Community Newsletter Autumn 2018

Some of the guests who gathered at the Sailing Club on the 27th August to see the Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries, Fiona Armstrong, present the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to the Chairman of the Trustees, David Rose. *

* A red letter day for the Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust and for the community of Lochmaben.

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We’re adding a few Scots phrases to the Newsletter ‘tae get ye gaun’.This wee fella shows where they are to be found (and what they mean, if that is needed).

News in Brief As a result of some very hard work by several local tradesmen and businesses, the changing facilities at Whitehills Park are taking shape. The new pavilion will be a great asset to Lochmaben FC.

Church news All the pews in the church are being removed and replaced with chairs. The pews are available to buy by anyone interested. Short ones – about 7 feet – and long ones – about 14 feet – are on offer at £40 and £70 respectively. Contact Alistair Brown on 01387 811842 for further information. Robert the Bruce statue Residents may have noticed that this splendid statue has recently been given a makeover and he is now looking very spruce. – in fact a Spruce Bruce! This is very fortunate since a new film, Outlaw King, is due to be released on Netflix in November. It is a period drama following Bruce’s battles to regain control after being outlawed by England’s King Edward I for taking the Scottish Crown by force. Highland dancing gold Lochmaben Primary School pupil, Lola Callander, won a gold medal at the Cowal Highland Gathering recently. Winning this competition is the ultimate in every Highland dancer’s ambition. Local sports people There are many local lads and lasses acquitting themselves well in various sporting fields. Katie Reville from Templand picked up a medal at the Celtic Games recently and was rewarded with a call up for team GB. Ava Simpson from Lochmaben won a bronze medal at the British Summer Swimming Championships. She then went to the County Team Championships in Sheffield where a personal best moved her up to 3rd in Great Britain for the 50m backstroke event. Niamh Green also pulled out all the stops at the BSCC to finish 19th in Great Britain in her 100 metres backstroke final – no mean feat. New business venture for Lochmaben couple Jackie and Kenny Bell plan to create a very innovative 24 hour nursery complex at Cargenbridge near Dumfries. Jackie already runs the highly successful, award winning nursery Jaybees in Lochmaben. The new venture will be sited on former ICI waste ground and will include a bio-nursery, cycle paths, nature trails as well as the usual child care facilities. More unusual are the planned facilities for all ages, young and elderly and mixing them together for the benefit of both. They hope to see progress in the next 12 months ultimately creating up to 75 jobs with nursery cover available 24/7 particularly for hospital staff at the nearby DGRI. Merchant Navy Day This is observed throughout the UK by flying the Red Ensign on all public buildings including our own Town Hall and Sailing Club. It is in recognition of the sacrifice of tens of thousands of MN seamen who lost their lives during both World Wars – a much higher attrition rate than any of the armed Services. It also should remind us all of the utmost value to our international trade in that about 95% of all our imports and exports are carried by ship without which service we would quickly grind to a halt.

DBA Finals winners Congratulations to Lochmaben bowlers, Mabel McDonald and George McDonald, who won the mixed pairs final in Gretna recently. Sports Ambassadors Congratulations, too, to Katie Reville and Millie Maxwell, recently selected to promote sport within Lockerbie Academy. Royal Voluntary Service ‘ Meals on Wheels’ unfortunately came to an end at the end of September. Many thanks to all service users and to the many volunteers who, over the years, made the deliveries. World War 1 commemoration This year sees the 100th anniversary of the end of the “War to end all Wars”. Many local men went away to fight for King and Country and did not come back. Many more came back sorely wounded in body and mind to somehow pick up the pieces of their lives. All those service men and women who took part deserve to be remembered for the sacrifices they made in defence of our country. It would be so good if, on this special occasion, most of the residents of Lochmaben sacrificed half an hour of their time on Sunday 11th November at the War Memorial near the church to observe 2 minutes silence and watch the laying of wreaths there. More details on p17. Newsletter Distribution Areas The organisers of the Initiative Newsletter would like to thank the many volunteers in the town and in Hightae and Templand who faithfully arrange distribution of the magazine to every house in the area. There would be little point in producing the newsletter without making sure it is put through everyone’s letterbox. So thank you team. By means of this newsletter, volunteers are being sought for some areas in the town to help spread the load of this task. Particularly needed are folks to cover Mossvale and Nethermill Road, Stanedyke Crescent to Blaemeadow, Rankine Heights and Marjoriebanks. It only takes about one hour twice per year to pop the newsletter through all letter boxes in the area. If you could help, phone Alistair Brown on 01387 811842 for further information. Lochmaben’s flowers For the past couple of years, residents and businesses in the town have volunteered to fill and look after planters and flower beds. It has to be a source of pride that our town looks so colourful in the summer months and presents a good impression and welcome to our many visitors. This is the third year that the scheme has been in existence since the Council said it could no longer fund such displays. So well done and thank you to all concerned. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Special mention must be given to Jim Davidson who single-handedly looks after many of the planters and beds by weeding and watering when needed. Congratulations also to everyone who helped make the Gardens in Bloom Competition 2018 another success. The appearance of the Burgh has also been greatly enhanced by the efforts of everyone who took part. Lochmaben’s gardens There are many lovely gardens tended by green fingered Lochmaben residents. This year’s garden competition was as popular as ever and many awards were made in various categories. The overall winners were Mr and Mrs Ian Rankine of Vendace Drive whose garden was a tidy riot of colour and variety – a joy to see.

Our pic shows Mrs Rankine with the much sought- after Winner’s Shield

What’s in a Name? Victory Park is mentioned a number of times in this Newsletter Edition. Does anyone know who gave it that name? And why? To commemorate victory in a war? Which one? Let us know, if you know……….

Community Groups

Annandale Sailing Club It’s been a busy summer on the Castle Loch with Annandale Sailing Club running two Active Schools taster days, two five-day RYA training courses and a major traveller event for junior sailors from all over Scotland, as well as the usual club races. The Active Schools days saw more than 40 children from Annandale and Eskdale come along and have fun on the water, learning basic skills and taking trips round the loch with experienced club volunteers. The first summer training course, run by Senior Instructor Chris Nurney, was blessed with beautiful weather and was enjoyed by children of all ages and adults.

The heatwave had broken by the second course, run by Senior Instructor Richard Bryant, and its trainees battled challenging windy conditions on several days. The Optimist/Topper Traveller at the end of August was a national event attracting young sailors and their families from clubs up and down the country. There was high level racing in the main fleet and coached races for novice sailors too. Annandale Sailing Club’s Alex Byres emerged the top placed novice, while Eloise Noble and Anna Miller put in some good performances in the Optimist main fleet. Although Tuesday and Thursday evening sailing is now drawing to a close for this year, the season is far from over with Sunday racing continuing until November.

The Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust---the background--…… The Castle Loch and surrounding woodlands had been offered for sale a number of years ago but, though there was interest from members of the Castle Loch Advisory Committee, there were no sources of funding to make a purchase possible at that time. Just after David Rose moved to Lochmaben the area came on to the market again. David set about contacting a number of interested people with key skills and formed a Steering Committee to examine the project more closely. The Scottish Land Fund had been set up nationally so Grant Funding was now available. Discussions and negotiations went on with the owners, with Scottish National Heritage, with Historic Environment Scotland and with the Scottish Land Fund and eventually the decision was taken to make the purchase. Trustees were appointed from the Steering Committee and David became the Chairman of the Trust. A condition of Grant Funding was that a Project Officer had to be appointed and the Trust chose Darren Flint to fulfil that role. This turned out to be a superb decision. With the huge amount of work put in by Darren and by a wonderful group of volunteers, with the experience, the involvement and the outstanding support of key members of the community and with the excellent leadership skills of David, the project quickly became a roaring success and thousands of walkers now use the route regularly. As you’ll see in Darren’s report, the Trust is looking ahead at ways to further improve the wonderful community amenity they have created. What David would like to see now is for younger residents to come forward to take over the work needed to keep this very successful project going, and he would also like to see the project become more secure financially.

SING4FUN 2018 -2019

Meets EVERY MONDAY 7.30 to 8.45p.m from 27th AUGUST to 10th DECEMBER – BUT NOT on 15th October or 22nd October. Tea/Coffee and Biscuit £1.50 Free First Taster Session

CHRISTMAS OPEN EVENING 17th DECEMBER then Re-starts MONDAY, 14th JANUARY,2019

SING4FUN? - It’s all in the name: we are a cheery group of women AND men, some with experience in choir singing but many of whom haven’t sung since childhood but we all share the simple pleasure of singing together.You will not be asked to audition and you do not have to be able to read music. Thanks to our expert mentors, Jenny Agnew and Lynne Kirton, our songs range widely from the easy and familiar to the more challenging and new and are drawn from many genres - “pop”, musicals, folk, classical, spirituals etc - and sometimes from different countries. Lynne and Jenny are unwavering in their encouragement and enthusiasm and the result is a group who find real fun in singing, often surprising themselves by the progress they find they have (painlessly!) made. As well as as our regular Monday get-togethers, we have an informal Open Evening at Christmas and just before the summer break in May. We also have taken part in the local Rotary Christmas Carol Evening and we have very much enjoyed several Sing-Along mornings with the Chest Heart and Stroke group in Dumfries. If you are interested, you’ll get a warm welcome and will almost certainly leave with a nice “Feel-Good” glow! Where? Church Hall in Lochmaben. Further Info needed? Ring Sheila Wade: - 01387 810791 or Jenny Agnew: - 01387 811632 0r Sheila Gray :- 01387 810064 [email protected]

Craft Group

The craft group meets alternate Monday afternoons from 2- 4pm in the room behind the Church Hall. Next one is 8th October 2018 Cost - £3 per session including a cuppa and biscuits. The group is informal and members bring their individual projects to work on during the session. A variety of craft work is done from knitting, card making and crocheting to patchwork, weaving, embroidery and bag making. We also have visits from other crafters and have planned another ice dyeing workshop, bag making demonstration and a Christmas table decoration. Other visits are in the pipeline. If the group appeals to you please come along and join us. New members are always welcome. If you want to know anything else please contact Alayne or Barbara on 01387 810396 or 01387 810740

Keep the heid! Stay calm!

D&G HandyVan (SCIO) {Charity No SC043979}

Your home should be somewhere you feel safe and secure. D&G HandyVan (SCIO) is a registered charity that helps make this happen. What does the HandyVan service do? HandyVan can help you in a variety of ways. o We fit things to make your home more secure - door locks, window locks, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, safety chains, spy holes. o We do small repairs such as small plumbing jobs; or putting up curtain rails. o We can prevent clients from having falls by fitting grab rails, securing gripper rods and even gutter cleaning! o We can even do minor adaptions like fitting socket safes or perhaps moving furniture to accommodate the arrival of a hospital bed. Who can use the HandyVan? o The service is available throughout Dumfries and Galloway. o Clients have to be a homeowner or tenant of a private landlord and, in addition, be one or more of the following:- be 60 or over; or any age if you are disabled, have learning difficulties or mental health problems; or are a victim of domestic abuse. There is a bit of leeway to our criteria, assessed on circumstances and vulnerability.

