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GLENKENS GAZETTE -SPECIAL -EDITION - - News from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Corsock, Crossmichael, Kirkpatrick MAY Durham, Mossdale, New Galloway, Parton and St John’s Town of Dalry 2020

Produced in partnership with local community councils and funded by the Blackcraig Community Fund. COMMUNITIES WORKING TOGETHER The communities of its resources with local community The rest of this short but value- councils to give you relevant packed issue is full of seasonal the Glenkens have information for people in each stories, recipes, gardening tips, community, as well as what we hope foraging advice, competitions, health come together to are interesting, informative, fun and and wellbeing ideas, photography create an interim useful articles during the COVID-19 pointers and more that are all lockdown. relevant to staying safe by staying at issue of the Gazette to You will find the centre spread is home at this time. inform and entertain a pull-out of community council We have arranged to have this issue information which you can remove of to your door to ensure no one people during these and put on your pinboard or attach misses out. We hope you enjoy your extraordinary times. to the wall, or just cut out the section read! The Glenkens Gazette has pooled relevant to your community. FARMING IN THE GLENKENS A Young Farmer’s View with them. This year we have so far had 90 lambs and still some to come. On our farm in spring we I, myself, have four of my own lambs, three girls and one boy. get lots of baby animals. The cow babies are called calves. It can get hectic at times but is They can also be quite shy, like the overall fun. On our farm we have lambs but can also be friendly. This goats, sheep, cows, pigs, chickens, year we have nine calves and a lot ducks, geese, turkeys and a sheepdog. more to come. I don’t pay as much But only some of them have babies attention to the calves, but I love because if we got all the animals to them just as much as the goats and have babies, we would be so busy we the sheep. I went to my uncle’s to wouldn’t get any sleep! help and I was able to feed the pet The animals that we do get babies calves there. from are goats, sheep, cows and The chicken babies are called chickens. The goat babies are called chicks. They can be friendly but unlike kids and are extremely cute. They will all our other animals we keep them nibble you and jump on you but are with their mothers until they grow up still well behaved most of the time. to an adult so you usually can’t get This year we have had 11 kids and to the chicks without being attacked some of then can be little devils. But by the mothers. Right now, we have some of them are quite shy and will four chicks and some more to come. Naomi working hard at her favourite farm run away from you when you walk up We did have more chicks but some of task, playing with the goat kids. to them but that will be because they them died, sadly. just aren’t used to people yet. Me and my sisters also have some last job is an unusual job, but we want The sheep babies are called lambs jobs we must do to help on the farm. the kids to be friendly when we take as a lot of people know. They are a My jobs are to fill the goats’ water tub, them to shows so we need to make lot more shy than the kids but that’s let the ducks out and collect the duck them friendly by playing with them. because we have so many that they eggs, feed some of the chickens, feed Personally, it is my favourite job of don’t get to realise that we are friendly the dog and to play with the kids. The them all. because we don’t spend enough time Naomi McCreath, Polquhanity Farm A Glenkens Community & Arts Trust (GCAT) initiative www.glenkensgazette.co.uk Glenkens Gazette page 2 SPRING FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY The current lockdown any coloured paper, foil or clothing This makes for some amazing abstract (I’ve used a blue t-shirt before) behind images. is a great opportunity the flower. Again, get as close as you One of the most important things in can, aiming to fill the frame, and take photography is to keep your camera/ to hone your your shot. A small LED torch can be phone steady, particularly in shady or photographic skills. helpful to add some light; try shining darker conditions, or if you are using a Multi-award-winning local it on your background rather than the big heavy lens. To keep it simple, you photographer Duncan McNaught gives subject for some creative lighting. can either use a tripod if you have one, some tips for getting the best snaps, A bonus tip, and something I use a or a bean bag - or anything that will even if you just have a phone camera. lot, with some really great benefits, hold your chosen camera will work too. Duncan says: is sweetie papers as filters. The The self-timers fitted to most cameras Try and avoid bright conditions translucent ones from Quality Streets, are perfect - just set your equipment - the best light for garden flower or similar are ideal, placed over up, get focused, press the self-timer photography is in early morning or the lens of a torch gives you some button and step away till it takes the evening when the sun is not bright in beautiful colored light. A great way shot. Even on a tripod, this is an ideal the sky, or an overcast day is ideal. to get some really creative effects, way to get much sharper shots, which If using a digital camera or mobile with the extra bonus that you have an makes such a difference, especially if phone to take your shots, try to take excuse now to eat a few sweeties too. you may wish to have them printed. side-on shots rather than face-on. Get For the more creative approach how Light is hugely important in taking a as close as you can, but not good photograph. If it’s too close - all lenses have Don’t ever be fooled into too bright, for example, a minimum focus distance then perhaps a different so if you get too close your thinking you need expensive time of day would be shots will be blurred better, or use some shade Look closely in the equipment to take good such as a piece of card, background of your shot paper or even yourself to before you press the button; photos as it’s simply not true. reduce the light. Equally, are there any distractions if it’s a little too dark such as bright highlights how about an old CD detracting from the focal to reflect some light point, twigs/leaves that don’t back onto your subject, do anything to enhance or some tin foil, and a your shot, an ugly piece of torch is really useful. fencing/shed in shot, etc. You can often get Backgrounds in any photo a better effect if you are just as, if not more, place some tissue paper important than your main or a simple clean white subject; take time to check it yogurt pot or similar out well. over the front of your A spray bottle filled with torch to create some clean tap water is ideal to nice diffused light. add some sparkle to your shots; a few about a saucer of milk with a few Don’t ever be fooled good sprays onto the petals or leaves random drops of food coloring added, into thinking you need expensive of a flower can make such a difference then a few drops of ordinary dish soap equipment to take good photos as to your photos. - this makes some amazing patters it’s simply not true. Photography is Some people like to photograph to photograph, and is a bit something more about being creative and looking butterflies - certainly not an easy different to do with the kids. for ways to use light to your best subject to get right, but again early On a similar theme, for indoor advantage in every shot you take. morning when they have not taken to photography days use a clear glass Pictured are some of Duncan’s close-up the wing is ideal. bowl, preferably not too deep (a shots of flowers, illustrating how light Dandelion season is upon us now, lasagne dish for example) and place and water can accentuate an image. the seed heads make for some really some brightly colored paper or If anyone would like to ask creative shots, particularly if it’s wet similar underneath. Add a few drops Duncan any questions please and windy outside. Just gather a few of cooking oil to the water, give it a contact him on Facebook at dandelion heads up, use some tape or gentle stir, and photograph directly Dmcnaughtphotography or email me blue tack to stick them down, place over the water ensuring you keep your at [email protected] camera/phone parallel with the water. Glenkens Gazette page 3 Supporting the Spread of Corona Kindness ...rainbows and pictures Since the lockdown children - a welcome treat appearing in windows following their own challenges started on the 23 of staying at home and not to cheer up passers-by seeing friends. March, our Glenkens Meals and cakes are being and offer a message of made and delivered. Phone communities have calls and socially-distanced hope. Christmas lights been flooded with chats take place, making us all feel supported and grateful have been switched both spontaneous that we live in and are a part of this community. Our back on to lift our spirits and planned acts of local businesses have risen kindness. to the challenge in many and brighten up the Through initiatives that have co- innovative ways, and we are streets for our NHS and ordinated volunteering offers, raised grateful again for being in awareness of need, celebrated, such a relatively self-sufficient frontline workers who thanked or promoted wellbeing, we community. are witnessing our community quickly On social media we are being travel past them on their and sensitively responding to our treated to entertaining Tik Toks needs at this unprecedented time. (short repeated videos, often way to work. Sunflowers We see rainbows and pictures humorous) and photographs appearing in windows to cheer up of the beautiful sights and are being planted in passers-by and offer a message of natural wonders of our local hope. Christmas lights have been environment, that perhaps we anticipation of the better switched back on to lift our spirits now have more time to notice and brighten up the streets for our and appreciate. times to come. NHS and frontline workers who Let us not forget how we travel past them on their way to and our community have work. Sunflowers are being planted responded. Keep your pictures, in anticipation of the better times to videos and creations and when come. the time is right, we can look Our weekly diary now includes the at ways of collating, sharing Thursday 8pm date on our doorsteps, and celebrating what we as a where we join and witness the community did in response to moving sound of applause for our Covid 19. brave NHS and key workers. It’s so We should be proud of all that great to see again a smile or wave we have done and achieved! from our friends and neighbours. If anyone wishes to have For some it may be the only human or make bunting for their contact of the week. We have even windows or share their photos danced on our doorstep! or TikToks on social media On our daily walking exercise, Teddy please contact SamCEW@ bears peer at us from windows, newgallowaycommunity.shop home-made bunting or decorated or call Sam on 07741 656 601. stones brighten our paths and Easter And remember to email or post window displays are beautiful – all anything you would like to include uniting us and providing diversions to in the next issue of the Gazette fill our newly acquired time. to glenkensgazette@hotmail. Last weekend, the Easter Bunny co.uk or you can post items to hopped into the Glenkens, spreading CatStrand, New Galloway, DG7 chocolate and cheer for Glenkens 3RN.

