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Hair stylists return to college for special training day with students   

Dumfries and Galloway College (DGC) was delighted to welcome back two former students with a flair for hair for a special training session with current learners.

 

Kiya Courtney and Katie Dougan dropped in to do a colour training session with hairdressing students at DGC’s Stranraer campus.

 

They both now work for Tres Chic Salon in Stranraer, which is owned by Maureen Henry, who is committed to helping train future hair stylists.

 

Kiya Courtney said: “I left school early and came to college 2013 and completed my Intermediate 2 Hairdressing and then progressed to Higher hairdressing while working in the salon to gain extra experience.
“After spending a couple of years in the salon I decided to study further for an HNC in hairdressing.
“During my time still working in the salon I became self-employed in Tres Chic Hair Salon in Stranraer within that time.”

 

Katie Dougan added: “I started at Stranraer Campus in 2014 and I absolutely loved it — the hairdressing lecturers were very friendly and patient.
“I can remember starting at the basics such as shampooing, blowdrying and realising how much thought had to go into each of the elements of working on hair.
“I had lots of opportunity to use my own creativity and ideas during my time at college — one in particular I fondly remember where I had to create a mood board for our Styling for a Total Look Unit and then be able to figure out how to bring our ideas to life on our models.
“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to start working in Tres Chic and I’m now a self-employed hairdresser — I’ve been in Tres Chic for almost 8 years and absolutely love my job.”

 

Salon owner Maureen Henry said: “I feel as a salon owner who is still so passionate about our creative, fast-moving industry that is so fundamentally important to support the teaching of our craft.
“Being able to reach out and take part in the students journey by interaction with Dumfries and Galloway College-Stranraer Campus has been made so accessible by all within the hairdressing department.
“Work placement is an essential part of making prospective junior stylists ready for employment.”

LOCAL PRISON GETS INVOLVED WITH ROBERT THE BRUCE ANNIVERSARY

Community Collaboration as HM Prison Dumfries supports making Props for the Medieval Market and Fayre as part of the 750th Anniversary Celebrations of the Birth of Robert the Bruce.

In 2024, the Medieval Bruce Heritage Trust, in partnership with The People’s Project Dumfries, The Imaginarium and The Gallovidian way, alongside local community groups and businesses will be celebrating 750th Anniversary of the Birth of Robert the Bruce. The programme of events will showcase the influential and pivotal role Dumfries & Galloway played in the life and times of the Bruce, and its significant impact on Scottish Medieval History.

 

At the end of January this year, planning started to build props for the Medieval Market and Fayre which will take place in Dumfries on weekend 13th & 14th July – the closest to the birthday of Robert the Bruce. Discussions began with community groups across the region and HM Prison, Dumfries agreed to make a set of stocks and a face in the hole board for photo opportunities over the weekend to support the project. As the project developed, the team building the props enjoyed the project so much that they also asked if they could make a throne for Robert the Bruce and 12 shields with coats of arms of local medieval families.

 

The materials needed were sourced from local businesses after a letter was drafted explaining the project and how it was offering support to communities and businesses rallied round to offer donations. The team on the project would like to thank MKM, James Jones, James Kingan of New Abbey and Wickes for donations of wood. Many thanks also to Johnstone Paints, Wickes and Kinderhouse Childcare for donations of varnish and paints.

 

Anne Simpson of The People’s Project, who was the liaison with the prison said, “It was a pleasure working with HM Prison Dumfries, staff and inmates.  The enthusiasm and creativity have been amazing.  We are extremely grateful to the prison and the businesses who have donated materials to make this project possible.  They have made props way beyond our expectations.
 
Such was the enthusiasm of the inmates, we now have two sets of stocks and 24 shields which will be used to decorate the town, possibly in shop windows.  The two magnificent thrones for Bruce and his Queen will take pride of place at his court at the Plainstanes on Saturday 13 July.”

 

The team curating the project hope that communities will be able to see the incredible craftmanship and creativity of the prison staff and inmates at The Medieval Market on Saturday 13th July on Dumfries High Street. Incredible detail has gone into the items with one inmate even carving dragon heads for the arms of the thrones, it was the first time he had ever done any carving and the finished outcome is very professional.

