Youth Beatz announce host of local acts!

Organisers of the free Youth Beatz event have announced that FINDING ALBERT will perform alongside headliner Professor Green and Amelia Lily at The David Keswick Centre Dumfries on Saturday 10th August.

Now regarded as one of the most talked about emerging acts in Scotland, the band will make a triumphant return to Youth Beatz following their appearance in 2011 and amazing recent sell out show at DG One. Lead singer/songwriter Robert Shields said “Finding Albert are delighted to be back at Youth Beatz, our show in 2011 was one of the most incredible gigs we’ve played. It really is a brilliant event to be part of and we can’t wait to do it again”.

Joining Finding Albert will be some of the strongest talent D&G has to offer including; CLOUD NINE, DEE & SCOPE, JAZZ FUNK COLLECTIVE, THE MERMAIDS, FORGETTING JANE, JORDAN MURRAY and UPON THE MOOR.

Daniel Kerr, a young person from the events team involved in organising the event said; “A massive part of Youth Beatz has always been to promote and champion young local musicians, to provide opportunities for them to perform alongside headline acts to a massive audience. We are delighted once again, to have increased the number of young emerging acts from the region performing on the main stage”.

Now in its fifth year, the award winning event is managed through a partnership led by Community Learning and Development Nithsdale and is part funded by Nithsdale & Stewartry Area Committee. Funding for the event has been secured from Young Start Lottery Fund alongside main sponsors Magnox, Unite, Elections Team Dumfries & Galloway, Domestic Abuse and Violence against Woman Partnership as well as Dumfries and Galloway College and The University of Glasgow, Dumfries Campus.

Chair of Nithsdale Area Committee, Councillor Gill Dykes, said, “Nithsdale Area Committee felt it was important to support this interactive event for young people aged 12-25 years. Finding Albert are one of my favourite bands personally, so I am really looking forward to seeing them on the day. Youth Beatz has been designed to encourage civic pride and encourage young people to be fully involved in their community, I am delighted that so many local acts are getting the opportunity to perform and congratulate the staff and young people on all their efforts.”

Organisers have promised there are more acts to be announced in the coming weeks. Youth Beatz 2013 remains free to enter, although tickets will be required and can be obtained from www.youthbeatz.co.uk Priority will be given to ticket applications from Dumfries and Galloway postcodes and organisers are advising people to get their tickets soon to avoid disappointment as demand has been phenomenal.

 

Tinsel Town Comes to Dumfries

Image: (left to right) Robin Baird – DGWGO, Ali Donowho – Alive Radio, Brian Cox, Andrea Thomson – DG Life Magazine, Lee Medd – Alive Radio – Image by Loftus Brown

The other day a lovely lady Jennifer Wilson from the Wardlaw Drama Trust in Dumfries , invited me along to join them at the Theatre Royal in Dumfries , To meet the Famous Hollywood Actor ‘Brian Cox‘.

Brian is a Scottish actor born in Dundee in 1946 , He is known for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, He has also appeared in many tv programmes and Hollywood productions playing parts such as Dr. Guggenheim in Rushmore, William Stryker in X2: X-Men United and Agamemnon in Troy. He was the first actor to portray Hannibal Lecter on film in the 1986 production Manhunter. And also as he told us himself, he was the Only Scottish Actor to appear in both Rob Roy and of course Braveheart.

I was invited to the evening as a member of the press, along with Andrea Thompson from Dumfries and Galloway life Magazine and her photographer Loftus Brown. Also Lee Med and Ali Donowho from Alive Radio and their photographer Peter Miller . There were also some other local press too. This was my first ever press evening were I was going to get a chance to interview a Hollywood Actor and Photograph him also, and I must admit , being someone who is fairly stand backish, I was quite nervous.

When we were invited in to do the interviews, Brian was a total gentleman, the more practised press started Asking questions straight away, and Brian answered them very generously. He told us that he was ashamed to say it was his first visit to Dumfries, he told us about how many years ago he once played Robbie Burns, and he was very pleased to be in the Theatre Royal, one of Burns’s old haunting Grounds. He also told us a lot about his career through the years, starting at Dundee Rep as a young man, right through to his Hollywood block busters.

