Features Sneak Peek: August 20, 2022 Issue

Morag Fleming explores galleries, museums and cafes in Kirkcudbright, in the August 20, 2022 issue of “The People’s Friend”.

Kirkcudbright has been the Artists’ Town since the 1800s, when it became a popular place for artists to exhibit – led by the local Faed family. Historically, artists have taught and encouraged others here and the momentum has continued to this day.

It certainly has a lot of art going on, but there is more to the town as well, as Morag finds out.

Join Morag as she visits Kirkcudbright Galleries. Housed in what used to be the town hall, there are three floors of exhibition space. The ground floor houses a permanent exhibition explaining how this came to the Artists’ Town.

The Stewartry Museum is just along the road from the galleries and holds a hotchpotch of archaeological finds from various eras. There are other interesting museums and galleries to see here besides these ones.

This lovely little town has plenty of tea rooms, gift shops, card shops and pubs. It’s a great place for a browse. With so much to see and do, you won’t be bored here!

Cornwall Gleaning Network

Photograph courtesy of Cornwall Gleaning Network.

They take to fields armed with knives and an eye on the luscious produce lying before them. Hours later they’ll head off with sacks and baskets filled with all sorts of tasty fruit and vegetables.

But farmers are more than happy for them to come in and help themselves free of charge. They are the fast-growing army of gleaners, descending on farms across the country, clearing crops which would otherwise go to waste.

Once collected, the perfectly fine produce is distributed to food banks and other organisations helping out as the cost-of-living crisis bites deep.

Cornwall Gleaning Network is one such group of people who are doing their bit to help others. Bill Gibb chats to co-ordinator Jeni Duncan to find out more.

Dogs With Jobs

Photograph courtesy of Jess Martin.

There’s nothing quite like a loyal good friend. They love you, look out for you and are always willing to give you a little assistance if you need a helping hand.

In the case of Toby, a twelve-year-old Border terrier, he’ll do anything to lend a paw to help his best four-legged friend. Over the years, gentle, sweet and protective Toby has taken on a very special and important job – being a bodyguard to his blind buddy Amos.

Lorna Cowan finds out more in the magazine.

Archive Of Dialect

Photograph by Jonnie Robinson.

Of all of Britain’s exports, the English language is probably the one that has reached furthest around the world. Yet within the boundaries of our own country, there are huge variations in its use.

Two villages might speak entirely differently, and as soon as you cross county lines and borders, there will be differences in the words and accents that are used.

One man who knows everything about our language’s history is Jonnie Robinson, Lead Curator of Spoken English for the British Library. In the magazine, Features Ed Alex hears more about the library’s fascinating archive.

Elsewhere in the August 20, 2022 issue, we have a collection of delicious chicken recipes. Plus we have a knitting and crochet project offering you the chance to help charity by creating a dressing gown or jacket.

We hope you enjoy it. Let us know what you think.