The Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland  (A.P.R.S.) 

ANNUAL REPORT 1953 

TO BE PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD AT 15 RUTLAND SQUARE, EDINBURGH 1 

On TUESDAY, 14th APRIL 1953 At 2.30 p.m. 

The Rt. Hon. THE EARL OF HOME, P.C. MINISTER OF STATE 

will give an Address 

THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF RURAL SCOTLAND 

OFFICE-BEARERS 

Honorary President 

SIR JOHN STIRLING MAXWELL, BT., K.T. 

President 

THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF GALLOWAY 

Vice-President 

WILLIAM WALKER, A.R.E. 

Chairman of Council 

COMMANDER H. C. COURTNEY CLARKE, D.S.O., R.N.(Retd.) 

Vice-Chairman of Council 

SIR MARK DALRYMPLE, BT. 

Hon. Secretary 

H. A. RENDEL GOVAN, A.R.I.B.A. 

Hon. Treasurer 

IAN D. ROSS, W.S. 

Organising Secretary 

KENNETH MACRAE, W.S. 

Office: 15 RUTLAND SQUARE, EDINBURGH 1 Telephone FOU 7631 

THE COUNCIL 

ELECTED MEMBERS 

Chairman – Commander H. C. COURTNEY CLARKE, D.S.O., R.N.(Retd.) 

Mrs MACKENZIE ANDERSON, 69 Southpark Avenue, Glasgow, W.2 

J. BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S., Manor House, Inveresk 

E. S. BELL, F.R.I.A.S., Cranstonhill, Stirling 

Mrs D. BROWNE, 5 Greenmount Avenue, Burntisland 

Mrs COWAN, Eastfield, Bowden, Melrose 

The LADY ANTONIA DALRYMPLE, Newhailes, Musselburgh, Midlothian 

W. FERRIS, 159 West Nile Street, Glasgow, C.1 

W. M. GLASS, 38 Drummond Place, Edinburgh 

A. GRAHAM, 1 Nelson Street, Edinburgh 3 

L. GRAHAME-THOMSON, R.S.A., F.R.I.B.A., 6 Ainslie Place, Edinburgh 3 The Right Hon. THE EARL OF HADDINGTON, K.T., M.C., Mellerstain, Gordon, 

Berwickshire 

Mrs HEDDERWICK, 44 Coates Gardens, Edinburgh 12 

Major GORDON HOME, Lessudden House, St Boswells 

Captain Sir JOHN H. F. MCEWEN, Bt., of Marchmont, Greenlaw, Berwick- 

shire 

B. N. H. ORPHOOT, R.S.A., F.R.I.B.A., Well House, Easter Belmont Road, 

Edinburgh 12 

Major R. A. OSWALD, Cavens, by Dumfries 

The Right Hon. LORD POLWARTH, 3 Albyn Place, Edinburgh 2 

Mrs A. E. ROBERTSON, 17 Cluny Gardens, Edinburgh 10. 

ALAN STEWART-CLARK, 18 Lauder Road, Edinburgh 9 

Sir SAMUEL S. STRANG STEEL, Bt., Philiphaugh, Selkirk 

WM. WILSON, R.S.A., 11A Belford Mews, Edinburgh 4 

And the Office-bearers ex officio 

CONSTITUENT BODIES AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES 

AFFILIATED SOCIETIES AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES 

THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF RURAL SCOTLAND 

ANNUAL REPORT, 1953 

THE Council have pleasure in submitting the Annual Report of the Association, together with a Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31st December 1952. 

Introduction. 

The Association has steadily pursued a policy of adapting its outlook and activities to the conditions prevailing since the late war. On every opportunity Local Planning Authorities concerned have been consulted, and while the Council have not necessarily agreed in all cases with the views of Planning Authorities, these have been taken into account when coming to decisions. 

The Council. 

The death of Sir Frank Mears, R.S.A., F.R.I.B.A., which took place in New Zealand in January 1953, is recorded with the deepest regret. Sir Frank was one of the founders of the A.P.R.S. and had been Honorary Secretary since its inception in 1927. At all times throughout this period his counsel and guidance were freely given and at all times were highly valued. The aims of the Association were developed and promoted by his influence and the reputation and professional standing of its Honorary Secretary were of the greatest value to the Association. His passing is a grievous loss. 

