Tasty new event to boost D&G's economy
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Dumfries & Galloway is set to become a May Day Bank Holiday destination for food lovers with the help of a new event to encourage foodie tourists to visit the region. Developed by Savour the Flavours of Dumfries & Galloway, Flavour Taster will be a four day celebration of Dumfries & Galloway food and drink, a bite sized version of the autumnal Flavour Fortnight event, taking place from 4th – 7th May 2012.
The introduction of the new spring food festival was triggered after an independent evaluation of Flavour Fortnight stated that organisers had created a 'nationally important event and a food tourism product from the passion and enthusiasm of the artisan food and drink industry in Dumfries & Galloway.' The research noted that Flavour Fortnight had an economic impact of at least £193,689 and had significant potential as a tourism driver for the region.
Flavour Taster has been developed by Savour the Flavours to capitalise on the success of Flavour Fortnight and the growing interest across the UK in local and artisan food and drink.
Liz Ramsay, Project Manager of Savour the Flavours, said:
"Flavour Taster gives us an opportunity to put quality local food and drink right at the heart of the tourism experience in Dumfries & Galloway. We have some truly world class products in this region, as well as inspirational people in the industry who are happy to share their passion with visitors to Dumfries & Galloway. The success of Flavour Fortnight in becoming one of Scotland's biggest food festivals in just two years is a testament to the creativity and the enthusiasm of the industry here.
"Our hope is that Flavour Taster will help introduce foodies to Dumfries & Galloway and encourage visitors who are already here to discover the flavours of our region, and we hope it will encourage more visitors to return for longer breaks in the autumn to enjoy Flavour Fortnight.
"Ultimately we want the two events, Flavour Taster and Flavour Fortnight, to position Dumfries & Galloway as a nationally important food tourism destination."
Savour the Flavours is funded by LEADER and Dumfries & Galloway Council, and Dumfries & Galloway Council have provided extra funding for Flavour Taster through the South of Scotland Business Competitive Project, a new European funded project that supports local businesses and promotes economic growth.
Cllr Roger Grant, Chair of Dumfries & Galloway Council's Planning, Housing and Environment Committee said:
"I am delighted that Dumfries & Galloway Council has been able to support the continued development of food tourism events in the region through the ERDF funded South of Scotland Business Competitiveness Project. Our Council's service level agreement with VisitScotland means that we can market events of this type in this country and beyond with a view to maximising visitor numbers.
"Food and drink and tourism are two of Dumfries & Galloway's priority industries. The introduction of Flavour Taster is an exciting new addition to our region's events calendar and provides a fantastic opportunity for local producers and retailers to showcase our region's food and drink right at the start of the tourism season."
The Flavour Taster programme of events will be unveiled in early spring and people who want to register to receive information about Dumfries & Galloway's food events should visit www.flavourfortnight.co.uk .
| REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene Course Thu May 24 @09:30 - 04:30PM This Elementary Food Hygiene Certificate of the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) will provide food handlers and businesses with the necessary information to control food safety hazards and if applied correctly will reduce food complaints and the risk of food poisoning. The course covers the following areas: · Introduction to food hygiene · Bacteria and their characteristics · Food poisoning and it’s prevention · Food pests and their control · Personal hygiene and working habits · The working environment and cleaning practices · Food safety legislation Hazard analysis, and the implementation of food safety systems based on HACCP principles is incorporated into the course content. At the end of this course there is a short multiple-choice test. All successful candidates receive a REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene certificate. We offer “open” courses on a regular basis, courses can also be delivered in-house working around production shifts where possible. Successful candidates may progress to the REHIS Intermediate Certificate in Food Hygiene. Courses are training room based and interactive in nature. Joanna Woodford Minerva People Ltd Training / Workshop |
| Linking Entrepreneurs Meeting – Service Quality Thu May 24 @17:30 - 07:30PM Driving up Service Quality is one of the best ways to keep and generate customers. This session will look at simple and effective ways of improving Service Quality. Dave Moyes, Lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland will contribute his expertise and will focus on practical help and things that you can do now to improve customer service. Venue: Selkirk Arms Hotel, Kirkcudbright. 17.30 hrs for 18.00 hrs finishing at 19.30 hrs Cost: £10 + VAT Further Information: If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Hannah at the Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce Forum / Open Meeting |
| Dogs and Horses on Show at Barstobrick Sat May 26 @11:00 -
On Saturday 26 Dumfries and Galloway Canine Resuce Centre has its Fun Day Dog Show. Dogs from across the region will compete in breed classes and novelty classes including waggiest tail and handsomest dog.
There will also be an assessment for the Kennel Club Good Citizen bronze award, a rescue dog cavalcade, dog agility and have-a-go ring.
And on Sunday 27 May Hugh Ramsay and the Millisle Clydesdales will give a Heavy Horse Demonstration starting at 11.00am.
This event is organised by the Galloway Area British Driving Society and Machars Riding for the Disabled and features special guest Leo the Shetland Pony.
Admission to the Heavy Horse Demonstration is £5, children get free entry and the staff at Neilson's Coffee Shop will be on hand to serve a selection of tasty treats to satisfy appetites large and small.
Barstobrick is just off the A75 and it's a great day out for all the family. We hope to see you there. Barstobrick Visitor Centre Visitor Event |
| Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid Course Mon May 28 @09:30 - 04:30PM Course Programme
This 6 hour programme is accredited by the Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance and is aimed at those who wish to develop skills and gain knowledge of First Aid. It is suitable for anyone who wants to gain this knowledge, not only for the workplace.
Learners will be assessed doing a range of practical tasks and all successful candidates receive a Highfield Awarding Body certificate. The course can be delivered over 1 x 6 hour days, or 2 x 3 hour sessions. Learners must attend all sessions to achieve the full qualification. Courses are training room based and are interactive in nature. Joanna Woodford Minerva People Ltd Training / Workshop |
Barstobrick Visitor Centre is playing host to two exciting animal events over the last weekend in May.
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