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Parties And Candidates Rally To Support A Galloway National Park 

Parties and candidates rally to support a Galloway National Park 
image credit - Colin Hattersley .

Parties and candidates rally to support a Galloway National Park 

  • Nearly 30 individual candidates have pledged their backing 
  • Support comes from across the political spectrum  

Nearly 30 local election candidates from across the political spectrum have so far pledged to support the campaign for a Galloway National Park.

Parties and independents have also included it in their manifestoes for the 5 May local elections.

Rob Lucas, Chair of the Galloway National Park Association (GNPA), said: “Our Vote Galloway National Park campaign has won widespread support from candidates and parties across the political spectrum.

“They are clear that it would bring immense benefits to the region, its people, environment and economy.

“This is an issue where local councils can make a dramatic difference to the communities they serve by helping persuade the Scottish Government that the new National Park they have promised to create has got to be in Galloway.”

GNPA has called on all parties and candidates in the areas of Dumfries and Galloway, East and South Ayrshire that could potentially be included in the park, to actively back the campaign. Others outside that area have come forward with support, recognising the wider benefits it would bring to the region.

The association also wants Dumfries and Galloway Council to form a National Park Working Group which will work hard to make it happen.

GNPA is continuing to gather support from parties and candidates ahead of the election and letting the public know which ones are actively supporting a National Park. The list is at https://www.gallowaynationalpark.org/support.

 

Candidates expressing support as at 27 April 

Dumfries and Galloway 

  • Stranraer and the Rhins: Willie Scobie (Unattached); Ben Dashper (SNP); Chrissie Hill (Scottish Conservative)
  • Mid Galloway and Wigtown West: Katie Hagmann (SNP); Kenny Campbell (Scottish Greens)
  • Dee and Glenkens: Dougie Campbell (Independent); Laura Moodie (Scottish Greens); Andy McFarlane (SNP); Susan Murdoch (Scottish Conservative)
  • Castle Douglas and Crocketford: Iain McDonald (Scottish Lib Dems); John Young (SNP); Pauline Drysdale (Scottish Conservative); Liz Ashburn (Scottish Greens)
  • Abbey: Davie Stitt (Scottish Labour); Kim Lowe (SNP); Ian Blake (Scottish Conservative)
  • Mid and Upper Nithsdale: Tony Berretti (SNP); Kyle Thornton (Scottish Conservatives)
  • Lochar: Sandy Rogerson (Scottish Greens); Linda Dorward (Scottish Labour)
  • North West Dumfries: Andy Ferguson (SNP)
  • Annandale East and Eskdale: Archie Dryburgh (Scottish Labour)
  • Annandale North: Carolyne Wilson (Scottish Labour); Jennifer Norris (Scottish Greens)
  • Annandale South: Cameron Garrett (Scottish Greens)
  • Nith: Keith Walters (Scottish Labour)

 

East Ayrshire 

  • Doon Valley: Jennifer Hogg (SNP)

 

South Ayrshire 

  • Girvan and South Carrick: Peter Henderson (SNP)

 

Party and manifesto commitments 

Dougie Campbell, Independent candidate in Dee and Glenkens, said in his manifesto: “I will support the campaign for a Galloway National Park to ensure social, economic and employment opportunities for our struggling rural communities.”

The Greens have said they: “Welcome National Park status which generates high quality jobs, affordable housing for local people and limits the impact of second homes and holiday lets on our communities.”

Scottish Labour has committed itself to campaigning for a Galloway National Park.

The SNP say they: “support a feasibility study on the potential for the establishment of a Galloway National Park to protect our scenic landscape and natural marine environment.”

The Scottish Conservatives have told GNPA that they remain committed to creating Scotland’s third National Park in Galloway.

Wider support for a Galloway National Park  

GNPA helped persuade all the parties now represented in the Scottish Parliament to back the idea of new National Parks for Scotland – and the Scottish Government has agreed to create at least one by the end of its term in office.

These is strong public and business backing for it to be in Galloway as it will bring lasting and widespread benefits by:

  • Making the most of our fabulous countryside and coastlines
  • Generating sustainable tourism
  • Creating business opportunities and jobs
  • Providing a marketing brand that will put us on a world stage
  • Attracting millions of pounds a year in investment and income
  • Combatting climate change and enhancing environmental protection
  • Improving health and wellbeing
  • Offering opportunities for leisure and outdoor activities
  • Encouraging young people to remain or return to the region.

