Royal Four Towns Community Council

Welcome Pack

Information about the Community Council and the local area, plus useful leaflets.

If you find we have omitted some vital information – please let us know. A list of Community Councillors is included in the pack.

1 Royal Four Towns Community Council

Welcome Pack

As a new resident or family, the Royal Four Towns Community Council welcomes you to this area and we hope that you soon settle in and enjoy living among us.

The Welcome Pack is designed to introduce not only the Community Council but also the services, features, activities and organisations of the Royal Four Towns (RFT), in order to make your settling in period easy and enjoyable. We sincerely hope that you find the contents useful and informative.

About Community Councils

Community Councils were introduced mainly to gather public opinion and pass these opinions on to local authorities and other public sector bodies.

For example, they have a right to be consulted about planning and licensing applications. They are part of and Council’s winter resilience scheme and many Community Councils have been issued with equipment such as salt bins and snow shovels. Community Councils have invaluable knowledge about vulnerable people in their communities who may need extra assistance at times.

Here are some examples of what you can expect your Community Council to help you with:  How do we get a salt bin for our street?  More detail about Planning and licensing applications.  How do we get something done about potholes?  Power cuts, water supply disruption – knowledge about vulnerable people to pass on to public sector bodies.  Advice about antisocial behaviour.

Community Councils in are governed by the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils in . This sets out how they should operate including, elections, membership rules and meeting arrangements. The Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils in Dumfries and Galloway was originally adopted in 1997. Since then various amendments have been agreed by Dumfries and Galloway Council and you can download the most up to date version from the DGC Community Council website below: http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1297

Royal Four Towns Community Council

In addition to RFT Community Councillors, any resident of RFT is welcome to attend meetings. Residents normally attend when they have an issue to raise with the council.

Meetings are normally attended by the Community Police Officer and Local Elected Members of Dumfries and Galloway Council (local councillors). The AGM is in July.

Minutes of the last meeting and the agenda for the next are put up in Hightae, in the bus shelter (near RFT Hall), in Greenhill in the display cabinet (on the village Green) and in Heck at the road into ‘Bottom Heck’. Other notices for RFT CC are also put in the bus shelter.

A newsletter is produced irregularly and delivered to each residence in RFT. 2

Community Councillors (as May 2020) Chairman James Marshall Nethergrange, Hightae 01387 810081

Secretary Freda Seddon Hill-Bryde, Hightae 01387 811580 Minutes Cath Robinson Appletree Cottage, Hightae 01387 419294

Treasurer Graham Anderson Newton, Low Road, Hightae 01387 810430 Ian Collison 2 Smallholm Steading 01387 810668

Stuart Bowe Lake House, Heck 07775895818

William Muirhead 2 Hazelneuk, Hightae 01387811368

Community Council Status: established District: and Eskdale Maximum number of voting members: 11 Community Councillors (elected with voting rights): 7 Community Councillors (co-opted with non-voting rights): 0 Vacancies: 4 Local Councillors (ex-officio with non-voting rights): 0 Estimated population of CC area: 401 AGM month: June Meeting frequency: approx. every 5/6 weeks except August.

Note that we need people to join us as Community Councillors. Any person over the age of 16 and on the electoral register can be a Community Councillor. Contact any current Community Councillor.

Local Councillors

Douglas Fairbairn 07825 633183 [email protected]

Gail MacGregor 07825 633186 [email protected] Stephen Thompson 07825 633151 [email protected]

Adam Wilson 07388 956546 [email protected]

Community Council website: http://www.royalfourtowns.com

This was set up in 2014 with a section for each organisation in the Royal Four Towns. It is frequently updated by the Community Council.

The contact for the website is Stuart Bowe (see list of Community Councillors).

The Dumfries and Galloway Council website has information about Community Councils: 3 http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1297

Wind Farm Community Fund

The Royal Four Towns benefit from annual funds from the Minsca Wind Farm near Waterbeck, and from Harestanes Wind Farm at Ae Forest.

The Minsca fund in years 1 and 2 bought loft insulation and a new boiler for the RFT Hall, 3,4 and 5 bought the bus shelter in Hightae, year 6 paid for the website and year 7 paid for replacement windows for those which had been vandalised. 2015 is Year 8 and use of the grant has not yet been agreed.

Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC) currently administer the Minsca Wind Farm Community Grant, but the community council acts as intermediary. The local community is invited to offer suggestions for the use of the grants, but the money is always used for the benefit of the local community.

A business (AN CBC) has been set up to administer the Harestanes Wind Farm Community Grant and any organisation within the catchment area can apply for a grant directly to AN CBC. For information about this contact any Community Councillor (see Page 2) or go to the AN CBC website: http://www.ancbc.co.uk/applications/.

Community Resilience

DGC encourages community councils to develop a Community Resilience Plan which will be brought into action if there is local calamity, e.g. flood, severe weather, large scale accident. RFT CC has such a plan, which consists chiefly of contact numbers of people and organisations which may be needed if there is local emergency.

In addition, people should ensure that they have in place a Household Emergency Lifesaving Plan (H.E.L.P.) See the information and form enclosed with this pack.

DGVOST (Dumfries and Galloway Virtual Operations Support Team) Dumfries and Galloway Council has developed a website with links to Twitter and Facebook. This is www.dgvost.uk . Anyone can add details of a local problem for others to become aware of.

4 Useful Numbers

Dumfries and Galloway Council (main number) 03033 333000

Emergency Services (Ambulance, Fire, Police, Coast Guard) 999

NHS 24 0854 24 24 24

Police Scotland (Non-emergency 24 hours) 101

National Gas Emergency 0800 111 999

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service 0800 0731 999 (to arrange for a free home fire safety visit)

Citizens Advice Bureau - Annan 01461 201012

Citizens Advice Bureau - Dumfries 01387 252456

Scottish Water – customer services 0845 601 8855

The Samaritans 08457 90 90 90

Shelter Scotland 0808 800 4444

Solway Credit Union 01387 267200

South West Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Centre 01387 253113

TV Licensing 0300 790 6130

Welfare Rights - Dumfries 01387 266888

Women’s Aid – Dumfries and Stewartry 01387 263052 /07710 152772

Emergency Numbers Electricity Scottish power 0845 2727999 www.scottishpower.co.uk

Water: SEPA 0845 988 1188 www.sepa.org.uk

999 is the emergency number for the police.

N.B. Smart Water is available from the community police officer at . Call the police on 101 and ask for the Lockerbie Police Station, or pop in. Smart Water is used to mark all you valuables, making them identifiable if they are stolen. 5 Local Services

Hightae

Refuse Collection Low road on Tuesdays, all other areas Thursdays.

Note that the arrangements for kerbside refuse collection may soon change. You can find out more from the DGC website www.dumgal.gov.uk or if you prefer, wait for the council leaflet to be delivered.

Businesses

Mobile Fish & Chip Van: Wednesday every 4 weeks from 5pm. Parks near the monument. Orders to be phoned in beforehand. Tel: 07376431441

Hightae Inn: home made meals, en-suite rooms. www.hightaeinn.co.uk Tel: 01387 811711

Oil Delivery Hightae Top-up Scheme: central heating oil delivered by Johnstone Wallace Oils. No set dates for delivery, but tends to be monthly in the winter and two to three monthly in the summer. Contact 01387 750747 and ask to join the Hightae Top up Scheme.

Some local supermarkets (and Asda in Carlisle) have a delivery or on-line ordering service – it is worth asking them.

