Ootn Aboot Dumfries

IF IT IS ISN'T SUNSHINE AND VANILLA Scott Blair:~ My daughters got handed rape alarms and local SNP Cllr Andrew Ferguson refused to come and hear our concerns at the fountain today and instead quoted that I have exploited my children by protesting and trying to raise awareness. Just last night in Dumfries tho… This has been reported to the police. Staff confirmed the male was asked to leave and was aggressive. Not the first time the same male has been reported either.

HOW MANY KNOWN SEX OFFENDERS ARE THERE IN DUMFRIES and GALLOWAY ??? Scott Blair will be at The Fountain at 11am tomorrow. If you have the same concerns as Scott then please come and stand up for safety. Last week, Senga Beresford from REFORM came at Scott's request and listened to people's concerns. Lovely lady. Cares. Listens. Balls. Meanwhile......... MAIRI McALLAN, the SNP’s housing minister, popped up on the BBC last Sunday to lament that “too few” migrants are coming to Scotland. Apparently this is a crisis, because immigration is “good and necessary” for the economy, hospitality, and health and social care. In other words: more needed, urgently. No bother, just order them in like stock. Well, Ms McAllan, you can put the kettle on and relax. There’s a ready-made solution just down the road. Our neighbours in England seem to have a rather… steady supply arriving daily. Boatloads, you might say. I’m sure if you ask nicely, they’d be delighted to share. Though I cannot guarantee that they will be much use in health and social care.

THERE IS MORE TO THIS THAN MEETS THE EYE ! Dumfries & Galloway Council says it is “safeguarding public funds” as it pursues legal action over £65,000 owed by DJR Sport Ltd, pulling access to the Ice Bowl and ruling out any future agreement. OUCH! The Solway Sharks say they lost key income streams, missed 10 weeks of ice time and still paid over £89,000 to the council, yet now face being shut out completely. That is the full force of enforcement in action. Set that beside the council’s own figures: £712,506 in council tax written off in the last financial year. Quietly removed from the books. No public statement, no sanctions, no headlines. No one disputes that debts must be dealt with, but when a much loved local sports club is pursued over £65k while more than ten times that amount is written off elsewhere, the question is "WHY THE INCONSISTENCY?"

NOT QUITE THE DOCTORS AND DENTISTS WE WERE PROMISED Turns out not every small boat arrival is a dentist, doctor or brain surgeon after all. This latest case in Brighton involved three "asylum seekers" convicted of a vile beach rape attack, with one also revealed in court as a convicted murderer who had fled Egypt to escape a long prison sentence. We are not at war with Egypt are we? All three are failed asylum seekers, still being housed at tax payer expense in a hotel. Funny how we keep getting sold the glossy brochure version, while the public deals with the small print. How many more “highly skilled professionals” are we expected to welcome before someone admits the system is broken?

ARCHANGEL MICHAEL IS NEARLY HERE... Rising from paper mâché ~ carrying an ancient message. Archangel Michael is a symbol of courage, protection and truth. The patron Saint of Dumfries. Taking shape under Ildiko's remarkable hands. Just look at the delicacy and determination of the figure's face. A reminder that strength is not noise or cruelty, bombs or threats. It is standing firm for what is right, shielding the vulnerable and bringing light where darkness gathers. facebook.com/profile.php?id…

A SIMPLE INVITATION.

Invading forces often try to assert total control over a population so sexual violence becomes a way of humiliating individuals and symbolically, the whole community. In some conflicts, rape is used deliberately to terrorise populations, force displacement or destroy social structures. Protecting our children should be a deep, instinctive drive in all humans, as it is in animals. It’s one of the strongest social and biological drives humans have, linked to empathy, survival of the group and basic moral development. The fact that many politicians and particularly First Minister John Swinney do not seem to have this instinct, speaks volumes.

AND THE CARBON FOOTPRINT IS? What's Ed got to say about the pollution being generated in this case? Net Zero is a scam!

I'LL CALL IT WHAT I BLOODY LIKE ! Probably the last lot of Seville oranges for a while as the oranges come from Europe. My latest box of fruit from CROWD FARMING has 8 very large eating oranges (I can't call them "navel oranges as it makes me giggle) So I have found a recipe for a marmalade using oranges, lemons and vanilla. All organic of course. Meanwhile, today I am erecting another polytunnel. Solely for tomatoes. Can't cook without tomatoes.

JOKING ASIDE. I think we should set up our own bank, pay our council tax into it and then use the money for OUR good, not council officer's pensions. You got any better ideas?

@Kaetror Oh Dear. "Great" as in good. No one was bussed in. People who had heard about the protest came because they felt they wanted to support it. No need to spread out to look larger. Last week there were only ten but we survived that too. And we are growing.

@PodScotlan73457 Great gathering? There was like 20 of you. And by the looks of twitter most of them were bussed in. The actual people of Dumfries walked right on by and wanted fuck all to do with you. Watched you all spread out to try look like an actual crowd showed up 😂

A GREAT GATHERING AT THE FOUNTAIN today. Much more people, experiences shared and resolve strengthened. The police were good. Moved closer to the demo when a man began to shout at the group, demanding we "Get a job!" I was seriously offended and considered making a complaint to the police under Section 38. “Threatening or Abusive Behaviour” of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 But Scott Blair invited the man to come and speak with him, having pointed out that he himself had just done a 60 hour week. Oops. All was resolved and the police stayed chatting with the protestors until we dispersed. Thanks and Blessings to everyone who turned up, especially Kevin the Ranter who drove 100 miles on his scooter to attend. Interviews to follow but need time to edit and collate.

SCOTT DEMONSTRATES THE SOUND OF A RAPE ALARM. Does that fill you with confidence? Seriously. Seagulls are louder!

KEVIN the RANTER who came 100 miles to attend the protest today, breaking the sound barrier on his little yellow scooter! An amazing character. Pleasure to speak with you Kevin. You can find him on X The Truth 📷📷 @KevinTheRanter

A GREAT GRANDMOTHER'S HEARTFELT PLEA at our protest today. She and her family have moved from Bolton to Dalbeattie to find safety.

Let’s have it Dumfries hope to see a great turn out today 👏👏‼️ 11am at the fountain

AMIDST THE NOISE AND THE NONSENSE ~ REMEMBER THE BEAUTY OF DUMFRIES. Thank you Tommy Wright. Picture of The Bandstand at Dock Park Dumfries 2.30 this morning

IT WILL COME TO THIS. Why not People? It is a natural progression of the withdrawal of services by the council and the police. We are already cleaning our town, taking over the flower beds in the town centre, keeping Castledykes Park (which used to have four full time gardeners) Think about it. SAFEGUARD FORCE The Community Is Asking… We Want to Deliver We’re being asked more and more to expand into other areas across our community! But honestly this can only happen if the community pulls together! We want to make that happen! But right now, the reality is simple… we’re stretched too thin. Safeguard Force is 100% volunteer-led. Every patrol you see is made possible by people giving their time. And without more boots on the ground, we simply can’t grow. So this is where YOU come in. If you’ve ever thought about: • Making a real difference • Helping keep your community safe • Being part of something positive and powerful Now is the time to step forward. The more volunteers we have, the more areas we can cover. It’s that simple. Let’s not turn away from the demand — let’s rise to it together. Why not join us today? docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfM… Learn more: safeguardforce.co.uk Or message us directly to get started By the people. For the people. With the people.