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Working for Lochmaben

Celebrating 190 years of Curling at Lochmaben Castle Curling Club.

The 2014 Prize winners.

The Initiative is very grateful for the continuing support of The Lochmaben Community Council.

Contact us on the Website at www.lochmaben.org.uk, or 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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CongratulationsCongratulationsCongratulationsCongratulations

• To the children at Jaybees NurseryJaybees NurseryJaybees NurseryJaybees Nursery whose hard work has been rewarded with a place in the final of the 2014 Young Gardener of the Year competition. Well done and Good Luck to them all!

• To Sheila GrantSheila GrantSheila GrantSheila Grant who, in February, became the latest Lochmaben resident to receive a 15 year Service Award as a Community Volunteer with the RVS.

• To Lochmaben Castle Curling ClubLochmaben Castle Curling ClubLochmaben Castle Curling ClubLochmaben Castle Curling Club which marked its 190 year anniversary, also in February. Lady President Rena Hastings and President Gavin Muir did the honours as they cut a celebration cake specially created in the form of a curling stone (see Front Cover).

• To Terry McCloskeyTerry McCloskeyTerry McCloskeyTerry McCloskey who was the first Dumfries Running Club member home in the Knochendoch and Criffel hill race early in March, the Club’s first race of the year.

• To the boys and girls of P6 and P7To the boys and girls of P6 and P7To the boys and girls of P6 and P7To the boys and girls of P6 and P7 who featured on the prize list in the annual Primary Schools Cross-country Festival and Championships held this year at Lochmaben Primary School.

Logo Competition winnersLogo Competition winnersLogo Competition winnersLogo Competition winners At the recent Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust AGM, the winners of the logo competition were awarded their prizes, Well done to Isobel Macdonald, Emily Hyslop and Robbie Hyslop. You can see the winning submission on page 14. Entries soughtEntries soughtEntries soughtEntries sought for the Julian Gardner Award Photographic competition. Fancy yourself as a pretty competent ‘snapper’? Here’s the chance to enter an important competition. The closing date for pictures featuring the wildlife and countryside of Britain is May 31. For details go to www.gwct.org.uk/photocompetition. Home Energy Home Energy Home Energy Home Energy Scotland HotlineScotland HotlineScotland HotlineScotland Hotline The Scottish Government is encouraging householders to call the hotline to find out whether they qualify to have insulation, boilers and central heating installed free of charge. Call 0808 808 2282 or go to www.homeenergyscotland.org.uk Keep Keep Keep Keep Scotland Beautiful Scotland Beautiful Scotland Beautiful Scotland Beautiful The charity is encouraging communities to clean up their neighbourhoods and the countryside in 2014. The campaign aims to make Scotland the cleanest country in Europe by 2020. A major clean-up will, of course, also create a good impression in the eyes of the huge numbers of visitors expected to arrive in Scotland in 2014, to attend our ‘Summer of Sport’. A Community project for Lochmaben?

Family TreeFamily TreeFamily TreeFamily Tree Laura-Lee Nicholson writes from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada ………… Hello all of you in Lochmaben and surrounding areas! I am currently planning a trip for mid-April to visit the hometown of my ancestors and would very much like to meet any fellow descendants of Robert Nicholson (born 1837, died 1886) and Margaret Coupland (born 1842, died 1929). My Great Grandfather was William Allan Nicholson (born 1865) and his wife was Jannet Jane Creighton (born 1865). They emigrated to Canada in 1893. I believe most or all of Jannet's siblings also emigrated, so there would not be a good chance that there is any connection from her side of the family left in the area, though the same cannot be said for the Nicholson side of the family. William had a brother James, born in 1876, who died in Lochmaben in 1941 - and two sisters I don't have further information on, named Jane (born 1862, died 1918) and Margaret, born 1874. Any information that anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated. My email is loranich77@hotmail.com Day of the Region 2014 Day of the Region 2014 Day of the Region 2014 Day of the Region 2014 Last year’s event was very well received and the good news is that a new organising ‘team’ has been formed to showcase again in 2014 the many activities that Lochmaben has to offer. It will all happen on the weekend of September 12 and Sept 13 so put those dates in your diaries. Groups wishing to become involved will be made very welcome. Contact Bev Wilkinson on 01387 811321 or E mail bev7575@hotmail.com. Keep it Local Lochmaben and District Community Initiative has published a Directory of Local Businesses and Trades Persons to encourage residents to use local facilities.The first edition of the leaflet is enclosed. Details are based on those who are advertising on the Community Website (each advert costs £15 for the year). Another edition will be produced later in the year so if you want in, let us know! Contact Mark Busley on busley@mail.com

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Lochmaben Art GroupLochmaben Art GroupLochmaben Art GroupLochmaben Art Group Anne Johnston writes………. We are a small friendly group of mixed artistic abilities, who meet on Friday mornings in the Church Hall. From 10am -12noon, we enjoy painting and drawing together with a break for tea/coffee at 11am. Should you feel that you might like to join us, then do come along with your paints, paper and pencils. Commissions Furthermore, we would be happy to consider commissions on a variety of subjects such as pet portraits or local scenes for those special presents. Please contact Anne Johnston (leader) 01387 810257 in the first instance and also have a look at some of our work in the Local Businesses section on the Lochmaben website. Lochmaben Bowling ClubLochmaben Bowling ClubLochmaben Bowling ClubLochmaben Bowling Club

The new season will resume on Saturday, April 19, when new members will be made very welcome. Fees for beginners are £20.00 for the season. We hope to have Lochmaben Primary School pupils join us for tuition during May. Enquiries: - President J. McWhirter 01387 810609 Secretary Hazel Sloan 01387 811830