Lochmaben Shops and Services

Doctor Medical Group, 42-44 High Street, Lochmaben, DG11 1NH 01387 811252. www.lochmabenmedicalgroup.com

Dentist ‘The Smile Centre’, Blaemeadow Dental Practice, 16 High Street, Lochmaben, DG11 1NH 01387 811422

Chemist Well Pharmacy, High Street, Lochmaben 01387 810262

Post Office Pettigrew Shop, High Street, Lochmaben but check for times of opening. Also pet foods, gardening supplies and fishing permits.

Town Hall Lochmaben – Library (Integrated with DGC Customer Service) High Street, Lochmaben. Tel: 01387 811865.

6 Businesses in Lochmaben

Lochmaben & District Community Initiative ‘Keep it Local’ Directory of local businesses and trades people. www.lochmaben.org.uk

The Royal Bank of Scotland mobile bank stops at Lochmaben Primary School every Wednesday at 11.35. The Cash Machine still operates at the old Royal Bank of Scotland on the High Street, Lochmaben.

Lockerbie Shops and Services

Lockerbie Library (Integrated with DGC Customer Service) 31-33 High street, Lockerbie. 01576 203380

Police Station Main Street, Lockerbie, 999 in emergency, non urgent calls 101. www.scotland.police.uk/police-stations/dumfries-and-galloway

Annan Town Hall Town Hall, High Street, Annan, DG12 6AQ. 030 3333 3000

For other businesses in Annan and Lockerbie see the local telephone directory or Annan and Lockerbie Initiative websites.

Schools

Hightae Primary. Tel: 01387 810382 Lockerbie Academy. Tel: 01576 205170 Annan Academy. Tel: 01461 202954

7 Royal Four Towns Hall

We are lucky to have an excellent and well-maintained village hall in the centre of Hightae, run by a dedicated committee of local people on behalf of every resident of the RFT, to whom the hall belongs. It has regular users and is also available for hire, normally for an hourly charge. RFT Residents have a discounted hire rate. RFT Hall Booking Secretary – Teresa McColm 01387 810702. See www.royalfourtowns.com for community council information and www.royalfourtowns.com/rft-hall for contacts regarding activities and events at the hal.l

The Hall has a 50/50 Club to help raise funds for the hall upkeep. As the name implies, 50% of the takings are paid out as prizes in a monthly draw and 50% goes to the hall.

Elections RFT Hall is the local polling station.

Neighbourhood Watch

RFT is a Neighbourhood Watch area and many residents are members (there is no charge). NW offers advice on home and personal safety and you can arrange to have checks on your home when you are away. For further information contact Brian Smith on 01387 810588 or his email address is [email protected]. Further information about your local Neighbourhood Watch is available from www.dumfriesandgalwatch.co.uk and national information from www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk

Public Transport

Houstons Coaches run daily buses to Lochmaben, Lockerbie and Annan and on Tuesdays and Saturdays to Dumfries. Buses stop at the bus stop near Hightae War Memorial and other points on the route by arrangement.

Bus timetables are in the bus shelter in Hightae or on-line at www.houstonscoaches.co.uk/timetables and on the D&G Council website www.dumgal.gov.uk Houstons can also be contacted by phone on 01576 203874.

Train stations at Lockerbie, Dumfries and Annan. Timetables are at the stations or on-line at www.nationalrail.co.uk

Annandale Transport Initiative is a charity which operates a community bus service. They offer vehicle hire, transport for individuals and day trips training. Drivers are volunteers and training is given by ATI. Their office in the High Street, Lockerbie. For more details phone 01576 203053 or go to their website - www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=annandale+initiative+transport

8 Local activities Walking Although the ‘right to roam’ exists in Scotland the Royal Four Towns benefits from a number of traditional and Core paths.

The Annandale Way, a 57 mile route from the Solway coast to the Hills, passes through the village. There is now a book about the Annandale Way, with detailed maps and information, available from www.rucs.com . The website for Annandale Way is www.annadaleway.org.uk

A leaflet ‘Know the Code Before You Go’ explains the Access Code and this and our leaflet of local walks is enclosed with this pack.

