r se he ri t ve om Ad fr e al Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 sd de FREEi d L & e al kd Es E&L Life

‘Hearts shall dance once again; when canvas of ice is painted with the brush of skates.’ Shah Asad Rizvi. Page 2 E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 The seven rules of Life...

As I write, Ciara has hitched up On Ice. Libby has very little her skirts and stormed off, last sight, yet with partner Mark seen heading for Norway. Dennis Hanretty she has been turning in is on the horizon, due to arrive some stunning, perfectly soon with gales and bucketloads synchronised performances. of rain. The bit in between We’ve been talking to Libby’s Dad brought lots of snow, but hasn’t and to friends in Newcastleton been graced with a name. Maybe where she grew up, to find out it was just winter. what they think of their ice- We seem to experience an awful dancing queen. lot of storms nowadays, but is it At this time of year there’s a climate change or just weather, strong temptation to hibernate albeit of a rather extreme but Langholm’s Buccleuch Centre variety? Are we humans to blame has entertainment to tempt even or are we simply seeing nature at the most diehard stay-at-home work? E&L Life Young Reporter away from the fireside. High on Freya McCall tackles these major its list of absolutely-must-sees is questions of our times in the annual musical put on by the E&L Life editor, Gilly Fraser interviews with two climate local amateur operatic and activists. But what’s your take – dramatic society – better known never done more than doodle a upon a time King Arthur may is climate change fact or fiction? as LAODS. This year they’ve stick figure. have walked. Sticking with weather, ice plays chosen a belter with Calamity Last month regular columnist a big part in this edition – not the Jane. Doris Day played the Sophie Mitchell told us how a Please do get in touch with your Jack Frost stuff that makes whipcracking buckskin-clad school trip to WW1 cemeteries in comments or with ideas of your unique art on car windscreens, or legend to perfection in the movie Europe had a major impact and own. Drop me an email at even the chunks that make a classic, and LAODS’ Leona her words inspired a reader to [email protected] drink ‘on the rocks.’ No, this Mason tells us what it’s like to tell us about his own experiences. frozen stuff is the kind you can follow in those iconic footsteps. Gordon Mitchell explains what glide and pirouette and dance on, For artists and artlovers, there’s the cemeteries mean to him. or if you’re mind-blowingly brave, a treat in store at the Borders Art That’s just a very wee taster of Ciara really brought you could even be spun round by Fair in Kelso. Many of the the delights to be found between home to me the the ankles with your head just a seventy artists exhibiting will be these pages – and there’s plenty benefits of living in few centimetres above it. there to meet and chat with more besides including sport a village where If you haven’t the remotest clue visitors. Langholm Outpost Arts Harry Potter style, afternoon tea people are well what I’m talking about, you founder and Creative Director as you’ve never experienced it clearly haven’t been enthralled by Lucy MacLeod is Artist-in- before, we hear about the accustomed to the amazing achievements of our Residence and the event features importance of Langholm Day looking out for one very own Paralympian Libby talks, tours and workshops where Centre to many in the town and another. Clegg in the ITV Show Dancing you can have a go even if you’ve Gavin Graham walks where once ...... in this month’s E&L Life

• Walk the Walk to Longtown with rambler Gavin Graham pages 16 & 17 • Langholm am-drammers’ Calamity Jane in rehearsal pages 20 & 21 • Quidditch - the wizarding game played by Muggles page 29 • plus regular columns from Carys, Sophie and Amber and so much more E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 Page 3 Keeping your cool when the competition gets hot

Paralympian Libby Clegg has been holding the Borders in thrall every Sunday evening with her amazing ice-dancing performances

hen Libby Clegg made told me she could see a blob on her first appearance on my watch face and then said she Wthe ITV show Dancing could see the same thing when on Ice on Sunday January 5, she was reading. I thought that texts began pinging round the was strange, so Moira took her to Borders village of Newcastleton. get her eyes checked. At first ‘Are you watching?’ they said she was just doing it to ‘Isn’t she amazing?’ get attention, but we knew that ‘Are you crying? I’m crying!’ wasn’t right, so we managed to It’s no surprise that this get an appointment with a talented athlete would make her specialist.’ adopted village proud – she’s Libby was diagnosed as having been doing that ever since 2002 a rare but very serious condition when she first came to live there called Stargardt’s Macular with Mum and Dad Moira and Peter, sister Fliss and brothers James and Stephen. Over the years, Copshaw has taken great Dystrophy. It can run in families had enjoyed cross-country ‘ so her siblings were also checked, running, but her increasing sight delight in seeing her represent If you look at what her country with distinction, and to the Cleggs’ great shock, problems meant that was no bringing home gold and silver she’s done in the both James and Stephen were longer possible. Undaunted, she from international events of the Olympics, plus she’s also found to have it, though not simply switched to doing 100 and highest calibre. Now she’s quite as badly. As a result, the 200 metre sprinting, with the proving the one to watch on the had a baby, she’s Cleggs took the decision to move encouragement of her new school popular skating show in which doing the skating – from their Macclesfield home. in Edinburgh. Her athletic amateurs pair up with ‘Not knowing what would prowess was swiftly spotted and professionals to perform ever what’s she going happen in the future or if there she was given the opportunity to more intricate and challenging to do next? was any kind of treatment was compete in Prague. To the routines. Her achievements on awful,’ Peter says. ‘We wanted family’s amazement, a special the track and on the ice are She’s opening up a the best possible school for Libby event was held in Newcastleton worthy of acclaim in their own whole new world for and decided that would be the to help raise funds for the trip. right – but even more so when Edinburgh Royal Blind School. I ‘They held a coffee morning in you realise that Libby is almost herself and for people had been fishing in the Borders the village hall,’ Peter says, ‘and blind. like her. many times over the past fifteen it raised around £300. I thought ‘Elizabeth’s eyesight started to years or so and knew it well, so that was incredible especially deteriorate when she was about ’ we decided to move here.’ considering we hadn’t been here nine.’ Her Dad Peter says. ‘She Prior to the diagnosis, Libby that long.’ >Turn to Page 4 Page 4 E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020

Libby the athlete

n 2006 as running became ever more important and her Isight continued to deteriorate, Libby teamed up with former England athlete Lincoln Asquith who acted as her guide on the track for the next four years. He was succeeded by his stepson Mikhail Huggins who was with Libby for four world medals, two European golds and a Commonwealth title. In 2016 Libby with her first running guide, Lincoln Asquith at the Rio Paralympics, Libby took the gold in both the 100 and 200m races and achieved a new record in the latter, partnered by Chris Clarke. ‘ ‘It was such a career highlight to get the two golds, I think she The skating takes a started to wonder then what else lot of courage, she could do,’ Peter says. It wasn’t long before new especially as there opportunities came knocking, in have been quite a few the form of appearances on television in such varied shows as injuries among the The Chase, Question of Sport and other skaters. She did on the panel with Sky Sports. And then – came Dancing On Ice. do ballet when she ‘It’s an amazing challenge for was little, and she her and she has really enjoyed the chance to do something does have very strong different. She does have a strong legs thanks to all the competitive spirit and she’s always been like that. When she running, so I think first started running she would that really helps. run round the block where we lived. I would sit with a ’ stopwatch timing her and as soon as she’d finished one run she’d say ‘right, time me again’ and she’d be off like a bullet. action with partner Mark ‘The skating takes a lot of Hanretty – including her fiancé, courage, especially as there have Paralympian judoka Dan Powell been quite a few injuries among who also has severe visual the other skaters. She did do impairment, and their eight ballet when she was little, and month old son Edward. So what’s she does have very strong legs it like, seeing her out there on thanks to all the running, so I the ice? The question makes her Say it with flowers - roses for a champion think that really helps.’ Dad smile. Libby’s family have been in the ‘Watching her makes me cry audience every week to see her in every time.’ E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 Page 5 eanwhile back in MNewcastleton, Dancing On Ice is a Sunday night Libby’s skaing partner must-see, guaranteed to have Libby’s friends and supporters is Scoish professional glued to their seats and cheering figure skater Mark her on through every intricate slide and glide. Hanrety, who has won Katrina Skelton, who is great two bronze medals in friends with Libby’s Mum Moira, Briish Championships says the family have always been incredibly encouraging and with fellow pro supportive. Chrisina Chitwood. ‘What Libby has achieved is down to her own hard work and He has been with commitment, but also to her Dancing on Ice since family as well. There must have 2011 – but his first been a temptation to wrap Libby and her brothers in cotton wool, appearance on the but instead they’ve been brought show was shortlived up to be so focused and to believe they can achieve anything they when he and partner want and that’s such an Nadia Sawalha were inspiration for other people who voted off in week one. have the same visual issues. He says he and Libby Amazing Libby and Mark in their ‘Cats’ costumes for Dancing on Ice’s Musicals Night ‘Libby is amazing, absolutely have evolved their own amazing. You just can’t imagine ‘Our kids spent quite a lot of never heard Libby or her brothers shorthand language what it must be like having to time with the Clegg children moaning about their eye figure out what a dance looks like right from the start. In the problems. during pracice. when you can’t see it for yourself. summer my son Ewan played in Determined She’s used to training and the paddling pool with Stephen, following instructions, but this is and I can remember Libby and ‘In person, she’s really likeable. totally different. her sister Fliss standing at the Very calm, focused and how many months of lessons, and ‘If you look at what she’s done in kitchen table in my house baking determined. Totally determined. there was Libby doing spins just the Olympics, plus she’s had a cookies with my two girls Her thing is to keep challenging the other week. She has a baby, she’s doing the skating – Heather and Morag. I think at herself to do something different. beautiful flow to her skating and what’s she going to do next? She’s first with Libby’s sight problems Seeing her on Dancing On Ice is there’s such trust between herself opening up a whole new world for we probably thought gosh, how just incredible. One of my and her partner Mark. herself and for people like her.’ are we going to manage to bake, childhood hobbies was skating ‘Libby was a quiet teenager but Newcastleton Pharmacist Libby but even as a young teenager she and I remember I was thrilled her motivation for living life to Kennedy vividly remembers the was amazing and lived as if there when I finally managed to do a the full is something that really Cleggs moving to the village. was nothing different about her. I one-leg spin after goodness knows inspires all of us. A lot.’

Libby’s athleticism has stood her in good stead for the challenges of ice dancing Flying high and loving every minute of Dancing on Ice Page 6 E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 The generosity of strangers

Many thousands of people in the UK now depend on foodbanks for the very basics of life. One young Newcastleton girl wanted to do her bit to help.

he UK currently has more community were supportive from ‘luxuries’ such as crisps and ‘That really means a lot, both to than twice as many the start. Initially people could juice. us and to them because it’s a Tfoodbanks as branches of drop in to get items, but now Clients don’t always fit the boost for their self-esteem to be McDonalds. The foodbanks vary they need to be referred by such expected profile. able to give something back.’ greatly in size, location and groups as Citizens Advice ‘A young man came in recently number of clients but all rely on Bureau, social workers, homeless who is in employment, but hasn’t the generosity of those who give workers, criminal justice, been paid for some time because to strangers. Sometimes those domestic abuse and mental the place he works for is gifts can come from unexpected health teams. Foodbags contain struggling. He doesn’t want to sources. enough to last an adult for give up his job but he can’t Shortly before Christmas last seven to ten days with feed himself and his family year, six-year-old Emma Robson pasta, sauce on fresh air.’ of Newcastleton wrote to Santa and There has also been an Claus. She didn’t ask for toys or increase in the number of dolls or the latest Disney teenage clients. craze, as her Mum ‘They want to stay on Christine explained at school but their in a Facebook post. parents stop getting ‘My beautiful, kind benefits for them and daughter stated she so they move into would like Santa to flats but don’t have help people instead of money for food. I giving her gifts this admit I can be year. Since Santa is a tad pretty soft busy, I was hoping where they’re everyone could maybe help. concerned. We will be putting together Sometimes I’ll buy them a donation box and giving it sausage rolls and watch them to the foodbank in time for eating, just so I know they’ve had Christmas. We would be truly something.’ grateful for any items.’ Pat says one of the great Not surprisingly, many were satisfactions of the job comes touched by the little girl with the The most unusual letter in Santa's postbag when someone who has been Above: Laden shelves at the Foodbank very big heart. Boxes were helped by the foodbank - but not for long placed in Newcastleton’s Spar tinned foods, and may include returns to make a donation of Below: Pat Caswell and Emma Robson survey and Costcutter Shops and in their own. the results of Emma's appeal Candy Print in Carlisle. Offers of help and donations flooded in. At the Hawick community foodbank, Manager Pat Caswell cleared a space for Emma’s contribution – and was absolutely delighted when more than fourteen boxes and numerous carrier bags arrived, laden with foodstuffs and toiletries. ‘For someone of that age to come up with such an idea is just amazing,’ Pat says. ‘I was delighted that Border TV covered Emma’s story though I didn’t realise they’d get me in as well!’ The Hawick Foodbank opened in June 2015 as part of the new Salvation Army shop in the town’s High Street. The local E&L Life • Issue No 7 - February/March 2020 Page 7

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Amy Bray - youngest ever winner of Cumbria Woman of the Year Young Reporter Freya McCall Many people think of climate UN, and knew it was time to do change as an issue of the future, something. talks to two young climate but it’s an issue of the present. I Amy - I have always loved the think that has been really ocean and wanted to study activists on the challenges they demonstrated by the wildfires in marine biology. When I was Australia. around 12, I read the Ocean of see facing the planet. Life, a book about the threats our Who, or what inspired you to oceans face and began to worry he natural world is keeping pressure on the UK take action? that what I wanted to study the greatest source… government with strikes and Cerys - when I was younger, I would no longer be here when I ‘Tof so much in life that protests. She even met Michele started watching David grew up. That made me want to makes it worth living.’- Sir Obama, a momentous event she Attenborough programmes, and change my own life and to inspire David Attenborough. describes as ‘very cool.’ really fell in love with the other people too. The climate crisis has I recently had the pleasure of different animals. I learned about encouraged young people of all speaking to Cerys and Amy to poaching and deforestation, and How would you describe colours, backgrounds and find out why they’re so passionate later about global warming. It your individual approach to religions worldwide to fight for about the environment. activism? Planet Earth. Catalysed by the Cerys - I try to get my voice Swedish teen Greta Thunberg, noticed, because once people strikes, protests and movements notice you, they begin to learn have been increasing across about the issue you’re talking Britain in a bid to make the UK about. Raising awareness is the government take immediate first step, but I suppose I go with action. a sort of angry approach, at Amy Bray, a 17-year-old governments, politicians and campaigner created a pop-up large corporations for ignoring plastic free shop at Austin Friars the issue. So, I’d say school in 2017. Since then, she determination and mild anger is has opened two sustainable shops my approach. in the Lake District, and Amy - I founded my launched her own charity, conservation charity, another Another Way, to help people find Way, last year, and its message is environmentally friendly ways to very much about individual live. She was named Cumbria change in the community. A lot of Woman of the Year 2019 – the people think it’s the government’s youngest ever to hold the title. Langholm schoolchildren make their voices heard in the climate debate responsibility to change, but we Cerys Gogh, aged 16 from are the people buying things and Langholm, organised her first How would you describe the was upsetting to think that all of eating things. Governments can fundraiser for WWF (The World current climate situation? these amazing animals were never bring about ethical change Wide Fund for nature) when she Cerys - A bit of a mess really! being destroyed, and entire - they can’t make people buy with was eight. At 14, her There’s roughly eight to ten years species were going extinct and compassion, so the work of my inspirational video on disability left till tipping point, and after terrifying to think that humans charity is very much to inspire awareness in schools won her a that the climate situation is were doing that, that we knew we individuals to forget waiting for scholarship trip to India where irreversible. The government sets were doing it, and we carried on laws to be made and just start she helped to build a school. targets for thirty years’ time, but anyway. In late 2018, I heard doing anything they can do in Cerys aims to educate on the no one’s doing enough about it. Greta (Thunberg’s) speech at the their own lives. dangers of climate change, while Amy - It’s a climate emergency. E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 Page 9 Climate crisis

