National Trust in appeal for more people to join board

The trust holds its AGM in October and is looking for a properties manager, honorary treasurer and honorary secretary as well as a further general council member.

‘Our secretary is standing down and our treasurer is standing down, as he feels he has reached the age where he needs to,’ said president Mike Brown.

‘We are not having a lot of luck finding replacements – we need people.

‘There is lots the trust wants to do and the resource we most lack is people. We need to increase the range of skills on our board.

‘Anyone interested in Guernsey’s environment and history – we would love them to get involved.’

He added that the role as treasurer was the only one that really needed specialist knowledge.

‘They would need to have some financial background – but the day-to-day book keeping is done by a full-time employee, and this would be to help with budgets and final accounts.’

Mr Brown said a lack of people was one of the reasons he had been persuaded to stand as president for another three years, which the council had unanimously backed.

‘I deeply care about this island. I’ll be 74 years old in October but I’m willing to go again,’ he said.

‘We have so much to do, such as the development at Les Caches Farm, the interpretation centre at Church House on the Bridge and fixing the Cornet Street Victorian Shop.’

The trust’s council currently has only eight members. ‘We need help organising and planning and people to bring new ideas,’ said Mr Brown.

‘It’s not a huge time commitment, we meet once a month and personally I find the work hugely rewarding.’

He added that anyone unsure of what the roles involve should feel free to get in touch with him or any council member.

‘I’m willing to meet up with anyone at any time to talk about our work and the help we need,’ he said.

‘Even if it’s just for a coffee and a quick chat.’

The AGM is on 1 October at Les Cache Farm. Contact emc@nationaltrust.gg for more information.