Then we were prompted for one last question, I still hadn’t had a chance to ask one because I had been busy taking photo’s, and I was beaten to it, by a young lady journalist who had asked a lot of questions already, but as soon as Brian had finished, I decided to quickly ask my question too, and as he was discussing Hollywood blockbusters at the time. I Asked ” Now that many major movies involved so much CGI ( computer generated images) did Brian worry , that eventually, Actors would become redundant in the movies, and their only platform would be live stage performances?” ( I actually shocked my self coming up with such a good question) Mr Cox answered ,in his loud confidant voice, like a school master bellowing across a class room. He said that although cgi was taking over , and will always have a place in the movies, that he felt there will always be a need for Human actors still, as that is what people want to see, that people love the human touch and interaction. I was very pleased to receive a great answer . ( secretly I was rather chuffed that I had been brave enough to ask it).

Here is an audio clip (thanks to Ali Donowho of Alive Radio) of me asking Brian my question – simply click play to listen

[sc_embed_player fileurl=”http://www.dgwgo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Robin-And-Brian-Cox.mp3″]

 

After our half hour interview session , Brian had to did his official event . ‘ An evening of conversation. ‘ and then a presentation of Grants from the Wardlaw Drama Trust to some very lucky young acting talent from Dumfries .

The theatre was packed with an audience that was glued to Brian’s stories of his past from childhood right through to his last TV drama that was set in his own Sacred Dundee. Then the Audience got to ask questions of there own . Then the presentations were made!

One of the Trust’s major tasks each year is to award funding to individuals who wish to undertake training in the performing arts. The Trust recently considered applications and the following presentations were made

• James Charlton, from Moffat, attending Scottish Youth Theatre

• Toni Jerrett, from Moffat, attending a foundation course at Motherwell

• Danielle Little, from Moffat, attending Electric Theatre Summer School

• Jordan Chisholm, from Dumfries, attending Electric Theatre Summer School

• Rachel McDougall, from Dumfries, attending Electric Theatre Summer School

• Adam Rowland, from Dumfries, attending Electric Theatre Summer School

• Rory Kempsall, from Dumfries, attending Royal Scottish Conservatoire weekly class

• Charlotte Kennedy, from Thornhill, attending HNC Acting Course at Ayr College

• Ben More, from Newton Stewart, attending Scottish Youth Theatre

• Kirsty McColm, from Whithorn, attending Scottish Youth Theatre

After the presentations, there were more photo chances, and a lot of people got to meet and greet Brain, who obliged most willingly! It was a great night, with a fantastic atmosphere. It was only my second time in Scotland’s Oldest Working Theatre, and it is an evening I will always remember , as the first night I got to interview a Hollywood Star!

RB

Featured Chef – Paul Somerville

CHEF FOR ALL SEASONS

Main Image: Paul’s Salmon Crab Risotto

Paul Somerville is Executive Head Chef at The Selkirk Arms Hotel in Kirkcudbright. A Lochmaben lad of origin Paul has worked alongside Chef / Hotelier Chris Walker for over 20 years first working together at The Creebridge House Hotel in Newton Stewart, then at The Masonic in Gatehouse before settling into the driving seat at The Selkirk.

“Paul has a passion that is rare to see nowadays never mind remaining as passionate for 20 years” says Hotel owner Chris Walker “ Paul and I have worked alongside each other for over 20 years and what is exciting about working with Paul is his hunger for knowledge, new ideas, new techniques and new flavour combinations.

“One of the most exciting things for me is working with such and amazing range of local suppliers” says Paul. “ From Loch Arthur to Galloway Smoke House, Scott Carson’s butchers to Rowan Glen for our butter and Yoghurts we are just about self sufficient for a region. I just love the variety and working with the seasonality of our fish, game and vegetables. We pride ourselves on using as much fresh and local produce as we can”

Working in the school of tough knocks with Michelin Starred chef John Burton Race, Paul has grafted his way to the top of the pick locally and is held in very high esteem from fellow Chefs across the region.

Paul has put together a mouth-watering recipe for our readers to enjoy:

[column width=”1″ place=”none” ][headline]Recipe: Chocolate & Pecan Nut Tart [/headline]

Ingredients Tart Filling
6 egg yolks
2 whole eggs
100g castor Sugar
300g soft butter
400g dark bitter chocolate
2tsp plain flour
100g chopped Pecan Nuts

Method

  • Melt the chocolate and the butter in a Bain-marie
  • Whisk the eggs and the sugar together till light and fluffly
  • Gently fold together
  • Add the sieved flour to the mixture
  • Pour into the Tart Case and sprinkle the chopped Pecans on top
  • Bake for 10 mins at gas mark 4 (180)

