This page has been set up to provide the community with details of where to get advice and assistance in matters relating to severe weather, housing, issues, fuel poverty, Covid etc. It is updated as and when such advice or assistance comes to the attention of the Community Council.
Posted 13 June 2022
Citizens of the Year 2022
We plan to present the awards
on GALA DAY 2022
Is there someone or a group of people in the town who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to serve our community, to make life better or easier for the folk who live here?
In addition we have decided to invite nominations for the younger members of the community so you are invited to vote for anyone under the age of 18, anyone over 18 and any group of people who have been very helpful.
Nomination cards will be available in local shops and pubs.
Please put them in the ballot boxes by July 2nd
There will then be lists of candidates for final voting by July 30th
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Posted 1 June 2022
Mining Issues:
JDH Exploration made a presentation to Community Council members on 31 May 2022. A link to their website is shown below
Website – www.jdhinscotland.com
The site has a FAQs page and a document library
It is hoped that a copy of the slides used last night will be available in due course.
JDH Exploration are part of Walkabout Resources. A link to their website is also attached
where, under Investors, quarterly reporting, updates can be found on UK activities, including ongoing work in the Galloway area.
Public "drop-in sessions" are planned for 24 June, 2:00 - 4:00pm and 6:00 - 8:00pm in the Community Centre. Notices should be appearing around the town in due course.
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Posted 21 May 2022
Community Newsletter 20 May 2022 (govdelivery.com)
Please see the advert for the Community Engagement visits being carried out by the Community Safety Team. On 24 May they will be in the Main Car Park in the town between 2:00pm - 4:00pm
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Posted 28 April 2022
COMMUNITY CENTRE
ONLINE ENGAGEMENT SURVEY
The Community Centre management committee have circulated the note below seeking responses to their community engagement survey.
"We expect that by now many of you will have taken part in our online community engagement survey. If, so thank you so much for doing so.
If not, there's still time to take part - the online survey is still open at
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Gatehouse_Comm_Centre_Survey
You should also have received a paper copy with your latest Gatehouse News. You can drop off completed paper copies at Galloway Lodge, Gatehouse Store, the Spar or the Community Centre.
Please do take a few minutes to let us know your views - we can't plan the future without knowing what people would like from their Community Centre.
Thank you"
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Posted 20 April 2022
Community Town Picnic for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Do you remember the Town Picnics we held for the town's Bicentenary, the Jubilee celebrations ond the Queen's 90th birthday? We're holding another one to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen on Saturday 4th June 2022 at 12noon-5pm.
Bring your family and friends and your picnic to Garries Park. There will be games for the children, entertainments and prizes for the best decorated table and cake brought by any group at the picnic.
Come and support it and have a fun afternoon.
From the Community Council
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5 April 2022: Notice from the Hub: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
"Fuel Subsidy Scheme has been EXTENDED!
We have just been advised that the scheme is being extended – great news! We are a referring partner for Home Heating Advice Scotland and so able to continue to provide this subsidy which covers any form of heating i.e. electricity, gas, oil, LPG/calor gas, coal etc.
HOW TO APPLY
You need to submit the following information by email or post to us at the hub.
Your name, address, date of birth, phone number, email address, proof of benefits (eligible benefits are Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Employment Support Allowance), a recent energy bill or invoice which shows your name, address and customer reference number. If your home is difficult to heat and has an energy performance certificate rating E or F please let us know as well. If you are in fuel debt, please submit any evidence of what you owe.
Please note we can’t accept your application without all the above information being submitted at the same time. Applications and the information documentation need to be in the same name of the householder/utility account holder. Previous beneficiaries who submitted successful applications before 31st March 2022 can’t re-apply.
We then submit the application to Home Heating Advice Scotland on your behalf who will assess the level of subsidy they will pay direct to your fuel supplier who will credit the payment to your fuel/utility company account and/or send you an email with pre-payment meter vouchers.
Please submit your application by email with all the information required to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or apply in writing enclosing the information required to the hub – your community action centre, 24-26 Friars Vennel, Dumfries, DG1 2RL"
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VACCINATION NOTICE 4 APRIL 2022
Major round of COVID vaccinations now underway
ANOTHER major round of COVID-19 vaccination is now underway in Dumfries and Galloway, focused at both ends of the age spectrum.
At the start of this week, provision of second booster jags got underway for people aged 75 and over, and for people aged 12 plus who are immune-suppressed.
Meanwhile, over the next four weeks first dose vaccinations will be offered to young people aged five to 11.
Dr Nigel Calvert is Vaccination Co-ordinator in NHS Dumfries and Galloway, and he said: “We’re back to an extremely busy period with COVID-19 vaccinations again, providing second boosters to some of those most vulnerable to the effects of the virus, and providing a first round of defence to young people aged five to 11.
“All people within these groups will receive an appointment letter, and we would ask them to patiently await details of time and location.
“Over 75s are being appointed through a national system, and we are aware of some local issues where people have been appointed some distance from where they live.
“We’d ask anyone who thinks this might apply to them when their letter arrives to contact us locally so that we can arrange an appointment closer to where they live – calling us on 01387 403090 Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
“We aim to provide second boosters to those aged 75 plus once 24 weeks past their last jag, and appointments are being sent out once people have reached that point.
“Currently, we’re using our local teams to appoint those aged five to 11, with vaccinations taking place over the first week of the Easter holidays and at weekends thereafter until the end of April.
“All of this is a major undertaking, and is stretching our tireless vaccination teams.
“In order to support this work, drop-in clinics which had been operating in the region have been temporarily placed on hold.
“Our plan is to review local provision of drop-in clinics again on April 11.
“In the meantime, we recognise that some people may be due a follow-up vaccination, or may still be seeking their first, and would encourage them to get in touch locally using the same local contact information, calling 01387 403090 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
“As we’ve seen demonstrated locally and nationally, being fully vaccinated provides the highest degree of defence against what can still be a very nasty virus, and helps us towards some sense of normality.
“We’d encourage everyone to take up every vaccination opportunity extended to them, as it does provide the best chance to help protect them and their communities.”
NOTE:
Any enquiries should go to Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership Communication and Engagement Manager Rod Edgar, by calling 01387 241061 (internal ext 33061) or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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POTHOLE REPORTING
https://info.dumgal.gov.uk/faultreporting/Road/Defect
The above link should take you to the D&G Council website where potholes in need of repair can be reported. Follow the instructions on the page and once the report has been submitted, you will be provided with a case reference number that allows you to follow up the request if needed.
Link placed: 10 March 2022
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D&G Citizens Advice is Here to Help with Current Energy Crisis
Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service (D&G CAS) wants people to know they are here to help with soaring energy bills. With energy prices rising and the cost of living increasing, D&G CAS is here to advise and support those in need.
The support D&G CAS can give you includes:
● Helping you identify grants or benefits you may be eligible for to make sure you are getting everything you are entitled to.
● Talking to your energy supplier on your behalf, checking if your bills are correct and helping you find ways to reduce your energy bills.
● Advising and supporting you with any debts you may have.
●Offering budgeting and financial management advice.
● Advising on housing issues which may be contributing to rising energy bills.
With increasing energy bills following the price cap rise in October, rising inflation meaning higher prices in the shops, as well as recent reductions to Universal Credit they know people in the community may be struggling, but D&G CAS is here to help. You can contact D&G CAS on 0300 303 4321, by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or through their website www.dagcas.org. If you prefer to get information online, you can visit the Money Map tool at moneymap.scot or the general advice website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland
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SEVERE WEATHER ISSUES
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Useful phone numbers:
Useful Web links: For weather advice: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/advice/ For weather warnings: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/ukforecastwarnings For flood warnings http://www.sepa.org.uk/flooding.aspx For flood Advice: https://scottishfloodforum.org/news/latest-news/ Power cuts map: https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/power_cuts_map.aspx Emergency School Closure https://info.dumgal.gov.uk/esc/home For winter preparedness: Ready Scotland Ready for Winter For public transport advice: http://www.travelinescotland.com For roads advice: http://trafficscotland.org/ For Ferry travel sailing to and from Cairnryan https://www.poferries.com/en/routes/cairnryan-to-larne/travel-information/timetables and https://www.stenaline.co.uk/routes/cairnryan-belfast/timetable For disruption to Rail https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/indicator.aspx ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |