The Gatehouse Development Initiative exists for the benefit of the Gatehouse Community and provides a framework for the development of projects within the community.
Originally formed by the Community Council as a fundraising arm, it was converted to a charitable company which brought additional benefits in fundraising powers and legal protection for members. The Initiative continues to work closely with the Community Council.
Amongst a range of benefits, the GDI can save smaller projects the need to be formally established in their own right, can provide support with fundraising, provide insurance, indemnity cover and public liability cover, and provide book-keeping/accountancy services.
Next Meeting: 30 August 2023 (postponed from 2 August).
Meetings are open to all and membership of the GDI to all Gatehouse residents or anyone with an interest in the development of the community. New members and suggestions for new projects are always welcome - meetings are friendly and informal.
Many community groups are represented at meetings which provide for a useful exchange of ideas, and for reporting on the progress of current projects. Most projects are run by project managers who are often the initiator of an idea and who may have their own project team.
Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every other month in the River Room at the Mill on the Fleet at 7.30pm: February, April, June, August, October, December.
The GDI is a limited company, registered in Scotland with charitable status. The meetings are open to all - and all are very welcome!
If you have a good idea for a project which will benefit the community or make Gatehouse a better place - we would love to hear it ...
Current projects include:
Gatehouse Community Website (this website)
Gatehouse News, the community newsletter produced 5 or 6 times per annum.
The Saturday Market - This has been on hold since the start of Covid and there are currently no immediate plans to restart.
A75 Cycleway - Initial feasibility stage exploring the potential for an off-road cycleway/pedestrian footpath west of Gatehouse as far as Auchenlarie to link the coastal businesses and communities with Gatehouse, without need of a car. This is being funded by Sustrans through the Places for Everyone scheme.
The Riverbank Play Park - this project is now complete and is much enjoyed by children and families.
School Playing Field - Installation of an all-weather playing surface at the school - a MUGA.
The Gatehouse Squirrel Group - looking after our red squirrels, volunteer-based with monitoring and controlling of greys in the area.
The Fleet Valley Volunteers - doing environmental maintenance work around the town and surrounding countryside, usually meeting on Wednesday mornings.
European Drystone Heritage Routes - a Council of Europe project to promote drystone heritage across the partner nations. Website: drystoneroute.eu
Woodside Terrace Community Housing - a project which will provide 1 or 2 bedroom houses for rent on the site of the fomer garage at the top of the town. The GDI are working with South of Scotland Community Housing (SOSCH) to develop this project which will deliver 6 or 7 houses for rent to the Gatehouse community.
Wheels of Fleet - a bicycle project which aims to increase bicycle use locally offering training and maintenance of bicycles, a local repair service, affordable prices of bikes and courses, and other support to local people to get on their bikes.