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| Hoddom Parish Ecclefechan was a thriving community, the main industry being hand loom weaving, also cotton and gingham and the manufacture of straw hats. It was the first coaching post on the Carlisle to Glasgow road and was also the chief market for the immediate district. Nowadays, most people travel to Annan, Lockerbie and further away for work. The heirs of Dr Arnott, who was doctor to Napoleon on St Helena, built Kirkconnell Hall about 1860. It is now a hotel. In all, there are 3 hotels in the village. Ecclefechan has a village hall, formerly a Wee Free Church which joined with the present church around 1914-1918. The hall is used for badminton, carpet bowling, a mothers and toddlers group and occasionally other functions at weekends. There are also two other nurseries, one attached to the school and one private. The primary school has 61 pupils and 3 teachers, and secondary education is completed in Lockerbie. There is a Day Centre for the over 50s which provides daily lunches. Tai Chi, Keep Fit for the disabled, Old Time Dancing and Bingo are held weekly. The village has a Football club and there are several pigeon fanciers. Fishing is available on the River Annan and there is a small golf course at Hoddom Castle Caravan Park. Curling is also a favourite passtime with a very good ice rink at Lockerbie. | |
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