#doonhamers

[virtualscotland]

An early morning walk around the historic Dumfries town centre in the south of Scotland - what a lovely and underrated place to visit! We weren't there for very long but are looking forward to going back during the summer - lovely walk along the river! 😀 Hope you enjoy!

[childrenweb]

Who is Nicky Spence? Everything you need to know about the Scottish tenor, including his best recordings

The winner of the 2022 BBC Music Magazine Personality of the Year award is well-known for his charisma and vocal stature

Who is Nicky Spence?

Nicky Spence is a Scottish operatic tenor known for his vocal and physical stature (right down to his Size 12 feet), his velvety vocal timbre, his open-minded approach to repertoire, and his charisma – qualities that won the 38-year-old singer the 2022 BBC Music Magazine Personality of the Year award.

Where does Nicky Spence come from?

Dumfries, near the Scottish Borders, where he grew up on a farm. He is still a supporter of the town's football team, Queen of the South ('The Doonhamers'), who currently play in Scottish League One.

How old is Nicky Spence?

Nicky Spence was born in 1983.

Is Nicky Spence married?

Nicky Spence is married to his accompanist Dylan Perez.

How did Nicky Spence get into music?

Although Spence originally wanted to play the trumpet - and briefly took it up as a child - his family could not afford to pay for lessons. Luckily a music teacher at his school spotted his talent for singing, which went on to win him the Dumfries and Galloway Young Musician of the Year Award when he was 14, as well as a place in the Scottish Youth Theatre and National Youth Music Theatre.

When did opera enter the picture?

After a neighbour offered the 15-year-old Spence a spare ticket for Mozart's The Magic Flute. He was hooked.

Where did he study?

At the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where, during his final year, he got his first big break, receiving a five-record contract with Universal Classics. Within the space of just a couple of years, he released his first album (My First Love), was nominated for the 'Young British Classical Performer of the Year' Classical Brit Award, and toured with Katherine Jenkins and Shirley Bassey. He has said that he owes more to Tom Jones than to Pavarotti in finding his voice. Yet, when the time came to record his second album, Spence turned his back on the £1m contract, choosing instead to return to full-time study at the Guildhall to focus on opera.

And since then?

He has sung in opera houses and concert halls all over the world, with regular appearances at the Royal Opera House and English National Opera. Admitting that he has an aversion to the 'rum-ti-tum' operas of Donizetti and the 'sillier' side of Verdi, Spence has specialised in complex, truthful roles, frequently taking on repertoire by the Czech composers Leoš Janáček and Antonín Dvořák. He also has an affinity for Wagner, having appeared in The Mastersingers of Nuremberg, Der fliegende Holländer, Tristan und Isolde and Das Rheingold – and has sung a good deal of 20th century repertoire. But he still casts his net beyond classical music, freely professing his love of musicals and often embracing the sounds of Broadway in his work.

Anything else I should know about Nicky Spence?

Even by A-list singer standards, Spence has a particular talent for keeping busy. Last winter he was one of three mentors appearing on Anyone Can Sing, a TV series in which six would-be singers were given guidance by expert vocalists. During the pandemic he made every minute count, jabbing over 100 people every day as a volunteer in a vaccination clinic.

[neverxxnever]

Yer hame team’s yer ain team. 🙘 Queen of the South FC

☙ Never Never ❧ Please don’t remove caption.

[jediirnbru]

Palmerston Park - Queen of the South . The pride of Dumfries. The Doonhamers. . The tallest free standing floodlights in Scottish football. . #queenofthesouth #palmerstonpark #doonhamers #qos #weareallstadiumprints #floodlights #scotland #scottishfootball #groundhopping #stadiumhopping #stadium #prints #art #illustration #graphicdesign #design #giftsforher #giftsforhim #giftideas #artwork #inspire #football #stadia #stade #stadio (at Queen of the South Stadium) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9wRdnKD3gc/?igshid=oppeaxz080c9

[giantsorcowboys]

Hump Day Mystery Solved!

Try As I Might, I Have Yet To Post A Mystery Hunk Or Mystery Rump That Cannot Be Solved By RugbyFan84!

You Are A True Connoisseur Of Rugby Men And Their Rumps.

Bravo, Laddie!

Yes, Those Are Alex Dunbar’s Magnificently Muscular Hindquarters Encased In The Tight Material Of The Budgy Smuggler.

The Clues Explained:

“Doonhamer:” Alex Dunbar Is A Native Of Dumfries.

30 Caps For Scotland; 100 Caps For Glasgow Warriors

Mungo Is The Patron Saint Of Glasgow.

And Alex Dunbar’s Position Is In The Backs As A Centre!

Congrats, Buddy! You’ll Have To Await Your Prize, But I Guarantee That You Will Enjoy It!

Woof, Baby!

[gazeta24br]

The Waterboys lançaram um vídeo alucinante para seu novo single ‘Here We Go Again’ - a terceira faixa de seu próximo álbum, All Souls Hill, disponível em 6 de maio pela Cooking Vinyl. O disco dá continuidade ao álbum Good Luck Seeker, aclamado pela crítica de 2020. ‘Here We Go Again’ é uma música empolgante cujo frescor desmente a questão do sentimentalismo. “É a ideia de que estamos vivendo um Dia da Marmota comunal. Estamos todos olhando para as manchetes mas ninguém parece aprender as lições,” Mike Scott disse sobre o single. “Como cultura, continuamos cometendo os mesmos erros. É um olhar irônico sobre os humanos não serem tão inteligentes– e ainda assim eu me divirto sendo um.” Assista ao vídeo de ‘Here We Go Again’ AQUI. All Souls Hill é um álbum de nove faixas do esplendor de Waterboys, todas mixadas por Scott mesmo e co-produzido com Simon Dine, que co-escreveu e co-produziu quatro álbuns aclamados pela crítica com Paul Weller. Anunciado recentemente a turnê esgotada da banda no Reino Unido e box set ‘The Magnificent Seven: The Waterboys' Fisherman’s Blues/Room To Roam Band, 1989-1990’, All Souls Hill é atualmente, um comentário social do dinheiro, mas com um ar de esperança. "O álbum All Souls Hill é misterioso, sobrenatural, melodioso e emocional.” comenta Mike. “Fizemos com os Waterboys antigos e novos e meu co-produtor, o brilhante guru sônico Simon Dine. Suas nove músicas contam histórias, exploram paisagens oníricas e lançam um olhar frio, mas esperançoso, sobre o drama humano." O fenomenal último disco dos Waterboys, seu 14° álbum de estúdio Good Luck, Seeker, foi lançado no ano passado com ampla aclamação de fãs e críticos. O Daily Telegraph o saudou como um de seus destaques culturais do verão, enquanto Uncut, Mojo, Classic Rock, Record Collector e outros o reinvidicaram como um dos melhores discos da banda. Conhecidos por seu cativante show ao vivo, os Waterboys tocam nos seguintes festivais do Reino Unido neste verão: Junho Sexta 17      Folk N Boat Festival,    Middlewich Sábado 18     Black Deer Festival, Kent Sábado 25     Glastonbury Festival, Glastonbury   Julho Sábado 9      Cornbury, Oxfordshire Sábado 23     Doonhame Festival, Dumfries Agosto Domingo 7     Wickham Festival, Wickham

[tn10y]

The big betting tip for the weekend

A year-end extravaganza as we are betting the house on this team sending us off into 2021 in an elated manner | @MichaelWoodTips

2020 has been a glum year for most of us, but even more so — in a footballing sense of course — for supporters of Queen of the South. The Dumfries outfit has won two games in the calendar year — back-to-back efforts in November when they traveled up to Hampden Park in the League Cup before hosting Alloa Athletic. That record makes grim reading for Doonhamer manager Allan Johnston, who is…

[scottishdreams]

Dundee United boss Robbie Neilson hails 'massive win' over Doonhamers

Dundee ^ | Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson hailed his side's “massive win” after they returned from Dumfries with a 1-0 victory. The Tangerines moved to ... http://dlvr.it/Qz9qYP

[365footballorg-blog]

Dembele, McKinnon & Thistle's hangman - Scotland's window shuts in inimitable style

Cryptic tweets, misspelled surnames, “sad” statements “tinged with resentment” and a mascot race – welcome to transfer deadline day in Scotland.

The window shut at midnight on Friday, 31 August after a chaotic evening of frenzied activity and inimitable chaos across the nation’s top two divisions.

As dawn breaks the day after the night before, we bring you up to speed with a record transfer, a controversial managerial switch and some botched signing announcements. Strap yourselves in…

Dembele gets move & Celtic cash in

This one was messy – and very public.

On Wednesday, Celtic rejected a hefty bid for striker Moussa Dembele from Lyon. The following day, the Frenchman posted two late-night tweets – always a risky business – containing warnings about “the truth” and men who “keep their word”…

<!–

By Friday lunchtime, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers was confidently stating Dembele was staying put. But after the 22-year-old sulked through the opening moments of a training session in front of the assembled media, he was hauled indoors by his manager for a right good talking to.

Then, as darkness fell, Celtic relented. They accepted a Scottish record £19.7m bid from Lyon[1] – £7m more than Southampton paid the Parkhead club for Victor Wanyama – and a massive profit on the £500,000 they forked out for Dembele in 2016.

Cue wails of anguish among the Celtic support…

<!–

<!–

So, no Dembele, scorer of seven goals in nine Old Firm fixtures, for Sunday’s derby. Are Celtic fans getting nervy? Not this bold fella…

<!–

‘Premature’ exit saddens Morton

We’ve all been there. A few months into a new and exciting relationship. Everything’s going brilliantly. You’ve found the one… or so you think.

Morton’s tear-stained response[2] to Ray McKinnon’s decision to jump ship for Championship rivals Morton after three months as manager was all a bit “jilted lover”.

“It does appear they [McKinnon and assistant Darren Taylor] have left us prematurely,” wrote Cappielow chairman Crawford Rae.

“Ray and Darren raised the bar and I really thought we had something great going on. My relationship with Ray seemed to be fantastic.”

Rae’s lament drew so much traffic it crashed the club’s website. But don’t worry, Crawford. Plenty more fish and all that…

<!–

#AnnounceScobie

If you’re going to use a quirky and enticing method of announcing a new signing, you should probably make sure you spell his name correctly.

A lesson for Partick Thistle’s media team, who used a game of Twitter hangman to hint that Dundee United defender Tam Scobbie was bound for Firhill.

See if you can spot the mistake…

<!–

Where’s Filip?

We more or less knew Leicester City centre-back Filip Benkovic[3] was bound for Celtic on a season-long loan well before the window shut.

Rodgers had waxed lyrical about the 21-year-old’s qualities “in both boxes”. Grand. But where was he? Not an official peep from Celtic, nor Leicester, about this supposed done deal. Despite the fact the Croat trained with Celtic earlier in the day and Rodgers had talked in gushing terms about him.

Then, in the final hour of the window, Celtic tweeted a pre-recorded interview with Benkovic shortly after confirming Dembele’s exit.

As you can imagine, it went down well with the fans…

<!–

<!–

Controversy as Dougie does double

Not convinced deadline day in Scotland is an utterly unique experience? Wait for this…

As managers across the country prepared for last-minute business, 16 SPFL mascots were competing in their annual race. Yes, you read that right. Sixteen mascots of all creeds and species sprinting along the Hamilton racetrack.

Queen of the South’s Dougie the Doonhamer retained his title,[4] beating Motherwell’s Steelman to the finish.

<!–

But Dougie’s victory was not undisputed – Motherwell reckoned a photo finish was required…

<!–

References

^ £19.7m bid from Lyon (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Morton’s tear-stained response (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ Filip Benkovic (www.bbc.co.uk)

^ retained his title, (www.bbc.co.uk)

BBC Sport – Scottish

Dembele, McKinnon & Thistle's hangman – Scotland's window shuts in inimitable style was originally published on 365 Football

[trendingnewsb]

Is this the happiest place in Scotland?

Image copyright Getty Images

A south of Scotland town has emerged as the happiest in the country, according to a recent survey.