 

Miranda Cloy of Signcraft is also involved in designing the Face in the Hole boards which will include local figures of medieval times in Dumfries and Galloway so there will be plenty of photo opportunities.  The team hope that the props will be used at events in the future and for communities across the region.  

 

Grateful thanks must be given to members of Devorgilla Rotary and members of Roucan Loch staff who have collected and delivered materials to and from the prison. The project has showcased the incredible community spirit in Dumfries & Galloway and how people always come together to create something beyond all expectations in their communities in this region.

 

The initial programme of events were launched on Saturday 10th February, and communities who are inspired by this are invited to get involved in the celebrations by hosting their own events between February to the finale of his birthday celebrations in July.

To find out more about the events, visit brucetrust.co.uk/750

The team are incredibly grateful to their main sponsors of the programme for their generous support: Jardine Funerals, Historic Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival and The Globe Inn.

We are also very thankful for the enthusiasm, support and very special contributions of our key collaborators: Mostly Ghostly, Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Club, Dumfries Museum, D&G Heritage Service, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Wordsmithcrafts, HM Prison Dumfries, Guid Nychburris Association, Dumfries Family History Society, Visit Scotland and The Barony of Buittle.

OPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOLS TO GET INVOLVED WITH REGIONS BIGGEST WINTER PARADE

OPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOLS TO GET INVOLVED WITH REGIONS BIGGEST WINTER PARADE

Organisers of the Big Burns Supper are looking for primary schools across Dumfries & Galloway to take part in Dumfries Carnival project.

The six-month creative learning project which kicks off in August, offers 20 Primary schools the opportunity to take part in performing arts workshops delivered by industry professional in theatre and dance.

A programme of workshops in theatre and dance will be delivered free of charge to all participating schools over the six-month project by a team of 6 specialists who will travel throughout the region creating the Carnival community in all corners of Dumfries & Galloway.

Each school group will eventually take part in the Parade which is scheduled to run on the 17th of January at 5pm.

Participating schools are ideally aged P5-P7, or whole through years if it is a smaller rural school.

More than 1000 costumes have already been made by volunteers which were designed by artists from St. Patricks Day Parade in Dublin.

Justin Hyslop, Creative Director of Dumfries Carnival said:

“Our Carnival project is one of our biggest community projects in Scotland, and the 2025 edition will be special for many reasons, not least because it will have been five years since the festival was staged at that scale.
We love getting out there and working pupils, teachers, and the school communities in the run up to the festival, it is what makes Big Burns Supper so unique.”

Schools are asked to register their interest at https://bigburnssupper.com/carnival-25-expression-of-interest/

Anyone with any questions should contact Justin Hyslop by emailing programming@ bigburnssupper.com

Big Burns Supper is set to return across three weekends running from the 17th of January to the 2nd of February 2025, following a fallow year to allow organisers the chance to find more resource to deliver the project.

As well as schools taking part, Big Burns Supper volunteers meet every Tuesday between 10am – 12pm at Morrisons, and 5pm – 7pm at St. Georges Church Hall. Anyone can take part.

 

A701 DIVERSIONS IN PLACE AS TREES TO BE FELLED THIS WEEKEND

A701 DIVERSIONS IN PLACE AS TREES TO BE FELLED THIS WEEKEND

Amey, on behalf of Transport Scotland, is undertaking essential woodland management on the A701 at St Ann’s, Johnstonbridge, Dumfries and Galloway, on Saturday 4th May and Sunday 5th May between the hours of 8am and 5pm. The removal of a section of trees is necessary due to the presence of Ash Dieback disease. This work was postponed due to bird nests being identified, previously, at this location.

These works will take place under a full closure and the signed diversion will operate as follows:

Southbound traffic will leave the A701 at the B7076 junction south of Beattock and travel south to Lockerbie, taking the B7076/A709 slip to join the A709. Vehicles will then head west on A709 to Dumfries and join the A75 at the A75/A709 Lockerbie Road Roundabout and be directed east to re-join the A701 south.

