Glencairn Gazette
Updated 12/10/11
The Glencairn Gazette is the community newspaper which is produced and delivered free to every household in the parish of Glencairn and Tynron. It comes out every two months and covers issues affecting the community and reports on local events.
Produced and distributed by a team of volunteers the Gazette is self-funding. 700 issues are printed and articles, comments and letters are encouraged from the local community.
Competitions and prizes in every issue.
Submissions, advertising inquiries to the editor, Sue Grant sue@badpress.demon.co.uk or call 01848 200331.
Deadline for December/January2012 issue 73 is 20th November 2011.
SELECTED STORIES FROM GAZETTE 72
In Bloom Results
Sadly Moniaive was unable to consolidate its winning streak in Nithsdale in Bloom. This year we came second.
This aside all praise to Dot Irvine and members of Moniaive in Flower who worked tirelessly and, in the opinion of many, made the village even more attractive than in previous years. The Nithsdale in Bloom Awards were held in Dumfries on Wednesday 14th and Robin McIver and Sue Grant attended to collect the silver award from the judges.
The Scotland in Bloom awards were held in Rothesay, Isle of Bute. A journey involving an early start, car and ferry ride; however, the remnants of Hurricane Katia on Monday 12th put paid to all plans to attend. It seems 130 participants did make it across to Bute but many didn’t get back until the Tuesday. We were emailed the results – a satisfying Silver Medal which shows we fulfilled more than required by the judges.
Thanks to all householders and businesses who helped the effort with their wondeful hanging baskets and plantings.
Moniaive in Flower
Bluegrass Festival
The third Bluegrass festival held in Moniaive in September was a huge success and very enjoyable.
The Friday evening concert, workshops and sessions during the weekend were all well attended. The festival’s finale was the Saturday night concert with a great line-up of both native and American talent. The Institute was packed with fans of all ages from babes in arms to the more ‘mature’ .
First up were ‘Home Made Jam’ who set the tone for the evening with a wide ranging repertoire of songs and tunes.
They were followed by three piece ‘High Speed Grass’ with intoxicating instrumentals that had the audience clapping along.
Then came festival stalwarts ‘Longway’ whose sparkling music and jokes kept the audience laughing and clapping throughout.
After the interval it was time for the American guests to strut their stuff. First up were ‘Martha Spencer and Jackson Cunningham’ playing traditional ‘Crooked Road’ mountain music. A popular duo who even took requests from the audience. Martha not only played fiddle and guitar but also performed a selection of Appalachian Clog dances, once whilst playing the fiddle! During their set Martha announced that she and Jackson had become engaged and showed off the fiddle that Jackson had made for her from wood purchased by her daddy 30 years before and with the head of a rooster carved on the top as “our family play ‘chicken’ songs.” They received a standing ovation and returned twice to stage to perform more.
Whereas Martha Spencer maybe holds the record for holding a vocal note the longest she was followed by Johnny Butten the Guinness World Record holder for the fastest banjo player! I have no way of knowing whether he reached or surpassed his record but his fingers were a blur as he played. Johnny took to the stage with band Telegraph Road and announced, “We’ve had an awesome time in Moniaive and had a blast watching the other bands.”
Their set was based on feedback from the workshops they’d held where people had requested a variety of tunes and songs. The whole set was fast paced with even the slower numbers featuring some fast banjo picking.
Youngster Mark Burke, of Dundee, was called onto the stage to receive a signed T-shirt from the band. Mark had attended the banjo workshops and impressed them with his talent. Johnny said, “If we’re invited back next year you can join us on stage to play.”
A great concert, a great weekend and congratulations to Paul Lyttle and the Bluegrass committee for putting on another friendly, successful festival in Moniaive.
Sue Grant
Out of Africa with SLYC
The Great Skitter Lane Youth Club (SLYC) Zambian Adventure started on Monday July 11th. Thanks to the generosity of so many local people we raised over £10,000. After fund-raising for more than a year we couldn’t believe we were actually setting off.
The Community bus picked up, from Moniaive, Dunscore and Penpont, seven young men and two youth leaders who were on their way to Lubuto in Zambia.
