𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹

Supporting communities as Ward Officer at Dumfries and Galloway Council. All views are my own (😳). Retweets/Likes are not necessarily endorsements(🤐)

[𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 @DerekHextall]

Congratulations Cllr Dryburgh @dgcouncil 🏆👏 very well deserved 🤩

A true champion of communities, local government and indeed #APSE 🥳 @apseevents @DGCEmpowerment @DorwardLindaJ

[APSE events @apseevents]

A huge congratulations to Cllr Archie Dryburgh OBE, who has received the Van Coulter Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to local government #apse25

[𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 @DerekHextall]

A fitting tribute not only to Frantisek Hekl but also the connection between countries & communities🇨🇿💗🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Unfortunately I was unable to attend today with reps @dgcouncil who were delighted to join @jana_cernochova & her team well done 👏@ben_zour @dumgalaviation @EastAyrshire

[Jana Černochová @jana_cernochova]

Čest Vaší památce, npor. let. Františku Hekle, nikdy nezapomeneme!

Dlouhá léta existoval památník Františka Hekla jen v literatuře. V románu House by the Loch skotská autorka Kirsty Wark popsala, jak jej místní rodina postavila, aby se vyrovnala s bolestnou vzpomínkou na pád jeho letadla do jezera Loch Doon. Ve skutečnosti tu však žádný památník nikdy nestál.

Až dnes. Po více než osmi desetiletích jsme na břehu Loch Doon odhalili skutečný pomník československému pilotovi RAF za účasti jeho rodiny, předsedkyně Poslanecké sněmovny Markéty Pekarové Adamové, senátorky Vladimíry Ludkové, skotských institucí i místní komunity.

Slavnostní okamžik v podmínkách pravého skotského počasí podtrhl hudební doprovod českého Blue Squadron Pipe Band a požehnání hlavního kaplana @ArmadaCR.

Od této chvíle navždy má zde František Hekl svůj symbolický válečný hrob. A každý, kdo k Loch Doon zavítá, se může zastavit a připomenout si příběh mladého muže, který se už domů nikdy nevrátil a jehož tělo pohltily vody jezera.

Velké poděkování patří všem, kteří se na vzniku tohoto památníku podíleli. Bez jejich odhodlání, úsilí a spolupráce by tento památník nevznikl.

[𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 @DerekHextall]

Excellent recognition for colleagues and communities - WELL DONE D&G 🎉

[DG Council Empowering Communities @DGCEmpowerment]

🌟National Recognition for Innovation in Housing
The innovative approach @dgcouncil to tackling the housing emergency in the region has been recognised as national best practice, winning the Innovation in Housing category @TheMJAwards 2025 by the Municipal Journal in London.

Selected as one of just six finalists in these national awards, officers from across the Council presented the ‘One Council + Communities + Partners x Creativity = Better Housing’, with a panel of independent judges recognising our Council’s approach as ‘unique’.

Whilst @dgcouncil has no housing stock, housing is a key issue in the Council Plan, with work already underway before declaring a Housing Emergency in 2024. Since the Housing Emergency declaration, all Council Directorates have increased efforts to develop ideas, solutions and build on positive approaches to housing, across all tenures – private, social and community.

Judges recognised our Council’s efforts in relation to Community Regeneration Masterplanning particularly in Lochside Dumfries; Community Asset Transfer with four properties transferred into community ownership resulting in community led affordable housing; and our approach to Ukrainian Resettlement seeing empty properties brought up to standard to make new homes for these New Scots.

They commented: "we were impressed by the breadth of solutions to housing issues offered across a large and diverse geographical region. Dumfries and Galloway effectively demonstrated that the best solutions involved adapting responses to local areas and empowering communities to own these solutions."

WELL DONE TO ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES INVOLVED IN THIS 👏

For full information - https://t.co/RD8DudCqx8

[DG Council Empowering Communities @DGCEmpowerment]

🇬🇧 Dumfries and Galloway remembers: VE Day🎖️🎺

In Dumfries today, the community came together to honour our heroes and celebrate the 80th Anniversary of VE day.

Armed Forces Champion @dgcouncil Cllr Archie Dryburgh MBE welcomed a large crowd and dignatories which included veterans, armed forces personnel, Lord-Lieutenants, Councillors, Officers and members of the Dumfries and Maxwelltown branch of RBLS.

As we remember today’s VE Day tribute in Dumfries, and across our region, we reflect on the resilience, hope, and unity that carried a generation through hardship.

Just as Dame Vera Lynn’s timeless words remind us—'We'll meet again'—we honour those who served, knowing their sacrifices shaped the freedoms we cherish.

Though time moves forward, their legacy remains. We will remember them 🇬🇧 #VEDay80 #LestWeForget

With thanks to everyone involved @PoppyLegion @PoppyLegion @ScotVeteranComm @DGCEducation

[DG Council Empowering Communities @DGCEmpowerment]

Earlier today, our chief executive @dgcouncil visited Lochar ward as part of her annual ward visits. She was joined by ward members and the local ward officer.

Stops included:
⚽Greystone Rovers Foundation @Greystonerovers – a community-focused organisation using sport and wellbeing activities to support local people of all ages.
🏫 The £53m Dumfries High School @DumfriesHighSch construction site – due to open in Spring 2026 and set to welcome 930+ pupils with state-of-the-art facilities.
🏡 Ellisland Museum and Farm @Burns_Ellisland , where we met trustees and the project director to hear about plans to transform Robert Burns’ former home into a creative hub with immersive experiences.
♻️SHAX @shaxdg , who are getting ready to move into their newly purchased warehouse. The local reuse charity continues to provide vital support for those facing poverty and homelessness.