Is it a free service? o In the main, yes, we supply and fit products free of charge to the client but there are a few exceptions. How can I get in contact with HandyVan? o The quickest way is to give us a call on 0800 069 9173. o Leaflets are readily available in GP surgeries, Social Services, Council departments, Libraries etc which give full information and include email addresses. o Visit our website: www.dghandyvan.org.uk or D&G HandyVan Then what happens? o We take your contact details and ask a few simple questions. o We explain that we would never arrive unannounced and would always telephone to arrange a suitable date and time to come and do the work. That way the client knows when to expect our named fitter. All staff and fitters are criminal record checked to ensure ultimate safety for our clients. o Clients are encouraged to complete evaluations on the work undertaken and return these in pre-paid envelopes. These go a long way in satisfying our funders that our work is much valued.

We have a lot of happy customers from all across the region as our evaluations prove:- “I cannot believe that anyone would find fault with this wonderful service.” “The two workmen who did the cleaning of the gutters were excellent, as was the lovely lady on the ‘phone. An excellent service.” “It is wonderful we can pick up the ‘phone and there is help at the other end. Many thanks for caring.”

Why not contact us and discover how we can make a difference to YOU; or, alternatively, if you would like to volunteer with us.

Haud yer wheesht! Keep quiet!

Ye’re a wee clipe! You’re a little tell-tale!

LOCHMABEN GOLF CLUB Michael Dickie writes………. We are pleased to report another successful season at Lochmaben Golf Club. Our hardworking green keepers have presented the course in excellent condition throughout the season which resulted in very favourable comment from members and visitors alike. This has been a very busy season for our captains Bryce Kelly and Margaret McGregor. A first for the club this year was Mother & Son winning the Club Championship. Fiona Irvine as Ladies Champion and son Leslie as Gents Champion. Home player Robbie McBeth won the prestigious Lennox Trophy at Lochmaben. It is also a memorable year for Craig Scobie as he had his first hole in one at the difficult par three second hole. He went on to win the Smith Cup for his scratch score of 69. The Lochmaben Gents league team played well during the year but lost out to Dumfries and County. The Mhairi L Charity Day, this year in aid of The Oncology Unit DGRI raised around £1000 so far. The Junior Champion is Evan Wells while Jim Graham defended his Senior title. Our younger members have had a busy season not only playing but receiving instruction from Maitland Pollock and Jimmy Lennox. This has paid dividends: good scores have resulted in lowering handicaps. The youngsters have also given a good account of themselves in the Dumfriesshire Junior League and in open competitions. The Lockerbie Academy Team of Ellie Harkness, Russell Corrie, Liam Graham, Colin McKenzie and Adam Scott all Lochmaben members swept the board at the Regional Golf Championships held at Thornhill not only winning the team prize but Ellie also won the girls individual prize and Adam the boys. During the school holidays the annual summer camp was held which was well subscribed and greatly enjoyed by all the youngsters. The juniors enjoyed a visit to the Scottish Open at Gullane where they were able to see Ricky Fowler, Lee Westwood, Russell Knox, Patrick Reed and local golfer Connor Syme. The Lochmaben Ladies have also had a busy season with good performances both at home and away. In the Dumfriesshire Sunday Mail team trophy Lochmaben reached the final playing against a team from the Crichton. In a very close match the Lochmaben team lost on the last green. This year is the tenth anniversary of The Pink Day in aid of Breast Cancer. Various fundraising events have been held over the year with the magnificent sum of £10,400 raised. The total sum raised over the ten years is almost £50,000. In October membership open days are being held where prospective new members will have the opportunity to play the course for £10 and to join at special rates. Further information about the Golf Club is available from club secretary Michael Dickie on 01387 810713.

Lochmaben Bridge Club Lochmaben Bridge Club meets every Monday evening at Lochmaben Golf Club from the first Monday in October until the last Monday in March. New members are always welcome. For further details contact Michael Dickie on 01387 810713.

Lochmaben Tennis Club Any enquiries, Mary Park 01387 810627.

Awa’ n bile yer heid Get lost!

TRANSPORT TO HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS

COMMUNITY TRANSPORT DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY- A Public Social Partnership Dumfries and Galloway Council, the NHS, SWestrans, Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway and community organisations from across the region have come together to tackle the challenges many people face accessing transport services the rest of us take for granted.

WHAT TRANSPORT IS AVAILABLE? Annandale Community Transport Services (ACTS) can now provide a door- to-door service to take you to your hospital appointment if the Scottish Ambulance Service cannot help you. A carer or friend may accompany you.

MEMBERSHIP You will need to join ACTS to book the transport. There is an annual hospital membership fee of £3.00 (1st June – 31st May).

RETURN JOURNEY COSTS Ayr £22.00 Carlisle £6.50 DGRI £10.00 Edinburgh £25.00 Glasgow 25.00 Mountainhall £10.00 Newcastle £22.00 Penrith £13.00

Please ask for charges to other hospitals.

HOW TO BOOK Please phone, email or call into the ACTS office in Lockerbie. As soon as you have your appointment details, contact the office to arrange your transport. 01576 203053 [email protected]

WHO WILL DRIVE? Our volunteer drivers are all fully

trained members of the community who give their time to help others. We carry out Disclosure checks, under the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme, for drivers helping with this service.

