scotland’s Head of Business Development, said:
“With heating costs sucking away budgets, many businesses have already turned to woodfuel as an alternative, more sustainable solution to providing low carbon heat.
“Wood fuel provides opportunities to bring undermanaged woods back into management with the aim of producing renewable heat from the local forest resource, which also opens up supply opportunities.
“Businesses in both the private and public sector are set to profit from both the production and use of renewable heat generated from woodland.
“The savings can be quite substantial over the life of the RHI subsidy so I would urge businesses to find out more by attending the seminar.”
Those attending the event will have the opportunity to both see an existing system in action and talk to existing suppliers of woodfuel boilers and woodfuel in the area.
The free event is being organised by Rural Development Initiatives on behalf of Forestry Commission Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Woodfuel Forum, in association with the South of Scotland Business Competitiveness Project and SAC Consulting.
For further information and to book please go to www.usewoodfuel.co.uk and click on News, Events and Woodfuel Forums, alternatively contact virginia.harden@ruraldevelopment.org.uk (07919 263 190)