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Welcome to the first newsletter of 2016. A lot has happened since the last newsletter, much of which you will read in the Kettilstoun update from Robin. Firstly I would like to welcome Fraser Falconer onto the Board as a Director and as Deputy Chair. I am delighted that Fraser has joined us on the Board as he has been a member of the Kettilstoun Steering group from its first meeting. He will bring with him new ideas and a lot of experience, especially in relation to funding. Paul Geoghegan has also joined us on the Board at the end of last year and again is warmly welcomed. His legal background will augment the legal expertise we have on the Board.
Yes you read correctly above, I will be stepping down at the April Board meeting, hence this will be my last introduction to the newsletter. My husband and I are moving south to be closer to our respective families. However I shall remain an associate member of the LCDT so I can follow progress and I look forward to seeing Kettilstoun, and other projects, completed. It has been a privilege to work with you all and I would like to say thank you to everyone, as I have had a lot of support from so many in the community. There has been much forthcoming advice, help and commitment that it has made my 3 years on the Board an interesting, challenging and enjoyable time, especially since I took over as Chair. Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge are fantastic communities and I shall miss the people and the place.
During the time I have been involved, the LCDT has been part of the Town Management Group, the Linlithgow Planning Forum and I was invited to become an associate member of the Community Council. In addition to several other achievements we have also developed the business plan for Kettilstoun and made the final application to WLC for the land at Kettilstoun to be transferred to the Community under the Asset Transfer process.
I leave a strong and committed Board of Directors and believe the LCDT is in very good hands. Our membership is growing and now stands at 471 as I write this introduction. This makes us one of the largest voluntary organisations in the town and one that continues to grow. We have in fact been approached by other organisations regarding help and support for them, or even a merger but whether that will happen or not remains to be seen. Please remember that although Kettilstoun is our flagship project it will not be the only one, more will follow over the coming years. It is your Community Development Trust and ideas need to come from you, the Community.
I have one last appeal to you our members. We will have forthcoming appeals in relation to fundraising as we have a lot of money to raise in the next 6-8 months. Robin will give you an idea of what we have to raise especially within the Community. My APPEAL to you is to help us grow our numbers and support. We will be making numerous applications for funding and if we can say that we have 10% of the population, or more, as members and supporting us then that will be an enormous help. 10% of the population is approximately 1300 to 1400 people. If every member persuaded 2 or 3 other people to join the LCDT then we would reach that 10% easily. You can join online via our website or there are application forms in the Library. It would be fantastic if, when I step down in April, we have gained that level of support.
I wish you all continued success in delivering projects for Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge and know that the LCDT is in good hands. Perhaps my parting comment, other than the member appeal, is that working in partnership is vital. Sometimes it takes longer to achieve the aim but it nearly always achieves a better result.
Gill Fawcitt
Chair
LCDT
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