Gatehouse News - July/August 2015

Gatehouse News

NEWS, INFORMATION & WHAT’S ON IN GATEHOUSE OF FLEET | July/August 2015

Anyone for tennis? The newly refurbished court is open for business.

After many years of working quietly behind the scenes, Gatehouse Tennis Club is delighted to have been awarded a grant of £7,500 from Awards for All Scotland towards a £20,000 overhaul of the venue at Laurieston Road. The remainder of the money required came from club funds, the Murray Usher Foundation, the JohnYounger Trust, a number of generous donations and a very successful fund raising event. The support from the people of Gatehouse and beyond has been very much appreciated. This cash injection has allowed for a new playing surface, new fencing, and will also help fund the development of tennis in Gatehouse for all ages; one club member has already completed a coaching course and others will follow. There will be a coaching programme in conjunction with Gatehouse Primary School, the local YMCA Gatehouse Drop In and also sessions linking with the Gatehouse Golf Club for a ‘have a go’ opportunity at both sports.

On Monday 27th July, during Gala week, there will be plenty going on at the new court with a junior competition in the morning, taster session for all in the afternoon and a senior ‘draw for partners’ competition in the evening. Full details are available in the Gala programme. There has already been an upsurge in memberships this year as the excitement grows about this fantastic upgraded facility. Club night continues on Monday and is well attended.

Special thanks must go to Lusi Alderslowe for her help with the funding application.

For further information please contact Barbara McDavid on 07714491759.

Community Survey - what you told us ...

Earlier this year the Community Council carried out a survey of the views of residents and the summary of issues and suggestions can be found on the community website (www.gatehouse-of-fleet.co.uk). The Council were keen to get views on how residents felt about the appearance of the town and its facilities, and how we present the town and activities within it to ourselves and to visitors. Issues with litter around the car park, and particularly with dog fouling, are prominent and there is particular disappointment at the eyesore which is the former garage site - not a good

Community Event: The Scone of Destiny - with Mischief La-Bas Theatre Company in the car park as part of Big Lit 2015.

entrance to a town in a National Scenic Area. It was suggested that the pond opposite needs more maintenance - the GDI is currently obtaining quotes to carry out dredging and to improve the pond for both the swans and other wildlife. Asked if there should be an opportunity to advertise public events such as Gala Week or Midsummer Music in a more conspicuous way such as flagpoles or banners on the A75 or by the car park, 50% of responses were strongly in favour of this with most favouring banners by the car park. However it was felt important that banners should not be put up too far in advance and should be removed promptly after the event. There was also a desire for a larger noticeboard by the car park as a central location for all events. There were a lot of useful suggestions relating to what’s on offer for locals and visitors in terms of recreational facilities both in the town and in the surrounding area, and many more suggestions for general improvments or projects. One of the most imaginative of these is a suggestion to have a weir at PortMacadam and create a boating lake! Surveys like this are important and useful - it allows the community to feed ideas into a central point where they can maybe be acted on, and it is very helpful to the community committees and projects when looking for funding to take ideas forward. It is important always to be able to show community support. So take the time to download the survey summary and have a read, and remember that Community Council meetings as well as Gatehouse Development Meetings are open to all to raise issues or make suggestions at any time.

WWW.GATEHOUSE-OF-FLEET.CO.UK

Gatehouse News

Contact us on 01557 814458 or news@gatehouse-of-fleet.co.uk.

This summer edition of the Gatehouse News brings a range of stories from around our community. There is always such a lot going on in the town that it is sometimes difficult to include all the stories that we could. With this in mind, the Gatehouse News now has its own Facebook Page where we will try to flag up more of the activities and items of news that we are aware of, re-posting from other Facebook Pages and websites, and in that way keep things as current as posssible. In the Community Survey (see the story on the front page), a useful range of ideas and suggestions for our community can be found. Something which is flagged up is communication, in particular the desire to see somewhere central in the town for all the event information. The community website also has its own community diary and we would be very happy to update this with events if they are sent to us (GDI@gatehouse-of-fleet.co.uk). We will also do our bit to tie together as many of the information sources as we can so that events and opportunities are not missed.

