Hubbub

UPPER ESKDALE DEVELOPMENT GROUP LTD A community owned non-profit organisation limited by guarantee

It’s Spring in the Esk Valley: tiny frolicking lambs, fresh green emerging on branches, the river’s face reflecting the undecided weather, neighbours tending their gardens. What a fantastic place to live! Recently, I’ve chatted with at least six young people, three of whom grew up here, who are looking for local employment and housing. They want to leave the cities to work and live here, so that they can engage with the sense of community and rural pleasures that some of them remember and that we residents enjoy. Three such young people have been hired to work in the UEDG office. I am delighted to witness their enthusiasm, creativity and range of skills as they support the Development Manager, the UEDG Directors, and the community. Sadly, all the paid positions with UEDG are funded on a temporary basis. However, they indicate the determination to respond to the community’s mandate for UEDG to create jobs and opportunities, run leisure activities and bring in the services so that people of all ages are able to reside in this beautiful and remote location.

Currently, many of us in the area – from thirty to seventy at a time – come to

the socials in The Hub. More than forty of us attend the various classes held

in The Hub. Fewer of us have volunteered to do what keeps us going:

painting, cleaning, repairing, installing, hauling, cooking, planning,

communicating, publicising, organising, gardening, purchasing, washing

dishes after events and so on. Over the years a stalwart and talented group

of volunteers have given hundreds of hours to move the UEDG project to the

position where it is today.

What about YOU? Is Spring 2012 the time for you to become even more

involved with this exciting, community-enhancing project? Could you offer a

few hours each week or each month helping in one of the many areas where

help is needed? You could stand for office as a UEDG Director to help run

the project, or become a UEDG Member (only £1/year). Feel free to call by

The Hub to have a coffee and share your ideas and feedback. We look

forward to seeing you at a future events in The Hub. Meanwhile, Happy

Eskdale Spring!

— Diana Lilley, Chair, UEDG

MAY 2012

Spring Newsletter

UEDG: What/Who? What’s happening?

Some days it seems like a lifetime since we started

the Upper Eskdale Development Group (UEDG). When

you’ve been so close to something for so long, it sometimes

is hard to see what has been achieved. Those who’ve not

been involved much also can lose sight of what the project

is all about. Now as we enter this exciting period of

preparing for the main Big Lottery bid, we’ve been reflect-

ing on what’s been achieved and checking that against what

people said they wanted in the consultations over the years.

Our vision remains true to the one we started with

in 2006. This is to have an asset that is owned and run by

the community — not by the Council, not by a private

company or any particular individual or interest group, but

by everyone who wants to be part of it.

Membership is the foundation of the whole

enterprise. Full membership is open to all adults in the

community as set out in our guiding legal document -

MEMORANDUM and ARTICLES of ASSOCIATION of the

Upper Eskdale Development Group. It is the members who

appoint the Directors who set the direction and operation

of the UEDG. I know of no other similar membership

organisation in the Valley, and I urge you join up. It is the

members who own the asset on behalf of the community.

The whole purpose of owning such an asset, just

like any investment is to generate returns on it. What are

those returns? - Well we are striving to provide the things

that people identified as being lost to the village such as - a

pub, a shop; a post office etc. We won’t replace these in the

traditional form but already our monthly licensed evenings

and our regular Village Cafés are starting to meet that wish

for people to get together to share friendship and have fun.

Our craft fairs, produce sales, bakery and Friday cafés are

the beginning of a community shop. The new Hub will house

a purpose built shop/retail outlet, — and we’d like to know

what you’d like to see on sale.

We are working to bring those things that are hard

to get or do because our community is so remote and tiny.

These include arts, theatre, films, training courses etc. The

new Hub will provide an attractive and practical setting for

much more of these, not only for us locally but to bring

people and their spending here to boost our local economy.

