Recently added articles from Galloway Gazette (Newton Stewart, Scotland):

[pounds sterling]1.5bn takover sparks job fears.

Jul 18, 2008 ... WORRIED workers at two of Newton Stewart's major employers have been left wondering what the future holds - after a [pounds sterling]1.58bn takeover deal was struck. Bosses at the Co-operative Group announced this week that they had bought Somerfield in a bid to cement the ...

DGHP hit by power blunder.

Jul 18, 2008 ... THE much-heralded demolition of a fire-damaged house in Whithorn by Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership turned in farce on Monday morning. Just before the first blow was struck, it was discovered the electricity supply was still live - three years after the house went up ...

Fact-finder visit from justice chief.

Jul 18, 2008 ... During his visit to Dumfries and Galloway, the Justice Secretary will also be at the police HQ in Dumfries where he will meet police officers who have recently completed their training, officers who have completed their two year probation, officers who mentor new recruits to the force and ...

Police blitz anti-social behaviour.

Jul 18, 2008 ... POLICE in Galloway this week launched a summertime blitz on booze-fuelled violence. The campaign, run with all other Scots forces, started on Monday and will run through until Sunday 10th August 2008. The four-week focus aims to reduce violence and anti-social behaviour ...

Anglers get blame for putting sea birds at risk.

Jul 18, 2008 ... ANGLERS fishing from rocks at the Mull of Galloway are putting the breeding sea bird population at risk, it was claimed this week. The main breeding season for the sea birds at the Mull is generally between the end of May and late July. The cliffs upon which the birds make their ...

Benromach cycle victory for Ewan.

Jul 18, 2008 ... EWAN Thorburn is top of the (Kirrough)tree after a titanic tussle at the weekend with close rival Michael Bossard. Thrilled Ewan was crowned champion at the second of No Fuss Events' Benromach Three Tens Series of mountain bike endurance races following a hard-fought battle. ...

Pre-season off to a gala start.

Jul 18, 2008 ... STRANRAER continued their good early pre-season form when they travelled to Gala Fairydean on Saturday and recorded a 3-0 win. GALA FAIRYDEAN 0 STRANRAER 3 This game came hot on the heels of another 3-0 pre-season win over a Gerry Britton-managed Partick ...

Fire-death house razed after three years.

Jul 10, 2008 ... A HOUSE blighted by tragedy is finally to be torn down - and replaced by one of the most eco-friendly homes in the region. A terrible fire at 15 The Park, Whithorn, in June 2005 claimed the life of popular resident Ian 'Ibo' Bodle. Mr Bodle, the secretary of Wigtown ...

Councillor's fears over 'hospital downgrade'.

Jul 10, 2008 ... A WORRIED councillor has voiced concern that health chiefs may have a hidden agenda to downgrade the Galloway Community Hospital in Stranraer. The fears come after a shortage of doctors saw the year-old hospital left without accident and emergency cover for at least seven days ...

Record entry for Kirroughtree cycling event.

Jul 10, 2008 ... ENTRIES are at record levels for tomorrow's big mountain bike event at Kirroughtree, organisers revealed this week. The event is the second in the Benromach Three Tens Series of endurance cross-country mountain bike events. In 2007, 326 mountain bike riders of all ...

Hotel residents evacuated after car park fire.

Jul 10, 2008 ... A HOTEL had to be evacuated after an alleged fire-raising incident at the weekend. Ten residents were led to safety from Creebridge House Hotel, Minnigaff, in the early hours of Saturday. A 15-year-old youth has been charged and is expected to appear in court at a ...

Zoe to join Blue Peter book panel.

Jul 10, 2008 ... THRILLED Wigtown Primary School pupil Zoe Bestel is celebrating this week - after being chosen to appear on Blue Peter. Producers from the popular children's programme visited the area recently looking for a child to join their judging panel for The Blue Peter Book Awards 2009 ....

Ex-Pats - Bill McQuaid.

Jul 10, 2008 ... This week, the Gazette launches an occasional series looking at the fortunes of people who have taken the decision to leave Galloway and try their luck elsewhere. We start with regular letters correspondent Bill McQuaid, of Bondi, Australia. Here, Bill - who still gets his copy ...

Hotel owners served notice.

Jul 04, 2008 ... OWNERS of the former Grapes Hotel in Newton Stewart have been served with an order from planners to spruce the building up after councillors this week agreed the prominent landmark was an embarrassment to the town. Westrock Developments will now be forced to paint the frontage, ...

Rotary climbers make the finish - just!

Jul 04, 2008 ... A LUNG-bursting sprint to the finish line saw the team from the Rotary Club of Newton Stewart beat the 24-hour challenge to climb 'the three peaks' by a mere six minutes. The Rotarians - Keith Best, Jim Hamilton, Cliff Hope, Mike Kneeshaw, Martin Marsh, Ken McCubbin, Bob Peace ...

Stranraer Sheriff Court Files.

Jul 04, 2008 ... Court files from Stranraer Sheriff Court, July 1st 2008. Couple in court A NEWTON Stewart couple appeared in court this week after a rammy at their home. Larraine Moore (30) and John O'Neill (34), both of Hillview Apartments on York Road, admitted ...

Anger as Hut is trashed.

Jul 03, 2008 ... THERE was shock and outrage amongst the members of the Newton Stewart Youth Project on Monday morning when they discovered their premises, The Hut, behind Penninghame Church, had been broken into. With money and stock stolen, the matter is now under police investigation. ...

Ex scout leader appears in court.

Jul 03, 2008 ... THE former Newton Stewart picture framer arrested over child sex abuse claims has appeared via video-link in court in Northern Ireland. Wilson Reid (49), who was arrested at his Glebe Crescent home, appeared before Armargh Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he made no plea and ...

Drowned man case re-opened.

Jul 03, 2008 ... THIRTY-TWO years after a young Wigtown man was found drowned in the River Dee at Kirkcudbright, police have reopened investigations into the circumstances. Douglas Wallace, aged 19, was working on a farm near Kirkcudbright when the tragedy happened in 1976. A police ...

Weston joins 'Scottish' elite.

Jul 03, 2008 ... Dumfries star David Bogie kept his title hopes alive by taking maximum points on Saturday's RSAC Scottish Rally - the fifth round of the County Saab Scottish Championship. It was a superb performance by the young driver as he powered his Toyota Corolla WRC through the six stages ...