The Crichton Magazine | Spring 2021 | Issue 4

Spring 2021 Issue 4

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Cover: Hugh McClymont - Crichton Royal Farm (SRUC)

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CONTENTS SPRING 2021

Published by: The Crichton Trust | Grierson House | Bankend Road | Dumfries | DG1 4ZE www.crichton.co.uk | #TheCrichton | 01387 247544 Charity registered in Scotland No. SC024797

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28-29

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Welcome from Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive

South of Scotland Enterprise

Royal Burgh of Dumfries Tattoo

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30-35

52-53

An update from The Crichton

The Crichton Tree Trail

The Crichton Trust and Easterbrook Bistro

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36-37

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Chief Operating Officer

Tree of Tranquillity

Theatre: Doctor Dolittle

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38-39

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Crichton Briefings and Tenants Forums

Crichton Parkrun

Theatre: Much Ado About Nothing

12-13

40-41

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A Life Saving Dog Walk

Employee Feature: Kirsty Normand

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42-43

Meet the Board and Executive Team

Seasonal Gallery

16-17

44-45

Tenant spotlight: DYW D&G

Heritage Feature: Oral History Project

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46-47

Tenant spotlight: SRUC Crichton Royal Farm

Legacy of an Artist

24-25

48-49

Tenant spotlight: Solway Firth Partnership

Doonhame Q&A with Sandy Sweetman

26-27

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Crichton Central

Doonhame Festival

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Venue Hire and What’s On

57 Weddings at The Crichton

58-59 The Crichton Community The Crichton Directory

Back Page Seasonal Selection

by Mike Bolam

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WELCOME Welcome to the fourth issue of The Crichton Magazine.

I’m delighted to read articles in this issue of the magazine that offer an important insight into our past and I’m also inspired by the work of individuals and organisations across the estate, including the amazing work going on by Hugh and his team at The Crichton Royal Dairy Farm page 19.

This time last year, we found ourselves entering the uncertain territory of a global pandemic and the first of three national lockdowns, the third of which we are only just starting to emerge from now.

As a team we feel passionate about the role we have and we are committed to protecting and enhancing The Crichton so that future generations can enjoy it as much as we do and this is why we will continue to develop the site as an innovative and sustainable centre of excellence in business, health and education where people connect, grow, learn, stay well and have fun.

The impact of coronavirus on organisations and individuals has been unprecedented and our personal and professional worlds have been turned upside down. For most of us, we yearn the return to more normal times and to experience some of the simple things in life that most of us have taken for granted until now.

While the highlight of our day at the moment, centres around a walk, a cycle or a run in the local area, we are fortunate to have the beautiful surroundings of The Crichton to help us through.

After a year of new routines and practices, we have been reviewing our priorities and our operations and how best to prepare for our future. We have many exciting developments and projects to develop and launch this year and I very much hope that you will enjoy reading about some of these initiatives as you browse through this magazine.

For this reason, we have continued to attract a greater number of visitors keen to make the most of our green spaces, or white spaces as was the case for a few days in January when children and families enjoyed time sledging and playing in the snow! More recently, we have enjoyed some brighter days and a welcome glimpse of Spring and renewed sense of hope for the future.

In the meantime, I encourage you to explore and enjoy the grounds and gardens and if you’re looking for something to do over the Easter break, get yourself a coffee from the Bistro and head out on our new tree trail and see where it takes you.

While part of our remit here is to protect our heritage, we are very much focused on the need to build a future that is deeply rooted in our past and for us this means developing and maintaining high quality buildings and grounds, providing meaningful work opportunities and experiences as well as a fun and diverse programme of social activities and pastimes. The bottom line is that we have a duty of care for our people, our place, our past and our planet.

Happy Easter and stay safe

Gwilym Gibbons Chief Executive

#TheCrichton #APlaceToBreathe #TheCrichtonCommunity #BuildBackBetter

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AN UPDATE FROM THE CRICHTON

by Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive, The Crichton Trust

The Crichton: 2021 AND BEYOND In the December issue of The Crichton Magazine, I took time to reflect on the experiences, challenges and experiences of 2020 and at one point felt quietly optimistic about our transition out of the pandemic.

At the end of 2020, we missed the buzz of our Christmas party season, but we were delighted to welcome the Christmas Drive-In team to The Crichton in December and to see so many of you coming along to the car park stage to enjoy the Christmas Extravaganza and Drive-in Movie Nights! They certainly brought some safe winter magic to The Crichton and we are very pleased they did!

After months of lockdowns, social distancing, doorstep deliveries and face coverings, getting through Christmas 2020, was particularly difficult - a time when most families take time out of their busy lives and get together to enjoy the festivities. Of course, it was not to be and for most of us it was a very quiet Christmas and an uneventful start to 2021.

We did have some good news in January, including the appointment of Craig Renton as our new Chief Operating Officer at The Crichton Trust and you can read more about this appointment on page 10.

We have also continued to make good progress with the development of Crichton Central and are hopeful of a phased opening of our new co-working café later in the Spring and subject to the lifting of restrictions. I encourage to check out our progress on page 26 and I hope you share my excitement for the possibilities this presents for the future.

I’m also pleased to report that we have seen a steady increase in attendance and participation in our monthly Tenants Forums and Crichton Briefings too and I hope that long after this

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you to everyone who continues to support us and to respect the grounds and other visitors when visiting the site and to the growing number of followers we have on social media too.

pandemic is over, we will continue to come together as The Crichton Community to share news, overcome challenges, celebrate achievements and to continue to get to know each other better. (See details of future meetings on page 11).

The Crichton was established all those years ago to protect the physical and mental wellbeing of people and during these challenging times we are pleased to say that The Crichton has continued to be an asset to the local community and in the wellbeing of those around us.

It’s now March, a full year since we entered our first lockdown, and we are not out of the woods just yet. We have spent the first few months of 2021 in lockdown facing the daily challenges of home-schooling, working from home and an extended period of furlough, while key workers continue to deliver essential services on the frontline.

Schools, non-essential shops, hairdressers, pubs, hospitality and tourism venues remain closed and events and social gatherings are still not allowed. We have had enough of Zoom and hand sanitiser too.

Are things are starting to look up?

Some brighter days and signs of Spring are already helping to lift our spirits and we were particularly happy to see the recently planted purple crocuses from the Rotary Club of Dumfries appearing outside Easterbrook Bistro last week. A reminder of new beginnings.

Fortunately for us, our grounds and gardens continue to provide local residents with a place to escape. We’ve seen a surge in dog-walkers as well as couples and families enjoying their daily exercise on site (including some fun in the snow!) and while our indoor venues remain closed, we are pleased to have been able to offer a restricted, but daily takeaway offering from Easterbrook Bistro since January. Thank

Coronavirus cases have been in decline in recent weeks and as the NHS continues to roll-out the vaccination programme, can we start to feel more optimistic about the easing of restrictions and the prospect of meeting up with our friends, families and colleagues again?

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continued overleaf...

ROUTE MAP In the past week, we have heard news of a route map out of lockdown from the Scottish Government and a cautious easing of restrictions over the next few weeks and months, so what does this mean for The Crichton.

The Crichton Trust takes its responsibility to protect and develop the legacy of The Crichton seriously and as such will publish a new strategy in 2021. As well as defining the core assets of The Crichton, the document will outline a number of new projects and initiatives that are set to shape the future of The Crichton and to address the challenges of the climate emergency, our ageing society and the emergence of the future economy.

We continue to welcome new partners and collaborations to help us fulfil our ambitions for The Crichton.

The grounds and gardens remain free and open to the public (all year round) and we hope everyone will make the most of the Easter holidays to explore the grounds and enjoy our new tree trail (see page 30) and of course, a takeaway from Easterbrook Bistro.

Towards the end of April, we are hopeful that we can introduce indoor and outdoor dining again and that we be getting closer to opening our café in Crichton Central too.

As well as looking forward, we constantly remind ourselves to remember our past and I’m pleased to say that although off to a slow start due to Covid-19, our Oral History Project is progressing well and you can read about some of our early findings on page 44.

It’s unlikely that we will see the return of indoor events until later in the year, but we are looking forward to hosting more blended and outdoor events and festivals on the grounds over the summer including everything from parkrun and the Doonhame Festival to outdoor theatre shows. Keep an eye on our What’s On page for the latest updates.

While it has been a challenging year for most people, I am aware that the pandemic has affected us all in different ways. Our suppliers, our tenants, our partners and our colleagues have had personal and

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professional challenges to overcome and I hope that as an organisation we have supported you all in some way and that we can look forward to a brighter future together as we start to emerge from the pandemic.

I must add my personal thanks to my colleagues and trustees here at The Crichton Trust for their hard work, help, support and understanding while we have had to make some difficult decisions about our day to day operations. I’m aware that for some of you, this has meant a change of routine or a different role and for others it has meant a reduction in hours and long periods of time on furlough. I am proud to call you part of my team and for the personal sacrifices and achievements you have made in the past 12 months. I know some of you have volunteered with other organisations, some of you have committed to CPD and preparing yourself for a return to work, while others have juggled work with homeschooling and looking after others. I’m proud of you all and thank you.

