New Chair - Kate Allum
Article for the Spring edition of the Eagle
Ballater (RD) Ltd or BRD for short (the legal name of Ballater Community Trust) has historically had changes of Chair over the years, and in 2025 Ray Riddoch resigned his Chair role and stepped down to become Vice Chair, with Kate Allum taking on the mantle of Chair.
Asking Ray for his thoughts on his time as Chair he stated that:
“As I look back on the Trust’s activities in 2025, it strikes me once again how diverse are the recipients of our assistance, and I think that is its essence.
The Trust has provided funds to the Ballater Flood Issues Group to help in analysis and engineering studies, assisted in the funding of various Ballater Community Halls activities, supported a day trip for the Ballater and Crathie Primary Schools to the Gordon Highlanders Museum, and helped everything else you can imagine in between!
As with every Charity, the Trust has to be able to withstand scrutiny from external parties, not least in the financial area. I am pleased to say that as I step down, I can report that the Trust is rigorous in its management.
In addition, our new website has been up and running for more than a year and has proved to be successful, not only in communicating the projects and activities we support but also providing an efficient means of applying for funds. I encourage you to visit it and learn more about us.
In closing, may I wish Kate Allum, the new Chair, every success going forward. She, I am sure, will cherish the good work that has been done by the Trust over the years, and push us forward again.”
On talking to Kate about her feelings on becoming the eleventh Chair she said:
“I am delighted to be taking on the role of Chair of the Trust’s legal entity, BRD, having been a part of the Board for several years. Now more than ever, the Trust has touched many corners of our community with support and resources.
I look to continue the work that Ray has accomplished, confident in the knowledge that the Directors of the Board are diverse, committed and experts in their various areas.
I am very grateful that Ray is staying on as Vice Chair to help us into the next chapter of our work.”
So, thanking Ray and wishing Kate well for the future, we would just like to add that, like all local Charities, it is important that we reflect the community in which we serve and that means bringing in new members to the Board to ensure we are truly representative of this corner of Upper Deeside. Our area covers Dinnet to Braemar, and Directors do not have to be resident in the area, so if you are community minded and can give time for up to ten Board Meetings a year, coupled with time for a possible project commitment, then let Gillian know on info@ballatercommunitytrust.co.uk . Please note it does require Membership of the Company, which is simple to complete, and only costs £1.00 for life.