The Crichton Magazine | Autumn & Winter 2021 | Issue 6

Autumn/Winter 2021 Issue 6

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Cover: Gwilym Gibbons, CEO of The Crichton Trust (left) with former CEO, Gordon Mann Inside Cover: pupils from Holywood Primary School enjoying The 2 Crichton Tree Trail

CONTENTS

AUTUMN/WINTER 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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Welcome, Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive

Crichton Briefings and Tenants’ Forum 2022

Connected Homes and Gift Vouchers

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45-53

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The Scotland 5G Centre

Crichton Well-being at Galloway House

Vacancies and Opportunities

10-11

54-57

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New Business Community Development Manager

The Orchard Nature Nursery

Crichton Central

12-15

58-59

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The Crichton Defibrillator Campaign Kelton’s Sleepover

SOSE

16-19

60-63

84-85

Crichton Cycle Week

Totem Latamat

Drive in Christmas Movies

29-21

64-65

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The Crichton Map

Winter Gallery

The Crichton

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66-69

87

The Crichton Mindfulness Trail

Jingles Disco and Jingles Video

The Royal Burgh of Dumfries Tattoo

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70-71

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A personal view by Gordon Mann OBE

The Crichton Tree Collection

Venue Hire and What’s On

34-35

72-73

89

Remembering the people who got us here

Baby Loss Awareness and Support

Weddings at The Crichton

36-39

74-77

90

Trainees and Apprentices

Year of Stories

The Crichton Community

40-41

78

91

Autumn Gallery

Disco Inferno

The Crichton Directory

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79

92

The Holywood Trust

Walk Like A Man

Events Gallery

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WELCOME Where has 2021 gone? It’s been another challenging year for organisations, communities and individuals, but it has also been a very quick, busy and inspiring year in other respects. Most of us have been forced to change our ways; at home, at work and in our social lives, but it has also inspired us to make many positive changes.

Earl, our Finance Assistant and Craig Renton, our Chief Operating Officer. I wish them all well in their new roles.

Not surprisingly, we have experienced some changes to our tenants this year too and although we are always disappointed to lose tenants, we have recently welcomed a significant number of new tenants, which brings the total number of tenants at The Crichton to over 100 for the very first time.

As I write this, we are learning of another new variant of coronavirus and assessing the impact this may have on our lives in the coming weeks and months.

It is a fresh reminder that things are still very fragile and that we cannot take anything for granted. It also reminds us not to be complacent and to continue to follow the advice and guidance that is in place to keep ourselves and others safe.

Our outdoor spaces continue to be an important asset too and it has been wonderful to see so many people continuing to use the grounds in different ways again this year. This has included everything from family picnics, daily walks and dog-walking to the return of parkrun, outdoor festivals and performances, walking groups, outdoor theatre and drive-in movies.

Here at The Crichton we continue to face some significant operational challenges as a result of the pandemic; particularly in our venues team and in the recruitment and retention of staff and due to periods of testing and isolation. These staffing pressures and the ongoing uncertainty around the virus and the constant change in public confidence about attending events, dining out and travelling is being experienced across the hospitality, events and tourism sectors and continues to have a direct impact on our daily operations. On the other hand, we have been overwhelmed by the support for our new hospitality and business services at Crichton Central and the level of interest in future memberships and bookings is very encouraging.

Thank you to everyone who has visited and to those of you who continue to support us.

As well as outdoor events, we have also been fortunate to host two art installations at The Crichton in recent weeks; Kelton the wicker Belted Galloway and Totem Latamat all the way from Mexico - both installations attracted a significant amount of interest from the public and the local press.

We expect the demand for our outdoor spaces will only continue to grow and we are already excited by the variety of outdoor events that are in the pipeline for 2022.

As we prepare to launch our new Strategic Planning Framework and with recent news of our successful funding applications to The UK Community Renewal Fund and Year of Stories 2022, we have every reason to be optimistic about the future of The Crichton and I look forward to working with colleagues, tenants, partners and the wider community to explore the feasibility of some exciting projects in the new year and in driving forward our ambitious plans for The Crichton and in protecting its legacy.

Partnerships are important to us at The Crichton and so it has been a privilege to have hosted a number of significant partnership events at Crichton Central during the Autumn, including some very exciting milestone events with The Scotland 5G Centre and a post-COP26 panel discussion led by Border Crossings and The Open University.

I hope by reading these highlights and browsing through the rest of the magazine, that you will share my optimism for 2022 and beyond. In the meantime, thank you to all colleagues, tenants, partners, suppliers and customers for their continued support and all the best for a safe, healthy and prosperous new year when it comes.

We are also pleased to have seen a gradual return of weddings, fairs and other events to Easterbrook Hall recently. This has included local celebrations for organisations such as Nith Inshore Rescue, Dumfries and Galloway Life and Cash for Kids and I would personally like to thank the event organisers and our Venues Team for their meticulous management and delivery of these events, particularly given the additional safety measures required to keep everyone as safe as possible.

Stay safe

I am also delighted to welcome Sarah-Jane Burns as our new Business Community Development Manager to The Crichton Trust team. I’m sure many of you will get to know Sarah-Jane and I hope you will support her in her new role. Sadly, we have also said farewell to other members of our team including; Lorette

Gwilym Gibbons Chief Executive #TheCrichton #APlaceToBreathe #TheCrichtonCommunity #BuildBackBetter

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DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY GETS FIRST LIVE 5G NETWORK AND IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

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The Scotland 5G Centre has switched on its first live 5G network at its Innovation Hub in Dumfries.

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Local businesses, services and industry are invited to view 5G in action with demonstrations for farming, remote healthcare and tourism currently available.

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The Innovation Hub in Dumfries is open to support the adoption of new digital technology and bring lasting benefits to the South of Scotland.

Current applications on display include communication through large format holograms. This technology enables you to feel physically present with another person in a different location. This ‘holoportation’ will demonstrate the opportunities for remote healthcare through a live, immersive, and interactive conversation with a clinician in London. It showcases the next level of telepresence for healthcare, business meetings and education across borders.

The Scotland 5G Centre switched on its first live 5G network in Dumfries to serve the South of Scotland at a special event on the 29 October. Guests from healthcare, education, rural industries, business organisations and partners experienced the technology in action. The event included demonstrations of how 5G can be used for farming, remote healthcare, and tourism.

The Innovation Hub is now open for appointments and is currently offering demonstrations of 5G capability. The aim is to attract local businesses and services to adopt the latest digital connectivity and test their own ideas, products and services within the private 5G network.

Part of the S5G Connect programme, the Innovation hub is located at the heart of The Crichton in a new digitally enabled centre for learning on the campus. It is led by Business Engagement Manager, Andy Todman, who is tasked with building partnerships and collaborations to accelerate the adoption of 5G in the area. The hub offers extensive business and innovation services at no initial cost to the user.

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‘5G in a box’ will demonstrate a solution for rural areas with poor coverage. The application provides a true end-to-end and standalone 5G network. Visitors will appreciate an instant 5G quality service.

support. In this area we are tasked with supporting rural innovation. The choice to kick-start its testbed programme in Dumfries demonstrates the Scotland 5G Centre’s commitment to introduce new ways of connecting people and places to support the levelling up of the digital divide.

A further application takes tourism up a gear by using augmented reality. This ‘smart tourism’ application will allow visitors to be transported to Cambridge to admire the King’s College Cathedral ceiling mural.

A mixed reality experience of a life-size Stonehenge will provide another immersive and engaging experience.

“My aim is to build long lasting mutually beneficial partnerships with stakeholders across the South of Scotland and to raise the profile of solution providers and useful technology within the region. We are already working with Dumfries & Galloway College and partners to connect the faculties on the campus to our network to benefit students and employees. As well as working with local enterprises to bring lasting benefits for remote healthcare and agricultural solutions.”

Andy Todman, Business Engagement Manager, at the innovation hub in Dumfries is keen to raise awareness of the service across the region. He says: “We are part of the S5GConnect programme providing sector specific

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One local company, based in Dumfries, is keen to utilise the advanced digital connectivity provided by 5G. James Slater, Chief Executive of telecommunications service provider, Quibiti, says:

“We are delighted to be supplying our leading-edge Nokia 5G technology to the South of Scotland S5GConnect Hub Dumfries. The 5G private network will enable businesses to accelerate their digital transformation with a proven state of the art solution and industrial-grade private wireless connectivity that will give them a competitive advantage in today’s rapidly changing world.”

“Our approach is always to connect people, technology, and environment to realise the best workspaces. Having access to a 5G private network with advice and support systems will help us realise the best solutions for our customers. This innovative resource on our doorstep means we have the potential to pilot new equipment and develop new business methods that use 5G that could give us a distinct competitive advantage.”

Live test beds across the regions are planned to follow the successful launch in Dumfries. The aim to accelerate the adoption of 5G across the country encourages economic progress through innovation.

Leading network provider, Nokia, is supporting the introduction of 5G capability into the region. Lee Hargadon, Head of Enterprise & Public Sector, UK & Ireland, Nokia, says:

Businesses interested in working with the Innovation Hub, Dumfries, should contact Andy Todman, Business Engagement Manager – Dumfries at andy.todman@scotland5gcentre.org

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FIRST 5G TO 5G HOLOGRAPHIC 3D VIDEO CHAT

On the 11th November 2021, and within two weeks of the 5G network going live at The Crichton in Dumfries, The Crichton Trust and partners made history by hosting the world’s first 5G to 5G Holographic 3D Video Chat between Dumfries and Glasgow. Colleagues in Dumfries were able to join the meeting with Gwilym Gibbons from The Crichton Trust and Graeme Harrold from Nokia.

Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust said: “Within a couple of weeks of our 5G testbed going live at #S5GConnectDumfries we were starting to see the potential of 5G and, importantly, inspiring new connections at Crichton Central. We were delighted to work in partnership with The Scotland 5G Centre, Holoxica Limited and Nokia to host the world’s first 5G to 5G holographic 3D video chat demo between colleagues here in Dumfries and colleagues at the Communication, Sensing and Imaging Group at University of Glasgow in Glasgow. This is just a taste of what’s to come and it’s very exciting for the South of Scotland to be part of, and at the forefront of, these technological developments.”