On that note, I would like to finish, by drawing your attention to the feature on page 12 about the outstanding actions of one of our colleagues, who quite literally saved a life earlier this month when out walking his dog. Not only are we proud of Kenny, but we are committed to learning from his experience and taking action to make The Crichton an even safer place to live, work and study. Well done Kenny!

Learning lessons from our experiences, helping others and making changes and improvements is what 2021 is all about for us here at The Crichton and I very much hope you will stay with us or join us on this journey.

Stay safe and enjoy the rest of the magazine!

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NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER appointment comes at a time when our strategic and operational leadership needs to be at its very best. It has been a challenging year for everyone, including The Crichton Trust, and as we continue to adapt to meet those challenges we are determined to successfully lead The Crichton Trust out of this pandemic and to build on the legacy of The Crichton to ensure it continues to thrive and adapt to our new world.”

He added: “The focus for 2021 and beyond, is to ensure our longer-term vision is ambitious, achievable and sustainable. In order to do this, we had to strengthen our strategic and operational leadership. I am delighted to welcome Craig to the team and feel confident that he will help us achieve our ambitions and to protect the wellbeing of our people, place and partners in these challenging times.”

The Crichton Trust was delighted to start 2021, with news of a new Chief Operating Officer role at The Crichton and to welcome Craig Renton who commenced his duties as Chief Operating Officer from mid-January.

After a rigorous recruitment process, Craig was excited to secure the position and grateful for the opportunity to join the team and to use his leadership experience to support and enable colleagues to deliver excellence in all parts of the organisation.

This vacancy, originally planned for 2020 following a senior leadership re-structure, attracted a number of high calibre candidates, all eager to help shape the strategic direction of our 85-acre parkland estate. The appointment comes at a crucial time for The Crichton Trust and our partners, as we start to emerge from the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

Two months on and Craig already feels at home. He said: “Since taking up my role in the middle of January, I’ve been struck by the range of our work here at The Crichton Trust, encouraged by the people I’ve met and inspired by our history and this place as somewhere to breathe, to connect and to refresh. I’ve been able to meet some of our staff, those not on furlough of course, and to encounter a number of our tenants as I’ve gone about trying to understand all that we do. An important part of my role is to work with the Chief Executive and the Executive Team to plan for the time when restrictions start to ease. It’s meant the time has flown by and already I feel “at home” amongst our colleagues and stakeholders. I would simply wish to thank you all for your welcome, your patience and support and to those I haven’t met yet, I invite you to introduce yourself whenever the opportunity arises. I am eager to get to know you, to hear your story and to understand your role in our work here, so please don’t be a stranger.”

Craig, who lives locally with his family, is extremely passionate about the region and in creating opportunities that will enable and encourage all generations to live, learn, work and thrive in Dumfries and Galloway. Craig has held various executive leadership roles and has extensive experience in leading teams, delivering change programmes, reviewing business and IT systems and processes, training and development, governance, project and financial management, strategic and operational performance and in developing and sustaining significant partnership and stakeholder engagement initiatives.

Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust said: “I am delighted to announce the recent appointment of Craig Renton as the new Chief Operating Officer at The Crichton Trust. Craig has an excellent track record in strategic leadership and management in various sectors and will be a welcome addition to our existing Executive Team. This

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Monthly COVID-19 Crichton Updates With Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust 4PM, FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH Join the meetings on Zoom using meeting ID 838 7652 3626 Covid-19 Updates Future Thinking Briefings and Q&A for The Crichton Community.

All welcome

Tenants’ Forum For tenants and partners at The Crichton 11AM ON ZOOM, LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH The Crichton Trust Update Meet the Tenants Update Informal Q&A Meeting ID : On email invitation hello@crichton.co.uk 01387 247544

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A LIFE SAVING DOG WALK Thanks to the fantastic community response, the patient survived the ordeal and has recently undergone a bypass operation in Glasgow. Due to Covid-19, his wife has been unable to visit him in hospital, but she is full of praise for everyone who helped on the day. She said: “People came to the rescue and saved his life. It was absolutely amazing.”

Very few of us will ever save a life, but how would you respond if you found yourself in a life-saving situation? Would you know how to save the life of a friend, colleague, family member or stranger? Would you know where to find a defibrillator or know how to use it?

Fortunately, Kenny Henry, from The Crichton Trust, was one of the first on the scene when a fellow dog-walker took ill during his early morning stroll on Saturday 13 February in Lockerbie.

Kenny said: “I just so happened to be around at the right time and thankfully I was able to help. I was fortunate to have a nurse to work with and it was brilliant to see how the local community pulled together to help out. Having a defibrillator to hand and knowing where to find it and how to use it really helped, although we were very pleased to see the paramedics arriving and to let them takeover. It was exhausting, but of course, I would do it again if I had too.”

Kenny, who joined The Crichton Trust in January 2020, was able to apply his First Aid, CPR and defibrillator training, which he had completed as part of his previous role at Dumfries and Galloway College, to help save the life of the Lockerbie resident who was out walking the dog with his wife when he fell ill.

Kenny added: “I’ve been keeping in touch with the family and I’m looking forward to meeting them again when I can. In the meantime, I am working with the community in Lockerbie where I live and at The Crichton where I work, to increase participation in CPR and Defibrillator Training and to encourage any organisation

First on the scene was an off-duty nurse, who along with Kenny, performed life-saving CPR on the patient for around 20 minutes until the ambulance arrived. Meanwhile other local residents rallied round to help with traffic, to take care of the dog, to provide drinks and blankets and to collect the all-important defibrillator.

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who has a defibrillator to register it, so that the Scottish Ambulance Service know to direct emergency responders to the closest defibrillator when someone calls 999. I also keep telling people that you can’t do anything wrong when using a defibrillator as I think this is a common fear. Once they are turned on, you get prompts and instructions about what to do next. It’s worth watching videos online to get familiar with them, as the training and familiarity certainly helped on the day.”

Crichton and to think about what else we can do to better prepare ourselves and others should we find ourselves in a similar situation to Kenny. We are extremely proud of Kenny and what he did that day and we are now in the process of preparing an awareness raising campaign to let as many people as possible know where to find and how to access and use any of the defibrillators we have on site. Given the scale of the estate and the volume of visitors we have at The Crichton, we are about to launch a Just Giving campaign to raise funds to buy at least one other publicly accessible defibrillator for The Crichton.”

Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust, said: “Kenny’s experience has inspired us to review the number and location of defibrillators on site at The

GET INVOLVED As part of the defibrillator campaign, we would like to encourage our tenants and partners at The Crichton to let us know if they have a defibrillator on site and, if they do, to make sure it is registered as a Publicly Accessible Defibrillator (PAD) with the British Heart Foundation on The Circuit; the National Defibrillator Network (https://www.thecircuit.uk/).

Anyone who would like to make a donation to our Just Giving fundraising campaign or to sponsor an additional defibrillator for the site, can donate online or email news@crichton.co.uk to offer their support.

We would also like to encourage our colleagues, tenants and partners to sign up for a training course or to watch CPR and defibrillator training videos online to increase their familiarity. It may just safe a life.

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MEET THE TEAM

The Crichton Trust employs around 40 employees working within three business teams; Property, Venues and Corporate Business. In addition, we have our Research and Development (R&D) team who lead project and research activities in our three priority areas of carbon reduction, ageing society and wellbeing and the future economy.

Executive Team

Gwilym Gibbons

Craig Renton

Chief Executive

Chief Operating Officer

Gordon Clark

Susan Sutherland

Fiona Rands

Head of Property Services

Head of Corporate Business

Head of Venues

www.crichton.co.uk/our-team/ 14

The Crichton Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees. Each of the volunteer Trustees dedicate their time and expertise to support the ongoing development of The Crichton. They are a great source of support to the Excecutive Team, especially during these challenging times. You can read more about the Trustees at www.crichton.co.uk/our-team

Trustees

Dr Ian Macmillan (Chair)

Kate Thomson QPM (Vice Chair)

Dr Janet Brennan

Margaret Burton

Paul Dickson

Dr Laura Douglas

Professor Malcolm Foley

Philip N Jones

Gary Mappin

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DYW D&G

Derry Rogerson

Justin Thomas

DEVELOPING THE YOUNG WORKFORCE IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

needs and the challenges they face in attracting the best candidates to work for their organisation.

Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) is a national initiative with 21 regional teams located all over Scotland, including a dedicated team based here in Dumfries and Galloway. We recently caught up with Programme Manager, Justin Thomas to learn more about what they do to bridge the gap between employers and young people across the region.

By understanding the needs of employers, DYW can then work with schools, colleges, universities and other training providers to help address any skills shortages and importantly, promote these training and employment opportunities to young people in Dumfries and Galloway.

For the team at DYW Dumfries and Galloway, coming up with innovative engagement strategies to ensure they build fruitful relationships with employers, training providers and young people is key to the success of their efforts. When things go well for the team, it can result in employers recruiting enthusiastic young talent ideally suited to their organisation and sector, while young people can secure valuable training and sustainable employment opportunities within the region.

ABOUT DYW DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY DYW Dumfries and Galloway has a small team of three, based in Eskdale House at The Crichton in Dumfries where they work alongside their colleagues from DGChamber. DYW is a Scottish Government initiative that aims to better prepare young people for professional careers.

The local team is headed up by Programme Director Graeme Galloway, who is supported by two Programme Managers; Justin Thomas and Caroline Davidson.

ENGAGEMENT IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Building and maintaining relationships is crucial and it is through these relationships that DYW can make a real difference to the lives and future of our young people and, of course, to the local economy. Meeting with employers, visiting primary and secondary

Bridging the gap between employers and young people is the central focus for the team. This means they work closely with employers from all sectors across the region to better understand their recruitment

DYW DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY | ESKDALE HOUSE www.dywdg.co.uk | 01387 702156 | info@dywdg.co.uk 16

schools and colleges, informing parents and teachers and hosting open days and careers fairs are all part of the mix, but in recent years DYW Dumfries and Galloway have had to raise the bar to attract the attention of young people and to inspire them to explore training and jobs in a variety of different sectors.

As part of the digital engagement plan, DYW Dumfries and Galloway has also launched a new YouTube Channel (#DYWFix) to increase engagement with young people in the region. Young people and adults can find sector-specific playlists on the new channel covering everything from construction and engineering to food, drink and hospitality and includes interviews with employers, employees and young people.

BANG GOES DG BANG GOES DG is an interactive science event aimed at young people in S1-3 as well as for college students and home-learners and has been organised by DYW Dumfries and Galloway at Easterbrook Hall since 2018. It brings businesses and young people together, with a range of engaging and interactive activities and presentations designed to attract young people to the opportunities available within Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Digital fields. This has been a huge success in Dumfries & Galloway, with 43 businesses and organisations and 958 young people from across the region attending the most recent event in 2019. Plans were in place to host the annual event at Easterbrook Hall in 2020, but like everything else in 2020, plans were changed and events were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

To support the development and implementation of a digital engagement strategy, DYW have engaged the support of Derry Rogerson, from Battle Stations, who is assisting with the production of videos and a virtual tour of Easterbrook Hall.

Justin said: “We have had to adapt to new ways of working, but our remit to bridge the gap between employers and young people has become increasingly important at a time when many businesses and schools are either closed or operating online. It has been important for us to develop a digital engagement plan and to change how we interact with young people. I’m pleased to say we have launched #DYWFix, our new YouTube Channel and are working with organisations across the country to put BANG GOES DG online in 2021. Our world has changed and we need to change too.

Digital Technology is increasingly important and it will help us reach a wider audience and enable us to provide useful resources to young people, adults, teachers, parents and employers all year round. We would love to hear from businesses and sector groups who would like to get involved in any of our new online initiatives.”

Not to be defeated, Justin and colleagues at DYW Dumfries and Galloway have been working hard to develop a virtual version of BANG GOES DG for 2021 which is sponsored

by Scottish Power and will see employers providing digital presentations, interactive videos, webinars, downloadable activities and virtual tours of their workplaces wc. 24 May 2021. The main themes for 2021 are Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths (STEM) and the Digital World.

Click here to view their youtube channel.

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CREAM OF THE CROP: WORLD CLASS RESEARCH AT CRICHTON ROYAL FARM

Crichton Royal Farm was bought as part of the original Crichton site between 1884 and 1894, to provide food and work for the patients of The Crichton Royal psychiatric hospital. It currently occupies an area of 252 ha that rises from sea level at the River Nith up to about 75m. Although owned by the Scottish Government, Scotland’s Rural Collage (SRUC) took over the tenancy in 1975 as a dairy farm. An additional dairy unit was added at Acrehead in 1979 and the current Crichton Farm layout was upgraded in 2002 when SRUC consolidated dairy research at Dumfries and it became the SRUC Dairy Research and Innovation Centre. Currently between Crichton and Acrehead around 12,500 litres of milk a day are sold.

The world-famous Langhill herd In 2002 the Langhill herd, which originated at Edinburgh University, was transferred to Crichton. The herd is part of the world’s longest running farm animal breeding experiment which was started in the early 1970’s. These are the black and white cows you might have seen in the fields around The Crichton and they are Holstein Friesian crosses. The aims of the genetics study are to investigate and demonstrate reliable predictors of genetic merit for milk yield. The main dairy herd comprises of 2 genetic lines; the first has been selected for high fat and protein yield, while the second represents the national UK average for fat and protein.

With two genetic lines of cows and two separate diets we essentially have four herds being kept together on the farm. These herds consist of 50 Holstein Friesian cows calving all

The farm has always been at the forefront of innovation: a milking machine was installed in 1907 and in 1925 a silo was built for silage, well before these were common in Scotland.

CRICHTON ROYAL FARM | DUMFRIES www.sruc.ac.uk | 01387 263961 18

year round, currently milked twice a day and continuously housed in the same building. It is not always the diet that is being studied in the experiment, it has also been the source of the feed. In the past, half the cows were fed with food grown specifically on the farm and were compared to feeding the other half by-products from industry, i.e. distiller’s grains, biscuit meal etc, with no land needed.

Regular monitoring data of the milking cow’s body condition, before it was common on dairy farms, produced information that showed selection for milk production had a major impact on body condition score change, which in turn, affected reproductive performance. As a result, the UK was the first country in the world to routinely record body condition scores in dairy herds and was the first to use this information in national genetic evaluations for dairy cow fertility.

Continued research into the genetics of the herd during the late 1980’s helped extend the knowledge and successively update dairy cattle breeding tools. This research provided evidence on the optimal design of breeding

Ainsley Bagnall

schemes and produced practical selection tools such as estimated breeding values for new traits in dairy cows and new statistical models to enhance accuracy of selection decisions and the Profitable Lifetime Index (£PLI), which has become widely used in the UK. Using this measure, the genetic improvement in British dairy cattle over the last 20 years was valued at £2.4 billion, of which at least £408.0 million (17%) is directly attributable to this research on PLI undertaken by SRUC using data collected from the Langhill herd. The index framework developed also allows subsequent additions as new traits are identified and become economically significant.

The pioneering body condition scoring work has since been adopted in 15 other major dairying countries, including Canada, the Netherlands and USA and our methods for including body condition score as a predictor of dairy cow fertility have been mirrored

Hugh McClymont

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in national routine evaluations for fertility in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, and Spain.

Advances in robotic milking Acrehead (a further 220 milking animals plus replacements) is used for shorter term feeding trials and other more novel work and now includes a herd of 50 cows being milked using a robotic milking machine. The robotic milking machine and the data it produces. in conjunction with animal mounted sensors. has helped to predict health disorders of cattle. The study focused on diseases such as mastitis and showed that we could predict mastitis 3-5 days prior to stockperson observations using changes in milk electrical conductivity, measured through the robot.

We could also use the robot to treat the mastitis without antibiotic intervention, by increasing the milk frequency.

Regular monitoring The cows in the research herd are monitored on a constant basis, not just for the amount

of milk they produce but how long the milking takes, the order the animals enter to be milked and even the position they prefer in the milking stalls, all this can be of use to the animal behavioural team. The amount of food each cow eats, liveweight, calving dates, weight and sex of the calves are also recorded to produce a huge data set that is utilised by researchers, not just in Dumfries, but in Edinburgh, as part of the genetics team, and globally. Much of the data are recorded automatically, such as the weight of the cows - after milking they walk over an automatic weighing scale that provides a total of 800 records a day. All cows wear an activity monitor (a “Fit Bit” for cows) on their leg and are monitored for mobility and activity. Animals feed and drink through a bank of 48 individual feed troughs and 8 water troughs, where an Electronic Identifier (EID) records what animal enters what trough and at what time. By recording trough weight at entry and at exit, individual

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meals are recorded along with feed patterns throughout any 24-hour period. This alone creates over 7000 daily records. The cows drink 150 litres each per day on their current diet.

Data from over 2,800 individual cows are contained in the long-term database, with the date of birth of the first cow being 23/10/1962. Approximately 300,000 individual animal health events (e.g. lameness, digestive disorders, fertility records, calving difficulties) have been recorded and characterised from 1970 to present day. Around 500,000 daily feed intake records (1988 to present day) from 18 million individual meals are contained in the database, along with over 1.6 million individual daily milk yield records.

The use of the latest genetic techniques are employed with blood samples being genotyped (over 1,100) and now over 500 cows have had their whole genome sequenced.

Future members of the herds The calves born at The Crichton Royal Farm are the next generation that will be involved with the research work, therefore they are monitored closely as well, with all milk intakes, weights, health data and service dates recorded until they enter the milking herd. All new-born calves receive colostrum as soon as possible after birth.

