Saturday 31 December 2016

Wishing you all a Happy New Year.

Image result for animated happy new year 2017


A Glesca Wean's Hogmanay By Helen Ross
Sittin in mah goonie Face scrubbed well. Ma sister therr beside me We’re waiting fur the bells.
Aw day long been cleaning Oor wee singel end, Mammy gien oot orders Drives us roon the bend.
Mammys oot the windae Sitting oan the sill, Washing aw the windaes Me hoping she disny fall.
Jessie’s cleaning the fireplace It wiz ma Mammy’s bidding. Ahv been telt tae get the pail And take it tae the midden.
As the time it passes, There’s excitement in the air, And Mammys oan her hunkers Scrubbing at the flair.
Come oan yous two she cried It’s time tae hiv yir bath. So intae the sink wi baith o yiz Furra thorough scrub and wash.
Underneath yir oxters She scrubs wi a wrung oot clootie .Wi aw that durt thit’s in yir ears Ah could grow a sack o totties.
Oan wi yir simmit and knickers Yir Liberty bodice anaw. Wi wurr winceyette goonies She says, yiz baith look braw.
Get oot mah road the perr of yous. It’s nearly hauf past nine. Ahll hifty soart the steak pie noo. Urr it’ll no be ready in time.
We know it’s getting near the time When ma Ma gets the table oot. There’ll be shortbreid, bun and ginger wine Of that there is nae doot.
We urr shoved in tae the recess bed Tae keep us oot the wiy. And Mammy turns the gas doon Oan the, smellin lovely, pie.
The peas urr in the pot Overnight, they’ve hid a steep. The totties oan the gas ring They’re oan a wee wee peep.
Ma Mammy takes her rollers oot And powders up her nose. Her good froack oot the wardrope And her shoes wi the peepy toes.
She wiz up afore us And hisny stoapped aw day, Bit noo she’s looking beautiful And New Year’s on the way.
It’s five tae twelve already, White Heather oan the telly, Singing songs of Scotland The Teucheters and the Keelies.
The tummlers urr oan the sideboard, Fruit cordial fur Jessie and me. A wee dram fur Ma Mammy, She deserves it, ah hope yiz agree.
She opens the auld sash windae Tae bring in the New Year, And oan the stroke of midnight The Ship’s horns we could hear.
Ma Mammy’s started greeting, And raises up her gless Toastin aw the folk no therr And asking God tae bless.
Efter cuddles and kisses the letter boax is tootin, That’ll be Uncle Peter He’s oot therr daen furst footin.
Tall and dark and handsome Wi whisky and coal in his haun, Wi slicked back herr and shiny shoes And his good suit oot the pawn.
We aw sit roon the table Tae eat oor pie and peas, Then clear away the dishes Furra sing-song, if you please.
Aunty Nellie sings aboot water And how it’s aw a roon, Uncle Charlie diz his Frankie Laine Singing aboot high noon.
The party’s gaun great guns Tae Maggie raises her haun, Och ahm away up the road noo Coz Erchie’s sung mah song.
Jessie and me urr tired noo, Like the cat that goat the cream.. So it’s us intae the recess bed To sleep, perchance tae dream.
If any of this is familiar tae you, This New Year of days gone by, The memories of they great times Brings a wee tear tae the eye.
So aw mah pals and family Ah wish the happiness that you seek Will come rushin tae you this New Year
And lang may yir wee lum reek xxx
Aw Ra Best to each and every one of you for 2017

Friday 23 December 2016

Carols Floods Disasters Emergencies

Hello Everybody
Carol Singing
Just to let you know that the carol singing in Kirkton raised a magnificent £125 which will be given to the Blood Bikes organisation.
Thanks to the singers, tin rattlers and the kind supporters who warmed the Hall and fed us, and of course thanks to everyone who donated.
New Website for Emergencies
The current weather which in the past would have been thought normal is now designated by the Meteorological Office  with a yellow warning because of the strong winds. There is also a SEPA flood warning for this afternoon. 

The police have set up a new website which they will operate in the event of large major incidents, it can be found at  https://dgvost.uk/. It is not operating at the present time.
Other web links
Kirkmahoe Community Council now has a facebook page https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=kirkmahoe%20community%20council

This will compliment the website http://www.kirkmahoe.com/ which has general information and the blog http://kirkmahoenews.blogspot.co.uk/ which has current news and events which are operated for the community by Jill Corlett.