Thirty-two hours later after three flights and a five hour drive we arrived to an unbelievable welcome, The Boys Brigade Brass Band, a huge troop of Baton-Twirling Girls Brigaders, a 500-strong representation from the Church, a bunch of roses and lots of hugs, kisses, ululating and speeches.
Each of us had been twinned with a family and, one by one, we were all picked up and taken to our respective host’s home where we would live for the next ten days.
Because of the variety of host homes everyone had very different experiences and interesting stories to tell.
The next ten days were a mixture of hard work and play, including painting a hall, cleaning the school and entertaining the children in it, planting a citrus grove, presenting to, mixing and playing with between 500 and 600 young people at their Sunday afternoon gathering and an almost luxurious BBQ beside a lake in a Game Park.
We have all returned, humbled and changed by the experience of staying with such friendly, generous, hospitable people who, for the most part, have very little but are happy to share it.
There have already been a number of presentations when the boys have talked about their personal experiences and shown some of their 2,000 plus photos and video footage.
Stephen, the Minister from Lubuto is hoping to be here during October and we are hoping he will join us for one last presentation in St. Ninian’s Church. Please look out for this being advertised, join us for a few laughs, possibly a few tears, a cup of tea and a slice of cake, you will be very welcome.
And finally, if you contributed to this adventure in any way, then please accept our thanks, we literally couldn’t have done it without your help. Dean Goddard and SLYC
Gala in Crisis
Moniaive Gala Committee held their AGM on 9th September when the problems faced by the committee were brought starkly into focus.
A total of eight people attended, only four of whom were committee members and one of those resigned at the meeting! This leaves us with a core committee of eight, four of these members have outside work commitments that make attending meetings hard, which leaves four people to make all the decisions, plan and organise Gala week and fundraising events.
At the meeting it was decided that we can no longer manage or continue like this. The committee are well aware that we have, and are very, very grateful for, a huge ‘friends of the gala’ section and without these people we would never manage to put on the gala week.
The problem arises throughout the rest of the year. We need people who can attend meetings, who can help at fundraising events, work on the bars we do, collect and deliver equipment, fill out the numerous forms that amass, and come up with ideas for both the gala and fundraising events. We would particularly like to see some parents and younger people on the committee. None of the current committee have young children and a large part of the gala is put on for their benefit and enjoyment!
To this end a letter will be posted through everyone’s door in November asking for new members and then a meeting held where questions can be answered and people can join.
In the past the committee numbered upwards of 14 people and this shared the workload and made it a pleasure to put on the gala. However this year’s gala was a real struggle and none of us are willing to go through that experience again.
We decided to carry on with the planned bonfire and firework night on November 5th and have been offered help to run a (late) halloween parade and party afterwards. We will also hold the New Years Day Ceilidh but, unless we get more members, that’s it.
Anyone wishing to help on bonfire night... cooking, serving food, rattling donation tins, stewarding the fire and firework perimeter, putting up the ropes, setting off fireworks, making soup, putting up gazebos, buying provisions, helping collect bonfire materials and building bonfire, loaning BBQs, clearing up afterwards etc. etc. please let us Duncan (200327) or Sue (200331) know as soon as possible.
So if you enjoy the gala and don’t want to see it fold please read your invitation letter when it arrives and come along and join the committee... we do have some fun!
Moniaive Gala Committee
All Change in Moniaive
The Tryst Restaurant
The Tryst is delighted to welcome new chef Alexander Burns. “Alex arrived here as an agency chef but I am hoping that we can work something out to make him permanent,” said owner Wendy Wall, “His food is delicious and presentation skills superb and we have had many favourable comments since he arrived.”
The previous chef had to leave the Tryst due to family problems which left Wendy with the unenviable task of finding a replacement. “I interviewed a number of chefs for the post,” she reflected.
“We pride ourselves on serving fresh, simple, locally sourced produce here at the Tryst,” said Alex, “I have a passion for fresh food cooked well with great presentation. Nothing comes out of a packet or the freezer.”
The menu has has been revamped with daily specials still a main feature.
Alex has worked all over the country most recently at the Loudon Hill Inn which sadly closed prior to his arrival in Moniaive. “This is a great community,” he said, “I love the way everyone says good morning to you and everyone’s so friendly. The scenery is stunning too, very picturesque.”
