How did the SWT come about? Two people were the main drivers in the Trust's inception, the late Sir Charles Connell and George Waterston. Though their primary interest was in birds, they felt that Scotland needed a voluntary body, which embraced the wider interest of nature conservation, thus including plants, animals and invertebrates along with their habitats. They gave early consideration to the structure of the Trust, how could it best operate in Scotland as a national organisation? The possibility of setting up county trusts as in England was considered but the Council opted for a branch structure modelled on the Royal Scottish Forestry Society (150 years old this year ) It was felt that this suited Scotland best with its relatively small and unevenly spread population.

Fife was one of the first branches, which included Clackmannan until 1975, and continues to include Kinross. David Spence was the first chairman, a plant biologist of note who later held the Chair of Botany at St Andrews University and who brought scientific knowledge to the Branch. Along with him were Jim and Helen Caldwell and George Ballantyne who cemented links with the Kirkcaldy Naturalists. The Fife Branch has developed from small beginnings into a substantial and important part of the Trust. Its size, range of interests and population levels has given it a resilience and confidence. For example Frank Spragge, Branch Chairman from 1971-1984, went on to become National Chairman.

The first reserve in Fife was Bankhead Moss, a raised bog retaining its interest in spite of its arable surroundings. It was considered of national importance by the Trust. Early pictures show Bob (RMM) Crawford measuring peat depth, and explaining the significance to interested members.

Fife contains a mixture of good agricultural land and coal measures, the latter now largely worked out. Post-war mining flourished in the fifties and sixties. But by the end of the sixties the pits were closing and how to deal with the post-mining dereliction became an issue for the County Council. Making use of new grants they started to turn the dereliction which was Lochore Meadows into a new green and pleasant land. The Fife Branch was part of this new initiative, advising on and supporting a reserve area as part of this epic land reclamation.

In the early days Fife, along with the rest of the Trust, saw the creation of Reserves as a priority. It was a way to safeguard both habitats and species, and to demonstrate wildlife and vegetation. Examples are Cullaloe, Carlingnose Point, Fleecefaulds Meadow and Dumbarnie Links. Reserves remain important, but for the Branch (now Members Centre) today, communication and interaction with local communities has become a new imperative. The new Access legislation has created new opportunities as well as new problems for land management.

Undoubtedly the biggest resource the Trust has are the many people, far too many to mention individually, who give and have given of their time, energy and knowledge to the work of the Fife Members Centre. They have made it what it is today.

Jean Balfour, President of the Members Centre