Following an outbreak of COVID-19 at Thorney Croft Care Home in Stranraer, Community Integrated Care – the charity which runs the home – and Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership have been working in close partnership to ensure all necessary plans and protocols are in place to manage the outbreak.
Very sadly, within the past week there has been a further four deaths of a resident where COVID was recorded as being present, bringing the total to 14, with positive cases standing at 46 staff and 46 residents.
Thoughts continue to be with families and with staff at this time.
Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership note that this has been a very difficult and distressing situation for all involved, and note the swift action, dedication and commitment of care home operators Community Integrated Care and their colleagues in how they have responded.
Dumfries and Galloways very Own ‘Big Burns Supper Festival’ Scotland’s largest contemporary Burns celebration, attracted a digital audience of 327,000 with viewers tuning in from Scotland and 50 countries across the world to its first-ever fully digital show which aired on Burns Nicht.
The virtual celebration hosted by award-winning Scottish comedian, Janey Godley, with special guests including musicians KT Tunstall, Donovan and Skerryvore, Tide Lines, Dougie McLean as well as Artistic Director of Birds of Paradise Theatre Company, Robert Softley Gale, Jamaican World Roots Reggae singer Brina, Scottish Hollyoaks star, Amy Conachan and many, many others.
Marking the Festival’s 10th anniversary, Janey Godley’s Big Burn Supper a free, star-studded show, was broadcast on Burns Night (25 January), simultaneously on the Festival’s Facebook page and YouTube channel where it is still available to all those wishing to relive the fantastic experience.
On hosting the show Janey Godley said: “What an absolutely cracking night! I’m still knackered. Hosting the Big Burns Supper virtual show was a proper honour. It was so clear from the outpouring of support and positivity from folk tuning in from around the world and raising a dram to Rab, just how vital culture and the arts are to us all. The Big Burns Supper showcased the incredible power culture and the arts have in bringing us together, providing light in dark times and giving us all a much-needed laugh!”
Executive Producer, Graham Main said: “We set out to present an unforgettable experience for all Scots and fans of Burns around the world and I believe we delivered just that. Janey Godley’s Big Burns Supper was a unique contemporary reflection on the Bard’s work, not least as it brought together a superb line-up of local, Scottish and international musicians, actors, comedians and cabaret and burlesque artists, beamed into living rooms in Scotland and across the world for a brilliant collective moment of positivity.”
Thank you to Janey and the incredible artists who made the show such a success and of course we extend a huge thank you to those who tuned in and joined us from Scotland and across the world. We have been absolutely blown away by the outpouring of joy, celebration and thanks received from folk around the world – it’s been our absolute pleasure to provide a moment of light in these challenging dark times. Here’s to another 10 fantastic years of Big Burns Supper!”
Comments from Janey’s Big Burns Supper audiences online:
“Pure dead brill Janey Godley!Such diversity! It made oor nicht! “A great wee cheer up at home wi #BigBurnsSupper! Oidhche Bhlas Burns! Slainte!”
“This has been one of the best Burns Night Programmes ever. Fantastic array of talent and great entertainment. Well done Janey Godley for being a brilliant host.”
“Loving the Big Burns Supper and its inclusive and diverse approach to Burns Night – this is Scotland, a place where anyone, even a new Scot like me, can belong!”
“I can’t tell you how wonderful, special and comforting it is to have Big Burns Supper this year for #BurnsNightIn for this proud Scot in Speyer, Germany.”
A VERY good response followed an invitation for people in Langholm and Canonbie areas to be tested for COVID-19 – regardless as to whether or not they were experiencing symptoms.
Community testing in this way was possible because of a spike in cases within a small geographic area with relatively small populations, plus limited access to a mobile testing unit previously trialled at two just other locations in Scotland.
Interim Director of Public Health Valerie White said: “A total of 1179 people were tested over the four days from January 23 to January 26.
“Other people meanwhile took up the opportunity of home testing kits, or testing opportunities in Carlisle and Annan.
“A relatively small number of new cases were identified on each day, totalling 23 newly-identified COVID-19 cases in the DG13 and DG14 postcode areas.
“Those people and their close contacts are now being advised to self-isolate to help bring down the local spike in cases, and work is taking place to examine the data and see what lessons can be learned to inform any similar approach within Dumfries and Galloway and nationally.”
This community testing was in response to a local increase in cases in the DG13 and DG14 areas – with 117 since the beginning of the year from an area with an estimated population of just over 3700 people.
Gratitude is expressed to colleagues in national testing who agreed to despatch a mobile testing unit which had only carried out trials in asymptomatic testing in two other locations in Scotland.
It has been suggested that wider asymptomatic COVID-19 testing may be something which becomes more commonplace in Scotland, and this four days of testing in Langholm will help inform future approaches.
A very sincere apology is extended over problems which arose on the first day of testing which meant some people who made appointments were unable to be tested.
Issues arose at the national testing unit at Langholm around availability of testing kits, which resulted in shortages towards the end of the day on Saturday. We took this up with our national testing colleagues and this was rectified for the other three days of testing.
This testing provides results for a specific point in time, so everyone within the DG13 and DG14 postcode areas is being reminded to remain on their guard, follow the national guidance, and if symptoms develop to immediately self-isolate and arrange to be tested.
Ms White said: “This period of testing was made possible through the availability of this trial national testing unit, the scale of the testing undertaken in this focused area, and the fantastic response from the community. The learning from this will inform future approaches to testing for COVID-19.
“A sincere thanks to everyone who came forward to be tested.”
Three new funds to support businesses uniquely affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will launch this week.
From today, local authorities will start to approach brewers, travel agents and indoor football centres inviting them to claim grants of £10,000 or £25,000. A higher payment of £30,000 will be available to the largest brewers.
Councils will brief around 400 eligible businesses on their potential entitlement and ask them to provide supporting information and bank account details. Owners do not need to apply, or contact the local authority.
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said:
“We started 2021 in a way none of us envisaged nor wanted, with additional measures in place to limit the spread of the new strain of COVID-19, protect our NHS and save lives.
“These funds recognise the unprecedented challenges that brewers, travel agents and indoor football centres have experienced since March as a result of necessary restrictions.
“We are acutely aware that this support can never compensate for the full impact on business, but we must work within the resources that are available to us, and we continue to respond to the evolving economic challenges arising from the pandemic.”
Background
The Scottish Government has allocated £3 billion in business support since the start of the pandemic on top of support available through the UK Government.
Grants available:
• £10,000 for premises which have a rateable value of up to and including £18,000
• £25,000 for premises which have a rateable value of £18,001 or above
• £30,000 for brewers only operating a property with a rateable value of over £51,000 or production over 5,000HL in 2019
More information on the Brewers Support Fund
More information on Support for Travel Agents
More information on Support for Indoor Football Centres
.
Three new funds to support businesses uniquely affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will launch this week.
From today, local authorities will start to approach brewers, travel agents and indoor football centres inviting them to claim grants of £10,000 or £25,000. A higher payment of £30,000 will be available to the largest brewers.
Councils will brief around 400 eligible businesses on their potential entitlement and ask them to provide supporting information and bank account details. Owners do not need to apply, or contact the local authority.
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said:
“We started 2021 in a way none of us envisaged nor wanted, with additional measures in place to limit the spread of the new strain of COVID-19, protect our NHS and save lives.
“These funds recognise the unprecedented challenges that brewers, travel agents and indoor football centres have experienced since March as a result of necessary restrictions.
“We are acutely aware that this support can never compensate for the full impact on business, but we must work within the resources that are available to us, and we continue to respond to the evolving economic challenges arising from the pandemic.”
Background
The Scottish Government has allocated £3 billion in business support since the start of the pandemic on top of support available through the UK Government.
Grants available:
• £10,000 for premises which have a rateable value of up to and including £18,000
• £25,000 for premises which have a rateable value of £18,001 or above
• £30,000 for brewers only operating a property with a rateable value of over £51,000 or production over 5,000HL in 2019
More information on the Brewers Support Fund
More information on Support for Travel Agents
More information on Support for Indoor Football Centres
After a brief respite another spell of potentially disruptive weather is on the way for parts of the UK.
Several National Severe Weather warnings have been issued. A Yellow warning for snow is in place today, valid until midnight tonight, covering parts of southern Scotland and northern and central England. A spell of hill snow could lead to accumulations for some of 2-5cm above 200m while 5-10cm could gather above 400 m in a few places.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Neil Armstrong, said: “Late on Wednesday a weather front moves north eastwards across the UK bringing rain which turns to snow as it pushes further north and meets with colder air.”
“Although a Yellow warning for rain has been issued for Thursday rainfall amounts will generally be lower than last week, with many areas seeing 20-30mm. However, 50-70mm is once again possible in isolated spots across parts of the western Pennines, Greater Manchester, and North Wales, and rivers are still high in this area meaning further impacts could be possible.”
Neil Davies, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Despite the treacherous conditions, we protected more than 49,000 homes and businesses across England from flooding during Storm Christoph, but with river catchments now extremely wet and sensitive to further rainfall on saturated ground, we have to remain vigilant to further flooding this winter.
“Our teams are out on the ground checking defences and clearing grilles and screens to make sure we are prepared for the next band of wet weather.”
Check your local flood risk and sign up for free flood warnings in England via Gov.uk or follow @EnvAgency on Twitter, in Wales via National Resources Wales and in Scotland via SEPA.
A Yellow warning for snow is also in place for parts of northern England and southern Scotland where significant snowfall could lead to disruption. Snow is expected to fall quite widely within the warning area with several centimetres accumulating in places. However, there is the potential to see significant accumulations over higher ground with as much as 15-30cm over hills above 200m, which may lead to transport disruption.
It will turn drier, but colder, for the coming weekend, with sunshine for many after icy starts on both Saturday and Sunday, before we see a return to more wet, unsettled weather for early next week.
Keep up to date with the latest weather warnings and the forecast for your area using our warning and forecast pages on our website. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook, as well as using our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
New, updated legislation – being taken forward by South Scotland SNP MSP Emma Harper – which seeks to address the increasing levels of livestock attacks across Scotland has been unanimously voted through a Stage 1 debate in the Scottish Parliament with members from all political parties supporting the Bill’s general principles.
The Bill will go to a Stage 2 debate on Wednesday 24 February and is expected to reach the final stage of proceedings in March. Ms Harper has now written to all party rural affairs spokespeople setting out how she intends to move forward and offering them a meeting with her ahead of Stage 2.
The Member’s Bill – which has the backing of Scottish farmers and their representative bodies, outdoor access interest groups and dog walkers alike – will provide additional powers for the investigation and enforcement of the offence of livestock worrying and will increase the maximum penalties available to the courts. The Bill also extends the definition of “livestock” to include additional types of farmed animal such as llamas, deer, and buffalo.
In Holyrood’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee report on the Bill, the committee indicted its support for its general principles, subject to Ms Harper working with the Scottish Government on areas of potential change and clarity. Ms Harper has since met with the Government’s Rural Affairs Minister and has agreed to a number of amendments which will be made to the Bill at Stage 2 to reflect the recommendations made by the Committee and Government.
These include amending the Bill to include an affirmative procedure for regulations regarding the definition of livestock,
an amendment to increase the maximum available penalty to 12 months imprisonment or a fine of £40,000, or both, which will be taken forward by the Scottish Government and an amendment to remove provisions authorising inspecting bodies other than the police to carry out investigation. Finally, Ms Harper agreed to an amendment to remove the power for entry to non-domestic premises without a warrant.
