Portpatrick RNLI Lifeboat Launched 4 times over 5 days

Portpatrick RNLI lifeboat launched 4 times over 5 days.
Portpatrick & Stranraer RNLI Lifeboats search in Luce Bay Photo Credit: Stranraer RNLI/Jim Ryder

Every day, all over the UK, RNLI volunteer crews are on call 24 hours a day ready to save lives at sea. It’s been a particularly busy week for the crew of Portpatrick RNLI Lifeboat, in the run up to their popular annual fundraiser for the RNLI – Portpatrick Lifeboat Week.

Portpatrick RNLI all weather Tamar class lifeboat John Buchanan Barr was tasked on Tuesday 25 July 2023 at 12.04pm by HM Coastguard to a 34ft yacht with two persons onnboard reporting engine trouble at the mouth of Loch Ryan. The P&O Ferry was standing by.

When the lifeboat arrived in Loch Ryan the causalty vessel was making its way to Stranraer under small sail. A member of Portpatrick Lifeboat Crew was put aboard to assist and the yacht was able to sail to just outside Stranraer Marina. At this point the lifeboat took the casualty vessel in an alongside tow into the visitors berth at the marina where it was safely handed over to HM Coastguard Stranraer.

The John Buchanan Barr then returned to Portpatrick harbour at 3.30pm where it was refuelled and made ready for service before it was tasked again on Thursday 27 July at 00.39am to a 26ft yacht with a lone sailor onboard in the mouth of Loch Ryan. The sailor was badly fatigued and had lost his bearings due to the failure of his navigational equipment and was in danger of straying into the ferry lanes or onto rocks.

Portpatrick Lifeboat came alongside and were able to persuade the sailor to follow the lifeboat into Stranraer. Upon nearing Stranraer a crewman was put aboard the yacht to assist in safe berthing and mooring in Stranraer Marina where the local coastguard where on hand to assist and the lifeboat returned to Portpatrick and was once again ready for service by 6.30am.

Pagers sounded once again at 9.20am Friday 28 July when the crew were tasked to a 21ft fishing boat with one person on board experiencing engine problems in the mouth of Clanyard Bay south of Port Logan. Upon arrival on the scene the fisherman was safely at anchor awaiting assistance and the lifeboat was able to establish an along side tow and proceed to the safety of Port Logan from where the vessel had launched. Once close enough in, the casualty vessel was able to redeploy his anchor and wait for the tide to recede enough for him to wade ashore for his trailer.

On Sunday 30 August at 6.10pm, as the crew were hanging RNLI flags in the village ready for the start of lifeboat week, they were tasked along with Stranraer RNLI Lifeboat, Port William Inshore Rescue and HM Coastguard teams from Portpatrick, Stranraer, Drumore and Ballantrae to assist in a multi agency search of Luce Bay for an overdue kayaker who had left New England Bay at approximately 11.45 am and failed to return. Coastguard SAR Helicopter R199 also joined the extensive search and the casualty was found by the Coastguard SAR Helicopter and airlifted to safety and onward to hospital for checks. Portpatrick Lifeboat proceeded to recover the kayak from the water before returning to harbour where it was refuelled and ready for service by 10.25pm.

Robert McQueen Coxswain Portpatrick Lifeboat said, ‘ It has been a busy few days for our volunteer crew, at times under challenging conditions. Thankfully all these incidents had a positive outcome. However, it does serve as a timely reminder to anyone undertaking activities on or around the water to always carry a means of calling for help and to check the weather and tides before heading out. Myself and the rest of the crew are now hoping for a less eventful week operationally as we host Lifeboat Week, but we are all still on the pager and all fundraising events will be subject to operational requirements’.

It’s public support that allows the RNLI to continue to save lives at sea and our volunteers need your support. Portpatrick Lifeboat Week 2023 will be held from Monday 31 July  until Sunday 6 August raising funds for the RNLI. Daily event schedules will be posted on Portpatrick Lifeboat Facebook page but all events will be subject to operational requirements.

