PUBLIC VOTE DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY PARK AS SCOTLANDS NUMBER 1

Dock Park is Scotland’s best park

Public vote success for Dumfries green space
The environment charity Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) has confirmed the results of a UK-wide public vote seeking to identify the country’s favourite open spaces. They revealed the top three Scottish as voted for across the UK, and Dock Park in Dumfries has been voted best in Scotland.

In the vote, organised by the Green Flag Award scheme, which presents Green Flag status to the best open spaces in the country, Keep Scotland Beautiful hailed the Scottish successes announced today (Thursday):

1. Dock Park, Dumfries & Galloway
2. Beechwood Park, Stirling
3. Rouken Glen, East Renfrewshire

The Green Flag Award for parks is the national standard for parks and recognises well managed, high quality sites with community involvement. In 2014, there were 64 Scottish parks and open spaces that initially sought recognition for their quality environment. A record 59 were successful and 8 parks were awarded Green Flags for the first time by Keep Scotland Beautiful.

All Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces are entered into the annual People’s Choice Award vote, which every year sees countrywide mass involvement in voting for the very best.

Councillor Colin Smyth, Chairman of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee said, “We were absolutely delighted that the Dock Park was awarded a coveted Green Flag earlier this year, which was worthy recognition of the way the council has totally transformed the park. However to now be voted No. 1 in Scotland is an outstanding achievement especially because this award was as a result of a public vote.

“You only have to visit Dock Park most days to see just how popular it is with visitors and local families. A lot of hard work by a lot of people has gone into the regeneration of this historic park and this is just reward for those efforts, a great example of this is The Friends of Dock Park who have been supporting the regeneration since 2010. The Dock Park has a lot of support from the community and with staff now based their permanently, a regular maintenance regime is in place to keep the park looking good, there is also a regular programme of events. I am sure we will build on this achievement and the Park will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Keep Scotland Beautiful is responsible for managing the award in Scotland and Derek Robertson, Keep Scotland Beautiful Chief Executive said:
“Our warm congratulations go out to Dock Park in Dumfries for their 1st place. We all know how important all green spaces are, and it is great to see the success of this local park being recognised nationally.

“With a record number of Green Flag awarded parks being named in Scotland, we can point to genuine improvement in these green spaces, and we congratulate those responsible for park management at Dock Park, as well as the local community who help with upkeep and management. Locals tell us time and again how valued this park is for recreation, and in celebrating this Scottish success story, we look for continued improvement next year.”

 

GET YOUR SKATES ON , TO VOLUNTEER FOR WOMENS WORLD ICE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

Get your skates on to volunteer at the Ice Hockey Women’s World Championships

The organising committee of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships, being held at Dumfries Ice Bowl, is looking for enthusiastic people who can help as off-ice officials for various roles throughout the tournament. The forthcoming Championships take place in March 2015 where the following teams will take part in the tournament.
30th March – 5th April 2015: Women’s World Championships –
Kazakhstan; Great Britain; Korea; Poland; New Zealand; Croatia.
Roles that are available include goal judges, penalty box assistants, game sheet assistants and game statistics assistants. Training and support will be offered for anyone that can volunteer their time and be part of the backroom team for the Championships. We would also be interested in hearing from anyone interested in volunteering as an official tournament driver or car park attendant. Official full-time Team Host positions are also available for those that would be available and interested.
Becoming a volunteer is a brilliant opportunity to be a part of an amazing international event. Volunteers enjoy privileges such as a free item of clothing to distinguish them and tickets for games, but the benefits go far beyond that.
Alan is from Belfast and has now volunteered at two previous IIHF events in Dumfries.
“I can’t wait to get back to Dumfries next year for the 2015 Women’s Championships. This will be my third time volunteering as statistician. I have had some great experiences over the past year and met some fantastic people.” Alan Hamilton
Councillor Colin Smyth, the Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Event Champion says:
“The Council really wants to celebrate the Championships with the local community, and becoming a volunteer is a great way to be a part of a world class sporting occasion. Ice Hockey is a thrilling live sport to enjoy and we want to continue the excellent work that has been started at the previous championships at Dumfries Ice Bowl.”
If you are interested in volunteering your time at this event, please get in touch with Scott McMeeken at the contact details below:
Scott McMeeken – Priority Sports Officer
Post: DG One @ Loreburn Hall, Newall Terrace, Dumfries, DG1 1LN.
Email: scott.mcmeeken@dumgal.gov.uk