s there a foreseeable communities and politicians to future in which the change. Iclimate crisis is reversed Of course, there are many or significantly lessened? famous young activists around Cerys - That is possible if we the world that we hear about all follow the Paris agreement and the time, but there are also many the Kyoto protocol, and stay at a local level doing amazing below a 1.5 degree warming. If things. Millions of young people governments get in line with the are out there trying to make a agreements and set good targets, change, and we will make that that will lower emissions, to be happen, because we care so much fully zero emissions by 2050, then about the future. a 1.5-degree warming can be avoided. That doesn’t reverse the What are your top tips for issue, as a 1.5 warming could still ordinary people trying to have a major impact, but it stops reduce their carbon the crisis from getting any worse. footprints? And gradually, we start to Cerys - The biggest thing is to reverse it by removing C02 from change your diet. Eat less meat, the atmosphere, even though that eat less dairy. The next best thing takes a lot longer. to do is to stop flying or aim to fly Amy - I definitely think it is less. There’s a campaign called reversible, and what people forget Flight Free 2020. At the moment is that the climate crisis was they have 50, 000 people pledging Shoulder to shoulder in their determination to promote their cause - caused by us, so we also have the to not fly at all this year, and Amy Bray and Cerys Gogh power to solve it. We need to some are pledging to not fly for believe that our actions make a the next few years. difference. Amy - We need to think about the amount of stuff we buy like What impact are teenagers clothes and toys. Try to go to specifically making to the charity shops if you can and think global climate crisis? ‘do I really need this?’ There are Cerys - Two years ago, no one so many recycled options, and talked about the issue. It wasn’t clothing brands making recycled on the news, it wasn’t talked clothes, which is great to see. about in politics, it wasn’t a key Take your own containers to the factor in general elections. But supermarket, buy local and now, thanks to young people seasonal food. Asparagus from starting organisations and Peru has the highest carbon charities, starting entire global footprint of any food, because it is movements, the world knows transported around the world. As about this issue and is talking a general rule, if it is harder and about it. more solid, it can be shipped, and Amy - So many organisations so has a lower carbon footprint, are starting to see the role of but softer fruit like avocado will young people in inspiring be flown.

Cerys Gogh - passionate about land and sea E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 Page 10

Climate activists fear the Arctic is warming faster than any other place on Earth

What additional steps can the have a long way to go in goals but never come together. It moment, but people in other UK government take now. achieving my goal and being will be a celebration of parts of the UK are starting to Cerys - For starters, the 2050 recognised this early was such an conservation already happening, take interest. target is simply not enough. It honour. It also gave me and we will make ambitious The interview ended isn’t following the Paris confidence that I am taking the pledges. appropriately with the eating of agreement, and current scientific right path. vegan biscuits - because, as Cerys evidence says that we have to be I am currently creating an Cerys, you have achieved so and Amy explained, small net zero by 2030. It will be ambassador program for young much for your age, but what changes can make a big difficult and expensive, but it is activists and conservationists in is next on the agenda? difference, even if it’s just either that or face a highly the UK. It will be an online forum I’m attending a conference in changing the type of biscuit you unpredictable future. Either we where they can talk about what Stafford next month, wherewhere we will buy. spend money now to fix the they’re doing, provide advice and make plans and strategies for the problem, or we face the share experiences. I hope it will next year or two. The big thing consequences later. We need the bring together people who feel this year is COP 26 in Glasgow. I UK to push the big players to overwhelmed and isolated. I am trying to get an entry pass COP 26 take more action too, like China, know when I started into that, and will be helping to This year the summit of the India and the US. United Nations Framework Amy - The government’s climate Convention on Climate Change change committee has given them – known as COP – will be held five steps that they can take, in Glasgow, attended by such as ensuring all new builds national Ministers and Heads are insulated and zero carbon. of state. That is something that I would It’s five years since the like to see enforced now. Also, landmark Paris Agreement at subsiding public transport COP21, signed by all of the because taking the train is so world’s countries to restrict expensive in this country. global temperature rise this Providing individuals with advice century to 'well below' 2°C on what they can do and listening above pre-industrial levels, and to the Paris Agreement. Planting ‘to pursue efforts’ to limit trees - they have said that they warming to 1.5°C. will reach our target of three ______billion new trees in the UK in 30 years. Cumbria Woman of the Year This award began in 1990, to Amy, you were awarded Can nature combat the effects of global warming - or is it up to us? support the work of Barnardos Cumbria Woman of the Year in Kendal with Viscountess 2019, what did it mean to you campaigning, I felt like I was the organise a huge march in Whitelaw as Patron. to receive that award, and only person who really cared. Glasgow. A similar event held in Past winners include Radio what are your future An exciting project for August is Madrid, had 500,000 people Cumbria presenter Val projects? our national event Another Way marching. Armstrong and Sue Kaveney Amy - I was extremely Day. We are hoping to bring I’d also like to focus more on who played a major role in co- honoured, not least because I met together national organisations SOS Saturdays, which is our ordinating the relief operation so many inspirational women last who are working to protect the campaign to take action to protect after major floods hit the year through my work. I feel I am environment, as a lot of the time, the marine environment. It is county in 2015. only at the start of my journey, I organisations have the same only Scotland wide at the E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 Page 11 Latimers of Langholm 51 High Street • Langholm • DG13 0JH • 013873 80265 • www.la!mersoflangholm.co.uk Suppliers of Quality

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for the mind by Carys Mainprize E&L Life columnist Carys Mainprize examines the pure peace to be found in the great outdoors

us with curious eyes, and oyster – especially those used to the catchers trilled above our heads. rural quietness of Langholm – Cormorants and several sea bird may have experienced this. The species besides floated nearby, mental space I feel we can take the remains of many unfortunate up in built up areas is much crabs on the shoreline suggesting reduced, almost like a personal there was lots of food present. bubble that has been squashed Arriving at the very corner of and impeded on, but in a less the coast – and the mainland – noticeable way. Yet take a walk gifts a roughly 270 degree view of in nature and you can feel that churning sea, impressively tall space opening up, you’re able to white capped waves thundering breathe, and your stress often against rocks. The smell of melts away. ver the Winter break, I the John O’ Groats beach, the so- rotting seaweed was I think this idea of mental returned to windswept called ‘shell beach’ at the very unpleasantly overpowering, and breathing space, or a mental OCaithness, an eight hour north-easterly corner of the yet I was glad for it – nothing personal bubble, is something journey that, until the final two mainland, where tiny ‘Groatie says beach quite like that, to me. that needs to be brought into and a half hours, is a series of buckies’ can be found by those The peace that settles into me conversation more. It’s a huge boring stretches of road, often with sharp eyes. The pale shells, whenever I have open wilderness component of mental health, as with plantation forests either brushed with pink, supposedly around is all the more prominent not being able to ‘hear your own side. Past Inverness, the A9 hugs bring luck to those who find them after the winter blues I thoughts’ or, worse still, hearing the coastline, snaking through – of course, you can also buy mentioned a couple of issues your neighbours talk through small towns, curving up and them from the local pub if your previously. After mulling on thin walls, has to be unhealthy down abrupt hills, and then hunt wasn’t successful. what, exactly, this experience and damaging. Perhaps some handing acres of open landscape After eyeing the brave (and was, I finally landed on a concept would disagree, but next time you over for your viewing pleasure. hardy) souls who had jumped into which I’ve heard before, but feel overwhelmed or irritated, On New Year’s Day, after more the bitter sea at the harbour, we never engaged with: mental give a thought to the concept and than two weeks of enjoying made our way up and around the breathing space. maybe take a few moments to surprisingly clear skies, my coastline. Seals peeked their Anyone who had spent a yourself and experiment in the family and I took a walk along heads above the water to watch significant period of time in a city great outdoors. E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 Page 13