Also coming through in the survey is a desire for more of the groups and organisations in the town to work together. In the arts this is being addressed through an informal ‘Gatehouse Arts Partnership’ which keeps groups like the Mill, The Bakehouse, Festival Music and others working together where they can, and both the Mill and Festival Music played their part in this year’s successful Big Lit Festival, organised by The Bakehouse. Other collaborations are taking place between groups - the Gatehouse Bunker (see opposite) are developing new projects and are working with the Drop-in Centre for example on their allotment project. All good for Gatehouse! Collaborations and partnerships bring groups together and strengthen the community.

The Last Post from Galloway Lodge

Photo: Mike Bannister

Since our last Newsletter, the Gatehouse Post Office has made its move from Galloway Lodge, up the street to The Gatehouse Store. The changeover took place at noon on Friday 8th May and here Fiona Hesketh accompanied by counter clerks Carin Smith & Denise Graves sign off for Galloway Lodge.

The Gatehouse News thanks them for their dedicated service to the Gatehouse community over the years. The new Post Office is now well settled in its new home delivering a wide range of services and retaining this invaluable resource in Gatehouse.

Bank of Fleet Hotel u

Ensuite Rooms u Bar Meals u Restaurant & Beer Garden

01557 814302

u

www.bankoffleet.co.uk

Excellent food and a friendly atmosphere

Changes at Gatehouse of Fleet Parish Church Changes are planned for the local Church of Scotland parishes. Tarff and Twynholm are currently without a minister, and discussions have been taking place about linking the parish with a new united parish of Gatehouse and Borgue.

In a linking the congregations are both separate organisations. They have separate financial arrangements etc. The only thing which they share is the minister, who conducts services at both churches. This is the arrangement Gatehouse will have with Twynholm. Until now, this is what Gatehouse has had with Borgue - there have been two separate congregations. There will now instead be a union with Borgue. This means the congregations will join to become one and there will only be one Kirk Session. At the moment the plan is that the two church buildings will continue to be used but this will be reviewed in a year’s time; however, Gatehouse will be the main centre of worship. Borgue and Gatehouse congregations have both voted in favour of the union. The united church will be called “Gatehouse and Borgue Parish Church of Scotland”. At its meeting on 29th April, the Presbytery of Dumfries and Kirkcudbright approved the bases of union with Borgue and linking with Twynholm. These now have to go before the General Assembly Presbytery Planning Task Group which meets in June and, assuming there are no problems, there will be a Service of Union and Linking which will be held on Wednesday July 8th at 7pm in Twynholm Parish Church. This service will be conducted by the Moderator of Presbytery and will involve all three congregations. The service will also include the introduction and induction of the Rev Val Ott to the congregation Photo: Jim Logan of Tarff and Twynholm.

A New Venture for the Gatehouse Bunker Readers may well have heard of the ‘Bunker’, a primaryschool-aged youth club which meets in the Community Church room fortnightly on Fridays, and ‘Bunkeroo’, a children’s performing arts group which meets in the Community Centre every Tuesday evening. Many of you have supported and enjoyed the regular performances by Bunkeroo at their shows for a number of years now!

Both groups are part of The Gatehouse Bunker (TGB Gatehouse), a separate charity set up by the Community Church around ten years ago. The Bunker currently has an average of 30 children in attendance. The past year has seen baking and cake decorating sessions, football, nail art, quiz nights and movie nights. In dry weather the primary school kindly allows us access to their field and, in dry weather, field sports and games have been a great success. We have utilised ‘sports kits’ borrowed from the Stewartry Sports Council for these and for indoor activities. Bunkeroo regularly has 36 children in attendance. In the past year they have had two shows, both very well attended by the wider community.

Bunkeroo have also performed at events at the Cally Palace and at the Christmas lights switch-on. They are currently rehearsing for their next big show which will be ‘Cats’. We presently have seven regular volunteer adult helpers as well as ‘bank’ volunteers who help with special events. We also have five 14-16 year-old volunteer ‘young leaders’ who we support through ‘Saltire’, an awards scheme for young volunteers. Sara Leigh Cain, our Children’s Worker, liaises closely with Josephine King at the YMCA Drop-in Centre to ensure that our respective activities complement each other. We have identified several new opportunities for joint activities and volunteer training including first aid, food safety and trauma care.

Members of the Community Church regard TGB Gatehouse as an important way to put something back in to our community. We are now looking at ways of extending the scope of our activities to offer new intergenerational volunteering opportunities. Our aim is to find more ways of bringing people of different ages together in purposeful, mutually beneficial activities.

