Friday 4 April 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.
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This is the number of weddings registered in Dumfries and Galloway during 2023.
The council’s Gretna team accounted for a whopping 4016 of these happy events and the Registrars based at Gretna Registration Office perform ceremonies in several famous venues in the region.
The Halloween themed wedding of Karl and Tori included the adorable Benny the Border Collie, Wilfred the Malamute and Buster the house Bunny.
Tori now works for Lego so had a Lego ‘bouquet’ and guests threw tiny pieces of Lego instead of confetti.
Other uncommon ceremonies include triple weddings, like Claire, Kate and Shannon with their respective partners Craig, John and David, who married together at The Famous Blacksmiths Shop in Gretna.
VE and VJ Day 80
This year marks the 80 years since the end of the war in Europe and Japan, with many community events marking these celebrations.
The UK government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport has launched an interactive website that offers key information and resources, including ways everyone can get involved in the commemorations. The site features downloadable digital materials and an interactive map of events. Street party packs will be available through the website.
Organisations can bid for funding through the National Lottery Community Fund if they are planning community events, activities and exhibitions to help tell the stories of the Second World War at a local level.
Celebrating Lifelong Learning across our Region
A celebration event held recently at The Bridge in Dumfries recognised the achievements of learners from across Dumfries and Galloway.
The Lifelong Learning Awards, hosted by the council’s Lifelong Learning Service, brought together individuals and groups who have taken part in learning programmes throughout the year – with awards presented in categories such as Personal Progression, Community Impact and Digital Learning.
Speakers included the Chair and Vice Chair of the Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee, and the event featured a graceful ballet performance by learner Mariia Tiurdo.
Community Tree Planting in Stranraer
Saturday 22 March saw the culmination of two planting projects through the Dumfries and Galloway Tree Planting Grant Scheme.
Both projects are in Stranraer. Trees were planted in Rephad Primary School grounds and on the Stanctuary Project site. In total, 409 trees were planted at the two locations, with trees planted by people of all ages and experience.
The Dumfries & Galloway Tree Planting Grant Scheme offers grants of up to £1000 towards native trees and protection to get them established. The scheme operates across the entirety of the region and is itself funded by support from Woodland Trust Scotland, Scottish Forestry and Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Nature Restoration Funding.
The Dumfries & Galloway Tree Planting Grant Scheme is administered by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, a not-for-profit organisation aiming to support trees, habitats and the people that depend upon them.
Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands are working on projects like these all over the region at the moment as the planting season comes to an end.
Getting Active in Dumfries and Galloway
People in Dumfries and Galloway are being encouraged to move a bit more as part of their everyday lives.
DG Doing More is offering a range of mobility classes and activities across the region to help everyone develop a more active lifestyle. Finding time to be physically active can be difficult, but if you move more gradually in small achievable steps by yourself, with friends, family or colleagues you are more likely to be active enough to benefit your health.
There is no need to book activities. You won’t require gym clothes, just wear something comfortable. Trainers or comfortable flat shoes are recommended. Please bring a bottle of water.
New participants will be asked to complete a health questionnaire at their first class.
Wigtown Spring Weekend
Scotland’s National Book Town has unveiled the programme for its annual springtime celebration of literature, storytelling and community.
This year’s Wigtown Spring Weekend, held on 3 to 5 May, promises a combination of author talks, events dedicated to Galloway’s people and history, activities for children and families, plus art, music and the chance to climb aboard the Story Boat.
Organised by the Association of Wigtown Booksellers, and supported by Wigtown Book Festival, it’s a chance to explore Wigtown’s many delightful bookshops while enjoying a relaxed festival atmosphere.
Among this year’s guests are Karen Campbell, who will be talking about her book 'This Bright Life', and Shona MacLean, author of 'The Book Seller of Inverness', who talks to Helen Graham about her journey into the world of historical fiction.
Owner of Scotland’s largest second-hand bookshop, Shaun Bythell, will join forces with the former BBC journalist Glenn Cooksley, to read extracts from their diaries, and Dr Sharon Blackie will discuss themes of empowerment and the power of myth and folklore.
Tickets for events can be purchased online or by phone Monday to Friday 10am-4pm on 01988 403222.
May Day Bank Holiday Closures
Dumfries and Galloway Council Customer Service Centres will be closed for the May Bank Holiday on Monday 5 May 2025.
If you have an emergency registration during this time, please call the council on 030 33 33 3000.
Summer of Play Fund
Dumfries and Galloway Council are seeking local, third sector organisations to deliver free activities during the summer school holidays (Friday 4 July to Wednesday 20 August 2025) for children and young people aged 5 to 16.
Applications are invited for funding between £500 and £4000. This funding is specifically to provide free activities for children and young people in Dumfries and Galloway over the summer. The programmes should provide opportunities for children from low-income families to play, socialise, get active and access a range of activities that broaden their experiences, supplement their learning and deliver positive outcomes.
Applications are invited from third sector organisations. Private businesses are not eligible for this fund.
All activities funded must take place between Friday 4 July to Wednesday 20 August 2025 and target children and young people within these priority groups:
- Lone parent families.
- Families which include a disabled adult or child.
- Larger families (three or more children).
- Minority ethnic families.
- Families with a child under one year old in the household.
- Families where the mother is under 25 years of age.
The fund closes for applications at midday on Thursday 17 April 2025.
For more information, please email the Summer of Play Team on AmazingSummer@dumgal.gov.uk or call 01387 260243.
 School Meals
Catering teams across the region work to make sure all children and young people have a tasty meal, whatever their appetite. From nursery to secondary school, there’s something for everyone. Click the buttons to view the menus and remember to order before you go back to school.
Children in early learning and childcare can get free lunches if they have a funded place. Every P1 to P5 pupil can also get free lunches. If you get any of the following benefits, your child may also be entitled to free lunches.
- Income support.
- Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance.
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance.
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
- Universal Credit (where their monthly earned income is not more than £850).
- Scottish Child Payment.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Issue ‘Very High’ to ‘Extreme’ Wildfire Danger Assessment
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a ‘Very High’ to ‘Extreme’ Wildfire Danger Assessment that covers all areas of Scotland and remains in place until Monday 7 April.
Firefighters are urging the public to be aware of wildfire risk this Spring as figures show almost 80% of large outdoor fires since 2010 were recorded between March and May. On average, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) attends 170 large outdoor fires each year.
Analysis shows that around two thirds of wildfires are accidental with the most common causes recorded as discarded cigarettes or unattended campfires.
 Council Tax Information from Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service
If you are a tenant or a homeowner, you will have some responsibilities. One of which is a liability to pay Council Tax.
 Have Your Say on the Future of Stranraer Marina
Local residents, business owners, employees and community groups are invited to take part in a community engagement event on Thursday 24 April at the Stranraer Millennium Centre, running from 12pm to 8pm.
The event is part of a socio-economic study being carried out by RPS on behalf of Fairhurst and Dumfries and Galloway Council. It’s a chance to share your views on the proposed expansion of Stranraer Marina, how it could affect you, and what matters most to the local community.
Free tickets are available for this event.
A related Planning and Marine Consultation will also take place in the same venue from 4pm to 8pm and visitors are welcome to attend both.
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