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.

]]> 1.2132244 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:09:36 +0000 http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/chamber_to_join_stranraer_task_force_1_2131843

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.

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.

]]> 1.2131617 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:53:38 +0000 http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/ballet_good_idea_1_2131537

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.

]]> 1.2131537 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:17:08 +0000 http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/newton_stewart_grind_out_win_1_2131364

Newton Stewart 10, East Kilbride 3

A 13-3 victory against Annan four weeks ago brought forth the following phraseologies: “Ssticky underfoot and westerly cross-field gales”, “a no-frills and only a few thrills affair”, and “a gutsy 10-man rugby performance from Newton Stewart against an Annan side that are no novices at this style of play”.

For Annan, substitute East Kilbride, remove a Newton penalty and – voila! – it was a carbon copy of the previous dull encounter.

With East Kilbride making hard work of finding Bladnoch Park, it was little wonder that Newton came out of the blocks the sharper and, for the first 10 minutes or so, the Reds dominated the game. However, domination of the scoreboard was not a reflection of the play and, as the visitors got their warm-up out of the way, they settled into a midfield tussle that afforded few opportunities for either side.

As the forwards battled it out, the Newton half-back pairing of Sommerville and Muir tried to get in behind the East Kilbride defence but ball was kicked away cheaply on more than one occasion. Accordingly, East Kilbride stand-off Greenfield obliged with his own fair share of pointless kicking when the better option was to keep the ball in the hands of a none too shabby set of Killie forwards.

As the first half wore away, watching the clock was probably as entertaining as the game and, save the odd half-break from both sides, it would be fair to say neither try line was challenged.

For Newton, Scott Costley put in a couple of good solo breaks but with little support it all fizzled out and, other than an East Kilbride penalty that gave them a half-time lead, nothing much happened.

In fairness to both sides, conditions were far from ideal and it was always going to be a struggle to provide even a modicum of what could be interpreted as running rugby. Fortunately for Newton Stewart, a try from the second half kick-off gave afforded them that slender advantage which they managed to retain for the remainder of a game.

An East Kilbride knock-on was seized upon by the Reds and, putting their advantage to good use, they were soon deployed on the opposition line. Scrum-half Sommerville could have been tempted to use the blind-side but, in going open, Jamie Muir required no-one else from the assembled backs as he stepped inside his defender to touch down for a guaranteed seven points.

From the restart the referee had tired of the visitors’ repeated offending at the breakdown and dismissed East Kilbride hooker Anderson to the bin. However, the Reds did not exploit their manpower advantage and the game gradually descended into a war of attrition in the midfield – with Newton only just managing to control their bulkier and very physical counterparts. A passage of pressure from the Reds mid-half resulted in a welcome three points to ease the margin to a more comfortable seven but, as Newton prop Hamilton was binned in what could be construed as an evening-things-up decision, East Kilbride seized their opportunity. They seemed to find another gear to take the game to Newton and a closing 10-minute period saw the none too diminutive visiting second-rows – Alistair Dalglish and Paul Rosie – lead their lads forward in a last-gasp attempt to force a draw. Like they have done for the past few games, the Reds’ defence withstood anything the opposition threw at them.

This was another ground-out win for a Newton side that has grown in stature and self-belief throughout the season. Newton have attempted to play nice rugby but they have learned to win ugly first, then, and only if possible, play nice rugby.

With only pride at stake, in two weeks the Reds travel to Troon to see if they can thwart the potential promotion chances of Craig Redpath’s much vaunted superstars at Marr in their last league fixture.

Man of the match: Ross Vance (second row).

Newton Stewart: M Wallace, R Fiskin, S Hamilton, M Adams, R Vance,

H Hamilton, J Wallace, A Gaw(Capt), D Sommerville, J Muir, I Russell, M McCornick,

S Costley, J McWhirter, G McMillan. Subs: S Wright, A Gibson, J Ritchie.

John Johnstone

Stewartry 13, Annan 3

Stewartry finished their home league programme with a hard-fought win over their local rivals, and avenging a 14-15 last kick of the game defeat earlier in the season at Annan.

