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Walking festival countdown begins

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:09:36 +0000

The countdown has begun to the 10th Newton Stewart Walking Festival.

The week-long event, which takes place between Friday and Thursday, May 11 and 17, will feature more than 30 guided walks and evening social events celebrating the landscape of Galloway.

Chairwoman of the organising committee, Joan Mitchell, said: “We are very much looking forward to celebrating 10 years of the Newton Stewart Walking Festival. In recognition of this milestone we will kick off the 2012 festival with a birthday reunion for everyone who has enjoyed the event over the years.”

The festival’s popularity owes much to the variety of walking opportunities easily accessible from Newton Stewart, which allows the organisers to offer new routes and fresh perspectives each year.

Joan added: “The Galloway Hills really do offer some great opportunities to experience wild Scotland. By contrast, our coastline, with its mix of rugged cliffs, rocky shores and wide sandy beaches, is also nearby. Our forests and woodlands are criss-crossed by paths while farm tracks provide access to our open countryside. In addition, Galloway’s towns and villages are the perfect place to relax after a day’s walking and several of our routes conveniently finish close to pubs or tearooms.

“Who would have thought 10 years ago that Galloway Forest Park and the Galloway Hills would have been designated European’s first Dark Sky Park and also be on the verge of joining an impressive list of special landscapes across the world as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve? Newton Stewart Walking Festival is offering walkers the opportunity to visit some of these special places such as the Merrick-Kells Range, the Silver Flowe and Cairnsmore of Fleet.”

The 2012 festival features a total of 28 walks. These range from coastal and low-level rambles accompanied by an expert guide who can provide an insight into the wildlife, history or landscape interests en route, to strenuous adventures in the Galloway Hills with members of Galloway Mountain Rescue team.

The full programme of walks and other activities is available online at www.newtonstewartwalkfest.com. In addition, brochures can be picked up at libraries and tourist information Centres across the region or by calling into the Stewart R Cunningham Outdoor Centre in Victoria Street, Newton Stewart. Bookings can be made online at the festival website or by calling 01671 404500.

Chamber to join Stranraer task force

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:42:22 +0000

The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Alex Neil MSP, has invited the Wigtownshire Chamber of Commerce to sit on the newly-formed Stranraer Task Force.

The task force which will be chaired by Mr Neil, has been set up to look at the opportunities which exist to regenerate the Stranraer waterfront following the relocation of Stena to its new port facility north of Cairnryan.

President of the Wigtownshire Chamber of Commerce Peter Jeal said: “We are delighted to have been invited to sit on this important body as it will give the business sector locally an input into key decisions which will be taken to help the regeneration of Stranraer and, as a consequence, Wigtownshire as a whole. We have, of course, accepted this invitation.

“We are also delighted that such a senior member of the Scottish government is personally chairing the task force, which demonstrates the importance the government is attaching to the regeneration of this area.

“The chamber’s membership is growing almost daily and the chamber now represents more than 100 businesses across west Galloway. We would urge those businesses who are not yet members, to join today so that they too can have their interests reflected at key forums such as the task force.”

Chamber membership can be paid monthly at just £4.17 for businesses with fewer than 10 employees. See http://www.wigtownshire.org/join.html to join online or for more information.

Windfarm

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:53:38 +0000

A Windfarm on farmland near Newton Stewart could see hundreds of thousands on pounds pumped into the community but local community representatives voiced concerns about the the impact fourteen 130-metre high turbines would have on area.

THE possibility of a windfarm on land behind Aucheland Farm was discussed at an information night in the County Buildings in Wigtown last week.

Representatives from Wigtown, Kirkcowan, Cree Valley and Creetown Community Councils were all there to hear from Gillian Cropper, the Senior Project Manager for Community Windpower Ltd, the renewable energy company that hopes to lodge an application for the windfarm with Dumfries and Galloway Council by the summer.

Ms Cropper said that Community Windpower specialised in “developing, constructing and operating onshore windfarms”.

Tests on the areas highlighted on the map attached revealed there was an average windspeed of 7.2 to 7.5 metres per second and, if permission were granted, a “buffer zone” of 750 metres would be put in place between the turbines and the nearest homes. Access to the site would be via the Auchleand Farm road.

The turbines would be 130 metres (420 feet) high from the base to the blade tip and could generate a total capacity of 42 megawatts of electricity to be fed directly into the network at Newton Stewart.

Communities local to the windfarm, known as “host communities”, could benefit financially as one of the council’s conditions for windfarm development is an annual payment from the energy companies of £5,000 per megawatt. She estimated that 14 turbines would generate an income of £210,000 for the surrounding area split 50/50 between the host communities and a council-run region wide socioeconomic fund.

In a question and answer session, Gillian was asked if the MOD would have concerns about turbines that size affecting low flying exercises in the area and also birds migrating to and from the Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve. She said the MOD had confirmed to them “in writing” that they had no concerns and a survey showed that there would be “no negative impact on wildlife”.

When asked about noise of the turbines, the energy company representative stated that this was negligible, that up close you would hear the “woosh” of the blades rotating but on a windy day this is cancelled out.

The next query was about the possible impact on house prices. Gillian said that statistics show there was “no dramatic effect” and that properties near the turbines often received electricity vouchers to redress the balance.

Jim McColm from Wigtown Community Council pointed out that much smaller turbines had been refused at a nearby farm recently and although the buffer zone mentioned did not include a significant amount of properties, if you went out to two kilometres there was quite a densely populated area and turbines that size would be seen from 20-30 miles away.

Ms Cropper said that she understood there might be concerns about the impact of turbines on any community but as a country we had to develop renewable energy from somewhere. It was not just about wind power, she said, as significant developments harnessing both solar and wave power were being made.

She concluded: “Renewable energy technology is improving and perhaps in 25 years time windfarms may not be required anymore and could then be decommissioned and dismantled.”

One member of the public attending the meeting pointed out that any financial gain for communities would simply be “giving us our own money back” as he had been given statistics under the Freedom of Information Act that showed the Government funded onshore windfarms to the tune of £146.30 per magawatt. He added that nuclear energy was receiving £67.80 per megawatt in comparison.

Ballet good idea

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:17:08 +0000

In autumn 2012, Scottish Ballet will be visiting Dumfries and Galloway to deliver four full days of dance workshops, talks, events and taster performances in a project designed to bring Scottish Ballet activities to community participants of all ages and abilities.

The final programme of events for Dumfries and Galloway will be created following a community information evening which will be held next Thursday, March 1, at 7pm in Kirkcudbright Academy.

Representatives from local groups and interested members of the public are invited to attend to hear more about Find Your Feet, and to meet local groups who would like to engage with us and generate ideas for activities.

The project can cover a range of activities and events linked to Scottish Ballet’s productions and focus on creative dance, ballet technique, sport and dance, music, costume and design.

If you are unable to attend but would like to know more, please contact Scottish Ballet on Helen.Coughtrie@scottishballet.co.uk or 0141 331 6297.

Survey highlights transport problems for elderly

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:19:52 +0000

More than 10,000 older people in Dumfries and Galloway get out of their homes less than once per month. This is one frightening conclusion from a survey of more than 1000 older people carried out recently in the region by a team of volunteers who are campaigning to improve the provision of transport in rural areas.

The survey found that, for older people, travel to and from hospital or clinic appointments is often difficult, time-consuming and stressful. It is almost impossible to attend these appointments using public transport outside the main centres in Dumfries and Galloway.

It also revealed that older people are forced to rely on their own transport or the goodwill of others. Journeys arranged by NHS patient transport are often stressful, at inconvenient times or arranged in an inflexible manner.

In addition, it can take a whole day to attend a half-hour appointment and more than one-third of appointments before 10am involve more than one hour’s travel. Also, families and carers are often excluded from travel arranged by NHS patient transport. Escorts were excluded from more than one-fifth of such journeys.

