LONG-SERVING trustees of a Helensburgh charity set up to support the regeneration of one of the town’s favourite green spaces are to retire next month - and new volunteers are sought to “ensure the park has a bright future”.

The current trustees of the Friends of Hermitage Park will step aside at the group’s forthcoming annual general meeting on December 14.

The association’s 200 members have already been notified and a call for new trustees has now been made.

Current chair of the Friends, Fiona Baker, said: “The current trustees have amassed 25 years in post between us and now that all of the physical construction work is finished we feel it is time for new blood with fresh ideas to take the park forward.

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“I have been a trustee since 2013, and chair since 2016; Brian Kyle has been our treasurer since 2015, our secretary Alison Holliman has been in post since 2017 and Jean Walker has been a trustee since 2018.”

Since the Friends formed in 2011 they have raised more than £68,500 for the park - in addition to the major £2.33 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant - and more than £140,000 worth of volunteer hours have been donated.

Fiona said: “The Friends have had only 11 trustees over the last 10 years, and we really fall into two camps – achieving the regeneration project and delivering the regeneration project.

“Now that the park refurbishment is completed it is time for the opportunities the park offers, and activities in the park, to be developed and enjoyed by the community.

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“The Friends have accomplished what we set out to do in saving the park from terminal decline and ensuring its regeneration.

“It is time for a new community role for the Friends to be developed, with new objectives and ideas to take our lovely park forward as a sustainable and thriving community asset.

“We hope that members of the Friends, and friends of the park as a whole, will come forward to ensure the park has a bright future.”

If you would like to stand for election contact the Friends’ secretary Alison Holliman on 01436 673187 or alison.holliman55@gmail.com.

You must be a member of the Friends to attend the AGM and stand for election.

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