Northbound traffic will follow the above diversion route in the opposite direction.

Access for emergency service vehicles will be maintained throughout these works.

Local access will be maintained throughout these works.

Please note, all schemes are weather dependent and may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not favourable.

SHARKS TAKE A LOOK OVER 23/24 SEASON

SHARKS TAKE A LOOK OVER 23/24 SEASON

This past weekend saw the official end of 2023/24 National League action as the
playoffs finished on Sunday in Coventry. The Peterborough Phantoms defeated the Leeds Knights 4-3 in a thrilling game that had to be decided in penalty shots.

Luke Ferrara played the role of the hero scoring the game deciding goal to crown the
Peterborough Phantoms as the 2024 Playoff Champions.

The 2023/24 season would mark the Solway Sharks first go at the NIHL National
League level. It would prove to be a difficult transition to the new level as the Sharks
started the season winless through their first six games. Guided by the leadership of
Struan Tonnar, Ross Murray, Scott Henderson, Liam Stenton and Stuart Kerr the
Sharks slowly began to find their feet. Despite the turbulent start to the season the
team really began to find its form around Christmas time as they had a stretch of six
consecutive wins heading into the new year.

They established themselves as a force to be reckoned with as they found themselves in the win column against all the top of the table teams. The only team the Sharks were unable to defeat were the Telford Tigers. Ironically, it was the Tigers who ultimately extinguished the Sharks playoff hopes in one of the final games of the regular season.

Despite the Sharks not being able to make the postseason, there were plenty of positives to draw from the inaugural season. The off-season will see some turnover with the likes of Sharks legends Struan Tonnar and Ross Murray announcing their retirements. With so many exciting plans already in the works, the Sharks will look to learn from their first
season and look for ways to improve the on-ice and off-ice product as they set their
sights high for year two.

Stay tuned in to the Sharks socials for all things Sharks including plenty of exciting
news regarding the upcoming season and to be notified of events and activities
planned for the fans this off-season.

Also, season tickets are now available for purchase. With season tickets being
FROZEN and a wide array of benefits to being a season ticket holder, there has
never been a better time to join the Sharks family. Head to the link,
https://sharksihc.com/tickets/, to secure your tickets now!

NEW HOLSTEIN AWARD AIMS TO CELEBRATE YOUTH

NEW HOLSTEIN AWARD AIMS TO CELEBRATE YOUTH

New Scottish Holstein Award in Association with Harrison & Hetherington aims to celebrates tomorrow’s Young Holstein Stars.

Harrison & Hetherington are delighted to announce their sponsorship of a major new award to recognise and celebrate the next generation of dedicated young breeders who will carry the Scottish Holstein Club and the breed it represents into the future.

Always deeply involved in encouraging young livestock breeders and handlers through their Events such as UK Dairy Expo, H&H are joining forces with the Scottish Holstein Club to create a fantastic new competition to support the next Scottish Young Star.

The H&H Scottish Young Star Award will be contested in the arenas of showmanship and stockjudging skills at specific livestock competitions and shows throughout the year, with the winner being announced at the Scottish AGM in November.

Competitors will be scored on their highest placings from three out of the four following competitions in two categories: Showmanship at UK Dairy Expo, Ayr, the Royal Highland Show and the Scottish Calf Show; and Stockjudging at the Scottish Open Day, and the West of Scotland, Lanarkshire and South West Scotland shows.

The successful H&H Scottish Young Star will win an all-expenses paid trip to a major international show such as Madison, Toronto, or Swiss Expo, and will make a presentation to the Senior Scottish Holstein Club about their trip at the following year’s AGM.

H&H will contribute £1000 annually towards the costs of the Scottish Young Stars Award, and Glyn Lucas, Senior Auctioneer at Harrison & Hetherington knows that the competition will be intense. “We know from our experience of hosting events such as the UK Dairy Expo just how dedicated and committed the next generation of Holstein farmers are to their breed. It’s a huge pleasure to be able to offer them the encouragement of this new Award, and we look forward very much to seeing who will emerge as the first Scottish Young Star after this summer’s season of shows and competitions.”

