What were you doing 21 years ago? We were preparing for our very first Dumfries and Galloway Environment Fair. There has been a fair held every year since then. Preparations are afoot to create an event which will showcase all that is best about the environment of Dumfries and Galloway and those that are involved in promoting and working in it. We like to hold The Fair just as people are thinking about getting outdoors and wondering what to do and where to go.
So where will you be this year on the 18 March? We hope that you will come along and help us celebrate the 21st year of the Dumfries and Galloway Environment Fair. The Environment Fair will be hosted by the University of Glasgow on their Campus at the Rutherford McCowan Building and surrounding grounds. Having the outdoor space has meant that the Dumfries and Galloway Outdoor and Woodland Learning Group (DGOWL) has been able to be involved this year using their organisational skills and enthusiasm.
The feedback over the years has been fantastic. Chairman of the Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Colin Smyth, said “For an event like this to still be going after 21 years and be as popular as ever is a real achievement and shows just how important the environment is to Dumfries and Galloway”. The Council have been instrumental in keeping it all going providing most of the funding and lots of staff time.
There will be people there who helped organise the first event as well as some new faces who are starting their environmental careers. A call has gone out to all the University students to get their thinking caps on to come up with some great new environmental activities and to help us out by volunteering on the day.
Please come along and enjoy the event 10am start on the 18 March at the Glasgow University’s Rutherford McCowan Building on the Crichton Campus. There is going to be a party atmosphere, so feel free to dress up and help us celebrate our 21st Birthday.
The Dumfries and Galloway Environment Fair was first held in 1996 when it was organised by Dumfries and Galloway Regional Environmental Forum (DGREEF) and was held as an outdoor event at Drumlanrig. Over the years it has moved venue using the Loreburn Hall and DGOne and now the University of Glasgow buildings on the Crichton Campus. It has occasionally been held in Stranraer and Annan as well as in Dumfries. However it has always been a celebration of the best of the Environment in Dumfries and Galloway and the people who are involved in using and caring for it. This year for its 21st year Dumfries and Galloway Council, Dumfries and Galloway Outdoor and Woodland Learning Group (DGOWL) and the University of Glasgow are the major contributors through funding, volunteer time and the venue.
Two of this year’s organisers (Elizabeth Tindal and Morag Walker) were part of the team who started the whole thing off. Although they have not both been activity involved every year between them they have been instrumental in making sure The Fair has continued and often taking on the organisational work.
