The Crichton Magazine | Summer 2021 | Issue 5

Summer 2021 Issue 5

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The Crichton Memorial Church

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CONTENTS SUMMER 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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54-55

Welcome from Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive

Tenant Spotlight: The Care Training Consortium

Heritage Feature: The Village

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31

56-59

An update from The Crichton Trust

Tenant Spotlight: Care Visions

Doonhame Festival

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32-35

60

Quarterly Crichton Briefing Monthly Tenants’ Forum

Tenant Spotlight: SHAX

Days Out at The Crichton

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38-39

61

The Legacy of Elizabeth Crichton

Crichton Central

The Royal Burgh of

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40-41

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With Thanks from SiMBA

The Crichton Memorial Church

Absolute Classics

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42

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Scotland’s First Rural 5G Hub

South of Scotland Enterprise

Theatre: Much Ado About Nothing

20-21

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64

Dumfries Tattoo

Key Appointment Regional Economic at 5G Hub Partnership Consultation

Venue Hire at The Crichton What’s On at The Crichton

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44-45

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Be Prepared to Save a Life

Tree Knowledge Weddings at The Crichton

by Mike Caughlin

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46-49

66-67

Tenant Spotlight: Border Floor

The Crichton Lewis

The Crichton Community The Crichton Directory

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50-51

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Tenant Spotlight: Better Lives Partnership

Employee Feature: Jennifer Challinor

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Seasonal Selection

by Mike Bolam

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WELCOME Welcome to the fifth issue of The Crichton Magazine.

some recruitment challenges when it comes to recruiting chefs and so we would welcome enquiries from experienced and aspiring chefs who would like the opportunity to join our team here at The Crichton.

A lot has happened since our first issue with many challenges, some great opportunities, lots of uncertainty and thankfully, some optimism!

As an organisation, and as a community, we have much to celebrate and we should be proud of how we have adapted and coped with the challenges of the pandemic. We have worked together throughout to support each other through the most challenging of times and this strong sense of community will give us the confidence we need to collectively build back better.

We may be in the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic but, for now at least, we have slightly more freedoms that we have had of late and the opportunity to get out and about to catch up with family, friends and colleagues, albeit at a safe distance, with face coverings, hand sanitiser and a double vaccination. A small price to pay, to keep ourselves and others safe.

We are already experiencing a steady increase in new tenants relocating to The Crichton and a renewed enthusiasm for collaborative projects and initiatives, some of which you will read about in this issue of The Crichton Magazine.

In the last issue we were happy with the prospect of a walk or cycle in the grounds or a cuppa outdoors with a friend, but we are of course delighted that we are now able to meet up in small groups and to welcome people back into our (well-ventilated) homes and venues.

Things have been, and will continue to be tough, for organisations and individuals, but I am extremely grateful and proud of our team and the wider community for their dedication, hard work and perseverance during the past 16 months.

Here at The Crichton we have continued to enjoy a regular flow of visitors to our outdoor spaces and to see the gradual return of visitors to our cafes. You just need to flick through this magazine to see how fortunate we are to have such a beautiful estate on our doorsteps – colourful blooms, magnificent buildings, talented people and amazing spaces.

As we move forward, I am committed to building on the historic legacy of Elizabeth Crichton and putting the needs of our people, place, planet at the forefront of our decisionmaking and in building a sustainable future for The Crichton.

The highlights in recent weeks, have been the phased opening of our new café at Crichton Central, the launch of the first rural 5G hub in Scotland and the excitement surrounding the hosting of carefully managed outdoor events and small-scale trial events in our venues too.

For now, may I wish you all a safe and happy summer enjoying outdoor events and hospitality with family and friends.

While many of our colleagues, partners and tenants are still working from home, it has been fantastic to see others spending some time back in the workplace. While it is unlikely that we will ever return to pre-covid working practices, but we are excited about adopting a blended approach and welcoming returning and new tenants and members along to use our offices, meeting rooms and co-working spaces when restrictions ease. On the down-side, we, like many other hospitality venues, are currently experiencing

Gwilym Gibbons Chief Executive

#TheCrichton #APlaceToBreathe #TheCrichtonCommunity #BuildBackBetter

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AN UPDATE FROM THE CRICHTON

by Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive, The Crichton Trust

The Summer Garden

After a quiet and regulated start to 2021, we enjoyed a slightly more sociable Spring and although still restricted, we are very much looking forward to a more eventful summer.

While Covid-restrictions have eased in recent weeks, we are aware of the ongoing risks of Covid-19 and the impact this continues to have on our work and personal lives. Fortunately, as an organisation and community, we have adapted in response to the challenges of the pandemic so far and in recent weeks we have been able to take small, cautious steps back into the world of hospitality, events and staycations.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS As I have said many times, The Crichton grounds have been, and continue to be, a real asset.

We have all witnessed the changing seasons on our regular walks through the grounds and as restrictions have eased, we have also taken time to enjoy picnics and coffee breaks in our outdoor spaces. The grounds and gardens are particularly lovely during the Spring and early Summer here at The Crichton and if you haven’t experienced them for yourself this year, then you’ll be pleased to see some of our colourful blooms throughout the magazine.

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AN EVENTFUL SUMMER

OPENING DOORS

Although, we are now permitted to meet indoors in small groups, we have been working with partners and promoters to deliver a varied programme of outdoor events this summer. Throughout June and July, we have hosted The Summer Garden at The Crichton, which has seen small groups gather to enjoy the buzz of the Euros, Wimbledon and other themed nights on the large screen.

It’s fair to say that we were all very excited to open the doors to our hospitality venues again in the Spring and we were absolutely delighted to open the doors to our new café at Crichton Central for the first time on Monday 21 June. The opening of the café, lawn and outdoor terrace was part of a phased opening of the new café and coworking space, which will open fully later in the year.

Later in the summer, we will host the opening of Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, enjoy two outdoor theatre shows from Illyria, a series of pop-up shows from the Scottish Opera and welcome the return of the Doonhame Festival (with an amazing line-up of artists) to the grounds of The Crichton at the end of July. It is also wonderful to see small weddings and other events taking place at The Crichton.

With the opening of Crichton Central also came an opportunity to become Scotland’s first rural 5G hub and to host a trial band night to test out our new venue and equipment (see page 18).

During the first weekend in July, we were delighted to open our doors at the Crichton Memorial Church and Easterbrook Hall and to see couples enjoying their long-awaited wedding day.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our event partners and colleagues for their meticulous planning of these events - it is no easy task at the moment, but essential if we are to enjoy events and gatherings this year.

Sadly, a staffing shortage and the current recruitment challenges in the hospitality sector, has resulted in us having to temporarily close Easterbrook Bistro, but it is our intention to reopen the Bistro and to open the swimming pool again as soon as we can. Look out for further updates on our social media channels and websites.

Below: Summer Garden organisisers and sponsors.

Below right: Gordon Clark handing over the keys for Crichton Central to Fiona Rands.

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continued overleaf...

TEAM CRICHTON

THE SCOTTISH BUSINESS PLEDGE AND LIVING WAGE EMPLOYER

We have now welcomed the majority of our venues and property team members back to work, while most of our office-based colleagues continue to work from home. It has been a particularly challenging time for everyone having to adapt, often at short notice, to changing circumstances.

As an employer, we are committed to looking after our colleagues and so I was delighted earlier this year, when we were accepted as a member of the Scottish Business Pledge network. This is valuesled partnership between the Scottish Government and businesses and aims to promote growth and sustainability through our commitment to fairness, equality, opportunity and innovation in Scotland.

I would like to thank all members of our team for remaining flexible and for doing the best they can throughout the pandemic.

I particularly want to thank our venues, tech and property teams for the part they have played in delivering the Crichton Central project and for supporting the recent transition into our new venue, with Covid restrictions, new systems, new team members and extended operating hours to take into account. I’m delighted to say that we have received many favourable comments about the quality of the venue, tech, food and service. I have to say I am enjoying the odd bacon roll and coffee on the terrace too!

This commitment to our staff has also been acknowledged by Living Wage Scotland, who have recently accredited The Crichton Trust as a Living Wage employer. This means we have been recognised for paying our staff the real Living Wage, which is not only good for employees, but is also good for business and society as a whole.

I am also pleased to welcome a number of new employees to our team and would encourage anyone looking for a new role to check out the vacancies on our website and to consider joining our team.

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Memorandum of Understanding with SHAX, homeless support charity, to find them a new home at The Crichton (see page 32).

