Category: SDT_NEWS

SSDA South Scotland Thistle Awards 2025

Best Community Tourism and Events Initiative

A fantastic win for the Stranraer Oyster Festival this year! Award received by the Trust Chairman, Romano Petrucci and the Trust Treasurer, Rod Baxter. Presented by Richard Lochhead – Tourism Minister for Scotland.

 

Photo Credits

SSDA South Scotland Thistle Awards 2025 Pic Phil Wilkinson

SSDASouth Scotland Thistle Awards 2025Pic Phil Wilkinson
SSDASouth Scotland Thistle Awards 2025Pic Phil Wilkinson

Autumn Crafting 14th October 2025

This year’s Autumn Crafting workshop was well supported and enjoyed by all. Thank you to all that attended this afternoon’s crafting session 🦊🦉🦇Very impressed with everyone’s artwork 🦔🐾 Lovely afternoon

 

Stranraer Young Developers Threave Gardens and Nature Reserve Trip 21st August 2025

Great day out at Threave Gardens & Nature Reserve. A huge thank you to Naomi at National Trust for telling us the history of Threave and about their 100 year restoration programme. Alexandra Cafe thank you for catering at short notice, the lunch boxes were delicious

 

 

Job Title: Project Assistant

 

  

Organisation: 

 

Stranraer Development Trust

 
Duration:

01/08/2025 to 31/03/2026 fixed term contract.

 Hours & Salary:

20 hours per week.

Salary will be paid at rate of £14.50 per hour.

 Location:

Stranraer
 

Responsible To:

  

Stranraer Development Trust Board of Trustees.

 
 

Responsible For:

 The Project Assistant will provide support to the Development Trust around the delivery of the Employability HUB within the community.

 

  • Provide information and support to clients and organisations using the HUB
  • Creation of a program of activity, events and drop-in sessions within the HUB
Key Tasks include:

 

  • Engaging fully and positively with local residents and groups, supporting local people and stakeholders, and building strong relationships
  • Be responsible for bookings, promotion, and engagement of the HUB
  • Monitoring the usage of the HUB
  • Work alongside the Employability, Skills and Partnerships Service within Dumfries and Galloway Council
  • Carrying out further duties appropriate to the post in the furtherance of Stranraer’s aims, objectives, policies, and priorities
  • Promote the support available through partners in DG Works

 

Person Specification

Skills, Knowledge and experience

 

Essential

  • Are passionate about the Stranraer area
  • An understanding of partnership working
  • Strong Communication skills and ability to create positive relationships
  • The ability to work as part of a team, as well as on your own
  • The ability to manage time effectively, work to deadlines, and work outside normal hours when necessary

 

Desirable

  • A knowledge and understanding of the issues facing disadvantaged communities
  • An understanding of the local and national Child Poverty agenda
  • Knowledge of employability services
  • An understanding of community participation and the Scottish approach to Service design
  • An ability to enthuse, motivate, and inspire others
  • Experience in using Microsoft applications and Teams
 

Applications

  

Applications with CV and a covering letter should be submitted to

Mr Romano Petrucci, Chairman, Stranraer Development Trust. Email romano@stranraerdevelopmenttrust.co.uk

Closing date for applications will be 5 pm on 18th July 2025, with interviews to be held the week beginning 21st of July 2025. By submitting your CV, you are confirming your availability for interviews during this period.

Job Opportunity

 

 

Job Title: Oyster Festival Administrative Assistant

 

  

Organisation: 

 

Stranraer Development Trust

 
Duration:

18 weeks fixed term contract, commencing June 2025.

 Hours & Salary:

20 hours per week for a period of 18 weeks, salary will be paid at rate of £15.50 per hour.

 Location:

Stranraer
 

Responsible To:

  

Stranraer Development Trust Board of Trustees.  Line manager is the Development Trust’s Events Officer.

 
 

Responsible For:

  

Administrative associated tasks supporting the planning, management and actual delivery of Stranraer Oyster Festival.

 
 

Job Activities:

 

 –          Support with overall organisation of the Stranraer Oyster Festival

–          Liaising with SDT festival staff to ensure that all administrative tasks are met.

–          Assistance with invoicing, trader correspondence, ordering of marketing collateral, ticketing enquiries, coordination of artist requests and overview of site signage/detail.

