Locals back People's Project

Aug 29 2008 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

THE PEOPLE’S Project has been gathering wide public support.

It has already received the backing of many Doonhamers as preparations are made for a public meeting in the Cairndale Hotel on September 8.

The People’s Project is an idea hatched by Dumfries businessman Mark Jardine to try and give the people of the town a hand in its future in several achievable projects.

And the first is a campaign to clean up the town’s litter problem in a bid to keep the seagulls away.

The Standard has joined forces with Mr Jardine to rally support for the campaign.

And now Dumfries Civic Pride is getting on board.

The group, which looks after the interests and cleanliness of the town centre, is set to meet with Mr Jardine next week to discuss ideas for the project.

Mr Jardine said: “Civic Pride has given us its support and there is a number of ideas members want to discuss with us.

“I have also received a lot of correspondence from people wanting to lend their support and when I was in Copenhagen to see the Queen of the South game, a lot of fans, both young and old, were talking about it to me.

“So there is a lot of support there.”

The Standard has been contacted by a number of readers, via our website and by letter, who are giving it their backing.

One reader, David Houghton of Irongray sent in photographs that illustrate some of the litter problems in the town.

He said: “The first is taken on Whitesands early morning, just after the gulls have split open the blue waste sacks containing food scraps.

“They are smart enough now to realise where their next meals is coming from.

“The second photo taken minutes after the refuse collection has been made.

“What a disgrace.

“What an impression we give to our visitors and what an example we set for the population of the town.

“Pride in where we live and pride in what we do is our ultimate aim.

“Good luck to Mark and yourselves in making this happen.”

A public meeting is being held to discuss the proposals in the Park House Suite at the Cairndale Hotel on Monday September 8, at 6.30pm where Doonhamers are invited to give their views.

A poll on the Standard’s website showed that a majority of just over 53 per cent wanted to see a action on litter and seagulls with just over 12 per cent preferring a River Nith clean-up.

The poll results will be discussed at the public meeting.

To give your backing to the project, log onto our website at dgstandard.co.uk, email dgnews@s-un.co.uk or contact Mark Jardine c/o 3 Crowns Court, Dumfries, DG1 1HU.