Farewell to Grahame

As you’ll see in DD9 Connections Issue 33, Grahame Lockhart is leaving the DD9 area.

Many of us met Grahame for the first time when he organised a meeting in November 2015 through Churches Together to discuss the changes happening to health care provision in Brechin.  This meeting at the Damacre Centre led to the creation of Brechin Healthcare Group with Grahame as Chairman.

He has described in his foreward our aspirations for developing a health and wellbeing hub in the Brechin Infirmary building and grounds.  He led the group – BHG – through the intricacies of the Community Asset Transfer process and all that entailed, and although we had widespread support within the community as well as from potential service providers and users of the hub, and local and Scottish political figures, we were unsuccessful even after appeal to the Scottish Government.

Even before the disappointment of not achieving our initial plans, Grahame was at the helm as we developed the Jenner Centre which was much appreciated especially during Covid.  Because of the personal toll taken on him due to the amount of work he had put in, much of it behind the scenes, Grahame was keen to step down as Chairman.  However at that time we were reluctant to let that happen.  I think it was nearer two years later that Stanley Callaghan was co-opted as a Trustee and appointed Chairman.  However, Grahame continued to be the glue which held the group together.  It now looks as if he’s actually having to leave town to get that break he deserves!

We know he’s not about to rest on his laurels but to give that same dedication and determination to the church in Arbroath.  He’s become a staunch Brechin City supporter, and we can only hope that he doesn’t transfer his allegiance to Arbroath FC!

We will all miss him for his wisdom and friendship but wish both and Hazel all the very best for the next stage in their lives.