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Community Newsletter Spring 2015

Working for Lochmaben

Castle Loch Community Trust 2015 Board of Trustees with Darren Flint.

John Hugo was not present.

Some of the many volunteers who have turned out to help.

*

The Initiative is very grateful for the continuing support of

The Lochmaben Community Council

*

Contact us on the Website at www.lochmaben.org.uk, by phone to 01387 810094(Chairman)

or 01387 811406 (Vice-Chairman), or in writing. Correspondence should be clearly marked

for the Initiative and left at the Town Hall.

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News in Brief

Road surfacing on Queen Street. To the relief of the town’s motorists, a good part of this street

was recently resurfaced and is now like a billiard table and a pleasure to drive or cycle along.

Hopefully the rest will be done before long.

Lockerbie Singers. This group of mixed voice singers is in danger of folding due to the lack of a

conductor and accompanist. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 3rd September, at 7.0 pm in

the Dryfesdale Church hall in Lockerbie when a final decision will be taken. The group is open to

anyone in this area and a good percentage of them live in and around Lochmaben.

Can you conduct a small choir or accompany on piano for rehearsals? Would you like to sing with us?

Contact Alistair Brown for further details on 01387 811842.

A Save the Children quiz held recently in Hightae hall was very successful in raising the sum of

£675 for this very good cause. Their next fundraising event is a plant sale held at the entrance to

Lochmaben Primary School. This will be on Saturday 16th May beginning at 10 am. Excellent quality

plants at very good prices are always on offer.

Chicken farm update. Work is expected to start in the next few months on the proposed chicken

rearing plant near Lochmaben just off the Dumfries Road. Many local individuals and groups

objected to the plan on a variety of grounds. However, the process has been gone through and the

decision to permit the project was passed by a clear majority of councillors on 25th March.

Locally born Wendy Harman has built a successful business in Glasgow making wedding dresses with a

vintage look. Wendy has built up a very select clientele of customers from all parts of the UK who

wish to have something unique for their special day.

Congratulations: - to Alyth Ross who, after a successful audition with the Youth Music Theatre, will

be spending two weeks in London performing in Sweat Factory.

-and to Lochmaben Primary 7 pupil Niamh Kerr who won the pre-championship at the Scottish Dance

Teachers’ Allicane’s Central Scottish Championship in Glasgow, much to the delight of her teacher,

Kelly Callander of Symar Dance Academy.

-and to the Lochmaben Primary 6 Choir which won the Wallace Cup at the recent Dumfries Music

Festival.

Local ladies’ bowling team No.2 won the Dumfriesshire Federation short mat bowling competition

held recently in the Loreburn Hall. Team members were Isabel Wells, Alice Carmichael and their

skip, Hazel Sloan. Congratulations to them, too.

Lochmaben Castle has come in for criticism from visitors and residents as being unsightly and

unapproachable. The ruined building is, indeed, in a poor state of dilapidation and scaffolding

erected to offer some protection to it and as a safety measure for the public is blighting its

appearance. It is in the care of Historic Scotland, who say that there are no funds available to

stabilise the structure further.

Annandale and Eskdale Area committee awarded sums of money to several local groups to help with

their running costs. Amongst them are :– Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust- £6440 towards

completing the footpath round the loch; Mossburn Farm at Hightae received £2242 towards

Learning with Horses sessions for adults and children affected by trauma and behavioural issues;

Lochmaben Children’s Gala got £500; Lochmaben Amateur Football Club were awarded £6000 to

help with temporary building changing facilities; Lochmaben and District Community Initiative

received £585 towards the production of this newsletter and other projects. Another group with a

strong local usage is Annandale Transport Initiative which provides special transport facilities to

many groups and is especially valuable for the disabled and infirm in the community. They were

awarded £42500 towards their running costs.

Harthill wind farm. The decision as to whether this development near Lochmaben will go ahead has

still to be taken. Several local groups and individuals have lodged objections on various grounds.

Lochmaben woman, Rosie Houston who is in Australia right now, appeared on TV there when she took

part in a News Show where her challenge was to clear a specially prepared breakfast in 30 minutes

or less. She reports that she failed the challenge---but seemed to really enjoy the breakfast, and

the experience.

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Lochmaben Pipe Band. After being twice upgraded to Group 3A, the band is looking forward to the

challenge ahead beginning with a competition in Gourock in May. They also plan to compete at the

Scottish, UK, European and World Championships during the year. These are really big piping events.

Last year they were runners up in their group in the World Championships held in Glasgow, a

fantastic achievement for a wee town like Lochmaben. We should all be proud of them.

Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust.

At the recent AGM the following were elected as the Board of Trustees for 2015 :- Tony Hancock,

John Hugo, Freda Seddon, Neill Smith, Ian Stewart, Jack Wade, Howard Baisden, James Coles,

David Rose and Hazel McNinch.

Community Groups Sing4Fun Sheila Wade writes………………’I am writing this on WORLD HAPPINESS DAY and realise that this is just how

we all feel when we have been singing at our Sing4Fun. The reason is that Jenny Agnew and Lyn Kirkton

provide us with such a variety of beautiful songs-includes songs from different countries-which we all enjoy

very much. We are so grateful to Jenny and Lyn for their time, energy and preparation, before and during

our singing evenings. On behalf of all of us at Sing4Fun, many, many thanks to you both.’

Our singing group now numbers 29, including 3 men. Members are a mixture of non-singers, singers who last

sang at school and a small number who are, or were, members of choirs. No auditions or tests are required.

If you have an interest in singing, no matter how limited it may be, you will be made most welcome. Singing is

so good for you and you can make new friends.

Come along and try it: 7.30-8.45pm on Monday evenings in Lochmaben Church Hall. The first visit is free.

Each week afterwards costs £1.50 (which includes a cup of tea/coffee and biscuits). For further

information, please phone Jenny Agnew on 01387 811632 or Sheila Wade on 01387 810791.

Sing4Fun dates for spring 2015:

April 20th 27th

May 4th 11th 18th 25th

June 1st Open evening

The Open Evening will include songs we have sung over the last three months, some individual items and,

hopefully, items by other local musical groups. It will be a relaxed evening of music. Do come along and join

us. There will be some refreshments.

Lochmaben Bowling Club The Club will re-open on Saturday, April 18, when new members will be made very welcome. Fees are £50.00

and for new beginners £20.00 for the season.

It is 125 years since we were founded and we hope to have an afternoon of celebration on May 16th.

Enquiries: - Secretary Hazel Sloan 01387 811830

Do you enjoy baking and decorating cakes? Then keep reading!

Free Cakes for Kids Lochmaben is a community group providing birthday cakes all

over Dumfriesshire for families who are struggling. We are a free, friendly and

confidential service.

We are looking for volunteer bakers to join us. We email out a cake with date and

details, and if you can bake, you simply reply! It’s that easy!

Email freecakesforkidslochmaben@gmail.com or call 07598999097.

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Lochmaben Friendship Group (over 60s) Mary Ross writes…………

We started 2015 with our Festive Lunch in the King's Arms Hotel in Lockerbie which was a great success.

We normally have a Table Top Sale in February, however Members opted to give donations instead and we

played Bingo.

Mrs Helen Muirhead demonstrated Tray bakes in March and we had a mouth-watering tasting session! We

also had the Maura's Trophy Competition for a Photo Frame which Helen judged. First was Davina Moffat,

second Shirley Carmichael and third Pauline Davies.

On March 22nd we went to the Buccleuch Centre at Langholm to see the musical 'Anything Goes' (matinee

performance), followed by a meal at the Douglas Hotel.

On 1st April, we had our Guest Day in the Church Hall when we had Guests from the Cumberland Street Day

Centre in Dumfries, Dalton Golden Years and Hightae Golden Years. We had afternoon tea and entertainment

by Ian Warner on his accordion to get the feet tapping! We also had a raffle.

We have our AGM in May and our outing on June 3rd is going to Keswick so we are hoping for a nice sunny

day!

As you can see we have quite a full diary, so if anyone would like to join us they would be made very welcome.

Our meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month from September to May in the Portacabin near

the school. If anyone would like more information please contact

The President Mary Ross on 01387 810256.

Annandale Sailing Club has welcomed their new commodore, Stewart Mitchell, who lives in Dumfries. He says the club is really keen to welcome people of all ages to try sailing on the Castle Loch and invites anyone interested to come to the annual Open Day on Sunday 26th April. Stewart says that sailing is a really fun sport, and challenging too, and there is always something new to learn. Visit the club on www.annansail.co.uk.

The Open Day will be followed by the start of Saturday Training on 16th May - open to everyone!

Once again the Club will be having 2 weekly courses in the summer, on weeks commencing Monday 6th July &

Monday 10th August.

Social Sailing will take place on the first Sunday of each month from June to August where there is no

racing experience needed - this is an ideal time to practise and have some fun!

For more information please contact B Wilkinson, Secretary, via the website www.annansail.co.uk

Lochmaben Action Group Increase in Rental Charges for the Portacabin:-

£7.00 per hour per room for Commercial Groups

£5.00 per hour for other groups

£3.00 per hour for Affiliated Groups (plus an Annual Charge of £10.50)

At present the Portacabin users include Tai-Chi; Karate; Free Church Group; Fun-Day (Dominoes); Young

Children’s Group and, of course, the regular Lunch Club and the Friendship Group, both of which are keen to

welcome new members. Please contact Helen Middleton on 01387 810926 for further information.

