People’s Project launches their Dumfries Calendar 2012, endorsed by Joanna Lumley
Written by author on November 4, 2011
Yesterday afternoon crowds of people crammed into the cafe at Gardenwise garden centre in Dumfries for the official launch of the People’s Project Dumfries calendar. Mark Jardine, director of the project, introduced the concept of the calendar, which aims to raise cash for local community projects which are designed to help develop and improve the town. He outlined some of the good work which has already been achieved by the organisation, as well as some of the plans for the future, which includes a pledge of £10,000 towards the creation of flood defenses for the Whitesands.
Queen of the South football club was there in force, endorsing the People’s Project’s catchphrase; “Helping to make Dumfries & Galloway the Queen of the South” .
Ruth Jardine, who took the photographs featured in the calendar, read a letter from Penpont resident, Joanna Lumley, apologising she couldn’t be there for the launch, due to preparations for her West End show which begins at the weekend. In the letter she expressed her feelings about the region, which are shared by her husband Stephen Barlow; “What a ravishing part of the world we belong to … we can’t wait to be back, north of the border, in the Queen of the South!
Pupils of New Abbey primary school, where Ruth Jardine teaches, read their poems about one of the images on the calendar – Sweetheart Abbey.
Copies of the calendar, which has an initial print run of 1000 are available from sponsors and in many outlets around the area for £4.95. All the proceeds are toward the People’s Project. Mark Jardine commented to Alive Radio’s Mark Smith that the calendars have attracted lots of interest already and he’s hoping they will need to commission a repeat print run to satisfy demand.
More info from www.peoplesproject.co.uk
