Menu
 
Home | Sport | Town’s regeneration vision scoops £60k
 
News | 21st November 2019
 

Town’s regeneration vision scoops £60k

 
 
 

AN AWARD worth £60,000 is being given to the Langholm Alliance to employ a full-time officer to develop its community action plan.
The news was announced at the launch of the plan last Thursday by Professor Russel Griggs, chairman of the South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SoSEP).
The plan brings together eight key priorities: infrastructure and energy; business and economic development; tourism; sports, leisure and outdoor activities; arts and culture; heritage; health and social care; and children and young people.
The event was also used to launch a new tourism brand and strategy and the logo, which has been designed, is of the Malcolm Monument.
Invited guests and the public were welcomed to the launch in the Buccleuch Centre by Billy Young, vice-chairman of the alliance, who introduced Fiona Armstrong, Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries.


She said: “As her Majesty’s personal representative, one of my briefs is to support community enterprise and I know she would very interested in what’s happening here. It’s a very exciting plan and I know Langholm has a great future.”
She praised the community spirit which had brought people together to enable Langholm to speak with one voice.
The alliance had worked with all parts of the community, with SURF (Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum) and the Scottish Community Development Centre which had borne the cost.
Prof Griggs told the audience that two key issues had come forward during the public consultations: getting an integrated public transport system; and more houses.
He cited an example of a hotel in Galloway which could not recruit staff because there was nowhere for them to live.
He said: “Langholm has always been a particular interest; it’s a microcosm of all the challenges in southern Scotland.
“I was astounded that a population of 2,300 had 43 organisations and if you add in all the clubs there are 70.
“You got together under the leadership of some really good people and now you have a plan for the future.
“We approved a community enterprise support programme to help support communities and one thing you need is someone to lead the plan.
“So, £60,000 is being spent on a full-time officer to work with the alliance to lead this. It will have its own person to work on it and won’t need to rely on volunteers.
“This officer will do four things: support implementation of the plan; progress key projects; develop an events programme; and develop regeneration activity.
“We hope this person will become self-sustainable and fund themselves. That person will be in place as soon as possible.
“You are a really good example of what other communities in southern Scotland can do.”
A presentation was then given by three members of the alliance: Campbell Scott, Lucy MacLeod and John Galloway who took the audience through the themes.
The tourism strategy was presented by consultant Graham Hackett of Osprey Delivers who was commissioned to design the strategy.
He said: “We completely enjoyed ourselves developing a brand and strategy. We never got tired of coming here and we’ve worked hard to capture people’s thoughts.
“There is a drive within the town to create a location and a style. We asked people what the assets were and why people would come here.”
He added: “People of Langholm, I’ve always said you’re quite a different bunch but the enthusiasm we’ve engaged with has been second to none and I hope that continues in delivering all the elements of the plan.”
Questions were asked about the tourism strategy, including one by Andrew Scott who said he had searched Airbnb for Langholm and come up with nothing.
Was there a way of monitoring this and encourage and help people who were interested in that aspect?
Mr Hackett said it was a case of finding out what people travelling here wanted in terms of accommodation and to use social media and a website, which was about to be launched.
The alliance panel was asked whether Langholm would get a town brand, like Wigtown Book Town.
Campbell said they were currently discussing a twinning with the birthplace of Neil Armstrong.

 
 
Would you like to support us?

The Eskdale and Liddesdale Advertiser is our community owned local newspaper and even in today’s troubled times, we aim to bring you local news and articles in an impartial, responsible and factual way.

We hope you have enjoyed reading this free article but we need your support so we can keep delivering quality journalism that’s open and independent and keeps you up to date with what is happening in Eskdale and Liddesdale.

Every reader’s contribution, however big or small, is so valuable to us.
 
 
‘Owned by the Community...Published for the Community’
Do you have a story?

Please get in touch if you have a story or article you would like to see published.

Related Articles

‘Is our voice even heard?’

NHS Dumfries and Galloway executives attend first of hopefully many…

 

Road safety concerns at Langholm Primary school

Concerned parents have produced a detailed report on the alarming…

 

High heid yins head for Thomas Hope meeting

Meeting with Health and Social Care to thrash out Langholm’s…

 

Having a final say on the future of Holm Hill

Newcastleton and District Community Trust is just about to carry…

 

Love, a dance and a right good belly laugh!