–          Develop and maintain a structured filing system.

–          Support with recruitment and support a team of community volunteers to help develop and deliver Stranraer Oyster Festival 2025

–          Support with social media activity for the festival.

–          Support with booking of festival equipment and festival activities

–          Report to and work closely with Events Officer and SDT Staff.

–          Work with partners to establish a programme of activity

–          Liaising with stall holders to ensure that their requirements are met.

 

 
 

Applications

  

Applications with CV and covering letter should be submitted to

Mr Romano Petrucci, Chairman, Stranraer Development Trust. Email romano66@aol.com

Closing date for applications will be 5 pm on 27th May 2025, with interviews to be held the week beginning 2nd of June 2025.

Job Opportunity

 

 

Job Title: Oyster Festival Assistant

 

  

Organisation: 

 

Stranraer Development Trust

 
Duration:

18 weeks fixed term contract,  commencing June 2025.

 Hours & Salary:

30 hours per week for a period of 18 weeks,  salary will be paid at rate of £15.50 per hour.

 Location:

Stranraer
 

Responsible To:

  

Stranraer Development Trust Board of Trustees.  Line manager is the Development Trust’s Events Officer.

 
 

Responsible For:

  

Supporting planning, management and actual delivery of Stranraer Oyster Festival.

 
 

Job Activities:

 

 –          Support with overall organisation of the Stranraer Oyster Festival

–          Support with recruitment and support a team of community volunteers to help develop and deliver Stranraer Oyster Festival 2025

–          Manage social media activity for the festival.

–          Support with identifying and organising advertising opportunities

–          Liaising with young people in Stranraer to develop the youth activities.

–          Support with booking of festival equipment and festival activities

–          Report to and work closely with Events Officer and SDT Staff.

–           Engaging with organisations to carry out training for the youth volunteers as Festival Guides and Media Team.

–          Work with partners to establish a programme of activity

–          Liaising with stall holders to ensure that their requirements are met.

 
 

Applications

  

Applications with CV and covering letter should be submitted to

Mr Romano Petrucci, Chairman, Stranraer Development Trust. Email romano66@aol.com

Closing date for applications will be 5 pm on 27th May 2025, with interviews to be held the week beginning 2nd of June 2025.

 

 

Cycling infrastructure installed at the Gateway to Galloway Tourist Information and Community Hub

Stranraer Development Trust has recently installed a bike shelter, 12 bike racks, a repair station, and 12 heated lockers at the Gateway to Galloway Tourist Information and Community Hub.  While the outside infrastructure is free to use, there will be a small charge for the use of the heated lockers. The infrastructure has been funded by the South of Scotland Enterprise and is in support of the continued delivery of active travel within the region, and the Coast-to-Coast cycle path, from Stranraer to Eyemouth.

Stranraer Development Trust in partnership with D&G Employability Hub

Pop along and join us for an informal chat over a cup of tea or coffee to hear about the fantastic provision currently available.

The hub is located at 31 Queen Street , Stranraer Town, Stranraer, DG9 7LQ. Opening Hours: Monday and Tuesday 9am-2pm and Thursday and Friday 2pm-7pm

Our space is safe and fun for families with toys, books and art activities. With access to public WiFi and laptops. No appointment is necessary, just pop in and we’ll stick the kettle on!

The Employability Hub will also work with local businesses, employers, charities and Local Employability and Skills Partners to deliver workshops, job fairs, information sessions, host events and deliver programmes to support the local workforce.

For more information please contact: pop-up@stranraerdevelopmenttrust.co.uk

The services we provide can help with the following:

  • Volunteering
  • help with reading, writing and maths
  • digital skills support
  • training opportunities
  • paid work placements
  • help with money and budgeting
  • health and wellbeing support
  • 1 to 1 support into work

You must meet all of the following criteria:

-16 years of age or older

– Resident in Dumfries and Galloway

– Have the right to work and live in the UK

– Unemployed and looking to get back into work OR in employment and claiming an income-based benefit (e.g. Universal Credit)

AND at least one of the following characteristics:

– Parents with a child under the age of 19 (still registered in full time education)

– Armed Forces Veteran

– Asylum Seeker

– Care experienced

– Caring responsibilities

– Childcare needs

– Criminal convictions

– Homeless or affected by housing inclusion

– Long term health condition / illness

– No / limited work experience

– Refugee

– Substance related conditions

– Lack of transport

Employment Key Workers offer 1-2-1 and group work support to individuals looking to move into positive destinations (employment, FE/HE, training).