Dumfries and Galloway Council has way-marked ‘Core footpaths’ which it established all over Region. Booklets of local walks/core paths are available in local shops and libraries.

Some local footpaths are maintained by local residents. If you are interested in helping please contact any Community Councillor. – see our leaflet of local walks.

Nature There is lots to be seen in local lanes and footpaths

There are footpaths to Castle Loch, Lochmaben, which as well as having a path that circum- navigates the loch, is a good area for bird and wildlife watching. Castle Loch and its immediate surroundings have nature designations - Local Nature Reserve, SSSI, SPA and Ramsar Site. The Royal Four Towns are in the catchment area of the Castle Loch Community Trust, which owns and manages the site. Fishing Fishing permits for the are available for the Royal Four Towns Fishery from Pettigrew’s Pet Shop, High Street, Lochmaben. There is no fee for RFT residents, but a permit is required.

Royal Four Towns Show and Gala The Royal Four Towns Show and Gala is held every August. A pack with information about the activities and competitions will be delivered to every household. The event is organised and run by the Show and Gala Committee - a group of Volunteers.

Litter and Poop We try to keep the Four Towns clean with regular litters picks organised by the community Council, and we encourage people to use the litter bins and doggy bins, or take their rubbish home. If you feel so inclined, you can borrow litter-picks, gloves etc. from the Community Council to do some litter picking. Contact the Secretary, Freda Seddon (see list of Community Councillors on Page 2).

Castle Loch Community Trust (Scottish Charity 044045)

Castle Loch was purchased in 2014 by the Castle Loch Community Trust and is a registered Scottish Charity. Funding for the purchase was from the Scottish Land Fund. The catchment area is the areas covered by Templand, Lochmaben and the Royal Four Towns Community Councils, and

9 anyone within those boundaries is entitled to become a member of CLLCT. There is no charge, but your membership demonstrates your support for the project. Volunteer help is also appreciated. There are currently almost 400 members.

Castle Loch offers a circular walk of approximately 3.5 miles with varied scenery, including woodland, marsh and the loch itself. It abounds in bird life, and red squirrels, roe deer and - if you are lucky - otter can be seen, and there are lots of dragonflies, butterflies and moths.

There are benches and picnic tables if you fancy a rest, and car parking spaces are to found on the A709, Lochmaben Bowling Green, lay-bys along the B7020 and at . Or if you are feeling active it is also a pleasant walk from the Four Towns to Castle Loch, via Heck or Castlemains Farm – follow the Core Path or Annandale Way signs.

You can find more details about Castle Loch on the website: www.castleloch.org.uk - or go to the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/castlelochlochmaben

If you require further information about the local area, or would like us to add an item to this pack, please contact any community councillor.

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A Brief History of the Royal Four Towns

Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, founded the Royal Four Towns early in the fourteenth century during the Wars of Independence against the English. They are the villages of Greenhill, Heck, Hightae and Smallholm in Annandale.

In each settlement portions of land were entrusted to experienced soldiers who had served in the ruler’s armies. They held their portions directly from the king and were known as the King’s Kindly Tenants. In addition they shared the use of common fields, meadows and mosses and the resources of woods and water. They were able to pass portions from one generation to the next indefinitely or eventually to sell them. These were rare advantages for ordinary people in the Middle Ages. The communities must have been virtually self governing and the inhabitants were secure in tenure and possessed of all they might require for basic needs. A very independent community resulted.

In return the Kindly Tenants were obliged to provide food and other supplies and garrisons for nearby Lochmaben Castle whenever it was occupied by the ruler or his representatives. Although such services were eventually unnecessary the families of the original settlers or later owners of portions enjoyed the rights originally granted. To this day the community’s fishing rights usually provide useful annual income for local institutions and associations as permits are sold to visitors.

After the common lands were enclosed in the eighteenth century mixed farming provided work for most but new methods were introduced on the separate farms created. Stone cottages replaced those of mud and thatch and several bear dates in three of the villages alongside others built in the nineteenth century and modern homes including ‘prefabs’.