Thomas Edgar watches the Easter Bunny through the window; rainbows have sprung up all over the Glenkens, along with Christmas lights to show support for our key workers; local businesses are going above and beyond to help (Kate’s farm eggs can be picked up from the ‘hutch’ opposite the playpark in Dalry); Teddy bears in windows wait to be spotted, brightening up children’s walks. Glenkens Gazette page 4 Tom’s Feel-good Isolation Film List So this year hasn’t with great performances - a good film transport you right to Middle Earth. all round. (Not available on Netflix, can (Available on Netflix, can be rented on started off the most be rented on Amazon Prime for £3.99) Amazon Prime for £3.99 [per film]) FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF: SOME LIKE IT HOT: A comedy convenient for the Hands-down for me this feels the most classic - don’t be put off by the age human race, not just for heartfelt of them all; a great hangout of the film; it’s a barrel of laughs, film, with enough action to keep you slapstick mishaps, great dialogue. I film addicts with all the gripped throughout. (Available on hadn’t seen something so funny in a cinemas closing, but for Netflix, can be rented on Amazon good few years, and you can’t beat Prime for £2.99) the punchline at the end of the film, everybody else as well. MOONRISE KINGDOM: Wes amazin! (Not Available on Netflix, can While the world is in lockdown and Anderson remains one of the most be rented on Amazon Prime for £2.99) we remain stuck inside away from the prolific and unique directors going. O’ BROTHER WHERE ART THOU: perils of thou-that-shall-not-be-named, Full of familiar Wes faces, Moonrise You’ve got to have a Coen Brothers it’s important to keep our heads held Kingdom is a must-see for anybody film on the list, and whileFargo, Burn high and our moods up. There are into artistic film-making and camera After Reading and The Big Lebowski thousands and thousands of feel-good work. (Not available on Netflix, can be are all very good, very funny films, movies out there, films that lift the rented on Amazon Prime for £3.99) none of them are quite as warm- spirits, make you smile and take your LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY: hearted, merry and fun as O’ Brother minds far away to a whole other world. Award-winning cinema, a good 10 Where Art Thou. (Not available on These are my favourite, personal picks hours of fantasy and action that’ll Netflix, can be rented on Amazon for something to take your mind away Prime for £2.99) from all that outside... ANY PIXAR FILM, LIKE, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE: EVER: I was going to try Full of great acting from and put down a film, and people like Steve Carrell, then I thought; every single Toni Collete and Paul Dano, film is fantastic. One of my great writing and hilarious favourite studios (and I’m gags. If the finale doesn’t not afraid to say that), I bring a big grin to your face have always had a blast then I don’t know what will. watching through a PIXAR (Not available on Netflix, can film. be rented on Amazon Prime So...there are my personal for £3.99) quarantine flicks - I hope CHEF: What starts as a you enjoy them as much as great food flick turns to a I did! Thomas Limbey powerful story of bonding, Little Miss Sunshine - guaranteed to bring a smile...