With a large cast and great audiences, LAODS’ Last Tango…

 

Share in windfarm leadsto green awards nomination

Nick Jennings’ foresight puts Eskdalemuir in the running The Upper…

 

Langholm Alliance: Update on Community Plan

Donna Hislop, Community Enterprise Manager, brings us up to speed…

 

Musical excellence delights Canonbie audience

Splendid concert brings church’s 200 year celebrations to a close…

 

Langholm Moor Lynx fears are calmed... for the moment

Fears that the new owners of former farmland on Langholm…

 

Oxygen Man links lynx to Langholm Moor

Blackburn & Hartsgarth owner says it’s a possibility Could former…

 

Post Office's future discussed at meeting

Canonbie residents gather to hear the options for valuable village…

 

Scottish call-up forathlete sisters

Langholm siblings make the Scottish Pentathlon team SCOTTISH CALL UP…

 

Langholm familiarisation visit for Council leader

Gail Macgregor, leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council was invited…

 

Further afforestation fury

Tree planting nightmare for a further three farms surrounding Claygate…

 

Moderator inspires worshipers at Canonbie

Church is packed to hear uplifting service from church leader…

 

Great start for Conan,Freshman of the Year

Langholm athlete attains accolade from Charleston Southern University 18-year-old Conan…

 

Urgent action required in face of diminished services

1,000+ signature petition endorses demands Langholm’s ailing health services are…

 

Public meeting on future of Canonbie Post Office

Following the news that Canonbie Post Office and shop were…

 

Two high-level wins for Sarah in Scandinavia

GILLY FRASER hears about Sarah Borthwick and her show-jumpers A top…

 

Rothbury 'Looks North' to Langholm for guidance

The team at BBC look North got in touch with…

 

High profile minister to visit Canonbie

Anthony Lane tells of perfect ending to Church’s bi-centenary events…

 

Appeal for help with gardens

Margaret Pool writes; A number of folk will recall that…

 

A celebration of some amazing achievements

Langholm Academy pupils shine with some spectacular exam results and…

 

Old Copshaw hostlery closes its doors

One of Newcastleton’s longest-established businesses has closed down. The Liddesdale…

 

Xcel is eighteen!

This week marks 18 years of the Xcel Project! The…

 

Langholm Flood Scheme dead in the water

Plug pulled on original £10 million defences In last week’s…

 

Doing the Wright thing for Sycamore Gap

Amazing offer by Canonbie Sawmill owners Canonbie sawmill owners Steve…

 

Ultra-cool Ullswater adventures

Langholm S6 pupils enjoy a week of outdoor antics and…

 

Umbrella walkers raise over £30k

Rotary and Trusts-backed fundraiser breaks another record The Langholm Rotary…

 

Conan has Carolina on his mind

Langholm athlete settled on Charleston SouthernUniversity having had seventy offers…

 

Loreburn remains 'wholly committed' to Murtholm

E&L interviews housing association chief executive Kirsteen McGinn The E&L…

 

Had by Haddington

Slow start for Langholm gives home side the advantage but…

 

The 171st Langholm Show

The day of the 171st Langholm Show dawned and Langholm…

 

Sensational new sensory room for Langholm Youth project

Xcel has provided one of the best publicly accessible sensory…

 

Langholm Forum contacts Holyrood

Warbla petition prompts invitation to Gougeon Following an excellent response…

 

It’s been all go on Langholm Showfield this week.

A veritable army of willing volunteers and committee members has…

 

All our rugby yesteryears

A great afternoon at Hawick and Wilton Cricket Club on…

 

Cammy Barnes LOVES Langholm x

Last Friday, The Buccleuch Centre opened it’s doors to welcome…

 

Flat roof problems for Langholm's Primary school

Wet rot and

From no RAAC one week to wet rot and water…

 

Erskine Church saga reaches the airwaves

Denise Irving-Lang to be interviewed by Radio Scotland It’s encouraging…

 
 
requires mailchimp logins and wired up to a list
Join our mailing list
Keep up to date with all that’s going on at the E&L
This site uses cookies.
Configure
 
Read our privacy policy

This site uses cookies for marketing, personalisation, and analysis purposes. You can opt out of this at any time or view our full privacy policy for more information.