March meeting

Last night saw the Society bring to a close the 2023/24 season.  We started the season with the bold ambition of streaming our meetings from the hall so that we can include our world wide family of members. Those that preferred could also view the recorded meeting on YouTube.  Hopefully we have been successful?  We have certainly managed to provide some excellent speakers. Last night’s meeting “The Galloway Nag: the remarkable story of a little known horse” is now available on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSRVe8rzRE0   Look out for next year’s programme at the end of August and the first meeting of next session ought to be on Wednesday 9th.

Shipwrecked: Second Mate James McNish

 

 

Some folk might remember Mrs McNish as an elderly lady who lived at The Dhoon House during the 50’s. Jenny Roberts, a Museum Volunteer has written a blog describing the finding of information regarding a shipwreck involving her husband when he was a second Mate. Unfortunately the Museum have no photographs or memorabilia known to be linked to him but would be grateful if some could be found.

James McNish got his Masters Certificate in 1903 and died in 1950. He and his wife are buried in Kirkandrews Kirkyard, Borgue.

For Jenny’s blog .Shipwrecked Captain McNish

Kirkcudbright Lifeboat

Kirkcudbright Lifeboat was first on station in 1862. This was the Helen Lees The original Lifeboat Station was at the entrance to the Public Park at the top end of St Cuthberts St. From here the use was made of a wheeled carriage down the street to the harbour which was where the Harbour Square is now.  There is an excellent little book “The Story of Kirkcudbright Lifeboat Station 1862- 1993 “by Dr R N Rutherfurd and T R Collin, which is unfortunately out of print now. Over the years we have had several articles including many images recording the boats that have been on station. These articles can all be found at https://www.kirkcudbrighthistorysociety.org.uk/?s=Lifeboat  When on the page click on the link to gain access to the article.

Jimmy Gordon’s Doggerel.

 

 

Jimmy’s love of doggerel was well known. Maybe that is why he enjoyed participating in the Gilbert and Sullivan productions staged by the Choral Society? We can’t let him go without including some of his rhymes usually devised to mark an important event. For this reason Jack has decided to include some of his work in the final instalment of his coverage of Jimmy’s life. We hope you enjoy them. Jimmy Gordon’s Doggerel

The Story of Carsluith

Well-known local and family historian Dr David Hannay of Carsluith has recently published a 114-page history of his village and  community – The Story of Carsluith.  He traces the history of the immediate area around the village from prehistoric times, but devotes particular attention to the more recent history of the village and considers its future, in an account which is particularly well-illustrated with archive photographs.

The booklet, priced £10, is available from Oakhill Cafe, Carsluith Castle.

 

Heritage Service: Explore your past

 

The Dumfries and Galloway Heritage Service holds a vast amount of resources which can be accessed easily by those researching family and local history. After an initial delay with the slide shift this excellent presentation by Alison Burgess, Team Leader with the service, describes what it does, what it contains and how it can be accessed.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFfawadYcis