Post Office base needed
It was disappointing that C. J. Lang have felt the need to close the Post Office within four SPAR convenience stores they operate in the region, including Georgetown in my constituency.
The loss of the service will cause great inconvenience to regular customers, particularly those who are more vulnerable and find it difficult to travel to the town centre or elsewhere.
Unfortunately, greater use of online services in recent years has seen a reduction in community-based counter business for services ranging from post offices to banks.
I'm urging the Post Office to do their utmost to find a convenient alternative home for a branch to serve the people of Georgetown.
College a green hub
Climate and the environment featured prominently at the G7 talks in Cornwall at the weekend and will be the focus at the crucial COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow later this year.
I was, therefore, particularly interested to see the latest green developments at Dumfries and Galloway College where I was shown round last week by principal Joanna Campbell.
Amongst many achievements, the college last year won a Green Gown Award for Sustainability and has been nominated to compete in an international competition.
I'm always impressed by the range of learning opportunities and especially topical are those focusing on green energy and the environment.
The college has an important role regionwide and I look forward to working with them further in the future.
Making a difference
It was good to see Dumfries and Galloway represented in the Queen's Birthday Honours List at the weekend.
My congratulations go to gynaecologist Dr Heather Currie, head of women, children and sexual health, acute and diagnostic services at NHS Dumfries and Galloway on becoming an MBE.
I was also delighted that Jamie Brand was recognised being appointed an MBE for his services to music and education.
Principal Annan Academy curriculum teacher, he is more widely known in my constituency as musical director of Dumfries St John's Church choir, Dumfries Youth Choir founder and long-serving director of Dumfries and Galloway Regional Youth Choir.
Museum lifeline
I'm pleased that the TSB have responded to widespread public concern about plans to close Ruthwell Savings Bank Museum and remove much of the contents to their Edinburgh HQ.
The global savings bank movement founder was the Rev. Henry Duncan, a son of the manse from Lochrutton, Kirkcudbrightshire and amongst many achievements, he was a social reformer, restored the historic Ruthwell Cross, developed schemes to combat poverty and was founding editor of this newspaper.
TSB have now offered to transfer ownership of the savings bank cottage and contents to a community group and I wish everyone involved in trying to keep the museum open every success.