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Inspiring Connections at Crichton Central

NEW CAFE AND CO-WORKING SPACE at #TheCrichton

Cafe, Deli Counter, Lounge, Terrace and Lawn Sit In, Sit Out, Takeaway Open 7 days/week

Memberships, Meeting Rooms and Connectors Workspace Launching soon

Indoor/Outdoor Events Space, Live Streaming and Radio Studio Licenced Bar

Find us in The Crichton Business Park Tel: 01387 702234 Email: central@crichton.co.uk www.crichtoncentral.co.uk

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Sarah-Jane - Business Community Development Manager

SARAH-JANE SET TO INSPIRE CONNECTIONS AT THE CRICHTON The Crichton Trust is delighted to welcome Sarah-Jane Burns to the team at The Crichton in Dumfries. Sarah-Jane has recently joined the team as the Business Community Development Manager with a remit to ‘inspire connections’.

In this new role, Sarah-Jane will have the honour of liaising with and supporting the businesses, education institutions and charitable organisations based on site at The Crichton and will facilitate knowledge exchange, collaboration and partnership initiatives to encourage engagement with organisations and individuals based in and around Dumfries and Galloway and throughout Scotland and other UK-wide networks.

Sarah-Jane will have a varied role, but with a particular focus on Crichton Central, the new co-working and collaboration space at The Crichton, and on events and collaborative activities.

Speaking about her new role Sarah-Jane said: “I’m here to bring people together essentially.

This could be everything from solving business problems, to looking at some the challenges we face as a society or to inspire young people and students to access the many opportunities that are available to them locally. Most importantly, I will be supporting the businesses and organisations based at The Crichton. We want our tenants and partners to have positive experience at The Crichton and to provide them with the space, place and connections to achieve their aspirations.”

Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust said: “Sarah-Jane is joining us at a really exciting time. Nurturing existing relationships and inspiring new connections as we work towards shaping a new and sustainable future for The Crichton is so important. With our existing networks and partners and over 100 tenants on site at The Crichton, the phased opening of our new Crichton Central café and co-working space, the recent launch of S5G Connect Dumfries and a significant funding boost from the UK Community Renewal Fund, we have a lot to look forward to and a lot to achieve.

Partnerships and working in collaboration are key to our success, so we are delighted to have Sarah-Jane on board to help us connect people, place and the past to shape the future.”

Sarah-Jane added: “The new co-working space at Crichton Central is a really exciting addition to The Crichton, not just for those on site, but for the local area as it offers a flexible and adaptable working and social space for individuals and small groups, as well as meeting and event space for larger teams and events.”

Crichton Central is open to the public 7 days a week from 10am to 4pm and is located within the Business Park at The Crichton.

The building was recently transformed into a modern café and deli counter with relaxed indoor and outdoor seating and a takeaway service, co-working space, meeting rooms, radio studio and events space. Due to Covid-19, The Crichton Trust managed a phased opening of the venue throughout 2021. A formal launch of the co-working space, memberships and member services will be rolled out in 2022.

Sarah-Jane joins us from the University of Strathclyde, where she spent the last 7 years working in the Scottish space sector and innovation landscape; connecting business, academia and government around the uses and applications of space technology across sectors such as agriculture, tourism, land management, environment, forestry and more. Sarah-Jane has also held a number of other roles in education within schools, universities and local government in Scotland and further afield.

Sarah-Jane can be contacted by email: sarah-jane.burns@crichton.co.uk 11

THE CRICHTON DEFIBRILLATOR CAMPAIGN

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The Crichton Defibrillator Campaign in 2021 was inspired by the life-saving actions of Kenny Henry from The Crichton Trust. Kenny was one of the first to come to the rescue of a local man when he went into cardiac arrest one Saturday morning in January 2021. Thanks to Kenny, who was out walking his dog in his home-town of Lockerbie at the time, and other local residents who provided emergency first aid and CPR until the paramedics arrived, the man survived to tell the tale.

Following his experience Kenny encouraged The Crichton Trust to make some changes at The Crichton, and we did!

Kenny was passionate about the need to raise awareness of defibrillators and to make them more accessible. He also wanted to encourage those who have defibs to make sure they are registered and maintained. Kenny valued the training he had done with a previous employer and was therefore keen to see more people doing CPR and defib training. As a Trust, we got behind this campaign and are pleased to report on our progress.

In association with

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WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED AS A RESULT

defibs (accessible during opening hours):

OF THE CRICHTON DEFIB CAMPAIGN?

University of the West of Scotland

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(Browne House and Dudgeon House),

The Crichton Trust relocated their defib

University of Glasgow (Rutherford

to a more accessible location outside

McCowan), the Veterans Garden

Easterbrook Hall and purchased a secure

Dumfries, South of Scotland Enterprise

cabinet to ensure it is protected and

(Carmont) and Dumfries and Galloway

accessible to the public 24-7 •

College.

The Crichton Trust was successful in

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winning an additional defib and cabinet

Campaign to raise funds for another

through The Boyd Group’s Anniversary

publicly accessible defib and cabinet

Competition. This defib is now accessible

for the grounds of The Crichton and

24-7 and is located outside Crichton

thanks to the very generous support

Central •

of tenants, partners, suppliers and

Kenny has proactively registered The

members of the public, another defib has

Crichton Trust defibs with the Scottish

recently been installed at The Pavillion.

Ambulance Service and The Circuit

Thank you to all those who contributed

(National Defibrillator Network) so that

including The Crichton Foundation and

they can be located in an emergency •

many anonymous donors for their kind

The Boyd Group supported the campaign

donations.

by offering a promotional rate to any

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tenants and partners who wanted to

The Crichton Trust also hosted three very successful training days for staff and

purchase a defib and/or cabinet during

tenants. They were delivered by The Boyd

the campaign period. This resulted in

Group and well received by those who

both Holiday Inn Dumfries and The

participated.

Crichton Golf Club purchasing defibs,

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both of which are now accessible 24-7

Details of the campaign have been published in numerous publications, local

in the hotel reception and outside the

newspapers and radio stations, which we

Clubhouse.

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The Crichton Trust organised a Just Giving

hope will have helped raise awareness in

The Crichton Trust also carried out an

the wider community too.

audit to identify the location of existing defibs at The Crichton. The following

A huge thank you to Kenny, The Boyd Group

organisations at The Crichton have

and everyone who supported the campaign.

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24-7 at 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Outside Easterbrook Hall Outside Crichton Central Holiday Inn Dumfries Outside The Crichton Golf Club The Pavilion

During opening hours at 5. Veterans Garden 6. UWS, Dudgeon House 7. UWS, Browne House 8. SOSE, Carmont House 9. University of Glasgow, Rutherford McCowan 10. Dumfries & Galloway College

IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 999: To get help from the emergency services and to locate or access at defibrillator please call 999.

LOCATE A DEFIBRILLATOR: To locate a defibrillator you can search The Circuit: The National Defibrillator Network www.the circuit.uk The Crichton Defibrillator Campaign was inspired by the life-saving actions of Kenny Henry (employee of The Crichton Trust) and supported by The Boyd Group.

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PROMOTING ACTIVE TRAVEL AT THE CRICHTON

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MINI CYCLING FESTIVAL

As part of The Crichton’s ambition to achieve Net Zero, The Crichton Trust made a commitment to host a series of events and initiatives throughout 2021/2022 to encourage members of The Crichton Community to make active travel choices, benefiting the environment, our health and our pockets.

The week kicked off with a Mini Cycling Festival, which took place on Monday 25th October in Crichton Central; The Crichton’s new café and co-working space. The Festival was supported by a number of partners and exhibitors; SUSTRANS, Cycling Dumfries, Annandale Cycles, Powerbikes, Crichton University Student Association (CUCSA), Police Scotland, The Crichton Trust, Crichton Central and Select A Mark. Throughout the day members of The Crichton Community were invited to come along and meet with the exhibitors to pick up advice, tips (and freebies!) about bikes and cycling and active travel choices and were also invited to take a guided tour of Crichton Central. The event was attended by students, colleagues, business tenants, members of the public, local cycling groups and representatives from University of Glasgow, University of the West of Scotland, NHS Dumfries and Galloway and Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Jennifer Challinor, Head of Research and Development at The Crichton Trust took responsibility for organising the first event, which evolved into a week-long initiative called Crichton Cycle Week and was kindly supported

by Cycling UK. Crichton Cycle Week took place from the 25th to the 31st October and encouraged colleagues, tenants, partners, students and visitors to reflect on how they travel to The Crichton and how they might change their ways in order to make a positive impact on their health and the environment.

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Advice covered everything from local cycle routes to buying a new bike, safety, security, maintenance and training. Dr Bike from Annandale Cycles was in attendance to offer free bike maintenance checks and repairs, while Police Scotland provided a free security marking service and offered advice about road safety and how to go about registering bikes on Bike Register - The National Cycle Database.

and cycling groups. Discussions also took place with Let’s Get Biking about their involvement in future events.

The Crichton University Campus Student Association (CUCSA) were also represented on the day and played their part in encouraging students to get involved in the event and to consider cycling to and from The Crichton.

Jennifer and colleagues from The Crichton Trust took the opportunity to promote The Crichton to cyclists by highlighting the availability of everything from cycle racks and electric charging points to on-site showers and cafes, with the purpose of promoting The Crichton as an accessible, safe and secure location for cyclists.

Cycling Scotland and NHS Dumfries and Galloway chatted to visitors about local cycling routes, distributed local maps and offered information and advice about cycling and incentives for families and young people, adults

Skeleton on bike in CC

TENANTS’ FORUM DISCUSSION ON ACTIVE TRAVEL

DUST THE COBWEBS OFF YOUR BIKE

On Wednesday 27th, tenants who attended the October Tenants’ Forum received an update about Crichton Cycle Week and tenants were invited to share their thoughts and ideas about how to promote, support and encourage Active Travel at The Crichton. This discussion will be continued in 2022.

Crichton Cycle Week coincided with Halloween and so the campaign encouraged everyone to dust the cobwebs off their bike and to start cycling to The Crichton at least once during the week. The incentive to claim a free coffee at Crichton Central every day they cycled during that week, was a good enough perk for some Crichton Cycle Week followers to give it a go!

Crichton Cycle Week was just the first in a series of active travel events, so anyone who would like to get involved in future cycling or active travel events or discussions at The Crichton should get in touch with The Crichton Trust by email: hello@crichton.co.uk Please see map on the following spread.

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The Crichton offers 85 acres of landscaped grounds, playing fields and gardens and a network of well-maintained footpaths and roads. It is well-suited for walking, cycling and jogging and this map highlights some of the key things you need to know to explore the grounds and to stay active including a 9-hole Golf Course adjacent to the site.

Making active travel choices is not only good for our physical and mental health, but also for our environment and so, The Crichton Trust is keen to encourage and facilitate active travel whenever possible.

There are plenty of places to stop for a rest or a picnic and a choice of cafes, bars, restaurants, offices, meeting rooms and co-working spaces too. Visitors can also choose to stay over at the onsite Hotel and explore the surrounding Cycle Rou countryside of Dumfries and Galloway.

Crichton Golf Club Town Centre

Holiday Inn

Easterbrook Hall Bistro

Campbell House

Crichton Memorial Church

Crichton Hall

Playing Fields

Pavilion

Cycle Route Rock Garden

Glencaple Road

2 0 4ZE The Crichton Trust, Grierson House, Bankend Road, Dumfries, DG1

Bankend Road Maidenbower

College

ute

University Campus

Cycle route Phenology Garden

Parkrun Main walk Shortcuts Bike rack

Business Park Crichton Central

e-charger CP Toilet Shower Car park Defibrillator (24-7) Mindfulness Trail

Rose Garden

It is possible to travel to and around the site on foot, on a bicycle, by car or on a bus and the site is well-equipped with free parking places, bicycle racks, showers and electric charging points for both bicycles and cars.

Walk: The main Heritage Walk can take up to an hour depending on pace and ability, but shorter walks can also be enjoyed. As well as exploring the heritage of the estate, visitors can choose to enjoy a stroll through the gardens, follow The Crichton Tree Trail and/or The Crichton Mindfulness Trail.

National Cycle Route 7

Jog: The Crichton is suitable for jogging and is also home to Crichton parkrun, which is a free weekly, timed 5k event every Saturday morning and is suitable for walking, jogging, running and for mobility scooters, pushchairs and dog walkers.

Cycle: It is possible to cycle around and through The Crichton to/from Dumfries Town Centre and to/from Caerlaverock or Glencaple on the National Cycle Route 7. Bikes can be charged 2 1at Crichton Central bike rack.

THE CRICHTON MINDFULNESS TRAIL STOP. RELAX. UNWIND. RECHARGE.

What is Mindfulness?

We all lead busy lives rushing from one task to the next and trying to juggle our commitments whether that’s work, family, friends, caring responsibilities, household chores, volunteering, learning or all of the above.

Being mindful or ‘mindfulness’ is being aware of yourself and the world around you.

Benefits of Mindfulness

For most of us, the coronavirus pandemic has added further pressures to our daily lives and also changed our work, learning and home routines, limited our social interactions, diluted our support networks and halted our holiday or retirement plans. Perhaps it’s no wonder that the strain of the pandemic is taking its toll on many of us – when last did you just stop to reflect or take time out to do the things you enjoy, the things that make you happy and the things that help you unwind, relax and recharge?

Practicing mindfulness regularly, even if just for a few minutes every day, can…

To help encourage members of The Crichton Community and visitors to the site to take a short break away from their daily routine, The Crichton Trust is currently trialling The Crichton Mindfulness Trail. Not only does it foster an appetite for exercise, it also aims to encourage everyone to stop and spend a short period of time completing some simple mindfulness activities as they move around the estate.

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help you to focus on the present

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help deal with stress, anxiety, and depression

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improve your mood and concentration

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have a powerful effect on your mind and body

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help you to think creatively

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help you solve problems more easily

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help you feel more contented in life

Mindfulness Stops The Crichton Trust has set up Mindfulness Stops with suggested activities at various locations across the estate. These stops can be found randomly on foot as you explore the grounds and gardens at The Crichton or you can check out the locations on our website and follow our Mindfulness Map if you would prefer a more structured approach.

Tip: If you need help finding our Mindfulness Stops start by looking at the photos in this feature and see if you can find them on your next visit to The Crichton.

There are eight ‘Mindfulness Stops’ around The Crichton with short activities for you to try out. If you prefer, feel free to select any of the mindfulness activities on our website and try them out in your own Mindfulness Spot.

Find out more on our blog: https:// www.crichton.co.uk/the-crichtonmindfulness-trail/ or scan the QR code (see opposite).

With thanks to Jennifer Challinor at The Crichton Trust and to Becky Rose Yoga & Mindfulness in Carmont House for supporting this initiative. Please let us know if you have any ideas for improving the trail by emailing: hello@ crichton.co.uk https://www.crichton.co.uk/thecrichton-team/jennifer-challinor/ Don’t forget we also have The Crichton Tree Trail, Crichton parkrun, cafes, events and a range of wellbeing businesses (see page 45) here at The Crichton to help you escape from your daily pressures.

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THE CRICHTON - THE EARLY DAYS A personal view by Gordon Mann OBE, FRICS, MRTPI

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Hurried discussions about how to deal with her request soon made it clear that this was indeed the likely fate for the site. As the site contained listed buildings it was thought this was best handed to the Director of Planning to solve.

Little did they know that the Director had form in this, having spent time in Shetland where ambition drives communities to innovate and achieve great things – and having a pot of cash from the oil industry helped.

The difficulty of access to a university education has long been an issue in Dumfries and Galloway, indeed Elizabeth Crichton wanted to do something about it but was thwarted by the then four Scottish Universities – including University of Glasgow so instead built The Crichton Institution in 1839.

But it took a decision 160 years later by the Health Board to move out of what was by then The Crichton Royal Hospital and then sell the site that re opened the discussion.

Psychiatric Hospitals all over the country were being replaced with different forms of care and the sites were often left to the ravages of the developer’s bulldozer. So, when the news leaked out it took an intrepid Councillor and nurse, Sheila Howat to raise the question repeatedly in the Council Chamber about the scale of loss should that fate befall The Crichton.

After much head scratching and discussions with property specialists it became clear that the site presented some unique challenges. The grounds, at over 80 acres, were effectively a public park, Easterbrook and the Church were seen as community assets, so how could all of this be paid for? The answer was to see the site as a whole, with buildings that could be converted to generate an income; Easterbrook, in dire need of investment but it too could play its part.

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the necessary legal documents. It was done, but only just, with the last documents signed at a minute to midnight.

The solution to this was a little known facility at that time that allowed Council’s to borrow against any asset they disposed of – getting round the tight public expenditure rules. By acquiring the site and then leasing it to a Charity, the Council was able to borrow the cash to pay for it. Indeed, they borrowed more than was needed and several community projects across the region benefited. Because of the odd way that capital funding was paid for the cost of borrowing was effectively spread out over Scotland.

The following day we woke up and realised we had actually done it and as we toured the site there was a real sense of achievement but also real trepidation about what we had let ourselves in for.

In all the calculations before the purchase it was impossible to say with any certainty if the project would work and if it would generate the cash needed to run the site as people would expect. To allow for this the Council agreed that part of the money needed to get the project going could be invested to create a guaranteed income which would cover the deficit. This endowment fund was entrusted to The Crichton Endowment Fund (now The Crichton Foundation) as a separate charity to protect the fund.

The fly in the ointment was that the Government announced just before Christmas that this facility would cease at midnight 31st March giving three months to negotiate and buy the site, lease it on to a Charity and then leaseback many of the buildings to the Health Board as they still had patients onsite. This required everyone to burn the midnight oil to complete the detailed negotiations and to construct all

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The matter was brought to a head when the Council took the only option open to them to break the deadlock – they sued the Endowment Trust to get the money back. The sound of the front door knocking at 7.30 with a Sherriff Officer serving the writs will not be forgotten in a hurry. Nor will the hurried conversations with the Bank Manager and his Manager to explain why the Council had frozen the Endowment Trust’s bank account but to their credit they accepted the position and we carried on using cash in the other accounts.

That action we thought was essential to guarantee the success of the project.

Unfortunately, soon after the Council’s auditors did not agree, claiming the Council did not have the power to make such a payment. The money was however in the control of a charity and the Trustees had a duty of care to safeguard the fund - result - stalemate!

While this argument raged The Crichton Trust set up The Crichton Development Company as a small but agile team to get on with the work of running the site and refurbishing buildings for let to start to generate cash. The Health Board had rented several buildings that they still used, and this provided the core cash to keep things going. Then as luck would have it the Health Board were looking for new offices and to share these with Social Work. They took the majority of space at Grierson House and that proved to be a pivotal moment when the project was secured.

We had to find a solution and eventually a solicitor with local government experience analysed the legal issues and Senior Counsel then provided the opinion that the money should and must be re paid. The Trustees were then protected from any challenge and the capital was duly paid back. The cash had been invested in equities and bonds and had done rather well. In the period the £8m had risen to £10m in value and generated another £2m in income. To secure the deal and to allow the Council to sign off several year’s accounts a deal was made paying back the income but keeping the capital growth. Soon after this the Endowment fund changed its name and became The Crichton Foundation. The cash they retained went on to fund student bursaries and contribute to the work of the Universities.

The campaign to get a university continued but with little success – the government were not in the mood to set up a new university from scratch as had been done in the Highlands.

As with all these things serendipity take a hand. One of the experts we had worked with played tennis with a senior member of staff at University of Glasgow and the conversation turned to the recently appointed Principal of the University and that he had this idea of setting up a new Liberal Arts course that was not part of any existing Faculty. Our expert said, “take a look at The Crichton”. The rest is history.

Had we all realised at the start that the endowment was ultra vires we would not have been able to do the deal – and The Crichton could have been lost.

The loss of cash however meant that the Development Company could no longer afford the costs of the alterations to Rutherford & McCowan to house University of Glasgow and the Council had to face the prospect that once again history was repeating itself and the town would be denied University status just as Elizabeth Crichton had found. The Council however came up trumps and agreed to pay the capital cost of these works and to help our cash flow also agreed to pay the vat costs upfront.

At this point, following the second reorganisation of local government in my, I was asked to take charge at the project and leave the Council – on offer I could not refuse.

But the dark cloud around the auditors concerns just would not go away and they decided not to sign off the Council’s accounts, much to the concern of the Finance Director. But the Endowment Trust could not just pay it back without a clear legal justification and neither the Council nor their auditors could come up with a clear and legally watertight argument. The Development Company was left to resolve it and had several discussions with eminent QCs with little success.

Turning the decision by Glasgow University into reality needed a herculean effort to put in all the necessary services including a fibre optic cable capable of delivering 150mbs. We had 27

to try and understand what was then very new technology, but one thing became clear - it was not going to be cheap. The first quotes were eyewatering, but through patient negotiations and the assistance of European Funds and Scottish Enterprise a way was found to make this work.

Design work was well underway, and everything looked on track to welcome University of Glasgow into a completely revamped Rutherford McCowan building. The University of Paisley (now the University of West of Scotland) actually beat them to it by taking some space in Maxwell House.