Sunday 22nd March, 2020

Buy Mum a beautiful bouquet for Mother’s Day from Cochranes Nurseries Beautifully presented bouquets of all sizes Plants and baskets also available Call in or call up 01228 791220 EEAAAMM TTRRRAAAVVEVELEL!L! TTE ps , ffrrriieieniendiendsnds aanandnd ggrroroououpoupsu IdealIdIIdeIdeaeal ffooror ffaaamamiamilamiliamiliemilieeesss, ££3£33£33.£33.6£33.60 24 hour unlimited travel for four people across our network GGeGetetet yyoursoouours ttodayooday oononlonlyy ffrfromoom tthehhe BBoBorBordersddeders BBuBusBuseBusess aapapp Page 14 E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 What a great way – to spend the day Jim Henson – the genius who created The Muppets once said – ‘There’s not a word yet for old friends who’ve just met.’ Well there may not be a word, but there is a place – and that’s Langholm Day Centre. When you walk in there you immediately feel as though you’re among friends even if you’ve never met them before. It’s just that kind of place.

t’s a place to meet and chat Iand enjoy a tasty, well-cooked meal. A place to relax, read a book, catch up with local happenings, perhaps enjoy a game of dominoes or try indoor curling. A place where you might be entertained with a song, or even be inspired to create a tiny handknitted garment for a baby born a little earlier than expected. It’s come a long way from its origins in the 1980’s when it was set up simply to give people somewhere to get soup and a sandwich. Now one of the longest serving Day Centres in the region, it’s also one of the busiest, with people coming regularly from Carlisle, Longtown, Newcastleton and Gretna as well in the first ever Dumfries that greatly improved its Cornet Henry Jeffrey visits Langholm Day Centre in July 2019 as Langholm itself. Kiltwalk last year. The Hunter facilities. Lunch is served every Sandra Graham has been part Foundation which organises the weekday to around thirty people Below: Kilted and ready for action - of the Centre for sixteen years – Jackie Hall and Pamela Bell ready to raise event boosted that amazing total at a cost of just five pounds per first as Cook, and for the past funds for the Centre still further with an additional head and that’s clearly four as Manager. She loves her 40% to take the sum to around appreciated by the happy diners. job but says keeping the ship £2,400. But Sandra says for most of their afloat is a constant challenge. regulars, what really matters ‘It is hard work. We get an most is the chance to get out of annual grant from the local ‘It gives a purpose to the house and see other people. Council, but that doesn’t quite the day and a place to ‘If you speak to our members, cover the wages bill. We have to go and people to meet many would say the Centre is a raise funds to cover anything and chat to when they lifeline because they might not above that such as utility bills and the costs of our minibus. We get here. Both mentally get out otherwise – especially are incredibly lucky because the and physically it’s good those who use wheelchairs or find generosity in this small town is for people.’ it difficult to get about under amazing. People here don’t have their own steam. They might not a lot of money but they’re so kind have anyone living nearby or and we are really well supported Local groups also pitch in to their family might be working out in the community. We also have a help with fundraising and to of the town so they can be pretty Sales Table operating here all the entertain the members. isolated in many ways. The time and it’s surprising how ‘Langholm Concert Orchestra company and the social aspect is much money can be raised put on a show for us recently and really important. It gives a through that.’ we had Langholm Sings, people purpose to the day and a place to Staff member Jackie Hall and really enjoyed that.’ go and people to meet and chat to her walking buddy Pamela Bell Last year the Centre’s kitchen when they get here. Both raised more than £1700 for the underwent a major mentally and physically it’s good Day Centre when they took part transformation with an extension for people.’ E&L Life • Issue No. 7 -February/March 2020 Page 15

The Centre also stages a wide variety of activities and events, aiming to find something to please everyone. ‘We have various things on, like the Dominoes Club, our Knitting Group, Pilates and Tai Chi classes, Indoor Curling, Bingo and quizzes. We also go on trips to places like Gretna or our local garden centres.’ The Day Centre members are great supporters of productions put on at the Buccleuch Centre by the Langholm Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and Centre Stage companies, making sure they’ve got good seats for the annual play, musical and pantomime. And there’s no shortage of new ideas. ‘We want to set up some The group that knits together - polytunnels and possibly get has fun and helps tiny babies some more men involved. We’ve also managed to raise funds for a physio bed and we’re hoping to have a physio come in maybe one day a week. So often you see Drawn together by a common thread people getting discharged from hospital without any real follow- local premature babies, the group everyone. It can be really up so we would like to provide has despatched 254 tiny pieces of entertaining. ‘It’s really important to that.’ clothing to the Royal Infirmary in ‘I really couldn’t praise the the group to know that Edinburgh, 151 to Ninewells Centre highly enough. They the things we are hen babies are born Hospital in Dundee and 60 to a really do look after everyone. If Wprematurely it can be group which cares for vulnerable someone wasn’t well, they would knitting will mean such really difficult to find women. Hospitals in Dumfries be checking to make sure if they a lot to the Mums and clothes small enough to fit them. and Carlisle have also benefited needed anything. It’s a great their wee babies.’ That was a challenge taken up as well as Crosshouse in place to come.’ with gusto by members of the Kilmarnock after the hospital Langholm Day Centre Knitters suffered a flood in their Group, and thanks to them, stockroom and lost a lot of items. hundreds of tiny garments have The members of the group pay been sent to hospitals in the for most of the wool themselves, south of Scotland and north of each donating a pound a week. England. Around sixteen ‘My daughter goes online to find members meet every week with wool at the best prices for us,’ their needles to knit the tiny May says. ‘We bought £40 worth matinee jackets, hats, bootees just the other week, but it doesn’t and cot blankets. take us very long to get through Knitting has always been a it.’ passion for May Wylie, and she Knowing how much they’re says she’s delighted to have found helping must surely be a source such a great reason to keep of great satisfaction in itself, but casting on. a growing school of thought says ‘I’ve always knitted and since knitting has many other benefits I’ve retired, I must have knitted for people’s wellbeing, both about fifteen shawls. When I physical and mental. One study decided to start knitting for even concluded that the NHS premature babies it really all just should prescribe knitting because snowballed from there. It’s really it lowers blood pressure, distracts important to the group to know from chronic pain such as that the things we are knitting arthritis, and keeps the mind will mean such a lot to the Mums sharp. May definitely agrees an and their wee babies.’ afternoon with the knitters group May has a special notebook at the day Centre is good for where she keeps a tally of all the whatever ails you. items completed and where ‘I’m on my own so it’s great to they’ve been sent to. In recent come along to the group months, as well as knitting for sometimes just to sit and listen to Just a few of the group's beautiful hand-knitted garments Page 16 E & L Life Issue 7 | February/March 2020 Page 17 Walk the Walk Take a stroll with our regular rambling correspondent GAVIN GRAHAM

‘In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he gives…’ John Muir ead down to the end of Bank Street eep following the the view of the Lake District Longtown's beautiful five-arch bridge - one of the many legacies of Robert Graham Longtown and then follow the signposted narrow gravel road till you fells in the distance. Return Hlane down to the river Esk. This Kcome to an open along the road to the left Arthuret walk passes a children’s play area and there is a wooden bridge. A signpost next towards St Michael’s and All to this bridge says, ‘End of Angels Church, in Arthuret. lovely seat next to the river to sit and admire permissive Footpath NO The original church building at Map – OS Explorer 323 the five-arched Longtown Bridge over the ENTRY’. Some farmers in Arthuret dates from 1150 and river Esk which was built in 1756 and England put these signs up in was served by the Monks of • The walk is 4 miles repaired and widened in 1889. a bid to keep walkers away Jedbergh. The present church from their land but in my was built in 1609 in a late and this includes Turn left along the narrow path heading opinion this is a right of way Gothic style. exploring Wilkins Pool downstream and this soon opens up to a wider and leads to a narrow lane Arthuret Gravel Ponds and gravel road next to a big hawthorn hedge running between hedges through a It’s well worth taking a little Arthuret Church parallel to the River Esk. Follow this road for a gate. In Scotland nowhere is time to do some exploring of Grounds. few hundred yards past the well-hidden Sewage out of bounds as long as we both the church and its respect the Country code. grounds. There is a path from works on your left. When I walked this route on a • Fauld the far end of the graveyard The elevation gained beautiful autumn Sunday in early November the After passing over this down to the river but it was is 182ft. Hawthorn bushes were heavy with berries and this wooden bridge, follow the road very muddy when I was there should provide food for visiting migratory birds for another hundred yards or and not worth going down, so I • It would be classed as right through the winter. so then go through a gate would just exit the Church an Easy. leading to a country lane. At grounds and head back into After walking approximately one kilometre you the end of the lane bear right Longtown along the quiet road will come to the Wilkins Pools on your left-hand • and carry on till you come to as there is a path next to the Start: Bank Street, side. These must have been man made and are another bridge over a stream road for most of the way. Longtown which is the great places to see wildfowl of all different kinds. I and eventually to a tarmac From the church back to your street on the right just country road at a corner. starting point in Bank Street have tried to research their origins but have so far past the Filling Station From here you turn left to pass is about a kilometre and if you been unsuccessful so if anybody can help with this The Fauld Farm. time it right, it’s definitely heading south on the ARTHURET CHURCH IHistorians would be most believe grateful. there has They been are a worthchurch exploring of some Follow this lovely quiet worth treating yourself to a A7. country road until it comes to Fish and Chip supper in the andsort if here you sinceare keen the on6th wildlife century, there’s and according usually to There are public toilets legend, it is the burial place of King Arthur. a junction with another road. Esk Café. You’ll have worked in Bank Street. plentyHowever to see.another I spotted legend three says swans the iconic but a kinglarge did Just a few yards away there is up an appetite with the walk flocknot die of geeseat all, andbut liesother sleeping wildfowl beneath took off Blencathr before Ia a seat, and this is an excellent and this is one of the best Fish along with his knights. could get close enough to photograph them. The walk takes in a bit of the old Waverley railway line place to sit for a while to enjoy & Chip shops in the area. A stately swan takes in the view while gliding on Wilkins Pool Page 18 E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020

