Gatehouse News - Spring 2014

Gatehouse News

News, Information & What’s On in Gatehouse of Fleet | Spring 2014

From the Editor Welcome to our Spring Edition of the Newsletter which is landing on your doorstep at the conclusion of a mild winter, very different from this time last year. There are many encouraging new developments to look forward to in Gatehouse of Fleet, and some which acknowledge with pride events many years behind us. In particular our community will be paying its respects to those who played a brave and honourable part 100 years ago in the Great War of 1914-18. There will also be much to look forward to this summer: a new shop to open in the old Giftie Gie Us premises, major developments in the hospitality industry at the Masonic Arms, the Mill on the Fleet and elsewhere, a busy Gala programme (with, we hope a repeat of last year’s sheep race), and the possible birth of a project for a new Cricket Pavilion at the Cally grounds, to name but a few. The formation of a new managing committee for the Community Centre provides reassurance to those who make regular use of its valuable facilities. This edition of the Newsletter is accompanied by a revised list of Clubs and Society contacts to keep by you for the coming year. And not to be forgotten is the What’s On Diary of events which can be found on the Gatehouse website: please let me have details of future events in good time (willmckie@aol.com), and make use of this facility yourself as there is so much diverse activity in Gatehouse – entertainment, sport, culture and above all, friendship to be enjoyed. Let us hope for a good summer!

Old photos bring memories flooding back Photographs taken by Gatehouse postman and photographer William McMurray up to a hundred years ago are bringing back a host of Gatehouse memories from around the world.

Thanks to all the feedback it has been possible to identify whole groups of people including a large wedding group from the nineteen twenties and a football team from before the First World War as well as individual people and places.

Commenting on all the feedback received by the Gatehouse Folk web site Graham Wright said: “When we began to put these hundred year old photographs on the website we thought no one would recognise any of the people but we have been amazed at the response we have had so far.

All the interest has also led to more photographs and information being supplied about Gatehouse forebears who served in the First World War and school and other photographs” The McMurray photographs show a wide variety of Gatehouse people and places from the end of the nineteenth century till the late nineteen twenties. A selection of the images was recently shown on ITV’s Border Life, which stimulated further interest. David Steel, GDI chairman, said: “Graham and Margaret are putting new information on the Gatehouse Folk website all the time. The fact that so many people have been in contact with information makes me

confidant that there must be many more people out there with information on the photographs. we just need to hear from them. Please help us to build up this fascinating picture of old Gatehouse.”

Our photograph shows staff at Ardwall about 1910. In the back row are believed to be J Carson, gardener, an unknown person, Thomas Jarron, butler, who was killed in the First World War, another unknown person, Alec Murray, coachman and Alec Kennedy, coachman. In the front row are Robert Graham, gamekeeper, father of Bob Graham, for many years chemist at Stark’s, Elizabeth Marshall, housemaid, Mrs Aitken, cook, Robert Crocket, Mrs Jeannie Kennedy, Mrs Graham and James Crocket, gardener. It would be great if anyone can fill in the blanks.

The Gatehouse Development Initiative are planning to hold a Memory Weekend in Gatehouse on 14 and 15 June when all the McMurray photographs will be on display and where there will be experts on hand to provide more information on Gatehouse people and places.

In the meantime keep looking at the website for new information.

The website may be found at www.gatehousefolk.org.uk and any information may be sent to info@gatehouse-folk.org.uk.

Have your Say Community Council and Gatehouse Development Initiative meetings are open to all.

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

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

www.gatehouse-of-fleet.co.uk

Around the Community Gala Queen and entourage 2014

On Thursday February 6th, the pupils of Gatehouse of Fleet Primary School gathered together to choose the Gala Queen and her entourage for the Gatehouse of Fleet Gala which will take place between July 27th and August 3rd this year. Maya Robinson was chosen as the Gala Queen with Patrick Maginess as her consort, Ruby Baty as her attendant and Oli Hagmann as her page. Maya will be crowned queen on the opening day of Gala Week and, with her entourage, will participate in various activities throughout Gala Week.

Food for Thought at Gatehouse School

Gatehouse School’s success in raising £5,000 from the highly competitive Food for Thought Fund has enabled us to build an outdoor classroom, extend the gardening facilities (including buying gardening tools), build a wormery and compost bays, teach children to harvest local food and cook on an open fire, and build a polytunnel. When “Food for Thought” met a Glasgow-based theatre company’s project “I Could Eat a Horse”, school children worked with Gatehouse-based outdoor educators, Lusi Alderslowe and Karen Slattery, and a 3-person artistic team, to create an inspirational short film called Food, Fire and Film – you can watch it at www.icouldeatahorse.co.uk/films.html. The grand finale of the Food for Thought project will be the opening ceremony of the Outdoor Classroom which will include a full morning of outdoor activities for the children on Friday April 4th 2014. We are grateful to the Gatehouse Development Initiative for purchasing a Galloway Pippin apple tree to complement our orchard at the front of the school.

Clean energy at Laghead Farm

Cyclists, walkers and motorists taking the Laurieston Road from Gatehouse may have noticed some recent developments three miles from Gatehouse at the entrance to Laghead Farm. Farmer Graham Statham, after studying the volume of water generated in the Lag Burn and considering other options including wind-power, took the step forward over a year ago to develop his own source of clean energy by harnessing the Burn’s water power to a water-driven turbine. In hydroelectric terms the project at 10 kw is extremely efficient although relatively small (planned output for a full year at 35000 kw/Hrs). The water catchment is installed below the bridge which takes the road to Laurieston, and the water pressure generated is linked by a 12-inch sealed pipe to the turbine which is located around 500 yards downstream.