 

Pastry Recipe
12oz plain flour
120g icing sugar
165g soft butter
1 whole egg

Method

  • Cream the sugar and the butter till smooth and cream
  • Add the egg, then gradually add the flour
  • Put in the fridge and allow to rest for 1 hour

 

You can keep up to date with Paul at The Selkirk Arms website, Facebook Page and Twitter Account

Featured Band – The Yahs

The Yahs possess that unique ability to quickly lift any crowd; cranking it up into a simmering mass of heaving, sweaty bodies, all locked into a heartfelt blues rhythm.  It’s instantly obvious that this quartet of battle-scarred gigging musicians from South West Scotland have had the blues gnawing away at them for years and finally, they’re setting it free. The Band have been going for a few years now grouping originally in 2005 and gigging at many venues across the east of the region but they have been taking things bit more seriously the past year. earlier this year the were voted best band at The Big Burns Supper , ( Scotland’s largest winter arts and music festival held in Dumfries) the band say ‘  Having just played Eden and for the first time we were knocked out by the positive response we received from everyone who came to hear us, what a great bunch of people and a fantastic festival, thank you all! And back in May we played Comlongon Rocks, although muddy and wet it was a fantastic atmosphere, D&G crowds are amazingly supportive! So far most of our gigs have been in the East but The Yahs are gaining support from all over the region. We also recently played at Gatehouse of Fleet Midsummer Music Fest and are looking forward to playing in Stranraer in October.

If you have never seen The Yahs live then this is what to expect, Grant Dinwoodie (vocals/blues harp) swaggers onstage in fur like a man possessed; a modern day James Brown with fire in his eyes and the blues harp screaming in his lips. Every inch the showman, he brings energy and passion alongside a soulful, gravelled lowland Scottish voice which has been delighting fans at gigs and festivals across the UK.  Alongside him, Davie Bass (guitar/vocals) trades dirty guitar riffs with the blues harp, his telecaster cutting through perfectly whilst the backing vocals he provides melt with the lead singer perfectly. The band’s driving rhythm comes from Ali Paxton on bass and one of Scotland’s most gifted drummers, Fergus Henderson – effortlessly solid and funky at the same time.

This rock / blues / funk act does it all with a blistering sense of humour and the theatrical quality of the Yahs performances perfectly offsets the fact that the guys in this band are very good musicians – demonstrated by their fondness to make every performance slightly unique with some great improvisation.

For more information visit the Band’s Facebook page and website

Guest Blog – Chris Walker

 

HOTELIER, HEAVY METAL DRUMMER, RADIO PRESENTER AND KAYAKER.

People often say to me “ You sure live life to the full “ and my reply is –“ You’re only here once – so just live life to the full”

I go to bed every night thinking, if I don’t wake up in the morning then so be it – I’ve enjoyed every minute of my life. I am lucky, lucky to have a wife that is so totally understanding of my drive and passions, a wife who has never stifled that passion and who has stood by me through thick and thin – Sue is my driving force and without here and our daughter Lisa – life wouldn’t be worth living.

Of course the mainstay of family life is the Hotel, The Selkirk Arms Hotel in Kirkcudbright, the hotel pays the mortgage and is hopefully the pension pot one day. We’ve lived and worked in Dumfries and Galloway for 24 years now starting life in partnership with my sister and brother in law at Creebridge House Hotel in Newton Stewart, It was here that I had my first foray into the media world of radio and television presenting Border TV’s Spoon with a View and as cookery expert on BBC radio 2’s Debbie Thrower show, 12 years later we head a little east to Gatehouse of Fleet and take over the Masonic Arms in Gatehouse of Fleet. Our head Chef Paul Somerville comes to Gatehouse to join the team and we have 4 very happy years running one of the regions first Gastro Pubs. Selling up and moving on allowed us to head to New Zealand for a few weeks to see what all the fuss is about….. and whilst it is definitely Dumfries and Galloway on steroids it just wasn’t home. Home for the 3 of us is without doubt Dumfries and Galloway and our next business was to buy the Selkirk Arms in Kirkcudbright in partnership with Douglas McDavid who was then manager at the Cally Palace. We are now trading our seventh year and yes things have got tough, we are constatntly trying to improve the business and refurbish along with keeping a team of 26 staff in a job, a difficult juggling act some days but we have a wonderful team and our mission is to simply make sure the customer has a good time and enjoys what we do.

But outside the hotel I play drums and vocals in a heavy metal band Aventus, we’re playing a couple of festivals this summer including Les Fest and The Wickerman plus a tour with two other bands on the cards for the new year. And if that wasn’t enough to keep me out of mischief I present a Heavy Metal show on Dumfies’s alive 107.3FM radio every Friday night 9pm – 11pm.

But when it comes to totally switching off then it has to be the Kayak and the tranquillity of paddling along our wonderful shoreline in Dumfries and Galloway – now that takes a lot of beating. And that’s why I wake up and look out every morning, out onto the beach and sea and thank God that I’m alive and that I’m the luckiest man in the world.

Wickerman announces acoustic line-up

Official Press Release from The Wickerman Festival

The Wickerman Festival has today, Friday 21st June, revealed a host of exciting acts who will play its popular Acoustic Village this July. Amongst the artists who are set to deliver show stopping performances are Pete Roe, Colin Macleod, Tommy Reilly, Paddy Callaghan, Simon Atkinson and the Foundryman’s Apprentice, Shelagh McDonald, Al Lewis and Zoë Bestel.

On Friday, highly respected London-based musician Pete Roe is set to entertain the acoustic faithful with his honest lyrics and compelling contemporary sound. A long-time Laura Marling collaborator who has also toured with Mumford and Sons, his 1960s guitar style has drawn comparisons to Bert Jansch and John Martyn. Making his Wickerman debut is Colin Macleod who came to widespread attention as ‘The Boy Who Trapped The Sun’ when in 2010 he received critical acclaim for his major label debut ‘Fireplace’. He has recently unveiled his first fresh material in two years.

An act set to liven up the crowds with their folk jazz vibe are Simon Atkinson and the Foundryman’s Apprentice. The super talented singer song writer and his new seven-piece band will perform a rousing set of new and classic tracks and carefully selected covers.

Other additions to Friday’s Acoustic Village main stage line-up include award winning singer-songwriter and ukulele fanatic Zoë Bestel who will return to Wickerman for the second year following rave reviews and ten-piece high energy collective Victorian Trout Conspiracy.

On Saturday, legendary folk rock songstress Shelagh McDonald will take centre stage. The singer mysteriously vanished for 33 years after making two milestone albums in the 1970s. A compelling singer, guitarist and songwriter, Shelagh will be celebrating her return to the limelight with her first Wickerman performance.

Grabbing another top billing slot will be Welsh singer-songwriter Al Lewis who will delight the audience with his signature 70s sound. Al’s debut English language album ‘In the Wake’ was nominated for the inaugural Welsh Music Prize and his songs have been championed by eminent BBC Radio 1, 2 and 6 music DJs.

2013’s BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year and multi-instrumentalist Paddy Callaghan will also take to the stage on Saturday and will push musical boundaries by blending traditional music with contemporary music samples and dance beats. 24-year old singer songwriter Tommy Reilly got his first break when he won the Orange Unsigned Act competition in 2009 on Channel 4 and he’s also making his Wickerman debut in 2013. He recently completed his third album which was recorded with producer Paul Savage and features playing from members of fellow Glasgow acts Admiral Fallow and Frightened Rabbit. Edinburgh-born, Belle & Sebastian contributor Roy Møller who has been hailed by BBC 6 Music’s Marc Riley as “Scotland’s best-kept secret” will also join the billing on Saturday night. Roy is about to release his fourth album, which promises to be his boldest and brightest yet.

Fans of the festival will be familiar with the Ingrid Pit stage, newcomers are in for a real treat as music, poetry and spoken word are blended together seamlessly. Look out for star turns from Kimmi J Mitchell, Roberto Cassani, Dr Escheton, Diddums, Sarah Cassidy, Kevin Cadwallender and Sarah’s Metric.

The Acoustic Village’s Barabajagal Yurt will be the perfect place for Wicker fans to jam and make music with other people. This year it will play host to local artist Susi Woodmass, folk act Stirrin’ The Stoor, drumming and singing extravaganza Move to the Beat and The Hang Project.

Nicola Black, Wickerman’s Acoustic Booker commented:

“Wickerman’s Acoustic Village has rapidly gained a loyal following and we are delighted to once again showcase some of the industry’s hottest new artists alongside a variety of household names. Whether fans want to chill out, jam or enjoy some rousing new folk acts, the Village really does offer something for all acoustic lovers.”

