Tuesday 31 December 2013

Happy New Year

Kirkmahoe News would like to wish all our readers a
Happy New Year

Monday 30 December 2013

Flooding Roads closed

Due to the severe storms there is a lot of flooding in this area. Roads are closed. If you want to get into Dumfries - suggest you use the back road to Locharbriggs which is usually OK.

Here is the link to the Tide Table where you can check when flooding is likely to be at its worst due to the incoming tide.

Here is the link to  SEPA Flood alert where you can check areas where flooding is likely and can also find out what to do in the event of flooding in your area.There is much useful information on this site.

Hall AGM Fri Jan 17 2014 Kirkton





Tuesday 24 December 2013

Santa tracker


Find out where Santa is now by clicking on Santa Tracker


Dustbin Days over the Festive period.

If your bin is normally emptied on a Wednesday , this will be changed to the Saturday after Christmas, and New Year. namely 
Sat 28th Dec and Sat 4th Jan.

Those whose bin day is a Friday will be unaffected.

Saturday 21 December 2013

BT1312

Where was this found? 
Extra pat on the back if you know who found it!
When does it date back to?

BT 1311 Answer

This is a Whetstone used by the Romans to sharpen knives and weapons.It was found at Carzield.
Click on this link for further information.Roman Whetstone

Tuesday 10 December 2013

Carol Singing Sunday 22nd Dec. Meet at pump Kirkton

Hello Everyone
This is just a reminder that there will be carol singing in Kirkton on Sunday 22nd December - meeting at 6.30pm at the pump. We go around the whole village which takes about 2 hours and then retire to Kirkton Hall to get warm and have some refreshment which is kindly supplied by members of the Hall committee and other generous folk.
The collection this year will be for a cancer charity in memory of Fiona Meikle Latta.
I hope some of you will be able to come and join us.

Please contact me if you wish to know more. 01387 710216

Regards
Jean Muir

Thursday 28 November 2013

Kirkton Stores Closed

We should all have noticed by now, that Kirkton no longer has a shop. This is a sad reflection of our modern times when little village stores face such competition from the big supermarkets that it is no longer viable to remain open.

Thursday 21 November 2013

BT1311

On the 21st of every month, a different place in Kirkmahoe will be featured and you are invited to contact the blog on kirkmahoe@googlemail.com to tell us:-1. What the place is called
2. Where is it located
3. Any interesting information about it.......


This month we are presenting something 

a little bit different. 


We ask :-

What is this?

Where was it found?

What was it used for?

There are no prizes, other than satisfaction of being right!
Your replies will help us to build up an interesting and useful resource of information about the featured places.

Everyone who accurately identifies the location will have their name published, unless they request otherwise.

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Answers to BT1310

 

"These pictures were taken from the footpath beside the Nith.  It can be accessed from The Booglie near Carzield, from Carnsalloch and from a path at Wellington Bridge.  The path goes along the flood defences which were built in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It is also probable that the first track from Dumfries into Nithsdale followed this route.


The footpath is a core path.  It is not, unfortunately, suitable for wheelchairs or people with severe mobility difficulties, but well worth strolling along.  Let us know if you see any interesting birds, butterflies or plants as you walk."

Tuesday 19 November 2013

War Memorial Has Been Refurbished

 
Thanks to the efforts of Gordon Bissett, our War Memorial has undergone a face lift. Rusty railings have been replaced and painted, gravel has been placed around it, there is a new sign post showing the way to the Memorial, and no less than 10,000 daffodil bulbs have been planted. Many volunteers helped with this mighty task. We are all looking forward to the Spring when we will see a great show of colour around the War Memorial as befits those who gave so much in order that Future Generations might live in Freedom.








Many Thanks to Alice Howdle for supplying the beautiful photographs.
 


Friday 15 November 2013

Turnips, lanterns, names and the Kirkmahoe Connection

Did anyone make a Turnip Lantern for Halloween? Nowadays Pumpkin Lanterns are more fashionable, but children used to make turnip lanterns. Turnips are notoriously hard to work with. Cutting the top off the turnip would usually be done by father or mother, and many a blister was gained whilst trying to scoop out the flesh of the turnip with an old spoon and a knife. Care had to be take when cutting the eyes nose and mouth in case fingers were cut instead. Next attaching the top to the bottom with string would test your knowledge of knots.

Lastly, was the task of finding a candle, of just the right size, to put in the bottom to give the light. Then the joy of having your lantern glow in the darkness of a Halloween night, with the evil looking face you had carved, peering at you like some terrible ghoul. Off you would go out guising, dressed in a sheet, or something equally fearsome, to pester the locals for treats in exchange for a song, dance, poem or joke, accompanied by  the unforgettable odour of burning turnip.
 
Turnips are known by a number of names.. here in Scotland....neeps, tumshies and more widely, swedes, rutabagas, brassica.
 
They are extremely hardy root vegetables able to withstand snow and ice, and were used to feed animals. They were also somewhat derided as a poor person's food, but they are full of nourishment none the less.
The turnip's root is high in vitamin C. The green leaves of the turnip top ("turnip greens") are a good source of vitamin A, folate, vitamin C, vitamin K and calcium. Turnip greens are high in lutein (8.5 mg / 100 g).
One medium raw turnip (122 g) contains the following nutritional information according to the USDA:[2]
  • Calories : 34
  • Fat: 0.12
  • Carbohydrates: 7.84
  • Fibers: 2.2
  • Protein: 1.10
  • Cholesterol: 0
Turnips are part of our National dish of Haggis, Neeps & Tatties.
They are also used in soups, stews, casseroles and can be mashed with potatoes or on their own. If anyone has a good turnip recipe we would love to put it on our Blog!
 
How many of you are aware that there is a major connection between the turnip and Kirkmahoe?
Patrick Miller

Botanists on a visit to Sweden discovered turnips growing wild there. Patrick Miller of Dalswinton got to know about this and in 1781 requested turnip seed be sent to him here. Having previously designed a cannon, and given designs for a steam boat to the King of Sweden, the King was happy to oblige, and sent seeds to Miller in a casket. These seeds were duly planted at Dalswinton and from the resulting crop seeds were subsequently distributed throughout Scotland and England. The majority of turnips in UK nowadays are as a result of this crop!

This also explains the name Swede being used for turnips.




KCC Chairman's Report & Agenda Nov 2013

Chairman's Report http://bit.ly/19pz1iE

Agenda Nov13      http://bit.ly/1hKKALv

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Castles & Towers of Scotland Friday 15th Nov Kirkton Hall

 
Kirkmahoe Heritage Group Presents
 
               A Talk by Graham Roberts                
 
on

     Castles & Towers of Scotland
 
     Friday 15th November at 7.30
     Kirkton Hall

    Teas & Coffees

    Donation box

Thursday 31 October 2013

Warning Thief about!

A rotavator has been stolen from a garden in Kirkton.
You are asked to keep a lookout for this piece of equipment.
It is always important to take note of any strangers who appear in the village...they could be sizing things up and seeing what people own.
If you have any information which could help with this please contact the police.

Picture example of a rotavator

Saturday 26 October 2013

BT1309 answers





These dates are all to be found within a few yards of each other in the centre of Kirkton village.The weighbridge (1867) was made in the Palmerston Foundry, on Terregles Street.  At that time it was the largest in Dumfries.



The map below, from about 1855 shows the village as it was at that time, with the school and smithy in Barrasgate.



 The date 1902 is above the Village Hall. Kirkton Hall was built with stone from the old Kirkton school as a library with reading room and meeting place.  It was also used for dances and lectures.  Transport from Dumfries was available for the opening concert and ball on Friday, 17th April 1903, leaving Dumfries at 7 p.m, and returning either at 10.30 p.m. or 4.30 a.m.! 
One of the early rules was “No spitting allowed except in spittoons provided”.  The reading room was open every evening and several newspapers were available. Also dominoes, draughts and chess.  It cost 1d per week to belong to the 'Kirkmahoe Hall Library and Institute',
The house dated 1889 is also on the map but possibly was an older building which was rebuilt at this time to create a modern villa.

 These dates, being close together, suggest that Kirkton was undergoing many changes as it entered the 20th Century.

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Bingo Kirkton Hall 25th Oct 6.30pm

 
Family prize bingo at Kirkton Village Hall



Friday 25th October 2013 door open 6.30

Licensed bar

FREE Irish bingo game for under 18s


Don't forget the race night on 23rd November

Monday 21 October 2013

AGM KCC Kirkton Hall Wed 30th Oct 7.,30 pm


AGENDA

 

The Annual General Meeting of Kirkmahoe Community Council will be held in Kirkton Village Hall on Wednesday 30th October 2013 at 7.30pm

 

BUSINESS

 
1.         SEDERUNT AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 
2.         CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT

 
3.         TREASURER’S ANNUAL REPORT/ANNUAL ACCOUNTS/CONSIDER REQUEST  TO DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY COUNCIL FOR ADMINISTRATIVE GRANT

 
4.         CONSIDER THE APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRPERSON

 
5.         CONSIDER THE APPOINTMENT OF THE VICE-CHAIRPERSON 

 
6.         CONSIDER THE APPOINTMENT OF THE SECRETARY 

 
7.         CONSIDER THE APPOINTMENT OF THE TREASURER 

 
8.         ADOPTION OF CONSTITUTION

 
9.         CONSIDER THE APPOINTMENT OF THE EXAMINER(S) OF ACCOUNTS 

 
10.       CONSIDER THE APPOINTMENT OF CLERK 

 
11.       CONSIDER THE APPOINTMENT OF SUB COMMITTEES

 
12        MINUTES OF MEETING OF 18TH SEPTEMBER 2013

 
13.       MATTERS ARISING

 
14.       CONSIDER THE FREQUENCY, DATE, TIME AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETINGS

 
15.       ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS

 

 

 

 

 

BT1310

 
Where is this? How do you get there?

