RNorris

Last updated 00:00, Thursday, 27 December 2007

IT WAS a gey caul’ week in the Muckle Toon in the run-up to Christmas but not as cold as it was 117 years ago at this time.

The E&L reported in December 1890 that there was skating at the Meikleholm Pool and, on the curling and skating ponds, Langholmites were able to enjoy the ‘roaring game’ over several days.

It occurred to me how cold the houses must have been in those days with no central heating and no electric blankets. It made me shiver to even contemplate living in conditions such as these. Mod cons have made me soft in my old age.

Those of you who enjoyed hearing The MacDonald Brothers at the Buccleuch Centre earlier this year might be interested to know that they have made a pact – not to have girlfriends while they are building up their careers, according to reporter Gavin Docherty who writes the showbiz paper in one of the dailies.

With their looks and personalities, it might prove a problem keeping the girls at arms’ length.

The same Scottish reporter poked fun at Tess Daly who’s been co-hosting the popular TV programme Strictly Come Dancing which has been attracting 11 million viewers each week.

She hails from the north of England and welcomed us each week to ‘Comb Dancing’, asking viewers to vote for the ‘loovlay cooples after the joodges have given their verdicts’.

Docherty says this is a ‘northern dialect much worse than our own (Scottish) and that is saying something’.

But surely dialects are what make the English language so rich. If we all spoke with the same clipped, high-speed tones of our southern counterparts, how much poorer our language would be.

I see there’s to be another tribute to Thomas Telford in this his 250th anniversary year.

This time it’s in Gaelic with subtitles.

It’s being shown on BBC2 tonight at 6pm and is called Thomas Telford – The Man Who Changed Scotland.

It should be interesting to hear him being spoken of in the Gaelic language.

A tribute has been paid to the Thomas Hope Hospital.

The daughter of the late Fred Richards, who lived for several years at Hillside Drive, has donated a sum of money to the Friends of the Thomas Hope Hospital in recognition of the ‘superb staff and the excellent treatment’ Fred received there when he was a patient from February to May 2006 before dying from lung and breathing difficulties.

In memory of her father Katharine Johnson of Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands decided to take part in the Great Midlands fun run held in the town, over a distance of 8.5 miles.

Warmly supported by family and friends, she completed the course and donated her sponsor money to what she calls ‘this special charity’.

I think this letter should be sent to Dumfries and Galloway health board who seem hell-bent on reducing the number of palliative care beds in this very special hospital.