Minutes of Caerlaverock Community Association meeting held 25 May 2022 in the Barbour Hall

Present:              Malcolm Laurie (Chair), Ian Brown (Committee Member), Ronnie and Helen Clark (Committee Members), John and Rona Carson (Committee Members), John Campbell (Nith Councillor), Chris Woodness (Nith Ward Officer), Malcolm Johnstone (Nith Councillor), Rebecca McClung, David Pickett (WWT Centre Manager), Richard Clarke (SW Scotland Trail Development Officer) and 16 Caerlaverock residents.

Apologies:         David Gilbert, Chris Jackson, Rob Wells, Mark Fogden.

Malc Laurie (ML) expressed everyone’s thanks to Rob Wells, who is leaving the CCA committee having been a member since 2009.  ML noted his valuable contribution to the community over the years, with his commitment, enthusiasm and above all, friendship.

The committee is looking to recruit new members. Names to caerlaverockcommunity@gmail.com please for consideration.

CCA UPDATES / REPORTS

 

Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held 23 Feb 2022 were accepted.  Matters arising:

  • The war memorial has been cleaned.
  • Litter pickers have been out in force.
  • The potholes in the Quay End have been filled.

 

Financial Position

Excluding allotment finances:

CCA income since the 23 Feb 2022 meeting: £3,091.

Expenditure since the 23 Feb meeting: £1,330 (notable items: £404 to replace the Bankend mower, £212 sub-base to fill the Quay End pot holes, £250 for two Castle Corner camp site tank emptyings).

Balance at 23 May 2022:  £17,598.  As previously agreed, £10,000 of this will go towards refurbishing the children’s play park so net amount available is £7,598.  A more detailed financial statement is available at the foot of these minutes.

 

General Reports

  • Playpark

David Gilbert has set out our three preferred options based on equipment levels.  The Council are about to begin the procurement process, seeking proposals from 13 contractors.  Once responses are received, CCA will be consulted on the equipment and design (probably at a community meeting in Glencaple).  A scheme will then be agreed and a contractor appointed.  David Gilbert has suggested completion this Financial Year.

  • Allotments

Grateful thanks to Dick McKune and ML for mowing the grass.  Dick has serviced the mower.  The main gate has been fixed by the combined skill of Dougie Anderson, Dick McKune and Karl Savege. We hope to run the weekly veg stall again this year.  Everyone is welcome to come onto the allotments at Jubilee weekend and have a look round.

  • 20 mph update

The 20 mph limit throughout Glencaple is going ahead and will affect all roads coming into the village.  No date yet.  It is a temporary order so can in theory be implemented straight away.  No reason why it should not become permanent.

  • WWT

David Pickett, the new Centre Manager, reported that staff shortages have been resolved and they have an almost full team again.  The café is once again operational. The new Events Officer will be in touch with a view to getting WWT events on the CCA website.

  • Dumfries & Galloway Council

Councillor John Campbell explained the Regional Coastal Benefit Fund which can provide £4,000-£6,000 for coastal communities to help with issues surrounding climate change and recovery from the pandemic.  It could tie in well with the SW Scotland Trail Development project, eg money for a new Kelton bridge?  He will contact ML when it opens for applications.

Dougie Anderson mentioned concerns over safety at the quay end, including the need to paint the mooring fitments orange again.

Malcolm Johnstone reported that the first meeting of the full council took place yesterday.   Emphasis from now on will be collaborative working.  Following the local council elections in May, our representatives for Nith ward are John Campbell, Malcolm Johnstone, David Slater and Keith Waters, so please feel free to contact any of them with any concerns.

British Cycling are holding 2022 British National Road Championships will be held in D&G 23-26 June.  A notice has been published on the community website. The time-trials are being held here in Caerlaverock on Thu 23 June following the route Crichton Estate – Bankend – Glencaple – Crichton Estate.   Information on road closures will be provided by D&G Council and published on the CCA website and noticeboards as soon as we know more.

Chris Woodness, our Nith Ward Officer, is working with schools and local businesses to arrange access for pupils and staff, and is helping get information out to local people (there will be a leaflet nearer the time when the full information is known).