On the 21st of every month, a different place in Kirkmahoe will be featured and you are invited to contact the blog on kirkmahoe@googlemail.com to tell us:-1. What the place is called
2. Where is it located
3. Any interesting information about it.......

There are no prizes, other than satisfaction of being right!
Your replies will help us to build up an interesting and useful resource of information about the featured places.

Everyone who accurately identifies the location will have their name published, unless they request otherwise.

NB There has been a problem getting the answer to BT1309 on to the blog please be patient until the problem is fixed.

Sunday 13 October 2013

Corncrake seen and heard in Kirkton area



Listen to its call on this link http://bit.ly/19HzDzO
Corncrakes are related to moorhens, coots and rails but differ from most members of the family in that they live on dry land. They are very secretive, spending most of their time hidden in tall vegetation, their presence only betrayed by their rasping call. In flight their bright chestnut wings and trailing legs are unmistakable. They are summer visitors and migrate to Africa for the winter.

Did you see or hear this rare bird?

Have you seen or heard any other unusual bird species in our area?

If so let us know on kirkmahoe@gmail.com
      Breeding northern summer visitor
       Visitor in northern winter
 

Wednesday 25 September 2013

Prize Bingo Kirkton Hall 27th September


Friday 27th Sept 2013 doors open 6.30 pm
 
FREE Irish Bingo game for under 18's
 
Other hall dates for your diary :-
 
24/09 Coffee Morning
25/10 Prize Bingo
23/11 Race Night

Tuesday 24 September 2013

Macmillan Coffee Morning

The Coffee Morning was well attended and a great success. The Tweedie family excelled themselves with their wonderful home baking plus countless items for raffle and tombola. Nearly everyone in the hall won a prize.

Jordan entertained us all with his lovely music. This is the first time most of us have heard him play his euphonium to accompanied music, and it certainly showed us the versatility of Jordan's musical skills.

Janet wishes to Thank everyone for attending and for their generous donations.

The event made £387.72 for Macmillan Cancer Research.

Anyone who could not make it on the day and who wishes to add to the total, can pop your donations in to Janet at 7 Barrasgate.

Sunday 22 September 2013

BT1309

This month's question is
Where would you find these dates?
 
 

On the 21st of every month, a different place in Kirkmahoe will be featured and you are invited to contact the blog on kirkmahoe@googlemail.com to tell us:-
1. What the place is called
2. Where is it located
3. Any interesting information about it.......

There are no prizes, other than satisfaction of being right!
Your replies will help us to build up an interesting and useful resource of information about the featured places.

Everyone who accurately identifies the location will have their name published, unless they request otherwise.

Friday 20 September 2013

Answer to BT1308


The place photographed is 'The Belt' near Hightownhead, Dalswinton and is what remains of a hillfort. The fort and the trees are shown on the 1861 25” map (Dumfries Sheet XLI.9).  The fort at this time was thought to be 'Danish' i.e. Viking but this does not seem to be correct.

 
It is an Early Iron Age (600-400 BC) promontory fort and unusual because its defensive walls are built of stone rather than being earth banks. The fort occupies the edge of a high terrace and measures internally 50.0m E-W by 30.0m. There is a double rampart round the fort and an entrance way at the South-East.  It is now very overgrown with substantial old trees and brackens.  No artefacts are recorded as having been discovered near the fort.

 


Promontory forts are frequently found on the coast where there are cliffs which jut out into the sea,  In this case, the topography with its very steep ascent from the Nith Valley creates a similarly good defensive site.
 
 Above are 2 examples of what a hillfort/promontory fort might look like

On the other side of the road from the fort is a spring which has three ancient alder trees around it.   They were mature trees at the time of the 1861 map.   It is probable that this spring provided water for the inhabitants of the fort.  Alder wood does not rot in wet conditions.  For this reason it was used to build the supporting frames for crannogs.

Our photos show the remains of a fort in this area. Crannogs have been found at Lochrutton and Loch Arthur.
 
(A crannog[[ˈkɾˠan̪ˠoːɡ]; Scottish Gaelic: crannag) is typically a partially or entirely artificial island, usually built in lakes, rivers and estuarine waters of Scotland and Ireland. Unlike the prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps which were built on the shores and were only inundated later on, crannogs were built in the water, thus forming artificial islands.)
 

Example of a Crannog on River Tay
not the same as our fort! but shown here to illustrate how alder trees were used.