ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF RURAL SCOTLAND (A.P.R.S.)
OFFICE-BEARERS
Honorary President . . SIR JOHN STIRLING MAXWELL, Bt., K.T.
President . . THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF HADDINGTON, M.C. SIR IAIN COLQUHOUN, Bt., K.T., D.S.O.
Vice-President . . THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF GALLOWAY.
Chairman of Council Vice-Chairman of Council . . COLONEL SIR J. D. RAMSAY, Bt., of Bamff, M.V.O., F.S.I.
Joint Honorary Secretaries . . SIR F. C. MEARS, P.R.S.A., F.R.I.B.A.
LESLIE GRAHAME-THOMSON, R.S.A., F.R.I.B.A.
Honorary Treasurer. . H. A. RENDEL GOVAN, A.R.I.B.A., M.T.P.I.
Organising Secretary . . J. T. MIDDLETON, W.S.
Office: 15 RUTLAND SQUARE, EDINBURGH, I
Telephone: 20396
ANNUAL REPORT, 1947
THE Council has pleasure in submitting the Annual Report to the Association, together with the Statement of Finances for the year ending 31st December 1946.
Cordial thanks are again due to the Office-bearers of the Association for their personal services during the course of the year.
Owing to the continuing restrictions on the use of paper, the Report this year is again very brief.
OBITUARY
The Council regrets to record the severe loss sustained by the death during the year of Mr. William Grant, who had been a member of Council for some ten years.
HYDRO-ELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT
During the year, the main Scheme of interest to the community proposed by the Board was the Glen Affric Scheme. The Council made representations to the Board before the Scheme was finally prepared, and it is generally considered that the Scheme is much less harmful to the amenity of the countryside than was originally contemplated, particularly with regard to the provision of water daily for the purpose of keeping the water fresh in the first two of the small dams below Mullardoch Dam, by the provision of compensation water for creating artificial spates in the Affric and by ensuring that there will only be a small increase in the natural variation in Loch Benevean.
The Council believes that the policy which it has all along pursued of not opposing Hydro-Electric Development, but of suggesting the best means whereby this can be carried out with the minimum spoilation of the countryside has, and will continue to bear fruit.
NATIONAL PARKS
The Council awaits the report by the Committee appointed by the Secretary of State, which is considering the administrative, financial and other measures necessary for provision on the lines recommended of National Parks in Scotland.
GENERAL
The activities of the Association have continued. Wherever possible, action has been taken in a number of cases in regard to the preservation and improvement of amenities.
As instances it may be mentioned that the Council has made representations with regard to the possible spoilation of Abbotsford View by housing schemes, regarding a suitable obelisk at Meikle Pickering, the untidy condition of David Ritchie’s grave, and the disfigurement of the Skew Bridge at Laurieston by advertisement.
The Council considered what action should be taken with regard to the preservation
of Dunottar Woods, but with reluctance it was decided that there was little hope of obtaining the sum required to prevent the felling of these woods if the proprietors so desired.
Towards the close of the year, the Government announced its intention to introduce in the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Bill powers to control out-door advertising. This is one of the objects for which the Association has long striven, and the Council awaits the proposed regulations to be made under the powers conferred by the Act.
SERVICES’ LAND REQUIREMENTS
The Council was approached by the Department of Health for Scotland to give its views upon the parts of the country proposed to be used by the Services for training purposes.
The Council fully recognises the need of a trained force, but has submitted general observations regarding how the sea and land can be used with a minimum of disturbance to the community.
If and when enquiries are held in Scotland, the Association will consider the particular aspects of any area.
RIVER POLLUTION
The Council, in conjunction with other bodies, is anxious to see a representative River Pollution Prevention Committee set up at an early date.
FINANCE
There is attached hereto an Abstract of Accounts for the year to 31st December 1946.
The year’s working shows a deficit of £10: 17: 3, but it may be mentioned that during the year no grant was received from the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust.
The Council hopes that with the assistance of members and the increased rates of subscription passed at the last Annual General Meeting, in future years there will be no deficit.
The Council, however, invites the co-operation of all members in increasing the membership, so that the income of the Association will be sufficient for its needs and to permit of extending its activities.
The Council records its appreciation of a legacy bequeathed by the late Mr. D. J. Gray, the amount of which cannot be ascertained until the expiry of the liferent.
BUSINESS
1. Minute of Annual General Meeting held on 5th June 1946.
2. Annual Report and Accounts.
3. Election of Office-bearers.
4. Election of Members of Council.
5. Any other competent business.
BALANCE SHEET as at 31st December 1946
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS for the Year to 31st December 1946
[see pdf file]
REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF RURAL SCOTLAND
We have examined the above Balance Sheet with the Books and the Accounts of the Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland, and have obtained all the information and explanations we have required. There have not been incorporated in the Accounts any transactions by Branches during the year, and the sums due by Branches included in the assets at 31st December 1946, have been taken at the same figures as at 31st December 1945. We have not examined the Membership Roll Books of the Association. Subject to the foregoing notes we report that in our opinion such Balance Sheet is properly drawn up so as to exhibit a true and correct view of the state of the Association’s affairs according to the best of our information and the explanations given to us and as shown by the Books of the Association.
8 FORRES STREET, EDINBURGH,
19th June 1947.
WHITSON & METHUEN, C.A.,
Honorary Auditors.
Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland
If undelivered return to
The Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland,
15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh
ANNUAL MEETING, 1947
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Association will be held in the ROYAL ARCH HALLS, 75 QUEEN STREET, EDINBURGH, on Friday, 4th July, at 2.30 p.m., when it is hoped that you will be able to be present.
The Right Honourable The Earl of Haddington, M.C., will preside, and the adoption of the Annual Report will be moved by Sir Frank C. Mears, P.R.S.A.
A note of the business to be transacted is on page 2.
Yours faithfully,
F. C. MEARS,
L. GRAHAME-THOMSON,
Hon. Secretaries.
Edinburgh: Printed by T. and A. CONSTABLE LTD.