Lochmaben Church Guild Myra Turnbull, Convenor, writes…………..

Lochmaben Church Guild is enjoying another year of well attended meetings. We raised some £400 at our

autumn Soup and Sandwich lunch and have been able to send £200 each to Scottish based charities, The

Julius Project and Wevolution, both of which help people struggling to cope in our larger cities and towns.

The World Day of Prayer service on 6th March saw a first for Lochmaben when the National Convenor of the

Church of Scotland Guild, Mrs Kay Keith, was our speaker. Full details of our remaining meetings for this

session are on the church web site www.lochmabenchurchofscotland.org.uk and our autumn meetings begin

on Tuesday 15th September at 7.30pm in the Church Hall. Our Guild is open to both men and women and you

do not have to be a member of the church to join us. You are cordially invited to come along.

Church Contacts Church Website: Lochmaben Parish Church

Facebook page: Lochmaben Church

New Twitter link: Lochmaben Church

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Pickleball in Lockerbie and Lochmaben Colin Howe writes……..

What do you mean you’ve never heard of Pickleball?

Come and find out about our new sport. We are spreading our wings,

currently playing in the Lockerbie Town Hall and Lochmaben

Community Centre.

Playing what? Pickleball started in the USA in the 60s and is played

on a badminton sized court with a net set at 3 ft. high. It is played

very much like tennis but uses perforated balls to slow things down

and bats that are called paddles to hit them with. As you can see

from the picture it attracts all ages. You need to give it a try at:

Lockerbie Town Hall

Tuesday, starting at 6-30 pm.

Wednesday, starting at 1-30 pm.

Thursday, starting at 6-30 pm.

Or at:

Lochmaben Community Centre (Next to the Primary School)

Friday, starting at 6-30

All equipment provided. We make a small charge for the Hall hire charge of £2 per adult and £1 for primary

children.

We are currently demonstrating Pickleball at a number of local villages, so keep an eye out at places like

Collin, Torthorwald, etc... If you’d like to go a little further afield, they are holding the first international

Pickleball Tournament in Madrid this year on 18th to 20th September. We may well send a team!

Please contact me if you need more information; Colin Howe. 01387 810009

Lochmaben Tennis Club welcomes new members and is looking forward to celebrating 125 years with the

Bowling Club on Sat., 16th May. There will be Come and Try sessions and competitions for all ages. Our junior

membership is only £5 this year to attract and encourage younger players. Junior coaching with Rhona Park

will commence last week in April. Please contact 01387810627 for details. Mixed Doubles continue on

Sunday mornings from 10.30am. All welcome.

What’s in a Name?

Until fewer than 50 years ago, the Mill Loch was home to a rare freshwater fish called the Vendace, the last

of which was netted from the loch in 1966 and can now be viewed in the museums in Annan and Dumfries. It

was very apt, therefore, that when houses came to be built on the land to the south of the Loch, street

names chosen referred back to the previous occupants of the loch. Scottish Natural Heritage has plans to

reintroduce the Vendace in the future if water conditions become favourable. At present vendace can be

found in Loch Skene near Moffat and Derwent Water in the Lake District, the only two British sites where

the fish currently survives.

A vendace club used to meet on an annual basis in Lochmaben in the 19th century and the delicacy was served

to King James VI when he visited Dumfries in 1617, but he is said to have viewed the dish in horror and

commented on its peculiar smell.

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LOCHMABEN PRIMARY SCHOOL

CURLING FESTIVAL

On Wednesday 4th March Stuart Robson, Noah Hann, Oliver Smith & Finlay

Pattullo represented the school at Lockerbie Ice Rink’s Inter School Curling

Festival The boys had a fabulous experience and gained a superb sixth place out

of teams.

ROTARY QUIZ

The annual Lockerbie Area Rotary Quiz was held at Lockerbie Academy on

Thursday 5th February at 4pm. This year our team members were Kaytlyn

Davidson, Oliver Smith, Liam Graham & Robbie Hyslop. They answered the questions superbly well and were

just beaten into second place by pupils from Moffat Primary. Well done!

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL

Our P2& P3 Choir members and our Primary 6 children recently participated in the Dumfries & Galloway

Music Festival. Mrs Lynn Kirton tutored the along with Mrs De Luca. We were thrilled with both

performances. Our P2/3 Choir was commended for their singing in their class.

Our Primary 6 children sang their chosen song of ‘Cats & Dogs’ exceptionally well and were placed first in

their class, winning the Wallace Cup.

PRIMARY 7 RESIDENTIAL TRIP

Monday 23rd February- Friday 27th February saw all of the Primary 7 pupils

along with staff and helpers depart for a four night residential trip to

Dukeshouse Wood at Hexham.

The children participated in a wide variety of exciting outdoor activities and had

lots of fun! Everyone arrived home extremely tired and dirty but having had a

great time!

