A document providing up to date information information and advice for individuals, families, businesses and charities is available here. 

ate of release: 3 June 2020.

Topics covered:

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE

OTHER SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES

OTHER INFORMATION FOR BUSINESSES

INFORMATION FOR CHARITIES

The 8th May is the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.  The Town was planning a number of events and activities to mark this occasion but of course with the current coronavirus crisis much of this has had to be cancelled or postponed.  Graham and Margaret Wright who run The Gatehouse Folk website have been working over the past months to collate a memorial document of the experiences of the people of Gatehouse during the war, both at home and away.  The material is now available to read online on The Gatehouse Folk website.  

Public Forum

The Community Council will be holding a "virtual" meeting due to the Covid-19 restriction. Consequently, public attendance is not really feasible. If any members of the Gatehouse community have any issues that they wish to raise that are within the remit of the Community Council, could they please send an email to the Chairman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. outlining the issue in question.

Along with commuities across the world, Gatehouse of Fleet finds itself dealing with the exceptional circumstances brought on by the Covid-19 virus. It will cause significant changes in the way we all do things for the foreseeable future.  With most community events no longer taking place we have replaced the community diary with a section specifically for Covid-19 related issues.  This section contains useful links to official sources of information.  It also contains local information and phone numbers.  It will be updated regularly.  If you are self-isolating or cannot leave your house, keep essential phone numbers to hand so that you can contact members of the community.  The local shops, SPAR and The Gatehouse Store - can organise dleiveries to your home.  There are also numbers for The Doctors' Surgery, Chemist, and to other community support which IS available.  Also do keep in touch with your friends and family, and with your neigbours.

Visit our Covid-19 pages.

A Gatehouse Community Help Group has been set up on Facebook.  This is likely to be a lively group filled with up-to-date local information as well as advice and help.  It is available here: www.facebook.com/groups/2614921332073630/

The Trustees of the Murray Usher Foundation are inviting residents of Gatehouse of Fleet to let them know if there is interest in the availability of workshop spaces/units for occupation by small business ventures.  The Trustees will be seeking grant funding to cover the cost of replacing the former Fleetside Workshops.  For that purpose, the Trustees will require to demonstrate that there is such a demand at local level.  While no element of commitment from interested parties is being sought at this stage, all those who can help in justifying a need for workshop spaces/units should contact the Administrator of the Foundation by email – Gavin Scott: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Gatehouse Horticultural Society held its annual show on Saturday 31st August. It was held, as usual in the Community Centre and proved to be a very successful day, which was surprising after the wild weather the previous two days. It was great to see more new residents entering the many different classes available to them (some even winning prizes), along with the usual exhibitors who come along and make a great effort every year. The show seems to be a great opportunity for all ages to catch up with folk they haven’t seen for a while, and to have a chat and laugh while walking around and admiring the many exhibits on display.

Dumfries and Galloway Doors Open day this year will be held over the weekend of 7 and 8 September.

The Mill on the Fleet is planning to hold a Community Pop-up Museum over the weekend.  The sort of items that the Mill is hoping to display include Gala week programmes, photographs of local people and places, Gatehouse of Fleet souvenirs and memorabilia, and tools and household equipment from the last 230 years.  Does anyone have a pair of Gatehouse clogs or any items relating to old Gatehouse of Fleet industries and trades?  Any items lent for the weekend will be safely looked after and returned. 

Robin Alderslowe went to London last month to receive his Cycling UK Outstanding Young Achiever award from Jenny Graham, the Scottish round-the-world cycling record-holder.  He received his award for encouraging people in our community to get on their bikes.

The Community Council was pleased that more people completed the recent questionnaire about the town than did the last time one was presented for comments, a few years ago. Many of the answers reflect the topics that the Council has been pursuing regularly – the state of the garage site being the most mentioned. The Survey Report is now available in the Gatehouse Store, the Spar and the Library for anyone to read and to discover how hard the Council has been working on your behalf.

Number 1 High Street officially opened on the 4th of May, after 6 weeks of hard graft, providing a new home for TGB Gatehouse.  TGB was formed and is supported by the Community Church for the benefit of our community and our move was made possible through a three-year grant by the National Lottery’s “Young Start” programme.  This is funded from dormant bank accounts, a fact not lost on us as we took over dormant bank premises!