In the eighteenth century Hightae was known to house many craftsmen and cottagers were involved in producing woollen and linen cloths which were sold to the English. For a few years in the mid nineteenth century young women worked at home as ‘flowerers’ embroidering delicate white lace caps for babies. Local stonemasons and joiners were involved in building fine houses, churches etc. across the southwest of Scotland. A bacon curing business was established to process the carcasses produced by most families for the English market.

There was a parish school in Hightae from 1728 and the present building dates from 1876. Hightae Church was opened in 1798 and the Inch Burn Bridge was built in 1792 and repaired in the 1990s. In 1910 the Hall was built and financed by the local community with half the cost donated by Andrew Carnegie, the steel king.

Farmers built small round mills in their yards so the community mill was no longer needed.

Today few residents are employed in farming and some travel considerable distances to various towns. Others are retired from a wide range of occupations but most make some contribution to community life.

(‘Seven Centuries in the Royal Four Towns of Lochmaben’ by Anne Fairn is available in Dumfries and Galloway libraries).

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Annex A

Household Emergency Life-saving Plan (H.E.L.P)

In the event of a major emergency in Dumfries and Galloway; it may be some time before the emergency services can help you, making it very important that you and your family have made the necessary preparations to take care of yourselves.

As a family or household agree on a plan in advance. Complete the following and keep it safe should you need to use it.

Plan somewhere to go if evacuated. Plan where to meet if you are unable to Friends? Family? Phone Numbers? contact each other. Who will you ………………………………………….. leave a message with? …………………….. …………………………………………… …………………………………………………..

In case of a major emergency it is very useful to have: a Household Emergency Life-saving Pack (H.E.L.P) containing:

- A battery radio with spare batteries or a wind up radio - A battery torch with spare batteries or a wind up torch - Candles and matches - A First Aid kit - Copies of important documents like birth certificates, insurance policies and this plan - Bottled water and ready to eat food (tinned food), with a can opener if required

Knowing what to do in an emergency is vitally important. Consider learning First Aid, it is a valuable skill that can serve many purposes.

You should complete and familiarise yourself with the following emergency numbers:

Emergency Services: 999 (or 112) Local Radio Stations: NHS 24: 0845 424 24 24 CFM……………………………………..96.4FM Local Police Station: …………………… BBC Dumfries ……………………...... 585 AM Local Authority: ……………………….... South West Sound Dumfries……….97FM Doctor: ………………………………….... Stranraer………96.5FM Work: ……………………………………... Kirkcudbright...103FM School: …………………………………… Machars……….103FM Home Insurance: ……………………….. Other areas……97FM

Ensure you have an analogue phone (one that doesn’t need to be plugged into the electrics) – electric ones may not work in an emergency if the electricity supply is affected

In the event of an emergency and if it is safe to do so the advice is usually to: GO IN (go indoors and close all windows and doors), STAY IN (stay indoors), TUNE IN (to local radio, TV or the internet, where public information and advice from the emergency services will be broadcast.) Should you be evacuated do you know Who will be responsible for picking How to turn the following off? the children up from school? Choose a family member to do this? (if applicable and safe to do so)

Electricity: ………………………….. First Choice: …………………………..

Water: ……………………………….. Second Choice: ......

Gas: ……………………………….....

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13 If you find yourself in the middle of an emergency, your common sense and instinct will usually tell you what to do. However, it is generally important to: - Try to remain calm, reassure others and think before acting - Make sure 999 has been called if people are injured or if there is a threat to life - Do not put yourself or others in danger - Follow the advice of the emergency services

You should check your neighbours – they may need your help.

NEIGHBOURS TO THE LEFT NEIGHBOURS TO THE RIGHT

Name: …………………………………. Name: ………………………………….

Home No: ……………………………... Home No: ……………………………..

Mobile No: …………………………….. Mobile No: …………………………….