THE CRICHTON COMMUNITY I’m pleased to say that as a community, we have stuck together throughout the pandemic and although we have lost of a few of our tenants, we have also gained new tenants and partners we look forward to getting to know them in the weeks and months ahead.

As part of our commitment to making The Crichton a safe place for our staff, tenants and guests, we are grateful to The Boyd Group for donating a defibrillator for Crichton Central and for supporting our ‘Be prepared to save a life’ campaign (see page 22).

We continue to host a monthly Tenants Forum’ on Teams to bring our tenants and partners together and as well as providing us with an opportunity to meet and update everyone, we also enjoy regular updates from our tenants and partners too. A summary of these meetings can be found on our blog.

It’s difficult to predict how things will shape up over the coming weeks and months, but while we know there will twists and turns, we remain optimistic about building a sustainable future for The Crichton and we look forward to celebrating 25 years of The Crichton Trust later this year too.

We have also made an important commitment and signed a formal

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Quarterly Crichton Briefings with The Crichton Trust for The Crichton Community 4pm, First Tuesday in Sept / Dec / Mar / Jun ZOOM ID: 838 7652 3626

Future Thinking Briefings and Q&A All welcome hello@crichton.co.uk 01387 247544

Monthly Tenants’ Forum For tenants and partners at The Crichton 11AM ON TEAMS, LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH The Crichton Trust Update Tenant/Partner Update Informal Q&A Joining details on email invitation hello@crichton.co.uk 01387 247544 10

Donna Edmunds, Border Floor, in the lounge at Crichton Central.

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Dame Barbara Kelly CBE, FRSE, LLD

BUILDING ON THE LEGACY OF ELIZABETH CRICHTON Back in the 1820s, Elizabeth Crichton attempted to fund a university in Dumfries. Despite her best efforts, it was not to be and instead she went on create The Crichton Royal Institute, which became a world-renowned centre of excellence in mental health care. Fast forward 200 years and we are left wondering what Elizabeth Crichton would make of the legacy she left behind.

We know that Elizabeth was inspirational, influential, determined and forward-thinking and although she did not initially succeed in her attempts to establish a university in Dumfries, it is thanks to her vision, commitment and ability to adapt that she maximised the use of the £100,000 left to her by her husband to create the magnificent estate that we all know, and love, as The Crichton.

been at the forefront of all decisions, and who would have believed that building this estate and a community where people lived, worked, developed new skills and socialised in stunning buildings and beautiful grounds, would have lasted the test of time.

No more so, than in the past 18 months have we appreciated the legacy of The Crichton quite so much. We have truly valued the open spaces, the stunning buildings, the seasonal blooms and the strength of community during the pandemic, yet missed the face to face interaction and the connection with others in both our professional and personal lives.

It’s not just the legacy of the 85-acre estate that we celebrate today, but also the vision of Elizabeth Crichton to build a sustainable community and to put the wellbeing and development of its people first. We are proud to say that we still aspire to this today.

A number of individuals, organisations and partnerships have been instrumental in protecting the legacy of The Crichton.

Of course, we also celebrate the many people and organisations who have continued to realise Elizabeth’s vision for The Crichton and who have shown similar levels of passion, influence and commitment to drive forward The Crichton to what it is now; a modern business park with over 80 tenants, an academic campus with five academic partners, beautifully maintained buildings, grounds and gardens, a thriving hospitality and events sector and home to Midpark Hospital which specialises in mental health care.

Dame Barbara, chair of the Crichton Campus Leadership Group (CCLG), is one of those individuals. Barbara has shown an extraordinary commitment to pursuing Elizabeth Crichton’s dream and to working with local and national partners and influencers to protect and develop The Crichton and the growth of the Crichton University Campus over the years, and for that we are very grateful.

We asked Dame Barbara to share some of the highlights from the past 25 years.

Throughout the history of the estate, the wellbeing and development of people has

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REFLECTING ON THE PAST 25 YEARS AT THE CRICHTON

By Dame Barbara Kelly

regeneration of The Crichton and the major focus on education has been a vital stimulus for the rebirth of the region as a knowledgebased economy.

“It’s remarkable how time flies and I believe that it’s important to spend a moment reflecting on what has been achieved since the local authority made that all important historic decision in 1995, to purchase The Crichton site from the Health Board. This decision was taken with great courage, foresight and vision and with the primary purpose of ensuring that this magnificent public asset was saved, protected and developed to respond to local ambitions to develop a University Campus offering local access to Higher Education and of course, fulfilling Elizabeth Crichton’s dream for the site. Dumfries and Galloway Council’s support has been critical to the success of The Crichton.

While it’s important that we acknowledge the work of Elizabeth Crichton, it is also important to celebrate the huge amount of progress that has been made since the founding of The Crichton Trust and the arrival of our academic partners to the site in 1996, the contribution of The Crichton Foundation since 1998 and the relocation of Dumfries and Galloway College to the southern edge of The Crichton back in 2008. We must also remember the significant financial backing of the Scottish Funding Council in making further and higher education more accessible in the south of Scotland and the important contribution of our academic partners in key areas such as health, nursing, environment and dairy.

I am always inspired by the beauty of the grounds with their impressive buildings, arboretum and gardens – we have one of the most beautiful campuses in the UK and what a jewel it is for the south of Scotland. The

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The multi-institution campus that we have created here in Dumfries is quite unique and this, combined with the wider collaboration with other academic and business partners, is something we should all be proud of.

The Crichton Trust should be congratulated for their ongoing commitment to protecting and developing the estate and the wider benefits this brings to The Crichton and the south of Scotland.

It is also fantastic that more recently The Crichton Trust has welcomed South of Scotland Enterprise to the estate, opened Crichton Central as a new co-working and collaboration space to further strengthen the links between business, academia and third sector organisations and established The Crichton as the first rural 5G hub in Scotland.

I for one, hope that we will continue to record and share the story of The Crichton and we all have a part to play in this. Be proud of what we have achieved here and remember that this journey began back in the 1820s as a consequence of Elizabeth Crichton’s attempts to fund a university, and which we delivered all those years later in 1996.

As a partnership, we have achieved so much and I am confident that the future of The Crichton is in very good hands.

Later this year, The Crichton Trust will also take this opportunity to outline their ambitious plans for the ongoing preservation and development of The Crichton and its legacy.

Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust said: “I would like to acknowledge the

hard work and achievements of Dame Barbara Kelly and all those who have protected the legacy of The Crichton over the years. As we move forward, I am committed to building on the historic legacy of Elizabeth Crichton and putting the needs of our people, place and planet at the forefront of our decision-making and in building a sustainable future for The Crichton.”

The Crichton Memorial Church is a fitting memorial to Elizabeth Crichton and you can read more about it on pages 40 and 46.

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A WORD OF THANKS FROM You may be aware that our SiMBA Tree of Tranquillity at The Crichton was damaged in April, but we are pleased to let you know that the tree has now been fully repaired. It has been heartwarming to witness the strength of community spirit and to know just how much this beautiful memorial means to everyone.

It has been heartwarming to witness the strength of community spirit and to know just how much this beautiful memorial means to everyone.

A fantastic £3,769.95 was raised by the local community to fund both the repair of the Tree of Tranquillity and site improvements to protect and enhance this beautiful sculpture. We would like to convey our thanks to The Crichton Trust and the local community for their incredible support.

Plans are now underway to install a halo around the base of the tree to give additional protection and to allow us to install storyboards too. Other site enhancements include plans for new plants and solar lighting in the area around the tree.

We believe that by making these improvements and by clearly explaining the meaning and sentiment behind the Tree of Tranquillity, and the support that SiMBA can offer, that we can go on to support even more families in Dumfries and Galloway and significantly reduce the risk of any future damage.

We look forward to continuing our work in Dumfries and Galloway and supporting those who have lost of a baby, at any stage during pregnancy or after birth, in the best way we can.

If you would like to request a leaf for the Tree of Tranquillity; or for further information on any of SiMBAs services please visit our website: www.simbacharity.org.uk 16

The Crichton Gardens 1 75

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY TO HOST SCOTLAND’S FIRST RURAL 5G CONNECTIVITY HUB Farming and rural healthcare are amongst the sectors set to benefit

Government funded £4 million programme to establish a network of 5G innovation hubs to accelerate 5G across the country, reflects the longstanding commitment to deliver enhanced connectivity across all areas of Scotland.