RESTAURANT REVIEW by Gilly Fraser The Bite Café | Brampton Click your heels together three imes...

Enough to satisfy even a lion-size appetite f you were to follow the yellow cleansing home-made lemonade, Ibrick road, where do you suppose followed by a wee cupful of broth you would land up? Probably not in which we were solemnly informed was a café at a Trout Fishing Park near really Straw Soup. Very nice it was too. Brampton, but life is full of surprises, Then the spread arrived – and spread and someimes a bit of magic. The Bite it truly was. Forget any idea of a mid- Café is part of an 18th century Corn day snack. If you go to the Bite Café for Mill which was originally part of the any kind of aternoon tea, be it A wizard cakestand full of Oz delights Howard family’s Naworth Estate. It sits themed or otherwise, pack an appeite within the Trout Fishing Park which is because you’ll definitely need it. centred on a stream-fed pond with First up was a salver laden with wooden wigwams on the slopes above. flakey, butery croissants containing a There’s also a gallery, a fairy trail, variety of fillings. The brie and DINING children’s amusements and a well- cranberry was lush enough for me so I stocked tackle shop. ventured no further, waning to leave So where does Oz come into all this? room to sample as many of the other AT THE Well, the Bite Café prides itself on goodies as possible. The next plate serving a dayime menu full of held chicken cajun tacos, spicy homemade, locally sourced, seasonal meatballs, and chicken dippers with a choices. But someimes it likes to have curry dip. The watermelon and crème a bit of fun by offering a themed fraiche had a cheeky kickback of spice, Mothers Day Treats experience. In recent months it has the cheese scones were genuinely the transformed itself into Hogwarts, best I’ve ever tasted and the amuse Wonderland, Narnia – and Oz. bouche spoons were cute and tasty. SUNDAY LUNCH I went along with a chum and her The Ozziest offerings came with the from £15.95 for 2 Courses litle boy. He’s never seen Wizard of cakestand – poppy seed muffins as a Oz, but was nevertheless mesmerised nod to the poppy field Dorothy fell from £18.95 for 3 Courses by the lifesize cutouts of Dorothy, asleep in, courage medals on biscuits Served 12-2pm Strawman, Tinman and Lion, and the for the cowardly lion, ruby shoes on Bookings Essential sparkly red shoes holding pride of chocolate chip cookies, and brandy place in a special display. The walls snap diplomas for the strawman. We were adorned with framed quotes met every new thing with exclamaions from the film, like ‘It’s not where you of delight and they all passed the taste AFTERNOON TEA go, it’s who you meet along the way,’ test with flying colours. with a Glass of and of course ‘There’s no place like The Bite Café obviously likes a bit of a home.’ A lot of care had been taken to challenge – later this year it has days Prosecco £16.95 make sure we knew we weren’t in devoted to Grease and Mamma Mia Kansas. among others. And I can’t wait to see Served 2-3pm Our aternoon tea began with a what the menu-designer comes up Bookings Only botle of thirst-quenching, palate- with for War of the Worlds. Call 013873 80357 to The Bite Café • Trout Fishing Park • New Mills • Brampton CA8 2QS reserve your table Open 10am - 4pm every day except Mondays and Tuesdays Eskdale Hotel, Market Place, Langholm, DG13 0JH 016977 42235 | www.newmillstroufishingpark.co.uk E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 Page 19

119 High Street Annan DG12 6ED Gilnockie Tower 01461 206524 and the 07773 797511 Clan Armstrong Centre [email protected] Open to March 2020 11am to 3pm - 7 days Walk with the Esk Valley RenesGiftsAnnan Border Reivers!

Shirley Lamont Johnnie Armstrong Cafe Open Rene’s Gifts & Accessories Personalised tours Ann Smith Art Wool Felting available with prior booking Mixed Media Artist Workshops Langholm Phone: ● Paintings ● 28th March ● 013873 71373 Wool Felt Arts & Crafts ● 6th June ● Prints & Greetings Cards [email protected] or 07733 065587 Ashley Bank House Tel: 07851 701357 [email protected] Langholm DG13 0AN www.annsmithart.com Studio open by appointment

Main Street Canonbie Gemma’s DG14 0SY Hair & Beauty 013873 71571 Monday-9.30-2.30 ● Tuesday 9.30-5.30 ● Wednesday 9.30-4.30 Thursday 9.30-7.00 ● Friday 9.30-4.30 ● Saturday 9.00-4.00  Special Offers   Spray tans £10 full body  Bridal packages available  Eyelash lift & tint £20  Free hair extension quotations  Makeup £25  Gift vouchers available  Gel polish £14.50  Stockists of  Acrylics £20 Cloud Nine Electricals  Express facial 30 mins £20 Thalgo Beauty Products Over 20 years salon experience All aspects of hair and beauty under one roof from trims to colours & perms, waxing to makeup. Page 20 E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 Whipcrack Away!

Leading lady Leona Mason has played some cracking roles in LAODS productions – now she’s won her dream role as Calamity Jane. Here we put her under a different kind of spotlight to find out more about her love of the stage. Leona Evans takes on the massive role of Calamity Jane for the Langholm society Q/ When did you first join Q/ Do you get nervous? What Q/ Tell me about Calamity LAODS and what made you do you do to settle your Jane - what's the character decide to join? nerves? like? I was part of the youth theatre I’ve been performing for pretty Calamity is someone who tries group in Langholm for a couple of much all of my life, so I am used to behave like a man and give out years and my friend Jackie to the butterflies and quite enjoy a hard exterior but reveals she invited me to come along to a the adrenaline rush you get when has a softer more feminine side rehearsal. Langholm is such a you are about to step on stage. as well. She is such a fun great community of people and But in the dressing room while character, her catchphrases and they welcomed me with open getting ready I like to try and one liners are hilarious. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in show arms all those years ago and zone out, especially if it’s opening playing her. today LAODS is like a big family. night. I will put my headphones in and listen to some music to try Q/ Give me your favourite Q/ What was your first show? and relax as much as possible. line from Calamity Jane. My first year and show was There are so many to choose Oliver I played the part of Bet, from. Calamity calls many people Nancy’s best friend. some great names. Slab-sided yellow bellied sons of cowardly Q/ What was your first big coyotes has to be one of my top part? three.. Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz Q/ Apart from LAODS, what which was a lot of fun. I even had other musical things do you do? a real life Toto! I am a professional solo singer and have an honours Degree in Q/ What has been your Traditional Music from the Royal favourite show - and part - so Conservatoire of Scotland. I’m a far? private Vocal Coach and have Maria in the Sound of Music. It both children and adult students. was great working with the kids Leona in her first role for LAODS in Oliver I also lead a preschool group in and it was one of my favourite the local children’s choir Rainbow films growing up. Q/ What would be your dream Tribe in Annan which is run by role? my very close friend Barbara Q/ Your Mum Fiona is also an This one - Calamity Jane I have Lewis. active member of LAODS - always said I would love to play what's it like being on stage this role. And have begged the Q/ What's your day job? together? society for many years to do it. I work as a Learning Assistant It’s great fun. It’s so nice to have Doris Day is one of my idols and I at Lockerbie Learning Centre something we both love doing. have spent many nights watching where I get to work with children And it’s a great way for us to and singing along with her in the with additional needs and I Leading man, Glen Cavers in rehearsal spend time together. film. absolutely love it. E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 Page 21

Alan Weatherstone and the gang are all smiles in rehearsal...... so far! Nicky Henderson and Pauline Burrows

Maz Burgess, Vi Graham, Leona Evans, Lou Adie and Cathie Gunn

Nicky Henderson (Francis Fryer) sings about the weather

Jim Thomson (Charlie from Nantucket), is introduced by Calamity Jane Glen Cavers, Eric Hislop and Ian Ludlum doing some serious acting! Page 22 E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 Art for Art’s Sake

All the fun of the Arts Fair as Kelso prepares to become the centre of attention for art lovers hen Frances Fergusson risks of putting on events during Wwas invited to take over Winter in Scotland – even the running of the indoors. Scottish Borders Art Fair several ‘It’s all about trying to get years ago, she didn’t hesitate. But people to come to the Borders and she knew it had to change from we are the first big arts fair of the being a fairly low-key, modest season which works well for us event run by volunteers into and for the artists. But we have something far more ambitious if had snow on the Saturday and it was to survive. So, in a bold snow on the Sunday. I would move, it was restructured as a really like to have one completely non-profit community interest snow-free year just to see what company and relaunched as the that would do to our visitor Borders Art Fair. This meant it numbers.’ could attract funding, while Six thousand keeping it affordable for However, it would seem art- exhibitors and entry-free for lovers are hardy souls because visitors. Turned out to be a good even with the threat of the white move. In the last three years, the stuff, last year’s three-day Fair Fair has gone from strength to attracted more than six thousand strength. visitors. That could have a lot to Budding artists studying the complexities of the human form in a life drawing workshop ‘We wanted to give a platform to do with the organisers’ local artists but also become big determination to make it a enough to attract people and friendly, welcoming event with a prices as low as possible, partly best of each genre.’ artists from farther afield and to range of artists and styles to because we obviously can’t The Fair also features lunchtime introduce people to other artists appeal to as wide an audience as promise the footfall they would talks supported by the multi- they might not have come across,’ possible. get in cities. However, it also disciplinary RSA, with Irene Frances explains. ‘At the moment ‘For us it’s all about being means we are bombarded with Kernan and Catherine Holden around sixty percent of our inclusive and not snobby or applications and that gives us a addressing ‘The Art of Craft,’ exhibitors are local artists.’ pretentious. It should be a fun really good choice with VAS President Andrew The Fair is staged mostly in the and enjoyable day out. Visitors everything from high-flying Mackenzie on ‘The Value of the Borders Events Centre in also get the chance to meet the galleries to amateur artists. It’s Visual Arts in Scotland’ and RSA Springwood Park beside Kelso. artists and that’s a big selling up to us to select the right mix Fellow Keith McCarter on ‘My Frances is all too aware of the point. For the exhibitors we keep and we try very hard to get the Life as a Contemporary Sculptor.’ E&L Life • Issue No. 7 -February/March 2020 Page 23

Getting up close and personal with the works of art at the Borders Art Fair

Visitors don’t have to restrict before, to the professional artist. themselves to admiring the We have three workshops for prowess of others – they can have children as well.’ a go themselves – and they don’t Most of the activity is based in have to be budding Picassos or the Borders Events Centre, but Jessie M. Kings. the Fair does share the love ‘We’re staging workshops in outwith Springwood Park. A collaboration with Allanbank travelling gallery will pitch up in Arts in our two studio areas and Kelso town centre on the Friday they are designed to be for and Saturday, with an exhibition This year's Artist-in-Residence - Lucy Macleod. absolutely anyone, right through featuring new work by Shetland- and Suzie Eggins who studied at Director of Langholm’s rural arts from the person who has never based artist Amy Gear, Swiss the Moray School of Art as part of organisation Outpost Arts. It’s even picked up a paintbrush film-maker Rhona Muhlebach Scotland’s Year of Coasts and behind a number of initiatives Waters. including a mural trail depicting Gainsborough the town’s culture and heritage, a Two Borders stately homes are variety of classes and workshops also taking part in the Fair by and an artventure trail covering staging special guided tours. everything from drawing to Marchmont House in Greenlaw writing poetry to stream-dipping. will highlight local artists, while The main focus of Outpost Arts at Mellerstain, just north of this year is a wide-ranging and Kelso, visitors can see paintings highly ambitious scheme called A by Van Dyck, Ruysdael, Creative Place which wants to Gainsborough, Ramsay and other reach out to all parts of the Old Masters. community. It has set up arts Back in Kelso, the Artist-in- clubs and awards schemes at Residence at last year’s Fair was Langholm Primary and Academy illustrator Katie Chappell who and in May will join forces with scorned the use of canvas and the wildlife tour group Wild instead captured images of Eskdale in a festival called ‘Look visitors on the windows. This out Langholm’ to share the area’s year the mantle passes to Lucy creative and environmental MacLeod, founder and Creative assets with new audiences.

The Borders Art Fair runs from 13-15 March. For more information, go to______www.bordersartfair.com To find out more about Outpost Arts and its activities, go to

Adorning a Langholm street - part of the town's new Mural trail www.outpostarts.co.uk Page 24 E&L Life • Issue No. 7- February/March 2020

The power of collaboration Two national charities working to help young people came together in a special one day event at the Rock UK centre near Newcastleton ock UK means different the national youth charity Youthscape. ‘They may be in the emotional resilience and things to different people. Youthscape, which is based in Care system or disengaging with wellbeing, trying to understand RTo some, the outdoors Luton but runs events nationwide education. We cover the range – what resilience really is and why activity centre at Whithaugh just helping those who work with working with youngsters who it can be easily knocked, outside Newcastleton is all about young people, particularly in the think they’re failing if they get a especially in the young. It also personal challenge, whether that area of mental health. B in an exam, right through to explained practical methods of be scaling the climbing wall or offering support. hurtling down the zipwire. To others it’s about discovering strengths and talents they never knew they had, perhaps by picking up bow and arrows for Rock UK the first time in the archery field. To others still, it’s about team- is a Christian charity, building, helping one another and but the centres welcome learning the power of working people from all faiths or together. And to many it’s just none. Around 60,000 pure, uncomplicated fun. people visit the four The roots of Rock UK stretch Rock UK centres every back to the early 1920’s when a year, including groups group of Sunday School teachers from more than four in London decided to take some Claire Musson addressing the Youthscape meeting at Rock UK hundred schools. youngsters to the seaside to get The Whithaugh centre them away from the hustle of the ‘We’ve been going into High referral units and youth offending offers a variety of city for a little while. Now, very Schools for the past 25 years, teams. We’re not specifically activities from abseiling nearly a century later, the working with vulnerable young targeting one category of young to canoeing, mountain Christian group has four outdoor people who may be displaying people.’ biking and gorge activities centres in the UK, quite difficult behaviours The Rock UK event brought walking. including Whithaugh. particularly around emotional together local teachers, youth Recently the centre took part in and mental health,’ says Laura workers and others working with a collaborative event along with Haddow, Head of Training at young people. It focused on E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 Page 25