Graham reports that since the system came on stream last December it has produced 25000 kw/hrs of power, more than sufficient to meet the demands of the farm. Although the output of the system may vary depending on the volume of water from the Burn, the variability is much lower than that of an equivalent wind-turbine.

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British Legion

2014 is, as everyone will know, the 100th Anniversary of the start of the Great War of 1914-18. To mark this occasion and to commemorate the men and women of Gatehouse and District who served their Country the British Legion (Scotland) Branch are planning two important events.

In conjunction with Graham and Margaret Wright we will be publishing a book which will provide the names and family details, together with their service record, of all those people who played their part in the war. It will include those who had emigrated or left the District but who nevertheless had an association with Gatehouse. The book will provide a lasting memorial to all those who served.

It is also planned to stage an exhibition in the Faed Gallery. The aim of the exhibition will be to show the contribution made by the men and women of the District in the overall context of the war. The exhibition will comprise a series of information boards, maps, photographs, letters, stories, medals and other memorabilia.

The Legion Branch has secured a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to cover some of the costs of production for the book and exhibition and for this we are most grateful. We are also grateful to Ken Smyth for his work in staging the exhibition and to the Mill on the Fleet for allowing us the use of the Faed Gallery.

The publication of the book will coincide with the opening of the exhibition on the 26th July 2014, which is planned to run until the end of October. All proceeds from the sales of the book together with donations received will be donated to Service Charities.

The Legion Branch will also be staging its usual fundraising events, including the Bottle Stall on Gala Day. Remembrance Sunday will be commemorated on Sunday 9th November 2014.

Gatehouse of Fleet YMCA

The Drop-in has had an active and exciting programme over the last six months. This has included two cinema trips to Newton Stewart, and a day at Laggan Activity Centre trying out a range of activities. In October, nine Drop-in members had an overnight stay in two yurts (traditional Mongolian-style round tents) at Galloway Activity Centre.

The group cooked meals and lit the stoves together, took part in laser quest, and kayaked on Loch Ken. We are to return to Loch Ken in May, this time for two nights. All of these activities were supported by Dumfries and Galloway Area Committee.

Meanwhile Drop-in sessions continue to run on three evenings a week, with different activities every week, including using our new oven. Dishes have included flapjacks, cookies, banana loaf and pancakes, and tasty wholemeal pizzas, with Youth Worker Danny. The new acoustic guitar is also proving popular with members.

We had a very successful fundraising evening at the Galloway Lodge in March. Items from our own charity shop provided much of the glamorous apparel for the fashion show, so ably modelled by volunteers of all ages. There was a lovely atmosphere, where friends old and new had the opportunity to chat - and to bid on items in the silent auction. The total raised was in excess of £830.

A further £350 was donated on the evening

by Fiona Hesketh of Galloway Lodge, being the amount raised from their ‘Jamnesty’ initiative last autumn!

The Drop-in continues to thrive, thanks to the commitment of our volunteer youth worker team, and of course all of the volunteers who keep the Charity Shop running so successfully throughout the year. The Dropin is very thankful to the local community for their generosity in supporting the shop and the various fund raising activities.

Conservatory the

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44 The High Street Gatehouse of Fleet DG7 2HP

Send us your Stories

If you would like to contribute an article or other content for future issues of the Newsletter, contact the editor: Willie McKie, 51 High Street, Gatehouse t: 01557 815008 e: willmckie@aol.com

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

Café at the Mill on the Fleet to re-open on March 31st

Tart n’ Tea is Pat Jacques’ new venture at the Mill. In its first year in the safe and caring hands of Pat, with Leslie Hannah in charge of the kitchen and a further five locally employed staff, the Café will be offering a range of appetizing Scottish dishes and a list of “Specials” to tempt the palate.

Opening hours will be 10am to 5pm daily plus an extension to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays for fish and chips and pizzas for the supper trade. During the peak July/August period the daily hours will be extended to 9am to 6pm. All supplies and staff will be come from local sources. A brightly coloured dining area will complement the attractive river-side patio, ideal for fine weather meal service.

Current Exhibitions at the Mill Strandline

31 March - 11 May 2014 Replenished with debris twice a day, the strandline marks the turning point of the last high tide and provides endless material for the curious beachcomber.

Catchment

31 March - 6 May 2014 Catchment is the result of an exploration of the Water of Urr in Galloway, over a period of two years, by four visual artists: Jennie Ashmore, Malcolm Davies, Suzanne Stuart Davies, Julian Francis, and poet: Fiona Russell.

New Challenges for the Mill on the Fleet The Mill opened on 31st March for the new season. This season brings some big changes and challenges for the Mill. In 2013 an agreement was reached with Dumfries and Galloway Council to reduce significantly and eventually more or less eliminate the annual core funding which the Mill receives. This funding has been part of a service level agreement with the Council which sees the Mill deliver a range of services as part of the regional tourism, cultural and leisure offering. However, Council money is tight and the Mill needs to find an alternative, more self-sustaining model.

The Mill is a valuable lever for the local economy providing local employment and bringing visitors and their spending into Gatehouse.

