Geographer - Royal Scottish Geographical Society

The
Geographer
biodiversity & geodiversity
It has been reassuring to see the development
of the Fair Maid’s House proceeding as it is. We
can now see clearly the four spaces that we will
have available to bring to a wider public, not only
the history of the Society but also the continuing
importance of geography, particularly in view of the
global issues faced by this and future generations.
Work is proceeding on the interpretation and display
elements of these spaces which will, of course,
include the fascinating history of the building itself.
However, never has it been more important to demonstrate
that we have not inherited the planet from our parents but
that we are simply looking after it for our children.
Our small staff at headquarters have expanded to four and
a half, thanks to a generous anonymous donation from a
member who correctly recognised that this is a critical time
for the Society. And, as a regular visitor to Perth, I can tell
you that the Society is fortunate to have such committed and
enthusiastic employees.
But they cannot, of course, do everything. Mike tells me that
he has calculated the work of all the volunteers in the Society
equates to almost the same as our staff in headquarters. And I
was reminded again of a comment by one of my predecessors,
“If it wasn’t for the volunteers, Barrie, the Society would be
finished”.
I cannot thank them enough; none receive payment for their
services and many do not even claim the expenses to which
they are entitled. All, however, share our conviction that the
Society got it right all these years ago, and that it is now even
more important to continue to pursue its objective of inspiring
people to develop a greater understanding of all the issues
affecting our planet.
The Fair Maid’s House development will give the Society
the best opportunity yet to promote its aims to a wider
public, but for this we will need even more volunteers. I ask
you all to give serious consideration to putting your name
forward to help. All of our current volunteers enjoy making
a contribution, in whatever way they do, and I can promise
that you will all be given appropriate training before the time
comes (currently expected to be around late spring 2011). If
you are interested in helping, please just give your name to
headquarters.
I conclude my comments with another of my ‘straws in the
wind’. Last week, Fiona told me that she had recruited three
new members who had rung our doorbell and said they were
interested in joining the Society. It cannot be anything but a
good sign.
Barrie Brown, Chairman
RSGS, Lord John Murray House,
15-19 North Port, Perth, PH1 5LU
tel: 01738 455050
email: enquiries@rsgs.org
www.rsgs.org
Charity registered in Scotland no SC015599
The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the RSGS.
Cover image: Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone Park, Wyoming (part image)
© Yann Arthus-Bertrand
Masthead image: Japanese macaques bathing in Jigokudani hot spring
© www.istockphoto.com
Yann Arthus-Bertrand Receives
Inaugural Geddes Environment Medal
Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the legendary photographer, journalist, reporter
and environmentalist, came to the Edinburgh Filmhouse in September
to accept the inaugural RSGS Geddes Environment Medal, and to
speak at a screening of his award winning documentary film, Home.
The evening was a great success and, addressing the audience,
RSGS Chief Executive Mike Robinson gave a few of the reasons Yann
was chosen for the accolade, stating “We require to be continually
reminded of our place in nature, to be mindful of the beauty and
fragility of our planet, and to be inspired to want to protect it... Yann
has captured that beauty, reminded us of that fragility, and enthralled
millions of people in more than a hundred nations around the world,
inspiring them to make the connections between people, places and
the planet and to work towards positive long-term change.”
HQ Open Day
Work on the Fair Maid’s
House is progressing
well, and is expected to
finish in early November,
a little behind the original
schedule because of
under-pinning required
on the existing old wall.
To coincide with the Ray
Mears event in Perth, the
RSGS headquarters at
Lord John Murray House
will be opening its doors
from 2.00pm to 4.30pm
on 28th October 2010,
giving members the
opportunity to visit the
HQ, to learn more about
the development of the
Fair Maid’s House project,
and to get an insight into
some of the other work of
the Society.
RSGS – Making Connections between People, Places & the Planet