LochLochLochLochmaben Friendship Group (over 60maben Friendship Group (over 60maben Friendship Group (over 60maben Friendship Group (over 60ssss) Mary Ross writes………… Our Group has had a very successful session since September 2013. Our syllabus continues with a “Local Talk" from Mrs. Isabelle Gow in March and we have a competition for Maura's Trophy which is a Trinket Box. On March 23 we are going to the Buccleuch Centre at Langholm to see the matinee performance of "Me and My Girl" followed by a meal at the Douglas Hotel. On April 2 we have our annual Guest Day in the Church Hall with guests from the Cumberland Street Day Centre in Dumfries, Dalton Golden Years and Hightae Golden Years. We have entertainment followed by afternoon tea and a raffle. May 7 is our AGM and we have an Outing on June 11, destination still to be decided. That concludes our syllabus for this session. On a sadder note we have lost three of our members and another three have gone into Care Homes.They are all greatly missed by our Group. We welcomed two new members at our February meeting and if anyone else would like to join us we would be pleased to see them. The new session starts on September 3 at 1.30pm in the portacabin. Anyone interested in joining can contact Mary Ross on telephone number 01387 810256. Tenants’ and Residents’ AssociationTenants’ and Residents’ AssociationTenants’ and Residents’ AssociationTenants’ and Residents’ Association Meetings are held every two months in the portacabin at the Primary School and are open to all tenants and residents of Lochmaben and District. More members would be made very welcome. Come along and raise the issues you are concerned about, some of which have been highlighted recently in the press. The Lunch ClubThe Lunch ClubThe Lunch ClubThe Lunch Club Meeting every Thursday afternoon in the portacabin, the Club is still looking for some volunteers to help and new members are always welcome. Helen Middleton 01387 810926. Lochmaben Action GroupLochmaben Action GroupLochmaben Action GroupLochmaben Action Group The Committee is proposing a session to debate the forthcoming Scottish Independence vote. No date has yet been set as people locally have still to be contacted to voice their views. After having had a short break, the Youth Club has started up again in the portacabin, every Tuesday evening 6.30- 8.30pm. New Members will be made very welcome. The Friends of Lochmaben Hospital will be holding the annual ‘Art Exhibition’ in the Church Hall, May 2 and May 3. Anyone willing to help set up please contact the Action Group via Helen Middleton 01387 810926.

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Any idea who this young footballer is? Find out more about him on the back page.

Lochmaben Tennis ClubLochmaben Tennis ClubLochmaben Tennis ClubLochmaben Tennis Club Everyone is looking forward to a good season ahead. Please come along to our Open Day on April 27, 12.30-3.30pm. Coaching - Beginner Fun Sessions starting Tues April 22 and coaching with Level 3 coach starting Thurs April 24. Mixed Doubles Games every Sunday from 10.30am. All Welcome. For more details, contact M.Park on 01387 810627. LOCHMABEN PRIMARY SCHOOLLOCHMABEN PRIMARY SCHOOLLOCHMABEN PRIMARY SCHOOLLOCHMABEN PRIMARY SCHOOL As we continue our current school session life is as busy as ever with lots of quality learning as well as many other activities too. We have welcomed Mrs Brolls back after her Maternity Leave and Mr Horne back after his Adoption Leave. We have not appointed a new Depute Head since Miss Aldridge retired in October 2012 but we are hoping to recruit to this post during the months of May / June in time for the new session starting in August. Our current school roll is a healthy 248 shared between 10 classes. In additional to this we have 59 children in our nursery, with a further three children starting after the Spring Break holiday. BURNS DAYBURNS DAYBURNS DAYBURNS DAY The 24th January saw us celebrate ‘Burns Day’ in school. The children were invited to wear a ‘touch of tartan.’ There was a Scottish themed lunch of kilted sausages with the children being able to taste the traditional dish of haggis if they so wished. In the afternoon we hosted a whole school ‘Scottish’ concert with each class entertaining with either songs or poems along with some children playing instruments and dancing. Mr Alan Hope from Lochmaben Pipe Band opened the afternoon’s entertainment by playing a selection of tunes on the bagpipes. We were also delighted to welcome the children from the Nursery to the afternoon’s entertainment. INTER SCHOOL LACROSSEINTER SCHOOL LACROSSEINTER SCHOOL LACROSSEINTER SCHOOL LACROSSE On Wednesday 29th January some members of our after school Lacrosse Club represented the school and took part in an Inter Schools Lacrosse Festival at the Barony College. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and reaped the benefits from their after school practice on Thursdays in the Community Centre. On Thursday 20th March we have a team entering the Regional under 11 Pop Lacrosse Tournament & a team entering the Regional Open Pop Lacrosse Tournament, both of which are being held at the Barony College. The under 11 team comprises:- Russell Corrie, Heather Donaldson, Claire Geddes, Liam Graham, Lewis Hannah, Ellie Harkness, Milly Maxwell, Finlay Pattullo, Stuart Robson & Ava Simpson. The open team comprises: Adam Brannan, Ben English, Jessica Gillan, Ava Gordon, Mia Graham, Maisie Lennox, Matthew Newbould, Katie Reville, Iona Ross & Robboe Taylor. We wish them all the best of luck! PRIMARY 3/4 VISIT TO LOCHMABEN CASTLEPRIMARY 3/4 VISIT TO LOCHMABEN CASTLEPRIMARY 3/4 VISIT TO LOCHMABEN CASTLEPRIMARY 3/4 VISIT TO LOCHMABEN CASTLE On Wednesday 12th February the boys & girls in Primary 3/4 walked to Lochmaben Castle for a visit as part of their Interdisciplinary Learning on Robert the Bruce and Lochmaben. LSA DISCOLSA DISCOLSA DISCOLSA DISCO On Friday 21st February the LSA hosted two very successful discos for Primary 1-3 & Primary 4-7 and these were very much enjoyed by all pupils (and staff) who attended. SCOSCOSCOSCOTTISH GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPSTTISH GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPSTTISH GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPSTTISH GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS------------DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY HEATSDUMFRIES & GALLOWAY HEATSDUMFRIES & GALLOWAY HEATSDUMFRIES & GALLOWAY HEATS On Saturday 22nd February twelve children represented the school at the Dumfries & Galloway Heats being held at DG One:- Freya Callander, Katrina Forrest, Mia Hobson, Megan Kerr, Nimah Kerr, Amy Laidlaw, Jess Laidlaw, Anna Newbould, Jaimie Ostroznik, Jai Sandhu, Kate Thomson & Gracie Valentine. Well done to everyone for performing superbly! QUEEN QUEEN QUEEN QUEEN OF THE SOUTH FOOTBALL OF THE SOUTH FOOTBALL OF THE SOUTH FOOTBALL OF THE SOUTH FOOTBALL From Monday 24th February and for the following three Monday afternoons, the Primary 7 pupils received some football coaching from personnel from Queen of the South as part of our P.E. programme. This was an exciting initiative for the pupils.