We are delighted to announce that we have just been awarded a Big Lottery Investing in Ideas grant to fund the employment of a Volunteers Co-ordinator for three months. Their role will include exploring more fully the longer-term need for such a project in Gatehouse of Fleet and developing a business plan and funding strategy to continue the project. We intend that anything we do will complement all that’s already happening in our community. We would like to build on the fantastic community spirit in Gatehouse, working with other community groups to promote even greater

Conservatory the

Open 7 days

understanding and respect between generations and across the whole community. If this initial period confirms the benefit of appointing a Volunteer Co-ordinator, their role will include recruiting volunteers and identifying areas of need and interest with a view to matching these with the skills of our volunteers. This will include safe recruitment practices to ensure everybody is safe and, where necessary, training will be provided.

We hope that this will help to increase individual confidence and pride in our community. This will involve supporting initiatives where people can help and encourage one-another. It may include activity groups where people of different ages can share practical skills and interests with one another. This may be as diverse as cooking from scratch, baking, gardening, or playing a musical instrument! Much will depend on what needs and interests we identify and other ideas include film matinees in the Community Church room, a homework club and “guardian angels”, offering practical help to people, especially older or other ‘house-bound’ people.

We are also speaking to organisations with a proven track record in community-based initiatives to support disadvantaged groups. If there is sufficient need, we may use their resources to offer, for example, a ‘jobs club’ or money-management courses led by suitably trained volunteers. We hope also to provide a regular place where people can meet informally over a cup of tea or coffee and have local access to a range of visiting agencies who can provide advice and support.

These plans are at an early stage of development and we are keen now to hear from readers in order to know the level of interest in any of these ideas and to hear your own ideas. As with the Bunker and Bunkeroo, you don’t need to be a church member to volunteer for or attend any of our activities. All we would ask is that you have a heart to put something back in to your community and are sympathetic with the Christian values which underpin all that we do. If you would like to know more please ring Chris 07712090535 or Sara-Leigh 07850773181 or e-mail us at tgb.gatehouse@gmail.com

44 The High Street Gatehouse of Fleet DG7 2HP

Bookings 01557 814175 07891 803027

Snacks & Sandwiches Available 12noon till 3.45pm

SOUP - SANDWICHES - WRAPS - TOASTIES SCONES - TRAYBAKES Cally Palace Hotel & Golf Course, Tel: 01557 814 341

The Bakehouse : Literary Arts Live www.thebakehouse.info

Lost Wasp Records - a collective journey Gatehouse music fans with long memories may recall own Andrew McCulloch on guitar, and an e.p from a Mill Session in 2013 which aimed to launch a new Owen Fielding in the pipeline, the label appears to be musical collective on the scene. The Lost Wasp Records making good on its commitment to encourage seasoned (LWR) launch gig showcased original music from seven musicians to knuckle down and produce some records. different D+G acts, ranging from moody There’s no great expectation that involvement acoustic to theatrical blues, and was with Lost Wasp is going to propel anyone generally agreed to be a blast. We to stardom: we’re not thinking of booking were, it seemed, at the cusp of a new Wembley Stadium anytime soon. But by dawn for Stewartry music – the sky providing an outlet for people who use was the limit! And then...? Well, music as a tonic against the stresses, then things went a wee bit quiet for a strains and fascinations of everyday while... working life, LWR is attempting to fill Lost Wasp is an attempt to address an important hole in the local market. a big problem with contemporary independent music: It’s also hoped that artists will feel empowered to use namely, that there is funding swirling around to promote their own voices, rather than pressured into conforming promising young artists, but that once you’ve past the to some idealised notion of what popular music should age of 25 you’re deemed to have had your chance and sound like. There is plenty of that on the radio without blown it. The LWR collective feels otherwise: they are having to churn out more: where small communities like of the unfashionable opinion that a bit of life experience Gatehouse have a chance to lead is in the development of might actually enhance your musical credentials. The distinctive, individual identities. consequence of this eccentric belief is that all of the Of course, none of this means anything if there’s noartists involved are also extremely busy with their dayone out there who wants to hear it. A big part of LWR’s jobs, which range from shop assistants to teachers to ambitions is to maintain a good head of steam where council workers to photographers. Now, this broad live performances are concerned. Having a CD out is range of experience has two main implications: first, the great, but there’s no substitute for actually connecting depth and range of subject matter on Lost Wasp releases with an audience in a live situation. Sad to relate, is unrivalled in the region and should excite and entice here as elsewhere in the country, getting the audience anyone with a taste for meaningful lyrics and real, human out for original music is becoming more and more voices; second, it is practically impossible to get anything challenging. There’s any number of reasons for this: home organised under the Lost Wasp banner because everyone entertainment has become more impressive and more is so ridiculously busy! accessible in recent years, people have been a bit strapped You can’t keep a good thing down, though, and in its own for cash lately, and we do live in an area with a widely quiet way Lost Wasp Records has been making a dent in dispersed population. If you’re going to go to the bother the local scene. Since that now legendary(!) launch gig, of having a night out, it makes sense to go to something the label has released The Razorbills’ critically acclaimed you know you’ll enjoy, and if a Meat Loaf tribute act is ‘Like Everybody Else’; Alan McClure & The Mountain your bag, then you should certainly treat yourself when Sound Session’s ‘Everything is Fine (Until It’s Not)’; Ted the chance arises. But perhaps you might decide to live Percy’s ‘All That I on the edge, take a Could Think Of at bit of a gamble, and the Time’ (the profits support a local artist from which went to who has sweated a local greyhound blood to create rescue charity); something uniquely and The Cracked Gallovidian. If you Man’s eponymous think you could be debut e.p. With a tempted, then Lost single release from Wasp Records might The Mind Sweepers be a good place to The 2013 launch of Lost Wasp at The Mill on the Fleet featuring Gatehouse’s start.