Ms Harper has said that she is now confident, after making the changes suggested by the Committee and Government, that it is a Bill the Parliament can now get behind to improve and strengthen the law to ensure protection against attacks on livestock for Scotland’s hard-working farmers, shepherds and agricultural community.
Commenting, Ms Harper said:
“I’m delighted my Protection of Livestock (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill has received support from members across all political parties as well as unanimous backing from Scotland’s leading agricultural, animal welfare and outdoor access bodies. It received over 800 responses to the consultation from farmers, dog owners and those involved with the agricultural community who agreed that the current legislation is outdated and who were supportive of the principles of the Bill.
“The Bill will provide the Police and legal bodies with additional powers which are designed to better investigate and enforce the offence of livestock worrying, it extends the legal definition of livestock and strengthens the penalties for those who carry out the offence.
“Following the report by the Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee and after meeting with the Minister, I have agreed to a number of amendments to the Bill which will be taken forward at Stage 2 at the end of February. These include a technical amendment to include an affirmative procedure for regulations regarding the definition of livestock, increasing the maximum available penalty to 12 months imprisonment or a fine of £40 thousand, or both, which will be taken forward by the Scottish Government, removing provisions authorising inspecting bodies other than the police to carry out investigation, and finally, removing the power for entry to non-domestic premises without a warrant.
“I am pleased to have got to this stage and with my commitment to take these amendments to the Bill forward I will reach Stage 2 proceedings in a few week’s time and closer to the point of the Bill becoming law in Scotland. I thank all who have been involved with the Bill so far.”
Historic Environment Recovery Funding will support organisations and help to support the recovery of Scotland’s historic environment sector from the impacts of COVID-19
Wanlockhead Museum Trust, A working steam railway museum in Spey Valley, a historic castle on the Isle of Mull and an A-listed lighthouse on Shetland are among those set to benefit from funding as part of the Historic Environment Recovery Fund.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced funding of £1,916,238 to over 40 organisations across the country to help support the recovery of Scotland’s historic environment sector from the impacts of COVID-19.
The Historic Environment Recovery Fund was launched in October with two funding streams available.
The first stream – the Reopening Historic Buildings and Sites stream – offers support to help sites reopen to the public including repairs and PPE equipment and adaptions to facilitate social distancing. As part of this stream, £240,000 has been awarded to the A-listed Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh to assist with internal adaptions to facilitate social distancing and make the historic theatre safe for visitors when it is able to re-open.
£17,625 has also been awarded to Duart Castle Partnership to assist with works at the 13th century Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull as they start to plan for the next visitor season. As part of the works, a one-way system will be developed so that visitors can explore the castle safely.
Meanwhile, £73,743 has been awarded to Shetland Amenity Trust for works to the A-listed Sumburgh Head Lighthouse on Shetland. The funding will be used to address building maintenance as a result of winter storm damage, install COVID adaptions and develop a new business plan. The Trust will also deliver a community art project and video to promote the site and re-engage with the local community.
The A-listed Cockenzie House and Gardens in East Lothian has also been awarded £12,112 to cover repairs which will ensure continued public access to the building which is a vibrant community hub offering studios for small business and artists and delivers a range of heritage and community projects within the grounds.
The second stream – the Sector Resilience and Recovery stream – will help organisations to protect jobs or skills training posts, as well as assist with activities to help them adapt to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. Organisations which HES is supporting under this stream include The Scottish Lime Centre, based in Fife. The Scottish Lime Centre is a key provider of advice, training and practical experience for the repair and conservation of Scotland’s traditional and historic buildings and £25,000 has been awarded to upgrade their website, improve their online presence and develop four training videos for traditional building skills, enabling them to continue to deliver valuable online training in a COVID-safe manner.
The Strathspey Railway Company, which runs a working steam railway museum offering passengers a 20-mile journey through Spey Valley in historic rail carriages pulled by historic locomotives, has been awarded £57,700. The funding will safeguard the development of traditional skills including three engineering apprenticeships as well as PPE equipment to allow the museum to safely re-open and allow visitors to enjoy the railway heritage of the Spey Valley once it is safe to do so.
In addition, £39,575 has been awarded to the Friends of Dundonald Castle – a charity that operates the 14th century castle and visitor centre in Ayrshire. The funding will enable the organisation to focus on increasing their resilience while adapting to COVID-19, develop recovery plans, increase their digital presence and produce online learning resources.
Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh
The Historic Environment Recovery Fund is administered by HES on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Alex Paterson, Chief Executive at HES, said:
From museums in the Highlands to historic venues and buildings in central Scotland and the Borders, we are pleased to support a diverse range of projects the length and breadth of Scotland as part of the Historic Environment Recovery Fund. By helping to protect jobs, reopen historic sites and maintaining investment in traditional skills training and apprenticeships, we hope to support the wider recovery of the sector and Scotland’s economy.
“While historic sites and visitor attractions have been impacted by the closure of sites throughout the 2020 visitor season and the loss of revenue, other organisations in the sector have also had to adapt the way in which they carry out their work, put crucial traditional skills training and educational activities on hold and look at new ways to generate income, and we hope that this funding will allow the recipients to prepare for the future.
“The historic environment sector provides countless benefits to local communities – including providing jobs and generating tourism spend – and it is vital that we support these organisations and ensure their important work can continue as we face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and seek to harness opportunities ahead.”
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:
“Scotland is internationally renowned for the quality and diversity of its historic environment. Our historic environment plays a crucial role in defining who we are as a nation, supporting wellbeing and sustainability within communities and promoting a positive image of Scotland across the world.
I am pleased that a wide range of projects will benefit from Scottish Government funding as part of the Historic Environment Recovery Fund. The support delivered through this fund will safeguard our shared heritage for future generations, protect jobs and help to strengthen Scotland’s wider economic recovery.”
The projects which have been awarded funding are:
Archaeology Scotland – £72,000
Ardnamurchan Lighthouse Trust Ltd – £27,171
Bannockburn House Trust – £27,282
Braemar Community Limited – £30,620
Castle Roy Trust SCIO – £11,248
Cawdor Castle Ltd – £100,528
Clan Mackenzie Charitable Trust – £24,400
Cockenzie House and Gardens – £12,112
Collective – £47,988
Dr Coralie Mills, Dendrochronicle – £14,998
Duart Castle Partnership – £17,625
Eden Court Highlands – £59,364
Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust – £19,815
Fife Historic Buildings Trust – £83,914
Finlaggan Trust – £8,347
Friends of Dundonald Castle SCIO – £39,575
Friends of Kilbride – £68,509
Glasgow Women’s Library – £30,000
Govan Heritage Trust SCIO – £39,905
Hopetoun House Preservation Trust – £71,355
King’s Theatre Kirkcaldy Limited – £87,000
Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust – £18,985
Northlight Heritage – £14,916
Open Past – £12,575
Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust – £53,351
Raasay House Community Company – £15,782
Scottish Lime Centre Trust – £25,000
Scottish Railway Preservation Society – £158,654
Shetland Amenity Trust – £73,743
Skaill House – £30,000
Smart History – £12,500
Stonehaven Recreation Grounds – £92,069
The Abbotsford Trust – £48,730
The John Rae Society – £17,107
The Moray Society/Elgin Museum – £8,720
The Queen’s Hall (Edinburgh) Ltd – £240,000
The Ridge SCIO – £24,418
The Strathspey Railway Company – £57,700
The Swan Trust – £17,800
Traquair House Charitable Trust – £30,104
Wanlockhead Museum Trust – £70,328
For further information, visit: www.historicenvironment.scot/grants-and-funding/our-grants/historic-environment-recovery-fund-grants-awarded
About Year of Coasts and Waters 2021
The Year of Coasts and Waters (#YCW2021), led by VisitScotland, will be showcased throughout 2021. Activities and ideas will shine a spotlight on the impact our waters have had on Scotland, from the formation of beautiful natural features to the creation of our national drink – whisky.
