It doesn’t seem as long as 20 years since the formation of the National Trust, on the other hand, so much has been accomplished that it seems longer somehow.
The staff and volunteers continue to do an excellent job of operating the Trust.
Probably the most important aspect of the Trust is the education programme that teaches our future generations the importance of preserving our natural environment and our historic buildings and places.
The acquisition of land by the trust is the surest way to make sure that significant areas are preserved and we need to be thankful for the generosity of numerous donors in order that this can be successful.
I would like to share one instance of this that occurred during my time as chairman of the Trust.
A couple who had been coming to Cayman for many years wanted to make a donation to the Trust.
They visited the Trust and met the staff, but before making a donation they wanted to meet my wife and me.
We arranged to meet at their place for a drink.
We got on well together and as we were leaving they handed me an envelope. I opened it when we got home and inside was a cheque for the Trust for a substantial amount, which was to be used to purchase land in the Mastic Reserve. They made further donations some years later for the Mission House Project.
They wanted no recognition and wished to remain completely anonymous, however my wife did talk to Mrs. Monica Gore and she and Governor Gore invited them to dinner at Government House as a private thank you. We remain friends with the family until this day.
With the pace of development being experienced, the role of National Trust today is even more important than it was 20 years ago and I would like to wish the current council, staff and volunteers all the best for the future.
Gordon McLaughlin
Past chairman
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