Over the last few years numbers have grown considerably from under 20K in 2007 to over 40K in recent seasons. In addition to the core displays on Gatehouse and the Fleet Valley, we have provided a programme of ten or eleven temporary exhibitions each season on subjects as diverse as deep space, early Russian photography, modern-day plant hunting, Central Asian textiles, and of course many solo exhibitions of contemporary artists from within Dumfries and Galloway and beyond. The Mill Sessions are now in their fourth season and going strong, the Mill is regularly used as a venue for meetings, talks and launches by external groups, and we work closely with many other agencies working in the Region.

None of this would be possible without the commitment of staff, businesses and volunteers who have worked to make the Mill what it is today. As we move forward we need to rely even more on volunteers to keep the Mill delivering the activities which it does. We would love to hear from anyone who would like to be more involved with the Mill - helping to organise or arrange exhibitions or events, or who would just like to be involved with the Mill in any way that they can.

We’re always open to new ideas or projects. We need more Trustees (to sit on the Mill Board, the Mill’s management group), or if you prefer doing things rather than sitting in meetings, to join one of the project groups which look after different aspects of the Mill’s operation.

If you think you could help, or would like to know more, contact Ken Smyth on 01557 814458 or email ken.smyth@millonthefleet.co.uk.

Thank You For Your Helping Hands

Gatehouse Toddlers Group was founded by Annie Cliff McCulloch and Sue Craig in 1975 and is still flourishing. Annie received a presentation from Annie Ferguson of a Memmory Book that she compiled with the written memories contributed by everyone present.

‘Thank You For Your Helping Hands’ is a quote from the very special birthday card that Annie received from the mothers and toddlers that records their grateful appreciation of Annie’s kindness in her good works in the running of the Toddlers Group. Our picture shows the party held last November by the Gatehouse Mother and Toddlers Group on the occasion of Annie Cliff McCulloch’s 70th birthday. Presentation line-up: Annie Ferguson, Annie Cliff McCulloch and her daughters Rosie and Caroline.

Sue Best to open new Deli for Gatehouse!

Fleet Valley Volunteers

The Gatehouse Deli is due to open this spring in the former “Giftie gie us” opposite the clock tower. The aim is to offer a wide range of local and regional produce such as cheeses and cooked and cured meats, together with quiches, pies, filled rolls, picnic boxes, and salads, all freshly prepared on the premises. Each Saturday a range of ready -meal main courses will also be available. It is hoped that when the appropriate alcohol licence is in place we will also stock English wines and liqueurs, and Scottish fruit-infused gin and vodka.

There will be restricted opening hours in the winter but in the summer months the shop will be open Tuesday through to Saturday.

Online ordering will also be available.

Amongst the many tasks the Fleet Valley Volunteers carry out, they recently gathered on the banks of the Water of Fleet with Galloway Fisheries Trust staff to review the bank-side work they carried out over two years ago. They carried out a walkover survey of the area to show how bankside vegetation needs continuous management. They also tackled areas where trees had become a problem again - either as a result of the winter storms or the regrowth of thick branches. The work on the Water of Fleet was primarily aimed at opening up key spawning areas of the main stem river, which had become heavily overshaded, and bank sides that were blocked up for those who use the river for walking, bird watching, and other recreational activities.

Top Legal honours for top couple with Gatehouse roots In February, Gatehouse man James Wolffe QC was elected Dean of the Faculty of Advocates. James was a pupil at Gatehouse School and Kirkcudbright Academy. In March his US-born wife Sarah was sworn in as a judge in the Scottish Supreme Courts, taking the title Lady Wolffe. The Gatehouse Newsletter salutes them both!

Gatehouse of Fleet

Tennis

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bookings and key

Bank of Fleet Hotel : Tel: 01557 814302

Exhibition Centre Open Daily 10am - 5pm

ADmissiOn Free History and Heritage of Gatehouse and the Fleet Valley Temporary exhibition Programme Tourist information Centre, Gift shop, Bookshop, regional Arts and Crafts, Café-restaurant with riverside Terrace The mill on the Fleet, High street, Gatehouse of Fleet, DG7 2Hs Tel: 01557 814099

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Entertainment, Leisure & Culture Gatehouse Scottish Country Dancers

Building on our extremely successful 60th Anniversary Dance, we will hold another Ceilidh on Friday August 1st 2014 with live music and entertainers including supper in the school hall from 7pm to 10pm. We will also, for Gala Week, dance in Garries Park at the crowning ceremony of the Gala Queen and hope that residents and visitors will come and support us and, if possible, join in the dancing.

Royal Scottish Country Dance Society

Our second Burns Supper and Dance held jointly with the Kirkcubright branch was a great success. The traditional haggis, neeps and tatties, followed by a selection of mouth-watering trifles was cooked and served by members of the two branches and a lively evening of dancing followed.

A donation of £156 has been made to our chosen charity, the Loch Arthur Community. For 60 years now there has been an active branch of the RSCDS in Gatehouse of Fleet and many people have been introduced to and enjoyed country dancing in

that time – something to be celebrated.

Looking ahead, some of our group will be involved in the Commonwealth Games Baton relay in the summer.

Next season’s classes will be held in the Roman Catholic Church Hall, Riverbank on Monday evenings, beginning in September. We welcome beginners or experienced dancers. Contacts are Keith Stacey 339308 or Judy Samways 814095.

Stewartry Flower Club

In July Stewartry Flower Club will be participating in the decoration of Glasgow Cathedral for the opening service of thanksgiving for the Commonwealth Games 2014. Members from 70 clubs across Scotland will be collaborating in this festival of flower arrangements depicting the history of the Cathedral since the 13th century.