After completing a 24 hour gaming challenge for MacMillan Cancer Support where she helped raise £841, Aimee 11 from Calside, Dumfries, has decided to launch her very own YouTube Channel.
The Primary 7 pupil has been dreaming of setting up her own channel for a couple of years now, so on her 11th birthday she was delighted that her parents gave her the green light to launch.
Aimee is very excited to be sharing her gaming laughs and excitement with others, especially in the local community. She hopes to encourage many like minded gamers in the local area to come with her on her new journey. If they like them then please feel free to like, share and subscribe to see any new content she uploads.
Aimee’s Dad Scott Told DGWGO ” I am bursting with pride for my daughter following her ambition in setting up very own channel.”
A joint SRUC/Teagasc conference will look at the role of digital in securing a green recovery
The role of digital in securing a green rural economy is the focus of a joint virtual conference being held by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and Teagasc.
The potential of digitalisation to achieve a sustainable natural economy, which is the third in a series of annual events, will take place via a webinar on Tuesday 9 February.
It will bring perspectives and insights on the role of digital technologies to secure a green recovery in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, and Professor Gerry Boyle, Teagasc Director, will jointly chair the event which will include four 15-minute sessions delivered by researchers from both institutions, and an open discussion.
In the first session, Professor Donagh Berry, from Teagasc and VistaMilk, will talk about value-creating decision support tools. This will be followed by a presentation on the digitalisation of the Dairy Value Chain by Professor Richard Dewhurst, Head of the Dairy Research Centre at SRUC.
Dr Hannah Rudman, Senior Challenge Research Fellow and Data Policy Lead at SRUC, will show how new technology is being deployed in the natural economy sector and the real benefits it achieves, and Dr John Hyland, from Teagasc, will talk about delivering farm advisory services in the digital age.
Professor Powell said: “We are living in a time of immense technological transformation, which is changing how we live our lives.
“Science and technology are unearthing solutions that can help tackle food security, energy shortages and climate change.
“This virtual webinar conference provides an opportunity for Scotland and Ireland to showcase how digital solutions can be used to secure a sustainable natural economy – which is part of our vision for the future.”
Professor Boyle said: “The challenge of our times for organisations like SRUC and Teagasc is to support the creation of ‘sustainable food systems’.
“Every node of the food system, right from the production of food to its digestion in our gut and the valorisation of waste streams, has to be the focus of our research and innovation.
“Data creation and its management is a critical platform to realise this goal and we hope this conference will help to clarify how digitisation can help us to achieve our vision.”
Teagasc and SRUC have collaborated on issues of mutual interest and concern for many years. This process culminated in 2018 with the first of a series of annual conferences aimed at identifying solutions and helping create new opportunities for rural economies.
This Edinburgh-based conference examined the potential of rural areas and resources to deliver on a wide range of economic, social, and environmental challenges and opportunities benefitting all citizens of Ireland and Scotland.
The 2019 conference, held in Dublin, addressed the major environmental, consumer and economic challenges facing pasture-based livestock systems in Scotland and Ireland.
The 2021 virtual conference will take place on Tuesday 9 February from 11am to 12.30pm. For more information and to register, visit: www.teagasc.ie/sruc
POLICE Officers are appealing for the public’s assistance aftera number of sheep have been stolen from fields at Maxwellbank near Lochmaben, between 19/01/2021 and 23/01/2021.
A police spokesperson said “There are indications that the sheep were walked out of the fields onto the Watchill road, thereafter into a waiting large livestock trailer or cattle truck. This would likely require the use of trained dogs/handler. Requesting any information to assist with the enquiry, particularly in relation to any suspicious activity, persons or vehicles at the time of the theft or in the days prior.
Please telephone 101 quoting ref 2192 of 23 January”
