Has Spring arrived?

This photograph is of daffodils blooming in Alice's garden. It is beginning to feel like Spring now. We believe there are lambs in the fields at Duncow. Does anyone have a photo of them? If so please send it in.

Did anyone see the Northern Lights last night? Photos welcome if you did.

Send your photos to :- kirkmahoe@gmail.com

Jordan wins Young Musician Again

We will all be happy to know that Jordan has won our region's heat of the Young musician of the Year again.
I am sure we all wish him well for the Scottish finals which are held in Edinburgh next month.

Flooding forecast for this weekend

Please be aware of the undernoted severe weather warning for D & G for this coming Sunday

John Young.

Secretary,

Kirkmahoe Community Council

Click on the following for further info   Sepa floodline

Dear Community Councillor

Please see below information on the weekends weather which has been issued by the Met Office.

Regards

Samantha

Samantha Briggs

Clerical Assistant

Community & Customer Services

Municipal Chambers

Buccleuch Street

Dumfries, DG1 2AD

'Int: 63410  Ext: 01387 245960

*Drop point: 300

From Met Office -

Good morning,

After what has been a rather welcome respite from any weather impacts in Scotland over the last week or so, we’re back into warnings territory over the weekend I’m afraid – still nothing too unusual for the time of year though-

In summary:

-        Showery day today (Friday) and Saturday morning. These sometimes heavy and more frequent across the north and west.

-        On Saturday afternoon, a band of persistent rain will affect much of the country for around a 24 hour period, clearing around Sunday lunchtime.

-        Yellow Warnings for Rain will be issued for western areas to cater for this rain on Saturday and Sunday

-        Main impacts expected to be unpleasant driving conditions with spray and ponding water, also and combined with some snow melt, some minor river response can be expected across some areas. Please see the Flood Guidance Statement for more information.

In more detail:

Today will be a day of heavy showers across much of the country, with the potential for some more organised bands of showers to spread across the country at times. Above 400-500m these will fall as snow. These will be heaviest and most frequent over the north and west, where we could expect to see up to 20-30mm for areas that are affected by repeated showers.

Saturday morning will see some isolated showers, before a band of heavy rain moves in from the west just after lunchtime, quickly spreading to all parts by mid afternoon. This will initially be heaviest over areas to the north of the central belt, but by the early hours of Sunday, the heavy rain will spread further south as well. This will persist over most western and northern areas through to Sunday lunchtime, with the largest accumulations likely over higher ground exposed to the strong to gale force south-southwesterly winds.  

Over the highest areas 40-60mm of rain can be expected, with perhaps 15-30mm likely elsewhere. Some snow melt will become a factor as well, increasing the amount of water running into rivers and in some areas this is expected to result in some minor river response. Please see the Flood Guidance Statement for more information. More generally, though, the wet weather is going to make travelling conditions unpleasant, causing water to pond in known trouble spots and spray  an additional hazard.

This rain should clear to the south by around lunchtime on Sunday, leaving clearer conditions behind it, though there is a chance of catching the odd heavy shower. Another band of rain looks likely overnight Monday into Tuesday.

Warnings:

This morning, we have issued two Yellow (Be Aware) Warnings for Rain to cover the expected weather on Saturday and Sunday:

-        The first for a large part of Strathclyde, Stirlingshire, Perthshire and Highland valid from 1500 Saturday to 1500 Sunday

-        The second for a large part of Dumfries & Galloway, the western Borders and southern areas of South Lanarkshire and Ayrshire, valid 0015 Sunday to 0600 Monday. Although this is valid until 0600 Monday, the rain is expected to clear south of the border by early afternoon on Sunday.

Steven Wylie

Community Resilience Advisor

Safety & Resilience

43 Newall Terrace

Dumfries

DG1 1LN

t: 01387 260365 (external)

t: 64365 (internal)

m: 07824528410

e: steven.wylie@dumgal.gov.uk

w: www.dumgal.gov.uk

AGM Kirkton Parish Hall

Report of the Kirkmahoe Parish Hall Committee presented to the Annual General Meeting on Friday 17^th January 2014

The run of successful and profitable years for the Hall continues, with receipts up by £500 over previous years, without any increase in hire charges. The number of events held over the year has also increased, with fund raising activities adding to finances and further protecting the hall from increased costs and unforeseen expenditure.

Here are some of the highlights:

Use of the Hall

Social Club/Coffee morning – These successful meetings have continued to be held every month, except the three summer months, with a band of regular attendees, listening to a variety of interesting speakers. The December meeting, as last year, was very well attended for a sing-along with local ‘superstars’ the ‘Old Geezers’.

