Changes afoot

Some changes are taking place in the Friends of the Ochils Committee. Due to pressures of work, Julie Ellis has had to give up her role as Membership Secretary and Treasurer. Nicki Baker has agreed to take on these roles, which means stepping down as Chair; a position Stuart Dean has agreed to take over. After many years on the Committee, Robin Kelsall is standing down, but we are very pleased to welcome a new recruit David Scott.

In the next year, we will be working on the future roles and direction for the Friends of the Ochils and anticipating, with pleasure, the first opportunity in many months to concentrate on constructive developments (ie not pylons or windfarms!). As always, we will welcome inputs from and participation by all our members — indeed there are still vacancies to join the FotO Committee itself, so if you're interested please do get in touch!

Robin Kelsall: An Appreciation
Robin Kelsall is finally leaving the Committee (he's been trying for some time, but we wouldn't let him go!), and his departure marks the end of an era. If you look back at all the past newsletters on the website you'll find an article by Robin in just about every one. Fine writing about everything from the history of the Ochils area, to memories of people who've loved these hills, to good fighting talk campaigning against the threat of phone masts, wind turbines and pylons. We hope he'll continue to write for the newsletter in the coming months.
Robin has also made a great contribution by giving talks about the Ochils and the Friends to all sorts of outside groups. This outreach role has not only spread the word about the importance of the area, but also generated donations and new members. We really appreciate all that Robin has contributed over many years, and the Committee will greatly miss his wealth of knowledge and experience.

New faces - Committee member, David Scott
"Originally from the Lake District, I first came to Stirling in 1982 to study for an MSc (aquaculture and fisheries) at Stirling University. I have lived in Bridge of Allan for the past 20 years. My career has been in aquaculture and included 10 years at the University managing a consultancy business. For a number of years I ran my own mussel farm in Argyll. I still do consultancy work, but now also have a residential letting business in the Stirling area.
I am a member of the Ochils Hill Running and Mountaineering clubs and am out in different parts of the Ochils two to three times a week, so know the area fairly well! I am a member either jointly or individually of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation Society, Plantlife, RSPB, Woodland Trust, Sustrans, and Clackmannanshire Field Studies Society, of which my wife Marilyn is also Secretary. Other interests include gardening, sustainable lifestyles, cookery, joinery, and fishing."

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