GNPA also believes that Galloway is the best place for Scotland’s next National Park because:

  • It has a unique mix of rolling farmland, low hills, wild moors, mountains and coastline – adding real diversity to Scotland’s family of National Parks.
  • Unlike some parts of Scotland there is ample opportunity, and need, for an increase in sustainable tourism.
  • It offers easy access to wonderful countryside for all ages and abilities, including economically deprived communities across south-west Scotland.
  • Extensive public and business support for a Galloway National Park shows that the region is ready and eager to seize the opportunities it would bring.

The scale of regional support shone through when the region took 50.3% of the votes in an online poll by The Scots Magazine. This was more than all the other potential locations – Ben Nevis, Glen Affric, Argyll, Wester Ross, Harris, Borders – combined.

Solway Sk8ing Club Make History at Britannia Cup 2022

comets

Solway Sk8ing Club left for their last competition of the season, The Britannia Cup which took place over Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th of April at Ice Sheffield after being postponed due to Covid earlier in the year. The two-day event saw all three local teams compete and they returned with history making achievements.

On the first day of competition, all three teams were set to take to the ice for their bid to become British Champions starting with the Beginner’s category which totals 6 teams. Our Solway Comets took to the ice and skated beautifully, entertaining the crowds from start to finish to their Jungle Book themed music. They scored an impressive 24.74 points, receiving an all-time personal best for the Solway Comets team and retained their Beginners British Championship title for the second year in a row.

eclipse

Solway Eclipse were next to skate in the Mixed Age category with their technically complex and crowd-pleasing program to Belleville Rendezvous mix. They ended their competitive season with not only a personal best of 62.91 points which crowned them as the Mixed Age British Champions, but they also received the highest score a British Mixed Age team has ever achieved in competition.

Stars

Finally, Solway Stars took to the ice to skate their first of two programs over the weekend within the extremely competitive Junior ISU category. Their Short Programme routine to the sassy Peter Gunn music is always incredibly fun to watch. After a stellar skate from the team, they ended day one in first place with a score of 37.31 and smashed their season’s personal best in the process.

Stars

Day two marked the final day of competition which saw Solway Stars skate their Free program to Beetlejuice. After an incredible skate and a nervous wait for final scores they ended their competition with a new overall personal best for Solway Stars of 73.08 and a total score over the two days of 110.39. Solway Stars not only won their category but became the first ever Scottish team to become ISU Junior British Champions!

Head Coach, Philip Carter said, “I’ve coached here since November 1999 and I’ve never seen so many within the local skating as delighted at an event as they were over the weekend, it was great to behold.“
solway eclipse
Solway Sk8ing Club Chairperson, Lindsay Henderson said, “After 16 months off the ice due to covid and a rollercoaster season we are extremely proud of our skaters and coaches ending the year with such wonderful achievements! An inspiration to others from a small town in Scotland – well done to you all”
solway comets team captains on podium

The Solway Sk8ing Club would like to thank coaches Philip Carter, Molly Coxon and Julie Tyson for their hard work with our skaters throughout this season; our sponsors who have all helped fund our journey this season, The Holywood Trust, Solway Machinery Sales Ltd, Currie Solutions, Gordons Construction, Kip McGrath Tutoring Dumfries, Al’s Skate Shop, Ashleigh’s Builders Ltd Scotland, Albert Club Good Cause fund, Auto shop/Euro Route, Eurocar, Westsound Cash for Kids, Nithsdale’s Sports Grants, Dumfries and Galloway Council Region Wide community fund, Magic Little Grants, Ian D Archibald Limited, Klic cars, Hiddleston joiners, those who helped in our fundraising efforts and to those who donated to Go Fund Me; the Team Managers, Chaperones and Synchro Officers for their contribution to making sure competitions run smoothly and for all their help in the behind the scenes.
We would also like to extend a huge congratulations to our skaters and coaches for this incredible achievement

Figures of Speech: New Event Series Takes You on Explorative Journey of Scottish Words and Culture for Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022

Figures of Speech
(from left) BBC Scotland broadcaster / presenter Nicola Meighan , writer Arusa Qureshi and poet / dancer Katie Ailes . They will kick off the season with a look at “Music within Scottish Literature” on Friday 20th May (2022) at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh.  Image credit Colin Hattersley

Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature and the Scottish Storytelling Centre have joined forces to create a new series of events in celebration of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 that will launch on Fri 20 May at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Figures of Speech is a fresh and exciting cross-artform series that will bring together writers and artists to take us on a road trip through Scottish literature. Covering six universal themes (music, friendship, future, love, place, big ideas), each event explores literary blockbusters, hidden gems and modern classics.