The Crichton, a business and academic campus in Dumfries, will host Scotland’s first rural 5G connectivity hub. The new hub will bring together technological expertise, academic research and local businesses in order to accelerate the potential of 5G to transform communities and economies throughout the south of Scotland.

Created by the Scotland 5G Centre, the national centre for encouraging use of 5G, the S5GConnect programme is seen as a catalyst that will increase awareness about 5G and lead to the development of new products, services and applications. A dedicated team has been recruited for the S5GConnect hub at The Crichton to work with local partners and businesses.

The S5GConnect Dumfries hub, part of the S5GConnect programme, is being equipped with a dedicated 5G network with advanced capabilities including a testbed that will enable SMEs to test products, services and solutions.

Paul Coffey, CEO of The Scotland 5G Centre, said: “Our S5GConnect programme will equip businesses and entrepreneurs across Dumfries & Galloway with the skills they need to understand how 5G can benefit their business. It is planned over three levels – kicking off with raising awareness of the scope of 5G; followed by more detailed evaluation of the business possibilities; culminating in months of in-depth support to scale up and test using our dedicated 5G private network.”

Some of the projects set to get underway include the development of agritech solutions, where sensors and drones are used to measure crop growth, animal behaviour and wellness; and remote healthcare initiatives including the use of 5G technology to support assisted living.

This will mark the third S5GConnect hub, following the establishment of hubs in Forth Valley and Dundee. The choice of Dumfries for the first rural hub of the Scottish

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The Crichton, an 85-acre parkland estate on the edge of Dumfries, is home to over 90 organisations including five academic partners. The S5GConnect hub at The Crichton is being supported by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE). They will be a key partner in helping to develop future 5G dependent projects.

“I am delighted Scotland’s first rural 5G Hub will be in the South of Scotland, and that our organisation is a key partner in this landmark project. While our focus in our first year was to support our region to respond and recover from COVID-19, this significant announcement highlights our commitment to now looking to the future.

Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive of registered charity and social enterprise, The Crichton Trust said: “This is a hugely exciting project which will have a significant impact on the South of Scotland. We believe that 5G connectivity will enable our rural communities to experience the power of fast connectivity and the opportunities this brings for innovation and the future economy, helping to generate the solutions and services we require to meet the challenges of our ageing society, the climate crisis and the fourth industrial revolution. Solutions that start in Dumfries but can scale and be replicated into our neighbouring rural and urban areas and exported across the world.”

“With digital connectivity an issue in a number of areas of the South of Scotland, the 5G Hub will bring together industry, academia and government bodies on a series of projects to explore opportunities which offer considerable benefits to local businesses and communities, including Net Zero manufacturing, farming and agriculture and sustainable and connected housing. I look forward to working with our partners to help the South of Scotland lead the way in this transformational technology.”

A programme of virtual events started in June with a series of in-person events at the hubs from September. Details can be found at https://scotland5gcentre.org/events/

South of Scotland Enterprise’s Chief Executive Jane Morrison-Ross said:

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SCOTLAND 5G CENTRE MAKES KEY APPOINTMENT TO DRIVE FORWARD FIRST RURAL 5G CONNECTIVITY HUB to announce Andy’s appointment at this landmark hub in our S5GConnect programme. Andy’s knowledge and connections will help to equip businesses and entrepreneurs across Dumfries & Galloway with the skills they need to understand how 5G can help to supercharge their business.”

Following on from the announcement that the Scotland 5G Centre has set up their first rural S5GConnect hub at The Crichton in Dumfries, the Centre has appointed Andy Todman as Business Engagement Manager.

Andy will be based at Crichton Central, a new digitally enabled collaborative centre for learning and rural innovation and serving the South of Scotland.

Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust said: “As the first rural 5G connectivity hub in Scotland we are excited about the potential of 5G in rural communities and we look forward to working with Andy in his role as Business Engagement Manager with The Scotland 5G Centre here at The Crichton. We are fortunate to have this opportunity to explore the potential of 5G in rural areas and so if you would like your sector or organisation to be involved in trialling 5G locally, then I would encourage you to get in touch with Andy so that we can put 5G connectivity to the test in Dumfries and Galloway!”

Andy Todman has previously held Chief Executive Officer roles, including for a chain of residential nursing homes and was a Head of Service at Loreburn Housing Association. He brings a wealth of health and social care experience to the hub role and of working throughout the Dumfries and Galloway region.

The S5GConnect Dumfries hub is being equipped with a dedicated 5G network with advanced capabilities including a testbed that will enable SMEs to test products, services and solutions. Andy’s role will be to foster innovation and collaboration by bringing together partners across the private, public and third sectors to create a pipeline of projects that will promote 5G by using the S5GConnect Hub.

For more information on the Dumfries 5GConnect Hub, visit: www.scotland5gcentre.org/s5gconnect/ s5gconnect-dumfries

Paul Coffey, Chief Executive of the Scotland 5G Centre added: “We are delighted 20

21 Left to Right: Gwilym Gibbons, Andy Todman and Paul Coffey

Are you prepared to save a life?

We often hear about the life-saving actions of those who have been first to respond to an emergency situation. How would you respond?

Kenny Henry, one of our colleagues at The Crichton Trust was in this situation recently and thanks to his training, composure and the support of those around him, he was able to help save a life. This has inspired us to review the number and location of our defibrillators on site at The Crichton and to arrange training for our colleagues and partners.

As part of our ongoing campaign to raise awareness of defibrillators and how to buy, display, register, locate and use them we would like to invite you, as a member of The Crichton Community, to sign up to one of our forthcoming training sessions and/or if you don’t already have one to consider purchasing a defibrillator for your office/venue at The Crichton.

Thanks to The Boyd Group for getting behind this campaign and for donating one of their 25 year give-away defibrillators to The Crichton Community. Read on to find out how you and your colleagues can be better prepared to deal with a life-saving situation. Your actions could help save a life.

The Crichton Trust has a defibrillator located outside Easterbrook Hall. This has recently been renamed ‘Kenny’.

Charity registered in Scotland No. SC 024797

The Crichton Trust has located the ‘Boyd’ Defibrillator outside Crichton Central.

In2association with 2

BE PREPARED TO SAVE A LIFE The Crichton Trust and The Boyd Group are working in partnership to better prepare The Crichton Community to save a life. Find out how to…

• source nearby defibrillators and how to access them

• buy a defibrillator and make sure it’s properly registered and maintained

• use a defibrillator and when to administer CPR

FIND OUT WHERE TO LOCATE A DEFIBRILLATOR Know where to find a defibrillator at The Crichton if you need one IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION FIND A DEFIBRILLATOR AND CALL 999 If you need to locate a defibrillator, the Scottish Ambulance Service can help you find the closest registered defibrillator (www.scottishambulance.com). In an emergency, call 999 to request support from the emergency services. Where relevant, the operator will also provide the code required to open the case to the defibrillator.

CRICHTON DEFIBRILLATOR MAP If you have a defibrillator at The Crichton don’t forget to let The Crichton Trust know too, so we can create The Crichton Defibrillator Map. Call 01387 247544.

BUY A DEFIBRILLATOR Get yourself a defibrillator for your office/venue or contribute towards another publicly accessible defibrillator for The Crichton.

BUY A DEFIBRILLATOR AND CABINET (Offer valid until 31 August) Until the 31 August, The Boyd Group is offering defibrillators to The Crichton Community for £800+vat. To install the defibrillators in an accessible outdoor location, an outdoor cabinet is also required. These are available to purchase from The Boyd Group until the 31 August for £523+vat. These cabinets keep the defibrillators secure and help maintain a constant temperature to ensure the defibrillators work when required.

IMPORTANT: REGISTER: If you have or

MAINTAIN: Imagine

KNOW HOW: Prepare

buy a defibrillator, make sure you register it with the Scottish Ambulance Service or The Circuit - the national defibrillator network, so that it can be easily located in an emergency. If it’s not registered no one will know it exists. https://www. scottishambulance.com/ https://www.thecircuit.uk/

sourcing a defibrillator and finding there is no charge in the battery. Defibrillator batteries and pads expire and need to be checked regularly to ensure they are in good working order.

yourself and your colleagues to deal with an emergency first aid situation by signing up for an introductory CPR and AED course or commit to a full day Emergency First Aid at Work Course (See next page).

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MAKE A DONATION TOWARDS A NEW DEFIBRILLATOR FOR THE CRICHTON Whether you are a tenant, partner, employee, regular visitor or friend of The Crichton, we would value financial contributions towards the cost of purchasing another publicly accessible defibrillator for The Crichton. The more we have on site, the more accessible they will be when we need one.

DONATE via The Crichton Trust website or in person at The Crichton Trust Head Office, Grierson House, The Crichton, Dumfries, DG1 4TA.

SIGN UP FOR A TRAINING COURSE Get yourself and or your team/colleagues registered on a training course: Emergency First Aid at Work Course (Accredited and valid for 3 years) Includes a wide range of general first aid topics including the roles and responsibilities of an emergency first aider. minor injuries, wounds, seizures, shock, bleeding (and more) as well as the content from the CPR and AED course.

Dates: 3rd / 4th August and ‘other’ (See Crichton Blog re course content) Time: 1 full day (9am to 4pm) Venue: Easterbrook Hall, The Crichton Cost: £50/head or (£60/head with drinks and lunch) (max group of 12) Payment: Payable to The Crichton Trust AED and CPR Course (Accredited and valid for 3 years) The AED and CPR course includes basic life support, recovery position, choking, CPR and AED. Dates: 3rd / 4th August and ‘other’ (See Crichton Blog re course content) Times: 2 hour sessions (9am-11.15am, 11.45am-2pm, 2.30pm-4.45pm) Venue: Easterbrook Hall, The Crichton Cost: £30-40/head depending on demand (max group of 12 per group) Payment: Payable to The Crichton Trust These courses will be delivered by The Boyd Group as part of this campaign.

Other local training providers are also available.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK: https://www.crichton.co.uk/prepare-to-save-a-life/ www.crichton.co.uk

#preparedtosavealife

Charity registered in Scotland No. SC 024797

In association with

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#thecrichtoncommunity

Crichton Central

Easterbrook Hall

2255

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WELCOME TO THE CRICHTON COMMUNITY

BORDER FLOOR Campbell House

Border Floor was established in 1995. It is a flooring company that specialises in wood and offers dust-free floor sanding and the supply and fitting of wood flooring.

Did you know that by refinishing rather than replacing a floor not only keeps material out of landfill, but also reduces carbon emissions by more than 75%?

Border Floor work in schools, village halls, churches and domestically in customers’ homes and have carried out work at the Crichton Memorial Church and most recently restored the original floors at Crichton Central.

Their new office/showroom is based at Campbell House at The Crichton in Dumfries and is by appointment only 7 days a week. The team also have an office/showroom in Carlisle.

With so many customers in Dumfries and Galloway, Border Floor have been keen to open premises in Scotland for quite some time.

Donna Edmunds, Office Manager at Border Floor said: “The Crichton is a great location and being situated in Campbell House makes me feel like I’m honouring my Scottish heritage as Campbell is my maiden name!”

For further information, contact Border Floor: Tel: 01387 702117, Email: sales@borderfloor.co.uk, Web: www.borderfloor.com

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It’s always a pleasure to welcome new organisations and individuals to The Crichton and so, we thought we would take this opportunity to introduce you to some of our new tenants and partners and give them the opportunity to tell you what they do.

BETTER LIVES PARTNERSHIP Grierson House

The Better Lives Partnership (BLP) became a registered SCIO in 2016. The organisation was set up to develop and deliver a range of opportunities for children and young people with autism and related disabilities as well as the families, carers and practitioners who support them.

The flagship project, The Bridge to Employment Programme (B2E), aims to give young autistic people a structured programme of person-centred accredited training in their area of interest and expertise preparing them for their next step towards employment, self-employment, education or training.

The course covers; Employability (SQA) / Enterprise (ASDAN accredited Short Course) / Independent Living (ASDAN) / A work experience placement / Independent Tasks to suit the individual (often travel training or one of the ASDAN Short Courses in an area of interest to the young person) The course runs Monday to Thursday from 10am – 3pm for 46 weeks of the year. Contact time can be tailored to individual requirements with young people taking part in the elements of the course that interest them.

The Better Lives Partnership have 3 B2E Programmes running across the region – B2E@ Stewartry based in Castle Douglas, B2E@ Wigtownshire based in Stranraer and now our third B2E Programme is based in Grierson House at The Crichton in Dumfries.

“We are delighted to bring B2E people to people at their point of need and look forward to welcoming young people from Nithsdale, Annandale and Eskdale from 23rd August when our new session starts.”

For further information please contact: Catherine Phillips, Team Officer, B2E Nithsdale & Annandale on 07593443484 (Email: cphillips@ betterlivespartnership.org.uk) or telephone our Head Office in Castle Douglas on 01556 503888.

Visit: www.betterlivespartnership.org.uk or social media for more information.

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THE CARE TRAINING CONSORTIUM (CTC) Grierson House

CTC has an established reputation in delivering high quality training within the care sector in Scotland. Like all businesses, CTC had to quickly respond to the challenges of Covid-19 which for the Dumfriesbased business resulted in the swift transition to online learning in 2020. During this time, the team remained focused on meeting the immediate training needs of the Health and Social Care sector, while making plans to enter new sectors in 2021.

Early in 2021, CTC opened a new training facility in Georgetown, was approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to deliver an extended range of SVQs, received funding to embark on a new employability project, recruited two new members of staff and in July, relocated its Head Office to The Crichton.

Ian Seymour, General Manager at CTC said: “It has been an exciting start to the year for CTC and making the move to new premises has been an important part of our development. We are really looking forward to being part of the learning and business community at The Crichton.”

CTC has recently launched a new employability project; Prepare to Care. This initiative encourages those who are unemployed to prepare for a career in the care sector by gaining relevant work experience and qualifications.

SVQs in business, administration and volunteering as well as Assessor and IV Awards for those who assess and verify the achievements of SVQ students.

Ian added: “SVQs provide individuals with self-confidence, a professional career plan and they are a great way for employers to support the professional development of their staff in all sectors. We also know the important role volunteers play in our communities, so by offering an SVQ in Volunteering, we can now help them gain a nationally recognised award for their efforts.

While we remain committed to providing training and qualifications to the care sector in Dumfries and Galloway and throughout Scotland, the provision of new learning opportunities in other sectors strengthens CTC as a local and national training provider and we welcome enquiries from any organisation or individual who would like to discuss their training needs.”

In addition to SVQs in care, CTC now offer

Anyone interested in finding out more about CTC or any of their courses or projects should visit www.caretrain.co.uk or call email: info@caretrain.co.uk 30

CARE VISIONS CHILDREN’S SERVICES Galloway House

Care Visions Children’s Services provide Residential Child Care placements and support foster placements for children and young people in a range of locations throughout the country.

Care Visions enable young people to heal from the past, enjoy the present and plan for the future.

Their story began in 1998, here in Dumfries and Galloway, with the opening of their first children’s home. The therapeutic approach applied in their services developed in a family-like small group setting, through daily rituals, rhythms and activities maximising the potential of the relationships that developed between those who shared the space.

Care Visions enable young people to heal from the past, enjoy the present and plan for the future.

The organisation has grown over the years in response to demand for their services and approach.

While sensitive care needs to take account of the adversity the young people may have experienced, this isn’t the focus of their care. Care Visions enable young people to heal from the past, enjoy the present and plan for the future, through activities and interactions that model positive alternatives to those that they experienced previously.

Crafted through understanding and within trusting relationships to create a nurturing environment, and a culture of hope.

Danny Henderson, Senior Operation Manager (South and West) said: “We have stayed true to our original ideals and the relationships we have with our young people are the roots that sustain us, inspire hope and set the direction for growth, change and development, within and across all of our services. We look forward to getting to know everyone at our new base at The Crichton, so feel free to get in touch.”

In 2006 Care Visions established a fostering service offering progressive care within a family setting that helps children and young people move forward by creating positive conditions for them to thrive in.

Care Visions currently operate 30 residential child care services, and are able to support over 150 young people in foster care across the length and breadth of Scotland.

To find out more about Care Visions visit: https://carevisionsresidential.co.uk/, https:// carevisionsfostering.co.uk/about-us/who-we-are, https://whynottrust.org/ Tenants can update their listings for free by following the link https://www.crichton.co.uk/thecrichton-business-park/the-crichton-business-directory/ or by emailing: news@crichton.co.uk 31

NEW HOME SOUGHT FOR HOMELESS SUPPORT CHARITY AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SHAX have experienced an increased demand for their services as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and while their current warehouse at The Crichton has served them well, it is no longer fit for purpose and is prohibiting the growth and expansion of their salesroom and support services.

As part of this new Memorandum of Understanding, SHAX and The Crichton Trust have agreed to work in partnership to explore the possibility of new purpose built, low carbon premises for SHAX at The Crichton.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING: Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive of The Crichton Trust and Joyce Harkness, Social Enterprise Manager at SHAX signing a Memorandum of Understanding, which confirms the shared commitment of both organisations to the development of a new purpose-built home for SHAX at The Crichton.

Speaking on behalf of The Crichton Trust about their commitment to SHAX, Gwilym Gibbons, Chief Executive said: “As a fellow social enterprise, we value our relationship with SHAX and appreciate the work they do to support the local community.

Our values and ambitions are well aligned and while we acknowledge the need to find new premises, we would like to retain SHAX as a tenant and partner at The Crichton, so we are happy to provide land for new purpose-built premises on site. By supporting this shared development, we are helping to build a sustainable future for both organisations and fulfilling our obligations as a social enterprise.”

Local homeless support charity, SHAX, has this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Crichton Trust to formalise their shared commitment to the development of a new purpose-built home for SHAX at The Crichton in Dumfries.

Founded in February 2012, SHAX is an award winning re-use furniture social enterprise and charity helping people in new and low-income households to start and sustain a home. SHAX currently operate from their base in Merrick House at The Crichton and provide essential support services and household supplies to local people who find themselves homeless, living in poverty or in temporary accommodation. They provide emergency starter packs, a furniture and equipment loan service and tailored financial support packages and payment plans to enable their clients to purchase essential household goods. The SHAX warehouse is well-stocked with pre-loved furniture and household goods which as well as reducing the amount of household waste going into landfill, enables SHAX to generate income to fund client support services.

SHAX is open to the public (Monday to Friday 9.30am-4pm) for anyone who would like to buy or donate goods.

Joyce Harkness, Social Enterprise Manager at SHAX said: “We welcome the opportunity of working in partnership with The Crichton Trust and in supporting the growth of The Crichton community.

The potential to design and develop new, fit for purpose, premises, based on strong green credentials, will not only enable SHAX to build capacity to grow and sustain the number of people benefitting from our homeless support services, but it will also enable us to deliver new and additional services to meet the increasing demand in our area. Benefiting from land and professional expertise from The Crichton Trust makes the project more achievable and deliverable within the ambitious timescales. It has the potential to present new opportunities for collaboration with other tenants and partners at The Crichton too.”

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the 24 May 2021, formally marked the start of this collaborative project, which will, of course, be subject to funding support.

Anyone who would like to support SHAX can contact Joyce Harkness by email: joyce.harkness@shax.org.uk 32

MORE ABOUT SHAX SHAX is a homeless support charity based in Merrick House at The Crichton.

MEET TEAM SHAX: SHAX is governed by Trustees and operates with a dedicated team of staff who are supported by a small group of volunteers. You can read more about the work of the team below and if you think you can support them, please get in touch.

WELCOME TO SHAX: On calling or entering the warehouse at The Crichton, which is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4pm, customers always receive a warm welcome. Members of the public are welcome to visit the warehouse to browse or buy from the sales floor or to drop-off donations. It is also possible to call SHAX to enquire about stock, donations and services.

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STARTER PACKS: SHAX provide a vital Starter Pack service to those who find themselves homeless and in temporary accommodation and need basic supplies such as duvets, pillows, bedding, cutlery, crockery, glasses, toiletries, kettles, toasters and children’s toys, books and stationery. SHAX make up the Starter Packs using new or nearly new donated goods whenever possible, but when items are in short supply they purchase items to complete the packs to meet demand. Packs are generally requested via referrals from local support agencies to support those most in need.

WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT, STOCK CONTROL AND MERCHANDISING: SHAX appreciate the many donations of money and of new and used goods they receive from the public and from retailers and local businesses and the team work hard to manage, grade, store, display, sell, donate and distribute high quality stock to customers and to clients. The warehouse has everything from large items of furniture such as beds, sofas, desks and wardrobes to ornaments, dishes, electrical goods, white goods, curtains, linen, soft furnishings, toys, books and DVDs, which members of the public can both donate or buy from SHAX.

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DELIVERIES AND COLLECTIONS: SHAX offer a friendly delivery and collection service within Dumfries and surrounding areas.

With only one van on the road, customers who are able are encouraged, where possible, to collect and drop-off goods directly from or at the warehouse at The Crichton.

QUALITY STANDARDS: SHAX is accredited

by REVOLVE, Scotland’s second-hand shopping network. To ensure the goods customers and clients receive or purchase from SHAX are clean and safe to use, the team also have to manage a number of hygiene and other safety checks. This includes everything from the laundering of duvets and bed linen to the PAT testing of white goods and other electrical items.

Revolve is a quality standard for secondhand stores in Scotland and is awarded to stores that meet high standards in safety, cleanliness and service, giving shoppers that extra reassurance to shop second- hand first.

JOYCE HARKNESS: Joyce Harkness is the Social Enterprise Manager at SHAX. Joyce welcomes enquiries from any business, organisation or individual who can support SHAX. She said: “While there is the exciting prospect of new warehouse premises for SHAX at The Crichton, we are also making plans to open a new retail outlet in the town centre of Dumfries. By having a shop in the town centre, we hope to let more people know about the products and services we offer and to drive more footfall to our warehouse at The Crichton.

These developments will require additional financial and human resource and so, I’m always happy to hear from anyone who can support us, whether it’s buying from us, donating goods, volunteering or offering financial or in-kind donations. These contributions all help us support some of the most vulnerable individuals and families within our local community and help us to become a self-sustainable social enterprise.”

To find out more about SHAX, please visit the warehouse at The Crichton (Merrick building), call 01387 245358, email: info@shax.org.uk or visit: www.shax.org.uk 35

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After months of anticipation, The Crichton Trust was delighted to open the café, lawn and outdoor terrace at Crichton Central from Monday 21 June.

menu, which they can enjoy in the cafe, in the lounge, on the outdoor terrace, under a parasol on the lawn or take away and enjoy on the grounds, in the office, at home or on the go.

The opening of the cafe and deli counter at Crichton Central was the first part of a phased plan to safely open the new venue to the public, which from Monday 21 June, was open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm.

Menus can be found on the website but include hot rolls, snacks, freshly prepared sandwiches, pizzas and baked potatoes as well as pastries, cakes and hot and cold drinks. Crichton Central is licenced and has a well-stocked bar.

While the advice is still to work from home whenever possible, the opening of the meeting rooms and Connectors Workspace at Crichton Central has been delayed until restrictions ease.

Details of new membership packages and room hire fees will be released later in the summer to coincide with the phased opening of the venue.

Due to demand, and following the temporary closure of Easterbrook Bistro, the lounge has since been opened up to the public and from Saturday 10 July, opening hours were extended to 10am to 4pm, 7 days a week.

A formal opening event will take place later in the year.

During this initial phase, customers are welcome to come along and try out the new

central@crichton.co.uk

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www.crichton.co.uk

Following months of planning, construction works and technical installations, we were finally able to host a small gathering of suppliers and colleagues in Crichton Central in mid-June. The Band Night, which included performances from Redfish Blues Band, Dobra Dave and Chazz, was arranged to allow the team to host a small trial event before opening the doors to the public. It was great to get a taste for what’s to come and to test out the live streaming equipment too.

Local community radio station, DCR Online, was also able to try out their new studio and had the privilege of interviewing the performers as they came off stage.

The venues team were also pleased to have the opportunity to try out their new kitchen, pizza oven and coffee machine too!

The Crichton Trust would like to thank all the staff and suppliers who have been working tirelessly for many months to provide such a functional, high-tech and stunning venue and look forward to welcoming you all along to enjoy The Crichton Central experience.

BOOKINGS AND ENQUIRIES: Looking for an indoor or outdoor events or meeting space? Contact the Venues Team.

Email: events@crichton.co.uk or Tel: 01387 702020.

Want to rent an office at The Crichton?

Contact our Property Team. Email: gordon. clark@crichton.co.uk or Tel: 01387 247544.

Want to book a table or order a takeaway from Crichton Central? Contact Crichton Central on 01387 702234.