Dumfries was named the top spot north of the border in the annual “happy at home” index compiled by Rightmove.

Factors such as community spirit, feeling safe, the friendliness of locals, the amenities and local services were taken into account.

More than 17,000 people were asked how happy they were with aspects of where they live.

So what might the secrets of the Queen of the South be that are making Doonhamers so contented?

Healthy progress

Image caption Beat the Street has encouraged Doonhamers to get more exercise

Fitness has been to the fore in the town over the last six weeks with the arrival of the Beat the Street scheme encouraging people to walk on journeys they might previously have taken by car.

And work is also complete on a new multi-million pound hospital which is due to open in December this year.

Artistic endeavours

Image copyright GE Photo

Image caption The Theatre Royal is celebrating its 225th anniversary this year

Dumfries is home to the oldest working theatre in Scotland, the Theatre Royal, which just marked its 225th anniversary.

Plans are also in the pipeline through the artist-led Stove Network to overhaul its historic Midsteeple “quarter”.

In January each year it is home to the Big Burns Supper celebration and also boasts a huge range of other artistic festivals.

Literary ambition

Work is well under way on creating a new Scottish national centre for children’s literature at Moat Brae, the house which helped to inspire JM Barrie to write Peter Pan.

It is hoped the new centre will be able to open to the public at the end of 2018.

Fine food

Image copyright Getty Images

A short journey from the town centre takes you into the heart of the countryside and a whole host of fine local produce.

So much so that it was recently suggested that a Made in Dumfries and Galloway brand should be created to help promote food and drink from the area.

Sporting success?

Image copyright SNS

Dumfries football team Queen of the South have arguably enjoyed a golden age of their history over the past decade or so.

Contenders for a Championship play-off spot, they have won promotion, the Challenge Cup, lost a Scottish Cup final and even played in Europe.

Education investment

Image copyright Holmes Miller

Schools are currently undergoing a major overhaul with a new campus being built in the north west of the town and St Joseph’s College getting a major upgrade.

A new “hub” is also being constructed, offering specialist higher academic and vocational studies.

Park life

A £2m overhaul of the town’s Dock Park saw it voted the best in Scotland in 2014.

It was the winner of the People’s Choice award in the Keep Scotland Beautiful honours.

What do you think? What is the best thing about living in Dumfries or are there other places with a stronger case to be the happiest in the country? Email dumfries@bbc.co.uk to let us know.

Read more: http://ift.tt/2xy8fbb

from Viral News HQ http://ift.tt/2jviKYK via Viral News HQ

[skandyx]

Falkirk 2-2 Queen of South: Match Report

Falkirk 2-2 Queen of South: Match Report

[ad_1] Falkirk held to draw by Doonhamers Falkirk had to settle for a point as Queen of the South fought back to secure a 2-2 draw at Falkirk Stadium. The visitors took the lead in the ninth minute when Lyndon Dykes’ cut-back found Stephen Dobbie, who notched his 25th goal of the season. But second-placed…

[captaindeltic55]

Saturday 28th January 2017.

A freezing cold Saturday afternoon found me standing on the terraces at Palmerston Park in Dumfries watching Queen of the South take on Hibernian in the Scottish Championship. The bumper (for Queen of the South) crowd of 3,007 saw Hibs go 8 points clear at the top of the table thanks to a second half goal scored by John McGinn.

The day started off like any other day out at the football I suppose, caught the metro with seconds to spare at Gateshead Stadium for the short hop to Central Station to catch the 10.22 from Newcastle to Carlisle armed with 4 cans of Punk IPA, a Pecan pastry and a copy of The Daily Mirror and got settled down on an airline seat on one of Northern Rail’s finest class 156 diesel units with the loud cackles of a Hen Party behind and a group of Union Berlin fans off to watch Carlisle v Barnet. The journey to Carlisle was uneventful as was the 12.20 Carlisle to Dumfries train, dispite the large Hibernian following that, for a domestic Scottish fixture have to travel via England in order to get to the game.

