Friday 22 December 2023

Welcome to Community, your Dumfries and Galloway community bulletin. For the last bulletin of 2023, we have our usual features and a few useful articles where you can find information and links to keep you safe and in the know throughout the festive period. 

As always, if you have any positive stories about things that are happening in your community and would like to see them featured in Community – please email us at communitybulletin@dumgal.gov.uk and one of our reporters will get back to you.

A to Z of Dumfries and Galloway Council

This is Calum Graham.

Calum is an Active Schools and Community Sport Officer covering the Langholm and Moffat areas.

Calum’s role is to support a network of volunteers, coaches, leaders and teachers who deliver physical activity and sport before, during, and after school – and in the wider community. He also supports club sport by creating links between schools and clubs so young people can continue stay active in the wider community.

Calum does this role during working hours and as a volunteer after hours – and has done during his 32 years with Dumfries and Galloway Council. Why? Quite simply, Calum loves sport, what sport brings to his communities, and what it does for everyone’s overall wellbeing.

Fact – a whopping 6,936 young people took part in extra-curricular activities last year alone across the region – that’s lots of young people being physically active.

Calum said: “Sport has the power to change lives. You know you are doing something that is making a positive impact and a real difference to young people, so much more than just playing the sport itself. Nothing compares to seeing the friendships made, confidence grown, young people feeling socially included and communities supporting the goals of a young person or a team.

“This is what matters, and this alone is what drives me to do my job every day.”

Calum’s role involves developing sports leaders and creating opportunities for these young people to gain qualifications, build self-confidence and learn how to coach sporting sessions to younger participants in extra-curricular sessions. He, like all Active Schools officers, works with sports leaders to become role models and gives these young people chances to organise, officiate, plan and deliver sporting activities through mentoring and supporting them – which builds lifelong skills. Young leaders’ volunteering is tracked so their commitment and achievements can be celebrated. One such young leader, Lucy, achieved the 500-hour Saltire Award for volunteering – an unbelievable achievement. With support from Active schools and a nomination by Calum, Lucy then won the Volunteer of the Year Award at the Scottish Coaching Awards and is now a full-time PE teacher within the region working alongside Active Schools every day.

Calum continued: “Without volunteers we simply could not do our job. It is so important that we support and recognise home-grown sporting talent, be it an athlete, a team, a young leader or coach. It is a privilege to acknowledge the time, commitment and effort made by local people who do so much for sport in our communities and who will always strive to create a world-class sporting system at a local level.” 

Fact – Calum has had breakfast with Usain Bolt, not at his home farm might we add, but more impressively while working at the Commonwealth Games.

While Calum has continued to inspire a generation through his unwavering commitment, the sport of football is front-and-centre at the minute. The goal to create a girl’s football club was determined by sheer demand, following successful engagement with schools and young people post-pandemic. Kick forward a season, and Calum has pushed on with the development of an affiliated girls club with 77 girls registered to play. Such has been the club's meteoric rise, they have tested their credentials against Hearts and Hibernian football clubs this year and have offered several inspirational opportunities to motivate the girls in their football journey.  

Calum, there is no doubt that your legacy will be one of energy, a commitment to celebrate the achievement of others and your ability to deliver life-changing opportunities for individuals and communities – both through your work and going above and beyond in your own time.

Thank you for everything you have done, everything you are doing now and will continue you to do in the future.

Sixty Celebrated in 007 Style

Amanda Green, who works in Dumfries and Galloway Council's Housing and Licensing Standards team, has recently celebrated her sixtieth birthday by organising a highly successful 007-themed casino night, which has raised considerable funds for amazing charities. Diagnosed with Lymphoma (blood cancer) back in May, and after several months of treatment, Amanda is currently in remission and returning to work. Amanda told us: "It is very scary for anyone, and their families, to be told they have cancer but unfortunately today the statistics tell a story that one in two will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage. "The support we received from the Stranraer Cancer Drop-In Centre was invaluable, and I wanted to give something back. Turning 60!  I’m grateful I got the chance, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to party and raise funds."

Hosted at the Stranraer Millennium Centre with a 007 dress-code and theme of ‘Diamonds Are Forever’, everyone had a brilliant time and the party was a huge hit. The 180 guests took part in the auctions and raffles on the evening, raising over £3700 for local cancer charities. Amanda added: "I have a lot of very generous friends. Talking of friends, I would like to say a huge thanks to my work colleagues for their constant kindness, cards, gifts, messages and visits. The support I have received and am still receiving from managers is making returning to work so much easier, though I still feel like the new girl again!" Amanda, here's to your continued recovery – and well done on this amazing fundraising effort.

Are You Ready for Winter?

The winter months bring unpredictable weather – from sunshine to wind, rain, snow and ice. The council and other partners will always try to deliver as many services as they can, no matter the situation, but the reality is that they might also be impacted.

To help, you can get prepared and be ready for disruption. Taking a few simple steps can improve your own personal or household resilience. We're sharing a few ideas of what you can do to be prepared.