Then disaster struck. I was called to the Principal’s office on Gilmourhill and told that the University of Glasgow had second thoughts and would not sign the lease as planned but assured me they would do so - next year. Comments were heard on Campus as this being “not so much a leap in the dark as a leap into the red!”

By this time, we had committed significant sums on design and procurement, so this was a serious blow. We came up with an idea to make the University make its intentions very clear and very public. We asked them to sign an Agreement which committed everyone to work together to create the new Campus – not legally binding but an important public statement. And just to make it clear this was serious we asked them to sign it in The Crichton Church – and they did - and did it in style with the Bedellus carrying the Mace leading the academic procession into the Church.

The extra year also proved to be helpful to us as it took that length of time to get all the necessary consents for what was, a very modern addition, to listed buildings – a design that would go on and win the first ever RIBA award in the region.

The lease was duly signed but only after the University accepted it would be for 20 years with no breaks – a decision that was to prove useful later. Work began in earnest to install all the services and a complete overhaul of the buildings.

Then disaster struck a second time. We had registered for vat and had been claiming all the vat on the capital expenditure every quarter 28

Bell College and Paisley University created the University of West of Scotland and they have played a major part in growing the academic offering on The Crichton.

in the normal way. For some reason the Vat inspectors in Glasgow smelt a rat – we were somehow helping the University around the rules which require them to pay vat but not reclaim it – complete nonsense - but they would not let go of this. For three successive quarters they refused to refund the vat and we were at the stage of running out of cash with contractors busy working just outside the office window making it impossible to ignore the iceberg coming towards us. Help came in the form of a vat expert introduced to us by our accountants.

Vat specialists are a rare and strange breed, but we did not care when we won the argument, and the cash was paid back just in time to meet the contractors next payments.

Our attention then turned to the Business Park.

Eskdale had been converted to a Nursery to accommodate a nursery that had been based in McCowan. European funds were received to allow Annandale to be developed as a base for small businesses and its first tenant was BDS a firm that was to be so successful, thanks to careful management, that it grew to fill the entire building and some more.

Throughout this period, we were in discussion with Scottish Enterprise who seemed to have difficulty in understanding what we were trying to do. They are not legally permitted to support education, and this led to several abortive meetings. At one stage I was told we needed to decide what we were - an education centre or a busines park – the idea that we could be both seemed too difficult for some of their officers to comprehend.

The project completed and students enrolled made the day of the opening very special.

Somehow it felt that we had delivered on Elizabeth Crichton’s dream and for many people this would change their lives. I often attended graduation ceremonies although I did not know anyone graduating. But just to see the realisation in their faces that they had done it and got a degree and for many they were the first in their family to do so.

However, they eventually came with two inward investment opportunities, and we worked together with them to secure these. The first was Telegate a German based company wishing to take the opportunity of the market for directory enquiries being liberalised to set up an operation in the UK. They talked about the prospect of 500 employees. We worked up a scheme for them for Monreith House which suited their needs exactly. We had to borrow the cash for the project but by then the Clydesdale Bank was very supportive. Sadly, Telegate could not break into the UK market as they had done in Europe and eventually sold up. Because of the size of the loan, we took the unusual step of getting the German headquarters to guarantee the lease payments.

Eventually the Council needed additional space and bought the lease.

The next project was to find a way of keeping nurse education in Dumfries. Bell College in Hamilton had won the contract to deliver nurse education in this region and to make this work financially they had to do much of this in Hamilton. The reaction of local students to this idea was understandably poor and local recruitment reduced, creating the possibility that the Health Board might find it difficult to recruit trained local nurses. Pressure mounted on Bell College to reverse this decision and to do all the training in Dumfries such that they came to us looking for space. Dudgeon House was exactly the right size for them, and we developed a scheme for it.

All seemed fine but we did not have the capital to do this project. At that time, we had completed Rutherford McCowan and received all the vat back albeit reluctantly from the vat man. The vat was just the right amount to cover the costs of converting Dudgeon and again to their credit the Council agreed we could spend this money for a second time instead of repaying it! Since then, the amalgamation of

The second opportunity was for Patientline (now called Hospedia) who also wanted a call centre type operation as they rolled out a TV and phone service to all the UK hospitals. DGRI had been one of the pioneering Hospitals for this service. Galloway House was chosen and again fitted their requirements. This time the 29

European Funds came to our assistance and provided much of the capital needed to convert this building.

European funding was crucial to the success of the project, but it came at a price. If anyone has had to fill in an application form for a grant or even tried to complete the quarterly monitoring forms, then you will understand. I watched in awe as colleagues completed these forms and became quite adept at them. The price also included the possibility of an audit, and such was our luck we got one for the Galloway project.

Two very nice auditors arrived from Brussels, one was Italian, and one was Belgian, and English was the only language they had in common. After sifting through all the documents, they announced that we were in serious breach of the regulations as the funds must only be used to support small businesses.

It took some time for us to work out the problem, but it seemed as though the process of translating from English to French and to Italian and then back again had introduced some problems. Our main tenant was a small business in terms of the regulations. Where we fell foul was that one additional tenant who occupied a couple of rooms was part of a larger organisation and did not qualify. We had to repay a very small part of the grant.

By then it was time to look at Easterbrook, the sleeping giant on the site. We had tried earlier to do work to it, but we could not get a scheme that added up. This time however with the Business Park and the University Campus in full swing we thought we would try again. We had to do something as it badly needed investment.

The light switches on the stage were installed when it was built and could only be switched on using a broom handle!

This time we were the investors and the occupier of the building, so we started by bringing in some help. Help first to work through what the market might be and came quickly to the conclusion that it would be driven by weddings and conferences. But to be successful we needed to have overnight accommodation, so we needed a hotel. Again, some expert advice came to our help and 30

a hotel developer and operator, a unique combination was identified, and we were introduced. They came to see us just as a favour to the consultants who had advised us but with no real intention of investing. But when they came, they liked what they saw and quickly the relationship developed that would see Easterbrook transformed and the hotel built.

To persuade someone to invest over £5m in a new hotel in an area where hotel occupancies were low meant they were taking a gamble but to do this they needed to know that they had security. Selling the site was just not possible but a long lease of over 100 years would allow them to invest and operate the hotel. The hotel would unlock the cash to restore Easterbrook and help us with the Church. We only had a 20year lease from the Council so to get this project on the road we needed an agreement from the Council to extend the lease.

To us it seemed a no brainer but to the Council Officials it seemed as if we were asking the impossible. Discussions were started and seemed to be going nowhere and then they decided they had to do “due diligence” on us.

One of the big four firms of accountants was brought down from Glasgow and spent a week in our office going through every lease, grant and invoice they could find. Satisfied that there was nothing more for them to see they disappeared and produced a damming report saying we would go bust in less than a year.

Obviously not right and someone did the right thing and filed the report away never to be seen again. Meanwhile I am on the phone regularly to our hotel investor saying everything was fine it’s all going according to plan – like a swan he could not see I was paddling furiously below the water.

Eventually sense prevailed and an extension to the lease was granted and we then granted the long lease for the Hotel – triggering the largest single investment in the site. Easterbrook was then able to come alive again partly because of the work we were able to do to it but mostly because we were able to recruit a team of professionals in hospitality who quickly made it the go-to destination for weddings and business meetings.

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Easterbrook marked the end of the first hectic phase of development as the site settled into more of a routine of getting on with the job.

Then came the bombshell from University of Glasgow. They had recently acquired a new Principal – an ex-head of the civil service in Scotland - who knew how things work. He announced, almost out of the blue, that University of Glasgow was going to close down the Dumfries operation because it was too costly.

We drew their attention to the fact that there was no provision for them to break the lease and they would have to go on paying rent and the estate charges regardless of it being closed.

The reaction of the public was immediate and unanimous calling for that decision to be reversed. It was actually very satisfying to hear the extent to which The Crichton had remained in the hearts of Doonhamers despite all the changes we had made.

The campaign reached the Scottish Parliament and we briefed everyone we could think of making the simple point that the Government were spending much more per head of population in Highlands as compared to the South of Scotland. Despite much smaller budgets the 2 Universities here were producing more graduates than UHI. Our MSPs put up a united and spirited defence and during the debate one MSP made the point that had this happened in Inverness you would have been run down by a cavalcade of ministerial cars heading north from Edinburgh. I sometimes wonder if this campaign planted the seed that was to become the South of Scotland Enterprise.

A series of high-level meetings were held with Ministers and one with the Scottish Funding Council. The latter meeting, we were treated to the Principals of the two Universities and the College sitting beside the Head of the Funding Council. When we set out our case it was not the Principal of Glasgow who answered but the Head of the Funding Council who argued strongly that Glasgow had to shut down its Dumfries operation to save money. It was one of the most depressing meetings I have ever attended.

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An election was about to happen. The SNP were keen to support initiatives that would help the South of Scotland and promised to resolve the issue if they were elected to replace the Labour/ Lib Dem coalition. They did win and they were as good as their word and within a few months they delivered a financial package which helped both Universities consolidate and then expand their work.

Later Dumfries and Galloway College were considering their options as their building at Heathhall was no longer fit for purpose. The College Principal stopped me in the carpark and said his staff said the obvious place for a new college was here at The Crichton – but was this possible? My answer was absolutely yes, we will do everything we can to make that happen. In the event they were to acquire neighbouring land from the Scottish Agricultural College (now SRUC) and build the new college which also houses facilities for the Universities in a unique collaboration.

Reflecting on what the Development Company achieved with a very small but dedicated and determined team and supported by the volunteer Trustees, with far less resources than we had planned it is remarkable what has been achieved. The need to protect the high quality of the site while allowing it to meet the requirements of the new users took careful planning - planning that was recognised by the award of the highest accolade from the Royal Town Planning Institute. It is gratifying to see the ambition to drive the project forward and to innovate is alive and well under Gwilym Gibbon’s leadership.

The Crichton has changed lives, created opportunities for those who work or study there. I do believe that Elizabeth Crichton would have approved of what has become of The Crichton.

The Crichton Trust would like to acknowledge Gordon Mann for his outstanding leadership and achievements during his time as Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust.

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REMEMBERING THE PEOPLE WHO GOT US HERE Written by Philip N Jones, Trustee of The Crichton Trust in 2021 for The Crichton Appreciation Society

In my first post since being invited to join The Crichton Appreciation Society I would like to acknowledge the significant contribution to the Crichton Royal Hospital of my friend and colleague, Ian Fraser Smith, former Chief Executive of Dumfries and Galloway Council, and former Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland.

the post of Chief Executive of Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council. Following the 1995 local government re-organisation in Scotland, Ian was appointed Chief Executive of the new unitary authority, Dumfries and Galloway Council, and held this post until his retirement in 1998.