The death of the following member of Council is also recorded with deep regret:- 

W. H. Johnson, F.R.I.A.S., L.R.I.B.A. 

During the year the following changes in the Office-bearers took place:- 

The Honorary Treasurer, Sir Mark Dalrymple, Bt., who on his appointment as Vice-Chairman had agreed to continue as Honorary Treasurer until a substitute had been found, resigned at the end of the year and Mr Ian D. Ross, W.S., was appointed in his place. The Council have minuted their thanks and appreciation of Sir Mark’s services as Honorary Treasurer. 

Mr H. A. Rendel Govan was appointed Honorary Secretary in place of the late Sir Frank Mears. 

The Council have met regularly each month (July and August excepted). Council meetings have been well attended and since the last Annual General Meeting, as well as a good attendance of individual members, representatives of eight or nine other Societies have been present at each meeting. Action and decisions have therefore been taken with the benefit of the views of a considerable cross-section of Scottish interests. 

By courtesy of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland the monthly meetings of the Council have again been held at 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, and the Annual General Meeting in April 1952 was also held there. The Council once more desire to express their cordial thanks to the Royal Incorporation for this facility. 

Membership. 

During the year under review the following bodies have joined the Association:- 

The St Andrews Preservation Trust Limited; 

The County Council of the County of Renfrew; The Scottish Salmon Angling Federation; 

The St Boswells Village Committee; and The Saltire Society. 

The Council were very pleased to welcome the following new representatives of Constituent Bodies and Affiliated Societies:- 

Lady Trevelyan (C.P.R.E.); 

Mrs Ramage Dawson (S.W.R.I.); 

Miss E. Orphoot (The Saltire Society); and 

Mr Michael Lorimer, W.S. (The Scottish Salmon Angling Federation). 

During the year the following new members joined:— 

2 Life Members; 

3 Annual Members; and 

1 Associate Member. 

Committees.

The following are the Committees appointed by 

the Council:- 

CHAIRMAN’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE 

(including Finance and Publicity): 

Chairman-Commander Courtney Clarke. 

JOINT RIVER POLLUTION, FISHERIES, AND HYDRO-ELECTRIC SUB-COMMITTEE: 

Chairman-Commander Courtney Clarke. 

Vice-Chairman-Mr B. N. H. Orphoot, R.S.A., F.R.I.B.A. 

RURAL AMENITIES SUB-COMMITTEE: 

Chairman-Mrs Mackenzie Anderson. Vice-Chairman-Mr Alan Stewart-Clark. 

BUILDINGS OF ARCHITECTURAL MERIT OR HISTORIC INTEREST: 

Chairman-Mr William Walker, A.R.E. 

Constitution. 

The minor alterations mentioned in the last Annual Report were formally approved at the Annual General Meeting in April 1952. The Constitution has been reprinted and a copy will be made available to any member on request. 

Rivers Pollution.- 

(1) Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) (Scotland) Act, 1951. 

Some progress has been made by the Department of Health for Scotland with the establishment of River Purification Boards. Draft orders have been published as a preliminary to the making of orders for setting up River Purification Boards for the Banff, Moray, and Nairn area (which includes the Rivers Deveron, Findhorn, Lossie, Nairn, and Spey), the Lothians area (which includes the Rivers Almond, Esk, Tyne, and Water of Leith), the Tweed area (which includes the River Tweed and its tributaries so far as situated in Scotland), and the Solway area (which includes the Rivers Annan, Cree, Dee, Nith, and Water of Luce). 

The Council were informed by the Department of Health for Scotland in January 1953 that representations had been made by a few Local Authorities against the establishment of River Purification Boards, but the Department hope that these Local Authorities may be persuaded on re-examination of all the factors involved to reconsider their decision and co-operate with the Department in the establishment of River Purification Boards. 

(2) Hawick Gas Works Case. 

A very serious case of pollution occurred at Hawick at the end of August 1952, when ammoniacal liquor from the Gas Works gushed into the River Teviot for several days. Fish life was destroyed all along the river as far as Denholm, a distance of five miles, and for some miles beyond that the river was discoloured. In February 1951 the Gas Board were debarred from putting their gas effluent into the Hawick Sewage Works, and the liquor was then allowed to run into a disused well at the back of the Gas Works, those concerned hoping it would percolate into the sub-soil so as to render it harmless. During the laying of a new gas main across the river, the bank was breached and the effluent began to pour out in considerable quantity. A successful prosecution was brought in Hawick Sheriff Court by the River Tweed Commissioners. 

The Council took an active interest in this case and a letter was sent to the Scottish Gas Board urging that they should call for reports from all the Gas Works under their control as to how each lot of gas work’s effluent was dealt with, and take the necessary action where required. Letters were also addressed to the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Department of Health for Scotland, and a letter signed by the Chairman was published in The Scotsman,’ ‘The Glasgow Herald,’ and other papers in the middle of November drawing attention to the danger of gas effluent pollution. The Council have been informed by the representative of the River Tweed Commissioners that the Scottish Gas Board are now carting away the gas effluent from Hawick pending a final solution of the difficult problem of its disposal. 

(3) River Gryffe. 

In May 1952 a report was received from a local resident regarding pollution of the River Gryffe and a tributary called the Lecher Burn which occurred on 19th April 1952. The matter was taken up with the County Council of the County of Renfrew, and so far no further recurrence of this pollution has been reported. 

(4) Border Burghs. 

As regards the Tweed, the installation of Sewage Purifi- cation Works is under consideration by the Town Council of Kelso, and the plans of Melrose Town Council have been submitted to the Department of Health for Scotland for approval. The lower Teviot is still polluted from Jedburgh, but it is hoped that Sewage Purification Works will be put in hand in the not too distant future. 

Hydro-Electric Development. 

During the period under review the following Schemes were examined:- 

1. No. 63-Garry-Moriston Transmission Lines. 
2. No. 66-Breadalbane Transmission Lines. 
3. No. 23A-Moriston Project (Amendments). 
4. No. 67-Fort Augustus-Glen Truim Transmission Lines. 
5. No. 69-Extension to Cowal Project. 
6. No. 61-Kilmelfort Project. 

In the Annual Report for last year reference was made to the proposed power line through the Corrieyairack Pass (the Fort Augustus-Glen Truim Transmission Lines). On examining the proposals of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board it was seen that the power line would cross and recross General Wade’s road some twenty-one times in the course of the seventeen miles between Fort Augustus and Glen Shira Lodge, and the line would go very close to the famous zig-zags near the summit of the Pass. The Council accordingly made representations to the Board, in which they had the support of the National Trust for Scotland, the Scottish Rights of Way Society, Ltd., and the Cyclists’ Touring Club. The Board dealt with the Council’s suggestions in a very reasonable and co-operative manner, and agreed to make a considerable change in the route of the proposed power line in the central seven miles of the Pass. This will have the result of eliminating twelve crossings of the road and will keep the line as far away as possible from the zig-zags. 

The President, the Vice-President, the Chairman, and the Organising Secretary were invited to attend the official opening of the Glen Affric Scheme by the Duke of Edinburgh at the Fasnakyle Power Station on 13th October 1952. The Association was represented on this occasion. During September the Chairman had visited Glen Affric and other Schemes and reported to the Council that he was very favourably impressed with the way in which amenity had been preserved, especially in connection with the former Scheme. The Council generally appreciate the care which the Board are giving to questions of amenity. 

Plewlands House, South Queensferry.

The Council gave very careful consideration to the question of the preservation of this old house which the Burgh, with the approval of the Planning Committee of the County Council, had scheduled for demolition. After a number of members of Council had visited the house, the Council decided to support the National Trust for Scotland in their efforts to preserve it, and letters were sent to the Secretary of State for Scotland and to the Press. The Council noted with very great pleasure the success of the efforts of the National Trust in saving Plewlands House and sent the Trust a small contribution as a token of their good wishes for the restoration project.

County Development Plans.

The Council were gratified to be consulted about the following Development Plans in course of preparation in terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scot- land) Act, 1947:- 

County of Lanark. 

On the invitation of the County Planning Officer, Mrs Mackenzie Anderson, Convener of the Rural Amenities Sub-Committee, and the late Sir Frank Mears, had a meeting with him to discuss the Development Plan for a part area of the County comprising mainly the industrial part. Consideration was given to the proposals contained in the Glasgow Development Plan and their bearing on the County Development Plan. Grouping of population, caravan sites, preservation of historic sites, tree planting, routing of power lines and other topics were also discussed. 

East Lothian.