CROSS COUNTRY

On Tuesday 17th March the Annandale & Eskdale

Cross Country Championship took place in the

Grummel Park. Some of our P6 and P7 pupils took

part and ran extremely well. Our P6 Girls’ Team,

our P6 Boys’ Team and our P7 Girls’ Team all

gained Second Places and Silver medals. Out P7

Boys’ Team were placed third, receiving Bronze

medals. In the individual category Jed Simpson

was placed first overall in the P6 Boys’ Event &

Milly Maxwell was placed sixth overall in the P7

Girls’ Event!

ARKINHOLME CUP, LANGHOLM

On Wednesday 25th March some of our boys travelled to Langholm to take part in the Arkinholme Cup

organised by Langholm Primary. Playing superbly well & only conceding one goal in the whole competition, the

Lochmaben Team took second place overall. A superb achievement!

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY INTER SCHOOLS LACROSSE

On Thursday 12th March, eight pupils from P6 & P7 travelled to the Barony College to take part in the Inter

Schools Lacrosse Competition. The team played very well throughout and were just beaten by a goal in the

final, to achieve second place overall – well done!

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James Tulloch Brown Some of our residents will have noticed with sadness the death on December 15th, 2014, of James Tulloch

Brown at the grand age of 99. During a long career in orthopaedic surgery, he was appointed in 1948 to the

prestigious post of Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, a post which he

filled with distinction until his retiral in 1980 when he chose to come to live in Lochmaben at Morven on the

High Street with his widowed mother. This location enabled him to indulge his hobby of salmon fishing and

fly-tying and, when the weather was not kind, of photography, fly-tying and woodturning. Developing most of

his own photographs in his darkroom, the quality of many of the pictures he took was exceptional and he

often won prizes in photographic journals. He will be remembered as a highly independent, private man who

knew his own mind and was very skilled in his field of the surgical management of bone injuries. Many elderly

patients with hip fractures have reason to be very grateful to him, to his innovations in his field, and to his

outstanding skill as a surgeon.

LOCHMABEN GOLF CLUB

Michael Dickie writes…….The official opening of the Golf Season took place on the weekend of

28th and 29th March. Club Captain Barry Scott drove into office on Saturday afternoon when he led his

team to victory in a match against Vice- Captain Ray Allbrooke’s team. The juniors and Ladies had to cope

with squally showers for their opening day on Sunday. Ladies’ Captain Lynda Nairn’s team had a closely

contested match against Vice- Captain Deborah Bodell’s team. The juniors braved the elements on

Sunday morning to support Captain Chris Shearman and his Vice Captain Callan Harkness. It is great to see

the progress of the younger members who receive regular coaching from volunteer coaches Maitland Pollock

and David Wright.

Congratulations are due to Maitland who has been awarded RBS Volunteer Coach of the Year at this year’s

presentation held in Edinburgh. Maitland was also a joint winner of coach of the year at the Annandale &

Eskdale Sports awards.

The club recently held an open membership day and I am pleased to say that we

recruited twenty new members. For more information about membership, please visit

our website: www.lochmabengolf.co.uk, or contact the club on 01387 810552.

The course has attracted a great deal of praise from both our members and visitors

alike. Our hardworking green-keepers have been busy during the winter refurbishing

some bunkers as well as some drainage works. This year, the Club is hosting the

Dumfriesshire Stroke and Match Play Championships as well as the South of

Scotland Junior Championship.

Maitland Pollock, RBS Coach of the Year and joint winner of Annandale and

Eskdale’s Coach of the Year Sports Award.

2015 Junior Captain Chris Shearman

drives into office.

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Lochmaben Church of Scotland, Scottish Charity SC004644

The minister Rev Paul Read BSc MA (Th) writes…………..

Dear Friends in Lochmaben!

I have two confessions – the first is that I am a “supporter” of Queen of the South FC – the second is that I

am also a “keen supporter” of the Canaries – my home town of Norwich City FC.

It has been great to watch both teams succeed through what is best described as “perseverance”!! So I want

to share a few examples on this theme, hoping that you might accept them as an “encouragement”.

I know that you will have all heard of the famous Scottish Missionary, Dr David Livingstone. In his journeys

across the African Continent he walked 29,000 miles. His wife died early on in his life and he carried out his

work half blind. He faced opposition at home and in Africa. Despite having had to endure seven years of

painful therapy, wearing leg braces when polio left her left leg crooked and her foot twisted inward, the

athlete Wilma Rudolph eventually made the US Olympic Team and represented her country at the 1960

Olympics in Rome where she won three Gold Medals, the most a woman had ever won. Winston Churchill,

Charles Darwin and G.K. Chesterton were all slow starters in life, but, with the right support, went on to

make a significant contribution to the lives of others. Olympic Athletes all seem to succeed with effortless

grace, but their expertise has been achieved by dedication to practice, commitment, hard work and training.