Expert guides will take us on a journey through Scotland’s iconic books and stories, navigating the dazzling array of new voices, and presenting newly commissioned work by artists responding to each theme. This will be a journey across the curious contrasts and contradictions that define Scottish literature.

The events will also be supported by eight newly commissioned pieces of work from contemporary artists inspired by the themes. These will offer fresh expression, creative interpretation, and a reimagining of some of Scotland’s well-known and well-loved stories, as well as shining a light on some of the lesser known but equally loved contributions to Scotland’s literary canon.

The series will feature singers, poets, filmmakers, storytellers, authors, musicians, visual artists and more; a well-rounded and supportive platform for new and emerging talent as well as championing those already established in the literary scene.

The first event will be held on Fri 20 May with broadcaster Nicola Meighan in discussion with author Arusa Qureshi on all things music in Scottish literature. Next up on Fri 24 June, poet Michael Pedersen will talk friendship with Val McDermid and on Fri 22 Jul, writer and poet Russell Jones speaks future horizons and forward thinking with writer T.L. Huchu.

The series continues on Fri 23 Sep with Gaelic poet Peter Mackay getting amorous with his words in discussion with romance writer Jenny Colgan, whilst visual artist and writer, Amanda Thomson, will drop a pin in the literary map with a discussion on place and locality with poet and film maker Roseanne Watt on Fri 21 Oct.

The season concludes on St. Andrew’s Day with some big ideas and pertinent questions in relation to Scotland and our world at large. Professor David Farrier will host an evening of discussion with climate activist and author Jessica Gaitán Johannesson on Wed 30 November.

All the events will be recorded and made available online a week later, and both the live and recorded events will be supported by BSL interpretation. Each of the six events will be supported by a pop-up bookshop from Lighthouse Books. Their expert booksellers will be on hand to supply the must-read books to match the event.

Daniel Abercrombie, Programme & Events Manager at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, says:
‘Figures of Speech will bring audiences and performers together to debate and discuss the famous and not so famous words and stories across these themes in Scottish literature. This project is all about variety, partnerships, and a celebration of words, so we hope and imagine people will have their own thoughts and opinions on these themes, which is all part of the fun in this Year of Stories! I’m looking forward to finding new stories to explore and seeing the emerging creative responses to the themes, taking the story forward.’
Frank Ross, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, says:
‘Figures of Speech is a wonderful collaboration between Edinburgh City of Literature and the Scottish Storytelling Centre for Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022. It really exemplifies the partnership working that takes place in Edinburgh as a UNESCO City of Literature. The six events in the programme bring a totally fresh approach to looking at Scotland’s writing and stories and it’s great to see such diversity of artists, writers and voices.’

Ali Bowden, Director, Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust, says:

‘We’re delighted to be launching the Figures of Speech series and to be making all these events available to watch free on demand. Edinburgh is the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature and we’re excited and proud to be putting Scotland’s incredible artists on a global stage and using our international networks to help audiences around the world discover more about Scotland’s amazing books and stories.’

Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 will spotlight, celebrate and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland. Figures of Speech is supported by EventScotland as part of this celebration.

Scottish Government Culture Minister Neil Gray, says:
“We’re delighted to support this joint initiative from Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature and the Scottish Storytelling Centre through EventScotland’s Year of Stories Open Fund.
“This inspiring new multi-artform series of events will make a wonderful contribution to Scotland Year of Stories as it takes some of our best loved tales and explores them anew as part of wider more contemporary themes.”
Each themed event will be supported by newly commissioned pieces of work from contemporary artists such as Katie Ailes, Kim Carnie and Jeda Pearl Lewis amongst others.
Author and Figures of Speech contributor Val McDermid, says:
‘Figures of Speech is a fantastic way of taking a fresh look at Scotland’s stories, and I’m looking forward to exploring friendships found both on and off the page: the lovely letters between Barrie and Stevenson; Holmes & Watson; my own 1990s correspondence with Ian Rankin when he was in France and I was in Manchester; my determination that Kate Brannigan should not be a friendless PI stalking the mean streets of Manchester, but rather should have a nexus of female friends… I’m excited to talk Scotland’s iconic friendships past and present with Michael Pederson and look to the future of Scottish literature.’