Former ly known a Thirty s four salon

HAIRDRESSING SALON

01557 814326 info@hairnv.co.uk - www.hairnv.co.uk

34 High St Gatehouse Of Fleet Castle Douglas DG7 2HP

Unique Gatehouse photographs to go on show at Mill on the Fleet A unique collection of old Gatehouse photographs will go on show in the Faed Gallery at the Mill on the Fleet in July and August. It is hoped that people returning to Gatehouse over the summer will be able to recognise their forebears and help bring life back to these old images.

The photographs are the work of William McMurray who lived from 1882 to 1966 and had been hidden from view for over 50 years.

William McMurray was a Gatehouse postman and photographer. When his daughter died in 2012, a collection of over 700 glass plates were discovered in the attic of her house. These glass plates were deposited for safe keeping in the Stewartry Museum, Kirkcudbright and, with the kind agreement of the McMurray family, the plates have been copied by the Gatehouse Development Initiative. Almost none of the photographs had any identification but over the years there has been much research to identify the people and places shown in these old images.

The McMurray collection of photographs covers the period from the 1890s to the 1920s. William McMurray took photographs of people and places around Gatehouse and people also came to his house in Catherine Street to be photographed. During 2014 a number of photographs were exhibited at the Mill on the Fleet in the hope that some of the people might be identified. Shortly before Christmas a family came into the Mill and they noticed that they had the same photo at home. It was a splendid photograph of James Dougan and his family about 1910. James was a

shepherd, who lived at Cauldside, Skyreburn and the identification of the people and place encouraged us to attempt to identify more of the images of sheep and shepherds around Skyreburn. Thanks to the help of many Skyreburn residents, a photo of sheep at Glen farm has been identified and a close examination of the barn door at Whiteside shows that a fine image of a tup was taken there.

William McMurray took a number of photos of local football teams. Thanks to an old and faded newspaper cutting we know all the names of the photo of the Gatehouse Grasshoppers, taken about 1908. Most of these young men went on to serve during the First World War, and five were killed. We are still looking for the names on some of the other football photos which can be seen on the Gatehouse folk web site.

Back row John Paterson, manager, Alex Gillone, Thomas Patterson, Alex Wilson, James Davidson, Robert Patterson, Robert McClymont, Alex McDonald, John Halliday, trainer.

Front row George Crosbie, William Bryan, Robert Gordon, Ewart MacAdam, Jack Patterson.

F L E E T G A L L E RY C R A F T

Wednesday: Curry Night & Quiz Thursday: Music Night Saturday & Sunday: Food all day BOOK A TABLE!

Great selection of Malt whiskeys, Real Ales and Beers

Follow us on facebook for new events www.masonicarms.co.uk

&

D E S I G N

box “ a chocolate of a shop�

Open Daily 10am-5.30pm

7-9 Fleet Street, Gatehouse of Fleet DG7 2JT (over the bridge, next to The Ship)

01557 814228

www.fleetgallery.co.uk

Do you have a passion for your place?

