As part of an ongoing campaign by the Catholic Cluster Schools of St. Teresa’s RC Primary School, St. Andrew’s RC Primary School, and St. Joseph’s College the three schools are currently working on building plastic greenhouses, to encourage both healthy eating and recycling. Each of the greenhouses, measuring 6 x 4ft are made out of recycled plastic bottles, with each requiring around 1500 plastic bottles. Already the three schools are collecting bottles successfully and thanks to the generous help and support being offered by the local community, including notably Howies sawmill who are providing the timber, the first Greenhouse is looking likely to be ready to begin construction early in the new term however this is dependent on the volume of plastic bottles collected. Read the rest of this entry

Stig Nordkil and Anthony quiz the Queens boss with questions submitted by listeners. First broadcast live, at the end of June 2010. The interview is split into four parts – click on the players below for each part.

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Keep Well is a new project run by NHS Dumfries and Galloway, It is part of a wider health initiative aimed at improving the wellbeing of the local population. The project intends to address the issues of Cardiovascular disease and its main risk factors, especially high blood pressure, Cholesterol, Smoking, Weight, Diet and the Basket of Psycho-social problems (including unemployment) that significantly contribute to its development in 45 to 64 year olds. The project also aims to identify individuals with low wellbeing, and mild or moderate anxiety and depression and ensure they receive the treatment and support they need.

You can benefit from Keep Well on Thursday 22nd July from 10am to 5pm in Lincluden Community Centre, Dumfries. Read the rest of this entry

Summer in Nithsdale looks set to be sizzling as the launch of Youth Buzz promises to bring you a brilliant summer programme almost to your door.

The Council is bringing a state of the art mobile youth unit to various communities within the Nithsdale area. Activities will include various sports, sumo wrestling, the Log on Bus, DJing, PS3, information, street art, films, health and beauty equipment plus much much more. Youth Buzz is organised by Community Learning and Development Service in Nithsdale in partnership with Leisure and Sport Nithsdale.

The road show will be held in a variety of places 7 days per week from 3rd July – 31st July and these will run both in the afternoons and evenings and it’s free! Look out for what’s happening in your area. Read the rest of this entry

When Dennis McCallum, who has colour blindness, left school he decided that art college was probably not the obvious route for him to take. However, he developed his drawing skills in his own time and pace and subsequently by happy fortune found a niche for himself drawing wildlife. During the 1970′s, whilst based at his cottage in Galloway, he was awarded a licence by the government to care for injured protected species. Once they were fit and well he released them back into the wild, but during their convalescence they became the subjects for many of his drawings.

With this rich selection of material begging to be captured on paper he took his first tentative steps to painting in watercolour, everything from owls to otters, using subtle colour palettes mixed by his wife Frances. This led on to exhibitions throughout the area as well as Windsor, London and Edinburgh. Read the rest of this entry

Dock Park in Dumfries is one step closer to receiving £987,800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)

Dumfries and Galloway Council are past the first round of the bidding process and have recieved £34,250 of development funding from the HLF to help progress plans for the restoration of the park. If the second-round bid for £987,800 of funding from the HLF is secured, it will be match funded by the Council (approved in PHE Committee February 2010) and could lead to a range of work taking place to revitalise the park such as:

• Improvement of the northern entrance of the park and the car park.
• Refurbishment of historic features like the 19th century bandstand.
• Extension and improvements to the existing play areas to broaden the range of people catered for e.g. senior citizens.
• The creation of an events and gathering space which will also support a range of ball games
• Introduce a re-planting plan for the park
• Renovate the bowling pavilion to provide toilets, changing facilities etc
• Restoration of the maze and Kelly’s shelter Read the rest of this entry

At a civic reception on 29 June, primary school pupils from across Dumfries and Galloway celebrated their winning entries in a calendar competition organised by the Energy Agency in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council. The competition was to promote wise energy use in the home and was open to Dumfries and Galloway pupils in Primary 5, 6 and 7. Pupils were asked to produce of artwork with a domestic energy saving theme. The winning entries will be used in a calendar for 2011. Read the rest of this entry

Dumfries’ newest performance space, The Plainstanes by the Midsteeple, is to host a summer splash of talent.  Organised by Dumfries & Galloway Arts, The Wonderland Showcase takes to the stage on Saturday 17 July from 11am to 12 noon, and Dumfries’ most talented young people will get their chance to shine.

So far, the impressive line-up for Wonderland Showcase features the talented Room 16, led by Ewan McColl, Ineke Thomson’s popular dancers and indie band Without Reason, led by Zac Scott. Read the rest of this entry