Fiona Reid

MUSIC fans could be potentially be charged £5 per ticket to attend Youth Beatz in Dumfries — which could rescue the festival. The annual two-day fest at Park Farm in Dumfries is under threat for 2025 because the plug could be pulled on funding for next summer. It costs £160,000 to run Youth Beatz and […]

OVER 1000 online surveys have already been submitted as part of the Galloway National Park consultation. NatureScot this week revealed that the first month of consultation has been “busy and diverse”. More than 650 people have already attended the 14 public events and a further 15 are still to be held in the new year. […]

IT’S all change for the annual Christmas Day Dinner at the River of Life Church this year. Their purchase of St Mary’s Church buildings means that the church hall, on St Mary’s Street/Annan Road, will be the new venue for the free meal, which is now in its 21st year. Pastor Mark Smith said: “This […]

TOP tips for surviving a family Christmas have been shared. Relationships Scotland are offering advice to ensure it’s festive joy rather than family conflict across Dumfries and Galloway. They say communication is key but don’t be afraid to seek help if everything becomes too much. Chief executive Stuart Valentine said: “Many people are at risk […]

PEOPLE in this region have been praised for aiding ‘critical’ red squirrel conservation efforts by partaking in the sixth annual Great Scottish Squirrel Survey. Results from the nationwide survey, which took place between the 30 September and 6 October, show that during the week there were 2500 squirrel sightings. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels programme manager […]

A DUMFRIES nurse who works with the NHS 24 hotline has been sharing health hints for the festive period. Clinical supervisor Lee Dickson began working in the contact centre in South Queensferry in November, but has over three years of nursing experience, including working for both NHS Forth Valley and NHS Lothian. As such, Lee […]

A WARNING has been given that parts of Dumfries and Galloway are at risk of being “cut off” as bus routes collapse. New analysis by Scottish Labour has revealed that the number of bus routes in Scotland has plummeted by 44 per cent between 2006/07 and 2023/24 – a loss of more than 1400 routes […]

A SPECIAL demonstration on electric vehicles was given to pupils at Lochmaben Primary. Dumfries and Galloway College lecturer Shaun McEwan recently visited the school to talk to Primary 1 and 2 pupils. His visit, which combined learning and fun, featured a dynamic presentation and a hands-on display of electric vehicles (EVs). Shaun’s interactive session introduced […]

A FARMER who also serves a Dumfries community as a councillor has hit out at the UK Government over controversial tax changes affecting the agricultural industry. Graham Bell, who runs a beef farm on the outskirts of the town and also represents the North West Dumfries ward, described the move to limit agricultural property relief […]

AN inquest was opened today into the death of a man in Annan last month. And Cockermouth Coroners’ Court in Cumbria heard that 58-year-old Joseph Ernest Johnston died of stab wounds. He was found dead inside his burnt out flat in Lady Street on November 19. Although the inquiry into his death is being handled […]