Friday 21 March 2025
Welcome to Community, your Dumfries and Galloway community bulletin.
We are always keen to hear of any positive stories about things that are happening in your community and would like to feature them in Community – please email us at communitybulletin@dumgal.gov.uk and one of our reporters will get back to you.
294,402
This is the number of printed books held by Dumfries and Galloway Council libraries.
If they are laid end to end, they would cover a distance of 36.5 miles. That is the walking distance from Castle Douglas to Annan.
Last year, 201,314 people visited council libraries in Dumfries and Galloway. This is enough to fill the Glasgow OVO Hydro 14 times over!
People visit our libraries for many reasons, but the Book Bug sessions proved very popular with our youngest readers. You can find out more about these and other sessions at the Dumfries and Galloway Libraries Facebook page.
Your Council Tax 2025–26
Council Tax bills for 2025/26 have been issued. As this is a busy period, we expect high call volumes.
If you have a question about your bill, please read first. If your query is not covered and does not require an immediate response, you can complete an – we aim to respond within five working days.
Ways to pay
The easiest way to pay your Council Tax is by direct debit. Over 70% of households in Dumfries and Galloway now pay this way, benefiting from:
- Certainty – automatic payments, so you won’t miss a due date.
- Control – options to pay weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, with flexible payment dates.
- Convenience – no need to visit a post office or PayPoint.
To set up a direct debit, visit our .
You can also pay:
- Online – .
- By phone – use our automated service on 01387 273003.
Please allow up to five working days for payments to process.
Struggling with payments?
If you’re finding it difficult to manage payments, help is available.
- You might be eligible for a Council Tax Reduction or discount – check what support is available on our .
- If you are facing financial difficulties, confidential advice is available from Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service at
For full details, visit our or read for common queries.
Newton Stewart Here to Help Fayre
The third Here to Help Fayre is taking place in Vibe 75, Victoria Street, Newton Stewart on March 28 from 1pm to 5pm.
The Newton Stewart Initiative has teamed up with No-One Dies Alone (NODA) and the Machars Public Health Improvement Team to organise this one day event. A variety of groups and organisations who support people in the town will be coming together under one roof.
The Here to Help Fayre brings together a number of third sector charities and organisations to show what groups and services exist to support local people when going through a difficult time or when they feel alone.
The day is for anyone who wants to find out what support is available in and around town. Whether this is for yourself, a loved one, a colleague or a relative. Most of the organisations are run by teams of friendly volunteers who have first hand experience of certain life situations and now want to give something back.
Looking for Fun and Creative Activities for Your Kids?
Dumfries and Galloway Council Museums has three exciting family-friendly events coming up that are perfect for creative kids and parents alike.
Whether your children love imaginative storytelling, hands-on craft, or diving into art, these experiences promise an unforgettable day out.
All tickets are free but spaces are limited, so book now to secure your spot.
Move South Immersive Dance Theatre in Galloway
CatStrand and Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival present 'Move South: Immersive Dance Theatre In Galloway', a programme of performances and participatory events featuring some of Scotland’s most exciting touring dance companies.
With events taking place from 2 to 12 April, 'Move South' will feature performances of Bodies Of Water (BOW Collective), A Journey of Flight (Kathryn Gordon) and My Muses Take Care of Me (Fleur Darkin). There will also be a series of workshops and engagement opportunities led by the visiting artists and Paragon Music.
CatStrand is Glenkens Community Arts Trust's venue in New Galloway, opened in 2007 after renovation from a derelict Primary School. Since then, its 90-seat auditorium has hosted many great acts to more than 4,000 people annually.
Move South-Immersive Dance Theatre In Galloway is a partnership project between CatStrand and Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, supported by Creative Scotland.
Help With School Holiday Costs for Eligible Families
We know school holidays can put extra pressure on household budgets. To help, families whose children are eligible for free school meals will receive a one-off payment to help with the cost of meals over the spring and Easter break.
The payment is £30 per child and covers 12 weekdays while schools are closed.
When to expect it:
- Payments will be made by Friday 28 March if your child already gets free school meals, or if you apply and are awarded them by Friday 21 March.
- We'll use the bank details we already have on file.
- If you apply after 21 March but before the holiday's end, the payment will come through after the break.