Tickets and further information can be found at https://cityofliterature.com/figures-of-speech/ and www.scottishstorytellingcentre.com | https://bit.ly/FOSYoS22
And you can follow the story online with #FoS22.

The Figures of Speech programme was made possible by financial support from EventScotland as part of the Year of Stories 2022, City of Edinburgh Council and The Stevenston Charitable Trust, and the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust and Scottish Storytelling Centre gratefully acknowledge this support.

Water Safety Scotland Launches New Education Resources For Schools

Water Safety Scotland launches new education resources for schools

Water Safety Scotland (WSS), in partnership with Education Scotland, has officially launched its first instalment of free water safety educational resources for schools and practitioners in Scotland.

Water Safety Scotland, which is committed to reducing accidental drowning deaths in Scotland by 50 per cent by 2026, introduced the initiative to provide a consistent level of learning across Scotland’s educational institutions in a bid to equip Scottish youth with the knowledge and skills required to reduce water-based accidents.

Laura Erskine, Water Safety Scotland’s Education Subgroup Chair, said: “On average, there are 96 water-related fatalities in Scotland each year. We aim to reduce the number of deaths from accidental drowning by 50 per cent by 2026 by driving a generational change in water safety in Scotland. We want to encourage safe and responsible access to Scotland’s waterways, which can be a positive and enjoyable experience for young people when coupled with appropriate risk awareness and education.”

The materials aim to provide consistent and curriculum-aligned information which feeds into a full progression pathway created specifically for water safety in Scotland. Starting from children aged 3, the resource set will instruct and inform young people right up to the age of 18 and has been endorsed by a wealth of supporting partner agencies.

Gayle Gorman, Chief Executive of Education Scotland said: “Every year we hear of tragic accidents taking place in Scotland’s waters as many young people are not aware of the dangers of swimming in open waters.
“That is why we welcomed the opportunity to work with Water Safety Scotland to develop educational materials that aim to increase awareness of water safety. We hope that this information will reach as many children and young people as possible to ensure they are aware of the dangers that come with going into open water.”

Scheduled for a staggered release over the next nine months, the first set of lessons is being released on Tuesday, April 26. Specifically focusing on the Third/Fourth level within the five tiers of the Scottish curriculum, it can be accessed via Education Scotland’s National Hub or through the Water Safety Scotland website.

Intrinsically linked to WSS’ Water Safety Code, which was created to help people enjoy Scotland’s waterways as safely as possible, it follows three key pieces of advice:
• Stop and Think, Spot the Dangers
• Stay Together, Stay Close
• In an Emergency, Call 999.

Education is a key part of Scotland’s Drowning Prevention Strategy, which has now entered its fifth year. An interim review was published earlier this year and was launched by the Minister for Community Safety, Ash Regan, along with the Ministerial Action Plan for Water Safety.

Community Safety Minister Ash Regan said: “I would like to thank Education Scotland, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and Water Safety Scotland for their excellent collaborative work in creating this fantastic resource which will help to educate children about keeping themselves and their friends safe around water.
“This is a vital part of the work being taken forward across Scotland to improve public safety, including the recent launch of the Water Safety Action Plan drawn up by the Scottish Government and a range of key partners.”

Water Safety Scotland aims to roll out the next phase of this initiative in late May and will continue this strategy during the rest of 2022.

About Us
Drowning is among the leading causes of accidental deaths in Scotland.

Water Safety Scotland is a voluntary association of organisations and individuals whose main purpose is to understand the risks around water in Scotland and engage with partners to develop a consistent approach to the prevention of water related fatalities

 

Farmers And Crofters Tackling Food Security Crisis

NFU Scotland continues to put food security front and centre of its lobbying priorities. As NFU Scotland’s officeholder team – President Martin Kennedy and Vice Presidents Andrew Connon and Robin Traquair – begin a two-day visit to Westminster, the Union remains committed to highlighting the growing impact that surging costs linked to fertiliser, fuel, energy, animal feed and labour are having on the nation’s ability to produce food. 