Not everyone knows that Gatehouse is within the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, and you may well ask ‘what is a Biosphere?’ Here Biosphere Officer Nic Coombey introduces the Biosphere and explains a little of what it does.

Several groups and individuals in Gatehouse of Fleet have already signed up to the Biosphere Charter. By doing so they are demonstrating that they are proud to be supporters of the Biosphere designation and are playing their part in promoting and developing the sustainability of the area.

The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere is for everyone, it brings no new constraints or regulations, so its aims can only be achieved by people wanting to work together to improve our way of life.

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, simply known as a Biosphere, is a special designation awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to areas renowned for their special environments which are valued by local people.

The Biosphere Partnership has ambitious goals and wants as many people as possible to share an enthusiasm for this special place by agreeing with the six principles of the Biosphere Charter.

The six principles of the Biosphere are: • Help conserve the natural resources of the Biosphere • Support the economy to benefit people and nature • Promote cultural heritage and local products • Contribute to health and wellbeing of the community • Develop knowledge, understanding and research

• Raise awareness of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere We believe that the more supporters who sign up to the six Biosphere principles the greater the benefits will be.

This Biosphere is an international UNESCO designation and by providing a distinctive badge associated with this special place we can help promote the best environments and local products and services. Using the badge will help others recognise and understand the high quality of our environment and the more we understand the more we will want to care for our surroundings. Together we will make life better for people and for nature.

Anyone who signs the Biosphere Charter will receive a Biosphere Charter certificate and a (highly desirable and exclusive) ‘Proud Supporter’ window sticker. Information on events and a regular e-newsletter will also be supplied to Biosphere supporters and we also hope to invite people to take part in a ‘Learning Journey’ in the Biosphere.

Community groups or businesses that are located within the Biosphere area will also be permitted to use the Biosphere brand on promotional materials and website.

We are currently developing an interactive map on the Biosphere website which will eventually have hyperlinks to supporters’ websites and, for community groups, a link to a dedicated page that identifies what you think is so special about your place.

Eventually we hope that settlements in the Biosphere area will adopt the Charter and badge themselves as Biosphere Communities on their entrance signs.

Gatehouse resident Mark Williams, of Galloway Wild Foods, has signed up to the Biosphere Charter.

Mark says “The 6 principles of the Biosphere pretty much describe what I’m doing at Galloway Wild Foods. Not much ties together an appreciation of the natural assets around us with people, culture and great local food quite like learning to forage mindfully.

Both locals and visitors from far and wide are increasingly seeing the Biosphere as an unparalleled place to learn about plants, fungi and seaweeds and appreciate their beauty, nutritional benefits and gastronomic uses. I work closely with other Biosphere businesses and love sharing information about our very special bit of the world.”

You can read more about what Mark does and explore all the great free food around Galloway at www. gallowaywildfoods.com, or follow @markwildfood on Twitter or the Galloway Wild Foods Facebook Page.

the gatehouse deli OPEN Tuesday-Saturday 9.30 - 4pm (Opp. the Clock Tower) u British

cheeses u cooked and cured meats quiches, pies, cakes and filled rolls u all freshly prepared on the premises u Picnic boxes u Weekly ready meal “specials” u Outside catering Tel: 01557 814243 u salads,

Th Researching Syllodioch

Biospheres are always based on nature conservation areas of national importance where local people value the quality of their environment. To comply with UNESCO criteria they include three management zones as the map above indicates for our own Biosphere.

At its centre is a core area of special importance made up in our case of Silver Flowe, Merrick Kells and Cairnsmore of Fleet. These important reserves are contained within the Galloway Forest Park which at nearly 800 sq km is the largest forest park in the UK, and is managed by Forestry Commission Scotland. This public ownership is crucial, ensuring the fragile reserves at the heart of the Biosphere are protected. The Park itself is a valuable resource for timber production, wildlife and the tourist industry providing endless opportunities for visitors, for example the 7Stanes network for cyclists, and the Dark Sky Park for astronomy and exploring the night sky. The communities around Galloway Forest Park, who make up the ‘third’ area are seen as those who have most to gain from having this resource on their doorstep, particularly through tourism and other businesses that can benefit from the Biosphere badge. Interestingly in our Biosphere, this surrounding area is based on river catchments – rain falls on the Galloway hills and flows out through the various rivers that radiate out across the region, such as the River Fleet. Biosphere Reserves are people-focused, recognising the importance of partnerships that make best use of our natural resources while contributing to the social and economic value of the area. They are good for business, good for education and for quality of life, and provide an extra tool for engaging with visitors who come to our beautiful area.

