Dumfries Guid Nychburris – 15June 2024
 The annual Guid Nychburris Festival is one of the highlights of the year for many in Dumfries.Each summer, several towns throughout the region hold festivals celebrating the centuries-old custom of riding their boundaries, or ‘marches’. Many of these festivals are held over several days with traditional ceremonies and declarations, dances, concerts and parades taking place. In Dumfries it is called Guid Nychburris and takes its name from a time when anyone committing a crime would be instructed to be a ‘Guid Nychburr’ (good neighbour) or face the consequences!There have been various events throughout the week while Guid Nychburris Day itself is held on Saturday 15th June. Horses gather from around 7.30am before they set off to Ride the Marches, returning to town around midday when the charter is read and the Queen of the South is crowned at the Midsteeple on the High Street. Expect on-street performances and a grand parade through the town in the afternoon. |
 A souvenir guide and programme of events (priced at £3.00) is on sale from various local outlets and businesses, or check Guid Nychburris Association | Dumfries | FacebookOver the next few weeks and months look out for other Common Ridings in Annan, Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbright, Langholm, Lockerbie, Sanquhar and Wigtown.Now ceremonial, Common Ridings can be traced back to the 13th – 17th centuries when the lands on either side of the border with England were in constant dispute. Townspeople would ride the marches on horseback to protect their common lands and prevent raids and cattle theft (known as ‘reiving’) by neighbouring landlords. |
Marking the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings
 Commemorative events took place to mark the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings on Thursday 6 June, including a Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony at Garlieston War Memorial. |
 The D-Day Landings of 6 June 1944 was the largest seaborne invasion in history. Along with the associated airborne operations, it marked the beginning of the liberation of France and western Europe.In order to get supplies and other materials ashore after the landings, the military had been secretly planning, testing and developing a system of temporary portable harbours. In our region, Garlieston Harbour was chosen as the location for the secret trial runs of the prototype harbours, known as the Mulberry Harbour. |
 Given the strategic importance of the role that Garlieston played, it has been chosen as the location to commemorate this significant anniversary in Dumfries and Galloway. Legion Scotland personnel from across the region came together to take part in a series of events including a parade and wreath laying ceremony.The parade included a display of Vintage Army Vehicles and Pipers from the Lochryan Pipe Band. Children from local schools, community groups and Council representatives attended the event and His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Wigtown, Mrs Aileen Brewis, unveiled a commemorative bench and addressed the parade.All this demonstrates the region’s support for people in the Armed Forces who fight so that the rest of their country can remain free. |
Pride Month June 2024
 Pride Month is the annual celebration of the many contributions made by the LGBTQ+ community to history, society and cultures worldwide. Pride Month is celebrated throughout the month of June each year in commemoration of its roots in the Stonewall Riots of June 1969. Dumfries and Galloway Council highlighted support for Pride Month by flying the Pride Progress Flag at every flag pole in the region, and you may have noticed other local businesses displaying the flag, too. Locally, LGBTQ+ people are supported by Dumfries and Galloway LGBT+ Project whose mission is to provide a safe and inclusive environment for people to connect, grow and thrive. The project supports the LGBT+ community and their families across Dumfries and Galloway and helps to raise the profile and awareness of specific issues which affect the LGBTQ+ community. They also offer a variety of services and events, including counselling, support groups, educational workshops and social events, and their experienced team is here to provide guidance and support, whether you’re seeking information, advice, or just a friendly chat. One local LGBTQ+ event of note is the Bi-Group Gathering in Dumfries which was held on 1 June 2024.The Bi-Group, based in Dumfries, meets regularly for socials and other activities in a family -friendly alcohol-free environment. All open-minded people are welcome, whether bisexual, curious or interested in finding out more about bisexuality. Partners, friends and family of bi people are welcome, too. Held on the first Saturday of the month at The Centre, Hestan Southwest, Crichton, Bankend Road, Dumfries DG1 4TA from 12pm to 3pm (wheelchair accessible). For more information please email iain@lgbtplus.org.uk |
Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024
 You may have seen in the news recently that there’s a new law in the UK which means some people seeking asylum may be removed to Rwanda. Not all of the circumstances around the new law are fully clear yet, but it’s important to understand that the law will only affect people who are classed as asylum seekers. The term asylum seeker refers to a person who is currently waiting for a decision on their application for asylum here in the UK. The law will not apply to you if you have already received a positive asylum decision and have been granted ‘Leave to Remain’. The law will also not necessarily apply to everyone currently seeking asylum in the UK, which is why it is important to seek legal guidance if you think you may be affected. If you are living in the UK on a valid and recognised visa scheme, or as part of a recognised resettlement programme, then the law will not apply to you and you will not be considered for removal to Rwanda. If you are a person who is seeking asylum in the UK and you are being considered for removal to Rwanda, the Home Office will contact you directly with a letter. If you have any concerns about the new law, or you feel you want to get further information or support, you can contact the Scottish Refugee Council (SRC) – SRC can help you with legal representation and will give advice on what to do if you are being considered for removal under this law. |
