Spring Fling Open Studios is an open studio event based here in Dumfries & Galloway. Every Spring since 2003, 70-100 artists, makers and designers across the region open their studios for visitors. In light of the ongoing pandemic, this year’s programme has a mix of online and physical socially distanced approaches. No studios will be physically open this year, but the Virtual Studios, piloted in 2020 in response to the pandemic, will be back.   

Gatehouse Community Council has taken a first step in a long-term recognition of the efforts of NHS and other frontline staff during the Covid-19 emergency by planting a silver birch sapling by the entrance to the main car park. A stone plaque with an accompanying unveiling event will take place later in the year.

A housing survey has flagged up the need for new affordable housing in Gatehouse. Over the years much of the local social housing resource has been sold and there are also a growing number of holiday homes and short term holiday lets, reducing the availability of homes to rent.

The opportunity for community members to try an electric bike with active support and advice has now resumed after the lifting of lockdown restrictions. You may have seen small groups of cyclists in hi-vis vests, circulating around the streets of Gatehouse, stopping, starting and signalling. This is most probably Annick and her groups of intrepid cyclists, gaining skills and confidence and practicing manoeuvres. The initiative, called I Bike Communities, helps more adults get active through cycling and explore the local cycle routes and, in particular, to cut down on the 1-5 mile car journeys that are one of the biggest contributors to pollution. The project is funded by Sustrans – the charity that makes it easier for people to walk and cycle for everyday journeys.

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.  

Representatives from 5 different  countries will gather in Gatehouse on 5th and 6th June to discuss progress on a European project.  The Gatehouse Development Initiative is part of the Erasmus+ project Eco-management, yesterday's knowledge, tomorrow's know-how.

Cally gardens will open again on 17th April and entry will be free.The gardens, which were put on the market in the New Year have been bought by Kevin Hughes, who ran a specialist nursery, Kevin Hughes Plants, in Wiltshire.  Kevin stresses that there is a lot of work to do to get the gardens looking at their best but he has brought a good selection of plants with him from Wiltshire and there is still stock at Cally, so he is keen to get the gardens up and running and welcome visitors as soon as possible.

During the autumn of last year, the Drop-In’s kitchen area was refurbished with a new cooker and a much-expanded working area.  The old kitchen was tiny and very limiting in what could be cooked in it.  Now the space feels like a café cum deli!

Around 20-25 young people use the Drop-In facilities during an evening session and take part in various activities - pool, darts, quizzes, camera club, maths club, gym evenings, and DJaying are very popular.  There is great enthusiasm to participate in the kitchen and the young people, assisted by our volunteers, have had great fun baking and cooking.

A grant of £200 awarded to the Gatehouse Development Initiative will help restore the Town Hall garden, which the Local Authority is no longer able to maintain.  With the Council’s agreement volunteers have already begun to restore this garden which is much loved by visitors and locals alike.  This activity is part of the Volunteering Matters Action Earth campaign which is supported by Scottish Natural Heritage.