Minutes of Caerlaverock Community Association meeting held 30 August 2023, 1930, Barbour Hall Glencaple

Present: David Gilbert (DG, Chair), Chris Jackson (Treasurer), Ian Brown (Committee Member), Chris Woodness (Nith Ward Officer, D&G Council), Malcolm Johnstone (Councillor, Nith Ward), Anna Austin (Estate Manager, Caerlaverock Estate), Laurie Irving (Nith Inshore Rescue) and 12 Caerlaverock residents.

Apologies: Douglas Anderson, Lynda Anderson, Police Scotland, Gerry Donnelly, Suzanne McIntyre (NatureScot), David Pickett (WWT), Cllr John Campbell, Mrs Scriven (Caerlaverock School).

 

  1. Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the 31 May 2023 meeting were accepted.

  1. Financial Position

Balance (including allotments) on 28 May 2023 £16,157.36.

Balance (including allotments) on 27 August 2023 £19,667.37

Detail

Non-allotment balance 28 May 2023 £15,089.33

Non-allotment income (all from Motorhomes) £4,166.78

Non-allotment expenditure £840.18 (Castle Corner septic tank emptying £410, mower fuel £69, envelopes for motorhome donations £160, towels and pads for defibrillators £168, Quay End plants £24, hall hire for last meeting £9).

Non-allotment balance 27 August 2023 £18,415.93

 

Allotments balance 28 May 2023 £1,068.03

Allotments income (cook books and 1st 3 veg stalls) £183.53

Allotments Expenditure (site rent) £0.12

Allotments balance 27 August £1,251.44

 

Finances are looking healthy.  Our running costs are around £6,000-£7,000 per year  so we can start thinking about new community projects for next year.

 

  1. Community Police

Apologies sent: no-one is available.  David Gilbert (DG) asked them to send a report instead but no report has been received.  He asked them to acknowledge that if Caerlaverock residents report speeding, the Police will follow it up.  No response.  While we appreciate the pressures on their time, it is rather frustrating that they were unable even to provide us with a report.  Cllr Malcolm Johnstone commented that as soon as he establishes a link with a Police officer, that officer moves jobs and Malcolm is not told about the replacement.

 

  1. D&G Council

Burial Strategy: over the summer, public conversations have taken place throughout the region.  The information is being collated at the moment with a formal report in due course.

The Community Asset conversation has started.  This relates to car-parks, grounds maintenance etc.  On the D&G Council website at the moment.

 

When that comes to an end, the Regional Parking Strategy conversation begins, with the aim of producing a strategic policy which D&G Council will adopt.  The Road Network Team are leading, with Systra also involved (Systra: a national company experienced in leading similar engagement processes and gathering information).  There will be a minimum of 10 community conversations plus online conversations, the community conversations taking place between mid-afternoon and 8pm.  Draft report due out in December with a full report in February.  A Parking Strategy has been talked about for a long time but has been brought to a head by the Police no longer enforcing parking regulations, seeing it not the best use of their manpower.  The Police will act if a vehicle is blocking the road (eg M&S delivery lorries and around Burns statue).  There have even been cases where emergency vehicles have not been able to get to people.

 

Rob Wells commented that it is increasingly difficult for disabled badge holders to find anywhere to park as their spaces are taken up by drivers without badges.  The Council will take this on, having no option in the absence of any Police action.  Money raised from fines will go to the Council and there are strict rules about what it can be spent on (transport projects, active travel).  Malcolm Johnstone sees this as an opportunity to recruit more Community Safety Officers as they will be issuing the tickets. The conversation about this will start in September and will be completed before the October school holidays.  DG felt it is more for personal input by individuals than for CCA to respond.

 

  1. NatureScot

The last month has been busy but without incident. The small viewpoint planned for Castle Corner has been postponed again because the bids submitted in July came in at double the expected cost.  Last year’s postponement was due to NatureScot’s own budget limitations.

 

  1. Caerlaverock Estate

Nature conservation projects to create ponds in two already wet areas are moving forward with the digger on site from 18 September.  The initial ponds are due to be completed by the end of October, after which a community event is planned to show what has been done and how it will benefit wildlife.  The two areas being developed are the rushy field opposite Castle Corner car-park and the flat area you see from the entrance to the castle.  Japanese Knotweed has been sprayed beyond the N end of Glencaple.  The Estate have just parted with their old Land Rover but are getting a new one.  The only incident of note was a drunk at the castle (Police did respond).  Fly-tipping is a problem on the outskirts of Glencaple.  Anna and DG have discussed improving signage at Castle Corner campsite to make it look more professional.  The plan is for information to be kept to a minimum with further information accessed via QR codes.  DG and Anna hope to make information provided to visitors consistent across Caerlaverock, with common branding there and at the Quay End; it is hoped improved signage will influence visitor behaviour for the better.  

