TALKING UP NEWTON STEWART

We recently visited Newton Stewart for a holiday and stayed in the town for four days.
We stayed in a lovely, comfortable hotel whose owners were friendly and full of information for us about what to do and where to go. It was our first time in the town and we visited because we enjoy hillwalking, and despite the very heavy rain we still managed to scale Cairnsmore of Fleet and the Merrick upon suggestion from a family friend and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
We also managed to coincide our trip with the excellent Folk and Blues festival at Bladnoch Distillery near Wigtown, which was a fabulous night out.
We would like to use your paper to thank the friendly folk in Newton Stewart's Co-op store, the Post Office and the Chinese restaurant (where we had two delicious meals) for all their service and advice about where to visit.
We chose to stay in the UK for our holiday this year and are glad we did - Newton Stewart will be recommended to friends.
Jim and Rosemarie Coutts
Longstone Road
Carlisle

A TOURIST ATTRACTION?

DR W J Watson, Professor of Celtic Studies at Edinburgh University, wrote a book called, "The History of the Celtic Place Names of Scotland". This book became, and still is, the standard textbook for anyone studying place names in Scotland. In it he makes some comments on the Welsh Triads.
According to them, the three national thrones of Britain are, Gelliwig, in Cornwall; Caerlleon upon Usk and Penrhyn Penrionyd, in the north, and Cyndern Carthwys, the chief bishop, and Gurthmwl Gulidic, the chief elder. There can be no doubt that Penrhyn Rhionydd is the Old Welsh name of the northern end of the Rhinns of Galloway on the west side of Loch Ryan.
I thought that this information, especially about Arthur, might be an additional attraction for tourists. In my innocence I brought it to the attention of the local Tourist Board, and also to relevant people in Stranraer. There I got the brush off. Obviously my ignorance of tourism showed itself up. In future I shall stick to things such as climatology.
Robert Pate
Willowbank
Old Edinburgh Road
Minnigaff
Newton Stewart

PO CLOSURES - A BITTER BLOW

The latest round of proposed Post Office closures is clearly a bitter blow for the communities concerned, and it is particularly disturbing that these closures will impact hardest on the most vulnerable (20th August).
Post Offices provide a lifeline local service, and if these closures go ahead it will undermine both the economic and, in many areas, the social heart of communities.
The consultation undertaken by Royal Mail on the post office closures was little more than a sham and it has simply failed to listen and act on the concerns of local people, the vast majority of whom opposed the closures. Scottish Labour MPs consistently backed the UK Government's policy which has led to the butchering of these services, meaning it is more than a bit rich that they are now feigning outrage and concern. The fact of the matter is that Labour MPs have let down their constituents, and now their constituents are paying the price.
Alex Orr
Flat 8
35 Bryson Road
Edinburgh

TRIBUTE TO ROSIE MCGAW

AS an ex-chairman of Tarff Rovers I would like to pay a compliment to Rosie for all the money she raised for the football club by selling raffle tickets, etc. No one worked harder than Rosie and everyone attached to the club will always be eternally grateful.
Unfortunately with the passing of Rosie another character has gone from the village.
Jim Hyslop
Craichlaw Kennels
Kirkcowan

GOOD NEWS FOR CINEMA

I recently attended The Cinema in Newton Stewart and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain tickets to see Mamma Mia! but we saw The Dark Knight and the place was mobbed!
I was so happy to hear that people have been packing the cinema out but I only wish this would happen more often.
People in the town fought long and hard to re-open the cinema and if it were to close again, there would be uproar.
So why don't we make the effort to use it more often?
There has been criticism over the delay in top films making their way to the cinema but if I am correct in thinking, this is due to the high percentage of profits being paid to the film maker - please correct me if I am wrong. I for one am happy to wait a few extra weeks to see a big film if it means we can keep the cinema open.
I feel that as a rural community we are extremely lucky to have such a luxury in Newton Stewart and we should appreciate it more.
To the Cinema staff - thank you and I will be back.
Name and address supplied.

SUPPORT THE STRIKERS

I'd like to offer my support to council workers who took part in the strike on Wednesday. I am not a council worker, but I am behind their reasons for striking and believe that the important roles they play in our communities should be rewarded or at least recognised.
In the current financial climate, no one should be asked to scrimp and save when the government they work for managed to save almost £100 million in a year yet can afford to pay expenses to councillors who volunteer their roles
If the one-day action manages to change the pay deal which has been offered then I can handle having my bin full for an extra week.
But I do hope those with power realise there has been inconvenience caused so they will sit up and listen.
I hope others share my sentiments!
Name and address supplied
Walk in the Park appeal
We are looking for 100 volunteers to come and join in our biggest ever six mile sponsored walk around the West end of Glasgow's parks on Sunday, August 31st.
There are no minimum sponsorship requirements for this event, so come along, enjoy the sunshine and do your bit for our fantastic cause.
Call Allison at the Jouse on 0141 201 0849 to register or for more info go to www.ronaldmcdonaldhouse.net
Allison McKillop
Yorkhill Family House Ltd
is a charity registered in
Scotland (sco23199)

MARATHON THANKS

We would like to offer a sincere thank you to family and friends for their sponsorship of our son-in-law Stuart at the recent 10k Kirroughtree cycling marathon. The sum of £1,000.00 was raised for the cancer day care unit at Ninewells Hospital.
And thank you all for the many phone calls, cards and visits received when Ian was ill. All your support over the past year was very much appreciated.
Ian and Lexie (Mc Dowell)
Forfar

HOSPITAL THANKS

The staff at Newton Stewart Hospital would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped to organise our recent charity fancy dress party.
Thanks also to everyone who attended and special thanks to the staff at Newton Stewart Indoor Bowling Centre, Davey Steele for the music and to the Galloway Gazette for the great advertisement.
Everyone had a great time and over £400 was raised for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Newton Stewart Hospital staff

GROUP FOR CUPPA

I AM Gluten intolerant and Coeliac and would like to start a small group for a cuppa and chat, to swap recipes and knowledge and experiences, I hoped initially at Café Cree as they cater for Coeliac.
Anyone interested please contact me on 01776 830362 or leave a message.
Mrs Kirsteen McCulloch
71 Main Street
Sandhead, Stranraer
DG9 9JF