The Buzz

At our July 14 meeting, Janet introduced Andre Barrallon who talked about the Seychelles. Off the coast of Africa, it becamse independent in 1972. We saw an aerial view of the runway next to the sea on the main island. The population is now mainly African.

On July 28, Les introduced Anne Twiname who showed us a video about nature’s wonders in Dumfries and Galloway, including the Cairnsmore hills with planes and helicopters on exercise. We saw different kinds of butterflies and bees among lavender and white campanulas. There were different kinds of birds including barnacle geese at Caerlaverock – nature is a wonderful thing!

Bette introduced Les at our August 11 meeting, and he gave an interesting talk on A Walk Through Dumfries. He took us down memory lane, telling us of interesting places. We started at the fountain and remembered when the County Hotel was there – as well as discussing Bonnie Prince Charlie sleeping there many years ago. We remembered Binns department store and all the buses leaving from outside it, as well as the Kings Arms Hotel where Boots is now. We went on to the Globe, where Rabbie Burns frequented, and to the beautiful statue of Jean Armour.

The next meetings for the Buzz are on September 8 – “Citizens’ Advice” – and September 22 – “Dumfries and Cumbria Greyhound Rescue”.

Hong Kong was the first stop off with a trip around the harbour on a floating restaurant boat, then onto New Zealand visiting Auckland, home of the maori and the haka dance. Wellington was the next stop, where Lord of the Rings was filmed. We also saw slides showing whale hunting and panning for gold. On to The Franz Josef glacier, which we walked around without feeling cold! A visit to Dunedin and St Paul's Cathedral, Margaret met people with the familiar Scottish accent. Flying on to Fiji, we visited the Garden of the Sleeping Giant where gorgeous orchids grow.The views from her bedroom in Kuala Lumpur were breathtaking, looking at the Kings Palace and the six-storey Pertona Towers mall, a shopper's paradise.

June 2 was our summer outing and 38 members left for a visit to the Cocoa Bean Chocolate Factory in Twynholm. This is a small, family-run business producing award-winning chocolates. We were given a demonstration of how the chocolates are produced with one member helping. We finished our visit with afternoon tea, home baking and buying some chocolates!

On June 16, Jeanette opened our meeting with apologies from our speaker for the day Mrs Ellen Bell who was unfortunately ill. Mrs Kathleen Greer kindly played her clarsach for us and delighted us with various tunes from musicals. After our sing song we lubricated our singing voices with afternoon tea to finish a very enjoyable session.

Future meetings: July 14 The Seychelles with Andre, July 28 Natural Habits with Ann, August 11 Clarsach music with Kathleen Greer, August 25 Speakers Club with Helen Little. We are always happy to have new members, so whether you attend our church or not you will be made very welcome. The Buzz meets every second Monday at 2pm in the church halls.

For the women in service, wash days were very long and hard work, using wash boards and wringers and heavy irons for different types of clothing.

Finally, Kate asked Isobel Evans to be our model and dressed her in the various layers of clothing which women had to tolerate, but when dressed up Isobel was very elegant.

At our meeting on May 5, Liz welcomed Donald (in the absence of his father Tommy) and Shona Henderson from Dalbeattie Museum. They gave us a film show on the history of Dumfries. Until 1929 Dumfries and Maxwelltown were two different burghs. At one time the Devorgilla Bridge had nine arches, but now it has only six. When the weather was very cold and frosty the people of Dumfries could skate and curl on the River Nith.

In 1893, Buccleuch Street Bridge was widened to allow horses to cross over on to the Whitesands to go to the market. After the cholera epidemic piped water was introduced but the
Crichton Royal Hospital already had their own supply from the artesian well which was cleaner and healthier for people. We were also told about industry in and around Dumfries, such as Arrol Johnston car factory and saw the cargoes being transported along the Nith. At the end of the presentation we were shown a collection of old postcards - what an interesting hobby.

We had an enjoyable afternoon and for anyone who has not yet visited the museum in Dalbeattie, it is worth a look.

Forthcoming dates – on June 2 we go on our summer outing to the Cocoa Bean, Twynholm. The bus leaves the church hall at 1.30pm, returning 5pm. Our meeting on June 16 is Auld Dumfries with Ellen and on 30th it's members' day.

There were biker weddings, with couples married in all their biker gear; Americans wearing jeans; and one bride wearing a purple dress, with arrivals in transport from limousines, ponies and traps to motorbikes.

She closed by doing a monologue of a clootie dumpling, and with her sense of humour and wonderful Aberdonian accent it was a lovely afternoon, enjoyed by everyone, and followed by afternoon tea.

Saturday April 5 was our coffee morning and it was very busy. The committee would like to thank everyone who helped in any way and to everyone who came along and supported us to make it a success. The final sum raised was £583.70.

Our forthcoming meetings are: May 19 New Zealand, Fiji and Borneo with Margaret; June 2 our summer outing, still being arranged; June 16 Auld Dumfries with Ellen.