Colostrum is the first milk produced by the mother cow and is full of antibodies to help protect against disease. The quality of the colostrum is measured using a refractometer and recorded. After 7 days in an individual hutch a calf will join an igloo of 14 peers where her daily milk consumption and feeding pattern will be recorded using an automatic calf feeder until weaning at 56 days. These data are routinely monitored and stored. Agri-EPI Centre has recently invested in bespoke equipment at our calf research facility, allowing for continuous Holly Ferguson

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assessment of individual calf growth, intake and behaviour. This state-of-the-art facility provides an excellent platform to conduct high quality research in calves. With the new equipment, we have capacity for individual calf level recording of milk and water intake, concentrate and forage intakes and animal weights. By recording intakes and weights, we can use this to predict diseases and disorders in calves earlier, and it allows us to monitor daily liveweight gain easily, ensuring animals are thriving as they should be.

Work on the farm The everyday work on the farm to feed and milk the herds and produce the feed from the grass and other crops grown in the fields is co-ordinated by the Farm Manager, Hugh McClymont and the monitoring and running of the experiments is facilitated by the senior technician, Ainsley Bagnall, better known as Baggy, and his team of two technicians.

The land on the farm is mainly in grass for grazing and silage, but other crops are grown to meet the needs of different experimental

groups of animals, such as wheat and forage maize, with more novel crops grown in the past (red clover, beans and lucerne) for specific experiments.

Climate change As interest in climate change and greenhouse gases have increased and become an important focus, more work has been undertaken to monitor the methane produced by the cow’s digestion, using handheld methane detector equipment. This equipment is used to measure methane in the burps cows produce. This can help create more efficient diets, to try to reduce the methane produced. On average a cow burps every 4 minutes.

The environmental impacts of the systems have been evaluated using modelling. These models were an extension of traditional efficiency analysis and allowed for the consideration of both desirable outputs (i.e.,

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Farming) Innovation Centre looking at the wider effects of the farm. In addition to the cattle welfare and crops grown there are a range of biodiversity areas, including mown grassland for ground nesting birds, species rich meadows which attract local butterfly groups, and extended water margins that create wildlife corridors. On the farm, some hedgerows are managed to maximise the local wildlife habitats as well as established woodlands used to maintain the tree population.

milk production) and undesirable outputs (e.g. pollutants).

Other aspects of the farm are also closely monitored, including the weather, which has been routinely collected for the Meteorological Office since the 1980s, with this data being used to estimate the effects of climate change on dairy production.

Additionally, improved grass utilisation, monitoring the effects on high production cows out-wintered on kale and grass, effects of soil compaction on grassland yield reduction and greenhouse gas emissions, and the use of precision farming - through controlled traffic farming - to reduce the effect of machinery on grass silage yield have all recently been studied at Crichton.

Student involvement We support many students across their study from undergraduate to MSc and PhD, additionally we have been involved with providing Nuffield student programmes for final year school pupils. Recently students from Africa have used the data and experience of the Dairy Research Centre to undertake PhD’s funded via the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Not just dairy farming As farm is in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) this has led to a focus on the efficient use of slurry and manure and reduced purchase of fertiliser. Additionally, the farm is a LEAF (Linking Environment and

Data from the research herd are used by staff to provide actual examples at undergraduate (agriculture, animal science and environmental science courses) and taught postgraduate courses including genetics, food security, animal behaviour and welfare. The data are also used by final year students for dissertations. Data are also used by researchers in school visits, or farm visits, facilitated by RHET (Royal Highland Education Trust), teaching primary and secondary level children about agriculture and dairy production.

All this from the farm at the edge of the campus; producing world class research from one of the most well-known and monitored dairy herds in the world.

www.sruc.ac.uk

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SOLWAY FIRTH PARTNERSHIP

Clair McFarlan, Georgina Reid, Morag Walker, Nic Coombey (Paul Mackey not present)

WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE SOLWAY FIRTH

Photo: Kim Ayres

Solway Firth Partnership is an independent charity that works to support a vibrant and sustainable local economy while respecting, protecting and celebrating the distinctive character, heritage and natural features of our marine and coastal area.

We do this by working with people on both sides of the Solway Firth and further afield on a wide range of projects. We also contribute to development of policies for management of the coast and sea. We aim to engage with as many people as possible to help ensure that local views shape the future of the area.

Currently, SFP is working in partnership with the Devorgilla Rotary Club on several marine litter projects. One of the projects is supporting Dumfries and Galloway College students studying film, animation and photography where the Rotary Club and SFP are the ‘live’ client. It is hoped the student work will feature in a marine litter webinar that SFP is assisting the Rotary Club to develop. We also plan on running an education project with local schools soon.

The five staff based at Campbell House on The Crichton work on a variety of projects which all fit within our themes of Partnership, Planning, Environment, Fisheries, Energy and Awareness. Just to give you a flavour of our work, below are some examples of projects we are currently involved in:

SFP has beach cleaning equipment that can be loaned to coastal communities who want to carry out some coastal cleaning! Just get in touch by email to info@solwayfirthpartnership. co.uk if you would like to borrow litter pickers, gloves, bags and hoops to clean up your Solway coast!

Marine Litter SFP has an ambition to have over 200 miles of cleaner Dumfries and Galloway coast and works with partners to try and achieve this goal.

SOLWAY FIRTH PARTNERSHIP | CAMPBELL HOUSE www.solwayfirthpartnership.co.uk | 01387 702161 24

Photo: NIc Coombey

Rhins of Galloway Coast Footpath

also a useful resource for anyone wanting to find out more about the Solway Firth.

SFP are assisting Dumfries and Galloway Council create resources to help people discover the Rhins seashore as part of the coastal route development. A website with information about the route is being developed as access improvements such as gates and bridges are being installed. One project in development by SFP is a wildflower guide focusing on species that grow on rocky shores and clifftops. These hardy plants will also feature in an exhibition hosted by Logan Botanic Gardens. Other guides in development include ‘Lighthouses and Aids to Navigation’, ‘Bird Watching’, and ‘Strandline Finds’.

Visit the SFP website to see the latest edition of our Tidelines magazine and our great range of publications – https://www. solwayfirthpartnership.co.uk/community/ tidelines-and-other-publications/ Keep up to date with our work at: www.solwayfirthpartnership.co.uk Twitter: @solwaytweets Facebook:@solwayfirthpartnership Instagram: @solwayfirthpartnership Tumblr Solway Coastwise blog: solwaycoastwise.tumblr.com

Rhins Revealed Online Project SFP has received funding from the Kilgallioch Community Fund to run an online archaeology project that will complement the work on the Rhins of Galloway Coast footpath. We will be working with experts, AOC Archaeology Group to help people appreciate the rich history of the coast and identify places they can visit when travel restrictions allow. We will be developing and producing a downloadable online guide for families; running online events and talks; and developing and producing a digital reconstruction of Doon Castle Broch to bring the site to life!

A long association with The Crichton Clair McFarlan, Partnership Manager at Solway Firth Partnership said: “Solway Firth Partnership (SFP) has a long history on The Crichton Estate. SFP started as a project within Scottish Natural Heritage (now NatureScot) who were based at Carmont House for a time. SFP moved to Campbell House in the early 2000s to be hosted by

SMILE (Solway Marine Information Learning and Environment) Project

another company but then became an independent organisation and has been

The aim of this project is to update the 1996 ‘State of the Solway Review’, using innovative communication methods to gather information, learn from stakeholders and promote a better understanding of the Solway Firth ecosystem.

there ever since, so well over 20 years!

The Crichton is a great place to be based for work. We look out onto green space, can walk around the garden and rockeries

The Review has been published online as a storymap - https://www. solwayfirthpartnership.co.uk/solway-review/ It will provide some of the evidence to help with sustainable planning and management but is

at lunchtime and have access to eateries if we need a meal out or have forgotten our lunch! We’re looking forward to seeing what Crichton Central has to offer.”

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MAKE THE CONNECTION AT CRICHTON CENTRAL While some of us are looking forward to getting back to the office, others have adjusted to the idea of working from home, so what does this mean for the future and how and where should we reconnect?

restrictions, is due to open at The Crichton later in the Spring.

With the flexibility to book a desk when you need it, hire a meeting room or a private pod when you need some privacy or turn up and make yourself at home in an open plan or open-air workspace with coffee, bacon rolls and a network of like-minded individuals keen to reconnect with people and life, making connections at Crichton Central may well be the perfect post-lockdown workplace solution.

There may be time and cost savings from working from home, less commuting, less money spent buying lunches and work clothes and potentially a better work-life balance. But most of us are finding it difficult to differentiate between work and home time and missing the interaction with colleagues and clients. Is a 9-5 office routine a thing of the past and do we need to rent an office 365 days of the year?

Who is to say we can’t find a balance between our old routine and a new routine?

Set in the beautiful grounds of The Crichton, Crichton Central combines old with new at every opportunity. Old buildings with new technology, familiar faces and new connections, established projects and new opportunities. It’s going to change the way we work, where we work, when we work and who we work with. Are you going back to your old routine or are you ready to join Crichton Central, make new connections and pursue new opportunities?

In a world where our requirements for space, face to face engagement, quiet times and routine vary from day to day and person to person, how can we emerge from this pandemic with a new, flexible approach to where and when we work and who we work with?

Our solution is Crichton Central, the new co-working space and cafe that, pending

MAKE THE CONNECTION: Sign up to our Crichton Central Newsletter via the subscribe bar on our new website www.crichtoncentral.co.uk or follow us on social media.

Financially supported by:

central@crichton.co.uk

Principal Designer:

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www.crichton.co.uk

WORK IN PROGRESS AT CRICHTON CENTRAL

COMING SOON 2021

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SOUTH OF SCOTLAND ENTERPRISE LAUNCHES RECRUITMENT DRIVE

£22million of support for almost 400 business and organisations across the region.

A new recruitment campaign has been launched by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) to employ 30 new additional members of staff.

That included almost £9m of direct grants to 79 businesses and organisations in the last three months of 2020.

The economic and community development agency for the South of Scotland – which has one of its four hubs at The Crichton – is keen to hear from anyone who wishes to drive forward its bold and ambitious plans for the area.

Grants were issued – ranging from small amounts such as £5,000 to multi-million-pound awards - to a wide variety of community groups and businesses right across the South of Scotland.

In particular, SOSE is now looking to the future of the economy post-Covid, with these new roles playing a key role in that development.

Professor Russel Griggs OBE, Chair of SOSE, said: “Our approval of almost £9m in grants in the last three months of 2020 highlights the breath of businesses and community organisations South of Scotland Enterprise has so far supported.

SOSE is also keen to support young people and is recruiting six Modern Apprentices and six interns across a range of areas.

“Our Team South of Scotland partners at Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders councils have also done an excellent job administering vital Coronavirus grants worth tens of millions of pounds to businesses in their areas during the ongoing pandemic.

Anyone enthusiastic, energetic, keen to work hard and do what is needed to help the South of Scotland thrive can find out more at www. southofscotlandenterprise.com.

SOSE’s Chief Executive, Jane Morrison-Ross, added: “As the new economic and community development agency, we are here to do great things with the people of the South and deliver lasting change in the region.

“We continue to encourage South of Scotland businesses and organisations to get in touch with us should they be seeking advice, support or have an idea they would like to develop.”

To find out more, visit www. southofscotlandenterprise.com, phone 0300 304 8888 or engage with one of SOSE’s social media channels, which now include Facebook and Instagram.

“I look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to our ambitious team.”

SOSE was launched on 1 April 2020, and during its first nine months approved over

SOUTH OF SCOTLAND ENTERPRISE | CARMONT HOUSE www.southofscotlandenterprise.com | 0300 304 8888 28

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atin for l s i r o Arb etum is d n a e e tr o an place, s ce r o f n i lat a pla tum is e r o b r A s. for tree

OTHER PLACES TO DISCOVER:

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Easterbrook Bistro, Crichton Memorial Church, Easterbrook Hall, Elizabeth Crichton statue and Crichton Central.

THE CRICHTON TREE TRAIL

This PDF is interactive

EXPLORE OUR TREE COLLECTION AT The Crichton

Please click on any

Tick when found

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Monterey pine

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Monkey puzzles

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Western hemlock

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Paper bark maple

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Noble fir

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Handkerchief tree

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Katsura

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Hiba

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Caucasian spruce

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number on the map and a link will take you to the trees location on google maps.

What is your favourite tree?

Take a photograph and when you get home draw a picture of the tree and send it to us.

Can you find The Crichton Memorial Church?

Take a photograph and when you get home draw a picture of the tree and send it to us.

Can you find the statue of Elizabeth Crichton?

Take a photograph and when you get home draw a picture of the tree and send it to us.

Weymouth pine

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Please send photographs of your drawings and photographs of your visit to news@crichton.co.uk or on to our Facebook page @thecrichtontrust. We will share some of your photographs and drawings on social media, so look out for them!

Thank you for visiting The Crichton. We hope to see you again soon.

www.crichton.co.uk

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TREE KNOWELDGE BY MIKE CAUGHLIN

MONKEY PUZZLE

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Its scientific name Araucaria araucana refers to the region in Chile, South America and the local tribe where it was first found.

MONTEREY PINE Pinus radiata Discovered by David Douglas in 1833.

Grows faster in the UK than in the wild in California, In the wild only found on a few cliffs along the coast and copes well with salt spray from the sea

The story goes that in 1792 the famous plant explorer Archibald Menzies was given dessert of Monkey puzzle nuts during a banquet in Valparaiso. He slipped a few into his pocket and germinated them on the journey back to Scotland.

In the wild a variety of rodents are important in spreading the seed of this tree by carrying them away and burying them in places where they will grow well.

It’s rare to see an open Monterey pine cone as it normally takes a fire before they open.

Although our tree has grown very well, this species can be prone to certain diseases which mean it’s not planted so much in the UK. These diseases are often more severe when many of the same species are growing close together. At The Crichton there is only one Monterey pine and it has lots of space around it.

WESTERN HEMLOCK TSUGA HETEROPHYLLA A tree of the Pacific north west US and Canada, it is the state tree of Washington, US.

It was first brought to the UK from its home in Central Chine in the early 20th century. It’s not a big tree, only growing to about 15m tall.

In China it grows high in the mountains, sometimes above 6000ft asl.

It needs to produce lots of seeds as only about 5% successfully grow into seedlings.

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Hetero means ‘variable’ and ‘phylla’ means leaf (or needle on this conifer). If you look closely at the twigs you will see the needles are different (variable) sizes. The underside of the leaves have two distinctive bands of white ‘stomata’ or pores.

It grows in the Rockies mountain range in USA up to 6000ft above sea level. A very hardy tree.

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Acer griseum ‘Griseum’ means grey. When the tree comes into leaf, have a look at the undersides of the leaves and see what colour you find there.

The cinnamon coloured bark which peels like paper and the beautiful Autumn colours in the leaves make this tree a garden favourite.

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Entire wild population covers only around 160 times the area of The Crichton estate The area in cultivation is over 100,000 times The Crichton estate which shows how important the tree is for timber and how rare it is in the wild.

PAPER-BARK MAPLE

An important tree for timber in America and also in the UK. It can grow more than 50m tall if it has shelter from the wind.

One of the tell-tale signs to identify a Western hemlock is the floppy leading twig at the top of the tree.

MONKEY PUZZLE 33

NOBLE FIR Abies nobilis or Abies procera ‘procera’ means tall. Another big North American conifer. Up to 50m.

The blu-ish green of the needles on the Noble fir is called ‘glaucous’ and you find this colour in other tree species too although it’s often not as striking.

If you visit this tree in late summer you will see the big cones that are developing. They will eventually mature and fall off, often breaking into smaller pieces as they do. The cones are made up of a stack of hundreds of individual seeds arranged around a central spike.

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The first part of the latin name refers to the heart-shaped leaves of the Katsura resembling those of the Cercis tree - which is only really helpful if you know what a Cercis tree looks like! The second part refers to its native country of Japan.

It’s not a fast growing tree and usually produces lots of stems which you can see if you peer inside the outer branches.

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Also known as the Japanese Judas tree.

It’s worth visiting this tree at any time of year to see the unusual flaking bark. It almost looks like its been stuck onto the tree at different angles in rough strips.

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CAUCASIAN SPRUCE PICEA ORIENTALIS Orientalis meaning Eastern.

Comes from the Caucasus mountains where Europe and Asia meet. Introduced to the UK in 1839.

HANDKERCHIEF TREE DAVIDIA INVOLUCRATA

HIBA THUJOPSIS DOLABRATA

The time to see this tree is really when it’s in flower in the spring when many handkerchieflike leaf bracts hang from the branches. ‘Involucrata’ refers to the way the flowers are surrounded by these white leaves.

The Hiba was introduced from Japan in 1853. However, only a single plant was brought which later died. So it was re-introduced in 1859. It’s an important timber tree in Japan, but in the UK is really only grown for ornament.

However, even in winter the tree can be appreciated for its unusual flaky bark.

This tree is quite unassuming at first glance. It looks similar to many other evergreens in The Crichton gardens. In fact, Thujopsis means ‘resembling Thuja’ which is another conifer tree. Dolabrata means ‘axeshaped’. Look closely at the branches and you might be able to spot the shape of a pick-axe in the scale-like leaves.

Introduced to the UK in 1904 from China it’s also known as the Ghost tree.

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Many people think the twigs covered in these scales look rather like a reptile.

KATSURA TREE CERCIDIPHYLLUM JAPONICA

The biggest surprise is when you turn the branches over and see the bright white markings underneath.