They have required perseverance and encouragement to get to the point where their performances are

flawless. ‘Practice does make perfect’.

The success achieved by all those above was largely due to the perseverance of the individuals concerned but

was also shaped by people I call “encouragers” – and there are many in our Community who fit that title. Let’s

acknowledge all of those in the Burgh who willingly give up their time to help others achieve their potential-

those, for example, who coach the Lochmaben Soccer team, the Tennis Club, the Bowling Club, the Sailing

Club, those who tutor the stalwart and highly respected Pipe Band, and yes, those who teach the art of golf!

Let us thank God for them.

By the way, our Church family – though not perfect – seeks to encourage faith in the One whose life and

death and resurrection changed the world.

God be with you this Eastertide.

Paul, Parish Minister

Lochmaben Scottish Women’s Institute

Linda Duff writes…………………….

The SWRI groups are undergoing a change in their image.

In early 2013, representatives from all Federations were invited to attend a marketing workshop. The 2 day

event was a creative and productive one and, as part of the activities, members undertook a SWOT

(strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis. The findings were taken to the Executive

Committee and then to Central Council.

Since then, the marketing committee has been working to its remit to deliver changes which will help the

organisation address the critical decline in membership which means that if this so continues at the same

pace, the organisation may cease to exist in less than a decade.

The logo has changed to SWI and, yes, we have removed the word rural from our title – but the most

important change we are implementing is the piloting of new style meetings to attract a younger generation

of women. More informal meetings with less minute taking and paperwork, but educating, sharing skills and

having fun will sit alongside our more traditional meeting. We hope that this will allow existing members to

continue with the format of meetings they enjoy, but will introduce new, more flexible opportunities for all,

including working mums etc. to be part of a sustainable organisation.

Catherine Blair, 27 years after founding the SWRI, issued her own call to action which we believe has

increasing resonance for us all 50 years on:- “Age has the experience; Youth has the enthusiasm”. Both are

required for the groups to succeed, so that we may leave a legacy of a thriving movement.

DETAILS OF MEETINGS etc. CAN BE FOUND ON THE LOCHMABEN WEB-SITE.

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A Chance to Have Your Say Lochmaben is eligible to apply for funding from the Harestanes Windfarm Development. A number of

projects are being mentioned which could be set up as a result of this Funding.

Which of the following projects would have your support? Or can you suggest a better use of the

money?

Survey

In Column A below, put 1 against the project which would be your first choice, then a 2 against your second

choice and so on.

Possible Project Column A Notes

The provision of a Multi-use Games

Area(Muga)

Further Capital would have to be raised for

this

The provision of Allotments

Further Capital would have to be raised for

this

Establishing and Equipping a

Voluntary Litter Patrol

Providing a Warden Service to patrol

Mill Loch

Establishing a Sporting Event to

attract visitors

Set up a Mooc *Details on request Mass Open Online IT Courses- open to All

Other Suggestions

Describe below how you’d like the money to

be used.

Add your Suggestion if you have one

Remove this page from the Newsletter and hand it to one of our collection points- at the Post Office, at one

of the Sandhu Stores or at the Town Hall. There will be a selection made from all the returned forms and

the person whose name is drawn will receive a Kobo Ereader.

Please hand in your completed Form by Wed 22nd April.

Name………………………………………………………………..Address…………………………………………………………………………………………

Tel. ……………………………………… E Mail address…………………………………………………………………………..

Do you regularly use a Computer at home? Yes / No (Circle one)

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Council Cuts Cause Concern

WE NEED COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS ----to do what?

1. Floral Displays through Lochmaben Due to these cuts the Council will reduce their care and maintenance of the flower displays in the town

which are not theirs. There are a considerable number of boxes/planters in the Burgh which were purchased

over the years by the Lochmaben Gardens Competitions so we as a Community need Volunteers willing to take

on board the job of planting and caring for these boxes/planters during the season. If we don’t tell the

Council by early to mid-May how we intend to manage these areas, the boxes/planters etc. will be removed

and the areas grassed over.

Are you able to VOLUNTEER some of your time to work with the Gardens Competition Volunteers to tend

the flower displays which add greatly to the town’s attractiveness over the summer?

Your involvement would be greatly appreciated!

If you are interested, contact the Gardens Competition Committee via Pam Linton, Chairperson, on 01387 811258,

Michael Dickie, Treasurer, on 01387 810713, or Tony Hancock on 01387 810379. Please get in touch by

Thursday 30 th April. A meeting to arrange the way forward will be set up with all those volunteering to help.

2. Lochmaben Youth Group

Due to cuts in Council Funding for Youth Workers, there is at present no Youth Group operating in

Lochmaben... This issue is currently under discussion at Initiative meetings and the Initiative would like to hear

from anyone operating a Community Group willing to involve youngsters in worthwhile projects and in providing

them with positive experiences.