These visits highlighted the ongoing commitment of our council to work alongside communities to support sport and wellbeing, heritage, education and tackling social challenges.

[DG Council Empowering Communities @DGCEmpowerment]

Today, across our region, we celebrate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day.

In Dumfries, there was a service at St John's War Memorial, attended by Lord Lieutenant Fiona Armstrong, representatives from Dumfries High School, St Joseph's College and Loreburn Primary School, Loreburn Community Council and members of RBLS Dumfries and Maxwelltown branch.

#VEDay80

[𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 @DerekHextall]

Oh #ThistleDoNicely 🥳🚀💷

Visit https://t.co/G6mdfArmYG to check it out 🫵

[DG Council Empowering Communities @DGCEmpowerment]

Has #StormEowyn affected your household?

You can access FREE hot shower for your family @dgcouncil Leisure Facilities 👇

[Cllr Linda Dorward, Lochar Ward.DGC 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧ @DorwardLindaJ]

As a Trustee,fantastic to @ScotParl yesterday to support @Burns_Ellisland & see the cross-party support for the SHALS project. Good to hear the debate & MSP's from our region lobbying @scotgov for sustained support & funding for this amazing initiative.
#LoveDandG ❤️

[𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 @DerekHextall]

🥌Connections and traditions are important to sustain thriving communities👏

@CllrLynneDavis @CllrGMacgregor @GBrydsonD_G @crichton_derek @StuartHam1 @Stevenwylie16 @ElisabethManson

[DG Council Empowering Communities @DGCEmpowerment]

Yesterday, Cllr Lynne Davis, Vice Chair of @dgcouncil’s Education, Skills, and Community Wellbeing Committee, warmly welcomed the Swiss Curling Association team to Dumfries and Galloway as part of their decennial Scotland tour - whoch has been taking place since 1970! 🥌🇨🇭

A small civic reception, hosted by the Dumfries Province of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, was held at Lockerbie Ice Rink @LockerbieIceRin to mark their visit.

We are thrilled to support this special connection and celebrate the spirit of curling together. Welcome to Scotland (again!) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥌🇨🇭

@scottishcurling

[𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 @DerekHextall]

@DorwardLindaJ @OfficialQosFC @AnnanAthleticFC 🙈🖤💛

[𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 @DerekHextall]

What a goal Tom 👏👏

@GretnaFC2008YA @GretnaFC2008

[YFS @yfst]

𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 ⚽

Congratulations to Tom Hextall of Gretna U15 Colts who scored this week's goal of the week with an incredible dipping free-kick into the top corner in a 6-4 win over Greystone.

𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 ▶️ https://t.co/AT9tOtbCuz

[APSE events @apseevents]

Winner of most improved performer in the Building Cleaning category is…

Dumfries and Galloway Council!
Congratulations @dgcouncil #apsePN

A big thank you to BBITS for kindly sponsoring this category

[Digital Connectivity Scotland @DigConnectScot]

Glad to advise that our #S4GI mast in New Luce, @dgcouncil, now provides 4G connectivity across all UK mobile operators.

New Luce was the first community to get connected through the S4GI programme. Now, any UK SIM card can get 4G in this area.

#Mobile #DigitalConnectivity

[𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 @DerekHextall]

Great day of Youth Football with both boys in action @GretnaFC2008YA

Under 15s taking a convincing win at home v @Greystonerovers - continuing their unbeaten league run👏

U15 Colts took a draw away v @terregleyouthfc in a close fought match.

well done all players & coaches ⚽️

[DG Council Empowering Communities @DGCEmpowerment]

Over the coming weeks, communities across our region will continue to create that festive spirit with Christmas Light Switch on events 🎅🏽🎄🤶🏼.

Good luck and thank you to all the volunteers and partners who make these wonderful events possible 👏

[𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 @DerekHextall]

Excellent use of the ‘Well Wishes’ in Dumfries Fountain 👏

@CllrGMacgregor @CllrLynneDavis @DorwardLindaJ @CllrFerguson @CllrThompson @jackie_mccamon @thirdsectordg @PovertyAlliance @povinequalscot @crichton_derek @ElisabethManson @DumfriesTown @

[DG Council Empowering Communities @DGCEmpowerment]

⛲️Dumfries Fountain Funds Feed Families!

During a recent maintenance clean of the Fountain, which happens several times during the year, £873.82 in ‘well wishes’ was collected and donated to local food providers for emergency food provision 👏

Funds were awarded to:
👉Summerhill Community Centre
👉Lochside Community Association
👉Apex Foodbank
👉Oasis Foodbank
👉River of Life Foodbank
👉DG Multicultural Association
👉First Base Agency

[𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 @DerekHextall]

Ahh not to be sadly, but really proud of the team getting to this stage! Best of luck DUSC10s for the next round ⚽️ ……. It was a looooooooong drive home with the debrief! 🤣🙈

[𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 @DerekHextall]

The lads @GretnaFC2008YA U15 are on the road today for @ScottishYouthFA Scottish Cup 4th Round v @dusc08 (2010s)

Well done both teams-look forward to supporting what is sure to be a great showcase of youth football!

Safe trip to all travelling supporters🚌 @GretnaFC2008

[DG Council Empowering Communities @DGCEmpowerment]

💜World Pancreatic Cancer Day💜

In support of families and in memory of those affected by Pancreatic Cancer, @dgcouncil have lit up some of our buildings purple🟪, like here in Annan.

Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed late, and it advances quickly. So it’s crucial that we all continue to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms. 

@PancreaticCanUK