John was born and brought up on a farm in the Glenkens. He left the area over 40 years ago to pursue a career in the forestry and the timber industries, but in early 2023 he returned to his beloved homeland after building a house within 500 metres of where he was born.

His day job takes him on regular trips to Holyrood and Westminster to lobby on behalf of the timber sector.

He is keen to contribute to the community and joined the CAP steering group in 2022, taking up the Chair in summer 2023. John has a particular interest in land use issues and the rural economy and he hopes can bring some of his experience and knowledge to assist in the group achieving its aims.

Sarah lives in Carsphairn and is the Editor of the Glenkens Gazette. She is also the Depute Chair of the Dalry School Parent Council and a co-opted member of Carsphairn Community Council.

Sarah sees the CAP SG to be a hugely valuable body. Through the regular check-ins with what is happening across the Glenkens in terms of the CAP (created by local Glenkens residents, so reflecting in real terms what people want in and for their communities), we are able to maintain a bead on what issues are currently of most importance.

By doing this, we can support communities and organisations and enable them to address these areas and hopefully lead to a richer, healthier Glenkens where the priorities highlighted in the CAP are being actively worked on.

In this way the CAP becomes a living document, responding to changes across the area and reflecting these changes in terms of what is needed.

Barney is the manager for Loch Ken Trust, a charity working to promote sustainable local communities around Loch Ken.

Barney has had a varied career, working for public, private and charitable organisations in the field of sustainable development.

He is passionate about working with communities to change the world for the better.

Bob moved permanently to New Galloway last year after 15 years of part-time residence. Fifty years earlier he had spent a lot of time in the burgh when his mother had her home there.

He is now retired having served 33 years as a member of the Open University’s Faculty of Education, as Education Staff Tutor for Scotland and 8 years at Milton Keynes as Dean of the Faculty.

More recently he has been heavily engaged with LING as trustee and treasurer, a responsibility which developed from a wish to keep the New Galloway Town Hall open for the community.

His interests are broadly in heritage and history, but he welcomes the contribution which the Community Action Plan makes to the planned and coordinated development of the Glenkens in which small local initiatives can be supported for the greater good of the wider community.

Tom Marshall lives near Parton and works at Dalbeattie Community Initiative.

He joined the CAP Steering Group from the Glenkens and District Trust where he is the trustee appointed from Parton Community Council.

Tom joined the Steering Group because he wanted to help with the process of gathering views on priorities for improving life in the Glenkens and district.

He is keen that the Community Action Plan is kept up to date but also that the priorities get acted on.

Richard has lived near Crossmichael since 2011 and has been a member of the Steering Group since its inception.

Before retirement, he was an academic specializing in music. He retains a keen interest in the arts and education, but since settling in the Glenkens has also pursued his interests in local economic and cultural regeneration.

He helps to run a small farm, managed on agro-ecological principles, and is very involved in land use issues and in the developing local network of regenerative farmers.

Richard is a member of Crossmichael & District Community Council, where he was Chair until recently, is a Trustee with Glenkens & District Trust and a Director of Glenkens Community and Arts Trust.

Following a long career in graphic design specialising in children's activity and story books, Caroline found herself at the heart of local politics. She spent 14 years as a borough councillor in Guildford before being elected as the Council Leader.

The pandemic and lockdown created a very different and intense working environment. Deciding on a complete lifestyle change, Caroline stood down from the Guildford council and, two years ago, moved to Glenlochar with her daughter, her daughter’s partner and children, and their menagerie. They are slowly renovating their house while also setting up a glamping business on their land.

Caroline is keen to be part of our local communities and she has joined Crossmichael Community Council.

Caroline’s experience in Guildford as part of a busy and diverse borough showed her just how important our neighbourhoods and localities can be for communities. The work of the CAP is the essential drive needed to create a thriving and happy community for everyone.

Joe was born and lived in the Glenkens for his school life, he then spent some time abroad before living in Edinburgh and the borders for several years then returning to the area.

Now living near Corsock he takes an interest in environmental issues, particularly increasing quantities of commercial forestry in the area.

Recently with a group of others Joe has set up an environmental charity carrying out projects mainly in the Urr catchment.

Joe is passionate about biodiversity and environmental issues and would like to see these improve in the area.

Fiona is a farmer’s daughter brought up near Crocketford, Fiona has been a regular visitor to the Glenkens for over forty years and lived in Balmaclellan for over 12 years.

Fiona is a solicitor by training, working in large corporations, primarily utilities, at executive level. She has also been a non executive director of two building societies and from 1 September 2023 will join the board of Penrith Building Society.

She is currently the Chair of Glenkens & District Trust whose key focus is to ensure that community benefit monies make a real difference in both the short and long term to the people who live and work in the area.

The Community Action Plan is a key component to enable priorities to be identified and progressed. Fiona sees the role of the Steering Group as critical in ensuring the CAP remains relevant and is actioned.

In her spare time she enjoys travel to remote places and all aspects of the arts.