The Dalmellington Partnership

The Dalmellington Partnership was formed as a constituted group in 2000 to assist with the regeneration of Dalmellington. Since its inception the Partnership has completed a variety of mainly environmental projects such as the demolition of St Barbara’s Church, planting an avenue of trees on the A713 from Ayr, improving lighting, paths and signage in and around the village and establishing a new community web site, www.dalmellington.net and installing planters at the entrances to the village. The Partnership is always looking for additional information for the web site and welcomes contributions from individuals and organisations from the area.

The Partnership has completed two “Arts” projects, the first was the erection of the sculpture called “people and places” (the Large book made with stainless and cortain steel) situated near the community centre, the artwork, landscaping, seating, planters and the hanging basket tree) has created a much more welcoming entrance to the village. The second was a project to completely refurbish a Billy Greig painting of Craigmark (a local talented amateur artist), the Partnership was successful in securing match funding from the Awards for All Lottery, to completely restore and reframe the large painting and returned it to the Craigmark Inn, where it has been on display for many years

The Partnership has over several years carried out access improvements, asphalting the access roads at Church Street, Broomknowe and Waterside, completing a programme of improvements to unadopted access roads at former miner’s rows. It also carried out repairs to the stairs, resurfacing of the path and installed lighting at the Motte.

The Partnership has for many years continued to try to establish a caravan park at Loch Doon and has now agreed (in principal) a lease for a site near the dam with AB Gavin and Scottish Power. Planning consent has been granted and a building warrant application submitted. A funding application for 90% of the costs to create the site has been submitted to the Scottish Rural Development Programme and a decision is expected around March 2010.

Over the last year the Partnership has facilitated meetings with the local landowners and other interested groups to reduce the anti social behaviour that has resulted in the landowners working together to restrict access for illegal caravan parking and the employment of a ranger.

The Partnership receives no core funding, it applies for external and partnership funding as required for identified and developed projects. The Partnership still retains the balance of funds received when the cleared Church site was sold that is used as a match for external funding applications.

The Partnership membership was originally only open to individuals, groups and organisations active in the Dalmellington area. However at the re-organisation in Local Authority Wards the Constitution was amended in January 2008 to include the whole Ward 9 area. A further amendment to make the membership even more inclusive was approved at a Special general Meeting on 17th April 2009

Membership is open to everyone, whether individuals, businesses or organisations. Organisations with representatives include:

Dalmellington Community Council

Dalmellington Community Association

Coalfields Community Federation

East Ayrshire Youth forum

Cumnock & Doon Valley Access Panel

East Ayrshire Council - Elected members (Ward 9)

Scottish Power

Forestry Commission Scotland

Scottish Coal

Shire Housing

Cumnock Community College

Strathclyde Police

Craigengillan

Loch Doon Caravan Club