The Midsteeple Quarter (MSQ) project is now moving to an exciting new phase. We have successfully raised capital funds for Development Phase One and recruited a dedicated project team to deliver the day-to-day running of the project. We are keen to expand our Board of Directors to strengthen governance and oversight while maintaining the representation of the community at the heart of the project.

We are delighted to welcome Laura Moodie to the MSQ team, she was recently appointed our new Administrator/Coordinator. Laura worked in administration and communications for a national grant-making charity before joining Midsteeple Quarter. She lives in Borgue, near Kirkcudbright, where she is a community councillor and trustee of the Public Hall. She’s also a trustee of MOOL – the Dumfries-based charity that supports refugees and displaced people – and Kirkcudbright Skatepark.

Midsteeple Quarter has been referenced in a major report on Creative Placemaking in South of Scotland. The report was led by The Stove in partnership with SoSEP and Carnegie Trust UK. At the end of last month, The Stove Network released Embers, a major report into creative placemaking, which presents an in-depth investigation into the importance, impact and potential influence of Creative Placemaking for the local economy and well being of communities in South of Scotland.

The Oven Art’s Programme is about to launch a new project that’s been a long time brewing: Press Play. Press play is an electronic music makers + bedroom producers space to share music ideas, works in progress, resources, music finds, tips, tricks and advice.

The Oven Art’s Programme is taking our gallery online and handing the reins over to artist’s themselves. Our instagram takeover lets local artists and some national artists post their work, share processes, ideas, works in progress, and let us all in on their creative world.

We were delighted to see so many people supporting the Project at our recent General Meeting that took place at The Oven on the 10th March 2020, We had the opportunity to update members and answer questions.

Midsteeple Quarter are thrilled to announce the news that they have been awarded national funding of £1.2 million for The Oven. This is one of three projects in Dumfries & Galloway who have received almost £3 million in total from Scottish Government. The total national fund is only £25M – so the South West has done really well. Big thanks to the Economic Development team at Dumfries and Galloway Council who led on the applications from the region.

Everyone at the Midsteeple Quarter project is delighted to welcome Scott Mackay as our new MSQ Manager. Many of you will know Scott as someone who has volunteered on the project for the last couple of years – most recently chairing the Board of Trustees on behalf of fellow members…so he certainly knows what he is letting himself in for! Scott stood down from the board in November in order to apply for the Manager post, we were delighted by the response to our advert, from all around Scotland, and the recruitment process was very competitive requiring two rounds of interviews.

Midsteeple Quarter have reached an exciting stage in their plans and were able to reveal The Blueprint for the Midsteeple Quarter project at a recent launch event on Wednesday 19th February in The Oven, Dumfries. Elected members from Dumfries & Galloway council, representatives from SoSE and DTAS were among the invited stakeholders who came along. The launch was also an opportunity to talk to boards members and the team about the progress and to meet other valued partners.

Please join us at a General Meeting on Tuesday 10th March, to be held at The Oven, 135-139 High Street, Dumfries, starting at 6.30pm. We need to hold a General Meeting to consider two important resolutions: the appointment of Auditors for 2019-2020 and the collection of members’ share capital. Your attendance would be appreciated.