 

 

To make a donation to the RNLI visit RNLI.org/support-us/give-money/donate

Drumlanrig Castle Gardens: An Immersive Experience with Expert Guided Tours

Drumlanrig Castle is offering visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the enchanting beauty of its Castle Gardens.

For those eager to delve into the horticultural wonders and historical significance of the gardens, guided tours led by the Head Gardener, Robbie Black, and Volunteer Gardener, Jill, present an unparalleled experience.

  1. Garden Tours with Drumlanrig’s Head Gardener:

Robbie Black, who boasts an impressive tenure of over 25 years at Drumlanrig, offers an enthralling guided tour of the Castle Gardens.

The tours aim to provide visitors with an overview of the gardens while also delving into in-depth details. The exploration includes not only the formal areas but also extends to the woodland garden and the rock garden, showcasing the garden’s diverse landscape.

These tours are an ideal opportunity to witness the gardens’ showstopping seasonal plants in full bloom and gather valuable tips from the gardening maestro himself.

The tours are conducted at the Larchwood Cabin and typically last between 60 to 90 minutes.

Dates of availability for the tours can be found here 

  1. Historic Garden Tours with Jill, the Volunteer Gardener:

Another fascinating aspect of Drumlanrig’s Castle Gardens lies in its historical significance, and this is where Jill, the Volunteer Gardener, takes centre stage. Jill, who has been volunteering in the gardens alongside her role as a Castle Guide, brings forth her passion for history and gardens in her curated historical garden tour.

These tours offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore the Castle Gardens’ architectural features, including the intricate heather houses, while also unravelling the captivating history that lies behind them.

As with Robbie’s tours, Jill’s guided excursions encompass various areas of the garden, presenting the participants with a comprehensive experience.

The historic garden tours are also priced at £4 per person, along with the Gardens entry fee, and have a duration of approximately 60 minutes. Meet-up points for these tours are also at the Larchwood Cabin, making it convenient for participants to assemble.

Dates of availability for the tours can be found here 

Please note the walks will cover various terrain from grass, gravel, and historic stairs.

 

Search Underway for the new Muirdrochwood Forestry Pre-Apprentice!

Search Underway for the new Muirdrochwood Forestry Pre-Apprentice!

Muirdrochwood Woodland, near Carsphairn, has been a hive of activity since ownership passed to Carsphairn Community Woodland Ltd. The Directors are now looking to recruit the next Forestry Pre-Apprentice for a whole range of outdoor and practical tasks on site.

 

In March 2022, more than 4 years of work by the local volunteers of Carsphairn Community Woodland Ltd (CCW) finally paid off, with ownership taken on of part of Muirdrochwood Forest. The group have wasted no time, with a timber processing shed and equipment installed, car park, wildlife hide, defibrillator, and walking routes installed on the site.

 

CCW hosted their first pre-apprentice between 2022 and 2023, and the search is now on for the next person to benefit from this hands-on role. A full range of appropriate training and support would be provided. It would suit someone keen on the practical nature of the work, with tasks ranging from tree felling, log fuel production, tree planting, tree nursery work and other general forest maintenance jobs. The full-time, paid post would be for a 6 month period and would suit anyone interested in a career in the forestry sector.

 

To show your potential interest in the role, ask any queries or to receive more info about what it would involve, send an email to carsphairncw@gmail.com.

Applications are ideally sought by 5pm on 11th August.

 

David McMillan, Chair of Carsphairn Community Woodland, said:

“Our previous pre-apprentice received a wide range of training and proved to be a hard working individual, contributing well to the activities in the woodland. We are keen to help progress more young people in the forestry workplace and look forward to receiving applications for this position.”

 

 

For more information, follow ‘Carsphairn Community Woodland’ on facebook and look out for details of the upcoming events in coming months! If you would like to join CCW as a member (if you live in Carsphairn Community area) or as a supporter (if you live further afield), visit www.carsphairn.org/CCWL.