• Household Emergency Lifesaving Plan – in the event of a major incident, it may be some time before the emergency services can help you. It is important that you and your family make preparations to take care of yourselves. Find out more and make your Household Emergency Lifesaving Plan
• Find your utilities – it sounds obvious, but it is significantly easier to locate your fuse box, gas meter, or mains water supply tap in the light, than during a power cut or emergency situation. Take the time to learn where utilities in your house are and how they operate.
• Check your car – it is important to ensure your vehicle is ready for winter. Make sure these areas are topped up or checked: Fuel, Oil, Rubber, Coolant, Electrics, Screenwash.
• Think about your neighbours – a resilient community is one where households look out for each other and help one another in times of need. You may be able to help your neighbour with an important job to prepare for winter or your neighbour may be able to help you.
• Going out and about during the winter months – it’s important to wrap up warm. Wearing lots of thin layers will help to maintain body heat, and footwear with a good grip will help to prevent slips and falls when outside.
• Christmas Safety Tips from RoSPA – the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has Christmas advice and safety tips, including on decorations, buying children’s gifts and a video highlighting the importance of checking your Christmas lights regularly: https://www.rospa.com/home-safety/advice/christmas-safety
• Travel Safe D & G app – an app is available and gives direct access to SEPA's Floodline and the Met Office’s National Severe Weather warning service, What 3 Words and DGVOST. When searching for the app in the Google/Android or Apple’s app store search for ‘Travel Safe D & G’.
• DG Locator – Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway provides a range of information for organisations and services on the free mobile app and website DGLocator. You can quickly find services that can help you in a range of situations.
• DGVOST – Dumfries and Galloway's Virtual Operations Support Team. This team becomes operational when a major incident is declared. The website, https://dgvost.dumgal.gov.uk/, shows live incidents, ongoing road closures, and emergency contact numbers and weblinks. You can follow the team on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter).

Useful phone numbers:

1. In an emergency always dial 999 when there is a risk to life or property.
2. Dumfries and Galloway Council Contact Centre – dial 030 33 33 3000 (this number is monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year).
3. Dial the 101 the non-emergency number to make local police aware of any policing issues in your area.
4. Dial 111 for provide urgent care advice and mental health support day or night from NHS 24.
5. Dial 105 to report or get information about power cuts in your local area.
6. Dial 0800 023 2023 for Openreach to report issues related to telephone services in your area.
7. Dial 0800 077 8778 for Scottish Water-related issues.
8. Dial 0800 111 999 for Scottish Gas-related emergency issues, such as a gas leak.

Dumfries and Galloway Council Opening Times 

There's a dedicated webpage with the council's frontline services' opening times listed for the festive period. Information on homeless services, bin collections and recycling, registration, social work and other key services is available. 

Our newly-named fleet of gritters has been busy salting roads across the region. Please be safe, travel to the weather and conditions, and check ahead with your travel operator.

You can go online to check where the council gritters are going, where they are currently and request refills on grit bins.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Winter Safety

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is running its annual winter safety campaign, and advice on fire safety over the winter period can be found here. The website contains some really useful information on staying safe – not only during the festive period but the winter in general.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has put together a few handy guides to help you stay safe over the festive period. From fairy lights to portable heaters, alcohol to electric blankets, and smoke alarms to being ice aware, there's lots of important information.

To find out more or arrange a free Home Fire Safety Visit for you or someone you know who may be at greater risk from fire, call the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on 0800 0731 999 or visit www.firescotland.gov.uk

Water Safety

In winter, children are particularly at risk when tempted to play on the ice formed on open water, and adults can find themselves at risk attempting to save them. Dog owners can also find themselves at risk trying to rescue their pets from icy water. 

At the first sign of snow and ice, many people are tempted to play or walk on frozen water.  However, you can’t always tell the strength of ice simply by its appearance, its thickness, the temperature, or whether or not it is covered with snow.  

Be ice aware – here are some useful tips to keep you safe:

• Teach children not to go onto the ice under any circumstances.
• Keep dogs on their leads when near ice and don’t throw sticks or toys onto the ice.
• Don’t go onto ice or into the water to rescue a dog, move to somewhere that the dog will be able to climb out and call them towards you.
• Time your walks to make the most of the daylight; if you need to walk in the evening only use well-lit areas or take a route not alongside water.
• When walking alongside water keep back from the edge.

If you see someone in difficulty, phone 999. Do not go onto the ice.

Warm Welcome at Dumfries Museum

With cold weather and rising energy costs, spending some time in museums is a great way to keep warm and enjoy discovering some fascinating history at the same time.

Dumfries Museum is free to visit and you can spend as long as you like in the facility. in addition to looking around the displays, the team has set up a space to sit and relax with books, magazines, mindfulness colouring and even a Yuletide quiz. We're open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm (except public holidays) and you'll always get a warm welcome.

The RBCFT Film of the Week

This week’s Film of the Week is Napoleon , and the review is by RBCFT staff member Connor Anderson.

Napoleon is a biopic depicting the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte – the ultimate Emperor of France during the French Revolution. The film packs a lot into its 2 hour and 37 minute run time; directed by Ridley Scott with Joaquin Phoenix playing Napoleon and Vanessa Kirby playing the love of his life, Josephine. Under Scott’s direction, the opening scene grabs your attention from the outset – showing the graphic beheading of Marie Antoinette and the impact of the French Revolution, and starting Napoleon's story. 

The film focusses heavily on the battles Napoleon commanded. Although all battle scenes were cinematically elegant, the one battle that spectacularly captured the brutality of war and proved Napoleon to be the master military tactician was the battle of Austerlitz. Scott’s use of camera, with different camera angles from above and below the ice, is insightful. It draws the audience in to understand and feel the panic the soldiers felt when they realised they were fighting on a frozen lake – and their fight was not only with man but also with the elements.

Scott also centres on Napoleon and Josephine’s relationship – the obsessive and jealous tendencies shown through the monologues of his letters, depicting the constant attention and reassurance Napoleon needed from her when away during his many battles. This film leaves you wanting more (and with a mooted four-hour-long cut coming to Apple TV, we might not have to wait too long).

Napoleon is screening at the RBCFT on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 December.

This is the last edition of 2023, so from all at the Community Bulletin team have a great holiday and we will see you all when the bulletin returns on Friday 12 January 2024.