Since leaving college Alex’s workplaces have included; King James Hotel, a Morningside hotel, The North British Hotel, Eastwell Manor (which held 4 A rosettes), Auchentrader House in Perthshire, Gleneagles Hotel, Barony Castle in the Borders, a family-run hotel in Peebles, Le Petit Blanc in Cheltenham (under Raymond Blanc), and on Skye for Sir Ian Noble.
“I’ve worked as everything from a waiter to a sous chef to head chef,” he laughed, “it’s all been a great experience and increased my skills set. I still love learning new things and meeting like-minded people who are passionate about food.”
Alex has worked in family-run hotels where local publicity generated a string of awards to establishments serving 200 covers daily and Conference Centres serving over 600.
“I have a strong work ethic,” he explained, “it’s not just about the money but about increasing one’s skills and doing the very best one can. I also like to be challenged and to try new ideas and ways of doing things. I particularly like getting feedback from customers about dishes I’ve prepared for them.”
A versatile man with a vision whose passion for what he does shone through during the interview.
Craigdarroch Arms Hotel
Tim O’Sullivan has taken over the lease of the Craigdarroch Arms from Rab McAleese, who has taken over the Three Glens restaurant.
Tim was previously landlord of Wetherspoons, Broons and Hytek, all in Dumfries. Broons is a popular bar with lots of live entertainment.
“With my children attending school in Thornhill and wife Claire working in Dumfries, Moniaive is perfectly placed for us,” said Tim. “Living in Dunscore makes commuting here easier than to Dumfries and I am looking forward to the challenge of running a popular ‘local’ in a smaller community.”
Tim has already started making changes and plans more in the future. “The restaurant as such has been closed as we are offering bar meals now and plan to extend the lounge into the restaurant area. I’m also getting a pool table which will be in the old function room at the rear of the restaurant,” he said.
There are also plans to have a couple of real ales on tap in the bar and a lot of live entertainment. So watch for blackboards outside for details of bar meal deals, theme nights and planned entertainment.
C&C (Creative Collective)
A new venture in the village is the opening of C&C shop in the High Street.
Harlee Watson and Michelle Reynolds opened the shop in early September selling a range of locally made cards, prints, pictures, candles, mirrors, jewellery and Harlee’s beautiful crocheted dresses, bags, scarves, hats, jumpers and gloves.
“C&C hopes to showcase and sell products by the many talented local artists and producers we have in this area,” said Harlee.
The Green Tea House
The evening Bistro has now closed for the winter but the cafe is still open daily.
The venue is available for private parties in the evening and Catherine caters for outside events, parties, festivals etc.
Little Italy comes to Moniaive
The Three Glens restaurant is under new ownership with a new menu and new name. The ‘Litttle Italy Ristorante/Pizzeria at the Three Glens’ is the brainchild of Rab McAleese who also ran the Craigdarroch Arms Hotel and restaurant.
The newly refurbished restaurant opened in August. “I wanted to expand on the reputation of the Three Glens and provide traditional fresh Italian food,” explained Rab.
“Having the ‘Vesuvius’ open oven is fantastic and enables me to make great thin crust pizzas and to finish off pasta dishes in a traditional way,” he added.
“Being able to watch the chef at work has always been a highlight of this restaurant and watching Rab working was no exception,” said one local diner.
The restaurant has been painted a warm terracotta red and the walls festooned with a range of paintings and plaques which give a cosy, friendly feeling to the room. The glass conservatory lets in lots of natural light and the range of plants in the small courtyard, planted by Fraser and Judith, have now reached maturity and give a private feel.
Diners appear to enjoy the new menu and food and the restaurant has been very busy since opening.
“We were given a baby scallop with chilli sauce to try,” said one diner, “... I wish I’d ordered that now!”
“Working two kitchens was a challenge,” said Rab, “but I had excellent staff and it worked well. I closed Thistles Cafe though as three eating venues was too much to cope with.”
Then in September Rab decided to give up the Craigdarroch and concentrate solely on ‘Little Italy’. Tim O’Sullivan has taken over management of the Craigdarroch.
A take-away pizza service is offered by ‘Little Italy at the Three Glens’ and it is well worth checking out the menu and the daily specials.