Background Notes:

• The International Ice Hockey Federation Championships are taking place:
o Senior Women: 30 March – 5 April 2015
• The tournament is classified as Division 2 Group A.
• The championships will welcome Kazakhstan, Korea, Poland, New Zealand, Croatia and Great Britain as the hosting nation.
• The Championships have been organised by Dumfries and Galloway Council, Ice Hockey UK and the International Ice Hockey Federation
• The Championships are being held in Dumfries Ice Bowl and will be supported by a schools programme through Dumfries and Galloway Council
• This is the fourth IIHF World Championship event to be held in Dumfries in three seasons.

SOUTH WEST PICTURE SHOW ,FILM FESTIVAL NOW UNDERWAY IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

‘South West Picture Show’ Film Festival Now Underway

The region-wide Film Festival for Dumfries and Galloway, the South West Picture Show, now in its third year, has rolled out across the region. It offers a number of free screenings, events, and filmmaking workshops during October.

The festival is unique in Scotland in that it is a rural, community-curated festival with local cinemas and venues hosting screenings and events, and giving as many people as possible access to cinema near to where they live.

Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Film Office secured funding from Regional Screen Scotland earlier this year on behalf of the film festival. This is now in place for two years to support programming and audience development at festival venues across the region. The total funding secured is £22,500, with further funding earmarked for future festivals.

The region’s four Area Arts Hub convenors have been commissioned by the Council to coordinate delivery of the 2014 festival across the region. The Area Arts Hub convenors are part of the new structure for the arts led by DG Unlimited (the Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of the Arts), the organisation responsible for promoting and supporting the arts in Dumfries and Galloway.

Councillor Colin Smyth, the Events Champion, said “We are delighted to see so many venues take part in the South West Picture Show this year, and hope that the festival will grow even bigger next year.”

The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Reflections of Dumfries and Galloway’, asking venues to pick films that reflected their communities’ interests and passions.

Some of the films being screened were shot in the region. One is ‘A Shot At Glory’, filmed at Palmerston Park in 1999, which was introduced by Kenny Eggo, the Council’s Film Officer at that time, on Friday 10 October at the Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre (RBCFT).

Wigtown Book Festival teamed up with the South West Picture Show to explore the relationship between page and screen, with talks, screenings and workshops, and a mini-cinema set up on the top floor of Wigtown County Buildings. A screening of the film ‘Lore’ was fully booked and the masterclass the following day about the transformation of Lore from a story in a novel to a feature film attracted 50 people.

Some films reflect the region’s rural nature, like the screening of ‘The Shepherds of Berneray’ (25 October, RBCFT) or ‘Etre et Avoir’ on 18 October at the Eskdalemuir Hub.

The Ryan Centre in Stranraer has chosen to show the very first film that was screened there 20 years ago, ‘The Lion King’ on Friday 24 October.

Machars Movies and Victoria Hall, Annan, have both chosen to show ‘Oh! What a Lovely War’, the acclaimed anti-war film directed by the late Richard Attenborough, in honour of the part this region played in WW1. The Annan screening takes place on Thursday 23 October.

With 36 screenings and workshops, spread over 16 venues, the film festival is a unique event that highlights the region’s passion for cinema and film-making. For more information, and booking details, please see the website: http://www.rbcft.co.uk/filmfestival/

1. Regional Screen Scotland is the development agency for cinema facilities and organisations in Scotland – from independent cinemas to film clubs and film festivals. [http://www.regionalscreenscotland.org]

2. Dumfries and Galloway Council Film Office can be contacted on RBCFT@dumgal.gov.uk or on 01387 263094.

3. DG Unlimited is the name of the organisation of the Chamber of Arts [http://www.freshstartforthearts.com/news/view/2014-10-03-dg-unlimited-the-chamber-rebrands]

3. Next year’s film festival will take place in October 2015, with the theme of ‘Food and Drink’.

4. The four convenors are all freelancers with part-time fixed term contracts with DG Unlimited until September 2015. Between them they have a wide range of skills and experience.

• Cate Ross, Stewartry: An independent artist and freelance community arts development worker. Cate provides locally based circus arts training, specialising in dance trapeze through her organisation ‘aethAERIALarts’.
• Sid Ambrose: Wigtownshire: For the last 15 years he has been fully immersed in either producing, promoting or filming arts and music events. He is best known for coming up with the concept for the Wickerman festival and was artistic director for over a decade.
• Belle Doyle, Nithsdale: Previously the region’s Film Officer, she has worked for Scottish Screen and Creative Scotland on inward investment. She has run projects for Fresh Start and the Stove Network and is also engaged by Edinburgh International Film Festival to run the annual Scottish Film Summit.
• Alan Thomson, Annandale and Eskdale: Alan was Business Manager and Depute Director of dgArts. Since then he has been developing arts projects and managing events on a freelance basis.

DUMFRIES DOCK PARK VOTED BEST IN SCOTLAND

Dock park in  Dumfries  which recently underwent a £2m overhaul has been voted the best in Scotland.

DSC_8608

Keep Scotland Beautiful has revealed the results of the poll to identify the nation’s favourite open spaces.

A celberation to be  held Today 16th of October at 11.am at  the Dock Park ,marking the  Green Flag People’s Choice Award for Scotland award,  local Councillors, the Friends of Dock Park and people involved in the park’s restoration will all attended

Dock Park was the first park in Dumfries and Galloway to receive a Green Flag Award earlier this year. As a result of this, all parks that achieve a Green Flag award are put forward for the People’s Choice Award. Green Flag is a national recognition for parks and green spaces that are of a high quality.


In the vote, organised by the Green Flag Award scheme, which presents Green Flag status to the best open spaces in the country, Keep Scotland Beautiful hailed the Scottish successes announced today .

The Green Flag Award for parks is the national standard for parks and recognises well managed, high quality sites with community involvement

In 2014, there were 64 Scottish parks and open spaces that initially sought recognition for their quality environment. A record 59 were successful and 8 parks were awarded Green Flags for the first time by Keep Scotland Beautiful.

All Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces are entered into the annual People’s Choice Award vote, which every year sees countrywide mass involvement in voting for the very best.

The Green Flag Award scheme is licensed to Keep Britain Tidy, from the Department for Communities and Local Government, and managed across the UK in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Tidy Northern Ireland, the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens and the National Housing Federation.

Councillor Colin Smyth, Chairman of Dumfries an Galloway Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee said, “We were absolutely delighted that the Dock Park was awarded a coveted Green Flag earlier this year, which was worthy recognition of the way the council has totally transformed the park. However to now be voted No. 1 in Scotland is an outstanding achievement especially because this award was as a result of a public vote.

“You only have to visit Dock Park most days to see just how popular it is with visitors and local families. A lot of hard work by a lot of people has gone into the regeneration of this historic park and this is just reward for those efforts, a great example of this is The Friends of Dock Park who have been supporting the regeneration since 2010. The Dock Park has a lot of support from the community and with staff now based their permanently, a regular maintenance regime is in place to keep the park looking good, there is also a regular programme of events. I am sure we will build on this achievement and the Park will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Keep Scotland Beautiful is responsible for managing the award in Scotland and Derek Robertson, Keep Scotland Beautiful Chief Executive said:

“Our warm congratulations go out to Dock Park in Dumfries for their 1st place. We all know how important all green spaces are, and it is great to see the success of this local park being recognised nationally.