together, lockdown photography group zooming their is all about keeping photographs to each other and, working folk apart... So, with John from JP Fitness, have started we’ve had to three different fitness classes. If mental come up with and physical workouts aren’t your thing, new and creative we’ve also got a plant-pot challenge - ways to keep check out our Facebook page the community @connectingincommunities connected. Obviously not everyone has the Connecting in Men’s Shedders are keeping in touch technology to utilise Zoom, or even Communities (CiC) is a with a phone cascade system, one Facebook and email, but we’re person rings two others, they ring working with our funders to see what LEADER and Big Lottery two more each and so on. The singing other solutions technology can offer. funded project, aimed group, adult dance and Shona’s pilates Meanwhile stay home, stay safe, and class have all tried various methods of shop locally - the village shops are at improving the lives of digital connection. doing an absolutely brilliant job of By far the most popular method of keeping us supplied; thanks folks, you those living and working getting together digitally has been using really are lifesavers! Please look out for in the Glenkens. the online platform Zoom (see article your neighbours too, even if it’s just a Targeting loneliness and isolation has on p6). In February most people in the chat on the phone or over the garden been a key driver in our success over Glenkens had never heard of Zoom wall (from a safe distance). Isolation the last three years, bringing people (it’s a video conferencing platform can be really hard, and a simple chat or together across the Glenkens for a generally used for business), but by act of kindness can keep spirits up. wide variety of activities. But now the April loads of people were using it on CiC is here to help in these difficult COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a huge a regular basis. It’s nothing new to times, so if you have a good idea spanner in our well-oiled works. Just Brian and Chris, both of whom have to help the community or need as we were celebrating the opening of a background in telecoms, so we’ve some support in something you’re the Smiddy in Balmaclellan and getting seized the opportunities Zoom offers to already doing, please get in touch. new and exciting events running, the get our activities on-line and back into To find out more about any of our necessary social isolation measures the community. activities please contact Brian or mean we’ve all had to stay at home. So far we have Amy’s Tuesday night Chris on [email protected] or Our project is all about getting people yoga class on Zoom, instigated a [email protected] Chris Jowsey, Wednesday night pub quiz, got the Volunteer & Participation Officer Glenkens Gazette page 5 The Reality of Exercising at Home Well it’s week four of in total admiration and awe of those who are continuing lockdown and life has their exercise journey in their makeshift gyms and using certainly changed for their permitted one hour of us all. exercise productively. The gyms are shut, exercise classes At this point my regular cancelled, the golf course is out of class participants will now bounds... be chuckling at the fact that This has resulted in me engaging in I am not even following my ONE Oti Mobuse Dance class, watching own advice and raising my Joe Wicks whilst drinking tea and eating baked bean tins above my my fifth biscuit, making an unrealistic head to tone my arms. pledge to exercise every morning So, my four-week ‘research starting from ‘tomorrow’ and spending period’ has ended and four shoulder rolls and three stretches, hours on end watching people on ‘tomorrow’ has arrived and notice two things around you, and have YouTube finding innovative and often for those who, like me, would like to one positive thought. hilarious ways of exercising. exercise in their home, I am sharing the Remember - keep it simple and safe, We all know the importance of exercise following information set realistic goals, and even a little and the health and wellbeing benefits • Turn on the BBC1 at 6.55am or movement or exercise will make us feel that this brings. However, at this time 8.55am Monday, Wednesday or Friday a lot better. of uncertainty, stress and change to and join the Green Goddess or, if that’s So, to my class attendees, friends, our daily routines, physical activity and too early, join Mr Motivator on BBC 1 local instructors, Local Initiatives in New exercise may not always be happening. each day on HealthCheck UK Live Galloway, Connecting in Communities - I have known for a long time that I • Contact Connecting in Communities “Thank You” for what you are offering partake most readily in ‘exercise in ([email protected] or chris@ us at this time, and l look forward to disguise’, such as engaging in physical catstrand.com) for their increasing seeing you again when our ‘in person’ activities such as walking the dog whilst programme of online classes including classes and activities resume! chatting to a friend or dance classes kettlebells, circuits, yoga and Zumba Sam Rushton where I am learning a new routine (see page opposite for more) or dance style. The reality is that my • Visit the NHS online www.nhs. motivation to exercise comes from uk/live-well/exercise for a wonderful Maria Yerburgh is offering free supporting others in their physical range of exercise activities suitable for live 30-minute yoga sessions on activity, social interaction achieved all levels of fitness, including sitting Sunday mornings at 11am. through group exercising, peer pressure exercises, strength exercises and gym- of regularly attending, the joy I find in free workouts Follow ‘Barwhillanty Estate’ music and the reward of a cuppa and • Take a step outside or open your Facebook page to join the sessions. chat following the class. Therefore, I am window and take five deep breaths, do Writing in a Time of Crisis FOOD BANK The Glenkens Writers opinions. The only requirement is that On behalf of Stewartry contributions must be of less than 500 Group is no longer words and submitted electronically. Food Bank, (SFB), I would meeting but some Group members share their writing like to thank everyone in with one another and discuss their your communities, large members are sharing writing online. They agree not to circulate other people’s work outside and small, who have so their writing on-line as the group without the writer’s generously supported us. they experience the permission. Donations of goods and cash have We have space for a few more poured in - so much so that our bank writers, but may have to set an upper Coronavirus crisis. balance has increased, the stock limit if the editor is inundated with This group has been joined by others room is full, and we have had to begin applications. who feel drawn to write about what is storing food in another room so please, To find out more, contact Margaret on happening. no more donations of food at present. [email protected] “We are all in a very strange and We could not achieve anything unprecedented situation, which without the ready support of so many may not feel great but could volunteers - thank you. galvanise some interesting writing,” SFB, Stewartry Council for Voluntary says Margaret Elphinstone, who Services (SCVS) and Heart of Galloway convenes the Glenkens Writers Food Bank in Castle Douglas are now Group. “Many people find writing trying to coordinate referrals and about these difficult times deliveries. This initiative is in its early extremely helpful. It also provides stage but should you or anyone you a historical record of what people know be in need of help, please contact locally are experiencing and their Heart of Galloway on 07730 788 335. reactions to events.” Again, thank you all for your support Articles, in prose or poetry, can take the form of a diary, - keep safe and well. observations or reflections and Marian Dixon, SFB Glenkens Gazette page 6