Carrying out research on the historical environment has been an important part of the Cally Temple project.The Fleet Valley volunteers have been working hard to find out more about Syllodioch, the home of Alexander Craig, factor at Cally between 1801 and 1824. Craig was responsible for many of the improvements carried out at Cally in the first two decades of the nineteenth century but fell out with landowner Alexander Murray in1824 over financial matters. Craig had built his house Syllodioch, deep in the Cally woods, about 1810 and the building was demolished in 1839 to provide the stone for the new Cally Mains farm.

The volunteers have unearthed much of the floorplan of the house; they have looked at the papers in the court case between Craig and Murray and have looked through the more than 80 Craig letters at the Stewartry museum,which among other subjects chronicle the distressing illness and death of Craig’s eldest daughter, while the crisis with Murray was coming to a head. The volunteers have been working with Peter Didsbury,who is writing up the Craig letters for the Dumfries and Galloway Ethnographic study and Richard Jones of Glasgow University, who is putting together a lottery bid to carry out geophysical surveys on archaeological sites across Dumfries and Galloway.

Ron Forster and David Devereux survey the double privy.

Fun Outdoors Children playing in the wood, imagination feeling good.

Building dens, whittling toys Brunette girls and blonde boys.

When you come to Fun Outdoors you can learn so much more Building skills, gaining knowledge like how to cook food and forage.

Toasting bread upon a fire smell the smoke as it rises higher.

Sitting with friends sharing a laugh as you break the bread in half.

Every Wednesday we play and in the summer holiday we will have an active week for which new friends we seek.

Sharing special moments engulfed in woodland scents.

Gazing at a red kite learning about it’s flight.

Discovering a dead shrew there’s always something new - sexton beetle, mite, wasp, frog badger sett, red squirrel, alder log.

By L. Alderslowe June 2015 If you or your child would like to join us playing and learning in the woods please contact kazzaslattery@gmail.com or phone 07530 911578. The week of activities is July 20th -23rd there are still a couple of places not booked yet - please book early to avoid disappointment!

Gatehouse Primary Peace Garden

by Casey, Fergus and Ryan H. Twelve pupils, with assistance from Lusi Alderslowe and Karen Slattery, will be making and designing a peace garden at the back of the school. We are building a peace garden so that the children of Gatehouse school have a place to peacefully interact with each other and to learn about their surroundings and so that children for many years will be able to find a place to relax and be at peace in the school. We have already started planning the peace garden and we hope it will be finished by the end of December. We have mapped and planned where it will go and are starting designing. In the next few weeks we will be starting to build and plant. We will make the peace garden with team-work and a little help from our friends and community and also our school.

We are open to suggestions and would appreciate donations of plants and wood for building, as well as bamboo, shells, nails and screws, trees and tree guards, seeds and plants (especially ones that are edible or that smell nice and are good for wildlife). Please see our website for a full list: www.gatehouse. dumgal.sch.uk We feel excited about the idea of having a peace garden and hope that the community will have a chance to be involved in some of the events that we may have in it.

PLEASE HELP! Gatehouse School are looking for donations of plants that will fit into the following general categories: HERBS, such as lavender, chives, thyme, marjoram, marigold, honesty, mint, verbena BOG GARDEN - e.g. purple loosestrife, yellow flag Iris, water avens, devils-bit scabious, ragged robin, common fleabane EDIBLE FOREST GARDEN - perennials including: fruit & nut trees (medlar, quince, cob), currants (white/red/black), berries (autumn rasp/gooseberries/), comfrey, roses, alkanet, ice plant, primrose, teasel, cornflower, sloe (blackthorn), verbena bonariensis, violets, sorrel WILDFLOWER MEADOW - seeds for creating a wildflower meadow, e.g. Yellow rattle, Field Scabious, Lady’s Bedstraw, Lesser Knapweed, Meadow Buttercup, Meadowsweet, Oxeye Daisy, Red Campion, Self Heal, Greater Burnet, Yarrow PLANTS FOR BUTTERFLIES, CATERPILLARS AND BEES, e.g. Buddleia, honeysuckle, heather, Perennial Wallflower, Common Rock Rose, Storks Bill Please take to the school’s front door with clear labels.