“With a record number of Green Flag awarded parks being named in Scotland, we can point to genuine improvement in these green spaces, and we congratulate those responsible for park management at Dock Park, as well as the local community who help with upkeep and management. Locals tell us time and again how valued this park is for recreation, and in celebrating this Scottish success story, we look for continued improvement next year.”

The initial Green Flag bid was completed by DGC but involves/ includes all of the work done by Friends of Dock Park, HLF, Landfill Communities Fund through Solway Heritage and the community surrounding Dock Park. The People’s Choice Award depended 100% on public backing.

 

Pictures Copyright of R.B Photography

 

 

FUNDING APPLICATIONS WELCOMED TO DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY REGIONAL ARTS FUND

Dumfries & Galloway Council and DG Unlimited (Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of the Arts) invite funding applications from organisations, community groups and individuals to the Dumfries & Galloway Regional Arts Fund, which opend on 15/th of October .
The Dumfries & Galloway Regional Arts Fund is designed in collaboration with DG Unlimited and aims to help deliver and increase the impact of arts projects at regional level. The scheme is part of the council’s Place Partnership with Creative Scotland.
Investment priorities were developed by DG Unlimited on behalf of the arts sector in the region.
There is an allocation of just over £100,000 available to support projects through the Regional Arts Fund. Funding is available under six Strands: Art & Place; Youth Arts/Early Career Development; Touring; Supporting Practice Next Stages; International Ambition- Reaching Out and Bringing In; and Programme Enhancement and Audience Development. Details of the fund and how to apply can be found at http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/artsfund
Councillor Tom McAughtrie, Chairman of Community and Customer Services Committee, said “the Council is delighted to offer this opportunity to increase the positive impact of the arts across our region through our Place Partnership with Creative Scotland and DG Unlimited (formerly the Chamber of Arts). We recognise the positive contribution that the arts make. That is why the Council is investing £200,000 along with match funding from Creative Scotland. Over the summer DG Unlimited have drawn together the views of arts organisations across the region to inform the priorities of the fund and we look forward to seeing the results bear fruit for artists and audiences across Dumfries and Galloway during the coming year”
Amanda Herries, DG Unlimited Vice Chair, said: “It’s great news that £100,000 is being invested in arts projects which will help promote creativity across the region. We have worked closely with artists and organisations in every part of Dumfries and Galloway to identify what the priorities should be and we are really looking forward to some innovative and exciting applications. Our region has a fabulous reputation for its thriving arts and cultural sector and this partnership with the council and Creative Scotland will strengthen it even further. The arts are of immense value in building stronger communities and enhancing lives, they are also an increasingly important to the regional economy, bringing in visitors from all over the country, and providing good career opportunities for our young people.”
Applications must be submitted on or before 5pm on Friday 28 November 2014 for consideration by early 2015. If funds remain thereafter, further closing dates will be set and the details will be available from the Council’s website.
There is considerable advice for applicants on the Council’s website and from Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway. Local Area Arts Hub Convenors will also be able to advise applicants – their contact details are available at
http://www.freshstartforthearts.com/the-team.php.

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY POLICE DEAL WITH 767 DRIVERS WITH VEHICLE DEFECTS IN WINTER SAFETY CAMPAIGN

POLICE SCOTLAND – GET READY FOR WINTER INITIATIVE

Police Scotland is urging drivers to make a few simple checks this winter to stay safe and not put themselves, their families and other road users at risk.

Last week, in a seven-day initiative, Police Scotland road patrols conducted mobile and static road checks across the country in an effort to keep road users and pedestrians safe ahead of winter weather conditions and shorter days.

In the West of Scotland, Police Scotland dealt with 767 drivers who were using their vehicles on public roads with a defect. A total of 394 received warnings for minor defects, 232 were issued with Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme Tickets (VDRs) and for more serious defects 141 were issued with a fixed penalty conditional offer ticket or reported to the Procurator Fiscal for the most serious offences.

Inspector Neil Hewitson from the Road Policing Unit, said: “Thankfully most of the defects detected were minor and could be dealt with by giving some advice to the drivers, however there were still 141 defects that were serious enough for the officers to issue a conditional offer of fixed penalty or report the driver to the court.