around ponds at night with a torch is a good way of finding newts, as they WILDLIFE WATCHING come into shallow areas to carry out What a very strange Just as the dry, warmer weather their courtship dance. arrives, we’re all confined to Hedgehogs are also active in the start to spring we’ve our homes and the immediate garden at night, having emerged from countryside around our villages – but hibernation a few weeks ago – tell- had, four weeks into nature is in full swing and we can all tale black, sticky droppings on the lockdown as I write. enjoy the wildlife around us and the lawn are evidence of their nocturnal early signs of the season. foraging. The dawn chorus of our resident The great daytime foragers are the birds such as robins, blackbirds and bumblebees and other early insects song thrushes is being joined by busy gathering nectar and searching willow warblers and chiffchaffs, whilst for places to make their nests. Big swallows and house martins are queen red-tailed bumblebees are beginning to appear in the sky. especially active at the moment, but The newts have small larvae look for the smaller mining bees and (sometimes known as efts) - we have hoverflies that are also on the wing. palmate newts in our pond and this Butterflies are also back – small is the most frequently found species tortoiseshells and peacocks and, my in this part of the world, although favourite early spring butterfly, the smooth (or common) newts and orange tip. the rare great crested newt are also Yes, spring is here – let’s enjoy it! Peacock butterfly © Andrew Bielinski found in the Glenkens. Searching Andrew Bielinski How to Have an Online Coffee Morning Ok, so you’ve phoned Messenger calls. the grown-ups; or pour yourself a Skype is a great all-round video call cuppa (or something stronger) and just your parents/children/ platform, and there are versions for hang out and chat. How about sharing Apple products, Windows and Android a baking session with youngsters or grandchildren/friends... devices which all work together. Just oldies? Or a game of chess? download the app from skype.com Some obvious security advice - don’t but wouldn’t it be nice or Apple’s App Store or Google Play give out personal details over Skype to actually see them, (Android). You will need a Skype account or Zoom, don’t click on a link unless to make calls. it is one that you were expecting, and even in lockdown? If you want to have more people on a remember that the camera is on while Well if you have a computer, tablet or single call (a party!) then Zoom is very the meeting is active and everyone on smartphone with a working camera, popular. The person setting up the call the call will be able to see and hear then you are in luck as you can make will need a Zoom account - setting it everything! Paul Goodwin a video call. If you have a choice of up is all very straightforward. Once you devices I would recommend using the have started your meeting, you can one with the biggest screen. All of these send out invites by email (best to phone apps are free and using them is free people and ask them to check their if you connect via broadband and it is email and click on the link). Note that within any allowance you have. anyone with the link will be able to join If you have Facebook Messenger or the meeting/party but they don’t need to WhatsApp on your phone, you can use have an account. these to have video calls, and you can So now you can see the people you create a ‘group’ and have more than care about - see that gap where the one person. Messenger also works on grandchild’s tooth fell out, the rainbow your computer/tablet - if you are able they painted or the Lego castle they to access Facebook, you can make built. You can have a virtual party with Zoom call discussing this article. Maintaining Our Local Lifelines Many of our local Those that are remaining open face-to-face contact are vital to customers are having to deep here. Our local shops are small grocery shops are clean regularly and, with many businesses and if one member continuing to provide more customers than usual, they of staff displays COVID-19 are working very hard on our symptoms, then the whole a vital service for our behalf. shop may have to close until rural communities, Please help them help you the quarantine period has by planning your shopping in expired. This would leave our either by delivering advance so that multiple trips communities even more isolated. orders or by making are not required, and remember So please, take the time to plan that we should only be shopping before you venture out to the a rule of one or two for essential food supplies. village shop. Let’s respect our people in the shop at Government rules on social key workers during this difficult a time. distancing in order to limit time.

Glenkens Gazette page 7 Community Information Pull-out This page has information relevant to the whole of the Glenkens, with specific community council area information on the following pages. Please pull out this centre spread and keep it somewhere to hand for use over the coming weeks.

GLENKENS MEDICAL PRACTICE Prescription collection is from the window next to the main GLENKENS-WIDE FOOD MEDICINE door. Please maintain social distancing (at least 2 metres) while waiting to collect medicines. FOOD DELIVERIES DELIVERIES Four working days notice are necessary for repeat prescriptions & COLLECTION so remember to order the week before you run out. No supply Many local shops and problems are anticipated so no need to order extra. food providers have set Volunteers from Balmaclellan, Carsphairn, Dalry and New Galloway are able up stysems for ordering to collect and deliver your prescription to your door. When you phone the food in advance which can then be surgery (01644 420234) to order your repeat prescription, please find out delivered to your door. Delivery is on when it will be ready. Then call the number relevant to your community (see different days for different communities following pages) to arrange for its collection. You will need to provide your so please check when phoning through name, date of birth, address and telephone number. your order. Government rules on preventing the spread of the Covid virus are to avoid (Village shops are listed on the following physical contact. Volunteers will therefore ring your door bell, step back 2 pages, under their specific area.) metres, and wait for you to collect the items. If no-one is available to answer • Ballard’s Butchers: orders can be the door, we will have to take the items away but will telephone you to made online at www.ballardsbutchers. rearrange delivery. co.uk or call 01556 502502 (they also deliver groceries) • Grierson’s Butchers: 01556 502 637 FREE SCHOOL MEALS FOODBANK • Henderson’s Butchers: 01556 502 Dumfries & Galloway Council will If you are struggling to feed yourself 654 support families with children in or your family please contact Heart of • Mitchell’s Greengrocers: 01556 502 education who have ‘Free School Galloway Foodbank 077 Meal’ entitlement. on 07730 788 335. To register go to www. They are based in Castle PLEASE ORDER IN ADVANCE FOR: dumgal.gov.uk and look Douglas at the Heart of • Fleet Fish: order before 9pm Sunday for ‘Schools & Childcare’ SUPPORT Galloway Visitor Centre on evening for delivery the following under the COVID 19 link WITH Market Hill and are open from week. Delivery days can be found when on the Home Page or 12noon to 2pm, and can ordering at www.fleet-fish.co.uk or call call 030 33 33 30000 MEALS deliver. 07966 103 912 • Roan’s Dairy: orders can be made at THE FOOD TRAIN www.roansdairy.co.uk - please call on For anyone over the age of 65 unable to shop for themselves. Stewartry 01556 620 374 to check delivery times Branch: 01556 288427 Email: [email protected] in your area.

GOOD NEIGHBOURS In our remote and rural parishes it is unfeasible for many of us to attempt to offer support directly. Many community councillors are within the high risk categories themselves and thus will also be self-isolating. At this difficult time we would implore members of the community to be ‘guid nychburris’, the very best neighbours you can be. A large proportion of the community does not have access to the internet and may need help the most. Please at this time spread the word and explanation of what we are doing to those who need it, ie your family, friends and neighbours. We would like to work together and ensure no one goes without food or important household necessities and even just a friendly voice. Isolation can be lonely and we are in it together.

GENERAL SAFETY FOR DELIVERIES Coronavirus is contagious. Please take every precaution to ensure you are spreading only kindness. Avoid physical contact (2m distance). Wash your hands regularly. Government rules on preventing the spread of the Covid virus is to avoid physical contact. Volunteers delivering goods will ring your door bell, step back 2 metres, and wait for you to collect the items from your doorstep. Glenkens Gazette page 8

BALMACLELLAN

We can help with collecting prescriptions, delivering groceries to your home, dropping off newspapers or magazines, posting mail, dog walking or do get in touch for anything else, even if you just fancy a chat.