UK General Election
 The Prime Minister has announced that the next general election will take place on Thursday 4 July 2024. The UK Parliament is made up of two ‘Houses’ – the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons has 650 Members of Parliament (MPs). Each MP represents a part of the UK called a ‘constituency’. There are 2 constituencies covering different parts of Dumfries and Galloway. At a General election, electors have one vote to choose a candidate to represent their constituency in the House of Commons. Most candidates are from a political party but there can also be independent candidates. After a general eEection, the leader of the party with the most MPs is invited by the King to become Prime Minister and to form a government that will run the country. To be eligible to vote at the UK general election you must be registered to vote and: 18 years of age or over on polling daybe a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizenbe resident at an address in the UK (or a UK citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years)not be legally excluded from votingYou can choose to vote in person at your local polling station on election day, apply to vote by post, or apply for a proxy vote so that a trusted person can vote on your behalf. Voters in Scotland now need to show photo ID to vote at polling places at UK parliamentary elections. |
Health matters
Pharmacy First
 The Health Service is our region is very busy, particularly our main hospital in Dumfries and local Doctors in GP Practices. To help reduce the pressure on them, if you have a minor illness, a Pharmacy is the first place you should go for advice. You do not usually need an appointment and you can go to any pharmacy if you are registered with a GP Practice.Your local pharmacist or a trained member of the pharmacy team will give you advice and provide medicine if needed. They may refer you to another healthcare professional if they feel your condition needs further investigation or more specialist care. For example your:GP practicedentistoptometristanother NHS service |
Tuberculosis
 Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious but preventable and treatable bacterial infection primarily spread from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person. TB usually shows as lung infection but sometimes it can spread to other parts of the body. The treatment is usually with antibiotics.People with ‘latent’ TB infection often do not have any symptoms. Without treatment, about 10% of people with latent TB infection will develop TB diseaseGeneral symptoms of TB disease include:Unexplained weight lossLoss of appetiteNight sweatsFeverFatigueSwollen glandsCoughing for 3 weeks or longerCoughing up bloodChest painShortness of breathPeople with TB disease are considered infectious and may spread it to others.If you wish to discuss TB screening further talk to your GP, health visitor, resettlement officer or email dg.hpt@nhs.scotThere is a vaccine which prevents the more serious forms of TB in children. However, the vaccine does not prevent TB in all cases and so testing is important. |
Creative Legacies exhibition at Kirkcudbright Galleries
Location: Gallery 2, Kirkcudbright Galleries, St Mary Street, Kirkcudbright DG6 4AA Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm, Sundays: 11:30 – 5pm. Free entry, donations welcome .
Creative Legacies is an exhibition on show now at Kirkcudbright Galleries until Sunday 16 June.
The exhibition celebrates the art of William Hanna Clarke (1882-1924) and his great niece Alison Kinnaird MBE, an internationally renowned glass artist.
One of Alison’s works – ‘War Memorial’ – is on show as part of the exhibition.
‘War Memorial’ was recently on display in the Scottish Parliament before coming to Kirkcudbright Galleries. It represents the fragility of life in time of war. Inspired by hearing the names of battles in the Ukraine, it features the names of battles and conflicts throughout time and throughout history.
Place names from Ukraine are already included, and more recently, Gaza. The child shows the effect of war on the civilian population, but also represents the child within each soldier, who are individual human beings, sent out to enact conflict.
Borders Book Festival
For any book fans who might want to venture further afield than Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders Book Festival takes place in and around the gardens of Harmony House in Melrose from 13-16 June 2024.
With the latest fiction, current affairs, history, and politics, along with personalities from sport, music and entertainment, there is something for every age and interest.
Visitors can also enjoy local artisan food and drink, browse the bookshop and marketplace, and be entertained by local artists and musicians, all in the beautiful surroundings of the Scottish Borders.
One of the events taking place on Sunday 16 June features the publication of a collection of vivid and powerful testimonies from the conflict in Ukraine, collated and illustrated by award-winning artist George Butler.
 George Butler: Words and Pictures from the Ukraine Conflict “While reporting on the war in Ukraine, award-winning artist George Butler has created a striking and intimate collection of testimonies and illustrations to introduce us to the people behind the headlines. His drawings were made not in a studio but in the missile-scarred streets of the cities and towns, and close to the front line. These powerful portraits of war and conflict are also a timely reminder of the humanity we all share and our universal need for peace. Remember Also Me: Words and Pictures from the Ukraine Conflict is a stunning, illuminating and sensitive look at stories that deserve to be told.” |
Scottish Refugee Festival – June 2024
Watch out for a special Bulletin coming next week about the Scottish Refugee Festival including local events and how you can support it on social media!