Sustainable careers with the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere

The Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere has this week welcomed two members of staff to its permanent team.  Antoine Lemaire, an established Biosphere Guide who hails from Belgium and Thornhill, is the Biosphere’s new Nature Recovery Officer, and will be working alongside lead officer Sara Press on local and landscape-scale projects that support regenerative farming and nature restoration.  Meanwhile Jake McLaughlan, who held one of the Biosphere’s two paid internship posts during 2022/3, was successful in interviewing for a permanent role in Business Engagement, and will continue to support the Biosphere’s network of Proud Supporters and Certification Mark holders, helping onboard enterprises that want to pursue sustainability goals.

The Biosphere’s next 12-month internships are also being advertised now, as the organisation seeks to appoint two Project Support Officers (PSOs) to work in Communications and Marketing and alongside the Communities team.  Both roles pay the Real Living Wage and are aimed at young people looking to gain valuable work experience and develop professional skills.  Applications close on 21st August with a flexible start date, and school/college leavers and recent graduates are warmly encouraged to apply.

Commenting on his own experience as a PSO with the Biosphere, Jake McLaughlan said, “My first year has been fantastic. It has been amazing to learn so much about this wonderful area and all the businesses and people that call the Biosphere home. I am looking forward to progressing and being able to meet even more wonderful people and assist them in whichever way I can.”
Commenting on his new position as Nature Recovery Officer, Antoine Lemaire said, “I am very excited to be working for the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, and am particularly looking forward to getting to engage and work with farmers and landowners to find ways towards sustainable land use. I also look forward to discovering new places in the UNESCO region and deepening my knowledge of landscape-scale nature recovery.”

With a commitment to training, skills development, and creating local jobs whenever possible to do so, the Biosphere has been able to expand staffing and subsequently its programme of activity thanks to core funding from South of Scotland Enterprise and three local authority partners, South Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council, and Dumfries & Galloway Council.  This ongoing support has seen the organisation expand from just 1.5 FTE staff to a team of twelve in under three years.  With plans in development for an eco-office at St John’s Town of Dalry, the team is looking towards a secure future and firm presence that is embedded in local communities.

More information about the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, including how to apply for the Project Support Officer posts, is available at www.gsabiosphere.org.uk, or email info@gsabiosphere.org.uk.

The Final ‘Can You Dig It’ archaeological dig session is planned – in Barrhill Woods, 7th-9th August!

The Final ‘Can You Dig It’ archaeological dig session is planned – in Barrhill Woods, 7th-9th August!

Come and join the ‘Can You Dig It’ project for their final dig as they investigate the earlier boundaries of Barrhill Wood! Can You Dig It will be spending three days test pitting within Barrhill Wood, Kirkcudbright and they are looking for volunteers to help them investigate some of the earlier features hidden amongst its trees.

 

As you wander through Barrhill Wood, you can spot traces dating back to the late medieval period – the line of an old, hollowed roadway, tumbled stone walls and earthen banks which criss-cross their way throughout the trees. These are the remains from the various transformations that the area has seen throughout its lifetime, including changes by the Earls of Senwick who established the original plantation in the late 18th century. New information gained from LiDAR and recently discovered mapping shows the locations of previously unknown ditches which appear to pre-date what was marked in the 18th century, and the Can You Dig It project is aiming to investigate the nature of these features and see just how old they might be.

 

The plantation at Barrhill Wood was originally established by the Earls of Senwick in the 18th century and a number of boundaries can still be seen within the wood surviving from late 18th century enclosures used for pasture. But local archaeologist David Devereux has spotted traces of features on LiDAR which appear to pre-date these. One ditch, which spans the width of the wood, might relate to an earlier boundary shown on a newly discovered earlier estate plan from Yale. While traces of two other possible ditches enclosing the highest point in the wood only appear on LiDAR and do no correlate with any of the available mapping – this could suggest that they’re even earlier.

 

Over the course of three days on-site, Can You Dig It is aiming to investigate these traces to see what they might be and how old they could date back to. Volunteers will get the chance to take part in an archaeological dig into the possible ditches to see what they can find. They will be shown the various aspects involved in archaeology from digging, recovering artefacts right through to recording what is found – you don’t have to be able to dig to help out as there are plenty of tasks such as recording, drawing, survey and photography that they will need help with. Digging is only just the start of an archaeological excavation.