Balmaclellan Shop Opening Times: Mon-Sat 8am-3pm, Wed half-day (closes 12.30pm) and Sun 9-11am

• Debbie (shop hours): 01644 420 321 or 07709 009 147) KEY • Ailsa Malone (BCC secretary): [email protected] or 01644 420 480 CONTACTS or 07485 079077 • Martin Warnock (BCC chair): [email protected] or 07939 261 391 • send a message to the community’s Facebook page ‘BalmaclellanCC’

CARSPHAIRN

The Carsphairn shop now has an excellent stock of groceries plus fruit, vegetables and meat and is offering a delivery service as follows: fruit, vegetables and meat are available for deliveries at the beginning of the week, orders to be made by Friday 2pm by emailing [email protected] or calling 01644 460 568 or Facebook message. Grocery deliveries are available 7-days a week from 9am-9pm. Payment can be made via BACS or card payments can be taken over the phone.

• Matt Hickman: 07531 035824 KEY • Liz Holmes: 07718 358160 CONTACTS • Christine Whipp: 01644 460577 • Carsphairn Community Trust: [email protected] • Further information is available at www.carsphairn.org

CORSOCK & KPD

CORSOCK: • Julie Garton (community councillor): [email protected] or 07769 647 702 • To stay up-to-date join ‘Corsock community’ and Kirkpatrick Durham’ Facebook KEY groups, or follow ‘CorsockKPD’ on Twitter CONTACTS KIRKPATRICK DURHAM: • Heather: [email protected] or 07551 639 629 • Susan: [email protected] or 08837 243 348 • Hazel: [email protected] or 07872 503 130 • Dee: [email protected] or 07900 902 732 Glenkens Gazette page 9

CROSSMICHAEL

Crossmichael Shop is open between 6.30am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday, and 7.30 am to 4pm on Sunday. You can phone in orders for collection (01556 670 424); or Alan will do his best to deliver.

The Thistle pub is doing take-away meals on Fridays and Saturdays, between 12.00 midday and 7.00 pm. Just turn up to order or phone in (01556 670 203). You can find the menu on Facebook. Jim will deliver up to a reasonable distance.

KEY • Richard Middleton (CC chair): [email protected] or 01556 670 691 CONTACTS • [email protected]

Order repeat prescriptions from the Health Centre in Castle Douglas (01556 505 682 or 01556 MEDICINE 505 666, depending on the practice) as normal, then phone a volunteer to arrange collection from the pharmacy. The volunteer will need your name, date of birth and address in order to be able to collect the order - phone or email Richard (above) to arrange.

DALRY

Wrights (01644 430 225) and Londis (01644 430 669) will take orders over the phone and a volunteer can then deliver your groceries to your door. However, to avoid disappointment, please phone to check availability of fresh items, or to order in advance. When you make your order, ask them when it will be ready for collection and then phone one of our volunteers to arrange delivery.

Note: Post Office/banking services at Wrights are continuing as normal but customers are asked to be vigilant regarding the social distancing rules when entering the shop.

The Clachan is offering a takeaway menu on Thursdays to Sundays, 5pm to 8pm. Card payments will be taken over the phone when ordering (Thursday to Sunday after 3.30pm on 01644 430241 or 07769 229005). Local delivery is possible at set times. The menu changes weekly and can be found on their Facebook page (see The Clachan Inn). Collections are carefully timed to keep social contact to a minimum.

KEY • Will Adam: 01644 430 338 • Col Sweeney: 07808 807 946 CONTACTS • Fiona Davidson: 01644 430 414 • Graham West: 07899 599 092 • Morag Paterson: 07917 102 693 • Nicolette Wise: 01644 430 218

LOCAL SHOPS ARE OUR LIFELINE - LET’S KEEP IT THAT WAY! Our local shops are providing a vital service. Please help them help you by planning your shopping in advance so that multiple trips are not required. Government rules on social distancing are vital. If one member of staff displays COVID-19 symptoms then the whole shop may have to close until the quarantine period has expired. This would have a critical effect on the resilience of our communities. Glenkens Gazette page 10

MOSSDALEMossdale community information

Mossdale Shop is continuing to serve its customers via an ordering and collection system. Orders can be phoned in (01644 450 281) any morning between 9am and 11am (any day except Wednesdays) and can then be collected from a cabinet outside the shop.

NEW GALLOWAY

We can help with collecting prescriptions, delivering groceries to your home, posting mail, dog walking or do get in touch for anything else, even if you just fancy a chat.

New Galloway Community Shop will open from 27 April for counter service on Mondays and Wednesdays 1.30-5pm and Saturdays 10am- 2pm. Counter service will be for small orders up to 8 items. The shop continues to focus on Home Deliveries by volunteers throughout New Galloway & Kells. To order, email [email protected] or put your order in the letterbox of Stroan, next to the shop. Or call 07464 551 936 between 10:30 - 12:30 and 1:30 - 3:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays or 9-11 on Saturdays. Deliveries are made every day except Wednesdays and Sundays.

The Smithy Tearooms – takeaway service available 5-7pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Phone 01644 420 269 to place your order and book your collection slot in advance. Delivery can be made around the Glenkens but 2 days’ notice is required.

The Post Office is open normal hours with all services, but is restricting attendance to one customer at a time.

Love To Eat has a stock of home-cooked frozen meals that can be ordered on 07393 199 702. They can be delivered around New Galloway, Dalry or Balmaclellan.

• 07741 656 601 or email [email protected] KEY • New Galloway volunteers are also supporting the CONTACTS community shop by taking and delivering orders. We can always use more volunteers – if you have any time or ideas for supporting our community, do get in touch.

PARTON

A community mailing list for Parton has been created to provide a vehicle for sharing local news and information that is proving very useful in allowing quick dissemination of information about what’s happening with regard to local shopping and also the circulation of contact details for anyone volunteering help with collection of prescriptions, medicines, etc. Anyone in Parton parish wishing to be added to the list please email [email protected]