The survey indicated that transport is vital for the wellbeing of older people, with more than one-third of the sample unable to do their own shopping; two-thirds of those who can do their own shopping live more than a mile from shops, and nearly 10% live more than 10 miles from shops; in excess of 40% of older people have difficulty in getting out, and nearly half of these find it almost impossible to get out; and a quarter of older people don’t get out every month.

Extrapolating these figures across the whole of Dumfries and Galloway, where there are approximately 45,000 people over the age of 60, implies that 15,000 older people are unable to do their own shopping, 3000 older people live more than 10 miles from shops, 18,000 older people have difficulty getting out and more than 10,000 older people get out less frequently than once per month.

In March 2011, a small team of volunteers got together under the auspices of the Scottish Parliament’s Community Partnerships Project to campaign to improve the provision of rural transport in Dumfries and Galloway for older people and their carers and so maintain and improve their health and wellbeing. They are seeking to influence the Scottish government and local authorities by making them aware of the transport issues faced by older people and by presenting compelling arguments for changing practices in Dumfries and Galloway.

MSPs from the region have taken up the cause and will debate the issue in the Scottish Parliament. The volunteers have submitted a petition to

the parliament. Representations are also being made to councils and their memebers to make sure that this issue is addressed urgently. Following some excellent progress in Wigtownshire with a pilot project to tackle flexible transport provision, the group is exploring joint working with Rural Transport Solutions within D&G Council.

The study has highlighted the lack of coordination and provision of transport for older people in remote and rural areas of Dumfries and Galloway. The volunteers are calling upon the various bodies locally and nationally who control and influence this topic to work together to address these clear failings. Good practices are evident in some districts in Scotland, for example in Wigtownshire and in Buchan, and these should be adopted nationally.

MP slams Galloway port ‘scandal’

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:06:01 +0000

Dumfries and Galloway MP Russell Brown has said that the announcement on Monday of the creation of a new UK Border Force, formed by splitting up the UK Border Agency, should be used as an opportunity to look at the role of the force in dealing with illegal immigration through the Galloway ports.

The Home Secretary, Theresa May, said the UK Border Force will now be run independently from the UK Border Agency, following revelations that hundreds of thousands of people were let into the country without appropriate checks at UK airports and ports. A report by John Vine, the independent chief inspector of the UK Border Agency (UKBA), found that security checks were “suspended regularly and applied inconsistently”. Mr Brown said there was a “real scandal taking place at the Galloway ports” that must be addressed by the new border force. Although they are technically internal ports, they are well known within the criminal community as the “soft underbelly” of the UK’s border security.

It was revealed last year that Dumfries and Galloway police had no option but to release people detained for entering the country illegally, even though they were probably going to abscond. The current procedure requires local police to release people detained under suspicion of entering the country illegally with nothing more than instructions to appear at a UKBA office in Glasgow, Manchester or London.

In 2009, the Scottish government announced it was cutting 14.5 police officers from the Galloway ports and in 2010 the UK government withdrew UK Border Agency funding for three officers at the ports.

Mr Brown said: “The procedures in place to deal with illegal immigration through the Galloway ports aren’t fit for purpose. Although they are technically internal ports, they are well known within the criminal community as the soft underbelly of the UK’s border security.

“Although the headlines in recent days have been because of checks relaxed at international airports and ports, there is a real scandal taking place at the Galloway ports. We are just scratching the surface of the immigration problem there.

“Both Scottish and UK governments have reduced manpower at the ports by cutting funding for ports police. Dumfries and Galloway police should be commended for their efforts at the ports, but it is outrageous that they have had no option but to release people who are here illegally that they know are probably going to abscond. It makes a mockery of our border security when illegal immigrants are entering the mainland through the ports near Cairnryan right under the noses of the authorities. The Home Secretary has rightly been criticised for presiding over a system where the proper checks weren’t taking place at airports, but at the Galloway ports we are in the ridiculous position of the police actually having to release suspects they’ve caught on nothing more than the hope that they will do as instructed and appear at a UKBA office.

