The Scottish SPCA is seeking loving new owners for twelve homeless cats who are all hoping they won’t be spending this Christmas alone.

The cats, being cared for at Dunragit Kennels in Stranraer, have come into the charity’s care for various reasons, but they all have one wish, to find loving and permanent homes where they will receive the care and attention they deserve. Centre Manager Peter Baker said, “Most of the cats have come into our care as sick or injured strays who were never reclaimed, while others are here because their owners were no longer able to look after them.

“Some cats, like Coral and Anya, arrive under very sad circumstances and it’s up to us to provide them with the comfort and refuge they need until we can find someone to offer them a forever home. “Coral and Anya’s owner sadly passed away and we’ve no doubt they’ve both been affected by their loss. However, they are truly adorable cats who are not only stunning to look at but also very affectionate.

“Coral has a problem with her eyes which means she has very limited vision so we are looking for a special home for her where she will be able to have access to a secure outdoor area where she can explore, along with her outdoor-loving friend Anya, in a safe, enclosed environment.

“We also have a lovely boy called Shearer who was found bruised and battered after trying to survive on his own in an area where he was not welcomed by the local cat population. “A lady who works for the BBC alerted us to Shearer’s plight and he has since received fan mail from BBC news reader Catriona Shearer – her signed photograph is now up on the wall next to his bed in the cattery. “When Shearer first arrived he was very scared and hissed at us whenever we approached but now he’s a much happier, more relaxed boy who craves attention and loves his food.

“We really want to stress that we are seeking genuine, permanent homes for these cats as we do not believe pets make good Christmas presents and they should never be bought on a whim or given as a surprise gift.

“If we do manage to rehome all twelve cats this year then we’ll have rehomed a record 100 cats from Dunragit in 2013.”

Anyone interested in giving a cat a permanent and loving home is being urged to contact Dunragit Kennels on 03000 999 999. The centre is open from 9.30am until 1pm seven days a week and is located at Dunragit, Stranraer, DG9 8PH.

It’s nearly panto time… oh no it isn’t – ooooh yes it is!

And this year’s festive extravaganza at The Theatre Royal, Dumfries is not to be missed.

DGWGO have a family ticket up for grabs in our competition area – click here to enter

In celebration of their centenary year, The Guild of Players are staging a world premiere of Chris Belford’s Cinderella, specially written to mark the landmark anniversary.

The show, which runs from December 4th -14th, with matinee performances on Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th, is the last production at The Theatre Royal before the historic building – Scotland’s oldest working theatre – is closed for a major redevelopment.

With a cast of local, weel-kent performers, Cinderella is directed by Lesley Woodhouse, with music by Doug Carroll and some magical support from acclaimed international artist, Donald Urquhart….DGWGO was given the chance last night to pop along and meet the cast, have a tour of the set and talk to the writer and Director of the panto!

Chris Belford the Writer told DGWGO – “I re-joined the Guild of Players last year after an absence of 12 years to play the lead in The Importance of Being Earnest when one of the performers withdrew during rehearsals, it was great being back on stage but I was shocked at how much audiences had dropped. a show now runs for 4 performances compared to 6 when I last did them. From this I found myself back in pantoland with The Queen of Hearts, a panto written in 1965. 

I’ve also used Facebook to promote the show and I am finding we are reaching a lot more people. Hopefully the show will be a success and the theatre can develop from here. This is the last show at the theatre before it closes for some much needed work. As the oldest working theatre in Scotland it is important that it has a high profile and can showcase the many talented people who work behind the scenes. “

Lesley Woodhouse the Panto Director this year told DGWGO – “Cinderella will be the final production in the Theatre Royal in its current state. Work will begin in February to extend and renovate the current building and make use of the adjoining buildings”

100 years ago, the members of the theatre, ‘bought’ it and formed the Guild Of Players. This group of volunteers has run the theatre ever since.

Lesley added “My husband Chris and I have been members of the theatre for 25 years. We met at the theatre 25 years ago and acted in many productions together. We met again in 2005 and got married in 2008″

We decided that the theatre needed something special to celebrate their centenary. Chris has written a number of pieces for local and national newspapers, but never a pantomime.

We started work last December and agreed that we would write it to suit our stage and with some actors in mind.

It has been an arduous process, but we have been well supported by the committee of the theatre and local businesses.