“The checks are not difficult, anyone can do them, and they will help to keep you and your family safer when out in the car during the wetter and colder weather. It doesn’t take long and should be done regularly. If you’re not sure how to check your vehicle, have a look at the Police Scotland web site where you will find a short video which we hope will help you.

“If you do not feel able to carry out the checks yourself or think there may be other issues with your vehicle, you should have it checked by one the many garages across Scotland that offer pre-winter inspection services.

”Don’t put yourself and your family at risk when a few simple checks will help to keep you safe ahead of winter.”

DUMFRIES A GALLOWAY ARTS FESTIVAL CALLS OUT TO PERFORMERS AND EVENTS ORGANISERS

A call has gone out for performers and events organisers to join the region’s longest running arts festival for 2015.
The Fringe programme of the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival was launched this year and proved a popular addition to the annual event which has taken place at the end of May for the past 35 years.
Over 15 Fringe events were held across the region in music, drama and literature, which included a performance of songs, stories and poems by BBC Scotland’s Tom Mortimer; a premiere performance of historical words and music; a haunted castle tour; a pop-up bookshop; and a magic show.
For its 36th year, the festival intends to fill its brochure with more independently-run acts from the region to a wider audience.
Programme director, Peter Renwick, said: “The Fringe is a way of opening up the festival and making sure anyone holding a performance event can have a chance to take part.
“Performance may take the form of the spoken word, music, theatre, comedy and dance.
“Benefits to performers will be free publicity including inclusion in our brochure, which has a print run of 20,000; website, print and media presence.
“For us, this is the opportunity to show off the wealth and diversity of exciting, innovative performing arts talent around the region.”
Any act wishing to take part in Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival Fringe is asked to visit www.dgartsfestival.org.uk for an application form or contact Peter for an informal chat.

FREE COURSE TO HELP FOLK ADJUST TO LIFE AFTER CANCER TREATMENT

Finished Cancer Treatment? This Free Course Can Help

A cancer diagnosis can be a real shock to the system and people often find themselves very quickly living with a new routine that revolves around treating their illness. But what happens when the treatment finishes and you go back to trying to live a normal life?

Manager of Cancer Information and Support at the Macmillan Centre in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Claire Drummond hopes a FREE six week course will help people adjust to life after treatment.

Claire said: “Cancer treatment can have a dramatic affect on people’s lives in many different, often unexpected, ways. We wanted to offer practical opportunities for people to explore their feelings, get answers to their questions and meet other people who have faced similar challenges.

“The course is called After Treatment Finishes…What Now? and it is aimed at people who have completed cancer treatment in the last year. It covers a wide range of issues like sleep and fatigue, exercise, body changes, communication, facing the future and moving forward with your life.”

The course starts on Wednesday 29 October 2014 and runs for six consecutive weeks between 4.00pm and 6.15pm. There is no charge and people are asked to attend all six sessions if possible.

For further information or to book a place please contact. Claire Drummond by phone on 01387 241 978 or by email at claire.drummond@nhs.net

DGWGO FEATURED ARTIST – AMANDA SUNDERLAND THE ISLE STUDIO, ISLE OF WHITHORN

The October DGWGO featured artist is the Amazing Amanda Sunderland , who creates wonderful work from her studio in the Isle of whithorn !

 

I am an artist living and working in the Isle of Whithorn. I live with my daughter Sarah and little dog Ash.

