Peter Renwick, the Local Facilitator for the town of Langholm in SURF’s Alliance for Action programme, will leave the organisation in September after three years in the role.

Peter was appointed in September 2018 to manage the newest site in SURF’s place-based programme, which supports locally agreed regeneration priorities in a diverse set of communities, and informs national policy. Supported by the National Lottery Community Fund and the Scottish Government, Peter has managed and supported a number of initiatives supporting the town’s economic development, its tourist offer, and collaboration across community groups.

Peter’s achievements include:

  • Supporting the development of the 2020-2030 Langholm Community Action Plan, which sets out the community’s aspirations following two years of research and consultation.
  • Managing the Tourism sub-group of the Langholm Alliance, an umbrella body for local community groups and businesses. The sub-group has secured funding to develop and implement a new tourism strategy.
  • Assisting the £3.8m community buyout of Langholm Moor and Tarras Valley, led by Langholm Initiative, and supporting ambitious plans for the 5200 acres of land, including the creation of Tarras Valley Nature Reserve.
  • Managing the £60k Langholm Town Centre Improvement Scheme in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council, which provides match-funding to commercial property frontages.
  • Managing the Making Places: Upstart initiative, which engages a younger demographic aged 14-40, in the town’s future development.
  • Information sharing via regular newsletters and social media output.

An independent evaluation of the Langholm Alliance for Action over 2018-20 by Iconic Consulting concluded that the programme has been successful in meeting its aims, in engaging and connecting local interests, in increasing community participation, and in developing impactful projects.

Peter will be taking up the position of Arts Programmer at Glenkens Community Arts Trust, where his responsibilities will extend to activities at the acclaimed CatStrand cultural hub in New Galloway and across the wider Galloway Glens area.

SURF Policy Manager Derek Rankine said: “The Local Facilitator role is a highly challenging one, requiring a vast array of skills across relationship building, partnership working, community empowerment, project management, and economic development. Peter has approached the role tremendously well and delivered on our key objectives. He leaves a strong legacy of practical achievement, and will be greatly missed by the SURF team and by our local and regional partners.”

SURF Chief Executive Euan Leitch said: “SURF’s loss is the CatStrand’s gain and we wish Peter all the best in his exciting new role. We will be working closely with Peter over his remaining weeks in post and engaging with local stakeholders, as we plan for continuation of local Alliance for Action activity and look to build on Peter’s outstanding work.”

Further information on the Langholm Alliance for Action is available here.