Participants are given a dedicated Key Worker who works with them to identify their goals, plan their next steps and access further employability support with partner agencies.

Participants will also be supported to create CVs, job search, better understand job applications and how to apply, learn interview techniques and preparation and access work experience placements.

The purpose of the programme is to support clients into the destinations listed below and will be delivered by CEIS D&G’s employer engagement team.

– Volunteering

-Work experience

-Employment

-Self-employment

-Modern apprenticeship

-Further or higher education

-Accredited training

Once the referral has been received, a face-to-face appointment will be arranged, where possible, to carry out a handover with the client, their Key Worker and one of our Employer Engagement Officers present to ensure a smooth transition. Once the initial appointment has been carried out, the participant will then begin the programme of support to progress into employment.

Eligibility ​

Meets DG Works eligibility criteria. ​

Referral Information ​

Referrals, including self referrals should be sent to dgemployabilityreferrals@dumgal.gov.uk ​

Named Contact

Keyworker Co-Ordinators,

greg.cameron@dumgal.gov.uk Lorraine.irving@dumgal.gov.uk

 

 

Stranraer Oyster Festival delivers a £1.7 million economic boost

Stranraer Oyster Festival delivers a £1.7 million economic boost

  • Three day oyster festival generated £1.7 million local economic impact
  • Attendance was up 6% on 2019, despite heavy rain and extreme weather warnings
  • Local businesses credit the festival with encouraging product and service development

The return of Stranraer Oyster Festival last month generated an additional £1.7 million for the local economy, according to an independent economic impact report. The study, which was carried out by MKA Economics, also noted that this level of visitor spend should help to safeguard 25 tourism related local jobs.

The three-day festival took place on the first weekend of September, the start of the UK’s native oyster season. Despite extreme weather warnings and torrential rain, the festival attracted more than 18,000 people to the scenic harbour town on the shore of Loch Ryan, home to Scotland’s last remaining wild, native oyster fishery.

The economic impact research identified that 87% of visitors were in the area as a direct result of the festival, and noted increases in the numbers of visitors staying in the area, as well as increases in average duration of stay, compared with the 2019 event.

Researchers also analysed the impact of the festival on participating local businesses and found traders reported individual economic impacts of up to £10k each. Half (49%) of traders said that the town’s hosting of the festival encouraged them to think about new ways to develop or promote their business, product or service.

Romano Petrucci, Chair of Stranraer Development Trust, the community organisation behind the oyster festival, said:

“These are truly remarkable figures. I think we can say, without any shadow of a doubt, that the oyster festival is now the main catalyst for economic change and destination development in Stranraer. For a three day event to have such a significant impact on our local economy is a testament to the passion and the hard work of our community. And to have achieved this in the face of extraordinarily bad weather is simply incredible.”

Romano added:

“This event was created by our community to celebrate our place, our produce and our people. We care very deeply about this town, and that care is what has elevated this festival to become a driver for economic change.

“As a community we had to wait a long time for the return of our festival after the pandemic, and when the weather forecasters issued their warnings of extreme weather disruption over the festival weekend, my heart sank. So it was humbling indeed to watch people disregarding the torrential rain, filling the waterfront marquees and having an absolutely fantastic time.

“I am so grateful to everyone who has supported this event - from each and every one of our wonderful volunteers to our amazing funders and sponsors. It shows what we can achieve when we work together towards a shared vision. I am so, so proud of this community.”

Launched in 2017, Stranraer Oyster Festival is credited with changing the story of Stranraer, from one of economic deprivation to one of potential. Taking place from 2nd – 4th September, the 2022 festival programme featured numerous demonstrations and events, including by celebrity chefs Clodagh McKenna and Tony Singh. The festival was sponsored by Ascensos and was supported through EventScotland’s National Events Funding Programme and Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Major Events Strategic Fund.

The economic impact report concluded:

The 2022 festival once again celebrated the local produce and the coastal heritage of South West Scotland, and attracted a total of 18,000 visitors, compared to 17,000 in 2019, 14,000 in 2018 and the 10,000 in 2017. This is an impressive growth rate over a four year period.

