The Old Luce Development Trust received a lovely Christmas present with the awarding of £5,000 towards our Community Action Plan and Local Place Plan from the Community Led Local Development Fund, administered by Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway.
They then were awarded a further £13,500 by Old Luce Community Fund towards this piece of work. They are now working with Barbara Chalmers from Only Human, who has been helping to achieve some very positive outcomes for Stranraer’s regeneration. Old Luce residents will have various opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas, so have a look on website www.oldluce.org.uk/cap and on the Facebook page, and keep an eye out in your local Hall, Hub, shops and other locations for further information and updates.
Dunragit
A group of volunteers in Dunragit arranged funding via an Old Luce Community Council micro-grant for Halloween bags, which were distributed to delighted Dunragit children in October. Next year they will be able to have a Halloween party in their new Hub.
The new Dunragit Hub celebrated its first community event in December, when a very special visitor in a red suit dropped by to delight after the Christmas lights were switched on. Residents of all ages along with a few four-legged friends couldn’t wait for their first look inside this cosy new facility once the doors were officially open.
The new Hub management committee met for the first time in January, with the following volunteers agreeing to take on various roles: Chair – Jackie Plunkett, Vice Chair – Brian Taylor, Treasurer – Diane Lowe, Secretary – Lisa Shinglestone.
We have received funding from DG Woodlands for green beech and a Whitebeam tree for the Dunragit Hub site and picnic tables for the terrace are also due to arrive at the end of this month. The community can’t wait to enjoy the enhanced outdoor surroundings at the Hub, especially once warmer days and longer evenings arrive.
The new Hub is now taking bookings for hire via dunragitcommunityhub2025@gmail.com
A big thank you to Lesley and Tiggy for volunteering to collect responses to our Community Facilities Consultation survey in Dunragit, which doubled the response rate
there. Thank you to everyone across Old Luce who completed this survey, which will provide valuable community data to help us seek funding for our facilities, including someone to focus on getting more activities and events happening at the Dunragit Community Hub and similar at Glenluce Public Hall.
Industrial Estate
New tenants SIRTN Toys warmly welcomed the local community with plenty of festive cheer to their delightful grand opening in unit 1 at the end of November, directly following the official Christmas lights switch-on in Glenluce. There were toys and collectible goodies galore to marvel at on the shop shelves. Santa was also a welcome visitor in residence in his grotto, handing out wee treats and receiving everyone’s Christmas gift wishes with plenty of ho-ho-ho’s. SIRTN are also proposing to host a summer fete on the ground at the rear during the summertime and all the community will be invited be a part of all the fun. Keep an eye out for the date and further details.
Mathers Dairy Utensils Ltd have now installed their signage and are in the process of moving into the front two units. We look forward to their grand opening and their very welcome rural services here in Glenluce. We also look forward to announcing a new tenant for the other rear unit in the coming months.
The Glen
Well done to local Friends of the Glen volunteers Ken, Mark and Sue for passing their theory and practical assessments to achieve their invasive non-native species (INNS) control certificates at Galloway Fisheries Trust in Newton Stewart in December. Their new skills will be very helpful in maintaining our local natural environments, including ongoing management of The Glen.
These general works are carried out as part of the ‘Scottish Solway Invasive Non Native Species control and knowledge programme’ funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund with match funding from Kilgallioch Wind Farm Community Fund (administered by Foundation Scotland).
If you wish to know more about volunteering on an INNS project at various locations across Wigtownshire, please send an email to tracy@gallowayfisheriestrust.org.
The ferocity of Storm Eowyn in January saw the loss of a few more large trees along the high points of the paths, which required cutting back.
Once the spring weather arrives, a variety of improvements and replacements are planned to be carried out for bridges, paths and new fencing which will improve the long term enjoyment and well-being of The Glen for all.
Glenluce Public Hall
Our regular weekly Hall activities including Boccia, the Post Office outreach service, Chair Tai-Chi and Glenluce Community Shop returned to the Hall in January, along with the monthly Craft Group. If you wish to apply for funding to support event Hall Hire and/or equipment costs, the Trust can offer support and guidance on, or sponsorship for, grant applications. Various options can be applied for, including the Old Luce Community Council micro-grant of up to £500. Please visit www.oldluce.org.uk/glenluce-hall for conditions of hire and bookings.
Brambles
We are hoping to submit the building warrant application for Brambles later this month. and then looking to put the construction out to tender in the summer so that refurbishment of this derelict site can then begin.
Glenluce Healthy Living Campus
The Trust has been meeting with potential funders and the Surgery, with all parties keen to find an affordable solution for an expanded facility with very welcome benefits for staff and patients.
Membership
The Trust reduced the minimum age for full membership from 18 to 16 years of age at our AGM in October. We also created two new Director posts, as the Trust is under represented on the board in the under 25 age group. We would particularly welcome applications from members in that age category, so if you are interested, please email thetrust@oldluce.org.uk for further information.
Membership of Old Luce Development Trust is open to anyone who supports the work of the Trust. Full Membership is open to all permanent residents of the Parish aged 16+, Junior Membership is open to anyone under the age 16 and Associate Membership is open to anyone who lives out with the Parish.
Some grant providers consider the proportion of residents in an area as part of their decision-making process, so we encourage all eligible members of the community to join the Trust, even if another member of the household is already a member.
Further details about and how to apply can be found online at www.oldluce.org.uk/membership