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CREATIVE SCOTLAND YOUTH MUSIC INITIATIVE CREATIVE SCOTLAND YOUTH MUSIC INITIATIVE CREATIVE SCOTLAND YOUTH MUSIC INITIATIVE CREATIVE SCOTLAND YOUTH MUSIC INITIATIVE -------- MAGIX MUSIC MAKER MUSIC SOFTWARE PROJECTMAGIX MUSIC MAKER MUSIC SOFTWARE PROJECTMAGIX MUSIC MAKER MUSIC SOFTWARE PROJECTMAGIX MUSIC MAKER MUSIC SOFTWARE PROJECT We were offered the opportunity through Youth Music Initiative to have John Dinning as a tutor, to come into our school to work with pupils. John is a sound engineer who has worked for D & G Arts Council with the music software Sony Super Dooper Music Looper on the ‘Magic Bus’. John is working with all our Primary 6 pupils on Thursdays from 24th February for six weeks. The children are divided into three groups and each group spends an hour with John using the music software - Magix Music Maker. This is an exciting initiative and we are sure the pupils are enjoying the experience. PRIMARY 1 OUTING TO BEAMISHPRIMARY 1 OUTING TO BEAMISHPRIMARY 1 OUTING TO BEAMISHPRIMARY 1 OUTING TO BEAMISH On Wednesday 27th February our Primary 1 children travelled all the way to Beamish as part of their Interdisciplinary Learning on ‘In the past.’ The visit to the Museum really allowed the children to make a connection with all that they had been learning about and see quality examples of what life was like in the past. The children enjoyed a workshop activities focussing on Toys in the past and thoroughly enjoyed their day! DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY MUSIC FESTIVALDUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY MUSIC FESTIVALDUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY MUSIC FESTIVALDUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL Our Primary 4 boys and girls practised very hard to perfect their entry for the Dumfries & Galloway Music Festival. Mrs Lynn Kirton tutored the children and helped them prepare their entry ‘Isn’t it nice to harmonise?’ for their designated class which took place on Friday 28th February. The children sang really well and scored 84 points with the winning entry from St.Michael’s Primary scoring 86 points. Well done to our boys & girls! EUROQUIZEUROQUIZEUROQUIZEUROQUIZ On Tuesday 4th March four children from Primary 6 represented the school at the Dumfries & Galloway heats of the Euroquiz held at Maxwellton High School. Our Primary 6 pupils of Anthony Ison, Oliver Smith, Rachel Hogg and Stuart Robson did really well and were placed third overall. CCCCURLING FESTIVALURLING FESTIVALURLING FESTIVALURLING FESTIVAL Lockerbie Ice Rink hosted an Inter School Curling Festival on Wednesday 5th March. This year our team of Stuart Robson, Stewart More, Fraser McGowan and Brodan Gough played extremely well were placed first overall to bring back to Lochmaben the Annandale & Eskdale Sports & Leisure Trust Trophy – well done to the boys! SNOWMAN DRIVESNOWMAN DRIVESNOWMAN DRIVESNOWMAN DRIVE The boys and girls of the Pupil Council organised a family ‘Snowman Drive’ on Wednesday 5th March. This was well attended and enjoyed by all. PRIMARY 5 OUTING TO CARLISLE CASTLE & TULLIE HOUSEPRIMARY 5 OUTING TO CARLISLE CASTLE & TULLIE HOUSEPRIMARY 5 OUTING TO CARLISLE CASTLE & TULLIE HOUSEPRIMARY 5 OUTING TO CARLISLE CASTLE & TULLIE HOUSE On Friday 7th March the children in Primary 5 visited Carlisle Castle & Tullie House as part of their Interdisciplinary Learning. Primary 5 have been learning about Mary Queen of Scots this term, and Carlisle Castle allowed the children to learn about what life would have been like in a castle & take part in ‘Castle Detectives.’ This outing added a valuable dimension to the children’s learning as well as being a most enjoyable experience for them. WORLD BOOK DAYWORLD BOOK DAYWORLD BOOK DAYWORLD BOOK DAY Although World Book Day was actually the 6th March our school Library Committee organised our event in school to take place on Friday 14th. They organised a Book Sale & various events & activities. As part of the Book Day events, various classes visited Lochmaben Library for Storytelling sessions on Wednesday 12th & Thursday 13th March. RECYCLING TEXTILE BANKRECYCLING TEXTILE BANKRECYCLING TEXTILE BANKRECYCLING TEXTILE BANK The Textile Recycling Bank sited within the school grounds continues to be utilised very well. The bank is situated close to the entrance to the Nursery and is accessible at all times, during schools hours and out with these too. Please let family & friends know about the Recycling Bank. The School receives a cheque each time the Textile Bank is emptied and this goes towards our school funds, whilst helps support our Eco work at the same time. ADAPTATIONSADAPTATIONSADAPTATIONSADAPTATIONS We have recently had a few adaptations carried out internally within the school. We have relocated the Staff Room to what was previously known as the Resource Room. We have had a kitchen area installed in this room and it can now house our ever increasing staff. It will however continue to be a ‘work in progress’ until we can clear the remaining resources. The old Staff Room has been divided into two rooms: - a new Head teacher Office where I will now be able to hold meetings and the other room has become a Staff Base, which provides a space for the teachers to work during their RICCT time--non class contact time. What was previously the Head teacher’s Office is now technically entitled the Depute’s Office; however this is currently being used by the Acting Principal Teachers, Working Groups, for meetings and as a staff work space too. We are delighted that this work has been undertaken and once totally completed will provide the specific spaces necessary for life in a large school like Lochmaben Primary.

