Friday 26 September 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.
 £50 Million Secured, Thousands Supported: Council Mid-Term Report
Dumfries and Galloway Council has published a mid-term report showing the difference made for communities since the Council Plan 2023–2028 was launched two years ago.
Working with partners and volunteers, the council has delivered new jobs, investment and community opportunities right across the region.
Key achievements so far include:
- Over £50 million unlocked in external funding to support local projects.
- 1200 people supported into employment.
- 43 community assets transferred, unlocking £27 million of new investment.
- 9700 volunteers taking part in clean-ups, making Dumfries and Galloway Scotland’s top-performing area for civic pride.
- 2.49 million hours of care-at-home support delivered, helping residents live independently.
- 94.6% of school leavers moving into positive destinations.
- Youth Beatz attracting 40,000 attendees, boosting the local economy by almost £1 million.
The report will be considered at Full Council on 2 October and will help set priorities for the remaining years of the plan up to 2028.
Bus Timetable Improvements: Dumfries to Dalbeattie and Stranraer Routes
Dumfries and Galloway Council and SWestrans are continuing to work closely with local bus operators to refine the region’s bus network in response to passenger feedback.
Following the launch of the new network on 7 August and the award of 45 long-term contracts, several timetable adjustments have been introduced to improve connections and to address timing issues.
Service 372 (Dumfries to Dalbeattie) now includes Southerness as a regular stop on both morning and afternoon journeys, Monday to Saturday.
Service 500 (Dumfries to Stranraer) now departs Stranraer at 6.10am, Monday to Saturday. This improves links to Lochfoot, DGRI and Barony College.
Don't forget to complete the feedback form to share your views on what is working well and where improvements could be made across the bus network.
Brighten up Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Celebrated in Beautiful Scotland Awards
A Dumfries and Galloway community group has been recognised for its outstanding work in helping people connect with a healthier and more resilient environment.
Brighten up Kirkconnel won the Small Village Award at the annual Beautiful Scotland awards, hosted by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful. The group also received a Gold medal certificate for its efforts.
The awards ceremony, held online on 16 September 2025, celebrated 38 groups from across Scotland for their work in improving local areas through planting, growing, and clean-up activities. Volunteer judges visited communities between 28 July and 10 August as part of the judging process.
Beautiful Scotland is run by Keep Scotland Beautiful in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society.
Well done to everyone at Brighten up Kirkconnel and Kelloholm for their fantastic work.
 Recycle Week
This Recycle Week we're supporting the national “Rescue Me! Recycle” campaign and sharing how recycling works in our region, why it matters and what you can do to make a difference.
We know that recycling can somethings feel like a bit of a mystery. Whether you've ever wondered where it goes, if your efforts make a difference and what you can actually put in each recycling bin – it can be a lot to think about.
We've got a lot of information on our website, but:
- Your recycling is never mixed with general waste.
- Everything is tracked and processed responsibly.
- Take soft plastics like plastic bags to supermarket drop-offs.
- Use your local glass bank.
Primary 2 pupils at Lincluden Primary school were learning about recycling with some of our waste management team – see what happened during the visit.
Digital Tools Support Learning in Sanquhar Academy
In Sanquhar Academy last week,165 iPads were handed out to students in S1 to S4.
Once the iPads were given to each pupil, they went to the learning hub to get their screen protectors, cases, pencils and additional help.
The funding for the I-pad project at Sanquhar Academy came from Propel and the Upper Nithsdale Community Trust windfarms.
In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, technology plays a crucial role in enhancing teaching and learning experiences.
The use of digital tools, in the classroom and at home, facilitates access to a wide range of resources and develops skills for the future workforce.
Wigtown Book Festival: A Celebration of Stories, Talent and Community
Wigtown Book Festival returns from 26 September to 5 October, bringing ten days of inspiring events to Scotland’s National Book Town.
This much-loved festival is a chance for people across Dumfries and Galloway to meet well-known faces, discover local talent and enjoy a packed programme of talks, workshops and performances.
This year’s guests include TV personalities, authors, musicians and journalists. Among them are Helen Lederer, Louise Minchin, Reeta Chakrabarti, and Del Amitri’s Justin Currie, who will share personal stories and debut books. Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, broadcaster Gavin Esler, and poet Len Pennie are also set to appear.
The festival proudly supports local writers and poets, with five free workshops, including a special event for National Poetry Day on 2 October.
Whether you're a book lover, music fan, or simply looking for a great day out, Wigtown Book Festival offers a warm welcome and something special for everyone.
The council is proud to continue supporting the festival through our Major Festivals and Events Fund.
Be the Early Bird – Help Detect Cancer Earlier
People across Scotland are being reminded that their GP practice wants to know if they are experiencing persistent symptoms that are unusual for them, that could be cancer.
