If the soft, green hills and sandy coastline of Dumfries and Galloway seem unusually quiet at the moment, it’s with good reason. Around a hundred of the region’s finest artists and makers are meticulously preparing their studios – and putting the finishing touches to work – ready for the eighth annual Spring Fling open art and craft studios event.

Taking place across Dumfries and Galloway each late May bank holiday weekend (29-31 May this year), last year’s event saw over 8,000 visitors flock to the region to follow the studio trails down winding lanes and through picturesque villages. This incredibly creative corner of south-west Scotland might feel off the beaten track – but it’s a hive of artistic activity. You can visit pottery workshops, watch demos at an old forge, see artists and willow weavers at work, browse galleries – and pick up a bargain along the way. Read the rest of this entry

Wendy Kelly

Police are renewing their appeal for witnesses following the death of a 32 year old woman from Newton Stewart. Wendy Kelly was found unconscious in a house in Hillview Terrace in the town, early morning on Monday 17 May 2010 . She was taken to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary where she died later that day.

A Post Mortem examination has established that Miss Kelly died as a result of a head injury.

Detective Inspector Mark Hollis from Galloway CID explained that his team are determined to establish exactly how Miss Kelly died. He said, “Wendy’s death has prompted a significant policing response. Read the rest of this entry

Many have called debt the disease of the twentieth century, yet we need keys to escape our debt. CAP Money is a comprehensive yet astonishingly simple money management three-session course to help you get, and then stay, in control of your finances. This course is great for singles and couples, young and old.

The course starts on Sunday the 6th of June at Lighthouse Church Centre at 7.00pm and runs for the following two Sunday at the same time. To book, please contact the Centre office on 01387 249995 or email lccdumfries@hotmail.com There are a limited number of spaces, but the course will run periodically so even if you miss out this time around we will put your name down for following courses.

All CAP Money course are free, but booking is essential. For general course info, visit www.capmoney.org

On Saturday 16 October 2010, thousands of people across the UK, and around the world, will be dancing for water at WaterAid’s third Big National Ceilidh.

A ceilidh is a fantastic social occasion anyone can join in with. The idea behind WaterAid’s Big National Ceilidh is that ceilidhs are organised up and down the country on the same night and, to unify them all, at 10pm everyone will be dancing the Circassian Circle – one of the simplest, best-loved and most inclusive of dances – to the tune of “Jamie Allen”.

Proceeds from the evenings will be donated to WaterAid, the charity that works throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific Region to ensure access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation. To date, WaterAid has helped over 13 million people gain access to these services. Read the rest of this entry

When Big Man Walking comes to Dumfries on Saturday 29 May, he’ll be a bit of an obstacle to 21^st century traffic.

The ‘return’ of the blue giant of legend to Dumfries and Galloway will begin in the High Street at 1pm, and the Big Man will then make his way up the High Street past Midsteeple to the Robert Burns statue.  George Street and Irving Street will both be closed from 8am until 4pm for the Peter Pan Street Party, laid on to welcome Big Man Walking, and celebrate, between 1pm and 3pm, the regeneration of Moat Brae house and garden where J M Barrie dreamed up Peter Pan.

Around 2.30pm Big Man will then appear on Buccleuch Street opposite Barbours, and walk from there onto the Whitesands, all the way to Bank Street, which he’ll climb to get back to the fountain for a well-earned rest.  Traffic will be held for this part of his walk, rather than roads closed, and delays should be no longer than half an hour.
Finally, at 4.45pm the Big Man will walk down the High Street, into Nith Street and make his way to Dock Park.  Again, traffic will be held rather than roads closed, and delays are likely to be about half an hour. Read the rest of this entry

Wallace Hall primary children with their award winning coins

In remote places in the Southern Uplands of Scotland sculpted containers can be found. Within these “kists” lies a new treasure.

Each kist contains a minted coin or token called a 13th. Along the 212 mile length of the Southern Upland Way, 13 different designs can be found. They show beautifully drawn images generated by young local artists – of history, nature, architecture and technology. Each coin is a thirteenth part of the whole – the whole being The Hoard. Find a kist, take a 13th away with you. It is a memento of your expedition to the hills. Read the rest of this entry

Gracefield Craft Shop, Dumfries is delighted to be hosting a Focus exhibition of new work by Scottish ceramicist Wendy Kershaw. The exhibition opened at the Gracefield Arts Centre on the 22nd of May, as part of Craft Festival Scotland.

Etching into porcelain with needles, Wendy creates intricate narrative illustrations, a playful storytelling that is a rich mixture of bold composition and subtle detail. After three residencies in China, her work has expanded with greater use of colour and witty layering of decals.

Framed illustrated panels make up the majority of the exhibition, with some scenes inspired by poems from Tennyson and Keats. Read the rest of this entry

Sometime between 0700 hours and 0730 hours on Sunday 23 May 2010 a serious attack took place on a 31 year old man in the communal landing of the flats at 9 – 27 Dunlop Road in Dumfries. As a result of this sustained attack the victim was seriously injured and currently is being treated in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary for cuts to his head and face.

A man has since been arrested in connection with this assault and will appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court on Tuesday 25 May 2010. Police are seeking witnesses to this assault and anyone who can help can phone on 0845 600 5701, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

N-Dubz

After Youth Beatz announced today that the headline act of Youth Beatz 2010 is N-Dubz, thousands of young people are expected to flock to Dock Park, Dumfries on July 31st (The date of Youth Beatz 2010 has now been changed to 16 and 17 July 2010) to attend what could be Scotland’s largest free music event.

Having kept the headline act a close secret, young people have been eagerly anticipating this announcement, guessing and debating on online platforms like Facebook about who it might be. Bringing an end to this speculation, Youth Beatz 2010 is delighted to confirm that they have secured N-Dubz as the headline act of this year’s event. N-Dubz will be one of the biggest acts to have ever played in Dumfries. Read the rest of this entry

The 31st Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival kicks off this Friday, with 60 events spread over 10 days.

For all you need to know, visit www.dgartsfest.com