Dumfries was as expected, wet, cold and rainy as normal for almost every trip to the Lowlands of Scotland and rather than visit one of the local hostilleries I decided to walk straight to the ground to buy a ticket first. The rain was coming down pretty heavy and it didn't take long before I resembled a drowned rat and was pretty pleased when I found the old school ground (with a little help from a couple of Police Officers)

I was directed to a ticket booth on the side of the modern all seater East Stand and asked for a ticket for the Portland Road Terrace, which in fact due to the low crowds in Scotland my £16 got me a ticket which would have allowed me the choice of home accommodation either seated or standing. I walked around the back of the Portland Road Terrace and around the ground to the proper old school Main Stand and its Social Club for a thaw out and a cold one.

The Social Club in the Main Stand is pretty small and was full of Hibernian fans and home fans enjoying a sociable beer together although the beer selection was pretty poor with only John Smiths being the nearest thing to ale, so I swerved the gassy mass produced John Smiths for a pint of typically Scottish, mass produced gassy larger in the shape of a Tennants...well, when in Rome and all that.

I stayed in the Social Club until about 14.30 and walked around to the turnstiles of the Portland Road Terrace which is the largest terrace in Scotland (and with Wrexham’s terrace currently closed is probably the largest in the UK) and it was like going back in time, sure the end is much smaller than what I remember of the Fulwell End at Roker Park but it brought back memories of standing on a covered home end behind the goal. I then made my way to the canteen at the back of the stand which is effectively a large hatch at the back of the stand and got the typically Scottish ‘Scotch Pie’ and a Bovril for the princely sum of £2.90...the price one would pay for a Bovril at the Stadium of Light!

I found myself a position halfway down the terrace with the all seater East stand to my left which contained about half of the Hibernian support segregated at the far end from the home end, the 1919 built Main Stand to my right with seats in the wooden stand and two small terraced paddocks either side of the tunnel (the far paddock seemingly closed) and directly ahead was the uncovered Terregles Street End which contained the other half of the Hibs support, hardy souls getting drenched by the dreek weather conditions.

For a reasonably small crowd of 3,007 (with about half of that amount made up of away fans) the atmosphere was pretty good, especially with the drummer in the Portland Road Terrace making a little bit of noise. The match itself was about as inspiring was the weather and seemed to be slightly one sided towards Hibs who are running away at the top of the table and look sure to be competing in the Scottish Premier next season. If I am honest, Hibs were the better team and probably deserved to have won by a higher margin than the 1-0 they won by.

Hibs had most of the possession in the first half with a few missed chances and half time at 0-0 seemed to be a relif for the Doonhamers faithful. I went back to the canteen and for another £2.90 I bought a tepid coffee and undercooked chips which helped to warm me up a little bit during the break.

Shortly after the start of the second half on 52 minuites with Scottish International John McGinn scoring with a left footed volley which woke up the Hibernian fans and caused much celebration, especially on the away terrace, I guess the celebrating fans would have used it as an excuse to bounce up and down to warm up!

Come the end of the match the rain had eased off and I headed back the way I had came making a toilet stop at Wetherspoons in the Town Centre. By the time I got to the station I had missed the 17.07 train to Carlisle so had to wait for the 17.59 direct to Newcastle. “Not to worry” I thought, I could nip into The Waverley pub opposite the station for a beer while I wait....wrong! The pub was packed, full of Hibs fans and getting to the bar, let alone buying a pint was out of the question so I skulked off to a takeaway back towards the Town Centre for a bottle of water and a box of chips before heading back to the station.

17.59 came and a four car Scotrail train rolled in which thankfully was enough room for everyone and I got settled down. A nice and respectful touch was the way the BTP walked down the train and gave a polite hello to everyone, makes a change from storming down all batons blazing and this small touch was appreciated even with the Stone Island crowd! On arrival at Carlisle the train split with only the front two coaches going forward to Newcastle but as 90% of the passengers left at the Border City finding a seat on the other 2 carriages was not an issue.

Carlisle to Newcastle was enjoyed with a group of Hibernian fans, and the same Union Berlin fans mentioned earlier, who gave me beer and took the the pish out of me for wearing a maroon jumper (maroon of course being the colour of their hated rivals Heart of Midlothian). I declined to tell them my Scottish team is Hearts!