Stewartry Club, together with members of Dalbeattie, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Moffat Clubs have been assigned the decoration of the Cathedral’s sacristy to depict Robert the Bruce’s association with the Cathedral prior to his crowning as King of Scotland in 1306. Stewartry Flower Club’s tasks will include floral decorations of two large tables to depict a feast and treasury for Robert the Bruce. They also plan to make a life-size depiction in willow of the Bruce as well as his sword, chainmail and the heraldic shields for his clan and those of his supporters.

As the Flower Festival will be open to the public for two days after the Thanksgiving Service, Stewartry and Dalbeattie Flower Clubs are planning to organise a coach trip to the Cathedral on Wednesday July 23rd.

If you would like to come along, contact Stewartryflowerclub@gatehouse-of-fleet or phone 870202.

Midsummer Music – Back, Bigger and Better!

The Midsummer Music Festival returns in June with a great line-up and some brilliant new features to make the weekend even bigger and better.

The Festival’s concerts, which this year take place in the school hall on Friday 20 and

The Murray Arms Hotel & Restaurant

Gatehouse of Fleet

Lunches & evening meals served daily Weddings, parties and all functions catered for.

T: 01557 814207 E: info@murrayarmshotel.co.uk

Saturday 21 June, have been praised for the quality of line-up in recent years. This year, the Festival Committee has pulled out all the stops to bring some high quality acts to town. Sean Taylor, a London-based singer and guitarist, has been making waves in the national press recently. His new album “Chase the Night” received a 4-star review in Mojo magazine, and he won some more friends in Gatehouse at a recent performance at the Mill Sessions.

The Hillbilly Troupe, from Hull, promise to bring a high-energy downhome feel to the Festival stage with a mixture of folk and bluegrass. Dumfries band The Yahs return to the Festival for the second year running.

The band play an exciting mix of blues, rock and soul as well as original material. Their stage show leans heavily on the almost parodic “rock-star” posturing of vocalist Grant Dinwoodie, but their performance in the Community Centre last year left the audience, and particularly the female portion of it, desperate for more! Another band with a local connection is Captain Zanzibar, the latest project of Gatehouse man James Smyth. Currently studying music at Goldsmiths in London, James has been gigging regularly down south, and it will be interesting to hear how his intelligent and emotive songs adjust to a band-setting.

The two headlining acts for this year’s concerts bring quite different music to each of the nights. The Monster Ceilidh Band, based in the northeast of England, do what it says on the tin – ceilidh music, but with a sound beefed up with electric bass and drums. They play on the Saturday night, and should bring the Festival to its usual raucous close. On the Friday night, the Committee is enormously pleased to have booked Stanley Odd. This Edinburghbased band was shortlisted for Scottish Album of the Year in 2013 for “Reject” – a collection of songs covering social, political and personal subjects, in a very convincing Scottish-accented hip-hop mode. Stanley Odd marry rap with a full band to produce a sound that is both authentically Scottish and embedded in the wider world.

The Festival will also have its customary community-based activities including

story-telling and workshops for children, and the increasingly popular and high quality Youth Showcase, during which it may be possible to spot the next James Smyth, Zoe Bestel or Mermaids, all of whom have featured at one time or another in the Festival. There will also be a repeat of last year’s very well-attended Sunday Afternoon Tea Dance, which teamed up some great homebaking and a lively selection of local bands, and had a great family atmosphere. A new feature this year will be Well Happy, a Glasgow-based company who specialise in Laughter Yoga Workshops, Energy Workshops, Fun and Play – for adults as well as children! Time to let the inner child out, and enjoy great fun, great music and a great wee town in Gatehouse!

Follow us on the Festival website and Facebook page which will be updated on an ongoing basis until the weekend of the Festival. www.musicgatehouse.com facebook.com/GatehouseOfFleetFestivalGroup

New features and services at Laggan Outdoor!

Last year saw the introduction of facilities aimed at improving service to customers. A café was opened, serving hot and cold food and a selection of drinks to customers and passers by. Due to its success the café and kitchen facilities have been extended and the menu will be developed further this year. The café boasts a huge log-burner, free wifi and stunning views over Fleet Bay and will be open daily from April 4th to the end of October.

Dirt scooters were introduced last year, together with a jump park popular with locals and tourists alike. This year will see the start of simulated game clay shooting, which will attract groups of keen shooters to enjoy a variety of simulated game drives throughout the day. Further plans for the future are in the pipeline: details may be found on the Laggan website or on Facebook.

A Victorian Evening

The Gatehouse Singers Spring Concert will be held on Friday 11 April 2014, in Gatehouse Parish Church. This year, the concert will take a Victorian theme. The first more serious half will include part songs composed by C V Stanford, Hubert Parry, and Arthur Sullivan, as well as a short religious work composed by Prince Albert himself. The second half will be in a lighter vein, with parlour songs by Stephen Foster and others, and will close with several wellknown songs for which the audience will be invited to join in the choruses. There will also be some solo pieces and duets, and

some readings appropriate to the period.

We are also delighted to welcome two professional singers as guests on this occasion: Freya Jacklin, Mezzo Soprano; and Sheridan Edward, Tenor. Both have performed extensively as soloists in opera and oratorio, as well as in choral and ensemble work. Although they will actually be on holiday in this area at the time, they have expressed an interest in attending, and have kindly agreed to perform for us during the concert.

The choir will be conducted by Helen Keating, and accompanied by her husband Geoff, both of whom have enjoyed significant careers in music and music education.

