Gatehouse NewsSummer 2010

From the EditorWelcome to the second issue of the Gatehouse Newsletter, when we aim to cover the summer and early au-tumn months to the end of October. We aim to improve coverage of the town with more thorough distribu-tion of the Newsletter. Once more, we are grateful for the continuing support of our growing number of advertisers.

I have received comments and advice on a number of ideas for improve-ments. In particular, a suggestion to provide space for “small ads”, where buyers, sellers and service providers could get their message across at low cost. So, in the next issue, I will ac-cept small ads at a cost of £5 per issue for an entry of up to a maximum of 25 words. An example might be: “For sale, now that summer is over: Com-plete barbecue set with lighter fuel and bag of charcoal. Phone 923012” Book your space by calling me at 51 High Street or phone 815008.

In our next issue to be published in late October. This will cover the Christmas and winter period. There will be seasonal features on Remem-brance Sunday, the Gatehouse Burns Club, Music Society and Concerts and (perhaps!) even on the establish-ment of a Snooker Club in the Com-munity Centre. The highlight will be our Business Focus feature on Fleet Fish, Mary and Eric Cowan’s travel-ling fresh food enterprise, a lifeline for so many of us healthy and hungry local residents.

Gala Week 1st - 8th AugustSummertime is here again, and holiday time in Gatehouse of Fleet would not be complete without the annual spectacle of the Gala. Now in its sixty first year of production the Gala never fails, come rain or shine, to keep locals and visitors amused, entertained and coming back, year after year, for more.This year’s programme begins on the first of Au-gust with the traditional opening ceremony, and the crowning of this year’s Gala queen, who, ac-companied by the Queen’s consort, page boy and attendant will oversee the day’s activities and enter-tainment in Garries park.Throughout the week Gatehouse will be host to days full of entertainment and activities, from old favourites to new ventures.Amongst the highlights will be: Two treasure hunts – one on foot around town and one in cars through the surrounding countryside, adult and children tennis tournaments, a pub quiz night, competi-tions galore, country dancing, the great Gala raffle, guided town walks, accompanied hill walk, the fab-ulous ‘Roon the Water’ race and fun run, and not forgetting the famous Wednesday night Torchlight Procession. Plus lots and lots more for everyone.

The Gatehouse Riding of the Marches will also take place during Gala week.Gala Saturday, the seventh of August, sees the cli-max of the week, with a full day’s programme of events. The ever popular Gala grand parade will start at the school and wind its way along High street and into Garries Park, where the afternoon will be filled with a full programme of entertain-ment which will leave everyone wanting more. Full details of the week’s events, with times, can be found in the Gala programme which will be on sale from selected outlets throughout the town, prior to and during Gala week.As usual the Gala would not happen without the skill, dedication and never ending input of the Gala Group. Chaired by Pauline Logan, the group puts enormous hours of organisation and hard work into producing the yearly spectacle. Everyone should be extremely grateful to the Group for helping to keep Gatehouse of Fleet a ‘must visit’ place for so many tourists.The Gala Group is always looking for help, however large or small, and anyone interested in lending a helping hand should contact Pauline on 814667.

Unique Feature of Cally WallsWork has begun to conserve a unique fea-ture of the Cally Walls, the sunken dyke near Laundry Cottage. It was in 1821 that James Conlin and Edward Murphy were contracted to dig out a trench and build a wall in it, which was covered in turf on top. The Forestry Commission have cut down a

number of trees which were growing into and beside the wall and Ian Brown and the National Scenic Area volunteers have worked very hard to clear away the scrub which was growing up near the wall. The fine view across the field towards Cuffieton has been re-created and the professional dykers have begun to restore a section of wall. The scene will soon be similar to that which Mr Murray of Cally would have seen nearly 200 years ago. Work has also begun to restore a section of dyke which can be seen from the Gatehouse by-pass and work to restore the whole boundary dyke from Enrick to Gatehouse should soon be com-plete. Later in the summer there will be a volunteer work camp and there will be an-other school project this autumn. To en-sure that all the work is done on time we still have opportunities for volunteers. If you would like to help please contact Ian Brown on 07824 708110

Cally Old SchoolWork is progressing on the scheme to con-solidate the walls of what was the old school in Cally woods. A contractor has been se-lected and work on site will start shortly with the work completed by the end of July. The ivy has been removed from the walls and brambles from the surrounding area. This work has opened up the area and

revealed a structure which is quite substan-tial and well worth conserving. The exter-nal stone lintels are in place, however, the internal timber lintels are no longer there and the stonework above has collapsed. New green oak lintels are being provided by the Forestry Commission. Stonework above will be rebuilt using existing stones recovered from around the building. Inside the building there is a substantial amount of debris on top of the timber floor and it consists of brambles, roof slates, timbers, stones, wellington boots, plastic bags and the general build-up of leaf litter and soil. The Fleet Valley Countryside volunteers are removing all this material prior to the contractor starting work on site. The floor was a suspended timber floor of joists and boarding supported by stone walls. An interesting feature is the long narrow slots in the walls at roof level on all sides of the

building. It is assumed these were to ac-commodate the roof trusses/ceiling joists. The building was clad externally in half round timbers. We know this as some were still attached to the walls and there are very many fixings still there. Does anyone have a photograph of the building as it was?The GDI would be pleased to receive any information about the building no matter how insignificant it may seem, photographs would be a great help. We are short of in-formation on the roof structure, pitch of the roof and did it have large overhanging eaves? What was the finish to internal sur-faces - was it plastered? We understand the girl guides used to meet there in the early part of the 1900s; do any of our older resi-dents have memories or information about the building during this period?

Support your Community CentreGreat things are happening.Structurally, the building is being made watertight, new windows will be installed, the roof will be thermally insulated and vented. We have solar panels fitted so that we can produce our own electricity and we have very efficient heat exchanger based air conditioning / heater units.The toilet block has been gutted and is be-ing rebuilt whilst the rest of the building is being painted inside and outside.Because the ‘old’ community centre was cold and ‘tired’ it was under-utilised. Hopefully within weeks now it will be freshened up and comfortable for one-off and regular gatherings for people with in-terests of all types.We need the building to be used. The more it is used the more we can reduce charges for its use. Also the more we use the build-ing the more we engender a community spirit about the building and the easier it should be to obtain grants for improving facilities on a continual basis.There are proposals to open a snooker club in one of the corner rooms, so if you are a budding Stephen Hendry or other has-been who is interested, please contact Wil-lie McKie on 815008. He needs to know the level of interest before final plans and commitments can be made. Although this room will be ‘dedicated’ to snooker there will be occasions when the room can be made available for other functions where more space is required – a table cover will be available so the room can still be used for Flower Show exhibits.If you would like to make a booking (or even a suggestion about future plans) please ring our new booking phone 07563 758533. Leave a message about which room(s) you would like, when and for how long, but don’t forget to leave a phone number so someone can call you back to discuss or confirm your booking. When we get our own website we would like to transact as much business as possible by email.

Community Projects

Golf Club NotesThe season is well under way and we have been blessed with some fine spring and ear-ly summer weather, making the green fee of £15 for a day’s golf extremely good value. The course has been in excellent condition, thanks to the hard work put in by Charlie and Steve Pickthall.The Cally Club, played over the week-end May 29th/30th enjoyed good fields for both Ladies and Men. Winner of the Men’s was Stuart Brown from Brighouse with a net 57; the Murray Usher Shield was won by Graham McMillan with a course record of 62, the second time he has achieved this score. Winner of the Ladies was Mrs. Thelma Pollock, who also won the Murray Usher Shield. The 9 hole competition was won by Mrs. Audrey Stanford.On July 24th the Club will stage the Gol-fability Cup, an 18 hole Stableford for la-dies and men, to be followed by a social event and raffle in the evening – venue to be confirmed. The event is to raise money for charity and the proceeds will be divided between the Leonard Cheshire Homes and the Golf Club. We look for a good entry from members for what should be an enjoy-able day, and hope that they will bring part-ners and friends along to the social event in the evening.Membership numbers are holding up rea-sonably well with a dozen new members so far. We are hoping to sign up more junior members with the summer holidays ap-proaching; names should be given to Junior Convenor Steve Groome.Members are reminded that the Club pres-entation night and Annual Dinner will be held on Saturday October 2nd.

FootballAlthough not an outstanding season for Fleet Star, the team ended the season with the award of the Fair Play trophy, a just re-ward for discipline on the field.The 2010/11 season kicks off with the first home game in Garries Park on July 31st.

Green BowlingTo celebrate the Club’s 175th anniversary, there will be a special Invitation tourna-ment on July 24th.