Rather than stay out boozing, I headed straight home surprising the Wife with my relative soberity and once warmed up I reflected on a pretty good day of football!

[forthsdominion]

Palmerston , the ground of Queen of the South #football #doonhamers

[qosfc]

(x)

[tn10y]

Fifth plays sixth in the return to Championship action following both sides elimination from the Challenge Cup to lesser placed opposition last Saturday.

The Pars faced their second successive penalty shootout in the competition and were bested by Alloa Athletic (5-4) after the teams could not be separated in regulation. The Doonhamers were targeting the trophy and were crestfallen as League One East Fife saw them off in the third round.

With Dundee United and Partick Thistle bringing their game forward seeing as they were already removed from the Irn-Bru Cup. That gave Robbie Neilson a quick opportunity to get his first victory at the helm of the Taysiders and extend the gap to a win over the Fifers and four to QoS.

It feels as if this is a must not lose for either side to keep the unbeaten run intact and increase it to three games.

Kickoff time, ticket prices and where to watch

Ticket prices:

South Stand: Adults £20, Concessions £14 All other stands: Adults £18, Concessions £12 Away Stands: Adults £18, Concessions £12, U12s £5

Match information:

Saturday 20th, 15:00 at East End Park.

Team news

Dunfermline Athletic:

Kallum Higginbotham and Lewis Martin (match fitness).

Queen of the South:

Gary Harkins (hamstring).

Referee

Steven Reid.

Games reffed involving either side this season:

Falkirk 0-3 Queen of the South (2Y)

What Dunfermline Athletic said

“Queens are one of the top teams for shots on target. They are always going to be a threat. We have just got to make sure that we are organised. It was the game here last year when Stephen Dobbie ran riot and we learned after that you cannot afford to give him space. He has started this season really well so we have to make sure that somebody is always close to him. We cannot afford him to get the ball and be able to run at us and cause problems.” (Allan Johnston, manager)

What Queen of the South said

“We need to take something from the game this weekend, we have only lost two but we have only won two as well so there have been a lot of draws in there. I have said before this could be the season that has the most draws in the Championship. That’s where Ayr have benefited they have bounced back from losing to us and gone on to string some wins together, if you can go on a run of three or four victories you can climb the league and unfortunately we’ve not done that so far. First and foremost, we have to start by getting the fundamentals right. We might look to freshen things up a wee bit as there are players who have been waiting for their chance.” (Gary Naymsith, manager)

Line ups last time out

Former Dunfermline Athletic players

Callum Fordyce (2015-17) Andy Stirling (14-15) Scott Mercer (12-15)

Former Queen of the South players

Lee Robinson (2009, 10-13, 16-17) Mark Durnan (12-15)

Last eight meetings

Championship:

31/03/18. Dunfermline Athletic 3-1 Queen of the South. 24/02/18. Queen of the South 0-0 Dunfermline Athletic. 09/12/17. Dunfermline Athletic 2-5 Queen of the South. 14/10/17. Queen of the South 0-0 Dunfermline Athletic. 06/05/17. Queen of the South 0-1 Dunfermline Athletic. 07/03/17. Dunfermline Athletic 1-1 Queen of the South. 17/12/16. Queen of the South 2-2 Dunfermline Athletic. 27/08/16. Dunfermline Athletic 0-1 Queen of the South.

Prediction

Dunfermline Athletic 2-1 Queen of the South

Odds

Dunfermline Athletic: 1.40 Draw: 3.75 Queen of the South: 2.50

Best bet

Over 2.5 goals @ 0.83

Table

Complete fixture list

You can follow @MichaelWood_SJ on Twitter.

Match preview: Dunfermline Athletic versus Queen of the South Fifth plays sixth in the return to Championship action following both sides elimination from the Challenge Cup to lesser placed opposition last Saturday.

[scottishdreams]

Dunfermline > | 'Come and get us': Dundee United ace lays down challenge to title...

A Stephen Dobbie hat-trick helped them to a 5-2 away win over Dunfermline last Saturday and saw the Doonhamers rise to third in the league standings.Stanton admits Dobbie will be handful for them... http://ift.tt/2zj2baF