1 a 1 a aman 4 - Copy
As a child I used to visit my grandparents here and I always loved it, so when I was older although I travelled to various parts of the world I always came back after a while because I missed being here. I don’t know quite what it is ,the scenery to me is beautiful even though it is not as grand as other parts of the country, but to me it has such a variety in such a small area especially in this little corner of The Machars, take for example the walk down to St Ninian’s cave especially in spring time when the walk through the wood is a carpet of bluebells and wild garlic,and what a surprise to come out after a short distance onto a pebble beach and be met by the crashing waves, or clambering up onto the cliff top on the right come across the remains of an ancient fort or discover the old tin mines along the blustery walk along the coast..
I always loved beachcombing as a child and still as an adult I very often like wandering down on the beach looking for old bits and pieces and still finding my ‘treasure’ the little glass stoppers that I found and still do find frequently on the stretch of beach where I live. Probably silly but I get the same feeling of joy when I come across them as I did when I was little.
So this love of my little place, I hope comes across in my landscape work. I am always trying to express that joy and the feeling that I am part of the elements,especially the sea with it’s ever changing moods, peaks and troughs,(hhmmm very like me) . I use a variety of media from fine drawings with ink pen, pastels, watercolour to very heavy acrylics and oils sometimes using a brush,sometimes using my fingers, to capture the immediacy and movement of the landscape, that very second when you know you have captured some spirit of nature,
This can mean I get through quite a lot of paint because as in nature it is so easy to miss something magical,so it can easily be overworked to a muddy mess on the canvas when I am using the paint straight from the tube.

I never stick with one way of doing things or one subject and I also really enjoy drawing and painting wildlife and people or slightly odd topics like my daughters dolls, and of course The Wicker Man.
My paintings are based on the film made among other locations in the Isle and at Burrowhead in 1972 which starred Christopher Lee ,Edward Woodward , Diane Cilento,Ingrid Pitt, Britt Ekland and several extras including my father and two uncles,and over time it seemed more and more people were interested in it,so it seemed ridiculous to me to have nothing to say about it as more people came on holiday and wanted to find the locations and hear the stories of filming.

I was very young when I first saw images of the structure and it stayed with me and it’s funny how it is still part of my life, and I am still painting pictures based on it.
I was recently asked to paint a picture for the actress Lesley Mackie who plays Daisy in the film(the little girl in the classroom who has the beetle tied to a string in her desk).
I am very glad to have this opportunity to show a small selection of my work and I hope you enjoy it.
Please get in touch if you have any enquiries,
my email address is amjsunde13@gmail.com
Kind Regards
Amanda Sunderland

Featured Photographer – Michal Šúr

I grew up in Slovakia surrounded by hills and forests. I started photographing quite early using my father’s old Pentacon. My preferred subject has always been nature – landscape and landscape detail, plants, woodlands and wildlife. In Slovakia I studied forestry and after finishing my degree I came to the UK and started working in nature conservation.

Over the years I tried B&W and colour negative film, transparency, and eventually I completely switched to digital about five years ago. It was mainly the work on nature reserves, the abundance and proximity of wildlife and my need for a cheaper option to film that made me switch to digital. I have been lucky to have lived and worked in some of the most amazing places – the Inner Hebrides, the Seychelles and Iceland – places with unique landscapes and wildlife.

You can see more images and keep up to date via Michal’s website and Facebook Page

Digital also allowed me to start with infra-red photography, something that fascinated me long before the arrival of digital photography but was not affordable. Over the past few years I have seen myself slowly drifting away from the colour wildlife and nature photography towards infra-red B&W. I still like to photograph nature in its original colours, mainly wildlife as a part of its environment; but it is the infra-red B&W that inspires me the most.

I like contrast and simplicity. Sometimes I return to the same places over and over again, study the light, its intensity, direction, colour, shapes, shadows and patterns. I like using long exposures to enhance the movement in the environment – to smooth the motion of water and clouds and blur the foliage in the wind but keep the rocks standing motionless.

My photography has been constantly evolving. This has been a natural process that started with photographing landscapes, gradually focusing more on landscape detail, later on the wildlife and finally going back to B&W. It is likely that this will keep me occupied for a while but then, no one knows, in the next few years it might be something different that will inspire me. It is still likely to be nature though.

For me, the process of making pictures is what photography is all about. Being out there surrounded by the elements and experiencing them with all my senses. That is why I tend to do only simple post processing and instead try to spend as much time as possible outdoors.

I only recently moved to Galloway to join my girlfriend. I especially like the woodlands of the region and I am looking forward to exploring them and looking for new photographing opportunities.