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas
Best Wishes
Jean Muir

(secretary Kirkmahoe Community Council)

Sepa Flood warning

Dumfries and Galloway

A FLOOD ALERT has been issued for Dumfries and Galloway. Heavy rainfall will give a risk of surface water and river flooding on Friday. The area most at risk is the eastern part of the area. The most intense rain, during the middle of the day, could cause some disruption on roads and in urban areas known to have problems with surface water flooding. Rivers and small watercourses are expected to rise during Friday afternoon and evening, with flooding of isolated properties and low lying land possible. Remain vigilant and remember, it is your responsibility to take actions which help protect yourself and your property.  Advice and information is also available through Floodline on 0345 9881188.  This FLOOD ALERT is now in force until further notice and was sent by phone and sms free of charge to registered customers of our Floodline direct warning service.  If you haven't already signed up to receive free flood messages, please call Floodline or register online at sepa

Thursday 22 December 2016

Carol Singing total raised for Blood Bikes

I'm pleased to be able to tell you that the total raised this evening, which will be donated to Blood Bikes is £125.  Thanks to all.
Have a lovely Christmas,
Alice

Sunday 11 December 2016

Carol Singing Wed 21st December 6.30 pm Kirkton


KCC Events for December 2016

Hello Everyone
Please feel welcome to join in any of the following community activities
This week -
Thursday 15th December at 10.30am in Kirkton Village Hall -The Daytime Social Club are meeting for mince pies and, by popular demand, a Christmassy singalong with the Auld Geezers.

Next week -

Wednesday 21st December 6.30pm - Discover Kirkmahoe invites you to come Carol Singing in Kirkton. Meet at the Village Pump at 6.30pm
Collection in aid of a local charity. Refreshments afterwards in Kirkton Village Hall
Contact Alice 01387 710523 for more information

Saturday 24th December 6.30pm - Dalswinton Barony Kirk, Christmas Eve Service. Carols.readings, prayers. Mulled wine and mince pies.


Also
In the light of reduced funding, Dumfries and Galloway Council are running a consultation about the future of Gracefield Arts Centre. You can have your say by completing an online survey.  http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/16408/Future-options-for-Gracefield-Arts-Centre

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year
from
Jean Muir on behalf of Kirkmahoe Community Council

Daytime Social Club December


Thank You



A big Thank you to all  the helpers who turned up on the day to help plant 1,000 crocus bulbs. All the bulbs were successfully planted in record time. We look forward to the display in the Spring.

Thursday 8 December 2016

Young volunteers wanted to help plant crocus bulbs this Saturday



We are looking for some young volunteers to help plant 1,000 crocus bulbs on the Village Green which have been purchased with funds left over from the Pylons campaign.
However no matter what age you are you would be most welcome, "Many Hands Make Light Work" as the saying goes.
We shall be planting this Saturday at 2.00 pm. Bring your trowels, and sorry for the short notice.We might have a second session on Sunday if we do not get them all planted on Saturday.

Please let us know if you are able to join us by emailing

kirkmahoe@gmail.com

It would also be helpful to have the names of the young persons involved.

We shall be having juice and crisps afterwards

PS we have just had a wonderful suggestion to bring apple corers to make holes as well as the trowels.

Monday 5 December 2016

Friday 2 December 2016

The Hub News

Welcome to our weekly e-bulletin. Please forward this around your networks. If you have items you  would like included in future bulletins send them to  info@thehubdg.org.uk.

Please note our comprehensive funding bulletin comes out separately as an attachment on the third week of each month.

To unsubscribe from our bulletins please contact the hub on 01387 269161 or emailinfo@thehub.org.uk. N.B. You may get duplication of bulletins from us as we may have more than one email address for you. If this is the case please advise which is your preferred email address.

News

Christmas Tree Festival 2nd – 4th Dec, 10am to 9pm Fri/Sat, 2pm -4pm Sun, at St Johns Church, Newall Terrace, Dumfries.  Dumfries Fairtrade Group have decorated one of the almost 80 trees in St John's Church.  It is going to look amazing! £3 per adult, children free and refreshments will be available.

Family Fun Event, Moat Brae Dumfries, 10th & 11th December, 11am – 3pm.  This is a free drop in event before the house closes and work begins on the National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling.  There will be activities and mini shop downstairs and there will be storytellers upstairs relating tales of adventure and magic.  Please be aware that Moat Brae is not yet fully accessible and has no heating so please wrap up warm.

Santa’s Grotto at Buddies, 20 Castle Street, Dumfries – Santa’s Grotto will be open every Saturday from mid November throughout December from 11am – 3pm at Buddies, 20 Castle Street, Dumfries.  Other activities will be on offer for older children.  For more info please call 01387 256312.