To keep up to date with news from Crichton Central, sign up to the newsletter via the subscribe bar in the footer of the website: www.crichtoncentral.co.uk

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The Crichton Memorial Church The Crichton Memorial Church is a well-known landmark at The Crichton in Dumfries and is special to so many people for different reasons. While it is a regular place of worship for some, it has also hosted many celebrations over the years including weddings and graduations as well as choirs, concerts and televised songs of praise services. It has also been used as a film location (watch this space!) and for tours and corporate functions too.

A decision was taken in 1888 to build a church at The Crichton as a memorial for James and Elizabeth Crichton and in 1890 work began on the A-listed building. It was designed by Edinburgh based architect Sydney Mitchell and was completed in 1897. A dedication service was held in the church on the 15 October 1897 and a statue of Elizabeth Crichton sits prominently outside the church.

It is a truly spectacular, cathedral-style church with a red Locharbriggs sandstone exterior and an elegant interior featuring pink sandstone from nearby Thornhill. It has a marvellous oak roof, stone carvings

by William Vickers of Glasgow and stunning floors made of Irish and Sicilian marble.

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Significantly, the church also features an impressive stained glass window by Oscar Paterson of Glasgow and since 1902 has been home to an extraordinary organ designed by Lewis & Co of London.

Thanks to the impressive stained glass window by Oscar Paterson, The Crichton Memorial Church will soon feature on a new website highlighting the best stained glass in Britain. The new website, Visit Stained Glass, is being created by the British Society of Master Glass Painters and the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and will be launched later in 2021.

Turn to page 46 to read more about the church organ.

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The time is now for the South of Scotland as the region takes a key step towards having its first ever Regional Economic Strategy (RES) with a summer consultation planned on a draft strategy which sets out a compelling vision and priorities for the region.

South of Scotland Regional Economic Partnership

The draft Strategy identifies six themes with a clear set of priorities under each.

Comments are now welcomed on the draft strategy, with the consultation open at

The themes are:

https://sosrep.dumgal.gov.uk/ until 16 August

• • • • • •

The draft document has been shaped by analysis, evidence and extensive engagement on behalf of the new South of Scotland Regional Economic Partnership (REP).

Between February and March, significant engagement took place with those who live, work, and operate across the South via themed discussions, direct interviews, surveys and online drop-in sessions to help shape the strategy. Just under 1,000 people contributed their thoughts and following this work, a draft strategy was prepared.

The REP, which brings together key partners from across Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders, first met virtually in September 2020 and agreed that its immediate focus needed to be the development of a South of Scotland wide economic strategy. The strategy will shape the region’s future economic direction and set out a clear, collective, and compelling vision focussed on long term outcomes. #007055

#009DC5

#323E48

C - 90 M - 30 Y - 72 K - 20

C - 100 M-0 Y - 20 K-0

C - 78.8 M - 61.05 Y - 48.74 K - 49.99

Skilled and ambitious people Innovative and enterprising Rewarding and fair work Cultural and creative excellence Green and sustainable economy Thriving and distinct communities

Following the current consultation, the plan is for the final strategy to be launched in September 2021.

Gradient Location 35%

Please have your say and help shape the future of our fantastic region.

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TREE KNOWELDGE BY MIKE CAUGHLIN As we continue to focus on The Crichton Tree Collection, Mike Caughlin MONKEY PUZZLE tells us all about the Tulip tree and challenges us to find them!

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SPOT THE TULIP TREES

almost look like the ends have been cut

This time we’re looking at Liriodendron

As Tulip trees age, they lose their lower

tulipifera – or the Tulip tree.

branches which unfortunately means most

off, creating their very recognisable shape.

Underneath, the leaves are bluish-white and they turn a butter yellow colour in autumn.

of the flowers are at the top of older trees

It was brought to UK around 1685 and is a

where they are hard to spot. They normally

long-lived tree which can live for hundreds

flower in June and July, so now is the time

of years. A Tulip tree in Surrey, England is

to keep a close eye on them and look for a

thought to be a surviving example of the

colourful display.

original 1680s plantings.

You will find a special example of the Tulip

The scientific name for this tree comes from

tree in the rockery area of The Crichton

Greek and translates as ‘lilytree bearing

grounds, just near the pond. The leaves on

tulips’

this particular tree are ‘variegated’ meaning

The Tulip tree comes from Eastern North

they have varied shades of green and make

America and its native range extends all the

the tree even more distinctive.

way from Nova Scotia in the north to Florida

If you’re very observant you might be able

in the south. Such a big native range is only

to find two other Tulip trees within a few

possible because it’s such an adaptable

hundred yards of the pond. There is a

tree, able to cope with severe winters and

smaller version not far from the Church

subtropical summers.

and a much bigger version near the football pitch. See if you can spot them!

A large and fast-growing tree growing up to 40m in the UK or 60m in USA, it’s a popular

Don’t forget you can learm more about The

in parks and gardens due to its distinctive

Crichton Tree Collection by reading earlier

leaves and tulip-like flowers.

issues of The Crichton Magazine and by exploring The Crichton Tree Trail.

At this time of year, when the trees are in leaf, it’s easy to spot a Tulip tree. The leaves

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The Crichton Memorial Church Continued Earlier in the magazine we featured some of the amazing features of The Crichton Memorial Church including the stained glass window by Oscar Paterson. We now turn our attention to the organ, another beautiful and much admired feature within the church.

THE CRICHTON LEWIS

by Matthew Hynes, Organ Building Consultant and Royal Burgh of Ayr Organist When this magnificent organ was commissioned at the turn of the twentieth century, those involved in making the decisions on behalf of The Crichton Royal Hospital will have known that in selecting Lewis & Co. Ltd, to create a new instrument for the Memorial Chapel, they were investing in the highest quality of organ building craftsmanship then available.

Constructed at a cost of £800 (excluding the casework and blowing equipment) as the Lewis firm’s Opus 640, the organ as it stands today is a testament to the robust technical durability and all-embracing musical excellence which characterised – consistently - every instrument which left their Brixton factory.

The Crichton organ takes its place among a select group of Lewis instruments which have survived in Scotland, notably including Ayr Town Hall, St. John’s Church Cumnock, Mount Stuart Chapel, and Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow. The Kelvingrove organ is widely regarded as the finest surviving example of Lewis & Co’s output, and while this is in many ways a justifiable commendation it should be stated that the Crichton organ, although a more modestly-specified

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instrument in a smaller (though no less imposing!) space, is in no sense of the word an inferior sibling – it was built and given its voice by the same craftsmen after all.

The organ has functioned admirably into a thirteenth decade, and although an overhaul was undertaken about 1983, this was limited in its scope and it is therefore remarkable that the majority of the leatherwork (mainly very fine sheepskin) which is used to keep moving parts in the key and stop mechanisms sealed and wind-tight (and therefore operational!) dates from the initial construction of the instrument. In recent decades this leatherwork has been patched in situ (and as accessible) where it has split (causing wind leakage and dumb notes) in order to maintain a workable level of functionality. However, it is no exaggeration to say that the prospect of renewing all of this leatherwork - as part of a complete restoration of this venerable organ is a reality which should be prepared for.

The Crichton organ was the first Lewis Organ I played in Scotland, being taken to the chapel as a young student by the then Organist Tom Carrick in the Autumn of 1993. Any Lewis I have subsequently played, or worked on, has always been compared to it, and it never ceases to be a joy (there is simply no other appropriate word) to return to Dumfries to play it.

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By Jamie Brand, Organist and Music Teacher

The tonal quality and balance of the instrument is superb. Whether it is the light and delicate Flutes, sonorous Strings, vibrant Mixture or rich Reeds. It is not possible to make a bad sound, as the blend of stops, tailored so expertly for the building by Lewis all those years ago, is in my opinion, as close to perfect as you can get.

I have been involved in music making at The Crichton Memorial Church for 25 years now. I still remember vividly the day that I first saw the magnificent, imposing exterior, followed by the beautifully simple, elegant interior, but, as a musician, it was hearing the sound of the Lewis organ that made the biggest impression on me, resounding around the glorious space of the building.

Organists are the worst for saying ‘it could do with........’, implying that the tonal scheme would be strengthened by adding further stops, but I for one, would not change a thing!

It is true to say that I would never claim to be ‘an Organist’ - I do however, play the instrument on a regular basis for services and occasional weddings. One thing that is indisputable is the build quality and musical value of a piece of mechanical engineering that has given 120 years of excellent service.

Long may the organ continue to sound, so we can all look forward to events and opportunities to hear it in the years to come.