 

This is a free event and open to everyone, no previous experience necessary. So why not come along, spend a day in the beautiful setting of Barrhill Wood and have a go at some archaeology – who knows what you might uncover!

 

The Days are advertised separately, with people able to attend a single day or multiple days as suits. For more information, or to book your place, search Eventbrite.co.uk for ‘Galloway Glens’ or access the links directly as follows:

 

Claire Williamson, Senior Archaeologist on the Can You Dig It project said:

“We’re really excited to be heading back into the field again for Can You Dig It’s final dig, and it’s great to be heading back to the site of one of our very first projects – Barrhill Wood. Due to being undisturbed, often for centuries, while the world around them has developed, Scottish woodlands have the possibility to contain some of our most significant archaeological features protected beneath their canopies. We won’t know what we will uncover until we put our spade into the ground, but we would love your help to find out!”

 

The Can You Dig It project is funded 50/50 by The National lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland. It forms part of the broader Galloway Glens Scheme. Jan Hogarth, Galloway Glens Education & Community Engagement Officer, said:

“It is our last Galloway Glens CYDI event at Barrhill Woods, Kirkcudbright and we are so grateful to Claire Williamson and her team for working with us over the years to upskill us all. These three days of trial pitting will give everyone the chance to develop their test pitting skills at a site up on the hill above Kirkcudbright which would have been important through hundreds and maybe thousands of years. Who knows what we might find and if we don’t find much, we will have improved our archaeology skills and had a lovely time wondering how people engaged with this site in the past, and sharing our passion for archaeology with each other.”

 

Our thanks go to Forestry & Land Scotland and Kirkcudbright Development Trust for supporting the work.

35 YEAR OLD MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN COLLISION NEAR LANGHOLM

Road policing officers are appealing for information following a serious crash near Langholm.

The incident happened around 11pm on Friday, 28 July, 2023  just north of Langholm on the A7 and involved a red Toyota Hilux.

Emergency services attended and a 35-year-old man was taken to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary with serious injuries.

Sergeant Lloyd Caven said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have seen what happened to get in touch.
“Likewise, if you were driving in the area at the time and have dash-cam footage that could assist with our enquiries, please make contact.”
Anyone who can help is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 4819 of Friday, 28 July, 2023.

Engaging Adventures for Young Explorers: Join Michael Howe’s “Have You Seen?” Series in Dumfries and Galloway

Author Michael Howe takes readers on a captivating journey through the picturesque landscapes and fascinating wildlife of Dumfries and Galloway in his enchanting “Have You Seen?” series.

Featuring heartwarming tales of animals and places, Rowe’s books bring to life the lesser-known beauty of this Scottish region.

Within the pages of the “Have You Seen?” series, readers will discover a world of hidden gems, where charming characters and breathtaking locations come to life. Howe’s storytelling shines a spotlight on the lesser-known places of Dumfries and Galloway, inviting readers to explore the region’s wonders.

Animals That Inspire:

At the heart of the series are the lovable animal characters, each with their own unique qualities and charm. From the Summerhill Snail to Glen the Galloway Goat, these endearing creatures offer valuable life lessons and raise awareness of important issues.

Breathing Life into Dumfries and Galloway:

Through evocative storytelling and captivating illustrations, Howe’s books breathe life into Dumfries and Galloway, showcasing its natural beauty and the unique charm of its inhabitants. Readers of all ages are transported to a world of wonder, fostering an appreciation for the treasures that lie within this enchanting region.

Continuing the Journey:

With the success of the “Have You Seen?” series, Michael Howe’s dedication to Dumfries and Galloway’s natural beauty continues to shine.

As the series grows, Howe invites readers to embark on new adventures, exploring more of the region’s hidden wonders and fostering a sense of appreciation for the beauty that lies close to home

https://haveyouseenpicturebooks.co.uk/

Galloway Hillbillies Bike Club Champion Cycling For All

The Galloway Hillbillies Bike Club has secured funding to lead an innovative new initiative to get more young people into cycling.

The Club has been selected by Scottish Cycling to lead the ‘Rock Up & Ride Project in Dumfries & Galloway.