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This tree is notable for having the shortest needles of all the spruces, which makes it quite easy to identify.

It hasn’t been an important tree in the UK in the past, but as our climate changes it could become more important as it seems to quite like the drier conditions which will be more common in future.

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WEYMOUTH PINE PINUS STROBUS Named in honour of Captain George Weymouth who explored the native region of the NE US that this tree comes from.

It can grow up to 80m in the wild but this one in The Crichton arboretum has a long way to go before it gets to that sort of height!

Considering this tree belongs to the same family as the Monterey pine, its remarkable how different the foliage (or needles) is in these two species. The needles on the Weymouth pine are soft and slender, dark green on one side and faintly white on the other.

This species isn’t planted a great deal in the UK because it seems to suffer badly from a disease called ‘blister rust’, but our tree in The Crichton arboretum is doing well so far.

The timber is used for making everything from boxes to boats.

Handkerchief Tree

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Paper-Bark Maple

NEW MEMORIAL TREE FOR FAMILIES IN DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY From left to right : Lauren Brydson, Lynsi Mills, Jill Cameron, Karen Little, Becky Little, Lindsay Temlett, Nicole Clark, Louise Copeland and Claire Burgess. (Rachael Brown not in photo)

The committee together with the support of another SiMBA Fundraiser Lynsi Mills, the local community, businesses and direct donations went onto raise a staggering £27,289, smashing their initial £18,000 target.

They organised a series of fundraising events, culminating in their Little Footprints ball hosted by Amy Irons that raised an amazing £7,605.17.

The Crichton Trust is pleased to dedicate part of The Crichton grounds to support families who have been suffering the loss of a baby. The initiative was launched by Lauren Brydson and close friends, after tragically losing six babies, Lauren wanted to “create a positive out of something negative”.

Lauren and Chris received a Memory Box from the baby loss charity SiMBA in 2017 after they lost their daughter Taylor. They then sadly went on to lose another 5 babies, including their son Robbie who was born prematurely in March 2019 and lived for just 6 hours. Lauren said: “After we lost Robbie, I felt determined to have a place in Dumfries for families to go.”

The Tree plaque and bench were installed on the 30th of November with final grounds works completed in February 2020 and we immediately received 140 requests from families in Dumfries and Galloway for a leaf/ leaves to be added to the tree.

Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust said: “The Crichton has long been a place of peace and reflection. We are humbled that the grounds have been chosen as a home for a Tree of Tranquillity and all the loved and lost lives it will represent. We believe the surroundings of The Crichton will provide a beautiful backdrop to such a very special Tree”.

Lauren contacted SiMBA on the 23rd March and within days had established the D&G Fundraising committee. “The committee just almost happened over night. From suggesting the idea of fundraising for a Tree, family and friends just got on board, sharing the same enthusiasm as I did.”

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love we all have for our precious babies, and it will bring people together.”

Sara Fitzsimmons MBE RM (SiMBA CEO) said: “Lauren and her team have been inspirational fundraisers for SiMBA, they are an amazing example of what can be done when a community gets behind a project. The Trees of Tranquillity are not just for the newly bereaved but also those who sadly lost their baby many years ago. I would also like to thank The Crichton Trust, who have been incredibly supportive of this project.”

Lynsi Mills, who also fundraised for this project following the loss of her son Harison said: “The tree will mean so much to me as someone who struggles to go to the graveyard. I don’t find it comforting, so it will be lovely to have somewhere to go to remember Harison. It will be nice to be able to go there with my little boy Kaii also.”

A special thank you also goes to stonemason Steven Jackson who donated this beautiful memorial stone to the site.

When asked why the Trees of Tranquillity are so important, Lauren said: “I think the idea of the Tree of Tranquillity is beautiful, and so important for families.

The tree will give families a place to go to remember their baby, especially for those who had earlier losses and didn’t have the opportunity for a funeral. It will also be a stunning and powerful way to show the

The tree will be officially launched in 2021 when coronavirus restrictions ease, but for now leaves for the Dumfries Tree of Tranquillity can be requested through the charity website: www.simbacharity.org.uk

About SiMBA

SiMBA is a registered charity (SC038243) that responds to the needs of anyone affected by the loss of a baby. It was founded by a team of dedicated individuals, in October 2005, and since then has supplied over 33,000 Memory Boxes to more than 300 Hospital units and hospices across the UK and Ireland.

SiMBA gives families space and time to honour their precious babies by preserving their memory through the donation of memory boxes to hospitals UK-wide and in Ireland. Through the refurbishment of private family rooms in hospitals, and the installation of memorial ‘Trees of Tranquillity’ around the country where memorial events such as our Butterfly Releases are held.

SiMBA also provides ongoing support through our SiMBA Safe Space virtual support groups, our monthly face to face support groups, our closed facebook page groups, events and volunteering opportunities.

SiMBA also aims to enhance support available for those affected by the loss of a baby by providing monthly support groups and offering (in partnership with CHAS) free bereavement training that is open to, not only health care professionals and students, but to anyone who supports bereaved families.

To find out more visit: Email: Website: simbacharity.org.uk | enquiries@simbacharity.org.uk 37

Return to Crichton parkrun The last Crichton parkrun event was held over one year ago on 14th March 2020, just before events were suspended due to the COVID pandemic.

Although we have tried to keep in touch with our community via Facebook by setting treasure hunts and other challenges, our core team are greatly missing the event and all our regular volunteers and runners, and we are all really looking forward to our first event of 2021!

It has been announced that 5k events in England can recommence on 5th June 2021, however parkrun are awaiting confirmation from the Scottish Government before they can set a start date for Scottish events.

We know that lots of our community have still been visiting The Crichton to run, walk and enjoy the beautiful grounds. Those of you who have visited will hopefully have spotted our new route directional signage and distance markers! We are very excited to have these in place to allow everyone to enjoy the route even when we are not running.

Crichton parkrun, is a free timed 5k run or walk led by volunteers, which takes place every Saturday morning at 9.30am from The Crichton Memorial Church.

Crichton parkrun has 1,657 registered members aged from 0-95! Everyone is welcome to come and join us either by participating or volunteering.

Look out for updates on social media or register online. https://www.parkrun.org.uk/crichton/ https://www.facebook.com/crichtonparkrun/ https://youtu.be/M-Nhj3AUu8Q 38

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KIRSTY’S PASSION FOR PLANNING AND PRECISION

Planning is an important aspect of most projects and tasks, but when it comes to event planning, the pressure is on to make sure every event runs like clockwork! During the most recent lockdown we caught up with Kirsty Normand, Events Manager at Easterbrook Hall to hear about her 10-year journey with The Crichton Trust and her passion for planning!

promoted to Events Manager. Working for one of the largest events venues in the South of Scotland, Kirsty has managed everything from small-scale meetings and private parties to international conferences, live concerts, weddings and formal dinners with much larger audiences and can often be found running multiple events in different parts of the building or across two or more venues at The Crichton.

Life at The Crichton Trust started for Kirsty in December 2010, when she was employed as a waitress to cover the busy Christmas party season at Easterbrook Hall. What better way to learn the ropes than starting with parties of 300+ guests! We are pleased to say the experience didn’t put Kirsty off and although she didn’t pursue her career in events immediately, Kirsty is now a highly regarded Events Manager.

When asked to share the highlights of her career so far Kirsty said: “Every event is different, I have a few funny stories I could share, but I’ll keep those to myself and yes, there have been some challenging moments too! On the whole I love working with clients to plan their events and really getting to know them. Working as part of a team to successfully deliver events one after the other can be very rewarding and I always feel honoured to be part of someone’s wedding day! There is nothing better than getting to the end of a shift knowing that everything went to plan and I get so much job satisfaction from a client coming to tell me that we’ve done a good job!

Kirsty said: “I started work as a waitress at Easterbrook Hall 10 years ago on the 4 December 2010. I continued to work as a parttime waitress while I was studying for an HNC in Beauty Therapy at Dumfries & Galloway College. I also worked in, what was, Fresco Cafe. When I finished my HNC, I spent the next 18 months doing an apprenticeship in Business Administration where I was naturally drawn to the events modules!”

Of course for anyone working in events and hospitality, the past year has been very different and difficult. Like everyone else, it took time for Kirsty to adjust from working long unsociable hours to being furloughed with little or no work and she still misses the buzz of events. Since July 2020, when Covid-19 restrictions eased, Kirsty has had short periods of time back at work to help respond to future events enquiries and to take on the role as the temporary Manager of Easterbrook Bistro.

In 2015, Kirsty secured a job as an Events Coordinator at Easterbrook Hall and has relished the challenge of planning and delivering great events ever since and in 2019, Kirsty was

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Kirsty said: “Lockdown has been tough for our industry and I really miss seeing people and being on the shop-floor. In many ways this year has made me realise that I am doing a job I love.

We all have bad days at work, but I know this is what I want to be doing and I can’t wait to get back to it!”

