Chairman of the town’s community council, Allan Weild, above, has been selected as a Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate in the Annandale South ward.
The former Ministry of Defence (MOD) police officer, who retired after 34 years service, currently works part-time with a contractor at the Johnson Matthey factory at Newbie.
Although based at the local Longtown defence complex, his police career took him to MOD facilities across the UK, including Greenham Common during the 1980s protests and peace camps.
Mr Weild and his wife Moira, community council treasurer, have a grown-up son and daughter and two grandchildren.
A native of the town, he was educated at Annan Academy and for more than 20 years was involved with the Riding of the Marches serving as both president and treasurer.
His wide community experience over four decades includes serving on the former Annan Initiative, as a past vice-chairman at Newington School Board and he is an administrator for Annan Athletic Supporters Club.
Mr Weild is also part of a small team running the Annan Online website and was involved in the Annan’s Open campaign promoting shops and other businesses during lockdown.
He said: “I’m passionate about the Annandale South ward and, if elected, would attend all the ward community councils on a regular basis.
“I have an empathy with members of other community councils and my hope is that the Eastriggs council will also be fully back in action soon after a long gap.”
Mr Weild’s priorities include pushing for more road repairs, an early as possible construction of, at least, one replacement pedestrian/cycle bridge over the river north of Annan, enhancing the appearance of communities across the ward and further developing the paths and cycle network.
He would also encourage job creation, particularly hoping production returns in some form soon to the Pinneys’ Annan factory.