They are particularly well-known throughout Dumfries & Galloway and beyond for their work with the Solway Sinfonia Orchestra, of which Geoff is Conductor.

To enhance the authentic flavour of the evening, members of the audience, as well as the performers, are encouraged to wear items of Victorian style clothing or accessories, if they wish, although this is of course not obligatory! Come along and join the fun!

There will be a short interval during the concert, and the audience is warmly invited to join choir members and friends for refreshments in the Church Hall at the end of the performance. The concert will start at 7.30 pm, and tickets are £7.50 from choir members or at the door.

details pop into Kirroughtree Visitor Centre or visit. www.creamogalloway.co.uk/kirroughtree/events This year’s Food for Thought topics at Cream o’ Galloway include talks from Irvings Bakery, a cheesemaker from Dumfriesshire and a practical ‘moth identification’ session. The next event, on 25th April, will be a presentation by Emma Boyes from Millbank Parkland Venison near Lockerbie, with a delicious 2 course venison lunch to follow.

All events start at 10.30am with coffee and freshly baked scones plus lunch after the talk. The cost is £13.50 per person. Places are limited so pre-booking is essential: call Helen on 01557 814040 or visit www. creamogalloway.co.uk for full details.

Gatehouse Womens’ Rural Institute (WRI)

Gatehouse WRI meets on the third Wednesday of each month between September and May, with demonstrations, entertainment and supper. We are having our outing to Manderston House, Duns on June 18th, and an afternoon drive on July 16th to Houghton Garden Centre at Carlisle. Anyone is welcome. Contact Kathleen Gilligan 814462.

Food for Thought at the farm and in the forest

Cream o’ Galloway are extending their successful programme of monthly ‘Food for Thought’ events to their new café at Kirroughtree visitor centre.

Early summer is all about the great outdoors, in May the guest speaker is the local Red Squirrel Officer while in June we’re joined by the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team. July and August get foodie with talks from Alan Brown of Galloway Farmhouse Cheeses and Caron Stewart of Clash Farm. Topics later in the year include forest wildlife, fungi and the Galloway Dark Sky Park, for more information and booking

Food for Thought Now a monthly event at both Cream o’ Galloway & the café at Kirroughtree with presentations from local food producers, wildlife & outdoors experts and farmers.

Includes coffee and a delicious lunch.

For more details visit: www.creamogalloway.co.uk/events

To book call: 01557 814040

The Gatehouse of Fleet 61st Annual Burns Supper

On Friday 31st of January the Gatehouse of Fleet Burns Club hosted their annual Burns Supper in the Murray Arms Hotel in Gatehouse of Fleet. This year we had a full attendance of 87 guests and speakers. The President, Wing Commander Mike Duguid, welcomed the guests and introduced the speakers before the haggis was piped in by local teenager Euan Donald. Another teenager, Jessica Hannay, addressed the haggis and trenched its ‘gushing entrails’ with great gusto.

An excellent meal was followed by recitations from the prize winners of the Gatehouse Primary School poetry recitation competition. Frankie Wright (P3), Maia Slattery (P4), Poppy Cain (P5), Edward Hannay (P6) and Patrick Innes (P7) performed their poems and were presented with their prizes by Jane Brown, the President of the Robert Burns World Federation. Patrick Innes was also awarded the Harry Dawson Memorial Award. Max Wright (P5) won the Hugh Fingland Quaich for the recitation in the best Ayrshire accent. Mike Duguid presented teacher Beth Pringle with a bouquet of flowers to mark her efforts over many years in preparing the pupils for their recitations.

Kirkcudbright Academy pupil Iona Bonaventura entertained with a lovely medley of Scottish fiddle tunes and the company sang Scots Wha Hae, a song reputedly written by Robert Burns when he lodged in the Murray Arms Hotel during his first Galloway Tour in 1793.

Jane Brown, popular manager of Burns’ favourite ‘howff, the Globe Inn in Dumfries, proposed the Immortal Memory with great panache. She spoke of her experiences travelling the world for the Federation be-

fore adopting the persona of Jean Armour, Burns’ stoical wife, and very cleverly telling the Burns story in verse form from her perspective.

Donald Shamash recited Tam O’ Shanter in graphic style incorporating unsuspecting members of the audience to play the parts of other characters in the poem.

The “Toast to the Lasses” by Mark Laird and the “Reply” by Christine Ashworth included humour but were more thoughtful and more complimentary to the respective sexes than is usual in these toasts and were appreciated by the audience for that.

The evening ended with a vote of thanks from the Chairman and a rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

Top Table left to right from the front: Mike Duguid (President), Jane Brown (Immortal Memory), Euan Donald (Piper), Bobby Carson (Past President), Christine Ashworth (Reply to the Lassies), Mark Laird (Toast to the Lassies), Iona Bonaventura (Violin), Jessica Hannay (Address to

the Haggis), James Finlay (Past President) and Donald Shamash (Recitation).

Prizewinners left to right: Frankie Wright, Maia Slattery, Poppy Caine, Edward Hannay, Patrick Innes, Beth Pringle, Max Wright.

Gatehouse Coat of Arms On December 17th 1949 the Galloway News reported that Gatehouse Town Council was seeking to acquire a chain of office for the Provost, and associated with this was the need for a coat of arms for the town. At that time “a non-heraldic representation of the clock tower in the centre of the burgh” was used to identify the town in written documents, but the Lord Lyon (the official heraldic authority for Scotland) had suggested the more “conventionalised” version of the tower. The newspaper article continues: “On looking into the earlier and indeed very ancient history of Gatehouse ... he [the Lord Lyon] found its history was associated with the Stewarts of Dalswinton, a connection with the Earls of Lennox” and “the borough owed the greater element of its foundation to James Murray of Broughton.”