 

 

Keep KAM – New Local Girl Band

 

Official Press Release from Garry Gossip of Made In Dumfries

Made In Dumfries are happy to announce that girlband Keep KAM will release a free download on the night of Made In Dumfries.

The girl band, put together but show creator Garry Gossip, is made up of local singers Alana Jane McGeouch, Kirsty Cooper and Megan Callaghan. They have not yet performed together in front of an audience and so have been busy rehearsing for their showcase at Made In Dumfries on Saturday 29th June at the Easterbrook Hall.

The band will release a cover version of a mash-up that they have been working on, which coincides with the launch of their YouTube channel.

For more information on Keep KAM check out them on Facebook

Tickets are avaliable for Made In Dumfries at madeindumfries.com

WickerSnapper Competition 2013

Calling all Up and Coming Photographers…could you be 2013’s ‘WickerSnapper?’

One of Scotland’s best loved arts and entertainment events, The Wickerman Festival (26th& 27th July), is on the hunt once again for a talented young photographer to help document the 2013 festival. The WickerSnapper competition is offering one photographer a fantastic first foot on the festival ladder with a chance to join our team, documenting the action of one of the UK’s friendliest festival crowds.

Now in its second decade, thousands of music fans are set to swarm the Wickerman fields of Dumfries and Galloway in just over a month’s time, to witness an eclectic and exciting mix of leading artists including, Primal Scream, Amy Macdonald, Chic feat. Nile Rodgers, KT Tunstall, Dexys and The Enemy. (Wickerman Line Up)

So, whether you’re still learning your craft or just starting out on your photography career, send us three of your best photos that show just how creative, versatile and skilled you are…and a festival photographers pass could be winging its way to you. Our winner will be announced on 10th July and all photographs captured will be showcased following the festival. For full details of how to enter please visit www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk.

Terms and Conditions


Entrants should submit:

–  A minimum of three pieces of photography which show versatility, creativity and professional technique must be submitted to the festival for review

– And complete the statement “I should be the Wicker Snapper because…” (no more than 150 words)

– All entries should be submitted to wickersnapper@burtgreener.co.uk by 8th July

The winner will receive:


– Access to the festival for all three days (Thursday – Sunday) under an official Wickerman Festival pass

– Camping access

– Meal Tickets

– Their photography used on the Wickerman website and where possible in media (although this will depend on the quality of the shots)

The winner will be chosen by The Wickerman Festival and local photographer Robin Baird, whose decision is final

For further information please contact Vicki Byers at Burt Greener Communications, 0131 220 0003
vicki@burtgreener.co.uk

About The Wickerman Festival

Wickerman is one of the UK’s best-loved independent music festivals and is now entering its 12th consecutive year. With ten stages featuring an eclectic and exciting mix of leading artists, alternative acts and up-and-coming talent, the two day summer party caters for all musical tastes.

It is one of the friendliest festivals in Scotland and with hundreds of music-loving families in attendance each year, there’s a host of cool kids entertainment and activities on offer. The festival site is a working farm in picturesque Dumfries and Galloway; its rolling hills, lush forests and fresh country air make for a refreshing vibe. It is also where the classic 1973 Wicker Man film was made – the inspiration for the festival’s name.

The Wickerman site is a wonderland for adults and children alike with a cinema, fun fair, circus entertainment, grass sledging, mountain biking and array of arts and craft activities scattered throughout its fields. High quality yurts, tipis, cloud houses and spacious campsites complete the magical festival experience.

Every year the festival stages an unforgettable finale, as thousands of fans flock to watch a towering 40ft Wickerman be spectacularly set alight.

Derek’s IT Corner – Why it’s critical to have fresh content on your website

gt metrix

facebook link

The on-line business world is constantly changing, but over the past year or so, with Google throwing update after update at businesses looking to market their site effectively, it has never been more important to keep on top of your website.

The normal route for many businesses has often been a case of paying a lot of money for a one off website. It may well be an excellent website, it may well tick all the right boxes, and it may well have some good quality content designed to appeal to both visitors and the search engines. But that’s not enough. Not any longer.

Every month Google quietly launches the best part of a hundred updates which constantly change what’s needed. The goal posts have been moved that many times the ball looks as though it’s stationary.

Google rewards regularly updated websites by moving them up the rankings.

One of the factors which Google is now looking at with more critical determination than ever (and probably always will do) is the frequency with which websites are updated with fresh new, informative, quality content, how often they are edited, tweaked and adjusted to provide a convenient and accessible interface for visitors, and how often they are updated to reflect new technologies and features, such as being optimised for viewing on smartphone devices and tablet PCs.

