Robin Williamson at the Barony Church Nov 2010

Over 70 people came to the Barony Church, Dalswinton, on the afternoon of 13 November for the second Kirkmahoe Concert. The featured artist was Robin Williamson. With dozens of albums in his back catalogue and an impressive array of books and sheet music collections to his name, Robin is a man with a mission.

A legend of the folk and world music scene, Robin was a founder in the 1960s of the widely- admired Incredible String Band. They went on to play at venues all around the world including the Woodstock Festival in 1969. Their fans still include Robert Plant, Billy Connolly and the Archbishop of Canterbury. A song-writer, poet, story teller and multi-instrumentalist, Robin is renowned for his enthralling solo performances. Currently touring the UK, he stopped off at Dalswinton en route to a show in Glasgow.

The Barony set began with a fine old harp tune, after which Robin went into the twists and turns of the epic story of the ‘Tune Twig’. Songs with harp followed including the old Incredible String Band favourite, Painting Box, and a stirring version of Bob Dylan’s Like a Rolling Stone. There were several songs with guitar, including two new pieces of his own which saw Robin in reflective mode, looking back on past wars and generations.





There was humour too – all for the Loan of a Glass of Beer and the gloriously unctuous country song – You Keep Me Stoned on Your Love all the Time.

For old fans it was a wonderful reminder of great gigs and albums in days gone by. And there were several new fans that afternoon too who were catching a Robin Williamson gig for the first time ‘unplugged’ in the perfect setting of the Barony Church. Delicious refreshments –kindly donated - were served afterwards and rounded off the afternoon beautifully.

And there is more good news – Robin is coming back. Make an entry in the diary now for 2pm on Saturday 12 November 2011- at the Barony Church!

The Incredible String Band performing Painting Box below.

Presentation to Heather & Sandy on Race Night

It was a full house on Saturday 19th Nov 2010 for the above events in Kirkton.

Jean Muir spoke about Heather & Sandy McNay's 30 years in Kirkton Stores where they brought up their three young daughters, who now all have families of their own. They opened the shop from 6.30 a.m. until 8.00 pm selling everything one could think of.....from buttons to buns, fuses, batteries, cakes, threads .....the list is endless. The Post Office, now sadly closed, was also of great benefit to the locality, and laterally you could use banking facilities for both sterling and foreign currencies. If people were looking for someone's house in the area, you could always rely on Heather to direct them. And for those wanting their prescriptions, you could rest assured that Sandy would have it ready to pick up at the shop. Everyone wished them a Happy Retirement, and they were presented with a bouquet of flowers.

People had donated cash for their retirement gift, and instead of choosing something for themselves they generously asked for a seat for the village so that people could sit and watch the world go by.... The seat was handmade locally and will be in situ when an appropriate site has been chosen. Pictures of this will follow.

Sandy replied with a very amusing speech carefully letting us know that he would not take as long as Jean did !

After this everyone welcomed Lynn, who has now taken over the shop, and wished her well, with the hope that she will stay with us for another 30 years.

Next came the Horse Racing. Everyone was cheering on their chosen horse, and the Village Hall erupted with cheers when the lucky winners came in. The evening was a great success, and drew in many people from farms and homes away from the village. It was great to see so many folks there, fostering a wonderful Community Spirit.

Gritting Salt Bins and Road Closures

GRITTING

We have been offered the chance to apply for more salt/grit bins and other equipment in case of severe weather, but we would need to use the salt/grit ourselves.

As the main road through Kirkton, Duncow and Dalswinton is already gritted we are looking at the hills on side roads and pavements in the villages.

We need people living near the hill or pavement to volunteer to actually spead the salt/grit if conditions are bad, and need to know if you would need equipment such as snow shovel? push along pavement gritter? high visibility tabard?

We are suggesting (but need volunteers for)

Duncow School
The hill beyond Duncow School towards the windmill stump
Riddingwood Crossroads
Auchencairn Hill ( I think beyond Castlehill Cottages)
The junction of Quarry Road with the road to Kirktonfield
Dalswinton?

In Kirkton we understand there are already grit boxes in John Crabbe Crescent and Wellington Crescent but think there should be one at Barrasgate.

Please could you let us know if there is already a grit box near you, or if you think there should be one near you and if you would be willing to keep an eye on it and put grit on a particular stretch of road or pavement.

ROAD CLOSURES
We have been notified that:-
the road through Gallaberry to Carzield Farm will be closed for resurfacing on 6/7th December
the road through Quarrelwood to Newlands, Whitehall and Carrickrigg will be closed for resurfacing on 8th/9th
Access will be restricted on these days.

AND FINALLY
I hope we will see some of you at the Racenight when we will be making a presentation to Sandyand Heather McNay to mark their retirement from Kirkton Stores

Please contact John Young or myself for more information on any of the above

Regards

Jean Muir
(tel: 710216)

October AGM & Nov Agenda 2010

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/61129015/October-AGM

Agenda

1. Apologies for absence

2. Minutes of the last meeting

3. Matters arising from the minutes

4. Presentation by Representative of the Leader Project

5. Treasurer’s Report

6. Councillor’s Report

7. Police Report

8. Planning Matters

9. Winter Maintenance – Locations for Grit Bins

10. Flood Relief Measures – Council Subsidy Scheme

11. Community Resilience Measures

12. Christmas Lights

13. Events

14. Correspondence

15. Any other competent business

16. Date and Place of next meeting

Coming Events

Kirkmahoe Coming Events:


Grand Kirkmahoe Derby Race Night

Friday 19th November 7.30pm, Kirkton Hall

Come and place your bets for a fun evening out.

Bar and Refreshments

In aid of community funds.

At the beginning of the evening, the Community Council will make a

Presentation to Heather and Sandy McNay on their retirement from Kirkton Stores

after more than 30 years serving the community.

For further details or information on how to make a donation please email Jean Muir


Kirkmahoe Concerts

Robin Williamson of the Incredible String Band

Poet, singer, story teller

Barony Church, Dalswinton



THIS SATURDAY 13th November at 2p.m

Tickets £8 (one child free with each paying adult)

Contact 01387 702043

Kirkton Village Hall Refurbishment Celebrations

On Saturday October 30th 2010 the Village Hall was formally re-opened for business. The event was well supported, and those who attended had a lovely evening, hearing about the history of the Hall, from Mary Harkness, as well as being told about the refurbishment.


The Village Hall Committee provided everyone with refreshments as well as musical entertainment from our talented local musicians and compere John Caskie.

Hall Committee Ernie Gibson, Connie & Dobie Davidson, Morag Williams, Trevor Hayward

A plaque commerating the refurbishment was unveiled by Ernie Gibson. And a cheque from S.W.E.A.T was presented. This highlighted the support of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Village Halls Improvement Scheme for the year 2010/11

John Caskie compered the evening

Below The Sloan Pipers

Below John Caskie

The Old Geezers played the Six Twenty Two Step.



Kirkcophony sang The House of the Rising Sun