Friends of Leith Hall

Minutes of Meeting with NTS, Leith Hall, 20th May 2010, 17:30

Attendees;  Stewart Petrie, Tony Hunter, Gráinne Patton, Tina Low, Steve Callaghan
Distribution;  Friends Committee, Steve Callaghan, Website
Goal; to ascertain the Trusts progress with regards to;

  • The National Trust Leith Hall Project
  • The Halls maintenance and upkeep
  • Event planning 2010.

And to establish what support the Friends group can offer.

  •  Introduction

Stewart Petrie (As acting chairperson) gave a quick summary of the current status of the Friends Committee, explaining that we felt a central issue was that of poor communication, hence the need to sit with the NTS and receive answers to our queries.  The desire to have regular meetings/ updates and build a solid working relationship between the NTS and the friends group was voiced by all.  Steve was very open, positive and encouraging in his response.

  • The National Trust Leith Hall project.

The vision remains that the estate should be essentially self sustaining without relying on visitor numbers.  Steve outlined the ‘Leith Hall Project’.  The proposal comprises all the modifications to the Hall itself including;

      • Upgrading the private accommodation into three self contained luxury flats which it is intended to let on a short holder/tenancy basis.
      • The Oval room will become part of one of these flats, removing it from general public access.
      • Toilet and Office facilities for staff
      • Kitchen upgrades/ improvements for staff, tea room and outside catering/ functions use.
      • Ranger room converted to shop.

This project is at stage 3 of a 7-stage project development plan (which is in line with the outline schedule which Steve discussed at the open public meeting in Rannes Hall in December).  The project development plan is described;

Concept 
Feasibility 
2nd Phase feasibility
Planning to implement 
Actualisation 
Close Out 
Review

(idea stage)
(rough costing, feasibility and screening)
(detailed costing, planning & scheduling)
(contract tendering)
(execution, expenditure)
(completion)
(Lessons learned etc)


The current stage 3 has been budgeted approximately £20,000, employing a conservation architect (and support) to draft plans, costing, scheduling and the necessary planning applications.  A report to the NTS is expected before August 2010. 
The project will then be put forward to the NTS board (in competition with other projects throughout the country) for a budget allocation to enter stage 4.  This would essentially give approval for all remaining project stages. 
The realistic timeframe for the completion of this project would be the 2012 Season.  It would be envisaged that, from then on the estate would employ a seasonal assistant, in addition to the current staff (estate manager, gardeners etc), but the hall would remain to be reliant on volunteers to maintain it as a visitor attraction.
In addition to the Hall project, the NTS are actively progressing other business opportunities;

  • Renovation of Pitindrech Cottage and Lodge via partnership with property developer
  • Liaison and opportunity for combined resource utilisation with Ardmore distillery.

No formal agreements have as yet taken place in these regards.

  • Maintenance and preservation of the Hall

Having suffered a particularly harsh winter, the fabric of the hall was in need of some attention.  Within the NTS local portfolio, Leith Hall was not alone in this issue and the Trust has had to source additional funding from other budget areas to complete repairs.  These repairs are now complete/ in hand;

    • Slating and roofing has been repaired to remediate all leaks
    • Boiler house roof has been replaced
    • Dehumidifiers have been employed to dry out the house and remove damp
    • A ‘Deep Clean’ of the property is nearing completion.

The committee members witnessed all this and were much buoyed by the improving conditions within the house in the last few weeks.

  • Event planning and Hall utilisation 2010

Steve and Tina were pleased to discuss with the Friends, the good news that a group of volunteers have come forward to enable the opening of Leith Hall each Sunday through July and August in 2010 and 2011.  Additionally volunteers have come forward to offer 1 day per week cleaning and maintenance to support this.
The NTS are obviously encouraging and supporting this, however as it is on a purely voluntary basis, it is not the intention to publicise the opening nationally.  The openings will be for the pleasure of the community, to encourage further community support and to maintain the facilities while the Hall project is in progression. 
It is therefore appropriate for the Friends to extend their thanks to these volunteers.
In addition the Hall is available for private functions (dinners, weddings etc) and for viewing by groups (such as schools and groups etc) by arrangement with the property manager.
The gardens and grounds remain open and the Gardener and the Rangers are organising guided walks etc.  A brochure has been produced promoting the gardens and estate and this is being distributed across the shire.

  • Support from the Friends Group

Steve gave his opinion that lobbying NTS headquarters was not useful at this point in time, given the progression of the Leith Hall Project as outlined above. 
He also explained that simply by having a Friends group and being able to demonstrate the community’s active support, enables the NTS to apply for a number of community action and support type grants.  Discussions therefore moved on to some of the proposed Friends activities and events for 2010;

  • It was discussed that the Friends group would publicise the summer Sunday opening throughout its membership and to the wider community.
  • Given the proposed summer Sunday openings, the option of adapting the proposed Friends family picnic into a community launch for the first Sunday was discussed, while the NTS are intending to organise an event for the last Sunday in August.  These might involve some music on the lawn/ face painting/ bbq etc.
  • Steve Suggested that the Friends Group could offer some help to the property manager in establishing a ‘Destination Management’ group, involving local attractions and businesses in networking and mutual promotion. 
  • As initiated at an earlier Friends meeting, Rod Munros offering of Music evenings at the Hall have progressed to establishing dates – these will be publicised soon.
  • The Friends photo competition has launched and a small number of entries have been received.  This will culminate in a photo exhibition later in the year.  More entries are to be encouraged.
  • Ideas for a Friends/ community social event (A Rannes Hall Ceilidh) were put forward.

Steve was very encouraging about all these and they will be taken forward and progressed through the Friends committee.

  • Status of the Friends Committee – Next meeting.

The few committee members present were very much encouraged by the discussions, but given the resignations from the committee recently, a regroup and possible relaunch is necessary.  To that end an extraordinary General Meeting will be organised and while open to the community, only Friends members will be allowed to vote.  The target date for this will be a Saturday early in June, Rannes Hall.
A committee meeting is to be organised for Tuesday May 25th 7:00pm, Leith Hall to facilitate this.

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