Singing and songwriting are a communal event. It is through these shared experiences and shared expressions people can explain to themselves and to outsiders what their community is or was, and what it needs. Creating art builds confidence. Singing your experiences and your history tells the world you exist and you matter…
New Year, New You?
So what have you decided on: Veganuary? Dry January? Run Every Day of January? Lordie, I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling exhausted and overwhelmed just thinking about all of this. Can someone pass me the (half-eaten) toblerone please?
Five Christmas Hacks
Having said that he wanted a Lego Train for Christmas for weeks, nae months, the oldest one casually dropped into conversation last night that he hoped Santa knew it was the red and white Lego Train he wanted…
A Winter Walk in Houston
Rated: Easy
Distance: 5 miles approx
Points of interest: Ancient tree, Peter’s Well, Crosslee Mill, Pub!
The New Chocolate Company
I am welcomed to the beautifully furnished waiting rooms at The New Chocolate Company by a friendly young woman called Niamh. She brings me a very welcome cup of tea and five of the most exquisite chocolates I have ever seen…
The Interview
Chris Forbes is an award winning actor and stand-up comedian best known for his role as PC Charlie MacIntosh in BBC Scotland’s hit comedy, Scot Squad. Rona Simpson caught up with him in Bernie’s Cafe & Deli last month.
The Sourcery
Gillian Gilchrist – owner of The Sourcery at Quarrier’s Village – explains the inspiration behind her store…
Whatever Happened To… Guising!
I usually hate it when people harp on about how things were better when they were a kid, but … umm… here goes. Halloween was better when I was a kid. It’s true. The reasons are threefold…
Santa Experiences – Are They Worth It?
The closest you got to a Santa Experience back in the 80s was going to Brownies to find the school jannie, with a pillow stuck up his dukes, wearing a tight-fitting Santa suit, wonky beard and surly expression…
Finding Your Feet… On Kilimanjaro
The first thing I think when I meet Corinne Hutton, in the car park of Amaretto, is that she looks incredibly fit. But then she has been doing some serious training. This week, Corinne will attempt to scale Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain.