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PENSIONER WINS £1500 WIGTOWN POETRY PRIZE THANKS TO WIFE

PENSIONER WINS £1500 WIGTOWN POETRY PRIZE THANKS TO WIFE

Last year’s winner of the Wigtown Poetry Prize has revealed that it was his wife who submitted the poem on his behalf.

And it was on the eve of a milestone birthday that John Wheway received the news that My Mother Unwraps My Gift of Frida Kahlo’s Me and My Parrots had been shortlisted for the £1,500 annual international award.

They are now encouraging others to send in their work for this year’s Wigtown Poetry Prizes.

One of the beauties of the awards is that they celebrate and nurture poetry in different languages and forms. These are the:

  • Wigtown International Poetry Prize – for work in any of Scotland’s three indigenous languages (English, Gaelic, Scots). Judge: Gerda Stevenson.
  • Alastair Reid Pamphlet Prize – for a collection of work rather than an individual poem. Judge: Gerda Stevenson.
  • Wigtown Scots Poetry Prize (supported by the Saltire Society). Judge: Ann MacKinnon.
  • Gaidhlig Prize: Wigtown Scottish Gaelic Prize (supported by The Gaelic Books Council). Judge: Pàdraig MacAoidh/Peter Mackay.
  • Dumfries & Galloway Fresh Voice Award – recognising rising talent in Dumfries and Galloway. Judge: Liz Niven.

John, who lives in Somerset but is originally from Birmingham, loved and wrote poetry from childhood but rarely published during the middle years of life as a psychotherapist.

A move to the country, and the rhythm of daily walks, woke up his poetry. He began to write with renewed commitment.

Since gaining a distinction in the Creative Writing MA at Bath Spa University in 2010, he has  continued to study at Arvon and at the Poetry School. With much work in magazines. His 2020 collection, A Bluebottle in Late October was published by V Press in 2020, just as the pandemic began (see https://www.johnwheway.com).

Lockdown meant no live promotions of the book and left him feeling isolated from his literary community. It was his wife Jude Higgins, a prominent force in the flash fiction world, who encouraged him to start submitting work again, and sent out poems for him.

Her secret submission for the Wigtown was made the day before the deadline. John knew nothing about this until he heard he was on the shortlist.

He said: “I read the poem out that week at my birthday party, and someone called out ‘That’s a winner’. The award ceremony confirmed my guest’s prediction.
“I was so moved by the sensitive delivery of my poem by Donald S. Murray, the competition judge. He perfectly conveyed its meaning. So, I would very much encourage other poets to take part.”

Entries for 2024 close on 6 May.

The awards date back to 2005 and have grown to become a renowned contribution to the world of poetry, attracting hundreds of high-quality entries from Europe, Asia, Australasia, and North and South America.

However, there is also a strong emphasis on encouraging poets closer to home with the increasing popularity of the Dumfries & Galloway Fresh Voice Award.

Nicholas Walker, Wigtown Poetry Prize Group Chair, said: “John’s story really shows what the Wigtown Poetry Prizes are all about – encouraging poets and a love of poetry.
“The judges enjoy reading through the entries and seeing the incredible range of talent, of styles, of thoughts, ideas and insights that people express through their poetry.
“And while this is very much an international competition, we also want to promote the up-and-coming contemporary poets of our own region. They are the grass roots, the future for poetry and they need to be supported.
“The Dumfries & Galloway Fresh Voice Award is special because it provides them with a platform as part of a highly respected competition attracting entries from all over the world.
“So, we’d really encourage people to send in their entries and be part of this superb celebration of poets and poetry.”

 

The 2024 awards

Wigtown International Prize

  • Winner: £1,500
  • Runner-up: £200

Wigtown Scots Prize

  • Winner: £500
  • Runner-up: £200

Supported by Saltire Society

Wigtown Scottish Gaelic Prize

  • Winner: £500
  • Runner-up: £200

Supported by The Gaelic Books Council

Dumfries & Galloway Fresh Voice Award

Professional support including mentoring by Wigtown Festival Company and a retreat at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.

Alastair Reid Pamphlet Prize

  • Winner: Thirty copies of a pamphlet of the work, set by Gerry Cambridge.

Plus – a winner of one or more categories will be selected at the discretion of StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival and Wigtown Festival Company to read their work at the StAnza.

About the Wigtown Poetry Prize

Founded in 2005 and refreshed and rebranded in 2019, Wigtown Poetry Prize welcomes entries from poets writing in English wherever they may live. Separate categories celebrate the best of Scottish Gaelic and Scots language poetry, a special category acknowledges a rising talent in Dumfries & Galloway, and a pamphlet prize is named in memory of Alastair Reid – local poet and one of Scotland’s foremost literary figures.

Dumfries and Galloway Police participate in freight crime awareness day

Police from Dumfries and Galloway and Lanarkshire, supported by officers from the Police Scotland Business Crime Prevention Unit, the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) and the British Parking Association (BPA), have taken part in a freight crime awareness day.

The day, which took place on Tuesday, 16 April, 2024, included a presentation from Mike Dawber from NaVCIS and Willie Clark from the BPA, at Dumfries HQ. The presentation was held virtually to allow officers from Lanarkshire division, prevention teams across all areas, and other interested parties to dial in remotely.

Mr Dawber covered the work NaVCIS undertake, the different forms of freight crime, the groups involved, and how this presents across the UK.

Mr Clark, Regional Manager for the BPA for Scotland, North of England and Northern Ireland, gave an outline of the safer parking scheme that the BPA administers on behalf of Police forces across the UK through the ParkMark Award. He focused on lorry parking provision and the new ParkMark Freight award.

He drew on a the case of a logistics company, who gained the very first ParkMark Freight award in Scotland for their distribution centre at Newhouse in Lanarkshire.

Following the presentations, teams from both Q and V divisions attended at motorway service areas and engaged with HGV drivers, providing advice and information on avoiding falling victim to freight crime.

POLITICIANS URGED TO SUPPORT SCOTTISH FARMING’S FUTURE AT WESTMINSTER RECEPTION

POLITICIANS URGED TO SUPPORT SCOTTISH FARMING’S FUTURE AT WESTMINSTER RECEPTION

At a packed reception to support Scottish farming’s future, NFU Scotland met with MPs and Lords, outlining the importance of the sector and its valuable contribution to delivering high-quality food while meeting climate and biodiversity needs, underpinning rural communities and sustaining thousands of businesses and jobs across the supply chain.

The event held in the House of Commons (Tuesday 16 April) and sponsored by Alistair Carmichael MP, provided the Union’s Presidential Team – Martin Kennedy, Andrew Connon and Alasdair Macnab – with an ideal opportunity to present the key requirements Scottish agriculture needs to reach its full potential. These requirements are clearly outlined in the NFU Scotland General Election Manifesto which was launched last week (Wednesday 10 April).

With a General Election on the horizon, the Union’s key asks in their manifesto are:

  • Deliver increased, ring-fenced and multi-annual funding. 
  • Improve producer margins to increase food security.
  • Better access to skilled workers
  • Protect domestic food production in future trade deals.
  • Increase fiscal incentives.

The Union delegation used the Westminster reception to present attendees with case studies outlining the incredible importance of the sector to the wider rural businesses (see attached). The 12 farming and crofting businesses featured worked with a total of more than 700 different supply chain companies, spending more than £12.6 million with those suppliers. Across the sector as a whole, every £1 of government funded direct payments into Scottish farming and crofting generates £6 of agricultural output.

Speaking immediately after the Westminster reception, NFU Scotland President Martin Kennedy said; “The next parliamentary term will be pivotal for Scotland’s farmers and crofters. Today’s event provided us with an excellent opportunity to put the importance of Scottish agriculture front and centre in the minds of numerous MPs and Lords from each of the main parties in Westminster. The sector punches well above its weight when it comes to supporting high-quality food production, meeting environmental challenges, underpinning rural communities, and sustaining multiple businesses and thousands of jobs.
“Most policy, legislation and regulation which directly and indirectly relates to our interests in the future prosperity of Scottish agriculture is devolved to Holyrood and the Scottish Government. However, there are fundamental issues that are reserved to the UK Government, such as trade, migration, and internal market issues. We need commitments from the UK Government, and we need the full support of all prospective Scottish MPs who should all be championing the interests of Scottish agriculture. Today provided us with the platform to showcase examples of how farming and crofting businesses across Scotland are integral to our economy.
“A successful and prosperous Scottish agricultural industry is key to a successful and prosperous Scotland and UK. We were also able to outline the key asks listed in our recently launched General Election Manifesto document which we believe will be critical in supporting a sustainable, profitable future for Scottish farming and crofting. Top of the asks list of is the fundamental need to deliver increased, ring-fenced and multi-annual funding.
“We will be pushing hard to see each of our key asks included in all parties’ manifestos as we approach the inevitable General Election and aim to host a national hustings event in due course.
“I’d like to thank our sponsor, Alistair Carmichael MP, for sponsoring today’s reception and enabling us to profile our world-leading Scottish agriculture sector to all who attended.”
Sponsor Alistair Carmichael MP, Orkney and Shetland, added: “It is a pleasure to support the NFUS with this event in Parliament today. Farming and food production are enormously important to our country, both economically and at the heart of our communities. We have a world-leading farming sector and that needs to be reflected in our politics.
“Farmers in the isles and across Scotland deserve the strongest possible voice at the heart of government. I hope that colleagues across Parliament will have taken away the positive message coming from the NFUS today.”