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INCINCINCINCREASE IN NURSERY HOURSREASE IN NURSERY HOURSREASE IN NURSERY HOURSREASE IN NURSERY HOURS As of August 2014 the number of hours that children attend Nursery will increase from 450 per session to 600 hours. This is happening across the whole of Scotland. It means that each of our sessions, both morning & afternoon, will be 3 hours and 10 minutes long. As per all school Nurseries in Dumfries & Galloway, from August our Nursery morning sessions will be 8.45am -11.55am & afternoon sessions will be 12.15pm-3.25pm. PRIMARY 6 OUTING TO DYNAMIC EARTHPRIMARY 6 OUTING TO DYNAMIC EARTHPRIMARY 6 OUTING TO DYNAMIC EARTHPRIMARY 6 OUTING TO DYNAMIC EARTH On Friday 21st March pupils in the Primary 6 class will visit Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh as part of their Interdisciplinary Learning about Space. PRIMARY 3 OUTING TO COCO BEAN FACTORYPRIMARY 3 OUTING TO COCO BEAN FACTORYPRIMARY 3 OUTING TO COCO BEAN FACTORYPRIMARY 3 OUTING TO COCO BEAN FACTORY On Friday 28th March pupils in the Primary 3 class will visit the Coco Bean Factory at Twynholm as part of their Interdisciplinary Learning around the novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This sounds like a delicious trip indeed! LSA EASTER EGG HUNTLSA EASTER EGG HUNTLSA EASTER EGG HUNTLSA EASTER EGG HUNT On Thursday 3rd April the LSA are holding an Easter Egg Hunt around Lochmaben. Families are invited to take part & find the various ‘eggs and clues’ which will be in various windows and places around the town. We are sure this sounds like fun! PRIMARY 6/7 OUTING TO NATIONAL MUSEUM & SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTPRIMARY 6/7 OUTING TO NATIONAL MUSEUM & SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTPRIMARY 6/7 OUTING TO NATIONAL MUSEUM & SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTPRIMARY 6/7 OUTING TO NATIONAL MUSEUM & SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT On Tuesday 20th May our pupils from Primary 6/7 will visit the National Museum in Edinburgh & undertake a ‘Volcanoes’ workshop as part of their Interdisciplinary Learning on Natural Disasters and then they will visit the Scottish Parliament Building as part of their Interdisciplinary Learning on Living in a Democracy. We are sure this will be a most interesting & enjoyable day. PRIMARY 3/4 OUTING TO SCIENCE CENTREPRIMARY 3/4 OUTING TO SCIENCE CENTREPRIMARY 3/4 OUTING TO SCIENCE CENTREPRIMARY 3/4 OUTING TO SCIENCE CENTRE On Thursday 12th June the pupils from Primary 3/4 will visit the Science Centre, Glasgow as part of their Interdisciplinary Learning on Our Bodies.

FUTURE DATESFUTURE DATESFUTURE DATESFUTURE DATES School reopens Tuesday April 22 LSA Meeting Tuesday April 29 Holiday Monday May 5 Nursery Parent Forum Tuesday May 6 6. 30pm Swimming Club Swimming Gala Saturday May 10 5pm Parent Council Wednesday May 14 6.30pm Open Afternoon Friday May 16 2pm-2.45pm Nursery Parental Consultations Wednesday May 21 4.30pm Nursery Parental Consultations Thursday May 22 3.15pm New entry (P1) Information Evening Tuesday May 27 6.30pm School Opening Ceremony for Commonwealth Games

Thursday June 5 1.30pm

School Potted Sports Wednesday June 11 Inset Day (no pupils) Friday June 6 School Athletics Tuesday June 17 School Closing Ceremony for Commonwealth Games

Friday June 20 9.30am

Primary 7 Induction Visit to Secondary Monday-Friday June 23 –27 Nursery Graduations & Celebrations Thursday June 26 am & pm End of term Service Tuesday July 1 9.30am School closes Wednesday July 2 School reopens to staff Monday August 18 School reopens to pupils Wednesday August 20

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CCCCouncil Services available at Customer Service Centresouncil Services available at Customer Service Centresouncil Services available at Customer Service Centresouncil Services available at Customer Service Centres The Initiative has received a list of the services which will continue to be offered at the refurbished refurbished refurbished refurbished Town Town Town Town HallHallHallHall by Customer Services. It was suggested that the list of services should be included in the community newsletter, since the range of services hasn't really been advertised for the community's benefit. DG First Services Resident/Visitor parking permits

Special Uplifts (fee) Street Lighting & pothole reporting Rubbish queries Refuse Bags- White (fee) Refuse Bags- Blue (fee) Refuse Bags- Red (fee) Annual White Bag allocation Christmas White Bag allocations Doggy bags Parking/ Littering/ Dog Fouling fines (paid) Parking discs Seagull reporting

Homeless Services Homeless appointments and queries Homeless payments (paid) Power Cards for Thistle Grove (paid) General Enquiries

Revenues & Benefits Services Scanning of benefit evidence Scanning of Council Tax docs. Issuing forms SWF enquiries and evidence/issuing Paypoint vouchers if needed General Enquiries

Passenger Transport NEC card reissuing Accepting NEC applications NEC enquiries Bus timetable enquiries

Other Services Invoice payments e.g. Social services, waste uplift, hall hire etc (paid) Rates payments (paid) Meals on Wheels (paid) Blue Badge applications Issuing fishing tickets (fee) General Enquiries

Church HallChurch HallChurch HallChurch Hall The hall is regularly used by more than a dozen different groups on a weekly or fortnightly basis. These groups have regular pre-booked ‘slots’. However, there still remain many periods when the hall - small and/or main – is available for hire by user groups or individuals. It provides a convenient alternative to the Community Centre and our charges are competitive. Basically, we charge £15 per hour for the main hall and £10 per hour for the small hall. This charge includes use of the toilet and kitchen facilities, gas and electricity. It should be remembered that we do not allow the sale or consumption of alcohol in or around the hall at any time. Anyone interested should contact Alistair Brown on 01387 811842 for further information.

