Chairperson’s Report 26 May 2021

I hope that you are all well and enjoying the slow return to the normality that the easing of lockdown restrictions brings. I for one will never again undervalue the ability to sit with family and friends for a blether over a cup of tea or something stronger. So, as we do see restrictions relaxed, I sincerely hope this is the last online report I shall make. All being well we shall hold our usual meeting on the last Wednesday in August so “Watch This Space!”

In my last report I updated on the position with the playpark. This is proving a difficult nut to crack and I plan to have a full discussion at our next meeting.  In short we are unlikely to get any further contribution from the Council above the current £33k. I have looked at a similar scheme at Nethermill which has cost circa £43k. I estimate that, subject to accurate contractor costs, we shall need to find a shortfall of between £12 & 17K. This is currently beyond our means. We cannot obtain grant funding from any of the sources we have researched whilst the land remains in the ownership and control of the Council. We could take control by lease or transfer subject to Council approval but that would mean a radical change in the makeup of the Association. Whilst I am continuing to research as many possibilities as I can this needs serious community debate. On the plus side we have time to deal with this as I have received confirmation that there is no time limit on using the developer’s contribution. Clearly the sooner we have a community lead decision on a way forward the better.

On a more positive note we now have recycling rolled out across the community and love them or loathe them our red and blue bins will help reduce waste. A number of you have raised the issue of glass recycling which is not included due to the deposit scheme planned for next year. We have been discussing an additional community glass recycling bin with the Council. Whilst we have one at Bankend another could be situated behind the toilet block on the Quay End. This is being progressed by the Roads Department.

Our Facebook group, Caerlaverock Neighbours continues to be a source of community reference and I am pleased to see that it is regularly used. It is particularly heartening to note that as a result of hard work by Malcolm Laurie and others the Council provided a grant towards its running cost of nearly £950. A big thank you to D&G for this as it means we can keep our telephone line going in case of emergency. We do though need to do more work on our disaster recovery plan so expect us to be in touch with a few of you to improve this.

It will not have gone unnoticed that as lockdown eases we are seeing an increasing number of visitors to the area, in both cars and motorhomes. We have improved our signage at the Quay End and introduced an envelope donation system to try and capture more donations and data. In particular we have tried to make clear that this is community space that we are sharing with visitors. Motorhomes should not park in the marked spaces between 09.00 and 21.00. Eagle eyed amongst you will have seen this has been covered in a personal note from me on our website. The Estate continues to support us by allowing us to take donations at Castle Corner; a popular location of late. In this respect we continue to contribute to the cost of emptying the waste tank and have also contributed to some resurfacing works.

On the unsavoury issue of dog mess we have bought two additional bins; for Bankend and Quay Hill. This continues to be a distressing issue carrying a lot of emotion. Please just clean up after your dog and use the bins provided or take it home (see also SNH report).

Lastly, now we are out of lockdown we need to reinvigorate the grass cutting in the village. Douglas Anderson has been doing this for far too long. We have a community mower and just need volunteers to use it around the village. I am happy to help with strimming from time to time but please come forward if you will help with the mower.

Caerlaverock Kirk

Whilst our Kirk remains closed I wanted to add a personal thank you to Reverend Douglas Irving and his son for keeping up the Sunday Services online. Cleaning is taking place and we await news on when it will be open for worship.

Finances

We continue to be in good financial health and hopefully with a return of visitors, income will start to improve our financial position in the light of the potential investment required at the Playpark. Income for the last period has £1765.5 including the grant for D&G of £949.80. Our expenditure included the new envelope system, dog waste bins, insurance, resurfacing work at Castle Corner and mower repairs. These totalled £824.75 so we have positive income over expenditure. Our total balance therefore sits at around £10k leaving us in a good position to cover the next year of expenditure. Thanks go to Chris Jackson and Alison Robertson for all their work in keeping us on the right track.

Allotments Report

Thanks to Sue Greig for this.

Well Spring is at last springing and the allotments are taking off again.

We are currently awaiting the result of our application to the Council for funding to improve drainage, build hard-standing round the entrance on Quay Hill and plant trees to provide a windbreak.

  1. Thanks to Dougie for providing bench and chairs which are now situated in the middle of the allotment site.  Please come in and enjoy the peace of this lovely communal garden – and maybe have a blether with our vegetable growers. Everyone is very welcome.
  2. Sadly the two middle sites had to be temporarily abandoned after they were severely waterlogged last year (see above re application to Council for help to install more drainage). Meantime we have left them fallow until we can sort the drainage…and with astonishing results.  Wild flowers are already emerging like speedwell and ladies’ smock. And the birdlife is amazing – we’ve heard swallows, woodpecker, wren, chaffinch, cuckoo, goldfinch, blackbird, song thrush, chiff chaff, willow warbler, blue tit, yellowhammer and pheasant.
  3. Clearing the site of rubbish left over many years has been a big task and ongoing but good progress has been made.  There’s still some scrap metal yet to be removed and we were hoping the floodlights would be down by now but they will be soon. Thanks go to everyone involved in the clear up.
  4. The site is fully insured, covering gardeners and visitors.
  5. And finally, please remember that copies of the Caerlaverock Community Allotment Cookbook are available at the Boathouse, Vintage on the Nith and the Nith Hotel. All proceeds go towards developing and maintaining our site.

School Report

Just a few things coming up with the school…

Funding secured for the playground refurbishment, so installation will be happening on week commencing 21st June – the last week of term. Finally, after all the years of raising funds, it’s happening!

Next year our school role will be 30. Currently there are 31 pupils – 5 P7’s are leaving and 4 new p1’s are joining.

Staff are continuing to deal with decisions and changes being made daily and weekly – re COVID 19, but continue to have all school children back at school in the building.

Mr Tennant would also like to thank everyone again, on behalf of the school, who have donated funds for our playground refurbishment. In particular to…

  • Caerlaverock Church and the late Rev. Dave
  • Lady Clare and the Estate
  • The Boathouse
  • The Barbour Hall Committee
  • The Hutton Hall Committee
  • The Caerlaverock Parent Council
  • The Caerlaverock Community Association
  • Kind donations from members of the community – especially the late Judith Mylne, Ruby Mitchell, Anne Ritchie and Steven Jackson.
  • Ruby Mitchell for donating all proceeds of the Caerlaverock primary school breakfast club that she ran for the children before COVID-19.
  • All the parents and relatives of the school who have donated throughout the last few years

NIR Report

See separate report   [<<<Click Here]

SNH Report

Whilst it may have been quiet for visitors SNH has been busy with improvements to the Reserve. The old Hides are being replaced but in line with government guidance will remain closed in the short term. You will also have noted improvements to footpaths. Of concern are dog walkers out on the merse during nesting season and those who do not clean up after their dogs. This is a National Nature Reserve so we politely ask that you stay off the merse with your dog and clean up after it.

 

David Gilbert- Chairperson