CurlingThe Club held its AGM and dinner at the Murray Arms Hotel during April and com-petition winners were presented with the trophies and medals they had won for the 2009/10 season. Summer seems a strange time to be considering the coming curling season but preparations are already well in hand, with ice time booked and inter-club competitions entered. This is also the time to be thinking about curling yourselves. Have you ceased working, or moved into the area, wondering what you will do as the nights draw in? Maybe Curling is for you. We would like to invite you to our first practice of the new season to be held at Stranraer Ice Rink on Sunday October 3rd. If you are interested in joining us for the up-coming season please call Keith Kemp on 814152. We look forward to seeing old and new faces for the new season.

SnookerThe future development of the Snooker Club concept is dependent on progress with the improvements to and refurbish-ment of, the Community Centre. Some progress on this is reported elsewhere in this Newsletter. Interested potential Snooker Club members are invited to register their names with Willie McKie at 51 High Street on 01557 815008 or by e-mail to willm-ckie@aol.com. Although it is too early to sketch out plans for the range of Club ac-tivities, engaging the interest of younger members of the community in learning and building skills in the game should be an important element in the life of a future Snooker Club. Something constructive and entertaining for lengthening winter eve-nings perhaps?

CricketIn a clearing in the Cally Woods is a lit-tle known gem known as the Cally Ground where cricket is played throughout the sea-son. Owned by the Murray Usher Founda-tion, this has been the home of cricket in Gatehouse of Fleet for many years, with the first recorded match played in 1907.Today the First X1 plays in the Western Union Division One and the Second X1 in Division Five. Regular fixtures are arranged

for the juniors and a number of these play-ers have progressed to the District and Scot-tish Academy levels and regularly feature in our league games.The club realises that it must continue to develop for future success in the knowledge that cricket has to compete with a number of other sports and activities. It needs to make the game appeal to young people and their parents and therefore has to be enjoy-able as well as teaching young players the correct technical approach to the game. To promise this the club needs to make cricket fun, safe and accessible to all who wish to play, work with local primary and second-ary schools, provide coaching experience and build confidence and self-esteem. Players come from all over Galloway and in recent years junior coaching at all lev-els has become an important feature of the club. Home matches take place on Satur-days throughout the season (see details in the Community Diary), junior coaching under the supervision of our Indian player Suresh Mukherjee on Wednesdays 6-7.30 pm and training on Mondays 5-7.30 pm on the Cally ground. All who are interested are welcome to attend. Coaching also takes place at various schools throughout Gallo-way.Further information from Dennis Coombs on 814404 or just come along.

Gatehouse Tennis ClubClub nights at the Tennis Club are on every Monday evening at 6.00 p.m. Contact Bar-bara McDavid on 814505 for membership details.

Gatehouse Hospital Car Service – S.O.SGatehouse Hospital Car Service is running out of volunteer drivers.; the service aims to provide transport to and from local hospi-tals or Dumfries Royal Infirmary for those with appointments but without the means of getting there. Volunteer drivers receive remuneration for their fuel costs. If you can help, please contact Derek Budd on 01557 814257.

Sport

Gatehouse Drop-in CentreA lot has been going on and being organ-ised for the young people of Gatehouse. In March a group of girls had a night of skat-ing at the Ice Bowl in Dumfries. In April and May seven young people completed the expedition section of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. They had to map-read whilst carrying all the tents, stoves, food and water for the overnight camp. These two weekend hikes took place in the Dal-beattie forest and Loch Whinyeon areas.

In May, a group of young people went to Laggan Outdoor to enjoy some of the fan-tastic activities which they have on offer. They took part in archery, grass sledging and mountain boarding, as well as having a go at driving a Reverse Steer Jeep around an obstacle course – not easy whilst blind-folded!Recently the young people spent some of their own Drop-in funds on new nets for the smaller football pitch in Garries Park. A match was played on June 8th between Gatehouse Youth and members of Dum-fries and Galloway Police. The young peo-ple were widely complimented for arrang-ing their own team without needing help from adults – including arranging substitu-tions etc during the match. The final score of this exciting game was six all, before the police won on penalties.Some of the money for the above activities was raised through the fantastic work of the Volunteers at the Charity Shop in Gate-house. The shop, at 49 High Street, has some really great bargains in stock, as there is a constant supply of generous donations. Do call in and have a look.The Drop-In Centre is having an open day on Monday 23rd August from 4pm – 7pm for everyone interested in seeing inside,

particularly those who might be interested in volunteering. Refreshments will be on offer for everyone... For more information, visit www.gatehouseymca.org.uk

