For more local information visit the Dalbeattie Matters website.
A Big Year for Dalbeattie
Events Throughout the Coming Year2008 is a BIG year for Dalbeattie. Not only is it the 150th anniversary of Dalbeattie's formation as a Police Burgh, but it is also the 100th anniversary of the opening of Colliston Park.
Since these two events coincide in 2008, many of the Town’s local Groups and Organisations plan to hold a variety of Events throughout the year, thereby offering both local residents and also visitors to the Town a continuous programme of events.
Some of these are listed below, and more will be added as they are known. See also Dalbeattie Community Website for further details of events.
If ever there was a particularly good year to be in this area, then THIS IS IT!
April
17th April– Anniversary of the initial meeting in 1858 which decided to form Dalbeattie into a Police Burgh.
Walk of Police Burgh Boundary of Dalbeattie, via boundary stones.
Display of Burgh History - possibly with WI display of work and teas in Church Hall.
May
4th/5th/6th –May Day Weekend –– Lions Day- lots of Fun and Activities for the whole family in Colliston Park.
24-26 May --Spring Fling 2008--Scotland's premiere Art and Craft Open Studio Event offers you the exciting opportunity to meet with Dumfries and Galloway's talented artists and makers in their individual creative spaces for three days only. Not to be missed. Make a weekend of it in Dumfries and Galloway. More
June
Flower Festival in Parish Church – possibly with WI display of work and teas in Church Hall. Perhaps too a performance of Dalbeattie Music.
7th June – Anniversary of the Election of the 1st Provost 1858.
Dalbeattie Community Council and the Chief of D&G Constabulary to lay a wreath of Flowers at 1st Provosts grave in cemetery.
8th June - Church Service blessing Dalbeattie in the Colliston Park involving all Churches, Norman Hutcheson is contact. Concert by Police Band in Park
July
12th July [Saturday] – Birchvale Bookworms (Book Group) have arranged for two authors to visit Dalbeattie for Book readings.
18th July [Friday] Actual Day -– Anniversary of the Official Opening of Colliston Park 1908.
Official unveiling of New Play Equipment in Colliston Park at some point that weekend – invitation to Lord Lieutenant to perform ceremony with his piper.
20th July [Sunday] – Bandstand Sundae Concerts in Colliston Park [DCI]
August
2nd –9th August. Civic Daze week. A week of various celebrations and events culminating in the Parade of floats, and stalls and events in Colliston Park on August 9th. There will probably also be a Dance in the evening.
September
Walking Festival Weekend – Walks of the area – possibly tying in with talks on the history of the Dalbeattie Area.
October
4th and 5th October—Hardrock Challenge Event. Biathlon cycling / running event in Dalbeattie Forest. This Event is growing in popularity and attracts a huge amount of competitors from all over the UK.
November
Remembrance Day – 90 years since the end of the First World War – Remembering Dalbeattie sons lost in the conflict. Want to put a named Poppy Cross in the ground around the War Memorial for every one lost during this conflict, with a lone piper either on Remembrance Sunday or Tuesday 11th at 11am. There may also be a booklet about those who died. This event may be repeated in 2009 for those who died in the Second World War [70 years since start].
Throughout the year:
History of Dalbeattie Talks/Lectures – a series dates to be confirmed, coupled with walks of the town/places mentioned.
Speakers lined up for talks on: The Moyle, John Paul Jones, Buittle, Covenanters, Bruce and Balliol, Old Dalbeattie. It is also hoped to have a speaker on Smuggling/Shipping but this is not yet confirmed
There will be lovely Floral Displays in Colliston Park and Town, including Town Crest.
We hope it might also be possible to secure the loan of Dalbeattie Items from Kirkcudbright Museum, to display in Dalbeattie Museum.
A series of Dances in the Town Hall – varied to appeal to all ages, e.g. Big Band/Jazz, Current Music for younger generation [possibly in High School], 50’s/60’s, 70’s/80’s.
Watch out for more details of all these and more events which we will publish here when known.
Souvenirs
We hope to have a series of small items such as Calendars, Cards, Mugs, etc. to commemorate the Anniversaries, and possibly also a Booklet about Colliston Park, and one of WW1 Soldiers, with a further possibility of another for WW2 Soldiers.