72-74 High Street, Lockerbie, DG11 2AA

Friendship Group Mary Ross (President) writes………… Our Group began the 2018/2019 session with the usual Get Together in September. We have a Tai Chi meeting in October followed by Andy Armstrong talking and showing Slides of his cycling trip in Europe in November. We have our Christmas party in December followed by a Festive Lunch in January, venue to be decided. We then have two demonstrations, Crafts in February and Flower arranging in March. There is also the Maura's Trophy competition for a wall plate in March. In April we have our Guest Day in the Church Hall when we invite guests from Cumberland Street Day Centre in Dumfries, Hightae and Dalton Golden Years. Our AGM is held in May with the annual outing in June.We also have an outing in December to the Pantomime ‘Red Riding Hood’ at the Theatre Royal in Dumfries. Our meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month September to May in the Portacabin at 1.30pm. There are two exceptions this session. The November meeting is on the 2nd Wednesday and the December meeting will be on the first Tuesday. New members will be warmly welcomed. For more information contact President Mary Ross, telephone number 01387 810256.

Lochmaben Church Guild Myra Turnbull, Convenor, writes…………..

In the months of September to May, we meet in the Church Hall at 7.30pm, on the 3rd Tuesday. In January and February, meetings are on the 3rd Saturday at 2.30pm. Full details of our syllabus are on the community and church websites.

Our soup and sandwich lunch for 2018 is on Sunday 18th November at 12.45pm in the Hall. This year we hope to raise money for two Guild projects.

The Boys Brigade in Scotland who need to train more leaders and encourage young men and boys to join their ranks.

The other is a World Mission scheme in Zambia where young mothers, mainly teenagers, need support to return to education or occupational training after giving birth. Thereby they have a chance of breaking the cycle of unremitting poverty.

As this is the Scottish Government's Year of Young People we felt both these causes were particularly apt.

We are always delighted to welcome new members. Why not come along to one of our meetings – you would be made most welcome.

For more information phone Myra Turnbull, Convenor, on 01387 811981. Check ww.lochmabenchurchofscotland.org.uk for programme details

Lochmaben Scottish Women’s Institute (SWI) Motto: "For Facts, Fun and Friendship” Our group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from September to May in the Church Hall at 7.30.pm. We have speakers and demonstrators on a variety of subjects. May was our A.G.M.when the following committee was formed. President Christine Vidler, Vice President Ann Kirkpatrick, Treasurer Isobel Wells,Secretary Catriona Gillan, and Elizabeth Garrett,Isabelle Sloan, Sheila Harper, Margaret Kennedy, and Nancy Kirkpatrick.In July we had an outing to Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, stopping at Cumnock for a meal on the homeward journey.The Syllabus for 2018 / 2019 is as follows:- September we had Janet Iveson –‘Extraordinary women with local connections’ October- a handbag making demonstration November is Mandy Pool a dementia advisor December is our 80th Birthday when we are having a celebration in Café 91 in Lockerbie January will be Cococo Chocolatiers demonstrating chocolate- making, February is a hat making demonstration March we are having our guest night when we invite members from other institutes. Members of the public are also welcome. Entertainment will be provided by Kate’s Choir April is a visit to Eskrigg nature reserve at Lockerbie Our A.G M.is in May which will be a ‘bring and taste evening.’ The Subscription for this year is £25 and for Visitors it is £3 New members Welcome. Contact Christine Vidler on 01387 811839 or Catriona Gillan on 01576 202386 [email protected].

That’s mingin’ That smells/looks/sounds/tastes awful

Annandale Speakers PROGRAMME OF EVENTS 2018 – 2019 All meetings are held at the Clubhouse, Lockerbie Bowling Club. 2018 Meeting 1 THURSDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 7.30pm THURSDAY 04 OCTOBER Curling THURSDAY 11 OCTOBER 5.45pm Meeting 2 THURSDAY 18 OCTOBER 7.30pm THURSDAY 25 OCTOBER Meeting 3 THURSDAY 01 NOVEMBER 7.30pm THURSDAY 08 NOVEMBER Meeting 4 THURSDAY 15 NOVEMBER 7.30pm THURSDAY 22NOVEMBER Meeting 5 THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER 7.30pm THURSDAY 06 DECEMBER Meeting 6 THURSDAY 13 DECEMBER 7.30pm Curling THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER 5.45pm THURSDAY 27 DECEMBER 2019 THURSDAY 03 JANUARY Meeting 7 10 JANUARY 7.30pm 17 JANUARY Curling THURSDAY 24 JANUARY 5.45pm Meeting 8 THURSDAY 31 JANUARY 7.30pm THURSDAY 07 FEBRUARY Curling THURSDAY 14 FEBRUARY 5.45pm THURSDAY 21 FEBRUARY ‘Smoker’ FRIDAY 22 FEBRUARY 7.30pm Meeting 9 THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY 7.30pm THURSDAY 07 MARCH Curling(Fulton Trophy) THURSDAY 14 MARCH 5.45pm Meeting 10 THURSDAY 21 MARCH 7.30pm THURSDAY 28 MARCH Meeting 11 THURSDAY 04 APRIL 7.30pm AGM THURSDAY 11 APRIL 7.30pm For further information/ details of other meetings contact George Gilhooly on 01387 264325.

The Church Hall also hosts regular group activities.

Monday Lochmaben Little People 9.45am to 11.15am

Sing4Fun 7.30pm to 8.45pm

Wednesday Rainbows & Brownies 6.00pm to7.30pm

Pilates 8.00pm to 9.00pm

Alternate Thursdays Coffee Mornings 10am to 11.30am

Thursday Yoga 1.00pm to 2.30pm

Pickleball in Lockerbie We've been playing Pickleball in Lockerbie for three or more years. Its an American game and is a mixture of Tennis, Badminton and Table Tennis. It is suitable for all age groups and abilities and very easy to learn. We do have a few annual competitions but most weeks we play for fun and exercise. So why not come along and give it a try. You will be more than welcome. We play in Lockerbie Town Hall on a Wednesday from 1-00 pm and on a Thursday from 6-30 pm. If you need to know more contact me, Colin Howe, on 01387 810009.

FRIENDS OF LOCHMABEN HOSPITAL

are looking for volunteers to join our committee.

VERY WORTHWHILE NOT TIME CONSUMING NOT ONEROUS

Leave your name and address and we shall contact you with details or Email Anne Ritchie at [email protected] or phone 01387 840685 and leave a message.

Lochmaben Primary School

Have you checked out the Primary School Facebook Page? Lots happening in our local school.

Keep in touch with all the latest school news and information on @lochmabenprimary

Class of 63/64 (?) Back row: Dan Gibson, Edward Sharkey, Jeffery Bell, Alistair Greig, David Hewitt, Jim Johnstone, Alan Murray and John McGoldrick second back row: Johnny Carmichael, Alan Riddett, Christine Wilson, Alison Morton, Marjorie Wright, Stuart Lennox, Norman Green. Third row: Lorna Reetz, Jennifer Lockerbie, Margaret McDonald, Pat Kacedan, Elizabeth Copeland, Mary McLean, Eunice Lorimer, Fiona Wilson,Margaret McWhirter, Cynthia Lamb Front row David Deans, Andrew Rogerson, Ian Little, Alan Graham, Ian Stitt, Ronald Watson

Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust Update

Darren Flint, Castle Loch Project Officer writes…………..

Well what a year it has been! I think I might have written that at the start of a previous newsletter update, but each year seems to bring new and ever more exciting developments and challenges.

Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service The big surprise this year was the fantastic news that the hardworking volunteers and the backbone of everything achieved at the loch were not only nominated for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, but also won it. This is the MBE for volunteering and was announced on the Queen’s birthday, the 2nd June, and followed with a bash late August with the formal presentation of the Certificate and Award by the Queen’s representative, the Lord Lieutenant, Fiona Armstrong. Volunteering and Schools

Since my last update we’ve had a bumper year for volunteer hours, and some of the activities they have undertaken include repairing the boardwalk, clearing the many trees brought down by Storm Ali, path maintenance, filling potholes and helping out with visiting community and youth groups. Just before the break for summer a bumper number of school groups visited the loch. P1, 2, 3, & 5 all

came down from Lochmaben Primary as part of their outdoor learning and to build on their classroom lessons. We covered things such as where bats live, searched for butterfly eggs, made a willow and tissue paper swan and played bird bingo. We also welcomed pupils from Johnstonebridge, St Mungos, Beattock and Brydekirk to release the eels they had been caring for through a project with the River Annan Trust.

Barn conversion We’ve been having some work done on the barn behind Lochfield Cottage, which was partly funded by Tesco Bags of Help (thank you). This has turned a dark, damp space into a now useable room with electricity and water for when we have visiting school groups, plus a workshop for the volunteer sessions

Archaeological dig An exciting activity over the summer was the Historic Environment Scotland led dig at the castle. Over two weeks five trenches were slowly dug across the peel area outside the stone walls and one inside the main walls. We held four public events to spread the word about the dig and the historical importance of the site. It was great to see so many youngsters helping in the trenches, getting all muddy and not an electronic screen in sight. Maybe we have some budding Indiana Jones adventurers in the making.

PS. I’ve invited Adrian Cox from HES to make a return visit and tell us all about the results – I’ll let you know once I have a date.

Amaze Me Leader visit

Early August we welcomed sixty 18-29 year olds from all over Europe for an evening enjoying the loch. It was part of a week of activities exploring life and challenges in rural communities. The Trust would like to thank the Bowling Club, Tennis Club and Mostly Ghostly for supporting the visit. Also, I’d like to personally apologise to the greenkeeper for letting loose on the green a group of people that had never bowled before – hope the divots have now all gone!

