Holding out for a Homecoming Hero

The search is on to find the people who transform lives and make Dumfries and Galloway a great place to live. Big Burns Supper Festival, DG LIFE magazine, Alive Radio and Dumfries and Galloway What’s Going On (DGWGO) are calling on the public to nominate the area’s local heroes. The festival will invite some of them to help open this year’s Homecoming Carnival, which will take place in Dumfries on 25 January.

Graham Main, Festival Director of Big Burns Supper, said: “Burns is a global humanitarian icon – and wherever you go people fall in love with his work, as much as the spirit behind his own life.


“Our Homecoming Heroes is a way for us to mark and celebrate people, who help support brilliant things in Dumfries and Galloway.

“We are calling on the public to tell us about the people out there who are helping change lives for the better or are inspirations in their communities. Whether it’s a teacher, a lollypop lady, a local volunteer – just let us know.”

The winners will be invited to carry some of the 28 Commonwealth flags that will be leading the procession - playing a vital role in the opening of the carnival. The Commonwealth section of the carnival, which highlights our links with nations round the world, is sponsored by the Celebrate Fund and the Holywood Trust.

 Nominating a Homecoming Hero is easy, just log on to DGWGO at http://www.dgwgo.com by 19January and fill in some details.


Winners will be announced via DGWGO and Alive Radio and will open the carnival on Burns Night.

Maureen Farrell, Chair of Big Burns Supper Festival, said: “Big Burns Supper is truly unique in Scotland because of the way we try to get as many members of the community taking part as possible.

“Over the last three years we have met some truly amazing people, and we think it is time to start recognising them through our Homecoming Carnival.”

BBS 2014 will be the third and largest so far. There will be lots of Burns Supper options so everyone can tuck into their traditional haggis, neeps and tatties. These include the award-winning 10-minute Burns Suppers.