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Friday 10 October 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.

Budget Consultation 26/27: Try the Budget Challenge

Earlier this week, we launched an interactive Budget Challenge to help people across the region explore the difficult choices involved in balancing the council’s budget.

It’s not easy, but it’s important. The Budget Challenge simulator helps illustrate the tough trade-offs councillors must consider when setting a balanced budget for the year ahead.

Using digital sliders you can see how different decisions on savings or income generation could affect overall spending.

The Budget Challenge is just one part of this year's Budget Consultation 26/27, alongside the main survey and a series of local Community Conversations. The full consultation launches Friday 17 October – giving everyone across Dumfries and Galloway the chance to have their say and help shape the budget-setting discussions councillors will have at Full Council in late February 2026.

Your Local GP Practice: A Whole Team Working for You

Your GP surgery is now home to a whole team of healthcare professionals – not just doctors. Across Dumfries and Galloway, GP practices are evolving to make sure you get the right care, from the right person, at the right time.

This new way of working is part of a Scotland-wide move to modernise primary care. It brings together a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) of professionals who support patients in different ways. Your first contact is likely to be with a receptionist trained to guide you to the right person. Depending on your needs, you might be seen by a mental health nurse, advanced nurse practitioner, practice pharmacist, pharmacy support worker, practice nurse, advanced practice physiotherapist, or a community link worker.

These team members help with everything from managing long-term conditions to offering specialist advice. For example, you might be referred directly to a physiotherapist for joint pain, or to a pharmacist for medication support.

Urgent care is also available through your GP practice. Paramedics from the Scottish Ambulance Service or advanced nurse practitioners may carry out home visits for patients needing urgent attention – allowing GPs to stay in practice and continue seeing others.

Another key role is the community link worker, who helps connect people to local support services. This includes physical activity, reducing isolation, or accessing financial advice. Every GP practice in Dumfries and Galloway can connect you to this service.

So next time you contact your GP, remember: you’re engaging with a whole team working together to provide safe, effective, and person-centred care.

New Deputy-Lieutenant for Dumfriesshire

Dumfriesshire has a new Deputy-Lieutenant – one who swapped the oil platforms of the North Sea for the pulpit.

The Reverend Elsie Macrae was born in Malawi in Africa. Twenty years ago, she came to Aberdeen to study engineering and started work in the oil industry.

Elsie was raised in a Christian family and, feeling a calling, began the process of becoming ordained as a minister in the Church of Scotland.

Five years ago, she came to Dumfries and Galloway, to serve as Minister at Upper Annandale Parish Church in Moffat.

Since that time, she has thrown herself into community life, engaging with different organisations, from local schools and nursing homes, to the Men’s Shed and the RAF retirement home at Dowding House.

Married with two children, Elsie is passionate about getting young people involved in church life. She also works closely with other churches, including Gretna and Eaglesfield parishes.

The Lord Lieutenant is the King’s personal representative in the area he or she lives in. If the Lord-Lieutenant is unable to attend an event, a Deputy-Lieutenant takes their place. 

Poppyscotland Launch Annual Scottish Poppy Appeal

Poppyscotland local area organisers will launch the 2025 Scottish Poppy Appeal at 11am on Saturday, 18 October in the Loreburne Centre, Dumfries. 

The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Scotland’s largest fundraising campaign and takes place annually in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday in November. Money raised during the Scottish Poppy Appeal is used to provide vital life-changing support for service families, veterans and those currently serving.

Annually, some three million poppies are distributed across Scotland by teams of volunteers. The appeal supports over 500,000 members of the Armed Forces community in Scotland

Half-Term Highlights: Free Activities for Families and Young People

Looking for something fun and free to do during the October half-term? Here are two great options happening in Dumfries.

Viking Day at Dumfries Museum

Thursday 16 October, 10am to 4pm. No booking required.

Step back in time and explore the world of the Vikings with a full day of hands-on activities and storytelling:

• Meet costumed ‘Vikings’ and handle replica objects.
• Step aboard a Viking ship and dress up like a Viking.
• Get your face painted.
• Discover your Viking name and learn about ancient runes.
• Make your own mini longboat, sword and shield.
• Listen to Viking tales.
• Craft a pewter Viking armband.
• Follow a trail to find Norse Gods hidden in the museum.
• View real Viking artefacts and explore our exhibition on Norwegians in Dumfries.

