Midsteeple people: Peter Kormylo
The chairman of Midsteeple Quarter has spoken of his hope of a future where more people live in Dumfries town centre.
Peter Kormylo is himself a town centre resident -living just a couple of minutes’ walk from Midsteeple Quarter - and believes having people live, as well as work, on and around the High Street will make the area more vibrant, sustainable and safer.
The well-known former headteacher and educational advisor spoke as he launched a new feature for members of Midsteeple Quarter - Midsteeple People - as part of the community benefit society’s monthly newsletter.
With work continuing on the transformation of 135-139 High Street into new homes and enterprise spaces - the first major phase of construction as part of a masterplan for the future - he also highlighted his hopes about the wider impact of the town centre regeneration project.
Peter said: “I hope that Midsteeple Quarter becomes a shining example of a step that can be taken in town centre regeneration.
“I use the word step because it’s a small step that we’re taking here - but it’s a dynamic one.
“What we’re doing in Midsteeple Quarter moves beyond all of the talk about town centre planning and brings about action. Our members are people who believe this is something which should be happening - and it is. It’s happening at a very moderate but determined pace.
“When phase one’s complete, people will say it’s been done well and we’ll have some residences above ground level and the ground level attracting different forms of use. I’m excited about that.
“I walk past the building site twice a day with my dog. I like to keep an eye on things and see how things are progressing.”.
Peter pictured with artist artist Oleksandra Novatska at her Faraway From Ukraine to UK: A Tribute exhibition, held at The Smithy in November
Peter’s connections to Dumfries encompass almost his whole life. Raised in Annan - the son of a Scottish mother and Ukrainian father - he was educated at St Joseph’s College and spent the majority of his teaching career in the town.
Work with the civil service took he and wife Lesley to live in Edinburgh for a number of years, but family life brought them back to Dumfriesshire 15 years ago and back to living in Dumfries town centre four years ago.
As well as being proud of the town he calls home, the chair also has a great pride in his family’s roots. He is recognised nationally for his work with the Ukrainian diaspora living throughout the country and recently published a book on the history of Scotland’s Ukrainian families.
On what makes Dumfries special, Peter explained: “The anonymity you get in a large city has advantages and disadvantages, but there’s no spirit of community that can compete with the likes of a place like Dumfries, where you meet people you know every day.
“I get into trouble from my wife for taking our dog for a walk and being away for so long - and it’s because I talk to people. My first school pupils are now aged in their 50s, so I see a lot people who I know. Living in Dumfries is like having a family, which is nice.”
MSQ members can read more about Peter in his Midsteeple People profile, which features in the latest newsletter, emailed earlier this week (w/c February 6th 2023). If you’re a member and haven’t received yours, please let us know by emailing info@midsteeplequarter.org.
We’re always looking to recruit more members to Midsteeple Quarter as we work to breathe new life into Dumfries town centre as part of a stronger future underpinned by community ownership and grassroots decision-making. Please click here to find out more about becoming a member.