 

Terry Harrop commented that motor homes come to the castle every day looking for the campsite.  They dump their rubbish in the castle wheelie bins.  DG said the problem is that the castle and the campsite share the same post code.  Improved signage will include What3words to help motor homers pinpoint the campsite.

 

DG commented that we would very much like better engagement with the castle and Historic Environment Scotland.  He would welcome a point of contact, same as we have for NatureScot and every other organisation, to start building a relationship, even if attendance at meetings was via zoom.  Terry said the person responsible does not live in the area but is visiting the castle tomorrow.  Anna believes the person in question would be happy to become more involved;  Anna has offered to read out any report she is sent.

  1. Caerlaverock School

The have a new head teacher (not in work today so could not attend meeting) and two new principal teachers.  They hope to be at the next meeting.  Gordon Tennant has left to join Shawhead and Lochrutton Partnership as their Partnership Head Teacher.  Action DG to meet the new school staff and rekindle the school-CCA relationship.

 

  1. Barbour Hall

The renovation will begin soon, starting with the ladies’ toilets (mid-September to the beginning of December).  The recent table-top sale raised £674.21 for the Hall.  Another fundraising event is planned for the end of the year. The AGM takes place in October (further details to follow).  The Hall continues to be very busy with private and public events (Nith Raid this Saturday, traditional music again on Sunday).  More films are planned for the autumn.  The annual Macmillan Coffee Morning is being held at the Barbour Hall on Friday 29 September (Organiser: Sue Gilbert).

 

  1. Allotments

It has been a mixed year.  Thanks again to Firth Farms for letting us have the site and for keeping the rent at 12p per year.  The Sunday veg stall is operating for five weeks to raise money for the allotments and promote organic vegetables.  Anna commented that The Boathouse would be glad of any unsold vegetables.  £87-worth of organic vegetables were sold at the Barbour Hall table-top sale so we thank the Hall for the opportunity.  This spring, a village Pumpkin Patch was created on a spare half-plot and 35 plants are producing pumpkins.  The school and local children will be invited to help themselves.  The pumpkins are likely to be ready before Hallowe’en.

 

  1. Nith Inshore Rescue

The Grenadier vehicle has arrived.  The crew are very pleased with it (it replaces the old Land Rover which is being sold off).  It’s the first time anywhere that a Grenadier has been used as an emergency vehicle.  The preference is for the Land Rover to be sold locally; if there is no interest, it will go for auction.  The large lifeboat, St John, is 13 years old and overdue a refit.  It leaves next week and will be away for three weeks.  After the refit it will be good for another 10 years.  Looking ahead to the 2024 Open Day, the NIR chair, Peter Bryden, would like to speak to DG about making it more of a local community-based event.

 

  1. Caerlaverock Kirk

On Saturday 23 September there will be a coffee morning in St Mary’s-Greyfriars’ church hall.  Any money gifted will be donated to Nith Inshore Rescue.  All welcome, as are donations of baking.  On Sunday 24 September Holy Communion will be celebrated at St Mary’s-Greyfriars’ Church.  This is likely to be the last service to be held there but confirmation from Presbytery is still awaited.

 

  1. Hutton Hall

No report received. 

 

UCI Cycling event

All speakers were positive.  Everyone who spoke thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was well managed.  A few negatives:

  1. a) Road Closure signs were confusing, often appearing many miles from the actual closure.
  2. b) national and local radio coverage was poor.  There was no acknowledgement of the major part played by D&G.  In addition, they treated Dumfries as a suburb of Glasgow.  UCI even put up a “People make Glasgow” sign in Dumfries.
  3. c) A comment was made to DG about the welfare of the stewards.  Some were dropped off at 0500 and collected again at 1900 with no food or water provided.  No matter what was in their contract, D&G Council need to hold UCI to account.
  4. d) DG was in Dumfries around the time of the event.  He emphasised the importance of the Whitesands as a parking area, and this needs to be taken into account in the Regional Parking Strategy.
  5. e) there were no viewing facilities along the route.  A missed opportunity to promote our area.  

 

On the positive side, the emergency procedures worked well, people getting to hospital when they needed to.

 

Committee Members

CCA need more committee members, particularly from Glencaple.  Not an onerous job: most of the communication is done by email.

 

Community Website

Two people have been trained (and a third will be trained soon) to take over from Malc and Jane, who created it and have updated it single-handedly for so many years.  If anyone IT-literate would be willing to get involved or take it on, please contact DG.