Laura Haddow gets a birds eye view of the Liddesdale Valley from the Rock UK zipwire

e’ve had a really chaplain. The plan is that they help them grow in emotional with people.’ interesting mix of will all go away from this event literacy and be able to talk about It’s perhaps ironic that the very ‘Wpeople today – from armed with different resources things like anxiety or anger or social media which claims to be schools and youth organisations, and worksheets which will help sadness and be able to put those all about heightened there’s a Karate instructor, them put things into practice feelings into words.’ communication, all too often someone from the local Wildlife with the young people they’re Rock UK’s Claire Musson says results in people feeling Watch group and a school working with. So that they can the venue was keen to host the desperately isolated because it event because of a firm belief that leads to difficulties forming the residential experiences they actual relationships with other offer can accelerate the type of people. That’s something Rock work Youthscape does. UK endeavours to address. ‘You can build trust a lot faster ‘I thought that as a charity and get to the end result of them that’s what we need to be tapping being able to talk about their into,’ Claire says. ‘There’s emotions faster. Being outside something powerful about and stepping outside your stepping outside your comfort zone can take you to a environment and if we want to stretch zone which gives you a transform young lives, we need to sense of achievement and pride know how we can be doing that which is actually one of the key better.’ She smiles. ‘There is also components in developing the added bonus that we don’t resilience. Equally, there are have wifi here.’ some young people who come to us, who find or decide they can’t Youthscape do something so it can be about helping them to realise that it’s began in Luton in 1993 not a failure and not the end, when 45 churches came because there will always be together to work with another opportunity to push young people. The themselves again. group’s aim is to show ‘This is the first event of its kind that Christians can and we’ve held at Rock UK should be promoting Whithaugh, and it’s happened positive change in their because I read a report called communities and in the ‘Status of Mind’ which looks at lives of young people. the impact social media has on They develop young people’s mental health partnerships with across various platforms. It made charities such as me realise that transforming Childline to develop young lives today is actually initiatives and tackle about helping them to tackle contemporary issues. Youthscape's Laura Haddow kitted out in safety harness for the Zipwire mental health and disconnection Page 26 E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 A Reader’s response In the last edition of E&L Life, regular columnist Sophie Mitchell wrote about her school trip to some of the WW1 battlefields and war cemeteries in Europe and the lasting effect they had on her.

ophie wrote… During the also reckons there’s a family Sfive days, we stayed at the connection as his Grandfather Messines Peace Village in and Sophie’s Great-Grandfather Belgium and another venue in were brothers. France. This gave us the ‘It was very interesting to read opportunity to not just visit one the article about the WW1 country’s memorials but two. One Battlefields and Cemeteries and of the first we went to visit was in the impression that it had left on Poperinge near Ypres in Belgium. Sophie. Thiepval Memorial, in the Somme region of France It was incredible. I had never seen My first experience of the anything like it. It was so clean Military Cemeteries in France think the one that made the WWII are buried in the same and well looked after, every grave was with my fiancé back in 1992 biggest impression was Thiepval. location. was white and had the symbol of when we visited the American When you stand next to the We have yet to visit the Verdun each person’s religion engraved on Military Cemetery that overlooks memorial and see all the names area of France and the Tyne Cote the stone. Every grave was Omaha Beach. I have never you can then begin to appreciate Cemetery in Belgium but they decorated with flowers. I’m not a forgotten the impact this had on the number of soldiers (young are on the list for when I retire very emotional person and when me. The pristine white men) that were killed in WW1, and have more time to travel. If I you hear about the wars and headstones and how although it is actually very can do it, I would also like to visit about the number of men who immaculately it was looked after. difficult to take it all in. It really El Alamein as I have a relative on died, obviously it’s extremely sad The same day we visited a does leave a lasting impression. my Mother’s side of the family but you don’t fully get it until German Military Cemetery and We have also visited various who was killed in Egypt during you’ve witnessed these cemeteries the contrast was quite startling – WWII. for yourself. cemeteries around the Somme not that it was not looked after, Battlefields and like Sophie were If Sophie gets the opportunity to Reader Gordon Mitchell was but because of the black struck by the ages of the men visit Thiepval and the nearby touched by her words and wanted headstones laid flat on the buried there. Ulster Tower, I would urge her to to let us know about his own ground. In 2018 we visited a Military go. The other location that is a trips. Gordon was born in Since then myself and my wife Cemetery near to Pegasus Bridge little further away from the Ashkirk near Selkirk and have visited various Military and this was the first occasion Somme but also well worth although he no longer lives in the Cemeteries in France and that I have encountered where visiting is Compiegne, where the area, he still has family here. He Belgium with our two sons. I Allied and German Soldiers from WW1 Armistice was signed.’

Ancre Military Cemetery, also in the Somme region Gordon & Helen Mitchell E&L Life • Issue No. 7 -February/March 2020 Page 27

The joys Italian poet and novelist Cesare Pavese once wrote, ‘You need a village if only for the pleasure of leaving it. A of village village means that you are not alone, knowing that in the people, the trees, the earth, there is something that life belongs to you, waiting for you when you are not there.’ by Sophie Mitchell

have lived in a village for 17 Iyears and it has been the best part about growing up, as there are so many positive aspects to it. Village life in general is quieter and everything moves at a slower pace than living in a city. You’ll often find that people in villages are polite and will give you a friendly welcome. The village I live in has a very small school, which to me when I was younger was great because it meant the teacher could often spend one to one time with each pupil. Another thing I like is the peacefulness. Whatever time of day it is, there is very little noise compared to a city. I can’t speak for every village of course, but overall we tend to have lower crime rates and less antisocial behaviour. I love that everyone E& L Life columnist Sophie Mitchell loves life in the Borders village of Newcastleton tends to know everyone, so for instance whenever I go to the Another great point about living Butchers I don’t even have to say in a village is that they can be what I want, they’ll have the pie in great places to raise families. a bag ready for me. To me, when There’s a sense of freedom for this happens, it makes you feel at children as it is usually safe for ease wherever you go. It’s like one them to go out and explore the giant family. Actually, I am countryside without fear of harm personally related to many people coming to them. in the village, so for me it really is To finish off, the last thing I like like being part of a giant family. about living in a village is the This village is famed for being routes out of it. Living in a rural supportive and when there is an area means there are plenty of event on, you will usually see that routes to take to get to any cities everyone lends a hand to get it all or local villages, and they let me together and turns up on the day fully take in just what a beautiful to support it. That’s true for place I live in. everything from the Coffee Mornings which are held regularly in the Village Hall to raise funds In the next edition we’ll for various causes, to the bigger look at some of the events like the Holm Show, the downsides of living in a Forties Weekend or Copshaw village – but in the Cabaret. They can also bring in tourists, which are a big part of meantime we’d really love keeping village life going, as many to know your opinions on pubs and hotels rely on tourism, village life – good and bad. which wouldn’t happen if villages So please send them to me weren’t nice places to go to. at [email protected] Copshaw events are always guaranteed a great audience Page 28 E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February 2020 Growing up with Harry Potter

Finding new worlds and adventures in the pages of a book is one of the greatest joys in life for E&L Life Young Reporter Amber Foster

