Nithsdale Times 2020

29/10/2023

29/10/2023

Issue 203
Nithsdale Times is available at:
Chucks Sanquhar.
Co-op - Thornhill.
The Store Sanquhar.
Spar Sanquhar -Thornhill.
Nisa Sanquhar-Kelloholm.
Premier Store Kirkconnel.
Also available on line contact
[email protected]
£13 per year (26 issues)

09/10/2023

Fitness is my passion

04/10/2023

Do you live in the Royal Burgh of Sanquhar and District Community Council or Kelloholm/Kirkconnel Community Council areas, see funding adverts below.

02/09/2023

This FREE event taking place in New Cumnock on Sunday 10th September might be of interest.

01/09/2023

🧡…WELL DONE FRASER…🧡

Fraser has been promoted to a senior chef within the company, he is based in our Ayr venues…👨‍🍳

Fraser is our longest serving chef who has been with us since day 2 of opening…😎

In his spare time he volunteers at Harbour Ayrshire which is a charity doing amazing work to support sufferers of addiction…👏🏻

Fraser was also happy for us to share that he recently celebrated his 1st year birthday of sobriety…💪🏻

You should be very proud of yourself…👌🏻

Well done and keep it up big man…🧡

22/08/2023

Advice service expansion
backed by MP and MSP

AN AGENCY providing valuable guidance to families and individuals facing cost-of-living challenges is urgently seeking more volunteers.

Demand for independent advice from Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service (DAGCAS) has reached record levels during the current global downturn.

The charity at present has around 60 paid staff but hopes to increase the number of volunteers from the current 30 to around 75 to help meet demand.

Full training is on offer for new volunteers who will work with the existing team from their bases located across the region and by phone and online.

Chief executive Phil Stewart said: “Recruiting additional volunteers will help us maintain and enhance the level of service we offer at a time when demand is high.

“It is interesting and varied work and an opportunity to expand knowledge and experience in a wide variety of areas, providing a useful addition to CVs for those seeking future career progression.

“Becoming a volunteer will also suit people who are retired, semi-retired or have some spare capacity in their lives and are up for a challenge.”

Mr Stewart explained that one of the fastest growth areas in casework was financial with increased food, energy bills, housing and transport costs eating into household budgets.

The DAGCAS advisors are both generalists and specialists, working full and part-time, covering areas such as benefits, consumer rights, debt, employment, court appointments, accommodation, immigration and relationships.

Latest full-year figures showed that across the region the organisation supported 8,500 clients involving 40,000 individual cases.

Clients were supported to deal with £6.5 million worth of unmanageable debt. This helped those that were in debt as well as the businesses who were owed money and were then able to get what they were owed.

Ensuring clients received benefits and allowances to which they were entitled brought in an additional £8.1 million to Dumfries and Galloway. This not only benefitted the recipient but also contributed to the wider local economy.

One long-serving volunteer adviser, Annan-based Vivienne Edwards, said: “One motivation is making a positive difference to my clients, perhaps helping facilitate more money in their bank; intervening between them and a landlord or just helping them get something off their mind.

“At a personal level, as a volunteer, I like to feel part of what is a friendly team and keep my IT and people skills up to date.”

Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell and constituency MSP Oliver Mundell, who are supportive of the recruitment drive, this week visited DAGCAS’s regional HQ in Irish Street, Dumfries and also learned more about the Annandale and Eskdale base in Bank Street, Annan.

After meeting with Mr Stewart, David Mundell said: “The work of Citizens’ Advice has been invaluable to local communities over many decades.

“This has been particularly the case during the Covid pandemic and the inflationary period which has largely resulted from the Russian attack on Ukraine.”

Oliver Mundell said: “I wish DAGCAS well with their recruitment campaign and would encourage anyone interested who has some spare time to contact Phil and his team.

“Volunteers play a pivotal part in the organisation, and I know their work is greatly appreciated by those they help.’’