● Erica or Brian: 01644 470 277 ● Anne: 07788 474 551 KEY ● Gilli: 07894 867 450 ● parton-community@googlegroups. CONTACTS ● Mungo: 07711 539 220 com ● Paul: 07711 663 603 ● Parton community WhatsApp group - ● Richard: 07517 601 788 send a text to Suzy on 07801 258 292 ● Suzy: 01644 470 130 and she will add you to the group ● Tom: 07835 821 976 Glenkens Gazette page 11 DALRY ELC UPDATE Within Dalry Early children to see each other. Learning & Childcare Everyone handles this (formerly Dalry Nursery, situation although we cover the differently - some may be whole of the Glenkens) enjoying the we have a closed solitude, time to relax, however, Facebook page which has others may be allowed staff to keep in anxious and struggling, our touch with the children children will be and their parents. feeling these This enables us to provide activities emotions too. that parents can do with their children. Having a younger It is also a way of sharing pictures with child, trying to keep them occupied can each other so the children and parents be exhausting to a parent. Try not to don’t feel so isolated, in these times it do ‘everything’ for your child though. I is important to think about everybody’s have found that sitting back and letting wellbeing and mental health. the child take the lead in their play is In March we were due to have our actually rewarding. annual Easter bonnet parade. This All children love to dig! Give your child obviously didn’t go ahead, so we asked a patch in the garden, a tyre filled with the children to post a picture of their soil, a bucket - anything. Give them bonnet if they had already made one. real tools to dig with; a hand trowel is Staff joined in too, just to say hello. just the right size and just watch. You can also add natural materials, spoons, We also joined in with supporting the Dalry ELC also has an open page on bowls, pans and turn it into a mud keyworkers with rainbow pictures, Facebook which everyone can look at kitchen. And not forgetting water - a sharing them with everyone. Another for ideas and information and keep bucket of water and your child will play time we asked for the children to post the community together in this time of for ages. Try not to worry about mess - a picture with their pet. Doing these uncertainty. Julie Moore, Dalry ELC activities enables us to keep the links children like to explore and investigate Pictured: Archie and his rainbow; with the families, supporting them their environment and left to enjoy will Scarlett with her Easter bonnet; Elliot through this hard time and enabling the discover many new things. and his dog Buster. Art Activities for Children Start a Sketchbook notes to go with your sketches. Sketchbooks are great for developing Tip: Try and sketch lightly with your our drawing skills, being creative and pencil. This way you don’t need a exploring ideas. Don’t worry about rubber! You can go over the lines you mistakes and not all sketches need to are happy with to make them stand be completed. out. Create a sketchbook page showing Create a Butterfly Collage signs of spring. Think about including A collage is a work of art made by gluing pieces of different materials onto a flat surface. Collage comes from the French word “coller” which means glue. Draw the outline of a butterfly. Try and make it symmetrical so it looks the same on both sides. Tip: If you cut out your butterfly then Tear or cut pieces of coloured/ it doesn’t matter if you go over the magazine paper and arrange to create edge. your collage. Try to make your collage symmetrical as well. Gazette Art Competition Create a butterfly collage, take a photograph and email it to [email protected] by Friday 15 May. We will have a winner in the under 12 category and a 12+winner, so adults please do have a go too! We’re looking forward to seeing your creations, which will be printed in the next issue as well as the winner in each category receiving a £10 cash prize provided by Dalry Community Council. Glenkens Gazette page 12 Healthy Baking Options PECAN DROP SCONES (PANCAKES) Currently with the 1 Tsp baking powder 2 chopped fresh organic pears or well- COVID-19 outbreak we drained tinned pears, cut into bite-size Method: are possibly focusing Put all the ingredients together in your more on our health mixer except for the pears and mix for roughly 4-5 minutes or until light and and the health of our fluffy looking. Remove and fold in the chopped pears. Bake in a 8 inch wide families than we have cake tin lined with greased parchment Ingredients: for a while. (brown) paper. Bake between 1 and 2 oz ground pecans (almonds or walnuts can be substituted) Due to restrictions placed upon us 1¼ hour at 180C. If making the cake 4 oz wholemeal flour we might be turning to eating more with ground almonds it may be more 1 heaped tblsp dark brown sugar biscuits and sweets to give us a ‘lift’ appropriate to use natural almond 1 heap tsp baking powder but what healthier options can we treat essence. 1 organic egg ourselves with? SUGAR FREE DATE & WALNUT CAKE 1 tsp vanilla essence As you have more time at home maybe Ingredients: 5 oz milk to mix (any milk or you would like to bake something 225g dates alternative milk will do) delicious? Here are a few of my 55g walnuts (or pecans) or more if you Method: favourite recipes... love a lot of nuts Mix all the dry ingredients together GROUND NUT, PEAR & POLENTA CAKE 90g butter 285ml water and make a well in the centre. Mix the 110g raisins egg and milk together and pour into 1 tsp cinnamon well and mix the ingredients till they 1/2 tsp nutmeg resemble a very thick batter (make pinch salt sure it’s not too runny). 200g flour Heat and grease a thick-bottomed 1 tsp baking powder frying pan or griddle and pour dssp of 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda the mix into the pan. After a few mins Method: or when you see a bubble turn over the Chop dates and nuts. Put the dates, pancakes and cook for a minute or so Ingredients: butter, water and raisins in a large on the other side. 8oz butter saucepan. Bring to the boil and then Place cooked pancakes on a wire rack 6-7oz sugar – ideally dark brown or gently simmer for 2 minutes. Remove with a clean, dry cloth and cover the coconut sugar from the cooker, cool a little and stir pancakes with this after putting on 4 eggs in the remaining ingredients and mix rack. 2 tsp vanilla essence thoroughly. If mixture appears too thick For more ideas on how to stay healthy 6 oz polenta add a little more water. Turn the mixture sign up to my Facebook page @The 8oz ground nuts (almonds, walnuts, into a greased, lined 8” cake tin. Bake at Food Clinic pecans, etc) 375/190/gas mark 5 for 45 minutes. Lorna Willock, Nutritionist, Dalry Cooking With Kids: Anne’s Pizza Swirls Anne McEwan from Dalry 450 ml luke-warm water Knock back the dough and roll it out 100 gr grated cheese into a large rectangle. posts the most amazing 200 ml double concentrated tomato Spread the dough rectangle with the homemade food pics on paste tomato paste and sprinkle the Italian her Facebook page, so 1 tbs Italian herbs herbs and the cheese on top. we asked her for a child- Method: Roll the dough up going along the For the dough - mix the yeast and longest side of the rectangle. Cut the friendly recipe. Here are her the sugar into the luke warm water roll of dough into 12 equal pieces. pizza swirls (makes 12). and leave it to activate for 10-15 Place the swirls onto a baking tray min. Mix the flour and salt, add the spaced well apart. Leave them to Ingredients: yeast mixture and the olive oil and rest for 15 min. Preheat the oven to 750 gr plain flour mix together into a smooth dough. 2000C. 1.5 tsp salt Knead the dough for a minimum of Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes 10g dried active yeast 5 minutes. Leave the dough to rest until they start to brown on top. Can 20ml olive oil for 1-2 hours in a warm place until be eaten hot or cold. Enjoy! 1 tsp sugar doubles in size. Glenkens Gazette page 13 Immune Boosting Garden Nibbles and has a pleasant, sweet flavour with Whether you’re looking a similarity in flavour to cucumber and for something green to melon. It can also be used to thicken sauces and you may feel free to ‘take replace currently hard- the pith’ as there is no shortage of this plant! to-get shop vegetables, Most Tasty: Japanese Knotweed or just fancy practising It may well devalue your property, or prevent you re-mortgaging if it infests garden foraging skills, your garden, but young shoots (under 10 inches long) of this striking plant these ‘weeds’ are far are extremely delicious. It is also, from thin on the ground! interestingly, used in Lyme disease Take a two-minute stroll outdoors treatment, and recent research claims avoiding areas frequented by the local that it is beneficial for the health of canine population, examine any green Nettles contain polyphenols and there our lungs. When eating, treat it as you patch (which you know hasn’t been is research showing that they may help would rhubarb. peed on) and you’re highly likely to spot to prevent and manage inflammatory Notes of caution: Knotweed is one of these. diseases such as certain types of cancer, extremely invasive and legislation Brimming with antioxidants, calcium, heart disease and diabetes whilst wild covers its control. Don’t pick more than magnesium, vitamins C, A, K and garlic lowers blood pressure. you need, and never put any parts on iron, these pesky, uninvited garden Most Surprising: Rosebay Willowherb your compost heap or into the bin as inhabitants will enrich lockdown Extremely common, the beautiful they’ll regrow! Also, it is often sprayed lunches. willowherb you will be most familiar with herbicide, so be sure that the patch Most Common: with towards the end of summer when you pick from is untreated. Hairy Bittercress it displays its striking and prodigious It would be more pink flower spikes, is also useful. Young of a challenge to shoots can be treated like asparagus; find a patch of boiled briefly, drizzled with lemon juice ground without hairy and smothered in butter. Historically bittercress! This tiny and currently, the leaves are rolled, cress flavour-bomb is fermented and dried to make a tea. a typical brassica and The stems of mature plants can also be may be protective split to reveal the white fluffy interior against cancer. It’s pith. This can be scraped out and eaten around all year and makes an exceptionally good egg-and- cress sandwich. Most Plentiful: Nettle, Ground Elder & Wild Garlic Early in the year when the wild garlic is around (February-April), the young leaves of nettles and ground elder are Pictured: Egg and cress sandwich; wild also appearing, and are perfect to add garlic, nettle and ground elder soup; to any soup/stew. I particularly love ‘wilted’ willowherb with lemon and these three ingredients and will use butter; Japanese knotweed crumble them daily. Outwith their season, we Emma Gibson love them fermented (kimchi) or as For more about foraged goodies visit pesto. Emma’s Instagram: eat_weeds_emma