‘Friendly Dumfries’.  Food Train launch their latest project on 1 December entitled ‘Friendly Dumfries’ in partnership with Carnegie UK and Joseph Rowntree Foundation. It is a test of theory that people in local communities can be kind to one another through simply talking to and perhaps helping one another in the street, shops and cafes in town and Dumfries has been chosen to test this theory. People are asked to sign a pledge on the Food Train’s website at www.thefoodtrain.co.uk (available from 1 December) regarding the service and conditions (boundaries) attached to the test. Once signed, a metallic ‘Friendly Dumfries’ badge should be obtained by popping into the Food Train Friends office at 30 Castle Street Dumfries DG1 3DU to collect it and be briefed on the role. What does it involve after that? Wear your badge where it can be seen and start chatting to people in the town and they will start chatting to you! Simple. Feedback your experiences to the Food Train via a survey which will take place at the end of the 6 month test period (31 May 2017) where the test of ‘kindness in communities’ theory can be evaluated. Food Train  are looking to sign up to 250 local people to do this asap. There are no age restrictions and they need a mix of male and female supporters who may or may not have been born in Dumfries.   Contact Food Train Friends for more information if required on 01387 279111 or email friends@thefoodtrain.co.uk putting Friendly Dumfries in the subject header line.

Soul Soup’s Christmas Grotto, 10th December at the Stove, 100 High St, Dumfries 10am – 4pm – win raffle prizes and write your letter to Santa.  NB – Soul Soup are looking for a Santa outfit for this event.  If anyone can help can they contact Linda at Soul Soup on 01387 950813 or email linda@soulsoup.co.uk

Events/Meetings

Nithsdale Local Rural Partnership next meeting is Thursday January 26th 2017 10am to 12 noon at Sanquhar Police Station. Nithsdale Local Rural Partnership welcomes representatives from any local group, community or organisation in Nithsdale to join our meetings and help shape our communities.  We are the local tier of community planning to progress public, private and voluntary sectors working together to improve our public services so local people benefit by having a coherent, coordinated approach. For more information contact Karen Lewis on 01387 269161 or email: karen.lewis@thehubdg.org.uk.

Reflections on my role and its challenges– 6th Dec 2016 at 17:30pm Dumfries Campus, Dumfries and Galloway College, Bankend Road Dumfries DG1 4FD. As part of a series of Lectures organised by Institute of Directors Scotland supported by Scottish Enterprise and Dumfries and Galloway College is hosting a free and open to all lecture by Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work.
Surveys and Consultation

Survey on Future options for Gracefield Arts Centre Gracefield Arts Centre is run by Dumfries and Galloway Council and hosts a changing programme of contemporary and historical art exhibitions throughout the year, free of charge for all visitors and feature regional, national and international artists and craft makers. Gracefield also holds a collection of over 600 artworks by Scottish artists and art relating to the region and has a café and craft shop, and activity/meeting rooms where a range of art classes and events take place.  They would like to hear your views on what an arts centre in Dumfries should offer in future years. The results of the survey will help the Council decide later in 2017 what provision is needed for a modern arts centre in the town and whether that location is Gracefield Arts Centre or a new location closer to the town centre.  The survey is available until Monday 16th January 2017. In Spring 2017 they will publish feedback on the key findings of the survey and the results will inform a report to the Council later in 2017, at which point decisions will be made about which options are to be developed further.
Clicking on this link http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/consultations will take you to the survey.

Publications and reports

The National Standards for Community Engagement have been revised and the new version launched on September 2016 by the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Kevin Stewart MSP. They have been simplified to seven Standards, reflecting the main elements of good community engagement - Inclusion, Support, Planning, Working Together, Methods, Communication and Impact. You can download more information at www.voicescotland.org.uk

Carnegie UK Trust have published a Literature Review of Digital Exclusion and Technology-Enabled Care in Scotland, The Review was carried out for the Trust by Just Economics. Click on the link to DOWNLOAD a copy.



Training

Volunteer Scotland - Developing a Volunteer Culture Tuesday 6th of December 2016, 10.30am - 16.30pm,  Stirling. During the course organisational culture will be defined and how changing your culture impacts upon the volunteering experience. The course looks at real examples of organisations which have developed a volunteer culture, and identifies practical steps to take to change the culture within your organisation. By the end of the course you will be able to: Explain what is meant by organisational culture; Recognise how aspects of culture might impact upon someone’s experience of volunteering; Identify the practical steps to take to change organisational culture and develop a volunteer culture within your organisation; Engage, empower and influence others to get support throughout your organisation. This course is aimed at Volunteer Managers and Volunteer Leaders. Prices start from only £45* For more information visit the VS website, contact by e-mail or call 01786 479593

FREE - NSPCC Introduction to Child Protection Training. Creetown Initiative is pleased to offer a free Introduction to Child Protection half day course for local groups and organisations who work with young people and children. This course is being run by the NSPCC. Please note, there are only 15 places, so booking is essential. When: Tuesday 24th January 2017, 10:30am - 2:30pm Where: Waverley Hall, Creetown, DG8 7JF Cost: FREE (however there will be a half hour lunch break, so please bring some lunch with you) For: Local practitioners (aged 18+) who work or volunteer with young people. To book: Please email amydeewatson@gmail.com or  phone 01671 820654.