- Applications received after Monday 20 April won’t be eligible for this payment.
If you’re not sure if you qualify or want to apply, visit our Free School Meals webpage for more information.
Community Projects Across Dumfries and Galloway Receive Support
Forty-one community projects across Dumfries and Galloway are sharing £440,157 to help tackle mental health and wellbeing.
The successful applicants to the fourth round of the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund were selected through an independent scoring panel. The fund had received 110 applications. Its ambition is to support initiatives that promote mental health and wellbeing at a small scale, grass roots, community level to those aged 16 and over.
The fund in the south of Scotland was administered again by Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG).
Among the successful organisations was Animals Supporting People at FRED with £9,127 for their Animal Therapy for Health and Wellbeing project. The Newton Stewart Initiative was also given funding of £4,726 for Happy Daze, a reminiscence group for over-60s in the area connecting with young people. An award of £7,917 went to Solway Disability Support to provide opportunities for people with learning disabilities to attend disability sports clubs, including as football, boccia, swimming, badminton and curling.
Young People Get a Taste of Construction
On Wednesday 5 March, over 200 young people from across our region’s schools attended a World of Work Taster event at the fantastic Engine Shed in Stirling, which was hosted by Morgan Sindall. The event was designed to teach our young people more about what construction can offer.
Pupils from North West Community Campus and Dumfries Academy received talks and demonstrations allowing them to learn new skills through hands-on, interactive work tasters including:
- Carving Out Construction – A hands on practical stonemasonry workshop.
- Let’s Go Retro! – Learn about Retrofit and building conservation.
- A Greener Future – Sustainable construction and our environment.
- Count On Us – Calculating the cost of construction.
- One Build at a Time – A hands-on practical brickwork and scaffolding workshop.
- Spark – A hands-on mechanical & electrical workshop.
- Digital Den – Discover digital construction and technology’s place in the built environment.
The Digital Den had a familiar feel to it as young people were able to navigate, using and Xbox controller, through a digital fly through of Dumfries Academy on a 7-metre screen. The technology allowed for all trades and disciplines to understand the project and walk through all aspects of the building without having to leave their office making their use for time more efficient.
Young Musicians Shine at the World’s Largest Schools Piping Event
Pupils from Dumfries and Galloway Schools Pipe Band took to the stage at this year’s Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships, proudly representing their school in one of the most anticipated events in the youth piping calendar.
Held at Kilmarnock’s William McIlvanney Campus on Sunday 9 March, the championships saw 94 bands from 144 schools compete across eight categories, making it the largest event in the competition’s history.
Dumfries and Galloway Schools Pipe Band delivered a standout performance in the Junior B category, placing third in a highly competitive field.
The championships, organised by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT), continue to highlight how piping and drumming are becoming more accessible in Scottish schools. By removing financial barriers and providing tuition, instruments and support, SSPDT ensures that pupils from all backgrounds have the opportunity to take part.
The trust currently supports young musicians and schools across 27 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities, expanding access to piping and drumming nationwide.
Dumfries and Galloway Schools Pipe Band is now looking ahead to future performances and competitions, building on their success at this year’s event.
Free Youth Work Programmes and Events Running Up to Easter 2025
Dumfries and Galloway Council Youth Work team run events across the region and throughout the year for those aged 12 to 25 years.
The activities are free and provide opportunities for young people to meet, have fun and learn new skills.
Although the majority of activities are aimed at young people who are in S1 or above, there are also several groups throughout the region aimed at P7s (junior groups) to support their transition from primary to secondary school.
These are just a few of the group and sessions offered across the region:
- Annan Junior Youth Group at Annan Academy. This is open to all young people in P6 and P7.
- Club180 @ Vibe 75 in Newton Stewart. This is a fun and friendly place for young people to learn darts, pool and card games.
- Find Your Beat at the Oasis Youth Centre. This programme using music, rhythm and fun musical activities to explore emotional wellbeing.
A full list of Youth Work activities is available online or email youth.work@dumgal.gov.uk to see what's on in your area.
Stewartry Parkinson Support Cafe
Over a year ago Parkinson’s UK and local residents formed a support group for people with the condition and their carers who live in the Stewartry.