If you are interested in Volunteering to help take this idea forward your involvement would again be

greatly appreciated. Please contact Sheona Muir on 01387 811040 or sheonamuir@gmail.com.

Lochmaben Community Centre Programme

For all enquiries and Bookings--Tel. 01387 810599 lochmaben.cente@dumgal.gov.uk Day Open from Activity Activity time Centre closes at

Monday 12.30pm Prime Movers

Circuit Training

9.30am to 10.30am

6.15pm to 7.15pm

9.00pm

Tuesday 10.00am 9.00pm

Wednesday 10.00am Prime Movers

Metafit

9.30am to 10.30am

5.30pm to 6.00pm

9.00pm

Thursday 10.00am BLT 7.30pm to 8.30pm 9.00pm

Friday 03.00pm Metafit 6.00pm to 6.30pm 8.00pm

Saturday 11.30am 2.30pm

Sunday Closed all day

Please telephone before attending a class as they can be cancelled without prior notice.

Annandale Transport Initiative

ATI is again providing a programme of day trips throughout 2014 to

destinations in Northern England and Scotland. For full summer

programme of trips contact the ATI Office: - Telephone - 01576

203053;

on the website – www.atibus.org.uk; Or by email -

info@atibus.org.uk.

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LITTER The problem caused by Litter in Lochmaben has been brought to the attention of the Community Council

and of the Community Initiative It is, unfortunately, a problem common to most communities these days and

one which seems to be on the increase. It is already being tackled here by a few community minded, hard-

working individuals. Each time they go out for a walk around one of the many attractive routes we can all

enjoy in the Burgh, they make a point of collecting litter and depositing it appropriately on the way home.

Maybe we can all follow their example.

The picture shows what was

collected around the Mill Loch on

just one day. Thanks to their

efforts, a considerable amount

of tidying up has already taken

place and we are all indebted to

them. This is, however, only the

tip of a huge problem. Many

other parts of Lochmaben are

being spoiled for visitors and

residents alike by litter which is

being dropped and left lying

around.

Can we, as a Community, do something about the problem? If you are willing to give up some of your

time to collect litter, please contact the Initiative Chairman on 01387 810094

Lochmaben and District Initiative intends to publish another Community

Newsletter in autumn 2015 and will include a third edition of ‘Keep it Local’. We are

hoping that all the names on last year’s leaflet will appear again. If you want to have your name added, please

contact Sandy Grant (01387 810487) who will make the necessary arrangements. As you know, the

Newsletter goes to all households in the Burgh so it is a good publicity and information opportunity.

Please submit items you would like to be included from August, 2015.

To the Website at www.lochmaben.org.uk

Online to indamair@gmail.com

REFORMED DAY CONFERENCE AT LOCHMABEN Recovering our Protestant and Reformed Heritage

Saturday 18th April 2015 from 11am

Lochmaben School Portacabin, Lochmaben DG11 1NH

Chairman: Rev David Fraser, Shettleston

MARTIN LUTHER: OUR PROTESTANT HERITAGE

JOHN KNOX: OUR REFORMED HERITAGE

Local contact: Mr. Benjamin Wall 07926059312

Presbytery contact: Rev David Fraser 07816490035

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In Days Gone By Were you a Sports Winner with the Lochmaben Cubs 37 years ago? Yes,…… 37……… in 1978.

So how many faces/names do you remember?

A lot of information about Lochmaben’s past (and its present!) can be accessed on the Community Website

www.lochmaben.org.uk. It is all well worth a look. If you have a Smartphone or a Tablet with a QR Reader,

you can call up the Website using this code

Or simply go to the website address above.

You’ll find the Website Homepage:-

Welcome to Lochmaben Online

‘Lochmaben is a small town in the rural south-west of Scotland with a long and interesting history. Today, the town

has many active community organisations serving local people. For visitors to the area, there are many sites of

interest to visit and outdoor activities to take part in. This website has been created by the Lochmaben and District

Community Initiative to provide information about the community of Lochmaben and the surrounding district for

residents and visitors. There is a great deal of information available. Please explore the website to learn more about

Lochmaben.’

Information about the Royal Burgh is grouped under these headings:- About Lochmaben; News; What’s On?;

Activities; Map & Travel; Accommodation; Community Groups; Local Services; Local Businesses; Contact Us.

Also, you can download useful Information about what to see and do in Lochmaben; Check the Weather; Check

Travel; you can even consult a Pothole Hotline.

Lochmaben and District Community Initiative is very grateful to Tom Russell for all the work he does running the

Website and keeping it up to date.

*

Lochmaben Voices is an Audio and Text record of interviews with residents recalling what life was like in the Royal

Burgh in days gone by. Worth having a listen/read! Ask at the Library.