It then continues: “... he had designed a coat of arms showing the stars of Murray, the chequered fess of the Stewarts, and the roses of Lennox” and “a standard type of tower” on a “mount in base Vert”.

“He had made the tower red” because “red was one of the livery colours of the Stewarts of Garlies”.

“The fees payable to the Lyon Clerk on behalf of the Exchequer would be £48 8/6”.

The decision to go ahead with the chain and coat of arms was finally taken in mid 1951 and we still use them both today.

Gatehouse’s Literary Festival is now a Two-Day Event

Cheryl Campbell

Alan McClure

Gatehouse is to host The Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival BIG LIT again on May 17th and 18th – this year over a full weekend. Look out for Award-Winning bird writer Mark Cocker at The Murray Arms with his new book Birds and People and actress Cheryl Campbell revisiting her starring role as Vera Brittain in the BBC’s Award-Winning Testament of Youth. There will be another crazy Bill Barlow ‘happening’ in the Bakehouse Studio and focus on the Pictish findings on Trusty’s Hill with Pictish Scholar Stuart McHardy with an interesting ‘take’ on its importance, a new saga and ceramic installation from the children of Gatehouse Primary with poet Liz Niven and a fascinating exhibition at The Mill about the Dark Age Kingdom of Rheged.

There will be two nights of comedy and music with loMark Cocker Trusty’s Hill at Gatehouse Primary cal poets, award-winning novelists, buskers, window poems and witty work about everyone from Julie Andrews to Jaws. Keep the weekend of May 17th and 18th free and enjoy a feast of song, comedy and literature across the town.

Tickets soon available from Split Screen Liz Niven Alan Franks The Mill.

May 17th 3.00-4.00 Gatehouse Primary School Liz Niven with pupils of Gatehouse Primary School: Liz will talk about the Trusty’s Hill project, and the project to create the new panels at the school, and the pupils will read their new saga.

May 17th 7.30-9.00 Mill on the Fleet Songs and Poems: Alan McClure Supported by Mill Sessions Alan McClure is a well-known songwriter and storyteller based in Galloway. He regularly performs in the region with his band The Razorbills and has, since 2010, been writing and performing poetry.

May 18th 10.30-1130 Mill on the Fleet Southlight Stage Southlight literary magazine. Join its contributors and the editors. Readers from the floor welcome.

May 18th 12.00-1.00 The Murray Arms The Notes of Dr Newgate Alan Franks’ talk about his new novel, The Notes of Dr. Newgate, a gripping story of a GP in crisis who finds lethal comfort in the arms of a young patient.

May 18th 12.00-1.00 Mill on the Fleet The Picts of Trusty’s Hill with Stuart MacHardy Stuart McHardy, a lifelong Pictophile, discusses how his distinctive views of the Picts have lead him to an interesting ‘take’ on the importance of Trusty’s Hill.

May 18th 2.00-3.00 Mill on the Fleet Split Screen A light-hearted hour of poetry with themes as wide-ranging as Julie Andrews, Star Trek, Jaws, Ealing Comedy, Bruce Lee and Inspector Morse accompanied by visuals and music, with an entertaining ‘commercial break’. Poets represented are Ian McMillan, Clare Pollard, Tim Turnbull, George Szirtes, Annie Freud and many more.

May 18th 2.00-3.00 The Murray Arms Mark Cocker: Birds and People In his astounding and incredibly beautiful new book Birds and People Mark Cocker explores and celebrates this extraordinary relationship drawing upon forty years of observing and thinking about birds.

May 18th 3.45-4.45 The Murray Arms Cheryl Campbell Vera Brittain (mother of Baroness Shirley Williams) was a writer, feminist and pacifist, best known for her bestselling memoir Testament of Youth, recounting her experiences during World War I and her journey towards pacifism. Actress Cheryl Campbell, who portrayed her in the award-winning BBC2 TV series, reads from the book and the poems and letters of her fiancé Roland Leighton, who was killed on the Front.

May 18th 5.30-6.30 The Murray Arms Ian Macpherson ‘...one of the most creative and intelligent comedians I have ever seen’ says The Guardian about award-winning Comedian Ian Macpherson, who returns to Galloway by popular demand.

May 18th 7.30-8.30 The Murray Arms I Laughed, I Cried -- Viv Groskop Writer and BBC Radio 4 broadcaster Viv Groskop is queen of the mid-life crisis.

Pushing forty, can 100 stand-up gigs in 100 nights help her recapture her childhood dream of becoming a comedian?

May 18th 9.00-10.00 The Murray Arms BIG LIT Finale with singer/songwriter Alan Franks Alan Franks makes a welcome return visit with his songs of sardonic wit, narrative invention and dazzling wordplay.

May 17th and 18th 11.00-4.30 The Bakehouse Studio An installation by Bill Barlow (remember last year’s Poetry Generating Engine)

www.thebakehouse.info STOP PRESS: Once again The Bakehouse will be bringing The Globe Theatre to the Crichton Campus on June 24th and 25th this year with Much Ado about Nothing.

Tickets available soon from The Globe Box Office and Mid Steeple.

Sport Gatehouse of Fleet Snooker Club

Our Wednesday evening social snooker events have taken firm root in the Club’s programme of activities and progressed from fortnightly in the autumn of last year to weekly since the start of the New Year.