Coach David Borland had asked the players for a big effort in their final home league match after the disappointing display at Allan Glen’s the previous week. As well as league points, the Chisholm Cup, played for annually by the two clubs and currently held by Annan, was up for grabs.

With a full clubhouse for pre-match hospitality, there was plenty of support to see Stewartry take an early lead in only six minutes from a Cammy Fenwick penalty. Stewartry continued to use the wind advantage to keep the pressure on the Annan defence. In 15 minutes, good play from Jason Riley, Stevie McCulloch and captain Ian Fenwick gave the forwards the chance to drive hooker Danny Burton over for his first try of the season. Cammy Fenwick added the conversion.

Any thoughts Stewartry may have had of turning round at half-time with a good-sized lead was soon dispelled when a penalty in 20 minutes by Craig McCann just crept over the bar for Annan.

It was going to be a long second half for Stewartry as they set about defending the seven-point lead, and Annan were soon on the attack and making inroads to the Stewartry 22.

From a lineout on the Stewartry 10-metre line, Callum Walker took good possession and Stewartry held onto the ball for a full five minutes, driving and rucking up into the Annan 22 and finishing with a penalty kick into the corner. After winning the lineout, Stewartry knocked on and Annan were able to clear their lines all the way to the Stewartry in-goal area, where Craig Mosey had to look sharp to win the race for the touchdown to stop an Annan score.

In 55 minutes, good play between Ian Fenwick and Jamie Farquhar gave Jason Riley the chance to break through the Annan line. A penalty award on the halfway line saw Jason Riley’s kick going to the outside of the roadside post before it wobbled in the wind and just dropped over the bar for a 13-3 lead.

The Stewartry forwards now had the Annan scrum in all kinds of bother, pushing them back at the set piece, although the Annan forwards seemed to have the upper hand in the individual battles with a draw in the fistacuffs and a pin-fall submission in the other. But the referee decided there was a penalty to Stewartry for offside and the ball was kicked halfway across the second team pitch to end the game for Stewartry to collect their first bit of silverware for four years.

Stewartry last won the Chisholm Cup in 2005 and it was presented to captain on the day Ian Fenwick by Annan president Don Barty.

Stewartry have one final league game to play, on March 3, away at Glasgow Accies.

Stewartry: J Fingland, A Kerr, C Fenwick, J Riley, F Baird, C Mosey, J Farquhar, T Cannon, D Burton, I McMorran, L Henderson, R Porteous, I Fenwick (capt), S Broll, S Hogg, Danny Boyd.

John Low

]]> 1.2131105 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:00:28 +0000 http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/survey_highlights_transport_problems_for_elderly_1_2130963

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.

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.”

]]> 1.2129685 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:06:01 +0000 http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/three_held_over_vandalism_1_2129406

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.

]]> 1.2129406 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:30:49 +0000 http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/new_boys_give_good_account_of_themselves_1_2129228

Wigtownshire Under-16s 17, Stewartry Under-16s 22

The newly formed Wigtownshire Under-16s team was in action at London Road on Sunday.

This was only the third outing for the young ’Shire squad against a big, more experienced, visiting side from Castle Douglas. The fixture was one of a three-game preliminary round in the West Regional Cup competition. Last weekend the fledgling team lost heavily away at Newton Stewart. They went into their first competitive home game hoping to show what they had learned from that encounter.

From the kick-off it was clear to those watching that this was going to be close game. The home side took an early lead through a well-scored try from Kieran Hannah under the posts. Adam McIntosh stepped up to add the conversion. Stewartry came back with their own try from a solid scrum and fine No 8 pick-up and drive, which they converted. Not to be outdone, after a good period of pressure, Javin Hannah picked up from the back of the scrum to score a try, which went unconverted. When the half time whistle came the ’Shire boys held a 12-7 lead.