The Union is also continuing to push all supermarkets to support domestic production or run the risk of not having domestic production to support.

In a hard-hitting blog published today (26 April), President Martin Kennedy writes: “This perfect storm – and I don’t use the term lightly – driven by Brexit, Covid and now the dreadful war in Ukraine will have repercussions for years to come. We will continue to play our part as food producers, but we simply cannot do that without proper support and prices for the quality we produce.

“While farmers and crofters can see this food security issue coming at us, there are many who, sadly, are far too blinkered and only interested in the short term.
“For far too long, we have not paid nearly enough attention as a nation to the most important energy source we rely on, which is food, and unless governments and supermarkets wake up soon, we will be looking at food security concerns that we haven’t seen since World War Two.
“Agriculture is a long-term industry.  We continually plan years ahead whether it’s to do with soil health, crop rotation or livestock improvement and it is absolutely essential that we put long term plans in place that enable productive agriculture to feed our country.
“As we look ahead, we can plainly see that unless we act now and ensure our domestic production systems continue to deliver, we will see real food supply problems in the not-too-distant future.
“Energy costs are soaring across all sectors.  Agriculture is no different and when you look at things like the cost of fertiliser which has had a 300% increase, it’s little wonder farmers across all sectors are looking to pull back on production.
“Add into the mix animal feed, fuel, energy and labour costs and it’s plain to see why we are seriously concerned, not just for the survival of our primary producers but also for the whole supply chain both upstream and downstream who rely on the critical mass of production to keep their and other businesses in the rural economy afloat.
“So, what can we do?  Our local council elections give us all a chance to raise the serious issue of food security. We are already working with local authorities to promote local sourcing for public procurement, and this must be at the core of the Good Food Nation Bill as it continues its journey through Scottish Parliament.
“I would also ask you to vote with your feet when it comes to purchasing food to ensure you are supporting Scottish and British products.  That way we might have a chance of not only retaining our own food supply, but by doing so, we will also maintain the environment and landscape we have here in Scotland that’s the envy of many across the world.”

Engineers Reject Bridge Infill ‘Emergency’

Engineers reject bridge infill “emergency”

Two experienced civil engineers have criticised the infilling of a historic railway bridge which its custodian claimed might fail and collapse.

Last year, the structure at Great Musgrave in Cumbria was buried in around 1,600 tonnes of aggregate and concrete despite being needed for a connection between two heritage railways. Inspection reports identified a small number of minor defects within the bridge’s arch which could have been repaired for around £20K. Instead National Highways – who manage the bridge for the Department for Transport – infilled it for £124K, blocking the route.

Planning officers from Eden District Council attempted to halt the work, but an engineer from the state-owned roads company told them that infilling was “required to prevent the failure of the bridge and avert a collapse”. National Highways pressed ahead under powers only applicable in emergency situations presenting a threat of death or injury, but these only last 12 months and the Council has since insisted that retrospective planning permission must be obtained.

The HRE Group – an alliance of heritage campaigners, sustainable transport advocates and greenway developers – provided copies of National Highways’ inspection and assessment reports to two civil engineers with considerable experience of looking after Victorian structures.

In the Sixties, Tony Freschini acted as resident engineer on the project to redevelop Euston Station and, between 1990 and 1992, supervised the refurbishment of the 24-span Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle & Carlisle Railway, helping to save the famous line from closure.

“I can’t imagine why anyone would infill Great Musgrave bridge”, he said. “The inspection reports make clear that there was really nothing wrong with it.
“Some of the minor defects may have occurred when the bridge was built in the 1860s. A few of the stone blocks had become loose over time, but repointing the open joints would have kept them in place. It just needed basic, day-to-day maintenance, costing a fraction of the price of infilling.”
“All the efforts of the Victorians who expended capital and men’s lives on these valiant structures: we can’t just desert them by infilling bridges and forgetting about them. That’s not the right way – these are useful assets. We should look to preserve the best of the old infrastructure and give it a new life.”