Numbers attending have grown regularly to half a dozen and new members will be made very welcome. Thanks to the expertise, experience and efforts of new member Peter Haslam, there has been a marked improvement in day-to-day house-keeping, particularly in the care of the green baize. Our annual Handicap competition was wellsupported and rounded off by Christmas with Graham Wright as the worthy winner and David Lappin (last year’s winner) as runner up. At time of going to press we are nearing the end of our Club Championship competition which has attracted around a dozen entries with the semi-finals and final matches due to be completed before Easter.

The new requirement that all entrants for the Club Championship play a qualifying match with each of the other entrants, plus an incentive to complete matches in good time, has resulted in more intensive use of the table during the winter months, and some valuable experience has been gained.

The eventual winner will have had to work hard for his success! The Club’s thanks are particularly due to Its office bearers for their hard work: John Morton (Secretary), Brian Napper (Treasurer) and Graham Wright (Competitions and Handicaps). We all wish Brian Napper a quick recovery from his knee operation and are confident that it will improve his performance with the cue when he returns to the table!

And watch out for a planned inter-club snooker match between Gatehouse and Kirkcudbright in November! And coming shortly equipment and rules to enable us to widen our games interest by playing billiards as well as snooker.

Gatehouse Bowling Club

The Green off Anne Street will reopen on April 19th. Although the Club is one of

the oldest in Scotland, this season will see a number of initiatives to help ensure the future of bowling in Gatehouse which extends for over 170 years.

A new family ticket for £25 will give access to all family members on two afternoons each week and to a fortnightly family competition. Bowls is a game that all the family can enjoy as there is no special advantage in strength, sex or age. The only equipment required are flat shoes or trainers to avoid damage to the grass. Bowls are available to borrow and coaching is on hand to help everyone enjoy a truly local sport. With Scotland expected to do well in the bowling in the Commonwealth Games, what better way is there to ensure a local and national legacy in 2014? To help fund the family initiatives, the Club will run a 99 club lottery with draws at each family evening.

Alongside this there is a busy programme of club competitions and regular sweep nights on Monday and Wednesday evenings and on Saturdays. Club teams compete in local and national competitions and individuals have represented county and region in national events. New members are always welcome so come along and try your hand at a new sport. Contact Gerry Chapman (814628) or W Carruthers (814794).

sport is achievable. Curling is also a winter sport that requires no specialist equipment or clothing to be provided by the participants and is not weather dependant.

So if, next season, starting in October, you think you would like to try, or return to, curling why not come along with us – we would love to see you. Anwoth & Girthon Curling Club – the Gatehouse Curling Club – will welcome all new members. So if you think that you would like to give curling a try when the new season starts please contact Annie-Margaret Johnstone (814059) or Keith Kemp (814152).

Gatehouse Golf Club

On the 30th of March the opening competition will have seen the start of our 2014 season. We hope to have a successful season on the playing front and to welcome new visitors to our great golf course. At the AGM on Monday 13th January it was decided to keep all fees the same as the previous year, therefore hopefully increasing our membership and visitor income.

With that we always need the weather to be kind to us to attract more golfers to enjoy playing our course and to enjoy the beautiful views that we get while on the course.

We have only the one greenkeeper, Charlie Pickthall, who himself always keeps the course in fantastic condition but on his own it’s a very tough job to keep improving the course so any voluntary work will be very much appreciated.

2014 will also see our new captain, Gary McClymont, try to keep up the great standard of previous captain Robert Hope.

Gary, along with new Vice Captain, Stevie Thompson, is certainly looking forward to what will hopefully be a successful year for Gatehouse Golf Club.

Our club’s website is running well now so you will be able to see comps, draws and results, etc.

As previously stated the green fees, subscriptions, etc are staying the same. Anyone looking for any more information please contact Gary on 07746982852.

I hope to see many smiling and new faces during the year! Play well!

Anwoth & Girthon Curling Club

Another season has drawn to a close with some good games had by all. In the Rogerson League and the Cally Cup we enjoyed some competitive and enjoyable matches but again we failed to make that much progress.

Club games have been well supported and some very close and well fought matches ensued with most rinks enjoying success.

Did you watch the Winter Olympics and get inspired by the achievements of the Scottish Curlers led by David Murdoch and Eve Muirhead? - if so why don’t you come along next season and try curling for yourself. It is one of the few winter sports that is playable by all irrespective of age or gender, even if you don’t think you will be able to slide across the ice like an Olympian this

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

Fleet Star Football Club

The 2013/14 season is drawing to a close.

There is one more cup to play for, the Haig Gordon Cup, and we await the draw for the second round of that; there could be a gap of two or three weeks between our last league game and the cup tie. Our season has shown significant improvement in the fitness and ability of the players under the management of Andrew Davis, Mark Adams and Kenny Shanks. Although it is likely we will finish the league in 10th and second-bottom position, there have been several games in which we should have taken more points - particularly against Heston Rovers when we trailed 2-0 at half time, came back to lead 3-2, only to concede a late goal to draw 3-3.

We have been using the excellent new 3G facility at St. Mary’s in Kirkcudbright for winter training and have played some friendly training games against local Sunday Amateur teams who are preparing for their season, useful in trying players in different positions.

When one season ends, planning for the next is well underway with the management team speaking to current and hopefully new players who may join. We have the nucleus of a good squad, but a few new good players would augur well for the next season. Off the pitch the Club is running smoothly, with plans for refurbishment of the Pavilion, maintenance of the pitch and purchase of some new equipment. Any new volunteer helpers would be welcome.

