A great occasion for Midsteeple Quarter reflected in poetry and pictures

We have been delighted by the reaction to news that phase one of our major construction work is officially underway as our mission to transform Midsteeple Quarter and breathe new life into Dumfries High Street enters an exciting era.

In personal conversation - and across social media - people have been overwhelmingly positive about the progress we are making on behalf of the townsfolk of Dumfries, who make the work that we do possible.

As part of the visit by Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur to announce the funding package supporting the work underway at 135-139 High Street, Midsteeple Quarter board member Joe McGurk, who is also a local poet, presented him with a poem about our organisation’s work.

And he has penned another piece summing up the aftermath of the occasion, which we thought would be great to share, alongside a fantastic selection of photographs by Kirstin McEwan, who captured some of our Midsteeple People brilliantly.

MSQ’s Joe McGurk, left, with Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur

Describing where we are from

Oh we are buzzin’

Aye there is Tom

Go for a dozen

Good through bubbly 

A lot, far it went 

Looking lovely 

For Scottish Parliament 

This sublime 

Show the cream

Picture time 

A poet’s dream

See the thought, purr 

The door yes it’s ajar 

Midsteeple Quarter

More, going very far 

A gem, a sparkler

From it on it all

Emma Harper

Dominic McConnell

Oh seen a plan a……

Give that a go 

Roisin-Alana

DiGiacamo

Went wi the flames 

Hot to touch

Plenty o names 

Got to clutch

All to adjust 

Grinning lately 

Hollywood Trust 

Minutes maybe 

On it thrives 

Plan makes….

Tom arrives 

Handshakes 

Soon is a stage 

With a statement 

Community engage 

Communication

Tune it is dealt 

Got the wins 

Community Wealth 

Talk begins 

We’re in luck

We heard 

Reconstruct 

The key word 

Yes with that 

Love, adore 

Seven flats 

Upper floors 

That is to see 

Check it all

Activity 

Flexible

Express one piece 

Tell it’s great 

Centre Dumfries 

Celebrate 

Wow stunned 

That’s a plan, grrr

Crowd fund 

Asset Transfer 

Steep is the thought 

Days wi no smile

Keep what we’ve got 

Raise the profile 

With the grit 

Build some more 

Brick by brick

Thrill the core 

One has sent all

Be big 

Fundamental

Rejig

• Joe McGurk - July 18th 2022