“John Vine, the independent inspector of the Border Agency, has previously raised concerns about the way the Border Agency manages the risks associated with people landing in the Irish Republic and travelling onto the UK. The government has failed to take this problem seriously and now it is splitting the UK Border Agency up into a separate dedicated Border Force, I want to see it give the problem at the Galloway ports the attention and resources it deserves. If the new Border Force is to correct the mistakes of the UKBA, then it has to close the loophole at the Galloway ports.”

Three held over vandalism

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:30:49 +0000

THREE teenagers have been arrested following a recent spate of vandalism in Stranraer.

Some time betweeen February 14 and 15, in several streets between McCormack Gardens and Academy Street, cars were scratched, windows were broken and wing mirrors were smashed. More than 20 cars were damaged along with other vandalism to local property.

The value of the damage caused was considerable and resulted in an extensive police inquiry involving uniformed and plain clothes officers.

Now three local youths aged 16, 17 and 19 have been traced and will be reported to the procurator fiscal.

Anyone with any further information about these incidents should contact Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary on 0845 600 5701.

Fairtrade award

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:14:08 +0000

Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Fairtrade champion, Colin Smyth, has welcomed the announcement that Dumfries will be declared a Fairtrade town this weekend.

Reacting to the announcement, Councillor Smyth said: “This is fantastic news and a real credit to the hard work and dedication of the Dumfries Fairtrade group. I know the huge amount of effort they have put into this achievement over many, many months and it’s great to see it has paid off. It is not just great news for Dumfries, but now our regional capital is a Fairtrade town, it is a massive step forward in achieving Fairtrade status for the whole region.

“Being declared a Fairtrade town is so much more than just a label: it sends a message that people in Dumfries are determined to do their bit to try to put an end to the desperate poverty that still plagues too many countries. It’s about making sure that companies pay sustainable prices so that the farmers and produces aren’t ripped off. A fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work is a principle as important here in Dumfries as it is in Africa, Latin America and all over the world.”

Bingo night is a winner

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:26:39 +0000

A FUNDRAISING bingo night in aid of the Coronation Day Centre has been hailed a roaring success.

There was a great turnout of players last Friday evening, raising around £800.

The Next Step Progress Voluntary Group has set about fundraising for the Coronation Day Centre, a much-needed facility in the community. The group is undertaking a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) entitled Working with Others. The programme is being delivered by the Lowland Training Programme and is supported by the council’s Community Learning & Development Service.

At half-time a cuppa was laid on for all the players along with some delicious home-baking.

Bingo caller Danny Robson, part of the Next Step programme, said: “I was volunteered to take the stage for the first time to call out the numbers after the bingo caller cried off. Although nervous as first, as it is for a local charity I was willing to give it a go.”

Spokesperson Brian Muir from the group said: “We read in the local press about the day centre being in dire need of funds for this well used facility. We had a charity chest-waxing last month. The turnout for the bingo night was exceptional, showing how much the community cares about the Coronation Day Centre. I must thank all who helped out and those who kindly donated prizes.”

Sorbie school wins third eco award

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:07:43 +0000

Sorbie Primary School is celebrating its amazing achievement in gaining the prestigious award of a third Green Flag as part of the Eco-Schools programme.

Garlieston pupils, families from both schools and members of the community travelled to Sorbie Primary to help celebrate this wonderful accolade.

The pupils, parents and staff have been working hard throughout the past eight years to achieve each step of the Eco-Schools programme, focusing on key issues, including the environment, sustainability, global citizenship and particularly the value of a low-carbon future, with their fantastic transport project.

Guests braved the Scottish weather, enjoying a tour of the eco work outside which was presented by the pupils. One of the highlights from the afternoon was the flag being released by Mrs Brown, retired principal teacher from Sorbie. Guests then headed inside to watch a cake being cut and enjoyed a lovely hot cup of tea. The event was a great success with a general consensus that it is amazing to see what can be achieved in small schools, with each child getting a chance to shine.