Charles Blackett-Ord is the Engineering Director of Blackett-Ord Conservation, the company responsible for extensive repairs to the imposing Lambley Viaduct, a Grade ll* listed structure on Northumberland’s former Alston branch.

“What happened with Great Musgrave bridge was a disgrace”, asserts Charles, “and brings shame on the engineering profession. There was absolutely nothing to justify it; quite clearly, there was no emergency here or any prospect of one. All the bridge needed was some pointing underneath the arch barrel which is a common, cheap and easy way of providing additional strength.
“Engineers have a duty not only to look at carbon footprints, but also the social, archaeological and historical aspects of what they do. Desecrating a structure like this is unacceptable and the planning application should certainly be refused.”

Following the controversy caused by the work at Great Musgrave, the Government paused National Highways’ programme of infilling and demolition schemes, but work is expected to resume in the next few weeks.

Comments on the planning application can be submitted online via Eden District Council’s website, searching for case reference 22/0254. The HRE Group understands that more than 300 objections were lodged in the first week after the plans’ publication. A decision on whether to grant permission for the infill’s retention is expected by 27 May.

Dumfries Spring Into Cricket Action – Cricket News

Dumfries spring into cricket action - Cricket News
Adam Malik top scored against Galloway for Dumfries

Dumfries Cricket Club had a full weekend of cricket at home at Nunholm with two pre-league friendlies against Ferguslie and Galloway.

On Saturday it was Chris Brockwell who was the Ashleigh Building Player of the Match for Your Move  Dumfries with all three wickets as fellow Premier League side Ferguslie eased to a seven wicket win.

Dumfries were not able to capitalise on batting first with top order errors resulting in cheap dismissals. The home side did reach fifty for the loss of three wickets and Adam Malik and Max Corbett-Byers both got starts but were both out for 23. Thereafter the side struggled to maintain an impetus and James Hobman with a not out 16 got the side to a lowly 104 all out.

The stronger side on the day chased successfully despite Dumfries bowling steadily. Openers Gregor Preston-Jones and Omer Hussain got their team past sixty before spinner Brockwell took his three wickets including dismissing both openers with the help of a Fergus Bainbridge stumping and a good Mat Williams catch at long-on.

On Sunday, local side Galloway were the visitors and in an enjoyable friendly the Dumfries 2nd XI side had a more convincing performance with a 53 run win. Again batting first, this time Adam Malik and Max Corbett-Byers got their side past ninety for the loss of one wicket before Malik retired for a run-a-ball fifty. James Little continued the run rate with Corbett-Byers out caught behind off Druce for 26. He nearly reached a fifty in his first innings with 44 and late over cameos from Sean Thornely and Scott Muir and a final over 16 run assault by Tommy McGrath took the total to 235 for 7 off the 40 overs.

This time Dumfries did make early inroads thanks to two wickets from opening bowler Sean Thornely. Pat Druce bolstered the innings with a stylish fifty and late order twenties by Strain and Pagan got Galloway to 182 for 7 but well short of the target. Sean Thornely finished with 3 wickets and Davie Davidson, Gurupal Singh and Tommy McGrath took a wicket each.

Adam Malik was the Ashleigh Building Player of the Match with his rapid opening fifty setting up a challenging first innings total.

This Saturday sees the start of the summer’s league programme with Dumfries hosting Ayr in the West Premier League and the 2nd XI playing at East Renfrewshire in the Second Division.

New players, of any age from 5 upwards, are very welcome to come along to the club’s various sessions and can contact the club on [email protected] or via www.dumfriescricketclub.com.

Your Move Dumfries lost to Ferguslie by 7 wickets
Your Move Dumfries 104 all out (40 overs)
Adam Malik 23, Max Corbett-Byers 23, James Hobman 16no
Ferguslie 108 for 3 (20.2 overs)
G Preston-Jones 36, O Hussain 26, R Henry 21no
Chris Brockwell 7 overs 3 for 37

 

Dumfries 2nd XI beat Galloway by 53 runs
Dumfries 2nd XI 235 for 7 (40 overs)
Adam Malik 53rtd, James Little 44, Max Corbett-Byers 23
Mark Pagan 2 for 21, Pat Druce 2 for 47, Anthony Hulatt 2 for 52
Galloway 182 for 7 (40 overs)
Pat Druce 50rtd, Mark Pagan 28no, L Strain 23; Sean Thornely 3 for 24

 

 

Volunteers Clean Up At Historic Rosefield Mills – Dumfries

It’s great to see what can happen when people get together! Thanks to the Eco Warriors and the Rotary Club of Dumfries Devorgilla for joining members of the Dumfries Historic Buildings Trust and the local community for a morning’s clean-up along the riverside of Rosefield Mills last Saturday.