Gracefield Arts Centre – October Holiday Activities

Teens Introduction to Printmaking Wednesday 15 October, 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Led by artist Pamela Grace, this free workshop is perfect for young people aged 14–17 working towards art qualifications. Try out ‘tetra pack’ printing and other techniques, using studio presses. Booking required by 14 October.

Family Fun Art Friday Friday 17 October, 1pm to 3.30pm All ages are welcome to join in a creative session inspired by the current exhibitions. Try landscape painting using tissue paper collage and explore imaginary or remembered places. Booking essential – suitable for children aged 18 months and over. 

To book your place at Gracefield, please call the centre or visit DGCulture.co.uk.

Community Planning Partnership Board Update

At its October meeting, the Community Planning Partnership Board approved its first Locality Plan for Kirkconnel and Kelloholm.

Developed with the community and local partners, the plan focuses on tackling poverty, boosting resilience and improving access to support services.

The Board also welcomed news of a new project funded through Fairer Futures, aimed at supporting 100 parents facing significant barriers out of poverty. Other updates included endorsement of the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan end-of-year report, a new Physical Activity Strategy and an updated Community Learning and Development Plan.

Challenge Poverty Week 2025: Supporting Our Communities

This week, Dumfries and Galloway Council has been marking Challenge Poverty Week 2025 with a programme of information, events and activities aimed at raising awareness of the support available to individuals and families across the region.

As part of this, we’ve launched two key initiatives to help people through the colder months:

Region-Wide Food Drive
We’re encouraging donations of non-perishable food items at collection points across Dumfries and Galloway until Sunday 12 October. All donations will go directly to local foodbanks to support those in need.

Warm Winter Clothes Drive
We’re also collecting warm clothing for adults and children to support upcoming Free Warm Winter Clothes events. If you have items to spare, please consider donating to help others stay warm this winter.

Thank you to everyone who has taken part so far, your support makes a real difference.

Supporting Coastal Communities – Take the Big Dip

The UK charity Fishermen’s Mission is inviting cold-water swimmers to take part in Big Dip Week, running from 7 to 14 October.

Fishing remains one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK. When illness, injury or loss of life strikes, families can find themselves isolated and in urgent need of support. This campaign aims to raise £5000 to help fishing families facing hardship.

Whether you’re dipping in the sea, a loch, or even a paddling pool, every splash makes a difference. Participants are encouraged to share their cold-water swimming photos to raise awareness and show support.

Two standout photos will be selected by Fishermen’s Mission, with each winner receiving a £250 voucher for cold-water swimming gear.

Community Resilience Training and Engagement Sessions – October 2025

This October, our Resilience Team is hosting Community Resilience Training and Engagement Sessions across Dumfries and Galloway.

These sessions are designed to support local community resilience groups by helping them review and test their plans. They also offer a valuable opportunity to network, share ideas and strengthen community connections.

Two sessions have been held already in Sanquhar and Castle Douglas, but there are two more to come:

• Monday 13 October – 6.30pm to 8pm, Wigtown County Buildings, Customer Service Centre, Wigtown, DG8 9JH.
• Thursday 16 October – 6.30pm to 8pm, The Victoria Halls, Downie's Wynd, Annan, DG12 6EE.

To reserve a space or request further information, please email communityresilience@dumgal.gov.uk.

An online training and engagement session will also be held in November. 

Help Protect Scotland’s Red Squirrels

A new campaign called ‘Don’t Be Shy’ is shining a spotlight on one of the UK’s most beloved native species – the red squirrel.

Led locally by the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership, the initiative will support conservation and recording efforts in South and East Ayrshire, within the UNESCO Biosphere region.

Red squirrels are under serious threat. Their numbers have declined dramatically over the past century due to habitat loss and the spread of grey squirrels, which were introduced by the Victorians. Grey squirrels compete for food and space, while carrying a virus that is deadly to reds.

Don’t be shy – get involved in protecting red squirrels by getting involved in upcoming community events, habitat improvement projects and citizen science and volunteer opportunities. Everyone can help by reporting sightings, volunteering, or sharing information online.

If you’d like to get involved or share information about red squirrels in your area, please contact: antoine@gsabiosphere.org.uk.

Spotlight on Outdoor Careers and Rural Skills

At the end of September, more than 200 young people, teachers, employers and partners came together at Crawick Multiverse near Sanquhar for a unique event focused on outdoor careers and rural skills.