Jamie Brand, MBE May we take this opportunity to congratulate Jamie, who recently received an MBE for services to music and education. As well as being a music teacher at Annan Academy, Jamie is also the musical director of St John’s Church Choir in Dumfries and set up the Dumfries Youth Choir.

Jamie has also been the director of the Dumfries and Galloway Regional Youth Choir for 16 years.

Congratulations Jamie!

The current remarkable state of preservation of the organ is due to a number of significant factors. The first being the meticulous care and attention of the late Tom Carrick who was the organist at The Crichton for 53 years. He worked with those who governed The Crichton estate during his tenure to make sure that the organ was regularly tuned and attended.

This brings us to the second important factor - the people who actually look after the instrument. Over 30 years ago, Tom made the suggestion that the care of the organ was placed in the hands of Harrison and Harrison of Durham, arguably one of the finest organ builders in the world. This partnership has undoubtedly stood the test of time as, over the years, so many dedicated professionals have visited The Crichton to maintain and care for the instrument.

The third major factor in the viability of any organ is the fabric of the building in which it is situated. Churches, particularly those of this proportion, are notoriously difficult to look after, whether it is to heat or keep wind and water tight. The list is endless, but it is wonderful to see the way in which the building is being cared for and the continued will to care and maintain the organ too.

Many distinguished organists have visited The Crichton over the years and it is true to say that the most common response is ‘what a gem’.

Jamie Brand, MBE

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Harrison & Harrison of Durham As mentioned, the organ in The Crichton Memorial Church is regularly tuned and serviced by Harrison & Harrison of Durham. Harrison & Harrison was founded in 1861 and are makers and restorers of pipe organs. They are best known for large-scale organs such as those found in Kings College Cambridge and Westminster Abbey. They also build smaller organs for churches, halls and private houses and rebuild and restore organs of all sizes.

We caught up with Rafael Gamiz and Kate Bredin from Harrison and Harrison in one of their recent visits to The Crichton Memorial Church and we look forward to sharing details about the intricate tuning and maintenance programme meticulously carried out by Harrison and Harrison in a future issue of The Crichton Magazine.

With thanks to Matthew Hynes and Jamie Brand for their contributions to this issue.

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BUILDING THE CASE FOR A CARE CAMPUS, A CAREER AND A PHD AT THE CRICHTON

Jennifer Challinor, Head of Research and Development at The Crichton Trust

the challenges of an ageing population in the region and legacy projects have already been identified by the team. Funding is now being sought by The Crichton Trust to build on the work undertaken by the project team and is proactively leading and supporting initiatives that will enable people of all ages to live happy, healthy, connected and fulfilled lives in Dumfries and Galloway.

Back in January 2018, Jennifer Challinor joined The Crichton Trust as the Project Officer on the ‘Building the case for a care campus’ project. Jennifer was part of a small project team tasked with exploring what makes Dumfries and Galloway a great place to grow old.

The 3-year project, which was funded by LEADER, Dumfries & Galloway Council, NHS Dumfries & Galloway, Scottish Enterprise and The Crichton Foundation and hosted by The Crichton Trust in partnership with The University of Glasgow, was established to gain a better understanding of what it’s like to grow old in the region, the challenges of aging in a rural community and what would make it better.

Conversations are already taking place with partners and stakeholders to explore the potential development of the nearby Ladyfield site and the creation of a 21 Century village at The Crichton. The findings from the care campus project have also informed decisions around the recent development and accessibility of Crichton Central and the new Scotland 5G Centre hub at The Crichton has the potential to explore how 5G technology might help people of all ages to live healthy, independent lives in rural communities such as Dumfries and Galloway.

Following two years of community and stakeholder engagement across the region and extensive collaboration and research with partner agencies and academic institutions, Jennifer has recently written a report to summarise the findings and identify what could be done to address the challenges and maximise the opportunity of an ageing population in our region.

Jennifer who only planned to live in the region for a short period said: “When we moved to Dumfries and Galloway my partner and I only intended to spend a couple of years here, but that was almost 13 years ago, so it is now very much home! We love the region and we have

Project funding ran out in December 2020, but the Trust is committed to addressing

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been made to feel so welcome, we have fallen in love with the people and landscape in Dumfries and Galloway. It has been the perfect place for our son to grow up, it is easy to see why people of all ages love the area and want to stay.”

As well as building the case for a care campus, Jennifer has also built the case to secure a permanent role with The Crichton Trust and has been awarded a scholarship to study for a PhD at the University of Glasgow in Dumfries. Jennifer is part of the End of Life Studies Group at the University of Glasgow and is researching how communities can support people to care for each other and age well.

In her new role, as Head of Research and Development at The Crichton Trust, Jennifer will continue working with new and existing partners and stakeholders to create a network of organisations and individuals who are focused on collectively addressing the challenges faced by individuals and organisations in rural communities.

She said: “I’m excited about working for an organisation that is rooted in such a special historic place, and has ambitious and adventurous plans and is passionate about making a difference! The Crichton Trust has a great team that really care about people, our community and our heritage. I am looking forward to continuing to work with colleagues and partners to find inclusive and innovative solutions to the challenges of an ageing society, the future economy and carbon reduction.”

When Jennifer is not working, she enjoys exploring the local area, volunteering in local community organisations and, when she can, commuting to work on her bicycle.

She can often be found taking an early morning stroll around the pond in The Crichton rock garden with her dog too.

Congratulations on your new role Jennifer!

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The Village

Histories of The Crichton

By Dr Valentina Bold, Heritage Project Co-ordinator.

The Crichton Oral History project has been actively recording the memories of former patients and staff over the past few months. Recording during a pandemic has certainly brought its own challenges.

The understanding and goodwill of former patients and staff has allowed us to press ahead. Talking to people by phone and by zoom, on a positive note, we are very grateful that we have been able to continue recording. The negative, in all of this, though, is that we have been unable to meet people in person, at least up to this point. Happily, this situation is now changing: one of my greatest recent pleasures has been taking receipt, in person, of two significant new donations, to join the existing Crichton Archive at the Ewart Library.

The first donation is a set of correspondence written, in elegant copperplate, from and about The Crichton, in the 1860s. Patients write home to family and friends. Staff make arrangements for their treatments. There are insights into daily life in The Crichton in the late nineteenth century, too, such as making social trips to the seaside. With help from the Ewart, we have been able to link the names of the letter writers, and those they mention, to notes in The Crichton Casebooks – some came to The Crichton from far afield, as they continued to do throughout its history. This is still very much research in progress, with more to follow. For now, though, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Colin McKinley for his generosity in making this important gift in appreciating The Crichton’s history and significance, for Dumfries and Galloway and beyond.

Set of Letters written at The Crichton in the 1860s Equally, I am delighted to share the information that we have been gifted the private photographic collection of David Shankland, who died in 2012 aged 87. Many will remember him as a highly regarded Nursing Tutor at The Crichton and as an angler, broadcaster and active Burnsian.

The Shankland collection, as it will be known, contains a multitude of engagingly informal photographs, taken over a number of years. They show staff and patients at The Crichton enjoying social activities, from pantomimes to Christmas dinners, as well as special occasions, like nurses’ graduations.

Shankland’s own notes, from his period training as a nurse, are here too, offering detailed insights into nursing practices in the mid twentieth century. There is also a superb collection of photographs of sporting events at The Crichton, including cricket and football matches. This rich set of images has been generously donated by Shankland’s nephew, Iain Gow, to whom we are tremendously grateful. As with the nineteenth century letters, more details and information will be shared towards the end of this year.

The Crichton TRUST | GRIERSON HOUSE 54 www.crichton.co.uk

Jackie Law bowling for Annan, umpired by ‘Doc’ Marshall, against The Crichton XI, 1980.

With this new, visual information to add to the existing images within The Crichton archive, we are in a strong position to illustrate the online exhibition we are developing for release later this year. It will be presented alongside the wealth of information we have recorded from those with first hand experiences of The Crichton. We are gradually building up a complete and rounded picture, with the help of: those who experienced treatments at The Crichton as children and as adults; those who grew up with their families on the estate, from the 1930s onwards; nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists, former members of the Works’ team and administrators.

David Shankland’s nursing notes

DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL OR A PHOTO TO SHARE? If you would like to contribute to the project, you can contact the Heritage Project Co-ordinator at: valentina.bold@crichton.co.uk.

We are particularly interested in contacting those who worked on The Crichton farm and estate, and those who have first or second hand experience of being a patient. Thank you for your help.

