Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Development Trust
Board of Trustees
Matt Lammie
Chairman
Matt is a native of Kirkconnel and is passionate about the sustainable regeneration of our area. In his working life he was employed by Stagecoach (previously Western SMT) working in mechanical engineering.
Matt is Chairman of various community organisations including KKDT, Upper Nithsdale Community Trust and Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Community Council. He is also a professional musician and accomplished accordion player, often entertaining in the community and continuing to teach young people.
Alan Daubney
Treasurer
Alan is a qualified chartered accountant and runs his own business, ADCA Chartered Accountants, in Sanquhar. He is involved in many community groups and organisations including Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Development Trust and the Upper Nithsdale Community Trust. Alan is also involved in a range of community activity – football, bowling and our local burns club.
David Weir
Trustee
David was born in Kirkconnel and lived here until he was 21 when he had to move away for work. He then returned in 2015 and now lives in Sanquhar and works at Kirkconnel Activity and Resource Centre, as well as currently acting as the Treasurer/Secretary for Kello Rovers FC. In his spare time David enjoys hillwalking and cycling.
Julie Heslop
Trustee
Julie lives with her husband Brian on a farm within the Kirkconnel Parish boundaries. This has allowed her to take on a range of animals to care for which has become her passion. Julie also enjoys spending her time gardening.
Julie works at our local supported accommodation facility, Key Housing. She is also a member of other community organisations including acting as the Vice Chair of Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Community Council and a member of Upper Nithsdale Community Trust.
Rab Martin
Trustee
Rab has lived in Kirkconnel all his life, previously working as a Miner at Barony Colliery, then as the Leading Railman at Kirkconnel Station. Rab has also worked locally more recently as a Museum Attendant at Sanquhar Tollbooth Museum, linking to his extensive historical knowledge of our area. In addition to his position as a Trustee at Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Development Trust, Rab is also heavily involved in the Kirkconnel Parish Heritage Society.
Staff
Jim Cooper
Development Officer
Jim recently started with KKDT as Development Officer at the beginning of August 2024. Jim has previous experience working in Community Learning and Development with D&G Council for over thirteen years, some of this time spent working in Upper Nithsdale. One of Jim’s projects during this time was the initial establishment of KKDT.
In Jim’s role as Development Officer, he is responsible for leading on key strategic projects, supporting other local organisations and ensuring an overview of all activity across the community through implementing and progressing the local Place Plan.
Eilidh Steel
Business Support Officer
Eilidh graduated from the University of Strathclyde in June of 2023 with a Bachelors degree in Journalism, Media and Communications & English and Creative Writing, later deciding to work in her local area. This led her to her position of Business Support Officer at Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Development Trust. Eilidh is responsible for the promotion, policies/procedures and overall organisational management of the trust.
Shirleyann Chidwick
GoodShare FoodShare Coordinator
Shirleyann has worked with KKDT since 2023, starting as a Support Worker for GoodShare FoodShare before becoming the project’s Coordinator in 2026. Shirleyann is passionate about community work and has formed strong connections with residents and service users in Kirkconnel and Kelloholm. As Coordinator, Shirleyann is responsible for the management of GoodShare FoodShare services, staff, and volunteers.
Libby Clark
GoodShare FoodShare Support Worker
Our Support Worker, Libby, is local to the area and has worked in the community for many years. She previously worked at Kirkconnel Parish Heritage Society as the Office Manager for 17 years, which led to her becoming a familiar face in the community and giving her insight into the challenges that people can face locally. Libby’s role focuses on supporting the day-to-day running of GoodShare FoodShare and its many health and wellbeing services.
Walter Allan
Ground Maintenance Worker
Walter (Watty) was appointed as our Ground Maintenance Worker in 2018 and works in partnership with D&G Council to improve the safety and appearance of our village and its vast area of land. Previously he worked as a Workshop Engineer with the Coal Authority. He is a keen bowler and is involved in Kirkconnel Bowling Club, often partaking in competitions.
Kelsie Littlejohn
Project Assistant
KKDT’s newest member of the team, Kelsie, has recently started her new role as Project Assistant for Kirkconnel and Kelloholm’s new Employability Hub. The role is funded by DGLEP (Dumfries and Galloway’s Local Employability Partnership).
Based in Hillview Leisure Centre, Kelsie’s new role will focus on developing ‘Hillview Employability Hub’ into a community service that offers support for local people looking to join the workforce, further their career path, or are looking for support with other factors that are preventing them from progressing into work.
Kelsie is local to the area and has also had previous roles working within the community. She looks forward to working with KKDT and supporting this new project.