Question:        Who are the trust?

Answer:            A voluntary, community led not-for-profit group set up to protect and develop the social, economic, cultural and environmental future of our village. We are non-political and are not a government affiliated organisation. The trust aim to work with existing village groups or individuals in project development and funding. Ultimately we will become a self-financing and income generating organisation. That income is for STONEHOUSE!

 

Question:        Why should I join?

Answer:            It is true to say that our strength will lie in the number of members we recruit. As a member you can receive assistance in project development and securing funding, and will be able to vote on trust projects that will hopefully improve the quality of life for our entire community. Even if you do not wish to become actively involved, your membership demonstrates your support for others who are aiming to improve this community for everyone.

 

Question:        How much does it cost?

Answer:            A £1.00 one-off joining fee. If you are 14 years or over, please download an application form and join now. You can join as an individual or as an organisation/group. We encourage groups to also take individual memberships to add to our membership numbers. This also gives your group more voting rights on project ideas.

 

Question:        Then what happens?

Answer:            Return your form and payment to the secretary and you will receive confirmation of membership and updates of trust activity and details of how you can participate.

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE:  26th January 2006

 

In mid-2005 the idea to establish an organisation who could co-ordinate and pull together the numerous voluntary groups and people within Stonehouse, was brought to forum by the Brighter Stonehouse Project (a small but active band who bring some welcome colour and floral attraction to our tired-looking village). They decided to establish a working group to explore the merits of forming a development trust for Stonehouse. Local individuals were co-opted into the working group, who met several times and concluded that the village could benefit substantially from the setting-up of such a trust.

 

What is a development trust?

 

*      They are independent but seek to work in partnership with other private, public sector and voluntary organisations

*      They are owned and managed by the local community

*      They aim to achieve sustainable regeneration of a community by addressing the economic, social, environmental and cultural needs of their community

*      They aim to generate income through trading activities that enable them to move away from grant support dependency. All trading profits are principally reinvested in the trust or community.

 

With the support of the Development Trust Association Scotland, a consultation meeting was held in the village on 26th November 2005, at which time the aims and objectives of the working group were set out. The meeting was well attended and the working group received positive feedback and encouragement to move forward and formally establish a trust.  As such, as of 20th January 2006, Stonehouse Development Trust has been formally incorporated as a private company, limited by guarantee.

 

For its size Stonehouse is quite well provided for organisations, clubs and community groups.  The majority of the time we spend servicing our members and meeting the purpose for which we were established in the first place.  That is as it should be, and long may it continue!  It is not part of the trust’s remit to interfere in any way in what groups presently do.  Rather, when requested, the trust will help strengthen and possibly expand our activities, e.g. by helping formulate ideas and prepare project bids for funding.  There are countless Foundations and Endowments which have funds to commit to community development-type projects of merit.  There are no doubt areas of community need which none of us are currently addressing. 

 

Stonehouse Development Trust hopes to identify such areas of need, plan suitable projects, negotiate funding and launch appropriate activity in the trust’s own name.  There is certainly unrealised potential in the Stonehouse community to do a great deal more for ourselves. We hope that the Stonehouse Development Trust could be the vehicle we can use to breathe some new life and dynamism into our village.

 

Stonehouse Development Trust is a company which will be run by an elected board of directors. All positions are voluntary, without salary. The board members will be nominated and confirmed by election at our AGM. An interim board has been formed from the working group, however the trust will be formally inviting nominations to establish it’s first elected board of directors in the near future.  Presently the chairman/MD of the trust is Mr. Bill Craw. Further information can be obtained by contacting the company secretary, Mr. Will McMurtrie, 5 Pebble Drive, Stonehouse, ML9 3RD .

 

THIS PRESS RELEASE IS AVAILABLE AS .PDF DOWLOAD, CLICK HERE

 

 

 

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All content copyright 2006, Stonehouse Development Trust

Registered in Scotland SC295874

A charity registered in Scotland with Charity Number SC040957