The countdown to the arrival of the Tour of Britain in Dumfries is well and truly underway.
On Sunday 11 September 2011, Britain’s blue-riband national cycle race will race through Moffat just before 1200 (noon) before the 96 cyclists from 16 professional teams head for Dumfries.
The cyclists are expected to arrive on the Whitesands in Dumfries at around 1245, before setting out on a sweep of the Solway Coast, travelling through New Abbey and Beeswing, as they race back to Dumfries.
The winner of the first stage of the Tour of Britain is expected to cross the finish line on the Whitesands at around 1350 (1.50pm).
The entertainment on the Whitesands starts at 1200 (noon).
Bike parking facilities will be available free on the Whitesands in Dumfries. Look out for signage.
The Council is providing a free bus service to take cycling enthusiasts to the Devil’s Beeftub (above Moffat) to view the race. The bus will leave the Whitesands at 1015 and return to Dumfries in time for the stage finish. Places are limited and booking is essential. To book your place, email: gosmart@dumgal.gov.uk or phone: 0800 0234 586 before 8 September.
For full information on the Tour of Britain, see: www.tourofbritain.co.uk
out 1340 hours on Sunday 28 August 2011, a two vehicle, serious injury, Road Traffic Collision occurred on the B7005 near to Trammondford Football Park, Wigtown. A southbound, silver coloured Vauxhall Corsa, driven by an 18 year old man from Newton Stewart, collided with a northbound, red coloured Vauxhall Vivaro panel van driven by a 55 year old man from Whithorn. The driver of the Corsa sustained serious injuries to his legs and the driver of the van sustained minor injuries as a result of the collision. Police are appealing for witnesses who may have observed the silver Vauxhall Corsa driving south on the AAb714 towards Wigtown between 1330 and 1340 hrs on the day of the crash. Anyone who has seen this vehicle at the stated time is asked to contact the Roads Policing Unit at Stranraer’.
Anyone with information can contact Police on 08456005701 or Crimestoppers on 0800555111
On September 5th at 7pm, the Million Dollar Man – Ted DiBiase is speaking at Lighthouse Church, Maxwell Street, Dumfries.
The son of a professional wrestler, Ted DiBiase started his pro wrestling career as a fan favorite, but soon “changed sides” and became a heel throughout the rest of his career. DiBiase entered the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the late 1980s where he gained his fame as “The Million Dollar Man.”
DiBiase stayed in the WWF for more nearly 10 years, ending up as a manager for (soon to be star) “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
Hear his amazing story; a man who had everything but found that without God he was the poorest man in the world.
Here’s a film from David Slater, about Robert Burns’ final resting place. The film shows the Mausoleum in a terrible state. David says, “Surely Scotland’s National Bard deserves better than this for his final resting place. I made this film in the hope something will be done to repair it and bring it back to its former glory”.
The Mausoleum is a key local tourist venue, but it’s looking in serious need of attention.
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On this weeks Rock Show Friday between 7pm and 9pm , Iain Renicks sits in for Jim Stalker . Iain is joined by Rock Show regulars Mike Rogerson and Rory Nelson .
They will be welcoming one of the most exciting talents on the UK blues scene Marcus Malone.
Marcus will be joining the programme to talk about amongst other things his forthcoming appearence at Carisle Blues Festival and as usual there will be a great mix of Rock and Blues
DCC McCormick will be Annette Richards guest on the breakfast show – Wednesday 31st August
If you have any questions you would like Annette to put to the DCC please email them to hello@aliveradio.net and mark them for Annette’s attention
Cream teas and fun for all the family will be on offer at a unique garden party on Saturday 27th August. It takes place at River of Life Church, beside Dumfries Railway Station, from 2 – 5pm. Everyone is invited to sample traditional treats, home-baking and a sumptuous chocolate fountain. Professional manicures and facials will be available as well as crafts and cards, tombola, face-painting and a whole host of children’s activities, including a bouncy castle.
Admission is £1 for adults and 50p for children under 16. Proceeds from the event will split between the A21 Campaign which aims to prevent people from being trafficked and protect and support victims, and City Hearts, and Sheffield based charity which runs a ‘safe house’ as a refuge for girls from around the UK escaping from prostitution or domestic servitude.
This event is being hosted by Women Connect, who meet together regularly to support one another and to raise the profile of key issues. The issue of human trafficking was discussed at a recent meeting and inspired the group to do something about it. According to member Ali Spellacy, “This whole thing has really shocked us. We want to do something to make a difference and hope our garden party will be a start.”
Here’s Ali’s interview with Mark Smith on Drivetime earlier this week:
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Police in Dumfries and Galloway are launching a poster campaign in an effort to identify the body of a man who was found in woods in the Canonbie area of the force on 20 December 2011. As yet, after exhaustive world wide enquiries the man has not been able to be identified. Detective Constable Stephen Bell who is leading the enquiry said “We have now had a poster created which outlines the details that we want the public to consider and hopefully we can get people thinking again about this case. The poster will be going out across the force, neighbouring forces and across the UK as appropriate. We are targeting the local area through public buildings, cafes, restaurants, hotels and shops in an effort to keep the case current. W hope to target passing travellers through the area who may well have come across this man, have spoken to him or given him a lift. We have a lot of questions to be answered, and he must have got to Canonbie somehow. Did he get a lift, take a taxi or a bus? Hopefully this poster may jog a memory and bring in that vital piece of information which will bring closure to this case.”
In another development police can now reveal that the body of the found man has been released for burial. Arrangements are being made to have the remains buried in what is commonly known as a ‘paupers grave’. However no details of the man can be attributed to the grave at this stage until he has been identified. Detective Constable Bell is working with the authorities to make the final arrangement to lay the body to rest.
Hollywood star Angelina Jolie has used her time in Scotland to visit the global headquarters of a charity which specialises in landmine removal.
She is visiting the country with her partner Brad Pitt as he shoots the film World War Z in various locations.
The pair are long-standing supporters of the Halo Trust’s work.
Jolie took the opportunity to visit the trust’s headquarters in Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, on Saturday for the first time.
She was given a briefing by senior Halo staff on the current landmine problem and heard about the kind of work they are doing.
She said: “It was a privilege to visit the Halo headquarters and meet their committed staff.
“In the aftermath of war, Halo’s mine-clearing efforts are fundamental to a safe return and community building.”
The Jolie-Pitt Foundation has provided “hundreds of thousands of pounds” worth of financial support to Halo, funding humanitarian mine clearance teams in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Kosovo and Afghanistan.
Guy Willoughby, co-founder and director of the trust, said: “It was a great opportunity for us to talk through the projects and also plan our demining priorities for the future – identifying which communities in different countries are most in need of our support.”
Halo is one of the world’s oldest and largest humanitarian landmine clearance organisations and tackles the problem of landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