The County Council sent the Association a draft of their Development Plan and, on their invitation, the Chairman and Mr Alan Stewart-Clark had a meeting with the County Planning Officer and subsequently attended a meeting of the County Planning Committee. The question of preservation of ancient buildings was discussed, but the main problem stressed by the Association’s representatives was control of advertisements. As a result of the views put forward on behalf of the Association, the County Council have decided to extend the proposed areas of special control of advertisements to include those areas defined in the Plan as of great landscape, architectural or historic value. The Association’s representatives were very interested to see that included in the Plan was the proposal to establish a nature reserve at Aberlady Bay. This nature reserve has now been set up and is the first to be set up by a County Council in Scotland. The Council thought it desirable that they should express, in a letter to the Press, their appreciation of the initiative shown by East Lothian County Council, and the hope that other County Councils would follow their lead. 

Kincardine.

A draft Written Statement showing the County Council’s part plan proposals for the Aberdeen suburban area has been received and is under consideration by the Rural Amenities Sub-Committee. 

Midlothian and Peebles.

The Chairman and Mrs Mackenzie Anderson had a meeting with the Planning Officer for the Counties of Midlothian and Peebles. In connection with Midlothian, tree preservation orders and areas of special control of advertisements were discussed and complete agreement was reached as to which areas in the County should be designated as Areas of Special Control. As regards Peebles, the deputation agreed with the Planning Officer in suggesting to the County Council that the whole County, excluding the two Burghs, should be designated as an Area of Special Control. 

Bilston Glen, Midlothian.

The Council were asked to support the efforts of the British Association to prevent the use of Bilston Glen by the National Coal Board as a dumping ground for spoil from new colliery workings in the district. While the British Association was concerned with the preservation of the exposures of the coal measures occurring in the Glen, which is a natural feature of great interest to geologists, the Council also considered the question from the amenity point of view. The views of other Societies interested were obtained and visits were paid to the Glen by members of Council. In the House of Commons on 19th December 1952, Mr J. Henderson Stewart, Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, mentioned that the Minister of State had approved a compromise between the National Coal Board and other interested parties whereby only a limited area of the Glen would be used for a limited period, at the end of which the Coal Board would move to an alternative site if such had become available. The Council agreed to accept the solution reached, but a letter was sent to the Secretary of State urging that the question of an alternative site should be actively pursued so that the whole question could be reviewed before the agreed period comes to an end. An assurance has been received that the matter has already been taken up. 

Litter. 

A member having drawn the attention of the Council to the increased quantity of litter deposited on road-sides, the source of which appeared to be touring ‘buses, the matter was taken up with the Ministry of Transport. As a result, the Regional Transport Commissioner agreed to write to the large ‘bus operating companies asking them to appeal to their passengers not to throw litter from vehicles. 

Camping and Caravan Sites.

The Council gave consideration to the general question of the amenities of caravan and camping sites in Scotland in consultation, through their representatives on the Council, with the Caravan Club of Great Britain and Ireland and the Camping Club of Great Britain and Ireland, Ltd., and as a result a circular letter was sent to all County Councils and all large Burghs in Scotland submitting a number of principles which Planning Authorities might bear in mind when approving sites. 

Control of Advertisements. 

In the last Annual Report the position with regard to the defining of areas of special control of advertisements was summarised as follows:- 

• In three Counties – Dumfries, Perth and Kinross, and Inverness – Orders were in force making the whole County, with the exception of small Burghs and certain villages, an Area of Special Control. 
• In eleven Counties – Stirling, Clackmannan, Aberdeen, East Lothian, Argyll, Renfrew, Angus, Selkirk, Bute, Kincardine, and Midlothian – proposals for creation of Areas of Special Control were under consideration. 
• In thirteen Counties no steps were to be taken to define Areas of Special Control as these Counties were satisfied that adequate control could be exercised without an Order being made. 

Since that Report was prepared, the Association has been informed that there is an Order in force defining an Area of Special Control within Dunbartonshire, covering the area of the proposed National Park on Loch Lomondside, the Gareloch, the Roseneath Peninsula, and the Loch Long foreshore up to Arrochar. In June 1952 an Order came into force covering the Landward Area of Argyll, with the exception of the major built-up areas. 