Garries Park Improvement Project Time to get the children away from their computers, tv’s, games consoles, ipads. Garries park is a beautiful park but it is not used to its full potential. Time to make Garries Park a place where children want to spend time.

The first Gatehouse Gala, instigated by Donald Fergusson, was held in 1948, the proceeds of which purchased a slide in Garries Park. The next couple of years produced the roundabout and swings. Some sixty-seven years later, very little has changed, the original slide was replaced in 2014 by a smaller slide and the swings and roundabout remain in situ. I’m sure the original committee members are delighted that their efforts have given pleasure to so many children over the years, but it is time to bring the facilities up to the twenty-first century.

We are aiming to raise £250,000 to improve not only the children’s park facilities, but also the sports facilities in the park.

This needs to be a community project - we need your ideas - what would you like in the park - how can the sports facilities be upgraded - what age groups should the new park be for - what features would you like to see incorporated - has anyone reading this experience of designing children’s play areas or sports facilities - does anyone know of any organisations with money available for community project grants? A Facebook site has been set up - ‘Garries Park Improvement Project’ - please go online and email your ideas, write on the wall, join the site - drop a note into 6 High Street - or see Debra Mcwhir at the Mother and Toddlers group.

The project is being run with the guidance and help of the Gatehouse Development Initiative. For anyone who hasn’t been, take a drive into Creetown and have a look at the wonderful new park their community has achieved.

Gatehouse Market - every Saturday One request from the Community Survey (see front page), was for a Farmers Market. The Saturday Market gatehouse which runs from about 8.30-12 noon every Saturday country market year round, beside the Kiosk in the car park is not technically a Farmers Market, but does bring an additional range of quality produce to Gatehouse on a weekly basis. Bread and baking, smoked produce, jams and jellies, fruit and veg, and the butcher are there every week, with a cheese stall on the second Saturday of the month (instead of the smoked produce stall). Rain or shine the market is there - give us a go.

We’ve got some amazing speakers lined up for our monthly

Food for Thought events 25th September

23rd October

Fabulous fungi, Dairy cows at edible or not? Rainton Farm Join us for coffee & scones at 10.30, hear from fabulous food & drink producers in D&G, then enjoy a delicious 2 course lunch, all for £13.50

Contact Lizzie for information & to reserve spaces 01557 815 222 www.creamogalloway.co.uk

Burns Club Scottish Night On the opening day of the Gala (26th July) the Gatehouse of Fleet Burns Club will be holding its annual Scottish Night at 7.00 for 7.30pm in the Community Centre. There will be an evening’s entertainment with a Scottish theme including, among others, music by John Caskie and Willie McRoberts and the talented young violinist, Iona Bonaventura, Highland dancing by the Kay Alexander dancers and piping by David Hannay.

Tickets costing £5.00 (includes a glass of wine; accompanied children free) may be obtained from Franco Bruno’s shop or at the door on the night.

Photo: Jim Logan

A New Bistro for Gatehouse Franca Bruno is this year celebrating ten years of her shop in Rutherford Hall. In that time it has gone through several changes starting with selling furniture, moving on to giftware; introducing a cafe two years ago and this year’s new addition - an Italian Bistro! The chef, Giovannni, will be serving fresh pasta dishes every day except Monday,12 - 2.30pm. Franca is excited about this new venture as not only does it resonate with her Italian heritage but it will also complement the colourfulness and vibrancy of her products. Her original jewellery collection will always be available.

Her shop is situated across the road from the car park, in the Old Church.

Opportunity at the Mill

Gatehouse Scottish Country Dancers Margaret Philip has played the piano for the Country Dancers for the last 30 years and retired from the role earlier this year.

She was not only the accompanist but also selected the tunes to go with the many dances the group perform. The group held a special retirement dance for her and presented her with a cut glass vase and flowers, class photograph and cards.

Right: Willie Little with Margaret at her retirement.

Photo: Jim Logan

Pat Jacques, who has been running Tart n’ Tea at the Mill for the last two seasons has indicated that she will be retiring at the end of this season.

