Friday 1 August 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.
What's That Stat? 133,253km
This is the distance covered by council gritting vehicles during a typical winter spell. This is more than going around the equator 3 times.
The fleet of 18 gritting lorries are based around the county in 5 regional depots and they can be put into action quickly when ice or snow warnings are received. They are supported by a single compact 4x4 vehicle that treats town centre paths, cycle routes and pavements.
During a typical winter spell, the gritters use 10,335 tonnes of salt, which is equivalent to 1720 African elephants. The gritting drivers are roads service colleagues who are supported by extra agency staff as needed.
Thank you to the gritting team for going out in cold and hostile winter conditions to keep travellers safe in Dumfries and Galloway.
 Council and SWestrans Issue Further Update on New Bus Timetables Prior to 7 August Start
Further to last week’s announcement, SWestrans and Dumfries and Galloway Council have confirmed updated arrangements for the region’s new bus network, which begins on Thursday 7 August.
Following a rigorous procurement process, 45 long-term contracts – each lasting up to seven years – have been awarded to local operators to deliver the subsidised bus network across the region.
The council will also deliver several bus routes in its role as the operator of last resort, where there has been no affordable private operator interest.
The vast majority of services will continue to operate, ensuring continuity for communities across the region.
SWestrans and the council have been working hard to ensure that as many of the region’s 12 commercially operated bus routes as possible are in place by 7 August, although neither SWestrans nor the council is responsible for the procurement of services on these routes.
Since last week, the following refinements have been made by commercial operators to bus services in the region:
- The D10 (Lochside and Lincluden to Dumfries town centre) timetable has now been published and is available at https://www.dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk/timetables. There will be a reduction in daytime services but late and early buses will be retained.
- The 501 Dumfries to Kirkcudbright and Castle Douglas service will be operated by McCalls Coaches. The timetable is being finalised by the operator. It will be posted on the council’s timetables webpage and social media channels once confirmed.
- The 246 Dumfries-to-Cumnock bus service, also operated by McCalls Coaches, is yet to be confirmed. As soon as the new timetable for this route is finalised, it will be added to the council’s timetables webpage and posted on its social media channels.
- The 74 Dumfries to Glasgow via Moffat service is being withdrawn, as previously advised. However, Stagecoach West Scotland is introducing additional X74 services to increase services on this route.
- In addition, timetable adjustments have been made to the X74 and 101 services to ensure students can get to Barony College on weekday mornings.
As previously confirmed:
- All home-to-school transport bus services – for which the council is responsible – will operate from the start of the new school term in August (Thursday 21 August).
- Two services have been discontinued to ensure the delivery of an affordable and sustainable bus network. Due to very low passenger volumes, the 512 Castle Douglas town and the 410/411/412 Stranraer to Glenluce, Knock and Ervie service will be withdrawn from 7 August.
All confirmed timetables are now available for passengers to view online. Passengers are strongly encouraged to check the details of their specific route before travelling on or after 7 August. Timetables can be found at https://www.dumfriesandgalloway.gov.uk/timetables.
For those without internet access, information will shortly be available via Traveline Scotland on 0141 465 1878. In the meantime, the council’s contact centre can help on 030 33 33 3000. Paper copies of timetables will be available to view at local libraries.
Commemorative Events to Mark the 80th Anniversary of Victory Over Japan (VJ)
2025 marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War, which changed the course of history and the generation who lived through it commenced the rebuilding of an exhausted country in the post war years.
VJ Day for the United Kingdom is on 15 August and it is the day on which Imperial Japan surrendered in World War II, in effect bringing the war to an end.
To mark this significant anniversary, a VJ80 Parade will take place in Dumfries Town Centre, on Saturday 16 August from 10.30am to 12.30pm with representatives of our retired and serving Armed Forces personnel, members of our local cadet units, and other uniformed organisations taking part.
The parade will be led by members of the Dumfries and Annan Town Bands and will include a display of John Webster Vintage Army Vehicles, the Royal British Legions Scotland (RBLS) Riders Branch and Standard Bearers from RBLS Branches. The Provost of Dumfries, Councillor Tracey Little, will deliver the welcome and the councils’ Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE, will act as Master of Ceremonies.
His Majesty’s Vice Lord-Lieutenant for Dumfries, Mr Gordon Dickie, will address the parade. Wreaths will be laid by His Majesty’s Vice Lord-Lieutenant for Dumfries, Mr Gordon Dickie; His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, The Lord Sinclair and His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Wigtown, Mrs Aileen Brewis.
We have been advised of a number of community-led commemorative events are taking place across our region on Friday, 15 August as follows:
- Annan War Memorial at 10.50am.
- Castle Douglas outside Royal British Legion Rooms, Market Hill at 11.00am.
- Dalbeattie War Memorial, Colliston Park at 6.30pm.
- Dumfries War Memorial, St John’s Church at 11am.
- Langholm War Memorial at 10.45am.
- Lochmaben War Memorial at 11.00am.
- Moffat Town Hall at 11am.
- Newton Stewart War Memorial, Dashwood Square at 1.30pm.
- Sanquhar War Memorial at 11am.
- Stranraer, Castle Green at 11am.
Paul Godfrey from Lockerbie and Lewis Lamont from Eastriggs
Shared Lives in Dumfries and Galloway
Shared Lives is a unique model of care that supports adults who may need extra help to live independently and feel connected to their community.
The approach is simple but deeply effective. Instead of traditional care settings, individuals are supported in the homes of local people in a way that’s based on trust, mutual respect, and shared day-to-day life. This relationship-based support fosters genuine connection, creating a real sense of belonging.
Four people, including Paul Godfrey and Lewis Lamont, who are supported through the Shared Lives programme in Dumfries and Galloway travelled to Stirling to represent the region at a national disability sports event. Their participation is a proud moment for the area and a reminder of how inclusive, person-centred support can help individuals grow in confidence and achieve their goals.
You can get more information about Shared Lives locally from Helen Robertson on 07436 546455 or at hrobertson@trfs.org.uk.
The Bird Theatre Comes to Catstrand
On 27 July, actors from the Bird Theatre in Shikano will arrive at CatStrand for two weeks, funded by Creative Scotland and The Japan Foundation.
They are coming to work with local actors from Catstrand on Towa Mura, a new play by Tom Pow, which is directed by Makoto Nakashima. Music will be written and performed by The Galloway Agreement.
Developed through a long-standing partnership with Bird Theatre, Towa Mura explores rural depopulation, community, and village life today through theatre and live music.
There will be a free but ticketed presentation of the work in progress at CatStrand on Wednesday 6 August, 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
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