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Legacy Items from Day of the Region, 2013

Legacy items from DOR 2013 are distributed throughout the community and are available on loan from the

contact people in each community group. Please note that a Loan Form has to be completed when an item is

borrowed. The groups, contact people and suggested equipment are as follows:-

Group Contact Person Equipment which can be borrowed

Lochmaben School Association Sheona Muir various sports equipment items

Art Group Carol Paget art brushes & drawing boards

Tennis Club Mary Park portable tennis ball machine

Lochmaben Little People Lisa Duff various toddler toys

Lochmaben Initiative Tom Russell digital projector

Lochmaben Community Council Tony Hancock laptop computer

Sing4fun Jenny Agnew portable recorder

Golf Club Michael Dickie Junior golf equipment & practice nets.

If you have any difficulty reaching any of the contact people, Tom Russell is available to help on

01387 810502 or tom@therussells.org.uk

MEN’S SHED Colin Howe writes………

A Men's Shed is a larger version of the typical man’s

shed in the garden – a place where he feels at home

and pursues practical interests with a high degree of

autonomy. A Men's Shed offers this to a group of

such men where members share the tools and

resources they need to work on projects of their own

choosing at their own pace and in a safe, friendly and

inclusive venue. They are places of skill-sharing and

informal learning, of individual pursuits and

community projects, of purpose, achievement and

social interaction. A place of leisure where men come

together to work. The picture shows a Men’s Shed in

New Zealand.

A Shed’s activities usually involve making or mending in wood (e.g. carpentry, joinery, turning, carving,

whittling, marquetry, furniture renovation) and may include activities as varied as bike repair, gardening,

vehicle repair, tool renovation, upholstery, boat renovation, model engineering, milling, turning in plastics, etc.

Reclamation, reuse and restoration will feature strongly – and some say that is true of the men too! Although

Sheds mostly attract older men, some have included men of any age, women and young people.

Ken Harvey and I have been desperate over the last year to start a Men’s Shed in Lockerbie or Lochmaben,

but finding a suitable building has been very difficult. We will of course be providing a facility for local

people, particularly those living alone and in need of friendship. Please contact me if you might like to join us

or know of a suitable building that we could use.

WE WILL MAKE A START ON FRIDAY 24TH APRIL IN LOCHMABEN PORTACABIN AT 2-00 PM FOR

A CUP OF TEA AND TO DISCUSS THE WAY FORWARD.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO MEET THERE ON A FRIDAY AT 2-00 PM. THE PORTACABIN IS ON THE

PLAYGROUND AT THE BACK OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOL.

SEE YOU THERE!

Colin Howe: 01387 810 009, nozcol@gmail.com

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JayBees recently held a ‘Dress funny for money’ Day which was great fun, going by the

pictures we have here. To appreciate and enjoy these fully, you have to see them in colour,

which you can do by looking at this Newsletter on the Community Website.

The splendid sum of £116 was raised for Comic Relief. Well done to all concerned!!

Lochmaben and District Community Council A concert in aid of the Senior Citizens Christmas Party is to be held at the

Lochmaben Community Centre on Friday 15th May 2015 at 7.30 pm (prompt)

featuring “Taste of Country” who have been entertaining for over 25 years, mainly

in Dumfries and Galloway. Their programme consists of well-known songs, ranging

from jazz/folk/songs from musicals/solos/duets with some comedic songs thrown

into the mix.

Tickets £10.00 including light supper, Bar Available – Admission by ticket only

Tickets available from – Pettigrew’s Pet Shop, The Fruit and Flower Shop, The Post

Office, and Pam Linton 01387 811258

LCC is looking forward to a good turnout so do come along and support this worthy

cause.

Nearly there

The Telephone Box in Lochmaben High Street has recently undergone a little restoration work. Following

Community Council contact with BT and with Carolyn Hashimoto at the Annandale Herald, the window panes

and the junction box cover have been replaced and now a new door has been added. It is anticipated that it

will receive a new coat of paint in June which will restore this iconic unit to its former glory. Thank you BT.

Next stop the cleaning of the Robert the Bruce statue, which may prove to be a little more difficult!

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Spotlight Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust-Winners of the DG Life ‘People of the Year’ Award ‘Community

Project 2014’. An outstanding accolade!!

This is YOUR Community, YOUR Project, and YOUR Loch.

The trust was set up to ensure the continued conservation of the Castle Loch for

the Royal Burgh, its residents and its visitors.

Now’s the time to show your support for this exciting development on your

doorstep which will make Lochmaben an important tourist stop-off point and

add greatly to the amenities the Burgh offers to its residents.

Darren Flint, Castle Loch Project Officer writes…………..

‘Spring is certainly in the air. The great spotted woodpeckers are busy drumming in the woods and I had the

joy the other day of sitting and watching a long-tailed tit collecting feathers and moss to weave into their

intricate nests (a wonderfully cosy ball of soft material).

