Local News
Caravan artist named for Spring Fling
A WIGTOWNSHIRE artist who paints wonky houses is looking forward to her Spring Fling debut next month. Amanda Hayler is one of 15 new participants in the popular arts event, which will this year have a record-breaking 104 studios taking part. Her caravan base, which was specially converted by her hu...
Hospital reopening hopes still on hold
HOPES of using Moffat Hospital as a base for the town’s GP practice are dwindling amidst new information. The matter was raised at Tuesday’s meeting of Moffat and District Community Council following sitings of builders and contractors at the site. To avoid any speculation, community councillor ...
Summer of song ahead for music man
BEATTOCK based rocker Elias T Hoth is gearing up for a busy summer of gigs and festivals. And ahead of his band’s hectic schedule, Elias T Hoth, real name Dean Meadows, has been reflecting on his career as he approaches his 21st anniversary. Originally from Leigh in the north west of England, Dean...
Beach path officially opened
THE sun shone as a new footpath to Powfoot beach was opened on Wednesday. The £14,000 project is a joint venture between the Cummertrees and Cummertrees West Community Council and the Powfoot Charity Group with the support of Dumfries and Galloway Council and it has been over a year in the making. ...
Semi final spot for ‘Masterchef’ Tom
MOFFAT-born Masterchef contestant Tom Johnstone has earned a place in the show’s semi-final. The 42-year-old has received excellent feedback so far during his time on the popular BBC One show for his twist on classic British meals. During the initial heat he was tasked to take a basic everyday ing...
Inspectors shocked at bad state of road
A DALSWINTON man is despairing at the ongoing state of the road leading to his property – and says even council inspectors agree. Dave Hunt, left, first flagged up the route, which is the only way to Low Townhead, to Dumfries and Galloway Council in April 2021. But it has declined since then with ...
League underway
GRETNA Walking Football team travelled to Penrith on Sunday for the start of their league games. It was a hard day for the team following Saturday’s passing of well known local footballer Tony Power. A minutes round of applause was held in his memory. On the day the Gretna team won all five of the...
Old Lockerbie hotel safety fears
THE state of a former Lockerbie High Street hotel has the town’s community council chairman concerned. Ken Bailey brought up the old Blue Bell Hotel issue once again at the group’s recent meeting and wanted some answers as to what is happening with the decaying building. Mr Bailey said: “What ...
Moffat club delighted by grant awards
MOFFAT RFC were thrilled to receive a boost to their funds with a cheque presentation from the Holywood Trust. The trust aims to help young people by providing financial grants, including to support opportunities for young people to participate in sport. The rugby club received two awards, with one ...
Triumph for the Tornadoes
LOCKERBIE Tornadoes Basketball Club lifted silverware last weekend after a hard fought battle against the Glasgow Olympians Basketball Club. The Tornadoes beat their Glasgow rivals 70-50 at East Kilbride’s Playsport Arena to lift the Strathclyde Basketball League’s Anderson Cup. It was a game of...
Gull help at hand
DUMFRIES and Galloway Council have published a new leaflet to their website to try and make the region gull proof. ‘Help us make Dumfries and Galloway gull proof’ explains what you can do to discourage the birds from causing any problems. The long coastline and urban settlements in the region ma...
Estonia experience for singer
GALLOWAY-BORN music artist Alx Romance was one of only two Scottish acts selected to perform at the recent Tallinn Music Week (TMW) in Estonia. The TMW is an annually run international music industry showcase and conference festival in early April. The event was opened by the president of Estonia, w...
Birthday celebrations for drop-in centre
A WIGTOWNSHIRE charity has celebrated 25 years since its formation this week. And since then, Stranraer Cancer Drop-in Centre has helped countless people and families through difficult times. Volunteers, users, former managers and some familiar faces came together to celebrate the occasion. Current ...
Popular butcher hangs up his apron
A POPULAR Dumfries butcher who has served thousands of customers has announced he’s hanging up his apron for good after nearly five decades. J.B Houston owner Stuart Houston revealed the shock news that his last day at the Greenbrae Loaning butchers will be this Saturday. Stuart has been the owner...
Weddings plan agreed for historic village tower site
THE creation of a wedding venue at a historic site near Dumfries is primarily to help preserve local heritage rather than for profiteering, the owner insisted this week. Jamie Johnstone, whose family owns Amisfield Tower and surrounding grounds, was relived to be granted planning permission on Wedne...
Cyber attack anxiety apologies
NHS Dumfries and Galloway has apologised for the anxiety caused by the cyber attack last month. In an update to concerned staff and patients, the health board this week stated that IT systems are running normally in the wake of what was a “focused and persistent attack”. The statement continued:...
Queen’s silver casket to go on display locally
A SILVER casket believed to have belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots is coming to the region later this year. The piece will go on display at Kirkcudbright Galleries from November 2 through to April 27 2025. It was acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2022 and has undergone fresh conservation work...
Project will harness porridge power
A DUMFRIES and Galloway-based research project has been awarded funding to help secondary school students understand and harness the power of the humble porridge oat. Propagate Scotland has received £5000 to involve young people from secondary schools in this region, as well as East Renfrewshire, t...
Tributes to Lockerbie top cop
A TOP policeman who led the Lockerbie bombing investigation has died. Tributes were this week paid to John Boyd CBE QPM after his death aged 90. He was a former HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland and his successor Craig Naylor released a statement, saying: “John Boyd, CBE QPM, exemplif...
Corberry Park Pipers hold tuneful coffee morning in Dumfries
Money raised will go back into teaching enthusiastic young people how to play the bagpipes