Ian often described as “a personal passion” the Council’s efforts to create a university in Dumfries. This quest began in the days of the Regional Council when The Crichton Royal Hospital and its grounds had become largely surplus to Health Board requirements because of the Government’s policy of care in the community.

Ian died suddenly at home in Lockerbie in July 2008. He was 58.

Brought up in Fife, Ian was educated at Kirkcaldy High School where in 1966 and 1967 he was a high school prefect alongside former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Ian qualified as a solicitor at Dundee University and started his career in the County Clerk’s department of Fife County Council.

Ian met many times with Dr Joyce Minton, of Moffat, educationist and university campaigner, who in 1993 wrote a brochure urging that the hospital should not be fragmented, proposing that it should be

Ian moved to Dumfries and Galloway in December 1992 following appointment to

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Paisley, Bell College, Dumfries and Galloway College, Barony College and The Crichton Foundation.

used instead as ‘’a centre of excellence for human studies’’. It was widely circulated and, the following year, she and fellow campaigners raised a petition calling for the founding of a university with its senate based on The Crichton site. More than 6000 signatures were collected in three weeks.

Ian Smith was also responsible for the creation of The Crichton Trust who, having been granted a long lease on the estate by the Council, were tasked with managing and developing the many buildings and wider estate. As we know The Crichton Campus, extensively restored and developed by the Trust, supported by the Council, now hosts the University of Glasgow, the University of the West of Scotland, The Open University and Dumfries and Galloway College.

In her determination to see the momentum carried forward, Dr Minton constantly lobbied politicians, councillors, and academics and ably supported by many like-minded people developed, amongst other things, a bid to The Millennium Commission to advance the project. The Millennium bid, whilst not ultimately successful and a bitter blow to The Crichton University Action Group, ensured a momentum that could not be stopped.

In addition to the many and varied educational institutions, The Crichton estate, which is open to the public, is also home to an extensive business community, and local and national government.

Ian was convinced of the importance of the project, which would help stem the drain of young talent from the area and, in addition to supporting the work of Dr. Minton, Ian secured Council approval to purchase The Crichton Royal Hospital Estate, to ensure that it was retained as a community asset for the benefit of the people of Dumfries and Galloway.

The latest developments include, Crichton Central at Criffel View, a model state-ofthe-art place for co-habitation, networking, innovation and a place for informal knowledge exchange and the development of Crichton Hall into a first class hotel facility.

Ian demonstrated considerable skill, experience and resolve to successfully develop solutions to the many complex problems associated with such an important acquisition.

As we move forward with this exciting Crichton venture it is important to acknowledge the significant contributions of the people who got us here and who are no longer here to tell their story.

On April 1, 1995, the day after Dumfries and Galloway Council purchased the site, The Crichton University of Southern Scotland Action Group (CUSSAG) was formed with Dr Minton as chair. The following year, prompted by CUSSAG, a Crichton Accord was signed by a partnership group comprising, Dumfries and Galloway Council, the University of Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway Enterprise and The Crichton Trust/Crichton Development Company making way for the setting up of a multi-college campus described as ‘’a test bed for academic innovation and flexibility’’. The Accord was updated in 2000 to include, University of

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PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE This article was researched and supported by Lara Reid, Foundation Apprentice from Dumfries High School (see below) and supported by trainees; Kyle, Aaron and Connor.

The Crichton Trust is pleased to be offering a wide range of opportunities for young people and currently has three trainees on the Kickstart scheme, one trainee doing a Modern Apprenticeship and one young person doing a Foundation Apprenticeship.

What is the Kickstart scheme?

The Kickstart Scheme is open to people aged 16 to 24 and allows young people to get a six-month paid job with a local employer. The scheme is funded by the UK Government and aims to encourage employers to offer exciting employment opportunities for young people. Trainees gain valuable work experience to help shape their career. The scheme helps young people to build up their CV, improve job prospects and kick start their career.

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Meet Kyle, Kickstart Trainee – Property Team Kyle has been working within the Property department at The Crichton Trust since the start of October. He works for a minimum of 25 hours a week over three days and does a variety of property and maintenance related jobs under the supervision of Gordon Clark, Kenny Henry and Graeme Chisholm.

So far, Kyle has been helping to test the fire lights in properties across the estate and one of his first (and personal favourite!) jobs was sorting out all the keys – not an easy task. There are lots of things Kyle loves about working at The Crichton including the grounds and the wide range of jobs there is to do. He is a big fan of the team spirit and he likes the fact there is never a dull moment! Kyle also values the opportunity to have his say within the workplace.

Meet Aaron, Kickstart Trainee – Venues Team Aaron has been a Kickstart Trainee within the kitchen team at Easterbrook Bistro since the start of October. Aaron works around 32 hours a week and is employed as a Kitchen Assistant. Aaron is grateful for this opportunity and says the Kickstart scheme is helping him to support his family and to enjoy and benefit from working with such a professional and friendly team. Aaron said: “I feel like I have been part of the team for years!”

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During his time with The Crichton Trust, Aaron has been given the opportunity to be more hands on with the cooking and food prep side of things, which is what he is truly passionate about. Aaron is learning so much from his mentor and Senior Chef, Russell, who is equally keen to give Aaron the opportunity to work alongside him in the kitchen. Aaron is gaining in confidence all the time and is getting to do more of what he enjoys.

What is a Modern Apprenticeship?

Modern Apprenticeships provide apprentices with the opportunity to work, learn and earn. As they learn on the job, they also develop new skills, gain valuable work and industry knowledge and experience, increase their network, improve employment prospects and work towards an SQA accredited qualification.

Meet Connor, Modern Apprentice – Hospitality Connor is doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Hospitality which he started in June.

He is working as a Front of House Assistant within the Venues Team at The Crichton Trust covering; Crichton Central, Easterbrook Bistro and Easterbrook Hall as required.

Connor’s interest in hospitality was inspired by his uncle and the experience he gained from working with his uncle in hospitality when he was younger has helped to prepare him for his apprenticeship.

In his Front of House role, Connor’s role varies from shift to shift and depends on the venue he is working in. So far, Connor spends most of his time at Crichton Central where he can be responsible for greeting and seating customers when they arrive, taking orders using a tablet, processing customer payments, preparing hot, cold and alcoholic beverages and, when required, helping out on the deli counter preparing and serving hot and cold food.

Connor said: “The good thing about working at The Crichton is that you get to meet new people and develop new skills every day. I enjoy working as part of a team and trying to improve the experience of our customers all the time. I like the variety of work and I’m getting much better at multitasking now too! ”

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What is a Foundation Apprenticeship?

Foundation Apprenticeships provide classroom and workbased learning opportunities for S5 and S6 secondary school pupils and help pupils develop their knowledge and understanding of an industry.

Learners spend at least one day a week working with a local employer to gain valuable work experience as part of the Apprenticeship. Pupils complete various units and assessments in order to achieve a National Progression Award (NPA) or a National Certificate (NC) at SCQF level 6.

Meet Lara, Foundation Apprentice – Creative and Digital Media (That’s me!)

“I am doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media as part of my S6 options at Dumfries High School. I am currently on placement with The Crichton Trust for one day a week until the start of April 2022. When I am at The Crichton I am working alongside my mentor Caroline Bell and focusing on marketing and communications.

I have enjoyed the variety of activities I’ve been involved in so far, including carrying out interviews and writing features for this magazine, arranging and attending TV and radio interviews, helping out at photo shoots and learning about websites, social media and email campaigns.

I’ve got to meet so many people already and it’s been interesting to learn more about the different roles people have and what they do – I love that it’s such a team effort.

Everyone is friendly and make me feel so welcome. I am looking forward to coming back again in 2022.”

Look out for updates on their progress and features about other trainees and schemes in future issues.

Are you looking for an opportunity?

To find out about the latest employment, trainee and volunteering vacancies at The Crichton Trust visit: https://www.crichton.co.uk/vacancies/ or speak to Susan Sutherland, Head of Corporate Business at The Crichton Trust.

To find details of the colleges, universities, agencies and businesses on site at The Crichton, check out The Crichton Directory: https://www.crichton.co.uk/the-crichtonbusiness-park/the-crichton-business-directory/ 39

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SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

Over the past forty years, The Holywood Trust has assisted young people between the ages of 15 and 25, who are resident in Dumfries and Galloway. It does this by making individual financial grant awards to young people, to help contribute to their personal development in some tangible way.

The Trust also provides grants to organisations working with or providing opportunities for young people in Dumfries and Galloway. Recognising the many rural challenges faced by young people, the Trust is keen to ensure a good geographical spread of its grant giving, particularly in the farthest and most remote areas of the region.

As well as developing new partnerships which identify themselves with sustainable projects and strategic gaps that fit with the Trust’s overall objectives, one of the high-ranking aims of the Trust is to treat young people as equals, to try wherever possible to facilitate their needs, and to assist them in taking responsibility for their own lives and needs. Should the Trust ultimately not be able to assist in full, a partial award can be made - subject to the rest of the funding being secured from other sources. The Trust will occasionally consider supporting vulnerable younger children for preventative measures in relation to health or social disadvantage, or if they are excelling at particular activities, for example playing a sport or musical instrument. In addition to its principal target group, the Trust is also prepared to look at an earlier intervention where to delay making an award because of a person’s age would in fact exacerbate their disadvantage or make them more susceptible to serious illness or social and welfare difficulties. Over the years,

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the Trust has awarded grants that help young people purchase household items when leaving care, contribute towards college or university expenses (excluding second or post -graduate degrees), participation in sporting and cultural activities at regional, national, or international level and the purchase of musical instruments and sporting equipment.

Whether an individual young person, organisation, service, or a group of young people, all applications are made via the Trust’s online application system. After registering, an e-mail will be sent out to applicants which will provide them with access to the Trust’s Grants Management System (GMS), where they can create a unique user account to fulfil their application. Whenever difficulty arises, a this can be talked through with a member of staff. If the grant request is over £1,000, the submitted application will be considered by the Trustees at their meetings throughout the year, and any request under £1,000 will be advised upon within 6 – 8 weeks. All applications, including those which are not successful, will be acknowledged.

The Trust is administered by a Board of Trustees – Clara Weatherall (Chairman), Ben Weatherall, John Jencks, Amy Agnew and Valerie McElroy. Together with a professional staff based at Hestan House, they include Karen Ward Boyd (Director), Helen Turner (Assistant Director), Amanda Armstrong (Grants & Administration Officer), Sammie Smith (Executive Support Assistant), Clare Hanna (Grants Officer) and Hagen Patterson (Communications & Events Officer).