Tickets are available here

 Tickets are available here

The show runs from Wednesday 4th December-Saturday 14th December. The 7th and 8th are matinees only.

Tickets are £7.50 and available from the Mid Steeple box office.”

While meeting the cast I got to chat to Prince Charming, Bethany MacLean who is very excited about the show , I also spoke to Dumfries and Galloway life Magazine’s Very Own Andrea Thompson , who really seemed to be throwing herself into the part of Queen Charming . I also got to chat to the Lovely Laura Hill , who is one of the Castle Guards , and she was looking forward to getting into costume and really feeling the part ! Seeing all the work that goes on Backstage it made me realise just how much effort this wee team are putting into this Panto , Months of Rehearsal , Lots of singing Practice and being shouted at , Stress levels at a high ! But for those 10 days in December they will bring joy to many many folk , young and old. One of the Best Childhood Christmas memories I have is going to the panto and seeing all the excitement on stage !

So if you are looking for the Perfect Family Christmas night out then you should get along to see CINDERELLA at the Theatre Royal !

R.B

The Team and Cast of Cinderella would like to give a massive thank you to all the people and Businesses that are supporting the Panto by Donating raffle Prizes to be won every night that the show runs for !

[below – a few of the main cast ]

Cinderella – Bernadette McDermott

Prince Charming – Bethany MacLean

Buttons – John Woodhouse

Uggs (The Ugly Sisters) – Sandy McDougall and Andrew Twigg

Puss – Blaise McMinn

Wicked Step Mother – Anne Aldridge

Fairy Godmother – Anne Barbour

King Charming – Sean Barbour

Queen Charming – Andrea Thompson

Professor – Tom Cuddihy

Beast – Siouxsie Robertson

The Stanley Cup, ice hockey’s most iconic and revered trophy, is coming to Dumfries.

Dumfries Ice Bowl will stage the biggest event in its 20 year history when it hosts World Championship Ice Hockey in December.

The Great Britain Under 20s Men’s Team will compete in the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Group 1 B tournament and play against Japan, France, Italy, the Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The tournament takes place between Monday December 9 and Sunday December 15.

Great Britain will play their fixtures at 8pm at the Ice Bowl during the course of the tournament, which is bound to capture the public’s imagination.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

The Hockey Hall of Fame is bringing the world-renowned Cup to Scotland, which is presented to the NHL play-off champions each year.

The National Hockey League (NHL) is the most prestigious ice hockey league in the globe, played for by the best-loved teams of Canada and the USA.

The arrival of the Stanley Cup will boost the promotion of ice hockey in Scotland and the UK, and encourage visitors to take in some of the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) World Championship Under-20s (Division 1B) matches at the Dumfries Ice Bowl.

The Great Britain Under-20s men’s team will host the six-team tournament and play France, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan and the Ukraine from Monday 9th December to Sunday 15th December 2013.
The Stanley Cup will be on display as part of a special ice hockey memorabilia exhibition at the Ice Bowl between 1pm and 5pm on Wednesday 11th December. There will be a £5 admission charge to visit the exhibition.

The visit is being organised by the Hockey Hall of Fame to celebrate 100 years of ice hockey in the UK.

Visiting dignitaries coming from North America include Jim Gregory, a senior vice-president of the NHL and chairman of Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee.
Councillor Colin Smyth, Dumfries and Galloway Council events champion, said: “Sports fans will be familiar with the name of the Stanley Cup, but they may not know just how much it is loved and woven into the history of ice hockey.

“It’s a beautiful trophy too. We are really fortunate to have the chance to put the Stanley Cup on show in Dumfries.

“For ice hockey fans locally, it’s a wonderful opportunity to see both the Stanley Cup and World Championship matches in the same week.”

Andy French, general secretary of Ice Hockey UK, added: “This is going to be fantastic week for British ice hockey.

“We would like to thank the Hockey Hall of Fame and the NHL for their support for this amazing event.”

Abbey Cottage Tearoom, Main Street,  New Abbey, Dumfries, DG2 8BB – Tel: 01387850377

Email: [email protected]
www.abbeycottagetearoom.com
facebook: www.facebook.com/abbeycottagetearoom
twitter: Abbey Cottage

Opening hours: 11-4, Wednesday – Sunday. Closed 23 December until end of January.

