Chairman's Report, 2000

The big picture

Last year's AGM was given over to placing our aspirations before a large audience of guests from a range of related organisations, our principal proposal being the formation of an Ochils Forum or such body. Since then we have discussed the idea further with certain of the key players, most notably Scottish Natural Heritage. We have identified some reluctance on the part of other bodies to commit themselves to yet one more round of meetings, especially as those meetings would be about a matter about which they feel less strongly than we do. On a more positive note, we have also discovered that there already is a useful measure of working collaboration between the local officers of SNH, the Farming and Forestry Wildlife Advisory Group, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and others, and this offers a model for the future. It is likely that, before very long, all local authorities will have both a Footpaths Officer and a Biodiversity Action Plan Officer. If we can persuade each of the four Ochils local authorities - Perth and Kinross, Clackmannanshire, Stirling and Fife - to ensure that their two officers meet from time to time with us and with their counterparts to look at general Ochils matters, then we may have achieved our objective. Such meetings would involve just eight people, plus ourselves, and would be small and easily organised. In the first instance, the progressing of this vision will have to await the appointment of the relevant people.

Forestry

The detailed studies undertaken in relation to potential woodland sites in the Ochils have now been completed for some time. The key issue to emerge is the question of fencing costs: because each of the chosen sites is relatively small, the length of fencing which will be required is disproportionately expensive and cannot be covered by the grants normally available. With the help of Carolyn Warwick, of Clackmannanshire Council, ways are being explored of securing the shortfall.

Publicity

It has long been our intention to put more effort into promoting ourselves and our aspirations for the hills, and two significant steps have now been taken. On the one hand, a range of slides has been assembled and a lecture prepared; this will be delivered by Robin Kelsall, drawing upon his lifetime's knowledge of the area. Robin has been rehearsing his performance, and will be ready to "go public" for the first time at the AGM.

Moves are in hand to offer the lecture to local organisations all around the Ochils' fringe. On the other hand, our publicity committee is preparing materials for a set of display boards; these will accompany the lecture and will also be deployed in libraries, council buildings and other public venues.

May we invite members to consider whether organisations to which they belong would like to host our lecture?

The future

As mentioned above, the key to achieving our objective of bringing the care of the Ochils before organisations which are bigger than ourselves, and better able to undertake this charge, lies in the appointment of new council officers with responsibility for footpaths and biodiversity. Our immediate effort will go into ensuring that these people meet together, and are aware of our aspirations.

Alistair Lawson

Honorary Treasurer and Membership Secretary's Report for year to 21 Sept 2000

The accounts opposite show a very healthy surplus of £255.74. Subscription income was up, partly because of pre-payment by existing members and partly because of an increase in membership, the first for some years (see table below). Donations increased substantially, with a particularly generous donation by Miss Meikle, a life member. Sales of goods were much reduced, but the sale of maps in 1998/99 was a one-off.

Project expenditure was not as much as anticipated because of the lack of follow-up work to the original native woodlands project. This had shown clearly that the potential deficits involved were well beyond our capacity. We hope that the project will still bear fruit (rowan berries, perhaps!) but with larger organisations taking the lead. We have bought a slide projector and screen for giving talks. This is an investment in the future, to help recruit members, and we hope it will, in time, cover its costs also.

* Family counted as two members

Accounts for the year ended 21 September 2000 (1)

David S Gordon, Honorary Treasurer
Dunblane: 6 November 2000

Examined and found in accordance with the Treasurer's books and records.
Alan Wright
Dunblane: 6 November 2000

Notes to the accounts

(1) Accounts are prepared to show actual income and expenditure during the year to 21 September. At 21 September 2000 there were no outstanding bills or major commitments.

(2) Native woodlands £120.00; Planning £69.40; Lecture / slide show £247.07.

David S Gordon

Friends of the Ochils committee 2000

President -
Dr Rennie McOwan,
7 Williamfield Ave, Stirling, FK7 9AH