Newsletter - 285 - February 2017

Sat & Sun 23rd and 24th Dec – Christmas Collections. 

Recent Events  

Mon 9th Jan – Jock Smith told us about ‘The last 16 years’ – this being his period at the end of his long and distinguished career when he was employed as a liaison officer, based in Germany, handling relations between the Army and German authorities. A very interesting talk! 

Mon 16th Jan – Annual Primary Schools Lunch which was attended by 2 pupils and a helper from 11 of our local primary schools. The speaker Kate Thomson, who recently retired as Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland, provided a very interesting and relevant talk. She explained how she joined the police as a cadet at the age of 17 and how she progressed in her career. She stressed several important factors: 

Mon 23rd Jan -Tom Stevenson showed an interesting video about the history of Lochryan. 

Community Service      

A candidate, Margaret Jamieson, has been identified and presentation arrangements are being made. 

 Mull of Galloway Trail – changes – contributed by Tom Stevenson 

. An alternative route at Dyemill was agreed which involved the Council constructing a footpath along the side of the road to the point of entry to Dyemill land. This alternate route which, going north, crosses the road behind the dwelling house over to the west side of the road and crosses the bridge at the lay-by. It there enters the wood and at the north end, follows the edge of a field until a gate it reached. It then crosses back over the road, turns right along a track before descending steeply to reach the existing path. 

The Council engaged contractors to create the path down the slope at the north end of the diversion and to erected a pedestrian gate at the northern edge of the field. Other work, carried out by Apex, included the erection of waymarkers at the crossing at the south end and also a hand rail up the steep slope from the bridge into the wood. They cut back the verge along the field edge and have promised to do further work there to make the path more level which should ensure that walkers do not encroach onto the cultivated part of the field. Two posts were erected by the Council’s contractors but Apex has agreed to replace these with larger waymarkers with more room for signage. 

Bob Fryer supplied stepping stones for the slope into the wood and transported them to Dyemill. Robert Clark dug into the ground using the small slabs to make suitable steps up the slope. In the wood branches were cut back as well as brambles towards the north end. Dave Kirkwood assisted with the erection of the directional signs and logos.                       

We were fortunate to have the cooperation of Chris Brewis of Ardwell Estates as otherwise the diversion would not have been possible. It was also necessary to have the consent of the tenant regarding the route along the edge of the field. 

Although the diversion has resulted in two more road crossings the route is otherwise very attractive and adds to the variety of the scenery and walking conditions. It has involved a great deal of work and planning over an extended period but should be well worthwhile in the end. 

Gordon Baird has analysed the feedback from last year’s Marathon Trail Race and as a result additional signage will be placed at certain road crossings to ensure that walkers/runners keep to the designated route. In other locations improvements to signage will be made which should make it easier to follow the trail. 

Robert Clark was heavily involved in the planning of the Dyemill diversion and continues to keep a close interest in the trail always looking for ways to improve the experience for walkers. He recently placed staples in the wooden walkway in the Mull Hill Wood and has used piping to protect the barbed wire fence at the stile at the north end of the wood. Bob Fryer supplied more slabs and assisted in transporting them to the wood where Robert and his son will create new steps up to the walkway. There is no doubt that he richly deserved the recent award of a Paul Harris Fellowship. 

And finally -------- Accurate definitions? –