Call for Projects, as Galloway Glens Scheme Launched

A call has been made for project ideas for the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme, which was launched in Castle Douglas last Wednesday evening (27/06/2016) to celebrate the recent launch of the Scheme’s website: www.gallowayglens.org.

Over 60 people were in attendance at the launch, with speeches from McNabb Laurie, the Galloway Glens Development Officer and Councillor Colin Smyth, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee.

The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme has provisionally secured £2.7million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to be spent on projects up and down the Ken/Dee Valley, from Carsphairn in the North to Kirkcudbright in the South. The aim is to ‘connect people and communities with their heritage’ and will focus on protecting and making best use of the unique cultural and natural heritage of the area.

The Galloway Glens Scheme is now in its development stage, which has included the new website, and over the next year work will take place to refine the projects which will form the delivery phase: this will run from 2018 for five years. Projects supported will either result from the studies being commissioned in the area at present, or through completing the expression of interest form on the website. Project ideas will be sought until 2nd September 2016.

The new website provides a great source of information about who is involved in the Scheme, details of the Summer events, the aims and objectives of the Scheme, frequently asked questions and where visitors can sign up for the Scheme newsletter.

Galloway Glens Development Officer, McNabb Laurie outlined the progress made to date, including the commissioning of studies, the launch of the website and advertised the series of FREE summer events which are taking place over the coming months to illustrate the range of potential projects that could form part of the scheme. The next event will be a tour of Carsphairn Lead Mines, which will be led by the Carsphairn Heritage Society at on 06^th August at 10am. Tickets are still available: email [email protected] for details.

Also mentioned was the upcoming Stewartry Area Committee meeting on 17^th August at 6pm in Dalry School, which will be open to all, at which the challenges facing the area and potential projects will be discussed.

Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Councillor Colin Smyth, Chair of The Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee said: “It was great to see the launch event so well attended, which is testament to the interest already generated in the Scheme, and Dumfries and Galloway Council are proud to be supporting this scheme. This project will really enable local communities to be more engaged in land management in our region and I would urge anyone with ideas for projects to put forward their proposals by 2 September.

As well as the overall scheme, which aims to protect and enhance fragile habitats, the Galloway Glens Scheme will support the development of rural skills, training and employment. There will be a range of free workshops provided, which will enable local residents to really get involved at a grass roots level, hopefully not only learning much needed rural skills, but also gaining rural-specific business support  and advice.”

Meanwhile, a series of events has been arranged over the rest of the summer to give people a taste of what is planned. More information about the project and the events are on the website http://www.gallowayglens.org/

Galloway Glens Summer Events – all FREE to attend

Further details of events can be found at:

http://www.gallowayglens.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/summer-events.pdf