Many people working to make a difference
There are high hopes for the regeneration of the Stranraer Waterfront area which I'm hopeful will receive additional support through the Borderlands growth deal.
A lot has already been achieved through a series of projects but the creation of a large expanded marina for leisure craft would be a logical next step.
This could be a catalyst for other projects and businesses in the hospitality sector which could grow the economy of the town and further afield.
The attractions and potential of the Loch Ryan and The Rhins are clear to me when I'm out and about meeting constituents in the Stranraer area.
Meanwhile, I had a very interesting meeting the other day with David Davies and members of his team who are hoping to launch a Water Sports Training Centre in Stranraer.
David, the project chairman, told me that among the activities being catered for would be sailing, wind-surfing, kayaking, canoeing, skiff rowing and water skiing.
This could become yet another asset for the area.
Another recent call I made was at the RNLI Lifeboat Station at Portpatrick where the volunteers do a fantastic job.
The crew now have the use of a new £2.7 million lifeboat, called the John Buchanan Barr, which is a Tamar Class design.
During my meeting with coxswain Robert McQueen and crew member Jonathon Pearson I learned more about how important the service was at a time when there is increasing marine activity along our coastline.
The new boat was purchased through a generous donation from a couple who were originally regular holiday visitors to the area before settling in the community.
A very different, but no less important, organisation is Citizens Advice Stranraer (CAB) and I have had the opportunity of meeting with Elizabeth Sykes and her team.
We talked about what they do to help constituents and the recurring issues that affect the local area.
Consultations were often about employment medical assessments and Employment Support Allowance (ESA) while there was feedback that Personal Independence Payments (PIP) assessments appeared to be working well locally.
One valuable service, which is currently looking for Big Lottery funding, is Home-Start Wigtownshire.
Based in Stranraer, trained volunteers help families with young children deal with the challenges that they face.
They support parents as they learn to cope, improving their confidence and building better lives for their children.
Locally, they have seven staff, full-time and part-time, as well as 30 volunteers.
Senior co-ordinator Mary Wilson explained to me that as the organisation was responsible for its own funding, support from the Lottery would help them greatly going forward.
Finally, I'm grateful to co-ordinator Gillian Williams and deputy co-ordinator Fiona Gaffney of Womens Aid in Stranraer for briefing me on their valuable work.
Their main task is providing counselling, supporting and offering other services to victims of abuse.
They have a team of 21 to call on and they dealt with 300 cases last year, more than 40 of which involved young children. They also help men up to the age of 25.
In my job as your MP, I am always impressed by just how many people I come in contact with across the constituency who are working hard to make a positive difference to people's lives.
