Rural Stirling Housing Association looked back on another busy and successful year at its Annual General Meeting held in Callander and said goodbye to its long-standing chief executive.

An audience of over 60 Association members, tenants, community representatives and other invited guests heard chairperson Margaret Vass present the Annual Report on the Association’s activities in 2016/17.

Highlights had included:

Whilst the Association was again able to report sound finances and solid plans for the future concern was voiced about the introduction of Universal Credit and other changes to the welfare system and how these will impact on the Association and many of its tenants.

The guest speaker was the Association’s own chief executive, Tony Teasdale, who is leaving the Association at the end of October. He reflected on his 15 years with Rural Stirling, and the Association’s progress during that period.

The chair presented Tony with a certificate in recognition of his long and loyal service and commented: “Everyone here knows that RSHA would not be what it is today without Tony’s vision, energy and passion. He is going to be hard act to follow.”

Elections took place for the volunteer Board of Management which for the coming year will include: Linda Anderson, Malcolm Begg, Fiona Boath, Theresa Elliot, David Frood, Mark Griffiths, Rob Hughes, Pat McCausland, Susan Macmillan, Alistair Miller, Bob Moyes, Colin O’Brien, Phil Ragsdell and Margaret Vass.

The results of the Association’s garden competition were announced and presented by Stephen Kerr MP.