David Gray, Chairman of the Scottish Holstein Club said: “We are truly indebted to H&H for this amazing opportunity, and we would like to thank them sincerely for their support for our Young Holstein Club members. These incredibly dedicated and talented young people are deeply committed to the development of the breed, and this new award will give them a wonderful new incentive to raise their knowledge and their skills even higher.”

Dad From Sanquhar Is Running To Say Thank you

Shane Saunders is running the Edinburgh marathon to raise funds for the service that has supported his son Miller since he was three years old  

Sanquhar dad, Shane Saunders is in training to run the Edinburgh marathon to raise funds for the service that has been supporting his son since he was three years old.

 

Shane and his wife Nicole praised the support they have received from Quarriers Dumfries and Galloway Family Support Service. Their son, Miller, 13, has complex needs including autism, and global development delay.

 

Shane said: “I am raising funds to say thank you for all the support that Miller has received. His support worker Lauren Elliot is affectionately called Miller’s other mum in this house. Miller wanted her to come on holiday with us, that’s how close the relationship is.
“She has been working with Miller since he was three years old. We have two other children and having Lauren spend time with Miller for a few hours a week gave us quality time to spend with them and also time for us to spend together.
“Now that Miller is older, she takes him out to do whatever he wants to do that day. That might be shopping or to McDonalds or they go swimming – he’s a great swimmer. She helps him build his life skills by being as independent as possible.”

 

Shane does not enjoy running, so signing up for a marathon seems an odd choice. “I am not a runner. But I never back down from a challenge. I’m training to be a Personal Trainer so going through this experience will be helpful to advise my clients in the future. I am doing a lot of gym work, building up my knee strength. I am fairly confident I will finish with a time of under four hours. When I’m set a challenge, I don’t give up.”

 

Mum, Nicole added: “Shane wanted to raise funds for Quarriers because the service really means something to us. It’s such a worthwhile service and we want to give back for all the help and support we have received. It has allowed us time with the other children knowing that Miller is well looked after.”

 

Quarriers Family Support Service provides services to children, young people and families affected by disability throughout Dumfries and Galloway. With two bases, D&G and Stranraer, professional and helpful staff can offer short breaks for children, support for families, and a father’s project for dads and male carers of disabled children supported by the service.

 

Shane is hoping to raise £500 for the service with the money going toward the services summer programme, where days out are organised for all the young people they support as a group.

 

Shane concluded: “Running a marathon might mean I’m in physical pain for a few hours, but that is nothing compared to the complexities that Miller faces and manages to cope with every day.”

You can help Shane reach his funding goal on May 26th by donating at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Shane-Saunders

 

For more information about Quarriers Family Support Service, visit https://www.quarriers.org.uk/service/family-support/family-support-service/

 

 

Image caption: Shane Saunders is running the Edinburgh marathon to raise funds for the service that has supported his son Miller since he was three years old

 

Newton Stewart’s Green Fayre Announces New Venue for 2024

The annual Green Fayre, hosted by the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere and the Newton Stewart

Initiative, has been announced for Saturday 18 th May 2024 with an exciting new venue and even bigger range of organisations taking part.

The Biosphere’s flagship event launched in 2022, aiming to promote sustainability and spotlight local projects in conservation and climate action. Green Fayre also acts as a showcase of volunteer opportunities, with organisations including Home Energy Scotland, MAC-CAN, Red Squirrel Conservation and the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project taking part. Over 20 stalls will be setting up at Vibe 75, a new community hub on Victoria Street managed by the Newton Stewart Initiative. Among the attractions will be a seed, plant, produce and clothes swap, nature art activities, and a pop-up café. The D&G Climate Hub will also be there, sharing news from their work region-wide and promoting the latest opportunities for community groups to access climate action support.

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire was designated a UNESCO Biosphere in 2012, status which recognises the unique natural and cultural heritage of southwest Scotland and its array of opportunities for sustainable development. The GSA Biosphere Partnership is a registered Scottish Charity (SC044137) delivering projects in conservation, education, enterprise, and climate resilience, supported by core funding from partners including South of Scotland Enterprise and Dumfries and Galloway Council. The Biosphere’s officer team moved into a permanent office space in Newton Stewart at the beginning of 2024, making this an extra special year for the Green Fayre.