Tyres, parts of cars, carpets, cans, an old microwave ….. and the skip was filled in no time, plus plenty of green bags. There is certainly more to be picked up and pulled out. Apart from cleaning some of the site,  getting together also allowed conversations about what the Mills could become, building on the previous community consultation that has collated a fantastic range of ideas.

Following the two hours tidy-up the group were treated to home-baking and refreshments and had an opportunity to look around one of the workshops which will soon be available for rent, now that repairs have been completed thanks to funding from the Town Centre Fund, attracted with the support of Dumfries & Galloway Council. In fact, this workshop was recently used by a TV crew visiting Dumfries to film for the new Channel 4 Tool Club series.

Rosefield Mills is a large site, but one with amazing history and some great opportunities. Anybody wishing to contribute to the future of the Mills, either through ideas, admin support, future clean-ups or indeed financially, please get in touch with the Dumfries Historic Buildings Trust via email [email protected]

 

Rosefield Mills – woollen mills which opened in 1885 and ceased to operate as such in 1939. The mills were later used as base for Norwegian soldiers and fishermen and as a transit camp during the Second World War. A prominent riverfront portion of the mills was purchased by the Dumfries Historic Building Trust in 2018. Public consultation has taken place for some initial ideas on what the building could be used for. At present the Trust continues to follow up various avenues to raise funds to repair and find sustainable new uses for the magnificent riverfront building.

CCTV cameras have now been installed in the hope of deterring further fly-tipping on the site.

 

Dumfries & Galloway Mental Health Association Donate ‘Memory Bench’ to Catherine St Inclusive Park

Dumfries and Galloway Mental Health Association (DGMHA) were delighted to donate a covered bench and two planters to Include Us who run Catherine Street Inclusive Park in Dumfries.

An opening ceremony to cut the bench ribbon took place at Catherine Street Inclusive Park on Thursday 21st April at 2.30 pm.

The bench is intended to provide a place to talk, listen or just be, for anyone needing time to reflect or connect with others.

Phyllis Wright, Chair of DGMHA Board said:

“In listening to our frontline staff, we recognised how important it is to support our frontline services staff and the people who are supported by us, particularly when faced with loss and grief.

We wanted to remember those are no longer with us, whether someone supported by us or a member of staff and support those who are still with us. The proposal of a memory bench in a local, safe and relaxing space accessible to staff and people who use our services was well received.

We have had a positive previous experience of working in partnership with Include Us, who donated plants to fill our planters and hanging baskets. The plants brightened our properties and lifted spirits. They were well received by everyone; either by admiring or helping plant and care for the flowers.

We collaborated with Andy and Lisa from Include Us who were delighted to house the bench while our staff and those who use our services chose the style of bench, the planters and sensory plants.

We are delighted that our memory bench is so accessible, not only for us, but all who use the park and look forward to future partnership opportunities between our organisations.

Andy Zieleniec, Chair of Include Us, welcomed the collaboration:

“We are very aware in the park of the importance of being able to access and use outdoor space for physical and mental health and wellbeing. The park welcomes everyone and is a small green space for everyone in the community to use regardless of age, ability or need. We hope that this covered bench will give people the opportunity to meet, reflect or enjoy the sights and sounds of the park and will be of benefit to many.”

 

RMT React To P&O Ferry European Causeway Being Adrift Off The Coast Of Larne

RMT React to P&O Ferry European Causeway being adrift off the coast of Larne
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The reports of the European Causeway drifting in water off Larne having lost all power are deeply concerning, not least for the agency crew and passengers onboard.
 
“Since our members were viciously sacked on 17 March, this vessel has been detained by the MCA for failing a raft of safety checks.
 
“The list of offences is now as long as your arm and the Government has to step in and protect ferry safety and jobs.
 
“P&O and their pay masters in Dubai are no longer capable of running a safe service and should be stripped of the licence to operate their ships.”
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