She added: “In July last year I was able to go back to work on a temporary part-time basis to deal with ongoing enquiries for events and to take on a new temporary role managing Easterbrook Bistro. Like all restaurants we had to put new safety measures in place, reduce our indoor capacity and expand our outdoor services, but it was great to have the opportunity to get back to work for some time each week and to get to know the Bistro side of the business. I really enjoyed it and loved meeting new people and seeing customers enjoying their visit to Easterbrook Bistro. The restaurant has been closed since December, but I am still working a few days a week to help provide a takeaway service, so I’m grateful for the opportunity to do this for now.”

Kirsty also spends some of her free time at The Crichton where she enjoys walking her family dog. She said: “I’m not used to having so much free time, so I’ve found myself walking more and have been walking the dog at The Crichton too!

You can’t keep me away from the place!”

After the pandemic, there are plans for the venues part of the business at The Crichton to expand so as well as the team looking after Easterbrook Hall, Easterbrook Bistro and The Crichton Memorial Church, the Venues Team managed by Fiona Rands, will also become responsible for the new Crichton Central coworking and collaboration venue in Criffel View and are likely to see an increased demand for outdoor festivals and events on the grounds of The Crichton.

As well as providing a top-class service to customers, Kirsty is also a well-respected part of the team and enjoys sharing her skills and knowledge with her colleagues. Lockdown has provided an opportunity for training and skills development and Kirsty sees this as an important part of her job. She said: “Whether customers or colleagues, I like to develop a good relationship with others and I like to share my skills and experiences with others in the team.

When we all get back to work we expect things will be very busy again and although we can’t wait, we will all need to be ready to work well together to take on whatever challenges lie ahead.”

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SIGNIFICANT VOICES The Crichton Royal Oral History Project

By Dr Valentina Bold, Heritage Project Co-ordinator

When The Crichton Royal Oral History project began, in December 2019, no one could have anticipated the year ahead. By March 2020, we were ready to start recording people with firsthand memories of this significant place: former patients, medical and support staff and those who had lived on site. Our volunteers had been trained to record interviews and thirty generous people had kindly agreed to speak with us. We were excited to begin the important work ahead. Then lockdown started.

The project was furloughed until late 2020. Since then, we have had to change the way we planned to work. Instead of speaking with people face-to-face, and making audio recordings, discussions have been by zoom and by phone. The priority has been to work safely, to protect both those who are sharing precious memories and experiences, and our volunteers.

As restrictions have changed, we have only been able to work some of the time.

However, as spring approaches, we are starting to gather momentum. We are building towards an online exhibition, sharing what we are discovering as widely as is possible, given current circumstances.

These are stories worth listening to, remembering, and valuing.

We have already been able to record a great deal of important information and insights into The Crichton’s history through first-hand accounts. There is a wealth of human experience here, from compassionate approaches to mental health care, to accounts of suffering and of healing. Different voices reflect personal experiences, but shared threads of memory are starting to emerge.

Length of service, for instance, is typical for Crichton staff. Ian Boddy, for instance, came to The Crichton in 1976 to train as a Mental Health nurse. He retired in 2010 as General Manager of Nursing Services.

Perhaps people stayed because of the sense of being part of a community; this is often spoken of by those who worked here: The patients worked in the rock garden, and the gardening staff would work with them.

They didn’t know anything about psychiatry or mental health but they knew about plants, so people would just work with them naturally.

I think they created some great therapeutic bonds and relationships.

‘Nurses’ Recreation’, DG1/8/4, Records of Crichton Royal Hospital.

This was a place that was, for many patients too, much more than simply a hospital. One of the people we have

The Crichton TRUST | GRIERSON HOUSE 44 www.crichton.co.uk

spoken with, ‘Maxwell’, was a voluntary patient in the 1960s. He recalled how patients were occupied in a variety of therapeutic, and creative, ways, in the daily life of The Crichton: There were plenty of things to do to keep me occupied which was good. I tried to play badminton, a bit late in life. I opened a bank account because there was a thing called patients’ funds where you gave some money and you could draw on it to buy things in the main building. I got a second-hand bicycle after a few months to get around town. I used to go up to the museum and do research for family history, castles and things like that, or go into town shopping, so I was much more free. We had the gardens open to the public in May. It got to the stage when there was a garden fete outside Easterbrook Hall. A man produced a newsletter for The Crichton– there were crosswords and articles that people in the hospital wrote.

‘The Rock Garden’, DG1/8/2, Records of Crichton Royal Hospital.

ages was just ECT . Then they began to have medication which was quite effective as well.

I don’t really want to remember about it but there was prefrontal leucotomy right at the beginning of my spell at The Crichton; that destroyed people’s personality. It was a very short time after I went there they stopped doing that.

Many memories, whilst personal, have wider significance. They tell about the history of mental health treatments – some controversial – and the development of new practices, from various perspectives, showing changes over time. One of our earliest accounts of working at The Crichton came from Betty Tindal; she came to work at The Crichton in the 1950s, at a time when she was already a Registered General Nurse. Her memories of that period, and of the people then, are detailed and vivid:

Accounts like these are all part of The Crichton story, both therapeutic and, for some, traumatic; they deserve, and need, to be recorded. As the project continues, we hope to build up a complete picture of the experiences within The Crichton Royal, for those who live in, and visit, Dumfries now and for posterity. It is a great privilege to be part of this process, as it begins and continues.

As I was a Registered General (Nurse) I got to work with people who were put into deep comas. That was an absolutely new treatment; this very eminent doctor, Dr Mayer-Gross, had instituted it. We’d pick people up at ward doors who would benefit from this particular treatment. We picked them up in the morning, at 8 o’clock; they didn’t have breakfast, for the insulin to work properly. We took them out of The Crichton back to the Bungalow, worked with them there, sent them back to their wards. That was quite innovative, progressing. The only thing they’d had for

All direct quotations appear with permission from the people cited, for which we are grateful. If you would like to find out more about The Crichton Oral History Project, or to contribute to it, you can contact the Heritage Project Co Ordinator at valentina.bold@crichton.co.uk.

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MEMORIES OF AN ARTIST IN RESIDENCE AT THE CRICHTON IN 1997

I was artist in residence at The Crichton in 1997. I ran workshops with patients and staff while also responding with my own work to the hospital and its history.

I decided to combine the jacket with the butterfly, to create a hybrid, a visual metaphor exploring ideas around nature and freedom. The two works are now in the Gracefield collection: a large drawing and a life size sewn paper garment.

I was given the luxury of a whole ward which was no longer in use to set up a studio space. An amazing room full of light and an ideal space for making work in and working with the hospital community.

During the residency there were two exhibitions. One was of work made by patients that had taken part in workshops and was in The Crichton museum. The other was at Gracefield marking the end of the residency. The two framed works were central to this exhibition and were later hung in the hospital.

My research was enriched by the help of Morag Williams the Health board archivist who was a fantastic support to me and gave me access to hospital museum artifacts and her extensive knowledge about The Crichton.

Alongside these pieces I also created a temporary public work that took the form of a large paper kite suspended in the atrium of the main building, again echoing the butterfly markings with outreached wingspan. The other significant work in this year-long engagement with the hospital community was a kite and picnic event held in the grounds. After running kite making workshops we had an afternoon enjoying the outdoors and nature while we shared our creativity flying kites as a community – an exhibition in the sky! A particularly memorable day.

I began the residency in January and while working in the space I began to hear strange fluttering sounds at the windows.

On inspection I found that hibernating butterflies had awoken in the ward, an ‘induced’ awakening I think due to the heating being switched on when I moved into the space.

One of the artifacts I was looking at in the collection was an old straight jacket. A perhaps more disturbing and antiquated use of restraint in the history of looking after people with mental health illness.

By Rachel Mimiec, March 2021

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THE LEGACY OF AN ARTIST’S RESIDENCY AT THE CRICHTON IN 1997

One morning back in 2009, I took a phone call: “We have two large artworks, we can’t keep them, don’t know what to do with them, and may have to dispose them…”

helping when needed and involving them with the local visual arts community while they were here, and including their work in exhibitions at Gracefield. Rachel was a pleasure to work with, friendly, funny and engaging and her residency culminated in a memorable exhibition at The Crichton Museum, overseen by the wonderful curator and archivist, Morag Williams.

The exhibition included a film installation, drawing and sculptural pieces and artworks by some of the patients who had taken part in workshops and all set against the historic background of the museum and the estate.

Luckily, I knew exactly what they were from the vague description, “some sort of white jacket in a black frame”. The team from The Crichton Estate kindly delivered the heavy pieces to the art collection store at Gracefield later that same day.

The artworks were by Glasgow artist Rachel Mimiec, created during an artist’s residency over ten years earlier in 1997. They are inspired by the idea transformation or change from one state to another and informed by the imagery of a Victorian psychiatric straight jacket and the chrysalis and wing markings of a moth. Rachel was the first of three artists selected for the artist in residence project, the others were Edinburgh artist Andrea Roe, and Dumfries-born, Caroline McKie. The project was run by The Crichton but I helped in a minor role with the shortlisting of artists,

I’m glad that part of the legacy of the residencies eventually found a home in the Gracefield permanent collection. They have been displayed a few times since, and hopefully we can get them out of the store again for future exhibitions.

Dawn Henderby, Arts Officer, Gracefield March 2021

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THE DOONHAME Q&A WITH SANDY SWEETMAN With almost all events being cancelled over the past 12 months, it has been a particularly challenging time for all those involved in the festival and events sector. We recently caught up with Sandy Sweetman, director of the Doonhame Festival, to find out about impact on the Doonhame Festival. Here’s what he told us.

Q What is the background to the Doonhame Festival?

A. In recent years we have seen the loss of local music festivals in Dumfries and Galloway and for some time we had been making plans to launch a small, family-friendly festival for the region showcasing local talent. The Doonhame Festival took place for the first time in September 2019 at The Crichton. It was a great success and well supported.

Q What impact did the coronavirus pandemic have on your plans for 2020?

A. We had established a great line-up for July 2020 and had plans to introduce a new children’s festival too, but when the pandemic struck in March 2020, plans became less certain. As the enormity of the pandemic became clear and the severity of restrictions increased, we were left with no choice but to put the safety of our team, volunteers and festival-goers first and in May we announced the cancellation of the 2020 festival.

Q How did your suppliers and customers respond to this news?

A. It wasn’t really much of a surprise to anyone. We were dealing with a global health pandemic and although everyone was disappointed with the news, we were fortunate in gaining the support and understanding of our artists, suppliers and customers and from The Crichton Trust.

Of course, there was a great deal of admin, some additional expenses and a significant reduction in income as a result of the cancellation, but we were able to roll-forward our contracts with artists and suppliers to 2021 and to validate 2020 tickets for 2021 and we are extremely grateful to all those who continued to support us at that time.

Q What are your plans for 2021?

A. In October, we made the decision to launch the festival for 2021, which pending the status of the pandemic and the easing of restrictions in the summer of 2021, is set to take place on the 30 and 31 July at The Crichton and we can’t wait! It goes without saying, that we will always weigh up the risks and adhere to the guidance, but with the reduction in cases, the pace of the vaccination programme and the gradual easing of restrictions, we are hopeful that we will be able to go ahead in July 2021 with additional safety measures in place. The fact that we are in a rural location, with wide open spaces and that we are a small, family-friendly, outdoor festival, we remain cautiously optimistic.

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Q All going to plan, what are the highlights of the 2021 Doonhame Festival?

A. I think the highlight for most people will be getting out the house in 2021, but judging by the reaction we received when we announced the line-up in October, there is much to look forward too. I’m biased, but we really do have an amazing line-up! We are so pleased that the Kaiser Chiefs have agreed to play at our ‘wee’ festival and will headline on Saturday night. There is already a great deal of excitement about The Feeling, Hayseed Dixie, Bad Manners, Skerryvore, Toploader, I am a Raver, The Lutras, Tiderays, The Meanies and Ibiza Mania too. We are also looking forward to the local artists and young performers who have secured a spot on the stage in 2021. The exciting news for 2021, is the option to camp on site and our plans to deliver Doonhame Kids, our new Children’s festival too.

Q Can you tell us more about Doonhame Kids?

A. We are keen to offer a full festival experience for children too, so Doonhame Kids will take place on the same weekend as the Doonhame Festival, but on the Sunday afternoon (1 August).

Tickets must be purchased separately and children should be registered and supervised at all times. The Kids festival will feature performances on the main stage from Little Mix, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grand tribute acts, Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave and also performances from Attitude, Danceworks Studio, Dumfries School of Dance, In Step and Razzamataz Dumfries.

Q What makes The Crichton a great location for The Doonhame Festival?

A. Not only is The Crichton a beautiful estate, it also has the space and resources we need to deliver a small scale family-friendly music festival in a safe and contained environment on the outskirts of Dumfries. We can offer a limited number of camping pitches this year too and the Holiday Inn is on site for anyone who would like the luxury of a weekend stay. We will have a range of bars and catering options within the festival site, but The Crichton also has a number of hospitality venues and of course plenty of parking. It is only a short walk from the town for anyone who lives nearby, but far enough away from populated residential areas. We are pleased to learn of the new Changing Places facility at The Crichton this year too - this makes the site and the festival even more accessible, which is great news!

Q Where can we find out more about The Doonhame Festival and Doonhame Kids?

A. More information and tickets are available online from www.doonhamefestival.co.uk and you can find us on social media too.

Q Can you reassure anyone who is anxious about the festival experience in 2021?

A. All I can say is that our priority is always public safety. The limited capacity and plenty of open air space will allow for physical distancing and we will ensure that all other Covid-19 safety measures are in place throughout the weekend. We will also roll over tickets if the festival cannot go ahead due to further Covid-19 restrictions. We want to ensure this is a safe and fun experience for everyone involved.

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www.dumfriestattoo.co.uk

The Crichton, Dumfries 85 acres to explore in any season Free access to grounds and gardens all year www.crichton.co.uk #TheCrichton #Aplacetobreathe 52

Easterbrook Bistro Open 7 days a week Check website for service times www.easterbrookbistro.co.uk

T: 01387 702 500 53

Following the phenomenal success of 2018's tour of The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle, Illyria is delving back into Hugh Lofting's amazing stories to bring you a brand-new musical adaptation of the Doctor's FURTHER adventures with Jip the Dog, Dab Dab the Duck, Gub Gub the Pig and Polynesia the Parrot. Where in the world will they go? Will they even stay on this world?! Which new animals will they help along the way? Will the Rats still have pithy observations to make? Is Gub Gub still dreaming about cake?

As in our 2018 production, The FURTHER Adventures of Doctor Dolittle features a fully orchestrated score, amazing puppets and a plethora of songs that our audiences will be singing along to for years to come.

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COMING TO The Crichton on 14th AUGUST

Claudio loves Hero, and Benedick hates Beatrice. This is just as well, because Hero loves Claudio and Beatrice hates Benedick. Everyone laughs when Don Pedro plays a trick on Benedick and Beatrice, letting each think that they are secretly loved by the other. But it is no laughing matter when Don John plays a trick on Claudio and Hero, deceiving Claudio into thinking that Hero is not faithful to him.

Murderous rage is unleashed, and death can be the only solution... Or can it? Perhaps one last trick may resurrect the innocent dead, restore broken relationships - and even create an unlikely union of Benedick and Beatrice! In their 29th open-air touring season, and renowned all over the world for their clarity, quality and ingenuity, Illyria stick to their home-turf: 55 Shakespearean comedy.

Flexible venue hire in the stunning grounds of The Crichton in Dumfries and a professional events team to deliver...

Weddings & Parties | Corporate Events | Meetings & Conferences | Talks, Lectures & Tours Family Celebrations | Funerals & Memorials | Awards Dinners | Charity Functions Concerts & Live Events | Arts & Theatre Shows | Fayres & Exhibitions | Outdoor Events & Festivals

CALL OUR EVENTS TEAM TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS t: 01387 702020 e: events@crichton.co.uk w: www.crichton.co.uk

EVENTS

ALL YEAR

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A choice of stunning ceremony and reception rooms in Easterbrook Hall and The Crichton Memorial Church Landscaped grounds and rock gardens Contemporary Bistro, Bar & Spa

We propose you give us a ring!

01387 702020

Availability for Winter Weddings in 2021 Limited Availability for Weddings in 2022 Small and Intimate Wedding Packages Find us at The Crichton, Dumfries, DG1 4TL

Photography: © Dan Baillie www.bailliephoto.co.uk

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GET INVOLVED IN The Crichton COMMUNITY Email: news@crichton.co.uk | www.crichton.co.uk Share your news for The Crichton Blog

Send us details of your events for The Crichton

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Attend our monthly Crichton Briefings (first Tuesday of the month at 4pm on Zoom)

Sign up to The Crichton mailing list via our website www.crichton.co.uk

Use #TheCrichton and tag @thecrichtontrust

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Update your colleagues and get them involved in The Crichton Community too!

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BUSINESS AT The Crichton The Crichton Trust lets high quality commercial properties within the 85-acre parkland estate at The Crichton in Dumfries and is proud to have one of the most vibrant business communities in the South of Scotland.

The Crichton Business Park has transformed the historic sandstone buildings of The Crichton into functional and attractive office premises. Retaining the impressive sandstone architecture and original internal features, many of the buildings perfectly combine the beauty of 19th century design with the connectivity and flexibility required for 21st century business.

With over 84 organisations on site, The Crichton has a strong business and academic community.

Find out more about all tenants and partners in The Crichton Directory online at www.crichton.co.uk. Anyone interested in leasing an office space at The Crichton should email: gordon.clark@crichton.co.uk or visit www.crichton.co.uk

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This magazine is published by The Crichton Trust Photography by Mike Bolam

www.crichton.co.uk

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