Local News
DGMHA Introduces Mindfulness Benches in Dalbeattie, with Plans for Castle Douglas
Dumfries and Galloway Mental Health Association (DGMHA) is leading an initiative to bring mindfulness benches to Dalbeattie, supported by a generous £60,000 donation from Kavli Trust, the owners of Castle MacLellan. Known for its dedication to mental health services across the region, DGMHA has all...
Meeting calls to discuss A75 and A77 works
TRANSPORT Minister Fiona Hyslop is being urged to meet with politicians and campaign groups to discuss the vital importance of improving the A75 and A77. South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth made the calls and also, once again, demanded the Scottish Government urgently publish a delivery plan for improvem...
Region’s robbery rate triples
THE number of robberies in Dumfries and Galloway has more than tripled in a year, according to a shock new police report. Twenty-seven incidents have been recorded so far between April 1 and September 30 – compared to just eight in the same period last year. This year’s figure is also more than ...
MSP ‘deeply worried’ at man sleeping in his car
A MAN says he has been left with no choice but to sleep in his car after he was discharged from hospital in Dumfries without anywhere to go. And the discharge last week of Michael Boustead from Midpark Hospital has sparked debate about the lack of aftercare and safety nets for the elderly in Scotlan...
A Winter Wonderland: Dumfries & Galloway Deaf Children’s Society’s Magical Day with Santa
Heathhall Garden Centre & Jim Ferguson Of Annan & District Rotary Joined Together To Give A Once In A Lifetime Santa Experience To 19 Local Children Within Dumfries & Galloway Who Are Deaf & Hard Of Hearing The roads were icy but the enormous white Limo donated to thrill the children...
Mum determined to keep lights on this Xmas
AN ANNAN woman is making a stand after her housing provider warned her to take down festive decorations. This follows Cunninghame Housing Partnership sending letters to tenants across the region requesting that they remove outdoor Christmas decorations that could cause a safety or security risk. Gem...
Public invited to feed into marine plan
PEOPLE across Dumfries and Galloway are being invited to give their views about potential investment in the region’s marine ecosystems. The project known as Solway Coast and Marine Project (SCAMP), is an ambitious 15-year scheme led by the council’s environment team and the Solway Firth Partners...
Lambing tips at monitor meeting
ARE ‘ewe’ ready for lambing? Find out at the Dumfries Monitor Farm winter meeting next week. Preparing for lambing and ensuring it goes well is the focus of the event, to which all sheep producers are invited. Graham Lofthouse, who runs the Bankhouse Flock near Galashiels, will talk about ‘Be...
Parking charges being considered for area
PARKING charges could potentially be introduced in certain towns in the region in a big shake-up of the rules around parking provision. A new regionwide parking strategy has been developed over the past year, which could see Dumfries and Galloway Council apply to Transport Scotland to take over full...
Award for community project
A WIGTOWNSHIRE social enterprise has been recognised at the national Scotland Loves Local Awards. The Furniture Project, Stranraer, was named as runner-up in the enterprising communities category. It is the second year that the impact of the social enterprise’s work has been recognised at the even...
Paws for thought at Gretna
IT’S not just boys and girls that get to visit Santa at Caledonia Park in Gretna. For the shopping centre held its annual and popular Santa Paws event last week, in partnership with Oak Tree Animals’ Charity. And 128 dogs turned up to see the man in red, helping to raise £938 for the animal [...
New lease of life for former hotel
A NEW specialist residential service in Lockerbie supporting six adults with learning disabilities and complex needs is now open. The former Townhead Hotel has been converted into two flats and four ensuite bedrooms with communal living space and renamed Trinity Lodge. And from the new year they wil...
New spa will provide jobs boost for town
SIXTEEN jobs will be created at a new £2 million luxury spa within a Dumfries hotel. Renovation work will begin in January at The Cairndale Hotel with the existing leisure club replaced with a net zero luxury spa centre. The major transformation project, which comes after they were given a £400,00...
Snow alert
A WEATHER warning has been issued for Dumfries with snow and ice forecast from 5 pm today. The Met Office say there’s a risk of icy patches and snow over higher ground overnight and into Saturday morning. And the police are advising motorists to take care when travelling in wintry conditions. The ...
Communities seeking clarity over £60m plans for holiday complex at Barncrosh
Tongland and Ringford community council claims there is public “confusion” over the bid for up to 425 lodges at the site.
Shock as windfarm plans are revived
NEW plans to build wind turbines on an estate near Lockerbie has infuriated residents. Long-time Sibbaldbie residents David and Ann Barron were recently informed by post that a developer is looking into building seven new turbines on land within the Balgray Estate near to their home. The prospective...
Teenage musician from Dumfries takes to the stage at the Barrowlands with The Charlatans
Ruby Darbyshire, formerly of Dumfries, played two sold-out gigs at the Barrowlands at the weekend before her new single was played on Radio 6.
Dumfries dad can't sleep after dog attack
Allan Astley was attacked near Armour Drive in the town at around 6am on Friday.
Katie crowned best councillor in Scotland
MID Galloway and Wigtown West elected member Katie Hagmann has been named the best councillor in Scotland. She scooped the top accolade at The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year Awards for her efforts in local politics. Katie, who has been an SNP councillor locally since 2017, this week said: ...
Big DoG takes authors on schools tour
A TRIO of children’s authors and storytellers have been out and about this week visiting schools locally and spreading the love of reading. They went to 37 schools to engage with over 2000 pupils and donate 100 books as part of The Big DoG Schools Tour, a spin off from the Big DoG festival of […...