David has been a resident of Portpatrick for 10 years. He is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Energy Institute and Chartered Energy Engineer. He was formerly chair of Portpatrick Community Council and is currently a non-executive Board member of Novantie (the commercial arm of D&G Housing Partnership). He is also the Dumfries and Galloway representative on the advisory Board of the Bryden Centre, a cross- border research centre based at Queens University in Northern Ireland. David has extensive business experience having created an environmental consultancy employing up to 20 people. He sold to national engineering consultancy and became the Scottish Director for Energy and Sustainability. He now runs a small micro-enterprise (Sonas Energy).
Harry was born in Stranraer and after leaving as a child with his family he returned to live and work in Portpatrick in 2001. He has considerable senior management experience in the public, private and third sectors and has represented communities and consumers at local, national and European levels throughout his career. He has chaired the D & G Leader LAG Rural and Community Development Group for the last two years and has chaired the national organisation” Play Scotland” for the last 8 years delivering the Scottish Government’s Play Strategy. He continues to operate an international business from his office in Portpatrick. Harry has extensive experience consulting on the needs of young people.
Katie runs a holiday house in Portpatrick and is a partner in the family farm. Experienced in office administration she has run the office for her brother’s hotel in Portpatrick and for the holiday lets businesses. Katie is well aware of the challenges Portpatirck faces in Hotel and Tourism sector and is committed to develop economic regeneration and employment opportunities through the opportunities afforded by the proposed Community Hub. A committed volunteer. In the past Katie was the chairperson for Stranraer ladies circle and chair of the Parent School Council. She is presently also the chairperson for a local group. – the Shawl Group a self help group for people with long term conditions that meet in Stranraer every Tuesday morning to socialise and have regular speakers.
Tommy is a Portpatrick man born and bred. Tommy grew up in Portpatrick and has lived here all his life. Tommy with the support of his wife Brenda worked as Hall keeper for the Portpatrick Hall for over 15 years and was a member of the Portpatrick Coast Guard for over 10 years. He is experienced in fire protection and and sprinkler installation. As a volunteer he has organised and run the football winter league and is an active member of ONUS, (Oceans need us). Tommy has been involved in many community fund raising activities including MND raft race. He was one of the volunteer organisers for the recent Skiffie World and has been part of the Stranraer Coastal and Wigtown Bay Coastal Rowing Clubs. Tommy was the initiator of the original petition to save Portpatrick Hall and believes passionately in the need for a Community Hub in Portpatrick.
Alex, is also Portpatrick man born and bred. Alex went to Portparick School and Stranraer Academy, a time served Instrument Fitter at RAE Farnborough. Alex has accumulated wide range of experience over his career including commercial fishing, building roads, RNLI lifeboat mechanic, marine engineer, working in the North Sea and laterly working with Stena on the Cairnryan to Belfast crossing. Alex has been a volunteer crew member most of his life, until he became employed by the RNLI in 2000, Alex is a “Port boy” through and through, growing up in Portpatrick where he spent many hours at sea on his late father’s fishing boat and on his own boat.
Chris Cain – Director – Announcement
It is with great personal sadness that we have to note that Mr Chris Cain, died suddenly one the 11th February 2020. Chris had been resident in Portpatrick for over 15 years. During his career Chris was Senior Master for 18 years serving on the ferry route from Stranger/Cairnryan to Belfast . Since retiring Chris had taken on a number of roles to serve the community, as well as supporting PCDT as a director, he was very active within his church St John’s in Stranraer. One of his lasting legacies is the new platform lift there. He will be sorely missed both personally and professionally. A great man, wonderful husband, father and grandfather we send our condolences to his wife and family.