The Galloway Glens team would like to send its best wishes to all the residents of the Glenkens at this difficult time. Thanks as ever to our amazing project volunteers and staff who are working so hard to keep their projects going as well as possible. We’re working to support you, and we will get through this! Glenkens Gazette page 14 Bringing the CatStrand Home We may feel we’re Kirkcudbright. Anthony has been top isolation movies (see page 4). producing hospital radio and online Speaking of films, we’re delighted missing out on the radio shows for many years. Working to be adding an event to our calendar with Aidan at CatStrand he has been instead of cancelling one as we’re buzz of what’s on assembling tracks, interviews, excerpts able to host the online screening of at CatStrand as the and reviews sourced from our line-up the Exhibition on Screen filmMattisse of artists and their agents to share on Tuesday 26 May. Visit ticketsource building sits empty a flavour of what’s been missed this or www.catstrand.com to book your month whilst our doors have been tickets for these online events, where and posters for events closed. you’ll be sent a link and password on that should have been Last month’s Arts Cast had over purchase of your ticket which will give 60 listens and members of our you access to the film on the event are covered up with audience seem to be appreciating date at 7pm. You’ll also be able to this downloadable slice of CatStrand’s join us at CatStrand’s virtual cafe/bar cancellation signs... unique programme. In our April for a chat after the film at join.me/ But new things are stirring beneath Arts Cast you can hear jazz tracks catstrand where friendly barman Ian the surface as we look at ways to keep from Mezcla and pieces from Roddy Biggar will be there to greet you with a you entertained and connected from Woomble’s new album, as well as a smile and maybe offer us a recipe for home. behind-the-scenes look at the filmIn an artist-inspired drink to finish off the CatStrand’s ‘Arts Cast’ has launched, Our Hands with film-maker Jo Barker evening. Arts manager Aidan will also with our April edition available and a discussion piece on the film from be in the virtual cafe/bar from 6.45pm now, and May edition coming soon. Evi Landay of the Stewartry Climate to welcome you to the screening and These are podcasts which CatStrand Group, who would have been helping offer a short, but hopefully welcome, volunteer and part-time radio producer us arrange our post-film discussions. introduction to the film. Exhibition on Anthony One of our youth volunteers, Arran, Screen are including notes on the film Bird has has produced film and game reviews, that will also be sent out to audience been features in the April Arts Cast. The members on purchase of their ticket so helping review podcasts are also available you can delve deeper into the world of us put separately on our mixcloud site and the artist they are exploring. together CatStrand Youth Arts website (www. As we work through new ways to from his catstrandyouth.co.uk) where you bring you a little bit of CatStrand at home can read blogs from our new film home we hope you are keeping safe studio in programming intern Tom about his trip and look forward to welcoming you to to the Glasgow Film Festival and his some of our online events soon. Glenkens Gazette page 15