The problem for businesses then is that a “build it and forget it” approach to their website is only good for a short while. After a relatively brief period of time it becomes clear that no further updates or changes are being implemented. Then Google changes what it considers to be best practice, and your website, once so sharp and slick, is now guilty of failing to provide that best practice. For example, with so many people browsing the web on their mobile devices Google is now critically aware of which sites provide the means by which their sites can be accessed appropriately in this way, and which don’t.

The majority of your competition won’t regularly update their website!

But how important is having your business’s website updated regularly, added to, tweaked, adjusted and developed to take advantage of new opportunities and avoid potential new risks? According to SiteKreator.com, “Small businesses who update their website more than five times per month have +300% more website traffic than those who do not.” Could your business benefit from having three times the business it currently has?

The problem is that, as SiteKreator.com notes, “54% of small businesses update their websites less than 0.5 times a month. This includes content changes, adding applications, photos, news items, promotions, etc.” This is simply not enough, and today, in the fiercely competitive and rapidly changing world of online business marketing, 0.5 times a month is as good as doing nothing.

But it’s not just about staying on top, keeping fresh and delivering a solid web based service which keeps abreast of the latest developments and changes. Today, anything other than ensuring you ensuring you add regular fresh content is the equivalent of standing still, and in the on-line world of website marketing and development, standing still is the equivalent of heading backwards.

OK so what now?

The first thing to do is to get your website up to date. Google will be visiting your site sometime within the next few weeks and this is your chance to show it that your site is exactly the kind that should be ranked highly.

Do you have any new products or services that need to be updated or added to your site?

How easy is it for you to update your website? Google doesn’t care if you update your own website or have a web designer do it for you as long as its sees fresh content. Google neither isn’t too concerned how pretty it looks.

Remember – most of your competition will not update their website this month! Will You?

[headline htype=”h4″]Quick Tips And Facts For New Content[/headline]

  • Updating and adding new content to your website will consistently improve its performance.
  • Create case studies
  • Start a blog.
  • How-to articles.
  • Create an expert Q&A section of your site.

 

Guest Blog – Richard Gall

 

Hello. I am the writer of the Dumfries Detective trilogy: murder/mystery stories set in and around Dumfries, taking in some of the landmarks and familiar places on the way.

When I first came up with the idea and put pen to paper, or, more accurately, finger to laptop, I imagined the stories as entries in a diary, written up by the main character at the end of the day. That idea didn’t last long, but I did keep with the notion of writing it from his point of view, in the first person. That has led a few people to ask if the hero, Jin Johnstone, is really just me, my alter ego. So, by way of introduction, I would like to point out some of the similarities and differences between us.

Yes, like Jin, I do drink in The Bruce, but, if my wife is reading this, I feel I should add that I do not go nearly as often as him and my intake when there is considerably less than his. (On Asa’s gauge of fuel consumption, I would be a 1.5 at the very most.)  Also, I have never sampled Jin’s favourite tipple, the gafo; although, one of these days, I might be quite willing to give it a go.

Talking of my wife, I have one, and grown-up kids, whereas Jin seems to be very happy living on his own and has never felt the need for change – well, not so far. He is self-contained and content within his own wee world; whereas I like to travel, see new places, and spend time on the sport of people-watching.

There are some similarities, of course: we were both born in the fair town of Dumfries, and know the area well. Perhaps I appreciate the surrounding countryside slightly more and never take its beauty for granted: there are places in our region that can still take the breath away. I particularly like the fantastic area up and around Glenkiln reservoir and decided to feature it in all three books.

Also, I might have been a little bit better at school as I managed to pass the occasional exam, ending up in Glasgow to study, staying on for a number of years. Jin is never comfortable when he’s away from Dumfries.

Certainly, we both have a fondness for the greatest team in South-West Scotland, or, as he would say, the greatest team in the world, Queen of the South, and I always look for their results first. Unlike Jin, I was sad to see the demise of Gretna Football Club.

To round up, and not to ramble on too much, I would say we share the same opinion on litter, hold conflicting views on the importance of music, exercise and religion. But, above all, the major difference between us is that he is far, far braver – I could never put myself through all those ordeals.

One last thing – I am taller.

Richard Gall

You can keep up to date with Richard at his website, Facebook Page and Twitter Account

All three books are available on Amazon for immediate download.

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