Due to Covid, an AGM was held on Zoom on 13th May 2021. It was decided that the existing Council should carry on pro tem. This was followed by a talk by George Mackintosh on the Papple project.
All proposed events had to be abandoned. The President kept in touch with members by email
The next AGM will be held on Saturday 14th May 2022 at 2,30pm at Prestonkirk stables.
Online Lectures
We have had three successful lectures on Zoom, that have been attended by some members who would have found physical attendance impossible. I am grateful to the speakers, and Ian Hardie and George Robertson who made them possible.
11 November 2021 “Aberlady Bay nature reserve from sea to tree and everything in between”, by John Harrison, Warden Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve.
13 January 2022. “ East Lothian’s geological journey; from tropical paradise to icy wastes”. by Fiona McGibbon
3rd March. 2022 Saltcoats Castle and the Livingstone’s by David Sowerby.
Membership
Although membership remains steady with 48 family members & 53 individuals, the Council is looking at ways in which to attract new members, particularly of a “younger age group”. A Trifold leaflet has been developed.
Transactions
The Transactions continue to be held in high regard. They are lodged in the Copyright Libraries, East Lothian Libraries and are purchased by academic and other libraries. They are issued to Queen Margaret University, and East Lothian secondary schools and Belhaven and Loretto schools. Volume xxxiii will be published shortly.
The Transactions, (eastlothianantiquarians.org.uk ) and the 4th Statistical account (el4.org.uk) and other works are now available on the societies websites. We are grateful to George Robertson and Philip Immirzi, for setting up and maintaining the sites. Members are encouraged to contribute articles for the Transactions and website.
Other matters
We have entered into discussion with George Mackintosh about establishing a presence in his heritage centre at Papple. This will give us a base and an opportunity to develop various ideas and projects.
The President represents the Society on the John Muir park advisory group.
Mr John Hunt represents the society on the Aberlady Bay advisory group and on the Law Advisory group.
Joy Dodd represents the Society on the East Lothian Heritage Forum.
The society is vigilant in the face of threats to our heritage of buildings and landscapes.
Stephen Bunyan, President
April 2022