‘Rock Up & Ride’ which is funded by Transport Scotland provides cycle training and bikes for children aged between 5 and 12, to ensure equal access to cycling for all.

The Club will support up to 80 young people with four hours of rider coaching to develop skills and confidence which includes basic maintenance checks. The young people who participate will then be eligible to receive a bicycle, with the intention that they can enjoy and benefit from cycling throughout their childhood.

Pictures show: Councillors Jackie McCamon and Ian Blake join Hillbillies club
Chair, Gavin McHallum (with cycling helmet) and participants at the launch of
the Rock Up And Ride project.

Club Chair Person Secretary, Gavin McHallum said:

‘Galloway Hillbillies Bike Club is delighted to be working in partnership with Scottish Cycling and Transport Scotland to deliver Rock Up & Ride. The main aim of our club is to get as many people on bikes as possible whether mountain bikes, gravel riding or road cycling.

‘This project will allow us to introduce cycling in fun way to young people who might never have had the opportunity to own a bike and the pleasure that this can bring.’

The project was launched with the help of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Chair and Vice Chair of its Communities Committee.

Chair of the Committee, Councillor Ian Blake said:

‘The Galloway Hillbillies is a club right at the heart of the community and is an ideal partner to deliver this initiative across the area. I’m sure it will be the start of a lifelong love of cycling for dozens of young people who otherwise may have missed out.’

The Council has supported the Hillbillies to part-fund and deliver three Summer of Cycling events this summer and is prioritising the promotion of the region as a cycling destination.

Vice Chair of Committee, Councillor Jackie McCamon said:

‘Hosting the UCI Paracycling World Championship will give a huge international profile for Dumfries & Galloway as a superb cycling venue and destination. We have hundreds of miles of gravel tracks, first class mountain bike trails and unspoilt quiet roads that cyclists love. We are keen to do all we can to put the area on the international cycling tourism map.’

Young people must meet certain criteria before being eligible for help through Rock Up and Ride. Anyone interested in finding out more about the project and how it works should check out Galloway Hillbillies Bike Club Facebook page or their website Gallowayhillbillies.org

The Summer of Cycling events can be found at https://moo4events.com/

Annan Riding of the Marches Receives Funding from Cunninghame Housing Association

Pictured left to right: Stuart Thompson MBE, Chairperson of Annan Riding of the Marches and Alan Somerville – CHA

Alan Somerville, Senior Development Officer of Cunninghame Housing Association recently presented a cheque for £1,000 to Stuart Thompson MBE, the Chairperson of Annan Riding of the Marches.

Annan Riding of the Marches (organised by a voluntary committee) is one of the largest and oldest historical traditional ceremonies in Southwest Scotland dating back almost 700 years. Now, to present day, a fortnight of culture, ceremonial and community events take place with the culmination of‘Marches Day’. The aim of the Committee is to keep up the tradition of the town and hold the annual programme of events.

Stuart Thompson MBE, Chairperson of Annan Riding of the Marches commented, “We are extremely privileged to receive funding once again from Cunninghame Housing Association. Working in collaboration with Cunninghame Housing, and receiving the substantial amount, allows us to maintain the high standards of events over the fortnight, culminating with Riding of the Marches Day”.

Cunninghame Housing Association are delighted to have supported this year’s events by providing funding to help support the key pieces of infrastructure and ceremonial items to help make the whole event a success.

Lesley Keenan, Chairperson of CHA commented, “We are delighted to have supported another year of, Annan Riding of the Marches, which I am sure will have been as successful as previous years thanks to the dedicated voluntary committee who give up their personal time to make the event happen.”

The funding for Annan Riding of the Marches came from the Associations “Making Our

Communities a Better Place Fund” which operates throughout the year (1st April to 31st March) until the allocated funding is exhausted.

Local Groups or individuals interested in finding out more about the Associations Making Our Communities Better Places Fund can do so by visiting our website http://cunninghamehousing.org where you can also download an application form.