Guided by the community we’ve set our sights on being

more than just a social club. We are striving to create jobs

and opportunities that can help all people and to encourage

the young people to stay in the valley. We have started

working with Health and Social Services as well as private

providers to see how we can help our increasing number of

older people to be able to stay here and have safe and

happy lives getting the care and support they need.

We believe that local people working together with

each other and professional care providers will achieve this.

We hope that local jobs and opportunities will be created

through doing this. Already the old teachers office has been

converted into a consultation and therapy room that’s being

used for massage, Citizen’s Advice, counselling etc. The

new Hub will have a purpose built multi-use consulting

room. Currently we are working with the NHS to have a

direct video link here for consultations with a range of

Health Professionals.

— Nick Jennings, Project Development Manager

“Membership is the foundation... I urge you to join up.”

“...an asset that is owned and run by the community — not by the Council,

not by a private company or any particular individual or interest group,

but by everyone who wants to be part of it.”

Big Lottery Fund Stage 2 Application At the beginning of the year following our successful Stage 1

application, Big Lottery invited us to go forward to Stage 2

– the final part of the application process. Big Lottery

awarded us a £40,000 development grant to help us make

this the very best application we can present. We are

asking Big Lottery for £1 million towards the £1.2 million

required to build and run the community hub until it

becomes fully self-sustaining. The crumbling 1970’s

extension to the Victorian School will be demolished and

rebuilt and a thoughtfully-landscaped car park created. The

transformation of the old school will create a multi-purpose

community hub where social activities, community support,

social enterprise, business and training will be

accommodated. Most of the development grant will go to

bring in consultants to help us investigate in-depth all the

ideas that have been proposed and to test the viability of

these and develop detailed plans for those that are most

relevant to the community and most likely to succeed. Over

the coming 12 weeks (leading up to the submission of the

Stage 2 application) we will be inviting you to share ideas as

well as asking you what services you’d use; how you’d like

to use The Hub and what you might buy from it. This will be

done through interviews, questionnaires, surveys and

events. This will lead up to a community ballot (Conducted

by the Electoral Reform Society) so we can be absolutely

sure that the community wants this to happen. We hope

that you’ll agree that this is a truly amazing opportunity for

a community of our size and remoteness. We will keep you

up to date on progress via Facebook, our website and by

post. All the indications so far are that we have a very

strong chance of getting this award. This does not happen

at the ‘drop of hat’, and in these recessionary times it is

probably a once in a generation opportunity. We hope that

you will lend all the support you can. The good will and

effort of us living in Eskdalemuir now can leave a lasting

legacy for the future just as our philanthropic Victorian

forbears did.

***

UEDG would like to introduce you to the newest members

of the team: Susie Lilley, Jess Chinnery and Rosie Miller.

They have been employed on a temporary basis as

Administrative Officers with the UEDG to assist Nick for 3

months leading up to submitting the bid to the Big Lottery in

July. The girls have taken on the post as a job share with

each one looking after a specific area, therefore freeing Nick

to concentrate on the main lottery application and capital

fundraising. Rosie will be concentrating on funding and

planning and has said “I am really excited to be a part of this

project, I have just returned to Eskdalemuir and am

delighted to be able to work in the area for a project that

will bring about such positive results for my local

community.” Susie will be in charge of management

information systems and memberships, “It is a privilege and

pleasure to able to use my skills and experience to benefit

my local community.” Jess will be coordinating events and

exploring catering and retail business opportunities for The

Hub - ”This is an exciting project to be a part of, I hope to

use my past catering and festival organising experience to

see a successful café and shop develop in the Hub.” Nick

has said “Its great to have the new team on board! They are

a breath of fresh air, bringing infectious enthusiasm and

creative ways of thinking. The buzz of the team is really

motivating and they are a joy to work with.” UEDG is

delighted to be able to offer this job share opportunity in

Eskdalemuir where jobs are scarce and to be able to employ

locals to fill the positions. Jess and Rosie both grew up in

Eskdalemuir and have recently returned to the valley whilst

Susie has been coming to Eskdalemuir for the last 25 years

before settling in the area a year and a half ago. The

response to the advert was high and the standard of

submissions was impressive. It was a hard task to whittle

down the applicants, but we are positive that we have

selected a dream team who will not only succeed, but

exceed in their roles.

UEDG’s Dream Team

The UEDG is a community owned and run non

-profit organisation. Becoming a member lets

you to have your say in the UEDG and the

community Hub. Individuals make the

community, and every person can make a dif-

ference. When we work together, great

things are achieved. Members can be

nominated or nominate other members to

stand for a place on the Board of Directors,

appointed at the AGM. (Current UEDG

Directors include: Clare Carr-Saunders, Nancy

Chinnery, Roz King, Diana Lilley, Victoria Long,

Jock Miller, Jennie Mills and Bernard Provost.)

This year’s AGM will be held on July 20th and

will be an opportunity to hear about past and

future activities. The AGM will be followed by

a social event (details to be announced).

Yearly membership is only £1. Please see the

Membership Application Form included with

this newsletter for becoming a member or

renewing your membership. On the

Application Form there is also the option to

make a donation to the running costs of the

UEDG. Your donation can make things

happen !

Take Ownership - Become a Member! Renew Your membership!

Past Events in Pictures There have been so many events hosted in The Hub to write about them

all would fill the newsletter! So here are some pictures of some of the

events - you can see more pictures on our facebook page, Eskdalemuir

Community Hub, please have a look and like us on facebook.

Eskdalemuir Community Hub is now on

Facebook, so come and find us and let us

know what you think. Remember to “like”

our Facebook page. The Facebook address is

www.facebook.com/RoomforAll or search

Facebook for Eskdalemuir Community Hub.

You can also get in touch with us by -

Tel: 013873 73760

Email: UEDG.email@gmail.com

And check out our website:

www.eskdalemuir.com

Casino Nights

Christmas Fair

Spanish Classes

Dinner & Whist Drive

Elders Meal

Permaculture Course

Qi Gong Workshop

Summer Theatre Festival @ The Hub This summer The Hub will be hosting a mini arts festival with

a series of theatre events from some of Scotland's leading

theatre companies. There is something for everyone in this

great line-up, with food and drink on offer, definitely

guarantying entertaining evenings for all.

Booking is essential for these events and can be done by

contacting the UEDG by email UEDG.email@gmail.com or by

phone: 013873 73760. See the events pages in this issue for

times and ticket prices.

Double Helpings

Miss Smith

Once upon a winter’s night, long, long ago, in a land far, far

away, there were born two babies at exactly the same

moment, under the exact same moon. One was born a

princess, the other the son of a poor woodcutter, destined to

be married, yet forced apart by the king. Will the evil king

triumph, or will the boy called River win against all the odds?

Told in Wee Stories’ unique interactive story-telling theatre

style and with evocative live music, this will be a magical night

out for the whole family. The Happy Hour Theatre Company is back to delight and

amuse us with two short plays, “Two Daft Lasses in a

Boat” and “The Sociable Plover.” A great night out with

two portions of comedy and with supper and a bar

between the two plays.

Miss Smith is a single mum weary of bringing up her kids

in deprivation, who sets out on a journey of discovery in

search of her future. ConFAB has created a dramatised

music and vocal composition that explores issues of

social and economic justice in Glasgow today. Miss

Smith uses traditional dances and culture that has either

working class or folk backgrounds as a seed to create a

gritty, raw, contemporary theatrical event that is spiced

with a lightness that captures the rich Glaswegian wit

and the complexities of modern-day life in Scotland.

The Sun, the Moon

and a Boy called River

The Spring Fling is a four day open studio event that is happening within the region. Artists throughout D&G will be

opening the doors to their studios and workshops for the public to browse and to buy their works of art. With behind the

scenes access there is also the option to try your hand at a new skills in some workshops. As studios in the local area are

participating in the Spring Fling, The Hub will support this great event by opening the Village Café over the four days June

2nd—5th, from 11am until 4pm. Drop by for a tea, coffee, refreshments and home baking. There also will be plants to

buy from our plant stall with all proceeds going to support The Hub. This is the chance for anyone in the community with

green fingers to help us by growing and donating plants to sell.