The extensive wine and spirit list of the Three Glens has been retained and the new resturant is family friendly.
The Gazette wishes Rab, Nicola and family every success in this new venture and congratulations on their recent marriage.
Index
Over the past 12 years the Glencairn Gazette has covered numerous festivals, village events, success stories about local people (and dogs!), stories of local interest plus your news and views.
Produced and delivered by volunteers the Glencairn Gazette is a local resource that charts the progress of the community over the years and will, in the future, be a snapshot of the history of this small, but vibrant, community.
One thing I have noticed, looking back over the years, is how the number of letters to the editor have fallen away so come on and put pen to paper and be part of your local paper! The other ingredient missing is the Moniaive Memories section so anyone with memories to share please contact us.
Following are just some of the stories covered over the years... how many can you remember and how many were you involved in...?
1 Dec/Jan 1999... Community Horizons Survey... School numbers fall... Millennium Collage nears completion...
2 Feb/March 2000... Millennium Gala Ball...
3 April/May 2000... Closure threat to Post Office... Glencairn leaflets... Community Horizons survey results...
4 June/July 2000... School to lose teacher... Midsummer festival... A cafe for the village... Wildlife survey officer appointed...
5 Aug/Sept 2000... Sunshine Gala... Community Council information...
6 Oct/Nov 2000... Community Council saved... School loses second teacher... Problems facing rural businesses... Bloodhounds gather in Moniaive...
7 Dec/Jan 2001... Fuel Crisis... Phil Kay opens cafe... Craigdarroch re-opens... Moira returns to Moniaive Primary... Ingelston horses star in film... Dance school opens...
8 Feb/Mar 2001... Council say no money for roads... Fire at the George... Nautical traffic jam... Railway book launch...
9 April/May 2001... Closed for business - foot & mouth... Guinea pig ID cards (April fool)... James Paterson museum reopens... Community Trust lauched...
10 June/July 2001... Moniaive Action Project launch... Village website launched... MacAlien arrives... Callander’s shop sold... Jade shaves her head...
11 Aug/Sept 2001... Gala special - 10 years... Traffic stopper... Film shoot planned... New garden for school...
12 Oct/Nov 2001... Magdalene Sisters filming... Moniaive Comic Festival... 122nd Flower show... Folk CD recorded in village...
13 Dec/Jan 2002... New houses plan for Dunreggan... Wildlife Garden... Craigdarroch Rovers football team... First Glencairn Mystery story... Bonfire Night...
14 Feb/March 2002... Thornhill hospital under review... Hogmanay... Hair salon launch...
15 April/May 2002... Chuffed at Crufts... Folk Club fundraiser... Village mascot (April fool)...
16 June/July 2002... Moniaive Folk Festival... local history week... MSPs visit PO... All change at the Woodlea Hotel... Striding Arches... Radio Sheep Dip...
17 Aug/Sept 2002... Gala... Llamas... Jubilee garden party... Jubilee tree planting...
18 Oct/Nov 2002... 2nd Comic Festival... Community benches... Nurse Young...
19 Dec/Jan 2003... Daniel picked to represent Scotland... Janice appointed Trust co-ordinator... Carnival of Light... Constituency boundary changes inquiry...
20 Feb/March 2003... Car park refurbishment... Mark, top student in Scotland... Harry averts tragedy... Auchenbrack fire... New community policeman...
21 April/May 2003... Loreburn planning approval... Champion Trial Dog... Community learning centre...
22 June/July 2003... Winds of change... Stars in Moniaive... Folk Festival... Institute break-in...
23 Aug/Sept 2003... Gala... Cashpoint machine arrives... Chief constable visits... Car park opens... Cairn Valley Community transport...
24 Oct/Nov 2003... Champion Ewan... Songwriter wins prize... Craigdarroch new owners... Hen Hoose closes... Comic festival...
25 Dec/Jan 2004... Broadband gets closer... Kite workshop... .
26 Feb/March 2004... Green light for Striding Arches...
27 April/May 2004... New houses ready... GI Jenifer...
28 June/July 2004... Stars in Moniaive...
29 Aug/Sept 2004... Gala... Dyking project
I30 Oct/Nov 2004... Comic costume capers... Horse show
Issue 31 Dec/Jan 2005... Gazette 5 years old... History group starts... Bloodhound trials...