Gatehouse Festival Music Group - Summer These Days!Yes, we got the weather and thanks to the generosity of Fiona Hesketh we offered camping (with qualified custodian Luke), all of which made this the friendliest mid-summer music so far. Friendly music too – highlight Mike Heron and band wove a gently harmonious Saturday night tapestry with fever from dazzling guitar duo Farino. Home-grown groups CARRIFRAN and The Geese popped up everywhere in all manner of roles, and Michelle’s Music Café served up an ever changing melodic menu and sold out of funny buns.Blues lovers were hugely delighted by Jelly-roll Gumdrop’s ecstatically received Sunday session, while solo spots from Nicola Black, Sean Flanagan and Susi Woodmass added extra delicacies to the Festival mix. Sinuous Kurdish fiddle blended with full-bodied vocal style from the spectacular Zagros and then there was Cameron O’Hagan – this boy just gets better, maturity suits him!Spontaneous sessions erupted in the Ma-sonic and the Bank, with Martin Smith, Maurice Sutherst and “Macclesfield Mar-vel” Tom Kitching among the stars –these sessions constitute the base of the musical pizza that this festival provides.

A “thank you” list would demand a supple-ment to this newsletter – there’s been huge generosity and work effort – you know who you are, so many thanks, and most of all to that geezer up there who organised the sun-shine. “Talk to me, someone” sang Cam-eron, and everyone did – a really friendly week-end.

Gatehouse Horticultural SocietyForget Chelsea, the highlight of the gar-dening year in Gatehouse is the Gatehouse Horticultural Society’s 107th Annual Show on August 28th, to be opened at 2.30 pm by Mr. Geoff Swann.There will be prizes for Flowers, Fruit, Veg-etables, Baking, Preserves and Handicrafts and a special prize for the competitor under 21 gaining the most points in the Horti-

cultural and Industrial sections, together with trophies and prize monies in the chil-dren’s section. To reflect changing trends, classes have been added for the first time for Cherry Tomatoes, Hens Eggs, Homemade Liqueurs, and Painting. So come along and have a go, the entry fees for classes is only 20p! Entry fee to the show costs £1, or enter free as a member as your member-ship will help to keep the show going for another 107 years!As you read your Newsletter, there is just time to enter the Gatehouse Garden and Window Box competition, to be judged by Mr. Michael Wickenden of Cally Gardens. There are five categories and prizes for each, and two Trophies, the Beatrice and Tom Clark Memorial Trophy for the Best Kept garden, and the Mrs. M. Robertson De-canter for the Best Overall Window Box. The judging will take place in the first week of August, so have a go; there are so many garden gems in our town!Full details and schedules are available from the Show Secretary, Mrs. S. Harris, 12 Bakers Dozen, 814511, or any committee member. The Society would like to record its thanks to subscribers of funds and do-nors of Prizes and Trophies.

Entertainment, Leisure & Culture

Bank of Fleet Hotel u Ensuite Rooms u Bar Meals u

Restaurant & Beer Garden01557 814302 u www.bankoffleet.co.uk

Excellent food and a friendly atmosphere

The Masonic Arms For many years the focal centre of pub so-cial life in Gatehouse, the Masonic tradi-tion for hospitality is today in the hands of James and Danielle. The Masonic’s location in Ann Street, coupled with the cosy bar interior, the conservatory restaurant and an attractive enclosed walled garden make it the ideal venue for gatherings of family and friends. . The menu offers variety, much of the food drawing on local sources. The Ma-sonic supports Cream o’ Galloway, Solway fish and Galloway game: see the Commu-nity Diary for July 16th and September 12th.Mid-week entertainment in the bar is a feature. Tuesday evenings offer an opportu-nity to join a poker school, Wednesday is pub quiz evening (a special Carbon Action team quiz on the first Wednesday of every month) and Thursday provides a setting for some free-wheeling musical entertainment. The pub also offers a pool table.A highlight of this year’s Gala programme will be the Gala Quiz in the evening of Tuesday August 3rd. Don’t miss it!Lions ClubUnder the leadership of President Arthur Brown, Gatehouse of Fleet Lions Club members dedicate themselves to raising funds to help support the local community through financial help and other means.The Lions Club helps both national and international causes – no doubt many of you will have seen the “old spectacle collec-tion bin” in the Gatehouse Health Centre. These are sent to Lions International col-lection depots where they are renovated, then sent on to third world countries un-der monitored and controlled distribution programmes – just one example of the great work Lions Clubs do.Anyone is welcome to come to a Lions meeting, to join, just to see who we are, or to find out what we do. Meetings take place at the Murray Arms every month. Why not come along to our annual all day BBQ at Anwoth caravan park on Sunday August 8th (10.30 to 5.00) and support your local Lions supporting you! For further details of regular meeting dates contact Andy Chap-pell on 0780 9891714. Royal Scottish Country Dance SocietyThe season begins on Monday Sept. 20th, runs until December 6th, and in 2011 from January 10th until March 28th. Charges for the season are £50 or 2 x £25; this includes magazines, books of dances, opportunities to attend Summer School and many other courses and events (for the first two weeks new dancers may join free of charge to celebrate International Dance

Scottish Week). The Society supports and contributes to dance and music traditions as promoted by the Scottish Cultural Min-ister. The branch is taking part in Dance for Pudsey Children in Need at DG1 on Octo-ber 23rd. and hopes to be sponsored locally to raise money for this charity.. The Annual Dance will be on October 30th. in Gate-house Primary School; all are welcome.Contacts Barbara McFarlane 814689, Christine Ashworth 814819 or Judy Sam-ways 814095.

Gatehouse Scottish Country DancersThe weekly 2010/11 dancing class season begins at 7.30 on Monday August 30th. in Gatehouse Primary School Hall with two initial free nights aimed at beginners. Fol-lowing classes cost £2.50 per night and the membership fee is £10. Classes are run by experienced teacher Willie Little, with a pi-anist and accordionist, and there is a good mix of experienced and beginner danc-ers who benefit from the exercise and the fun atmosphere. All are welcome. Contact Carol Clark 01557 814259 or Ute Weber 01557 814476.

Gatehouse SingersRehearsals for the Christmas Concert un-der the direction of John Duncan begin at 7.30 on Wednesday September 22nd. in the Parish Church Hall. New members will be particularly welcome, with a special emphasis on soprano voices. Contact Peter Carpenter 01557 814432.

BunkerooBunkeroo, Gatehouse’s performing arts group for children aged 3 to 16 is still pleased to welcome new starts at meetings every Tuesday evening during term time at the Murray Arms 6.00 to 7.30pm. Contact Sarah-Leigh Cain 01557 814627

Gatehouse (WRI)Meetings of the “Rural” take place at 7.30 on the third Wednesday of each month in the Church of the Resurrection Hall and are well attended. There is an afternoon drive to the Mull of Galloway on July 21st. New members are welcome to join. Con-tact Kathleen Gilligan 01557 814462.

Laggan OutdoorNow in their third year, the team at Lag-gan Outdoor are hoping for another busy season this summer. Since they set up in July 2007, the activity company, based just outside Gatehouse, have developed a wide range of land based adventure activities for all the family. There really is something for everyone at Laggan Outdoor, be it Archery & Grass Sledging for the younger mem-bers of the family or Mountain Balling & Boarding for the adrenaline fuelled visi-tor. Or perhaps you would rather navigate their Reverse Steer Jeep around an obsta-cle course blindfolded? Don’t worry, one of the Laggan Instructors can take over the controls at any time!Clay Pigeon Shooting has become a popu-lar activity at Laggan Outdoor. You can have one to one tuition with one of their in-structors, or go along with your friends for a competition. There are 5 fully automated traps in the shooting ground, which means that there is something for all abilities.Laggan will soon be offering Water Balling in their brand new ball “Mountain Spring” when in arrives in early June. Instead of be-ing harnessed into the ball as you are with Mountain Balling, this is more similar to a washing machine cycle, where you and a friend can slosh around in 5 gallons of wa-ter as you trundle down the specially made track – may be something for a warm sum-mers day!Let the team at Laggan look after you this summer and you’re sure to have a superb day to remember.

If you would like to contribute an article or other content for future issues of the Newsletter, contact the editor: Willie McKie, 51 High Street, 01557 815008. e-mail: willmckie@aol.com.

The Bakehouse : LiTerary arTs Live

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ChurchesChurch of Scotland Gatehouse Parish ChurchRev. Val Ott 01557 814233Sundays: 10.30am Morning Service. (2nd Sunday of each month: a short Commun-ion service is held afterwards.) Roman CatholicChurch of the Resurrection, Riverbank.Father William McFadden 01557 330687Saturdays: Vigil Mass at 6.00pm Holy Days: Vigil Mass at 7.00pm Scottish Episcopal ChurchSt. Mary’s Church, Dromore Road.Rev. Roger Cutler 01557 330146Sundays: 9.30am Sung Eucharist.(5th Sunday of month a joint service is held with Greyfriars, Kirkcudbright - see notice board)Weekdays: 9.30am on Wednesday. Assemblies of GodGatehouse Christian Fellowship, Church of the Resurrection, Riverbank, G of F, until further notice.Pastor Malcolm Macpherson 01557 814894Sundays: 10.30am Morning Service & Children’s Church (Communion 1st Sun in month.) Midweek House Groups meet regularly in Gatehouse district (Wednesdays). Please telephone Pastor for details.

The KioskAn agreement has been reached with Visit Scotland to lease the former TIC building in the main car park to the Community on a long term basis. The lease to the Gatehouse Development Initiative is for 10 years at a peppercorn rent and will allow much greater freedom to develop the Kiosk as a shop win-dow for Gatehouse businesses and commu-nity projects, for local arts and crafts mak-ers, and as a focus for the Gatehouse Market. The long lease will allow the Initiative to se-cure funding to improve the building which will include new energy efficient doors, insu-lating the building and installing an efficient heating system allowing the building to be used year round. Negotiations are also on-going with the Council to level the area of ground adjacent to the Kiosk to provide a permanent home for the Country Market. This will keep stalls and shoppers clear of the car park itself. While the monthly mar-ket on the first Saturday of each month will continue, it is hoped that the smaller weekly market on Saturday mornings may be able to expand slightly. Through until next March, the Kiosk will continue to provide a contact point for the Gatehouse Carbon Action Project.The Kiosk are also happy to provide an out-let for local residents with surplus produce - vegetables, fruit, plants and flowers, which we are happy to sell through the Kiosk, a service which proved very popular last year with freshly picked lettuces, soft fruit and cut flowers selling almost as soon as they ar-rived. The Kiosk has its own phone number now: 01557 814927.

Gatehouse Carbon Action needs YOUGatehouse Carbon Action has been run-ning now for several months and members of the community have readily volunteered to have their carbon footprints measured. The project is one of three currently tak-ing place in Galloway, other similar projects are taking place in other parts of Scotland and across Britain. The survey project aims to help householders look at aspects of the contemporary lifestyle and learn which bits have the biggest effect on carbon emissions. The surveys involve a short questionnaire

carried out by one of the local survey team. Anyone interested in taking part should contact the survey team on 07702 206735 or at the Kiosk on 01557 814927.Householders should be assured that all the questions are straightforward and noninva-sive. The most sensitive info we require is how much you spend on electricity and gas. Other questions deal with travel and eating, how well your house is insulated, what type of boiler you have etc. The surveyors will come to your house, or if you prefer you can meet them at the Kiosk. At the end of the process you will have an idea of where you stand compared with the national average, and what you could do, if you wish, to im-prove your footprint. The team can provide information on different energy options, of grants available for insulating your house, or for installing new equipment. The practi-cal outcome is that for relatively little effort, and often with grants available, households can make significant savings on their annual fuel bills. The project runs until next March by which time we need to have surveyed a good proportion of Gatehouse households. To encourage households to come forward and be surveyed we are offering a prize draw each month to win a case of wine, and meals out. Once you are surveyed you will be en-tered in the next draw, and for every friend or neigbour you persuade to be surveyed too, we’ll give you an extra ticket!

A Lost HeritageA remarkable collection of rare central asian textiles goes on show at the Mill on the Fleet from 24th July until 5th September. This is an opportunity to see the beautiful workmanship, designs and colours of cul-tures now overtaken by the 21st century, by political instability and war. The collection which was gathered by a local collector in the 1960s includes rugs, clothing and deco-rative embroideries from the region.