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Lochmaben Church of Scotland, Scottish Charity SC004644Lochmaben Church of Scotland, Scottish Charity SC004644Lochmaben Church of Scotland, Scottish Charity SC004644Lochmaben Church of Scotland, Scottish Charity SC004644 The minister Rev Paul Read BSc MA(Th)The minister Rev Paul Read BSc MA(Th)The minister Rev Paul Read BSc MA(Th)The minister Rev Paul Read BSc MA(Th) writes………….. October 30,, 2013 was a very special day for me and my wife Joy. I had accepted the Call from the Lochmaben and Applegarth parish congregations and on that day I was installed by Presbytery as their Minister. This was followed by a congregational social in the recently refurbished Church Hall which we both enjoyed. Since then we have enjoyed meeting and getting to know many folks from Lochmaben across the community. I was able to lead prayers at the Remembrance Service beside the church in November, and to attend the senior citizens Christmas meal in the community centre. Together with a great team of Elders, I am now serving as a chaplain with local schools, and visit in all local hospitals, as needed. This whole area has a special place in my heart. As a BA 747 pilot and crew captain, I flew overhead at high altitude many times, and I was affected by the tragedy of Dec 21, 1988. Now, since we arrived, I have heard many stories of courage and bravery in the face of that disaster. I want to take this opportunity to welcome you to explore our Church here in Lochmaben. Written deeply into our Scottish Kirk’s history is the commitment to be a national church with a distinctive evangelical and pastoral concern for the people and nation of Scotland; and of course, that means we care about every person within our Lochmaben Parish. Our forefathers of the 16 th Century, under the guidance of John Knox, were ready to put God in the number one spot of their lives wherever they were in this world. In later years Dr David Livingstone became world renowned for his missionary endeavours in Africa. I invite you to follow their example, and to contact our Church family that is here for you and those you love. It is a Church "Where everyone's welcome, nobody's perfect, and anything is possible". We meet on Sunday mornings at 11-30am and in the Evenings at 7pm (more informally). We have classes for young people during worship. Our church is changing, we are a social group, and we meet informally for biscuits, tea and coffee after Sunday services and in the Church Hall on Thursday mornings every fortnight. God bless you, Yours Sincerely, Paul 01387 810640.

Lochmaben Church GuildLochmaben Church GuildLochmaben Church GuildLochmaben Church Guild Marian Howell writes……. At the March meeting of the Church Guild, sixty members and friends met together to hear Mr Mark Frankland of the 1st Base Agency, Dumfries. A prolific author of over sixteen books, he described the work done by this charity which is best known for its work through its food bank. With the current downturn in work, they have been distributing up to 100 emergency food parcels a week to those who have no money for food. Contributions of food sufficient for the charity’s requirements are provided by weekly donations from congregations of twenty churches – including Lochmaben – local supermarkets, bakers and from individuals. While giving food parcels looms large in the charity, other activities carried out by this multi-faceted organisation includes helping women at risk of violence at home, visiting and advising inmates in our local prison and supporting army veterans who have difficulty fitting back into society. Perhaps even more important is their work speaking to school pupils on the dangers of becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol. First opened in 2003, this small registered charity run by Mark Frankland and a few volunteers has given the community great service and provided those in greatest need with compassion and the assistance that they need. This gives hope for the future to many people and our local church will continue to support this charity.

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Lochmaben Royal Burgh Pipe BandLochmaben Royal Burgh Pipe BandLochmaben Royal Burgh Pipe BandLochmaben Royal Burgh Pipe Band Alan Hope, Pipe Major, writes………… Over the winter months the band has been very quiet in terms of public appearances, with only the Remembrance Parade and the Switching on of the Christmas Lights, both in Lochmaben. However, the band has been very busy practising on Tuesday and Thursday nights in preparation for the new, fast approaching season. The band has also been practising on some Sundays as well in order to be prepared for the long season ahead and to allow several players who travel long distances to be part of our local pipe band. One of these new players is Chris Black, who is originally from Lochmaben but now resides in Lancashire. He has joined our band as the new Leading Drummer. Chris has been on the pipe band scene for a long time and has played with top grade bands. It is fantastic for the band to be attracting a player of his stature and in the short time he has been with us he has made a massive impact on the drumming and on the band as a whole. The band has also had a large number of new young learners join, in both piping and drumming, which has increased the membership numbers to well over 50. The band has also been busy lately in fund raising events such as bag packing and our annual coffee morning, which was held in the Church Hall on March 1. It was really pleasing to see the hall full with people coming along to support the band whilst sitting enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to the band playing. We also held our annual Scottish Night on Saturday, March 22, within the Community Centre. An excellent night of entertainment was supplied by the band members who were joined by the very popular local group New Era. At this moment, band members are very busy preparing for the competition season which will see them start at the British Pipe Band Championships in Bathgate on Saturday, May 31. This season will also see us travelling to Belfast, Dumbarton, Glasgow and Stranraer to compete against the best bands in the world. We will also be taking part in the Dumfries Guid Nychburris Festival, Lochmaben Gala and Kirkcudbright Tattoo, all of which makes for a busy year ahead. The band will be holding a Race Night at 8.00 pm on Saturday, April 26 within the Kings Arms Hotel, Lochmaben in order to raise funds. Please come along and support us!

Members of the Lochmaben Royal Burgh Pipe Band line up with a splendid array of silverware.

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Lochmaben Golf ClubLochmaben Golf ClubLochmaben Golf ClubLochmaben Golf Club The official opening of the Golf Season takes place on the weekend of March 29 and 30. The course is in excellent condition despite the record rainfall this year. Our hard working green keepers have been busy carrying out improvements to tees and bunkers as well as additional drainage works. We were pleased to take part in the Day of The Region last year and we hope to do so this year. Several people who tried golf last year have now become members. We are encouraged by the number of visitors who are returning this year.

It is also encouraging to see the progress of the younger members who receive regular coaching from volunteer coaches Maitland Pollock and David Wright. Maitland has provided golf tuition in ten local primary schools during the winter. For more information about membership please visit our website: www.lochmabengolf.co.uk or contact the club on 01387 810552.

SSSSing 4 Fun (S4F)ing 4 Fun (S4F)ing 4 Fun (S4F)ing 4 Fun (S4F) Sheila Wade writes………. Sing for Fun started on September 6, 2010. Our founder member was Rosemary Bromhead who sadly passed away in June 2013. She is greatly missed by us all. This year we celebrate our 5th Anniversary. Jenny Agnew, our pianist, has given a great deal of time, energy and new experiences in the choice of music which we have enjoyed very much and for which we are all grateful. In November 2013, Jenny was joined by Lynn Kirton, who shares the responsibility for the playing of the piano and to alternate in the conducting. This has been a great bonus for Jenny and all the members of S4F. Many thanks to Jenny and Lynn. We have 20 members who enjoy a varied music programme. Members are a mixture of non singers, singers who last sang at school and members of local choirs, all with a common interest in music. Anyone can join if they are interested in S4F, including men ! (We have 2 at the moment !) No auditions or tests are required. Even if your singing is at present limited to the bath and/or shower, you will be made most welcome. SINGING FOR FUN IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING. You also make new friends. Come along and try it. 7.30 to 8.30 pm on Monday evenings in Lochmaben Church Hall. The evening rounds off with a cup of tea/coffee. The first visit is free. Each week afterwards costs £1. For further information please phone Jenny Agnew 01387 811632 or Sheila Wade 01387 810791.

