CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN

Further to my plea in FAWN, I am pleased to say that Deborah Cottam has become Members Centre secretary. We have had several retirals recently, Liz Lewis and Roma Adam as sales goods organisers, Paul Blackburn as Tree Group organiser and Sue Armstrong as programme co-ordinator. I am very grateful to them all for their considerable input to the Members Centre.

Maggie Stracey and Rosemary Story have taken over as sales organisers but we are still seeking a new programme co-ordinator and someone to organise the Tree Group. Indeed we are always seeking more volunteers. Activities range from helping on stalls, baking for coffee mornings, putting up posters, planting trees, pulling up weeds etc. Please contact me or a committee member if you can spare even a small amount of time.

The Trust nationally is undertaking an Operational Review to put the Trust on a secure financial footing and to decide priorities for future direction. The core aim of the Trust remains to advance the conservation of nature/biodiversity in Scotland. The strategic direction for the review will be to aim for a balance between reserves and the other work of the Trust in the wider countryside, advocacy, campaigns and protection of nationally important habitats and species. As a member of Council I feel that the correct decisions were made, balancing both financial and operational risk. Minutes of Council meetings are available to all members and I would be pleased to discuss these.

I have just enjoyed one of our summer outings to Tentsmuir National Nature reserve. A great pleasure to see five species of orchid, including Lesser Twayblade and three spikes of Coralroot Orchid, chosen by Plantlife members as Fife's county flower. The Grey Seals watched us from just offshore, Sandwich Terns called and we enjoyed the variety of invertebrates, including a Clouded Border moth which landed on Albert's Lawrie's hat! A relaxed and informative afternoon in good company, when I really appreciate my membership of the Trust. Do come and enjoy our outings and indoor meetings.

Jean Stewart