Dumfries Mart Weekly Sales Report – 24 & 26/7/23

DUMFRIES MART WEEKLY SALES REPORT - 24 & 26/7/23
DUMFRIES MART WEEKLY SALES REPORT - 24 & 26/7/23

DUMFRIES STORE CATTLE 24/07/2023

C & D Auction Marts held their fornightly sale of store cattle in Dumfries.

253 Forward – Another good ringside of buyers were in attendance despite the recent slip in the finished beef returns. Demand was strong for all classes,

 

Bullocks to £1550 from H & A Hiddleston, Park Farm and 306.7p/kg Belridding

Heifers to £1440 sold by B M Ramsay, High Auchneel and 295.6p/kg West Lanegate

 

Bullocks per head – AA – £1550 £1370 Park, £1420 £1250 Shenrick, £1265 High Auchneel, £1245 Seafield. Char – £1435 Shenrick, £1400 £1385 £1335 Park, £1285 Millhill. Lim – £1430 Shenrick, £1390 High Auchneel, £1380 Belridding, £1325 £1260 £1245 Seafield, £1165 Lantonside. Siml – £1315 Millhill. BB – £1235 Backburn. Fri – £1170 Park. Sal – £1150 High Auchneel. Gal – £920 Glenlea.

 

Heifers per head – Lim – £1440 £1300 £1200 High Auchneel, £1320 Ballaggan, £1280 Backburn, £1195 Belridding, £1130 Hazelbank. AA – £1430 Ballaggan, £1300 £1200 High Auchneel, £1160 Maxwellbank, £1110 Seafield. Sal – £1300 £1200 High Auchneel. BSH – £1200 High Auchneel. Char – £1185 £1120 West Lanegate, £1140 Burnside, £1140 Millhill. BB – £1170 Seafield. Sim – £1140 Millhill. Her – £1100 Maxwellbank

DUMFRIES PRIMESTOCK 26/07/2023

 

C&D Auction Marts held their Weekly Sale of Primestock in Dumfries.

 

Prime cattle met a competitive trade selling to 323p/kg for Limousin Heifer from J. Jardine, Yett to R. Johnstone & Sons, Butchers, Annan.

Bullocks to 305p/kg Fauldingcleugh

 

OTM’s comprised a show of leaner type cows and a satisfactory trade prevailed.

 

 

Per Head – Lim – £1588.75 £1289.25 Ballaggan. Sal – £1257.95 West Skelston. BB – £1247.85 West Skelston. Hol – £1096 Muirside, £1021.20 Ryemuir. Fri – £1036.35 Grains.

 

Per Kilo – Lim – 191p Ballaggan, 183p West Skelston. Sal – 181p West Skelston. BB – 177p West Skelston. Fri – 147p Grains. Hol – 138p Ryemuir, 137p Muirside, 132p Brownrigg.

 

Prime Sheep Forward

 

562 Prime Lambs – Trade better than expected.

 

85 Lambs (32.1kg-39kg) averaging 268.8p/kg to 295p/kg Maryholm

Belt – £112 Maryholm

Tex – £111 Whitehall

Mil Blue – £109.50 Townpark

 

328 Lambs (39.1kg-45kg) averaging 262.5/kg to 286p/kg Eastside

Tex – £124 £122 Eastside. £120.50 Rashgill, £120 Shangan

Suf – £117 Netherhall

Dut Spot – £111 Laneside

 

149 Lambs (45.6kg+) averaging 262.7p/kg to 277p/kg Newmains

Tex –  £137 £133.50 Shangan, £134 Eastside & Hunthills, £133 £131 Newmains, £132 Rashgill, £130 Glenlaugh

Suf – £134 Tara, £123 £122×2 Netherhall

 

 

147 Cast Ewes and Rams – Would be sharper on the week for a plainer offering

Ewes

Tex – £180 Newton Bungalow, £146 Shangan, £144 Druidhall

X – £126 Shangan, £124 £118 West Skelston, £122 Druidhall

NCC – £122 Dressertland

BFL – £114 Dalpeddar

 

Rams

Tex – £175 Roshglen, £156 Hall of Drumpark

Suf – £158 Roshglen

BFL – £134 £122 Hall of Drumpark