S4F Dates for spring 2014 - 7.30pm in the Church Hall March 31 April 28 May 05, 12, 19, and 26. June 02 Open Evening - Everyone Welcome Summer Break Singing for Fun will resume in September 2014.

Lochmaben Website: lochmaben.org.ukLochmaben Website: lochmaben.org.ukLochmaben Website: lochmaben.org.ukLochmaben Website: lochmaben.org.uk The website has continued to get more use over the past few months. New residents, Nicola and Mark Busley, have offered to help with the Website Advertising, the Calendar and Facebook. We are most grateful for their assistance and would be delighted if anyone else would be interested in operating part of the website. We hope to link the website to Facebook and Twitter in April and this should result in a wider coverage of information about Lochmaben. It would be most helpful if organisations in the community could keep the information on the website up-to-date. One organisation hasn't updated their material since 2007! This Newsletter, with pictures in full colour, will be available on the Website shortly.

For easy access, here’s the QR Code for the site!

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Lochmaben’s RailwayLochmaben’s RailwayLochmaben’s RailwayLochmaben’s Railway ---- with thanks to Charles Ison who writes…………………..

The railway through Lochmaben opened on September 1, 1863, as the Dumfries, Lochmaben, and Lockerby Junction Railway. This was operated by the Caledonian Railway, as an important link through to Stranraer and Portpatrick, and then amalgamated with them in 1865. Lochmaben station was the largest intermediate station on the line. It had a station master’s house/station building, 2 platforms, level crossing, goods shed and yard and a passing loop with 2 signal cabins. Goods traffic for the station included coal for the gas works in Mill Road and for domestic use, livestock for markets in

Lockerbie, Dumfries and beyond, and general goods and parcels for Lochmaben and the surrounding area. The goods yard had a cattle pen, loading platforms and a hand crane for heavier freight. In 1878-1880 the two small signal cabins were replaced by a larger single signal box of standard Caledonian Railway design with the line to Lockerbie being used to test a new form of Tyers single line control from 1878. In the 1880s a bridge carrying the B7020 was built over the railway to remove the level crossing. There was a staff of 9 at the station in 1917. By 1922 there were 5 local passenger trains per day in each direction. In 1923 the Caledonian Railway was absorbed into the much larger London, Midland & Scottish Railway, and all express trains were routed via Annan. Economies were also made as road transport started to take traffic away from the railway. The signal box was closed in 1931-2, and the passing loop removed by the 1950s, the goods yard being controlled by a lever frame, locked with a “key” from Lockerbie or Sheildhill. The passenger trains were push-pull sets, with a tank engine, and driver’s cabin in the last coach, which enabled the train to run without running the locomotive around the train at each end of the line. During WW2 three elderly LNWR tank engines were sent to work the line. Traffic on the line during the war increased due to the presence of nearby military camps, and RAF Tynwald Downs, north of Dumfries, adjacent to the line. After the war, traffic declined further and only 4 trains ran each way. In January 1948 the railway was nationalized as part of British railways. On July 18,1952, the last passenger train called at Lochmaben, and the station closed for passengers. Goods traffic to Lochmaben continued until 1963, and, during the late 1950s and early 1960s, a camping coach was parked on the goods siding nearest the bridge. Special Rail tours continued to travel along the line, with the last featuring the Flying Scotsman in 1965. With the closure of the Dumfries to Stranraer “Paddy” Line in 1965, freight from Dumfries to Lockerbie and north decreased, and the line was shut completely in April 1966. The railway was lifted shortly afterwards, and the line passed into history. The station house and goods shed were demolished, the bridge and its approaches were bulldozed over the station site and filling in the Grummel Loch allowed the B7020 to be straightened through the site. Lochmaben Lochmaben Lochmaben Lochmaben Community CenCommunity CenCommunity CenCommunity Centre Programmetre Programmetre Programmetre Programme Monday 10.30-12.30 Pre- School soft Play (term time only) 7.30-8.30pm Baton Twirling (term time only) 6.15-7.30 Circuit Training Tuesday 1.30-2.30 Pilates Wednesday 5.30-6.00 Metafit 8pm-9pm Pilates Thursday 11am-11.45am Pre-school Gymnastics (term time only) 7.30pm-8.30pm Dance Fit Friday 5.30-6.00 Metafit

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Minister of Ruthwell parish church and later of Lochmaben, , , , the Revthe Revthe Revthe Rev Andrew Andrew Andrew Andrew JaffrayJaffrayJaffrayJaffray, (1723 — 95), was the father of Jean Jaffray, the 'Blue-Eyed Lassie' who was the subject of the poem with that title written by Robert Burns. Burns sometimes stayed at the Manse at Lochmaben (now Magdalene House) on his Excise excursions and he was obviously smitten by Jean, saying her ‘Twa lovely e’en o’ bonie blue’ had ‘charmed his soul.’