Since being photographed for this article, Hazel Forsyth, the Trust’s Finance & Compliance Manager, passed away very suddenly. The Trust would like to pay tribute to Hazel with the following words from its Director, Karen Ward Boyd: “Hazel had been with the Trust for 15 years and was critical to all our finance matters. We are lost without her, and our thoughts are with Hazel’s brother Philip and sister Amanda, who is also one of our colleagues.”

Please contact The Holywood Trust before starting an application at: funds@holywood-trust.org.uk.

Website: www.holywood-trust.org.uk | Facebook: www.facebook.com/HolywoodTrust Instagram: @holywoodtrust | Twitter: @HolywoodTrust | Tel: 01387 269176

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

2022 Quarterly Crichton Briefings for The Crichton Community

4pm, first Tuesday of each quarter 1 March, 4pm 7 June, 4pm 6 September, 4pm 6 December, 4pm Most meetings take place on Teams, but this may vary throughout the year.

2022 Monthly Tenants’ Forum for tenants and partners at The Crichton

11am, last Wednesday of the month 26 January, 11am 23 February, 11am 30 March, 11am 27 April, 11am 25 May, 11am 29 June, 11am Most meetings take place on Teams, but this may vary throughout the year.

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and for many, it certainly had and continues to have a positive impact on their mental and physical wellbeing to this day.

The Crichton has a long history of promoting health and wellbeing and in this issue we are delighted to introduce you to the tenants who have come together to run their individual businesses within The Crichton’s new Crichton Wellbeing Centre in Galloway House.

The pandemic has also changed where and when people work and so it is not surprising, that some of our long-term business tenants have turned to a hybrid way of working; spending some days working in the office and others working remotely from home. The knock on effect of this shift is that some of our commercial office spaces became available to rent and when one of our larger tenants down-sized their office space earlier in the year, a whole suite of offices became vacant in Galloway House.

The Crichton, a former psychiatric hospital, was created with the purpose of healing minds and in doing so resident patients were kept busy and active and encouraged to live, work, learn and socialise and to make the most of the outdoor spaces at The Crichton. All of which were considered to have a positive and healing effect on the mental and physical health and wellbeing of the patients.

Not one to shy away from a challenge, Gordon Clark, Head of Property at The Crichton Trust, has been busy working with existing tenants and welcoming a number of new tenants to what is now known as Crichton Welling at Galloway House.

Although The Crichton has now evolved into a thriving business park and academic campus with over 100 tenants and partners, the ethos of The Crichton hasn’t changed much. There is still a strong focus on protecting and developing people and organisations and in protecting the legacy of The Crichton as a place of wellbeing.

The Crichton Trust has recently transformed the space within Galloway House from a suite of offices into a suite of light, bright and calming salons and therapy rooms – it even has its own fitness studio.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we witnessed first-hand just how much of an asset The Crichton is to all those who live, work or visit, with regular visitors making good use of our grounds and gardens for their daily exercise 46

Car / Bike / Walk

Crichton Wellbeing is located within Galloway House at The Crichton and is conveniently located near to Crichton Central; The Crichton’s new café and co-working space. Galloway House is surrounded by free parking spaces, cycle racks and footpaths and Crichton Wellbeing is on the ground floor, making it accessible to all.

Nine small wellbeing businesses have already set up shop within Crichton Wellbeing and are now open for business. Each of the businesses offer a different and varied range of services and together bring something unique to The Crichton. Where else can you go and get your hair and make-up done and also enjoy a foot or Thai massage, indulge in natural or Chinese therapies and attend a physio, personal training or yoga session? It’s all possible at Crichton Wellbeing and we would like to introduce you to the businesses who make it all happen from their base in Galloway House at The Crichton.

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Crichton Wellbeing at Galloway House includes: •

Sharon Martin, The Acu Hub (Suite 1)

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Kittikan Rogerson, Origin Thai Massage (Suite 3)

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Claire Robson, Claire Robson Makeup Artist (Suite 4)

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Freya Holgate, Meraki Hair by Freya Holgate (Suite 5)

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Shonagh Cunliffe, Bonnie Aesthetics (Suite 6)

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Lisa Jones, LJ’s Natural Beauty (Suite 7)

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Russ Jones, Body Fix Golf (Suite 7)

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Anne Melville and Catherine Gilchris, Anne Melville Podiatry (Suite 8)

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Erin Trail, Positive Steps Physiotherapy (Suite 9)

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Moira Forsyth, Yoga with Moira (Suite 10)

Find out more here

Sharon Martin, The Acu Hub (Suite 1)

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Kittikan Rogerson, Origin Thai Massage (Suite 3)

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Claire Robson, Claire Robson Makeup Artist (Suite 4)

Freya Holgate, Meraki Hair by Freya Holgate (Suite 5)

Shonagh Cunliffe, Bonnie Aesthetics (Suite 6)

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Lisa Jones, LJ’s Natural Beauty (Suite 7)

Russ Jones, Body Fix Golf (Suite 7)

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Anne Melville and Catherine Gilchrist, Anne Melville Podiatry (Suite 8)

Erin Trail, Positive Steps Physiotherapy (Suite 9)

If you haven’t visited yet, or if you would like to know more about any of the businesses within Crichton Wellbeing, please feel free to check out The Crichton Directory on The Crichton website. https://www.crichton.co.uk/the-crichton-business-park/the-crichton-businessdirectory/ Anyone interested in renting space at The Crichton should contact Gordon Clark on 01387 247544 or email: gordon.clark@crichton.co.uk If you are a tenant at The Crichton and would like to feature in a future issue please email: news@crichton.co.uk 53

THE ORCHARD NATURE NURSERY A HOME FROM HOME

The Orchard Nature Nursery Limited based in Eskdale House at The Crichton is owned and managed by Director, Kim Bannister with support from Assistant Manager, Susan, and Alfie the dog. With over 50 children under 5 years and 12 members of staff it is a hive of activity. The spacious nursery built from red sandstone is set in the stunning grounds of The Crichton providing a range of well-equipped and flexible indoor and outdoor spaces for the children to learn, play, eat, sleep and explore.

a dedicated outdoor dining shelter where the children enjoy home-cooked meals and snacks freshly prepared in the nursery kitchen by Robert the Nursery Chef. Robert uses locally sourced or grown produce and changes the menu on a weekly basis, making meal times a popular part of the day for both the children and the team!

When the children come indoors, the high ceilings, large windows and the tastefully decorated interior means there is an abundance of light and airy spaces for the children and babies to enjoy with a wide choice of toys, crafts, books, activities and quiet spaces. It has a homely feel with dedicated zones for cooking, dining, playing, reading and sleeping. The Cedar Suite caters for the needs of

As a ‘Nature’ nursery, the children are encouraged and enjoy supervised outdoor learning and play as much as possible, with space for arts and crafts, water play and physical activity as well

If you would like more information about The Orchard please contact Kim or Susan on 01387 253003 or orchardnaturenursery@yahoo.co.uk. www.orchardnaturenursery.co.uk 54

children aged 2 – 5 years and The Willow Suite at the rear of the building is set up specifically for the babies and under 2’s.

The nursery is open five days a week; Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and can offer full-day and half-day sessions to meet the needs of the children and their families.

Kim and her family started the business almost nine years ago on the 11th January 2013. Kim said: “We have managed the business through difficult times including a recession and most recently through the coronavirus pandemic.

We continue to focus on providing a child-led and play-based homely childcare environment for children and we do our best to ensure they learn, play and develop life-skills in a fun, safe,

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relaxed, friendly and homely environment. Having our own secure outdoor space and access to the wider grounds at The Crichton is a real advantage and it means the children, and our team, get lots of fresh air - this has always been important, but it has become even more important during the pandemic. We have the best of both worlds here; close proximity to the town and a countryside view and environment. I am extremely grateful to Susan and the wider team for being so calm, caring, professional and supportive and for helping both the children and the business to flourish.”

If you would like more information about The Orchard please contact Kim or Susan on 01387 253003 or orchardnaturenursery@yahoo.co.uk.

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KELTON’S SLEEPOVER AT THE CRICHTON This article was researched and supported by Lara Reid, Foundation Apprentice from Dumfries High School (see page 36)

Kelton is a one-tonne wicker Belted Galloway Bull who stands at three metres tall and was created by Galloway wicker artist, Trevor Leat.

Trevor was commissioned to make Kelton for the Dumfries and Galloway Regional Showcase at The Royal Highland Show in Ingliston, Edinburgh in June 2021. Kelton was named in honour of the rural parish of Kelton in Dumfries and Galloway.

Trevor, who has been creating giant wicker sculptures, baskets and furniture for over 30 years, first began weaving as a small child using found materials and at one point constructed a wooden raft using a collection of wooden lolly sticks, which he floated down the River Thames! These days Trevor’s work can be found in galleries and at events and he is particularly well known for creating amazing feature sculptures for festivals and outdoor events, including The Wickerman for The Wickerman Festival.

Since leaving Edinburgh, Kelton has toured Dumfries and Galloway stopping off at different attractions along the way, including here at The Crichton in Dumfries from the 9th November.

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During his stay at The Crichton, Kelton stood outside Crichton Central and was much admired by everyone who passed by. The children from Holywood Primary School and Orchard Nature Nursery also enjoyed a visit to see Kelton.

There was some added excitement during Kelton’s sleepover at The Crichton, when Trevor was announced as the deserving winner of the Dumfries and Galloway Life Visual Artist/Maker of the Year Award for 2021. The award, sponsored by Crichton Central, was presented to Trevor by Dr Ian Macmillan, Chair of The Crichton Trust Board at an awards ceremony at Easterbrook Hall on the 12th November.

The Crichton Trust would like to congratulate Trevor on this fantastic achievement. Thanks also to Cathy Agnew for managing Kelton’s involvement in The Royal Highland Showcase and for arranging Kelton’s sleepover at The Crichton.

Photo credit: D&G Life

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TOTEM LATAMAT HAS RETIRED TO THE CRICHTON Indigenous artwork Totem Latamat, carved by Totonac artist Jun Tiburcio, completed the 9,000km trip from Mexico to the UK for COP26 and is now resting at The Crichton in Dumfries.