One eye on the future… The Trust is always looking at ways of improving what the site offers, without compromising the habitats, wildlife and visitor experience. There are two key areas currently being explored and funding bids written. The access to the footpath and Lochfield Cottage from the car park has always been a challenge for wheelchair users or those with sight impairment, so we are hoping to sort out the driveway and the uneven patio in front of the cottage. We have also applied to the Scottish Land Fund to assist with the purchase of the Kirkhirst woodland near the Halleaths turn. You might have seen the ‘For Sale’ signs over the last year and it was being promoted to commercial forestry companies. We hope to buy the wood as an extension to the reserve, slowly remove the rhoddies and put in a new footpath, which will mean users will no longer have to use the muddy farm track, which we struggle to keep in a good state of repair. Watch this space. A bit about money… Securing grant funding for the project, both for supporting the works around the site and also helping towards funding my part-time role, is becoming noticeably harder as each year passes. Numerous volunteers are involved in filling in long, time consuming funding forms, answering many emails and being grilled over the phone. To date this perseverance has always paid off and enabled us to keep doing all the things we do. However, we do need to ramp up our own fundraising activities. The question about the amount of funds the project contributes is a frequent one from potential funders. One idea we are thinking about doing is to hold a monthly gathering at the loch side cottage for refreshments, a raffle and some friendly chat. Some ideas include a winter wander with warming soup and sausage roll afterwards, a daffodil tea and book sale as Spring approaches, and a strawberry tea and plant sale during the summer. If you are interested in helping out at an event or donating some home baking or raffle items please do let us know. If you would like to support the project financially you can donate online via our virginmoneygiving.com page, or alternatively sign up to make a monthly/annual donation through our regular giving scheme. This isn’t something we have actively pushed to date, but if it is of interest please do contact me with your email/address and I will forward you the simple form. You can contact me at [email protected] or 07971790847 Walking Anyway, that’s enough about money. Some 18,000 people are now walking around the 3-mile circuit of the loch annually. As we head into winter and the weather becomes a little more unsettled, the loch waters start to rise and we often have a week or two when the paths are flooded. You can check if the paths are all clear by looking out for the loch side marker near Lochfield Cottage or the updates I pop up on our Facebook page and website - www.facebook.com/castlelochlochmaben or www.castleloch.org.uk Hope you have a lovely autumn - we should be in for a real riot of colour this year after the fantastic summer.

Ed’s Note:- Remember this is YOUR Community, YOUR Project, and YOUR Loch.

MEDICAL GROUP Information from Robert Denston, Practice Manager. The Seasonal Flu Campaign is now underway. We strongly advise all eligible patients to contact the surgery on 01387 810215 or 01387 810252 to make an appointment if you have not already done so. Information on eligibility can be found at:- www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/who-should-have-flu-vaccine.aspx Designated clinics have been organised and the appointment allocation is 5 minutes. It will be extremely helpful if you could remove any outer clothing once you have checked in for your appointment. Please note no other procedures will be done during this appointment. We would encourage patients to use our Self-Check-in-Unit situated in the main porch. It’s easy to use, saves time queuing at the desk as well as assisting our ever busy receptionists during lone working.

Lochmaben Action Group Helen Middleton (secretary) writes…. We meet once a month at 7.30pm on a Wednesday evening in the Community Portacabin and would welcome new members into our dwindling committee. Our Portacabin is coming to the end of its life, as there are ongoing problems with the building. This is to be expected considering it is around 30 years old. After consultation with Councillors and Surveyors, and also the need for the Primary School to expand in the future, the Action Group Committee has agreed to move over to the Community Centre sometime in the New Year. Some of our user groups will also make the move. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 31st October and you are welcome.

Yakkitty Yak group ¿Habla bien español? If you speak good Spanish or know someone who does and who’d be willing to help, please get in touch. A few people who speak a bit of Spanish would like a chance to chat to others in the language, in the form of a local ‘Yakkity Yak’ group. The idea is to run it for an hour or so weekly or once a fortnight. It would be great to have someone there who speaks the language pretty well to help people keep on track. If you know anyone who might be interested contact Stuart Aitken on 01387 810740

Fraser’s Handy Car Wash recently moved into premises at 8 Princes Street. Details on the Website and in ‘Keep it Local’. The new company held a fundraiser recently and, as a result, a number of local groups, including the Lochmaben and District Community Initiative, all benefitted to the tune of £89. Tom Russell receives the Initiative share from Fraser. Many thanks to you, Fraser, and good luck with the business!

Ye mak’ a better door than a windae Get out of the way. You’re blocking my view

Yer bum’s oot the windae (Various) e.g. You’ve spoiled your chances

In Days Gone By

A busy Lochmaben station. 13th June 1959. Photo thanks to Mike Paget

The Mercat Cross versus The Bruce Statue

The Mercat Cross now stands in a rather secluded spot in a small park off Bruce Street near the Church Hall but in the past it was well used to being in the Spotlight. In a print from the Lochmaben Almanac of 1867 it stands proud in the space in front of the Town Hall (*There’s a sketch in Flickr on the Website). The area was thus named the Cross, from where important proclamations and announcements were made and binding business arrangements were settled upon. Around 1877 there appears to have been a degree of controversy in the Burgh as some of the local dignitaries replaced the Cross with the Bruce Statue, which stands, clean and shiny, on the site today. So which of the two do you prefer?

Lockerbie Men's Shed Colin Howe writes…….. We have moved from Lochmaben to Lockerbie and meet every Wednesday and Friday from 2-00 pm in a 'Large Shed' behind Mcconechy's garage in the High Street, along Kirk Lane which runs next to the cemetery. Everyone is welcome, male or female. Just turn up. We still have quite a lot to do on the building, like installing water, a toilet, rain butt, etc. If you can help with any of these jobs please do come along. Once finished we will have a great facility for helping individuals build things as well as producing items for the local community. We already have a large number of tools donated by many people which we can't wait to use. Look forward to meeting you. Contact Colin on 01387 810009

Aw his eggs are double yokit He’s always boasting

Whit’s fur ye’ll no go past ye What will be will be

Lochmaben Community Centre Programme

For all enquiries and Bookings--Tel. 01387 810599 [email protected] Day Open from Activity Activity time Centre closes at Monday 12.30pm Esiobics 9.30am to 10.30am 9.00pm Softplay 12.30pm to 2.30pm SFA 4.00pm to 6.00pm Circuit Training 6.15pm to 7.45pm Tuesday 10.00am Esiobics 9.30am to 10.30am 9.00pm Gymnastics 3.30pm to 6.45pm Volleyball 7.00pm to 9.00pm Wednesday 10.00am Bowling 11.00am to 1.00pm 9.00pm Pickle Ball 6.45pm to 7.45pm

Thursday 10.00am Pre-school Gym 11.00am to 11.45pm 9.00pm Gymnastics 5.00pm to 7.00pm Friday 03.00pm Badminton Football Courts avail. for hire 8.00pm Volleyball Basketball Tel. 01387 810599 Saturday 11.30am Taekwondo 11.30am to 12.30pm 2.30pm Sunday Closed all day Please telephone before attending a class as they can be cancelled without prior notice.

Lochmaben in the 1920s *When getting our ‘Keep it Local’ leaflet ready for publication, Ed was reminded of a comprehensive list of the Tradesmen and Shopkeepers working in Lochmaben nearly 100 years ago compiled by Susie Mundell.

Boots/Shoes/clogs 6 Grocer 9 Builder 2 Horse Hire 1 Coal Merchants 3 Joiner 3 Chemist 1 Motor Hire 4 Bacon Curer 1 Motor Repair 1 Baker 2 Painter 2 Blacksmith 1 Plasterer 1 Bookseller 1 Plumber 1 Barber 1 Slater 1 Cycle Agent 3 Solicitor 1 Draper 3 Sweetie Shops 4 Dressmaker 4 Tea Rooms 4 Fishmongers 2 Tailor 4 Flesher 2 Watchmaker 1

The list we have gives names and addresses for all the tradesmen and shops, so if you want further details contact us.

See whit the cat broch’t in See who’s come into the house

Ye’r a baw’ heid You’re a fool

Lochmaben and District Community Council

Lochmaben Senior Citizens Christmas Party will take place in the Community Centre on Wednesday 5th December this year, start time 6.30pm prompt. This is a free event sponsored by the Lochmaben Community Council. Anyone who is 65+ is welcome to attend. As long as one person at the same address is 65+ then they can bring their partner. Residents who have attended in the past will be contacted by the Community Council to check on their availability. Residents wishing to attend for the first time please register your name and address at Pettigrew's of Lochmaben or contact Pam Linton on 811258 in order to be included this year. Entertainment will be provided by "The Virginians" . Transport will be laid on for anyone who has mobility problems or needs help to get to and from the Community Centre.

Lochmaben Christmas Lights "switch on" will take place on Sunday 2nd December at the Town Hall, start time 6pm , everybody welcome.

Remembrance Day On November 11th at 11am it will be exactly 100 years since the guns fell silent

signalling the end of The Great War. The war to end all wars was over. Sadly history tells us this was not to be. To remember the fallen in WW1 and WW2 together with all conflicts in the past 100 years, we are appealing to the ex-service men and women and residents of Lochmaben to attend the Remembrance Day Parade on the 11th November.

The parade will gather at Lochmaben Town Hall at 10,30am and, in company with a representative from the Lord Lieutenant’s Office of Dumfries and Galloway and the Lochmaben Community Council, will move off at 10.45 am in time to arrive at the War Memorial to observe the 2 minutes silence at 11am in conjunction with the Nation. The Rev Paul Read will conduct the service at the War Memorial to which residents who do not wish to join the parade are invited to attend. The service will be followed by the lament played by Piper Callum Watson.

LEST WE FORGET

Yer alwis at the coo’s tail You’re always late

Ah need tae wet ma thrapple! I’m thirsty! 17

Welcome to Lochmaben Online……. www.lochmaben.org.uk

Lochmaben and District Initiative—working for Lochmaben

Tom Russell (Webmaster) writes……… Since the Spring Newsletter, two items on the Facebook Page of the website reached over 5000 people-the Pipe Band Merger and a visiting motor cyclist losing a set of keys, both in June. Sadly, there was no fairy tale ending to the latter item. Previous highest was 1300 for an ‘It’s a Knock Out’ video last December. Many thanks to everyone who supports Facebook. We would appreciate more news items and photographs, especially those showing the history of the Royal Burgh. Just use the “Contact Us” button on the Home Page of the Website. The Initiative intends to publish another Community Newsletter in 2019. The leaflet ‘Keep it Local’ will also go to print again in October 2019 so, if you want to have your name added, please contact Sandy Grant (01387 810487) who will make the necessary arrangements. As you know, the Newsletter and the leaflet go to all households in the Burgh so it is a good publicity and information opportunity.

* Thanks to the generosity of HK Thorburn, the Initiative was able to replace the derelict seat on the Right of Way at the west end of the Golf Course with a substantial new one.

It’s a great spot to watch the world go by!

*Also completed by the Initiative is a much-needed drainage and path construction job on the section of the Castle Loch Walk which passes through Victory Park just to the east of the Tennis Courts. In wet weather it was a bit of a muddy bog but, thanks to the excellent work of Initiative member David Richardson and the cooperation of the Council, the area is now much improved. Our picture was taken when the job was underway.

We hope you feel that we’ve had a successful summer having completed these projects, We are now actively considering further improvements at Victory Park and in other parts of our community. If you have any suggestions as to what you’d like done please contact us. As an example, we are increasingly concerned about the way the Fringe Lily is taking hold again on the Mill Loch. For a number of years some of our members took action each summer and were managing to control its spread. Unfortunately as we were all getting older, we were finding the task a bit of a struggle and had to stop. Though the Ranger Service sprayed the plants for a couple of years, we are disappointed that no one now seems to be taking the job on. Like the Planters/ Flower boxes we are, it seems, being left to do it ourselves. A degree of training is required and volunteers need some flexibility—to be available when the weather is suitable. If you are interested in helping out, please let us know.

Lochmaben and District Initiative is very grateful for the continuing support of the Lochmaben Community Council.

Contact us on the Website at www.lochmaben.org.uk , by phone to 01387 810094(Chairman) or in writing. Correspondence should be clearly marked for the Initiative and left at the Town Hall.

What a fabulous summer we have enjoyed in the sunshine, enjoying lots of water play and outdoor activities, learning about sun safety and tending to all our fruit, veg and flowers in the garden. We were delighted to win a prize in this years “Lochmaben in Bloom” competition and have enjoyed looking after our planter on the High Street.

As ever Lochmaben Gala provided the children with lots of fun as we entered the world of Beatrix Potter! The younger children won first Children’s Float with “Peter Rabbit” and the After School Children won Best in Parade with “Schools Out for summer”! Our Shorts and Shades Party was a great success and a great week was had by all. Well done to the Gala Committee.

We have welcomed “Granny Bees” into the hive (papa’s are welcome too) and the children have loved having new faces and hearing lots of stories/learning new skills. If anybody would like to join us just give us a buzz (01387 810303) or speak to Mrs Winnifred Dickie our Granny Bees Co-ordinator.

We would like to say a huge well done to the Castle Loch Community Trust on receiving the Queens Award for Voluntary Service and we were delighted to be invited along to the presentation.

This month the children have been jetting off round the world, learning about lots of different countries and activities from pizza making in Italy to erupting volcanoes, cycling round Wales and exploring the dragon, learning about the animals of Australia and much, much more! Ciao, Croeso, G’day!

Finally thank you to everyone who supported our recent Coffee Morning to raise money for Diabetes UK, where an amazing total of £1,442.00 was reached. We can’t quite believe that autumn is almost upon us!!

Jaybees (Childcare) Ltd Blacklocks Vennel Lochmaben DG11 1NP

Lochmaben Bowling Club The Club has had a very successful season with a good membership of 60 plus. We would welcome any new members, who would be able to join for half the subscription fee. The 2019 season will resume in April. Contact Hazel on 01387 811830 or Ian Vidler on 01387 811839. NB Shortmat Bowling has resumed in Lochmaben Community Centre and will run on Tuesdays 10am to 1pm and Wednesdays 11am to 1pm until April 2019

Spotlight David Rose

David was born in Manchester, the younger of two boys. The family moved to Yorkshire when David was 8years old, to the mining village of Garforth, just off the A1 east of Leeds (near Wetherby). It was there that David had his first experiences of farms and farming, playing with school friends when he was a young boy. He attended the local Normanton Grammar School where he remembers an excellent Art Teacher who probably triggered a life-long passion for and interest in, art. With perhaps a little less enthusiasm, he also remembers having to play Rugby League Football whilst he was there. In his teens he worked at a swill-fed pig farm near Harrogate. His duties included driving a lorry around the hotels in Harrogate (some of them pretty posh) to collect all the left- over food and take it to feed the pigs. David’s father was a butcher to trade but though David learned a lot of the trade as he was growing up, his father wanted the boys to follow a different career path. So, on leaving school, David enrolled at Seale-Hayne Agricultural College in Devon. After completing his course, he took up a post as Farm Manager on a farm near Salisbury in Wiltshire. He has very fond memories of the 4 years he spent there as it was a lovely place to be and he and his wife, Pauline, were thrilled to welcome a daughter, Sarah, into the family. David was running the farm for a tenant farmer and, now responsible for a growing family, he was aware of the insecurity of his position so he began looking for greater permanency. Deciding that the educational sector offered the opportunities he was looking for, he went to Training College for a year. Part of the teaching practice on that course took him to Newton Rigg in Cumbria and he was delighted to accept a lecturing post there on completion of the course. The family spent three very happy years there and welcomed their son, Tim, into the fold. David’s outstanding skills as an educator were soon being recognised and he served for 4 years as Senior Lecturer at Bishop Burton College before being appointed Vice-Principal of Oatridge College in West Lothian, a job he loved. David looked after the farm and lectured in animal husbandry. The family moved to Linlithgow and enjoyed a 6 year spell there before his talents were once again in demand. In what he describes as a great move for him, his ‘dream job’, he was appointed as Principal of Barony College and the family moved to the Shieldhill area where they stayed for 26 years. First as Principal then as Chief Executive, David successfully oversaw huge changes at the Barony College as it moved out of local authority control and along the road to national status. He retired in 2000. It was purely by chance that he then found his next house, satisfying a lifelong desire to live next to water. Passing through Lochmaben one day, he came across the new development beside the A709 and he fell for the siting of the house and the ‘gobsmacking’ view. He rushed home to Shieldhill to collect Pauline and they decided more or less at once that this was the place for them, because of their long connection with Lochmaben for golf, GPs and shops David has many interests which keep him active and involved. As a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society he maintains a keen interest and involvement in farming and outdoor activities. He loves painting, he collects antiquarian books on agriculture, he walks a lot and plays golf occasionally-though not well, he says with typical modesty-, he is heavily involved with All Saints Church in Lockerbie and he is a keen ornithologist. All of this plus 4 Grandchildren keep him on his toes.

So what else does he do? See page 4.