I’m pleased to say that all the hard work with creating the new footpath has been worthwhile. We have had

lots of positive feedback and our counters are showing the path had over 600 walkers a month during the

depths of winter. The path has held up well, and with the warmer weather approaching the wild honey suckle,

willow herb and raspberries will soon shoot up, softening the route and making for a lovely walk.

Volunteering:

The darker months of autumn and winter are also one of the busiest for our volunteer groups - time to crack

on with the habitat management activities before the bird breeding season. During the first three months of

2015 we had over 200 donated hours, and were also joined by three teenagers undertaking their bronze

Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

You may have seen that we have created a Forest Kindergarten, which is now regularly used by the smaller

children from JayBees Nursery. The timber was kindly donated by Robert Tweddle, timber merchants, and a

gang of volunteers dug the trenches and rolled the large trunks into position. Thank you also to Ross Gemmell

for carving the sign. We have also been clearing rhododendron from the wet woodlands, litter picking,

planting hedging, making bird boxes, fixing potholes and digging drainage ditches along the muddy farm

track.

Events:

The Trust’s second AGM was held at the end of March and was well attended with people turning out on a

chilly and wintery night. Along with the voting on of the Board and finance report, there was also a progress

update from myself, and an informative talk by Andy Riches about the importance of Castle Loch in Scotland

for dragonflies. We will be holding some public dragonfly events in June – keep an eye on the website or for

posters around the area. On Saturday, 11th April, the Trust held the official opening of the new footpath,

which included members of the Lochmaben Royal Burgh Pipe Band, children’s activities, walks and

refreshments.

Wildlife:

The loch had good numbers of over-wintering goosander, at one point over 70

made for a fine sight. The surrounding wet woodland is home to between 7-10

pairs of willow tit (probably the maximum this site can accommodate as they have

large territories). Did you know that Castle Loch is one of the best places in

Dumfries & Galloway to see this elusive and increasingly rare bird? If you have

never seen one, a pair can often be seen on the feeders outside Lochfield Cottage

near the lochside car park on the A709.

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The Trust is also part of a new fledgling group working to help the local red squirrel populations. The

Annandale Red Squirrel Group aims to promote the preservation of red squirrels in Annandale through

research, education and events. Do let us know of any sightings of reds (and greys). These should also be

reported to www.scottishsquirrels.org.uk.’

So what next for Castle Loch? A huge amount of work, time and effort has already gone into taking the

project to where it is now. Its success is very largely due to the outstanding work done by the Board of

Trustees under the excellent leadership of David Rose, to the enthusiasm and industry of the Project

Development Officer, Darren Flint, and to a group of local volunteers who have happily given up their time

and energy, turning out in all weathers to make it happen. Our Community is greatly indebted to all of them!

The pathway all the way round the Loch has been completed and has been very well used by locals and

visitors.

The fence around the woodland beside the A709 and the footbridge over the Valison Burn are also

now in place.

A Forest Classroom facility for Nursery Children has been set up close to the start of the walk near

the Bowling Club entry.

Action Earth has funded the construction of 60 bird boxes which are now in place, and 1200 beech

saplings are ready to be planted out to plug the gaps along the A709 and the B7020.

However, there is still a long list of things to do. We are working with a few people locally to arrange the

replacement of the burnt out Bird Hide, we will be repairing the pot holes on the track to the castle, and

creating new footpaths that link Lochmaben along the A709 to the start of the Castle Loch footpath and

also working with D&G Rangers to put in a path from the castle down to the start of the boardwalk.

Fundraising

The Board of Trustees has worked hard to raise the necessary funds to cover costs up to now but is aware

that further funds will be required to keep the Trust developing. There are several ways in which YOU can

make a donation and these were detailed in the Community Trust Winter/Spring Newsletter 2015. If you

need further Information, contact Darren at darrenflint@castleloch.org.uk or on 07971790847. He has

just set up a means to donate financially to the work of the Trust so you can help with the ongoing

protection of the Castle Loch. All donations are very much appreciated and no amount is too small.

www.castleloch.org.uk/getting-involved/donate/

The Trust is also keen to set up a fundraising group that would be interested in exploring and possibly

running some local activities. Early thoughts are to run a coffee morning, cake bakes, a book sale, and a

sponsored walk around the loch.

If this is of interest, please do get in touch. Or why not contact a Trust Member? (See page 3 for names).

Keeping in Touch:

Website: www.castleloch.org

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/castlelochlochmaben

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/annandaleredsquirrel

Email: darrenflint@castleloch.org.uk

Address: Lochfield Cottage, Priestdykes,

Lochmaben, DG11 1LP

We look forward to seeing you around Castle Loch sometime over the coming seasons.

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