Hatterick’s House DesignYour Local Gatehouse Design Service

Website Design u Graphic Design u Brochures u Flyers

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Probably few Gatehouse residents know that the longest-serving business presence on the High Street today is the successful hairdress-ing and hairstyling service provided at the Thirtyfour Salon, whose name dates back as far as 1973. The business owes its long life to the commitment and determination of Josephine McCreath (nee McGivern) who left school in 1968 at the age of 15 to begin a lifetime’s career as a hairdresser, initially as an apprentice with Corrie McGibbon at salons in Kirkcudbright and Dumfries, one of a family of three hairstylist sons whose fa-ther was also in the trade. Apprenticeships in those days required a payment of £250 as a starting fee which was returned to you if you finished the course. In 1971 Josephine left the McGibbons and went to work in a salon on Great Western Road in Glasgow, also at-tending college in the evenings to gain her City and Guilds qualification.For her 21st birthday present from her par-ents in 1973 Josephine was given the rental for what became the Thirtyfour Salon. The premises had previously been occupied by D C Cochran’s Butcher’s shop and was then purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Blakey who ran it as a locksmith’s before conver-sion to a hairdressing salon. Josephine then became the tenant and built up the exist-ing business; by the 1980’s her success ena-bled her to purchase the premises from the Blakeys, and it remains her property to this day. Many Gatehouse juniors and stylists have gained hairstyling work experience in Thirtyfour Salon, among them Betty Taylor, Tracy Hannah, Mandy Chambers and Fiona Burns. Josephine’s redoubtable mother, Mrs Jane McGivern (also for many years the Gatehouse Town Crier) acted as receptionist and part-time shampooer, and in Josephine’s own words, helped to “entertain the clients”!Today Josephine remains proprietor and owner of the premises and the business, and has handed over the management to Donna Moffat as her highly qualified Salon Man-ager, supported by Daniel Ferries as Sen-ior Stylist, Haley Brown and Carly Nixon. Thirtyfour Salon is today the only hairstyl-

ist in Gatehouse, with a strong client base among Gatehouse residents, holiday visi-tors and, surprisingly, people from far afield throughout SW Scotland and even into the Borders. It is a Wella-branded business, with all shampoos and other materials bought in under the Wella brand. Thirtyfour Salon’s Manager, Donna Moffat, has all the qualities which make it likely that the business will continue to be a prosper-ous feature of Gatehouse’s High Street for many years to come. She aims to broaden the customer base by attracting a wider cli-entele; as a step in this direction she has al-ready extended salon hours on a Wednesday evening, convenient for working customers. She spends several hours every week under contract to Dumfries and Galloway Council teaching hairstyling skills at Dumfries Col-lege; this enables her to be fully in touch with the latest styling developments, health and safety issues, and to spot potential tal-ent among her students.Senior Stylist Daniel is qualified at Level 2 and is now nearing completion at Level 3 (Advance hairdressing). To achieve this he must demonstrate a public show of ad-

vanced hairdressing skills which has to be presented in the very near future. He has settled in really well since joining the team.Josephine is now pleased and confident and feels she can relax, knowing that the Thirty-four Salon is in the very capable hands of her young, talented and highly qualified team.

Business in FocusEach issue we plan to feature an in-depth interview with one of our local businesses to highlight individual contribution by the business sector to the local economy. This issue our choice is Thirtyfour Salon.

Fleet Gallery7 & 9 Fleet Street, Gatehouse of Fleet DG7 2JT01557 814228 fleetgallery@btinternet.com

Open daily 10am - 5pm

A wide range of art and gifts from Scotland and the Borders. Plus exclusive baby clothes.

Useful Opening Hours Post OfficeMonday to Friday 9.00-5.00Saturday 9.00 -12.30

LibraryMonday 2.30-5.00Wednesday 10.00-12.30Friday 10.00-12.30; 2.30-5.00; 6.00-7.30

Bank of ScotlandMonday 9.15 – 4.45Wednesday 10.00 – 4.45Friday 9.15 – 4.45

Spar ShopMonday to Saturday 6.00 – 10.00Sunday 6.00 – 9.00

JULY3rd. Cricket – Gatehouse vs. Hamilton Palace.3rd. - 5th. Scouts outing to Londonderry.7th. Carbon Action team quiz - Masonic Arms8th. Stewartry Flower Group 1.30 Parish Church hall10th. Cricket – Galloway vs. Glasgow Accies10th. Golf – Fleet Valley trophy16th. Fish themed evening – Masonic Arms17th. Cricket – Gatehouse vs.Bute21st. WRI – Drive to the Mull of Galloway24th. Mill Exhibition “A Lost heritage” opens (runs to September 5th.)24th. Cricket – Gatehouse vs. Home Park24th. Golfability Cup – 18 hole Stableford for ladies and men24th. Green Bowling – 175th Anniversary Invitation Tournament.31st. Cricket – Gatehouse vs. Inverclyde31st. Football Season opens: Fleet Star home match – Garries Park