Abbey Cottage Tearoom in New Abbey has been serving tasty home cooking since it first opened its doors in 1983. Its location, overlooking the romantic ruins of Sweetheart Abbey, has made it a popular place to visit and its delicious home cooking and baking have tempted many to return again and again.

The Tearoom has earned many accolades and awards over the years and the cooking always attracts special praise.

Now, at last, Morag McKie and her daughter Jacqui Wilson have collected some of their favourite recipes and have published a book. There are old family recipes handed down through generations, and others which came to the Abbey Cottage kitchen from friends. Some dishes have featured in Jacqui’s baking column in the Daily Record, all have been popular choices on the Abbey Cottage menu.

The Abbey Cottage Home & Hearty Cookbook will delight anyone who loves the taste of homely cooking and the food traditions of Dumfries and Galloway.

The 80 page book has been designed by Dumfries-based weesleekit, and has specially commissioned illustrations by Val Macadam, who lives in Kirkbean. The book is available to buy at Abbey Cottage Tearoom and online at www.abbeycottagetearoom.com. At £7.50 it makes an ideal Christmas present.

Recipe:

Sweetheart Empire Biscuits

Ingredients:

12oz/300g plain flour
8oz/200g butter or marg
4oz/100g castor sugar
1 egg

To assemble and decorate:
Raspberry jam
Glace cherries
Icing sugar and water

Method:

– Pre heat the oven to 160ºC. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets.
– Cream the butter and sugar together by hand, or using a food mixer. Then add the egg and the flour. A firm dough will be formed.
– Roll out the dough onto a floured board to approx 0.5 cm, then cut an even number of matching biscuits. We use a heart shaped cutter for our Sweetheart Empires, but you can choose any shape! After cutting, gather up the odd bits of dough, and roll out again to get more shapes.
– Place the shapes carefully onto the baking sheets and bake in the oven for 15-20 mins. Check the biscuits, and if they are browning, turn the oven down. You want them baked, but not browned!
– Remove from the oven and place on a wire tray to cool. Once cooled, assemble with a filling of raspberry jam between the biscuits, and top with icing and a chopped glacé cherry.

It’s official – Pat Geddes is a Blooming Star!

The first Blooming Star is Pat Geddes from Thornhill who was nominated by her daughter Jackie.

“My Mum has been there for me throughout my 3 back operations. She’s done my house work, walked our dog plus looked after my daughter Amy. She was there for us all when my husband was told he had cancer (who is ok now thankfully) My Mum also nursed my dad who had cancer and heart problems but sadly my dad died this year. My mum’s is a wonderful woman and we all love her”

Do you have a family member, maybe a special friend, someone you care about who is not too well, an amazing teacher, a loving other half or someone in our community who deserves to have their week brightened up with a wonderful bunch of flowers? Well Passion Flowers of Dumfries, in Partnership with DGWGO, are offering you the chance to do just that with our “Blooming Stars” campaign this November.

Passion Flower & DGWGO’s Big November Giveaway – Blooming Stars!

All you have to do is email Marita of Passion Flowers ([email protected]) to nominate your “Blooming Star”. Tell her (please include your, name, address and telephone number) who deserves to be recognised locally.

Remember – it can be anyone!

Marita and the team at Passion Flowers will choose one winner each Friday. The FREE flowers will then be arranged and prepared for collection from Passion Flowers at Heathhall Garden Centre in Dumfries.

We want to let everyone know about our local “Blooming Stars” and for us to do that we would require an image (can be from a smart phone) of you, the flowers and your “Blooming Star” emailed to DGWGO at [email protected].

Marita and her team at Passion Flowers and all of us here at DGWGO are really looking forward to Brightening Up November for more special people!

Heathhall Garden Centre, Edinburgh Road, Dumfries, DG1 1SE – Telephone 01387 259949

Passion Flowers also have a great coupon available on DGWGO – Click here for coupon – Pick & Mix Offer – 10 flowers for £10, come in and choose any 10 flowers, could be lilies, roses, carnations – its your choice -includes flower food and our free care advice!

Please do not enter if you feel that your nomination would choose not to have their photo on DGWGO or The Passion Flowers website or Social Media accounts. This give away is about letting everyone know about someone special in Dumfries and Galloway and we try to respect everyone’s privacy.

DGWGO are the official social media partner for “The Big Switch On” in Dumfries and are the first to announce the day’s events!