ACAS will be delivering two Employment Law Update sessions in Dumfries on 13th December 2016. These two hour briefing sessions will inform you of recent and upcoming changes in legislation including Gender Pay Gap Reporting and some interesting case decisions. For more details and to book a place, please click on the links: Employment Law Update:  10.00 - 12.00 or  Employment Law Update:  14.00 - 16.00

Carer Aware Training, Mon 12th December, Lochthorn Library, Dumfries 1.00 – 2.00pm OR 2.30 – 3.30pm.  This training assists in the identification and support of carers.  It raises awareness of their role, the challenges faced by unpaid carers and the impact that the caring role has on their lives.  Carer Aware training helps individuals to be more knowledgeable and supportive of carers and ensure that they are aware of and can confidently identify and offer support to those carers who might otherwise remain “hidden” and therefore isolated within their caring role.  This event is free and open to all staff and volunteers from all sectors no matter what their role is.  To book a place contact Jane Middleton on 01387 249111 or emailjane@caretrain.co.uk

Funding

Charity Job Giving Back!  Charity Job have pledged to donate 10% of profits to charities and not-for-profit organisations, every single year. As Christmas is around the corner they would love to hear about your latest campaigns and understand what you can accomplish when people decide to give. Tell them how much your network of volunteers means, as well as how donations and pledges allow your organisation to come one step closer to achieving its mission statement. So share your stories and explain just how much of a difference you have been able to make this year. Just send them a message on Twitter, using the hashtag #GivingBack16 or email: hello@mail.charityjob.co.uk.

Voluntary Action Fund -  £16,000 Competition Fund to enable schools, parent councils, charities and community groups to run arts activities on the theme of “What my mother means to me…” Each successful applicant can nominate their 2 favourite pieces to be judged at events in March with 6 prizes available. Organisations, working in Scotland with children aged 10 – 11yrs, can apply for up to £400 to cover activity costs e.g. tutors, sessional workers, art materials, equipment or transport.  Children may choose to work individually, in pairs or small groups to produce their chosen art.  They can choose to: write a 500 word essay, write a poem, make a short film, use photography or produce a piece of artwork. For further information about the fund and how to apply contact Expressive Arts Fund Team email: ExpressiveArts@vaf.org.uk Tel: 01383 620780

D&G LEADER Programme - Expression of Interest deadlines approaching. Communities & Rural Enterprise. To be eligible to present an application for consideration at the March 2017 Local Action Group meeting, you must submit an Expression of Interest, online, by 7th December 2016 SUBMIT YOUR Expression of Interest - CLICK HERE
Recruitment

Befriending Project Volunteer Coordinator - 18 hours per week Salary: £24,437 (pro rata) Are you committed to improving the lives of young people? Do you have good organisational skills? Are you able to inspire others? Experience in youth, social or education work would be an advantage. The Befriending Project seeks to match adult volunteers with vulnerable young people aged 8-18 and provide one-to-one support at difficult periods in their lives. The Project is an exciting and dynamic charity operating region wide. The post-holder will be responsible to the Project Manager and his/her role will be to develop and deliver the befriending service for young people and to support the adult volunteers. A current clean driving licence and use of a car is essential. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced PVG Disclosure Scotland check. Application deadline: Thursday 8 December 2016 at 5pm (email or hard copy) Interviews: Thursday 15 December 2016 Application forms are available in electronic format or paper copy by emailing projectoffice@befriending.org or by collecting or requesting a pack from 19 Bank Street, Dumfries DG1 2NX Tel. No. 01387-247812

Headway House (Dumfries and Galloway) Association Ltd – Sessional Support Worker, hourly rate £8.25 plus mileage expenses.  Due to expansion vacancies have arisen for Sessional Support Workers covering Nithsdale, Stewartry and Annandale and Eskdale.  Headway D&G works in partnership with NHS D&G to deliver specialist support and advice to Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) survivors and their families.  The service is registered with the Care Inspectorate.  Requirements for the post are a minimum SVQ2 or 3 in Social Care and experience of lone working in the social care sector; a clean driving licence and access to a vehicle.  Experience of ABI is preferred but not essential as full training will be given.  A mobile phone will be provided.  Closing date for applications is Fri 9th December at 12pm.  For an application pack call 01387 261166 or email info@headwaydg.org.  The role is subject to PVG check and appropriate references.