Newsletter

The work of our Community Council (DCC) is growing all the time and recently much has been achieved that perhaps you do not know about. Funds are now significantly different and you should be aware of what is happening. You may wish to comment or offer help and much needed expertise.

W Crawford ( Chairman)

After much discussion, fund raising and work, we should shortly have fully renovated clocks that will be automatic, reliable and fit for the next forty years. The clocks, originally donated in memory of Dr Ramsay in 1966, have been on their last legs for some time. However, thanks to much local fund raising and a very substantial grant from the Nithsdale Area Committee of the Regional Council, new mechanisms, electronic controls and new lighting are being installed. Provision is also being made to establish a maintenance fund for the future. We are indebted to Derek McGregor and the Dunscore Action Group for overseeing the contract with Carlisle Clocks as installers.

After the first showing just before Christmas, the next film will be the James Bond family thriller Golden Eye. Location is the Glenriddel Hall as usual and starting time will be 7pm on Thursday 2^nd Feb. The PTA will be doing catering as well. Please watch the Community Notice Boards for any further news. If you would like an email about further showings, please put your name on the DCC email list as described later. Suggestions for films will always be welcome.

The 2011 exhibition was an outstanding success with hundreds of visitors over the weekend in September.  We made a small profit which will be used to fund the next exhibition of the enormous talent that is Dunscore and Friends. Can you help us this year with a contribution? Do not hide your skills; we would all like to share whatever it is that you achieve.

We are putting together a Dunscore Emergency Plan that aims to provide help to any locals in difficulty in times like snow etc. We would like to publish a list of people to contact if anyone needs help when normal services are affected by bad weather.

Use the contact number at the end of this news letter to volunteer to help.

DCC has been looking into funding sources that may help community groups with projects and we now have a reasonable idea of where to look. Even in these times there are dozens of both large, but importantly, small sums available if only you ask. We can help your group with initial guidance. So if you are working up a project, get in touch and maybe you will find sources you did not know about.

Is your group known to everyone in the community? DCC would like to ensure that all local groups/ contacts etc are on a list that we can put on the Dunscore website. You never know you may get new members from the listing. Please contact us.

With DG Council cuts we are having to do much more ourselves, like gritting pavements etc. Equipment can sometimes be provided for grit spreading, but road flood reduction by keeping your local gullies clear is another thing we are now doing. Volunteers are always welcome - please contact us to discuss your contribution.

Recently DCC finances have become more complex with more money being administered by the Council. It used to be purely the DGC annual grant but now we feel you should be aware that we have extra resources and we want your feedback. We know not everyone reads the DCC minutes and cannot always attend the meetings (even if you are always more than welcome) but now is your chance to comment, offer suggestions and, better still, take renewed interest.

With a recent extra sum the total bequest now stands at some £22994. After the initial consultation, DCC has agreed to purchase six benches in Tom’s memory and these will be placed around the village in the not too distant future.

However we are still deciding what to do with the remaining money.( £21273). Immediate projects or a phased use over say ten years? Both are ideas already in favour by different people. We would again like to ask you for your ideas as we proceed to make the best use of this magnificent sum to help our community.

We are pleased to include some ideas that may help you. Also if you have ideas that can help others at difficult times please let us know.

Are you interested if DCC organised basic First Aid training locally? If so please let me know as we are actively considering this idea and we will then let you know details as they arise.

Local basic training is being organised for all ages. Interested? Contact me

The 2012 Arts and Craft Show will held on Sept 15^th & 16^th.

Have you green fingers and are you interested in helping brighten Dunscore in 2012? If so contact me as I am is trying to assess whether there is enough interest to get some action. Money could be available to fund small but significant improvements but workers and ideas are what are needed!

DCC would appreciate hearing from you at any time with your news, views or comments to help us improve our community. Your guidance on important issues is vital if we are to have a chance of reflecting your wishes. Equally we may be unaware of things that are important to you.

So please let us know at any time. Our contacts with Regional Councillors, Community Police, and other agencies may be useful if you have problems. Feel free to ask.

You can chose any method of contacting us but if you are unsure about the best person then try the  Secretary who will redirect your enquiry as appropriate.

Patti Lean  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

01387 820312

William Crawford    Chairman

01387 820 339

Ian Wilson Vice Chairman

01387 721 676

Joe Cook  Treasurer

01387 820 284