NEWMILNS REGENERATION ASSOCIATION

CO-CHAIR'S REPORT

AGM 24th NOVEMBER 2025

Taken from the Co-Chair's Report at the 2025 Annual General Meeting for the Newmilns Regeneration Association.

Co-Chairperson's Report

The Co-Chairs Joyce Black and John Sharp welcomed everyone.

Joyce Black (Co-Chair) Report

Joyce thanked all the Trustees for their continued hard work this year. 

She then thanked Bob Astill for his continued work on the Newmilns Lotto which has continued to grow, both in terms of prize money and the Community Fund. We have also seen record month returns after record month throughout the year with Novembers Prize winner receiving £522.50.

Thanks were also given to Shirley Wallace, who though stepping down as a Trustee, will remain a member and has offered to continue running the social media and website.

The Heritage Group being lead by Marie Johnson has launched a heritage app and has also create 2 Murals celebrating the Lace Heritage. Information boards are also in the final throes of being created. 

The Garden Grouplead by Andy Wilson and Shirley Frater are persisting with the attempt to create a Community Garden, though there have been set backs with Planning.

We have our Xmas Fayre next weekend, along with a Santas Grotto and Christmas Lights Switch-on. Then we have our Ceilidh planned for Hogmanay

We have again donated Christmas Selection boxes and Easter Eggs for every child at Newmilns Primary School and ECC.

Joyce Black

Co-Chair,
Newmilns Regeneration Association

John Sharp (Co-Chair) Report

John began by making special thanks to Graham Vincent who has been a cornerstone of the group this last year, with all he does as Treasurer and across many aspects of the work the group does.

John provided an update on the Townhouse, a condition survey was created, this now means that we can continue to move to the next stage alongside Ayrshire Architectural Heritage Trust. While we have confirmed funding from the Renewable Energy Fund for £200k towards the cost of the renovation more funds to cover VAT and professional fees are needed. John is working with our Development Officer to seek these funds. The Community Asset Transfer was stalling, but recent developments following talks with Legal Dept are looking extremely positive. The Keeper has indicated that Title will be granted and Legal have also identified that the Townhouse was wrongly placed in the Common Good Fund, so will not be required to go to Sherriff’s court to be released.

The Tin Shed planning application has been approved with conditions. Though the conditions seem to point to it more being a house rather than reflecting the Tin Shed that had stood there. 

A feasibility study was created into the development of the Viso building at Vesuvius into workshops and storage units. The owner is now Industruct and talks are taking place with them around the potential purchase of the building. The majority of the funding for the purchase would be from the Scottish Land Fund, who also funded the feasibility. John is working with Karl Doroszenko to look at funding towards a grant application for the funding of the first phases of the development, this would be from a major UK Government grant source.

John Sharp

Co-Chair,
Newmilns Regeneration Association