Representatives from British Cycling are holding meetings on 9 June in Easterbrook Hall: 1600-1800 business drop-in and 1900-2030 residents’ presentation and Q&A.

  • Caerlaverock Estate

No report received

  • Nith Inshore Rescue

No report received.  Vehicle pull from Glencaple to Dumfries took place last weekend to raise funds.  First Aid training for children is still planned.

  • NatureScot

No report received.  ML commented that NatureScot have erected some good, professional-looking dog poo signs and he suggests we investigate getting something similar.

  • Caerlaverock Primary School

The school roll next year looks like 28 pupils, but this is work in progress and could be 32.  An end-of-term presentation night will be held at the Barbour Hall Wed 29 June.  Unfortunately there will be no invitations to members of the community yet (even parent/carer numbers are being capped at 2 adults per family) but by Christmas the school hopes to be able to invite members of the community back to their events.  The school has organised a jubilee baking competition for the children, to be judged at the 4 June Community Picnic in the Barbour Hall.

  • Caerlaverock Kirk

Nothing to report.

  • Barbour Hall

Soup Socials will be restarted, the first one to be on Thursday 16th June at 12 noon. Watch www.barbourhall.co.uk and noticeboards  for updates.

  • Hutton Hall

No report received.

  • Community Police

PC Rebecca McClung said there had been vandalism recently near the castle. ML asked about recent thefts of domestic heating oil throughout Scotland.  Police advise locking your oil tank (though thieves have been known to drill into tanks to drain the fuel).  Security lights are also a deterrent.

  • SW Scotland Coastal Trail

The trail’s Development Officer, Richard Clarke of Southern Uplands Partnership (SUP), gave a brief overview of the project to create a new long-distance footpath from Gretna to Portpatrick.

The trail is a collaborative venture involving SUP, the People’s Project and D&G Council and will link existing core paths to create one long trail.  Richard is keen to get ideas for what route the section Brow Well – Glencaple – Dumfries should take.  For example, the Castle Corner to Glencaple route could be Castle Corner – Ward Law – skirt Craig Wood – Glencaple.  The broken bridge above Kelton is a problem.

The Council is going to obtain an engineering report and design suggestions for a new, more durable, bridge.  Chris Woodness mentioned that Historic Environment Scotland are looking to move the coastal route further inland because of coastal erosion.  Richard has a map of the proposed route and will send this to ML so that everyone can see the proposed route and contribute ideas, comments to be published on the CCA website. Richard will keep us informed of any updates.

  • Jubilee Plans

ML read out the programme. Most things are happening on Saturday 4 June.  Volunteers are needed to put out tables for the picnic and to clear up afterwards

Cathy Berry has kindly donated a poker set for the Community Get-Together at 3pm on the 4th.

ML has 750m of bunting and would be grateful for help putting it up.

  • Any Other Business

The ongoing dog poo problem: ML is considering getting bag dispensers, which can be placed in local businesses.

Gratitude was expressed to the community payback team for redoing the Glencaple interpretation bords. ML to write them a letter of thanks.

 

Various practical tasks around Caerlaverock are mounting up. Volunteers are sought to help with the following:

Emptying dog-poo bins

Keeping the war memorial weeded

Grass cutting at Glencaple – Quay End

Strimming the Big Rock and other areas

Making a planter for the south end of Glencaple and keeping it planted.

 

Benjamin Harrop asked about the L-shaped piece of land round the play park and why it could not be put to good use. ML said the question has been raised in the past.  He could not recall the details but the upshot is that unfortunately the land is simply not available.

 

Ian Brown would like the Council to cut the verges earlier. Malcolm Johnstone agreed as visibility at junctions can be affected.

 

Benjamin Harrop referred back to the Council’s new collaborative working initiative described earlier by Malcolm Johnstone. Malcolm Johnstone said it is not a formal coalition. Political leaders will just decide policy together, which could be very positive.

 

Terry Harrop asked if we have a community petrol strimmer to use around the wooden boats along the front. ML confirmed that there may be funds available and the idea is worth pursuing.  Strimming is preferable to using weedkiller at the Big Rock, for instance.

 

Broadband update: nothing to report at the moment.

 

  • Date of Next Meeting: Wednesday 31 August at 7.30 pm, venue Barbour Hall.