The Scottish Government’s ‘Be the Early Bird’ campaign is encouraging people, particularly those aged over 40, to get checked if they notice unexplained bleeding, unusual lumps, unexplained weight loss or something that doesn’t feel normal for them.
The benefits of finding cancer at an earlier stage include more treatment options, a greater likelihood of living well after treatment and better news to tell the family.
If you’re worried about a possible cancer symptom, your GP practice wants to know.
For more information visit getcheckedearly.org
Help Change Lives with Guide Dogs
Guide Dogs is looking for kind-hearted volunteers across Dumfries and Galloway to help support people with sight loss. Whether you have time to spare regularly or just now and again, there are several ways to get involved.
We’re currently recruiting for the following roles:
- Training dog fosterers – based in Dumfries and Lochmaben.
- Respite fosterers – needed in Dumfries, Lochmaben, Kirkcudbright, Lockerbie, Dalbeattie and Castle Douglas.
- Puppy raisers – You will support a 6–8 week-old puppy and its development for 12–16 months.
- Dumfries fundraising group.
All roles come with training and support and pre-agreed expenses such as food and vet bills are covered. It’s a rewarding way to enjoy the companionship of a dog while making a real difference.
For questions, contact Emma at: VolAttractNorth@guidedogs.org.uk
Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund
Community groups and organisations across Dumfries and Galloway can now apply for the fifth round of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults.
A total of £439,150 has been made available by the Scottish Government to support local initiatives that improve mental wellbeing, reduce inequalities and build community resilience.
New this year: organisations can apply for two-year projects under the Fairer Funding pilot. This change is designed to offer greater stability and allow for more ambitious planning.
The fund supports community-based projects that:
- Promote good mental health and wellbeing.
- Prevent or reduce the impact of mental ill health.
- Focus on early intervention.
Local priorities for Dumfries and Galloway include:
- Tackling social isolation and loneliness.
- Suicide prevention.
- Addressing poverty and inequality, especially in response to the cost-of-living crisis.
Eligible applicants include charities, community groups, SCIOs, CICs, cooperatives, community councils and similar organisations. Grants are available for one-year or two-year projects.
Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP (centre) and Dumfries and Galloway Council's Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr. Andy Ferguson, are joined by five other officials from across the South of Scotland in a picture with an EV charging station in Edinburgh.
Dumfries and Galloway Council secures funding to expand EV charging network
Dumfries and Galloway Council has secured funding to install over 100 new public EV charge points, as part of a £6.3 million investment from the Scottish Government’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund.
A partnership of eight councils across the south of Scotland will procure a new supplier to deliver and operate the expanded network, while ChargePlace Scotland continues operating in the meantime.
Further public EV charge points will be delivered through the council’s £13.8 million Levelling Up Fund programme, funded separately by the UK Government. The programme will deliver nine multi-modal transport hubs by spring 2026 to support active and sustainable travel across the region.
Councillor Andy Ferguson, Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, joined Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP and other council representatives at an event in Edinburgh to mark the announcement.
Appeal for Victim Registration – Pan Am 103 Trial Remote Viewing
The U.S. Department of Justice has asked for help in reaching victims and first responders connected to the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing over Lockerbie, ahead of the upcoming trial of the accused, Abu Agila Mohammed Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi.
The trial is scheduled to begin in Washington, D.C. on 20 April 2026, and may last 6–8 weeks. Victims will have the option to attend in person or view proceedings remotely at designated sites in the U.S., UK and Europe.
To access these remote viewing sites, individuals must complete two forms:
- Victim Verification | Remote Access Questionnaire
- Sworn Victim Certification Form (confirming you will not record or rebroadcast the proceedings)
Once you complete the Victim Verification | Remote Access Questionnaire, you will need to click on the link for the Sworn Victim Certification and complete that as well.
Even if you previously filled out a questionnaire, you must complete both updated forms to be officially registered. Without this, access to remote viewing will not be permitted.
Forms and further details are available at:
- FBI Victim Services
- U.S. Department of Justice
Have Your Say: Active Travel Route Between Crossmichael and Castle Douglas
SWestrans and the council are developing a new walking, wheeling and cycling route between Crossmichael and Castle Douglas. Residents, community groups and others are invited to share their views.
The proposed route would run alongside the A713 and aims to make active travel safer and more accessible. An online engagement exercise is open until 3 October and feedback will help shape the final design.
 Fairtrade Fortnight
It’s Fairtrade Fortnight, so you will see events taking place right across our region, posters and information about how you can join in with this year’s theme of ‘#DoItFair’ and #BrewItFair’.
Schools, community groups, places of worship and our council all support Fairtrade because it makes a difference to people’s lives. Paying a fair price to producers tackles poverty, climate change and inequality.
We can all make a difference individually. Even just swapping one of our purchases for the Fairtrade option during 22 September to 5 October. There are lots of products to choose from, it’s not just tea, coffee and bananas, look out for Fairtrade roses, T-shirts, soap and even rubber gloves.
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