Stopping at iconic locations across England and Scotland before arriving at the Indigenous Elders’ camp in Glasgow, Totem Latamat has now been ceremonially returned to the Earth to emphasise the cyclical and transient nature of life and art. As part of Border Crossings’ ORIGINS Festival, Totem Latamat was a message from the Totanac people to our communities and world leaders conveying how deeply interwoven our existence is with nature and the need for immediate action to disrupt the damage done by climate change.

Cut from a single cedar tree and standing at 4.5m tall, Totem Latamat demanded that neither it nor its message be ignored about the crucial role of Indigenous people and local communities in mitigating and adapting to the climate emergency.

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A post-COP26 debate, reflecting on Totem Latamat’s journey, also took place at Crichton Central on the 19th November. The discussion, chaired by Michael Walling from Border Crossings, involved Alexandra P. Alberda, Curator of Indigenous Perspectives at Manchester Museum, Anna Perdibon, Independent researcher, Graham Harvey, Professor of Religious Studies at The Open University and Stephen Peake, Professor of Climate Change and Energy at The Open University.

A Return to Earth Ceremony on the grounds of The Crichton on the 20th. During the ceremony, Totem Latamat was laid to rest and can now be found resting on the lawn at The Crichton where it will slowly decay over many years. Until then, Totem Latamat will act as a constant reminder about the need for individuals and communities to make changes that will protect the environment for future generations to enjoy.

Following COP26, Totem Latamat was transported to The Crichton in Dumfries.

Totem Latamat attracted interest from the local community during its first days in Dumfries including visits from regional schools and community groups.

Michael said: “Totem Latamat isn’t a piece of visual art in the Western sense - it doesn’t make sense to put it in a gallery, a sculpture park or a museum. It isn’t about material value - it’s about living interactions with places and spaces, people and communities.

So, like everything which is alive, it has to die, and that’s what the final ceremony at Dumfries was really all about. It’s part of the environmental message from the Indigenous people who sent the totem: the artwork has its ecological sustainability contained within it. It’s going to decay naturally as it lies in an area that is being rewilded, and so become, once again, a part of the Earth.”

Holywood Primary School enjoyed a funfilled day out at The Crichton which included storytelling at Totem Latamat and a picnic lunch with Kelton the Belted Galloway. They also enjoyed time exploring the grounds and completing The Crichton Tree Trail.

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Drawing For Enjoyment hold regular workshops at Crichton Central and they were recently inspired by Totem Latamat. Here are some of their creations.

Professor Harvey said: “For many Indigenous communities, art-works like Totem Latamat are respected as messengers in their own right. When they have done their job, they retire. Having delivered a message at COP26, Totem Latamat is now restfully decaying back into the earth. It was always intended to be an active participant in vital (life-giving) events rather than a museum piece or a heritage symbol. In retirement, Latamat will be returning carbon into soil, offering a good lesson about the ecology of life. The Crichton in Dumfries is the perfect place for Totem Latamat’s retirement both because of its ecology and its education activities.

Latamat is now becoming compost in an area of The Crichton’s large park which will be rewilded. The Crichton is also an important education centre, in which The Open University in Scotland has a key role, so the Totem’s success as a conveyer of Indigenous knowledge will be respected.”

Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust said: “Totem Latamat really makes you think about our impact on the environment and what we, as individuals and as an organisation, can do to make a positive contribution towards becoming carbon Net Zero by 2030. It is a real privilege that this totem should find its final resting place here at The Crichton in Dumfries and we are honoured to have been involved in the final part of its extraordinary journey. There is something quite amazing about it being returned back to earth and as an object of curiosity, it is something people will visit and talk about for decades to come.”

Anyone wishing to visit Totem Latamat in its final resting place can come along to The Crichton anytime. To arrange a group visit please contact The Crichton Trust on 01387 247544.

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Find out more in the blog link below: Click here to view video

https://www.crichton.co.uk/totemlatamat-has-retired-to-the-crichton/

TOTEM LATAMAT was organised by Border Crossings as part of the ORIGINS Festival and was co-presented by Centro de las Artes Indígenas, The Open University and the Embassy of Mexico and supported by The Crichton Trust and Creeping Toad during the final part of its journey to Dumfries.

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When it comes to filling the dance floor at a wedding, special occasion or party night, Mr Jingles, better known as Mike Wells from Jingles Disco, is the man for the job!

Mike worked in the NHS for 20 years and has been a DJ for 38 years. Approximately 10 years ago, he decided to become a full-time DJ and has recently diversified into the world of videography. When reflecting on his career his said: “Becoming a full-time DJ was one of the best moves I ever made and through promotion and advertising, Jingles has become one of the busiest wedding discos in Dumfries and Galloway and I’m proud to be taking my business in new directions too.”

Oh, what a night!

If you are hosting a party, you want it to be a good one! Mike has hosted many a party at The Crichton including wedding receptions, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations and Christmas party nights and when Mike is in charge of the entertainment, you know it’s going to be a good night!

As well as hosting a great party and keeping the guests dancing and singing all night, Mike also captures the occasion on camera (and often on film too), so that when the buzz of the party is over, there are lots of fun and lively photographs and videos to prove it!

You only need to browse Mike’s social media channels to see for yourself how much fun and laughter there is at a Jingles Disco!

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Jingles all the way!

In a normal year, Mike would host around five festive party nights, including locally at The Crichton Golf Club. In 2020 and 2021, Mike was all set to host the Christmas Party Nights at Easterbrook Hall, but sadly, coronavirus had other ideas and all, but one, of the sell-out Christmas parties had to be cancelled. Third time lucky!

When talking about what makes a good party, Mike said: “Well, I like to know in advance who is coming along to each party, so I can say hello and get a feel for what they might expect and enjoy. I can then select appropriate background music to suit each group while they are enjoying their meal. I also like to personally welcome groups over the mic and encourage interaction throughout the night. Creating a good atmosphere early on in the evening gets us off to a good start and helps to ensure we build up to a great finish too!”

I do weddings!

Over the years, Mike has built up a reputation as a popular wedding DJ, and more recently as a photographer and videographer, visiting wedding venues all over the region and beyond, including Easterbrook Hall and Holiday Inn Dumfries at The Crichton. Mike is much loved and well respected by the many couples and families who book him for their big day and also by the venues teams and other suppliers supporting the delivery of weddings, parties and events.

Mike said: “I am primarily a wedding DJ and I just absolutely love what I do. I get to see people at their happiest, either at a wedding or a party, and nothing comes close to having a full dancefloor and seeing people enjoying themselves. For me, there is no better feeling in world!”

I am very proud of the unique all-white disco set-up that I designed to show ‘on the day’ photographs and I love watching guests walk into the room for the first time and seeing their reaction to the photos that are showing on the disco frontage, they just love it! My films are receiving great reviews from my clients too, so long may that continue!”

Information on Jingles Disco can be found at www.jinglesdisco.com or www.facebook.com/jinglesdisco Information about Jingles Video can be found at www.jinglesvideo.com or www.facebook.com/jinglesvideo 68

Mike’s clients also love what he does…

“Mike was absolutely fantastic! I cannot recommend him enough! The service we got was very professional, friendly and welcoming. Nothing was too much trouble and he personalised the screen to our theme, which looked amazing. He read the room very well and the dance floor was always full! Everyone at our wedding commented on how great he was! Thank you for being part of our day.”

Tina Henderson “Absolutely amazing! Read the room and knew exactly what to play to get everyone up and dancing. So accommodating and made sure everything was perfect!! 10/10!”

Jemma McMurdo

FINALIST 2022 As testimony to the friendly, fun and professional services that Mike delivers to all of his clients, he has recently been shortlisted as a finalist in The 9th Scottish Wedding Awards 2022. The final is scheduled to take place in Glasgow on 23rd February 2022.

Editor: Judging by some of the feedback we have seen from Mike’s clients, he is certainly deserving of this award and we wish him all the best in the final! Congratulations Mike and all the best from everyone at The Crichton!

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THE CRICHTON TREE COLLECTION:

AUTUMN HIGHLIGHTS BY MIKE CAUGHLIN

For this issue of The Crichton Magazine, we asked Mike to tell us more about The Crichton Tree Collection and in particular to focus on the trees that add colour to The Crichton landscape during the autumn months.

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AUTUMN COLOURS

TREE FUNGI

Around mid-October, some of the early autumn colours are provided by cherries and maples, while many of the other trees remain green. The way the colours evolve over these weeks is different each year, so trying to predict when to visit the Crichton grounds is not easy! The best way is to visit regularly and to enjoy seeing how things change from week to week.

Another feature worth looking out for in the autumn is the fruiting bodies of different tree fungi which appear during late summer and into autumn. Eagle-eyed visitors may have spotted several fruiting bodies growing at the base of the Sweet chestnut, which you pass on the way into Rutherford-McCowan.

These fungal brackets are examples of Grifola frondosa or Hen-of-the-woods and feed by breaking down the wood in the tree.

By November, there are still some rich colours to enjoy, but once again this varies depending on whether the weather has been kind.

Tree fungi are a normal part of tree ecology, but since they can lead to extensive wood decay it is important to monitor them to ensure the trees remain healthy and don’t pose a hazard to people and property. If a vital part of a tree is weakened by the presence of a fungus, it could increase the chances of the tree blowing over or dropping a branch. In the case of the Sweet chestnut, the signs are that the tree is not greatly affected by the action of the fungus so far.

The key to a good display seems to be cold temperatures at night to stimulate the colour changes, while avoiding strong winds, which blow the leaves off the trees. Sadly, we witnessed this in the recent storm when the last of the autumn leaves were rapidly blown from the trees.

When conditions are right, it gives a chance for the leaves of all the different species go through their full range of colour changes.

Not all trees contribute greatly to the display, but at The Crichton many of the species have been specially chosen for their autumn colours. One of my favourites is the Dawn Redwood in the heart of the arboretum. Although this is a conifer, it’s not an evergreen and the soft leaves will turn shades of yellow-brown, pink, apricot and copper before eventually falling.

There is a wide range of fungi which affect trees in different ways and each tends to prefer different species. As part of managing the tree collection and keeping the trees in good condition, we look out for fruiting bodies and other signs which might betray the presence of a fungus.

Don’t forget the grounds and gardens at The Crichton are free to explore 365 days a year.

Check out The Crichton Tree Trail on our website and take a look at the photo on the inside cover to see how much fun the pupils from Holywood Primary School had on their recent visit to The Crichton.

The Tulip tree which featured in the last article is another one to look out for in the arboretum. Its butter-yellow autumn colour provides a nice contrast to the shades of red and brown of other trees.

https://www.crichton.co.uk/the-crichtontree-trail/ 71

BABY LOSS AWARENESS AND SUPPORT We are fortunate to host The Dumfries and Galloway Tree of Tranquillity at The Crichton and to work closely with SiMBA and others to raise awareness of the support that is available to anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby in Dumfries and Galloway.