Facilities are open from 12noon, including everything from the ice rink, on stage acts and snow globe & Santa’s grotto.

Official Press Release

It has reached that time of year again, it’s time to put on your Christmas jumpers, Santa hats and head down to join in the Christmas fun and festivities in Dumfries town centre on Thursday 28th November 2013, at this year’s revamped Christmas lights Big Switch On event.

The fun starts at 12noon with entertainment programmed all afternoon for you and your family to enjoy, with activities planned to suit all ages.

There will be performances on the Plainstanes from local choirs, emerging local talent, schools, a sing-a-long with some of your favourite Disney characters, and excerpts from our top two local pantomimes; DG One’s “Jack and the Beanstalk” & the Theatre Royal’s/Guild of Players “Cinderella”.

Organisers are also delighted to announce that there will be :

o Ice rink
o Ski slope
o Santa’s grotto
o Giant Snow Globe
o Funfair rides
o Rodeo Reindeer

All activities will take place in Dumfries High Street, and are FREE apart from a small charge for accessing the Snow Globe, Santa’s Grotto and the Fairground Rides.

There will also be an opportunity to meet and greet your favourite local mascots Leo the Lion, Dougie the Doonhamer, and ToBi (the Tour of Britain mascot), as well as some of your favourite cartoon characters with Spongebob Squarepants, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Dora the Explorer, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, all doing walkabouts to help us kick off the festive season in style.

The afternoon’s activities will conclude with the official Christmas lights “Big Switch On” happening at 6pm, with a brand new spectacular switch on experience which is currently being kept top secret.

Dumfries town centre is the place to be this festive season!

Councillor Ted Thompson, Chair of Nithsdale Area Committee and Provost of Dumfries said: “We are delighted that this year’s Big Switch On will offer families a wide range of winter wonderland experiences, providing a spectacular start to our holiday season which will bring visitors and locals into our town centre. The day will be completely different to Switch On’s in previous years, so come along and see some of the surprises that we have in store, and watch the day go off with a bang.”

A volunteer from the Devil’s Porridge Museum has contacted DGWGO to help raise awareness of an important event due to take place on Border TV on November the 26th 2013 – 6pm.

The Devil’s Porridge Museum has been short-listed for the People’s Millions and will go head-to-head with another good cause on Border TV. They need as many votes as possible to be awarded the £50,000 grant! It will ensure that the amazing story of how Eastriggs and Gretna were built in WW1 for the greatest munitions factory of the time, is told to future generations. It will also be a lasting commemoration to those who died in both world wars.

The money will be used to provide high quality displays for their new museum and hub which is due to re-open next year.

You can phone in your support from 9.00am to midnight on Tuesday 26th of November. The number will be available on the People’s Millions website from early morning and on Border TV News at 6pm where supporting films will be aired.

This short YouTube clips will tell you a bit more about this important and historical part of the region

Have you been to the museum?

“We’re all doomed!”……..well, not quite.

Mark Harris, Business Development Manager at Grierson & Graham in Dumfries, was going through some old photographs at their Honda Dealership on the Annan Road when he came across this great old image. Mark kindly sent it into DGWGO earlier today and we thought we would share it with you.

It shows Dumfries born Shakespearean actor John Laurie (although best remembered to many of us for his role as Private James Frazer in Dad’s Army) collecting his new car, in the late 1970s, from the former Academy Street location of Grierson & Graham.

John was born in Dumfries in 1897 and was a pupil at Dumfries Academy. He was in the First World War (served with the Honourable Artillery Company) and also in the home guard during the Second World War.

He trained to become an actor in London and first took to the stage in 1921.

John Laurie played many Shakespearean parts, including in Hamlet, Richard III, and Macbeth at the Old Vic. He starred in many British series of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s including Doctor Finlay’s Casebook and The Avengers.

Here is John Laurie’s page on Wikipedia where you can learn more about his work and also a link to his listing on the Internet Movie Database

In his role as Private Fraser in Dad’s Army he told several stories about his journeys through the South Seas. Here is one of those classic scenes – you have to watch it to the end.

and of course – here is a wee YouTube clip including that famous line – We’re Doomed!

Again, thanks so much to Mark of Grierson and Graham in Dumfries for sending us the image. We love receiving older pics of the region and thought it was worth putting together a wee post.

DP