Dalmellington History Group

As the Coalfield Community Landscape Partnership officially launched so did the unprecedented lockdown restrictions to try and control the Covid 19 pandemic. Many projects were put on hold while others became so much more important, especially those that connected people in those strange times. The Dalmellington History Group were one of those who unexpectedly found themselves as a treasured source of information with the Doon Valley Gazette

Although they were not one of the central projects, the CCLP were able to fund the magazine through the pandemic and beyond. Local businesses who regularly ran adverts to support the magazine were either struggling to survive themselves or some sole traders took it as a sign to retire early and close the doors for good. In each case the revenue they generated for the magazine in the form of advertisements stopped.

These are the words of the ladies in the picture in order from left to right.

"I'm Martha McCracken. The Action Group started to use these premises, which I bought at my retirement, when the museum closed. The Action Group worked from here until the History Group and the Gazette started in 2014. I'm just trying to make sure the Gazette survives. I do the fundraising as the advertising revenue doesn't even cover costs."

"I'm Iona Clanaghan and I'm a new volunteer. I just came out with some other friends and believe it or not, I'm now helping out with the magazine, along with anything else that needs doing. I have a history background although I wasn't a teacher or anything, I have just been involved with a few history and archaeology groups. I'm also at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum by my particular forte is Mary Queen of Scots."

"I'm Jane Holmes, like Sherlock. I joined Martha in the Action Group as we wanted to save the museum. Negotiations with the council took so long and in the meantime we were getting so many donations, we decided we would show the council that they should hurry up so we started the magazine. That didn't work! We still have not heard from the council even though we started trying to get the museum in 2014. We still haven't heard officially that we are not getting it (11 years later!) We wanted to get it as an asset but who wants to deal with people who operate like that for goodness sake!? In the meantime the Gazette was doing well so why sit and grovel? The building is very sad, it used to be precious and part of Dalmellington's history. I mean it is in disarray, that's it basically."

The group have a very varied collection of artefacts and old photographs with plenty of stories and local knowledge. Visitors and new volunteers are always welcome. So too are the enquiries for information that come in from all around the world from those researching family trees, or particular aspects of local history.

The hope for the future is that the Gazetee will continue to thrive and that the local community will finally be able to take over the museum as a focal point for the village.