Timeline
One Dalkeith brings the local community together, to share skills, ideas and love for the town, to shape its future.
Everyone is welcome to join in.
Community Development Trust
One Dalkeith is a volunteer-led charity where many local people give up their spare time to make One Dalkeith happen.
One Dalkeith is run and owned by the local community for the local community. It was created following extensive community consultations and established as a Community Development Trust and Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) in 2017.
Through these consultations, the local community set out its vision, mission and aims to improve and enhance local community life.
Below is a diagram of One Dalkeith’s five aims to enhance local community life.
Vision:
- A healthy natural environment
- Attractive built environment
- A diverse and vibrant economy and culture
- Everyone has the chance to be involved.
Mission:
To improve Dalkeith: socially, economically, and environmentally.
Aims:
- To regenerate the Town Centre
- To provide community facilities in Dalkeith
- To grow the collective economic well-being of the community
- To enhance local arts, culture, and heritage
- To improve the local environment
Meet the Trustees
The trustees of the board contribute to One Dalkeith in a voluntary capacity.
Using their free time to help enhance local community life.
Douglas Strachan
Hello, my name is Douglas, and I am the Chairperson of One Dalkeith. I have been involved with One Dalkeith since its inception in 2015. I have lived in Dalkeith for around fifteen years, raising two children here. I set up my business in the town centre in 2012. I wanted to voluntarily contribute my knowledge and skills as an Architect and business owner to the community. This began with the community conversations that created One Dalkeith and continued through the process of business planning and project management. I have contributed to developing the Trust from conversation to delivery. As One Dalkeith evolves, I am excited to see the community’s vision for town centre facilities come to life, with all the associated benefits for community activities and connections.
Rae McGhee
Hello, my name is Rae, and I am the Vice Chairperson & Treasurer of One Dalkeith. I was born and raised in Dalkeith and have been involved in One Dalkeith since its inception when I was a community councillor. I am a teacher at Edinburgh College and a local historian. I love Dalkeith, and I am passionate about local history and culture. I run the very popular Dark and Deadly historical tours around Dalkeith. Acting as Vice Chairperson, I want to ensure One Dalkeith plays a vital role in preserving and enhancing the culture and history of Dalkeith and its surrounding districts for future generations.
Bill Kerr-Smith
Hello, my name is Bill and I am the Secretary of One Dalkeith. Having been part of the many public events and consultations that took place, before the creation of One Dalkeith, I became aware that there was a growing gap in the social fabric of our community and a real demand for something to fill that void. Many unsung heroes have contributed hours, days and years of their time to fulfilling that demand and I wanted to join them in the work of supporting One Dalkeith to enrich our community life and culture.
Rosie Parr
Hi, my name is Rosie and I am a trustee of the board, I have lived in Dalkeith for eight years and joined One Dalkeith as a community member in 2020. I quickly became aware of the positive impact that One Dalkeith has in the local community through its collaborative approach and partnerships with other agencies. I have two young children and have worked for over 20 years in the charity, health, and social care sector.
I have experience in the governance and operations of charities and the development of social enterprises.
Local communities must be supported to shape and direct their own services and infrastructure and do this inclusively for the benefit of all community members. Agencies such as One Dalkeith are key to making this happen, and I am delighted to contribute to this work.