 

Grass-cutting and community projects

Dick McKune is continuing to mow when it is needed.  We are looking for additional volunteers to do some strimming from time to time.  There is a real need for more people to help with community projects.

 

Benches

The old concrete bench at the Quay End is no more and DG is in discussions about a replacement.   The Estate agree that we do not want more memorial benches.  CCA will pay for the base.  The bench at the top (southern) end of Glencaple is also in disrepair.  DG and Liz Anderson to discuss.

 

Path from new houses into the rest of the village

DG asked the Councillors to check with the planning team about the conditions for the Shore Road footpath.  DG thought there had been an issue with non-compliance with certain of the conditions.  Action: Chris Woodness and Malcolm Johnstone to find out

 

Speeding, limits and roads

Rona and John Carson said it remains a problem.  DG agreed that Kelton corner to Conheath and Glencaple to Castle Corner are particularly bad.  The meeting felt that there is little we can do unless we acquire video footage showing registration numbers, and unless there is Police commitment to follow up any such footage.  Terry Harrop felt the local community were at fault too and raised the question of the location of 20mph signs and the possibility of acquiring illuminated speeding signs.  DG met Cllr David Slater on site, who will take up the 20mph sign locations with D&G Council.  D&G Council will not fund illuminated signs; the one in Bankend was funded by the then Community Council with surplus funds but it is somewhat temperamental, sometimes working and sometimes not.  The battery needs changed regularly.  Participants disagreed over whether it actually makes drivers slow down.  DG reminded the meeting that the 20mph limit is only temporary and the decision whether to make it permanent has yet to be taken (possibly in June 2024).  Malcolm Johnstone and Chris Woodness said D&G Council would have no objection to us buying our own illuminated signs and will look at sources of grant funding, particularly in view of the current campaign to encourage walking and cycling.  

 

DG thanked the Council for at last filling the potholes using their new machine.

 

Fred Trigg has been asking the Council about the fallen banking in Bankend and wondered how the problem could be addressed. DG asked the Councillors present to look into it.  Action: Chris Woodness and Malcolm Johnstone to investigate

 

Hutton Trust

DG is on the board and also on the equivalent body at D&G level.  The trust is there to provide small grants eg to buy tools or books for young apprentices just starting out.  There has been little uptake.  DG to report back at the next meeting.

 

Stone through motor home window

During grass-cutting at the Quay End, a stone flew up and went through the window of a motorhome.  CCA has public liability insurance and the issue is in the hands of our insurers.  The problem is the chips put under the new haaf-netters’ bench which work their way into the grass.

 

Annual Community-wide Event

Nith Inshore Rescue chair Peter Bryden would like there to be an annual community-wide event, similar to the jubilee and coronation festivities.   DG offered to meet with lifeboat personnel for further discussions and the meeting expressed broad agreement.

 

PA system for the Barbour Hall

It is so hard to hear in the main hall that DG is working with Gwilym Gibbons and Lynda Anderson to acquire a portable PA system.  Price could be £300-£500.  John Turnbull advised it should be battery + mains so can be used outside and in.  Rob Wells commented that grant funding is probably available.  DG said Robin Rigg are looking for projects to fund.

 

Remembrance Sunday

Someone is required to organise Remembrance Day events.  Usually takes the form of a service at the Memorial followed – at dusk – by the lighting of the Quay End beacon.  DG has been talking to someone about replacing the beacon, which is rusted.  DG mentioned a proposed torch-lit procession up the Wardlaw.  If this is felt to be a good idea, an organiser is required.

 

Any Other Business

 

Merse bridge

Gail Stewart mentioned the bridge on the merse north of Glencaple which has been in disrepair for so long.  DG met NatureScot and D&G Council there.  One issue is getting landowner permission to move the bridge away from the river. DG asked the councillors for feedback on reinstating the bridge.

Action: Chris Woodness and Malcolm Johnstone to investigate.

 

School safety barriers

Liz Anderson said one of the safety barriers in front of the school had been taken out for the UCI cycling event.  It is still sitting there and is rather unsafe.  Action: Chris Woodness to investigate 

 

Dog dirt

Terry Harrop complained about the amount of dog dirt on the merse path from the Quay End to the Big Rock. He feels signs need to be put up reminding dog-owners of their responsibilities.  Action: David Gilbert to chase Cllr David Slater

 

20mph stickers

Anna Austin commented that many wheelie bins still bear 30mph stickers.  Action: Terry Harrop to buy replacement 20mph stickers. 

 

2023 Rood Fair

Chris Woodness said there will be the usual road closures for the Rood Fair which begins on 25 September.