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

Police are warning of a company calling themselves Crime Awareness who have been contacting householders across the region today in connection with the free installation of burglar alarms in their properties.
Numerous calls relating to the methods used by this company have been received at the Force Communication Centre at Police Headquarters. Thecompany offer to fit a burglar alarm for free and say to the householder that they will call back to arrange. Questions relating to details of the house were asked and most of the receiving the call chose to hang up rather than give any details out. The telephone number of the company has been withheld on each occasion.

Police are keen to alert members of the public to this method of selling and warn of the dangers of giving out any personal information over the phone.

The date of Youth Beatz 2010 has been changed to 16 and 17 July 2010 due to circumstances beyond our control.
The change has been necessary because N-Dubz have just signed a record deal with one of the biggest record labels in the USA. A condition attached to the deal is that they go to the USA in end of July/Early August to starting recording. This has resulted in them having to rearrange a number of shows.

Now the GOOD NEWS!
N-Dubz are still performing and they are welcomed on stage at the Dock Park, Dumfries on the evening of Friday 16th July along with some fantastic support acts including newly announced Fugative who had a top 40 hit with his last single ‘Crush’ and is set to have another with his new single ‘Bad Girl’

The change of date has also resulted in moving the daytime activities to Saturday 17th July making Youth Beatz a two day event. The Saturday’s free activity based entertainment programme will commence with a street procession of young people starting at the Mid Steeple in the heart of the town at 12.15pm.

This parade, the first of its type in Dumfries, will exhibit a range of costumes, dance performances and street acts on leading down to down to the Dock Park.

Make sure you don’t miss it!

3,000 pipers are heading for Annan on Saturday 26 June for the British Pipe Band Championships.

This will be the biggest gathering ever of pipers in the south of Scotland, with 131 separate bands registered to compete.

Bands from all over the UK have booked to compete from all over the UK, including the 15 times world champions the House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead will bid to become British Champions 2010.

From further afield, there is a band making the trip from Belgium and two Australian bands, which have members currently studying and working in Scotland.
Read the rest of this entry

Solas Festival 2010 25th-27th June
A new Scottish festival, launching in Summer 2010, which aims to celebrate, explore and develop connections between art, faith and justice within and beyond Scotland.

Solas is an independent festival, made in Scotland, with the support and co-operation of our partner organisations Greenbelt and Christian Aid Scotland.

Solas – an all-age weekend to light up the Scottish festival landscape with a vivid mix of music, debate, theatre, comedy, film and visual art – a unique location to celebrate and question our commitments to art, faith and justice within Scotland’s cultural life.

Solas looks to be a fantastic weekend with a great Scottish line up.

For more information or tickets visit www.solasfestival.co.uk

The following statement has been issued by D & G Health Board:

“I, ALEX HASWELL, being the Returning Officer responsible for conducting the Dumfries and Galloway Health Board Election, declare the following candidates elected as elected Members of the Dumfries and Galloway Health Board:-

Read the rest of this entry