The Stewartry side started the second half in a determined fashion and brought the game to the home team. However, a defensive tackle from Gregor Henry dislodged the ball. Kerr Hannah picked it up and sprinted in for the home side’s third try. Once again this was unconverted. As the game continued, the visitors’ size, experience and game knowledge brought them back into the contest. This allowed them to score three tries without reply, despite the best effort of the ’Shire boys to break down their attack.

At the final whistle the visitors had over hauled the home side to win 22-17.

The young ’Shire boys gave a good account of themselves on the day. Coach Eddie Stevenson said: “I am really pleased with our progress. We have a young side, who are learning all the time. We have just started and are playing teams who have been together for some time. It looks very good for the future.”

The team has one more game in this part of the competition. They play against Dumfries later this week. Then they will progress into the West Regional Bowl competition.

Wigtownshire Under-16s: Charlie Forrest, Tom Birkett, Josh McCurry, Kerr Hannah, Kevin Aitken, Kieran Stevenson, Dean Rickard, Javin Hannah, Bobby Lammie, Adam McIntosh, Liam Downie, Gregor Henry, Kieran Hannah, Stewart Henry, Scott Haazen

Replacements: Callum Lammie, Ewan Jamieson, Jim Howie, Billy Ross, Kyle Knott,

]]> 1.2129228 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:27:39 +0000 http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/fairtrade_award_1_2129199

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.”

]]> 1.2129199 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:14:08 +0000 http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/appeal_for_singers_1_2128920

The Lyric Community Singers’ rehearsals resume on Saturday, February 25, and they are looking forward to seeing existing members, as well as new members, for another year.

If you enjoy singing together in a group and want to switch off from the stresses of life for a couple of hours, then go along and join in. Experience the buzz of singing in harmony and sing for the sheer joy of it. The Lyric do folk songs, pop songs, classical songs, happy songs, sad songs – a wide variety of music to suit all tastes, led by Sue St Joseph.

There are no auditions, and you don’t have to be able to read music – all you have to do is to enjoy singing and to want to do this as part of a group.

The Lyric Community Singers are a community choir that offer opportunities for all members of the community to meet socially. They believe that everyone should have the opportunity to sing and there is growing scientific evidence that singing is good for you because it promotes physical health and mental wellbeing; helps keep the brain sharp, improving concentration and confidence; encourages team work; and it’s a great social activity and fun.

All ages are welcome and they meet in St Andrew & St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, Kirkcudbright (off the High Street, down the lane between the police station and the library) from 10-11.30am. Subsequent sessions will be at the same time on the fourth Saturday of every month. The cost is £1, payable at the door, which will include refreshments.

For further information, contact Sue St Joseph on 01557 870207/07732 721880.

Wigtownshire 15, Cambuslang 26

With only four more league games to play, the importance of this home match could not have been clearer in the minds of the players. Their lowly league position means that every point could be of great importance as the final reckoning approaches.

However, the visiting team, sitting third in the table, have their own challenges as they strive for the top position. Also everyone’s mind was on the result of the game between the two sides earlier in the season when Cambuslang ran out winners 69-0.

As the team took to the field it was very apparent that the weather was likely to have a major bearing on the day. The chill wind was blowing, gale force, from the west. The dark clouds gathering in the sky were laying down rain, sleat and snow at regular intervals. The brave, or some might say “foolhardy”, spectators were wrapped up against the elements and in awe of the players facing the elements in shorts and modern, thin, rugby tops.

’Shire had the advantage of the wind. Despite this, the visitors started playing the conditions well. When they got possession they worked hard to keep it, moving the ball through their hands and keeping passes short.

The home side tackled and defended, working hard to prevent Cambus getting upfield. However, after 10 minutes, they managed to cross the line, only to be denied the score through sterling defending and ’Shire forwards holding them up. From the five-metre scrum, they tried again only to be held-up over the line by the home side. On the third occasion they managed to gain the referee’s approval for the first points of the match. From the scum they went wide, a risky strategy given the wind and cold hands. Their passing was sound and their winger rounded the stretched defence to score in the corner. The wind destroyed any chance of points from the conversion attempt.

With 15 minutes gone the home side managed to win good possession and began to play as they can. They were driving ball upfield, recycling from rucks and mauls and bringing the backs into play, and forcing Cambuslang to scramble and defend. It was ’Shire’s turn to cross the line only to be denied. With weather on their backs they kept hammering away. So intense was the pressure that visitors incurred the wrath of the referee in their efforts to prevent a score. A yellow card resulted in a 10-minute rest for one of their tight forwards.

With storm at its height the ’Shire forwards redoubled their efforts and, similar to the first score, released the backs, putting team captain Andy Farquhar in for a try in the corner. Once more the wind negated the extra points.

With their tails up and the advantage of an extra man they were soon on the attack again. This was impacting on the visitors, injuries abounded and a period of uncontested scrums resulted for a time until their wayward player returned. Now getting possession and able to use the wind, the home team pinned the visitors back. ’Shire’s lineout was working well and possession was being won on the opposition throw. Gordon Keith, Jason McKie, Munro McConnell and Keith McNiel were destructive in the loose. With 35 minutes on the clock, they converted this pressure into points. Jason McKie crashed over the line to score after a fine period of play by all the forwards. Once again the conversion went wide. The score remained 10-5 at half time.

The weather improved and wind dropped after the break. Cambuslang took advantage and pinned the home side back. Stout defending and strong rucking disrupted their progress. McKie and Wilson were making a real nuisance of themselves in the back row. The tight players, particularly hooker Keith, were turning over ball. Unfortunately, they could not break out and Cambus kept the pressure on. With 10 minutes gone a mix-up at the base of the ’Shire scrum on the five-metre line allowed the visiting scrum-half to get possession and dive over. The softening wind gave their kicker a chance and he added the conversion.

It was now the visitors’ turn to apply the pressure. They varied their attack, with long and short kicks, forwards popping up in the backs and good support play. Despite ’Shire’s best efforts they scored again through their winger in the corner, again adding the extra points. They were now in the ascendance and, just three minutes later, the winger was in again for a try and the conversion was good.

’Shire fought hard and came back at them, kicking for field position. Great chasing and recovery put them close to the visitors’ line. Once again the home strength in the tight has shown and from rucking and recycling Jason McKie drove through what seemed an impossible space to score his second try, though the conversion was missed. As the game was drawing to a close, the ’Shire coach brought all the young guns off the bench. They ran the ball at Cambuslang but both time and eventually the touchline allowed Mr Leslie to blow for “no side”.

This was a great game of rugby. Those who stayed to watch had a great afternoon’s entertainment. The only down side for the locals was the score line, with ’Shire getting nothing for their efforts despite giving their all.

With three games to go, two away from home and results elsewhere not being favourable, it will be a challenge. However, if they can show the same commitment and drive and continue to work as a team the results will come.

’Shire : N Warwick, A Farquahar (Capt), J McIntosh, D MacCaig, M Clark, C Austin, J Patterson:

M Hastie, G Keith, A Love, G Dunlop, M McConnell, J McKie, T Wilson, K McNeil.

Subs: R McCreadie, J Mongomery, K Little, C Reid, A McMaster, J Dalrymple, H McGeoch

Davie Hunter

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.”

]]> 1.2128892 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:26:39 +0000 http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/sorbie_school_wins_third_eco_award_1_2128866

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.

There was little to cheer about for Wigtownshire crews on Saturday’s season-opening Snowman Rally in Inverness.

With heavy sleet and snow showers making for treacherous conditions on the forest stages to the north and south of the Highland capital, Newton Stewart’s Craig McMiken was forced to call it a day with mechanical problems on the penultimate stage, while Port William crew Fraser Wilson and Steven Broll ended up in a ditch.

At the top end of the leaderboard, reigning Scottish and British champion David Bogie from Dumfries got his season off to the best possible start with a second-successive victory on the opening round of the MSA Scottish Rally Championship.

McMiken, with Elgin co-driver Susan Shanks, had a positive start to the day in his Mitsubishi Evo 9, with an equal 15th fastest time through the opening Meall Mor stage to the south of Inverness. However, a broken driveshaft at the start of the first of two short spectator stages saw the pair drop well down the rankings before they could get it fixed at the service break.

That done, McMiken was an impressive sixth fastest through the slippery fourth, and at 13 miles, longest, stage – Torr Achilty: 38 seconds shy of Bogie, and four seconds ahead of the eventual rally runner-up, Mike Faulkner. It hauled McMiken and Shanks up to 13th overall, with two stages remaining, but they had to throw in the towel when the car lost drive on the penultimate test.

Wilson and Broll had improved their overall position by leaps and bounds over the first few stages: a top 30 finish on the opening test was followed by a 19th equal quickest time on the first short spectator stage, and eighth equal on the next. It meant they were lying 18th overall by the time they reached the service area at Muir of Ord, where repairs were carried out on the exhaust.

With reports of “carnage” and cars going off “all over the place” , word came back that the Port William pair had “beached” the EVO just off the road on the fourth stage. With no spectators around to help them get the car back on the road, their day was done.

Meanwhile, Newton Stewart navigator Laura Marshall had a more successful day alongside Honda Civic driver Graeme Smith from Carluke. They returned to the finish in Inverness in 24th place overall, and a very commendable second in class in the fiercely competitive 1600 category.

For Bogie, co-driven by Kevin Rae, it was a case of picking up where he left off last season in his Mitsubishi EVO 9. The double champions finished a minute and eight seconds ahead of Kirtlebridge-based Mike Faulkner and Bingley navigator Peter Foy, in an EVO 6. Kirkgunzeon farmer Rory Young, with Carlisle’s Allan Cathers on the notes, was a superb fourth at the wheel of his EVO 5.

On paper it might have looked like a comfortable win for the double champions, but in reality it was anything but – Bogie admitting to some scary moments. “We’re both obviously delighted. You can’t kick off your season with anything better than a win. However, the conditions were really difficult - some of the toughest I’ve ever had to drive in. Everyone who got round this rally deserves a medal because you could get caught out so quickly. We had a couple of moments which could have put us in a ditch and ended our rally. The only other frustration was the car misfiring throughout the day, but we made it to the end, so no complaints”.

Dumfries’ Iain Haining and co-driver Mairi Riddick from Haugh of Urr did not have their troubles to seek on the way to second in class in their 2WD Vauxhall Nova. Said Haining: “The first four stages were grand, but on the second last stage we burst the rear brake pipe, so the pedal was going to the floor for the last few miles. We did a hasty repair, but the brakes weren’t great for the last 12 miles and with the snow as well it made things really interesting.”

Missing from the start-line was 2010 Snowman winner Jock Armstrong. The Castle Douglas driver had submitted a late entry after securing a hired Mitsubishi Evo 9. However, a misfire and other mechanical problems with the car on the eve of the event scuppered any hopes of competing.

The second round of the MSA Scottish Rally Championship is the Brick & Steel Border Counties Rally in Jedburgh on March 17.

Snowman Rally – Dumfries and Galloway finishers, with total times:

1. David Bogie (Dumfries)/Kevin Rae (Hawick) Mitsubishi EVO 9 50 mins 03 secs

2. Mike Faulkner (Kirtlebridge)/Peter Foy (Bingley) Mitsubishi EVO 6 51.11

4. Rory Young (Kirkgunzeon)/Allan Cathers (Carlisle) Mitsubishi EVO 5 52.49

20. Iain Haining (Dumfries)/Mairi Riddick (Haugh of Urr) Vauxhall Nova 55.49

24. Graeme Smith (Carluke)/Laura Marshall (Newton Stewart) Honda Civic 56.44

25. Richard Stewart (Dumfries)/Carin Logan (Kelso) Subaru Impreza 56.48

67. Jim Robertson (Thornhill)/Helen Brown (Dumfries) Citreon C2R2 1.37.18