Galson Estate Trustees

The new Directors of The Galson Estate Trust: Agnes Rennie, South Galson, 553, James Macdonald, Melbost Borve, 461, Margaret A Mackay, North Dell, 414, Norman N Thomson, Cross Skigersta Road, 414, Donald A Macdoanld, Borve, 389, Colin Maclean, Mid Borve, 372, Murdina Murray, North Galson, 338, Donald A Mackay, South Galson, 333, James Macleod, Swainbost, 333, Alex Morrison, Melbost Borve, 322.   (Missing from the photo are Agnes Rennie and Norman Thomson)

The freezing temperature failed to halt the growing excitement in Ness Hall on the evening of Monday night when the ballot to elect directors of the Galson Estate Trust got underway a little after 7.30pm.  A group of about 50 members of the public had gathered to watch the Comhairle (local authority) team of nine check, count and check again the votes that would reduce the list of thirty nominees to a directorship roll of ten. With multiple votes on each ballot slip and an impressive 877 papers to count in all, the process was necessarily slow, and it was not until after 10.30pm that the result was finally announced.

A hushed hall listened as Returning Officer Derek Mackay of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar read out the count in alphabetical order. Of the ten directors elected, four are from the Borve area of the estate, three from Galson and three from Ness.  Of the original steering group members, only four made it on to the final list. The new board represents a broad range of opinion and a sound bank of expertise covering crofting, rural development, banking, business and law.

The newly elected directors will now be charged with the complex task of steering the buyout process through to a successful outcome next year. Beyond that, they will help shape the estate’s economic development under a new community landlord and hopefully open a fresh chapter of prosperity for the people of the Galson Estate.

In election terms, the night was an unprecedented success with 76.9% of Trust members returning their voting slips. In political terms, it was history in the making.

Courtesy of Fios - The North Lewis Weekly