Report from the AGM - New Drive to meet challenging times for the National Park

At its recent AGM The Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs elected a new Chairman as the range of threats and challenges increase for Scotland's first National Park.

The new Chair James Fraser, and recently appointed Director of the Charity Simon Lewis, are looking forward to taking the charity forward to tackle these threats and challenges.  When public funding is under severe pressure, there will be increasing reliance on voluntary conservation bodies such as the Friends to protect and promote the Park as well as raising funds to support a range of special projects.  Outgoing chair Rowena Fergusson told the AGM that in the four years since she took on the role of Chairman, there had been the most progress over this last year.  New projects were starting like the exciting tourism and conservation ‘Our Park' scheme; the development of a new website to raise awareness of the rich and diverse wildlife throughout the Park; Simon Lewis coming on board as the new Director and a number of very positive steps forward taken by the ‘Friends' as an organisation.

She added:

"Our Executive Council has welcomed James Fraser and Carron Tobin as new trustees.  As we take up new challenges in the National Park I believe we will need a whole new set of skills from our Chairman and I am delighted that James Fraser has agreed to take on the role for the future - his special knowledge, enthusiasm and contacts are just what is needed by the ‘Friends' now" .

James has been associated with the area for a period of more than 25 years mainly as the former Chief Executive of Tourist Boards covering the National Park and Tourism Adviser to the bodies that preceded the Park Authority.

As James says:

"I have a passionate long term interest in the National Park and have enjoyed a close association with the Friends for much of this time.  In my new role as Chairman, I am looking forward to encouraging more local residents, businesses and visitors to sign up as members and supporters of this charity as we strive to move forward with a range of initiatives, in partnership with the Park Authority and others.

He added, ‘‘This is an interesting and challenging time with public sector resources facing a major squeeze and it is therefore important that the Friends galvanise more support from the people who benefit from the Park and ensure they play their part in helping to protect and enhance this very special area for the responsible enjoyment of everyone''.

Simon Lewis said:

"Loch Lomond and The Trossachs is one of the most precious parts of Scotland - it is loved worldwide. We see serious potential threats including the possibility of clusters of wind turbines being allowed within the Park, the piecemeal approach to upgrading the north section of the A82 beside  Loch Lomond and around Crianlarich as well as continuing pressure and damage from ‘anti-social' camping.  We need to tackle these threats and challenges with a sense of purpose, working with the Park Authority where possible, and independently where necessary.  With our new chairman in place and thirty years hard work behind us, this charity has spadefuls of experience, energy and commitment to help keep this place special for all of us, for all the nature it contains, for residents, visitors and for future generations".