New Galloway has launched a fundraising appeal with a book and baking extravaganza in its historic Town Hall, raising more than £600 for the purchase of a community freezer that will help to reduce local food waste and make nourishing food available to the community at the same time.
Hosted by Local Initiatives for New Galloway (LING), the event at the end of January attracted an amazing turnout with hot drinks, homebaking, and a second-hand book sale. A raffle featured prizes donated by several food-related businesses in and around the Glenkens, including the Galloway Food Hub, Balmaclellan Store, West Coast Sea Products, and more. Aiming to widen understanding of the problem of good food going to waste (one third of all food is thrown away every year, with the UK wasting 9.5 million tonnes annually) the event concluded with an edibility quiz, with one lucky winner heading home with a bagful of veg and loaves of pumpkin bread.
Plans are to install the community freezer in an accessible room in New Galloway Town Hall where anyone can collect portions of homecooked meals and other frozen items donated by individuals and businesses. The initiative is part of LING’s ongoing work to increase community connectivity through skill-sharing, social gatherings, and practical support for local people.
The fundraiser was the latest public event in a busy winter programme which followed the reopening of the Town Hall in October 2023, after eighteen months of renovations which returned the building to its historic position as the central hub for Scotland’s smallest Royal Burgh. LING, a Registered Scottish Charity, took asset transfer of the town hall from Dumfries and Galloway Council in 2022.
Chair of LING, Barbara Barker, says, “As Local Initiatives in New Galloway our mission is to support a thriving community, which includes supporting wellbeing and accessibility to essentials like warmth, companionship, and good food. As we have seen so many times over the years New Galloway locals came out in their numbers to donate to our freezer fund and enjoy a brilliant community event. LING Trustees and our wonderful team of volunteers are hugely excited to develop the New Galloway’s community food initiative through 2024 and beyond.”
New Galloway Town Hall hosts a packed calendar of classes and activities including indoor sports, sustainability workshops, plus regular ‘food and friendship’ community socials. The hall is also available to hire for public and private events – visit www.newgallowaytownhall.com to find out more, or email [email protected].
One partner. No competitors. Supporting local stories across the region.