Amber with just a few of her favourite books ● When I am not out touring the time, as if I lived in Privet Drive reading The Wizards of One, I like David Walliams books countryside there is just one and went to Hogwarts with him. Twice Magic which is the second because of the funny things he thing I love to do… My favourite books by Cressida in that series. So far it is really puts in and I love his imagination Cowell are Wizards of Once and enjoyable because a boy called when he writes them. I am ● Whenever it is raining I can do How to Train Your Dragon. So Xar has escaped from a prison looking forward to reading his this hobby... far I have only read the last of and witches have come back. new book The Beast of her How to Train Your Dragon (The witches in this are different Buckingham Palace. ● Whenever it is sunny I can do books which is How to Fight a because they are evil and they The final author that I enjoy this hobby... Dragon's Fury. Right now, I'm have talons and beaks.) reading is Roald Dahl. My favourite book of his has probably ● Whenever, whatever, wherever, got to be Danny, The Champion I can do this hobby... of The World because Danny and his Dad did something so IT IS READING! dangerous, so extraordinary, so fantastically brilliant that no one y favourite authors are will have it tried before. If you J.K Rowling, Cressida want to know what happens then MCowell, David Walliams you will have to read it. If you do and Roald Dahl . read it then I hope you enjoy it. I like J.K Rowling because she Sometimes I can be reading a wrote the Harry Potter books really good bit in a book and then which are my all-time favourite Mum or Dad might call to me to books. I love them and the films help with a job and I can be so because they are adventurous, engrossed that I don’t hear them. exhilarating and thrilling. I also When it is nice weather I like to like them because when you have go outside and read in the garden read about Harry Potter’s first while the birds tweet and the year at Hogwarts you want to trees sway with the light breeze read about his second and third blowing against their rough bark. year and on and on. It feels like I am growing up with them as if I was right next to Harry all the Amber in the place she loves best - deep in the heart of a book By Amber Foster aged 11 E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 Page 29 Quidditch – the wizard game that even Muggles can play A sport once reserved for high-fliers is now becoming more down to earth… of the team since September last year. ‘Quidditch is never going to be the new football,’ he says, ‘but it is definitely growing in popularity and there are now around fifty teams throughout the UK. We’ve had a few international students playing for us which has helped to raise our standard.’ The sport may have started as a bit of fun among Harry Potter aficionados, but now has a national structure. Quidditch UK runs leagues split into northern and southern divisions and top ranking teams compete annually for the British Cup. There’s also a Development Cup specifically designed to encourage players in the lower ranking teams, and special Kidditch events are staged to bring younger players on. Unlike the Harry Potter books and movies, the game isn’t yet a major crowdpleaser. Shaun says most spectators tend to be players themselves or friends and family. But that could Playing in the British Quidditch Cup (BQC) in April 2019 against Oxford Mammoths change as the game becomes Photo: Chaz Howkins Art better known. f you have no idea what a play as well. Quidditch matches have neither ‘I was drawn to Quidditch bludger is or what you ‘It’s a fast-paced, full-contact, a set duration nor a half-time because the people in it are fun Ishould do with a quaffle mixed gender sport which break. At seventeen minutes into to be around. Most sports are should one ever land in your combines elements of rugby, the game, an independent player segregated but Quidditch is fully lap, it’s probably fair to dodgeball and handball,’ says belonging to neither team enters integrated and very inclusive.’ assume you’re not a Harry Langholm-based Shaun the fray. He or she will be easily Happily it seems J.K. Rowling Potter fan. They are two of Goodfellow who was first recognised by their yellow strip herself might even be a fan of the the three different types of introduced to the sport a couple plus the tennis ball in a sock Muggles version of her wizard ball used in Quidditch, so of years ago. ‘You run around stuck on the back of their shorts. sport. She told the International beloved by Harry and his with a PVC pipe between your This player is known as the Quidditch Association she was buddies at Hogwarts. legs as a broomstick. The main Snitch. One minute later, the truly delighted about its success Since one of the other essentials scoring ball is a slightly deflated Seekers come onto the pitch – in bringing the sport to so many is the ability to fly about on a volleyball called a quaffle which one for each team. Their job is to young people and said they had broomstick, author JK Rowling is passed between the Keeper catch the Snitch and claim the achieved quite an extraordinary may well have assumed the sport and three Chasers on each team. sock. A successful capture wins feat. she had created would remain They try to get it through the thirty points and ends the game. exclusive to members of the opponents’ hoops to score ten Shaun says he has never been Witchcraft and Wizardry School. points. Then there are also two particularly sporty but friends But she hadn’t reckoned on the Beaters who throw dodgeballs told him Quidditch was great fun ingenuity of those Muggles who known as bludgers at the so he had a go and discovered decided that with a few minor opposing team in a bid to they were right. Now he plays for tweaks to the rules, there was no temporarily knock players out of the Holyrood Hippogriff Seconds good reason why they shouldn’t the game.’ as Keeper and has been Captain Page 30 E&L Life • Issue No. 7 - February/March 2020 Horse Talk E&L Life’s equestrian column ______by Gilly Fraser______View from the saddle Shetland pony Dock proves that where ponies are concerned – size need not matter. hetland ponies are cute think and say.’ Slittle things and great for Happily they confounded the acting as companions to critics by proving successful in other bigger horses – but they’re just about everything Dock not much good for anything else – turned a hoof to - Showjumping, right? Dressage, Gymkhana games and Try telling that to the jockeys Arena Eventing. For Leah and who hurtle at breakneck speed Dock, size really didn’t matter. round the Shetland Pony Grand ‘My favourite victory was at the National course at Olympia every Ingliston Grand Slam Working year – in fact several successful Hunter Pony final, where Dock adult jockeys such as Sam and was the only pony under 14.2hh. Willie Twiston-Davies began We heard spectators saying, ‘a their racing careers on these Shetland trying to jump this - diminutive chargers. this’ll be a laugh,’ only to be Well okay, they can run, and stunned into silence when little they can even strut their stuff in Dock jumped the only clear to win the showing ring, but that’s about in style.’ it – right? Dock has been both equine Try telling that to Gretna-based partner – and teacher. rider Leah Donald who had a ‘I have had nine ponies and stark choice when she had to sell Dock has been by far the best. her very successful competition His personality and the fact he ponies several years ago because surprises everyone time after of family finances. She could give time in the ring is what makes up riding altogether, or turn to him special. He has taught me to the one pony who was too much never give up and to make the part of the family to sell. He was most of what you have. brave and feisty and raring to go. So – Shetlands can actually be Horninglow Penruddock - better pretty astonishing, and definitely known as Dock - as also a not to be written off as one-trick Shetland. ponies. Right? The pair did not have an easy Try telling that to Leah. She ride. The horsey world can be an will agree. unkind one, especially towards ‘Dock has shown me what an people and ponies who don’t fit amazing breed Shetlands are, the mould. Leah had to cope with and that they really can do much flak, but showed maturity everything. He is hilarious, he well beyond her teenage years makes us smile every day. He has and just got on with it. the biggest personality of any ‘To say I’ve been teased is an pony I’ve ever known. Dock will understatement,’ Leah says. ‘I do anything for me. He’d jump have been verbally abused, with three legs if I asked him to.’ ridiculed and had more insults than I can count. I’ve been told I would never achieve anything riding a Shetland. Had I listened to the critics I‘d have had to give Top: up riding and that was not an Leah and Dock on winning form option. Dock was happy and I was Bottom: happy so who cares what people Leah and Dock giving a fence plenty of air E&L Life • Issue No 7 - February/March 2020 Page 31 Adverising in E&L Life . . . contact us

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FEBRUARY JUNE Tue 25th....Royal Ballet - Double Bill Wed 3rd....The Summer Country Show Fri 28th .....Paul Kelly in Concert Wed 17th ..The Happy Hour Theatre Company Sat 29th ....My Glass World Thu 18th ...Royal Opera - Elektra* Fri 19th .....Twist & Shout MARCH Tue 23rd ...Declan Nerney in Concert Sat 7th...... The Carpenters Experience 16th - 22nd LAODS ‘Calamity Jane’ JULY Tue 24th ....Royal Opera - Fidelio* Fri 9th ...... Mary Duff in Concert Tue 31st ....Ball & Boe Back Together* Tue 7th...... EOS Matinée:- Frida Kahlo* ______APRIL and...... COMING NEXT SEASON Wed 1st.....Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake* SEPTEMBER Sat 4th...... Rue & The Rockets Wed 9th The Keep it Country Show Wed 8th.....EOS Matinée:- Easter in Art* Sun 20th The Leonard Brown Show Thu 9th...... Ball & Boe Back Together* Tue 14th ....Jonas Kaufmann - ‘My Vienna’* OCTOBER Wed 22nd..Viva Neil Diamond! Fri 9th Strong Enough - The Ultimate CHER Thu 23rd ...Calan Tue 28th ....Royal Opera Cavalleria/Paglliaci* Thu 30th....42nd Street* MAY Fri 1st...... Ultimate Bowie Sat 2nd...... Dominic Kirwan in Concert Sun 10th ...Langholm Pipe Band Concert Friday 1st May Mon 11th...Jimmy Buckley in Concert Sun 17th ...Acoustic Mac Thu 21st....NT Live - The Welkin* Tue 19th ....VE Day 75th Anniversary Matinée Thu 28th....Royal Ballet - The Dante Project*

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