32 Feb/March 2005... Franz Ferdinand... Mrs Hastings 100...
33 April/May 2005... Casino Night... Wether Hill approved... Bakery opens...
34 June/July 2005... Folk Festival..
35 Aug/Sept 2005... Gala... Beer Festival... Tornado over Moniaive... Comedy night...
36 Oct/Nov 2005... Last Comic Fest... Hens killed...Home Front Day... Legless in Russia...
37 Dec/Jan 2006... Glencairn Playcare...
38 Feb/Mar 2006... Mrs Patrick - outstanding service... Windfarm community fund... David Grant...
39 April/May 2006... Fishy Tale... Tynron fight cable route... House hit by vehicle... Andy, Stone skimming champion...
40 June/July 2006... 5th folk Fest... Core Paths...
41 Aug/Sept 2006... Elvis seen at Gala... Dalwhat Glen workshops
42 Oct/Nov 2006... Commuity Council election special... Kat’s Family Fun Day...
43 Dec/Jan 2007... Commuity election results... Hollywood falls for Moniaive... PC Buwert retires...
44 Feb/March 2007... Hogmanay... Tools for Malawi...
45 April/May 2007... New drink bylaw...
46 June/July 2007... The Sound of Music... The George reopens... Mrs Hastings...
47 Aug/Sept 2007... Chess star Haydn... Gala concert...
48 Oct/Nov 2007... Pencil people go global... Beer, Art, Horse & Flower shows... New teacher... Hill of Streams launch...
49 Dec/Jan 2008... Mensdorfs lucky escape... Evergreens ... Wether Hill official opening... Watson’s open new store... Farewell Bainoon... Hotchpotch opens... Institute gets face-lift...
50 Feb/March 2008... New policeman... Alan Grant... Byre shortlisted... Glencairn memorial book...
51 April/May 2008... Moniaive tiger?... Church without walls.. Blackcraig public inquiry... Wizard of Oz...
52 June/July 2008... Senga - sports personality of the year... New footbridge... Folk fest...
53 Aug/Sept 2008... Gala... Veterans Day... Padre on tour...
54 Oct/Nov 2008... Secrets and lies... Striding Arches launch... Twinning ceremony...
55 Dec/Jan 2009... Moniaive PO to close... Housing survey... Three Glens opens...
56 Feb/March 2009... New website launch... Sharon Henshall... Ian Henderson...
57 April/May 2009... Unexploded bomb?... New noticeboard.. C116 new passing places... Alice in Wonderland...
58 June/July 2009... National lottery & PO... Chocolate maker open for business... George restuarant reopens...
59 Aug/Sept 2009... Gala... Cairnhead Fest... Homecoming ceilidh... Footpath opening...
60 Oct/Nov 2009... 10 years of Gazette... Geodial... Moira retires... Moniaive’s Got Talent... Guitar Fest...
61 Dec/Jan 2010... Save Thornhill Hospital... New post box... New Head at MPS...
62 Feb/March 2010... Too Little, Too Late... Local firm wins award... Geodial opening...
63 April/May 2010... Champion ‘Nan... Come Dine with Me... Climate Change Debate...
64 June/July 2010... Folk Fest... Gala Auction... Fishing Club...
65 Aug/Sept 2010... Gala... Musical Theatre Group... Vandals at work... Cllr Dykes nominated...
66 Oct/Nov 2010... Shows of Moniaive...
67 Dec/Jan 2011... Awards for Amelia & Jessica... Traffic survey... Halloween... Bowling Club... 50+ Party... Tam Maxwell...
68 Feb/March 2011... Water, Ice and Fire... Dr Behzad joins Practice... Victorian Xmas Fayre...
69 April/May 2011... Duck... MyPod... Community Awards... 10 years of Watson’s... Taste o’ Tartan...
70 June/July 2011... A Right Royal Knees-up... Moniaive inventor... Tryst Restuarant... Folk Fest... Public Meeting - Water...
71 Oct/Nov 2011... A very wet Gala... Right to Roam... School prizegiving... Group... Vandals at work... Cllr Dykes nominated...
And the stories continue..... Sue Grant