The Board will be advertising the lease of the ground floor of the Mill in due course, but are keen to hear from anyone who might be interested in taking the ground floor on. While the space is currently delivering a café/restaurant and gift shop, the Board is open to other practical uses of the space. The ground floor tenant also maintains Front Desk services for the Mill, and the Tourist Information Service which would remain a part of the new lease. Any notes of interest or suggestions should be dropped in to, or sent to the Mill, for the attention of The Board.

Mike Bannister’s

Gatehouse Memories Gatehouse of Fleet Lions Club Street Markets This street market was held annually on Whitsunday afternoon in Ann Street. It was the Lions’ main fundraising event to finance the running of the community bus and support many charitable projects in the town and beyond. Organisations within the town collaborated by running a variety of sales stalls.

Left: Street Market Joanna. Forsaking his usual accordion, Ivor Brown with Leo Billy McKnight check an old ‘joanna‘ for sound . Lets hope that it went for more than ‘just a song‘.

Right: Sold! George McCulloch , the lions club’s super active secretary and auctioneer for the Day charmed cash from people’s pockets in the huge receptive crowd of bargain hunters.

Gatehouse Rural’s colourful clothing stall does brisk business Mary Lou Finlay, Minnie McLellan, Isobel McLeod and Ella MacNamara

Right: 2 pouffes ‘buy one get one free‘ Roger Hampshire and Leo Malcolm McLellan display the wares Photocall for ‘Limelight‘ acrobatic dance team. Part of the entertainment laid on in Ann Street . They are Gatehouse Bonnie Lasses Claire Bryan, Shona and Janice McMillan and Evelyn McKenzie.

Bob a Job week for Gatehouse Cubs. This fundraising project commenced in 1949 in boy scout troops and cub packs throughout the UK during the Easter Holidays.

Bob a Job Mower.

Cubs Andrew Orr and Mark Grieve take on a difficult lawn

Bob a Job Lambs. Bill Service at Muiryard Farm is grateful for help at pet lambs feeding time from Cubs Stewart Vietch, Mark Grieve, Stuart Davidson, Andrew Orr and Sean Wadsworth.

Business in Focus

Each issue we feature an in-depth interview with a local business to highlight individual contributions by the business sector to the local economy. This issue our choice is Garvellan Books.

The Bookshop in the Mill on the Fleet is run by Matthew Curry who took it over from Robin Munro when he retired. Matthew is now into his third season at the Mill and well settled in. Matthew hails from Manchester with a background in sales* and education before he decided to make the move to Galloway. While it is fair to say that the Bookshop is a little less precarious in places, it remains in the tradition of the best second-hand bookshops with plenty to discover. Matthew’s own description of it is “sort of organised - a bit higgledy-piggledy - with oldworld charm - and an eclectic stock”. As in Robin’s day it retains some of the same particular interest areas. It is good for art, childrens books, scottish books and is strong on local interest. But a particular strength remains poetry. Robin Munro was a published poet, and by chance he has been succeeded by another. Matthew has several books of poetry published. He has just recently published a new collection ‘The Marriage of Harry and Shirl’. His best known is ‘In Galloway’ which was launched at the Wigtown Book Festival a couple of years ago and which combines his poetry with his love of walking in the area. It is an area he knows well. Matthew has been coming to Galloway, and to Mossyard Bay in particular, every year for holidays since he was five. In the early days it was in his parents’ motorhome - a converted former ambulance, towing a home-built boat (banana-shaped and named Yellow Belly) with which to explore the bay.

The holiday tradition continues down the generations and his family still own a static caravan at Mossyard.

July, get a pound off any book over £2 * SPECIAL OFFER:... During with a copy of this newsletter!

Anwoth The bull in the rushy field stands still.

calm amongst the graves, the lush humps and bumps.

I look out through the airy window of the kirk.

There are yellow irises pointing heavenwards.

Its roof an ungated field of sky.

The silence slowly fills.

The hinges gone, here a grassy floor.

Yew trees out there stretch up,

Gatehouse News Contact: 01557 814458 news@gatehouse-of-fleet.co.uk

Each lichened stone.

Each carved letter.

Matthew Curry

Have your Say COMMUNITY COUNCIL

2nd Tuesday of every month, 7pm, Community Centre.

GATEHOUSE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

facebook.com/GatehouseNews

Last Wednesday of every 2nd month, 7.30pm, Community Centre.

www.gatehouse-of-fleet.co.uk

CC & GDI meetings are open to all