AUGUST1st Gatehouse Gala – Opening Ceremony3rd Masonic Arms – Gala Quiz evening4th Gatehouse Gala Torchlight Procession & Fireworks7th Cricket – Gatehouse vs. Garscube7th Golf – Junior Cally Cup8th Gatehouse Gala Parade & Garries Park programme Lions Club Annual BBQ – Anwoth caravan park8th Bakehouse 7.30 – The Ben Bryden Trio – benefit gig for Jazz Saxo phonist Ben Bryden 12th Stewartry Flower Group 1.30 Parish Church Hall14th Cricket – Galloway vs. Helensburgh21st Mill Exhibition “Landscape & its Mythologies” opens (runs to Sept. 19th)21st Cricket – Galloway vs. Titwood 23rd Drop-in Centre Open Day – Digby Street 4pm to 7pm28th Horticultural Society Annual Show30th Scottish Country Dancers season begins

SEPTEMBER1st Carbon Action team quiz – Masonic Arms9th Stewartry Flower Group 1.30 Parish Church Hall.11th Mill Exhibition “Stones of Galloway” opens (runs to October 31st)12th Local Game Season evening – Masonic Arms20th Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society programme begins22nd Gatehouse Singers: 7.30 pm Rehearsals for the Christmas Concert begin25th Mill Exhibition “Slow Making Fast” opens (runs to October 31st)28th Bakehouse 7.30 Poetry of Northumberland: poet Andy Croft

OCTOBER2nd Golf Club - Presentation & Dinner 3rd Curling Club – Stranraer Ice Rink: first practice of the new season.6th Carbon Action team quiz – Masonic Arms14th Stewartry Flower Group 1.30 Parish Church Hall23rd Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Dance for Pudsey29th Golf Club – Ladies AGM & Dinner30th Bakehouse 7.30 Brian Johnstone performing with Trio Verson, jazz & poetry group30th Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Annual Dance – Primary School

Gatehouse Community CouncilProvost Mrs Pat Jacques 01557 814425Gatehouse Development InitiativeChairman David Steel 01557 814226Gatehouse Gala CommitteeChairman Pauline Logan 01557 814667Mill on the FleetChairman Ken Smyth 01557 814458Front Desk and Information 01557 814099Friends of the MillChair Hilary Hawker 01557 814249 Gatehouse Community CentreSecretary Rosanne Macpherson 01557 814894Bookings 07563 758533Murray Usher FoundationCally Estate Office 01557 814361Anwoth & Girthon Curling ClubSecretary Keith Kemp 01557 814152Bunkeroo (Young theatre & talent group)Sarah-leigh Cain 01557 814627Fleet Star Football ClubSecretary A I Hannah 01557 814829Gatehouse Bridge ClubG Swann 01557 814663Gatehouse Carpet Bowling ClubAnnie-Margaret Johnstone 01557 814059 Gatehouse Golf ClubClubhouse 01557 814766 (answerphone) Gatehouse Green Bowling ClubAnnie-Margaret Johnstone 01557 814059Gatehouse Family History & ArchivesMargaret Torrance 01557 814620Gatehouse Festival MusicTed Percy 01557 814461Gatehouse Horticultural SocietySuzette Harris 01557 814511Gatehouse Lions ClubAndy Chappell, 01556 680440Gatehouse of Fleet Music SocietyHelen Keating 01557 814376Gatehouse Scouts, Cubs & BeaversMark Grieve 01557 814763Galloway Cricket ClubCaptain Pat Druce 07881 585431Gatehouse Scottish Country DancersUte Weber 01557 814476Gatehouse SingersChairman Peter Carpenter 814432Gatehouse Tennis ClubSecretary Barbara McDavid 01557 814505Gatehouse of Fleet YMCA Drop-in CentreChairman, Josephine Cameron 01557 814675Josephine King 01557 814704Royal British Legion Gatehouse BranchChairman Willie McKie 01557 815008Royal Scottish Country Dance SocietyAnn Wilson 01557 814689University of the Third Age (U3A)Anne Levi 01557 814738Womens Rural InstituteSecretary Kathleen Gilligan 01557 814462

Editor’s note: If your club or group is not listed above, please provide details to me and I will make sure it features in the next issue of the Newsletter in July.

If you would like to contribute an article or other content for future issues of the Newsletter, contact the editor: Willie McKie, 51 High Street, 01557 815008. e-mail: willmckie@aol.com.

Clubs, Societies & Voluntary Bodies Community Diary: Spring - Summer