In a letter to the Provost of Lochmaben, Robert Maxwell, dated December 20, 1789, Burns said: 'If you meet with that worthy old veteran in religion and good fellowship, Mr Jeffry, or any of his amiable Family, I beg you will give them my best compliments.' Researching the Men of Lochmaben who died in WW1.Researching the Men of Lochmaben who died in WW1.Researching the Men of Lochmaben who died in WW1.Researching the Men of Lochmaben who died in WW1. Isabelle Gow writes….. I have now done a large amount of research on the men of Lochmaben parish who died in WW1. There are 65 names on the war memorial, but there are also some names on plaques within the church which are not on the memorial. I have now identified most of the men. Some of them are likely to have descendants still in the parish and I would appreciate it if folk would contact me if they have information or photographs which I might borrow for scanning. I hope to produce a booklet for the refurbished Town Hall (which will include the Library) with the possibility of it being put into digital format at a later date. Please contact Isabelle on 01387 811 635 or gow.isabelle@yahoo.com George Hunter TrustGeorge Hunter TrustGeorge Hunter TrustGeorge Hunter Trust The George Hunter Trust has grants available for projects and activities for the Lochmaben area. The Trust was set up:-

• To provide prizes for the public school or schools within the Burgh of Lochmaben

• to provide prizes for sports to be held annually in connection with the school or schools

• to encourage boating in the Castle Loch

• to provide prizes for the best kept gardens within the Burgh

• In the event of any balance remaining in the annual income, providing outdoor seats, providing donations for any purpose or scheme as the Trustees may select having its objects the welfare of the inhabitants of the Burgh of Lochmaben.

The Trustees will meet in May and October 2014 and application forms or further information may be obtained from Alison Fergusson on 01461 207043 or email Alison.fergusson@dumgal.gov.uk. Community CouncilCommunity CouncilCommunity CouncilCommunity Council A Concert in aid of the Senior Citizens Christmas Party is to be held at the Lochmaben Community Centre on Saturday April 26, 2014 at 7.30 pm. Featuring “THE VIRGINIANS” Local Band, No Backing, ALL LIVE – 60s – 70s with a touch of Country. Tickets - £10.00 including light supper, Bar available. Tickets available from – Pettigrew’s Pet Shop, Kennedy Fruit Shop and Pam Linton 01387 811258. LCC is looking forward to a good turnout so come along and support this worthy cause! Annandale Transport Initiative Annandale Transport Initiative Annandale Transport Initiative Annandale Transport Initiative

ATI is again providing a programme of day trips throughout 2014 to destinations in Northern England and Scotland. It also provides minibuses for affordable hire by community groups in Annandale and Eskdale and there are 2 community cars available for use by individuals, Further information is available at the office 72727272----74 High Street, Lockerbie, DG11 2AA, 74 High Street, Lockerbie, DG11 2AA, 74 High Street, Lockerbie, DG11 2AA, 74 High Street, Lockerbie, DG11 2AA, On the website –––– www.atibus.org.ukwww.atibus.org.ukwww.atibus.org.ukwww.atibus.org.uk,,,, By emailing ---- info@atibus.org.ukinfo@atibus.org.ukinfo@atibus.org.ukinfo@atibus.org.uk

Or by phone on 01576 203053.01576 203053.01576 203053.01576 203053.

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Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust (CLLCT) UpdateCastle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust (CLLCT) UpdateCastle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust (CLLCT) UpdateCastle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust (CLLCT) Update Darren Flint Castle Loch Project OfficerDarren Flint Castle Loch Project OfficerDarren Flint Castle Loch Project OfficerDarren Flint Castle Loch Project Officer writes............. The first few months of 2014 have certainly been a busy time for the Trust. After all the hard work during 2013 setting the wheels in motion for securing Castle Loch for the town, the area and its visitors, things rapidly came to fruition in January with the exciting confirmation that the loch, surrounding woodland and Lochfield Cottage had been purchased. I joined the Trust late February as the Project Officer and Conservation and my focus is now on helping Castle Loch thrive as a fantastic habitat for wildlife and a place the community can visit and be part of. Our planning has embraced volunteering, planning events, uses for the cottage and plans for linking up the footpaths. Volunteering:Volunteering:Volunteering:Volunteering: No matter if you want to get your hands dirty or stay in the warm and dry, I’m sure I can find plenty of things that need doing at Castle Loch and Lochfield Cottage. At the moment I’m setting up a monthly Thursday group with the Dumfries & Galloway Ranger service, plus a monthly weekend group led by myself to get out and about around the loch to undertake habitat management, maintenance and litter picking. Keeping closer to Lochfield Cottage, the cottage and gardens also need a good spring clean and spruce up both inside and out. If marketing, people and talking are more your bag, I could also do with help producing and distributing posters and extra hands to help out at some of the events. Even if you have never done anything like this before, please don’t be put off as I can provide support and training. If you have any specific skills, I’m sure we can put you to good use, be that storytelling, painting, chainsaw, joinery, gardening… Events:Events:Events:Events: After all the recent rain my mind is also turning to brighter things, like the program of events for the coming year and I'd love to hear your ideas - maybe things you have seen other places offer and that would work well here, or perhaps something completely different. Would you like to have children's events in the school holidays like pond dipping and beastie hunts? Or something for the adults, like a bat walk or painting class in the cottage? No matter how sensible or crazy, let me know your thoughts. Paths and CPaths and CPaths and CPaths and Cottage:ottage:ottage:ottage: Work has started on planning the new path down the eastern side of the loch which will link in to those already in place by the castle and the western side of Castle Loch. Actual works on this will stop during the bird breeding season but resume mid-July. Regarding Lochfield cottage, other than this being the location of my office (not that I get to sit in it much), there is also some space for holding small meetings. Longer term we are drawing up a list of requirements so we can undertake a feasibility study on its future use. Watch this space! One day it might be a ‘window on the loch’ visitor centre, a place to study aquatic science, somewhere to have a cup of tea or possibly sit and paint. Keeping in Touch:Keeping in Touch:Keeping in Touch:Keeping in Touch: Website: www.castleloch.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/castlelochlochmaben Twitter: @castle_loch Email: darrenflint@castleloch.org.uk Address: Lochfield Cottage, Priestdykes, Lochmaben, DG11 1LP My mobile number is 07971790847 Diary Dates for Volunteering.Diary Dates for Volunteering.Diary Dates for Volunteering.Diary Dates for Volunteering. April 8 10.30am – 12noon Events ideas and Planning April 9 10am – 1pm Cottage Spring Clean/Garden Tidy April 14 10am – 12 noon Loch side Easter Egg Trail from Victory Park July 15 onwards Bramble Clearance I look forward to seeing many of you around Castle Loch sometime over the coming summer.

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Copied from her own handwriting and edited, the following information was compiled by Suzie MundellSuzie MundellSuzie MundellSuzie Mundell of Glebe Terrace about 1993, based on her own personal memories. It gives a fascinating insight into all the shops which were very much part of Lochmaben’s past. Lochmaben 1920Lochmaben 1920Lochmaben 1920Lochmaben 1920----1992199219921992 The town of Lochmaben has changed greatly. On the road in from Templand, the first house in Boglehole (Marjoriebanks) was called the poorhouse. There were only six or eight houses there and it was a poor locality. The only small shop was Granny Grierson's which sold everything. Next came the Manse which was with the Church called Barras. Next was the station. Then you came down to Leamington Square, where Maggie Donald’s shop also sold everything. Then came the tailor, Mr. Tweedie, then McGhie's cycle shop and also the blacksmith. At Townhead there was the small shop managed by Johnny ….?, a shoe-repairer's and then Mr. Pollock's, a grocer’s shop. Going down Princes Street, there was another small shop, Granny Brown's, which never closed, and opposite was Irving the blacksmith. In Queen Street at the weekends, old blind Jimmy would play his fiddle, then coming down Queen Street there was Scott the shoe shop, where shoes were sold and repaired, the British Legion hut, and, on the left, Eskdale the joiner. Then there was Blackstock the plumber and Telfer who sold vegetables and fish. There was a vennel and as you walked down the path it led to Hallheaths. On the other side was Maria Murray, grocer, then Easton the clogger, Cockburn the baker and Jimmy Davidson the grocer. Then there was Bell's the repair shop and Wee Lizzie the post-woman, who walked all around to deliver in rain, hail and snow. Then there was Geordie Graham who had a small band. He repaired shoes and his wife did home baking. Then there was ‘Much-off’ Wullie Carruthers, the barber. (He was nicknamed ‘Much-off’ because that was the first question he asked when you sat down for a haircut.) The small house across the street was where Maggie Fraser baked potato and soda scones. St Margaret's Church, where Mr. Laing was the minister, was next. Then came Wright, the butcher’s, taken over by a Mr. Laing whom my father worked for. On a Thursday which was market day at Lockerbie, he had to drive the cattle and the sheep back to Lochmaben where they were killed and sold in the shop. Also there was Maxwell and Hair, the tailors, and the chemist, Johnny Bell. Johnny made anybody who went to him with a prescription taste everything that went into the bottle. Jimmy….? had the shop next door. His wife and assistants ran the shop. The Town Hall occupies the centre of the High Street. It's a beautiful building, where the Town Council met and the local courts were held. In Princes Street, houses have been built where Jimmy Beck the joiner was. After Croft View, you came to old Maria Scott and then to the Gusset house which divided Princes Street. After that was Granny McQuilter’s house where pigs were kept in the garden, and then there was Granny Green’s. Her sons kept taxis. On the other side lived Effie and Bella, two old maids who were always arguing. Ashton House was where Bailie Johnstone lived, and nearby was a Gents’ tailors, then old Chinny McMinn who, at funerals, drove the hearse pulled by two black horses. NB.NB.NB.NB. Lochmaben Voices is an Initiative project which is recording the memories of long-term residents of the Burgh. CDs and text accounts of these interviews are available from the Library. Worth a look ! Well Done!!Well Done!!Well Done!!Well Done!! The organising ‘team’ which put on Lochmaben’s Day of the Region in 2013 did a power of work, to ensure that the weekend was a success. Congratulations to all of them! They can be proud of what they achieved. In addition to enjoying a varied programme of events on the day, the Community also benefited to the tune of £5000.

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Did you recognise the young footballer on page 4? Roy Thorburn

Roy was born at Springhill, Lochmaben, and soon afterwards the family moved to Marjoriebanks but from an early age Roy spent most of his time at Kinnelbridge with his grandparents where he kept himself amused by hunting rabbits and by fishing. He attended Lochmaben Primary from the age of 5, transferring to Lockerbie Academy and later to Dumfries Academy. His passion as a teenager was football and he starred in successful teams at both Academies, winning the South of Scotland Championship with Lockerbie in the company of three other Lochmaben lads. He went on to play Junior Football in the East of Scotland and with Glenafton Athletic.

He has happy memories as he grew up in the Royal Burgh, remembers well the first two cars owned here and watched the first TV set through the window of the Crown Hotel. A frequent visitor to the island, he also formed a lifelong bond with Coll, his mother’s place of birth. The war years brought excitement to the youngsters in Lochmaben, with bullets and, on one occasion, a grenade, falling into their hands. Army exercises and combat training were to be seen at the Townhead and Army bands played regularly at Victory Park. There was also boating on the Castle Loch, quoiting was organised in a field near the station and the Waterloo Curling Cup was eagerly contested in the winter on the Castle Loch. When he left school Roy was set to join his father in Rhodesia but, at the last minute, there was a change of plan and, instead, he was apprenticed to a local joiner, where he worked until he was called up for National Service, joining the RAF. By the time he was demobbed, he had met and married his wife Margaret and he returned to Lochmaben to begin working for his father who was now also back home. H.K. Thorburn & Son was the first firm in Scotland to build timber framed houses and the business, now based in a new workshop in Marjoriebanks, prospered. The year 1977, however, delivered two huge blows to Roy. First, the workshop, and all it contained, including all the company’s paperwork, was burned to the ground in a disastrous fire. Later that same year he lost his father. At this difficult time, he was overwhelmed by the acts of goodwill from McColl Wells and Robison & Davidson, competitors of his, who provided him with workshop space to get up and running again. And this Roy’s company did, building their timber framed houses in all corners of Scotland and the north of England. He also found time to play golf, another of his passions, and to make a major contribution to local community events, especially a 2 week Football Tournament as part of the local Gala. Few people will forget the fun and excitement engendered by the various water games Roy devised for the Gala on an annual basis in the 1970s. ‘It’s a Knock-out’ participants were guaranteed a whale of a time - and a real good soaking. Roy retired from business in 1995. When asked about Lochmaben his answer was clear- I don’t think you could get a better place, especially for bringing up a family. I couldn’t wish for anything better.

The Initiative intends to publish another Community Newsletter in Autumn 2014 and will include a second edition of ‘Keep it Local’. 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, 2014.

• To the Website at www.lochmaben.org.uk

• Online to indamair@gmail.com

• To the Town Hall, clearly marked for the Initiative-fao D.Mair.

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