Bingo, Quiz and Race nights – Throughout the year a number of these popular evenings have been held. Following a number of requests, a licensed bar has been available at most of these events.

Huggy Bear Dance – In August over 60 people enjoyed listening and dancing to local band ‘Huggy Bear’.

In addition to those mentioned above, the Pilates, Badminton, Tai Chi, Carpet Bowling and Old Time Dancing events have continued to take place.

As well as these the Hall has hosted successful events for the Community Council, such as a musical evening as part of the Kirkmahoe Gala Fete and a Senior Citizens party, the Heritage Group, and Kirkmahoe Concerts.

But the Hall can still accommodate more events and to get them up and running needs enthusiastic volunteers to work together with the Hall Committee to plan and organise them. So if you’ve got any ideas please get in touch.

Maintenance Programme

During the year the Committee has continued a programme of on-going maintenance to keep the Hall in good condition. This year, using grants from the Council Village Hall Improvement Scheme and SWEAT, the remaining windows on the alley side have been completely replaced and repainted.

The hall floor, which was sanded and re-varnished in 2012, is already in need of remedial work. This is planned for 2014, the Hall Committee having successfully obtained compensation to cover the costs of re-varnishing. A harder wearing product is to be used this time.

Improved facilities

Thanks must be given to Kirkmahoe Heritage Group, and Kirkmahoe Community Council, for enabling the hall to have 2 permanent speakers installed, which can be connected to the Community Council sound system to provide comprehensive audio facilities.

A projector kindly donated and installed by John Williams, also allows audio visual shows or presentations.

Thank you

A big thank you to all volunteers, both on the Hall Committee and in the local community who help us organise events in and around the Hall.

Please join me and the rest of the Hall Committee, in remembering Fiona, who passed away in May. Up to the end, she was attending our meetings, keeping us all in line, and touching us all with her enthusiasm and energy. She is very greatly missed.

Trevor Hayward – Chairman, Kirkmahoe Parish Hall Committee

Introduction to dry stone dyking 9th and 10th April 2014 Course

A 2 day course run by Dave Goulder as an introduction to dry stone walling. 

Dave is a Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA) Master Craftsman and has 40 years experience in building and training.

A great believer in high standards he has been a DSWA examiner since 1995 and has worked in Canada and the USA as well as throughout the UK as a trainer and examiner.

This course consists of safety procedures, selecting stone and building walls in disrepair and will relay these skills in a hands-on field environment. Small numbers ensure lots of one to one instruction and by the end of the course you will have the skills needed to keep your walls in good repair. If you want to go further and achieve certificated qualifications Dave will be able to give advice on the way forward. Check out his work on http://www.davegoulder.co.uk

The cost is £75 per person including lunch and hot/cold drinks depending on weather. All dietary needs catered for.

The course will be held at Sunnybrae in Duncow, parking is easy and off road Google Map DG1 1TB for directions.

Date of the course is 9^th/10^th April 2014

Contact Irene Paterson for further information and if you have any questions regarding the course.

ipaterson56@yahoo.co.uk

01387 710060

or email kirkmahoe@gmail.com

Senior Citizens Social Evening Valentines Day Kirkton

Kirkmahoe Concerts for 2014

                                        

Rory Butler and Jen Hill

Saturday 22 February, 7.30pm  Dalswinton Village Hall

Durisdeer- raised and now London- based, don’t miss first Kirkmahoe appearance from this inventive and musicianly singer and guitarist.  With Jen Hill on bass.

Catriona McKay and Olov Johannsen

Saturday  22 March 7.30pm, Kirkmahoe Parish Church, Kirkton

Olov and Catriona have toured extensively in recent years with their unique collaboration of Scottish harp and Swedish nyckelharpa.

Expect melodic richness and engaging interplay from two musicians who combine experience of different traditions with a quest for new sounds and inspiration.

Robin and Bina Williamson

Saturday  24^th May 7.30pm, Kirkmahoe Parish Church, Kirkton

An evening of songs, stories and tunes to celebrate the turning seasons and the joys of existence. Fans include Rowan Williams and Robert Plant. 'Like soul from the Indo Celtic Delta' ... 'Country and Eastern'. Book early!!

                                         

Nova Scotia Jazz Band

Saturday 27 September, 7.30pm  Dalswinton Village Hall

Probably the best traditional jazz group in Scotland. Hotlicks, great riffs and a night to remember.  Cabaret seating and space for dancing!

All tickets £10 from:The Midsteeple, Dumfries tel 01387 253383 or ; Thomas Tosh, Thornhill; the venue on the day; or call David Clark on 01387 740045.

Watch out for Flooding

SEPA Floodline