27/06/2023

An information event will be held for the local community on Wednesday 21st June at the Town Hall, Church Rd, Sanquhar DG4 6DF between 2-6pm

25/06/2023

Nithsdale Times issue 194
Nithsdale Times is available at:
Chucks Sanquhar.
Co-op - Thornhill.
The Store Sanquhar.
Spar Sanquhar -Thornhill.
Nisa Sanquhar-Kelloholm.
Premier Store Kirkconnel.
Also available on line contact
[email protected]
£13 per year (26 issues)

01/06/2023

SOSE have launched the first block of the new Enterprise Sessions, with one of the first locations being Sanquhar.


https://www.southofscotlandenterprise.com/events-training/understanding-your-personal-and-business-financial-relationship-sanquhar

Great opportunity to learn and network! For businesses, employees, social enterprises and start-ups.

News release from South of Scotland Enterprise: Tuesday 30 May 2023
South of Scotland Enterprise launch new programme of enterprise pop-up sessions
A series of pop-up sessions which will aim to build entrepreneurial skills in the South of Scotland gets underway in June.
The seven free sessions are being provided throughout the month by South of Scotland Enterprise in communities across the region, focussing on a series of key topics for the South of Scotland such as womens’ enterprise, digital marketing, finance and circular economy.
The events are aimed at entrepreneurs starting up or currently in businesses and social enterprises in the South, and will offer education, social interaction and an opportunity to improve skillsets and build connections.
Most sessions will be in-person, will be inclusive and accessible and will be delivered by SOSE specialists, partners, and local experts.
All seven sessions in June are now live. To book a place visit: www.southofscotlandenterprise.com/events-training
Awakening entrepreneurial talent is one of six key priorities in SOSE’s new Five Year Plan, and is key in creating fair and rewarding work opportunities which will help the region retain and attract talent.
Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive of SOSE, said:
“These new enterprise sessions are a great way to help inspire the culture of entrepreneurship to help the South of Scotland flourish.
“The sessions are fully accessible and will provide exciting and engaging training, coaching and advice services.
“We want to create an entrepreneurial eco-system that supports businesses to start and grow.
“We also want to increase networking opportunities for all, including key groups such as rural businesses, women and young people.
“I would encourage anyone interested in starting up their own business or social enterprise, or who is already operating as an entrepreneur, to come along to one of our sessions.”
Kirstie Scrimgeour, Entrepreneurship Lead for SOSE, added:
“We are delighted to be able to share the first block of our new enterprise sessions kicking off in June across the South of Scotland.
“Topics include women's enterprise, digital marketing, finance and circular economy, with a chance for networking at each.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to upskill you or key members of your team while widening your network.”
Partners who will help to deliver the sessions include Capital City Partnership who are involved in the Scottish Borders Women’s Enterprise sessions, as well as Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce in Dumfries and Galloway.
Notes to Editors

SOSE’s Five Year Plan is available to view here.

For further information, please email [email protected].

South of Scotland Enterprise events and training. Click for details of forthcoming workshops, meetings and conferences.

24/04/2023

Nick Forrest from Koehler Renewable Energy will be in Sanquhar on Wednesday 26th, available to chat regarding the proposed Rowancraig Wind Farm on Barr Moor, west of Sanquhar. Nick expects to be in A’ the Airts during the morning and late afternoon, but call 07947 908303 if you want to book a specific time.

13/04/2023

24/03/2023

It was great to meet with Cycling Without Age Scotland SCIO at the Scottish Parliament recently and learn more about their work!

A group in Dumfries and Galloway would have many benefits for local people, and if anyone is interested in finding out more, they can click the link within the story below or find our more on the group's page: https://www.colinsmythmsp.com/latest-news/2023/03/20/a-cycling-without-age-group-in-dumfries-and-galloway-would-be-a-huge-benefit-for-the-community-smyth/

15/09/2022

Do you live in Sanquhar/ Kelloholm/ Kirkconnel area if you do see funding available below.