Community & Education Lead Officer Jenna Cains will be one of the Biosphere team hosting the event in its third year. Jenna says, “The Green Fayre has quickly become a highlight of our calendar as a really great way for local people to find out about the community and third sector projects underway in Wigtownshire and further afield, with demonstrations, information stands, and the chance to make new connections while having a lot of fun. We’re particularly excited to be at Vibe 75 for the first time and hoping for another great turn out in 2024.” Green Fayre will take place at Vibe 75, Victoria Street, Newton Stewart from 10am – 2pm on Saturday 18 th May.

Entry is free and all ages are welcome, with attendees warmly invited to bring along seeds, plants and/or clothes for the swap stand.

More information about the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere is available at www.gsabiosphere.org.uk For any enquiries about Green Fayre or any other projects or events in the Biosphere’s programme, please email [email protected].

Annandale Sailing Club hosts first 2024 Open Meeting

Annandale Sailing Club hosts first 2024 Open Meeting

Eight single-handed D-Zero dinghies battled it out over the two days for the class’ Northern Championship.

Competitors came from Largs, Dalgety Bay in Fife, West Kirby on the Wirral, Leigh & Lowton near Warrington, Hertfordshire and Lee on Solent on the south coast of England. The fleet also included Moffat sailor, and ASC member, Richard Bryant.

Race Officer Chris Nurney and his team had a challenging Saturday with light, fickle breezes making things difficult but he managed to get three races completed before everyone came ashore to enjoy a curry night in the club house.

A better breeze sprung up on Sunday providing plenty of action and close racing.

The Northern Championship was won by John Bassett from Largs, with Dalgety Bay’s Ian Baillie in second and Richard Bryant from Annandale in third.

Visitors are being offered the chance to get afloat and find out all about sailing, for free, at Annandale Sailing Club’s annual Open Day on Sunday, May 12.

From 12 noon to 4pm, the club is throwing open its doors to the public and encouraging people to tour the clubhouse and grounds, find out about different dinghy classes and training opportunities and, weather permitting, have a sail round the loch with an experienced club member.

Club Commodore Stephen Thomas Bate said: “We always look forward to the Open Day as a chance to showcase our activities and encourage people to find out what it’s like to get out onto the Castle Loch under sail.
“We are a small, friendly club and everyone will be given a very warm welcome.”

Visitors should come dressed appropriately for the weather, with soft soled shoes. Buoyancy aids will be provided.

www.annandalesailingclub.myclubhouse.co.uk

Wheatley transforms Dumfries & Galloway homes with £10.4m investment

Wheatley transforms Dumfries & Galloway homes with £10.4m investment
Frank McCafferty

Dumfries and Galloway’s largest social landlord invested £10.44 million improving  homes across the region in the last financial year.

 

Hundreds of homes in Wheatley Homes South communities benefited from the investment, which saw a range of upgrades including the installation of innovative heating systems, replacement windows and new kitchens.

 

A total of £7.4m was spent on net zero improvements to 250 homes across Dumfries and Galloway to help with energy bills, with £490k spent on new heating systems in a further 52 homes.

 

Investment in new windows for 169 of the region’s homes totalled £1.1m, with £83k spent on new kitchens in 10 homes.

 

Frank McCafferty, Group Director of Repairs and Assets at Wheatley Group, said:

 

“This investment in housing across Dumfries and Galloway is helping make homes warmer, safer and more comfortable for thousands of families in every part of the region.
 
“Wheatley is committed to ensuring all our homes and communities remain great places to live and this investment forms part of our extensive programme of further refurbishment in our homes and new investment in neighbourhoods over the coming months and years.”

 

This investment comes as Wheatley Homes South continues with its ambitious regeneration plans for the area, which will see around 800 new homes built in the next few years to help meet the housing demand across Dumfries and Galloway.

 

Wheatley Group, which owns and manages over 93,700 homes including Wheatley Homes South, was recently named as the UK’s biggest builder of social housing over the past decade.

 

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