Hotel plan could grow region's tourism
I was interested to read in NHS Dumfries and Galloway papers that they are close to completing the sale of Crichton Hall, one of the largest and most imposing buildings on the Crichton Estate.
Ambitious proposals for a top end five-star hotel complex with leisure facilities are envisaged making the region an even greater attraction and hopefully benefiting the wider tourism sector.
My strong hope is a development like this could also help near-by Dumfries town centre as well as providing welcome additional employment opportunities for Dumfries and Galloway.
Whilst we need a mixed economy, our fantastic scenery and natural environment mean expanding tourism should be a promising route to the future.
Time to reflect
There were many moving ceremonies last month marking the 100th anniversary of the armistice which brought to an end World War One.
Like many people I was reminded of the huge losses this devastating conflict had on communities across the country and in many nations.
I was especially impressed by an event held in the Dalbeattie Learning Campus which took the form of a concert, with bands, a choir and a series of sometimes emotional dramatic sketches performed by pupils.
A memorial plaque showing the names of 105 former pupils of the old Dalbeattie school who lost their lives in World War One was rededicated in the new school building.
This had special meaning for me as my great uncle Robert Jack, who was killed in active service, is included on the list of names.
Many people will have been reminded of their own family connections with the conflict by the commemorations and it is important we continue to remember the sacrifices our forebears made.
Season's greetings
During a year of tremendous uncertainty in UK politics my wish for 2019 is that clarity returns and the focus becomes building a stronger prosperous country for everyone.
I would like to wish all readers and the staff of the Dumfries Courier a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