It meets on the first Tuesday of the month in The Johnston in Kirkcudbright at 1.30pm.
There are usually 20 or more attendees who enjoy a coffee and cake in an informal setting. Whilst there is the occasional speaker on a relevant subject, the emphasis is on the social side and exchanging experiences and advice with each other.
For further information please contact lynnmariej@gmail.com or cmacmillan@parkinsons.org.uk.
Volunteers Wanted at Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service
Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service (DAGCAS) is facing unprecedented demand for its invaluable advice services. In response, they are launching a new campaign to recruit more volunteers and continue changing lives.
Sonya Fitzsimon, Volunteer Coordinator at DAGCAS, is looking for volunteers from across the region to join the team. Volunteers need to be over 16 years of age, but they can come from any background. Young people can enhance their CVs by volunteering with DAGCAS, while working or retired people can learn new skills and find ways to help others.
Sonya is specifically looking for new volunteers who wish to be advisers or to triage calls. However, DAGCAS offer a wide range of other roles such as administration, reception and social policy.
All volunteers will become part of a valued team – they will receive full training, be part of our social events and any expenses will be paid.
If you'd like to learn more about volunteering with Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service, visit the volunteering page on the DAGCAS website or contact Sonya on 0300 303 4321 (ext 6148), or email sonya.fitzsimon@dagcas.org.
Left to right: Simon Bradbury, Lead Officer of SWestrans; Alan Webb, Chief Executive Officer, Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway; Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport; Helen Keron, Executive Manager of Glenkens Community and Arts Trust and Galloway Community Transport; and Juliana Amaral, Chief Executive Officer, Borders Community Action.
Potential of Community Transport Highlighted During Cabinet Secretary Visit
Community transport and its importance to the south of Scotland has been highlighted to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport during a visit to Dumfries and Galloway this week.
Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) hosted Fiona Hyslop for a focussed discussion on the topic and its significant potential across the area.
Joining them were colleagues from Transport Scotland and partners SWestrans, South of Scotland Enterprise, Galloway Community Transport and Borders Community Action.
Highlights of the meeting included the need for coordinated and people-focussed models of transport, its investment potential, and the importance of transport to tackling inequity, isolation, economic development and to the community.
TSDG is currently the Chair of the Community Transport Strategic Development Group for Dumfries and Galloway, the partnership space that allows for collaboration and development of its wider transport models.
The Cabinet Secretary welcomed the chance to hearing about the plans and ambition to do more with community transport within the area.
As well as bringing investment into local provision, the Community Transport Strategic Development Group also works on key related priorities around access to health and services, skills and employability, connections between community and public transport and the development of local economies and enterprise.
 Kirkcudbright Bridge Closed to All Vehicles
Kirkcudbright Bridge will be closed to all vehicles from 7pm tonight (21 March 2025).
This follows the initial findings of assessment provided today from structural engineers commissioned by the council over the structural condition of the bridge, following assessment informed by previous inspections.
The bridge will remain closed in the interest of public safety and to protect the structural integrity of this important crossing while our council agrees next steps for the longer term. The safety of members of the public is Dumfries and Galloway Council’s paramount importance.
Although the length of the closure is currently unknown, we are committed to keeping the local community up to date.
A signed diversion route is in place. The bridge will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists.
We fully appreciate the inconvenience this closure may cause and are engaging with the local community and partners, including emergency services and transport providers, to minimise disruption during this closure. We apologise for any disruption and inconvenience due to the closure of the bridge.
Earlier this year, a temporary 7.5-tonne weight limit was introduced in response to ongoing breaches of the previous 17-tonne limit. This followed findings from inspections by the council’s consultant, Mott MacDonald, which highlighted structural limitations in the bridge and required prompt action.
Despite early efforts to protect the structure and limit weight on the crossing, ongoing monitoring has shown that several heavy goods vehicles – with a weight well in excess of safe limits – have continued to use the route.
The council is working closely with its engineering consultants to ensure that we are in a position to provide further, detailed information on the assessment carried out and the condition of the bridge as soon as possible.
We will provide a further update in the coming days.
Easter Customer Service Centre Closures
Our Customer Services will be closed on Friday April 18 and Monday April 21.
In the event of an emergency registration, please contact our Council by phoning 030 33 33 3000.
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