D&G College shortlisted for two awards

Dumfries and Galloway College (DGC) is delighted after becoming a finalist in two categories at The Herald Higher Education Awards 2024.

 

The awards help to build future excellence by facilitating the sharing of good practice and collaboration and by shining a spotlight on impressive results — and this year’s winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 28 in The Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow at a glittering black-tie ceremony hosted by Fred MacAulay.

 

DGC has been nominated in the Widening Access Award category for its innovative HE for All partnership with the University of West of Scotland (UWS).

 

The rurality of Dumfries and Galloway College and the distance to larger cities with wider access to Higher Education prompted the college to take innovative views of HE opportunities. Therefore, the college partnered with UWS to offer unique HE opportunities for the region.

 

If students can study, live and network in the region, rather than leave, there is a greater chance that new businesses and employment will be generated due to this new style of education.

 

These degree provisions are offered in a hybrid way to allow students to experience student life at UWS in Dumfries and Galloway and continue their lives in the region, without the expense of housing and transport to another town or city.

 

The designated pathways have been designed to broaden access to degree provision for all. This gives learners the experience and skills to move seamlessly through to a degree with UWS degree in either Business Studies (BA Hons), Cyber Computing (BSc Hons) or Creative Practice (BA Hons).

 

Joanna Campbell, Principal and CEO, Dumfries and Galloway College, said: “Dumfries and Galloway College is pleased to partner with the University of West of Scotland to deliver three brand new pathway courses for students who wish to achieve a university degree.
“This is a great opportunity for people to study locally at our Dumfries campus and begin their journey to gaining a bachelor’s qualification.”

 

Julie Orr, UWS Campus Manager (Dumfries), added: “We have a fantastic partnership with Dumfries and Galloway College and are very proud of our new campus. We are working together for the benefit of local students and are committed to offering innovative pathways into higher education.
“These new courses provide exciting opportunities to those looking to continue their studies to degree level in these important subject areas.”

 

DGC and is also up for the Outstanding Business Engagement in Colleges award with its Back Filling the NHS whilst training new Health Professionals at College programme.

 

Career development training and academic qualifications for NHS D&G Healthcare Support Workers was required in the region. The NHS D&G and DGC worked together to initiate a change for the better.

 

In a large and decreasingly populated region during a financial crisis, a sector leading, cost-effective, bold and innovative plan was devised in response.

 

The college would recruit two cohorts of HNC students, one of current NHS staff, and one cohort studying the HNC as a first step towards NHS employment or university.

 

For a full week before classes officially began, both cohorts went through the NHS HCSW induction training. This was led by both NHS Clinical Educators and College Staff, and it was held on both NHS premises and in the Digital Care Hub on the college campus.

 

Ms Campbell continued: “The college is proud of this collaboration between D&G NHS to support training of both new students and current NHS staff.
“The innovative manner in which this training has been created is testament to the supportive working relationship between the two institutions.”

CYCLE4DAVID TEAM RAISE £25,350

CYCLE4DAVID TEAM RAISE £25,350

To mark the second anniversary of David Hill’s tragic death, members of David’s family and friends cycled the match ball from Edinburgh to Dublin, for the second playing of the David Hill Memorial Quaich, which took place at Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin on 16th March 2024, between the Dail and Seanad and the Scottish Parliament rugby teams.

The Cycle4David Team were cheered out of British Gas Murrayfield, following the presentation by Chris Paterson of Scottish Rugby of the match ball to David’s father, Rodger.

