November 2018

Upbeat report highlights west area's strengths

As I have suggested in this column before, Stranraer and the rest of the western part of my constituency have great potential to expand further as a visitor destination.

That's why I was encouraged to read an upbeat report placed before this month's Dumfries and Galloway Council economy, environment and infrastructure committee which pointed to Stranraer as an evolving 'capital' town for the west of the region.

Councillors were updated about many developments in the area, which included investment by agencies, entrepreneurs and businesses combined with initiatives such as the Stranraer Oyster Festival, The Whithorn Pilgrim Way and Rhins Coastal Path.

Added to the mix were the Stranraer waterfront projects and the long-established Loch Ryan ferry crossings to Northern Ireland, which were also seen as an alternative gateway route to and from Europe.

The main aspiration going forward, suggest the report authors, is to reshape and reinvent the region as a net contributor to the Scottish and UK economies.

Whilst there are no certainties, and there will be inevitable challenges, a proactive approach and positive thinking are key ingredients in any future success.

 

Rail link continuity vital for Stranraer

On a less positive note a number of my constituents still have concerns about the continuity of rail services between Ayr and Stranraer.

A reduced train timetable has thankfully been put in place but worries remain about the state of the disused hotel building near Ayr Station which led to an exclusion zone and the recent lengthy suspension of services.

I want to be sure that any future interruptions are kept to a minimum, passengers are fully informed of progress and every effort is made to restore a full and safe service.

 

Young artists shine for Christmas

I was delighted to see the outstanding entries for my schools' Christmas Card Competition, which was open to primary five pupils in the constituency.

There was a tremendous response with 580 entries from 25 schools, which included, in the Stranraer and Machers area, excellent designs from Belmont, Castle Kennedy, Creetown, Kirkcowan, Kirkinner, Port William, Rephad, St Ninian’s, Whithorn and Wigtown. 

It was clear to see that teachers had allocated a great deal of time for their pupils to show their creative skills and my wife Ann and I faced a daunting choice in picking winners from such an imaginative selection.

We decided to add four runners-up, in addition to the overall winner who receives a £100 Amazon gift voucher.  The runners-up will each get a £25 Amazon gift voucher. 

I would like to thank all the pupils who took part this year and congratulate each and every one of you on outstanding work. The winners will be announced soon.

 

Alan's final edition comes off presses

My best wishes go to Alan Hall, Editor of the Stranraer and Wigtownshire Free Press and Our Wigtownshire magazine, who is bowing out from the role after putting this week's edition of the well-respected newspaper to bed.

He is moving to pastures new after many years providing fair and balanced coverage at the helm of the Free Press editorial department and earlier as a senior journalist and sub-editor at newspapers in the east of the region.

I'm pleased to say Alan will remain a familiar face across Dumfries and Galloway in his new role as communications manager at Third Sector DG and, equally importantly, will have a shorter journey home to his family in Dumfries.