The net additional economic impact of visitor spend as a result of the Stranraer Oyster Festival was 6% higher than that reported in 2019, in the region of £1.7million. This is an impressive growth trend, considering it has maintained growth over four years, as well as the inclement weather, 2 year lay-off and ongoing cost of living crisis.

 

Ends

Get Tae Shuck! The ShuckOff Returns

Get Tae Shuck! The ShuckOff Returns

The Scottish Oyster Shucking Championship returns after two year break 

  • Scottish chefs and seafood professionals invited to compete to win the ShuckOff title
  • The winner will go on to represent Scotland at the World Championships in Galway
  • The ShuckOff will take centre stage at the Stranraer Oyster Festival on Saturday 3rd September

Stranraer Oyster Festival is inviting contenders to battle it out for the title of Scotland’s Shucking Champion. Taking place on Saturday 3rd September 2022 at the popular Festival, the Scottish Shucking Championships returns after a two year Covid-enforced break.

Festival goers will be able to cheer on hopefuls competing to world standards as they battle it out through fast paced heats before the finalists shuck it out to win the title.

Open to Scottish chefs, seafood professionals and hospitality students, the winner will be crowned the Scottish Shucking Champion and will go on to represent Scotland in the World Championships at Galway International Oyster Festival, on an all-expenses paid trip in late September.

The current Scottish Champion, Tristan Hugh-Jones of Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery, will be compering the event and has offered some training at the festival help competitors perfect their shuck.

Tristan said:

“It’s fantastic to see the ShuckOff make a return to Stranraer Oyster Festival and I’m thrilled to be hosting the event this year. It was a real honour to win Championship in 2019, and represent Scotland at the Internationals in Galway, and this year I very much look forward to seeing some stiff competition, and some beautifully opened oysters!”

The ShuckOff will be judged by shellfish experts David Jarrad and Janet Brown. David Jarrad is Chief Executive of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, an organisation representing the entire shellfish supply chain. David is an experienced oyster opening expert, having owned oyster farms and run a mobile oyster bar opening thousands of oysters at events and festivals.  He has been a judge at the British Oyster Opening Championship for over a decade.

Janet Brown has championed shellfish for decades, from research work on giant clams in the South China Sea to her current role as Editor of ‘The Grower’, the newsletter of the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers.  Much of her working life has been spent in the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling where she ran the shellfish unit.

Oyster shucking (or opening) championships are a popular feature of oyster and seafood festivals around the world. Each competitor is required to open 30 oysters in under three minutes, and points are awarded for the speed of opening plus the presentation of the tray of opened oysters. The test for the judges is how attractive the tray would look for a customer in a hotel or restaurant.

The Scottish Oyster Shucking Championships will take place on Saturday 3rd September from 12.30pm – 2pm at the Stranraer Oyster Festival.

If you are a chef or professional in the seafood sector and are interested in competing in the Scottish Oyster Shucking Championships, email Allana Hardie at hardie@stranraerdevelopmenttrust.co.uk .

Stranraer Oyster Festival takes place from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th September in Stranraer, south west Scotland. Tickets cost £5 per day or £10 for the full three-day event for over 16s, with concessions available. 16s and under can attend free of charge.

Stranraer Oyster Festival marks the opening of the British native oyster season. To avoid the breeding season, native oysters in the UK are traditionally harvested only during months with an ‘R’ in the name.

The festival programme includes demonstrations and events by celebrity chefs Clodagh McKenna and Tony Singh, live music, extreme pond dipping, an artisan market, the Big Oyster Bash, children’s entertainment, a massive oyster bar and a spectacular firework display over Loch Ryan, home of Scotland’s last wild, native oyster fishery. For tickets and information visit www.stranraeroysterfestival.com .

The festival is sponsored by Ascensos and is supported through EventScotland’s National Events Funding Programme and Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Major Events Strategic Fund. The Scottish Shucking Championship is sponsored by Seafood Scotland, the national trade and marketing body for the Scottish Seafood Industry.

 

Ends

 

EVENTSCOTLAND – Notes to Editor

EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events by securing and supporting an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events. It provides funding opportunities and access to resources and information to develop the industry.

EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation, alongside Business Events and Development teams.  For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.eventscotland.org or follow Twitter @EventScotNews and LinkedIn.