Dumfries and Galloway Tree of Tranquillity SiMBA installed the Tree of Tranquillity within the gardens at The Crichton on the 30th November 2020. It is a peaceful place where families and individuals can go to reflect on their loss and to remember the young lives that were lost too soon.

It also acts an important reminder that other families are also affected by baby loss and encourages families to consider and support each other.

During the Autumn, SiMBA installed a halo around the tree with the purpose of protecting the tree, but also to provide a place for interpretation panels. Gillian Wells, Service Manager - Family Rooms and Trees of Tranquillity from SiMBA said: “We were delighted to install the first ever halo in the grounds of The Crichton.

The halo circles and protects our beautiful Dumfries and Galloway Tree of Tranquillity and also provides a framework for displaying storyboards, which help to explain the significance of the tree and what this beautiful sculpture represents. The boards also provide information about how to order a leaf for the tree and how to get in touch with SiMBA. Once again we would like to say thank you to the local community for supporting this project, we have been truly touched by the level of kindness and generosity in Dumfries and Galloway.”

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Baby Loss Awareness Week 2021

KEEP THE CANDLE BURNING ON CHRISTMAS EVE

In the middle of October, the Crichton Memorial Church was illuminated in pink and blue in support of Baby Loss Awareness Week, which runs every year from the 9th – 15th October. During this week, SiMBA also hosted a virtual Wave of Light event which was first shown on the 15th of October at 7:00pm.

The service can still be viewed here: www.simbacharity.org.uk/baby-lossawarness-week-9th-15th-october/

On Christmas Eve, SiMBA will bring families together to light a candle in honour of all the babies who have lit up our lives and they would love you to join in. Please visit the SiMBA Facebook page at 7pm on the 24th December to join their Keep the Candle Burning Christmas Eve Remembrance Event: https://www.facebook.com/SiMBAteam

Support SiMBA

Find Out More

Anyone who would like to support the #keepthecandleburning campaign in memory of their baby can make a donation here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ keepthecandleburning2021

Find out how to request a leaf for the tree or more about SiMBA and the work they do to support families and communities please visit: https://www.simbacharity.org.uk/ get-in-touch/

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‘UP THE MIDDLE ROAD’: CRICHTON STORIES OF RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY

By Dr Valentina Bold, Heritage Project Officer

In 2022, Scotland’s Year of Stories, a host of exciting events will be held across the country, celebrating Scotland’s rich storytelling and literary heritage.

from National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players. We would also like to thank The Crichton Foundation, for their financial support.

I am delighted, and proud, to announce that The Crichton Heritage Project will be featured within this programme, through ‘Up the Middle Road’: Crichton Stories of Resilience and Recovery. We are grateful for the support of the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund which will make this possible. This fund is being delivered in partnership between VisitScotland and Museums Galleries Scotland with support

‘Up The Middle Road’ will creatively share the stories of The Crichton Royal Institution, as told first-hand by former patients, nurses, support staff and those who grew up on this resonant site, and in the places where they happened. Their powerful and authentic narratives, compassionate and inspiring, shed new life on the hidden life of The Crichton Royal, from the late 1930s to the 1990s.

The Crichton TRUST | GRIERSON HOUSE www.crichton.co.uk 74

To communicate Crichton stories effectively, and in respectful ways, it will be my pleasure and privilege to work with four of Scotland’s finest storytellers in words and music. Amanda Edmiston is an artist and storyteller who specialises in healing tales. Her previous commissions include work with the National Museum of Rural Life, National Library of Scotland, Chelsea Physic Garden and Scottish Ballet; a regular performer at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, her work has been appreciated through international tours ranging as far as China.

Award-winning Kathleen Cronie, who will guide us around the site, is well-known as a champion of the stories, and hidden histories, of Dumfries and Galloway, with Mostly Ghostly Tours. Her current portfolio includes innovative and informative tours starting at the Crichton Crypt. Musical interpretations will be provided by internationally respected performers Emily Smith and Jamie McClennan, who have worked together for almost twenty years and live in Dumfries and Galloway. Emily is twice winner of Scots Singer of the Year and, together with Jamie, has performed globally, including Europe, North America, Japan and Australasia. The performers will be joined by two apprentices, recruited locally, contributing to a legacy of expertise and knowledge among young people within Dumfries and Galloway.

Two performances, and a learning workshop, will be held over two days: Friday 24th and Saturday 25th of June. One performance will be filmed for later on-line delivery. Starting from an assembly point at Easterbrook Hall, performers and audience will move together through the centre of the estate, enjoying significant Crichton spaces including the Rock Gardens, Solway House, and the Sports fields where patients and staff together enjoyed therapeutic and recreational activities: gardening, making, football and cricket matches.

Building on The Crichton’s heritage of developing creativity through movement, drama and the visual arts, if circumstances allow, we may enter some of The Crichton’s historic buildings – if not, we will pause outside, to listen to stories and songs that communicate the past of particular places, and the experiences of those who had treatments, worked and lived there.

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These events are free for schools and young people within Dumfries and Galloway, as well as to the former patients and staff whose experiences are at the heart of ‘Up the Middle Road’, with a learning event attached to one performance. A nominal fee of £5 will be paid by other attendees. Provision will be made for disabled access, and for individual needs, and we would appreciate being made aware of these at the time of booking.

“With all that is going on in the world today, mental health is very much at the forefront of national conversation and so 'Up The Middle Road' is a timely project that we’re honoured to be a part of. We’re looking forward to hearing the stories of the patients who spent time at The Crichton Royal in Dumfries and hopefully turn their legacy into music that will speak to our own experiences and lives today.”

Emily Smith and Jamie McClennan

More details of this, and other activities at The Crichton in Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, will be promoted in future issues of this magazine, on our website and on social media. We hope to see you there.

"I feel incredibly honoured to have been invited to collaborate on 'Up the Middle Road', an innovative, uplifting and deeply moving insight into the lives of people connected with The Crichton Royal Infirmary here in Dumfries. Bringing alive the history of the region's people and places is something I feel incredibly passionate about, and to have an opportunity to work with our friends at The Crichton Trust and a range of immensely

Tickets should be booked in advance and you can do so, from early next year: https://www. crichton.co.uk/event/up-the-middle-roadcrichton-stories-of-recovery-and-resilience/

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talented and respected collaborators to realise this ambitious project is just amazing. "Up The Middle Road'' is a truly unique event, and one that is set to shine, in this, Scotland's Year of Stories.''

Kathleen Cronie from Mostly Ghostly Tours “I am absolutely delighted to have this chance to share the experiences of those who know The Crichton best, in this creative way. I am also so grateful to the people, former patients and staff, who came forward to be recorded during the pandemic. Their generosity, along with their knowledge and insight, has made this project possible. Together, we look forward to honouring their stories with respect, and admiration, bringing the legacy of The Crichton into the present, for those within this region and beyond’. Dr Valentina Bold, The Crichton Trust.

View The Crichton Trust blog: https://www.crichton.co.uk/ crichton-stories-to-feature-in-year-ofstories-2022/ View the official launch of Year of Stories 2022: https://youtu.be/N-SDmagVbBg For details of Year of Stories 2022 events taking place throughout Scotland visit: https://www.visitscotland.org/ news/2021/yos-events #YS2022 #TalesofScotland #TheCrichton

Photo credits: Dr Valentina Bold, Mike Bolam Photography and Wellcome Trust: Crichton Archive

Year of Stories 2022 at The Crichton is supported by

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Friday 11 March 2022

Box Office 01387 253383 www.crichton.co.uk

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Thursday 28 April 2022 Box Office 01387 253383 www.crichton.co.uk 79

£100 VOUCHER PER FAMILY FOR TAKING PART

connectedhomes

What is the research about?

The aim of this project is to better understand how people use digital technologies in their home lives, what kinds of technologies they use, what households like or don’t like about them, and how technology can help to make home life more manageable and enjoyable.

What does the research involve?

You will be asked to take part in 4 activities including: (1) filling in a diary of your use of technology in one day; (2) a household discussion about using technologies in the home (90 minutes); (3) a walking interview of where technologies are in your home (15 minutes); and (4) a collaborative and participatory workshop in early 2022 about the future of connected homes.

Who can take part?

We would like to speak with households (single or multi-person families), age 16+, living in the Dumfries area.

If you and your household are interested in getting involved or want to know more, please get in touch with Dr. Ryan Casey. We would really appreciate your participation. This project is intended to be fun and engaging and will help inform how we might design technologies and homes of the future.

Email: ryan.casey@crichton.co.uk Call/text/WhatsApp: 07943 677269

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Inspiring Connections at Crichton Central

NEW CAFE AND CO-WORKING SPACE at #TheCrichton

Cafe, Deli Counter, Lounge, Terrace and Lawn Sit In, Sit Out, Takeaway Open 7 days/week

Memberships, Meeting Rooms and Connectors Workspace Launching soon

Indoor/Outdoor Events Space, Live Streaming and Radio Studio Licenced Bar

Find us in The Crichton Business Park Tel: 01387 702234 Email: central@crichton.co.uk www.crichtoncentral.co.uk

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South of Scotland Enterprise is visiting 24 villages and towns across the region between November engagement tour.

The sessions are open to everyone in the South to meet SOSE’s Chair, Professor Russel Griggs OBE, and Chief Executive Jane Morrison-Ross and give their views on what they think the priorities should be for our local economy.

All venues will be COVID-safe, with two virtual events available for anyone unable to attend an inWe are here to establish the person event.

South of Scotland as a centre o

Sign up and come talk to us

Registration is required for each event visit www.southofscotlandenterprise.com/ engagementsessions Or phone 0300 304 8888 if you require assistance booking your place.

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DRIVE IN CHRISTMAS MOVIES AT THE CRICHTON

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Find out online at

www.crichton.co.uk/whats-on

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

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www.dumfriestattoo.co.uk

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

We propose you give us a ring!

01387 702020

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

Easterbrook Bistro Coffee, Lunch & Afternoon Tea Sit In, Sit Out, Take Away www.easterbrookbistro.co.uk 89 T: 01387 702 500

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 at The Crichton

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Keep your profile up to date in The Crichton Business Directory

Get in touch to discuss contributions to The Crichton Magazine

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THE CRICHTON DIRECTORY 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 100 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

91 www.crichton.co.uk/the-crichton-business-park

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

www.crichton.co.uk

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