The Cycle4David team then cycled through Edinburgh accompanied by The Rt Hon. Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. They called at the Scottish Parliament where they were greeted by Jamie Greene MSP and many other families who have lost loved ones to Sudden Cardiac Death. Ms Johnstone addressed the group and took time to speak with many of the families individually.

The Cycle4David Team travelled down through the Borders, through Dumfries and Galloway then across and down through Ireland arriving in Dublin on Friday 15th March. Whilst cycling through Dumfries and Galloway, the Cycle4David team called at 11 secondary schools, to raise awareness of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) and to raise funds and to promote upcoming cardiac screening events in Dumfries. They were joined by local MSP’s Oliver Mundell, Colin Smyth and Finlay Carson at various schools. The team were accompanied with up to 60 young people and their teachers who cycled with them on the different legs through Dumfries and Galloway, at times in the most atrocious of weather.

An emotional Rodger and Lesley Hill arrived in Dublin on Friday 15th March having completed 322 miles. They were met by delegates from Scottish and Irish Rugby, as well as the respective team captains, along with members of both teams plus friends and family.

Rodger stated “The kindness and support we have received at every step of the way has been humbling, the reception at the schools was truly amazing. This has been made possible by the love and support we have been shown by so many people. This was a mammoth challenge; I hope David would have been proud of Lesley and I”.

The teams featured members of Parliament from both respective nations. The game was fiercely contested and took place almost two years to the day that David died suddenly in the same fixture in 2022. The Irish team retained the David Hill Memorial Quaich, generously donated by David’s family, winning the match 17-12.

David collapsed whilst playing a cross-party rugby match for Holyrood against Dail and Seanad XV at the Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin as part of the Parliamentary Six Nations. He was aged just 30.

Originally from Dumfriesshire, David worked for several MSPs during his time at Holyrood and at the time of his death he had been working for Jamie Greene MSP. David’s popularity and hardworking reputation led to him being posthumously named Parliamentary Staffer of the Year in September 2022 at the Holyrood Magazine Awards.

Every week in the UK, around 12 young people (that are aged 35 and under) die suddenly from a previously diagnosed heart condition.  80% of these deaths will occur with no prior symptoms – which is why CRY is so committed to the importance of specialist cardiac screening.

To date, the David Hill Memorial Fund has now raised over £65,000 which has allowed David’s family to organise 600 free cardiac screenings in Dumfries on 18th/19th May 2024, 12th/13th April 2025 and 13th/14th September 2025, with more screenings to follow. Additionally, funds from the Cycle4David will be used to offer defibrillators to each secondary school in Dumfries and Galloway.

Dr Steven Cox, Chief Executive of CRY adds: “I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks – and admiration – for Rodger, Lesley and everyone else involved with Cycle4David. The funds raised through this challenge is just awesome and will make a huge difference to the numbers of young people we’ll be able to screen in Scotland, over the next 18 months, and beyond.
 
“As I’ve noted before, Cycle4David was a truly epic and inspirational challenge – and the levels of awareness raised too, as the team travelled from Edinburgh to Dublin, has been invaluable.
 
“More than 80 MSPs have now signed up to CRY’s pledge for the prevention of young sudden cardiac death and, as Cycle4David was midway through its journey, we were all so encouraged to hear a short speech during First Ministers Questions wishing the team well and again raising the issue of Holyrood’s support for our campaign for cardiac screening.”
 
“Thank you again to all of David’s friends and family for your ongoing support.”

CRY also funds pioneering research into the conditions that can cause young sudden cardiac death as well as providing a unique bereavement support network for all families who have been affected. CRY’s screening programme currently tests over 25,000 young people (aged 14-35) every year in the UK (and has screened over 275,000 young people in total, to date).

Although heart screening won’t identify all young people at risk, in Italy, where screening is mandatory for all young people engaged in organised sport, they have reduced the incidence of young sudden cardiac death by 89%. This is because sport – whilst it does not actually cause sudden cardiac death – can significantly increase a young person’s risk if they have an underlying condition.

Mouswald’s Ann Hill Showcases “Changing Minds around the World” Quilt Collection in Czech Republic

International and local quilter from Mouswald Ann Hill, BEM is in Brno in the Czech Republic this week taking her Alzheimer quilt collection “Changing Minds around the World” to exhibit in the Annual Czech Quilt Show 2024.

Ann said “This is a huge honour but mainly it is an opportunity to spread the word about Alzheimers and Dementia and how it impacts on family life. Working with Alzheimer Scotland we have visited over 12 countries so far with the first collection “World Wide Whispers” and now we have moved on to our second collection which has involved 40 quilters from 40 countries around the world.