To bring their information up to date, the Council recently asked County Councils for their views as to the practical working of the Control of Advertisements Regulations. From the many replies which have been received it has been ascertained that the following additional Counties are considering proposals to define Areas of Special Control:- 

• Peebles, Moray and Nairn, Sutherland, and Roxburgh. 

The following Counties as at present advised have decided not to define any Areas of Special Control:- 

• Berwick, Kirkcudbright. 

The majority of County Councils as Local Planning Authorities consider that the Regulations are working satisfactorily, but others consider that the Regulations have their weak points, and have put forward constructive suggestions for their improvement. It is proposed to forward these suggestions, with the approval of the County Councils concerned, to the Secretary of State for Scotland for his consideration. 

There appear to have been a great many applications on behalf of petrol companies for the erection of signs at filling stations now that branded petrol is once more on sale. It is hoped that such advertising will be kept within reasonable limits, and that, where approved, the signs will be very carefully sited. 

The Council appreciate that the application of the Regulations, particularly the procedure for challenging unsightly advertisements, is going to be a lengthy process in view of the many commitments of Planning Authorities, but they feel that in the majority of Counties little apparent progress in the removal of unsightly advertisements has been made since the period of grace expired in August 1951. In their journeys up and down Scotland, members still see the advertisements to which they took exception several years ago. Notable examples to which the attention of the Council is drawn frequently are the advertisements on the main trunk road from Edinburgh to the South by Carter Bar which are still to be seen by the roadside on Soutra Hill and on the North side of Earlston; and those on the Glasgow-Kilmarnock road and the Glasgow-Stirling road. It is hoped that some of these advertisements will be removed before the arrival of the exceptionally large number of visitors who are expected to visit Scotland this Coronation year. 

Preservation of Woodlands.

-The Council took action in the following cases:- 

(1) Loch Sunart Woods. 

The Council received a report from a member to the effect that the oak and birch woods along Loch Sunart between Salen and Strontian were to be cleared, and the question of replanting was taken up with the Forestry Commission. Satisfactory assurances as to the policy of replanting were received. 

(2) Trees at Westerton, Bridge of Allan. 

A member, Miss E. K. Alexander, drew attention to the proposed felling of the woods at Westerton, Bridge of Allan, which had been planted by her grandfather almost a century ago, it being his wish that all who so desired might be at liberty to enjoy the woodland walks at pleasure. The matter was taken up with the Forestry Commission, and a letter was received stating that it was not proposed to grant a licence for felling one large lot, and that a smaller lot was to be felled on condition that it is replanted. This was regarded by the Council as most satisfactory. 

During the period of this Report the foregoing were the only two applications for help in the preservation of woodlands of particular merit or community value. All the same the problem of preservation remains and will arise again and again when so many interests are involved, those of the owners of woodlands, timber merchants, the community living near or visiting the woods, the Forestry Commission, Local Planning Authorities. 

Members are asked to bear in mind two points—(a) that under Section 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1947, a Local Planning Authority may, if it appears expedient in the interests of amenity, make provision for the preservation of trees or woodlands in their district by making a Tree Preservation Order with respect to such trees; and (b) that under Section 3 (2) of the Forestry Act, 1951, the Forestry Commission, when an application for a felling licence is made, may, if it appears to them to be expedient to do so in the interests of good forestry or agriculture, or of the amenities of the district, refuse to grant a licence, or grant a licence subject to conditions. 

If members could, as time and opportunity allow, survey the woodlands in their own areas and notify either the Forestry Commission Conservator for their area or the County Planning Officer of any woods or groups of trees of particular amenity value, more especially beeches, specimen conifers, or old Scots pines, there is a possibility that a Tree Preservation Order would be made before a felling licence is applied for, and time would thus be gained to consider whether these trees should be preserved under a plan for selective felling. Too often the cry of distress over the wholesale felling and desecration of a woodland comes too late, after the licence has been granted. 

During 1952, Local Planning Authorities made fourteen Tree Preservation Orders as follows: 

Airdrie Burgh 1, 

Fife County 1, 

Clackmannan County 1, 

Stewartry of Kirkcudbright 11. 

Glasgow Corporation made one interim Preservation Order under the Town and Country Planning (Interim Development) (Scotland) Act, 1943. 

In all, thirty-nine Preservation Orders have been made under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1947. 

Of these, thirty-one have been confirmed (some with modifications) and eight are at various stages of consideration. 

