Backing the People’s Project

May 15 2009 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

THE PEOPLE’S Project is a voluntary charity venture aimed at kick-starting the regeneration of Dumfries.

It fits in strongly with the Building Stronger Communities theme of local newspaper week and the Standard has been delighted to support it.

For years, Dumfries has been locked in a cycle of decline, as proposal after proposal, consultant after consultant has tried to turn the town back into the thriving community it once was.

Many have seen some sucess but others have failed as Doonhamers complain that the town is not what it once was.

One of those, Dumfries businessman, Mark Jardine, has “enough is enough” and came up with the idea of the People’s Project. The aim is to let the people take control of the town’s future in a series of achievable projects.

And the first is to clean up Dumfries’ litter problem with the aim of getting rid of the seagulls.

A People’s Project Lottery has also been set up to generate income for the charity. More information is available on www.peoplesproject.org.uk

Mark said: “The tourists are disgusted with Dumfries, the townspeople are disgusted, and it is not just Dumfries which has this problem, it is the whole of the UK.

“We need to take the lead and aim to make Dumfries the cleanest town in the UK and let others follow. People need to be proud of the town and the People’s Project to clean up Dumfries is something that we can take on ourselves and get it right.

“We are the ones who are causing the mess and providing food for seagulls.

“We don’t like the seagull problem so if we pick up our litter, put it in the bin, the seagulls won’t have anything to feed on.”

Mark is inviting councillors, local businesses and other organisations to get on board and back the campaign.

He said: “We also want to go into schools and get the children to create a design for a litter bin which can be placed at locations around the town centre, outside schools and fast food restaurants, so that people know they are for the People’s Project and for litter.

“We need to stop blaming people for the town’s problems and take it upon ourselves to do something and accept they are our problems as well.

“It is something which needs to be sustained and Dumfries would have the kudos of being the first town to do it.”

A bank account is currently being set up by Mark in the Bank of Scotland on the High Street to attract funds for the project.

He added: “We need people to give anything they can, even if it’s only a pound.” Mark can be contacted c/o 3 Crowns Court, Dumfries, DG1 1HU.