Spring Fling Café

Upcoming Events in The Hub

12 May

2pm—

4pm

Jumble Sale—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Crazy bargains to be had come and browse the stalls for new-to-you gems! Tea, coffee, refreshments

and snacks available. (Please bring your jumble donations in advance to The Hub.)

14 May

6pm—

7.30pm

Yoga with Hanna Hatha yoga classes - £4.50 per class.

For more information contact Hanna Tel: 013873 73366 hanna.casement@googlemail.com

14 May

6.15pm—

7.30pm

Spanish Conversation Group

Classes are structured but informal and suit learners at all different levels.

To join contact Silvia, smarinas@uoc.edu or Nick at The Hub. £5 per class.

15 May

10am—

11am

Ashtanga yoga A dynamic, flowing yoga which is suitable for any age, shape or size. Five week block at £7.50 per

session. For more info mail Kirsten at davingtonschoolhouse@gmail.com.

19 May

7.30pm—

midnight

Desert Island Discs Here the favourite tracks of local celebrities and tales of their interesting careers - LIVE! Licensed

bar. Check Facebook and our website nearer the time for full details or give us a call at The Hub

closer to the event - 013873 73760.

21 May

6pm—

7.30pm

Yoga with Hanna Hatha yoga classes - £4.50 per class.

For more information contact Hanna Tel: 013873 73366 hanna.casement@googlemail.com

22 May

10am—

11am

Ashtanga yoga A dynamic, flowing yoga which is suitable for any age, shape or size. Five week block at £7.50 per

session. For more info mail Kirsten at davingtonschoolhouse@gmail.com.

2—5 June

11am—

4pm

Spring Fling Café The Village Café will be open for 4 days to synchronise with the spring fling events happening in the

area - tea, coffee, refreshments and home baking available with the inclusion of a plant stall (this

event is incorporating the usual first Friday of the month Village café on the Saturday)

05 June

10am—

11am

Ashtanga yoga A dynamic, flowing yoga which is suitable for any age, shape or size. Five week block at £7.50 per

session. For more info mail Kirsten at davingtonschoolhouse@gmail.com.

13 June

6pm—

8pm

The Sun, the Moon and a Boy called River Live theatre for the whole family (see details elsewhere in this issue) kicking off at 7pm with

refreshments and snacks available. Booking is essential. Contact The Hub on tel: 013873 73760 or

email: UEDG.email@gmail.com. Tickets prices: Adults £6, Kids £4, also special family rate of £18

(two adults + two kids)

17 June

10am—

5pm

Viniyoga Day with Anne McDarby Anne has been teaching Vinyasa yoga since1988. She has taught before at The Hub and is

experienced at working with both groups and individuals. The cost for this course is £38 and

please bring your own lunch + mat +cushion. Please contact yeshe@yeshe.bbfree.co.uk if you are

interested in this day course.

30 June

7.30pm—

10pm

Double Helpings - Happy Hour Theatre Company Two short comedies (see details elsewhere in this issue) including supper and licenced bar.

Booking is essential for this event and can be done through The Hub, tel: 013873 73760 or email:

UEDG.email@yahoo.com. Ticket price £10 includes supper. Bar is not included in the price.

06 July

10am—

1pm

The Village Cafe

Stop in for a cuppa and some yummy home baking. Chat with your friends and neighbours.

20 July

7pm -

AGM with social to follow

Annual AGM the chance to voice your views on the running of The Hub. Run for a position and

vote in who you want! With food and bar afterwards.

03 August

10am—

1pm

The Village Cafe

Stop in for a cuppa and some yummy home baking. Chat with your friends and neighbours.

03 August

6pm—

8.30pm

Miss Smith Pub feel theatre from Confab - art as a conversation (see details elsewhere in this issue) with

licensed bar, refreshments and pub snacks available. Booking is essential. Contact The Hub on tel:

013873 73760 or email: UEDG.email@gmail.com. Tickets prices: Adults £6, Kids £4, and there is

also a special family rate of £18 (two adults + two kids).

Upcoming Events in The Hub

www.eskdalemuir.com

We always can use an extra pairs of hands here at The Hub! If you can spare a few hours — either on a regular basis or just here and there, we would be delighted to hear from you and get you on board and involved. Volunteering not only benefits The Hub and the community but it can also benefit you in many ways too. You might acquire new skills or develop the skills that you already have. It is an excellent way to fill a gap in your career and add interest to your CV. Besides, you can have lots of fun volunteering, giving yourself the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the community spirit, be an active participant, and make new friends. — We are looking for anyone who is interested in being a part of this exciting project. Some of the current opportunities include: bookkeeping, decorating, repairs and maintenance, design, desktop and web publishing, organising the kitchen, gardening and janitor duties publicity and communications, office and administration tasks and events organisation. We also will need a large number of volunteers to help with the stage 2 Big Lottery bid. Please step up and help make this project happen! Get in touch with us on tel: 013873 73760, email: UEDG.email@gmail.com

Classifieds

Watcarrick Family Friendly B&B. Family ensuite and double rooms available. Tranquil setting in Eskdalemuir. Warm welcome awaits. 013873 73230 www.eskdalemuirbedandbreakfast.co.uk. Cleaner Available. Can do all domestic Cleaning. Thorough and reliable. £10/hour. Call Elaine 01576 610534 “The Suite” B&B. Eskdalemuir village. Large family room w/king and single, ensuite. Quiet, comfortable, great views. Organic breakfast. 01387 373308. WORK WANTED -- GARDENING, FENCING, CAR SERVICING, VALETING, FARM WORK. RELIABLE, HARD-WORKING. CALL JACK. 01387 373280. Liz Harlow, Podiatrist/Chiropodist. Appointments at The Hub. Phone 07817 631557.

Hire a Room at The Hub

The Hub is the perfect place to hold events and rooms

are now available for you to hire. Ideas for rental uses

of The Hub (based on the success of past events)

include: birthday parties, kid’s parties, family reunions,

workshops and meetings. The possibilities are huge,

and we will endeavour to arrange The Hub to fit your

needs. A range of suitable spaces are available for

very reasonable prices. We also can organise catering

for your event. To find out more about what

is available, about hire rates and to make a booking

please contact Nick, Tel: 013873 73760 or email

UEDG.email@gmail.com. More Information, advice,

booking forms and terms and conditions can be found

on our website, www.eskdalemuir.com.

Volunteering at The Hub

Help raise money for Moffat MRT or a charity of your choice

by joining the team on their NEW sponsored walks. There will be

something for everyone, with BBQ and refreshments afterwards!

Save the date: Sunday, 10th of June, take on the challenge!

For more information see the MRT website,

www.moffatmrt.org.uk, or moffatmrt on Facebook. You can also

contact Garry Tait on tel: 01683 221154 or email

challenge@moffatmrt.org.uk.

This issue of HUBBUB, Newsletter of the UEDG, was designed

and compiled by Rosie Miller, Admin Officer, UEDG.

Charity Challenge Walks

THE ROKPA KIDS ON TOUR ROKPA Presents: From Street Kids to Stage Stars

A group of gifted ex-street kids from the ROKPA children’s home

in Nepal tell their own story through the rich cultural traditions

of dance, song and folklore of the Himalayan regions and Nepali

Hip-Hop. Performances will be held at two venues in the area:

Thursday, 21st June, 7.30pm, The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm. DG13 0AW, Tickets: £10 / concs £8.00. To book, call 013873 81196 — and — Tuesday, 26th June, 7.30pm. Old Well Theatre, Moffat, DG10 9AP. Tickets £6. To book tel 013873 73232 Ext 230