If the art group and others can keep painting, drawing and photographing, Hello from LING we can arrange a COVID -19 exhibition. Our regular Local free to contribute your own photos and The PEEPs group of parents with comments. young babies under one had just Initiatives in New We've been told not to forget to started meeting when things had to Galloway (LING) activities exercise. With none of our usual groups close up. With six participating families such as table tennis, carpet bowls, in New Galloway, we are looking into have stopped for now, Zumba or circuit training this can be ways they can keep linked; is there difficult, but at least we have outside anyone else from outside New Galloway and the village hall is spaces to keep going. Sam Rushton who would like to be part of the group? looking rather forlorn has an article on p5 on keeping fit We would like to say a big “Thank at home. Also, the great work done You” to the Community Shop and the with its doors closed. by the Golf Course Working Party of Community Council and volunteers However, spring has sprung and the Exploring New Galloway, a Galloway who have arranged so quickly such flowers on the window sills and the tubs Glens Project, has greatly improved the an efficient and helpful order and are giving a lovely display. paths, providing access to the woodland delivery service, as well as to the other Keep an eye if you can on the LING around the golf course without going on businesses who deliver. Facebook page with lovely flower and the road and there is enough space to With best wishes and stay safe, landscape photos and also for fun, have social distance. No doubt you'll all be fit Ros and LING Trustees a look at the Virtual Lunches... Do feel as fiddles when we get back! Accessing Glenkens Churches Churches have on YouTube under ‘Balmaclellan, Kells Sally is also sending out a weekly and Dalry linked with Carsphairn’. email to her congregations with prayers, suspended their services, David can also email these directly - readings and reflections – SRussell@ but around the Glenkens [email protected]. churchofscotland.org.uk, or call 01556 uk or paper copies can be provided - 503 645. they are working hard to just call 01644 430 380 if you offer alternative options. would like to receive these resources, or simply if you David Bartholomew (minister of the would like to have a chat. Church of Scotland congregations Pam is sending out a weekly of Balmaclellan & Kells, Dalry and email with scripture readings Carsphairn), Pam Swift (rector of St - if anyone would like to join Margaret’s Scottish Episcopal Church the mailing list please email in New Galloway) and Sally Russell her at [email protected]. (minister of Corsock, Kirkpatrick She is also happy to talk on Durham, Crossmichael and Parton) have the phone about anything that all put together resources to nourish the might be concerning people, or spiritual life of people in the Glenkens. just for a chat, on 01644 420 David and his wife Heidi are preparing 467. weekly reflections that can be accessed Easter Sunday at Parton LOCKDOWN GARDEN SPOT As I write this, I look with water). Sow mustard or cress days you will be eating home grown seeds on the surface, keep it damp food. You could also try peas the around my garden and and on a windowsill; within seven same way; they take a little longer - cut the shoots when a couple of cm see evidence of nature high and add to salad. taking over. Finally, as we can’t get out so Signs of mice and wood pigeons in much, take a chair into the garden the garden and even a rabbit hole for a while with a good book and a appeared in the front garden! Nature cuppa and enjoy the seasons and is getting bolder and the flowers don’t the wildlife. You might find your know about the lockdown. neighbour is doing the same and you If you have children at home (or can chat over the fence. Don’t think you feel like being one yourself) then of it as sunbathing, just keeping your get a shallow plastic dish, fold about vitamin D levels up. six layers of kitchen roll to cover the The Intrepid Gardener bottom and wet it well (don’t cover Freshly planted mustard and cress seeds Easy-peasy Homemade Newspaper Seedling Pots Glenkens Gazette page 16 Season’s Chorus in the Glenkens I first moved to for me is in the reminder that better repeating some of these by whistling things are yet to come. Blue dykies and, depending on your skill, you may Dalry from Ochiltree (dunnocks) followed soon after with catch his interest. With practice, and their long, level twittering warbles, a certain degree of madness and/or (Ayrshire) in December so cheery and perhaps reminiscent of magic, it is possible to make up your 1991, following my the much smaller yet louder and more own similar phrases and take delight varied wrens. Of course, this will all as the mavis builds them into his own appointment as RSPB be Greek to those who know nothing repertoire, much in the way some have of birdsong beyond the sheer joy in recently done with the calls of red Conservation Officer listening to them, but this needn’t kites, for example. for D&G almost a year always be the case. These birds usually sing from above The lockdown presents many of us head height, which makes it easier earlier. with more `time to stand and stare’, to pick them out and confirm their In 28 years with ‘the Society’, identity if unsure. Other birds the increasing duration of my more often sing from lower down, time in Galloway was occasionally like the aforementioned blue mentioned by some colleagues. dykies. So too does a bird which Understandably perhaps, such is disappearing at an alarming questions were sometimes raised rate down south, but which is by superiors with more ambitious astonishingly abundant with us, career objectives, but also by the weetie or willow warbler. A some more like-minded friends small greyish brown-green warbler (peers) I’d made in different with a very distinctive descending parts of the country. However, a cadence of weet, weet, weet, weet, few days spent in this area, with weetweetweetwtttt, which always its space, scenery and variety reminds me of a small feather of birdlife, soon answered such Returning swallows traditionally falling to the ground, first one way, queries any might have, as it herald the start of summer... then the other, then back again etc, quickly became clear to them the notes getting softer and lower as how privileged they themselves and to listen, while the gardens and the feather falls. They are wonderful were to be here! village environs of the Glenkens and can sing all day long for a few I’m sure many of us will have similar host impressive birdsong choirs, weeks in spring. stories, but I have no doubt that all especially in the dawn chorus and in Anyway, with Burns I must say `But of us will feel privileged, this year in the gloaming. Space doesn’t allow a here my Muse her wing maun cour’. particular, to be living in the Glenkens, description of them all here, but there Suffice to say there is a wonderful and with spring coming on, too. are a few standouts to listen out for. world of birdsong out there for us all, Following a mild winter, as the Perhaps the most musical of these and open doors and windows into this daylight lengthened, birdsong began are the thrushes - the loud, fluted fascinating and health-giving world for early with skittery felties (mistle song of the blackbird always seems those seeking delight, which I think is thrushes) first to join the tiny group of louder and more melancholy after just about all of us. Go on, give it a go. deep winter songsters - mainly robins rain; and its cousin the magnificent I promise you wont be disappointed and wrens. I always think skitterys’ mavis (song thrush), my own personal and you just might find a certain kind songs are like truncated, unmusical favourite, with its repeated phrases, of magic that lasts forever. blackbirds, and their main attraction usually in threes or fours. Have a go at Chris Rollie, Dalry Grow a Sunflower Competition Dalry is calling all to our gardens, terraces, window boxes volunteers and all the ancillary staff and plant pots to help lift our spirits. who are helping us stay healthy and Glenkens So to lift all our spirits, why not plant safe. a sunflower seed and watch it grow. So let’s get growing and have some gardeners Great fun for kids (and educational fun! and non- too - a bit of home horticulture!) and Email in photos of your flowers once great fun for grown-ups. If you are they’re in full bloom (by 5 September, gardeners, young struggling to get seed then let us know including height and diameter of and we can send you some out - email flower heard) and photos will feature and old... [email protected] with your in the October/November issue of the Who can grow the tallest sunflower? name and address. Gazette. Or even the smallest? Lesley Blissett Think of it as growing sunflowers [email protected] We are all spending more time at to shine a light on our saviours in the home and some of us are now turning NHS and the shop workers, carers,

Supported by an award to Dalry Community Council from Blackcraig Wind Farm Community Fund with funding from Blackcraig Wind Farm (Scotland) Limited, administered by Foundation Scotland working in partnership with The Glenkens & District Trust. The Community Response, Resilience and Recovery Fund administered by Foundation Scotland also covered the additional costs of the last edition of the Gazette which made mailing it out door-to-door possible, for which we are very grateful.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Submit events, activities, news stories, cartoons, reviews, tips & techniques, fiction, photos, ads or ideas... Contact Sarah Ade on 07727 127 997 or [email protected] JUN/JUL COPY DEADLINE: 10 MAY The Glenkens Gazette is an initiative of the Glenkens Community & Arts Trust, a Registered Scottish Charity No. SC032050