Coronation Tree Planting. 

The Council considered the scheme sponsored by the Scottish Tourist Board which has as its object the planting of trees and shrubs as a permanent commemoration of the Coronation. The Council sent a letter to the Press to the effect that the Association supports the proposals made by the Tourist Board, and hopes that Local Authorities and Local Organisations in Scotland will encourage the youth of the country to take part in the scheme. The Council also support the proposals discussed at a representative meeting convened in Glasgow City Chambers by the Glasgow Tree Lovers’ Society, that the planting of trees along the Edinburgh-Glasgow Road should be undertaken as a special feature of the scheme. 

National Parks. 

The Scottish Council for National Parks, on which the Association is represented, have recently urged the Government to initiate legislation without delay to enable at least one National Park to be set up in Scotland. 

Representatives of the Scottish Council for National Parks are at present having talks with officials of the Department of Health for Scotland with a view to arriving at an estimate of the cost of setting up a National Parks Commission for Scotland, and establishing one National Park in the Loch Lomond-Trossachs area, or in the Cairngorms. 

Miscellaneous.

Other matters which have engaged the attention of the Council during the period of this Report include:- 

Pitlochry amenities; planting of waste ground in Spean village; speed limit in St Boswells’ village; proposed wireless station at Falside Hill, near Tranent; the Wild Plant Conservation Board, &c. 

Finance. 

There is appended hereto an Abstract of the Accounts for the year to 31st December 1952. 

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Chairman’s Remarks.

Having completed eighteen months as Chairman of Council, I would like to take this opportunity of making a few personal remarks:- 

Finance.

In last year’s Accounts, Income Tax recoverable amounting to £65, 9s. 7d. was shown as written off. This amount had been previously shown as an asset, but as no Income Tax had been recovered for some years I was informed that it was considered desirable to deal with it thus. The Income Tax affairs of the Association have now been brought up to date, and this year’s Accounts show Income Tax recovered from Covenants amounting to £139, 13s. 5d. (which includes the foregoing sum of £65, 9s. 7d.). This year subscriptions from members and societies and donations show an increase of about £56. The interest on investments shows an increase of about £60. 

The net result of the foregoing is that the accumulated deficit of £258, 9s. 7d. shown in last year’s Accounts has been cleared off and there is an excess of receipts over payments of £6, 15s. The financial position of the Association is, therefore, much more satisfactory than a year ago, but there are no grounds for complacency. 

Some of the above revenue is non-recurring. The Income Tax recovered from Covenants amounting to £139, 13s. 5d. will not be repeated as there is only one Covenant left still running. Again, the Life Membership Account is rapidly dwindling and, if drawn on at the present rate, will be nearly exhausted in three years’ time. In the early life of the Association, large numbers of those interested joined as Life Members at £5, but since the war there have been few new Life Members. The fund has been drawn on annually and consequently has been steadily getting smaller. Also some of last year’s special donations may not be repeated this year. 

General

In these days of ever-increasing taxation and with so many other calls, it is appreciated how difficult it is becoming for individuals to keep up subscriptions to voluntary societies, but as the A.P.R.S. has in the past done most valuable work and can continue to do so in the future if sufficiently supported, it is hoped that every member will try and get new recruits. The amount any association can achieve is to a great extent limited by the funds at its disposal. We particularly want younger members, especially those who would be willing to serve on the Council. 

It would be a great help if as many members as possible would pay their subscriptions by Banker’s Order as it simplifies administration. The Association can almost double amounts subscribed under Covenant through reclaim of Income Tax and ordinary members are urged to subscribe under a Seven Year Covenant, forms of which may be obtained from the Organising Secretary. 

The work of the Council would be helped if members would keep the Organising Secretary informed of anything they think requires attention. 

Finally, the Council suggest the following slogan for the year:- 

“KEEP RURAL SCOTLAND TIDY FOR THE CORONATION.” 

H. C. COURTNEY CLARKE, Chairman of Council. 

EDINBURGH, 5th March 1953.-I have examined the books and accounts of the Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland and certify that the foregoing Balance Sheet exhibits a true and correct state of the Association’s affairs as shown by the books as at 31st December 1952. 

15 ALVA STREET, 

EDINBURGH. 

ALEX. HARRISON, C.A. 

Printed by William Blackwood & Sons Ltd., Edinburgh