Tommy Maxwell is hoping to restart our Youth section in April on a fairly informal and casual basis, and to move to a more structured basis depending on the numbers and ages of the group. Word has gone out to the School and Youth Clubs for start date, timing, etc, with the first session likely to be a weekday evening.

We are still running our normal draws – Weekly “3 from 20” drawn on a Sunday, Weekly “Super 7” based on Saturday fixtures and the Monthly Draw on the first Friday of the month. A collector will gladly call at your house if you wish to join any

of the draws – tickets are sold at outlets in the town.

For any information, contact Club Secretary Irvine Hannah on 07745 903610.

Galloway Cricket Club

Based at the Cally ground, the Club brings together a selection of players from across the Stewartry, is a member of the Western District Cricket Union and fields two men’s teams playing in Saturday leagues. We also have an enthusiastic women’s team and some junior player members too.

Last season we had around 40 people playing cricket for the club, with some travelling from as far afield as Lockerbie for a game.

Our players have a wide range of ages, experience and abilities. We will be fielding two men’s teams and a women’s team during the coming summer season (mid May through to end August). You can find the fixture list for our men’s teams by logging into www.wdcu.co.uk clicking on leagues and scrolling down to WDCU premiership and premiership reserves. There will be a home game on the Cally ground for one of these two teams on most Saturdays during the season.

The women’s team will take part in a league and in a cup competition, with games played on a Sunday. When these games are away from home, the ground will sometimes be used for friendly matches against more local opposition; there will also be some 20-20 midweek games on a Wednesday evening.

The Club has pre-season net sessions in the gym at Dalbeattie High School on a Saturday or Sunday running up to Easter, with nets and coaching sessions take place at the ground on a Friday evening once the season starts, depending on demand.

Over many years the Club has enjoyed great support from the town and this continues in our patron’s endeavours to fund and build a new pavilion for the ground. This would definitely provide better facilities for players and visitors. We really would like to make the ground a pleasant venue for local and visiting spectators. What could be

better than whiling away an hour or three watching a game of cricket? (Weather and midges permitting) We welcome anyone interested to come see us in action. Best of all come and join in we are looking for new players and there’s every chance of getting a game.

Contact nos: Men: Fraser Conn, Captain 1sts 01556 670544 Bob Davidson, Captain 2nds: 01387 250422 Women: Natalie Hamblin, Captain: 07872 909 010 Nets: Howard Bradley, Team coach: 07950 545 993 Committee: Dennis Coombs, President: 01557 814404 Richard Langley, Chair: 01644 450 633

Gatehouse Tennis Club

Gatehouse Tennis Club is trying to source funding for a new court surface and fence replacement. The Club has been in existence for 100 years and the members now feel it is ready for a revamp. Ian Cain, the Chairman of the Club, said: “After 100 years it seems appropriate, if we are going to find the next Andy Murray from Gatehouse, to have up-to-date facilities. We are still short of funds but we are hopeful that we can reach the required figure soon. All being well with funding, work is planned to start sometime this year. Donations of any size would be greatly appreciated to help us upgrade this valuable community asset”.

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 The Masonic Arms.

Under the watchful eyes of Richard Gidney, Jimmy Harvey and Sofia Perez Liano the Masonic’s revival which began a year ago is taking shape. As No.1 For Gatehouse and No.10 in Dumfries & Galloway on Trip Advisor it is already making a significant contribution to our local hospitality sector, wellestablished and emerging confidently into what will hopefully be a successful summer season.The Masonic enjoys not only a prime place as Gatehouse’s pub but a history reaching back 200 years, originally as a Masonic Hall, later as the Mason’s Arms, then under its present name. Its Masons’ origins are well-represented in the shield, now rebuilt and restored by Joseph Scherrer, Creetown’s noted art preservation and restorer, and displayed in our photo. Following on from the general cleaning, redecoration and restoration in the first year under the present management, together with the installation of wood-burning stoves as features in the conservatory restaurant and gardens, further major improvements are being made with the results coming on-stream this spring.

To make way for these changes the Masonic will close for three days in April, well before Easter. These exciting developments will enhance the pub atmosphere - regulars will notice the difference! The Masonic is a major

employer by Gatehouse standards with 11 permanent staff (increased in the high season with additional temporaries), two of whom are bar-staff, with three chefs - all Gatehouse born and bred - responsible for delivering the quality restaurant menus. Day-to-day direction is in the capable hands of head-chef Jimmy Harvey and Sofia Perez Liano. Jimmy Harvey brings his Scottish skills and energy to the team and Sofia’s Spanish panache, new

to Galloway, brings fresh ideas from the Mediterranean, and outstanding service-industry skill and experience. They make a fine team! As well as delivering quality menus, regular evening offerings include a curry night and quiz on Wednesdays, music on Thursdays, an all-inclusive Spanish menu on Fridays during the season, and dominoes on Sundays. Apart from advertising in the Gatehouse Newsletter and through the website, promotion majors on the use of Facebook. The Masonic is also keen to revive the historic link between Gatehouse Golf Club and the pub, and offers a 10% discount to visiting golfers to complete their round.

Richard, Jimmy and Sofia are looking forward to translating their efforts and investment in greatly improved premises, quality staff and service, attractive menus and a warm welcome, into a successful and profitable second year.

F l e e t G a l l e ry c r a f t

&

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