We started in Mouswald and ended in Korea. No one travelled. We did it by email including through Covid. The quilters were happy to post it to me when they finished their 18” x 24” piece”.

Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland said “For over 14 years, Ann has sewn memory quilts and inspired people all over the world to get stitching for dementia. Notably, Ann covered the pitch of Scotland’s National Stadium at Hampden with a recordbreaking 5,012 quilts which displayed memories of people with dementia as part of her engagement in the Football Memories project. As well as exhibiting her quilts locally, nationally, and internationally, she has also raised over £160,000 for Alzheimer Scotland, which is a remarkable sum of money. Ann, who was recently awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) by HM The Queen for her tireless work in Dumfries and Galloway, motivates, inspires, and educates wherever she goes.”

Ann is also Quilter in Residence at Shambellie House in New Abbey which will open another exhibition at Shambellie during ‘Quilt Fling’ classes week in May. “Stitching and Making Stars” is another project with Alzheimer Scotland is made up not only of quilted star items but also ones made by knitting, crochet, woodwork, paper cards, photographs, silver, etc. Most of the items on show will also be for sale with the funds going to Alzheimer Scotland.

Quilt Fling runs from 11 – 19 May 2024 at Shambellie House. Classes are open for booking. More information at Shambelliehouse.org

Epic 356-mile run to save the world’s habitats arrives at Logan Botanic Garden

Epic 356-mile run to save the world’s habitats arrives at Logan Botanic Garden

Amidst the backdrop of giant gunnera, palms and tender plant treasures from the southern hemisphere, visitors to Logan Botanic Garden will shortly witness another dramatic spectacle. George Sherriffs, Acquisitions Librarian at the Dumfries & Galloway site’s parent organisation, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), is making the final preparations for a new ultra-marathon challenge. Setting off from Benmore, the keen runner will race an incredible 356 miles over eight days to promote the work being done at Scotland’s botanic gardens.

 

George’s ambitious endeavour will see him circuit the research institute’s four Gardens at Benmore in Argyll, Logan, Dawyck in the Scottish Borders and Edinburgh. Starting at Benmore on Tuesday, April 23, he will run over 150 miles before arriving at Logan, Scotland’s most exotic garden on Friday, April 26. Then, he will journey to Dawyck, before finally arriving at the Edinburgh Garden on Tuesday, April 30.

 

As George arrives at Logan, after an overnight stay in Stranraer, people in Dumfries & Galloway are being invited along to the Garden to meet the man and hear about his incredible challenge. They can even sign-up to keeping George company for a small stretch of his epic run.

 

The route, amidst some of Scotland’s hilliest backdrops, includes several sections where he will run distances of some 50+ miles each day, including Day 4 when he will run 50 miles from Stranraer to Glentrool via Logan.

 

George explained: “I have undertaken multiple marathons and other challenging long-distance runs over the last 39 years and felt this would be a great way to highlight the vital research and conservation work taking place at our Gardens.
“This venture was originally scheduled for 2020, the 350th anniversary year of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – a number that aligned almost perfectly with the 356-mile length of the run – but we sadly had to postpone because of the pandemic. I now can’t wait to get started.”

 

Commending George for his incredible feat, Richard Baines, Curator of Logan Botanic Garden said: “George’s journey represents a significant physical and mental challenge, yet through his run, he raises awareness and mobilises tangible support for the work that we do at Logan and our other Gardens to combat biodiversity loss and the climate crisis.
“We hope that locals and visitors will join in and support George. Please pop along and say hello at 11am on Monday, April 22, as he arrives at Logan. The timing couldn’t be better as the Garden is looking great.”

 

Each of RBGE’s four Gardens are different in topography, soils and climate, enabling an exceptionally wide range of plants to be grown and researched for wider conservation efforts. Together, Benmore, Logan, Dawyck and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh constitute one of the richest plant collections on Earth, , at a time when the organisation is a leading force in the fight against the impact of the biodiversity crisis and climate emergency.

 

To donate to the campaign: www.justgiving.com/campaign/runningwild

£1 million available for dairy innovation projects

Digital Dairy Chain Knowledge Exchange. Wed, Apr 19, 10:00 AM. Easterbrook Hall, The Crichton • Dumfries. Picture Phil Wilkinson

The Digital Dairy Chain is preparing to launch the second round of its Collaborative Research and Development Funding Competition from 6 May, with £1.1 million of grant funding available for successful entries.

The coveted competition is run by the UK’s national innovation agency, Innovate UK, with the aim of supporting innovative projects focused on improving dairy production and the supply chain.

A total of £2 million was awarded through the Digital Dairy Chain project when the first contest opened to applications in Spring 2023. The seven winning projects were awarded grants of between £200-350K, which has been invested in work taking place predominantly across Cumbria and South and West Scotland.

The Digital Dairy Chain’s Programme Director Stuart Martin said: “The quantity and quality of applications received in the 2023 collaborative competition was irrefutable proof that appetite for R&D in the dairy sector is high. We have shown that where there is funding, support and expertise, they are being wholeheartedly embraced by the dairy industry and transformative innovation will be the outcome.
“Therefore, my message is simple, if you have an innovative project idea, collaborative partners on-board and are considering applying, visit the Innovate UK website and read the competition guidelines. Read them carefully and then join us for an online Q&A session or for the Innovate UK briefing webinar to ensure you stand the best chance of submitting a winning application.”
Professor Des Gibson, who leads Albasense, one of the 2023 winning projects, also offered his advice for anyone submitting an application when the Innovate UK portal opens in May.
“Ensure the problem you are solving is explained together with associated cost effective underpinning intellectual property and how the project team will deliver and manage the work. Moreover, provide analysis of market opportunity, entry routes and unique selling points.”

For more information and links to Innovate UK briefings events and guidance please keep an eye on the Digital Dairy Chain’s website: www.digitaldairychain.co.uk

Southern Upland Way celebrates 40 years

Southern Upland Way celebrates 40 years
Glen Trool

The Southern Upland Way, Scotland’s Coast to Coast path, was officially opened on 27 April 1984. Since then, thousands of people have walked, or more recently cycled, the 214 miles from Portpatrick on the west coast of the Rhinns of Galloway to Cockburnspath on the east coast of the Scottish Borders.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of this, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Southern Upland Way Ranger Service has created an exhibition about the history of the path.

Councillor Ian Carruthers, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Councils Economy and Resources committee said:
“The Southern Upland Way was Southern Scotland’s first long distance footpath and the first official coast to coast path in Britain. It takes people through some of the best of the region’s coastline, hills, forests and valleys and is a great way to experience the wild scenery of Dumfries and Galloway. This new exhibition is a perfect way to celebrate 40 years of this spectacular path.”
Councillor David Inglis, Vice Chair of Economy and Resources committee committee added:
“Over the last 40 years, the Southern Upland Way has brought millions of pounds of tourism to the area, helping local businesses. I am excited that Dumfries and Galloway Council is investing in the future of the route and new plans to improve and promote the path should allow thousands more people to enjoy this unique and special trail.”

The exhibition will be launched at a special event on 27 April 2024 at the Hive at Glentrool. The event will run from 2pm to 4pm with a talk about the history and future of the Southern Upland Way at 3pm.

Following the launch event, the exhibition will be on display at the Glentrool Hive for two weeks, before moving to the Newton Stewart Walking Festival on 10 May.

It will then move across the region throughout the rest of the year. Please check Southern Upland Way – Dumfries & Galloway Council (dgtrails.org) for details of locations and dates.

The Southern Upland Way is managed by Dumfries and Galloway Council and The Scottish Borders Council with funding from Scottish Power Renewables and South Lanarkshire Council.

 

Seafront Mural Aims to Inspire Visits to Stranraer

Seafront Mural Aims to Inspire Visits to Stranraer
Pictured in front row from left are Joanna Jones (Assistant Director of Upland Arts Development CIC), ReCoat artist / director Amy Whiten, ReCoat artist Jennifer Buchanan and Ally Wight (ReCoat artist). With Wendi Cuffe (eigth from left, Stranraer Water Sports Association (SWSA) Project Manager), with Mhairi McKenna and Marie Ferguson from the Kilgallioch Community Fund and Janet Jones (Creative Stranraer Art and Engagement Officer). Photography by Colin Hattersley

A dramatic mural is being painted on the Stranraer seafront, celebrating the town’s connections to the ocean and growing importance as a destination for water sports.

It is being created as a centrepiece for Dumfries & Galloway’s annual Spring Fling open studios weekend (25-27 May) to draw visitors to the far west of the region.

The dramatic, semi-abstract artwork covers the walls of the Stranraer Water Sports Association (SWSA) boathouse at Agnew Park.

It has been designed and painted by Amy Whiten and Ali Wylie, of Argyll-based street art specialists Recoat, along with local visual artist Jennifer Buchanan.

Themes include Stranraer’s seafaring history and the new ways its waters are being used. It features buoys and boats used in the hugely popular skiffie (coastal rowing boat) races and the oysters for which the town is now famous.

Amy said: “We hope the mural brings colour to the town and that locals see it as a celebration of the past and future of Stranraer. Also, that it will spark conversations about Stranraer and what people value about their hometown. 
“The building houses the SWSA’s beautiful skiffs, paddle boards and kayaks and it would be a bonus if more people got involved in enjoying the water.”
Jennifer added: “This is a great project to be involved with an I really hope it inspires people to take pride in Stranraer, its history and its future.”

The Spring Fling Rural Mural (SFRM) project is a partnership between Upland (which runs Spring Fling) the SWSA and Creative Stranraer. It’s funded by the Kilgallioch Community Fund, which is administered by Foundation Scotland.

Joanna Jones, Upland Assistant Director, said: “Spring Fling is hugely successful in bringing visitors to the region, and the Stranraer mural will be a real centrepiece – helping attract people to explore all that the far west of this beautiful part of Scotland has to offer.
“This year 15 of the 104 studios taking part in the open studios weekend are in this part of the region, so there’s a superb choice of things to see and do.”

The painting of the mural coincides with the anniversary of Creative Stranraer opening its King Street hub, which offers everything from visual arts classes and events to lessons in song writing.

The hub is close to Creative Stranraer’s first mural project, by Tragic O’Hara, which also celebrates the town and region.

Janet Jones, Creative Stranraer Art and Engagement Officer, said: “Murals make Stranraer more colourful, vibrant and exciting. They are a great way to generate interest, to brighten up the town, brighten people’s spirits and inspire them.
“It will help getting more recognition for Stranraer – people will come to see it during Spring Fling and after that, share pictures on social media and that will raise our profile.”

Creative Stranraer believes the two pieces of public art will help link the centre of the town and the seafront.

There are also hopes that an artistic buzz, plus water sports, will help in efforts to attract inward investment – something much needed in an area that has suffered economically, partly due to the relocation of the Belfast ferry terminal after more than 150 years.

One plus from the loss of the ferry terminal has been the opening up of a large area of sheltered water which is perfect for water sports.

The SWSA sees the mural as a way to highlight this emerging part of Stranraer’s identity and the events and activities it has pioneered. These included attracting the Skiffie Worlds (world coastal rowing boat championships) in 2019 – and their much-anticipated return in 2025.

The painting of the mural comes at an important moment for the SWSA with the construction of its new Water Sports Centre due to begin in May.

Wendi Cuffe, SWSA Project Manager, said: “The mural looks great and is going to really help show off Stranraer as a centre for water-based activities.
“When the ferries went we were left with this fantastic expanse of sheltered water, so we’ve been working to make the most of it.
“We were established in 2016 with St Ayles Skiff Coastal Rowing, and over the last two years we’ve expanded to offer kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, sailing, swimming and lots more. 
“The water sports and the mural are exactly the sort of things that show Stranraer off as an up-and-coming location – a place to come to live, work and invest.”
Callum Sinclair, Chair of the Kilgallioch Community Benefit Company (Kilgallioch Community Fund), added:“We were delighted to support the Spring Fling Rural project. The creation of this spectacular new artwork for Stranraer fits perfectly with our aim of strengthening communities by investing in action that enables people and places to flourish.”

About SFRM24  

  • This will be the third Spring Fling Rural Mural (SFRM) – and follows successful projects in 2014 and 2016 which saw nine large temporary artworks created around the region.
  • This year’s partners held several sessions with the local community to get their ideas. This included sessions hosted by Creative Stranraer, a community workshop at the boat house, working with the Urban Collective skate club (which encourages young people to take part in outdoor activities) and a full day with 200 students at Stranraer Academy.
  • Local artist Jennifer Buchanan has made a particularly important contribution. Her elements of the mural depict historical imagery from archive photography of Stranraer, like the fishing boat or old munitions factory.
  • Creative Stranraer has just opened a special anniversary exhibition showing work from artist in residence Erinclare Scrutton.
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