The Crichton, in conversations, is often described as a functioning ‘Village’, with its own bakers, tailors, gardeners, cleaners, farmers and the many more, extending beyond its current footprint into the countryside around. In its heyday, over a thousand staff worked here, many living alongside, and socialising with, its patients.

Their stories deserve to be told and we are very grateful to everyone who is helping us by allowing us to record them, with a view to sharing important memories into the future.

We have also had a request for information from Gwawr Faulconbridge on behalf of Whitchurch Hospital Historical Society. Gwawr is looking for photographs and information about Dr Peter Knight McCowan, a former Medical Superintendent at The Crichton. See message from Gwawr below.

Dear readers Whitchurch Hospital Historical Society are seeking more information and photos concerning Dr Peter Knight McCowan and his family.

Dr McCowan was the second medical superintendent of Whitchurch Hospital (Cardiff) which he left in 1937 when he took up the position of Medical Superintendent at the Crichton Royal. Both Dr McCowan and his wife Gladys moved to Cardiff in 1929. After Gladys died in 1930, Dr McCowan married Dr Muriel Northcott in 1933. Contact details: gwawr@whitchurchhospital.co.uk Thank you, Gwawr Faulconbridge Whitchurch Hospital Historical Society

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RETURN OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY MUSIC FESTIVAL IN DUMFRIES GOOD NEWS FOR SUMMER FESTIVAL GOERS The Doonhame Festival received the longawaited news from the First Minister’s announcement, confirming no change to their capacity and meeting government requirements.

With 4 stages of great music, high-quality food village, licensed bar, and camping options, the Doonhame Festival is the perfect way to enjoy a safe, music-filled weekend this summer.

The boutique festival, featuring headliners including Kaiser Chiefs, The Feeling, Bad Manners and Skerryvore are excited to make their return on the 30th July, for the 2-day music festival. Held within the charming church grounds of The Crichton in Dumfries and Galloway, the festival is sponsored by local company MKM Timber and supported by local authorities and EventScotland, part of VisitScotland.

The festival offers on-site camping, which are limited to allow for sufficient space between pitches, adhering to the COVID-19 Policy; there is also a Holiday Inn within the festival grounds.

The festival will take place in a spacious, open air environment and there will be sanitising stations and crowd management measures in place. The capacity of the festival has been reduced to ensure there is ample space to keep a safe distance from others, but without compromising on the overall festival experience.

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events for VisitScotland: “We are proud to support Doonhame Festival through Scotland’s Events Recovery Fund, and very much welcome the return of live events this summer. This festival will provide a host of economic, social, and cultural benefits to the area. With its stellar line-up of artists and bands, festival goers will be in for a long-awaited, and real musical feast.”

Sandy Sweetman, Joint Festival Director said, “We received the best possible news for Doonhame Festival. We can now confidently go ahead as planned with the festival on the 30th and 31st of July at The Crichton. It’s been a rollercoaster ride behind the scenes

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anticipating the position we may be in. We now have a clear path! Thank you for your support and look forward to welcoming you to the festival!”

brilliant in Dumfries and Galloway, and I think we all deserve a festival there. The line-up is fantastic with some big names and acts that will have us all dancing and partying.”

Kaiser Chiefs’ Simon Rix added: “We are excited to be headlining the Doonhame Festival in Dumfries this year. Playing to our fans in Scotland is always a highlight for us and we look forward to seeing them all in July”.

Doonhame Kids is taking place on the festival site on Sunday 1st August, to give kids a festival experience too. This will feature live performances from tribute acts including Little Mix, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande.

Tickets are available to purchase on the Doonhame Festival website (www. doonhamefestival.co.uk). Tier 2 Weekend Tickets are currently available. Adult Weekend Ticket (£90); Youth Weekend Ticket 12-17 years old (£75); Child Weekend Ticket 5-11 years old (£35); Under 5 Weekend Ticket (£10); Family Weekend Ticket - 2 Adults and 2 Children, any age under 12 (£210). Add weekend camping at £25. Doonhame Kids tickets are available at £10.

Kaiser Chiefs, The Feeling, Bad Manners, Skerryvore, Toploader, Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5, Franky’s Evil Party, The Lutras, Tiderays, The Meanies, I Am A Raver, Ibiza Mania, and over 40 other acts have all confirmed their availability to perform in July, as well as many more talented local artists.

Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5’s John McMustard added: “We cannot wait to get down to Doonhame Festival. The crowds are

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www.doonhamefestival.co.uk

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The Crichton, Dumfries 85 acres to explore in any season Free access to grounds and gardens all year www.crichton.co.uk #TheCrichton #Aplacetobreathe 60

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www.dumfriestattoo.co.uk

ABSOLUTE CLASSICS SUMMER FESTIVAL

Live events are returning to Dumfries and Galloway and Absolute Classics can’t wait to welcome back audiences to their renowned international classical music festival.

This year’s festival will take place at the Easterbrook Hall, where there is space to safely accommodate socially distanced guests and artists.

As Absolute Classics start to rebuild after 18 months of online performances, this year’s festival will comprise of 5 concerts from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th of August.

Mei Yi Foo, piano Date: Friday 6 August Time: 7:30pm Location: Easterbrook Hall Cost: £15 Adults £0 Under 26

Guy Johnston, cello & Mishka Rushdie Momen, piano Date: Saturday 7 August Time: 7:30pm Location: Easterbrook Hall Cost: £15 Adults £0 Under 26

Programme: Couperin, Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins Chopin, Prelude no.23 in F major Couperin, Les Moisonneurs Couperin, La Carillon de Cythère Chopin, Prelude no.11 in B major Chopin, Prelude no.10 in C# minor Couperin, La Dodo, ou L’Amour au Berceau Chopin, Prelude no.5 in D major Couperin, La Muse Plantine Couperin, Les Barricades Mystérieuses Chopin, Prelude no.19 in Eb major Debussy Estampes Interval Schoenberg 6 Kleine Klavierstuck Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin

Programme: Mendelssohn, Variations Concertantes, Op. 17 Beethoven, Sonata No. 3 in A Major, Op. 69 Interval Webern, 3 Little Pieces for Cello and Piano, Op. 11 Franck, Sonata in A major London Soloists Ensemble Date: Sunday 8 August Time: 2:30pm Location: Easterbrook Hall Cost: £15 Adults £0 Under 26 Programme: Clara Schumann, Piano Trio in G minor Brahms, Piano Trio in C minor Interval Arensky, Piano Trio in D minor

Huw Wiggin, saxophone & John Lenehan, piano Date: Saturday 7 August Time: 2:30pm Location: Easterbrook Hall Cost: £15 Adults £0 Under 26

John Lenehan, piano Date: Sunday 8August Time: 7:30pm Location: Easterbrook Hall Cost: £15 Adults £0 Under 26

Programme: Creston, Sonata Rachmaninoff, Vocalise Rowley, Toccata “The Two Worlds” Vaughan Williams, Six studies in English Folksong Demersseman, Fantaisie Interval Graham Fitkin - Gate Scott, Fujiko Lenehan, Two Songs without Words Scott, And everything is still Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue (arr. Nagao)

Programme: Ireland, Summer Evening Debussy, Soiree dans Granade Schumann, Des Abends Bach, Goldberg Variations (part 1) Interval Bach, Goldberg Variations (part 2) Beethoven, Sonata op. 27 no. 2 (Moonlight)

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COMING TO The Crichton on 14th AUGUST

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

Murderous rage is unleashed, and death can be the only solution... Or can it? Perhaps one last trick may resurrect the innocent dead, restore broken relationships - and even create an unlikely union of Benedick and Beatrice! In their 29th open-air touring season, and renowned all over the world for their clarity, quality and ingenuity, Illyria stick to their home-turf: 63 Shakespearean comedy.

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

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

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

EVENTS

ALL YEAR

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

We propose you give us a ring!

01387 702020

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

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

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

Send us details of your events for The Crichton

Tell us about any vacancies you have for roles at The Crichton

Keep your profile up to date in The Crichton Business Directory

Get in touch to discuss contributions to The Crichton Magazine

Attend our monthly Tenants’ forum meetings on Teams.

11am, last Wednesday of every month

Attend our Quarterly Crichton Briefings on Zoom 4pm, first Tuesday in Sept / Dec / Mar / Jun

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

Use #TheCrichton and tag @thecrichtontrust

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

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

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

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

www.crichton.co.uk

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