During an emergency, in case you are advised to evacuate your home, you may want to add the following to your Household Emergency Life-saving Pack (H.E.L.P):

Toiletries, sanitary supplies Mobile phone and charger Prescribed medication Cash/credit cards Playing cards, games/some form of entertainment Spare clothes/blankets Any special equipment for infants or the elderly Home/car keys

Don’t forget about your pets and their equipment, such as carrier, collar, lead and pet food. If possible, take pets with you as the emergency may last a long time.

Should you leave via car you should take your Household Emergency Life-saving Pack (H.E.L.P) with you and listen to local radio to find out which roads are open.

When you are told that it is safe to return home, open windows to provide fresh air before arranging for gas, electricity and water supplies to be reconnected.

For more information on major emergencies, go to Dumfries and Galloway’s dedicated emergency website: www.majoremergenciesindg.co.uk

14 Royal Four Towns Hall 50/50 Club

The 50/50 Club is an important contributor to the upkeep of the RFT Village Hall, and those who support the hall by joining make a big difference. This a simple scheme where half of the contributions are distributed back in the form of a monthly draw (3 prizes) and the other half helps to finance the hall. The cost is £1 per month with the option to pay every 3 months, 6 months or 12 months. If you wish to take part in the scheme please complete this form and return it with the appropriate contribution to - Jeanette Carmichael, 5 Holland Bush, Hightae - or telephone 01387 810862 for collection or further information.

Your support for our Hall would be very much appreciated - and you could be lucky!

Name…………………………………………………………………………………… ……………….

Address ………………………………………………………………………………………… ……..

………………………………………………………………………………………… ……...

………………………………………………………………………………………… ………

Telephone ………………………………………………………………………………………….

Contribution, please tick Cash, or cheques payable to RFT Hall Association.

3 months 6 months 12 months

Please sign ………………………………………………………………………………………..

For Office Use Number allocated ……………………………………………………………………

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Royal Four Towns Community Council

The Royal Four Towns of Greenhill, Hightae, Heck and Smallhollm are quiet, traditional villages situated in lovely countryside, with a good network of walks and easy access by car to nearby towns. It has a history going back 700 years with strong associations with Lochmaben Castle.

Loved by the residents because of its peaceful atmosphere, the Community Council does find it a challenge to engage the local community. For example, at our AGM in June we offered presentations on the work of the Community Council over the previous year, and about the Castle Loch Community Trust. One member of the public turned up. Items on the agenda included future spending of community grant money from the local wind farms - Minsca and Harestanes – surely an important subject, and we do welcome ideas from residents.

Wind farm grants, amounting to £4,000 annually, are intended to benefit the local community. Past projects include loft insulation for the RFT Hall, a bus shelter, supporting local events like the RFT Show and Gala, the RFT website and recently we have upgraded a local footpath. We have installed a de-fibrillator at the RFT Village Hall, and we plan to hold regular training sessions on its use and on CPR (Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation). Because we are in the catchment area, a donation has been made to Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust. Maintenance of traditional footpaths is a possible project for using wind farm money in future.

Our ‘Welcome Pack’ explaining what the community council does, with lots of local information, contact numbers and websites – including our own, www.royalfourtowns.com - plus a selection of leaflets from various local organisations, is delivered to new residents and, as the name says, is a ‘welcome’ to the Royal Four Towns. It is always well received, but whether this will result in long term awareness of the RFT CC we have yet to find out.

Meetings are held about every 6 weeks and are open to all RFT residents, who are very welcome at our meetings. Minutes of the last meeting and the agenda for the next are displayed in Greenhill and Hightae. Like all Community Councils we have close links to Dumfries and Galloway Council and we provide a conduit for settling local issues. We thank all the community councillors, local councillors and the police, who regularly attend our meetings.

High Road, Hightae. The largest of the Royal Four Towns of Greenhill, Heck, Hightae and Smallholm.

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