Organised by Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Dumfries and Galloway and DYW Ayrshire, in partnership with Crawick Multiverse, the event welcomed secondary school pupils from across Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire. It was the first of its kind in the region.

Twelve organisations delivered short, hands-on workshops covering a wide range of topics including agriculture, food production, energy, conservation, forestry and rural skills

Pupils from Dumfries Academy, Dalbeattie High School, Castle Douglas High School, Wallace Hall Academy and Sanquhar Academy, along with students from Doon Academy and Loudoun Academy in Ayrshire, took part.

Participants enjoyed the practical activities, the chance to speak directly with employers and the opportunity to explore the stunning surroundings of Crawick Multiverse.

Towa Mura: A Story of Rural Life Across Borders

This summer, a unique international collaboration unfolded in the heart of Galloway.

The acclaimed Bird Theatre Company from Tottori, Japan, spent two weeks working with Scottish writer Tom Pow, an actor and five musicians to develop a new play: Towa Mura, In the Making.

The Bird Theatre is based in Japan’s least populated prefecture, a rural area facing many of the same challenges as Dumfries and Galloway. Their visit built on a long-standing connection with Tom Pow and The Galloway Agreement who previously performed at the International Bird Theatre Festival in Japan.

Towa Mura explores the future of a fictional village, drawing on real events and reflecting on themes of memory, myth and the choices rural communities face.

During their time in Scotland, Bird Theatre developed the play and shared a work-in-progress performance at the CatStrand. Audiences recognised familiar stories and challenges, highlighting the shared experiences of rural life across cultures.

Towa Mura features original music by The Galloway Agreement and direction by Bird Theatre’s founder, Makoto Nakashima. It was beautifully captured in a short documentary by Thornhill-based filmmaker Emma Dove, which documents the creative process and the performance. 

This project was made possible thanks to support from Creative Scotland and The Japan Foundation. The team now hopes to tour with the full production in 2026.

Save 25% with TransPennine Express Autumn Ticket Sale

TransPennine Express is offering 25% off Advance Purchase fares across its network throughout October.

The autumn ticket sale includes 100,000 discounted tickets, valid for travel until 31 October. Tickets must be booked in advance and are available until noon on Friday 24 October, or until sold out.

The offer covers routes in Scotland as well as across the north of England, with a single fare from Lockerbie to Glasgow costing £7.10 with the discount.

RBCFT Film of the Week

This week’s featured film is I Swear, which tells the powerful story of John Davidson MBE, a man living with Tourette Syndrome.

John’s journey has inspired many and his experiences have previously been shared in several acclaimed television documentaries. The first of these, John’s Not Mad, aired in 1989 and brought national attention to his story.

I Swear opens with a memorable scene. John, portrayed by Robert Aramayo, is preparing to receive his MBE from Queen Elizabeth II. As the moment approaches, his nerves take hold and he involuntarily blurts out the first of many expletives heard throughout the film. It's a powerful reminder of the reality of living with Tourette Syndrome.

The story, after the royal run-in, flashes back to 1983 where we meet John as a young boy, played superbly by Scott Ellis Watson. He is happy and popular but involuntary tics start to creep into his voice and mannerisms. Adults and authority figures are immediately dismissive, from John’s parents to his belt-happy headteachers. It is only several years later when he meets Dottie (Maxine Peake), the mother of a friend and a mental-health nurse, and caretaker Tommy (Peter Mullan), that life becomes bearable.

Although not episodic, there are a few standout scenes. Firstly, there’s a sequence in the film where Dottie delivers a speech on apologising, which is moving and beautiful. The next is when avuncular Tommy defends and explains Davidson’s behaviour to people who are simply unwilling to understand him. Finally, there’s a scene where John meets a young woman who also has Tourette’s which is equally funny and moving. All three scenes might induce tears, but for different reasons.

The film can be viewed on several levels: biopic, lovable underdog story, comedy-drama. We would be amazed if Aramayo isn’t nominated for his acting here, but the entire cast are uniformly excellent. Director Kirk Jones used 30 actors with Tourette’s among his 90-strong cast.

I Swear does justice to John’s life and to those who helped him on his journey as well as to those people living with Tourette’s. It’s funny, tender, and sweet and easily one of the most enjoyable films of 2025. You can see I Swear at the Robert Burns Centre from Friday 7 November.